A Collection Of Other Adventures

Chapter 24: The Clock Of Inevitability

Date: August 7th, 2023

I ponder over the Sage's words: "Hmm, what could the connection be? Wait, the music is playing again.. It is changing in tone every so often. Those aren't to just any ordinary symbols. Those are music notes on the things. But I can't remember what each other means. I didn't exactly study the note symbol shape in guitar class several years ago." Gelina replies: "Hold on, I think I can determine what each music note symbol is. Just follow me. We had a few lessons on ancient temples back at the Lost Academia or at least, I did. I guess you didn't, Swiftdrawer." "Lead us forward, young Gelina. Even this knowledge isn't known to me. I may be Athena and have a divine singing voice but even I don't know any of these music notes." We end up following Gelina, jumping from one to the next. But Akiza ends up accidentally landing on a wrong one towards the end. As a result, the one she lands on collapses and she begins to plummet to her death. Blaze springs into action and freezes her with time magic: "Awoo! Now is the time! We have to save her without making the same mistake!" "I trust you all to handle this on your own. As Athena, it is my role to guide others. And as a god, I must refrain from giving assistance when it isn't necessary due to the actions of mortals." I nod: "Don't worry, I'll pull out a rope. But I can't really tie things in the shoelace style too too well. It's my fault for not practicing such that much. It took us a while to reach this temple and we can't turn back now or lose anyone. We had to spend several days just to reach this temple. There was no other choice. And someone else will have to tie the rope. Or maybe they don't. I can still tie things but it's a little unconventional. It works well though. I will try it."

I pull out a rope from my ender pouch and immediately use my belt that has the tabard cloth among other things attached to it as a point to tie the rope too. But it became clear that my way wouldn't work. I sigh. Hinata speaks up: "Allow me to take the rope. I'll make sure it can be used to save Akiza." I toss the rope to her and she ties it to her outfit before sitting down on the stone we're sitting on. We were lucky that Akiza fall down through a stone that was next to the stone we're on. Gelina throws down the rope and shouts: "Blaze! Unfreeze Akiza so she can grab on!" "Right!" Akiza resumes falling but is able to grab onto the rope. I speak up: "I will pull her up. Just let me know if I'm pulling too hard, Gelina. It's too bad there isn't anything besides ourselves we could have tied the rope too. But anyway, no time for discussion. Akiza is going to lose her grip soon if we don't start pulling her up right away!" The others nod so I kneel down and begin using the rope attached to Gelina to pull Akiza up. It was easy to pull Akiza up but I made sure to be careful. "Almost done. Are you okay, Gelina? Is the strain of the pulling force I'm exerting on the rope too much for you? Or is this perfectly okay for you to handle. Please tell me." "I'm alright!" "Hey! I'm slipping! Hurry up already!" I put in more force and finish pulling Akiza up 2 seconds later. We all breathe a sigh of relief. And then, Hinata looks ahead: "Byakugan! ..I don't sense any unfamiliar chakra. I don't even see any hidden passages that could lead us to the clock faster. All I see are traps and the room at the end. I can't make out much of what's in there from here." "Awoo! Then we have no choice but to face the next obstacle/trap!" Akiza huffs: "And not step on any triggers!"

I sigh at the next obstacle: "We're about to face a bunch of those giant swinging axes. Timing will be key here. *I get some looks* What? I've played and watched gameplay of games that have these kinds of obstacles. Oh and some other forms of media depicting such things in other universes too. Something tells me that those axes will even puncture Blaze's and I's armors. Look at how sharp they are. Some of them move fast. Some of them move slow. There's little room to crawl, roll, or even jump. Not to mention teleportation doesn't work in this temple. I just quietly tried to teleport again." "Indeed, this is quite the issue." "Hey! Why don't we just blast those things and get a move on?!" I draw my sword: "I doubt that's going to work but let's give it a try. It's going to be dangerous if it works though as the destructive force will cause the ceiling and walls to crack and cave in. Athena would be forced to use her cosmo to protect us all from the debris. Great Infernal Tornado Slash! Just the basic one which used to nearly kill me! Hard to believe that it used to." My attack does nothing. Athena speaks: "I will use my cosmo to slow these axes until they no longer swing. It appears that's the only way forward to avoid navigating through them." "Hold on. Let's see if it will withstand this. Fire Bolt! *nothing happens* So it's true. The walls and ceiling and floor of this temple are far more resilient than any other ancient place I've studied and explored." "Oh come on! That's so annoying!" "Calm yourself, Akiza. Allow me to take care of the swinging axes." Athena glows with her golden cosmo and uses it to successfully stop the axes from swinging. But it was definitely a bigger strain than she expected. Varmundt grimaces: "If it takes this much effort for you to stop the axes, that means this temple may have actually been constructed by something far greater than the people who have safeguarded the clock we seek."

I nod: "It's possible this could be the work of a god. Since Athena's body is still mortal, there's only so much she can do with her legendary cosmo." "I feel as though we really should get a move on right away. Athena won't be able to hold them forever. As a graduate of the Lost Academia, I sense that we still have a lot of obstacles to overcome in order to reach the clock." "You're right! Now stop wasting time already!" "Awoo. Athena, can you can move despite what you're doing? Normally, holding something back with your cosmo means you have to stay still." "Yes, I can still move. It seems my body has grown stronger since my knights and I joined your cause in order to stop Pmurt Nedib." So with that, we all walk through where the axes should be swinging right now. Once we finish crossing through there, Athena lets go. I sigh: "Wow, I never realized just how noisy those axes really are until now. It looks like the next obstacle is a maze. That's a problem. *gets out a pen and sketchbook* I'm going to try to draw our movements to better pin down the location of the exit of the maze. Let's stay together in case there's traps or monsters inside the maze." "That's an excellent idea. Gelina, let's use barrier spells to block off any dead ends we run into." "Sounds like a plan, Varmundt." And so, we enter the maze. As we explore the maze, I draw more and more of our path and mark any dead ends we encounter along the way. It took a while to get through the maze. We encountered all kinds of traps and monsters, even a chest monster like the ones in SAO or Rune-Midgarts. In Rune, they're called Mimics. Once we finally got out of the maze, Hinata remarks: "It's so interesting! So far, just one of us has been key to getting through the obstacles that await us in this maze every single time." "Aye. I have to agree on you there. I was key to getting out of the maze. I've done a number of mazes on paper and built some simple ones in Twisted Land."

And then, we look ahead to find a giant room as we hear an angry roar. Akiza gulps: "Big monster! Big monster!" "Awoo. Relax, you helped fight off a lot of ice androids a few days ago. Remember? We can do this! *wags tail* I'm so excited!" "A monster, huh? Well, it's a good thing we came prepared to fight. Time for a boss battle. This will be something else. The power level of that boss is intimidating. This is not going to be easy. *Ki power up* There's no reason to hold back anything. It's time to get serious." We rush into the giant room where a huge golem crossed with a dragon awaits us. They stomp the ground and try to knock us down. It has no effect. I draw my sword again and aim for one of their legs: "Anatomical Disruption!" I fail as the boss easily evades what I was trying to do, nullifying my attack in the process. It took a second to get back up as I was attacked by their tail. I parried the attack: "Damn it! I can't focus on anything but this boss! We'll have to work together without even being able to directly support each other because this boss is attacking all of us! I've only been able to hold back attacks from that giant tail! I'm doing no damage!" A couple minutes later, my armor is pretty battered and I'm bleeding after doing my best to defend against an onslaught of attacks. I grit my teeth: "Damn it. I can't keep being on the defensive!" I leap and roll out of the way of another attack from the boss. With that done, I take advantage of an opening caused by Akiza successfully subduing the boss for a moment with Dancing Arrow. I use it well: "Continuous Great Infernal Tornado Slash: 30! Haaaaaa!" My attacks only leave a small series of tears on the monster's flesh. "I cast Heal! Damn! Use Athena has to fight this monster! Come on! This is tougher than any squad of ice androids we've faced! But maybe that's because we're the only ones here!"

I am then forced on the defensive again, unable to see what the others are doing. All I can do is keep dodging, parrying, and trying to counterattack. The boss keeps using their tail to try to kill me over and over again while sometimes mixing in some ground stomps in an attempt to knock us all off balance. "Awoo! What gives?! My time magic has no effect!" "Crap! We're in so much trouble! I wonder who will be crucial to defeating this foe of ours! I know it won't be me!" "Hey, big monster! Come and get me!" The monster focuses on Akiza, becoming less concerned about killing me out of nowhere. I'm still attacked but not as fiercely as before. "You fell for it! Say aaaaaaa! Dancing Arrow Shower!" I manage to see hundreds of arrows pierce into the monster's flesh, causing them to dance wildly and uncontrollably. "Come on, everyone! Deal a load of damage while my arrows keep the monster from attacking us! They're even enjoying the magical music coming from my arrows a lot!" "Alright! I'm in but it feels mean to hurt a creature who is enjoying themselves at the moment. That being said, that monster wants us to die so it looks like we have no other choice. Haaaaaaa! Continuous Great Infernal Tornado Slash: 35! This won't kill me! Take this, boss monster!" "Awoo! Temporal Slash Barrage!" "While I cannot attack, I will give you all a share of my cosmo to boost your attacks! Go forth and finish this monster!" "We will win. Fire Bolt!" "I cast Giga Lightning!" "Gentle Fist Style: 64 Pongs! 2 Pongs! 4 Pongs! 8 Pongs! 16 Pongs! 32 Pongs! 64 Pongs!" "Let me show off something I can do now! Charge Arrow! Thanks for the lessons on your skills, Judia! I'm sorry for being so bossy until you let me learn from you!" The monster takes a large amount of damage but is far from defeated. They are only slightly weakened and are now extremely furious.

We find ourselves being thrown around while also trying to dodge punches and fireballs. "This is just great! But at least it isn't my mundane job in my other body! This is way better than that despite being far more dangerous! There's real meaning to fighting this boss. There, I only feel some meaning! I wrote about my feelings recently in the last chapter I put out for the Walmart stuff! Anyway, this boss may not be done but the same goes for us! Let's get 'em and move onto whatever awaits us next! Haaaaaa! I cast Repair! Now, it's time to go on a frenzy!" I pull out my shield from my back and equip it to my left arm. Akiza pulls out a gun and refills her quiver with some more arrows. Blaze summons a temporal shield. Varmundt, Athena, and Gelina all put up shields as well. I charged in once I learned the patterns of our foe's aggression. It took some time and more fumbling around but it was well worth it. Without giving a damn anymore, I fight with all my might and use my shield to take in as much damage as possible. Since it is as upgraded as my sword and armor are now, it can take a lot without breaking. I didn't bring my old sword for this adventure so it was only natural I referred to my main sword as just my sword. I figured I wouldn't need the old sword of mine. "Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! You will be defeated! We will stop you and move forward in this temple! This is our resolve, teamwork, abilities, and powers all combined! We'll do everything in our power to win!" 30 minutes later, we manage to greatly weaken the boss but the cost was heavy for us. We took a lot of damage ourselves. Athena kept healing us and drained a significant portion of her cosmo in the battle. But still, the boss was even more aggressive than before and much more vicious while also dealing a lot more damage. It was clear that it felt like we were in over our heads thinking that we could defeat this boss without the help of anyone else.

However, Akiza shouts: "Wait! The boss.. As someone who is bossy as much as I hate to admit it, I can still see that this monster is hurting inside! All alone, trapped inside this temple by accident.. I can see it all in their eyes! Stop attacking! They just need a friend! They were so happy when I used all these Dancing Arrows on them at once. I understand. Maybe I shouldn't be so bossy.. I finally understand that. I also understand what our foe really needs." I stop attacking and back up gracefully before sliding my sword back into its scabbard: "Let's try your new way, Akiza." "Awoo! I sense the pain of the monster too. Your idea is a great idea! I'm all for it!" "Indeed. I should have been able to sense the anguish this monster feels from the beginning. I apologize for my mistake." "I should have been able to see it too.. I know what it's like to suffer.. Neji used to bully me. I used to think I wasn't strong enough. But I am strong enough. Strong enough to protect those I care about and to help them live better lives." "It's so obvious now. That's why the monster's been so angry." Akiza reaches out to the monster by outstretching her hand: "Listen, you poor monster.. We didn't realize that you were suffering. We're so sorry. And I'd like to be your friend. Would you like me to be your friend! We can get you out of here and give you a place where you will be loved and accepted." The monster stops rampaging and widens their eyes: "You are reaching out to me? It's been so long since anyone has cared for me.. I was trapped in this temple by accident just as you managed to figure out.. I was forgotten for so long. I'm so angry.. So sad.. So alone.." "Well, it's okay now. My friends will be your friends too if you accept my offer. There's no need to feel angry, sad, or alone anymore." "Thank you.. But our fight has caused me to suffer critical damage.. I'm afraid that I will die soon.."

"We won't that happen. I assure you that you will be okay and safe very soon. As Athena, I must help those in need. I will use my cosmo to heal the wounds we inflicted on you because none of us understood you nor did you understand us." "I feel my body recovering so fast.. Thank you.. I'm sorry too.. For hurting all of you.. For lashing out.." I reply and smile: "It's okay. We all have hurt others when we didn't mean to or because we just didn't understand them. It's too easy of a mistake to make. We must make amends for our past mistakes and keep moving forward. We're already all healed up now and our gear is back to perfect condition thanks to some Repair spells. Things are going to be better now. For all of us. What's your name?" "I am Roguyis. I've been trapped here for countless eons." "Well, whoever did this to you better be sorry. Okay, now I'm being kinda bossy again." "*chuckles* I like that about you. It's been a long time since anyone has made it this far into the temple. I killed anyone who got here in the past. I have that shame to bear now." "But you will not have to bare it alone! Awoo! Hey, will you be able to wait here for a while? You can't exactly fit through the rest of the- Oops! Wait, you can fit! Can't they, Hinata?!" "Yes, yes they can!" "That means I won't be alone ever again. I'll come with all of you. I know what your next obstacle is and I'm going to guide you through this. It's an obstacle course. Climb onto me. I will fly you through the entirety of it. It's the least I can do for the kindness all of you have shown me. I feel far better than I ever remember feeling in my life." All of us nod and hop onto Roguyis. Even Athena does so. The flight was quick and very exciting. Once the flight was finished, our new friend landed right before the next obstacle. They speak: "Unfortunately, that's the only obstacle I could fly all of you through but I will be here right beside all of you. How could I abandon any of you after all this that you've done for me? I'm so grateful to each and every one of you."

We all nod. Varmundt replies: "That is understandable. As long as you get to come with us, that's what matters to us in the end. We will get through this and retrieve the clock. Ah, it seems that the next obstacle is a complicated puzzle. I will solve it. Stay back in case there's traps, everyone." Varmundt goes further into the next obstacle and stands in the midst of a puzzle that I just can't wrap my head around. We watch in silence as Varmundt concentrates deeply to solve it. It takes him a while but he manages to figure it out, causing the puzzle to vanish and the door to the next obstacle to open. We find ourselves in a seemingly ordinary hallway. Blaze darts their eyes around: "Awoo! My inner knack for causing annoying problems and distractions for our enemies is telling me that this tunnel is full of all kinds of hidden traps! I'll use my powers and speed to trigger all of them. But can someone cast a levitation spell on everyone other than me first?" Gelina nods: "I cast Multi-Person Levitation! There we go!" And now, all of us excluding Blaze are levitating in the air, meaning we can't accidentally set off anything or get caught in them. Blaze demonstrates their wild speed and does in fact trigger all of the traps. We all watch in awe and fascination as the wolf pulls it off. All kinds of traps are triggered: the classic rolling boulder, the infamous tunnel flooding rush of water, several trapdoors, poisoned arrows, floor and wall spikes, bursts of flame, doors revealing monsters to fight, and so on. But Blaze is able to evade each of them or is able to disrupt them if they aren't able to actually evade them. It was a really impressive feat and I didn't even know Blaze was that good with traps. I smile: "I'm so glad I became a furry. If I hadn't, I doubt we would have ever met Blaze, Dr. Bonesbane, or any other Kohnanixian. Okay, we probably still would have due to Freddie and other interdimensional threats. Nevermind."

Now that Blaze is finished, Gelina releases the spell and we land on the ground softly thanks to Athena's cosmo. Blaze grins: "Awoo! Let's move on now! I took care of all of the traps without much trouble!" We all nod and run through the tunnel. Roguyis's running causes the tunnel to collapse behind us but that didn't worry us. That meant that no one could follow us now. And so, we spent several hours navigating through more traps and obstacles including more puzzles. Once we were done, it didn't seem like we were at first. However, we just walked into an empty room and nothing happened. Well, besides grumbling stomachs. I laugh and blush as my stomach grumbles loudly: "Hehe.. Wow, I really am hungry.. Whoops. I should have had more to eat before we came to this temple after some hours of walking through that jungle after we set up camp somewhere in there and got some sleep. Thank goodness we stopped to drink some sleep replacement potions earlier. Otherwise, we would all be in big trouble right now. At any rate, I'm glad we can rest here and eat." "Indeed. My cosmo senses no dangers in this room." "Awoo! And there's no traps!" "Byakugan! We're so close to the room where the clock is located! We've made it!" "All of you are incredible. I'm so glad I could get to know all of you and share this journey with you. You have given me joy and hope where rage and loneliness once was in my heart. I owe so much to all of you." "Back to what you said hours ago! I like your personality too! Oh right! Let's get to having a meal already! I'm starving too!" Roguyis blushes as their stomach growls so loudly that it sounds like a mountain sized monster's roar: "I haven't had anything to eat in eons.."

"Hmm. I think we should be able to get you something to eat. But for now, you'll have to settle with something that's very small for you considering your size. But we'll get you plenty to eat once we get out of this temple." "I understand, Varmundt. Just feed me whatever you wish to give me. It should quell some of my hunger for a while longer. I will be able to hold out until we can leave and go wherever you all want to go." And so, we all sit down and work together to prepare a meal. Akiza and Gelina were most helpful among us when it came to making the meal. We used whatever we had on hand to create a feast for us to enjoy. Roguyis and their fire was what cooked the feast. I contributed some meat I had collected in another world and some lab grown meat Dominic made and gave to me to hold onto. We all played a part. Gelina summoned plates and napkins. Varmundt closely watched over the cooking process. Hinata cut things up as needed. Athena used her cosmo to light up the room so we could see what we were doing. Blaze used their powers to speed up the cooling process for the food and kill any bacteria or viruses on it. So with that all taken care of, we began to dig in together. It was a nice feast that wasn't that complicated. It was very good. We laughed and exchanged stories as we ate. Once the food was gone, Gelina banished whatever was left of the napkins and such. I spoke up: "So, now it's time to see what that clock is about at long last. This is the moment we have been waiting for." The others nod and together, we approach the doorway that was on the other end of the empty room. Blaze's aura suddenly glowed once we were just steps away from it. "Awoo. I think it will be my power that will unlock this door. My time magic is needed here. It's like whoever created this place expected things to play out the way they have and designed the temple just for us." The wolf puts a gloved paw on the door and it begins opening right before us. Once it finishes opening, we walk inside and gasp.

That's because on the other side of the door lied a room full of clocks and more. In the center of it lies the clock we've been waiting for. Gelina speaks up: "The clock.. It's speaking to me. It's called The Clock Of Inevitability. That's what it's called. It's telling me that it will take our combined efforts to move it where we wish to place it. Didn't we want to place it in Miitopia?" I nod: "That was the plan I believe but I think it would be better to place it in Twisted Land." "Why is that, Swiftdrawer?" "Twisted Land has plenty of space underground to hide things in and there's a Woodland Mansion underneath it thanks to my efforts that I was planning on turning into some kind of attraction. I recently abandoned that plan. That mansion is the perfect place to move it to. It's decorations mesh well with the ambience the clock is giving off to me. I can feel it's energy. It's like we all share a connection to this room or the clock in some way. Does anyone object? I'm sending a message to the BRAINS group chat right now about this." They all shake their heads and I quickly get a bunch of responses. No one opposes it. They don't mind where it goes as long as it's in a hidden hard to reach place. So, it was decided that that mansion is where it's going to go. And we will all definitely visit it every so often to see how it's ticking. Athena speaks: "So, what have the others said, Swiftdrawer?" "No one objects. As long as it's in a hidden and hard to reach location. That's all that matters to those who have chosen to respond." "Excellent. I believe it will take my cosmo to get the clock to begin counting down. I could sense it ticking hours ago but now, it has stopped ticking. I apologize for not mentioning that sooner." All of us readily accept her apology. With that said and done, Athena does in fact work to start making the clock tick again. And it does. But it didn't feel like it.

I said: "Wait, why isn't anything ticking down? *we hear a ticking noise that's just barely audible* Nevermind. So it's true. The countdown has truly begun. This is going to be something else, that's for damn sure. Now then, how exactly are we going to get it to Twisted Land from here. I know there's no way Blaze or I could lift it even working together so what do we do?" "Have you forgotten already? The clock told me it will take all of us to move it." "Oh crap. There I go again forgetting. Sorry about that. Anyway, let's get started, shall we? I think we should try channeling our energies into the clock itself." I activate Artist's Eye and power up with my Ki again before focusing on the clock with deep concentration. The others do the same and together, we manage to get the clock to lift off the floor of the room. Varmundt says: "We have moved it but it's going to take a lot more than just this to move it across dimensions. We have to figure that out and quickly. If we don't, we will be back to square one." "The clock is speaking to me again. It is assuring me that it will continue to float without any further effort on our part." "That's interesting. Well then, I sure am letting go. I really need to given I haven't fully regained my magical skills yet. That's why I didn't channel my magic into our efforts just now. That and I didn't even think about channeling my magical energy. Oh well." We all end up letting go and the clock just floats there in the air as we begin conversing on how to get it to Twisted Land. I couldn't help but smile as we conversed. Athena noticed: "Is something going on, Swiftdrawer? You're smiling unexpectedly." "I'm sorry to interrupt our discussion but to be here with all of you, to solve this problem together. In the midst of the war and my internal struggle in my other body, this is exactly what I needed. Hold on, did I just solve our problem? Did I just get us the answer without even trying to? This is pretty amazing."

"Oh yeah! You did! Awoo! The answer to our problem! It's our unity! Our comradery! That's it! That's how we'll get the clock to Twisted Land!" "Indeed. That feels right to me. I have lived for hundreds of years thanks to the Heart of Ymir. Thanks to that, I have the understanding needed to confirm that we must unify our hearts and our minds." "Let's get on with it already! It's so cliche but I believe in it too!" "Aye. I'm ready when all of you are ready. It may be cliche but that's because a person is always stronger when they have others to lean on for support. I need to better understand that in my other life. I need to reach out when I'm struggling. I need to express my frustrations." Roguyis chimes in: "I can see the clock glowing now! Can't you? *we shake our heads* Then we really are connected to this room and clock in different ways!" Hinata adds: "It's all ready to go! Roguyis, you're a BRAINS member now as we discussed earlier! We're together! Come on, everyone! Let's become one to transport the clock!" We activate our Quantum Leap bands(Roguyis doesn't have one so they don't) and use that as a base for what we are to do. We will them to set the destination for the Woodland Mansion I put underneath Twisted Land. And then, we closed our eyes and made sure to physically connect with each other through our limbs. We thought about what we had all done to get this far into the temple. Our hearts and minds for a moment really did become one. And through that unity, something really did end up happening. By the time we opened our eyes and let go of one another, the clock was gone. I say: "I know it's in Twisted Land but now, it seems like the temple has begun to completely collapse. We have to get out of here now!" "Byakugan! You're right! The temple is collapsing at an accelerating rate! We have to teleport away immediately!"

"But that darn magical restriction on teleportation! How are we supposed to get past it without needing to do what we just did all over again for ourselves?!" "I know how. Go, Artist's Eye!" I concentrate with all of my might to create a portal to the Woodland Mansion in Twisted Land with my Artist's Eye. It works but I'm forced to close my left eye immediately. "Awoo! You did great, Swiftdrawer! Let's get out of here and fast!" "Indeed, we must hurry! I shall use my cosmo to slow the falling debris around us. Everyone, there's no need to attack any of the debris now that I'm using my cosmo." We nod and immediately walk through that portal one by one. Roguyis was the last to go through it and it took the combined effort of all of us to pull them through it before it collapsed. Now, we were in a large space. I say: "Well, we are in Twisted Land alright but we aren't actually in the mansion but it is right behind us and a little cut off because of how structure blocks work and their limits. We made it in one piece. We're okay now. Let's get going." And so, we went inside the mansion. It took a few minutes of navigating but we found where the clock had gone. I laughed: "Would you look at that?! It's huge size required it to destroy a few rooms. You can even see all the blocks on the ground! Since we aren't Minecraftians, we won't automatically pick any of those up when we step closer." Roguyis replies: "Minecraftians? There is still so much you haven't told me about yet." "Swiftdrawer! Why didn't you tell Roguyis?!" "Since when was I McExplainingPerson, Akiza?! We're here now and everything else will be explained to our new friend in due time. That's what really matters right now." "Oh right! Ooops! I'm so silly sometimes!" A bunch of our comrades teleport to our location. Dominic takes one look at the clock and then Roguyis and then does it again.

"What a universal opposite of a nap causation. It looks like you all brought back a new comrade along with the clock. Let's talk more about that later." Abstractoa appears: "Yes, that can be discussed later. Right now, we will study and marvel at this clock." Beerus nods: "Yes, this is an object of incredible importance. Now that it's in our possession, I imagine that this theme park Twisted Land will be under attack more often than otherwise in the future." "Aye. That may be true but the magic that flows through the park as well as the tech used to help protect it will ensure that it would take a damn lot of effort to force any of us to come here to intervene. That's the truth." Bulma stares at the clock: "This is so fascinating! It's so ancient and yet it's so big and looks like it was just finished yesterday!" Orochimaru nods: "Indeed. It is quite intriguing. I wonder what kind of secrets we can uncover by studying this clock." Fu chuckles: "Well, let's not get too hasty. First and foremost, we have to determine how long it takes for the smallest hand of the clock to move. That wouldn't tell us how long we have until the final battle but we will be able to use that to figure out a time frame during which it will definitely not happen." Shiryu speaks: "This clock.. I can feel it's power.. It's unlike anything I have ever felt despite being one of Athena's knights." "Hehehe, I bet we could use this clock to set a huge trap for the enemy." "If we do that, you better not make candy or Candy the couch be involved in anyway." "Aww! Come on, Swiftdrawer!"

Isis speaks: "We have to take this more seriously. This clock will help determine our shared destinies as BRAINS members. If it falls into the wrong hands, it's power could be harnessed to unleash untold devastation on the multiverse." Atemu speaks up too as I randomly think about being annoyed a few days ago in my other body. Ironically, I'm writing this in my other body just after that being annoyed situation. It's confusing but it's the truth. "Isis is right. She doesn't even need the Millennium Necklace to know that. We returned it to her some years ago now. We have to make sure no one can even get close to taking this clock." Athena replies: "Oh but I believe that won't be that much of an issue. You see, it was a group effort to even be able to lift the clock. All of us who went to that temple plus our newest comrade had to work together to even lift it. It took even greater effort to teleport it here. The temple collapsed afterwards." "Arr! But I wanted to try the temple out for an adventure! I don't value booty that much anymore, the adventure's worth as much as the treasure as far as my bionic eye is concerned." "Squawk! Adventure better than treasure! Squawk!" "Aye. I have to agree on that. Unless the treasure's a legendary relic or weapon or something like that. Gold doesn't have as much value as a life or a tool that helps us on our shared and differing goals and aspirations. I don't need another legendary sword so if I find one in a temple or something, I'll probably give it to someone else to be honest. I think I'm going to pay a visit to the blacksmith who forged my main sword. Brb."

I teleport without much of a warning to the blacksmith who forged my sword. The doors to their shop opened with a jingle from a bell. The blacksmith was hard at work forging a new piece of armor with as much passion as I saw the day I came to buy the sword. I pull it out and hold it so that it's pointing towards the ground. With that done, I walk further into the blacksmith's shop. Their name is Bennett. They stop what they're doing as they hear me walk on the stone floor of their store and smile: "Swiftdrawer! It's so good to see you! What a surprise!" "Bennett! I should have done this sooner! After all, you have been a BRAINS member for quite sometime now. Thank you for helping supply weapons and armor for the people of Miitopia and beyond. Your armor and weapons really have made a difference in ensuring everyone in Miitopia has quality armor to wear in battle. But I didn't come here just to thank you for that. *Walks to Bennett and hugs them* Thank you for making my sword. At first, you said it was just a sword you had out for sale but now, it's clear it's special. I wanted to come here personally to thank you better than I could have the day I bought my sword from you. In the documentation of a sword and a swordsman, the blacksmith is often overlooked or ignored outright. That's disrespectful to people like you who put so much heart into your work. Your handiwork has greatly shaped my life. You have given me one of my closest and most loyal companions. I can't ever thank you enough for the work you did to make my sword. I even finally gave it a name at long last: Graceful Protector." "That's wonderful and thank you for coming to see me! It's people like you who make my profession so worthwhile! Your words bring tears to my eyes!" "I wish I had remembered your name when I wrote about getting Graceful Protector briefly. But in my other body, I just didn't truly understand your importance to me."

"That is alright! Why don't you stay awhile? We could catch up and talk over something to eat. I can make us something delicious to enjoy that will be fit for a knight like yourself! I'm so proud of you for becoming a knight! I never got to tell you that until now!" "I have time for that. I'll have to teleport back to Twisted Land by arriving a few seconds after I left but that little thing will be worth it. Let's catch up and eat. Blacksmiths like you keep the sword, metal armor, and more alive and well as active passions and interests." And that's exactly what we did. We spent several hours together, catching up and truly establishing a real friendship. Before, we were just comrades with respect for each other and a fondness from our interaction that led to me buying Graceful Protector from them. Now I feel better. I returned to Twisted Land with Bennett as they wanted to come with. Pirate Blaster grins: "Arr, you brought the blacksmith who forged your beloved sword, huh! Nice to finally meet you, Bennett! You haven't been on many missions as a BRAINS member but that's alright! You bring something to the table we still need more of! The gear forged by blacksmiths like you are one of the keys to a brighter future! I'm Pirate Blaster and you're just in time to see us begin examining the legendary and mysterious Clock Of Inevitability!" Bennett is welcomed by others with open arms as well. Even Orochimaru smiles warmly at them, that's rare for someone like the sannin. And so, we work together in our own ways to examine the clock. Bennett's expertise ended up actually being a big help to the investigation. We don't even know who made the clock. It could have been just about any god as far as we were concerned.

That was kind of annoying to say the least. After several hours, we all parted ways for now and went to various locations in Miitopia in time for the next battles to begin. I knew going into the next battle I partook in that we were going to defeat fascism as I had already written much of the final confrontation with Pmurt Nedib. Bennett decided to come with me in order to hand deliver some armor and swords as well as demonstrate their own skills in combat at last. Their sword skills are surprisingly amazing and expert level. I had no idea. They never told me about that. I couldn't help but smile in the midst of battle once things calmed down for a moment: "No matter what happens, we'll try our best. If we fail in the next conflicts, so be it. We will try. That's what matters. You can't make a difference if you don't even make an attempt to no matter how good or bad that attempt might end up being. I relearned that lesson in my other body recently. Comrades, let's keep up the fight." This story, A Collection Of Other Adventures may continue on next month or be on hiatus for a while. I am not entirely sure yet as the VR crisis and interdimensional war will keep us incredibly busy soon.