Chapter 212: Platinum

‘No, not again, please,’ heavy panting, ‘l-let them go...’ whimpering, ‘Xula...EIRA!’ the dream broke. Sat upright with Avon on the left side whilst Deadeyes slept on the other bed. ‘Again with the same dream,’ sweat dripped down the forehead, ‘-it’s hot,’ erratic, he decided to take a walk. Dressed in only shorts – Staxius stood outside, ‘-I so wish I had a cigar right about now,’ he wondered as the chilly morning breeze made its presence known.

‘Is the death reaper’s curse going to ruin me again,’ now leaned against the inn’s wall, the mind barely awake, thought about what had happened. ‘Was that dream a premonition or a bad memory from when I changed bodies. Maybe it’s something the god of death sent.’ A feeling of dread surfaced slowly, there was more on the line than hoped. The lives of people he cared about were at risk – the lives of those who saved him. ‘Twelve figures slaughtering my family in cold blood,’ he sighed, ‘-can that ever happen?’ he asked. ‘Xula will take care of everything, she’s an angel – far stronger than anyone in Arda. Heck, I’d even venture that she’s stronger than Raulf or anyone else.’ Teared up, the eyes were wiped quickly, losing people he cared about again was not an option. ‘I’ll have to face that curse. The immediate option I have at the moment is making that Relic Class scroll. In case something does happen, the scroll could revive despite any injuries even if the body had been left to rot or burnt to ashes. A lingering speck of Mana is all that is required. After people die – their lifeforce stick around for a few years till it’s absorbed into the earth.’ The heart steadied it’s beating, ‘-I guess I do feel fear,’ a snicker with a glance inside later – it revealed five-thirty, it was time to move.

“Did something happen?” Adete sloppily hovered out the room.

“Nothing much,” a reply that seemed to do the trick, Staxius returned.

“Is it time to wake everyone else?” she asked with a grumpy tone.

“I suppose,” he sighed and headed for the first room.

*Knock, knock,* he tapped gently, “-wake up, it’s time to move,” he said in a calm yet stern voice. In this fashion, Staxius went around and woke everyone. Similarly, downstairs, the inn got ready to prepare breakfast. The place remained active even late at night for anyone could come strolling through the front door unexpectedly.

.....

“I hope you had a lovely stay,” another person, a lady bearing glasses with chapped lips from the cold with dark-circles under her eyes spoke.

“Thank you for everything,” Staxius spoke, the crew stood behind, half-awake and tired. They stretched and yawned, including the girls.

“Let’s go eat,” Avon mumbled, then headed towards an oak door with a worn-out handle – it led towards the small eatery. “With you on that one,” the rest followed behind.

“You sure look worse for wear,” Staxius added in a polite voice, the lady turned and stared. With all those footsteps walking into the other room, she thought that all had left.

“Yes, but it’s not my place to complain,” she pulled out a half-hearted smile as if holding a grudge to the many hours of work, ‘-life’s already tough as is. I’d rather run myself to the ground as opposed to becoming a toy for those who wish to play.”

“Care to elaborate?” he leaned on the counter and faced the waiting area.

“Since it’s so early in the morning, I guess its fine,” her narrow eyes opened wider as if focused onto the thing at hand. “It’s not uncommon to have people sold to not so honorable organizations or nobles. You must already know, seeing the clothes you and your companion wear – slavery is practiced even to this day. As far as I know, the royal family hasn’t done anything to address the situation. Even so, it’s practiced underground – by gangs and such. I dare not speak their name, but people often come to our hometown in hunt of people. From elder to kids, it’s not unheard of that some go missing after the sighting of rogues. The only way to survive is to keep a low profile and not anger those of the underground. First, it was nobles, now the scum from the underworld, when will this oppression stop, I wonder. Adventurers are the only ones that stand before the people and evil,” she paused and looked around, “-you better leave as soon as possible,” she whispered, “-there are people who’ve taken notice of you. Leave while you can and never come back. There are more towns like us who go through the same fate. Don’t let it bother, the people of Hidros are more resilient than others. Those were the words from Aceline, our pride, and joy,” to which the conversation ended.

historical

“Aceline,” he chuckled and headed into the other room. A radio in the corner played, a familiar voice spoke – the pride of Hidros. It explained why the lady at the counter knew and held the idol to such high standards. For the people in search of a way to escape, music was the sole entertainment available to the lower class.

‘I guess her way of fighting evil with a blade made of music and love has advantages,’ he thought and ate. People around were happy in their own way; all he could was but watch. Changing the fate of these people was a hard task. Disrupting their sense of equilibrium was selfish and in no way was he going to get involved in saving others.

“Let’s go,” the meal ended. Now revitalized and full of energy, Kniq walked through the entrance with confidence. The wings on their back with the rising sun in front had a feeling of if one had died and went to heaven – this was what one would see.

“T-the w-wings of f-freedom,” the lady at the counter spoke vaguely. Staxius who stayed back to handle additional payment heard what she said. The rumors had spread, this was a fact, it amazed to see the power of words.

“Farewell,” with a smile, he walked.

“Xenos...” the lady called, “-you’re Xenos right?” she asked. No response nor replies, he continued and gave his signature wave.

“Alright people,” he called, all climbed into the RFS. The twins were still in a state of perpetual sadness and silence. Forcing the issue would create more damage than needed. Intimidation and fear weren’t the only way to touch someone’s heart. There were a plethora of ways, though the harsh and fast approach suited him best for he didn’t care to nurture someone on the brink of despair. More often than not, scaring someone to his very core proved to be more effective than others. There was a sort of underlying beauty about that method, a moment where nothing else affected the victim’s thought nor heart – clear and honest. ‘People are not born evil; they are made evil.’ Wise words that came from the one and only Tempest Haggard.

The machine turned on, it roared into action then drove forth. “Viola, care to get some plastic bags ready?” he asked out of the blue.

“What do you mean?” on an empty road, a few minutes later, she asked.

“Just do it,” he urged to which Avon and Deadeyes caught on.

“No...” the spirit called.

“We’re going to teleport... aren’t we?” the marksman’s face displayed fear.

“You know it,” Staxius turned and smirked.

“SADIST,” Achilles called, *Ancient Magic: Teleportation.* In an instant, they stood on the road leading inside Rosespire, they moved and skipped a day of driving.

“I’m about to hurl,” Avon complained. Without wasting time and most importantly, not wanting to stain their iron steed, the rest were teleported outside.

“Here I thought you guys were strong,” Staxius shook his head but smiled smugly.

“Achilles spoke true,” Avon spat following the puke, “-you’re a sadist,” he pouted. The spirit wasn’t the only one affected, it touched Deadeyes and the Lymsey sisters.

“There goes that lovely breakfast,” Viola stepped out with hands filled with water bottles. “Go take care of the twins,” she smiled, “-They do remind me of Eira when she was young.”

“I supposed it would be my sister that knows me better than I do myself,” he bounced out the driver’s seat and headed over. A few steps away, the boys gargled water.

“Here,” the tone soft and soothing, water was given to rinse the mouths. Afterward, the faces were cleaned without the girls having to do anything.

“W-why d-do you care?” Emma asked, the care Staxius put in had placed doubts on her grieving mind.

“W-we are a burden... why don’t you just abandon us,” Emmy asked in turn, their feelings matched.

“Come on,” he shook his head, “-I’m not that good a guy. This isn’t out of the goodness of my heart. But I understand how having a weak resolve crumble can cause a person to shut-down. Honestly,” he stared at the RFS as the crew got back in, “-it’s not worth losing talent like you over something like that. There’s more to gain from helping you girls back on your feet. I’m not fond of charity, therefore, the longer the sulking continues, the higher the payback price will be,” both hands held out. “Those are my reason,” behind, they others called. “There’s an infinite number of possibilities out there, all one needs is to just hold out a hand.”

“O-okay,” they replied and took up on the offer. The drive continued without stop. Getting past the gate wasn’t a problem, the guild card of which the rank displayed Silver, was more than enough.

“We’re back home,” a sigh of relief later, they slowly drove inside.

“First and foremost, we’re headed to the main guild,” a plan was given. The time now was around eight, the same time as adventurers slowly made their way towards the guild for quests.

“Who are they?” dressed in armor, the fighters asked; the eyes filled with curiosity, none knew who arrived. It had been too long for many to remember.

“Look outside,” Melisa pointed.

“They’re back,” Diane called.

“Who is?” confused, the gathered crowd inside turned to see the commotion.

*Click,* the door opened, “-we’re back,” Avon called and stepped off the first.

Second, came to Deadeyes, then Undrar followed by Achilles, then the twins after which was ended by Staxius. ‘It’s good to see some familiar faces,’ he thought and stepped inside, Kniq led the charge, their uniform and emblem sent a wave of awe across the room. The sternness in their eyes never left, “-it’s alright,” a voice came from behind, “-go meet up with your friends, I’ll take care of turning in the quest.” To which the aura around them lessened into one approachable and friendly.

“Thank you, guild leader,” in unison, they thanked and parted ways. Welcomed with open arms, Staxius watched as his guild went and bonded with the other parties. Emma and Emmy didn’t do anything, they stood quietly beside Staxius and held his hand. They seemed more like father and daughter than an adventuring party.

“Welcome back,” Melisa greeted with a bright smile.

“Glad to see you didn’t die,” Diane fired back with the usual sharp voice.

“It’s good to be back,” he sighed, “-here’s the report which should finalize the quest.”

“Let’s see,” Diane took over, [Quest: Azure’s wall] “-I’m sorry about this,” she apologized, “-but the quest we assigned to Kniq was changed heavily. From name to the description, it had to have been done, the reports from Ground-zero and the military were more than enough. In the end, the rank assigned to this quest was [Tier-One Platinum]”

“WHAT?” a shock wave of bafflement went around the room.

“Yes, as per orders from the guild master, this quest was given the rank of Tier one Platinum, the first-ever tier-one quest to ever be issued,” Melisa heard the scream and explained. “The peril that the guild known as Kniq had to go through is extraordinary. More details will be made public soon enough, worry not, my dear comrades – today is a day of joy and celebration, thanks to them – Oxshield will live to see another day,” she ended, her shyness was overcome by the adrenaline from announcing the completing of the first-ever Platinum quest.