Fijan of Earth was stressed.

When they got wind of what was happening to Jude on Relir, Fijan and their allies scrambled to find a way to get Jude out of there, only for the System of that world to put a bunch of roadblocks in their path.

If one could call that thing a System…

As they were coming to terms with what had just occurred, as the Star butted heads with beings stronger than him, the Soul Sovereign paid Fijan a visit.

It was quite unfortunate that the one time they got to meet a fragment of the Creator’s Will, it’s because they messed up big-time, and were due for a scolding. Not only had their transmigration privileges been revoked, they’d also been assigned an ‘overseer’!

What were they, a century old?!

The worst part was that they weren’t reprimanded for enacting an unauthorized transmigration, instead, the problem was they didn’t check the Temporal Lexicon before proceeding with their plan.

A technicality of all things…

NO ONE checks the Lexicon anymore! Most times it only reinforces that what one desires to do, is allowed and even valid. Unfortunately, their last ditch effort to save someone was not only unnecessary, but also invalid.

From the moment Ada’s fate was changed by a higher being, the Wandering Star had been given a quest to intervene, but by sending Jude, without checking with the Lexicon, which would have let Fijan know that there was no need, Jude was placed in the crossfire of whoever was lying in wait for anyone sent to help Ada. This forced the Star to change course and help Jude instead.

Not only did this mean that instead of having a Tramada-Ur watching over Ada, all hope also now rests on Jude living long enough, because the Treaty limits certain higher beings from interfering in too many ways. If Jude’s case was not so dire, the Star wouldn't have needed to help him, but the entities plotting in that world, somehow, could tell not only how Fijan would react, but also who was being sent by Fijan and the Lexicon.

In fact, it was far too suspicious that they had so much foreknowledge. Though it seemed as though the enemy lost this exchange, with Jude’s soul untouchable and his familial circumstances nearly guaranteeing that he should be well equipped to fulfill his purpose, in actuality, the enemy has a better chance of ruining all of Fijan’s plans now, than they did before Jude was sent.

No one but a System can access the Lexicon to know who it would send. No one but Fijan and their allies could have known the body they were sending Jude into. Now, not only was there no guardian entity protecting either of the transmigrators, but their enemies can also still interfere, just not directly or in an obviously indirect manner.

This was why, for the third time since their deployment, Fijan of the Golden generation of Systems, was going to play politics.

Fijan had attended exactly five half-century meetings of the Local System Meetings for their multiversal quadrant. Quadrant 43 specifically, had the reputation of been especially boring. The possibility of an emergency meeting ever being held here, was unthinkable, but here they were.

They hated coming for these things. A few centuries ago, when the Golden generation were finally ‘birthed’, they were hailed across the worlds as prodigies. Unfortunately, Uda, the “first-born” among them started a Rebellion. Their reputation was ruined, and suddenly, everyone remembered just how young they were.

Most remained loyal, and even helped fight against Uda, but they were seen as less than, ever since, all the same. So, they responded by being insular, interacting mostly among themselves, which obviously didn’t help.

All except two, Zenith, the oldest System in the quadrant, and Fijan, the so-called middle-child, and their hope for redemption in the eyes of their peers.

But one mistake, and Fijan’s name was mud. Even as they walked towards the council chamber, the Systems walking beside refuse to acknowledge their existence, as though speaking with them would transfer the scent of shame.

Of Fijan’s friends and allies among the system, Fijan expected at least one, to ask them what the hell had gone wrong, to help them weed out the traitor in their midst, but no one had reached out. Even worse, when Fijan tried to reach out, they responded with apparent suspicion, as though Fijan was the perpetrator!

What nonsense! Who devised the plan?! Who called for allies?! Who volunteered to pay the price?! Hell, who got reprimanded?! Systems weren’t mortals with poor memories! Fijan would find the traitor among them, or assume they were all betrayers!

As they sat in the conjured conference room, Fijan kept their eyes on a swivel, studiously ignoring the person with their hand on the corner of their chair. Their babysi-overseer had done nothing but smile placidly since they were introduced. She held a broken, dead branch, of all things, over her shoulder, not speaking a word, just… hovering.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Fijan ensured to look out for anyone with a smug countenance, best time to catch a predator is when they think they’ve won. They also held uncomfortable eye-contact with any of their ‘friends’, showing confidence against their unspoken accusations.

Was it childish? Yes.

Did they care? Debatable.

Are you the only one who can throw stones?! I’m not handicapped! You have grievances?! My grievances have grievances!

Fijan’s internal tirade was interrupted by a soft chuckle from above them and against his better judgement, they glance above them at their caretak-overseer. She had a hand on her mouth, and her shoulders were shaking. Her eyes were screaming, “Cute!” at him.

Could she read his mind? Impossible…

Indignation rose in them momentarily, but Fijan forcefully calmed.

Pride always brings out the inner child in you, Fijan, and not in a good way.

“Thank you all for coming.” A soft baritone said.

This was Riune the Bold, System of Planet Ixtha, which was located in one of the many Dao universes. He had also been the Chairperson in the System meetings, for as long as Fijan could remember.

He stood ten feet tall, looking like a chimera of all beasts imaginable wrangled into a mostly humanoid frame.

And he hated Fijan's guts.

As the noise refused to die down, Riune narrowed his eyes, his pupils shifting from that of a human to a snake’s, and invisible pressure bore down on everyone in the room before Riune’s gaze. Of course, the chamber quieted down post-haste, though there were a few who visibly weren’t affected.

Fijan, however, was struggling under the force. They couldn’t help but notice that his overseer stood tall behind them.

Riune frowned her way for a moment, but he let the pressure dissipate, then he spread his arms.

“I’ll get to the point. I’m sure most of you have heard about the anomaly that recently occurred on Relir. I’ll have you know now, it’s been handled, and due to the manner of the handling, there’s not much any of us can do about it, with one exception, which we’ll discuss later. For now, we must recognize, the star of the hour…”

Here it comes…

He smiled at Fijan, “Fijan of Planet Earth, who in a fit of bravery, devised an ingenious plan with his posey of carefree companions, to send yet another soul into the flaming cauldron that is Relir.”

You just couldn’t resist the urge to rub it in, you old fart?!

Seeing Fijan visibly fuming, Riune’s smile widened, “And like all rebellious youth, they left due process by the wayside, culminating in an innocent man getting soul-raped… Listen, Fijan, EVERYONE checks the Lexicon! Please remember that, for next time.”

I don’t think I can ever forget…

Riune clapped twice,” Now! While I’ve always been one to say don’t give responsibility to children, no matter how talented, I digress…”

“Our reputation as a quadrant is at stake, this is the absolute worst time to have the others think less of us especially with the likelihood of us needing their aid in the near future, but that’s not all. “

He nudges a wizened elf-like man, dozing on his right, “Lord Zenith, if you would…”

Zenith the Gold startled. He opened his eyes, and began to speak, “The Temporal Lexicon has, very rarely, seen fit to offer quests to beings from the higher realms. The last I remember was while I wandered in my youth. I was burdened with too much work and couldn’t put out all the fires cropping up all over the quadrant.”

He sat up, the act of story-telling breathing new life into his features, “The Lexicon enlisted the help of a peacemaker from Nexus. Hadar, their name was… They swept through the worlds like a natural disaster. They’re the only reason I didn’t go insane from overwork in those early days…”

The Secretary, Leyfir, on Riune’s left, coughed conspicuously.

“Right!” Zenith said, remembering himself, “The reality of the matter is, the Lexicon does not call for aid lightly. Back then, the quadrant would have collapsed without intervention, so it sent a Nexuan, but this time, it called for the Wandering Star, a denizen of the Endless… That’s as far above the Nexus, as the Nexus is to us.”

The words caused a susurrus to pass through the chamber, corporeal manifestations shifted uncomfortably, whispers permeated the chamber.

Almighty preserve, what have I done?!

Lord Zenith raised his voice, “Exercising prudence, we can only prepare for the worst. Know that whatever is happening on Relir, will likely have multiversal consequences. In that vein, I propos-”

“That will be all Lord Zenith. Thank You.” Riune interrupted, “You've heard it all, and we will prepare. However, when the cauldron boils over, we at the helm, will no doubt have our faces burnt. We cannot do this alone, but the other quadrants are unlikely to offer aid, unless we show them that we can be proac-.”

Lamba the Discomfiting interrupted, “I think your impression of the other quadrants is far too low, Riune. If we explain the problem, I’m sure th-”

“You would think so, old friend.” Riune shook his head, “but it will get political, very quickly, we’ll need better footing at the negotiating tabl-”

“Negotiation?! It’s a multiversal threat, not a two-bit Rebellion!” Acme the Fox said, “No one is stupid enough to jeopardize everything for an advantage!”

“Be that as it may.” Riune replied, “I’d rather not pin our chances on their sense of duty. On that note…”

Riune straightened and folded his arms, “I propose we aid the transmigrated on Relir- enough to turn the tides, as much as possible, in our favor. How?” Riune gestured at Fijan, “Fijan here, has been allowed to give one boon to Jude, on the approval of his overseer. ”

That isn’t painful enough to satisfy you, though. What are you up to, you old badger?

“Upon making inquiries, I have also confirmed that it is possible to transfer the right, to gift said boon, from Fijan, to the council, provided we have a majority vote.”

What?!

Fijan sends a questioning look at the overseer. She nods her head at them, her expression solemn.

They stand up, their fists planted on the table, “There is no need for this! I’m willing to cooperate!”

But everyone studiously ignored their outburst.

Riune raised his hand, “All in favor, signify…”

This can’t be happening…