A heavy silence settled over the tomb as the heat and chaos of the battle faded. Several people coughed breaking the silence. Astra scanned the shadowed chamber, his voice breaking the quiet. “Umm, is everyone still here?”
Eadrich, sharing the same concern, drew upon the last reserves of his mana. He reached out to detect any luciferin-producing organisms within the tomb, amplifying their bioluminescent glow to illuminate the space. A faint, ghostly light shimmered across the walls, revealing the outlines of those present.
Peering into the dim glow, Eadrich’s voice carried a note of urgency. “Did anyone see Xander? Is he back safely? Where did his body go?”
“Xander’s okay,” Xavier said quietly, his voice steady but laced with relief. “He’s back in his body, and I can feel him breathing fine from here. Probably knocked out cold, finally getting that nap he’s been needing. He’s always pushing himself too hard.”
Xavier’s lips twitched into a small, tired smile. “Figures, he’d end up resting only when he can’t help it.”
With another sigh of relief, everyone unanimously agreed that if this went on for even a second longer they would have all perished in this hellish tomb together. Everyone laughed as they all agreed to lie down like this for one more minute before getting out of there. With the room lit up again, Astra took a look around the room. It was dusty with all kinds of debris that must have fallen off the walls during the battle. There were cracks in the wall, and from the hieroglyphs on the wall, it was still clear that the worshipers of Am-Heh did see him as an impartial cleanser of souls.
Astra found himself thinking, Man… even gods want to feel needed, huh? In the end, Am-Heh was just another gear in the soul-crushing machine. Geez.
Astra shifted awkwardly, the weight of the moment sitting heavy on his chest. Thoughts continued to swirl in his head. I mean, Bootstrap, you’ve probably seen this kind of thing a hundred times, right? Gods, monsters, people all tangled up in their own bad choices, trying to fix stuff they can’t. How do you keep dealing with it? How do you not, I don’t know, just… stop trying?
He took a shaky breath, trying to sound a little more like Bootstrap but failing to hide the crack in his voice. Astra whispered, “Guess I’ve got a long way to go to really figure it out, huh?”
Bootstrap was the first one to get up amid the peace. Struggling up to his feet, Bootstrap held onto to the arm that he wrapped up using a torn piece from his pants. He stumbled to where he dropped his journal first before walking to retrieve the gemstone from the dead body of Am-Heh. Astra also got up and helped steady Bootstrap as he picked up his sword again too. Everyone slowly got up including Xander who woke up from his nap all refreshed without a single injury on his body.
“Let’s get out of here now.” Eadrich said as he lit the way towards the exit. There were a couple of twist and turns and traps along the way, but everyone took their time to get over all of it. When they finally emerged from the corridor, the cool night breeze swept over them like a welcoming embrace.
Ah, the cool breeze is quite literally a breath of fresh air. Thought Astra as he noted the contrast of the open air to the stuffy cave.
Together they all made their way to Xander’s van next to the entrance of the tomb. Once inside, they were greeted by the sight of medical equipment covering the van’s interior. The seats were worn with faded fabric stitched together. There was a vintage radio mounted to the dashboard that had a static hum to it. It was something that Astra could recognize that was similar from his world. Various machinery and a bed were situated in the middle, suggesting this van was outfitted as a makeshift medical transport. It was more evident as Astra looked around to see boxes of syringes, straps and vials on the side with faded tags sticking out.
Xaden who was silent until now said, “Welcome to my personal ambulance, everyone. I’m really sorry for causing all this trouble guys.” He started to grab medical supplies and bandaging up Bootstrap’s arm and legs. He gave everyone some medical supplies and tended to everyone’s wound before putting some ointment on his burnt leg and wrapping it up. His voice was hoarse and tired. “I would like to say I wasn’t myself, but that would be a lie. I let myself be deceived by a mysterious god who whispered things I wanted to hear. I wanted the easy way out, honestly. I never wanted it to get this far and get the people I love in mortal danger.”
“I ain’t gonna sit here and pretend everything’s fine,” Xander admitted, his voice low but steady. He placed a firm, supportive hand on Xaden’s shoulder, his usual sharp tone softened. “But I messed up too. I should’ve made sure everyone was getting the support they needed, you included. That’s on me, man.”
“But Xander, who told you that cross was yours to bear alone?” Xaden’s voice cracked. “You always talk like you gotta do everything, like you’ve gotta carry all the weight and be this perfect person. Why can’t you cut yourself the same slack you give the rest of us?”
He clenched his fists, his frustration spilling out. “Part of the reason I felt like I had to act on my own, without you being involved, is because you already got so much on your plate. How can I keep letting you take on every burden, every decision, until you snap under it all?”
Taking a deep breath, Xaden stepped closer, meeting Xander’s eyes with unshakable determination. “We’re family, Xander. Always have been. So stop carrying the weight like it’s yours alone. We’re stronger together — we always were. Let us be your strength this time.”
After a long pause, Xander finally broke the silence. “Yeah, you’re right, Xaden. We can start over, together. It ain’t over yet. This time, we’ll do it right, from the ground up. We’ll focus on what’s around us, on our family here, and fix what we can before worrying about the whole world. As long as I’ve got you guys, I think I can start over as many times as it takes.”
Xander’s voice softened as he pulled Xaden and Xavier into a tight hug, holding them like he’d never let go.
“Now, before we get ahead of ourselves with fixing the world, we gotta get out of this mess and go home. I’ll drive us back to the warehouse since, lucky me, I’m the only one here not sporting battle wounds,” Xander said with a warm, teasing smile, trying to lighten the mood.
The engine started, and everyone settled into place. Xavier and Xaden was already fast asleep with the low rumble of the van’s engine and their mental exhaustion lulling them into a sweet dream. Suddenly, Astra finally remembered all the questions he had in the tomb. “Right! Bootstrap, what is a wanderer and, you know, what does it have to do with you?”
While Bootstrap was thinking about how to start telling Astra, Eadrich chimed in. “A wanderer is a special title given to a human who has been blessed by a greater god to use some of their special magic. There are too many benefits from each god’s blessing to list right now. However, this usually comes in some form of traveling ability so that this follower of the god can go spread the word of this god.”
Eadrich points at himself. “So for example, I am blessed by the God of Light and Hope. In case you are not familiar with the greater gods. They are usually the god of some aspect of reality or astral power and their name is associated with a fundamental emotion of all humans. This god has granted me among other things the ability to travel to places or objects that I have marked with a special symbol at the speed of light. There are a couple of conditions for me to use it as with all magic, but,” Eadrich added with a faint smirk, “those specifics are a trade secret.”
Astra, wide-eyed, glanced between Bootstrap and Eadrich. “Wait, for real? Like, does that mean Bootstrap has one of these divine blessings too?”
Eadrich replied, “I am not certain which specific god is at work here, but I can sense the unmistakable divine signature within him. Bootstrap, as you call him, is actually somewhat famous in some circle as simply ‘the Wanderer.’ Now, the wanderer title does not necessarily mean he was the first of his kind. That honor belongs to King Alurim from the earliest dynasty of humanity. But Bootstrap has become one of the most famous wanderers, having assisted a wide range of communities over the course of his many journeys across the world. There is a reason that The Father watches him closely through our information network.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m one of the most famous,” Bootstrap replied with a faint, self-deprecating chuckle. “Plenty of folks out there haven’t a clue what I look like or care to, for that matter.” His tone carried the weight of someone who had seen too much of the world to be impressed by fame. “Fame’s a funny thing. It’s more about the stories they tell than the person behind them.”
“Man, I knew you were cool, but I didn’t expect this,” Astra said, eyes wide with genuine admiration. “Okay, I officially take back all those times I called you a space bum. You’re, like, next-level awesome.” He grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “But, uh… you still kinda dress like a space bum, though.”
Bootstrap shook his head, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “There’s so much out there, Astra. So many worlds, so many layers of magic. I haven’t even scratched the surface of what’s possible in the grand scheme of things.” His tone grew thoughtful, almost wistful. “The more you learn, the more you realize how little you truly know. That’s the real beauty of it all.”
Astra, practically bouncing on his heels, fired off questions rapid-fire, his words tumbling over each other in his excitement. “So, wait, there’s even more magic I can learn? Like, seriously, how much more? What other kinds of magic do you use, Eadrich? And could I learn it?”
“Oh! Bootstrap, can I dive deeper into rune magic like the really advanced stuff? And how do people even get those divine blessings or, like, a divine weapon? Is there a test or a ceremony? Do I have to prove something?” Astra continued.
His eyes lit up with wonder as he added, “Come on, there’s gotta be a way, right? You’ve gotta tell me how this all works!”
“Hold your proverbial horses,” said Bootstrap with a concerned face.
“He is correct, Astra,” Eadrich said, his tone steady but gentle, as if explaining to a curious pupil. “Magic is far more intricate than it might seem at first glance. I can see that you have become quite skilled with your amplification runes. Perhaps it is due to your natural talent or the affinity people from your world seem to have for magic that works directly with the body. It makes sense that your understanding leans that way. It is how your mind has developed to perceive and utilize mana. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t limits.”
Eadrich paused for a moment, considering how best to explain. “For me and my people, magic has always been deeply intertwined with the planet and our spiritual connection to it. We have learned to draw energy from the natural world such as the earth, the air, the stars above. This connection is instinctual for us, so much so that our magic naturally mirrors the rhythms of the planet. Other people, though, might find it more intuitive to channel mana into manipulating elements, bending fire or water as if it were an extension of their own bodies. Their minds adapt to handle these tasks with precision, but that focus often leaves less room for grasping other magical disciplines.”
Noticing Astra’s expression shift to a mix of disappointment and confusion, Eadrich quickly added, “Now, do not misunderstand me. I am not saying it is impossible for you to learn other types of magic. It simply takes more effort. Your brain is not currently wired to grasp certain magical systems easily, but with patience and determination, you can broaden your understanding. It might take a legendary wizard, maybe, half of their lifetime to learn diametrically opposed magical systems, but it can be done with time and effort. And something tells me you have that determination within you.”
Bootstrap interjected, “What Eadrich means is that magic is a conduit for us to show others how we see and understand the world. The more you know, the more you can manifest your magic, but that is not the only way that magic can work. Otherwise, we wouldn’t see kids accidentally setting curtains on fire or turning their siblings’ hair green before they even know what a rune is.”
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
He gestured toward Astra, a glint of pride in his usually measured gaze. Bootstrap said, “That being said, Astra had actually learned how to control his mana and activate his runes not too long ago. He had never even heard of magic before I met him.”
Eadrich raised an intrigued eyebrow, his voice carrying a tone of genuine surprise. “Ah, I see now. We have a natural among us. It is always a wonder to encounter young, gifted individuals who hold a true enthusiasm for magic. That passion is rare, Astra, and it speaks well of your potential.”
His expression grew more serious as he continued. “There are countless worlds out there, some of which have forbidden magic entirely. Many did so following the devastation wrought by the god wars millennia ago. In their fear of rekindling divine wrath or inadvertently summoning gods back into their realm, they erased the practice of magic until it became nothing more than a forgotten relic of history. I suspect your world may be one such place, Astra. That would explain why you knew so little of magic until now. However, because you are still in this stage of what I would call magical infancy, you may find it easier to adapt to and even learn other systems of magic. Of course, this will still depend on your innate affinity, but never forget. Knowledge is power in our world.”
Eadrich’s tone sharpened as he offered a word of caution. “That being said, when it comes to matters involving gods and divine artifacts, I must urge you to stay clear of such things until you have achieved far greater mastery. The power of the divine is not a force to be trifled with, nor is it forgiving of inexperience. This warning is for your own safety, Astra.”
Bootstrap nodded in agreement, his expression solemn.
“Fine. Okay, I think I understand. So, for now, I’ll do my best to understand how to sense and control my mana.” Said Astra.
Shifting subjects, Astra asked Xander, “So… what now? I mean, what is your plan going forward?”
Xander glanced back, his voice low and carrying a rare note of regret. “We’re gonna have to lay low for a while. We stirred up a hell of a storm in the city today, probably trashed more than a few things. There’s a good chance we’ll need to pack up and move somewhere else entirely. Can’t risk sticking around if they start hunting us harder.”
He hesitated for a beat, his usual confidence giving way to something more vulnerable. “And, uh… before I chicken out, there’s one more thing I need to say. I’m sorry for tricking you and the Wanderer when we first met.” He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. “I had orders to capture the Wanderer, but I couldn’t just leave Xavier like that. I needed your help. I thought I could manage both, but… everything went sideways, especially with Xaden. It turned into a bigger mess than I ever wanted. So yeah, sorry. For all of it.”
His words hung in the air, raw for everyone to mull over.
“So, that kinda brings me to my next question,” Astra said, leaning forward with a mix of curiosity and hesitation. “What’s the deal with Shadow Garden, anyway? Like, what are they really about?”
“Shadow Garden ain’t what you think, man. It’s… messy, alright?” Xander started, his voice steady but heavy with emotion. “Look, I can’t speak for everyone in it, ‘cause everyone’s got their own reasons for joining. For me? It gave me something I didn’t have. You know, a family. It was survival, plain and simple. They’re the ones who had my back when no one else did. When you’ve got nothing, that means everything.”
He paused, running a hand through his hair. “Shadow Garden finds people who’ve been pushed to the edge, people who feel like they’ve got nowhere left to go. They pull ‘em back before they fall off completely. It’s a family for folks who feel abandoned or broken. Yeah, our methods aren’t always… shiny and nice. From the outside, it might look bad. Real bad. But evil? Nah, we ain’t that. We’re just trying to make things better in a world that’s already screwed up.”
Bootstrap frowned, his skepticism clear as he crossed his arms. “What about this ‘Father’ you had mentioned before? He doesn’t exactly strike me as the philanthropic type. From what I’ve seen, he’s the one ordering you to carry out all these… let’s say, less-than-savory operations. And now I hear he wants to awaken the god of shadows?” His voice sharpened with suspicion as he turned toward Eadrich.
“How does he know that’ll help anyone? Or even reset the world, for that matter? Gods don’t exactly come with instruction manuals, and every time mortals meddle with them, it tends to end in catastrophe. So, what makes him so sure this plan of his isn’t just another reckless gamble at the expense of everyone else?”
Eadrich sighed. “No one questions The Father.”
Eadrich’s voice wavered slightly, a rare break in his usually resolute demeanor. “We do not know everything that he knows. He has walked this world far longer than any of us, seen things we cannot fathom, and holds knowledge that none dare question. I trust that he acts in the interest of the greater good, even if his methods are… unorthodox.”
He paused, his gaze shifting momentarily to the ground. “There is a reason we call him The Father in our family. He has given many of us purpose when we had none. He has saved lives when no one else would.”
For the briefest moment, Eadrich’s eyes flickered with something Astra couldn’t quite identify. Was it doubt? Hesitation? Pride swallowed under the weight of a greater responsibility? Astra couldn’t be sure, but the subtle crack in Eadrich’s conviction left a lingering sense of unease in the air.
The mood in the van had shifted. The air was a bit heavier. The dark streets of Neo Domino City drew near. The background cacophony of noises highlighted the sour silence of the van. The pale moonlight cast ominous shadows across everyone’s face as if to set the mood in the van. Feeling the atmosphere, Astra tried to shift the mood a bit and asked Eadrich, “So, Eadrich, how’s the kid? You’ve seen him since last time, right? I mean, you’ve gotta make time for family when you’re not out chasing lesser gods.”
Eadrich’s face lit up with a radiant pride, the heaviness of the previous conversation seeming to melt away. “Ah, my boy, he is doing fantastically! Truly, he shines brighter each day. The neighbors have been keeping an eye on him while I am away, and I, of course, make my own discreet visits to ensure all is well. He is a bit special. He is not like other children, you see, and he has come to realize that himself.”
There was a fond smile tugging at Eadrich’s lips as he continued. “Crowds still overwhelm him, but he has made great strides in building connections. He has even spoken with several people on our street now! I could scarcely believe it when I saw it myself. Without me hovering over him, trying to shield him from every harm, he has grown bold, braver than I expected. He is becoming his own person, and for that, I could not be prouder.”
Xaden chimed in surprising everyone since they all thought he was asleep, “Hold up, I’m appalled that you are a dad and not once have you hit us with a single dad joke since I’ve known you. You’re out here ruining the reputation of dads everywhere!”
He sat up straighter, grinning mischievously. “Lucky for you, I’ve got you covered. And I’m not even a dad. That I know of, anyway.”
Xaden cleared his throat. “I once submitted ten puns to a joke contest, and I really did thought that with that many jokes I could win something.”
He paused, dragging out the suspense, his grin stretching ear to ear. “No pun in ten did!”
He burst into laughter, glancing around the room expectantly. “Get it? No pun in ten did? Like, no puns intended? Come on, that’s gold! Eh? EH?!”
The groan that echoed through the room only made Xaden laugh harder. “See? I’m carrying this team’s humor singlehandedly!”
Then everyone looked around and laughed. Soon everyone was awake and laughing at the horrendous state that everyone was in. The group soon began recounting the battle from each of their perspectives, sharing how they had all struggled in their own ways. The earlier tension melted away as they began poking fun at each other. Their laughter soon filled the room. They teased about missed attacks and fumbled moves so poorly executed that no one had even noticed the attempts. Each embarrassing moment was dragged back into the light, exaggerated for comedic effect, as they ribbed one another with growing ease. What had been a dire memory turned into a shared joke. Each joke bonded them further in the aftermath of chaos.
Even with the bad traffic, chaos with looters and detours that they had to take due to the city wide black out, they made it to Xander’s warehouse safe and sound. Exhaustion weighed on all of them as they hobbled back into the open warehouse. However, as Xander flicked the light switch in the warehouse, nothing happened. He sighed heavily, muttering, “Well, well, well, if it ain’t the consequences of our actions. Guess we’re gonna be in the dark for a hot minute. No way this district’s getting power back anytime soon.”
***
He stumbled through the warehouse, the faint moonlight barely illuminating his path. After a few moments of fumbling, he unearthed a couple of battered, battery-powered lamps. “These’ll do,” he said, shaking one to get it to flicker on.
The dim glow cast shadows as they climbed up to the small bedroom, the lamps offering just enough light to guide their way. “Cozy, huh?” Xander joked, plopping down on an old chair as he set one of the lamps on a makeshift table.
Once they got all settled, and they each took a shower, Xaden’s stomach growled. Realizing that they all feel the same way, they all proceeded to try to gather whatever food was in the warehouse.
“Anyone else starving or is the smell of cooked meat from my leg making me the hungry one.” Xaden joked to try to lift the mood.
“You’d be starving even if we hadn’t just survived a fight with a god, Xaden,” Xavier said, his voice quiet but carrying a teasing edge. A small smile tugged at his lips, breaking through the stillness he’d held onto for most of the evening. It was rare for him to join in on the banter, but this time, he couldn’t resist.
“Hah, cheeky as always.” Xaden grinned, limping over to ruffle Xavier’s hair. “Mind if I get your share too? You sickly type usually don’t eat food, right?” He opened the door to a sorry assortment of leftovers. There was some packs of hotdogs, old bread loaves, mystery meat, and a couple of cans of beans. “So, Gourmet, right everyone?”
Xander gave Xaden a murderous glance. “Don’t you try to take Xavi’s food after he’s finally home or you catching these hands.”
Eadrich, who had known them all for awhile, eyed the spread of processed snacks and hastily thrown-together meals with a look of disapproval that could wilt even the hardiest spirit. Crossing his arms, he fixed Xander with a stern gaze, the kind of look that only a concerned elder could pull off. “This… this is what you call sustenance? You all need to understand the importance of proper nutrition. Do you think surviving on this junk will fuel you for the battles ahead?”
He shook his head, his disappointment palpable. “Xander. You are supposed to be the smart older brother, the one looking out for everyone else. And yet, this is the standard you set for your family? Honestly, you should be ashamed.”
Xander rubbed the back of his head, a sheepish grin creeping onto his face. “Look, I’ve been working late all week, trying to keep everything together, and then, you know, the whole lab mess happened… and the fight…” His eyes flicked toward Xavier with a hint of guilt in his expression.
“I guess I was too worried to eat properly or keep stock of the pantry. My bad.” He gave a half-hearted shrug. “But hey, at least we’re all still breathing, right? That’s gotta count for something.”
Bootstrap sat up from his corner and spoke, “Food doesn’t need to be extravagant. Sometimes, sharing even the simplest meal with people who matter can be more nourishing than anything fancy.” Reaching into the bag that he carried everywhere, he pulled out some jerky. “I’ve got some decent jerky here if anyone’s still hungry. It’s not much, but it’ll keep us going.” His tone was matter-of-fact, but there was a softness to his offer.
Astra stared at the jerky with wide eyes, then pointed an accusatory finger at Bootstrap. “Oh god, how much jerky do you even have? Is this, like, your secret magic? Infinite Jerky Summoning, one handful at a time?”
He leaned in closer, squinting at Bootstrap’s bag. “Wait… it’s got to be one of those magic bags with infinite space, right? You’re hiding a whole deli in there, aren’t you?”
Bootstrap let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he gnawed on a piece of jerky.
Xaden also laughed brightening Astra’s tired eyes. “Hey Astra, want to know the story behind this mystery meat?”
Astra’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Is it some rare meat or maybe you hunted down, like, some really special magical beast to get some forbidden meat?” He asked with genuine curiosity.
Xander cut Xaden off before he could even get a word in, holding up a hand. “Hold up, don’t listen to him. That jerky isn’t rare. It’s expired.” He emphasized the word with a mock seriousness, glaring at Xaden. “Why? Because genius over here,” Xander jabbed a thumb at Xaden, “tried to improve it with magic by rearranging the protein bonds.”
He added exaggerated air quotes for effect. “He thought if he could turn all the amino acids into the essential ones instead of the so-called wasteful ones, it’d somehow be better.”
Xander shook his head, a mix of annoyance and amusement on his face. “So, what we got was some blue meat that smells funky.”
“Don’t worry, won’t worry. It will taste like no other meat you have ever tasted. Let’s throw it on the stove and see what happens. Worst-case scenario, it fights back.” Xaden retorted.
Xavier snorted, “If big bro Xaden is right and it does, we are all doomed. I’m not doing anything tonight. I am pooped. So tired.” Xavier lied down on the floor.
“Don’t worry.” Bootstrap added with a wry smile. “I am sure Astra can devour anything at this point.”
Astra beamed a cheeky smile at Bootstrap. “Oh, I’ll give it my best shot alright, master. I learn from the best.”
Bootstrap shook his head. “Master, huh?”
As they began to awkwardly assemble their meal, Xaden insisted on handling the cooking, despite his injuries. “Come on, I can still cook. They call me the Flame Master.” Xaden said as he tried to shimmy his way into the small kitchen past Xander.
Eadrich, shaking his head at their antics, stepped forward and gently nudged both Astra and Bootstrap aside. “Enough of this nonsense,” he said firmly, his tone carrying the weight of a seasoned mentor. “You boys need to start taking this more seriously. Battles with gods are not something to brush off so lightly. Recovery requires more than jest. It requires proper nourishment.”
He crossed his arms and scanned the room, his disapproving gaze falling on the scattered, less-than-appealing food. “You cannot simply stuff yourselves with whatever scraps you find and expect to heal. Proper meals lead to proper strength. And besides…” He glanced at the table with a huff, “I am hungry as well, and frankly, I trust no one here with preparing a decent meal.”
Without waiting for a reply, Eadrich rolled up his sleeves and got ready to cook.
As the smell of the “meat” filled the room, the laughter bubbled up among the tired group. The smell truly was out of this world. Thought Astra.
Even Bootstrap could not help but to say, “At least the experience eating this meat will build character.”
Hmm, this warm feeling. If I wasn’t so sleepy, I’d never want this night to end. Astra thought as he laid down to rest.
It was not the most fancy meal any of them had, but it felt like the victory meal fit for warriors. It felt like the first time in forever that they could all be human again. Sleep soon took hold of all of them, and they all drifted into sleep’s sweet embrace without any thoughts of gods, power struggles and sacrifices that they will have to make down the road.
