Chapter 59 – Blessings
Using the Badge to find Owen had been a bad idea: Eon had warped right to the Central Waypoint of Kilo Village.
His tail-flame erupted, and he realized that he had to put his blindfold on before he lost his shape. Sure, he would be fine if he transformed now, but it was so inconvenient and disorienting. No other Ditto in the world had the same overactive Imposter ability that he did—so active that even his Mystic abilities had trouble suppressing it, somehow.
He generally preferred the Charizard body, anyway.
Digging into his pouch, he pulled out his scarf and wrapped it around his eyes, careful that the little lucky charm he liked to keep with it remained between his eyes once the blindfold was tied tight.
He took a single step, and a new thought crossed his mind.
Wait. Should I be looking like Owen right now?
As a Charmander, Owen had the weakest sense of Perceive that Eon was able to tap into masterfully to see where he was going. But as a Charizard, it was almost overwhelming.
If he used Owen's Perceive—which he still struggled with fully processing when he tried—he would accidentally transform into someone that he 'saw' with the ability. That would've made the blindfold useless to begin with! He usually had Owen to concentrate on to retain his form if he didn't have the blindfold on, but even then…
He didn't think this though.
And why was it so cold? They weren't deep in autumn yet.
Wait. Was being Owen a good idea? In the middle of Kilo Village, Step and the others would surely spot him. They'd think he was Owen, and then—that was bad.
He really didn't think this through.
New plan. Act natural. Suppress your aura.
Perhaps having Perceive would be useful after all. He could sense that Step and the others were in a hospital nearby. Powerful Guardian auras that perhaps only Lucario and skilled Psychics would notice. They wouldn't find him if he kept his aura low and suppressed; they seemed distracted anyway.
Tip-toeing his way through the streets, he earned a few uneasy looks by passerby Pokémon. What were they so afraid of? It wasn't as if he—
He was a mutant. And he was sneaking around town, and apparently Step had clashed with Rim right in this very street, given how everything was overrun with melting snow. He did it again. He made a rash decision, and now he was in one of the most precarious positions he could have put himself in. A mutant body, with a Hunter aura, in the capitol of the world, filled with Guardians and Hearts alike.
If Nevren found out about this, Eon could imagine the amused smirk he'd give. No, Nevren never smirked. But he would for this, wouldn't he? First time for everything.
He glanced to his right; he saw a southern Vulpix trying to tug a Riolu out from a huge mound of snow that had collapsed over her.
Eon winced, huffing out a strong plume of fire. Keep the form. He had to make sure Step and the others were still there, and his Perceive was the best way to do that. It was hard to miss a Guardian's aura and their strange bodies. The strain—reading his Perceive and maintaining the body that could use it—was like holding his breath. He had been holding it for minutes by now.
"S-so… c-cold…" Riolu tried to squirm out, but Vulpix just wasn't strong enough.
"Stupid snow… why can't I be the cool Fire version of me, huh?" Vulpix lamented.
Why me? Eon abruptly redirected to Riolu and Vulpix before reaching forward. He didn't say anything—in fact, Riolu let out a surprised yip—and pulled her out from the snow, nodding. "Sorry."
He then turned around and hastily wandered off, barely suppressing the aura sensors from forming on the side of his head.
"Is-isn't that a mutant?" Vulpix squeaked.
"Southern, like you!" Eon shouted back, though if he got a reply, he didn't hear it. Maintaining the form was starting to bring on a headache; even with his Mystic power, this strange curse plagued him. At least now he could maintain something at all. I should've brought Angelo's sketch of a Charizard or something, Eon thought, thinking back to the local Smeargle's sketches.
It seemed that there were still rescues underway within the overwhelming snow. Some parts of the town were buried in several feet of it; entire buildings were snowed over from roof to floor. One building in particular had some movement within that only his Perceive could sense—a Shinx and a Murkrow. The snow was too thick; they couldn't tell which way was up or down.
Eon sighed and put both palms on either eye, letting out a frustrated sigh. He paced toward the building, then away and to the southern side of town, and then back to the building, and once again back to Waypoint Road. But ultimately, after taking several circles—and drawing a few concerned looks from others in the rescue effort—he went to the building and blew gentle flames into the snow.
Using his Perceive, he resolved to at least help with the rescue effort, keeping an eye out for if the Guardians—or perhaps more meddlesome, Hecto—were at risk of spotting him.
Owen would be fine. He had to help these townsfolk, first.
"Is it just me," Owen and Har said—both of them abruptly cutting themselves off.
Har grumbled, but Owen tittered.
"Sorry," Owen said. "You go."
"Is it just me," Har growled, but then returned to a neutral tone, "or have we been walking for way longer than we should be?"
Lygo rapidly beat his wings. "Oh, good, that's not just me."
It felt like they had been walking through the Hot Spot caverns for at least a chunk of the afternoon—though that may have just been the boredom and hunger settling in. Everything looked the same. Owen was almost positive that they'd passed by the same patch of mushrooms five times.
He had offered to eat the mushrooms—they were actually very filling, even if the taste left something to be desired—but everyone but Mispy and Ani politely declined. The latter two plucked a few to try, though indeed, the taste was… bland. Though it did leave their mouths with a slight glow.
"We have been wandering for quite a while," Rhys said, looking at the rocky ceiling. "In fact, it almost feels as if we've taken the same turn numerous times. Owen, Har, could you sense the way out for us? Perhaps we should have asked that sooner."
"Sure," Owen said. He closed his eyes, expanding his aura. The knowledge that this was all concentrated in his horns like some kind of freakish, scanner-like appendage was distracting. He thought back to how his senses worked as a Charmander, with only his eyes. Such simple times. Now there was a whole lot more to digest.
"Ow," Zena mumbled.
"S-sorry," Owen said, having accidentally stepped on part of her body.
"What, you can't focus?" Har asked. "Let me do it."
"Okay." Owen sighed. "I think I'm still trying to adjust to it. It's so overwhelming when I'm out in a big area, too."
"No clue why you get that," Har said. "I just turn it down when that happens."
"Wait, you can really just turn it down, just like that?" Owen asked.
Ani spoke up. "You can't?"
"No," Owen said. "I think it's all or nothing."
"Explains why your horns are removable. I bet Nevren made you that way so if something happened, he can just tug them off."
"Right," Owen said. A thought crossed his mind. "And Rhys! What're you gonna do with the ones that broke off, huh?! I saw you sneak them into your bag!"
Rhys flinched, reflexively clutching at the strap across his shoulder. "It might be useful one day," he said. "It won't take up that much space."
"Get help," Mispy said with a sigh.
"I'll have you know, I have no need for help," Rhys said. "One day, you will thank me when something seemingly useless becomes useful. I've seen it happen countless times."
"In comic books?" Demitri asked, earning a deep, trembling giggle from Mispy. "Say Rhys, when's the next edition of The Steel Chemist coming out, anyway?"
"Second moon of autumn, why do you—" Rhys shook his head. "It will be useful."
Har's belly abruptly groaned. Shortly after, Ax and Ani joined the chorus.
"I'm with yeh," Gahi said, claws grasping at the scales of his gut.
"I'd ask to use our Badges if it wouldn't just be a waste of the power," Owen said, looking at his supplies.
"I can't find the exit," Har eventually reported, absently clutching at a bit of scales on his belly. "I'm gonna starve to death if this keeps up."
"Oh, quit exaggerating," Ani said, rapping a vine at Har's shoulder. "How far did you check?"
"I have no idea," Har said. "It almost feels like I can't look too far before it gets… blurry and weird. But that can't be right, so maybe I'm just tired and it's messing with my Perception."
Rhys paused. "Hold on," he said, looking through their inventory.
"What's gonna be useful this time, Rhys?" Har asked with a little smirk.
Rhys glared, pulling out a Badge. He tilted it left and right, and then held it up. After a second, he brought it down again; the little button in the middle glowed faintly. "…We're in a Dungeon."
They all stopped walking and stared at Rhys, and then at his Badge. While Trina's Alloy was not familiar with how Badges worked, Owen was. The indicator light meant that, indeed, they were still within the distortions associated with Dungeon atmospheres.
Owen and Har spoke first. "What?"
"We're in a Dungeon," Rhys repeated. "The Badge is very accurate with this sort of thing. I doubt it is a false reading. The Hot Spot training area has become a Dungeon."
"Th-that's—that's impossible! Right?" Owen looked at the walls. It explained why their walk had been taking so long, but why now? Did they even notice the distortion upon entering, or did it become one while they were inside? Sure, distortions were subtle, but surely they would've noticed it. Then again, with how distracted they all were with the upcoming fight…
"Dungeons don't just form spontaneously," Zena said. "When did the last one form?"
"They had to form somehow," Rhys said in a murmur. "But you're right. A new Dungeon hadn't formed in at least a century. We need to be careful. If this is a fresh Dungeon, the distortions won't be very intense, but that can change very soon. It hasn't been blessed by Anam. We should leave before the distortions become something to worry about. I'd rather not lose you all here. Now, Owen, do you have your Badge with you?"
"Yeah, I think we all do. That's more than enough charge to bring everyone back if we just use… three, right?"
Rhys nodded. "We will perform an emergency exit. Keep all of your belongings near you, please."
Har and the others looked themselves over. Having no belongings, they just stared expectantly at Rhys.
"Er, of course."
He, Mispy, and Owen pressed their Badges and held them toward the ceiling. In a flash of light, they vanished from Hot Spot Dungeon and reappeared next to Valle in the town square. Based on the cavern's glow, more time had passed than they thought. The mushrooms were a lot dimmer in the Dungeon area compared to here, suggesting that it was getting close to early evening.
"You disappeared," Valle greeted.
"Yeah, for some reason the training area became a Dungeon," Owen said.
"That is abnormal."
"Yeah, really abnormal, actually," Owen said. "When did we disappear?"
"Near the midpoint between here and the training area."
"Pretty far into the caves," Owen translated for Trina's Alloy. "Hmm… that's not good…" He turned to Rhys. "Did Nevren ever get any theories on why Dungeons appear?"
"A few, but I can't be certain unless we ask him. Eon actually was trying to figure out the same thing, before, well, they severed their alliance with one another." The Lucario crossed his arms, pensive. "Perhaps this new data point is what he would need. Valle, where is Nevren?"
"He, with Anam, disappeared into the same Dungeon."
"Wait—they were trying to find us?" Owen said. "And we missed them?"
"Anam wanted to go on a stroll. I do not know why."
"Bah, want me ter go get 'em?" Gahi asked, fishing around for his own Badge. "Figure I can just fly along and pass the message. Figure I'll also be able ter tell 'em myself in no time."
"No, no, that won't be necessary," Rhys said. "May I borrow your Badge? I will look for them. You all should stay back and eat with your counterparts."
Har snorted. "I was kinda looking forward to your cooking," he said. "I haven't had it in a really long time."
"Ah, well…" Rhys' aura sensors drooped slightly.
"It's alright," Owen said. "Elder can tell us how to cook instead!"
"Ah! Brilliant," Rhys said, nodding. "He will gladly help with cooking. Does that sound fun to you all?"
"Kinda," Ani admitted, glancing at the others. "What do you think, Lygo?"
"Sure," the Flygon said. "Maybe we can have a cook-off! We may've lost the battle, but I bet we can cook better than you guys."
"Oh please, what's a buncha bug-followers got over us?" Gahi said, crossing his arms. "I bet we can copy some random food in Kilo Village'n beat you."
Demitri tittered nervously. "Um, actually, l-let's not butt heads so soon." He looked at Ax, who had been unconsciously sharpening his axes with his claws. He squeaked and hid behind Mispy, who glared at the Haxorus copy.
"What?" Ax said, plucking out one of his axes. "I was getting it ready for slicing berries."
"Slicing…" Demitri's eyes flashed with interest. "That's right! I could totally use my tusks for easy cutting! A-after I wash them, first." He poked his claws together, the light of recollection sloly filling his eyes. "I think I remember… being really into cooking before, right?"
"You were," Rhys confirmed. "Always trying new dishes, actually, each time I made one. You'd try to replicate it."
Demitri's tail twitched and he played with his claws a bit more. "I don't think I was any good at it, though."
Mispy bumped her snout against Demitri's shoulder, shaking her head. "They were good."
"Mispy loved anything you cooked," Rhys said. "I'd argue she enjoyed your cooking more than anybody else."
Mispy hummed, agreeing, and that made the Haxorus straighten his stance. "Then what're we waiting for? Let's get cooking!"
Rhys smiled, trying his best to keep his tail from wagging, and departed to find Anam. Meanwhile, Trina's Ax and Ani watched Demitri and Mispy with mild fascination. "We could've been like that?" Ax said to Ani.
"Still weird," Ani said. "I don't get why Mispy barely talks, either. Is something wrong with her?"
"Something's wrong with all of them," Lygo said, rolling his eyes. "But you know what?" He motioned for them to look at Har's tail. "This is the happiest I've seen Har in a while. Let's keep this up, alright?"
Ax and Ani blinked at the cheerful flame, but then looked at Har's frowning face. Ani groaned. "He's trying to be cool."
Ax rubbed his forehead. "Charizard can't mask their emotions to save their lives."
Now that he was aware of the distortion, it was clear when he passed into Hot Spot Dungeon. The usual, vertical wall of water-like ripples of light—like a giant soap bubble—spanned the entire corridor, and once he passed through, the mushrooms dimmed instantly after passage.
Without Anam's blessings to keep the Dungeon structured, he was unsure of what to expect. Thankfully, because of how young the Dungeon was, he didn't expect the twisted space to be anything to worry about. Perhaps it would be even more benign than the average blessed Dungeon?
After a mere five steps inside, a sudden chill ran down Rhys' fur. The aura sensors on the back of his head felt squeezed. Rhys winced, trying to deafen his own senses, and looked around. What was that? It felt like Anam, but… different. He rarely felt that sort of pulse unless Anam's aura was unstable. That often happened when he had to actually fight seriously. Rhys couldn't remember the last time that had happened.
"Anam?" Rhys mumbled, quickening his pace.
Just in front of Rhys, on the ground, a black splotch formed in the rocks. He stopped, staring at it. Out of paranoia, he formed an Aura Sphere in his paws.
At first, it was only the size of an Oran Berry, but then it expanded until it was as big as his head. And then bigger, until it was nearly half his size. Rhys stepped back, taking aim.
A shapeless, black blob rose out from the ground and lunged at Rhys. "Ngh—" He immediately fired.
It exploded on contact. The inky blackness it was made of went in all directions. Rhys held up an aura shield to block any of it from getting on him, but it didn't matter. The blackness evaporated into nothing.
It occurred to Rhys that if that was one of Anam's Ghost spirits, his Aura Sphere would have been useless. Realizing that a brisk walk was no longer warranted, he sped through the Dungeon in a full sprint.
A few more black splotches appeared near the middle of the caverns again. Rhys jumped over them, looking back to see more of those strange things form within. They were mostly blobs, but some of them struggled to form more complex shapes. There wasn't enough time to determine what they had become. He stared ahead and saw three more rise before he had the chance to go past them.
Not wanting to risk making contact, he fired another Aura Sphere at the middle blob. While that one exploded, the two remaining ones slid toward Rhys and expelled a ring of darkness in all directions. Rhys didn't react quickly enough; the darkness sank into his fur and the skin beneath, eating away at it. He yelped and jumped away, clutching at his abdomen. It was a good thing he packed his bag. He grabbed an Oran Berry and chomped down. With his free paw, he fired another wad of aura at the darkness.
The third one showed no fear. It advanced toward Rhys, shooting another ring of darkness out toward him. Rhys held out an aura shield, but his surprise doubled when the dark ring ate through the aura matter like flames on butter. His paws instantly felt like they were burned all the way to the bone. Hissing, he pulled away and fired a final Aura Sphere.
In an explosion of darkness, it evaporated. Rhys grunted and stared at his paws, the fur falling away. It felt numb. He grabbed a second Oran Berry, realizing he only had one left after this one. He downed it and advanced, sensing Anam and Nevren once he passed through the next section.
He felt Anam's presence even more strongly, now. But he also felt the looming presence of those blobs again. They seemed so familiar to him, but it had been ages since he'd last seen one. He couldn't recall anything but their familiarity. The term was at the edge of his mind. And then, rounding another corner of the caverns, he spotted—
"There!" Rhys said. "Anam!"
"Hi Rhys!" Anam waved, but then turned his head to the right and blasted a Dragon Pulse straight into another one of the black blobs, disintegrating it instantly.
"Greetings," Nevren said, directing his spoon toward another of the shadows. With a twisting, Psychic blast, it vanished next.
"Anam! I believe we're within a Dungeon that had formed recently. I don't know what these things are, but perhaps that has to do with it. You must bless it!
"I gotta get to the core to do that!" Anam said. "I think it's further in!"
"Then let's go before these things surround us completely," Rhys said, looking at his paws. "I can still feel their attacks, even after the Oran Berry. It's like it ate away at my very aura. No, that's precisely what happened. What are these…?" When he thought about it, they seemed familiar. The memory was so long ago and so faded, though.
"I believe we've encountered something similar long ago," Nevren said. "Ahh, the name, what was the name… Ah! Wraiths. That's what we called them."
That did it. Rhys' fur stood on end, his aura sensors rising on high alert. Flashes of hoards of those shadowy creatures chasing after them from all directions in Dungeons that had been left to run rampant, just like Rotwood Fen where Nevren had found Anam to begin with. "We have to go quickly," he said. "Anam, can you sense the Dungeon's center?"
"It's not too far. Stay behind me!" The Goodra sluggishly advanced, his horn-feelers twitching. Rhys followed at an agonizing pace, readying Aura Spheres for any incoming wraith.
"So! What brings you here, Rhys?" Nevren asked. His eyes glowed with a readied Psychic, just in case a wraith tried to catch them by surprise.
"Ironically, this Dungeon," Rhys replied. "The two Alloys had a sparring match here not long ago. We didn't realize we were in a Dungeon until our walk back was… significantly longer than our walk in. A check of our Badge and it all became clear. It's no wonder ferals get lost within them. We could hardly notice!"
A wraith pounced at Rhys from behind. Nevren's eyes flashed even brighter and the wraith spiraled away, slamming into the wall. It splattered and evaporated.
"Thank you," Rhys said, hanging his head in embarrassment.
"Not too far now," Anam announced. The horns on his head throbbed uncomfortably. "Definitely close."
"Quite nostalgic, this," said Nevren. "We haven't gone on a blessing exploration in generations."
"Dungeons haven't been appearing for just as long," Rhys said. "Nevren, do you have any guesses on why they appear when they do?"
"I'm beginning to form a theory from this new datum," Nevren said. "Could it have to do with Mystic power? Perhaps. But I will wait until we have this all taken care of before I divulge that. I'd rather not distract us when—"
Rhys fired an Aura Sphere just above Nevren's head. A wraith had dropped from the ceiling, threatening to engulf him if Rhys had been a split-second too late.
"Yes, quite like that," Nevren replied. "Thank you."
Rhys continued on his walk, occasionally glancing at Anam. He had been walking uncomfortably slowly for a while, as if something was holding him back, or something was troubling him. Perhaps he just felt the pressure of another blessing after such a long time. These wraiths were certainly frightening—perhaps Anam was just trying to put on a brave face for them.
Anam suddenly stopped, pointing a stubby arm forward. "There."
A strange, black fog filled the area ahead. A distortion was far down the hall in the opposite direction, indicating the way out of the dungeon. The twisted dimensions would return them either to the opposite side of the cavern they had entered, or back where they came from, depending on how the Dungeon's layout behaved. Since it wasn't blessed, there was no way to control this.
But they weren't going for the exit. They had to wade through another part of the Dungeon, through the cloud of black fog.
"This is usually the part where only you advance, is it not?" Nevren said.
"It's too dangerous for you to go any closer," Anam said. "I need to go, um, on my own. Just for a little bit, so I can bless it from the inside."
"I'd like to come with you this time," Nevren said.
"I as well," Rhys said. "It has been a while. You might need extra protection."
"No," Anam said.
"I'm afraid I'm not giving you a choice in the matter," Nevren replied. "You will let us come with you, yes?"
"N…" Anam struggled with his own words.
Rhys watched Anam curiously. "Anam? Are you okay?"
"Anam," Nevren said.
"N… okay," Anam said. "But be careful! If a wraith gets you… and pulls you under… I…"
"I'm sure we will be fine," Rhys said.
"Mmgg…" He nodded and reluctantly advanced. "Stay close to me," he said. "The clouds are bad for you."
Anam held his arms out, forming what seemed to be a bubble of radiant, golden light. It was too dim to be Protect, yet Rhys felt just as secure within, at least from the darkness. When Anam stepped toward the clouds, they parted away, fizzling when they got too close to the light. Rhys saw wraiths in the walls, staring at them—at least, he imagined they were staring. Without faces or any definable features, it was hard to tell what they were doing. But he could feel their gaze nonetheless.
"Anam," Rhys said. "What are these things, truly? You seem to know quite a bit about them. Are they just known as wraiths?"
"Shh," Anam said, waving him down. "They're angry…"
Rhys stopped. "What?"
The black clouds whispered incomprehensibly.
The Lucario's fur stood on end, aura sensors throbbing in pain. "I've never had such a sensation in a while," he said, digging through his bag. He pulled out a scarf and wrapped it around the back of his head like a reverse-veil. He sighed. "Much better."
"Rhys, what is that?" Nevren asked.
"Thick-Aura Scarf. If my senses are ever overwhelmed, this helps to block it."
"Why in the world do you carry that with you?"
"It could've been useful. It's only a cloth."
"You truly must keep your hoarding tendencies in check."
"It's not hoarding," Rhys said. "I'm merely being thorough. I collect important artifacts."
"My Looplet prototypes are next to useless, yet you refuse to part with them," Nevren said.
"Perhaps one day it will be useful." Rhys stuck his nose in the air.
"And perhaps I should set you up for a therapy routine," Nevren muttered.
Anam suddenly stopped walking. "We're here," he said.
The whispers were overwhelmingly loud here—almost like yelling. Rhys was glad for his scarf. "I've never been to a core like this before," Rhys said. "What is all of this? It's never been like this before."
"They're mad…" Anam said. "I'll calm them." Anam raised his arms in the air, and then his horns. This was followed by twenty-one tendrils of light sprouting from his back. He took a deep breath, and then released it. "May your spirits… find peace," he mumbled.
A pulse of light emanated from him, passing right through Nevren and Rhys. It expanded into the dark clouds—they all shrieked and backed away, but the pulse advanced too quickly. They dissolved upon contact.
Rhys noticed Anam's body briefly darken.
Seconds later, Anam was back to normal. The golden tendrils retracted into him and the Goodra spun around, grinning. "All done! The Dungeon is nice and stable!"
"Impressive," Nevren said, nodding.
"Yup!"
"Well, if that's the case, we should leave," Nevren said. "Why don't we advance to the exit of this Dungeon? We can use our Badges for a routine warp to Hot Spot afterward. We have our Waypoints configured for there, yes?"
"I do," Rhys confirmed.
Nevren made a sudden, strange movement toward Anam, like a half-glance, half-gesture. "Should we get going, Anam?" he asked. He slipped his hand into his bag, as if feeling for an item aside from his Badge. Rhys caught a glimpse of a second Badge with a dim, gray center.
"Nevren, you aren't nervous about this place, are you?" Rhys asked. "You've been grasping at your lucky charm quite often."
"Ah, I apologize," Nevren said. "I suppose I am just trying to be careful."
"It's still very odd that you're so superstitious," Rhys said. "How could a Pokémon of science like you wind up believing in a lucky charm?"
"How could someone so diligent such as you wind up with an endless pile of expired Pecha Berries?" Nevren countered evenly.
"Rrgh." Rhys turned around. "Let's go." He reached for his scarf.
"Ah, Rhys—"
"Yes?" Rhys asked, taking the scarf off.
He was almost instantly hit by the intense, flaring aura of Anam. He nearly put it back on. "An—Anam, are you okay?" he said.
"Huh? I'm fine!" Anam said.
Nevren stood still. He looked at his lucky charm again. Still gray. "Hrm… This may not be worth the trouble of a few hundred Revisions." He said it under his breath and then slipped the Revisor back into his bag. "I've already tried twenty times. It's quite tiresome. Considering how close we are, this will have to do."
"…Excuse me?" Rhys said. "Nevren?" He winced at the flaring aura. It was as if Anam was fighting against something, yet he stood completely still. "Anam, has this blessing destabilized your aura?"
"No… it's not that…" Anam said. "I'm just fine! This Dungeon wasn't bad at all! It was a tiny one. C'mon! Let's go home!"
"Anam, you're acting strangely," Rhys turned around completely, facing them. Nevren stood still.
Anam just kept smiling. Rhys squinted, stepping a bit closer. "Anam…?"
The Goodra's smiling expression faltered. But then he nibbled his hands nervously. "It's okay, Rhys. Nothing's the matter."
Nevren's hand was hovering over a peculiar, blue badge. Rhys eyed this. His lucky charm. "Nevren," Rhys said, "do you know what's wrong with Anam?"
Nevren was quiet. His face held no expression, as usual when in private. His typical, friendly demeanor was tucked away for when it was needed. Right now, it was not necessary. In fact, the façade was not necessary, either. Rhys would have been the first to find out, anyway, along with Elder.
Rhys looked back at Anam. He took a tentative step closer. No, his aura was all wrong. "You're unusually happy after a blessing. You're much more somber most of the time, if I remember correctly. What changed, Anam?"
"Umm…. I dunno!" Anam said. "I just am! Ha ha!"
Rhys stepped directly toward Anam, craning his neck to look directly at his face.
That's when he saw it. Despite Anam's cheerful smile, there were thick, gooey tears streaming down his face, mixed with the slime of his body.
"Are you okay?" Anam asked. "Aww, cheer up! Everything's fine!"
"That will do, Anam," Nevren said, tapping his two spoons together.
Anam suddenly stiffened; his expression washed away, and he stood still, silent, and neutral. Tears continued to stream down his face, but he did not act.
Rhys stood still. "…Anam…" The walls felt far away. It was like they were the only things in the world… Rhys, Nevren… and his puppet. "Nevren… you…"
"This outcome is less than ideal." Nevren bowed his head. "…Anam. Subdue him." He flicked his spoon and Anam lunged toward Rhys.