Chương 92: The Voices in my Head

"Hello?" Joe asked. He had awoken to the memory of that soft, soothing voice whispering through his mind just before sleep had claimed him. Now, fully awake, it returned, gentle and insistent.

"Gert, ko fu vara too kah." The words carried on, flowing in a strange, unfamiliar language he couldn't decipher. He had no idea where the voice came from, only that it was inside his head. Was he finally losing his mind? He sat in silence for a while, listening. He wasn't even certain anymore if it was truly a voice or simply his own thoughts twisted into something foreign. But it felt different. Feminine. Comforting, even.

Which, naturally, meant the best course of action was to ignore it until it became a problem.

"Kack gooo, far so doi." Shaking his head, Joe emerged from his house, setting out to find Corel. Today was the day of the yearly Integration Empire Meeting, and a system notification slid into the centre of his vision, already counting down to his teleportation. He wanted to make sure everything in Landradad was in order before he vanished off-world for several hours. Corel's dot, as usual, was hidden from his mini-map, so he had to search for her the old-fashioned way, with his eyes and senses.

He could still feel her nearby through the bond. Lately, he had noticed that the link was growing more responsive: a subtle warmth when she was close, a faint fading when she wandered farther off. He sent a light pulse.

'Where are you?' His lips curved into a smile as he fired another playful pulse toward Rose.

'Boo.' The replies came swiftly. Two opposing pulses struck him at once.

'I'm busy, pet.'

'I'm… Seer.' Rose's pulse was sharp, clear, and precise. Corel's, by contrast, felt like a half-formed sentence, like a child stringing its first words together. Joe groaned aloud. She was with the old Volduran Seer. It had been a while since his last visit, which meant he was definitely due for a tongue-lashing. He considered skipping it altogether, but knew better. Corel had given away her location, and if he didn't show, the old Voldura would know. Which meant he was now obligated to go, with food.

A quick check of his storage ring confirmed it was still stocked full of cooked meals. With a resigned sigh, he set off eastward, heading toward the old bag's abode. Landradad was vast, a forest sprawling in every direction. At its heart stood Yggdrasil, and Joe's home, anchoring the circular expanse. The area was bordered by thick, almost impenetrable brush, enclosing a sanctuary of life. A pond glistened for bathing, while a small lake brimmed with fish, and even a dolphin, perfect for swimming.

To the west of the lake stretched the training grounds and a cluster of treehouses, currently occupied by the brats. Joe wondered how long they'd linger now that their classes had been 'fixed.' He shrugged, unconcerned. To the north lay his farm, overflowing with exotic crops, fruits, and herbs. To the south prowled the sabretoothed tigers, and just below their territory, his American guests had settled. That left the east, the direction Joe now walked, through thick trees toward the abode of the old Voldura.

She lived alone, refusing to reside in the main village a few more miles east, where the rest of Landradad's residents dwelled. She called herself the Seer, Zevra Kor Destesco. Yet Corel had once confided she had never heard of Clan Detesco, and the name didn't even sound Volduran. They hadn't pressed the matter; with Zevra, questions regarding her past rarely led anywhere. It didn't take Joe long to reach her tree. Bowing once, he leapt up the branches to her elevated home and rapped gently on the door.

"Enter Feormere," came the old voice, unusually cheerful. She always addressed him by his integration name, which, Joe admitted, was a refreshing change from the endless boy or child he often heard from other elders. The scent of fresh fruit washed over him as he stepped inside. The small plants he had gifted her previously had ripened, filling the home with sweetness. He had to suppress the urge to drool.

'Gafool jar do whas.' The strange voice in his head whispered.

"Greetings, Zevra, I come bearing food," Joe respectfully bowed his head. Zevra approached, touching her forehead to his. At the contact, a gentle pulse of memory slipped into his mind: the sprouting of fruit, the joy of her first bite. She delighted in food, though she was as thin as a reed.

"Thank you, Feormere. You may place them in the…" She waved vaguely toward the kitchen, as was her habit of leaving sentences unfinished. Joe moved through the house, setting the prepared meals into her storage cabinet, a stationary device not unlike a storage ring. Returning, he found Corel rising to greet him with a head bump, her pulse radiating exasperation.

"What brings you here today? You never visit unless…" Zevra trailed off.

"I just came to make sure everything is in order, and to catch Corel before I leave," Joe replied. Zevra's eyes flickered between the two of them. Joe almost flinched under her gaze; it was that piercing elder's look, the kind that said she was quietly displeased.

"Seeker. Return to me in three days… with that thing I asked for," Zevra said at last.

"I will, Zevra," Corel answered with a small nod. Zevra inclined her head, then turned her sharp gaze back to Joe.

"You, Feormere. Do not cause trouble. There is a cloud on your spirit. Trust no one." Joe stiffened. That was more direct than her usual cryptic mutterings, and far less comforting.

"You may both leave. Thank you for the food," Zevra finished, already lowering herself back into her chair, knitting in hand as if the matter were closed. They gave her a final bow and stepped outside, making their way back toward home.

"What do you think she meant by a cloud on my spirit?" Joe asked as they walked.

"I don't know," Corel said, her tone wistful. He frowned, turning it over in his head. Zevra never spoke without reason. If she mentioned it, then it mattered. But what could it mean? He hated how she always gave fragments and riddles, never a straight warning. If he pressed her, though, she would only wall herself up like a turtle, and he'd get nothing.

"Gah. Just when I thought things were finally settled, more questions," Joe muttered. Corel rolled her eyes at his grumbling.

"Are you sure you're not coming to the Empire Meeting?" he asked. She was ranked tenth now, after they had removed most of the Voldura who once filled the top spots. She had the right to attend, if she wanted. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"I promised Varaiya I would join today's Clan meeting," she said, giving him a playful bump with her shoulder.

"But you'd get to see the gods," Joe teased, eyebrows dancing. She giggled despite herself.

"And how long before you cause another mess?" she shot back.

"Hey, I only cause trouble by accident. Never on purpose." Her flat look lasted all of two seconds before it broke into laughter.

"I'm sure you won't. But duties weigh on us both." She wasn't wrong. As much as they both wished to stay out of the spotlight, they were now important representatives of their races. Joe sighed. Corel tugged on his arm and swung herself onto his back, wrapping her legs around him.

"Let's go grab Meris. I promised to take her with me today," Corel said.

"Meris? Really? Well, good luck with that," Joe replied, giving her knee a light tap as they vanished toward the young Voldura.

'Ho var low shar ti,' the voice whispered in his head as they vanished. The four brats, Meris, Locke, Travis, and Shanna, were gathered in the training area. Locke was patiently guiding Travis through some basic sword movements with wooden blades, while Shanna sat off to the side, watching in silence. Meris was running laps, her breathing steady. As Joe and Corel appeared, Meris broke stride and jogged over, bowing in greeting.

"Seeker, Progenitor." She gave them both a respectful head bump before moving to stand beside Corel.

"I am ready."

"Good, how are things between you all?" Corel asked. Meris grimaced, her expression straining toward neutrality.

"They are better now. But… the humans are weak and lazy," she said with a scoff.

"Meris, they have names. Please don't just call them humans," Joe scolded. Meris flushed with embarrassment.

"You all got reset to level one. So give them a little leeway."

"Sorry," Meris murmured, eyes downcast.

"It's fine, just play nice," Joe raised his voice slightly.

"Everyone! Gather round." Travis and Locke finished their one-sided sparring, while Shanna dragged herself over, eyes fixed on the ground. Joe noticed the heaviness in her mood but resisted the urge to ask. Better not to embarrass her in front of the others.

"I'll be heading off-world for a while, to attend a meeting. So, while I'm gone, you're free to relax. You don't have to push yourselves. You've all been through a lot. Corel will also be away, meeting with the clans. If you need anything, you can either head into the village. Locke knows the way. Or contact Alice and Felicia," He gestured toward the half-finished house in the distance.

"Meris has a communicator for important matters. But we shouldn't be gone long."

"Shanna, here." Corel handed her a communicator with a kind smile. Shanna accepted it without a word. Joe frowned. He had no idea how to handle a young woman's emotions, and was quietly grateful that Corel was making the effort.

'Can you watch her?' he pulsed through their bond.

'Yes,' Corel pulsed back.

"Do you all still have food? I have more if needed," Joe asked.

"We have enough food to last months," Travis replied.

"Great. Now, don't feel you guys are stuck here. You're free to leave at any time. If not, we can discuss the future once I have returned. Until then, make yourselves at home. I'll ask one of the tigers to come over, and feel free to swim in the lake." At that, Shanna perked up for the first time in days.

"The tigers? And… the kittens?"

"Of course," Joe said with a smile.

"Want me to take you there now? I'm sure Alice is already with them. I can introduce you." Shanna's lips curled into a real smile at last. They arrived at the sabretooth sanctuary to the sight of Alice riding on Bravo, hair flying behind her, joy etched across her face. The massive tiger padded over at Joe's call, giving him a firm nudge with its head.

"Alice, this is Shanna and Travis. And those two are Locke and Meris," Joe said, introducing each in turn.

"Hi," Alice greeted warmly, leaping down from Bravo's back. She clasped Shanna and Travis by the hands, laughing when their balance gave out. She offered Locke and Meris the same firm handshake, unbothered by their stoic expressions. Felicia appeared moments later, hair tousled, panting from her sprint.

"Joe, I was just about to come looking for you. I was hoping to join you at the Empire Meeting today," she said once she caught her breath.

"Are you in the top ten?" Joe asked, pulling out his pillar.

The glowing display of the Thropia Integration Leaderboard appeared before him: Thropia Leaderboard 1: Feormere (High Human) - 750, 000 Points 2: Divine Sword (Human) - 22, 000 Points 3: Hakeem (Human) - 18, 700 Points 4: Galadriel (Human) - 15, 650 Points 5: Esha Bakshi (Human) - 15, 400 Points 6: Gao (Human) - 14, 600 Points 7: Clarke (Human) - 14, 350 Points 8: Norse Vasoray (Voldura) - 14, 210 Points 9: Felicia (Human) - 14, 000 Points 10: Corelliandra Relashra (Voldura) - 12, 500 Points Huh, so she was in the top ten.

Only the top five were forced to attend the Empire Meeting; the rest had the choice. Joe also noticed there were invitation slots available, and as the top ranker, he could bring two guests. He decided against inviting anyone else. Maybe next time he could invite Sarah and someone else…

"Sure, I guess that's fine," Joe said with a smile, before turning to Alice.

"You okay being on babysitting duty?"

"If you take me out on a date later," she shot back with a wink. Joe groaned as Corel slid to his side, resting a hand on his shoulder.

"Only if I can come," she said evenly.

"I have this new pill I'd like…"

"Aaahhhh. No dates. No pills!" Joe blurted, shaking his head before she could finish. Shanna and Travis stared at them in open confusion. Joe caught Shanna about to make a remark, but cut her off with a raised hand.

"Felicia, I need to pop to the village, join me?" He gave Corel a quick head bump, pulsing a quiet, Have fun. Before he could pull away, she caught his head in hers and held his gaze. The crescent moons in her eyes shimmered in the sunlight as she smiled softly, then turned to address the brats. Joe had no idea what that meant and decided not to ask as he pulled out his skyboat. He and Felicia boarded, heading for the village.

"I'm sorry about Alice," Felicia said once they were aloft.

"I don't think she knew about you and… Corel." Joe closed his eyes. Truthfully, he didn't know what his relationship with Corel even was anymore. The last few months had been… complicated. Interesting, yes, but complicated. This wasn't the time to wrestle with that particular bag of worms. Not with the Empire Meeting and potential bounty challenges looming.

"It's fine. Corel is… Corel. From what I've gathered, Voldura treat relationships casually, until children are involved." He exhaled, pushing the matter aside.

"Anyway, let's focus on the Meeting. The last one I attended was… interesting. And this bounty…" he gestured above his head "... tends to make things lively. You sure you want to come? It might get a little crazy." Felicia nodded firmly. Joe just shrugged and shifted his gaze downward. The village was already in sight. Within a minute, they landed, disembarking to take care of Joe's last few duties before teleportation. The village wasn't a typical settlement so much as a sprawling collection of tree houses.

Joe had always preferred nature, and trees especially. The thought of tearing down land to build stone and timber housing had never even crossed his mind. Instead, when the first residents appeared within Landradad's borders, he compromised by allowing homes to be built around the trees. The construction caused minimal damage, preserved the forest, and let people live hidden among the branches and leaves. It was far more pleasing to the eye this way.

This was Felicia's first time in the village, so Joe gave her a brief tour while locating the village heads. Along the way, he issued a few instructions, letting them know he would be off-world for a time. Felicia's surprise was plain as she watched the villagers. Life here was remarkably cohesive. Humans and Voldura intermingled freely, without visible tension or hostility. Landradad was likely the only place on Thropia where such coexistence existed.

That peace was owed in large part to Joe and Corel's firm decree: any tension or violence within the sanctuary's borders was forbidden and would be punished harshly. The faint trace of Joe's Aura that saturated the entire forest ensured no one had been foolish enough to test that rule. They wrapped things up quickly, just as the countdown in Joe's vision ticked to zero. His second Empire Meeting was about to begin.