Chap continues...

Raz answered it quickly.

“Yo,” said a familiar voice through static.

“Hi. Hugged Faham for me yet?”

“Called some of your friends. Capi was busy.”

Raz stared blankly at the sky for a moment. “Come again?”

“Where you at?”

“Uuhh…”

“Haul your bitch ass to grav boy’s workplace.”

“Huh?”

“I said move!”

Raz startled at the volume, nearly dropping the phone. She scrambled up, limbs stiff from cold. 

“I heard moving,” said Allie, when Raz had the phone to her ear again. “Good. Get there.”

The call ended.

Feeling a little lost and very weirded out, Raz started walking. Messages started popping in her chats.

Capi: “cant come. sry Raz : ( will make it up to u! come hang at my dorm on the break! I pay everything. Dont even try argue!!! OR >: (!!”

GG: “my sis can’t come but no problem”

Bumbledork: “I was hugged (^·^)”

Bumbledork: “Allie said you had a rough day. You can always msg me. I can listen or try to brainstorm stuff or research at least.”

Allie? How?! She’d sent her barely a few words! Her breath came in a sniffle. Raz’s eyes welled up.

Bumbledork: “Anytime.”

Bumbledork: “Capi can’t come apparently, but she would want to.”

Fen: “Your big sister invited me, but I’m not sure if I should? I said I’d still be friends and I meant it.”

Raz let out a laughing sob and wiped her eyes. Faham and Capi kept sending messages. She replied to them with hugs, then sent GG an ‘okay : )’, and started typing to Fez.

Raz: “I don’t even know what’s going on : D”

Fen: “Do you want a friend?”

She wiped her eyes again.

Raz: “Yes”

Fen: “See you soon.”

She looked around, orienting herself. At the top of the stairs, Raz recognized the street she was on. Only two streets from GG’s workplace, none of them uphill, thankfully. Raz found her steps hastening. Her eyes kept returning to the messages. She did a skippity-hop over a small puddle. 

“Hey.”

An unexpected deep voice paused her step. The tallest boy her age smiled at her. He’d grown a thick stubble to cover his built jaw, but not much else had changed since the last they met. He still preferred simple practical clothes even after work. He still had those kind soft amber eyes and eyebrows, muscles of a man ten years older, and dark moss-green hair that together with his dark skin had had him called the Last Tree in Castleyard.

She gave him a fond smile. “Hey, Fen. Long time no see.”

He nodded. “A couple weeks, or days depending on how you count. Spotted you at the town center the other day. Wasn’t sure you’d want a hello.”

“I wouldn’t have minded a hello,” said Raz, poking her tongue out at him.

“Ah’ll keep that in mind,” his voice a soothing rumble.

They continued towards GG’s workplace in wordless agreement. His steps made his bags rustle and clink.

Fen hefted one of them when he noticed her looking. “Snacks and some wonder. Your favorites, unless they’ve changed.”

“Aww. Thanks.” Raz beamed. “Didn’t have to.”

“Sure did.”

Her phone buzzed.

GG: “arrows”

Raz smiled at him again. Companionable silence continued to the inland edge of the town, where the bunker-like homes ended abruptly and the castleworks began. The place was a tall labyrinth of construction elements, half-finished walls, and vast fields of floating blocks, pillars, and castle-pieces tethered into the earth. Paths of gravel and packed earth ran between them, connecting lifts and buildings.

Warmth of a bonfire cast orange hues on the blocks some distance away. Boisterous laughter emanated from within.

“F-crew is having a finish party,” said Fen. “They slotted in the wonderchamber today.”

Raz gave a curious nod, then grinned as her eyes landed on a glowing neon-red arrow painted onto a tower block. “We go this way.”

Fen hummed.

She led them into the dark narrow corridors lit only by various shades of still wet glow in the dark paints. Soon, they arrived at a gravel clearing surrounded by hills of blocks that had yet to be untethered from gravity.

The place was empty.

“Did we get lost?” she asked.

“‘tis where the arrows led.”

“...are listening to…” Radio static crackled right behind Raz. A dramatic orchestral piece began escalating in grandness. Horns tooting like they were about to announce the birth of the mage messiah.

Raz chuckled. “What?”

Colored spell-lights lit up around and over the dark clearing, then flicked off and on, wrestling all attention to the center with bright strobing. Two crude human-sized wooden figures stood at the center. Their faces were wish-printed replicas of Association representative Fran Backman and the grand archowiz Uryule U. Magogram, the two old crooks single-handedly responsible for half the world’s woes. They were posed in a compromising position, with Fran sucking a wooden plank protruding from Uryule’s crotch, while Uyrule rubbed a pair of nail nipples.

Raz snorted.

Fen huffed in amusement.

Music intensified in epicness. Lights strobed faster.

An enormous building fell from the sky and crushed the wooden dummies.

The song ended in a celebratory, ‘ba-baaam’ and lights died.

Raz laughed. 

A slim featured young man strolled out of the landed building’s archway. On his shoulders flickered a coat of spell-lights. Smaller bulbs interwoven into his dreadlocks and braids framed his sharp and narrow features, illuminating that sleepy eyed smile.

“A surprise depression assassinationing was ordered,” said GG, his voice even. “Surprise assassination was delivered.”

“Sure.” Raz was still chuckling.

“Now climb on, and enter an adventure of a… weektime.” GG offered a hand to pull her up. 

Raz accepted it and stepped up to the threshold and into the bare stone building. The room was spacious and roofless. Spell-lights set on the of unpainted arches and half-finished embellishments made it look like stars continued from high above to the floor. A cozy little campfire crackled at the center, surrounded by noble-featured wizard busts, with their faces repurposed as seats.

“Wow…” How the hell did he get this ready?

“Does the clairvoyant know?” asked Fen, leaning towards GG. 

“Might know. Might not. He doesn’t check every day.”

Fen made a frustrated sound.

GG let out a wizened sigh. “It’s all witchy my friend. You get asked questions, you tell them GG took you hostage. So simplesome. Now let’s collect the lights. Can’t leave evidence behind and make it too easy!”

“Raz!” Static crackled voice of Faham came from one of the bust-chairs. 

She turned to find a shoe sized golem raise two stumpy hands. Slotted in its chest was GG’s brand new phone, streaming a video call with both Allie’s and Faham’s faces on the screen.

Raz let out a squeal of delight and gathered the little golem in her hands.

The golem patted her hands and wiggled its little legs. Faham and Allie tried to talk on top of each other. Faham was still a small fluffy bundle hidden under baggy clothes. Allie meanwhile had grown both curves, muscles, and height. Her clothes and attitude screamed sporty confidence and her leaf-hair was arranged rebelliously.

“Surprise!” shouted Faham.

Raz hugged the tiny golem.

It hugged back.

She continued to scream in confused delight and lifted it up again. “How?!” Raz turned to GG and Fen, who were returning with a small mountain of spell-lights. “Did Capi make this? Can she make this stuff already?”

“Nah, sis ain’t there just yet. It’s can-made.”

“Wow.” Raz inspected the golem. “The can can make stuff like this already?” 

“We are upside down.”

Realizing what she was doing, she flipped it upright. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

Allie made a grunt of agreement.

“Put us on your shoulder,” said Faham.

Raz did and the golem climbed on. She patted the golem’s head and looked Allie in the eye, saying, “Thank you.”

The golem gave her head a soft bonk.

GG cleared his voice. “And so gathered the depression assassinationing coven for its first meeting. As the Allie appointed tyrant of ceremonies, I’ve got you some unstressing activities.”

GG turned his lights off, disappearing into a dark silhouette against the background lights. His lights flicked back on on the other side in a dramatic presenting pose near busts of famous old wizards, archowiz, and Magogram public figures. 

“Presenting!” He clicked an old Earth boombox. A chipper tune began bouncing around, remixed with the pleas and screams of famous wizards taken from various arcnet clips. He set the device down and returned to the presentation pose. “The wall of smugsome faces! And…”

He produced a can of wonder, ripped the lid, and inhaled the dream-colored swirls of smoke. The next flourish of his hand directed the wisps out from his lungs. In an instant, the canned wish formed a table decked with various ripe fruits and vegetables, firm brown turds with a sign ‘recreational clay’, and grenades labeled ‘mystery grenades’.

“...weapons of la resistance. Come. Arm yourselves!” 

Fen gave Raz a cocked eyebrow.

“Come on!” She pulled him along.

GG picked up a lump and handed it to her with intense eye-contact. “Let there be no survivors tonight. Show no mercy. No matter how pitisome their begging.”

“Have no fear of that, general. I am ready to bring them a massacre.”

“This is yours.” GG gave the sibling golem a small cannon.

Faham broke from excitement. Allie cackled darkly. They waddled a few steps away to load the cannon.

Raz pulled her arm back and threw. The turd landed with a most satisfying smack, smearing the old bearded face in brown. 

A bombardment commenced. Wish-conjured ammo splattered the busts in goop. Then mystery grenades finished them off in small explosions. Perfect hits roused cheers amongst the group. Weirdly timed background moans of wizards triggered even Fen into uncontrollable giggles. Raz had a blast. 

After murdering and desecrating the statue gallery, they gathered by the fire. GG switched music to a calm mix of New Earth tunes.

Fen distributed snacks: deep fried sour-chip fruits, chocolates and other Earth candy, and hard touscan cheese strips, which Raz accepted with glee. He also handed out spiced fizzy tea and set some traditional Castleyard sausages to grill on the flame. Finally, he brought out a six pack of canned wonder and offered everyone some.

GG shook his head. “No more for me.”

“Can’t. Interferes with resonance,” said Raz automatically.

Neither Faham or Allie could take one, obviously.

Fen nodded and popped one open, breathing in the cloud of wonder. 

“Can you make animals?” asked Faham.

Fen let out a wisp, which turned into a swarm of dancing glowing gold witchflies. 

Sibling golem followed their flight, reaching out.

Fen let out a little more wish, and guided one of the majestic seven-winged insects to land on the golem’s hand. Faham oohed. Fen held his breath for a moment, then let it all out. Birds, lizards, creatures, and critters inhabiting the cliffy Castleyard coastside burst into being and frolicked out to fill the room.

“Wow, you’re so good!”

“He’s pretty good at it,” agreed Raz.

Fen smiled, cracking open another wish.

“That’s the new gen stuff, right?”

Fen nodded at Faham. “Yep.”

“Can you make more birds?”

“Why learn magic, when you can sell your soul to Magogram and spend your value on canned magic,” said GG.

Fen met his eyes, breathing out a variety of birds that joined to chirp along the currently playing song. “You’re using though.”

“Alas, I am but a slave aware of my shackles. Not a free man.”

“Bit expensive for temporary shit, if you ask me,” said Allie.

Fen shrugged. “Can be.”

“This has been really neat, though. I think,” said Faham.

Allie grumbled in agreement.

“Yeah.” Raz reached to squeeze GG’s hand. “Thanks.”

“Raz, Raz, Raz… You owe me nothing.”

She squeezed his hand, then gave him a quick hug.

Fen conducted his wish critters to serve everyone sausages. They munched. Conversation trickled into a pleasant hum about nothing important. Nobody asked about her trip to the wonderchamber, and she let herself forget it. Raz basked in the glow of the fire and the presence of friends, blissful.

Sausages were eaten and treats snacked upon. Then, at around Fen’s fourth can, sibling golem started to melt.

“Uh-oh–” Faham’s voice crackled. The video showed static. “Losing… ah we’re back!”

“Not for long,” said Allie.

The tiny golem drooped, falling on its face.

“Want another?” asked Fen.

“Nah. It’s whatever.”

“We should be going, probably.”

“Hey, Raz.”

“Yes?” she supported the golem to meet Allie’s eyes.

“You’re the best.”

Connection died as the wish left the phone.

Raz sent Allie a message, giving her some love.

Allie replied with a thumbs up.

“Most splenderly siblings.”

“Yeah.”

She chatted with Faham for a bit. Fen enjoyed his canned wonder. GG laid on his back, staring at the stars.

Raz put the phone away, looking between the two guys. “Hey, um. I was thinking I’ll sign up too.”

Fen blinked. “Well. That’s news.”

GG frowned.

“Good for you,” said Fen. “I mean it. It’s wiz of a deal.”

“We do what we must, adrift on the mercies of fate.”

“Yeah…” Raz stared into the fire. “Won’t be so bad. And hey, at least I’ll have friends here.”

Fen nodded eagerly, reached out, but hesitated.

Raz offered him a fist-bump, which he took.

“If you are certain.”

“I think I am.” Raz nodded. “Yeah. I’m feeling good about it. Heck, I’ll be able to give canned wonder a try.”

Fen offered a can.

“I mean later. Wanna try it alone first.”

Fen kept offering. “Take it. It’s yours.”

“Hey, thanks.”

Fen made a ‘it’s no trouble’ nod.

GG stared at her, unusually serious. “These are the toughest decisions. Whatever you do, know that you shall always have the full respect of GG.”

Raz pulled him into another hug.

Fen nodded. “Mine as well.”

She gave Fen a nod and an awkward shoulder pat.

“Your brother’s birthday came up. Shall I lend…” GG wiggled his fingers in magical patterns. “The touch.”

“If you’re not busy. They’re gonna have trackers though, so probably can’t come.”

GG gathered phlegm and spat. “Filthy Magogram scum, oppressing our brothers and sisters.”

Raz shrugged. “It is what it is. We’ll deal. I’ve got some stuff planned and a bit of val saved.”

“We will find a way to guarantee epicness, even if stealing from castleworks isn’t an option,” said GG, dead serious.

She chuckled.

A moment passed. Fire crackled.

“I’m gonna do it,” said Raz. “I’ll be Raz the grav sorceress. Gonna do it tomorrow. No more wasting.” This would be her gift to them, the one they deserved years ago. “I’ll come in for an interview tomorrow.” She thought about it a second. “It doesn’t hurt or anything, does it?”

Fen shook his head. “Nope.”

“The most painless way to damage yourself on an existential level,” said GG.

Fen rolled his eyes. “It’s safe. The wizard who does it is good. Zero warpings so far.”

“That’s good.”

“It’s a smart choice.”

“A very profitable way of committing existential suicide. Would definitely sell my soul again.”

Raz let out a dry laugh.

The last can of wonder disappeared, as did the snacks. GG declared that they had landed, giving Raz an excuse to start leaving. The trio parted with hugs, some tighter than others.

“Want me to walk with you?” asked Fen as they walked out of the castleworks.

Raz looked up at the islands of stars between castles and clouds, feeling strangely peaceful. “Nah. Thanks.”

“Okay. Was good seeing you.”

“Same.”

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