civilwarnovels Book 6: Chapter 15
Book 6: Chapter 15
Book 6: Chapter 15
Vur stood with his arms crossed, standing in the center of the room with Tafel and Lindyss standing at his sides but positioned slightly behind him. Held in his arms, pressed against his upper body, there was a red, statue-like ant. In front of the ant, there was an open jar half-filled with an amber liquid. Vur was holding it up with a third arm, and in his fourth arm, there was a second jar of honey. His fourth arm bent, bringing the glass close to his face, and without a care in the world, Vur took a few generous mouthfuls of the liquid.
The air shimmered in front of Vurs group shimmered, and a flaming woman, Gaegukja Yeol, appeared. She hovered above the ground with her hands placed on her hips, a faint smile on her face. Welcome back. This trial was simply a joke to the three of you, I see.
Vur nodded and turned his head towards Lindyss. As if they had discussed beforehand, Lindyss reached into her pocket and retrieved three jars of honey, distributing them to Tafel, Vur, and herself. Vur stared at the jar he was handed, which he had picked up by uncrossing one of his arms. His wrist wiggled from side to side, causing the amber liquid inside the jar to swirl about. He frowned, but he extended his arm out, offering the jar of honey to Gaegukja Yeol without saying a word.
The flaming woman cleared her throat. Isnt there something you have to return to me before giving me this jar of honey?
Vur furrowed his brow, and Gaegukja Yeol cleared her throat again. Ill give you a hint, the flaming woman said. Her body contorted, the solid bits dispersing into flexible flames, and she took on the shape of a cube. It looks like this.
Gaegukja Yeol didnt remain shaped like a cube for very long. Her body unraveled itself, returning to her original form. She floated to the side and gestured towards the floor. There was a noticeable imprint of a cubes bottom along with cracks that covered the surface. The storage cube, remember? Gaegukja Yeol asked. It was loaned to me to complete the mission. If I dont return it, Ill be punished.
Vur nodded. I understand, he said, making eye contact with Gaegukja Yeol. Be more careful next time with things that dont belong to you. It can be dangerous being a debtor.
Although Lindyss thought the idea was dumb, not listening to Stella could be considered an even dumber choice, so the cursed elf waved her arm, and a series of shadowy hands rose out of the abyss, stacking the storefronts counter with jars of honey.
Youre selling my honey? Vur asked, his brow furrowing. For some reason, the pupa he held in his arm seemed to be upset as well despite it being unable to express its emotions.
No, no, Stella said. Were selling entrance tickets. The contestants buy the honey, and they put it back inside the cube. Since were keeping the cube, the honey gets sold and returned to us.
Actually, Gaegukja Yeol said. You can keep the cube, but I really do need to hand in the honey to the tower, so the honey that gets sold will be given to me.
Vur frowned and stared at Gaegukja Yeol in silence. A few seconds passed. Beads of flaming sweat popped up on Gaegukja Yeols forehead. A few more seconds passed. Gaegukja Yeol shifted about, fidgeting in place. A few more seconds passed. Gaegukja Yeol cleared her throat and walked away. You know what? Never mind.
Tafel blinked and couldnt help but ask, Where are you going?
Gaegukja Yeol turned her head and stared at Tafel with a blank expression. The flaming womans body was only a few steps away from the portal leading into the ant tunnels. Im going to get some honey.