Seeds of Discordia

Be careful. Those two words holds many different things. It can imply that maybe she wanted him to act cautiously or take precautions when dealing with certain situations, a chance certain consequences could be given if doing things a certain way, or just to watch what actions he takes. Those two words given without any context or reason can make anyone pause and overthink. However, when a leader of a certain underground association that deals with sabotage, information gathering, assassinations, spying and more says it, you pause what you're doing and take in what she is about to say.

Liam's attention was now fully on the letter before him. Before he opened it, he made sure to check his surroundings. He focused on his heightened senses and found nothing of note. He didn't hear, smell, or sense anyone making their way towards his door. Even after activating his Inner Beast Aura for a quick moment to make sure he didn't miss anything he still found the same.

After deactivating his Inner Beast Aura, Liam turned his focus back on the envelope in his hands. He slowly opened it and slowly read it, taking everything she had to say. Once more he felt his eyes roll as he read the first few words.

"My dear little Phantom Kitty, I'd like to first inform you that I am still looking into the answers to your questions behind the symbol you have sent me. The search isn't going as well as I'd thought it would. Every time I feel like I am close to something it slips out from under me. However, I did find out some rather interesting and concerning things during my search.

For example, the phenomenon that have been happening around the islands in the territories you are currently in have been happening more frequently. While it is concerning, what I find even more concerning is that you are the only one from our branch that has investigated it and came back alive with anything."

Liam's brows scrunched at that. This confused him. He knew that there were plenty of people stronger than him out there. However, the people he ran into whether it was Lolita's group or Jude's and Kala's were not at a level where people from the Fiddler's Spider Web couldn't handle. Liam's eyes slightly widened as a thought popped up. He then softly whispered, "Unless the ones they came across weren't their groups but only the group I encountered after meeting Kala." Not sure if he was on the right track or not, Liam decided to continue reading.

"That's not the only thing that has me worried. There have been reports that recent islands that have been either falling apart or having somehow reverted back in time have had all these effects disappear over a course of two days after the effects take hold of the island. No one knows how or what is doing that, but rumors have been spreading that snake-like creatures have been spotted entering the sea after these changes have been made.

There's another rumor that these snake-like creature, due to their forms, could be a long lost race thought to be dead. If that is true then that's even more cause for concern because that race was tied to an old organization that was once thought gone, The Children of the Sea."

Liam already knew about these snake-like creatures. They were the Nagas he and the others came across when the Sea Parade happened the night before they arrived. After killing them and handling the monsters on the Sea Parade, Omira had explained the situation of the race so Lady Arachne's information about rumors and sightings were a day late.

However, it was concerning that they were seen leaving the islands that were affected by Lolita's and Kala's magic. Even more so that they were seen leaving after the islands reverted back from being affected by their deity given power. Did they have a way to revert, cancel, or get rid of it completely? Was it a type of magic or a specially made item? These questions were more important now because what if he or Jude or the others he knew used their deity given powers against these guys. Would they be able to do it during a fight? Liam shook his head as he decided to hold off on the questions and focus on the next part of the letter.

"I want to also inform you that through my information network there have been sightings and concerns on the Sea Parades this year. They seem to be growing stronger and smarter as time goes on. From what the reports I have read said, it feels like the boss creatures of the Sea Parades are learning where and when ships go. However, there is another theory that something is leading these groups of monsters around.

The reason why there is a theory of this going around is because of the emergence of multiple Sea Parades appearing around the same time. Something that I had just learned was the boss monsters of these Parades do not take kindly to one another so they either avoid other Parades or they focus on trying to kill the boss of the opposing Parade so they can assimilate the remaining creatures of the losing Parade.

I know you are traveling by ship, so I pray you make it to Point Nemo safely. However, while the strength and intelligence of these are concerning I am still worried about the phenomenon that have been happening and that's what leads me to the warning on the envelope. Judging from the map I looked at after hearing each island getting hit by these strange occurrences I have found out that these phenomenon are heading in a certain direction. That direction is Point Nemo. So be safe and don't take on anything you aren't ready to handle. Please inform me once you have received this message by sending one back to me. Sincerely, Lady Arachne."

Liam's eyes widened after reading all of that. While the first part of the letter had already told him something he could confirm was real to her, the last half gave a lot of important information. Important information that he needed to digest and sort out. Something he understood he needed to do not alone. Nodding his head, Liam decided to ask for the others to join him.

He changed his clothes and went to ask the first two he came across to grab others and meet in his room. Mercer and Val were the first two to arrive. Before they could ask what was going on, Liam handed them the letter and have them read it over. Val noticed the name of the person who had signed the letter and while Mercer started to process it she asked, "How do you know Lady Arachne and why would she be sending you letters like this?"

"Her Web Branch in Cashat Port was the place I did my sign up. She's also kind of my mentor in a certain Field of Study," Liam replied. "It's a long story. One we can talk about at a later date. I think the latter half of the letter might help with why last night's mission felt so off."

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Val's eyes scrunched as she tried to think about what he meant. Mercer caught what they had said and asked with a confused voice as Artem, Blair, and Gimmel arrived, "Mission? What mission?"

Liam and Val looked at the others who had stepped in and waited for them to close the door, but right as the door almost shut the others arrived. After they closed the door Liam explained, "There's a Web Branch here on the island. Val and I went there to see if there were any missions as well as crafting some poisons for her. Well, as I crafted she went out and gathered some information. She had found out there was going to be a theft at the storage facility…," Liam and Val explained the whole situation. They explained the people who arrived to do the "stealing" and how they seemed off.

As Liam and Val explained the others read over the letter to get caught up. The two also explained how they felt that maybe this theft was a diversion or something. Mercer, the better observer, nodded and looked like he was understanding where Liam's thoughts were.

"You think the Nagas used a magical item to revert the changes. No…You think they sucked up all the Deity given power that changed the islands and they used the stealing as a diversion to plant them somewhere," Mercer stated. His eyes narrowed as he tried to think of what they could have used in order to do it. As he thought about it he started mumbling, "Alchemical maybe…no, I don't know any alchemical creations that could withstand holding. The same could be said about a blacksmithing item. Not enough protections. Enchanting? Rune Crafted? I don't know enough to say if there is an item they could….maybe a combination of the four?" Mercer nodded his head for a brief moment before shaking it and saying, "No…it would have to be a highly quality made item, and I don't know if there is one high enough to hold Deity given powers." He let out a frustrated groan after that.

"You see where why I'm so stumped now huh," Liam chuckled as he understood Mercer's pain. "We don't have enough information on what is going on to see the whole picture. What we need to do is get more information and see if we can find anything that looks like it shouldn't be here on the island."

"Can't we tell Key or Uncle Naro about what we think is going on?" Ariyana asked as she finished reading the letter.

Liam, Gimmel, and Val swiftly shook their heads. Gimmel then explained, "As much as it would be great to have them help us in this there are a few things we need to take into consideration. One, we aren't sure if the Nagas used an item or if they used a spell to clear up all that stuff that was used on those islands. Second, if they did use an item, we don't know what those items look like or where they placed them."

"Why not show them this letter then?" Ariyana questioned as she waved the letter in the air.

"Because that was a letter sent to a Phantom Cat of the Fiddler's Spider Web not to any of us here," Val stated.

Gimmel nodded his head as he added, "We know who the Phantom Cat is, no one here on the island does. The Fiddler's Spider Web has a rule of secrecy and privacy. The fact that we know who he is, is because he is putting a lot of trust in us." Gimmel nodded to Val and added, "The same with Toxic Songbird. There are rules they must keep and them giving us their names and even showing us this letter already goes against them. Do you understand this?"

Ariyana frowned as she listened to Gimmel. She then nodded as she grumbled, "What's the point of knowing and having stronger people around if you can't go to them when it comes to stuff like this?"

Gimmel sighed. "I know what you mean, but that's what I am getting at." He waited to see if anyone else had anything to say or add. When no one piped up, he continued, "One of the last reasons why we can't go to them is also because no one really knows the Nagas still exist except for us and Omira…and whoever collected the dead bodies of the ones we killed. If we go to them and say hey a bunch of Nagas are looking to sabotage the ritual and this is how we think they are going to do it, what do you think they will say?"

"That we have lost our minds and don't know what we are talking about," Artem stated. "While also pointing out that most of us are Newly Arrived people and don't know a thing about the history of this world."

Gimmel snapped his fingers as he said, "Exactly." He then looked at the others and stated, "What we need to do is figure out if there are items used and placed anywhere on the island or near the ritual place. After we find what we are looking for then we can go to them and show them what we found while saying something about seeing a snake-like humanoid or the like placing it and then running…or rather slithering away from the act."

Ariyana shook her head as she said, "That's so stupid. So many steps just to try and protect this place."

Artem chuckled a bit as he muttered, "Sounds about right for us doesn't it?"

Ariyana swirled her head to glare at him, but after a few seconds her face softened in defeat as she agreed with a sigh, "Yeah. Yeah it does."

Mercer looked at the others and hopped back into the conversation, "We need to start looking fast then. Doesn't the ritual start this afternoon?"

Liam and Val looked at him as they both asked, "What? What time?"

Mercer looked at his inner clock before responding, "A little over…two hours."

"Shit, yeah we need to head out there now and start looking," Val snapped as she swiftly stood up.

"Let's split into groups," Mercer stated as he looked at the others. "Artem, Ariyana, and Roman." He then looked at Blair, Roman, and Gimmel. " Blair, Gimmel, and myself will be in another." He then looked at Val and Liam and said, "You two should go to the Web Branch and see if you can convince whoever is in charge there to look into possible items that could be used to suck in and hold a massive amount of powerful magic. Then try to see if they could send people out to look for such items."

Val and Liam nodded. Before they could say anything Mercer continued, "Gimmel, when we leave here I am going to need you to do your thing and send out as many Illusioned Bird puppets or even regular bird puppets, depending which is better on you to search while also having one with Artem's group so in case they find something well know? Also, do you think you can have an illusioned Bird Puppet follow Liam and Val and wait for them to emerge back out from where they are so they can have one as well?"

Gimmel's face grimaced as he thought it over. "It'll be a stretched, but I might be able to handle it." He then looked at Liam and asked, "Do you have any mana potions I can use?"

Liam smiled. "As a matter of fact I have something I had been wanting to make for a while now and was able to make some last night."

Curious, Gimmel stared at him while Avery groaned, Blair shook her head, Artem, Roman, Mercer, and Ariyana laughed. Val was confused at their reactions, but didn't say anything as Liam pulled out a vial full of strange dark blue with light blue swirls moving around inside.

"Is that…," Gimmel started to ask.

"A Mana H.O.T. Pot? Yes. Yes it is," Liam smiled. "I was able to make seven of these. They require more resources, prep time, and processing time than regular mana potions. The effect though thanks to adding some of my Arcane Mana into the mix increased the duration to five minutes instead of two and a half and the amount it replenishes is almost doubled as well."

Gimmel whistled as he started at the vial. "Nice job."

Liam shrugged as he looked at Blair and casually mentioned, "Couldn't have gotten that increase without the help of someone giving me a new perspective on Arcane Mana."

Blair waved a hand in a dismissive gesture as she said with a half frown, half smile, "You're acting like I saved your life or something. Let's hurry up and figure this plan out now. Time is wasted every second we remain here."

Liam chuckled before nodding agreeing, "Okay, okay. Let's get this show on the road."