The Lost Voices (OLD VERSION - New Version to Come)

CHAPTER 5... ACCIDENTS (PART 2)

Recording 2: We're Fatherless

8-19-1620 A.R.

Location: Brickshaw, Terrarin 

Before long, hours turned the clock toward midnight and Malien was 2-2 against Jack. Granted, both of them were making hilariously great shots, despite their wobbly stick thrusts. They each started calling two or three holes instead of one and it was becoming apparent that Jack was deeper into his glasses than Malien, but they kept up and Zoey's mouth hung open as she watched their games intently. It was as though she was waiting for one of them to knock a sphere off the pool table so she could either help or take it for herself, but it was impossible to know for sure. 

At this point, the bar was in full swing and people were still filling the tables in waves as Bemin mixed glasses with his mind and shook others in his massive hands. Jack completely missed a shot at one point and comically laughed with a hand on his gut as he swayed.

Malien chuckled through his teeth. "Woah Jack, maybe it's time to sit down for a second." As the gear-head stumbled away from the que ball, his friend slowly guided him over to the round table they had occupied with their coats and sat him down. "Bemin, can we have some water?"

"Ya got it junior!"

Malien barely glanced over his shoulder and handed his stick off to another customer. "Here, I think we're done for the night." 

For the stretch of a blink, the customer seemed to be wearing an all-black cloak with dark gloves, but a double-take proved otherwise. 

A hard-faced miner gripped the stick and his friend was quick to take Jack's as well. Malien shook his head, but that weird inner energy kept persevering. "I must be further gone than I thought Jack." His bald friend's chest rose and fell in the rhythm of a chuckle and Zoey came over to lick the gear-head's reddened face. Bemin personally dropped off two glasses of water and Malien thanked him as he limped off to handle another order.

After giving himself and Jack a little while to absorb the water, Malien happened to glance out the window and see a black-haired woman wrapped in a gray and crimson toned shawl. She appeared to be walking toward one of the dimly lit bridges that hung over the valley. Now, this wouldn't normally catch Malien's eye for long, but then his gaze was stung by the cloaked figure reentering his sight. 

After several blinks, the silhouette persisted and was also following after the woman.

Frustrated and wanting answers, Malien tapped Jack's forehead to get his attention and the gear-head was quickly aware. "I'll be right back." His friend nodded, but his eyes were clearly aware that Malien was distressed about something. 

Malien waved off the concern with a smile and began channeling red magic through his system in order to burn out the alcohol more rapidly by accelerating his normal chemical processes. With no time to explain, Malien told Zoey to stay with Jack as he grabbed his machine-sword from beside the table, threw on his overcoat, and left through a nearby exit.

Shortly after leaving Fay Rock, Malien's red magic was already helping him be more aware than before and that spark of unfamiliar power was starting to become a dull crackle within him. Not fully understanding this vibe, Malien kept pushing it beneath the surface. Both he and Jack were hiding something, which was unlike them, but Malien didn't even know how to describe what he was feeling, so pushing it away felt wiser for now.

The streets were still teeming with people, and while it was altogether quieter, no one paid his hurried attitude much attention. Malien could still see the figure and the woman, but once they turned another corner, the two would vanish beyond his sight and the bridge wasn't far beyond that point.