A slit tongue laps up the steamy liquid. Unlike the straight blue tongues of the Lizards, Snek’s is a vibrant red.

Though, I’ve always wondered what the need to consume was about. Consumption was an act to maintain bodily function and provide energy to the body, but that seemed wholly unnecessary.

I mean, I’m a Brick and I’m doing swell. Same with Ribbon and even Ghost Captain. Actually, Snek doesn't need to feed either but still does. In all honesty, Ghost Captain even makes the motion of downing spirits despite being a Ghost!

Strange. Very strange.

Though I guess, once of flesh always of flesh.

At any rate, the domain that was once Coldersack, has now become a shmack den of the Warbeasts and the more peculiar Demi Humans.

Sigh. It hurts that I actually fell against these squishy brutes.

They say that there’s no difference between the two, but that’s just wrong.

Even Ribbon agrees! Don’t you?

They wave their running ends in coy accord.

Aiyaiyai. What a cute Ribbon~!

I hate to say it but the Warbeasts know how to clean up! I didn't like it when they were touchin' her, but allegedly, they couldn't bear to see dirty things. Hmm, even my arrises are speck and shine.

Shiny silk and flowy ends. Even now I still cannot fathom what Ribbon is.

Sometimes, I feel like she’s not from this realm…

Sadly, my reverie is disturbed by the shrill wails of Ghost Captain.

“Shit—Shitshack! Where areeee youuu!”

Captain mourns the ruination of Coldersacks prized circle bread. That is Pizza, but it’s gone now. Like everything else Captain knew and loved.

“D-Damnit Brick, no need to rub it in… At least— At least we can go back to the Imperium,” Captain is gaunt, speaking hollow words to motivate themself.

“The Imperium?” The Demi Human butts in.

At its sudden appearance, it takes me everything I had to not suddenly defenestrate myself.

“As in the Imperium of Deus? That place fell hundreds of years ago,”

Bullshit.

“Bullshit,”

“It’s twue, wan! You just need to look around and you’ll see!” The demi human gets unexpectedly heated up, waving that stupid Ax around. Like, I don't think it's a Carpenter or anything so why's it even carrying it around?

“Oi Brick, now that you mention it, that ax do be lookin’ familiar…”

No. Captain. You’re reverting to Ruffian speak! That’s no good!

“Shut it Brick, my keep is gone so my rank ain’t worth jack. Just call me Harwitz,” They sigh, downing another etheric spirit.

But it all ain’t gone. I’m still here.

One part can be considered as a whole when seen from a single angle. And with the other parts that made the Keep gone, I’m no longer just a part, but a whole. Therefore, it could be considered that you still have everything.

“Interesting argument you propose, however! Can a single brick be a keep? Yeah nah, that’s what I thought,” He spurns me, “Anyway, that ax, can you pass it over?”

“Uhmmm, but it’s a famiwy heirwoom, wan,”

“Heirloom my arse, that’s my axe,” The Ghost snatches it from the reluctant Demi Human, “Yup, it’s get my insignia and everythin’,”

The Crest sports a sack and shield, encompassed by olive leaves. A unique Crest for Ghost Captain, Harwitz of Coldersack.

I mean look! It’s even on his cape. The two are but facsimiles of the other.

“Why in all that is good and holy do you have my ax?”

“Wan? It’s mine tho?”

“That’s my crest, and that’s my ax. I won it in the Coldersack 100th annual lumber contest,”

“Wumber? This is a high class battle axe forged in immemowial times, wan! Gifted to my great ancestor the sword bender Hartz, the great ax Ascia! And has since been passed down from genewation to genewation!” She drivels all the while trying to pry the Broadaxe from Captain’s ghostly grip, “It has crushed!" It heaves "Countwess foe under the header of the Hartz Wolf clan, wan! And you dare claim it yours?!”

The Hell? This was too chunni for my Clay.

I mean, despite the hype they were giving it, they weren’t even gonna deny that it was a Carpentry Ax.

“Yeah nah, this is my ax and it’s for lumber. What d’you think ascia means?” They shake the Demi Human off, “Plus, Hartz? Are you kidding me? You just butchered my name. Come back next time with a bit more creative flair, would ya?”

Mm, indeed, that Broadaxe… It’s right up to the standard for hewing and carving up planks. Brick here, can confirm.

I’ve passed by the hands of some Carpenters before and that Ax… As expected of Imperial quality assurance!

It still possesses that actinic sheen, as if it were a good made a week ago. But that doesn’t mean that this is high grade by any means, it’s still a basic Ax. So that makes this situation all the more comical. As expected for a Warbeast to prize an Artisan's tool as Warrior's.

“Ah, I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, I’m glad you get me Brick, to think they actually think my ax is passable as a high grade weapon,”

Mmm, it seems that quality assurance has indeed dropped in recent times…

“Nono, I’ve been wondering now but are you actually talking to that brick, wan? I knew you were cwazy, but this…”

“Ay, don’t speak ill will of my men,”

Brick actually.

“…Bricks,”

“Wan… I can’t believe I’m arguing with an inane ghwost,” It's wolfish ears droop down, “White wolf, Hartz, the sword bender! My ancestor, wan~, please give this young pup your guidance!”

“Nay, I’m actually confused this time, why are butchering my name? Well, now that I think about it… some folk did call me Hartz…”

“Eh? Hartz is the name of my great ancestor, how could it possibly be you? They had ascended to the great keep above over six hundred thwirty years ago,”

Six hundred and thirty… That translates to the more accurate unit of 5.519e+6 hours. Strange.

This date crudely matches up to the date Firma fell. You could for intents and purposes be the ascendant of this Demi Human.

“Ancestor? I don’t think I heard you correctly. No way could I father something like this,” Captain brushes me off.

Nono. You heard me right.

Ancestor.