Chapter 14: Adventuring Guild

"Clara," Theos said, drawing out her name with a broad smile. "My favorite clerk, how has your day been?"

Clara shook her head, amusement clear in her expression as she tilted her head up to meet his gaze, one brow arched. "Theos, whatever you’re about to ask, the answer is the same. I cannot help you until you are of legal age."

"Clara, you wound me," Theos clutched his chest in mock outrage. "You’ve got me all wrong. I’m just here to sign up for some quests with my dear friend Asterion."

Asterion chuckled as he placed the mission slips down on the desk, exchanging a knowing look with her. "Hey, Clara. Good to see you."

"Likewise, Asterion," Clara replied, picking up the slips. "What are you two up to this time?"

"Oh, you know," Theos said casually, leaning on the counter. "We’re planning to go out hunting again while collecting some herbs along the way. We were thinking about heading to the forest behind Farmer Dego’s land… and, well, if we happened to come across some pests and took care of them, maybe we could make a little extra coin."

“You better not,” Clara warned, narrowing her eyes. “You know both the guild and your family would have my head if I played along. As much as I’d love to help out, my hands are tied, and you know that.”

She then turned to Asterion. “That goes for you too.”

Asterion shrugged, offering her a placating smile. “Just trying to make some coin. I’d like to get my own place sooner rather than later.”

Clara gave him a sympathetic look. "Ah. Your parents have been extra lovey-dovey lately, huh? I get it." She stamped the forms before setting them aside. "Oh—before I forget—your father took a mission near the capital this morning. He’ll probably be gone for a few weeks."

"Oh," Asterion muttered with a slight frown. "Mom's been a bit tired and sickly the last few days. I was hoping Dad would stick around."

Clara's expression softened. "Aw, well, the cold’s been going around lately," she said, her tone carrying a knowing warmth. "Be sure to look after her—and tell her I send my well wishes."

“I will,” Asterion replied, watching as Clara processed the slips and handed him the copies. He pocketed them in one of his satchels.

“Good hunt, and have a nice day,” Clara said with a small smile.

“Same to you,” Asterion replied, already turning toward the exit and stepping into the quiet streets of town.

“Meet you at the gates?” Theos asked, glancing at him questioningly.

“Meet you at the gates,” Asterion confirmed before they split off toward their respective homes.

Asterion blew out a breath, watching as it fogged up slightly in the crisp air. Though spring was quickly approaching after a rather mild winter, the lingering chill remained.

He considered where he’d likely find the most herbs, realizing he’d have to check some of the spots he usually passed up—places where the terrain was a pain to navigate on foot. Thankfully, most magical herbs grew year-round, with only a few exceptions, and if he was lucky, he might even come across an early spring bloom or a rare seasonal herb that could sell for some additional coin.

Reaching his home, he let his spatial perception wash through the home before entering, noting his mother was sitting in their small living room.

“Asterion?” His mother called from the living room. “You’re a bit early.”

“Yeah, I awakened again during the spar,” Asterion replied, stepping inside. “Cut the fight—and almost Theos—short.”

He peeked into the living room, where his mother had just gotten up, watching him with a mix of mild surprise and concern.

“I assume you’re both fine if you can joke about it,” she said, a soft smile forming. “Congratulations on your third awakening.”

She didn’t ask what aspect he had awakened, which didn’t surprise him. His mother had always been different from others in the family—her elven upbringing made her mannerisms and approach to things feel strange at times, though always deeply caring and deliberate.

“I awakened the Mass aspect,” Asterion said as he stepped out of the living room, fastening a leather cuirass before bending down to unlatch his storage chest in the entryway and retrieve the rest of his gear.

“Clara mentioned that Dad left for a mission and sends her well wishes,” he added while rummaging through the chest. “I’m heading out with Theos for a bit—are you going to be okay?”

His mother looked down at him, mild confusion crossing her face as he pulled out his bronze blade, adjusting the sheath before securing it to his belt and storing the practice sword for later.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked.

Asterion glanced up at her, frowning. “Don’t you have a cold?”

“I don’t have a cold,” she reassured him before pausing. “I believe I’m pregnant again,” she added hesitantly.

Asterion almost choked on the reply he had been about to give, his thoughts stumbling over themselves. The questions spilled out in a rushed stream before he could stop them.

“Wait—what? Does Dad know? Why did he leave? Are you sure?”

She nodded, her tone calm. “Yes, I’m sure. Your father knows. He received a letter from his group about a lucrative mission, and after some discussion, we decided he should take it.” She gave him a pointed look. “But keep it to yourself for now, at least until we’re completely certain.”

Asterion nodded, the realization settling in. He had never really thought about having a sibling—his many cousins and the other children in town had always filled that role. But now that the thought was there, excitement welled up in him. Abandoning what he was doing, he stepped forward and hugged his mother.

“That’s great—congratulations!” He grinned. “I guess it makes sense, I just didn’t put the clues together.”

She returned the embrace, giving him a squeeze before stepping back, her warm smile softening her features. “Thank you, honey.” Her gaze flicked to the scattered gear he had left behind. "And if you manage to hunt something, bring some meat. Our stocks are running a little low, and I’ve been craving some."

Asterion turned back, quickly pocketing the things he needed and stowing the rest back into the chest. “You got it,” he said, flashing her a warm smile before grabbing the spare bow and quiver from their racks.

He hurried toward the door, pausing just long enough to glance back. His mother gave him a small, knowing smile, shooing him along with a playful wave of her hand. He grinned before stepping outside, heading toward the north gate.

His thoughts drifted as he walked, the idea of having a sibling still settling in. The closer one refined their magic and powers, the more they became akin to magical beings, naturally extending their lifespan.

His father, despite his years, still looked as if he were in his early twenties—so an almost eighteen-year gap between siblings wasn’t unheard of, especially in mixed-race families.

Theos already had three younger siblings and wouldn’t be surprised if another joined them soon. Still, the reality of it felt distant, something Asterion struggled to fully grasp.

His heart pounded with restless energy, excitement, and uncertainty swirling together as he navigated the familiar roads, barely paying attention to his surroundings. The motions of his body were second nature, his spatial awareness effortlessly guiding him as his mind ran in circles.

By the time the north gate came into view, he spotted Theos already waiting, arms crossed as he leaned against one of the wooden posts.

Asterion gathered himself and jogged up to his friend, taking note of the leather armor Theos now wore and the oversized mace resting at his side—a gift from his parents to help keep him safe. Asterion’s bronze blade had been a similar gift, though it wasn’t nearly as devastating a weapon.

“Sorry, did you have to wait long?” Asterion asked as he approached.

“Nah,” Theos said. “Is your mother fine? If not, we can still call this off and do it another day.”

Asterion quickly shook his head. “No, she’s much better. No need to worry.”

Satisfied, Theos stepped up beside him as they walked through the gate, where Guard Captain Bardo and another guard turned to intercept them, signaling them to halt.

“Where are you two golden boys off to this time?” Bardo asked in his usual businesslike tone.

Theos looked down at Asterion, leaving him to pick the place as usual.

“We plan to go to the Bascio Hills to gather some herbs and, if we find anything, take the chance to hunt,” Asterion answered.

Bardo frowned while the other guard began writing on a clipboard. Asterion knew why—the Bascio Hills were rugged, forested terrain, easy to get lost in, and sitting at the very edge of where they were allowed to go before their emancipation that coming fall.

“Alright,” Bardo said, his tone firm. “But try not to get lost, and absolutely do not go any closer to the border. A lot of the monsters have replenished during this mild winter. If you see one, you are to run if possible.”

He paused before adding, “And try not to kill any breeders or rearing animals—except for boars and small game. The monsters are already putting enough strain on their numbers.”

They nodded, and Bardo gave them a curt nod before waving them through the gate. Without further delay, they headed northwest.

The land stretched before them in rolling hills, interspersed with flat fields used to grow their food. In the distance, Asterion could make out the densely forested area where they were headed. They remained mostly quiet as they hurried along, the silence broken only by the occasional bout of banter.

It took them a few hours of walking, passing through several smaller villages and farmsteads before they reached their destination. Leaving the road behind, they delved deeper into the lush forest, weaving past occasional lumber camps as the canopy thickened overhead.

Asterion made full use of his Spatial Perception, spotting herbs others had overlooked and plucking them left and right—including those he wasn’t contracted to gather but knew were in demand.

They moved quietly, signaling each other with hand signs as they stalked through the woods. After coming across a host of tracks in the snow, they chose to follow a rather large procession of wild boars deeper into the forest, weaving through winding passages of elevated rock until entering a ravine.

Asterion took the lead, relying on his Spatial Perception to ensure no loose rocks would come crashing down on them and scanning for the best footing along the uneven terrain.

They followed the passage for quite a while, stopping only to pick the occasional herb before continuing along the tracks through the unfamiliar terrain. But eventually, Asterion sensed something truly strange.

Around the bend, the fabric of space was heavily distorted, fluctuating unpredictably—retracting and expanding as if gasping for air. A thick channel pulsed, shifting between real space and chaotic space for mere fractions of a second before stabilizing into something entirely different. Asterion struggled to wrap his head around what he was feeling, the unnatural fluctuations, unlike anything he had sensed before.

He immediately signaled Theos—something strange ahead.

Theos responded with a quick hand sign. Monster?

Asterion shook his head. Strange. Environment.

Theos hesitated briefly, then waved two fingers forward—his way of signaling that he thought they should continue.

Asterion exhaled, steadying himself. Forming a circle with his thumb and index finger to signal agreement, he carefully moved ahead, drawing his blade from its sheath.

As they drew closer, Asterion’s Spatial Perception pushed deeper into the phenomenon, revealing its structure as it grew increasingly unstable. The moment his senses fully penetrated the transition and grasped the space beyond, he knew exactly what they were dealing with.

He signaled once more. Unstable. Rift.

“Fuck,” Theos muttered, straightening as he tightened his grip on his weapon.

Rounding the bend, they came face to face with the swirling portal—flickering, fracturing, barely holding itself together. The tracks of the boars led straight into its shifting depths.

“It’s about to collapse,” Asterion said, certain of it. He could feel the energy that maintained the rift fading, unraveling like a frayed thread.

Theos stepped up beside him, silent as he studied the dying portal.

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