A World Of Decree: And The Seven Laws

It took about a week for Calvin and Rina to reach their next destination, stopping by small towns close by for rest and resupplies. However, whenever nighttime fell, and the cold breeze of the ocean settled itself across the waters, it wasn't too pleasant. Calvin had coins to spare for extra rations and more clothing from merchants and townsfolk, but his money was running dry, and the trip back to Princewood wouldn't be an easy one.

The enigma settled the boat alongside a narrow beach on the edge of a nearby cliff. The sand was thick, smelt like rotten food, and nearly sunk one's knees in if they stood still long enough. To Calvin and Henrietta however, it was nothing more than refreshing steps back to their old home.

Calvin looked up past the treeline on the cliff, seeing his old lab as lively as ever. It was a decently large cylinder-like building, occupied by a few windows and a metal-gated fence to scare off wildlife and intruders.

Henrietta shook the sand out of her boots, giving Calvin a look of suspicion, "My dear, can you still do that 'Razzle-Dazzle' teleport? I'm afraid my legs wouldn't be able to carry me up all those rocks and trees." She made a gesture as if she was fainting under the heat and exhaustion.

Calvin sighed, but knew he had magic to spare. "I can try. It's been awhile since I've been here… I can see the destination pretty clearly, so I guess if you insi-"

"Thank you my dear boy!" She cut him off, relaxing and showing no signs of being injured in the slightest.

Calvin motioned for Rina and Henrietta to get closer, putting a hand on each of their shoulders. A faint blue glow began to hover around them, and before they even had time to react, they were standing at the top of the cliff.

"Don't you have to say a spell for teleportation?" Rina asked as Calvin took his hand off her shoulder.

"Depends on the distance and how many you're carrying. If I can see the destination, the effort is reduced by nearly half."

Rina nodded, adding a mental note to her memory.

Henrietta looked back down on the beach, seeing their footsteps still molding the sand underneath. "What would I do without you dear…" She thanked him.

He ignored her, walking to the gates in an ordinary manner. As usual, there was no lock, so the gate swung open with a little force applied in the correct spot. "Just as I remember." Calvin whispered to himself, bringing an uplifting grin to his sleep-deprived face.

The pathway to the building used to be finely placed smoothstone, polished and cleaned every week. Now, it was nothing more but gravel and dirt in the center of dry grass and unwatered plants.

Rina could tell Calvin wasn't acting normally. His usual grin of confidence and pride seemed to have worn off during this trip like battered clothes after a storm. Perhaps he felt lonely, afraid of what might happen if this doesn't work. Or perhaps revisiting all his old friends made him feel like he wasn't in his true home. It was hard to tell, but Rina knew that Calvin was acting unlike his usual self.

As they reached the steel front door, Calvin peaked in through the tiny window in the center, giving it a knock, followed by another, and a few more. They waited a few minutes until finally, the door knob turned, and the door swung open.

"Calvin Pride!" A man shouted as he locked eyes with his former partner. The man wore a white lab coat that was covered in stains and spills from unknown sources. His hair was long, uncut, and messy. His beard reached the tip of his c.h.e.s.t, and his smile was as lively as ever. His eyes were golden brown like roasted marshmallows, and his hair was as dark as the midnight sky. He looked old, but his face remained young.

"Javis," Calvin smiled, "It's good to see you." They hugged each other tightly, feeling the warmth of their reunion spark a lost flame in both of their hearts.

"Javis dear," Henrietta started in a light, dazzling voice, "I hope you're not forgetting to treat a lady with respect over here?"

Javis let go, double-taking the woman who spoke to him, "Pardon my manners m-lady, but I'm afraid we haven't met." He bowed, but received a light slap on his head for it.

Calvin laughed, "Javis, it's Henrietta."

Javis looked back up in confusion, analyzing the woman in front of him with great detail. The height matched his memory, as did the attitude. However, seeing Henrietta's face without makeup was a first for him, as for many men in his shoes.

"Goodness! Now I see it!" he jolted up, "How've you been?"

"Ugh," Henrietta sighed, pushing herself through the door beside him.

Javis now looked at Rina, giving her a welcoming grin, "So this must be the girl?" He asked Calvin.

Calvin nodded.

"It's very nice to meet you, Javis…" She stopped the sentence in hopes of him finishing with his last name, but Javis just grabbed her hand gently, reassuring her there's no need for such politeness for him. "Javis. Just call me Javis." He smiled, hoping to not sound creepy or weird.

Rina gave a firm shake with a grin, and followed Javis inside the lab.

Although the building seemed much larger from the outside, it was nothing more than a couple rooms of broken glass, ruptured containers, and completely disorganized lab equipment. There was furniture in odd places, chairs hanging from the ceiling, and of course, a pile of clothes laying in the corner.

"AZAR!" Javis called out to the other room, "They're here!"

Calvin gave a look of uncertainty, "Wait, you had Azar come here?"

Javis laughed, "He lives here. We both got your letter so I convinced him to help. I think if he was on his own he probably would've just thrown it out."

"And I wouldn't have thought about it twice." Azar said as he came out of the room. He was a fairly tall man, had pale skin, and had a numerous amount of bags under his eyes. He wore dark clothing from head to toe, and had an awfully sharp chin, making him look like a vampire of some sorts.

"It's good to see you too Azar." Calvin gave him a wink.

Azar grunted back at him in response, "Eat shit."

Henrietta laughed, "Ahh, he hasn't changed one bit."

Rina felt so awkward in this situation. It's like she's been placed at a reunion where no one knew her, or even acknowledged her presence.

Javis clapped his hands together with excitement, "Cal my friend, you know you can have my blood any day, but I'm afraid breaking through Azar's wall of carelessness won't be as easy."

Calvin sighed, "I figured."

Azar tucked himself further into his clothes as if he was wearing a blanket, "You want to bring back the dead. Shouldn't be a surprise you'll need to do something for me."

"I never said I was surprised."

Azar humphed at him with an aggressive demeanor, "Bring me a vile of Ogre saliva. I need it for my research."

"Ogre saliva?" Rina asked in disgust, "Where in the world would we find that?"

Azar gave her a blank look, "Ogre, Saliva. Mouth, liquid."

Calvin gave him a thumbs up, acting like this would pose no problem at all, "Consider it done you lousy grump."

"Whatever," Azar waddled back into his room.

Calvin grabbed a couple empty vials laying on the counters of broken equipment, and packed a couple bottles of fresh water into a small bag that he carried over his shoulder.

"Rina." He signaled to her, "Let's go, we have an ogre's mouth to finesse."

Rina, Henrietta and Javis all laughed hysterically, giving Calvin the realization of how wrong that sounded.

Calvin walked to the door, "Whatever," swung it open, and began his march. "You know what I meant."

…

Only one month remained until the preliminaries began. At the Academy, Endless Sun wasn't the only Guild who was working hard to make sure their preparations were on point. Kryptonite kept challenging other Guilds to battles, winning each one, and dropping their own points for the availability to challenge even more Guilds. They challenged Endless Sun multiple times, but since their official Guild Advisor wasn't there, they could decline without a penalty.

Everyone was getting nervous as the days came closer and closer to May 1st. Even Faibel couldn't sleep some nights, only able to find comfort by the open flames in the lounge along with Laena. Mooks however, had a heart of stone. His face never changed, his emotions never shifted, and his plan was always aligned perfectly to everyone.

As Teak made his final leave from the Arena, Mooks huddled everyone closer in the open grass field where they just fought.

"Today is the last day that Teak has the availability of practicing with us," Mooks started. "His Guild is falling him back for preparations and other training he needs to pass in order to compete."

"What do you mean by compete?" Leo asked, wiping the remnants of dirt off his face.

"Most of the Guilds we'll be facing have a roster of 20 or so. However, due to the capacities, the tournament only allows for 5 to be able to compete per stage. Sub-ins are allowed, but not in the middle of a round."

"So all of us can't compete."

"Correct." Mooks gave a monotone expression, realizing what he said should've been with a little more enthusiasm.

"So who's going to be cometeing." Paris barked at him.

"Depends on the stage, but all of you will get a turn, I promise." Mooks wasn't sure if his words sounded reassuring, but based on the expressions he received, it was better than nothing.

"Man was that really the last time Teak comin'?" Cartuja sighed a boring breath of air. "I think me n' him are tied against each otha'."

Mooks nodded, "I'm afraid so. If you want to fight him again, do it in the tournament."

"Bold of you to assume we'll pass." Cartuja chuckled.

Mooks gave him a stare of death and despair, "We will. I have my expectations high for Faibel."

"If you say so Catman. I still think you should send watergirl or.." He was going to say bitch, referring to Paris, but decided it was inappropriate for their conversation. "Paris."

Paris flushed, slightly embarrassed from hearing Cartuja actually say her name so pleasingly. Not only that, but his recommendation through her off as well.

Although Paris was going to decline anyways, Mooks beat her to it. "No. I'm sending Faibel. End of discussion."

Cartuja yawned, "Whatever," walking out with his hands stuffed inside his pockets.

Paris stared at him with confusion and sympathy as he walked off so freely. She bit her lips, took a deep breath, and walked off with the rest.