The First Step

“No, absolutely not!” Char looked to her family, both members of which were looking back at her with wide, and well-rehearsed, puppy dog eyes. “He’s only a child, he’s not coming.”
“I’ve done more dangerous things with your mum and Lore.” Both parents were now looking at Pwy’he.
“Really? What sort of things?” Lore retreated as far as they could without Char realising.
“Well, your mum insists on full contact sparring… She usually only uses her batons.”
“I BLOODY KNEW IT! I’M GOING TO KILL HER!” Lore shouted programming their Breacher.
“Hang on, you’re not getting out of it that easy. My mum needs a talking to but we’re having a conversation.” Char grabbed at their collar. “So, you were telling us about your activities with Lore.”
“Sometimes we go paintballing…” Pwy’he spoke quietly. “Sometimes it’s airsoft.”
“Do you think he’s ready for this?”
“If he can survive me and your mother, he’s ready. Last week he took out a whole team by himself. He cheated but he did it.” Pwy’he scoffed. “Using your ability to see into the future to get kills is cheating.”
“One trip. Then you go to Tolan. Alright?” Char watched as joy illuminated both of their faces. Not wanting her to change her mind, Pwy’he started nodding immediately. “Where do we start though?”
“Varkral.” Lore pulled up their research on their Breacher. “He’s the only person we know of who’s broken the multiversal barrier. He might know more about the other decaying universes and how to get to them.” Lore paused. “I will need something of his if we’re going to get there though.”
“Why not just use the crystal?” Char held up a significant chunk of the left over crystal.
“I’ve got this new ability. I think it’s only right we test my limits again.” Lore smiled. “Plus, it’ll be something to show off to Varkral about.” Char put her head in her hands as it shook. “Too much?”
“A little. I’ll go get the bags.” She disappeared upstairs and into the attic, leaving Lore and Pwy’he alone.
“Come here.” Lore knelt down for Pwy’he and removed a small velvet pouch. “I was going to wait until you were older but if we’re going to be going on a proper adventure now, I think you should have this.” From the pouch they produced a ring, similar in design to their own but newer. “Brand new. Never been worn.” He placed his finger at the centre of  black and blue band. It started off too large but as the ring climbed his finger it shrank. “Thermoactivated metal. Shrinks when heated but it only reacts to body heat.”
“Just like yours.” He smiled, wrapping himself around Lore. “Thanks.”
“Don’t tell your mother.” They winked. Pwy’he giggled but stopped abruptly. Lore looked to the stairs but saw nothing. “What’s wrong?”
“We always do things together behind mum’s back. Does she not want to join us?”
“Well…” Lore looked desperately for Char but she simply wouldn’t appear. “You know you’re not human don’t you?”
“Obviously.” Pwy’he was starting to look worried.
“Well, on Quatarr, things are a little more complicated. Instead of boys and girls, there are five sexes. Boys, Gwryen, Girls, Benyren and Niwen. I’m a Gwryen. Mum’s a Benyren. You are a Niwen.” Pwy’he’s Quararri was still developing but using his Welsh, he was piecing together the terms.
“Neutral? I’m neutral?” Lore nodded.
“There’s nothing wrong with that but your mother, and every other Quatarrian for that matter have a natural instinct that…” Lore was searching for a more tactful word but found themselves lacking. “A natural instinct of fear. Char loves you, we both do, and she’s trying her best to be there for you but it’s harder for her.” Pwy’he stood silently, twisting the ring around his finger.
“We all ready to go?” Char appeared with Lore’s satchel and her own adventuring gear draped over her shoulder. “You two alright?”
Pwy’he snapped to attention. “Ready to go when you are.” He smiled, his cheek slightly moistened by a single tear.
“We’ll be heading to The Valhelderen Expanse first. Varkral’s first incursion into our universe ended at Dekk Rekkarvik so should be our best entry point.” Char took Lore’s hand and offered her own to Pwy’he. It was as if she hadn’t bothered. Ignoring her, he grabbed at Lore’s side. Lore gave Char a loaded nod as they raised their metal arm and created a rift. Together they stepped through, finding themselves just inside the Cave Dekk Rekkarvik took its name from. “There.”
A Large boulder blocked access to the side alley leaving only the entrance and exit as their choices. Instead Lore advanced on the rocky guardian. At its feet, a rune. Weathered into the rock but originally written in blood, a simple yet lasting remnant of Varkral’s universe. Lore traced the rune with their finger, scraping some of the rust from the stone. Char created an energy field, stopping it at about the size of her palm and aimed it at the dust. Turning it anti clockwise brought the centuries old rust to life, rehydrating it to its original form. Lore flicked it ahead of them and froze the droplets of blood before they could fall.
“A physical link should make things easier.” Lore smiled. “Here goes nothing.”
“I’ve still got the crystal if you want to change your mind.” Char tapped at their Breacher.
“They’ll do it. They don’t need the crystal.” Pwy’he’s words were harsh enough to justify a death stare from Char. Lore didn’t react.
“Here goes.” A ball of green energy pooled in their hand. They fired the bolt at the blood creating a rift. Unlike the one that brought them there or any other they had seen, the exit point was visible from the entrance. Together, they stepped through. Dingy, rusted caves dissolved into beautifully terraformed fields with the Expanse’s black hole juxtaposing the landscape perfectly. “One small step…”
“We’re still in the Valhelderen Expanse.” Char looked to Lore’s Breacher. “This is incredible.” She slowly let go of Lore and began to spin in the newly discovered field. With their hand now empty, Pwy’he snapped to fill the gap. Without saying a word, he simply tugged at their wrist and pointed behind Char. “I think I see a road.” She giggled, oblivious to Pwy’he’s analysis. The Present Past.