#iridium

Mr. Qi who had a feeling you’d make the daunting attempt to penetrate the never ending levels of the Skull Cavern.

You couldn’t quite place your feeling, but you had a feeling that someone else, aside from Yoba, was watching you slay away serpents and mummies.

You’d fight with extreme precision, eat when you began to ache from the damage and throw a bomb when you noticed an unruly amount of stone in your path. You repeatedly checked your watch, noticing how late it had gotten and you’d barely made a proper good dent into the mines.

That was, until you noticed a ladder-less hole. It seemed endless and deep. You looked around, noticing nothing but surrounding enemies and no way out. You sighed and took that risk. You jumped.

—

Mr. Qi who appeared to have made himself comfortable with the slightly furnished floor of level 100. You didn’t think you’d be so delighted to see him, but you felt nothing but relief.

“Clever, you are. I’ve been waiting for you, Y/N.”

You sighed and approached the man, avoiding the hissing sound of snakes that curled in death striking spirals.

“I knew you were special. You see, you have that spark. The world needs people like you and me, different. Extraordinary.”, he started. His back was now turned to you, and for a moment, you were about to get angry.

You were really hoping he didn’t give you all this hell just to commend you on “being like him”.

“I have a reward for you. These snakes produce a milk, I’ve prepared a batch for you. Drink up.”, he says with a smug smirk of his blue lips and gestures to the lavender colored jug on a nearby table.

Damn straight, you thought. You better get a reward. You damn near passed out, it almost being two in the morning.

You lifted the jug to your lips and began to chug, and before you knew your skin was green with horror.

“I know, I know. The taste is vile, but you’ll thank me later.”

You grumbled softly and continued drinking, pinching your nose to make it bearable. That, however, didn’t stop the pastey, chalk like texture. You were almost afraid it might be expired, but you continued drinking nonetheless.

After finished, you groaned and covered your mouth for fear of emptying your stomach. But to your surprise, you felt more than great. You felt brand-spankin’ new!

“I’ll be watching out for you, kid. See ya ‘round.”

And with a flash of light, Mr. Qi was gone.

— IS THERE ONE THAT I TRUST ?

From that point forward, you kept it in your mind that the strange blue man from the stars was always watching. Eventually, the thought would make it to the back of your mind; not absent, just not in your priorities list.

That was until one night, you were walking home from the saloon. You’d made a million promises to the townsfolk, and figured it’d be best you get a bright and early start.

While you walked across the plaza, you noticed a glimmering figure shuffling into the Cindersap Forest, near Marnie and Leah’s entrance.

You knew investigating would likely lead to unwanted consequences, but your curiosity got the better of you. Besides, made it had something to do with that weird alien case you found lying on your farm. Whoever thought it’d be a good idea to litter their failed experiments on your farm.

Nonetheless, you followed the shimmering figure into the wood, remaining so many steps behind. It seemed the path was endless, hiding behind bushes every time the person seems to turn around and desperately attempting to mask your breathing against the gentle wind of the valley. It was a little easier, with two bodies of water being nearby,

You were beginning to question was all of this work really worth it, when you noticed the starry individual feel for a surface in the gap between the forest and another landmass, where they normally held the Flower Dance. It was now Winter, so what was really going on?

You knew it was something abnormal, when the figure appeared to traverse over thin air and descended into what looked like everlasting darkness. You weren’t in the mood to get kidnapped or pass out, so you first thought was to come home. That was until your surprising good ears caught someone talking.

“Qi, you can’t keep doing this. You can’t keep plucking up my villagers for your sick and demented foolery!”

“Please, Razzy. You and I both know better than to tell me what I can and cannot do. Besides, it’s not like there’ll be a lot, just a couple of guardian serpents and a few tiger slimes to shapen them up.”

Monsters?! Shapen who up?! The villagers?!

“Don’t you understand how outrageously—?!”

The statement would be ceased by a raise of the hand and point in your direction.

“Hold it. Y/N? Would you like to be apart of this discussion?”

Well, to hell with it. You’re covered had been blown. You tested for the invisible platform and walked across, ascending into the everlasting darkness. You’d been outside long enough for to your eyes to adjust to the darkness, noticing a familiar glimmering staff and the shimmering attire of Mr. Qi.

“Y/N. Won’t you tell our good friend, Razzy, that you’ll be perfectly fine taking care of the townsfolk in a monstrous rampage?” The words alone made your eyes widen like a deer in headlights. Before you could raise your hand to respond, he spoke again. “It’s the way of life really, survival of the fittest. However, my only real concern is that you’ll make it.. and well, I suppose anyone who is lucky enough to have some sort of combat skill or have befriended you..”

Again, you attempted to respond before you were cut off by the familiar voice of the wizard.

“Really? Qi, you cannot be serious! I feel you’ve lost your mind at that damned casino. Everything you’ve accomplished is great and not the easiest to acquire, yes, but it is not impossible. You have become to enveloped in your own daredevil way of life, that you’ve ultimately forgotten what it meant to be alive. What it even means to live and experience.”

Despite the darkness, you could practically feel the grimace and annoyance of Mr. Qi. It radiated from him like a bad odor, coaxing everything within a close radius.

You feared for the worst. Maybe he would unleash that monstrous rampage after all this..

“Uhm… Mr. Qi. Listen, I know you’re wanting others like you; determined, inspired, and forever wanting more. But people have found deeper meanings of life, and sometimes—it doesn’t involve becoming an omnipotent, omniscient, all-powerful being like yourself. Sometimes it’s as simple as giving kids a good education or training to be the best athlete they can.”

You approached him slowly and began digging in your backpack.

“I was going to bring it to you today, but Pam wasn’t driving today. But since you’re here.”, you pull out a hardcover book. Its cover is a dark purple, but the star in the middle seems almost radiant. The pages are browned and tattered with age, but they seem to hold more and more power. “I found a copy way back, and learned some stuff. Even thought I don’t think you need it, I think you’ll appreciate the contents.”

Mr. Qi took the book from your hands. That hardened frown softened and he returned to his playful smirk.

Y’did good with this one, kid. Real good. Thanks.”, he chuckled and tucked the book under his arm, before turning to Rasmodius. “I say we finish our conversation later. Consider yourself saved by the subject, aye?”

And just like before, in the caverns. The man was gone! Maybe he ought to teach you how to do that so you can stop passing out, and getting pick pocketed by weird beings. You were seriously considering the rampage, with how much money Harvey’s been plucking from your pocket.

Seriously, you’re not that heavy! How on earth is carrying you home from the backwoods that difficult?!

Nonetheless, a tired sigh from the wizard made you place a hand on his shoulder in offering solace.

“A kind heart, you are, Y/N. It’s my spiritual advice that you avoid becoming to amiable with the likes of that man. He’s erratic and incredibly dangerous. You, the townsfolk, this valley, are all under my protection. Qi will only act as a danger to you all.”

You heeded the elder’s warning before his departure, and glanced around. Now, that you were alone, the darkness started to weird you out. You turned back and felt again for the invisible barrier, hurrying across before you feared the worst.

—

Mr. Qi who has taken quite the occupation in your mind. Ever since that meeting with him and the wizard, you couldn’t stop thinking about it. You would often feel his presence when you ventured about at night or when you revisited any treasure levels in the valley mines. What could you say? He was unforgettable.

You realized that your golden tools were losing strength and figured it was about time for an upgrade. You’d been farming like crazy and selling large quantities of valuables for half the season, you had enough to upgrade your pickaxe and hoe.

There seemed to be only one problems. You didn’t have half as much iridium bars as you needed. You needed around 20 something bars for all of our equipment, and you only had enough for a sprinkler. You could’ve sworn you had more than that, but you did lend 5 to Willy for his boat… and you did trade some in at the Desert Trader now that you think about it. And didn’t Maru need one for her little machine? … Wow, you really did do a lot for the Valley.

You shrugged it off and took your iron and coal, and craft yourself a good collection of explosives. Nothing a little Skull Caverns couldn’t fix! And nothing seeing Mr. Qi wouldn’t fix, either..

—

T H E E N D ! (this got way longer than what I anticipated, so I’m cutting it here. Let yall decide if you want more!