On the way to their next destination, Vorbal took a slight detour. A hunched-over old crone hobbled out of a moss-covered bungalow. She tentatively carried an aged clay pan, careful not to spill its contents. Vorbal sauntered towards the old woman, an exaggerated sway in his fat hips. His purring was clearly audible as he started to brush up against her legs, acting like a real cat.
"Hello, sweetie. It looks like you've brought a friend today. I won't keep you long, here's some cream. Your favourite," The old lady cooed. She smiled, exposing only gums and missing teeth. With obvious effort, she braced a hand on her knee to reach down and place the pan. Vorbal pounced forward and began to lap it up, allowing the old lady to scratch behind his ears as he drank. In moments, the saucer pan was empty without even a speck of residue. "That's all I have for you today, sweetie. Come back and visit tomorrow."
The old crone retrieved the clay pan, giving Vorbal a playful shoo to get out of the way. Talus stood off at a respectful distance, patiently waiting for them to finish. Vorbal sauntered back over to him as the elderly lady carefully stepped inside, closing the door behind her. He resumed his swagger along the wooden road, navigating through pedestrians under the arcane street lamps. Talus followed behind, thinking about the interaction he had just witnessed.
"My sweet Peach has no one but me for her twilight chats, a lonely old soul with a fondness for cats. Each night she leaves treats, a bowl by the stair. Since she was a wee lass with wind in her hair. But never you mind that, we've reached your second deed. A climb up the tower is what I now need. The old bell above, it's cracked and it's bent. But ring it aloud, and the dust is spent! They say it keeps marsh-shades all trembling and meek. Let's see if that tale is as true as they speak!" Vorbal instructed, his spinning pupils staring at the shades next to Talus. He gave a grin that was far too sly for a cat and reached up a paw to twiddle his feline whiskers.
"I should have expected something so whimsical from one of the Accursed. Whatever mixing occurs, a matching of Fae and Human always produces something unique. Your quirks are your own, Vorbal. I don't see the point in such a task, but it will be as you say," Talus replied with a nod and looked up at the bell tower.
In front of them was the tallest building in Blackroot, a three-story town hall in a state of extreme disrepair. One half of the entire structure was caved in and collapsed, reducing a portion of the staircase upward to rubble. Talus could see inside, mapping out his route to the ladder on the third floor. He would need to climb over cobbles and debris.
"Stone on soggy soil? A foolish feat! The ground gave way, and down sank its seat. A sinking house, a sorry plan. Reminds me of poor Izarra's last stand. He left a charm, a clever guard, to keep out Fae with hearts too hard. It calls for feelings, deep and true, which sadly, friend, elude you. So, Human magic? Out of reach. Unless you've me to mend the breach. Do this task, and you shall see. It is what shall set you free," Vorbal added no more, smiling as if he had shared a deep secret. Talus's gaze sharpened at the new information.
Vorbal has given me a clue as to why I have been unable to replicate even a simple spell up until now. Izarra is at fault. I may share his face, but of course, he set safeguards on his work to prevent it from being so easily usurped. Izarra knew his enemy well, my people cannot feel the way a Human does.
He could never have anticipated that the Corrupted Fragment, the key to my people's downfall, would also become the key to our salvation. Despite my revulsion, I must embrace these accursed feelings. I am unsure if I'm able to endure their infection. I have already been corrupted to an extent. No other Monarch would care for our race's survival the way I do. They merely await their destruction within the Spirit Realm. I will do more than that. I will uncage the Ether and return the balance to the three realms.
"I will complete your task," Talus said, his resolve becoming firm.
"Splendid! Then scamper, don't flop, I'll see you at the tippity-top!" Vorbal purred. His bulk was a lie, he bounded up the wall with supernatural agility. In defiance of his pudgy frame, Vorbal gracefully scaled the old tower from the outside.
Talus advanced towards the collapsed side of the wall, noticing a group of children whispering amongst the shadows. They fell silent at his approach, as if caught about to do something naughty. Talus merely walked past them without a glance, causing them to break out in excited gossip.
"He's gonna do it! Beky, you get off this time. What's the bet he actually rings the bell?" A child exclaimed in suspense, watching Talus effortlessly climb over a pile of rocks.
"There's no way, adults don't play pranks. It's too late at night. He won't wake everyone up," A girl, presumably Beky, replied.
"I don't know, Beky. I think he might. Look, he's already on the ladder!..."
Talus could easily hear their small voices carry across the darkness. His body possessed senses more acute than any Human. As he ascended the old ladder, a rotten rung collapsed under his boot. He ignored it and continued to climb, hauling himself up beneath an enormous brass bell. Standing next to it while covered in dust, Talus noted the bell was much larger than it appeared from below.
"At last, you climb! Did you lose track of time? I've waited an age, a whole lifetime! Give the bell a mighty swing, and task two's done, ding-ding!" Vorbal chirped with a smirk, pausing in mid-lick. He used his paw to polish his fur while proudly perched on the ledge of the old bell tower, looking quite pleased with himself.