Employment Opportunities

Piper idly pulled at the cuffs around her wrists. She maintained a façade of cool confidence but was suffering from a mild panic internally.

‘This is what I get for sticking my neck into the affairs of someone in the Abyss,’ she berated herself. ‘Should have just called that prissy queen bitch and told her I couldn’t find anything. And drop a threat that I’d tell her mother about this little misadventure. But no, I have to get all snoopy, thinking I can use whatever was going on to my advantage, and I end up like this.’

She lightly dropped her chained wrists onto her lap and turned her attention to the silver haired girl that had been left as her guard. It could have been worse, she reckoned. The twintailed girl remained as silent as ever, pointedly not even watching her.

‘Well, worrying my guts into knots isn’t going to get me anywhere. Might as well see if I can get a read on her,’ Piper thought, doing her best to relax in her slightly too small seat. ‘Age? Probably around twenty. Seems to not be comfortable with people, and puts up a brusque façade to avoid interacting with anyone. Why? Not enough interactions to make a good guess, but I’m going to place my money on not a good childhood.’

Barbara glanced over to her for a split second before returning her gaze to the wall.

‘Dislike of being around people trumps the orders she was given,’ Piper added to her mental dossier. ‘Which doesn’t really mesh with how she interacts with her ‘boss’. Her posture became a little more relaxed when in her presence, and she was more involved in whatever was going on around instead of being withdrawn. So she feels the most comfortable with Miss Silver but isn’t so devoted to her to **** herself to strictly follow her orders when they clash with her personality.’

The door to their room opened, drawing Piper’s attention.

‘Think of the devil and she will appear,’ she thought as Aria sauntered in. ‘Suppose the other one’s going to be her mirror.’ In contrast to her accomplice, she practically oozed confidence, every step assured, every move made with full conviction.

‘She’s definitely used to being able to get her way,’ Piper noted before Aria began to speak.

“Alright, now that everyone else is busy with whatever they’re here for, we can deal with you,” the multicolored hair said with a predatory grin.

“Might not be good for repeat business if you kill me,” Piper said, trying to maintain an even tone. The last thing she wanted was to show weakness.

“Whatever our intention is, we’re not going to get anywhere with you keeping up the act, so drop it,” Aria smoothly said, crossing her arms under her bust.

Piper’s heart picked up in pace but she managed to maintain her composure. “I’m not putting up an act.”

“Heartbeat’s telling a different story,” Barbara spoke up in a dull tone.

Piper eyed the standoffish girl, thinking, ‘Oh, now you talk. And have been listening to my heart to gauge my feelings. Guess you’ve been doing that since I woke up.’

With lying seemingly off the table, Piper weighed her options. After a moment of deliberation, she gave up the ghost. “Guess there’s no point in keeping up the charade,” she sighed, slumping a bit in her chair. “I’m a PI, hired by a mundane to dig up dirt on the little dark haired chick. Had no idea she was Abyssal. That part about me peeking in was pretty much true, just wanted to see what was going on.”

Aria glanced at Barbara, who nodded once. The silver mage hummed before saying, “Now why would someone want anything on her?”

“Hell if I know,” Piper admitted with a shrug. “Not going to get into the weeds over some school yard drama. But knowing the little bitch, it was probably something incredibly petty.”

Aria regarded Piper for a moment longer before she turned to Barbara. There was the faintest whisper of mana, one Piper might have missed had she not been subjected to it once before and Aria and Barbara began to talk, though no sound reached her ears.

‘Well, if I wasn’t gimped by these cuffs, I could easily read their lips,’ Piper glumly thought, as the pair continued their silent discussion. ‘Huh, that’s the most animated I’ve seen miss mute button. Wonder what my lovely captor said?’

Piper tried to pick up what they were saying, but without the boost of her magic, she was too out of practice to do so beyond guessing randomly. So instead she watched their body language. Aria maintained her relaxed posture, calmly gesturing to emphasize whatever point she was making. Barbara looked agitated, clearly not liking what Aria was saying and growing more flustered by the sentence, her arms flailing about, likely emphasizing whatever she was saying.

‘Definalty a conflict of desires going on,’ Piper noted. ‘And it’s likely over what they’re going to do to me. So, looks like my continued well being lies in the hands of the girl who really doesn’t like dealing with people. Oh joy.’

Piper was fairly certain they wouldn’t try to off her right here and now, not with everyone else around, so she was ready to bide her time and look for anything she could use to secure her survival. Appealing to the gnome was one option, as was trying with John. The sound manipulating mana faded away and Piper readied herself for whatever was about to happen.

“Right,” Aria said, a grin on her face. Barbara turned away, an angry look on her face. “Sounds like your current job is going to end up a failure. Fancy working for us?”

“Huh?” was the only response Piper could give. Of all the possibilities she had conceived, this was not one of them.

Aria’s grin grew wider. “What? Think I was going to escort you to the edge of the city and drop you into a shallow grave?”

Piper nodded dumbly, which caused Aria to break out into a laugh. Barbara scowled at her and shot a betrayed look at Aria before turning away from both of them.

“Oh, I needed that,” Aria breathed out. “We’re smugglers, not assassins. I’ll be honest, I was pretty pissed at first. Getting thrown into a sewer on what was supposed to be a simple delivery job is not my choice for an afternoon activity. But, I’m not the vindictive type…”

“She’s more the opportunistic one,” Aziza’s voice sounded from a small mirror on the wall. Piper’s head pivoted towards it, seeing the horned girl’s face in it like the mirror was a window instead.

“Yes, yes, magic mirror, I don’t need you to point out my character flaws,” Aria snarkily remarked with a dismissive wave of her hand before returning her attention to Piper. “That barrier peering thing could be very useful when scouting out new pathways and the like."

"Sorry, I'm going to need a minute to wrap my head around things," Piper said. "Wasn't expecting a job offer."

"Well, we're not going to be leaving any time soon," Aria confided. "Job's only half done. Still got to shepard everyone back. If you don't sign on, I think we'd have to charge you for a ticket. Still got a business to run, you understand."

Piper nodded, thoughts running. Being a PI was all well and good, and the subtle use of her power let her easily solve the issues her clients brought with them, but there was always the nagging desire to do more. To truly expand what she could do. A desire her low mana reserves wouldn't abide.

There had always been someone better than her to soak up opportunities and the threat of slavers and mana factory kidnappers **** her to hide in the mundane world, safe but unfulfilled. And now there was a tantalizing offer dangling in front of her and she found herself unable to resist.

"Well, I suppose I do have to pay you back for the issues I caused," Piper said slowly. "How much of my first paycheck is going to be docked for this?"

Aria’s grin grew brighter. "Probably not a lot. All we lost was time and this isn't a time sensitive job. We'll write up a contract later, after we do some little trials to see if my idea and your skills line up."

"I can live with that," Piper remarked before lifting her hands. "Any chance of getting these off?"

"If you want them gone, they're gone," Aria said, bringing up her hand, fingers poised to snap. "A shame, though. I do think you look good in chains."

A rebuking cough from the mirror drew Aria’s attention to its occupant even as she snapped her fingers, dispelling her magic. Piper rubbed her wrists after the silver cuffs broke into dust before fading completely away, thinking.

She's certainly forward,' she noted of her new boss, before looking at Barbara. 'Though my senior coworkers seem to be used to it and are ready to rein her in. But…'

Barbara's displeasure had increased after Aria’s pass at her, giving Piper another idea.

‘I think there might be a bit more at play here,’ she concluded. ‘Should probably make sure I don’t flirt back or I might find myself deaf.'

Frenetic noise suddenly came crashing from further in the lab, interrupting any further conversation.

"Sounds like somethings gone wrong," Aria said as Aziza disappeared from the mirror. "Come on. Let's see if it's anything we can help with. Be good to build up some goodwill, especially for you."

Piper nodded, wondering just what was going on. The instincts she had developed were hard to turn off.

---

John found himself in an autumn wood, the leaves nearly all gone from the trees. At least, that's what he thought he saw. Everything looked fuzzy, like he was in some impressionist painting. More than that, his head throbbed in time with his heart and his eyes hurt to look at anything for too long.

Groggily, he tried to recall what he had been last doing, his thoughts moving like cold molasses.

"It seems my link to you is faltering," a kindly and old voice spoke from behind him. John slowly turned, his movements sluggish. In the clearing behind him, an elderly figure stood. Like the surrounding trees, her features were blurred, leaving John with no idea what she looked like beyond the generic description of 'old'.

"What did you say?" John asked, the words slow to come out of his mouth, like he was having a hard time recalling how to say them.

"I see," the figure intoned sadly. "It was a gamble to aid you in helping those two damaged souls. Too much was done and things have prematurely withered.”

She made a beckoning motion with her hand, and John felt a spike in his headache.

"But at least it countered something the Usurper spun into being."

The crone glided towards John and everything around him grew more blurred, like the world was melting.

"Perhaps it was never meant to be," she sighed as she reached a paralyzed John. Even up close, John couldn't make out anything about her face, save for one thing: faded green eyes that seemed endless. "You are blessed by the Highest Star, an ascendant figure of this age. Perhaps it is not I who could properly serve as your Patron."

An image flashed in John's mind, a grand tree, its high boughs a sea of deep green standing out against its nearly golden bark. A verdant world spread out from it, plains of grasses and wheat, rolling hills, twisting rivers of clear waters and great swathes of forests.

“The seeds are already planted,” she whispered as she placed a hand on John’s shoulder. "Their fate is tied to yours. Grow, and they will. Falter, and their spring will never come."

John tried to say something, anything, but even hearing what was being said was beyond him as the world around swirled into a chaotic mess of color, slowly blending into a cold black.

"I know you will not be able to remember any of this," the woman said, her already fuzzy figure dissolving like sand in a harsh wind. "But perhaps your soul will. My winter approaches and my people need safe eaves to finally rest under. I hope you remain up to the task, John Newman."

John's eyes snapped open, the light above burning them, the number of popups hovering in front of his face doing nothing to shade him.

"John!" was the concerned chorus of the four women at his side, their worried faces providing respite from the light.

He tried to address them, but his dry throat caught his words and turned them into a cough.

"Hang on," Beth quickly said, turning slightly to retrieve a glass. “Drink this. Slow sips."

John nodded as Aeolia and Senka helped him sit up. The light dimmed and John flashed a grin at Vivian before another cough racked his tired body.

He took the glass offered by Beth with a nod. It was a faint violet color but the desert his mouth and throat were didn't care about the odd appearance and he slowly took a sip.

It tasted faintly of mint, closer to the ice cream flavor than toothpaste. It went down smoothly and soothed his throat as it traveled to his stomach.

"One of Lynn's?" he asked once he was sure another coughing fit wasn't coming, willing the displays away for the time being.

"She said it's going to help with any lingering issues," Beth answered before she punched him in the arm, stronger than a playful strike but far from what he suspected was her full strength. "Not cool to pass out like that!"

"I'll try to be more careful next time I try to put someone back in their body. How are they?"

"They're fine," Vivian answered. "Kiera passed out shortly after you did and Harker only woke up for a moment, but Lynn said they’re in no worse shape than before. John, what exactly happened?"

He took another sip, his brow furrowed as he pulled up the memories.

"I found what I think was the curse in Harker," he recounted. "When I touched it, I saw the moment it took hold on him, when his apprentice betrayed him and stabbed him with the sword she's been using to collect blood."

He noticed Aeolia’s hand clench into a fist and he reached for it. His hand coaxed hers into opening and their fingers interlocked, her posture relaxing slightly.

“When I came out,” John continued, “I just sort of knew what I had to do. I guess it was a bit like I was in a trance. Everything was moving in slow motion. Then…”

“Then you passed out and had a dream, didn’t you?” Martius suddenly interjected, the gnome walking into the sparsely decorated room.

“Uh, yeah. How did you know?” John asked, everyone’s attention now on the gnome.

“Every act of magic, even just moving mana around, leaves a mark on anything it comes in contact with,” Martius explained. “The greater the spell or amount of mana, the more lasting and defined the impact. It’s why I was able to follow Harker’s curse back to its source. Sometimes, our subconscious can pick up on these imprints and can produce dreams connected to the circumstances. You did just channel another person through you. Stands to reason your mind would have something to say about it.”

John nodded slowly, finding the gnome’s explanation reasonable. But something just wasn’t sitting right with him. Something stuck out, like a bit of hair that just wasn’t cooperating in the morning. And his expression must have reflected his preoccupation with that incongruity.

“Something’s amiss with my explanation, isn’t it?” Martius asked, his eyes boring into John as he studied him. “Yes, of course, your experience is far more complicated. You mentioned you received a boon from a god, yes? One that stands in opposition to whatever Phantom Reach is trying to contact, correct?”

“Yeah,” John replied, his mind drifting back to when Teri drew out her power from his sword. “But it was just a buff to effects that increase physical stats.”

“With gods, never assume things are as simple as they seem,” Martius intoned. “Her blessing may have been an active boon to you, but might have had a hidden effect waiting to be triggered. Or maybe she used the link to you to guide your hand. You were somewhat in a trance when you did your little operation. We may never know, as annoying as that is.”

“We might have an answer actually.” John perked up. “I may have rushed over it before, but I get achievements when big things happen to me. I’ve got a couple from this whole thing. Hang on.”

John willed the popups back into view, finding he’d racked up three from the experience.

New Achievement: Touching the Infinite.
Peered into a layer of existence far beyond your capacity to understand. And you didn't even suffer blindness. You got lucky.

Reward: +2 Wisdom

New Achievement: Exorcism Bridge
Moved a human spirit from one body to another, using your own body as the channel. Hope you charged a toll.

Reward: Spirit Link Skill Mod: Overlay, Spirit Heightening system implemented

New Achievement: Yerda, Take The Wheel
Had the closest thing to a Patron god guide your hand. Might have been a bit much on both your parts.

Reward: Yerda's Touch converted to Divine Echo

It was the last one John relayed for Martius’ benefit, pulling up his character sheet at the same time. Sure enough, the passive skill he had only for a day had been replaced. He quickly tapped it to see what was going on.

Divine Echo: You once held the favor of a god, its power now expended. However, it has left a mark on your soul. One that may allow for a new connection to be grown.

“Well, that’s one question answered,” Martius said once John read everything out. “If the commentary is accurate, that is. Which, given the evidence and lack of alternate suggestions, seems prudent to presume it as such. Bit of a pity, really. We could have tried to contact this Yerda and gotten some much needed information.”

“I suppose we’ll have to settle for something a little more second hand,” Lynn cut in from the doorway. “Harker woke up and he wants to talk to John.”

Thanks again for reading this little story. If you liked the chapter, please hit that thumbs up, and if you want to support my writing, check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ScrapCrow. Get access to my chapters before they’re published here and join my private Discord.