Eldritch Guidance

In a quiet corner of the Gix Empire, a circus had been set up on the outskirts of a small, rural village. Towering red-and-white striped tents stretched into the twilight sky, their vibrant colors stark against the fading light. Surrounding the central attractions were a myriad of booths offering games, snacks, and trinkets, as well as a handful of modest rides that creaked and whirred softly in the evening breeze.

At this hour, the grounds were sparsely populated. A few early arrivals meandered through the area, their laughter and chatter faint echoes in the growing darkness. Yet, as the evening deepened, the circus was destined to come alive, bustling with villagers and travelers alike. They would gather under the glow of string lights and the allure of music, seeking moments of joy and distraction from the grim realities of the ongoing civil war outside their community. Here, amidst the chaos of the circus, they could briefly escape the weight of their troubles and lose themselves in fleeting moments of wonder and levity.

In one of the more open spaces near the heart of the circus, a performer in a vibrant red clown costume took center stage. His outfit was a kaleidoscope of colorful stripes and swaying tassels, and his face was obscured by a painted mask—a grinning visage frozen in cheerful exaggeration.

Balanced precariously on a massive, rolling ball, the clown stood on one leg, his movements fluid despite the precariousness of his perch. In his hands, gleaming knives spun through the air, their sharp edges catching the flicker of nearby lanterns as they flew in dangerous arcs above his head.

A small but captivated crowd had gathered in front of him, children clutching their parents’ hands as they squealed in delighted awe at the thrilling display. Parents smiled, some nervously, as the performer pushed the boundaries of his daring act, each catch and toss executed with flawless precision.

The man behind the mask was known among his fellow carnies simply as "Joker." Renowned for his incredible dexterity, he had earned a reputation as one of the circus's most talented performers. His feats often defied belief, blending acrobatics with daring stunts in a way that few of his peers could match. Joker’s showmanship was unmatched, his every movement a testament to years of practice and an innate talent that set him apart from even the most seasoned of circus workers.

With a dramatic flourish, Joker prepared for his grand finale. He tossed the gleaming knives high into the air, their blades spinning dangerously as they caught the flickering lights of the fading twilight. The crowd gasped, their eyes fixed on the daring performer. In one fluid motion, Joker leaped from the giant ball, his body twisting gracefully through the air in a flawless backflip.

Time seemed to pause for an instant as he descended, the knives still arcing high above. Then, with the precision of a seasoned artist, Joker landed lightly on his feet, poised and confident. A split second later, the knives came hurtling down, their razor-sharp points embedding themselves in the ground with a series of sharp thunks.

When the dust settled, the crowd saw that the blades had formed a perfect circle around the clown, as if drawn by some invisible compass. Gasps turned to cheers and applause, the children squealing in delight at the seemingly impossible stunt. Joker stood motionless for a moment, letting the awe ripple through the audience, before offering an exaggerated bow, his mask’s frozen grin mirroring the captivated smiles of his spectators.

Joker: “Thank you all! And thank you for visiting The Wanderlust Circus today. And now for my next performance—” was all he managed before being cut off.

The moment was abruptly stolen by the arrival of two other clowns. They leaped into the spotlight with exaggerated enthusiasm, each wearing nearly identical costumes in deep shades of purple, accented with glittering gold trim and oversized bow ties. Their synchronized movements and matching attire made them seem like mirror images of each other, adding an almost surreal quality to their sudden entrance.

Purple Clown: “The Chibi twins shall show you how to dance through the air!” one of the purple clowns in front of Joker declared.

With theatrical flair, they struck playful poses, their antics immediately drawing the crowd’s attention. One executed an exaggerated somersault, landing with a flourish, while the other twirled a brightly painted baton, tossing it high into the air and catching it behind his back. The audience shifted their focus to the new performers, their laughter and cheers reigniting as the duo began their routine.

The children erupted into excited applause at the arrival of the new clowns, their wide eyes sparkling with delight. Giggles and cheers filled the air as they eagerly shifted forward, craning their necks to take in the lively antics of the vibrant newcomers. The clowns’ energy was infectious, and the young audience was utterly captivated, their excitement bubbling over with every exaggerated movement and playful gesture.

Before Joker could even react to the sudden appearance of the Chibi twins, their lively antics dominating the spotlight, a firm hand seized his arm. Another figure in a clown outfit, their vibrant costume blending seamlessly into the chaos of the circus, had appeared beside him. Without a word, they pulled him swiftly away from the crowd, their grip leaving little room for protest.

Joker found himself whisked into the shadows at the edge of the performance area, the sounds of the cheering audience fading slightly as he was guided to a more secluded corner. The mysterious clown's movements were urgent.@@novelbin@@

Joker: “What the fuck! I still had another set!” he angrily declared.

Clown: “Patches wants a word with you, now.”

The energy in Joker seemed to deflate upon hearing that. Without a word, he offered a subtle nod, the tassels on his colorful costume swaying gently with the motion. Then, with a deliberate calmness, he turned and began to walk away, his steps unhurried yet resolute, fading into the bustling chaos of the circus around him.

Joker navigated through the bustling circus grounds, moving quietly and purposefully, skillfully avoiding the clusters of people gathered around booths and attractions. His masked face remained expressionless as he slipped through the shadows, unnoticed amid the vibrant chaos. Finally, he approached a large, slightly worn tent set apart from the main area, its canvas walls swaying faintly in the evening breeze. This was where Patches, the circus master, kept his private quarters.

With silent resolve, Joker stepped inside, the heavy flap of the tent falling closed behind him. Inside, the space was dimly lit and filled with a strange blend of mystery. The familiar scent of aged leather, parchment, and whiskey hung in the air.

Seated at a weathered wooden table in the dim glow of a nearby lantern was Patches, the enigmatic ringmaster of The Wanderlust Circus. His striking attire—a brilliant red suit adorned with intricate metal ornaments that gleamed like trophies—caught the light with every slight movement. Atop his head rested a tall, elegant top hat, its brim casting a shadow over his sharp features.

In one hand, he held a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling gently as he took a measured sip. Before him lay an unfolded map of the western continent, its edges weighed down by small trinkets. His piercing gaze was fixed on the markings and scribbles scattered across its surface, his expression one of intense focus. The faint sounds of the circus echoed in the distance, but Patches seemed wholly absorbed in his plans.

Patches: “Ah, Joker. Good. It's about time you showed up. Do you know why I have called you?”

Joker: “I’m not sure, ringmaster.”

Patches: “Come now. You’re not stupid. You’ve not been taking care of yourself. The other might not notice, but I do. So, why are you depriving yourself?”

Joker: “I’m… just trying to conserve our resources.”

Patches: “We have enough for now. You don’t need to starve yourself.”

Joker: “We haven’t been able to refill since we had that run in with those red robe weirdos. I’m just being cautious.”

Patches: “Caution is fine, but you're useless to me if you collapse. So, before the day is over, I want you to fill up from our reserves. Understood?”

Joker: “Yes, ringmaster…”

Patches: “Good, I also have come across a potential business proposition that will fix our resources problem for the long run. But, first we have to go to Seevy. The Roxsis family is having a big birthday party for their daughter and want us to perform. Her birthday is soon, so we'll be leaving tomorrow. Tell everyone to prepare to pack up after the show tonight.

Joker: “Understood,” he said as he prepared to leave.

Before Joker could leave, Patches called out to him one last time.

Patches: “Oh, Joker. Also, tell the others to grab some for the road. We won’t be coming back here.”

Joker: “Y-Yes, ringmaster,” he said before walking away.