Krom's eyebrows shot up, brown eyes clearly visible without obstruction. Reiss stretched to pat Krom's shoulder, laughing in amusement. Words were only prolonged because Krom's jaw didn't seem to want to close.

The Emperor of Dreams is the most powerful mortal man in this world, save a few exceptions for crazy individuals or hidden powers. The Emperor may not exactly be the highest leveled or without peer in personal combat, but he makes up for it in empire-wide influence and a baffling skill repertoire.

"Before that... You have to tell me."

Reiss gave Krom a nudge.

"What happened with the frosting?

=

Reiss reached into folded space and retrieved some small frosted biscuits shaped like bells. They were crisp and smelled of cinnamon. Taking a one for himself, he passed the rest to Krom.

Both now munching on treats and in a pleasant mood, Reiss extricated the story from Krom.

As it turned out, the incident was caused by Reiss himself. Along with the very biscuits they were chewing on. Krom heard about the wedding and went to see if there were any leftover sweets after picking up a supply of scrap metal from a junkyard. Unfortunately, Reiss pocketed whatever sweets would have remained. All that was left when Krom got there was cake.

In previous iterations, it appeared Krom would have unintentionally intimidated the man in charge of cleanup. The cleaner in question would have quickly handing him any remaining biscuits and deserts in a little baggy before retreating to a safe distance.

Reiss actually remembered that bit. The bag of treats was sitting nearby as Krom worked at his forge. Their first meetings overlapped and made it all fuzzy, but the memory was there when Reiss focused.

In this iteration, Krom's intimidation led to a different situation. He was led to the cake, but the cleaner was so flustered that he dropped it when handing a piece over. Krom went to help the man up but tripped comically on the fallen pastry. Krom pulled the remaining cake down with him, landing on the fallen man.

The man was unconscious when Krom rose, both of them covered in red frosting. A terrible time for someone to walk in and start shrieking. Poor Korm was so startled he bolted with the bag of scrap metal without explaining things. The local Watch was probably on a goose chase right now, given a monster's description.

"Your tendency to cause misunderstandings continues to amuse me. I would appreciate it if you continue this trend."

Krom scowled menacingly for real, causing his eyes to disappear entirely. It was actually more comical than it was scary because of how overdone it was.

"Not funny."

"It is extremely so.

"Is not."

"You don't get to decide."

Krom actually growled.

"Alright, alright, fine. I'm not laughing."

Krom stopped, using a hand to play with a cabbage on the ground. Reiss gave it a sidelong glance.

"You still trying to cook in your forge fire?"

[Bakers] could probably gain a Skill to bake specifically in forges, but Reiss didn't think there was anybody crazy enough to try. Krom wasn't one to take the class, focusing solely on his [Farrier] class. Yet...

Krom pulled out some burnt fish. Fish was expensive in this region without a port city nearby. Reiss never asked where he got the fish, but it was always burnt to a crisp. The forge's flames were not a good medium to cook seafood. Or any food for that matter.

Such an odd obsession.

As if having such a single-minded focus on horseshoes wasn't enough.

"Mhm. Cabbage."

"For the horses, right?"

It worried Reiss deeply that Krom didn't respond.

"I'll pass the choice to you. Do we go dressed as we are or buy something a bit more... Presentable?"

Krom blinked. The Emperor, of course.

"Money."

Reiss gave an understanding nod. Clothes suited to be in the presence of an Emperor were few and far between. All while costing a pretty penny. They would have to get outfits tailored and made from scratch. Considering Krom's size...

"You're right, too much hassle. We'll go as we are. Grab what you need; I suggest you bring a few horseshoes. I'm sure his eminence would like to see your work in person."

Despite Krom's size, he bustled into motion, running around as if putting out fires. Was the forge on? No. Any works in progress? No, he finished projects before setting them down. Food? Maybe a snack.

Reiss watched in increasing worry as Krom shoveled what looked like coal into his pockets. Reiss knew it wasn't coal he was pocketing.

More charred edibles...

Reiss did not facepalm. The non-action took immense willpower.

"Done?"

Krom shoved the rest of the desserts Reiss brought into his maw along with a burnt... flipper? Krom stood tall with squared shoulders, covered in a layer of soot, sweat, and grime, all overlapped and accented by red frosting stains. He carried a knapsack in one oversized fist jangled like a stifled windchime. Reiss assumed horseshoes.

"Good. Let's go. I regret I don't have a Skill for this. It tickles."

The pair were currently standing in the street outside the Krom's forge area. The immediate area was devoid of people, but their presence was noted by the clanging from nearby buildings, smokestacks rising from chimneys. The alleyways darkening as thick clouds passed overhead.

Reiss' expression became serious. He pressed his hands together and closed his eyes. The air grew heavy with pressure. Krom stopped munching.

The Wind was silent. The Earth slumbered. Water stilled. Fire flickered out. Gravity's hold on their mortal bodies seemed to grow, their feet sinking into the hardened ground. Static charged the air making Krom's eyebrows puff up. Distant clanging faded and was replaced by soft thrumming.

Reiss opened his eyes, drawing his hands apart slowly. There was a tearing sound as if someone was slowly ripping construction paper. In the space that Reiss' palms crossed, a dark portal grew. The thrumming faded and disappeared along with all other audible cues. The shadows deepened only to get sucked into the growing portal. The edges gave off the deepest black glow. The air was dry, neither warm nor cold.

Krom gulped, swallowing the remainder of the treats.

Reiss' hands stopped and seemed to phase out of existence. They reappeared instantly, Reiss stepping away and moving to Krom's side. Staring into the portal was similar to staring into a dark corner. It gave off the impression that anything could be lingering there. It reminded Krom of the inside of his blanket as a child. The darkness would hide him from the monsters outside. Who were creeping closer... and closer. Ever closer, to eat him whole.

*Tap*

Krom jumped at the contact. He was about to shout when he saw it was Reiss' hand on his arm.

"Don't stare too long. Space Magic is... tricky."

Krom felt that Reiss wasn't telling him everything, and yet that one word described it perfectly. Tricky.

"We should hurry. It doesn't enjoy staying open long."

A shiver ran up Krom's spine. It took immense courage not to retreat. Summoning every ounce he had, Krom stepped into the portal.

=

It was up for debate about what happened in transit. Krom couldn't remember. Reiss could if he wanted to but instead chose to suppress the memory. Considering his track record with memory, Reiss decided to leave whatever he experienced inside left unremembered. There were times when he questioned if it was instantaneous. If he truly forgot or was made to forget. His own doing or...

The memory forgotten, all the pair could do was look forward. There wasn't much to look at. Their noses rubbed against a massive door. Reiss whispered aside to Krom.

"Must have gotten the orientation backward again."

The scene behind them was much grander. A throne room reached a hundred meters high. Three hundred meters wide. The floor was made of solid, polished marble leading up to a staircase against the back wall. The staircase only climbed ten steps. A bulky silver and purple throne rested atop the platform.

The throne room lacked any immense pillars supporting the ceiling—no reliefs or murals depicting battles of the ages past. No upholsteries, tapestries, paintings, or artwork adorned the walls. There wasn't so much as a finger painting.

The floor, walls, ceiling were all blank, bright marble. Unblemished, untarnished, and unobstructed as it created a spartan prison for the lone purple throne.

Reiss would have checked for an echo in the vast space, but it, unfortunately, wasn't unoccupied.

Krom stopped turning halfway. Soldiers surrounded them. Rows of armed infantry lined to either side leading to the throne. Each wore pristine silver armor and carried identical silver spears. They stood at attention, staring straight ahead instead of at the intruders. At the end of the line, right before the steps to the throne, were a man and woman in golden armor with purple accents.

A few steps up were three figures, each unique.

On the left, a lithe man held a worn longbow, an arrow knocked and ready. In the middle was a heavily large woman in heavy plate armor carrying an absolutely massive tower shield. On the right was a short, plump man wearing azure robes and holding a glowing wand in each hand.

A few more steps up were four figures dressed more mundanely but not less expensively. Two women and two men. Two old. Two young. Two in robes and two in suits. They could be mages, dignitaries, advisors, or something else entirely. They didn't look like fighters, but looks could be misleading. Just like the man seated on the throne.

The Emperor of Dreams leaned forward on his throne. His elbows rested on his knees, and his hands clasped together. The [Emperor] wasn't looking at the new arrivals. Instead, he looked down at the marble under his feet.

"We've been expecting you."