World Between: chapter 3 part 2

Ripples…

Albroro shuffled from his meditation as the ripples expanded. Growing wider with each passing moment.

“Failure.” Albroro said as Jared approached. “Failure is all that awaits you.” Albororo answered. “The waters reveal this long ago, so there is no value in fighting you.”

“Then these gems are not important.” Jared said walking up to it.

“Important, but not necessary.” Albroro said as Jared turned to face him. “Change comes. It always does. And I find the wiser one gets, one gets over it.”

“I will break this.” Jared said as he prepared to do.

“You will, and I will learn when you do.” Albroro replied. “What concerns me is who will win, and well the waters are not sure. I am.”

“Are these important or not!” Jared cracked the gem before him.

“If you will not pay attention, then where lies the difference?” Albroro said.

“Are you a guardian or not?!” Jared asked, cracking the gem again.

“I protect.” Albroro said as the gem cracked open. Yawning after it did. “But what you attack, does not need protection.”

“Were you not here to prevent change?!” Jared broke some pieces down to dust.

Albroro laid down. “Change comes. It always does. And I find the wiser one gets, one gets over it.”

Jill slammed into the bar table, and several customers rushed to help her stand up. She wrapped one arm around her stomach, and one around the nearest person’s shoulder. She hung her head, and closed her eyes as she walked. A loud rumbling crowd went silent as Jen followed Jill out. Took over helping her sister after thanking them, and waited several hours in line.

“The one on Lyvern road is still open.” A girl outside informed them. “We’ll cart you over free of charge.”

“You took in that many?” Jen said.

“It’s our fault really. No one thought the effects would hit so many.” the girl replied. “We’re working on a system, so she may have to move again at some point.” Both girls helped Jill onto the cart. “You’re not feeling anything?”

Jen shook her head. “I felt the shockwave, but nothing this serious.”

“So we’ll get more even faster now…” The girl looked at Jill. After a short while they made it to the shelter on Lyvern.

Jen looked around, and greeted people. Some weakly wave back. Others slumped down, or laid in bed. Testing out her new Soul attunement in an effort to restore voices.

“Doesn’t work.” The girl replied. “We think it’s temporary, but no one knows yet.” She dug through her bag, and handed Jen a paper slip. “It’s for half off at any inn.”

Jill curled up in bed, and went to sleep after some struggle. Jen got a room at the nearest tavern, and left early the next morning.

“Lying down on the job?” Lydria said smiling down at Albroro.

“Forgive a turtle, and his quest for knowledge wouldn’t you?” Albroro said.

“Earlier than expected too.” Lydria replied absentmindedly as she studied the gem shards.
“Those that belong are not so easy to remove.” Albroro stated.

Lydria nudged his shell. “You were right, but you could’ve been more careful. Did you happen to see which way they went.”

“He went back the same way he came.” Albroro pointed southeast.
“He?” Lydria looked down at him. “As in one?”

Alboro nodded “One was all they needed, was it not?”

Lydria looked out to the southeast bewildered. Straight towards the roof Meisa was standing on.
 “I don’t get it.” Meisa sighed. “What could be worth all of this?”

“They aren't the first group set on keeping order.” Talmo as they watched the sunset. “Not something you’ve ever understood.”

“And I'm never going to, not if this is all it leads to.” Meisa replied. “I thought Sofia was meeting us here?”

Talmo’s bird landed on his shoulder with a note. “Seems something interesting came up. She’ll check in a few days.” Talmo looked over to Meisa. “You gonna be okay?”
“I hope so.” Meisa said. “But I don’t have an excuse anymore… and I don’t have anywhere else to go…”

“Why would you need one?” Talmo stood up, and planted himself on the floor. A thunderous roar drowned out the sound of Meisa’s giggle. The landing echoing it’s unforgotten creed. Talmo stood proud. “This place isn’t going anywhere.”