ZETA

The previous morning.

Admittedly, Zeta made more of a ruckus than he would have liked as he nailed the flyer to the tavern wall. He received a lot of cold and confused stares from the patrons, and the tavernkeep Jos only shook his head. The man promised to notify Zeta of any potential employers, but he didn’t seem too happy about it. When Zeta was done, he bowed his head and sincerely apologized for disturbing the patrons’ drinks.

After passing him a round of bewildered looks, they concluded that he was just weird and ignored him, resuming their collective muttering.

“Zeta, you mustn’t try so hard,” a creaky, aged voice said from the corner. “The others didn’t, but then again, they passed through without even bothering to stop in good ole Greenwich.”

Zeta’s head jolted to the speaker. His face beamed with joy. “Nan!”

Old Naniana sat alone at a table in the dark of the tavern, a gap-toothed grin splitting her lips. Zeta ran to join her. If Sir Kagan was the closest thing to a father to Zeta, than Naniana was the closest to a mother. She was the only one permitted to climb Greenwich Mountain and speak to the children at its summit. Well, it wasn’t so much a matter of permission as it was willingness. Her age had caught up with her now, but several years ago she used to make a bi-weekly trip to the summit, carrying food and clothes and sometimes even toys, all grown and crafted by her lonesome self.

Sitting down at her table, Zeta gripped Nan’s hand with excitement. It had been months since they had last seen each other. She giggled. “You’ve grown into such a strong man, Zeta. Just as we expected of you,” she said. We referring to herself and Sir Kagan.

“Nan, are you saying my classmates never even stopped to say hello?” His face flushed with fury.

“No, no, Zeta. It wasn’t like that,” she said. “Don’t be foolish. Like I’d ever let them leave without speaking to me.” They both laughed. His classmates were cold, but even they had a warm spot for Nan. “It’s just that they were so eager to see the world they never stopped to ask if our dear little town needed assistance. You’re the first.”

“Really?” The concept was both astounding and encouraging. As the last to leave the mountain, Zeta had always imagined his classmates would steal the thunder of every town he came across. But to find a place they had never touched, and so soon…

“I’m sure there will be someone who takes your offer, Zeta, although I’d imagine the task will be mundane.”

“That doesn’t matter. I’m willing to do whatever is asked of me. Anything. That’s what Sir Kagan wanted of me.”

“Anything? Do be careful what you wish for,” Nan said. “I’m sure you’ll be alright, whatever the job might be. But, Zeta, can you do me a favor?”

His eyes sparkled with loyalty. “Of course!”

Nan smiled. “Don’t stay here too long. Take one job and go. All birds need to fly from the coup eventually. Especially someone with a heart like yours.”

Zeta released her hand. His response popped out immediately. “Yes, Nan! Thank you for everything.”

Her eyes fluttered, and her grin widened. “Go see the world, Zeta. It needs that spirit of yours.”

Zeta nearly gave Hodge a heart attack that night as he entered and announced his return. Hodge and Morgan jumped back from the tight embrace of their daughter, who arrived covered in dirt, grime, tears in her clothing and even a few splashes of blood. Zeta arrived in a similar state although with the mud and blood in excess. It was quite understandable that they would be a bit alarmed.

“Oh, it’s you, Zeta,” Hodge said as he recovered from death’s door, steadying his heart with a hand to his chest.

Zeta smiled. “You don’t need to worry about your daughter’s safety nor the threat of the Greenwich Group any longer.”

Hodge stared at him wide-eyed. “Does…does that mean they’re–”

Zeta sulked. “Unfortunately, I had no other choice. They wouldn’t behave as humans should.”

Hodge and Morgan retreated into their home, gripping Heidi by the shoulders and hiding her behind them. Their apprehension was strong enough to manifest into the physical world. Zeta could sense the force of fear emanating from the family, as intense as the sun’s rays on a summer day.

Zeta sighed. He figured this might happen. “If my stay here is disturbing, I’ll leave early.”

The parents’ faces twisted with a mixture of fear and hate, but they prayed silently that the situation would resolve itself. From their reaction, Zeta made his own conclusion and strove to leave, but then Heidi spoke up.

“He saved me,” she said. “The stranger saved me.”

“I know, Heidi,” Hodge said.

“Thank you!” she continued. She almost burst through the gridlock of her parent’s arms, but Morgan made sure she took no further step towards Zeta.

Zeta turned and gave her a warm smile as he reached for the door.

“Wait,” Hodge called. Zeta met his eyes. They held reluctance, but also subliminal ease. “I don’t think anyone here understands your definition of ‘servant,’ Zeta, but I did request your services, and I’d be less of a man if I denied receiving them, especially after what you’ve done for us. Stay for dinner at least. Morgan calls it Sigma Stew,” he said, referring to the meal on the table. It was no steak, but it smelled delightful.

Zeta grinned. “I accept, but we should all eat together.”

They offered to let him stay there for a week, but Zeta told Hodge that one night would be enough. They didn’t really have space, but Zeta was content with a blanket, a chair, and a warm fire rising through their children. Sleep that night was one of the most pleasant experiences of his life.

Heidi was staring him in the face when he woke up. She beamed as if seeing him alive was a miracle in and of itself.

“Cool! Cool! Cool!” she was saying.

“Heh. What’s so amazing, Heidi?” Zeta asked.

She pointed to him, and with her other hand pointed to Black Meridian, which was lying by the door. “Cool!”

“Thank you,” said Zeta.

“I heard what you said last night. When I grow up, I want to be a Servant of Humanity too!”

“Really?” Zeta had always considered himself just a servant with a billion masters. That particular title didn’t occur to him. “Servant of Humanity, I like it. Just remember, Heidi, that you need to grow big and strong and fearless enough to face the world. And never forget your family, either.”

She nodded with vigor. Her eagerness made Zeta wonder whether he should be encouraging or discouraging her enthusiasm. Then again, he wasn’t sure if he was cut out for the job. His first mission may have gone well, but Zeta knew better than to expect the same degree of challenge from the rest of the world.

He thought about Heidi. If she and dozens of others were to adopt the same path, then Zeta would need to blaze the trail. And he had no choice but to get it right the first time.

Hodge woke up and so did his wife shortly after. Zeta had already cooked breakfast and cleaned the house to the point where they were too stunned to say anything. They had also probably forgotten he was there. He wouldn’t blame them, his entire existence must have seemed like a dream.

“Zeta, I want to apologize,” Hodge said, “but I’m rescinding the offer of letting you stay a week, and I’m letting you go early.”

“I understand. No harm done. It’s your choice.”

“No, listen. Just as you said you wished you could stay here forever, we wish that as well. It’s only been a day, but I can say for sure that the people of Greenwich and I trust you without fault. That’s why you need to go. If your time is limited per person, then an old fool like me shouldn’t keep you stuck here when there are others in dire need.”

“Please don’t call yourself a fool, master.”

Hodge didn’t listen. Instead, he went out back and came back a moment later with a dirty shovel and a chest from the back. He opened it.

“I’ll pay you in full. This is everything I would have given to the Greenwich Group to pay the ransom.”

Zeta stood still for a moment, then he reached into the chest and pulled out a single gold Nibble to put into his pocket. Then he stared at a perplexed Hodge for another minute.

“Is something wrong?” Hodge asked.

Zeta shook his head. “In terms of money, I only care about having enough to keep myself alive another day. The kindness you two showed me yesterday was enough payment. What kind of servant would I be to take his master’s treasure and walk away without a second thought?”

“Please, I insist.”

“No.”

Hodge started to grow angry. “Zeta, as your master, I order you to accept this gift.”

Zeta sighed at having his own policies used against him. “Well, if you put it that way, I cannot refuse. However, master, before I do, let me advise you on my reasoning.

“You should keep a close lid on that money, as it means everything to your family. Even if another stranger came by and saved your wife and daughter ten times in a row, it doesn’t mean you should give him your home as a reward. Anyone, and I mean anyone, no matter who they are at heart or who they claim to be, anyone who accepts a gift that takes everything from the giver is a bandit, nothing more.

“If you truly wish to reward me, please don’t force me to be a bandit.”

Hodge seemed swayed by Zeta’s words, but even so, he shut the lid reluctantly and returned it to its secret spot outside. A moment later he came back in with an indifferent smile on his face.

“And as your master, Zeta, I ask you to reward me by letting me give you something, if not the money.”

Zeta raised an eyebrow.

Hodge put his hand to his chest and closed his eyes, visualizing something. “Eject.”

Out of his body, a crystalline diamond popped out. It was smooth and clear, with a black orb of light in its center. Zeta recognized it instantly. Before he left the Greenwich Group’s plain, he picked one up lying next to the body of their leader, Rog.

“After last night’s endeavor, I realized that my ambition for wealth was also attracting attention that we didn’t need. Our future is worth nothing if Heidi or Morgan isn’t there to see it. We’d rather just stick to the simple life if it means we’re safe,” Hodge said.

“I’m sorry,” he continued. “It’s all I have in terms of sigma. It’s a Basic grade, and so someone like you has no need of it.”

Zeta stared at the pyramid and compared it with the one in his pocket. Rog’s sigma, Claws, had an orange orb because it was a Modification, but this new one had a black core.

“I can’t believe this. I have two, not one, two sigmas! Haha!” His eyes glittered as if he were staring at bars of gold.

Once again, Hodge, Morgan, and even Heidi were astounded by his sudden change in demeanor.

Zeta ran up to all of them, shaking their hands with undefinable gratitude.

“The Sigma World is amazing, just as I imagined it would be! Now, what did you say this sigma was again?”

“Its Rapid Farmer,” said Hodge. “It’s a sigma that just allows any agricultural efforts you make to be done in a single swipe of the hand. As I said, it’s really probably not to your liking.”

“Hey! One is better than zero, right!”

Hodge was confused. “Wait, one? You don’t have any sigmas?” He turned to his daughter. “Heidi, did he use any sigmas in his fight.”

When she shook her head, Hodge’s jaw dropped.

“I accept your gift, master, mistress,” Zeta said. “Greenwich Villa, at the top of the mountain, is my home, so by extension, I guess all of Greenwich is too! This is goodbye for now, but one day, I’ll come home. I’ll have many more sigmas then, I promise!”

Hodge couldn’t help but smile. No matter how crazy he might peg Zeta, seeing him depart was still strange.

Morgan stood next to him, and she seemed to be afraid to shed tears. “We wish you well,” she said.

“Goodbye!” Heidi yelled.

Zeta grabbed his sword, Black Meridian, and left their home for the morning light. Spring had arrived the other day, but waking up to a fresh, cool breeze was still a novelty to experience.

There was so much anguish and pain in the world delivered to humanity every single day, but there were some moments where it could all be masked by a healthy illusion. It awakened the soul’s will to try and clean that filth.

At the tavern, Jos gave him a map of Axle Island. He didn’t plan to stay here long, as he wanted to reach the Selatin Kingdom as soon as possible. He pointed out a few towns to stop by along the way, but the port city of Aspic was what really caught his eye. He figured he’d depart there.

With the Nibble he took from Hodge, Jos helped him rent a horse and set off away from Greenwich. He glanced up at the mountain, where he could only see slivers of the Villa at its summit.

Sir Kagan, you may be gone now, but I swear I’ll carry your will and legacy across the world. I’ll leave the proof in my deeds.

On his way out, Naniana was waiting for him. She said nothing as they passed each other and waved to him. He was the last one to leave Greenwich Villa, and Zeta swore he could see tears welling in her eyes.

Come on, world. I’m ready for you.

Rapid Farmer - Agriculture: With a gesture of the hand, the growth rate of any crop is increased 100-fold. (20).

(A) Wave one's arm above the designated crop as if sprinkling fertilizer. While there are some differences in crop growth rate, they are minute. All crops take approximately a week to grow fully.