The rest of the night would end uneventfully, with morning following soon after. It was a relief to know that the sunrise of this world wouldn't be something beyond what I could manage after everything, though the vibrant rays of the dawning sun helped me remember apart of myself, that I preferred the night over daytime, with waking late being a trait I seemingly carried with me into this new world.
I quickly dressed in an Astral Keystone uniform, sitting quite loose on my small frame and finished off the breakfast meal that was brought to the Travellers' beside by the caretakers.
A combination of spicy tasting berries with a sweetness that resembled white chocolate in tastes and a bowl of seemingly normal mushroom soup. The head caretaker came in and explained that we would have to finish our bowls before we could be discharged.
"Traveller or not, you're all still governed by the natural laws as mortals. That means you need to eat. Our cook worked hard to ensure that your meals were to my exact requirements"
"It isn't that bad…" One the Travellers blurted out before choking on the heat running down his throat.
"The soup should help with the heat" The white-haired caretaker said, after she helped him sit up and take a spoonful of the creamy brew from his bowl. After a few mouthfuls, the heat must have calmed as his panic did.
"I'm sure you know better than most that you've gone through a lot in a short period of time. If we aren't careful you may be overwhelmed. This meal has been made as potent as possible to nourish and revitalize your bodies. You should feel none the worse for wear by the time you leave my wards"
Half an hour later, Winn and the rest of the Travellers made their way out of the room and joined the increasing mass that was heading downstairs to the Administrative Office - Floor 1. Taking the stairs, they became familiar with the vastness of their current holdings with each flight bringing more and more to a crawl from the journey..
Once they had seen the sign mentioned before, they walked past the ivory colored doors, opening on their own as they approached them. They were led into a foyer area hosting a large and welcoming space.
At the center was a hearth bearing a steady vermillion flame that warmed the room. Away from the doors they entered through, were several windows marked with specific signs above them. Each of them lead up to a booth with a masked attendant on standby.
With many Travellers both strange and familiar already lined up by the booths, I looked around before approaching the different queues. Nothing was said about what we should do beyond coming here, but the best thing to do when you don't know anything is to ask.
Finding the appearance of the line quite unusual, I joined reluctantly at the back of a relatively short queue, passing a few cold-stares as I stood among the others, ahead of them the sign above the attendant read, 'Summoned Heroes', though the symbols were certainly in their foreign script, based on how many people kept pointing at them, hoping to find someone that could make them out.
While they could have been thinking about anything, it was clear that whatever brought us here only gave us the ability to speak and understand the spoken language of this world.
"So why can I read it, its clear that this is normal, look them…" The thought slipped out of my lips in a distracted whisper. Apart of me managed to rationalize the other things that happened like with understanding the text in the Traveller's Legendarium being a result of their creation coming from previous Travellers but now, seeing everyone else struggling to figure what each booth was meant for sold just how strange this was.
With three other booths beside him offering the same service, the growing group was slowly managed to find their way at the guidance of the skillful attendants waiting on us by each booth. Each of them started their interaction with a few questions before a plume of smoke would rise above them and the next person stepped up.
One or more Travellers in each line would occasionally lash out, wishing to see their superior to voice their displeasure at the service they were receiving, even going as far as to try and attack the attendants out of pure rage. From where I stood in line, I couldn't see how the altercations would play out, only how they began before the crowd would gather around, and then how it ended, with the dissidents being restrained and assisted at another booth.
I did my best to ignore their eyes, moving along the line and eventually reached the booth.
"Twelve's Blessings be with you, Sir Hero."
"And the Twelve's Blessings to you. We were told to come here by a man named Arlosse. He said we would know where to go after finding his companion but…" I turned around, scanning the room for any of the Count's companions
"You speak of Count Arlosse and Lord Daitei. Yes, Sir Hero. All who I attend are to be properly prepared before meeting with Lord Daitei. It is our job today to ensure that you have what you need to begin your journey"
"All right"
"If you would, please present me with the palm of your hand…" As I showed her my hand, she took out a large book, with a featureless violet cover, she paged through the gray pages, past the various diagrams and figures until she found the one she sought.
"This mark should work. It is a Rank A seal, suitable for assessing the strength of even the most powerful individuals" Placing the mark on the back of his hand. She pulled out a violet edged dagger and drove it into his hand, releasing a billowing black pillar of smoke.
Despite her sudden act, little more than a momentary sting was felt before the smoke ended and the dagger was removed.
"Is it done?"
"Bear with me, Sir Hero" Taking out another page and performing the same ritual, the pillars rose one after the other. Each time it did, a look almost menacing in nature stretched across her face.
Requiring at least six more pages to be used before she Finally got to a seal that worked.
'How could it be that the only seal that worked was an F-Rank? For a Traveller no less. Perhaps…you need to possess some degree of strength for anything above F-Rank to measure your power. I don't think he or even Count Arlosse or Lord Daitei realize it but he may very well be the weakest one among the Travellers that were summoned.'
"Apologies for all that, it usually doesn't take long to get a reaction" Watching this time as a violet light carved the seal into the back of his hand. The mark resembled a drake.
"Sir Hero, you've been marked. In a moment that seal on your hand should begin to take its final shape."
"Sir Hero, if you can. Please, hold out your hand and call upon the seal's power. You need only say the words, 'Status Open' to do so"
While the mark didn't ache at all, its presence could be felt on my flesh, as I flexed my wrist and fingers hoping to adjust to the unfamiliar sensation that was now bound to me.
"Status Open" At my call, my eyes glazed over with an white light as an untethered display hovered in front me, floating in place beside the attendant.
Character Status: Winnroad Level: 0 Slumbering.
Lost Aspect: Unknown
Rank: ??
'(i) You may select this icon to see additional information'
'You do not meet the requirements to access additional information'
Spirit Origin: Unknown
Rank: ??
'(i) You may select this icon to see additional information'
'You do not meet the requirements to access additional information'
HP: -
MP: -
'(i) You may select this icon to see additional information'
'You do not meet the requirements to access additional information'
'Status Note: You must reach level 1 to access additional information'
'Status Note: Consume sources of Lacrima to strengthen your Spirit Origin.'
'Interesting…a Status Window, just like–'
"Status Magic, a basic tier of magic but one whose functions have the ability to evolve over time. The higher your level, the more information it allows you to gleam about the world around you. It's through this magic system, that you as a Traveller are able to track your growth" The attendant explained before she looked over my parameters, in our mutual confusion we both let out–
"Hmm."
"It seems like I have to consume this 'Lacrima' to increase my level?"
"Yes sir Hero. As for what Lacrima is, you should see an explanation right here…" She lifted my wrist for a better view. As we came into contact, her eyes glistened with a white light before she let out a sudden gasp.
"Is it supposed to be this empty?"
"Apologies, Sir Hero. The irregularities of your status…may simply be a consequence of how unique the Travellers are in their nature" She said, hoping to placate me, but her distress had begun to degrade her mask of certainty.
'Hmm?' Catching a whiff of some strange scent that came from the attendant, his gaze focused more intently as he sought its source.
"I take it by your reaction that this isn't normal, and what does it mean to be Slumbering?"
"Most of what you're capable of will become known to you after your visit. For now, you should have access to the information that you're familiar with. What you see is a compiled and comprehensive view of what you are capable of" Losing more of her composure as she felt the weight his gaze wash over her in waves.
'A visit, I see, but what does being Slumbering mean? I feel as though that might be something important.' The thought came to me in what appeared to be an off-handed remark actually stemming from much of my most recent knowledge gained through my request of Signe.
"Perhaps my affinity with Status Magic is too low, there's a lot of missing information on this. Isn't the value of such a tool the information it grants?" I'll admit that these questions were coming at her far too quickly, and considering how much reverence they speak about us Travellers…"Or maybe the issue is with my Status Window?" It's possible that she hasn't seen this before.
"My apologies, Sir Hero for my lack of knowledge, the Realm-Breakers will make sure that any questions you have are answered. Very soon, you will be sent on your way to commune with the Twelve, I pray that they may bless you on your journey." The attendant's will had been reduced to its minima, as she urged for the end of our engagement as soon as possible
Count Arlosse and Daitei mentioned those very same figures. These Realm-Breakers, they were responsible for bringing us here. But what of the Twelve she keeps mentioning? I noticed that it was a common exchange during conversation between the caretakers and the attendants, perhaps it's their equivalent of "god be with ye" or maybe something else entirely.
The idea seemed the most reasonable, I felt that this was the most necessary action considering his current situation, he couldn't afford to remain ignorant.
"Will the Twelve, whomever they are, meet with us here?"
"You will find both on your wayThey make preparations to see you as we speak" The attendant handed over a worn and bruised map before asking that I step aside to assist the next group of Travellers.
"Once you have been assisted, please follow our guards to the caravan. They will be responsible for transporting you" Another pair of attendants stood between the lines, working to direct and guide anyone that may have query or have concluded their work at the booths to their next destination.
With the queue behind still growing, and the unsettled expression worn by the attendant, I thanked her before I took my leave, not wanting to cause a stir and find myself removed by force, a considerable amount of force from the looks of it.
Stepping out of the line and towards the central hearth, you could mor cries and shouts as other unruly Travellers were forced on their way, never less than several figures put all their weight into dragging a single of us away, showing a cautious nature that was a bit of a surprise considering how they were the only ones that were armed.
Perhaps to them, the Travellers were things more akin to monsters than people. A thought inspired me to turn back and ask one last question. As I returned to the booth, the attendant jumped in surprise
"I'm sorry, miss, but–"
"Wh–" Before I could ask another question, I was already pushed out of the way.
'I guess I'll just keep it to myself. What kind of symbol is this...' It wasn't long till my attention found the nature of the mark to occupy my mind. I chose to move on rather than struggle through the crowd hoping to reach the attendants.
With the bare window open, I began to inspect the properties of my Status Magic, like what it took to summon the window of information which seemed to respond to my intent as long as I had some sort of contact with the mark.
From there, the (i) icon that sat near the empty parts of the Status Window continued to output the same prompt to everything I focused on. Finding a stone bench near the inviting warmth of the hearth, I took a moment to gather my thoughts, what was said today, what was told yesterday, all the bits that I could piece together with the hope of feeling like any of this made sense.
"I wonder if Miss Signe is around, maybe she could help me understand some of this…" I paused as the words trailed off, hinting at a new thought that had taken root. Hastily, I rummaged through my pockets, feeling around for the awkward shape of metal before pulling it out.
Remembering the same gestures Miss Signe used, I mimed the action of unlocking the imaginary chest, summoning the crude warchest from the cool wave of ephemeral smoke that spawned from the tip of the key. I took a moment for it to take form, allowing me to catch and set it on my lap.
A shadow fell over me in a moment, with the same scent of cinnamon warming my senses. Before I could register the full weight of the presence that was upon me, their touch had pulled me back out of my daze.
I recognized that scarlet head of hair. I felt an arm thrown over my shoulder, pulling me close to a body that burned just as hot as the hearth in front of me. Before I could react, they were basically sitting on my lap, pushing my warchest off to make space for herself.
Leaning against me, she tried to get a better view at the page I was turned to, her crimson locks swayed back and forth, lifting a inviting scent, not as alluring as the one I was treated to last night but all the same.
"…Ms. Aurora"
"Shush. Don't struggle, just relax, at least until they leave" His gaze flickered to the side, looking past the girl's, I saw the group of individuals with an air of frustration about them.
The grizzled group seemed to be staring at me as my eyes met theirs, shocked at the loss of their chance, they merely scoffed aloud before walking away from the line. It was then that I realized they were part of the group that left before the rest of us, choosing to walk away from the duty of Travellers, but why they were still here was another question.
'They got their money, I thought they would try to get as far away as possible from all of this'
"You stick out like a sore thumb" Aurora brought me back with an intimate whisper playing against my ear. "Try looking less clueless next time or you'll be counting your teeth in the back of an alley" Aurora teased that there won't always be people to look out for me.
"But I will say my thanks. They've been hounding me since yesterday's meeting, and staring daggers at you. I had a hunch they would be too scared to do or say anything if they caught us together so I came looking for you"
"You think they were here to attack me?"
"I know most of them would. We're in a strange land with no memories of where we came from and all of a sudden we are told that we have the right to power and money we've done nothing to earn, that's the kind of entitlement to bring out the worst in people"
"I see, it looks like some things are the same no matter where you are. Are you sure there was no one better suited to be your pretend 'savior', I know I certainly don't look the part."
"In a place where no one knows anything, the person with the clue is the strongest. They might not be afraid of you, but they're definitely cautious. They'll think twice before trying anything"
"I can't say I appreciate being viewed in that kind of light. I only know as much as anyone is willing to tell me right now. And most of it still doesn't make any sense."
"Well if I had the wrong idea about you, your hands would've been all over me. I took a chance, and thankfully, I'm not a terrible judge of character. Thank you, Winn" She said, as she shuffled off me, but still staying nearby.
With a confident air about her, she handed me my chest, raising an eyebrow with her returned interest in what I was doing. "So what were you working on? You seemed"
"It's hard to explain" Taking my answer as a challenge, she lifted the warchest, and leaned in once again. "Then show me"