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The Waystation Ch.112
🕑 Added 2023-12-29 09:00:05 +0000 UTCChapter 112
Returning Home.
Rose gaped at the gleaming wood and metal of the Waystation as she was helped down from the cab of the Express. It would have been hard to believe it was even the same place if she couldn’t feel it herself.
Being in the Waystation had a certain feeling to it. Rose didn’t have a name for it, but if she had to guess, she would call it home. The feeling of coming home.
It was enough to start her crying again, but she bit back the tears as the strange dark-robed figures steadied her.
She wanted to ask who they were, what they were. What had happened to the Waystation? Despite thousands of questions, she kept her mouth firmly shut.
Her place was not to question.
She would get a chance to ask them if they let her come back.
As far as Rose knew, that had to be a long shot.
Her stumps itched where they had been healed. Wendy had done her best, but the arms simply would not regrow.
“Go on in,” Lily waved at her, “They are bound to be waiting!”
“Oh, I bet,” Wendy winked at Rose. “They completely freaked out.”
“Och, aye!” Gavin said as he trotted down the ramp. “They freaked, unlike you lot who rushed out of ‘ere so calmly.” He stopped in front of Rose and gave her a look. “Well, damn, lass.” He shrugged. “Nae bother, they’ll figure it out somehow.” He smiled and hurried over to the others. “Need any help?”
“Gavin!” A woman strode down the ramp with a strange creature following her. “I’m not spending all day look’ after ya bawbag!”
There was a squeak, and the creature opened a massive mouth and shouted, ‘Baws!’ at a deafening level.
“Ah said I’ll be right back!” Gavin said defensively.
“Feckin’ right you will be!” The woman gathered the fluff-bound horror into her arms and stomped back inside. “I’ll tell your ma!”
“Ge’ ta Fuck!” Gavin groaned. “Don’t tell me ma!”
Rose gaped as the dwarf ran after the half-elf.
“It’s a long story,” Lily sighed as Rose faltered. “They’re married. It was a whole thing.”
Rose just nodded mutely as one of the robed figures gestured toward the ramp.
Led through the halls of the Waystation by the figures, Rose had a feeling like she had when she realized she was going to die.
This was worse, though.
This wasn’t death; it was judgment. Considering the things she had done that she had helped do, judgment was much scarier. As she climbed the stairs to what she assumed was the new control room, Rose felt her chest tighten more and more until it felt impossible to breathe.
Finally, they arrived at a floor and moved along a corridor filled with doors beneath a crystal roof. It was so beautiful.
She had missed so much.
When the figures stopped and gestured to a door, her last remaining bit of willpower broke as she saw the word written upon it.
Rose
She was ushered inside as she wept and helped to bed before one of the figures pointed to a black, glossy surface.
Welcome Home! Bert and Bell are seeing the King, but they will be here once you have some rest!
Rose stared at the words as she slowly slipped into sleep.
============
Rose woke in her sister's arms, the smell familiar even if the form wasn’t. She examined her sister’s sleeping face, seeing the same features written across a much larger face. It was jarring, and again, the questions rose in her mind.
She didn’t wake Lily, wanting to remember this moment, just in case.
She lay there almost an hour until the sounds of shouting echoed up from downstairs.
“Hey, you’re awake,” Lily yawned. “Guess they’re back.” She winced as something smashed. “And still pissed off.”
“I’m sorry, Lily,” Rose said quickly before the chance was gone. “I’m sorry for so much, for everything!”
“I know,” Lily sighed as she stood up, “You always are.”
“It’s different this time,” Rose cried as her sister turned away. “I really, really, really am sorry.” She sniffed. “If I can, when I can, I’ll prove it to you.”
“Okay, Rose,” Lily smiled at her, “Okay.”
Rose simply let her help her up. Lily didn’t believe her, and Rose couldn’t blame her.
“Okay,” Lily huffed, “Let’s get this over with, eh?” She smiled at Rose, the same old smile that always made her feel like everything was going to be okay.
It didn’t work, but Rose appreciated the attempt all the same.
As they worked their way through the train, Lily told her that was what it was called; the angry voices got louder.
Rose felt as tense as she ever had. It felt like her whole life led up to this point, and more than once, she wondered if Death was walking beside her, just like he had when he showed her the people.
When the robed figures opened the door, the room was so full of mana that both sisters gasped.
“I’ll kill them all!” Bell was raging, her human form flickering with pale blue fire. “I’ll turn them into mulch and drive the Waystation over their screaming corpses!”
Bert simply stood, staring out the window as fire wreathed his form.
“How did they even get here in the first place?” He asked Bell, “That’s what I don’t get.”
“I did it,” Rose said quietly.
“Ah, fuck,” Lily muttered next to her. “Really?”
“Oh,” Bert sounded sad. “I guess that explains it.”
“They already had most of the old continent,” Rose went on numbly. “I thought they would help me get back at you all.”
“What for?” Bell snapped. “What the fuck did we do to you?”
“Nothing,” Rose said simply. “I was just too pissed off to realize that.”
“Hang on,” Bert looked round at her as she stopped in the center of the room. “If you were helping them, then why did they do this?”
Rose wanted to say it was because she refused to help more, or she fought back, or… anything. Excuses lined up in her mind. Lies waiting to be told. The habit of a lifetime.
“They didn’t need me anymore,” Rose said simply.
“Well, you’re safe now,” Bell said, still staring down at Rose. “That’s enough for now.” She stopped for a second. “Should we punish her for joining a cult? I mean, is that something you punish for?”
“The fuck should I know?” Bert shrugged. “I never had someone run off and join a death cult before.”
“Ummm,” Rose hesitated when they both turned to her. “Sorry, but they aren’t a death cult. He does not approve.” She winced. “He helped save me, and I just don’t think he likes them.”
“Huh,” Bell shrugged. “That was nice, but I mean, we do have his kid on board, so… fair?”
“Bell, honey,” Bert said shortly, “Focus. We were trying to figure out if we should punish her somehow.”
“Meh, probably,” Bell shrugged. “But, I mean, they did cut off her arms and chase her through the snow.” She leaned down to Rose, who felt herself leaning back involuntarily. “Did we learn anything?”
“Don’t join cults and help them take over the world?” Rose asked carefully.
“Well done!” Bell clapped. “That’s good enough for me.” She blinked into a pixie and shot off out the doors. “I’m going to get the Bear’s Fall ready.”
Bert sighed, and Rose turned nervously to meet his eyes.
“I’m really not cut out for this, shit,” Bert sighed as he sat in his chair on the bridge of the train.
Rose simply bowed her head and waited.
“Do you know what my first class is?” Bert asked her.
Rose shook her head mutely.
“Garbage Man,” He laughed. “It was meant to be an insult, but I really embraced the idea. I pick up the things, the people others throw away.” He smiled sadly. “I think it might be the only truly smart thing I ever did.” Leaning forward, he rested his head on his hands as he talked. “Here’s my problem. You ran off and joined a death squad. They prayed on innocents. It’s horrific.”
Rose just hung her head, waiting for the axe to fall.
“The thing is,” Bert went on. “You are one of my people. In this world or the next, you are a member of my Court. My family. So here is my offer. You will give up your class. No more Rose the Rogue. No more sneaking, stealing, and killing in the shadows.”
“It was all I knew,” Rose said guiltily. “I’ll do whatever you want.”
“In that case, this is your punishment. No more Rogue. From now on, you are a Garbage Man. Woman. Person.” He trailed off lamely, and Rose felt hope in her chest.
“Really?” She asked. “I can come back?”
“It won’t be easy,” Bert warned her. “And you will have to help us fight these bastards, undo what you helped to do.”
“I promise,” Rose felt the tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I won’t say this is your last chance. You will mess up again, I’m sure. We all do; just do me a favor?”
“Anything,” Rose would have given him everything if he asked at that moment.
“Just try to do better, yeah?” Bert smiled and laid a hand on her shoulder.
You have been offered the Class:
Garbage Man!
Accept?
Y/N?
Warning: this will replace your main class!
Rose accepted immediately, desperate to leave her old life behind. A series of skill changes flashed past, some lost, others gained. It was overwhelming and only got more so when a collection of metal and flesh was dumped at her feet.
“Close your eyes,” Bert instructed, “Good. Now reach out with everything you have, every drop of mana, will, and everything else for your arms and cast reclaim flesh.”
Rose did as she was told, her eyes tightly closed as a fire burned where her stumps used to be.
“Keep going!” Bert said, his hand still on her shoulder. “You can do it!”
She screamed as the burning increased, but she pushed with everything she had. All her determination to be a better person, a better sister, a better everything was poured into the fire.
“Keep going!” Lily was there now, hand on her other shoulder. “Keep going, Rose!”
With a scream of pain, of rage at her old self, the fire reached where her fingers used to be.
“Yes!” Bert whooped. “Fuck, yeah! That’s the ticket! Go on, girl!”
Lily laughed and cheered as Rose sat there, her eyes tightly closed as the fire slowly ebbed away.
“Open your eyes, Rose!” Lily laughed. “Open!”
Rose opened her eyes, fear churning her stomach at what she would see.
Glistening metal had grown where her arms used to be. She flexed her fingers, feeling each movement in wonder.
“I can feel it,” She wondered as she rubbed the tips of her fingers together, “I can feel it.”
“Well, yeah,” Bert grinned down at her. “Not much point if you can’t feel it is there?”
“How?” Rose asked, dumbfounded at her new arms.
“No fucking idea!” Bert laughed. “I was unconscious when mine happened.”
Rose flexed her new arms again and pushed herself to her feet.
“What now?” She asked Bert, no… her Lord, as she stared into his smiling face.
“Now?” Bert clapped her on the back. “Now we have a welcome home dinner!”
==============
Martha felt the beginnings of something. It wasn’t much, but it was the first time she had gotten anywhere with the last arm. Hours and hours of concentration had gone into forcing her way past the flesh’s defenses.
“Yes, yes!” She crowed. “Give up your secrets for the People!” She laughed as sweat poured down her face.
Who cared if they had lost the girl? Who cared if the Waystation knew they were there? She would soon have the power of the Fae for herself!
She began to laugh as she saw it move again.
“Come to Martha!” She roared in triumph.
The fingers moved, curling up, and then a single finger unfolded and flipped her off.
“What?” Martha gasped as pale blue flames flickered on the fingernails before the entire arm burst into bright blue flame. Anywhere the fire touched her claimed things burned away. Stone, vine, and wood all turned to powder as she scrambled to save some of the flesh.
“NO! No, no, no, no, no, no, NO!” Martha screamed as the last vestiges of her hope burned away. In seconds, nothing was left but ash.
Martha screamed in rage, thrashing around with her maimed limbs as her blinding rage spread, infecting her People and sending them into berserk rages. Buildings fell, and roars echoed through the night as Martha’s rage tore her followers apart.
Hundreds died to their fellow People while the madness started.
When it passed, Martha sat and wept in a half-destroyed keep.
==============
Death and War stood on a hilltop overlooking the lands claimed by the People, smiling happily.
“Well, that worked better than expected,” War said with a deep laugh.
“It’s only the start,” Death warned. “And we can not intervene other than with the Fae.”
“Stupid rules,” War grunted. “We are Gods! We should do as we like!”
“I’m inclined to agree,” Death smiled. “But hopefully this will be enough.”
“Oh, look,” War laughed as a tower fell, crushing dozens in its fall, “There goes another one.”
“I take no pleasure in their passing,” Death said.
“Liar,” War laughed. “Think it was worth the trade?”
“The Watcher, you mean?” Death asked.
“Of course,” War flexed his chest, “I like a woman with fire.”
“I think so,” Death sighed, and they turned away as the last buildings fell. “But time will tell.”
“How did you do it, anyway?” War nudged his brother. “Find a way to take her immortality?”
“I am not the only Death,” Death said serenely, “One of us had to know the way.”
“Glad you aren’t the only one,” War chuckled darkly. “Because that pixie may well take you out when she finds out you opened the door for Felicia to come back into their lives.”
“She is not the same,” Death shrugged.
“Let us hope the pixie waits to find out!” War laughed again as he summoned his flame-wreathed charger.
“Every plan has weak points,” Death admitted. “Farewell, brother.”
War waived as he rode away, flames burning in the air behind him.
“Always the show-off,” Death sighed and stepped through a shadow.
=============
Rose was the first out of bed the next day, her thumping head ignored after the party last night.
They had all gathered to welcome her home, and not one, not ONE, had said anything about what she had done. It was just welcome back, and let’s party.
She ran her metallic fingers over the things in her room.
They had kept a place for her, even when she rejected them.
It was a nice feeling.
“She was right, after all!” Rose laughed.
“Keep the FECKIN’ noise down!” Lyra roared from next door.
Rose winced and slipped out of her room, heading downstairs and wandering through the Waystation from top to tail. It was even more amazing than it had been before, and this time, she didn’t feel that anger, that need to run.
She had found her treasure and would guard it from now on.
“The people you care about ARE the treasure,” She told herself.
“You sound like a greeting card,” Bert chuckled from behind her.
“What is that?” Rose asked, trying to stand straighter.
“Just something from my old world,” Bert grinned. “Ready to get some training done?”
Rose nodded eagerly and followed him to the training rooms. The Orcs began to file in one after another as Bert taught her to use her new skills and how to fight without knives.
It was hard work, and she felt like an idiot a lot of the time, but she kept going.
Hours later, gasping and sweating, she headed back up to her room to shower. It was a good kind of tired; she thought as the ‘shower’ washed the pain from her body.
Once she was done, she dressed in clean clothes, which had been waiting for her. When she got out of the shower, she headed down to the Bear’s Fall proper to help where she could.
“Over here!” Lily called as she approached the door. “How did it go?” Her sister pulled her away from the door to the guest restaurant.
“Great!” Rose said honestly, “I think I’ll like being a Garbage Man.”
“Super,” Lily glanced back toward the door. “So, before you go in there, I just wanted to warn you not to overreact.”
“What’s going on?” Rose asked, forcing her instinctual suspicion down. She was not that person anymore. Never again.
“So, Bert kind of hired an army,” Lily ran her hand through her hair. “They are a little weird.”
“Who am I to judge?” Rose nodded to her own metal arms.
“Yeah, the thing is,” Lily cracked the door open for Rose to see. “They are weird even by our standards.”
Rose peeked through the door and gasped.
The Bear’s Fall was full to bursting with red-skinned, horned, and very lively demons!
“We require drink!” A large figure pulled open the door and demanded loudly.
“Right away!” Rose swallowed and pushed past him, heading into the restaurant with a polite smile. “Anyone else needs a drink?”
The answer was a resounding yes.
