[h1][center][color=gold]The Tricity Quest[/color][/center][/h1]
[h2][sub][center][color=gold]Lily,  Seam and Jaxx walk in a training field[/color][/center][/sub][/h2]
[h3][sub][center][color=gold]Eye for eye and…arm for arm?[/color][/center][/sub][/h3]

“Come back to us dear, its rise and shine, because I am afraid my dear daughter needs you awake for this next bit” came an intruding voice into his dream, gentle yet irresistibly instant, causing his eyes to blink open, and reveal the source to be a short green motherly goblin not wearing a witch’s hat.

“There we go, good man” the goblin praised, before telling him “now, I’ll be around, so just ask if you need something, but for the most part I’ll be leaving you in the capable hands of my lovely daughter” and stepping back to allow a similarly small goblin to step into view, one who even if he didn’t recognize her face he was able to recognize the tendrils she had grown just after she’d met him.

“Welcome back Jaxx,” Lilly said, before explaining “ya’ve been out for a while. Me mother insisted we let ya rest while I tinkered on ya new arm, which is, well iz a thing we can do now. But ya need to be awake so I can tell if I’m hooking things up right”

She gestured to his side where he was still missing an arm, and where, next to the stump, lay a table with a familiar looking limb, one of a silvery metal that he had severed from the Outer beast that had taken his own.

Pain. Screams. Death. More screams. An arm flying around. Pain. So much pain and death. Innocents. Danger. Everywhere. Dodge. Attack! Pain. 

Jaxx’s dreams were…not peaceful. Not peaceful at all yet in all his dreaming, there was one thing that brought him peace. There was no ringing, no hero sense that prompted him to save lives or be a hero. It was quiet. His thoughts were his own and he could rest. 

And then with a jolt, Jaxx woke up. Almost immediately he tried to stand up only to be held back by the straps around his arm and legs. 

“[color=gray]No. No. No! Aaaaggghh! [/color]” he screamed, letting out a roar of pain as the pain of his missing arm made itself known. 

Eventually after stopping, Jaxx acknowledges Lily with a curt nod of his head. 

“[Color=gray]I…sorry. I don't remember you're name, miss. But I remember your fighting. I can feel the heroic energy around you, safe to assume you've proved yourself? [/color]” said Jaxx, his voice tough and croaky as if he hadn't spoken in weeks. 

Then, as soon as Lily replied with a nod and her name, time slowed down. Briefly. 

“[Color=gray]Hello? What….oh. Great! You couldn't bloody let me rest in peace and had to use your shitty divine bullshit on me again![/color]” started Jaxx to say before realizing what happened and looking upwards, shouting at his invisible patron. 

“Are ya alright?” Lilly asked, glancing up at the ceiling as well, before enquiring “are ya yellin at yer god?” in a tone that made it clear that she didn’t think this was quite as strange as others might have.

With a shake of his head, the time slow effect stopped and Jaxx turned towards Lily. Finally understanding her words. “[color=gray]Apologies. My god? That bastard is [i]not[/i] my god. He just doesn’t want to leave me alone! He gave me some new power. You seemed…slower. The sounds from outside slowed down. [/color]” 

“Slower? Well, ya do seem faster” Lilly replied, before thinking for a moment and then asking “doesithelpifitaklquicklylikethis?”

“[color=gray]Stop, stop. It stopped now. Anyway. What were you saying? My arm is quite in a lot of pain, you’ve got something for it? [/color]” 

“Yup, new one” Lilly replied as she patted the metal limb laying next to him, before adding apologetically that it would “hurt more first though. Plus yer gonna be a bit reliant on this stuff for life if ya wanna keep it” as she gestured a hand at a bowl of black goop. A faint mist seemed to hang over it, never rising or dissipating, one charged with something old as the world yet had so far been so rarely wielded by mortal hands: magic.

Jaxx took a deep breath and inhaled the smell of the black goop and almost gagged on it. “[color=gray]Gah, that thing smells foul. Magic to make me a new arm? Good, let’s get it over with it. I have…work to do. [/color]” replied Jaxx as he had to take a few deep breaths to calm himself down as the ringing in his head started to intensify. Innocents were in danger, he [i]had[/i] to save them. 

Lilly looked like she was about to say something about that, before simply nodding in agreement. Then she blinked once, her posture changed slightly, and she requested in a voice that both was and was not her own “now please, hold still. Working with the great one’s gift is delicate work” 

The Octari wearing a goblin’s skin picked up a paintbrush with a stone handle and metal bristles in one hand, dabbing it in the bowl. Then in the other they took up a small fine knife with a similarly unbiological stone handle and informed Jaxx that “your body has tiny parts of it that act like daffotales along a riverbank, sending messages to and fro. I will need to cut away the scar tissue to expose them to the air so I can extend them and mesh them with your new arm. This will hurt” 

He did not lie. 

The operation was long and arduous, and required the hero’s participation to test each new nerve connection was synced up correctly, but stroke by stroke, Lilly’s past live painted a masterwork of flesh and steel, till at last the deed was done, and Jaxx was whole once more.

Jaxx didn’t have an easy time. His body screamed in pain as his mind screamed with the lives of innocents that he had to save. Luckily for Jaxx, a certain someone intervened halfway through the operation and nulled the pain his body felt. Fact which made Jaxx even more angry even if he was grateful for a respite from the pain. 

Eventually, the operation was done. Jaxx was whole once more. The arm was different. It felt different. Otherworldly. Yet somehow it felt like it was his original one. Even if this one was made out of metal, a strange metal at that. 

Standing up, Jaxx slowly touched his new arm with his original one, feeling the metal from the wrist up to where his flesh began. It was a weird feeling. On one side, he was grateful for his new arm as he knew he’d use it to save many lives…on the other side, he lost an arm. He was made with that arm and now it was forever gone. Was he still a goblin even or something more than that? 

With just a short curt nod at Lily, after he was done inspecting his arm he said: “[color=gray]I need my sword, Heropentia. The arm looks and feels great and all but if I can’t wield a sword, it’ll be all for ‘naught. [/color]” 

“Dis way” the goblin replied as she set aside her implements , her voice back to normal, which was to say dripping with the distinctive accent the goblins of the city seemed to have. She led the hero through her family's home, passing by members of said extended family many of whom stopped and stared in amazement at the sight of him, be it his arm or that he was awake at all.

Then they were out into a courtyard where someone had set up rudimentary targets and training dummies, which Seam, the lanky seriema fullblood, was in the midst of practicing with, jabbing away with his second hand billhook. He and Lilly had a brief exchange, before he tossed her a key which she then used to open a large trunk set against one of the walls of the courtyard. 

Within a small collection of arms could briefly be seen, but the one of import was, of course, the hero's blade, which she promptly presented to him, alongside a suggestion that “Maybe you and Seam could spar as a warm up?” one that the beastman in question said “I’d be honored” to do so.

Jaxx, not one for manners, didn’t say much to Lily’s family and only gave a slight nod as hello before hurrying up. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to have manners, it was more that he never had the chance to learn them or practice them. It was always “onto save a new life for him”. 

Yet, the moment he saw Seam, his face lit up. If he didn’t fully understand manners, he definitely understood combat and Seam was definitely not the best fighter out there, yet the kid had potential that was obvious to see.

“[color=gray]Very well but just so you know, this won’t be a fair fight. Even if I hold back. [/color]” said Jaxx as he took Heropentia and swung it with his metal arm. He could barely feel the weight of it. Before, he had to hold Heropentia with two hands to be able to wield it properly but now? Now it was as if he had a short sword. This new arm of his ‘sure came with interesting perks.

Going into a fighting pose, Jaxx closed his eyes and nodded to Seam.

“[color=gray]You’ve got the first move. Whenever you want. [/color]” 

The birdman cocked his head to the side curiously at the hero closing his eyes, before, with the arrogance of youth, going easy on his first probing stab with his billhook.

Before he even moved his arm to push the billhook forward, there was a slight buzz in Jaxx's mind, warning him of the incoming hit. 

In a flash, he dodged to the side and took a step forward, his sword touching the billhook's owner's arm. 

“[Color=gray]One. [/color]” said Jaxx with his eyes still closed and took a step backwards.

“[Color=gray]Again.[/color]” 

The beastman blinked a few times, and then put his back into things this time, taking a step back of his own and then performing a far faster leaping downwards jab.

This time, Jaxx decided to test out his new arm rather than his sword skills and as soon as the familiar buzz came, he dropped Heropentia and struck his metallic hand forward right in the path of the blade. 

Sparks flew out as the two metals collided and promptly pushed the two fighters to the side. 

“[Color=gray]Ugh, I kinda felt that but who needs a shield anymore. [/color]” he said while opening his eyes, a grin on his battle scarred face.

“Ya can say dat again, ting’s working like a charm” the goblin woman agreed, clearly rather proud of her handiwork, to which Seam nodded in agreement.

“[Color=gray]Aye, it'll be useful. Now, Seam. I want you to jump a few times left and right, then circle me and strike from my blind spots. You're small and fast, use it for your advantage. [/color]” said Jaxx to Seam with a smile before adding “[color=gray]Like this. [/color]” and went on to demonstrate the zig-zag movement then a jump to the side and he was behind Seam.

It felt strange to Jaxx to talk with others and not do any traveling or killing. One could say this was Jaxx’s first holiday and he was enjoying it. 

“[Color=gray]Your turn and also I suggest getting two daggers or short swords instead of the billhook. [/color]” continued Jaxx with a smile before getting back in position.

The birdman seemed about to disagree, but was prevented from doing so by Lilly noisily rummaging in the weapon’s trunk again before pulling out the dagger Seam had first fought with before claiming the hook he was holding, along with a sheathed bronze blade. An exchange was made, and then the heroes faced off again, with the avian beastman performing fluttering leaps to and fro before darting round to the side and striking with his weapons, new and old.

And soon he was behind Jaxx who, upon receiving the all familiar buzz, jumped to the forward at the last moment, both weapons almost nicking him.

“[Color=gray]If I didn't know you were coming, that would've been a hit. Now, let me demonstrate why two weapons are sometimes better than one. [/color]” Jaxx said as he gave Lily his long sword, Heropentia, and took a long staff from the pile of weapons.

“[Color=gray]Defend yourself. Try using one weapon if you can with the second one, wait for an opening and stab me. [/color]” added Jaxx and he waited for Seam to get in position before advancing towards him and then started jabbing at him with the staff. 

The younger hero did as he was told, and got repeatedly jabbed for his efforts as he tried to learn the trick. It was only after some pointers from the other two that he at last managed to parry away the head of the staff using the knife, and made a stab forwards with the sword.

Even with Jaxx’s foresight, the blows were erratic. The moves of a beginner, with no purpose other than to hit the opponent with everything they’ve got and eventually, a stab went through Jaxx’s defense. 

It wasn’t a deep stab but enough to draw a bit of blood from Jaxx. “[color=gray]Well done, young hero. Do the same thing everyday for the next few years and none shall be able to stop you. [/color]” said Jaxx with a satisfied smile. 

“That long?” the younger hero groaned, while Lilly inquired “and how long have ya been at it anyhow? There be generations of tales about ya, buy you no look that old” 

“[color=gray]It’s been…20 years since I completed my first quest. Saved some goblins from some beastfolk, Goddess Asheel gave me the quest and that arrogant bastard Galaxor cursed me with the hero sense. [/color]” said Jaxx calmly before mentioning Galaxor when his tone turned dark.

“[color=gray]You’ll find out that us, heroes, live longer than the average person. If a healthy goblin can live 100 years, a hero will live 200. We age slower and are stronger, faster, smarter. [/color]” explained Jaxx, his previous hatred gone. 

“Tha still no be right, ah’ve lived more’n 2 dozen lives so far, an tho lotta em ended short, that’s still mor’n 200” Lilly replied skeptically

Jaxx's face betrayed his confusion and a bit of horror at realizing that he's talking with someone a few times his age while also, the horror of being 200 years not 20 since he left.

“[Color=gray]That…that doesn't seem right. Impossible. I counted the days since I left. Every single one of them. Started as a way to keep myself focused and then it just became a habit. Every day, every kill and every quest. [/color]” Jaxx said before putting his hands on his face. A few “no, no, no” could be heard under his breath.

“[Color=gray]No! That doesn't make any sense![/color]” he shouted, anger clear on his face. 

“Ya did just do a time slow thing when ya woke up” she pointed out, before theorizing “means time can be different in different places. Jus less obvious. Would explain why ya can’t rely on anything coming from up river showin up on time”  and though that last part had been said in a tone of jest, it did cause her to “hmmm” and wonder if there might be something to that.

“[color=gray]Probably that bastard’s doing. Again! I swear I'll find a way to ki–[/color]” started Jaxx to say before stopping mid sentence, a scream following. A blood curdling scream that would send chills to those around. 

The buzzing in his mind started to intensify while it gave him a few moments of peace, it decided that it was ignored for far too long.

“[Color=gray]I..I…innocent people. Save. [/color]” he shouted once more before taking Heropentia and starting to walk in the direction his sense was pulling him.

“I… what?” Lilly said, taken aback by this sudden departure. She glanced at Seam, sharing first a pair of confused looks, and then a nod of agreement. The goblin first grabbed another knife, a small crossbow and an accompanying bandolier of bolts from the chest before locking it up again, and then, along with Seam, going after Jaxx. 

Despite both the delay to arm herself, and the subsequent detour to grab one of the family Buggys (which had been thoughtfully pre-packed with water and rations by her Mother), they caught up with the elder hero easily enough. There was only one place he could be going after all. South, towards the ransacked southern half of the city, just beyond which danger still lurked in dark hidden places.

[hider=mp summary]
Quest rewards:
Jaxx & Lilly: a metal arm claimed from the same beast that took Jaxx’s own has been used to replace what was stolen from him. Lilly’s reward is learning how to do this, Jaxx’s is surviving and then thriving with the unorthodox fusion of flesh and steel. 


[/hider]

[hider=summary]
Jaxx wakes up in Tricity after helping save it, gets a new power to slow down time thanks to Galaxor, and a new metal arm courtesy of Lilly R’kava bonding one cut off of the same beast that had taken Jaxx’s arm in the first place. 

Jaxx tests it out as part of a sparring/training lesson with Seam, the seriema-fullblood who had fought with them during the attack on, before first being distracted by the flexible nature of time discovered in the difference in time experienced by him vs Lilly’s many past lives, and then fully taken away from the first bit of time off he has had by the call to adventure.

Jaxx heads south, and Lilly and Seam follow.

[/hider]