“Several aspects determine the quality and usability of a Rift. Now that we’ve accrued the necessary resources, it’s time to move past our natural response to flee from the unknown.
Frankly, this old-world city isn’t in the most beneficial of locations, so, as is natural, we must exploit any resources available.
And by any resources, I mean any.
Thus I propose a sustained use of the so dubbed ‘Gaia’ Rift. We’ve secured the perimeter, our people can contain any breaches, and I trust in our strength to defend against attacks from the outside. With regular trips through the Rift, we can secure a source of wood and fertile land to plant crops. On all fronts, this is the most logical action we can take and will let us establish a foothold in a hostile place.
Considering it’s stable, always present, and thus is, by our metrics, highly usable, we’d be fools not to capitalize on it. Using it, we can pull something into this world that hasn’t been seen for ages. A city.”
-First Magi Swens, An Immodest Proposal To Found Vega (250, 3rd Era)
“Loyalty,” Boldwick started, taking his seat at the head of an office table. It was peculiar how similar this sterile white meeting room reminded Erec of Vortex Industries. Multiple whiteboards and markers completed the room for every color of the rainbow, an ideal place to focus on a conversation. “It’s the force that binds the Knights to the King and maintains order within the Kingdom. A powerful force. And one that will connect us to these people. They cherish loyalty, just as we do. While their weapons can be bought, they’d never turn them on a friend. These people and their connections are what we need.”
“You think that if you establish a friendship built on loyalty with these people, you can fill the Royal Family’s conditions for this expedition.” Dame Juliana concluded, sitting at the other end of the stretched table. All of the Knights and the Duke were seated. Despite the number of Knights in this room, there were plenty of chairs to go around and give everyone some much-needed space.
Erec tapped his fingers against the table. Olivia was looking over him again now that he was still again.
“Even if they don’t agree to return with us to the Kingdom, I’m sure they have enough wasteland contacts to find us the right people. They’ll feel like they have to provide us with trustworthy people. Then past that, we can work with them in the future.” Boldwick said.
“I doubt their culture will fit well in the courts, but I agree with your assessment about their loyalty. Therefore you want to pick a team willing to walk into a Rift with them and tie them further to you. A uniquely dangerous proposition that I disagree with. We can find others to fill the demands of the royals.” Duke Nitidus argued.
“I have a feeling about these people. And I’ve learned to trust my gut on instincts like this. Deep down, this will return our efforts. I’m sure of it. But I know what I’m asking. Even with the assurance that we can create this Rift, it’s a dangerous mission, not including trying to keep Seven-Snakes alive. This one is considered dangerous, and as much as I say this is something I feel we should do, I won’t force anyone to go who doesn’t feel the same.”
“I’m going.” Erec asserted once more.
[Think of the readings we’ll obtain going through a Rift! Normally, I’d advocate for safe testing since you’re human. But I do suppose some of the most significant discoveries among your race came from risks. I’m well pleased with the initiative, Researcher, but I don’t think we won’t talk about lab safety later!]
With anything worth doing in life, he felt fear. But confidence in himself, and not only to prove anything to Enide.
What had started as a challenge by her was rapidly morphing into an understanding that he couldn’t keep lying to himself. He wanted to be like her, to follow his beliefs no matter where they led.
All that time in the Kingdom with his new responsibilities had a way of stripping him from who he was. It made him forget what the shape of his soul was. Despite the danger or the fear, he would do what needed to be done and rise to the challenge. Enide reminded him of that and made it crystal clear.
Together, they’d walk through that Rift and disregard the world and its rules.
“Yeah, I know. That’s why I called this meeting, since between the two of us, we have enough Knights to support them,” Boldwick shook his head. “Although, if you can’t repair your Armor in time, I will make you sit it out. However, the reason for this meeting is for everyone else to understand why I think this is vital and offer them a chance to join. The more resources on a mission like this, the better.”
The room went quiet as the rest of the Knights considered the offer.
“Some of us must remain on this side to ensure protection for this Rift, I assume.” Dame Juliana said.
“Of course.”
“I’m sorry. I will not be entering a Rift. Not after the last one. But I will do everything within my power, to my last breath, to ensure an exit.”
“Understandable.” Boldwick finished.
All of the initiate’s eyes shot to their instructor. When did she go through a Rift? The woman had never spoken about or even hinted at such a thing in her lectures.
“I cannot.” The Duke added.
“Reestablishing my connection to the planet would take a month and multiple rituals I don’t have the resources for. I’m afraid my magic might be far less useful if I severed my connection,” Dame Morgana hung her head. “I’m sorry, Boldy.”
“Don’t call me that. And your situation is, as ever, unique. I’d rather not limit our resources by disrupting your magic,” Boldwick frowned.
“I’m with you.” Dame Robin nodded, and Boldwick let out a sigh of relief.
“That’ll be enough then. Meeting adjourned.” Boldwick stood up, seeming unconcerned with the rest of the initiates. It was understandable; they’d have to be reckless like Erec to desire such a dangerous trip that far more powerful Knights refused.
Better no one else went anyway. It was something Erec had to do, and if it furthered Boldwick’s plans, all the better. He’d rather none of his friends took the risk. Maybe, if he went, he’d find the key to himself in that other world, helping those people get the closure he longed for.
With each second, he felt more confident in his decision. Erec stood up, knowing he had work to do.
“I shall be going.” Colin declared.
“You will not.” The Duke disagreed.
“It is my right as a Knight to take on this mission. It was offered to us all, and I will not stand by. You have no authority on this matter.” Colin squared his shoulders as he firmly put Boldwick in the awkward position between the Knight and his Father.
Boldwick looked between the two and coughed. “He, uh, has a point. And I could use more Knights.”
“He’s a fool, then.” Duke Nitidus glared at the Master Knight. Garin got up and flung an arm over the Duke’s son’s shoulder, his face was pale, but Erec knew what he’d say.
“Guess that’s it. I’m in as well. Ha.” Garin added.
“Garin!” Olivia yelled, standing up.
Dame Morgana began to clap loudly, though the rest of the room was silent.
“…Get prepared then,” Boldwick said. “Dear Goddess, what am I teaching these kids?”
“Oh, how their souls blossom! Wonderful, beautiful, enchanting!” Dame Morgana yelled loudly.
With the charged atmosphere, It didn’t take long for the Knights to filter out of the room. Olivia yanked Garin out, and nobody wanted to be the last one with an angry Duke.
— - ☢ - — - ☼ - — - ☢ - —
“Sure it’s a good idea to tag along? You were having trouble standing not too long ago.” Enide asked Erec, who was busy working on his Armor. With the mass of people swarming around preparing and figuring out this old-world tech, he struggled to focus on what he needed to do: fix his Armor. Without it, he couldn’t go. And Enide wasn’t making it easy to concentrate. “Say, my Knight in Shining Armor, you didn’t happen to tag along because you thought I was a damsel in distress, did you?”
Erec snorted. “Wouldn’t put it like that. You said you wanted to know me, and I want to take Seven-Snakes down. He bested me once.”
She leaned over his shoulder with a smirk. “Might wanna work on your lying hero, but I’m going to say this once and say it now: I’m not a damsel in distress for you to save, and never will be. I like the danger. The world is the damsel, and I’m usually the one that causes it distress; it makes my heart race and suits me just fine. Anywhere I wanna go, I go. It’s that simple.”
“And you’re not doing it because you feel bad about the vault. You’re doing it for the danger. We both know that one’s a lie, too.”
“Can’t a girl have a couple of good reasons to do what she wants?” She pulled back as he began to weld another plate on the arm. Thankfully, this old-world military facility had just about anything he could want for repairs; some of the Pendragons were already stripping what they thought they could get away with and packing it on a makeshift cart for the return journey.
They had a rather cavalier attitude for knowing some of their own were bound to go into a Rift. By contrast, the Knights focused on learning what they could from Corey, double-checking with what they knew to ensure as much safety as they could, including grilling the captured thugs.
“Seeing you lose it on a bunch of robots was hot,” Enide said, making Erec’s steady welding hand suddenly skew and scorch a line on his plate. “So, that’s your Fury? Didn’t expect it to be such an extravagant event.”
“I—“ Erec stopped, not knowing how to respond correctly. “Thanks?”
Enide laughed at him, running a hand along his arm. When he turned around to protest, she was gone.
Like the wind, she came and disappeared without a sound.
“What the hell is her Talent anyway.” Erec shook his head. It was for the best she’d left. This Armor needed to be serviceable when they were ready to go, or Boldwick would reject him from attending the mission. They were in a race against time already, knowing that the longer they worked on preparing, the further Seven-Snakes got.
Sometimes safety couldn’t be cut. They were already shaving it close enough with this whole thing, to begin with.
Erec narrowed his eyes and got back to work. As much as he hated to admit it, he’d been half-assing his job when she'd been around. She constantly pulled his attention, which was probably her intent.
Still, some things were worth being distracted for.