IV. The Gatecrasher (Chapter Two)
“What do you think it is?”
You and Burt stare at the crystallized crimson object, observing it from every angle. The Shuffle’s grand prize lies upon its black velvet pillow on a table in Quatal’s home. Without Quatal, the place seems lifeless, and even more so with the ominous object at the center of the room. You had lit some candles inside the house, but once the chest had been opened to display the crystal, it felt as though all the warmth and light had been sucked from the room.
After the disappearance of Andromadus, Dela and the guards had escorted you two across the busy streets to The Shuffle’s headquarters. They quickly gave Burt the rest of his prize gold and sent you on your way without further assistance or questions. They all seemed dumbstruck at the appearance of Andromadus, with a note that they’ll be in touch in the future. You couldn’t blame them; even now, you can't seem to find the right words to express the gravity of the situation.
“Quatal said not to touch it,” Burt says as he edges around the table.
While its form is solid, you notice the foggy cloud-like substance drifting inside of the mysterious object. You mention that Allard needs to see this as soon as possible.
“For once, I wish Allard had come along with us. He would know what to do. He could have saved Quatal!” Burt slams his fist on the table, stirring the substance in the crystal.
You motion for him to calm down.
“We can’t just sit here! We have to do something,” Burt shouts, throwing his hands in the air. “He let us into his home. He fed us and gave us advice. He was late to the tournament because he went to buy the Atlas back, so we didn’t have to worry!” Burt’s shoulders slump, the agitation leaving him as he shivers with grief.
You try to comfort Burt as he spirals down to the pillows on the floor. You had no idea Quatal had purchased the Atlas. From the shock of being confronted by Andromadus, Burt hadn’t had the time to tell you about his conversation with Quatal at the tournament table. You walk to the kitchen to make some calming tea for Burt’s nerves.
“You know he could have won,” Burt says after a good deal of silence. His eyes are closed as he lies on the pillows.
You shake your head as you walk back to him with a steaming cup.
“No, seriously. I saw his hand, I had his hand when we swapped. He let me win.” Burt sits up in a flash. “That little… I want a rematch!”
You can’t help but laugh at the sudden change in attitude.
“When we save Quatal, and we will save him, we’ll have our own tournament. That way, we can settle it. The greatest Last Fish player in The Great Pond. We will have it at the Letter Inn. Home-field advantage.” Burt stands as if he has made up his mind. “But first, we need to get back to Windrose.”
You sit with your tea, watching Burt become himself again.
Burt walks to the table and points at the crystal.
“Andromadumb thinks he can just stroll into Amalhasu and ruin the most important day of my life. Well, we’re going to show him what happens when you mess with Big Moves Burt.” You let out a cheer. “Once we return to Windrose City, we will summon Allard and ride to… to…” Burt pauses. “Where did he say to meet him again? Saxophone of Plasma?”
You nearly fall to the floor laughing, reminding him of the place Andromadus had mentioned.
“At dawn, we ride to Saxum de Phasma!” Burt places his hands on his hips, standing tall.
You remind him that first, you should probably return to the guild headquarters at Windrose to speak with Allard.
“Right, then after that!”
“Spffft… you did what?!” Allard spits out his ale in a raging fit. “You lost…”
“No, technically, I won The Shuffle,” Burt corrects Allard.
“You lost the Atlas!” Allard marches from his massage chair to you and Burt.
“Lost is kind of a misnomer. Stolen is a bit more correct.”
“So let me get this straight, the moment you walked into Amalhasu you lost-”
“...got robbed,” Burt corrects Allard.
Allard’s eye starts to twitch.
“The Atlas was stolen, you befriend a local who buys it back, then before you get your filthy hands on it again, Andromadus steals it?”
“You forgot the part where I won the tournament,” Burt points out.
You place your palm on your forehead, ashamed.
“And now we have to meet Andromadus, the Old Wise Wizard knows where, and give him what? A kiss? Beg for the atlas back?” Allard’s muscles seem to be unintentionally flexing, so you begin to back up.
“No, we give him this.” Burt opens the black chest with golden hardware displaying the crimson object.
Allard’s mouth drops to the floor, speechless. The crystal shines a red hue over Allard as he struggles to take his eyes off of it. Allard watches carefully as the clouds swirl around the inside. Finally, he raises his hand and closes the chest.
“Do not let anyone know you have that,” Allard says sternly. He walks to his massage chair and sits. “Burt, Adventurer, our mission just got interesting. Adventurer, you see that rope in the corner of the room? Give it a tug.”
You walk to the corner next to the bookshelf and pull on the rope. You hear the faint ringing of a bell from below. Nessie awakens from her nap and squawks at the sound of the bell. Allard picks up a piece of parchment and a quill and scribbles down a message. He quickly folds the letter, stuffing it inside an envelope and sealing it with wax, as two sharp knocks come from the door.
“You may enter,” Allard commands.
An assistant of the Adventurer’s Guild races to Allard who hands him the envelope.
“This needs to be delivered immediately to the other guild branches.”
The assistant immediately runs out of the quarters and back down the stairs.
“What is this all about, Allard?” Burt asks.
“That thing, your prize, is not a prize at all. It’s a Shard of End,” Allard says as he stands again and walks to the window.
“Long ago, I helped capture one of the most evil whiskers The Great Pond had ever seen. I recognized that aura as soon as you opened the chest. That shard is corrupted with the most immoral of magic. It belongs to none other than Zaranoah Amebyss.”
“Zaranoah? Then why does Andromadus want it?” Burt wonders aloud.
“I would imagine it’s to set her free from the shackles that bind her. If Andromadus and Zaranoah are working together, we will need an army to stop them. I’ve summoned the other branches of the guild. Burt, now is the time for you to become our strength, our hope, our Phoenix. We shall meet Andromadus again, but this time we will be prepared.”