To Be Proud: Revamped

Chapter 12: Surprises in Store

~Thwok~

I was fortunate that my brain functioned as an internal clock, since the lighting difference between morning and night was little to none on the island. Waking up with a jolt, I got up and looked out the window at the lightly glimmering crystals lining the cavern walls. I picked up the open book regarding the Beat Hereafter element from my bed and walked out of my room.

The halls in the morning were extremely quiet, fitting for the resting island. I wandered about quietly, taking a careful look at the pictures and statues that decorated the castle. There were a few paintings that were dated during the Dawn of Fire, back when the Natural Islands and Fire Haven were one big landmass known as the Continent. A few statues also showcased the Celestials, some of the most powerful beings in the monster world.

I was marveling a painting depicting monsters from what I could only assume was Space Island when I heard a voice coming from an adjoining hallway. Clutching the book in my arms, I peeked into the hall to see Wubbox walking towards the back of the castle. He seemed to be speaking into something, so I hid behind a statue to listen in. He sounded a bit distressed, maybe tired, and he paced a little bit.

      "Yeah, I know...they're here, safe and sound...I dunno. Kayna told me they fell, I think? Again, I dunno...are you okay? Sounds like something's wrong...uprising...quest for ultimate power? Are you sure you didn't-hello? Wublin? Wublin, come in, Wublin." He scoffed, tapping something on the side of his head. "Old goof. Probably didn't sleep again."

      "Wuhbox?" Wubbox jumped and spun his head, literally, towards me. Once he recognized me, he calmed down.

      "Oh, Thwok. Happy to see you. Did I wake you up?" Wubbox turned his body around so that he was facing me fully.

      "No. I do thaht awtomahticahlly."

      "Internal clocking system, hm? Wublin really is a genius."

      "Is this, 'Wuhblin', the Wuhbox ohn Wuhblin Island?" Wubbox smiled.

      "I see you're catching on. Back when us Wubboxes were sent to different islands, communication was an absolute nightmare. No one knew who was saying what when and from where, so we gave ourselves an extra field to fill out: code names. We agreed that, to avoid confusion, we stuck with the name of the island we resided on. For example, my code name to the other Wubboxes is 'Bone'. This doesn't change my name, however. I am still Wubbox; I just go by Bone whenever I'm communicating with other Wubboxes."

      "Is...is Wuhblin ohkay?"

      "I'm not sure. He sounded panicked, going on about an 'uprising' on Wublin Island. Pretty sure she's just delusional. Either that, or they didn't get enough sleep, in which both are plausible."

      "Waiht, uhpwising?"

      "Yeah. Cut communication, afterwards."

      "Lihke, fohr pohwuh? Thaht kind ohf uhpwising?"

      "Sure seems like it." I looked down in realization.

      "Oh my Galvana Ona wahs light."

      "Light?" I pointed to my left, Wubbox's right. "Oh, 'right'. Gotch-wait, who was right about what?"

      "Lohng stohee, buht Ona and I mahde a beht. Wuhbox, thehre weally is an uhpwising. Wuhblin's noht johking." Wubbox stared at me for a bit before he put his hand to his head, pressing a small button.

      "Ethereal, this is Bone. Assistance is needed on Wublin Island A.S.A.P. Do you copy?" Wubbox started walking towards the front entrance of the castle, awaiting some sort of response. I followed him through the halls, listening. "Alright, I'll give you details when we arrive at the island...Okay. 10-4."