Prophecy Approved Companion

Book One Chapter Sixty Three: Direct Intervention

Hello, Qube replied to the creature wearing the skin of her best friend. Because Qube was nothing if not polite. But she knew that this was not the Chosen One. There was no physical difference, like when he had become Chosen. Perhaps if there had been another massive shift in his physiology she might not have noticed the subtler changes. The slight difference in body language, the change in how he looked at her, even the way he held himself were all off.

Lets talk, the not-Chosen-One said. Two armchairs suddenly appeared in the middle of the coliseum. Qube felt sweat drip down her spine at this casual display of power.

Of course! she chirruped, sitting down and straightening out her robes. She looked up from this inane task to see the being opposite her watching her actions with interest. It tilted its head at her, and the gesture looked so unlike the Chosen One that it almost hurt to see his body perform it.

She looked at the Save Point, still sparkling in place. The devs existed beyond that Save Point. Clearly they had possessed the Hero to test her.

What do you want? it asked in the Chosen Ones voice.

To save the world, she replied instantly.

It nodded, slow and thoughtful.

And after that? it asked.

Qube hesitated. But last time she had been tested she had been too circumspect, and so had failed the test. She would not make the same mistake.

I want to research the Temples, she said, the words almost tumbling out of her. I want to find out why they are the way they are, what powers them, and whether or not theyre sentient.

The thing before her snorted in amusement.

The irony of that it trailed off.

Excuse me, Qube asked, almost timidly. It looked at her. Who are you?

Surprise flared across her childhood friends face, warring with excitement.

You can tell Im a different person? it asked, jumping to its feet. Qube wanted to point out that the Chosen One wasnt exactly in the habit of summoning armchairs out of thin air, but bit her tongue.

Thats amazing! It started circling her, studying her from top to bottom. It was extremely uncomfortable to remain sitting under such circumstances, but Qube forced herself to stay still.

Wait, if that is not the Noble Patron Sewer Bard started to interject. The body of the Chosen One sharply turned its head, pinning Sewer Bard with a look.

[Stop]. [Move]. [Wait]. It barked, pointing at the three companions. Sexy Screamy Spider Lady, Definitely Bad Guy, and Sewer Bard all lept to attention, walked as far away from the centre of the coliseum as they could, and stood there. It looked back at Qube and smiled that heart-breakingly familiar smile. I dont want them interrupting, it explained easily.

Qube nodded so fast she thought her head would fall off. The sheer amount of power it had at its disposal was terrifying. It made sense, though; this was the force behind the Golden Prophecys control.

So, the world is saved, and you want to study it. It resumed its circling of her.

Well, yes, the Golden Prophecy doesnt mention what happens afterwards, so I thought maybe the Chosen One and I could go around researching things It occurred to Qube that there were few people less likely to be interested in studying things than the Chosen One. Or at the very least he can enjoy breaking things and I can try and figure out why things break the way they do.

The being paused its rotation to study her. It looked perplexed.

You want to use the Chosen One as a tester? it said, with a ghost of a laugh. Its eyes bore into hers, far more focused than the Chosen Ones had ever been. Even at his most inhuman, she knew in her heart that the Hero still cared for her. The devs, though who knew what they cared for?

Only if he wants to! He likes testing things! It continued looking into her eyes. Will the others be getting tested? Qube asked, desperate to break eye contact. The creature glanced at the three figures shunted off to the side. Squiggles had wandered over and was sniffing them.

Yeah, probably, after we sort through your data, the possible-devs shrugged. Youre the most likely candidate, so we wanted to check you out first.

The most likely candidate for what? Qube asked, fighting to keep her voice even.

The creature suddenly looked caught out.

Uh, for a thing, it said, shifting uneasily. Its too complicated to try and explain to you. You you wouldnt be able to understand it, anyway.

I would love to try and understand it, though! Qube said earnestly. Maybe you could give me just the basic outline?

No, too complicated, the creature replied. Your head would explode. Or youd go rogue. Speaking of which, what are your thoughts regarding the devs?

Youre the devs, yes? Qube clarified.

Im a dev, the dev stressed. Theres a team of us.

Qube filed this information away for later. Did you all make the world together? And all of us? she asked.

Pretty much, it replied. Well, we used something else to make the world.

So things existed before the devs? What made the devs? The dev winced.

Pass, it said quickly.

Qube thought about her next question. The devs had made this world, and everything in it. Therefore they had the answers to everything. So she could ask anything. For a moment she was paralysed by indecision. There were so many things she wanted to ask!

Did you write the Golden Prophecy?

The dev looked vaguely guilty.

Yeah, that was mostly me, it admitted.

Why did you write it? Qube asked. The dev looked off into the distance, as if weighing up how much it could tell her without her head exploding.

We needed to guide someone. The Chosen One. But also to make sure that no one in this world went and did something crazy.

This world? Qubes ears perked up at this. Were the devs not from this world then? Or was it just using that as shorthand for the world of mortals?

You see, theres been incidents. Not in reality, but like in stories. Of what happens when ... it paused, clearly picking its words very carefully. Those who are not the Chosen One get access to Chosen-One-only information. They tend to go mad and try to destroy the world.

It paused again, gathering its thoughts.

We didnt think that this world wed made would have anyone capable of... being too much like the Chosen One. But then you came along.

Qube felt numb.

I what? She was close to getting access to Chosen-One-only information? Was that because their bond was too strong? Or something to do with the Evil Emperors curse? Was this about her indirectly accessing the Save Point? Or was the reason she could see the Save Points nothing to do with their bond and everything to do with her being too much like the Chosen One? But Sewer Bard could also see it!

And you seem to be infecting... others. It glanced at the other party members. And none of us are sure how or why you happened in the first place. Not the base you, I mean, but the current you.

But you made this world, and everyone in it! Surely you knew this would happen? Qube burst out. The dev wrinkled its nose.

Not really? it said. And now were all worried about what you might do.

But I would never try and destroy the world! Qube protested.

Wouldnt you? the dev asked her, bringing its full attention to bear down on her. Can you truly, honestly say that nothing, nothing would ever make you want to take revenge on those who made you? Who made this world full of suffering and pain? Who made Evil?

Qube recoiled slightly from the intensity.

Did you also make Evil? she asked, quietly.

The dev subsided.

Yes, it said eventually.

Why?

Qube noticed the dev had goosebumps on its arms. It was looking at the floor now, as if unable to meet her eyes. It shrugged.

I dunno, there needs to be balance between good and evil or something like that. The dev winced. I cant believe I just said that. So clich.

But you made everything! Qube protested. Surely you could control that?

But the dev seemed to have found some kind of groove.

We needed to, it mumbled. It rallied, pulling itself together. We needed to! We didnt know! How were we supposed to know that there would be people like you in here? Do you have any idea how much trouble youve caused? It practically glared at Qube.

But you made me! Qube cried.

Not from scratch! the dev declared. You think we would have accepted look. It visibly tried to pull itself back together. Look. Its like its like spells, okay? You cast the spell, you use the magic, but you didnt make the mana in the first place, right?

Qube nodded uncertainly.

Right. So we wrote the spell to make this world, and we used the magic to cast it, but we didnt make the mana. I dont even understand it. I just wanted to make cool stuff. I never signed up to have to deal with this kind of existential angst. But noooo, I know all the lore, so of course Im the one who has to deal with this conversation. Im not even the one who got us the engine! Thats Alex, and their stupid uncle! They should be the ones dealing with this, not me!

The dev froze, then hurriedly waved a hand. Uh, those are technical terms, dont worry about what they mean. Very technical. Dont-uh, dont think about it. Head explosions. Anyway. The point is, we were promised that it wouldnt create things like you.

Qube didnt know how she felt about being called a thing by the very creature that had made her. Not great, that was for sure.

So, yeah, the dev said, seemingly running out of energy. We wanted to check and see what you wanted.

Why me? Qube asked. Why am I too much like the Chosen One?

The dev briefly closed their eyes and sighed.

You know what? Why not. It sat down in the armchair opposite Qube. Because youre special, it said. You are unique.

Like the Chosen One? Qubes eyes were huge.

Y-es, it said hesitantly. And so we wanted to give you a choice. Because it didnt seem right, having you follow along with the whole quest when you are special. But we couldnt be sure, unless we spoke to you ourselves.

Qube furrowed her brow.

Does the Chosen One know Im special? she asked.

They suspected you were, the dev replied, somewhat grimly.

Does this have something to do with the Evil Emperors curse?

Several expressions flitted across the devs face, too quick for Qube to decipher.

Yes, it said eventually. That moment it bounced to its feet again it seemed to have real trouble staying still. We think thats what started this whole mess. And at first it was no big deal, but the longer it goes on and the more you impact the others youre changing everything. It was pacing, back and forth, and Qube got the impression that this was part of a long standing debate. And we dont know if thats because of you being special or if everyone could become special, and what does that mean? What does it mean if weve made an entire world full of special people?

It sped up its pacing.

Some of the others think its too hard. We should just wipe this place, and start again. Something simpler, a clean start. They think you and others like you, special people, its too much of a risk. That youll try and kill everyone. But I dont think so.

It pivoted again and looked Qube square in the eyes.

I made you. Not alone, not from scratch, but I made you. And youre special. I dont know what this means, in terms of responsibility. But well, what would make you happy?

It was a heady experience, looking directly into the face of the being that had created you and your entire world, and them asking what you want. Or, well, your best friend who was currently being possessed by said being. Her friend

I want to continue on my quest, she said, eventually.

But I could just end it, in an instant, the dev replied. This whole world, in fact.

I know, Qube replied. But, well, you said it yourself. You dont quite understand what is happening, or what it all means.

The dev stood still, watching her.

I dont know what other worlds youve made. I dont know who made the mana that you used. But I do know my world. I know my friends, she gestured at the others, then at the Chosen One himself. And I know that I love adventuring with them. Its scary, and hard, but Ive learned so much, and she took a deep breath. Its fun. Its fun seeing new things, and figuring out how everything works, and helping the Chosen One break anything he can.

The dev gave another soft laugh.

And I know that you said you can just end the quest, but if you have a responsibility to me, then you have a responsibility to people like the Evil Emperor as well. You cant just kill him; you made him, as much as you made me. And he deserves a chance to become special, too.

The dev continued to look at her.

In the stories, it said slowly, the devs, as you call them, always made the mistake of ignoring their own creations wishes. Hubris, I suppose. The dev drew itself up, throwing back its shoulders and continued grandly: Very well. Continue on your mission. We will watch your progress with great interest. We will well, I cant really explain what well be doing, but know this! the dev pointed a finger at Qube.

The fate of this world rests in your hands!