"Is that good? Or bad?" Teddy asks with trepidation.
"Not bad. Dangerous," Felix mutters. "Either a fight just ended and everyone's still on edge… or a fight's about to start and we're seconds from chaos."
His eyes scan the crowd. "We need to find some posters. There's always a process chart somewhere."
"Wow, ok, I'll look aroun-"
"Nope, you're not allowed to be alone just yet."
"Seriously?"
"Yes, follow me. We'll look around together."
They walk together, eyes shifting across the walls as dozens more crowd around them. Felix pushes forward, wedging himself into the throng of people gathered around a massive poster.
"Alright, so it says here we need to go to Line 1 to get a number, then—"
He turns around.
Teddy is gone.
Felix exhales through his nose. "Goddammit."
Teddy, meanwhile, was chasing after the black hole, eyes locked on it as it scurried between people's legs. He weaved through the crowd, barely paying attention—until he collided headfirst into someone's chest.
With a startled oof!, Teddy bounced off and hit the floor.
A shadow loomed over him.
Teddy looked up to see a young man, draped in embroidered silk robes. A sword rested at his hip, its ornate hilt gleaming under the artificial lights. His gaze—sharp, condescending—pierced through Teddy like a divine judgment.
"Who do you think you are?"
Teddy nodded absently, already moving past him. "I apologize, uh… sir."
Then—a hand latched onto his collar, yanking him back.
"Did I say you could leave?" the man sneered.
Teddy blinked, genuinely confused. "I mean… I already apologized?"
The noble's lip curled. "Apology? A mere 'sorry' is supposed to undo the insult? Do you even know who I am?"
Felix, in the distance, felt a desire to curse.
Teddy raises his hand up, "I'm sorry, am I supposed to? Are you like a head or something?"
"My name is Bai Sheng! A Hall Master of the Eternal Sky Sect! And you dare!"
"Uh… are you like a celebrity?" Teddy reaches into his pocket. "Wait, should I get your autograph? Oh, oh—I should introduce myself too."
He brandishes his wand, "My name is Teddy Albright, the-"
"I don't need to hear whatever your pathetic title is." Sheng cuts him off as he throws him down the floor. "I need something more than your pathetic apology."
"Should I repay you for your robe or something, it looks a lot like Everett's."
"No, you could act as my servant. Do this pathetic chore for me." He throws a number at him. "And perhaps, I could give you leniency."
Teddy looks around for his pet then down at the number, flipping it over. "Huh. What's this for?"
Sheng smirks. "It's my number, for the line you shall fall in."
Teddy gasps. "Oh! Sweet, I didn't have a number yet! Thanks, man."
"What?" Sheng turns back to him and Teddy is already gone, his face suddenly burning in rage.
Felix meanwhile was still looking for his wayward friend.
"Felix! Hey look what I got!" Teddy waves at him, excitedly. "Free number."
He turns to him and sighs, "Where did you get this?"
"I met this guy, Sheng something was his name."
"And?"
"Apparently, he wants me to have this."
Felix narrows his eyes. "Are you sure? Did he actually say that, or are you just assuming?"
"Yeah, maybe, I think. I was busy trying to find Tom!"
"Tom?"
Teddy grins, dramatically reaching into his robe. "Oh yeah, I forgot to introduce you."
He pulls out the tiny black hole. "Meet Tom!"
Felix coos then stops, "I told you to hide him."
"Well, he was getting a bit annoyed under my robe so I decided to free him a little."
"Ok, put him back in and we'll take care of this. Hopefully, this number of yours is actually good for something."
"Yup! I'm sure it is. Bai Sheng seemed like a nice guy."
"Ok sure, let's go on the next step."
Felix stares at Teddy's number. '999999.' Then glances up at the board—'1000000.'
He looks back up, raising a brow.
"Are you sure your friend gave this to you? Cause this probably took a long time."
"Yeah, definitely he threw it in my chest and everything. Classic friend move."
"Hmm." Felix shrugs, what kind of idiot would deny a gift from the heavens?
"You! You took my number!" Bai Sheng runs towards them, face red in rage.
Teddy beams, "Sheng! Hey!"
"You dare! You actually dare and steal my number."
Felix looks at the guy and at Teddy as the moment clicks.
So, this is his number. Felix has now been met with a moral dilemma.
"You are my servant! After your grave disrespect, this is how you will repay me?"
"Hey Bai Sheng buddy. You're still on that bumping thing?" Teddy smiles.
"Oh? What brought you here?" A voice cuts through the tension. The three turns.
Everett asks, holding a number in his hand. "So? I believe it is still work hours, isn't it?"
Teddy waves, "Everett! Hey! Well, I have to get a permit for Tom."
"Tom?"
Felix smiles tiredly, "A sentient black hole he created."
"Oh, I see. Then who is this" Everett gestured to Bai Sheng already kowtowing.
Bai Sheng shouts, forehead hitting the floor. "This one greets the Sect Founder."
Everett regards him. "I see, then what is your concern?"
Bai Sheng looks at Teddy then back at Everett, and something clicks inside him as he pales and with a practiced bow he answers, "I was merely seeking enlightenment from these two seniors."
Everett raises an eyebrow, "Enlightenment? From these two?"
Said two smiles back like a goofy goober.
Teddy beams, "That's great, Sheng! Personal growth!"
Everett watches him closely before shrugging, "I suppose, enlightenment can be found even in the most… unexpected places."
""Hey!"" The two cried out.
Teddy puffs up. "Excuse you, I am clearly very enlightened."
Felix strokes his nonexistent beard, nodding sagely. "And my enlightenment is simply beyond mortal comprehension."
Everett takes a seat beside them, exhaling. "Ah, yes. The Dao of Fools—one few dare to walk and even fewer survive."
Bai Sheng bows hastily. "Then this one shall not disturb the honored seniors any longer." He scurries away.
Everett extends a hand. "The number."
Felix glances away. "What number?"
Everett raises an eyebrow. "The one you're obviously trying to hide."
He stares at the two of them, fire burning in his eyes. Something primal. Something terrifying. Something… paternal. "Do you know how long I have been away from my children?" His voice is low, almost shaking.
Felix gulps. "Uh… no?"
Everett inhales sharply. "Every second I waste in this bureaucratic nightmare is a second not spent with them." His aura flares. "Now, either you help me expedite this process… or I shall personally sic the Terminator upon you two slackers."
Teddy leans toward Felix, whispering, "Did… did he just threaten us with Val?"
Felix whispers back, "He did. And I don't know about you, but I'd rather wait than die."
Teddy nods solemnly. "Good point. We should probably hand over the number."
Felix sighs, slipping the number from his sleeve with a small smirk. "Alright, let's trade." He holds it out between two fingers, slow and deliberate—like a hostage exchange.
Before either of them can react, Everett exchanges their numbers, his movements swift and precise.
He stands, nodding as if this was all preordained. "It was fate that we met today." And with that, he walks away.
"What number do we have now?" Teddy asks.
Felix stares at the number, '1010000'. Then at the board, '1000000', then back at the number
His eye twitches as a single tear forms before he soghs, "It would have been worse if we actually lined up."
"Well," Teddy shrugs, "at least it's a round number."
"Teddy, we got sent back to ten thousand places."
"Oh. Ohhh. Yeah, that's bad."
Felix tilts his head back in resignation, "Oh lord, what do I do?"
As he tilts, his eyes widen. He notices someone, someone familiar. Shammurath sat near the back, feet kicked up, blasting music so loud it could be considered a war crime. Everyone around him seethed, eyes burning into him like they were trying to set him on fire with sheer hatred.
"No way." Felix frowns in thought.
"Who?" Teddy looks over.
"Shammurath." The name leaves Felix's lips like a curse.
"Oh, you mean the guy about to get jumped?"
"Yup, he's the one at fault for yesterday."
"Oh, is that him? He's definitely got that 'I cause problems for fun' vibe. Do we already have a warrant for him?"
"We need a warrant?"
"Yup, or else L.I.F.E. will bust our door down… again for illegal arrest."
Felix lips curl into a grin. "So, we can't imprison him then we can use him."
"Use him?"
"Yes!" He hands him Shammurath's card. 'Shammurath-Professional Instigator.'
Teddy flips the card over. "Neat card. You hiring him?"
Felix smirks. "No need. He's about to do all the work for us."
"Ok, new plan! Once that happens, Everyone's gonna get busy fighting, their number will fall from their pockets or some will beat up others for theirs."
Teddy's eyes widen. "If we use the chaos, we can take the numbers that'll fall. And if they try to steal ours, we take theirs."
"But what about the clerks, won't they get spooked?"
"Don't worry about the clerks. They're veterans, they don't give a shit."
"Got it." Fire lights up in Teddy's eyes.