Unlike the easy carefree mornings he had experienced while living in Samanthas' grand apartment- or at the Malton estate- his memories of the last day did not gradually fill him as he awoke.

  They were already there- prepared and ready. So he shot up and looked towards Cass. Her condition was unchanged. While Sora and Vaz seemed to be getting ready.

  "The sword wants to talk to you." Vaz said casually as he laced his boots. Theo rubbed his eyes. "Huh?"

  "It's over there." Vaz gestured with his head towards a sword laying across one of the logs positioned for sitting. The light-blue blade was unmarked and beautiful. It's hilt was silver-white metal with no crossguard for the blade. Instead it transitioned into the blue metal as if it was forged from one piece.

  The handle itself was wrapped with a faded red fabric, and the pommel on the bottom was a round pearl. The white shape would shine pink in the light at certain angles.

  "Oh. I forgot about that. The sword... Talks?" Theo stood up groggily. He'd barely got any sleep last night- he half expected Metatekai to show up in his dreams and tell him off for the things he said in his prayer.

  Vaz nodded; "It cleared up a few things actually, about Cass and what is happening to her. She'll be okay- for now. The sword'll explain." he stomped his foot a few times to make sure his boot fit properly. "I'm going to do some foraging, we didn't really get a good opportunity to last night."

  Theo walked to the blade. "Hey... Sword?" he said. "You have to hold it." Vaz said as he strapped his spear to his back. "I'm borrowing the shotgun. Just in case." he said. "Yeah, goodluck." Theo told him as he ducked from the clearing. Theo glanced to Sora, but she was busy reading over several sheets of paper she had sprawled across a boulder.

  He picked up the sword.

  "Greetings, adventurer! I assume the one who holds the blade is the one known as Theo! My, a changeling with such a heroic heart and aura! I hardly believed it myself when your allies told me that you could be trusted, a doppleganger! Ha, by her light!"

  Theo almost dropped the sword in shock as the voice suddenly filled his head.

  "Hey. Magic sword. Why do you talk? You wanted to talk to me?" Theo asked. A sleepy raspy tone in his voice still.

  The voice hardly waited for him to finish speaking before starting again; "My name is Crav Broksted- and I am a devoted paladin in service of the platinum band! A religious order whom devoted ourselves to chivalrous causes in service of the light mistress and the other moral paragons!"

  Theo opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted-

  "A'las! One day my service came to it's end! We had tracked down the seedborn to this island- a evil man eating race in service to Esme, the betrayer god of druids and nature. Though, the druids themselves would claim she is impartial to the gods feuds, but impartiality does not mean turning a blind eye to evil acts, now would it?"

  "You were... Trapped in a sword?" Theos brain had to work overtime this early morning to decipher the torrent of words that erupted from the blade.

  The self-assured and righteous voice was energetic in its' response, as always; "The light can never be trapped! The highest of our order are trained to imbue our blades with our essence- so that our service to the platinum band may be extended. A'las, I was becoming feeble and weak in my older age and the seedborn are formidable foes. I killed the queen, but their loyal detainers still remained. So, I committed the dire act, sacrificing my own life and enchanting this blade with my will. To contain the seedborn and thus prevent them from spawning another queen."

  Theos eyes flitted to Cass and aback to the sword. "So that's why you were here? To kill man eating plants?"

  The sword seemed resentful of the lack of praise in Theos words.

  "You say it as if it was mere gardening my good sir... A seedborn infection spreads rapidly, and if not contained here would threaten the entire world. Paladins wherever they are are compelled by their oaths to intervene. It's a very serious matter, boy."

  "No, no, I'm sure it's very impressive. Good job."

  "Thank you." they said seriously.

  "Will... Cass be okay?" Theo asked uneasily. The sword was uncharacteristically quiet for a moment then.

  "...Possibly. It seems your [Rune Mage] had moved the seed from her heart. Which thankfully prevented the birth of another queen. Though she will gradually transform into a drone- a lesser seedborn enthralled to their will. Not before long she'll lose all sense of self and become their devoted servant... Even as we speak, the vines move to encase her soul. She likely already has received the class, many of my order would not consider her human or trust her until she's been treated or ended."

  Theo visibly flinched at the notion of killing Cass.

  "Though... I understand our precarious situation. Myself- a sword that requires a set of legs. And you all, whom require hasty aid. The girl can be salvaged. But we must work quickly. Evil does not rest and neither shall we. We shall free this lesser god, purge the goblin scum from this land, and-"

  Theo put the sword down and walked away.

  "Shit... Shit,shit,shit." he rubbed his face. Cass was dying, essentially. Another friend of his with a terminal illness, just what he needed. In a world full of magic that can heal anything.

  "The sword tell you about the seedborn?" Sora asked plainly as she poured over her schematics.

  "Yeah... I guess it didn't really tell us anything we didn't already know. She needs a healer. And fast."

  She nodded. "And we'll get her to one- I have a plan. When Vaz gets back I need you two to gather some potassium nitrate.", "Saltpeter?" Theo asked. Sora raised her eyebrows. "Basic highschool chemistry back where I'm from."

  Sora smiled and shook her head slowly; "Teaching alchemy to commoner children. I'd love to see this world of yours someday. Yes, saltpeter. I am creating a weapon to deal with the goblin threat."

  "What about the flying machine?", Theo asked and Sora moved a paper displaying the complex craft she had been designing. "Takes too long. I'll just kill the goblins and take the ship. Hopefully your grandmother shows up by then and can offer some sort of help. Can you get some wood burning? We need to create some charcoal for the mix."

  "Sure.", "Make sure you use thick pieces." she added.

  Theo helped Sora with her work for a couple hours while Vaz foraged, once Vaz got back they ate a humble breakfast of bird eggs and bread.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  "Please do not put me down when I'm speaking with you." the sword, 'Crav' said as Theo grasped it again. "Sorry, we're a bit busy here..."

  "So what's this plan?" Vaz asked Sora who unfurled a map from her overalls. She laid it out across her knees as she sat.

  "It's simple. The goblins like to steal things, I'm going to give them something worth stealing."

  ---

  TopG had a very different morning in his private chamber. That was- a deadend cave covered with a curtain of leaves. The tiny space would be cramped for a full-sized human, but for him it served as a spacious bedroom.

  He wasn't shocked to find Dahl next to him- on his bed of feathers and boar hides.

  ...He still was worried about how a relationship with a fantasy creature would work. Once he's no longer trapped here, he could always visit. Maybe there was a way to show her the real world too. It would be complicated, what if they shut down the servers or something?

  Thinking of things like that were a welcome distraction considering the carnage of the last couple days. Perhaps it's why he finally caved to Dahls unending poking and prodding.

  "Mmph..." Dahl awoke, rubbing her face into the soft furs and feathers. "Good morning." he said. "Morning?" she said as she blinked at him. Realization slowly crossed her face and she smiled with a hint of embarrassment.

  She looked like she was about to say something else, suddenly in the heat of the moment but she stopped mid-breath and reconsidered. She pondered.

  "Hmm.. I, want to.." her eyes flitted about as if she was searching for the word. The way of asking what she's always asked that wouldn't offend TopG. He chuckled; "You're insufferable." he said as he leaned in and kissed her. He wanted to be gentle, but that was not how Dahl was.

  He had to be careful. -And not just because her teeth were sharp.

  Goblins got pregnant easily. Then gave birth quickly. So he made sure to take precautions with her. The night before was a blur of emotion and passion, but he had that much forethought at least.

  She was confused as to why, but he assured her that maybe someday they might have children. He wasn't against the idea. But not when they were in such a dangerous and unforgiving place.

  Dahl didn't allow him to kiss her long before climbing on top him.

  Her skin was a bit more rough than a persons, but it wasn't like he'd complain about it. Like her other goblin traits, it only made her more exotic to him. If it was his first night there- he'd be terrified just seeing them. But now, he saw a person with slight differences. Long, pointed ears. Nappy hair that curled up tightly into braids.

  Her eyes fascinated him most of all- seeing them cry had won him over in the end. The affection and desire she looked at him with- felt undeserved. Her intense red glare reflected her intents well. TopG didn't know why she loved him so much, so fiercely and so quickly- but he didn't mind being the target of her affections.

  The two were wrapped up together for a portion of the morning. Finding some brief respite, or escape in one another. Free from the numerous worries or the obligations to the tribe for a time.

  But all good things come to an end, and they had to face the world outside. They dressed in their hide clothing.

  TopG wore pants and a sleeveless tunic. Dahl wore a breastband and thong, which he was beginning to have complaints about. If you were at the beach it'd make sense being dressed that way, as a swim outfit. But he was suddenly more aware of the gaze of other goblins as they left the cave.

  "Topege." a goblin- Teska, met him outside. She was dressed scantily in a similar manor to Dahl, as most goblins were.

  "Hunt today?", she asked. He shook his head. "No. I think we earned a break. Build. Oil crossbows." he said. Teska nodded, stealing a envious glance towards Dahl who seemed rather pleased with herself.

  It wasn't limited to the female goblins either, as TopG has come to learn- goblins seemed to cross gender lines much more often than people in his world did. Some of the male goblins were disappointed to see the obvious truth as well. The two of them were an item, and they knew how TopG well enough to know that it was a closed relationship.

  His group of goblins set about in a small clearing. Using seed oils to clean their dwarvish crossbows, and crafting idly. Making nets or rope.

  "What you do, Topege?", Dahl asked him. He took no time in answering; "Lets go for a walk. I have so much to tell you, like first of all- my actual name is Reagan. Not TopG, that's just some goofy name I came up with on the spot."

  "Ray-gun... Reagan." she tested the word on her lips as she usually did when learning a new one. "That's it. You can call me that when we're alone, but I still want to keep it secret. If people found out who I am here, it might make things difficult."

  She nodded uneasily, not fully sure what he meant.

  And so, they walked. And he told her anything he could think of in the moment. About his world, what it was like, why he was there. And she seemed to grow more and more attached to him as he did. As if he represented a lifeline out of this hellhole, and maybe he was. He didn't want her living there anymore than he wanted to live there himself.

  So he also told her his plan to escape.

  ---

  Theo and Vaz found the location marked on the map. The cliff loomed over a massive clearing where rough sandstone would be overtaken by the tide at night. But now, it was dried. The distant waves had receded to some jagged rocks about an acre away.

  "Just anywhere I guess?" Theo said, dropping the mini-fridge sized brass machine onto the sandstone.

  "No sign of goblins at least." Vaz said as he walked around the area. Souting.

  Theo arranged the machine so that the drill bit faced downwards and flicked the switch.

  The drill itself was held suspended by a wire on a spool that unwound endlessly. Theo watched it and was curious how the spool never became thinner. The drill was the size of his changeling forearm- about half the size of a normal forearm. It bit through the sandstone easily.

  "And now, we wait." he said.

  "So you have no problems killing goblins? Monster to monster?" Vaz asked as he sat down and pulled out a flintstone. He would sharpen his spear while he waited.

  Theo shrugged. "They seem pretty murderous. I'm not a monster either, not really. Some species are dangerous, it's just a fact. Not everything is going to be the same. The world is a big place. If something is cute and cuddly like a lamb, I'd probably be less careful around it than say, a tiger. I know some people see fantasy races as just other people, but anyone with an actual brain would be smarter than that. It's not like racism in my world, there's a difference between skin color, and an actual genetic desire to hunt and kill. It's not some grand metaphor for racism, at least not in this fantasy world."

  Vaz smirked; "Well, some people are monster apologists and I have to be honest... Seeing you makes me question if monsters are all that bad. I know your situation is a bit different than that though, but if this world was created for people to be monsters and other races- it's just strange to me to want to be evil. It's not like you're a natural born doppleganger, but now I wonder if they're capable of being decent people."

  "You are not a natural born doppleganger?" the righteous manly voice of the sword rang out in Theos head.

  He looked to his hip where it hung. "No- this world was created by mine to be a game." he said to the sword. Before it could respond he turned back to Vaz; "Vaz. These monster apologists, what kind of monsters do they consider good? All of them?"

  Vaz made a 'well...' kind of expression; "It depends. There's a few lands like Dellerose who accept just about any monster, from goblins to harpies. But there are human lands that see even beastkin as monsters. But that's been changing, even in Adun you're starting to see some beastkin around. A changeling like you would be accepted in Dellerose probably."

  The sword piped up again; "So you are from another realm?" it asked. "No, my world has no magic. We created this one using electricity and metal. The world around us is being created using electric signals in our brains that mimic our natural ones that perceive the world around us."

  "...I must consider this.. Heresy.", "Goodluck." Theo said turning his attention to the machine.

  It had started making noise. Like a lawn mower that ran over a rock. A bit of steam emerged from the hole.

  "I think we struck gun powder." Vaz said, and Theo smiled; "Not gunpowder, but close. It's like 60-70% of gunpowder though... If I remember correctly."

  Theo flipped another switch on the device and the spool of wire retrieved the drill. As it was pulled back up- a white powder was lifted with it- creating a small ant hill of white powder around the base of the drilling device.

  "Time to blow up some goblins." Vaz said. Theo nodded. "Those goblins sure are an obstacle. It'd be nice not to have to worry about them."

  ---

  Unknown to the two miners- they had an audience. Two goblin heads were peaking over the bushes.

  "Some sailors survived." TopG breathed out, relieved. Dahl looked at him confused; "Is good? It is a good thing?"- she was still working on speaking more like TopG did.

  "Yes! They can help us escape. But... What are they doing? That white powder, is it salt or could it be..." he said as he watched the two men worked. Or at least, one man and some reptilian looking man. That was strange, but it was a fantasy world. Of course they had more races than just dwarves and goblins.

  "What is?" Dahl asked. "I think it could be used to make weapons. But I'm not sure, I remember saltpeter being mined with water pressure, not a drill."

  "Press?", Dahl asked. "Pressure. It's like- here put your hands against mine." Dahl did as he instructed and he pushed against her. "Pressure. This." he said. Realization past over her eyes. She was a fast learner.

  "Push. Pressure." Dahl said smiling. "Yep. But there's only one good use for saltpeter. I hope it's just salt or something, but I doubt it."

  Dahl looked as well. "Making weapon you said? Why don't make boat?" she asked.

  TopGs heart slowly picked up pace as he heard her say so. "I don't like this..." he said. "Let's head back. I need to find something, maybe we can get it from the ship... But I want to write a letter."

  Dahl heard the words 'let's head back' and nodded. "Good. Want to go back cave. To cave. We tell chieftain?" she asked. Knowing TopG didn't have much allegiance to the muscular goblin. "Not yet. First I want to talk to them." he pointed to the two working in the distance.

  The two goblins ducked away from the clearing stealthily and rushed back to their home.

  A letter. That's what he'd do. If they're mining for gunpowder- that means they're even more dangerous. He couldn't chance a face-to-face meeting with them.

  After all, these people were born in this world. And in this world- goblins were dangerous. But if he left a letter with them... Maybe he could convince them that him and his goblins were decent.