Year 84.2

  *Lily prowls around the camp in stealth at half her size, avoiding the feet of the Demon soldiers. She follows a Demon in golden armour as he enters a large camp in the centre.*

  Emma(TL): Anything?

  Lily: I mean, I just got here. Being this small takes a lot longer to get around. *Pants* It’s exhausting.

  *The tent has multiple layers. Lily makes her way to the centre, stopping to catch her breath between sprints. As she reaches the middle, it is surrounded by guards, shoulder to shoulder. Lily sniffs the air and sneezes. A Demon looks down, thinking she is a pest, and he mumbles something in Demonic and stomps at her. She runs back to some shelter to avoid further detection.*

  Lily: I found something important, but I don’t know if I can get in.

  Emma(TL): Don’t risk it, go check the other camps. This meeting seems like it’s going to take a while. I might’ve poked the bear. *Snickers*

  Lily: *Laughs* Yet you say don’t risk it. *Sighs* Okay, I’ll let you know what I find. I’ll save the gnomes for last, though.

  *Reaching the beastkin camp, Lily hides among the fur trim on their tents. Making it to the centre, she turns into a snake and follows the supports. A group of shamans and scholars study a bell-shaped structure, and scorch marks indicate an explosion. The beastkin starts talking, and the only word Lily makes out is ‘2’. A large Rhinokin stands at one end and a bullkin on the other. In unison, the two charge forward. Lily braces herself as they clear the area, as a powerful shockwave repels the two attackers.*

  Lily: So far, we have a bell. Do you think it’s a weapon?

  *Emma looks through Lily’s eyes, watching the smoke clear. Emma notices a soft yellow trim that almost glows.*

  Emma(TL): Was it glowing before?

  Lily: What do you mean? It’s just black. Maybe that devil gave you the ability to see it?

  Emma(TL): Or only I can see it.

  *The yellow light fades to a pulse, Emma notices a heart shape in the centre.*

  Emma(TL): Either way, that’s what we’re here for, I think. Go check the.

  Kaven: What’re you up to, lass?

  Lily: Mama?

  *Lily sneaks out and makes her way toward the dwarves. Halfway there, Emma responds.*

  Emma(TL): Sorry, Captain thought I was plotting. The dwarves have agreed to show you their artefact, but the gnomes might be an issue, though.

  Lily: Why is it we get along better with dwarves than our own race?

  *Reaching the dwarven camp, Lily is greeted by Bairdyn.*

  Bairdyn: How’s it goin', little one?

  *Bairdyn reaches down, offering his hand to Lily. She carefully climbs onto his hand, and he lifts her up to his shoulder. She shrinks down to a more comfortable size as they enter the main tent. Two tubes stand parallel to one another as if stabbed into the ground.*

  Bairdyn: From what we know, they all seem almost fused with the earth. Any magic used against it is repulsed. At first, it was minor, but this last time the gnomes had an explosion. All they told us was “ Don’t use magic. It makes it stronger.”

  Emma(TL): Hey, Lily?

  *Bairdyn begins rambling.*

  Lily: Yes?

  Emma(TL): Come back when you’re done. We’re gonna head over to the Gnomish camp.

  Bairdyn: Anyway, that’s enough about me. Did you need anything else, wee one? If not, then I’m gonna head back to the Captain.

  *Lily shakes her head and rests on his shoulder. *

  *Emma spots Bairdyn and waves to him.*

  Emma: *Dwarvish* Thank you.

  Bairdyn: Of course!

  *Lily hops onto Emma’s ear.*

  Lily: We might’ve missed them, but I’m no longer used to the smell.

  *Emma smiles, holding back her smile. Gik walks out of the tent, glaring at Emma.*

  Gik: Come on, elf.

  *Gik starts walking, and Emma follows. Infoor follows soon after. The sound of rubble crunches underfoot, filling the silence.*

  Lily: What did I miss?

  Emma(TL): Do you remember the cat bakery? In Glimmerfell?

  Lily: Yeah, I wanna go back there! Can we?

  Emma(TL): At least you remember, he said I helped them avoid some serious allegations for helping them, so we get one minute to look.

  Lily: They all seem to be stuck in the ground.

  Infoor: So, Emma. You said you know nothing about them, but you saw something your spirit couldn’t.

  Emma: The leader of the Oasis wanted to get more information, so I volunteered to go. Since it's farther to Glimmerfell or Inferna than to us, we thought it was clear that we should look as well. Kind of like when a crash happens outside your house.

  Infoor: Right? Everyone suddenly wants to get involved. But from the sounds of things, this would be more like the accident involving a friend as well, since the dwarves were so fond of you.

  Emma: The crew and I go back to before the collapse of Sylvyndor.

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  Infoor: You’ll have to tell me more sometime.

  *Upon entering the crater, Emma looks at the sphere, and Glowing letters appear but are only visible to Emma.*

  Emma: Liza?

  *The area is bathed in a thick fog as the sphere has changed into a head. Spewing smoke from the ears, fading to silence. The eye’s open. Its left eye is a soft brown, and the right is gold*

  Liza: Good morning. Host. Please connect the power source.

  *Gik runs in with a group of gnomes, but upon touching the head, it changes back to a black sphere and crushes the gnome underneath it, killing them instantly.*

  Gik: I knew you were connected to this! Any time something dangerous shows up, it’s because of you elves!

  Infoor: Even if you’re right, it was their fault for standing underneath it.

  Emma: I just read some letters, maybe it’s spirit magic, I don’t know. I just know if I wanted to level the area, the gnomes would be the smallest issue.

  Gik: *Rubs forehead* Why did you let it fall? You clearly turned it on.

  Emma: I don’t control it.

  Infoor: Can you lift it again?

  Emma: Liza.

  *The sphere changes back to a head and blinks before an array of lights flashes around the room.

  Gik: There! That word. What is it?

  Liza: Welcome, Host. Please assign a four-digit username.

  Infoor: It does seem to recognise you, Emma.

  Emma: *Rolls eyes* A username? Well, my name is Emma.

  Liza: Error. Username unavailable.

  *Emma looks around, confused.*

  Infoor: Wouldn’t her name be saved if she knew it?

  Gik: Shut it, lizard!

  Liza: Username Emma, reserved by prior host……. Redacted. Search complete. Welcome, Emma. It’s nice to meet.

  Gik: See!

  Emma: Hey, genius, even if you were correct, why would it speak common?

  *Gik turns red in anger as he struggles to think of a response.*

  Infoor: Either way, what is it?

  Liza: Answer. Limited. Imaginative. Zounds. Assistant. *Looks at Emma.* My other pieces are nearby. Shall I activate retrieval?

  Gik: Wait a minute, Elf. What makes you think we’re just going to let you take this… Construct.

  Infoor: Lord Gik, you already lost one of your men for touching it, and how many were lost in that explosion?

  *Gik mumbles.*

  Infoor: Would it be more appropriate to discuss this with the others?

  Emma: I’m fine with that. *Looks at Gik* And for clarification, that “Elven sanctuary" kicked me out.

  *Gik looks away in anger.*

  Infoor: That explains why you’re aiding the halflings. Have you thought of joining Inferna? Lately, we’ve noticed how useful they can be.

  Emma: *Stern* No, thank you.

  Infoor: I didn’t mean for it to offend you. I just meant those who damn them have turned a new leaf.

  Emma: I’ll have to discuss it with Griffin, but we’re currently in talks with Lycaris.

  Infoor: Well, just know we would love to call you allies.

  *Emma nods*

  *Emma brings Liza’s head to the demon encampment, where two similar poles sit in the ground. Liza makes a sequence of noises before the poles open up to reveal two arms. As they leave, Kaven and a Lion Beastkin wait outside.*

  Kaven: Gik told us they’re all part of some construct that bonded to you.

  Beastkin: The name is Leon Pride.

  Emma: Wait. You’re Leon?! Griffin made you sound a lot smaller.

  Leon: *Laughs* I see he kept his word. It’s all in good fun, I assure you.

  Kaven: So that’s why you can’t wackin’ me with yer tail on the way here?

  Leon: I’m sorry, Captain Kaven. *Smiles* as I said, I was excited. *Looks at Emma.* But we came to offer an escort to investigate the pieces together.

  Emma: Of course!

  Liza: If I may speak. *Emma nods* I can still activate my retrieval, now with the others’ approval.

  *Emma looks at Kaven and Leon.*

  Emma: Would that be okay?

  Leon: I’m confused. What’s this retrieval she speaks of? Can she summon them here?

  Liza: Correct.

  Kaven: Why not bring everyone together? I’m curious how it works.

  *With everyone collected in the area between the four camps, Liza’s arms and head float up. Her golden eye glows, and soon after, the other pieces fly from their craters, combining to create a Gnome-sized, Auburn-skinned, personoid.*

  Kaven: What a minute, why’s it a gnome? Hey Gik! I thought you said it was the elves?

  *Laughter breaks out. And Gik approaches Liza and Emma.*

  Gik: Are you trying to make me a fool?

  Lily: By not stopping you?

  *Emma laughs*

  Emma: As my spirit so kindly put it. You’re taking care of it for me. But no. I’m curious as well. *Looks at L.I.Z.A.* Why’re you a gnome?

  Liza: I’m confused. I scanned the more humanoid-looking beings in the area, and this was the size deemed appropriate. I should be just below average. Are my readings incorrect?

  *Emma tries not to laugh*

  Emma: No, it’s fine.

  Gik: Well, we let you connect it all. Now it’s only fair you let us experiment on it.

  Emma: Excuse me? She may be a construct, but she already seems more concerned about how others feel than you do.

  Liza: If you would allow it. I’d be more than welcome to write up my blueprints. Poking around otherwise could risk activating my safety protocols.

  *Gik glares for a bit, then smiles big, his attitude now much better.*

  Gik: Of course! Why didn’t you say so! Would you like a place to rest while you write? We’d be more than welcome to provide for you in any way possible.

  *Liza raises her hand, and it transforms into a giant stamp and leaves an extremely detailed blueprint.*

  Gik: What are all these symbols?

  Liza: The elemental makeup of the items.

  *Gik studies the paper, walking away with a look of wonderment on his face. *

  Gik: *Mumbling* Elemental Makeup.

  Leon: What’s an Elemental Makeup?

  *Liza begins to explain, but it seems too complicated for anyone around.*

  Infoor: So, Emma. What are your plans now?

  Emma: Well, I was going to make a stop on my way back in Lycaris.

  Leon: If it’s not a problem. We’d be more than welcome to travel with you.

  Emma: Not at all!

  Leon: Great! And I’m sure Infoor will enjoy discussing politics with you.

  Emma: *Smiles* He’s already tried.

  *The spring flowers bloom leading up to the familiar tavern. She knocks on the door and hears a childish voice call out.*

  Voice: The tavern doesn’t open for another hour!

  *A small Mousekin, not much taller than Pipiri, was. Answers the door.*

  Mouse: Oh! An Elf?

  *Sunflower walks past and looks at Emma. She pauses as if looking at a ghost.*

  Emma: I came to get you. Kimmy is waiting.

  Sunflower: Emma!

  *Sunflower hugs Emma tightly, but weakly.*

  Sunflower: Kimmy wrote to me about visiting, but I haven’t had time.

  Mouse: Are you leaving?

  Sunflower: *Looks down.* I mean. *Looks at Emma.* I can’t right now, you know this time of year.

  Emma: Yeah, that’s not an option. I’m already gonna get yelled at for being late.

  Mouse: Mrs Sunflower. You’re more than welcome to go. We’ll be fine without you.

  *Emma looks at Sunflower, confused.*

  Sunflower: My legs give out if I move around too much. I sold the place to the Chesters. Well, half sold. Cindy, here is their daughter, and she’s been working here with her parents.

  *Another mouse walks over.*

  Sunflower: Hyle. This is Emma.

  Hyle: You two talk about so many travellers. How am I supposed to remember which one is which? *Laughs* I heard you’re finally gonna travel.

  Sunflower: No, I can’t leave this place. You know that.

  Hyle: And you know that this will always be your home. Go travel while you can and come back if you wish. You’ve got a good, strong-looking friend offering to help you. Why not go with them?

  Cindy: You have to get me a souvenir. You owe me one!

  Sunflower: *Laughs* Okay. Okay. *Looks at Emma.* How long do I have to pack?

  Emma: I mean, Leon is insisting he takes us to the meetup point.

  Hyle: Lord Leon is with you?!

  *Hyle runs past towards town. The three watch, laughing.*

  Cindy: Dad always did want to talk retail with him.

  Emma: Like I was saying. I’d like to avoid keeping him waiting too long. But we’ll see how he handles Hyle.

  Sunflower: Well, that shouldn’t be a problem. Maggy will get him before dinner.

  Emma: Then we have until dinner. *Laughs*

  *Sunflower and Emma stand next to a grave. Sunflower hugs the stone before they both set out onto the Oasis.*