The Stargazing Witch & The Dungeon Planet
Chapter 94: Encounters

Chapter 94: Encounters

My current situation wasn’t good.

The reasons for that were plenty and numerous, but at the moment the main problem was the dude in front of me.

We stared at each other for what felt like weeks.

I believed I had to be at least nearing the auction floor at this point, and I had to face another roadblock.

The man had confidently broken out of a side room covered in my blood and burns. He was decently tall, but still shorter than me, which wasn’t out of the ordinary. However, what was suspect, was the large axe on his shoulder. That thing oozed an ominous energy and was clearly an artefact based on its look, which was rugged and misshapen. The most powerful standard modern weapons were sleek and mechanical and designed for maximum efficiency.

If he was another Dominous Hood idiot, this would be an easy decision, as I was pretty confident to say I was stronger. However, it was more likely than not he wasn’t. Everything from his attitude, appearance, and actions, gave the impression he was one of the individuals defending this place, and he was at least stronger than everyone else I met on the climb, so I’d rather not waste my energy on an unneeded fight and especially help Dominous Hood.

His voice seemed familiar, I had definitely heard it somewhere, but I couldn’t put my finger on where. 

Espr, have I met this person before?

I doubted I would get a good answer, as that would require the uninterested Espr to remember a random person who may not have even met in person before. Espr could probably glean their name, but unless that was an advantage for me or interesting for it, I doubt Espr would.

(“ No, but you have been close to them, distance wise ”)

Oh. On a job?

(“ Something like that ”)

The best answer I was going to get from Espr.

I clasped my hands together and pointed at the man. “So. I don't know who you are, but can we not fight? I have a strong feeling that we are on the same-ish side. I don’t know, killing the same people and all that.”

Sometimes communication could save lives, and more importantly, for me, save my damn Mana and Starlight.

The man raised his eyebrow, his expression visible through his tight helmet that covered the back and top of his head with a see-through visor. “Are you sure you're in the position to make demands?”

“Yes? I mean, you are weaker than me after all.”

(“ And just like that–”)

Shut it with the colourful commentary. 

(“ Fine, until you are done with your talk, but what did you expect, you stop your murder spree to chat. Of course, I was to comment on it ”)

Well, thank you for agreeing.

(“ You are welcome ”)

The man chuckled confidently, "Haha, if that was the case, you wouldn’t have crossed my path.”

Weird… but maybe…

It was a line that could’ve been spoken by an arrogant villain, but he was calm and oddly jovial about me being stronger than him, as it shouldn’t be possible.

There were a lot of events during the assault that didn’t make sense, but the biggest ones were all my close encounters with pirates and Dominous Hood members, and my unusually bad sense of direction when I was headed for the docks. I assumed it was connected to whatever was causing the pulse of energy, and it still could be, but also had the chance to be its own phenomenon.

I decided to see if I could get some answers for my guess. “You talking about that weird energy that messes with directions? That shit is annoying.” 

His face flashed from confused to concerned, then tense as he gripped his axe tightly. “How do you know about that?”

I shrugged, “I have a good sense of direction, but when I wasn’t fully aware of my movements, I somehow ended up in a different spot. It was harder to not notice.”

His grip loosened a bit, and he contemplated my response. As he did with his eyes locked on me, I kept staring at his face as my brain finally processed where I recognised him from. 

“OH! I know who you are now.” My fist fell down and clapped in my open hand. “Jordan, right?”

I finally recognised his face!... he was part of the band Mella went to watch… I didn’t know why he was here, but knowing who he was useful at least.

He paused, as my genuine realisation surprised him. He decided to go along and play. “Why don’t you tell me yours then?” He smirked, “It’s rude if only one party knows the other's name.”

“I doubt that counts for celebrities, but calling me Lux is fine.”

“Already on a first-name basis?”

I replied, “I see why you were said to be the playboy of the band.”

“Oh, weren’t you a fan?” He asked. If I was, I would know about their dynamics, but my minimal knowledge came from sitting with Mella as she explained one of the many things she was into.

“I don’t listen to music.” 

“A crying shame.”

My idle chatter was seemingly doing its job and getting me to the quick, peaceful resolution I sought.

Espr spoke up again.

(“ Wow, you actually managed to talk someone out of fighting you. Impressive, this is worthy of celebration ”)

I know you are just going to say yes, but do you really have to be sarcastic?

(“ Yes ”)

Then… I heard another familiar voice, one I hadn’t forgotten.

“Found one!” Covered in purple light, a man blitzed down the tower’s circular road and crashed into Jordan.

Jordan managed to manoeuvre his large axe’s face to block the strike, but he was still sent backwards, and the filthy vermin who crashed into him bounced up and landed on the outer wall of the tower, standing horizontally.

The purple light faded slightly, to reveal the figure, who wore solid black armour that had two arrows dangled on his waist.

Before the attacker could go in for a second strike. Flames and Starlight exploded from me in a rage as, with my makeshift arrow spear in hand, I barrelled towards him.

They noticed me in time, and the wall lit up crimson as a huge hole exploded in the side of the tower, opening us to the outside.