Quite unsurprisingly to Syr, Soren had wound up leading the way to one of the who knew how many apartment complexes near the Guild District in taking her to visit Manas for his proposed dinner. As she could easily assume that Manas and his husband were the only residents, a simple apartment for two people likely more than sufficed for the Keeper, though it would only be when she saw the place herself that she’d likely get a good idea of how the man was in his off-hours life.
A few floors up and down a hallway, the path decorated in various floral designs along the walls to breath some extra life rather than leave a sterile walkthrough, soft lighting bouncing off the wood floor. All in all, a rather nice and homey looking place to reside, though in Syr’s mind, she would likely always prefer Alfish nature-architecture in form. But she figured this was something she could get used to as well.
Once Soren reached a particular door, numbered as 342, he put a finger to the doorbell and quickly rung it in a quick tune.
“Wouldn’t that be annoying?” Syr asked, Soren waving a hand.
“Nah. Manas said it’s more fun if you let him know with a tune of some kind.”
A soft ping then followed, Soren opening the door and strolling in like someone who lived there. Syr followed suit as Soren hung his jacket on the coat rack, doing the same with her sun hat. And while they were removing their shoes, Syr took a gander around as she followed Soren past the foyer.
In terms of decorations, it was about what Syr felt she could have expected from someone like Manas. Simple, but enough to give a good, homey feeling to the space. Walls decorated with bits of artwork and various photographs. The furnishes were also lacking in frills, but still nice enough. A sofa and set of chairs bordering a coffee table and large enough television for the living room, in simple but fashionable looking Lagunan craftsmanship.
Looking the other direction, trailing past a few other decorations and photos, the rest of the main room was predicably the kitchen space. A circular table set that Syr eyed as clearly having been made via Weaving, though it fit nicely enough with the other decorations of the apartment.
The kitchen was fairly modern looking, simple shelves and cupboards done in a chic black color, contrasted by the white walling and the smooth, polished stone counters. And skillfully moving around the counters, pots and pans steaming atop the stove, Manas was skillfully at work tossing around the contents of a large wok, blue flames blazing beneath it as he turned and yanked the handle to swiftly adjust.
“Moving that like this is some restaurant!” Soren’s laugh earned an amused chuckle from the cook, Manas just glancing over enough to look Soren and Syr’s way without fully taking attention off his task.
“Be it martial arts or cooking, always do things at your best. That’s the wise words of our guild master after all,” replied the Keeper.
“He said that?” Syr asked, Soren nodding.
“Sharzok is the sort who doesn’t believe in half-measures… doesn’t stop him from yelling at me and Sellen for wrecking training weapons obviously.”
“Ah but it’s always so fun to watch when he does,” Syr giggled as Manas got the shot in, Soren rolling his eyes. “I got a bit more to do before dinner’s ready. Ray’s in his office if you want to introduce Syr. He’d be happy to show her some of his finds.”
“What’s the recipe you’re cooking anyway?” Soren leaned on the counter, trying to get a better view at Manas’s wok.
“Something I found while browsing recipe ideas from the Shiranobe, Yamato in particular. Always on the lookout for things like new rice recipes y’know?”
“Plenty to save for lunch breaks and stuff, that’s for sure,” Soren’s remark got a chuckle from the cook. “Alright, we’ll leave ya too it. C’mon, Syr.”
“Thank you for letting us stop by for this,” Syr added so as she followed Soren to the hallway, Manas giving an affirming motion as his reply.
Considering the overall size of the apartment, they didn’t go too far to find the office door. Syr assumed it was likely meant as a second bedroom, but not like turning such a space into an office when it wasn’t needed was, of course, far from unusual. Of anything her stint at the College meant she was used to bedrooms being offices.
Like the outer rooms the hall did have the expected decorations, and almost by contrast all the door that Soren stopped at had on it was a simple sign denoting that, indeed, it was the office and not the bedroom. Soren gave the door a swift knock, doing so in the same pattern he’d rung the doorbell at.
“… that you, Soren? Come on in, door’s unlocked!”
“Don’t mind me then! Also, I’ve got a guest!”
Syr was quick to peek into the room as Soren pushed the door open. The contrast was downright immediate, even if the office was not the largest room there could be. End to end, the walls were lined in everything from aged pieces of artwork to sizable artifacts and weapons of far older make than anything she or Soren were used to. And between those were stapled on bits of paper and notes, particularly a corkboard between some things absolutely riddled with note papers and photographs.
And what things didn’t fit on the wall were strewn across the floor, making a pathway of sorts throughout it that just made the barest sense. And nestled within that, a desk whose current occupant was rifling through a few sheets, one hand fiddling with his pen as he tapped away at another sheet.
A Dynor, perhaps as expected, of more typical Lagunan features compared to Manas, though he clearly showed the results of an active, outdoorsy lifestyle. Skin tanned to a bright bronze, somewhat sun-bleached blonde hair, messily pulled back in such a way it showed the tan line from a hat on the man’s forehead. Calm brown eyes scanned across the paper at the desk, only then looking up to see Soren was indeed with company.
“Cluttered as always, eh Ray?”
“Ahaha, not like there’s a ton of places to shove stuff like this in a two-bedroom,” Ray stood, he and Soren clasping hands and giving a good shake to it. “Your friend here that Alf Manas was telling me about? The College grad who got to start at LR2?”
“A pleasure to meet you,” Syr gave a polite bow of her head. “I’m sure you’ve heard me name, but I’m Syr Fleyldis. Manas has been a great new friend ever since I arrived in Laguna.”
“Haha, he’s got a lot of connections for good reason. Though I married him for his cooking and humor than his social know-how.”
“I heard that!” Manas’s amused yell from down the hall brought a snide look from Ray.
“I mean you two did meet on an archaeology dig back during his reporter gig,” mentioned Soren, leaning against the desk. “Which is a story of its own, last I recall.”
“Haha, maybe we can tell Syr here that story over dinner, but let’s not be rude,” Ray stepped around the desk, approaching Syr and shaking her hand in turn. “A pleasure to meet you at last, Syr. I’m Ray Orlando, and where Manas works the counter for the Guilds, I’m an anthropologist with Gold Mark Trading.”
“The company Miss Urinoa works for?”
“Ah, you’ve met the boss already?” Ray looked to Soren, who gave a nod.
“Ran into Noa when I was showing Syr around. She was visiting old man Dómhall at the forges about some orders heading to the Zenith Frontier.”
“Ahhh. That tracks. The news coming out of that place has been ramping up since things got hectic there. Buuut we’re not here to talk business. We can save the joint stuff for other things,” Ray got an affirmative from the two Freelancers. “And while it is related, what does the scholar think of the collection here eh? Just the things Urinoa let me lift from finds to study on my own time really. At least helps spruce the place up a bit.”
“It’s quite something. I’m impressed with the range of it all too!” Syr scanned over the room, taking stock of how the items ranged from items of the sleek, metallic stylings of Ascian remnants to things from the Dark Age and more, all remnants of times past unearthed by those like Ray. “Admittedly while I have joined the Freelancers, my main interest is in fields like this. Mostly, well, in the Ascian Empire. Though I’m sure Manas made mention of that.”
“He certainly did,” Ray chuckled as he stepped around to a pylon of sorts, done in smooth whites and blues accented in silver, atop it a gleaming crystal softly glowing with what aether remained within it. “An interest I happen to share. While the stuff we dig up from post the Empire’s disappearance are interesting, the finds we get from those old ruins is always fascinating… if hard to figure out.”
“Because only those with Ascian blood can truly operate the finest parts of their technology,” Syr noted that as she said so, Soren seemed to flinch a bit. “At least, unless you can find those oh so elusive activation keys that seem utterly impossible to find. I’ve only seen a few in a display piece back at the College, and those ones were inoperable.”
“Hahaha, it’s frustrating as hell for sure! But, never stopped anyway from trying,” Ray then moved to the wall, shifting a few things aside to reveal something else. “But I wonder if you’ll find this more interesting! This was something Urinoa and I dug out of a site near Aurora.”
What Ray revealed looked to be a mural of some kind. The pictograph was of a chart of some kind, depicting four rings containing emblems within them, connecting into two different layers among each other. And all around the image were markings that Syr knew were Ascian runes with no doubt to it. And as she realized what the image was, her eyes lit up in that tell-tale excitement as she inched closer.
“This… an Ascian Conceptual Chart!” Syr bounced a bit as she began carefully running her fingers along the chart, tracing out each line of the emblems as she moved across them all. “These things formed the entire basis of our understanding of cosmology once they were found at different sites even during the Dark Age! One in as preserved a state as this is incredible!”
“The Eight Conceptual Pillars of Aeternus, so the translations go,” Soren said, also giving the chart the look over. “The Ascians and their understanding of things is the entire reason we know why Primals exist and the basics of magic to begin with.”
“The Forces and the Elements,” Syr said, moving her hand to one of the outer emblems and starting from there, moving from one to the next as she spoke the names of each. “Superbia, the Astral Genesis. Vanagloria, the Immaterial Void. Luxuria, the Umbral Chaos. Avaritia, the Ionic Order. Ira, the Burning Progress. Gula, the Whirling Will. Tristitia, the Flowing Wisdom. And Acedia, the Earthen Might. The eight founding concepts of reality itself. Things that nobody is sure can be called gods or something beyond even that.”
“The foundations that everything in our world springs forth from,” Ray gave an amused look as Syr continued to trace along the diagram. “All the research on the Ascians always seems to indicate they had a strong interest in digging into the Concepts to find out what their nature really was. Granted, two millennia does a lot to corrupt data no matter how fine the crystals the stuff is stored on happen to be. For everything we’ve dug up or gotten answers about, there’s more that just got left behind as empty gaps we’re trying to fill in.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“Oh, I know that one,” Syr let out a sigh as she turned away from the diagram. “I’ve spent my fair share of time around the Recordkeepers. Nothing frustrates them more than the inability to fully piece together what information we have about the Ascians. And that’s part of why I decided to become a Freelancer. To dig into that mystery and find the answers for myself.”
“Well, everyone’s got some reason for what they do,” Ray took a few steps around, moving past some of the other items on the floor. “Some people do it because they’re looking to fight power foes. Some for the sake of glory and fame. Others because they want to land it rich. And some because they’re looking for something. Whatever it happens to be. So, whatever you’re hoping to find in chasing after the Ascians, lemme wish ya luck… also because it’ll help profits if people keep digging things up.”
“Oi,” Soren gave Ray a playful whack on the arm, Syr giving an amused giggle as Ray cackled.
“Well you all sound like you’re having fun,” and then in came Manas, leaning against the door frame of the office. “Let’s keep talking over dinner, yeah? Hope you’re all in the mood for some Yamatan-style curry, cause there’s plenty of it.”
“So that’s what all the spices you pulled out were for?” Ray laughed as he stepped over to Manas, who gave a nod. “Please tell me you’re not going to try and kill our tongues with how hot it’ll be. I still remember last time you tried something spicy and cooked it for the office.”
“Oh it wasn’t that bad!”
“Landau was literally spitting fire.”
“He’s Dragon-blooded, that happens sometimes!”
“Are we gonna eat or not eh?” Soren trotted passed the bickering spouses with a quit step, tapping both on the shoulder as he went by. “We can share weird work stories as we eat, right?”
“Maybe we should tell Syr about that visit to Zemeria a few months back?” As Soren was about to protest Manas’s hint to something, a set of jingles rang through the air.
Soren and Manas were quick to draw their Decks, Syr quickly realizing hers had gone off as well. And all three devices bore the same message as they checked them, headlined by a bolded “IMPORTANT” at the top.
[Notice to all members of Amber Dawn. All members, barring those currently on active jobs and away from Laguna, are to report to the Guild Hall by noon tomorrow. Guild Master Sharzok will deliver a report on developments that have occurred in the Zenith Frontier region, corroborated by recently received information from a previously completed request.]
“Work never sleeps, does it?” Ray murmured, “Whaddya think it could be?”
“I’ve got a pretty good idea,” said Soren, glancing to Syr. “Looks like the eggheads got done a lot faster. Or, something at Zenith to confirm it before they were done.”
“Haha… we’re going to be busy the next few days, aren’t we?” as Syr sighed, Manas gave the elf a pat on the shoulder.
“We can worry about that tomorrow,” said the Keeper. “Let’s put it aside for now and eat. Let’s just hope the news we get isn’t anything too crazy. Though… somehow I doubt it.”
“It’ll be interesting, at the least,” said Soren.
The other three nodded to that. For now, they’d go about as they were and enjoy their evening, sharing stories all the while.
----------------------------------------
It wasn’t often when a Guild sent out a hard call for attendance of its staff. Most of the time the influx of jobs was more than enough to occupy a Guild with business. So, it was always considered serious business when anyone not on-the-job got called in to personally be updated about some new information the Grand Guild was delivering.
Because it usually meant everyone was going to be some kind of busy right afterwards.
With the hall nearly packed by those who weren’t out, Sharzok overlooked the main chamber with a stern gaze from atop the stage, his brow furrowed as a clear showing of how serious the mood was compared to the jollier event that was celebrating the Guild’s newcomers.
“I’m glad all of you could make it!” bellowed the orc. “I know many of you were enjoying your time off or getting ready for the next job, but as you may have guessed, we’ve received urgent news from the top that’s demanded the Freelancers act immediately. Meli! Get on up here and give everyone the run down!”
“Aye, gimme just a second.”
Meli came shuffling on through the crowd, the crotchety goblin hefting herself to the stage. With a quick snap of her fingers, the lights of the hall dimmed down, a flick of Meli’s wrist bringing a large magi-screen into shape above the stage, which quickly began to fill with environmental images. For all watching, they recognized the images of dense forests, coursing rivers, and rising plateaus as the defining traits of the Zenith Frontier region.
Clearing her throat, Meli began.
“Alright, as I’m sure most of ya’ are aware, there’s been news comin’ outta Zenith for a while now. Reports of disturbances to the local ecosystem, some Beasts actin’ all erratic and what not. The Hunters investigatin’ this figured it could be a Wyrm that wandered into tha place and was causing trouble, as they tend ta’ do. And, well… let’s jus’ say that theory done proved true. Before that though… Soren, Syr! Mind tellin’ us what you two came across on ya’ last job?”
“Will do!” Soren was quick to stand, Syr following suit and trailing after him as the Sword Saint went to the stage. “The other day, Syr and I took a hunting job on behalf of the Guardians out in the Emerald Plains. Like in Zenith they’ve had their hands full and needed some Plains Raptors taken care of that were getting out of hand. But oddly, the job was given a higher danger rating than a Raptor hunt would usually have, even for a full pack.”
Syr nodded, speaking in turn. “While we were investigating, we also gathered samples of some kind of ether residue that was in the area the Guardians needed covered. Meli?” with a glance from Syr, the goblin pulled up the same images Soren and Syr had taken of their findings for their report. As images of the tar like substance came, mutters went through the watching crowd. “Whatever this tar-like residue is, we also noted it had an adverse effect on the local flora, somehow creeping into the ether itself to, for lack of a better idea, corrupt it. Even the ambient ether felt off when I felt it out to locate the source.”
“It did lead us to find out why the Raptors had their danger rating bumped up,” Soren flicked a wrist, bringing up images of the Raptors’ cadavers next. “Notice how their scales are discolored? Not to mention the wounds we had to inflict to take them down. As we all know, Plains Raptors in particular are skittish, quick to run if a fight doesn’t go their way after the initial ambush attempt. But, for whatever reason, these ones fought like mad, swinging at me and Syr even after we inflicted fatal wounds on them. Having read the autopsy report after we got back, the conclusion the Guardians came to was that these Raptors had been infected by that same residue after some of their prey had eaten amounts of it that was on the plants.”
“Adding to it was a report from one of the Guardians who was investigating the place,” Syr continued on. “He told us while investigating the forests, he encountered a Magic Beast he couldn’t identify, the only descriptors he gave us being that it has black scales and cloak-like wings. Having checked the database, Soren and I weren’t able to find any records of a Magic Beast that matched that descriptor. Also, it was after this sighting that the odd activity in that area began to get out of hand, which led the Guardian to assume that unknown Beast had something to do with it since it left behind a similar substance.”
“And that’s what leads us to the news that just came out of Zenith,” said Sharzok, stepping to center stage, the other three moving to the side. “The report we received noted sightings of a similar substance being found deep within the Frontier, located at the Albireo Lake deep within the forest. And one of the Hunters investigating managed to capture an image of what could very well be the Beast the Guardian encountered. See for yourselves!”
Sharzok’s snap echoed through the room as all of the images gathered together and then changed into a single one taking up the entire magi-screen. The edges were all foliage, and it was rather blurry. But unmistakably, the centerpiece of that blurry image was the shape marring the lush greenery and sapphire lake. Something that stood out like an inky shadow among the idyllic scenery, the shape long and obscured, edged in a harsh bloody red.
The shape seemed as if it was trying to be unidentifiable, yet one could just make out the unmistakable body shadow known to a Dragon. Four sturdy legs that plowed through the dirt on strong talons, two sweeping wings that did the most work in muddying the shape. A long, serpentine body, ending in a rounded head marked by horns that too were tipped in that bloody red color.
“This image was captured two days ago, but only got to the Grand Guild’s research the other day as they were analyzing the samples gathered by Soren, Syr, and the Guardians in the Emerald Plains,” Sharzok turned to the image, his eyes almost boring into the muddy image of the Beast before he turned back to his Guild members. “The Guild has decided to give this Beast a temporary classification. As of now, this unknown Beast will be referred to as The Shadow.”
[Guess they couldn’t pick anything better.]
[I mean it kinda does look like one…]
[Concepts help us if it’s some kind of Black Wyrm.]
[What else could it be?]
“Aw-ight, ‘nough of the chatter!” Meli’s bark brought silence to the room again. “All we know abou’ this thing is what Soren and Syr reported. The Hunter who got us this image wisely chose not ta engage and returned to the Zenith HQ. So, naturally, I’m sure you all know what this means. Sharzok?”
“The Grand Guild has put out a mass order across the Lagnunan Freelancer Guilds to join the operation in hunting this thing!” Sharzok’s declaration then reignited said chatter among the crowd. “However, there will be some hard limitations. As you can assume, a job like this is incredibly dangerous, therefore this mission is being classified as a High Rank job. For those newcomers, that means you’re barred from taking the job unless you’re coming along with a High Rank as one of their teammates and are at least LR 5… and I don’t advise it if you’re not comfortable taking a task this dangerous either.”
Meli cleared her throat, tapping her data pad. “While the operation order is country-wide, participation is also optional. Tha Grand Guild understands how dangerous these jobs are, so while tha Hunters will be dealin’ with this as well, ya’ don’ need to come with. Information on compensation’ll be on tha’ job listin’ if you do take it.”
“For now, that is all!” Sharzok took center stage again, crossing his arms behind his back and looking across his Guild. “For those who do decide to answer the Guild’s call and join the hunt for this beast, I wish you all the best of luck! Do not fight beyond your means, and be sure to come back alive! A payday is worth nothing if you’re not alive to make good on it after all! With that, let’s stop being glum and get the mood back up! Whatever you all decide to do, luck be with you!”
Though it wasn’t as if the mood could shift that easily even as the darkened room as relit and the magi-screen closed. How could it when now some had to contemplate if they were willing to take a job that was reading as that dangerous against some unknown threat? It’d make it hard for anyone to get all cheered up and active again afterwards.
But activity did resume, some clearly mulling over the idea and some visibly chomping at the bit over the notion, while others expressed the desire to play it safe.
“So… what about you two?” and at an open table, Manas was seated with Soren and Syr. “I can guess Soren’s joining the expedition, no way he wouldn’t. But what about you, Syr? I know you can probably handle this but… you did say you wanted to take things slow. And this is a pretty big jump in terms of doing that.”
“Of course I’m going to go along!” Syr looked almost offended at the notion she’d stay behind. “I know what I said, but I’ve gotta see this through. Even if it is a jump, I can’t shake the feeling there’s something important here. Besides, I’m lucky I know a High Ranker who’d let me tag along.”
“Don’t go piggy backing off me all the time. I’m only HR 9 for now,” Soren shook his head, but then gave Syr a much more serious look. “But you’ve gotta be sure about this. I’ve seen what you can do, so I know what to expect, but this isn’t a job anyone’s taking lightly. Possible Black Wyrm, unknown abilities… people might get killed just so we can get a bit of information on the thing. If not worse.”
“I wouldn’t have become a Freelancer if I didn’t understand the dangers attached to it. It’s how our world is. I think it’s better to face that danger head on and find out for myself than wait for others to do it for me. Besides, Albireo Lake is the site of an Ascian ruin. If that thing is hovering around them, it could damage them and who knows what we’d lose from that site if it does?”
“Somehow tying this to those ruins isn’t surprising,” Soren snickered, Syr only keeping a firm expression. “Alright. You do it your way.”
“Well then, how about we make this a larger group, huh?” Soren and Syr turned when they heard Sellen, the Ars Machina approaching with an amused expression. “Me and the two idiots are obviously joining this thing. How about you two come with? Make it a 5-man team rather than our usual three. The more numbers the better, right?”
“Don’t have to say another word!” Soren lifted his right hand, Sellen clasping hers to it and giving him a firm shake. “Been a while since our last team job anyway. How about it Syr?”
“The more the merrier. Plus, we have better odds with a more diverse skillset. I’ll be happy to work with you and your team, Sellen!”
“Hehe, then be sure to be plenty prepared for when it all starts,” Sellen took one of the open seats, glancing to Manas. “The Keepers’ll chew us out good if we don’t keep things in order, right Mr. Journalist?”
“Ahaha, still not letting me live my old job down huh?” Manas tilted his head to the side, Sellen snickering. “I’ll get the paperwork in order for all of you. Just… be sure to make it back. Don’t try playing the hero and doing anything stupid out there.”
“No guarantees,” Soren gave a small chuckle, though it didn’t diminish Manas’s stern gaze. “Got it, got it. We’ll play it safe.”
“I’m not sure if we can say it’s luck or misfortune something like this has come up so soon after I joined the guild,” Syr’s dry remark earned her laughs from the others.
But, Soren stopped sooner, flinching a bit. The cause was a sudden bloom of warmth on his right forearm. Bringing his left hand to said arm, Soren’s brow knit when he saw the faint pulsing of his Crest showing beneath his sleeve.
“That can’t be a good sign…” and while Soren spoke under his breath, a twitch from one of Syr’s ears told she’d just heard him.
And one could only tell if either would find out what this meant at the time.