Twisted Wonderland Book 6: The Watchman of the Underworld

Chapter 51: Friendship Online

In one of the private rooms of Styx Institute, India is typing on the computer doing some important work.

Soon, Idia is done and lets out a sigh, "Whew... Finally done examining all the troublemakers. I'll follow up on that spell Grim's got on him... But considering his magic reserves, even if something DID happen, it wouldn't be super disastrous. We'll just keep him under observation and call it good." He then continues typing and says, "I do wonder, though... Who put in the req for Styx to examine Night Raven College students in the first place? It was an anonymous tip via the Land of Dawning government channels, and it was totally untraceable. That's omega-sus. And speaking of suspicious... Five people overblotting in such a short span of time is certainly bizarre. But the number of overblot incidents at NRC hasn't even hit double digits in the last hundred years. Then they get FIVE in less than six months? You just can't chalk that up to a few troublemakers. Their test results don't show any particular traits that would explain it either. I mean, overblots can happen because of powerful curses or sealed Phantoms getting loose... It's not entirely unprecedented. But Sage's Island isn't like this place. We have no intel on any locations or ruins there where large amounts of bad stuff has been sealed away." And continues to type on the computer.

He says to himself, "I suppose it ended up as a stroke of luck that the girl, Briar, ended up at the school when she did. However, if she is part of the family and that species, how did she end up in this other world she came from? What's more, why was her powers sealed up, and why is she human when only that species of fae can use that power. There's still a lot of mysteries about Briar's arrival and at this school of all places."

He then stops and a thought occurs to him, "Could someone be inducing overblots on PURPOSE...?" But then grins and brushes the idea off, "... I can't imagine how they would, though. As far as the general public knows... Overblots happen when the caster overuses magic and builds up too much blot while experiencing intense negative emotions. But it's not that simple."

He then thought of what he remembers from the exams, "There are countless causes. One thing leads to another, leads to another. It's a cascading effect that stretches back years."

He then says, "And the thing that triggers the emotional outbursts is the hardest to quantify - our innermost feelings, or 'heart,' so to speak. A person's heart is the one thing we can't control, no matter how hard we try. I mean, if it WAS possible to control overblots, Styx would've shut down ages ago." and sighs, "Ugh... Why do humans have to come pre-installed with such an annoying feature? It's super unstable, not to mention we're totally at its mercy. That's gotta be a defect. Talk about a launch-day bug. Whoever or whatever made us was just like, 'QA? What's that?'"

Suddenly, Idia hears a beeping sound, and looks at his computer screen, "...Hm? A DM from Muscle Red?"

And a realization hits him, "Oh CRUD. I was supposed to run the new extreme dungeon with him today! I totally forgot! I haven't even installed the latest xpac on the PC at my parents' house. I don't think today's gonna work."

He then logs in to read the message. Soon, Idia profiles named Gloomurai, and Muscle Red begin chatting on the internet.

Muscle Red: Greetings, Gloomurai. I wanted to discuss the dungeon we were scheduled to run tonight..

Gloomurai: yooo Muscle Red! apologies-something came up IRL. I don't think I'll be able to make it tonight. I know the whole point was to clear it ASAP to avoid spoilers online. I'm really sorry about this, feel free to run it without me! I don't mind!

Muscle Red: No need to apologize. As it happens, something has come up for me as well. I was messaging to let you know I wouldn't be able to make it."

Gloomurai: oh ok. well, then we shall sally forth and conquer the dungeon another day!

Muscle Red: Of course. I've been rather looking forward to this expansion pack. And you ve been my comrade in arms ever since I started playing. It wouldn't feel right running a new map without you."

India says to himself, "Dude... He just said that so casually. How cool can you get? I've been gaming with Muscle Red for about two years now... He knows how to keep his distance and never pries into my life. And he says nice things that warm my loner nerd heart... 'Grateful' doesn't begin to describe how much I appreciate him.

Idia continues the chat.

Gloomurai: since we started adventuring together, the amount of dungeons and raids we ve run rival the number of stars in the sky. We've eaten dirt and tasted bitter defeat more times than I can count. I never fit in with the congenial vibe in more close-knit guilds so I always played solo until you were kind enough to introduce yourself. I'm incredibly grateful for you. I hope to keep gaming with you for a long time to come!

Muscle Red: What's all this, now? If anything, I should be thanking you. I was new to gaming at the time we met, and now I enjoy all manner of online games. And that's because you were there to guide me. I'm grateful you took the time to teach an old man so many things.

Idia happily says, "Oh man, that's gettin' me right in the feels. Especially after spending hours with all those uber-fussy troublemakers... THIS! This right here is what friendship's all about! I mean, I've never met him in person, but still! You know, this isn't the first time he's called himself an old man. I wonder how old he really is. He's always super chill, so he's gotta be at least a little old, right? But sometimes younger people like to say they're older online... But hey, what does IRL age matter to online buds anyway?"

Idia continues typing on the chat.

Gloomurai: I should be free next week. so just hmu whenever then!

Muscle Red: All right. I shall DM you again when I have a better sense of my schedule.

Gloomurai: cool cool. Cya!

Muscle Red has logged out.

India says to himself, "You don't have to know a thing about each other, and it doesn't matter how far apart you are. Online, you can game with whoever you like. I'm so lucky I was born in the age of online gaming. Whee hee! Gwee hee hee, I'm already getting hype for next week.

Meanwhile, back at the Night Raven College, Lilia, who is in his bedroom of the Diasomnia Dorm, is logging out of his computer. Turns out Lilia is Idia's online buddy, Muscle Red.

Lilia sighs, "I feel bad for canceling on Gloomurai, but now is not the time for fun and games. The housewardens have been taken, and all the other dorms are in a state of chaos. Our dorm is fortunate in that only Silver and Sebek sustained minor injuries from Styx's attack... But as Ruggie and the others pointed out, there's no telling what the Watchman might do next. It would be wise to remain vigilant."

Suddenly, Lilia hears a knock on the door, followed by Silver's voice, "Father, are you there?

"Yes? Come in, what is it?" Lilia calls out.

The door opens, and Silver enters the room, "Thank you. It's about Malleus..."