Get stuff done!

The first thing you do is reach out to a few people of importance.

While the others have cleared out, Sen-nu remains to clean up behind the counter. You're otherwise alone in the café, with both the magic mirror and the conch. You pull out your FONE as well and place it beside them. You have plenty of allies, and not only may they be of invaluable help, you care about what may happen to them. There's a killer on the loose, and he's getting stronger with every successfully plotted assassination.

You tap into the power of the mirror and reach out with your mind. Given this relic was once used to contact Elok Daven, and also has a connection to William Cresswell, meaning Breiah as well, you're more hesitant to use it than before, but that's exactly why you're doing this to begin with.

Ring. Ring. It doesn't literally make a sound, but you know it's working. A few minutes pass. You lay back in your seat, rocking the chair back on two legs as you wait for a response. Then finally, the reflection of your face transforms into one with red skin. It isn't you anymore. You're not so spunky and petite, though you could probably pull off a crop top just as well.

You can tell she's holding it with one hand. It isn't an overly heavy item, though it would still be tiring to do so. This is Lady Vex, the Demon King of the desert, so you aren't surprised. She's a high level monk, though compared to Lalarin, you aren't exactly sure how they compare. Around her is the throne room of Zettanko.

"Oh wow! It's great to hear from you, Kyle!" she shouts. For some reason, she's giddy with excitement--even moreso than usual. She looks to you with a wide, toothy grin, and she can't quite stand still. From the view you have, you can see she wears a loose, dark, high cut crop top--the sort you shouldn't wear if you plan to ever raise your arms all the way. It has a sequin red and pink horned skull on the front. Though you can only see one of her hands, she wears a fingerless glove. On the back of it the word, "Bad," is stitched. Her nails are painted black.

"You seem happy," you say. "I should call more often, huh? I didn't think you'd miss me that much."

"This isn't about you. Don't start jerking yourself off. I just got back from a hunt. As in like, twenty minutes ago tops. Good timing." With a lazy flop, she falls onto the seat of the throne. You're looking down at her now, as she's laying back. Her bangs fall to the side--the rare occasion you can actually see both her eyes. "You ever hear of the Bone Lord? No, I'm not talking about you. Look over there," she says as she turns the mirror to the side.

Over near the corner of the chamber, a massive skull the size of a carriage is staring back at you. Not literally, thankfully, though if it were, it would only have one eye to do so--a single socket in the center of an inhumanly shaped head.

She continues. "Cool, huh?"

"Really ties the room together."

"I'll find a better place for it. So anyway, what's up? Something shitty?"

"I mean, kinda. But I also have a gift."

In an instant, she swings herself back upright. "For me?"

"I have two things to say. One has to do with a present, and the other is ill tidings. What do you want to hear about first?"

"The present. Don't even bother with the other thing."

You chuckle. Then, you hold up the silver slab that is your FONE. "This here. Even though it doesn't have the visual element, it's better for communication. I want you to have one just in case we need to contact each other from anywhere we are. When we meet up again, I'll give it to you."

"No shit. So it's like a cooler Sending Stone."

"Basically, yeah. You'll see. So, about the other thing... Do you know about Xavex the Evolving?"

"Hmm. No, but name is kinda presumptuous. Sounds like the kind of title Kashura would come up with."

"I know you love danger, but I need you to stay safe. Maybe lay low for a bit. This Xavex guy is trouble. Let me know if you learn more about him, but he's basically this old demigod out to kill the most powerful beings around so that he can absorb them. With each successful kill, he gets stronger, so that he can take on the next. He's been making some serious moves. Even right now, I'm protecting some potential victims."

"You care so much about me. So sweet~!" She kicks a leg up and falls back again, this time sideways, over the armrests of her throne. "But I can handle myself. Thanks for the heads up though. I'll see if people more book-learny than me know anything about that."

"A question then. Recently, Vorlek the Warlord was recently liberated and then killed by the same person. One of the keys used to free Vorlek was apparently taken from somewhere in your desert. Know anything?"

"Huh. I did hear about some kind of temple being attacked. That's related? I thought it was just some overzealous bandits."

"Yeah. I'm gonna be sending some people to investigate."

"Interesting. Hey, I'll get back to you. Actually, I think I might come see you soon. Thanks for the call. I heard they don't really call you Demon King much over there anymore, so I'm sorry about that. Way cooler title. Talk to you later, Kyle."

You stare for a moment after the mirror returns to your reflection, thinking on Vex and her people. It's been awhile since you've seen them. It feels like a lifetime ago.

Your eyes shift to the conch.

This item is even less reliable. You have no idea who is ever listening on the other side, and if nobody is present, it does little at all. All you can do is talk directly into it, and your words carry out the other end. Still, you bring it to your lips and say, "Gwynevere. If you're there, I have an important message to deliver."

You wait, again.

Much to your surprise, you get a response, and more quickly than the previous call. The voice that comes through isn't Gwynevere, however. It's difficult to tell who it is at first by a single response.

"The Queen of the Deep is currently busy," says the voice.

"Can you tell her something for me?" you ask.

"I can. Speak quickly." It's Nelli, her jellymaid companion. You're pretty sure anyway.

"There's a dangerous creature out in the world right now actively hunting down powerful individuals to consume. He's already absorbed Stormqueen Tepilli, Guerr the Mountainbreaker, and Vorlek the Warlord. Maybe more I don't know about. It's not impossible he'll come for you, or by his track record, it'll eventually be for Seno'nojoch."

There's a long silence before she speaks again. "The Demon King doesn't fear anybody. Goodbye."

You furl your brow. "Gwyn. If you're there, let me talk to you. This is serious."

You suddenly hear a voice so sharp it causes you to reel your hear back from the conch.

"My name is Gwynevere!" she shouts. "I cannot believe you still do not understand that. You speak of a beast out to take my head. Hah! Any fool that would come here would not even make it to me. They would leave unsatisfied, unable to even taste my blade."

You ignore her boasting and continue. "His name is Xavex the Evolving. Just be extra cautious, all right? And next time we meet, I have a better means of communication to give you than this conch. More portable, and it can be used to contact multiple other individuals."

"... A gift you say?"

"Yes."

"Your tribute will be accepted. And fine. I will be aware of this Xavex. Now leave me. I am in the middle of getting my toes done, and you are ruining my relaxation time."

"That's good enough I suppose. Enjoy your pedicure."

There's no response after that.

You set the conch down and lean back again in your chair.

Two more calls, you think to yourself as you eye the FONE.