Hello readers! By inwardly nagging myself to not take so long, I managed to complete this chapter early.

A huge thank you goes to my new Beta reader Dark-Automaton for being awesome and helping me with my grammar.

Not really too much to say right now, but I hope you all enjoy the update!

Transcending Perim

Chapter 10

There was a strange balancing act in the world of Perim. One side would try to gain, be it power or territory, and the others would retaliate. It was a repetitive struggle for dominance and superiority, when at least half of the nations would rather just be left alone and have peace for their people, instead of this tiresome pattern.

As a generalization, the Over-Worlders tended to be the policing force against open acts of tyranny or advances that upset the world. It was not a position that they had chosen, but one they had risen to and been conditioned to become from countless skirmishes and fights.

This was one of Maxxor's least favorite parts of the whole of Perim's society. He did not like that his people, his brothers and sisters, often had to fight in quarrels that they had no business with. He envied how the Danians would just ignore most actions that weren't a direct threat to their Queen or the hive itself; most Mandiblors were concerned only with full fledged attacks and battles. Likewise, the Mipedians only chose to fight in battles that yielded the most profit for them. It was an underhanded way of fighting and combing for information, but it worked; even if the Over-World king hated to admit to it's practicality.

But then there were the Under-Worlders and Chaor, and that was enough to instantly bring a scowl to the already grim face of the green-skinned king. He'd never imagined that the red Creature would be such a great thorn in his side all those solens ago, when he'd first agreed to start his training to take up the throne. 'Though,' he remarked mentally. 'I should have expected as much in the first place.' And, honestly, he should have suspected that the red giant would have had some antagonism to him naturally. After all, both leaders were part of the Crowned races of their respective tribes.

Maxxor shifted his weight on the pads on his feet, looking out one of the windows of his personal study to gaze at the city sprawled beneath the palace's expanse. As of late, there'd been no real threats to the Over-World, if anything at all, there seemed to be less of a problem from any of the other tribes. Everyone was quiet for the first time since the aftermath of when the M'arrillians had attacked. 'I wouldn't call that peace,' his mind quipped. 'It was more of a mutual grieving...no one escaped without casualties.'

But then there had also been a rupture in the peace from the inevitable threat of Van Bloot and the unexpected razing from Vitog. 'And then all the petty fights between them,' the king sighed inwardly.

Indeed, it had been a strained and solemn peace then, but this one did seem...different. "...Is it possible for a world in chaos to achieve something like peace?" And why now when Creatures of all kinds were being found mutilated in the caves? It had even begun to scare away the humans, strangely enough.

That particular train of thought led to another, a more personal one. Maxxor looked at the streets below, eyes preening them for the familiar figure of Tom. He'd not seen the boy or even heard about his adventures in a while. It'd been well over a week now from the last time he and the boy had an exchange. That wasn't what annoyed him though. Tom was an important outlet in ways that most Creatures could not be.

There was something about the human that seemed so genuinely naïve and untouched; qualities one did not often find in Perim, or even it's own children. Most of the interactions that Maxxor had with his people and friends were respectful; if not almost curtly so. It tired him to know that some were more focused on the belief that their ruler was to be removed, so that he may face the world with a clear mind, unburdened by them entirely. There were times where even Intress and Najarin acted so, and it had the opposite effect.

Surprisingly, that was something that the raven-locked boy did not do. If anything at all, he was more relaxed around the king than his own people. The child still viewed him as someone of importance, yes, but it was more of a genuine respect than a wish to not be trouble. The king had found an friend in Thomas, something that he'd definitely never expected. No, when he first met the Chaotic player it was just another grievance.

Humans were often a nuisance, and of course the boy had turned up during a stressful conflict with the Mipedians. And though their meeting had been a strenuous and awful one, Maxxor would fully admit that Thomas was much more grounded and caring than most other players. It was something unlike anything he'd witnessed in other, sneaky humans. It was like the boy had the heart of an Over-Worlder in a very real way. The blue eyed human was truly more of a comfort than he'd first, or ever, had tried to foresee.

And times like the current one, such a presence was greatly appreciated.

A soft breeze blew fresh air into his face, ridding his nostrils of the scent of the books and papers in the room. Maxxor relaxed incrementally, but a small, niggling tension remained in his joints and muscle fibers. He could not bring himself to relax, even as he looked upon the residents of Kiru as they moved in the streets. Remaining at the window for just a moment longer, the king turned back to his desk. There was still much work to do, and his musings were only eating up the time he had to take care of them.

Settling down and resuming his work of looking over documents, the leader of the Over-World noticed something out of place. It was another paper, though this one was formatted like a letter. With a quick glance, he saw this was sent from Najarin. "Odd," he mumbled. The old Muge was not one to send papers in his place unless he was very perturbed. His interest piqued, Maxxor began to read.

'There is a matter of the utmost importance that I must speak to you about, just as I am sure that any able Muge is trying to communicate to their leader.' The king's brow furrowed in confusion. 'I haven't heard anything at all,' he thought. This was the first such a matter was brought to his attention. If this was truly as perilous as it already seemed, then why had no other Muge tried to tell him? And what could possibly have happened to make Najarin so flustered?

What was going on?

'A week ago, there was a phenomenon whose purpose and influence I am unable to discern. I have been working tirelessly to try and isolate the cause and effects of this flux, yet nothing has been revealed. This is truly infuriating! Never before Have I been so baffled by a shift in Perim's energies!' Oh. It was something like that then.

It was apparent growing up that while the green-skinned Creature was adept and more wise than his peers had been, he was no Mugically gifted student. Anything pertaining to the life flow within Perim was over his head, and it had been with much extra studying on his own and countless hours of practice that he finally understood some of the concept. Even so, the king was only able to comprehend some of what the Muge was addressing in the letter.

'I am aware that as king, you have much more pressing matters to attend to at the moment, but I fear this is a machination of one of our enemies or is entangled with the new force that is creeping up from the roots of our world. If this event is an omen, we can only pray to the Cothica that it is an aid and not another source of evil.'

Maxxor laid the paper back on his desk before resting his face in his hands. He took a deep, patient breath before sitting up again. "Cothica help us," he muttered. "Why must our fate always hang in the balance?" Standing up abruptly, the king left his small room and it's books and responsibilities. He needed to clear his head, then he could think this situation through better.

There was a slight anger that echoed in his footsteps as he walked through the palace's grand hallways, an annoyance and frustration that needed to be released. His mind was coiled in knots in some places, causing a headache to throb in his temples. Great, even more of a pain. Hopefully he'd be able to distract himself for a time.

Maxxor always liked walking the streets of Kiru. There was a subtle contrast between them. Some were smooth paved paths with light films of dirt on the stones while others were the sandy roads in between the major buildings. The city always felt more alive than the halls of the palace, and it was nice to join its throng every once in a while.

The Creatures here were less on edge than they had been in a few weeks, and once or twice the king thought he glimpsed a child of Perim peeking at him from their mother's side. That brought a smile to the violet-marked man; it was a rare sight on its own to see the little ones. Most parents were fiercely protective, and such a dangerous place as Perim made their coveting rightfully justified.

Looking at the crowds, however, the king noticed a few younger human players. 'Strange,' he pondered. 'Do they not care for their young the same way?' Though he supposed he should not judge.

His own childhood was not something he remembered with too much fondness; it had been a rough, deliberate cycle of the harsh ways that ruled the Gherix culture. The green people were resolute, stubborn, and hidden. Most families weren't too concerned with each other at all, leaving the young to start fighting for themselves and surviving on their own.

Of course, things had gotten better when he'd found his way to the civilized part of the Over-World after earning his Sigils. He'd left all ties with his family back in that cruel place. There still was Accato and Prantix, but the former had always been in civilization and knew nothing of the trials while the latter...well, even Maxxor thought him strange.

If he'd come from such a past, then he could understand the actions of humans to let their children find their own way in life.

Something unusual caught the king's eye as he moved to survey the streets. It was a small flash of ginger, a recognizable feature. He knew that color, for it was often beside the raven black he knew well.

Approaching from behind, Maxxor spoke to the Chaotic player. "It's odd to see you in Kiru."

The boy practically seized in surprise, whirling around with fear clearly in his thin frame. Upon seeing who he was being addressed by, Kaz sighed hesitantly and shifted uncomfortably. That, as far as the Over-Worlder knew, was not his typical behavior. From what he'd gleaned from Tom, the Under-World sympathizer was excitable but not timid.

"Well, I do have a scan of this place; it's not like I'm going to just let it sit in my deck unused." Kaz stood up straighter, but he was still nervous. He readjusted his glasses and Maxxor could practically see his mind envisioning escape routes if this conversation went sour, which it was, with a smart remark like that.

The king, however, decided to let the comment slide. The boy in front of him was just that, a boy. Though humans may have different aging standards, many Creatures still regarded them as children; even some of those who were considered capable adults in their society. "I see," he replied evenly. "I just find it strange to see you alone. Your friends are normally with you when you are here."

He noticed that Kaz started to cringe a bit at the statement. The red-head licked his lips, intimidated by the observation. His actions were somewhat troubling to the Over-Worlder. Had the boy been conditioned to this state of being by Chaor? That, in and of itself, was a very disturbing thought. He understood that the human preferred the antagonists of his people, but he could not fathom why. Kaz was most likely a loyal pet in the eyes of the Under-World leader, or even more probable, a useful annoyance.

"Y-yeah," now the child had visibly deflated, all fake bravado and tension immediately disappearing. "Actually, I was going to see you and ask you something, but the guards at the palace gates said you were out."

Maxxor didn't expect that. Why would the boy be searching for him? Why not go through his usual methods of gathering information? "I have no idea about anything you could use for your game, nor am I goin-"

"No, no! It's not like that!" Kaz raised his hands in a placating manner, half wincing like he anticipated anger or a rise from the king. "I was wondering if you'd seen Tom, that's all. I was just at the Arsenal and not even Bodal had seen him recently." He went and mumbled something else, but even with his sharp hearing the king could not make sense of it at all.

"You have not seen him either?" This nearly made Maxxor's brow crease with worry, but confusion painted his expression instead. This boy was one of the closest friends that the Over-World player possessed, why should he not know where the other was?

"But, you still remember him?" The boy's eyes opened slightly wider for a moment.

'What in the name of the Cothica is so strange about that?' The mental inquiry was quickly shoved aside. "Of course, why wouldn't I remember him?"

Kaz didn't answer right away, his eyes darted around the streets of Kiru for a brief moment. "C-could I tell you something? Like, in a place more private?"

The Gherix regarded the boy for a split second, taking in the honest expression of trepidation and fear. "...Come," he said calmly before walking back the way to the Arsenal. He didn't like the notion of this child going in there; and really, no player had any place going near the building, but he needed to verify the boy's claim that even Bodal hadn't seen Tom. It wasn't that he didn't trust the kid because of his affiliations with Chaor...well, no, that was exactly why.

He didn't want to be lead into a trap, and there was no doubt that the boy would have tried to lead him away from a weapons storage facility if given the chance. Sending a quick glance over his shoulder, though, revealed that Kaz was indeed following him with a sullen look. It was too genuine to be any sort of act; most of the players of Chaotic showed their feelings unknowingly. But where as his favorite one was expressive yet conscious enough to know when to hide what he felt, most were just too oblivious to the fact.

Soon the guarded doors of the Arsenal were in front of the pair. The armored soldiers at the sides of the doors eyed Kaz, making the boy shift nervously. 'How does he stand the Under-World if this much hostility unnerves him?' Maxxor questioned in his mind before giving the watchers a curt signal to let him and the human inside.

Once the heavy doors were closed shut behind them, the king called out for the manager of the building. "Bodal, are you in here?"

"I told you boy, I haven- oh! M-Maxxor!" The smaller Creature had rounded the corner of one of the shelves in a rather annoyed mood, only to have it drain from him at the sight of his leader. "How can I help you?"

The addressed sighed inwardly at the sudden shift; there was the type of removed respect he hated. Nodding towards Kaz, he spoke, "He said you hadn't seen Tom in a while, is that correct?"

"Yes, though I don't see why such a matter should be such a problem. The boy is probably off shirking his responsibilities." Bodal shrugged, as if the situation meant nothing to him at all.

"He's not like that! He doesn't just skip out on things. And I told you h-"

"Boy!" The small green man snapped. "This matter is nothing to me! I have too much to worry about without your frivolous fears!"

Maxxor grunted in agreement; he hated the sense Bodal's claim made. What really was it to the people of the Over-World, or even Perim as a whole, if a single human was nowhere to be seen? It seemed to be another problem that his kinsmen had no business intervening with.

"You're not listening to me!" The ginger locked boy's cheeks were flushed, something that the king had never seen him do, in frustration. "He's not back on Earth! He has to be here!"

There was an abrupt pause.

"What do you mean 'not back on Earth'?" The Arsenal manager asked mutely, stunned.

"What do to think?!"

"Kaz, be at peace," Maxxor interjected. "Don't you players have two halves?" He wasn't familiar with their methods of transport, but he knew that humans spoke as if they were in two places at once.

"Yes, we have two halves, but that's the thing! The half of Tom that was back home, back on Earth, it's just...it's gone." The boy's voice cracked on the last part, more proof of his distress.

Bodal tilted his head and glanced at the player with a critical eye. "How is that possible?"

"It's not! It shouldn't be! But it happened and...no one remembers him either! I went to his house, I spoke to his mom, a-and sh...she looked at me like I was insane before telling me that I was playing a cruel joke and slamming the door in my face! He's not in the attendance at school or even in their system, it's like he just vanished. From what I gathered, the only people who remember him are the ones who met him in Chaotic and Perim, as you guys and other players have proved." The defeat on his face was unsettling, but the desperate hope in his eyes was pitiful. "Usually when people go missing back home they leave tracks of some kind, they don't just poof out into thin air."

Now it made sense. "And you were hoping we might have an idea as to where he'd be?" The Gherix said solemnly. Now he understood why the boy was so distraught. "I'm sorry Kaz, but we don't have anything that'd help you."

The boy looked like he was either about to scream or start sobbing, possibly even both. The Creatures in the room did not know how to respond to this development. Bodal stared openly, his own unease showing while Maxxor watched carefully but with concern instead. After an infinite pause, which was only about eleven seconds, Kaz whispered a soft farewell and thank you before disappearing in a flash of code.

"...That was quite frightening." The small man commented quietly.

"How?"

"The possibility of that happening."

The king nodded in agreement. The notion of someone completely vanishing was a horrific one, yet the most terrifying aspect was that it had happened to someone he'd known, to someone he personally had called a friend. This new tension manifested itself as a cold chill in the Gherix's veins, one he had to actively reach out for his fire affinity to chase away. Maxxor suddenly wished he hadn't taken a walk to clear his mind. He'd only put more stress into it since his leave of the palace.

With a clipped word of parting, the leader of the Over-World left the Arsenal and started towards his home. As much as he loathed to do so, the situation with Tom had to wait. Najarin had contacted him about something, and he'd put it off for too long already. He should get back to his study and finish what he'd started. Besides, maybe working would take his thoughts away from the pit of dread they were falling into.