“Can’t believe we have to go along with this shit.” One of the emissaries growled in frustration as she adjusted the itchy blonde wig on her head. “Two weeks of bruising my ass in a bumpy wagon from that dwarven pit right into a week of freezing my ass on a boat. Then do we get to rest up and have a nice meal in CC?” She asked rhetorically, using her acronym for Crown City. “Of course not! Back in a wagon for more ass bruising and a night in this terrible excuse for an inn.”
“I’m aware of the trials your ass has endured.” Her twin brother said flatly as he put the finishing touches on his own disguise. “Mine was seated next to yours the whole time, remember?”
“Yeah, yeah.” She huffed back. “Still, I wonder what this guy’s like.” She pondered aloud. “I know we’re gonna kill him when we get the chance but from what we’ve already gathered he seems interesting.”
“I’m more concerned about his pets, though I sincerely doubt those rumors. It’s probably a hill giant and a wyvern. Imagine the mountain terror Yugal himself and a real live dragon submitting to a human.” He chuckled.
“We’re about to find out.” The woman said, nodding to the open window at the brightening eastern sky. “Disguise check.”
The twins stared at each other then, scrutinizing every detail of their emissary disguises. Finally satisfied, the siblings whose real names had been discarded years ago in favor of whatever false identity they were adopting at any given moment left the inn to meet with the man called Gray.
No one knew the true names of the twins that embodied the singular entity of the green Crusibilis knight of venom, including themselves. They were the left and right fangs of the viper, and the most feared political assassins on the continent.
They left Ariel’s Gate and began walking the path next to the lake toward the western field.
“Didn’t the rumors say the place was the size of the inner Crusibilis Citadel?” The brother asked in confusion. To his eyes, the field was empty. He could clearly see all the way to Gnollwood, and the dark mountains beyond that.
“It is strange, but some of the stories have to be true. Look at the ridge.” The sister pointed to the rock formation to the south where a perfectly clean hole hundreds of meters in diameter had been punched through the solid rock.
“Hey you noticed my work!” A cheerful and boyish voice sounded from directly in front of them. “Lady Tabula said to give that ridge a good hit so I sent one of my favorites!”
The twins both reflexively shot their hands into hidden areas where the hilts of poisoned daggers waited. They stopped as their eyes and minds caught up with the situation. Confused didn’t begin to describe their feelings.
A three foot tall bird like creature wearing strange human clothes and a bright yellow cap had appeared before them unnoticed. The fact that it had closed the distance without alerting them was far more alarming than its strange looks. The sister had a max level Appraisal skill and the ability to cast without speaking or being detected by others who also had Appraisal. The results made her eyes widen in pure shock.
“What is it?” Her brother asked in her mind, reverting to the telepathic link the two of them shared.
“This must be the leader, and the one that killed Gespar. Its level is 250 and its health is nearly 3,000! The rest is blocked out even to me!”
“Impossible.” The brother whispered. His own audible voice shook him back to his senses and he corrected his posture.
“Well I’m here to guide you to my master so let’s have a nice walk there together!” The strange creature turned and began to waddle along the worn trail ahead of them. It was cute and comical, making the situation feel even more bizarre.
“What do we do?” The brother asked mentally.
“Follow and look for weaknesses. We’ll need alot of preparation to take this one down.” She answered as she took a few cautious steps after the strange bird.
A few minutes later just as it seemed they would walk straight into Gnollwood, EDEN appeared. Suddenly they stood in a beautiful courtyard filled with dark red rose bushes, carved benches, and stone sculptures of animals and people. The massive building was sleek and alien looking. It was over a hundred meters in height, and twice that in length. It curved very gently around the courtyard in the shape of a longbow. It seemed to be made entirely of dark glass (a rare, expensive, and impractical material.) Before them a huge slab of said glass split in the middle and opened a portal to a lavish lobby beyond. It was very much like looking into another world.
“Don’t worry! It won’t close on you.” The talking bird said reassuringly. “Come on in, let’s get you two a nice breakfast before your meeting.”
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“Breakfast? What is this thing saying?” The sister asked mentally.
“I have no clue, sis. You and I have been in some hellish spots, but somehow this place scares me more.” He answered with a barely concealed shudder.
“Guess there’s no choice, let’s go with it for now.” She finally took a step forward, then another.
With the third step she crossed the threshold of EDEN and the wet outdoor chill was instantly replaced by warm, dry, lightly lavender scented air. The lobby was enormous. The high arched ceiling sported a dozen crystal chandeliers that cast a warm light on the immaculate decorations. Black marble tile with gold veins was polished to a mirror finish below their feet. White leather sofas were arranged around bean shaped coffee tables in the lounge area to their left. A waist high wall topped with dark green ferns in black and gold vases to their right partially obscured a beautiful cocktail bar with tall stools and small tables. Behind the bar, hundreds of multicolored bottles of alcohol glowed alluringly. Across from them was a long chest high reception counter with an attractive brown haired woman in a strange but fashionable black suit standing behind it.
Their small guide stopped as the sound of hard heels clicking on tile approached from the side. The twins had some of the finest tuned senses in the world, and the feeling of power that preceded the approaching person was on a level they had never felt. They did not reach for weapons this time. In unison they stiffened and slowly turned to view the approaching monster. Eyes widened and hearts missed more than a beat.
It was a woman unlike the twins had ever encountered. She was tall, and instantly redefined the word ‘perfection’ to any that viewed her. Her posture, her clothing, her expression, and her body all commanded nothing less than instant and unquestioning obedience. Her sharp, yet calm eyes took in everything and gave nothing. Her smile was inviting but also promised that she knew your deepest secrets. Above all of that, to those that could sense such things was the power she contained within that perfect form. It promised that her lightest touch could shatter the skull of a giant.
How many seconds passed in that moment of shock, neither twin could say. The woman seemed to be accustomed to the reaction and was politely waiting for them to regain their senses. She adjusted her gaze down to the creature they had assumed was in charge. Her voice was just as cool and confident as the rest of her.
“Well done, Rain. You may return to your sentry duties now.” She said, and the little penguin did a happy little dance as he turned toward the door.
“You got it, Lady Tabula! Tell Niiya to play with me later!” With those bewildering words, the creature left.
“My greetings, emissaries of Crown City. I welcome you to EDEN, the provisional state building of the city state now known as Ariel’s Gate. My esteemed master, and appointed steward of this area Mr. Gray is in a meeting but will call on you shortly. If you’ll please accompany me to the restaurant on this floor, there is a private booth waiting for you. All food and drink is complimentary so please enjoy yourselves without restraint.”
The twins found their feet moving. Regardless of their intent, they were following the confident swinging steps of this woman with dumbfounded expressions.
“Sis, I’m terrified. Who the hell is this person?” The brother’s thoughts finally formed a coherent structure.
“My best guess? Rogue upper echelon celestial. I can only read her name and level. Tabula Rasa, level 300*.” The sister’s response was incredulous, unable to believe her own answer.
“We’re in deep shit, aren’t we?” He thought in a defeated tone.
“If we make it out of here alive today to make a report, I’d call that a victory.” She confirmed.
They arrived at the restaurant a few minutes later. It was a gorgeous modern room with seating for roughly three hundred guests. The twins were growing numb to the beauty of the place. It was surreal, they were outsiders in a world far more advanced than their own. They were seated in a private booth where two of the walls behind them were salt water aquariums where exotic fish swam hypnotically to and fro between the swaying kelp.
“Good morning!” A bubbly male voice greeted brightly. A tall, dark haired and handsome man in a clean white dress shirt and black pants stood holding a small leather backed notepad and a small shiny stick. “Can I start you off with something to drink? We have a wonderful cappuccino, fresh squeezed juices, and of course coffee and espresso.”
“Well umm, just bring us whatever you think we would enjoy.” The brother answered, noticing his sister’s face screw up in confusion as she observed the man.
“Of course. I’ll bring a sampling of our most popular.” The man never missed a beat and turned gracefully away.
“What is it?” The brother whispered when they were alone.
“No stats, name, or level.” She shook her head, trying to make any sense of it. “It was the same with the woman behind the desk in the lobby. It’s like they don’t exist.”
“Illusions can’t give independent responses like that, and he had a physical presence.” The brother reasoned. “I don’t like this.”
“Cappuccino spread and a juice tree!” A girl’s voice abruptly sounded next to the table. She was a brunette in her early twenties wearing clothing similar to the previous man but clearly feminine in design. She placed a tray with two steaming cups of brown liquid along with a variety of jars and small decanters of cream. Next to that she set an ornate sculpture of a tree with rings scattered all over it holding small fluted glasses of brightly colored fruit juices. Finally, a small dish of light brown cookies that had a strong fragrance of ginger and cinnamon.
“What!?” The sister’s mask finally cracked and she exclaimed aloud as she appraised the cookies and drinks.
“Poison!?” The brother found the hilt of his dagger and prepared himself for the futile battle that was to come.
“No... These items... They all have relic-grade recovery and enhancement effects when consumed. It’s impossible. No one could casually feed this to a stranger, much less one from an enemy territory!” The sister faltered, her grasp on reality loosening. These items so unceremoniously delivered were a message clearer than an army of a million hardened soldiers. “My brother. I believe the kingdom has already lost this war.”
“Screw it.” The brother said in resignation. “If they wanted us dead we’d be dead.”
He grabbed the inviting cup of steaming caramel colored liquid and held it under his nose. It smelled sweet. He took a tiny sip, and his eyes sparkled. He took a bigger sip and couldn’t believe what he was tasting. It was sweet, but perfectly balanced with a hint of bitterness. A rush of energy and vitality washed over him as well. He felt more powerful, and better able to focus after just a few sips.
“Do you feel the effects?” His sister wished to know. “It’s something called ‘Magusbrew Cappuccino’. Your Soul Energy should be increased by fifty.”
The brother nodded, dumbfounded. The sister slumped back against the comfortable booth. She eyed the spread, trying in vain to make sense of it all. The cookies could erase fatigue as though the consumer had slept a full night. The juices each gave a temporary resistance to their corresponding color. The red juice gave a temporary strong resistance to fire, the green to poison and so on.
The food arrived then. Stacks of thin cakes called ‘crepes’ were covered in fruit and syrups. Steaming diced potatoes seasoned with priceless spices and aromatic garlic were piled high next to a platter of sizzling bacon and sausage. Tangy yogurt, flaky croissants, fresh cut fruit, and sunny side up eggs filled the table. How many people did they expect this to feed!? This table would shame the best chefs of the kingdom. Most of these dishes also boasted secondary magical effects.
Though they had no appetite when they sat down, the tantalizing smells and sights could not be resisted. The twins were former orphans and intimate with hard times and poverty. They ate with tears streaming down their cheeks.
When the woman called Tabula once again approached their booth some time later, neither could believe the amount of food they had consumed.
“Mr. Gray will see you now.” Tabula announced. “Please follow me.”