Chapter 75: The Mission Group

Although Charon had no idea how to tell the time in the River Acheron, Emerius apparently had a method, one he refused to disclose as they moved through the busy city streets. According to him, they were meeting the other members at the gate leading to the inner rings. Charon remembered the exact place. ’It had all those Panoplians standing outside. Are we sure we want to get close to them?’ Refusing to vocalize his thoughts, he wordlessly followed the tall teenager as they wound closer and closer. The sounds and smells of the Fort were pleasant enough to keep him occupied. They brought back good memories, ones he hoped to never lose. He frowned. ’The High Elders know what that’s like. That is exactly what they want me to fix for them. Without their memories, everything must feel so foreign. Out of place.’ It was nothing short of torture, even just to imagine. Thousands of people wandering the lands, their minds fragmented like a used grenade. The first civilizations would have had to pull themselves together despite it all, rebuilding on foundations they couldn’t begin to understand. ’They must look at things they saw every day during their life, and felt nothing but a strange connection to them. What would happen to their families? Do such things even exist here? Darius said they remembered concepts, so they would know what they were, just now where theirs was.’ His brow furrowed as he followed the rabbit hole even deeper. ’Can the souls here have kids? Would that kid possess one of the strongest souls?’ They had mentioned people arriving at various gateways at random times, but mentioned nothing about natural births. Glancing around, Charon saw a few children. ’Either they were born here, or their bodies were rebuilt as kids. Why would the gods even do that?’ His brow knitted further. ’Or, just god? As far as I know, only the God of Death has dominion over the Underworld, if this is even part of the Underworld.’ Charon sighed, the logic impossible to find with only a drop of the information available. It wasn’t long before they arrived at their destination. Four figures stood out immediately in the crowd of people. Two of them were men, both standing at well over six feet. One was far larger, his muscles bulging against a tight white shirt. A colossal waraxe hung from his back, with passerbys giving it wary glances as they walked by. The other was handsome, with dark hair that fit well with the set of sleek green armor he wore. His shortsword hung on his waist, a faint glow emanating from the sheath. Beside them were two young girls, one with red hair and the other with blonde. Both were pretty, but one was strikingly so, her features drawing the eyes of more than one boy crossing her path. ’Liam, Darius, Red, and Annie.’ Charon recited their names in his head to remind himself, having almost forgotten after spending a few days apart. Liam was the first to notice them, his large face splitting in a wide grin as he pointed with a large hand, the others following it to spot them as well. Waving back, the duo quickly moved to join the scouting party. Liam was the first to speak, his loud voice booming across the courtyard. "There ya are! When we heard the order, we couldn’t believe it!" Momentarily cringing at the volume, Charon responded. "What order?" "The order! The mission! Ya got made a gods damned lieutenant! Lots ’o soldiers go their whole careers never makin’ it that high!" Both Emerius and Charon frowned, with the latter speaking for them. "I wasn’t aware it was that rare." Liam opened his mouth to continue, but was stalled by Darius raising his hand. The black haired swordsman took it from there. "It is not very rare, more so unexpected for two newly discovered men to be given such a lauded position. The Fort is very strict about the hierarchy, so for you to jump it is quite the shock." Annie nodded along before joining the conversation. "I have only seen a few mentions of similar events in the records. They are usually awarded on the basis of powerful elements. The High Elders like to cultivate loyal soldiers, especially if they are powerful." As expected, Red said nothing, choosing to observe the conversation in silence. Charon watched her closely, his skin prickling. Subconsciously, he grabbed the Mask of the Jester hanging from a loop on his belt. It was hidden beneath his robes, the Warden of the Acheron, so as not to bring unwanted attention to himself. Its ability to block mind magic would allow him to avoid Red’s terrifying ability to read minds, something he was entirely uncomfortable with. Emerius interrupted his thoughts by addressing Darius. "It is good to see you again. Your message mentioned exploring the Fort. Did you have a location in mind? Both Charon and I are quite new to all the amenities this city has to offer." The man smiled as he responded, the action making his already handsome features even more so. Emerius and Darius standing there, face to face, made Charon feel like a troll in comparison. ’Oh come on, it’s not even a challenge! It’s like the gods sculpted them from perfectly chiseled marble, meanwhile, I look like a child’s first attempt at a sand castle!’ His gaze went to Annie, who was luckily distracted by someone else down the street, paying little attention to the two personifications of masculinity. ’Why do I even care? She can look wherever she wants.’ "I had planned for us to visit the theatre. The local troupe is exquisite. They have reportedly recruited a new performer from the other side of the realm, a place I was not even aware of existing." Annie peeked up at the mention of another place, her elbow finding Darius’ ribs as she chuckled. "I knew about it before he did! For once, I knew more than the know-it-all!" He shot her a withering glare. "You read all the time. If you spent as much time practicing your swordsmanship as you did with your nose in a book, you could defeat us all." She harumphed and turned her nose up. "If swords were half as useful as knowledge, maybe I would!" Liam slapped her on the shoulder, forcing her to take a few staggering steps forward so she wouldn’t fall over. He smirked. "Swords might not be, but weapons are! If I need something thought for me, I’ll just stab a local wise-ass! That usually gets them thinkin’ whatever I want!" Annie shook her head and rubbed his back. "That’s not how that works! You can’t just threaten everyone to get results!" Liam shrugged. "Works for me." Darius shook his head and pinched his brow, Emerius giving him a sympathetic look. "It must be such a challenge working with the dull." The white-robed swordsman nodded knowingly, returning an equally sympathetic look. "It truly is." His eyes flicked to Charon. "I imagine you are quite familiar with the difficulties. You strike me as a man with higher than normal intellect surrounded by those with no such blessings." Emerius sighed and nodded his agreement. Charon watched them, nonplussed, his frown deepening. ’They are talking as if I’m not here. And I don’t have normal intellect! I’ve been told I’m quite smart for my age!’ Turning away, Darius lightly tapped Annie’s shoulder to get her attention. "We should head to the theatre before they close. The troupe is very particular about tardiness. Their shows have no breaks, running from start to end without a pause." Emerius flashed an excited grin as he stepped past Charon, moving to walk beside Darius. "Are performers such as them common here?" He shook his head. "No, they are not. Most entertainment is found in bars and the Stadia. Something as refined as proper acting is a rarity." Annie clicked her tongue, a strange look crossing her face. "This group more than most. They have agreements with all the major settlements to allow them to perform, something unheard of. Not even wandering scientists get that kind of deal. No one knows why these guys get the exception." Darius glanced down at her. "It is because these are the best. I saw them once before, a few years ago. They completely redefine their profession. During the performance, I was so immersed I would have sworn I had experienced the events myself." In an unexpected turn of events, Red took the chance to speak, her quiet voice somehow reaching all of them. Everyone’s head turned the moment she began, their attention captured. "I have borne witness as well. Their skills bloom like a summer rose, their story as intricate as the most detailed lily. They pollinate laughter, spreading the joy of a forgotten myth, writ by a man betrayed by the gods. In every garden they enter, they shall shine the brightest." No one spoke after she finished, everyone equally confused about what she meant, all except for Darius, who seemed to consider her words deeply. ’Okay, can he please translate for once!?’