Craydon Crawler was looking at his mirror, arguing with his Ooman reflection about who was the one going crazy, and then the sudden realisation of what was happening struck him like a brick.
He stopped touching the mirror, and his Demi-Cat reflection appeared in the mirror, looking at him. He then touched the mirror again and saw his Ooman face, frowning.
Craydon made a puzzled look and said, “It seems that if I take my hand from the mirror, I stop seeing you. Does this mean we can communicate if we are touching a mirror at the same time?”
Jack removed his hand from the mirror, saw his Human reflection, touched the mirror again, and answered the Demi-Cat reflection that was again looking at him. “The same happens if I take my hand from the mirror. This could be useful, you know? We can talk with each other every night before going to bed so that at least we can have someone to talk to about all this craziness. I don’t want to speak with Sophia about a lot that is going on in my mind because I don’t want to worry her or make her sad. And it would be useful if we could discuss what happened to us during the day so that we could learn from each other.”
Craydon nodded and said, “I think the same. I have some of your memories, but sometimes they seem like dreams, and I am not quite sure if the memories are correct or not. It would be good to have you advise me. Maybe together, we could figure out a way to get back to our own bodies. Not that I despise being in yours, or that I hate this here because this World despite being weird, is also very interesting, but I suppose we both want to return.”
Jack gave a slight smile and asked, “And you think this World is better? There are too many people here, and the buildings are huge!”
“Your World is strange, you know? Magic all around, weird Monsters and animals, and don’t even let me start complaining about the lack of technology! Well, I think I can live without so much technology like you have on Earth, but I kind of miss taking a nice shower, you know? Having a bath in a large tin full of water is not the same thing.”
“Well, perhaps you can make something that resembles a shower over there. If I remember correctly, you are quite resourceful.”
With a grin, Craydon answered, “I used to be, yes. I might also need your help to remember the types of food you used to cook around here. I can’t trust the helpers I have completely, you know? And if I keep making the same types of meals I used to make on Earth, someone is going to find my new recipes weird and get suspicious.”
“I have the same problem around here. The ingredients are strange. Some have a weird taste, and most of them don’t work if I try to use them in the same way I used to in Crosslot! But over there, I usually made something roasted or stewed. Everyone likes roasted meat, fish, and stews. Talking about food, I ate a burger today. Tasty food, that thing!”
“There are no burgers in Crosslot?” Craydon asked, sounding puzzled.
“I never saw or heard someone saying anything about it. Maybe there are in other countries, but not in the Kingdom of Malgrudia.”
“In the what? I know I am in the City Amberstar, but is it in a Kingdom?”
Jack Cross nodded and explained, “Yes, and together with Mangavasia, Oka, and Shoq League, they are the countries where most Demis live. Other countries also have Demis, except the countries where Oomans live. They kind of dislike Demis. The Kamawaran Kingdom, the Laichian Empire, the Kingdom of Leyan, and the Shian Empire have a lot of Oomans, and they allied to fight the Demons. All the other countries pay tribute to that alliance in the form of food, weapons, soldiers, and Mages.”
“Demis… Do you mean people with cat ears and tails like me? And people with dog ears and tails like my kitchen helpers? I saw a girl with a lower half that looked like a snake and a boy that was half horse.”
“Demi-Dog, Demi-Lamia, and Demi-Centaur. Those are the proper names. Try not to insult anyone by calling them dogs, cats, or snakes. Demis is the general designation.”
“An alliance to fight the Demons…” Craydon frowned. “Like the ones in my kitchen? Number One and Number Two? And because of what? Demons want to destroy everything, is that it?”
“That is what the Ooman alliance says, that if they are not stopped, Demons will conquer the entire World and kill everyone. The problem is, no one ever saw intelligent Demons, except Sub-Demons or Monsters that live in the mountain range up north that works as a border to the Demon’s country. And if someone ever saw an intelligent Demon, they didn’t live to tell the story.”
That was some strange information, which made Craydon even more curious. “Your tone implies you don’t believe in any of that. How come?”
“For a few years, the Oomans of the alliance have been buying and trading every Magic Crystal available. Rumour has it that the mines that had those Crystals dried out years ago, and the only places where there are still Magical Crystals, are in that mountain range, and in the Demon’s country. The fact that Demons, Sub-Demons and Monsters working for them never once invaded a country is very suspicious. The only Monsters and Sub-Demons that appear outside the Demon’s country are the ones that came from Portals that appear occasionally in some places. And those always try to go to that mountain range, as if it attracted them to it. If people attack them, they fight back. If left alone, they go to that mountain range and disappear there. Oomans say those Sub-Demons and Monsters must be killed the moment they are spotted, or their number will increase in the Demon’s country, and they will spread to every country in the World.”
“Again, you don’t seem to believe in that.”
Jack Cross shrugged and continued, “If the Demons wanted to invade other countries, they would have done it ages ago. The Demon’s country has a mountain range isolating them on the continent, and in the sea, there are a lot of enormous sea Monsters that prevent the Ooman Alliance from attacking them from that side. But sometimes a ship spots strange vessels in the sea, fishing or hunting those sea Monsters. No one ever approached one of those vessels. And if some did, it disappeared, because there are no official records of whom or what was travelling in those vessels.”
“That is strange. But Magical Crystals… I can use one of those to make Magic? Like, shoot a fireball or something?”
“You, I doubt it, because you need to have some amount of affinity to be able to use Magical Crystals. Meryda has it. Just a little, but she has. I never did.”
“Well, my daughter has some strange Magic. The Guild Master saw it and said she is a very powerful Monster Tamer.”
Jack Cross gasped, “She is what? My Meryda only had a little affinity and could use Magical Crystals to use Earth Magic! Monster Tamer is extremely rare! If the Ooman Alliance finds out, they will draft her! By force, if necessary! Monster Tamers are the spine of the Ooman Alliance! They are always on the front lines, taming Monsters and forcing them to change sides! It is because of Monster Tamers that the Ooman Alliance can mine Magical Crystals in the mountain range that serves as a border! There are not many Monster Tamers, and the ones that exist and go to the front lines are the first the Sub-Demons attack! How powerful is she?”
“Well, she kind of tamed a Bone Boar when we came out of that cave where we appeared. That boar waited for us outside the City and followed us to our farm. He is sleeping outside, guarding the stable.”
Jack Cross felt his head spinning, and for a moment, he took his hand from the mirror. When he realised his Demi-Cat reflection was not there anymore, he quickly put his hand over the mirror again and said, “A Bone Boar! Those are some of the most difficult Monsters for Monster Tamers to control! They are stubborn, violent, and vicious! They live in packs, and they are often seen with a herd of Fur Cows they raise to eat! If one is there, his friends are not far! You should stand guard tonight and be ready to hide in the cellar underneath the kitchen with your daughter if you hear them approaching!”
“Judging from what I saw, my daughter probably won’t have any problems with them. If they come, there will be a few Bone Boars sleeping around here tomorrow!”
“I am not joking! You have no idea the danger those Monsters represent! This World seems to be peaceful, with some violence, wars, and fights happening in other countries from what I saw on television, but at least there are no Monsters, and if you are not careful, you won’t survive in my World! Well, your World, now.”
Craydon rubbed his head and said with an awkward look, “So, if I tell you Meryda also tamed and she is sleeping in her room with a Slime and a Salamander, you will go berserk, no?” Seeing his Human face becoming pale in the mirror, Craydon explained, “They are still young! She found them in the cave where she fell. When I got to her, she was with them.”
“I remember… I saw her, and I was telling her to leave them in that cave… You mean you guys came out with those two Monsters? And you even brought them home? Are you crazy? You must get rid of them! They are small and cute now, but they will grow and kill everything and everyone within their reach! They like to eat meat! From living beings, preferably!”
“Your daughter might have left them there, but not mine. And if I try to grab them while she is sleeping, she will never forgive me. The last time I let one of her pets die because I wasn’t paying attention and I didn’t notice that darn guinea pig was too near the snake’s cage, she didn’t talk to me for two months straight. But the Guild Master allowed her to keep them and said they will be useful for her to train.”
With a sigh, Jack said, “If she trains, she will learn how to be a better Monster Tamer. The Ooman Alliance will eventually find out, and they will come for her. At least try to keep her powers hidden, and if by chance you see new people in Amberstar, run away with her because they will probably be after her. It could even be Demis working for the Ooman Alliance because the reward for whoever finds a powerful Mage, or a Monster Tamer, is huge.”
“Well, if you are in my place over there, you are working as a security guard. Do you also remember some parts of my life? Like, my training and curriculum, for instance? I was never a peaceful cook, you know?”
“Who said I was? I have been in the middle of dangerous Adventurers and crazy Explorers for years! You are the one who can’t be as peaceful and friendly as you were here! Those bastards will think you have gone soft and rub the floor with you!”
“Not if I warn them that I might poison their food…” Craydon said with a smirk and continued, “By the way, Explorers, and Adventurers? What is the difference? Adventurers like the ones in games and movies that go on Quests, fight Dragons, and save people for a reward?”
“Explorers are more about drawing maps and collecting information. That is the most dangerous job there is. Adventurers are fighting specialists. Mages can also be Explorers or Adventurers, and a Party always has a mix of Explorers, Adventurers, and Mages. Monster Tamers — that is another deal. A Party with a Monster Tamer among them doesn’t have to worry about Monsters or wild animals. There were cases of Monster Tamers being able to tame a lot of animals, but just one or two is usual. A Party with a Monster Tamer can do any Quest successfully, even if it is in the mountain range near the Demon’s country.”
With a deep breath, Craydon complained, “Strange World, this one. At least my daughter has a lot of friends here. She didn’t have many on Earth. How is your kid getting along?”
“You knew your daughter was bullied? Well, mine wouldn’t have any of that, so she beat them up and sent them to the hospital. She might get some problems if people find out what she did or if she beats someone again, but so far, she is enjoying school and her new life.”
“I… didn’t know, no. That is why she was sad every time she came from school, but she would go to her room to take care of her pets and come back smiling as if nothing was wrong. I thought it was because she didn’t have any friends besides Emma Pearson. It is probably better if you talk with her to be sure she is alright. I need to do the same with mine. I should have paid more attention… I had no idea…”
Jack Cross made a gentle smile and tried to comfort his new friend: “Don’t blame yourself too much. Kids have a weird tendency to hide things from their parents. And daughters, even more. By the way, don’t let your guard down near the Guild receptionist. That woman was after me, and I had to always escape her claws. If you get distracted, she might get you drunk, and you will wake up naked in her bed.”
“I recall something like that happening… She caught you already, didn’t she? But what is her idea? Try to make you fall in love with her by sleeping with you?”
“Not only that. Demis have a very ancient tradition. If you get a woman pregnant, and if she wants it, you have to marry her. Even if you don’t like her, if it was an accident, or if you were forced. Don’t you look at me like that! I said it is an ancient tradition that has become a law over the years, so try not to get her pregnant unless you want to get married.”
“Thanks for the advice… So, now what? Will we meet again tomorrow night?”
Jack Cross nodded and said with a smile, “Same time tomorrow or the night after if one of us can’t. We can talk like this every night or every two nights. In case one of us gets busy, we can try to reschedule. Have a good night, Craydon Crawler!”
“Good night to you as well, Jack Cross!”
ns 15.158.61.39da2
