The Chimeric Ascension of Lyudmila Springfield-Chapter One-Hundred-Seven: The Meeting – Part One

The Chimeric Ascension of Lyudmila Springfield-Chapter One-Hundred-Seven: The Meeting – Part One

“Go—Good morning. My name’s Erin. It’s nice to meet you all!” Erin’s unsteady voice betrayed that false bravado she had displayed five minutes ago. She knew I came from another world, but to see so many otherworlders?
She was timid—of course, she’d be, but everyone here knew she was my sister.
Erin also realized the faces she saw were illusions. We’d have to recast the spell to reveal the truth, but that wasn’t necessary because she’d seen their genuine appearance via Tris’s waypoint sculptures.
I stood behind her with my hands on her shoulders. Longtooth was hugged against her chest, yet that didn’t stop the trembling. She felt like a jackhammer about to pierce the ground. The ‘engine’ was only cut when Sekh’s tail curled around hers.
“I’m Quella,” said the girl in question as she introduced her team. She spoke with a friendly tone—one you’d use when speaking with an uncertain child. “Are you hungry? Greggie’s an excellent chef. I’m positive you won’t be disappointed.”
“She’s right. Look at the breakfast spread. There’s bound to be something you’ll like.” Erin nodded before taking a seat. Sekh and I sat beside her as Longtooth returned to her Lionfolk form. She was petite—maybe just a hair taller than Erin. She stood behind her bracelet holder like an eternal guardian, crossing her arms while remaining vigilant.
“The audio and visual seals are in play, my lord,” announced Tris, who elegantly cut into her breakfast sausage. “Feel free to talk about the upcoming meeting if you desire.”
“Okay, thank you. So, about that. We’ve thought about trying to have you there at the very least, Quella, but your team’s considered generic mercenaries. Normally, people ‘like that,’” I said, stressing those words. “They’re often overlooked by anyone with a meager mote of power, much less a Holy Lord. I’m sorry. You would’ve been vital to have in the discussion room.”
“I don’t know much about Lord Gloria or this country, so I’m afraid I don’t think I’d have much to even offer. I think you’re more suited for this task."
“There’s probably a gathering hall or something,” said Tilde, who slowly ferried a spoonful of cheese and bacon grits into her mouth.  Erin had poured herself a small bowl—a big hit with her—just like the bacon and sausage omelet. “We’ll chill in there while Master works her magic.”
“Will there be other people in there?” Ami asked.
“Yeah. Probably. A few guards, at least, although we can’t rule out Gloria’s Soul Warriors showing up. Guess you can measure them for yourselves in person. I ain’t saying to fight them, but we have the element of surprise. We know about them—they don’t know about you. Information is key. It’s even sweeter when you can get info from a target unaware of your true identity.”
“You could be a little less confrontational,” I told Tilde.
“Eh, I’m in a frisky mood. I feel the blood pumping! Give me four—three days! I’ll be back and better than ever in 72 hours.”
“I’ll hold you to that. Hmm?” Ami’s expression soured, so I asked about it. “Is there another problem?”
She held the hand mirror that reflected the truth on the magic cast to disguise their appearance. “Is the illusion going to hold? If other Soul Warriors are there… What if one is really super good at magic? If they can make it fade, then…”
“Your worries have already been taken into consideration,” said Tris. “I’ve accounted for that. Rest assured, we are safe.” That was true. Gloria’s Soul Warriors appeared a few hours ago. Tris wasted no time, so she had an excellent rundown of their abilities. One was a caster with high levels in all schools of magic, but nothing immediately stood out. They didn’t have the power to break this illusion.
Tris’s reply eased the worried girl’s heart as she returned to her meal.
A few seconds later, Tris’s ears perked up. She telepathically informed me of Sera’s departure, which was confirmed a heartbeat later as the door to her room opened.
“Are you hungry?”
“Ravenous,” she replied, her stomach growling. I swore I saw a sliver of salvia ooze from her mouth. She, Prim, and Niva joined us for breakfast as Lei hopped into Erin’s lap. The blubbery slime happily cried as it made itself comfortable.
“Ravenous, huh? Did you join their training?”
“No. It was me, Primrose, and Lord Aetos,” said Niva. Something still bothered her. I had hoped talking to the eagle would’ve helped, except it didn’t look like it did. It wasn’t so much her intonation as it was the
lack
of a specific tone her voice should’ve harbored.
It was almost like forcing yourself to do something you didn’t want to do. Sera’s forest was indexed, but we couldn’t see into the world of dreams. So, whatever happened was exclusive to the parties involved.
I suppose that was one of [Skyview]’s few weaknesses.
“It’s going well, Mila. It really is.”
“That’s good to hear. Anyway…” I narrowed my eyes at Sera. “You’re sore, aren’t you?”
“Eh? You can tell?”
“I can. Let me guess. You pushed yourself on [Wooden Gym]?”
“I…did… Everything looked so…fun. Really!” Sera’s eyes illuminated. “The motions were so basic, but they were so fun. I never knew an infinite staircase existed! Or an endless pathway for running! Or a foldable bed to work my stomach. Cables of vines with counterweights to adjust the resistance? Oh, there are some interesting worlds out there.”
“A…gym?” asked a confused Erin.
“Yep. It’s a place you go to train your muscles,” said Tilde. “It won’t directly make you a better fighter, but you can never go wrong when improving your physical health.”
“It’s not something to overindulge in, either. At least, not without proper guidance in technique and form.”
“I see… It does sound fun! Do you think Dad would like it? He’s muscular, so…”
“I’m sure he would. I’ll use it the next time we meet. That way, we can all work out together.”
“Okay!”
“Do you need something for the pain?” I asked Sera, turning the conversation back to her.
Sera shook her head. “No. It won’t obstruct me. It’s not as much ‘soreness’ as a tightness or pinch. It almost feels refreshing…”
“That’s a good mindset to have.”
From there, we talked about Aetos, Aello, and the others. They were adjusting well. Sera’s forest had everything: ample water sources, plenty of farming soil, bucketloads of fruit-bearing plants, and livestock animals like pigs, boars, goats, cows, and chickens, although they weren't domesticated because until now, no one lived there who could eat meat.
Guess that was about to change.
Breakfast had been over for about ten minutes when there was a knock at the door. Tris answered it, revealing a maid. “I’m sorry for the interruption, but I'm here to escort you. Are you ready?”
“We are,” I replied, standing.
“Wonderful! Those not attending the meeting can enjoy refreshments in the gathering hall. Please, if you’d follow me…”
The maid turned with a practice step as we departed for what would surely be one memorable meeting…
*****
**** Quella’s PoV ****
“So, this is where we’re going to wait?” Tilde quietly murmured as we watched Lord Springfield and a few others enter a door on the other side of this banquet room. It was flanked by two soldiers. Those-- along with the four outside and ten stationed around the room-- were deterrents. Yet nothing could really stop us from entering if we wanted.
“I suppose so,” I replied, looking at my team, who turned to me for guidance. “It’d be rude to not enjoy the refreshments.” It was primarily drinks, including wine and cocktails to go with water, and handheld baked sweets. Nothing that would press too heavily on the stomach after that hefty breakfast.
We sat at the large round table after gathering a few plates. Erin sat beside me. She rubbed the bracelet containing her lion. It looked like a simple accessory to those who didn't know the truth. The girl had an odd look, though.
“Are you nervous?” I asked, trying to be amicable. A moment ago, Tris had used her waypoints to inform me what Erin knew—almost everything except Lord Springfield’s true name, Michael. They understood her chimerism, being a Soul Warrior, the void, and the truth behind Sekh.
“I am. Not for the reason you think.” Her voice was unwavering. It wasn’t unsteady like I thought it would’ve been. Those eyes looked my way. “I’m not worried for Mila because she has Sera, Tris, and Sekh. I’m not worried for us, either. I think we’re the safest in the whole city if I’m being honest. It’s… I don’t know how to explain it.”
“That could be nervousness. The feeling isn’t homogeneous.”
“What does that mean?”
“For example, my nervousness may not share the same form as yours, which could differ from how Lord Springfield interprets it.”
“So I’m really nervous?”
“You could be. It’s not a bad thing. I’m nervous, too. Maybe a bit saddened as well."
"Huh?" Erin didn’t understand, so I explained it.
“I’m someone who learns more by watching. So, I’d like to see firsthand how someone like Lord Gloria will conduct herself in front of Lord Springfield and Sera’s staggering authority. So, my feelings stem from curiosity, I guess.”
Erin took a chocolate cookie and nibbled on it. “Are you and Mila friends?" she whispered.
“I like to think we are.” I knew Tris was watching. “I think we share a few goals, so wouldn’t it make sense to achieve those together rather than trying to do it alone?”
“Uh-huh. I think so. Longtooth does, too.”
“Is she nervous?” I kept the conversation going.
“No. She’s as calm as anyone could be.”
Surtr, who had remained with us as an added deterrent, growled in a low voice, licking his paws. “Lord Springfield’s excitement is envious. The forthcoming prospect has her salivating.” I also thought it was better for him to be here. He was a single command away from being summoned to his lord’s side. “You must calm yourself,” he said, looking at Ami. “Your chattering teeth betray the trust you should have in my lord.”
“Here, have some tea.” Elly tried to make her cousin drink as Melusine held her shivering hand. The poor girl was about to have a panic attack. Subterfuge was not her strong suit.
“Look.” We turned to Tilde. She cradled a warm cup of coffee on her lap. She looked as relaxed as an otter asleep on their back. “Out of everything to be worried about in this hectic world… This isn’t one of them. It doesn’t even crack the top ten, let alone the top fifty situations where I’d be nervous. I have faith in my Master to see this through, but it’s not her. It’s Tris and Sekh. And Sera, too. Two legendary Vredis are just beyond that door.” She set her drink on the table before stretching her forearms. “No one’s safer than her guests. Guess what? That’s us.”
Ami kept quiet. Maybe she thought the spell would vanish if she spoke. Tilde rolled herself to a table filled with sweets and made two towering plates of cookies before returning. She stopped beside Niva, gesturing with her head.
“Take one. It’s all yours.”
“It’s too much,” said the spirit summoner.
“Take one,” repeated Tilde. Niva complied, but she stared at it. “You’ve been putting in the effort. I can see that. But that’s one piece of the puzzle. You gotta up your calories because it’s hard to get strong on a deficit. So, even if you feel like you can’t eat, you gotta. Sweets are a cheat for dirty bulking. So many calories… So small… Ugh, it’s almost unfair. I could eat a whole garden, but six cookies would have twice as many cals.”
“…”
“Go on. Have at least three. Four, if you can manage it. You skimped on breakfast this morning.”
Niva nodded, finally taking a bite of one that had strawberry slices baked into it.
Tilde nibbled on another, squirming because it was so sweet. Her review was elongated nonsense brought about via a sudden sugar rush, but she loved the coconut flakes hidden behind the thick, slightly chewy chocolate chips in the center.
“I’m glad a lovely maiden like yourself fancies a recipe from my world, my lady. How hath society been so cruel to deny a sparrow her wings? Deliciousness cannot return what was lost, but it can ease the pain like a gentle stream cascading down a midsummer’s night,” said a voice I didn’t recognize. A group of four approached behind Tilde as she looked over her shoulder, the speaker looking as if he was plucked from a Charles Dickens novel.
He had soft, styled brown hair hidden beneath that stark black top hat. From his fancy black jacket to the crisp button-up shirt, flashy pink tie, manicured slacks, and shiny shoes...
The man looked fit for a formal gathering at a queen’s palace.
He…looks like a noble from Victorian-era England. He even has a cane.
Tris’s waypoints appeared, writing the name ‘Roger Bailey’ over the pompous man.
Name tags then appeared over his three companions.
One—Grimgoria Garland—was humanoid, but she wasn’t a human—not with those six arms and four eyes. Her thin tube top revealed a litany of deep gashes and old scars across her muscular chest. Her torn pants brought attention to the metal weights clasped around her ankles. They were less shackles and something a martial artist would wear when training their legs.
The other girl—Meddich—was almost the definition of ‘uncanny valley.’ She had eyes, a nose, and ears, but no mouth. She seemed otherwise plain, with that petite frame and long, blond hair.
Why are her clothes oversized? The jacket and baggy pants make her look homeless. Why the shoes? They’re at least four sizes too big. Maybe that’s the culture in her world?
The last—a man named Russell—was the most normal—at least on the surface. Short black hair, dull eyes, an average frame... Maybe the most noticeable aspect was his long legs, but he looked like a regular office worker. His tie, shirt, pants, and shoes were...generic?
These four were Gloria’s Soul Warriors, although I didn’t know if there were more.
I honestly wasn’t impressed. At first glance, I may have had reservations about Meddich. I’d never met a person without a mouth, so if she was a spellcaster, she’d have to have mastered casting without speaking. The girl was my superior in that department, but I was positive I had more raw power and mana.
How did she eat, though? Through her skin? Did she practice photosynthesis like a plant?
The questions were numerous, but the answers were extinct. Tris probably knew. Hell, she probably had one or two subroutines working on investigating every little aspect of them. A counter plan would be developed soon if it hadn't already been generated.
“Your world?” asked Tilde. “Are you a Soul Warrior?”
“Indeed, my lovely sprite. I am Sir Roger Bailey.” He then introduced the rest of his team. Grimgoria grunted before leaving for the food without a word. She started devouring like a monster the moment she arrived. Meddich seemed melancholy about her missing mouth. Maybe she didn’t care. She didn’t try to hide it. In fact, she looked listless about the whole thing, as if this meeting was beneath her.
Tilde took the lead, using her excellent people skills to expertly navigate the conversation to extract information—not about Gloria—but about their world. Tris was watching, so it was more for her benefit than ours, although my intrigue was steadily rising.
Since they’re here…
I looked at the guarded door as Roger, Meddich, and Russell sat. The latter pair remained silent.

Chapter One-Hundred-Seven: The Meeting – Part One