(Self Notes)

[Shadow]

\Mirror/

"speaking"

'thinking'

*action*

Act 2 begins.

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The golden eyed girl twirled in place, fixing us with a stare. Red crystal held in a deathgrip, though she didn't seem to notice, "My name is Priscilla Goldwrym, fleshies. I'm half dragon." she waited, seemingly gauging our reaction, seeing no recognition from us she smiled. "You're not lying atleast! Too bad, I wondered what you would taste like." I refrained from interjecting with a sexual innuendo, worried she might kill me.

Gray had recovered from his injuries, though that was only natural as a Shape-Shifter. I felt a twinge in my back as my mangled spider legs fell off, making way for shiny new ones. I grinned in relief. I felt somewhat naked however without the presence of the Apparitions. With our Soul Systems still locked down we still had no way out.

Priscilla motioned at us "C'mon idiots wanna stay here while the statue respawns?" I blinked "Respawns?" I asked incredulous. "My my, do you have no Dungeons from whatever backwards land you weaklings come from?" she quieted for a moment before striding towards the center pillar. "What the hell, isn't that the exit?" Gray asked pointing at the doors from before. "No, that leads further in, asshat. Anyway, I suppose it's my duty to educate you uncultured misfits. Dungeons have crystals at their cores and these crystals-" "Like the one you're holding?" I asked curiously, she opened a compartment on the pillar, pressing a button, the black stone slid open and a passage way opened, she stepped through.

"Don't interrupt again or I'll tear out your tongue." she said half growling, "Yes like this crystal, but not quite. The core crystals are huge. They regenerate the entire Dungeon and are genius loci of sorts. They also happen to protect the Dungeon at it's center. The guardian of this particular Dungeon is upper SS-rank. Of course there are plenty who can kill the damn thing, but why bother when you can profit? We let people, adventurers - not like you idiots - people come here to train and take the spoils of the Dungeon, in return however we take a portion of their gains as taxes of sorts. Anyway, this crystal is part of the core, though the core will probably regenerate this piece in like ten minutes. So best hurry the fuck up." I raised my eyebrows. Leaning towards Gray as we walked I murmured conspiratorially "She's wordy!" before hurrying after her. Gray just sighed, "You're being immature." I shrugged "It helps me keep calm." he nodded absently, gazing at the black stone corridors.

We walked in a somewhat awkward silence for twenty minutes before we finally found the entrance, Priscilla raised a fist to the sky in a triumphant salute. Stepping out into fresh air was a great relief and we both wobbled onto the grassy ground, Priscilla sitting between us. the sky was a deep purple, the Source burning in the skies. We were near a large pond with a portal hanging over it and a sparse scattering of huge trees. The rest as far as the eye could see was plains. Behind us, at the entrance were nine guards, dressed in white cloth and chain, more ceremonial than practical. I felt somewhat embarrassed I hadn't noticed them. They kept a respectful distance, though regarding us with suspicion.

"What is the date?" I asked with dread. It was an obvious cliche, the protagonist gets transported, though relieved he makes his way home only to find many years had passed. Of course such a thing is ridiculous, I'm not a protagonist after all! Priscilla frowned, "I don't know, does it matter?" I regarded her with some skepticism "It doesn't matter? How do... Nevermind. I'll just ask these guys..." she shook her head, "Don't speak to them, they don't speak the same language numbnuts." she said sourly, "What, but you can understand us." Gray said, his eyes flickering between everyone. "Yes I can, because I am a noble, it's only natural I may make contact with foreigners. Whatever. Come home with me weaklings, I'll look after you guys until I can get you home." she said with surprising tenderness.

Gray then proceeded to shit on the mood.

"What the fuck, this is the EMPIRE, we come from the Lost Isles! Big distance!" he gestured with his hands apart in a exaggerated manner. I glared at him and he blinked realizing he had raised his voice. Priscilla's eyes sharpened, "I promise on my honor that I shall send you two home." her eyes glittered, golden light flowing. We felt something then, we knew instinctively she was serious, I nodded. "Take us to your leader!" I say, leaping from the ground. The girl stares at me "Kid are you alright, you don't have a concussion or anything?" Gray rolled his eyes "He's always like this." I stand nonchalantly over the two as they slowly rise, time seemingly slowing. I formed a gray dome of Stratos around me as I sighed, I doubted she was the cause of our malfunctions but I needed to be sure, Will was being rapidly sapped from me as I stared at her intently, she had no Will bonds anywhere apart from her body. Only then did I breath, allowing the gray dome to dissipate.

She waved at the guards as she took a small hand sized rune marked white stone tablet from her pocket. She muttered a few words and the portal over the pond chimed, the colors of the portal lightened and an image appeared in the portal, a huge majestic city, buildings of silver metal and black smooth stone. Crowds of people weaving through with grace, all well dressed, it looked like everyone was middle class citizens.

Priscilla grabbed us by the scuffs of our necks and hurled us through, cackling the whole while.

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The street kids gathered, whispering amongst themselves, Dinnen stood with the older children, a red bag held in his hand, clinking with ever movement. He smiled wickedly.

"Rats! They'll pay us, gold, real gold! We can eat and bath, dress in clean clothes and sleep safely! All we must do is cause trouble, something we do anyway, we'll overturn those rich bastards! Alan Blightwood has promised us!"

The sound of clunky boots of guardsmen could be heard faintly.

The Rat King Dinnen handed out coins, and with that they soon scattered.

The observer, an old man, sighed sadly. Looking at them with regret, in his hand he held a long blade in a loose, sweaty grip.

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Shadow twitched, [What? Do you take me for a fool?], the elder Spirit gazed at him, head nodding listlessly "No longer... No longer!" the Spirit muttered. Shadow felt his mind halt with that terrible thought. That Chris could be dead. That Gray, his Host could be dead. That both are gone. Ice running through his veins, he had asked the only one who could track anyone anywhere. The elder Spirit had not found them however.

He left the Spirit to it's ramblings. His mind ITCHED, sparking with black. Self Notes hadn't answered him and he was at his wits end.

And something was wrong with Mirror.

He shivered, [Where the hell are you bastard?] he whispered, feeling lost.

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Rorry was bored, he hadn't been allowed to train any further by his parents, they said he had far surpassed their expectations, that he didn't need to please them further. But to be honest he didn't care. It wasn't about them. It was about Chris, the person he admires more than anyone. He sighed halting that train of thought.

He left his room in a huff, passing the living room without a word, his elder sister, Catalya sat with the rest of the family, reading. He left, simply walking. It was peaceful, the sky darkening. The yesterday a noble had been killed in his own home by a barbarian from the mountains, breaking the ancient peace. Uncle Stew though had said he had suspicions it was someone else.

Rorry didn't want to know who lived or died. He had always hated death, his family had died, along with his entire village. They had lied. It was said to be famine, but he knew the truth. Nonetheless he was satisfied with his new family. It had all happened decades ago after all.

The former Sage Rorry Spargale gazed into the starless sky with a smile, pulling his mask over his head.

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With a gasp I peeled my eyes open. I could feel movement, we were in a carriage of sorts, Gray and I had sort of ended up on each other and I soon jumped back. Wiping drool from my shirt with a disgusted expression I stared at the greatly amused Priscilla. "Why did you let this happen?" I asked, distaste evident. She shrugged. I ignored my companions and stared out the windows, watching everything fly by, the carriage was fast enough to make my eyes spin.

The carriage slowed before stopping and Priscilla stepped out. I shook Gray awake and half dragged him out with me. The carriage driver said something in an unknown language then the carriage spun and turned back the way it came. It was monstrously fast, more so from outside. It didn't seem to be driven by anything, more like a car. White, gold and overly decorated, red crystals stuck to the side in brass holders.

Priscilla lead us away from the road, silent. Gray and I gawked in awe. "Welcome to the noble House Goldwrym." she said while waving imperiously. The manor was huge, almost as tall as city buildings back on earth, only it was all made of smooth golden stone. Many guards stood at every entrance, some entering something like a barracks.

At the front gates a woman with dark gold hair was arguing with the guards.

Priscilla's face lit up "Big sis!" she called. The woman turned our way with a small smile. Priscilla leaped at her sister nearly knocking her over, she said smiling "I just met these weaklings, thought I may as well help them. PlusIGotACrystal!" the woman snickered "Pris, how many times have I told you? Father doesn't like useless weaklings, you can't bring them home!" Priscilla pouted, which would have been effective if she hadn't ruined it by abruptly scratching herself. I took a moment to observe the older sister. She had a strong figure, similar diamond shaped pupils and fangs. Her eyes were bright red however and I figured she could probably kill with her glares.

The big sister patted Priscilla for a moment before scowling "Well? Aren't you gonna introduce us to eachother?" "Oh! Sorry fleshies. Okay, this is our Sephvell the eldest child of Goldwyrm, and these fleshies are?" I realize with surprise we hadn't introduced ourselves. Gray smiles sheepishly, "... Not so bad..." he muttered. "My name is Christopher Crash and this is Gray Shadow." I said. "Gray Shadow? Sounds kinda pretentious." she said grinning, "I know right!" we fistbumped.

Sephvell cleared her throat, "Well I have work to do, Father is in a meeting with an important official, so you should hurry off to Trudid, Pris." she said. Priscilla hugged her goodbye with teary eyes. I snorted in bemusement as she led us off while frantically waving to her sister.

We trekked down to the town. After our brief nap I felt completely recovered. Using too much aura can really take it out of you. "What's the Lost Isles like?" Priscilla asked earnestly, we shrugged. Gray spoke up "It's calm, quiet and borin-" "How did you guys get so strong." Priscilla asked, interrupting. I shrugged "Training. You say strong, but you keep saying we're weaklings." I said "Yes, weaklings to me. But the Lost Isles shouldn't have people like you." I frowned. "We have an Academy, I had planned on joining. I'm pretty average." she giggled, then stopped, seeing I wasn't joking she looked incredulous "Average? Bullshit. A twelve year old B-rank, closing on A-rank. Bullshit." 'What!? And how do you know my age?' So... It seem dear Uncle Stew lied. He probably didn't want me to become arrogant or something, well whatever. "Well. You're pretty strong yourself kiddo." I said, "How old are you anyway?" she gave me The Look.

"So... You said other teleported too right? What about that?" Gray asked. Atleast he hadn't forgotten. "Well. I won't tell you where they came from but five others have teleported into this area. They had things in common. Power, not Will, but simply power, political or otherwise. People with influence have been teleported here and that's pretty worrying." she stopped "There's a question you both want to ask. Speak." Gray glared "How the fuck do you know?" "I can read minds in a way. Or rather I can tell if someone is having a specific thought over and over, usually the more linked up with their emotions it is the easier it is to read. I don't like doing it, but you guys are still pretty much strangers to me."

'Sounds reasonable' "What we wanted to ask was if there's a some kind of jammer around here." she tilted her head, "Jammer?" I facepalmed in self disgust. 'Dammit I need to stop using modern terms.' "I mean is there anything blocking Will devices or something?" she was quiet for a moment "Hmm. I think I know what you're talking about, there's a cave under the town that gives off some really odd Will. It could be that." Gray looked at me "Can you take us there? It's important." he asked. She shook her head "I don't really trust you guys too much yet. Anyway no one has any idea what that Will is. All we know is it's strong enough to repulse anyone who ever tried to enter." we neared the town of Trudid.

It hadn't been too long of a walk. People made way for us, guards saluting. I raised my eyebrows "So... You the boss here?" she laughed "No. We're the owners of this town." the town was very well ordered, every building perfectly block shaped, all streets clean and bright. The citizens were dressed in rich colors. It bustled inside, though it seemed to somewhat quiet as she entered. Many people nearby acted very courteous and good mannered while she was around. Weird.

Priscilla approached a clump of stalls selling various snacks. She curled her fingers, gesturing us over "This stuff is sooo good. You gotta try it. Trudid make the best snacks!" our stomachs grumbled. I picked a meat skewer, though I would have preferred blood, handing over a few coins I had left. The stall people gasped at the handful of platinum.

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"Pathetic." the old man spat. Alan grunted, kicking the boy.

"You can't even keep the attentions of the guardsmen! Pah! What of your promises to lord Alan? He has brought you gold and treated you with respect. Yet this is how you repay him!?" the old man shook his head.

Alan smirked "Oh. I'm sure we can forgive him. Boy. I have a job for you. Unfortunately for you it doesn't involve you being alive." the street kid stared in horror. Alan snapped Dinnen's neck quickly, "I need more Hands. Use this child." he said coldly, the old necromancer nodded looking somewhat sorrowful, "Where will you be my lord?" the necromancer asked.

"Sirin. When it burns to the ground."

The old man smiled. "Sorry my lord but I cannot allow that."

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Thanks for reading, if you can point out any inconsistencies or typos I would appreciate it.