Hiro’s questions lingered in the air, but Tilly didn't answer right away. He took another minute to process the implications of the advancement tab on the screen in front of him while the rest waited on his answer or re-read their own screens.
The Three-Fold Alliance had everything they needed to advance to a ‘City-State’ which would give them the ability to field an army and strengthen the walls. Not to mention the twenty additional miles of buffer between them and the “neighbors” whoever they were.
Tilly didn't know what the auction house was, but he had no doubt it would probably be just as important an opportunity for the burgeoning nation as the other upgrades… But of course, all of them were dependent on if they could find and obtain the ‘Patronage’ of another Origin Facet.
His mind whirled as he went back over the words that Wisdom had spoken in that strange voice in the central chamber… Something about memories and jewels... He needed to get his Intelligence up.
“Look, I’m only working with bits of information myself, but as far as I understand it, what lies at the center of this temple is just a piece of Origin’s nature, hence the name Facet. Honestly, it hasn’t once been explained to me, but I am pretty sure I have seen another of these. There is a Flower somewhere that I am being encouraged to find. I saw this other Facet in a... vision after the fight in front of the city. I know that it is surrounded by mountains, hiding in a small valley, not unlike us. The more I interact with both of these things, the more I feel like they are more than just objects of power. They feel... foundational somehow.”
Hiro looked as if he was about to reply when Tilly realized what was behind him leaving out his number one reason for searching out the facet... He had now heard from three sources that the only real way to get rid of his Corruption was to find the flower. As soon as he identified it, the subtle whispers that had been playing at the back of his thoughts surfaced,
Leave it out
You don’t know some of these people
It's not important
Tilly’s face screwed up in anger and shame as he realized he was going to do it all over again. Hiding his problems, and sticking to being a lighthearted hero, not a liability. If he told them about this, would they think he orchestrated this somehow?
The implications and possibilities were like sludge, slowing down the pace of his thoughts and causing him to retreat into himself instead of revealing any sort of need. Hiro was about to follow up with another question, when the truth came rushing up out of Tilly's core, spilling out in a blitz of desperation.
“When I saw the Flower, I met its guardian. He told me that if I wanted to be free of the Corruption infecting my own body, I would have to find them again. So however we choose to pursue this Advancement requirement, I have to be involved!” The words came out hot and angry having narrowly won the inner conflict playing out in his soul.
Hiro took the almost shouted follow-up statement in stride. The others had a wide range of reactions to the news. The Honu elders' eyes hardened, while next to them, Linus might as well have been told it was going to rain for all the change that came over his expression. Pupienus however, took the cake. He audibly gasped and took a step back from Tilly as if the infection could be caught by breathing they same air.
“How could this be? I was told you represented the Deity at odds with this horrendous substance! They assured me that you can even cure most cases of infection. Explain yourself!” He sputtered, looking around the room as if he had been tricked by all parties present.
“Silence!” Hiro growled, unleashing his aura and causing everyone in the room to flinch besides Linus and Ichiro.
Hiro turning the full weight of his flat stare on the Bureaucrat, “He was infected saving the life of my son and is much more an ally to this ‘Alliance’ than you are. Our goals align, which I doubt is a coincidence, but even if they did not, we would still support him.” He declared sternly before turning to the Honu elders.
“I believe your predecessor was aware of Jonathan’s state and decided to trust him, I ask you to do the same. He is not an agent of our enemy, he is simply fighting it internally as we all are externally.” Hiro interceded, letting his aural pressure slacken. The elders gave him a long considering look, before turning their gaze back to Tilly,
“Be that as it may… We still should… Have been informed… It could have… Impacted our votes…” One of them said Tilly had honestly already forgotten which was which, and at this point, he was too afraid to ask.
Ichiro chose this moment to gently break into the conversation, “Look at what we have gained! We could have remained undeclared and not built up these gains over decades. On Nephesh stagnancy is Death. Knowing what you know now, would you have chosen any differently?”
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“Yes-” Squeaked the Bureaucrat, but everyone ignored him and Ichiro watched the elders with an expression of relaxed curiosity.
“Our people have forgotten… the Dream.” Replied the second elder slowly,
“That is what… my father said… when he met with you… That you would help us to… remember… What we have forgotten…We remain committed.” She continued her voice strengthening as if speaking the words aloud settled it in her mind.
Then everyone turned to Pupienus and he shrank back under their combined stares,
“Yes, well. We all agreed on this manner of governance, and I am not fool enough to try and violate it right from the beginning. It is decided! We continue.” He admitted spitefully.
“WONDERFUL!” Shuji shouted, startling half the room as he slammed his giant book shut. Tilly wasn’t sure if he was reacting to what had just transpired, or something he had just read from the supernatural backup of his knowledge. Either seemed possible.
“I am sure there is much to catalog and record! These rewards offered to our people seem to be almost unprecedented. There will probably even be new classes!” He said, tucking the book away god knows where and moving back towards the entrance as if everything had been decided.
Ichiro shrugged happily and got to his feet turning to follow and all the others except for Linus and Hiro moved along with him. They both looked at each other and moved over toward Tilly.
“However unwilling I was at the time… you saved my life,” Linus said solemnly, “And most probably the Bastions would just be a memory if not for you. So know this, as long as I am alive, our armed forces will be there for you. You have stepped in for us several times now, and we will do the same for you at a call.” He finished formally, before knocking a hard military salute against his chest.
Hiro regarded his actions with a ghost of a smile on his face, which disappeared as soon as he noticed Tilly’s glance,
“Just let us know when you have any more idea where this Facet is. We cannot lose you as a resource, or a friend… And depending on how hard the fighting will become, we very well could need those advancements as soon as possible, so let me know as soon as you find anything else.” He added gruffly. Then he clapped his hand on Tilly’s shoulder. Their earnest attempts at reassuring him struck something deep in Tilly. Another blow landed against the stony distance that had insulated him from the opinions and at times the caring of others. In the face of their support, he decided to take things one step further, voicing his fears along with the challenges he faced.
“That… means a lot. You are both extraordinary leaders, and I am glad my journey has brought me alongside you and your people. But I have one other favor to ask…” He said, taking a deep breath, “I wish I could say corruption was forcing me to do things, but it isn’t like that. It takes whatever darker desires were already inside me and strengthens them, making my decisions seem reasonable in the moment. It is... becoming more and more difficult for me to recognize its influence on my mind.” He trailed off, trying to find out exactly how to word his request. They both gave him space, not interrupting as he tried to express what he needed.
“I guess what I am asking is, watch out for me. There will probably be a few times when I start acting erratically, and I need you to step in and stop me. If I can’t get back in control, I need you to do whatever you have to… Don’t let me become one of those things. Do you understand?” He finished, gasping out the final lines of his request as the Corruption within him began to writhe angrily.
“Worry not Jonathan Tillman, we will do everything we can to help you. But if we fail, I will not hesitate to end you before you become something else.” Hiro replied in a hard voice, before clapping him on the shoulder again and turning to go after the others, with Linus nodding along in total agreement. Tilly felt no sense of hesitance or regret in those words as he stood there in momentary stunned silence.
He didn’t know whether to feel relieved or disappointed with how quickly and confidently Hiro had agreed to kill him if necessary. But an ask was an ask, and it just meant that he really needed to find out where this next Facet was, one way or another.
He looked over at the crystal and it flashed before presenting a green screen in front of him,
Welcome to the Three-Fold Alliance Sovereign Crystal.
Would you like to view available class change options?
Y/N
Out of curiosity, Tilly selected “Yes”
Scanning current cla- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - - Error
Son of Flame class incompatible with the current system. Would you like to begin again at Level 1 with a compatible class?
Y/N
Tilly sighed as he selected no. It was not like he would choose something else anyway, with his titles and skills synergizing so well with his current class, it would be foolish at this point. But that didn’t change the fact that it felt damn annoying to be railroaded this way.
He left the crystal behind hoping that it would be more useful for refugees than it was for him. His walk turned into a run as he heard shouts coming from outside.
“Look, Miss! I don't know where you came from, but I don't like being snuck up on!” An outraged Kuro yelled.
“For the last time you Box of Rocks, I didn’t choose to be here either, now if you will just point me towards the nearest working teleport hub, I can find my way back on my own!” A melodic female voice shot out in reply, stringing her words together in a rapid but musical cadence.
Tilly emerged out into the front of the temple, to find the entire council standing off to the side wearing various expressions of concern or suspicion. Apart from them stood a stunning young woman, wearing exquisitely tailored clothing in different shades of green and jewel tones. The layers were cut to form a strange mix between a ball gown and a formal three-piece suit.
Level 86 Ward of the Summer Court
She stood almost butting heads with Kuro, while Nyuk stood just to the side holding a new smaller axe at the ready. Above both of their heads was a brand new class.
Level 25 and 29 Forest Wardens.