The fight went as expected. Difficult. Incredibly so. Adam tested many things. His trusty sword, his newfound evolved ability, and his brute strength were nothing before Fortis' index finger.
"Shall we take a break?" [Fortis]
Adam slumped back against a tree to rest.
"You've gotta be fucking kidding me!" [Adam]
Eight hours of frustration and Adam was hitting his limit.
"How is this even fair?! You've got the reflexes of a cat, and the toughness of a level 10 voidling!" [Adam]
"What is a voidling?" [Fortis]
"Tell him it's a Cavos. He'd understand." [Astos]
"Ah… Cavos or whatever." [Adam]
"Oh." [Fortis]
He scratched his chin.
"You guys have that kind of problem too, huh." [Fortis]
"What do you mean?" [Adam]
"We get them around too. They're never too strong though. Only enough to destroy a planet or two." [Fortis]
That was shocking news.
"So you're telling me you're planetary level?" [Adam]
"What's that mean?" [Fortis]
"It's like a power scaling from Earth. It means you're strong enough to destroy planets." [Adam]
Fortis seemed intrigued by this.
"So it's similar to the Absolute's ranks." [Fortis]
"What's that?" [Adam]
"It's a set strength title list. It goes from Low-Grade, Mid-Grade, High-Grade, Peak-Grade, Arch-Type, Demon Lord, Hero, and so on." [Fortis]
"What rank am I?" [Adam]
"Around Peak-Grade." [Fortis]
"And you?" [Adam]
"Much higher." [Fortis]
"Hm. In what regard?" [Adam]
"Every regard." [Fortis]
Fortis had every right to be confident. For he was stronger than Adam with nothing but a finger.
"Let's change it up today. Do you mind going with Brat to get groceries?" [Fortis]
"Groceries? In the jungle?" [Adam]
Fortis then placed a palm on his face.
"Ah…! I almost forgot to mention. Brat comes from a race capable of spatial transference. Basically she can go FWOOM and then PSHH." [Fortis]
"...Can you explain without the sound effects?" [Adam]
"Hm… It might be better to just show you. Brat! Come!" [Fortis]
Exiting a tent from a nap, Brat strolled over rubbing her eyes.
"Yes…?" [Brat]
"I need you to take Adam with you to get groceries. Show him your Zip-Zap." [Fortis]
"Fortis, it's called teleportation." [Brat]
"That's what I said!" [Fortis]
Brat rolled her eyes and waved Adam over.
"Let's go." [Brat]
With a snap of her fingers, a rift opened.
"Woah!" [Adam]
It was identical to how voidlings would cross over to Earth, but somehow… less ominous. Maybe it was the energy it was exuding.
"Well? Is something wrong?" [Brat]
Adam glanced at Fortis.
"Didn't Va'al say that my body couldn't handle the rift?" [Adam]
"This is different. Explain, Brat." [Fortis]
("Oh, so he's just going to let her do everything.") [Adam]
"My teleportation, or spatial interference/transference is a bit different. It's a racial ability where I can choose a location I've been to and create a stable link between it. Similar to a black hole except it doesn't tear you apart." [Brat]
"Wait, what does a black hole have to do with it?" [Adam]
"It would take too long to explain. We should leave first." [Brat]
With that, she entered the rift. Adam, on the other hand, stood at the entrance with hesitation.
("Here goes noth-") [Adam]
"Just go!" [Fortis]
With a shove from behind, Adam flew into the rift and exited back to the inside of a city.
"Welcome to the Empire's Capital. I think you've come here already though." [Brat]
Adam could recognize some of the structures around him. Especially the castle standing in the center of the city.
("That's where Felix currently is. We crossed such a distance within an instant?") [Adam]
"Hey, don't get lost." [Brat]
Adam felt a soft hand push through his fingers and found Brat on the other end.
"...Are you treating me like a child?" [Adam]
"How old are you?" [Brat]
"Fifteen." [Adam]
"Well, I'm older." [Brat]
It was hard to agree with how young Brat looked. She seemed to be no older than ten, but Adam couldn't be too sure with these new races.
("I should ask Fortis Brat's age later.") [Adam]
Brat led Adam through large crowds and narrow alleys to get to their location. It was odd for many reasons. First was that there were so many unique races Adam had never seen like people with scaly skin, or those with extra arms. The second odd thing was that Brat was leading Adam through places instead of just teleporting to their intended destination.
"Do you want to try that?" [Brat]
She pointed to a stall selling a bunch of round green fruits on a skewer.
"What are those? Sweets?" [Adam]
"Tinabatta eyeball skewers. Rich in protein and tastes pretty good." [Brat]
"...I'll pass." [Adam]
It did smell good, but knowing they were eyeballs didn't allow Adam to even entertain the thought of eating them.
"Okay. How about that?" [Brat]
She pointed at a different stall selling a variety of ornaments. Most of their crafts were unfamiliar, but reminiscent of rings, and bracelets. The vendor was an old beastman lady with the traits of dog ears. She beckoned Adam and Brat over to her wares.
"Care to purchase something for your little sister?" [Old Vendor]
Brat tilted her head at the old lady.
"It's me." [Brat]
The old lady squinted her eyes at Brat before recognizing her.
"Oh my! If it isn't Milly!" [Old Vendor]
"Milly?" [Adam]
Brat nudged him.
"Yes, yes. It's me. Do you have anything that suits him?" [Brat]
She aimed a thumb at Adam.
"Of course, of course. Here, try this." [Old Vendor]
She tossed him a large ring. So large that it was loose on his arm.
"That's not how you wear it. Come." [Old Vendor]
She motioned for the ring and took it from Adam.
"This is how you use it." [Old Vendor]
With a click, the ring opened.
"Oh?" [Adam]
The old lady then clamped it shut on Adam's neck.
"Oh..." [Adam]
The cold metal slowly warmed to his heat, but it strangely wasn't uncomfortable.
"...Can I take this off?" [Adam]
"Of course, honey. But maybe you should wear it for today." [Old Vendor]
Adam was confused. He didn't feel like wearing it for certain implications, but also didn't want to take it off without knowing the customs of this place.
"Thank you, granny. Here's the payment." [Brat]
"You don't have to do that. It's on the house." [Old Vendor]
"Really?" [Brat]
"Yes, really. Have you ever seen me lie?" [Old Vendor]
Brat smiled.
"Say thanks, Adam." [Brat]
"Thanks, granny. For the uh… collar." [Adam]
The old vendor waved at them.
"You're very welcome. Enjoy your date." [Old Vendor]
Brat's face turned red.
"Granny…!" [Brat]