THRAX: "Trithal, I think I've figured out why you love this town so much! You know how to work hard and then party hard afterward. I could honestly see myself living here, too!"
Anri: "Hey baby! Why don't we move here? We can go get us one of those apartments in town!"
THRAX: "That's a good idea. At least we can settle in for the winter."
TRITHAL: "Hey, that's a great idea! You can even get a job at the co-op store!"
Anri: "Eww! More work?"
Danika: "Well, you gotta pay your bills somehow, right?"
Anri: "Oh... right."
THRAX: "Hey!! Whatever happened to that Vankar stuff? Weren't we gonna do something about that?"
TRITHAL: "Oh yeah!! I completely forgot about that! So, what are we gonna do about it? I still say we should do nothing---"
Before TRITHAL could complete his thought, someone knocked on the front door.
Danika (a'la Weird Al): "Well, now who could that be?"
TRITHAL walks up to the front door and opens it, to reveal the Grand Macha on the other side. In stark contrast to how he appeared a year ago, the Grand Macha now appears to be in his mid-50's with a shaved head and dressed kinda like a Buddhist monk.
TRITHAL: "壮大マハ! What a surprise to see you! Please, come in!"
The Grand Macha steps inside and joins the rest of the group in the den. TRITHAL offers him a seat.
壮大マハ: "Ah, it is good to see you all are well. Thank you for welcoming me into your home."
TRITHAL: "Of course, 壮大マハ. For what do we owe your visit?"
The Grand Macha withdraws a piece of folded paper from his robe and hands it to TRITHAL, and says "I'm sure you've seen this by now..."
TRITHAL takes the piece of paper from the Grand Macha and studies it, then responds "Yeah I have. This is the letter Vankar the Black sent out."
壮 大マハ: "What Vankar is threatening to do troubles me greatly. Over the past few centuries, he has secretly amassed enough power and influence to where he can cause widespread havoc anywhere at any time he chooses to. Until now, he hasn't called upon this power, and it has seemed that he had no reason to do so... but with this business with King Midus and Ghon-Ki Prefecture, it would appear that he now has an excuse for exercising his power."
TRITHAL: "... but you think there's some other reason for his actions, other than Ghon-Ki..."
壮 大マハ: "Right. As you can see, at the bottom of that letter is a message to all the surviving Macha, asking us all to meet him in Okremafort. For what purpose do you think that he would want all the Macha there?"
TRITHAL (shrugs): "I honestly couldn't tell you. I haven't seen or heard from Macha-Xianu in over 500 years. I wouldn't have a clue what's going on in his mind..... wait a minute.... You're not--"
壮大マハ (smirking): "You catch on quick, Trithal! I want you to go to Okremafort and find out what he's up to."
TRITHAL: "Fuck! Why do you want me to go? I'm retired! I'm married, and have a life here!"
壮 大マハ: "If Vankar is allowed to proceed with whatever he's planning, your life here may cease to exist very soon. Besides, this falls within your jurisdiction: this counts as helping to maintain the balance between light and darkness."
TRITHAL stands up and paces back and forth in the den for a few seconds. The Grand Macha continues, "I also want you to do whatever you can to minimize the effect of whatever it is that Vankar is planning... but keep this in mind: you may use whatever force you feel is necessary... but if you kill him, you will be forced to assume the role of Kurotama the Dark Angel."
Danika: "Why?"
TRITHAL: "Because Light cannot exist without Darkness, and vice-versa. If there is light, there must also be darkness. It's the natural balance of things. Whoever takes the life of the current Kurotama, or the current Shirotama, will be forced to assume their role. If one were to kill Dorinda the Elf, they would become the Light; likewise, if one were to kill Vankar, they would become the Darkness."
壮大マハ: "Well put, as usual. I suggest you act quickly. You will need to draw up some support, because in your current form you're no match for the draconian Vankar."
TRITHAL: "Yeah, you're right. The human Trithal Tsutaru would be a mere insect compared to the draconian Vankar. I'll need to figure out how to even the playing field."
THRAX: "I might be able to pull some strings with Gwharlihim and drum up some support from his Myrmidon friends."
TRITHAL: "Yeah, that's a good idea."
壮大マハ: "So then, I guess that means you accept the quest, correct?"
ACCEPT NEW QUEST?
-YES-
-NO-
TRITHAL paces back and forth for a few seconds, then finally throws his arms up in the air and says, "Aw fuck me! I guess so..."
ACCEPT NEW QUEST?
>YES<
-NO-
壮大マハ: "Very well, then. I shall excuse myself and leave you to your planning. Godspeed, Trithal the Divine Wind."
The Grand Macha then gets up and exits the house. TRITHAL, somewhat frustrated from having all this fall in his lap all-of-a-sudden, lights up a jay and, while passing it around between THRAX and Danika, started sorting out the situation and began formulating a plan of action. After a few hours of chain smoking and thought-organizing, everyone was too tired and too stoned to keep thinking... so at around midnight, everyone called it a night and went to bed.
(END CHAPTER 1)
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