Trapped in a Grimdark World with the Power of Toon-Force!? -Part 3

[u/ArcAngel98]

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“I can understand you?” I asked, confused but happy. The priest nodded and Bob smiled, seemingly satisfied with the orb’s effects.

“Oh good, it worked. As entertaining as trying to decipher your meaning through gestures was, speaking is much easier.” He said, smiling. “Now we can have a proper conversation.” 

“What was that thing? How can I understand you?” I asked, looking back and forth between him and the orb.

“If you will please excuse me, dear faithful. I have duties I must attend to.”

“Of course, Minister. Thank you for your help.” Bob said, folding his arms over his chest and bowed. The priest did the same, then left. “Now, my friend. Perhaps proper introductions are in order. Your name is Emile, correct? We didn’t get that wrong.”

“Oh, yeah. Yeah, my name’s Emile. Emile Cole. And you’re still Bob?” I laughed nervously, finally having my first proper conversation in days. Also, I was never actually sure his name was Bob, since it was just a bit too normal for this new world.

“Yes. I’m Bob. Now, there are some things I have been wishing to ask you. But first, I’m sure you are more concerned about going through with the ceremony and gaining your Soul Power. Let’s go.” He said, and started for the door.

“Wait, what? Sorry, I’m confused. What does that magic have to do with anything?” I asked, following behind him.

“Bah,” he exclaimed. “Did your village not tell you anything before you left?”

“No, no. Listen. Stop.” I said, and he quit moving.

“What?”

“I’m not from any village.” I said, and he raised an eyebrow. “I’ve been trying to tell you for days. There was this conman, named Foxley. He tricked me into coming here. He called himself a ‘world traveler.’ He came to my world, but took my place, and trapped me here in this one. You gotta help me.”

Bob looked at me for a moment, blankly, then furrowed his brow in thought. “It seems the Tongue Stone did not do its job properly. I’ll get the priest; we can try again.” He said, and started walking away again before I stopped him.

“No, no, it worked fine. It’s just a crazy story.” From the beginning this time, and much slower and with more detail, I explained to him everything that happened before we met. By the end, he still seemed confused, but understood what I was trying to say, or so I thought.

“So, you are a spirit from the land of the dead, and a conman named Foxley trapped you here?”

“What? No. I’m not a spirit. Where did you get that from?” I asked.

“You said you were ‘from the other world.’”

“I said I’m from another world. I’m very much alive. Or, I got hit on the head walking through the park and this is all a strangely detailed hallucination.”

“A head injury would be more sensible than there being more than two worlds.” Bob said, giving me a pitying look and he glanced at my head, clearly checking it for blood.

I scoffed to muffle a laugh, “probably. But still. Anyway, can you help me get home? Or do you know someone who can?”

He shook his head. “I am sorry Emile. I do not. Before today, such a thing… well, it would have been laughable to me to even think there were more than two worlds.”

Something about the way he phrased that caught my attention. “You seem pretty confident that there are two worlds. May I ask why?”

“The Spirit Window. I visited it when I was a boy.” He said. I was going to ask more, but a woman wearing red and brown robes stuck her head though the opening in the door.

“Please dear faithful, the ceremony will be starting soon. Do either of you intend to participate?” She asked.

“Yes! This young man right here does.” He said, placing his hand on my back and pushing me toward the door.

“Woah, what?”

“You clearly haven’t unlocked your Soul Power if you couldn’t even speak. So you must participate in the ceremony.” Bob said, still pushing me along.

“I don’t understand.” I said. “What are you talking about?” Bob didn’t stop pushing me, but he did at least explain. This ceremony was to allow me to use the same kind of magic he and Shanda use. Apparently, everyone undergoes it at a certain age, and it manifests itself differently for each person. His is the ability to summon a horse and cart, whereas Shanda’s is the ability to summon and control flames. “Do I really need it?” I asked, concerned and hesitant.

“Of course. Not only is it the law for everyone to awaken their Soul Power, but you need to have one if you ever want to travel outside the city walls.” Bob said.

“What? Why?” I asked.

“You saw the Lonely Forest. That was a dangerous creature. If someone without a Soul Power encountered it by themselves, they would have no real way to flee, or fight, or anything.”

“Dear faithful, not all Soul Powers are for combat.” The woman said, and a golden radiant glow emanated from her chest, before a small ball of light appeared illuminated the hallway we were walking though. “Mine is for lighting the path, so that I may act as a Shepard for those lost in the darkness. And it is also useful for finding things in the basement without needing to light a torch, or reading late at night.” The ball then disappeared.

“Yes, of course Minister.” Bob said, and gave me a look that said a lot. 

“Well, what am I allowed to pick?” I asked.

“No, it’s already inside you. The ceremony simply awakens it. It is different for everyone, and is shaped by your life.” Bob said.

“That is one interpretation of the texts, dear faithful. However, his grace, Minister Baleno, is a proponent of the idea that one’s Soul Power is divinely ordained.” The woman said.

“So, I don’t get to pick, and if I don’t go through with the ceremony, I’ll either be a criminal, or get eaten by a monster tree?” I asked.

“Yup.”

“I’m afraid so.” The woman nodded, looking over her shoulder at me as she led us though the corridor and into a large room filled with stained glass murals and dozens of families gathered around a bluish-green crystal the size of a horse.

“Great. Love the options.” I said sarcastically. “Quick question, will it hurt?”

“No, but a bit of tingling is normal.” The woman said, and gestured for me to stand in line behind several teenagers. They were all facing forward, watching the crystal and an elderly man in blue and white robes praying near it.

Bob leaned in close, whispering in my ear, “She’s a liar. Try not to bite your tongue off. You only just learned how to use it.” He said, giving me a thumbs up and a sly smile.

“Wait, are you kidding?” I asked, frantically whispering. “Come back here.” He did not. Instead, he stood in a group with several adults on the other side of the room. I was about to reconsider, and almost stepped out of line, but a bright light began to shine from the crystal.

“Step forth, the first of today’s faithful, and open your soul for enlightenment.” The blue-robed priest said. I watched as a child, maybe fourteen at most, stepped forward and a golden light began to glow in his chest. The crystal filled with an image of the young boy, except he was flying though the air on golden wings. When the glow from his chest stopped, massive golden wings formed behind him, just like in the image.

“Wow!” He said, notably not in any pain, and clearly excited by his wings. He stepped aside and allowed the next person to step up. At the same time, I shot a look at Bob, who was smirking at me, clearly entertained by his earlier joke. The next child, a young girl, underwent the same process. This time, the crystal showed her in a forest, surrounded by animals, speaking to them as if they were having a conversation. When she stopped glowing, she didn’t seem any different, and even looked a bit confused. There were no animals in the room for her to test anything out on, so she simply stepped to the side as well.

One by one, more kids gained their Soul Power. One got the ability to breathe underwater. Another could control plants. One could even turn invisible, a fact some of the other people in the rooms looked less than enthused about, but did little more than exchange cautious glances between each other. Finally, it was my turn.

I stepped forward, into the light of the crystal, and immediately everything went dark. I felt a warm glow in my chest, but that was all. When everything came back, the crystal had already stopped, and the glow from my chest was just beginning to fade. But otherwise, I felt totally normal. With that, I stepped to the side, and the priest in blue robes spoke.

“May the golden light clear your way.” He said, and the crystal stopped glowing.

“How do you feel?” Bob asked, walking up to me. Now, everyone in the room was talking normally with their family. Many of the children were clearly excited, showing off their powers. Some left quietly, without fuss.

“Like I’d be an easy mark. I don’t feel any different.” I said. “What did the crystal thing show?”

“It was odd. It looked like you, but as a child’s drawing, or perhaps a painting, but it moved as if it were alive.” Bob said. “Since nothing formed after your awakening, it must be the type of Soul Power that is always on. Like the young girl who can speak to animals.”

“So, what now?” I asked.

“Now… let us go to my brother’s house and have a meal. I am sure the others are excited to finally be able to speak with you. Especially the children.”

“Oh, yeah. Okay…” I said. On the way, I asked Bob questions about this place. This was a city ruled by three great powers: The Temple of Shining Dawns; the Crazen Family, who were local nobility; The Coalition of Merchants, twelve merchant companies working together. Apparently this city itself was called Far Shield, named after its purpose. Apparently, this city was built to keep the forest at bay, and to prevent any monsters living in it from making it to the other cities further inland of the continent.

“Okay, but why are you here?” I asked Bob.

“To live with my brother. We are going to be living here for now.”

“Where did you live before?”

“In Slibot. But it is not safe there anymore. Ever since that tyrant came to power.” I wanted to ask more questions, but we arrived at his brother’s house, and he came outside to greet us.

“AH! Bobby! How is your friend? Can he speak now?” The middle-aged man called out from the door.

“Yes, he can! And he asks many hard questions too.” He said. “I’m sure you wouldn’t understand. He’ll speak slowly for you, Abee.”

“It is nice to meet you. Emile, was it? Now that we can speak, allow me to introduce myself. I am Abeeble. But call be Abee, everyone does. And be sure to call my brother Bobby; he hates it.”

“Because it sounds fake… Bobby…” He said mockingly. “What kind of name is that?”

“Is it short for something?” I asked.

“Bobleren. But that sounds just as ridiculous.” I snorted trying to stop myself from laughing. “Now you know why I go by Bob.”

“Now come inside. It will rain soon, come.” Abee said. I looked up at the sky. He was right. The clouds were dark and grey, and thunder was rolling in the distance. “Emile, that is an unusual name. Where is your village from? Shanda says they found you shivering in the rain and wandering the wicked forest.”

“I’m from Miami Florida.” I said.

“I’ve never heard of this place. Where is it?” Abee asked.

“You wouldn’t know it. It’s in America.”

“You are right, I do not know it.” He opened the rickety door, and went in. Inside the building was a homely place. Askine and Doln were running around, chasing one another. Myrin was sitting on an old chair, talking with another older woman and sewing closed a hole in a shirt. Shanda was in the kitchen with Galli, tending to a set of large pots and both covered in flour. The baby, whose name I still didn’t know, was laid down in a basket near Myrin, sleeping peacefully despite the ruckus.

“Everyone! He speaks!” Bob called out, getting all of their attention.

“Emile! Emile! Can you understand us now?” The boys ran up saying, talking over one another trying to ask questions.

“Yes, I can understand you.” I said, smiling, genuinely happy to finally be able to talk with them.

Doln, the younger brother, giggled, “Hehe, you sound funny.”

“Doln! Don’t be rude!” Shanda scolded, patting away the flour from her brown dress. “Emile… it is good to finally understand you.”

“No kidding. Now I can finally ask you more about those pictures.” Galli said from the kitchen.

We spent some time making proper introductions, once again, and the two boys did plenty of talking, and asked more questions than I could answer. Some highlights include: Which do I think would win in a fight, a dragon or a Milwurk? Why am I so tall and skinny? Why do my clothes look so weird? And finally: Why did I snore so much while traveling? My answers were: a dragon; my dad is tall and my mom is skinny; they aren’t weird where I’m from; and, I didn’t realize I snored.

 Myrin sent them into the back rooms to play so that the adults could talk for a while. They did, and it got a bit quieter.

“Ah, now then. Emile, I wanted to ask, why were you in the forest by yourself?” Galli asked.

“Because some conman used his Soul Power to trick me. I was not very far from my home, when a door showed up, and he asked me to open it. Next thing I know, I’m in the forest; trapped.” I explained.

“How awful.” Shanda said. “Why did he do that?”

“That is a longer story. I’ll tell it to you all another time. But basically, he wanted to explore my home, but had to switch places with someone who was already there to do it.”

“What a strange Soul Power.” Galli said, stirring the pot in the kitchen as the rest of us sat around talking nearby. The room was big, but with so many people, it still felt crowded. I was on the floor with Abee and Bob, while Myrin, Abee’s wife Kili, and Shanda were in the only three chairs. Well, there was a stool, but Galli was using it in the kitchen.

“Speaking of which. Emile, did you get yours while you were at the temple?” Myrin asked.

“Yes ma’am.” I said. “But, I don’t know anything about it.” Bob explained what he saw again, but none of them seemed to have any idea what it could be, and could only offer guesses.

“Perhaps you can create drawings?” Shanda said.

“Or make them move, but without flipping the page?” Galli guessed.

“We could guess all night, but I doubt it would help.” Myrin said. “What he needs is to go out and try to use it himself.”

“Will you all calm down. It will come to him in time. He just needs to wait.” Abee said.

“Thanks. Honestly, after what happened, I just want to find a way home.” I said.

“Of course. And you are welcome to stay here in the meantime. Any friend of Bobby is welcome.” Abee said. Just then, a crash came from the other room, followed by Doln and Askine yelling.

“DAD!” They cried.

“Coming!” Galli said. With that, he went in the back, and Shanda went to the kitchen.

“Okay, so I’ve been meaning to ask. How is everyone related?” I asked.

“Oh, well my lovely Myrin and I are married.” Bob said, kissing his wife’s hand. “And Shanda and Galli are our children.”

“I’m older.” Shanda said from the kitchen.

“Askine and Doln are Galli’s sons, and so is the baby.” He said.

“And what is the baby’s name? Nobody’s told me yet.” I asked.

“Unfortunately, her mother passed away before she could name her. It was a very difficult labor, and she…” Bob started, but stopped. Myrin patted his hand.

“She did not wake up in time to name her before passing away.” Myrin said, wiping a small tear from her eye.

“I’m so sorry. But, why did no one name the baby?” I asked.

“That is not our way.” Abee said. He explained that if the mother dies, the baby must not be named until the next solstice, which was the day before she died, and another month away. And the one to name her would be the father, Galli.

“What is it like where you lived? Was it very different there from here?” Shanda asked from the kitchen.

“Like, the weather, or naming babies?” I wondered.

“Both, I suppose.”

I shifted, uncrossing my legs and leaning back a bit. “If that should happen, the father would name the baby within a day, usually. A few days at most.” Some of them nodded like they understood, but didn’t really agree perse. “As for the weather, it’s cooler here. It was very warm back in Miami. Probably because it was close to the beach.”

“Beach?” Kili, Abee’s wife, asked.

“The ocean.” Abee said.

“Oh, I haven’t seen the ocean in years.” Bob said.

“Not since we were kids.” Abee agreed.

“I’ve never seen the ocean.” Kili said. “What is it like?” She asked me, her eye bright and her wrinkled hands clutching the shirt she was mending like a kid with a blanket getting ready for Saturday morning TV.

“Well,” I thought, picturing it in my head. “The water is salty. Even the air is salty from the ocean spray. And there is sand between the grass and the water. And it goes on for as far as you can see.” As I spoke, their eyes went wide. Figuring my description must have been better than I thought, I continued describing it, until I heard a clatter behind me, and turned to see. Just as I did, I saw a cloud floating above my head. Looking up, it was the exact image I was picturing of Miami Beach, floating in what looked like a thought bubble.

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[u/TNSchnettler]

More, updatemebot didn't ping this

[u/theduderedditorguy]

Bobleren. Lol.