Travec was a city moulded from metal. Silver dominated the colour scheme. The precision and sleekness of the architecture made Xyn feel like he was at home - in a good way. In a similar vein, humanoid drones too roamed the place.

  They weren't the automatons he was used to, but autonomous golems whose only job was maintaining the city's majesty. Looking around, he found no complaint to levy. Trevac was spotless and well-groomed, from its tiled road to the hedges and other colourful fauna.

  [A nice place you have here,] Xyn said, gaze moving from dome to dome rooftop.

  [Thanks, but we can't take credit for any of it. It is a product of Euen Cypress, a mystical powerhouse. She created many of the world's marvels, the seven Sky Islands being one of them.]

  [I've heard about her and her expansive legacy. I also heard the Sky Islands were hotly contested property.]

  [The others are, sure, but not this one. Our people didn't have to fight anyone to secure it. Unlike the other six, this one is in a Monster Zone, and for some reason, it attracts monsters like a magnet. Those who occupied it before didn't do so for long, couldn't. They were unable to weather the endless waves. Us Navek can.]

  [I see that. You guys must be loaded with monster cores.]

  [We're not hurting for them, true. We trade them with merchants in the human settlement I mentioned earlier, for various goods. They overcharge us greatly, but we can afford it with the surplus of monster cores. This place makes for an excellent shelter, but little else.]

  Following the words, a proper tour of the place ensued. On their flying disks, the pair hovered from intersection to intersection, going from east to west. Tonak explained the various buildings and their functions. The library and the "playhouse" were noted with an asterisk beside them. He would return later.

  All the while, grey eyes tracked Xyn like AI-controlled cameras, burning with curiosity. It would be uncomfortable for others, but for Xyn, who had gotten practice during the Terror of Aflein and the goblin village, it was not. He stared back and won many staring contests. He waved at a child holding an ice cream cone in her hand and got an awkward wave in return. He smiled, and Tonak and the surrounding Navecs seemed to be infected by his cheer.

  Trevac was traversed in less than an hour. It was rather small, after all. Done with the official tour, the pair meandered from street to street, just talking. The topic of Xyn's time in Machaeverosa was brought up, and he opened up.

  [One rare occurrence after another, you must be a protagonist in some epic, Xyn.]

  [If I am, I only ask for a happy ending.]

  [As do we all.]

  [Hey, about those goblins I mentioned, did you know about them?] Xyn asked, his heartbeat slowing down. He had paid careful attention to how the Navec reacted to the information, but he gave nothing away.

  [Yes, one of our sentries spotted a band of them. We deemed them no threat and left them to their own devices.]

  Relief poured into Xyn's heart. A different string of words could have turned this tour into something more regrettable. He tried keeping the emotion off his face, but Tonak didn't fail to see it. Spotting it saw a wave of relief pass through the Navek.

  [About them, I have a bit of a favour to ask. Between friends.]

  Tonak chuckled. [What is a favour between friends? Let's hear it.]

  [You see, I've gotten quite attached to those green buggers. I took precautions, but I fear that it's not enough. A strong monster or something worse might just kill them all. I would be devastated. That's why I was thinking, maybe you guys could trade some of your magical tools with them. They're not rolling in monster cores, but I left them a pile that can fund their initial equipment. Once they're armed as well as you guys, this forest will turn from nightmare to dream for them.]

  [Your heart is gold, Xyn. I see that. But a trade partnership is hardly a favour. I'll do you one better. The Navec keep open communications with their village and routinely patrol the area.]

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  [Really?] Xyn's Traveller's Board stopped.

  [It's a small ask, Xyn. What's a favour between friends? Nothing, right?] Tonak circled to his front and asked with a cheeky smile.

  [Ah, yes. Thank you.]

  The Navec elder spun around and snapped his fingers. Five Navecs streaked eastward following the gesture.

  [Now?]

  [Why not, no time like the present.]

  The Void Prince's lips tugged up. [True.] He joined Tonak's side again.

  [While we're on the topic of favours, I have a favour to ask of you. A rather big one.]

  [What's a favour between friends? Let's hear it.]

  The mimicry of his earlier words brought a smile to Tonak, but that quickly dimmed. Xyn felt sombreness settle on his companion and adjusted himself for what would follow.

  [Trevac is home to nearly all Navecs in Machaeverosa, a population shy of four hundred. We Navec tend to stay together, only leaving when we need to, like to trade goods, but a small percentage of us like travelling and meeting others. Boren was one such soul. Kinder, stronger and more curious than any other Navec, he threw himself into the unknown with a smile.]

  A long sigh escaped Tonak as old memories replayed themselves.

  [He died?] Xyn asked cautiously.

  [Worse. His body became a vessel for another to wear.]

  [Radae.]

  [Yes, just like Alison. The Radiant Knight Rorden Aundal occupies his body and wields his power of time.]

  [Despicable,] Xyn said, anger surging within him.

  [Indeed. We Navec still weep about his fate to this day, four hundred years later. Unfortunately, we are helpless to right this wrong. Our most potent weapon is useless against him, and he is armed with many powerful artefacts.]

  [I understand.] Killing intent flared from the psionic. [I'll slay the usurper and return Boren's body to his home - gladly.]

  [That will mean much, but there's no need to risk life or limb. If the opportunity presents itself...]

  [It will. Radae's my enemy as is. And so is this imposter. Frankly, what you ask is not big or small. It's not a favour at all. I'd have killed him without you saying anything.]

  [I see. Regardless, I must thank you. If not for the favour, for your nature. A good apple, indeed.]

  These were the last words spoken for the next few minutes as the pair drifted without rhyme or reason. Xyn restarted the conversation with a question about Navek’s time magic.

  [Freezing in place is the default. Reversing time is impossible for us.]

  [What about fast forwarding?]

  Tonak summoned an apple on his palm and had a Time Bubble encase it. The purple bubble fluctuated, and by the next second, the ripe green had turned chalk grey. The Navec elder leaned close and blew at the structure, causing it to scatter into a smog of grey dust.

  [Whoa...the actual sands of time. Wait, could they have done that to me earlier?]

  Tonak slapped his hands clean. [No. You were not in danger of becoming dust. We can speed up the time of mundane, but those bearing souls or objects housing soul-like substances, now that's much harder.]

  [But not impossible...]

  [Yes, just much harder, to the point where it's pointless. It would take all of us working together to age up a random person by a few months.]

  [What about a goblin?]

  Tonak smiled. [A question asked and answered many years ago. Yes, it is possible.]

  [So, theoretically, you guys could make a Goblin Monarch in the fraction of a time, right?]

  [Yes. What would take a thousand would not even take a year, theoretically. Sadly, it will remain theoretical. While I have the heart to experiment, most of my fellow Navecs do not see the point of carrying out such an endeavour. There's no benefit. Just the opposite. Even if this hypothetical Goblin Monarch were a perfect ally, it is not a particularly strong Transcendent. It would be killed in no time, and we would follow it into its grave.]

  [I see.]

  [Why bring it up? Simple curiosity or...]

  A Goblin Monarch's raw strength didn't entice Xyn. What his mind latched onto was its innate ability to transform others into goblins. He didn't want to become a goblin himself, no, though that was a viable way to Transcendence. No, rather, he was curious if that ability could be used to revert goblins into their previous races. Xyn had seen no indication that they loathed their current forms; however, he'd rather they have a choice than not.

  The Void Prince kept his troublesome thoughts to himself.

  [Simple curiosity, is all. A Goblin Monarch is off the table, but what about a Goblin Brute? There's a goblin in the village who is a few months shy. Do you think you guys could cut that time short? I'd love to see the transition.]

  [That can be arranged.]

  [Splendid.]

  ***

  [A few long blinks. You kept your promise, alright.]

  Xyn had to smile wryly at the goblin chieftain's words. He glanced down at Monda, whose eyes were wide and head swivelled wildly.

  [Interesting, right?]

  The goblin child was speechless and simply nodded as awe paralysed her. Agra, Dovna, Mandola and the forty-nine-year-old Marano were similarly transfixed.

  Xyn scooped up the goblin child and gave her a quick hug before putting her down. [Monda looks about ready to explode. Dovna and Marano, you accompany her while she explores the place. Igrun and Agra, you're with me. We have details to sort out. Mandola, you return to the village and inform them that everything went smoothly.]

  [But-]

  [You can just come back...right?] Xyn directed the question to the Elder.

  [Right. More can come if they wish. Let's go with ten,] Tonak said.

  The goblins' faces brightened at the reply.

  The Void Prince nodded in approval. [Okay, that settles it. I'll join up with you guys after a bit. Don't get carried away or jump off the island. It's a long way down. Dovna, you're in charge.]

  [Will behave, no worries,] she said.

  [Good.]

  With that said, the eight split off in several directions. To talk business, to offer assurances, and to have fun.