[i][b]Alignment[/b] sits on a branch of the [b]Infinite Tree[/b]. He faces the [b]Golden Gorilla[/b], a being who has ascended to a higher power due to the power of the fruits that lie within the tree. This was not [b]Alignment’s[/b] first encounter with the splendid ape, but it was the first one that [b]Alignment[/b] had willingly started.[/i] [b]Alignment:[/b] There is no need to use that tone, you know. I only want to know about the fruit that granted you your powers. I’m sure that it’s a simple question for you. [b]GG:[/b] It is not as simple as you may think, fool. The golden fruit’s ability is so powerful that not everyone can know about it. You, for example, are not worthy enough to know the truth about it. [b]Alignment:[/b] How am I not worthy? I’m the one who’s been taking care of this tree ever since I planted it. [b]GG:[/b] You only planted it for your own gain. [b]Alignment:[/b] I never knew about what this tree would become. [b]GG:[/b] Even so, that is not even close enough to making you worthy. You don’t even care about the animals here. You even let random strangers into this domain and allowed them to kill any creature that they came across. Until you prove yourself worthy, I will make sure that the golden fruit will forever be out of your reach. [b]Alignment:[/b] This is absurd! I bet any oblivious animal could just waltz on over to one of the golden fruits and— [i]Before [b]Alignment[/b] could finish speaking, the [b]Golden Gorilla[/b] vanished in a flash of golden light. [b]Alignment[/b] sighed and picked up his fruit basket. He consumed a fruit and leaped out of the sea of leaves that covered the atmosphere. He landed in the soil circle that held the tree in place. Not far from it was [b]Dominance[/b] on a couch watching a television a few meters in front of him. [b]Alignment[/b] walked on over and glimpsed at it without sitting down. A news reporter was talking about a recent murder in a realm separate from [b]Gray Sector[/b].[/i] [b]Reporter:[/b] This just in, a woman was found lying dead with her skull cracked open in a neighborhood house. Police say that the victim was named Laura Sweet and that she was killed with... a crumpled banana? Huh? What does it mean by “crumpled banana”? [b]Alignment:[/b] ...hey, I know about that! That happened a month ago! Everyone in that realm was talking about it nonstop. This stupid thing is receiving broadcasts a month behind! [i][b]Dominance[/b] seemed unfazed by what [b]Alignment[/b] was saying and what was happening on the TV.[/i] [b]Alignment:[/b] Whatever. I’m going to The Market. Hopefully I can get a better receiver for the television. You need anything? Speak now or forever hold your piece. [i][b]Dominance[/b] said nothing. Knowing what his answer was, [b]Alignment[/b] grabbed his fruit basket and headed outside in the bland, gray wilderness and to the [b]Gray Door[/b]. This door existed ever since [b]Gray Sector[/b] was still called [b]Paradisum[/b]. It existed not as a tool created by the residents that once lived here, but as a fundamental property of the realm itself with the ability to cross into other realms. [b]Alignment[/b] took out some keys, inserted it into the hole and opened the door. He went through it and crossed between dimensions. The place he arrived at was a place that he was extremely familiar with. It was an ocean of tents and stands gathering countless people. The sky above was a white void with a few small machines and drones floating around. [b]Alignment[/b] called this place [b]The Merchant Market[/b]. It was a realm that existed in between realms where countless merchants and farmers appeared to sell their items to those who could not find it where they came from. This is where [b]Alignment[/b] got his supplies. He collected the rare fruits from the [b]Infinite Tree[/b] and sold them for any item he desired. [b]Alignment[/b] walked through the streets in search of one of his favorite shops that gave materials that he would use to make the class courses he put his students through. It took him a while, but he eventually found a generally large building called “[b]Päto’s Wares and Machinery[/b]”. Out of the door came a short, bald man with gray facial hair in blue overalls named Päto who greeted [b]Alignment[/b] with open arms. [/i] [b]Päto:[/b] Ah, Alignment! So glad that you could make it. How’s my favorite customer? [b]Alignment:[/b] I’d be doing better if it wasn’t such a hassle to get to your shop, buddy. [b]Päto:[/b] I thought you were used to it by now. Oh, by the way, a nice young lady is here. She said that she knows you and would like to speak with you as soon as possible. [b]Alignment:[/b] A visitor for me? A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. [i][b]Alignment[/b] enters the building and is greeted by the scent of oil and paint. The walls were covered in shelves that held a variety of machine parts and tools. He was surprised to find a familiar figure standing at the counter. It was a woman in a simple gray poncho and jeans. Her clothing wasn’t too eye catching and every area seemed balanced compared to its surroundings. This is why the woman was called [b]HiddenBalance[/b].[/i] [b]Alignment:[/b] You know, if you wanted to speak with me, you could have just payed me a visit at Gray Sector. You’re still welcomed there. [b]Balance:[/b] I’d rather not. It brings back too many painful memories of what happened there when we still called it Paradisum. [b]Alignment:[/b] Hey, Päto. Could you give us some privacy for a moment? [b]Päto:[/b] So you could get your flirt on? Ha! Just messing with ya! [i][b]Päto[/b] exits the main area and goes into his workshop. [b]Alignment[/b] sets his basket on the counter and sits next to [b]Balance[/b].[/i] [b]Alignment:[/b] So, what’s on your mind. You don’t keep in touch much, so it must be important. [b]Balance:[/b] It’s about Contrast. His preparations for the Reckoner Raid are becoming more extreme. I’m starting to become concerned. [b]Alignment:[/b] Of course they are. He’d do anything to get what he wants. It’s doubtful that he’ll succeed, though. [b]Balance:[/b] He’s managed to talk Emphasis into joining his army. [i][b]Alignment[/b] pauses for a moment and gives off a look of confusion and concern.[/i] [b]Alignment:[/b] He managed to get through Emphasis’ ego? How do you know? [b]Balance:[/b] Emphasis has been traveling through villages and pillaging every one that had any sort of valuable resources. He’s been doing it with the help of a group of Contrast’s mercenaries. [b]Alignment:[/b] What kind of mercenaries? [i]The entrance door squeaks open. [b]Balance[/b] looks back at it and stands up.[/i] [b]Balance:[/b] The ones that are right behind you! [b]Alignment:[/b] Eh? [i][b]Alignment[/b] turns around to see what [b]Balance[/b] was looking at. The second he does, all he could see was a giant club heading straight for his face. The last thing he saw was the brown wood of the club and the last thing he felt was a brief, agonizing pain across his face that quickly faded along with his vision.[/i] [spoiler]Fades Away[/spoiler]