Author Comment: Thanks again to FollowerOfAnhamirak for revising this chapter.
Reggie was on his wheelchair, rolling through the harsh terrain of the Overworld, frustrated at the difficulty. Letting out a grunt of annoyance he patted his pocket to make sure his scanner was still there. After what had happened last time, he always made sure his scanner was within reach in cases he needed to make a quick exit. Still, he didn't want it to come off at the wrong moment. He had heard rumors, from a few Chaotic Players, before Theb-Saar's sudden visit, about how things were getting dangerous for Chaotic players in Perim. From what he had gathered there was a strange creature wandering around one of the less known rivers of the Overworld. Few knew of its existence and none had gotten a scan of it. However, after hearing about it, he was determined to claim a scan as no one else had managed to get one. Though before he could go after it, he had had to do a few exchanges to get the location scan and unfortunately the only one willing to trade had been Klay. He had had to endure Klay's stupid mockery but he'd gotten it.
He disliked Klay as much as anyone else and the only consolation out of having been mocked was having seen Klay tripping on nothing, "Now that I think about it…maybe it had been the tail of a Mipedian."
That reminded him of what he had told his friend Tom, that he wasn't that worried. That hadn't been exactly true. Even now he still grew nervous at the sight of a Mipedian, even in a drone match. Still, having seen Tom, the person who had helped him when he lost his scanner a few months ago, had reassured him strongly.
He let go of that thought and instead focused on his scan quest. Looking around Reggie wondered, "Where could this mysterious creature be?"
He stopped near the river and noticed a creature wearing a used up brown cloak. Quickly, he pulled out his scanner but the creature was at the other side of the river and out of scanning range. He wondered if it was the one everybody had been talking about. "Could it be?" Thought Reggie as he used his scanner to zoom in and noticed a hint of pink on the creature's skin. Taking a closer look, he also noticed the creature had a fishing rod on his shoulder. "Got it." Said Reggie out loud and looked around for a bridge, looking around for a few minutes before he noticed one. It was a little far away, but it was a risk he could take. From what he saw, the creature was preparing to fish his lunch.
Reggie smiled. The adventure was calling him.
Little did he know however was that the creature he saw was in actuality well known. He may have heard of him but he had never actually seen Phelphor.
Chapter 31: He Who Let His Tribe Behind
Phelphor grumbled as he checked on his improvised fishing rod. He had read the mind of a creature who knew how to make one, but actually making it was different. He lacked the necessary dexterity and experience. It felt like it could fall apart at any second with the many flaws and cracks on the branch he used. Just like the previous two he had attempted to make.
The ex-M'arrillian could easily go in the water and grab them with his hands, but a few Overworlders could breathe underwater and he didn't want the risk of a fight with them. Not only that, but his cloak wouldn't hide his face underwater. They would quickly know who he was and his life would be on the line.
He sat on a rock and threw the line in the river. Now it was waiting time. Despite his poor attempts he found fishing to be an enjoyable thing, when his mind didn't wander too much. He had never expected his life to turn into a nomadic one, but he had no choice as any tribes would reject him. "I wonder what Tom would say if he saw me now?" That was a question that had come a few times to his mind.
He had to admit it was still liberating to put away his mask of lies away from everyone and himself.
The problem was that he couldn't return to Kaizeph right now. The security was tight and luck wasn't on his side. Phelphor still wanted to figure out more about his father's past and the Messenger of the Cothica who changed Maelstrom. He crossed his legs and sighed. He really hated waiting and doing nothing. Being frozen in the ice didn't count as he wasn't even conscious at that time.
As he waited, he took in his surroundings. He had chosen to temporarily reside at this location as very few creatures and humans wandered around nearby.
He had been spotted a few times by Chaotic Players, but none of them had gotten a scan of him. They would realize he was a M'arrillian instead of the mysterious creature that wandered about. When that thought came, he frowned and gulped, "Why do I have the feeling that would get more humans after me?"
As he pondered the possible consequences of his actions, he heard something and turned around. Narrowing his eyes, he saw a Chaotic Player on a chair that somehow rolled on its own. The worst part though was that his fishing rod got his meal at the same time. He looked at both.
"So, you're the mysterious creature they've talked about." The boy said with interest.
The ex-M'arrillian didn't think. He turned around and threw ice beside the human, to make him leave though. He couldn't hurt those who came from the Cothica.
The explosion sent the wheelchair on the side and the boy fell into the river. Phelphor gasped as the current was already dragging the boy away. He grunted and jumped in the river. He wouldn't let anyone from the Cothica die when he could do something about it. Making sure his hood hid his face he swam towards the human.
Phelphor quickly caught up with the human and grabbed him and his scanner as it just went outside of the boy's pocket. He pulled him back to the surface and went to the shove.
Reggie coughed a few times before he managed to get back his breath. He searched for his scanner and saw it in the hand of the creature, "T-thank you." Said Reggie cautiously, unsure as to why the creature had saved him after attacking him.
Phelphor sighed, "I tried to chase you away, not kill you." He made sure his hood still covered his features. He waited for the boy to stand up, but he never did, "Stand up."
"I would if I could. I just need to get back to my wheelchair." the human replied as he crawled on the ground.
The creature quickly understood what was going on, "How are you still alive?"
"Hum?" Questioned Reggie, raising his eyebrow.
"This is the kind of wound that should have cost your life. Once you cannot walk, you are just seen as a dead weight by the rest of the world." Phelphor commented without the intention of insulting the boy. It was just how life went in Perim.
"It's not the same on my world." Reggie simply replied as he crawled.
Phelphor didn't want to see this display and grabbed the boy, "It will be faster. Once on your chair, you can leave."
"W-wait. I came here to get a scan of you," Reggie replied, making sure to keep an even tone.
"I know. Many tried, but I'm not interested in being scanned. My memories are mostly mine and I intend to keep it that way." Replied Phelphor, omitting Tom. Gently, he put the boy's the wheelchair up and gently put the boy back on it.
"Okay and thanks." Said Reggie politely. He might have pushed the matter, but he considered it might be bad, given that he had saved him.
"Sorry for hurting you. It wasn't my intention." Apologized Phelphor as he gave back the scanner.
Taking the scanner Reggie saw the eyes of the creature, as the hood didn't perfectly hide them. The green eyes and the coral like eyebrows. Still, there was something different in the gaze of the creature. He couldn't immediately put his finger on it. He then remembered how Tom had described a particular M'arrillians that had been the first before the war. "Phelphor?"
"By the Cothica." Startled, Phelphor jumped away and gazed at the boy.
"So, you were the mysterious creature all along." Reggie whispered. He was well aware of the situation and what the creature did to Perim. He wasn't a direct witness but his friends had strongly warned him about visiting Perim because of his predicament and had made plenty of mention of Phelphor in their warnings. He was more vulnerable than other players. He ignored them and didn't regret that. As such, all he knew about Phelphor came from his reputation. Even so, looking at him, he didn't live up to it right now. "You're still here." Reggie remarked, uneasy. He was certain the creature would have tried to attack him by now but he didn't. Still, he was ready to port out at any moment.
"Why would I attack you? You come from the Cothica." The ex-M'arrillian nervously replied. He had to go elsewhere now, while waiting for an opportunity to return to Kaizeph.
"We don't?" Reggie sighed. He had to expect this to come up often now. Shaking his head, he looked at the creature, "You're not really who I was expecting. I heard a lot about your tribe."
"I'm not a M'arrillian anymore. We're going the wrong path and I want to be no part of it." Said Phelphor firmly, who crossed his arms and sighed.
"No wonder you tried to chase me away." Reggie thought. The boy was wondering if what he heard about Phelphor was exaggerated. If he had no allegiance, he was completely on his own.
Turning around Phelphor looked at his fishing rod. It was broken. He had lost his dinner, "I'll have to leave now." He commented.
"Why?"
"You are going to tell the Overworlders about me. That's fairly obvious. I'm surprised no creatures came to investigate the 'mysterious creature that lived by the river." Quoted Phelphor.
Reggie looked down and raised his gaze once again, "I won't say anything about you Phelphor."
He stopped and turned around, "W-why? You know who I am. You know what I did. I know I am a horrible creature for everything I did to Perim and the other tribes."
Reggie didn't give any reply to that statement. The M'arrillian admitted that he wasn't different from his reputation. He did remember how Maxxor changed his mindset about humans when he interacted with Tom. Creatures could change. He had heard of a M'arrillian in Al Mipedim who was helping the Mipedians as much he could recover. Still, that creature was different from Phelphor, who freed his tribe. Yet wasn't it possible that creatures of any tribe could be horrible while others could be good. He knew a little about the creature's history. There was one thing he was curious about though, "Why did you leave your tribe? You didn't really explain it."
"I left my tribe after helping Tom." Phelpho replied honestly.
"You helped him?" Reggie asked, surprised.
"You know him?" Phelphor asked curiously, looking at the boy.
"Yes. He's my friend. He helped me when I lost my scanner, even if he ended up in big trouble." he didn't want to bring up that his friend lost Maxxor from his deck to help him and had refused to be paid back for his debt. That was why he looked up at Tom and considered him a friend Reggie then realized what the creature said earlier, "You helped Tom?"
"Yes. It was after my tribe captured him. They wanted to use him to reach the Cothica and other things. I just couldn't. Not anymore." Phelphor whispered. He sighed and continued, "I went to his cell and gave him back his scanner so he could port out. After this, I came here." He didn't care to add any detail. He didn't care if the boy didn't trust him. He said what he had to say.
For a minute, they simply gazed at each other. Reggie was in deep thought about what the Phelphor had said. He wasn't sure if it was the true or not. Either way though it was clear that the creature didn't care what he thought.
Phelphor turned around to leave, catching Reggie's attention.
"Thanks for helping Tom. I don't think anyone could've help him in time," Reggie said, letting out a small smile.
"It's just because I couldn't let them use anyone from the Cothica." He distantly replied, thinking back of his father's decision long ago.
"Phelphor. I promise I won't tell anyone you are hiding here. You helped me and I owe you that." Reggie said solemnly.
The creature was doubtful and discreetly checked inside the mind of the boy and found no lies, "W-why?"
"I already told you. You helped me." Reggie replied sincerely as he took out his scanner, "I shouldn't bother you much longer."
"Wait." Said Phelphor raising his hand. The boy stopped from pressing on the return button of his scanner, "There is one thing you can do for me but I cannot take the risk."
"What is it?" the boy asked. He wouldn't take big risk again like when he searched for the Cothica's map. That had almost cost him a lot.
"You said you are a friend of Tom's right?" Phelphor got a positive nod, "If you see him, you can tell him that I'm here. If he is wondering what happened to me." Bid mind went back after he helped Tom. Just before the boy scanned him, his last words were still fresh in his mind.
Next time we see, call me Tom.
"Of course." Said Reggie as he scanned the location, "Maybe it will help if he can come here. If you helped him, I'm sure he is wondering that." Giving Phelphor one last look he ported back to Chaotic.
The creature nodded. He wondered how Tom was doing right now. He hoped the M'arrillians didn't get him.
AC: This is the end of this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.
Next: Eyes On Us.
On Earth, Tom and Kaz were showing a few cards of the previous generation. Something was ending a chill on their back. The Codemaster's warning was true.