Chapter 10

James and Tom looked from the bottom of the stairs upon the “Great Plains” of the front living room. Looking more closely there was even a light heat mirage that distorted the ground from a distance. Far away James could see a stack of toys where the two of them play during the day. James had on a smaller red blankie he used as a cape while Tom had a blue cape on he was given so that the two of them would not have to share when they slept.

If you down copying me Tom put this over your mouth, even if he gain a skill from this it will most likely not completely protect versus what we will breath down there James commented while handing Tom a light brown, worn bandana

I know but will we really be alright in that heat while we have to breathe through this? And who knows when your mom will wake up Tom doubted as he tied it around his face with a struggle due to his finger never getting thinner unlike James

You wanted to go see your mom so badly without being caught so this is the only option left since neither of us are magic users. As for my mother as I said that she takes her naps after she sets us down for ours the time is now. James said annoyed once again he had to go through the thought process

Then how do we become magic users? Tom said excited at the thought of being able to use whole new things

I am a baby, how many answers do you expect me to have? Some homeless guy on the street knows more than us about this world now completely done with this talk and willing to embrace the heat

Talking the first step into direct sunlight from the shaded area they were in a huge spike in heat was instantly felt and almost made him pull back his foot but instead he stepped the rest of the way in. Tom followed after a few steps and the both felt the intense heat, the both threw there cape over their heads in order to block some of it out without success.

Hey James I don’t feel so good, let’s speed it up a little… Tom managed to meekly say while his waddles were getting slower.

Looking behind him James noticed that Tom was having a harder than dealing with the heat then he did and started to worry if this was even worth trying.

Maybe this is beyond babies, after all for a normal adult this would only be an issue if they stayed outside for long periods not nearly instant effects like the two of us. On the other hand I know that if we quit now he’s just going to want to do this again…

Instead of speaking up he did just what Tom suggested as started to waddle slightly faster which caused Tom to do the same. If someone were to walk in the room like James mother they would see two babies waddling to the other side of a slightly larger than average room in the direction of toys. But to those two it was nearly a life and death struggle versus the sun itself.

Things became grim once they arrived at the half way point when James was about to fall over. With a rush came Tom holding them both up while throwing up a thumbs up from his seemly overinflated hand.

If you’re willing to put yourself through all of this to help me when it’s clear you would rather not be then I can help you stay up tom said while pushing forward through the heat

James did not responded, at this point the he was to uneasy from drinking then the heat. He hopped that all his years of drinking made him better to deal with the heat but for now it seemed the opposite. They finally crossed into the play area after an intense few minutes but neither of them got a skill.

It did not work, should we try crossing the Plains again? Tom offered as an idea for a solution.

The idea was quickly dismissed by James, what they just did showed the way to achieve skills like that came from most likely a few different ways:

1: Combat

2: Equipment

3: More intense conditions then this

After relaying his thoughts to Tom the both of them slumped over next to the pile of blocks but making sure not to sit on any of the toys around them. This left the two of them in an awkward spot as for what to do next. If James had to guess Tom was going to go anyway even if he did not come, then the questions become would he go anyway.

I feel like this my fault James noticed after thinking about how he felt about what would happen.

Of course what happened to his father and his mother leaving he had no part of but he gave Tom the ability to think as if he was an adult. Also the only reason he was able to do so is because James needed someone to help him fight the Brown Hair Rat Clan. If Tom had been left a child he would have never known about his real parents and be experiencing all the negative emotions he was feeling now.

By the looks of things Tom would have been brought over if his mother never came also and become my adopted brother James realized to himself with a heavy weight to each word.

Next to him Tom found one of the “roof” block, they were like the normal rectangle block expect only half as thick. Tom was using it as a fan for himself but due to his abnormal strength both were getting the wind. James was using his 2 Dex to dodge the drops of sweat that were coming at him to little success due to the sheer amount.

Even without a skill do you think it’s possible to do it? Tom asked without looking at James face because he worried about what reaction he would have at the question.

…Let’s build a fort was the only thing James said before crawling over to the admittedly huge pile of blocks and started working in the area next to them.

At first Tom tried to talk to him then gave up since he was not getting an answer and started to work on the castle with him. The air was tense as the walls came up, Tom merely copied what James was doing on his side. Later both of them started to think less and argue more about designs and where the combat horses should be. By the end it was like any other day and in the center of the fort was enough room for both of them to sit.

Going in first and making sure not to hit any of the new building they erected after an unknown amount of time at this point James was in the center building with Tom right behind. The only light came through the doorway leaving them somewhat dark acting as a decent shelter for the two of them.

Don’t you feel less tense now? James said with a grin about his plan working out like he hoped

I do thanks to you, but what happens now. You don’t think we should go through with all this? Tom said still confused about what James could be thinking

Your right that I would rather stay here and do nothing… but after all you have helped me with its time for me to return the favor James said reaching out his hand once again

Tom reached out and grabbed his had hard, so hard in fact that James had to tell him to lessen his grip but it made them both laugh at how odd things must be and how they are. Whatever was going to happen they would work together to overcome it.