World Between: Chapter 4 Part 1

“...You knew about this place?...” Nolk asked.

Meisa sighed. Looked up for her book, and stared back at Nolk. “I’m here aren’t I? Besides you know about it, so do you really think it would be a big secret?” She finished before getting back to her book.

“That’s not how it…” Nolk stumbled uncertain before shaking his head. “Do you even have time to be doing this?”

“Normally, I’d agree, but this is my post.” Meisa answered. “Effective now.”

“Oh that’s what they meant…” Nolk sighed, and sat down. Meisa once again looked up as Nolk watched her, but went back to her book. Pages turning once again filled the room. Both looking up at each other before Meisa needed another book added to the pile next to her.

“Since we’re both stuck here,” Nolk began as Meisa turned back to him. “Are you really Anti-Mothsettle?”

Meisa sat down, and set her book aside. “Do you remember the Belltower Riots?”
“Belltower? Was it in Tembarral?”

“This one was. There was another one around when you were… about 10, I think.” Meisa recalled. “We were promised we would bring gemology funding back, establish official laws in favor of newcomers, the usual stuff.”

“When?... This was when I was 10…” Nolk slid in.

“Roughly 50 years ago, correct. And sure,” Meisa admitted. “Life has been improved. Centimeters at a time.”

Nolk scruff. “For a grandma like maybe- Hey!” Ducking as Meisa throws a book at him. “I’m serious! Do you remember a decade where we learn something about that giant white rock? A decade when we weren’t getting attacked by the people we were supposedly helping? Cause I haven’t that luxury.”

“Welcome to being an Anti-Mothsettle” Meisa replied. “Nothing has changed, and a lot of things are getting worse. And I for one, refuse to contribute to hearing about how were going to fix our 40 year old telescopes until something actually-”

A thunderous thud echoed down, and a young boy panted at the bottom of the stairs. “The… I… Gem.” Meisa darted pasted Nolked as he made sure the boy was alright.

“What do you mean you nothing?!” Anna pointed to the pulsing gem as white light crackled out of it. “Does that look like nothing?” Various preachers rushed to the gem and chanted. Meisa walked over to Anna as it settled down.

“I was wondering why you had it moved inside.” Meisa said, extending her telescope as Ozzy emerged at his full size behind her.

“Meisa-” The head preacher began.

“Oh no, please,” Meisa interrupted. “Explain to me how the Light Gem producing an output similar to one causing all the rolling blackouts in the surrounding town wasn’t of Realm-Breaker interest.”
“You’re a far seeker, my dear.” The head preacher began. “Information of this kind isn’t in your field.” Anna looked over to Meisa who sighed.

“Order of Lydurain, you have been found to be disrupting the peace, and withholding information regarding public safety. Relinquish the Light Gem now, or risk it being shattered.”
“What?!” Cain and Anna said together.

“Oh, you two are coming.” Meisa replied. “But primary here is to protect the civilians, and… it’s already sparking again.”

Cain turned around just in time to watch the lighting send him flying into Ozzy. Anna just sighed, and looked down in a disappointed slump. Ozzy set Cain down, and then walked outside per Meisa instruction. Cain positioned himself in the front as Anna healed him. Meisa took note as several more church members got in position. A flash of green light signal Ozzy had sent up a flare. Cain and Anna glaced behind them displeased as Meisa blocked the easiest way out. Of all the fighters here, she was the most disadvantaged. But she didn’t have to win, she just had to hold out long enough not to lose.