"Make sure you get payment from the farms in Nia Khera," I told Jess, one of my mercenaries. "I don't mind really, but they are a few days late."
"I'm on it boss," She saluted me and took off for Nia Khera.
Suddenly, my eyes were covered by warm, soft hands. "Guess who?"
I turned around and jumped to kiss Alvin's lips. "Hey! What are you doing here? Oh!" I put my hand on his left cheek where there was a small cut. "What happened?"
"It's nothing. It's just a scratch from a cat," Alvin smiled.
I couldn't help but laugh. "What did I tell you about trying to pet every cat that you see?" I glanced over his shoulder and my smile grew even wider. "Hey! You brought everyone!"
"Achlys!" Teepo chirped, rubbing his face into my breasts. "I've missed you!"
"It's great to see you again!" Leia cheered. 'Hey! Alvin gave you his coat!"
"Well, it's not really for a business man and she just loved it so much. I couldn't say no," Alvin recounted and shrugged.
"I've missed all of you as well!" I smiled, pushing Teepo away from my chest. I glanced at someone who I've never seen before and tilted my head. "And who do we have here?"
"I'm Ludger Kresnik."
I clapped my hands together. "Oh! I should have known! You're brother talks about you all the time!"
A little girl came from behind him with puffed up cheeks and a fat cat. "And I'm Elle Mel Marta and this is Rollo."
"Well, it's very nice to meet you Elle," I held out my hand and she took it, shaking it slightly. "So, what brings you to Aladhi Seahaven?"
"We're looking for glasses guy!" Elle told me.
"Glasses guy?" I tapped my chin with a finger.
"She means Julius," Ludger says. "Spirius Corp. told us that he had met with you."
"Yesterday, yes," I replied, crossing my arms. "Why? Is he in trouble?"
"Sort of," Ludger mumbled, scratching the back of his head.
"Did Alvin try to beat his face in again?" I pointed my thumb at the now laughing Alvin next to me.
"W-What?" Ludger cried, taking a step back
"No no, nothing like that," Jude interrupted. "He's actually a wanted criminal. You heard about the train going to the Oscore Plant, right?"
"Yes, what about it?" I asked, grimacing.
"It seems as though Julius was the one who caused that accident," Alvin stressed.
"Really now?" I perplexed. "If I had known that, I would have reported him."
"Do you have any idea where he might have gone?" Jude asked.
I shrugged. "No idea. He just asked for a couple of apple gels and some water."
"Boss! Boss!" A voice from behind me yelled. "The harpies are at it again!"
"Can you take care of it?" I turned around and questioned Derrick. "You're a mercenary. You should be able to handle this without me."
Derrick took a couple of steps back and then nodded. "R-Right away!"
I turned back to the group, pinched the bridge of my nose with a deep sighed. "Those damn harpies."
Leia let out a sudden shriek and jumped on me for a hug. A rather tight hug at that. "Why didn't you tell me? You should have told me!"
"About what?" I wheezed.
She got off my and took my left hand in hers. "About your engagement!"
"Oh uh...," I blushed furiously. "It was only a couple of days ago."
"Well, congratulations!" Rowan cheered. "Looks like you're growing up, Alvin. Have you picked a date yet?"
Alvin laughed. "Thanks, you handy geezer. Yes actually. We decided to do it on the 20th of the 8th month."
"Or the 20th of Flamma for you Reize Maxians," I reiterated.
"That's only a couple of months away!" Elize exclaimed.
"Wow," Leia marveled. "Look at how big the diamond is!"
"I told him nothing too big, but he went and got one anyway," I giggled.
"Only the best for the best," Alvin winked, putting his arm around my waist.
"We should celebrate!" Effused Teepo, spinning around in circles happily.
Someone's GHS started ringing just then. It was Ludger and he frowned as he saw who it was. He opened the phone and put it on speaker for everyone to listen. "We've confirmed you're arrival at Aladhi Seahaven. Retrieve the data from Achlys."
"Data?" I asked, cocking my head.
"We got word that former Director Kresnik gave you data recording of fractured dimensions," The voice informed me.
"Oh," I put my hand in my coat pocket and took out the recorder. "This must be it."
"Bring the data and Achlys back to HQ," The person on the other end hung up.
"Fractured dimensions?" Jude hummed, tapping his fingers to his temple.
"Fractured dimensions are dimensions that differ from this one only slightly. This dimension is the prime dimension," I told him. "I'm just wondering what Spirius wants with data from other dimensions."
"We should get this back to Spirius then," Ludger said. "And... you."
"I should probably let the others know," I mumbled, glancing back towards the meeting house.
"Guess we'll have to wait for this celebration," Teepo sighed, ignoring everything else that was going on.
"I can do it if you'd like," Elize pipped up.
"Would you like company, Miss. Elize?" Rowan inquired.
"Sure!" Elize smiled at the old man.
"Thanks!" I gave a two fingered salute as they left for the meeting house. "Alright. Let's get going."
"We've been expecting you Mr. Kresnik, Miss. Achlys," Vera greeted us in the lobby of Spirius Corp. "And who are these people?"
"My friends," Ludger addressed.
"I believe only Mr. Kresnik and Achlys were invited," Vera chided.
"We're a package deal!" Elle huffed, puffing her cheeks out.
"I'm Ludger's friend and advisor," Jude announced.
"And I'm acting guardian of these minors," Alvin told her with a smirk.
"And I'm acting guardian number two!" Leia added, raising her hand.
"And I'm... I'm acting guardian of this kitty!" Elle picked up a meowing Rollo.
Vera gave a deep sigh. "Hold on one moment," She turned around and headed to the front desk.
"Really? Acting guardian?" I cocked my eyebrow at Alvin who shrugged.
"Just off the top of my head," He chuckled.
"And acting guardian number two?" I looked at Leia who gave a slight smile.
"All of you may enter," Vera informed us, coming back from the desk. "Mr. Bakur is most impressed by the loyalty you engender in others, Mr. Kresnik."
"Thank you, Vera," Ludger nodded to us to follow him up to the CEO's office.
"This is great," I groaned as we got on the elevator. "I've been avoiding even talking to this guy for months."
"Has he been bothering you?" Alvin asked concerned.
"Only because he wants my top two mercenaries to work for him," I claimed. "I told him no time and time again, but he just won't take that for an answer."
"You really think that he called you here to pester you some more?" Leia questioned.
I crossed my arms, chewing on the inside of my cheek. "No. Although, I don't think I'll like what he has to say today either."
"Why do you say that?" Judge asked, getting off the elevator.
"Just a feeling," Yeah, a big feeling. If this data really is about the fractured dimensions, he might be doing what I think he's doing.
"Well," Mr. Bakur purred, sitting at his desk in the middle of his office. "Ludger and Achlys. I've been waiting for you," Ludger walked up and put the data in Mr. Bakur's hand. "Any leads on Julius' whereabouts?"
"He didn't tell me a thing," I confirmed.
"Well, I have news for you, Ludger. Both good and bad," Mr. Bakur told us. "The good new is, I would like to recruit you as an agent in our corporation. I've been keeping my eye on you this whole time ad I like what I see."
"What's the bad news?" Leia asked.
"Mr. Kresnik's going on the police's most wanted list," Vera stated.
"Most wanted list?" I gasped.
"So they're going to throw Ludger in jail?" Elle asked.
"Your life's about to get much tougher," Mr. Bakur got up from his desk and crossed his arms. "But, if you become one of my agents, I'll keep the police off your back. Even if I have to get pushy."
"He doesn't even have a choice! This is blackmail!" Jude cried.
"I failed to mention that an agent's salary is considerable. You'll be killing two birds with one stone," Mr. Bakur grinned. "You can avoid arrest and pay off that massive loan almost overnight- provided you show me results, of course."
"What kind of results?" Jude asked.
"No fractured dimensions. I'm sure the Great Spirit has provided you with a definition of what they are."
"Worlds like ours, but not," Alvin nodded.
"When one of these appears, it disperses soul energy from the prime dimension," Vera interjected.
"Wait, it disperses? That can't be good," Leia acknowledged.
"It's not," I breathed, crossing my arms.
"What happens if we don't do anything about it?" Jude asked.
"Why don't you ask the Primordial Spirit?" Mr. Bakur snorted.
"Souls will cease to exist from the prime dimension," I answered. "Humans will die out. Our whole world will crumble."
"Whoa, time out," Alvin instructed.
"This all seems a little far-fetched," Leia stated.
"Elympios going dry. The failure of spyrite technology. What if I told you that it was all because souls are drying out from the prime dimension?" Mr. Bakur suggested.
"It can't be true!" Jude yelled.
"Oh, but it is," Mr. Bakur retorted. "Spirius has been working to save our world by eliminating its counterparts in the fractured dimensions."
"How could you possibly eliminate an entire world?" Leia asked in a whisper.
"That's a question for friend Ludger here," Mr. Bakur replied. "His chromatus transformation has the power we need to infiltrate and destroy these parasitic realities."
"No fair!" Elle shouted and stomped her foot. "I have no idea what everybody's talking about!"
"Ludger, for the sake of the world, the true world, you must help us," Mr. Bakur extended his hand to Ludger. Ludger hesitated, but took his hand in the end. "Don't let me down."
"One thing I still don't get," Jude stepped up. "What's causing these fractured dimensions?"
"That's another question for our Primordial Spirit," Mr. Bakur heckled.
"Did you just bring me here to taunt me, Mr. Bakur?" I snarled.
"Of course not, Great Spirit," He grinned. "If you don't want to tell them, I will," He cleared his throat and smiled deviously. "The Great Spirit of Canaan. Our Lady of the night's dear brother, Chronos."
"Your brother?" The group turned to me, but I avoided their gazes.
"Yes, unfortunately," I muttered.
"Don't worry, there are ways to oppose him," Mr. Bakur straightened up. "Ludger and friends, meet me in the underground training area. Achlys, would you be so kind as to stay and talk for a minute?"
"Sorry Mr. Bakur, but her and I are a package deal," Alvin grunted.
"Your fiancé is in no danger, I can assure you," Mr. Bakur said.
"Go with Ludger, Alvin," I turned to him and smiled. "It's fine."
"Vera, please accompany them," Mr. Bakur waved his hand at the assistant.
"Y-Yes, Mr. Bakur," A look of confusion was painted on Vera's face as she escorted the group out.
"If you're going to ask me what I think you're going to, the answer is no," I snarled at the man. "I already told Julius I didn't know who the key was. Even if I did, I certainly wouldn't tell you of all people."
"That's not what I was going to ask at all, but thank you for informing me," Mr. Bakur sat back at his desk, trying to get a pencil to balance on it's point. "I wanted to speak to you as the Guardian."
"The answer to that is also no," I huffed. "I've seen you Kresnik's wage war over the Land of Canaan and yet, whenever you have the chance to get to Canaan, you fail. I'm done."
"Haven't you always said that it is the duty of the Great Spirits to protect human and spirit alike?" Mr. Bakur mocked. "Isn't this what your duty is?"
"I said no and my answer will stay no," I turned around, heading to the door. "You'll have to find another way to beat my brother."
"The fact is that even with Ludger's chromatus, until he has reached his full form, he won't be any match for your brother."
"I said no!" I shouted.
I slammed the door shut behind me and started towards the exit. I knew he was going to ask me that. What I didn't know was that he was going to heckle me with my brother's crimes against humanity. Dammit. I should have just stayed away. But no. My curiosity got in the way, yet again. Damn human curiosity, getting the best of a Great Spirit. My brother had always been right about some things. Humans being too curious and ending up in situations they didn't want to be in was one of them. I charged through the exit onto Technology Street of Trigleph. Might as well wait for the others out here. I assume that by going back in and going down the training grounds, Mr. Bakur will just use his security to take me hostage. I didn't want Alvin getting involved in that whole situation.
"How am I going to get out of this?" I mumbled to myself. "Can I even get out of this? Alvin seems like he'll stick with Ludger through this. Maybe I should too," My GHS started ring and I reluctantly answered it. "Hey Derrick."
"I'm sorry to disturb you boss, but the harpies just keep coming back!" Derrick exclaimed. "The client wants a protective arte casted over her poranges and you're the only one that knows the arte."
"Alright, I'll be there soon. It's the client in Hamil, correct?" I watched as Alvin, Ludger, Jude, Leia and Elle walked out of the building.
"Yes boss," Derrick said as Jude wave and then walk off.
"Alright, tell her that I'll be there as soon as I can," I ended the call and put my GHS away.
"What did Bisley want?" Alvin persisted right away.
"My top mercenaries yet again," I lied, crossed my arms and gave a sigh. "But right now, I have to go take care of a serious harpy problem... again."
"Would you like us to join you?" Ludger asked.
"Oh!" I opined. "You'll help me?"
"Of course! Anything for a pretty lady," Alvin winked and put his arm around my shoulder.
Giggling, I patted his cheek. "Alright. The client is all the way in Hamil."
"We have time," Ludger smiled. "Let's head there."
"Oh! After, can I get an interview from you?" Leia asked excitedly as we made our way to the train station.
"Can I ask why?"
"There's never been an article on the lady of the night!" Leia addressed. "Being engaged to a human is a big thing! Not to mention, how you're working with both Reize Maxians and Elympions!"
"Why don't you interview me now?" I suggested. "It's a bit of a trek to Hamil."
"Er, yeah. I should have thought of that," Leia laughed weakly, before getting her pen and pad out. "I'll have to ask you a few questions to Alvin."
"You know I'm down for that," He smirked.
As we made our way to Hamil, Leia bombarded us with questions of every single variety you could think of. She asked me about how I started with the Lady of the night and about my first human body. She asked me about how I thought about new emotions that I feel and how I felt when I first fell for Alvin. She asked Alvin very few questions to my astonishment. Not nearly as varied as the ones she asked me. However, it was an article about me, so I guess it was only natural that I get loads of questions thrown at me. Honestly, the questions were more tiring than fighting all of the Chimeriad.
"Okay!" Leia exclaimed, putting her pen and pad away. "I'll write the draft and give it to my editor in the next couple of days!"
"I never thought that answering question could be that exhausting," I wheezed.
"Where's this client?" Ludger interjected.
"In the west, back area-" I was cut off by screeches and screams coming from both humans and monsters. We all ran to the area of the screams to find the harpies attacking the client. I unsheathed my sword and blocked the client from another attack. "Get back inside!" I swung my sword at the harpy in front of me, slicing through it's leg. It screeched and flew up high. I linked my allium orb with Alvin and he was able to shoot it down. The harpy was bleeding badly, but I wouldn't let it get away. It had to be dead. I jabbed at the monster, puncturing holes in it's wings and I sliced through the other leg, cutting off it's foot. It dove at me, but Alvin blocked the blow. Taking his broadsword, he cut the through the monsters stomach and killing it instantly. Well, this mess had to be cleaned up. I guess Derrick could do it.
"You should be ashamed of yourself!" The client screamed from behind me.
"Huh?" I turned around with a look of surprise.
"You better be lucky that you're the only guild for farmers! I would have you reported for fraud!" The client continued. "These harpies have been at it every single day and yet, you can't get rid of them!"
"Ma'am please, calm down," I spluttered.
"They attacked me!" The client screeched.
"Why were you outside in the first place if you knew that the harpies were out here?" Alvin asked in a very frustrated tone.
"I was trying to get rid of these pests! Your mercenaries couldn't do it!"
"I'll pay for the damage," I assured her. "I'm going to caste a protective arte over your crops. They'll be safe."
"I don't understand what took you so long to get here!" The client turned bright red with all of her screaming. "It's your fault!"
"Please, ma'am," Ludger interrupted her little episode. "Achlys was in Trigleph attending an important meeting with the CEO of Spirius Corp.. She couldn't get here any faster than she did."
The client closed her eyes and took a nice, deep breath. "I'm sorry for treating you like this, Achlys. It's not your fault. It's just that time of year and the harpies have always loved my poranges. Before you came along with your guild, us porange farmers would barely make enough to keep us from going under. Don't worry about the clean up. I'll gladly do that. If you could just cast the protective arte that would give me peace of mind."
"You got it," A smile of relief crossed my face. I put my hand up to the sky and a bright mist started to form around the crops. "Protective light." The mist shown bright and created a dome around the crops. The dome grew brighter and then faded. "Alright. Harpies can't get to your crops now."
"Thank you, thank you so much!" She clasped her hands together, bowed and went back into the house.
I turned to Ludger with a heart felt smile. "Thanks for the save there."
"It's no problem at all," Ludger waved his hands in front of him.
Elle held her stomach as it started to growl. "Ludger, I'm hungry."
"It's getting pretty late," Leia hummed. "We should really get going."
Alvin put his arm over my shoulder and winked. "Let's go home. I'll help you cook dinner."
"It'll be nice to sleep in my own bed for a change," I sighed contently and nodded. "Yes, let's get home."
