With the settling of that spark into the deepest recesses of his inky pupils came a strange feeling of relief over Jeffbob. It was as though his mind was smothered by layers of thick, blanketing fog but that a single wisp had evaporated in the presence of a small and flickering flame.
There was no sudden realisation, no epiphany that came over him with this change. Just a sudden feeling that it always should have been this way to begin with.
Ziriothrax was the first to break the burgeoning silence, ignoring the way the world bent around Jeffbob's three shining horns, squeaking malevolently.
"Hunger? I should have seen that coming. After all, what was it you said?", he paused for a second thinking. "Hunger is the root of all?"
"The root of all, eh?", Jeffbob nodded glacially. "Indeed it is. Of all the desires, it is the most fundamental, the most primal. All beings possess it and all motivations can be broken down to it. The indivisible, smallest unit of existence is hunger."
Mayor Shade lifted an arm, his armour creaking, and took cupcake, studying it. His voice when he spoke was weary and tired.
"Hunger? You may be right, Sir Jeffbob. But what happens when we resist it? When two hungers collide and something else is forced to choose? What then?"
His question belied a hint of desperation as though he truly hoped Jeffbob had an answer.
"The answer to that question is within itself," Jeffbob replied slowly. "No two hungers are the same. The hunger for food and the hunger for rest may co-exist, but the Hunter's actions depended on which was greater in that moment. When two opposing hungers meet, the lesser is forgotten. Overwritten in favour of its greater counterpart."
Mayor Shade pondered over these words, nodding slowly, his tense body language easing. He took a bite of the cupcake (even though he was a suit of armour) and swallowed before continuing.
"Why tell us this Tale, Sir Jeffbob?"
'Why indeed', Ziriothrax schemed silently. 'The Mayor has already let slip this Unitopia's history with Wanderers or whatever they call Outlanders, but no memory whatsoever exists in my mind of this place or even any references?
'Something about that seems familiar...such a complete erasure...wait where was I?
'Ah yes, the Tale. There are only two options, of course. Well the two are one and the same in the end. Anyways, let's see how close this Mayor fellow gets'
And so Ziriothrax leaned back in his armchair, still looking comically size, hiding his malicious intent behind a deep sip of his tea.
The Mayor's attention flashed over Ziriothrax for a split-second before he returned to Jeffbob and continued.
"You say you were summoned here, and that you were agreed to the Second Exchange, yes?"
"Indeed", Jeffbob replied amusedly. "What of it?"
"Then you regale us of this Tale", the Mayor's voice turned grave. "How am I to take this, as a warning? Or as a prophecy?"
Ziriothrax nodded imperceptibly but remained silent.
"A warning or a prophecy?", Jeffbob mused out loud. "It is both, of course. This world may be hidden from prying eyes, but there exists no immutable sanctuary. If Wanderers such as ourselves have made it here, then there is a trail to be followed. This is my warning: be ready for what comes next. And this is my prophecy: their arrival is inevitable.
"You were lucky to have met me here at this time, perhaps that young grove sensed that fortune and directed me here in the first place."
"Luck is an unreliable tool at best", the Mayor spoke. "I shall heed your warning, O Wanderers. And your prophecy."
"Then that is all I can ask for", Jeffbob replied softly.
The sun was setting behind the snow-capped mountains, beginning to cast the office into a twilight gloom. The Mayor was about to answer when he looked up in surprise as though shocked by the time that had passed. He stood up with a metallic shing and raised an index finger to his mouth.
A small, circular glyph appeared in the air above it, flickering warmly with colours of red and orange.
"Candlewax", he spoke into the glyph. "Come and show our guests their place for the night."
He extinguished the glyph just as that impish butler appeared to the side with another pop. His grey skin was cast in moving shadows from the torchlight and he had pointed ears sticking out from his bald head.
"I'm sure you must be feeling tired after such a long journey. Candlewax will show you to your rooms," he gestured to the imp who turned to Jeffbob and Ziriothrax, bowing stiffly.
"I'm afraid that I have certain matters I can no longer delay, however much I would have wished to further discuss these matters with you. Should you have any further questions yourself, please relay them to Candlewax and he shall help you to the best of his abilities."
The Mayor placed a silver gauntlet on his chestplate and bowed.
"It was a pleasure, and I hope that we can speak again soon before you leave. In the meanwhile, the Town of Endings shall treat you with the utmost hospitality."
"The pleasure is all mine, young Mayor Shade", Jeffbob replied warmly. "Indeed, today's discussion has been incredibly fruitful...fruit...."
"Certainly a bountiful harvest of knowledge", Ziriothrax cackled knowingly, fixing the Mayor with a stare that sent shivers down the back of his non-existent spine. "Good luck, Mayor Shade. Dismiss it all you want, you'll be begging for it later."
Mayor Shade simply nodded and in another burst of speed Ziriothrax narrowed his insect eyes at, he disappeared from the room.
Candlewax spoke up in the void left by the Mayor's disappearance. His voice was ancient, as though it belonged in a library, poring over some dusty tomes. His cloudy eyes, however, held a hint of hidden ferocity that made it clear he was exactly where he was meant to be.
"Dear Guests, follow me. I have the keys to your suites, right here in this tower. We get very few guests, but even of that number it is truly rare for the Mayor to extend his own tower for their residence."
"We are honoured", Jeffbob replied. "Lead the way, Mr Candlewax."
At that, with the same sharp pop multiplied by three, all the remaining figures in that office disappeared, returning it to true silence. The sun finally set fully behind the snow-capped mountains, casting the forests visible from the floor-to-ceiling window in an ominous looking shadow that stretched to envelop the entire town in its grasp.