“Sure, just make sure you’re not seen by regular people”

Jake jumped with his fist pumping towards the air, while Mike blinked in disbelief. They were supposed to ask Ishbula-na’ for permission, and Mike was not too optimistic about it. It’d been almost two centuries since the last time their family was allowed to use the gems in the outside world, and that was only because a conflict had sprung between two ring leaders and their families outside.

Mike was happy, that much could be seen on his smile, yet his eyes painted a different story; one of surprise and questioning over joy. His eyes darted all over Ishbula-na’s dark void he called home, looking for an answer until he decided to instead simply raise his voice for one.

“Sir, why so suddenly? you didn’t allow me to use them before, what changed?”

Ishbula-na stammered, an imaginary sweat drop forming on his sole eye. He seemed to have fallen deep in thought, even though a single eye couldn’t be as expressive as a regular human, Mike could feel it thinking twice, thrice and then a fourth time for an answer to give him.

“That’s, uh, a gift for the new member of our family, of course”

Mike let his arms fall in defeat; if Ishbula-na didn’t feel like speaking, he simply wouldn’t do so. It had happened in the past, and it would probably happen in the future. They weren’t exactly equal, no matter how much shared history they had together. He trusted in his judgment, and he had both the knowledge and wisdom to make the right decision most of the time, if not all the time, he believed.

“Fine, if you feel it’s better to put it that way, it’s fine for me. Still, thank you, sir, I’m sure you can tell this makes Jake thankful,” he said while turning his view towards the still cheering Jake to the side.

Jake Stopped cheering, and he raised an open hand towards the floating behemoth, a smile still hanging from ear to ear. He didn’t come with high hopes, as Mike had told him time and time again over the phone how terrible an idea it was to get involved like that. About fifty years ago, the lord of the Eight ring Larue had to step down from his position, as he’d made a huge mistake and let one of his followers use the skills out in the open to help a resistance in the middle east, which in turn resulted in a small cult being born, which had to be put down for the sake of keeping everything secret.

“Thank you, Ishbula. Truly, thank you. If there’s anything you need my help with, you can count on me”

Ishbula blinked once before his lower eyelid produced a mischievous grin with pointy teeth within. Jake froze still, before gulping once; he felt as if he’d just sold his soul to the devil, and maybe he just did. He looked over to Mike, who didn’t seem worried about it at all, which in turn let him calm down, although he could still feel his back turn cold.

Mike Turned towards Ishbula, whose mouth had disappeared and was back to his usual staring self. “Well,” he said, “we should get going. I’ll let you know how it went once it’s over,” before a portal opened and he walked through with Jake following in tow while leaving behind a nod towards Ishbula-na.

Two days later, their plan was set in motion.