Had a good hiatus to relax from writing - hope everyone had a good summer.
[Bankok, Vietmam]
In the late afternoon, citizens hustle and bustle, winding down simple and narrow sidewalks as motorbikes, trucks and cars take over main roads. Businesses such as restaurants, markets, food vendors and retail stores reap the benefits of customer and tourist shoppers. On a side street dedicated to cafes, a green building with cream banners and matching outdoor seating is loosely populated with customers enjoying menu food and drinks. Inside the building employees dressed in green polos and tan pants take menu orders, collect dishes and clean off tables. The high seated area outlooking the road is occupied by five people, a mix of elderly to middle-aged adults. Within the farthest corner, is a black shorted haired, slightly pudgy and deeply tanned skinned Vietnamese man. Briefly taking off square reader frames, the man rubs the mounted tension on the bridge of his nose with a thumb and index finger. In front of this individual is a modest laptop as off to the left is a discarded plate of crumbs and a half empty coffee mug.
"Thằng chó đẻ" the man quietly grumbles. Sighing, glasses are re-mounted and half-calloused fingers stab at the keyboard. Multiple tabs and documents are skimmed, referenced and downloaded; years of chatlogs of people asking for locations, creatures, game items and how to obtain them, staggeringly, within weeks, morph into worrying inquiries of friends and even instances of family going missing. The latest saved chatlog was fortuitous on all accounts - the officials have deleted the original chat thread and the information is crucial to the mounting case. Dark brown eyes skim over old and new chatlogs before another fresh tab is opened; searches of 'Chaotic', 'servers' and 'VR testing' supply few results. After minutes of skimming, an archived website page from a technology and gaming newsletter praises Chaotic as being the first gaming company to structure state of the art servers within company buildings worldwide. Though common for most gaming companies, the hook was that Chaotic insisted on building these facilities independently while also using a mix of electric/solar energy. The article praises the company for the risky investment as the official selling numbers for the card game followed by the online beta exceeded expectations. Popularity and sales kept skyrocketing once online play was fully established; even with unexpected power outages and weekly server maintenance checks.
Sharp rhythmic trilling breaks the adult from his reading; digging out a sleek hardcase smartphone, the screen is alight with notifications and messages. Unlocking the device, the newest message reads:
Harper: Turns out the girls are alive but MIA – possible they're ….
Exhausted, the man hunches his shoulders before slouching them heavily. Thick fingers type the response:
Tuan:Not ideal but better than dead. Any info on last locations?
Harper: Emma's location varies…...a lot of outdated locations yet most are Overworld
Harper: imani's was mostly the same but changes drastically – apparently she's been with the notorious Troublemaker squad.
Tuan: Jesus Christ
Tuan: its like she doesn't have self-preservation
Harper: Dude, they are best friends
Harper: and live in the same state, you're saying you wouldn't do the same for Thuy?
Harper: that's fucked
The middle-aged man quickly snaps his back to glare at the ceiling, willing himself to calm down in the still bustling café. Briefly closing his eyes, the flickering image of a gangly pre-teen with dark brown eyes, mischievous crocked smile and onyx tussled short hair comes forth.
Tuan: never imply that about my nephew
Tuan: Ever. Again.
Harper: ….sorry man
Harper: is he….still….y'know…
Tuan: He's still in a coma yes
Harper:…okay lets talk about anything else now
Tuan: Agreed
Harper: right, so, i will look for Trouble squads' last locations to pinpoint where Imani could be
Harper: ping you later
Tuan: Bye for now
Pressing a button to lock the phone into the home screen, the male places the device onto the countertop space. Quickly downing the barely lukewarm coffee, Tuan readministers metallic frames before continuing his research.
[Al Mipedim - Oasis]
It's the start of dawn; the chill of the night slowly ebbs away as the sun slowly takes over for the day. Merchants and residents take advantage of the cool temperature to set up their stalls or begin the various tasks of the morning. Small patrolling groups of guardsmen pass stone and clay pueblos, various scattered cati and foliage before making a long stone pathway trek towards the heart of the Oasis. Eventually the pathway evolves into large steps - used to the length, the reptilian soldiers take hefty strides to close the gaps reaching the top of the stairs effortlessly. Allowed to pass into the main entryway by fellow guardsmen, they are briefly greeted by palace servants who continue to continue gossip as they pass by.
"Lunvia,' a slim seafoam scaled female Mipedian chastises, 'by the Cothica, why would you give that wine for the ceremony?!"
As some of the other servants snicker as 'Lunvia' shows off a wide fanged grin. "Come now, its not every day we get to supply a wedding! And it proved beneficial – apparently from Uma here, the newlyweds were at it like rabbits!"
Uma, a shorter reptile of common brown scales jolts in shock, embarrassed as she is playfully nudged by her peers. Jade slitted irises check the distance of guards and passing generals before lowering her voice. "I knew humans were noisy, but Stars.' Clawed hands tersely slap at cheeks to hide an oncoming blush. "And I thought humans were supposed to be weak! They didn't stop for hours!"
More jeering and whistles from the group of females as the small crowd moves along corridors. Upon reaching a doorway scenting of spices, food and chattering chef hands, three servants break off from the pack. Bidding the three farewells, the remainder of the group continue on, sneaking glances at evenly spaced skylights to check the time. Chatter flows freely; from the unexpected marriage of prince Mudeenu, bargaining chores and shift rotations to sneak out of the palace, humoring the idea of comparing human males to their own…
"Princess Adeniyi! Please stop, this is indecent!"
The servants waste no time, quickly rushing down the hallway and taking a left at the linen room – a pair of higher royal servants firmly tug ruffled tan silk bedsheets from the princess who merely clenches her claws deeper into the material.
The small princess's snout scrunches up cutely dispute the angry wails. "And what is indecent about retrieving bedsheets for my uncle?" The royal maids balk, stuttering on about indecency and 'when you are older'. Lunvia, a reddish-brown Mipedian with gold slitted irises laughs freely walking into the room as the group crowds the doorway.
"Now, now Princess,' the bold umber scaled servant tuts, 'no need to be rude – everyone is excited you see – your dear uncle's wedding wasn't expected for quite some time. And to a human no less."
The young Mipedian, still grasping the sheets, puffs out her chest which puffs up her cheeks adorably. "And what of it? My friend is the best choice!" As Lunvia maintains eye contact with the young princess, the servants make quick hand and tail gestures at one another.
The older Mipedian nods with a smile. "And I believe your word princess, but back to the matter at hand, yes?" One pointed claw to the sheets. "Your highness is young, not dull, tell me what do you of marriages and what comes after."
A shrill shriek. "Impudence! I'll report to –
"NO." The higher servants still as the young royal at glares them. The child turns her head back to red-brown reptile with rapt attention. "My father will not let the tutors tell me about the flowers and bees. Tell me. Please."
Smirking at the cowed cornflower scaled servants, Lunvia glances back the young princess. "Might as well, better hearing from us than stuffy tutors. Right, you have witnessed the ceremony; tell me what you think happens after."
The young royal is stunned only for a moment before nodding confidently. "They share a marital bed and talk of course." Lunvia fights to reign her emotions in from laughing; her fellow coworkers sneak out a few chuckles, they aren't the ones addressing the Princess.
"Yes and no, dear Princess. While newlyweds do talk and do share a marital bed; what occurs for couples is very different. Some cuddle and kiss, feel each other's bodies –
"Like how?" interrupts the princess, head slightly tilted in confusion.
Smothering a laugh into a cough the older female continues, "Sensual feeling, princess, grasping wrists, hands or even tails; light or firm touches to one's scales. Understand?" Receiving a firm nod, she resumes. "Then for a lot of couples, do all of the above and more – more being mating." The young Mipedian blushes deeply but nods her head up and down for the older servant to explain.
"Mating,' Lunvia smiles, 'is different not just in couples but tribes as well. Your tutors can teach you that – the important part is the actual mating, 'fucking' if you will excuse the crass term." The servants at the door titter with laughter as the Princess's cheeks burn harder in embarrassment. "Though compatibility is important, it is not necessary; items like oils or prepping toys help if one likes …larger companions or of different species. What is important is that both parties enjoy themselves."
As if shocked by static, the young royal lets go of the sheets. "So, uncle Mudenu and Imani…" A revolving door of emotions flicker onto the princess's face as horror settles. "Is my friend going to be okay?!" The umber servant slowly moves closer to the young Mipedian, with placating pats to the shoulder.
"Remember,' the red-brown reptile chastises, 'your human friend and uncle are adults. Yes, the Prince Mudeenu may have herded her here but she hasn't run off."
I hope, the servant prays in her mind.
Eyelids slowly open and blink, reveling unfocused hazel irises – after longer moments of taking in the room, brown hands slowly push off from a golden scaled, well-muscled chest. Slowly, the body is eventually upward. And naked.
"…right,' is the rasping voice of a female. Rubbing sore thighs, the human cautiously gazes at the sleeping face of their 'husband'. Prince Mudeenu, general of his warriors, protector of his people, self-proclaimed human hater, likes humans. A shake of ruffled dreads. "…to fuck maybe." After series of taps, pats and gentle to mild calls of the mipedians' name, Imani slowly dismounts, free of the knot, knees buckling nearly falling to the floor, face first. Re-robbing the yukata is slow work; muscles scream in protest yet the young woman powers on until fully dressed. Looking back to the royal Prince, Imani views the slow rhythmic rise and fall of his chest as the face strongly snores, fully relaxed. Quietly grabbing the small wooden chest off of the dresser, the human presses a broken clip into the lock; hearing a subtle click, the human pulls the door open before slowly closing it behind her.
'Back straight, head forward, shoulders loose'
Waving or nodding to passing servants and guards, it seems this area of the palace is well aware of their newest…. guest. Testing the waters, the human asks for the baths to which a guard guides the woman down the far western corridor. Infront of a stone and stain glass double doors, the young woman pulls on the handle opening the door slowly. Hit by humidity of rolling steam, once inside do they close back the door from the other side. The glass dome ceiling above indicates morning; the familiar hazy baby blue skies with sparse thin clouds. In the baths, aside from attendants who direct the human where to bathe don't venture far from their area, as they fold towels, count scrapers and files and measure out cleaning oil. Within a small steam room does the human disrobe in peace, checking over new scratches and bites. On a low bench is a small wash cloth and water; hands dutifully scrub the body hard as tears and shuddering hiccups escape. It takes a long moment of trial and error on how to clean with the fragranced oil; the method is entertaining but water baths are all she knows. As the oil slowly dries, hands fiddle with the small locked chest – retrieving the damaged paperclip from within a braid, Imani swirls the metal piece clockwise-counter clockwise, in reverse order and once again until a loud clack emits. Ignoring mementos and jewelry, the human retrieves their ruby scanner, hugging it, as tears of joy freely flow. Reinvigorated, the young woman redresses, clenching the scanner that crackles with blue digital code before teleporting her away.
Stumbling out of the guest bedroom, Imani is swarmed by her mother and grandmother– frantic questions on where the hell she has been – a day and a half she's been gone. Making her way past them, Imani pours a glass of water in the modest kitchen, the young woman takes huge gulps before announcing,
"…I believe it's time, that I actually told you what goes on in 'my silly little game of mine'."
[Chaotic – Port court]
The recreational space that once hosted thousands of players only cater to the dwindling hundreds – the new dangers of glitches and Perim kidnappings have caused the majority to stop venturing. Players huddle close to their friend groups; plans for real world meetups, playing other online co-op games, anything to forget, even momentarily, that people have died and/or gone missing to the game they once loved. At their old table, Tom, Sarah and Peyton wearily gaze at large screens with scrolling headline bulletins as recorded battles play on muted. The message reads as follows: WARNING: DUE TO THE ALARMING VOLUME OF MISSING PLAYERS, CHAOTIC WILL BE SHUTTING DOWN IN TWO WEEKS. RECONNECTION TBD.
Glancing at half-forgotten drinks and food, Tom clears his throat. "After that…. ordeal, we need to figure out a solid plan to rescue Kaz and sneak out from Chaor's castle." As Sarah nods, Peyton nervously checks his scanner before choking out a cry.
"Peyton!' the blonde teen shrieks, grasping her friend's shoulders. "What's wrong?!"
"S-she's safe,' the brunette gives a watery hoarse laugh. Sarah and Tom glance at each other before warily addressing Peyton.
"Then make a video call,' Sarah demands to the shock of the raven-haired teen. She glares at him. "Don't give me that look! I may not like her but she saved all of us – especially Peyton. Mudeenu was going to kill Peyton if not for her!"
Sarah is soon engulfed into a soft hug from the pudgy brunette. Tom puts on a soft teasing lit in his voice, 'Told you she was cool." As the teen girl snorts, Peyton patches through a video call – the dial is long and unforgiving -
The screen is faced upward towards a smooth cream-colored ceiling. Shuffling is heard as far away voices and music plays in the background. The scanner is jostled and a familiar ebony face is presented – with a bandaged neck and prominent eyebags is Imani.
"Glad to see you cats made it out in one piece." The young adult smirks, resting backwards onto a bed.
"That's our line jerk,' Sarah warbly laughs. Tom playfully shoves her shoulder but Peyton looks horrified.
"what….did he do to you?"
Flinching, Imani shrugs before nodding slowly. "Good eye." Out of the screen's perception, a water bottle is brought close as the young woman takes slow sips. "After my daring bargaining, I was shanghaied into a wedding. To Mudeenu."
The trio pales, mirth completely gone. Peyton and Sarah tremble and tom looks faint. "Mudeenu hates humans,' Peyton whispers out. A harsh laugh bordering manic snaps them out of it.
"Ha…' the woman sighs, waving someone off-screen, 'those were my exact words when I addressed him at that alter. By the way Mipedian weddings, royal ones, beautiful, ten out of ten experience. Immediately one out of ten as it was against my will."
Blue eyes glare over Peyton's shoulder. "Don't deflect Imani, what happened."
A sad chuckle. "Alright boy scout. After the ceremony I was told some pretty disturbing things before marital duties commenced." With a free hand, the phrase 'marital duties' is quotated to which all the teens pale or turn green.
"A-and the disturbing part?" Sarah croaks. Hazel eyes languidly gaze at each of the teenagers before relenting.
"…it turns out that some creatures of Perim are highly aware of the recent phenomenon in Chaotic; as I was informed, missing players are of the three definite categories – experiments, a 'canal pleasure' or dead. Mudeenu even theorized that the dream walking and energy hopping is connected – as he claimed, 'these worldly trysts will either cease or collide.'"
The trio simply balk at the information before promptly freaking out. Tom covers his mouth as his eyes water, Sarah is on the verge of frustrated tears and Peyton looks truly defeated. Imani glances at the teens in sympathy.
"So…couldn't help but notice you're missing the redhead." They flinch. "Do you need help?"
Peyton shakes his mop of brown hair, eyes wet with tears. "you've done so much for me and my friends. You can't go back to Perim." The blond girl and raven-haired boy agree, nodding vigorously.
"Petyon is right,' Tom chimes, 'you stuck for your neck out for us when you really didn't have too. Please rest."
Sarah purses her lips for a moment. "I not asking for you to come to Chaotic, do you have any scans of Chaor's castle? We're formulating a plan to get Kaz out nice and quiet."
A moment of thought passes. "I do – keep in mind that Chaor's guards don't care about humans – especially now. Port out immediately then use the next area of the castle if you are spotted." Immediately, Peytons' dusty yellow scanner chirps with multiple notifications. The teens sag in relief.
"Thank you so much,' Sarah sighs dropping back into her seat. Imani supplies a tired smile giving a wave with a hand that has a ring on it. The teen girl squints. "what's that on your hand?"
The young adult merely shrugs. "Consider it my trophy of surviving that particular bullshit." Sarah worriedly looks at the ring band to which Imani smirks. "Don't worry,' she removes it which her teeth, 'I'll find a chain for it." The ring easily drops somewhere offscreen, making the trio relax more; Imani laxes further into the pillows behind her. The older woman's' eyes snap over to Peyton's emerald ones.
"At some point,' the ebony adult sighs. 'At some point, before Chaotic is shut down you need to talk to Vinta." She raises a hand to quell Sarah and Tom from having an outburst. "I don't mean going into Mipedian territory – that's a death sentence on its own." Imani gestures to the thin healing cut on the large teens' neck, Peyton shudders. "Especially since I ran off and you are associated with me. Again, find a neutral creature that can venture into Mipedian territory to send off a message – whether it's a neural location to talk or a verbal message – doesn't matter."
The blond teen begins to vibrate in rage. "And why should Peyton talk to that fucking creep?!"
Imani simply nods in agreement with Sarah's anger. "He's getting worse – Vinta was somewhat lucid during the ceremony and I haven't seen him amongst the guardsmen when I was able to walk about the palace before escaping."
Black eyebrows furrow as Tom's blue eyes glare at Peyton's scanner. "And you think this would help why?"
The young woman's features harden, disappearing the once relaxed breezy attitude. "I've seen the way Mudeenu acted at Raimusa's temple –pupil dilation, the anger– he was ready to kill if I wasn't there. I can only theorize these heats get worse; if you can't talk him down, Vinta is going to go on a frenzy."
"A-and if I don't?" Peyton stutters out. Imani simply shakes her head, jostling some braids.
"Mudeenu has shown he takes what he wants…. on all accounts.' A brief shudder before the woman straightens her posture. "And we all know if someone isn't useful in his eyes…".
Tom and Sarah look sick all over again as Peyton can't stop tears forming in his eyes. "He'll kill Vinta."
Imani nods. "Trust me when I say what he did to you was fucked up - what I want you to know is if you are okay with him dying. This isn't some reverse psychology bullshit; Vinta wronged you and you don't have to forgive that. At the end of the day, are you okay with him dying?"
Eyes widen, causing green irises to shrink. "I, I need to think about that."
Another nod. "There's two weeks before this all shuts down. Save your friend first and take your time." Another message ping. "My number – if Chaotic doesn't get sued into oblivion and comes back, I know I won't. Drop me a text sometime." With a final wave, Imani disconnects the video call. Tom gives a firm pat to Peyton's shoulder before slumping into his chair as Sarah interlaces Peyton's free hand with hers. Taking several deep breaths and exhales, Peyton views the scans of Chaor's castle; hallways, likely servant passageways, the subtle quality change of carpet and masonry to indicate floor level. With a final exhale, Peyton frees his right hand from Sarah to rid himself of any tears before standing.
"Let's go save Kaz."
[Underworld]
Three individuals quietly weave down dark carpeted hallways – this is the fifth one they have arrived on, heeding their older compatriot's warnings to retreat from any guard or servant. For now, luck is on their side as no Underworld creatures stalk this servant's corridor. Faint sounds of muffling evolve into voices the closer the trio get to a hidden doorway.
"Please,' a strained voice cries, 'mercy, please." A rough baritone growl reverberates through the room. Peyton and Sarah strain to restrain Tom to keep quiet from blowing the rescue mission.
A large creak indicates someone rising as the rougher voice resumes speaking. "Of course, Kazzy,' Chaor purrs, 'I'm not that heartless."
The hidden teens listen to the ruffling of fabric before large, echoing footsteps retreat from the room; once they can barely hear any other creature's footfalls, they quietly crack open and slip out of the hidden doorway. On large draped poster bed, a small star-fished naked and exhausted redhead drifts in and out of unconsciousness. In no time, Tom closes the gap to get to his best friend, ignoring the startled squeak and nudeness.
Burying his face into the redhead's shoulder, Tom cries, "I thought you were gone for good, are you okay?" Kaz, realizing who is hugging him, grips back with as much strength as he can.
"H-holy shit you actually found me.' Slightly pulling back from the hug, Kaz squints over Tom's shoulder as Peyton and Sarah draw nearer. "Sarah? Peyton?! How did you even -
The blond and brunette teens join in on the hug. "You're a sight for sore eyes man."
Sarah smiles, face red and puffy with tears. "Missed you, you goof.' She finds Kaz's crumpled clothing in a pile on the floor, slowly breaking away from the hug to pass over the articles to the redhead. "Once you get dressed, we can leave – where is your scanner?"
As the group gives the redhead space to dress, Kaz sadly shakes his head as the crimson scanner is nowhere to be found.
"Seems Chaor wasn't taking any chances,' Kaz sighs re-adjusting his glasses. "If it's not on him then…. most likely the trophy room." Clothed, Kaz swings his legs over the edge of the bed to see green and orange sneakers, freezing. His gaze meets Tom's. "Oh my god. C-chaor sold Imani to the Mipedians! We need to get my scanner and help her!"
Tom and Sarah look away from their friends' frantic gaze as Peyton moves closer. "Imani is safe – I promise we'll fill you in later but we need to get you out of here."
Skeptical but desperately leaning towards optimism, Kaz resumes putting on his shoes before standing fully dressed. "Okay, for now I'll drop it.' Peering at the cracked door the teen smirks. "The servant passageways, good call – let's go!"
All four teenagers slip through the cracked door, Kaz finding a thick cord, pulls the door closed as the hallway is once more darkened. Weaving to the front of the group, Kaz is used to the passageways and near pitch darkness. Amongst hushed whispers and commands, he leads his friends up stairs before trailing left down the new corridor. Everyone freezes as a primal blood freezing roar reverberates through the castle. Shifting to between a powerwalk and slow jog, Kaz finds the door – small gaps revel that the room in front of them is low lit. As multiple armored footsteps trail away from the room and down further into the castle, the redhead slowly pulls a cord to slowly activate hidden wall. Iron torches are soldered into the stone walls as flames flicker before turning steady orange glow; instead of red carpet on the floor, its silky black with red highlights; a well-crafted stone throne decorated with fine furs oversees a swath of treasures of rare mugics, coins, skulls and weapons.
"If this situation wasn't so terrifying,' Sarah whispers, ' I would be taking scans of everything." Tom and Peyton nod slowly, surveying the different parts of the pile for the red scanner. Sneaking towards the giant throne, the redhead sags in relief, retrieving the modest scanner off of the comically large stone arm rest. Turning it on, the Chaotic logo dominates the screen before showing a generic user screen.
Kaz runs over to his friends still searching the pile. "Guys, I got it! Let's get out of here!" Before the others can cheer, another roar reverberates, sounding closer than before. Sharing panicked looks, the teens activate their scanners to port out.
Dark blue claws scrap the stone entry way as a red muscled body blocks it. The horned gargoyle leader of the Underworld unleashes a furious roar, emitting electric blue flames. Lord Chaor is late by mere seconds– the guards that were never meant to leave the room will be dealt with soon. Stalking about the room, the Underworlder sniffs out three various scents apart from his rebellious mate. The growls quell once he realizes they're human scents.
"Ah…. your friends. How foolish of me." Thick fingered clawed hands clench and unclench into fists. "TAKINOM!"
His right hand, swoops in through the servant passage way. Her usual slick backed hair has several locks out of place. "They used the servant pathways my Lord, there are reports of servants and lower-level guards seeing flashes of light."
Rage threatens to blind Chaor. "WHY AM I NOW HEARING ABOUT THIS?!"
Takinom flaps her leather wings, agitated, walking closer to her irate leader. "Because you didn't want to be disturbed."Chaor snaps his jaw shut, narrowing nonvisible eye brows as smoke billows out of his nostrils. The frustrated lash of a thick tail to the stone floor jostles several gold coins away from the pile.
A rough grunt. "I believe its time to check on Ulmar's progress." The female Underworlder simply nods, following after the exiting form of her Lord.
The thick wooden door fastened with metal handles slams suddenly into the stone wall, startling a dwarfed creature hunched over a table with wires, metal bits and glass. Flinching away from his work, the open brained goblin creature greets his guests.
"Greetings, Lord Chaor and General Takinom! H-how may I assist you today?" Ulmar pathetically squeaks at Chaor's savage roar. Striding across the room, Takinom glances at several half-repaired devices before glancing at the cowardly scientist.
"Chaor has given you ample opportunities and time to get these devices working. Why aren't they working?"
Leaning away from the underworld general, Ulmar quakes, "b-because p-part of the s-solution is connected with C-chaotic players! B-blood, hair, bone marrow, teeth – organs! Nothing works!"
The female commander loosens a growl of her own, getting close to the goblin's face. "We let you experiment on humans and you have nothing to show for it?!" She raises an arm, splaying out deadly talons.
"WAIT!" the scientist feebly cries to which Takinom does. "T-there is one instance, but i-its unreliable."
Without waiting for a response, the goblin quickly makes his way to another doorway with a sterile sheet metal door. Chaor and takinom eye each other before following after him; inside the room is astonishingly clear with the scent of chemicals in the air. The electric lighting is low, various shelves containing jars of body parts and animal specimens cast with an eerie glow. In large cages, half alive humans barely register their own consciousness – eyes in a drug induced haze. Scrunching his snout at the state and smell of them, Chaor turns away as he is led to a significantly large cage that is structured as a cell. Inside is a short thin human -deep tan skin, long black hair, with delicate features. They are clearly reading some manner of book as the child's form is slightly hunched as they are seated at the end of a low cot. Occupying most of the make-shift bed is an older human; shades lighter in skin tone with sharper, sleeker, facial details.
"So it's the itty,' a suave male voice drawls as one eye opens, 'and the not so bitty committee." The young human yelps in surprise, twisting to view the young adult who slowly sits themselves up. Said child chatters excitedly as the male speaks in quiet tones blinking slowly; two out of the three Underworlders pause in confusion. The goblin scientist gathers half bruised fruit and water in bowls onto a tray before walking over to the cage to the meal slot.
"Xin chào" speaks Ulmar which startles the kid – they are behind the adult in an instant – as said adult smothers a laugh at the baffled Underworlders' faces.
"Now, now,' the man smirks getting off of the cot and making his way over to the slot, 'your pronunciation was great – but we know that's not why the kid is jumpy." Quickly grabbing the meal without anything spilling, the human male presents the tray to the child before turning back to the creatures.
Ulmar's faces twists into a hard scowl which only further amuses the human. "Lee! What did you say to the child?!"
'Lee' merely shrugs brandishing a sharp smile. "Nothing important; the same things just in a different way." Almond shaped eyes gaze over to the hulking gargoyle and his second in command. "Forgive me if I don't bow, bad back, you know."
Ulmar quivers as Chaor growls deeply – the adult human doesn't even blink – almost bored with the clear dominance attempt. Takinom simply narrows her eyes at both humans before readdressing the goblin creature. "Seriously? A mouthy male and a child, Ulmar?"
The underworld nearly forgets who is in is company as he also most groans in defeat. "Lord Chaor, Commander Takinom, these humans are the one instance I was speaking of."
"Oh-ho, Ulmar!' Lee claps his hands together. 'Attempting to turn this room of horrors into a show pony event?"
The scientist merely grimaces as the Lord of the Underworld glares. Wandering over to another work bench, Ulmar retrieves two scanners – blue and red; generic mugic are carefully attached to the back of each scanner. Within closer proximity to the humans, the scanners power on, the red circular symbol of Chaotic swirling before a furry of pinging messages from each vibrate the devices. As the Underworlders seem pleased, loud blaring emits from the scanners in unison, making the humans cover their ears.
Chaor takes a step away as Takinom winces. "Turn those things off!" The goblin panics, fumbling with the scanners to get them out of the range of the humans. The scanners slowly power down, ceasing the alarm.
"I-I'm sorry Lord Chaor,' Ulmar simpers, 't-the scanners have never done that before." Chaor ignores the scientist, glaring at the adult human who has a downright gleeful smile towards the scanners.
"What do you know.' Chaor growls smoke billowing from his mouth as he gets close to the cage. 'What did that sound mean?" Instead of backing up in fear like weaker creatures or other humans, Lee simply stares up at the gargoyle creature with a mocking smile.
"What,' the male fake gasps, 'you've never heard of an emergency alarm?"
[Chapter 13 End]
Thằng chó đẻ - Vietnamese for 'son of a bitch'
Xin chào - Vietnamese for 'hello'
A longer chapter for you dear readers as I check over notes intended for the next installment. Until next time!
