I'm gonna try and get in a weekly update to keep a schedule. I really wanna get to Part 9, the Jojolion re-write, but not at the expense of the current part, which I put a lot of thought into the concept.

Hekkeran shook the hand of the pontiff who wished to be escorted to the meeting place where George and his group were having a meal. The sight of the two lizardman brothers was unnerving to some at the tavern, but no one brought anything up out of respect for the rest of the group. "I got a good idea of what the Ancient One was talking about," Hekkeran said as he sat down, "As the pontiff showed his gratitude for the ride, I felt something warm flow through Ticket to Ride and the rails beneath it."

"The idea of travel by rail being available again opens up many possibilities," the pontiff explained. "First thing I think we should get off the table," George said, "Me and Gyro saw firsthand the devastation created by the actions of the Sunlight Scripture. So you can understand if some of us aren't entirely trusting of your motives." "Yes, I agree," the pontiff admitted, "Part of that responsibility must fall on our shoulders. We foolishly told Nigun to eliminate Gazef by any means necessary. Had we known the lengths he would go to, we would have chosen our words more carefully."

He closed his eyes. "Nonetheless, we cannot let such barriers of hatred come between us. This world needs the Spirit Tracks. While the Theocracy's stance on human superiority stands firm, that does not mean we are about to completely dismiss the culture of other races. There are some things humans just cannot do, after all. Our working with Zesshi, a half-elf, has proven that no race can hope to stand alone and survive." He smiled. "We have her Stand to thank for that."

Zesshi smirked as she closed her eyes. "So you knew." "Only my fellow pontiffs and I are aware," the pontiff clarified, "Our magic gives us the ability to read a person's soul. It seems to me the nature of your Stand emerged in response to your incredible power. You are so powerful already that no Stand power could possibly add to it, so instead you gained an ability that let people see you for who you are rather what you are." He leaned back. "Which leads me to the crux of our arrangement. For now until the Spirit Tracks are restored, the council has decided that Zesshi will be traveling with your group."

Tolkien squealed as she hugged Zesshi, who groaned in embarrassment. "Isn't that great sweetie! Now we can start to catch up on our mother-daughter bonding time!" Holly chuckled nervously. "I'd make a comment, but I'd be the pot calling the kettle black..." Roberdyck then approached Hekkeran. "We got some information from E-Rantel. A new job at the guild cropped up. Seems the acting chief of Carne Village put in a request to defend the village against the Giant of East and Serpent of the West."

The group looked at each other. "You should hurry to the village's aid," the pontiff offered, "The temple where the next magic well is won't be going anywhere. But if we lose one of the stations holding the Spirit Tracks, all your hard work would have been for nothing." As the group left, the pontiff contemplated to himself. 'We meant for Re-Estize to be a nation of heroes... Hopefully once the tracks are restored it can be...

Ticket to Ride docked at the Carne Village station, where Enri was there waiting. "Thanks for showing up," she said. "Why the sudden request?," Starlight asked. Enri walked with the group as she explained everything. "It started during an expedition into the forest to gather enkaeshi, a type of herb that only grows in the forest near the village. The search actually went pretty well, but we got a surprise when a young goblin child named Agu came running out of the forest, a barghest hot on his heels." "A barghest is a wolf-like monster covered in chains that it can control at will," Zesshi explained to George and Gyro.

Enri nodded. "Luckily for us the scent of the enkaeshi leaves kept the barghest off our trail, but poor Agu wasn't so lucky. It took some convincing on my part, but Kaijali and the other goblin scouts that were with us agreed to help Agu." "It wasn't an easy fight," Kaijali noted, "Luckily it turns out Enri's still developing Stand can give goblins direct commands they obey instantly. Works even better than instinct. Didn't hurt that Nfirea's potions easily rendered the barghest vulnerable to attack."

Enri chuckled nervously. "I was really just trying to warn you. I had no idea my Stand activated. Anyway after that, we healed Agu's wounds and brought him here, where he explained everything." Her face and tone turned solemn. "It seems the Giant of the East heard of Hamsuke's disappearance and wanted to take advantage of it by attacking the village when he thought it was vulnerable. He pressed the Serpent of the East into service and took over all the ogre and goblin tribes, using them as soldiers and, in the case of the goblins, a source of emergency rations."

George clenched his fist. "Goblins are just as sentient as humans. To use them as food so casually makes them no better than zombies." Enri nodded. "When we heard this, I had to travel to E-Rantel to post a quest at the guild to deal with the situation. I was going anyway to sell the potions we make from the herbs so we can replace our weapons and cutlery, since we don't have a blacksmith." "You still didn't get one?," Starlight asked, "Father lowered the taxes for the village and had you exempt from military service until you could get back on your feet, but I would have thought you'd at least get the basics set up."

The group was lead to the village longhouse, where they were greeted by Momonga, Nishikienrai, and Peroroncino. There was also Brita, who had long since moved to the village, and a young goblin child George assumed was Agu. In the back was a large creature. From the waist up it looked like a humanoid man, albeit emaciated and seemingly albino. But from the waist down he was clearly a serpent. "Is that a naga?," Hekkeran asked. "Yes," Momonga said, "He is the so-called Serpent of the West."

"My name is Ryraryus Spenia Ai Indarun," the naga said, "Recently devoted servant of Lord Momonga." "How did that happen?," George said, and Momonga couldn't help but notice a twinge of bitterness to his voice. "When Enri made her request to the guild," Nishikienrai explained, "Herohero offered to be her patron so the village could afford to make the job an adamantite-level one, thus attracting the strongest adventurers to aid the village. He's so influential in Re-Estize the guild matron offered to discuss the request with Enri over tea, and even called her 'Lady Enri'." Enri chuckled in embarrassment.

"We along with our friends from the Swords of Darkness investigated where the Giant of the East's lair was supposed to be," Peroroncino said, "It was a large cave with nothing more than a trio of ogres for guards." "As for the so-called 'Giant'," Momonga said, "It was nothing more than a war troll named Guu." "Well, it's certainly a giant creature," Zesshi admitted, "But not a true giant. How did the fight go?" "As could be expected," Momonga said, "Neither Guu nor Ryraryus have Stands, unlike Hamsuke, so they were powerless before our combined might. Ryraryus surrendered quickly, hence the devoted servant part, but Guu was another story."

"We weren't able to actually kill him then and there," Peroroncino clarified, "His regeneration factor proved too durable for that. But the amount of pain we put him through convinced him that he and his troll horde needed to retreat and relocate, but he promised to attack the village soon. We contacted the guild in E-Rantel, and they agreed to send the Blue Rose to assist. They should be here long before Guu's promised attack." "We also managed to earn the trust of few ogres," Enri said, "They've agreed to help rebuild the village and protect the wall. It seems my Stand is able to command them as well."

"Guu gave a deadline that ends tomorrow night," Momonga said, "Which gives us time to prepare." "Then we'll need to start talking strategy," George said, "Find out the easiest way to stave off the enemy. Where they might come from, how they will attack--" "Easy, George, easy," Starlight said, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Let's wait until Blue Rose gets here, then start finding out how to deal with this." Beneath his helmet, Momonga had a look of concern. 'Ulbert said George attacked his Stand during the incident in Re-Estize. His strong willpower is keeping the effect at bay, but until George confronts Ulbert again these sorts of outbursts will just keep happening.