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FCG had lost count of the number of magical monsters and beasts he and his friends had fought over the past couple of weeks. The apogee solstice had wreaked havoc across Exandria, and they were only just scratching the surface of the chaos that had been unleashed.
This beast was bigger than most, its hulking form taking up the entire road as it snapped its pointed teeth at anyone trying to get past. It growled at the group trying to put a stop to its rampage, extending its claws as it prepared to strike. Fearne shot a scorching ray at the monster, heat engulfing the surrounding area and singing the grass as the creature writhed in pain. It started lashing out in anger, thrashing about blindly, deadly, razor sharp claws slashing through the air.
“Look out, FCG!” Fresh Cut Grass heard FRIDA’s voice call out, as the monster came barrelling toward him. Quick as a flash, FRIDA was in front of him, blocking the attempted swipe at FCG, and retaliating with a shot from his gun. FCG stared up at the tall figure standing protectively in front of him, metalwork glistening as he fought the furious beast. FRIDA worked calmly, sending shot after shot at the monster, his movements graceful, otherworldly. A strange feeling took over FCG at the sight, and he wondered whether it was Fearne’s flames causing the apparent temperature rise, or if his machinery was overheating.
Chetney finished off the monster before it managed to land a strike on Deanna, snarling and ripping in to its flesh with his wolven claws and teeth.
“Poor beast,” Imogen said, looking upon the monster’s sorry remains, “I wish there was another way. But the city has run amok with these things since the magical enchantments keeping them imprisoned failed. It’s all we can do to put them down before they can harm civilians.”
Deanna nodded in agreement. “Hopefully the King and Queen will come up with a better solution soon, but they’ve been in meetings constantly since this whole mess started, and still no results.”
“Hey, the way I see it,” Chetney added, “We keep killing these things, we keep getting rewarded. I want to enjoy this celebrity status a little while longer, you know what I’m saying?”
Imogen rolled her eyes, and started walking. “It’s getting late. We should head home.”
The group made their way through the city, a place once bustling and full of life, now eerily quiet, with residents choosing to hide away rather than risk a dangerous encounter with some magical beast or another on the street. While they walked, FCG scuttled up to Imogen.
“Hiya, FCG. How you doing?” Her voice sounded tired, lack of sleep showing, caused by countless nights poring over old manuscripts and documents, trying to find a way back to the rest of the Bells Hells.
“I’m ok. Wondering how many more of these creatures we’re going to have to fight before someone does something about it.”
Imogen sighed. “We can’t keep up like this much longer. And we have to leave town sooner or later. We still have no idea the depth of destruction caused by the solstice in the rest of Exandria. With communication down…we really are in the dark.”
They walked in silence for a while, pondering the severity of the current situation. The uncertainty had them all on edge.
“I wanted to talk to you about something,” FCG started, “It’s nothing to worry about I’m sure, but I’ve been having an odd tingling sensation, kind of in my chest cavity, I guess? Like there are…little butterflies fluttering around in there or something”
Imogen looked at him, concerned. “Have you been feeling stressed? That’s a stupid question, of course you have, all things considered. What I mean is, are you sure you’re taking time for yourself, not overburdening yourself trying to fix everyone else’s problems?”
“Yeah, this doesn’t feel like the times I flipped out. And what’s odd is it only seems to be happening when I’m around FRIDA. Maybe having two aeormatons like us in such close proximity is doing something funky to my systems? Do you think I should get my circuitry checked?”
Imogen’s face changed from one of worry to amusement. “No FCG, I don’t think you’re malfunctioning. In fact, I think I know exactly what you’re experiencing.”
“You do? Have you felt it before?”
A faint blush painted Imogen’s cheeks. “I have. Once or twice.”
She went silent then, her expression turned sad. She gazed in to the distance, seemingly lost in thought.
“Are you thinking about Laudna?”
Imogen nodded.
“We’ll find her, and the others, I swear. They’ll have been transported somewhere like we were, somewhere else in Exandria. It’s just a matter of figuring out where.”
“I know. I just hate the uncertainty. What if Thull got to them, or they were transported to the middle of a desert with no water, or, or…”
“Just breathe,” FCG lay a gentle hand on Imogen’s arm, casting calm emotions. “There’s no use worrying about worst case scenarios. We just have to assume they’re alright. They’re tough, you know that. They’ll make it through anything Exandria has to throw at them.”
“You’re right.” Imogen smiled. “Thank you FCG. Oh, and about the butterflies? I think you should go talk to FRIDA.”
FCG stood outside Deanna’s house, watching the sun slowly set behind the snow capped mountains in the distance. He could hear the sounds of pots and pans clanging in the kitchen as Deanna prepared dinner. Imogen had been quiet this evening, spending her time with her nose stuck in the books they had collected during their research. All forms of long range communication were gone after the solstice, meaning it was impossible for them to know the events that had transpired after they had been transported here, to Uthodurn, over two weeks ago. FCG knew Imogen was scared, as they all were, but having been ripped from Laudna’s side before, he knew it hit her particularly hard.
He prayed she would have a breakthrough soon, even though part of him was enjoying his time here, with FRIDA and Deanna, having the unique opportunity to get to know another aeormaton. He wasn’t sure he was ready to say goodbye to that just yet.
As he pondered all of this, he heard the front door open behind him, and footsteps approach.
“Mind if I join you?” FRIDA came and stood next to his friend, both of them illuminated by the setting sun.
“Of course.”
“You’re leaving soon, aren’t you?”
FCG took a moment to respond. “Yes. We still have so much to take care of. We need to find our friends, ensure everyone is safe, fix all the funky business that’s gone down since the solstice…”
“I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too. You could always…come with us?”
“Nah, I made a promise I’d look out for Deanna. And as accommodating as she is to everyone, I know she finds all the company…overwhelming. Not that she’d let anyone know that, of course.”
The pair lapsed in to a comfortable silence, enjoying spending time together, but sad about the knowledge that it must soon come to an end.
FRIDA broke the silence. “I’ve never met anyone like you before, FCG. I’ve never met anyone like me before, of course, but it’s more than that. You’re amazingly kind, caring, smart, funny, compassionate…spending time with you truly is wonderful. Being able to share these last couple of weeks with you is something I’ll cherish forever.”
If FCG had a heart, it would have skipped a beat at FRIDA’s words.
“I could say the exact same about you. Being able to get to know you has been unforgettable. I’ve known you for such a short time, but somehow it feels so much longer. Like…we have a bond that can’t be summed up in just words.”
FRIDA smiled. “I feel the same way.”
Just then, they were interrupted by Imogen yelling excitedly inside. “I’ve got it! FCG! Fearne! Chetney!”
She came rushing out the door, face flushed and hair a mess. “FCG! I was looking at this book…and I saw…it could be the answer! But have to go asap…once drawn teleportation circle only lasts short time…” FCG’s head spun as he tried to make sense of Imogen’s ramblings. Even though she was speaking at a hundred miles per hour, he got the gist. She’d finally done it. Found a way for them to get back home. If you could call it that. He wasn’t really sure where his home was anymore.
But this was an opportunity they couldn’t pass up. Even if their friends were no longer in the Hellcatch Valley, surely they would find some sort of clue, something that could point them in the right direction.
As elated as FCG felt on hearing the news, he couldn’t help but feel slight disappointment. Their time here really was over. He hoped he could return one day. He’d especially miss the company…
Imogen rushed back inside to tell the others the good news, leaving FCG and FRIDA alone once more.
“So this is it, huh?” FRIDA looked down at his small companion, a sad smile on his face. The sun reflected off his polished metalwork, shimmering as the sun moved below the horizon, the sky a burning orange.
“I’m really going to miss you,” FCG replied, “I hope this isn’t goodbye.”
“It’s not goodbye.” FRIDA lent down, pressing his forehead to FCG’s. He closed his eyes, and sent a small spark of electricity between them. It tingled pleasantly, travelling through FCG’s entire body, creating a feeling of comfort and warmth. He’d never felt a sensation like it before, and too soon, it was over. FRIDA opened his eyes again, staring in to FCG’s, just a few centimetres between them. FCG was suddenly glad he didn’t have blood, because he knew he would be blushing like crazy.
“Don’t forget about me,” FRIDA whispered.
And in that moment, FCG swore he must have a heart, because he felt it grow in size, overflow with love, and break clean in two, in the seconds it took FRIDA to pull away.
The pair headed inside, ready to make the rest of their goodbyes, a new bond formed between them, deeper and more intricate than any either of them had ever known previously. They made their way in to the small, cosy bungalow, excited to see what the future would bring for them.