Interconnected: Spliced Souls

“Oi! And there I was!” The whole bar clung to Gerld’s words like sweet nectar as he jumped on the table and raised his tankard, the sweet mead spilling over the side. The bartender couldn’t say much since the generous Rhinokin had already bought four rounds for the whole bar, and he was about six mugs deep into his third story. 

“They had warned me about the ferocious den of monsters! A place where a mean, murderous troll had laid their claim to the darkness within! But did that stop me, you might ask? Hell no! I’m Gerld the Brave! Gerld the Mighty! And might I even add…” Gerld twirled and pointed to the proof of his lineage. “Gerld the Horny!”  

The bar erupted into laughter, and Momo wasn’t left behind. She thought her new friend had the chops to be a famous and well-acted storyteller. Everything he had shared had been full of ups and downs and packed so many funny, outlandish moments that she knew most had to be fiction. But she didn’t mind it because they were so good. The other patrons thought the same, but she didn’t know how drunk they were.   

They were probably wasted. Momo and Albert were still sober—alcohol wouldn’t do much to an undead revenant who couldn’t be poisoned anymore. 

“The troll was a mean son of a bitch! The rumors say he ate children for breakfast, dogs for lunch, and rabbits for dinner. The diet didn’t make sense, but I was instilled with mighty bravery because I fit neither of those things! An hour later? There was still no sign. Oh, but I wasn’t deterred. I just followed the trail of bones until…I saw him…” Gerld lowered his voice to a hairy whisper. “The meanest, biggest, ugliest son of a bitch stepped out of the shadows with a face like mangled dog meat. And I thought of myself… What is my mother-in-law doing here?”  

More roaring laughter exploded as Gerld couldn’t help but chuckle. “It took a second for my eyes to adjust, and then I saw that pure-muscled freak. But then a little stick broke beneath my boots, and I fell from my hiding hole, landing in his sight.”  

“What did you do?!”  

“What Gerld the Funny always does! I stood up, dusted myself off, and told him… 'Wait….this isn’t where I parked my wagon!' But the humorless bastard didn’t like it. But they don’t call me Gerld the Dancer for nothing, either! So I jumped away from his punch, put my hands on my hip, and did a little jig—just like this—while asking him… Do ya fancy a little dance, big fella?” Gerld tripped over his feet, slid on spilled mead, and fell to his back, but the Rhinokin wasn’t running out of steam. Nor was he injured. He quickly stood up and jumped back on the table, nearly slipping again until Suusa supported his legs.   

“It was a dance like no tomorrow! I jigged to the left! Skipped to the right! Gerld the Light-Footed Dancer did not get hit a single time! What can I say? My dance is not of this world! And the troll had two left feet! Here, ya wanna see how the fool danced?” Gerld slipped again and crashed hard, nearly splitting the durable table into two.   

He was slow in getting up, but he joked and said the Era of Gerld the Storyteller was ending “Oi! Oi! One more round one, lads! Drink up until you can’t feel your liver!”  

“Hahaha!” Gerld hopped off the table and returned to his seat as the joyous atmosphere dramatically increased. Every seat was filled, and there was a line of people wanting to get in on the good times and generous generosity.    

“So… Think you overdid it?” asked Sissy. She returned the plate of fried cheese, sweet cookies, and veggies to the table. She had placed them in her lap to prevent a certain someone from falling and breaking them. Momo wasted no time grabbing a savory snack that sang sweet lullabies to her taste buds. The exhausted, almost overworked bar girls pleasantly smiled as they gingerly delivered Gerld’s ordered booze to each table. Momo saw their waitress and offered a polite wave.   

“Eh? How can you ask me that? Look around! Can’t you see their smiles?”  

“I’m sure everyone’s just drunk.”  

“Like I said. Can’t you see the smiles?”  

“I’m not sure that’s the same thing.”  

“Eh, it’s close enough.” Gerld shrugged and kept his smile.   

“So, did that really happen?” asked Momo, referring to his stories and differing titles.   

“I’m a little shocked you’d doubt the validity of Gerld the Truthsayer.”  

“Sissy?”  

“Well…” She grinned and flashed a friendly smile. “He’s been telling the same stories since I knew him, so…”  

“The outlandish tales must be true since it’s the same for me,” added Suusa.   

“Outlandish? Coming from the earth magic guy who used to sleep with chunks of dirt. If anything’s outlandish, it’s you!” the inebriated Rhinokin replied.   

“Sleeping with dirt?” Momo was confused, but she couldn’t get a word in edge-wise since Suusa and Gerld had gotten into a bout of playful banter.   

“It’s about where he grew up,” answered Sissy. She grabbed a handful of fried cheese and gluttonously tossed a few in her mouth. “Oh, my stomach won’t forgive me in the morning. But it’s so delicious.”  

“A little gorging here and there’s alright in my book, especially after today. We need a little break and time to rewind, relax, and recover. So… I guess we’re returning to Canary soon.” 

“Yeah. It’s been…” Sissy slumped in her chair for a moment before fixing her posture. She adorably nibbled on a stick of fried cheese before chasing the tasty delight with her sweet mead. “I won’t lie. It’s been fun. I didn’t think things would work out after that first golem ambush. It really was scary. And we wouldn’t be here if you two and Servi didn’t show up.”  

Albert remained silent and partly focused on the conversation. His attention was focused on the strangers eyeing him and the others. Earlier, Servi had killed a messenger spirit. The sudden surprise was hidden by the electric atmosphere when Gerld’s untrustworthy tales had the bar’s patrons on the corner of their seats, but Albert witnessed a dozen layers of grief wash over someone’s face.  

He instantly deduced the summoner and carefully watched him and the others he was with. But to his surprise—or perhaps it was only natural—the grief-stricken summoner suddenly bolted from his chair and ran out of the bar. The others followed him. Albert wasn't naive enough to consider the problem resolved, yet he didn’t think revenge would come from them.   

Suddenly losing communication was a big deal, but Albert knew it depended on how strict the chain of command was. He didn’t know the first thing about Fortuna’s leadership. Obviously, the manager was going to die—perhaps the summoner and his allies thought that had already happened. If so, they were likely running to Fortuna to report on what had happened. In that case, it did seem like a fight was likely, but it wouldn’t happen tonight. Not until they confirmed the manager’s fate and took it from there.  

Then again, Albert believed Fortuna to be no more than well-prepared criminal crooks. He could only think about it from his perspective since tactical prowess had been beaten into him from the day he was saved by a man he used to love as the brother he never had.   

“Do you guys have enough food for the return trip?”  

“Yep. But I think we’ll stop by the market before we leave.”  

“Momo’s right,” added Albert, joining in after returning his attention to the conversation. He kept one eye on the door in case someone discovered a well-spring of idiotic vengeance. He said he wanted to ready a fantastic feast for Srassa after they reunited, which prompted the curious witch to ask about this mysterious unknown member of Butterfly Rumble.   

Momo explained as much as she could without delving into anything secret. “She’s a girl I tutor. We fight together and stuff. I guess I’m teaching her how to become a proper adventurer. It’s been real fun. And I can’t wait for us to make the trip to Adenaford. I think Servy said something about you three sailing across the ocean?”  

“That’s possible.” Sissy seemed a little uncomfortable before fixing her posture. She ignored the fried cheese and instead focused on the celery and carrots they needed to get down. “But nothing’s defined.”  

“Well, Servy and I wanna return to with Srassa and Saline. We’ll spend a few days here with Cassidy before hiking to Adenaford.”  

“Hiking? You know it’s a long trip.”  

“Yep, but that’s what makes it fun. It’ll be an adventure. We could always use a certain witch and her friends.”  

“Haha! Hint received. And will you two knuckleheads give it a rest?! Stop bickering! I’m trying to talk to Momo!” Sissy’s face assumed a scowl as she grabbed Gerld by the ear. Her patience had run thin.  

“Oww! You’re ripping—”  

“Good! Maybe it needs to come off! Maybe you’ll hear better with one ear!”  

“That doesn’t even make any sense, you brute! You’re drunker than— Owwww!!! Okay! Okay! Sorry! Why aren’t you doing this to him?!”  

“Because I stopped bickering minutes ago,” answered Suusa. “This ‘earth magic guy’ is more attentive than you realize. I’m beginning to think you ramble to hear yourself speak.”  

“Geez! It’s like you want me to pick on you!” Sissy let go and sat with a huff, crossing her legs while fondly reaching for her tankard. It was nearly empty, so she downed the rest and wiped her face, leaving a refreshing smile before abruptly changing the subject. “It’s getting late, so why don’t we call it?”  

Gerld mumbled something snarky and flinched when Sissy made a pinching motion. The Rhinokin changed his tune and scarfed down the rest of the shared veggies.   

Momo yawned and wiped her eyes. “I guess I’m tired. We’re meeting up early, right? To go…there?”  

“Yep. Might want to do it sooner rather than later. And then it’s off to the guild, and hopefully… Just... Hopefully, we won’t be questioned for that long,” said Gerld. He called over their waitress and paid the tab, slightly groaning because he had spent more than he wanted.   

“That’s what you get for going all out. No one made you buy a round for the bar.”  

“And no one’s making me pay for yours. Come on, witch, cough up the dupla.” Gerld held his hand out after the waitress thanked him, and Sissy ignored it.   

“Are you two ready?”  

“Don’t brush me off! Geez… The things I do for this group… You could at least throw me a bone or three. Or a few hundred dupla… Man, Servi needs to fight again… I need some more money.”  

Momo looked at Albert, who nodded and sat his empty mug down. “Seems like we are. Oh, but don’t worry. Servy likes fighting. I’m sure she’ll participate sooner or later. And if you’re with us? Feel free to bet all you want on her.”  

“Hey, you can’t take it back,” said Gerld when he stood. The others followed him to the door, and they left behind a little-known bar that had quickly become a fast favorite of Momo’s. She couldn’t wait to return with Servi. And with Itarr and that foxy lookalike, too. And Merka. And Srassa and Saline.   

Really, she wanted all her friends to come with her next time. And judging from how things were going?  

Momo didn’t think she’d be waiting all that long.   

“Is it really right to put the pressure on Servi?” inquired Sissy as they walked along the moonlit streets. There weren’t many people, and it was almost shady and uncomfortable, so Gerld led them to the main street. But to do that, he escorted them down a few back alleys because it was the quickest way.    

“I wouldn’t necessarily call it that.” Albert’s wisdom was welcomed. His words eased a faint heaviness laying pressure on Sissy’s heart. Momo believed she didn’t want to take advantage of Servi’s generosity.   

“Because it’s a sure-fire thing that she’ll win?”  

“That’s correct.”  

“Your confidence in her is astounding,” noted Suusa. He stretched and yawned. All that food digesting in his belly hinted he’d sleep like a log. Momo wondered if he couldn’t wait to lay in his bed.   

“Let’s say I have good reasons for it,” Albert said.   

“Hell yeah! That’s what I like to hear! Riches! Food! Fancy hotels! Oh! Luxury is coming up nicely for Gerld the Indomitable!”  

“Indomitable? Really?” Sissy rolled her eyes. “This witch believes you’re thinking too highly of yourself. Don’t tell me Gerld the High and Mighty is another of your many titles?”  

“Eh? You know it is!” The Rhinokin posed and formed a muscle, but Sissy rolled her eyes a second time and kept walking. “Eh? Don’t ignore me! Gerld the Rich needs his witch and earth magic guy to keep him in line, so don’t worry. I’ll graciously share the riches. Once I have them, that is.”  

“Oh, great. I’m soooooo thankful for your kindness.” Sissy’s sarcasm was thick enough to cut with a knife.   

“That’s how I’ll be remembered? Just known as the earth magic guy?” whispered Suusa. He sighed and rubbed his exhausted head. Gerld laughed until sickness welled around his stomach. The excessive food and booze he had consumed threatened revenge, and he needed a moment to compose himself as he hunched over. Sissy found it humorous and begrudgingly rubbed his back. For as much as she gave him a hard time, Sissy cared for him. Suusa had come to value the friendship with the rambunctious Rhinokin—even if he got on his last nerve more often than not.    

“Hhrrrgghhhh!!” The pressure was too much, and Gerld painted the streets with an awful mix of deep-fried delights and sweet mead. The smell was gross and made Sissy gag. She had to look away lest she lose her overzealous dinner as well.    

“Ugh… You really need to chew your food more. Stop scarfing it down like a pig.”  

“Oh… Goddess above, someone stop the world from spinning… I’m gonna be sick again…”  

“No, it’s not you…” It was faint, but the clouds trembled. A second later, Momo felt the ground rumbling beneath her feet. “Woah—an earthquake?! Why—" Momo was violently thrown to the ground, but she recovered and stood, holding onto the nearby building to brace herself steady. Albert kneeled and kept his balance, and Suusa immediately used his radar technique.   

He wasn’t smiling.   

Instantly, he took off running. Gerld cursed and shouted for him to stop. “Something must be wrong. He wouldn’t act like this. Hey, can you run?” The witch asked Momo.   

“Y—Yeah.”  

“Okay.” Sissy lent Gerld a shoulder, and they trailed after Suusa, who shouted for them to hurry up as he turned right into the main street.    

“Can you tell Itarr?” Momo asked Albert as she followed behind. Another sudden rumble threatened to unbalance her.    

“Already on it,” he replied, putting away his phone. He had to wait for a reply. “Maybe Servi knows what’s going on.”  

Momo and Albert caught up and kept pace with Gerld and Sissy as people flooded from their homes. Most were dazed and confused, and adrenaline didn’t kick in for another minute. 

The group arrived at the city gate, and as expected, it was raised for the night. A detachment of guards lined up, and the nervous soldiers looked to their commanding officer for orders.    

Earthquakes were scarce. They rarely happened, but after the golem incident…  

Unsavory rumors soon spread, but before any chaos could erupt from unconfirmed hearsay about a golem invasion... 

The ground cried.  

The earth split into two, and that incredible force barraged the gate and towering walls, knocking them over as if they were made from plaster— scattering them away from the city.   

The crowd went silent…because they saw something they had never seen before…  

Even though a thick blanket of dust immediately flooded the city from the destructive chaos, another sinister sight had captured the gazes of men, women, and children. It seemed so far away—and perhaps it was—but a pillar of green smokey mist was shooting into the sky like a rocket, amalgamating as a giant green cloud visible from a dozen miles away. Even in the dead of night…it was so clear and pristine that Momo briefly wondered if it was visible from another continent.    

“But that’s…the stuff we saw in the cauldron…” Sissy’s legs gave out. She couldn’t remain standing. Her trembling body wouldn’t listen to her brain.   

And then someone screamed, which reignited the primal fear of the unknown. And the ground continued to cry, fissuring like shattered ceramic. Suusa immediately used a spell to envelop them in a cocoon of rock, preventing him and the others from being knocked over if the fearful crowd transformed into a stampede. And judging from the noises Momo heard as she huddled close to Albert...  

It did.    

Fifteen seconds later, it sounded like the skies were falling. A terrible…something battered against the defensive cocoon.   

Momo felt claustrophobic. Breathing hurt. It felt like the walls were about to suffocate her. Albert sensed her panic and grasped her hand. She needed to feel the touch of a friend. Instantly, she was taken out of a nightmare she didn’t want to ever return to—a nightmare Momo always wanted to refuse—a nightmare the singi would never acknowledge because it meant…Momo had to accept something she didn’t want to believe.   

“Okay! There! I don’t detect anything!” Suusa tapped his cocoon and shattered it, revealing scores upon scores of…  

“No… Did…” Momo couldn’t find her voice. She stared at the hundreds of bodies just…lying there.   

And they weren’t moving…  

“No, they’re not dead,” said Albert. He kneeled and pressed his finger against a man’s wrist. “I believe they’re paralyzed. It isn’t fatal, but I’m unsure when it will wear off.”  

“Paralysis?! How the hell did that happen?!”  

“Was it the cloud?” Momo finally found her voice. Knowing they weren’t dead relieved her. It meant a repeat of that day wasn’t happening.   

“I have no idea, but that seems likely.” Albert stood and looked up, focusing on the skies vacant of any danger, even though it sounded like the heavens were crying just a minute or two earlier. “But for it to happen so soon? I don’t understand--”  

"Huh? What don’t you understand?” Momo turned around. She expected to see Albert deep in thought. A wise man like him probably had theories. If not that, then prior experience he could draw upon to formulate something they could follow, but...  

Why...was Gerld’s spear...impaled...through Albert’s head?