A Special Kind of Pair

“The omni stone? And this particular stone will allow my magic to bind with Raia’s?” Yami asked the old man with a bewildered look on his face.

“That’s precisely right, lad. Told you I wouldn’t be wasting your time.” Archimedes said proudly.

“Wait a minute, how is it that you know about this? And why tell me about it?” he asked hesitantly.

“Oh, I’ve been around interesting places serving under the Fates.” The old man lifted his cloak to show a badge on his chest with a crest that read “Keeper of the realm”.

“I take it, this isn’t something that you’d want to be wearing anytime soon.” the old man told Yami as he gave him a wink.

“Alright, so you’re an old keeper? Why are you going against the Fates then?” Yami continued his interrogation.

“Yer more cautious than I anticipated lad. That’s good to know, you won’t be going to this haphazardly then,” the old man replied.

“It’s not that I’m going against the Fates, it's just I am just a bit curious if it is indeed possible. You can also say that I have my regrets. I’ve always known people accepted the cards that the Fates have dealt them, but not once in my youth did, I ever ask what you were asking yourself just now. Can you change fate?”

“As I said earlier, that’s a powerful question. I wished I asked that myself back then” the old man continued.

“Ok, so if this stone is so great how comes no one has ever tried to get one before?” asked Yami, not being able to sway his suspicsions.

“Ah another powerful question lad! That’s good! You see, as you now know, all compatible partners enter through the gates of the Fates with their stone already pre-determined by the Fates. That’s why the thread of the Fates guides them through their quest.”

“Try as the might they won’t be able to divert their journey to come across any other stone.” As the old man said this, Yami wanted to interject with another question. However, Archimedes continued to speak anticipating the need for clarity.

“Above all things the Fates prioritize certainty. Because of this, they won’t be bold enough to have partners overexert themselves to look for any other stone that may be too risky.” Archimedes concluded.

Yami sat in silence as he tried to process the fount of information that was just shared.

Realizing this, the old man continued to speak. “You see lad, in order to look for the stone, you can’t be attached to the thread of the Fates. And since you were never recognized with a compatible partner, you’re the only one with the shot to even try and look for the omni stone.”

“Ok, so now I just have to figure out how to sneak into the grand office structure and get access to the gates of the Fates.” Yami said in a determined voice.

“It’s not that simple lad. Only pairs can enter the gates of the Fates. And unless the binding ceremony is ongoing, you won’t even have access to the gates at all,” the old man interjected.

“But how am I supposed to find a partner now? Everyone else that is of age already has a partner!” Yami asked hysterically.

“What you mean to say is, everyone of age within the Heart and Edge of Harmos already has a partner.” the old man said with a clever smile.

Yami looked at Archimedes intently and spoke. “You mean, I need to look for someone my age in the Outskirts of Hamros?”

“Yes, and not just any someone lad. Someone capable of disabling the Fate’s magic so you can enter through the gates unnoticed,” the old man replied.

“Is there even anyone capable of such a thing?” Yami asked again, feeling skeptical.

“What have I been telling you all this time lad? I wouldn’t be wasting your time!” Archimedes reminded him.

“I’ve been a keeper of the realm for a long time, and I have heard things while performing my duties in the Outskirts. There was a rumor about twelve years ago. About a certain family that was reassigned to the Outskirts by the Fates. Because their child developed an unusual kind of magic.”

“According to the accounts I’ve read AND heard, for some odd reason magic stopped working when this child was around.” Archimedes said again with yet another clever smile on his face.

Yami sat in silence, with all of this information he started to feel his confidence returning.

“So, you see with the two of you together, you become a special kind of pair. A pair that would be capable of looking for and maybe even acquiring the precious omni stone,” the old man said looking confident that he was able to rest all of Yami’s doubts.

“Ok then!” Yami stood up from his booth reinvigorated.

“I’m off to the Outskirts! Thanks a lot, Archime... Arhchmy... uh... I mean old man!” Yami said as he placed some money on the table for his Ale.

“At least learn my name!” the old man said angrily.

“Wait lad, do you even know how you’re going to get to the Outskirts? It’s not really an accessible area for the citizens of the realm.” the old man asked.

“No. But I’m sure I can figure it out!” Yami replied with a confident smile.

“Hahaha! I like your moxie boy! Here take this I won’t be needing it until I’m on rotation again next month anyway!” Archimedes handed Yami his Keeper badge.

“With that they won’t be asking why you’re going down to the Outskirts! They’ll just think you’re on rotation,” the old man said with confidence.

“Whoa, thanks old man!” Yami said as he accepted the badge.

“It’s Archimedes lad! Remember my name at least!” the old man said with an exasperated expression.

After this discussion the lights returned to the tavern. The people at the different tables were audible again. You could also hear a couple of people seated at the bar snoring, clearly indicating they have had too much. 

After a while the server that was attending to Yami approached to collect the payment and saw them outside.

“Thanks, come again!” she shouted as both men headed out.

As they were walking across the street from the Tavern, before they could go their separate ways, Archimedes tapped Yami on the shoulder once again.

“Best of luck to you lad! Here take this as well it may serve useful if you ever find yourself in a tight spot.” Archimedes reached out his hand and gave Yami a little silver stick. It was about the size of a pen, and it had a sort of blue gem placed at its tip.

Yami took it from Archimedes and stared at it intently.

“Hey, I think I saw this in one of my father’s craft books, this is a high-grade item where did you find...” but before Yami could ask his question, he looked up and found himself standing alone in the dark.

“I’m going to have to remember to repay him one day” Yami said to himself as walked away from the Tavern.

Nearby, in the opposite side of the street, Archimedes was hastily walking towards the back alleys of the Heart level.

“The best-case scenario may just be able to play out considering these developments. However, I wonder if he would be a match for her?” As Archimedes thought this to himself a shimmer of green light came from within him.

When the light dissipated, all that was left was a cloak on the floor and a little blue owl, that flew away from the spot where old man once stood.

“Again, I guess only time will tell.” It thought to itself as it headed out towards the night sky.

***