act17mini

I was really sad, so I cried and cried at the furnace node in the plaza, because everyone told me the underground pipes connected to it would carry my voice all the way to the great, big Soul Furnace.

Now that I've seen, or heard you, I feel so happy. You really do exist and you've been protecting us and all of Kazdel this whole time and—

Noisy.

Sorry!

Nymph's eyes widen as a shadow slowly seeps out of the shimmering slag. It is barely a wisp, as faint as a cicada's wings, but at least he doesn't sound as angry as before.

Shabby.

You mean our neighborhood? Haha, well, I think it's kinda nice, once you get used to it.

Barely any improvement.

Improvement? Oh, you mean compared to two hundred years ago.

Right... You've been in the Furnace all that time. Maybe this is your first time out.

Nymph stretches out her hand that the slag is resting on, allowing him a clearer view of the plaza. The first view he's had in two hundred years that did not include flames.

See, ancestor revenant sir? This is where we live nowadays.

What's that sound?

Snapstring's singing. That instrument he's holding is cobbled together from scraps. It looks like a guitar, but I don't know what it's actually called.

And the mercenary?

You mean Steelskull? He's had a few drinks, and now he's dancing around his burdenbeast battle buddies.

What of the army?

Uh... Do you mean the Military Commission? Maybe, umm... Do you see that big airship flying overhead? I've heard they're up there.

Rest—

After a long period of silence, that is the only word the slag says. Nymph doesn't quite understand the meaning.

Not too far away, the wandering singer plucks at his instrument and begins to sing a song of farewell, as promised.

I came to you to help some big shots solve your problems. You won't find a shoddier district in all Kazdel.

I have a group of real good workers willing to help build a furnace node. Think about it: with just a supply of power, this district will be able to transform.

People will have work to keep themselves fed and won't cause trouble anymore.

You sound plenty confident. What do you want from me?

Steel for the pipes, right in the middle of the district. You can have your people keep an eye on it, if you want.

Trust me, you won't recognize this district in three months.

You see those guards watching over the steel? Do you believe me now? It's the bosses who ordered the furnace node to be built. There's plenty in it for you, if you work for them.

Hmph. And?

I want food, enough to feed a decent team of workers. I know you guys have plenty.

Bring it to the warehouse there. We'll have enough space.

Trust me, this is a good deal for you.

You see the food in this warehouse? Come help build the furnace, and everyone gets some every day. Better than robbing people on the streets. At least you don't have to worry about getting your skull split open.

You've got guts, kid. You want to hire mercenaries to work for you?

You're big, tough, and not afraid to break a sweat. You'll make great workers.

Listen to me, and I'll make sure you all do well for yourselves—better than you're doing right now, at least.

7:40 A.M. \ Overcast

Good morning, Big Head! Came to get your clothes? Your collar would've been charred, if you came any later.

Don't you dare call me Big Head. And put away all that crap you picked up. Don't *Sarkaz expletive* pile shit up in front of my door!

Just one night. I'm selling it to the boiler guy later. Won't bother you, not that much, anyway.

The hoodlums would have stolen them if I left them at home. But no one in these parts would dare have their finger in your pie.

You're talkative today. Aren't you going to work?

Didn't you hear that nasty noise last night? A rock THIS big fell right on top of the construction site.

If I went to work now, I'd have to help move the rock and fill in the crater... why would I want to do three times the work for the same amount of food? Say, you're up early, are you going somewhere?

No, just in the mood for a morning stroll.

Well, don't go to the south side. It's a mess.

I was out there cutting wires in the morning when I heard that a hunk of iron fell from the sky, straight through somebody's roof. They hardly started grinning when the Broken Horns showed up.

Now there's a handful of gangs wanting to trade that iron for food. Everybody wants a big piece and they're almost fighting over it.

Over iron? Is it valuable?

Oriron isn't valuable only when burdenbeasts fly.

Those Broken Horn hardheads would draw their blades for half a hunk of black brick. They'd've torn the house down if the Consultant wasn't there to keep them in line.

Well, they'll stay in line with the Consultant watching them.

Don't say I didn't warn you. And I would take the long way round, if I were you. You see those two over there?

Where?

You know Nymph. Don't know the other one, but she looks like a Lich.

Those two were keeping order around here before you came back.

A Lich? What are they doing here? Isn't she worried about getting her nice shoes dirty?

Might be Nymphy's friend. Look how they're laughing with each other.

There's the boiler man! Gotta borrow your cart, Big Head.

What did you just say?

I-I mean, Big Guy! Have a nice stroll, I've got junk to sell.

I'll let it slide this time... if you share half the money you made.

Huh? Now just wait a second, Big Guy, (*whispers*) it's not like I don't want to share with you, but what's money good for in Kazdel these days?

If a revenant fragment is too big, press this red button in the back until the box becomes big enough to hold it.

And do NOT poke your head inside, no matter what happens. That's pretty much it. There's a manual inside as well. Any questions?

You really don't have a treasure map that can show revenant fragment locations in real time?

I told you, Liches don't grant wishes! Making Arts Creations is serious business.

Here, put this on.

The Lich Arts inside will detect nearby revenant fragments, and emit an alarm when you're close enough.

The box looks like a mercenary communicator.

Be glad you got that. I was planning to make the case out of scrap paper.

But this doesn't look much more serious than a treasure map.

Hey, I was joking! Give it back!

I have to keep an eye on the furnace repairs, and review the books that my master gave me. I'm counting on you to find the revenant fragments, Nymph.

Of course! That's what friends are for.

They were right! You're the kindest, gentlest Djall in all Kazdel!

Wh-Who says? There aren't that many Djaj in Kazdel. I'm just helping out a friend.

Well, you get back to work. I-I got to go myself!

Are you sure? Is this where you saw the meteor fall?

Yes, this is the place.

But Ermi's detector isn't reacting at all... do you remember what the meteor looked like?

Some of them were round, some of them bumpy...

There was more than one?

The wonderful smell when roasted on an open flame...

What?

Leave the skin on. Soft and fluffy... simply lip-smacking.

Ma'am, what are you talking about?

Go inside. They're only open in the morning, and they won't stay open for you.

I'm looking for the meteor, not Mercenary Potatoes! The stuff that the fireworks dropped last night!

Fried rice? There's no fried rice.

Never mind... I guess I might as well ask the mercenaries.

Get some rest, granny, I'll bring roast potatoes next time.

Thanks. I like mine a little charred.

Nymph keeps walking. The courtyard is not big, but there are a lot of things here.

Mercenaries who back from the front lines have set up camp. Simple ovens bake in a corner, with embers still smoldering inside.

Hello... anybody here?

You're too late.

Wh-What?

I bought the last bag of roast potatoes. Come back tomorrow.

I'm not here for potatoes!