Chapter 117: Fear chocolate, as it awakens the beast.

The night’s passed its crescendo; I should sleep soon. Slipping into a more human skin before falling into slumber. Regretting not having tried the chocolate before brushing my teeth. “I will try it tomorrow,” I promise myself.

Closing my eyes was easy; opening them was not. Wracked with exhaustion as the night felt like but a flash. “Can I sleep in?” I ask myself. “I haven’t got anything planned; who could stop me?”

And having drawn the flag, fate responded. “Me, I can stop you.” I hear before I am suddenly doused with cold water.

Shooting up from my now soaked bed, I see a smiling Cassie. A devious smile chills me to the bone more than water ever could.

With the brightest smile, I can manage while freezing cold, I speak. “Hey sweetie, is something the matter?”

“Where's the chocolate?”

“What chocolate?” I say, morning fog still plaguing my mind.

“Don’t play the fool; I can smell it.”

Clarity suddenly coming, I remember.

“Wait, I know what you mean. I made some last night; it was right over…” I say before freezing. The chocolate was gone from the table it was left on. Standing up with vigor, I rush over to the table. Cassie is startled at my sudden action. “Where is it?” I say in a slight panic. “I wanted to eat that!”

“Well, if you didn’t eat it, who did?”

“Chic,” I say, seething with anger.

“Who is Chic?” She says with a curious smile.

“My cheeky soul bond. It must have been them.” I begin to storm through the hallways. Using my soulbond, I quickly find Chic. She is lazing about on her web, not a care in the world.

Quickly looking at her, I see telling signs of chocolate consumption. Brown patches on her face, brown crumbs spread around her web.

I immediately demand an answer. “Chic! Did you eat my chocolate!?”

A trickle of images comes in response. Shame a pervading emotion attached to the pictures.

Seeing those images made my anger disappear. Like a wisp of smoke in the wind. Chic wanted to try some, but couldn’t stop after a bite. A very familiar experience, if I do say so myself.

Cassie quickly turns the corner in chase. The mental conversation only took seconds.

As Cassie turns the corner, she quickly sees Chic. The blood drains from her face as she shrieks “spider!” Stumbling back in surprise.

I quickly rush to her side, cradling her. “Sorry, I thought you had already met Chic. She is my soul bond, my familiar. Please meet Chic, the cave spider.”

She presses her face into her chest, “you have a poor choice in soulbond.” Her usual sense of humor returning. Clear signs of her having calmed down.

Chic just looks down in curiosity, head tilted. She goes to come down, but I tell her to stay on her web for now. Eventually, Cassie leaves my arms. Looking at the spider, fear still evident. She bowed her head slightly before averting her eyes. “Sorry, it will take some getting used to.”

“I am surprised it took you this long to meet Chic; she doesn’t sneak around. Did the webs not give you a clue?”

“I just thought you had a house spider problem.” She says with a chuckle.

“Well, let’s get you out of here. You can meet Chic properly when you are prepared.”

She nods before we walk back to the living room. Sitting down together, she quickly gets back on topic. “Did Chic… eat the chocolate?”

“Yes. She does feel bad about it.”

“Okay.”

“I will make some more, don’t be concerned.” I say in reassurance.

She visibly smiles at the prospect of chocolate.

Curiosity burning, I ask her. “Is chocolate rare or something?”

“Uncommon, rarely eaten. It is normally gifted at weddings or eaten among the rich.”

“I see; would you like to join me in making some?”

“I would love that.”

We spent the next few hours preparing a lot of chocolate. So much, it is likely too much. Having had a great deal of fun wiping chocolate on each other. Licking the bowl, like children, it is a cherished memory. While we were conching, I was wondering why the amount kept reducing. The sly woman kept eating it when I wasn’t looking.

Having prepared the chocolate bars in front of us, we eat. I relish in the familiar delicacy while Cassie consumes dangerous amounts of it. I have learned from my error, having produced enough to last a long time. And a gift if anyone chooses to marry.

Having stuffed our faces, we spoiled our breakfast. “I know we ate a lot, but we should still have some breakfast.”

“It’s midday.”

Turning to look out the window. “Oops, I slept in.”

“Yes, you did.”

“Still, let’s get some brunch. We need some good food in us.”

She nods, skipping towards the teleporter with boundless energy.

I shake my head, “no need for that.” I say before scooping her up and teleporting with my dislocator right into the market.

She makes a slight shriek of shock before settling down. Her face a little greener from the travel, but she still is abuzz with energy.

Running through the market with a combination of sugar and familiarity. Quickly dragging me to a stall I’ve passed, once or twice.

She orders some kind of pastry; having lagged behind, I didn’t hear what she asked for. She spins on her heel and shoves it into my grasp. I seamlessly slip my helmet off and take a bite. Trusting her judgement for food. I bite into the crisp golden brown pastry, cheese, and onion – a classic. Admittedly not my choice flavor, but I am starving. Having finished the item, Cassie turns to me.

“Any good?” She asks.

“It’s alright. Filled my stomach for sure.”

“I know some of the best places around here.” Said with boundless pride.

“You have lived here a long time; I don’t doubt it.” Which got a nod of appreciation. With the food safely stored in our bodies, she drags me through the market. She went on a small shopping spree.

“I need some clothes, some food, ah yes, I need one of those.” Before I knew it, bags of items were slowly pilling up. Almost becoming a pack-mule when I don’t need to. With an excellent display of fitness, I drop the items into my golden bag. Which, instead of surprising her, inspired her to buy more.

With the knowledge I can store a lot of stuff, she stops holding back. She must have bought a year’s worth of clothes. I did enquire, getting “a different item for each occasion.” From her. Quickly realising she is more well off than I thought. Finding out she is both paid a salary and large bonuses for doing the annoying jobs.

“How do you think I bought my own house so young?”

“Low retail prices.”

Which got a punch. “No, I worked my ass off.”

I didn’t feel the punch through the armor, but the sentiment remains. “Sorry,” I say simply.

“it’s okay.” I thankfully got in reply. “You don’t have to worry. I am not so easily upset. Annoyed, yeah, upset; it is rare.”

We take a short break from her zealous shopping to enjoy another bit of street food; This time, some kind of glazed apple bread product. I especially like this item. Enjoying the rich cinnamon weaved through like veins. Being disappointed at its quick disappearance. “Should have paced myself.”

She offered me a bite of her own, but I declined. It was my fault anyway. Getting up, we walk towards carnival island. Taking a few questionable routes through alleys. “It’s faster.” The only explanation.

Should have just teleported or flew her, but I will give her this. To her credit, we do arrive in good time. Finding the gate facing the island abuzz with activity. Slipping through the constricting gate. I nod towards the guard, who returns the gesture.

Walking down the path, the grass damn and tall along the edges of the road. Thankfully, the weather has turned for sunnier and warmer weather. Not warm, but warmer. I am not losing any toes, but it is still cold.

We quickly come to the stairs leading into the island. Slowly chugging along a sizable line leading from a booth at the first step. A steady trickle of people entering and leaving.

“1 silver entrance fee for adults.” I hear, breaking me from my thoughts.

“Ah, yes. Thank you, here you go.” Paying for both of us. We are quickly ushered through a small gate. Walking up the stairs, we talk mindlessly.

“You know, you built something really cool. It is similar to the floating casinos of the grey zone.”

“What are those?”

“Between the 2 empires is the border. It varies in thickness; when a very thick area is contested, it is called a grey zone. On the far west edge, a massive area is grey, resulting in a no combat zone. Inside this area, a naturally formed floating mountain ridge was found. The founder found this place and made it into interconnected resort islands.”

“I see; I would love to visit it.”

“Make sure you have a lot of cash. I hear money is power there, and you lose it rapidly.”

“I will keep it in mind.” I am no massive gambler, so I don’t see myself visiting any time soon.

We come to the gate leading into the island. It has gone from basic to complex with golden filigree and unique shapes. Walking through the gates, we see what I could only compare to an amusement park. Nothing major has changed, but a lot of small things have.

First, the place is packed with winding lines behind every activity. A terrifying prospect for anyone who actually wants to take part in the activities. Getting flashbacks to waiting hours for a 3-minute rollercoaster.

Thankfully, a lot of in-between activities have been installed. The small carnival area is now packed with people, small gimmick games in every corner; I will have to check them out at some point. Food stalls on every corner and seating areas as well. The edge of the island has been extended with stone, allowing for more buildings.

“Is that a hotel?” I ask Cassie.

“Yeah, I hear it’s a bit expensive.”

“I see.” Deep in thought.

We walk towards a small food stall. Taking a seat, eating some fish and chips. I think I could do better, but it was cheap and quick. The greasy food making me hungry for some fun.

“So what should we do, Cassie?”

“I haven’t tried any activities yet; what do you recommend.”

“The battle area is good fun, but that might be too violent for you.”

“That would be correct.”

“How about parkour? Agility based, no violence.”

“Alright, let’s try it.”

Already being near it, we had a quick walk. Finding the parkour area quickly, it has a slightly smaller line than others. Getting in line, I notice it shrinks rapidly. A quick inquiry to a fellow member of the line sheds light on the phenomena.

People give up in a rage and storm off near constantly. I suppose, of all activities, this is the most rage-inducing.

While in line, I check my mail. Finding 4 letters. A business update from the mayor. That got put on the read later list. Jengal also sent some mail. It seems he is ready for some genetic improvements, interesting. The third was an End inquiry from the Dagger family. The final was the mystery mail.

An unknown sender named themselves Tian. A young woman is asking for the reward for finishing the parkour. She left a time and date for tomorrow, something to do, I suppose.

Finally, we reach the parkour area. We enjoy a bit of physical activity before storming off in a rage. Both understanding why the line is so short, which we share a look and a laugh about it.