And why am I back here?
"Welcome back Greg, old buddy old pal, what did you in this time? Was it poison? I hope it was poison."
"Okay, I'm a little lost, why am I back here with the snotty prince? I was just getting Benny unhooked from the plow."
"Don't know, you third rate mage. Just use your fancy magic to find out, since it's so much better than the divine powers you have."
"Just cause you think it's stupid doesn't mean that magic isn't any good, now if you don't mind, I'm going to ask your page why I'm back."
"Welcome back, Gregory. No luck finding your sister I assume?"
"Death wouldn't stop me from keeping her this time. I'll fight a concept if I need to.
"Yes, yes. To answer your question, you got your head kicked off by a spooked horse."
"Benny would never!"
"I would take your attendance as proof to the contrary."
"Well if you know it was Benny, what spooked him?"
"A lightning bolt that struck nearby, you probably didn't even notice it with how hard the storm was and your general ignorance of the obvious."
"I get it Geoff, you think my search is pointless since my mom couldn't do it, and that I should just give up, right?"
"And you should leave, I'm getting tired of reading your deaths."
"They can't be that boring, I remember one time I died to a falling flowerpot, that had to be a good laugh at least."
"It wasn't. Plus even the few that are entertaining are spread so far apart with all the time you spend regenerating that they might as well have not happened."
It's always like this with him. You can't win. He wants nothing more than to be left alone.
"Always so stiff old man. Hate to compliment the sly kid, but at least Geam doesn't sound like he wants nothing more than to leave."
"Geam isn't in a cage living imprisoned by the king of demons for treason during his absence, so I think I'll go back to staring at the wall and ignoring you both, assuming you don't have any more questions about your death."
"I do! Did he manage to take anybody with him this time? Ooh, how about his body, do you have a picture?"
"No, and no. And I don't even have to answer you brat."
"Hey, that's uncalled for, I might even have you moved for that."
"Please do try, but I doubt your father would even let me."
"Why did your dad put him in here anyway? Seems a little odd to have the most powerful criminal in demon history, usurper to the throne, stuck in the newly returned prince's room."
"Don't question it, he won't talk, I've tried. Now he'll probably be silent for the rest of the day, and right when I was about ask if you made any money too."
Geam can be a bit nosey. But I do wonder why Geoff is always so quiet about it. Not like he can get himself in any more trouble by telling us why, right?
"Now that you ruined my good time. I have another question, why do you end up here every time you die instead of your dad's place, I mean I know he married in, but he does have a pretty sweet underworld from what I hear. He even has some big shot cook working for him, some say he's the best in the world."
"I honestly have no idea why I'm here, and I really don't wanna ask. Better I don't see my family, they can't stop me from finding my sister if they can't find me."
"Fair enough. So where are you going to look next? I hear Zanzu has some rumors about a girl with magic butterflies, is your sister that girly?"
"Yeah, she was last time I saw her at least. Thanks for the tip little man, gives me a good Idea where to start."
"You act like your so much older than me. We're the same age Greg, just cause I like to have fun rather than break the law and fool around with mortals doesn't mean I'm younger than you."
"I have my reasons, obviously, and age and maturity are very different kid."
"*Cackling*"
Oh, so Geoff can laugh. That's good at least.
"Enough already, where in Zanzu do you think you'll start?"
"Maybe I'll give New Opal a visit. My sister always liked pretty things, maybe the name caught her eye."
"A good enough reason to try it. Plus I hear that's the most radical city there, so you're a little less likely to be lynched or hunted because you aren't human."
"I have no idea what you're saying, I'm a perfectly normal human adventurer! Look, I even have a fancy card from Ambrosia."
"A fancy card that they gave you because you cheated their test and faked being human. A mage won't ask you for your card before they start chucking fire and lightning your way."
"Bah. Like any mage worth his weight is going to start slinging spells at me because I come back as a god."
"No, but they will when you come back as a demon, or a dark one. You aren't normal Greg, don't pretend you are if it comes down to it. There are still things out there that can stop you from showing up here."
"I get it. Just because you care about me so much, I won't risk my life on pretending to be human. That good enough for you?"
"Eat a shoe goddy."
"Soon as you get your horns kid."
"Bah. I'm still growing, not all of us demons get them for free you know."
"I know, but you are the prince, so I can't exactly assume you should be normal. But I guess reality is often disappointing."
"And I thought gods were supposed to be high and mighty, immortal beings that can't die, but then you shattered those hopes and dreams, so I guess were even."
"Touché. So where did he hide the portal this time?"
"Three doors down on the right, up two flights, third left, silver double doors, sign says cafeteria. Before you go though, don't you think you've died enough looking for your sister. I mean, maybe she doesn't want to be found. Your mom looks for you all the time, and you aren't here against your will. I mean if anything you're here against mine."
"This is different. I told my mom I was leaving; packed a bag, even left a note. My sister didn't even take her diary, never even said goodbye to me. I don't know what could drive her away so suddenly, but I'll find her, no matter how many times I have to die to do it. And who are you to talk, you were in love with her back when you lived with me, don't you want her found too?"
"Of course I want her found, love or not we were friends, I just don't know if she wants to be found, and she is smarter than me, so I won't go acting like I know better."
"So you'll just sit here and wait?"
"Yep. She's a big girl, she can get herself out of a tight spot better than I could. Plus my dad has me on lockdown since he thinks I'm the one going to the mortal realm."
"We both know you could get past that, you could come with me."
"I've said my peace, leave it. Good luck finding your sister."
"I don't need luck. I will find her, no matter what."
"Suit yourself big guy, but I don't think my dad will be too thrilled when he finds out you're squatting in my place, he still thinks I'm the one using the portal without permission. Imagine that. You might want to reconsider your relationship with lady luck when he finds out the truth."
"… I know I don't say this enough, but thanks Geam—"
"Save the sentimental speech about how much you love me and how glad you are to have grown up with me for when you find your sister. Now shoo. Before my father figures out that I'm not at dinner yet. I just couldn't miss hearing you whine about your death, it's the highlight of my day you know."
"You really are a pain pip-squeak."
Three doors down on the right, up two flights, third left… Here they are. Well, back to the world of the living, wonder what New Opal is like in winter.
And they posted a guard.
"This area is off limits due to construction, please leave immediately, or be removed."
Well sh—
"Wait a second… you aren't a demon? What are you doing in the castle? I wasn't told of any visiting dignitaries."
Second verse same as the first. How do I get myself out of this one… I don't have my sword… Can't use an illusion, he'd see right through it if I tried without prep-time… I'm confident, but I don't think I could take a trained demon soldier in hand-to-hand… There has to be a way through this I can manage… Got it!
"Of course I'm a demon you dolt! We're in the Imperial Castle! No god could ever make their way here without at least sounding an alarm or two. I'm in disguise you idiot, so I hope it isn't too much of a bother if you let me get on with the king's command before I must tell him of how a measly guard stopped a demon lord from infiltrating his target. Now, stand aside before I make you."
"M-my apologies sir. The portal is right this way. Watch the tripwire between those tables, changes the portal strait to the throne room. Wouldn't want that!"
God his laugh is like nails on a chalkboard… I can't believe that worked… Either I'm a much better actor than I thought or that guard is brainless somewhere in there.
"Still though, a mission from the king himself, must be important sir. I'll make sure his highness knows you left. Safe travels, and make sure you avoid the Holy Nation, they're warming up to us, but the good majority of them still hate our guts."
"I'm not empty in the skull soldier, I know my disguise wouldn't hold up against any cleric or paladin, they'd skewer me in a heartbeat. I never planned on heading there."
"If you don't mind me asking, your grace, where might you be headed?"
"I make for Helmut, in Ambrosia. Make sure you pronounce it correctly when you tell the king, don't want him thinking I'm out shopping for armor."
"Will do, sir. Safe travels."
That should throw off any chase, the largest city in the neighboring country, should buy me at least a week until they realize I'm not there. I wonder if they got snow in New Opal… I've never seen snow, even over the past years it's always been either too hot or too demon-ey for snow. Well, off we go into the world of the living again, this time I'll find her for sure.
The world is white.
"So this is snow, I've never been out during winter before…"
"I can't tell if you were talking to me or yourself, but mind letting me know how you just popped out of nowhere."
"Trade secret."
I always forget to make sure the destinations clear. Now I have to deal with a nosey… Half Dwarven Elf? Rare type to see, especially this far from the dwarven and elven cities.
"Trade secret, eh? I'll bet it was spatial deletion-based teleportation. How close am I?"
"Nowhere near, but I'm surprised you know such an advanced technique. Are you a mage?"
"No, I'm nowhere near that good. It's just a hobby of mine, making sure I know what to expect from a slippery target, and what measures I can take against them when the time comes. But enough of that. Why did you teleport into my room?"
"Official business."
"Yeah, right. Tell me why you're here before I call for help."
"Fine, I accidentally came here when I was trying to go to the square, alright?"
"You…"
Everyone always laughs when I say I messed up a spell a little. They're like children, all of them. At least she has a cute laugh though.
"Gods… It's been a long time since I've seen somebody with teleportation that can't even control their magic properly… So what brings you to new Opal?"
"That is a long and complicated story, can I tell you over something to eat, I'm starving."
"That would be smooth if you hadn't accidentally broke into my room. But sure, I'll bite. I can use some entertainment with lunch."
Well. I guess I'm doing this now. She is gonna be livid when she finds out I don't have any money… I'm surprised how good the food is here, really makes lying about my past much more enjoyable than usual. Hope she buys the classic cursed sister story; it gets difficult when they don't believe it.
"So, let me get this straight. You came to New Opal because your sister likes gemstones, and you hope that the curse didn't change her so much that she wouldn't still think that way, and that she just happened to come here because of it. Isn't this the same excuse the farmhand has in that movie from Serpent's Peaks studios?"
Huh, she has good taste in films. Why is it always difficult?
"You caught me, I was just trying to sound cool for a cute girl—"
Idiot! Why would you just say it like that! Just cause it's true doesn't mean it's a good idea to blurt it out!
"— cause my real reason is lame. I'm just out looking to do some work to pay off the new field my parents bought."
"That sounds way more believable, but you don't really look like you're from out in the country. Kinda surprising honestly, but I'll take your word on it. So you say you're looking for work, how does working with me and Lils as an adventuring party sound? 1 more member and we can take on small group quests."
"Quite the generous offer, what's the catch."
"What catch, it's not like I have anything to gain from having an entertaining wannabe mage that can't control his magic on my party, I just want to take on harder quests."
"Oh that's it, I'll show you that I'm a decent adventurer."
"Tuff talk for a farmer's boy, who knows, maybe you'll impress me enough that I'll let you lead the group."
"You can count on it."