Tristan’s Problem

The silhouette of three, two riding a mechanical beast, and a man riding a giant dire wolf rode down the road between Tristan and the Grand Dungeon, casting long shadows against the setting sun. Dust trails forming behind them. They rode in relative silence, each still recovering from their harrowing trials against the Cyborg Sphinx. 

“Elnyra… you there?” Reiji ask telepathically.

After a few moments of silence, the goddess shimmers into existance, appearing infront of him in her usual translucent demeanor.

“You called?” Her expression was the same casual smile, with eyes that held immense kindness and sadness behind them.

“I’ve been thinking about something and I wanted your opinion on it.”

“You? Thinking? Careful now, wouldn’t want your brain to overheat.” She teases.

Ignoring the irresponsible goddess, Reiji continues. “Ever since I met you, I’ve been dreaming about Alicia.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you showing them to me on purpose?”

“… No. I’m not. I know you’ve been having these dreams, but I’m not showing them to you.”

Staring at her face, he was sure that she wasn’t lying to him, but his guts told him that she wasn’t being completely honest either.

“…Alright.” 

Returning to Tristan, the trio were greeted by a familiar yet strange city. The atmosphere pressed down heavily, as if pulled down by Tristan. The sky that should have been orange was suddenly black, stars and moons hidden by black clouds.

At the gate, they saw crowds of agitated people, queueing up to get inside, each one more agitated than the last, the closer they got to the gate the worse it got. Each of them mumbling about “Corrupted wildlife and fauna” or “Infected Villagers”.

Using their Adventurer’s Pass, they entered through a separate gate, quickly entering a city that weighed down on them. 

“This isn’t right.” Her ears twitched quickly, picking up on the tension that weighed down on the city.

“Is it something to do with the people trying to get in?” Reiji wonders aloud.

“Let’s hurry to Xenon. He should know more than us.” Souma says before leading the other two back towards the Guild.

Arriving back at the Guild, they were welcomed by an eerily quiet hall. Despite being full of Adventurer’s each one sat around their tables, huddled together in their own party, mumbling quietly. 

“Is this really the Adventurer’s Guild? I know we haven’t visited in a month… but what happened?” 

Seeing the three new comers, Serena finally came over, her bright and cheerful personality on full display. “Ah, Mr Reiji, Souma, and Miss Nraltia. Master Xenon has been waiting for you. Please follow me!” Despite her cheerfulness, even Serena couldn’t hide the irritated twitch of her ears and tail.

Nodding, the three quietly followed her to Xenon’s private room.

“Yo! We’re back Xenon…”

Expecting the usual calm and composed Xenon, neither one of the trio expected to see a Xenon that was brooding over a map of the continent as well as multiple pages of reports, his once calm and composed face was now scowling, his temples locked in his own vice grip.

“Uh… you alright?” 

Breaking away from his contemplation, Xenon finally notices the three of them standing in the room. Exhaling out loudly, he stands and walks over to the sofas in the middle of the room, motioning for the others to join him.

“Please sit. I assume the fact that you’ve returned is because you’ve gained the item?” 

Fishing out the item, Reiji tosses it onto the table. “Damn right we did!”

“So how is Tia suppose to use it?”

“It’s simple really, she needs to drop her blood on it, then it will dissolve into her body, and she should be able to choose which class to advance.”

Following those steps, Nraltia borrowed Reiji’s pocket knife, before pricking her fingertip for a drop of blood. Dropping it onto the orb like pendant on her hand, it shined brightly before dissolving into her palms. A bright burst of light enveloped Nraltia, before dissipating into a gentle wave of mana, washing over the others in the room.

“I’ve advanced into the Sage class.” She smiles eagerly.

“So what now? Do you have any updates on the seals location?”

With a deep scowl, Xenon sighs reluctantly. “We’ve been able to locate multiple spots of corruption through out the continent. It’s gotten bad enough that it’s even begun affecting towns and villages in the three kingdoms.” Kneading his brows “Unfortunately… we haven’t been able to locate the seals location.”

“Huh? What the hell? We’ve been busting our asses for a whole month and you haven’t gotten anything?” The biker scowls, hearing those words, before he could question Xenon further, he is interrupted by Souma.

“Is that why the gates are lined with agitated refugees?”

“Yes. That’s right. The people who are escaping from the corruption, end up coming here.”

“All of them?” The amnesiac Luporine asks.

“Yes.”

“Why aren’t they going to other cities or their Capital? Why Tristan?”

Bringing out his map, Xenon explains the markings on it.

“From the reports I’ve received it seems like the corruption is spreading from different parts of the continent.” Pointing to multiple locations circled in black. “The corrupted monsters have started leaving their area. Knights of different countries have been dispatched, but it’s only slowing down the advance of the monsters. Most of the refugees fleeing, have no choice but to try and avoid the paths of knights and monsters, so they end up being herded towards Tristan.”

“Are the other cities unable to house their own countrymen?”

“Yes unfortunately most cities could only accept a handful, as the corruption is twisting the lands, most cities seem to be more occupied with making their supplies last as long as possible.”

“So why don’t you just accept them?” Reiji ask.

“Because we can’t. Tristan is a hub between all three kingdoms, and our stores have greater capacity than even most of the other Capitols. But that doesn’t mean our supplies are infinite.” Staring into Reiji’s eyes. Xenon coldly says “We have no choice but to keep them outside of Tristan.”

Unable to refute the harsh reality, Reiji grits his teeth silently.

“This problem is due to Vermundr’s awakening. If you want to help them, the only way is to find the seal, Reiji.” The voice echoes in his thoughts, heavier than ever.

“Tch. Well how are we suppose to find it? Even Xenon with all his influence and reach couldn’t find it. You don’t even know where it is you irresponsible goddess.”

“…” 

Appearing in front of Reiji, her translucent figure floats above the map staring at it intently, her brows furrowed in heavy concentration. Eventually she points to three locations on the map. 

“Tristan. The Empire’s Capital, and the heart of the Black Spine Mountain range. These three locations are the most likely places.”