“Master?”
“Yes, Altair?”
“Sirius has returned, and awaits your presence at the stern.”
“Thank you, I’ll be right there.”
I waved my hand, and she left in a flurry of air. If not for that carefully enchanted armor, cost a fortune I must add, I doubt I could even see her. Sipping my drink, I glanced around my stateroom, curious as to what humans considered ‘fine’. The crew had filled it with a polished wooden coffee table covered in magazines, an old fashioned fireplace, several black leather chairs and a poor copy of some famous artist here on the prime material hung on the wall. I had to force myself not to yawn as I took another sip of my coffee.
“You can come out now, Hyperion. She’s gone.”
Slipping out of the fire, his charred and dented armor sent soot all over the perfectly clean floor.
“Master, I can explai-”
“There is no explanation needed. You thought you found an acceptable candidate, and they failed, rather spectacularly at that. Ergo, you have failed in your task as well. I must admit you did cause a good deal of strife, so your loss is not so harsh.”
“Forgive me, Master. The girl checked all the boxes, and I was certain she would take it. I will find another, I swear it.”
With no legs, Hyperion somehow managed to kneel before me. I leaned forward, so that my eyes met his.
“I want to go home, Hy. Do not fail me again.”
He bowed, pressing his hands to the floor in supplication.
“Yes, Master.”
I waved for him to go, and sipped my coffee again. The crew had said it was boiling hot, but I had never had such a cold drink in my entire life. I looked down, and Hyperion was still there.
“Altair knows something is wrong, Master.”
“What, did summoning a Leviathan give any bad feelings?”
“Not that. She couldn’t care less about their lives, but she knows something about you doesn’t add up. I’m doing what I can, but I fear she may discover us before her comes around.”
I sighed, and walked to the window.
“We cannot be discovered now. Keep her in check, her day has not yet come. Your turn isn’t too far away as well, so that gives you two things to keep track of. Can you do that, think of two things at once?”
“Yes, Master. I will make sure of it.”
“Good! Because no matter how eager you are to return home, know that I wish to go back even more. And when we do get back, I will shatter those plates that bind you. Now get out of my sight.”
Hyperion bowed again, and left in a flurry of flame through the window. I put myself back together, fixed my hair in the mirror, and walked outside.
As I reached the stern, the familiar silver armor atop a pillar of water rose to meet me.
“Master I…. I have failed you.”
“No, you did your task perfectly. The false heroes are being weeded out, bit by bit, and you have been only the start.”
“But… they stopped us…”
“That’s alright, I don’t want the entire city to go after all. You completed your task, and this means only one mission is left before I release you.”
“I… you can count on me, Master. What is your bidding?”
“Tell Caelum to shake things up a bit. Is he still below us?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Good! Send him in. He attacks at noon.”
I walked back towards my room, but I heard Sirius stop her descent.
“What is it, Si?”
“It’s nothing Master, I’ll be on my way.”
She dove into the waves below, and I looked back over the ocean towards where OffTopic must be, a continent away.
“You haven’t seen rock bottom yet.”
[spoiler]Part 2 goes up tomorrow, probably about 10 AM PDT
As before, there are a variety of enemies and encounters in this event that any level of adventurer can have a challenge worth their time. Even once the boss is dead, I've extend this to include more so that people joining late can still have their fill of battle. Any other feedback is greatly appreciated.
Thanks![/spoiler]
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Bumple!