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“I’d like to tell you both another story,” Duuzlo said thoughtfully.

Almost immediately, the twins perked up and turned their attention to him. Whatever they’d been playing with before, it was practically forgotten at the idea of a story.

After all, it’s not like it was something they’d been expecting—just moments ago, Duuzlo had politely declined joining them, and instead took to reading at the other side of his office.

But it also wasn’t the first time he’d suddenly changed his mind, so they treated it just like normal. The twins sat down near the fireplace, their eyes following him as he went to the chair across from them.

“I’ve told you a lot about Emmyth—the things he’s done, the role he plays in our current peace, and how that will one day relate to the two of you. But… even if I’ve shared it once, I’d like to share something with you again. It is, after all, valuable information. Information you will need one day, if you’re to fulfill your parts in this grand story…”

He chuckled at their unspoken eagerness and continued. “I’ve told you both already how Emmyth traveled all around the land, uniting them into the nation we now live in. And in the final place he journeyed to—where he knew he’d be able to end things—was the Heart of Anseshara. Do you remember me telling you why that was?”

Myr enthusiastically raised her hand to answer, “Because that’s where all of the runes were!”

At the same time, Llewel responded more matter-of-factly, “It’s the center of it all.”

“You’re both right,” Duuzlo mused. “In the ‘Heart’ lies the center of many things, from the development of runes to what some believe to be the very center of our world. It is there that many things began… and where journeys will end, as well. That is where Emmyth’s journey took him—how his pendant split in two, and he solved the conflicts the runes caused. And I’m certain that, one way or another, your journey will also take you there.”

His eyes wandered from the two of them, to their matching pendants, to the painting above the fireplace and various other things around his office. When his gaze returned to the twins, though, his pensive frown turned into a smile—one that could almost be considered proud. “While the Heart of Anseshara may be considered a place of endings, I have no doubt that you’ll find success there. No matter what you go there to do, you will rise again. You’re both strong and brave kids. If there’s one thing I’m certain of, it’s that.”

…

She’d first heard it from her father. She probably wouldn’t even think twice of his muttering, if she didn’t know what she did now. It was right when they started working on the game, over dinner—well, somewhat over dinner. He spent more time bent over papers, settling the legal side of his dream company, than he did eating.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“If this could work…” he mumbled, completely ignoring her mother’s attempts at pulling the work away from him. “Then nothing else should matter. It should be like all the others. They’ll like this. I’m sure of it.”

But when she asked, he simply shook his head and said that, maybe, she’d learn more about it later.

The second time she got a hint about what they’d eventually face was when he brought her to his office after school. Mrs. Rogers pulled him aside, showing dozens of pages of sketches and notes.

“This is something that he probably never even thought of,” she said, quietly. Maybe it was meant to be a whisper, maybe she didn’t want him to get upset. “Are we sure about this?”

“I don’t see why we wouldn’t be,” he returned effortlessly. “We’re doing this exactly because he could’ve never thought of it. We have to see where it takes us. I’m certain he’ll be proud to see what we’ve been able to build thanks to him.”

Slowly, Mrs. Rogers nodded. “You’re probably right.” Then she looked over his shoulder and offered a small smile. “Oh, good afternoon, Cassidy. Would you like to see some of the things we’ve been working on?” And any further discussion of it was pushed to a later date.

The third wasn’t the last time, though her father likely wished that it was.

She knew how far along things must’ve been at that point, yet… she was drawn to their conversation in the meeting room, which sounded like it would change everything about it. What they were suggesting—what her father, who’d once supported it, now argued against—would change things for the worst. She could see that even then, and determined that she’d try what she could to make them realize their mistake.

…

Duuzlo was a calm man by nature, not one to get too caught up in one thing or another. But seeing a close friend, as well as one’s godchildren, unconscious could cause a certain kind of emotion in any man. In that regard, he was no different. He simply resolved to mix some medicine in the corner, in case any of them might need it upon awakening, and intermediately checking on them. He knew they’d be fine—or, at the very least, he’s done every possible thing he could for them.

There wasn’t much time between each of them slowly regaining themselves, nearly like all three did it at the same time. When they did, though, they wanted answers—answers for why they felt as they did, why he was there, and what it meant for their future.

He first told them the same thing he told the players: that Nankohm had tried to get rid of them. He explained that the players had brought him here and he’d done what he could to help them—and that the players were currently occupying themselves with one quest or another. After that, though… Duuzlo had to answer the final question, the one of what they should do now.

“Llewel and Myr, do you recall the stories I used to tell you when you were younger?” he began. “It’s alright if you don’t. I understand those built-in memories might take a lot longer to return than your time with Casrane.”

Surprisingly, though, they both nodded.

“The stories about Emmyth, right..?” Llewel asked. “About where he went and what he did. What he ultimately had to do to stop things…”

“Yes.” Duuzlo nodded. “And I told you how he had to go to Anseshara—how it was the heart of everything. In a sense, what the three of you are going to have to do next isn’t much different than what Emmyth did. Casrane already knew—it seems she hasn’t told you yet, though, so I’ll do it now.” He lingered on the next words, dwelling on the fact he’d wished he’d never have to say them. “You’re also going to have to travel to the Heart of Anseshara to end this. And this is how you’re going to need to do it…”