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Part 33: One Step Ahead
The fox leads the Seeker with a golden mask and the Stranger to a shop with various items. Not far outside the farm. A wooden stall at a crossroads, where several paths meet together.
“What have you been up to, since the great shift?” asks the Stranger the fox.
“Oh... I've been to many places... And I have grown a lot. I now have four tails. With two tails, I can split up in two. With three tails, I can change my appearance. With four tails I can teleport on short distances.
Not long ago, I moved my shop out here. Those close-minded hillbillies from the farm are afraid of critical thinkers. It' a better location anyway, since I meet more potential customers here. By the way... Are you interested in any souvenirs?”
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The Seeker and the Stranger look at the items in the shop. Various Merchandise: Puppets, Wigs, Figures, T-shirts, Magazines, Artwork, Bracelets, Postcards, all branded with the logo of the tree and the image of the SEEKER OF LOVE.
“Any true fan of the SEEKER OF LOVE needs those unique religious relics,” speaks the grinning fox. He holds up a signed card of her face.
“Legends state, that this ancient pictogram is originally signed by the SEEKER OF LOVE and her band. And for a small price of just 20 vibes, this invaluable artifact from ancient times can be all yours.”
The Golden Mask Seeker takes a look at the shining card. “This looks newly printed...”
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The fox holds up a little plastic figurine with a wobbly head.
“How about this hand-made statue then? You can use it as an idol to pray to. Every true believer should have at least one of those displayed at their window.”
“No... Thank you,” declines the Seeker politely.
“Then what about the official cowls,” asks the fox while holding up a black T-shirt. The front side shows the album cover of a band.
“Every monk carries those ancient robes. It is said, that when the Seeker of Love was touring the world, the first followers of the church wore these very garments.”
The Stranger takes a good look at the merchandise.
“Now that I think about it... Fandoms and Religions have a lot in common.”
“Do you have anything more practical?” asks the Seeker the fox. “Like armor? Or weapons? Potions? Crafting material?”
The fox smirks.
“People don't come to this place, because they want to grow. They come here so that they have something to brag about. They showcase their souvenirs at dinner parties, just like gurus showcasing their attachments. Some believe a lucky charm protects them. Thinking they won't fall into the abyss, as long as they have invested into the right religion.”
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“Do you only sell items or would you also buy any?” asks the Seeker the fox.
“You see... I have been carrying this anti-attachment spray with me, since we first went up that tower... I purchased two of them. And I don't think I will ever find a use for this second can... I think I paid five vibes.”
The fox looks at the spray can.
“This is just some silver spray can... This ain't worth shit. 10 Pesos is all I can do.”
The Seeker sighs and shakes their head.
“What is it with you guys and Pesos?!”
“1000 Pesos is the equivalent of 1 Vibe. And 360 Vibes are 1 Schmeckle.”
The Seeker looks confused.
“Schmec-- Wha-- Look man... I paid 2 Vibes for that shit... And I have been carrying it with me around since like forever dude. And we went through literal hell to finally get here... So will you please do me a favor and give me at least 1 vibe back for it?”
“Sorry dude... I don't make the rules. 10's all I can do.”
.
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The Seeker sighs and gives their spray can to the four-tailed red fox.
+ 10 Pesos
- 1 Silver-Spray
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The Seeker gives a pissed off glance at the fox.
“How about we play a little game,” suggests the grinning fox. He pulls out three cups and a Gold-ring. He hides the ring under a cup and shifts them all around.
“This ring gives you a buff on Charisma. If you can guess, under which cup it's hidden, the ring is yours. If you guess wrong, you give me 2 Vibes. Wanna play?”
The Seeker nods. “Yes.”
A: The Left Cup
A: The Left Cup
The Seeker points at the left cup. The fox lifts up the cup. It's empty. The Seeker loses 2 Vibes. (58 VIBES LEFT)
The fox reveals the Gold Ring under the middle cup.
“Damn it!” grunts the frustrated Seeker. “I knew I should have chosen the other cup!”
B: The Middle Cup
B: The Middle Cup
The Seeker points at the cup in the middle. The fox lifts up the cup. It's empty. The Seeker loses 2 Vibes. (58 VIBES LEFT)
The fox reveals the Gold Ring under the Right Cup.
The Seeker is surprised. “I could have sworn, it was the Middle cup!”
C: The Right Cup
C: The Right Cup
The Seeker points at the right cup. The fox lifts up the cup. It's empty. The Seeker loses 2 Vibes. (58 VIBES LEFT)
The fox lift up the Left cup and the Middle Cup. Both are just as empty.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
“What the hell?” asks the Seeker. “Where is the Gold Ring?”
The fox grins and pulls something from behind the Seekers ears. “Oh Look at what I just found.”
As if struck by lightning, the Seeker has a sudden insight. It's as if there are three different sets of memories, remembering all options A, B and C.
“Hey... wait a second... I would have lost either way! This is unfair!”
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The fox shrugs.
“That's just how life is. Unfair.”
“No,” calls out the Seeker.
“You are the ONE who's unfair!”
The fox shows his paws.
“Hey. I don't make the rules.”
The Stranger raises his voice.
“What made you open up a shop out here?”
“I want to make money,” smiles the clever fox.
“I know that Life is a game. I know it and I am here to win. I understand how the system works and use it to my advantage. To become rich, I need to be clever. To win against competitors, I need to be a Trickster.”
“So this is your shop!” shouts the Seeker.
“You DO make the rules!”
“Not exactly,” admits the fox with a nervous smile.
“I have a ton of debts, I need to pay. This isn't actually my shop anymore. I lost it to a rat and his brother in a game of Poker. Now I basically work for them. Until I have cleared my debt, I am bound to this place. But perhaps... You can help me. There are some things I need from the farm. But they won't let me in. Can you get them for me?”
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The Seeker and the Stranger take a step aside, to discuss in private.
“This sounds to me like some side quest... Should we skip it?” asks the Seeker the Stranger.
The Stranger shakes his head. “I wouldn't skip it. It may be story relevant.”
The Seeker turns around to face the fox.
“Okay, what are we supposed to do?”
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“I need you to fetch me eggs from the hens, milk from the cows and wool from the sheep. Those products are in high demand up in YouTown. For completing the mission you will receive 6 Vibes.”
The Seeker accepts the mission and walks together with the Stranger into the farm.
They first walk to the chicken enclosure. The Seeker lets their inner chicken out, transforming into Widofnir, the golden rooster.
The rooster walks into the chicken house. The chattering hens all fall silent. All staring at him. He takes a deep breath in and speaks:
“It is time to tell you the truth about the Orion-Lyra wars...”
Meanwhile the Stranger waits outside the enclosure. Hours pass, as the chicken tells grand stories to attentive listeners. Some of them even cry. When the chicken stops, the entire chicken enclosure gives him standing ovations. All hen are cheering. The hens give their eggs to the rooster unprompted.
The golden Rooster exits the house with eggs in both wings.
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The chicken transforms back into the Seeker.
“What did you tell them, to receive so many eggs?” asks the curious Stranger.
“I- I think the chicken just recited Star Wars episode 4,” speaks the Seeker, before suddenly bumping into a donkey with mustache. The Donkey falls to the ground.
“Sorry. I didn't see you there,” speaks the Donkey, gets back up and walks the other way. The Seeker scratches their head confused, trying to figure out what just happened.
“Oh look,” speaks the Stranger who points at a cowshed, grabbing the Seekers attention.
“This is where we'll get the milk.”
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The Seeker and the Stranger walk together into the cowshed. There is one main big bull and a lot of cows. All eyes seem to fear the bull king.
“Who dares to walk into my territory?!” grunts the tyrannical bull king.
The Seeker transforms into a Grizzly Bear. The Bear takes a deep breath in, balances himself and speaks with burning eyes: “I stand against you!”
The Bull storms with his horns head-on towards the bear. The bear blocks the attack, pushing against the bull. The bull is fast, but the bear is stronger. The bear grabs the neck of the bull and squeezes, until his enemy faints. When the bull king loses consciousness, the cows in the shed applaud. Everyone cheers on the hero, who humbled their tyrant. The bear remains calm, in control of his breath.
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The bear transforms back into the Seeker and steps into the sun with Jugs of milk in both hands. The Stranger scratches 'Milk' from the list.
The Seeker and the Stranger walk next into the sheep enclosure. The Seeker walks up to the sheep and asks: “Can I have some of your wool?”
“I can't believe it...” gasps the horrified sheep from the shrine. “You don't just go and ask people for their wool! Don't you have any manners?”
“S-sorry...” trembles the Seeker, who didn't see that reaction coming.
“I just heard, that they put down the mad bull king,” speaks up another sheep from the crowd. “Perhaps they can also help us to seize control over the sugar cane fields.”
Suddenly all sheep whisper: “The sugar cane fields...”
New conversations start, chattering around the crowd.
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“Sugar cane fields?” asks the Seeker confused.
“Whoever controls the sugar cane fields, controls the entire farm,” begins a wise old sheep, as he steps from the crowd into the spotlight.
“If you manage to scare the crows away from the fields, we will give you some of our wool.”
The Seeker accepts and goes to the Sugar cane fields. They turn into the appearance of the wounded eagle.
“I still can't move my wings,” speaks the Eagle. “But I can move my legs.”
The Stranger and the Eagle both stop at a scarecrow, illuminated by the high noon sun. There sits a crow on the puppet.
“Hello Eagle,” speaks the black bird with a grin. “What brings you here?”
“Hello Crow!” speaks the eagle with resentment in his eyes. “This farm does not belong to you. You need to leave.”
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“Why should I?” questions the crow.
“I built here an entire network to produce and distribute the most valuable product in these lands: Sugar. The birds plant the seeds. The bees pollinate. The donkeys do the harvest. The rich pigs buy the product. It's a perfect system.”
“Let me challenge you to a battle!” shouts out the eagle.
“Me against you! If I win, you give back the sugar cane fields to the sheep. I challenge you to a race on land. Only running and jumping are allowed. No flying. And if you win, I'll tell you where you'll find a fragment of the tablet of Destiny.”
“Now its getting interesting. You know the location of a fragment?”
“Yes,” confirms the eagle.
“The eagle masters hid it in a temple on a mountain. Only the initiated know about it.”
“This information alone is worth more than two of these farms... I accept.”
After some time, the sheep, cows, donkeys and pigs assemble at the scare crow. All observing the race between the birds with anticipation. The Eagle and the Crow wait for the signal.
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“Go,” screams the Stranger. The eagle and the crow rush forward. The eagle walks faster, but the crow jumps wider. They dodge hanging branches of wood, jump over fallen tree trunks and bounce from stone to stone to cross a river. The crow uses his wings to jump higher and further. But the Eagle keeps up the pace with his strong claws alone. At the finish line, the eagle and the crow see the Stranger. The Eagle uses all his muscles to spread his wings and jump. He holds his wings with all his willpower for long enough up, to make it over the finish line before the crow.
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The frustrated crow flies away. All the sheep are cheering. The eagle looks at his wings. They hurt, but he can finally move them at least a bit. He turns back into the Seeker and is being showered with wool.
“Now we got everything,” speaks the Seeker relieved.
“Let's head back to the fox and--”
Suddenly the Seeker bumps into a familiar face. It's a rat with a mustache and top hat.
“It's YOU! From the labyrinth.” realizes the Seeker surprised.
“Oh my... Did I just hear the name of the fox?” asks the mustache rat. “He promised me Eggs, Milk and Wool to pay for his debts. I am here to collect it. Here's the promissory note.”
The rat shows a signed letter of the fox addressed to the rat, confirming to owe him 10 Eggs, 2 liters of Milk and Three balls of Wool. The Seeker hands all the items over to the Rat.
MISSION COMPLETED
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“The fox said something about + 6 Vibes...” reminds the Seeker.
“This... you need to discuss with the fox yourself. My part of the deal is over.” The Rat turns into a donkey and gallops away, disappearing behind a hedge.
The Seeker scratches their head and looks confused at the Stranger. The Stranger shrugs.
“Let's go back to see the fox,” sighs the Seeker.
They walk out of the farm, passing the entrance gate and the shrine, following the gravel path back, until the Seeker and the Stranger stand again at the crossroads.
The fox is gone. The shop is gone. No trace left of the wooden stall.
“Hey wait a second,” realizes the Mysterious Stranger all of a sudden. He goes through all his bags and pockets. “Where is my wallet?”
The Seeker also suddenly notices, that they feel lighter. They open up their inventory.
“My bow, my axe, my sword... They are all gone! Even the arrows. When did I lose them?!”
Something rustles under the Seekers feet. They pick it up. It's a small note with the word: “BAMBOOZLED”
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Meanwhile somewhere on the road to YouTown the four-tailed Fox laughs amused, as he is counting the loot in his cart. His wooden cart is being pulled by a donkey with a mustache.
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“You want us to walk together?” laughs the self-absorbed fox.
“First you need to keep up with my speed. But no matter what you try, no matter what you do, I will always be One step ahead of you.”
The Fox transforms his appearance into that of a rat. Laughing hysterically, as he gallops into the dusk.
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“I can't believe that we actually fell for this scam,” complains the Seeker, while shaking their head. “We have been robbed.”
“Don't worry Seeker,” grins the Stranger with certainty in his voice.
“This is not the last time that we have seen him. He believes that he has won. But the game has just begun. In the end, we will laugh together.”
TO BE CONTINUED