"The knowledge to become a Stacker?"
Vince's voice cracked with curiosity, his head buzzing with questions.
Adam gave a warm, almost pleading smile.
"Why of course. I'm a man of my word. You hand over the revolver, and I'll tell you how to get
stronger. Knowledge is the key to this world, after all."
Key to this world? Vince thought, his mind racing.
Sydney, who had been quiet until now, spoke up softly.
"The man isn't lying, Salomon. Adam is a man of his word. He's strong." She smiled as if the truth of it was undeniable.
Vince felt a childish spark flicker inside him. Like magic?
Adam chuckled. "So, do we have a deal, Salomon?"
He didn't answer my question, Vince thought. But if I can learn how to get stronger… nothing could be more important. And they keep talking about artifacts. Could Father's compass be one too? It's never acted normal.
He weighed the thought of regret against the thrill of possibility.
Adam leaned closer, voice smooth as honey."So, Salomon, where are you heading?"
Vince pointed through the trees."Straight in that direction."
Adam's smile widened. "Ah, then you're on the road to Gita. If you keep going straight, you'll reach the city. Now, if we have a deal, I'll share the knowledge of becoming a Stacker. And once we arrive, that revolver could fetch a good price. I'll even exchange it for ten, maybe twenty gold. Plus, this forest isn't safe. With us, you'll have a safe trip."
Vince stood in silence, weighing the deal. It's just some gun, right? I can get another one with the gold. If this gives me the chance to become powerful, then…
"Deal."
Without hesitation, Jasper tossed the revolver to Adam. With a practiced motion, Adam caught it one-handed and smiled.
"Well then, let's start moving."
As the group set out, Vince stooped to pick up his shovel and compass. He shoved the compass into his pocket, gripping the shovel tightly. Is this really worth it? What if I end up like that man who turned into a monster? The thought chilled him, but it didn't last long. He jogged after the others.
"Adam," Vince asked, catching up, "tell me how to be what you call a Stacker."
Adam glanced back at him, that ever-present smile on his face."Of course. Becoming a Stacker is fairly simple."
Fairly simple? Did I just get scammed?
Adam continued, voice steady."Salomon, tell me, do you know any gods? Any god that is loved or hated, worshiped or forgotten?"
Vince cleared his throat. "From the gods I can think of… Oeus, the god of the mountains. And Eta, the god of love."
Adam's smile sharpened. "Not bad for someone your age. Now, do you know of devils, or fallen gods?"
Devils? Fallen gods? What is he getting at? Vince shook his head."No, I do not."
"Interesting." Adam stepped closer, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret."When a higher being, whether god, devil, or fallen god, touches an item or creates one, that item becomes an artifact. It carries power shaped by what that being represents."
Artifacts. The word alone made Vince's heart pound. He wanted to ask more but held his tongue.
Adam leaned down, whispering directly into Vince's ear."To become a Stacker, you must first find an artifact, summon one, or be granted one. Once it's in your possession, you must admire it, truly understand it. Artifacts speak, in their own way. They'll reveal clues or tell you how to use them. When you unlock an artifact, your soul changes. A hidden storage awakens inside you a stack."
In my soul? Storing items inside myself? Using their power? Vince's mind reeled.
"The artifact becomes part of you, your first stack. From then on, you'll be called a Stacker. Most can stack up to five times, though beyond that… well, I have no answers. To unlock a second stack slot, you must master the first, pushing its limits until it fuses with you. Then, and only then, can you wield its power without the physical item. Even if the item is lost, it will always return to you."
Vince's eyes widened. So that's what stacking is. Real power.
"Is there more to it?" he asked quickly.
Adam spread his arms wide."Why of course. Sub-stacks, runes, hand spells, and more. But that knowledge is costly. Bring me another artifact, and I'll tell you everything."
What a scammer. Vince waved his hands, refusing. "I'll be fine with this much."
Adam only chuckled. "Your loss. But my offer stands."
They continued their journey through the forest. Hours passed. Vince stumbled along, drenched in sweat, while the others walked as if the long night meant nothing. Not a bead of sweat touched them. By the time dawn finally broke, Vince felt ready to collapse.
Ara, who hadn't spoken all night, finally raised her voice."We've made it. Gita."
Vince forced his head up, and his exhaustion melted into awe.
Mountains encircled the city, but unlike Koburn, life flourished here. Stores stretched two stories high. Pavement gleamed clean beneath children walking to school. Above the streets, massive beams of dark wood bridged the mountains, and more houses hung from them, suspended like lanterns in the sky. Beyond it all, the ocean shimmered. A crystal-blue beach stretched out, sunlight bouncing across the waves.
Vince's heart pounded. This place… it's alive.
Then he remembered the compass. Pulling it from his pocket, his breath caught.
The arrow spun wildly, the needle thrashing like it was possessed.
The metal casing shifted colors, glowing faintly in the morning light.