Meeting

It’s a few days after you woke up in the hospital, and you find yourself in a hallway with Rachel, heading towards a meeting with this mysterious council. The girls stayed behind, relaxing at home and saying that they needed time to plan. Apparently they were plotting something you didn’t get to have input into. You told them to have fun, and they replied with giggles and winks. Needless to say, now you were nervous about what they were planning.

Regardless, Rachel told you that the council wasn’t some stuffy boardroom, more of a collection of the first wanderers from the old world.

“Just like with me, you can speak freely. They aren’t going to be judging you or anything like that. We’re trying to solve the same mystery you are.”

You nod. “That’s a relief. I don’t think I would stand up to an interrogation right now.”

Rachel puts a hand on your arm sympathetically. “I understand that you absorbed a juggernaut circlet. The fact you survived that speaks to how far you’ve come already, and the potential power you have. I’m sure you heard it from the girls already, but...be more careful next time!”

“Yeah, they gave me an earful. Trust me, I won’t be doing it again anytime soon. Hell, it was a last resort sort of thing anyway.”

Satisfied, Rachel smiles and stops in front of a door. “Here we are. Are you ready?”

“Of course, it’s why I’m here, isn’t it?”

Rachel nods, opening the door and leading you inside. Waiting for you is a group of four, all seated around a table. Rachel sits, and you slide into the last chair.

An older, well built man greets you. “Welcome to the table, Josh. I hope you are recovering swiftly. I am the council head, Trevor Brightwind. I came here ten years ago, and founded this organization.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Trevor. I wish it were under better circumstances, but at least we can try to solve this problem.”

A middle aged woman with green hair and brown skin speaks next. “Hello. I am Bree, dryad and monster girl representative for the council.”

You nod to the dryad, as the next member speaks. A younger looking man, his arms are covered in tattoos which look like odd letters. “I am Marcus, the magical adviser on the council. A pleasure to meet a fellow mage.”

“We should chat some time, I should pick your brain about my powers.”

Marcus nods eagerly, and the final member, a middle aged man wearing a suit, speaks. “I am Reginald, trade liaison from the old world.”

Trevor nods, “Now that introductions are out of the way, does anyone mind if I take charge? I’m sure Josh would like to get back to his girls.”

Everyone laughs, and no one objects. “So, I understand that you have a lead as to who this organization that is attacking us is?”

“Nothing too spectacular, just a name. They told me they were supposed to bring me to their lord magus, who they called Mistress Kali.”

Everyone around the table freezes, staring at you. Marcus speaks first. “It can’t be, she’s supposed to be dead!”

Trevor holds up a hand. “Assuming it is her, now we know. Josh, Kali is a powerful demoness, daughter of the demon lord himself. If she’s here, trying to capture you and the goblin, Lynn, then I think we know what they want to do. Using Lynn to overcharge a portal, they would then have you absorb it. In theory, you could then create a two way portal, but the effort would almost certainly kill both of you.”

“I guess I’m glad I didn’t get taken, then...”

“Indeed, but it also means that they won’t stop. Would you object to a few people keeping an eye on your area? Just as an advance warning for future aggression.”

You shrug, “As long as you’re not peeping through any windows, it’s fine.”

Trevor nods. “Then I think we need to take some time to look into what you told us. We will contact you if we come up with more information. Thank you for your time, Josh.”

“Glad to help. It would be nice to not be worried about being kidnapped, for sure.”

Everyone nods, and you say your goodbyes, before heading home.