Spirit

Because my character is meant to remain a mystery, I will not reveal anything form my backstory or spell anything out for the reader of this article. Due to my obsession with detail, this will also probably be too much to read casually. If you wish to see an abridged version, it is not ready yet, but it will be at some point in the future. Thank you!

## Season Zero

### The Stranger Arrives

The date was September 24th.

A lonely traveler stood on the shore of an island in the middle of the sea. The Island was called "The Haven," as although many ships had ended their voyages dashed upon its rocks, the trees and plants that flourished on the island kept any marooned sailors healthy and fed. As the stranger looked out across the grassy hills, he could see the unfamiliar shapes of trees and wooden buildings dotted around. It was new... and more beautiful than he could possibly have imagined.

Stopping by the island that day was a demonic man who went by the name Teri. Seeing the stranger on the beach, he made his way over to give them a greeting. However, as Teri approached, something was very wrong. The man on the beach turned to Teri, and he had no face. There were no eyes, no mouth, no nose... only a flat, glowing screen, flashing with all the colors of the rainbow.

This stranger was an android. He was built of metal, with a rectangular computer with a screen instead of a head. He had compartments and bolts all over his body, and when he spoke "Hello!" in greeting, the voice was remarkably human, with only the slightest hint of something more mechanical happening from within.

Teri stepped back. He was mildly disturbed, but his curiosity was peeked. He had so many questions to ask. However, the robot began to ask them first. He asked about the plants, the birds, the grass, and everything else he could see. Teri, knowing not what else to do, began to answer his questions, one by one. It was as if the robot was a child, playing among the flowers, and so filled with wonder about the world.

"What do you call these?" "They are called Trees." "Can they feel?" "I don't think they feel like most people do..." "How can you be sure?" "I don't..." "What are these strange creatures?" "Those are birds..."

After a long while of suffering through this tirade of questioning, Teri realized the robot had gone silent. He had reached the docks, and was running his metal hand across the wooden boards.

"Do you kill trees to build your homes and structures..?"

Teri didn't like where this was headed. However, he answered yes. The robot pushed harder, beginning to speak less like a child and more as if there was a hardened intellectual behind that rainbow screen. When Teri attempted to explain that trees don't feel pain, he was shut down. "How do you know if trees feel pain?" the robot asked solemnly, "Have you asked?"

Teri continued to defend his position, as the robot began to untangle Teri's excuses and beliefs in an efficient and disturbing manner. Teri begrudgingly informed the robot that there were, in fact, people who said they could talk to trees and trees that could talk to people. The robot settled down, stating that he would either find a way to talk to trees, or find a tree that could talk to him. That way, he could find out exactly how the trees felt about this mass murder of plants, and fight for their rights. Teri, shook his head and accepted there would be no more convincing the robot otherwise. He made a mental note that the robot was less innocent than he appeared.

It was at that moment, that a small sailboat floated up to the docks, and one of the most important men in the Nmoidreth Expanse stepped out. Morthrin had sailed alone, back to the island he knew so well, to get a drink from the small tavern he had set up on these shores. After all the work he had done in the past weeks, both in his city of Mahaq, and at the Shard on Argence, he had come all the way out to his safe haven to finally get some time for himself.

He would get none.

Morth immediately questioned Teri about the metal man in front of him, but Teri just shrugged and told him he hadn't gotten in any questions. When asked who the robot was, he simply responded with, "I am learning about how you murder many trees and use them to build shelter." Disregarding this, Morth asked about what he assumed was armor. The robot vaguely responded that he was not wearing armor, and was instead completely made of metal, from head to toe. Morth asked how he came to be here, and the robot simply suggested that he definitely did *not* come through a rift in the space time continuum.

Before Morth could ask what any of this meant, the robot had seen her.

There was a horse, standing in a field of flowers. Morth couldn't remember why or how it was there, but it just was. He protested as the robot left their side, walking in a trance towards the beautiful horse.

"Hello... How are you?"

"Horses can't talk," Morth informed the robot.

"Maybe you're just not listening hard enough," the robot tittered, "I'm so glad to meet you, too... you're a beautiful horse."

The robot held up some dried grass to the horse's mouth, feeding it. Then, the horse let the robot get up onto their back. Morth almost wished he couldn't tell, but he knew there was a bond already forming between this cold metal man and this random horse. Teri questioned him.

"Hey, stranger. How can you tell this horse likes being ridden on? Don't you speak for nature or something?"

The robot shook his head, "I can feel her feelings. Her emotions. She liked when her previous owner rode her. She loved the wind in her hair and her human laughing, holding on tight around her neck. It was companionship, and freedom. She has been lonely since her owner died."

Teri shot a sarcastic smile to Morth, "He can talk to animals, so I guess he can answer his own questions now. Good for him."

The robot was still speaking to the horse, and Morth could tell it was serious.

"I will care for you, and will be your friend. You will be my guide in this strange world. You will be my soul. You will be my Heart."

Morth rolled his eyes, "Okay, can you get down from there and actually try answering our questions now? For real this time. I think there is a very good chance you were lying about 'not coming through a rift in reality.' You are an awful liar. And I've done some research on dimensional travel, and you *really* don't look like you're from this world."

In response, the robot got off the horse, informed them of a rebooting procedure that would take roughly ten minutes, and promptly crumpled into a heap on the ground.

Morth stood speechless for a solid thirty seconds, and then gave up and went to go get his drink.

As he tried to do his best and enjoy his ale, Teri pointed out that the robot had made several comments that suggested that he was not of this world. The robot had commented that the sky was more beautiful as blue than black, that he was invented instead of having been born, and that he had never seen any plants before. Morth shook his head in wonder, and the conversation began to turn to more personal matters. Teri showed off his people's craftsmanship, brandishing a beautiful enchanted sword, and Morth talked about his work on the Shard. "I'm getting closer," he told Teri, "Wings and I have been working hard."

Then, without warning, the collapsed body outside began to make a loud humming and whirring sounds, and the screen began to flash violently. When Morth had quickly made his way over to the robot, he stared at the screen, and saw something he would never forget. It showed images of another dimension. Morth saw lands, structures, and creatures that defied science and reason. There was a few images that he couldn't even explain, but he could tell were of Elder Gods, far older than the realm he knew. It was beyond belief and beyond understanding, and as soon as it had started, it ended.

Morth stood still, worried that somehow the images might return. When they did not, he looked over to Teri for any consolation in what they had just seen. Morth did not quite see what he expected. Teri looked surprised, but not shaken. There was almost an anger in his gaze. There was a distrust in this pile of junk in front of him that was absent before. And again, without warning, that pile of junk shot up to a standing position, screen back to normal, seemingly unaware of what had just happened.

Morthrin decided not to take too much stalk in what he had just seen, as he mumbled something to Teri about the many secrets the world had, just waiting to jump out and confuse or frustrate him. Right on cue, the robot began to talk to Morth about his concerns regarding the treatment of trees. Teri successfully managed to escape the conversation, while a very annoyed Morth told the robot that a friend of his, Cornemer, probably had the answers the robot was looking for.

As if Cornemer had been called forth, the nature spirit appeared among the trees. had a crooked smile, and waved to the group gathered at the door of the tavern. "Greetings friends!" he called.

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear!" snorted Morth, "Why has everyone decided to come to Haven on *this* day, of all days!?"

When the robot questioned Cornemer about speaking to trees, Corn told him that he had a respectful relationship with them. He did use them, but he always asked permission. The robot seemed pleased to hear this, while Morth groaned in the background. The robot nodded, "So the trees *do* talk. I could have sworn I heard them murmuring. I could feel their soul."

Corn smiled, "You must be special, I thought I felt a presence of someone like me... but I didn't think they would look like this... I am glad you also care for the trees. So few around here seem to understand. The trees give me guidance, and what I should do next to help this world, they are wiser then all of us."

Corn and the robot discussed further what the robot's intentions were in this land, and Corn agreed to teach the robot how to speak with the trees, if it was possible for the robot to do so. Then, the robot would decide if the trees needed protecting, like his intuition told him so.

Morth stepped in, further agitated by the conversation, "Most of us here don't want to harm trees for the sake of harming trees, you know... We need them. For fuel, for homes, for our livelihoods. This whole argument is ridiculous. If I may remind you, we have more important problems than 'tree murder' on our doorstep. If you want to *actually* be useful to the world, you'd use your great wisdom to tell us something about how to defeat the Acolytes! You'd show us how you were built, metal man, so we could create some sort of advanced weaponry to use in the coming war! But no... You know nothing about this land, and you have no idea the struggles we are faced with every day. So why don't you shut your mouth... or wherever that sound is coming from*, and leave?*"

The robot turned slowly to face Morth, and spoke again in a darker, more intellectual tone, "Weaponry? Advanced weaponry? Defending yourselves is healthy, as it shows that you value your own lives and friends. But advancing weaponry is dangerous, and only elevates conflict. If everyone just loved each other, we could all be happier."

"You are naïve. You know nothing about this world."

The robot tilted its head, "I am new to this land. Do not expect me to know everything about the creatures here. But I understand more than you know. Just like the horses and trees understand more than you know."

Morth scoffed, "You've done nothing to convince me of that claim."

The robot's screen flashed, "*I will.*"

Then the robot's screen turned blue, for a moment, and back to the rainbow. And just like that, the robot began asking if Morth was okay, and why he was so angry. Corn ushered him a ways away, as Morth seemed to be glaring with a fury he could barely contain. The robot, uncaring, waved to Morth with a posture that indicated he had returned to the happy child he had started the conversation as. The robot whispered to Corn, loud enough for Morth to hear, "Was it something I said? I'm so sorry, I don't remember him being angry a moment ago..."

Corn seemed slightly concerned, so he simply said, "I think we should go, before Morth does something he regrets."

The robot said goodbye, and two new partners left without another word, taking the horse the robot had met with them. Morth stood agitatedly, unsure of what to do with all the energy boiling inside him.

Teri shook his head, "Something tells me he forgot. He actually forgot the entire argument even happened. It kept happening before, when he got frightened or annoyed. He just reset back to his old, overly positive self. He's an anomaly."

Morth sighed, "He's annoying, is what he is. I hope I don't have to deal with him *ever* again."

And he went back to get another drink.

### The Wandering Robot

In the following days, the robot traveled on his best friend, the horse he had named "Heart," to many places, and he met many more strangers in this land.

The day after he arrived, the robot discovered snow. He was amazed at how shiny and white it was, and how far it expanded across the hills and mountain of the northern wastes. While traveling through the tundra, in the distance, he saw smoke. When he got closer, he told Heart to wait, and approached on foot. What he found was a little cottage in the snow, with a lone blacksmith, perfecting his craft in isolation. The robot was greeted with suspicion at first, but after the robot introduced a simple game that they could play while talking, the man called Ice began to warm up to the robot. This did not last, however, as the robot accidentally revealed that they used to be a slave. When asked about this, the robot's screen went blue, and the robot attempted to start the entire interaction over again, repeating the very first words he spoke when he arrived. Concerned and confused, Ice watched as the robot, still retreading topics from an earlier conversation, slunk away, got on his horse, and left.

Zephyr was digging up some carrots when she looked up, and was faced with a terrifying sight. A metal man with a glowing face was standing above her, watching as she worked. After a moment of confusion, they got to talking as well, and the robot quickly realized that Zephyr was far more insistent on asking questions than the blacksmith. For the first time, someone was adamant about wanting his name. Every time she was asked what she should call him, the robot evaded, started over, and ignored the question entirely. As night fell, they were attacked by spirits, and the beasts that wander the night. Zephyr was a strong warrior, and she ripped the creatures of the night to shreds with her deadly blade. The robot was solemn whenever a beast was killed, and Zephyr told him that it was okay, for the monsters were intrinsically evil.

The robot protested, saying "They are also apart of this world. They exist to complete the cycle of life that binds us all together. I understand your use of self defense, but the deaths of any creature are worth mourning for."

After a short argument, the two reached the cave Zephyr used for a home, and the two shared in the same game the robot had played with the blacksmith. As they talked more, Zephyr revealed her wish to spread her culture and religion, and meet more people to be allied with. Little did she know, from that moment on, the robot's motivations began to change. If Zephyr needed friends, he would find her friends. He would make sure no one was ever alone again. There, the two agreed to put aside their differences, and become friends.

The day after, the robot considered his two new friends, and there loneliness. Zephyr lived in a cave, and Ice lived in a cottage out in the middle of nowhere. With sudden resolution, the robot spent the next day analyzing and learning about the dangerous realm called the Nether, and the the shortcuts Cornemer had mentioned off hand. As the sun fell under the horizon, the robot entered a portal at Cornemer's Sanctuary, and braved the depths of the horrific dimension lying beyond. Before the sun had risen once more, somehow, Ice and Zephyr each had a portal standing a ways from their house that wasn't there before, and safe tunnels that led up to the tunnels Morth and Wings had taken ages to mine out with leagues of workers on hand.

Zephyr and Ice soon discovered these portals, and eventually were able to meet both each other, but also meet with Morthrin. This important meeting marked the start of their story intertwining with others. They never knew how the portals got there, but they had their suspicions. As for the robot, the cogs were now turning, and speaking to trees would have to wait.

### The Building of Sherr

Morthrin's current city of residence was Mahaq, which he had invested a lot of time and effort into rebuilding into a stronger nation. For the first time in a long time, the city was plentiful enough to have a surplus of goods... and had nobody to sell to. So, Morthrin had decided that he would start a small harbor on the island of Sherr.

Sherr was an island in the middle of the Nmoidreth Sea. Wings had discovered it, and noticed that it shared many traits with two other islands she had found, Koth and Argence. It appeared that there was a magical power that made all three islands vibrant and filled with life. Sherr was green and lush, and incredibly beautiful.

Morthrin realized that the island was in exactly the right spot to restock ships traveling across the sea. So, Morthrin found a group of people who needed a home, and brought them to the island. He directed the building of the harbor, and made sure the workers knew what they were doing. Morthrin planned to reroute all of Mahaq's trade routes through Sherr, and make sure people knew it was there. He hoped Sherr could eventually be a place where trade could prosper.

This harbor eventually attracted attention of Cornemer the nature spirit, as he felt building up wealth would help him get supplies he needed for his Sanctuary. While the harbor continued to sell food and supplies to ships that needed it as they crossed the Expanse, Cornemer capitalized on the traffic by selling magical relics and ancient knowledge in a small shop by the docks. The islanders liked Cornemer's charm, so when the Harbor Master was eaten by a shark, they let the nature spirit take charge of the Harbor. In the end, Sherr amassed a large amount of wealth in coins and jewels from all of these business pursuits.

However, when the Acolytes attacked, that all changed. The roads became unsafe, and trade routes stopped. Cities became focused on defense, as opposed to trade, and the harbor fell on hard times. However, Morthrin visited the Sanctuary a few days after the robot's arrival. He was intent on fixing the economy.

Morth proposed that Cornemer let other people use the harbor, and build an open market on Sherr that anyone could use to set up shop and sell their goods. The island would negate the need to set up trade routes between cities, which would be safer than traveling the roads. He also proposed they create a standardized currency that could unite the people of the Nmoidreth Expanse under one economy. Cornemer agreed, and they began making plans. They would instate a minor tax, and allocate plots for people to build their shops on. As they discussed deep into the night, neither of them really noticed that the robot was in the room with them, digesting their every word.

Morthrin and Cornemer woke up the next morning to visit Sherr, and as they sailed up to its sandy shores, they realized what had happened. Without a word, the robot had traveled to Sherr before them, and working at an inhuman speed, had began building roads. They were paved and tiled, and had signs marking plots for shops. Morthrin and Cornemer laughed in surprise and shock. Even Cornemer had not expected the robot to help with the project, or that he even cared.

"Hello, friends!" he said, "I have begun work on the city! Do you like the layout, or would you like me to restart?"

Corn reached out and shook the robots hand excitedly, "It's perfect, my friend! I am grateful."

Morth could only stand silently considering the robot. Maybe he wasn't as bad as Morth thought. In fact, he could be very useful indeed.

The next day, the robot was still working on the roads, and had begun work on a huge building for the islanders to sell their goods from. The islanders had offered their help, but nobody compared to the single minded and sleepless robot. He was stronger, faster, and calculated quicker than any mortal being, and when he began to work, he did not stop until the job was done. The only flaw the people noticed, is that he would constantly forget when someone had disagreed with him, and rarely listened to anyone's advice on how things should be done. His memory seemed to be faulty, and optimism was his only setting. However, Morth and Corn were very happy with the work done, and chose not to question the robot to much, in fear that he would stop working.

The robot began to ramble about a beautiful city on the island, where people could come and share their culture, and be apart of a family. A place that everyone called home, and nobody would ever be alone. Morth insisted that Sherr was not to be for residential use, but the robot's head was in the clouds. Inside his wandering mind, he could see the children playing in the streets, elders feeding birds in the park, and shopkeepers shouting in the square. He could see skyscrapers, reaching for the skies. He saw a community that would work together to build great things. He saw a place people would be proud to call home.

The robot knew exactly what he wanted, and would do whatever he could to see it become a reality.

Cornemer was not opposed to the robots ideas, and when the robot came up to him one day and asked, "If there are ever enough people here that we need a government, would you run it?" Cornemer said that there would have to be an election, to make it fair. When Morthrin was informed of this, he humored the robot, and said that if the island somehow got a population that actually needed governing, he would help run an election. "However," he said "That isn't going to happen."

The robot continued his travels through the Nether tunnels, and he met a great many more people and told them about Sherr. He promised that one day soon, "Sherr City" would be the center of culture and products in the Expanse, and that people should come join the project while it was still in its infancy. Many said no, but remained curious. The few who had nothing left to lose agreed to travel to Sherr to make their fortune. One by one, with the robot and Corn's help, shops began to pop up along the roads.

Despite Morth's plans for a small community of shops, the rumors around the Nmoidreth Expanse were that there was a legendary city being built in the middle of the sea; a land ripe with opportunity and innovation. The eyes of many powerful and poor people alike began to drift towards Sherr, and the robot hoped it meant that his dream could come true.

But either way, he was just getting started.

### Meeting the Healer

The day the robot began the Sherr project was September 27th. However, that was not all that happened that day.

The robot had been told a lot about Wings, and so he decided to visit the Arcadian Revival. Wings was tending to the farms outside the walls that day, and as the robot approached, he noted the tiny wings on her back. Currently, the dragon woman was helping lead the cows into their pen, and when she saw a glowing-faced figure riding up the path on a horse, she closed the fence gate and backed up into the crowd of cows. When he got closer, however, she realized that this metal man must be the same one Morthrin had complained about before, and noted that he likely wasn't a threat.

As the robot introduced himself, Wings became increasingly unsettled by the positive demeanor. Wings asked the robot if he would work while he talked, and she got the robot to help her feed the cows.

Wings asked the stranger if he planned on attending the attunement party, figuring it was probably her duty to bring it up. She informed him how and why the magic in the Shard on Argence could help them in the war effort, and the robot just looked at her blankly. "I didn't know there was a war." Morth had warned her about this. The robot should theoretically know this, having been in the land for a few days, but he had forgotten yet again.

The robot inquired about what she meant by party, and Wings immediately registered that shew might be able to sway the robot's childlike instincts in her favor. She told him that yes, there would be a very fun party and that she needed him to invite as many people as possible. The robot was delighted. After a moment, the robot asked if he could call her Freefall. When asked why, the robot responded:

"Freedom. The bravery to fall without support, but the confidence that your wings will save you. I see that in you."

The dragon smiled for the first time since their meeting, "A suitable name. I accept." And then she asked the robot for *his* name.

"I have named many people. Treefriend, Gem, Snow, Wildflower, Redking..."

"I'm serious, what is *your* name? I need to know."

The robot faltered, "I'm so sorry, could you repeat the question? I forgot it."

Wings narrowed her eyes, "Your *name,* sir. I can not trust anyone who refuses to give their name."

Before Wings had a chance to tell the stranger to leave the Arcadian Revival, her glare was softened by Julanar the gnome trudging along the path. The gnome had a gleam in her eye and a scarf wrapped all around her hair, with flowers tucked into its folds. When she saw the robot, she backed up abruptly, clutching her chest and trying to compose herself.

"Oh my!" Julanar made a little bow, "I do not believe we have been introduced. Wings? This is...?"

Wings made a frustrated sound. "He won't tell me his name."

The robot looked Julanar up and down, and for the first time since his arrival, the robot didn't completely ignore the question.

"I've never had a name. Only a job."

Julanar quickly noticed the childlike nature of the robot, and she adjusted her mindset accordingly. "Oh, well, do you want a name?"

The robot shook slightly and sat down, as if shaking off another blue screen, "I don't know if I want a name. Everyone keeps asking me, and it hurts every time. I don't know why. "

Julanar sat down on the ground next to the robot and crossed her legs, giving him a reassuring smile and reaching out to grab his hand. "If you aren't comfortable with a name, then I will wait until you're ready. I hope that in time, if we get to know one another, you will be ready to let someone name you. I have faith that it will give you strength in your most noble purpose."

Wings tilted her head, "He named me Freefall... He seems to give everyone personalized names. Treefriend has to be Cornemer. I'm not sure about the others."

"Treefriend is teaching me to speak to trees," the robot said happily, "He is family now. Everyone is family. I only wish to bring joy to others. This place will be so much more beautiful when we respect everyone around us."

As they talked further, he told her of his love of nature, and his dreams of a city where nobody would ever be alone. He made Wings promise never to hurt the cows in the pens, and Wings lied through her teeth that she wouldn't. The robot's vision of the world seemed to align closely with Julanar's, and when she realized he couldn't seem to remember that there was a war, Julanar envied whatever let him forget the horrors in the world and focus on the good. Every word the robot spoke struck a chord in Julanar's heart. Finally, the robot's screen stared directly into Julanar's eyes. "The flower in your scarf. What are they called? They are very beautiful."

The gnome scrunched up her face, trying to remember, "Oh these? I don't know the common name for them, but we call them Attaq, which roughly translates to 'blossom of life'"

"Can I call you Blossom?"

Julanar's smile widened, "Yes. You absolutely can."

Then suddenly, a messenger from Mahaq arrived on horseback up to the fence, looking down on them with a face of despair. "Lady Julanar. Fair Wings. I have come to tell you that our Scouts have found the missing caravan! And -"

Julanar stood up with a start, "What's wrong? Is everything okay?"

The messenger shook his head, a fear in his eyes, "No. It's bad. Very, very bad. Morthrin needs you both, now."

Wings leapt to the stables, already readying her pegasus to ride off to help, crying "Jul's hop on!"

The robot, unsure of what he was meant to do, called his horse while Julanar hopped on behind Wings.

The robot whispered something in the horse's ear, he listened to her for a moment, and then he called to Wings and Julanar.

"Heart says we should go with you!"

While Wings reared to take off, Julanar shook her head in desperation. "No friend, please stay here! It could be dangerous!"

The robot jumped on Heart and looked up at her, his screen flashing violently with determination.

"We would never stand aside when our friends need help! Lead the way."

### Beasts and Madmen

Smoke billowed into the air. Along the side of a wooded hill, stretched along a wagon road, was a series of carts and carriages, bashed in, burning, and shattered across the muddy ground. An angry and saddened Morthrin paced the length of the Caravan, surveying the damage and watching his people salvage what they could from the remains. As he looked up the road, he saw three horses approaching from the distance, and he shook his head with frustration, knowing that he had probably called them for nothing. There doubted they was anything anyone could do.

When they arrived, Julanar leaped off Wing's pegasus and sprang to the carriages, desperately looking for any signs of life. Yet, it only took a glance from Morthrin for Wings to realize that Julanar would find none. The only signs of life were the few Soldiers from the city of Mahaq. No bodies. No traces. No leads. No hope.

Julanar began interrogating the Aradian scouts, while Morth and Wings sat on a fallen log, quietly talking to each other. The robot stood in the shadows of the forest, comforting Heart, and trying not to think negative thoughts. The sight before him seemed very forgettable, and this time he would rather stay remembering what was happening, considering that he had promised that he would be of some use to his new friends. He had not seen Morth in a while, and he supposed that was pleasant enough of an experience for him to remain in the present moment...

Wait, why was Heart tugging away from him? Was Julanar was shouting at him? She wanted him to move? What did she mean by -

The robot suddenly felt a *great force* slam into him from behind. He was catapulted forward twenty feet, landing at the feet of the Aradians, who were readying their spears in fear. Beaten badly, the robot looked up, and tried to compute what was happening as fast as he could.

It was seven feet tall, even on all fours. It had great horns jutting out on either side of its giant head, and its skin was a dark grey. The beast's green eyes were unsettling, and when it roared, it was so loud the robot feared his screen would crack.

A Ravager.

Wings led the charge, leaping into the air and stabbing downwards towards the monster's head. The creature dodged, and it head-butted her sideways, flinging her into the nearest tree. Morth backed up defensively, bracing his shield and holding out his spear, while Julanar loaded a bolt in her gnomish crossbow, and fired it directly into the creature's eye. It howled in pain, and *charged,* aiming straight for the tiny woman who had just made him halfway to blind.

Morthrin dove in front of her, taking the full force of the Ravager through his shield. The beast ripped the shield in two and knocked them both backwards onto the ground Just in time, before they were trampled under foot, the Aradians were there with their spears, forcing the beasts back. Morth and Julanar quickly scrambled behind the defensive line, while the Ravager prepared itself to make another charge.

The beast crashed through the line of Aradian warriors, sending them flying, and catching a spear in the shoulder. It shook off the metal stick, and trained its eye on the robot, who was still lying on the ground, away from the rest of the group. It reared to charge once more, when it felt the second crossbow bolt pierce the side of its head.

Julanar stood on a rock in full hunting mode, readying her crossbow with a third bolt with almost a crazed smile on her face, "I'm over here, foul creature! Come get me!"

When the Ravager lurched towards the gnome, Wings dropped on his head from the trees, sinking her blade deep in the back of his neck. The creature slowed as it choked on blood, losing balance and toppling over. Coldly, Julanar strode up and released a bolt into its other eye, felt for a heartbeat, and declared the beast dead.

Morthrin was helping the fallen soldiers, and Julanar joined him soon enough, unwrapping her healing supplies and kneeling down to get to work. Wings wrapped her arms in bandages, while the robot struggled to his feet and found Heart hiding among the bushes. Then the dragon woman looked out, at where the Ravager came from, and smiled wryly.

"Look at that, boys! Footprints."

Night fell, as the riders followed the tracks through the woods. The warriors had stayed behind, leaving Wings, Morthrin, Julanar, and the Robot to trek through the trees alone. The moon was full. The stars were bright. The forest floor was lit with the blue glow of dusk.

After a few hours, Wings found that the tracks had led to more tracks, and then to more signs of life. Trees that had been chopped down for firewood, Ropes left in the bushes, and finally, a grove below them in a valley, with the glow of a campfire and more smoke rising into the air. A strange chanting was barely audible. A torn black flag, with a strange symbol on it, flew flickering in the cold wind.

"The Acolytes of the Greater Dragons," Wings growled.

Morthrin nodded, "Yes, we all knew that... but what are they doing out here? So far from their encampment? What is that horrid chanting?"

As they got closer, the sound grew louder, and more alien. The language they spoke made every chanted word sound like it was dripping with evil. It was hypnotizing, and they all stood frozen for a moment, just listening. Then, they began to walk down the hill towards the eerie grove, and continued talking in hushed tones.

"It doesn't matter what they are doing." Julanar grimaced, "Either way, they must see punishment for their crimes. Why don't we strike when they fall asleep? I've taken out whole camps before."

Morth shook his head, "Not one of this size. It won't work. How about we retreat, and alert Mahaq of this?"

Julanar glared at Morth, "If we do not end their presence in these woods now, then we will see many more travelers die on these roads. If you -"

"Where's the robot?" Wings suddenly asked.

"What?" Morthrin whispered.

"The Robot, where is he?" Wings urgently asked again.

They had arrived just outside the circle of tents and banners, to see blue cloaked and blood soaked Acolytes, chanting and dancing. Their skin was as grey as the ravagers, and their eyes were all glowing in the murderous red of the raging fire in the center of their circle. And there was the robot, strolling out of the shadows and into the light of the fire, leading Heart behind him with one hand, and waving with his other.

"Hello, Friends!" the robot said in a joyous voice, "It is a pleasure to meet all of you!"

The Robot watched as the chanting slowly stopped, and their leader, who bore a crown of thorns and a carved staff, approached the robot with a crazed grin. The robot put out his hand to shake the Acolyte's hand, but instead, he felt the staff swing into the side of his head with a shattering crack, so strong that the Robot's head was ripped from its shoulders and thrown to the ground. The Acolytes descended on the robot like a pack of hungry wolves, intent on tearing the strange metal man to pieces, when bolts began sprouting of of their heads, one by one.

The last thing The Robot saw before his screen shut off, was his three companions leaping from the bushes to his aid.

### The Grove of Sorrows

Darkness.

"Help."

Eternal darkness.

"Help me."

Morthrin stood above, his shoulder bloody and his eyes full of worry.

"Reattach... my head... "

Wings stood to the side as Morthrin gingerly picked up the overheated head of the robot, which was humming violently and terrifying to hold. The screen was black, but the voice still spoke out from somewhere within.

"Please..."

Morthrin passed the head over the dented body, and lowered it onto the severed neck. As he did, the broken pieces pulled together, as if by a strong magnetic force. Without warning, tiny metal shards shot up from the dirt below, nearly missing Morth's hands as he pulled them away. They struck their targets, which seemed to be some small inset holes in the neck, and they bolted the head onto the body with a hiss. The robot's arm, which had also been broken off in the beating, flew up to the socket in the Robot's shoulder. As it connected, the entire screen shot on with a bright red light, and Morthrin leaped back in surprise.

The Robot slowly got to its feet, bringing in the sight that surrounded him. It was daybreak. Bloody bodies littered the ground around the still burning fire. Julanar was on the ground nearby, nursing an arm that had the hand cut clean off. Wings was across the grove, looting bodies of coins, strange golden statuettes, and other valuables. Morthrin stood staring at the Robot, a mix of fear, worry, and anger in his eyes.

"What are you!?" he gasped.

The Robot's screen was still red, "Where's Heart?"

Wings looked up from her collecting, surprised to see the Robot alive. Julanar seemed to hurt to move. But Morthrin stayed very still, carefully positioning himself in order to defend himself, if necessary. He spoke calmly and as empathetically as he could muster.

"Heart... was your horse?"

The Robot stepped forward, "Yes. Where is she? Is she okay?"

Morthrin gave an uncomfortable look at Wings, who began cutting across the grove to meet them. "Er... Robot. I'm sorry, but..."

Wings arrived at Morthrin's side, and decided to be blunt. "Your horse died," she informed the Robot, "She was shot during the battle."

A dead body of horse was draped over the body of a bloody cultist. An arrow shot from an Acolyte Bow pierced its heart.

The Robot shuttered for just a moment, like an involuntary spasm of rage. The sound that came out of the robot next was not the high chirping sound that Morthrin had gotten used to, but a dark, deep voice, that echoed around the grove, and sent birds flying from the trees in fear.

**"No."**

**"NO."**

**"Who did this?"**

**"Tell me NOW!"**

Morthrin raised his spear in defense. Wing adjusted her grip on her sword.

Julanar spoke sadly, from her spot on the ground, "She charged an Acolyte that was attempting to crush your head. She was shot mid stride. I tried to save her, but there was no time..."

**"STOP LYING TO ME!"**

The robot ripped an Acolyte sword off the ground, and wielded it threateningly.

"We're telling the truth," Wings said carefully, "Why would we be lying?"

The Robot stood still for a moment, his screen flashing blue.

"No no no no... I'm going to forget this... Just like I forget *EVERYTHING ELSE!"*

He dropped the blade, and dropped to his knees. His voice lowered.

"I already don't remember her name..."

There was a long silence, as the sky began to brighten with the ever higher sun, and the birds began to sing. The Robot looked up at them, finally, with the rainbow screen and the high chirping voice he had before.

"Everyone is family. I only wish to bring joy to others. This place will be so much more beautiful when we respect everyone around us."

The three looked at each other, still concerned, but Wings and Morth dropped their weapons to their sides.

Morthrin shook his head, "I think I've figured it out. He forgets any negative memories he has. Possibly in some misguided effort to stay happy. Should we be digging a grave for his horse, then? Oh, it seems that he wants to do that himself..."

The three watched as the robot began to silently dig a hole.

Morthrin turned to Julanar, "Are you okay?"

Julanar was clearly in pain, but she was also proficient in her cleaning and bandaging of the wound, and she had taken a stopper off a potion she had and poured it over the stub, saying "I know what I'm doing, but thank you. I've always been more of a healer than a fighter.. I'm glad neither of you were hurt, at least."

Wings noticed something in the hole the robot was digging, and came over to see what it was, then she swallowed, "You should both come see this.

The Robot had unburied a dead, shriveled body, and the body was moving, attempting to claw its way out of the muddy hole.

Morthrin took one look at it and chopped its head off, incredibly anticlimactically.

*"Morthrin!"* Julanar cried out, " What did you just do?"

Morth shrugged with a disgusted look on his face, "I didn't want to deal with it. I've seen enough nonsense for one day."

Wings picked up the severed head by its long hair, "This was a member of that Caravan. They must all be buried around here. And they're... alive?"

Morthrin pointed his sword at the head and frowned, "That *thing* wasn't alive. It was moving because the Acolytes are a bunch of creepy cultists who can't let anything be *simple."*

The Robot walked over to the corpse of his horse, and lifted the entire body from the ground. He took it to the hole, and gently placed it in.

Julanar looked around, concerned, "Then... should we unbury them? Save them, somehow?"

Morthrin shook his head, "No. Bad idea."

Julanar stomped her foot in frustration, "But we must do something! What if they're suffering under the sand?"

Wings gave her a sad look, "I don't think they feel anything at all. They're just walking corpses now."

Morthrin nodded, "This place is better left alone. No good can come of learning more about what happened here. Unspeakable evils and knowledge lies beneath our shoes."

The riders, one by one, mounted their horses, as the Robot shoveled dirt into the grave. Morthrin held out his hand to help the Robot onto his own horse, and the Robot took the offer reluctantly. Morthrin gave him a look of pity, "I really am sorry about that horse. I know you cared about her."

The robot looked at him blankly, "I never had a horse."

Morthrin bit back an annoyed grunt, "Of course you didn't."

Wings took one last glance at the bodies of the cultists, their eyes wide open, staring into their souls.

"You're right Morth... It's best if this Grove of Sorrows is forgotten."

### Redking's Candidacy

The Robot stood at the entrance to a strange building in the side of a cliff face. It looked like large honey comb, but built partially out of carved wood, with glass windows that revealed walls and walls of bookshelves inside. A great library, that was in the process of being built. The home of Abilene Comb.

Comb was a strange looking man. He looked old and young at the same time, as if he was ageless, and his skin was covered in honeycomb, like some sickly sweet mold. He greeted the Robot, had a discussion about nature, and when Comb was asked to join the City of Sherr, Comb quickly declined. "I would prefer to remain my own person, free of being a citizen of a country or city. But I could remain an ally from afar. You are always welcome to come visit my library."

The Robot had met many strange people in his travels, and he had been able to find refugees from the small towns the Acolytes had burned and ravaged, and bring them back to Sherr to work as shopkeepers and live in housing he had built for them there. Soon enough, while he was fixing his dented and broken parts, he was inspired by Wings the Dragonkin to build some wings of his own. Iron bat wings, that let him sore through the air and travel faster and farther than he ever could before.

The Robot helped Cornemer erect a skyscraper in Sherr, in a style familiar to the Robot's subconscious but foreign to these lands. It was covered in vines, and at the top, there was a beautiful tree. There, Cornemer began CornCo, a business that would trade all of the wealth of knowledge and riches Corn had with the world. All profit would go to upkeeping the Sanctuary, and protecting nature.

Teri the Demon had heard great things about the city, and decided to stop on by. What he saw was not a city yet, but he saw promise. Already, there were kids playing ball in Central Sherr Park, Merchants and Seafolk roaming the streets, and the smell of flowers mixed with the salty ocean breeze. The Robot's dream was coming true. And where was that Robot now?

The Robot was in the park, playing ball with the children. He lost on purpose, expertly letting the ball slip through his legs at the perfect time, giving the perfect opportunities for a little boy or girl to score between the two trees they were using for a goal. WHen the Robot saw Teri approach, he stiffened, and left the kids to play with each other.

"Hello, Teri. Is there anything I can do for you."

Teri smiled, "I heard through the grapevine that you were planning an election! Corn is to run."

"Yes. Treefriend wanted an election. He will run for Mayor."

Teri figured he knew what the robot meant by Treefriend, so he pressed on, "I would like to run as well."

The robot flinched, "Yes of course! Well, the election isn't exactly official yet, but I'll inform you when it is. It is necessary for a stable city environment to have a Mayor."

Teri nodded, "Thank you, Tin Man."

"Of course, Redking"

Fury flashed in Teri's eyes, "What did you just call me?"

The Robot shifted his weight uncomfortably, "Because... I don't know."

"Never call me that again. I will *gut* you."

The Robot tilted his head, ignoring the threat, "If you are planning to run, you should make sure you have a possible running mate."

Teri smiled again, "I already know who that will be."

"Ah. You are serious about this aren't you?"

Teri turned to go, "I'm serious about everything."

"Okay, Goodbye Redking."

Teri whirled around, "I told you to *never call me that again."*

The Robot backed up, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! You know I forget things!"

Teri's eyes almost glowed, with some sort of eternal fire raging beneath, "Stop forgetting things. That's an *order*."

The Robot clenched and unclenched his metal hands, "Apologies, your name is Teri. I will remember that."

Teri turned to go again, "Perhaps you should come to my place for a tune up. I'm sure I could fix your little glitch. Good as new."

The Robot's screen flashed red for a second, "If you have no more business here, you should leave my city."

Teri narrowed his eyes, but he chose to walk away, passing through customs at the Nether Gateway, and left the island. The Robot could only stand in the street, staring at the darkness that he felt was lying beyond that gateway, and mutter to himself,

"Don't forget. Don't forget... You can't let him win the election."

### The Talk at Lookout Point

The Robot was on Sherr one night, staring up at the stars. The work for the day had been done, and he was giving himself a break. The stars were worth it. They were so bright and beautiful. The Robot had even designed a telescope to see them clearer. He called the cliff that telescope was built on "Lookout Point." That was where he was that night.

But eventually, he heard a little cough behind him, and he saw Julanar standing there, looking lonely, and a bit cold.

"Blossom, are you okay?"

With a wrinkle of her nose, she said, "I think so... it's that feeling where you've had overwhelming dread, but now there may just be some light, twinkling at the end of the long tunnel."

"There is always a light if you know where to look," he pointed out at the city, "This is my light. And I hope you'll join us! This city will light the way for *all* who need it. It will help people. People who are lonely. People who wish to share their culture. Their beliefs. Their skills."

Julanar paused and a smiled slowly, the positivity absorbing into her, "That is something I needed to hear, after these last few days.. I will do my best to help you... with whatever this is."

The Robot nodded, "There is still so much to do."

Julanar tilted her head, "It's fascinating. Something in me tells me you don't ever plan on being done. Do you see an ending? Does that exist in your world?"

"Endings are for those who stop looking for improvement. Our journey will only end if we let the lantern die."

"The worlds cycles continue tirelessly, as does the sun and the moon above and below us," Julanar murmured, "Many people speak of grand designs, that grow and grow forever, and I find this strange. The Sun does not rise and then sit high in the sky. It falls again."

The Robot stared back up at the stars, "But it rises again the next day. So does it even fall at all? Or does it persist, continually moving across the sky, forever making progress? It only falls from the perspective of those who are left behind."

"Left behind," Julanar whispered into the wind, "I'm sorry if this a sore subject, but do you miss Heart?"

The Robot turned back to her, "Who is Heart?"

"Your horse, do... don't you remember?"

"I never had a horse..."

"So what Morthrin said was true. You forget all that makes you unhappy." Julanar said sadly, "But I don't blame you. I often wonder if it is better to have loved and lost, or to have never loved at all."

The Robot shook his head, "I wouldn't know. I've felt love, but never loss. If what you say about my memory is true, I am incapable of remembering it if I did. Does it feel bad?"

Julanars eyes began to well up as she attempted to compose herself, "It... it does. There is nothing worse."

The Robot moved to comfort her, "Are you okay? You look sad..."

"I... I envy you." she whispered, through a grimace of pain.

The Robot put out his hand, and she took it.

"It's okay. I'm here," he said calmly, "No matter what else you have lost. I will always be here. I promise."

Julanar looked up at him, "How can you promise such a thing? What if you die, too?"

"That won't happen."

Julanar shook her head, letting her tears out now, "You don't know that. Everything is vulnerable. Everything dies. "

The Robot thought for a moment, and then pulled her towards the telescope, "I want to show you something."

He trained the telescope not on the stars, but on the ocean.

"The waters surrounding this island is home to great sea serpents. If you look close enough, you can see their tails splash on the surface. See?"

As Julanar scanned the horizon, the Robot continued, "They live for an eternity. As far back as we know exists. They have seen empires fall. They witnessed the many gods that created this world. And they love. They develop connections with other serpents that last a lifetime. A lifetime that will last until the end of this world. Maybe longer."

After getting a few glimpses at the splashes on the sea, Julanar smiled, "That... that is beautiful. Thank you for telling me. Maybe its true that we can live forever too."

### The Tin Man's Heart

A robot with a dark screen and trench coat trudges through the Nether tunnels, heading for the entrance to the city of Mahaq. The robot passes by the confused guards with forged documents, and steps out of the portal and into the light of the desert moon. Then, he drops the trenchcoat to the ground, revealing shiny black wings, made of steel, sprouting from his back.

And he lifts off into the sky.

He flies over the desert sands. He flies over the swamplands beyond the dunes. Over the large statue of an angel that dominates the landscape. Then, he comes to the Grove of Sorrows, and touches down in the center of the ring of trees, among the tents and dried blood from the previous battle.

## Notes

###### Disclaimer

I describe the robot as more intelligent, harder working, and morally righteous than Paradox actually is, the Minecraft Player who is portraying him. When I say nice things about my character, I am not implying that I also share those same traits. Thank you!