Behind the curtains
There are a lot of people around, we won't be able to fight back or run away… that kid tricked me!
Where is he?
- Who are you? And why are you interested in the earth's blessing bearer? (Kaule)
- I apologize for the lack of politeness, but we will talk calmly if you follow us, as we cannot stay here in the kingdom for long…
- First tell us who you are and we will go! (Me)
It's like Scaren said, even in front of me I can't feel her presence! It's not something an average player could do...
- … right…
She and everyone else take off their hood and show us their face… is she a fish woman?
Her skin has scales and gills, but she can breathe air too, smooth skin in various shades of blue.
It must be an aquatic lineage of the Neromi breed.
- My name is Quinnea, I am of the Aqualanders race and I am the chief guardian of the aquatic temple of Sathiris, the Primal Imeruani of the Nature of Water. And he sent me to call you because he wants to talk to you!
- The Water Titan? (Raild)
- Thyrus' brother wants to talk to me?
- So you're the big stone's brother? (Adrick)
- Master, what's going on? Do you know them? (Lahri)
Damn, I don't think I explained this part to Lahri yet...
- It's okay, they just want to talk to us.
I must go as it is my duty to explain Thyrus' situation to him.
- Do you think we should go, Lyunil? (Kaule)
- Yes.
Kaule ended up accepting my choice. Unlike before, which we thought was some guild trying to intimidate us, this subject is something beyond the Tower game, which must be why they can't stay here in the realm for long.
- I appreciate the understanding, so follow me please. (Quinnea)
***
She guided us away from where our house is. After a long walk, we arrived in the Trinity harbor area. Wait… weren't we in a region surrounded by forests?!
I remember very well that when I first encountered the Tower there were only trees around!
Where did the ocean come from?
…
Perhaps the kingdom has grown so much that it has ended up on the coast of the mainland… Wow… what we can call a thriving kingdom in such a short time! Or was it us who slept for several years? But I still look the same...
- Master, did something happen? (Lahri)
- Hmm?... Ah! Nothing happened, I was just thinking how big this kingdom is!
- That's true! Who would have thought that all this was hidden behind a small mountain pass?! (Lahri)
What? Passing a mountain?
I don't remember that!
Did she come the other way?
But there were no mountains around…
- We reached the edge of the kingdom, now we will take you in our transport, please wait and rest for a while. (Quinnea)
It's already dark enough, the lights of the kingdom's lampposts lit up with magic, but I would say that the moon is the one most illuminating our path.
They started to prepare something, but something seems to be wrong… they went towards some ropes that were attached to the pier, but they were broken and with signs that it had been burned. They began to make expressions of concern and anger.
Then one of her guards who had been watching came over to Quinnea and whispered something that made her look angry.
Surely something happened!
But before I could try to figure it out, the problem came effortlessly...
- Well, well, well, if it's not the little fish out of water!
A tall guy and… on fire?
He appeared at the entrance to the port with the expression of someone who has managed to trap a rabbit…
Seriously, is he okay? He's on fire!!!
- What are you doing here, you walking candle!? (Quinnea)
- Your head is on fire, man!! (Adrick)
- Don't worry, dear dwarf! I'm just like that, a hot guy / Wink!/ . I am Fulg and I am of the Vulcan race and Chief Guardian of the Fire Temple!! (Fulg)
He got closer and closer, and I could see better what he looks like, he really is very different from a human or Neromi, there are no animal traces in him, but elementals, it's like a humanoid fire elemental...
His skin is red mixed with black, with a vibrant ember color. And he also brought friends... a lot of friends!...
The harbor seems to have split into two sides and you could feel the hostility and rivalry in the air, a gang fight seems to be about to break out and we're in the middle of it.
- Go away, we don't want to discuss any matter with you! (Quinnea)
- Much less us! We are here about the carrier and you know very well why! Master Phybos to speak to him!! (Fulg)
Master Phybos?
Does...
- We came to talk to him first! Tell the Fire Titan to wait her turn! (Quinnea)
- This is a decision he must make and not you! And don't address my master like that, unlike the Water Titan, the master isn't cowardly enough to use dirty tricks! (Fulg)
- You will pay for insulting the master Sathiris, idiot human torch! (Quinnea)
- Say the same, annoying amphibians! (Fulg)
Lahri pulled me to get my attention.
- ~Master, we better get out of here before a war breaks out…~ (Lahri)
I looked at her and the others and they seemed to agree with the idea.
It seems like there's no way...
- The two children can't stay a second together, they're already causing a mess!!
What?! Whose voice is this?!
Suddenly, a tremor arose in the place where we are, and the ground started to split in half dividing the two groups and from the ground emerged between Quinnea and Fulg… a stone golem… huge!…
- Wait! It's not what you are thinking! (Quinnea)
- Yes... we were just talking!... (Fulg)
- Do you think I'm an idiot?
The golem grabbed them both by the head and lifted them off the ground.
That…
He will crush their heads!
What a fear!... (º □ º l|l)
- Ouch! Ouch! (Quinnea and Fulg)
- I hope you don't cause more mess, or I'll be more severe next time! And may this serve as a lesson for everyone here!
All the soldiers around were scared and embarrassed and that hostility they had ended up quickly disappearing! Looks like this stone golem managed to control the whole messy situation!
- You guys!
He turned and looked at us, dropped them both to the ground and came over to us!
- Nn-we ?
We were really scared, but…
- I apologize for the mess, I didn't want to scare you, but it's the only way those children learn to behave!
- Children?...
- N-no problem! And- these kids these days are pretty complicated, right?! He he """"^ ^)/ (Raild)
- But they're older than you! (Adrick)
Raild slapped Adrick on the head, as usual.
But Adrick may not have felt it, as usual.
- I am Grundar, I am a stone golem made by my master and father Thyrus, the Earth Titan, it is a pleasure to meet you. (Grundar)
- It's our pleasure! My name is Lyunil. And about the Earth Titan I…
- Do not worry. We already know what happened, besides, all who are his children felt the pain of his departure on the day of his death. But the fairy queen has told us the details and so we know you are the bearer of Earth's blessing. And I can also feel my master's presence in you. (Grundar)
- I'm sorry for what happened and I had been so rude to him, I didn't know who he really was...
- Don't worry, it was inevitable that this moment would come, after all that was the destiny he chose, but I am happy to know that he managed to fulfill one of the last wishes he kept. (Grundar)
- You talk about the prophecy?
- Haha ha. The word prophecy was always an exaggeration of the master! What he really wanted was to find someone who could help him save his family… (Grundar)
- And that someone would be me?! But how am I going to do this?
- Not even Master Thyrus should know the answer, much less me, but if he trusted you it's because it couldn't be someone else, you'll end up knowing what to do. (Grundar)
- I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but could you explain to us why we are here, Mr Grundar?! (Raild)
- Right! I believe these two came to bother you because of a problem that happened a few days ago… (Grundar)
- Problem? (Kaule)
- The Sacris of the Titan of Water and the Titan of Fire were taken. (Grundar)
- WHAT?!
- Who made this? (Kaule)
- What is a Sacri?! (Lahri)
I need to explain the situation to Lahri as soon as possible...
- Nobody knows how this happened, but both sides started blaming the other and now it seems that the rivalry between them has increased a lot! As I was created by Master Thyrus to stop the fights between the Titan of Water and Fire, so it's my duty to control them, but they never seem to learn... (Grundar)
We all looked at Quinnea and Fulg, it looks like they were already facing each other and arguing again...
- Looks like they were born to fight with each other. (Adrick)
- Unfortunately it's true, but this is because of their masters' personality, the two brothers always fight with each other and it seems that this feeling was transmitted to their children as well. And as Master Thyrus always separated their fight, I also inherited that attitude. That's why between the oceans and the magma in the center of the planet is a region of rock and earth. (Grundar)
- It makes sense!... (Kaule)
- Could it be that this is also why the lava, when it comes into contact with water, turns into rock? (Raild)
- And they came to us to ask for help? Do they want us to look for the Sacris of the Thyrus brothers?
- Yes! Please! (Quinnea and Fulg)
- You know the importance of this stone for the Imeruani! (Quinnea)
- If blessing is power, Sacri is the soul of a Titan! Losing them is like putting the Titan's life at risk! (Fulg)
- … Yes it is true…
I didn't know at that time how important the stone was, yet Brother Thyrus gave it to me to hesitate... Why do you trust me so much, Brother Thyrus?! And I treated you with contempt that first time we met.
- Wouldn't it be someone from the Tower who did this to them? After all, the earth titan was hidden in the forest so they wouldn't find him! (Raild)
- The conditions that master Thyrus lived are different from the conditions of the Titans of Water, Earth and Air... The master was the only one who did not want to make a deal with their older brothers, he did not accept the ideas of the Titan of Chaos and Destruction and so he resisted, but ended up being persecuted for the rest of his life. The three other nature titans have signed a submission agreement and are therefore not persecuted, but must obey the Tower's master. (Grundar)
- We don't like it either, and we want to have the chance to free our masters! (Fulg)
- But the strength of the Titan of Chaos is great enough to make even our masters afraid. (Quinnea)
…
Suddenly a feeling of anguish invaded the place... just thinking about the Imeruani of Destruction made us feel like this...
- Right! We will help you! All right, guys? (Me)
I looked at the others and they nodded, only Lahri who still seems to be a little confused...
- Serious?! (Fulg)
- Thank you!! (Quinnea)
Looks like they were really happy to hear that.
- Thanks for your help, boy! But I ask you to be careful and not to reveal what happened here to anyone, according to the orders we must follow, we cannot interfere in the Tower game and everything that has to do with it. So we had to develop our own ways to be able to come here without anyone noticing. (Grundar)
- I understood…
That explains a lot! The fact that we cannot feel their presence, that they are not registered in the Tower, and that they cannot stay here in the realm.
- Thanks again for helping us with this! We'll come back here in this same place a month from now to find out how your search turned out, Master Lyunil! (Grundar)
Master Lyunil?
- But… (Quinnea and Fulg)
- Everyone else goes back to their homes and waits until Master Lyunil manages to find clues about the Sacris! If anyone leaves without my permission they will be punished by the Titan of Air, Ms. Alest!! Got it?! (Grundar)
It seems that everyone was scared just hearing the name of the Imeruani do Ar and agreed without hesitation, although their faces showed an expression of sadness...
I think it must be frustrating for them not to be able to do anything knowing that their masters' lives are at risk...
- It seems that everything is decided, Master Lyunil. We wish you luck in your quest! (Grundar)
- I still have several doubts about the Imeruani, but in order not to occupy your time, I would like to ask you about just one thing...
- And what would it be? (Grundar)
- The boy you sent to call me for this meeting said he would tell me about my class if I came, could any of you explain to me about the Zhokin class, please?! "^^)>
- Boy? (Quinnea)
- Class? (Fulg)
- Hmm? You do not know?
They shook their heads negatively…
- My group didn't send any boy to call you. (Quinnea)
- Nor mine… (Fulg)
- You mean that…
- I think this boy you are talking about is someone who is part of the Tower game. (Grundar)
- But I was sure he was part of the group of you who were chasing us!
- Chasing?! You mean these two idiots had you chased?! (Grundar)
The golem looked in their direction and asked this question in a menacing voice...
- That's not what you're thinking… " ^^)> (Fulg and Quinnea)
- We were just waiting for an opportunity to talk to him… (Fulg)
- Yes… but we only got the ideal moment after today's challenge… (Quinnea)
You mean that boy who knows my secrets isn't part of their group ?...
- But did you see if someone else was chasing us? (Kaule)
- No, there was only the people from my group and from the firehead! (Quinnea)
- I say the same as the little fish! (Fulg)
- It must have been someone who was just trying to piss you off, Lyunil. You have to be more careful with the teasing of others, he must have seen your class just like we do with the tool Daizou gave us. (Raild)
- Did he just want to get the master's attention? (Lahri)
- Then we can go back to the house and eat without any more worries!! (Adrick)
It's not that simple, even though I blocked the view of my level for others he also knew that I'm at the maximum level… I mean he's more dangerous than I thought. Can he discover hidden things about others without having to peek? Does he have any special abilities ?...
Anyway, I'll have to find out about this myself some other time, but now we just got ready to go home and said goodbye to them.
- I hope everything goes well with you. Good luck to all of you and see you next time! (Grundar)
- Bye and thank you very much for your help! We are counting on you! (Quinnea and Fulg)
Sometimes it seems like they manage to stay in good sync. Impressive…
- Well, I have to go back to the temple, there's a lot to do!... (Fulg)
- I need it too, there's a lot of accumulated work!... (Quinnea)
- You're not going anywhere, I still need to know more about chasing Master Lyunil! ^^) (Grundar)
And he grabbed their heads again before they left.
My friends and I decided to leave the port before seeing what would happen to the two…
***
Returning to our house, we took the opportunity to eat and rest. Lahri wanted to help me in the kitchen and the time we were able to enjoy together was good to forget a little about the problems running through my head… but today's defeat is something that will continue to haunt me for some time.
At bedtime, each went to the room that was previously defined. But I decided to stay a little in the backyard, leaning against the porch fence, looking at the starry sky and the full moon, thinking about everything that happened...
I thought that with the power I ended up getting it would be a great help and that I wouldn't have any problems, but I was very wrong... That mysterious guy called Keinf, wanted my sword and could easily have taken it from me... Brody managed to fight against my best without activating any abilities and left me quite hurt… Quinnea and Fulg managed to chase us down without me noticing their presence, while Daizou knew about them… and there's that boy who knows about me just from seeing me that time…
This place is full of dangerous people and if I don't do anything I'll end up losing everything that's important to me in the blink of an eye.
- Master?... Are you there?! (Lahri)
Suddenly I hear Lahri's voice coming up to the balcony in the back yard.
***
PoV - Lahri
- I thought you were sleeping in your room. Did something happen? (Lyunil)
So he really came here.
- Nothing happened, but I thought you would be somewhere far from the bed after everything that happened!
- Looks like you know me well… ^ ^)>
- Do you still feel bad about the result of today's challenge? Or are your wounds still hurting?
- I'm fine and my wounds aren't hurting too much!
-~...Liar...~
- And you also couldn't sleep because of everything that happened today? I should have explained to you before about this Titan thing and everything, I apologize for the confusion!
- No, no problem. I imagine you have your personal reasons and problems, I don't want to intrude!
- In fact this ended up happening kind of unintentionally… ""^^)
- Ah…
…
There was a sudden silence.
I know I wanted to come here to see if he's really okay, but I can't stop thinking about what Kaule told me about what I think of Lyunil. I ended up coming here just because I accidentally thought of him... what do I really think of him?...
- Lahri...
- Y-yes ?!
- Today I realized how weak I am and I know you wouldn't trust what I said about protecting you after seeing how I acted today...
What?
Is that what he's worried about?
He almost died twice and a lot of trouble fell on his head, and he's worried about that?
- ... but I promise you that I'll get even stronger, to prove to you that what I said is true!
Without me noticing, hearing that made my body feel something that I can't explain what it is!
He then fixed his eyes on me and I could see that serious expression again...
- That's why I ask you, please, that you still trust me a little, I won't fail again!
/Doki Doki!/
Did my heart start pounding? Why is this happening?!
Does… ( 0 //////////0)
It can't be true!
But…
Deep down he must be suffering more than he lets show… and after all he's done for me, for giving me this chance to be with them in this guild, to show me that it's possible to get up the next day without thinking about how much this world is dirty and horrible and how horrible it is to be alive.
I can't let him carry all these burdens he has to carry alone and still have to worry about someone like me!
- You fool…
- What?
I grabbed his hand and held it with both hands covering his hand.
- ...you should worry more about yourself! And… remember that you don't have to work so hard alone… you have people who are here to help you...… including me….
…
He was silent for a few seconds, with a confused face, but then he let out that same smile of his and… patted a head like he always did…
- Thank you, Lahri! I count on your help! ^^)
When I noticed what I did and the situation I was in, I quickly let go of his hand and looked away in shame... ( 0 ///////0)
- I-I think I'm going to sleep, l-it's quite late, see you tomorrow!!!!
- Hmm?... See you tomorrow, Lahri! Sleep well!
- Thank you ( 0 //////0)
I went back inside the house and headed towards my room.
My feelings are confusing things... I'm grateful to him for everything he's done for me, but... that doesn't mean I really like him, after all I came to the Tower because of a person, the person I really love...
But for some reason… when I see Lyunil, the way he is reminds me of him…
But I'm pretty sure I've never seen Lyunil before in my life. It must be just a coincidence…
But still… why can't I remember you, Lyuki?!
The only thing that stayed in my memory was your name...
But I will find you, even if I need to climb to the top floor of the Tower!
PoV - Raild
I could see Lahri coming up the stairs with a worried face, but luckily she didn't see me…
I was about to go out to train, but I couldn't help but overhear their conversation…
I clenched my fist tightly and my dissatisfaction with myself only increases every day…
If you say you're weak, Lyuinil… what am I then?!
Once again I had to be saved by you, or that weird guy at the portal would have killed me without me knowing how!
I can't rest thinking about how far I am from doing the minimum to help everyone in the guild. But my trainings are getting ineffective…
I managed to climb some levels training in the forest and today's challenge helped me with a lot of experience. I got some small skills, but I still can't stand beside Lyunil in battle without risking my life!
That way I'll never fix my mistake I made and I won't be able to avenge my friend...
Terry, I don't know what I do anymore! You ended up dying because of me, because I was weak and now nothing has changed and I'm still being saved by others... just like you saved me...
That way… they might end up dying… and I won't be able to do anything again!
…
Wait…
I think I know who can help me!
I will ask Daizou to teach me how to improve my skills!!
I will become stronger even if it costs me everything I have!
And one day I'll be able to save someone!
Repay Lyunil's help…
And kill the bastard who tricked us!
***
PoV - Lyunil
Now that everyone is out of the way, I can take care of the intruder on the roof...
- Didn't you know it's impolite to listen to other people's conversations?!
While I was talking to Lahri, I felt the presence of someone who suddenly appeared, right on the roof of the balcony I'm on now. It's like he purposely wanted me to notice…but it seems like Lahri couldn't figure it out.
- And didn't you know that keeping others waiting is impolite too? In fact, I already knew you wouldn't wait for me!
That voice… is that boy!
- What are you doing here? This area is not allowed to enter by other people who are not from the guild or who have our approval!
- You mean you don't want to talk to me?
- …
I actually wanted to talk to him...
- So perfect, let's take a walk!
He left the roof and landed in front of me. I finally got to see him… and he's showing his face?
It's really a human boy, with light brown hair and eyes. The haircut seems to be very different from what I'm used to and this outfit…
- What is it you are using?
- That? Are you talking about my sweatshirt? I think she's very comfortable...
He's the opposite of an energetic person for sure, he talks like he's down and acts like everything is boring for him.
And this… dark blue sweatshirt ?... I think he was in the same store as Scaren who bought that "jacket"...
- Where do you intend to take me?
- Any place you'd rather chat, or would you rather invite me in for tea?
- Certainly not…
- So, let's go!
***
We walked through the city streets while we talked.
- I'll be brief with you! First, you can call me Zack! Second, you will help me with anything I need! Third, you're going to help me because I have information you want to know and information you don't want me to share! (Zack)
- What?
- Before you ask anything, just see. (Zack)
He showed his skylet to me and on his panel there were pictures of… Fulg, Quinnea and Grundar with us… so he was following us too! But no one noticed him...
How is this possible?
- If you collaborate with me, these images won't end up in unwanted places. (Zack)
- What do you want from me?
- I don't want anything you've got, just a little help with the Tower competition... (Zack)
- Do you really want to win the competition?
- No… I want you to kidnap someone for me! (Zack)
- WHAT? I CAN NOT DO IT!
- Do not scream! This is irritating! It's not just anyone, it's my little sister that I want to rescue, but she wouldn't accept me to come with if I just asked her... (Zack)
- And why don't you leave her alone?! She is here to fulfill her wish!
- She's not here as a player... but I know she's part of the competition, but it still lacks details and that's why I want you to pay attention to my calls and orders, so that the only opportunity we have to find her doesn't pass! (Zack)
- I don't understand, why do you want to do this to her? Wouldn't that make her mad at you?
- She's not here because she wants to. My idiot dad did… terrible things to her. And that's why I'm here to save her and get her back home. (Zack)
He got an angry expression when he mentioned his father, it surprised me to see him like this… it seems he doesn't have a good relationship with his father.
But about his sister, I think I would need to investigate further to understand what he means by that...
- And you just want me to bring her to you? After that will you destroy the photos?
- Rest assured, I am not your enemy. I'm also willing to help you! The photos are just a guarantee that you won't betray me, I'm not interested in your problems. (Zack)
"And what's the guarantee that you're not just trying to use me and then threaten me and threaten my friends?"
- I'm willing to help you with two things: I can explain you about your class and look for those objects you were talking about with those creatures! (Zack)
- What? Are you telling me you can find the Sacris?! Serious?! That would help me a lot!! But you don't even know what they are or what they are...
- Don't worry about it, I have my methods. Besides, there's nothing in the world I can't know. (Zack)
He actually looks pretty confident saying it so seriously without hesitation! But I still have my doubts about him...
Looks like he's just a normal kid who just wants to help his little sister. On the other hand, he gets any kind of information and uses it to his advantage...
- I still can't understand you, but... I want to believe you're not a bad person...
- I appreciate the compliment. (Zack)
- I'm willing to help you in the same way you want to help me. But I still don't understand one thing...
- Why did I choose you? (Zack)
- … Yes…
Can he read minds?
- The first reason is because you're easier to convince than others... (Zack)
- Hey!
- The second reason is because you and I are in the same condition here in the Tower. (Zack)
- What do you mean by that?
- You and I are irregular here inside the Tower, we were not called, but we managed to get into this system! (Zack)
- Irregulars?... System?...
- This world we are in now did not choose us to be here, and yet we are here! (Zack)
- What are you talking about?!
He gave a big sigh...
Does he look like he's disappointed in my questions?
But I don't understand what he means by that...
Then he looked up at the sky and after a few seconds of silence he spoke again.
- Didn't you notice some contradictions about how you and others found the Tower?... (Zack)
- About how I found the Tower? I heard from some informant about this place, that it would be in the middle of the forest…
- And now it's on the coast of a continent near the sea, besides I've heard from other people who had to pass an ice field, underground cave or on an island. (Zack)
Lahri commented on the mountain… what does all this mean?
- Do you know how to locate on the map or tell the region where we are? What is the name of the forest you were looking for at the beginning? (Zack)
- Of course I know, if not, how would I have found it here? We are in…
What was the name again? For some reason I forgot…
- Do you know what you did the day before you saw the Tower for the first time? (Zack)
- Me…
Damn… I knew I was forgetting things, but I can't believe I was affected so much!
- So you mean that the fact that I forget about how things were before my journey in the Tower began and these contradictions that happen have a reason?
.
.
.
He was silent for a few more seconds...
- Do you know how dreams work, Lyunil? (Zack)
- Dreams?...
- In a dream there is no beginning, when you are dreaming your mind does not question itself about the things that happen, because it thinks that what is happening is obvious and it has always been like that… (Zack)
- It can not be…
I was bewildered and almost fell over backwards at the possibility of thinking that.
- Are you telling me... that we are in some kind of dream?!...
- Whether it's a dream or not I don't know. But one thing I know, the things that happen here in this game may not be true, but they are real! (Zack)
He made that serious face again.
- What do you mean by that?...
- … that there is only one "game over". (Zack)