Human!Reader in Phighting concept == "Cryptid of Crossroads" PART 4
Here we go with part four! PART 3 PART 5
. . .
Medkit had gotten out of the shower, dressed up in a fresh pair of clothes, and pocketed the Lua stone back into his pocket, as he was not comfortable in leaving it in his apartment without protection, before he walked out of his apartment and locked the door behind him.
Then, he began to make his way to Slingshot's cafe to meet up with Sword and Rocket for breakfast.
His mind was still whirling from his most recent discovery, as one of his hands slipped into his coat pocket to grip the glowing piece of god essence with an anxious fidget.
He hated how he did not have the equipment to officially break down this piece of miracle matter to discover its potency and possibilities, but most importantly, how volatile it could potentially become.
God essence was not a matter that should be messed with by a majority of Inphernals--that much he does know. There are plenty of Inphernals that would abuse the power of the stone in his pocket without a care for the world or others that live in it.
Some may view such a thing as sacred, like the Spawn Fountains, but there are plenty of others who would use such power for their own gain at the expense of everything else.
Still. Where did this stone come from?
He silently suspects that maybe in an older time, back to when the Swords were revered as deities before the infamous Scorch, god essence must have been what fueled the origins of the Inpherno.
From what his memory recites on the old folklore that he has read in his passing days, the Swords themselves were rumored to have been created by a higher being or something that they revered as their "creator".
However, old tales stated that this supposed "creator" had passed away at some point and that was when the deities decided to go on their own paths and abandon their original 'purpose', what ever that may be.
Then, the Scorch event happened.
This event is what sent all of the deities into hiding, as the public turned hostile towards them after such an unforgivable level of brutality against mortals. Lots of Inphernals still hold animosity for the Swords, even after 10 years.
Medkit doesn't blame them for their grudges.
He still vividly remembers seeing the flames of Firebrand's wrath still burning whatever remained of the Lost Temple when he worked with the Cult.
Despite this, the old folklore and theories may hold some truths about certain things.
One vibrant clue that these old tales provide is that God essence is an ancient source of power and it possibly even dates back to when even the Swords themselves were created. It could have even been a method of how the Inpherno was formed...or maybe even the Inphinity itself.
There's too many variables to make a sound judgement at the moment...
Now, that begs the question.
Just how OLD is "Sparky"?
Medkit found himself pondering that question as he entered the cafe's entrance and spotted Sword and Rocket sitting in a booth not too far away, and upon noticing him, they both waved him over.
He was calm in his approach as Sword scooted over and allowed him to take a seat at the table.
"It's about time you arrived! We were starting to think that you weren't coming!" Rocket teases while picking up a menu from the table.
Medkit can only give Rocket a raised brow in response before Sword gently pats him on the shoulder and gives him a smile.
"Hey, it's alright! As long as you spend time with us, what does it matter if you arrive late or on time?" Sword laughs.
Medkit couldn't help but allow a small smile to cross his face in response.
For the next few moments, the three got their menus, ordered their drinks, and placed their orders.
Throughout the idle chitchat that the three did at the table to pass the time before their food arrived--Medkit was silently wondering when would be a good time to drop the metaphorical bomb on his two friends about the glowing ore in his pocket.
In no time at all, the server brought over their food and the three of them began to eat their own respective breakfasts, but it seems that Medkit was showing signs of his worry through his mask.
"Yeesh, Meds..." Sword starts after swallowing a mouth full of pancake.
"You're already going through your first mug of coffee. Are you sure you're doing alright?" Sword inquires worriedly.
Medkit looks up from his plate of eggs in mild shock and tries to brush it off as nothing being wrong, but not even Rocket was buying it.
"Those bags under your eyes tells us that you didn't get a wink of sleep last night." Rocket quickly refutes before taking a brisk swig of his chocolate milk.
"You know you can tell us if something is bothering you, right?" Rocket reassures before he arches his own brow. "Is it because of Sword's friend...'Sparky'?"
Medkit saw Sword looking at him in anticipation from his peripheral...but he couldn't lie. He slowly nods his head up and down.
Yet, just as soon as the other two were going to speak up in response, Medkit was quick to speak his piece before anything went anywhere.
"Before either of you say anything, no. It's not because I fear 'Sparky' or anything else of the sort. But, I cannot lie that my worry is...connected to them, in a way." Medkit explains in a firm manner.
"It is not if they are a danger to Inphernals or whether or not that they are some type of threat to anyone either! Though...I do need to be careful of what I say out here in the open, less those with foul intentions hear such sensitive information that I need to pass to you both regarding the creature." Medkit explains, as his voice grows more hushed towards the end.
Sword and Rocket share a brief look of confusion before Sword looks back and tilts his head.
"What do you mean, Meds?" Sword asks innocently, and Medkit can only sigh.
His eyes carefully shifting around and looking at the other distracted diners with a steely gaze, and then he turns to Sword and Rocket before he begins to speak quietly to them.
"Well, I will say that Rocket was right about me staying up all last night. I have not slept a wink...but I had a good reason to." Medkit sighs before fixing Sword with his gaze.
"Sword, do you remember those...rocks...that Sparky has been gifting you in exchange for your goods every few nights?" Medkit questions and Sword can't help but smile widely at being reminded of his tall friend.
"Of course! I keep all the rocks that they gift me! I can't help it, but they're just too pretty for me to just throw away for any reason! Besides! They were gifts from a friend, so why would I toss them out?" Sword smiles ignorantly as Medkit's expression turns firm.
"Though, they have been sitting on my shelf collecting dust for a bit. I should do something nice with them! I bet the courtyard would look amazing with all those glittery stones scattered about in the sunlight--"
"You need to keep those stones inside where they will be safe."
Sword was surprised by the sheer seriousness of Medkit's voice, as the Inphernal could only blink dumbly in surprise at the doctor's stern expression.
Even Rocket was thrown off from how suddenly serious Medkit became.
"Uh...so you want Sword to protect all of his shiny rocks or something...?" Rocket cautiously asks while munching on his own pancakes with an arched brow.
Medkit can only silently pinch the bridge of his nose as a migraine started to emerge.
Sword, however, didn't seem to understand Medkit's mounting frustration.
"I mean, if a couple of them go missing, I'm sure it's no big deal! I have plenty to share and Sparky will just give me more to replace the ones that get lost or taken!" Sword happily says in a fit of innocence.
Completely missing how Medkit's eyes shoot open and how the doctor takes a slow deep inhale before facing Sword again with a flat expression.
"Sword."
"Yes?"
"How many of those stones do you currently have in your possession?"
Sword takes a moment to ponder Medkit's question.
"Like...nine? If you count the one I gifted you last night, then that would make ten rocks."
The expression that Medkit gives Sword in response to his answer could only be described as "pained", as if he was screaming internally.
Rocket then interrupts the tension that was building up as he lets out a scoff.
"Why are you getting so worked up over a bunch of rocks that Sparky gifted Sword, Meds??" Rocket passively questions.
Then, Medkit finally snaps.
"They're not rocks!" He states in a frustrated tone while holding one hand out in a distressed manner to his companions.
His sudden actions stuns Sword, Rocket, and the server that had come back to refill his empty coffee mug.
Medkit then begins curl in on himself a little bit, as he feels a little ashamed of snapping at his friends and the poor server that hurried to walk away from the table after his little outburst.
"I'm...sorry for that." Medkit sincerely apologizes.
"This matter that I am trying to tell you two about is serious and of upmost importance, but there's just too many ears around for me to speak about this comfortably." Medkit says while his eyes scan around at the surrounding patrons.
"Once we all finish breakfast, I need you both to come back to my place to fully understand why I am so distressed about this topic involving Sparky's "rocks"." Medkit states firmly.
Both Rocket and Sword look towards each other for a moment before the pair give Medkit simple nods in agreement.
The doctor can only sigh in relief, as he tries to finish his lukewarm breakfast and takes a slow drink from his fresh cup of hot coffee.
"Thank you. . ." Medkit mumbles.
==
Once the trio had their breakfasts, paid for by Rocket (because he wouldn't let Sword pay for his own meal), and once they all got back to Medkit's secure and private apartment...
Medkit spilled everything.
He told them about what he discovered about these mere "rocks" that Sparky was gifting Sword and how they have a stark resemblance to the sacred Spawn Fountains. He even explained how they have built-in Lua--or in short...god essence.
He explained everything that he managed to discover about the strange stones and how they could possibly be centuries old...possibly even as old as the Inpherno or Inphinity itself. He even told them about the possibility that "Sparky" may not be what they truly seem.
Sword merely sits in silence as he studies the stone that he originally gifted to Medkit in his hand. Slowly rotating it in the bright sunlight and seeing the star-like sparkles within the crystal shimmer and glisten within.
Meanwhile, Rocket looked like he was going to have a panic attack.
"So...you're saying that Sparky has been giving Sword crystalized GOD ESSENCE this WHOLE time? Something that currently has no documented evidence of existing and only was mentioned in passing folktales?! Not ONLY that, but these crystals can have multiple functions...including weaponry and potential destruction!??" Rocket exclaims in a exasperated manner.
Medkit merely nods.
"Yes. I haven't even scraped past the surface of these Lua stones and their benefits or their consequences on Inphernal kind. But...I have working theories that these crystals hold a pure version of the Spawn Fountain's essence. The same essence that gives rise to all Inphernals."
Medkit then turns to look at Sword, who still silently examines the Lua stone in his hand.
"But, I don't know how, or even WHY, "Sparky" would have such powerful artifacts...nor why they would give them away so precariously and listlessly." Medkit passively states.
Only then did Sword finally respond and stop turning the stone over in his hand.
"I think I know why." Sword suddenly states, but he doesn't turn to look towards his friends.
"I remember that I told you two last night that I would tell you what happened when I started seeing Sparky before you two knew about them. Well...I guess I can start off when I started to feed them on the regular basis." Sword quietly reminiscences as he looks towards nothing in particular.
"You see, after my first encounter with Sparky, I decided to keep trying to find them around Crossroads. I had made up all these little ideas of where they could possibly be and why they decided to take my snack cakes that night instead of harming me. But, eventually, I found out why."
"On the night I finally got Sparky to take food directly from my hand, instead of just leaving it in areas where I knew they frequented from the blackouts, I took notice of something odd about them. I noticed that Sparky was...pretty skinny. Like...underfed type of skinny."
"I don't think that they were eating too well on their own and they probably came to Crossroads for easier access to food from wherever they lived previously. Obviously, Inphernals aren't on their menu, but they were probably still struggling regardless."
"It's a big reason why I started to buy food for them on the regular and trying to make sure that they put on a little weight so that they can look healthier than they were before I started to feed them. My efforts eventually paid off, as Sparky started to put on some weight and move more energetically as of recently!"
"But...I guess they decided to give me these 'rocks' as a thank you. They must have been having it rough without any outside help because of what they look like...so they figured that I could make use of these in exchange for a steady supply of goods." Sword laughs lightly to himself before continuing.
"Still. I can't imagine being in Sparky's shoes. I don't think they have a pack or a family of their own...let alone any friends that are just like them out there in the Inpherno somewhere. Over the past month, I have checked the other territories of the Inpherno to see if there was any other strange phenomenon that was similar to what was happening to Sparky with the blackouts in Crossroads. But, I didn't find anything that stood out to me."
Sword then allows a grimace to cross his face as he rolls the glowing stone in his hands.
"If Sparky is the only one out there...then it would make sense as to why they would get attached to me like they have. During all the times we spent together, I have slowly learned that Sparky is not just some mindless beast or animal. They feel, they think, they express their own emotions, and they have their own needs--just like we do. But, they can't live a normal life like we can. They just...don't fit in with everyone else. They're too different."
Sword now openly frowns as he reflects on his words, and he squeezes the stone tightly in his hand.
"Sparky doesn't have money, tech, or gear they can exchange for their basic needs. I think they gave me this shiny stone...because that is all they CAN give me. If anything...it's just to show their gratitude on how much my kindness in a world that is ignorant to their own existence meant to them."
"Even worse...I don't know how long they have been alone out there for. If what Medkit says is true about them probably being old enough to remember the birth of the Inpherno...then where did the rest of their kind go? What happened to Sparky's family and friends?"
Sword's expression becomes unreadable as he mutters out the last part of his thoughts.
"Why is Sparky all alone?"
Medkit and Rocket can only stand off to the side and look at each other knowingly, as Sword sits on the couch with a look of sadness on his face.
Admittedly, neither of them put that much thought into what "Sparky" could have been going through to wind up in such a situation where they wound up in Crossroads, but it's only now that the two of them realized that Sword was right.
Sparky probably has nothing else to give and could only do it in a way to show their gratitude to Sword, and they may be the last of their kind for all they knew.
Medkit can only mentally take notes on what to ask Sparky when they meet up again.
Besides, the breakfast to-go order that Sword brought along with them when they left the cafe was obviously for Sparky.
Maybe he will finally get some answers on where they came from the next time they meet.
