Book 3 Special Edition Art Poll Ch. 15 (Patreon)

Another poll!

Yuki Relaxing

Yuki sat on the porch swing, staring out at the front yard with a cup of tea in her hands.

The debris from the magic storm was strewn across the grounds, making the land look like a small junkyard. Somehow, it served as a perfect metaphor for her life right now, a giant mess with nobody to help clean it up. She took a sip of tea, letting out a sigh as the hot liquid streamed down her throat.

Oliver and his Beth Statue

“Mike, then. Okay, I’m curious. Let’s talk.” The statues lifted arms, wings, and snouts to point the way through the small hedge maze, and Mike followed. It didn’t take him long to find the gazebo at the center of the floating island, and he fought hard to keep the surprise off his face when he arrived. A large pedestal had been built, and Beth was placed upon it, frozen in a defiant stance.

“As you can see, she is well cared for.” Oliver appeared behind him, wearing a bright-white button-down shirt, with a purple overcoat and a top hat. He waved a hand at the small table nearby. “I wasn’t expecting company, but perhaps you would like some tea?”

“No, thanks. I’m only here to talk.”

“Well, I would like some tea.” Oliver sat down at the table and poured himself a piping-hot glass of red liquid. “So what brings you here today?”

Mike ruffles Yuki's fur

“Good.” He patted her head, then jerked his hand back. “I’m really sorry. I have no idea why I keep doing that.”

“It’s…it’s okay.” She couldn’t help but smile. “It reminds me of an old friend.”

“Okay, then.” He did it again but gave her hair a good ruffle. A hot breeze blew across both of their backs, and he turned around to look. Down on the ground, one of the first portals had been opened. “Oh boy, I’m getting nervous.”

“Me too.” They watched together in silence as the rats did their work, the portals opening throughout the garden. Eerie light from different worlds cast a technicolor glow into the sky. Each portal went to a world that was like this one, completely closed off from everywhere else.