As the morning glare pierced through the window, Adria did a quick stretch and clothed herself. After she made herself presentable, she went to see how Zycor was doing. She softly knocked on the door before carefully opening it. Looking around the room Zycor was nowhere to be found. With a sigh, Adria muttered, “Well, at least he is not going to be unconscious for another three days.”

As she closed the door behind her and made her way outside, she called for Aislin. Having just finished hanging up the laundry to dry, Aislin inquired, “What’s up Ms. Mori?”

“Have you seen Zycor around?” Adria curiously asked, “He was not in his room this morning.”

Aislin threw her thumb over her shoulder, pointing towards the wastelands behind her and saying, “Yeah, I saw him. He said he had to work through some things and headed out into the wasteland. I told him to not go too far, so he should be around here. Probably.”

As she finished her explanation, the reverberating sound of an explosion was heard in the distance followed by the crackle of lighting. Both Aislin and Adria looked towards the explosion with neutral looks on their faces. “Well, glad to see he listened to me,” Aislin remarked.

Adria sighed, “Why am I not surprised he is being reckless after having just recovered.”

Adria began walking over to Zycor to check on him.

Zycor was on his knees surrounded by settling dust, his head drooped towards the ground. “Not sure recklessly throwing our mana around in a fit of rage is a good idea.” Zweicor bluntly stated, “Especially after yesterday, we barely stayed above the ‘coma threshold’ as I think I will call it.”

“I need to be stronger. I can’t stay this pathetic, always needing to be saved. If I don’t, we won’t be able to protect my friends, my family.” Zycor lamented.

Zweicor, growing irritated, said, “You know, I am getting sick and tired of the way you are talking.”

Zycor melancholically asked, “What are you talking about?”

“You talk about how you have to get stronger to protect your family. You talk as if you are in this alone, as if you have to do everything on your own! But you aren’t alone, we are in this together! They are our friends, our family! We both want to protect them with all of our being!” Zweicor exclaimed.

A single tear managed to creep out of Zycors left eye as he softly muttered, “Thanks, Zwei.”

Zweicor sighed, “Now that we have established that, lets begin working on getting the strength we will need. We know that our mana capacity is not something we can just increase on a whim or through training. The best way to deal with our mana issues is to experiment with increasing our efficiency while mitigating the time our magic is activated.”

Approaching Zycor from behind, Adria curiously asked, “What are you doing out here so early?”

Surprised, Zycor hurried to his feet only to stumble over himself, falling flat on his rear. Looking up at Adria, Zycor nervously responded, “I was just thinking… and training.”

“Oh?” Adria began as her tone became more menacing, “And what, pray tell, would make you think to come out here at the crack of dawn in your condition and do the one thing you shouldn’t be doing while recovering?”

Remaining silent as he looked at the ground, Zycor solemnly muttered, “It’s just, I feel weak and unreliable. I am unable to use my mana without passing out and am always causing trouble for everyone. It’s just so unbearable, I don’t know what else to do but train.”

Putting a hand on Zycor’s shoulder, Adria softly responded, “I see, I did not know it was weighing so heavily on you.” Picking Zycor up and lovingly embracing him, she continued, “Being too weak to defend oneself is something I can relate to. But the worry that I am too weak to protect someone is not something that has crossed my mind until recently.” Adria ended the embrace and finished, “With that said, I do have some… friends that owe me a handful of favors. I am sure they would be more than capable of helping you, and with passion as well. So don’t you worry! Mom’s got this!”

Zycor smiled and responded, “Thank you, mom.”

A large smile plastered itself across Adria’s face as she hugged him again, tighter this time, and lovingly chirped, “Why are you so cute!”

Struggling to breathe, Zycor managed to grunt, “I’m…Not…Cute…”

After escorting Zycor inside the guild hall and to a table, Adria headed back outside to ask Aislin to watch Zycor and help him with whatever he needs. In response to this, Aislin groaned, “Ah jeez, do I really have to?”

The ground below Adria’s feet cracked and a brief burst of pressure followed. Adria smiled menacingly as she elaborated, “Yes, you do. Think of it as one of your daily duties. And should I come to find out you have been neglecting this duty, well, I’m not so sure how well it would end for you.”

Shuddering, Aislin quickly stood at attention and replied, “Yes ma’am! I hear you loud and clear!”

Adria nodded, and they both re-entered the guild hall. Leaving Zycor in Aislin's care, Adria headed into the back room and down into the black market operations floor below. Entering her office, she took a seat, readied a piece of paper along with a quill and stared at the paper for a moment. “Am I really going to ask her for help?” Adria reluctantly muttered to herself.

After a moment longer of hesitation, Adria began writing the letter. It was addressed to Silvan asking her to train Zycor in using magic. As she wrote the letter, Adria heard Aislin shout, “Where the hell have you been hiding that!?”

Without pausing, Adria called out for Nalea. “Yes, Lady Adria.” Nalea asked, walking into view from the doorway.

Adria, remaining focused on the letter, asked, “What is going on up there?”

After a brief pause, Nalea responded, “Well, it appears Zycor is in possession of a rather large egg.”

Hearing this, Adria stopped completely. She looked up from the paper at Nalea. Adria, for clarification, repeated, “I am sorry, did you say an egg?”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Nalea nodded in confirmation. “What kind of egg would make Aislin freak out?” Adria inquired further.

“If I may be honest, Lady Adria, I am not entirely certain what species the egg belongs to.” Nalea nervously responded. She continued with describing the egg, “It appears to be about a foot tall. It has wavy stripes across the center, resembling those of a dragon’s egg. However, the proportions and other visuals of the egg suggests that’s not quite what is inside this egg. Quite frankly, this is something I am unfamiliar with.”

Signing the letter, Adria stood up. “See that this letter is delivered to Silvan,” Adria ordered sternly, “I will go see what is happening upstairs.”

She Folded the letter, put it into an envelope, and handed it to Nalea. Adria then proceeded upstairs to quell the brewing conflict. As Adria ascended out of sight, Nalea sighed, “Does it really have to be that spider…”

Quickly recomposing herself, Nalea then took off down the western tunnel.

As she entered the main hall, Adria was met with a bizarre sight. Zycor stood in front of a rather large egg, protecting it from Aislin as she stood ready to fight. “Move it Zycor! I am smashing that egg!” Aislin shouted.

“No. I didn’t let Baz touch it nor will I let you.” Zycor stated.

Adria cleared her throat before she asked, “So, would someone care to fill me in on what is happening?”

Hearing Adria’s voice, all of the life drained from Aislin’s body. Aislin, attempting to survive her current predicament, stammered while shaking, “M-m-m-miss Adria, I, uh, didn’t know you were… I mean, I knew you were here, but…” Taking a deep breath, Aislin attempted to somewhat compose herself and continued, “I know how this looks, b-but I swear I can explain.”

Glaring at Aislin, Adria, with a noticeably ferocious undertone, explained, “I know this all started because of an ‘egg.’ But I fail to see how that would lead to you being poised to assault the person you were charged with protecting.”

Aware her life expectancy may very well be determined by her next few words, Aislin, her voice shaking, began, “Well, when Zycor showed me that egg, I noticed that it looked way too similar to a dragon's egg. So, I thought destroying it would keep the parents from hunting him down. But Zycor stepped in front of it as I was about to crush it. I swear, I was not trying to scratch let alone severely injure him.”

For the next few minutes, a thick and eerie silence filled the room. To Aislin it felt like an eternity, uncertain if she would be believed or if Adria would draw a separate conclusion. Finally, with a large sigh, Adria remarked, “I see, that does sound like something he would do, not even thinking about the consequences.”

Aislin briefly chuckled and stumbled back into one of the bar’s chairs as she muttered, “Holy shit she believed me. Thank the goddess.”

As Adria walked over to Zycor she stopped and glanced over at Aislin before she explained, “For future reference, however, if you do come across a dragon’s egg, smashing it would guarantee the parents come looking for it and level the entire city.”

Aislin chuckled, “Huh, go figure.”

She then got up, went into the back bar area, and returned with some of the stronger stuff they had on hand.

Returning her attention to Zycor, Adria asked, “My dear, could I take a look at that egg? It may be dangerous so I would just like to check for myself.”

Trusting his mom, Zycor stepped aside. “Thank you honey~,” Adria sweetly said as she patted his head. As she examined the egg, she furrowed her brows. “Hey, Zycor honey,” Adria began, “where did you happen to obtain this egg?”

Not wanting to upset her, Zycor hesitated for a moment before he relented and explained, “Well, when I was in the dungeon with Baz and Mylon, one of the walls gave out and I fell through. While I was down there, I found what Mylon called the dungeons ‘core.’ And when I touched it, It seemed like I was taken somewhere else and talked with someone who claimed they were part of the goddess Alice. She said she would give me an egg as a reward for talking with her.”

Eyes wide, Adria quickly turned around and exclaimed, “Hold on a second, You found the dungeon's core?! And you touched it!?”

She marched over to Zycor and demanded, “My office, now!”

Zycor quickly nodded and hurried upstairs. Adria looked at Aislin, “You may finish that drink, but after that I expect you to clean up for the adventurers that should be coming in shortly. And stay away from my office until we are done.”

Aislin knocked back the last of the alcohol, slammed the mug on the table, saluted, and, slightly intoxicated, responded, “Whatever you say ma’am!”

Adria hurried up the stairs and into her office, shutting the doors behind her. Aislin looked over to where they were standing and saw the egg sitting there. Furrowing her brows, she groaned as she got up to move the egg, despite a large part of her wanting to leave it for the adventurers. She put it behind the counter with her. Glaring at the egg, Aislin muttered, “I hate you.”

“Zycor, sit down, now!” Adria commanded.

Quickly complying, Zycor asked, “D-did I do something wrong mom? A-am I in trouble?”

Adria, realizing how she had been acting, apologized, “I am sorry honey, you did not do anything wrong nor are you in trouble. It’s just, your story made me want to check something.”

“Oh thank the goddess! I thought we were FUCKED. Glad to see we get to live a little longer.” Zweicor commented.

“Now is probably not the best time for commenting. Could you possibly refrain from talking until we are done here.” Zycor thought in response.

Zweicor agreed, “Fair, might cause more problems to explain that you were distracted because you were talking to a voice in your head.”

Raising one of her hands, Adria aimed her palm towards Zycor and said, “Status.”

Adria’s hand glowed a bright yellow, her eyes following suit. Her eyes widened briefly in shock and horror. As her voice shook, Adria, severely concerned, inquired, “H-honey, how are you feeling?”

Confused, Zycor responded, “I feel fine, why?”

Quickly composing herself, she cleared her throat and said, “I-I see. Well, if you say so, I will believe you… You said you obtained that egg from someone claiming to be the goddess, Alice, yes? And you also conversed with them?”

Zycor gave a slight nod, “Yes, they even healed my injuries.”

The office remained silent for a few minutes, the only noise coming from the adventurers arriving, beginning their day in the hall below.

Zycor, uncertain what was going on, broke the silence and asked, “Are you ok, mom? And what was that ‘status’ thing?”

Breaking free from her thoughts, Adria replied, “Huh? Oh, yes! I’m ok, I was just lost in thought. As for ‘Status,’ it’s one of a few special skills I acquired throughout my years.”

Instantly filled with excitement, Zycor dawned a smile and asked, “Do you think I can get special skills?!”

Happy to see Zycor in good spirits, Adria chuckled, “Well, that depends on you. If it was up to me, I would love for you to not be in a situation to acquire them.”

Nearly as quickly as it arrived, all the excitement drained from Zycor. As he pouted, Zycor muttered, “I just wanted to know if I could be stronger.”

Adria smiled and remarked, “It’s not that I don’t want you to get stronger, I promise. If it interests you that much, perhaps I will tell you about it another time.”

“You promise!?” Zycor exclaimed.

Smiling, Adria replied, “Yes, I promise.”

After Zycor left the room and the doors shut, Adria made her way over to her chair. Sitting down, she put the elbows of her upper arms on the table as she interlaced her fingers. Leaning into her hands, Adria thought to herself, “What the hell was that?”

Status was a skill personal to her. It allowed her to see anything and everything about a person. From their date of birth to invisible ailments, she could even see if another person had their own ‘personal skills.’ The information is displayed in her mind, and she is able to recall said information whenever she wishes for twenty-four hours. When she used it on Zycor she was looking for anything new or different in his status. And, for better or for worse, she saw three conditions she was unfamiliar with. Without prior knowledge as to what something on a status is, Adria is unable to pull up any information from her own mental archive. As a result, she was unable to determine exactly what they were. She determined that the first two conditions could, at the very least, be classified as neutral threats: Blessed and Protected. It was the last condition that frightened Adria. The condition simply read, ‘Death.’