(Henceforth, the story will be TPP)
"You're kidding me; you're really fine with him." Author asked Maya, probably dumbfounded.
He glanced at Clyseus talking to Canny. There was no hint of fear in the boy's face. The snug of this place gave Author nausea and a queer feeling.
It was morning, and the sun rose from the horizon; the light chased the shadows back to the other side of the world, and the night was wrestled away.
Author had told Maya about the oath and asked her about the previous day again. This time she didn't dodge the question and told.
"I'm not sure what happened with you, but you rose from the ground after five or six minutes and started attacking Clyseus. It wasn't like you at all."
Rubbing his chin, Author began to ponder about it. Something was wrong with him. Maybe, there was a possibility it was one of his abilities.
However, something clicked in Author's mind. He had the ability to view someone's information. He swiftly looked at Clyseus and thought about seeing his information.
As he peered and activated the ability via mind, the system panel appeared before his face. Author still had a vague memory of his ability.
[---]
What? It was just like the system panel like his. empty.
Author tried checking again but the result remained the same. Now the thought came to his mind. Clyseus could also not see his own stats. Regardless of whether he did or not, he didn't need it.
Author gave up on finding a way to look into his own stats, even though it was a futile attempt. The curiosity was in his heart, and he couldn't shove it away.
He became more cautious of Clyseus, he might become a useful asset to Author but that didn't stop him from pricking his ears and keeping his eyes open for any assorted attack.
"Are we starting it, the plan?" Maya asked.
He remembered what he had told them yesterday. His ability had been revitalized, an apparent lie that sounded more like a truth. But others had felt it to be more convenient to believe it; it was a never-dying hope for them.
Maya tilted her head, exasperated. Author would space out after an interval of time.
Waving her hand over his face, Maya asked her as she saw his consciousness returning to him. Author blinked and realized he was spaced out.
"Oh right! Actually—you have a pen and paper with you?"
An odd question, in a hazard and disoriented world like this—who in their right mind would have a paper or pen? He knew Maya well and within her pocket she yanked out a pocket notebook with a pen draping along.
She didn't ask him. Since whatever answer she needed, Author would pen it down and give it to her. Perchance, she knew too well.
It took Author more than usual; writing on paper was harder and more daunting than pressing the keyword. However, he was able to jot down with explicit meaning and some implicit exposition.
"There's no need to rush; we still have a day."
More than a day, but the day was prized to him. The third game had some arduous paths that Author didn't want to confront without preparation. More than that, he had some apprehension.
Author cooled his mind and recalled from his novel. Was there something he was missing? not even a negligible hint should be skipped.
He took a breath of relief when he presumed everything was written on the paper and handed it over to Maya. He kept his verbal explanation succinct.
[Watcher 'Golden Moon Light' is trying to comprehend your meaning of your words.]
[Watcher 'The Entity of Arcane' is smirking with delight.]
"Make sure everything is done correctly. Leave Canny to me. And please don't forget to anything from it."
He had to deal with the kid himself. Albeit, every character had a vital role in the next game; what really frayed Author was the undisciplined behavior of Canny.
Author was the spearhead of the group. His responsibility wasn't restricted to giving ordinance and telling augur.
How do I do it?
The problem wasn't only changing him but also how to do it. He was never close to people, even in his novel. Adolescent boys were affected more by the progress of the novel than by the verbal speeches.
But he had to do something; it was apparent to him that if he wanted things his way, he had to make them. It wasn't a novel line he could change but the fate of a whole person. And the change needed to transpire through connection and talk.
He strolled off to where Canny was. Jaran had told them they went to the riverside next to the bridge.
When Author arrived, he saw Amani sitting on Joseph's shoulder, pointing skywards. Her ecstatic smile and her sparkling eyes indicated to Author she wanted to fly.
Fly like how Clyseus was fluttering in the air, in his arms he cradled Canny.
The boy howled and shrieked, relishing every moment of his life. But Author had a sullen expression, his brows down and forming shadows under his ears.
"Clyseus!" He shouted; his voice had a thin layer of anger.
As the shout reverberated and reached his ears, he tilted his head a little and saw a hand waving at him.
"Kiddo, it seems like your master is calling you." Clyseus said.
Canny's face swelled with irritation. "He's not my master, just a freaking old man who knows two or so things."
Author knew the kid liked freedom and being confined to orders would also make him downcast. Like old memories resurfacing in the mind.
This world for Canny was a freedom, with no parents and no other person to thwart him from his newly found life but that has shattered now.
Clyseus laughed, and the child to him felt like he had grown earlier with precocity.
[Watcher 'Selfish Pig' is laughing at you.]
[Watcher 'Kind Devil' is calling you, freaking old man!]
Author was unperturbed; regardless of how they spoke or gabbled, it was not his matter. He had to be lenient with the boy; his reckless action would trouble him.
Folding his arms, Author looked to his side at Joseph. They had an awe expression on their faces. If truth be told, Joseph could use his magical brush to create for himself a beast with wings and soar into the sky.
However, such things never clicked in his mind. Because he was still a man with limited creativity.
He then looked at Amani and thought.
She needs to be trained. A beast tamer is all I need.