by Liandra Jake
"Latter then the former is the order." Arend said, tilting his hand forward and back.
"I take it Sub Meridian is going to guard you merchandise?" Zeph asked.
"Yep." Arend replied.
"This is so exciting!" Corenden exclaimed, throwing up his hands and almost falling off Arend. "I wonder what they're like." Corenden said once he grabbed Arend' head.
"We'll find out in a week or two." Arend replied. "That's about the time it takes for the train to get here, accounting for technical issues and all that."
"And how do you know that?" Vladd asked.
"I've been there on a special expedition with my uncle." Arend replied. "Two there and one back. Their power plants needed repairs and we went to help."
Nem's eyebrows shout up. "I heard about that. A wicked blizzard ripped through half their substations and left thousands shivering in the dark."
"From then on, I've hated deep snow." Arend grumbled, remembering the midnight hikes he had to make.
"How come we didn't hear about you if Iine owed you so much?" Kyrel asked.
"When was the last time you went to the North?" Arend asked. "Not much comes or goes there. Seven plants and a few dozen substations kind of leaves a mark. Though the linemen were the more remarkable workers. Hauling hundreds of feet of emergency cable in the blistering cold is much more impressive if you ask me."
The group looked at each other and shrugged. Duke had wandered back over to the group. "So Arend, want to finish our little bout?"
Kronth stood up and took the contract papers form Arend. Arend stretched and picked up the Dragon Drive. "Let's do this then."
[X]
Arend woke up the next morning with more than a few bruises. It didn't bother him that much since Duke walked away with many more, though Kronth liked to point them out the rest of the day, noting the speed the small ones faded. Arend took a short shower and ate a small breakfast. He prepared a platter of snakes he would pick at throughout his workday. Still in his underwear, Arend sat down on his couch with fried okra, fried cheese curds, a mix of fruit, and his stores' contract. Switching the T.V to a music channel he liked, he delved in to the documents.
Two hours in, after many calls and more than a few searches on Nem's crazy computer-television, Arend had a list of rules and space requirements for his shop. He also had an extensive list of all the equipment he would be acquiring.
'Three Korvan Condensers: A Chemical Condenser, A Steam Pressure Condenser, A Twisting Korvan Condenser. Three Crystallizers; two of which were large, one for single Korvan and the other for multiple Korvan. Three furnaces, a multi-level gas powered furnace, a standard wood-burning furnace, and a new age Korvan-metal furnace. Four kinds of anvils: steel, steel-Korvan, Korvan, and Adamtinium-Mithril.
'Twenty-seven separate tools just for dismembering organic materials, fifteen for nonmetal inorganics, twenty-one for metals, and hundreds to create mechanics. Three computers: one for showing customers suggestions and making appointments, one for the store's use, and a third with a direct link to every database the store could need with set-up for networking with tablets…'
The list went on and on, with Arend shaking his head every time he added something. 'This store will practically be a college with the high-tech stuff we're cramming in to it.' He thought as he flipped through the "sponsors" section.
He laughed at the irony of it. Four colleges had the first six pages, with some having the requirement of hiring interns and another asking Arend to study with their professors, even providing an honorary doctorate.
From there, everything was ordered by what they chose to donate. Arend knew the first few pages personally, but had no idea who the last three pages of Syndicates were or what they even did. All he knew was that some people were desperate for him to work on their stuff.
In the fifth hour, Arend began receiving calls from prospective applicants who had jumped through a few hoops for the first chance at getting hired. "How do you feel about Dragon's Den? You're the seventh call I've got this hour." Arend said, eating the last of his snacks.
"Huh?" Arend asked, stopping mid chew. "Fried cheese curd." Arend stood up and walked towards the sink with his plate. "Sorry, I don't make enough at the moment to cook snacks for all of you." "Yes, I cooked them myself. I had lots of free time as a kid." "Alright. I'll be there in half an hour." Arend dropped the plate in the sink and shut his phone.
He left his phone on his coffee table and took another shower. He tried to dress as he would if he was going to be Kruxsetting all day like he always had. A sliver bandana with golden swirls was tied over his head to keep his growing hair out of the way. His light blue tank top wasn't as baggy as before, with a string of tight knots running up his right side as the cause. Instead of boxers or briefs, Arend donned a pair of thin, tight-fitting training shorts that reminded him of a wetsuit. He pulled on the pair of angle-cut shorts Hunter had given him.
[X]
Arend landed with a puff of dirt at the east side of the Den building. He looked up at the noon-day sun. 'I feel a storm coming on…' Arend walked around the building to the front door. He found a familiar face at a nearby vending machine the moment he stepped in. The man recognized him as well.
"Geographical Metallurgist right?" Arend asked.
He nodded. He held up a necklace with a bolt from the Mark I hanging from it. "I felt you coming." He said with a chuckle.
"Have you enjoyed your stay here?" Arend asked as he and the man walked towards the group at the back.
"Yeah, but Panzer's kind of a psycho."
Arend shrugged. "I've seen what she can do though."
Arend only got a passing glance from most of the people waiting in the lobby. "Now pay attention…" Arend whispered to the metallurgist.
Arend approached the group. "I'm sorry everyone, but Arend has sent me to come tell you he'll be three hours late and can only give each of you a few minutes so there can't be any time for demonstrations." There was a wave of curse as half of the group stood up to leave. One stopped by Arend.
"Make sure you tell him he's a bastard." He growled as he headed for the door.
Arend laughed. "You should know what your future boss looks like before you try to apply!" He called after them.
Arend could hear even more curses as some tried to storm back in. A passing Panzer shooed them out with a thumbs up to Arend. "She also knows how to easily weed out those who won't work well with me." He said to the metallurgist as he turned to the remaining six.
Two immediately stood out as they were members of Dragon's Den Arend had seen occasionally. Arend had them all gather at a large table. He drummed on the table. "Alright! Introductions!" He pulled out paper and a pencil to take notes as they began.
The metallurgist spoke first. "Lyre Pofter, twenty-three. I joined Dragon's Den a month ago when Arend left to train with Richard Griffin. I specialize in Geographical Metallurgy and Historical Artifice."
The next two were the others from Dragon's Den. "Linel Switch, seventeen. I joined a week ago after the war. I studied Kruxsetting in my free time when training to come here. I helped my dad in his armory every day since I was eight."
"Russell Donnel, twenty-five. Five years Kruxsetting in my travels, six in construction, and seven in aero-nautical engineering."
"José Estrada, thirty. I've worked with Monsters in the south during my three years in college before moving to this region at twenty-six. I lived in the desert most of my life and learned much from the passing nomads. My father bought me two books from the 'History of the Great Wars' series: 'Reign of Advanced Exo-suits' and a special edition called 'From the Mind of a Myshcell' that has a few journal entries about scattered subjects."
Arend nodded. "I've seen the series list. Though a chance to read it myself would be great."
The other applicants glanced worriedly at each other. A small voice called out. "Am I late!?"
A waist-tall gecko was running towards the table. It's large backpack jumped
back and forth on its back, rustling numerous papers within.
José's eyebrows shot up. "A Kyte!" He exclaimed.
The gecko looked to Arend. "Did I miss my chance?"
Arend shook his head. "I eliminated those who didn't bother to find out who was hiring them."
"Okay!" It exclaimed, tossing its bag on a nearby chair and dragging it over by the leg.
It scurried up the side of the chair to sit on its backpack, head a few inches above the surface of the desk. Arend slid the paper with what he had written down so far over to the Kyte, readying a second sheet.
"I take it you're José?" It asked. He nodded.
"I take it you're here for a job? Red-bellied Kytes don't venture far from home for nothing."
The gecko laughed quietly. "It's funny how the yellow-bellied Kytes aren't cowards."
"So you're seriously going to let that thing apply?" The woman at the end of the table asked.
Arend pointed to the door. "Buh-bye~!" He called out as she stood up to leave. He looked at the remaining applicants. "So does anyone else have a problem with…" He glanced sideways at the Kyte. "…her?"
They collectively shook their heads. The Kyte was impressed. "You can tell my gender?" She asked.
"Slightly paler belly and thicker scales." Arend replied before looking to the next applicant.
"Jaime Jacques, twenty-seven. I've studied medicine most of my life, and still have a few things to refine before becoming an official doctor. I'm looking to focus on my affinity towards Orenth Therapy as well as how to create medical equipment that can do the same."
"Krien Lwen, twenty-one. I've studied marketing and Public Relations for about five years. I've also worked in my parent's store for half my life."
"Any skills in Korvan whatsoever?" Arend asked.
Krien shook her head. "I know very little about them." Arend nodded.
Everyone turned to the Kyte. She sat up straight. "Pockle, sixteen. I've been taught from an early age how to manipulate Korvan and Orenth using magic." Half the table chuckled. Arend raised an eyebrow but did nothing more.
"What's so funny?" Krien asked.
"Long before we industrialized Korvan, it was considered magical. Older methods required intense training to summon forth even just a spark of Orenth. I thought that belief died out with the Great Wars." Lyre explained.
"I learned it from the Pendragon that adopted me." Pockle replied.
"It has to be at least 2,000 years old!" José exclaimed.
Pockle nodded. "2,234 to be exact."
"I thought all Monsters were born with the ability to manipulate Orenth. Isn't that the difference between them and animals?" Arend asked.
José nodded slowly. "'Orenth Alchemy', as her skills are called, started as something only intelligent and skilled Monsters could do. Humans are in a group in between Monsters and animals since we can use Orenth, but it isn't naturally occurring. We as a species developed Orenth manipulation only after exposure to large amounts of Orenth, and considering the Orenth the Great Wars threw everywhere, Orenth became a natural part of our physiology." He explained.
"Hmm." Arend said, frowning.
"What is Orenth Alchemy though?" Krien asked. "You never explained it."
Pockle pulled a thick piece of black cloth from her backpack. One side was clean, and the other was slightly discolored. She laid it out clean side down. She pulled out a vial of a light blue gel-like substance and drew with it on the cloth, the excess easily scraped back into the vial. She put a little on her palm and placed her hand on the cloth. There was a slight crackle and Pockle slowly raised her hand, revealing a growing net of blue electricity.
Arend stuck his hand in nonchalantly. Pockle tried to close the net, but the electricity stuck to his hand like a spider web. Once Arend pulled it up from the cloth, it arced up his arm and disappeared into his chest.
"Hmm." Arend said as he stared at his hand. "It's not natural Orenth, but it's not yours either." He glanced sideways at Pockle. He wiped up a small drop of the –now clear- gel, sniffing it. "Hmm. Did this come from a strongly elemental Monster?" Arend asked, rubbing it in his fingers.
"No," Pockle said slowly. "It's from a plant."
"It wouldn't happen to be a type of fruit would it?" Arend asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, a rare kind that grows only in areas with specific kinds of Orenth."
He swiped a drop from her vial, licking it. "Hmm!" He exclaimed. "It's got a salty/citric tang."
"Let me try." Russell said as he snagged the vial, and poured some into his mouth before Pockle could object. He stiffened in his seat as the electricity discharged though his body. Jaime retrieved Pockle's vial before he could crush it. Russell coughed when he recovered from the shock with a little help from Jaime.
"…Ow…"
"That was kind of really stupid." Jaime said as she returned the vial.
"I thought that since he could…" Russell started.
Arend chuckle interrupted him. "This is the wrong place to thing that."
"Why not introduce yourself?" Krien suggested. "You may be relatively famous, but there isn't much reputable information out there."
"Hmm. Arend Myshcell, nineteen. My parents were killed by the Black Monster, and my sister become possessed, which I ended myself with a hole where my heart was. Alexander Soum and Nem Fifer were there shortly after. Nem met King who told him to look into Celestial Rim before escaping from those very same Pendragon Hunters.
"My heart was replaced by an Axis Grey Adamtinium artificial heart, and I was sent to live with my uncle and work in his Korvan shop. I met Hunter the day before joining Dragon's Den in that same shop, later meeting his friends in a Battle Bar down the street. Upon meeting them, I decided to join the Guild. Using a bag of materials my uncle had collected for me, I created what would become part of the True Safeguard, joining a Korvan Nem had stolen with it to bring forth the Korvan's true potential.
"With the Dragon Drive's Prototype on my back, I headed out on my first Request with no worries about Possession or Changing. There I learned the truth about myself from King; the Pendragon I had originally thought had killed my parents. He told me that I had died shortly after my birth, and my father was driven to bring me back by fusing my body with Orenth taken from a Pendragon, giving me hidden potential that came forth much later.
"That Pendragon was King's brother, and why he had clashed with my parents when trying to take me away. It was when I fought with the Black Monster that I realized King wasn't the one behind my parent's death and my sister's possession. King still felt guilty in having accidentally set them up, and agreed to submit to my control until I would allow him to die.
"When I recovered from that fight, I met with the S-Ranked members of Dragon's Den, establishing my competence by finding Nem hiding with his cloak, something that I was told only Pendragons are capable of. Though I haven't gotten an explanation of just why yet. Following Nem's advice, I went to the Hunter Tournament to face Alexander, where Nem's suspicions were proven true.
"As you know, I didn't win that fight outright, but I did give them a reason to fear me. No one has ever made even the tiniest of scratches on a Legendary Weapon, and what I gave it was in no way tiny. My weapon was completely destroyed in the fight, so I left with Richard Griffin to gather parts and train my body. As for the rest of it, a friend I had made on the way will be publishing an article very soon that chronicles everything that happened and I think he should get the first telling of it he deserves."
They sat in shocked silence. "I thought those were just wild rumors." José said.
Arend shook his head, raising a red-flame cloaked hand.
"Stick!" Pockle exclaimed, reaching for Arend' hand.
"What?" Arend said as Pockle took his hand.
"This technique," Pockle explained as she pulled part of the Orenth off Arend and held it in her palm. "Is called 'Stick.'" Arend switched to white flames, but the part still in Pockle's hand remained red.
"And Slick as well?!" Pockle exclaimed.
"Is this really that surprising?" Arend asked.
"Yes!" Pockle exclaimed. "While Stick itself is rare, it's even rarer to have both Stick and Slick. The only thing that would surprise me more is if that Pendragon that became part of you was a Pencore." The Orenth still in Pockle's hand wavered as what coated Arend' disappeared. Pockle looked up at Arend. Arend looked up at everyone else.
"I want all of you to meet me where the Airship is being researched in two hours." The group glanced at each other and stood up. Arend stopped Pockle with a hand as the others left. "I need you to come with me." Was all he said as he turned to the back door. She hurried after him with her backpack .