Peter could not help himself and was looking over the jobs again as he and Broseff walked down the steps of the Pilrs’ temple. “So, we have that goblin Task, the delivery Task…” He shuffled papers, “Slimes?” He looked to Broseff, “Really. Slimes? You have slimes here?” “Didn’t you?” Broseff asked. “N…” Peter started to protest, stopping at the bottom of the steps and moving aside to not block the through-way, “… I am going to ask a potentially silly question. Because, to me, slimes were, again, ‘only in media’ as, like, the most basic of monsters a new Adventurer fought to get experience and level up.” “More of those games?” “Yeh.” He nodded, “Slimes were fantasy to me. So, bear with me as I ask this but… describe a slime to me.”Broseff blinked, “I… it’s well, it’s a slime, friend…” He raised his hands, making a ‘sort of’ sphere about the size of a basketball, perhaps a bit rger. “Right. And?” “And?” Broseff asked, looking confused for a moment, meeting Peter’s eyes, his patient but expectant gaze, “Oh, well. They’re about yey-big.” He mimed their size again, “And… sort of a white-blue see-through.” “Alright.” Peter nodded. “They just sorta… ooze around. They can move, not very fast, by sort of… shivering… themselves along.” He expined, “They have a very basic internal structure with the most basic of ‘eyes’… I wouldn’t really call them eyes… sort-of just ‘spots’ that detect light and movement.” “So, super rudimentary.” “That’s the word.” Broseff nodded, pointing at Peter, “They have rudimentary systems. Like the eye spots, and a basic stomach and, um… reproductive parts.” He coughed, blushing a bit. “Okay, so really basic organism.” Peter admitted; the slimes sounded like some sort of… basic multi-cellur organism. Like a super-sized bacteria or something. “You have to be careful, they have these tendrils with stingers they can shoot out and neutralize their prey with, dragging them back to be dissolved in their stomach.” “… Tendrils… with stingers.” “Yeah. Basic slimes can’t hurt humans unless you’re allergic to the toxins. Otherwise, it’s just a nasty burning sort of sting.” “Basic slimes.” “Well, I imagine even in your old world that there were different varieties of different animals.” “You know… fair.” Peter agreed, “It’s just…” He scratched the back of his head, “The way you describe slimes is… kinda weird.” “I mean, to you maybe.” “No no. That’s just it. I assumed that there would be no way slimes, or anything here, would sound familiar or simir. I’ve been proven wrong on several occasions so far, actually. But slimes… sound like an animal from my world.” “What?” Broseff muttered, surprised, “For real?” “They sound like an ocean-going creature. They have stinger-filled tendrils too… but they just hang those out below them as they just blob along in the water.” “Blob along.” Broseff snickered.Peter rolled his eyes and shouldered him as they started to walk again, “Slimes sound like nd-going jellyfish.” “… What’s a jellyfish?!” The more seasoned Adventurer asked, stepping in time with his sponsored ‘protégé’. “It’s like an ocean-going slime.” Peter grinned.Broseff blinked, then, dryly, spoke, “…I’m going to punch you now…” “Gotta catch me first!” Peter ughed as he took off running. “Oh, you… jerk.” Broseff gave chase, ughing.

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  "What the hells is this?” Peter asked as he stared at the animal in its eye — the wide, soft, and soulful… almost sad-looking eye that was so blue it was almost bck.With cloven goat-like hooves, and a cow, or oxen,-like tail as long as his arm, it also had a long-ish neck (this part reminded Peter not of a giraffe but more an alpaca) with a head that reminded him of a donkey. And, ‘speaking’ of giraffe, it did have the two little nubby ‘horns’ the long-legged animal had — though the proper name escaped Peter at the moment he was almost sure it started with ‘osteo-’

  Broseff looked over the back of the animal and pat the short, soft-looking fur, “This is a Bouva, you might remember me saying ‘Bouvashite’ the other day during the Rounders game.”The creature in question turned its head to nudge at Peter’s chest with a soft bleating grunt. …The Morgan Freeman of Sheep… Peter thought to himself.The Midman Adventurer chuckled, “Go on, rub the side of his neck.” “If you’re sure…” Peter, carefully, reached out and rubbed the thick-muscled neck.Another bleating grunt and the creature pushed his head against Peter more, shifting up to rest its head on Peter’s shoulder as the otherworlder scritched up up and down the length of its elongated neck. “Well, looks like you like that.” Peter whispered, wrapping his other arm around the animal’s neck and scratching gently on both sides now.It gave an appreciative bleat-bray. “You… don’t understand them, do you?” Broseff asked, adjusting a saddle on the back of the one currently nuzzling into Peter. “Nope. Just… sentient nguages.” He expined, feeling his cheeks flush, “So, like… whatever nguage you’re speaking… or we are, I guess. Whatever other countries would speak. I can’t speak to animals, or pnts or spirits or the like.” Though, I guess gods and goddesses are technically spirits so… He mused. “So does this pretty boy have a name?” Peter asked.Adjusting a belt on the saddle and barding Broseff nodded, “Trigga.”Peter snorted, “Trigger?” “Trigga.” “Ah, Trigga.”Broseff nodded, “And, lucky you, he’s your mount.” “… Mount.” He blinked. “Yup.” Broseff stuck his foot into the stirrup of the other bouva and hoisted himself up without issue, “Were you expecting to walk to the other city?” “For a delivery job, no… I expected a cart being pulled by animals.” He expined, flustered a bit. Come on, Peter. You can do this, you actually have muscle power now. He muttered to himself as he gripped the saddle, ying one arm over the back of Trigga and putting his foot firmly in the stirrup. He looked to the beast and met its rge, dark eye again, “Sorry, boy, this is my first time.” He apologized. “Meh~” He bleat-brayed and nodded his head in that ‘exaggerated’ way horses and donkeys did. “Well, that expins the chaps…” Peter hoisted himself up with just a little difficulty, adjusting his kanabō and X’tha’s sword after he got settled in.

  Both of the Adventurer’s were dressed differently today, ‘for travel’ Broseff expined; both were wearing a button-up shirt that had a two-finger-width stand-up colr (Peter’s was a nice medium green while Broseff’s was ‘unbleached’ tan-ish), they each wore rugged pants and leather chaps on top of that to protect their thighs while riding — something Peter, who was new to this, was thankful for, to be sure. Broseff’s boots were simple things with gaiters over them, while Peter’s were calf-length, with a fold-over as well as small metal ptes strapped to the shin for protection.Lastly, each wore a pair of fingerless gloves — Broseff expined that these were to protect their palm when gripping the reins but leave their fingers free for more delicate work; Peter’s had a pte of metal across his knuckles. It seemed that Broseff was keeping his enhanced physical capability in mind in case they had to resort to fisticuffs in any sort of hypothetical situation. “Ohh neat…” Peter looked at the round lenses that Broseff presented him with. “Sunshades.” Broseff nodded, “I noticed you don’t like looking at people in the eye, I thought these may help.”Peter blushed, “O-Oh, yeah. Thanks.” He slipped on the thin-armed shades and grinned.They wore good quality, sleeveless dusters that ended at their calves.

  “I know it seems kind of silly—” Broseff had said when presenting the coat to Peter, “— But the sleeveless coat still protects your back from the weather, but leaves your arms free for better range of motion. With that kanabō you have I figured you’d appreciate that.”

  Peter had, in fact, appreciated it and took a few swings with the weapon in question to test his range of motion as Broseff put on one himself grabbed his arming sword, and set it at his hip underneath the coat.

  Now they were mounted up and ready to go, the delivery boxes strapped to both the bouva, across their hips.With a tap of his heels, Broseff shouted “Hah!” and shot forward in a fairly fast trot — no sense if going into a full-on gallop on the outset, after all.Peter chuckled, tapping his heels against the barrel of the beast beneath him, and shook his reigns, “Hi-oh, Trigga. Away!” “Meh!” He shook his head and trotted off at a simirly quick pace.

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  The ‘ride’ was surprisingly smooth, the muffled clop of the cloven hooves of the bouva making an acceptable sort-of ‘white noise’ to Peter as he followed/rode aside Broseff thinking to himself concerning everything. He worried — how could he not — about Ennalyssa, and to a lesser degree himself, and her future.Peter knew that training, and learning, was important. That Ennalyssa had to defeat the DaiMaou.It seemed, at the very least, that not just the Church Luminous was working towards this end; it made sense, thankfully, that the faithful of the other gods, and the Family themselves, were trying to find a way to deal with this threat. What bothered Peter was the cyclical nature of it all.Every two-hundred years since it’s first defeat, the DaiMaou had been released, an army raised, so-on and so-on.That told the otherworlder that there was obviously shenanigans afoot; followers, a cult of some kind perhaps, that was secretly surviving each of these cycles. It was possible. They gods, by their own admission (and at least one follower admitting such to Peter) were not perfect, not omniscient and required as much work to communicate with each other as a mortal did.Someone could easily be sneaking around.

  Alternately, Peter thought to himself, Maybe it’s not a cult of followers… He mused, Perhaps it’s something the DaiMaou does itself…He stretched and scratched at the back of his neck. Anything, or everything, from a sort-of ‘siren’ call that reaches out to those around it’s shrine, or prison or whatever… to… perhaps reaching out with its power to some random soul. Or maybe not so random… Could be that it takes two-hundred years for its power to ‘save’ up so it can reach out to someone, searching for a ‘compatible’ soul…He shivered, … Like Na’at did with me… A sobering thought, to be sure. Perhaps not exactly like Na’at and his own situation, considering she reached out across the multiverse for his soul. Then again… Peter remembered his conversation with Vaunn, … Who says that the DaiMaou isn’t?He shivered. “Dausch for your thoughts…” Broseff cut the silence. Not surprised that phrase exists…Peter looked to Broseff, “Sorry. Just… thinking about a lot of things.”Broseff nodded. “I’m… concerned.” His voice low, though not a whisper, “I’m scared… for Ennalyssa… about the DaiMaou…” “You and every sane person.” Broseff sighed, shaking his head, “I have my faith, it is a comfort, to be sure… regardless of what happens to me in the coming conflict.” “I thought Ennalyssa was supposed to fight the DaiMaou.” Peter said. “Yes, but … well. Have you heard of ‘The Litany of Heroes’?” He asked. “I heard Enna have to recite it to that ha… that bi…” Peter sighed, rubbing a hand over his face, muttering to himself, “… How to insult her without insulting any other race.” “Or honest profession.”Peter’s head shot up and he gave a Broseff a staggered look. “Do… do people not…” He started. “If you mean ‘the world’s oldest profession’… well, yes.” Peter admitted, “But it’s… illegal… in, like, a lot of pces.” He expined, “In my country alone it’s illegal everywhere but in one city in the country.”Broseff ughed disbelievingly, getting a good chuckle… which… slowly faded as Peter’s impassive face didn’t change, “… You’re kidding…” “I am not.” “… What the hell…” He whispered, “Your world doesn’t have—” “Oh, we do… it’s just illegal.”Broseff snorted, “Some of the higher-ups in the Church Luminous tried banning Companions and the Companion’s Guild… it did not go over well.” “…” Peter blinked incredulously, his cheeks bright red in flush “… Getting back on track… Yes, I have heard this ‘Litany of Heroes’, recited by Enna to… her former teacher.” “Yes. Well. There you go.”

  Peter inhaled.The finality of Broseff’s words hit Peter like a ton of bricks. “You… You expect her to die.” He whispered.The Church Guard’s grip on the reins tightened, he could not meet Peter’s eyes, “I don’t want her to die, Peytr.” He hissed angrily, “No one would want a… a child to die, no matter how many lives are at risk.” “I can name two.” Peter growled, his heart clenching in his chest tightly. “Peytr!” Broseff snapped in pure, startled, reaction. “Save it.” Peter snapped back, gring at Broseff over the tops of his sunshades, “d’Zaier and Havengard aren’t here. They can’t hear you and if they try to punish you for questioning their morality and soul for sending a fucking child into battle against something called a ‘Great Demon King’ then they don’t fucking deserve their power, prestige, station or whatever else!” He pulled the reins of Trigga to halt the animal there in the middle of the road and turned to face Broseff, “You’re scared of them. So is Traya, so is Enna.” “Of course we are!” Broseff shot back, “With a word d’Zaier can have us braced against a wall, back bare and taking shes. And Havengard would gleefully be the one holding the rod, or order the same.” He gushed. “There has to be a way to stop them. To stand up to them.” “I’VE TRIED!” Broseff blurted, “Others have tried. They get pushed out. Sent out on jobs, missions… to other temples in other cities…” He yelled, trying to keep his bouva under control as his voice raised, “You’re lucky to see them again… or… or…”Peter, simirly, was trying to calm Trigga, ying a hand along side his neck and rubbing. He looked to Broseff, “Or what?” He asked, his voice soft. “Or they just… stop.” He whispered, shaking his head, “They don’t speak out against anything any more. They… they go quiet. They’re still them but they seem… hollow. Broken.” He turned his gaze towards Peter, anger fshing, “Then you show up. Summoned from some other world. No godsdamned clue about what’s going on in our world.” “Probably the point.” Peter pointed out. “…” “I don’t know anything… so I believe what I’m told by those who brought me here… until it’s too te.” Peter said bluntly. “You think… d’Zaier…” “Summon a Champion from another world. Put on a good show of doing all they can to make sure this time… this time the Divinely Chosen Hero will come back, especially since she’s so young.” Peter exposited, “But the summoned person knows jack-all except what he’s told. What he’s expected to do here and why.” “What… were you told?” Broseff, still angry, demanded. “By who.” Peter asked, “The one who’s responsible for me being in this world? Or the priest who is supposedly on Enna’s side?”Confusion filled Broseff’s eyes. “d’Zaier made the summoning spell, yes.” Peter sighed, “But he’s not the one responsible for my presence here.” He frowned and sighed again, “I’m not a Champion.” “You keep saying you aren’t…”Peter nodded, “I’m not. The faith you showed in me, as a chance for Enna has been… a weight, to be honest. But I’ve been trying my best.” He blurted out, “Broseff, I’m a Godchild. One of the Family brought my soul to this… pocket dimension and expined what was going on. I accepted all of this… because someone needed my help.” “Someone…” Broseff whispered. “I didn’t even know it was a child needing help.” Peter said, “That doesn’t matter, though. And, before you ask… I didn’t tell you because I didn’t know who I could trust.” “But you’re telling me now.” “Because of what you have done for me, to help Enna.” Peter nodded, “Yes.” “Who…” “Doesn’t matter.” Peter shook his head, “I told no one because if d’Zaier found out he would likely have me disappear. Any of the Family beyond the Goddess of Light would not have been acceptable, I’m sure.” “You… aren’t wrong.” He whispered, his tone admitting the pain it was to admit that truth. “I’m trying to understand what’s going on, Broseff. That’s what I was thinking about before you asked.” He expined, “About the cycle the DaiMaou goes through. The… every two-hundred years thing.” “What about it.” “How, and why.” Peter said, “Vaunn told me the other day, at the Adventurer’s Guild, that the seal has been weakening sooner and sooner. Is it just the spell weakening? Whatever sealing spell being used is… I dunno… being gotten used to?” “Like… a tolerance?” “Yeah. Or is someone working to actively weaken it, but doing so slowly so as to not attract attention?” “I don’t know…” “I’m not sure anyone does.” Peter said, “But from the sound of it, I’m not the only one who’s been asking these questions. Which, thank the Family, means I’m not spshing about the deep end of the pool by myself.” “…” He paused, “You’re not accusing Shepherd d’Zaier…” “No.” Peter shook his head, “He’s an asshole but I don’t… I don’t think he’s actively working to free the DaiMaou.” He frowned, “He seems like an intolerant bully with a power addiction, sure… but… releasing the DaiMaou… and what it’s done in the past…” “We need answers.” “Broseff…” “No, Peytr.” He said, “Enna is… she’s the closest thing I have to family. And until you came along she … she looked up to me like a big brother.” “Because you two are both orphans.”Broseff nodded, “Yeah, because we both… understand…” “I didn’t… I wasn’t meaning…”, Peter acknowledged softly. “I know.” Broseff whispered, “That’s just… something that’d been bothering me. I know you weren’t trying to ‘take her away’ or anything. I was being unfair to you, and you didn’t even know. You were just trying to do what you were told to do.” “By Vaunn.” Peter expined, “He was the one, while we were getting me clothes after I was first summoned, who told me I was to be Enna’s mentor and bodyguard.”Broseff nodded, “I… I’m sorry, Peytr, for yelling at you.” “I yelled at you too.” Peter shrugged, “We both have a lot on our minds, by the looks of things. And, apparently, holding it all in for whatever reason until we can’t any more.”Another nod from the Church Guard. “Hey.” Peter called for Broseff’s attention as the guard turned away to get their bouva moving again. Turning back, Broseff’s hand shot up to catch what Peter lobbed at him. “What?” He asked, looking at what was in the palm of his hand. “You said ‘dausch for your thoughts’, so there you go.” Peter smiled gently, adjusting his sunshades and petting Trigga’s neck again, “Giddy up, boy!” He tapped his heels to the bouva’s side and got him moving again. “Peytr…”The otherworlder shook his head, “Come on, how far away is the other city?” “We have another half-hour to travel. We could shave off a bit if we went full gallop. Bouva are not slow animals, after all.” “Maybe. I don’t want to tire them out since we gotta travel back.”

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