Year 84.1

  *Emma and Griffin are sitting at the dining table, while Arthur cooks nearby in the kitchen downstairs. Arthur’s tail wags happily while Griffin reads some reports.*

  Griffin: Uh oh. They found out what caused that earthquake we had. A large explosion happened in the Western forest of Lycaris. The part that was Elven territory before.

  Emma: I thought that fog covered the forest?

  Griffin: I guess not.

  Emma: So, a large explosion, what caused it?

  Griffin: That was classified. I’m not even sure. But the reports said flags of unity were found nearby afterwards.

  Emma: That just means Inferna and Lycaris, then.

  Griffin: No, like Unity of the church.

  Emma: Oh. But they’re always transparent.

  Griffin: That’s why I’m confused.

  Emma: I can look.

  Griffin: What about Kimmy?

  Emma: Counting travel, it should only take me a couple of months. She’ll be fine. What about you?

  *Arthur places a large plate of pancakes on the table, and he places a plate on the floor for Zipzip with a small stack of his own.*

  Arthur: Can I stay home?

  Emma: You want to?

  Arthur: Nathan and Iniko want to build a fort, and they asked me to cook.

  Emma: *Smiles* Okay. That means you have to behave, okay?

  *Griffin splits a stack from the pile of pancakes between himself and Arthur.*

  Griffin: We get along great. Ever since that trip, we had huh My Mon?

  *Arthur nods and bounces in his seat as he eats.*

  Emma: He doesn’t age. What happened to the Little part?

  Arthur: Griff said I got along great with Sherpa.

  Emma: *Smiles* I know. Well, I’ll stop by Kimmy’s and let her know. Haze should be back in a few days, then I’ll be heading out.

  Griffin: Not that I don’t trust you, but take Jasper and Cole.

  *Emma glares at Griffin.*

  Emma: Fine, but I’m not slowing down.

  Griffin: I just want for your safety. I know I have my moments, but you’re definitely the one more likely to take on a dragon for fun.

  *Emma shakes her head vigorously.*

  Emma: I’d need to classify it first. Using fire on certain silver dragons can create explosions if they are Gasous class.

  Griffin: You made that up.

  *Arthur laughs.*

  Emma: I don’t know the technical term anymore.

  Griffin: Isn’t it just a combustion class?

  *Emma points at Griffin, standing slightly in her excitement and bumps her knee.*

  Emma: Ow! *Whines* Yes, that one.

  Griffin: This is why I said to take them.

  Dennis: In her defence, you are combat inept when she’s around.

  Griffin: If I’m so combat inept, then how did I win our fight, huh?

  Emma: I was nervous for multiple reasons. I’d never fought someone who looked strong but wasn't. *Griffin clears throat* Oh, so I can be a wimp, but not you? *Glares*

  *Emma turns to Arthur with a smile, holding back any laughter.*

  Emma: Do you want any suviniours?

  Griffin: I’ll take.

  Emma: *Looks at Griffin* You get me. That can be yours. *Sticks out tongue*

  Griffin: *Smiles* Sounds perfect to me.

  Arthur: I want Eliza. *Looks down.*

  Griffin: Who’s that?

  *A familiar voice rings out, the family turn toward the room's entrance to see it’s vanished. Emma controls the silverware, grabbing a knife and pointing it all toward the Devil standing on the other side of the room, appearing out of nowhere.*

  Devil: *Clicks tongue* Now. Now. Emma. I thought we had passed this?

  *Emma’s eyes glow green, and a purple hue slowly fades in as well. The anger in Emma’s voice scares both Arthur and Griffin.*

  Emma: My life is good now. What do you want?

  Devil: Calm your tits.

  Emma: My what?!

  Devil: It’s an expression.

  *Arthur laughs*

  Griffin: *Laughs* I mean, you’re smiling, so you can’t be that offended.

  *The Devil looks at Griffin judgmentally, then shakes his head and looks back at Emma.*

  Devil: That’s because it’s one of her jokes. I thought Arthur might enjoy it.

  Arthur: Yeah, Mama also said. “Hold your horses. All six of them.”

  Emma: *Confused* What’s a horse? *Shakes head* That’s not the point, why are you here?

  Devil: Right. *Serious* Arthur has the trigger words I’m looking for. They’re their names.

  *Emma looks at Griffin.*

  Emma: I’ll explain later.*Looks at Devil* Wait, if he knows them, why not just ask for them?

  *Everyone turns to Arthur.*

  Emma: Well, Buddy?

  Arthur: They’re not born yet.

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  *The Devil nods with an extended hand toward Arthur.*

  Emma: So this Eliza. Will they be? Well. Like you all? Whatever it is you are that is. I know what you said you are, but Arthur.

  Devil: *Straight faced* I don’t think you’re ready to handle that information yet. For now, just now we’re all to keep Arthur safe. *Looks at Griffin.* I’m only trusting you because she’s approved of you.

  *Griffin looks to Emma.*

  Devil: No. Her. She is the one impressed.

  Griffin: *Confused* Thanks. I guess.

  Emma: Is that why his soul flickers?

  *The Devil looks at Emma with a look of anger, and for a moment, his bloodlust releases, cracking the reality around them slightly for a moment before it repairs itself. He looks around as if listening for something, then locks his eyes on Griffin.*

  Devil: You made a deal, didn’t you?

  *Griffin locks eyes with the Devil’s red piercing gaze, struggling to keep calm, his legs quiver ever so slightly.*

  Devil: *Sigh* This is very important. What did they look like?

  *Griffin points at the Devil.*

  Griffin: Like you, b-but.

  *A female devil wearing similar attire to the male sits on the counter, kicking her foot back and forth slowly.*

  FDevil: A more put-together attitude?

  *Arthur hops up from his seat and over the Female Devil, arms open wide, smiling as if a family member had returned home.*

  Arthur: Izzy!

  *The female Devil hugs Arthur as if family, holding his head close. Emma freezes as she looks at them, frozen in fear.*

  Izzy: Hi, buddy. How have you been?

  *The Devil shakes his head angrily at the two; his face cracks as he struggles to hold his form, while Arthur tells Izzy about his adventures with Emma so far. The Devil looks over at Emma and notices the fear. He scoffs as he turns toward her.*

  Devil: No. That’s not her.

  Emma: What? *Shakes head*

  *Izzy stands and leans against the counter, opening her eyes to reveal a shade of light sky blue.*

  Devil: I still approached you first.

  Izzy: *Scoffs* Because I was waiting for you. I knew you’d get started day one, so I just waited.

  Emma: Can someone explain what the hells is going on?!

  *Everyone turns to Emma, even Griffin has returned to his normal personality. The Devil starts to speak, but Izzy interrupts him.*

  Izzy: For every Devil there is an angel.*side eyes the Devil.* But we are called Seraphants? Because we aid the good, some races in the past have called us Angels.

  *The Devil crosses his arm and scoffs in disgust.*

  Izzy: Don’t get me wrong, we aid the ill intent on occasion as well. It all just depends on the sales pitch.

  Devil: Angels.*Spits* Those ass kissers only show up to ruin everything.

  Izzy: Yes, but the question is whether they are aiding or taking.

  *Emma clears her throat.*

  Devil: Yeah, you seem to be a *Sarcastic* “Know it all.” Care to tell us the plan?

  Izzy: What plan? I never agreed to help you all. I saw your threads while I was looking for work and thought I’d aid an old friend. *Turns to Emma.* Has Griffin ever told you why Dennis can become that giant bird form? Mostly because, to some degree, spirits and elves can’t become different in Mana because they share.

  Emma: Yes, I understand that. But he...*Turns to Griffin* Did she give you the seed?!

  Devil: Seed? What seed? You gave him a seed?

  Izzy: Relax, Hot Top. It’s the spirit seed I gave him. Nothing revolutionary. I just thought that the Demons of Inferna could use more flowers.

  Griffin: You told me we’d never meet again.

  Izzy: I didn’t plan on interrupting. I just love to piss him off. Isn’t that right, Le?

  *The Devil's glare heats the room, and Izzy throws her hands up in surrender.*

  Izzy: Okay, I’ll leave.

  Emma: Wait! Are you the reason I lost that fight?

  *Izzy’s smile says everything as she vanishes, leaving ice crystals where her feet stood.*

  Devil: *Sigh* And now I owe Izzy. *Smacks forehead*

  Arthur: Bubba.

  Devil: *Snaps fingers* Eliza, right, sorry. The good news is she’s ready. Bad news is she’s at the centre of a crater.

  *A replay of a large ball of fire slamming into the eastern forests of Sylvyndor. Breaking apart just before impact.*

  Emma: Okay, I was going to check it out anyway.

  Devil: Eliza is a caretaker; she’ll take over watching Arthur, but right now she’s being held in four cells across the impact zone.

  Emma: Excuse me? Four?

  Devil: *Snaps fingers* Golems, it’s like a construct. That’s how we’ll describe her. That should explain the multiple prisons as well.

  Emma: *Rolls eyes.* That answered every question and left me with twice as many.

  Devil: Good.

  *The Devil vanishes, scorching the ground where he once stood. As the room blinks, the sound of the tavern can be heard again. Emma quickly packs a bag, and Lily takes her place upon her ear. The family meets on the roof where Dennis takes his Thunderbird form. Haze runs toward them with a small bag and hands it to Emma.*

  Haze: This should be all the potions you asked for.

  Emma: Thank you. *Looks to Arthur and Griffin.* Arthur, you’re in charge while I’m gone.

  *Griffin looks down at Arthur with his mouth open, pretending to be offended. Arthur waves to Emma as the dust from the area from Dennis’s take off covers them. Arthur smiles as he shakes it off and continues to wave. Griffin lifts him onto his shoulder while waving at Emma as well.*

  *As they reach the edge of the desert, Dennis lands, dropping off Emma and Lily before vanishing to return to Griffin’s side.*

  Lily: How’re we getting back?

  Emma: I…. That’s a problem for a later date. I kind of forgot we have no way to tell anyone we’re ready to come home.

  Lily: And he was exhausted by the time he landed. Maybe we can steal a ride back.

  Emma: Or you could grow. *cheesy smile*

  Lily: Sure! And while I do that. Can you learn to shrink?

  Emma: *Laughs* We’ll be fine.

  Lily: *Sighs* If you say so.

  *Emma hears the sound of metal armour in the distance and activates her stealth as an arrow hits the ground beside her. She watches as a group of Beastkin and dwarves surrounds her. She drops her stealth and watches them cautiously as a familiar voice calls out.*

  Voice: *Dwarvish* It’s been some time now, hasn’t it, Night Warden?

  *Emma turns to see Kaven and a Bearkin behind her. Kaven, left eye is white with a scar over it, and his hair has started turning white. *

  Emma: *Dwarvish* Where’s the rest of the crew?

  Bearkin: You know this elf?

  Kaven: Aye. She’s the one I said before.

  Bearkin: Stand down!

  *The troops go back to their posts, and Emma is escorted to a large tent. As she enters, a Male Gnome steps in front of her, almost tripping her.*

  Gnome: *Angry*Why would you bring an elf in here?

  Kaven: Relax, Gik. She’s here to help.

  Emma: I mean, I’m just as lost as you. I’m just following the Captain's orders.

  Voice: Emma!

  *Emma turns to see Bairdyn. He lifts Emma, hugging her tightly and spinning around. His shaved head was covered in scars.*

  Emma: *Strained* Good to see you as well.

  *Bairdyn puts Emma down and steps back.*

  Bairdyn: Good to see you still in one piece.

  Emma: I wish I could say the same. What happened to you all? Where's the rest of the crew?

  *Bairdyn looks away in disappointment.*

  Kaven: They fought for their country. But everybody has a limit to how much their body can take.

  Bairdyn: They released a damned dragon on us!

  Gik: *Scoffs* Are you three done with your therapy session? We need to discuss what to do with this thing. *Looks at Emma.* And I don’t trust an elf.

  *A tall Demon enters the tent, his scales are a matte brownish colour, and his horns almost catch on the supports as he walks.*

  Demon: Just because some elves in the past committed sin doesn’t mean their children haven’t learned from their mistakes, Gik. Let’s at least hear Kaven and Hewsten out.

  *After a quick explanation, Emma is still asked to leave, but to stay nearby to discuss things after their meeting. *

  Kaven: All right, Lass!

  *Emma heads inside, where the others stand around a map.*

  Gik: Start talking, elf!

  *Gik steps onto the map and points to a miniature gnomish auburn flag. Kaven chuckles.*

  Demon: Gik. I’m sure she has no clue what you’re asking.

  Emma: *Confused* A gnomish flag? Looks to be life-sized?*glances at Gik*

  *Before Gik can speak, the Demon picks him up by the collar of his shirt.*

  Gik: Damn it, Infoor! Put me down!

  Infoor: I apologise, Emma. That is your name, correct?

  Emma: *Nods* I came to see the situation. I wasn’t expecting to be brought in for questioning so quickly. *Laughs* Jokes aside. All I know is that four camps are set up around a crater from an explosion. The source is either unknown or.*Looks at their souls*

  Infoor: The shockwave toppled some nearby mountains. As to the cause, no one survived to tell.

  Emma: And what was it?

  Infoor: *pause* We’re not completely sure.

  *Their souls flicker*

  Emma: Let me see them.

  Gik: I told you she knew something!

  Kaven: Aye, Lass, how did you know it was multiple?

  Emma (TL): Have you spotted anything?

  Emma: I know you’re holding information as well. So why should I speak? *Glares at Gik* You’re lucky I didn’t kill some of you when you shot at me.

  Kaven: I called the shot, Lass. I knew you’d at least wait to hear me call for you.