Joshua

“Uncle,”

Kellen sat on his side of the carriage with his eyes closed.

“Hello?”

Ignored still.

“These cuffs—they are a bit itchy. Do you really need to?”

“You launched at me right after being teleported. Two mages died to your lightning and you ask if we need to?”

“But what if it gives me a rash? I have had this on for days!”

“Would you rather have your circles broken beyond repair? We have more cursed beads.”

I shook my head.

“Look over there. We are home.” I followed his eyes; the sun blinded me as it reflected its light on an absurdly tall wall made of giant bricks.

“Fuck sake. What a drab place.”

Tarion

I woke alone in the duke's room before the sun peeked over the hills. Training would be short today—just enough for my body to be warmed up and ready for any eventualities. My maids woke up even earlier to make sure I got my bath in time and hot. But I bathe alone. I just need time. Not to think. Just to be. I will not have warm water like this for a while. Personal space will be a luxury once I fly to meet my army.

Haru concerns still lingered. They were thoughts I tried to hide. But what can I do? Let the evil fester?

Glory.

I jumped out of the bath. Wind born from mana dried me off as I walked to a hanger. Towel around my waist, I left for the exit and the door opened for me. A woman of utmost beauty froze in my path. Hair wet with sweat, with a scent that made me feel perverted.

It's not her. Not anymore. I balled my fist, holding back. Like a dear startled by headlights. Haru’s eyes widen, then look me up and down.

“Sorry!” She covered her eyes with a towel.

“Umm?” I looked down at my bare chest. "Hahaha, I am so used to those eyes staring, I forgot to be embarrassed.”

“Please could you-” Eyes turned away; she blushed while pointing to the bathroom.

“My bad.” I stepped aside. Her breath grazed my chest. I take a step out of the foggy room.

“Tarion.”

I stopped. “Mm?”

“About yesterday. I wanted to say sorry. What I said was uncalled for. I was bombarded by so much bad news I snapped. But this excuse is poor. ”

“Haru…I needed to hear those words. I don't do this to be coddled or praised all day long.”

Haru regarded my words and then continued, "After meeting Zhi, I learnt more. About pirn. About Vi. About you. Everyone treats me with such care. And for once I am... respected.”

“As you should be even without your powers, you changed this city. This change is your doing... Vanessa’s doing.”

“Then grateful for the chance you gave her.” Haru held her towel behind her, looking at her feet nervously. “I am glad you were brought to this world. You made the toughest decisions I could. You changed my fate and my family’s when you didn't have to. Jen…I can speak to her again!” A little tear sparkled in her eye. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you, Tarion.”

I scratched my head, shying away.

“It is alright, Ha- No, Vanessa. I will stop being a dick now.”

“I don't mind Haru. I don't hate it when you say it.” We giggled in the mist.

“Okay, I am about to go training. We will meet at 8 am in the courtyard for takeoff." I asked

“8 am it is,” Haru answered.

Smiling, I said goodbye and walked to my lonely room. A week ago, I expected Vanessa to greet me here every day. I must accept it. Wasn't this what I wanted? To not be alone? I partner in this crazy world who can relate. Someone who understands

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

I paused. “I used her water, didn’t I?”

I tapped the last of the supplies to my already full inventory bracelet.

“How on earth did you get not just one but two inventories?” Venessa asked. Walking down in a striking dark blue guard uniform, Kurt and Jen follow closely behind. Kurt and I greeted each other with head nods. Jen scowled and I gave back a wink.

“I am a very likeable guy.” I grinned.

“Who told you that? The guys you killed?” Jen retorted.

“I keep telling you, Jen. He didn't make me cry.”

“Already gaslit. What a fiend you are, Tarion. Kurt, keep an eye on him. If he makes her cry again, whack him on the head.”

“Okay.” Kurt briefly answered. Although he has a usually dull expression, why do i feel like he will follow her command?

“One last thing, Kurt.” Jen pulled the captain for a long kiss.

Haru leaned in. “Since when!?”

“Since they met.”

Mana. Someone teleported. Kurt noticed as well. Didn't stop his long-ass kiss. Someone powerful. I recognised his mana wavelength. The warlock.

The man of dark skin appeared in front of us like a snapshot. “Greetings.”

“Greetings to you, mage.” I gave a short bow.

“I know about your predicament. I'm willing to help.” The mage winked and wiggled his staff.

“How the fuck do- Why does everyone know!? Anyway, mages don't help; they exchange favours. What do you need?”

“Crystals, of course. On a discount. Maybe 50%.”

“Robbery. How much can you help with the pact?”

The pact can be interpreted in different ways. We cannot kill, or give you resources. But we can transport. Improve your logistics. Give it a total overhaul. Wherever supplies are needed, a spell can fetch them a thousand miles away. We don't even have to be there.” With slight of hand, his staff swapped with a rune-inscribed parchment glowing in his fingers.

I studied it. “Kellen used one.”

“It's a tag. Telling the caster exactly where to weave a spell. As long as you get the rune inside, anywhere is escapable.”

The mage gave me the rune. “I see… A trial.” I said.

“Trial?”

“Indeed. Show me the value of this logistics plan during the duration of this campaign.”

“A chance like this won't come like this anytime soon,” the mage said impatiently.

“I will succeed with or without your help. It's after this. That's when I will need you. This is not to persuade me to enter a business agreement; it's to show me I can put the lives of me and men on you. That we can rely on you in bad times. Do you understand?”

The mage smiled. “Clearly.” Another slight of hand and a staff with a crystal entwined in its metal were stabbed in the ground. A circle of mana formed on the ground.

“In celebration of our temporary partnership, here is a gift." Mana essence burst in the air and flowed in everyone's awestruck faces.

“Where to?”

I smirked. “You already know, Mage Tower Master.”

Haru leaned in again “Never knew the old master could smile. Not even a courtesy one when he made Kyros the same deal.”

“Very likeable.”

“Master. There is a woman named Bieye I will recommend to be our liaison; depite her humble beginnings, her business acumen exceeds any man.”

“Oh, good. I can get that sorted.”

My apology for destroying your ring.

Jen and Kurt's kiss finally ended with a field of impossibility divided them. “Take as little risk as possible!”

“It's War, Jen. It's the biggest risk.”

"Then... come back healthy. Come back home safe.”

Kurt smiled. “I will.” He calmed her down with his hand on her cheek. “I promise.”

“What about me, best friend?” Haru spoke from the side.

“Not worried. In fact, there is now more porridge for myself!”

“Cheeky!” Haru laughed.

“I jest, but when you have him by your side, I stop worrying.”

Haru looked up at me. “Right…” I forgot that it's only been two days. I am still a stranger and one she only knew as an invalid. Stories can be exaggerations.

“We are ready,” I said.

Mana swirled under us; the ground rumbled.

“A pleasure to work with you. Tarion. This partnership will be productive, I am sure.” The mage tower master's staff hit the ground.

Tents torched, ripped apart by sharp blades. The camp was a fucking mess.

“I am sorry, your Grace. Bandits. Their heads, hairless, wearing fur armour, are ambushing us every night. Delaying us further.”

“The Shaved…” I placed my hand on Jimmy’s shoulder. “I will end this. Go rest.”

Kurt shouted from the back. “Found a body! I can find them using their scent!”

My smile irked all who saw it, including Haru. A greatsword flashed into my hand. My family’s cloak rippled in the breeze.

“Kurt, we are going to move fast and give them no chance to run.”

"Yes, your Grace!” Kurt said, holding a piece of bandit leather.

“Ravens fall in!”

Shadows rustle the treeline and drop in front of me.

“Surveil the parameters of every camp we visit. If you see a straggler: identity, then kill if they are bandits. Clear?!”

“CLEAR! YOUR GRACE!”

“Kurt find the closest-”

“Over there.” He pointed to the right

I turned to Haru, who seemed intrigued. "Going to run an errand. See you soon.” I said with a cheerful tone

I shouted “Onwards!” and exploded forward with mana propulsion from my boots. My ravens followed a little behind with Umbra steps. Kurt sniffed his way through the forrest like a hound. His movements, sleek, Kurt lead the group dodging trees at high speed.

My heart beat again for battle. I needed a slaughter to cheer me up.