Story's Beginning

Thames sat in his bed, the events of the night still lingering in his head.

I guess I can... Summon my paintings? Or events like them? I had always thought that something like it was possible but wasn't sure and my newer paintings weren't ones I thought very useful. I was lucky 'Redeeming Star' did that. What was that spell Gin used?

He thought deeply, reliving the night again, and staring into the ceiling.

He asked Ode, 'How much are you worth'... What's that even mean? I guess he followed Tenis. Then he made me collapse... But I guess none of that matters since Ode sealed him?

Thames' train of thought trailed off, deciding to forget Gin since trying to make sense of his spells would do him no good. Most magicians had the shared opinion that unless you shared the same ideals you wouldn't be able to understand their magic.

Of course, spells like teleport were an exception since they were widely used, but they weren't common.

Deciding to sleep, he lied down fully and drifted away.

Just a quick nap...

...

The mighty star shined down on the greedy mortal. His judgement heavy, his gaze full of pity, but his heart remained steady.

Another dream... That must be... The Blind Reader? Thames quickly decided on the owner of the inhuman voice; its statement hung in his heart.

Are they talking about Ode and Gin?

He slowly opened his eyes, hoping to find the source of the voice, and instantly found it.

Nearby, in fact, nearly right in front of him stood The Blind Reader.

Its black nightgown contrasted the pure white space, its blindfold remained fastened on its mostly blurred face, and they continued to hold up an open book. Strangely, it seemed the only listener was Thames.

Something like a laugh came from the being. It wasn't sad or happy, it was as if it was bored.

But the greed-stricken mortal. He clung to life desperately. His mortality, the thing that made all mortals people, was one he was fearful of. And the embodiment of greed answered.

Huh? Is he not sealed or dead? What's he talking about?

Thames shot up, inching closer to the storyteller.

The first mortal in ages to strike a deal with them. He was freed of his shackles and continued his story.

Free??? That can't be! Ode's the most powerful magician, and I'm guessing Rela is his deity! He used his deities name in the spell! That should've been foolproof!

Deities' names were sacred; they connected a mortal to the astral being. By invoking one's name in a spell, they call upon them. It's the closest a deity has ever come to the mortal plane.

Obviously, this isn't without its downsides. The deity has the chance to not answer at all, causing the magician to face major backlash, but Ode was both confident and sure.

It was this same confidence that caused everyone to gather to him. His confidence acted as a guiding star in the New Era.

Finally, Thames decided to ask the being a question.

"How did he-

His story has simply just begun. As have yours.

...

"Watcha gonna do, Lin?" Thames asked while sitting at a bar with the demon.

It was a pretty empty bar, thanks to the day being Monday, but it was also a widely unpopular bar. Its popularity wasn't the fault of anyone's; it just was located in a poor spot.

Lin sipped her red drink, sweet like cherry, before responding.

"I'll go shoppin' or somethin'! Hang out with Rubes. What're you up to?"

"Thames is sleepin', but I guess I'll get him somethin'."

"We stayin' longer?"

"Yeah, think I'm startin' to like this place!" He said with a smile.

She nodded, finished her drink, and got up.

"Buy him some paint! He loves that."

He just chuckled, continuing to drink his beer as she left the bar.

Guess I should head out! 

The bartender eventually came to him, a tall orc man with a loose-fitting suit.

"Six copper."

Jeez! Lin always costs an arm and a leg when we drink.

He laughed inwardly as he fished the money from his coat, setting it down on the bar, and turning to leave.

"Cya later, Jones!"

"Mhmmm" The orcs deep agreement echoed through the empty place as Ode left, entering the street.

It was empty and trash ridden like most streets in this part of Ariao. Like most cities, Ariao was plagued with a variety of issues. Poverty, crime, and pollution. The three main things that Ariao had issues with but continued to do nothing about.

Ode noticed many beggars along the street, his smile briefly faltering as he walked the opposite direction of them, going deeper into the slums.

The streets quickly turned terrible. It was a sight that most would've been unfamiliar with, but Ode pressed on. His walking speed never faltering as he entered a rundown shop labeled 'Last Stop'.

"Hello, hello!"

A thin old man, dressed in a strange striped multicolored suit, yelled out. He was tinkering with a pocket watch as Ode walked in, heading straight to the counter.

On closer inspection, the shopkeeper had silver glasses and golden teeth. His dark wrinkly skin contrasted his grey beard and hair.

This guy... He's a magician. Ode noticed immediately, his senses seemingly got better overnight. Maybe a side effect from Thames' magic.

"What're you in the mood for?" The shopkeeper asked with a sharp voice.

"Ya got any paint supplies?"

The man scratched his chin at Ode's question then said, "Sure, sure! Right this way!"

Quickly exiting from behind the counter, the man led Ode to a shelf made into the wall. It was full of paints and art supplies, all strangely high quality despite being located in the slums.

A magician runnin' a shop... He isn't tryin' to sell me stuff, and he doesn't have the stench Tenis believers have. A lesser-known deity? Maybe. 

While looking over the paint, he quickly thought of possibilities. At the same time, the shopkeeper returned to behind the counter.

Finally deciding on a pretty purple and a gold paint, he returned to the counter.

"Will that be all, kind sir?"

"Mhm."

"Seven gold."

"Guh?! Seven gold?! Is the paint magic???"

Overwhelmed with the price, he accidentally retorted the price.

"Why yes! You have a mighty good eye, sir."

Magic?? He's pullin' my leg.

His eyes briefly shined, looking at the paint carefully. A surprised look stretched across his face, overlapping the smile as he found that the paint was in fact magic!

"Who're ya?!?"

"Just a shopkeeper! Iris Kenal." He laughed dryly. This was clearly something he had to repeat often.

"A magician?"

"You must be one as well!"

Iris' eyes squinted, clearly examining Ode.

"So, this is a magic shop?"

"It's whatever the shopper needs!"

He's like Jack then? No... Jack was greedy and acting as more than a magician.

Finally, he set the seven gold on the counter and took the paint back.

"I'm Ode Yule. I'll probably be back!"

Waving bye, he quickly left the shop, but just before the door closed, Iris spoke again.

"Goodbye Star!"