Trouble in the Steampunk World PT.3

They could hear whispering around them as they gripped the back of Alistair's jacket. Though for the most part, they couldn't make it out, it was all jumbled and in many languages, they couldn't fully understand. Though from how Alistair walked and stood it seemed like he could understand a lot more than them and it wasn't a good thing. "Alistair?" Jumper questioned bringing the other's attention from scanning their surroundings to looking down at them, "do you know where we are going?" they asked in a bit of a joking manner.

They never liked seeing him this tense and ready to fight but the question was also something they needed to know. If they wanted clothing to better fit into the world they would need to know where to get it first. And from the small upturn of the boy's lips, it seemed like he caught on to the attempted mood change, "Of course I know where I am going, I always know..." he paused, "unless I don't."

Jumper paused, just staring up at Alistair before covering their mouth to hold in the laugh bubbling up. They couldn't help it, they knew very well that Alistair had a horrible sense of direction. The problem in the mirror world made that very clear to both of them. No way would they believe it was just because there were no signs, Jumper easily navigated to a safe place while Alistair nearly got them both killed several times.

When they regained their composure and glanced up they could see Alistair pouting. Rolling their eyes they nudged him forward, "There seem to be signs we can follow so I'll follow you and I feel like you know at least one of the languages here or how to read the signs," he shrugged finally feeling a bit more confident and letting go of Alistair's jacket and walking next to him instead.

"Yeah I understand the Runic here, it's very similar to the one from my world except for a few changes here and there. It's easy to understand though," he shrugged. And here is the reason Jumper didn't mind that Alistair came along, he had a wide range of knowledge on different languages and was easily able to pick them up if he put his mind to it. Jumper had other things to focus on so Languages other than magic ones always alluded him, "Though for the most part, I wish I didn't right now," he growled out.

Jumper raised an eyebrow at the tone and looked where he was looking to try and get an idea as to why he was being hostile. Looking over they could see a large sign outside what looks like a tavern of sorts, "What does the sign say?" they asked cocking their head to the side.

"It says no outsiders basically," he huffed, sneering at the guys who were standing near the sign, "I think this world has seen its fair share of travelers and I do not think they like them much either," He whispered, cucking his head low so Jumper would be the main one to hear it. "And listening around I can kind of make out gossip about how we are outsiders and the likes, keep close to me," he warned resting an arm around Jumper again. Though this time the arm was firm and protective, and the look on his face was an arrogant sort of anger.

Jumper just ducked their head low and avoided any and all sorts of eye contact, at least as much as they could. At some points, he would catch their eye or many eyes of a creature and have to look away quickly. But their whispers always followed them and they could make out words they didn't like. Realm walkers were always looked down upon since they defied the gods of time and space, they never aged, they weren't confined to their space. It was like spitting in the god's faces.

Jumper placed their hand over Alistair's as his arm was still around their shoulder. It was something they did rarely and only when they were afraid for themselves or afraid Alistair would start a fight. He tensed up a first feeling the contact but knowing it was just Jumper made Alistair relax slightly.

They both wandered around, Alistair reading the signs to Jumper when they asked and glaring at those who got too close for comfort. Jumper was still cautious of everything and kept close to him but soon enough they found a small shop welcoming to everyone that visited. Jumper looked around and was startled when an elderly-looking man, if you could call him that, stood up and welcomed them in.

He has lightish green skin and clawed fingers, his hair was thinning at the top it seemed, and was an ashen grey from age just like the beard he had. His eyes were a warm brown and he wore a welcoming smile looking at the both of them. His clothing was a sort of organized clutter and looking close Jumper could see that the material looked very durable. He wore many different small leather pouches adorned with bronze-colored rivets and studs. The shirt under all the pouches and straps wear a lighter brown, not leather though, and matched the loose pants he wore. He wore calf-high leather boots that had metal plating on the top, most likely to protect him from being stepped on. And on his left arm, he wore a leather cuff, equally studded but it had what looked like a drill tool on it.

Adjusting his goggles that rested on his head the man looked both of them over and huffed a deep laugh. "You two aren't from around here are ya?" he spoke in a language Jumper could understand, luckily. He didn't seem hostile either which was also a relief and so Jumper gave him a timid smile and nodded.

"Yes, we are from a few dozen universes away actually, my friend here got us a bit lost when we entered a mirror world and so we have been finding our way back." Jumper explained, briefly glancing over at Alistair at the lost part. The older man let out another bark of laughter at the story and sat down on a bench that was behind him.

"I see, so why have ya stopped your travels, can't you just open another rift or door and continue on," he asked looking between the two confused.

"I could but I need to be a bit away from where we opened the last one so we cut down the chances of going backward. And since I don't know the terrain here I can't just open a world door to teleport us further away." they sighed pinching the bridge of their nose in slight irritation. The man seemed to understand a bit and nodded and stroked his beard in thought. "Plus we have been traveling for days with little to no rest, I need to sleep before I end up tearing myself apart in a rift," they chuckled nervously.

"I see, and from you two bein' here I think I know what you need, clothing right?" He asked. Both of them nodded in response making him grin and once again get up from where he was sitting, "Well you have come to the right place, all of my stuff is handcrafted and I take all forms of currency or trade, browse around and pick out what you'll need," he brought them to the clothing area and set them off to find what they'll need. Jumper was just glad to finally be out of the open and away from the prying eyes while Alistair seemed to be happy looking through new clothing.

Trouble in the Steampunk World PT.4

For the first time since they arrived in the world Jumper unglued themselves from Alistair's side to peruse the small section of clothing in the small shop. Everything was dark and muted colors, much different from what they had seen in the last few worlds. It was a nice change, less strain on their eyes, and gave them a lot more to look through.

Feeling the fabrics under their fingers they came across a smooth and light fabric, much different from the leathery one they were feeling, and pulled out what they felt. When they pulled it out and away from the other clothing they saw it was a very long black hooded jacket. On them, since they were not too tall it came to about their knees in length. There were no designs and seemed to be very simple in design with a few pockets littered about and a few straps crossing across the front.

Jumper smiled at it, it would cover most of what they were wearing already, all they needed was a new pair of shoes and they would be set.

Looking up they scanned the area looking for Alistair and found him looking at a full outfit shown on display. Shaking their head Jumper headed over to him, "Looks like you found what you like huh," they spoke quietly. Alistair glanced down at them before looking back up to the outfit and nodded.

The outfit was nice deep reds and blacks as the primary colors. It suited Alistair in a freaky way but Jumper knew Alistair to look good in almost anything by this point. The pants were form-fitting by the looks of it and black with an aged brown belt looped around it that had a pouch hanging on each side. The pants themself had at least four or five pockets and what looked like knife sheaths built-in.

The top part consisted of three parts, a loose light cream-colored flowy shirt, a deep red suit style vest, and a short hooded cape. The shirt puffed out at the ends of the sleeves, something that would be perfect for Alistair to hide his normal blades and it looked light enough not to trap in too much heat. The vest though was made of a heavier, dense material. It was a deep crimson color with lighter rose-red flowery and intricate designs stitched it. The front of the vest had maybe about six golden-bronze colored buttons, each of which had a designed etched into them as well. The cloak was simply made, just a light black material, and ended around the calves.

"I can hold my blades better with this one, plus don't ya think it suits me?" he asked putting his arms out in a way that screamed 'Look at me world!' making Jumper chuckled lightly.

"You just want it because it looks badass and fancy at the same time," Jumper rolled their eyes.

"Hey I'm not that shallow," he complained.

"Says the one who told me when we got here that they were loved by all," Jumpered snipped back quickly.

Alistair opened his mouth to say something but then shut it again having no come back for once. Instead, he just pushed them lightly with a small pout, "Okay meanie," he pouted.

"Oh I'm the meanie," Jumper said putting their hand on their hip and raising their eyebrows. Alistair just nodded and jutted his bottom lip out like a toddler but the act only lasted a moment before he cracked a smile and started laughing a bit. "You are such an idiot."

"But I am your idiot," he smiled fondly.

Jumper paused a moment feeling their heart skip a bit, it always did that when he said stuff like that. It confused them but it wasn't like they hated it honestly, "Yeah," they finally agreed, "definitely an idiot."

"What did ya find anyways," Alistair changed the topic pointing to the cloak Jumper was holding and they held it up for him to look at. He nodded taking it in, looking back to Jumper a few times before smiling, "It's perfect. You can hide your hair with it. I know how much you hate how much attention it receives. And it suits your style. Though," he paused looking them up and down, "You need better shoes with that, the cloak hides everything else so you don't need to change your outfit fully."

"That's what I was thinking, but since you are the fashionista in this duo do tell me what I should get." Jumper motioned for him to take the lead and Alistair went to where the boots were on display. It didn't really take him long to find a pair he thought would fit either. They were high boots but not knee-high, much to their satisfaction, and a leather brown. Across the length of the boot buckles came across it but in the back was a zipper to get them on faster. Alistair picked out a similar pair for himself but they were black in color instead.

Both of them seemed happy with what they picked out and brought it to the shopkeep. He seemed happy watching as they brought up the items and gave them a thoughtful look, "You two seem very close with how you interact, that isn't something you see very often in this city anymore," he spoke in a wistful tone that made Jumper wanna reach out and give him a hug but they didn't act on the urge.

"I am guessing this is not a city made for that kind of thing," Alistair spoke up looking a bit as sad as Jumper felt.

"It used to be but as things around here started falling apart trade and politically wise this place became a safe haven for those on the run. You don't find much of that here when most are focusing on living and keeping out of the sight of nobles," He explained as he looked over the items they brought over.

"So this world is run by nobles then?" Jumper piped up curiously.

"Yes, each city has its own food chain to put it simply, but all the nobles of each area know each other and had this kind of circle to keep things peaceful. It didn't last long though with each of them having their own individual greed." he shrugged, "Anyways all of this together will not be cheap. What can you give in exchange?" He asked.

"Do you take gold here?" Alistair asked not really batting an eye.

"I do, it's not something we get often as nobles mainly control all the gold. How much do you have on you?" he asked looking very interested.

"If I remember correctly each cuff I wear is 18k gold. It means about 75% pure gold and I also have a few pieces of 24k gold. How much would be worth of trade?" He asked pulling off the cuffs from his upper arm and setting them down.

"I'll take both the cuffs and call it there, what do you say?" the man suggested.

"Deal," Alistair paid no mind to the man's shocked expression and just slid the cuffs over, "do you have a place where we can change? I don't really wanna go back out and have to change in an alley," Alistair asked.

"Uh, yes, yes, it's in the back where you two were," he pointed back to where the clothing was as he quickly put the cuffs away.

"Thank you," Alistair smiled, "Also do keep those cuffs safe, most of all of the jewelry I wear is imbued with magic. Wouldn't want an idiot to get their hands on it and, well, bring bad luck where ever they go," Alistair smiled devilishly before following Jumper to the back.

Alistair stepped into the changing room while Jumper just put the hooded cloak over what they were already wearing. They swapped their shoes for the new boots and waited for Alistair to change. As they waited they leaned against the wall and took a deep breath feeling only a slight bit relaxed now that they were away from prying eyes. "I just want to relax now," he sighed to himself lowly.

(I wish you l luck in that endeavor...)

"What do you mean," They asked tensing up a bit looking around.

(Nothing...Oh look! Alistair is done!)

"Hey-" Jumper just sighed and looked over when the changing room door opened and Alistair stepped out. "Well don't you look snazzy," he pointed out giving him a once over.

"Hey I just put this on, don't strip me yet with your eyes," he barked out laughing when Jumper turned tomato red.

"Alistair! What the fuck!?" Jumper screeched swatting his arm before hiding his face in his hood.

Alistair just laughed at the reaction and pulled them into his side for a partial hug. "I'm so sorry!" he laughed trying to calm down, "it was just too perfect and I couldn't pass it up," he simmered down and started to lead Jumper out of the store. he waved to the store keep before exiting.

"I hate you so much," Jumper mumbled.

"Love you too Realmy," Alistair smirked.

As they walked out Alistair's smile dropped looking at what he saw in front of him. "Looks like we don't have to track you down," a deep voice spoke out from the anthropomorphic lizard-looking one in front. Alistair knew Jumper wouldn't understand what they said and in this situation, he was kind of glad.

"I hope you know what you are getting yourself into," he growled back pushing Jumper, who was now very tense and alert, behind him.

Trouble in the Steampunk World PT.5

"Ali-" Jumper was confused but something about how they spoke made them tense all the same. They've only seen Alistair become this angry when someone insulted them and when they had gotten taken in Wisdom's world. It means there was trouble and it also meant Alistair was pissed.

"Jumper just stay behind me and don't get in my way," Alistair snapped out straightening his posture to stand at his full height of 6'3. Peaking around him Jumper saw who he was talking to, a lizard man, another blue-skinned man, and an ash-skinned girl. The look in their eyes wasn't a nice one and Jumper backed off, stepping back into the closed door of the shop. They considered going back inside but they didn't want to bring trouble into the one place they were welcomed into.

"So you and the short stack are a pair," the lizard man quipped with a grotesque gargle of a laugh following it, "wouldn't think a universe walker would have a bodyguard, they are normally much more elusive," he chuckled deeply again. Each word poked at different nerves in Alistair and he was very close to just snapping the man's neck. He held back though, he knew the rules Jumper had set out for him when it came to accompanying them on these journies. 'No fighting unless they swing first,' and he abided by it very well.

"So are ya just going to run your gross scally mouth or is there a point of you blocking my path," Alistair asked placing his hand on his hip and cocking his head to the side. His hand brushed the hilt of one of his twin blades twitching to grasp it and put the curved blades to use.

"What was that?" the lizard growled putting his hand on the hilt of his own weapon, a long sword from the looks of it.

"I basically told ya to move your scaly ass if you're going to do nothing but flap your lips." Alistair reiterated slowly. His gaze growing darker and darker with impatience and fury.

Alistair was never really good at waiting for fights to start. He would always be the one to start and end the fights. He loved the thrill they brought and the satisfaction of finally being able to feel pain if they got the chance to even strike. It always sent ripples of excitement through his spine and sent him into a sort of adrenaline-filled trance. Jumper had always said he reminded them of his mother when he got into fights. The joy they saw him take was the same, he had no grounds to deny it either.

He really did enjoy a good fight.

And a fight he was going to get when the Lizardman finally drew his sword and slashed it towards Alistair. He was just as quick though drawing of his blades and blocking the attack. Sparks flew from the force of both their attacks, splashing to the sides of them and lighting up the excitement in Alistair's eyes.

The Lizardman was heavy though and so was his sword added on top of it, and with Alistair being in a semi-tight spot his weight wasn't well balanced. Having to bend his back awkwardly, Alistair grit his teeth as the sword pushed closer to him. "God," he grits out, "you are a lot heavier than ya look," he groaned finally getting his foot to move into a position best suited to balancing his weight along with the added force of the lizard. All he got was a low hiss and more added weight to the blade.

"Alistair," Jumper was scared about the fact that they couldn't do anything to help since they didn't know the land very well, but he did know one place, "be ready to jump backward," they called out before opening a portal right below them.

Alistair knew the feeling of portals well but being sunk into one with little warning still threw him off a bit. He jumped back though right as they entered and within a moment they were all spat back at the top of the hill they entered the world on. Alistair was a bit dizzy from the quick shift, Jumper was fine though, and dragged him back away from the pile of three.

"Fuckin' portal openers," the lizard hissed putting a hand to his head. The other two looked sick as they groaned and untangled themselves from each other.

Alistair cracked his neck thankful now for a more open area and stood in front of Jumper once more. He brought out his second blade and crouched a bit ready to spring to action. "Come on ya scaly bastard what happened to all of the smack talk," he prodded with a shit-eating grin.

The Lizardman stiffened and looked up slowly, shooting an infuriated glare his way. The look alone was enough to send a shiver down Alistair's spine and make his grin widen. And like before the Lizardman was first to make a move with a wide attack, swinging his sword from above.

Alistair was quick to respond and used both of his blades to catch the sword as it came down, aiming at Alistair's neck. The force of the attack was enough to shift him over an inch or so as well which made it even more fun for him.

Using the side of his blades, Alistair was able to slide the sword down and guide the Lizard's movement accordingly. The sword's blade dug into the ground deep within a second of the attack and Alistair took it as an opening. Shifting his stance he turned in a half spin, flipping his blade to strike behind him into the Lizards side.

The resounding squelch sound and the feeling of his blade sinking into something touch was more than enough to tell Alistair his attack hit. Though it wasn't his best option seeing as he left himself open and soon found himself in the ground groaning in slight pain. He lost his grip on his blade after getting thrown off and spun in time to dodge a sword coming at his skull.

"Ya just don't quit," he chuckled jumping away and getting up. He brushed the dirt off of his new cloak and faced the three now facing him ready to battle. "Well this is one unfair way to battle, but I wouldn't have it any other way," he smiled widely and beckoned them to come at him.

"You should have just retreated," Jumper chastized as they stood over a laying down Alistair. The fight took a lot longer than he had hoped but luckily he was the winner and he kept them from getting anywhere near Jumper. And he was also lucky enough to keep jumper from joining in on their own volition.

"Now where is the fun in that," he chuckled lightly bringing his hand up to wipe away a bit of blood from his nose.

He was kind of sad that his clothing was a bit ruined right after he had just got them but it was bound to happen at one point or another. Though luckily the blood wouldn't be seen all too easily with the amount of red and black he was already wearing. The light cream shirt though would have to be discarded though, sadly.

"Come on we should go find an inn to stay at so we can both rest up, I wanna leave tomorrow after some sleep," Jumper put out their hand for Alistair to take. He took it gratefully and got up slowly, feeling the bruises from the hits he took forming all over his body by that point.

"That damn lizard had a hard hit, I don't think I would have gotten out of that fit unscathed even if I tried," he chuckled, holding his side.

"You could have just gone straight for the kill instead of playing and dancing around them as you did, it would have been quicker and easier," Jumper grumbled with a small shrug.

"Well well well, who's the chaotic one now?" Alistair chuckled wrapping his arm around Jumper's shoulders and pulling him over to his side so he could mess with their hair. The other let out a small noise of surprise before they started struggling to try and get away from the attack. Though when the normal method didn't work they just resorted to digging their fingers into a bruise.

"Fuck!" Alistair shouted and let Jumper go to cradle their tender side, "low blow Realmy, Low blow," he pouted rubbing the now very sore area.

"Serves you right, you know I hate when you mess with my hair," they shrugged as they walked.

The rest of the walk kind of fell into the routine of Jumper chastising Alistair from how much of an idiot he was being, to Alistair messing with them, to Alistair getting more hurt by Jumper. All the way until they got back to the city. And like before, the stares followed them as they walked but the whispers became murmurs and quiet talking. Jumper just stayed close to Alistair as he limped forward, looking at the signs as they passed looking for a place to stay.

After a while, they found a place, not the best place but not the worst they had stayed in either. Alistair paid in gold like he normally did and with the help of Jumper got up the stairs to their room. Both ignored the curious looks they got from the inn staff and other patrons and soon got behind closed doors.

With a sigh Jumper closed and locked the door behind them as Alistair trudged to the single bed in the corner of the room and fell over onto it. "Alistair you can't sleep like that, you could get an infection," Jumper sighed walking over and taking off the cloak they were wearing. They put it down on a near stool and rolled up both their sleeves ready to help their mess of a friend.

Alistair just grunted in response along with a half-assed shrug. Jumper's eye twitched and he stalked over to the bed and grabbed Alistair by the collar and hauled him up to a sitting position. They pulled the cape over his head and tossed it to the side then moved to unbutton the vest he was wearing. He paused though and looked over his shoulder for a moment, "Don't get any ideas ya dirty-minded readers," they glared before going back to what they were doing.

"What was that," Alistair mumbled giving them a confused look.

"Nothing, just something that needed to be done," he shrugged pulling the vest off, "Arms up," he instructed and Alistair complied letting Jumper remove his shirt.

"Didn't know you had it in you to-" Jumper didn't let him finish, instead they clamped their hand around his mouth.

"Shut it and let me help," they glared. Alistair stared wide-eyed at the pissed look Jumper gave him and nodded silently. Alistair knew that if he pissed them off even more it would be them that 'killed' him not anyone or anything else. And that alone was scary enough to keep him silent.

Jumper worked fast patching him up and stood back about an hour later to marvel at their handy work, "Now you can lay down," they huffed as they wiped their hands on a clean cloth.

"Thank you Realm," Alistair spoke sincerely giving them a warm look. Jumper gave him an equally warm smile and kicked off their shoes.

"We should get some rest, I'll sleep on the chair," they shrugged as they turned out the lamp next to the bed. Though they didn't even get a chance to move away when a hand reached out and pulled them back.

With a yelp Jumper fell back into the bed against Alistair who wrapped his arms around their waist, "Yeah I don't think so, you'll be sleeping here with me whether you like it or not," Alistair's tone left no room for argument and Jumper nodded stiffly.

"Ali-"

"No, just stay," he whispered lowly. His tone alone was enough to make all of Jumper's protests die in their throat.

"Alright," he agreed and shifted to get comfortable as Alistair pulled the blanket up to cover the both of them, "Good night idiot," they whispered.

"Good night Realmy," Alistair whispered back. And soon enough Jumper fell asleep and right before Alistair fell asleep he whispered to them again, "I love you."

Trouble in the Steampunk World Finale

Morning came rather quickly for the two travelers and both were awoken by a knock on the door. Alistair being who he is sobered up the quickest and climbed out of the bed, "Stay here," he whispered to Jumper who was still half asleep. No complaint from them.

Jumper rubbed their eyes though to try and straighten up their vision as they watched Alistair walk over and open the door a crack. "Sir," a female voice came from the door, "as per your request I have come to inform you that you have a few," she paused for a moment, "unfriendly quests looking for you downstairs. Would you like me to try and turn them away?" she asked.

The mention of new enemies had Jumper on their feet in no time, they were quick to the door and slightly pushed Alistair out of the way. And now looking through the crack of the door he saw the same girl from earlier that night standing there. She seemed nice, worried even, something they were a bit relieved to see in this place. "Excuse my appearance miss," Jumper sighed flattening their hair, "Just do your best to keep them distracted, we'll use the window to get away," Jumper gave a small grin. The girl seemed even more worried but Alistair stepped in, rolling his eyes as he did.

"Don't worry miss, we have had to do this quite a few times in our travels. Now that we are rested my friend here is very good at making escapes. Just keep them busy for 5 minutes at most." he grinned mischievously. The girl seemed to relax a small bit but overall she seemed a bit exasperated if that was the right word for it.

"Don't make too much of a racket or a mess, I don't complaints comin' in from our other guests," she waved as she went back towards the stairs to the front. Leaning further out of the door, Alistair could hear the sounds of angered talking and the girl trying to keep them from coming up the stairs.

"Welp, it seems like we have to put your trickster nature to good use aye Jumper," Alistair laughed lightly backing up and closing the door, making sure to put the lock back into place.

"Are you sure you are okay to make a jump, aren't you still healing from last night's fight," Jumper sighed, still feeling a bit worried over how a jump may affect him. Though looking at him now Jumper may not need to worry, he seems to have healed quite a bit while resting.

Stupid demi-god powers.

"I'll be fine Realm, anyways ya know very well my stance on pain, seeing as you are the main source of pain I get on a day-to-day basis," he poked Jumper's cheek at the last statement but held a grin all the while.

"Yeah yeah, it's not like I ask you to come through the portals, you do that on your own volition Mr. Masochist," Jumper bit back with a smirk.

"Oh come now, you can't tell me you don't like the fact that I don't complain about the jumps," he shrugged.

"No, I have to deal with you moaning about it..." Jumper deadpanned while putting on their cloak and moved to pull on their boots.

"Hey, I do not moan!" Alistair cried out, his cheeks turning slightly red. Jumper just stared at him for a moment blankly before doubling over in a fit of laughter, "What are ya laughing at!" Alistair seethed in embarrassment putting on his bloody clothing, he could really care less about the stains.

Jumper just clutched their stomach as they struggled to catch their breath from laughing, "Sorry, sorry, I've just," he paused sucking in a breath and finally calmed down a bit more, "I've just never seen your face go so red before," he explained chuckling a bit at the afterthought.

"If we didn't have a time crunch I would show you what it means to blush," Alistair grit out but it was true that they were on a slight time crunch.

Jumper just waved off the threat and opened the back window, looking out they could see that they were close enough to jump down to the next wall and then to the ground. "Alrighty, looks like we can get down, let's go," Jumper let out a light laugh as he climbed through the window and leaped over to the adjacent wall and then down to the floor.

"Look out below," Alistair called as he jumped straight from the window to the cobblestone path below. Jumper just stepped out of the way and watched as he landed and got up wiping the dust from his pants.

"You infuriate me at times," Jumper grumbled.

"Not my fault you were born mortal," he shrugged and soon a banging sound came from above them. It was coming from close to the window they just jumped out of meaning it was their door being beat on.

"Just in time," Jumper sighed and started leading Alistair out.

"We better run and not walk then if we were that close," Alistair suggested looking over his shoulder to the alley they walked out of.

"Good idea," Jumper agreed and started picking up the pace. And soon they were running through the crowded morning streets, weaving through people and groups.

At some point, they heard yelling behind them and in the midst of it, Jumper started laughing, "What's so funny," Alistair called over to him, slightly amused as well.

"It's been a while since I've felt this rested, I'm enjoying it. Plus it's fun leading idiots around on a chase." He shrugged looking back at the ones chasing them. They looked to be twice as big as them but they also reminded them of the guys who fought Alistair last night. "I think they are mainly coming after you since you killed their friends last night, wouldn't blame them but sadly for them, we are nearing our exit."

"Ready to jump when you are," Alistair confirmed.

They were nearing the edge of the city from the looks of it and soon Jumper slowed down his pace to a jog and moved his hand out from under the cloak. With a slash of his hand in a downward angle, the air rippled around them and the air in the section Jumper cut seemed to stop altogether. Within moments a rift tore open and Jumper jumped right through followed by Alistair. Both of them laughing as they heard the yells of their chasers cut off when the door closed.

The world seemed just as normal as the one they just left. "This still isn't Wisdom's world is it?" Alistair asked.

"Nope."

The Storyteller

Tell me, have you ever heard of the ‘Story Teller’? No? Well, then I will tell you about her. She is a mythical being known throughout all of history in all cultures but by many names. I will be telling you about her where she is known as a storyteller, the teller of lives. The teller of fates. Of loves and hates and even of deaths. She’s also known as fate.

She didn’t start out as myth though. As you all should know, myths and legends came from somewhere and some even have truth behind them. The Storyteller started out as a small girl who lived in a small village way back in the centuries. She loved to read and keep her nose on the old pages of her favorite books. Though when she couldn’t read a book she created her own.

People in her village always saw her looking into the sky with a far-off look as she created her stories. Her stories ranged from ones of happiness and happy endings to those of tragedies and sad endings. She entrapped those who listened with her voice and the spark in her eyes as she spoke. Yet no one knew how she could come up with such elaborate stories in such a short time. This is where she got the name of The Storyteller and forever did she keep it.

Years passed and more and more stories were created by her. Though her stories were not only enthralling, now they were true. For every story she created and spoke out, someone in her village or in the near villages lived through it. Her stories and her voice gained a power no one understood. Though everyone knew that she means no harm in what she speaks they still had an underlying fear.

They knew if her story was of tragedy, someone would live through it. What was worse was that the person that lived through it was random and never revealed in her words. She never used names and vaguely described the characters. One day a young boy came up to her as she sat under an old willow and asked her, “Miss Storyteller? How do come up with your stories?”

She smiled down to the boy and with a spark of mystery she told him. “You see little one I don’t make them up I see them in my dreams.” The boy looked at her mystified and nodded with a smile before getting up and running to play with his friends.

Though while she sat and let the stories come to her other things were being contemplated within the village. Due to the fear of The Storytellers’ truthful stories the village elders held a meeting. For three days and nights, they argued as to what they would do with her until they came up with a solution on the fourth morning.

And before you ask, no they didn’t burn her or lock her away they did something a bit different. They found her under her willow tree and with determined eyes told her her sentence. They told her to leave the village on a quest to the god's temple. They believed that the gods could tell her what her stories are and why they came to be true. She agreed and with determination, she set out that evening.

It took her five nights and six days to reach the temple the elders spoke of and she looked at it with awe. Pillars of marble stretched to the skies and doors of the same size opened into a spacious room of marble lined with gold that glittered in the torchlight. Statues of many men and women lined the walls to the very back where a great calendar was depicted on the full wall.

When she stepped in all the statues turned to her and she froze. She was not scared but intrigued as one approached her. “Why is it that you have come?” He asked and she looked up to his stone face.

“I have come to find out why the stories that come to me, come true.” She said and the statue steps back with a smile.

“That is easy,” He begins with a laugh, “that is because you tell the story of people's life. You have read their fate and story. You are the cosmic storyteller.” He explained with his arms open wide.

Another statue stepped up to her, “You are a goddess, young Storyteller,” she said with a smile and swept her arms around to the others who nodded.

Though she may have understood what they were saying she was still confused about a few things. “If I am a goddess like you say I am, why am I on earth born a human?” She asked and everyone looked at her with a knowing look in their stone eyes.

“All gods and goddesses have to start somewhere, you dear just so happened to have started as a human.” One explained.

“But how do I join all of you?” She asked with longing.

The one who first spoke to her addressed her, “You must live out your life until death parts you from this earth then will you be reborn into the stars as a goddess with your full powers.” He explained and as she had no more questions they sent her back to her village.

As she trecked the six-day trail she decided to keep what had been told to her a secret and come up with a different reason as to why her stories came true. The elders bought her story and she lived out her life telling stories until her very last breath.

Once she passed, she was reborn into the stars where she looked over the world and created the stories of the entire lives of those who were born.

Now you may have a burning question, how do I know so much about ‘The Storyteller’? Well, that’s easy, it’s because I am ‘The Storyteller’.

Missing Pen

It’s that time again, you feel the creative ideas flowing and you wanna draw something to show off to others. You grab your tablet, your pen, and your glove as well if you have one. You settle down in the place that you normally draw in and set up your playlist to get in the zone.

All is well, you finally got your sketch done and it’s time for a break so you put your pen down and check social media, maybe even watch a youtube video before deciding it’s time to get back to the grind. You open up your art application and go to grab your pen, but it’s gone! You remember putting it down right next to you but it’s nowhere to be seen. You ruffle through your space, overturn everything, and nothing.

You scratch your head wondering what could have happened to it but it’s not like it could have grown legs and walked away on its own.

After a few minutes, you almost quit when you hear a quiet cackling near you. You look around and find a small creature and it’s holding your pen! It gives you a devious grin before disappearing into a crack in the wall, so you go over to see if you can see it. Nothing. You pull back now stumped on what to do when you hear a tiny voice, “Anything to trade?”

You look back down to see the little gremlin thief is now at the hole in the wall empty-handed and crossing its tiny arms. And of course, it looks smug.

“Trade?” You ask.

“Yes if you want that pen back you gotta trade for it.” It states smugly.

“But it was mine first! You stole it!” You whisper yell in protest.

“I found it,” it corrected, “and finders keepers…unless you have something to trade,” he shrugged.

You stay silent for a moment before groaning and getting up and looking around. You don’t really see anything trade-worthy or something you wanna give up at first until you spot something on your desk. While it may be fake it may do the trick so you grab it and return to the wall gremlin.

“How’s this,” you hold up the slightly large fake gold coin and the gremlin takes it and examines it.

“Hmmm,” it squints, looks over its shoulder into the wall, and grins, “Deal!”

It takes the coin and runs in and returns shortly with your pen in hand. You snatch it before anything can happen and finally get back to your drawing making sure to never let your pen out of sight again