No Need for a Core?

Ekuilance, Capital city of Kuiccihan

Through the busy streets of the merchant district dashed a handful of urchins of various races, the tiny forms darting through the sudden chaos as they ran from the figure chasing them. The towering orc woman was entirely unhindered by her chainmail, but she was not as able to simply dodge between people and was taking greater care to not cause collisions. Still, this was not her first time chasing the street rats and managed to catch a flicker of motion as the last one dodged into an alley. With a growl she lunged to the corner, preparing to block any who came out … only to find a short, empty dead end.

Bellona swore in frustration. “Light blast that gang!” She was aware of the realities of the world, even with their best efforts the temples could not prevent there being children born in poverty or who have lost their parents. So she did not begrudge the occasional filching of bread and the like, children needed to live more than a merchant needed a few coppers, but this lot had recently gotten a new leader, and his escapades were causing serious damage to some of the businesses.

She moved forward carefully, grabbing a piece of discarded wood to prod at corners and move suspicious lumps. The orc was not going to draw her sword when she was following unarmed kids, but she needed to check everything carefully. Unfortunately, her best efforts turned up nothing. How did they keep doing this?

At least it was a bit of a silver lining in all the recent turmoil. The investigations had uncovered some corruption that might not have come to light so quickly otherwise. Mostly smuggling or small cases of bribery, but they did uncover one kidnapping ring that had been targeting the same sort of urchins who were causing so much trouble in order to sell them off to slavery in the northern empire. Bellona wouldn’t be surprised if that particular merchant group had been a deliberate target by the kids, and she was grateful for that, but they could not be allowed to continue running these heists!

The irritated orc tossed the wood aside and did her best to not stomp her way out of the alley, then looked around as she tried to decide which lead to follow. A calm voice cut through the noise of the crowd, and she turned her head to frown at its source. “You’ll never catch one like that by chasing him through the city streets.” The speaker was an elderly-looking 5-tail kitsune sitting at a table in front of a nearby eatery. He was staring down into his teacup meditatively, and slowly turned it in his hands.

“Oh? And what would you know of it, grandpa?” Normally she’d try to be more polite, but she was not in a great mood and this sudden interjection was suspicious.

The kitsune smiled slightly. “Oh, never as much as people seem to think. But I am good at seeing patterns, and the one you hunt will not be caught easily at all. Which does not mean it is entirely impossible for you to lay your hands upon him, you would however need to change your hunting methods.”

This wasn’t making her less suspicious of the old man, but she couldn’t afford to not at least listen. “And how would you suggest I get my hands upon this troublemaker?”

“Hmm,” came the reply in thoughtful tones. “You could never get close to his safe spaces in this city, but there appears to be a convergence of his path upon a more distant location. It would be a difficult challenge, even for one such as you, but there is a newborn living dungeon, and the patterns I see suggest he will eventually make his way there.”

“That seems rather specific coming from one who claims to know only a little. And where exactly is this supposed living dungeon?” To her knowledge, there were only two on the entire continent.

“Oh, that one is easy enough. Head to Riverbridge or Azeria, and the folk of either can guide you there. But if you do go, you should ask yourself what sort of justice you seek. By the time his path takes him there, it is unlikely that he will be returning to this city any time soon. Also,” Now the old man looked up to meet her gaze with clear, dark eyes. “While I encourage you to seek more guidance than mine, I strongly recommend you visit the dungeon alone. While nothing I see is guaranteed, the happiest paths for your life seem to mostly spring from that choice.” He paused and tilted his head to the side in consideration. “Oh, and you should research what sorts of gifts are appreciated by dungeons. Diplomacy is often rewarded. Take some time to consider this, your little rat will not be leaving the city soon.”

Well, that was a lot to take in. Some sort of disturbance had rippled through the upper echelons lately, and Bellona couldn’t help but wonder if it was related to the appearance of the new dungeon. She could see officials wanting to get a hand on the situation before the news was widespread, though if two communities already knew about it then the secret wasn’t likely to last long. “I’m not sure if I should actually thank you for this information or not, but I will take your words into consideration as I investigate.” Which was to say, she did not trust him, but his words rang true enough that she felt it worth looking into.

“That’s fine dear,” he answered with a kindly smile. “Making one's own choices is important, and you have all the advice that I have to give. Whatever path you choose, I sincerely wish you luck.”

Bellona hesitated, then gave a slight bow before she headed for the temple. There were some questions she needed to ask before she could begin deciding anything.

“Nephew, just what do you think you are doing with my champion?” Asked the golden-furred 9-tail woman who gracefully settled into the seat opposite him. “Also, you look ridiculous like that.”

He chuckled and shook off the illusion of age, allowing all of his tails to show. Not that anyone here was going to notice now that he no longer wished to be seen. “You know I have a similar ability to my father’s, and I saw a set of potential convergences. A few words to open up possibilities, and events may well lead towards a great reduction in an annoyance.”

A new female voice intruded. “Hmm, I don’t know Brother, I think you are playing favorites and just want to set up a harem for a certain someone. You’ve obviously gone soft and romantic since those two girls started making eyes at you.” This newcomer plopped herself into the chair next to her mother, red hair and fur blazing against gold in bright harmony. He eyed his half-sister with annoyance.

“First of all, no. They are both too young, even by mortal standards. Second of all, absolutely not with regard to Amélie. I am trying to help with her trauma and will play a more fatherly role, and there is no way I am crossing those lines. As for Tsukiko,” here he had to pause and sigh, “I stumbled across a grouping of potential futures that force me to acknowledge it as a possibility. But unless she lives a long and fulfilling life, complete with romances and other adventures, before her soul comes to my realm to fulfill her contracted role, those possibilities will be dead in the water. So for the next half century or so I intend to completely ignore the situation because it is actually the best thing I can do for her. Are we clear?”

His relatives looked more amused than chastised, and he simply shook his head. “Incorrigible, both of you. And I at least expect better of you, Aunt. But to answer the other insinuation, my plans are more long-term than that. And I don’t expect any new romance to bloom there. Admittedly nothing has said that it can’t happen, and that knot of interactions is too complex to tease apart with any accuracy, but what I have looked at has not suggested a strong likelihood either. Now, would the three of you like to enjoy some tea with me?”

His words anticipated the arrival of his mother in the seat next to him, completing the set. Well, his father would truly complete the set, but he’d chosen to carefully keep distant from the mortal world and entrusted such delicate touches to others.

“Yes, thank you dear.” His mother replied as he poured some into the cups that had appeared in front of each of the women. “And it seems I’ve missed my chance to tease you about those adorable crushes. That’s what you get for making a cult in a new world without telling your family about the discovery.”

“As if father didn’t know as soon as I did, if not before. And I am still not sure our little friend didn’t make it there first, though I saw no traces until after I’d established myself.”

Their conversation lasted for quite a while longer, the four did not gather at the same time terribly often, but they all had duties to attend to and even the smallest avatar took up some attention.