CH 137: Heavy Speculation
Lily moved without thinking, breaking away from Jasmine towards Firewater. Her fingers hovered over the mark on his back. She traced the outlines of the animals in silent awe, examining every detail. She didn’t realize how uncomfortable it made the goblin.
Ursa stepped forward and pulled Lily back, giving the goblin room to breathe.
“Hey!” Lily cried, “I was examining it.”
“Yeah, and making him uncomfortable,” Ursa replied. “Not everyone is okay with you touching them.” “Oh,” Lily said, glancing at the goblin man. “Sorry. Curiosity took over.” “It’s alright,” he said with a nervous chuckle. “Not used to… others touching me.”
Claire loosened her grip on Jasmine, the assassin finally calming. Still, she kept an arm around her, just in case.
“Were you shunned?” Claire asked gently.
“For a long time, yes.” Firewater said with a sad smile. “Until I found my wife…”
“Then why do they follow your command?” Elsie asked, stepping forward. “Not only follow your command, but defying their nature to do so.”
Firewater nodded slowly, “That is… private information.”
Elsie frowned and bit her thumb. She held back her follow-up question, expecting the same answer. Ana chimed in to discuss with her.
‘It could be a skill.’
‘Yes, but not a racial skill. No goblin skills could explain this level of control.’ Elsie said, eying Firewater intently. ‘It’d have to come from a class.’
Ana flinched at that thought. Her grip on Jasmine’s arm tightened. She hesitantly asked the logical next question. ‘Are you saying he has a stat sheet like us?’
‘It’d make sense,’ Elsie said confidently. ‘He looks more human than goblin, maybe he’s some sort of hybrid.’
‘That sounds like a leap,’ Ana countered. ‘Maybe it’s because of his mark. Or because the gods touched him.’
‘Could be, but my money is on him having a stat sheet.’ Elsie insisted. Firewater tilted his head at the older sister, catching the intense stare.
“Something the matter?” Firewater asked gently. “Elsie, right?”
Elsie blinked, startled by his voice. She did not realize how hard she was staring. “Um, no. Sorry, was just thinking.”
Jasmine took a deep breath. Her panic slowly dissipated and embarrassment slowly replaced it. She squashed both feelings as she steadied her breath. None of the three animals on his back represented Marcellus.
“I’m sorry,” Jasmine finally said. “I panicked upon seeing your face. Not every day you meet the dead’s guide in person.”
Firewater waved it off. “A better response than most, to be fair.”
“What do they mean?” Lily asked aloud. “The raven, I can guess was some symbol of wisdom. The dog loyalty, but the horse?”
“Transportation?” Ursa offered semi-sarcastically.
“No, transportation would be some sort of bird. Or maybe a wheel?” Lily said, closing in on Firewater’s back again. She circled the goblin as his yellow eyes followed her. “There could be many interpretations… speed, stamina, or it could be nobility, back when that meant something. But what do those three traits have in common?”
“What do you mean?” Claire asked, easing her grip on Jamine entirely. Her hands rested around her lover’s waist. “That they’re all animals?”
Lily shook her head mere inches from Firewater’s back again. “No, like what does wisdom, loyalty and… nobility have in common?”
Claire and Jasmine exchanged confused looks. Lily let out a sigh and continued. “A bear, a tiger, and a lion all have similar traits. Fierceness, ruthlessness, honor. All warrior traits. They often reflect the goddess Dione’s virtues.”
“Oh, like what god would have all three?” Elsie realized.
“Yes, that!” Lily said, spooking the goblin. She held onto his shoulders as she peered over him. “What god would have these three different traits?”
“Miss Lily,” Firewater said, brushing her hands off his shoulders. “My wife would not like you being so close to me…”
“Oh, sorry,” Lily said with a nervous laugh.
“None… m-most have one animal symbolize them.” Ana chimed in.
“Right, but if they do have more, then they are usually similar.” Lily continued, stepping away from the goblin.
“Like Bennos?” Claire asked. “Represented by an ox and a sheep?”
“Exactly! Both farm animals.” Lily spun toward them. “So what god could possibly be represented by these three?”
“Are you implying he’s marked by more than one?” Jasmine asked, tilting her head.
Lily shrugged. “It’s my current theory… none of the Pantheon have any of these as symbols. At least together…”
“That would be… insane,” Elsie said, staring at the goblin. “Three gods choosing him?”
“But what other explanation could there be?” Lily asked the group. She was met with silence until Firewater let out a sigh.
“I’m amazed…” he muttered. “Pieced that together within minutes.”
Even Ursa raised her eyebrow at that. “Wait, seriously?”
“I guess that much I can confirm,” Firewater shrugged. “Not like I even know their names.”
Another stunned silence fell over the Scarlet Seraphs.
“One unknown god is one thing…” Ana murmured. “B-but three more?”
“It is insane,” Elsie muttered. Claire finally let go of Jasmine, approaching Firewater. “Do they visit you in dreams? Or can you channel them?”
Firewater shook his head. “No.”
“Then how do you know of them?” Elsie pressed.
Firewater opened his mouth to answer, but stopped. He exhaled sharply, “Damn, said too much.”
‘He has a stat sheet.’ Elsie said to her sister ‘How else would he know of them but not their names? They’d have to at least visit him.’
‘It’s not proof yet’
‘It’s enough for me.’ Elsie replied.
“That’s enough of the interrogation.” Ursa interrupted, slinging her axe over her shoulder. “We should move. I doubt our target hasn’t noticed our arrival.”
Firewater nodded in agreement. “We can continue this conversation later. Now, I require your assistance.”
“Right, to rescue your wife.” Claire said. She handed him his undershirt and breastplate, receiving a quiet thank you.
“Tell us everything we need to know.”