Arriving In Ember

✧ ✦ ✧

The smell of seasalt filled my nostrils as I gazed out over the Opal Gulf, where the Ocean of Jade poured saltwater and eager travelers into port by the boatload. Ember was by far the largest city along the gulf, and was extremely popular for many different sets of folks.

There were the orc traders from the nearby island nation of Grogula who sailed in to peddle their wares for coin, domestic tourists looking to enjoy the year-round warm temperatures on the beach, and adventurers who had come to visit the local marine cave dungeons for loot.

Taking the ferry from Ember down the gulf to the town of Opal Bay was also the safest way to get to central and western Zen, which is otherwise blocked off from our half by the Wyvern Mountain range. This was the first time I had been out this way, and I couldn’t help but be excited by the prospect of a pseudo-vacation.

I say pseudo-vacation, because…

“Well, time to get to work!” Shion declared the moment her sandals touched the ground after exiting the wagon. “We should go see my master without delay, and have the council assess Ren’s suitability to join the Institute while the day is young. Governor Starkraven is graciously allowing us to use his meeting rooms, and reception area.”

“Right, the council...”.

“Not to mention you two are on paid security detail, and you’re to report anything suspicious you see to Milton, got it?”

Well, that’s to be expected, I guess.

This wasn’t a leisure trip, after all.

”And then of course there’s—”

“Woah, woah, hey, slow down!” Zero pumped the brakes on Shion’s to-do list. “We’ve only just arrived in a new city, full of new people to meet and things to do, and you’re trying to put us to work already? What happened to taking in the sights?”

“Nice try, but you’ve already been here before.”

“That hardly counts, I only passed through that one time. And I’d bet Ren here would want to do a little shopping in the market first, at least.” Zero threw his arm around my shoulder, wearing a cheeky grin. I knew what sort of game he was playing, and wrapping me up in his shenanigans was all part of his strategy. “We can look out for suspicious characters while we’re at it, sound good?”

“I don’t know… Something tells me you just want to goof off, like always.” Shion looked unconvinced, however. “Ren-kun, is that what you really wanted to do?”

She suddenly looked at me as if it were my choice all along. I knew Shion would rather have started everything from the get-go, and I could see the pleading, no-nonsense look in her eyes. Although, I personally liked the idea of taking a small look around first, and I said as much.

“Well, to be honest, I wouldn’t mind stretching my legs a bit either…”

“See!” Zero exclaimed. “That’s why you’re my partner, partner! So? Are we good to go?”

“Fine…” Shion sighed. “But just for a while, we don’t have much time to waste here. I’ll go see my master, you two can look around on your own.”

“Yes!!” Zero pumped his fist.

“But you’re to meet me at the Governor’s mansion in no more than two hours, got it?”

“Roger that!” Zero gave a quick salute, uncoiling his other arm from the back of my neck. It was about time too.

“Will you be alright?” I asked Shion, remembering how afraid she seemed on the way over.

“Ember is a relatively safe city, so no need to worry about me.” Shion waved off my concern with a reassuring smile. “But you’d better watch your coin purse in the market, there've been some pickpockets lately. Or so one of the traveling merchants back in Redrook tells me.”

I wouldn’t be letting myself get robbed again, absolutely not. There was little chance of living down the shame if I did.

“Got it, I’ll be careful.” I nodded, giving Shion a quick wave goodbye.

“So, where to, partner?”

“Don’t you know? I thought this was your idea.” I crossed my arms behind my head, enjoying the warm sunlight on my face. I always loved the ocean, especially the salty scent in the air. “I’m cool with anywhere, really.”

Taking a look around the station, it was nestled just beside the port and absolutely crawling with sailors unloading cargo, particularly of the orc variety.

They were a rough and rowdy bunch, both male and female alike, but I tried not to let my experience with Khorag and his goons—the Irontusk Orcs—dictate my feelings on the whole lot of them. I had yet to meet any others personally though.

“Alright, I hear ya. Thanks for playing along, by the way.” Zero grinned. “I owe you one.”

“Don’t mention it.” I scratched my chin. “I wasn’t really lying though. Going into a meeting right after sitting on our backsides for so long didn’t sound all that fun to me either.”

“Amen to that!”

And I was feeling just a little anxious to face the council, but I didn’t tell Zero that bit of info. I didn't want him to think I was running away from it or anything, I just wanted to collect my thoughts first.

Whether or not I got into the Institute was a big deal for me, and I was wary of the possibility I’d be rejected for a second time. In fact, I was mentally preparing myself for that very outcome.

“For now, I suppose we could go browse some stalls, there’s bound to be a bite or two to eat along with some bits and bobs.” Zero said. “I was thinking of picking Shion something out as a gift, but don’t say anything to her until after, not that I think you would.”

“Oh? A present, huh?” I said as we began walking into town from the station. “That’s pretty thoughtful of you. Sorry if this is a personal question and all, but I’ve been wondering… What’s the deal between you and Shion? Are you guys close, or what?”

“Wha—?“ Zero looked surprisingly panicked. “I guess you could say that…”

Was it something I said?

I was genuinely curious since they argued like a pair of old lovers. They seemed like especially good friends in that regard, but sometimes they behaved more like a servant and master would. I couldn’t really get a read on the two of them.

“Well… I don’t always know what’s going on in her head, if I’m being honest, and I rarely ask… She moves at her own pace, and expects me to follow.” he said. “It’s always been like that ever since I met her. Don’t tell her I said this either, but she’s a bossy sort of gal. Real bossy.”

Oh I could tell.

“And that’s cool with you? Just doing whatever she says? I’ve seen the way you fight, you’re crazy strong. You could probably get by doing your own thing if you wanted to.”

“Well… I guess so?” Zero shrugged. “But that wouldn’t be any fun, going it alone all the time.”

“Yeah, you’ve got a point there.”

I’ve seen better men than me go crazy, because they didn’t have someone to reel them back in.

“You know, I never felt that special growing up on the ranch back in Texas, the sixth of seven siblings. I was popular at school, good at sports, but none of those guys were my real friends.” Zero said. “Same at the Institute, they all just stuck around because I was talented in this or that without ever trying to get to know the real me.”

“That‘s a shame. I can relate, not having had much of anyone.” I replied. “Though, I did have one good friend, at least. My buddy Ike, him and his mom are about the only two people I miss from back on earth. They were like a second family to me in many ways.”

“Lucky…”

Lucky? I guess I was. Seeing how much of a bastard my old man was, they saved me a great many times just by letting me crash at their place some nights.

“How did you two meet? You and Shion?”

“Oh, that’s a quick story. So one day I’m out in the training yard, and Shion shows up out of the blue and tells me she needs me, barely gives me a choice either. This is well over a year ago now…” Zero recalled. “I kept thinking: “Why am I the one? What does she even know about me?” Stuff like that. But her eyes told a different story.”

“Her eyes? What do you mean?”

“It was the first time I felt like someone was looking at me, and not just the things I could do,” he continued. “I get the feeling Shion has forgotten a whole lot more than you and I will ever know, she just seems that wise, or maybe experienced is a better word for it. Or maaaybe I’m just a big dummy, could be both.”

Zero laughed heartily as I nodded in acknowledgment.

“I can tell you trust her a lot.” I said.

“She’s given me no reason not to, partner. And you?”

“Me…?”

“She picked you up, just like me, didn’t she?” Zero asked, smiling. “The lost children of Redrook. You’d think she just likes to collect rough looking dudes the way she carries on.”

“Ah…”

I wonder if she’s told him anything about the other realities that were destroyed, or Alpha’s origin? Hell, she’s barely told ME anything about it. Would he still trust her if he did know?

I got the feeling Shion had a veritable wellspring, or perhaps more like a cenote, chock-full of secrets and was drip-feeding us only what was necessary to achieve her goals, whatever they might be.

And maybe it wasn’t just other Rens she had met, but other Zeros, other Miltons, doubles of everyone except these mysterious Time Keepers Alpha went on and on about.

“Abandoning the world when it no longer satisfies your purposes, and moving onto the next reality, watching instead of intervening in the midst of tragedy.”

Just how much did she know, how many of us had she watched fall at the hands of Alpha, or some other yet unknown force? How long had she spectated before she met me specifically? Those were the questions that remained unanswered.

“I wouldn’t say that’s the case for me yet, but...”

If I chose to let what I didn’t know determine my opinion of Shion, I’m afraid I could never grow to place my faith in her like Zero seemed content to. Or anyone, for that matter, however…

“I want to trust her.” I replied. “I realized it pretty recently. To repay her for saving us time and again, that’s how I honestly feel now. So I guess that’s why I decided to see it through.”

“Humu humu, I see.”

The truth was, despite what I hadn’t come to know about Shion, Zero was right that she hadn’t yet given me a solid reason to distrust her. Even if it was in my nature to do so.

She didn’t just stand by while I was in the process of being unjustly accused. She saved my ass, and then she saved it again at the risk of her own life. I think Alpha knew that too, but he’d never come out and admit it.

“Ehhh, I didn’t know you were so well-spoken, partner.” Zero wore a smug grin. “I’d bet that scowl on your face is just for show too, huh?”

“Hah? I just don’t talk that much.” I shrugged, exasperated. “C’mon, we ought to find this gift, and get going before Shion chews us out though. I think I saw a souvenir shop over there.”

“Don’t be shy now!”

“I’m not! Geez…” There was something about Zero’s carefree nature that threw me off my game, but I didn’t dislike it.

18.2

We browsed the wares in the market for a while before Zero finally settled on something he thought Shion might like.

“A sunhat?” I asked.

“Yeah, I don’t think she brought one. She’s pale as a ghost, and it goes well with that white dress she always wears.” Zero held up the straw hat with a black ribbon around it. “Why, you don’t like it?”

“Nah, I think it’s fine.” I was no expert in purchasing gifts for women. I hadn’t had a girlfriend in all my life, after all. “Let’s go pay for it, and get the heck out of here.”

“Good thinking.” Zero nodded. “You aren’t gonna get anything for yourself though? Not even a souvenir?”

“A souvenir…” I hadn’t even thought about it.

I remember having skipped our school trip to Kyoto, because I was ill. I was pretty upset that I couldn’t grab myself a souvenir back then, and I wasn’t able to make memories on what would be my last school trip come to think of it.

“I guess I could take a quick peak around.” I muttered as Zero went up to pay.

For some reason, I ended up in front of the jewelry section, even though I wasn’t much for it back on Earth. There were necklaces, rings, and other little trinkets, but none of them caught my eye until I saw a particular pendant on one of the chains.

“Taijitu, what’s this doing here??” Popularly known as the Yin and Yang symbol, the necklace stood out like a sore thumb amongst the localized selection of jewelry. I got the attention of the seller, curiosity getting the best of me. “Yo, mister, how’d you come across this one?”

“I see you have a discerning eye for quality, human.” The orc merchant adjusted his glasses. “An otherworlder pawned this here some days ago, said he needed the coin. If you’re interested, it’s yours for, errrm, let’s say a thousand Dān?”

Am I interested? I guess it does sort of seem like my style, but at that price…

“Huh? Hell no, that’s a robbery where I come from. Didn’t you say this was pawned?” I shook my head. “Three hundred, in coppers.”

I was swept away in the excitement of the sale.

“Seven-fifty, in silvers. And I’ll throw in a sharpening block for your little kitchen knife there.”

Of course, he was referring to the Ashen Fang at my hip.

“Four hundred!”

“Six. Fifty.”

“Tch.” He drove a hard bargain, but I wasn’t ready to call it quits just yet. “Alright, five-fifty in silvers for the necklace and the sharpening block, but that’s as high as I can go. I’ve got other things to buy, maybe from here later…”

Say no to THAT.

“Hmm…” The shopkeeper pondered on it for a moment, but the prospect of a repeat customer was the swaying factor in the end, just as I wagered. “You’ve got yourself a deal, and a bargain.”

And just like that, I had purchased myself a new accessory. It was genuinely the first non-consumable item I had bought for myself since arriving into this world. That alone was a sign that I was starting to change a little.

I placed the pendant around my neck, looking in the mirror at myself. It wasn’t a bad look for me, if I had to say so. It gave my otherworldly outfit an earthly touch, and considering my magic affinity for darkness and light I felt it appropriate somehow.

“Oooh, what’ve you got there, partner?” Zero asked, strolling up to me empty handed. “Not bad, not bad.”

“A necklace, and uhh, where’s Shion’s hat?” I asked in return.

“Umm, hat? What hat?” Zero wore an uncomfortable smile and his brow was covered in sweat. “I know of no such thing.”

“Really, we’re doing this?” I crossed my arms, unamused by his jest. Zero’s sweating only grew more profuse. “The one you wanted to buy as a gift, remember? Like three minutes ago?”

“…”

“…?”

“………..Pffft, alright, you got me! I put it back.” Zero caved. “Truth is, I lost my coin purse.”

“You “lost” it, meaning…?”

“I had it when I got off the wagon, and now…” Zero sighed, defeated. “I had a picture of my ma and pa in there, and not to mention half my spending cash. Thank my stars, Shion holds the other half though.”

That’s actually kind of sad, but wait a minute…

“—you’d better watch your coin purse in the market, there've been some pickpockets lately. Or so one of the traveling merchants back in Redrook tells me.”

“Sorry to say, but… I think you’ve been robbed, my dude.” I put a hand on Zero’s shoulder.

“Robbed… no kidding.”

“Nope.”

Seeing the light leave his eyes was gutwrenching, like watching a golden retriever who had been told they weren’t getting any treats.

“Guess it can’t be helped…” I began, shoving my hands in my pockets sheepishly. “How about I buy the hat, and you can pay me back for it later? I’d hate to see your good intentions go to waste, and all.”

Having been in the same boat myself as a victim of a robbery, I could uniquely understand his pain. However, the fellow surprised me by shaking his head no.

“I appreciate the sentiment partner, truly, but…” Zero nodded to himself, posing heroically. “This is just something a man has to do for himself.”

Whatever that means.

Perhaps it was a matter of his pride, or just the feelings behind the gift itself. I couldn’t begin to understand it, but I respected it all the same.

“I’ll get the rest of my money from Shion and buy it myself later. I’ll just have to be more careful…”

“Alright then, no biggie.” I started walking, nodding for Zero to follow along. “Still, they must be a pro to swipe your coinpurse when I was looking right at you the whole time. Really strange.”

“Yeah, and I didn’t feel anything either. All my time in Redrook, and this is a first for me. It was like… like they were invisi—”

“—!”

At that moment I felt the slightest tug at my belt, and I swung my hand backwards out of pure instinct, grabbing onto a wrist. Only, there was nothing there. I was definitely holding onto something though.

“Let…”

Let?

“LET GO!” A high-pitched voice commanded.

In an instant, I was doubled over, my groin in serious pain from a strong kick to the gonads. However, in one swift motion I ripped off what seemed to be a big blanket that concealed the two would-be thieves.

“There’s two of them!?” Zero exclaimed.

A short male and female, they both wore black turbans and facial veils. Their outfits were baggy, the male wore a black and silver robe, and the female wore black sweat pants and a sweater with an exposed midriff. Most striking, however, was her red scarf that fluttered behind her as they fled the scene.

“Yeah, run away, you little—!”

Wait, don’t tell me… Not again…

I was prepared to let them go, but I hadn’t noticed in the commotion, however, that the tag team duo had also successfully swiped my coinpurse and the Ashen Fang from my sheathe as well.

Damn it, those little bastards!

I staggered to my feet, enraged.

“Not today, you don’t! After them!”