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By now they were at the Hall of Doors, and while Songbird hoped that they would find the other Lost Souls without having to initiate conversation with one another, Inadi wasn’t having any of it and asked yet another question.

[i]“So the Queen mentioned that we had gotten farther than any other groups prior to this if I remember correctly. Any of the guides ever worked with those who came before us? Or do guides get switched out with each collection of humans?”[/i]

“I… don’t know. It’s only my first time as a guide. I haven’t met the previous guides either,” The item hunter looked over his shoulder at the group, “If that’s correct, shouldn’t you be relieved? I know you lost a lot of friends, but some of you are still here, fighting. There’s us guides to help out too. At the end of it all everyone will return to their normal lives. Maybe. I don’t know what encompasses ‘normal’ in the human world.” Yeah, all he wanted was to go back to searching for rare ingredients and tumbling off mountains. That was the life. “If you’re really intent on finding more about the previous batches, you should take the opportunity to talk with Lt. Falkner, because apparently all of you will have to go to the City of Cogs and Gears- everyone just calls it “Cogs” because it’s a mouthful- for the next item. Maybe she knows something. Oh well.”

Just then, a familiar human burst out of a nearby room and headed straight for them. Songbird whiffed up the scent of salt as Lesley waved his hand in the air. “Oh would you- Brandy, it’s the beach room,” He turned to the bunny and whined, but nonetheless followed the others inside out of worry that they would massacre Charles. That shark does have a scary face after all, but everyone knew he just liked hugs.

How does a shark hug someone, anyway?

Songbird sighed and tugged at his scarf. He hated hot and sunny places. 

Something caught his eye. Wait, wasn’t that…? “Amiel Brightenburg, your father’s searching for you. He said he’d wait for you in the main hall, so let’s get going,” The item hunter walked towards the other nobody, scowling as bits of golden sand stuck under his shoes. He also saw an unfamiliar face peeking out from behind Amiel, and judging from the company, this must be one of the new humans.

“Hello, my name is Songbird. I’m one of the guides that have accompanied and will continue to accompany you humans for the duration of your quest here in Nowhere,” He recited blandly and by rote and gave the boy a wan smile. A commotion stole his attention and Toby rocketed out from behind Amiel, whom Songbird was now ushering out the door. Ah, looks like Charles made his appearance. Whatever, it wasn’t like he was going to eat them. He shrugged and vanished inside the dressing room for a few minutes, then reappeared wearing a plain pair of swimming trunks with a scarf draped around his waist. In the short span of time he left, the new human was whipping around with a jet ski and everyone was having a panic attack.

“Ugh,” Songbird wiped at the beads of sweat that had popped out on his forehead and walked towards the shore. Although he wanted to torture the humans by watching this play out, it was better if he stopped the drama now before anyone cried and had a heart attack.

“Hey Chaaaaarles! Over here! Brandy wants a huuuuug!” He inhaled deeply and then shrieked, pushing the bunny in front of him as the giant silhouette in the water did a 180 and made for them.