Kalos resumed his walking, and I found myself unsure of my own next steps. The moment I set his name I felt a connection form, like with the others, and a sense of stability fell heavily upon me. It was so different from the others I wondered how I had missed something similar before. Though I had my guesses about why I might have missed it. There was a lot to consider if I did make more children.
Considering that six, one of each element, would be a balanced measure. Would I divide my dungeon into six kingdoms like the story? Something about it made my head ache, until I remembered I didn't have a head.
"There is a reason six is important." A smooth voice said in my Core Room, and something tapped my core! All thoughts froze as I focused my Will upon the space, but there wasn't anyone there. I created a ripple of mana in the air, similar to the trick I used to detect the party of intruders before. The wave was absorbed into a space near my core in a form of a horned human. I couldn't say it was beastkin shaped, something about it just didn't feel right to call it that.
"There are six basic elements that branch off the Eternal, the essence of creation and destruction. Which flows from the depths of the Realm due to it's nature." The voice lectured, "The Eternal must always be in balance, and will correct itself if it is not." It wasn't hard to hear the creature, but it was hard to understand what it was doing. The Eternal must be that pearly energy that I could draw from the Well with enough focus. And, I had seen it split into the six primary elements plenty of times, but what did it mean by correcting?
"These corrections are one of three or a combination of the following," It continued as if hearing my thoughts on the matter, "Primal, a physical change that aligns the elements into a balance of forces. Spiritual, a pattern change that creates a cognitive shift in perceptions to reflect the imbalance. Lastly, Arcana, a change of nature and often a drastic alteration of form and function." It was surreal to hear the words from a void in the air. Though it sounded like one of the books that Yana had left behind, and I began to wonder if it had some magic spell on it to create a living story. It was giving me ideas to try out.
"Given the nature of this world, a large enough imbalance will lead to global destruction," That snapped me out of my musings, "The Realm wasn't designed to handle any of the three alterations or their combinations. Since it's purpose was to act like a-" There was a sound like hissing water meeting fire for a short bit before it continued at a normal pace.
"Thus, there was only three safeguards for anyone in a sheltering state within the Realm," I was annoyed at the deliberate hiding of critical information that just took place. I might not know what this thing was, but I was not amused. Though I thought I recognized the figure slightly, and it made me unnerved.
"First, is to leave through the Door, which will open upon critical failure. Though, this is a last resort, and should be treated as such. Second, is to rebalance the systems with the help of the Guardian or through interaction with the *********." Once again that sound, another piece of information hidden.
If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
"Third, is to attempt to open the Door early and exit. As the situation decays this process becomes more challenging as it requires more and more Will to engage the mechanisms, but the Door is designed to allow entry from either side. Simply engage these mechanisms via the Akashic Manual possessed by all personal above B-Clearance." The void then flickered a few times.
"Failure to leave before the Realm Collapse Event will lead to a full wipe of all matter until re-initiation. Good luck." A small popping sound came from the space, and a Tick sound was heard.
----
Carl the Runner was having a good day all things considered. He had finally gotten a chance to go to the capital with an important package, the dream of any Courier type class. He had worked hard since he turned 16 to get a job at the Guild, and now it was rewarded with a package marked "URGENT". It was even going to the Academy!
The only thing to dampen his mood was the same that was scaring a lot of people all around. The great cracks in the sky that seemed to be filled with rainbows in darkness. He wasn't the best poet, but had convinced Bethany to marry him with his wordplay. Well, and his cousin Jeff's flowers had helped a lot, that guy was a lifesaver to have around.
Things were going so well that he didn't notice a faint light emit from the package in the saddle bag. Though others along the road noticed it, and decided that it was something worth taking a risk. For who would ride so hard when carrying a glowing package. It had to be something valuable and important. At least that was the thoughts of the bandit that loosed the first arrow.
It was a shot one could be proud of. For at 20 yards it struck the rope tying the package to the horse, but didn't quite cut it free. Though the horse certainly noticed the sound and accompanying pain of the arrow. Even if it didn't pierce too deeply due to the hardened leather saddle, it was still enough to cause the horse to buck. Carl wasn't prepared and got thrown to the side of the road, luckily landing in some bushes. Unluckily, smacking his head against a truck that caused him to go unconscious.
"Hey, be more careful, ya lout." One of the other bandits said to the first, "Could have missed and we would have missed out on our payday." The first one, the one who shot looked sheepishly.
"It worked out did't it?" He ran over to check the kid on the road, "Even knock'd the bugger out. So we can just take the horse too." The others came to check his words, while he went to soothe the upset beast. It didn't take long for them to slit the kid's throat, and pull the glowing package out. It was in an engraved box with spell script on it, but they just opened it anyways. Most magic was put on stuff to alert people not kill them after all.
Tick, Tick
Carl the Runner was having a good day all things considered. The "URGENT" marked package and letter in his saddlebags were the stuff of dreams for the messenger, and he had even made it through the woods near the capital with no trouble. It was a truly good day.
----
Blood dripped down from the branches of the trees along the road, and the next travelers couldn't help but stop in fear and terror. Few had seen a person split and opened to the world. It was grisly sight of three men, clearly bandits, who now feed the trees they were pinned too. No, one thought it odd the birds and other carrion creatures avoided these men. Though few missed the sign.
No Men Shall Be Slaves the motto of the Felbeasts.
A pure white smile in the shadows of the trees was missed though.
Tick