I nodded in agreement to whatever story my summoner had told the man.
The man, who still had us trapped in his cage of gold, hummed in acknowledgment.
Did it work?
The divider separating us dissipated.
Score?
The gaps between the bars filled with more golden balls of light, the cage imprisoning us became smaller and the shape around us became a square. My shoulders were touching my summoner's because of how cramped the cage's space became.
What the hell did you tell him?
My next craned when I turned to my summoner, who only had a look of resignation on his face.
Shit. Looks like things have taken a turn for the worse.
Despite how close the golden orbs of light were to my face, their emitted light didn't strain my eyes. I didn't know if that was a quality of my new body or the golden orbs'.
The shrunken cage pushed us forward, forcing us to take tiny steps at the man's discretion.
Should I try making something? With how cramped this space is, I'm not sure if I could make something without risking injury to either of us.
My mind pictured various construction and gardening instruments to use as weapons against these orbs, but after thinking about it for a few seconds, seeing they're being controlled and conjured at will, I didn't want to take a risk fighting someone that had more capable means to disarm and dispatch me.
Where is he taking us?
I noticed the ground we were walking change from a dirt road to a hard concrete. The force pushing us slowed and the cage raised. I saw a raised section of concrete.
My summoner stepped on the stairs and I followed suit. We climbed a few stairs until we reached its top.
The concrete changed to a smooth tiled floor with the occasion rug. I guessed those rugs indicated paths in the building.
We continued as hostages to the golden cage, taking some turns before the man spoke syllables as an affirmation of us reaching our destination. I heard the sounds of a door opening and we walked a short distance more.
Finally, the golden orbs filling my vision dissipated. I saw that we were what appeared to be an office.
In front of me was a desk with some papers, books, and a pen and inkwell.
To my left was a shelf and door leading somewhere else. The shelf has some books and decoration pieces, but what caught my eyes a dead branch in a glass display case.
To my right was a tapestry above a drawer cabinet with some fake plants on top. Further to my right was a circular table with a bowl full of intricately patterned balls, stacked in a triangular pyramid formation. Around the table were some chairs made with the same wood as the table.
The blonde man spoke more syllables, walked behind the desk, removed his cloak, and took a seat, rapping his index and middle fingers.
My summoner took a seat in one of the chairs placed in front of the desk. I took a seat in the empty adjacent one.
The blonde man spoke syllables first, directing them toward my summoner. I turned to observe his reactions to the blonde man's words. He seemed hesitant to answer, only looking at the desk's edge.
Seems like he's in a difficult situation. Could it be because of me?
I recalled the words of the god in that pearly white realm.
You are someone's most desired wish.
I looked at the blonde man. He was resting his chin on his intertwined fingers, patiently waiting for an answer from my summoner.
Did he get caught for sneaking out? No, he was captured while within the place's boundaries.
What did he do for Mr. Blonde to be treating him like this?
I could only guess as I observed their conversation as a bystander.
…
The atmosphere between the two felt like an interrogation. Mr. Blonde launched a steady assault while my summoner fumbled over every word he spoke. Occasional bursts of charismatic bravado only to be shot down by answers that were 4 syllables or less in length.
It's weird. My summoner and Mr. Blonde know each other, so why hasn't he asked me anything? Considering I'm trespassing this place to some degree, he should be at least asking me some questions, if not more than whatever he had asked my summoner.
The tension of the conversation mellowed, going from interrogation to pep talk. My summoner was more forthcoming with all of his syllables, and Mr. Blonde seemed more receptive to his words.
I'd be happier if I knew what they were saying. Oh well, tackling this language barrier will be the least of my worries since I have little reference.
Their conversation was reaching its conclusion, as my summoner got up from his chair.
I followed suit.
Mr. Blonde finger snapped toward me, pointing down at the seat I got up from.
I complied, and he promptly rested his arm.
Oh shit, he wants to speak with me.
My summoner seemed to object, but that was shot down when he raised his other hand, sternly speaking a few syllables. Subsequent attempts were halted with a single, unrelenting stare.
He lingered near the chair, looking worried about something before leaving the room at Mr Blonde's behest. I heard the door open and close behind me.
Perhaps it was the story he fabricated to justify my presence. He probably wanted to continue fabricating truths about that story. Or, since he knows Mr. Blonde better than I do, he's probably worried about what he'd do to me alone in his office.
I visualized a few knives impaling his vital points, yet held off on actually conjuring them with my power. If he were to make any sexual advances on me, I was prepared to enact violent and gorey retaliation.
I'll have to account for his ability to conjure orbs of light and his experience. I could surprise him with my power's potential, but can't match up to his experience wielding his power.
Mr. Blonde rapped his fingers on his desk, including his ring and pinkie. He seemed lost in thought, gaze fixated on my face.
If he truly is a pervert, I better slit his neck.
He spoke some syllables, conjuring a few golden orbs of light. They levitated above his palm, dancing like birds, yet were as small as bugs. More smaller, dust-like golden particles had manifested above his desk, gathering into a shape.
A stage? A miniature coliseum?
The shape the golden particles were depicting appeared to be some sort of concentric structure. Perhaps it's something in the town I saw on the way here?
It didn't click until I saw the particles 3 pillars equidistant from each other with their tops slanting inward.
It's the three obelisk altar I was summoned on!
I looked up to see Mr. Blonde's expression. He was slyly smiling.
Did I unknowingly confirm his suspicions?
When I saw the recreation of the Tri-Obelisk Atlar, a wave of recognition washed over me. That moment of recognition must've been reflected in my expression.
I felt more apprehensive of this man, wondering what his motives were and why he showed me a recreation of the very altar I was summoned on.
He unbuttoned one of the sleeves, golden orbs gathering around his arm and increasing their brightness. I had to shield my eyes from it to avoid becoming blind.
In the midst of this, I heard him speak more syllables.