The Chained Watcher

HermEmpires

Started reading about 5-7 new books in the last few days to refill my brain sponge's creativity levels. Brain's full again!

Before the inevitable question pops up: No I'm not forcing myself to write. The moment it started feeling like my brain was empty and trying to force words was like wringing a dry sponge, I took a few days without even looking at it to relax. No writing, not even editing, only reading other people's stuff.

Now, onto the chapter!

~~~

Smiling at his guide, Grian nods along, letting Joel go on about his base/empire, Stratos. The couple other Hermits also currently here getting the tour are also looking around, admiring the floating structure up ahead.

Joel pauses by the base of the way up though. It looks to be... a gift shop? "Oh, before we go up, we've got complimentary cloaks here."

"Cloaks?" At least they all seem to be in whites and light blues, along with some gold bits. No purples or purple-adjacent colors he needs to be careful not to wear.

"The wind can be a bit strong that high up, and the air's a bit cold, cause of the winter wind spirits that like to hang out during the other seasons and all that."

"I see..."

Joel encourages, "Everyone should take one, I've got plenty. Not exactly a lot of new visitors around here, what with this being a god's home and all."

Holding a nice pretty sky blue one, Grian rubs the fabric between his fingers, feeling the stitches connecting the cloak together. Then he spots the tag, right at the back of the neck area. He smirks.

With a mirthful, teasing tone, he asks, "All made by your empire's workers, I take it?"

"Of course, all local. Gotta support local businesses and all that."

"I see. I'm sure Cloaks and Cobs was very pleased with it."

Joel shoves a hat in his face, cutting in loudly, "Anyways! Onto the tour of Stratos!"

He giggles, but lets it drop, putting on both the cloak and the hat. Shame the cloak doesn't have holes for his wings, but he can always put it in his inventory once he wants to fly. Helps reduce his visual similarity to Watchers too, so can he really complain?

Up at the top of the bridge/staircase, walking forward with his eyes on the floating structures making up the upper part, he listens to Joel's narration of his base. "This is Upper Stratos, where the rich and wealthy gods hang out." Definitely interesting lore, and though rare, it's not unheard of for gods to have currency-

His foot finds a gap. Lurching forward, Grian clonks his face on the next block, falling straight through the gap on the bridge and down towards the ground. Okay, ow, but that's his fault for not watching his step. Not like falling can...

The cloak.

The fabric, wrapped around him over his wings, tangles the moment he tries to spread his wings out to catch himself. He can hear Scar's distinctive yelp from above. Did he find the gap too? Wouldn't put it past-

Splat.

-him. Sitting up with a groan, Grian rubs his neck to dispel the phantom pain courtesy of the memory of hitting the ground. Not the most fun sensation, he has to say.

Scar pops into existence a couple blocks from him, still sprawled face-down on the ground. The wizard exhales slowly.

"Ow."

He lays down next to him on his back, looking up at the sky. "Yup."

"Shield was not enough to stop me from falling."