It had been several days after they returned from the Purplesky Realm.
Life resumed its relentless pace. These days, the high-tension survival life in the spatial realm was replaced by the steady, rhythmic grind of their domestic and professional routines.
Jack didn't mind. He liked the variety. He spent his mornings as Jack Night, the steamrune engineer. After intense workout in the early morning, he usually sat at his workbench. Surrounded by metal tools, glowing runes, and various gears.
He was working on practical tools and his still-nowhere-to-complete [Hoi-poi Capsules]. Stopping for a break once or twice to shift his form.
As Racer Jack, the lightning-fast kamaitachi, he patrolled the whole city. Disrupting petty crimes and helping a few lucky citizens.
Reina handled the visible side of their reputation with her usual pragmatic grace. She joined the intense workout at dawn. And then, she spent her mornings at the local charities. Weaving herself into the social fabric of Lonestone's lower and middle classes.
She wasn't just handing out free food. She was a sponge for information. People spoke freely to the beautiful, kind woman who listened without judgement. By evening, she would return to their home. Shedding her public persona to become Jack's confidante.
At night, after Reina was fast asleep, Jack transformed into Jack Mystery, the invisible specter. He haunted the whole city. Listening to the painful cries of the suffering people. And ensuring that those who crossed the line received his version of their just punishment.
Sometimes, when he felt it was safe, he would act as Jack Lantern, the puppeteering devil puppet. For practice. Delivering punishment through his bizarre puppets.
It was a productive, busy routine. But today was the day for Fateless Gathering.
...
Jack Mystery, the masked magician specter, appeared in Rainsister's cozy living room. The air here was warm with the scent of citrus and tea.
The place was exactly as it was a month ago. Soft, yet bright enough lamplight bathed the space. Illuminating shelves packed with books.
As always, the beautiful deity, Rainsister, was there. Her long, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders. Catching the light from a nearby ornate lamp.
She was sitting gracefully on a plush, comfortable couch. A steaming mug of tea was cradled between her delicate hands.
No other people was here. He was once again the first to come to the Gathering.
Rainsister delivered her usual greeting. "Spirit of Conviction..." She said while maintaining her elegant, composed manner.
"Rainsister!" Jack acknowledged her with a polite nod.
Soon, the others flickered into existence.
Baroness Artheim appeared first. The widow showed noble manner as usual. But she was actually more of an academic than a noble woman. And it showed in the way she looked at Rainsister. Less with reverence and more with academic curiosity.
Amaranth White came afterward. Smelling faintly of fresh herbs and sweet flower. She scanned the room with a habitual vigilance that had never quite faded.
Finally, the twins arrived. Alice and Adam Lingreen stood side-by-side. As usual, their faces were expressionless and flat.
"Lady of Dignity... Mist of Compassion... Twins of Vigilance..." Rainsister greeted.
The gathering began with the usual exchange of information. They briefly discussed the knowledge and experiences they've learned that month.
But the atmosphere suddenly changed when the twins looked up to Jack and Baroness Artheim. Their flat expression seemed... very serious.
"We are leaving." Alice said.
"To Calmcoast Town." Adam followed. Finishing her thought as he always did.
Alice continued. "We've convinced our parents."
Adam nodded. "You two should leave too."
Jack narrowed his eyes behind his mask. His spectral form flickered slightly. "Leaving? Is it like the disaster in Highcliff Town?"
"For us, even worse." Alice answered, still with a flat expression.
Adam added with similar expression. "Not so much for others."
Jack didn't dismiss the cryptic words. He had learned that the twins' strange intuition was a survival mechanism that bordered on the prophetic.
They didn't see the future in pictures. They felt the weight and the direction of coming disasters. If they were running away, there must be a terrifying reason.
Baroness Artheim frowned. "The city has survived many things, Kids. Revolution, plague, and the rise of the Steam Era. What could possibly be so dangerous that I must abandon my estate?"
Rainsister sighed. Putting her mug down to the table with a soft clink. "They are right, you know? Lonestone is about to become the center of a very ugly storm."
"The twins seem to sense the shift in the True Lonestone City." She continued. "Well, in case you don't know, True Lonestone City is a hidden realm. Every current major capital in our world has this hidden realm. Or, more accurately, every major capital was built around a hidden realm."
She looked at the others and continued. "The hidden realm is where the powerful people at illuminated-level, or above, reside. The air there is richer in mystic power, and the laws of physics are... more robust. It's where those who have surpassed the limits of standard humanity go to continue getting more and more power."
"And what's happening in True Lonestone?" Jack asked.
"You've known what happened. The [Forbidden Chalice]." Rainsister said. And for the first time, her voice held a hint of grimness. "Someone was crazy enough to use it to resurrect an ancient transcendent being."
"Resurrection? Will it really affect the regular city?" Baroness Artheim asked.
"It wouldn't, if it weren't for the interference of the three saints." Rainsister replied. "The Saint of Joy. The Saint of Blade, and the Saintess of Temptation. Three demigods of Western Ourean Continent."
"What have they done?" The baroness asked again.
"They have turned True Lonestone into a chessboard. Competing for control over the resurrected 'asset'. Their conflict is leaking. And their game seems to involve illuminated level and special transcendent beings."
"Special transcendent?" Amaranth asked.
The goddess nodded. "Fateless characters like all of you. Or, divine inheritors. Or, people with special destinies. Or, the holders of ancient artifacts."
She looked at them seriously. "Normal people or common transcendent people won't be affected much. The gods won't allow them to be involved in this ridiculous game. But fateless beings like you, or divine inheritors? You are like lightning rods., attracting the lightning... their attention. You will be dragged into their game whether you want to be or not. They love using 'unpredictable variables' like you."
"So we need to leave if we don't want to be these variables?" Jack summarized.
"Precisely." Rainsister said. "The True Lonestone is currently too dangerous for you."
Baroness Artheim nodded in a grim expression. "I do have a plan to start a treasure hunting expedition to the Myriad Island Archipelago. I've collected several treasure maps these years. It seems that I've got to start it much sooner."
Jack looked at her with amazement. "Then, you'd better invite Jack Night and his wife. They had acquired a ghost ship recently. And they might be considered a special transcendent beings. It would be a pity if they got caught in that stupid game."
"A ghost ship? Really?" The twins looked at the specter with flat expression. But, their eyes were glinting in curiosity.
"That's what they told me the last time I met them." Jack shrugged his spectral shoulder, lying effortlessly. "I haven't seen the ship personally. But, they don't seem like the ones who would lie for such thing."
"I'll contact them." The baroness decisively said. "Do you want to join the mission too?"
"Nah!" Jack shook his head. "I've got a different plan already. What about you Ms. White?"
"I'm still in Wavefront Kingdom." Amaranth answered. "I should be safe for now."
"Yes. As long as you don't go to its capital city." Rainsister warned her. "As I've said, Lonestone is not the only one with hidden realm. Wavefront Capital has one. And all of the major capitals in Ourean Continent do."
Jack tapped his intangible chin. "Can you explain some major hidden realms in Ourean."
Rainsister waved her hand, and a shimmering map of the continent appeared in the air between them. Six spots glowed with distinct colors.
"First..." She began. Pointing to a spot they recognized. "True Lonestone City. Obviously, in Lonestone, the capital of Elrush Kingdom. It is a city built in the hidden realm that appeared due to the crash of a huge, fallen meteorite."
She pointed to another spot. "The Wave Garden. In the capital city of Wavefront Kingdom. It's an underwater hidden realm. A scenic site. Much more beautiful than True Lonestone City. But it was also less civilized there."
Moving to another point, she added. "This one is the Hallow Cathedral. In the capital of Papalon Holy Kingdom. This one is owned by the Trinity Churches. It is the sanctuary for the high-level clergy from those orthodox churches. The air there is said to be saturated with holy power."
The others in the room paid a careful attention as the Goddess of Knowledge explained. This was one of the greatest advantages of joining the gathering. Learning from someone who was perhaps the most knowledgeable being in the world.
"This one is Ironheart Spire." Rainsister continued. "It is located in central part of the Greygear Republic. It is the sanctuary of the illuminated level beings majoring in craft, array, or alchemy. The air there is thick with mana and metallic vapors."
"And here, this is the Mystic Glade." She said. "This is the only hidden realm in the continent that hadn't been developed into a city. It is located in Great Ourean Forest. This place is a paradise for druids, shapeshifters, and anyone whose power is related to nature. But, just like the others, only illuminated level humans or those with special permission could enter there."
She looked around and continued. "Finally, we have this Nagaean Archive. It used to be the library of my Nagaean people. It evolved into a hidden realm due to an unfortunate incident several thousand years ago. Now, it is located inside the capital city of the Great Ourean Federation..."
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