In the town of Luden, a day or two's travel by carriage outside of the strand's cage few people are left. All civilians have been evacuated, replaced by government soldiers and members of the shifter's guild. Among the many a single man stands above them all, Adam Ameliece, the secondary head of his family. Amidst all shifters, he is one of the few at the very top.
A tier zero shifter capable of seemingly bending the laws of reality itself.
With him are several members of his family, from low ranks ranging from tier ten to seven, mid ranks ranging from tier six to four, and ten high ranks ranging from tier three to one. Together they alter the environment around the town, making it as difficult to traverse as possible. From steep hills, patches of durable spikes, and even deep pits. They also add several traps around the town itself, making sure each house is easily collapsable as well.
As Adam plays his part, creating near mountain sized pits and cragged hills a Sylvian priest walks up from behind him. She's wearing the traditional garb of her faith, an almost dress-like knee length brown robe with wrist length sleeves. Various gold and green plant embellishments wrap around it from the bottom's hem to the edges of her sleeves. Her eyes, just like her shoulder length straight hair, are hazel brown. As soon as she's gotten his attention she speaks, him responding immediately after.
"Before you ask, no I'm not responsible for this."
"Then surely another other worlder is."
Annoyed, she lets out a heavy sigh. Seeing this Adam wears a teasing grin. In response, she lightly nudges his elbow with hers. "Not every other worlder wants to end the world, you know?" Shaking his head in disapproval, he takes a moment to respond. "Well too many of you do. Better to be safer than sorry." The priest nods, looking up to the sunless sky. Ever since the strands have fallen the moon has been out, stuck in a seemingly eternal night. "Hey, do you think the rest of the world is trapped in night too?" Adam, seeing the seriousness on her face , Adam can only remain silent, looking up to the sky and feeling a sudden dread.
A few days ago everything was okay. Now, thanks to the strands the capital of Abbey is gone, any members of his family guaranteed to be dead. His wife, his daughter, his siblings, and even his parents. No matter tier zero or tier ten there's no possibility anyone survived the strands falling directly onto the capital. Even so, he feels nothing.
He knew this would happen after all.
She had already warned him ahead of time. The day he became a tier zero, other worlder's stranger than those already from their world started to approach him. Then, after he killed all that approached him, their leader finally showed, or at a leader. She showed up in that same priest garb and introduced herself as Pamela of the false breath. Anything and everything he threw at her she would simply inhale and spit back out at him. Flames, air, hell even his condensed light beams.
Undefeatable.
"So how does it feel to lead the family? Should be pretty good considering what and who you sold out to make it happen."
"It does feel rather nice."
Suddenly, right as the pair are about to fully relax a fog drops from the stars above and swallows them whole. Near instantly they find themselves standing just outside an old looking gazebo. With the pair four others appear. The first to speak is a short dark skinned man wearing a soccer t-shirt and loose khackey shorts with matching sandals. His name is Diego of the false strands.
"Hola mi amigos! Estamos siendo bien?"
Pamela looks at him annoyed, but just as she's about to respond one of the other four beats her too it. A tall, white, and well built blond man with blue eyes, his face emitting the aura of a stone cold killer. Yuri, of the false blood, a cold blooded sociopath of a man.
"Da, we're okay. Now speak english Diego."
Diego awkwardly scratches his head before responding.
"Sorry Yuri, I forget that not everyone speaks spanish."
Yuri, unlike Diego, seems to be from Russia, telling from his thick accent. Seeing the two joking, the third of the four speaks up. An old woman in her late fifties wearing a pink button up sweater and loose floral print dress. Her name is isolda of false strength.
"Will ya whiper snappers shut up and get ta business!"
The young man next to her speaks up. The fourth and final member, Paul of the false tongue, is a young man in his late twenties. He's wearing the outfit of a low level navy enforcer from one of the three leading families of the Urbi
"Isolda, be more polite please."
"Cram it Paul, ya know we want to get things over with already. I was about ta bag me a nice man before I got pulled!"
The fourth and final member, Paul of the false tongue, is a young man in his late twenties. He's wearing the outfit of a low level navy enforcer from one of the three leading families of the Urbi United Founts navy. A light brown vest top with matching loose pants and steel toed boots. His bushy hair and his eyes, just like his outfit are a light brown.
Paul does nothing in response, instead choosing to walk to the gazebo and take a seat, meanwhile Yuri and Diego stare at Isolde wondering what kind of man would want a woman like her. As if reading their thoughts, she immediately sends a fierce glare their way. Suddenly, an ancient and domineering aura pours out from Tommy.
"We don't have much time until Harry escapes and the first joining is complete. How is everyone's progress on locating the true parts?"
Paul, completely unbothered unlike the other three, responds first.
"Her heart is living peacefully in the Poli refugee camp under the Levia priesthood. She intends to join the navy and attack the pirates responsible for her current status. The head of the Logia family is fully under my control so we can ensure where she ends up and keep a better eye on her."
Tommy nods, looking at Diego next. Sheepishly, the back of his head and takes a few deep breaths to calm down before responding.
"I managed to push the roar back into the sea next to the Pence empire. I don't think we can get her vocal cords and throat without you acting personally though."
Tommy nods, sending a thumbs up to Diego before looking to Yuri. Yuri, seeing Tommy's casual demeanor and familiarly fake smile, feels a chill run down his spine. Even so, he doesn't need a moment to calm down and responds near immediately.
"Her bones continue to travel from host to host but I've managed to limit it purely to the capital of the Sycilian Empire. I'll continue doing what I can to keep it in Boughlie but I need more supplies for my men. A mafia can only work as well as its weapons."
Tommy nods again, looking to Isolde next. In response she puffs out her chest and puts on the cockiest grin she can. The others, except Diego, scoff at her. Diego instead putting on an awkward smile wondering where this woman gets her confidence. Seeing everyone stare at her she winks before responding to Tommy.
"I knocked the air out of the lungs host and sent em straight to a doctor. Her family is moving her to the capital and she should arrive in two weeks. She won't be moving for at least a year so we don't have to worry about a thing."
Finally, he looks to Pamela, dropping all pretenses and putting on a serious face. Pamela and Adam, seeing this go stiff, straightening their backs without thinking. Looking to Pamela, Adam decides to stay silent, leaving whatever mess that might come out of their report for her to deal with. Annoyed, she sends him a glare that screams I'll get you for this later before going cold faced and responding to Tommy.
"We've secured the area and dealt with those that want to deal with the calamity violently. We already have a plan to make sure the stomach and her servant can escape safely. Adam will guide them towards the Urbi Founts while I deal with the aftermath."
Suddenly, the sky above them starts to crack. Without noticing them Harry appears, opening a door and walking through it.
Clap.
Standing up Tommy lightly claps his hands once. "We're done. Everyone get ready, beyond survival if you ever want to see home again we have to get things perfectly." Fog falls as everyone's figures fade, returning to all parts of the western continent, everyone except Tommy. The second he's alone Thomas and Harold appear, not noticing him despite him being in the gazebo. Without a hint of caution Thomas speaks first.
"He has to die, can you handle it or should I?"
Harold, in response, puts on a somber expression.
"I will do it. None other is worthy enough to see even a drop of my friend's blood except me. By my knight creed, he will die with honor"
"I still see no knight, still, I will place the first joining on your shoulders. As for me, I must keep my task a secret."
From the background Tommy raises a brow. Looking above, he can see a severed head bloom from a massive iris flower. Despite having no eyes it seems to be looking directly at him.
Smile?
With a teasing grin Tommy stands up, his skin aging and stretching until he's become the man Crim knows him as. Looking at her, he can only think to himself, instinct without thought will never win, even if guided by her last wishes. The reset will happen and he will return home. Nothing will stop him, no matter what or who he has to sacrifice.
In that moment fog falls from the stars above, sending them all away, leaving only the severed head in the sky and the brain within the illusion of a girl. Just as the two prepare to part the brain leaves a few final words.
"A coward who feared her mistakes will never win over one who seeks to repair and mend."
Emptiness.
Finally, the final confrontation and first joining will begin.