Bloom

S’neli checked the map in her mind again.

A left.

A right.

Two more lefts.

Why wasn’t this the same room marked in the mental map?

Taking out a small stone from one of her numerous belt pouches S’neli said, “LeadtoGold calling Worldeater.”

Tree’s voice responded, “Worldeater here, are you lost again?”

S’neli frowned, it wasn’t her fault Tree’s map was wrong!

How could Tree imply that an Alchemic genius like her was unable to find her way even with a map? The nerve!

Who made walls with metal anyways? Where was the wood? The stone? The actual useful materials that she could query with her power for directions!

Dammit, she was an Alchemist for the love of everything explodable, not a cursed dwarf!

S’neli calmed herself and said, “I’m not lost. The map is wrong. The. Map.”

There was a pause before Tree said, “I got that map directly from combining all the captives memories we curr-”

S’neli cut Tree off and said, “The. Map. Is. Wrong.”

“…ok. I’ll send someone to help you along then. Just sit still, and don’t experiment with anything.” Tree said, his tone patient.

S’neli tapped her foot for a few seconds before a small girl appeared at the other end of the corridor. She instantly brightened up, without a doubt, this assistant was the best!

“Wen!” S’neli said, hugging the small girl when she arrived.

“Mm.” Wen murmured.

“Snacks?!” S’neli said, her eyes imploring.

Wen seemed to stare at her for a long moment before reaching into one of several pouches at her side and removing a perfectly preserved snack set.

“The best, Wen! The. Best!” S’neli said, grabbing the snacks as she turned to walk forwards. Before she could even take a step a small hand reached up to grab her sleeve.

“Ah, yes, of course. I’ll just follow you…” S’neli said, as Wen moved to the front. Pausing a moment, the young girl removed a loop of rope from her side pouch. With dexterous speed she tied the belts of both together, before nodding satisfied.

“T-This isn’t really…” S’neli tried to argue.

Wen glanced once at the snacks, and once at the rope, her meaning clear.

S’neli crumbled under the threat of going snackless in this strange place.

A few minutes later, following Wen’s unerring directions, they approached a closed door.

S’neli grumbled as she pulled several potions out of her bag. Boost, Medium Boost, High Boost, Grand Boost, Elixir of Boost, and others. Unlike that training maniac Mishra, she relied on drugs to perform at her best.

What was the point of being an Alchemist if you couldn’t dope up and win?!

After consuming all the delicious drugs, S’neli motioned for Wen to cut the rope.

As soon as the chef’s knife sliced through the rope, S’neli flickered in front of the door. A single palm pressed against the cold metal surface, and seconds later a massive heatwave flowed outwards. The door’s surface began to glow, at first orange, then red, then white hot. Like acid dripping, where S’neli pressed her palm, the metal was eaten away until the door was completely open.

Wen appeared impressed, so S’neli flexed for a moment. Glancing in she saw a group of impressive armored guards with both hands held up.

“Eh?” S’neli said, trying to understand what was going on.

Wen stared with her knife prepared to cut as well.

“…Tree?” Wen said, questioning S’neli.

“Ah!” S’neli said, taking out the communication stone.

“LeadtoGold to Worldeater, uh, I’m not sure what to do here. All the guards are holding up their hands palms facing me.” S’neli said, her tone unsure.

“Ah, just have Wen take their guns and store them in a space pouch. The installation is surrendering, Dryad crushed their strongest force.” Tree said from the other end.

S’neli counted ten deep breaths out before putting the stone away and turning to face Wen.

“Snacks. Now.” S’neli said, her eyes bright.

Wen put her knife away and handed a baggie of pre-made snacks before going to take the weapons of the guards.

“So mean. So mean. Dryad, so mean!” S’neli said, as she began to devour her snack cookies while crying tears.