Chapter 18 [Leah]

Leah heard the pop echo through the cavern and looked away from Rowan’s sleeping form to catch the tail end of her husband already crushing another Slime in the same place as the last. She watched as he dug out the creature’s Core, then lifted a large bundle from the stone wall before walking towards them.

Seeing that everything was fine, she returned to looking at her son worriedly and running her fingers through his long blonde hair. A curious Maeve sat on her knees next to him, looking back and forth between her brother and her Grimoire.

“Mommy? Why do you look so sad?” she asked. “Elsa says he’s just sleeping.”

“Elsa..?” Leah raised an eye.

“My book!” the little girl exclaimed. “You and daddy named your books, so I named mine too!”

“We didn’t… Never mind.” Leah held back a laugh. “Anyway, it’s my job to worry. About both of you. About Greyson. About your father.”

“Why worry about daddy?” Maeve scrunched her face. “Daddy’s strong! He can do anything!”

“That’s right, little missy!” Kyle’s voice boomed in the cavernous space, causing Maeve to jump in surprise. Her husband dropped the bundle on the ground beside her, then scooped the little girl up in his arms and held her above his head. “Ya ain’t got nuttin’ to worry ‘bout so long as I’m here. An’ don’t be forgettin’ it.”

Maeve started to laugh, then quickly scrunched up her nose. “Put me down! You stink!”

“Hahaha!” Kyle laughed heartily and carefully placed her down next to him. As soon as her feet hit the floor, she ran over to the pile of stuff he’d brought over.

“Hey! This is Mommy’s blanket!” she called out while fussing with the knot and trying to get it open.

Leah was about to tell her to wait, but before she could, the knot came undone. The tightly packed objects spilled out onto the rocky floor, and she was surprised to see multiple things she recognized.

Is that… my old coffee thermos? And Maeve’s right, that’s the blanket I always kept in the living room. And…

“That… is that the old tent we used to take to the beach?” Leah was stunned. “I haven’t seen that thing in years.”

“Takes ya back, dunnit?” Kyle grinned, fell to the ground beside the mess, and began to sort through it. He grabbed a pink water bottle with pictures of princesses on the surface and handed it to Maeve. “Here ya go, littles. Don’t go drinkin’ it too fast now, ya hear? I reckon I got enough to last us a couple o’ days but we’re gonna have to kill more o’ them Slimes to fill up again. Here.”

Leah took her old thermos from his outstretched hand, then froze after having registered what he’d just said. “Don’t tell me all of those Slimes we killed only earned us this much. We had to have killed over a thousand! What about clothes? Hell, as fucked up as it is, what about armor or weapons? Those are more necessary now than pillows and blankets!”

“Woah there, tiger.” Her husband put up his hands defensively. “We ain’t broke but by no means are we rollin’ in dough. Gimme a sec to get this here sorted. I’ll give ya the quick o’ what I learned an’ let you handle the clothes. That fair?”

“…sure.” Leah replied hesitantly before opening the cap on her thermos and taking a drink. It wasn’t cold, but it was refreshing.

“It feels funny,” Maeve complained while running a hand up and down the smaller pink blanket she’d dragged out of the pile.

Leah reached out and dragged her fingers across the material. I can’t even feel through all the grime. It certainly looks different… if only slightly.

She took another small sip of water while her husband crawled over to Rowan and pushed a pillow under his head before covering him with an old Ninja Turtle blanket. He sat another bottle like Maeve’s next to the sleeping boy—this one with superheroes instead of princesses—then set about pitching the tent.

I shouldn’t be so hard on him. These aren’t necessities, per se, but having something from home will make it easier for the kids to adjust. She rubbed her thumb along her cup’s handle. He probably knows better than me. I just can’t help but be worried. What if something worse comes along and we can’t fend it off?

“I’m sorry…” Leah muttered.

Kyle stopped setting up the tent and gave her a look full of confusion. “What ya got to be sorry fer? Ain’t none o’ this here normal, an’ ya have a right to be a bit snappy. Try yer best to save it fer the beasties, though.”

She smiled at his attempt to lighten the situation and watched him click another set of poles together. While he readied the frame, Kyle took the time to explain the currency and what he’d managed to learn from the shop. Once he’d finished his explanation, Leah got up and helped him hold the canvas while he fastened the straps. It only took a few minutes to get the tent set up, and once they were done, Kyle shoved a few items in the canvas bag that held it all.

“Why not clip the top on?” she asked.

Kyle raised an eye, then nudged his head toward the ceiling. “Ya reckon it’ll start rainin’ soon?”

“Ah…” She flushed slightly, causing Kyle to laugh. “It’s been one hell of an afternoon and I’m not thinking straight. How can you be so levelheaded?”

“Don’t know.” Kyle shrugged. “Just ain’t all that awful to me. Don’t rightly know what we got goin’ on here, but as far as the end o’ the world’n all, we ain’t the ones that drawed the short straw.”

“End of…” Leah trailed off and looked thoughtfully down at the ground. “Do you really think that?”

“Well… it ain’t the rapture they preach on Sundays’r nuthin’ but I reckon this is better’n that. We either ain’t on Earth no more’r we’re in a different universe’r somethin’.” Her husband yawned and scratched his beard. “Only a couple more hours’n we’ll get some kinda explanation. I’mma go wash up best I can ‘fore that happens. Ya oughtta check out the shop there. Wasn’t sure what all toiletries ya’d need but loks like the necessities’r all affordable. Yer cut o’ the loot was a bit over six thou—”

“No,” Leah interrupted and stopped him from digging in his bag. “Just give me half and use the rest to get anything you’ll need to fight. Get a shield or something. I can’t stand seeing you get hurt like that.”

“Ahh… ya ain’t gotta worr—”

“Well, I do worry!” It had come out harsher than she’d meant it to, but she wouldn’t apologize. She held out her hand. “Just give me half and don’t argue. If you’re going to act like a fucking tank, then I’m going to treat you like one. Tanks get the best gear first.”

Her husband sighed and fished out a single shining coin from the pouch on his side. “Here’s a thousand. Don’t go complainin’ ‘bout the extra. Ain’t like I got exact change’r nuthin’.”

“Fine.” She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m sorry. I just hate seeing you get hurt. Phwooo. Absolutely rotten. You should definitelygo and wash up.”

“Ha! I’ll get it done.” Kyle wiped his grimy hand on her shoulder and laughed again before heading back to the shop’s counter. “Take me down to the paradise city where the grass is green an’ the girls are purdy! Oh want ya please take me hoome!”

“He’s so loud.” Leah giggled and sifted through what remained of the pile that her husband hadn’t sorted. She made up a small pallet in the tent with the remaining blankets and pillows before gently lifting her son and placing him within. “Maeve, honey. Can I trust you to stay here with Rowan for a minute while I go get us some things.”

“More stuff?” Maeve asked through cheeks full of the stale bread that Kyle had brought back. She had a hopeful gleam in her eyes. “Snacks, too?”

Leah laughed. “I’ll see what I can do. First, I need to see about some clothes and get you a toothbrush, so your teeth won’t rot.”

“Aww…” Maeve pouted but ultimately settled down on a pillow at the edge of the tent’s entrance.

“Thank you, sweetie.” Leah smiled and headed toward the counter. Kyle had already dragged the large bucket to a far corner of the cavern and even now she could hear his voice echoing through the space. He’d finished with Paradise Cityand moved on to Tootsee Roll. Almost by instinct she started humming along while she walked.

If only his voice were a bit more pleasing. She giggled as she stepped up to the counter and examined the depression she’d seen her husband’s Grimoire slide into. Without any prompting, her own floated forward and fell comfortably into the slot before opening to its first page.

[Welcome, Host, to the Tier 1 Domain Shop, Unnamed.]

[I have everything the budding adventurer could possibly need. If you’re unsure as to which category an item belongs, you have but to ask and I’ll point you in the right direction!]

Leah looked up from the note and found the Slime trudging along between the piles of junk inside the shop. It stopped briefly, shook the part of its body that was closest to her, then went on about its business. She waved back awkwardly before letting her gaze search the shelves and piles in the large, open space.

Had Kyle not told me beforehand, I never would have thought that Slime to be the proprietor of this place. And all of this… did everything here belong to someone? That can’t be. I find it hard to believe that all this medieval-looking stuff was just collecting dust in someone’s attic. That’s not the only thing that’s odd…

She peered at the familiar restaurant sign pressed into the stone just above her head.

This isn’t right… Is this… stone?

Standing on the tips of her toes, she reached up and brushed her hand across the bottom of the sign. A mental tug pulled her attention down, where she found a new message written on the first page of her Grimoire.

[Aye. That there’s made o’ crystal. Ya won’t be findin’ none o’ those plastics or nothin’ else o’ the like in this place, lass. Now, what is it ya be needin’? I’ll work with the Slime here to help things along.]

Ahh… right. Leah gave the Slime an apologetic look, though it seemed her momentary distraction hadn’t affected it in the least. The creature continued crawling from pile to pile, consuming miscellaneous items before spitting them out in what seemed to be an appropriate location on one of the shelves.

I think what’s most important is to get everyone clothed. Kyle may be fine running around in his birthday suit, but I certainly am not. Though I must admit, I’m surprised at how little it’s affected us. No sunburn. No blisters on our feet. Even Maeve handled all the walking today just fine… What do you suggest?

[Name | Tier | Stage | Descriptor | Cost]

[Ragged Silk Bloomers | 0 | 1 | Garment | 50]

[Scrap Shirt | 0 | 1 | Garment | 50]

[Padded Leather Skirt | 0 | 3 | Garment | 150 75]

[Worn Leather Bracers | 0 | 2 | Armor | 300 150]

[Memaw’s Crown Royal Bag | 1 | 1 | Gear | 1000 500]

“What about the kids?” Leah asked aloud, appalled that the list focused completely on her and would provide nothing for Maeve or Rowan. “And this is more than what I have.”

[Run on to yer husband an’ get yer share o’ the booty, lass. Ya ain’t doin’ no one any favors by puttin’ them before yerself. Ya have to live to watch over ‘em.]

She begrudgingly followed her Grimoire’s advice. Before approaching her husband, she purchased the suggested bag from the small shop and watched in wonder as the Slime found it in a miscellaneous pile, then sent it to her through the strange markings. Satisfied with her purchase and the sixteen and a half pounds that it claimed it could hold, she set off to the back corner of the cavern where Kyle was still hosting his one-man concert, even going so far as to sing into an imaginary microphone.

Unsurprisingly, he didn’t bat an eye at her request, dumping out the full extent of the Cores that she’d earned through her kills—totaling just over sixty-three hundred. Infuriating as he was, she’d even had to argue with him about keeping the thousand he’d already given her. In the end, Leah had simply left a thousand Ethos worth of Cores in the pile, stating that if he didn’t pick them up then they’d just waste away where they sat. She’d used some of the clean water and soap to clean her face and arms, then walked away from the stubborn man—purposely swinging her hips in that way she knew would drive him crazy.

Keep being stubborn and looking is all you’ll be doing. She smiled to herself as she returned to the counter and willed her Grimoire back into the slot. John, I know you’re more concerned about me but I’m going to need you to change your priorities. Pull up a new list with Kyle at the focus. He’ll be taking the most damage.

[Yer pockets have a little more weight to ‘em, lass. Do ya be plannin’ on turnin’ it all to coin? Or will ya be savin’ some? Yer coffers are sittin’ at a total value o’ 5,867.]

What was it Kyle’s notes had said…? Leah scrunched her face in concentration and tried to remember what she’d read and experienced throughout the day. It took fifteen hundred to reach Stage Three…

I still hate that he’s right. She took a long, drawn-out breath. I’ll convert all but two thousand. That will leave fifteen hundred for Rowan to reach Stage Three and five hundred in case we need it for something else. I’ll talk to Kyle and have him cover Maeve’s leveling with what he has left. They’ll be safer that way…

[Ye be makin’ a wise decision. An’ don’t you worry, I won’t be suggestin’ yer tykes run around in their skivvies! We’ll watch yer matey’s broadside an’ keep all o’ ye safe as we can.]

Thank you, John. Leah smiled, her mood turning up due to both the relief that she could still provide for her children and from the amusement she felt while reading the pirate lingo scribbled across the page. She waited patiently for her avatar to choose the best course of action. I never would have guessed that my childhood comfort character was Captain John Silver. Not sure I would have chosen Uncle Iroh for Kyle either… Oh, here we go.

[Name | Tier | Stage | Descriptor | Cost]

[Padded Long Johns (Upper) | 0 | 2 | Garment | 100 50]

[Padded Long Johns (Lower) | 0 | 2 | Garment | 100 50]

[Sturdy Leather Boots | 0 | 5 | Garment | 250 125]

[Sturdy Leather Pauldrons | 0 | 5 | Armor | 250 125]

[Barbaric Loin | 0 | 3 | Garment | 150]

[Leather Cuirass | 0 | 4 | Armor | 600 300]

[Rusty Iron Tassets | 0 | 3 | Armor | 450]

[Rusty Iron Greaves | 0 | 3 | Armor | 450]

[Rusty Iron Vambraces | 0 | 3 | Garment | 450]

[Hood of Scrutiny | 1 | 2 | Garment | 1000 500]

[If he be takin’ the brunt, I recommend gettin’ yer matey a full set. Ye be needin’ a good pair o’ boots an’ somethin’ thick on the arms. Some low Tier Garments for the lad and lassie.]

[Name | Tier | Stage | Descriptor | Cost]

[Ragged Silk Bloomers | 0 | 1 | Garment | 50]

[Scrap Shirt | 0 | 1 | Garment | 50]

[Padded Leather Skirt | 0 | 3 | Garment | 150 75]

[Sturdy Leather Boots | 0 | 5 | Garment | 250 125]

[Thick Leather Bracers | 0 | 4 | Armor | 600 300]

[All that’ll run ye 3,750 Ethos with the cloth for the little tykes. I can find better if ya care to come off some more coin.]

No. It’s more important that the kids can take care of themselves. We don’t know anything about this new world or what else is out there. Slimes are slow, sure, but what if something faster gets by us and we can’t get to them in time? Leah shuddered while thinking about it. Thicker clothes won’t do anything for them if that happens. They need to be strong… We all need to be strong…

She upturned her bag and willed the right number of Cores to tumble out and into the large, carved-out tray on the counter. They vanished the moment the last one hit the stone and a few glowing coins took their place. After a quick count, she found that the coins returned added up to the exact change left from her purchase.

Leah scooped them into her bag, then watched as the Slime operating the peculiar stall rushed across the floor. It squeezed into piles, dragged itself onto the higher shelves, and dislodged the more basic clothing that could be seen hanging from hooks on the back wall.

It almost seems… excited, Leah mused. What an interesting little creature. If the ones we fought up top were all like this one—

She jumped as a loud popping noise cut the peaceful moment short. Seeing that her husband had left the cudgel by the counter for her, Leah snatched it up and took a swing at the small brown Slime that had dared to ruin her shopping. It popped like a balloon, all of its innards splattering outward in the direction she’d swung—not one drop landing on her.

“Hmph.” Satisfied, she picked up the Core, tossed it in her bag, then proceeded to wait patiently for the shopkeeper to finish sending over her purchase—much of which was already piled on the counter. Leah started shoving the lighter pieces in the purple liquor bag she held in her hand, only to be interrupted once again. This time… it wasn’t a Slime.

“Greetings, fellow Humanoids. If you are receiving this transmission, then hope is not lost. Twenty-four hours will have passed since the beginning of the forced transition. I wish that there was more time… Alas, I will be limited by the ambient energies accumulated during the first Cycle. Still… it is our wish that you aren’t left confused, blind, and stumbling through these dark times… as we were. I’d like to begin my explanation with a gift…”

There was a long pause, during which Leah could have sworn she felt a slight chill for the briefest of moments. She tried to focus, to use her True Sight to see if something had changed, but there was no difference as far as she could tell. Then, the voice spoke again…

“Congratulations to all of you on your Awakening.”