Others could only watch as Walker stormed out of Quantum, fuming and angry with the bar for some sort of reason. Bartender was calmly cleaning glass that deity was using before, minding his own business.

“Hm, this incarnation reacts different than other.” With final glance at tall glass, he turned his attention to another champagne glass, polishing it to perfection.

“Whaddaya mean?” Geff was in on booth sprawled everywhere as if he owned it, ignoring others as he drink one beer afrer another.

“Walker didn’t tell you? My, my, I don’t know if I should tell you, but perhaps it would help you understand.” Looking through glass at light he frowned, returning to polishing but not pressing matter further.

“Bartender, I know it’s intruding in Walker’s personal life, but why are they so mad with Quantum and what did you mean by that comment?” Cole looked at other male, slender fingers gently holding glass he polished to perfection.

“But it won’t be cheap.” With smile Bartender put down rug he was using, looking at everybody around. There was usual guest’s crowd in and few more. Trick and Kasimir had drinking showdown while Cocoa tried to choose between HC and Announcer as both tried to woo her. Tybalt was there with Cole who seemed to want know more about Walker, but wanted to go after them too.  Geff was in his boot and Randomnessmaker was trying to hug barista.

Normal day in Quantum. If you don’t count two felines that were enjoying milk in corner. And kid with game console quietly sitting at bar, sipping another milkshake. And demon lady arguing with Empri. Normal as it could be.

“This is not first person who has name Hall Walker. In fact its title not real name. Same goes for Guide. Names are powerful, they can give you control over somebody’s fate.” Bartender frowned, washing used glass full of some sort of blood red stains.

“In fact I don’t remember when Walker was human. I mean body and soul used to create Walker as you know them.” Looking up from his task, Bartender noticed confused stares. Even Empri and Xavier stopped arguing over something trivial.

“You really don’t know much about universe they live in? Do you.”

“Its huge hallway, more like doorway, that stretches in every direction?” tried Cole who saw glimpse of strange world when Walker was leaving.

“That is only way it manifests. It’s easier. Its place between dimensions, place where magic from all worlds mixes together in toxic mixture. Like this.” Pulling out some glass bottle he showed them all wildly swirling thing. For second he uncapped it and dropped metal spoon in translucent liquid? Gas? Nobody know.

To their amazement spoon disappeared in few seconds.

“This is raw magic. Bottled in and ready to be served to powerful mages or to weak deities. Only they could stomach it and gain something from it. Others would simply die of magic poisoning.” With lavish gesture Bartender let bottle disappeared, not explaining how it could be contained in simple glass bottle.

“How could Walker live in such place? And Guide?” Cocoa was intrigued as magic user. She could feel strong power leaking from bottle second Bartender opened it.

“It’s simple. They adapt. Walker is sentient magic energy created from unfortunate creature that wanders in this place after previous Walker died. Or is killed. Later happens more often. Guide is made of magic absorbing metal, which stores energy inside. It’s used to keep them moving and is energy magic storage for Walker themselves.” Bartender returned to scrubbing glass with blood stains.

“Wait. How could you kill sentient magic energy? That sounds impossible.” Tybalt was storing info on Cole’s later friend.

“It’s difficult, but you can kill anything. Even sentient magic energy. Destroy Guide, suck all magic out of them, powerful magic that would destroy entire dimension. There is always a way to kill. Before you ask, yes, if Guide die, Walker dies. And vice versa.” Frowning at stubborn stains, he let glass soak little bit more in small sink, taking another to wash.

“They are created from two unfortunate souls, creatures that ventures in Halls. Wandering from world to world, mingling with other cultures, only to be called back to ‘safety’ of Halls. Slowly forgetting who you were, who you belong in, stripping you of everything san core of your personality. And on that Walker and Guide are build. If you have higher magical potential and shield yourself from raw magic of Halls, it would take longer. But Halls would always get you. They don’t let go of its prey. Then need Walker and Guide.” Putting glass away, Bartender dried his hands and went back. Leaving everybody with questions and sour taste in their mouth thanks to unfinished story.

After his return he hold thick book under his hand. When he put it on bar almost everybody gathered around, san two felines who ended curled in corner, letting deep voice of Bartender lull them to sleep.

“Quantum likes to keep tabs on his quests.” Smiling mysteriously Bartender opened huge photo album, moving heavy lists with pictures of different species, beings and others inside bar.

“Here it is. Walkers and their little friend Guide.” Pointing on several pictures of familiar figures, they all could see tall white haired humanoid with wind up doll next to them. Figure had always pastel coloured clothes and dark blue belt. And doll was always short and had huge wind up key on their back.  But there were differences. Some had different hair style, braids in hair, completely genderless clothes, and different clothes style. And dolls were always different. There was small doll dressed in kimono, as ninja, dragon and even ballerina.

“Walker you know is 19th. Guide would be 7th. As first few Walkers didn’t have companion.” Pointing to pictures of frowning or glaring hostile white haired loner shocked people around.

“What changed? They all look so angry and crazy.” Xav frowned leaning over Cocoa, her tail swirling up in air.

“Because they have all powers Guide and Walker have divided between them now. Just imagine they know everything that happens between dimensions as well as everything that happens in them. With your moral intact it drove them crazy and two of them committed suicide.” Pointing at two pictures of snarling individuals holding glass with bright liquid.

“Because of that, Halls created Guide, companion to ever so lonely Walker. They are such a lovely wind up doll aren’t they?” He smiled at one dressed as nun. “This one was first. Sweet one as well as Walker that belonged to her, Walker couldn’t let her go out of their sight. That was about first time Walker started to change colours and glow. I think. It’s hard to remember.”

“I couldn’t imagine how lonely that must been.” Muttered Empri, studying sometimes completely ridicules outfits of Walker and cute form of small Guide.

“Still it doesn’t give answer why Walker dislikes Quantum so much.” Pointed Trick while silently laughing at only Walker that had beard in picture and looked really grumpy, but that could be because they were soaking wet and Guideless.

“That would be first Walker’s doing. See, Guides and Walkers always inherits memories of their previous selves. And first Walker was… special.” Turning page Bartender showed them picture of tall cold looking figure.

“But, this person has long black hair.” Pointed out Data, perched on their owners shoulder.

“Yes, this one is powerful magician, first one to tear his way in Halls and work with magic there. He was able to resist its toxic environment for several decades, walking around and opening more and more tears in fragile dimensional barriers. Until his thirst for knowledge lead him to Core, place where magic comes from, place that exist and binds all dimensions together with fragile treads. And there he received his punishment, bound to Halls and duty to keep them safe he was turned to Walker. For some reason he blamed it all on Quantum.” Bartender shrugged fully knowing it was because he mentioned to sorcerer other dimensions he even attempted to enter them.

“Since that time Walkers dislike Quantum and me. This one whoever acts different. As if their memories didn’t resurfaced right. This one likes me, talks to me normally but dislikes Quantum for sole reason it disturbs their sense of time and space. Strange little creature.” Smiling Bartender wanted to shut down his album but Cole stopped him.

“You know from what creature our Walker was made?” Looking up, green eyes stared at him with determination.

“That is not your concern. Quantum know, as to him everything appears in their natural shape knowing many things. But you don’t want to know. I assure you. This is highly personal and I told you too much already.” Shuting his book Bartender turned away, putting it back where it belonged, but not before looking at another page full of pictures of different creatures, but last one was remarkable. Huge snake like creatures with tree fingered limbs and spider legs coming out of its back looked at camera with kind smile, horns curled in longish brown hair with small blue draconicus next to them, resting one hand on his shoulder.