6.54 - Progress Report for the Gods
The point of entry for Tero’gal had changed much since Theo first visited. He stood on a cobblestone road, looking out over the difference with a sigh. It was easy to recall the tiny realm, the sharp decline leading to a sprawling sky. There was a single pool of water fed by a spring, and a field of wheat. Now people passed by, giving him curt nods as they moved from place to place. Perhaps they took the main road west—which was once a trail people used to rollerblade—toward the seas in the west. Or a pilgrimage in the same direction, off to visit the Seat of the Thrones.
“I haven’t seen you this pensive in a while,” Belgar said, placing a comforting hand on the alchemist’s shoulder.
Theo drew another deep breath, turning to the fully realized dronon and nodding. “I’m nostalgic. This is like watching a child grow into adulthood.”
“Well, we have very adult problems to deal with now,” Belgar said, withdrawing a copper coin from a pouch on his belt. “Food, water, housing… money.”
“Ew. Money,” Theo said, feigning disgust. “What happened to my communist utopia?”
Belgar shrugged a response at first, gazing out over a strange landmark. A ring of stone loomed in the distance, perhaps one-hundred feet tall and wide. How the residents of Tero’gal had built it or why was beyond the alchemist’s ability to guess.
“Void stopped by to tell us the time would change, but I don’t know when to expect that. Tero’gal, Khahak, and the Bridge will be synchronized with the mortal world.”
“That’s the end of an era,” Theo said, smiling to himself. It was better that way, though. With how this realm was changing, he couldn’t give support to them as well as he wanted. Slower development would be nice. “You want me to ask about the giant ring of stone, don’t you.”
“Yup! Come on, let me show you,” Belgar said, dragging Theo by the arm.