Entering the Threshold (Legally) (2/2)

Thinking about finally having Haalfrin in his fortress, Fisco has some complicated feelings. Back when Fisco was a newly instated commander, he had heard that a talented young 3rd gate mage (who happens to be a god candidate) was getting ready to join him in service here… only for the very man to turn into a mass murderer and try to run away from his duty.

After Haalfrin had been locked up in the Pit, Fisco spent many days in a terrible mood. He doesn't care how powerful that man may be; it's always disappointing when someone you previously looked up to turns out to be a spineless coward.

Then, the next Fisco heard of Haalfrin, the man emerged from the World gate and literally bashed his way through the fortress. The encounter was so random that even to this day, Fisco doesn't know what to think of it.

Then, he learned through Freyya's message that she had instructed Haalfrin to break through his fortress. That makes a bit more sense. 'I'm curious what he was told to do..., but it's none of my business.'

Fisco sighs as all these thoughts swirl in his head. He paces back and forth as his blood is boiling a little. 'I know that dragon slayer has the emperor's slave collar on… I hate the idea of that old snake owning a dog in my very own fortress! I'm the only one allowed to have spies around!'

So, Fisco immediately contacts some of his spies in the emperor's palace, and he orders them to find the other end of Haalfrin's leash. They are to copy the imprint of the collar so that Fisco, too, can handle Haalfrin's slave collar.

'I'd hate to have a man that powerful run around my fortress with the emperor holding his leash.'

Fisco nods his head and finally feels at ease with the situation; he trusts his subordinates well enough to get the job done. He should have the activation sequence for Haalfrin's slave collar by the time the man himself arrives – just in case the convict goes crazy again.

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Because Haalfrin had been traveling too high above the ground to get into any trouble with the locals, he has no chance to meet Freyya at all; thus, he has no idea that she's been setting things up for his arrival behind the scenes.

So, he makes his journey up to the Threshold while anxiously thinking of ways to convince Commander Fisco to "pretty please" treat his leg – especially after he had recently smashed the place up.

After making an enemy out of them, it doesn't make sense for them to just invite him in, right?

Then, he shrugs, "Well, I guess it doesn't matter if they turn on me. Mind as well just show up and wing it."

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So, about a week passes by, and he arrives at the Threshold. Once they get in sight of the place, Frey gets a little shy and says, "I'll hide in your Aura. Don't tell anyone about me."

"Sure, sure." Expecting this, Haalfrin already has a bottle made of spirit stone prepared. It's a relic he traded for with one of the clans he met.

These bottles are precious items used to contain spirits. However, Haalfrin uses it to contain little pockets of Death Aura. Frey can easily meld into this Aura - hiding herself compeltely.

"Just tap the bottle when you want to get out," Haalfrin instructs her as she touches it and disappears in a puff of black mist.

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Remembering where he saw the Coyote clan leaving the Threshold when he first met them, he flies down, lands on the ground, stores away his armor, and confidently wants up to the large gate hidden under an illusion spell.

Unlike humans, the Rehkin are (as a race) completely restricted to being spirit mages (albeit, the BEST spirit mages in existence); hence, they don't have easy access to illusion-breaking spells.

Thus, simple illusions that Haalfrin can easily see through are very effective against the Rehkin – the most common enemy seen attacking these walls.

While casually thinking about the tactical use of casting illusions on the defenses and the possibilities of bypassing it with only spirit magic, Haalfrin walks up to the gate and knocks loudly on it.

He doesn't have an appointment with the place AND it's the dead of night, so he braces himself for a million arrows and mana cannons pointed at him.

Instead, he sees an orange mana crystal light up on the door, and a woman's voice blares out, "Name?"

"Haalfrin," he answers.

"…Hold please…" Haalfrin waits for a moment before the voice the woman speaks up again, "I'm connecting you to Commander Fisco on a private line."

Suddenly the mana stone flickers, and the voice changes into a man's. "Haalfrin, I expected you to come a lot sooner; you bear the emperor's slave collar, after all. You came to join the Threshold, right?"

"…Would you really just let me through?" Haalfrin scoffs.

"Well," Fisco says, "I don't want to, but I have my orders."

Haalfrin rolls his eyes, "You have a few things wrong. I'm not here to join." He rolls up his pantleg and points at the wooden leg on his left knee. "I want you all to grow my leg back."

"…" ~ Fisco

"…" ~ Haalfrin

There is dead silence as they both wait for the other to speak. Finally, after his brain finishes buffering, Fisco says, "I'll have my people heal your injuries in exchange for your service in the Threshold."

Haalfrin crosses his arms and sighs, "Sir, I have an appointment to keep. I can't afford to waste time sitting around playing guard for the rest of my life. Ask for something else."

"What kind of appointment? Depending on what it is, I'll accommodate you."

Shrugging, Haalfrin says, "I have an appointment with Freyya's basement. Lord Fheldin volunteered to duel me to the death once my leg is healed."

"…" ~ Fisco

"…" ~ Haalfrin

"…Fine," Fisco relents, "How about 100 years? Including the treatment time, you'll serve me for 100 years. Then, you're free to go."

Haalfrin spends a few minutes considering his options. Finally, he asks, "How can I guarantee you'll let me go after 100 years?"

"How can I guarantee you'll serve your time here after your leg is healed?" Fisco retorts. "You're a loose cannon who does what he wants. You're lucky that you're powerful enough to make you worth the trouble of wrangling in."

After a few more minutes of consideration, Fisco suggests, "We could share our Syl Names."

Just like how sharing your Yiir Names with a person will entangle your Fates together, sharing your Syl Names allows you to set unbreakable rules between you two. People do it sometimes to absolutely guarantee honesty between each other.

Sadly, Haalfrin shakes his head and says, "I have 5 Names; the only one of the 6 mortal Names I'm missing is Syl. I'm sorry."

Fisco lets out a disappointed sigh. "Ugh… Fine. We'll just have to trust each other."

"Trust isn't good enough," Haalfrin narrows his eyes.

Fisco spits out immediately, "If I wanted to hold you back, you could probably break your way out of the Threshold any time you want to. As for me… well, I have a gift from the Crow goddess."

Haalfrin jolts even more awake. "…What?"

"Yeah," Fisco announces, "I realized by the way you were talking that you don't actually know yet. It seems goddess Freyya has been unable to get ahold of you, so she left a message with me. Come inside and you'll know what I'm talking about."

Haalfrin nods to his agreement, and immediately, the gates swing open. Haalfrin stands up straight, and he heads into the deep dark of the cavern below the mountain.

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Honestly, Fisco would have preferred to not let Freyya's token be what convinces Haalfrin to stay; he doesn't know how close Haalfrin and Freyya are; hence, he doesn't know how willing Haalfrin is to listen to the wish she's stated in her token.

On the other hand, Fisco has a personal hatred for slavery; he'd rather not use the slave collar unless Haalfrin does something truly evil in his fortress.

With all other options out of reach, Fisco can only open the gates and trust his gut feeling that Haalfrin will keep his word.