AcumenDarious: Yes, they are! Minerva's not really jealous though; just protective.

Chapter eleven: Quest from a queen

Three weeks ago

Jack all but slammed the basket on the table.

Ari looked up from her own work. She glanced at the basket, then at Jack.

"I finally finished your stupid basket," Jack said. "What's next?"

She showed a hint of a smirk. She took the basket and examined it. "Huh. It's adequate. You should make another one."

"My ass! I wasted hours just trying to make one of these."

"And the more you practice, the better you get at it."

He growled.

She grinned up at him. "Kelly said she was looking for you."

He stopped. "… Kelly?"

"Yeah. Gelli's sister? Green, translucent, about this tall—"

"I know who Kelly is. I just have no idea why she'd be looking for me."

"Maybe she wants to beat the crap out of you because you didn't tell her about Earth the instant you met her and her sisters."

"Not funny."

"No?" she dryly said. "I thought it was funny."

Jack growled and turned to leave. "I'm outta here."

He left. Screw those baskets. He was going to ask some of the others to teach him how to make weapons, tools, food—useful stuff he'd need to survive. Baskets were nice, but not edible.

First things first—Kelly was looking for him. Why? Who knew. He didn't remember talking to her or her sisters at all. He'd seen them around—it was hard not to notice people who just happened to be semitransparent—but besides that, he'd only heard some things about how their powers work.

He glanced around. How to find anyone in the Realm? The place was big.

He strolled around for a while. When he passed the three sisters' room, he knocked on their door to be met with silence. Of course they weren't here. Who would want to stay in their cramped room all day?

… Actually, he could name a few people. Mostly on Earth.

He glanced to the sky—and to his dread, he noticed that it was already late afternoon. That meant evening was approaching. And that meant he had to go back to sleep eventually. Back to the nightmares.

He glanced around—and in a moment of luck, he noticed a green figure in the near distance looking at the sky. It wasn't Cupa, and they weren't accompanied by anyone else.

He started towards her. When he was close enough to recognize her, she noticed him.

"Jack," Kelly said. She suddenly seemed apprehensive. "I, uh, was looking for you."

"So I heard," Jack sighed. "What's up?"

"Well…" She raised a hand that was holding something. A bottle with a familiar green drink. Mystia's green tea. "Andr was challenging people to drink this. I accepted. Then she said you had to see it for some reason. I'm guessing you and her had some kind of bet going on…"

"Give me that."

She gave him the bottle. He opened it and lightly sniffed. The unpleasant smell that had been burned into his mind made him cringe.

He handed it back. "Okay, go ahead," he said.

She drank it in a single gulp. Once the bottle was empty, she lowered it, her face scrunched up in disgust.

Jack sighed. "Well, that's just great."

She gave an indignant look. "What! I just drank that…that abomination for you, and that's all you have to say?!"

"That's not what I meant. In fact, I'm kind of impressed you did that…but the reason Andr wanted you to drink it is because she wanted to know my first name."

She blinked. "Your first name?"

"Jack's my middle name. I told her I'd tell her my first name if she convinced someone to drink that." He gestured to the bottle.

Now she looked intrigued. "I knew there was something more to it! So, what is it? What're you called?"

"I'm not telling you."

She frowned. "But you lost the bet!"

"First of all, it wasn't a bet. Secondly, I told Andr I would think about telling her my first name."

"Oh, you're not backing out of this now! You've got to tell her!"

"What, so she can tell you?"

She glanced away. "… No. Maybe. But come on, you can't just leave us— her hanging like that!"

He sighed. "Alright, fine. I'll tell her when I see her next."

Present day

Jack awoke. Upon seeing where he was, he panicked for a moment. Then the memories of the day before came flooding back.

He groaned and sat up, rubbing his head. Right. He'd gotten cocky. And then he'd gotten attacked. If Tristan and the Valkyrie hadn't been there, he'd probably be dead.

Guess I am useless when I don't have anyone to back me up, he thought, glancing around the cave. It was empty save for the plate with food next to him, which he looked at dumbly.

"A gift from Skotur," Tristan said, materializing. "I told her you had no food with you, and she…was not opposed to giving you some."

"Skotur…?"

"The Valkyrie."

Ah.

Tristan crossed his arms. "I suppose you should be thankful; most of her kin would not be this hospitable."

Jack took the plate. Looked like today's breakfast was going to be a fruity one.

"She is just outside." Tristan gestured to the other end of the cave, where a door had been placed. A more direct way to the island's surface, constructed by the human that apparently used to live in here. "Once you have finished breakfast, we will meet with her."

Jack nodded and ate his breakfast. Once he was finished he immediately went for the entrance.

"I do not hold anything against you, you know," Tristan told him. "What you did in the Silver Cave is something I am thankful for."

Jack stopped at the door for a moment, then left.

Jack stepped out of the cave to see an armored figure standing outside. The Valkyrie's white and gold armor almost seemed to glow in the sun. She had reclaimed her lance and shield and was looking up to the Sanctuary, her wings folded up behind her.

Jack stepped closer, and she turned to see him. "Ah," she said from behind her visor. "You're awake. Good."

"How long have I been sleeping?"

"Longer than I expected from a human sleeping in a cave. It might have something to do with the days getting longer."

"Guess summer's coming."

Skotur didn't respond immediately. "We should go. I've made the proper arrangements, and the Queen wants to speak to you directly."

"Should I be honored?"

"You should. She rarely grants a personal audience to outsiders. If the Overseer hadn't talked to her, she may not have agreed."

"Tristan? What did he tell you?"

"He told us about Earth," she responded. "And about Áhýdan."

Jack fell silent.

"Because of your predicament and your involvement in bringing Áhýdan down," Skotur said, "the Queen is willing to make an exception for you."

Jack nodded. "I…see."

Skotur walked to the edge of the island and looked up and down. Then, with a powerful flap with her wings, she jumped up and landed on an Aercloud. Once on it, she turned to look down at Jack.

"You want to teach me how to do that?" Jack dryly said.

"Tristan said you'd be able to use those." She pointed to a blue Aercloud below the island's surface.

Jack looked at the blue Cloud. Yesterday he'd gotten somewhat used to trampolining from island to island, but now he became nervous again. One day of practice did not a master make.

Even so, it wasn't as bad as his first time. He focused, then he jumped. The Cloud caught him and tossed him back up, where Skotur grabbed onto his hand and hoisted him onto the white Cloud.

From there, going up was easy. The Cloud they stood on connected to other Clouds that formed a rough staircase to the Sanctuary. There were still instances where Jack needed her help, but nothing risky or tricky.

He noticed something from the corner of his eye. A Tempest. He turned, suddenly on alert.

It wasn't a Tempest, but a Zephyr. And it was too far away to cause any harm. It didn't even seem to have noticed him.

Jack exhaled, relieved. He turned to see Skotur looking at him.

"Thought it was a Tempest for a moment," Jack said. "They look alike."

"They're essentially the same."

Jack frowned. "What? What does that mean?"

She glanced at him. "Did Tristan ever mention the Blight?"

"No. What's that?"

She didn't answer immediately, keeping her gaze forward. "Something that corrupts. It created Tempests from Zephyrs."

"Wait, it can turn Zephyrs into…?"

"Yes. And it turns moas into cockatrices. It corrupts anything it can." She glanced at the sky. "Lucky for us, the Blight is harmed by the sun, so it's forced to hide in darker areas during the day."

Jack fell silent. Was that why he only ever saw Tempests and cockatrices at night? Regardless, he reckoned it would've been convenient if Tristan had told him of this dark force of corruption earlier, but figured the Overseer probably had his reasons not to. Still, the idea of something that could turn creatures into darker versions of themselves was…really reminiscent of what Áhýdan would do.

They reached the temple within minutes. Jack oversaw the platform of Cloud before him. It was just a short walk to the Sanctuary now. He was surprised to see how small the temple's entrance really was. He'd expected a giant gate, but was met with a simple doorway.

In fact, the entire building seemed a lot smaller than when he was looking at it from below.

They approached the Sanctuary. Soon, Jack could vaguely make out markings that were drawn on the wall. The structure itself—its design reminiscent of Roman or Greek temples, with pillars outside supporting a triangular roof—seemed radiant in the sunlight.

Then he noticed a figure appear in the doorway. It spread its wings and flew forward. Another Valkyrie. This one was clad in black, lighter armor, and she brandished a massive greatsword with a gilded hilt.

She landed before Jack and Skotur, stopping them in their tracks.

The newcomer looked more annoyed than anything. She barely spared Jack a glance. "Skotur," she said. "Is this him?"

"Yes."

The newcomer regarded Jack for a moment, a scowl on her face. Then she turned and flew back to the Sanctuary.

Jack raised an eyebrow.

Skotur resumed walking. "Once we're inside, you'll be escorted to the throne room, where you'll get your audience with the High Queen."

"And she's going to tell me where the portal will appear?"

"If she knows, she will."

"And if she doesn't know?"

"Then she'll tell you how to find out."

"And what if she doesn't know that either?"

"If she couldn't help, she wouldn't have summoned you for an audience."

That made sense. If Herskagul didn't have answers, she could've just had Skotur tell Jack to look elsewhere.

They reached the doorway and passed through it, entering a small room. More markings lined the walls. There weren't any torches or glowstone present as far as he could tell, but somehow there was still light.

Two more armored figures emerged from a doorway, wielding spears. Jack looked at them uncertainly, but Skotur raised her hand.

"Be calm," she told him. "Just follow me."

She went ahead and lead Jack through the building. The other two guards remained just behind.

As Jack was lead from room to room, he was met with more Valkyries. Most wore the same type of light armor the one from before had, and each had a weapon in their hand or at their belt. He didn't see any men, nor did he expect to; Tristan had mentioned at one point that there was no such thing as male Valkyries.

Ignoring their scowls and glares, Jack followed Skotur through several rooms. They weren't very furnished or decorated, but Jack suspected that was intentional. Maybe they didn't want him to see the more lavish places, in case he was tempted to steal some valuable artifact or something.

Soon enough, he was led to a much larger room. Big glowstone lights hung off the ceiling, and two trees that gave a strange golden shimmer flanked the throne on the other side of the chamber. Torches with an otherworldly yellow flame decorated the place further. Ambrosium torches. Tristan had told him about that, too.

The woman whom Jack assumed was supposed to sit in the throne stood nearby, speaking to more armored figures. She stopped talking the moment Jack entered.

Jack glanced around. While the room looked nice—despite its lack of windows—he didn't feel particularly amazed. It was sizeable, but not nearly as big as the giant, intricately carved temple from the Trial of the Elements. This place had a floor though, so that was a plus.

The tall woman approached, her silvery helmetless armor reflecting the glowstones' light. The white cloak around her shoulders concealed her wings—if she had any—and a gilded longsword rested in a scabbard on her belt. Despite her silvery-grey hair and the regal look in her eyes, she didn't look particularly old.

Jack uncertainly watched as she approached, tailed by various guards. He had no idea how to talk to royalty. Should he bow or something? He didn't want to piss anyone off before he even got the chance to find out what Herskagul knew.

Herskagul nodded to her guards, and they spread out to stand at the wall. Jack's guards did the same. Soon, they formed a loose circle around Jack and the Queen, who still stood a distance away.

Herskagul regarded him for a moment. Then she spoke. "Tristan told us…many things about you, Jack. Things beyond what I was expecting."

Jack didn't respond.

"You've come a long way since your abduction from Earth," she continued, taking a few steps forward. "I understand you're trying to go back, now."

Jack nodded. "Yes."

"I see. While I can't help you return to Earth, I might be able to help you reach the Overworld."

"You might be able to…?"

His direct, irreverent tone sounded through the room. He didn't even call her by her title. But he realized he didn't care as much as he probably should.

Thankfully Herskagul didn't seem to care either. "Tristan claimed you have friends in the Overworld that are heading towards the portal there. I don't know where the corresponding portal here will appear, but I may know how to find out."

Jack's heart paused. "So you've got something that can help me?"

"Possibly. We know that the last portal in the Aether was destroyed long ago. But we also know where the last portal in the Overworld stands."

"How does that help?"

"Our records," Herskagul said, "mention an old map that indicates where each portal stood and where they led. It should tell us where the portal to the Skyfound Hills should appear once your friends pass through it."

"Please tell me you've got this map…"

"I'm afraid not. But there are places where we suspect it might be."

"Where?" he urged.

"I'll help you," Herskagul said, "but there's one thing I need to ask of you in return."

Jack stopped. "And that is…?"

She paused for a moment. "There's something else we're looking for. Something of interest to—"

"Stop!" someone interjected.

Jack glanced around. That wasn't one of the Valkyries; the voice was clearly masculine. And familiar.

He noticed Herskagul looking at something behind him, and turned to see Tristan materialize in the doorway. The former Hunter strode further inside, prompting the Valkyrie guards to raise their weapons. Like that was going to do anything.

"At ease," Herskagul told them. "Overseer. What brings you here?"

Tristan went to stand next to Jack and looked him in the eye. "I know what you are thinking, Jack," Tristan said. "But you should not go. And you are not indebted to her, no matter what you believe."

Jack frowned and glanced at Herskagul.

Tristan turned to face the Queen as well. "You will not send him there," he demanded. "It is too dangerous. And he has already done enough by killing Áhýdan—who would have attacked the Aether if given the chance. You have no right to request any more favors from him."

"All I ask is for him to bring one more item, should he find it," Herskagul calmly said. "And I'll not let him go there alone."

"I do not care. I will not allow you to endanger him like this."

Jack stepped forward. "Tristan," he quietly said. "What are you doing?"

"Saving your life."

"Hey, I don't have much of a choice here," Jack said. "I can't find the portal without that map."

"The Valkyries do not need your help. Let them go alone."

Jack shook his head and turned to Herskagul. He didn't have time for this. "I accept," Jack told the Queen. "Tell me more about this other thing you need."

"No!" Tristan said. "There is a reason why the other Valkyries exiled her from Brexul."

Herskagul looked at them both. "Overseer. I respect your determination to keep him safe, but this isn't your decision to make. Jack, I'll provide you with equipment and have some of my Valkyries assist you."

That was more than Jack expected. "Thank you."

She gave a nod. "Skotur."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the Valkyrie said. She stepped towards Jack, tailed by the other two guards from before. "Follow me."

Jack gave Herskagul one last glance.

Then he turned to Tristan. The former Hunter looked back with a mix of disappointment and anger. Jack didn't care; he didn't need Tristan's approval. He never did.

"He's just worried for your safety," Skotur said as he followed her through the temple. "Such things can make people go back on their decisions."

"You sure that's all there is to it?"

She glanced at him from behind her visor. "You know, then?"

"About what?"

"The…tension…between Valkyries and Overseers?"

He scoffed. "Never mind. I picked up on it a few times, and I don't want to get involved."

She remained silent.

"What's this other thing Herskagul needs?" asked Jack.

"We'll get to that later. First, we should get you some equipment."

She led him up a set of stairs. Jack followed her inside another room—one that was very clearly an armory. Weapons made of strange, colorful metals hung on the walls, and equally colorful armor sets were set on display. Surprisingly few items had the white-and-gold motif that the Valkyries' equipment sported.

There was another Valkyrie inside—the one that had 'greeted' Jack and Skotur outside the Sanctuary. She still had a scowl on her face.

The other two guards stayed outside the door. Jack examined the room.

"Brigul," Skotur said to the other Valkyrie. "He's ready."

Brigul nodded curtly. "Human," she said. "The Queen ordered us to prepare some armor for you." She gestured to an armor stand, where a suit of magenta metal silently stared back. The cuirass was somewhat reminiscent of lamellar or scale armor—albeit with larger interlocking plates—and the helmet had a visor with a single horizontal eye slit.

Jack was caught off-guard by how complete and well-made the armor looked. Seemed like Herskagul was willing to go to some lengths to keep him alive.

"The armor is made of Gravitite," Skotur explained from the other side of the room, her eyes scanning a selection of weapons. "It's one of the strongest naturally occurring metals in the Aether, and any force applied to someone wearing it is weakened. That includes gravity."

"An anti-gravity suit…?"

"The armor will feel almost weightless to you, despite its density. You'll have to get used to its physics-defying properties in order to use them to their fullest extent, though."

Jack looked at the pristine armor. This was going to be interesting.

"All right," Brigul said, walking over to a gambeson on display, right next to a magenta-colored hauberk. "Human. We'll see if this armor fits you."