Eight days after the framework update was deployed…  

“To be honest… I never thought this would happen. I feel shame to say I thought of ye as nothing but pretty boys and feeble women, but I never expected…for us to accomplish something so amazing!” The dwarven foreman wiped his misty eyes as he turned to the nearby gate, showing his back to a hundred onlookers.    

I was beside it, pounding the last nail into place with meaty, solid thwacks.  

With that…  

Second Chance Sanctuary was finished!  

“We did it!” A chorus of cheers erupted from the gathered crowd!  

It was time to celebrate!  

Everyone was here. Ni-Ni was dressed to impress in a beautiful blouse and skirt. Dineria had already hit the alcohol, so she was clanking glasses with Claire. Olga and Merka walked around the homestead to look at the plaques marking the buildings named after their siblings. The atmosphere was tender, so we left them to their privacy.     

Albert was the head chef.  It didn’t take long for his expertly brewed soup, savory stuffed shells, mouthwatering honey-marinated pork, and delicious sweets to become known amongst the crowd. Duchess Ashford, who had forgone her usual gown for something sportier and more active since it was windy, stood near the cook, her hands resting on her hips. Her styled hair flowed freely in the comforting breeze. Of course, she was there to smell the food. The roast beef, specifically. Earlier, she had gifted Albert a collection of exotic spices as thanks for handling the food. He wasted no time putting them to use on the beef. 

Fisher was chatting with his family. Those precious bundles of adorableness that were his daughters had become fast friends with ‘Mr. Finn.’  

Oh, how ironic it was… Fisher didn’t show any pain. I suppose a true father only wanted their loved ones to be safe. If he could do that as my revenant?  

Who was I to deny him this? 

Momo skipped over.  She balanced a cup of freshly squeezed juice on her floating mirror. “Come on. Grab a drink. Courtesy of the Momo Delivery Service.”   

“Ah, thanks. Sorry, but I don’t have a tip to give to the cute delivery girl,” I said, grabbing the cup before taking a refreshing sip. It had just enough freshly harvested honey to give it a sweet kick. The drink was popular with Fisher’s daughters.   

“Hmm… Consider it an I.O.U type of thing. I’ll collect the debt later.”   

“If you can even move by the time night arrives. You vowed, just this morning, to indulge in everything. Judging from the amount of food... I dunno if you can do it.”  

“Oh? Is that a challenge? You think this fox’s appetite can be conquered?”  

“Fox’s appetite? You’re sounding like a little piggy in disguise.”  

“I’m still a growing girl! Growing girls have to eat to grow, you know!” Momo’s mirror blushed red like its manipulator.   

“It’s always a joy to see you two like this,” said Carrie, who approached with Adom. For some reason, he always looked more homeless than the actual homeless. You’d find his name beside the definition of frugal.   

“Hiya,” Momo bubbly replied, her mirror reappearing atop her head. “So, how do you feel? Now that it’s finished? Err—officially finished, I mean.” She pointed to the homestead, which required multiple acres to support its various storage sheds, barns, farming fields, and extensive piping system. The livestock was scheduled to be delivered after the new year.   

Yeah. The new year…  

It was just a handful of months away.   

Winter would be here soon…  

No. Listen to Momo, you dummy. Focus on the positives! Remember what Itarr said this morning?   

“There’s a profound sadness in my heart,” Adom admitted. “I will forever remember our time working on it, yet this is another chapter of my life that must end.”  

“Another book metaphor, my friend?” asked Carrie. “Have you thought about becoming a writer?”  

“It has crossed my mind,” replied Adom with a chuckle. “But I am far too young to sit behind a desk when there is still more to do in this world.” 

“You’re a selfless kinda guy, aren’t you?” Momo’s tail curled into a cute question mark.   

“I have been told that before, yes. But I don’t see it that way. I merely wish to do what I can while following my path. I look forward to starting a new chapter of my life as an instructor here.” 

“The children will be glad to have you,” I said.  

We chatted a little more before those two walked to join their future co-workers. Momo and I skipped to Claire and Dineria. They were talking about Elvish stuff with Itarr at a picnic table.   

“Say cheese!” I snapped a pic with my phone after they posed.   

“I still don’t know why we must say that,” Claire admitted. “But it somehow feels right.”  

“Congratulations! I bet it must feel nice to finally have this done.”  

“It does, Dineria. But I do feel a little sad. Adom said something similar,” I said.  

“That’s a natural feeling,” replied our favorite receptionist. She said many adventurers felt this way after finishing a long quest. But she said it didn’t have to mark the ending of something. She pointed to my phone. “You can reminisce about this day whenever you want, right? As long as you have those pictures?”  

She had a good point, so I did that. My phone had limitless memory, so I went around on picture duty, snapping pics whenever I got permission. That attracted the duchess’s attention, and she requested that I take a few of her with the completed homestead. She wanted to show the crown the completed project.  

The favor was reasonable, so I did it. Percival felt uneasy. But he got into the mood once the duchess said she wanted one of her loyal bodyguard. He struck a heroic pose with his sword raised high. Someone else recognized the motion. Apparently, it was the same pose struck by the titular character of a play called The Barnacle Knight.   

I didn’t often see Percival blush, so I teased him when I handed them copies of the printed pics.   

Marissa posed like a beautiful model with her children, who quickly begged ‘Mr. Finn’ to join.  

“It is fine, isn’t it, Mr. Finn?” Marissa’s smile was truly breathtaking. I quickly sent an encouraging text to give him the little push he needed. He bravely inched into frame before Meri grabbed him by the hand. He lost his balance, fell, and…  

Snap!  

“Perfect! I couldn’t have asked for a better shot. Here. It’s a really good one.”  

“Oh my, look at your face, Finn.” Marissa's laughter warmed Fisher’s heart.   

“I’m glad you like it.”  

“Mr. Finn! Let’s go ride the bicycles again!!!” Meri excitedly bounced like a rabbit.   

“Please? Pretty please?” Mari begged, grabbing his arm as her bright eyes sparkled.   

“Okay. How about a race?”  

“Yaaayyy!!!” The girls ran off, leaving Fisher to jog behind them.   

“A bicycle?” The duchess approached with a cookie. “Ah, that odd device with wheels?”  

“Yep. Would you like to ride one? What about a skateboard? I have rollerblades. I would suggest a unicycle, but that might be too difficult for a first-timer.”  

Duchess Ashford was confused. Her face suggested I spoke a different language. I waved to Momo, who skipped over. “You think you can get your bike out? The duchess is curious.”  

“Sure. I can do that.” Momo retrieved her customized bike and rode it around before moving to the skateboard.   

“Why don’t you hit a kickflip?” I asked.  

“Got it! Watch this!”    

“Wow… That’s supposed to be easy?”  

“It’s too dangerous—”  

“Please, allow me to try!”   

Percival sighed at the duchess’s insistence, causing her to reconsider. “Err-- Perhaps that board is too much. Might I use a spare bike?” She fluttered her eyes at her bodyguard, who signed twice more. “Oh, ye of little faith. I’ll show you to underestimate me.”  

“I’ll ready the healing magic,” he whispered under his breath when I retrieved the bike.  

Duchess Ashford uncharacteristically rolled her eyes as she grabbed the handlebars. Carefully, she straddled the seat.  

It wasn’t easy for her to remain upright. Percival had to hold it steady, but the duchess’s nervousness showed. She only managed to get ‘somewhere’ after I attached training wheels.   

“This is exhilarating… Percival, look! Look at me! I feel like the wind! Haha!!”  

“I see, but please be careful! You’re going too fast! Geez… That woman…” Percival sprinted after his giggling duchess. Momo and I walked to Claire and Dineria, who was with Ni-Ni. We chatted until the food was done.   

Oh, it smelled heavenly. It was like—no, it was a buffet. Four tables were filled with Albert’s excellent cooking.   

It didn’t take long for everyone to make a plate.   

Rickard and Bekah, a merchant and his Racoonkin assistant, had made quite a lot of money off selling commodities to the night crew. The two had connections in Adenaford, so they had used this momentous occasion to hash out a supply deal for regular shipments of supplies like feed.  

The duchess accepted it quicker than I thought. I asked Dineria about it because something seemed odd, but she didn’t see a problem. Albert also texted me his approval as someone who used to stand beside an emperor.  It seemed normal, but then again, that was what we were told.   

So, I decided it didn’t concern me.   

Meri and Mari gushed about the food while thanking ‘Mr. Albert’ for cooking. “Ohoho! You‘re very welcome, my ladies. Eat your fill! A clean plate is the best thanks you can gift me.”  

However, the good times had to end, which happened around dusk.   

The grills had long been cooled by a shivery autumn breeze.   

The duchess made a few moving speeches about the unity of hard work--how this orphanage was the beginning of a brand-new future for Canary. Its dark past of the underground slave market couldn’t be washed from history, but it could be seen as the ‘birth’ of a better period in the duchy’s history.    

It was then time to clean up. A tipsy Claire had nearly fallen asleep on her feet, so Dineria took her back to the city early. Fisher’s daughters had been yawning for thirty minutes, so he escorted his family to the gates before returning.  

Most of the others left when they did. Carrie stayed with Adom, but the two soon left since they were ordered to arrive early to prepare for the children. That wouldn't happen for a while, but there were daily meetings about the rules, schedules, and concerns.    

The nun was still staying with us at the Crimson Grotto. Nimyra said she always had a home there. It only made sense to remain close since she had a ring, even though we were always connected. Carrie would be very busy soon, though. The employee guidebook was about as thick as a dictionary!   

It was just myself, Itarr, Momo, Fisher, Albert, Merka, Olga, the duchess, and her bodyguard.   

The cleaning was handled immediately via my ring, but the duchess wanted to talk to us a little more as she led us on one final tour. It felt…pleasant to walk around. I had done it a few times already, but the feeling of seeing something I helped create formed butterflies in my stomach.   

“I’ve heard your request,” said the duchess. She looked at Olga, who held Merka's rocky hand. “I think I may have a spot for you two.”  

“Really?!”  

“Yes, my dear. Really. You’ve put in the work to create this place. I know you love it so very much.”  

“Uh-huh.” Olga nodded. “I…don’t have a family anymore. But I have Merky. He reminds me of my brother. Thank you, Ms. Duchess! Merky and me won’t let you down!”  

“Oh my.” The duchess was probably taken aback by the strong response. She smiled at the courageous young girl who sought to face the future without backing down. What had happened spiraled her into depression, but she wanted to live for her fallen siblings. She was alive-- they weren't. She desired to let them experience genuine happiness through her so she could meet them in the afterlife without regrets.   

Olga was so young, but she embodied many attributes a person thrice her age had trouble grasping.    

But those two had a goal. They had a path.   

What did we have?  Just what would we do now? Where do we go? The orphanage had been my everything. I was still on house arrest, so I doubt the duchess would permit me to leave to go on quests.   

Would the crown grant me permission to visit the capital? They would, right? If nothing else than to keep a closer eye on me? I didn’t mention it to the duchess before we left, but I debated asking my probation officer for a meeting.    

On the surface—as a whole—things were fine. But that was the problem—they were going too well.    

I always wanted to blame it on my cynicism. Maybe the fault belonged to it, but why did it feel like something horrible was about to happen?     

*****

---

*****

“So… What are you going to do now?” Nimyra asked the following morning over a traditional breakfast of sausage and eggs.   

It wasn’t even 7 AM, but we were ready to take on the day even though we didn’t have a concrete game plan.  

“I don’t know,” I replied, chowing down. Momo happily added sugary milk to her coffee before sipping it. “I wanted to ask Percival for a meeting with the duchess.”  

“For…”  

“To visit the capital. The crown’s watching us, but we’re far away. Wouldn’t they like to keep a closer eye on us?”  

“Hmm… Yeah, I can see that argument,” answered Momo.   

“But the pretty boy's not here. It isn’t like him to leave in the middle of the night.”  

“I’m sure he’ll show,” said Nimyra.   

“Would the crown want us near?” asked Itarr. “I… If they suspect us, wouldn't they keep us away?”  

“That’s a possibility,” I said. “If they prevent us from leaving town, maybe we can do something else to get their attention? I mean... If the duchess wants to eventually rectify the slums, the place needs a deep clean. Maybe I can be on trash duty? It shouldn’t take that long." 

“I wager we’d be done within the day,” added Albert, who stood near the stove. He was preparing grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for our lunch. "The dumping grounds would be clean within the hour."

The elderly teenage butler really loved cooking. He probably loved it even more than when he was alive because ingredients would never spoil as long as they were in our ring. He had his worker-type skeletons construct a grocery store after getting the idea from Verta. He enjoyed perusing the shelves with a basket Itarr had made him.    

I suppose the end goal was to make our soul world self-sufficient. Itarr discovered a way to grow plants, so we had veggie and fruit fields, but harvesting livestock was difficult.   

But not impossible. The produce proved that entities with ‘life’ could inhabit it. Perhaps the key was swallowing solidified blood crystal chips, but we hadn’t tested it on a real-life animal. Eventually, though... Maybe not an animal, but a monster? It was still live experimentation-- there wasn't any way to excuse it.  

Fisher was scrolling through his phone, looking at the pictures we had taken of his family. Yesterday would always be a fond memory. 

Honestly? He was more…suitable to remain here. I knew our goal was to eventually travel to the Divine Principality of Tobris, but I didn’t want him to separate from his family. He didn’t owe me his loyalty or anything.  

“Aww… Look at you!” Momo’s ears twitched when she heard two sets of footsteps. The siblings walked into the kitchen. Olga wore the official uniform of the Second Chance Sanctuary. Merka used his magic to engrave the logo on his chest.  

“Ms. Carrie, we’re ready. I’m sorry for the wait.”  

“It’s fine. We still have an hour,” replied the nun. She nursed a comfy-looking cup of coffee in her hands. She seemed more…at peace? Or perhaps at ease with herself after the homestead was complete.  I knew she was ready to meet her co-workers and delve into the nitty-gritty.  Her habit wasn’t part of the dress code, but it suited her. That would probably be her uniform once the logo was sewn onto it. 

Momo returned to the previous topic. “Yeah, but what do we do after—”  

Knock! Knock! Knock!  

“I’ll get it.” I opened the door to find Percival. “The Mystery of the Missing Pretty Boy has been solved. Been wondering when you’d show up.” 

“Pretty Boy, huh? Oh, it’s not like I haven’t heard that a dozen times.” Something was wrong. His jovial tone wasn’t there. Percival said good morning, but the man wasn't here for a pleasurable chat.  “The king wishes to question you directly,” he said, his voice more serious than usual when he followed me into the kitchen. “Royal mages are awaiting you at the duchess’s estate.”  

“That’s ironic. I was planning to ask you for a meeting with the duchess to request permission to visit the capital. Guess I don’t have to. So, it’s just me?”   

He shook his head. “Everyone.”   

“Even my spirits?” I asked, alarmed. Something…didn’t sit right.  

“Why’s that?” Momo queried.   

Percival clicked his tongue before pointing at Fisher’s phone. “Those things are making a bigger splash than you thought. The crown is very interested in them. I presume they’re close to a decision, so they’re bringing the suspects in for questioning before finalizing their judgment.”  

“That makes sense, but Merka doesn’t have a phone. He’s staying here.”  

“Eh?” The bodyguard pulled a confused face as he raised an eyebrow. “Huh… Now that you mention it, he’s been using a regular tablet. Hmm… I’m sorry, Servi. It’s not for debate. The request specifically mentioned all your spirits.” Percival pushed back, but I wasn’t budging.   

“He’s staying here. That’s final… Olga’s not coming either, so don’t even ask it.”  

“Even if refusal poisons their reputation of you? You’re going against a direct order. The crown won’t think too highly of you.”  

“Merka’s place is here with Olga, Percival. I’m his summoner. It’s up to me to watch out for his best interests.” The bodyguard narrowed his eyes. “Besides, he doesn’t have a phone. For that matter, Finn?”  

“Yes?”  

“You’re staying here, too.”  

“What? Servi, look… I can get Merka. Truthfully? Olga hasn’t come up at all, but Finn must go. He has that phone thing—Ahh, no, now I get it. The king will likely request a demonstration of its capabilities, so…”  

“Yep. It’s one thing for voice to travel from phone to phone when you’re in the same room. What if we’re in Adenaford while Finn’s here? Wouldn’t that make a bigger splash?”  

Percival shrugged. “I mean, it would. Okay, I see your perspective. Just don't blame me if the meeting sours. Many people who meet the king have the gall to not disobey an order from His Majesty.”   

“Here I thought pretty boys weren't blamed for anything.”  

Percival smirked at my joke and rebutted by calling me a peasant. The once-serious atmosphere dissolved like a candle in the wind. “Can Albert finish our lunch prep? He’s almost done.”  

“That can be arranged.”  

“Are you hungry, dear? We have leftovers.” Nimyra pointed to a partly filled serving platter.  

“Actually… I am. Thank you for feeding me. The duchess wished for me to impart her gratitude as well. She asks that you come to her if you need anything.”  

“I didn’t do it for a reward. I know what it’s like to go hungry,” said Nimyra as she made the bodyguard a plate. “It’s a cruel fate I don't wish to witness. I must ensure any guest who leaves does so with a full stomach. Perhaps even a satisfied appetite.”  

“Appetite, huh?” I heard him whisper—obviously referring to the sexual kind. “Ah, thank you!” He graciously tore into his food after proclaiming he would miss it.   

“You can always come by for breakfast whenever you want. Feel free to invite the duchess, too.”  

“I shall let her know!”  

  “Back to the topic at hand…” Nimyra didn’t seem worried. She said Harold was a good man, and I had done a lot of good for the city over the past few weeks. The orphanage would’ve still been behind schedule had my involvement not revitalized interest in the project.  

The people knew me. I was greeted by name almost everywhere I went.   

That had to account for something, right?   

I hope you’re right,” I said.      

If I’m declared an enemy… What will I do? I’d win if a fight broke out, but I don’t want this to turn violent.  

Right as I thought that, Momo grabbed my hand. “Just hang on, Servy. The last member of Butterfly Rumble is within reach.”  

I honestly couldn’t wait for that. I missed the feeling of hugging and speaking to her—curling up near her in bed and snoozing the night away like a couple of pigs in a blanket.  

Itarr needed to meet her. She had to get that tremendous weight off her heart, or she’d think herself into a nervous wreck.    

Albert finished a few minutes later, which was our cue to leave. Percival said he’d escort us. Nimyra hugged us before we left, but I had to send a text before we departed.  

You deserve to stay here with your family. Watch over the orphanage while I’m gone, okay?  

I will. Thank you, Servi. I won’t ever forget your kindness.   

“You two be good, okay?” I rubbed Olga’s head.   

We will. I hope it works out for you, Servi.  

“Me too, Merka.”  

“I’ll say a prayer for you,” said the nun, who clasped her hands together. It was…ironic. The goddesses she prayed to…were right there. The nice gesture was appreciated, though.     

As we left the apartment...  

I just wanted to be instilled with hope.   

I really did.   

I prayed Harold had convinced the crown—the council—that I was an ally.