Author Comment: I want to thank my Beta-reader FollowerOfAnhamirak for his time on this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.


Tom looked away, unsure of what to say. He knew he had to answer though. Maxxor was giving him his complete attention. Tom bit his lip and thought about what would be the best thing to say.

At that moment Maxxor wondered what was going on in the boy's mind. Over time he had learned just how transparent humans could be with their emotions. It was weird to know that a human's faces could change colors or twist and change shape depending on their emotions, "Tom? What is going on? What did Phelphor do to you?"

The Chaotic Player raised his eyes and watched his friend, uncertain about how to answer that.


Chapter 63: Phelphor Defense

Maxxor put his hands on Tom's shoulders, deciding to gently press the issue. He didn't want his friend to close up. It was clear he was simply searching for the best way to answer. He knew that it might be a complicated answer, "Just tell me what happened."

Tom took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. He took another one, trying to figure out how he could explain, "Okay. You know…when I was captured by the M'arrillians. I couldn't escape. I didn't have my scanner."

"Yes. You told me you managed to get out somehow," Maxxor released his grip from the boy's shoulders and waited for the rest of the explanation.

"I didn't escape on my own. A M'arrillian helped me."

"One of those rebels?"

"No. Phelphor was the one who saved me," Tom avoided looking at Maxxor. He didn't want see his hero's expression change from surprise to anger. What he didn't know was that anger was because Tom had lied to him about his previous predicament, "He came and gave me back my scanner. I ported out after scanning him and seeing his memories," Tom suddenly looked at the ground, "A lot of his memories told me why he helped me. After this, he went into hiding in the forest."

"Where we arrested him?" Maxxor asked, his expression neutral.

"Yes. I found him later on. I went to check if he was alright… because his first plan was to get arrested by the M'arrillians and executed. But he decided to live…that's why he went there," he gazed down.

Maxxor sighed. He believed that Tom felt like he owed Phelphor a debt of honor. The M'arrillian didn't have any reason to help the boy, but he did it. It was clear that some things were missing and he'd only been told the important stuff, "Go on," his expression of anger dissipating.

"I visited him a few times. He couldn't tell me what the M'arrillians were planning since he cut contact with them. Other than that, I just taught him how to fish and we talked a little together," Tom walked over to an empty chair and sat on it. It was exhausting to just reveal everything to the ruler of the Overworld. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a few seconds. "That's pretty much everything I learned."

Maxxor nodded, "It's really hard to believe that Phelphor would do that, but we will still interrogate him, and he still has to pay for his crimes."

Tom paled a little at that, and began searching his mind for an argument to help Phelphor's case. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked in the eyes of the creature, "Maxxor?"

"I'm not angry with you Tom," Maxxor replied. He let out a small smile, "I know you are telling me this because you believe he's changed, but we cannot be sure he truly changes."

"I saw it in his mind. If he didn't, he would never free me," Tom replied.

Maxxor nodded, "I understand Tom, but he is a M'arrillian. He isn't someone we can trust."

"Can I see him?" Tom asked his hero, hoping to find something that would change Maxxor's mind.

Maxxor mentally debated if he should say yes or no. Seeing no real reason not to agree he nodded, "Come with me. Maybe he will be more talkative."

They both of them exited the library and headed towards the dungeon.

"What happened to him since he was brought here?" Tom asked, hoping Phelphor was alright.

"We have been interrogating him, but his answers weren't satisfying. He never said anything about helping you. He didn't try to pretend any of that," Maxxor replied, his expression thoughtful. Thinking about it, it made sense to stay silent. It would only bring Phelphor more pain, "He spoke about leaving his tribe and trying to return to Kaizeph to find out more about what happened to his father."

"Yeah. He killed his own father under Aa'une's orders. I saw it in his memories after I scanned him," Tom answered.

Maxxor nodded as they reached the dungeon. Seeing their ruler approach the guards opened the door and let them through.

The dark room they were in had an entirely different atmosphere than the rest of the castle. As they climbed down, only the torches and light crystals guided them down the stairs. Both remain silent as they navigated down towards Phelphor's cell. As they walked Maxxor, gazed at the prisoners who tried to bargain or manipulate him.

Tom ignored them, knowing that whatever they said wasn't trustworthy.

They soon entered another room, isolated from the others. The guard posted there opened it to let them in.

At the end of the room, they saw Phelphor sitting on the ground, head down.

Tom was relieved. He saw no wounds on the ex-M'arrillian. He just appeared to be down, or resigned to his fate. Reacting, Tom approached his cell.

"I have nothing else to tell you. This is everything I know," the creature told them, not bothering to look at them.

"He wanted to see you," Maxxor replied, brow furrowed.

"Maxxor? Who would-" Phelphor noticed the boy and was quiet. He sighed, "Tom. Of course. What are you doing here?"

"He came to warn me that M'arrillians tried to kidnap him and his friends. Do you have any idea as to why they would want him?"

"From what I already told you, they want the scanners to reach Chaotic and then the Cothica," Phelphor replied. He crossed his arms and thought about it a little more, "I was sent to Kaizeph to investigate the ruins and the old history, in search of a way to defeat the other tribes. When we heard the rumors about Chaotic, the plan changed to find the Cothica on your world." Phelphor pointed at Tom as he said this.

"You know they are almost ready," Maxxor declared, not bothering to phrase it as a question.

"Milla'iin didn't tell me everything he planned. He barely told anyone who isn't directly part of the plan. Even the chieftains are in the dark about most of it. I only know that Bahrakatan was working on something very important. I guess it is the means to reach Chaotic," Phelphor explained.

The ruler of the Overworld began to wonder if torture might be the best option.

"Maxxor. I can scan him and look into his memories to prove what he's saying is true," Tom said quickly, pointing at his scanner, "I'll know everything he knows about the plan until now."

Maxxor nodded. It was true that the scanner allowed them to read minds somehow. He gazed at Phelphor. He knew that the moment his mind would be revealed, his attitude would change.

The ex-M'arrillian expression didn't change at all. He wasn't afraid or nervous. He stood up and approached the bars, "Do it. I have nothing to hide anymore. No matter what happens, I'll accept it. What I did to the tribes and against the Cothica cannot be forgiven. This is my punishment."

Tom was uncertain when he heard those words. He wanted to do something else. He wanted to help the ex-M'arrillian. Still, it was true. Justice had to be served, "Okay. But it will be a fair one. I'll make sure of it," Tom promised as he scanned the creature. This was the second time he did so. Tom gazed at the stats. He noticed that his Wisdom was higher than before while his health was lower. Still, the stats weren't important, but it showed that he changed a little already.

Maxxor prevented the boy from leaving yet, "Tom. I want you to know that it is dangerous to wander around all Perim now. The M'arrillians truly are intent in capturing you."

"I know. It isn't just about your scanners, right?" Tom asked, wanting to be certain.

"It's because you and your friends are close to us," Maxxor replied, a little bit of anger showing he gazed aside. It was about the other rulers. He sighed, "And because you are chosen as our guide to the Cothica. That means that they want to use you in Chaotic to reach the Cothica while also aiming at us."

"They went revenge for their defeat," Tom muttered. He took out his scanner and gazed at Phelphor. He nodded at him and ported out.

The two creatures were left alone. They looked at each other. Only the bars of the jail were separating them.

"You are certain that you know nothing else," Maxxor asked, frowning. He didn't have to hold back now that the Tom was gone.

"This is all that I know," Phelphor sighed, "When will I be executed?"

It was true that he had nothing else to offer.

Maxxor knew that the prisoner couldn't obtain anything with his abilities, as they all knew he was a prisoner. He was useless alive, "It will depend on Tom."

"Wha- why?" Phelphor was confused by that decision.

"You did save Tom and betray your tribe. I know it is true, because you would never accept getting scanned otherwise. All your secrets will be revealed in those Battle Dromes. You wouldn't let him scan you if you wanted to hide anything. I will wait for Tom to come back and confirm everything," with that Maxxor turned around and took a few steps towards the exit.

"You are going to believe his words. What if he is trying to lie and defend me?" Phelphor asked.

Maxxor stopped and turned around, "Tom wouldn't lie to me about something that important. He can be cocky and reckless, but he is an honest boy. Besides, I'll know if he is lying. Humans are really, obvious about it," he then left the jail.

Phelphor gazed down and grumbled, "Got that right." He looked around, "This is better than a M'arrillian prison,"

With that Maxxor left the dungeon and returned to the library, but was stopped by Najarin who was waiting for him.

"Najarin. Is there a problem?"

"No. There is a visitor who is waiting for you at the throne room," Najarin said.

Maxxor simply nodded and followed him.

They reached the throne room and Maxxor saw who was waiting for him.

Codemaster Crellan turned towards him and bowed.

"You must be one of the Codemasters," Maxxor said, studying the man as they had never met in person before.

"I am Codemaster Crellan," he said as he raised his mechanical hand, "I came here because of the possibility of the M'arrillians coming to Chaotic."

"Why would you come directly at us? Is there a grave problem going on?" Najarin asked.

Crellan was silent for a few seconds. It wasn't something he would like to admit, "We are… not confident in holding out against a full M'arrillian invasion."

"Especially since they can still control the minds of creatures and humans," Maxxor muttered.

The Codemaster looked right into his eyes as he said that. Najarin did the same, surprised by the information.

"Tom told me before he ported out to Chaotic. Not long before my presence was requested here," Maxxor explained.

The two nodded and Crellan continued, "We need to organize the defense of Chaotic for when the M'arrillian will come. This invasion will be different from the previous one. I will also visit the other tribes to plan everything."

"I'm listening," Maxxor replied, curious as to what the Codemaster was planning.

The three of them soon began to prepare a battle plan for the possible upcoming invasion of Chaotic. There was a lot to discuss and organize with the other tribes. It soon became clear that the leaders of the four tribes needed to come together to fully plan the defense of Chaotic.

As for Maxxor, it was also the defense of the Cothica. If the M'arrillians claimed it, it was over for Perim and he knew it.


AC: This is the end of this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. We are moving closer to the end of the second Arc.

Next Chapter: Prisoners Of The M'arrillians.

Gal'Drad has been called for an important meeting with the other Chieftains. When he saw why, his chest became heavy, even if the prisoner showed no fear.

Followed by: War Plan.

The four rulers of each tribe and Codemaster Crellan prepared the defense of Chaotic, as each of them knew that the battle was imminent.