As Frahem deeper into the mansion, it struck Kus how much the house was g. Very little furniture was anywhere, and clearly, no real attempt had been made to deal with any of the dust or dirt that had built up in the rooms over time.
“This is ly the kind of pce I expected you to be staying,” Kus said, “what with you being a visitor from another universe and all.”
“As an Are Pathfinder of the Empire, and one in service to the House Bcksword, I have access to a wide range of resources to draw from on an important mission,” Fraured around at the house as they made their way deeper ihis was retively affordable as a result, and I liked the weight of history it emanates.”
“So where are we going?” Kus asked.
“To get you ged, then right to the portal in the basement,” Franz responded without looking at him. “The sooner I send you on your way, the sooner you get to the school and I foy side of our deal to protect your family.”
Without another word, Franz directed him to a side door that opened into a massive guest bathroom. Sitting on a clothing raear the shower was a set of clothing that was clearly meant for him. Quickly he took of his clothes and pulled on what Franz had left for him. First were some fortable undergarments, albeit ones in a style he was unfamiliar with. followed a tunid trousers made of some sort of cloth. Again, it was unfamiliar to him. After pulling on a thick leather jacket, he slid on a pair of sturdy boots that seemed to grip his feet a bit tight. Tightening the belt, he pulled on a patterned, forest-green cloak that had a hood. Taking a quick look in the mirror, Kus couldn’t help the smile that came to his face. He looked like one of his RPG characters about to start a neaign. His smile grew stiff at the thought, given the reality being a bit close to exactly that.
Stepping bato the hallway, Franz gave him a quick lookover before nodding approval. Being Kus to follow him, Franz led him deeper into the house.
As they passed through the massive kit, one of the woman survivors Kus helped save from the Blood Eagles gang came in to p empty pte in the sink. Seeing both of the men, she froze for a moment before rexing.
“Oh, hello again, Kus. Franz.”
“Kira, you go get Eva and e to the basement? There is something I want you both to see before we talk about your future.”
“Uhh, sure.” Kira rushed from the room.
Kus watched as the young woma. She was wearing some heavier clothes and seemed a bit more at ease pared to the other day. “How are they doing?”
“Better than they were, but still a ways left to go,” Franz replied sadly as he led Kus from the kit to a hallway that held a heavy door just beyond the room. When Franz reached for it, Kus realized it was the way to the basement. “I am hopeful for them, however. It paio say, but this is not my first time saving people from circumstances like that.”
Kus followed closely behind Franz as they went dowairs. ing to the bottom, he saw the basement was empty except for a carved circle on the floor, which was surrounded by some strange-looking stones.
“Alright, that is the portal you will be going through soon. But first, there are some advice I want to give you,” Franz said seriously. “I’m telling you are this as Franz, not as an Are Pathfinder in the employ of House Bcksword. Do you uand?”
“Yes,” Kus hough he did not pletely. Was Franz going to tell him things his estranged family did not want him to know?
“When you pass through the portal you will be greeted by retainers of House Bcksword who will get you initiated into the System and escort you to the school you will be attending. I trust them both, and I believe you should too. When you get to the school, however,” Franz tinued, holding up a finger in emphasis, “do not let yuard down. Friends and allies are important, but the grudges between the various fas and houses of nobility run deep and dark. The surest route to power and reition is to get as strong as possible, as fast as possible. House Bcksword cares little for yht now, but the stronger you get the more likely they will treat you like a true asset. I leave it up to you to choose the best paths forward for your potential.”
“What do you mean, House Bcksword doesn’t care about me?”
“I ’t tell you more than that, unfortunately,” Franz winced slightly, but Kus could not tell why. “Suffice to say, it is tied up in politiow, did you have any other questions?”
Kus shook his head, “I was expeg you to tell me to work hard, holy.”
Franz snorted a ugh.
“I’ve been you for some time now, boy. With all I’ve seen of you, I didn’t think I o waste the words. Just guard your back, and I think House Bcksword will be surprised what you are capable of doing.”
Light thumping steps came from the stairwell behind them as Kira and Eva made their way down into the basement. Each of the young women looked at Kus and Franz before taking in the basement itself. Seeing nothing but the carving on the floor surrounded by stohey immediately seemed to rex.
“Good, you both are here,” Franz greeted them. “We get started then. The world as you know it is about to ge. After you witness Krio through the portal, we will talk about your futures.”
“ortal?” Eva asked. Kira shifted to be partly behind her.
“You’ll see in a moment,” Franz responded before turning back to Kus. “Go ahead and step into the ter of the circle.”
Kus was not sure what he expected, but the act of stepping into the ter of the circle caused nothing to happen. It wasn’t until Franz stepped around its perimeter, toug certain stones on the ground as he did so, that suddenly, the whole carving lit up with blue light. As the glow expao fill the basement, Eva and Kira gasped in shock. Franz stepped away from the circle and moved to stao the two young women.
“Remember what I said, Krion,” Franz said, “and good luck. You’ll .”
Barely had Franz spokehe circle beh his feet flickered ohen surged in brightness. The surge emanated outwards to the edge of the circle, then climbed rapidly into the air until it reached the ceiling, leaving Kus pletely surrounded by light. Beyond the circle, Franz was saluting fist to chest and head bowed in Kus’ dire while both women stood there staring in shod awe as the world as they k permaly ged.
As the brightness swelled in iy once more, the Are Pathfinder and the two women began to bee distorted, almost as if Kus was looking through a desert haze. A final fsh of souhunder hit Kus hard from all dires. Gravity swelled beh his feet and above his head, giving him a feeling of being pulled in both dires at once.
Blue light turo darkness as Kus felt everything shift. Light returned all at once, and a forest appeared abruptly all around him. A wave of nausea hit soon after, and Kus dropped to the ground, vomiting everywhere.
