The System

Prologue Ō - Part VI --> Kal = Bad Choices (Part 02)

    Yet another ill-fated gamble Crook lost, that much Kal understood. But gambling away THE illustrious night scale! A vessel renowned across the vast expanse of the multiverse... Countless narratives, myths, liberation movements, and tales incorporated the Night Scale's indelible presence. Each captain fortunate enough to be chosen by her became immortalized in the records of multiversal history. Her journey is rumored to have started before the first RÆ, before time, and predating the very fabric of the cosmic system. The tales Kal heard instilled in him an urge to chastise Crook for his transgressions against her.

    While the ship was undeniably his possession—it was also THE ᚨːəᚨî Night Scale—a vessel rumored to navigate beyond the confines of the multiverse. An ancient ship that outpaced many modern Stellar. Only a lucky few are fortunate enough to embark upon such a magnificent ship and meet the notorious crew of misfits. Her tales are sung, cherished, and eternally engraved in the hearts of countless beings.

    Her presence—a miracle to witness.

    Her beauty—a blessing upon the soul.

    Her tales had tales, each adding to her mystique and allure.

     And this bug gave her away.

    Kal's inner flames blazed brighter than ever before, preparing for a one-sided massacre that will bring down his boss's wrath. Yet it was a risk he willed to bear. He raised his hand, forming another void. ᚨːəᚨ his boss, ᚨːəᚨ his escape, ᚨːəᚨ this transport, and ᚨːəᚨ this bug. Gambling with Crook might help him get out of here without any Crede, but this ᚨːəᚨř gave away THE Night Scale, and his only opportunity to meet her in person.

    A sudden thought swiftly traversed Kal's mind, prompting him to withdraw from his intended attack. He pondered, "Could this unforeseen development be a calculated move devised by the big guy?" Inquisitively, he questioned the intricate workings of the grand scheme.

    Making a choice between vaporizing Crook and not wanting to fall into yet another of his boss's schemes was rather a simple dilemma to solve. ᚨːəᚨ the big guy's plan and use this ᚨːəᚨř to get out of here. He could always hunt him down later, like a dog or a bug. Either way, Kal confirms the get-out-and-kill plan, and he calms down. "Are you up for another gamble?" he proposes.

Crook ponders over shaking over the deal and leaves Kal hanging–again! "What are the odds you get a ship right after you get out of a void?" Crook eyes Kal suspiciously. Before Kal spoke, Crook elevates the stakes of the wager. "Let's quadruple it." He smirks, well aware of Kal's rising temper.

"Every possible odd has been meticulously calculated down to the last word," Kal responded through clenched teeth, his frustration palpable.

Breaking free from her fear, the priestess interjected with newfound courage, challenging the notion put forth by Kal. "No one possesses the ability to perform such precise calculations," she asserted, adding her voice to the unfolding discussion.

"Yeah!" Crook was shocked that he agreed with the priestess of all the creatures onboard. "Me being here is a fortunate fluke. I didn't even have this ship a few hours ago." The realization of the unpredictable turn of events was apparent in Crook's voice.

"Let me guess. Coming here was a gamble too." Kal stated, his tone laden with accusation.

The Minotaur's unexpected contribution to the conversation elicited a collective sense of astonishment. All eyes turned toward him in disbelief, intrigued by his simple-minded yet potentially profound response. "A Stine?" the Minotaur said, casting doubt upon his own statement. His uncertainty mirrored in his voice as he questioned, "But... they can, can't they?" He began to doubt his own answer.