Chapter 18 - Where were we again?
Primordial Calendar 097, Summer Season 8, and 23rd day, City: Ravelin, Continent Truven, World Javelin
There were storms now, but something else was building up that would destroy this area permanently. True, the world is deceptively stable right now. Still, even Conroy sensed rumbling undercurrents already shaking up the innermost core of the planet. Conroy sighed because the situation was rapidly deteriorating, and everyone sensed it.
That reminded Conroy, "What is the year and date of this world?" This would help him determine where they were in the timeline, understand it, determine where they were located, and consider what else could be done before going through the stages.
Oljan frowned. "It is strange that the information isn't listed on the main forum." He looked around, "Oh, here it is." Oljan tapped on a blinking sigil.
Conroy studied it with shock. Oh my god, they'd wound up in the timeline with three years to spare before the original events started. Only Conroy was sure that at least a few places still showing on the map should've been annihilated. More discrepancies were popping up than he could keep up with.
How could Conroy confirm his suspicions that something had gone awry with the timeline? At least, that's what he thought had happened. Can I communicate with the author under these circumstances? He wrote a note to Kenneth, who glanced at it and shrugged with puzzlement.
They noticed Lancer Oljan watched them with growing concern.
Kenneth shook his head at Conroy. They frowned at each other in confusion. Now, they had a problem, and soon, they needed to say something to Lancer Oljan that made sense.
Kenneth indicated disagreement with the idea of contacting the author in this case. No, this is even earlier in the timeline that I remember. He wrote back with a grimace. We need to determine the exact timeline difference before we do anything beyond that. I'll get this information to the author. Conroy was skeptical about how that would go over with anyone. Could he have been able to meddle with things and create a whole new species? That is what it felt like to Conroy right now.
I wouldn't put it past him to have done so. A sigh escaped Kenneth when he thought of something even more unpleasant. For all we know, he's been dumped here, too, because someone hates his guts for being so obdurate in his unwillingness to lower his standards for the game's veering away from his guidelines.
The two men exchanged worried glances. While that explained a few discrepancies, it didn't remove the fact that many people in Ravelin and Kilton would be subject to even worse horrors before permanent extinction occurred.
This was no longer a game to Conroy and Kenneth. The stakes had risen to a higher degree indeed. No longer fiction since they'd been murdered in the other world. It was a real world where they were located, and the realization meant they had unusual abilities to bring into this world. They could acquire unexpected bonuses. They should put them to use for the betterment of their lives and those who've helped them so far. However, that also depended on whether Lancer Oljan and Innkeeper Trubin would accept their assistance. It would have to be subtle; otherwise, the two stubborn men wouldn't receive any help from them if it was straightforward, from what Kenneth could tell.
The two men studied the calendar with some bafflement. First, though, they had to wrap their minds around a stunning fact: "Hmm, so we're in the Primordial Calendar 097, Summer Season 8, and 23rd day?" Conroy wasn't sure what that meant as far as official events were concerned. This wasn't just three years ahead of time; it was more like thirteen. What the hell should they do now?
*
The walls shook, the floor collapsed beneath him, and even everything Lancer thought was solid became gelatinous goo that engulfed him in utter darkness. He couldn't feel anything at all. What was happening to him? Seconds passed, and everything returned to normal, but not the normal that Lancer had acclimated to over the decades.
Clamorous noise, screeching and howling in his head almost made it feel like it would explode. "Ugh," Pain ratcheted throughout his entire body. "Bergh, I feel like I'm gonna be sick."
What just happened to him? Lancer was shaken so severely he couldn't speak. An apocalyptic event occurred so fast that none were aware of the change. Had they all gone through death, or was it just Lancer's imagination?
He opened one eye when Kenneth spoke calmly. "Are you alright, Oljan?" He sounded concerned. "You look as though you've seen spirits of the dead just now."
Lancer finally managed to regain his composure, only to be shocked once more as he studied his surroundings. They were no longer patched and worn with time and grime. These walls were freshly whitewashed, the old beams not darkened from smoke from the fireplaces scattered throughout the cafe. Even the people...huh? The people where acquaintances Lancer had known were dead some time ago. "What am I seeing right now?" He mumbled in confusion.
Uh, it was more like he was seeing them now! People he could've sworn died in accidents and other nasty incidents were sitting and chatting around them in this small cafe. Most of them had died thirteen years prior when natural disasters threatened to push them all into extinction. So, what happened?
It didn't take Lancer Oljan long to realize what must've happened. Even he experienced horrible disorientation, which made him uncomfortable. Also, he was much younger when he reflected in a window. The only things that had yet to change were Kenneth and Conroy, except that they had changed. He would think about their odd reflections in the window later. Wait a second, window? Lancer looked outside and blinked. Even their surroundings had altered and looked almost brand new. Where were they in this world now? Lancer wasn't sure what to think about this situation anymore. "How did we regress to thirteen years ago?" he regarded his companions with disbelief.
"Just how bad of news is this to you?" Conroy regarded him soberly.
Lancer was speechless when the enormity of what occurred hit him.