Year 85

  *As Emma and Sunflower reach the Oasis, Kimmy stands at the meeting point with Haze, angrily. As Sunflower steps down, Kimmy’s demeanour changes as she smiles widely. Kimmy looks over at Emma as she approaches Haze.*

  Kimmy: I forgive you.

  Emma: *Smiles* I knew you would, and I did hurry.

  Sunflower: She wouldn’t even let us do any shopping. I really wanted that travel mirror.

  Kimmy: A travel mirror? How would you travel with something that big?

  Emma: They were screaming about it being small enough for the average folk, and it’s great for larger folk as well.

  Kimmy: What about the bigger ones, like Flint?

  Sunflower: Bigger beastkin have always had it rough. But they’re also less about vanity, so it makes sense. The first Mirror in history started a war.

  *Emma snorts*

  Kimmy: Oh, so they don’t like it because of the past?

  Sunflower: No. The reflection made it appear like an army. Not knowing what it was, they prepared for war.

  Kimmy: Oh. Is that why beastkin children are afraid of mirrors? *Gasp* That story about the girl and her twin makes so much sense now!

  *Emma starts laughing. Sunflower softly chuckles.*

  Sunflower: They say Beastkin's primal instincts fully where off around forty. Although most female Beastkin seem fine, it’s the boys who struggle.

  Emma: So, Kimmy. Am I forgiven?

  Kimmy: Of course! I know you like to travel. I just worry when you’re gone. I was so glad you met Griffin in hopes of keeping you home more often, and it worked for a while. But I think living together for that short time. Showed me that. *Hug* *Looks at Liza* But, more importantly. Who is this?

  Liza: Greetings, Kimmy. My name is Liza. Emma, your mother saved me, and in return, I’ve offered my services to help care for D*Static* Arthur.

  *Emma laughs nervously.*

  Kimmy: Is this one of the Gnomes you saved from when you were adventuring?

  Emma: *Ears perk up* Yup. I ran into them while.

  Griffin: Scouting.

  *Everyone turns to Griffin as he walks over swiftly, a slight scowl on his face.*

  Griffin: Why are there Lycaris guards with you?!

  *Emma looks over at two CamelKin. Their backpacks rest between the humps on their backs.*

  Emma: Well, where are yours?!

  *Griffin, too stunned for words, stares at her with a blank expression. Emma shrugs and laughs a little.*

  Sunflower: Lord Leon insisted.

  Emma: *Whispers* I think he has a crush on her. He became very protective when he learned she was crossing the desert with me.

  Emma: Wait. Did you think I got in trouble?!

  *Griffin’s irritation turns to guilt as Arthur calls out.*

  Arthur: Eliza!

  *Arthur runs over and hugs Liza. He stands barely taller than her and lifts her slightly.*

  Liza: It’s good to see you, too, Arthur.

  Arthur: I missed you.

  Liza: You’ve grown.

  Arthur: *Giggles* No, you shrank.

  Liza: Emma informed me my size wouldn’t be an issue.

  Emma: The only ones around were me, gnomes and dwarves. She asked if I wanted her to adjust, and I figured if it won’t cause any problems, then I’m fine with this size.

  Arthur: *Gasp*Does that mean you can still shrink and grow?

  Liza: Of course. Although at this size, I have a better energy output.

  Griffin: *Softly* So that’s the Golem?

  Emma: *Softly* Yup. She was so silent on the trip, seeing her now almost makes her look like skin, but I found her head. You don’t tend to get a chance after that comes off.

  Guard 1: Lord Griffin. On behalf of Lord Leon, we’d like to discuss an offer while we’re here. My name is Basharim, and my companion is Khadur. When might be a time to meet you?

  Griffin: *Mumbles* A hello first is fine. *Smiles* How’s tomorrow afternoon?

  *The two nod to one another.*

  Khadur: That works perfectly. We’ll see you tomorrow.

  Emma: Sunflower, I’m going to go unload. I’ll come over to Kimmy’s later tonight.

  Sunflower: See you then.

  *Back at home, Arthur gives Liza a tour of the house, while they both ride Zipzip. Emma looks over at Dennis from across the room as she flops her bag onto the table.*

  Emma: What? Nothing went wrong. If anything, it went over.

  Devil: Perfectly?

  *Emma throws a knife out of instinct, but it vanishes before piercing the Devil's face. Leaving a black smoke that flies across his face, as if water.*

  Emma: *Suspicious* I was going to do better than expected.

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  *Emma looks over and realises Dennis is frozen.*

  Emma: What do you want?

  Devil: I don’t want anything. I’m here with your reward.

  Emma: What reward?

  Devil: Do you want to save your sister?

  Emma: Keya?! Where is she!

  Devil: Liza, she can protect you from the “Veil.” But that does mean you’ll have to abandon this peace. Alternatively, you can stay here.

  *The Devil pulls out a bracelet, a darkness similar to when Liza was in stasis. After he places it down in front of her, a red gem appears as he taps it with his finger.*

  Devil: Attune this to the other two, and they can enter the space. Safely this time. Liza is one of the few who can open the doors.

  *Emma reaches towards it, and before she can grab it. It grabs her, stretching out. It wraps around her wrist before fusing with her skin. She drops to her knees and screams in pain. Lily hops out, hissing at the Devil.*

  Emma: No! Lily. *Breathing heavily* I’m fine.

  *Emma stands back up, breathing heavily. She looks at the band, tattooed into her skin. The devil lifts the skin on his wrist to reveal a jet black skin and a red band.*

  Devil: It connects us. For you to gain entrance, though, you’ll need the others' acceptance as well.

  Emma: *Looks up* Does this mean I have your acceptance?

  Devil: No, but you’ll need it to collect the others. They’re not as accepting as those two. This band allows you to prove who you are. They are like you in that they have been reborn. Your sister was dragged into the realm to act as bait for you. *Grins* But I’m the one who taught that little shit all he knows. He couldn’t outsmart me if I let him.

  Emma: So I have to find them for you? *Glares* You’re just making me do your dirty work.

  Devil: And? In return, you get to save your sister.

  Emma thinking: If they could just separate her from me, then I could…

  Devil: He just wants to absorb them. That’s true, but afterwards?

  *It turns into a barren landscape, not even a cloud in the sky. A dead planet.*

  Devil: This is what he does. He travels realms chasing her, destroying everything when he succeeds.

  *Emma looks around in disbelief. The planet becomes flooded with toxic waters. Then again, the planet changes at volcanos erupt, turning the seas of water to seas of molten lava.*

  Emma: Wait. You said, “When. *Looks at Devil* How many times has he succeeded?

  *The fire in the Devil’s eyes dims.*

  Devil: More times than I care to count.

  Emma thinking: Did his voice crack?

  Devil: His power is life. He can create it. But he chooses to snuff it out. He reincarnates upon death. The only delay is his transfer to another body; when the planet dies, he follows the trail.

  Emma: Then how do we stop him?

  Devil: Spirit weapons. They aren’t designed to kill others, but we need to kill his Spirit. You’ll need the help of the others to beat him.

  Emma: And I just have to wait for Arthur to tell me about them?

  Devil: Precisely. *Smiles*

  *The room returns to normal as the Devil vanishes.*

  Dennis: How was the trip?

  Emma: It was fine. I’m going to go check on Arthur.

  *Emma moves progressively faster as she heads upstairs and knocks on Arthur's door.*

  Arthur: Coming!

  *Emma opens the door to an empty room. She looks around, confused, as she closes the door. She walks away from the room, and Arthur runs out of the room.*

  Arthur: Yes, Auntie?

  Emma: What? Where. Where did you come from? I just checked your room.

  Liza: I apologise, I haven’t given you access yet.

  *Liza walks over and grabs Emma's hand. She twists Emma’s wrist so her palm is facing up and touches the band, where a golden gem appears. Emma feels a warm comfort across her body, and Arthur runs forward.*

  Arthur: Can I do it too, Liza?

  Liza: Only if you want to give her free access to your room.

  Arthur: That’s fine.

  *Arthur pokes the side of Emma’s wrist, and it burns for a moment before she can’t help but laugh. A solid yellow stone forms. Afterwards, Emma enters through the door into a large carpeted room. A large curtain with a picture of Spike is on the wall to the right, and stuffed animals make up a bed. Toys and blocks of all sizes are around the room. The wall to the left has a curtain with a chef's hat, and the smell of something cooking faintly escapes. She turns to look at the door and sees another door beside the one she entered. A skull and crossbones.*

  Arthur: Do you wanna meet Spike?!

  Emma: Umm.*Looks at Liza* I guess?

  *Arthur pulls a cord, opening another large room, larger than the first.*

  Arthur: Spike!!! Dinner time!!!

  *After a moment, gusts of wind send smaller toys flying as a bright red dragon, the infant dragon she met before. Spike lands, shaking the ground as his tail wags, slamming into the wall. Arthur runs up, and Spike licks him, lifting him with his tongue. Spike looks over at Emma, and his eyes focus on her. *

  Arthur: He says thank you for finding him.

  Emma: *Nervous* You're welcome.

  *Spike lies down, placing his snout in front of Emma. His nostrils flare as he breathes, and the air around them begins to warm up.*

  Arthur: No, Spike. She’s Auntie, not Mama.

  Emma: Hey, Liza. *Liza’s eyes light up.* Is it true that he is safe here?

  Liza: Affirmative. All master keys were destroyed. Would you like me to create a space for you as well?

  Emma: What would that even be?

  Liza: *Beeping* Correction. Previous host’s room credentials are still present. Please present the key.

  Emma: I don’t have a key.

  *Liza scans Emma, and Lily glows.*

  Liza: Correction. Key. Or Lily. Has been located.

  *Liza takes Emma’s hand, leaving Arthur and Spike in the room. Liza closes the door and gestures toward it.*

  Liza: Please present the key.

  *Emma holds Lily to the door, both looking at each other in confusion as Lily changes to a key shape and a keyhole appears in the centre of the door. As the door opens, Lily returns to her original form, and Liza walks inside. Emma slowly peeks her head into the dark room.*

  Liza: Say “Lights on!” to turn on the lights.

  Emma: Lights on!?

  *A single candle ignites in the distance.*

  Liza: It appears some of the operations are in disarray. Follow me.

  *Liza’s golden eye lights up, projecting light forward. She points it down the long hallway to reveal an old dusty stone path. Emma and Lily look around using Lily’s night vision, but can only manage to see the floor beneath them. As they walk past room after room, each one seems more sealed off than the last. Liza stops at a door with a lightning bolt on it. Inside, the only thing in the room is a suspended giant green gem.*

  Liza: Doil had to as well, it’s due to the length of time we were away. Now, Misstress. Please place your hand on the Jade.

  *Emma looks at Liza quizikly as she approaches the Jade. Emma’s eyes begin to glow, and soon after, the Jade glows brightly, springing to life.* The sound of power clicking on can be heard down the hallway. Emma steps back, and Liza steps forward.*

  Liza: It appears there is a jam. Would you like me to purge the system?

  Emma: What would that do?

  Liza: *Beeping* It would clear the blockage. Without it, the power will only reach the sealed-off rooms. But not enough to power their doors.

  Emma: Okay, then. Go ahead.

  Liza: Affirmative. Running Purge. Please standby incase of any collapse.

  Emma: Collapsing?!

  *The entire area shakes, the sound of stone crashing down and metal creaking echoes through the halls as the area is covered in dust. Liza creates a protective bubble, shielding them both as parts of the ceiling crash down and break apart above them. As the echoes die down, the lights above flicker on to reveal that the doorway is blocked.*

  Liza: I apologise, it appears the jam was a root that had grown from the Garden. It seems the Gardens attempted to override.

  Emma: HOW! Do we get out? Liza?

  Liza: *Beeping* I can clear out the unusable rooms, but this would delete them permanently.

  Emma: *Pause* Can you go through what is in each of the rooms?

  Liza: *Beeping followed by error beep* I can’t confirm their current inventory, but I can check the last log.

  Emma: Can we keep some of the rooms? If so, could we remove the empty ones?

  Liza: *Beeping* It appears there is a layout change that was left unconfirmed.

  Emma: *Irritated* Can you explain in a way a child could understand?

  Liza: *Sighs* I can… Begin the process. Which would… Remodel this space. Keeping and removing whatever was left at the choice of the Previous Host.

  Emma: She made Lily the Key. I’ll trust her decisions. Go ahead.

  Liza: *Nods* What would you like to name the space? Four letters.

  Lily: Why not call it Jade after that one?

  *Everyone looks at the Green Gem. Liza smiles*

  Liza: Keeping the previous name. . . Confirmed.