Chapter 17: Ultradimensional Roulette Wonder Hen (Jiji) - Part 2
Over about 20 minutes or so, Tiss and I assist Jiji in building her nest. We carried over the sticks and handed them to her in turn as she carefully placed and secured each stick to create a sturdy structure.
[Tiss] "This is kind of fun. Strange to be doing in such a dangerous labyrinth, but... I’m having a lot of fun."
[Wade?] "When we get out of here, I think I’ll raise some chickens."
[Tiss] "When we’re out of here, I’ll help you raise those chickens."
[Wade?] "Promise?"
[Tiss] "Promise."
I share a look with Tiss. It’s one of happiness, satisfaction, and hope. I regret looking at her with such lecherous eyes before. Because right now, I feel like I get to see something unique. There’s a brightness whenever Tiss smiles from the heart. She enjoys simple acts like helping to build a nest or the thought of raising chickens. She’s a noble woman, so I don’t know if she often gets to enjoy simpler pleasures. That must be why she was so excited for her trip to the lake.
I think I want to protect that smile of hers.
Jiji eventually finishes with the construction of her nest, choosing to immediately settle down in the center, fluff up her feathers, and settle in for some sleep.
[Tiss] "I think Jiji has the right idea. It feels like it’s been just way too long since I’ve gotten to sleep."
[Wade?] "I hear ya. Time is all wibbly wobbly in this place. I don’t like it. Let’s get some rest."
Tiss and I lie on opposite sides of Jiji and her nest. The stone floor isn’t comfortable at all, the bright light in this place is a bit distracting. But nevertheless, we can each feel the need to sleep pulling at our eyelids. Before I’m out cold, I turn my head and share a look with Tiss. Then I drift away into unconsciousness.
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Upon awakening, I struggle to lift my body. My eyelids are like lead. My limbs have totally run out of strength. Maybe I need to eat something.
[Wade?] "Hey, Tiss? You up? I think we should probably eat something before we get moving."
There’s so response. She must still be asleep.
I stretch out my body and then open my eyes slowly. I feel like my vision is so blurry that everything has turned white. Maybe the bright light is messing with me. So I rub my eyes to get the sleepies away.
Still a white room.
[Harold] "Welcome back, young man."
[Wade?] "Huh?"
I’m in that place again. The white world. Harold is nearby, sitting on his log, hold his fishing rod and watching the line in the water. He’s sitting a bit to the right side of the log and has two cold beers next to him.
I know an invitation when I see one. So I stand up, stumble a little, and then regain composure while I walk over to him. As I sit next to him on the log, he hands me one of the cans and then grabs another one for himself.
Together we crack the cans and take a first sip of the cold, refreshing beverage.
[Wade?] "I don’t even know what you called me here for, but the first sip of beer is always my favorite part of these trips."
[Harold] "Well it’s been a while since you were here last. I figured you deserve a treat."
[Wade?] "A while? It feels like I was here a day ago."
[Harold] "If only that were the case."
Harold takes another drink so I follow suit. He sets his can beside him and then sighs. His expression is one of regret.
[Harold] "I forgot to tell you that the place you’re in has a strange relationship to time. You and that girl come from the third dimension. You’re used to the way time flows there. In that labyrinth, time is faster than the third dimension most of the time."
[Wade?] "So... Harold, how much time has passed?"
[Harold] "In that world I sent you to, about 20 years."
I cough a bit, worsened my the moisture from my drink.
[Wade?] "20!? What’s happened to Tiss’ friends and family? The Claus Duchy?"
[Harold] "Well, they’re all older. That is how time works. I’m not sure how much longer her parents have to live. Her brothers all have different posts and are still looking to take over the Duchy. I regret to say that she may not be able to meet with her parents when she gets out of there."
[Wade?] "And what of Elyssia?"
[Harold] "The elf? Ah, she is an adventurer. She’s living a good life. She’s young and elves live thousands of years. She’ll surely still be living when you make it back."
[Wade?] "But... still, 20 years? I don’t have any attachments to that world yet, but Tiss... Her whole life is practically gone."
[Harold] "I still... I still feel responsible for this."
[Wade?] "Do you have any clue for me to follow? Any way at all to escape that place?"
[Harold] "Not exactly. But you should follow that chicken. It knows the way."
[Wade?] "Jiji?"
[Harold] "Yes, Jiji. She’s an interesting creature. A great conversationalist."
[Wade?] "I know right? She’s incredibly eloquent."
[Harold] "And a jokester, too! Haha!"
Both of us remember some of Jiji’s jokes and share a laugh and a few more sips of our beers.
[Wade?] "Hey, so why can’t Tiss understand Jiji?"
[Harold] "Oh, that’s just because she hasn’t been to any of the Heavenly Realms before. This place is one of them."
[Wade?] "I don’t quite get it, but if coming here is what let’s me understand Jiji, then I’m fine with it."
[Harold] "Anyways.... Follow Jiji. She’ll get you home. I can promise you that. You just might need to do a favor for her."
[Wade?] "What kind of favor?"
[Harold] "She’ll always decide on something new so I can’t say what she’ll ask of you. Usually it’s pretty simple though."
[Wade?] "Hmm... Well then. I’ll just do exactly that."
Just then, Harold’s reel starts to crank a little bit as his line is being pulled.
[Harold] "Oh! It’s gotta be a big one!"
[Wade?] "Woohoo! Go Harold! Reel that sucker in!"
Harold tugs on the fishing rod and cranks the reel. The battle grows fierce as Harold is using all his strength to lift the rod, then spins the reel as fast as he can when he lowers it.
[Harold] "Here it comes!"
[Wade?] "Let’s fucking go!"
And then out comes a large, solid object. A mass of grey. Course surface.
It’s... A COMICALLY LARGE CINDERBLOCK!?
The things crashes into me as I was chugging my beer and cheering.
[Harold] "Nooooooo! Wade!"
My consciousness is rapidly fading. Damn it... I wanted to finish that beer.