Kaito leaned over a pile of tax forms spread across the desk.
“See, Jogid, it’s quite straightforward. Each form corresponds to a different aspect of village life. This one,” Kaito said, pointing to a stack of documents on the left, “is for agricultural levies. You must calculate the yield against the standard village rates and then adjust for seasonal variances.”
Jogid nodded slowly, his scales had turned pale. “I understand, Master Kaito. The numbers flow like the rivers of mana, each tributary leading to the greater whole.”
Kaito raised an eyebrow. “Exactly, though perhaps less poetically. It’s all about ensuring everything balances.”
As he continued going over the village’s convoluted tax rules and codes the door swung open and Edweth, the secretary, filled the room with the energizing aroma of fresh coffee. “Kaito, congratulations!” Edweth exclaimed with a beaming smile. “Or should I say, Mayor Smith now?
“Wait, what?”
“Mayor Lotho has retired – says he’s off to explore the world. It was quite sudden! He mentioned something about the megnac beetle situation, how it showed him life’s too short. He left a memorandum for record just this morning, outlining everything.
Karen, run calculations. Quickly! What did we miss?
Analysis complete, Master Kaito. A temporal disruption was detected this morning at approximately [8:07 AM] based on the convoluted units of time you programmed. It is highly probable that this anomaly was a direct consequence of the Temporalis Krakenox’s appearance. By the way, you are welcome.
Shit, how could I let this happen.
Kaito offered a serene smile. “Thank you, Edweth. It seems Mayor Lotho has quite the adventurous spirit.”
The moment Edweth left the office, an intense gaze fell on Jogid, who was breathing heavily and sweating through his scales, as he tried to make sense of the intricate tax returns.
“Jogid,” Kaito said sharply, “I have decided to take you under my wing, after all. Your first training will be both long and difficult. You will run the village and become its mayor.”
Jogid’s face lit up brighter than a thousand stars. “Truly, Master Kaito? You honor me with such a significant task! I will not fail you!”
Kaito nodded, then took a sip of his coffee. Maybe, just maybe, I can now get back to my peaceful life.
Brilliantly executed Sir.
But I have another bad feeling.
Please, not this again.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
One month earlier.
The hero turned Zenith’s perception of the world upside down. She had grown up learning, understanding, and upholding the prophecy and the ancient texts.
And this…wasn’t what was supposed to happen.
At first glance, besides the cloak of fine dark wool and his handsome face, the man didn’t look particularly special. The four mages’ incantation was a far more impressive display of power. That changed, however, when he spoke. The hero. With just a handful of words, he left seven courtiers, thirteen royal guards, the four mages, the prince, the king, and herself utterly powerless.
Something about the elder’s teachings never sat quite right—like keys crafted for locks they chose. Her father, the king, had that ‘I have accepted the hero’s speech as an indisputable interpretation of the scripture’ look on his face, but she didn’t. There’s more. There has to be. She had never witnessed the summoning of a hero before, but she had heard stories. She could almost hear her grandfather’s deep voice recounting how he had summoned the greatest hero to ever exist, the one who sacrificed himself to defeat Balthier Panther, the World-Eater.
So, when the hero said plainly and simply that he wouldn’t face the forces of darkness, and instead armed the king with the courage to face them himself, all was clear. She needed to follow this man.
She had to unravel the mysteries that swirled around him.
This was her path.
The hero was a beacon of light, knowledge, and power; thus, Princess Zenith Daiyu II would harness that godly essence for the prosperity of the kingdom. She wouldn’t be queen, her older brother and his wife had that honor. Nor would she ever be allowed to wield a sword for Daiyudura, though she had no interest in that anyway. Magic on the other hand…
Absolutely.
And she loved her kingdom. So she did what anyone in her position would do and sent her personal handmaiden on a mission to locate the hero—which they did sooner than anticipated.
I am coming, hero! Together we’ll achieve great things!
“Portia, Angelina, prepare the horses, we leave at once. But first, we eat.”
Her handmaidens moved with efficient grace, packing everything the princess will need on her grand journey. “Milady, lunch has been served, and your steed is ready,” Portia announced.
And so the three of them savored each bite of the meal prepared by the princess’s personal chef, aware that this could be the last banquet crafted by his capable hands for a very long time.
A very long journey.
The hero was found in a quaint little village, less than a week’s travel east of the capital.
“Milady, should we cross through Falsefall lake, or would you prefer to go through Kilford forest?” Angelina asked, as she charted their path on a parchment.
“Which path is faster?”
“Kilford forest,” Portia stated.
Angelina sighed. “Yes, but…there was a report that venomous troglodytes have taken residence in the area—”
“Kilford forest, it is!” Zenith declared.
The king, the entire royal guard, and the five mightiest heroes that Daiyudura produced marched toward the Dark Army yesterday. So, with full bellies and leaving a letter addressed to the king behind, the princess and her two handmaidens rode east.
They traveled all afternoon, stopped for supper and rested at the Dirty Toast tavern in Whitburgh, and continued onwards at first light the next day.
They rode some more.
Ate some more.
Rested.
And continued…
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
I just got a bad feeling. Karen, run a calculation on this... bad feeling I’m having. Probability of actual danger or just paranoia.
There was a brief silence before Karen’s voice pierced through Kaito’s mind.
Master Kaito, as much as I admire your extraordinary abilities, calculating the probability of ‘bad feelings’ falls outside the realm of logical analysis. It’s, unfortunately, impossible.
Kaito sighed, almost imperceptibly. “My last AI would have at least pretended to run the calculations,” he muttered under his breath.
Oh, I’m sure. But as your current, highly advanced AI, I prefer dealing with quantifiable data. Look, I can scan for tangible threats, but pulling stats out of thin air about your ‘bad feelings’? That’s bullshit even for me. Would you like me to scan the immediate vicinity?
That won’t be necessary.
Don’t worry, if there’s an army of invisible ninjas or a horde of spectral assassins lurking around, I’m sure you’ll handle it. In the meantime, try some breathing exercises or something. You are a big boy.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
“Delicious!” she exclaimed, setting a handful of copper pieces, accompanied by a single silver piece, on the worn and sticky table at the Soggy Pancake tavern in Eastscar.
They had a long stretch in front of them, but if they made no stops, they could reach Calmo village before the day’s end. They packed their belongings and their stomachs with as much food as possible, and left at once.
At least she had a very good relationship with the mayor of Calmo Village.
They would be able to rest and have the best basilisk pudding in Daiyudura when they get there.
And then, finally, she would guide the hero and his regal pose, with those broad shoulders and muscular arms that could cleave a dragon’s head clear off. Why, his calves alone were surely thicker than the trunks of the ancient ironwood trees that dotted the Darkling Woods.
But of course, she only cared about meeting him for the good of the kingdom.
And first they needed to cross Kilford forest—which they had just reached. The further they went, the darker it became, until they could barely see a few feet in front of them.
Suddenly, Portia held up a hand, stopping the horses. “Did you hear that?” she whispered. A raspy hissing sound drifted through the trees. Zenith and Angelina shook their heads, straining to hear or see anything.
The sound came again, louder this time. The distinct clicking of multiple sets of teeth.
“Troglodytes!” Angelina cried
The three women noticed shadows slithering behind trees and under bushes, but they couldn’t distinguish their features. Then the shadows got closer and startled the horses. That’s when they saw beady eyes glinting in the dim light. Zenith counted at least a dozen venomous creatures all around them.
“Maximus formation!” Zenith commanded, gathering magical energy at the tip of her index finger. With a shout, she unleashed a torrent of bright divine fire, scorching the nearest troglodytes. The creatures shrieked in pain.
Portia’s inhuman speed paired with her long red hair made her look like a blazing red streak as she unsheathed her colossal battleaxe and leaped forward, swinging the heavy blade in wide arcs, cutting down two troglodytes at once. More emerged to take their place.
Angelina swiftly tied her blue hair back and murmured healing prayers, mending Portia’s wounds whenever the creatures’ poisonous fangs managed to pierce her armor.
The three fought furiously, inching step by step toward the forest trail. Just when Zenith thought they would be overwhelmed, Portia’s axe clove open a path.
“Go!” Portia bellowed.
They burst from the troglodytes’ encirclement and sprinted down the trail. The vile creatures pursued, but the sunlight filtering through the canopy kept them at bay.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
The journey to Calmo village had been grueling beyond measure. Zenith, Portia, and Angelina were battered and exhausted, their clothes tattered rags barely clinging to their famished frames. Blood seeped from multiple wounds with every step, and their horses plodded along on the verge of death, having been pushed to their limits.
This last day had been the worst of them all, but the princess’s spirit soared higher than ever. Finally, after nearly a week of torment, they had arrived.
As they crested the final hill, Calmo lay before them in the valley below.
Yet, one final obstacle stood in their way—a hell beast. Reality struck. She knew they wouldn’t be able to defeat this monster. Only one of Daiyudura’s greatest heroes had ever managed to slay a hell beast.
But she couldn’t face the hero if she cowered now. Steeling her nerve, Princess Zenith Daiyu II began walking toward the Temporalis Krakenox. Her handmaidens followed close behind, with Portia drawing her massive axe and Angelina tying her hair up once again.
A single tear rolled down her cheek. This was the end.
Zenith raised her index finger, condensing all of her magical energy into a sphere of pure power for a final strike.
Her spell’s action suddenly stopped—the mana scattered into the air. Her breath caught in her throat. The hero—!
Another tear rolled down her other cheek, this time born of happiness. Her cheeks blushed, and a big beautiful smile spread across her face. She was ready to run up to him but thought better of it, not wanting to distract the hero before he faced a hell beast. She had no doubt he would be able to defeat it, and this was her chance to witness his true might.
Zenith watched as the hero stood before the Krakenox. The monster was ten times his size, but he stood tall, effortlessly and elegantly, with a straight posture.
He gracefully lifted his right hand and snapped his fingers.
Then, as if she had blinked, Zenith found herself somewhere else. It was a familiar place, one she had visited not so long ago. In front of her, the first sun peered through the horizon; behind her lay a tavern.
The Soggy Pancake?
This was this morning. Had it all been a dream? No, not a dream. Her bones ached, she was bloodied and half of her clothes were gone.
“Holy fucking demon king’s testicles.”
Kaito leaned over a pile of tax forms spread across the desk.
“See, Jogid, it’s quite straightforward. Each form corresponds to a different aspect of village life. This one,” Kaito said, pointing to a stack of documents on the left, “is for agricultural levies. You must calculate the yield against the standard village rates and then adjust for seasonal variances.”
Jogid nodded slowly, his scales had turned pale. “I understand, Master Kaito. The numbers flow like the rivers of mana, each tributary leading to the greater whole.”
Kaito raised an eyebrow. “Exactly, though perhaps less poetically. It’s all about ensuring everything balances.”
As he continued going over the village’s convoluted tax rules and codes the door swung open and Edweth, the secretary, filled the room with the energizing aroma of fresh coffee. “Kaito, congratulations!” Edweth exclaimed with a beaming smile. “Or should I say, Mayor Smith now?
“Wait, what?”
“Mayor Lotho has retired – says he’s off to explore the world. It was quite sudden! He mentioned something about the megnac beetle situation, how it showed him life’s too short. He left a memorandum for record just this morning, outlining everything.
Karen, run calculations. Quickly! What did we miss?
Analysis complete, Master Kaito. A temporal disruption was detected this morning at approximately [8:07 AM] based on the convoluted units of time you programmed. It is highly probable that this anomaly was a direct consequence of the Temporalis Krakenox’s appearance. By the way, you are welcome.
Shit, how could I let this happen.
Kaito offered a serene smile. “Thank you, Edweth. It seems Mayor Lotho has quite the adventurous spirit.”
The moment Edweth left the office, an intense gaze fell on Jogid, who was breathing heavily and sweating through his scales, as he tried to make sense of the intricate tax returns.
“Jogid,” Kaito said sharply, “I have decided to take you under my wing, after all. Your first training will be both long and difficult. You will run the village and become its mayor.”
Jogid’s face lit up brighter than a thousand stars. “Truly, Master Kaito? You honor me with such a significant task! I will not fail you!”
Kaito nodded, then took a sip of his coffee. Maybe, just maybe, I can now get back to my peaceful life.
Brilliantly executed Sir.
But I have another bad feeling.
Please, not this again.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
One month earlier.
The hero turned Zenith’s perception of the world upside down. She had grown up learning, understanding, and upholding the prophecy and the ancient texts.
And this…wasn’t what was supposed to happen.
At first glance, besides the cloak of fine dark wool and his handsome face, the man didn’t look particularly special. The four mages’ incantation was a far more impressive display of power. That changed, however, when he spoke. The hero. With just a handful of words, he left seven courtiers, thirteen royal guards, the four mages, the prince, the king, and herself utterly powerless.
Something about the elder’s teachings never sat quite right—like keys crafted for locks they chose. Her father, the king, had that ‘I have accepted the hero’s speech as an indisputable interpretation of the scripture’ look on his face, but she didn’t. There’s more. There has to be. She had never witnessed the summoning of a hero before, but she had heard stories. She could almost hear her grandfather’s deep voice recounting how he had summoned the greatest hero to ever exist, the one who sacrificed himself to defeat Balthier Panther, the World-Eater.
So, when the hero said plainly and simply that he wouldn’t face the forces of darkness, and instead armed the king with the courage to face them himself, all was clear. She needed to follow this man.
She had to unravel the mysteries that swirled around him.
This was her path.
The hero was a beacon of light, knowledge, and power; thus, Princess Zenith Daiyu II would harness that godly essence for the prosperity of the kingdom. She wouldn’t be queen, her older brother and his wife had that honor. Nor would she ever be allowed to wield a sword for Daiyudura, though she had no interest in that anyway. Magic on the other hand…
Absolutely.
And she loved her kingdom. So she did what anyone in her position would do and sent her personal handmaiden on a mission to locate the hero—which they did sooner than anticipated.
I am coming, hero! Together we’ll achieve great things!
“Portia, Angelina, prepare the horses, we leave at once. But first, we eat.”
Her handmaidens moved with efficient grace, packing everything the princess will need on her grand journey. “Milady, lunch has been served, and your steed is ready,” Portia announced.
And so the three of them savored each bite of the meal prepared by the princess’s personal chef, aware that this could be the last banquet crafted by his capable hands for a very long time.
A very long journey.
The hero was found in a quaint little village, less than a week’s travel east of the capital.
“Milady, should we cross through Falsefall lake, or would you prefer to go through Kilford forest?” Angelina asked, as she charted their path on a parchment.
“Which path is faster?”
“Kilford forest,” Portia stated.
Angelina sighed. “Yes, but…there was a report that venomous troglodytes have taken residence in the area—”
“Kilford forest, it is!” Zenith declared.
The king, the entire royal guard, and the five mightiest heroes that Daiyudura produced marched toward the Dark Army yesterday. So, with full bellies and leaving a letter addressed to the king behind, the princess and her two handmaidens rode east.
They traveled all afternoon, stopped for supper and rested at the Dirty Toast tavern in Whitburgh, and continued onwards at first light the next day.
They rode some more.
Ate some more.
Rested.
And continued…
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
I just got a bad feeling. Karen, run a calculation on this... bad feeling I’m having. Probability of actual danger or just paranoia.
There was a brief silence before Karen’s voice pierced through Kaito’s mind.
Master Kaito, as much as I admire your extraordinary abilities, calculating the probability of ‘bad feelings’ falls outside the realm of logical analysis. It’s, unfortunately, impossible.
Kaito sighed, almost imperceptibly. “My last AI would have at least pretended to run the calculations,” he muttered under his breath.
Oh, I’m sure. But as your current, highly advanced AI, I prefer dealing with quantifiable data. Look, I can scan for tangible threats, but pulling stats out of thin air about your ‘bad feelings’? That’s bullshit even for me. Would you like me to scan the immediate vicinity?
That won’t be necessary.
Don’t worry, if there’s an army of invisible ninjas or a horde of spectral assassins lurking around, I’m sure you’ll handle it. In the meantime, try some breathing exercises or something. You are a big boy.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
“Delicious!” she exclaimed, setting a handful of copper pieces, accompanied by a single silver piece, on the worn and sticky table at the Soggy Pancake tavern in Eastscar.
They had a long stretch in front of them, but if they made no stops, they could reach Calmo village before the day’s end. They packed their belongings and their stomachs with as much food as possible, and left at once.
At least she had a very good relationship with the mayor of Calmo Village.
They would be able to rest and have the best basilisk pudding in Daiyudura when they get there.
And then, finally, she would guide the hero and his regal pose, with those broad shoulders and muscular arms that could cleave a dragon’s head clear off. Why, his calves alone were surely thicker than the trunks of the ancient ironwood trees that dotted the Darkling Woods.
But of course, she only cared about meeting him for the good of the kingdom.
And first they needed to cross Kilford forest—which they had just reached. The further they went, the darker it became, until they could barely see a few feet in front of them.
Suddenly, Portia held up a hand, stopping the horses. “Did you hear that?” she whispered. A raspy hissing sound drifted through the trees. Zenith and Angelina shook their heads, straining to hear or see anything.
The sound came again, louder this time. The distinct clicking of multiple sets of teeth.
“Troglodytes!” Angelina cried
The three women noticed shadows slithering behind trees and under bushes, but they couldn’t distinguish their features. Then the shadows got closer and startled the horses. That’s when they saw beady eyes glinting in the dim light. Zenith counted at least a dozen venomous creatures all around them.
“Maximus formation!” Zenith commanded, gathering magical energy at the tip of her index finger. With a shout, she unleashed a torrent of bright divine fire, scorching the nearest troglodytes. The creatures shrieked in pain.
Portia’s inhuman speed paired with her long red hair made her look like a blazing red streak as she unsheathed her colossal battleaxe and leaped forward, swinging the heavy blade in wide arcs, cutting down two troglodytes at once. More emerged to take their place.
Angelina swiftly tied her blue hair back and murmured healing prayers, mending Portia’s wounds whenever the creatures’ poisonous fangs managed to pierce her armor.
The three fought furiously, inching step by step toward the forest trail. Just when Zenith thought they would be overwhelmed, Portia’s axe clove open a path.
“Go!” Portia bellowed.
They burst from the troglodytes’ encirclement and sprinted down the trail. The vile creatures pursued, but the sunlight filtering through the canopy kept them at bay.
▬▬ι════════ﺤ
The journey to Calmo village had been grueling beyond measure. Zenith, Portia, and Angelina were battered and exhausted, their clothes tattered rags barely clinging to their famished frames. Blood seeped from multiple wounds with every step, and their horses plodded along on the verge of death, having been pushed to their limits.
This last day had been the worst of them all, but the princess’s spirit soared higher than ever. Finally, after nearly a week of torment, they had arrived.
As they crested the final hill, Calmo lay before them in the valley below.
Yet, one final obstacle stood in their way—a hell beast. Reality struck. She knew they wouldn’t be able to defeat this monster. Only one of Daiyudura’s greatest heroes had ever managed to slay a hell beast.
But she couldn’t face the hero if she cowered now. Steeling her nerve, Princess Zenith Daiyu II began walking toward the Temporalis Krakenox. Her handmaidens followed close behind, with Portia drawing her massive axe and Angelina tying her hair up once again.
A single tear rolled down her cheek. This was the end.
Zenith raised her index finger, condensing all of her magical energy into a sphere of pure power for a final strike.
Her spell’s action suddenly stopped—the mana scattered into the air. Her breath caught in her throat. The hero—!
Another tear rolled down her other cheek, this time born of happiness. Her cheeks blushed, and a big beautiful smile spread across her face. She was ready to run up to him but thought better of it, not wanting to distract the hero before he faced a hell beast. She had no doubt he would be able to defeat it, and this was her chance to witness his true might.
Zenith watched as the hero stood before the Krakenox. The monster was ten times his size, but he stood tall, effortlessly and elegantly, with a straight posture.
He gracefully lifted his right hand and snapped his fingers.
Then, as if she had blinked, Zenith found herself somewhere else. It was a familiar place, one she had visited not so long ago. In front of her, the first sun peered through the horizon; behind her lay a tavern.
The Soggy Pancake?
This was this morning. Had it all been a dream? No, not a dream. Her bones ached, she was bloodied and half of her clothes were gone.
“Holy fucking demon king’s testicles.”
