Terry cleared his throat and began his explanation. "This world that you're in is called Infinitum. It's neither here nor there," he said, leaning back in his chair. "The people you see with the gold eyes are called the Custos."
"Custos?" I said confusedly.
"In short, Custos are those that help people like you find your way," he told me as if that cleared everything up. "As for the nasty-looking monsters that some encounter while here, they're called Hellions. They are evil beings that want nothing more than to gain power, which they do by eating people or other Hellions," Terry said seriously.
"On some rare occasions, however, some Hellions are not evil," Sonya added, interrupting Terry.
"Right..." Terry replied, leaning back in his chair.
"That doesn't mean they're necessarily good, but they're not evil," Sonya clarified. "You may encounter some Hellions that are simply going about their existence, like the Adjutors."
"What are Adjutors?" I asked.
"Adjutors are beings that run this world's towns, villages, and cities. The big jolly guy that runs this tavern is an Adjutor."
"So, they are like me in a way?" I asked. "They look pretty normal to me." I looked towards the bar, spotting the tavern owner going about his business. He did really look like an average guy.
"No, not exactly," Sonya replied. "Adjutors are more like Custos, just without powers."
"Powers!?" I turned back to Sonya in surprise.
"Yeah, powers," Terry said, frowning. "Haven't you seen your Custos use their powers yet?" Terry asked, confused.
Kara and Sonya were looking at me with concern.
"Well, I'm sure he did, but I was passed out for most of my time with him," I replied, looking down. "He saved me from some wolves that had cornered me in the forest," I told them, not taking my eyes away from my lap. "We ran from them and jumped off a cliff. That's when I passed out." I looked back up, rubbing my head.
"Man! I would've been busting all caps in them Hell Hounds' asses!" Terry said as a gun magically appeared in his hand.
"Oh wow!" I said, jumping to my feet in shock. "Sorry, Amara, he's a showoff," Kara said, rolling her eyes at Terry again.
"I'm just trying to paint her a picture of what I would have done," he said, brandishing his gun at the ceiling.
"Well, at least he got away from them safely; that's all that matters," Sony said, picking her drink back up. Trina was mumbling in her sleep, smiling happily.
"So, what type of power do you have, Sonya?" I asked curiously.
Sonya made a sharp dagger appear in her left hand while sipping her drink.
"That's so cool!" I said excitedly.
"Custos and Adjutors can summon weapons," Terry said, making another gun appear in his free hand. "The difference is, we have elemental powers to go with it." He demonstrated this by setting both guns on fire.
I gasped loudly.
"I really wish you wouldn't be so damn extra," Kara said, elbowing him in the side.
"Ouch!" Terry said in pained surprise, causing both guns and the fire to disappear.
"To be clearer," Sonya said, glaring at Terry momentarily, "Custos can harness the power of the elements." Sonya placed her empty cup on the table. "We are created with one element that comes naturally to us; the other elements can be learned, but it is difficult. The same goes for Hellions; the only difference is that their elements are labeled differently from ours." Sonya gestured to herself. "I am Sonya Terra Larva, and baldy here," she clapped Terry on the shoulder, "is Terry Ignis Larva."
YOU ARE READING
The Trip
AdventureA young woman becomes injured and disoriented in a foreign world. While traveling through the winter woods, she has no recollection of her identity. However, she is not alone in the forest. Wolves howling can be heard not far from where she stands.
