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a-crash-in-time-collection · 2 months ago

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Chapter 62: The Towers

The forest air was cold... colder than other parts of the forest during this winter season. It didn't fade away as Snatcher let out occasional spells of flame to clear the path. He was more hesitant to now, his hand pulling away from the flames every time. He knew his fire was safe... But he still felt the fear. Not that he would ever admit it aloud. He was tried but he had tried resting, nothing seem to fully cure his state. No matter. He could rest when the demon he allowed free was sent back.

He glanced behind him at the small group following him. Hat Girl was in the back, on lookout. Cat ears and mask on as a pile of explosive cash was held in her hand. Randy was in the middle of the group, holding a book close to him. He hadn't said anything the whole day... Saving his breath for the spells, Macbeth had told them. He did seem the slightest more confident in his abilities, but his eyes still were dim in doubt. Snatcher could have made a comment, but he bit his tongue.

He threw another fire spell at a large pile of snow that was blocking the group's way, and paused as he saw something in the faint distance. An old tower. Standing there abandoned, secrets never told. He glanced down at the group, moving aside so they could see. Badge Seller took one look at it and gave a nod of confirmation to what they were thinking. Good, they were almost there... At least in theory. It was just the gateway. They still had to open the actual doorway. Or portal, they didn't know for sure how this was going to turn out.

They needed Randy to do this spell. It was their only hope of getting the information they needed to how to deal with Ezra's flames, and send him back to Hell. Or find some other way to contain him, since Hell couldn't... It was still wild for the phantom to think about it. He knew the Afterlife existed but to have even had a glance into a tiny speck of the darker side of it... Maybe that's why he was tired. Maybe part of his mortal mind was still trying to wrap around the

concept.

Hat Girl did a scan around the area as they slowly approached the stone tower. They had been hesitant on letting her come but she insisted on it. She could stand guard and fight back if something happened to come their way. She watched everyone head into the tower before heading to the entrance arch, leaning against it with her eyes turn to the land outside. Despite that, she couldn't see nor sense the two beings nearby. The ones reflective of the darker sides of the magic the towers were made to reflect.

"Of course it's her." Vanessa would hiss at the sight, before being shushed by Ezra. "The little rat has broken into my manor twice and left alive despite my best efforts. She's untouchable. Of course my prince would go to her for mid-guided 'protection'-" Ezra garbed her hand and shushed her again. "Right, of course... Wait till they open it."

"Exactly." Ezra whispered as he lowered himself closer to the ground, peeking out from the cluster of bushes and trees. "I know how upset you are, but if we jump him now, he'll just get away. We need to be prepared... At least he's safe for now." He tried to quietly reassure her. He was able to keep the venom out of his voice. Seeing the Moonjumper alive and well... It drove him mad. It was a mockery to the countless nights he worked to get rid of him... No matter... Moonjumper would be gone again soon....

Inside the tower, Randy looked at the spellbook he laid out on the ground. He traced over some of the writing with one hand, his other lighting up as he made a blob of light appear, it dashing about at his command. He had gotten better the past few days, he had to after all... and yet doubt still crept at his soul. Why couldn't he just be carefree about it, like he used to be with everything. "Maybe we should have seen if Anamund could have come with us. They'd be able to open it."

"We don't even know if they have that type of magic." Snatcher mumbled as he got Shadow Kid off his back.

Badge Seller gave a small hum as he looked at Randy. "Moonjumper had to trust what his magic could do as well." He spoke up as he rested in the corner of the tower's base. The walls only had faint, almost nonsense markings carved into them, despite that, it looked like nothing special... Randy snapped his fingers to make the light disappear. Badge saw him glanced down at his own hand. "He had no guide to teach him other than his own instincts... If he could learn to do it, I know you can."

"I know it should be possible... I just don't want to hurt anyone if I mess up." Randy sighed as he looked down, flipping to the page that had the supposed spell they needed. It was old, torn, the words were faded. He was going to need to channel what he wanted through his magic rather than relying on the words alone. He took a breath and glanced around, looking over at Macbeth. "Java?" He called, the man stepping over. "You'll be able to help them if something happens-"

"Nothin' bad will Rand." Macbeth said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Just go on... we're here."

Randy took a breath. "Stay back just in case." He spoke as he closed his eyes, getting ready. Trying to channel every atom that was capable of magic within him. He heard some footsteps back away, and he slowly opened his eyes, glancing at the book below. He raised one hand to the air, the hand glowing in a lunar aura as he began to recite the words to the spell, or at least the few he could read. He had to do this. He had to learn about Ezra's magic so they could stop this. So Snatcher could have his home back.

At first nothing much seemed to happen, but slowly the faint markings on the stones began to glow. Snatcher made sure Shadow Kid stayed close and Macbeth quickly got Alexsandera out of his hat, making them stay by Hat Girl as he went back to Randy's side. He looked at the toppat that had been placed in the lunar body, seeing both his eyes glowing one color. "Dad?" He whispered. Randy seemed mostly out of it, like he was just focusing on the spell. But he turned his head slightly in Macbeth's way. "It's ok, I'm here. It's ok."

"He knows." Badge Seller spoke as he watched. Hat Girl stepped into the tower to be safe, keeping Alexsandera close. The ground began to shake slightly under them. Something seemed to change in the air. It felt like a rush of cold and a rush of heat all at once. Macbeth grabbed Randy's hand as he scanned around, reaching into his pocket as if in fear something was going to lunge at them. Badge Seller gave a small chuckle. "Do you think opening a gateway to a different part of reality would be calm?"

"No, of course not. But I can still be on alert!" Macbeth called before suddenly covering his eyes as light suddenly seemed to blast brighter. It felt like the space around them grew instantly.. He felt Randy's hand lower a bit and turned around in time to grab him before he fell to the ground, taking some breaths. He got on his knees, trying to apply some of his own magic. "Dad? Dad, are you ok?" He got a small nod after a moment, Randy rubbing his head as he slowly picked himself up.

"Woah." Shadow Kid spoke up. It almost frightened Macbeth with how sudden it was. "Look!"

Randy rubbed his eyes a bit as he looked up. "Wha.." He started, before he paused. The Tower's ground was still there, but in front of them were two gates of light. One more of ice that looked more like crystals, and one with flames that seemed to calmly dance. "I.. I did it." Randy said as he slowly got up, leaning against Macbeth for support for his balance. "Don't worry... It just…took a lot." He gave a small chuckle. "And here I thought there was nothing more tiring than a night on the dancefloor."

"Really?" Snatcher asked as he looked at Randy. He could make comments now, Randy got his job done. He went over to the gates. Each had a vortex-like portal behind them, and both were unlocked. Each had a tiny set of stairs to the actual gates, but the number was so small it might as well not be there. He paused as he noticed the royal look of the fire gate. "The towers have guardians, don't they?"

"I think that was what the book said... But I'm sure the fire tower's one will understand." Hat Girl said as she came over, her guard dropped since they got what they wanted. Alex floated over to Randy, resting on his shoulder and poking at his face in worry. She looked at the gate to the tower of ice for a moment, before she shook her head and focused on the gate to the tower of flames. "Well... I don't think we have anything else holding us back. We should go before Dad and Pop realize I'm gone."

"You didn't tell them?" Macbeth asked, Hat Girl giving a nod. He rolled his eyes but watched as she walked up, opening the gate and stepping through the portal. Slowly, the group would follow in one by one until they all crossed, and the second the light from the portal faded they would find themself right outside of the tower's entrance. The tower standing tall above them, taller than they have ever thought it looked from a distance. And it felt so.. shockingly real. Randy was the first to head in after staring in awe. They had work to do.

It was almost odd, the heat. It was hot as you would expect. But even if it was warmer then what most would be comfortable with, it didn't feel overbearing. It felt comforting, welcoming. The light that seemed to emit from the walls was similar, feeling like it should be blinding to their eyes and yet it wasn't. The room they had stepped into was calm. It had a few soft chairs and a bookcase nearby. A pot was being heated over a fire along the side of the room. There were a few candles with purple flames, seemingly for decoration.

It felt... odd in that way too. It felt less like they stepped into a place of secrets and more like they walked into someone's home. Shadow Kid broke free from her father's grasp to look around, trying to see all the details in everything. Randy floated near the shelf, not taking anything outright but scanning the titles for anything of use, Macbeth staying by his side. Badge Seller reached for his mask and hood. He normally liked to keep them on but... he didn't like the heat. It wasn't overbearing, but the memories it stirred...

"It would be best not to go through everything." He gently reminded them as he leant against a wall, slowly taking his mask off as well as his hood. Randy gave him a sorrowful look as he glanced over briefly, but nodded and turned his attention back to the shelf. The titles didn't seem to have much to do with fire however... he paused briefly when he thought he heard footsteps from the staircase nearby. "We don't want to make a bad impression. I'm sure the guardian here will help once they understand our situations."

As if he spoke of the devil, a voice came from the staircase. "Moonjumper?" A voice called, a hint of disbelief in it. The group glanced up, to see a figure just barely hidden in the shadows of the stairs. He looked... surprisingly human. His clothing matched the royals of subcon with flame patterns sewn into it. His eyes were locked to Badge Seller. "Is that you, old friend?"

"Old friend?" Badge Seller spoke in confusion, before the figure stepped closer, letting his face be more clearly seen. His hair was a familiar blonde shade, and his eyes with Orange had blended into a familiar shade of green. "Young Victor?" He asked, those in the room locking eyes with each other at the familiar name. The guardian nodded as Badge Seller stood up, a confused smile forming on his face as he looked at the man. "You've grown... I don't understand. I thought you had died like everyone else."

"I did." Victor spoke as he walked over, his hands close to him. "But apparently the tower of flame was never given a guardian, and when the gods saw my effort to ensure the rightful use of fire magic in my life, they thought I'd be the perfect fit. So my soul was reborn here after my death and it's where I have been ever since..." He reached over, carefully tracing the edge of Badge Seller's face. "It looks like time hasn't treated you well. I knew there would be another.."

"Speaking of which." Snatcher coughed from nearby, going up to the two. Victor glanced at him and seemed to have a look of pity in his eyes. The phantom gestured to Randy nearby. "The soul who's now using the Moonjumper body needs your help with something, Victor." Snatcher paused as he glanced at Macbeth who had given him a glare. "What, I wasn't about to sit by listening to idle conversation when we have important things to be done, like containing a demon on the loose! One cable of harming my subjects!"

"You see, Victor, Ezra-" Hat Girl started but Victor sighed, giving a small nod. "Oh, I take it you already know?" He nodded again, his hand was now a fist at the mere mention of the name. Badge Seller placed a hand on Victor's shoulder, the former king looking at it, examining the way it bent and glitched. He had a look of guilt in his eyes. She gave a small cough. "He's back, and we think he's planning to get Randy. We need to know how to go against his magic."

"Of course. I am more than willing to provide you with the knowledge and magic necessary... Follow me..." Victor gestured for them to follow him up the stairs, only to pause and make a brief gesture motion, the pot floating over to him. "Almost forgot about this." He said, earning a few quiet chuckle from the youngest among them as they began to head up the tower. "...You know, it is nice to have someone to speak face to face with after all these years. Aspen is nice but, words on paper can only do so much."

"Yes. Supposedly they were made directly by the gods for the purpose of watching over the tower. They've never been outside of it... I pity them sometimes but, they seem cheerful." He picked up a book on a stand as they passed it, its icy blue color contrasting with the warm colors of the flames about. "This book lets us communicate. What one person writes shows up in the others. And it clears itself if we run out of room..." He gave a small chuckle. "I would've gone crazy by now if it wasn't for them."

"Aspen?" Macbeth asked, tilting his head as he looked around at the mention of the name. Victor would point out a window as they passed it, Macbeth glancing out to see the tower of ice in the far distance. Barely viewable from where he was... He glanced down and almost stumbled back at how far Subcon was below. Even thought he was already dead, he feared

of falling... He shook his head and glanced away. "I'm assuming they're the guardian of the Tower of Ice?"

"Can't say I would've blamed you." Randy said as he glanced around. He could barely stand being a captive for about two weeks. He couldn't understand centuries, likely more of being all by yourself in a tower because some gods prompted your soul... At least Victor seemed to be handling his responsibility well enough, but then again, the time of experience... He blinked. "Wait, did they not make one for the fire tower?" He asked, getting a shake. "Why not if they made one for the tower of ice?"

"Maybe they wanted someone with more experience? We don't know the conditions of Aspen's creation." Hat Girl stated aloud. Victor nodded before opening a door nearby, showing a large library-like area that felt like it was bigger than the tower's width. Maybe it was, it was a magical tower after all. Hat Girl began to look around, looking at the bookcases. "So, which of these has the stuff we need to deal with Ezra?" She asked, looking over at Victor, who glanced at the shelves.

"Forgive me, this might take some time. You think I would have the placements memorized by now." He said as he made a gesture to the bookcase, books started to fly out and he started to quickly scan through them. However, he stopped when the icey blue book suddenly shook, as if it picked up something. He glanced at it, a hint of worry in his eyes as he snap his fingers. "Give me a second." He said as he grabbed the pen he summoned, speaking as he wrote. "Aspen, what's wrong?"

There was nothing for about a minute, and then the words appeared on the page. 'I think I messed up.' they read.

Shadow Kid climbed up onto her father's back so she could read the words. "Messed up? What do they mean?" Shadow Kid asked as Victor began to write down a message of faint reassurance but also prodding the ice guardian for more answers. The words don't appear right away, and Shadow Kid looked at Victor, and paused. He seemed worried... more worried than he seemed to feel in a long time if what he was saying was true. "I'm guessing they aren't like this normally? Maybe they just spilt paint."

Soon the words would appear under Victor's, the ink a cold blue in contrast to Victor's dark red. 'I don't know what happened, Victor, I really don't. I sensed something was in the tower and went to go find out what was going on. It all happened so fast.' Aspen's words said. The way it was written was shaky, but oddly not in a way someone who was writing in a panic would. It felt more like it was the words themselves. 'The one scroll is gone, the enchanted one. I can't feel it.'

Snatcher tilted his head at that. "Feel it? What, is it invisible?"

"They're blind." Victor said, Snatcher's face blanking along with some others. Snatcher wasn't about to say it, but why purposely make a guardian for magic but make them blind? Victor began to write down. "Aspen, tell me what happened. As much as you can."

-------

Moments before, when the group had stepped into the gates to the tower of flame, the two hiding had taken the chance to dash in, going for the gate to the tower of ice. It didn't put up a fight, it seemed to have no guard in case someone was around when the spell was cast. A good thing in Ezra's and Vanessa's case. Ezra wasn't sure what he would do if the gate had refused to budge and the portal refused to let them in. But they soon stood in front of the tower of ice, Ezra going in without a second thought.

It was cold... shockingly so for Ezra. He had to grab at his shoulders and apply a faint spell to even keep a bit of warmth up. He glanced over at Vanessa who seemed relatively unbothered. The two would look around the place and would pause. It was... a lot clearer than they would have expected.No artifacts out on display. Not even a bookshelf nearby to hold spell books. Just a few furniture pieces carefully placed. In such a way where they were easy to remember. Impossible to bump into.

Just as Ezra was about to comment on it, they heard a voice. "Is someone there?" Ezra turned, his hand bursting into flame as a threat, but paused at the sight of the figure. They looked... relatively simple compared to what you would have expected. They wore an icey blue sweater and their appearance didn't seem threatening... They had a blindfold on over their eyes. "I don't mean any harm." They added as Vanessa began to walk over. "It's just... I never had someone inside the tower before."

"Oh, you must be so lonely then, great spirit." Vanessa spoke kindly as she placed her hands together, turning to Ezra and giving him a quick wink. At least he wasn't the only one who had to worry about putting on an act now. Vanessa lowered herself a bit, looking at the ice guardian with a pleading look in her eyes. "Oh guardian," She said. "We wouldn't have come if we didn't need your help."

"Oh, of course! And please, call me Aspen, that's my name!" The ice guardian said. Ezra rose a brow as he walked over. They just smiled at them... He knew they were wearing a blindfold but they should be able to see... Aspen gestured them over to what looked like a magic lift, and Ezra glanced down, pausing. The environment lit up ever so slightly wherever Aspen walked. "Forgive me if there's any dust. I cast spells to clean but I never take note until it gets really bad, usually."

"Oh, it's not worry... Vanessa, come here a second." Ezra stated as he gestured for the queen to come over. "I don't think their wearing the blindfold for show, I think they're actually blind... Get ready to take advantage of that." That sounded wrong, even to him, but it was what needed to be done. Aspen waited for them at the lift as they stepped on, Ezra trying to keep his distance from Aspen just in case. "Apologies for the warmth. My kind are naturally more... warm blooded."

"Oh, it's no worry, none of the ice here can melt!" Aspen smiled. "So, what exactly do you need help with?"

Ezra reached for his ears as Vanessa let out a sob. "It's my love, he's in clueless danger." Vanessa said as she glanced to the side, Aspen's smiling fading to a frown. "Some curse has him stuck away from us, and we need to save him. But we will only be able to get to him if we can prevent ice from melting from fire... we were hoping you would have something for that." Vanessa claimed as she looked down at Aspen. Ezra let out a tiny whine, he hated the way Vanessa's voice echoed.

"I know it's an odd request but, we figured the tower of ice would have something more of use then the tower of flame." Ezra stated, before humming. "Or is it the tower of fire... do the towers even have proper names." He mused aloud, getting a small glare from Vaneesa as he looked back at her, him tilting his head as he crossed his arms a bit. He leaned against the wall a bit, his horn scraping the side faintly as the lift moved up. "It's just a quick question, not a distraction from our goal."

"Forgive me if I see it like one." Vanessa state, before signing as she held her hands close. "He's my everything. I need to get to him... that's the only way I can..."

"I... Do have a scroll that can offer that magic... It's just.." Aspen looked to the side, taking a breath. "Ice and fire mixed together is something deadly. It's why the towers weren't made as one... At least that's what I believe." Ezra and Vanessa looked at each other as the lift stopped, Aspen stepping out after a moment. They glanced forward, their hands touching the tips of each other. "But... I suppose I can lend you some of it. As long as you promise to bring it back once your love is safe."

"Oh, thank you, thank you!" Vanessa said as she walked alongside Aspen, Aspen gaining a smile as they walked through an empty space, a few pedestales with tiny sculptures dotted about. Ezra kept an eye on Aspen, mainly the glowing bits of the environment around. That must be how Aspen 'sees'. Able to walk through this place without tripping... Although they probably had the layout memorized after all this time.

"We promise, we'll be very careful with it." Ezra spoke as he tried to glance ahead. He could faintly see the scroll now. In a room across the area they were walking to. He could sense the magic from where he was standing... it was an odd sense to have. He shook his head, no Ezra, focus. He kept a hand behind his back, beginning to form a small flame within it. "You are a kind spirit Aspen. It's no wonder you were designed to do such a good job protecting this place."

"We could not be more thankful." Vanessa said as they stepped into the room. Aspen walked over, the pedstole the scroll was on had a few enchanted locks from the looks of it. Typically. Something to delay them just a bit more... Ezra sighed as he began tapping his foot against the floor, still keeping his attack ready if need be. Although it had went well. Maybe he didn't need to fire it. "Oh, Ezra. We'll be able to bring my prince home soon!" Vanessa called. Then Aspen paused.

"Wait... Ezra... warmth... warmth like fire." Aspen glanced back in their direction as raised their hand, a small wall of ice forming around them as they took some steps back. Ezra began to step forward, a growl in his breath as he approached the wall, placing his hand against it. The ice resisted the warmth, only a faint marking appeared around in fingers. "You're the one Victor told me about, aren't you?" Aspen questioned. "The one who changed how fire magic was viewed for centuries."

"The annoying prince is still kicking somewhere? Perfect." Ezra growled as Aspen stayed near the pedstole, more ice forming around it with a protective glow. Ezra was about to throw his fire when suddenly Vanessa raised her hand, a large spike of ice coming from the ground and stabbing at the wall, cracking it. Aspen paused, as if the sound confused them. Ezra couldn't help but smirk. "Guess you never thought you would have to come across someone who actually knows."

"Apsen. You are a good soul, we can tell. We really do need the scroll.. Please, my Prince really is in danger." Vanessa spoke in a sickeningly sweet voice. Aspen took some breaths as they reached for the wall, feeling the cracks in it. They shook their head, making the cracks seal. Vanessa just sighed as she rose her hand again, a series of spikes rasing and crashing into the wall. "It's such a shame it had to be like that. Ezra? Why don't we use this as a bit of practice."

"I was wondering when you were going to drop that act." Ezra stated as he tossed the fire at the wall. The resistant magic was still there, but with the ice itself cracked it barely did anything, and the wall crumbled. Aspen started to throw magic their way to attack, but Ezra responded by snapping his fingers, summoning a bit of fire around them. Aspen began to cough and seemed to struggle. Not from the fire itself, but the more blurred sense of direction it brought. "We're taking it now. Unless you want to lose a limb, little snowflake?"

The rest would happen pretty quickly...

-------

The group was quiet as the event was recounted to them through the words that appeared on the page. Aspen thought something was wrong with the guest but was so excited to have someone else in the tower they didn't pay as much attention as they should've. Plus Vanessa had sounded truly desperate, talking about the love of her life being in trouble, how was Aspen supposed to know? It hadn't taken the two long to knock Aspen out, just long enough to break the protective case and get the whole scroll.

Snatcher was especially quiet as he read the words. Vanessa, working with Ezra. He should have known it wouldn't be that easy. At first he was a little confused, was Ezra set for revenge that badly so soon? But then he took note of Randy nearby, whose skin seemed paler. It quickly clicked. Ezra must be using Vanessa to get to Randy. She did think Randy was him because of his body being used after all... Of course things couldn't be that easy. They weren't even easy in the first place.

The fact they now had two psychopaths to go up against instead of one was already giving him a headache.

'I'm sorry. I should've known. It's my job but... literally my whole life there wasn't anyone I met face to face. I thought I could trust them.' Aspen's words appeared in the book. Snatcher shook his head, but he couldn't fully blame the guardian. He might've made the same mistake if he was in their shoes. Victor wrote down quick reassurances before Aspen slowly responded. '...I should get things picked up, I'm sure they left a mess... I'll talk to you later.. I'm sorry.’

Victor quickly wrote something down, before signing as he closed the book. "It's not fair... At least when I was placed here, I had knowledge of the outside world and what people are like... Aspen's told me they just remembered coming into existence... and that's it. No real training, no knowledge, nothing..." He sighed as he placed the book down, before blinking and looking at the books floating nearby. "Oh, I had almost forgotten. You're going to need those spells more than ever." He said as he began to scan through them again.

"Of course Vanessa is helping Ezra, of course." Snatcher mumbled as he began to pace back and forth, Shadow Kid glanced up at him in worry. Victor kept his attention on the books, but he seemed to frown at the mention of the name. Snatcher rose a brow at that. Did the man feel guilt... Why... It wasn't his fault his descendant turned out to be a cold hearted psychopath. "Randy, you're gonna have a lot more on your plate, I hope you're ready for it." The ghost signed as he sat down.

"Well, at least with Vanessa I know I can get away from her." Randy said, taking a breath. He was looking at his hand, watching as strings formed from them... He needed to be enough for the clan, for the forest. Take care of Ezra and keep Vanessa locked in her manor... It was a lot to ask of anyone. Hat Girl gave him a worried glance as she walked over, Randy giving a sigh as he shook his head. "We always win in the end. It's just how it is."

"You toppats do seem to have that luck, especially you, Hat Girl." Shadow Kid said, Hat Girl giving a small nod in reply to the comment. Snatcher sighed as he leaned against the wall. His little shadow did have a point. It felt like whatever mess the toppats were in, they got out of. But facing a demon from hell? That didn't seem to be an easy task for anyone. "I'm sure you will be fine. And if you need help, I can be there! I've been practicing my spells!" She threw her hands in the air.

"I wouldn't recommend that, young one." Victor said as he glanced over. "Even with the study of fire magic, who knows what magic from the inferno is like... speaking of which." He snapped his fingers and some scrolls appeared, words slowly writing to match the pages of the books he had opened, each glowing with an amber aura. He collected them all once they had finish, bringing them over to Randy. "There's some restraintance, some protection, some manipulation. There's many ways to fight against Ezra's magic. You'll just have to learn it."

"Actually, let me see one of those." Snatcher said as he went over and grabbed one of the scrolls, reading it over. Even just holding it in his hand, he could feel the power it held, the secrets that could be unlocked with this... He paused as he glanced at Randy, who was giving him a bit of an odd lock. Snatcher crossed his arms as he leaned against the glowing wall. "Look, it's my forest we're trying to protect here. It's better for me to know them in the long run, in case this somehow happens again."

"I doubt that would..." Victor said as he stepped forward. Snatcher glanced down at the king, giving him a small glare. Victor glanced at Snatcher's hand, a thought coming to mind as he shook his head, giving a sigh. He walked to a window seal that was nearby, staring out at Subcon. Mainly the part of subcon that was forever locked in snow... He turned back to the ghost. "I'm... sorry what you and your subjects had to go through, your highness. No one should ever have had to suffer so much." He glanced at his hand. "Especially by my own blood..." He sighed.

"Please, do not blame yourself Victor." Badge Seller spoke up from nearby. "Her actions are her own. You couldn't have she would have done this..."

Victor sighed. "Logically, I know that, old friend. I do... It's just.. Seeing the state she put things in... Words can't describe it..." He looked up at Snatcher. "Once you safely take care of Ezra and put Vanessa back in her place, please, come back here. I would like to try and help the forest."

Snatcher didn't answer, just gave a small nod as he looked over the scroll. Shadow Kid tilted her head, garbing Victor's hand and beginning to pull him to the stairs slightly. "Why don't you come with?"

Victor gently pulled his hand free from her grasp. "I would love to, young Shadow. But even with the portal open, I doubt I will be able to leave.." He glanced out the window again. "I was assigned to watch this tower, and so it is what I must do for the rest of my time... Perhaps the rest of time."

Shadow Kid gave a small nod of understanding. "...You should get break days." She said, earning a small bit of chuckling from those around.

Randy smiled before letting out a sigh as he floated in front of Victor. "Thank you for all this, but we do need to go. Now that we know Vanessa is helping Ezra, we need to plan. And we don't want to risk them getting into this tower as well."

"Of course." Victor said. There was a hint of sorrow and longing in his voice, but he had already accepted the time he got was short. He picked the Icey blue book back up. "You get home safe... I need to make sure Aspen will be alright... Be careful, friends." He said as he watched them head to the stairs.

Badge Seller would turn back to the king, offering a sad smile as he nodded. "Of course, your highness."

The group left the towers quickly, the getaway closing with a wave of Randy's hand... Randy would stare at it. He hadn't even thought, he just did... Maybe there was some hope to all this... He looked at the scrolls he needed to learn. He needed to get ready.

You never knew when the two were going to strike.

Or where.

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