Authors: Scottie Futch
“May the light that illuminates your path bring peace to those who witness it.”
“Farewell, brother.” said Scott.
“Farewell.” said Desmende before he waved his hand and slowly disappeared.
Scott watched the space where the man had stood before then chuckled. “I have got to learn how they do that.”
A calmer and more focused Scott stepped forward on the long road before him. His week had been spent mostly in contemplation of his reason, his path to true balance. While he had learned the basics of activating his new aura abilities and how to move his body, the real training had been in stillness.
He had not mastered that simple act, despite his new profession’s name, but he had a lifetime to do so. That was the point. The path of balance was not something that someone took for a single day, it was a journey that lasted throughout an entire lifetime. It began with a sorcerer’s first breath and continued until the last.
Scott had needed that time, that simple stillness. Throughout the entire time that he had been on ARS he had been soaked in the blood of creatures that he did not know. He had done so solely for the desire to become stronger. Now he knew that such a thing was seen as proper in this world, without the need for a justification. Everything wanted to live, to grow. All creatures desired to become strong enough to survive anything that might befall them. From the tiny squirrel that he had just seen, to the mightiest dragon, this world was one where power came through determination. Surprisingly, he had learned that the natural creatures of the world did not hold grudges when they were killed. They would respawn in time to live their lives once more. Only people held such grudges, even if they were resurrected somehow.
He had learned many things about life in this world. The reason why the grassrats had become afraid and frustrated long ago, and why the world itself had sought to punish him was much clearer to him now. As he thought of the grassrats, Scott decided that he would go to Victory Station.
Scott took one step and smiled. Every journey began with a single step. He set out at a steady trot and then increased his running speed to what he could safely maintain.
It took him two days to reach the place where his journey had begun a few months prior. He’d had to stop and ask directions at a few towns along the way. He did not know exactly where Victory Station was in comparison to his previous location. However, the path had become clear and he had walked it with swiftness and surety.
He walked slowly into the grasslands and stood there for a moment. He said nothing, he merely listened. He listened to the light wind blowing through the grass. He listened to the chirp of the few grassland birds that dared live near the grassrats, and he listened to the droning buzz of insects.
As he listened, he thought of the past and of what he had decided to do. Soon he heard a soft rustling noise in the grass.
[
Your presence has been noticed
…]
Scott did not react. He had already known that he had been spotted by the grass rats. He could feel them coming closer. Their tiny little lights flickered in his newfound awareness. He could sense a disquiet among them, and a fearful curiosity tinged with anger. He was not a true empath, but part of his training had been in sensing the nature of a thing by understanding the nature of their spiritual signature. The grassland was filled with anxiety at the moment.
[
Dozens of eyes gaze at you from within the sea of grass
…]
Scott was not certain why that sort of messaging rarely appeared in other places. However, he suspected that since this was an area where new players might appear that it was set up as a sort of tutorial section.
“My name is Scott Jacobs. I have done you wrong.” said Scott gently. He knew that these rats could understand him. They were much more intelligent than someone might think. They had their own form of shamanism and social structure after all.
The rustling in the grass stopped upon hearing his voice. It was as though the Grassrats were surprised to hear such an admission.
“It is normal, understandable, for us to fight each other. Sometimes your people win. Sometimes one such as I might win. Life continues, and things remain in balance. However, I did you wrong and I have come to apologize.” said Scott.
The grass began to rustle a little after a moment. He could feel dozens of Grassrats moving toward him.
“A fight with you is normal. However, I used your own traditions to enrage you, to make you angry and afraid. I took something sacred to you and wore it solely to anger you to the point that many of you would attack at once. You did not deserve that.” he said gently, sincerity evident in his tone.
A few soft chittering sounds could be heard after that. The rats drew a little closer.
“I do not expect your forgiveness. I do not even ask it. I only wish you to know that I understand what I have done is wrong. I will not do it again.”
The chittering returned. Soon another message appeared before him.
[
The Grassrats are uncertain. They do not understand why you would come to them and explain your actions.]
Scott smiled without showing his teeth. “Soon, I will leave this land and will not return. Before I leave, I want to make amends.”
[
The Grassrats have considered your words, but are uncertain of their sincerity. They wish to test your resolve and desire to make things right, that you respect their right to live
.]
“What can I do to show my sincerity? How can I show you that I respect your right to live?” asked Scott.
The chittering intensified and then slowly subsided after a time. The rats were conferring on the matter.
When the chittering stopped altogether two of the rats moved forward. Scott looked down and saw a Grassrat appear before him. It held something in its paws. The cute little rat stood up on its hind legs and presented that something to Scott. It looked like a little ball of fur, but then it began to wriggle. A tiny little head rose up and beady little eyes blinked at him.
[
The Grassrats have decided that the only way to believe your sincerity is to entrust one of their children to you. In that way, you may come to know them better
.]
Scott blinked. “I’m leaving this land, though. This baby can never return here.”
The grass rat made a chittering sound reminiscent of a sigh then closed its eyes. It lifted the baby higher. The decision had been made.
Scott was not sure what to do. He might not be able to take the baby to the classic server. He wanted to make amends but was not certain of what to do. He could not take the baby Grassrat with him knowing that he might have to abandon it.
“Where I go, I might not be able to take that little one. If I can’t, I will bring the baby back here and accept that you will never accept my sincerity.” said Scott. “Is that alright?”
The rats hiding in the grass chittered for a moment then the one holding the baby nodded its head. Scott reached out his hands and the tiny little ball of fur was place in his cupped palms.
[
The Grassrats have entrusted a precious child to your care. The baby’s name is Herbert. He requires care and feeding daily, and will grow rapidly. Please take good care of him
.]
“I will do my best for this little one. Thank you.” said Scott.
The grass rat looked at him for a moment then slowly crept forward. Scott did not react to its movements. When it was close enough, it reached out and lightly patted Scott on the foot then turned and scurried away into the grass.
Scott looked out at the grass for a while then he looked down to the furry little rat in his hands. Herbert looked up and blinked at him. His mouth opened wide and he yawned.
The Twilight master shifted his new charge into one hand then plucked a few pieces of grass and held one up for the rodent. Herbert sniffed at it then reached out and gently took it in his tiny little paws.
“You’re a cute one aren’t you?”
Herbert looked at him curiously then nodded. Of course he was cute, this should go without saying. Scott laughed a little and the rat began to chew on his blade of grass again.
**
Two weeks had passed since Scott had left on his profession quest. Ero had done nothing but fret and worry throughout the short separation. It was like Scott was her drug of choice, and she was having withdrawals.
“Have you heard anything?” asked Ero.
Rhea sighed. That was the eighth time that Ero had asked her about Scott that morning. “He should be here soon. He’s using the world traveler system.”
“Scott’s coming! Yay!” Ero fluttered around excitedly then tousled her hair a little. She wanted to look extra cute for when he returned.
Rhea shook her head at the girl. She was hopeless. Though, she was also certainly looking forward to seeing Scott once more. The last few weeks had been hard, as she was no longer accustomed to being without him.
A few hours passed and Scott arrived at the small cottage they had used while hunting in the mountains. Ero and Rhea called out to him excitedly and rushed over to see him. However, they were brought up short by the sight of a cute little rat sitting on his shoulder.
“Scott, is that a Grassrat?” asked Rhea in surprise.
“It’s smaller than me!” said Ero also surprised. She was not used to seeing living things smaller than her.
Herbert chittered nervously then drew closer to Scott’s neck. He had been riding on his shoulder, and was as surprised by the girls as they were by him.
“Yeah, now we’re even.” said Scott cheerfully.
“Even?”
“Yep. Two guys and two girls. The voting should be even now. Goddess, I love having a little balance in my life.” Scott reached up and lightly stroked Herbert on the back. The little rat calmed down and made a happy noise.
“The rat gets a vote?” asked Ero cutely. What were they voting on, anyway?
“His name is Herbert. Say hello to the pretty ladies, Herbert.”
The Grassrat rose up on his hind legs, shakily, and waved one paw back and forth at them. He quickly sat down again. He was only a baby, so standing up like that was still hard for him.
“Adorable!” squealed Ero before fluttering over to meet the new addition to the family. She reached out to him and he lifted a paw. She took that paw and then another. Soon they were both swaying back and forth like they were dancing. Herbert made another happy noise and Ero giggled joyfully.
“Cuteness overload.” said Scott with a smile.
Rhea smiled at him in kind and stepped closer. “How was it?”
“Enlightening.” said Scott. He reached up with the hand that wasn’t attached to a shoulder that currently held an Ero-Grassrat dance party and lightly caressed Rhea’s cheek.
“Was it?” she asked tenderly.
“I love you Rhea. You and Ero, and hopefully Herbert, you’re the best family a man could have.” he replied.
“Hopefully Herbert?” asked Ero. She had already began to become attached to the cute little thing. Cute little things did often enjoy each other’s company after all.
“I don’t know if I can take him to the other server. The Grassrats know it is possible that I can’t take him on my journey. I’ve explained it to him the best that I can, and he’s agreed to give it a go with us if he can.” said Scott.
Herbert nodded and made a little fist with his right paw. Herbert was ready for adventure!
“Explain how it happened that he is with you?” asked Rhea.
Scott did just that. He told the girls of his journey to the citadel, and how he had learned what he needed to advance in his profession. He then spoke of his realization that he had done wrong to the Grassrats and had decided that the first step to mastering his life was to clear the air and make amends to those whom he had harmed unjustly.
“It should be fine then. Pets aren’t normally transferrable, but since he is a baby and Grassrats also exist in the other server there should be no issues. We’ll just add him as guardian beast, though that means that when you go to Earth, he’ll go with you as well.” said Rhea.
“Do you hear that Herbert? You get to go!” exclaimed Ero happily.
Herbert stood up and clapped his little paws together then made a happy chittering noise. That was fantastic news as far as he was concerned. He’d already started to like Scott, and it seemed like he had made new friends. Adventuring was wonderful. Everything was so exciting and new!
After that was decided, the little family began to discuss recent days and plans for the future. Scott asked about how Ero was feeling and she assured him that she was fine. Fairy pregnancies were different than such things were among humans or elves. It could take a few days or a hundred years. The little light inside of her fed on the energy of love and joy that was shared between her parents. It took a lot of both to bring a new fairy into the world.