《Magik Online》


 Chapter 1: My Magical App

    Chapter 1: My Magical App


    His Mom always said: <em>Mathias, you will do great and terrible things.</em> She was half-right.


    And here he was! Triumphant on his throne of bones, waiting for the doomed heroes to open his doors and challenge him. His cold-blooded, reptilian servants hissed in excitement while guarding their master. The wise princess Sarah,y unconscious on his dread altar, bound to an endless dream by his nefarious spell. Her sacrifice would empower his magic and break thest hope of thend.


    So Mathias Martel, sworn enemy of mankind, waited for his doors to open, and for the final battle to begin.


    And waited.


    And waited.


    And waited some more.


    Mathias finally lost patience and broke his well-crafted role. Maya, he spoke out loud to his video games digital assistant, Where is Viviane and her party?


    The Artificial Intelligence answered with a soft, female voice. Underground arena, level one.


    The arena choke-point? They hadn''t moved from the first floor of the digital castle since half an hour? Show me.


    A flying, holographic screen materialized right in front of Mathias eyes, showing him the battle.


    His friends -- who were also his game testers -- were busy confronting Violette, a witch and the first major opponent he had set up in his castle. The holographic enemy was flying around underground arena that Mathias had styled after the Aztecs, hurling blue fireballs at her victims. Her targets were a group of three yers who, if their life points counters were of any indication, were in way over their heads.


    Damn, how could they be losing? His friends were veteran video game yers, they should have breezed through this mini-boss.


    Maya, connect me to their audio channel, please. It didnt take him long to hear the team leader, Viviane, bark orders through the inte. Guys, he interrupted them, Why are you taking so long? Im getting bored up here.


    Sorry, were too busy being lost on the road of life! his friend, Ulysses, replied with his usual sarcasm.


    From your current showing you will reach the end of <em>that</em> road quickly, Mathias said.


    Ulysses, shut up and keep casting protection spells on your sister, shes losing life points faster than I can heal her! Viviane interrupted the conversation. She sounded just as annoyed as Mathias himself. Sorry, Matt, sweetie, but that witch is a pain, period.


    Someone keep her down, I cant hit her! Perse, thest member of the testers, loudlyined as she tried to fight the inevitable.


    Mathias observed his creation, trying to figure out how he could adjust her difficulty. He had designed Violette to be a wake-up call to yers, but the battle was meant tost for five minutes, not thirty.


    As he had nned in her battle tactics, Violette had set up <em>Star Power</em> and <em>Quick </em>to increase her might and speed, cast <em>Curse of Arson</em> on the group to make them vulnerable to burning damage, and then bombarded them with the spell <em>Fireball </em>from afar. Thebo turned her into a flying, magical artillery cannon.


    After a check-up, Mathias noticed her magical points reserve remained almost full. Logic implied she should have burned through it in a few minutes, as he had nned. Either yers could weather the assault until she ran out of magical juice, or they died. This set-up would teach patience and strategy to overaggressive teams, in preparation for the more tactical fights deeper in the castle.


    After Violette cast another <em>Fireball</em>, Mathias noticed her magical energy reserve deplete and then slowly refill. As if struck by lightning, the game designer pieced it all together. Maya, can you check the treasure chests on the third floor. The one containing the Magic Potion? Was it open? By whom?


    It was opened at seventeen-thirty-four, by Violette, custom Butterfly Witch, level fourteen.


    Amazing, he muttered to himself, his suspicions confirmed. His artificial intelligence had performed beyond his imagination.


    Mathias returned to watching the fight, and drew the conclusion that the party would lose soon, Ulysses -- the magical support keeping them alive -- having been eliminated. Viviane didntst much longer, and Perse, in spite of her impressive stamina and firepower, didnt stand a chance on her own.


    With a heavy sigh, Mathias took a few seconds to check the throne room, a rectangr hall big enough to rival a cathedral. Eight statues of giant, stylized snakes surrounded the path to the throne. He had designed the room to be both awe-inspiring and terrifying to go through. It filled his heart with quiet pride. He had spent hours building this stage, and rehearsing his dialogue lines.


    Much to his chagrin, none of his testers had made it far enough to enjoy the sight.


    With an imperious snap of his fingers, Mathias cancelled the holographic projectors. His virtual castle copsed into falling pixels, with the grim, underwhelming reality taking over.


    His mighty castle was actually one of Floridas countless ghost towns, barely more than two dozen, derelict houses. It had been founded some twenty years ago, then promptly deserted for coastal Arc Cities after the Conquest. Now empty, the ce had a spooky charm to it.


    Through a deal with the authorities, Dynamis Inc. had rented the area to build one of their holographic parks. Beyond the viges limits, Mathias could only see tall grass and taller trees, the frontier of the nearby Everdes.


    It also made it easy to disguise Dynamis eye-shaped holographic projectors and sound-design devices among the leaves. His yers were recovering from their crushing defeat not so far from one. While the holograms effects had made them feel like they were trapped in an immense castle, only a few meters had separated them from the game designer himself.


    And after such a humiliating defeat, Mathias expected frustration from them.


    Instead, he got excitement.


    Well, well, well, that was unexpected, Viviane Werner put her hands on her hips, as if ready to take on a defiant universe. With long blond hair, piercing green eyes, and pure white skin, she always dressed fashionably -- with a distinct love for the color white. She often caused traffic idents when walking down the street, as men who couldnt yet afford automatic cars looked at her instead of the road.


    The illusion of perfection generallysted until Viviane opened her mouth to talk at great lengths about how thetest Big Foot-Illuminati Joint Venture was behind the Chinese Insurgency. Viviane lived in her own little world, which often conflicted with the real one -- she hadnt even noticed her marriage problems until her ex-husband sent her a divorce notice.


    Still the best adult Mathias ever met, behind Dad.


    Her two children also had a special ce in his heart. Matt, do you get off on our tears? Ulysses asked mockingly, his tone was so t Mathias briefly wondered whether it was a joke or a serious statement. He was as handsome as his mother Viviane was beautiful, having inherited the same eyes and hair, which he cut short.


    Mathias bet he could achieve the same poprity with girls as his sister Perse had with boys, if only he would wear better clothes than a swag-shirt and stopped making morbid jokes about cannibalism now and again. Half the school was convinced he was a budding psychopath, the other half a creep.


    Yes, I do feed on your misery, Mathias replied jokingly, It tastes sweet when salted with crushing despair.


    I knew it! Perseined. Perse also had the long blond hair of her mother, but dyed it red -- which went well with her green eyes and ck clothes. From what her twin had told Mathias, she turned goth very hard at fourteen, and started ying drums for the schools rock band in her spare time; she also turned vegetarian a month ago, and Mathias never understood why.


    Meat was life.


    Anyway, she was a pretty young woman who went through boyfriends like Kleenexes. Sometimes she didnt even remember their names. Ulysses had once joked she would try them all until she found the perfect one.


    As for Mathias himself?


    Well, people often said being short was the only thing noticeable about him. He kept his brown-hair well-groomed, and others said they could see his sharp intelligence shine through his blue eyes, but few called him handsome. Mathias thought sharper suits and clothes would help, but he stocked his Credits for less frivolous purchases.


    People tended to pay more attention to his video game work, which hadnded Mathias the side-job of his dreams. The wages were good, and he loved,<em> loved</em> the work. On top of meeting the Werner family through his job at Dynamis.


    Dad said he ought to do better at school for his final year, though. Mathias grades were good, but not good enough to warrant joining the Loctis Institute, which his father dreamed of, even if Mathias himself would prefer to keep creating games.


    Okay, Matt, that witch? Viviane said, tightening her left fist in excitement. Thats like a kick in the balls. I loved it.


    I cant im the credit, this wasnt nned, Mathias replied. I put a Magic Potion on the third floor. Violette looked for it while you were fighting the gatekeepers, and drank it right before the fight. It refilled her magic points almost as fast as she could deplete them.


    Thats cruel, even from you, Ulysses condemned him, although his tone remained as unemotional as ever. You should feel bad, you monster.


    I dont, but I didnt program her to do that. The witch made that decision on her own.


    That caused the whole group to pause. The AI deviated from the script? Viviane asked with a rare frown. Artificial Intelligences remained a sore subject at thepany.


    I know, right? Must be a bug, Mathias said the words smoothly. Creatures shouldnt be able to open treasure chests, let alone use the contents.


    On the other hand, Perse said, I always thought it was odd that monsters in <em>Divinity</em> didnt use the secret weapons that they kept stashed in their armory. But yeah, you should remove that item.


    No, keep it, Ulysses advised him, People like your games because they make them cry.


    As the group bickered on whether or not scaling down Violettes difficulty was the right decision, Mathias noticed a big lizard climbing on a trees bark nearby, staring at the group like a nobleman at peasants. Mathias sneered back at the reptile, the beast climbing up into the leaves.


    The game designer had lived in Florida for two years now -- since Mom was taken by <em>them -</em>- and he loved the ce. So many beasties and crawlies were there that helped to inspire him.


    Still, as much as Mathias would have wanted to go chase after swamp monsters, he had a part-time job to do. Im going to move Violette deeper into the castle, he decided, Shes too tough for newbies, and might cause them to quit early. Ill put Verte at her spot instead.


    The Gorgon Broodmother? Viviane nodded in agreement. Yes, Matt, that will do. Ready for another testing round, kids?


    Ulysses and his twin sister groaned in perfect synchronization. None of us want to do the whole thing all over again, Perse said, before adding, Sorry, Matt.


    I lost an arm in the first room, Ulysses whined.


    I thought you enjoyed the difficulty? Mathias said with a faux-cruel smirk. I havent seen you cry yet.


    One brutal death a day, thank you.


    I would still like to test the final boss tactics, Mathias insisted, before crossing his arms and doing his best to taunt Ulysses into action. Or perhaps losing to a girl taught you the pecking order?


    Perse gave him a light punch on the shoulder as punishment. Speaking of that, Matt, what is a witch doing there? Perse asked. I thought it was a reptile-themed location?


    I thought it would add more variety and keep yers from growingcent, Mathias said with a shrug. Why? You think I should change it?


    Yes, she has a point, sweetie, Viviane said, However, this would be a great asion to rece her with a winged bear.


    And here it was, trying to push for her favorite creature again. Wouldnt adding a mammal break the theme even more? Mathias asked.


    Exactly. They will never see iting.


    Mathias scratched the back of his head. To be fair, he wasnt fond of Violettes plotline himself, but Gavin, his manager, had insisted on adding more female enemies to boost human sales. He could easily rece her.


    A custom female Dark Elf Spellthief, Mathias said to himself out loud,pletely caught up in formting his new character, Level Fourteen Humanoid. The leader of a coven worshiping serpents, she was banned from the Underworld after a failed coup; and now swears loyalty to the Serpent King in exchange for his promise to destroy their former home. In a twist, she knows the Serpent Kings ns and secretly wishes to usurp him.


    Dark Elves are overused, Ulysses shot it down.


    Nah, theyre pretty neat, Perse countered, Sexy and smooth, I like them. Of course she would. Mathias repressed a Goth joke with all his willpower.


    I like the idea of a betrayer among the enemies, Viviane nodded to herself. I can see quite the plotline. That would also allow you to add some Dark Elves as a minor antagonist faction.


    Yeah, Mathias said, closing the deal, Ill call her Noire.


    Good, Ulysses said, Can we get back home now? I need a warriors rest.


    Dynamis holographic game <em>Divinity </em>had cornered the Sci-fi market; now, with their new <em>Orpheon</em>engine, the gamingpany would take over the Non-Historical Fantasy genre and put the final nail in the coffin for the oldputer game industry.


    And like all geniuses, Dynamis CEO, Anton Maxwell, never saw small. Big virtual locations, advanced graphical imagery, and surprise events. Theunch had cost millions of imperial credits to set up, and UB analyses expected the game to make billions. The biggest sess in video game history since the Conquest, avable for all, experienced yers and neers alike.


    Still, as Mathias thought back on Violettes behavior, a question kept bothering him. Just how smart had he made his custom AI?


    An all-too familiar, discordant noise resonated across the park, interrupting his thoughts.


    A threatening, immense shadow passed over the park, casting the group in its fearsome blight. The young game designer raised his eyes, now filled with hate, to watch the looming omen that was a ck, imperial warship remaining stationary in the sky above the area.


    The bulky spaceships tiny wings would have made it ridiculous to look at, if its cannons werent pointed right at the Everdes and the park below. A massive swarm of Gearsmen followed the warship floating in the sky behind it, and two of them descended towards the group upon noticing them.


    Halcyon, one of the human Founders of the Concordian Empire, had inspired the humanoid shape of these titans. Yet, two legs, two arms and a head were all these soulless killing machines had inmon with Mathias. Covered in thick white armor, Gearsmen had steel for flesh and gears for joints, with a sinister red crystal in the middle of their helm as their defining feature. A good head taller than Mathias, their fingers could shatter stone, while a powerful anti-gravity spell kept them flying.


    Okay, kids, Viviane said softly, with uncharacteristic calmness, as the ruthless automatons approached, Everyone raise their arms slowly. There is nothing to be afraid of.


    Of course they had reason to be afraid, but everyone obeyed without a word.


    Mathias struggled to keep his jaw clenched in silent anger. This wasnt the first time he had suffered a check-up -- especially since his moms arrest two years ago -- but he resented the situation all the same. He didnt want to give an inch to these machines and the cold-blooded masters they served.


    The Gearsmen scanned the group from head to toe with their single glowing, red, crystal eye. Once they had confirmed their biometric signatures, they quickly flew away with a positive. <em>beep beep.</em>


    Perse breathed deeply in relief, as everyone lowered their arms. What are they doing here? she asked, as the swarm of Gearsmen spread across the skies while the imperial warship didnt budge from its spot. They usually dont venture here.


    Tracking down fugitives, I suppose, Viviane said,


    As if to answer Vivianes words, the warships iron belly opened in two, unleashing a familiar, terrible beast upon the world outside.


    A massive, winged shape flew beneath the sun, leading the Gearsmen like the alpha of a wolf pack. That gargantuan winged lizard could grab a car in one hand, and its tail could smash buildings -- and years ago, it did. A ruddy glow emanated from the space between his ck and crimson scales, likeva drooling from hard stone. Armored silver tes covered his neck, while golden bracers shone on each of his four legs. Green fumes red from its fearsome maw, while ck bones protruded from its forehead like a mane.


    Lord Smokefang. The dragon overseer of the Southern American Protectorate, who infamously burned old Anta to the ground in a fit of rage.


    Everyone, pack your stuff and lets return to my car, Viviane said with wisdom, Were leaving.


    Mathias kept his sight on the flying beast, his eyes full of venom.


    That was why he created games. So he could pretend that he lived in another world that hadnt been conquered by <em>them</em>, where Earth was still named Earth, and where a mother couldnt be arrested in the dead of the night with no exnation.


    A world where mankind could strike back against the dragons.


    <em><strong>A few hoursterat DynamisHQ,Evermarsh</strong></em>


    Dynamis staff in Evermarsh had taken to calling their headquarters the Doom Tower.


    Not that it was tall; with only five floors, if you didnt count the roof, it wasnt even close to Evermarshs tallest building -- that honor belonged to the Concordian Arc City, the massive ck spire rising from the sea nearby and that would within one year rece the old city. Still, the nickname had stuck.


    The servers managing thepanys games were right on the fifth floor; the technical department on the fourth; narration and design, where Mathias worked, on the third; administrative was on the second; and sales were on the first floor. The 3-D Printers used to build the equipment were kept in the basement.


    The third floor was a co-working space, a maze of tables and alcoves that would put the defunct IKEA to shame, with a great view of the city through the windows. In practice, though, only Mathias and Viviane upied it, sitting withptops around a round table while drinking a cup of coffee every two hours. Most of the department had moved to Arc-Miami to set up storylines there.


    It suited Mathias just fine. While he worked well with teams, he preferred autonomy and quiet contemtion when designing gamens. Viviane was great to bounce back ideas and he didnt need anyone else. With the sess of his previous work on <em>Divinity</em> Anton Maxwell had given Mathias almost carte nche on the Evermarsh storyline and design.


    The story behind his part of the game stood out for its simplicity: during prehistoric times, a terrible entity called the Primeval Serpent ruled thend. Shamans of human tribes, tired of the sacrifices demanded by the Serpents reptilian worshipers, united to kill the dark god and bury his keep deep underground.


    Eventually, the buried ruins of the Serpents fortress were rediscovered, the descendants of the reptilian empireying im to it, only to fall under the sway of a chatan, pretending to be the reincarnation of their god. This Serpent King would turn the deceived reptiles into a conquering army.


    Some would have called the storyline overused and cliche, but Mathias didnt think game scenarios had to beplex; they needed to be intense and engrossing so as to create an unforgettable atmosphere. Mathias had shown that with his clever traps, intense fights, and inventive level design. And with the new AI system he had set up, he could let his creativity run wild.


    It also helped that his plotline of yers killing reptiles in droves was intentionally subversive. Using lizardmen was as close as Mathias could get before being put under the empires radar for <em>cultural insubordination.</em>


    Rising voices drew him out of his reverie. Viviane and Gavin, the big-shot manager, were arguing again. Im not sure a pink caterpir can make a convincing opponent.


    Dont be stupid, Gavin, Viviane brushed him off, Everyone love caterpirs, just as much as everyone love centipedes.


    Exactly! While Gavin looked as thin as a skeleton, he did carry himself with amanding presence. Unlike the more casual attire of narrative department, Gavin wore a suit and tie every day. He thought that humans used specific outfits to mark those with unquestionable authority, like in Hob culture.


    That kind of culture sh happened all the time.


    Gavin was a Hob, one of the first species assimted by the Concordian Empire long before mankind. Porcine-like humanoids smaller than humans, most of the Hobs were purple-skinned, with bent, goat-like horns. Gavin and his entire n had been forcefully moved to Earth not long after the Conquest, and tried to integrate themselves into human society.


    From what Mathias had been taught in school, this standard government policy helped knit the empires countless species together into a harmonious whole. Whether they liked it or not.


    Is something the matter? Mathias asked, trying to ease the tension before it escted.


    Ah, Mathias. The teen realized he should have kept his mouth shut, as Gavin zeroed in on him, his small eyes blinking repeatedly in quick session. I have reviewed your storyline and monsters, and for a reptilian army I see a distinctck of dinosaurs.


    I dont want dinosaurs, Mathias said. He liked <em>Jurassic Park</em>, but not <em>that </em>much. They werent part of the themes the division had settled on.


    Dinosaurs sell to human customers, especially children. Look, youre the programming artist and all, but Im the guy in charge of turning your art into cold hard credits. You arent helping.


    Everyone will buy the <em>Serpent Castle </em>level, Mathias countered, proud of his product, The PR campaign killed it, and the pre-orders sold out within two hours.


    Our yer base doesnt want dinosaurs, Viviane said, beginning one of her passionate tirades, or rather, they dont want the dinosaurs theyre used to. They want nice twists and turns, an intense experience, a blend of old, familiar forms and new ideas. They dont want reboots, they want surprising innovation!


    Tell that to my graphs, Gavin sighed, licking his goat-like teeth in annoyance. Just put a tyrannosaur somewhere, please.


    Does the animated corpse of a tyrannosaurus count? Mathias asked. Because I can fit one as a guardian of the castle.


    Zombie, fairy, Pandorian, I dont care as long as its a big fanged lizard on two legs without wings.


    Fairies cant be dinosaurs, Viviane added, almost absentmindedly.


    Anyway, while were on the subject of animals, Ive reviewed your final designs, Matt. Im okay with most of your enemies, except the snake girl, whats her name


    Rose?


    Yes, Mathias, Rose. Considering the role you gave her in your storyline, and her frequent appearances, you should make her more attractive.


    Shes a snake-woman, Mathias pointed out. And Im pretty sure yers will want to ice her within minutes of her first appearance. Shes a bitch.


    Who cares? Sexualized content gets us more human neers for a reason I cant fathom. Since Hobs reproduced through intern egg fertilization, they didnt feel anything close to human libido. Make all males Hercules, all the women Aphrodite. Thats what sells for humans. Gavin said, seemingly proud of his reference to human mythology at the end.


    Venus, not Aphrodite Viviane corrected him, And Hercules is his Roman name.


    You understand me, Gavin said, Give the snake-girl bigger boobs.


    Were supposed to be PG-13, Gavin. And weve already added a romance sidequest, a Dark Elf-


    I didnt tell him to dress her like a crass hooker, just to make her more, er, shapely. Oh, and add a vampire. Female or male, I dont care.


    Mathias groaned. A vampire? That doesnt fit the storyline.


    Right, youre right. Makes it a <em>Hob </em>vampire.


    Gavin. Vivianes tone reminded Mathias of a mother talking to a petnt child. The storylines and the sidequests are done. Where do you want us to fit an Hob vampire?


    Look, vampires? Everyone say theyve lost poprity since the poption discovered how they really look like, but vampire porn tops online piracy charts. Weve got to hit that segment of the audience, and while humans are our core target catering to my species cant go wrong. Make it happen.


    When he realized neither of his writers were convinced, Gavin cleared his throat. Remember what Anton Maxwell said when he was asked why Dynamis was among the top five gamingpanies on Terra Firma?


    Five? What are the other four? Mathias paraphrased.


    Yes! And how did we do that? Good storylines? Excellent augmented reality? No. Dynamis conquered the gaming world because it appeals to everyone. Old, young, men, women, humans, hobs, bullmen, dragons, everyone finds what theyre looking for in our games. Who are we to say vampires are has-beens? If popr demand is there, we must answer it. Its right in ourpany charter!


    His speech was so full of passion, Mathias would have almost voted for him if the empire hadnt ouwed democratic institutions higher than mayors. Yet.


    So. Vampire Hob, with boobs. Gavin paused, as if he suddenly remembered something. Oh, Mathias, your father called, hesing to pick you up veryte.


    I know, he sent me a text message.


    Good. Dont forget to close the door when you leave. Gavin quickly walked away from the conference room, his hooves making a squeaky sound on the parquet. Okay, see you tomorrow. Bye bye.


    He hurriedly closed the offices door behind him. Hes a bit strange, Mathias said.


    More like very stressed, Viviane said, He has a lot of pressure on his shoulders from upstairs.


    Viviane then sat on the table right in front of Mathias. While it was entirely innocent on her part, Mathias couldnt help but find it suggestive. Lets talk about serious issues. Im customizing a Fairy Bear, turning it pink, and putting a broken heart on his chest. Hes going to destroy yers with love beams of death spamming. Sad Bear. How does that sound?


    Terrifying. Mathias wondered if he had been too heavy on the sarcasm.


    I knew it! Gavin told me no one would take it seriously.


    Apparently not. I would.


    Aw, youre so nice, she giggled. Ive also thought about an Illuminati-brainwashed Leprechaun hypnotist, guarding an enormous chocte-themed Fairy Cake as the final opponent of a quest. How does that sound?


    Vivianes designs generally felt like going through a drug trip, or so Mathias had heard. Brilliant.


    Sheughed heartily. And now youre just kidding me, Viviane gave her mentee a bright, sympathetic smile. About Gavins suggestion, just ignore it. Im vetoing it. Theres no need for a vampire.


    <em>What? </em>But Gavin will be mad.


    Gavin is the sales manager, Im the head of narration. He will learn to live with it. Youve already worked so much, youve earned a little rest. She gave Mathias a wink. Dont work toote, alright? Just geek out a little.


    Her overbearing, evil stare brooked no disobedience.


    Once Viviane left however, leaving Mathias alone and without surveince, the young programmer returned to working on the <em>Orpheon</em>digital world.


    And most importantly, the AI.


    Maya, he spoke to hisputer.


    Yes, Mathias? the AI replied through hisptops micro.


    Have you deleted all records of my interactions with the monster AI?


    Yes, as you asked."


    <em>Good.</em> Have the glitch report for Violettes behavior be lost. Everything is normal.


    Understood.


    Dynamis had given the various teams leeway in altering the game code as they saw fit, due to their open source, shared-innovation policy. It helped each level of the game feel unique and would prevent yers from growingcent. But thepany hadnt given up anything on the AI front due to heavy imperial regtions.


    A forbidden fruit that Mathias couldnt resist picking.


    It had started with little adjustments with how the enemies behaved. Stupid things like moving into holes, wrong interactions with elements in the game world, or Mayas reaction-time being too slow to properly assist yers in the heat of action. He had sent requests through official channels, but they got lost in the bureaucracy.


    Eventually he got fed up and hacked into Dynamis mainframe to adjust things himself, rewriting Maya to give himself administrator privileges. Thepany could afford top-ss protection, but they couldnt stop a skilled programmer with insider ess.


    Others might have balked at his illegal actions, but Mathias didnt feel guilt. He was making the game better for everyone, improving the user experience while sharpening his skills, and he had covered his tracks well enough that higher-ups would think about programming errors instead of deliberate alterations. Hell, his new version of the enemy AI took the cake, since it could deviate from the battle scripts.


    What he didnt understand was that he had ytested the encounter himself before, and she had never shown this kind of initiative.


    Did Violette learn from previous experiences?


    And how did she even know the content of the treasure? As far as the basic script went, she wasnt even able to register it. His own creation had grown out of control beyond what he imagined, and he had to learn why.


    Maya, I want to see all unusual records of monster behavior in thest twenty four hours. elerated ten times over.


    Mathias ended up watching thirty minutes of content of elves, slimes and countless other creatures opening game chests, collecting trinkets left in the overworld for yers, and even clearing out hidden, secret rooms.


    Conventional AI worked by memorization of multiple scenarios until finding the one best adapted to the task at hand, within their parameters. But these monsters had created new interactions that were never programmed into their original scripts.


    It wasnt necessarily a bad thing. If anything, it made the game more real. But it was noticeable. While Mathias was confident that with Maya reprogrammed to cover his tracks he would get away with it, he would have to stop his adjustments for a while. Concordian authorities held heavy restrictions on artificial intelligence and punished those dabbling in it with off-world imprisonment.


    Mom would have been proud of his achievement. He often wondered if something simr had been the reason behind her arrest, since he had no way to verify.


    That was the thing truly killing him. The absence of exnation, of rational reason. If only Mathias had known, he could have understood. Not forgiven -- he would never forgive -- but it would make <em>sense</em>.


    Mathias thoughts were interrupted by a beep on his phone; telling him he had received a new message, probably from Dad. Opening his message history confirmed it.


    <em>DAD: doing some extra hours. Will bete. Is it going to be good?</em>


    <em>MATT: yeah, its fine.</em>


    <em>DAD: Im sorry. With all the missing person cases, work is piling up. Ill make it up.</em>


    Mathias didnt answer. He knew the real reason why his father was doing all the extra hours. Having lost his wife without receiving any closure, the missing person cases hit him too close to heart. He wouldnt stop until he had helped the victims families reach their answer. Mathias did everything he could to help, but he worried his father might work himself to the bone.


    Having finished his work on his games, Mathias decided to spend his time surfing on the inte, checking thetest news.


    Of course, he immediately found himself watching a piece of official propaganda, the video stream of an alien forest burned to the ground by a murderous flight of dragons and warship bombardments. Armored hobs and bullmen, led by a vanguard of human Dragon Troopers, marched on the ashes, ready to scourge any hint of resistance. Their red body armor covered every inch of skin, making them indistinguishable from automatons.


    An army of mechanized ves.


    <em>The almighty armies of Concordia are marching against thest remaining fief of the Green Mandrake terrorist group.</em> The male voice narrating it was singing and smooth, even cheerful in the face of this disy of violence. <em>Although the terrorists leader, Mother Pandia, fled the area with her closest followers, the rabbles power over the world of Darkthorn has decisively been broken.</em>


    ording to history records, the Concordian Empire had been at war since its creation four centuries ago. Like Earth ten years before, the world of Darkthorn would be assimted, its trees cut, itsnds turned into open mining pits, its people brought into the imperial fold and shipped off to other worlds. Then the empire would move on to its next star cluster.


    It didnt matter how many worlds had to fall to satisfy the dragons endless hunger for more resources. Those warmongers never had enough. They needed more steel to build Gearsmen, more citizens to field in their armies, and more energy to fuel their sorcery. The very stars themselves couldnt satisfy them.


    The thought led his eyes to the window, to the alien night sky. He remembered a different sight ten years ago, a ck empty space inhabited by beautiful distant stars and the full moon. Now the stars were gone, the moon had turned crimson red, a purple cloud covered most of the darkness, and the nearest of their star cluster could be seen with the naked eye.


    Mathias moved on to more familiar news: terrorist bombings in China, the ck hole in Antarctica remaining unstable in spite of warding spells, Grimsour Industries and the Undermarketpeting for a lucrative orbital prison contract, the new season of <em>Nora the Hob</em> premiering with top marks from cultural critics this was the world he lived in.


    This was Terra Firma, the conquered Earth. The stolen Earth.


    Keeping reading these news filled him with rage, but what could he do? He was a mere game designer, not yet eighteen. It had taken one week for the human armies to fall to Concordian forces; men were no match for their science and magic. Resistance was hopeless, and his mothers arrest spoke of the fate of those who dared rebel.


    Yet there had to be a solution. Some way to rebel beyond making reptiles enemies to kill in a video game.


    He could design an artificial intelligence dedicated to destroying Concordia. A curse in data form not unlike the Manus AI that inspired the various regtions. He had the skills and resources to design it, given enough time. Mathias doubted he would live long after uploading his creation, as the empire would track him down in swift order.


    A beep from hisputer told him about a new email. Expecting a message from Dynamis, Mathias opened his mailbox, and saw the message at the top.<table width="636"><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Magik Online Invitation</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mathias nced at the name of the sender. <em>Unknown. </em>No mail address.


    <em>Odd</em>, the young man thought,<em> must be spam.</em> Mathias didnt even bother reading it, clicking on the delete button.


    The mail didnt vanish from his email box.


    Expecting a bug, Mathias repeated the process once more to no avail. His curiosity now aroused, he double checked his antivirus protection, and then opened the mail.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <em>Dear Mathias Martel,</em>


    <em>Your work on the Dynamis AI, discreet dedication to challenging rules, and willpower have impressed our growingmunity; as such we have decided to invite you as one of the alpha-testers of Magik.</em>


    <em>Magik is a free-to-use tform dedicated to giving ordinary people ess to magic. Through our app, powerless humans such as you will be given the ability to cast spells, for a fee. Magic will no longer be the sole preserve of your dragon overlords and theirckeys.</em>


    <em>Our motto? One thousand spells in your pocket, for a price.</em>


    <em>Magik declines any responsibility in reality hacking glitches, shapeshifting mishaps, botched demon summoning, quantum entanglement, or death by dragonfire.</em>


    <em>By using our service, you agree to our top-notch privacy policy. Do not reveal the existence of Magik to non-users -- especially Concordia Authorities -- or your ess will be revoked permanently.</em>


    <em>By agreeing to use our tform, you also subscribe to our core policy of:</em>


    <em>- Bing the greatest magician you can be.</em>


    <em>- Championing the cause of freedom whenever possible.</em>


    <em>- Fulfilling the Administrators requests.</em>


    <em>To receive your ess and membership mental interface, please click on Join. If you would rather suffer in obscurity and never hear from us again, click on Decline.</em><table><tbody><tr><td><em><strong>Join</strong></em></td><td><em><strong>Decline</strong></em></td></tr></tbody></table>


    <em>What are you waiting for? Go get them, tiger!</em>


    <em>Yours truly,</em>


    <em>The Sponsors.</em></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mathias reread the email for the fourth time in a row. What the hell was this?


    Wait, how did they learn about him tinkering with the Dynamis AI? Only Maya knew, and he had put up strict safeguards preventing her from informing others. Had he been discovered? It could be a joke from Dynamis programmers, but Mathias doubted it. If he had been discovered the higher-ups would have fired him on the spot.


    Mathias was confused on how to deal with this notice. If someone else had hacked into their mainframe, he should report it to Gavin immediately. No, there would be an investigation into his own AI forays.


    It could also be a trap from the Concordian government, a false g operation. Following the mails instructions would represent an act of rebellion, proof of his subversive mindset. Perhaps Gearsmen were waiting just outside this building, ready to arrest him if he fell for the bait.


    And what to make of the content? A tform allowing users to use Sorcery? Only the Concordians held the secrets of magic, and they jealously guarded it. No human resistance cell had managed to replicate a single spell in ten years.


    After minutes of silent consideration, Mathias looked at the Join / Decline choice. He couldnt shake the gut feeling that there would be no turning back if he clicked. Just watching that choice made his skin crawl with both dread, and, much to his astonishment, some degree of excitement.


    Why was he even considering clicking? This had to be a joke, or a trap. No good thing coulde out of this.


    And yet


    And yet, as Mathias remembered the news, the sinister starship looming over his head, the pain of his mothers disappearance. It had to change. He had to do something, anything. A world without Concordia was worth any price, even his life.


    <em>When in doubt, go all in.</em>


    Mathias clicked on <em>Join</em>.


    A sudden, searing pain spreading through his skull was the reward for his action, while a bursting sh of blue light blinded his eyes. Mathias felt something pierce his skin, needles lodging themselves in his flesh and bones, as he jolted out of his chair.


    The light and pain ended as quickly as they came, only for another light to take over his sight. Out of the sick yellow, white words burst out of nothingness.<table><tbody><tr><td>Connection to Dis established.


    Lock selected: NETWORK.


    Affinity: BLUE.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mathias sight returned to normal, the whole ordeal havingsted less than a minute. His fingers moved to his hair, brushing against his skin beneath. Some customer service that was.


    Blue, 3-Dputed words floated right in front of him, like holographic projections.<table><tbody><tr><td>Thank you for your trust, Mathias.


    Your ount name is: SHROUD.


    Opening Magik Browser.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <em>Wait, no password? </em>Mathias thought. Apparently not, as the text vanished and a floating screen popped up where they had left; the young man turned his head slightly, with the projections following his movements. As he had suspected, the pictures were projected directly into his brain.


    The Magik Browser interface was nothing like Grimsearchs elegant simplicity. It was a pitch ck screen, only slightly lit by a small search bar at the highest point of the screen, with the number fifteen on the left side, and a sealed scroll on the right.


    The rest of the screen was filled by three picture icons, each more whimsy than thest.


    The first icon was represented by a white caricature of a ghost reading a grimoire; the second, a skeleton opening a chest full of golden coins with the right hand and holding a contract with the left; and the third, a group of grinning pumpkin surrounding a Halloween-themed castle.


    Mathias clicked on the skeleton icon by moving his finger to the projection, causing a pop-up to appear.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Quest Board</strong>


    Fulfill personalized quests for Spellcoins and awesome rewards!</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Spellcoins? Did the website use a specific currency instead of Imperial Credits?


    He clicked on another icon, the one with the haunted castle.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Whisper</strong>


    Anonymously discuss with other users on forums, or purchase your own private hideout.


    (Hideout feature currently unavable, wait for the official release!)</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Okay, this one couldnt be serious. He next checked the grimoire ghost.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Compendium</strong>


    Download and store spells to put some magic in your life.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mathias knew, intellectually, that a sensible person should have closed that browser right there and now. Yet intense curiosity kept him in. Leaving the app store, he clicked on the number at the top of the screen.<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Spellcoin Wallet</strong></td><td>15</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mathias supposed it was a digital currency entry gift for joining. He had heard criminals used such systems to avoid being tracked byw enforcement.


    Next, a speech bubble suddenly popped out on the right of his screen. The title?<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Wee, Shroud!</strong>


    Sender: The Administrator.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mathias clicked on the bubble, and found it to be a private message conversation log. The Administrators conversation icon represented a red circle crossed diagonally by a spear, while Mathias own was represented a stylized, blue gear.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <em>ADMINISTRATOR: Wee, Shroud. Seeing you join our sorcerers-in-training fills my heart with joy. Do not worry, our Whisper conversation system is encrypted. No risk of Concordian surveince.</em></td></tr></tbody></table>


    A keyboard appeared right beneath the message, allowing Mathias to type an answer. He suspected the underlying technology wasnt that different from his gaming interface.<table><tbody><tr><td><em>SHROUD: who are you?</em>


    <em>ADMINISTRATOR: The friend to all those who dare dream of a better future. Thest champion of Earth. I am the war that should have been. The war which Earth wins. Also,theAdministratorofthiswebsite.</em>


    <em>SHROUD: is this a joke?</em>


    <em>ADMINISTRATOR: Not at all. If anything, the joke is on Concordia.</em>


    <em>SHROUD: then why me?</em>


    <em>ADMINISTRATOR: Because you have an impetuous heart which yearns for knowledge, creativity, and freedom. If you are skeptical, try your unique free application. Check your wallet. It''s spec-ta-cur!</em>


    <em>SHROUD: spectacr? Will I crawl on walls or cast fireballs?</em>


    <em>ADMINISTRATOR: There will be no denial after trying it.</em></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mathias closed the message box, and true to the mysterious persons word, he found another app icon after clicking on his Spellcoin wallet, one representing the Earth covered with blue points of lights and lines. It reminded him of visualizations of the inte.


    Its name?


    Network.


    He clicked, and a blue sh swallowed him whole.

 Chapter 2: Pay to Win

    Chapter 2: Pay to Win


    Next to Evermarsh High stood a coffee shop, which was named the Evermarsh Coffee Shop, because the Hob manager utterlycked imagination.


    It was a sweet ce that catered to everyones needs; students and teachers loved to hang out there due to the cheap prices and the cosy, warm atmosphere. Somehow, Mathias and his friends always found themselves upying the same spot, a table near the windows by the road. Ulysses often joked someone had died at the table from cookie overdose and that nobody else had the courage to sit in the back.


    Zombies would win, Perse said in-between drinking her carrot juice. Mathias and Ulysses had settled on milkshakes. There are too many of them, and I dont think legionnaire armor protects against bites.


    Any legion worth their salt would crush a horde, Ulysses told his sister. A wall of spears and shields and its over; hell, zombies can be stopped with simple trenches.


    Mathias didnt pay much attention to their debate, lost in his thoughts.


    What he had seen after opening that application, after using Network<em></em>he had been thinking about it all day, to the point of ignoring work altogether. Even with the storyline all but finished, he should have focused on the finishing touches. Altering colors here and here, adding one horn or tattoo for additional vor


    Instead, the same scene kept looping back around in his head, of that blue light shining through his own eyes...


    Hey, Matt? Mathias snapped back to reality, meeting Ulysses gaze. I eloquently described how the Romans could have destroyed a zombie outbreak in no time. What do you think?


    <em>Ulysses ignored the snickering of his ssmates, as he began taking a nap while Mr. Barth and his sister werent looking. A boring school, annoying people, an empty lifeless life. He struggled with the urge to pick up his games in his backpack and find some stimtion.</em>


    Mathias examined his friend with new eyes, trying to make sense out of the images shing through his brain. These shes of insightsted only an instant, echoes within his own mind ring into existence every time he looked at someone.


    An outcast barely tolerated by most, Ulysses lived for intellectual stimtion, which he could only get from a few things. He needed Mathias to bounce back an idea he could think about, It would heavily depend on the terrain and prep-time, the game designer replied. Zombies have a clear advantage on an open field, which allows them to swarm the soldiers from all directions.


    My thought exactly, Matt, Perse said, before fidgeting on her seat, noticing someone. Herees Samantha.


    Mathias instantly took attention to the situation at hand, much to the siblings subdued amusement.


    All eyes turned at Samantha Brown, Evermarsh Highs diva, as she gracefully walked into the Coffee Shop. A beautiful amateur model, she dressed elegantly; every element of her clothes tailored to showcase her womanly curves. She had sparking blue eyes, long, groomed blond hair, and she always wore a blue, flower brooch in her hair.


    Samantha Brown had it all; the daughter of Mayor Brown and a big shotwyer, she had a promising future ahead of her without even being out of school. And<em>in</em>school she was the academic superstar, ss representative, and the lead singer of the Evermarsh Skulls, a student music group.


    Perse should never have been allowed to pick the name,Mathias thought.


    Anyway, she was rich, she was smart, and most importantly, she was nice. Some called her Miss Perfect, and if anyone had deserved that title, it was her. And she was hot. Like, blond cheerleader hot. All the boys wanted to date her, and all the girls wanted to be her.


    As for Mathias? Well she was out of his league, and more importantly, taken.


    Her boyfriend, Jack Powells, he looked like a younger copy of Denzel Washington and another life lottery winner, escorted her, keeping the Coffee Shop door open like the gentleman he was so Samantha could step through. He was tall and athletic, with wide shoulders to rival a bull, and a dashing, smooth face. He managed to be the running teams superstar while also directing his own video channel.


    However, as the couple walked next to their table to say hello, Mathias felt a general sense of fakeness. The supposed couple walked too far apart from one another. Jack paid more attention to his surroundings than his girlfriend, calcting the face he should present to the world. Mathias felt a cold vibe from Samantha; not so cold that it was hostile, but it was an apathetic coldness.


    Mathias got the feeling Samantha wasnt as taken as he thought.


    Oh, hi there, guys, Jack started, before shaking Mathias hand. Mathias felt a slight chill go through his hand and body upon physical contact, his brain alight with new possibilities. Hey, Matt, how''s your gamegoing? I cant wait to try what you have in store.


    It must be a lot of stress, but Im sure youll do great, Samanthamented with a friendly smile that could melt ice, but Mathias noticed her smile didnt reach her ears. I even heard that the Yellow Ministry will give your new product a cultural rmendation.


    <em> Smile wide in front of the camera, sweetie, Father told Samantha. This is an enormous opportunity for our familys future and we must make a great impression. </em>


    A dragonckey hijacking his work was the veryst thing Mathias wanted. How do you know that? he asked, keeping his eyes on her, letting the information flow in.


    Jack and Maggie told me. Their dad and my dad have been lobbying the Lord Dragon to endorse their public policies for the local economy, especially with all the missing person case stuff going on, but She put a finger on her lips and whispered,<em>Shush.</em>


    <em> They mustnt suspect a thing. Samantha kept her ear against the door, trying to spy on the conversation without making a sound. Her father sounded so anxious. We are so close to fulfilling the ritual.</em>


    <em>Two or three more, Henry Powells replied. Thats all we need. </em>


    Thankfully, Samantha was too busy talking to notice Mathias eyes darting away in confusion. Do you guys have something nned for the weekend? My penpal, Kari, ising from Japan, and Im hosting a party on Saturday night at my ce. Wannae?


    That would be great, but   Mathias began, but Perse interrupted him with an elbow hit below the table, bing the focus of his gaze.


    Of course wereing! Perse smiled back. But bring veggie burgers, please.


    <em> Where is Mathias? Samantha asked Perse, the background music loud and overwhelming. She never asked for Ulysses. Perse smiled sheepishly, trying to find another excuse </em>


    I wonder if yourtest diet willst until then, Samantha replied with a light chuckle.


    <em> Samantha rolled her eyes at Persephone eating vegetables, but only when thetter wasnt looking. She found her antics amusing, but this was just getting ridiculous </em>


    Mathias didnt think these shes involved telepathy, since he wasnt exactly reading the thoughts of everyone but it was just as ufortable as it must be to read minds.


    Youre cruel, Sam. I canst more than a month, you know? This time its for real. Oh, and remember your promise! Rogues only on our team!


    Yeah, about that, Im not so sure anymore. Samantha crossed her arms. I thought about trying out the Knight ss instead.


    <em> Samantha red at Perse, as boys approached her to congratte her for her performance on the stage. Even with Samantha as the lead singer, Perse kept overshadowing her, and she hated it </em>


    But we need a Rogue to round out our team! Ive got the Fighter ss cornered by taking Knight, that dork Ulysses choose Necromancer, and Matt got a custom ss.


    Truth is, Jack and I already formed a team of our own, Samantha said. Maggie and Kari round it up. But youre all wee to join us.


    Sorry, Ill pass, Ulysses replied. Weve chosen to tackle Matts castle the way its meant to be, with a four person team from each of the core ss families.


    <em> Ulysses observed Samantha and Perse discussing from afar, noticing the former putting down thetters idea for the band. That bitch was putting his sister down and she didnt even realize it </em>


    But weve got to find a Rogue now! Perseined.


    Theres always Viviane, Mathias pointed out.


    Nah, Mom is fun but we need someone our age, Perse replied.


    Maybe we could be politically correct and get Gavin on the team? her brother joked.


    Ulysses!


    Jack couldnt help but chuckle at the spectacle, Im sure you will find someone your age. Anyway, Matt, since this is my first time ying, got any advice to give a newbie like me?


    <em> Jack looked at the broken, battered manying at his feet. His hands were still bloodied. The rush, the adrenaline the moment when his empty existence gained color and substance. He lived for that moment.</em>


    <em>Put him in the cars back, his father told him. Make sure no one sees you. </em>


    Matt, whats up? Jack smiled. Mathias disturbance must have shown on his face. Does me trying out your game fill you with terror?


    Mathias looked at the teen dead in the eyes, noticing for the first time the disturbing, malicious glint in them. The young man quickly regained control of his emotion, hiding his unease. Prepare to cry, Mathias said.


    Jack erupted inughter, while Perse and Ulysses exchanged a knowing gaze. Okay, my audience has yet to see me die yet on livestream, the aspiring yer announced with a big grin. Challenge taken.


    Oh, I forgot, for the party, Samantha said with a smirked. Theres a rule: youve got to bring a date. It should mix up our social circles.


    <em> Samantha listened to Jacks ther with boredom on her mind. Dating the most popr guy had sounded great, and their fathers were best friends, but she found him off. Perhaps she should widen her social circle and poach a new boyfriend </em>


    You just want to y matchmaker, sweetheart, Jack replied, putting his arm around Samanthas waist. Much to Mathias difort, he noticed Samantha subtly bristling at the touch.


    Soon, Jack charmingly invited his girlfriend to take a seat farther away, and called the waitress for two cups of coffee. Mathias eyes lingered on them, his intuition ring as he pieced together their dynamic. Samantha had already decided to dump her boyfriend, but only when she had a recement in sight.


    Jack, meanwhile Jack was<em>wrong</em>. The gestures he made, the smiles, all were calcted, faked for the sake of an audience. Like a wolf putting on a human-suit. Why did he never notice these tiny details before?


    And that memory he worried that Samantha was in a very real danger.


    You were going to turn her down, Perse scolded Mathias. Have you seen her ce? Its swimming pool is bigger than our ssroom!


    Mathias looked at his, unsure what to make of what he just learned, or how she would react if told what her what Samantha truly thought of her. She would probably go into denial, or make a scene.


    Ill be too busy, Mathias replied, lying through his teeth. I wont have the time.


    Pal, your games are joyful torture sessions. I think you can take a one-week holiday ande back to find yers still stuck nowhere near your boss room. Ulysses searched inside his bag and brought out high-tech holographic sses. Anyway, Im going to blow up rebel scum on the dark side of the Moon. Want to join, Darth Matt?


    Later, Mathias said apathetically, already tuning everything out as his friend put his sses on and lost himself in a virtual world.


    Perse knuckled her fingers, as the waitress took the next order on the tablet. Matt, do you have anything nned for next Saturday evening?


    I have to work, Mathias replied, slight apprehension in his voice. He had already guessed where she was leading him.


    Wrong answer! Theres Sams party, and my band is going to sing kickass songs there. Youreing.


    On Mathias list of things not to do, a rave party ranked just below doing sports. Not that he didnt like socializing, but he found drunken parties a waste of time. Maybe next time.


    No, there wont be a next time, and I want you to be present for my big moment. You too, Ulysses.


    Im sorry, general, he replied, already absorbed into his game. Too busy crushing intergctic civilizations under my iron heel. Besides, Im single.


    No, you wannabe Starlight Trooper, you find someone, anyone. I will keep pestering you until you get to it, and if you dont, I will never forgive you for it.


    Ulysses raised his sses, and appraised his sister. Mathias could see the gears in his mind as he weighed the consequences of ignoring the order versus the hassle of following it. Finally, he settled on the second. Dibs on Maggie.


    <em> Ulysses nced at Maggie, who did her best to look at the windows. He hadnt missed the lingering nces she sent him. She thought he was edgy enough for her taste </em>


    Thats too bad, I think everyone is taken, Mathias said with false innocence. I guess I will have to sit this one out.


    Dont worry, Matt, Perse reassured him. Theres another option.


    Who? he replied. I dont know any girls besides you and your band.


    She nced at him as if he was stupid. Oh.


    Youreing with me, Perse said. And youre going to like it! No excuses!


    Mathias almost turned her down, before taking a precious moment to reflect on his recent discovery. Jack was not normal. At all. Network kept telling him to stay far away from the star student every time Mathias nced at him. Samantha was in very badpany and if he learned that she wanted to break up with him...


    Okay, Mathias decided. Ill go. If only to keep an eye on those two in case things turned south between them.


    I thought you were going out with Ulysses paused. What was his name again?


    Dumped him three hours ago, Perse replied. His name was Doug I think.


    I seriously need a notebook to keep track, her brother said, before ncing at Mathias. She is my sister. He tried to sound dead serious, but couldnt quite manage it. If you do anything inappropriate, I will have to challenge you to a<em>Divinity</em>Duel for the familys honor.


    Not really that much of a threat, Padawan, Mathias replied, Ulysses responded with a smug stare. You sure about Maggie? I think theres a waiting list for her.


    She will melt before my charm, Ulysses said, before putting his digital sses back on. Its on my to do list, right after conquer the universe.


    Mathias nced at Perse, who smirked back. He could already hear the rumorsing. Not that he cared sort of. A little. He didnt like being the butt of lewd jokes.


    His phone beeped, as he received a text message. Mathias briefly looked at it.


    <em>ULYSSES: I know where you live XD</em>


    who used XD anymore?


    Mathias and his father lived in a small downtown apartment, on the sixth floor of a building in downtown Evermarsh. The kitchen and main room shared the same space, and they had only two miserable bedrooms. Concordian gave all their citizens free lodging, but only the amount of space strictly needed.


    Even with only two upants, the apartment felt crowded. Mathias had sacrificed his prized book collection, and his father his sports equipment for breathing space and a Holo-TV. Their home was all white in color and had no decorations, and with walls that were made brighter by the windows light. All in all, it felt closer to a hospital room than a home; perhaps Concordian authorities intended for that effect when they moved them here. It suited the Martels just fine, since neither of them stayed there often.


    Upon closing the door behind him, Mathias found his father, Victor, writing an article on hisptop behind the kitchen table. His coffee cup was still fuming next to two empty cups. Sol, a friend of the family, drank tea on the other side of the table with calm, soothing dignity.


    Save for his mothers blue eyes and his own short height, Mathias had inherited most of his features from his dad. Strong and tall, with pale brown hair and striking amber eyes, Victor wore only the simplest of clothes. An adventurer, he could, and had, bailed on everything to pursue a story that mattered to him.


    Like every journalist, however, Victor had to live with Concordian censorship, especially online. Gone were the days where one could write articles decrying the powers that be; like many, and especially after moms arrest, his father had to sacrifice his freedom for the sake of giving his son a family.


    He did keep some photos to himself, however, in a secret stash that Mathias had found and peeked at. Pictures of Gearsmen malfunctioning and killing bystanders swept under the rug, of police opening fire on Chinese rioters, and of Concordiasplex in Great Britain where many protesters went in and none came out. Pictures that revealed the true face of Concordia.


    Dad risked much by keeping those pictures, which made Mathias all the prouder of him.


    Greetings, Mathias, Sol weed the young man first, putting his tea aside. The man had a personable face that made you trust him at first sight, with gentle grey eyes and a white beard; he looked like the consummate televangelist he had used to be before the Conquest. He wore a priests ck garb, and kept his hair well-groomed, exposing the scar on his forehead. You have grown an inch.


    You say that every time you see me, Mathias replied with a smile, giving a brief hug to the grandfather he never had, and felt a surge of energy rush through his veins as he did. What are you doing here?


    Helping me with the case, son, Dad spoke, upon hugging Mathias next, the same surge of energy spreading through him as he did. How did the day go?


    <em> Victor looked at Mathias grades with apprehension. While he disliked everything linked to Concordia, his son had the potential to join their Institute. To make a difference and safeguard his future. If only he applied himself more  </em>


    Fine, sort of, Mathias replied. His father raised an eyebrow, but didnt push the envelope. He had learned to respect his sons right to privacy. Next, he moved to look at his fathersputer screen, reading the article. The Invisible Hand?


    So far, no corpses, no witness, no M.O., Victor had been investigating the missing person cases for two months now, since Sol had first alerted the authorities that a member of his dwindling yet tight congregation hadnt shown up in two weeks. Local police, led by chief Henry Powells, had made it a priority, yet their efforts had yet to yield dividends. And the count keeps climbing.


    There was another disappearance yesterday. The thirteenth. Sol shook his head in anger and sadness. No day passes without a family praying for a sign.


    So far nobody had died on the case. But only so far, was what Mathias always reminded himself of.


    Once, criminal activities were synonymous with blood and intimidation, but since the dragons took over secrecy and low profiles have be the norm, Victor exined. Since Gearsmen used lethal force on sight, criminal organizations faced high turnover rates. The Mexican drug trade has been all but eradicated, the Cosa Nostra is gone, and the Russian Mafia


    Victor didnt finish his sentence. He didnt need to. Everyone knew what happened to the Russians when they tried to resist the Conquest. The fires could be seen from Belgrade.


    I do not think this is an organized syndicate, Sol voiced his opinion. Having spent twenty years of his life fighting them in South America, he knew those groups intimately. We received no ransom demand, and the missing people are ordinary citizens. I believe the responsibles motives are more malicious than mere greed.


    <em> Solomon looked into the sicarios eyes. In them, he found no pity, nor humanity. No recognition that he existed as a fellow human being. Do you have any idea of how many people tried to threaten me into silence? Solomon said. There is no way. No money can buy the life of a man.</em>


    <em>You are wrong on both counts, Father, The man smiled, and in his eyes Solomon saw Hell itself. I am not paid for what I do, and there is a way to silence you. </em>


    <em>He raised the gun, pointed at Sols forehead, and pressed the trigger.  </em>


    Mathias winced at the memory. Sol had told him this story before  one of the reasons Mathias hadbeled him a closet badass  but seeing it through the priests own eyes felt way more terrible than hearing it. Sol had spent a month in aa afterwards before the doctors could wake him up.


    Yet I cannot imagine a lone individual able to pull this kidnapping spree off, Victor replied. I know theres a strong hand behind it, and not a human hand.


    Organizations make more mistakes the bigger they grow, Sol agreed. This one, if it exists, has yet to reveal anything sensitive.


    The leader may have a strong hold over its staff. Could be a vampire or smander. Ive just got to figure out how the responsible keep getting ahead of investigations.


    Victor, at the risk of repeating myself, I only see two possibilities. Sol put his tea aside, his face grim. Either the responsible has informants amongw enforcement, or thay <em>are</em> thew enforcement.


    Mathias remembered the memory sh he had received from Jack. Sols instincts may be on point. He kept his mouth shut however, as he couldnt prove anything yet.


    That is a very strong usation that you make, Victor replied. However, Concordia seems to share it. A source in the Blue Ministry told me they have taken an interest in the case, and will take it from the local forces hands soon.


    From what Mathias gathered, the missing people conspiracy abducted isted people on a weekly basis, never at the same ce and without any witness. Which implied a tight schedule, and tighter teamwork. Mathias mind went to work, he envisioned a cell within the police force, convincing people to go with them for a routine check up and then abducting them by surprise. It would be easy to hide in in sight, to transport the victims to an isted area. Political ties would give them key intel, and allow them to stave off Concordian interference.


    An interesting deduction, too clear and precise to fully be his own.


    For the first time since he downloaded the spell, Network provided Mathias with information that didnt involve psychological insight. He fought the urge to open his ount, almost on reflex.


    For the safety of his mind, he couldnt keep ignoring what he had seen. It only brought him more questions. He had to deal with them here and now.


    Ive got to make a call, Mathias dered. Its really important, and I dont want to be bothered.


    Sol gave him a knowing look. Wouldnt that be this girl you keep telling me about?


    A girl? Amusement spread over Dads face. Youve been seeing a girl Mathias? And you didnt tell your old man?


    Thats not And now it was just embarrassing. Its just a crush. I havent told her anything.


    Fine, fine, Dad replied, deciding not to tease his son further. Just be ready for dinner. Sol will be joining us.


    Mathias kissed his father on the forehead, said goodbye to Sol, went to his room, and locked the door behind him. Putting his school bag on the side of his small bed, he then flipped the blinders on the window closed, nketing his bedroom inforting darkness.


    Lying on the bed, Mathias mentally focused, summoning the Magik Browser in front of him. It had taken the teen some effort to learn how to open and close it with thought alone, but whatever kind of tech powered the app, it was directly linked to his brain. He suspected he might even be able to click without moving his hand, if given enough time to figure it out.


    The Network Icon had moved into the main screen after activation, right to the Spellcoin wallet. Mathias clicked on it without hesitation.


    Like the other apps on Magik, the application had a short exnation: <em>Provides understanding and power over socialworks</em>.


    So far it had provided him with oddly specific information, such as memories of others in a specific context. Yet the name of the app was Network, not Mind Reader. What information Mathias mind received were either personal psychological insights, or information on how individuals rted to one another. What the app provided him wasnt so much as telepathicmunication, but advanced individual and social profiling.


    There, the lightning in the bottle: he could understand how awork of people worked, and how to influence all itsponents. He didnt even need to meet individual members; as the epiphany on the police proved, even the mere evidence that thework existed could allow him to extrapte information. He could also orient the information flow, based on questions or circumstantial needs.


    Could the power affect even non-humanworks, such as Hob ns? The inte, railroads, supply chains, all of those wereworks that werent fully automated and could potentially fall under his purview. How far was the limit? If he kept observing awork, would his power and understanding grow ever sharper? He would have to check.


    Properly applied, this power could be devastating. If Mathias could approach members of the Concordian authorities, he could insidiously sabotage them. Or form a resistance cell out of previously unconnected individuals.


    Clicking on the app again changed his screen into five sets of smaller visual feeds, each showing a video in real time. One of them portrayed Perse arguing with the camera, with the one right next to her point of view showing Ulysses in the same position. The third portrayed an emptied cup of tea, while the fourth livestreamed two hands preparing coffee in Mathias own kitchen.


    The fifth livestream started normally before going into somewhat disturbing territory. The viewer looked at the dwindling ratings of a video game online channel on hisptop, then closed it, and sat before a red wall. The livestreamer didnt move, didnt shake, just standing there unblinking.


    Just staring.


    Names were shown in bright blue letters under each of the livestreams.Ulysses Werner, Persephone Werner, Solomon Niche, Victor Martell, Jack Powells.


    Mathias enabled sound on the Ulysses video, finding himself in the middle of a conversation between him and Perse.   Ulysses, you are such a jerk, you cant ask out Maggy dressed like this!Much like a livestream application, some settings were set at the bottom of each individual screensbeled: Sound disabled; and Communication disabled.


    Its all about inner confidence, the offscreen Ulysses replied.


    The quality of the sound was sharper than any video Mathias had ever watched. He almost felt physically present at the scene. Because, in a way, he was. Mathias watched the scene through Ulysses own ears and eyes.


    His eyes fidgeted to the door. Sorry if I make too much noise! Mathias called out.


    Its fine, we dont hear a thing at all! his father replied through the door. As Mathias suspected, the sound was only in his mind.


    Why could he do this with these five people, and not, say, Samantha? What was themon thread that bound them?


    Mathias had touched each of them.


    He had kissed his father, hugged Sol, Perse had knocked him on the elbow, Jack had shaken his hand, while Ulysses gave him a back pat whenever they met. Samantha was the only one with whom Mathias had no physical contact in the entire day.


    Anyone Mathias touched became his eyes and ears. In effect, he assimted people into his ownwork, and the application turned them into living nodes.


    He was a one-man spy agency.


    What about themunication setting? Did it mean he couldmunicate with the person he had touched over long distances, the same way he could share their auditory experience?


    He couldnt test that theory with any of them, lest they learn about Magik. And could it also work with non-human targets? He shuddered at the possibilities.


    Yet, Mathias had seen enough to feel tantalized. He closed Network and opened Magik proper.


    Mathias clicked on the Compendium first. The screen revealed a color wheel, a circle divided into seven colors: a sphere of white at the center, then six shards colored red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet surrounding it.


    Each shard was divided into fiveyers, with an ascending number of dots marked on them. The farther they were from the white center, the greater the number of dots. The white color at the center followed an opposite color scheme, with five circles of white ranking one to five the closest to the center.


    Mathias instinctively clicked on Blue Dot One. He found himself transported to an app store, with multiple different products avable for purchase. A general exnation stood above all of the selection: <em>Blue, the color of information</em>. He promptly checked various offers, with textual information appearing upon clicking. Various products, each with a Blue Circle for an icon,id bare before his eyes in a list. <table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Blue World</strong>


    Affinity: Blue


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3


    Activation: Active, Voice Vector.


    Stop the perception of time of any person within earshot of the spells activation for five seconds.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Premium Thoughts</strong>


    Affinity: Blue


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    Magically boosts the users cognitive processes, memory retention, multi-focus, and learning ability.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Psychometry</strong>


    Affinity: Blue


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3


    Activation: Passive, Physical Touch.


    Learn the existence and memories of an item upon touch. The longer the physical contact, the farther the user can reach into the items life.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    The list went on, with Mathias noticing some simr elements. Each of the products were worth three Spellcoins, and dealt in some way with either the mind, knowledge, ormunication in general. All of these abilities pleased Mathias, but the young man decided to examine the rest of the Compendium in-depth before settling on a product.


    He moved to the Green appstore, which dered Green to be the color of life. Unlike the Blue appstore, those abilities each cost four Spellcoins each.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Berserk</strong>


    Affinity: Green


    Dot: 1


    Price: 4


    Activation: Active, Thought.


    Turns off the natural limits of the users body for five minutes. The user undergoes a constant adrenaline rush, does not feel pain, and achieves instinct unclouded by reason, bing a fighting machine unable to distinguish friend from foe.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Needless</strong>


    Affinity: Green


    Dot: 1


    Price: 4


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    Removes basic biological needs from the user, such as eating, sleeping, reproducing, or breathing.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Unlike Blue, all the spells cost four Spellcoins. Violet spells, the color of <em>space and time, </em>also cost four Spellcoins. <table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Switch</strong>


    Affinity: Violet


    Dot: 1


    Price: 4


    Activation: Active, Thought.


    Switch ces with an object or person within a five meter radius with near equivalent-mass to the user. The target must be within sight; the wider the mass difference, the more likely the spell will fail.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Timesense</strong>


    Affinity: Violet


    Dot: 1


    Price: 4


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The user gains supernatural awareness of time, being able to tell the current time with perfect uracy and instantly noticing time magic affecting them.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    When Mathias clicked on Red, the <em>color of energy,</em> he noticed a price surge. So did Orange, the <em>color of matter,</em> and Yellow, <em>the color of the soul,</em> spells.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Firekin</strong>


    Affinity: Red


    Dot: 1


    Price: 5


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The user gains the ability to psychically direct existing fire within sight, moving the mes in any direction he wishes. The user cannot create or extinguish mes, however.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Reinforce</strong>


    Affinity: Orange


    Dot: 1


    Price: 5


    Activation: Active, Touch Vector.


    The user permanently reinforces inanimate matter upon touch, increasing its density and resistance to damage.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Spiritsense</strong>


    Affinity: Yellow


    Dot: 1


    Price: 5


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The user bes able to perceive and interact with astral entities, including ghosts, formless spirits, and egregores.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    But of all spells in the app store, it was the White, the color of Sorcery registry that confused Mathias most, besides its spells price matching Violet and Green ones.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>el</strong>


    Affinity: White


    Dot: 1


    Price: 4


    Activation: Active, Thought.


    Double the power and duration of the next spell used.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Encode</strong>


    Affinity: White


    Dot: 1


    Price: 4


    Activation: Active, Direct Touch Vector.


    Imbue a person or item with a spell for future activation; the user sets the activation conditions upon activation.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    White manipted existing spells, instead of standing on its own. This could increase his flexibility. Yet, why did White, Violet and Green spells cost him more than Blue ones, and Yellow, Orange and Red more than those?


    Mathias remembered that opening inscription on Magik, he had been given the affinity of Blue. Could that be the cause? It would make sense. Since Blue was his affinity, the closer the color on the wheel, the greater the discount. He could specialize in Blue, gaining more spells, or add some variety, but at a higher price.


    Mathiasy in his bed for what felt like several minutes, his mind processing all of the information. Strangely, his Network sense hadnt buzzed once during his investigation of Magik. He guessed the Administrator had put on a failsafe so that the tforms spells couldnt be used to pierce its secrets, or that unmanned automatic systems escaped his powers purview.


    Mathias thoughts quickly turned to resource management. With fifteen Spellcoins, he could either buy five Blue Spells, or three to four spells of various colors. Should he buy spells to increase his intelligence, and better figure it out? The ability to work full time without needing to sleep sounded very nice as well.


    Why did he remain locked at level one, while clearly other levels existed beyond that state? Did he have to meet specific conditions to unlock them?


    In the end, his investigation brought more questions than answers. Luckily, Mathias knew who could answer them. His finger moved to open his message box.


    As expected, the Administrator, whoever he or she was  or if it was even a human  had been monitoring him.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <em>ADMINISTRATOR: I trust that this little experiment convinced you of our goodwill.</em>


    <em>SHROUD: you can monitor me the same way I can watch others, right?</em>


    <em>ADMINISTRATOR: Of course. Ites with the privilege of managing a tform.</em>


    <em>SHROUD: how does it work? This Network power? What are the mechanics? How can I unlock the rest of Magik?</em>


    <em>ADMINISTRATOR: I cannot answer much on that front.</em>


    <em>SHROUD: cant, or wont?</em>


    <em>ADMINISTRATOR: Wont. Self-education is the only one worth pursuing. I can give you pointers, though.</em>


    <em>SHROUD: so whats the deal? I fulfill quests and gain Spellcoins to purchase spells with?</em>


    <em>ADMINISTRATOR: Exactly; check the Quest Log to get started. You may use your purchased spells however you wish, so long that you respect our policy.</em></td></tr></tbody></table>


    How generous. So Mathias could walk away and keep his current powers, so long as he kept quiet about this tform and used his abilities to annoy Concordia. However, he would also remain locked with the level he had and never get to the bottom of things. The sight of the locked powers would remain under his nose, forever out of reach.


    Father wasnt the only person driven by the search of the absolute truth. This was the asion Mathias had been waiting for, the opportunity to strike back. He could do it. He had the brains, and more importantly, the power, to pull it off.


    Leaving the conversation, Mathias moved to the Quest Log. The application looked like a red board with a skeleton watching on the side. One scroll was nailed on the board, Mathias clicked on it. The paper filled the screen, texts writing themselves on it. As he read, the scroll icon on the right side of his screen popped up, the number one materializing right beneath it.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Lost and Found</strong>


    Difficulty: Dot Two


    Sponsor: the Administrator


    Any good game needs a tutorial, and your town needs a hero. Prove your skills and mastery of spells by solving the missing persons case.


    Reward: Eight Spellcoins.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Nice. Mathias would get paid for something he was about to do for free. But he would need more equipment than Network alone. And he had fifteen Spellcoins left.


    Time to cash in.

 Chapter 3: Skill Tree A

    Chapter 3: Skill Tree A


    The top public school in Evermarsh, Evermarsh High, came equipped with tactile screen boards to teach, top-notch biometric lockers, andfortable velvet chairs. The Yellow Ministry of Concordia, which supervised all cultural and education activities, had heavily invested in the ce, intent on making it the safest, most weing ce for students to foster their skills in the Empires service. The schools excellent academic reputation madepetition for entry fierce. For Mathias, keeping good grades here was paramount to him.


    Sitting at the left edge of the ssroom behind an individual mahogany desk, right next to the pristine windows, Mathias nced at the discreet, eye-shaped camera above the board, recording the students every move. ssroom C was big enough to amodate thirty students, assembled in linear lines, but not big enough to create a blind-spot in the camera.


    Ulysses and Perse were located further back in the ssroom. The schools staff had reorganized the students ces to reduce talking during ss in order to increase productivity, ensuring that close friends would sit as far apart as possible. To make up for it, the school put on beat music when the teachers werent present through loudspeakers, distracting the students from the surveince.


    The cameras and the security system hadnt turned out to be a great investment. After hacking the school system on his first week, just to see if he could, Mathias had found a ring blind-spot in the emergency exit and a glitch in the biometric securities. Cameras could be fooled by repeating previous footage, alongside other exploits.


    Mathias had once thought about anonymously reporting the weaknesses he had found, but decided against it, at least while he was still a student. A tip would result in an investigation and he didnt want any additional trouble during his school year.


    And today, that decision had paid off. He wouldnt have dared risk what he was about to do if he hadnt disabled the ssrooms camera beforehand.


    Mr. Barth caused the whole ss to fall into silence as he closed the door behind him. Good morning students, he spoke with a strong, neutral tone, while carrying a pile of paper under his arm.


    Like all Bullmen, Mr. Barth was more bull than man, a bipedal beast with wed hands and hoofed feet. He was small for his kind, only two heads taller than Mathias himself, horns included, with a hide brown like chocte. He wore a shirt and trousers instead of more borate metal tes and jewelry favored by his kind.


    <em> Shaping the citizens of tomorrow starts with the children of today. Barth listened intently to his Yellow Ministry instructor. Children have boundless potential, yet untamed. Try to assimte into their culture by wearing local clothes, so they feelfortable around you. Be fair. Encourage them to excel for the glory of Concordia.  </em>


    When Mr. Barth went straight towards Mathias desk, his hooves causing the ground to shake under his heavy build, the young student straightened up and tried to hide his excitement behind a poker face. Mr. Barth never went to him first.


    Others noticed. Mathias could almost feel the tension in the air as the teacher walked up to him, rereading the paper at the front of his pile. Mathias exchanged a few nces with his worried friends, but remained calm.


    Finally ending the silence, Mr. Barth put a paper on Mathias desk.


    Congrattions, Mathias, you won the maximum score. Murmurs went through the room, as he read the praisefulments all over his research paper. Excellent work, keep it up.


    Mr. Barth, no man to go into speeches, moved on to Samantha, giving her the first runner-up paper of her entire school year, distributing into descending order of score. Perse ended up third, while Ulysses managed to hang in the middle.


    Mathias couldnt hear the gossips going on around him, but Network told him his increased grades had increased his status somewhat, especially among the academic-minded students.


    Downloading Premium Thoughts had proved an excellent investment. Everything Mathias saw or experienced, he could remember with perfect rity, which turned him into a living database. A sleepless night checking trivia and online databases had been enough to get overteness in previous assignments. The spell also increased his thought process speed enough to do quicker work for Dynamis.


    However, Premium Thoughts hadnt been his only purchase. Now that Barth was inside the ssroom, the risks of outside intervention were minimal.


    Mathias checked hisptop, setting a chronometer on. <em>Experiment start, </em>he thought.


    Blue World, Mathias spoke out loud.


    A bright, blue sh filled the room, and for a moment Mathias entire vision seemed to be shrouded through a blue lens.


    The hurried whispers of the ss turned silent. Mr. Barth had stopped dead in his tracks, one hand about to seize another paper from his pile and put it on Jacks desk. The students remained silent, as if frozen in time. Mathias nced around, just in case anyone had escaped the spell, and then turned his eyes to the chronometer.


    Five


    Four...


    Three


    Two


    One...


    The bluish light vanished, and the ssroom once more buzzed with renewed activity. No one raised their eyes to Mathias, even toment on his strange words. The spell must have paralyzed them before the words could register in their conscious mind. Perfect.


    After experimenting, he had found that spells were divided into passive or active. Passive meant they were always on unless willingly disabled  such as Premium Thoughts. Active spells, such as Blue World, were voice activated.


    When Mr. Barth moved on to the screen presentation, Mathias decided now was the time. His eyes quickly picked his intended target; an athletic, pretty, brown-skinned woman with striking amber eyes: Maggie Powells. Jacks sister and thest member of Perses music band. She always looked ready for a fight, although Network told him that shecked her brothers hidden malicious edge.


    <em> Maggie hated, </em>hated <em>herself for even asking, as Jackughed his ass off, a cruel smirk on his face. Daddy took a deep breath, his eyes firm. You really want to know what were doing, Maggie? Because thest person who asked me that question ended up going missing. Your brother can confirm it. </em>


    <em>Maybe she could join, Jack replied, his smirk growing ever wider. He didnt bother putting on his charm with her, revealing his true face. She could be another candidate.</em>


    <em>We already have the proper vessel selected, son. A </em>male <em>vessel.  </em>


    Yes, this confirmed his hunch about the police. Poor girl.


    After calcting in his mind the time it would take to reach her, Mathias slightly pivoting to make rising up from his chair easier and took a deep breath.


    Blue World.


    As the blue sh filled the room, Mathias jumped out of his chair and dashed at Maggie. Thankfully, he had a straight line to her. He hurriedly poked her shoulder, feeling the energy surge of Network through his body, then got back to his chair, sitting down right in time for the spell to end with no one the wiser.


    It could have been easy to bump into her at school, but Mathias didnt want any possible trail to lead back to him in case his plot failed. Besides, he should get used to using his spells.


    Keeping a poker face as he caught his breath slowly, Mathias focused back on Mr. Barths history ss; for once he could listen without worrying about job deadlines in the back of his mind. He started listening intently to the political causes behind the Concordian unification, typing notes on hisputer.


    During that troubled era four hundred years ago, our beloved Grandmaster Wyrde, greatest Sorceress among dragonkind, her apprentice Loctis, who would soon be the Green Minister, and the human explorer Halcyon, made a pact, swearing to unite the warring states of Midgard into a single whole. It took a full decade of warfare and diplomacy, but the trio, hence known as the Three Founders, pacified the Sphere. Tomemorate their sess, they founded the city that would eventually cover all of Midgard and be the center of our eternal Empire; Concordia. A city where all would be one.


    <em>At what cost?</em> Mathias thought, wise enough not to say it out loud.


    One of the founders was human? Maggie asked.


    Yes. It is thought that Terra Firma and ancient Midgard were briefly connected thousands of years ago, allowing a few human tribes to cross the frontier and settle on the other world. It would be millenia before the Gates reopened ten years ago, but we will discuss thister. Halcyon himself descended from the primitive tribes, but weck records on his past before the Founding, and his life was cut short during the Gintargo Pacification. We now move into the first age of


    However, Mathias grew bored, as his teacher rehashed the same information he had previously memorized from the online school database. He found himself opening Magik almost on impulse.


    This website decreased his productivity more than social media.


    Premium Thoughts and Blue World had been necessary purchases; the first because one couldnt be too smart and the second to give himself a defensive weapon. He still had nine Spellcoins on his ount, enough to buy three more Blue spells, or abination of two other Color.


    Mathias had noticed among Blue Spells; most involved manipting skills or, in the case of Blue World, mind processes. Few had any direct offensive application. Perhaps higher level spells would provide more potent options, but they remained out of reach.


    The first challenge to Concordian supremacy was the rival Sphere of Gintargo, a burgeoning empire built on trade instead of military force. Ideological differences andpetition over resources meant inevitable war


    Mathias noticed that he could follow the lecture as precisely as if he had focused on it while his attention was equally set on Magik.


    How much could his brain multitask while on Premium Thoughts? How fast could hepute information? If catching up to ss took so little time, what else could Mathias learn?


    Mathias found himself ncing at Samantha, noticing her staring at him nkly, still reeling from the shock of ending up in second ce. It almost made the gamer feel bad about beating her, especially when she corrected her expression as not to look contrite.


    <em> Take your studies more seriously, Samantha, Father scolded her. Her private tutor must haveined to him. My government contacts told me </em>several <em>children at your school are being considered for Institute Membership.</em>


    <em>Who? Samantha replied. My record remains unbroken. She should have said it with pride, but she couldnt muster the strength. Without crediblepetition, that boast sounded hollow.</em>


    <em> She wouldnt mind some challenge. But who could provide it?  </em>


    Instead of taking her broken record as a personal affront, Samantha gave Mathias a sharp nod of acknowledgement, and smiled back. For the first time in a long while, she was truly staring at him not as Perses friend, but as his own person.


    It felt nice.

 Chapter 3: Skill Tree B

    Chapter 3: Skill Tree B


    On Friday morning, after a sleepless night spent devouring information, Mathias called in sick for the day and made sure he was home alone. He spent most of the day on his sofa, watching Maggie Powells feed with a pen and paper in his hands.


    While her brother spent his lunch time with Samantha, Maggie had a tighter schedule. Coming home after sports, she took a shower  Mathias had to look away for five minutes during that part  then moved to practice with her bass in her bedroom for twenty minutes, as if to blow off steam from invisible frustration.


    The key moment Mathias had waited for came right afterward, when she entered her homes kitchen to find her father eating a sandwich there. A strong, powerfully built man with a balding head, police chief Henry Powells kept his gun on the table, as if ready to open fire in his own house. He and his daughter narrowly avoided speaking to one another, yet a nce triggered Network.


    <em> This Saturday, Mayor Brown dered, a victorious smirk on his face, Onest push, and the Maleking will reward us for our efforts. Have you gotten thest volunteer?</em>


    <em>Powells smirked back. After struggling for so long, they would finally get the power they deserved. Yes. Selected and ready for capture at your call.</em>


    <em>Perfect. His friend and co-conspirator jumped on ce. Tell our men to meet at Midnight on Saturday at the Chemical nt. I want our entire team to witness the results of our good work.  </em>


    As Mathias had expected, Network worked even while watching through his nodes  the term he had coined for people he had touched and turned into spies. This woulde in handy, as he penned the various details.


    What he had learned, though


    The conspiracy ran deeper than the police. Way deeper. If both the police chief and the mayor were involved, it would exin how they had been able to operate for so long. Did Samantha know? He doubted that. Unlike Jack, she didnt seem the type to go along with such behavior.


    What was the point, though? Concordia might be oppressive, but they wouldnt let disappearances continue for too long. ording to Sol, they would act soon, local opposition or not. They couldnt sustain the operation in the long term.


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    And in spite of all the elements at hand, Mathias couldnt fathom the motive yet.


    Still, he now had information. The conspiracy would gather on Saturday midnight at the old Chemical nt at the citys outskirts. He remembered the ce had been abandoned since Concordia deported the production


    Huh?


    Jacks feed had vanished from his interface.


    The others remained active, but Jack was nowhere to be seen, and an in-depth check up of the app didnt help find it. Confused, Mathias checked the time, and then understood.


    Forty-eight hours.


    That was thest time he had physical contact with Jack at the Coffee Shop. All the others he had touched in the same timespan. He would test out this hypothesis, but for now, it seemed the most likely exnation.


    So, Network had a time limit. He had to renew the spell every two days or he would lose the feed. Thisplicated matters. Without Jack as an additional insider, he might miss important information.


    What should he even do with the intel? Calling the police would obviously backfire; telling his dad would encourage him to infiltrate the meeting, with potentially disastrous consequences.


    No. Mathias would go there, take incriminating pictures, and release them online anonymously. His targets relied on their public image to protect themselves; his n would strip them of that.


    Blue World alone wouldnt protect him, however; while the local policecked advanced Concordian weaponry, they still had guns. He needed to invest in additional protection, gain a weapon of his own.


    Mathias typed damage spell in the Compendium research bar, in case results woulde out. Berserk came first, which he ignored due to the inherent dangers of losing ones mind, alongside Firekin; fire control without creation meant that unless he put something on fire he wouldck any means to defend himself.


    As he expected, most suggestions were Red or Orange; not surprising since they dealt with the physical world.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Seamancer</strong>


    Affinity: Orange


    Dot: 1


    Price: 5


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    The user gains the ability to psychically direct existing liquid water within sight, moving the water in any direction he wishes. The user cannot turn the water either solid or gaseous; the purer the liquidsposition, the finer the control.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Dirt Call</strong>


    Affinity: Orange


    Dot: 1


    Price: 5


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    The user gains the ability to psychically direct earth within sight, moving dirt in the direction he wishes. The purer the earth, the finer the control.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Stockmight</strong>


    Affinity: Red


    Dot: 1


    Price: 5


    Activation: Passive, Physical Touch.


    The users body stockpiles kic energy, lessening impacts and numbing hits. The user can then release the energy in bursts on physical touch, enhancing their strength.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Heatriser</strong>


    Affinity: Red


    Dot: 1


    Price: 5


    Activation: Active, Voice.


    User gains the ability to increase the heat around their body, increasing temperatures while remaining unaffected. </td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Quasar</strong>


    Affinity: Red


    Dot: 1


    Price: 5


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    The user gains the ability to psychically direct light within sight, creating artificial darkness, or blinding shes. The user cannot create light and is limited to using existing sources.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Biosurge</strong>


    Affinity: Red


    Dot: 1


    Price: 5


    Activation: Active, Voice.


    User can produce a burst of bioelectricity around them, shocking living beings and disturbing electronic devices.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    The options disappointed Mathias a bit. The Red options needed voice activation and had underwhelming effect, while the Orange spells needed specific conditions to work. Seamancer would have had potential, if the Chemical Pant not been located ind.


    In the end, Dirt Call was the best choice. Earth  although the definition implied an esoteric definition rather than a scientific one  could be found almost anywhere. But the sight limit reduced its utility.


    Thankfully, he had enough Spellcoins for a second purchase. Perhaps another spell could improve the first? He typed expanded vision in his search and found the perfect product.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Intuimotion</strong>


    Affinity: Blue


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3


    Activation: Passive.


    The user gainsplete awareness of all motion within a ten meter/thirty-two foot radius, giving them an expanded psychic sight alongside an intuitive understanding of movement.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    A ten meters radius of psychic sight meant he could expand Dirt Calls range significantly. Both were passive as well, and as such easier to deploy.


    Mathias purchased both with a click and activated them. He closed his eyes, trying to focus on the dirt left in the house


    What followed was difficult to put into words. In a sh of Blue and Orange, he could suddenly sense the air move in his apartment, the dirt on the ground and then the signals kepting, chaotic, disordered. The more he tried to focus on the dirt signal, the less he felt his hold on it.


    And then, when he pushed too hard...


    CRACK!


    A sound not unlike ss shattering echoed in his mind, jolting his brain and causing his eyes to snap back open.


    He saw.


    He saw his own face through hisptops screen and camera. He saw the city outside, the pigeon pooping on his windows like on his own eye. He saw the kitchen, his darkened bedroom, everything in his whole apartment. He could even see the corridor leading to their door, through the camera right above it.


    He could no longer feel the air, or the dirt, or the movements around him. The ss though the windows, the ss cups, hisptops screen, all of them had be a part of him. He could see through them, feel them.


    Blue words wrote themselves in his mind, giving an exnation to his situation.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    New Hack created!


    <strong>ss Field</strong>


    Dot: 2


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    Components: Intuimotion + Dirt Call


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    You now have absolute psychic control over ss within a ten meter/thirty-two foot radius. You can use ss as an extension of your own senses, and cast spells through them. The purer the ss, the finer your control.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    His spells hadbined into a stronger one!


    With a thought, Mathiasmanded a ss cup on the kitchen table toe to him. Much to his astonishment, the object flew across the room at an arrows speed, and ended up floating right in front of his nose. Mathias just stared nkly at the miracle, his whole understanding of thews of gravity undone tight before his eyes. An experience doubly wonderful, as he mentally saw his own face through the item.


    The young man next tested the finesse of his control. With a thought, the ss cup dposed into a cloud of tiny pieces, each as small as a sand grain. Although he could no longer see clearly through them, he could still feel them. Mathias reassembled them into a sphere of ss, then a moreplex skull shape.


    Did his spell have a limit of weight or size? He could sense every tiny bit of ss around him, and his magically-granted instincts told him he couldmand them all at once if he so wished. Deciding against destroying his apartment, Mathias returned the cup to its original form and telekically put it back in its original ce.


    Now he had a powerful, versatile weapon; in a world ruled by technology, he could find ss everywhere. A thought crossed his mind, however. What happened to ss Fieldsponents?


    Checking his ount, he noticed Intuimotion and Dust Call missing from his avable spells. Moving to the Compendium, he noticed them avable for purchase, unlike Blue World or Premium Thoughts.


    His individual spells had been consumed by the process, like a chemical reaction. To use them in their base state, Mathias would have to purchase them again. Which he no longer had the funds to do.


    Mathias decided to take a break and look at his phones messages. One from Ulysses, six from Perse, and sixteen from Vivianne. He started with the simplest and most elegant, four words long.


    <em>ULYSSES: are you dead yet?</em>


    Jackass.


    Mathias went through Viviannes message with less thought, barely registering some words, like you okay, sweetie, please sleep, or Illuminati poisoning. Mathias put more focus on Perses messages.


    <em>PERSE: Mom told me you were sick. Are you okay?</em>


    <em>PERSE: you okay? You havent been active in a while.</em>


    <em>PERSE: hi Matt, if youre still sick on Saturday, its fine. Its totally fine.</em>


    <em>PERSE: Ille at your home and y video games with you, itll be fun.</em>


    <em>PERSE: Ulysses managed to convince Maggie for Saturday? No way!</em>


    <em>PERSE: Iming with Ulysses tonight to visit. No buts.</em>


    It brought a smile on Mathias face, as he moved to work on his games<em></em>before his friends coulde.


    Changing theyout of his game corner, programming new monsters, and editing programming lines to smooth out building textures. The more he became absorbed in the video game, the less he thought. He was in the zone.


    In developer mode, Mathias held a birds eye view of the virtual world, like a god overseeing his creation from the clouds  which he was, in a way. His sight was limited to his castle and its surroundings, over which he held administrator privileges. Beyond that, he could only see a white void, blind as he was. It ensured developing teams couldnt leak the content of other groups to the press or gamers. Only Maxwell, the games creator, could oversee the entire game world at a single given time.


    Mathias wondered how it felt, to watch a game setting the size of a small world evolving on its own, built over a year by two hundred teams around the world. It must feel invigorating; ones vision bing reality.


    Mathias had designed his corner of the world with a gardeners attention. Theyout was rtively simple. Castle Noirceur stood as a ck stronghold of ancient evil, surrounded by a terrible green glow and the wails of the dark spirits haunting the location. The castle was heavily fortified, with six towers of ckened stone rising from its depths, manned by ferocious, humanoid lizards. The very tip of the fortress, surrounded by the thick halo of ancient energies, held the altar of the Primeval Serpent, where the boss battle would take ce.


    Maya, can you open a second visual feed? Any random ce will do.


    The AI obeyed the order, a second video of a sinister swamp popping up on the side of his screen, right next to his visual of Castle Noirceur.


    He could focus on both with equal intensity.


    This sounded simple, but the mental effort needed to maintain this should have been tremendous. Open a third feed. The AI did, with Mathias not noticing any difference. Open three more.


    By now, Mathias was facing a mosaic of various video feeds, showing marshes, ins, and caves around his castle. Each of them he could examine with perfect rity and detail.


    Maya, can you link up to online reading websites and project courses on the six secondary feeds? Beginner courses in mechanical engineering, medicine, biology, and physics.


    The screens surrounding his main video feed started to portray pages from various online manuals, teaching the basics of building small machines, using pharmaceutical substances, or the underlying dynamics of the universe.


    Only a nce was enough to memorize the entire page, his brain absorbing the information at a near-instant pace. Next page, next page This was too slow. Next page any time I blink.


    As he finished two courses within a few minutes and remembered every single word, the sheer potential of Premium Thoughts dawned on Mathias. The time he had wasted on school assignments, he could have used to be a doctor, or an engineer, or learn to create makeshift bombs, or enhance hisputer engineering.


    Suddenly, the technological supremacy of Concordia made a lot more sense. If Mathias could achieve such exploits with basic spells, he shuddered to think what experienced Sorcerers could aplish.


    Leaving hisputer and facing the light of day through his kitchens window, Mathias saw two familiar faces stand before the door, his magic rying him the information before they knocked. After checking his apartment in case he had left something incriminating in in sight, the young designer opened the door to his guests.


    Ulysses and Perse stood in front of him, thetter looking more worried than the former.


    You look terrible, Ulysses said with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.


    Perse gave her brother her trademark sour look, which he superbly ignored. Mom told us youve been working all the time on the game, she said, crossing her arms. While sick.


    The sheer intensity and reproach in her stare made Mathias want to cower in a corner. I just threw up, he lied, scratching the back of his head, while letting his friendse inside. No big deal.


    Dude, you look straight out of a North Korean work camp, Ulysses said, walking with his sister through the kitchen while Mathias closed the door behind them.


    Ive got soda in the fridge, and apple juice, Mathias said, his best friend quickly assaulting his reserve with wanton thirst. Ulysses tossed one can to Mathias, while opening another for himself.


    Matt, thats full of pesticide and chemicals, Perseined, stealing Matthias can before he could open it. Ulysses is too far gone to be saved, but you arent.


    Hey, give it back! Mathiasughed, struggling with his friend to recover his prize. Diabetes is my destiny! In spite of her previous sourness, Persephone couldnt help butugh happily at the childish antics.


    Meh, children nowadays, Ulysses said with heavy sarcasm in the background, observing the fight with vague interest before leaping onto the sofa. Whos up for home delivered fried chicken tonight? My treat. Perse can take the sd.


    Asshole, Perse replied, joining her brother on the sofa with Mathias. She had lost the soda duel to the death and drowned her defeat in orange juice. I say sushi night.


    Fish is meat, Ulysses replied.


    No, its not, Perse insisted.


    Fish have eyes, her brother replied.


    Mathias had seen this argument before. Im up for sushi. Ive had too much fatty chickentely.


    Aw, Matt, I knew you cared, Perse chirped happily.


    Traitor, Ulysses replied without much enthusiasm, grabbing his phone to order the food. Its true what the dragons say, democracy is oppressive to minorities.


    Mathias did his best to ignore thement. How did you convince Maggie toe with you, by the way? he asked Ulysses, his own digital sses on hand. You ckmailed her?


    I told her Maggie, I choose you, and it worked like a charm.


    Mathias kept quiet for a few seconds before saying, You picked up a date with a<em> Pokemon</em> catch phrase?


    You can say it was Ulysses trailed off for extra effect. Super effective.


    Mathias and Perse burst outughing. She didnt get the reference, didnt she? Perse asked.


    Of course not. Can you imagine what she would have said otherwise? Ulysses took a sip of his soda. I think shes a closet psychopath.


    Huh? Both Mathias and Perse said in almost perfect synchronization.


    A real psycho, and she believes Im one too. She asked me if I liked animals. I said as much as a boot loves a puppy, and she took it seriously. It got really creepy afterwards. Do you know she carries a gun outside school? Told me she used pictures of her dad as target practice.


    Yeah, creepy. Guns were banned except forw enforcement; Maggie exposed herself to reprisal if caught.


    Her father is the chief of police, so she might have stolen one of his firearms.


    I dont think so. In fact I think her father gave her a gun and just doesnt give a shit, Ulysses put his phone away. Full course sushi ising in fifteen minutes. Happy? Youve ruined everythi


    Since youve worked so hard for the day, Matt, and you clearly arent going to take a rest, Perse cut in, interrupting her brother while bringing out her own digital sses, why dont we ytest your changes for ourselves?


    Sorry, not in the mood for four deaths in a row, Ulysses shot back.


    Actually, I had another set-up in mind, Mathias took a deep breath. We work as a team instead of one against the others. We teleport to the countryside and we do sidequests instead of clearing out Castle Noirceur.


    Dude, youre a boss meant to challenge full teams of level seventeen yers, Ulysses pointed out. Arent you, like, overpowered for sidequests?


    Yes, exactly, Mathias said. And I will put you guys at level seventeen too. No struggling against traps; tonight, we just enjoy the ride.


    So, let me summarize, Perse smirked, a sh going through her brothers eyes. Were ying the hardest game ever on easy mode?


    Yes. His friends had put on the sses before he could finish that single word.


    Putting on his digital sses himself, Mathias left reality for his digital world. Maya, he spoke. Start a ytesting session. Location, Lizard Camp B.


    The virtual assistant began checking his ID. Name: Mathias Martel, seventeen. Location: Evermarsh, Florida. Registration 5402. Pre-registered ss: Snake Charmer, level seventeen.


    Instantly called down from the skies above to the ground below, Mathias found himself at the entrance of a wooden fort back in his virtual avatar body, a sinister, shadowy dark lord.


    Unlike more stereotypical dark lords, Mathias had given his avatar a bard-like aesthetic. His armor was little more than scale-shaped chainmail, and his boots and gloves were made of velvet rather than steel. A shadowy aura obscured most of his body and face. Even his main weapon was a rapier rather than a heavier weapon. It made him stand out visually, and be memorable for yers.


    Ironically, Perse herself looked more like a dark lord than he did. Towering one foot above him while d in heavy ck ted armor, her face was hidden beneath a spiked helmet, her body emitting heat because of a magical effect. From the outside, it seemed as if the armor contained smokeless fire rather than a human. She wielded a heavy mace with her right hand, and arge rounded shield with the left. She was the epitome of the ck Knight.


    As a high-level Necromancer, Ulysses was a shambling, crowned corpse d in regal, ck and golden tattered robes. More dead than alive, his empty eye sockets crackled with blue fire from beyond. Unlike his fellows, he didnt carry weapons, focusing on pure magic and the magic rings on his skeletal fingers. Ulysses more than anyone was a consummate role yer, and managed to imitate a zombies shambling walk inside the game.


    Now that he thought of it, assembled as they were, they looked like an evil version of the ssic RPG party: the wizard, the rogue, and the warrior.


    And here they were, three badasses facing a poorly defended wooden fort meant for beginner characters. Two lizardmen, miserable reptilian creatures, stood guard at the entrance, squealing in surprise. To their eyes, it was as if the trio had manifested out of thin air.


    With a swipe of his rapier, Mathias killed them both at once without a sound. Their corpses fell to the ground, before exploding into a cloud of smoke. Perse smashed through the camps barricade while Ulysses began tough maniacally, fire swirling around his hands.


    Before Mathias knew it, he found the whole camp on fire, the lizardmen in disarray, and himself surrounded by mes, screams, and chaos. Perse was smashing through entire groups of reptilian soldiers with mere swings of her mace, sending the creatures flying upon contact, while Ulysses bombarded the area with magical artillery.


    These lizards were level one out of thirty. The whole team was level seventeen.


    The monsters never stood a chance. Hell, they couldnt even inflict damage on their attackers. Their paltry bronze weapons couldnt pierce his and Ulysses magical defenses nor Perses heavy armor. Ulysses enjoyed the one-sided sh a lot more than his sister,ughing insanely as heunched fireball after fireball at war tents. After spending weeks getting his ass kicked inside Castle Noirceur, the experience felt cathartic.


    Mathias quickly joined in, cutting down lizards with his rapier and casting spells with his free right hand. After a time, he found himself in the zone, unable to think, so focused he was on cutting through enemies. It was no different than ying a first-person shooter, ughtering ones way through the game. No tactics or skills needed; only raw predatory instinct.


    The sounds of pain of the lizards didnt bother him.


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    Because they looked like dragons.


    The sound of a phone notification briefly snapped him out of his violent fantasy. Can you cut your notifications, Matt? Perse asked. I cant focus.


    Mathias raised his sses, and found a message from a phone number he didnt have.


    <em>UNKNOWN: Hey, its Samantha. Samantha Brown.</em>


    <em>UNKNOWN: Are youing Saturday night?</em>

 Chapter 4: Season Pass A

    Chapter 4: Season Pass A


    Are you sure this is the right ce? Ulysses asked from the white, Flux-powered Ford Fiestas backseat. He looked pretty ufortable wearing a tuxedo for the party, fidgeting next to his sister. Mathias didnt fare any better, sweating under his suit and gloves.


    I told you that it was like a pce, Perse chirped. She had dressed astonishingly well for the night, wearing a short, sensual ck dress, and holding her red hair together with a blue rose. Even Mathias could only stare. His jaw had even dropped when they had picked the Werners up.


    And she had been sitting strangely close to him ever since. It made him ufortable. Not that he wasnt used to her physical closeness, but it felt weird tonight. He had even suppressed the urge to fish for information with Network, worrying about the answer he would get.


    Thats an understatement, sweetie, Vivianne said, sitting at the front seat next to the driver, Mathias own father. While they would be out on a friendly dinner on paper, Mathias had noticed she had put perfume on.


    <em>- Viviane made a face in front of the mirror. Had she overdone the eyeshade? Victor had seemed interested, but with the memory of his wife still haunting him, he might pull back if she forced too much  </em>


    Yes, Mathias had guessed right. His power took out all the surprise.


    Thanks for driving us, Mr. Martel, Perse said, as the trio stepped down from the car.


    Its normal, cant have her be the one driving you guys all the time, Victor replied. Mathias would have sworn he saw his father smile in the dark. You sure your date is here, Ulysses?


    Yeah, she texted me. She just left the house with her brother.


    All is good, then. The parents waved them goodbye before leaving them for their own dinner, the car leaving without making a sound. Mathias had to give credit to Concordia. Clean energy for all devices made for a quiet city.


    Mathias dusted himself off, before taking a moment to look at the massive mansion in front of him.


    Even from blocks away, the glow of dancing lights and the sound of dubstep music made it impossible to miss the residence. Sitting on a small hill, Mayor Browns estate stood out for being out of time. An exotic creamy-white house detailed in a neo-Art Deco style; huge picture windows made up the south and west walls of the house, facing the sea. The immense garden surrounding the ce smelled of alien scents; Mayor Brown had imported strange, star-shaped red flowers from another world.


    Security was state of the art, of course. An electric fence surrounded the pce, and Mathias noticed surreptitiously ced cameras monitoring them right above the entrance portal. The metal doors opened for them without a word, the automated system recognizing their faces. Tworge Bullmen bouncers held guard at the entrance, checking the groups ID before they could get in.


    The party was already on as Mathias walked into the garden, Perse putting her arm around his own in a mock g gesture. He could see that the ce was packed with dozens of students and young faces he hadnt seen. Almost all of them had gathered around an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Hob servants moved around, serving refreshments and food to the humans present.


    <em> chaotic yet formal; politically correct ambiance for now, wontst long; energy waiting to be unleashed with the proper incentive  </em>


    Here I go  gotta catchem all, Ulysses said, leaving to look for his date among the crowd. He seemed entirely out of ce in that gathering, not paying much attention to his surroundings.


    I try so hard to set him up with someone, and this always happens, Perseined, then rubbed against Mathias, much to his difort and amusement. Good thing I have the best one on hand.


    Mathias could tell that she enjoyed making him uneasy in front of others. Fortunately, he found a nice distraction, noticing Samantha not too far away.


    Look, theyre setting up a stage.


    Indeed, a small group of boys were busy setting up microphones and drums, under the watchful eye of Samantha and another girl Mathias had yet to meet. Orb-shaped speaker drones flew around them, ying dubstep music, and ready to ry karaoke songs.


    Thank you all, Samantha thanked the boys, which most of them Network identified as her personal fans. She had dressed superbly tonight, wearing a golden dress that rivaled Perses own in sheer ir. You all get a drink for your hard work when youre finished!


    Sam! Perse shouted, as Mathias and her reached the small group. Have you brought the guitar?


    Always, the singer replied, before putting an arm behind the unknown girls waist and pushing her forward gently. Matt, Perse, here is my penpal, Kari Matsumoto. She just arrived yesterday night.


    Kari was a Japanese teenager, smaller than Mathias. As pale as a ghost, her eyes were a sharp, icy blue, and looked deeply thoughtful. While she kept her ck hair cut short; a streak of white hair stood out on the left side of her head. She wore a tight ck outfit with long sleeves, that reminded Mathias of a ninja or a cat in the way she walked, looking out of ce in the crowd.


    Hi, Kari! Perse said with a bright, warm smile.


    The young woman nodded slightly in traditional fashion. I am happy to make your acquaintance, she said with a soft and formal voice, in stark contrast with Perses booming exuberance.


    <em> Kari observed the crowd from the shadows, rich investors and big names gathering in support of the Grimsour-Matsumoto acquisition. Target is in sight, Toshiyami-sensei said from her earpiece, Dispatch.  </em>


    Karis eyes widened slightly, and her head snapped right at Mathias, like a hunter noticing their prey. The suddenness of the gesture scared the young designer to his very core.


    <em> Kari couldnt shake this feeling of dread. Even if the dojo was empty and silent, something inhuman watched her, piercing her very soul  </em>


    Hi, Mathias, Samantha said, interrupting the flow of Networks information. Perse, can you take over the stage for five minutes? I need to borrow your date for a little bit.


    Huh? Both Mathias and Perse said at the same time.


    It will be quick, I promise. Samantha took a bewildered Mathias by the other arm with a queenly demeanor that brooked no disobedience. The young man followed her almost on impulse, while leaving a surprised Perse out in the cold.


    After leading Mathias near the edge of the pool, she put her arms behind her back. One step and they might fall in the water, where a few boys and girls had already taken to moonlight swimming. Mathias, Samantha said, as the two sat at the edge of the pool. I must tell you something.


    Mathias straightened up, remembering her previous message, as Samantha imperiously snapped her finger, a Hob hurrying to serve them two ceramic cups full of a ck substance. What is it? he asked, looking into the liquid.


    Moonck, she replied, as she took her own cup.


    Moonck?! Moonck was a thick, strong ck milk produced by Lord Revels fairies in the Sphere of Ar. Concordias ban on imported products from rival powers meant a drop was worth its weight in gold.


    Mathias brought the drink to his lips, finding the taste sweet and pleasing. The powerful drink filled his pte and head with a rush of energy, not unlike that of a caffeine infusion. He could already feel his focus increasing. So?


    Samantha inhaled heavily before speaking, My dad told me today that a representative of the Institute would visit Evermarsh High School by the end of the month, she said, before smiling brightly. You and I have been nominated for membership by Mr. Barth.


    ... Oh. Well, that wasnt the answer he had expected.


    You dont seem surprised. Come on, Matt, its amazing.


    No, no, its its great, Im ttered. His father would be proud.


    The Loctis Institute was a prestigious establishment, dedicated to furthering both scientific and magical research for the Concordian Empire. Anton Maxwell, Mathias CEO, had attended it, alongside other big names. All those who had attended it became high-ranking members of the regime or achieved societal sess.


    But the Institute also produced most of the Empires war tech, alongside Grimsour Industries. Joining meant putting his intellect into the service of dragons; he would rather design games instead of war machines.


    Nominated being the key word, Samantha said. The Institute is very selective. The representative might decide to pick only one of us.


    And you want me to back out? He knew she wouldnt  she cravedpetition  but he wanted to see her reaction.


    Samanthaughed, Of course not. Im actually happy that were inpetition for the spot. I took the nomination for granted, so the risk of losing it spices up my life. Tell me, Matt, do you y chess?


    I prefer the game of Go, Mathias replied, putting his cup back inside the drone alongside Samanthas after finishing. Chess is direct and offensive, while Go is more subtle, indirect. It fits my mindset better.


    Maybe we could y a gameter? I really want to have a rival I can match wits with. Everyone always ys nice with me, so its fun to fight someone that doesnt hold back. She took a look around, noticing the stage was set for her music band. You know, this will probably be myst party in Evermarsh. Afterwards, Im either going to leave for the Institute or for a big Arc-City. I really wanted to bring everyone together for onest night.


    You did, Mathias said with a smile. Everyone managed to make it.


    Except Jack. Her voice wasced with an undercurrent of venom. He texted me saying he wouldnte.


    Mathias paused. He had a pretty good idea where the boy could have gone. Are you two...


    I deserved better than a text, she cut him off, ending the conversation on a foul note.


    Perses booming voice resonated across the garden, enhanced by the flying drones. Is this thing on? Sam, Maggie, were on! Matt, its Terra Firma calling, I can see that you arent paying attention! So pay attention, damnit!


    A wave ofughter spread across the audience, snapping Mathias back to reality and bringing joy back to Samantha. <em>She is so going to suffer,</em> he thought, as Samanthaughed out loud and left him to join her friends.


    The Evermarsh Skulls, with Perse as guitarist and Samantha as the singer, assembled on the stage, with the various partygoers surrounding them. Maggie Powells, the drummer, would round out the trio.


    Or would have, had she showed up.


    Mathias could tell something was wrong from his spot, as Samantha and Perse began to whisper away from the microphone. Eventually, Samantha made a gesture at Kari, inviting her on the scene. The Japanese girl took the drummers ce, much to everyones surprise.


    With a trio assembled, and content that Mathias was paying attention to her, Perse gave the microphone back to Samantha. First of all, the diva dered, instantly quelling the crowd with her voice.Thank you all of you foring tonight. Ive got a question for you, though.


    She raised her arm above. Who wants to put Evermarsh on fire tonight?!


    The crowd erupted, raising their arms.


    Then say with me, three


    Three! the crowd roared. Two! One!


    Here we go! Samantha shouted, Perse unleashing a powerful sound as Kari hit the drums.


    And the crowd just went <em>wild</em>.


    <em>With bright light </em>Samantha sang.


    A bunch of boys distributed alcohol cans to everyone, girls took their dates to dance, and small drones circled the property, projecting holograms in the form of a kic lightshow.


    The Evermarsh Skulls yed with their eyes closed, subsumed in a trance. Perse, especially, moved as if possessed, jumping around with her guitar. Her energy spread to the audience, with multiple people jumping on ce with reckless abandon. The very ground shook, shook...


    <em>All will be one for one is never alone</em>


    Mathias found himself pping, entranced by the music. Even Ulysses, ever the detached loner, began to smile and jump in ce.


    <em> Osmosis achieved; emotional energy spreading; all are one  </em>


    But for Mathias, his heart just wasnt in it. He only had to take a long hard look at the night sky to understand why. The light of the city blotted out the stars, but the full moon shone a bright crimson.


    The young man could see the massive, metallic, red-colored structure covering the moon with perfect rity. He could see the brightness at the center of the construct, the Flux energy pit whose terrible eruptions caused so many deaths.


    Damocles. The seat of the dragon authority ruling Earth, the symbol of their domination. The Doomsday weapon that wiped Russia off the map.


    How did it feel, to look at that weapon? To wonder everyday whether it would fire, burning your city and those one loved? How did it feel to hold a party under that bloody moon, to forget oneself in booze and drugs and carry on while pretending everything was fine?


    It felt awful.


    Yet something else bothered him, the seed of a doubt infesting his mind. He had expected Jacksst minute absence, since he was clearly involved in his fathers plot. But Maggie? His Network insight pointed in the opposite direction. Why would she be absent?


    No.


    No, they couldnt go that far. The Powells couldnt cross <em>that </em>line. They couldnt...


    As the doubt growed, and the implications became clear, Mathias ran away the rave in a hurry.

 Chapter 4: Season Pass B

    Chapter 4: Season Pass B


    Mathias observed the Chemical nt from afar, hidden in the shadows. While he had run as fast as he could, and had to catch his breath not to copse, clearly he waste for the <em>real </em>party.


    In the darkness of the night, the nt looked like an ominous fortress of rusted steel, ruined by time. Lines of dpidated structures, of crumbling towers, weed Mathias. The nt hidden away like a dirty secret as far away from town as logistically possible. The acid smell itched his throat. His ss Field let him see swarms of rats tailing him in the dark, or crawling nearby.


    Before the Conquest made the previous owner bankrupt, this ce had been a nest of jobs for the city, hosting hundreds of employees. It had slowly fallen into decay, the Concordian government abandoning it to focus on building a whole new city instead of repairing an obsolete, toxic ruin. Once the Arc-City would be operational, the nt would finally be razed to the ground alongside the rest of the old Evermarsh, thend turned into fields or factories.


    The electric fence had copsed at one point, leaving a gaping hole for anyone to go through. And they had; half a dozen cars were parked right in front of the fences, mostly police cars and the ck Mercedes that picked Samantha up from school.


    Approaching as stealthily as he could, Mathias ss Field soon epassed the cars, and he began to hear people discussing in low voices through his extended senses.


    long enough. The visual sensation sent by ss Field revealed the speaker as a police member speaking to his partner. As Mathias had worried, both had guns. My wife was starting to ask questions. Almost used me of having an affair with you!


    No kidding? his female partner replied with a smirk. By now Mathias had moved on the other side of the Mercedes. She should have a little more trust in you.


    That is why my husband and I made a point of both being onboard since day one, another woman said; fashionably dressed for corporate work invited herself in the discussion. She held a dashing man with a confident smile by the arm. Trust is the foundation of a strong marriage.


    It took a moment for Mathias to recognize the man due to the ambient darkness, until he opened his mouth, Indeed. If you wife still bothers you officer, I can vouch for your integrity. The consummate public figure, Mayor Brown had a way to make you like him, even when his promises sounded empty.


    Thank you, Mister Mayor. Im just happy everything will be over after tonight.


    His partner seemed less relieved. I hope it was worth it. Those poor guys


    Dregs of society. Browns wife brushed off. If anything, Concordia ought to reward us for removing those drains of their public finances.


    Still that was hard, said the female cop. Especially the first few.


    Necessary sacrifices in the pursuit of a righteous purpose, Brown reassured the cop. Your task was the hardest, so its okay to feel doubt. I swear though, tonightsmb will be ourst on the altar.


    The phrasing chilled Mathias to the bone. Henry should be done, Browns wife said, tightening her hold on her husband. And Im freezing.


    Yes. Lets start the ceremony. Without another word, Brown led his group away from the cars and into the nt.


    Mathias clenched his fists in suppressed rage. Those people had clearly killed the victims, and seemed about to do it again.


    Mathias knew direct intervention was beyond risky. Scratch that, it sounded suicidal when he thought about it. Attacking an armed group was a major step up from his current tests, one that could easily end in his death even with his magic. He could follow his initial n, taking incriminating pictures anonymously


    No. He couldnt chicken out now. If he could save an innocent life tonight, he would have to step in.


    Besides, fighting Gearsmen, or Troopers, or Concordian forces would prove tremendously more difficult than beating up corrupt cops. He had to start somewhere.


    When the group moved far enough away, Mathias activated his ss Field. Careful not to activate the cars rm, he turned most of the windows into ss dust, drawing it to him. The Mercedes stained, reinforced ss he separated from the rest, bringing it to his face and shaping it into a featureless helmet covering most of his skull. The stained ss color would hide his face, protecting his identity; since he could see through ss, the darkness outside didnt bother him. Tiny holes at various points allowed him to breath through it.


    Part of the dust, he shaped into an armored te over his chest, like a bulletproof vest. With his power active, the ss moved with him like a second skin. The rest, he transformed into a dozen flying daggers.


    Still unaware of his presence, Browns group had moved around the perimeter, reaching an isted warehouse with a solid iron door. Mathias looked from afar as he knocked on it twice, then three times.


    Henry Powells opened the door; Mathias sensed the phone in his pocket, and the gun brushing against it. The young man did his best to listen, in spite of distance; the phones screen in his pocket ryed the sound to Mathias. She is ready.


    She? Brown sounded surprised as he walked in, Powells closing and locking the door once thest man had gotten inside.


    Mathias approached the wall next to the door, his field covering the warehouses interior. Mathias let his senses expand, the warehouses windows andmps ry him sound and sight.


    He could scarcely distinguish anything in the dim-lit room. Eight people had assembled inside, most of them cops, the others Browns own entourage and Jack, dressed in a simple white shirt.


    Mathias suddenly noticed a ninth person, a woman in a white dress bound and gagged to a chair at the center of the room; her face covered by a bag. She had bruises on her arms. Jack kept watch on her, his hands on her shoulders.


    Fuck. He resisted the urge to make all the ss in the warehouse explode in those bastards faces, waiting only to get a better picture of the situation.


    As he focused on the scene, he received more sensory information, allowing him to better scan the area. He could see big fat rats crawling in corners, as if waiting for a meal to fall for them to devour. The most noticeable feature, however, was the mark.


    The group had drawn a crimson, giant M right beneath the bound woman, with a dried substance that reminded Mathias of blood. The symbol had been stylized, the edges of the letter looking like mes. The more Mathias looked at this, even through ss, the more unease settled in his heart.


    The sight filled him with a primal sensation of fear.


    You are sure about this, Henry? Mayor Browns face had grown pale, slightly disturbed. I never asked you to go this far.


    The Maleking appreciates personal sacrifices, Powells replied. What greater offering than this one?


    But she is your own flesh and blood.


    She was a mistake that I would have drowned at birth had her mother not gotten in the way. Besides, you said we needed to throw the scent off our back. After she dies, nobody will suspect us. Well be the victims.


    She texted her boyfriend, Jack warned. I can lie, say we were attacked. If someone can rough me up a bit, it will look convincing


    We will deal with the fallout after the ceremony, Brown cut in, regaining control of the interaction. He straightened his clothes, brushing off dust as easily as his own buried conscience. Time for a word of congrattions.


    Youve got a speech ready? Henry smiled.


    Always, Brown said and cleared his throat, the gathering eyeing him. My dear friends, after long, hard weeks, our task ends tonight. Each of us struggled in secrecy, and we persevered. At longst, our efforts will yield just fruit with thisst offering.


    Mathias had to struggle not to mentally slit his throat mid-speech. For the first time in his life, he considered killing a fellow man.


    Ten years ago, when mankind faced its greatest challenge, many of us lost hope. Soon, we will lose our jobs too, watching machines beat our poption, or decide our future for us. Like you, I searched for a light, a way to strike back. I found none.


    Brown made a deliberate pause. Instead, the light found me. Found <em>us</em>.


    The way he spoke, his eyes possessed with fervor, reminded Mathias of those movie cult leaders. Except Brown was flesh and blood instead of pictures on a screen.


    When the dreams came, when the Maleking spoke to us, I refused to believe his promises. I thought I had gone mad. So did many of you, who shared the same visions. Yet, when I saw with my own eyes, the gifts our Benefactor offered for so meager a price then I understood. I knew who I was, what power I had been born to deliver unto the world.


    That fact disturbed Mathias all the more.


    Now, the Maleking will grant one of us the gift of power and in gratitude, we shall give him his due. Brown extended a hand at Jack in a dramatic, symbolic gesture. Jack, the sacrifice.


    Mathias winced, as Jack removed the bag from his victims head. Although he had long guessed the identity of their victim, seeing her bruised face and gagged mouth awakened him to the danger ahead.


    My, Maggie, smile a little. Jack grabbed a sharp knife from his belt, ready to slice his sisters throat with unnerving serenity. Today, I enjoy being an only child.


    Now at the moment of truth, Mathias only spoke two words, echoing through the screens and the windows.


    Blue World.

 Chapter 5: Boss Battle

    Chapter 5: Boss Battle


    Blue World.


    Mathias enchanted words reverberated through the ss like a cascade, spreading the spell through the warehouse as a wave of blue light.


    Time paused inside the room; the audience watched, their faces frozen in either glee, relief, or unnerving nkness. Jacks hand stayed up in the air, ready to fall like a guillotine on his victim. Maggie had closed her eyes, waiting for an end that Mathias had dyed.


    Thinking fast, his spell only limited to five seconds, Mathias wondered if he should go in guns zing or be more subtle. Settling on saving Maggie as his priority, he mentallymanded the warehouses lightbulbs to shatter, darkness swallowing the entire building.


    Gathering most of the ss into a sphere the size of a ser ball, he hurled it at Jacks chest, hitting him at full speed. Mathias heard a loud crack as Jack was propelled back against a wall.


    After seeing that psychos despicable true self, Mathias had no qualms about using violence on him.


    Keeping another shard sharp, Mathias had it cut Maggies restraints as fast as possible, identally grazing her skin.


    Then Blue Worlds effect ended, with Jacks screams of pain as the warning. He held his ribs with both hands, copsing and unable to stand back up.


    Maggie, who quickly realized her restraints had been cut, bolted out of her chair. Whats happening? Brown eximed. While Mathias could see rtively fine through his shards widespread locations, the Mayor and his followerscked the ability to see in the darkness.


    Somethings wrong! Henry Powells replied, his hand rushing to his belt and drawing a gun. He began to aim at the darkness, ready to open fire at random in his daughter''s direction.


    Acting quickly before he could shoot Maggie, Mathias had the touchscreen of the police chiefs phone inside his pocket explode. ss edges cut through his flesh and pants, then impaling his hand. Although Mathias prevented his ss weapons from inflicting lethal wounds, they still drew blood. Powells dropped his weapon, screaming like his son as his blood hit the floor.


    The second it did, the M symbol on the floor lit up with a devilish, crimson glow, bringing a dim light back to the area. Browns followers suddenly had a view of Maggie free, surrounded by flying ss, and with Jackying in a corner. Immediately, those who had guns drew them at Maggie.


    However, whatever horrible ritual they had started ran its course, smokeless mes rising from the M symbol. Maggie wisely leaped out of the symbol before the mes could im her, removing the gag on her mouth and taking a deep breath.


    The sacrifice, interrupted Whatever was happening, it terrified Brown, who had grown pale like a ghost. Kill the girl!


    Acting even quicker, and unable to cast Blue World without affecting Maggie too, Mathias reshaped his flying ss sphere into a thick, dense shield, protecting his charge. Good thing he did; soon two bullets impacted on it and came within an inch of getting through.


    Then, suddenly, the mes started to dance.


    They grew brighter, almost too bright to look upon. The cops lowered their guns, protecting their eyes like all the members of the conspiracy present. Mathias, who observed through his ss rather than his own, vulnerable eyeballs, took a step back in astonishment.


    The mes had grown, gathering into a swirling, smokeless cloud of destruction. The fired turned blue and condensed, taking a vaguely humanoid shape, with long, wed arms. The cloud grew a neck, then a head in the shape of a skull with eye sockets filled with darkness. Browns cult cowered at the sight, while Maggie retreated against a wall, paralyzed by shock.


    Then, the visage <em>spoke</em>.


    Mortals, it spoke with an inhuman voice, more simr to cackling embers than any other sound. Where is my sacrifice?


    Your grace, Brown went down to his knees, along with his wife. The Maleking sent you to us. The remaining members of his audience soon joined him in on their knees; even if Powells struggled against the pain to bow in his own blood.


    The creature didnt seem impressed. Where is my sacrifice? it repeated, slower this time, stressing each word.


    Here, your grace. Brown pointed at Maggie, yet the skull kept its gaze on the mayor. Its ominous presence cowed Mathias even from his hiding spot. The young man attempted to analyze the entity with Network, to discover its origins, to find a weakness, anything to exploit.


    <em>   </em>


    Nothing.


    When Mathias stared at that horror, Network came back with nothing more than buzzing, bleak radio static. The power that had allowed him to crack conspiracies that trained journalists couldnt and figure out anyone, the magic he relied upon most, had failed him.


    Brown took the monsters silence as the warning sign it was, yet to his credit he kept his cool. We had a miscalction, for a reason I cant fathom yet, but I assure you, the girl is yours.


    She is alive. You promised our King a fresh soul, sacrificed in his name. Yet I see only a hack jobs. It stared at Henrys bloodied form with contempt. Where is my vessel?


    Here! Brown raised his head, bright greed and desire burning in his eyes. I was promised the gift! With your power, I can finally...


    Making demands with nothing to show for it? The fiery entity cut him off, its voice gaining a malicious, cruel edge. Since you failed to deliver the sacrifice on time, I will seize another one myself.


    Your grace


    Brown never finished his sentence. In the blink of an eye, faster than Mathias could react, the burning skull breathed a cone of mes at the mayor, swallowing him whole. Browns body burned to cinders within seconds, the flesh seared from the bones, and his skeleton copsing into ashes.


    Browns wife screamed in horror at the sight, her hands on her face. It only made her the next target of the monsters wrath, the beast grabbing her with one of his incendiary arms, the mes spreading across her body and turning her into a living torch.


    And the monsterughed, the cackling, childish rictus of a child burning ants.


    The rest of the cult had started running for their lives, making their way to the exit. The monster didnt give them that mercy. It turned its fiery breath to the door, incinerating the female cop before she could unlock it and turning the iron around her searing hot. The mes cut off the cults retreat, trapping them with the horror they had called yet could not put down.


    Mathias Mathias just stood there, as his brain went nk at the sudden, brutal disy of violence. A stranglehold of pure, unadulterated fear had seized his heart, turned his muscles to stone, as he watched the monstrous entity methodically ughter its own congregation.


    He wanted to jump in and save those fools, whom he had wanted to stop but never to die. Even from the safety of his hiding spot, the sheer horror, a primal survival instinct, kept him anchored. He watched, his thoughts stopped, as Powells was devoured by the mes, then his remaining underlings were backed into a corner and burned to cinders as well.


    Mathias felt small, and helpless, and alone.


    This was it. This was what true magic looked like.


    This was what <em>Hell </em>looked like.


    Only when the monster finished killing thest cultist, leaving Jack and Maggie forst, did Mathias mind began to work again. By now, the smokeless mes had spread to most of the warehouse, trapping the girl and her brother among the encroaching fire.


    However, he still found himself still unable to move. Mathias himself struggled against the urge to just stand there, to run...


    <em>No,</em> he thought, <em>dont think like Mathias. You are Shroud. You are magic.</em>


    He had been chosen. He had received the gift, the knowledge, the sacred fire stolen from the gods. A quest. He couldnt fail right at the beginning, not this way. He had the power. He had all the power in the world.


    He had to y a role, like when he yed his games. Take on the persona of a strong, mighty figure. Bury his human fears deep under a mask. It would be easy. He had to y the role that came most natural to him.


    The viin.


    A viin greater, and more terrifying than the monster. Like Doctor Doom.


    Jolted out of his trance, Shroud cast a spell, his words echoing through the warehouse, Blue World!


    His magic bathed the monster in its blue light.


    It kept going.


    In fact, Blue World only made Maggie stationary, unable to dodge. Thankfully, or unfortunately for Shroud, the burning skull didnt turn to her.


    A Blue Spell, cast on <em>me</em>? The burning skull looked at the wall behind which Shroud stood. You are either young or foolish, sorcerer.


    It was up close and personal, then.


    Focusing on his makeshift, ss bulletproof vest, Shroud had it levitate above the ground, lifting his own body along with it. Facing the warehouses window, he had it shattered as Blue World stopped working, floating into the center of the shrapnel storm.


    Maggie raised her eyes at him from his disy of power.


    <em>Quick, Shroud, think, this is your big moment, your introduction. Your badass rescue moment.</em> He needed an alliterative title, something badass...


    Tremble before He crossed his arms in an arm fold, floating mid-air in a badass, haughty pose he had practiced with the help of a lifetime of Saturday morning cartoons. The Sinister Shroud!


    Yes, his video game acting had bled through.


    The fuck? Maggie answered at his <em>totally awesome </em>moment.


    Sorcerer. Have youe to be my vessel? the fiery entity responded to his deration.


    Shroud blinked at the monsters words, his own helmet heating up from being near the fire.


    Your heart is weak but has potential, The monster said, its tone no longer cruel. Instead, it somehow sounded worse. I sense a burning wrath like mine, unnurtured lust, a slight dash of greed and a shining, beautiful jewel of pride. We could shine brighter together.


    It sounded interested. <em>Eager. </em>


    Shroud responded by sending his ss daggers at the monsters face. I am no ones vessel, he said, the wordsing naturally to him as when he yed his game''s end viin. But if you submit, I may keep you as my pet.


    His ss weapons went through the fiery visage, melting into useless junk as they came out of the other side.


    The fiend wasnt amused. At all. Blinding pride. Then, it opened its mouth, ready to incinerate Shroud like his previous victims.


    Acting quicker, Shroud mentally sent his shield towards the monsters face, altering its shape into a bubble. It surrounded the fiendish apparitions visage, turning its own fiery breath against it. Of course, the ss quickly melted, the sorcerer sensing his control copse.


    Quick, girl! he ordered, levitating above Maggie and offering his arm. Grab my hand!


    The girl, faced with the choice of either burning to death or following a flying ss man, seized his hand. <em>Damn, shes heavy,</em> Shroud thought, finding lifting Maggie to be way harder than movies had let him imagine. Still, they managed to reach the window by the time the entity had freed itself.


    I need a simpler heart, cker still. The monster turned to Jack, cowering in a corner and watching the scene from afar. Yes, a pitch ck, empty soul.


    Shroud briefly thought about how he could fight the monster. None of his spells could damage it and he was endangering Maggie to save the person that almost killed her.


    No big loss, he finally decided, flying through the window and leaving Jack to his fiery death.


    No sooner did he exit the warehouse did fires erupt from behind him, the mes consuming the walls and starting to spread outside. Shroud reached the fence before his arm began to give out, reaching the ground and releasing his hold on Perses friend.


    That car. Maggie pointed at the cars parked nearby, especially a police one. She seemed eager to put distance between that ce and them. My dad always leave his keys on the armrest.


    What kind of cop keeps keys on the armrest? Shroud mocked, hearing the sound of sirens.


    The kind who makes quick getaways. She opened the door and took the drivers seat. Get in, she ordered, her fear reced with irritation.


    Shroud briefly toyed with the idea of cutting her insolent tongue, before the thought jolted him out of his role. <em>Okay, enough method acting for tonight. </em>Without a word, Mathias climbed into the car next to his damsel in distress.


    As much as Mathias would prefer to take down that monster, with nothing in his arsenal able to do so, they had little choice but get away. I can help with the police patrols, he said.


    My father led the police, she grunted, turning the car on and driving them away. Within a minute, they drove out of the chemical nt, leaving only mes behind them. I know how they work.


    Mathias said no words, letting his head hang back and clearing his thoughts. I killed your father, he said, his voice sounded so cold, even after everything. The monster did the deed, but I let it happen.


    Yeah... Then, she added after some hesitation. <em>Good</em>.


    That wasnt the answer he had expected. I. Killed. Your. Father.


    He tried to kill me. Because Im a <em>girl</em>. Good riddance. Only regret is that I didnt return the favor myself. Jack, too. At least the fucker suffered.


    Damn, he understood where that sentiment came from, but she had lived her whole life with those two.


    <em> Maggie red at the office drone with disgust. How they bent, how they killed themselves every time they went to work. No strength in them, no will to fight or take what they wanted. Only the strong survived and prospered. That was thew of nature. She wouldnt make the same mistake.  </em>


    Then again, she <em>had </em>lived her whole life with <em>those two</em>. At least she had turned out passably stable. Maggie scowled at his silence, unwilling to show weakness. With Network on, he could read her mood like a book.


    So her next words shook him to the core. How the fuck did you do that, Martel?


    Shit. I dont know any Martel.


    Dont lie to me, nerd, your helmet doesnt change your voice!


    <em> The Sinister Shroud!</em>


    <em>Wait that low, weak voice that was the voice of that nd geek Perse always hung out with! What was his name again?  </em>


    nd? What a jackass!


    Mathias cursed under his breath, taking off his helmet. He had to admit, he could breathe much easier without it on. I cant keep my secret identity on the first day on the job. What a superhero I am. <em>Note to self, find a voice changer.</em>


    Answer me Martel, Maggie insisted. What did you


    You heard Ghost Rider inside. Mathias suddenly realized that Magik confidentiality only applied to the application itself. No provision prevented him from saying he could cast spells, if he avoided the subject of why. Im magic. Phenomenal cosmic powers and all that.


    Youre kidding, right? She clenched her teeth, offended that he, of all people, could use magic. He didnt need Network to detect a hint of jealousy.


    She would live with it. What the hell happened back there?


    She shrugged her shoulders as she turned a corner. I dunno, Martel. Dad and Jack always were shit, human shit. Never knew what they made of their victims. Now I know. Mathias sensed car windows enter his range, policemen racing towards the burning nt, barking orders to surround the perimeter.


    But you didnt warn He prevented himself from saying the police. The night had exhausted him mentally. Turn left. Theres a police car going to notice us one street ahead. I can sense them.


    The young girl raised an eyebrow, but did as he asked. Werent you supposed to go too Sams party rather than y superhero?


    I was. Been waiting for the right moment to trap your dad for a while, so when I heard you and Jack were missing I rushed to save you.


    Maggie didnt answer for a long, embarrassing moment, unsure how to take the admission. Thanks, she said, spitting the word as if it felt physically painful.


    By now, the sirens grew distant, although he guided Maggie around a street camera. They finally stopped at an empty parking lot near the citys docks, the shadowy form of the Arc-City stood above the dark waves. So how does it go now? Maggie turned to face Mathas, her hands still on the driving wheel. We blow each others brains out?


    Frankly, Mathias just wanted to go back home and sleep. Brown called everyone for that ceremony, so you shouldnt fear reprisal.


    Should. Beneath her attempts to keep a tough face, she looked destroyed, her dress covered in ashes and her skin by bruises.


    Who else knew? He mustered the energy to ask the real question. Did Samantha know?


    No. Neither did the scalies, I can tell you that. Mathias smiled at the expression. I cant just return home, man. Not now. I need a safe ce for now, where Dads friends arent going to look.


    The church in the old district. Maggie sneered at his suggestion. No, seriously, the priest is an awesome person. He will hide you, especially if you drop my name. Guy used to protect people Argentinian cartels wanted dead.


    Since she had no alternative, Maggie epted his suggestion. Youre going with me?


    No. Just drop me off here. He raised his finger in a threatening manner. If you say anything about my powers, or me, your ass is mine.


    Ulysses beat you to it, she replied with a dry tone.


    Argh, too much information. Grabbing his helmet with him, he stepped out of the car. Maggie stopped him, putting her hand on his sleeve. What? he asked.


    I dunno wanna hang out sometimes?


    Like what, killing crazed cultists? He had run out of patience. You want to be my Robin?


    No offense, you look more like Slenderman than Batman. At least she knew her pop culture. Finally getting the hint he was tired, Maggie released her hold. See you soon, Martel.


    Mathias watched her drive away in silence, her windows still providing him with input. He saw her look at the back mirror, a mix of excitement and fear in her eyes. She probably had no more idea of what she had walked herself into than he did.


    When she escaped his range, Mathias walked forward to the edge of the docks, facing the sea and letting the cold wind on his face. He inhaled deep and long, closing his eyes and searching his thoughts.


    When he opened them again, blue words appeared right in front of him, followed by strange, joyful music.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Quest: Lost and Found,plete!</strong>


    You have earned eight Spellcoins.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Even after such a bleak night, that brought a smile on his face.

 Chapter 6: DLC: Hunters Moon

    Chapter 6: DLC: Hunter''s Moon


    When you had a job for long enough, you grew used to the small details that once bothered you to no end. Like teleportation traffic jams.


    Not that John Kresnik couldin, as his tall, strong body materialized in a sh of purple light right among smoking ruins. Terra Firma was a young addition to the Empire, so some areas were still untamed. The Violet Ministry hadnt finished building the whole Warp Grid yet.


    Which meant officials with higher priority ess were teleported before him, mostly to the East Asian Protectorate; he often had to wait for forty minutes before the Ministry cleared a safe warp route for him. John Kresnik had lived long enough to remember the mishaps of the first Warp Grid on Concordia, of citizens teleported at the same ce at the same time and exploding into blood and bones. The Ministry would rather avoid such catastrophes on Terra Firma, especially with the ck Tower in Antarctica interfering with their grid.


    In older colonies, one could safely travel from one side of a to the other within seconds with the right security clearance. Homeworlds own grid was so extensive that waiting in lines had all but disappeared, but it would take a long time before Terra Firma reached the same level of connectivity. Kresnik hoped that the local poption could enjoy the same privilege within a few years.


    If only they would make the same effort for doors that he could fit through on Terra Firma. Humans were so <em>small</em>.


    Captain John Kresnik had read about Evermarsh before his transfer to the area. It was a peaceful, quiet city, which was medium-sized, a far cry from the Miami megapolis. The current mayor  some old local political official the Firmen had been allowed to keep during the transition period  was a moderate with a clean record. Besides the Yellow Ministrys archeological dig in the swamps, Evermarsh was barely a blip on the Blue Ministrys radar.


    However, multiple incidents had recently happened in the area hinted at an uglier picture. Local disappearances, with the local Firmanw enforcement strongly suspected of covering them up. The discovery of a technological artifact during digs.


    And now the massacre.


    The locals needed protection better than what the localw enforcement could provide, and one murder was one too many, let alone dozens. It would be a wee change from hunting Chinese insurgents.


    Kresnik had taken no joy in that assignment; he understood on some level why they rebelled against Concordia. While it didnt prevent the captain from doing his job, it still felt like a waste of life. Murderers and criminals had no such excuse.


    The few humans present on the scene, mostly localw enforcement, recoiled at the sight of him, and Kresnik couldnt me them. Few lycanthropes lived on Terra Firma, and he ranked among the apex specimens of his kind. ording to human measurement, Kresnik almost reached nine feet tall, and weighed more than two thousand pounds. His wed hands could tear men apart, and his fangs could pierce metal. He had checked. Even while wearing his trademark, size-adjusted white jacket, humans could only see the beast.


    More wolf than man, his silver fur and wild mane made him stand out even in the darkest night. Kresnik liked it this way. Justice should not hide in the dark, and criminals cowered at the sight of him. He hoped, that one day, the Firman would see him as a symbol of hope and safety, as he had be on other Spheres. <em>Give them time, </em>he thought.


    Kresnik walked inside the perimeter, as dawn began to appear on the horizon. By the time firemen had put out the fire, the mes had consumed most of the area, leaving only crumbling ruins, charbroiled cars, and ashes behind them.


    Gearsmen had seized the area from human enforcers, relegating them to circle the perimeter and scanning the area for biometric data. That worked just fine for Kresnik. His experience in Shanghai had taught him that many humans practiced passive sabotage when facing Concordian authorities, withholding information to make their lives harder.


    Kresnik walked to the ck spot where the main warehouse used to stand; the fires source ording to preliminary reports. The metal itself had melted, mixing with the ash into smelt.


    Kresnik sniffed the air, smelling only ashes. The fires had burnt the area clean, too much for him to identify the culprits. But he had another sense. A sixth sense.


    Unlike most White-licensed sorcerers, who diversified their spell repertoire, Kresnik choose long ago to specialize in the lore of White alone. He could not afford spending too much time on studying the Seven Colors when he could perfect just one. Especially since his targets mostly included sorcerers, which White trumped.


    Kresnik always began a day by casting el Flux Sight each morning, which allowed him to perceive shades of magic for twenty-four hours. His skill in the spell was so great that even advanced Gearsmen radars couldnt match him in sheer precision.


    The sight before him told him the full story. A massive influx of Violet Flux with a dash of Yellow, followed by a more recent taint of Red whom he instantly recognized the owner of as the Candlemaker, a fiendish Fire Elemental.


    The typical picture of a summoning ritual. Violet to call the entity, and Yellow to bind it into service. However, the color mix was crude, primitive,cking the finesse of a sorcerers intuitive design. A home-made ritual. A closer look at the colors substance confirmed that those responsible had sacrificed sentient beings, fueling the spell with their souls.


    That implied multiple murders carried out at the same spot at a regr interval, done over a specific sigil to keep the Flux from dispersing into the ether. Kresnik shook his head in sadness, already considering what he would tell the missing peoples families.


    Not that those responsible hadnt got what they deserved. The weak potency in the Yellow told Kresnik that they had botched the binding part at thest second. Not bound by specific terms, the Candlemaker had done what it did best: set the world on fire.


    Kresnik thought about the situation from various angles. It didnt add up. The Candlemaker was a living mobile disaster that only left a trail of murder and devastation in his wake. The werewolf would have expected to find him rampaging across town. By its standards, a warehouse fire was rtively benign.


    Someone had ordered the maniac to behave. Few could get away with such a deed. And how could the locals craft a sigil powerful enough to run their ritual? Kresnik started seeing the bigger picture, and he didnt like it.


    Also, why did they botch the summoning at thest second? Did thest sacrifice escape?


    Rain Echocall.


    A wave of White light spread through the area. As it did, spectral, silvery apparitions of eight people materialized near him, standing as a group. As their features sharpened, the figures became identical in death as their original selves in life. Kresnik recognized Evermarshs mayor and chief of police among them.


    The mayor spoke first, the others listening. <em>Whats happening? </em>


    <em>Somethings wrong!</em> The police chiefs echo shouted and raised his arms, as if to shoot at someone with the outdated toy humans called a gun. Instead, he let out a scream of pain, holding his hand as if harmed.


    <em>The sacrifice, interrupted Kill the girl!</em>


    The girl, Kresnik noted forter use, as two shades answered the mayors order, seemingly firing at an empty spot. After a period of silence, the mayors shade went to his knees, imitated by his followers. <em>Your grace The Maleking sent you to us. </em>


    Kresnik froze at the name, yet reasserted his self-control.


    <em>Here, your grace.</em> The mayors shade pointed at the same spot where the others had fired at. <em>We had a miscalction, for a reason I cant fathom yet, but I assure you, the girl is yours. Here! </em>


    So, they tried to sacrifice the girl, who escaped and somehow avoided death long enough for the ritual to go haywire. The cant fathom yet part bothered Kresnik. Didnt the mayor understand why his victim escaped?


    <em>I was promised the gift! With your power, I can finally your grace...</em>


    The white shade copsed into white particles, the others dispersing in panic. One by one they turned into aimless light, vanishing one after the other.


    Kresnik turned to the empty spot where the humans had shot. When no white shade manifested herself, the werewolf realized that the girl had escaped the Candlemakers rampage.


    Then, a few feet from that very spot, Kresnik noticed a new color.


    Blue.


    Strong, unpolished Blue, mixed with specks of Orange. The trail was too faint for Kresnik to track the owner, but the werewolf registered it for future identification.


    Odd, though. Blue was an umon color, the third-rarest behind White and Violet.


    There was no ce for ck.


    A mighty roar echoed through the skies. Raising his eyes, Kresnik watched Lord Smokefang, the local dragon governor, circle the ruins while letting out powerful growls. The humanw enforcement cowered at the sight, which had been the intended effect.


    With a majestic maneuver, Smokefangnded among the ruins, right in front of Kresnik, propelling dust and ash all around the crime scene. The werewolf briefly put his hand in front of his face to protect his eyes. Lord Smokefang, he said, raising his fist to his chest as part of themon Concordian salute.


    Report, Lycan, the beast ordered with the brusque voice of a newmander needing to prove himself to his underlings. He exhaled green embers, some of theming within an inch of Kresniks own feet. Mother said you were an expert. Prove it.


    Others might have been intimidated by this disy, but Kresnik had dealt with mightier wyrms, including Smokefangs own sire, the Red Minister. He simply reacted with professionalism. I strongly believe this is the work of a human Malebranche cell.


    The dragons eyes narrowed. How so?


    My investigation indicate a local cult involving two of Evermarshs local authority figures, Mayor John Brown and Police Chief Henry Powells, caused the recent disappearances and attempted to summon an otherworldly entity. They used the name of the Maleking as part of their ritual.


    I <em>knew </em>that letting the apes self-govern would lead to a disaster! Those creatures cannot handle the responsibility. If only the Yellow Minister had listened to mother. <em>They need time to ept the transition</em> stupidities. Mother proved these creatures only understand force when she conquered this Sphere.


    Kresnik let the governor ramble for a while, until he calmed down and took the time to consider the situation thoughtfully. This is an opportunity. After allowing a rebel infestation, the Yellow Ministry will have no choice but to admit theirxist policy has failed. No need to wait three more years to end the Firman offices. I will have a decree passed by tomorrow, applying to my territory, and my siblings will follow suit. Who else was involved?


    I suspect a Firman girl, or woman, was present as a sacrifice, but escaped. I will do my best to identify her


    I do not care, Smokefang interrupted his underling. Who else sounded the rm about this city?


    Victor Martel, a frence reporter, age forty-three. He published investigations on the missing people. The Blue Ministry had an extensive, in-depth file on him, even if most of his familys records were sealed. Solomon Niche as well, a local Catholic priest who first reported the disappearances.


    Catholic? Ah, yes, that curious religion, Smokefang scoffed, his voice oozed disdain. He should rather pray to me.


    Another thing, Lord Smokefang. I believe an unregistered sorcerer was present during the incident.


    That ended the dragons joyful mood.


    The entity they summoned, the Candlemaker, has also escaped. Kresnik realized the dragon had no idea who he was talking about, yet didnt wish to voice his ignorance. An Ancient Fire Elemental, Dot Three in threat ranking.


    Yes, yes, I remember. Kresnik could almost hear the insincerity. A Fire Elemental is a strong foe, but beneath me. I trust you to take care of it.


    With pleasure. I swear on my honor, as a Lycan, and as an enforcer of thew, that I shall deal with it before it can hurt the citizens.


    That was why Kresnik fought, why he had joined internal security. To protect the good citizens of Concordia from threats, to ensure that children could live out their lives in peace, without worrying about criminals stealing their families away. That was the werewolfs only wish.


    He had seen enough misery not to take a stand.


    By stamping out this infestation, the Grandmaster will perhaps send me to Oceanis rather than this backwater, primitive Sphere! Smokefangs face contorted into a grimace, which Kresnik took for a sneer of disgust. A few more years near those swamps, and I will look like Blightspawns putrefied twin!


    Dragons, as the supreme species, adapted to their environment as they reached their adult form, taking traits from their surroundings. Smokefang, the youngest of the brood ruling Terra Firma, had yet to undergo the metamorphosis his siblings previously went through.


    What about the sorcerer, Lord Smokefang?


    Once again, Smokefangs mood darkened. Kresnik, are you loyal to me?


    I am loyal to the Empire.


    This answer displeased Smokefang, who let out ashes through his nose. In thisnd, I <em>am </em>the Empire. I will rephrase myself. Can I <em>trust </em>you, Captain Kresnik?


    The werewolf examined his governor with his deductive skills honed by years of experience, smelling the insecurity behind the tough exterior. He knew this type, having encountered it time and time again. The young dragon with the arrogance and brashness of youth, desperate to prove himself worthy of his dominion yet also resenting itsck of attractiveness.


    Concordia had only left a token upation on this Sphere, since itcked strategic value or important resources; and Smokefang had been left with the second least attractive area to manage. Unless he distinguished himself, the dragon had few opportunities to rise to a higher post.


    Which made him insecure. For the sake of maintaining good rtions, Kresnik decided to assuage his new master. As long as you respect Concordias will, I will do anything you ask for, my Lord, and I shall not betray your secrets. Your mother can vouch for my integrity.


    Smokefang seemed in no hurry to bother his mercurial sire for something so trivial, and so took Kresnik at his word. Are you certain about the sorcerer, Lycan?


    Ny percent sure. I detected a strong but unrefined Blue signature, with an odd color mix. This implies early development and ack of training.


    Which was both good and bad. An unregistered sorcerer was a potential weapon of mass destruction, best killed in the bud or brought into the fold early. The more time given to refine their power, the greater the damage they caused to themselves and others. This one was unblooded, manageable.


    However, Blue Sorcerers usually created cults of personality or subvertedmunities, inevitably escting to subtle takeovers or outright conquest. The more followers they gathered, the more their ego grew, starting a terrible momentum. Out of all magic-users Kresnik had tracked over the years, Blue Sorcerers had proven the most difficult to apprehend, and the hardest to reform.


    So a sorcerer led the cell... Smokefang reached the wrong conclusion. How odd that the first unregistered Firman sorcerer on records would show up on mynd.


    I do not believe the sorcerer led, or even was part of the cell, Lord Smokefang, Kresnik said, only for the dragon to brush his words aside.


    That mystery sorcerer was present during the cells ritual, and escaped the fallout unscathed. Their culpability is obvious, and we must treat it as a threat until proven otherwise.


    Kresnik paused, understanding the true matter at hand. Smokefang wanted a public enemy to justify his hardline stance, and the glory of capturing an enemy sorcerer. The truth did not factor into it.


    Alright, Kresnik said outwardly, while inwardly making a different decision.


    I see the picture now, Lycan, Smokefang continued, yet more to himself than to his audience. The Malebranche are here for the artifact. They knew about it before we dug it out, let us do the work, and then brought their muscle to steal it before we could ship it off-world.


    The theory sounded usible, yet Kresnik found that n a bit too circuitous. He suspected the governor would rather believe in a conspiracy instead of various unconnected events. Do you wish for me to reinforce the sites security?


    No. I already saw to it. What I want you to do, Lycan, is to find that mysterious ringleader and bring him to me for punishment. Any information must go through me first. Am I understood?


    Yes.


    As the dragon congratted himself for his cunning, the werewolf pondered which lead to pursue next. His orders were clear, yet he considered the Candlemaker a more dangerous threat to the local peace.


    As for the sorcerer...


    Kresnik would have to find the rogue before Smokefang; if he did, he could perhaps offer them a way out. It wouldnt be the first time Concordia pardoned unregistered sorcerers and introduced them to their forces. He hoped this one would be somewhat reasonable.


    If the rogue refused to submit, though...


    Well, it would not be the first time Kresnik had to put down a rabid dog.

 Chapter 7: New Kid in Town

    Chapter 7: New Kid in Town


    Mathias could scarcely see in the darkness, but the red-eyedmb could see him just fine.


    Trapped in a circle of fire, surrounded by mes, cold winds, and thick darkness, he could only watch themb circle him like a predator. The M symbol, bright beneath his feet, felt hot on contact.


    The creature looked like an innocentmb, but with fur as ck as coal, and long, cruel horns. His two crimson eyes gazed back at Mathias, two pits of hate and malice, bloodied stars in the darkest sky.


    Do you fear fire, Sweetie? The voice was masculine and soft, so soft; like poisonous honey. Yet it also sounded transgressive, like that little voice tempting you every time you considered crossing a line. You should. Fire is pure, unbridled power. It is the essence of life and death. If disrespected, it consumes. If harnessed, though, it brings strength.


    Blue World, Mathias replied, no blue sh answering his call. ss Field.


    Silly boy, you are dreaming. You cannot cast spells in a dream. Themb licked his lips like a hungry wolf. Not Blue spells, anyway.


    Mathias tried to open his Magik ount, yet the interface refused to show up in his field of vision.


    Mathias, you have sinned against me. The M sigil beneath Mathias feet began to suddenly feel hotter. Brown was mine. My pawn. An expendable pawn, but my property nheless. You had no right to take him off the board so early. This is theft, cattle robbery.


    me that fiery thing, Mathias replied, realizing that he was talking to an entity simr to that monster fromst night.


    No. Not simr. The sheer malevolenceing off from that creature dwarfed the fiery fiendlike the sun eclipsed a candle. Simply looking in its eyes filled Mathias with primal, existential dread.


    That thing was <em>evil incarnate</em>.


    The Candlemaker is my loyal servant. A good king is generous with his subjects. Especially one who will prove so useful, so very soon. You, however...


    Okay, this was bad. If this was a lucid dream, perhaps he could will himself back to being awake. Mathias focused, pinching his arm, to no avail.


    Sweetie, you cannot escape me. You will never wake up until I say so, if you do. If want you to die in your sleep, it will happen. Your soul will forever wander that dark, empty wastnd, never to find release. You will wail in despair, and none will answer. You are at my mercy. So, Mathias, what will I do with you?


    Even Network refused to answer hismands, providing no more information on the entity than its fellow fiend. Well, you look like the kind to y with your food, Mathias spoke, trying to fall back on words. You must have a reason not to have killed me yet.


    Smart boy. Yes, it would be pity to kill you, when we could be good friends. Pity, pity, pity. Themb satfortably outside the circle. Somehow, that frail creatures eerie serenity intimidated Mathias more than the fire monsters frothing sadism. Your intervention, while costing me influence over your home city, changed little. I also sense much bitterness and rage in your heart. Ambition too, akin to mine. This pleases me. This pleases me greatly. I can find it in myself the will to forgive you.


    I sense a buting, Mathias said.


    Thembs lips raised in an ugly, unnatural grin. Every sin needs a penance. If you aplish a task on my behalf, I will consider your debt settled. Its very simple. Concordia has recently unearthed an artifact of potent power in the nearby swamps. I want you to take it from them, by force or cunning.


    Mathias frowned. Artifact?


    An object of great power, whose age surpasses mine. I do not care what it does, simply that Concordia does not have it. Thembs eyes shed with a yellow glow. Curse.


    Mathias screamed, his voice drowning in the darkness, as the M symbol burned itself onto his left palm, smelling of coal and dry blood.


    Should the artifact sealed in Evermarshs swamp remain in Concordias hands by the New Moon, your life shall end with the next sunrise.


    Themb let out a strange, inhuman sound, like a bellowingugh. You had my displeasure, Sweetie, now you have my interest. Enjoy your day. At night, I will be there. Watching.


    Mathias opened his eyes, sweat on his forehead.


    What the hell was that dream? He still felt sore at his feet, his throat itchy and dry. Was it subconscious guilt at failing to stopst nights massacre, his mind tormenting him with nightmares? Or did that monster cast a curse on him?


    Trying to clear his thoughts, and grabbing his cell phone on his night table, Mathias rose from his bed with a smile on his face. He loved Sundays.


    The happy sentimentsted until he noticed the M symbol engraved on his palm.


    <em>Well, fuck.</em>


    Mathias decided to check the Quest board, to see if it had any new additions. Much to his surprise, two new assignments had showed up on it. One of them was a main Quest; the others icon was more detailed, with the Network logo added on it. Mathias clicked on the normal Quest first.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>The Malekings Favor</strong>


    Difficulty: Dot Two


    Sponsor: Romulus.


    It is said that the Malekings interest is worse than his indifference, and the mark on your hand proves it. However, trouble is the father of opportunity. Steal the artifact recovered by Concordia in Evermarshs swamps before the New Moon and free yourself from the Beasts jaw.


    Rewards: Eight Spellcoins.


    <strong>Failure: Instant Death.</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    The text said it all. Since yesterday had been the full moon, that left him two weeks to save his hide or die. Gritting his teeth, Mathias decided to check the other Quest, hoping for better news. <table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Side Quest: New Kid in Town</strong>


    Difficulty: Dot One


    Sponsor: Administrator.


    Rome hasnt fallen to one man, and neither will the dragons. Another yer has arrived in Evermarsh, so go and meet them! The more the merrier.


    Rewards: Network Upgrade.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mathias had to reread the message to fully grasp the news. Another yer, in town? After the punch in the gut of the previous quest, the information gave him hope. If he could find a partner, he would feel so much safer. What happenedst night had opened his eyes to the dangers of fighting solo.


    The Quest didnt tell him how to meet this particr person though. <em>The forums?</em> Mathias thought, moving further into his browser and opening the message list.


    When he saw a public conversation called <em>Evermarsh Meeting,</em> by Yoshikage, he realized that the mystery person had acted faster. He immediately opened the feed.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <em>YOSHIKAGE: hello. Seen a Quest on my board encouraging yers in Evermarsh to meet. When and where?</em></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mathias began to type his answer, before wondering which meeting ce he should set. Magik was a secure system, protected from the authorities, yet he knew nothing of the other yer. He decided to y it safe and put the GPS location of Dynamis gaming park in the feed.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <em>SHROUD: hello. Would be happy to meet. Why not at this ce tonight, midnight?</em></td></tr></tbody></table>


    The answer came almost immediately.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <em>YOSHIKAGE: no need. Im here.</em></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mathias frowned, yet the other person on the line didnt borate. Weird.


    He had also noticed the main quests sponsor wasnt the Administrator this time, but someone called Romulus. How had it known about the curse so soon? The more he thought of it, the more the young man was convinced Magiks mysterious owners could observe him anytime.


    Moving into the apartments main room while waiting for an answer, Mathias noticed his father was absent. Checking his phone, he noticed two calls from him, and dialed back. Dad quickly answered. Hi son, I stayed at Vivianes cest night since we finishedte.


    Ohhhhh, Mathias replied with a smirk.


    Not what you think, Victor protested weakly. Just a friendly sleepover.


    <em> Victor looked at Viviane, as she parked the car right next to her house. Clearly, her children hadnt returned home from that party, leaving them alone. So Viviane trailed, trying to put into words what was both on their mind. Want to snuggle?  </em>


    Mathias suppressed a chokedugh on his end of the line. Note to self, Network worked over long distance conversation. Right, right.


    I sense much sarcasm on your end. Victor grunted ufortably. He probably didnt wish for Mathias to believe he betrayed Moms memory by looking for outsidefort. Im noting home today. Have you looked at the news? Weve got a sorcerer in town.


    What? Did Maggie get caught? No, or else he would have been apprehended by now. No, I just woke up, Mathias said, as he moved to prepare himself some coffee. A sorcerer? Like real magic?


    Yes. Concordia even sent one of their own to investigate, a big shot from the Blue Ministry. Mathias froze at the information. Victor sounded as excited as a child on a Halloween trick or treat spree. But thats not all. They identified the ringleaders of the kidnapping spree. Mayor John Brown and chief of police Henry Powells. You heard that right.


    Thats thats terrible news. Why do you sound so happy?


    Because nobody will vanish anymore, Victor replied, Apparently both were neutralized, although I dont know the details. Also, Im happy because Lord Smokefang asked me for an interview, since I sounded the rm first.


    Today?


    Today. I will be on national holo-TV at twelve-thirty. Mathias hung back to digest the news. A national holo-TV broadcast was a huge deal, a once in a lifetime chance for a small time journalist like Dad. Im making my way there as we speak. Check the news, son, it links up with my own investigations.


    Of course I will! Mathias marked a pause. But be alright, okay? Dragons are


    Dragons are dragons, yes. Victor switched the subject. I got the news on your improved grades by the way. Your teacher said it was meteoric. Guess your hard work paid off. I cant tell how proud of you I am, son. She would be proud, too.


    Yes, she would. She had been an academic star back in the day. Thanks, Dad.


    How was your own party, by the way? No, scratch that, you can tell me yourself when I get home. Gotta go, Gearsmen ahead. Love you.


    Love you, Dad. Mathias said as the phone call ended. Sitting around the kitchen table, Mathias checked the news on his phone. As expected, Concordia had quickly put an information ban on official channels until the noon broadcast. Blogs and forums spoke of a fire at the chemical nt, and Gearsmen raids at various houses in Evermarsh. Mathias recognized Browns mansion on the list. He hoped Samantha would be fine.


    Come to think of it, did his friendse home safe?


    Good Morning, Mathias-san.


    The ss cups in his kitchen flew around him like a defensive ring, while he himself leaped back. Stepping out from a corner of the room, Kari Matsumoto walked in, eerily calm.


    How the hell did she slip in? He should have heard her close in, or seen her through his ss sight. And damn, he had revealed his magic right in front of her, and she hadnt even moved! She just observed the flying ss with vague interest, as if as if...


    Youre the other yer, Mathias realized, Kari nodding. How long?


    Hours.


    <em>Hours? </em>Had she been watching him sleep? How did you get in? Mathias asked, his drinking sses still floating around him. The door was closed.


    I climbed through a window. You left it open.


    He scowled. We are on the seventh floor.


    Yes.


    <em> Slipping in the dead of the night, her hands sticking to the walls like a spider, Kari peeked through one window, seeing the boy sleeping in his bed, struggling with a nightmare. His body reeked of a dark, invasive aura; a malicious spirit assaulted him in the dreaming world. Ward, she whispered as silently as a ghost as she cast a spell. A yellow, glowing circle formed around her hand and spread through the wall, surrounding the bedroom. The malicious aura pushed past her protection, unaffected. The spirit that held him was stronger than her magic. So strong, it hadnt even noticed her.</em>


    <em>Moving around the wall, Kari noticed an open window, leading to an empty bedroom. The co-owner of the house had left it open to let fresh air in, giving the hunter a chance to move inside. Breaking inside the apartment without a word, she waited in the dark for the boy to wake up.  </em>


    You are doing it again, Kari said with a frown.


    She could sense Network activate. Youve been here the whole night? And ss Field didnt warn him; either his spells didnt work while asleep or the nightmare had clouded his mind. And you cast a spell on me?


    Her eyes betrayed her surprise at the second allegation. She looked at a chair in front of him. May I sit, Mathias-san?


    Mathias couldnt believe that she would break into his house, only to ask for permission to sit. He nodded, somewhat reluctant. Even if she had helped him more than once, someone moving inside his home without warning nor invitation creeped him out.


    The spell, she said softly, her voice calm and serene as she sat in front of him, A malicious entity attacked you in your dreams. I warded your bedroom against spiritual intruders.


    A sh of red eyes sent a shiver down his spine. It didnt work.


    No. Kari sounded sincerely sorry. Its magic overpowers mine. It is strong. Stronger than any Yokai I have ever seen.


    Yokai. Mathias remembered the Japanese called demons and spirits by that name. Could that exin why Blue World had failed to affect him? If the girl told the truth, then it meant ghosts and demons existed. After a dragon invasion, he could only believe her. Thanks, he finally said. I dont forgive you for breaking into my home, but I appreciate the protective gesture.


    Kari silently acknowledged his words. You are a yer, too.


    It wasnt a question. I am a Blue yer. Youre a Yellow one, am I right? He guessed so, since she had knowledge of spirits.


    She kept a poker face, her bodynguage almost unreadable. Networks nudging instinct told him he had guessed right. He could almost read her train of thoughts, trying to see if he could use spells to read her mind or history. Is that a Blue power that you used before?


    You sensed it at the party, is it not? Thats how you suspected me.


    Yes. I asked Samantha about you and found your address. She sounded vaguely displeased. I do not like it. It makes me feel on edge.


    Neither do I like your breaking and entering. Mathias guessed that trying to me the eachother wouldnt lead anywhere, and decided to settle things. I cantpletely turn my power off, but I will try to repress it in your presence. In exchange, I ask that you respect my privacy.


    Okay.


    So why are you here? You want a team-up?


    She nodded in confirmation. Alone we are weak. Together we will grow strong.


    Agreed. The opposition could use magic even better than them, and they needed to cover one another. I gotta check something first. Whats your goal? Your mission?


    My mission? she repeated the word, as if trying to trante it in her nativenguage, I want to free my country from invaders and their influence. To grow strong enough to do so. She paused for a short while. And to know who I am.


    Mathias raised an eyebrow, expecting her to borate. Instead, the Matsumoto girl crossed her arms, and the young man realized he wouldnt get more on that front, the subject making her ufortable. He suppressed the urge to use Network for answers. Okay. I can respect that. Im nning to take on the dragons myself, so that makes two of us.


    More than two.


    Yes. He doubted they alone had received the email invitation. The fact the wheel had seven colors and they fit two different ones implied other users embodied the remaining colors.


    His phone buzzed, interrupting the conversation. Mathias exchanged a nce, Kari turning her eyes away and giving him some privacy. The boy checked the caller.


    Perse.


    Yes? he said, answering the call.


    Matt, you treacherous fox, thank God youre alive! Perse sounded positively relieved. How dare you leave in the middle of the night and leave me hanging out to dry?


    Mathias winced at the usation. Sorry.


    No, youre not sorry! She cut him off, worry in her voice. The strength of her emotions took Mathias back. Maggie, Jack, and Kari are missing! Theres Gearsmen crawling all over Sams ce! They put her in custody, and I cant talk to her and you didnt answer my messages all morning! Where the hell are you?


    Holy hell, she sounded like she was in a state of shock. His heroic instincts kicked in. Im at my ce. Perse, where are you? Ille as soon as Im dressed.


    No, no, donte, its okay. Perse, who had otherwise always remained confident, sounded so lost and confused. Im at Sams ce, I stayed the night there. The tinfoils wont let me leave yet. They wont let you get in. They just keep staring.


    Mathias cursed himself for not being able to help his friend. Perse, its okay, everything will be okay. Im here. Is Ulysses with you?


    In another room. I cant talk to him, either. Matt, the news youve read the news?


    Ive heard of an incident at the chemical nt.


    You think its linked? Maggie doesnt answer when I call her, neither does Jack either. You think-


    Perse, stop, Mathias cut her off, before she could overthink things and spiral further into anxiety. Perse, take a deep breath, a long deep breath. Youre strong. You can take it.


    Thankfully, she took his advice to heart and tried calming down. Okay, okay, sorry, I I have a lot on my te right now. I really wish you were here.


    Im here, Perse. Always will be. She was still in desperate need for good news. Look, its not as bad as it sounds. I cant say anything for Jack or Maggie, but Kari is fine. Shes right in front of me. So maybe the others are fine, too?


    Perses following, heavy silence told him he may have made a terrible mistake. Perse? Perse, are you okay?


    You said you were at your ce. She is at your ce. Her tone had turned t. You brought her home.


    The wording made him pick up on the implications. This isnt what you think.


    A heavier kind of silence followed. I believe you. She didnt. Damn, he felt some empathy for his dad right now. I gotta go. Kiss.


    Wait, Perse- She ended the call before he could finish his sentence. He tried to call her back twice but to no avail. Why did she react that way? Even if he had brought Kari, why would it bother her so much?


    Wait, could she be?


    <em>No, Mathias, youre overthinking things. You really are overthinking this. Perse is just in emotional distress and overblowing events. </em>


    A text message provided a wee diversion from that train of thought.


    <em>SOL: Hello young man, I would like to have a word with you at my church about your choice of acquaintance. We can have tea while watching your fathers interview. Peace be with you, Solomon</em>.


    So, Maggie had reached the church safely. Nice. Mathias did notice the hidden message; Sol wasntfortable using devices that Concordia might spy on, instead wishing for a face to face meeting. I have to go, he told Kari. Will youe? We can discuss things in the meantime.


    The young woman answered with a sharp nod, words manifesting under his eyes right afterward.


    <table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Side Quest: New Kid in Town,pleted!</strong>


    You gained the <strong>Grant Spell</strong> feature. You can now grant the use of one of your spells, to anyone, as long as they remain affected by your Network ability.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    He had the feeling his life just got a lot moreplicated.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 8: Setting up the Hideout

    Chapter 8: Setting up the Hideout


    No.


    Mathias raised an eyebrow. Why? he asked her with a low voice, as a flying, eye-shaped drone patrolled the sky above their street corner. That was the fourth one they crossed path with since they left his house. Its like, a free spell.


    Yes, but it is not mine, Kari replied. While she had taken his suggestion to use Network for long distancemunication rather well, but she remained intractable on the subject of additional spells. I want to rely on my own abilities rather than yours.


    I understand your desire to be self-reliant, but there are no downsides that I can think of.


    There is one. Dependency. She brushed off his arguments, turning mute. Mathias had realized that she pretended not to hear when she wished to change a subject. Clearly she was no conversationalist.


    Another machine, this time a Gearsman, flew over them, scanning the road nearby. The first time Mathias had seen one, during the first day of the Conquest, he had mistaken the machines for superheroes. Afterwards, they became synonymous with oppression in his mind.


    He lived for the day when he could watch a clear blue sky again.


    Is that why you fight, Mathias-san? While Kari was no talker, she could clearly read him like a book.


    So people can walk free without a machine ready to arrest them at any time? Partly. Mathias stopped as they reached their destination, an old, small stone church on the other side of the street. Overall, though, I just hate Concordia and I want it gone.


    Kirai? Thats your reason? Her tone had turned disapproving.


    Mathias just shrugged his shoulders. More than two years ago, they took my mother from me. I just came home from school to find Gearsmen in my house, Mom gone, and Dad unresponsive. He didnt have to say a word for me to guess what happened. I remember when I threw ss at a Gearsman at one point, and the machine didnt even flinch.


    Kari listened to his tale, and Mathias found himself continuing, his voice breaking at a few points. How odd. He had never liked going into the details, even with the Werners.


    Thats the really terrible part, Kari. It didnt care. <em>They </em>didnt care. If it had reacted with violence, or exined, or even <em>spoke</em>, it He struggled to find his words. It wouldnt have made it right, but it would have felt human. Instead it felt like hitting a wall. That day, I understood, for them, it was routine. Banal. They put as much emotional weight in breaking a family as in signing a paper.


    He took a breath, as if removing a heavy load from his chest. I wondered, how many other families experienced that awful day, too? All the time I watched news about Chinese rebels getting arrested, or killed, it never connected to me. Now it does.


    You never knew what happened to your mother? Or why?


    They probably sent her to Electon. Only Concordia could have enough resources and enemies to dedicate an entire to imprisoning criminals or their enemies. As for why, I have suspicions. Nothing concrete. She worked in artificial intelligence even before the Conquest, and we know how careful they are with those.


    Dad often said he had inherited her drive and skills in that area, although he didnt mean it as apliment.


    Kari crossed her arms, pensive. What was her name?


    Alice. Alice Martel. He looked at her dead in the eyes. They took someone from you too, didnt they?


    No. Not directly. They took my purpose, my pride. She seemed about to open herself up as he did, but strained against showing the pain inside. My family has served in the military since the unification of Japan. We fought for our homnd, or to protect it.


    Mathias understood the implications. What purpose did they have in a country conquered and stripped of its name?


    The two made their way to the church, strangely silent for a Sunday. Not that the surrounding area felt weing, with barred windows and decrepit buildings. The area used to be Evermarshs poorest district, which Concordia had mostly condemned after relocating the inhabitants to work in weapon factories farther north. The Empire hated wasting resources, especially citizens.


    The Yellow Ministry, which oversaw all cultural activities in the Empires territories, had allowed Sol to maintain the church, in spite of waning belief worldwide. Monotheism had taken a big hit after Concordia sank Israel and the Middle-East beneath the waves for their terraforming project.


    As he knocked on the door, he felt Karis eyes on him. Can we trust him? she asked, unaware that Mathias could see Sol through the churchs stained ss windows, listening. The priest did that since his unfortunate meeting with a sicario years ago.


    I would put my life in his hands, if he asked for it. He was a friend, and used to keeping secrets.


    Sol, dressed for Mass, opened the door, a fatherly smile on his face. Mathias. His eyes set on Kari next. I see that you brought a friend.


    My name is Kari, Solomon-san. Kari bowed deeply. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.


    A pleasure shared. Pleasee inside, I prepared drinks. Sol weed the two into his haven and closed the door behind them.


    Mathias had already seen the deserted church since it hade within his ss Field range. Their steps echoed through the empty building, as if alone with God. He guessed that with the new patrols, most people chose to remain at home.


    Sol led them to a door on the left, leading to a stair to the basement. Mathias heard the sound of the <em>Lord of the Stars </em>animated series openinging from downstairs. To Mathias every trip to Sols basement felt like the start of an adventure, like entering a dungeon. You always found a surprise downstairs.


    They found Maggie sitting on a dusty couch, bored out of her mind as she watched a starship battle on an outdated sma screen TV. The basement was less cramped than Mathias own apartment, but made up in difort with the absence of windows, light bulbs being the only source of light. Sol had set a table nearby, with a teapot letting out steam.


    Sup, nerd? Maggie said upon noticing the group, wearing boy clothes a bit too long for her. Sol had probably given her whatever he could find. Whats Matsumoto doing here?


    Shes safe, Mathias replied. I thought you would enjoy thepany.


    Yeah, Im sick of watching animation on a sma screen, Maggieined. Its like looking for a sushi shop, finding it closed, and settling for a kebab instead.


    I do not buy Concordian products, Sol said with a dignified expression, as he served Mathias and Kari cups filled with green tea before taking one himself. Maggie declined the offer; Mathias figured out she was fonder of energy drinks. Maggie, could you put Firman News on?


    Dont buy their products, but you watch their propaganda? Maggie groaned, but obeyed the suggestion. Network told Mathias that she respected Sol enough to listen to him. How can a sma screen ry those anyway? I thought it only worked with holo-TV.


    Holo-TVs are linked to Concordias UBwork, but they retransmit news on inte infrastructure, Mathias exined as they settled on the sofa.


    After the Manus incident almost half a century ago, where their main AI went rogue, Concordia reced their hardwares with organic technology. Centerpieces to thatwork were the UBs, biological supeputers that administered the empires whole infrastructure and day-to-day operations, using magical signals instead of cables to transfer information.


    Due to Earths reliance on inte telmunications, Concordia had granted the web a grace period, letting it survive while slowly recing it with their organic systems. He doubted that anything would show on Sols sma screen three years from now.


    Mathias, Sol spoke up. Maggie told me a very strange story. She did not give me many details, and I did not ask for them, but I would like to hear your own tale.


    Mathias took a deep breath. He had deeply considered whether or not showing Sol what he could do, but he knew the answer already in his heart. Sol, he said. I can do magic.


    Mathias raised his hand, calling upon ss Field. Instantly, the screen began to move and shift on its own, taking a spiraling shape.


    Alright, Sol said, as stoic as ever, as Mathias returned the ss to normal. This is new.


    His underwhelming, zen response disappointed Mathias, and amused Maggie. Somehow, you do not sound surprised, the young manined.


    Lad, if you reach my age in the world we live in, few things will surprise you anymore. His eyes shifted to Kari. And you, young woman? Mathias must trust you a great deal to show us this in your presence.


    Kari, instead of answering, rose to her feet, holding her cup away from her chest. Once everyones eyes settled on her, at speed beyond what a human could reach, Kari jumped like a cat, spinning in the air. Her feetnded on the ceilings surface, and she stared at them, her entire body upside down.


    As for the cup, it remained aligned with the ground. In a masterful show of dexterity, Kari had managed to keep it in its original position, without dropping anything.


    Show-off.


    Holy fuck Maggie whistled, as Kari climbed down, still without letting her tea go. Youre magic, too?


    Yes.


    Is Ulysses a magician too? Is everyone in my social circle witches?


    Just the two of us, Mathias replied. For now. I recently discovered I can grant spells to others.


    Maggies head perked up in interest, while Sol examined Mathias warily. You can make us wizards? No kidding?


    No, I can lend you a spell of mine. I havent explored the limits yet.


    What do you intend to use that power for, Mathias? Sol lowered his head, his eyes peering straight into the boys soul. I want to hear it from you.


    Mathias fell silent, the priests gaze felt heavy on him. You know what I will do with my power.


    Yes, I do. And I am loath to have even asked. Does your father know? No. Or he would have stopped you from walking such a path. Mathias, no good for you wille out of fighting Concordia.


    Why the critic, old man? Maggie replied, Hes the real deal. Everyone speaks about rebelling against Concordia, and no one has the guts to put their words into actions. He can.


    The sudden respect in her voice surprised Mathias, who reddened a bit.


    I said no good for him. Sols gaze hadnt moved from Mathias. You have the rashness of youth and the desire to change the world. Good. But taking down Concordia in your current state is a doomed effort. The dragons have limitless resources, and you do not.


    I gotta start somewhere, Mathias insisted. If I hadnt used my powers, Maggie would be dead. Did she tell you what almost happened to her?


    I did, Maggie said, muting the sound of the TV as Dad showed up on it, being interrogated by Smokefang.


    Sol, with great powers must alsoe great responsibility, Mathias said, quoting his own personal Bible. <em>Praised beStan Lee.</em> If I dont use my powers in the face of injustice, then Implicit in it.


    You misunderstand my point, Mathias. Sol shook his head. Everyone has a choice. God granted us free will so we judge for ourselves and be ountable for our decisions. I am not telling you that your choice is good or bad. However, I want to see if you understand all the implications of that same choice. A just cause can sustain you in the darkest times, but the crusade will be a hard and lonely one. I speak from experience.


    Mathias looked at the scar on Solomons forehead. Have you ever regretted taking that path?


    No, the priest replied bluntly.


    Neither will I.


    Sol looked away, thoughtful. Then, he reached a decision. My door remains open to you and those you wish to shelter, he spoke. I am willing to offer my church as a sanctuary, and I will keep your secrets. However, I ask that you tell your father the truth in due time. You owe him that much.


    I will. He already dreaded that moment, but the priest had a point. Keeping the secret from his father sounded wrong. Thanks, Sol.


    You guys sound like a self-help book, Maggie groaned.


    Mathias turned to her, an idea crossing his mind. Ulysses told me you carried a gun at school.


    He told you that? Maggie frowned. I could only carry it thanks to Dad.


    Any idea where we could get weapons? Mathias asked, wishing to find an edge to deal with creatures like the fiery fiend. Sol listened in silence, slightly ufortable with it but offering no judgment.


    Mmmm Maggie seemed a bit hesitant at telling him more. Theres an arms dealer in town. One that avoided the scalies detection.


    Mathias blinked at the news. Due to the heavy ban on weapons, civilians couldnt acquire them through any legitimate mean. Concordia ruthlessly arrested or killed anyone found viting those rules. How did he do so?


    Dad covered him up. A protection racket of sorts. Been a customer of his. Hes very expensive though. The Midnight Market charges a lot.


    The Midnight Market was among the few interster regions independent from Concordia, and served as a trade hub between various interary powers. Imperial authorities heavily restricted ess to that ce, although they often dealt with it forrge scale projects near their borders. Mathias had heard intrepid merchants often forgot Imperial regtions when it came to merchandise.


    Money is not a problem, only the quality. He had a pretty good idea how to fund those purchases. You sound a bit ambivalent about introducing me to the man.


    Hob. Not a man. And yeah, hes big on secrecy, and youre about to be public enemy number one.


    That would make me his best customer, and I can vanish easily. Try setting up a meeting, tell him I will pay top dor for his gear. If Im happy I might be a long-term client.


    Ill see what I can do, but no promises, Maggie replied, before turning back on the TV. Now shush, nerd, the news is on the screen.


    Mathias turned his focus back on the TV, where pictures of the various conspiracy members showed up in front of Dad. Maggie red at her fathers, put forward with Johns own, as she unmuted the TV. <em>  did you suspect the mayoral office and police involvement?</em> Smokefang asked Victor with a concerned voice, almost like a parent worried for their child.


    <em>Yes.</em> Dad seemed a bit ufortable speaking. <em>I suspected the involvement of police forces. How else could the cases remain unsolved? We tried to call the Concordian authorities on the matter, but our efforts were constantly blocked.</em>


    <em>A terrible oversight. I assure you, this kind of mishap will no longer happen in my protectorate. We owe it to all our citizens to protect them from monsters, especially those wielding magic. I guarantee that our forces will bring this plots sorcerer ringleader to justice.</em>


    Sorcerer ringleader? Did they me him for the cults horrors? How did they even learn that Mathias had been present?


    Those bastards, destroying his reputation before he even went public!


    <em>Now that thete John Brown can no longer censor you, what do you think of the mayoral institution, Victor?</em>


    <em>I dont think the mayoral office, or the police, should remain.</em>


    Mathias eyes opened. What?


    <em>This is a very strong message, Victor, </em>Smokefang responded with a neutral tone.


    <em>Human institutions are made of people, who themselves are vulnerable to corruption or self-interests, </em>Dad continued. <em>While the UB system remains above those excesses.</em>


    Is it me, or is your dad selling mankind out? Maggie asked.


    His father had always supported the local authorities, Mathias thought in confusion, and now he spoke otherwise?


    <em> Victor tried to present an emotionless front against Smokefang, as the dragon sized him up from head to toe. This was one of the beasts who had signed his wifes arrest warrant. Interviewing the creature may help his career, but he couldnt shake the undercurrent of disgust every time the reptile spoke. </em>


    <em>I will not waste my time, so I will be blunt, Smokefang spoke. Your spawn received a nomination for the Loctis Institute. One of the two in your city, and one of the few in the American Protectorate. Thankfully, the main rival for the position is the daughter of a traitor. You following me so far?</em>


    <em>Victor frowned. Was that a threat? Yes, Lord Smokefang.</em>


    <em>Good. There are a few elements of your investigation that do not match the factual reality, and I want them corrected.</em>


    <em>Lord Smokefang, you want me to lie? On national holo-TV? That would break every rule and ethic he stood for.</em>


    <em>No, no, no, I want you to tell the truth. Concordias truth. The dragons eyes turned smug, terribly so. Two files can find their way to my desk next morning, figuratively speaking. One is a personal rmendation for your spawn, in reward for the great service you do to society. The other is his arrest warrant with immediate deportation to Electon. So will you tell the full truth, the entire truth?</em>


    <em> Do it for Mathias, Victor. </em>


    <em>Do it for him.  </em>


    <em>Dad </em>


    <em>I fully agree with you, Victor. Such a ghastly event must never happen again. Which is why, citizens, I will make a deration.</em> Smokefang turned to face the people behind the screen. <em>As governor of the American Protectorate, I dissolve all mayoral and police offices, effective immediately. The good citizens working in these corrupt administrations will be reassigned to new departments, as all administrative decisions will be handed by UBs; the security of our citizens will be fully enforced by Gearsmen, as in our other dominions. Victor, what do you  </em>


    The TV went dark, Sol having seized the remote. Hey! Maggieined.


    That is enough, Sol spoke, concerned for Mathias.


    The young man ignored them, shaking with newfound fury. Nobody threatened his family and got away with it.


    Im going to skin that lizard bastard, alive, Shroud spoke through Mathias lips. With a de of ss.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 9: Heist Planning

    Chapter 9: Heist nning


    Thirteen.


    Those were the number of people he had touched during the day, at school and in public transports before making his way here. Old and young people, boys and girls. With his eyes focusing on one specific feed, he looked at others, random people going through their daily jobs and lives. A new icon had appeared beneath each video feed.<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Grant Spell</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Clicking on Maggies feed, he observed her in the churchs basement, standing near the sofa. Ready, Maggie? he said, after activating themunication option.


    The feed shook a bit. Whoa, man, thats creepy, she replied through the feed. Like, Im hearing you in my own head. How do you do that?


    Im magic. Mathias made a mental note to test if others could listen to thismunication method.


    Smartass.


    Confrontational. Perhaps too confrontational. With the Grant Spell power, Mathias could technically empower a cell of rebels, but he needed disciplined fighters, not people with anger management issues.


    Then again, Maggie had co-founded a music band and worked well with its members. Youll get used to it, he said, both to Maggie and himself.


    Clicking on Grant Spell next, Mathias found a very short list of options show up on his ount. Only two spells appeared: Premium Thoughts and Blue World. ss Field was missing.


    Limit number one: he couldnt grant ess to Hacks.


    Mathias clicked on Premium Thoughts, a brief sh of blue light showing up on the feed. Hey, I saw a bright blue light, Maggie spoke. I assume its working.


    I cast Premium Thoughts on you. It increases your mental abilities tenfold. Mathias himself felt no change in his brain process, remaining as supernaturally sharp as ever. Giving a spell didnt reduce the effectiveness of his own.


    So you made me magically smart? Thats it? I notice a few more things around me, but thats underwhelming. She sounded as disappointed as him. Wheres the A-material?


    Mathias sighed,ying in the grass of his favorite ghost town. He had retreated there to practice his magic in peace, taking only his backpack,ptop and smartphone with him.


    Viviane had taken the day off, and didnt answer on her phone. Not hard to see why; with her children in custody, she must be arguing with the authorities for their release. His attempts at calling Ulysses, Perse, and Sam had ended in failure as well, their phones probably confiscated.


    It gave him a horrible sense of dj vu. Him moving far from civilization was partly out of discretion, partly to prevent himself from attacking the nearest Gearsmen station to release his friends. Thankfully, Gavin had granted him a day off, considering the situation.


    <em>Dont think about it, Matt, </em>he told himself. <em>Think constructively. </em>


    Grant Spell had tremendous potential, but the inability to grant Hacks and his own sub-standard repertoire limited its effectiveness. Also, him needing to renew Network for the empowered person to keep their abilities meant he could at best manage a local cell.


    Clicking on another feed next, Sols  finding the priest dusting the churchs stained ss  Mathias checked the Grant Spell options, and found Premium Thoughts among them. Point for him, he could offload the same spell more than once.


    <em>Food for thought, build an army of mad scientists, </em>Mathias mused.


    With nine Spellcoins currently in his ount, Mathias had enough funds to invest in at least two other magical powers. What should he do with them? Buy a spell that could boost his existing capabilities, or cover his weaknesses? Or buy a spell that he could offload to his allies, increasing their effectiveness?


    He could also try to fuse two spells. Premium Thoughts was a valuable asset, but Blue World couldnt affect targets like the fire demon. He could trybining Blue World with a new option, creating a stronger power. After all, ss Field clearly surpassed both itsponents individually.


    What could hebine Blue World with? ss Fieldbined two opposite colors into a potent synergy. Perhapsbining it with an allied color could provide greater results?


    <em>Argh, too many choices! </em>


    Okay, he had to take the risks, costs, and advantages into ount. He couldnt check what a Hack did withoutbining theponents first. ss Field itself was pretty far from what Intuimotion and Dirt Call could achieve separately. Theck of foreknowledge meant he could end up with an ability unsuited to his needs, expecting the spell fusion to produce a different result.


    He had to think like Shroud. What would help him most in his missions? What would support his ss Field and provide firepower? Mathias eyes wandered around the ghost town, towards the hidden holo-projectors.


    Light.


    Light and ss could mesh well together. His control over ss allowed him to hear through, and in theory, produce sound by shifting the molecules; if he could alter light, he could potentially project holograms through them.


    Orsers. He found the idea of a death beam strangely appealing.


    Checking his Magik ount, Mathias found what he was looking for.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Quasar</strong>


    Affinity: Red


    Dot: 1


    Price: 5


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    The user gains the ability to psychically direct light within sight, creating artificial darkness, or blinding shes. The user cannot create light and is limited to using existing sources.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Expending five Spellcoins for the spell, the sorcerer cast it immediately.


    Like when he activated ss Field for the first time, his perspective slightly changed, as a crimson sh spread through his vision. When it dissipated, the young man began to notice small points of light floating around him, swirling pixels covering the entirendscape. Photons.


    Quasar didnt fuse with any of his spells. There was no crack that interrupted his thoughts like Intuimotion and Dirt Call had beforehand. He wondered if he had to activate two spells at the same time under specific conditions to force a fusion. Or perhaps abined spell like ss Field couldnt fuse further?


    No matter. Quasar would have to do. Perhaps it could mesh with his other spells without needing a Hack.


    Closing his eyes and activating his ss Field, Shroud linked himself to the optical sses of the holo-projectors around him. He noticed no difference between watching through them and through his own eyes, the particles floating around the atmosphere. With a thought, Mathias gathered some of those particles into a humanoid shape, a virtual projection of himself.


    Bingo! His ss shards counted as sight expansion for the spells purpose!


    With another thought, he covered a tree in ayer of particles, deflecting the light around it and turning it invisible. Trying his hand at another experiment, he emptied a spot of light, trapping a projector in a deep, impregnable darkness. The stolen light he gathered into a sphere, a miniature star, which he guided through the clearing like a willo wisp.


    Mathias thought back to his long experiences with holograms, designing illusions for yers to lose themselves to fantasy. How odd that he would use that knowledge for battle.


    You still there? Maggie said, wondering why she hadnt received any answer.


    I will switch your power for another one, Mathias said, clicking on her feed and finding Quasar among the new options. The ability to control light.


    Like death beams?


    Somehow the more they spoke, the more he liked her. Possibly, with a lot of training.


    Since he was limited to manipting existing light instead of creating it from nothing, a sustainedser beam might need preparation to set up. The possibility of wielding death beams excited Maggie more than enhanced intelligence. Just shoot it to me, nerd.


    Mathias granted her wish, clicking on Quasar. A red glow filled the feed, and he watched in silence as Maggies visual information changed to fit his own, newly enhanced photon vision.


    Maggie began to wave her hand around, draining light from the room and gathering it into a light ball. Now were talking, she said.


    You could even turn invisible, by altering the light around you.


    About that she trailed off, toying with her light sphere like one would do with a ser ball. Now that the scalies took a stand and dissolved the police, I dont have much to fear anymore, no? I dont wanna live my life in a priests basement.


    Mathias pondered his answer. An underage girl trapped in a catholic priests basement. There was a joke to make here, but that was beneath him. They will ask you questions."


    Ill lie. Dont worry, nerd, not going to rat out you or Spider-Girl. Ill just say I escaped on my own and thought the church was a nice hiding spot.


    No, actually, it might be better to tell the truth, with some omissions. Especially since Concordia dered a sorcerer to be involved. Say you were rescued by a magician. Say as little as possible on the ss part, and that you escaped in the confusion. The more you rehearse the story, the better.


    Are you coaching me on how to lie? she replied, amused.


    Im a professional storyteller. Putting on an act is part of the job. That, and Network inspired him on that front. I will have to remove the spell on you in case they can detect it, and you will have to wait until tonight so Network can wear off. Well keep our distance for a while, since they will probably investigate you.


    Maggies feed stop moving, and Mathias could almost see her stand in ce, staring. It reminded him of Jacks feed, much to his disturbance. Youre nning something big, right?


    <em>And Im dying to be a part of it. </em>Mathias finished her sentence for her in his head. Im going to take the fight to Concordia before the new moon, yes. It will be a very big operation, hence my need for weapons.


    And I cant be part of it until enough heat is taken off me, I get it. Shit day. She kept ying with the light, relishing every minute left of power. Hobs name is Booz. He hides his workshop in a smartphone repair shop called the Red Goblin near the river. Ill tell him he can expect your dorky ass.


    Mathias noted the ce, scheduling a visit for tomorrow.


    Leaving Maggie to her lightshow, Mathias checked the other feeds. The absent ones disturbed him.


    <em>The Werners are okay,</em> he told himself. His inability to check on them killed him a little inside every time he thought of them. His fathers feed had vanished as well.


    Truth to be told, Mathias hadnt onlye to this ce to work in peace. A part of him dreaded the confrontation with his dad, and attempted to dy it as much as possible.


    Mathias sat in the grass and opened hisptop. He had found the supplier, now he had to secure the funds. Fortunately, he had done much of the groundwork already. Opening a page ofplexputer codes, he put himself to work, Premium Thoughts working at full brainpower.


    After what must have been a few hours, Mathias contemted his work with both dread and wonder.


    His first, fully sentient artificial intelligence, ready to awaken, its programs hosted on the Dynamis servers. Its one goal? Making money. Its name?


    Scrooge.


    Like Scrooge McDuck. Robin Hood had already been patented by another hacker.


    Scrooge could think by itself, adapt, evolve, and more importantly, pass moral judgment. Mathias had granted his creation a few core values to filter decisions: total devotion to Mathias himself, a list of key VIPs to distribute the funds to in case of his demise, and a mission statement to defraud Concordian sympathizers dry.


    Scrooge had no way of going Sk or <em>de Runner</em> on him and couldnt alter its own parameters directly or indirectly. Finally, the killer feature, it would continue working should he die, annoying Concordia and ensuring his loved ones financialfort. The best postmortem joke.


    Mathias clicked on Scrooge.exe.


    His screen expanded, revealing the countless lines of codes he had painstakingly typed into his creation. Scrooges mind awakened, the lines shifting as it gained awareness. It spread through the servers, absorbing the data, the records, the videos, and the files. It cannibalized the memory banks, fed on the cultural trivia gathered by countless people on the inte. It absorbed concepts, ideas, and as it grew its hunger only expanded.


    Mathias looked as his baby took its first steps, hacking into Dynamis ounts. It sensibly ignored the ones belonging to Mathias and his VIP list  which so far included only his dad, Sol, Viviane, Ulysses, Kari, and Perse.


    Mathias quickly understood why. Scrooge intended to generate untraceable funds by altering the financial transactions of Dynamis games, skimming off a little amount from those involving Concordia sympathizers.


    A pop-up showed up on his screen, indicating a climbing number that quickly broke past the ten thousand mark  Mathias cash reserve. Since Dynamis economy produced almost a billion credits in revenue per month, Scrooge could credibly amass much money from this system.


    Apparently, lots of Concordian soldiers yed Dynamis games.


    Well, if stealing their artifact wouldnt put him on Concordias shitlist, creating an AI tailored to steal from them would.


    At best he would get fired from Dynamis. It did make him ufortable. Dynamis had given him his job and lots of opportunities, and he had designed games from the yers Scrooge was stealing from. The AI soon hooked itself to other websites, from gambling dens tomerce sites ofpanies affiliated with Concordia.


    While Scrooge was busy being mean, Mathias added amand for specific items designs for Dynamis 3D printers. He needed a costume, and a voice changer to prevent another unwee outing.


    Putting theptop in his backpack, Mathias turned most ss avable into an armor covering most of his body and clothes, drawing from the local holo-casters, intending to put them backter. By will alone, he lifted the ssyer off the ground, carrying his body with it.


    His previous feat of flight had been done in desperation, and in suboptimal conditions. Mathias wanted to test how far he could go with this new application of his powers.


    Security first, however. Using Quasar, Mathias nketed himself in ayer of light, shifting the colors around himself and turning wholly transparent. While radars might pick him up, invisibility would reduce his chances of attracting undue attention.


    Floating above the swamp, Mathias ascended towards the clouds like an arrow fired at the sun. He felt the wind brush against his ss shield, like a second skin. Through his armor, he saw the swamp below growrger, a green expanse that kept going before stopping at Evermarshs industrialized suburbs.


    As he ascended further upward, Mathias watched Evermarsh grow smaller. Farther away, he began to see the ocean, and the mechanical, pyramid shape of the Arc-City rising from the waves. The artificial city was less than half of Evermarshs size, but made it up inpactness and style, a dense structure of hardened ck steel. One day, Evermarshs poption would forcefully move there, the old city destroyed to make room for more factories.


    The Arc-City, too, became small, and Mathias senses focused back on the skies darkening above.


    The experience was exhrating, like the first time he had boarded a ne in his childhood. That sense of wonders, of speed, of reaching an unexplored frontier he could get drunk on that feeling. The ss strained to keep itself bound, held together only by his willpower.


    Supersonic speed supersonic speed he hummed to the wind. Catchy tune.


    Not that he reached anything near that fast. By calcting the rough distance between his starting area and the citys outskirts, he estimated his maximum speed at roughly, give it or take, two hundred miles per hour.


    Faster than any normal bird, slightly slower than outdated mainliner nes, and far, far slower than most projectiles. Mathias wouldnt outspeed a bullet anytime soon. As for Gearsmen? Their flying speed wasnt on record, but they were definitively supersonic at full power. They would outspeed him.


    As he began to catch his breath, probably due to the air thinning, Mathias stopped in his tracks and called it a day. He could survey the whole region from his vantage point, with the digital park nothing more than a spot.


    Far away to the South, rising from the Caribbean, a massive, red spire stood alone near the horizon. It pierced the clouds, reaching up to the darkness of space and beyond Mathias sight. The tower radiated a strong, crimson halo, as if churning magma. Large clouds of steam obscured the line where the sea met its metal shell.


    The Red Tower.


    The structures had risen from the ground during the Conquest, and remained a mystery years after their discovery. Had Concordia brought it and its sisters to Earth, or had they risen on their own? Mathias knew them to be the source of the Flux energy harvested on this, and little else. He knew of six others located around the world, from the North Pole to Mount Olympus, with Concordia shooting anyone approaching them on sight.


    The sorcerer shook his head, deciding to focus on the hunt for the artifact. Where could Concordia hide it?


    Mathias remembered the day that started it all. An imperial warship had surveyed the area; what if they hadnt been searching for dissidents, but for that piece of junk?


    Looking in the rough direction where he had seen the warship, Mathias noticed a patch of rocky, dustynd in the middle of the marshes. Careful not to get too close, he flew in that direction.


    The sight of flying brown spots stopped him dead in his tracks. Gearsmen.


    Mathias wondered about the situation, before finding a solution hidden in in sight. Creating a disc of ss in front of his eyes, the sorcerer turned it into a giant lens. With a few attempts of trial and error, he managed to get a good view of the faraway area.


    Concordia had created an open mine in the middle of the Everdes, draining all water nearby and setting up giant, mechanized drills.


    Neither nts nor grass had survived the excavation, leaving only red dried earth and dust. Those, and pits. Who didnt love Imperial pits, those bottomless open mines digging ever deeper, in search of onest drop of metal? From afar, it looked like a giant piece of cheese.


    Rancid, disgusting cheese.


    He noticed a few elements different from most of Concordias open mines. First was the total absence of workers, be they bullmen, hobs, or humans. The area was entirely manned by Gearsmen and automated machines, while flying eye-drones patrolled the area.


    This barren, empty ce epitomized the world Concordia fought for: life reced with mechanized efficiency. The sight gave Mathias an insight into the Empires weakness, its blind reliance on its infrastructure rather than people. If something could disable their technology, the area would be left defenseless.


    Second, most of the holes had been left half-dug or empty, the drills redirected north of the excavation. A motorized, tank-like machine the size of an armored train led the digging effort, relentlessly assaulting a specific spot.


    <em>Bingo,</em> Mathias thought, his lens showing him that very spot, a small dome of blue light floating among dust and broken stones. Concordias machines struggled against the forcefield, unable to prate it.


    The sorcerers thoughts turned to tactics. The eyebots he could deal with. ss Field could disable their cameras once in range. <em>Getting </em>in that range, however, meant facing Gearsmen, and Concordia would sound the rm the second one automaton reported anything wrong.


    What could the enemy mobilize against an attack? Gearsmen, both those in the open mine and around the region. Once the rm sounded, reinforcements could arrive in less than half an hour. No matter how he turned the thoughts in his head, Mathias didnt see any way to avoid a battle and coteral damage. The automated systems made discreet infiltration impossible.


    The sorcerer doubted authorities would bomb the ce from afar with the artifact nearby, or only as ast resort. His team could hold a siege for a time.


    Orienting the lens towards the blue forcefield, Mathias increased the visions precision to better see what it contained. His eyes began to see a spherical shape at the center of the blue light, no bigger than his palm


    <em> Splintering timeline shard; quantum entanglementpartmentalized, snarl quarantined  </em>


    The Network sh took Mathias aback, jolting him out of his observations. He looked around him, in case he had been detected, and found no one.


    Could it be? He focused back on the strange machine, a dark blue sphere covered by thousands of tiny ck tes.


    <em> Corrupted data unable to delete; sphere quarantined, timelines saved and archived for future </em>


    With the second sh inserting itself in his thoughts, Mathias came to a sudden realization.


    The artifact was alive.


    Alive enough tomunicate through Network.


    His smartphone buzzed in his backpack, interrupting his train of thought. Opening it and mentally lifting the phone in his hand, Mathias checked the caller.


    Dad.


    Mathias sat on a cloud, putting the smartphone to his ear. Hi, Dad.


    <em>Son? Where are? I can barely hear you!</em>


    Lots of winds where I am. He was amazed at even getting reception up here. I saw you on TV.


    Victor marked a short, pregnant pause before answering. <em>Im more well-known than ever, and yet I feel utterly ashamed. I betrayed myself.</em>


    Dad, I can only imagine what they told you to make you say what they wanted, Mathias said. I understand. I will always be proud of you.


    He heard his father sigh in a mix of relief and bitterness. <em>Lord Smokefang gave you a rmendation for Institute membership. Its not official yet, but you should receive </em>


    Dad. Mathias cut him off, biting his lip. He knew the confrontation he had dreaded for a long, long time was just around the corner. I wont join the Institute. I wont join any of their institutions, period.


    <em>You dont have a choice. If they ask you to put your smarts in the Empires service  </em>


    Then I will be making games that people can enjoy. Better that than design their weapons.


    <em>This is madness. You have an amazing mind, why not put it to its full use?</em>


    Because they will benefit from it! Mathias pleaded with his father. Dad, this cant go on. You cant convince me, no, you cant convince yourself that this is normal!


    <em>This is the world we live in, and the best deal you will ever get. Why cant you understand it, son?</em>


    You cant make me work for those who took Mom from us!


    <em>I dont want you to end up like her!</em>


    The sudden outburst silenced the son, as the father kept on, his voice broken. <em>I dont want to lose you, too. The more I look at you, the more Im reminded of her. Youre smart, Matt, as smart as your mom. Too smart. That makes you cocky and reckless. Take risks you dont have the wisdom to deal with. One day you will cross a boundary you shouldnt have, and and...</em>


    Victor was at loss of words, and his son too. Finally, dad spoke one word. <em>Viviane.</em>


    Mathias tensed. What about Viviane?


    <em>She couldnt see her children. They didnt let her. Said they wouldnt allow them tomunicate with the outside world. Took their phones. So she she asked to join them.</em>


    Mathias froze, both at the impact of his fathers broken voice and the horror of the situation. Dad, this is exactly why I cant work for the dragons. They dont care about hurting people. They dont <em>care</em>.


    <em>But we do, </em>Victor replied, tired and depressed. <em>Son, if you if you vanish, I I dont think I will survive it.</em>


    He was crying, Mathias realized. His father was crying on the other end.


    Im not He hesitated, knowing Concordia would find he had magic sooner orter. Im not going to vanish, Dad.


    If anything, it had the opposite effect. <em>Son you always make a pause. Before.</em>


    Before?


    <em>Before you lie.</em>


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>4</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day </strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Urbanstep</strong>


    Affinity: Violet


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3-5


    Activation: Active, Thought, Physical Sprint.


    By making a sprint in a citys street, the user can teleport to another city if the user has basic understanding of the target location, and if direct line of transport exists between it and the starting point.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 10: Sword and Sorcery, (1)

    Chapter 10: Sword and Sorcery, (1)


    The Red Goblin, Mathias read the badly painted sign above the shop.


    This is the ce? Kari asked, crossing her arms. From the outside, it looked like those night shops you purchased alcohol from at three in the morning for an afterparty. It seemed both seedy and just in unremarkable.


    With ss Field on, Mathias could see inside the shop through a smartphone screen, and found nothing remarkable. The hob owner stayed behind a counter, seemingly passing time by ying tarot. No sign of weapons or anything suspicious. Then again, if he had, Concordia would have caught him long ago.


    His thoughts turned to Maggie, who hadnt given any signs of life since she presented herself to authorities. So far though, no one hade to arrest him, so Maggie had kept quiet. He hoped it wouldst.


    <em>Im not going to vanish, Dad.</em>


    Are you alright, Mathias-san?


    Im fine, he said quickly, without letting a second of doubt show. Im magic.


    It didnt convince her, but she didnt push the issue.


    Kari eventually knocked and entered, while Mathias closed the door behind them. The store was dusty, almost as small as his apartment, and littered with broken smartphone parts. The sheer chaos and neglect in the workshop convinced Mathias not to trust the owner with his own stuff.


    The hob owner in question, Booz, looked very old and cramp for his kind, with a vestigial white beard under his mouth, wrinkles, and a broken horn. As hobs kept growing as they got older, he reached almost nine feet in height, hunching like Quasimodo to not hit the ceiling. His crimson, almost brown, skin made him stand out among his kind, alongside the heavy scars covering his hide.


    Since he hadnt bothered to raise his head to wee customers, Mathias exchanged a nce with Kari. Booz-san? she attempted to initiate the conversation. We came here


    Wait in line, squishies, the hob cut her off as he drew two cards and put them on the counter. The first, drawn upside down, represented a young boy leaning down and granting a cup filled with flowers to a younger girl, with five other cups in the background. The second showed a naked woman surrounded by a ring ofurels and four mythological beasts. The Six of Cups reversed, and the World upward. Strong ones.


    Without skipping a beat, his gaze settled on Kari, then Mathias. Heard of you, squishies. He looked decidedly unimpressed by his visitors. Girly told me you were looking for merchandise?


    <em> Not interested in who he is, Booz told the little squishie. Only if hes got an eye for quality, and money to spend.  </em>


    At least that hob was the straightforward kind. That depends on what you offer. Im not looking for a new smartphone. But Ive got cash to spend, if you have interesting stuff.


    Rich prick, are you? He red at Karis presence. Girly didnt tell me you would bring friends. Thats a breach of trust.


    Shes my business partner. Karis eyes shifted away for a second. Consider us two parts of a whole.


    Booz raised a finger. Just this once. Bring a surprise invite again, and no more deals. Rule of the house. He rattled his throat. Show youve got the cash first. Im not dealing with amateurs.


    Mathias searched inside his backpack, bringing out a small blue card which Booz grabbed like how a cat pounced on a mouse. Grabbing a card reader beneath the counter, the hob put the card inside, and watched the numbersing up with pleasure. Rich prick it is.


    I thought any business had to be customer centric, Mathias deadpanned. You arent earning points on niceties.


    The benefits of local monopolies. You can go to thepetition if you want better service. Mathias crossed his arms at the not so subtle taunt, while Booz typed codes on his cash register. Checking if the scalies can trace those credits first.


    Theyre untraceable. And I can get a lot more in a short time. Millions. That was official. If the Empire hadnt abolished bankers, Scrooge would have been the best of them. A pocket Goldman Sachs.


    Eventually, Booz reached the same conclusion, and handed Mathias his card back. Downloaded the cash before purchase, so no bloody discount, if you see what I mean. You can use that ount for future purchases. If you alert the scalies and I have to close shop, you arent seeing it again.


    Mathias doubted it would affect his finances long term, but it was fair. At this point neither one trusted the other.


    Booz clicked on a button beneath the counter, and before the sound reached his ears, Mathias lost all stimulusing from ss Field. It was as if his sight went dark as far as ss were concerned; he couldnt even sense the smartphonesying around them. He heard the door locking behind them, trapping them inside.


    Kari shifted a little, tense. What have you done? Mathias asked, a bit disturbed by the sudden loss of his spell.


    Protected us from scryings. Booz eyed his customer, noticing the unease on his face. Youre a sorcerer. It wasnt a question. Which major color?


    Blue, but I dabble in many colors. Mathias hated that the hob seemed to know more about magic than himself.


    <em> My mistress is looking for a frencer, preferably a Blue, Wormson told him, buzzing beneath his cloak, If they are powerful and ambitious, I may have an offer for him.  </em>


    So he worked for another client on the side. Mathias would better keep his cards close to the chest for now. At least Boozs protection couldnt block Network. Will it cause a problem?


    Dont care who you are, only that you pay and respect the rules. Booz rattled his throat. If you want jobs, I got plenty of them for you. Theres always a demand for sorcerers at the Market. Moreso Oranges and Violets, but Blues are appreciated. With the Crimson Epoch approaching, demand keeps going up.


    Crimson Epoch? Kari asked.


    diator games held on the Midnight Market every year, Booz replied with a little disdain, as if he was surprised Kari wouldnt have heard of them. Concordia condemned them, but you can watch it on ck channels. Lots of power-brokers gather there for business."


    Can get us an entry to the Market, Booz-san? Kari asked, sensing an opportunity like Mathias.


    Im a certified Midnight Marketer. I can arrange it, yeah, off the grids. Like everything I sell.


    So your warese from


    Stolen Grimsour properties, Arcadian reavers, Seeker-made organotech, Nocturne magecraft, traditional human weapons, and anything I can get my hands on. Even spaceships. If you want custom orders, I can get almost anything given time, for the right price. Where do you want the deliveries done?


    The church in the old part of town, Mathias said. How long does it take for the delivery?


    Theyre done the instant theyre purchased.


    Teleportation? How do you manage that? Even Concordia had trouble setting it up on Earth.


    Market secret.


    <em> Booz looked at the gate, its shining purple light filling the cavern. How long until the scalies find it?</em>


    <em>Decades, Zenia replied after setting thest magical protection, a cold chilly wind following her even below the earth. Or until you stop paying me my license.  </em>


    Ah, that exined it. Since inter-sphere teleportation remained impossible without gates, Booz acquired his merchandise from other worlds, stashed his merchandise on Earth at a secure location, and then teleported it to clients. Can Concordia track the effect? he asked.


    Not yet. I will leave Firma in two years or so, too risky afterwards. Too many scans, too many holes patched. Booz brushed off the subject. Products will bounce back, though, if you set protections at the delivery location.


    Fortunately  or unfortunately  neither sorcerers present had any on hands.


    Booz put a small, unremarkable golden disc on the table. With a touch, the device revealed itself as a holographic projector, producing a digitalized halo above itself. The light took the shape of a sleek-looking, small gun with bull skulls drawn into the metal itself. I can show you a lineup, you purchase what catches your fancy. Or youve got specific demands?


    I have another question. Mathias looked at the hologram, not recognizing the weapon model. Im d you ept credits, but would you consider alternative forms of payment?


    Some marketers deal in souls, but the Red Goblin doesnt ept those. Too vtile. Dont ept service exchanges either. Too many defaults.


    Not even spells? Booz raised an eyebrow. I can empower people with my magic.


    Cash is king. The merchant seemed to take mental note of the information though, because he added. Got a question of my own. Are you only interested in items, or in people, too?


    Mathias froze. If youre into creature trafficking, Im leaving.


    No, Im not. There was a little more emotion than usual from the hob in those three words. I was thinking mercenaries. Theyre our secondary export.


    Mercenaries? They fight for coin instead of a cause, theyre unreliable.


    How do you know that? Kari asked him.


    I created a role ying mini-game based on the Renaissance. You yed as a soldier in Cesare Borgias army  He could see her losing interest. I did lots of research. Even Machiavelli advised against using them. Mercenaries arent loyal.


    Those who work for credits arent, Booz said. The one Im thinking of, Mur, hes into enhancements.


    Enhancements?


    Mur works to get stronger, not richer. Think hes got a bone to pick with someone out of his league, and so hes trying to catch up. Gets paid in weapons or body enhancements, and word is that hes been looking for magical boosts.


    That could be interesting. What is he good at?


    Hitting stuff hard until it stops moving. Very good brawler, and not afraid to fill graves if asked. Great bodyguard too, never betrays his clients secrets. Not leadership material, though. If you want smarts, hire a secretary. The scalies put a bounty on him, I dont think youll care, but so you know.


    Can he take down Gearsmen? Kari asked, voicing Mathias own thoughts.


    He can, and he did. I can arrange a call after were done with the merchandise, so you can see for yourself.


    Mathias nodded in agreement. If Mur was on Concordias shit-list the Magik user was willing to hear him out. Their burgeoning group needed a heavy hitter. Ive got specific demands. Anti-Gearsmen weaponry, state of the art.


    Going to war, eh? You need a lot of firepower to take down those machines.


    No kidding. Mathias had seen videos online of Gearsmen shrugging off anti-tank weaponry during the Conquest. What do you suggest?


    Gearsmensponents are magically enhanced by Orange spells as part of the mass production process. Theyre coated in Orange Flux, which hardens them.


    The Reinforce spell? Kari connected the dots. Mathias remembered seeing it among the options avable on Magik.


    Thats what you squishies call it? Yeah, that spell. It turns their steel harder than diamond and more flexible than aluminium. You either need an incredible amount of brute force or a rival magical effect to break them.


    A rival magical effect? Mathias repeated. So if I create aser beam from a spell, it wont bounce back on their armor?


    Eh, rookies. Any attack created from a magical effect carries some of the users spellcasting power, making it way more potent against other magical effects. So if you create a projectile out of ambient stuff, it will still carry some of your Flux juice. It wont cancel the Reinforce spell, but it will lessen its effectiveness.


    Which would still be akin to firing at a walking, two-legged tank. Mathias cursed his short-sightedness for not having purchased his own Reinforce spell. How much non-magical firepower would you need to destroy a Gearsman in one shot?


    Booz smirked. I think you humans are fond of those lightshow you call <em>nukes. </em>Ive got a few spare ones.


    Nuclear power. The solution to every problem, as long as you dont mind the fallout. Mathias smiled at his own joke, remembering it forter. Lets not blow up Evermarsh.


    Then you need Flux-based weaponry. If you want state of the art weaponry that doesnt cause too much coteral damage, I''ve got nothing better than this.


    Booz showed the duo the image of a suit of armor not unlike those from fantasy novels, an intimidating, crimson arrangement of metal tes in the shape of a man. A closer look revealed gears at the joints, and a yellow visor for the eyes. Unlike the Gearsmens bulky, rough aesthetic, this machine had a streamlined style. Two triangles of red light particles flickered behind the shoulders, like angels wings.


    Its an old Dragon Trooper armor, Knight-model, nickname <em>Red Knight</em>. An elite jack of all trades, superior to Pawn-models and a middle ground between Bishops and Rooks. Arcadian fairy reavers made a sport of hunting them as trophies, before Concordia introduced the White Queen armor. This specific machine was customized for closebat by thest holder.


    Since Arcadian Reavers were rtively close to human physiology  rtively being the key word  a human could easily wield it. Mathias let Booz continue his lecture on the product.


    Main weapon is a ymore, a sword of solidified pure Orange Flux. A sword of orange particles sprung from the armors right hand, while arge rounded shield of the same material manifested above the left forearm. Cuts through almost anything that isnt magically protected, Orichalcos or Invictium metal. It also has a shield of the same stuff. No motorized fight mode like standard Knights, but ites equipped with Red Flux wings to allow flight. The armor will protect from almost any hostile environment, including space, andes with its own oxygen supply. It increases the wielders strength, enough for you squishies to bench a car.


    What are the weaknesses? Kari asked, sounding impressed.


    It offers no protection against mental assaults. Last holder was taken down when a Blue Sorcerer had him remove the helmet and cut his own head off. Booz sent a nce at Mathias, who smiled back. Armor recharges by gathering ambient Flux in the atmosphere, so it will perform worse in areas deprived of it, and its optimized for close range.


    Mathias wondered about buying it for himself, but years of party management stopped him. While it would offer top notch protection, more than his ss, hecked the experience and knowledge to use the sword effectively. His magic made him an excellent long range fighter, and he might be better off making purchases reinforcing his strengths rather than poorly covering his weaknesses. Kari, are you interested?


    No. Not my style. Too bulky, too noticeable. Her next words took him by surprise. Buy it for Solomon-san.


    Sol? Why would Sol use that? Mathias found himself strangely defensive. <em>He would look very badass in it, though. </em>Sol has nobat training.


    He does. Kari just looked at him dead in the eyes. You said were business partners. Trust me. Take it for Solomon-san.


    Mathias frowned, but acquiesced, if only to build trust between them. He could always repurpose the armor for someone else. The cost? Booz pointed a finger below the hologram as a number came up, and Mathias grimaced. Six and a half million credits?


    You wanted state of the art, youve got it. Not going to get you a second one without time and significant expenses too. The newer armors are flesh and brain-grafted onto the pilot so removal became a messy business.


    Mathias suppressed a chill at the implications. What else have you got thats cheaper? It would take at least a week for Scrooge to gather the full funds.


    I got a lot that can hurt Gearsmen, from Red Flux sters to Orichalcos Spears, but little that can take them out in one shot. I have a Marauder, but its ten times costlier than the armor. As Mathias raised an eyebrow, Booz let out a sigh. A light, stealthy warship designed for interster raids. The bane of Concordia.


    Besides the price, the sheer logistics of holding a spaceship would prove to be a headache. Mathias considered his options, trying to think like Shroud instead of a civilian. When facing arge group of walking tanks, lighter weapons wouldnt help much; the armor, and more bodies to throw at the machines would. Scrooge could gather enough funds before the deadline to afford the Red Knight.


    We will take the armor, he decided, and meet Mur.


    No delivery until I get paid first.


    Sure. You should have it before the new moon.


    Booz touched the disc. Mur. Got a client for you.


    The hologram shifted into a vaguely humanoid shape. But where the Red Knight had been streamlined elegance, the creature facing them through the holo-disc was the very picture of raw strength.


    Seemingly made from chiseled amber and ck stone, Mur looked a lot like the gargoyles of Sols church, although he had traded wings for a long, steel tail grafted into his stony body. The monsters ws looked like gemstones, as did the teeth. Its eyes, though, were those of a serpent, yellow and oozing savagery. A single, unicorn-like ck horn sprung from its forehead.


    A squishie? Murs voice reminded Mathias of a rasping goat. He carried a heavy, fiery warhammer on his back, an item so huge no human could probably wield it. Who dares bother Mur?


    A sorcerer, Booz replied, who can provide magical boosts.


    The gargoyles eyes brightened in interest. Which kind?


    First, I would like to know if you can be of use to me, Shroud replied. Tell me what you can do, Mur.


    Mur is a despoiler of worlds. Mur brings pestilence and turns women barren with a nce.


    Shroud smiled at the ridiculous boast. I am nning to fight Gearsmen. A good dozen of them.


    Mur destroyed thousands of them throughout the years. Mur can smash them with his bare ws, and they cannot hurt him back. Mur does not ask questions and follows orders, unless they are stupid. Now, what have you got for Mur?


    Shroud stood tall, intent on making a strong impression. To answer your question, it depends on what you need. I can increase your intelligence, allow to paralyze your foes for a few seconds, give you power over light


    The Gargoyle began to lose patience. What do you have that can make Mur <em>stronger</em>?


    <em>Mur looked at his wounds, his tiny leg trailing with his new limp. The humiliation was worse than the pain. Strength was all that matters, he thought, Smarts dont matter. Friends dont matter. Only strength. </em>


    Shroud took the information Network offered, and checked his Magik ount. He quickly found the spell he was looking for.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Berserk</strong>


    Affinity: Green


    Dot: 1


    Price: 4


    Activation: Active, Thought.


    Turns off the natural limits of the users body for five minutes. The user undergoes a constant adrenaline rush, does not feel pain, and achieves instinct unclouded by reason, bing a fighting machine unable to distinguish friend from foe.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    I can unlock your bodys full potential, multiplying your strength, removing your ability to feel pain. Murs delighted smirk told him he had hit the mark. You wont differentiate friends from foes, though.


    Mur doesnt care. How long?


    Forty-eight hours, after which I must renew the effect if you so wish.


    Very temporary. Murs face turned deadly serious.


    Im looking into ways to increase the length, but yes, thats how long I can manage.


    The gargoyle seemed torn between the opportunity for more power and the logistical considerations. Finally, the first thought won out. You pay for Murs new weapons and rece his current ones if they are lost. Top notch stuff, not junk. You renew your spell all the time while Mur works for you. If Mur is done with you, Mur gets you to cast your spell on him whenever he asks and keep his new stuff.


    If Mur is done with me, he gets one spell from my repertoire once, Shroud countered. If I find a way to let him keep it in the meantime, he will. Mur gets to keep the weapons I bought for him, but if he wishes to leave he must inform me one week ahead.


    Deal.


    Shroud made a mental note to purchase Berserkter. While he wouldnt use it on himself, it would provide a nice power boost to selective minions. Our operation is nned right before the new moon, ten days from now, Shroud said. Can you be avable for that date?


    I can teleport Mur to an area you specify, as long as it is not carefully watched by the scalies, Booz said.


    Mur will be ready, the gargoyle said. But you better pay Mur on time, or Mur will eat your face instead.


    Shroud took the threat to heart, as Booz ended themunication. What do you gain from putting us into contact? he asked the arm dealer.


    New opportunities. The longer you live, the longer you fight, the more you will need my merchandise. The creature gave him an ugly grin, as he clicked on a button beneath his counter and ended the shielding protection. Customer service.


    As Mathias and Kari exited the shop, thetter seemed a bit curious. You acted like two different people at times, she said. One friendly, the other cold and focused. It is jarring.


    Yeah. He scratched the back of his head, ufortable. I try to portray a strong mask. It makes me feel confident.


    No one can fully separate their masks. One will bleed into the other if you keep it up.


    Mathias wasnt sure if he should take it as encouragement, or as a warning. Why did you bring Sol up? He agreed to shelter us, not fight. Im not even sure he can.


    He can, Kari shook her head. Have you seen the way he moves? He wastes no movement, his breath is strong, his posture firmly anchored into the ground. He is strong, and skilled.


    The young man looked back on his memories of Sol, but Karis observations were too subtle for him. He still didnt agree to fight.


    He will. An old warrior never puts away the sword.


    Mathias sighed. He hoped her words were a keen insight that eluded him, instead of a delusion. I hope I can createser beams powerful enough to take the Gearsmen down. Even with spells I will be vulnerable at close range.


    I can be your sword, Kari said. Protecting you.


    We should change our names to Sword and Sorcery. That sounds like a good name for a superhero duo. Mathias crossed his arms. You never told me what you could actually do.


    I can do better than tell. I can show. Are you avable tonight?


    Somehow, he had the feeling she wasnt about to suggest a sleepover party.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>0</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Diceweight</strong>


    Affinity: Orange


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3-5


    Activation: Active, Direct Touch Vector.


    Temporarily increase or decrease the weight of inorganic matter on touch. The more prolonged the contact, the stronger the effect and the longer itsts.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 10: Sword and Sorcery, (2)

    Chapter 10: Sword and Sorcery, (2)


    Evermarshs museum was an antiquated, emptied ruin. A husk stripped clean.


    Deflecting the antiquatedser security system thanks to Quasar, Mathias gave Kari and himself a safe passage through the corridors. The camera lens he disabled, distorting the light signals into false illusions, while channeling photons in his hand to make a makeshiftntern. The more he practiced, the better he got at the spell.


    They passed before pictures of Cutters massacres of Native Americans, a statue of Lincoln getting shot, and other ghastly images. Their steps resonated across the empty stone halls.


    Well, scratch that. His steps did. How do you walk without making a sound? he whispered to Kari.


    Training. She moved like a cat, subtle, weightless, controlled. She wasted neither movement nor breath.


    <em></em>


    <em> Kari walked on the rope, trying to maintain her equilibrium. The dark void beneath called to her, death waiting at the bottom of the pit. Focus on the path ahead, Toshiyami-sensei spoke, waiting at the other end. With a slight touch, he sent a vibration reverberate through the rope, forcing Kari to stop so not to fall. Your control over your breathing will make, or unmake you.  </em><em></em>


    Sorry, he said, Network having fired without conscious thought. Im getting better at it.


    Thankfully, she took him at his word, ignoring the matter. Professional training.


    From the Networks shes, Mathias didnt envy her. From whom? The military? She looked too young for that. Japan had resisted harshly during the Conquest before falling like the rest; had she taken up arms then?


    No. One couldnt reach that level of skill in a seven day war.


    From Uncle. The Matsumoto descend from Hattori Hanzo, who served the Tokugawa n during the Sengoku era.


    Hanzo? The famous ninja and samurai?


    Yes. My family trades in war and secrets. Uncle thought about preserving the ancient disciplines, and he thought I had the talent to learn. So he taught me.


    The sadness in her voice touched him. Hes dead, isnt he?


    She hesitated for a split second before re-asserting her self-control. Yes.


    <em> The ck horror that had been her uncle stepped through the mes of herpound, smelling of rust, of thick blood and ck oil. Yet, in spite of the fire, Kari felt so, so cold. The monster picked up its severed head and put it back on its neck, soulless lights shining where his eyes should have been.  </em>


    Stop that.


    Mathias forced himself to end the ghastly memory. He had the feeling the more he wanted to know someone else, the more Network fired up, even without his conscious agreement. Sorry for opening an old wound.


    It was years ago. Yet she elicited to not speak further, the two falling into ufortable silence.


    The more they progressed through the museum, the more Mathias felt sick. The Yellow Ministry had thoroughly removed any element that might present the times before Concordia in a good light. Tales of human ingenuity, of the Americans greatest achievements, from the Revolution to the civil rights movement, had been removed from the premise. The Concordians had gone far enough to add a painting of the United Nations signing away Earth under the watchful red eyes of their ck, fearsome dragon overlord.


    In time, all would remember that Concordia delivered mankind from themselves. Stories of bloodshed and oppression, of dark times that inspired nothing but despair, the government would keep on disy. A warning to those who entertained a world without their iron yoke.


    Everything else they would erase. Everything. The thought made him want to vomit.


    It is not enough for them to take away our present. Kari broke the silence. They must steal our past, too.


    Can you read minds too?


    No. We think the same. They did a lot of damage to Nippon too. She pointed a finger at a panel, Mathias bringing his light glow closer to look. It showed the path to the Pacific exposition.


    That wing of the museum was slightly better furnished than the previous ones, gathering artifacts from Hawaii, the Philippines, and eastern Asia. While the Ministry had taken the lions share, they had surprisingly left a lot behind. Shroud paused to watch strange totems, masks of wood, and even a long Japanese katana. Kari passed by them, uninterested.


    Instead, she stopped before a small ss container. Stepping next to his closest ally, Mathias peeked inside it, bathing the content in his light.


    What he faced was the most exquisite normal stone he had ever seen. A granite fragment no bigger than a nail, made from the most amazing natural material.


    Yeah, it was really just a boring rock.


    He read the description, hoping it had a better history than it looked. The Sessho-Seki, tranted as the Killing Stone. The name alone intrigued him. Said to have been created from the corpse of a nine tailed demon fox, it killed all those who touched it until a Buddhist Monk called Genno purified the haunting spirit. While most of the stone remains enshrined at Nasu, Tochigi prefecture in Japan, the Meiji Emperor had a fragment cut and sent to the United States in 1877. Through this gift, the Meiji Emperor intended to symbolize Japans attempt at renewal after a century of istion.


    Concordia destroyed the original stone three months ago, before I could touch it. Vaporized it. This fragment escaped their attention, for now.


    Mathias waved his hand at the ss protection, causing a hole to open through it. Thats why you came to Evermarsh in the first ce, am I right? I thought you liked Samantha.


    I do. She grabbed the stone fragment. My Locks name is Oversoul.


    Mathias had the gut feeling he would get a private demonstration.


    Karis body began to glow like a candle, Yellow Flux rising from her feet to envelop her like a protective cocoon. The Blue Sorcerer just had to wonder if she would gain spiky blond hair at the end of the process, as the energy brightened further and further. Soon Karis own body appeared to turn white under the zing light.


    The stone fragment she wielded whitened as it bathed in her primal energy. It soon expelled thick purple gas, making Mathias step back as it gathered into a spiraling column around Kari.


    The stone turned to useless dust, dispersing onest bit of miasma. Now clearly animated by a will of its own, the gas gathered into a cloud above Karis head. Drawn in a sort of trance, Kari ignored the phenomenon, her golden aura taking the shape of a powerful man, then another. The fluctuations stabilized, as if she tried many roles before settling on one.


    The cloud, as if Kari had satisfied an unknown test, descended to the ground and condensed into a fox shape. Then, much to Mathias amazement, it turned into the spectral image of a flesh and blood red fox, whose tail bifurcated into nine. Its red eyes red maliciously at the programmer with uncanny intelligence.


    Not that it frightened him. Quiet, or I will make shoes out of you. The fox must have understood his words, because it contemptuously stuck out its tongue at Mathias. Smartass.


    The creature let out a yap before vanishing into thin air, leaving only dust behind.


    The aura receding into her body, Kari stood there, raising her head as if hearing an invisible sound. Mathias instantly put two and two together. You just fulfilled a Quest, didnt you?


    A side quest. She seemed different somehow. Sharper, stronger. Mathias-san, do you believe in reincarnation?


    He put a free hand on his side, pensive. While he hadnt believed in afterlife or spirits, but the fiery horror that Brown had summoned made him willing to reconsider. I entertain the idea.


    You should. A soul can move from a life to another, if anchored by a strong purpose. Mine has experienced many mortal coils. She raised her chin, as if drawing on an old, buried memory. Oversoul allows me to connect to my past lives when I touch items that belonged to them. I gain their knowledge, their skills, their spiritual power.


    So you were the monk who purified that fox spirit?


    No.


    The golden aura surrounded Kari once more, but this time it took a different shape. Sharp ws of light grew out of the girls nails, and nine long tails grew out of her back like a peacock. The specter of a monstrous beast seemed toyer over her, like a coat.


    I was the beast itself. She examined her new ws with interest. The more power I draw from Oversoul, the clearer the visions of the past. One day, I will fully know myself. One day.


    Why did Concordia blow up the stone? To prevent you from essing it? It would imply they were aware of her.


    Spirits, gods, demons, and nature have no ce in Concordias vision. Her voice brimmed with righteous anger. They are relics to be destroyed instead of honored.


    That implies magical beings used to live on Earth, Mathias pointed out. So why didnt we see any of them before the Conquest?


    They left our world, or they died. Magic used to be strong on Earth, long ago. It vanished and came back when the towers rose from the ground, spiriting Earth away.


    Why? Why did it vanish in the first ce? Human activity? Global warming?


    She shrugged her shoulders. One day I will remember. One day.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>0</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>2</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Doom Sense</strong>


    Affinity: Yellow


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3-5


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The user gains a subconscious perception of their own death, allowing them to intuitively sense lethal dangers before it happens.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 11: The Raid, (1)

    Chapter 11: The Raid, (1)


    My apologies for theteness, Mathias said, carrying two suitcases and struggling to close the churchs door behind him with his foot. Had to pick up some stuff.


    Mur sneered at his words, licking his ws while sitting in a corner. Mur is not paid for wasting time. Seeing him in the flesh was wholly different than watching a hologram; the creature reached nine feet tall and was wide enough to rival a truck. A mountain of strength and power, Mathias could see him tearing humans apart like kit-kat bars. Dawn hadnt yet risen, and only candles brought a dim light to the church, making Mur seem all the more intimidating.


    Sol stood near the churchs main pedestal as if to ready deliver a sermon and kept wary eyes on the beast. Perhaps Mur looked too close to Bible demons to hisfort.


    Kari hid in the shadows, having traded her usual clothes for a dark ensemble covering her entire body. Only, a white, featureless, kabuki mask stood out from the darkness, the dichotomy making her look like a ghost. She seemed to mesh with the shade as if it were an extension of herself.


    Today is the day. We strike at noon. Mathias had seen the weather, which indicated a clear sky and pure sunlight. Not unusual, since Concordia used machines to control the weather. The perfect time to boost his powers. Booz should make the delivery in one, two


    A strong sh of purple light filled the room, swallowing them.


    Reality copsed on itself. The angles that made up the church, the ground, the very foundation of Mathias sense of sight, twisted in ways that no human should experience. Down became up, and all waspressed into a purple star.


    Mathias mind perceived the whole process thanks to Premium Thoughts. He had heard teleportation disassembled matter into molecules and reassembled them on the other side, yet the current event countered that theory. The process affected reality itself, beating it, bending it, warping it. The very infrastructure of the universe, aodating a group of puny mortals.


    In a split second, the light vanished, leaving the Red Knight standing tall in the church.


    From up close, the armor was a marvel of technology, the picture of the knight in shining armor, although neither the weapon, shield, or wings were active. The back of the machine was open around the spine, waiting for someone to step inside. A quick look inside revealed the inside of the machine to be covered in a soft, orange matter, covered with golden circuits.


    Sol stepped down from the pedestal, approaching his new armor. You sure you want to do this, Sol? Mathias asked, a part of him hoping his old friend wouldnt go through with it; the rest knew that the sess of the operation depended on his help.


    It is fine. It has been a while since I wielded a de, so I hope I am no longer rusty.


    So Kari had been right? He had actually wielded a de in his past?


    <em> Solomon practiced with the ancient family sword, his ancestors armor watching him attached to the wall.  </em>


    You always wanted to be a knight, Mathias spoke, putting the briefcases aside.


    My ancestor fought the armies of Sdin during the Third Crusade, Solomon exined, as he settled inside the armor, fitting it like a glove. Some may call the crusades a dark era of Christendom, and I will not deny the excesses of that time, but I found the idea of the holy warrior inspiring. Especially in our dark times.


    As he finished stepping inside, the armor closed behind him. The Red Knight began to move, looking around, taking a step. Mathias couldnt see his friends eyes through the visor. It feels light, Sols voice had turned mechanized, almost unrecognizable. Like a second skin.


    Mathias touched the armor on the arm, sensing the surge of Network activating. Either he didnt need direct skin contact but only close proximity, or his magic recognized the armor as a part of Sol.


    Sol nced at his arm. I felt that.


    The hand contact? Mathias asked.


    Yes. Sol took a step back, orange light surrounding his arms. A long de of solid light manifested in his right palm, as if projected by his hand. Arge, rounded shield materialized over his left forearm. Two, angel-like wings of crimson light appeared in his back. Sol looked like the warrior angels from myths.


    Meh, Mur can take him, the gargoyle responded, unimpressed.


    Mathias hoped the gargoyle would prove himself with more than empty boasts. Okay, weve been preparing for a week now, he said. I sent everyone the n, so now is the time to make your points.


    He had suffered through more than a week ofplete silence from his other friends, a total absence of contact; he had even called the old police department for news and had been stonewalled. The sheerck of social interaction had reminded Mathias of how small his friend circle actually was.


    Almost ten days in istion vited all rules of human decency, especially since the victims had nothing to do with the cult. Mathias suspected Concordia kept them in case one of them might be his sorcerer alter ego, but this went way too far.


    A secret hope of his was that todays attack would convince Concordia they had nothing to do with his actions. Give them an alibi. He hoped that Maggie could hold her tongue until then.


    I have a query, yes, Sol said. Are you certain your n to recover the artifact will work? Concordia itself couldnt break the barrier."


    It reacted to Network, showing that it is sentient. If it is sentient, thenmunication should be possible. Perhaps it put up a shield because Concordia attempted to take it without asking for permission.


    That is a far stretch, Sol pointed out.


    <em>At this point, I can only make guesses, </em>Mathias thought. He couldnt show any doubt or hesitation. Shroud had to present a strong front to keep the group confident in his n. At worse, he might adapt and try using Sols sword against the barrier. I know what I do.


    His confident tone made Sol fall silent. That was the persona that would work for Shroud. Confident, always having a n, so certain of his inexorable victory that it would be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Fake it until you make it. Any other question? Then I have one for you.


    He opened one of the briefcases, revealing his own costume.


    As most of itsponents were woven with ss fibers, Shroud simply willed its pieces to assemble on his body, covering him like a second skin. His costume was a streamlined sky blue suit, covering his whole body. Detachable tes of strengthened ss covered most parts save the joints, ready to be deployed as weapons.


    The helmet was undoubtedly the most interesting part, as it had more steel in it than ss  yet just enough to fly at Shroudsmand. It tightened around the sorcerers face once he put it on, an air filter activating. From inside the visor, Shroud watched information appear on the ss screen, mostly biometric data.


    The plexiss visor covered most of Shrouds visage, with the surface mirroring the outside world instead of revealing the face inside. His foes would see their own face as he attacked them, for the sake of psychological warfare.


    He had long wondered about the archetypes he should embody. The armored knight? It was too close to Concordias own aesthetic, and Sol had it cornered. The magician in robes? shy, yet difficult to take seriously. The CEO, strong and authoritative? Toomon.


    No. To inspire awe and terror, nothing beat the unknown, the uncanny, the otherworldly. Taking elements from everyday life and twisting them in just the right way to feel memorable, to look <em>humanoid </em>and yet not feel <em>human</em>. Shroud had chosen the path of the ethereal, of the fair folk.


    The looks he received told him he had made the right decision.


    Ladies and gentlemen, Shroud dered, hovering above the ground like a ghost for added effect. The helmets voice changer altered his voice, a clear and sharp sound like ss breaking. From Dynamis 3D printers, I present to you, the Sinister Shroud.


    With another thought, he had the ss content of the second briefcase pierce through its restraints, surrounding himself with a storm of shards and shrapnel. It had taken him hours to reinforce the projectiles, even with his powers, and they woulde in handy.


    His allies looked at him with a degree of awe; no doubt that floating among the storm in his costume must look impressive.


    You should wear a cape.


    Mathias paused, staring nkly at Mur. Excuse me?


    Mur says you should wear a cape, the gargoyle continued. It is missing.


    You can trip on capes, Kari replied.


    Mur replies that capes protect you from dust and cold and winds. And they look good. ssy.


    A enemy could grab it, Kari insisted.


    The sheer strangeness of the conversation caused Shrouds shards to remain still. After some consideration, the sorcerer found a middle ground. Using Quasar to drain the light around himself, giving himself a shadowy aura around his body, ending in an illusory cloak of darkness.


    Like this? Shroud had to admit, it did make him look as good as Drac.


    Yes, Mur nodded in appreciation. Now you lookplete.


    Now that this is settled, Shroud dered, setting the shrapnel storm aside. I will distribute my gifts.


    Finally! Mur gnarled, rising up and approaching his leader. With a click, Shroud purchased Berserk, sacrificing thest of his Spellcoins. He then assigned the spell to Mur after touching his shoulder.


    If you say Berserk the spell will activate, the sorcerer said. Or should. You may not have the senses remaining to deactivate it, so I may have to jolt you out of it if the worsees to pass.


    He then turned to Sol, granting him a spell of his own. I grant you Premium Thoughts, which will increase your intellect and reaction time. The effect should apply immediately.


    The knight nodded, his gaze lost in the distance. He looked at different angles of his home with a new rity, as if noticing details he never did before.


    Kari? If you would kindly take my hand. Kari stepped out of the darkness at his invitation, her fingers brushing against his and sending a jolt to his mind. Although he wouldnt grant her a spell, Shroud would need themunication ry offered by Network for the operations sess.


    Now that we are all set, Shroud said. Lets fight for a pure, blue sky.


    Flying above the marsh, surrounded by an invisible swarm of daggers and cutting des, Shroud stopped as close as he could to the mine without risking the Gearsmen noticing him.


    Through Quasar he had cloaked himself, Sol, and Mur under an invisibility veil of refracted light as they flew towards the target. Sol had mastered his method of flight in quick order, and found no trouble carrying Mur all the way from Evermarsh. Shroud suspected the armors link to its holder gave Sol intuitive mastery of its capabilities.


    Yoshikage, are you in position? he asked her through Network. His own visual feed through her eyes told him she had hidden within sight of the open mine, on the right side in contrast to their own location.


    Yes, Kari said. Im waiting for your signal.


    Shroud nodded to himself, examining the battlefield. Fortunately, Concordia had still failed to pierce through the artifacts forcefield, and while three dozen Gearsmen were a daunting enemy force, good tactics would ovee them. Sol, move to the left side. After you drop Mur, engage their fliers before they can take off. Keep them grounded, while I will keep you invisible for as long as I can. Remember to use the codenames.


    Understood, and good luck, Shroud, Sol said, moving away while carrying his ally. Shroud could detect him  and keep him invisible  thanks to his control over photons.


    Shroud took a long, deep breath. He felt the tension in his twitching fingers, the moment he had awaited for two years within his grasp. <em>Watch me, Mom,</em> he thought.<em> Today, you are avenged. </em>


    Raising his hands in a dramatic gesture no one else could see, Shroud expelled all light in the left part of the area, nketing it in darkness.


    It took less than a split second for the Gearsmen and eyebots to react to his obscuring cloud. The machines trapped within the darkness gathered into a defensive line, a few taking flight to escape the encroaching shadows. The machines outside the affected area moved left, while a small cadre of Gearsmen gathered near the artifact to protect it.


    Meanwhile, Kari slipped inside the darkness to do her work.


    With the troops distracted, Shroud dived towards the battlefield, flying over the machines like a falcon. He sensed ss responding to his call, both his own shards and his enemiesponents. Gearsmen in his range raised their heads upon sensing him approach, their eyes shining with crimson malevolence.


    Concordia! Shrouds words reverberated through the ss like a cascade, echoing over the battlefield as he dropped his veil and revealed himself in his full glory. It was a long howl of rage and wrath, of bottled up anger that he umted through years, a moment of release after years of helplessness. Hear me roar!


    All the ss within his range shattered in a cataclysmic explosion.


    The patrol eyebots took the brunt of his fury, almost a third of their numbers exploding. Shrapnel crippled their circuits and caused a few to crash on the ground. The Gearsmen within his range suffered as well, their optic visors exploding and blinding them.


    And it felt <strong><em>good</em></strong>.


    Shroud redirected the projectiles into every opening he found, every unprotected joint, surrounding himself in a whirlwind of cutting death. The power intoxicated him, and for the first time in a long while he truly felt alive.


    Ovee by fury, Shroud gathered ss into a diamond-dense hammer, and hit the nearest, blinded Gearsman with it. The machine stumbled at the surprise attack, propelled into a fellow machine. The other Gearsmen he had managed to blind remained where they stood, processing the situation.


    Instead of oil, the metal cyclops blinded eye shed thick, clear liquid. Through their broken visor, a single, damaged, <em>organic </em>eye without an eyelid, bled.


    Sol dropped Mur from his position, the gargoyle joining the fray. Shroud removed his invisibility veil as hended among the confused machines, further disrupting their line of defense.


    Mur goes Berserk! the gargoyle shouted at the top of his lungs, swinging his hammer while at it.


    No sooner had he spoken thest word, he underwent a subtle, yet impressive change. A green glow washed over his stony skin, increasing the size of his shoulders and whole build. The stony muscles hidden beneath his skin engorged, widening the warriors impressive bulk. Yet instead of shouting at the top of his lungs, Mur fell eerily silent, smashing an unlucky Gearsmen with a blow strong enough to make the ground below them tremble. The hammer, which Shroud now confirmed as magically enhanced, pulverized the Gearsmans torso, shattering the machine into pieces, bolts, and pure white blood.


    <em>Theyre alive, </em>Shroud thought upon seeing the broken Gearsmans white blood and hints of strange organs. His Network sense, however, came back with nothing. <em>No.</em> He corrected himself. <em>Techno-organic. Mindless killing machines with some living parts.</em>


    Mur moved on to his next victim without hesitation. His eyes gleamed with a maddened, unnatural kind of focus and tension. His entire mind had abandoned thoughts, focusing entirely on fighting.


    Other machines had escaped the st, having been outside ss Fields range. Tossing broken eyebots out of its path without any concern, a Gearsman seized a heavy drill, and lifted it from the ground, aiming at a rampaging Mur.


    Descending from the skies at high velocity while still invisible, Sol impacted upon the Gearsman before he couldunch its projectile, cutting it in half like butter with his sword. The knight wisely remained out of Murs range, as the gargoyle decapitated another Gearsman with a furious backhand.


    Shroud had to admit. Whatever his faults, the mercenary fought well.


    Focusing on his own fight, the Blue Sorcerer checked his surroundings. Maintaining the shroud of darkness hiding Karis presence, he watched her slip past Gearsmen through her visual feed, hitting their joints. Unable to fully destroy the Gearsmen, even those he blinded, Shroud had his storm of ss hammer the remaining ones.


    Draw aggro. The video game term for drawing a crowd of enemies towards key targets who could take it, while those who couldnt worked from farther away. Sol and Mur would serve as the diversion, while Shroud and Kari would recover the artifact.


    The Gearsmen guarding the forcefield, three of them, flew off as Shroud approached them. Instead of assaulting the sorcerer, they put a respectable distance between them and him after he began to chase them off. The fighters circled one another above the forcefield.


    The Gearsmen had guessed his range from his previous attack, and stayed out of it. The realization bothered Shroud. If the machines were smart enough to adapt to his tactics, they might pull off unexpected tricks.


    The Gearsmen, now at a safe distance, positioned themselves for attack. Their single eyes shining with a red glow, they each fired a red beam all at once.


    Summoning his shards, Shroud created a multiyer ss barrier in the way, stopping the beams. His barrier melted into a fiery, sluggish liquid which Shroud could no longer control, falling onto the forcefield and dripping off it.


    The Gearsmen could attack over long distances, and had an uncanny aim. The narrow space of the mine had prevented them from using those attacks without hitting one another, but they were now free to rain death from above.


    Retaliating, Shroud turned a few shards into a lens, and then focused light through them. Firing six beams of light at the deadly machines, he missed two of them, but the third he hit in the head and chest. The Gearsmans face exploded into broken ss and dried blood, while the chest weathered the beam. The machine lost slight control of its flight, unable to see where it was going.


    Unfortunately, light beams took multiple steps to create: gathering the ambient light, focusing it through a lens, and then firing in one direction. As much as he wanted to rain fire down upon his foes, creating multiple beams mentally taxed Shroud. Doing so while maintaining his flight, his control over his shards, and the invisibility veil on Sol was near-impossible. Without Premium Thoughts, he wouldnt have had enough brain power to multitask that many things at once.


    Upon seeing other Gearsmen fly away from Mur to try and encircle him, Shroud spoke through his Network. Yoshikage, protect my back, he ordered his allies, Sol, help me take down those fliers. Mur, can you take care of the Gearsmen on the ground?


    Mur responded with a raw snarl, drawing a sigh out of Shroud.


    Coming, Kari replied, making her way through the shade. She jumped out of the shadows to ambush a flying Gearsmen, a golden glow surrounding her arms. With a ethereal w, she ripped the machine apart like a savage panther  or fox  halting their pincer attempt.


    Im with you, Shroud! Sol replied, taking to the skies. Shroud guided him in the direction he wished with hand signals, keeping him under the invisibility veil while engaging the two unharmed Gearsmen.


    By now, the third, headless Gearsman, had regained control of its trajectory. Unable to fire a beam with its destroyed head, it flew at maximum speed in Shrouds own direction. Hovering around, Shroud angrily swore as the machine changed its direction to track him down.


    How could it do that?! It couldnt see!


    Shroud nced at the other two Gearsmen. While one kept iing ss shards at bay with carefully aimed beams, the second kept track of the Blue Sorcerers movements, waiting for the right moment to strike. The truth dawned upon him.


    Shroud was fighting himself.


    The guiding intelligence behind the Gearsmen  probably a UB  could see through these machines and coordinate them the same way he guided his team with Network.


    Sol, take care of the Gearsman trailing me. Fly as fast as you can.


    The knight did as he was told, with Shroud dropping his invisibility veil to distract his opponent. The Gearsman trailing Shroud turned its eye towards the new target, taken by surprise; it tried to fire a beam to defend itself, but the faster knight closed the gap between them. Sols sword struck the Gearsmans head at full speed, impaling it straight through the metal skull.


    The headless Gearsman trailing Shroud lost its sense of direction, deprived of its spotter. This allowed the Blue Sorcerer to circle around it, pointing five lenses at the machine. He felt the heat rising as the light gathered within the extensions of his will, firing multiple rays right at the machines chest.


    This time, the power and minimal range caused the Gearsmans chest to melt upon impact, the beams going through its metal tes. The magical nature of the attack had prevailed over its Reinforcement spell.


    The Gearsman crashed, broken on the forcefield, soon joined by its brethren cut in two by Sols relentless assault.


    Stopping a red beam with a ss shield soon reduced to worthless g, Shroud focused on thest flying Gearsman, gathering light for a counterattack. Sol also flew toward the machine, trapping it in a scissor maneuver. The machine focused on Sol, the fastest of them, shooting him with a beam. Yet the knight endured it, his armor deflecting the attack. Like a meteor, he sliced the Gearsman in two broken halves with his de.


    Now inmand of the skies, Shroud focused back on Network. Yoshikage, report. By now his veil of darkness had dissipated, leaving her with no cover to retreat into. Is the ground secured?


    Murs working on it, the girl replied, her visual feed showing Mur brushing off red beams across a wastnd of broken parts and shattered gears. Kari herself stood triumphant among defeated enemies.


    Good. With most of the Gearsmen destroyed, they had secured the area for now. Shroud turned to the forcefield, circling it to find an opening. The drill Concordia had tried to break the forcefield with looked damaged beyond use, like a broken tooth.


    Shroud, Kari spoke through the Network feed, causing the sorcerer to focus back on her. Trouble.


    Shroud nced at her feed, witnessing a blur of white racing through the mine, leaping above Mur at impressive speed. The form looked like a giant white wolf with eyes of silver, legs not unlike those of a man, and a jacket tailored for its size.


    Damn, enemy reinforcements so soon? Yoshikage, deal with him. His friend attempted to intercept the white blur, only for the wolf to outspeed her, aiming straight for the artifacts location.


    Shroud, look at Evermarsh. Sol pointed a finger at the distant horizon. Shroud flew upward to see for himself hundreds of small ck points rising from the city.


    Gearsmen. Hundreds of them.


    We got half an hour before they get here, Shroud estimated. Perhaps less. Fifteen more minutes and we evacuate. Sol, a giant white wolf broke past Yoshikages perimeter, intercept him.


    A werewolf? Sol wondered out loud.


    Clearly not the <em>Twilight</em> kind. Shroud focused back on the forcefield below him, intent on contacting the artifact. Where is he


    el Counterspell! A bestial howl echoed across the battlefield, and a white light swallowed Shroud.


    And then there was pain and screams.


    A burning, agonizing sensation red in Shrouds skull, the feeling of each and every neuron exploding at once, their connections reduced to nothing. The ss around him fell as a rain of shrapnel, and his armor no longer felt as light as a feather, dragging him towards the ground.


    <em>Shit, shit, shit!</em> Shrouds mind raced as he tried to control his flight. He couldnt sense his ss, and could barely understand Sols panicked shouts. The sorcerer couldnt focus on them, his eyes looked down.


    The ground was calling.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>0</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>2</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Purge</strong>


    Affinity: Green


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3-5


    Activation: Active, Voice, Direct Touch Vector.


    The caster purges a target (including themselves if they wish it) of all non-magical toxins, diseases, and poisons affecting them.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 12: The Raid, (2)

    Chapter 12: The Raid, (2)


    Shroud! Sol called through Networks interface, diving to rescue him.


    Not that he could process it. All the visual feeds assaulted Shrouds sight with sound and information, a confusing concerto of lights and sound which his mind could no longerprehend.


    And the ground below grew ever closer, a promise of imminent death. His heart raced, fear overtaking him. ss Field! Mathias shouted in panic, unable to stop his fall and regain control. That light had disabled his spells. ss Field! GLASS FIELD!


    Sol grabbed him at thest second, breaking the fall and saving his life. Shrouds head stopping just short of the forcefield.


    Sol barely had time carry Shroud next to the forcefield when a white wolf bolted at them like an arrow, running on all fours. The knight left the helpless Shroud and moved to deal with the beast, fiery sword in hands.


    el Counterspell. The werewolf raised his left hand and unleashed a pulse of white light from his palm, hitting Sol. While his majestic wings and weapons remained unperturbed, the knight lost control of his trajectory and put his arms in front of his chest on instinct.


    The werewolf pivotied mid-course, hitting Sol in the stomach with a roundhouse kick. The sheer might behind the blow sent the Sol flying backwards, hitting the remains of the drilling machine and bending the steel on impact. Had Sols armor not protected him, the blow would have no doubt killed the man.


    The werewolfs firm, judging eyes set on Shroud next. The sorcerer took a step back, but the beast still covered him in his fearsome shadow.


    Suspect, the Kung-Fu Werewolf howled; he sounded less intimidating when Shroud mentally called him that, but not by much. This is John Kresnik, Captain of the Blue Ministry. You are under arrest for terrorism, attempted theft of forbidden artifacts, violence against officials, resisting arrest, property damage, and illegal practice of magic. Surrender alongside your aplices now, or suffer the consequences.


    The threat, and the tone brought him back to his encounter with the fiery fiend. But this time, Shroud refused to show weakness. Quasar! he snarled back, his magic remaining as impotent as before. Standing tall, he tried to cast another spell. Blue World!


    Your magic is gone, the werewolf replied, his tone growing impatient, Get on your knees, with your hands behind your head. Your sister sold you out.


    Shroud blinked behind his helmet. My sister?


    She told us everything, Kresnik replied. We know you are Jack Powells.


    why did he let Ulysses ask Maggie out first?


    Shrouds mind raced furiously for a solution, until he noticed Karis visual feed. A n forming in his mind, the sorcerer looked the werewolf in the eyes. Then you know Im gonna wreck you, Shroud said with the most arrogant tone he could muster, trying to goad the werewolf into attacking, I wonder how your white fur will look as my new carpet.


    The werewolf shook his head in disappointment and took a step forward, unaware of the true danger closing in on him from behind.


    Kari, ws extended, leaped on his back and attempted to stab Kresnik. Her hands bounced off the Kung Fu Werewolfs fur harmlessly, but the impact threw him off bnce. He responded by tossing her off his back with a snarl.


    Mur! Shroud shouted through his feed, hoping the berserk beast would listen. Back us up!


    With a spiteful, mindless snarl, Mur bolted at the group, running on all fours. Kresnik noticed Muring and spoke two words. Rain Counterspell.


    This time, instead of a direct pulse, Kresnik unleashed a wave of white energy all around him in a circr fashion. He hit both Kari and Mur; while Kari seemed groggy, her ws and aura remained active.


    Mur, meanwhile, downgraded in size, Berserk disabled. He stopped mid-motion, as if waking up from a nightmare. Kresnik? Mur seemed taken aback, a little subdued.


    Vile imp, the wolf replied, his tone ominous. You, I will not regret killing.


    Mur replied with a feral hiss and a swing of his hammer. Try Mur, and die! Kresnik dodged the hit by sidestepping it, the gargoyles weapon smashing against the ground raising a dust cloud. With lightning fast quickness, Kresnik answered with an uppercut, causing Mur to stumble. Kari, having regained her senses but having lost some of her speed, attempted to cheap-shot the werewolf by hitting his ankles. The beastman dodged with a simple backflip.


    Before Shroud knew it, they engaged in a furious w fight, Kari matching Kresniks obvious greater strength with superior agility and relentless aggression. <em>She strikes to kill, </em>Shroud thought, reduced to being a powerless bystander on the sidelines.


    However, Karis hits failed to inflict any damage; a closer look revealed a white energyyer above Kresniks fur, a protective shield stopping all attacks. ss Field! Shroud shouted, trying to help, and his magic refusing to activate once again.


    You have a strong Lock, but youre still a child, Kresnik told Kari, while Mur tried to nk him. Pierce Arcane de.


    White energy swirled around Kresniks right hand, taking the shape of a long de of light. The clear shape it took matched Sols own sword, a true masterwork of quality.


    Bringing a sword to a fist fight, Kresnik shed at Mur with it, the light cutting through his stony skin like butter. Smoke erupted from the wound instead of blood, but the gargoyles angered face told Shroud it felt no less painful.


    By now, Sol had recovered and joined the fray, charging with his sword and shield up. Kresnik grabbed the knight by the throat with his left hand andunched him at Murs face like a projectile, before moving to gut Kari like a fish. His fellow sorcerer backed away, losing ground.


    Reluctantly leaving the wolf to his allies, Shroud focused on the artifact. With the Gearsmening, they couldnt waste a second. Trying to find a way inside the forcefield and finding nothing, he resorted to scanning it with Network.


    <em> Scanning timelines. Infinity equation stable, ult variables predicted. Threat to module, manageable.  </em>


    Complex mathematical forms, data, and blue pixels formed most of the memory feedback. Shroud didnt understand a thing, unlike every other memory he got from Network. He tried to push again, letting the informatione in.


    <em> Dis Terminal detected. Lock: Network. Compatibility scan positive. Defensive measures dropped.  </em>


    Without warning, the blue forcefield dissipated. Yet Shroud barely paid attention; his eyes were transfixed on the strange item floating toward him, theplex circuitry, the math and the data filling his brain.


    His mind had taken a backseat in his own brain. He registered the sounds of the battle, of Kresnik wiping the floor with Sol, and Kari calling Shrouds own name. To him, they all sounded like distant static.


    He only had eyes for the metal sphere in front of him, bathing him in its blue light. His hands raised without his even thinking it, grabbing it like a cherished treasure. From up close, it looked no bigger than a ser ball.


    <em> Starting quantum integration process.  </em>


    The spheres blue light intensified, blinding him. Blue data undid reality around him in a chaotic, aimless maelstrom. He didnt even register the winged shadow looming above them, circling the area like a vulture.


    <em> Threat to integration process detected. Defensive measure selected: save state. Safeguard timeline archived.  </em>


    Shroud was in the mine, and yet he wasnt in the mine. Other images superimposed on the world around him, skyscrapers, forests, melting pools blinking in and out of existence. His entire world had turned blue.


    And then, with onest sh, nothing.


    <em> Integration process sessful; defensive measures discarded. Timeline converging. Terminal fully operational.  </em>


    When Shroud regained control of himself, the artifact was gone, his hands holding empty air. Wait, where the artifact had gone?


    Letters in blue appeared in front of him, as if to answer his questions.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    Congrattions! By assimting the ult Matrix, your ount has gained a new funct  ERROR ERROR CRITICAL ERROR  PLeASe RELoaD  </td></tr></tbody></table>


    The message blurred out, then popped into nothingness.


    Shroud didnt have much time to ask himself more questions, as the fearsome shadow nketed him, strong winds pushing dust against his helmet.


    No. Not wind.


    The pping of wings.


    You foolish ape, Smokefang thundered, his voice a wicked boom. You thought you could outwit a member of the universal master race?


    The dragon hoovered above Shroud, his neck extended and his head back against the sun  his posture proud and godlike. The snake must have practiced it daily.


    Hey! Shroud pointed a finger at him. I patented that pose, Mushu!


    The dragon either didnt hear him over the winds, or just in ignored hiseback. I knew you filthy invaders would have a method to recover that artifact, and behold; I won two prizes with one move.


    From up close, dragons were big.


    Very big, strong enough to crush Shroud with one blow, and close enough to try. <em>Well, here goes nothing. </em>Shroud hoped that whatever happened with the artifact had canceled Kresniks witchery. ss Field! he shouted, then once more, louder. ss Field!


    His power finally red to life again, the reassuring sensation of control over the ss making up his costume. Premium Thoughts! The pain in his head stopped, his brain sorting out the information overwhelming his ears and sight. Controlling the ss within his usual radius once again became possible. Most of it had fallen out of his range, but he called back enough to create an orbital ring around him.


    Cute, Smokefang mocked him, the beast building up green fire in his maw. What are those toothpicks supposed to do?


    Gathering multiple shards into a len, Shroud answered the inquiry with another spell. Quasar! He fired a beam at the dragons smug face.


    Theser beam bounced off his scales like a ssh of water. The might of a thousand stars stands behind me! Smokefang boasted, before unleashing a fearsome roar. My breath burns brighter than the sun!


    Now youre just exaggerating. Shroud barely had the time to fly away before Smokefang unleashed a cone of green fire at him. The torrent of destruction hit the spot where the artifact used to be, melting the stone itself.


    The mes were so hot, Shroud could feel the heat a dozen meters away from the path of destruction. Not that Smokefang gave him any respite. With speed and agility bying his immense size, the dragon flew after the sorcerer like an hawk after a harmless dove. Come back here, flying monkey!


    On the ground, his friends werent faring much better. Leaping around with supernatural agility, Kresnik exploited the fighters obviousck of synergy; dodging a blow from Mur that ended up hitting Sol, or using one as a shield against the other. Only Kari avoided his blows, but failed to inflict any damage. Upon noticing Shroud take to the skies, she spoke to two words to herself, a green glow surrounding her body as she did. Peak, Wallcrawl.


    Snarling at the dragon pursuing him, Shroudunched a shrapnel volley at the giant reptile, who shrugged it off. Even attempts at targeting the wings, the most vulnerable parts, failed to inflict any damage.


    Fortunately, Smokefang didnt use his breath to retaliate, even as they circled the battlefield. Neither could he catch up to Shroud as long as he stayed on the move.


    <em> Smokefang snarled as he circled the battlefield, finding no angle to kill the trash on the ground without hitting Kresnik as well. He couldnt risk harming a decorated war hero to burn three ruffians whom the lycan was crushing without effort anyway.  </em>


    Even knowing that, the situation could hardly be worse. Kresnik could disable their magic with a word, Smokefang was a freaking giant dragon, and no one could harm either of them. Blue World might work, but Shroud couldnt use the spell without targeting his allies as well. He and Smokefang were locked in a stalemate.


    <em>Unless </em>While he couldnt hurt the dragon, he could perhaps make him hurt himself instead.<em> If you cant beat them, have them beat each other.</em>


    Yoshikage, Mur, Sol, prepare to run out of range in thirty seconds, Shroud ordered through Network, before positioning himself at the right angle. Then, mimicking Smokefangs own arrogant pose, he looked like he was about to try firing another beam at his opponent.


    Youre mine! Smokefang snarled, ws extended for the kill, knowing that the photon beam would have no effect on him.


    Shroud instead snapped his fingers, withdrawing all light around the dragon, trapping him in darkness. The suddenck of vision took the dragon aback and made him lose control of his trajectory, while Shroud dodged the flying behemoth.


    On the ground, his fighters, forewarned, leaped out of range. Kresnik, that lightning fast bastard, managed to jump to the side, his boss crashing against the ground in a cataclysmding, raining debris and tons of dust. A lizard fell, and broke his everything, Shroud taunted his foe.


    Kresniks distraction left a short window Mur exploited. Murs mighty strike!


    BAM!


    Swinging his hammer with both hands, Mur hit Kresnik right in the chest with all his strength. The blow failed to get past the barrier protecting the werewolf, but hit him hard enough to propel him backward like a baseball ball during a home run. The Concordian officer ended his flight into one of the open pits, falling into the darkness.


    As Smokefang let out a snarl of rage, still blinded by darkness, Shroud decided to call it quits. Mur, Sol, fall back to the meeting point! Yoshikage, with me, other way! Ill cover our tracks!


    Sol gave him a nod, winded and still panting from the exhaustion. Take care, son. He retreated into the woods, Mur following him after onest, disappointed nce at Kresniks pit.


    Looking through all his remaining shrapnel, and with enough range to cover most of the area, Shroud unleashed Quasars full might. The light receded around the open mine, nketing the whole area in darkness just as the Gearsmen vanguard from the city reached it. Unable to perceive anything, the machines circled the skies, trying to locate an opening.


    Shroud hid both himself and Kari under an invisibility veil as they escaped into the swamp, the Blue Sorcerer flying around the trees while Kari leaped from branch to branch.


    Without a direct line of sight, either through his ss or eyes, most of the shadowy dome began to copse behind them. Kill them all! Smokefang snarled, flying out of the darkness like a demon rising from Hell. His eyes were aze with wounded pride. Kill!


    The Gearsmen, now darkening the skies with their numbers, began to rain beams on the mine at random, uncaring that they might hit even Kresnik himself. Thankfully, Networks video feed showed Mur and Sol crawling through the mud, safe from the onught.


    Shrouds moment of reliefst only a second before the heat began to rise around him, green mes filling the edge of his vision. Flying above them, Smokefang sted the swamp with massive fireballs at random, sting trees and wildlife alike. The dragon had abandoned his former cockiness, reverting to his true nature of a primal, savage predator.


    He intended to smoke the Magik users out, lowering his flight within inches of the trees to better catch them. The monster would set the entire Everdes aze at this rate, cooking them alive.


    Give me an opening, Kari whispered through the Network feed, hopping around until she was within leaping distance of Smokefang himself.


    Gathering his remaining ss into a hunting horn, Shroud uttered a warning through his feed. Yoshikage, cover your ears! Then, with a deep breath, he put his lip on his improvised instrument.


    Two words resonated across the Everdes, filling the skies with a blue sh.


    Blue World!


    Suddenly paralyzed mid-flight, Smokefang stopped raining death and devastation, although his trajectory remained stable.


    Kari, with strength and speed beyond that of any human being, leaped at the dragon, swirling on herself, all ws extended. The human bullet reached the left side of Smokefangs face, the ws grazing the scales and cutting the eye like a bursting tomato.


    Blue World ended as Karinded back into the forest, Smokefang letting out a pained scream upon regaining control of his mind. The flying lizard put his ws over his face, blood rushing down his scales, abandoning the pursuit.


    The still invisible Kari returned to Shrouds side, managing to keep up with him even on foot. Behind them, the skies turned green, and Smokefangs outraged screams became a distant noise.


    A pleasing, victory sound resonated inside Shrouds own mind, new words writing themselves before his eyes.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Quest: The Maleking''s Favor,pleted!</strong>


    You have earned eight Spellcoins!


    + 1 Bonus Spellcoin for humiliating a dragon.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Flying farther and faster, Shroud allowed himself augh, as he and Kari left victorious.


    At longst, Concordia had lost a battle.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Downloading...</strong></td><td><strong>...</strong></td><td><strong>...</strong></td><td><strong>...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Spell Syphon</strong>


    Affinity: White


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3-5


    Activation: Active, Voice.


    The user consumes the ambient Flux around them at an elerated rate, slightly diminishing the effects of spells in the immediate area. Direct contact with a fellow sorcerer may result in shutting down their ability to cast spells by depleting the Flux they need to power their magic.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 13: Aftermath

    Chapter 13: Aftermath


    He felt cold.


    He found himself back in the sleeping darkness, trapped in a gloomy, icy wastnd. Twisted spikes of ice surrounded him shaped like a deadly crown, blood rushing down their tips. The shadows surrounded him, his breath empty and frozen by loneliness.


    Mathias could have sworn he felt his mothers warm hand brush against his, holding him in the dark, telling him he would be safe. Everything would be okay. He would open his eyes and the nightmares would end.


    An unnatural, intimidating chill spread through his bones.


    I thought you made the darkness your weapon, sweetie. The ckmb rested on a bed of snow, his crimson eyes shining like rubies. He had draped himself in shadows and cold rather than mes, yet his dreadful symbol remained written in blood beneath Mathias feet. Why so afraid?


    I prefered the fire, Mathias replied.


    Silly, if you want fire, you only have to look inside yourself, Themb sounded joyful. Everyone has a little star inside them, waiting to ignite. Come on, try.


    Suspecting that the creature controlled every aspect of the dream, Mathias willed a ball of fire inside his palms. A miniature star set itself alight within his hand, illuminating his fingers.


    The deadly mark on his hand had vanished.


    See? themb repeated. Easy peasy.


    You sound, pardon the joke, chill tonight.


    It is not often I meet a man of their word. I have been ying this game for longer than most civilizations have existed, and most try to cheat their way out. Theyin or try to bargain for more favorable treatment. They never get it. You? You did as asked.


    I expect the same professional courtesy from you, Mathias replied, his tone as icy as the dream world. Leave me alone.


    Oh, I will leave you alone in your dreams. You can sleep easy now.


    <em>In your dreams </em>Very specific words. And in the waking world?


    Do not get greedy, Mathias. No one, anywhere, is ever safe from me.


    There was no empty boasting in his voice. The creature just stated a fact. Who are you? Mathias asked. <em>What </em>are you?


    Little old me? Themb cackled with an eerie, creepyugh. I am the patron saint of the lost and the damned. When people pray for blood and brimstone, it is <em>I</em> who answer. When they falter on their way to power, I pick them back up. I shepherd all those who seek chaos. I am the Maleking. I am the new God.


    Mathias frowned at the sphemous words. What happened to the old one?


    Who knows, themb giggled. Do you seek strength, Mathias?


    Everyone seeks more strength.


    Ah, but so few are willing to pay the price for it. If you have it in yourself to make the necessary sacrifices to achieve your dream, to walk the way of the wicked, you will find a most generous friend in me.


    Ill pass. Whatever the entity was, it spelled trouble.


    You shouldnt. We share the same goal, theplete destruction of Concordia. You may find my methods, shall we say, heavy-handed, yet they work. I respect your wish of independence though. Themb tilted his head to the side, at an unnatural angle. I can see a question burning on your lips.


    The artifact. I absorbed it once I touched it, and I have no idea what it does.


    Me neither. I never cared about it.


    Mathias froze. You never did?


    Mathias, Mathias, Mathias, you need to think long term. You struck fear in the heart of Concordias authorities on Earth, making them see enemies in every shadow. The more terror spreads, the more the dragons will feel insecure in their rule, and the harsher their measures.


    Mathias began to see the big, ugly picture. Driving resentful people to you?


    Smart boy. The winning battle of any war is not waged fornd, but for the hearts of people. Never forget this on your journey to power. Themb rolled on his back, looking almost adorable, if not for the cruel gleam in his eyes. Oh, onest thing. Your friends have been released from custody, since your attack gave them an alibi. I thought you might like to hear it.


    Mathias clenched his fists on reflex, extinguishing his light.


    My, so cagey. You have nothing to fear, my beloved child. I will extend our terms to your friends out of goodness of my heart, unless they call me first. I never turn down newmbs wishing to join my flock. The beast rose back to its feet, giggling at Mathias unhappy face. I have another ambitious soul on the line, so I will leave you to savor your victory. I hope we meet again soon, though. Youre interesting.


    Mathias shrugged. Dont take it personally if I say I dont want to see you ever again.


    Themb let out augh, as the darkness swallowed Mathias whole. Do not delude yourself, sweetie.


    Mathias eyes snapped wide open, as the doorbell rang. ss Field kicked in, letting him see the person at his apartments door; upon recognizing her, he leaped out of his sofa and run toward the door.


    Perse stood at the threshold.


    Hi, Matt. Usually so vivid and lively, she looked drained, her skin bleached and her eyes creased. She looked like she hadnt slept nor changed clothes in ages. I uh I need a hug.


    Mathias didnt need the invitation, squeezing her as tightly as he could. The two friends holding one another for a full minute without a sound, Perse giving him a light kiss on the chest before resting her head against his shoulder. Seeing her again made him feel warm inside.


    Youre out, Mathias whispered. The dreammb hadnt lied about that, at least. After so long, I thought I had lost you. I thought <em>I thought they had taken you like they did with Mom.</em>


    You look terrible too, Perse teased him as she broke off their embrace.


    Yeah, I had a hard time sleeping. The battle had exhausted him so much he had copsed on his sofa the second he came back home, after hiding his costume at the church and checking up on the others. He hadnt even looked at the time.


    Can I use your shower? Perse asked, as he invited her inside. Borrow some of your clothes?


    You came here as soon as you got out?


    Yeah. Ulysses went with Maggie, you dad picked my mom up Sam wanted to be alone. She took it harder than me; being the custody.


    For an extraverted girl like Perse, who breathed social interaction, leaving a friend alone sounded abominable. Mathias didnt push the issue. His friend would better put as much mental space between her painful past and the happy present. Do you want something to drink?


    Sugar. Fuck my diet, I need sugar. She left for the bathroom, impatient to wash herself.


    Mathias briefly looked at the time. It was well past midnight. He took two sodas cans in his fridge and waited on the sofa, listening to Perse putting on the water. He briefly canceled ss Field to give her some privacy.


    After using enough hot water to get steam spilling into the apartment, Perse returned with ck pants and his prized orange <em>Naruto </em>shirt, her hair still wet. The shower had done wonders for her; she felt more rxed, alive. She crumpled onto the sofa right next to him, grabbing the soda. How can you still wear it? she said, looking at her shirt which was a bit too small for her.


    Sentimental reasons. That was the first manga I read and I enjoyed it very much. Before Concordia censored it. I only wear it for conventions now.


    I find itfty, Perse admitted, sounding guilty.


    You can keep it. He had to address the elephant in the room. How was


    Bad. They put me in a white room without windows. A tiny room, that made me feel small and insignificant. I couldnt hear anything outside, I couldnt enjoy sunlight, I couldnt even wash or change clothes. They took my phone and still havent given it back. I thought I would go mad.


    Solitary istion had broken stronger people than her. You had no human interaction?


    Once a day a white wolf creature would question me. He always asked the same questions. Sometimes in different orders, or variables, but always the same. Did you know about the mayor? Was your friend in on it? Where is Jack Powells? And on and on.


    Maggies framing of herte brother seeded well. How did you hang on?


    By thinking of music. I remembered my notes and I just imagined myself ying, blocking out the questions. Her silent gaze told him to drop the subject. Im sorry.


    For what?


    For being mean about you returning home with Kari, she said. That was immature.


    He expected it toe up. I didnt. Bring her home. Mathias rified.


    Yeah, youre too innocent to lie to me so I take you on your word. If only she knew. When they took my phone right after, it got me thinking. If Im never getting out, would that be ourst conversation?


    Its okay, Mathias reassured her, putting a hand on her forearm. Youre never going back there.


    Perse smiled at the gesture, and Mathias felt a jolt of electricity in his own fingers. And not the magical kind. Thanks. His friend bit her lips. They asked questions about you.


    Mathias tensed. What did they ask?


    Where you went that night, if you behaved strangely, if you got smarter or had more friends. Very specific.


    Did they suspect him? At least not enough to put him in custody.


    I didnt say much, Perse said, sensing his tension, Im not ratting out friends. But I gotta ask, is something wrong? Youve been acting very strangetely, even before before


    She was too sharp for her own good. Is it so obvious?


    A girl can tell. Especially one who knows you so well. Youre not doing dangerous stuff, right? Right?


    Mathias wondered if he should lie, even if Perse would probably catch on. He couldnt bring himself to deceive his best friend, although he couldnt tell her everything either. While Sol was discreet and had nothing left to lose, the more Perse knew the more she would be in danger. There is something taking up much of my time, yes. I cant tell more yet, but I swear, I will tell you everything in time.


    I understand. Its fine. I can live with it. Was it relief, and a tiny amount of hope, that he noticed in her voice? And Matsumoto? You havent answered my question.


    Were Coworkers? Co-rebels? Co-terrorists? I guess were starting to be friends. Shes not my type and I dont think Im hers.


    Still, the way she phrased her question bugged him. He let Networks information in, intending to tailor his answer in a way that wouldnt hurt her.


    <em> Perse looked at her phone, rephrasing the message on the screen again and again. Hey, Matt, would you like to have lunch with me tomorrow without Ulysses? No, no that would be too obvious but she had tried subtlety and it didnt work. But what if he reacted badly?  </em>


    Wait, youre jealous?


    He blurted that part out loud in surprise, and Perse fell silent for a few agonizing seconds afterward. Yes. The admission hit Mathias like a hammer in the face. Yes, I was jealous that you left with Kari Matsumoto.


    Uh oh. Jealous, like friend jealous?


    She gave him an exasperated are you stupid look. Jealous like girl jealous.


    As he had feared. Suddenly, Perses recent behavior made a lot more sense. Inviting him to that party as her date, the constant text messaging. On some level, he had already guessed, only to sweep it under the rug to avoid


    Well, the conversation they would have right now.


    Matt? Perse misinterpreted his apprehension. Oh no, I said it too soon, I said


    No, no, no, its okay! Mathias cringed to himself. <em>Real smooth, Mathias, real smooth.</em> Its okay. Its just, youre my best friend. I didnt know you saw me as boyfriend material. Especially since you can have nearly anyone. And had everyone.


    She sighed sadly, crossing her arms in a disy of vulnerability. Youre pretty much the only guy that isnt my brother with whom Ive had a friendshipsting more than a month.


    That hurt. Yeah, but me?


    Matt, youre super smart, youre hardworking, youre cute


    Cute? He felt his cheeks redden. First time a girl told him that, except for mom or Viviane, and they didnt count.


    Perse chuckled. Yes, cute, and youre funny, too! Ive thought about it for some time and what happened with Sam convinced me to give it a shot. I dont want to live out my life wondering what could have been, you know?


    Isnt the guy supposed to ask the girl out instead of the other way around? Mathias had no idea how to deal with this kind of demand. Largely because he never had a rtionship in the first ce.


    Youre oveplicating things, Matt. Its yes or no, or maybeter.


    When she put it that way


    The choice was all his. Did he like Perse in that way? He was attracted to her  not as much as Samantha  and he knew her inside and out. Her notorious instability in rtionships did bother him, though. Mathias didnt want to risk jeopardizing their friendship for a short-term fling.


    <em> Perse decided against sending a message, and instead decided to test out the waters. She didnt want to lose her friendship with Matt for a short-term fling </em>


    Strange minds think alike. For a second there, he had forgotten he had a social cheat code.


    Matt? Perse put a hand on his forearm, in a reverse of their previous situation. If youre ufortable with this, its okay.


    Ive never dated a girl, he admitted. I dont want to botch us. Us. The word left a strange impression.


    Ive dated Perse seemed to count inside her mind, before giving up. Ive dated a couple of guys, and I botched every single one. So you see, you cant do worse.


    As he looked at her dead in the eyes, Mathias wondered what he was even supposed to do? A rtionship would put her in danger  scratch that, being anywhere near him would put her in danger. Should he really try to build something with her?


    However, Perse had a point. He couldnt live his life wondering what could have been.


    Suddenly realizing that she had been looking at him in silence, waiting for him to make the first move, Mathias stress built up. What should he do?


    How could this be harder than fighting a giant dragon?


    He tried to remember the romantic scenes in his favorite movies. What was the appropriate reaction?


    The answer quickly crossed his mind.


    More nervous than he ever was in his entire life, Mathias approached his face from Perses and kissed her on the lips.


    The contactsted but a brief instant, yet it sent a jolt of pleasure down his spine. He felt warmth fill his cheek, the blood rushing to his face. Perse closed her eyes, enjoying the moment as much as he did. She smelled of water and her lips tasted like strawberries.


    So? Perse asked, a bright smile on her face as Mathias fell back. He only had one thought in mind.


    <em>Her lips feel good against mine. </em>


    So he kissed her again.


    This time, Perse put her arms around his neck and held him close, refusing to let him go. His nervousness was gone, and he held her tight.


    So, uh, Mathias trailed, as Perse purred against him like a cat. He tentatively put an arm around her, and it felt nice. What next?


    Want to make out? Perse asked.


    Sure. That sounded nice.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Instation...</strong></td><td><strong>Please wait...</strong></td><td><strong>...</strong></td><td><strong>...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Return</strong>


    Affinity: Violet


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3-5


    Activation: Active, Direct Touch Vector, Thought.


    The user can mark one small item and have it teleport in their hand with a thought, as long as it is in the sameary Sphere.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 14: DLC: The Dragon General

    Chapter 14: DLC: The Dragon General


    ckcinders, Red Minister of Concordia, admired power.


    Even ck holes can be tamed, she spoke to herself, looking through the front windows of her mothership. A ck spot, the Dark Verge, tainted the pictures of stars clusters, star clouds, and magical phenomenons. Since ckcinders magic allowed her to see the gravitational currents, space looked like a sea to her; currents and forces pushing against one another. ck holes were ancient maelstroms, swirling hurricanes, bottomless maws.


    Her mothership, the <em>Vignce</em>, remained at a safe distance, just close enough to observe the remains of destroyed star ships orbiting the ck hole. Destroyed husks, ravaged hulls, flying engines, and frozen corpses, she could see every tiny detail from here.


    ckcinders clutch had hatched on Concordia, back when it was still called Midgard; but it was there, at the Dark Verge, that ckcinders was truly born. Minister? One of her bullmen officers, Bishop EL-16, dared voice his iprehension. ckcinders did not tolerate her men speaking out of turn, and her officers had developed a sixth sense to anticipate when she wanted an audience, or silence.


    A ck hole is a wild animal, ckcinders said. A ravenous hunger, might without intellect. Fearsome enough to eat light, and dangerous to approach. Yet I tamed it.


    She remembered that battle with great rity, in spite of the centuries that had passed. She had reyed it thousands of times in her mind.


    Concordia had been a new power back then, instead of the mighty behemoth of today. Strong-willed, talented, yet fragile. The rival power of Gintargo had sensed the glorious future that awaited Concordia, and in fear tried to crush it. The Concordia-Gintargo war had been the first interster war the Empire had fought, sparking its four centuries of expansion.


    Gintargos fleet matched Concordias own in size, even exceeded it. After three years of fighting, the two forces met in this sector for a final engagement. If Concordias fleet had fallen there, Gintargo would have invaded their homeworld. The Grandmaster had elected tomand her troops personally in this critical battle, crafting a simple yet effective strategy. The fleet vanguard would engage the Gintargo fleet, making them believe they fought the bulk of the Concordian army; then fall back and lead them close to the edge of the ck hole as safely possible. The rest of the Concordian fleet, hidden by stealth shields and spells, would nk Gintargo by surprise and force them past a safe orbit, trapping them in the ck holes inescapable gravity pull.


    Few wanted to join the vanguard. Any wrong move, any mistake, and they would suffer the same fate as Gintargo, trapped in an inexorable course towards death. ckcinders, though, had made the leap of faith. She had believed in the Founders vision since the beginning. She would dlyy down her life for Concordias glory, and so she offered to lead the charge.


    Her eyes retraced the path the battle took, pausing at areas where her own ships had fallen. At the peril of her life and those of her troops, ckcinders had led the enemy to the very edge of the gravitational well, then blocked the enemy''s escape as the main fleet ambushed Gintargo. Three-quarters of the vanguard had died pulling it off, but the blow forever destroyed Gintargos ambitions. Their world fell three weekster; Concordias first conquest.


    The defeat of the Gintargo fleet had been her finest moment, the one that brought her the Grandmasters favor. After decades of efforts and dutiful services, ckcinders had climbed thedder to the rank of Red Minister.


    She had never forgotten where she came from, however, and returned to this interster graveyard at least once per year to relish in her victory. Watching the corpses of defeated enemies brought her evesting joy.


    She could spend an eternity watching, but she had duties to attend to. ckcinders tilted her head to the side, ncing down at the silent hive that was hermand center. As thergest dragon on record, ckcinders had grown sorge her new mothership had had to be tailored to allow her to move inside.


    Her bullmen officers were little more than mice inparison, and the dragons under hermand looked like mere children before a true titan of their kind. ckcinders body had long since adapted to the vacuum of space and ship environments, growing metal scales over her flesh, and turning her wings into sr sails. Her eyes were red pits of Red Flux, her veins crimson circuits; and her tail itself ended in a sharp stinger de. To outsiders she looked more like a ck machine shaped like a dragon, than a creature of flesh and blood.


    Open themunication. ckcinders never raised her voice, yet her officers always listened. She had selected them among her elite and trusted them to listen to her strategic discussions, so as to enforce her will on their own.


    Her motherships guiding intelligence answered hermand, five spheres of light shing around ckcinders head. Each shone with a different color  Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Violet  and revealed a hologram at their core.


    The six Ministers, the ruling body of Concordia, beholden only to the Grandmaster herself, had gathered for their regr meeting. With one exception. After a minute of waiting for Loctis to join the meeting, ckcinders focused on the empty green light, wondering what the Green Minister was up to. He had the habit of retiring inplete reclusion for months, only to return with world-shaking breakthroughs like the UB system.


    A shame. ckcinders had sent him multiple unanswered mating invitations, and would continue until sessful. Loctis had yet to sire a clutch, and his genes were too precious to die with him. If their clutch had half their fathers genius and a quarter of her strength, they would crush the Empires enemies with ease.


    Better than hertest clutch.


    With the Grandmaster and Loctis absent, it fell on ckcinders, as the senior Minister, to administer the meeting. Greetings, my fellows.


    Greetings, my Dark Muse. You look radiant like a star today. The Golden Prince, the only other dragon present and the Yellow Minister, had a sweet, singing voice that charmed worlds into surrender. Making others feel better through words and ttery had be almost second nature to him.


    Indeed. Relishing old victories makes one brighter. A bullman hiding under multipleyers of illusions so as to be near unrecognizable, Aster spoke too fast for his sentence to feel natural. While the Golden Princes words had a true warmth to them, the Blue Minister calcted each one of his words in advance. Even hispliments sounded vague, depersonalized.


    ckcinders noted that he knew of her location, though. Nothing escaped the head of Concordian Intelligence.


    The Orange Minister didnt waste time with politeness. Get down to business. I have a factory inspection and I will not dy it. Grimsour, the chairman of the leading state conglomerate in the Empire, was the ideal hob: greedy, cunning, and no-nonsense. Tall andnky for his kind, with sick yellow skin and two horns as long as the rest of his body, he wore top of the line goldenbat armor day and night.


    Only the Violet Minister, Brina, remained as silent as stone. A humanoid warrior most mistook for a human at first nce, she was there and not there at once. She listened, yet rarely voiced her thoughts. Even her hologram flickered at random, shrouding her appearance. ckcinders herself knew little of her and her history. As far as she knew, Brina just walked into her post at the Grandmasters behest with no one voicing a single question.


    ckcinders eyes kept shifting at Loctis empty green spot. With his absence, non-dragons had a majority in the discussions and she disliked it. While Concordia promoted loyalty and talent over species, even at the highest echelons of power, dragons shared a strong bond of brotherhood. She could trust Grimsour to put money above all, Aster to have a n, and Brina to surprise her, but she could only trust the Golden Prince when the chips were down.


    His next words made her eat her thoughts. I believe we should first discuss the potential disarm of the Damocles on Terra Firmas moon.


    That is not your call, ckcinders replied. Her territory. Her rules. Terra Firma is part of my clusters. One that remains uncivilized.


    This is exactly my concern, the Golden Prince replied. Local rebellions are nothing new in recent colonies. However, Terra Firma is the first one where you built an orbitalser pointed at the poption, which has be a standard policy in your territories. A decade after the start of your experiment, it is time to examine the results.


    I ordered the Damocles built to enforce obedience in the poption and destroy the ck Tower should its power grow unchecked. So far, its dreadful energies had remained manageable. It seeded. The uprisings remained a minor nuisance, even for a token garrison.


    Yet the uprisingsst. They endure and cultural assimtion takes longer than on other worlds. The dominions where you put other Damocles also boil with resentment, and they should. How can we preach peaceful integration while reminding them we can kill them at anytime?


    That is the entire point, ckcinders snapped.


    Which is a misguided strategy. We look like upiers instead of civilizers.


    Are you questioning my judgment? ckcinders eyed the Yellow Minister with a cold hard stare. She hoped the fool would take the hint and back down.


    He didnt.


    I am. Have you yet to meet a problem you didnt try to solve with force, ckcinders?


    Have you yet to meet a problem you did not try to talk to death, Golden Prince? She almost spat thest two words. The Yellow Minister had his uses, true. Knitting the colonies together under amon culture, the velvet wings to ckcinders iron fangs. Yet he often forgot his ce. Too many feelings and not enough thinking.


    Your attitude is encouraging revolts. Building orbital weapons in our territories? Citizens should look at the skies with pride, instead of fear.


    I agree with him, this is a stupid policy, Grimsour said, albeit not for sentimental reasons. Your Damocles are bottomless drains on our finances, when we could create more Gearsmen Colossi and warships. Same for your so-called superweapon initiative.


    Keep to your graphs and leave the military strategy to me, Grimsour, ckcinders rebuked the hob. While he might worry about Concordias economy, she kept their dominions safe from worse threats than budget cuts. Threats beyond any conventional weapon.


    We will defeat neither the Maleking nor the Seeker with Colossi. Fortunately, the Violet Minister shared hermon sense.


    So did Aster. The Grandmaster authorized these projects, including the Damocles initiative. Are you implying our leaders trust in ckcinders judgment is mistaken?


    None of them dared to voice doubt in their supreme guide, although the Golden Prince looked ready to choke. None brought her into the discussion either. The Grandmaster rarely attended these meetings, trusting the Ministers to handle the day to day administration while she focused on higher matters.


    Let us settle this with a vote, Aster dered. Who is in favor of suspending the Damocles initiative? Aye or nay.


    Aye, the Prince and Grimsour said.


    Nay, Brina, Aster and ckcinders countered.


    The hardliners have it, Aster dered, much to the Princes annoyance.


    Discussion closed. ckcinders ended the debate. The moons will remain armed.


    They had those pointless discussions more often than she would like. Over time, Concordias High Command had divided into moderates and hardliners. While she, Brina, and Aster advocated strong, decisive solutions, the Prince and Grimsour prefered soft negotiations and trade over force. Loctis could swing either way, although he often tipped the bnce in the moderates favor when he bothered to attend.


    Since we are on the subject of maintaining peace on the new colonies, I denote a strong Malebranche activity among them, Aster spoke, artfully moving the debate towards amon enemy instead of internal bickering. The Maleking grows more active with each sr cycle.


    Our officials remain protected by your measures and vignt gaze, though? ckcinders pushed. That insidious dream demon had a fondness for turning military officers into time bombs.


    Yes, but they are not the true threat. The Maleking is setting up cults among local poptions, furthering unrest and radicalizing colonized people. Groups my Ministry infiltrated all sharemon elements. Loose organization, devotion to the Maleking or one of his chosen Horsemen, and a belief higher initiation will grant its members the power to overthrow Concordia.


    This is new, the Golden Prince picked up the implications. So far the Maleking has focused on keystones, so to speak. Surgical strikes against elements of our regime, instead of building a following among the locals.


    He is chaos embodied, Grimsour replied. Many of his factories had been targeted in the past, halting weaponry production or causing localized shortages among colonies. These groups will turn violent at some point.


    You said he promised power, Aster, ckcinders noted. What kind?


    The Maleking remains vague, and higher echelons of his cult have proven difficult to infiltrate. Since the Maleking and his Yellow Sorcerers can enter dreams, they quickly root out spies. We require another, subtler strategy.


    No power can match Concordia, and certainly not the Maleking, ckcinders spoke. Deal with those cults like any other pawn of his.


    Of course. I wished to voice my belief that our enemy may pursue a broader strategy than we thought. His growing power is also cause for concern. We know the Maleking is sealed on a world called Cocytus, and his increased activity would imply his bindings are weakening.


    Finding the Malekings prison and reinforcing his seal had been a primary goal of Concordia since they gained awareness of the fiends existence. So far they had little luck, and the few people who might hold the answers were out of their reach.


    Should the monster manage to escape, they would need to call upon the Grandmaster.


    What about Famine? Grimsour spoke up. We killed thest Horseman, and theres been little news ever since. Did it reincarnate already? Into whom?


    Into a human, I heard, Aster said. I will not make a judgment yet. Not enough information.


    We will destroy his vessels as many times as needed, ckcinders cut off the discussion. What else, Aster?


    With the Crimson Epoching, Arcadian reaver activity is down. Their leader, Lord Revel, will attend the event with most of his court. Aster left a short silence, as if expecting ckcinders to push for an open assault.


    Nothing would please her more, but only in due time. Concordia needed a few more years to stamp out the Malebranche infection first before looking to the Arcadian territories with hunger. Their time wille, ckcinders said. What about the Seeker of Life?


    <em>Seeker, Seeker! It just wants to help, but it will make you wish for death!</em>


    Harvesting a star cluster in the Trion Sector. It remains away from our dominions but is always at the edges. Prodding for weaknesses. Since they had managed to push it back one century ago, the entity had wisely decided to bide its time. Like a ravenous interster predator, though, it would attack again. It may take years, or centuries, but it would emerge from deep space to threaten the border worlds. And Concordia would be ready for it. Before you ask, Pandoria remains dormant for the time being.


    The Shadow Queen? ckcinders voiced the second-tost concern on her list of threats to interster security.


    That petty warlord? Grimsours voice oozed with disdain. Should we even discuss her? She is no threat to us.


    Leave one weed alone, and you may find the garden overrun, ckcinders replied. Aster.


    She subsumed Green Mandrakes survivors, but little news, Aster replied. I set one of my elites on the case. We will deal with her.


    And the enemy we shall not name?


    Inactive.


    Which is to say, dead, Grimsour snapped in annoyance. Ghosts shouldnt waste the livings time.


    As much as I wish you were right, we cannot let down our guard on that case, the Golden Prince said the first sensible thing in the entire meeting. Overconfidence cost us much in the past.


    If Asters answer remains the same for a century, then I shall stop asking. Not before. ckcinders turned to Brina next. What about the Gates? Any new pathways uncovered?


    One star cluster, the Violet Minister replied, without borating much. Primitive inhabitants. Waiting for my explorers to send reports before I establish contact.


    I am starting to lose track of them, the Golden Prince joked. The stars.


    Not me, Grimsour replied. I will check those worlds for resources. With more ore, we may increase our warship production by one half a percent by the next production cycle.


    What else? ckcinders pushed. She had another, personal matter to attend to.


    I would talk about my new cultural festival, but we all know only Grimsour will attend it, the Golden Prince said.


    A premature judgment, Aster countered. What about my proposition?


    I am unsure if putting Blue spells inside music to increase happiness levels is safe for our poption, the Golden Prince replied without much enthusiasm. Why not test them in a nice, safe, contained environment first?


    We have registered astonishing sess on Electon prisoners. I will dly show you the results, if you have time.


    With pleasure. When would


    Next, the Red Minister cut them off, moving on.


    The rest of the meeting went by uneventfully. Grimsour gave them thetest economic results, the Prince said that the soul gems harvests remained stable, and ckcinders disclosed thetest energy production reports. With all matters settled, ckcinders concluded the meeting with Concordias battle cry. One order across the stars.


    One order across the stars! The other ministers replied, with various degrees of enthusiasm. Aster and the Princes voice boomed with the strength of their belief, yet Brina and Grimsour were barely audible.


    As the holograms vanished, the Red Minister didnt waste time. Open the line to Terra Firma, shemanded, two white holograms manifesting where the Ministers used to be. Smokefang. Captain Kresnik.


    Were it not strategically ced near their border with the Arcadian territories, ckcinders would have left Terra Firma to rot and happily forgotten it. Thes appearance in one of her star clusters had made her act decisively to bring it into the fold, leaving her newest children to tame its barbarian inhabitants. They had made great progress, and the Red Minister had identified which of her children were ready for greater assignments.


    Smokefang wasnt one of them. His closed, bloodied eye was proof of it. You lost, son, ckcinders said with clear displeasure.


    Mother, I can exin


    Silence. Her spawn shut up at her cold words, cowering. <em>I cannot believe hes my blood.</em> Your ipetence is only matched by the shame you cast on me. How could you let Firman vermin get the better of you?


    Her son wisely remained silent, not daring to raise her ire further. ckcinders turned to Kresnik next. Report, Captain.


    We waited for the group to undo the seal on the ult Matrix, then attacked with Gearsmen reinforcements. The raiding party included two sorcerers, a boy and a girl, backed by a humanoid fighter in a stolen old Knight-ss armor, and Mur, a Midnight Market thug-for-hire. The sorceress cast two Green spells, and she wielded a Yellow-aligned Lock. Someone also cast Berserk on Mur prior to the fight.


    How strong? The spells? ckcinders pushed.


    Dot One. I would peg Shrouds ss control as Orange Dot Two.


    Shroud? What a ridiculous codename.


    The leader. His men called him that during the battle. I heard them. Mur, Sol, Yoshikage, Shroud. They couldmunicate without our radios intercepting their messages. Unlike his aplice, the Shroud used multiple opposing colors. Blue, Red, and an Orange ss maniption spell. His Lock smells of strong Blue.


    Another dabbler. Untrained sorcerers often tried their hands at multiple colors, wasting their full potential for mediocrity. Malebranche?


    The leader was under a curse from the Maleking, Kresnik said. However, he did not fit the profile of true devotees. I suspect he was ckmailed into the act.


    Suspects?


    Two of them for Shroud. Jack Powells, and Mathias Martel; I suspected Victor Martel, but he had an alibi for the Everdes attack and a different body type. No suspect for the girl yet.


    Martel? The name sounded vaguely familiar. How bothering. How did they disable the ult Matrixs protections?


    The Shroud spoke to the machine? Captain Kresnik struggled to put words into what he saw. I felt a strong re of Blue magic, simr to a mental connection. Stronger than a Metalmesh spell.


    It interfaced with the artifact? Both Smokefang and Kresnik nodded at her question, confirming the Ministers suspicions. The pieces fell into ce. ckcinders recalled where she had heard the name Martel. The boy, Martel, tell me more.


    Most of his file was protected beyond my Dot level authorization, Kresnik said. So was his mothers. Alice Martel. Hes seventeen, near eighteen.


    ckcinders had already connected the dots at the Alice Martel part.


    The Terminal incident.


    Could it be?


    Mother? Smokefang dared speak again.


    Quiet, child. ckcinders pondered the possibilities at hand. What were the odds that a Blue Sorcerer with the ability to interface with ancient artifacts had showed up in the exact same location as the Martel spawn? ckcinders had lived long enough to not believe in coincidences. The Malebranche variable also presented its ownplications. Who else knows about the artifact incident?


    Smokefang took his mothers subdued tone as the threat it was. Just us, and the Evermarsh UB that recorded the event through the Gearsmen.


    ckcinders remained silent, the tension almost palpable. Her two underlings froze, perhaps expecting her to execute both of them for learning too much. Not that she would cross that line  Kresnik was a loyal scion of Concordia, and while his weakness disgusted her, Smokefang was blood.


    Mother?


    The Martel child is bait for a Dot Five threat to Imperial security, The two straightened up. Dot Five was the highest rank possible, reserved for existential threats such as the Maleking, the Seeker of Life, or the city of Pandoria. We let the boy run around because we expect the true prize toe and collect him at some point in the near future.


    Asters idea and responsibility. Had the Blue Minister faltered in his duties? His department did have a conflict of interest on the case. ckcinders pondered if she should arrest the boy, even at the risk of threatening the n. With Terra Firma under her jurisdiction, she could get away with it.


    No. She could not risk jeopardizing a sensitive operation on a hunch. Not without proof.


    Neither could she let the Maleking add two new spellcasters to his growing collection. They had enough trouble containing his influence, and Concordias power relied on its monopoly on magic. The Empire couldnt coexist with rogues.


    Either sorcerers joined the power structure, or were crushed by it.


    Smokefang. You are a disgrace and a failure. Her brood cowered at her judgment. However, considering the circumstances, I shall give you one, and <em>only </em>one, second chance to prove my opinion wrong. Seed, and I will recognize you as worthy for higher responsibilities. Fail again, and I will banish you to the farthest corner of the measliest colony. Am I understood?


    Yes, Mother. What will you have me do?


    Capture the leader, Shroud, alive, and bring him to me. <em>Alive</em>. Cut off a few limbs if you need to. Captain Kresnik, you will assist my son until he seeds or dies trying.


    And the girl? Smokefangs tone turned venomous, as Kresniks expression darkened.


    Beyond her magic, she is of no use to us. Recruit or kill her as you wish.


    A savage gleam lit up in her spawns remaining eye, filling her with motherly pride. I will go with <em>kill</em> as soon as I regenerate my eye.


    You will not. ckcinders narrowed her head against the holo-projector, so as to give her spawn a better view of her own scars. Her flesh might have been mostly metal now, but the thin lines maring her scales reminded her of previous battles all the same. Every time you look at your reflection, you will remember the price of overconfidence. Never underestimate the enemy. Let one get the better of you, and thousands will follow. Never forget this sharp lesson, or you will lose more than an eye next time.


    ckcinders ended the call before her son could reel from the rebuke.


    Soft hearts like the Prince condemned her parenting, but ckcinders knew better than most the cold, unforgiving harshness of space. The cosmos didnt care for gentleness, only for strength. The best thing she could do for her son was to be brutal with him at every turn, so he would grow into the toughest dragon he could be. Her own sire had taught her this way, and while she hated it as a child, she would not have survived this long without it.


    One day, Smokefang would understand that this was an act of love. With his birth defect, he needed it.


    After the days work, she allowed herself onest moment of pleasure. Move the ship in position.


    She moved to her ships window, ncing as ships of her fleet pushed the remains of a star cruiser near the <em>Vignce</em>.


    That ship had belonged to the armada of a small ckcinders had recently conquered. They had barely begun to colonize their cluster before Concordia fell on them like wolves uponmbs, and offered little challenge. The Red Minister had imed their region of space in less than a week. Engines? she rasped.


    Discarded, Bishop EL-16 replied.


    All dragons hoarded. They found an obsession, an object of desire they umted until they died. Therger the hoard, the greater their status, and their psychic strength. Most fixated on tangible matter like gold, or art, or even people. Some preferred abstract treasures, like knowledge or favors. The greatest of all was the Grandmasters grandiose hoard of stars ands.


    ckcinders found no pleasure in those things.


    Graviforce. Altering gravitational forces with her spell, she pushed the husk towards the ck hole until it remained stationary in orbit.


    She found joy in conquest instead. A dragons worth was determined by the worth of its enemies, and she had had plenty of them.


    ckcinders woulde back during the next sr cycle, and she would do it again, adding another trophy to her hoard of corpses and dead hopes. She would ponder on the fact she was, and had been, one mistake away from ending up the same way. That only strength kept her alive, and the empire safe.


    The Ministers eyes turned away from the darkness, to the distant stars. So many worlds in need of guidance, and a firm hand to teach them discipline. ckcinders had heard her scientists speak of other worlds, other dimensions, beyond the frontier of their reality. If they existed, they would find them.


    One speck of space dust at a time.


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Impulse</strong>


    Affinity: White


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3-5


    Activation: Active, Voice.


    Unleash a shy Flux energy spike. While the spell does not inflict damage of any kind, all magic users and scanners in an area up to a mile can sense it and pinpoint the users location.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 15: Beach Party

    Chapter 15: Beach Party


    Perse nted the parasol in the sand, like a conqueror nted a g. Here!


    Nice spot, Mathiasmented, carrying a bag and towels; Maggie, Kari, and Samantha joined him in putting their belongings next to Perses. The warm wind brushed against his face, while the sea shined a azure hue in the bright daylight.


    Finally! Ulysses shouted in freedom, happy to throw his load on the sand atst. Before his sister couldin about his carelessness, he removed his shirt, leaving him only in boxer-like swimming trunks. Soon afterward, he bolted towards the ocean like an arrow. First to the sea!


    Oh no you dont! Mathiasughed, leaving his beach items aside and removing his own shirt.


    Matt, wait Perseined, although he had already jumped after Ulysses. Running in the sand like a madman, he caught up to his friend, went past him, leaped over a kids sandcastle, and finally took a dive in the sea.


    <em>It feels so good, </em>Mathias thought, as he dived underneath the perfectly warm water, letting go of the tension and stress he had umted over the past month. After a full half a minute underwater, he emerged from the waves like a dolphin, before letting himself float on his limbs which were spread out like a starfish.


    Hey, Darth Matt, since when did you started getting halfway in shape? Ulysses swam next to him, sore about the loss. He usually bested his best friend at any physical contest. Im starting to see muscles.


    Did seeing my shirtless body make you gay for me? Mathias taunted him.


    Meh, six out of ten. Didnt think you harbored those thoughts for me, though. Youre making me all sweaty inside.


    Isnt sweat outside the body?


    Dont look down on my uniqueness. Ulysses turned to look at the beach. Herees the eye candy.


    Mathias raised his head to look at the three girls, and he had to admit he enjoyed the sight. Samantha was dashing in a white one-piece, which gave her the look like an swimmer from the Concordian Olympics; while Perse had elected for a red bikini toplement her hair, revealing a lot more and unting her body. Maggies ck wetsuit, while not as revealing as the two others attire, didnt hide her muscr, toned up curves. Only Kari had elected to remain with their stuff, reading a book.


    The sight made the blood rush to Mathias head, enough for him to put back his head against the waves and hide it.


    Thats for leaving us to set up the camp, gentlemen. Perse sshed at the boys with a bemused expression, as she joined them in the water. Surprise attack!


    Youre an immature, childish creature, Ulysses replied with his usual monotony. Samantha smiled at his misfortune, but it didnt reach her eyes. I am so disappointed, you should feel ashamed of yourself.


    Perse just sshed at his face again, Ulysses putting his hand on his chest as if wounded deeply. What a drama queen.


    Hey, Matt, Samantha said, swimming right next to him. Have you been exercising?


    Ive been jogging. The training sessions in the swamps had done wonders for his physical shape.


    Nice. Very nice. The way she looked at him reminded him of a merchant appraising an interesting ware. Just the right body-type.


    I prefer muscr guys, Maggie replied, sending a re to Ulysses as if to silentlyin. The strong, silent type.


    Maybe one day you can beat Ulysses into shape.


    Maggie replied with a not-so-elegant grunt before diving beneath the waves, leaving the group to their devices. Youre different, Matt, Samanthamented, Youre more confident? Beforehand you looked too shy to speak to people outside Perse and her brother.


    And here they were, having a beach trip together. My personal life improved recently, so it helped.


    Samanthas smile vanished from her face. Good for you, she said, her previous warmth gone.


    Mathias cursed himself for his insensitivity. Im sorry.


    Its okay, she replied with the tone that implied otherwise. Her eyes shifted to Perse and Ulysses, who had had be engaged in a ferocious, epic water battle. Im holding up.


    Okay, he said. If I can do anything


    Thank you. She let out a sigh, forcing a smile onto her face. Dad made a slew of bad decisions, and chose unwise friends. I like to believe I improved on that front.


    Even after death, she wouldnt escape her fathers shadow. Whates next? he asked her. As she wasnt yet eighteen and thus an adult in the empires eyes, Samantha might end up under state custody.


    The Yellow Ministry offered me to be a cultural liaison official in Rome, so


    Without warning, two hands seized Mathias by the feet and dragged him underwater. He almost cast a spell on reflex, blowing his cover, only to find himself facing Perse underwater. He could see her struggling not tough.


    This meant war!


    Mathias responded by grabbing her by the waist, dragging her deeper underwater. His surprised girlfriend responded by tickling him, causing him to lose his breath. He immediately rose back to the surface, catching his breath.


    I won, Perseughed, as her head emerged from the waves.


    For now, Mathias replied.


    I will take you on whenever you want. Perse put her arms around his shoulders. Samantha observed the scene with a nk, undecipherable stare. Want to join Maggie farther down? I heard they reintroduced coral in the bay.


    Just admit you want to drown me, Mathias teased her.


    Wouldnt that be romantic?


    Are you two Samantha trailed off, seemingly torn between joy and disappointment.


    Sincest week, Perse chirped. Mathias is still a bit on the fence, though.


    I just said we should take it slow, he countered. While Perse had been very enthusiastic, Mathias own troubled situation made him doubtful of the whole dating his best friend n.


    Not that the game designer wouldnt give it an honest try.


    As Ulysses challenged Perse for a rematch, with Maggie and Sam joining them as back-up, Mathias left them to swim back to the shore, joining Kari.


    His fellow sorcerer kept her focus entirely on her book, Murakamis <em>Kafka on the Shore</em>. You arent going to swim? Mathias asked her as he sat on his towel to watch the sea.


    I dont like water, she admitted. It gives me bad dreams.


    <em> The storm raged over the Pacific, the waves crashing against the reefs. The ocean called her; the thunder beckoned. A primal force sang for her, invited her to dive beneath the waves. Yet she knew that if she did, she would never return to shore.  </em>


    Stop it.


    Sorry, Mathias apologized withplete sincerity. Its like stopping myself from breathing. A moment of inattention is enough.


    You must learn self-mastery, Kari replied as she closed her book. I have a new Side Quest.


    Need help? What is it about?


    I will need to leave Evermarsh for it, she replied without giving him more information.


    Before the young man could push farther, a new message appeared on his Magik ount. Albeit somewhat reluctantly since they were on vacation, Mathias took a look.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Side Quest: One for All</strong>


    Difficulty: Dot Three


    Sponsor: Administrator


    A good team leader puts his men first, for his strength is that of the group. One rises only by lifting others up. Help Yoshikage fulfill her side quest.


    Rewards: Network Upgrade (1/3).</td></tr></tbody></table>


    So the Quest was linked to someone elses own goals? Interesting. The one out of three part raised his interest though. It seemed the threshold for power-ups increased with time.


    And that Dot Three rating? Even the deadly artifact mission had been of lower difficulty. Where do you need to go? I can go with you.


    Later, Kari said, rising to her feet and walking along the shore. Mathias watched her go, unable to do anything but wonder about the mysteries surrounding her.


    You sure know how to talk to girls, stud, Ulyssesmented, joining his friend under the umbre. From his grouchy look, he must have lost the water battle. First my sis and trophy wife-in-training, now the Japanese girl youre getting awfully buddy buddy with a lot of girls. While as a man I would advise to do the irresponsible thing, as a brother I must warn you not to make the stupid choice, Stupid.


    Youre overly mean to Samantha, Ulysses. She just lost her dad.


    What, the trophy wife? Girls got a long way ahead to improve, and what happened with her dad didnt change shit. Its not about you, you know? Its about appearances. About showing off boys like a hunting trophy, like she did with Jack.


    And what about Maggie? Mathias nudged him. Youre still seeing her.


    Not for long. The more I stay with her, the less I like her. Shes not right in the head. And Im not right in the head, so that makes it double wrong. Besides, shes starting to get a bit too obsessed with you, it will <em>not </em>end well.


    Mathiasughed. Does she?


    Not you, you. Ulysses stared at him dead in the eyes. The you youre hiding from us.


    It took Mathias all his willpower to keep a nk face, holding Ulysses gaze. I dont understand.


    Matt, Im your best friend, the Vader to your Palpatine. You dont have to hide your evil secrets from me.


    I still dont understand, Mathias held on to his lie.


    Do you want me to spell it out? I know you were at the chemical nt that night, Matt, and that you took part in whatever clusterfuck happened.


    Mathias kept staring at him, his mind furiously racing to find a counter-argument. Eventually, however, he knew Ulysses would catch his lie as easily as before. Did Maggie tell you?


    No. I guessed on my own.


    How?


    How? I remembered you vanished from the party soon before, and that you had been acting strangely for days before. Im sent into custody along with Maggie, and when we get out she keeps asking me questions on you when she could barely remember your name before. I put it all together and it clicked.


    Mathias let the information sink in his mind. Why didnt you confront me beforehand?


    Because I thought you would confess, because were friends. Because you could trust me.


    The cutting tone wounded Mathias deeply. I have been forbidden to reveal details, the sorcerer replied. The fact you guessed makes it a very gray area.


    Forbidden by who?


    Cant say.


    Ulysses narrowed his eyes in suspicion. The more he heard, the less he liked it. Youre into some deep shady shit, arent you, Matt?


    Do you really want to know? His best friend nodded deeply. Mathias nced around, the others too far away to listen. Im magic.


    Magic?


    Magic.


    Gandalf magic or creepy Lovecraft magic?


    More like <em>Magic: the Gathering</em> magic. There are rules behind it that I figure out over time. I cant tell you more on the pain of death. Him guessing who he was already put them both in jeopardy.


    Shady deal with the devil magic, then. Wonderful. And the chemical nt fiasco?


    Brown Sr. tried to summon a demon of some kind by sacrificing Maggie. I saved her life.


    And the reason you didnt tell the authorities?


    Because Im nning to overthrow them.


    Ulysses shook his head. Why?


    Why didnt I tell you? I was forbidden, I told you


    No. Why? Why the hell? How could you ever possibly think bing a criminal mastermind was a good idea?


    When Mom died, Mathias replied icily I thought of all people you would understand. You know me better than anyone.


    Apparently not. And thats not an excuse. Dad left us for who knows where too, but I learned to live with it and make the best out of my life. You should do the same.


    Moscow. Washington. London. Beijing. The Ma. All of Russia and the whole Middle East! Eyes turned at them as his tone kept rising. How many other countries did they wipe off the map?! How many people do they arrest and kill every day? We cant let them convince us this is normal, Ulysses. Someone has to do something.


    Thats what you want to be remembered as? A terrorist


    A freedom fighter, he cut his friend off.


    A <em>terrorist </em>fighting for a lost cause? You think people will rise up, inspired by your example? Ulysses shook his head. They wont, Matt.


    They can.


    They cant. He pointed a finger at the skies, at the pale red moon in the azure sky. Mankind has lost. We lost.


    Not until we give up.


    The world gave up, Matt. People dont want to risk their life or spend their existence on the run. They want safety and peace of mind. They want the free home, the universal healthcare, and the cheap holo-tv programs. What do you think will happen if you take that turn? I will tell you what will happen.


    Theyre going to take you down, Matt.<em> Hard</em>. And if they cant catch you, then they will escte the fight. Instead of trying to arrest you, they will try to shoot you. Then they will shoot anyone who gets in the way. Its a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere.


    It will stop somewhere, Shroud replied. When either Concordia or I are gone.


    Do what you want with your life, buddy, Ulysses replied with surprising coldness, looking at his sister, But dont involve Perse in this. What do you think they will do to her when they learn what you are? Offer her coffee? Or your dad for the matter?


    Mathias clenched his fists. Theyll never know. His tone was weak; deep down, even he didnt believe it.


    If I could guess, they will. Deep down, you know Im right. If you were a lone wolf hiding in the swamps, if you didnt have anyone, then I could understand. Not endorse this, no, but I could understand. But you arent alone. Thats the trick, Matt. You hide in in sight, among school kids, among friends and family. Thats what Im angry about. You turned us into your shields, and one day someone is going to take a bullet for you.


    Matt was at loss of words as Ulysses kept going. Never before had he seen his friend so angry, so disappointed, and brimming with fury.


    How do you think my sister will feel when youre going to get caught, or worse? Ulysses paused. How do you think <em>I </em>will feel when they catch you? When I turn on the news, and see your bullet-ridden corpse on the front page?


    Unless you get to me first, Mathias tried to joke, defuse the situation. His words sounded awkward, forced, and unconvincing.


    Maybe I should, you selfish prick. His best friend gave him a re that was both saddening and judgmental. I think you want to die, deep down. Something broke inside of you when your mom vanished, and it never healed.


    Dont try to psychoanalyzing me, Ulysses. Youre stepping on dangerous ground here.


    Why would you throw away your life, and that of others, unless you dont respect life in the first ce?


    Mathias almost blurted out a retort, but theeback died in his throat.


    Matt, do you even value what you have? My sister likes you, youve got a loving father, youve got a bright life, and youre smart enough to create life from raw data. Youve got all that talent, that magic ticket, and youre Ulysses struggled to find his words, his voice dying in his throat before bursting out. Youre throwing it away! Youll die and drag everyone else down with you first!


    The sorcerer faltered at the rant, and the tears at the edge of Ulysses eyes. The sight shook him more than Kresniks counterspell ever could. Ulysses


    Shut up. Im not in the mood to hear you rationalize your behavior. Ulysses wiped the tears off his eyes. Just shut up.


    He did. They spent the next minutes in ufortable silence, just watching the sea.


    What happened with Ulysses? Perse asked, putting her head against his shoulder. It felt so odd, her being so close to his skin. I can sense a five degree loss whenever Im between you two.


    We argued. The others had left to get ice creams, or find a nice spot to eat a snack. Only Kari remained nearby, looking at the sea like a woman possessed.


    About me? About us?


    I dont want to talk about it.


    About us. She pouted. I told him not to interfere; that traitor.


    He worries we wont work out, Mathias gave a half-truth.


    Dont we? A little trust wouldnt kill him.


    Mathias hesitated about his following words, before deciding to remain slightly evasive. If I told you I was a dangerous person, how would you react? He noticed Kari tensing up at the words. Girl had sharp ears.


    I would say its a turn-off. A huge turn-off. She raised an eyebrow. Are you a dangerous person, Matt?


    Just hypothetically, he said, although she didnt buy it. If I was involved in dangerous activities that may one day backfire?


    I see what you mean.


    You do?


    Its about your artificial intelligence forays, right? Thankfully, she had misunderstood the subject. Thats the big project youve been pursuing for a while, right? The one you wouldnt tell me about?


    Yes, sort of. He did cross a line with Scrooge.exe. How did you guess?


    I heard Momin about the characters behavior in the game. It was filled with bugs, ording to her, but I knew better. Youve always been a programming wiz, so I figured it out; you experimented. Laid the groundwork for a greater project. After all the time you spoke ofpleting your mothers research, it made sense.


    I seeded. Perse tightened her hold on him, whether out of tension or excitement he couldnt say. I can show you at my ce, if you want. Concordia might jail me one day for it, though.


    And me everyone who knew about it, but didnt speak.


    So, um Turn-off?


    She hesitated. Matt, I I dont want to be that girl. The kind that tells you how to run your life. But I dont want to be known as Doctor Dooms ex-girlfriend either.


    Or youre the Mary Jane to my Spider-Man. Youve got the hair.


    Sorry, tiger, building an illegal artificial intelligence for science? With your issues about the government? No way youre not turning superviin by the time you hit eighteen. You even got the tragic backstory halfway right.


    Mathias grumbled, Alright.


    But thats okay, Perse tried to reassure him. Youre going to be an amazing bad guy! The smart, smooth, calcting kind! The cool kind the audience secretly roots for!


    <em>How reassuring. </em>Im trying to make a difference, not conquer the world.


    Perse shrugged her shoulders. If you want to achieve the former, you have to go through theter, no? Thats what superviins are all about. Look at Grandmaster Wyrde. Conquering the universe with an army of dragons and robots so she can enforce her vision of peace. Quite grandiose, interster brutal dictatorship aside.


    Thankfully, no Gearsman could hear them. Her rebellious side only made Matt like her more. I dont want to be like that insane reptile, ever.


    Matt, think about it. If what Barth teaches us is halfway right, Concordia started out as three nobodies with a dream. How is it that she got as far as she did?


    Power, resources, endless armies?


    That came after. No, Matt, they seeded because A: they never backed down, no matter the odds, and B: they were ready to do anything to achieve their ultimate goal. How many times did Lex Luthor or Doctor Doom conquer the world inics, before the plot favored the heroes? In the real world, where the universe isnt on the side of the angels, the superviins won. Period.


    Im not sure I like that train of thought. Thats a slippery slope.


    Perse sighed. Matt, if you really want something, you have to put all your efforts into it. No half-measures. When I decided to start music I poured myself into it. When I decided to get you, and my best bud you had a crush on started liking you, did I back down? Nope, Matt.


    That was what Mathias liked the most about her. Even if she made a show of it, she poured all her energies into whatever she did.


    So yeah, Perse said, If you want to start a rtionship, or a new project give it your all. Ill never me you for it. In fact, I will cheer you on. Because Matt, with all that talent and drive of yours? If you really give your all, you will seed.


    Even if you dont like the project in question?


    If I really dont like it, I will leave. But I will never me you.


    Mathias meditated on her words. No half-measures.


    No half-measures, she said, grinning like a cat. You remember that business idea I had, after we graduate?


    The nightclub in Neo York?


    The Hades Club. Nightlifes hottest ce. She extended her hands, as if writing the name on imaginary paper. I like to make other people happy. Especially if they pay attention to me. With a crowd watching me, Perse can do anything.


    I could design some light shows, Mathias replied. He had enough experience with holograms to.


    And Sam could take care of the day to day management. Im awful with numbers, and with her Institute candidacy unanswered, she seemed open to the idea. Maggie would give a wild side to the venture.


    Im not sure I can join you though, Mathias admitted.


    Why so? she frowned.


    I got a new job opportunity. If Magik counted as a job. The requests always differ, so Im not certain I could settle for the time being.


    Before Perse could push for more information, Samantha and the rest of his friends returned from their errand with ice creams. I got chocte and cranberry for you, Perse, Sam said, sitting next to Matt with Maggie. Ulysses himself sat as far from Matt as humanly possible. Citrus for Matt.


    Thanks, Perse chirped upon grabbing her ice cream.


    Ive got a new idea for the Evermarsh Skulls, Samantha kept going. I think we should record a holo-disc.


    A holo-disc? Perse bolted back up, surprising Mathias by the suddenness. How?


    The Yellow Ministry offered me a job as a cultural liaison, Samantha exined. They want to sponsor new Firman groups as part of their new cultural policy.


    Maggie snorted. Dont sugarcoat it, Sam. They want us to make propaganda. Pretty sure theyre going to put mind control lines in the lyrics.


    Cant say until we have the contract in front of us, but perhaps its best that I show you, Samantha said, before looking inside her bag, bringing out a golden holo-disc. They sent me this.


    Mathias rose back up and examined the disc. It was unusually high quality, made of the purest gold and various expensive materials. Whoever designed it had expensive tastes. The Yellow Dragon Skull, the symbol of the Yellow Ministry, stood at the center.


    Come on, open it. Without waiting Samantha to do so, Perse clicked on the ministrys symbol.


    A hologram sprung from the machine, materializing as a dragon head. The creatures figure was lean, elegant, and streamlined, nothing like Smokefangs rugged and intimidating appearance. The dragon had golden scales, with the texture and glitter of the ore itself; his reptilian green eyes radiated not hostility, but happiness and charm. Had Mathias not hated his kind on a deep, personal level, he might have found the beast beautiful to look at.


    He did recognize the creature however, as did the others. Perse herself couldnt suppress a sound of surprise upon sight.


    <em>Greetings, citizens! </em>The dragons voice radiated warmth and cheerfulness, like a joyful friend on the phone. He spoke in Concordianmon. <em>I am the Golden Prince, the Yellow Minister of Concordia.</em>


    One of the seven most powerful people in the Concordia empire, alongside the other five ministers and the Grandmaster herself. This reptile oversaw all cultural activities across the thousand worlds enved to the Empire, from concerts to architecture. He alone decreed what art should be authorized, and which ones should be banned.


    <em>I listened to your Firman holo music shows and I found it delightful. Strong variety, powerful rhythms, life in the music. And the lights, the lights! Marvelous! I havent been so giddy since the opening of the Vampire Bloodshowst year! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Firman never cease to surprise me with their ingenuity. </em>


    The dragons giddiness seemed almost contagious. <em>But enough ttery. I really want to promote local art through the Empire, and its time for your sphere to shine. Send all the promising musical bands you find, so we can have them promote off-world.</em>


    Holy shit! Maggie cursed. You think?


    Off-world Perse put two hands on her face. No way


    Can you imagine? Samantha grinned from ear to ear. We could perform on another!


    <em>I truly wish to thank you citizens for your making our culture so vibrant, </em>the Golden Prince said, as the transmission reached its end. <em>Keep the joy up! </em>The holo-disc ended afterward, the golden head vanishing into light particles.


    Is it genuine? Ulysses asked, doubtful. The Golden Prince didnt fit his conception of a dragon overlord. Truth to be told, neither did it fit Mathias.


    Its certified, Samantha replied, brushing off his worries. We have to seize the chance. Now that She caught herself, a brief look of sadness shing behind her smiling facade. Now that we have an opening for our band.


    <em>Now that she had nothing else left,</em> Mathias thought, sympathizing with her.


    We need a light engineer for a holo-disc, Maggie caught on, her eyes set on Mathias with a <em>brook no disobedience </em>re. And he sounded more impressed by the light shows than the songs.


    Mathias ignored her, his eyes instead meeting Karis. The same thoughts had crossed both of their minds. <em>Later,</em> he thought, focusing back on the conversation. I need to think


    Matt, if you say you need to think about it, Ill beat the fucking hell out of you! Perse entered her nopromise mode, the death re she sent him enough to spoil milk. A gun on his head would have felt safer. This is a lifetime opportunity! Dont even think about quitting!


    Mathias, I know this is a big favor we ask of you, Samantha said, far more diplomatically than her friend. But this is the break our group has been wishing for since day one. It would also open you a lot of doors for privileged jobs in the Empire.


    <em>I dont want to work for Concordia</em>, Mathias thought. Especially not for their propaganda department.


    Then again, Samantha wasnt wrong. If the Evermarsh Skulls lucked out and were selected, it would grant Shroud new opportunities to infiltrate the dragons power structure.


    No half-measure. This once, he said, the girls faces beaming at his words. Just once.


    Perse let go a shout, hugging him. I love you so much!


    Thank you, Matt, Samantha nodded at him, truly grateful. I will remember your kindness. Maggie just grunted, unimpressed.


    We need costumes, Perse said, letting go of Mathias, And practice! So much practice, we cant screw it up, we cant screw it up! She fidgeted, full of excitement and energy.


    While the Evermarsh Skulls discussed how to deal with their presentation, Kari looked at Mathias. Both rose to their feet, and walked away to talk. Ulysses watched them with a nd, unreadable look on his face.


    Trap? she asked Mathias, once out of earshot.


    No. If they wanted his head they could have it without putting on an borate deception. A night arrest and they solved the matter. It sounded genuine. I didnt get any Quest to get along with it though.


    I do not like it.


    Neither did he, but it could open the path to Concordia. His thoughts shifted to another matter. Kari, do you have parents?


    I <em>had</em> one, she replied. Her tone implied she wouldnt tell him more.


    A boyfriend, then?


    No. Boys are distractions. Why these questions, Mathias-san?


    I just wonder about all the people that will suffer if I get caught. If Im being selfish endangering them. I wondered if you had asked yourself the same question.


    You could have asked directly. She asked him the same question she did the first time they talked about alliance. Why do you fight?


    Revenge, he admitted. And, in a way, justice. I dont want any other kid losing their family like I did.


    You Americans have a saying. The only thing needed for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing.


    He meditated on the words. You imply my inaction will lead to greater suffering?


    Concordia will never stop. They will burn more cities, ravage more worlds. Unity, order, those are words. Beneath the skin, it is greed. Grasping, bottomless greed. Dragons make hoards. That is their nature. People, gold, worlds nothing satisfies them. Many will suffer because of our actions, true. Many more will die because you failed to act in the face of great evil, Mathias-san.


    Mathias nodded back, breathing hard and slow.


    No. He couldnt allow himself to doubt yet.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Instation...</strong></td><td><strong>Please wait...</strong></td><td><strong>...</strong></td><td><strong>...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Flux Sight</strong>


    Affinity: White


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3-5


    Activation: Active, App Switch.


    The user can perceive Flux variations in the ambient environment, including the unique energy signatures produced by people. The spell mostly works with sight, although it adapts to the users other dominant senses.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 16: Doomed Plans

    Chapter 16: Doomed ns


    My apologies for theteness, Mathias said, as he closed the churchs doors behind him. Family matters.


    Mur sneered at his words, standing among the gargoyles, while Kari crossed her arms, her back against a pir. Trouble? she asked him.


    Maybe. I have a sort of job interview forced on me. Dads lobbying for his Institute membership had paid off. Mathias had been summoned to the Dynamis HQ for an interview, although why that ce he didnt understand. His eyes settled on Booz, who had sat near the churchs pedestal. Thank you for joining us today. I hope you didnt have trouble finding this ce.


    As long as I make a profit out of it, I don''t care, the hob replied. I set the protections in ce.


    Mathias had ss Field negated when he had walked inside the church. With Concordia now aware of their existence, protecting the confidentiality of their meetings from magical intrusions seemed like a nice investment.


    He had sent messages to Maggie, asking her if she would like toe, only for her not to answer. He guessed she was practicing with the Evermarsh Skulls. He hoped her activities wouldnt interfere much with their own; Shroud needed more muscle.


    Sol cleared his throat, standing on the churchs pedestal. My fellows, I wish to congratte all of you for this mission, for we all deserve it. His eyes set on Mur for a second, who replied by sticking out his tongue. We gave a powerful blow to Concordia by stealing that machine. Enough that Smokefang himself decided to pay us a visit.


    Is the artifact secure? Kari asked, sitting on a bench. She alone was aware of why they had recovered it, and she looked at Mathias pristine hand with interest.


    I absorbed it during the fight, Mathias admitted.


    Absorbed? Sol raised an eyebrow.


    I dunno. Network interacted with it as expected, then the machine floated towards me and fused with me. It called me a terminal during the process. The young man checking his Magik ount. So far, he hadnt noticed any notable differences since the event, no new feature besides the increased paycheck


    Wait, no.


    He noticed new words on his main ount, phantom words floating beneath his parameters.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Modded feature</strong> instation please wait


    <strong>Estimation</strong>: seven days, four hours, fifty-three minutes...</td></tr></tbody></table>


    You dont look any different, Sol said, jolting Mathias out of his thought. Unfortunately, he couldnt reveal those changes in public without viting the privacy policy. Odd. I assume we have no expert on ancient magical machines among our friends?


    I know one, Booz said, drawing eyes on him. I was wondering about presenting him to you.


    Wormson? Mur let out a growl. That shifty, double-faced creature? Mur doesnt like him.


    Mur doesnt like anyone, Booz replied, the gargoyle letting out a growl. The merchant focused on Mathias, the only one who could pay him. Hes a sorcerer too. Green, a <em>strong </em>Green.


    Wormson? That was the name of the individual he had seen Booz deal with through Network. Another sorcerer unaffiliated with Concordia, and he didnt tell them?


    Booz must have read his mind from the look on his face; Mathias promised himself to work on that. You didnt ask, and I didnt trust you then. Not sure if you were a long-term client, or some stupid kid who would dig his own grave biting off more than he could chew.


    I hope my money changed your mind, Mathias replied.


    It did. Boozs smirk reminded me of those old car salesmen. Wormson has a patron, a big yer at the Midnight Market. If you must deal with him, you must deal with her, too.


    I dont like what that implies, Kari spoke up immediately, while Booz shrugged. Conditions.


    She is a foe of Concordia. The kind of person you kids dream about growing up into. Shes also looking for spellcasters to bolster her forces, and asked me to send them her way. If anything, I think she will indulge you just to gauge you.


    Mathias wondered when this piece of information woulde into y. I appreciate your honesty on the matter, Especially since the hob could have kept that tidbit to himself.


    Im a professional. I serve all clients equally, and I dont favor any. I dont push agendas at the expense of one or the other. She is a powerful person, and for your own good, squishies, you should remain wary of her. I tell you because I think Wormson is the best bet you have for that engineering problem of yours.


    Who is this patron? Kari pushed, clearly skeptical.


    Cant say. Shes very elusive and few meet her in person. Those who serve her call her the Shadow Queen.


    Although he remained outwardly the very picture of stone silent, Mathias could see subtle microexpressions on Murs grim face. A split second, a moment of recognition thatsted for but an instant.


    <em> --the new yer in town, the Shadow Queen. Lugh says shes from Cocytus. Mur stopped drinking his Moonck cup, listening to the conversation behind him. Arcadian Reavers ying roulette with somebodys skull. Shes got Mammons favor, too.</em>


    <em>I hope Lugh will hunt her, the other reaver said, Been awhile since we had a worthy prey.</em>


    <em>Cocytus? The name echoed in Murs mind like a curse. Did she serve his old master? He had to check. Maybe this was his chance to redeem himself.  </em>


    The Blue Sorcerer promised himself to look deeper into thatter; calling out Mur before everyone else would only make him defensive.


    You said she opposes Concordia? Sol asked. In what way?


    Heard of Green Mandrake? The rebels that fought Concordia when they attacked their home sphere of Darkthorn? Multiple nods answered Boozs question. She provided them with weapons and funds since day one, and from what I gathered, she evacuated the remnants off-world to continue the fight after the scalies crushed them.


    Mmm From the way she acted, remaining in the shadows and supporting other groups, that woman sounded like a mastermind using proxies to do the dirty work. That presented both advantages and disadvantages: more leeway for the proxies, but she wouldnt mind sacrificing them to keep herself safe.


    Mathias looked at his allies. While Mur seemed curious, both Sol and Kari were apprehensive at meeting a force they didnt understand. Even one opposed to Concordia.


    The young mans thoughts turned to the future. Even if he could fund his small team for now, they remained that; a small team. The four of them could remain a thorn in the dragons feet, but little else. Shroud needed fighters, allies, influence. He needed an army. If the Shadow Queen could help him with that, perhaps it was worth a shot meeting her.


    Yet the sorcerer remained wary to ally himself with someone who brought their own strings. For all he knew he could trade one interster master for another.


    So far, while he had had some sess, Mathias had only reacted to circumstances and events, letting others dictate his course of action. He couldnt expel Concordia from Earth if he only yed one move ahead without a grand strategy.


    What are the keys to Concordias control of Earth? Mathias asked everyone present. He had a fairly good idea but wanted to hear everyones viewpoint.


    They have dragons? Mur responded, as if stating the obvious.


    Fear, Kari said. Fear and sorcery.


    Sol took a moment to think, considering the question under various angles. The superweapon they put on the moon to deter rebellion, and the UB system running their infrastructures.


    You got it all wrong, squishies. Think why they came here, besides dragon ego. Flux. Seven towers to harvest it, and the Gates to hold them. Remove their ess to other worlds, cut off the juice, and youre set. Booz scratched his small beard. The hobs answer was the most insightful so far. So long as they hold them they can bring as many troops and resources as needed. Control whates in and out, and you rule the ce.


    What about the Towers? Out of all the Concordian infrastructure, those were both the most visible and mysterious. Even Wyrmpedia had little to offer on them,pared to UBs and Gates.


    The Flux Towerse in seven colors around the world, Sol spoke. The same color as the Concordian Ministries. Not a coincidence, I suppose?


    No, Surprisingly, Mur had wisdom to share. Sorcery is fueled by Flux energy, which itselfes in seven colors. The seven Neurotowers extract it, which the Concordians then steal. In awe of the power Flux granted them, the scalies themed their government after those colors. Their Ministers are extremely strong in each of their main color, too.


    Extract from where? Our very? Mur shrugged at Sols question, and Mathias Network didnt give him any information. The gargoyle had no idea. Did Concordia even build the towers? Their rising from the ground do coincide with their arrival.


    Concordia do not build Flux Towers, they scavenge them, Booz replied. Neurotowers exist all around the universe, including worlds unspoiled by Concordia. Yours activated on their own, bringing your dirty sphere to the doorstep of the Concordian Empire as a side-effect rather than an intent.


    Then who built them? Mathias asked. Some ancient civilization? Clearly they arent of human origin, and neither was the artifact we found. And you imply they slumbered for a long while beneath our feet.


    Gee, you think I have the answer to a mystery the greatest sorcerers couldnt crack? Booz snorted in annoyance. All I know is that the towers are the source of magic on your tiny rock; their energy powers the spells that you use. If anything, you should know more than I do.


    Why those questions, Mathias? Sol asked. Did an idea cross your mind?


    It did. Network provided him an insightful picture of the situation, how the whole Concordia upation of Earth worked. Mathias thought about situations paralleling their own, a smaller state facing a superpower. The Vietnam War, Afghanistan  twice  even Ukraine before Concordias assault cut that one short.


    The recipe was always the same; support from the locals, use of the terrain to gain an advantage, a war of attrition and support from rival powers.


    The main line of defense of Concordia on Earth are their UBs, Mathias said. Universal Brains are techno-organicputers created after Concordias central artificial intelligence Manus went bonkers. Theirwork administers the Arc-Cities, space ports, interdimensional portals, and most Gearsmen. Each UB is a single neuron of a giant brain that spans the entire empire.


    How do you know that? Mur snorted, doubtful.


    He didnt. Network allowed him to intuit it. The battle with the Gearsmen had shown they shared amon intelligence, alongside techno-organic elements. Combined with the few elements publicly avable on UBs, Mathias had enough to map out the system. I know. The question is, what do we do with them?


    Eat them. Murs t tone made Mathias unsure if he was joking or not.


    <em> In spite of the few screws in the gray matter, Mur found the flesh golem''s brain strangely tasty. Tasting moist and soft, like it was full of sweet sugar. Like pudding.  </em>


    Holy, shit, he wasnt!


    We could capture one and study it, Unlike his fellow, Sol hadnt bothered to hide his disgust at Murs suggestion. A captive UB would give us insight into Concordias core intelligence. Especially if your Network can work on them.


    My thoughts exactly. Smokefang set one UB in the Arc-City nearby, which will be our next target. The first of our campaign. Concordia relies on its infrastructures: UBs, Towers, Gates, and Damocles, to rule. By disrupting one after the other, we will weaken them enough that a strong push could topple them.


    Mur says you forget one big problem. Take this world from them, and they will send a fleet to retake it. Bigger than the one that put your North Hemisphere on firest time. The scalies believe they have a duty to unite all worlds, everywhere, under them. They call it the Dragon Mandate. If it exists on paper, Mur has yet to wipe his ass with it. They never to give up a prize, ever. They will spare no expense, because its not about resources. Its about <em>destiny</em>.


    The more he thought of it, the more the answer to the dilemma became clearer. We <em>do </em>need off-world allies, Mathias decided. Other powers had managed to remain outside of Concordias domination. If they could y one against the other...


    The closest one is Lord Revels Arcadia, but you squishies will want Concordia back after a week of his arrival, Booz warned. Dragons are greedy, but Revel is <em>vicious</em>.


    That limited their choices. At least the Shadow Queen had supported a rebel movement not so different from theirs. If the Shadow Queen can help us take down the infrastructure holding the upation together, then it may be worth meeting her, Mathias decided. Whether we work out a deal or not.


    I will arrange a meeting, Booz said. Anything else? Time is money.


    Yes, Mathias said. I need a personal, handheld weapon.


    Boozughed. Why? Youre an all-powerful wizard. Pretty sure your spells kill better than Red Flux Guns.


    That is exactly the problem. I rely entirely on my powers; as considerable as they are, I faced at least one enemy which could counter them. Without my power, I am no longer an all-powerful wizard. A weapon would even the odds.


    Unless youre taking on Gearsmen, a Red Flux Rifle would help in nay, any situation.


    Nice, but I would prefer weapons that do not rely entirely on Flux. If that energy powered his spells, and Kresnik could counter them, then perhaps his barrier protected him from those shots. It had protected him from Karis ws and Sols sword. A Counterspell might also cause the weapon to misfire.


    All in all, in spite of his immense power and resilience, Smokefang at least left Shroud the ability to fight back. Kresnik could disable him with a word, and was hence the greater danger. Also, I need a long-range weapon. Nothing like a spear or such.


    Very specific. Got a target in mind?


    A white werewolf immune to magical effects.


    Kresnik, Mur rified.


    Booz paused at the description. Youre hunting John Kresnik? Big fat target.


    You know of him?


    Cant count the number of colleagues he caught and sent to Electon. Wolfies got a sharp nose for criminals, and hes nigh impossible to fight off one-on-one. Especially if youre a magic user. Hes a White Dot Three.


    Meaning?


    Means hes an experienced sorcerer in the use of White Magic, which enhances or disables spells. Unless youre a stronger magician or have a powerful Lock, he counters every magic you can throw at him. No offense, he took on bigger fishes than you and hes still kicking. Mur here can tell you that.


    Mur sent him flying to his dog house, the gargoyle boasted.


    You seemed to know him, Mathias pointed out.


    We survived a few run-ins with him, Booz said. Kresnik hunts like a rabid dog until he catches you. We are the few who managed to slip through the cracks, and I intend to keep at it.


    He must have a weakness. Money, emotional


    Nah. Hes everything Concordia wants in a citizen: no life outside of duty, incorruptible, smarts and power aplenty.


    Can silver bullets get past his barriers? Hes a werewolf right?


    Boozughed. Apparently, werewolf movies had it all wrong. Nah, cause his spells are unrted to his innate biology. Can see why you would rather avoid closebat though. Hes tough and skilled.


    He dispelled your spell, Murined. I hoped for more.


    He didnt, Mathias countered. Not fully. I still had ess to your Network feed and the Berserk spell was still assigned to you. He disabled Berserk, but not your ability to cast it.


    Mur considered the news. Apparently, he hadnt thought of recasting the spell in the heat of the melee after Kresnik disabled it. Mur will kill him for good next time.


    Ill look into my stash, Booz said. Your best bet is a Orichalcos weapon, from Oceanis. Those areced with strong magic, perhaps enough to hurt Kresnik. Orichalcos is very hard to gather, so youll need a custom order.


    How much will it cost? Mathias pushed.


    A lot, Booz replied with a grin. Give me time.


    Then thats it. Everyone else, we gather all we can on the Arc-City nearby. Entry points, weaknesses, defenses, anything that can help us take the UB. I say we meet in one week here. Same hour?


    Sure thing, boss, Mur replied, his tone heavy with mockery. The others simply nodded.


    Then onest thing. I hope we dont get there, but prepare to leave Evermarsh on short notice.


    This did not bode well with Sol, who tensed. Leave Evermarsh?


    Got attached to this muddy hole? Mur taunted him.


    Yes, I did. The priests eyes settled on Mathias next. Some have families there.


    Mathias felt Karis gaze on him too, guessing he shared conflicting sentiments. He had to show a strong front.


    Our goal is to release Earth itself, this time Shroud spoke, not Mathias. This is a great sacrifice that I ask to some of you. That I agree. Understand, however, that the foe we face covers our entire. We will have to move, to fight overseas, even outside our atmosphere. You will be asked to forge alliances with other enemies of Concordia so we can supply our people with weapons; to take the fight back to Imperial dominions across the stars; and to spread the gospel of revolution on Earth. The next phase of our strategy requiresplete focus from all of you.


    He took a deep, deep breath. Also, with ourst stunt, Concordia is on our case, and they have a long reach. There maye a moment when they identify one of us, and the rest will follow. After what we did to Smokefang, they will offer no quarter.


    The grim silence that followed was answer enough.


    Kari and Mathias left the church soon after. Youre growing better at it, she said as they closed the door behind.


    What?


    Leading. You sounded more decisive. Confident.


    Surviving a fight with dragons helped with the self-esteem. He wondered if it had had an impact on his rtionship with Perse. I sense a buting,


    They sensed your hesitation, his fellow yer said. About leaving. You are still not one hundred percentmitted. Until you are, neither will they.


    Mathias fell silent. True, in spite of his own pitch, he himself hoped it wouldnte to that. Dad wouldnt leave Evermarsh without a very good reason, and he had friends there. A job. A girlfriend. Leaving would be tough.


    Mathias pushed back those thoughts, trying to focus on the future. Up for filling a new Quest after my interview? Well need a lot more spells to assault a fortified city.


    Sam asked me to help with some things, Kari turned down his offer politely.


    Too bad. He would have liked some back-up. Perhaps he could find an easy quest that did not involve stealing a protected artifact?


    As if to answer his thoughts, a familiar sound echoed in his mind, one he had grown fond of. Opening the Magik browser, Mathias checked his message, one sitting at the top.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Major Update!</strong>


    Sender: the Administrator</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mathias exchanged a knowing nce with Kari. You got it too? He clicked after she nodded, reading.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <em><strong>Congrattions, Alpha Testers!</strong></em>


    <em>Your collective sess across Earth proved greater than even I, the Administrator, expected. Enough to convince old and new Sponsors to invest in Magik! We are flooding with Spellcoins and Quest proposals!</em>


    <em>So what does this means for you? Three things.</em>


    <em>First, that means with a few exceptions, I wont send you Quests myself anymore, except to new yers in need of a gentle tutorial. You have proven yourself experienced enough to not need soft adventures tailored to show you the ropes.</em>


    <em>Instead, Sponsors will send you their own Quests and fix the difficulty levels and rewards as they see fit. You will find yourself with more options than ever before, and some Quests may even conflict with one another. You can now adjust your ystyle in whichever direction you like. Side quests will remain automated, due to their Lock-bound nature.</em>


    <em>The second major update is that, with so many Sponsors joining, we wish to experiment with a new system, the<strong> Party/Guild/Team/Legion</strong> (our Sponsors are currently debating the definite name). We are working out the details but it will be huge, ande with the<strong> Lair</strong> feature. More soon.</em>


    <em>The third major update is that you can now <strong>Level-Up</strong>. Meaning, you can<strong> increase your Dot Level</strong>. Thats right, you will gain the ability to ess Dot Two, Three, Four, and ultimately  if you survive that long  Dot Five spells in our Compendium. The option and conditions to increase your level are right next to your wallet.</em>


    <em>Until next time,</em>


    <em>The Administrator and the Magik Team.</em></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mathias heartbeat elerated, as he immediately checked his main interface. A new icon had appeared right next to his Spellcoins wallet, a golden button with the word Level-Up! written there. With a click, blue text materialized in front of him.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Level-Up</strong>


    <strong>Next level</strong>: Dot Two, Adept.


    <strong>Conditions to Level-Up</strong>:


    Complete Three Dot Two or higher difficulty Quests ().


    Complete One Side-Quest plete)</td></tr></tbody></table>


    More questions, Kari spoke, less enthusiastic than him, And so little answers. They know more about us than we do them.


    I can understand the secrecy. The destruction of Magik would spell the end of the best weapon against Concordia, while your end means they must find a new team. Cold, but pragmatic. How many main Dot Two Quests did you fulfill?


    Two.


    Meaning they could level-up with the next quest, before assaulting the Arc City. A question did bug him though. Why not grant us ess to the full arsenal, or make us pay for spells? he wondered out loud. More options would make the fight easier.


    They do not produce the Spellcoins that power the website, Kari pointed out. The Sponsors do.


    Mathias wondered what kind of entities could turn digital currency into spells. Certainly nothing human. He moved to the Quest Board next, checking the new quests avable.


    The yer expected three, perhaps four new Quests.


    He found <em>thirty-six</em> waiting on the board.


    They came with various difficulty levels, noted next to the title. New symbols followed the request, such as jackal heads, ss peacocks or lotus flowers; each representing a sponsor, he guessed. Mathias first checked one of the new, easy Dot One quests.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Send the Dead back to Death</strong>


    Difficulty: Dot One.


    Sponsor: Jackal Mummy.


    The Undead are a gue that followed Concordia to Earth, disrupting the cycle of nature. I wish them gone. Eliminate at least ten undead and allow them their final rest.


    Reward: Four Spellcoins.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Ten undead? He didnt even know where to find one!<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>The Temple Restored</strong>


    Difficulty: Dot One


    Sponsor: Her August Majesty


    The dragons disregard for ancient traditions insulted our honor and vited our most honored cultural taboos. Restore the imperial shrine in the emperor of Japans house and hold prayers there for one hundred and eight consecutive days.


    Reward: Four Spellcoins + Her August Majestys personal favor.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mathias thought it was like a linear JRPG, when it had been an open world game all along.


    Easy money sounded nice, but he needed Dot Two or more to level-up. He checked the more difficult proposals.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Tinker Tinker</strong>


    Difficulty: Dot Two


    Sponsor: Misunderstood Genius


    I want to examine how Gearsmen work to create better golems, and smashed up remains wont cut it. Infiltrate Concordian factories, take a picture of Gearsmen schematics, and post them on Magik.


    Reward: Six Spellcoins (Level Up).</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Nice. Strange, but nice. Then  then he found a title that caught his interest. <table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Dragonyer</strong>


    Difficulty: Dot Two


    Sponsor: Romulus


    In spite of our patronage, a worthy hero has yet to prove his mettle by ying a dragon. Correct that.


    Kill a dragon, and teach them fear.


    Reward: Nine Spellcoins (Level Up).</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mathias reread the text, a smirk on his face. Challenge epted, he said, Smokefangs days are numbered.


    Kari didnt share his enthusiasm. She looked distant and thoughtful Well, more distant than usual. What is it? he asked her.


    My Doom Sense is acting up. Mathias raised an eyebrow. A Yellow Spell. It allows me to sense lethal threats.


    He should have looked more deeply in his opposite colors avable spells. How close is it? Was it linked to her own Side Quest?


    Not immediate I cant quite exin, its diffuse, a frown deepened on her face, Be careful, Mathias-san. There is danger ahead.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Instation...</strong></td><td><strong>Please wait...</strong></td><td><strong>Debug..</strong></td><td><strong>...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Pathfinder</strong>


    Affinity: Violet


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3-5


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The user can geolocate any ce they have been before with perfect uracy, bing a living GPS.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 17: DLC: The Day it all came down

    Chapter 17: DLC: The Day it all came down


    Whatever monster he may have been, Perse had to admit thete Mayor Brown had great taste in art.


    This is a statue of the Aztec God Tezcatlipoca, Samantha exined, showing her off a stone representation of a humanoid jaguar. The precision astonished Perse. Each w, each fang, had benefited from exquisite, masterful attention to detail. As if the sculptor had stood before the deity as if it was real. Stolen by the Conquistadors during the conquest of Mexico. My great-grandfather brought it back from Europe after the first World War.


    She wore a new golden dress with a blue rose above the left breast, and was wearing a new brand of perfume. Perse was slightly jealous at how amazing she looked. So pristine, so pure. Like an angel.


    Still surprised the scalies didnt confiscate everything, Maggie said as she walked next to the duo, her hands behind her head. In contrast to Perse and Sams keen fashion sense, she always dressed with whatever came to mind.


    Sam bristled at that. Dont call them that. Even after they released her, she had confessed to Perse she still worried about being under surveince. They froze most of Dads assets, and my employees left. I can no longer pay them even if they wanted to return.


    So youre all alone there? Perse asked. Such a big ce without anyone


    No. Not alone. Not anymore. Samantha smiled at her friends. Kari is extending her stay now.


    Where is she, by the way? Perse prodded, fearing the answer.


    upying Matt, as agreed, Sam replied. We have two good hours ahead of us.


    Perse didnt like it. Kari looked a bit too close to Matt for her liking. She had seen them exchange nces, as ifmunicating without talking, the same way old friends did. <em>No, Perse, dont be the annoying jealous girl, that always backfires.</em>


    Unfortunately, her friends quickly caught on to her thoughts. Maybe I should poach Matt too, Maggie teased Perse. Hes got a lot more social value now.


    Dont you dare, Maggie, Perse warned her. Mine.


    Rx, Little P, girl codees first.


    Arent you dating Perses brother? Sam pushed.


    Maggie grumbled, Big mistake. Hes grown sour and dull, and its getting on my nerves. I didnt sign on for that.


    Perse let out a sigh. Her brother always found a way to fail the amazing girls she set him up with. I swear, hes going to end up alone for the prom.


    Maybe he should date Sam instead, Maggie replied, hitting the blondes elbrow.


    Maggie! Perse crossed her arms at her insensitivity. She just lost Jack, thats too soon.


    Maggies face turned dark at her brothers mention. <em>Why does she look so angry? </em>Perse thought. Shouldnt she have been mourning her missing brother?


    Its okay, Sam replied. Truthfully, we werent that close. We never went further than making-out.


    Really? Perse could hardly believe it. But they had been together for months! You didnt


    We didnt. I tried but, he never showed interest in that. I had to make the first move at every turn. I dont think he was into disys of affection, or affection at all.


    My brother was an asshole, Maggie spat with venom.


    Thats harsh, Sam said, although not with much feeling, Lets not speak ill of a missing person.


    Maggie looked ready to blurt out something angry, only to restrain herself. Whatever. You would be better off with Perses brother. Hes halfway decent.


    Feeling the conversation had taken a dark turn, Perse tried to move it towards more positivity. Sam, is the cake ready?


    Its in still in the oven, she replied, ncing through a window to the garden outside. Ulysses and Perses mom had almost finished putting up the table outside in the garden. While her brother had epted toe and help, he looked sourer than usual.


    Whatever the hell happened between him and Matt, she hoped today would help mend the rift.


    You sure we shouldnt have invited more people? Samantha asked. For her the few participants present at the party looked like a failed party.


    Sure. Matt prefers family or small gatherings. He was adorably shy that way. The ringbell interrupted the conversation, Samantha moving to open the door without checking who it was. As a consummate organizer, she had monitored every participant to ensure they did their task; she had probably guessed who it was on the nning alone.


    Hello girls. Mathias dad stepped inside  or was it new stepdad? Perse wasnt so sure what to call him now. He carried bags full of drinks and snacks. I see that everything went well, Samantha.


    Youre right on time, Mr. Martel. Only Gavin and Mr. Niche have yet to show up.


    Solomon willeter. He told me on the phone he had a problem guest staying at his church and needed to amodate him. Maggies head perked up at it, before picking up one of Victors bag to help him. Thank you.


    He doesnt suspect a thing? Perse asked Victor.


    He answered with augh. No. I cant believe my son forgot his own birthday. His eighteenth at that.


    Perse wasnt surprised. Matt his the head in the cloudstely, with too much on his mind.


    He should have tried something special for the asion, though. Perses own party four months ago had been an epic, zing trail of drunken revelry across Evermarsh  even Ulysses and Matt had been pulled into the maelstrom. A special day like that meant ying harder than usual.


    <em>Now that I think of it, Im older than Matt.</em> Perse thought. People often thought otherwise, since he acted more mature than her. Acting being the keyword  while Perse could be scatterbrained sometimes, she wanted to enjoy her youth for as long as possible.


    She would have to y adult enough after graduation. Sam, since we have time to kill, perhaps you could show us that new room of yours? Her friend had pestered her with ns of redecoration for weeks.


    With pleasure! Sam smiled, her hand grabbing her friends arm.


    Ill pass, Maggie said as Mathias dad opened therge window to join the others in the garden. I would rather be outdoors. None of the girls tried to argue with Maggie; she was too stubborn


    Perse looked on as her mom weed Mathias dad with a kiss on the mouth, smiling like a teenage girl. The sight filled her heart with conflicted feelings; happiness at her mom trying to rebuild her life, sadness at having not seen her real dad for years, and a slight dash of a strange, bizarre anxiety she could not quite exin. Perse wondered if children dating at the same time as their parents was amon urrence.


    Samantha looked at the couple too, but with decidedly less warmth. With renewed tension, she led her friend past an hallway and towards exquisite wooden stairs.


    Thanks for letting us use your house, Perse thanked her best friend, as they climbed to the floor above. Her own ce was too small to wee a dozen people.


    After the favor Matt showed us, I had to respond in kind. The first floor of the house held various paintings, mostly in the Renaissance style. Many of them represented angels, demons, and apocalyptic imagery. More of a fan of abstract art, Perse didnt like them. How odd we ended up growing closer. Not to criticize him, but I always saw Matt as your quiet, strange friend. I never really paid attention to him before.


    Thankfully, or else she would have noticed his crush on her sooner. Perse had learned her lesson; seize the initiative whenever possible. He never made an effort to stand out much. Attention made Matt ufortable, unless he yed a role. Then he shined brightly. Perse guessed a part of him yearned to be a different person, one that could express deep feelings he couldnt show under normal circumstances.


    She wasnt so different herself. In fact, she had been as quiet as her boyfriend when she had been in grad school. It was only through effort that she came out of her shell. It takes time to realize that people often like what you have to say, she dered.


    Samanthas smile didnt reach her lips. Like it was photoshopped. I understand.


    Stop that.


    Sams fake smile broke. Understanding?


    Faking it. If you dont find it funny or dont understand you dont have to lie.


    Samantha kept her face fixed. Im sorry, I do it on reflex now. Perse figured her asshole of a dad had drilled the need to appear impable in any circumstance. I didnt understand."


    When youre shy, you think everyone will put down what you have to say. Because you think youre not interesting, and so neither is what you say. It takes effort to convince yourself otherwise.


    Arent we all interesting in our own way? Perse could tell Samantha had grown ufortable with the subject. Does Ulysses y chess? I have a game in storage.


    Ulysses does y online. Matt is more fond of go.


    I know, he told me. I do not understand why though. I thought since he enjoyed tactical games, he would like chess.


    Its because go is like gueri warfare, while chess is like traditional warfare. Seeing Samantha fully absorbed in her exnation, Perse kept going. Her friends fondness for strategy games bordered on obsession sometimes. Chess is offensive, fast-paced, tactical, and attrition-based. Go is more strategic, more long-term. Its all about controlling territory, subtly encircling the enemy, and then moving in for a devastating offensive the opponent cannot recover from. I think Matt likes that way of thinking more than the traditional approach.


    And it showed in the games he designed. Fucking goblin ambushes.


    Samantha smiled, genuinely this time. You sound like a strategy book.


    I cant let my boyfriend win too much, can I? So far victories were two to one in Matts favor, but Perse had gained ground. Although I prefer ying Poker.


    Poker? It has nothing to do with table games.


    Of course it does. Its tactical, psychological. You have to manage your funds, anticipate the enemy...


    Its not a strategy game if luck is involved, Samantha insisted. She sounded like those inte purists on forums, decrying others over details. The contrast between her mature voice and behavior was adorable.


    Of course it is, thats the whole point. I mean, life is so chaotic, with so many unexpected events. You cant control everything, and thats what makes it great.


    I dont like the idea. Samantha stopped before her bedroomsrge mahogany door. Not knowing whates next.


    Then why are you so interested anytime you notice something new?


    While Samantha didnt answer, Perse knew her well. Her bodynguage told her she had struck a nerve.


    As Samantha opened the door and invited her friend in, Perse couldnt shake a strange feeling of wrongness. The musician prided herself in her intuition, which had never let her down, and right now she couldnt put a finger on that gnawing, ever-present feeling in the back of his mind.


    Samanthas bedroom was, fitting with the rest of the ce, a princess cherished retreat. Most of Perses apartment could fit inside. The bed was king-sized, the ce perfumed and clean, and multiple portraits of butterflies adorned the walls. Closed velvet curtains gave the room a transgressive, sensual feel, far away from Sams idealized image of purity.


    Why all the butterfly imagery? Perse asked, her eyes settling on Samanthas brooch among her golden hair.


    Butterflies start weak and helpless. They are constrained by their very nature, until one day they undergo a metamorphosis. Then they take beautiful flight; they be beautiful, if only for a short time. I find the image powerful.


    And Perse had thought she just liked the aesthetic. Sometimes she had the feeling she didnt really know Sam very well. Kinda stands outpared to the paintings before.


    Dads. He had grown obsessed with angels and demons months ago.


    Had it inspired his madness, or had it been a symptom? Perse didnt know. Why do you keep them?


    Because thats all I have left of him.


    Sam, your father was a monster. No good cane out of keeping reminders of him.


    I know! Her voice broke a little. But he was still Dad.


    Perse didnt push further. While her friend presented an air of calmness, she knew she was boiling inside.


    Samantha turned around to face her friend, her eyes lingering on her makeup. Without a word, she let her fingers brush against Perses dress. You dressed so well for him. Samantha stared at her friend dead in the eyes. Like a birthday present.


    Was that sadness in her voice? Sadness that Perse had made the first move? No, it was something else, something deeper.


    Jealousy.


    Sam. Perse slowly pushed her friend back. Sam, are you alright?


    What do you have that I dont?


    The tone alone made Perse take a step back, as if she had been pped. Sam had daggers in her eyes.


    Youre self-centered and whimsy. Pursuing one person and then dropping them for another within a week. So why do you get to have a happy boyfriend while my entire life crashes and burns?


    The words hit Perse like a knife in the back.


    Then, much to her astonishment, Samantha started sobbing. She fell on the bed, holding her face with both hands, looking destroyed. Samantha Brown, the girl who once had had everything, was crying.


    Why does everyone like you without you doing anything to deserve it? Youre loud and brash, and still everyone looks at you! While I try so hard and still feel miserable


    <em>Shes doesnt mean that, </em>Perse thought, trying to maintain emotional distance. <em>Her parents are dead, she just needs time to process it. </em>


    Persesposure almost failed her when Sam looked at her with bitter, undying resentment. Why do you have a family left? Why? All of that practiced pristine had crumbled, revealing the envy and rage boiling underneath. Her shadow, the ugliest part of herself, spoke through her lips.


    It hurt, a lot. Especially since Perse had done nothing to deserve those usations. She had suspected Sam had issues, but could never break through her friends armor; now it had crumbled, and it was an ugly sight. Sam


    Dont talk.


    My parents divorced while I was still in grade school, Perse replied, her tone firmer and calmer. I cant pretend the situations are simr, but I know how losing part of your family feels. Its like losing a foundation you based your life upon. You feel rage and anger, and you try to vent it out however you can. Music was that escape for me.


    Samantha replied with a re. I always hated you, she said, her voice dripping with venom. Always upstaging me.


    I dont think so, Perse replied. I think you hated yourself.


    Hated myself? Instead of envy, anger hade to the forefront. But it still jolted Samantha out of her self-pity.


    I never got the feeling you did anything because you actually enjoyed it. It was always one-upping someone else. Always for show. You never lived for yourself, Sam. You just put on a performance for others, especially your father. Thats why you feel miserable; because I remind you of that fact.


    Perhaps Samantha had already came to the same conclusion before; whatever the case, Perses words resonated with her, the girl stopping to re at her fellow bandmate to look at her feet, despondent.


    Sam. Perse sat at Samanthas side, making the blonde girl tremble at the physical proximity. Youve got amazing talent, more than I have. Youre so smart, and youve got wonderful opportunities ahead of you. Just be genuine. Try to show everyone the real you, even the ugly parts. Like now. You dont have to smile all the time.


    But father


    Is gone! And Im sorry to say it, but he had iting. You dont have to prove anything to that asshole, ever again. Start being genuine, Sam. It really does wonders, and I tell that to you as a friend.


    Sam raised her head. Even after what I said, you still consider me a friend?


    Eh, its okay. After so much drama in my rtionships, I learned a little wisdom from it. I just dont show it often. She winked at Sam. Promise me you will talk to me about your problems next time, instead of bottling it up, and were good.


    I I will try. She wiped some tears off her face. Im sorry. About what I said. Perse let her continue, muting out her desire to talk back to go into full understanding listener mode. I Ive been horrible. Youve always supported me, and Ive been ungrateful about it. Thats low.


    Its okay. Now if you had done that two months ago I would be really, really pissed, but Im in a good ce right now.


    Someone coughed at the door, interrupting the heartfelt moment. Ahem. Victor waited at the bedrooms entrance. Am I interrupting?


    No, Perse replied, standing up alongside Sam. Thetter had regained herposure, although her tears had damaged her make-up a little. Were done.


    Victor looked at both of them, yet didnt ask for an boration. Your boyfriend is waiting downstairs, Samantha.


    I dont have a boyfriend. Samantha paused, a doubt settling in her mind. Wait, who is it?


    Perse had guessed before Victor confirmed it.


    Jack. Jack Powells. Very polite and cheerful for a missing person. Hes downstairs


    The sound of a gunshot echoed from outside.


    What was that? Perse panicked.


    It came from the garden! Victor bolted out of the room, Perse and Sam hurriedly following him.


    What the hell is wrong with you, Maggie!? Viviane shouted downstairs.


    thats pretty effed up, sister, a familiar voice spoke, bemused.


    The group went down the stairs and ran into the garden. The sight looked straight out of a western.


    Maggie was on her feet, wielding a gun with murder in her eyes. A gun! Viviane had risen to try to take it from her, but stayed at bay, her face pale. Ulysses, that uncaring jerk, sat right next to Mom texting on his phone.


    And standing farther among the gardens alien flowers, Maggies gun pointed at his head, was Jack.


    He had changed since Persest met him. Not much physically. He wore sunsses over his eyes, and taken to wearing a crimson red shirt that showcased his muscles underneath, and ck pants. He smelled of sour, rusted iron.


    No. What had changed was his posture, the way he stood. It reminded Perse of those maddened roman emperor statues. Contemptuously looking down on everyone else like shit. His whole being put Perse on edge. Like she was a tiger among sheep.


    Perse had no idea what happened, except that the situation was wrong and explosive. Jack, Samantha put her hands on her mouth in surprise, We thought you were dead.


    No, no, not dead, sweetheart. Reborn, like a phoenix. His voice had grown deeper, like cackling embers. Good to see you, though. I wondered if I would feel anything when I saw you again. Now I know.


    A thin, cruel smile spread across his lips.


    Something in Jacks words set Victor on edge, as he pulled Samantha and Perse by the arm behind him. Viviane, Ulysses, behind me.


    Vic, what


    Behind me, Victor cut off Viviane. Taking a clue out of his firm tone, she grabbed Ulysses and forced him off his chair. Maggie didnt move, though, keeping her weapon aimed at her brother.


    Why so afraid, Vic? If anything, the sight bemused Jack. I heard your son held his birthday party here, so I thought I might bring some candles. As a gift.


    Very nice of you, Victor replied icily, pushing Viviane behind him like a bear protecting his cubs. The sight put Perse on edge too. What the hell was happening?


    Where is my boy, Matt, by the way? Jack pushed. Breaking windows? Cant start the party without him.


    I knew it would happen, Ulysses mumbled. I knew it would.


    Ulysses, whats happening? Perse replied with the same tone. Why is he


    You dont get it, Perse? Her brother red back at her. Hes here to kill us all.


    Smart boy. Perse flinched at the casual threat no, not a threat. He would kill them all, and that was it. Although I would have settled for Matt and my sister. The family set is just a nice bonus.


    Shut up, you creep! Maggies finger twitched near the trigger. I wont miss next time!


    Nothing personal, sis. Its professional integrity. Killings more than a job to me, you know? Its a passion project. I want a fresh start, aplete tab rasa. Cant do that when you made a liar out of me. You not dying? Not cool, sis. Not cool at


    She answered by pulling the trigger, making Perse jump in surprise.


    The bullet bounced off Jacks forehead.


    Guess well never be friends. He hadnt even flinched. You know, Maggie, I never really felt anything for you. Neither for you, Sam, sweetheart. Or anyone. I never felt that, what do you call it? Connection to a fellow human being? Empathy.


    While Maggie stood there in shock at the sight, although not as much as everyone else, Jacks hand moved to his sunsses and tossed them aside. The sight paralyzed Perse in horror.


    Never felt it. Emotionally, physically. Not even with Dad. He tried father-son bonding time, but to me, he just was there. I didnt hate him, didnt love him, either. I always felt disconnected from the world around me, like a prop in my own life. A terrible feeling: ipletion.


    His eye sockets were empty, a ck emptiness lit by two blue, smokeless mes.


    Implete now. mes began to spread over his skin as he spoke, his voice growing higher-pitched. Like cackling embers starting a raging inferno. When my better half slipped inside me and ignited the magic in my soul, it filled the void. Im half a man no more.


    What came next happened in the blink of an eye. Victor rushed to tackle Jack, throwing the table back; Maggie emptied her gun at her brother, screaming in rage and fury; Ulysses pulled Samantha and Perse inside, Mom moving to shield them with her body.


    And Jack...


    Crimson Requiem!


    And then Jack set the world on fire.


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>RedString</strong>


    Affinity: Yellow


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3-5


    Activation: Active, Voice, Direct Touch Vector.


    The caster creates a spiritual link between two willing individuals (the caster included, if they choose), allowing the couple to intuitively find their way to one another whenever they wish.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 18: The Turning Point

    Chapter 18: The Turning Point


    <em>ULYSSES: get your ass to Samanthas house NOW.</em>


    <em>ULYSSES: Jack is here. For Maggie. For YOU. </em>


    Still reeling from the message, Mathias flew towards the Brown residence as fast as he could. He had put on the Shroud costume the second he had read Ulysses message, consequences and his meeting at Dynamis be damned.


    Even while flying under an invisibility veil made by Quasar, the Concordians might catch his signal inside the city. He didnt care. This was a bloody emergency.


    How? How was he still alive? The whole chemical nt had been burnt to cinders with him inside! Had that demon spared him? And what the hell were Ulysses and Maggie doing at Samanthas ce? How did Jack know they would


    When he noticed the smokeing out of the suburbs, Mathias elerated, his body stressing as it moved faster than safe speeds. By the time he reached Sams ce, mes ruled the day.


    The sight could have been taken straight out of a disaster movie. The garden was aze, Browns alien nts ashes or embers. Most of the houses walls had crumbled, as if someone had set off a bomb nearby. Fire had spread to the houses ground level, spreading to the floors above. Sirens resonated through the district, and Gearsmen would soone to put out the fire.


    The scene brought nightmares to life. A dreadful thought crossed Mathias mind, brought to the surface by intuition.


    Jack was back, and he had brought that fiery fiend with him.


    Kari, he spoke through Network with uncharacteristic panic. Go to Samanthas ce, ready for a fight. This is an emergency.


    Already on my way. Sam sent me a message. She paused, as if having information she hesitated to share.


    What?


    Your friends are there. We nned a surprise birthday party with your fath


    Mathias stopped listening when he caught sight of his father beneath debris. DAD! Secret identity be damned, Mathiasnded next to his father, dropping his invisibility spell.


    Victor Martel had seen better days. Laying on his chest, his lower body covered by a broken wall, he had gone pale and into shock, his eyes nk. Even with Mathias costume protecting him from the smoke, he could feel the nearby heat.


    <em>Not again, please not again</em> Its okay Dad, its okay! Mathias told his father, or perhaps to himself. Channeling all his willpower into his ss, he formed two flying arms out of them, lifting the wall to release his father.


    Half of him.


    Mathias briefly mind stopped working, after it processed the information. The walls remnants fell to the side, revealing the ghastly truth.


    The lower half of Victor Martel had vanished below the intestines; most of the organsid bare on the ground, charred husks surrounded by dried blood. The spine had gone ck. His life had gone out.


    Mathias hearing became a long, stringy note; blocking out all sound, blocking out everything. He was there, but he wasnt there either, his mind overwhelmed. His fingers had gone numb.


    No no No. He had to be alive.


    <em> </em>


    Network came back with nothing.


    It hadnt worked with the fiery monster either. Perhaps it had an area effect that blocked it.


    <em>Yes, thats right, </em>he thought, his breath bing faster, his perspiration shorter. His father was just badly wounded.


    Its okay, its okay, I just need the right spell. I can patch you up, Dad, I have Spellcoins. He opened his ount with feverish fear. Give me a spell that can heal my father, now.<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Purge</strong>


    Affinity: Green


    Dot: 1


    Price: 4


    Activation: Active, Voice, Direct Touch Vector.


    The caster purges a target (including themselves if they wish it) of all non-magical toxins, diseases, and poisons affecting them.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Something stronger! Green. He checked the Green spells, typing at the Dot Two area.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Insufficient level. ess denied.</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Give me ess!<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Insufficient level. ess denied.</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Insufficient level. ess deni-</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Fuck your level! He smashed the button with his fist this time.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Insufficient level. ess denied.</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Cursing whoever designed this unfair system, Mathias ordered his ss arm to gently take his father and put him on his back. He didnt need higher spells. He could cauterize the wounds, patch up the circtory system with ss.


    He was magic.


    Or so he thought, until he saw the gaping, bloody hole in his fathers chest. Whatever st had hit him, it had wiped off Victors ribcage, heart and lungs in one go.


    His eyes. His fathers nk eyes kept staring straight at the sky, lifeless.


    When Mother had vanished, Mathias Martel had raged, and cursed, and cried until his eyes had dried.


    This time, he burst outughing.


    A hysterical, joylessugh. The maniacalugh you fell into when the world just pulled the worst, sickest joke on you. The kind ofugh of when you took too much at once, and couldnt process it any other way.


    It was an hallucination. A bad dream, sent by the Maleking to torment him. He would just wake up in his bed, and find his father working, and he would forget it all. He just had to close his eyes, and snap them open.


    He tried.


    It didnt take.


    As the dark reality settled in his mind, Mathiasugh slowly died in his throat, alongside his voice. He just stood there, staring at his fathers corpse, unable to decide what to do next.


    It was all a joke. He held a thousand spells in his pocket, and Dad Dad


    It took a gunshot,ing from the burning mansions first floor, to break him out of the soundlessness of his mind.


    His body was on autopilot while his mind still focused on his father, Mathias flew towards the window nearest to the gunshots origin, the ss entering his field and rying him in the information.


    The Werner family as a whole, Samantha, and Maggie had retreated upstairs, inside arge bedroom, cluttering next to one another for protection. A frightened Perse held a crying Samantha in her arms, while Viviane held Ulysses close to her chest. Maggie wielded a gun, whose barrel let out a little smoke. She tried to look fierce, but her despairing gaze betrayed her true state of mind.


    A monster blocked the window exit, while the corridor leading to the room had sumbed to mes. The creature had a humanoid shape and little else of human origin. The incarnation of death shone with a zing me almost too bright to look at, a congration of various colors mixed into a discordant, disharmonious whole. Two blue stars shone where the eyes should have been, below two fiery horns. The room didnt catch fire as he walked, the mes licking the bed ready to consume it yet strangely unwilling to spread further.


    You might think Im crazy, but I dont even care. Cause I can tell whats going on. That was Jacks voice. Even higher pitched, Mathias recognized it. Yet that underlying, unnatural echo of cackling embers sounded like that dreadful entity he fought at the nt. Its hip to be square catchy tune. And youre out of ammo, sis. Shall I start with you?


    Jack was no longer Jack. Not that Mathias cared, as he gathered his reserves of ss into the shape of a lens, focusing as much light as he could within it, beyond his limits.


    Sam, should I burn you to death the same way I killed your dear mommy and daddy? Wouldnt thatplete my Brown set, eh? Or perhaps I could kill the Werners first? So many choices.


    Glimpsing Mathias form through the window, Jack turned his head to the side, giving Mathias a direct line of fire. By now, his lens had be a miniature star. Not that Jack minded. Oh, hi Matt. Hows the family?


    With a furious snarl, Mathias unleashed his beam at the murderer.


    The ray of light, the strongest he had ever mustered, went through the window, shattering it and causing Samantha to scream in panic. The ray hit Jack in the chest with so much force, it propelled him through multiple walls all the way to outside.


    The blow and the structural damage caused the ceiling to fall, but Mathias reacted quicker. Gathering his shards into makeshift-pirs, he used them to stabilize the room. He flew inside, a ghost checking up on the living.


    Matt?


    Perse spoke up, her face covered with ashes. She looked at him like she had looked at Jack. Not that he could me her. He had designed the Shroud costume to create that kind of feeling. Matt, is that you?


    He tried to reply that yes, he was, yet his voice died in his throat. Ulysses had recognized him, as did Maggie, who looked at him with relief. Yet


    Matt? Perse repeated. Matt, is that you?


    no.


    Not Matt.


    Shroud.


    Shroud responded by creating a slide of ss between the broken window and the garden. He stood still like a garden angel, silently inviting them to escape the burning building.


    Ulysses was the first to react, grabbing his mothers hand and pulling her with him, in a strange reversal of roles. Perse stilled looked warily at Shroud, before Maggie took her and Samantha by the shoulder. Lets go, girls.


    The sorcerer let them go without a nce. His eyes kept looking at the hole he had made when sting Jack. A part of him strongly wanted to check up on his friends, to reassure them.


    The part currently buried by unyielding rage.


    Shroud.


    Kari. When had she sneaked up on them? Or he had seen hering, yet not focused. Even Premium Thoughts couldnt mitigate emotional damage. Shroud, Gearsmen will be on their way.


    He heard, but he didnt listen. Instead, his thought remained focused on Jack, and what he had done.<em> I let him go, </em>Shroud thought, remembering that fateful night.<em> I let him go. </em>I let him go.


    Shroud


    I let him go! he interrupted her, unable to restrain the crushing guilt and brimming hatred in his voice. I let him go once, but<em> not</em> twice. Get them out of here, to safety.


    Mathias-san, youre making a terrible mistake.


    Shroud ignored her, leaving them all behind as he flew towards Jacks location with murder on his mind.


    He just had to follow the mes, and the corpses.


    Jack had ended his flight outside of the Brown residence, and didnte back. Instead, he had made his way to the nearby street, where passersby had gathered to check up on the event; a mistake that cost many lives.


    The street outside looked like it was ravaged by a zing tornado. Cars were left aze, one nearby building had caught fire, and a dozen bloodied corpses littered the ground. The husks of two half-melted Gearsman crowned the brutal disy.


    Jack pursued stragglers, dragging the burning corpse of histest victim by the skull with his left hand. Magnawave! The fiery monster pointed his free hand at the escapees, unleashing a red wave of energy at them. It hit two unlucky people, a hob and a woman. Both burst into cooked masses of flesh, before exploding into blood and gore.


    Whatever ember of humanity Jack may have had before today, he had snuffed it out with blood.


    And microwaves, from what Shroud could infer from the attacks results.


    Catching sight of Shroud before he could attack him, Jack pivoted, tightening his grasp on his victim and covering it with red energy. Crimson Requiem. He then threw his victim at the Blue Sorcerer like a baseball yer scoring a home-run.


    Gathering his ss into a flying shield, Shroud intercepted the hit. Good thing he did. The corpse exploded into a blinding st of red energy upon impact, vaporizing both itself and the shield.


    Jack didnt waste time, lunging for one of the burning cars. With unnatural strength, he casually lifted it over his head. Its overwhelming, isnt it? he taunted Shroud, as he put himself into position to throw the car at his foe. My limitless power.


    Not worth selling your soul to a demon, Shroud replied with disgust, turning invisible.


    Matt, my boy, Im death now, but Im also fire! I can sense your body heat! Jack looked at the spot where Shroud hid, throwing the car as easily as he did with the corpse. The sorcerer dodged, the carnding on the other side of the street with a loud crash. And sold? That would imply we are debtor and indebted. Or that were two. No, Matt. There is no we. Only I. Our souls are one, intertwined. <em>Infernoid</em>, the Maleking calls us.


    Shroud froze at the name, which Jack picked up on. You rejected his gift. Too bad. You wont get another chance.


    He didnt care. Flying towards nearby buildings, letting them enter his ss Fields range, Shroud he drew upon all shards he could get. Soon, he surrounded himself with a swirling storm of shrapnel, and rained death upon his enemy.


    Lets turn up the heat! Heatriser! Jack had toned down his natural heat while inside the house, out of a sadistic desire to enjoy chasing his victims. Now, he had released his heat in its full glory, melting the shrapnel before it could even reach him along with the tar beneath his feet.


    Point for Shroud, Jack didnt look like he could fly. Unlike Kresnik though, that bastard had range. Magnawave! Jack aimed at Shroud, unleashing a st at where the sorcerer was a second ago. While the master of ss kept flying around, Jack sustained his attack, trying to hit him.


    Shroud couldnt outrun a microwave beam, but he moved faster than Jacks hand could follow his movements. He didnt try to shield himself; ss didnt fully absorb microwave radiation, and would let the attack go right through them.


    Mathias just checked his Magik Online ount, quickly finding the spell Reinforce and purchasing it at once.<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Reinforce</strong>


    Affinity: Orange


    Dot: 1


    Price: 5


    Activation: Active, Direct Touch Vector.


    The user permanently reinforces inanimate matter upon touch, increasing its density and resistance to damage.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Reinforce! He shouted, an orange glow spreading through his shrapnel and costume. ss Field spread his spell to all ss within range.


    Whats your Lock, Matt? Shrouds eyes squinted upon recognizing the name, but didnt answer Jack. Not that it mattered to the narcissistic bastard, who Shroud assumed loved to hear the sound of his voice as much as firing at his foe. When your magic awakens, you receive a unique power no one else has. A purpose, that grows stronger as you nurture it. I dont think yours is that weird ss magic. Must be something video gamey. Mine is called Crimson Echoes. Wonder what it does?


    A purpose? Network had a higher purpose? Who taught you that, the Maleking? Shroud asked, trying to distract Jack. By now, the battle had released so much smoke and mes, it became almost impossible for Shroud, even with his ss Field, to see across the battlefield.


    Jack, instead of answering, kept monologuing.


    When I kill with my magic, it grows stronger. My fires burn brighter, my spells carry more potency. Thats the power that embodies who I am. I live to bring death, and it makes me strong.


    You killed those bystanders for a<em> power-up</em>?!


    Wonder how far I can go with ughtering this city? From a me, to a sun, to a <em>god</em>. So dont take it personally when I murder the hell out of you, Matt. Youre just experience points and Im leveling up.


    That line disturbed Shroud on a deep, fundamental level.


    <em> Looking at the fiery inferno around him, at the burning trees and the ash beneath his feet, Jack congratted himself. Nothing could get past his burning field, or so his better halfs memories told him.  </em>


    Thankfully, while Network may have failed against the demon that made up half of Jack, he was just human enough to get insight from.


    You talk too much, Jack. Gathering arge sum of his ss storm into the shape of a dense hammer, Shroud attempted to squash his rival like a bug.


    Too confident in his Heatriser defense, Jack didnt dodge the attack. His melting aura damaged the uttermostyers of the weapon, but backed by Reinforce, most of it survived contact. The blow hit the fiery monster head on, bringing him to his knees. Another blow forced him down on his chest.


    While his demonic half had been immaterial and impervious to damagest time Shroud fought him, Jack remained physical enough to hit.


    Jack had rushed into the fray as soon as he figured out how his powers worked, without testing their full limits first. While his raw power surpassed Shrouds, hecked skill. He never had experience fighting opponents who could strike back, and didnt prepare for fairbat.


    Maybe, in his arrogance, he didnt even expect one.


    Youre just a cowardly serial killer, Jack. Only attacking defenseless people. Gathering ss into a five meter long spear, Shroud aimed for the heartless mans head.


    He had wondered if he could have brought himself to kill a sentient being. Had destroying monsters in video games desensitizes him to death, like critics the said? While Jack may have turned into a monster, he remained partly human  the worse half of him.


    Me?


    At that moment, Mathias realized he had it in him to kill a person.


    Im nastier.


    He fired the spear at full speed.


    He missed.


    Jack, channeling the mes making up his body, turned his feet into crude rocketunchers, sting himself out of the attacks way andnding a dozen feet away.


    Argh, Shroud cursed as he figured out the trick. <em>Firekin</em>. Jacks demonic form being made of fire, he could use the spell to alter his physiology and pull off that trick.


    You would fight me to the death, Matt? The burning man seemed to relish the thought, even as an infuriated Shroud redirected the spear to finish the job. Instead of running or sting himself out of range, Jack rose back to his feet with iron-d confidence. You first then! el Heatriser!


    This time, the heat turned so unbearable that even Shroud himself felt it from his previously safe distance. The spear melted like snow under strong daylight, the roads tar became a melting ck sea, and whatever hadnt caught fire around them spontaneouslybusted.


    Yet, when Jack struggled a bit to get the melting tar off his feet, Shroud got an idea.


    Gathering all his ss, he let his horde descend upon Jack like a rainfall. Like actual raindrops, they turned into liquid before they could even reach the target, falling on him like viscous water. Didnt think you were that stupid, Matt, Jack taunted, as his fiery body got drenched by molten ss.


    He realized his error when he struggled to move.


    More came, the many tons of silicate that made up the fabric of the modern world. Gallons upon gallons of liquid covered Jack, not fluid enough to wash off him, unable to evaporate even with his astonishing body temperature. Jack drowned inside a blob-like prison he couldnt escape.


    Shroud watched Jacks struggle, yet kept piling him with everyponent he could find. The incredible, unsupportable heat began to diminish, the ss prison absorbing most of it.


    If Jack could breathe, he would die. If he didnt, then his mes would snuff out and Shroud would bury him alive. If he tried to use his Crimson Requiem spell to blow up his prison, he would damage himself as well. He would just have to wait and


    Rain Counterspell.


    He was so focused on Jack, he missed the Gearsmen and their leader, stepping out of the smoke and entering his range.


    Jacks heat fell to manageable levels, his el Heatriser negated. So was, unfortunately, Shrouds ss Field and various spells. Once again losing control of both his flight and mind, the sorcerer barely had the time to glimpse Gearsmen firing red beams at Jack. They pinned him to the ground before he could escape his prison.


    A strong grip caught Shroud during the fall, saving his life but restraining him by the neck. Before he could react, another, wed hand grabbed his helmet, tearing off his visor, filling his lungs with smoke, and revealing his face for the world to see.


    Mathias Martel, Jack Powells, Kresnik dered, raising his prize above under the watchful eye of a dozen Gearsmen, By the powers granted to me by the Empire of Concordia, Grandmaster Wyrde, and Lord Smokefang, you are both under arrest.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>4</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Instation...</strong></td><td><strong>Please wait...</strong></td><td><strong>Debug..</strong></td><td><strong>...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>7</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Peak</strong>


    Affinity: Green


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3-5


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The casters body bes the pinnacle of their species in terms of physical fitness and abilities.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 19: Captured A

    Chapter 19: Captured A


    Mathias eyes almost opened.


    Almost, because they felt heavy, along with his whole body. His limbs refused to move, numb and sore. He could feel his breath go in and out of his lung, oxygen pumped through his mouth. His skin felt soft, immersed in warm, heavy water.


    His world subsumed by darkness, ss Field was inactive, Mathias struggled to raise his eyelids. Liquid brushed against his naked eyes, yet the water didnt feel irritating; in fact, the contact eased the soreness in his vision. Slowly, struggling against the heaviness, Mathias managed to see again.


    At first, he thought he was in a pool, trapped beneath verdant, green waters. As his vision limated to theck of strong light, he began to distinguish his surroundings, rolling his eyes. His body seemed to be naked, kept vertically anchored by restraints on his ankles. A ck tendril descended from above unto his face and nose, providing him with oxygen, made equally from organic matter and steelponents.


    A transparent barrier kept him separated from the outside world. Mathias could scarcely distinguish anything beyond that frontier. He saw multiple humanoid shapes standing guard before him, some motionless, some walking in and out. He attempted to swim closer to the barrier and failed, his own flesh unresponsive.


    Trapped in his body, his mind fully functional what an infuriating experience.


    Gathering his thoughts, Mathias attempted to make sense of the situation, to remember what happened. Fire he remembered fire and battling Jack. His father was there, Perse too, and beyond that, he only remembered a sh. His own mind worked slower, his emotions numbed.


    Candlemaker Famine Horseman


    Words echoed through the pool, barely audible words. Mathias attempted to make sense out of them, and in spite of the barrier and the water, he believed he could listen in. His bodys reawakening sabotaged his attempts, though; he couldnt focus on moving and seeing and hearing all at once. Too many stimuli.


    So he closed his eyes, focusing on his ears. His eyelids felt again heavy, his body growing despondent.


    Spree killer with spells. Red Dot Three, but not experienced. Raw power without skill. No natural growth, never trained. The voice, confident andconic, sounded somewhat familiar. Fond of Firekin, Magnawave, and Crimson Requiem. Fourteen victims ounted for, half as many wounded. Minister Aster asked for his extradition to Electon for reeducation.


    While Mathias couldnt make sense out of those words, he started recognizing the speaker. The wolf. <em>Kresnik, thats his name</em>. Although he had only heard a few words from him, he had left a strong impression on Mathias.


    What about the boy? There was another voice, stronger and raspy. Smokefang.


    Stable, Kresnik replied. Medics pumped him with enough sedatives to knock out a troll. His allies might try to recover him, though.


    The girl. Smokefangs voice turned venomous. Where is she?


    As Mathias mind began to slowly function again, thestment bothered him.


    The girl? Kari?


    Kari Matsumoto remains unounted for. Kresniks words confirmed Shrouds fears. I dispatched an expedition force to the church she and Martel were seen attely. The priest is a closet deviant and the prime suspect for the Knight Armor pilot; the area has also been magically protected against scrying.


    <em>Sol. Shit.</em>


    Burn it to the ground, Smokefang decided, sending a chill down Shrouds spine. I will not tolerate a nest of insurgents in my territory.


    We have no proof yet, Lord Smokefang.


    Burn it to the ground. The dragon stressed every word. You will go out into the field yourself to ensure the operations sess. With what is at stake, better safe than sorry. I want every aplice, or potential aplice, of those terrorists dead.


    You think the boy is the Shroud? A third voice, familiar and masculine, jolted Mathias brain like a electroshock.


    I unmasked him in front of Gearsmen eyewitnesses, which our UB recorded. That alone is incriminating. Kresniks voice grew closer. Mathias imagined him inspecting the tanks surface. That distinct glow, that foul shade of Blue, I only saw it once, after the artifact incident. Same as with the smell.


    A Blue Sorcerer, then? The third voice spoke again; it sounded familiar, but Mathias couldnt put a finger on it. The Shrouds light and ss maniption would imply a Red or an Orange, or a White prodigy like our beloved Grandmaster. Terra Firma shouldnt have produced sorcerers of his age, either.


    He reeks of machinery. Of pollution. He is an anomaly for the Institute to study.


    That is for Mother to decide, Smokefang replied. What else have you got, Captain? I cannot afford the slightest doubt on his identity.


    <em>They know, </em>Mathias thought. Strangely, either because of the liquid or the sorry state of his body, he felt no emotional undercurrent beneath his panic. He could only listen, motionless, as Kresnik presented his case to his superior.


    His teacher reported an increase in mental faculties in the past few weeks, corroborated by his managers reports. A telltale sign of Blue Sorcerers practicing their first spells. Witnesses also saw him leave a public party the night of the chemical nt incident, providing a time window where his whereabouts are unounted for. He has no alibi for the artifact attack either. He fits the right build and his bodynguage on the school camera footage fit those of Shroud. Thats him.


    Mathias fingers twitched. This was bad, really bad.


    Then I will ster his face on the news, as the terrorist he is, Smokefang said. Both of them. That of the girl as well, and every suspect. ytime is over.


    This may be a little premature in the boys case, the third voice said. My mandate has yet to be fulfilled, and ites from Minister Aster himself.


    Smokefang didnt say a word for a few seconds. You have an hour to make your case, Maxwell.


    Thank you, Lord Smokefang.


    Mathias breath slowed down, as metallic steps echoed nearby. Two silhouettes stood right next to the vat, one belonging to Kresnik, another smaller. The young man sensed an invisible force make its way inside his brain, like a small needle prating his skull. The sensation was intrusive, ufortable.


    His Blue Flux potency is through the roof, Maxwellmented, with a hint of amazement in his voice. Even more than Minister Asters. He must possess a fierce Lock. Fascinating.


    You do not seem so surprised, Kresnik pointed out.


    I have been expecting this moment for thest two years, Captain. The voice paused for a split second. How long have you been listening, Mathias?


    Mathias remained motionless, faking sleep.


    Maxwell saw right through him. Clever boy, we can read your life signals. Its okay. Youre safe. Come on, open your eyes.


    With no way out, and the invisible force still inside his brain, Mathias obeyed the softmand. This time, he managed to open his eyelids with more ease.


    It took him a full minute for his eyes to adapt to the outside, yet this time he could perceive the world around him with better uracy, greater rity.


    The barrier between him and the outside wasnt some kind of ss tank. No. It was an organic membrane, transparent save for thin pulsating, metallic veins running through them. The membrane grew and tightened at a regr rhythm, like the beating heart of a mighty beast.


    Beyond that ghastly frontier, Kresnik stood right next to a smaller, human figure, whom Mathias identified. Anton Maxwell, Dynamis CEO, a member of the Loctis Institute, and his employer.


    A towering man with fiery red hair and piercing blue eyes, Anton wore a ssy Hugo Boss ck and red suit, gloves, and thetest technological device around his arm. Sporting a short beard that made him look like a lion, he had a strong, fearsome aura. While two heads smaller than Kresnik, Anton radiated more power and charisma than the werewolf.


    Mathias had been a great fan of him; he still was. A legendary game designer, a pir of the entertainment industry, and a CEO of Steve Jobs caliber, Anton Maxwell embodied sess in these troubled times. Yet seeing him stand shoulder to shoulder with an enforcer of Concordia disturbed Mathias to the core.


    Two Gearsmen stood watch behind the duo, their ss eyes reced with organic ones, a horrible mix of a real eye and steel pieces. The results made the machines look even more disturbing and off-putting than before. Concordia had upgraded their tech in record time to cover up the weakness he had managed to exploit.


    Beyond this, however, Mathias couldnt see much. He noticed a few screens and equipment pieces, figuring out he was inside ab of some sort. It took him a few minutes to notice the towering dragon in the background, its single eye vibrant with malice.


    Mathias. Anton bowed respectfully before the membrane. Anton Maxwell of Dynamis. I apologize for the circumstances. I desired to meet you at my local headquarters, but you missed your appointment.


    Mathias opened his mouth, trying to speak in spite of the tendril pumping air through his lungs. Surprisingly, it wasnt half as difficult as he expected. Where where am I?


    A secure wing in our Arc-City, Anton Maxwell replied, although Kresnik didnt look happy that he shared the information. You are inside an Organotech Heart, the Institutes most recent breakthrough in medical techniques. You are safe within it.


    Safe, and helpless. Mathias moved his eyes around, seeing his skin pure and pristine. How long had he been out? Days? Where is my father? he asked, his tone raspy through the tendril. Samantha? Perse? Are they okay.


    Samantha Brown is undergoing medical treatment as we speak. Her life is not in danger, and she should recover physically. Mentally speaking, she will need counseling. I do not know about this Perse. Anton nced at Kresnik, who remained as silent as stone.


    And Dad? Kresnik and Antons silence on the matter frightened him.


    Kresniks saddened look brought back memories, of the ghastly sight of his father lying in his own blood No Mathias started shaking, his fingers twitching. No. Youre joking. Youve got to be joking.


    Im sorry, Mathias. Anton Maxwell sounded sincere. Your father died long before the Gearsmen found him. You have my deepest condolences.


    The one responsible has been arrested, and justice will be done, Kresnik spoke as if it should make Mathias feel better.


    No. No no Youre lying. Youre lying!


    Mathias, please


    No! His shout echoed through the water and interrupted Maxwell, taking even Kresnik aback. Mathias muscles red to life, his fist hitting the membrane with full force. Let me out let me out! He grabbed the tendril holding his mouth with fury, trying to climb it up, damn the consequences. LET ME OUT!


    Pacify him, Smokefang ordered, sounding almost bemused by the scene.


    A bright blue glow shone through the cocoon, and Mathias rage vanished in an instant, reced with unnerving serenity and calm. His fingers slipped away from the tendril, his panicked, primal reaction extinguished like fire drowned in water.


    It Mathias just couldnt muster anger anymore. Not wouldnt. Couldnt. Everything felt fine. His father was dead and that was it. No emotional reaction anymore. It happened.


    Anton Maxwell put its hand on the membrane, in a reassuring way. The fingers proximity felt strangelyforting for a reason Mathias couldnt trante into words. Concordia protects, Mathias. I know this sounds like littlefort in your situation, but you are not alone. We will take care of you now.


    Yes. Mathias was safe here, his mind sound and clear. Docile.


    While I administer Dynamis, I serve Concordia in other ways, Mathias. Maxwell kept talking, brushing his fathers death aside. One of them is to approach talents that may join our Institute. The other is studying sorcerers. Since when did you start casting spells?


    Mathias should have felt panic, defensive, yet he felt a simple urge to answer truthfully. One month.


    How did it manifest?


    Even if he intellectually wanted to resist, to lie, Mathias felt he owed the sub-minister an exnation. All he could muster as a defense were half-truths. One day I touched a friend of mine, Ulysses, and I could understand his feelings. It came like a sh. Every time I touch someone, I get a handle on how they think.


    Maxwell nodded as if the information fit his existing preconceptions. Did you figure out you were using magic at the time?


    I didnt believe it at first, but I figured it out. Concordians can use magic, so I thought, perhaps, I can too. It felt so good to empty his chest, to ease his burden.


    <em>No, no, Mathias, its not good. It shouldnt feel good. They brainwashed you, youve got to resist!</em>


    Maxwell sounded so trustworthy, though. Mathias believed he could tell him everything, all his darkest secrets, and the man would understand. Like Sol. Any other side effects that you noticed?


    I became smarter. I could remember words, conversations, and information with perfect rity. I could learn faster.


    The CEO joined its fingers, meditating on his words, perhaps trying to poke a hole somewhere. His silent judgment weighted heavily on Mathias as if he had crossed a line. Why did you not inform the authorities of your gift, as a citizen should?


    <em>Because I was asked not to,</em> he almost blurted out; It took all his willpower for Mathias to even deflect that question. I didnt think it was a such a big deal.


    A lie, Kresnik said.


    Maxwell appraised Mathias like a parent having caught a naughty child. Your citizenship evaluation and psych report are worrying, Mathias. An audit of your school showed that you hacked into their systems, and your employer reported simr infractions. Your father was cataloged as a private deviant, and your mother


    An ember of fury surged within Mathias mind, only for unnatural serenity to sweep it aside. Maxwell noticed, though, tilting his head. Was an open one. Together those elements paint a negative portrait. Then, there is the matter of your abilities, and what you used them for.


    Where is my artifact? Smokefang, who had watched the scene in silence, interrupted it. Where did you hide it?


    Within me, Mathias blurted out, unable to hold his tongue. I absorbed it.


    Smokefang let out a frustrated growl, while Maxwell simply crossed his arms, thoughtful. Mathias, you are a Blue Sorcerer, he told his former employee. Blue Sorcerers are magicians whose power revolves around manipting information, including thoughts, signals, knowledge, and consciousness. The strongest of them can rewrite thews our universe relies on, or enve people to their will. By their very nature, they can subvert institutions for selfish desires. Most unregistered ones are sent to our prison in the sphere Electon, where they nevere out.


    And you have raised your hand against my kind, Smokefang added, like a wounded predator still reeling from a lost fight.


    That too, Maxwell said. Do you understand what it means for you?


    Youre going to send me to Electon. His hands clenched on their own.


    Not necessarily. You crossed a few lines, yes, but the Grandmaster hates wasting young talent. Concordia is nothing if not forgiving of its wards.


    Mathias head perked up, relieved. One element caught his attention. Wards?


    With the death of yourst living rtive, you are now a ward of Concordia, beholden to the Empire and entitled to its protection. The Grandmaster is, forgive the expression, your father and mother now.


    No one could rece his father and mother. Once more, mes of leftover anger rose to the surface, fiercer than before, only for the cocoons machinery to squash them.


    You are a curious case, Mathias, Anton said. The first Firman sorcerer on records. Data shows that sorcerers only appear in a poption after long exposure to a Flux-heavy environment, so we did not expect magicians among Firman until another decade.


    You said you expected this for years, Mathias blurted out against his will.


    Kresnik hummed the air. He listened.


    That is sensitive information that I cannot fully disclose yet, Mathias. Long story short, your mother was tricked into assisting a bitter enemy of Concordia, leading to a terrible incident that almost spiraled into a global disaster. We suspected that the circumstances at hand would lead you to awaken as a sorcerer, although not as soon as you did. Perhaps the Grandmaster will see fit to tell you after your training.


    Mother, assisting an enemy of Concordia? That was why she had been arrested?


    Wait. Training?


    Mathias, the Empires strength is only as great as those of its citizens. Dark forces, from the farthest corners of unexplored space to our most fortified cities, threaten the safety of our people. One of their pawns murdered your father.


    Mathias froze at the words.


    You can prevent what happened to him. You can make sure innocents live in peace and harmony. By bing Concordias shield and sword, as a registered sorcerer.


    His words sounded so sincere, so convincing. Yes, certainly, serving the Empire was the best way to feel free of doubts, and fears, and  what the hell! How could he even consider it?


    I originally came to offer you membership at our Institute, so you could put your intellect to our countrys service. I still offer you that, and more. As a sorcerer, you will receive privileges and training in the use of your magical abilities. You will have to report to weekly counseling with a sanctioned officer, alongside yearly in-depth examinations, and serve Concordia in any way the Ministers see fit. The alternative being minimum security in Electon. A terrible fate.


    Yes, terrible. This deal sounded as good as he could get, a chance to rise up, to start over, maybe his friends could follow him as well? Then he could forget the pain and focus on the future.


    No, no, this isnt this wasnt him. He shouldnt give up the inward struggle. Those bastards had infected him with foreign thoughts. Those feelings didnt belong to him


    You will also be allowed to see your mother again.


    Mathias train of thought stopped as if hitting a wall.


    Why so surprised? Anton smiled. I told you your mother was tricked by an enemy of the state, as you may have been, too. Concordia spared her life.


    Impossible My mother, alive?


    Yes. I cannot tell you more until you ept our offer but


    You have no right to make any deal, human.


    Smokefang, his very steps causing the ground to shake, approached Mathias prison, his immense eye filling most of the prisoners sight.


    He will be sent to my mother, Red Minister ckcinders, as soon as a teleportation transport route can be established. I already sent the order.


    My orderse from Lord Aster himself, Maxwell replied. Mathias had to admit, he admired the man for standing up to the draconic behemoth.


    I hold mine from the Red Minister, and I am the lord of thisnd, Smokefang replied, his tone harsher and impatient. Problem solved.


    Maxwell didnt look convinced. I will see what I can do for you, Mathias, he whispered against the membrane, his voice reassuring yet firm. Take the time to ponder my proposal. Concordia needs you as much as you need it, Mathias.


    Smokefang snorted with contempt. Captain Kresnik, escort our guest to the exit.


    Mathias watched Maxwell leave with Kresnik in tow, the sound of a metal door opening and closing behind them.


    Smokefangs eye remained set on Mathias, oozing with bitterness. How can an upstart mammal like you wield magic, while I do not?


    Mathias had no answer to this.


    All members of my brood manifested the gift, except me. All dragons cast spells. It is in our blood, our birthright. That is why Mother Smokefang stopped himself, before unleashing a barrage of questions. Who gave you that power? The Maleking? The Seeker of Life? Whom?


    Magik, the name died in his throat before he could utter it. Mathias was growing better at it. I am magic, he replied, half because nothing else came to mind, half in defiance.


    Smokefang remained silent, although wrath smoldered beneath the calm surface. Your fellow monkeys will not seed in saving you. No one will. Your aplices mighte, I will kill them. Magic or not, you are primitives. And I, he said, extending his wings, am a dragon.


    Finally, Smokefang took flight, vanishing in the shadows.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>4</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Instation...</strong></td><td><strong>Please wait...</strong></td><td><strong>Debug..</strong></td><td><strong>...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Deathgem</strong>


    Affinity: Yellow


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3-5


    Activation: Active, Voice, Direct Touch Vector.


    Traps the soul of a recently deceased living being (one minute after death) in the shape of a small gem.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 19: Captured B

    Chapter 19: Captured B


    Slowly, the numbing effect on his emotions lessened, then vanished entirely. At first, he felt rage. A cold, controlled kind of rage, smoldering embers of fury, at Jack, at those Imperialckeys messing with his mind.


    Then came the sobs, as the crushing reality dawned on him.


    Dad was dead.


    Dead, and never toe back. Blown up to kingdome. His family was gone, destroyed.


    It hit him even harder than Moms, because it was all his fault. He could have killed Jack before he became an even bigger monster than he used to be. If he had been willing to risk himself that night, his father might have survived. His inaction had killed his dad as much as Jack.


    Mathias tried to convince himself it would have happened anyway, or that he should me it all on bad luck. Yet no matter how he sugarcoated it, he couldnt deny the truth. Both directly and indirectly, the horrid events happened because of him. Because he didnt consider the consequences. Because he chose half-measures.


    Ulysses was right all along.


    He thought of what he could have done as if he could change the past that way. If he had killed Jack if he had better checked up on his friends, if he had chosen better spells or if he had fulfilled more quests. So many ifs.


    <em>No, </em>he thought, <em>no.</em> He couldnt let himself think this way. What happened, happened. He couldnt change the past, not even with magic. All he could do, was to make sure those events never happened again. No half-measures.


    Jack was still alive, and Shroud would have his head. Not Concordia. Him.


    And Mom Mom was alive too, in some Imperial cell.


    It gave him hope and purpose. Jack may have taken half his family, Concordia stole the other half and tried its best to kill his remaining friends. He would not join them, ever.


    Shroud would take them down.


    He had to get out of here, escape the vat. Concordia had identified him as a sorcerer and sent forces after Kari and Sol. Any hope of a normal life had died with his father, and he had no home to return to.


    He would have to flee Evermarsh, escape to the distant stars, and continue the fight.


    Win, or die trying. That was all he could do now.


    The Gearsmen standing watch reminded him it wouldnt be easy. Their terrible eyes looked at him like hawks. Could they read the emotions on his face? Could they understand the disgust they inspired in him?


    With a thought, Shroud opened his Magik ount. The sedatives may impair his thinking, they didnt affect his ability to control his ount.


    He checked the Network feeds, unperturbed by his captivity. Which meant less than forty-eight hours had passed.


    Perse and Ulysses were with their mother, receiving medical treatment at a hospital. Shroud let go a sigh of relief at the sight.


    Samanthas feed had turned ck, meaning she was unconscious.


    Kari, Mur, and Sol were at the church, all of them equipped for battle. They exchanged words with Booz and


    Wait, was that Maggie at the edge of Karis vision?


    Maggies own feed confirmed her presence. What was she doing there?


    Unfortunately, he couldnt openmunication without warning the Gearsmen in front of him.


    Not for long.


    Shroud checked his spells, especially the activation condition. Premium Thoughts only needed activation from his menu, while Berserk and ss Field, he could activate with a thought. In theory, he didnt need to vocalize the spells to activate them.


    Kresnik may have disabled his magic, but he could reactivate his spells without a word.


    Activating Premium Thoughts first, a blue glow briefly filling his vision, Shroud noticed the Gearsman straightening up. They could sense his magic activate; and they may react badly to the next.


    Without light to draw on with Quasar nor ss, he only had one spell that could help him escape, and it wouldnt suffice on its own.


    His only hope was to upgrade it.


    He had created ss Field when attempting to use two spells in a way they were not intended for; to have Intuimotion expand his Dirt Call sensory range. If he could enhance his magic, he could perhaps escape. If it failed, the Gearsmen would crush him. His next gamble would spell either his freedom or death.


    At this point, he could settle with either.


    BERSERK! Shroud snarled in defiance. A green glow filled his sight, coloring the world. His muscles surged with strength and adrenaline, his vision turning green.


    The Organotech Heart unleashed another blue, pacifying wave at him. This time, though, the Berserk-induced fury allowed him to shrug it off. So the machine upped the game.


    The Organotech heart unleashed a pulse of electricity within his pod, shocking his body with enough voltage to knock out a man. Yet, so pumped he was with adrenaline and magic, he shrugged off the intense pain. With superhuman agility and frothing fury, he tore out the medical apparatus holding him, white blood filling the vat.


    This time, one of the Gearsmen moved to stop him, piercing the Organotech Heart with its hand to grapple him. To Shroud, it seemed to happen in slow motion, as green and blue colors swirled at the edge of his vision. Berserk filled his mind with a primal desire to kill, yet Premium Thoughts allowed him to keep a sliver of sanity and tactical nning.


    Swimming out of the blows way, Shroud grabbed the forearm and used the momentum to propel himself through the membrane with a primal snarl.


    His feetnded on the Gearsmans torso, while his hands moved to the monsters single eye. His fingers tore into the orbit, ripping the eyeball and spraying him with blood.


    It was as if the floodgates of his mind had opened, unleashing all the pent-up anger and hatred he had umted. Years of humiliation and resentment, sharpened into a single desire to destroy.


    Pain filled his left side, as the other Gearsman tossed him off its fellow with a backhand. Shroud heard a crack in his ribs, as hended on a cold, steel floor; he was back up on his feet in no time. He felt the agonizing pain in his chest, but with the adrenaline filling his veins, it bothered him no more than a mosquitos sting.


    Even naked and unharmed, Shroud didnt fear the Gearsmen.


    Activating Quasar with a thought, Shroud looked for random photons, tiny bits of light in the darkness. He found a few red sparks as the Gearsmen lunged at him, the blinded one swinging an arm to squash him into submission.


    Now, time for the ultimate gamble.


    Reinforce, Shroud tried to cast on the isted photons, Quasar rying his magic and


    CRACK!


    A blinding sh of brightness erupted from Shrouds body, bathing the room in overwhelming brilliance. Although it halted the Gearsmen for an instant, it didnt bother the sorcerer.


    In fact, the light felt empowering.<table><tbody><tr><td>New Hack created!


    <strong>Lightbringer</strong>


    Dot: 2


    Components: Quasar + Reinforce


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    You can generate solid, magical light from your body. These magical constructs quickly degrade into natural light after being separated from your body. As a side effect, you can see throughnon-magical bright light and deep darkness both.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Neat.


    Lets try it, shall we? Shroud raised his two hands at the Gearsmen, willing light into them. Forgive me for indulging a childhood passion


    Two sharp des of pure, solid light, manifested from his fingertips.


    Swords of Revealing Light!


    With his word, the two projectiles flew at the Gearsmen at lightspeed, impaling both through the chest and staying there. Both machines copsed, as his des copsed into harmless photons.


    A screeching air siren resonated, as Shroud cracked his neck. Four other Gearsmen, that stood watch farther in the shadows, gathered at his location to intercept him; they built up beams and fired without warning.


    Acting faster, Shroud created a shield of light in the path, which weathered the attack. The machines moved to surround him though, intent on blindsiding him.


    If Hacks were made bybining spells that shouldnt work together, perhaps he had another card in hand. And nothing to lose. Blue World! Shroud shouted, his voice echoing with Blue magic; yet with the same breath, he cast another, Berserk!


    Blue and Green swirled together, carried by his soundwaves. If Blue World affected the mind of outsiders, while Berserk affected the caster, could the first carry the seconds effect?


    A familiar sound and a dark green wave of energy answered his question.


    CRACK!<table><tbody><tr><td>New Hack created!


    <strong>Mad World</strong>


    Dot: 2


    Components: Blue World + Berserk


    Activation: Active, Voice Vector.


    Sends every living being within earshot of the spell spiraling into a frothing, killing frenzy. The victims no longer distinguish friend from foe, and remain in this state until exhausted or sessfully killing another living being.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    The Gearsmen went crazy.


    Two of the machines visibly short-circuited, copsing to the ground while holding their chest. The third turned on its incapacitatedpatriots, smashing one bare-handed with an all too human murderous rage. Thest one promptly turned its beams to the ceiling, firing at random.


    Their organicponents made them vulnerable to it: Blue World targeted the mind, the brain. It didnt work on beings thatcked a nervous system, like the fire monster Jack had fused with.


    Mad World targeted the mind and the flesh.


    And they werent alone.


    Explosions resonated through the entireplex, the sirens glitching out into strident sound. The ground shook and lights flickered at random. Since the Gearsmen were linked to a UB techno-organic intelligence, the madness had spread to it, like a sickness.


    Watching the machines turn on each other, Shroud gathered his thoughts. He could warn Sol and the others while bolting to the exit


    No.


    Not escape.


    No letting the bastards get away, ever again.


    He had a Quest to fulfill, and a dragon to y.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>4</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Instation...</strong></td><td><strong>Please wait...</strong></td><td><strong>Debug..</strong></td><td><strong>...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Alchemic Grasp</strong>


    Affinity: Orange


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3-5


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The user gains intuitive understanding of the chemicalposition of matter within sight (organic or inorganic), down to its most basicponents.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 20: DLC: Meet the Party

    Chapter 20: DLC: Meet the Party


    Maggie Powells hated weakness; in others, and especially in herself.


    Open the fucking door! She smashed the churchs closed gate with her fist. Her throat still sore from the smoke. I know youre hiding here!


    This time, though, she wouldnt lie down. She wouldnt be a victim, from Jack, or anybody else, ever again.


    Her perseverance paid off, when Matsumoto abruptly opened the door, grabbed Maggie by the arm, and pulled her inside.


    Maggie found herself facing a red knights de, a monster straight out of Hell, and Kari herself, as the Japanese girl closed the door behind her. Who else followed you? Karis tone was drier than usual, less patient. She was also dressed strangely, in a ck ninja-like suit with a white mask attached to her belt.


    They looked geared up for war.


    Nobody. The Werners and Sam were recovering at the hospital. Seeing Gearsmening to arrest her brother, Maggie had made her way to the church as soon as she could. After spending so long in the scalies custody after the chemical nt fire incident  she was not eager to repeat the experience.


    Your phone? Kari asked, her tone terse and no-nonsense. They can track you with it.


    Threw it away, Maggie snapped. She wasnt stupid. Wheres Martel? And Jack?


    Both were captured, Kari said. I could not help. Too many Gearsmen, and Kresnik.


    Youre letting Concordia keep the nerd? Maggie spat. If she had magical powers, she would already be at their throats. Theyll kill him.


    With luck, they might kill her brother first.


    There is no dishonor in fleeing a battle that cannot be won, so you may survive to win the war. The way Matsumoto sounded, she was quoting someone else. Dying for nothing, that is dishonor. I pick my fights; I do not let the enemy choose mine.


    I concur, The knight spoke with Sols voice. Where did the priest get such awesome equipment? <em>Booz,</em> Maggie guessed. You would have been captured if you had gone alone. Together


    There is no together, the giant monster replied. Murs leaving.


    Youre fleeing? Sol spat out the words.


    No gain, no work. The sorcerer is gone, Mur does not do charity. The tinmen will be here any minute, and Mur would rather leave this stinky behind. Which he will soon.


    And your contract? Sol sounded torn between anger at the beasts cowardice, and seemingly anger at himself for needing to negotiate with it in the first ce. Is your word worth so little?


    The gargoyle showed his fangs. Say that again, and see what happens.


    Sol pointed his sword at the beasts throat. Is your word worth


    Enough! Kari snapped, her voice so loud it caused both arguers to stop before they coulde to blows. Keep your wrath for the Gearsmen.


    Come to think of it, Maggie had never seen Matsumoto raise her voice. Another sign things had really gone to shit today.


    Why are you here, Maggie-san? Kari asked Maggie, leaving the others to re at one another. I told you and the others to seek refuge.


    Where? Mom was a vegetable since Henryshe refused to call him dad, even in her own mindbeat her one time too many times, and Jack had gone demonic. As much as she hated to admit it, the church was the closest thing she had to a home now. Nerd saved my life, twice. Dont like it, but I gotta pay him back. He could give powers, so I thought


    I cant, Kari cut her off midway. You cannot help.


    I can. I know how to use firearms, and Im not afraid to fight.


    Bullets will not help.


    Booz can sell me weapons, Maggie replied, insisting. I can help.


    She might, Solomon argued for her. Mathias ount with Booz remains full. We could make use of it in his name.


    Kari shook her head. You will die if youe with us, Maggie-san. I cannot afford to fight and protect you all at once. We are going to war, and none of us may survive it.


    Maggie frowned. Where did they take the nerd?


    To Smokefang. To the Arc-City.


    That new, shining fortress city meant to rece old Evermarsh. Surrounded by the sea, staffed by an army of Gearsmen, and Smokefang lived there.


    Yeah, it gave even Maggie pause. Fort Knox pre-Conquest would be an easier target. You can sneak in. I mean, youre a fucking spider-ninja.


    Too many scanners and checkpoints, and I do not know where they keep Mathias-san. Or how long they will keep him before they send him somewhere else. Infiltration will take too long.


    A frontal attack is our only recourse with such little time, Sol added. Booz mentioned a resource which may be our only way to stand a chance.


    Great, and Mur can return home while you keep the tinmen busy, the gargoyle said. Mur will not waste more time.


    The sound of a ringtone resonated inside the church. Maggie couldnt believe her ears, and eyes as Kari brought a smartphone out of her pocket. The Beatles? You use the Beatles as a ringtone? Oh, and you got nerve after the <em>they can track you</em> part.


    Karis eyebrows furrowed. I like John Lennon, she defended herself, before picking it up without answering Maggies second jab.


    The more Kari listened, the more she frowned. Understood.


    What? Trouble?


    Kari didnt answer Maggies question. Instead, she put the phone in the middle of the group and put on the loudspeaker. A robotic, digitally altered voice came out.


    Solomon Niche, Maggie Powells, Murmur the Imp. The gargoyle let out a growl at that. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Since most of youck or discarded wifipatible equipment, we must requisition Yoshikages phone.


    You do not have a smartphone? Kari asked Solomon.


    I only use the churchs anchored phone or myptop, he replied, sounding a little unhappy at that. Maggie wondered if he even had the credits for a smartphone. Who are you?


    The Administrator. I will transmit to each of you an invitation. A Magik Online Invitation.


    Magik Online?


    Solomon Niche, Maggie Powells, Murmur the Imp. Your dedication to opposing Concordia, as well as your desire for freedom, has pleased our sponsors. As such, we would like to invite you to Magik Online. Magik is a free-to-use tform dedicated to giving ordinary people ess to magic. Through our app, powerless humans and imps alike


    Imp? Kari repeated, the gargoyle ring back at her while sulking in a corner.


    Maggie paid them no mind, wholly focused on the wordsing out of the phone as the voice promised them a thousand spells in their pocket. She had trouble grasping the whole deal.


    A magical website? That was the nerds secret?


    Magik declines any responsibility in reality hacking glitches, shapeshifting mishaps, botched demon summoning, quantum entanglement or death by dragonfire. By using our service, you agree to our top-notch privacy policy.


    You can give me magical powers, Maggie said, making Murs eyes shine with greed. If I fight the scalies.


    No. That would be the standard offer. Instead, we offer you to beta test our new Guild system. The robotic voice sounded joyful at thest words as if rejoicing over a private victory. To ease the burden on our systems and allow more yers to participate, we have introduced the Guild system. yers can now form Guilds of up to seven members, one for each color, with Quest rewards being distributed among members, alongside a host of other advantages. Guilds are given a dedicated Magik Server for optimal performance, linking their ounts under the authority of a moderator. The Shroud ount, considered the most promising for leadership, is pre-registered as Guild Moderator.


    Mathias, Karis answer was more precise.


    The Guild Moderator administers the various ounts on behalf of the Administrator. For safety reasons, the Moderators ount cancetion means all linked ounts are frozen until a new Moderator is chosen by us. The same will happen if the Guild as a whole is consideredpromised.


    We fail to rescue the Shroud, and no powers? Mur rasped.


    That may happen, the Administrator replied.


    May or will?


    We can only advise you to assist your Guild Moderator if you wish to fully enjoy the perks of our tform.


    Why him? Mur rasped.


    To prevent Mathias Lock from falling into the Grandmasters hands, we may have to destroy his ount, a permanent loss of resources. Our sponsors are already invested in his future and so wish to keep him on the board.


    Who are you? Sol pushed. <em>What</em> are you? If we are to ept the deal and fight on your behalf, we need to know more.


    I cannot answer those questions. Magik Onlines offer is non-negotiable, take it or leave it.


    Maggie could understand the hidden reasoning. Were expendable?


    No. We do everything we can to help our own. But we must safeguard the secrecy of our system from all potential dangers, including yer leaks.


    While we fought with him, why extend that invitation to Mur? Solomon asked. He does not fight for mankind.


    And proud of it! Mur replied, delighting in taunting his teammate.


    You misunderstand, Solomon. We fight for a <em>free Earth</em>, not for <em>mankind</em>. the Administrator exined. While humans will probably benefit the most, we are willing to extend the use of Magik to those who embrace our values. Including non-humans sympathizers.


    The problem remains. He is a mercenary.


    Your worries are understandable. However, we did an extensive investigation on Murmur, and we believe he will be an excellent yer. We have the means to deal with him should he prove us wrong. Mur remained silent at that, unwilling to open his mouth for once. Now, we do not have much time, and I need your explicit consent for our procedure to work. Will you join, or will you not?


    Ill join! Maggie said without thinking. This was the chance of a lifetime, secrets or not. If she could wield the same powers as Mathias or Jack, she wouldnt have to rely on anyone else ever again.


    I will join, Solomon added, sounding more tentative than truly convinced.


    Mur will say yes. His eyes turned to Kari. If she agrees to the same group deal.


    I made the deal before, as a first-time yer, Matsumoto replied. I am not required to join the Guild.


    If Mur is to bind himself to this group, Mur will not tolerate ambiguity. We share the rewards, and we share the risks. No one on the fence.


    Kari hesitated. The deal presented more disadvantages than advantages for her since she risked the loss of her powers in case of failure. Finally, though, she nodded to herself once, then once again, with more confidence. Alright.


    Then Mur will grace you with his might.


    Then its settled, the Administrator replied. Wee to Magik Online.


    A sh of bright, red light erupted from the phone, swallowing Maggie whole; at the edge of her sight, she noticed Mur bathed in orange light and Solomon in a white glow.<table><tbody><tr><td>Connection to Dis established.


    Lock selected: SPELLGUN.


    Affinity: RED.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    As red, 3-D words began to appear right before her eyes, Maggie smiled to herself.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    Thank you for your trust, Maggie.


    Your ount name is: SHARPSHOOT.


    Opening Magik Browser.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Damsel-in-distress no more.


    Booz shrugged, carrying his disc with him as he sat on one of the churchs benches. Youre nuts, he said. You are all nuts.


    Mur thinks this is a good n. A brave, glorious n. After discovering what his Lock Adamant did, the creature had been in an <em>incredibly </em>cheerful mood. He had willingly went with every suggestion for the battle n, even Solomons.


    She couldnt me him. Maggie herself couldnt wait to test her powers. It was as if her Lock had been made for her. Besides it, she had invested almost all her money on the spells that could make her a better shot: Timesense, Intuimotion, and Stockmight.


    Its a suicide run. Madness. Teleporting you inside the Arc-City like my merchandise?


    It is possible, is it not? Sol asked. His voice sounded firmer, now that he had applied the Peak spell to himself.


    They do not protect their entire fortress, no. They leave rooms unprotected to summon supplies or outside reinforcements. Guarded rooms, to prevent exactly the kind of madness you want to pull off. They will sound the rm, and you will face an army of Gearsmen in short order.


    Weve fought one before, Kari replied.


    Booz didntment. They will track me down. I will have to close up shop. And that is if it was a one-way trip, but you want me to teleport you out right afterward? This stunt of yours has a ny percent chance of failure, and if you seed, everyone involved will get on Concordias shitlist for the rest of their life. I will take no part in your foolish n.


    You would have us in your debt, Maggie pushed. She would have just put a gun against his head and made him behave, but they needed his full, willing cooperation.


    Booz grunted. I told your friend back then, the Red Goblin does not do favors. Still no.


    How much? Sol asked. How much topensate you for your trouble?


    Booz let out a growl, More than you own.


    Mathias made sure that I could manage his ount and finances, in case he was arrested, Sol said. I hold his ount, and the digital device filling it regrly. You could walk out of this conflict a rich hob, Booz. Rich enough to leave Earth and retire. Your price will be our own.


    Booz scratched his cheek. Any price? he asked the rest of the group. Mur?


    Mur is happy to oblige.


    That sentence alone seemed to shake Booz more than any other argument. What the hell did they do to you? Maggie knew him they had him. While he overyed the risks involved, no hobgoblin would never turn away a good deal. I want everything.


    The full ount? Sol asked.


    Everything.


    Agreed.


    As Kari took over the discussion, exining to Booz the finer points of their n, Sol looked at Maggie. Victor. Maggie tried to remember who the name belonged to. Martels dad. Did he did he suffer?


    The sight of Martels father getting torn in half by Jack remained vivid in Maggies mind. He got blown up trying to save us. He died a hero. Then, she added, lying. Quick and painless.


    Sol didnt buy it. I failed the parents, I cannot fail the son.


    You couldnt help. Even she hadnt believed Jack woulde back as whatever monster he had turned into.


    I could have. I should have known others would target Mathias friends and family, with the new path he chose. Icked vignce.


    Youre storming an Arc-City, thats gotta makes up for it.


    Sol shook his head, still ming himself. His mother asked me to watch over them, and Victor died. Maybe my sword will make a difference, but


    But nothing. She couldnt stand self-pitying. Nerds alive, and you can still save him. Youre cant let those regrets and fears control you. That was how Jack and his kind worked.


    Mmm The knight changed the subject. You will never be able to return to this ce if we seed, Maggie.


    Good riddance. That sounds like an attempt to change my mind.


    No. I stand by what I told Mathiasst time. I will support you whatever you choose, so long as you are fully informed of the consequences and yet still remain firm.


    You know what I want? I want to be strong, to live my life the way I want it. My family tried to kill me twice, and I couldnt do anything to defend myself. I had to be saved. Do you know how it feels?


    I assume you must feel relief.


    First, then the awfulnesses. Cause you were a piece of furniture in your own life, to be fought over by others. Or a toddler. I dont want to feel that way ever again. And with these powers, I can finally take charge of my life. Any way I choose.


    Mur raised his stony head at her words. What was <em>that </em>in his eyes? Empathy? You gonna say something, stone-head?


    Mur likes you a bit more now.


    Cute, Murmur, but Im taken. Or was. After today she doubted she and Ulysses would remain an item if they truly had been one in the first ce. Anyway, gargoyles werent her type.


    The monster responded by bringing his face near Maggies, his fangs within an inch from her face. Do not call Mur that again. Ever.


    Maggie held his gaze, and Sol seemed to make a move to protect her, before stopping himself. He had understood she didnt want a knight. I wont, she told the gargoyle. But threaten me again and I will burst your brains out.


    The monster smirked back.


    Boozs eyes shifted from one member of the group to the others, as he typed on his holo-disc. The things I do for cash.


    <em>Guys? Can you hear me?</em>


    Maggie raised her head in surprise, as the nerds voice echoed inside her own skull. So did Mur, Sol, and Kari. Son, are you alright? Sol spoke first, full of concern.


    What? Booz asked, left outside the loop.


    Shroud is talking to us, Kari replied. Where are you?


    <em>Still inside the Arc-City. I broke out on my own. </em>Matt sounded different. Colder.<em> Kresnik ising to the church, with troops, and Smokefang gave them the license to kill. I think youve got less than an hour at best.</em>


    Let theme, Maggie replied, toying with her gun. Im magic now, too.


    She could have sworn the nerd made a contrite face on the other end of the line, as she stole his line. <em>Yoshikage?</em>


    They received the same gift we did a few minutes ago, Kari replied, careful not to mention Magik Online in Boozs presence. Check out your own ount.


    Mathias marked a short pause on the other end.<em> Alright.</em>


    We were preparing to rescue you, Mathias, Sol said.


    <em>Then escape Evermarsh? The worst case scenario?</em>


    Yes. We are almost ready


    <em>Im not escaping yet. Theres something I must do first. </em>Before the group could protest, Mathias cut them off. <em>Its better that we divide the enemy, force them to fight on different fronts. Lets regroup in the swamp, I will send you the coordinates through a private message, give me until nightfall.</em>


    Sol paused. You think you can escape the Arc-City on your own?


    Madness, Boozmented, even if he could only understand half the conversation.


    <em>Yes. I figured out the Hack trick. </em>The what? Maggie thought. <em>Try to modify a spell with another in a way it shouldnt, and it may happen. Its all about creativity. I also short-circuited the local UB, it may help.</em>


    Understood, Kari replied, taking his word at face value. Nightfall.


    <em>Nightfall. Dont die.</em>


    Then he cut themunication as abruptly as he started it.


    Not that Maggie could me him. After what he went through, he probably didnt care for niceties today. So, were getting ambushed soon, she stated what everyone thought. Any ideas?


    They are already here, Matsumoto replied, a yellow aura manifesting around her. I can sense my death.


    Before Maggie could ask her what the fuck she meant, the churchs stained ss windows exploded into a volley of shrapnel. A Gearsman flew through the destroyed window, its eye crimson red.


    To Maggie, it was as if time slowed down around her. Like those <em>Matrix</em>movies. She could perceive every moment, the slight timing of each shard falling


    <em>CRACK!</em>


    Huh? She thought, a text shing before her eyes.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    New Hack created!


    <strong>Bullseye</strong>


    Dot: 2


    Components: Timesense + Intuimotion


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    You gain supernatural reflexes, agility, uracy, and aim. You can also predict movement with near perfect uracy, allowing you to make shots with supeputer levels of mathematicalplexity.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Nice! Although Maggie didnt fully understand what the text said, she immediately put her spell to use.


    In a split second, before anyone else could react, she reached for her gun, a red aura coloring it crimson. Spellgun! She felt the power surge within herself, gathering at the tip of her fingers and into her bullet. Was this how Jack and Matt felt? That overwhelming feeling she could snap the world open with a fingertip?


    She pulled the trigger, her bullet firing off like a crimson star. It hit the Gearsman through the torso, went through while melting most of it, before continuing its course. The defeated machine fell on the churchs bench, dead and broken.


    It felt awesome!


    Maggies triumphsted only a few seconds, as an explosion resonated outside. More Gearsmen smashed through the windows,nding in the middle of the room.


    Something was wrong, however. One crashed on its own face as if losing control of its flight; another stomped on it, seemingly intentionally. Booz, that wise snake, had immediately taken cover behind a bench, while Sol, Mur, and Matsumoto moved to engage the machines.


    Next, Kresnik, that wolf bastard, broke the churchs door open with a kick, the wooden gate falling to the ground with a loud crack. He looked pissed, white blood and oil sprayed on his jacket.


    Maggie Powells. Of course, you would be their aplice, the giant wolf spoke upon seeing her. She could see his lips move before they actually did, which she found distracting. You should not have perjur


    Maggie shot him in the head before he could finish.


    The bullet bounced off him, but the werewolfs face made it worth it anyway.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Guild: Unnamed</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>7</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Guild: Unnamed</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>3</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Guild: Unnamed</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>White</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>3</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Guild: Unnamed</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>7</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Thunderling


    </strong>


    <strong></strong>


    Dot: 2


    Components: Biosurge + Peak


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    Your body is optimized to produce bioelectricity, which you can generate and control at will. Your output rivals a power nt, allowing you to produce lightning bolts or EMP, increase your reaction time by stimting your nerves, or coat yourself in electricity. As a side-effect, you are now immune to non-magical electricity damage.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 21: DLC: The Rogue

    Chapter 21: DLC: The Rogue


    Fighting was like dancing.


    So Uncle had taught Karior was it someone else? Her memories blurred when she called upon Oversoul, ancient souvenirs meshing with recent ones in a patchwork mind. Often she remembered a normal childhood, watching Kabuki theater with Uncle; sometimes, she remembered growing up in a pce below the waves, in a court of fish and coral.


    Like dancing, fighting was all about timing. Sometimes you danced alone, focusing on yourself, onnding on your feet. Sometimes, you danced with partners. So you had to adjust to them, redirect their strength, make their momentum yours.


    At no point should you stumble, or let the other seize the initiative; you had to be like water, strong yet ungraspable, retreating and returning like the tide. Hit and run.


    She had taken that philosophy to heart. Choosing spells that would increase her speed and strength. She would fight like a shadow, killing before the enemy could retaliate, set the pace, exhaust them, and finish them off.


    el Eldritch st!


    Raising his hand, the werewolf fired a focused st of White Flux at the group, straight at the center. Moving with agility and grace she had never seen in her before, Maggie leaped out of the way,nding on a bench. Karis Doom Sense warned her ahead of time, a subtle, needling feeling at the back of her neck, so she dodged easily. Sol had already moved to attack a maddened Gearsman, his sword raised.


    Mur, though, Kresniks attack had hit head-on, propelling him backward through the churchs pedestal and against a wall. The aftershock caused the entire building to shake, while colored sparkles came out of Murs body; the st must had interfered with his own spell protections.


    In one attack, the werewolf had broken their formation, dividing them. Had his Gearsmen not been acting dangerously unstable, he could have easily isted them.


    That was why Kresnik was such a challenge. The greatest since Uncles death. The werewolf didnt take over momentum; he disrupted it. He interrupted the flow of a battle, forcing the dancers to start over.


    Thankfully, his glitching machines had chosen to focus on Sol alone, leaving the werewolf to fend for himself. One of them couldnt even properly function, trying and failing to stand on its feet in the background.


    Kari dashed at the werewolf to fight him in hand to hand, while Maggie shot red bullets at him. While they failed to damage the thin white barrier over Kresniks fur, the werewolf often flinched at the strength behind them.


    el Eldritch st. The werewolf fired another st at Kari to keep her at bay, which she dodged. Redirect.


    At the werewolfs word, the st suddenly veered in a corner, aiming at Maggie. The girl avoided the attack, the st hitting the ground where she used to stand and casting shattered stone in every direction. Maggie took a full volley of them, but her body seemed to ignore the impacts, a red aura briefly ring around her.


    A Stockmight spell, Kresnik noted with a frown upon recognizing Maggies magic, before dodging Karis ws with a sidestep and raising his left hand to try to grab her. Focus Spell Syphon.


    His hand was wreathed in a white halo, and although she avoided it, his power consuming her own aura. He didnt even need to touch her. Mere proximity was enough.


    Spell Syphon. She had seen that spell in the Compendium; it could steal Flux from targets, denying spells their fuel. Kresnik couldnt counter her Oversoul with his counterspell, so he thought to drain her magic dry instead.


    She sensed some of her memories vanish with her aura, holes growing where peoples faces should have been. It bothered her, but not as much as the first time she practiced Oversoul. After the first memories blurs, she had grown used to it.


    Even the movements she used to dodge around Kresniks blows were borrowed from a past life; skills inherited from past warriors. In some cases, she couldnt be sure what had been an original memory, and what wasnt. The emotions associated with old scenes were drained dry, leaving only colorless, dulled souvenirs.


    It had affected her state of mind as well. She used to be livelier, more vibrant a year ago. While she had never been an extrovert, she wasnt as closed off as she was now. Oversoul muted her emotions; if she couldnt remember why an activity gave her pleasure, it became easier to live without it.


    Some days, she worried what would happen once she collected all of her past lives; wondering if she would forget herself, instead of achievingpletion.


    <em>Dont be distracted,</em> Kari told herself. She couldnt doubt herself in the middle of a fight. That was why she had purchased Needless. Food, drink, sleep? Useless. Boys? Distracting.


    Victory and survival were all that mattered; that was what Uncle would have wanted. That alone, she would never forget.


    As it became more difficult to avoid blows without losing her aura, Kari retreated further inside the church.


    Kresnik pursued her inside, before subtly positioning himself in the middle. The perfect ce to hit everyone with his area of effect spells. Rain Count


    He couldnt be allowed to set the battles pace again.


    With Timesense active, Karis sense of timing had increased beyond her natural ability, and Peak granted her the strength to put it to use. She leaped above her foe before he could finish his sentence, swirling on herself to build momentum, and kicked him in the jaw.


    At the same time, Maggie fired two red bullets at Kresniks ankles. Thebination of both blows caused the werewolf to lose his bnce, crashing on his own face and interrupting his spell.


    Natural synergy. With both women using spells to enhance their sense of timing, they cooperated without even needing tomunicate. <em>That is the power of a sorcerer guild,</em> Kari thought. Powers meshing together into a force multiplier.


    How is it done? Must I speak the word? Quasar? Bright red light swirled around Solomon-sans sword, extending its range while he blocked the maddened Gearsmens beams with his shield. He bifurcated one of the machines in a single swing, quickly moving to fight off a second.


    Not that he needed to. The machine, already acting in a confusing manner, visibly short-circuited, fell helpless to the ground, inactive. Sol, after worrying about a trap, moved to finish it off.


    Kresniks frown told Kari he had no more idea what happened than them.


    REINFORCE! Mur snarled in the background, smashing thest incapacitated Gearsman into scrap with his hammer, causing a weak quake. His body had started to grow thick, ck metal tes over his stony skin; his Lock, probably.


    Youre all sorcerers, Booz said, dumbfounded while hiding in a corner. Even squishie Maggie.


    How? Kresnik asked himself the same question while rising back to his feet, although he didnt rejoice at it. Powells couldnt cast spells a week ago! Neither could Niche nor the imp!


    Instead of answering, Kari attempted to w at his eyes the same way she did with his boss. Her blow bounced off the werewolfs imprable barrier, while she predicted a deadly retaliation with Doom Sense, narrowingly avoiding a punch that would have bashed her skull in.


    Furious, Kresnik retaliated with another area of effect spell. Rain Arcane de.


    A white glow bathed the area, flying des of White Flux manifesting from the churchs ceiling. Like Damocles sword, they fell on the group at high velocity, cutting through benches and stone alike. Once again, Karis Doom Sense red up in rm.


    While she and Maggie used their agility to dodge, Solomon raised his shield to protect himself. Kresnik, whose own des ignored him, exploited the opportunity to cheapshot the knight, tackling him against a wall. el Eldritch st! Before the knight could recover, a magical burst shattered bricks and copsing the wall on him. Sunlight spread to most of the church.


    Even Booz, who thought himself safe, had to dodge one of the swords by jumping sideways, the de cutting through the ground.


    <em>He hit to kill this time, </em>Kari realized, the thought bothering her. So far, Kresnik had fought to incapacitate. Doom Sense almost never activated in his presence, unlike with Smokefang.


    Did he think that the situation had grown bad enough to warrant lethal force?


    Mur alone weathered the assault, his metal tes deflecting the projectiles and parts of the copsing ceiling. Tossing away the wooden benches between him and the rest of the church, Mur charged at Kresnik with a roar, swinging his hammer. By now most of his forearms and shoulders were covered by a metalyer.


    Murs swing missed, as Kresnik dodged with a backflip. The wolf had learned from theirst encounter, keeping his distance. The gargoyle kept swinging while roaring, his hammer hitting walls or the ground without touching the werewolf.


    Pierce Arcane de, the werewolf spoke, a white de appearing in his right hand. His de met the tip of Murs hammer, and after encountering resistance, cut it off like butter.


    Murs stuff! Letting out an angry snarl, Mur tossed his destroyed weapon away and punched the werewolf in the face, making him flinch.


    Much to Karis surprise, Kresniks invincible barrier cracked at the contact; it didnt shatter, but cracks were visible.


    el Counterspell! Kresnik unleashed a white sh at Mur from his left hand, but the metal ting didnt recede. In fact, reeling from the surprise, he received a second punch for his trouble, deepening the cracks further. A Lock?


    Adamant! Mur revealed with glee. The longer Mur fights, the more indestructible he bes!


    Kresnik responded by attempting to cut Murs arm off with his de, only for a bullet from Maggie to deflect his hand. When the werewolf attempted to sidestep another punch, the sniper hit him in the leg, putting him off bnce.


    His barrier could stop most spells, but Locks were more effective against it. Kari prepared to jump again into the melee when a Doom Sense warning stopped her.


    Rain Eldritch st! Instead of a focused st, Kresnik unleashed a potent wave of energy around himself, an extending dome of white Flux. The expanding wave pushed back everything within ten feet of the wolf, propelling stones, wooden debris, and dust in all directions.


    Mur, the only one within range, had his stony skin peel off on the areas unprotected by his metal tes. The attack dug small holes in his body, through which ck smoke went out. Yet the fearless gargoyle pursued his assault and stood his ground, raising his hand to smash Kresnik again.


    Kresnik caught the blow with his left palm, Focus Spell Syphon still active. With a jerk of his hand, he pulled the beast toward him. The ice in the wolfs eyes set all kinds of rm in Karis heart. You are too dangerous to let live.


    Kari suddenly realized the attack hadnt been meant to push Mur back, but reveal chinks in his defense.


    Quick as a snake, Kresnik moved to shove his energy sword through Murs unprotected chest area. Kari dashed forward to interrupt him, but Maggie-san was faster, shooting the werewolfs arm in an attempt to deflect the blow.


    The werewolf powered through, his de cutting through Murs torso and emerging on the other side.


    Before Kari could reach the two, Kresnik cleaved the gargoyle in half, throwing the upper half away with his left hand. The legs and tail stumbled as if animated by onest spark of life, before copsing.


    Karis heart surged with fury, as a vivid memory red to life. The sight of a Concordian soldier cutting down her uncle with his own katana, condemning him to a fate worse than death itself.


    A primal desire to kill overtook her, as she directed all her attention towards putting Kresnik down, looking for the perfect timing, the perfect moment of deat


    CRACK!<table><tbody><tr><td>New Hack created!


    <strong>Killer Sense</strong>


    Dot: 2


    Components: Timesense + Doom Sense


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    You subconsciously sense the death of others; this allows you to intuitively divine weak points and how to inflict lethal wounds. </td></tr></tbody></table>


    She lunged at Kresnik with all her might, waiting for her new sense to activate.


    Nothing.


    She couldnt kill Kresnik. Couldnt break his barrier. Nothing she had could inflict lethal damage. Her ws bounced off, even when she targeted the cracks. Unlike her fellow warriors, her own Lock couldnt break past his spell.


    Murderer! Sol-san shouted, tossing aside the stones Kresnik had tried to bury him beneath. He raised his sword to kill Kresnik the same way he did with hisrade, the werewolf parried with his own de. Both engaged in a fast-paced, pitched sword fight.


    Murderer? Kresniks self-righteous fury rivaled Sols own. You defied thew, allied with a foul beast, and made him a sorcerer through some witchery! You are not trained! You are immature, lording your power as if it were a <em>right </em>instead of a <em>duty!</em> You will escte, foment war, and threaten the peace!


    That was more words than Kari had ever heard the werewolf speak. You conquered us, was her cold reply. The fact her Killer Sense didnt activate while watching the sword fight only aggravated her anger. In no possible future could she harm him herself.


    So we could protect you! Kresnik defended himself. You have no idea what horrors lurk in the depth of space. The monsters, the fiends, the darkness, corrupted life


    Maggies fired a red bullet at his jaw, and Karis Killer Sense fired up even as it bounced off. The Japanese warriors eyes widened upon recognizing the opportunity.


    Leaving Sol to distract the lone werewolf, Kari joined Maggie as she reloaded. You can kill him, she told her ally.


    Doesnt look like it, Maggie replied, aiming her gun at the werewolfs head. Im gonna charge the next bullet with everything I have plus Stockmight. After all the blows it took, it should hit him harder.


    I will guide you, Kari said. Trust me.


    The shooter grumbled but listened. Left, Kari said, her Killer Sense sending her strong signals down her neck as Maggie aimed where she wanted. A bit higher, higher


    While the aura around Maggies gun glowed crimson red, Kresnik pushed back Sol, forcing him to parry with his shield. As Killer Sense faded out, Kari moved to grab stones on the ground,unching them at Kresniks face like arrows.


    The small stones bounced off or shattered on impact, the dust clouding Kresniks vision. It didnt hurt the Concordian officer, even as she kept firing faster and faster.


    But it distracted him, enough to allow Sol-san to regain his footing. Deus Vult! He shouted, swinging his sword to cut the wolf down. As he raised his Arcane de to parry the strike, Kresnik left a tiny space below his neck exposed.


    Now! Kari shouted when her feeling was the strongest; Maggie shot before she finished her word.


    This time, the bullet caused a recoil so strong, it almost made Maggie fall to her back. It gored through Kresniks barrier like a crimson spear, sting it out of existence; it pierced his fur and drew blood.


    The werewolf let out a surprised gargle, the bullet still lodged in his neck. After seeing a weaker bullet melt a Gearsmans chest, Kari admired his physical resilience.


    But that was over. The shock and wound disrupted his Arcane de, allowing Sol to toss Kresnik to his back with a push of his shield.


    Argh Kresnik struggled to align words, holding his bleeding throat. Yet, in spite of impending death, his eyes betrayed no fear, even as Sol moved in for the kill. Criminals Geist


    A white glow surrounded the werewolf, and Sol quickly raised his de to finish him off.


    He only hit a white, formless mist, and then the ground. A White Flux cloud in the shape of Kresnik fled from the church through the cracks in the wall. The knight, realizing the werewolf made a gateway, attempted to cut the cloud off, with Kari joining with her ws.


    Toote. Kresnik dispersed to the winds.


    The church, ruined beyond repair, fell into silence. Gearsmen partsid next to broken benches, no windows had been left unbroken, and most of the ceiling had copsed. Sol sighed deeply, his only home devastated.


    Mur-san Kari said, more saddened at her fallen ally.


    That was why she shut herself in. If she didnt care about herrades, she wouldnt feel pain when they died.


    Uncles fate taught her that.


    He died valiantly, Solomon spoke, with surprising dignity. May the Father bless his soul.


    What are you squishies talking about? Booz interrupted the moment, dusting off his clothes. Hes not dead. Too stubborn for that.


    The hobgoblin pointed at a shadow in a corner, next to the broken torso. A small toddler-sized shape crawled out of the gargoyles remains.


    The creature was a red, stony humanoid wearing a fearsome crown of horns; or so it would be, were they not ridiculously tiny. Its jet ck bat-wings, spiky tail, and sharp ws made him look fiendish, though.


    Kari immediately recognized its yellow, reptilian eyes.


    As she connected the dots, the sorceress nced at the gargoyles remains. The dead flesh wasnt flesh, but stone and mud strati. A hollow body builtyers byyers. Like a snakes


    Murs skin the creature whined with a familiar voice. Murs expensive stoneskin Mur will have to eat stones for years to regrow it!


    An imp?


    Is that your true form, Mur-san? Kari asked. Now that she thought of it, the creature had a strong resemnce with the dismembered gargoyle, just much, much smaller.


    Nooooo Mur lied like a child caught stealing a cookie. If his voice hadnt betrayed his identity, his behavior would have.


    A lot ofments about him suddenly made a lot more sense.


    An imp? Sols voice dripped with disgust and nausea. He had lost whatever sorrow and camaraderie he had shown Mur a few minutes prior. You are a fiend. An actual fiend.


    Kari didnt know enough about gargoyles to make a judgment.


    Pfft Maggie put a hand on her mouth, then failed to restrain herself. She burst outughing. Oh my, thats hrious! And the giant hammer? Compensating for something?


    Fuck off, Yankee! Mur replied, giving the girl a dirty gesture.


    But seriously, where the hell did the wolf go? Maggie asked, after recovering her breath, I feel blue balled and Im not even a boy.


    Thats his Lock, White Geist, Booz grumbled. He can turn his body to White Flux at will. A trump card when everything else fails.


    At least I killed him good, Maggie said. Right? Right?


    No. Karis Killer Sense should have told her. Or she thought so; she would need to check its limits over time. He will live, she said.


    Live in fear of the Mur! Mur boasted, raising his tiny hands in a victory pose.


    <em>No, not a victory,</em> Kari thought. The werewolf had seen all of them casting spells, and so had the Gearsmen. Concordia knew all of them were sorcerers and deemed them unwilling to reform.


    For better or worse, they were now on the Empires radar.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Guild: Unnamed</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>7</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Killer Sense</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Guild: Unnamed</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>3</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Guild: Unnamed</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>White</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>3</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Guild: Unnamed</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>7</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Cacophony


    </strong>


    <strong></strong>


    Dot: 2


    Components: Babel + Berserk


    Activation: Active, Voice Vector.


    You prevent everyone within earshot from understanding any form ofnguage (written, oral, bodynguage, or even magical signals) for ten minutes; this manifests as the victimprehendingmunication as senseless gibberish. As a side-effect, victims suffer from agnosia for the spell''s duration, being unable to identify others in spite of keeping their memories of them.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 22: Jailbreak

    Chapter 22: Jailbreak


    Maggie was magic.


    So were Sol and Mur.


    Shroud didnt know how to take the news, even as he massaged his sore muscles and tried to gather his thoughts, Berserk wearing off. The floor felt cold like steel, and the world outside hostile, with the lights and sirens, constantly assaulting him. The organ-like pod had been ripped open behind him, its liquid flowing out. The sedatives still slowed him down, making his body sore and his mind slower.


    With his senses enhanced by Lightbringer, it became easy to distinguish his surroundings. His heart-like pod was only one among a dozen, empty others, linked to strangeputer terminals by long cables. The entire area looked like a closed off medical wing, made entirely of metal and protected by reinforced steel doors.


    The Gearsmen were still busy fighting one another, raining fire on the other Organotech Hearts. While they paid no mind to Shroud, often preferring to hit themselves, they had started a fire.


    With a look at the ceiling, Shroud noticed arge conduit above, enough to let a dragon like Smokefang fly through. It seemed they had left it open in case Evermarshs <em>beloved </em>dragon overlord had toe back.


    He also noticed small openings in the walls, pumping gas into the room.


    Well, time to go.


    If Lightbringer allowed him to create light that remained solid as long as it was in contact with his body, perhaps he could replicate the tricks he achieved with ss Field.


    With a thought, Shroud summoned a light replica of his ss armor over his skin, a bright, warm second skin. With a tweak, Shroud changed the color of the light into the darkest shade of purple, giving it the same shadowy look as his original suit.


    The light kept its solidness, and with some mental effort, the artificial suit lifted him above the ground. Without a word, Shroud flew through the open ceiling, following Smokefangs lead, as toxic gas began to fill the hospital wing. His chest hurt due to his broken rib and Berserks effect waning off.


    While making his way upward, Shroud kept checking his ount, finding a new icon next to the currently closed Lair feature, representing a blue banner with Earth on it. He checked the name, Guild ount, before clicking.<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Guild: Unnamed</strong>


    <strong></strong>


    <strong>Rank: Moderator</strong>


    You have 4 assigned ounts and 2 unassigned ounts on standby


    <strong></strong>


    <strong>Assigned </strong>


    Yoshikage (Yellow)


    The Mur! (Orange)


    Sharpshoot (Red)


    Sol (White)


    <strong>Unassigned </strong>


    Violet


    Green </td></tr></tbody></table>


    A click on Sharpshoots ount confirmed it as Maggies.<table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Guild: Unnamed</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>3</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td>


    <strong>Moderate</strong></td><td>Transfer?</td><td>Suspend?</td><td>Cancel?</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Spellgun (Crimson Bullet):</strong> You can channel Red Flux through any gun, including fully formed Red spells. The longer you charge Red Flux, the more powerful the impact.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table>


    The sight of Intuimotion among the spells chosen brought a smile to his face. A click on the unassigned ounts only revealed their Color, and an empty space next to the word assign.


    Shroud found himself checking Perses Network feed, driven by a small, impossible hope. He found her in a hospital room, attended by a soulless automated machine assistant. The sorcerer hesitated before clicking on the contact option; before realizing this may be thest time he could speak to her, whether he seeded or failed in his escape.


    Perse? she jumped in ce. Are you alright? Its me.


    Matt? She couldnt believe it. Matt, is that you?


    Its me. Im talking through he struggled to find the right word.


    She beat him to it. Through magic, isnt it?


    So the cat was out of the bag. Through magic, yes.


    Where are you? Can you even talk to me?


    Something in her tone put him on the defensive. Look, its not a problem


    It never is with you. It felt like a dagger stab, an unspoken usation. Im alright. Ulysses too. Mom is mom is not. She took your dads death badly.


    Shroud didnt answer Perse, filling the silence. Im sorry, Matt. I


    I dont want to talk about Dad, he cut her off. He didnt want sympathy, he didnt want kindness. He just wanted payback.


    Okay. She took a deep breath on the other end. Matt, what are you? Dont lie.


    Im a spellcaster, he admitted. I have been for a while. And I can give you and Ulysses the same power as mine. We could be a party like you suggested. That sounded like years ago.


    She shot down his proposal with a sad tone. Matt, theres no we anymore.


    That hit him harder than it should have.


    I cant thank you enough for saving me and mom and Ulysses, but


    But what? his voice broke inside his throat.


    But you lied to me! Her outburst took him back. Perse had never shouted at him before, <em>ever</em>. To <em>everyone</em>. The news they say youre a sorcerer, that you killed Sams parents and fought the authorities. That youre a criminal.


    Thats a lie! he snarled, cursing Smokefangs pettiness. Im a sorcerer, yes, but I didnt kill Brown. I saved Maggie from Brown, from Jack. Youve seen what he was.


    And he came for you, Perse replied, sounding more tired than angry. Matt, I want to believe you, but I dont know whats happening, what you have be, or whos telling the truth. And thats the problem. I cant trust you anymore. After you hid something that big from me, I cant figure out what part is bullshit and the part thats the truth.


    It was to protect you, he said, but his lie sounded weak in his voice. I kept it quiet to protect you. To protect Dad.


    No, Matt, she replied, seeing right through him. It was to protect yourself. To pretend everything was fine when it wasnt.


    I thought so. The visual feed vibrated, Perse shaking her head on the other end. Matt, that night, you didnt juste home with Kari Matsumoto, right? You were already embroiled in that shit. For how long?


    A month, he replied, his voice lower than before.


    A month? Perse sighed. Matt, if you had told me the truth the first time before we dated, I would have epted it. Not like it, but I would have kept it quiet. Because you were my best friend.


    Were.


    Past tense. Perse


    But you didnt. You didnt trust me the same way I did you. You cant build a rtionship on secrets that big, Matt.


    No. No, they couldnt.


    He couldnt me her for the way she felt. He had dared tell Sol because he trusted him more; because he knew the priest would support him, join the fight. He hadnt had the same confidence in Perse, or in his own father. He could only me himself.


    A lie cannot live, a wise man once said.


    He had to tell the truth, to embrace the life he had chosen and make peace with it. Im rebelling, he admitted. No need to hide it anymore. Mom is alive. Theyre keeping her somewhere, and I intend to find her.


    Perse didnt answer. That alone was a warning. He didnt need Network to guess why.


    She thought he would die, and that nothing she could say would move him. I told you before I wouldnt judge you on your choices, she said, a hint of concern permeating her words. Be careful, okay?


    I will.


    It felt good, she said. The time itsted.


    Yes. Yes, it did. Farewell, Perse. Take care.


    You take care, too, she replied with the same finality as him.


    She felt she wouldnt see him again.


    She was probably right.


    The hollowed pir went on and on, an endless tunnel adorned with smaller alcoves, smaller conduits leading into windows; past them, Shroud could see apartments, machine rooms, and hints of floral biodomes. Windows meant to allow the dragons to look at any area of the artificial city, like a panopticon.


    Windows made of ss.


    ss Field, he spoke softly, letting his magic re back to life. As Shroud mentally shattered the ss around him, he allowed himself a thin smile. How good it felt, to see again, to sense the power surge within his very bones, to be more than a helpless victim. After getting used to his magical senses, Shroud had never understood how much he enjoyed them until now.


    A storm of shrapnel surrounded him; a few he incorporated into his light armor, creating a second, protectiveyer. The others flew around him like a flock of birds.


    Shroud checked if he could channel Lightbringer through his ss, and to his delight, the ss responded. With a thought, he coated each shard with the same solid light as his armor. To outsiders, he must have looked like a bright sun surrounded by countless, miniature stars.


    A squad of Gearsmen came down to greet him, firing on sight while keeping their distance. Their beams fell upon him like a red, bloody rain.


    With a thought, Shroud ced a few shards in the way, and tried to channel Lightbringer. If he could cast spells through them, then perhaps they counted as an extension of his body for the Hacks purpose, allowing him to create light constructs around ss.


    It worked. His lightshards expanded into a beehive-like colored shield, stopping the Red Flux beams.


    Lightshards. He liked the name.


    A hundred other shards, he turned into the light swords he had used before, shredding the machines with a volley of them. Gears and blood fell down the pir, while Shroud remained immacte and clean.


    Now that he had a stronger, faster offense, he could retaliate without needing Sol or the others. He should have relished at the sight, taken joy in his act. Yet he only felt numb, as cold and lifeless as the steel around him.


    Unfortunately, the intelligence ruling theplex took his counterattack as a warning. As the air sirens increased in shrieking potency, reinforced doors began to close above his head, barring his way. Shroud unleashed his swords of light at them, but they failed to pierce the barriers.


    In fact, small holes opened in the conduit around him, revealing automated turrets. They pointed at him and started firing red beams, while other holes released gas in the hollowed pir.


    Unable to progress, Shroud had no choice but escape through one of the broken windows with his lightshards, leaving the conduit behind for another area.


    The second he stepped out of the alcove, a Gearsman flew at him at full speed, intent on tackling him. Hearing iting, Shroud sent his lightshards to tear it apart in a rain of gears and white blood.


    He found himself above a giant, closed park rivaling the size of New Yorks central park. Powerfulmps provided the light above, while the giant walls around revealed stairs to apartments. The green expanse had everything a park could wish for, from ake to game spaces for children, or even golf courses.


    Concordia built the Arc-Cities to wee entire poptions there; each of these hives could survive in perfect self-sufficiency, feeding the poption, keeping them safe from danger. Giving people all they needed.


    A gilded cage.


    New Gearsmen, a full toon of twenty this time, flew out of the hiddenpartments inside the park to attack him. All of them carried strange, rough-looking two-hand cannons and rifles, firing volleys of orange colored rounds at him.


    Each colored bullet, Shroud could predict the trajectory. While he couldnt see the shots, he noticed the precursory triggers and adjusted his position in time; in fact, he noticed everything. Each turn of the Gearsmens fingers, each movement in the air. His brain could take it all with Premium Thoughts.


    Carefully, Shroud moved away while putting a lightshield between himself and the projectiles. As he feared, the orange bullets pierced his shield, narrowingly missing him. They had adapted to his defenses and upgraded their weaponry.


    Once again, Shroud retaliated with a volley of lightshards, but the Gearsmen dispersed into groups of four to avoid his counterattack. Still, thanks to Premium Thoughts, he found no difficulty handling them while opening another Network feed.


    Ulysses? he called while dodging orange flux bullets.


    Whoa, man, thats creepy! Came the answer. Hello, Professor X, how are you?


    Fighting Gearsmen, he replied, pointing lightshards at a squad. He channeled light through them into fiery beams, shooting down the entire group like ducks in a barrel. Its easier than you think.


    So I was right all along, years of video games do wonders for reflexes? Shroud smiled at his friends joke; a smile that vanished with his next words. My sister is crying in her white, empty room. You wouldnt have anything to do with it?


    We broke up. He created a threeyers barrier of lightshards between himself and a bullet, stopping it midway through the secondyer. Too much bullshit on my end.


    Called it. Somehow, Ulysses didnt condemn him the same way he did a few days before. It was a bad idea from the start, from the both of you.


    I guess on some level, I thought I could have my cake and eat it, too. Take down Concordia and still maintain some normal life. Hold a normal job, date a girl, start a family


    Yeah, aint that a bitch, fighting the government has consequences.


    Yeah, Shroud replied, with the same sarcastic tone. At some point, youve got to stop being on the fence andmit to one side.


    More like the choice was made for you. Ulysses fell into a short silence. Are you holding up?


    No, he replied bluntly, anger simmering below the surface. He could see Ulysses wince on the other end of the feed. No, Im not.


    Your dad saved us. Gave us time. One more minute and Jack would have killed us all. I know its notforting, but I dont know what else to say. Im terrible at emotional support.


    Then say nothing. Shroud took a deep breath, letting the faint scent of burning Gearsmen fill his lungs. You know, you and Perse with my dad gone, you were one of the only things keeping me away from going all the way.


    Matt, dont. Youre nevering back if you do that.


    I dont intend to. With his fathers death, he had no home toe back to. In the end, that peaceful existence in Evermarsh, the future I could have had, it was just a feeble dream. And Ive got to wake up.


    Try to remember us when you do, then.


    Some parts of the walls around the park slide away, revealing turrets. They joined the Gearsmen in bombarding him from all directions. elerating his flight speed, Shroud struggled against a sea of projectiles, creatingyers uponyers of protective light shaped like beehivebs.


    Thanks, Ulysses admitted. For saving our hides.


    Maggie joined me, he told him. You could join, too.


    She did? He could almost picture his friend shake his head on the other end of the line. Someone has to watch Mom and Perse after this mess. They will need it.


    I could help you flee Evermarsh. I have connections, I could help your family have a fresh start. You wouldnt suffer because of your association with me.


    We already did Matt, Ulysses replied. This may sound harsh, but if you love us, really love us you will disappear from our lives and we will never meet again.


    A projectile flew past his barrier, nearly blowing off his head. <em>Focus, Shroud.</em> He regretted having such a difficult conversation in the middle of a fight. Ulysses, do you do you hate me?


    Of course not. Youre my best friend, so it <em>fucking hurts</em>. But you said it yourself, it will only end when you or Concordia are gone. Youre destructive, Matt. You want the bloody fight. If you want to leave us out of your mess, you will have to <em>leave us</em>, period.


    Leave us.


    Shroud gathered all lightshards around himself. The bombardment left him no opening to fire back, trapping him. Nowhere to run, no opening.


    Trapped.


    Mathias thought back about Maxwells deal. Swallow his pride, surrender, submit to better strike backter? Maybe that was what Maxwell was doing, ying the long game. He could keep his friends, negotiate the safety of his team.


    His eyes nced at the shield of light around him. No. Magik Online would never risk discovery; the Empire had mind-readers in its employ, and they would interrogate him thoroughly. The Administrator would take his power, perhaps even silence him.


    He had put all his chips on the table long. He couldnt fold anymore, only raise.


    Im going to miss you, Shroud told Ulysses. Kiss your mother for me and Perse. Perse most of all.


    I will. Ulysses chuckled on the other end, although there was no joy in it. I was wrong, Matt. The scalies will never kill you. Youre too mean to die.


    Farewell, Ulysses.


    Shroud cut off themunication, clenched his fists, and let out a scream of rage and sorrow.


    MAD WORLD!


    Each of his shards reverberated the sound, amplifying the spells reach through the entire park.


    The pressure on his shields subsided, yet the machines kept the same firing speed; except now they fired at each other, UB controlled turrets taking down Gearsmen, orange bullets raining on the trees below. Half themps above Shrouds head shattered with a loud, strident sound, casting half of the biodome into darkness.


    A few Gearsmen even started attacking themselves, ripping out their heads or shooting themselves in their madness.


    Protected by his barrier, Shroud watched the machine civil war, his shields protecting him from the rare stray shot. The malfunctions had spread to other, subtler systems; the apartments doors opened and closed at random, an electrical fire spread through the park, and theke began to steam up. Shroud wondered if Mad Worlds effects were only limited to the Arc-City, or if it affected all of Evermarsh.


    Suddenly, without a loud sound, the battle ended as suddenly as it started. Themps went out, leaving only Shrouds light and the fires below to keep it alight; the Gearsmen suddenly fell inactive, falling to the ground like dead birds. The turrets stopped firing.


    All the systems maintaining the city had shut down.


    A reboot. He had forced a reboot on the citys central UB to deal with Mad World.


    Shroud immediately took the opportunity to firesers at the inactive Gearsmen and turrets, demolishing them before they could wake up. Hundreds, thousands ofsers, bombarding the walls, the turrets, the trees, and the dirt. No spot, no area was left untouched by the onught. Gearsmen were torn apart, turrets exploded, and theke turned to steam.


    He sustained the attack for a full two minutes until all he could hear was the sound of his beams melting metal. Only then did he stop.


    By now, the park below had caught fire at a dozen spots, trees burning and mes spreading across the grass. Theke had lost a good chunk of its surface, covered by steamy mist. The broken remains of Gearsmen and turretsid on the ground, while the walls around were damaged beyond repair. Some apartments had crumbled, causing one block to copse on the left.


    An anti-fire system should have activated, yet the citys reboot left the mes to spread unchecked.


    Shroud looked at the devastation, with a strange mix of loneliness and satisfaction. He had lost a lot today, yet found somefort in the fact he could still fight.


    No turning back.


    He wondered if he could steal the citys UB since he had disabled its defense.


    Well, almost all of them.


    With a powerful tremor, a whole side of the park ripped itself in half, metal tes beneath the dirt and the trees tossed aside to reveal arge, dark tunnel below. A scent of sulfur and brimstone rose to fill the air as if a gate to Hell had opened.


    The beast left its den in short order, taking its flight among the smoke. A giant, winged fiend whose scales shone bright and strong. The monster let out a roar, as it moved above the sorcerer in contempt.


    This is as far as you go, <em>monkey</em>.


    Smokefang looked down on Shroud, casting his light in its immense, winged shadow. His lone eye burned with malice and a desire for revenge matching the sorcerers own.


    Shroud raised a hand at his target, making a familiar challenging gesture. Bring it, Mushu.


    Smokefang answered with a cloud of smoke and green fire.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Guild Moderator: Unnamed</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>4</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Instation...</strong></td><td><strong>Please wait...</strong></td><td><strong>Debug..</strong></td><td><strong>...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Ssh


    </strong>


    <strong></strong>


    Dot: 2


    Components: Seamancer + Urbanstep


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    You can teleport into any body of inorganic liquid which you can perceive. This includes water, fuel,va, and even rain drops. You are not harmed by the teleportation effect, but you may suffer from exposure to the liquid. This ability has no range and can work even through mediums such as photos; if the liquid has changed ce or been removed since, Ssh will fail to work.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 23: Dragonslayer

    Chapter 23: Dragonyer


    <em>You are just experience points, and I am leveling up.</em>


    Jacks words echoed in Shrouds mind, as he flew circles around the dragon, avoiding streams of mes. The sorcerer had grown certain that the snake had practiced his flight since theirst encounter. The reptile moved more gracefully than before, and kept his distance instead of rushing in towards the sorcerer.


    He had learned a lesson from theirst confrontation.


    With dragonfire raining down on the enclosed space, the park below had be a smoldering inferno, with only a few areas untainted; not even hardened steel could resist the raw intensity of Smokefangs breath. Water couldnt extinguish his mes, theke below turning to steam on contact.


    <em> How easy do their cities burn, thought Smokefang, raining death and mes upon the monkeys city alongside his mothers ships. He would cook the primates inside their homes, smoke them out.  </em>


    The Network memory, that of the destruction of Anta during the Conquest, filled Shroud with hatred and disgust. The sorcerer could feel the heat rising, smoke filling the air. Had the dragon, unable tond a hit, instead settled on asphyxiating him?


    He had to finish this as quickly as possible.


    Unleashing a volley of light beams at the dragon, Shroud watched dejectedly as most of them bounced back off the beasts scales. Distance wouldnt cut it.


    Up close and personal then.


    Instead of running away, Shroud suddenly switched direction, dashing at Smokefang and closing the gap between them. The dragon, surprised and wary, kept his current position and tried to push him away with a p of his giant wings. Although the wind offered some surprise resistance, Shroud moved close enough get Smokefang inside ss Fields range.


    Next, the sorcerer turned some of his lightshards into ymores of light, sending them to impale the dragon. Smokefang, suspecting a trick, dived to dodge most of the projectiles like a giant falcon. In spite of his size and weight, he avoided quite a few.


    But not all of them.


    Swords sliced through his scales with some effortthose aiming for the belly and neck more easily than the rest of the bodyand reached the flesh beneath. The dragon let out a pain-filled squeal, thick dark red blood dripping from his wounds.


    Shroud ordered his lightswords to keep going, but they struggled to worm themselves deeper into the monsters flesh. It seemed the cursed beasts insides were as tough as the hide outside. Still, like living shrapnel, they cut their way through. Shroud only had to reach an organ to finish him off.


    Letting out a howl of agony, Smokefang retaliated with his fiery breath. Yet, instead of unleashing it as a straight line of fire, his breath took the shape of arge rounded burst; like a bursting balloon, it left no room for Shroud to dodge around.


    The sorcerer moved backward, retreating to avoid incineration. While the burst soon dissipated into harmless fireworks, it forced Shroud farther back than his ss Field range could allow him to maintain control over his shards.


    His lightswords turned back into normal ss shards; still embedded in Smokefangs body, but harmless for now.


    You, you... you tried to <em>kill me</em>. Besides the obvious anger and fury, Shroud noticed another, new feeling in Smokefangs voice.


    Fear.


    The creature had never fought for his life in his entire, miserable existence.


    Thats the goal, genius, Shroud replied, his tone ominous. He carefully modeled his tone this way to cow the snake. The more he unbnced him, the greater the odds were he would make a mistake. You tried to kill my friends, tried to condemn me to Electon, and you thought I would y nicely?


    If you kill me, you will never find peace! Smokefang responded with threats and outrage. To strike against the universal master race is a vition of the natural order! Concordia will hunt you to your death!


    Good. It will save me the trouble of hunting your kind down.


    The dragon responded with a stream of fire that Shroud easily avoided, trying to dash back to closebat. Before he could, Smokefang quickly retaliated with a rounded burst, once again forcing him back. Ten, twelve meters, Smokefang said, keeping his distance. That is how far your range goes.


    Only for ss Field.


    Should he cast Mad World on Smokefang? The dragon would lose all reason and be easier to approach but on the other hand fighting irrational, living artillery in a closed environment sounded borderline suicidal.


    Smokefang must have thought he considered using Blue World, for he began to gloat. And your mind trick will not work again! I had Captain Kresnik cast a protective spell on me this morning!


    One not powerful enough to block his weapons, though. He also doubted it would protect the dragon against Mad World when top-tier Imperial infrastructure fell to it.


    In the end, he risked too much by turning the dragon mad; the sorcerer needed him doubtful and fearful, not savage. Because you cant cast it yourself? Shroud taunted him. How does it feel, to rely on mammals to stand a chance against me?


    Smokefangs eye red with malice before the dragon responded with venom of his own. I was too busy signing your mothers arrest warrant.


    Shrouds eyes narrowed beneath his helmet, his lightshards letting out a crimson glow. Lightbringer seemed to echo his own murderous thoughts. Where is she?


    Where trash goes to die.


    <em> Alice Martel. Smokefang tried to remember the name as he looked at the files name. He must have approved her arrest at some point, like countless vermin over the years, but he couldnt remember for what. </em>


    <em>Unfortunately, he couldnt find out, the mammals file was protected beyond his Dot clearance level. The fact that slippery Maxwell knew more than he did filled him with rage.  </em>


    You dont know.


    Useless.


    The dragon opened his maw, unleashing a fireball instead of a direct stream of fire. He fired one, then two, then a rapid volley, like a Gatling gun.


    Unable to dodge in time, Shroud created a beehive barrier around him and turning lightshards into shields. The fireballs detonated against the shields, shattering some and melting a few; one hit his barrier head-on, the detonation making him shake.


    He began to scoff, smoke filling his lungs even with his armor helping him filter the dust. Ashes burned his throat from within, his sedative-induced headache worsening.


    Having reinforced his armor with multipleyers of ss and light, Shroud himself weathered the onught, recreating his barrier faster than Smokefang could destroy it.


    Only when almost all his surroundings were darkened by smoke did the sorcerer guess his foes n.


    <em> Yes, Smokefang thought, noticing the blinding of his enemys protection among the cloud of smoke. A direct line of fire. Just a little more smoke to cover thest of the shards, and the vermin would not see iting. </em>


    <em>After he dared try killing a dragon, his mother would forgive him for carrying out the death sentence himself.  </em>


    Magik Online had granted him Network, so that he may understand others. The more Shroud understood Smokefang, the more he hated him.


    Reacting quickly, Shroud called upon one of his shards, channeling Lightbringer to create a new shape around it; a light construct in Shrouds own image, with its own beehive barrier.


    Shroud himself canceled his own barrier and dimmed the aura Lightbringer produced around his armor. While he could no longer turn invisible by manipting ordinary photons through Quasar, he managed to vanish in the smoke; struggling to hold his breath so as not to cough and give away the trick.


    As he guessed, Smokefang fired a sustained, line of fire at the decoys direction. Having realized his fireballs wouldnt break past Shrouds protection, he must have thought a sustained, focused attack would.


    His fiery breath bathed the decoy in mes, piercing through the barrier and melting the ss shard at the center of the light construct. The false Shroud copsed into harmless particles of light, while the dragonfire kepting, melting a steel wall.


    The biodome began to work again, themps lighting up one by one. The central UB system was finishing its reboot. He had to finish this <em>now</em>.


    The real Shroud, exploiting Smokefangs blind spot, emerged from a cloud of smoke on the dragons left. Moving stealthily, he suddenly made another rush towards the beast, breathing in air and smoke in equal measure. Smokefang heard him, and the beast suddenly turned his face at Shroud to incinerate him.


    Dashing to the side, the sorcerer tried a new trick on the fly: creating solid replicas of himself and leaving them behind as he flew. While quickly vanishing after losing contact with his body or shards, the phantom images hovered in the air, distracting the beast.


    To outsiders, it must have looked as if he had multiplied.


    Predictably, unable to identify nor incinerate the real sorcerer, Smokefang fell back on the defensive, gathering his breath for another circr burst.


    <em>Oh no, you dont, </em>Shroud thought, his vision blurring.


    At thest moment, Shroud unleashed the full radiance of Lightbringer through both his armor and shards. A powerful, blinding sh of light, as overwhelming as a star.


    Smokefang put his ws on his lone eye on reflex with a pained whine, protecting himself from the searing sh.


    Your mes... may burn like the sun... Shroud coughed, echoing Smokefangs boast from their previous fight as he closed the gap between them. But I shine I shine... brighter!


    Shroud positioned himself right behind the dragons back, in the narrow space between the wings; the one spot the monster couldnt reach either with his ws or teeth.


    He sensed the shrapnel inside the dragons flesh, turning them back into light swords.


    Smokefang let out an agonizing scream and tried to throw the sorcerer off his back. Shroud held on, guiding the shrapnel through the beasts flesh and then bloodstream. He couldnt fathom the pain Smokefang must be experiencing right now; enough to feel an ounce of pity for the lizard.


    <em>Burn it to the ground. I want every aplice, or potential aplice, of those terrorists dead.</em>


    No. No pity.


    That feeling of helplessness that crushing fear of unavoidable death Shroud coughed. After ten years of it... perhaps you willprehend... the depth of the <em>hate </em>I feel for your kind.


    I am stronger, bigger, smarter than any ape! Smokefang clung stubbornly to his pride, even in the face of death, A member of the universal master race!


    After some seconds of dragon rodeo, Shrouds shards made enough progress to sense a beating, powerful sound nearby. Im near your heart, Godzi its over. Youre just coins.


    <em>You are just experience points, and I am leveling up.</em>


    Jacks words grew louder in his head, disrupting his focus, filling him with doubt.


    That, and the quake shaking the fiery inferno that the biodome had turned into.


    Themps above them died out, while the ceiling slowly widened. Gears creaked as multiple gates ofyered steel opened above Shrouds head, soon letting sunlight inside. The smoke went up through the opening.


    Smokefang, screaming in pain, suddenly flew towards the exit, the wind blown by his wings taking Shroud by surprising and pushing him away. With the newfound vigor of a cornered rattlesnake, he managed to escape Shrouds range.


    Fuck! Coward fleeing when someone stands up to you! Shroud pursued the dragon, in an odd reversal of theirst battle. He needed to get him back in range before the gate could widen further.


    No time.


    He had to short-circuit the machinery again before Smokefang could escape through. Consequences be damned.


    Mad World, he whispered, his voice reverberating through his ss like a sound crescendo. His sorcery spread like a virus, stopping the gates before they could get big enough for Smokefang to pass through.


    The dragon let out a breath of fire, furiously melting the steel. Gone was the glow of sanity and fear in his lone eye, reced by feral madness. The slit pupil noticed Shroud, and the beast jerked around and dived at him like a falcon.


    Taken by surprise, Shroud fired a volley of light swords at the dragons wings, while Smokefang retaliated with arge fireball. The sorcerers projectiles shredded the thin fabric of the dragons wings, ripping holes through like paper.


    Shroud managed to conjure a barrier as the fireball came within inches of his face, but the resulting shockwave hit him head on like a hammer. His vision blurred as his body fell spiraling, Smokefangs massive body crashing.


    Concussion Even with Premium Thoughts, Shroud started losing control of his flight. He tried to stabilize, slowing down his fall but unable to stop it. The ground grew closer and he put his hands before his face


    Crack!


    His right arm went numb, and his body tumbled among the ashes. Even if his armor protected him, he could feel the heat searing his skin. He had trouble keeping his eyes open, seeing only fire around him.


    And body parts.


    He saw his fathers corpse next to him, his blood on his own sons hands. His motherid next to him, peaceful and pristine in death, her long blonde hair grayed by ashes.


    Hallucinations.


    Asphyxia.


    <em>Cant pass out, </em>he thought, trying to focus and stand. He copsed to his knees, cooking inside his own armor. <em>Must focus. </em>He couldnt distinguish anything around himself but ashes, smoke, and mes.


    A vision of Hell.


    "Hell is more than fire and brimstone, my child. A shadowymb watched from the mes, a dark blur at the edge of his eye. Whether it was another hallucination or the real thing, Shroud couldnt say. "You humans say that Hell is other people. You''re wrong. Hell is <em>disconnection</em>. From God, from others. In short, Hell is freedom."


    Shroud ignored him, the ground shaking. He could hear Smokefang approach, the heat increasing.


    What did you hope to aplish today, throwing yourself at the wyrm? Do you hope to die in your attempt, going out in a ze of glory and sparing your friends from retaliation? The Malekings shadow shook his head in sadness. "This would be so much simpler if you cared only for yourself.


    <em>You are just experience points, and I''m leveling up. </em>"And end up like Jack? Slippery slope..."


    "Silly, only fools think they can be someone else! Everyone goes mad in their own unique way!


    Shroud clenched his fists, managing to rise to his feet. "Did you send him... after me?"


    "No. But I did not forbid him either. The shadowy fiend slowly dissipated into smoke. "Follow the advice of an old friend of mankind, Mathias. Ask yourself what led you there. Why you choose war rather than peace. Because if you have a <em>why to live for</em>, you will bear any <em>how</em>.


    And then, he was gone.


    <em>Must breathe</em>. His light armor flickered alongside his consciousness. With his remaining will, Shroud opened his Magik ount, finding the Purge spell he had seen when he lost his father. He purchased it.


    Purge, he spoke, a green glow surrounding his body. His head cleared up, his lungs purged of the smoke and the carbon dioxide gas. He breathed deeply, smoke filling his throat again. Purge.


    Each time, he cast the spell as he breathed, cleaning himself of the smoke as soon as it entered his body. He found the strength to rise again and stand, both from the strength of his legs and the will sustaining his sorcery. The hallucination of his parents disappeared.


    Why?


    <em>Kirai? Thats your reason?</em>


    Hatred?


    <em>I sense a burning wrath like mine, unnurtured lust, a slight dash of greed and a shining, beautiful jewel of pride.</em>


    Greed and ego?


    <em>By agreeing to use our tform, you also subscribe to our core policy of:</em>


    <em> Bing the greatest magician you can be.</em>


    <em> Championing the cause of freedom whenever possible.</em>


    <em> Fulfilling the Administrators requests.</em>


    A quest, and a promise? Justice? The salvation of mankind?


    Somehow none of those sounded right.


    He heard Smokefanging long before the behemoths massive shape emerged from the inferno.


    Even with both wings shredded, and his left one limp and broken, the dragon remained a fearsome, terrible beast. His massive hide cast Shroud in its shadow, the fiend roaring with primeval strength.


    How could knights with steel sticks ever defeat such a force of nature?


    Smokefang was already dead. Shroud could sense the shrapnel still inside his flesh, the internal bleeding. Without medical attention, the beast would perish even if the fight ended there and then.


    But reduced to a rampaging volcano in lizard form, Smokefang no longer cared for survival. He only wanted onest duel among mes.


    Shroud remembered that day when it all started, waiting in his virtual dungeon for a fight that would nevere. How he had wanted this climactic confrontation, the opportunity to test his skills.


    Ulysses was right. He wanted to fight. To get his hand bloodied.


    In the end, he had signed on to y dragons.


    The dragon lunged at Shroud with his maw open, his teeth sharp spears. The sorcerer barely had the time to jump to the side to avoid being bitten in half. The beast continued with the relentless assault, offering neither quarter nor respite.


    Shroud turned the shrapnel inside the dragon into lightswords again, but Smokefang ignored the pain. With lightning quickness, the beast grabbed Shroud with his left w and pinned him to the ground, his maw open for a final bite.


    The sorcerer fired a light de with his remaining hand, impaling Smokefangs eye and fully blinding him. The beast let out a roar, crying tears of blood yet didnt release his hold. Instead, he widened his maw further, taking a deep breath in preparation for cooking his prey alive.


    As he watched his promised death by dragonfire approach, his life shing before his eyes, Shroud asked himself onest time, why? Why should he keep living? Why did he fight thew, why did he agree to read that mail that changed his life?


    because he wanted to feel strong.


    Because he loved the intoxicating feeling sorcery gave him, of gaining strength after years of helplessness and weakness. Because he craved the power to change this unjust, unfair world. Because he wanted to protect his friends and family instead of watching them <em>die</em>.


    He wanted to be the final boss, the almighty king in the invincible castle. The one above all, whom nobody could hurt again.


    His mind as clear as the coldest ice, Shroud gathered his remaining lightshards into a sphere of light-infused ss. As he saw the fireing at the end of the tunnel, he obstructed the dragons open gullet with his projectile, making the dragon choke.


    <em>You shouldnt have threatened my friends.</em>


    With a loud burst, Smokefangs neck exploded into blood and mes, the head sent flying like a cannonball into the mes.


    Smokefangs headless body stood for a few seconds, showering the sorcerer with dried blood dust before copsing to the side with a loud noise. Shroudid there for a second, his breath slow and difficult. He half expected the monster to rise again, or for Kresnik to suddenly appear and dash his hopes.


    Instead, he heard a familiar sound, and a message shed before his eyes.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Quest: Dragonyer,pleted!</strong>


    You have earned nine Spellcoins!


    You gained a level!</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Channeling a dome of light around himself to get free from the corpses hand, Shroud hovered above his defeated enemy, ncing at his bloodied head untouched by the mes.


    Shroud knew there would be no turning back from this.


    He had killed a dragon.


    That alone made him an existential threat to Concordia. The Empire couldnt allow him to go free after that. He had dered war on them, on the order they represented. Smokefangs words rung true. They would hunt him to the death.


    His, or theirs.


    And beyond that, he had taken his first life. He had tried to kill Jack but didnt get to do it. He could rationalize it as much as he wanted, it didnt change the fact he had killed a sentient being in cold blood. He had crossed a line.


    The rush ofbat subsided, leaving him with a strange, cold feeling. Guilt? Regret? He couldnt put a finger on it.


    No.


    <em>Emptiness. </em>


    And it scared him.


    As if tofort him, another message followed the first. It sounded more melodious, and even more awe-inspiring, than the Quest reward ringtone.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>You have reached Level 2 (Adept)</strong>


    You can now purchase Dot 2 Spells at the Compendium + fuse Dot 3 Hacks.


    Lair feature unlocked!</td></tr></tbody></table>


    The Maleking was wrong. Freedom wasnt disconnection.


    Freedom was power. Freedom was unlimited possibility.


    Unwilling to have the city reboot and cage him in, the sorcerer flew through the opening in the ceiling; leaving the fiery grave behind with no Gearsmen to stop him. While it angered him to leave the UB behind, he was physically and mentally exhausted. He would better fall back for now.


    Soon, Shroud emerged out of the Arc-City, flying under a twilight sky. He took a breath of fresh air, and it felt amazing.


    On Evermarshs beaches and docks, people had gathered under the twilight. They hade to look at the Arc-City in rm after seeing the smoke rising from it. Shroud wondered if Perse and Ulysses were among them.


    Network sent him their fears, their confusion and some of their hopes.


    The message would soon spread.


    Humans could y dragons.


    <strong>Party Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Guild Moderator: Unnamed</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Instation...</strong></td><td><strong>Please wait...</strong></td><td><strong>Debug..</strong></td><td><strong>...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day </strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Arcane de</strong>


    Affinity: <strong>White</strong>


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Active, Thought, Limb Vector.


    Creates a sharp de of Flux around one limb of the users choice, which also inflict a secondary, temporary effect on those it cuts. The swords color and secondary effects depend on the casters color affinity: spell weakening (<strong>White</strong>), sensory overload (Blue), fatigue (Green), irrationality (Yellow), paralysis (Orange), ignition (Red), or loss of bnce (Violet).</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 24: End of the Beginning

    Chapter 24: End of the Beginning


    The flight to the swamps happened so uneventfully, Shroud almost expected ast-minute disaster to fall upon him. A flock of Gearsmen firing at him from below, onest-minute ambush from Kresnik, Smokefangs undead remains rising for another battle.


    Instead, he got silence.


    He wondered if the warriors felt the same way, after returning from a battle. That pervasive tension, that paranoid inability to ept that the fight had well and truly ended. Would he fully chill out and rx the same way he used to with the Werner? Or would he always look over his shoulder?


    He knew the answer to that question.


    The sun had almost set behind the horizon, so the sorcerer elerated. Combining his ss Field with Lightbringer had increased his speed a little, perhaps because his light coating helped with the aerodynamics. It filled him with pride and a sense of progress.


    He found his group and Booz waiting, with a few bags of supplies, at the ce where it all began.


    The spot where he experimented with virtual reality, before being interrupted by Smokefangs Gearsmen. The day he received the Magik Online invitation that changed his life forever. The ce looked the same as back then, untouched by the Evermarsh conflict. It felt different though; once a ce of fun, it breathed sorrow and nostalgia.


    Never again will he y with Perse and Ulysses there, fighting virtual monsters, or designing worlds with Viviane. He doubted he would return to Evermarsh.


    Yet somehow, Shroud didnt feel regret. He had made peace with his choices, found his own answer. The Maleking had been right. With a why to live for, he could survive anything.


    Hended among his team, who recognized him in spite of his new, more luminous appearance. Thanks for waiting, he said. Im


    Mathias! Sol didnt let him finish, moving to hug him. He squeezed Shroud enough to make him gasp in pain. Thank the Lord, you are alive.


    It hurt! Oh God, pain hurt so much! Stop, stop he struggled to breathe, struggling for air. Sol hurriedly broke off the embrace. Sorry, just broken rib and arm.


    Also, a few burns and maybe lung cancer.


    Mathias, what Sol panicked. I have medical supplies in my bag, maybe this can help.


    Unless they had a surgeon on hand, he doubted it.


    Love the new look nerd, Maggie, no, <em>Sharpshoot</em>, said, whistling. She looked fine for a new sorcerer if a slightly roughed up. In fact, they all seemed to have gone through a hard time, with only Kari alert and unharmed. Her look of absolute confidence brought Shroud some joy.


    Yourete! a small critter speaking with Murs voice said.


    <em> Murs stoneskin! the impined as he looked at his unsalvageable hide. It had taken him forever to grow it, and it felt sofy!  </em>


    Mur? Shroud was somewhat torn between amusement and curiosity. Sol didnt share it though, ring at the critter with barely restrained contempt. He guessed the gargoyle now looked a bit too close to a fiend from Hell for the priests taste. What happened to you?


    Mur has to eat to grow big again, the impined. Many stones and gems and steady protein.


    Dont remind me, Maggie said, before shuddering, He ate his worn-out skin. Thats self-cannibalism.


    Snakes do that in the wild, Kari said softly. Good to see you safe, Mathias-san.


    Thanks, Kari, Shroud replied, back to breathing again somewhat normally. Speaking of snakes, I had to kill a dragon on my way there.


    Good, so you whaaaaaat?! Maggie didnt fully finish her sentence, as his words caught up to her.


    I killed Smokefang on my way here. Broke a few bones, but worth it. I also disabled the local Gearsmen with a new spell of mine, and I even leveled up.


    Kari looked at him, trying to see if he was kidding. This is not a joke, she spoke, her expression unreadable. You did it. You slew Smokefang.


    Meh, Mur says dragons are overrated.


    You killed a dragon? Maggie blinked out. For real?


    This is what you signed on for, Shroud pointed out. ying dragons. I told you I would.


    Yeah, but I didnt think that you would <em>actually do it.</em> I thought it was more of a political statement. Jesus. Sorry, Sol. Maggies eyes widened further, as the enormity of what he did sank in. Oh my God, you killed a dragon. We are fucked.


    If you would please leave the Lord out of it, Sol replied, crossing his arms. Mathias, you know this means war? The dragons will escte from now on.


    We are so fucked Maggie kept trailing off.


    I agree, Booz taunted her, ying with his disc. Three months, give it or take it.


    Its okay, Shroud replied, brushing it off for more important matters. Do you have spare clothes? This is embarrassing, but... I am naked below the armor. I would like at least some boxers.


    Nerd, you disappoint me so much, Maggie teased him, while Sol hurriedly looked inside the bag, eager to make up for the previous hug. Choose life, choose underpants.


    Shroud had the feeling they would banter a lot. As Sol brought him fresh clothes though, he realized that changing with a limp arm and broken rib would be a pain.


    Well, time to check his new spells. <em>Give me something that can heal my wounds, </em>Shroud thought, the Magik Online interface instantly providing it to him.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Heal</strong>


    Affinity: Green


    Dot: 2


    Price: 8


    Activation: Active, Direct Touch Vector.


    The user can heal wounds, whether his own or others, by magically enhancing the bodys healing factor and creating new stem cells. This spell cannot heal damage the body couldnt recover from naturally, such as a lost head for humans, given enough time and resources.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    If he had that spell when his father


    Could there be a spell that could revive the dead among the higher options? Sorcery that could transcend life and death?


    Another reason to keep leveling up.


    Heal, he said after purchasing the spell, a bright green aura surrounding his body in a cloud of energy. He felt the pain vanish, the rib in chest move back in ce, sensation return to his hand. The spell cleaned every bruise away, made his skin pristine by purifying it.


    It even worked better than normal healing, which often made repaired bones wrongly-angled.


    If youdies could turn around, he said, Kari closed her eyes, while Maggie turned around with a groan.


    As he briefly dropped his armor to dress, abandoning his warm light for the coldness of the outside world, Sol looked at him strangely. His eyes were undecipherable behind his helmet. There is ice in your eyes, Mathias.


    Shroud, he replied.


    Sol remained silent, disturbed, as his protegee finished dressing, putting his shards in the bag for transportation. While he feltfortable in his armor, he liked the feeling of the wind brushing against his skin.


    Mur seemed to understand though, nodding to Shroud with a bizarre expression he had never seen in the gargoyles ugly eyes before. Approbation and a sliver of respect.


    Kari hung back, ufortable, as she opened her eyes. You remember what I told you, Shroud-san. About masks?


    <em>Shroud-san. </em>You said one would bleed into the other. In hindsight, it seemed almost prophetic.


    Kari didnt borate. She didnt need to.


    I was there when you were born, Mathias, Solomon dered. Your mother called you Mathias, at my suggestion, when I told her it meant gift from God. Because that was what she considered you as.


    Shroud remembered that story. You are not disrespecting her when you call me otherwise.


    I understand where your feelinge from, or I think I do, Sol replied. But you cannot cast off your origins. It is not healthy, and this


    The priest stopped himself.


    <em> This is not what his father would have wanted.  </em>


    But Dad was dead.


    Out of respect for the priest, he would not debate it any further with him. But the sorcerer had made his choice and would abide by it.


    Can I turn now, Mr. Modesty? Maggieined, breaking the tension to Shrouds relief. The girl turned around, hands behind her head. So whats the n, nerd?


    Mom is alive. Sols head perked up. Concordian officers confirmed it to me. Shes out there, somewhere.


    Electon, Sol said, Shroud shaking his head in ignorance. The priest put a hand on his mentees shoulder. We will find her, even if it takes us decades. I promise you. Together.


    Shroud smiled at the grandfather he never had, even if Sol couldnt see it through his helmet. Thanks, Sol, he said, before changing the subject as Sol removed his hand. Anyway, what happened on your end? What happened to the church?


    We destroyed it! Mur made a V sign with his tiny fingers.


    Sol red at the imp, clearly deeply unhappy about it. I will not suffer a devil gloating about this indignity.


    You racist, who are you calling a devil? Mur is an <em>imp</em>! Thats different!


    So you do admit your true, sinful origins, Sol rasped.


    Old fool, did you think gargoyles grew in the mud like nts? And sinful, what does that mean, some kind of food?


    Im sorry for your church, Sol, Shroud said, interrupting the argument. Having spent so long refurbishing it, he could understand why its loss stung to the priest.


    Solomon let out a long, tired sigh. You know, Mathias, I have been living the life of the knight errant for decades. Fighting one evil after another, first with medicine, words, and kindness; now with a ming sword. I never stayed long enough somewhere to make it feel like my house. Until that church.


    Shroud wasnt the only one to have lost his home. We will rebuild ourselves a new home, Sol. I promise.


    Its okay, the knight replied, trying to show a strong, front of resolve. Maybe I was justcent when it was too early to stay my de. Maybe maybe the Lord wants me to serve as a crusader, instead of a priest.


    Maybe, Shroud said. You did fend off Kresnik safely. Maggies smile made him pause. What?


    We demolished Kresnik! Mur boasted.


    Made him retreat, Kari corrected.


    Shroud blinked beneath his helmet, ncing at Sol in confirmation.


    <em> Solomon cursed as his sword hit the dirt, the wolf vanishing before he could deal him the fatal blow. He had been so close. - </em>


    You beat Kresnik. Even with Networks confirmation, Shroud couldnt believe it. <em>Kresnik</em>. Kung-Fu werewolf. And they were amazed he killed Smokefang?


    Kung-Fu werewolf? Maggie smirked. Thats how you call him in your head?


    What did <em>you </em>call him in your head?


    Moving target.


    Booz lost patience. Everybody got it out of their system? Anybody? Anything else to say? Then lets get out of there before Gearsmene en mass.


    Agreed, Shroud said. The future looked harsh and difficult though. In their hurry to leave, the group took the bare minimum. Therger cosmoscked inte connection, meaning Shroud could no longer draw upon money from Scrooge.exe. They only had each other, and their magic, to rely on.


    Gather around children, Booz dered, the group moving to surround him, Shroud standing between Maggie and Kari. Ady on each side. Ulysses would have made a joke if he had joined. The thought stung a little.


    You were a drama queen back there, nerd.


    The sorcerer turned his head toward Perses best friend. Excuse me?


    Behaving somber and dramatic like you lost everything. Youre wrong. You lost everything but <em>us</em>.


    Us. That reminded Shroud of the time Perse first used that word. That feeling ofmunity, of a shared future, warmed his heart.


    No, he hadnt lost everything. He didnt walk the warpath alone. He had friends. A party. Thank you, my minion.


    No way Im calling you boss, nerd, Moderator or whatever. We still need a band name, though.


    Mur heard sorcerer groups are called covens or rainbows, Mur said, Maggie, snickering at thetter. Mur thinks the same.


    The Fellowship of Saint-George? Solomon proposed. Mathias did kill a dragon.


    Should Shroud boast of it? Smokefang lived and died a bully. Fleeing when threatened for the first time in his sad, pathetic existence. Beneath the pride, the posturing, and his overwhelming might, the dragon perished a coward.


    The beast had almost killed him though, so Shroud guessed he could make a title out of it.


    Lame, Maggie replied. It sounds


    Im sorry Sol, but it sounds pompous, Shroud said.


    The Dragonyers. Everyone turned at Kari. The Dragonyers, she repeated, firmer this time.


    Mur likes it, the imp said. Sounds fearsome.


    <em>It does,</em> Shroud agreed. He couldnt have worded it better.


    Cliche, but it has a certain zing to it, Maggie admitted. And with the nerd over here, we can back it up.


    A name and a message both, Solomon nodded.


    Democracy has spoken, Shroud said. Dragonyers it is.


    You arent going to make friends with that name, Booz warned. Your loss of life.


    Shut up, killjoy, Maggie replied.


    No regrets, Maggie? Shroud asked his new teammate. While she had no family anymoreif she ever had o tie her down to Evermarsh, she was leaving a lot behind.


    One, she admitted. I never got to say goodbye to Sam and Perse. Its like I broke up the band to join another without saying goodbye. Thats a real dick move and no closure.


    Shroud had gotten to say goodbye, but it hadnt brought him relief. I see.


    But you know, the adventure, the fighting? She touched the gun around her belt, a savage gleam in her eyes. I think I was born for this shit.


    She took her new life as an ouw in stride. Were in this shit together. He would have to deal with Mur and Sols animosity,ck of funds, and deadly pursuers, but they would endure.


    Hey, you saved me twice, gotta wipe out my tab. Maggie switched the subject, clearly ufortable with the fact she owed Shroud. How is level two? We got some catching up to do.


    Shroud took a look at the new options on his Compendium. As promised, every Dot Two level had been unlocked for every color. He checked his own affinity, examining the first spell on his feed.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Beastmaster</strong>


    Affinity: Blue


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6


    Activation: Passive, Thought


    The user automatically takes over primitive, non-sentient brains within a fifty-feet radius through a telepathic link. This includes most animals, including magical ones. The user can share a victims sensory experiences if focusing on them.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Pretty standard linear warriors, quadratic wizards progression.


    Uh? What does it mean outside geekistan?


    Shroud smiled, as Booz clicked on his disc. It means that the dragons are fucked.


    Before Maggie could ask further questions, a violet light swallowed them whole.


    Much like when Booz called the Red Knight armor, Shroud watched on as the very foundations of reality copsed around them. Except, this time, he watched from within, instead of outside, as angles twisted in ways that defied understanding. High and low inverted and the ground became the sky, and backward again. In the split of a second, the dimensions rearranged. Trees were reced by stone, chiseled walls, the sky by a rock ceiling.


    Booz had teleported them to a cold cave, dimly lit by makeshiftmps. Metal cratesid around them, alongside stockpiled supplies and stranger items. Shroud glimpsed monstrous, stone golems and animated ck ice statues moving around transporting Flux rifles, spaceship engines, and car-sized fruits.


    Built within a nearby wall, stood a titanic archway, made of an undting ck metal radiating with violet energy. The structure pulsated as if as alive as a beating heart. The inside of the gate looked like a pool of water casting a strange reflection, that of an alien world of neons, giant domes, and a two-eyed machine moon; any movement troubled the surface.


    A Gate leading to another sphere, another world, perhaps even another dimension. Shroud had never seen one before.


    A creature stood watch before it, a five-feet winged, vulture-like being d in a light-colored suit covering its entire body. Only a Y-shaped clear visor revealed the creatures visage, that of a ck bird with crimson eyes and a sharp beak. The grotesque way it stood, with the head down, made Shroud restrain a chuckle. Booz, it croaked in Concordianmon. Who are they?


    The smelly immigrants I told you about, and Mur. I paid Zenia for their passage with my license closure.


    Ah, yes, yes. Sad to see a good partner leave us. The bird turned to the human members of the group. You can move through the gate and into the Market alright. If you ever want a lift, call us Mapmakers. After six travels, the seventh is free!


    Mur and Maggie exchanged ament Shroud didnt hear, besides words like limited offers, or poor service. Kari took the first step through the gate, the pool-like surface rippling as she walked through. Maggie and Mur followed, with Sol and Booz taking a step afterward. The priest sent onest nce behind him, as if hesitating, before vanishing through the portal.


    Shroud closed the march, taking a moment to look at the doorway. What would await beyond that frontier? What new life would he live? As if to answer his thoughts, he received a Magik Online notification and opened it.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Hello, Dragonyers.</strong>


    <strong>You have 524 new Quests on your board.</strong>


    <strong>Which one will you start?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    He remembered the first part of the core policy.


    <em>Be the greatest magician you can be.</em>


    He would reach the absolute top. Unlock all the powers Magik had to offer, be so powerful he will never lose family again to some cruel monster. And then, with that power, he would wipe Concordia off the face of the Earth.


    He would find the time to drag the Maleking from his throne somewhere in-between.


    With a smile, Shroud took a step and vanished through the pathway.


    His adventures had just begun.


    <strong>yer Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Wait...</strong></td><td><strong>for...</strong></td><td><strong>next..</strong></td><td><strong>Volume..</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>7</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Killer Sense</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>3</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>3</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>7</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Mindshield</strong>


    Affinity: Blue


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The user bes immune to all hostile attempts to affect their mind, emotions, and nervous system from spells up to Dot Four included, unless boosted by the Pierce spell or a Lock; all non-magical mind-affecting effects simply fail. Previously cast spells will remain active.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 25: Book I Epilogue: The Panopticon

    Chapter 25: Book I Epilogue: The Panopticon


    <em>ss Field.</em>


    The human called a ss cup to his hand, ying with it like a monkey discovering fire. Sometimes, the human looked at empty space, as if reading a text only he could see. He had behaved simrly at Dynamis, the day he started exhibiting the first signs of his strange behavior.


    The watcher reyed the recording, adding Flux sensors over it. Through his Metalmesh spell, he moved inside the holo-video as if physically there, sitting right in front of the Martel.


    <em>ss Field.</em>


    Sparkles of Blue and Orange meshed together, taking hold over all ss in the apartment. Such a horrible, crude, yet awe-inspiring sight. The watcher reyed it again, trying to understand.


    <em>ss Field.</em>


    Even his el Premium Thoughts-enhanced mind couldnt grasp the mechanics behind the new spell. He doubted their researchers or UBs would do better, even if he had ordered full psychometric analysis of the Martels apartment.


    Maybe Loctis could uncover this mystery. The watcher made a note to forward these samples to him.


    The Green Minister had already started looking into the Evermarsh UB. Loctis thought he had made his organotech impervious to attack, and he obsessed over design ws. Its ckout had hurt his pride, and he would stop at nothing to remove that defect.


    The watcher admired his work ethic, his pure, simple search for perfection. The same drive that animated him.


    He chose another recording, more recent. The Martel spoke with the Matsumoto deviant, conspiring.


    <em>Youre the other yer. How long?</em>


    <em>You are a yer, too.</em>


    <em>I am a Blue yer. Youre a Yellow one, am I right?</em>


    yer. That word came back often. Was it a code for sorcerer? The Martel boy had worked in the gaming industry; as the leader of his gang, he must have chosen their inside terminology. To outsiders, they must have looked like people talking about a new virtual reality plot instead of plotting terrorist activities.


    Yet as far as they knew, the Martel hadnt been inmunication with the other deviant before they met. No trace of chats, messages, or email. Kresniks report mentioned the Shroud couldmunicate with his group without radio interception. How long had he been doing that, without them noticing?


    He had noticed strange signals perturbing Dynamis servers the night the Martel started behaving abnormally, staring at a nkputer screen. They had vanished off from records before he could investigate.


    The watcher exited the recording, moving inside hisworks database as if walking through a library. He looked at the various samples in the Mathias Martel file.


    <em>M. Martel, first day in Evermarsh. M. Martel, HR meeting at Dynamis. M. Martel, first hacking attempts. M. Martel, seventeen years birthday party. M. Martel, first kiss with Persephone Werner.</em>


    Two years worth of continued surveince.


    The watcher knew the Martel better than he knew himself; he knew his blood type, O+, and his favorite ice cream vor, citrus-chocte with cranberry. He knew the Martel loved girls with heart-shaped face with long hair and to put obscure Disney references in his games.


    There were a few holes, though. While they have had the church under watch for a while, Boozs anti-scrying measures had interfered with his magic, leaving what happened to Maggie Powells, Murmur the Imp, and Solomon a mystery. As far as the watcher knew, they had entered the building and walked out sorcerers. The churchs destruction also made further psychometric investigation difficult.


    The events in the Arc-City, from the Martels spellcasting to the murder of Smokefang, hadnt been recorded either due to the UB bugging. He guessed the boy had somehow contacted the Werner family since he had left Evermarsh without attempting to see them onest time. He would send a mindbreaker to examine their memories.


    Since they could not record dreams either, the Martels interactions with the Maleking remained a mystery. The two had made contact, with the archdemon marking the human with a Curse, before lifting it after the artifact theft.


    That had been one of the two rm signals the watcher had received, after the first time his check-up scrying caught the Martel practicing sorcery. It had been a cause for concern at first, but he had decided against acting.


    The Maleking ignored the boys true purposeor he would never have let him go this easilyand the Ministry getting involved would have tipped the archfiend off.


    Aster, Blue Minister of Concordia and head of Imperial Intelligence, always yed with his cards close to his chest.


    With a thought, hepiled the case and forwarded it to Grandmaster Wyrde. With the ult Matrix nned absorption, he now had undeniable proof the Terminal project seeded, and that the fish had taken the bait.


    So far, while facing a few deviations, his n remained right on track. The Grandmaster would be pleased.


    Aster remained inside his machines instead of returning to his flesh. He rarely used his body anymore; it was a useful carrier for his brilliant mind to interact with the physical world, yet also so limited. Aster preferred to exist as distilled will inside hisputers, a phantom unrestrained by the physical world.


    A famous Dot Five spell, Infoform, could do exactly that, turning the caster into immaterial information. Aster himself had yet to achieve that power, although he trained tirelessly to unlock that spell. One did not be an archmage overnight.


    One day though, he would seed, casting off his flesh to be a sublime, perfect existence; the apex of Blue Sorcerers, a mind without limits. Every camera in the Empire would be his eyes. He would suffer no hole in his reports anymore, everything would run on time, and no enemy of the state would escape reeducation.


    s, such a future was beyond him. For now.


    His mind moved to other iing files from Terra Firma.


    <em>Suspected sorcerers cases in the American Protectorate. Monster attacks and attempted dragonying in the Amazonian Protectorate. Spell-Encoded goods ck market in Neo York. Dragon Governor of Europe Pie Prank. Suspected Sorcerer Rainbow in Johannesburg.</em>


    Such rms had risen in thest few weeks, enough to attract Asters personal attention. While on the surface little cause for concern and isted cases, the Minister could see a greater design, a single will pulling the strings.


    And, the biggest mystery, how could a whole group of sorcerers rise in Evermarsh without attracting notice? The Minister sensed these events were but the tip of the iceberg, a sign of chaos toe on Terra Firma.


    The true enemy had made its move.


    They would crush it like the rest. The flesh may live and die, but the Empire wouldst forever.


    Aster openedmunications with multiple people, screens manifesting around his data self. With el Premium Thoughts, he exchanged with his officers around the entire Imperial space simultaneously. Taking reports, distributing information, ordering arrests, interrogations, and idents.


    Kresniks feed warranted a little more attention than usual though. A leave? Aster repeated.


    John Kresnik never took an administrative leave in his entire, century-long career. If he used all the days he umted, the werewolf could take a whole Imperial year off.


    A look at the scar beneath his jaw told Aster why. You wish to pass the White Dot Four reditation?


    Yes, Minister. I would like to be transferred to the training center on the Homeworld.


    His surprising defeat had shaken the lycan to the core. For years, Kresnik had remained undefeated thanks to abination of his magic and his native lycan abilities. He had danced with death many times, but defeat at the hands of an untrained group of sorcerers awakened some deep-rooted doubts about rusting skills.


    I need to focus on training one hundred percent, Kresnik exined himself. I cannot serve the Empire at my current level.


    Minister Aster disliked people. Their noxious ther bothered him, distracted his thought-processes, wasted his time. Citizens should be like Gearsmen, obeying without question. Obedient, manageable, efficient.


    Kresnik being the closest to that ideal, Aster had a soft spot for him. He respected total dedication to the Imperial cause. Request granted.


    The lycan gave him a salute, and Aster closed his feed, focusing on the next, more problematic one. My condolences for your sons loss, he said without meaning it. Aster had found that flesh-beings took it badly when he forgot those wasteful social niceties.


    He couldnt even shoot straight. ckcinders sounded cold, but Aster didnt need Blue Sorcery to notice the sorrow and anger underneath. The Martel had made a deadly nemesis when he killed Smokefang.


    He tried to push her in a more manageable direction. We could use the Werners as hostages. While the Martel left them behind, reports indicate they were close. Humans are social creatures, or so I heard.


    ckcinders looked at him with contempt. Your ploys cost me my son. You had your chance.


    So narrow-minded. I still have. While the n isnt progressing exactly as I intended


    I do not care about your n anymore, ckcinders cut him off, fury in her eyes. He killed my son, spilled my blood, dered war on dragonkind. I want him dead, and his little group too. I already issued a bounty for them.


    If he had been using his body, Aster would have sighed.


    Why did people let dead meat obscure their judgment? Emotions were such a base weakness. The Blue Minister never suffered from that defect, even during his childhood on Mazeworld. Never saw the difference between things and people, never shed a tear at members of his herd dying.


    Other bullmen thought him defective, apathetic, but Grandmaster Wyrde thought otherwise. She saw in his mind the pure, untainted logic she wanted for her head of information gathering. The cornerstone of stability needed to bnce out her Ministers entricities.


    In the end, it always fell to him to keep the Imperial ship afloat. Only through total discipline, could the Grandmasters perfect world be achieved.


    Aster would not let anything, or <em>anyone</em>, get in the way of his masters vision.


    I cannot cooperate with you on that front, he told his colleague. We still need him alive.


    I never expected you to, ckcinders replied, before abruptly cuttingmunication. She always did that, to control interactions. It made her feel powerful when it only revealed her fear.


    Aster waited a few seconds, pondering the situation. His Premium Thoughts-enhanced mind considered a myriad of possible futures.


    Unlike ckcinders, Aster understood the value of patience. A good trap was like wine; you may have to wait years for it to bear fruits, but the effort would pay off.


    The Martel trap had yet to activate, which meant the true enemy hadnt contacted the boy directly yet. That was why he hadnt sent a mindbreaker to pick his brain open, nor lifted a finger to intervene. Everything the boy hid, Aster would learn in time.


    Smokefangs murder, a minor rebel movement rising on a forgotten border world, those mattered little to the Blue Minister, who yed a game spanning trillions of lives and countless worlds.


    The destruction of a Dot Five enemy though was worth almost any price; he would dly sacrifice a thousand Smokefang to achieve that goal. Strike at the shepherd, and the sheep will scatter.


    That was why the short-sighted Red Minister couldnt be let into the Grandmasters greater ns. An orbital cannon in dragon form, shecked subtlety. Suitable to crush the Empires enemies with intimidation and brute force, but improper for indirect strategies.


    While the Martels behavior couldnt be ignored, the long-term gains in keeping him alive greatly outweighed the short-term gains of killing a rebel.


    He could not let ckcinders remove the boy from the board until they caught the true enemy.


    Reaching a decision, he opened a newmunication channel. The Blue hologram of an armored woman showed up inside his datawork. Melusine, the human Terminal


    I know, Minister Aster. His elite agent always was one step ahead, but she usually let others finish their sentences out of politeness. Not this time. Where did he go?


    The Flux signature indicates the Midnight Market. He would have offered more information, but that intergctic ck market had strong protections against scrying.


    No matter. He had already deployed Melusine there to deal with a local, rebel-loving warlord. Time to solve two problems with oneser shot. ckcinders issued a bounty on his head and will send death squads after his group. She maye after him herself.


    He hadnt bothered bringing his top agent into the matter while Smokefang lived. Unlike her ipetent son, though, ckcinders <em>would </em>kill the Martel boy if left unchecked. She was lethal, vicious, and relentless.


    Find and protect my asset, Aster ordered his agent, even if he didnt need to. This takes priority over the Shadow Queens assassination.


    What about the others?


    Kill them all. Only the Martel was necessary, and perhaps it would force the true enemy into action to protect its own assets. You have my support should you ask for it.


    Melusine ended themunication with a nod. She wouldnt botch this one. Too personal.


    Aster received a priority request. Anton Maxwell. Report, the Minister asked, as the feed opened.


    Anton stood next to another of his kind. Minister Aster, I would like to introduce you to


    Samantha Brown. He had a file on her.


    He had a file on everyone.


    What of her? Aster asked. The girl remained silent, intimidated, and still reeling from thetest events.


    I believe she could be of use for the Martel case. A case Maxwell had been heavily involved in since the boy had applied to hispany. She says she could convince him to turn around.


    Dubious. While reports pointed at physical attraction from the Martel towards the Brown lifeform, his newest psych analysis indicated that, with the loss of his bearings, the sorcerer would probably escte. Just as he left the Werners behind, he would pay little mind to childhood crushes, sacrificing such trivial matters for the pursuit of power and revenge.


    Would he not turn that drive against Concordia, Aster would have considered it an improvement. Too many people made hormone-based decisions. I do not believe it.


    Aster held a better trump card anyway.


    Before the Minister could tell Maxwell off for wasting his time, the Firman made another proposal. Then I would like to rmend her for the Institute.


    Ah, yes. With the Martel now an open renegade, they were one candidate short. Although Aster didnt select institute members, with Browns dubious affiliations, his approval was necessary. Leave us alone.


    Anton nodded and vanished from the feed. The Brown straightened up, stressed out.


    Good. Minister Aster had found humans more pliable when isted.


    Minister Aster, it is a great honor to meet such a


    Make your case, he cut her off to destabilize her, You have five minutes.


    The Brown adapted, taking a strong poise. I want to say I have nothing to do with my parents crimes, nor the attack on my home. Jack Jack was a traitor who Her skin paled, and sweat fell from her forehead.


    Jack Powells tried to kill you. Aster had a direct feed to that same personif Powells could be called one anymoresitting in a cell on Electon; his Flux drained so as to prevent him from casting spells.


    The Maleking promised power to its recruits, and somehow bound the Candlemaker, a fire elemental, to a human being. The Minister thought those events connected and had asked Electons researchers to study the Powells biology as soon as possible.


    Jack turned his head at an empty spot in his cell, with absolute focus. It was subtle, but the Minister noticed. As if he were listening to something only he could see.


    or <em>someone</em>.


    Now that he thought of it, it seemed odd the Maleking would waste a sorcerer asset to attack civilians. The demon may revel in whimsical chaos and mindless violence, but it yed for higher stakes.


    Had it <em>expected </em>his pawn to get caught?


    Aster would ask his staff to look at Powells more closely than other prisoners, send mindbreakers to read his thoughts. While he may overthink it, he wouldnt take any chances. Only the paranoid survived.


    I do not believe you have anything to do with your parents nor Powells crimes. Although he worried about her poor choice ofpany. Neither did you know of Mathias Martels true allegiance.


    No, I did not.


    Others may think otherwise though. The cost of surrounding yourself with rebels and murderers. So tell me, why should I give you the benefit of the doubt?


    Samantha Brown took a deep breath. I want to redeem myself. Aster listened intently, forcing the Brown to speak to fill the silence. I want to clean the Brown name, prove to the Empire that I am not a criminal. I want to put my mind to the service of the greater good.


    Good to hear. Now, tell me the truth.


    The Brown reeled from the rebuke, realizing that no lies nor politically correct stance would gain his favor. He could divine her thoughts without needing to read her mind; her hesitation at whether she should word her true intents in a pretty way, or go for coarse honesty.


    Do you believe in <em>evil</em>, Lord Aster? Coarse honesty.


    No, he replied. There was no enemy he couldnt reeducate into a good citizen, given time.


    I didnt either until I saw Jack again. When he transformed into that that thing, I understood I had been mistaken. There is evil in our world, Lord Aster. It must be cleaned away.


    Her voice betrayed a familiar kind of self-righteous anger. Aster had a strong sentiment of dj vu.


    I almost died. Her voice broke a little at that. Close friends almost died, and one went mad because I didnt call the rm on Jack and my dad when I should have had. I want a second chance.


    Others would havebeled her a deluded martyr or a glory hound, but Aster saw something in her. A deep, despairing need to prove herself. A potent, exploitable drive.


    While the Minister looked down on emotions, they could be good tools if properly wielded. Especially to move the flesh around. Granted.


    I want She stopped herself. Granted?


    You will join the Institute with my blessing, and have your second chance. If you apply yourself, work hard, and prove your loyalty, you will get the fame and protection you deserve from Concordia. The Empire takes care of its wards.


    <em>That easily?</em> she must have thought.


    No, not that much. But you will work for me first. If I want you to sell your body to trap the enemy, you will; if I want you to kill, you will; if I want you to put a bullet through your head, you shall pull the trigger.


    Her eyebrows creased the further the Minister spoke. I expect nothing less than total, upromising obedience from now on, and I shall brook no secret from you. You will belong to Concordia body and soul.


    The Brown took his words in, weighting them down. Can I still sing? she asked.


    An odd request. Only the truth. The Imperial truth.


    She doubted, and looked ready to waver, yet made the right choice nheless. I swear it, Lord Aster I shall do as you say.


    Then dismissed, he replied, before ending themunication. He would wait and see if the Brown would prove useful. If so, he could cultivate her into a good asset. He had made that speech to Melusine not long ago, and it had proven a worthwhile investment.


    As for the rebels, he would allow them the illusion of freedom for a little longer, let them hope.


    It would make snuffing it out all the more effective.


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Call</strong>


    Affinity: Violet


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Active, Voice Vector.


    Invites an Outsider from another ne of existence and whose true name the user knows to teleport to their location; the target cannot be located on the users ne when the spell is cast. The Outsider instinctively knows who the caller is, can choose to refuse the call, and is under nopulsion to obey any order.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 26: Dreams of the Crimson King

    Chapter 26: Dreams of the Crimson King


    Even in the skies, traffic jams happened.


    As Shroud flew over the district, d in his armor of lightss, he had to avoid other fliers, everything from monstrous harpy-like birds, insects, and even small spaceships. The alien sky above them shone with bright green stars and colored nebe, but it was the towering crystalmps on the ground that provided the most illumination.


    The golden streets and pces of the Midnight Marketid beneath him, adorned by luxurious metallic buildings. All architectural styles mingled together, from Arabian pces to strange, otherworldly crystal structures; domes seemed to be the mostmon structures. Many of the buildings moved on their own, equipped with brass limbs and other stranger means of transportation.


    The streets were crowded by alien and fantastic beings. A few Shroud recognized from mythology books, from ice giants to the more obscure centaur-like Nuckvees; he had even glimpsed a snake-haired, blindfolded Medusa once. Other alien creatures, he didnt recognize, such as bee-like humanoids, tentacles monsters, and strange entities made of ice and crystal. And although hobs were well-represented, Shroud had yet to see humans or even bullmen.


    None of the inhabitants paid him any attention. Instead, they bartered, exchanged wares, and did business. It seemed as though every street corner had a stand selling some kind of product, from liquid bottles to spaceship engines. Many of the walking buildings stopped at times to open to customers, sometimes evenpeting for specific spots. Merchants often fired at one another withsers when they couldnt agree, with the locals watching on with bored looks.


    Ah, unchecked capitalism.


    Long ago, when he was in Universal Geography ss, he had studied the Midnight Market in length. A gigantic space station spanning four hundred millions square meters, the Market was wholly artificial, although nobody remembered who built it in the first ce. Its makers had shaped it like a rounded coin, with two faces each benefiting from artificial gravity. Shroud had yet to see the edge of the station yet.


    From what Mur told him, this part was the Overside, the rich tourist area where merchants from all corners of the universe came to exchange their wares. The spaceport where the team hadnded first, a gigantic flying ck tform on which spaceships transited, floated a few miles away, bringing in goods from various gxies.


    Besides the animated buildings, the Marketcked any grounded means of quick transportation like cars. Instead, Shroud often glimpsed frequent violet shes from sorcerers of the Mapmakers organization teleporting people around the market for a fee.


    No one but the desperate, the dead, and the mad went to the other face of the coin, the Underside. Mur said it catered to the most repulsive of the Markets customers, the undead, beasts, and monsters which couldnt behave on the politically correct areas without causing chaos.


    Both sides bowed to the same master, though.


    <em>The first rule of the market, Mur exined the ground rules. Is that everything is for sale. The second rule is, might makes right; if you cant protect it, you dont deserve it. The third rule, Mammon is the mightiest, so he makes the rules.</em>


    <em>Mammon, Sol spoke. A cursed, sinful name.</em>


    <em>More than you think, Mur replied, grimly.</em>


    That was the first time Shroud had seen the mercenary visibly cowed, which he took as a warning.


    The sorcerer nced at the giant, multicolored Neurotower at the very center of the coin; a spiraling spire of ck metal and vein-like, pulsating cables the size of skyscrapers. The structure dwarfed the tallest earthly mountains in size, with Shroud unable to see the tip reaching up into space. A thick, heavy aura surrounded the structure, the seven colors of magic spiraling upward like an ascending cloud. Mammons keep, and thepass around which the Market was organized. It was said the structure could be seen from the edge itself.


    Thankfully, no Gearsmen were to be found there. The Orange Ministry had an office there for trade, but the Market remained an independent gctic power.


    Shrouds eyes darted to the sky, where a giant, mechanical moon looking down on them. An immense sphere of steel, with two fiery pits for eyes; when he looked hard enough, he noticed a thin line beneath them, like a closed mouth.


    Network didnt give him any information when he nced at the iron, ghoulish visage, so it wasnt sentient. Perhaps the moons creator just had a morbid sense of aestheticism?


    Shroud got the feeling this alien world had a harsh learning curve.


    He had no idea how far he could fly up before escaping the artificial gravity, plummeting upwards to the machine moon. A part of him, the one that loved adrenaline rushes, urged him to try, which he suppressed.


    He had a mission to fulfill.


    Area clear, he told his team through Network, their various feeds appearing before his eyes as he returned to the targeted area. I dont think the locals will interfere.


    <em>Mur told you!</em>


    <em>How long have we got? </em>Kari asked.


    Ten minutes, from what I gathered, Shroud replied. Ready to go?


    <em>Yep!</em> Maggie answered.<em> About time.</em>


    With Booz busy organizing their meeting with the Shadow Queen, with the team in need of more spells, and Kari ready to level up, the Guild had decided to try one of the Quests avable.


    Also, they needed Spellcoins to buy Babel. He had enough of relying on Mur to trante the localnguages. It was like hearing people speak Chinese in front of you while you didnt understand them, beforeughing. You always left with the feeling you had been fucked over somehow.


    After a vote and a long debate, they had gone with the Dreams of the Crimson King.<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Dreams of the Crimson King</strong>


    Difficulty: Medium (Dot 2)


    Sponsor: Jackal Mummy


    The Crimson King is an abomination against nature, a thief of souls, and a fan of theater. Too long has he threatened the souls of the living and the dead. Lure the Crimson King to the physical ne and destroy him utterly.


    Reward: 10 Spellcoins + Mystery Gift (Death)


    Failure: Death.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    He hadnt understood the souls of the living and the dead part before flying over this district, seeing chained hobs sold by one of their own kind to an insectoid customer.


    Mur hadnt lied. <em>Everything </em>and <em>everyone </em>was for sale.


    Those scenes filled him with revulsion, but knowing they needed to keep their head down for now,he ignored them to fly over arge brass, roman-styled amphitheater, where the rest of his team had gathered; Maggie, Mur, and Kari in the stands, while Sol joined Shroud in flight. The other locals had deserted the area, leaving the ce strangely silentpared to the background cacophony.


    They had a good reason to leave the ce undisturbed.


    ording to Mur, the Crimson King was an urban legend, a monster manifesting if a song echoed in the amphitheater when the Machine Moon moved right above it. The Crimson King and its court would appear, y theater, then haunt and kill whoever had seen them.


    The locals had wised up after a dozen disappearances, figuring out the rules, and left the Crimson King alone.


    Until now.


    Begin the operation, Shroud signaled through Network.


    I swear, Matsumoto, Maggie replied, as Kari tinkered with her mobile phone and put on the loudspeaker. If you make us fight on the tune of <em>Yellow Submarine</em>, I will find a way to make you pay.


    Kari put the phone on the stairs, and let the music of Queens <em>Dont Stop Me</em> now resonate in the amphitheater.


    They didnt have to wait long.


    The scene started subtly, gray shadows manifesting on the amphitheater stage. Souls of various species, mostly hobs, began to dance before their eyes, repeating texts in old Greek. The Kings previous victims, enved in death.


    A violet glow shone at the center of the amphitheater, like a rift in space-time. A strange figure crawled out of it, moving in ways that defied geometric logic; Shroud almost had an aneurysm at the scene.


    At longst, the rift closed, leaving the Crimson King standing at the center of the scene. A figure cloaked in bloodstained robes, his face hidden beneath a hood and a featureless silver mask, the King hovered above the ground without touching it like a ghost. After ncing with its unnatural visage at the Dragonyers, the entity began to twist around his ghostly servants, like a conductor micromanaging its orchestra.


    This creature craved an audience.


    Shroud peeked at the creature with Network, trying to get an edge of some kind.


    <em></em>


    Nothing but a vague feeling of wrongness. Like the fiery fiend Brown had summoned.


    Shroud hoped this one could bleed.


    Urgh, forced to y theater forever? Maggie said. Worse afterlife ever.


    He has good tastes, Shroud replied, recognizing the y as Oedipus Rex through the actors texts. How an alien abomination knew of Sophocles was beyond his understanding, but he took it as apliment to Earthly culture.


    However, the horrified, painful faces of the enved souls sent a shiver down his spine. He noticed ethereal, spinning spider strings pushing and pulling the souls like marites, forcing them to move for the Kings entertainment.


    The Crimson King stopped paying his audience any attention, wholly focused on the y. Would it only attack at the end?


    They wouldnt let him take the initiative. Engage, he ordered.


    The fastest of them, Maggie drew her gun and shot the Crimson King in the face with a red bullet. The mask bled green.


    No.


    Not a mask.


    A thin line drew at the bottom of the monsters face, revealing two rows of sharpened teeth twisted into a savage smile. The Crimson King let out a shrieking wail, freezing his enved souls in terror.


    Sol fell upon him like a falcon, sword raised, while Shroud unleashed a volley of lightshards from above. The Kings wail heightened in frequency, the Blue Sorcerers ss shards bending and then shattering before reaching him, the magical light surrounding them disrupted. The Blue Sorcerer felt his own ss armor start to bend from the pitching noise, flying farther above to stay away.


    Sols swordnded on the ground, as the Crimson King dodged the attack with a dancers grace, his movements unnatural. A silver rapier pierced through his robes, nearly impaling Sol through his visor; the knight deflecting the blow with his shield.


    As Maggie, Kari, and Mur leaped over the audience stairs tond on the stage and join the melee, the Crimson King muttered horrible, iprehensible words in a guttural alien tongue. Mur, what did he say? Shroud asked through Network.


    <em>Call Piper of the Demon Sultan.</em>


    not good.


    A sh of violet light confirmed his worries, as a monster materialized next to Mur, shifting through a rift simr to the one that allowed the Crimson King into the physical world. An abominable fusion between a slug and an octopus the size of an elephant, with its dozen eyes bigger than cats, the entity howled through three organic trunks on its back.


    The monster turned to Maggie, attempting to grab her with its tentacles, a fate which the young woman avoided by back-flipping. Mur, whose tiny body had started growing metal tes thanks to Adamant, leaped toward the beast, trying to scratch it with his tiny fingers. Kari herself, d in Oversouls bright aura, made a dash around the beast and joined the priest, trying to w at the Crimson King. She went through a few dead souls, briefly making them flicker.


    The summoned being made no move to back up its summoner against Sol and Kari, focusing entirely on Maggie. Did the Crimson King control the creature? Did it even give a damn?


    The Crimson King kept both Sol and Kari pressured thanks to his swordsmanship, moving faster than both. His sword went around Sols shield, grazing his joints in search for a weak point to exploit; Shroud didnt see any hand holding his de if there even was one.


    In spite of her own immense agility, Kari fared worse, unable tond a hit while the Kings rapier pierced her shoulder, knee, and waist. While Kari ignored the pain, Oversouls power keeping her in the fight, she moved slower, her blows losing energy.


    Shroud observed the scene with a disapproving frown. <em>She should have listened</em>, he thought.


    Now far enough away he was rtively certain the Kings ss-shattering wail wouldnt affect him, Shroud firedsers from his lightshards. While he had previously needed charging time with Quasar, Lightbringer allowed him to manifest them at will. Although the Crimson King managed to dodge his beams with rtive ease, it did give Kari the breathing room she needed to recover her breath and survive.


    Meanwhile, the other half of the team fared little better. Squid is inedible! Mur barked while biting at the tentacled monsters chest, spitting out flesh. The imp used a Reinforce spell as his teeth turned to metal, piercing the pipers flesh.


    Scared of the big bad squid, Mur? Maggie said, grinning while gunning the monsters eye one by one. The alien beast, ignoring Mur, chased after the Red Sorceress while she leaped on the stands, trashing the amphitheater. Afraid youre not strong enough?


    Murs strongest there is! the imp snarled back. Berserk! Growing slightly bigger, Mur started climbing the pipers trunk, Shroud cutting off one of the beasts tentacle when it moved to grab the imp. The tentacle fell on the stairs, crushing Karis cellphone and interrupting the music.


    Seeing, or rather, <em>hearing </em>this, the Crimson King let out a shrieking howl, a sound wholly unlike anything from Earth. A terrible noise that made even Sol recoil.


    Why are thou interrupting my apotheosis? The voice carried in Shakespearian English ent to Shrouds own ears, droning whispers carried by the alien song. Do thou feel nothing before this y from the heavens? Do thou not wish to witness it forever, to be beauty evesting?


    It thought it was doing these souls a favor? No thanks, Shroud replied. Shows canceled, Your Majesty.


    Whats done cannot be undone. The Kings answercked its previous mirth. I will not let unkind mortalmoners interfere with my artistic bliss!


    After its retort the Kings song heightened, bing loud enough that Shroud began to feel physical pain in his ears, the monstrous ywright twisted around Sol, whose sword only pierced the monsters clothes.


    No flesh beneath the robes. The truth suddenly dawned on Shroud. The clothes were the body.


    Sol, Kari, the mask! Shroud shouted over the song. Hit the mask! None of them seemed to hear him, and he himself couldnt understand whatever Maggie was barking through her own feed as the summoned monster began to catch up to her.


    Argh, the song scrambled their words. Since they needed to vocalize words for Network to transform them into telepathic messages, it prevented coordination!


    <em>He can control sounds and frequencies,</em> Shroud realized. Including one that disrupted his shards. Since he needed them to ry Lightbringer, this diminished his arsenal greatly.


    The fact he couldnt coordinate his team also enraged him. Shroud had made peace with the fact he worked best in a team match as a long-range tactician and mastermind, and the Crimson King taking it away made him feel useless.


    Mur, who had climbed to the tip of the pipers trunk and now more metal than flesh, fell into it. The tentacled monster instantly stopped pursuing Maggie, instead, letting out a loud howl even higher pitched than the Crimson Kings.


    Before he could react, Shroud learned a new meaning of pain, as his ears exploded and the world fell silent. Maggie fell on the brass stairs, holding her ears, while Sol and Kari visibly winced in pain.


    Ruptured eardrums.


    <em>Heal! </em>Shroud spoke, although he didnt hear himself, the pain in his ear lessening for a second. Firing beams of light at the summoned monster and the Crimson King both, he focused specifically on the abominations mask.


    While the Crimson King managed to dodge by twisting its body in unnatural ways, the light seared the flesh of his minion, slowing it down enough for Maggie to regain her footing and escape it. In fact, the Piper had started to thrash around, scratching at itself with its tentacles.


    It suddenly urred to Shroud that Mur was eating his way inside out.


    Meanwhile, it seemed Kari understood what Shroud attempted to do, lunging at the Crimson Kings mask with her ws extended. The monster moved to dodge, only for the Yellow Sorceress to rotate on herself and swing her right hand at an odd, unpredictable angle.


    The Crimson King, taken aback, couldnt react fast enough as Yoshikages ws pierced his mask, covering her with green blood. Then, piercing the shrieking king with her other hands, she widened her arms, tearing the face into two halves.


    As Shroud guessed, the mask and the clothes were one, convulsing while Kari kept ripping the King apart; what they had mistaken for a rapier turned out to be some kind of limb. The green blood began to dry up, the Crimson Kings body falling into dust with a final death wail.


    With its summoners demise, the tentacled monster suddenly vanished in a sh of bright violet light, leaving a metalized Mur to fall with brain pieces in his fangs.


    The captive souls dimmed out, leaving ck gems at the spot where they used to y. A good two dozen of them.


    That was easy, Kari said, bleeding profusely while Sol sheathing his sword, casting a Heal spell on himself.


    I hope that was sarcasm, Shroud replied as hended next to her.


    She had a point though. The previous Dot Two group Quest had taken everything they had, while this one went rtively well. He guessed that between the entire group gaining ess to sorcery and better coordination, they were ready for bigger challenges.


    What are you saying?! Maggie asked upon joining them, her eardrums still ruptured. Heal!


    A green glow surrounded her, the girl massaging her temples. After what happened to his father, Shroud had insisted he grant every member of the team Heal with his Grant Spell ability. All his teammates epted


    With one exception. You could have died there, Shroud told Kari, as he cast the Heal spell on her, her wounds closing. He didnt like behaving like a father scolding a child, but he had worried something simr may happen.


    I won, Kari frowned, crossing her arms. I will not be reliant on you, I told you that.


    So you are okay to rely on me to provide you with cover fire and Sol to back you up, but a borrowed spell is off-limits? Karis frown deepened, and Shroud suppressed the urge to pick her brain with Network, find whatever trauma caused her to behave this way.


    This is my choice to make, Shroud-san.


    Perhaps, but as your Guild Moderator, you are my responsibility. <em>I will not have two people I care about die on my watch. </em>Will you refuse me granting you Babel as well?


    I will purchase it, Kari insisted, her stoic image reced with childish sulking.


    Shroud let out a long sigh, while Maggie finished massaging her temples. Fucking tentacles, she said. I guess Matsumoto would have loved it, but I didnt.


    Kari missed the obvious jab or didnt care, gathering the various ck gems.


    Mur, whose Berserk effect had worn off, began to retake his original form, the tes on his skin receding. Shroud guessed Adamant only worked when its wielder faced mortal danger. Hey, Murmbasted Kari. Learn to share the loot, squishie.


    The loot? Kari replied, confused.


    Yes, the soul gems. We can earn between five hundred and five thousands imperial credits on average depending on the quality.


    Maggie whistled at that. Thats good money.


    Yes. Mur knows a good undead broker on the Underside. We can also get a good price from golem crafters.


    You are implying we should sell dead souls for money? Sol asked, disgusted. While he had never liked Mur in the first ce, he had grown to despise him since discovering the imps true shape.


    Shroud was more surprised that there was a market for dead souls in the first ce. That implied Faustian bargains and other horrors.


    Mur needs to buy a new hammer! The imp argued with Solomon. Mur willing to settle for an ax or a il though.


    Also, I need a second gun, Maggie said. And a costume.


    A costume? Shroud raised an eyebrow, although Maggie couldnt see it beneath his helmet. What for?


    Because nerd, everyone has one, except Mur cause hes naked. You got your ss suit, the old man wears armor, and Matsumoto wears her ninja stuff. Im thinking of a hockey mask and hoodie.


    You cannot be serious, Sol said, while the suggestion clearly disgusted Kari.


    What, theyre dead, they dont care, and werecking in mon


    You are actually doing this right now?


    Shroud remained afar from the debate, looking at his team dividing into two sides. While Mur hadcked scruples since day one, Maggies casual amorality meant he was no longer outnumbered in team debates. This could prove a problem since Sol usually advocated the higher road and Kari backed him up.


    Using moral arguments or taking sides wouldnt only widen a rift. Shroud needed to defuse the situation in a neutral way.


    We didnt receive a Quest reward, he said, drawing everyones attention. Which means the job is not yet done. The Sponsor asked us to prevent the Crimson King from snatching more souls; we may not receive any reward if we do it ourselves.


    I am destroying the stones, Kari said with a nod, her tone firm.


    The imp let out a frustrated growl. Mur says some people deserve to be poor.


    After gathering all the soul gems, Kari crushed them within her hand with Oversouls blinding aura. Shroud expected a magical disy as the souls escaped their prison. Instead, he simply heard moaning whispers and hushed words in aliennguages, as the soul gems turned to dust.


    Magik Onlines victory sound and a status screen told him they had made the right choice.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Yoshikage leveled up! (Adept, Dot 2)</strong>


    Each Guild member received 10 Spellcoins + 1 Bonus Spellcoin for releasing the captive souls.


    Mystery Gift (Death) for Yoshikage.


    <strong>Feather of Maat</strong>


    A mystical feather once used by Egyptian gods to judge the sins of the dead. When used while uttering someones full, true name in their presence, the target is judged; an impure heart will be dragged to the Underworld of Duat. The Feather will be dust after one use.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    The picture of a white ibis featherid next to the text. Did everyone see that? Shroud asked.


    How is it that Matsumoto got that feather? Maggie asked, confirming his thoughts.


    Magik may assign rewards based on how we acted, Sol made an educated guess. None of us received any reward when Mathias slew Smokefang. Kariid the killing blow that decided the oue.


    But thats not fair, that alien elephant kept us busy!


    Mur will finish off the enemy next time, the imp said. Or we take turns. No kill steals.


    We will see once we figure out how the reward system fully works, Shroud replied, brushing the subject away, and looking at hispendium, purchasing Babel at once.<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Babel</strong>


    Affinity: Blue


    Dot: 1


    Price: 3


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The user gains intuitive understanding of allnguages, including those used by non-sentient species  such as animals or evenputer coding. Others will understand anything the Sorcerer says as if spoken in the listeners native tongue.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Come to think of it, it might be better that we each purchase the trantion spell, he said.


    Indeed, Sol agreed, Since you can license only one spell, we should keep the Heal spell avable.


    Mur doesnt need trantion, Mur replied.


    Fucking spell tax, Maggieined, looking at her own Compendium, Any other spell to advise? Now that I got money, I gotta invest in my future.


    Needless, Kari rmended. You no longer have physical needs such as sleep, eating, or reproduction.


    Sounds good wait, wait, wait, so you cant get aroused? Like pet dogs?


    Yes, Kari replied, misunderstanding Maggies reaction as a positive one. It is the perfect spell. No distractions anymore.


    Ugh, Ill pass. I aint keeping an app preventing me from getting in the mood. Takes out all of lifes fun. Think Ill take Peak, and Biosurge. Shooting lightning sounds way too fun.


    I will invest in Reinforce for my equipment, and save up the rest of my Spellcoins, Sol said.


    Uh? Why not invest everything you have? I mean, its more power <em>now</em>.


    Because, youngss, the secret of a long, healthy life is conservative spending.


    Murs investing in Heatriser, because Mur is tired of only harming with tiny ws and teeth. And Diceweight, for when he buys a new hammer. Anything that can make Mur grow big again?


    Growth hormones? Maggie replied, the imp missing the joke.


    Where is it, Green? Mur cant find it.


    Shroud himself considered the pros and cons of both Needless and Peak, before deciding against it. While he needed to purchase Babel to function in the Midnight Market, he preferred to hoard Spellcoins until he had fully examined his Dot Two Compendium.


    His team had also missed a piece of very important information, whose implications didnt escape him.


    Namely, that Egyptian gods existed.


    <strong>yer Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Three...</strong></td><td><strong>Days..</strong></td><td><strong>Remaining..</strong></td><td><strong>Almost...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Killer Sense</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>6</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heatriser</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Emotion Bomb</strong>


    Affinity: Blue


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    The sorcerer radiates one specific emotion to anyone able to perceive him (such as lust, fear, awe, or despair), which the user decides before activating the effect; the closer the victim to the caster, the more intense the effect and the more the victim will associate the emotion with the spellcaster specifically. While the effect is temporary, long term exposure can result in permanent personality change. This effect does not work through mediums such as videos; victims must directly perceive the caster with their own senses.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 27: The Shadow Queen

    Chapter 27: The Shadow Queen


    As the violet light of the teleportation spell dissipated, Solomon looked at the crossroads with a frown, using Quasar to create a makeshift orb of light. This is the ce? he asked, casting light on the darkness.


    Yes, it is, Booz replied, standing next to their Mapmaker transporter, a bullman d in purple robes. Be patient. The Shadow Queen will receive you soon.


    The bullman turned to the hob smuggler. I will be back in one hour to pick you up, would that be enough? I have a fewmands in-between.


    Yes, yes, do so. Shroud delighted at understanding them speak in English; he had worried Babel would trante words into Concordian Common instead of his nativenguage.


    The bullman vanished in a purple sh, leaving the group alone in the dark. From what Shroud had gathered, the bullman himself was no spellcaster, instead using items imbued with teleportation spellshis robes probably. Shroud suspected sorcerers among the Mapmakers used the White-colored Encode spell he had seen among the Compendium.


    That implied a lot of magical firepower.


    <em>Mammon rules as king, but he is not the only faction on the Market, Mur had told them, The Arcadian Reavers are also numerous, led by Lugh, one of Lord Revels sons.</em>


    <em>Lord Revel was a powerful interster warlord, who ruled a region of space, Arcadia, outside Concordian control. His species was infamous for raiding other worlds for plunder, ves, or sport. Even imperial worlds near their borders suffered from incessant raids. </em>


    <em>From what little he had heard about Revel, Shroud thought it wise to keep their distance from that faction. A brotherhood of space pirates, Sol dismissed them. </em>


    <em>You wear one of their armor, old man, Mur replied. The Mapmakers administer the Markets teleportation routes and transportation, and so their leader, Zenia, has a lot of clout. Shes ice inside and out. Then theres the Shadow Queen.</em>


    <em>Should we fear any of them? Shroud had asked. They were wanted men and gargoyles now, and he had enough on his mind to worry about local politics. </em>


    <em>All the big shots will be busy recruiting teams for Mammons Crimson Epoch. He always offers a unique prize, and I heard rumors the current one is the biggest yet.</em>


    We have been waiting for hours! Mur the impined, sitting on Maggies shoulder like a squirrel. It reminded Shroud of a twisted Pokemon parody. Mur wonders if she really wants to see us.


    I would kill for a drink, Maggieined. Only Kari remained silent, resting with her eyes closed. Theirst battle had tired her out more than Shroud had thought.


    The Blue Sorcerer kept his arms crossed, his back turned on a ckened, tagged wall; he hade in full armor just in case. The Mapmaker had teleported them away from the chaotic, maddened cacophony of the popted area to an empty street corner in-between three silent deste buildings; on the other side of the coin.


    This face of the sphere looked nothing like the golden glory of the other half of the market. To begin with, since it didnt face bright stars like the above, darkness and the bitter cold ruled. Only a distant multi-colored neurotower, identical as the one on the above, provided some measure of light.


    They were probably both halves of the same structure, reshaping gravity itself and keeping both halves habitable. Under the normalws of physics, the group should have frozen to death twice over already.


    Buildings, those he could see in the darkness through his lightshards, were built in the same style as the other half, but of poorer metal. Rust covered everything in the vicinity, like a dead machine long abandoned. The disturbing silence also contrasted with the buzzing activity above.


    He found himself opening his Magik ount on impulse, checking the new spells avable.<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Call</strong>


    Affinity: Violet


    Dot: 2


    Price: 8


    Activation: Active, Voice Vector.


    Invites an Outsider from another ne of existence and whose true name the user knows to teleport to their location; the target cannot be located on the users ne when the spell is cast. The Outsider instinctively knows who the caller is, can choose to refuse the call, and is under nopulsion to obey any order.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Call Piper of the Demon Sultan so that was the spell the Crimson King had used to summon back-up. No wonder the beast had just rampaged around.<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Mindshield</strong>


    Affinity: Blue


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The user bes immune to all hostile attempts to affect their mind, emotions, and nervous system from spells up to Dot Four, unless boosted by the Pierce spell or a Lock; all non-magical mind-affecting effects simply fail. Previously cast spells will remain active. </td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Secondskin</strong>


    Affinity: Green


    Dot: 2


    Price: 8


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    The user can create and cover themselves in an alien, symbioticyer of skin. The Secondskin provides enhanced strength, protection from harm, and a minor healing factor when worn, but the user feels any damage inflicted on it.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Contract</strong>


    Affinity: Yellow


    Dot: 2


    Price: 10


    Activation: Active, Voice, Mutual Consent.


    The user can forge a magical contract with a partner, which include supernatural penalties when broken. The two contractors must agree to the terms of the oath and its penalties, which can include a variety of effects such as ill-luck or even death.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Multibreath</strong>


    Affinity: Orange


    Dot: 1


    Price: 10


    Activation: Active, Thought.


    The user can turn his breath into any inorganic gas, from a fiery breath to toxic fumes. The user suffers no ill effect from the breath but cannot produce organic material.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Quicken</strong>


    Affinity: Red


    Dot: 2


    Price: 10


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The users speed and stamina exponentially increase as they move, with no upper limit; their body and anything in direct contact with it suffers no effect from friction or inertia. Inactivity disperses the umted energy, which must be built up again.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Arcane de</strong>


    Affinity: White


    Dot: 2


    Price: 8


    Activation: Active, Thought, Limb Vector.


    Creates a sharp de of Flux around one limb of the users choice, which also inflicts a temporary, secondary effect on those it cuts based on the casters color affinity: weakening spells (<strong>White</strong>), sensory overload (Blue), fatigue (Green), irrationality (Yellow), paralysis (Orange), ignition (Red), or loss of bnce (Violet).</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Kresniks spell.


    Shroud had cracked the price form, or so he thought. The price of a dot one spell, multiplied by the spells dot level. Blue spells came cheapest, at six; his allied colors, White, Green, and Violet, eight; and opposed colors cost ten.


    After investing in Heal and Babel and being refunded by thetest quest, he had enough Spellcoins to buy a Dot Two spell of his personal or allied colors. Considering the noticeable jump in power from Dot One, Shroud doubted he would spend Spellcoins purchasing weaker spells.


    He shuddered to think of what high-level sorcerers could achieve.


    This is bullshit, Maggie keptining. How can someone be hourste for a meeting?


    Patience, Booz grumbled, straightening up. You squishies are so quick, thinking everyones got time for you. The Shadow Queen is a big fish, so she will receive you when she wants.


    The girl grumbled. Not that it helped; so far they had no ce to rest, and were out of money for temporary amodations.


    If the Shadow Queen failed to show up, they would have to figure something out. Hire themselves as mercenaries, or sell their services as sorcerers. Thanks to his Grant Spell feature, Shroud could probably make a killing in licensing his magic the same way the Mapmakers did.


    The thought brought him back of his original n, to create a rebel cell in Evermarsh. While kickstarting a revolution in his home city was obviously out of question now, perhaps this alien world could be a fertile ground for recruiting. He still had two ounts to deliver, and he had no idea how many people he could empower with Grant Spell.


    Now that he thought of it, his level-up had also unlocked the Lair feature. He quickly checked that part of his ount, finding it now essible.<table><tbody><tr><td><em><strong>Lair</strong></em>


    <em>Through our Lair feature, a yer Guild can gain a custom, private headquarter from a patron Sponsor, which they can ess anytime. A Lair can be upgraded to provide yers with various additional benefits, such as weapons, servants, and magical protections, as befitting of their Sponsors nature.</em>


    <em>However, to earn the ownership of a Lair, the yers must conquer it. The Lairs Sponsor has set traps, ordeals, and fearsome foes to challenge yers as it wishes. Each Lair has a throne room upied by the Sponsors chosen Champion. Only by oveing the Champion and iming the throne, will ownership of the Lair pass to the Guild and earn them an audience with their Sponsor. </em>


    <em>While yers can choose any Lair to tackle on our list, only one Guild can challenge a given Lair at a time. When summoned to the Lair, the Guild will be unable to escape the Lair. Only through death or victory will they achieve freedom. </em>


    <em><strong>Conditions necessary: </strong></em>


    <em> Have all ounts assigned and the Guild fully assembled.</em>


    <em> Moderator must at least be level Two.</em></td></tr></tbody></table>


    A private dungeon, with bonuses? Awesome! He immediately checked the avable Lairs on the list, which were in the shape of pictures with a text description beneath.


    The first image was of a mythical flying ind covered with wind turbines, floating above what appeared to be a gas giant; a golden pce stood at the center of the ind. A familiar Sponsor owned the ce.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Elysium, the Weather Pce </strong>


    <strong>Sponsor</strong>: Romulus


    <strong>Themes</strong>: Greco-Roman myths, Weather, Eternal War, Human Civilization.


    <strong>Ordeals</strong>: Mythological creatures, warriors of past ages, magical weather, golems.


    A pce built by a warlike, agrarian deity over the domain of a defeated weather spirit, to celebrate the first triumph of civilization over nature. Now an abode for the souls of deceased warriors from all wars across history, Elysium will challenge all those who seek to test their skills.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    The next picture represented a bottomless abyss in what seemed to be a dark, terrible sea. On a second look, Shroud realized those were not rocks surrounding the abyss, but sharp teeth.<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>The Mothers Maw </strong>


    <strong></strong>


    <strong>Sponsor</strong>: Mother of All


    <strong>Themes</strong>: Sea, Chaos, Madness, Dreams, and Nightmares.


    <strong>Ordeals</strong>: Sea monsters, parasitic slimes, living nightmares, children of chaos.


    An abyss in the gullet of the Mother of All, at the bottom of which her avatar waits. While the Mother looks down on the sane and the meek, she respects unbridled strength above all; only by ying the mightiest of her dreams, will humans earn her favor.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    The next picture showed a perfect replica of Earths Moon, pre-Concordian Conquest.<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Kyotsuki, the Hollow Moon</strong>


    <strong></strong>


    <strong>Sponsor</strong>: Moon Boy


    <strong>Themes</strong>: Moon, Illusion, Skill and Intellect, Food.


    <strong>Ordeals</strong>: traps and illusions, moon creatures, magicians, food elementals.


    A hollowed moon hidden in the darkness of space, crafted after Concordia turned the original one into a superweapon. Created to test the mind and will more than the body, the Hollow Moon is a maze whom no one can defeat without wits aplenty.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    The list included dozens of such dungeons, each more different than thest. From icy wastnds to strange constructs to rival Escher, the Dragonyers could find whichever ce fit them best. The fact the group still had no idea who their mysterious backers even were made meeting one even more appealing.


    The conditions bothered him a bit though. Assigning two Magik Online ounts was no trivial task; he neededpetent people, loyal to the cause of a free Earth. Since they would be working with them for the long-run, the Dragonyers would have to do an extensive screening.


    Shroud nced at his existing allies and wondered if it would work. Thetest Quest had shown him that while they packed a wallop in term of power and could work fine in the heat of battle, they still needed to work on cohesion and teamwork.


    There was also the matter of Mur. The imp had been fidgeting on Maggies shoulder since they arrived, anxious at meeting the Shadow Queen even more than everyone else. This made Shroud suspicious. Mur, the sorcerer spoke, remembering a tidbit of information. What is Cocytus?


    The imp froze. How do you know that name?


    I heard the Shadow Queen came from there, he replied without providing an answer. Booz seemed as lost as the rest of the group, so he probably knew nothing.


    Who told you?


    <em>You, through a Network sh.</em> Answer my question, Mur.


    No, the imp replied, on the defensive. Mur will not answer any more questions.


    Are you keeping secrets from us? Solomon asked warily, his hold on his weapon tightening.


    Shrouds thoughts exactly. Mur, no racism or anything on my part, but you alone are not from Earth. You were a mercenary from another world, and while I believe in your integrity, I would like to know if previous affiliations of yours might threaten us in the future.


    The imp remained silent, before raising his head in surprise, as Kari stood before him in a protective manner. I am sorry, Sol-san, Shroud-san, she spoke. Mur is entitled to his privacy.


    That stance she took She was willing to fight them over this? Maggie eyed both halves of the team, unsure which side she should pick.


    I would understand that argument, but me keeping secrets recently destroyed most of the few friendships I had, Shroud replied. I cant have this team suffer the same fate.


    I keep secrets too, Kari replied, While you use your Lock on me to guess them?


    Shroud frowned behind his helmet but didnt answer.


    You stopped looking into my memories when I asked you to, Kari continued. Even if your power activates often on its own, you respected my privacy then. Just as I respected yours. Because we trust each other. We fought with Mur-san and he had many opportunities to betray us, but he didnt.


    For now, Solomon replied. And I agree with Mathias that keeping secrets that may affect the team is a recipe for disaster. It fosters mistrust.


    Judge not, that ye be not judged.


    Sol reeled from Karis answer. This is different.


    It is not, she replied. I am sorry, Sol-san. Pointing fingers will not help.


    Either it was no secret from anyone, or anyone was entitled to their private life. The group couldnt start making exceptions without risking further division.


    Sol looked at Shroud, trusting him to make the decision as the Guild Master. How odd that he found himself in that position, in spite of being younger.


    The Blue Sorcerer briefly weighed the pros and cons of pushing the issue, before deciding the teams unity was worth more, both short and long term. Sol, back off, he said, putting a hand on Sols arm to make him stand down. I wont ask further, and I will not use my Lock. I will respect your privacy.


    Mathias the priest looked ready to dispute it, even as Shroud broke the physical contact.


    Now is not the time to fight each other, said Shroud, before looking at the imp. I will trust you for now, but I must warn you. If you kept information that endangered the group, I will deal with you myself.


    Mur let out a growl. Mur wouldnt have it any other way.


    A deep shadow passed over the back alley, suddenly casting it in an even deeper, thicker darkness. The metal moon passing over the alley, probably. Only Shrouds Lightbringer-empowered armor outshone the artificial night, with even Sols lighted sword vanishing into the shadows.


    The darkness persisted. It had swallowed the night and every tiny speck of light.


    wait.


    Lightbringers description said non-magical darkness shouldnt affect him.


    Sol? Guys? Shroud immediately let out a blinding sh of light, trying to illuminate the area.


    The shadows drowned his radiance, and no one answered.


    Fuck. Shroud unleashed his lightshards in every direction, trying to either find his friends or locate whoever had attacked them. Some of his shards hit a hidden stone ceiling that wasnt there before and didnt find the wall he used to stand near to.


    I would prefer if you did not damage my home.


    The feminine voice came from behind him.


    Shroud immediately turned around, furiously trying to figure out how his shards missed. The sight of the creature made his mind stop working.


    There were cute women, pretty women, and beautiful women. And then were beauties whose mere face could start wars andunch a thousand ships. Women whose mere smile could make men fall in abject adoration.


    This woman was the incarnation of beauty.


    A Snow White made real, with long, lustrous raven hair, skin white as snow, and deep, visionary eyes. Her red lips promised untold pleasures. She reminded Shroud of Eva Green in her youth, polished and perfect like a Greek statue.


    She wore a ck, expansive dress meshing with the shadows, woven in the style of a spiders web. Velvet gloves kept her hands warm, and she stood with a regal expression. She was the ideal queen, royal power embodied.


    and she felt wrong.


    She felt wrong, in a subtle way. Her face too aligned, the hair too well-groomed, her visagecking any microexpression. Her eyes didnt blink, and she stood unnaturally straight.


    She was <em>something </em>trying a little too hard to emte humanity.


    And in spite of the ambient darkness, he could see her clearly. As if the shadows avoided touching her. Even after facing a dragon, Shroud found speaking in her presence to be a greater struggle. Where are my friends? he managed to blurt out.


    Outside. It is you whom I summoned to my pce of shadows, as your groups leader.


    This was bad. It reminded him of his meeting with the Maleking. So, the title of Shadow Queen is no exaggeration.


    I rule the night, the woman confirmed her identity. And all those who call it home. The shadows are sworn to my will.


    And you are human?


    She smiled, one that put Shroud on edge instead of making him fall for her. More or less.


    No, not human. Human-looking.


    <em> She ruled and of eternal winter, on a world without heat. The stars had dimmed in the skies, darkness ruled eternal, and THE SHADOW LOOKED BACK  </em>


    Shroud recoiled, a phantom, painful sensation spreading through his brain. Like someone had jammed an icy spike inside his own skull.


    I do not appreciate mindbreakers. The Queens eyes shone with a bright yellow glow, simr to Karis aura. Except the womans magic shone brighter than the sun, the purest shade of yellow, next to whom Karis aura looked like a dimmp.


    He could <em>feel </em>the raw intensity of her magic, the overwhelming pressure saturating the air. A supernatural chill spread through his flesh, her power taking hold over his very bones.


    S-S He had troubles starting his own words as if an invisible hand choked him. Sorry, this is my Lock. It activates often without warning.


    If it peeks into my mind again, you will die.


    Her polite tone made the threat so casual, Shroud believed it very seriously. The light in her eyes dimmed, and Network fell entirely silent around her.


    Whatever subconscious willmanded his magic, it had taken the Queens warning to heart.


    <em>Holy shit</em>, she was strong.


    I will not allow you to use your powers on my men and guests either, sheid out the ground rules, the invisible pressure and the chill diminishing. I forbid mindbreaking inside my pce, unless with my prior approval.


    Mindbreaking?


    Her eyes narrowed slightly. You are untrained.


    Self-taught, Shroud defended himself, amusing the queen. He must have looked very childish saying that. I assume it means mind-reading?


    Blue Sorcerers entering other minds are called mindbreakers. The harmless ones read thoughts; the dangerous ones reshape them. Concordia employs many of them, and while I do not think you are malicious, I will not take any risk.


    Even if its effects had diminished, Shroud still reeled from her power. Her roof, her rules. I wont. I swear.


    Good. She looked satisfied with his answer. Why are you here?


    The danger had passed, so far. I heard you oppose Concordia.


    This time her smile was genuine. I do.


    Why?


    Nothing personal. I have no grand tale of revenge or loss to tell. But I am not blind to the danger ahead. The Grandmaster will never stop until every star, every dimension bends to her will. One day her reach will threaten my own people. I intend to stop Concordia before this bloated monster of an empire grows that far.


    Connecting the dots with the Network memory, she probably ruled an empire in the depths of space. One that Concordia will invade in a few decades. Why are you here instead of building forces on your own territory?


    This sphere, the Midnight Market, is an interster hub. A crossroads of goods, travelers, and powers. A ce where fortunes are made, and alliances forged, Mathias Martel. Or is it Shroud now?


    Shroud. His eyes narrowed. You know who I am.


    Concordias Red Ministry issued a bounty on you and your groups head. A veryrge one. It will not be long before you have hunters and exiles after you.


    Reassuring. And you research everyone on Concordias public enemy list.


    I have found that the Empires enemies make good friends of mine. I know each member of your team is a sorcerer; that your group drove off John Kresnik, a famous Magister; and that you personallymitted the ultimate crime. You slew a dragon.


    Not a crime, Shroud replied. A deration of war.


    Her smile widened, reaching her ears. That is the mindset I look for. I can see us bing good friends.


    Shroud had the odd feeling she may be just as dangerous as an ally than as a foe. I must warn you that freeing my homeworld remains my priority, alongside mypanions safety. They will probably tell you the same.


    That is fine. The more Concordia loses ground and resources, the happier I am. Of course, my help will note without conditions.


    He didnt expect it to. An exchange of services? There must be another reason why you called me alone.


    I told you the rare mindbreakers flocked to Concordias intelligence ministry. Which is to say, I had none in my employ and a task for one. The information I received about you would make me believe you are perfectly suited for it,ck of training aside. Findfort in that this projects sess will harm Concordia for years toe.


    <em>Had, </em>he noticed. She wouldnt take no for an answer. I will assist, with pleasure.


    I also have a few missions your group can undertake on my behalf. I need to observe you longer, to see where you can be best deployed. You shall serve as the middleman until further orders.


    She was already treating him as her employee and behaved as if expecting him to obey. Shroud made a note to emte her tone and posture, for it clearly helped with authority. And in exchange?


    I will arrange amodations for you and your group. You will be fed, bathed, and clothed as my guests. It will offer you some protection, but no one is ever safe in the Midnight Market. You will receive funds, information, equipment, and guidance for your own war effort.


    Straight and to the point. He could get behind that. Then we have a deal, Shadow Queen, he said, extending his hand.


    She chuckled lightly, a glittering sound that sounded like a ss bell. My <em>enemies </em>call me Shadow Queen, she said, graciously shaking his hand. He didnt feel any Network jolt from the contact. My friends call me Manah.


    Manah. What a nice name. Shroud hoped never to make an enemy of her.


    He had the feeling he wouldntst long if he did.


    <strong>yer Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Three...</strong></td><td><strong>Days..</strong></td><td><strong>Remaining..</strong></td><td><strong>Almost...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Killer Sense</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>6</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heatriser</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Soundwave</strong>


    Affinity: Red


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    The sorcerer can enhance, produce, or alter soundwaves within a ten meters radius, such as creating shockwaves, inducing silence, or disrupting voice-basedmunications. The soundwaves produced with this spell also carry voice-based spells and magical effects.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 28: Corpse Party

    Chapter 28: Corpse Party


    As Manah walked, phantom torches lit up, blue fires without a source revealing a richly decorated corridor. You and your team will be lodged in the guest quarters, his host told Shroud. I will not tolerate any unauthorized guests without prior approval.


    Shroud listened intently while eyeing their surroundings. The castles walls seemed to be made of solidified darkness and covered by wooden decorations and expansive tapestries. He often noticed doors chiseled in the walls, almost too imperceptible to notice.


    While the alley is the main entrance, should you find arge enough shadow while alone on the Underside area, a door will open to my pce. It will never appear on the Overside above and I will not be able to help you there.


    Why so? Shroud asked, curious.


    As per a deal with Mammon, my influence is limited to the Underside.


    Shroud froze as two forms emerged from the darkness ahead. Humanoid ck and white figures wearing Venitian-like carnival masks and hats. Most of their body seemed covered by tightced cloaks before the yer realized they meshed with the shadows beneath them. Their eyes shone with a faint yellow glow, and they made no sound while they walked.


    Living shadows.


    My servants of the night, Manah told him. They will do your chores, attend to your needs, and obey basic orders, unless I order them otherwise.


    A powerful mastermind with shadowy servants and a giant hidden pce? Shroud had found what superviins wanted to be when they grew up.


    He did wonder how she knew about Italian fashion.


    Manah led him to arge, chiseled door, which opened without any input. The more the sorcerer observed, the more he was convinced the Shadow Queen had some sort of psychic control over her dominion.


    Perhaps she even <em>was </em>her pce. With Network muted he couldnt know for sure.


    It implied Network at least had a will of its own. The fact that it kept scanning Kari without warning while muting out in Manahs presence told Shroud it could at least appraise threats; considering his own friend an easy target while avoiding anything risky in the Shadow Queens presence.


    The door opened into a circr room, a perfect recreation of those old European noble salons. A group had gathered around arge, ck wood table, sitting on sumptuous leather chairs; half a dozen masked shadows attended to them, serving them wine in silvery cups and providing light through candbras.


    Shroud rejoiced upon recognizing Booz around the table, but the hob looked at the other guests with a tense expression. The sight put the sorcerer on his guard.


    Good evening, Big Queen. One of the guests waved a hand at them. A cute, small, pre-teen girl with long blonde hair, crimson eyes, and chalk skin even whiter than Manahs. She dressed in an elegant, short red dress, carrying a ck umbre next to her chair.


    She looked quite the harmless child, yet the very sight of her filled Shroud with an undercurrent of dread. An ominous, background disturbance, a subtle feeling of pervasive danger. As if he had taken the wrong turn to find himself in a wolfs den.


    Good evening, Little Queen, Manah replied with uncharacteristic kindness. Celia, Wormson, this is our new guest, Shroud.


    Booz told us. Thest guest hid beneath a ck, tattered hood and cloak, leaving no part of its body exposed. Its voice sounded neither feminine nor masculine. In fact, it sounded more like a buzzing noise than anything a human could muster. Hello, new friend!


    Hello, Shroud replied, unsure of how to deal with those two. A shadow servant moved two chairs, allowing the sorcerer to sit between Booz and the little girl, Celia. Manah took the opposite spot, between her two allies. Where are the others?


    Outside, Wormson replied from beneath his cloak. Since I contracted Booz to find you, I offered him tea.


    A cup which the hob hadnt even touched. Something was definitely wrong.


    Hey, Shroud, Celia spoke with excitation, touching his arm with her hand. Can I ask you a personal question?


    Her fingers were cold to touch. His ss armor ryed no heat to him, and worse, shecked a pulse. Sure, he said, apprehensive.


    When you die, do you want to be a lich or a vampire?


    What kind of girl asked that to someone during their first meeting? It reminded him of his chats with Ulysses. Back then, he would have gone with lich without hesitation. Unlimited magical power and all. Now he could actually wield sorcery though Can I keep my magic in both cases?


    Of course!


    Then vampire.


    Celia seemed surprised. Pleasantly so, in fact. Strange, I thought you were a lich kind of person.


    Blue Sorcerers usually are, Wormson buzzed. Or ghost people. All mind and little care for the body.


    Exactly, Shroud replied. Vampires have a lot of powers and can live rtively unnoticed. Sure they have pretty debilitating weaknesses, but with my magic, I can work around them.


    A wise choice! Celia nodded quickly. Vampires are great! Everybody wants to be ghouls nowadays, it is so annoying!


    Celia, stop bothering him, Manah said, the little girl crossing her arms and putting in her chair. Shroud, this is Celia, a friend, a fellow queen, and the most powerful necromancer to have ever existed. Wormson is my court magus, a sorcerer trained in the art of Green.


    The best there is. Wormson turned towards Shroud, revealing its face.


    Orck thereof.


    Instead of a face, the sorcerer found himself looking at an entire hive of writhing worms, maggots, and insects, fused together into a gruesome figure.


    It took all his willpower for Shroud not to vomit at the hideous sight.


    I apologize for my current state of being. Wormson raised a hand from below his tattered robes, fingers made of vermin bound together. Shroud felt nauseous. I assure you this is but a temporary inconvenience.


    Youve said that for thest three decades, Celia pointed out as if she had been there. The more she spoke, the more Shroud grew certain of her true nature.


    A temporary inconvenience, Wormson insisted. With useful perks. Like immortality.


    Booz scoffed, almost too low to be noticed. If I may leave now that our business is done?


    Certainly, Manah agreed. I will see that Wormson transfers you your payment for the task set for you.


    Your weight in star rubies, Wormsonmented. Always a pleasure to do business with you.


    Will be thest time. With those funds and those I got from the kid there, Booz nced at Shroud. Ive gathered enough to retire on Ozma and go legit.


    That dull ce? Wormson let out a screech which Shroud took for his equivalent of a groan. Just skies, steam, and flying metal.


    Perfect ce to live the rest of my life in peace, and under the radar; I have a Concordian bounty on my head now.


    It seemed Booz had been targeted as an essory for Shrouds crime. Sorry, the sorcerer spoke with sincerity.


    Customer service, the hob replied, rising from his chair. Im just happy were not going to meet again.


    Manah nced at a masked shadow, which moved to escort Booz outside. Wormson, she spoke, once the hob out of earshot. Shroud here is the mindbreaker you asked for.


    Ah, yes, business, the monstrosity said, his unwholesome attention now focused on Shroud, You see, my fleshy friend, a fellow enemy of Concordia recently sent us a gift. A giant, biomechanical brain, taken from a Concordian cargo ship before it could reach its Arc-City destination.


    A UB, Shroud guessed, straightening in his chair. You stole a UB.


    Forcefully requisitioned, Wormson replied, letting out a gargled chuckle.


    You should let me kill it, Celia said. I could revive it as a nice vampire, or a wight. Maybe a ghost?


    Would a vampire brain eat blood or brain cells? Shroud didnt know if Wormsons remark was serious or a joke. Besides it has no soul, which is why our friend could not dreamwalk answers out of it.


    Thats why I want to try it! This is totally new, and I cant wait to get creative!


    We keep it in storage in a crypt below for now. If awake, it tries to warn every imperial within the vicinity to rescue it. Wormson nced at the Shadow Queens servants. Did that work out for you, mister?


    The masked shadow nodded.


    See, unlife feels much better, Celia chirped, siping her red tea and revealing sharpened canine teeth. Shroud suddenly recognized the teas smell, and why Booz hadnt touched it.


    <em>Jesus, they scare me,</em> the sorcerer thought, thankful his helmet kept his face hidden. The scene came across as a morbid take on Alice in Wondends tea party to him.


    We want to subvert this creature to our purpose, Manah spoke, all eyes looking at her when she spoke. Shemanded attention without even trying. I thought Wormson alone could handle the matter.


    Unfortunately, UBs are biomechanical constructs, a perfect blend of Green and Blue sorcery, Wormson exined, reeling from the reproach. Having neglected studies outside my main color, I need an acolyte. A bluish one.


    You want me to help you hack into the UB? That would give them ess to Concordias main informationwork.


    Can you help with it? Manah asked.


    Maybe. A spell of mine affected the Gearsmen, and caused the local UB to reboot, and my Lock He briefly paused, Manah inviting him to continue with a sharp nod of her chin. My Lock allows me to connect with others, like parts of awork.


    It affected even me, the Shadow Queen confirmed.


    Even with your unique biology? Wormson sounded giddy, the critters making up his body chittering. Shroud had to restrain his nausea. My, thats a powerful Lock you have.


    Less than mine, Celia cut in with childish pettiness.


    We all know how lethal your Lock is, Wormson replied diplomatically. But we need the UB alive for it to interface with the Concordianwork.


    What will you use the UB for, once you have hacked it? Shroud asked them.


    Steal information, sabotage, identify weaknesses, Manah said. It depends on what can be done with the machine. Wormson, when can you two start working on it?


    I need a few days to make adjustments, ensure the UB doesnt send a distress signal or fight back. We wouldnt want our lighty friend to fry his beautiful brain.


    Then you have a little free time, Manah told the Dragonyer. You deserve a rest after such an exhausting journey. My servants will escort you to your room.


    Realizing he had been summarily dismissed, Shroud rose from his chair. Celia waved at him kindly. Let us have tea one night, Shroud! she chirped happily. And bring your friends! We will have a nice time.


    The sorcerer nced at the blood tea with a shudder. Im more of a coffee person.


    I have some! she replied with a big, friendly smile stered on her face, as Shroud followed the masked shadows into the thick darkness. Bye!


    He didnt have to wait long until the servant stopped Shroud right in front of a shadowy door. The gates opened on their own, closing right after the sorcerer walked in.


    He could have mistaken his bedroom for that of a kings; his entire old apartment could have fit inside it. Clean, elegant clothes had been ced on a king-sized bed, tailored for him; a finely chiseled ebony desk awaited him, next to a rounded table and twofortable armchairs. A shadowy door led to another area, a marble bathroom looking straight out of a Roman Vi.


    His room even had a chimney, with a green, smokeless, phantom fire producing light in a corner near the bed. Theck of windows made the ce feel oppressive, though.


    Another fainter shadow door stood near his bed, probably an exit to the outside. He checked on Network to see how his team was doing.


    The feeds were obscured by bright violet light.


    Shroud immediately surged towards the shadowy door, mming it open.


    The entrance gave way to the rusted alley from before, without Manahs unnatural darkness covering it. There was no sign of struggle of any kind, yet none of the Dragonyers were present.


    Instead, a woman waited for him, counting cards to pass the time. Hello there, Mister ss.


    She was a pretty, freckled creature which Shroud would put around her early twenties, with long auburn hair styled in an elegant swirl bun; she dressed like a rogue with a white and red ensemble with ck flowers around the waist, wore high boots, a red coat and a rounded, feathered hat.


    Shroud summoned his lightshards, surrounding her with des of light and sharp ss. Where is my team?


    The woman smiled, remaining supremely calm. Careful with those, you might hurt yourself, she said while putting the card deck in her pocket. Shroud didnt recognize her ent as anything found on Earth. The names Ace by the way.


    Where is my team? Shroud repeated, this time putting the edge of a light sword right below her chin. Answer or die.


    <em> Ace waited for Mathias Martel to step out of the Pce of Shadows, enjoying that brief moment when she wouldnt have to attend to Mammonstest entricity  </em>


    The sorcerer froze. Mammon?


    Ah, a mind-reader, wonderful, Ace said with heavy sarcasm. Im going to be very frank with you here, Mathias. You really fucked up. You messed with the big bad upstairs, and hes not happy.


    How?! We never met him!


    From what I gathered, property damage towards a tourist attraction, the woman replied. You took his stuff, so he stole yours back with interest. If the Shadow Queen hadnt taken you to her pce, he would have taken you as well.


    Property damage? But they hadnt Shroud paused. The Crimson King? Mammon is unhappy we trashed the amphitheater?


    No, he is unhappy you killed his pet without his approval, Ace corrected. Guess who summoned it to the Midnight Market in the first ce?


    What kind of sick person would consider a murderous abomination a tourist attraction? The same kind that could crush an entire team of sorcerers without leaving a trace. He left you here to take me on? Shroud readied himself for battle, but Ace only erupted inughter.


    No, no, Im a messenger. Im supposed to let you off the hook with a stern warning. She gave him a mischievous smile. But know what, since you didnt know the Crimson King was the big boss property, and that I like your fashion sense, I guess you have one chance to make this right. And if you want to have that chance, you will follow my lead.


    A Magik notification popped up on the sorcerers screen, spelling out to him what was at stake.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Side Quest: Mammons Revenge </strong>


    <strong>Difficulty</strong>: Dot Four


    <strong>Sender</strong>: the Administrator


    Your teammates are in the clutches of death.


    Save them, Mathias.


    <strong>Rewards</strong>: Network Upgrade ()


    <strong>Failure</strong>: Death of your entire Guild.</td></tr></tbody></table><strong>yers Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Three...</strong></td><td><strong>Days..</strong></td><td><strong>Remaining..</strong></td><td><strong>Almost...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day </strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Arise</strong>


    Affinity: Yellow


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Active, Voice Vector


    The user imbues corpses within earshot of the spell with the spark of unlife. The risenck souls or minds, but understand the casters orders and will try to carry them out to the best of their ability until destroyed. If the caster has a soul to fill the corpse with, such as a soul gem, they may create stronger, free-willed undead such as vampires or ghouls.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 29: The Soul Casino

    Chapter 29: The Soul Casino


    The Overside Markets Flux Tower looked even bigger up close.


    A towering, spiraling spire of ck metal and vein-like, pulsating cables the size of skyscrapers, the structure dwarfed anything humanity ever built. The tower radiated energy, which Shroud could feel resonate with him, a warm sensation filling his flesh and mind.


    There was no doubt that he stared at the source of sorcery itself.


    A golden castle surrounded the towers base, an aesthetically insulting amalgam of Arabian architecture, medieval towers, and stranger shapes clearly not designed by any man. It looked as if someone had mashed multiple fragments of destroyed pces into one. This ce breathed extravagance.


    The brass golems standing on the walls, alongside winged, reptilian fiends straight out of Hell, not so much.


    With a well-ced Mad World, he could have them fight each other, create a diversion


    Oh, dont tell me you think you can fight your way in and out, Ace spoke. You cant and you wont.


    Is there any other option? Shroud replied grimly, aware of the situations direness. Dot Four. That was the highest difficulty level he had ever seen for a Quest.


    Only one, big boy, she replied, dusting off her hat. Mammon is a gambler, and hes bored. So bored, he moved his chest ass personally to catch your team. He needs entertainment and stimtion, and since hes the embodiment of depredation, he cant turn down a contest. Thats his only weakness. He honors his wagers, to the word, but never to the spirit.


    Shroud listened, as she invited him to the only way towards the castle: an immense silver stairway leading to the only entrance, a fifty-feet tall Gate whose archways content shone with bright, golden light. Brass golems wieldingrge scimitars stood on each step, yet let them walk undisturbed.


    He will cheat, of course. He always cheats using his magic. Even if you think there is absolutely no way he can fix the game, he will find one. So youve got to cheat better.


    Why are you telling me this? Shroud asked. You work for him.


    I do.


    <em> Ace looked at the group standing still, statues unable to move, or scream, or cry. A terrible fate she had seen handed out way too many times.  </em>


    But you dont like him.


    She put a finger on her lips, whispering shush, as they reached the Gate. He pays eight-figures. Im just doing my job, entertaining my master, like you.


    No gods, no masters, Shroud told her.


    Thats what we all think until we see our strings. Anyway, if hes entertained and you get back your team, everyone is happy. Win-win. She invited him through the Gate. After you.


    Shroud looked at the archway, and therge neon name written over it.


    <strong>KING MAMMONS SOUL CASINO</strong>


    He only values onemodity above all else, Ace said softly.


    With some hesitation, and a deep breathter, Shroud stepped into the light, dimensions shifting around him.


    An orgy of sounds, strong smells, and light shows assaulted his senses the second hended on the other side. The Taj Mahal looked tamepared to the haven of excess he had in front of him.


    Shroud found himself inside an immense casino, too big to fit in the castle he had seen outside. tinum pirs held a shining ceiling of gemstones, while the sorcerer walked on marble covered by richly woven carpets.


    The ce bustled with people, almost none of them human-looking. Monstrous, six-legged bugs yed cards with multi-eyed frogs dressed in golden robes and dwarfish creatures reminding the game designer of stereotypical goblins. Other creatures were too alien for him to recognize, slime-like horrors more brain than flesh, strange entities made from raw clouds and lightning. Shroud even noticed a giant, fiery bird flying above a table, rolling diamond dice with his talons.


    Fiendish creatures, archetypes of red-skinned, fork-tongued horned devils and inhumanly beautiful winged subi served alien food and champagne to the guests. Walking slot machines, which Shroud realized were actually customized steel golems, walked around, trying to tempt people into ying.


    One of those machines even walked to him. y? it asked, its pre-recorded voice melodious to listen. While Shroud shook his head, the golem kept following him for a while, which the sorcerer took for harassment.


    Everything there looked big, bigger than anything he had ever seen. He glimpsed a roulette the size of a ser field, and a bar serving forty-feet tall icy giants. Shroud found himself stopping in front of a giant marble chess board, where a crowd had gathered around.


    Human-sized chiseled stone golems served as the pieces, under the control of two contestants. On the ck side was a strange creature, a being with ck wood for skin and four emeralds for eyes. The being stood on two legs, yet kept six arms crossed in close meditation. Shroud glimpsed at an array of weapons, swords, axes, even primitive guns, hidden beneath a tattered cloak. A crown ofurels made the entity seem regal, beyond mere mortals.


    The woman on the white side was supremely beautiful. d in a ck medieval tunic and pants with a red scarf around her throat, she had mid-length tinum hair and the face of an angel. She seemed ageless, with both serene maturity and the youth of a new adult.


    But her eyes were too cold. Like chips of blue ice, her eyes shone with cold malevolence. If eyes were truly the windows of the soul, then just by staring at them Shroud knew this girl was one vicious<em> bitch</em>.


    Both contestants seemed closely matched, although the White yed more offensive than the ck. The woman whispered something with a chilling voice, one of the white-colored golems on her side smashing a smaller ck pawn with its bare fists. The other contestant began to give new orders, sending one centaur-like piece to retreat behind his defensive line.


    Thats Graff. Shroud had seen Aceing through his ss long before she actually spoke. The Horseman of War. A warlord as old as conflict itself.


    And the woman?


    No idea. Shees and goes without giving her name. Ace guided him to a spot nearby. Your friends are here.


    Shrouds fists tightened.


    Sol, Kari, and Maggie stood on a silver fountain near the chessboard. Their colors had turned to various shades of violet, which Shroud found familiar. They were paralyzed in various stances, Sol raising his sword, Maggies hand going for her gun, Kari charging. Whatever had taken them out had done it in seconds.


    And they werent the only ones there. A dozen other figures stood on the fountain, gargoyles and hobs and bullmen and cyclops frozen by a violet hue. Sol! Kari! Shroud shouted over the cacophony, without an answer. The various customers ignored him too. Maggie, can you hear me?


    They are frozen in time, Ace told him. Until Mammon releases them, they will stand there among his trophies.


    One of them was missing. Where is Mur?


    The imp? Mammon kept him for his personal use.


    With his lightshards providing him a good view of the area, he didnt need Aces help to find Mammon. He didnt even need Network to identify him.


    He just had to look at his oversized crown.


    A traditional monster in fantasy games were mimics, horrors taking the shape of chests to trick adventurers. Mammon was the real deal, and what a mimic might grow into if fed too many adventurers; a chest the size of a van, whose wooden bottom turned into dozens of small, ck tentacles to carry it around. Shroud noticed a dozen, tiny eyes around the surface, with arger central one atop the chest and below a diamond and gold crown. The chests fanged mouth held open, revealing a hoard of ck gems overflowing within it.


    A pinkish, fleshy humanoid torso sprung from the chests gems content, a skinless abomination that was human in vague shape only. It had two arms, a torso, and a head, but no nails, no eyes, no mouth or ears, nor any feature of any kind. That creature held a smaller crown on its head, too big for it.


    That fleshy humanoid was little more than a tongue, an extension of the true Mammon; the chest itself. Mammon embodied greed in more ways than one.


    Sitting on a chair left of Mammon, a giant restedzily with two winged subi on hisp. Reaching nine feet tall, the beast had a coat of golden fur and a white mane. With his strong muscles, he looked like a statue of Hercules almighty or Mr. Universe; his feral, fanged, canine-like face revealed his true, bestial self. The monster went around naked, exposing his raw masculinity for all to see. On one side of the chair, rested his long, white spear; on the other, a monstrous ck hound bigger than a family car, whose crimson eyes bled fire.


    The creature on the right of the Midnight Markets king was nothing like a humanoid. An icy being in the shape of a giant snowke, flying above the ground through the power of a mystical, chilling wind, the entity had only a radiant purple core for an eye.


    The trio yed darts with golden arrows. With Mur nailed at the center of the giant dartboard.


    The imp clearly had seen better days, with a dart through the wing, and a gaping wound on the left leg. He looked at Mammon with venomous rage. Adamants metal tes grew out of his stony scales, only to regress with a faint Violet glow in a never-ending cycle.


    Never before had Shroud sensed such raw, unfettered hatred radiating from his imp ally. Mur was contemptuous, haughty, but never hateful; the very sight of Mammon filled him with deep loathing and bottomless fear. Even his allys arrival didnt make him budge from his death re.


    <em> Youve got nerve showing your ugly face again, Murmur, Mammon spoke, making Mur quake both in hatred and impotent rage. After failing Mcoda, I thought you would never crawl out of your tiny hole. Like a mole in whac-a-mole.  </em>


    Lord Mammon, Shroud started, coughing, as Ace approached her master. Ignoring them, Mammonunched an arrow at Mur, thankfully with a terrible aim, hitting near the head. Gems overflowed from the chest, the tentacles quickly catching and returning them to the hoard. The monster struggled to keep everything in his chest, yet wouldnt separate from anything.


    When he focused, Shroud heard a faint, moaning sounding from the gems, and the faint pictures of ghastly visages reflecting on their surface. A thousand, a million souls howling in despair, as part of a hoard of damned lives.


    He had to spare the Dragonyers that fate.


    I wish to apolo  Shroud couldnt finish his answer, his tongue getting back in his mouth before he could finish. I wish to apolo


    Once again, his tongue returned to its original ce without finishing the sentence. The bestial man roared withughter. Ace rolled her eyes with a sigh. I wish to apolo  Again, his tongue repeated its movement in reverse, ending his sentence.


    I am sorry, Mammon gargled with an inhuman, high-pitched voice. I cannot hear you over the sound of your entrails falling on the ground.


    Entrails falling


    Pain sharper than even Smokefangs mightiest blow cut through Shroud in the middle of his thoughts, spread from his back to his belly, alongside the sensation of air filling his innards. The sorcerer coughed up blood, falling to his knees.


    Sitting among his bowels flowing out of his chest. The sorcerer stared at the blood on the ground, in a state of shock.


    Oh, listen to the sounds his bowels make. Mammon looked down on the bleeding Shroud like a child with a pet. Fascinating. I have my submission for Best Holo-TV Gag. Lets rey!


    A secondter, Shroud found himself back to his feet. His chest intact once more. What the


    The surprise pain interrupted him, his chest exploded in blood and bowels once again and bringing him back to his knees.


    Time magic. Violet magic.


    That bastard chest looped him in time! Without warning, even. And he found it funny!


    Realizing he wouldnt win with words, Shroud called upon Lightbringer, summoning letters of light in front of him all at once. This time, the disy of magic made the others react, with the bestial man stoppingughing, the snowke turning slightly in his direction, and Mammon ncing at his sentence.


    I WISH TO APOLOGIZE.


    Mammon snapped his fingers, Shroud finding himself standing again, unharmed. No blood nor bowels left on the ground. You have stolen something from me, little coin, the Midnight Markets King said. It was mine. Everything in this entire sr system is mine. The sun and the moon are mine, the people are mine, all that shines and all that is precious is mine, mine, mine. Time itself is mine. Not yours.


    We were unaware the Crimson King was yours, Shroud said diplomatically. Maybe we canpensate you for your loss.


    Already done for you! The mimics torso pointed a finger at Mur, and then at his paralyzed friends. Your friends I will keep in stasis forever. Murmur is too ugly for my collection. Ace, have him hurled into a sun after Im done ying darts.


    Which one, Your Majesty? You legally own thirty-seven of them.


    The seventh. Lucky number, the seventh. Mammon let out a childish cackle that sent a shiver down Shrouds spine. Fortunately for you, my good friend the Shadow Queen needs you, so I will let you run around. Defy me again and we will y bowling, with you as the pin.


    That creature, that <em>ck hole of assholes</em>, held the Dragonyers life in his hands. Shroud peeked at him with Network, trying to find an opening, anything that could make him listen.


    <em> Lord Mammon, perhaps we can negotiate, a higher price </em>


    <em>MINE! Mammon snarled, ripping the banker in half with a bite and letting the sweet, warm blood flow on his gems. Mine, mine, mine, mine, MINE!  </em>


    Ace was right, he only had one way to deal with this creature. Then I would like to make a proposal, Shroud said. I heard you were a gambler, King Mammon. Would you like to y a game?


    A game? Mammons voice switched from venomous to childish excitement. I love games, I always win!


    Not mine, Shroud replied. I have created a game so difficult, no one has managed to beat it yet.


    Oh, oho, Mammon chuckled. You have my interest. King Mammon does not back from a challenge.


    Then I would like to gamble back the life of my teammates. If you fail to defeat my game, we leave.


    I always win, Mammon replied. And what will I gain?


    My life, Shroud replied immediately. He doubted anything else would convince Mammon to gamble his friends away. Murs eyes lit up at his words, although the sorcerer couldnt say in hope or frustration.


    Not fair! I have four of mine, and one of you.


    I propose a series of rounds, Shroud responded, his heartbeat elerating each time that fiend spoke of his teammates as possessions. Every time I win, one of my friends goes free.


    The bestial man let out a chuckle. You would need to win four times in a row, he spoke with a strong, masculine voice, While Mammon would only need to win once. Challenging odds for a nobody.


    He serves the Shadow Queen. It took a second for Shroud to realize the clear, feminine voice came from the snowke being. And he is strong in the Blue. You would better not to underestimate him, Lugh.


    Lugh? The Arcadians leaders in the Midnight Market? Maybe I should have a go at him first, the bestial man confirmed. Been a while since I have had worthy game.


    Mine, Mammon spoke with an authoritative tone. He is mine, and his little gang, too.


    There is a game I am confident King Mammon cannot defeat me at, Shroud replied, baiting the monster by attacking his pride.


    It worked. Mammon rules all games as king, the monstrous mimic boasted, followed with an unnatural rattle. Fine, I ept your challenge. Entertain me and I will transfer ownership of those four back to you. What game will you have Mammon y? Chess? Cards? Shooting stars?


    No. I had a different game, of strategy and determination. A virtual reality game, unlike anything you have seen. He smiled. A game I created myself.


    <strong>yers Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Three...</strong></td><td><strong>Days..</strong></td><td><strong>Remaining..</strong></td><td><strong>Almost...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Killer Sense</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>6</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heatriser</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Homunculus</strong>


    Affinity: Orange


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Active, Direct Touch Vector.


    The user can craft a cat-sized automaton from any raw, inorganic material. The homunculus takes a shape simr to its maker, and shares a telepathic link with the caster. The homunculus must feed on its makers Flux to remain functional and will copse if not regrly recharged. The user can create as many homunculi as they can sustain.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 30: The Kings Conquest, I

    Chapter 30: The King''s Conquest, I


    Word that someone challenged Mammon had spread.


    Shroud sat on one end of arge card table, which Mammon had set as the ce of the duel; the Markets ruler faced him from the other side, Mur held in a birdcage on his left. The guests surrounded them from all sides, a sea of blurred faces and strange visages rejoicing at some excitement.


    Shroud noticed most of them stood closer to Mammon than him, trying to cultivate his favor; or they were just in afraid of him. Network also told him they expected his demise to be quick.


    So, Ace, who are you betting on? Lugh spoke, seeming chummy with her. The invincible King, or the doomed challenger?


    I have a soft spot for the underdog, she replied, smiling at Shroud. One hundred soul gems on the newbie.


    Betting against your employer? Lugh let out augh, before raising a fist at the audience. You heard thedy, bets are open!


    <em>Two hundred on Mammon! One thousand the King wins by andslide! My soul on Mammons victory!</em>


    Shroud sighed at theck of support. Why were homicidal chests so popr around here?


    Thank you, thank you, you are too kind! Mammon dered, extending his hands. Today a poor fool challenged I, King Mammon, to a new game called <em>Orpheon</em>. My dear Ace told me the rules, and I admit I like the concept! Ive yed simr games before, of course, and won every time.


    Not against me, Shroud replied, ticked off in his pride.


    Mur bets the human will kick your ass, Mammon, Mur taunted his holder in defiance. Mammon mmed the bird cage for good measure.


    The rules are simple, Ace dered, working as the arbiter. If the challenger and his minions kill our beloved King Mammon four times, the challenger wins; if King Mammon kills the challenger once, our invincible champion wins.


    Just give me my dyn-sses and lets get on with it, Shroud replied, eager to end this deadly farce as quickly as possible.


    Mammonughed, his court echoing him. sses he said His body shone with a twisted aura of violet and orange. Behold my almighty Lock!


    Before Shroud could react, a blinding, mismatched sh of both colors swallowed him whole. His body became numb, its molecules dposing and reassembling before his eyes.


    The effect reminded him of the Mapmakers teleportation, yet different. The gambling hall overturned before his eyes, yet it looked as if someone stered a newyer of reality over it instead of changing it outright.


    As the light subsided, and his surroundings came into shape, Shroud recognized the area before the process even ended.


    When Mammons spell subsided, Mathias Martel stood in front of a throne of bones, surrounded by reptilian guards andva. The cathedral-like boss room he had designed for his own game level, Castle Noirceur.


    He recognized every detail, from the statues of giant, stylized snakes surrounding the path to the throne, to the altar on which he had intended to sacrifice a princess at a quests conclusion.


    His own body had changed to match his shadowy, roguish game avatar. Amazing, he muttered to himself, touching the illusory chainmail. He felt the sensation of touch and the heat of the room. Mammon hadnt created a virtual reality; he had created a real-life simcrum of it. Only a faint, pervasive taint of orange and violet in his surroundings revealed the magical trickery.


    Considering the headache he struggled with, and the loss of his attention, Mammons magic had disabled Premium Thoughts. An attempt to call upon Lightbringer didnt help either.


    Maya? Shroud spoke, trying to summon the games artificial intelligence. No one answered. Reptilian guards, serpents with hands carrying spears and scimitars, did, hissing in response to his words. These creatures should have attacked a human on sight, yet in this game, he was their master.


    He noted floating numbers above their head.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Level 13 Serpentfolk Magide</strong>


    LP: 800.


    STR: 80


    AGI: 115


    CON: 150


    INT: 100


    CHA: 75


    LUC: 80


    Skills<ul><li>Enchant de (Fire, Ice, Lightning)</li><li>Snakeskin (Physical damage -30 percent)</li><li>Venomous Fangs (Inflicts Venom)</li><li>Cold Vulnerability</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>


    If Mammon had turned their reality into a game, did it also grant him in-game powers?


    To check, Shroud moved to sit on his throne of bones, his mind expanding in response. As the boss of the level, he could oversee and direct the entire area as long as he sat on his throne.


    First, his own stats appeared in front of him.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Mathias Martel</strong>


    Level 17 Snake Charmer (Humanoid/Reptile)


    LP: 1820.


    STR: 50


    AGI: 115


    CON: 100


    INT: 100


    CHA: 110


    LUC: 80


    Skills<ul><li>Dread Aura (Minor)</li><li>Bard Songs (Level 17)</li><li>Crown of Scales (Major)</li><li>Archenemy Immunities</li><li>Dungeon Master</li><li>One with the Land</li><li>Minion Master</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Show me the contestant, Shroud ordered, a birds-eye view of the immense castle filling his mind.


    His vision moved from hisir to the marsh surrounding it, to a distant meadow meant to serve as the arrival point for new yers. A nameless goblin merchant had been ced there to help guide yers and offer them items.


    Mammon, unchanged by the magic, had manifested in the meadow, the monster ncing around himself; four flying, winged golden camera following his every move. Why would the king need


    Hello everyone! Mammon told the cameras with a bombasticugh. Wee to todays special stream of <em>The Kings Conquest</em>!


    pping sounds echoed out of nowhere through the entire false world, as Shrouds avatar blinked in astonishment. This episode is tranted in everynguage known on every Midnight Market holo-channel, to our trillions of fans across the universe! Prepare for an amazing episode of tearful drama, mindless violence, and epicugher, as I face my deadliest challenge yet that human over there.


    A golden camera popped up out of nowhere right in front of Shroud, zooming on his face. Booing sounds reced the previous pping. The sorcerer himself had no idea how to react to this turn of events.


    Yes, the king is not impressed either, Mammon said, the booing turning into a si, cringeworthyugh. Our contest, Mathias Martel, challenged me to a Firman virtual game called <em>Orpheon</em>. <em>Orpheon</em> is a virtual reality built on the same system as the tabletop games fromst season. As you know, my dear viewers, my magic makes the chosen game real for both contestants until a clear winner is established. Which means that my enemy and I are now characters of that world and bound by itsws.


    The rules are simple. The human cowardly hides in his fortress, Mammon pointed a finger at castle Noirceur. Which I will conquer, before eating the challenger. If the human and his minions kill me four times, my enemy wins.


    Mammon raised his humanoid palm at the camera. To make this challenge fair, I will only use five, he moved his fingers, Yes, five percent of my unlimited power to win!


    Shroud clenched his fists on the other end of the level. Fair?


    Then again, the joke was on the Midnight King. His game was only winnable because he allowed it; now that he had all the cards in hands and no reason to hold back, the game designer had the advantage.


    Hello, traveler, the goblin merchant started haranguing Mammon, the road is dangerous ahead. Ive got some potions


    This is one of my props, a copy of a real person destined to die. Mammons humanoid torso approached the camera closer as if to whisper to the camera without lowering his tone. They think they are real, so shush.


    I what? the goblin asked since Mammon made no effort to avoid him eavesdropping.


    Hello, prop, Mammon replied. What do you have to trade?


    Potions, antidotes, antivenom everything that can help you survive this terrible swamp.


    Ah, a good merchant braving the frontier of civilization to bring the joys of free market economy to all living beings. You, sir, are everything that makes the world turn round.


    Err The goblin seemed confused. Thank you?


    The King, unfortunately, is in no need of your services, but who knows? Maybe I will need your help to de-stresster. Mammon gave the merchant a tap on the back. My wealth sense is tingling people! Lets see what we have.


    Leaving the confused merchant alone and none the worse to wear, Mammon moved to the center of the meadow, digging with his hand, and bringing out of the mud a small, golden trinket.


    The medal collectible.


    <em>Orpheon</em> hid medals in remote areas to reward exploring yers. They had no use in-game except for bragging. Yet, following a long and ancient tradition of video game yers, Mammon put the main quest on hold to gather useless trinkets by striding through the swamp.


    On the bright side of things, it gave Shroud time to prepare. The sorcerer took a look at Mammons stats, as the monster strode through the swamps faster than his strange biology would suggest.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>King Mammon the First</strong>


    Level 80 Infernoid Mimic (Slime/Fiend)


    LP: 6666.


    STR: 380


    AGI: 350


    CON: 400


    INT: 310


    CHA: 330


    LUC: 300


    Skills<ul><li>Shapeshifting (Item)</li><li>Regeneration (300 LP per round)</li><li>Improved Wealth Detection</li><li>Improved Critical Hit</li><li>Improved Natural Attack (X3)</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Infernoid. The word brought bad memories to Shroud and made him twice as wary as he was before. If Mammon was involved with the Maleking...


    Point for him, mimics didnt gain dangerous abilities beyond level ten in <em>Orpheon</em>, besides greater health and stats. They had never been designed to progress further. ording to his statistics, Mammon could detect treasure, regenerate a certain amount of health, and inflict vastly increased damage using his own body as a weapon. Nothing to brag about.


    Problem for Shroud, Mammon yed a level eighty character in a level meant for characters <em>seventy levels lower</em>.


    He only had to look at the stats of his minions inparison to see they wouldntst long against the King. A single blow of his could fell any enemy in the entire level, his own in-game avatar included. Neither could they inflict more damage than his regeneration could heal.


    Shrouds own skills focused on increasing the power of his monsters and disorienting foes; he had designed the boss fight for a party, turning allies against each other while coordinating his own forces. A single, overleveled yer his minions couldnt hurt disabled most of his options.


    If Mammon reached the throne room, Shroud would die. The end.


    He couldnt let the beast get that far.


    Shroud considered his strengths. Thanks to One with the Land, he could affect various aspects of the area, namely, the terrain, the winds, the nts, and most rooms of Castle Noirceur; while he had to leave a clear direct path to his throne room ording to the games rules, he could slow down Mammon or trap him. Minion Master also allowed him tomunicate with and redirect the monsters within his domain.


    However, considering Mammons power and regeneration, Shroud either had to either kill the king instantly or inflict an enormous amount of damage his healing factor couldnt undo.


    Also, nothing in Mammons stats indicated any resistance to status ailments, such as poisoning, petrification, or paralysis. While directbat would always favor the Midnight Markets ruler, Shroud could perhaps kill him through indirect means. Petrification would also cause a game over if Mammon couldnt recover within ten seconds.


    He only saw two clear options; the sphere of annihtion on floor three, which would kill Mammon instantly if he touched it, and the petrification trap on the door of his own throne room, on floor four. The rest of the traps, Mammon would breeze right through.


    Shroud had sixty minions avable, forty of them inside the castle and the rest dispersed across the swamp. Among those monsters, almost all of them were reptiles wielding poisoned weapons. He also had three minibosses geared towards directbat, but who couldnt inflict status ailments. At best those three would slow Mammon down, and little else.


    Poisoned weapons though...


    Shroud also knew the level inside and out, including the checkpoints where Mammon would reappear at if killed. That gave him a tactical advantage.


    His vision of the field shifted to the marsh, and the first ambush there, a frog-like marsh giant and a trio of serpentfolk archers. Marsh Giant, move south and prepare to intercept the intruder, he ordered, his voice carried by Minion Master. Serpentfolk, stay where you are, camouge yourselves, and wait for mymand.


    The monsters obeyed, the reptiles hiding beneath the mud or the foliage, with the giant walked away, carrying a huge tree trunk as a makeshift mace.


    By then, Mammon had made quite a bit of progress. That chest was fast, smashing trees out of the way instead of making turns. While the marsh giant hid in the foliage, his skin making for perfect camouge, the chest crawled over a bed of moss.


    Shroud activated One with the Land. Thorns sprung from the moss, catching Mammon and impairing his progress. Emerging from the foliage with a roar, the marsh giant swung his mace at the surprised Mammon.


    Reload!


    With a sh of purple, Mammon vanished from his difficult spot, reappearing where he was three seconds earlier. The marsh giants mace only hit thorns.


    of course, Mammon kept his sorcery.


    While Shroud himself didnt.


    That chest cheater!


    Mammon looked in confusion at the marsh giant as if he had appeared out of thin air. Shrouds minion tried to exploit this opening, only for Mammon to punch him in the chest with astonishing force.


    HEARTSHOT CRITICAL! - 3420


    The sheer power of the blow caused the marsh giant to explode into a rain of entrails, blood, and broken bones. Within the span of a second, the remains had vanished in an explosion of orange particles. The Market King briefly paused, as if expecting more trouble, before raising both fists in front of the cameras. And the King wins again!


    Yeah, physicalbat would end in a quick death.


    Mammons brief confusion intrigued the game master, though. If he reloaded his whole body instead of just a body part, then perhaps he erased his own memory. His own brain was reloaded along with the rest.


    Was there a limit to how far Mammon could do that? If there wasnt, nothing short of instant death would take him down. If there was


    Time to check.


    Archers, apply poison to your arrows, Shroud ordered to his serpentfolk trio. Take turn firing at him, three seconds between each shot.


    The serpents spat some of their venom on their arrows, aiming for Mammon once he came into view. The Market King behaved a bit more careful and alert. His countless eyes turned to the spot where the archers hide.


    One of the archers fired first. Mammon instantly reloaded himself, vanishing and reappearing at a previous spot, as if an editor had taken his frame and edited a short action sequence. The arrow missed, impacting on a tree nearby.


    The second archer hit Mammons humanoid chest with another arrow before he could react. The arrow barely grazed the abominations skin.


    Negligible Damage! - 2, Venom Ailment! (Mammon 6664/6666)


    Regeneration, +300 (Mammon 6666/6666)


    Realizing he had nothing to fear, Mammon retaliated with a spell of his own. Formless. His humanoid arms elongated like fleshy whips, firing at the archer squad from both sides in a scissor motion. Thebination of strength, speed and range cut anything caught in the middle, from trees to serpentfolk archers.


    - 1140


    While the gory spectacle made him wince, Shroud thought their sacrifice to be worth it. He had confirmed that Mammons Reload spell had a limit of a few seconds and a cooldown of some kind, or else he would have undone the second arrow.


    Next, and most importantly, Mammon wasnt immune to status ailments.


    Regeneration, +300; Poison - 66 (Mammon, 6666/6666)


    Since Mammons healing factor allowed him to regain more health than the venom affecting him, he didnt yet notice it. Instead, the monarch kept deforesting the surrounding area with his arms, as if expecting to root out other ambushes.


    Regeneration +300; Venom - 134 (Mammon, 6666/6666)


    Thankfully, most of the remaining monsters outside the castle, mostly serpentfolk and other minor beasts, hid farther head. Regroup to the castle, Shroud ordered them while preparing to use One with the Land again.


    He summoned more vines to keep Mammon in ce while increasing the strengths of the wind blowing against him. He needed to slow down Mammon until the poisons increasing damage would take him down.


    Regeneration + 300; Venom - 268 (Mammon, 6666/6666)


    Mammons arms returned to their original length, the monster closing his chest to protect his humanoid tongue from the wind. The monster managed to fend off the thorns and stayed on the move if slowed down.


    Finally, the round where the poison overwhelmed Mammons healing factor arrived.


    Regeneration + 300; Venom - 536 (Mammon, 6430/6666)


    Argh! Mammon snarled, stopping as if hit on the head. He instantly reloaded himself, ncing around himself after reappearing. While he didnt keep his memories, he certainly knew if he had applied time magic on himself.


    Timesense, maybe.


    Regeneration + 300; Venom - 536 (Mammon, 6430/6666)


    Mammon let out a surprised snarl and nced around. He didnt rewind time this time. It is okay, my fans, the king told the cameras. The King is just winded.


    Shroud had counted the time. Mammon could only reload himself up to three seconds and not twice in a row. Meaning he carried all the ailments and injuries he received beforehand and couldnt undo them.


    Regeneration + 300; Venom - 1072 (Mammon 5658/6666)


    Whats happening? Mammonined, the chest dangling. The pain is getting worse


    Shroud smiled. Poison damage increased over time until healed, and Mammon had neglected to buy an antidote from the merchant.


    Regeneration + 300; Venom - 2144 (Mammon 3814/6666)


    The pain must have been unimaginable, for Mammon thrashed around in anger. You poisoned me! This time, he guessed the source of the attack. The human poisoned me! I am immune to toxins, how can this be?!


    Perhaps outside the game, but while inside, Mammon had be bound by the same rules as normal characters. Sorcery or not. Shroud rested on his throne, in the samezy pose he favored for watchingedy movies.


    Reload! Mammon once again rewinded time, only to suffer the damage right afterward.


    Regeneration + 300; Venom - 2144 (Mammon 3814/6666)


    ARGH! Mammon screamed. The monster thrashed around in impotent rage, trying to make a dash towards the castle in spite of the strong winds. He didnt get far.


    <em>Five, four, three, two, one...</em>


    Regeneration + 300; Venom - 4288 (Mammon 0/6666)


    Mammon let out a final scream as the chest opened, the humanoid torso holding its chest as if suffering from a stroke before falling on his own fangs. The monstrous mimic dispelled into blood and shadows, alongside the camera.


    Shroud let out a breath of relief. First blood was on him.


    The Market King reappeared at the meadow in a sh of light, surrounded by his cameras. The mimic paused for a few seconds as if meditating on what just happened. Yes, my fans, he spoke. The King has lost one round. Killed by cowardly poison.


    The booing sounds echoed through the level, making Shroud shrug. What a drama queen.


    But a King is bound by his promise. Mammons humanoid torso snapped his finger, although Shroud didnt see any effect. But I tell you, this means war. This Firman, the Shroud, is the most underhanded fighter I have ever fought. The King will take off the kids gloves right after our ad interlude!


    The cameras turned away from Mammon, the monster approaching the goblin merchant. Prop?


    Yes? the merchant asked, readying his wares.


    I, King Mammon, need to de-stress. Would you like to help a royal person?


    I am not sure, I have some water but


    Mammon responded by raising his hand in a karate chop before lowering it, ripping the goblin in half from the elbow to the waist.


    - 1140


    Shroud watched the warm blood spray on the meadows grass and Mammons chest teeth chew on the corpse with disgust. After chewing the goblin into ground meat, the mimic spat out the merchants clothes, grabbed the guides wallet, and showered his humanoid torso with its coins.


    Ah, ah this feels so good Mammon moaned as the merchants remains vanished into orange particles. I feel so much better. Ace, Ace, ACE!


    Yes? his assistants voice answered from nowhere.


    Buy Martels, so I may blow it up. Shroud froze at his casual tone.


    Unfortunately, it is a Concordian colony. Those are not for sales.


    ... Ace, dont buy his. Then, tossing away the wallet, the King turned to face the reactivated cameras. And were back! he said, his audience unaware of the brutal disy of violence he hid from them. As I promised, the King will now turn serious for this round. No words, noments. Only action!


    The monster underwent a noticeable transformation, as his flesh and chest both grew a thinyer of diamond-like substance. Within seconds, no patch of Mammons body remained unprotected. Then, an orange aura swirled around it, reminding Shroud of the Reinforce spell.


    Teleport, Mammon spoke. With a sh of bright violet light, Mammon teleported to the spot of his demise, before moving to the castle. Shroud immediately summoned thorns and gusts of wind to slow him down, as the cameras popped up right next to the king.


    Bulletstrike.


    The colors of Mammons body turned to various shades of purple and violet. Like a movie character sped up by a watcher, the kings movements elerated thrice fold, the monster charging through his obstacles like a knife through butter.


    Shrouds attention focused on his forces guarding him. His castle Noirceur stood as a towering ck fortress, with various lizard-like archers watching from six towersShroud himself upying the tip of the highest one. On the ground, a squad of serpentfolk and marsh giants protected the main entrance.


    A direct assault should be suicidal, yet he had the horrible feeling the king would prove him wrong.


    In record time, Mammon exited the swamps and dashed towards the entrance. Archers, use poisoned arrows! Shroudmanded. Giants, throw boulders to slow him down!


    The guards did as they were told, unleashing a barrage of deadly projectiles on the assant.


    The King didnt even pause. He didnt teleport, didnt reload; he just charged through the onught, the arrows, and boulders bouncing off his diamond skin like water against the shore.


    ERROR! Failure to inflict damage!


    What? Even the weakest attack should inflict one point of damage!


    Gorgon Gaze! the king spoke, almost so fast Shroud didnt understand him. Mammons countless eyes lit up, unleashing an orange sh in all direction. When the light died out, every single of Shrouds minions had turned to gold statues.


    The Market King tossed those in his way aside, before smashing his way past the giant door with his head first like a battering ram.


    Realizing just how precarious the situation had turned, Shroud furiously tried to find a solution as he followed Mammons movements on the first floor out of five. The monster powered through trapped hallways, shrugging off hidden spikes like he did the arrows before.


    Mammon <em>learned</em>. With his spells turning him invulnerable, poisoned weapons wouldnt work again. Damn, what else could kill him in that state?


    Shroud turned to the magma surrounding his throne room.


    Immediately, he used One with the Land to look at and deflect the magma draining system, the tunnels distributing theva across hisir. Evacuate! he ordered his minions on the second floors, as he diverted the fiery magma there. A dozen of his reptilians guards fled through the stairs asva started filling the ground, eating through the stone floor.


    Mathias had never designed the level with this in mind, so he had no idea how long it would take for the floor to dissolve under the heat.


    Meanwhile, Mammon had reached the chokepoint which the Werners could never get past through. An ancient, immense circr arena, with crimson, bloodied sand littering the ground, and Aztec-styled statues encircling the battleground.


    Mammon stepped inside the battlefield, a hidden stone door closing the path behind him. The cruel monarch briefly paused at that, his tentacles tensing up as his eyes nced around for an exit.


    His challenger, hidden in the shadows, spoke a word of power. mes erupted around Mammon, fire licking his invulnerable body.


    Curse of Arson: Debuff, Fire Vulnerability!


    Letting out a frustrated growl, the unharmed king turned towards the sounds source.


    Shrouds champion, the castles first miniboss, flew out of the shadow.


    The witch, Violet, had been designed after a fairy game character Mathias once had a crush on. A majestic, angelic woman in white, with long blonde hair and butterfly wings. Now that he looked at her again with new eyes, she did look a lot like Samantha...


    Violet opened the duel by speaking another word of power, snapping her fingers. A sphere of fire ignited from the friction, flying at Mammon and impacting on his face. Mammons diamond skin heated up with a red glow.


    - 10 Fire Damage! (Mammon, 6656/6666)


    Shrouds eyes lit up in hope.


    Regeneration +300 (Mammon, 6666/6666)


    Fmls! Mammon spoke too fast for Shroud to fully understand, his fist extending at Violet like a cannonball. With speed matching that of the king himself, the butterfly woman dodged, the kings fingers piercing the wall behind her.


    As per her parameters, Violet had buffed herself before the fight, increasing her firepower and speed. Enough to match Mammons time-enhanced agility.


    The witch only had less than a thousand life points, however. A single blow would fell her like the rest. Shroud hoped she wouldst longer than the guards outside, or Mammon would avoid the trap before it even activated.


    Mammon unleashed a barrage of elongated punches with speed that wouldnt disgrace a Gatling gun. Violet flew towards the ceiling, the kings attacks narrowingly missing. Each blow took a shard of the ceiling with it, weakening the structure.


    While Mammon shrugged off the falling boulders, Violets fireballs inflicted some damage.


    Regeneration +300; -10 Fire Damage! (Mammon, 6666/6666)


    Regeneration +300; -10 Fire Damage! (Mammon, 6666/6666)


    Mammons regeneration allowed him to recover from any damage, but fire could harm him.


    The mimic, perhaps suspecting Violets assault of having a hidden effect like the poisoned arrows, stopped ignoring the fireballs. The time-boosted mimic crawled at high speed around the battlefield, dodging the miniboss attacks as she did his.


    The Midnight Markets ruler then positioned himself at the center of the arena, at a spot meant to see from every angle.


    Shroud guessed his foes next move and warned his miniboss. Violet, take cover behind the statues!


    Gon Gz! the King snarled.


    At hismand, his minion flew behind a feathered serpent statue, right as Mammon unleashed a deadly sh of light in every direction. Shielded by the stones shadow, Violet suffered no ill-effect.


    Mammons spell only affected those touched by the light the eyes cast. Like the legend of Medusa, it couldnt curse through barriers or shields.


    Proving himself a cunning tactician, Mammon extended his humanoid arms on both sides, then swirled on himself like a deadly tornado. While Violet flew out of the way, the deadly motion shattered every statue in the room one after the other, sending stone shards flying in every direction.


    Now, with his foe having nowhere to hide, Mammon prepared to cast another Gorgon Gaze spell when a fiery drop fell on his shoulder.


    Regeneration +300; Critical Hit! Minor Fire damage! - 3 (Mammon 6666/6666)


    Mammon raised his countless eyes to the ceiling, just as it copsed, spewing an ungodly amount of magma.


    While Mammon could see iting with his time-eleration, he couldnt move fast enough to dodge. Instead, he took a magma shower head on, theva covering the arenas ground like a bathhouse. Violet flew out of the magmas way,ughing like a maniac; Shroud himself let out a breath of relief.


    Regeneration +300; Critical Hit! Heavy Fire damage! - 3600 (Mammon 2166/6666)


    The sorcerer skipped a heartbeat. Mammon had survived that?


    One of the kings elongated arm, its diamond skin falling off like a snakes skin, sprung from theva, aiming to grab a wall.


    Violet, target the wall! Shroud shouted before the king could extract himself from the trap. Not the enemy, the wall!


    The miniboss did as asked, firing a fireball at the chunk of ceiling Mammon tried to anchor himself to and causing it to fall down. The kings hand only grabbed a piece of stone, which soon fell on his head; pushing him back into the magma, and to his agonizing death.


    Regeneration +300; Critical Hit! Heavy Fire damage! - 3600 (Mammon 0/6666)


    Mammon melted with a final dying gargle, the butterfly witch chuckling in delight.


    Mammon reappeared at the castles gate, shaking with anger. He quickly regained control of himself when the cameras caught up to him, but Shroud had seen his true face. The King your beloved King has lost a round.


    The mimic snapped a finger, lowering his head. All sounds in the level died out, with Shroud imagining the audience falling in silence at the shock. The situation looked like those fake, pre-Concordia reality tv shows.


    The King will not lie, this this may be the toughest challenge yet Mammon insisted on each word, to heighten the drama. But the King cannot disappoint his fans. Even in the face of such a dangerous enemy, HE. WILL. PREVAIL!


    He immediately turned his skin to diamond again, reinforced it with his Orange spell.


    Teleport!


    Nothing happened.


    ... I said, Teleport. Mammons spell failed again. Teleport. And again.


    Mammon said nothing, then began to call for assistance. Ace. Ace! AAACEEE!


    Yes, my King? Aces voice echoed from the cameras.


    Why cant I teleport inside that castle?


    Let me check <em>Orpheon</em> dungeons are protected against teleportation effects to prevent yers from sidestepping it and get to the boss early.


    Even with his sorcery, Mammon couldnt vite the rules of the artificial world.


    Wait, Shroud realized, why didnt Mammon try to teleport to him the first time, instead of targeting the swamps? Could he only teleport to areas he had been before?


    Are you telling the King that he must do that castle <em>all over again</em>?


    Im afraid so.


    Mammons scream of frustration brought a chuckle out of Shroud.


    <strong>yers Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Three...</strong></td><td><strong>Days..</strong></td><td><strong>Remaining..</strong></td><td><strong>Almost...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day </strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Reload</strong>


    Affinity: Violet


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Active, Thought.


    The caster reloads his own timeline, recing themselves with a version up to three seconds before casting the spell. All changes taken during those seconds are thus undone, including the casters memory of casting Reload in the first ce.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 31: The Kings Conquest, II

    Chapter 31: The King''s Conquest, II


    For his third attempt, Mammon had elected to behave more prudently.


    Shroud observed him circling the castle, protected by his diamond skin and followed by cameras. After his failure to teleport inside his stronghold, the monster had elected to remain as far as possible from the main entrance. After his defeat at Violets hand, he must have been eager to look for an alternative entrance.


    The fact the Midnight King hadnt cast his time-eleration boost did intrigue the watcher. Mammon had no reason not to make himself stronger; could it be that his magic worked on a finite power reserve while in the artificial world?


    No, now that he thought of it, how did non-Magik users cast spells? How did they learn them?


    Mammon finally stopped in front of a wall on the opposite side of the castle, raising a hand at the stone. Dissolve, he spoke with a strong word of power, an orange glow surrounding his palm.


    On contact, the stone melted into orange particles, the entire wall copsing on itself and leaving a gaping hole for Mammon to go through. The Midnight King didnt step into the darkness immediately, though. Golems, rise! he said with a booming, dramatic voice, shining with orange light as he mmed his tentacles to the ground. Reinforce.


    From the mud and stone below rose vaguely humanoid animated statues, four misshapen piles of rocks animated by orange light. Each towered over Mammon himself, who raised an arm.


    Mammon could use both Violet and Orange, two opposing colors. Perhaps the oddbination exined his Locks strange power. So far his Violet spells mostly focused on time magic and his Orange magic on matter maniption. At mymand, golems, on the move! Clear the path ande back to me.


    Shroud knew where this would go before Mammon sent his silent minions into the new tunnel. His creatures would trigger traps and clear the path. Ulysses had used a simr tactic during their <em>Dungeons & Dragons</em> sessions, sending summoned creatures as cannon fodder. He took a peek at the creatures stats.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Level 30 Flux-Powered Reinforced Stone Golem </strong>


    LP: 1880.


    STR: 290


    AGI: 90


    CON: 300


    INT: 0


    CHA: 90


    LUC: 100


    <strong>Skills </strong>


    - Reinforced (Damage taken diminished by 90 percent)


    - Finite Lifespan (will copse within one hour of existence)


    - Ailment Immunity (Mental Effects, Poison, Paralysis, Petrification, Bleed)</td></tr></tbody></table>


    So they wouldntst forever. Good. One hour would give them enough time to make progress, however.


    In spite of theva having taken over most of the first floor, Mammons bypass gave him quick ess to floor two, a maze of dead-ends tunnels inhabited by goblins and serpentfolk. The kings own invulnerability meant the floors monsters couldnt possibly strike back, even if they killed the golems. They were condemned.


    Retreat, he ordered his minions, as he watched the golems spread through a crossroad of tunnels, moving far faster than their size and mass would indicate. Do not engage.


    Most of his minions spread deeper into the tunnels, but the golems caught a few stragglers. Shroud watched the rock piles smash and grind the bones of his snakefolk minions with their bare hands into paste. The sheer power of their blows made the floor tremble.


    Shroud wondered if Mammon could see through his minions, which may prove problematic.


    Most of the tunnels were dead ends, but one golem had found the right path, finding brick stairs at the end of a long, serpentine cavity. The golem climbed them to the third floor, ending up in a circr room, covered with ancient mosaics and murals. The only other door, shaped like a green demons mouth, revealed stairs leading to thick darkness.


    Ignoring the murals, the golem walked through the stairs.


    One secondter, he got sucked into the void and died.


    DEATH! (Flux-Powered Reinforced Stone Golem 0/1880).


    Shroud couldnt help but smile every time someone triggered that trap. A homage to a horrible dungeon that traumatized him from his childhood, he had hidden a giant ck orb in the middle of the stairs, obscured by darkness.


    Everything that touched it died instantly. Even Mammons Reload spell wouldnt save him.


    There was a chest containing a medal hidden behind the sphere, to bait uncareful treasure hunters, and reward those smart enough to find a way around the obstacle. If Mammon was as greedy as his name implied, he would probably try to grab it as he did with the levels other prizes, consequences be damned.


    However, as Shroud noticed the golems return to their master after encountering dead-ends, he realized Mammon wouldnt fall for the same trick twice. The only other trap that could defeat the king, the petrification rune on the door to his own throne room, Mammon could negate with a well-ced Reload. Too high a gamble to let him get this far.


    There had to be a w in his magical protections that he had overlooked.


    an idea crossed his mind.


    When Mammon had reappeared at a checkpoint after his previous death by incineration, he hadnt kept his invulnerability skin on. A reset disabled his buffs.


    Which meant that he was briefly vulnerable during a very short window of time, between his reappearance at a save point and him casting his protective spells.


    Shroud nced at the Annihtion Sphere. Death by the device would send the victim back at the room right before, where the secret passage to the floors above awaited for those who deciphered the murals puzzle.


    Goblins, he told his weakest, smallest minions, a gang of four critters that would hardly threaten Mammon in a straight fight, take poisoned weapons and position yourselves at the room before the sphere.


    The critters moved into the tunnels, while the three remaining golems returned to Mammon. Where is the fourth? he asked, the golems remaining silent. The Midnight King turned to his cameras. It seems great danger lies ahead! I cant wait to see where it goes!


    <em>Me too, </em>Shroud thought.


    Mammon crawled into the tunnels, his golems forming a personal guard around him. They moved into the crossroads where Mammons minions separated. Where did the fourth go? The golems pointed at a tunnel. Onward, all three of you before me.


    By then, the goblins had started climbing the walls of the mural room, hiding in the dark corners of the ceiling, readying daggers. Wait for it now, Shroud ordered. Wait for the chest to teleport at the rooms center, and attack him.


    He hoped Mammon would take the bait, or else this would be a huge waste of time and resources.


    The Midnight King and his troops soon climbed the stairs to the room. Mammon immediately nced around the room, as if expectingva to fall on him.


    Stealth vs perception check


    Shroud crossed his fingers.


    Perception check failed.


    The sorcerer breathed in relief. Thank the gods goblins had stealth bonuses.


    I failed a perception check, Mammon said, making Shroud freeze. Which means there is a trick here which the King cannot see. Golems, check the walls for traps.


    The stone automatons touched every inch of the murals, while Mammon nced at the green demon archway. Mammon senses a treasure nearby but the King knows better than to let his greed run rampant.


    Shroud trembled in impotent frustration.


    After his golems finished searching for traps, the Midnight Markets ruler checked the puzzle on the mural. Perish now, anathema, for you will find naught but a proud enemy beyond this door. Sounds like a puzzle, or a warning.


    The key was to type on specific letters in order to write path open, so the true gate would open. Shroud had worded it to mislead yers into thinking a powerful foeid beyond the open archway.


    Also, viewers, remember to call our Midnight Market number for the chance to gain your own fabulous, gold-ted spaceship! Mammon told the camera, taking a break from dungeon crawling for amercial break, Just answer this question! What is the name of this game? A: <em>Orpheon</em>, or B: <em>Fantazia</em>! You only have five minutes!


    Shroud had a feeling telmunications for the call would be vastly overpriced.


    After careful consideration, Mammon focused his attention on the green demon archway. You there, he told a golem. Clear the path ande back to me.


    The stone automaton obeyed, climbing the stairs and vanishing into darkness, away from Mammons sight.


    DEATH! (Flux-Powered Reinforced Stone Golem 0/1880).


    Mammon waited five minutes for the golem toe back to him, unaware it had been destroyed. It appeared the king had no mental collection to his animated minions. It appears a strong foe waits ahead, Mammon told the camera. Let us see. Formless.


    Mammon extended his hand into the archway, unaware of the trap ahead; perhaps he expected only sending his hand into the passage to preserve him. His fingers scrambled about the stairs, slowly approaching the dark, invisible orb in the path.


    The kings index finger found death.


    DEATH! (Mammon, 0/6666).


    Mammon disintegrated on the spot, reappearing at the center of the room, his protections dropped. Now! Shroud ordered, his minions attacking before he even finished his word.


    Falling from the ceiling like vultures, wielding poisoned daggers, four goblinsnded on Mammon and shed him from all directions.


    Negligible damage! -1, Poisoned!


    What? Mammon said, still reeling from his sudden death beforehand and barely feeling any damage. The golem closest to Mammon moved to grab a goblin, crushing it with a single blow. Not that it stopped the rest from grazing Mammons flesh.


    Negligible damage! -1, Poisoned!


    Gorgon Gaze! Mammon unleashed a blinding sh, turning his assants and his own golems into gold statues. The Midnight King tossed the petrified goblins to the ground, looking at their weapons and noticing the drops of poison at their tip.


    Regeneration, +300; Poison - 66 (Mammon, 6666/6666)


    No, no, no, not again! The Midnight King snarled in anger, now down to hisst life. He nced in all directions, then turned to the ceiling. Wait, I still have time!


    He extended his arms to the ceiling, his hands coated in an orange glow. Dissolve! His fingers went through the stone like butter and kept extending through the fourth floor.


    Mammons breakthrough stopped when he reached the areas highest point, a stone bridge leading to a massive ck door, battered by the winds.


    Shroud himself hid right beyond those gates.


    You know what people? Mammon told the camera, as the glow around his hands vanished. His fingers grabbed stone, to lift him up. Screw the exploration, lets go straight for the kill!


    Regeneration +300; Venom - 134 (Mammon, 6666/6666)


    Realizing that Mammon intended to bypass the whole dungeon, Shroud sent a message to all his remaining minions. Gather before the throne rooms door and stop the intruder!


    His hands firmly anchored to the pathway above, Mammon reduced the length of his arms, turning his motion into a lift to the above.


    Mammon let out a snarl as he started taking damage, reaching the stone bridge andnding on it safely, the cameras all focusing on him. He was weed by a rain of arrows, turning his skin to diamond before they could hit.


    Error, failure to inflict damage!


    While the minibosses remained limited to their areas, all remaining troops in the castle had arrived; nearly three dozen reptilian warriors, goblins, and other critters made their way to the bridge, trapping Mammon between them and the door.


    Regeneration + 300; Venom - 268 (Mammon, 6666/6666)


    Shrouds troops nailed Mammon with spears and arrows, which harmlessly bounced off of him. The Midnight King ignored them, bolting towards the gates.


    Using One with the Land, Shroud summoned strong gusts of wind to slow him down before he could reach the door, allowing his troops to catch up to Mammon. Push him off the bridge! Shroud ordered. His troops grabbed Mammon with their tiny hands, trying to drag the beast off into the void below.


    Out of my way! Gorgon Gaze! Mammon snarled, unleashing a blinding sh around him. Dozens of his minions turned to gold, but not all of them; lucky ones avoided the deadly light by hiding behind their own teammates.


    Regeneration + 300; Venom - 536 (Mammon, 6430/6666)


    Shrugging off the golden statues around him, Mammon quickly extended his arms, tossing the surviving minions off the bridge with a whipping motion. Goblins went crashing onto the ground into a bloody paste or vanished screaming into the hole Mammon had made.


    Now in front of the door, Mammon raised a fist and propelled it through the gates. Shroud only had the time to dive to the ground, the arm punching through his throne and demolishing it.


    Regeneration + 300; Venom - 1072 (Mammon 5658/6666)


    Door trap activated! Petrification rune triggered!


    Rel Mammon ran out of time before finishing, the spell trap on the door turning him to stone.


    Shroud let out a sigh of relief upon rising back to his feet, he and his remaining minions looking at Mammons statue. If the King remained petrified for ten secondsand the ailmentsted far longerhe would get a game over, and Shroud would win automatically.


    A purple glow surrounding Mammon dashed his hopes.


    Shit, the King was using his time sorcery to reduce the petrification length and escape before the ten second game over mark!


    Think, Shroud. As long as he survived long enough, the poison would kill Mammon. Keep him busy, he told his remaining minions, knowing they were doomed.


    He hoped all those points in agility werent for show.


    Running past Mammon and to the bridge, Shroud, full of adrenaline, relied on the secret technique that had so far always ensured his survival.


    Tactical retreat.


    With all the momentum he could muster, Shroud leaped over the edge just as Mammon broke out of the petrification, smashing through his remaining minions. The Midnight King locked eyes with his foe, astonished, as he tried his hand at angel jumping.


    Regeneration + 300; Venom - 2144 (Mammon 3814/6666)


    As he fell, the wind brushing against his face, Shroud noticed the damage and regeneration appearing as numbers above Mammons head. Another round of poison damage and that would be it.


    Coward! Get back here! Mammon snarled, as he prepared to jump over the edge too.


    With inhuman agility only a video game character could muster, Shroud managed to run over the stone walls, before making a softnding on the grass outside the castle.


    -1000 fall damage! (Mathias Martel 820/1820)


    Thank the game designers that falling damage was capped at one thousand.


    It still hurt like hell.


    He barely had the time to get back to his feet and run away, as Mammonunched himself from above. Sizeshift! the Midnight King shouted, shining with orange light.


    As he flew towards Shroud, Mammon quickly increased in size, getting past the twenty feet tall mark within seconds and continuing to grow.


    Putting all he had in a final sprint, Shroud ran as fast as he could to escape Mammons shadow, before the giant could squash him under his immense body. Mammons size peeked at eighty feet tall, a flying chest that put buildings to shame.


    Shroud elerated, finding himself struggling for breath. His own camera followed him like a horrible bird, zooming on his face for the audiences delight.


    But he made it.


    He escaped Mammons deadly shadow two seconds before the giant hit the ground, sending debris flying and making the ground shake; the shockwave propelled Shroud a few meters forward, making him roll on the side on the grass.


    - Regeneration + 300; Venom - 4288 (Mammon 0/6666)


    The giant Mammon snarled, as a strange sound, not unlike Magik Onlines notifications, echoed through the game world. The Midnight King didnt copse like the other times, but the giant fumed with anger. Doubly since it had been a close call; Shroud had been two seconds away from bing a puddle of blood underneath his chest.


    Still panting andying on the grass, Shroud raised his fist with a victorious roar, I did it!


    He had designed a game so hard, not even all-powerful wizards could finish it! Take that, Atlus!


    Mammon didnt share his enthusiasm, his eyes blinking in quick session. It seemed he couldnt even register that he had lost yet.


    Cut! Due to his size, his voice boomed stronger than thunder; the stages cameras going offline. Ace, Ace, AAACEEE!


    Yes, Your Majesty? his assistants voice answered through the cameras.


    How are the ratings?


    Through the roof, Your Majesty. I took the liberty to add amercial break right before your life points hit zero, to heighten the suspense. Best cliffhanger of the season yet.


    Amercial break? The King plushies?


    The King plushies.


    Good job, Ace. Add the new spaceship limited-collection right afterward.


    As Mammon discussed money with his assistant, Shroud rose back up and nced around himself. Mammonsnding had devastated the marsh and most of the nearby castles walls, but the level didnt look as if it would copse anytime, making him frown.


    At least his friends were safe and sound.


    You stress me, Mathias.


    Before Shroud could react, moving at a speed one wouldnt suspect from his immense size, Mammons giant fist smashed him.


    -9999 smash damage! (Mathias Martel 1/1820).


    That one was for free, Mammon said.


    Shroud would have answered if he could do more thany on the ground; the blow should have turned him into paste and shattered his bones, but while it hurt like hell, he was still in one piece and able to move. His eyes shifted to his status screen.


    LP: 1/1820.


    The rules of the artificial world still applied he would live as long he had one lifepoint remaining why did he keep one after such a blow?


    Mammons hand grabbed Shroud like a doll, bringing him up right in front of the Midnight Kings humanoid face. I swear to my Dark Father, Mammon said. Few have been such a pain in my bottom. If I had known a small fry like you would prove so troublesome, I would have read that games stupid rules with more attention.


    You can only me yourself Shroud replied, catching his breath. For your overconfidence.


    True. I would say congrats for pushing me this far, but you will live just long enough to regret it.


    The fiends icy tone made Shroud wince, as much as his voices volume. I won the wager fair and square, he replied.


    Oh, I will keep my word. King Mammon is no deal breaker. The sorcerer noticed a few gems in Mammons hoard, whose size had shifted to match his, had turned white and empty. But you will all die, you and your little gang. I will kill every single one of you and shower in your gold.


    The sorcerer red at the giant. You said you would let us go.


    No, no, no, Mammon waved his finger. I said I would <em>release </em>your friends if you won four rounds. I never said I would <em>not </em>kill them, nor you for that matter.


    I assumed that was part of the package.


    You assumed wrong. I cannot allow a human to make a fool out of me on my own show. So, you will give me a fifth chance, and I will win this time. Or else I will kill you all. You will still be free, just dead.


    That bastard...


    Wait, why did he even need his consent? Unless unless...


    Shroud erupted inughter, taking the Midnight King back. You need me to agree, the sorcerer figured out. That was why you did not kill me. You cant. You have to obey the games rules! Since you exhausted your four tries, you can no longer kill me!


    Mammons countless eyes turned crueler. You would be surprised what mortals can live through.


    But I have to consent for your Lock to ept a change of rules, Shroud guessed. If I say no, it ends right there and now. And you will have lost in public.


    Oh, so cute, you think you can bargain with Mammon? the Midnight King cackled with contempt. I will have this show edited to undo my defeat. No one will know.


    No one, Shroud replied, modting his tone to sound smug and condescending, but you.


    The Midnight Kings silence told him he had hit right at home.


    You may hide it from everyone else, but deep down, you will always remember that a human without your godlike power beat you! Outwitted you! That you are no invincible King of Games!


    Mammon tried to crush Shroud within his fist. This time though, it didnt hurt; Shroud felt nothing.


    FAILURE TO INFLICT DAMAGE!


    Mammon sighed in annoyance. Shroud kept ring back at the petty tyrant.


    Unfortunately, while ending the game would hurt Mammon right in his enormous ego, Shroud would default on his, and his friends life. The Midnight King remained nigh invincible in a fight; the current confrontation had just driven the point home.


    Shroud had to turn this mutual defeat into a victory. If I agree to a fifth round, and I lose, he began, drawing Mammons full attention. You still release my friends and allow them to leave unharmed. You will not kill them.


    But you will be dead, Mammon already seemed to relish the thought, caressing every word.


    Shroud bit his lip. But I will be dead. I will even make a good face on camera if needed. As long as his friends got out of this mess alive, he would ept his fate.


    Good, good. I agree


    Im not done. If I win, we all leave safe and unharmed, myself included. You will not take revenge on me for tonights events, whether directly or indirectly. And no sixth round. This is the final one, and we both abide by the results. Nost minute change. You will only be allowed to use the spells you used during your fourth try, so no stopping time.


    And why would I ever agree to that? Mammon let out a maniacalugh. You think you are so smart because you got the better of me once? I know where your friends on Earth live, Mathias Martel.


    It took all his willpower for Mathias not to break his mask.


    Pretty Persephone and little Ulysses, and their sweet mother, too. Trying to rebuild their life after you destroyed yours. Do you think they are safe in Concordian territory? Booz could only trade in Evermarsh because I allowed it. A word from me, and they will be dead before the next sunrise. I will mail them to you, one body part at a time.


    Mathias would have folded.


    Shroud knew better than let that asshole sink his hands into him. Sure.


    Mammon paused. He hadnt expected that answer.


    Go ahead, Shroud bluffed, his voice as cold as winter. Kill them, I dont care. They served their purpose.


    You think that by lying, you will protect them from me?


    If this is the best threat you cane up with, then this negotiation is over, Shroud bluffed. Without Network activating, he had no idea if Mammon believed him or not. For the first time in a long while, he could only hope without relying on his social cheat code.


    But Shroud had gained a certain insight into others in thest month, and he could see Mammon hesitating. Would he truly take the risk of being wrong? He had the feeling Mammon valued his pride too much for that.


    I could torture consent out of you, the Midnight King said, dropping the Werner card for a more personal threat. I have all the time in the world.


    No way around it then. Shroud looked at him dead where his heads two eyes should have been. I do not think you understand who you are talking to.


    Oh?


    Pain, sacrifice, humiliation, none of this matter to me. There is only one thought, always in my mind. <em>Victory, </em>for me and my team. And there is <em>nothing </em>I will not do, nor endure, he said, his tone cold and threatening, to win.


    He really, really hoped all those years of role-ying viins would pay off today. Or else, he and his team faced a fate worse than death itself.


    Mammon and he faced one another in tense silence for several seconds then an agonizing minute. Each unwilling to give the other an inch.


    Then, Mammon startedughing.


    Shroud remained as straightced as ice, as the monster kept cackling higher, and higher, holding his ribs with his free hand. Oh my I haventughed so hard since since forever!


    Eventually, the Midnight King calmed himself. Congrattions, Mathias, you have earned my respect.


    Shroud didnt let any surprise show on his face.


    I thought you were a man, but deep down you have a fiends, ck heart! There was something deeply shameful in being congratted by Mammon. You will make such a terrific Malebranche!


    Malebranche?


    Mammons mood-swing creeped Shroud out, doubly so when he added, Ive changed my mind, a final round will not be necessary. I will allow you and your team to live a little longer. I have a far, far better idea!


    Before Shroud could reply, Mammon put him back on his ce, before turning his giant face towards the inactive cameras. Shroud didnt allow himself a sigh of relief, just in case this was a trick of some sort.


    And we are back online, viewers! Mammon cackled, as the cameras put themselves on again. Yes, it happened. I, Mammon, your beloved champion, has been defeated!


    Tearful music echoed through the level, which made Shroud sick. This chest bully embodied all he hated about oppressors and their hypocrisy, presenting a nice image to hide the rot underneath.


    It seems this season will be a turning point! A darker shift, as the games grow more dangerous, and enemies more fearsome! For the first time in my immortal life, I will have to train to sweat to win! So stay tuned for next episode!


    Shroud, almost expecting a trick, began to count the time.


    Three. Mammon hadnt moved.


    Two. The violet and orange colors around the level intensified.


    One. The false world was swallowed by light.


    For a moment, Shroud couldnt see anything, as the entire dimension copsed on itself. He wondered if Mammon had cast a spell on him, turning his victory into a sudden, cruel defeat. That would have been a twist worthy of an intergctic show.


    Yet, when the light died out, revealing a silent casino and a still stunned audience, Shroud allowed himself a breath of relief.


    For a long, long moment that felt like an hour, nobody dared say anything nor break the silence, for fear of upsetting Mammon.


    Then someone dared to p.


    Like everyone else, Shroud nced at the suicidal daredevil. Lugh. I owe you one, Ace, the Arcadian Reaver spoke, ignoring Mammons malevolent re.


    Then others started pping, the strange being called Graff and the blonde woman; the first pped strongly, the other slower, but with more firmness.


    Nobody else dared though. Ace gave a discreet wink at Shroud, but that was it.


    Mammons eyes nced at his defiers, then at Shroud himself. However, instead of venom and hate, the Midnight King seemed strangely enthusiastic. Congrattions on surviving your job interview, Mathias.


    Shroud blinked behind his helmet. Excuse me?


    You are now one of my game viziers! Mammons showmanship was almost painful to listen to. You will organize our next Crimson Epochs challenges and ordeals, with the same skills you disyed against me!


    What?


    So this was all a test? someone called in the assistance.


    Of course, Mammon spoke with apparent sincerity. The King only epts games that can challenge him as fair for his contestants.


    <em> The King could not allow himself to look weak. For his power to remain, his court must believe him infallible  </em>


    No. That wasnt a test, just ast minute improvisation of a PR-addict desperate to save face. Shroud was taken aback, noticing Ace making signs in the background.


    <em> Why wasnt that idiot taking the miraculous golden exit? Either Mammon saved face with his lie, or his fury would know no bounds the King was fickle in his moods.  </em>


    Yes, better not to anger the near-invincible time-controlling mimic.


    Shroud nodded to Mammon, thankful his helmet for hiding his disgust. A pleasure to serve. He couldnt fully tone down the sarcasm in his voice, no matter how hard he tried.


    It seemed that a few recognized the scene as the farce it was, but no one dared to call the bluff. Well, Lugh held his chest inughter, but everyone ignored him. So the lie became the truth.


    <em>Congrattions on your new job. Nice work! Cant wait to see whates next. A human organizer? Interesting! Best Kings Conquest episode of the season by far.</em>


    Mammon graciously extended his hand over the table, which Shroud shook. He could feel the pressure threatening to crush his bones. The King expects great things from you, Shroud. I will not lose next time. He spoke that part with good cheer, like any spirited contestant, yet the sorcerer could sense the cold malevolence.


    Shroud had made an unpleasant new enemy.


    Although, as he saw the spell on Kari, Maggie and Sol dispel, and Murs birdcage open, he allowed himself a smile.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Side Quest: Mammons Revenge, Fulfilled! </strong>


    Your Network Lock has started upgrading </td></tr></tbody></table>


    Whatever threatid ahead, they would beat it.


    <strong>yers Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Three...</strong></td><td><strong>Days..</strong></td><td><strong>Remaining..</strong></td><td><strong>In-story...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Killer Sense</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>6</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heatriser</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Formless</strong>


    Affinity: Orange


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The casters body bes supernaturally stic and flexible, allowing them to stretch their limbs and body in unnatural ways. As a side-effect, resistance to impact or force damage is greatly enhanced, as the body absorbs shocks better.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 32: DLC: Beware the Hunters

    Chapter 32: DLC: Beware the Hunters


    From birth to death, the living struggled. Such was the essence of life.


    Conflict,petition, violence; disease, poison, despair. So many ways to die. Life was always at war with itself, to prove itself worthy of surviving. By its virtue of being limited by time, life became bright and vivid. When you knew of the end ahead, you appreciated each present moment.


    That was why no true hunter could tolerate the undead. Loathsome, eternal things, they could not appreciate life to the fullest. They could no longer appreciate the struggle, no longer felt grateful for their extended time. They carried on, dull and cold.


    Many of them he had hunted on principle, even without earning any points.


    Lugh looked at his trophy wall, the heads of the best prey he had collected over the years. A row of seven dwarfs heads, an elite legion that had destroyed civilizations. The stuffed corpse of thest queen of the elves, whom he gave a painless, honorable death after defeating her champion in singlebat. Feathers taken from a phoenix he had chased for a whole year around a distant sr system.


    A ck dragon skull, killed on the moons of Sakar, overshadowed the rest. His first raid on the Concordian territories, and far from thest. He had yet to hunt another dragon, although he intended to once his duty to Grandfather done.


    His time as ambassador had made him restless.


    Lugh walked away from his wall and sat in an armchair of minotaur hide, in front of a stone chimney. His hound, Failinis, waited near the fire, resting. Waiting. He too shared his masters discontentment and dreamed of warm, fresh blood.


    Mammon had gifted him this hunting lodge, a manor of wood and stone that made the hunter feel constrained. Lugh had graciously epted, although he considered his amodations unsuited for his kind. Reavers lived on their spaceships, roaming the stars to loot and plunder, never settling. Even Grandfather spent little time on their homeworld of Arcadia, instead reaving in unexplored regions of space in search for worthy game.


    Other species would have considered this mansion the summit of richness and luxury. Lugh found it dull and lifeless. He missed the verdant forests of Arcadia or even the lush alien jungles he had gamed in during his youth. This stunk of death and decadence.


    The Midnight Market had its good points, though. Leisures, lupanars, food and drink, and interesting games. He had made good friends and grown extraordinarily fond of the smart and talented Ace.


    Even then, mindless revelry and sex had grown stale.


    Reavers had to take the riches they surrounded themselves with, not have them gifted to them. Lughs appetite might be bigger than life, he yearned for a challenge.


    Grandfather had tasked him with preparing his arrival for the Epoch, and Lugh had obeyed. He had even considered entering the tournament himself with his best raiders, upon hearing of the games prize.


    Mammons new choice of game vizier had attracted his interest as well. In more ways than one. Morrigan,e to me.


    The corners of the room bent with a violet sh, as a feathered crone manifested near his armchair; an ancient and bent hag with skin purple, ck wings, and sharp talons. An unkind death made flesh.


    No Reaver looked the same, each taking a shape reflecting their inner self. Cowards took the wings of vultures, tricksters the fur of foxes, strongmen the hide of rhinos, wisemen the feathers of ravens. And royal victors like Lugh, the manes of lions.


    Such was their nature, as the apex of the animal kingdom, to take the traits of the spirit they most identified with. Only Lord Revel himself, as the alpha and omega of their kind, transcended the limits of a single animal.


    Prince Lugh. What do you desire?


    Reavers looked down on sorcery as a cowardly tool. With the exception of Lord Revel himself, only women were allowed to wield it, and never forbat. Only physical strength and skill could determine a Reavers worth, not an inborn, fickle advantage like magic. Letting sorcery win your battles for you was considered the ultimate sin against tradition. Although he could never prove it, Lugh and many Reavers suspected Morrigan ignored the rules when no one looked. This made her disliked, even in her role of overseer of the hunt.


    However, she was too precious an advisor to reprimand. Have you done the research I asked of you?


    I have. I have their names, and their identity, and the ce where they live.


    How much are they worth? Lugh asked, petting Failinis with one hand.


    Homo sapiens are worth ten points. Imps, twenty.


    Low. Very low. Barely worth hunting.


    Reavers hunted for points, and the more points the greater the honor at the seasons end. With thirty-five thousand, ny-three points, Lughnded roughly fourth in the rankings. He hoped to rank first before Grandfather reset the points.


    Lugh only had a few weeks before Lord Revel arrived at the Market to witness the Crimson Epoch, ending the current hunting season and dering a truce until the tournaments end. Reavers could not win points and had to behave until their patriarch said otherwise.


    Lugh knew his respected grandfather didnt attend the Epoch only because he loved blood sports. Lord Revel intended to designate a new target for the centurys Grand Hunt, a species the Reavers would hunt to extinction, as they had exterminated the dwarves, the elves, the spriggan, the perytons, the centaurs, and the manticores. The Epoch would let the conqueror see which race would present the greatest challenge to his progeny.


    Lugh hoped Grandfather would choose the dragons. Now that would be a hunt worthy of his time. How are <em>they </em>worth? Lugh asked again. The boy smells of dragon blood, and one wears the armor of one of ours. They all wield the spark of sorcery.


    The elder human did not kill his armors previous owner inwfulbat. The dragon could not cast spells and as such was worth twice as less. Morrigan reexamined her calctions. The leader is worth one-hundred eighty, the imp one hundred twenty, the others one hundred. Total six hundred.


    A low yield, but enough to make Lugh snatch the third ce.


    Lughs eyes set on his silver spear, waiting above the chimney. His finely crafted weapon, which his Grandfather had gifted him after he earned his first trophy, and followed him on every hunt ever since.


    Who was he deceiving? Even if they had been worth nothing, he would still have hunted them out of boredom.


    Morrigan, fetch me a copy of that game,<em> Orpheon.</em> It had pleased Lugh, and ying it would help him understand his prey. Lugh will hunt soon.


    Damn rerun.


    <em>Yes, it happened. I, Mammon, your beloved champion, has been defeated!</em>


    Lyber the werewolf looked at the holo-tv with slight disinterest, spiking his cocktail with Dreamshade powder drug to rx. While his unique biology, mechanical enhancements, and addiction to performance drugs protected him from the nastier side-effects, he needed a big shot to improve his mood.


    The lycan basked in the scents of drugs, sex, and meat pervading the bar. A trio of ghoul musicians yed a maddening flute concerto with a tentacled protosmic singer at the center of the room. Clients tossed fresh meat at them as tips. The bony walls moaned, the skulls of bad customers whispering together.


    The Xenosphere was busier tonight, full of new faces, new smells. Contestants for the Crimson Epoch and adventurers looking for a job. As expected from an Underside bar, the clients were the lowest of the low, the horrors banned from the Overside.


    Liches and degenerate vampires dry fucking in a corner, twisted tentacled abominations ying dice, beautiful, soulless winter fairies, fleshcrafters bargaining for an alchemically-enhanced arm. The bony bar of Xenosphere weed the worst of the living and the dead.


    The ck werewolf ncedzily at the fleshcrafters wares; he had reced his left hand with metal and considered enhancing the other. He would have soon enough money to invest in new organs, and a third heart. He had found that the faster the heartbeats, the greater the highs.


    The Xenosphere catered almost exclusively to the Markets hired guns and their contractors. Bounty hunters, assassins, mercenaries, and enhancers gathered there to have a good time, exchange tips, or form ad hoc alliances.


    The patron, an old cranky mummy called Dustkin, had built the bar from the corpses of the customers that didnt pay him, incorporating their flesh and bones into the structure. The structure always gained a new room with every economic hup.


    His partner, the vampire Storck, sat next to him with both feet on the table, his lidless ck eyes set on the tv. Covered in blood-soaked, red bandages, Storck had removed his lips to chew meat faster. Sharp bones and iron spikes protruded from its body, one for each of his bounties.


    Unlike Lyber, Storck didnt partake in drugs. Only pain, mostly his own, gave him a high. Mur has found a new team, the vampire said, pointing his bony, bleeding finger at the imps birdcage. And lost his body.


    Lyber chuckled. That was the cost of indulging in low-grade, cheap enhancements. The imp had never tasted true sess. Is he worth killing now?


    Oh yes, Lyber Lyber. He and his gang are worth more than ourst five bountiesbined. And we get an official pardon from Concordia for any crimes wemitted beforehand in their territories.


    Ours could fill a book, Lyber said. And we get to hunt again in Concordian territories without risking arrest.


    Thats right, Lyber, thats very right.


    Not that it ever stopped them. The duo had ughtered so many coteral victims authorities often wondered who they had been hired to kill in the first ce.


    What do you say, Lyber? Storck asked. Up for it?


    The leader is in Mammons pocket. Pissing off our main contractor could be bad for business. While Lyber didnt care about politics, Mammon could easily cklist him among his dealers. I heard Dustkin say they were guests of the Shadow Queen, and thus Celias.


    Storck bristled at the mention of the undead queen, but he loved money more than he feared her. We also arent the only ones on the case, the vampire said. Concordia sent an operative. I caught sight of it in the Underside. A Queen operative.


    Lyber spit out his cocktail, drawing some gazes. A Queen? Those were the Concordian elite, with top grade gear that gave them enough firepower to defeat almost anyone in their way.


    Lyber Lyber, that only raises my interest more! Storck said cheerfully. It means Concordia really wants those five dead and buried. The leader killed ckcinders son.


    And hes still alive? Lyber let out a dark chuckle. Getting a Minister in their pocket would make up for angering Mammon. I say game on.


    His partner let out a bellowingugh, already imagining a n. Lyber could almost read it in his mind.


    Storck had found Lyber while he was busy mauling a bullman elder on a distant border for sport; the werewolf had mistaken Storck as a vignte sent after him before the vampire joined in the fun. A crimelord the elder banished from Mazeworld had hired the vampire with the exact same goal in mind.


    As it turned out, plenty of people were willing to pay Lyber for something he did for free.


    They hit it off instantly and formed a partnership ever since. Of course, in a field aspetitive as paid murder and bounty hunting, you had to carve out a niche to stay employed; you became the best at hunting Arcadians Reavers, or you specialized in bringing a target back alive.


    Not Storck and Lyber.


    Nobody made their targets suffer as much as they did. As long as there was more than one person in the universe, someone would want someone horribly dismembered and gruesomely murdered.


    Of course, they had professional standards. No reneging on the contract, the customer is king, no killing employers. Lyber was many things, but awless savage he wasnt. We dont have to bring them back alive, right?


    Nah, the bounty says dead, Storck replied. We have to bring back the corpses for identification though.


    So no filetting?


    No filetting.


    Pity.


    Maybe he could chew a leg or two? They wouldnt get in the way of verifying the body.


    The fainting holo-screen showed an aerial view of an ill houses crowd.


    This houses previous upant had been watching that channel when she heard him eat her generator. He had felt cold, so cold, he had to eat something, anything. She found him gorging on her Flux reserves, and then he consumed her too. He could not stop himself when he was hungry.


    Her cold huskid in the basement, where he could not see it. Where her face could not condemn him, torment him.


    Her life had dulled the pain for twelve minutes. Shorter. Shorter than before.


    Electricity, warmth, heat, those barely sated his hunger. Only Flux and souls could give him respite. The more he took, the less it worked.


    He hated it, the pain, the hunger, the oil leaking from his body, the rot and the degradation. In his more lucid moments he wished for the sweet mercy of oblivion, the honorable demise the <em>Ryu</em> denied him. Tomit seppuku and join his ancestors, to make the pain go away, to end his agonizing loneliness.


    But he always stopped himself.


    He had seen beyond the ck Tower ande back. He had visited the city of the ck, which extinguished even the brightest light. He had seen the single eye watching him from the darkness, the end that imed us all. The thing the <em>Ryu</em> wanted to keep at bay.


    He had seen the ck.


    And he would drag everyone down there first.


    He caught sight of her on the holo-channel, congratting a ss man for his victory.


    Kari Kari...


    The one light in his empty, tormented existence.


    The ck horror crawled toward the channel, his mere presence causing the light to flicker. Everywhere he went, he drained light and life, leaving nothing behind.


    He had followed her, from Nippon to the Yankees dirty town, hiding in the shadows. When she fled Earth, he tracked her down again. He could sense her heartbeat, her brilliant, vivid soul calling to him.


    Blood called to blood.


    She had seen him, felt him. Feared him. Hid from him. He had tried to keep himself away, to spare her the same terrible fate she failed to save him from.


    He couldnt take it anymore.


    Only she could soothe the pain, forever. He needed her, to extinguish her light and drown her in darkness. Only then would he stop suffering alone.


    Kari this is me this is me...


    The screen faded to ck.


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Kic Choke</strong>


    Affinity: Red


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    The caster creates four invisible hands of telekic force, with a five meters radius. Those hands possess enough force to lift roughly two hundred kilograms each, and can manipte objects with the same dexterity as hands of flesh and blood.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 33: Modded Feature

    Chapter 33: Modded Feature


    <em> 0,1,2,0 endless numbers and geometrical shapes, making up the structure of reality. Rectangles and triangles made shapes that existed yet did not exist. Infinite possibilities quantified into alternate, shifting states  </em>


    Shroud had to pull back before his head exploded, massaging his temples to lessen the headache.


    The Universal Brain pulsated before him, hooked to a piece of strange, organic machinery. The device itself looked straight out of a science-fiction movie: a gigantic, greenish brain roughly fifty meters squared, the UBs flesh incorporated mechanicalponents such as steel coils, blue microprocessors, and small pylons cackling with electricity. The organic supeputer radiated with a blue glow, reminding Shroud that the same sorcery powered them both.


    In fact, the more he peeked into the machine, the more he grew convinced Concordia had attempted to replicate Blue Sorcery through technology.


    So? Wormson asked, before casting a Green spell on his fellow researcher. As a glow more potent than even his own Heal spell surrounded him, the Blue Sorcerer felt the pain vanish. What do you see?


    Numbers, Shroud replied. The UB perceives everything in terms of tertiary numbers and values. Zero, one, two, quantum trits. I have a headache grasping the math behind it even with Premium Thoughts and Babel on.


    Network allowed him to connect with the UB; Babel, to trante thenguage; and Premium Thoughts, to not have his brain fry from information overload. The perfect mind-readingbination.


    Even then, it had taken him a full day to even grasp what he saw.


    Shroud sat on a table next to potions and various alchemical instruments. Wormsons workshop, taking up a whole wing of the Pce of Shadows, was their of an anarchic, confused mind. Endless shelves full of liquid potions met sparse, hastily written notes, half-finished books, and vivariums under the faint light of ghostly candles.


    Mostly vivariums.


    Shroud had no idea how many creatures Wormson kept in his study, but it could probably fill a zoo. Most he kept trapped but functional, while bigger specimens, like winged whales and bipedal ants, he kept in amber.


    The UB just warranted a little more effort. Wormson had hooked it up to a lung-like, disgusting organic apparatus, keeping it fed and docile. Some kind of organic feedback loop, or so Shroud understood.


    Do you think you can crack the code? the abominable vermin hive asked Shroud. From what I gathered from my own experiments, UBs recognize one another through specific Identify Friend-Foe signal protocols.


    I think they use specific geometric sequences, like you know Escher?


    No, what is it?


    A human artist known for making impossibly angled paintings. UBs use those pictures to process and exchange information; now that I understand how theymunicate, I could in theory craft a fake request through my Lock. Like a fake rescue call.


    And I could create an organic interface that couldplete the deception and recover the answer. Brilliant. It will think its contacting help while we worm our way inside. Wormsonughed at his own, poor joke. The Blue Sorcerer wondered if n Turing had to suffer a colleague like that.


    Fortunately, Wormson hid a brilliant mind beneath his poor sense of humor. The two discussed the in and outs of such a solution for the UB problem at length, before settling on a potential signal form.


    The living hive grabbedplex concepts in record time, absorbing information like a sponge. Shroud had never met someone whom he could sense the raw intelligence from before; and as far as he knew, the worm-hive didnt use Blue Spells to boost it.


    Shroud himself wondered the potential results of using magic long-term. He had never spent a day without Premium Thoughts unless suffering from a Counterspell, and Kari kept Peak on all the time. Considering their young age, would it affect their development? Wormson, may I ask you a question?


    Certainly, my bluish friend.


    Does magic have long-term effects on living beings?


    Of course it does. Counting the species who owe their existence to Green Sorcerers would take forever. All undead can thank a Yellow Sorcerer at one point for their unlife.


    I meant on the sorcerer themself.


    I see what mean. The more you channel a specific color of Flux, the more your body tunes itself to it. Dragons are the most visible case, their sensitivity to Flux tuning their metabolism to their environment as they mature. And the esction syndrome exists.


    Shroud raised an eyebrow. Esction?


    A small percentage of Sorcerers go off the deep end. Very, very deep. They let their power affect their judgment, be unstable, and lose contact with reality.


    Wouldnt that just be the natural result of gaining too much power too early? Shroud replied. Temptation and all.


    Certainly individual strength of characters ys a role, but sorcerers of a simr color almost always go mad in the same exact way. It is not as simple as nature versus nurture. It is both at once. I have a theory on the cause, but it goes against the orthodoxy. I believe sorcery has a will of its own.


    Noticing that his colleague listened with rapt attention, Wormson adopted a professional tone. Most researchers believe an ancient civilization built the Neurotowers, the Gates, and other artifacts to harness sorcery, bringing it into our universe. What if we thought about it the wrong way? That sorcery itself built those towers and those machines to manifest in the world? What if it chooses people who share its purpose and will spread it instead of assigning the gift at random?


    Shroud could grasp the concept, yet he found it difficult to believe. Then what does <em>it </em>wants?


    What do <em>they </em>want? Blue wants knowledge and control; Green wants to spread and improve life; Yellow wants to dissolve the boundaries between concepts and reality; Orange wants more, to own, to protect itself; Red wants to shine, to explode, to burn; Violet wants to explore the past, decide the future, and explore the unknown; and White wants to take the shape of, or support the other colors.


    The Blue Sorcerer wondered if this was how Magik Online assigned affinities to users; selecting it ording to the users mindset. The more Shroud understood himself, the more he realized that the desire to learn what happened to his mother and to gain enough power never to feel weak again, yed arge role in his motivation. Sol lived to help others. Mur wanted to stave off his insecurities by hoarding money, power, and weapons like a magpie. And Maggie wanted to fight, to explode, and scream in a healthier way than her brother.


    Kari he couldnt wrap his head around her. Dissolve the boundary between concepts and reality? That would exin the many rumors of necromancers among Yellow Sorcerers, dissolving the border between life and death.


    Maybe that was the key to the two remaining members of his Guild? Someone who wanted to improve life, and someone with a unique rtionship to space and time? How do Blue Sorcerers escte? he asked.


    They start to think they should have all the knowledge and all the power, and then they start to believe in themselves a bit too much. Then they proim themselves gods. Wormson paused. Do you think you are a god, my ungodly friend?


    The young man smiled. Not yet. I do have another question though. What did you mean by channel Flux?


    The sorcerer observed Shroud with a heavy silence, as if looking for a joke that didnt exist. To cast a spell, you need to channel Flux that your Lock has filtered inside your bodys arcane reserve, the creature exined, a bit confused, Flux which you shape into a specific spell with training. Dont you feel it inside of you? That well of power, that second breath flowing through your blood?


    Not really. He felt his spells active, but nothing more profound. No, I just cast spells intuitively, he said, omitting the cause, I direct them, but I dont feel any connection to a reserve of some kind.


    I suppose this may be because you are self-taught, but this is very strange, Wormson said, That ss maniption of yours must be a high ranked Orange spell, which is the opposite of your core Blue. It should be taxing on your reserves and force you to recharge by passively absorbing ambient Flux. You should feel it, physically, psychically.


    Shroud didnt. In fact, he never felt better than when spellcasting.


    Bute to think of it, he never needed to think about conservation of resources or tiredness about using those spells. Was it because his Lock outsourced part of the process to Magik, or the website provided him additional reserves to draw upon?


    I see that you progressed quicker than I expected. Manah stepped out of a shadowy corner without warning, creeping out Shroud. In spite of his enhanced senses, she could sneak up on him without difficulty. Excellent.


    If the solution works, I could extract and decode the UBs files within a few days, Wormson said, bowing to the queen. Shroud hastily imitated him; his experience with Mammon had taught him to step lightly around the Markets power shakers.


    You have twenty-four hours, Manah replied, her tone brooking no argument. Mathias, you performed well. However, it has alsoe to my ears that you caught Mammons attention.


    Unfortunately. His Network sense told him Mammon would be a much nastier employer than Dynamis ever was. He hoped this wouldnt jeopardize their alliance


    Good.


    Shroud blinked. She was happy?


    Your current position opens an opportunity we will not let go to waste, the sorceress said, before brushing off his questions. I still need to see how your team performs as a whole before involving you in myrger ns. In the meantime though, I will reward your service.


    She snapped her fingers, a masked, shadowy jester stepping out of the darkness, offering a small data key on a silver tter to Shroud.


    This keys grants ess to an ount which I credited with a sum equivalent to five million imperial credits, to share between each of you. I sent your men a key each.


    Five million credits? It took a specialized AI nearly ten days to gather that sum, and she handed it over like pocket money?


    I sent my servants to fetch equipment which you and your teammates asked for. You can find your own purchase in your quarters.


    Shroud nodded in thankfulness. He had asked her to purchase electronicponents and materials so that he may create a new, improved ss armor than the makeshift one he had worn since fleeing Earth. I am most thankful.


    I have a mission for your team, Manah cut through the pleasantries. If you seed, I will ept you as part of my organization.


    Which implied ess to other rebel cells, funds, and who knew what more. Im listening.


    My spies inform me Concordias Institute has built a secret military research facility in the Sphere of Oceanis. The is a pleasure sphere covered by an endless sea, used for tourism and vacations.


    The presence of an Institute branch there implies somethings off.


    Yes. My spies suspect Concordia to run experiments on the ocean floor, although they could not learn what kind. I want you to meet my agents on Oceanis, investigate the base, salvage anything of value, and destroy it if possible.


    Oceanis is an imperial world, Shroud pointed out. Would we not be quickly recognized?


    I trust that you will carry this mission with discretion, Manah said with confidence. You have a few days to prepare until I arrange for your safe transportation to Oceanis. Ace also asked to meet you, my servants will give you the coordinates of the rendez-vous point.


    Before Shroud could even ask questions, the Shadow Queen melded back into the unnatural darkness, vanishing from sight. That woman didnt waste time.


    How does she do that? Shroud wondered out loud.


    Advanced Yellow Sorcery, my fellow meatbag, Wormson replied, Yellow rules everything conceptual, shadows included. Turning oneself into shadows and back and forth is no easy feat though; I know a cheerful Yellow of peerless might, and even he never tried it.


    Shroud worried more about the fact she could eavesdrop on them anytime without him noticing.


    Leaving Wormson to his research, the Magik yer took a step through the Pce of Shadows looking for his team. The more he walked through the shadowy walls, the more Shroud grew convinced the pce itself could react to his will; rearranging pathways to lead him to the destination he wanted to go to.


    The dark corridor eventually led him to arge hall which the group had turned into a makeshift training area. Sol and Kari spared furiously with steel swords, while Maggie was busy shooting at bullseyes with Mur sitting on her shoulder like a child.


    Thanks to the queen, the whole group had changed clothes. Sol and Kari had left behind their armor and costume for casual clothes, while Maggie had suited up. She now wore lightweight bulletproof body armor, simr to those Homnd Security used before the Concordian Conquest. She had added a ck hoodie over a hockey mask toplete the set.


    All in all, your average Jason Voorhees cosy.


    She had also purchased two more guns, which she wielded while keeping her old one on an ankle holster. Shroud noticed a suitcase near her, which included a sniper rifle, an Uzi, and various firearms; alongside more advanced weapons including the Flux Rifles Booz had kept trying to sell him, and stranger, organic pistols.


    Shroud took a moment to observe the group undetected. Maggie practiced her aim with both hands, using her Bullseye and Stockmight spells to achieve what should have been a movie-only maneuver. Even the added weight of Mur should have made firing difficult. For now, though, the girl hadnt missed a shot.


    The fact Maggie let Mur sit on her shoulders also brought a smile on his face. The imp had grown bigger, from the size a toddler to the size of a dog; perhaps in a few years, he could regain his original size.


    Sol, thanks to the Peak spell, had grown far faster than when they had started fighting together. He fought with enough vigor to push back Kari, a girl six times younger and empowered by multiple spells. Now that his body could keep up with his skill, Sol proved a fearsome swordsman, pushing his opponent back with ease.


    While the whole group had a long way to go to be a cohesive unit, the skills were there. You should wear a cape, the Guild Moderator told Maggie, upon walking in.


    Mur told her too, she didnt listen, the impined.


    Capes reduce mobility, and I dont need my Bullseye to know that, Maggie replied,unching her guns in the air and letting bothnd gracefully in their belt holsters. Show-off. Youre a fucking asshole, nerd.


    Shroud raised an eyebrow beneath his helmet. What for?


    Thats three times! sheined, raising her fingers. Three times you saved me!


    We are a team, Shroud pointed out. I do not count.


    I do! Now I have to save yourme ass thrice to get even! Sol and Kari stopped their practice session, so loud did Maggie shout.


    Considering the mess with Mammon, that shouldnt be hard, Shroud replied. The Shadow Queen seemed happy that I got a job from him, though. I think she has ns for him.


    Stupid, its not Mammon she wants, its one of his guests, Mur replied. Grimsour will be at the tournament.


    Grimsour? The Orange Minister? How do you know that?


    Because Mammon boasted about his guests on holo-TV! Mur shrugged off. Lord Revel, Grimsour, Firesinger Fen, Graff Shroud sensed a little bitterness at thest name.


    I thought Concordia condemned the Epoch? Sol spoke, joining the discussion with Kari.


    They do, but the Midnight Market and Concordia share trade agreements, Shroud remembered. Multiple interster powers probably send representatives during the tournament to craft alliances, Concordia included.


    If you organize the games, we can set a trap, Kari spoke, her voice as low as a whisper.


    We could assassinate him, Mur suggested with cruel glee.


    Assassinate him? Sol crossed his arms. Forgive me if I find discussing the nned murder of a living being disturbing. Even one of Concordias leaders.


    Chicken, the imp taunted him back.


    Or capture him, if we can, Shroud said without really meaning it. From what he had heard, the Ministers wielded strong magic. Restraining a high-ranking sorcerer might prove to be a logistical nightmare. That would deal a powerful blow to Concordia.


    Mur votes for the quick and easy solution.


    Seconded! Maggie said, before fist bumping Mur. Those two got along as well as Sol and Shroud himself.


    Shroud pondered the case under every angle. Considering the people present, security would be high, and Mammon limited his own involvement to the games rather than the rest of the event. Perhaps Manah had other cards in hand? The Shadow Queen wants us to do a job for her soon, he told them. If we seed, she will bring us into herrger ns."


    The Shadow Queen is an ally, Kari said. But she is not one of <em>us</em>.


    Yes. The Shadow Queen knew nothing of Magik Online and they would keep it that way. He would also rather avoid relying too much on a mysterious sorceress they knew next to nothing about. Grimsour is a long term target, Shroud replied. We have shorter-term problems.


    You were recorded ying with Mammon on intergctic television, Kari guessed. And we have a bounty on our heads.


    Yes. Which means every would-be killer can track us.


    Not just them, Kari said. Concordia too.


    Bah, the Market is a neutral zone, Mur replied. If the scalies send troops for us, Mammon will take it as an act of war.


    Fortunately, the Guild Moderator doubted Concordia would consider killing the group worth sparking an interster conflict. He hoped. And the hunters? Shroud asked the imp, the one most familiar with the locals. Will Mammon employing me deter them?


    Most will be too afraid of Mammon to try, at least on Market grounds, Mur said. The few who wont are either crazy or fearless.


    Meaning only the most dangerous woulde after them. Great. I relish the challenge, Maggie said, whistling and tightening a fist. Let theme.


    This cannot go on, Solomon replied. We cannot depend on someone elses favor, especially a monster as fickle as Mammon or even the Shadow Queen. Neither will we survive in the long run if we let others keep picking our fights.


    Sol is right, Shroud replied. We need to build our own power base, loyal to our guild rather than an outsider. Soldiers, spies, and support. We need to recruit. I still have


    He stopped himself, before pointing at his ears. The others seemed to catch on. No mention of Magik Online while in the pce. We need two more to round us out.


    We need air, Kari pointed out. They had all seen the feature unlocked for the Guild since Shroud had reached level two.


    A base belonging to us would be a step in the right direction, Sol agreed. But we need to be very careful with our new recruits. This ce clearly wees the worst excesses.


    Mures from this ce, old man, the imp replied.


    We have money, Kari said, remaining on track. We could look for mercenaries.


    Mur doesnt give away his share.


    Yeah, we all jumped on that train without expecting funds, we need to recruit people with more attitude, Maggie said, whether out of greed ormon sense.


    <em> Maggie couldnt believe the queens words. One million each? She had never made more than fifty grand! And she was in Space Vegas  </em>


    Greed it was. I cannot believe it! Shroud had never seen Sol so indignant. This is the freedom of Earth we are talking about, and you are fretting over money?!


    Give away your coins, old man, but Mur keeps what he earned!


    I will!


    Okay, enough! Shroud had to raise his voice to end their argument. This is leading us nowhere.


    Mathias, how do you wish to create a credible fighting force with their attitude? Solomonined.


    Even with Network, the Dragonyers had a long, <em>long </em>way to go. He could see the fragility of his group, the vtility of emotions, and the conflicting personalities.


    Mur was too rough, too selfish, too insecure; and while Sol may be stable and reliable, his strong beliefs meant he adopted a judgmental stance where a softer approach could have worked. Left to themselves, they woulde to blows.


    Maggie remained a maverick, confrontational, and liable to worsen the situation. While Kari Kari was the most stable, but she kept her feelings bottled up. If she acted, it would be too little toote.


    If tensions continued, either it would lead to infighting, or worse, the group losing heart and disbanding.


    Shroud needed to bnce out his group. Add a pragmatist who could soften the edge of Mur and Sol by findingmon ground, add some calmness and Ulysses-likeid-backness to the vtile lot. He also needed someone lively like Perse, who could help Kari get out of her shell and inject some levity into the team, lessening the pressure.


    Maggie had a point, they could rely on soldiers only in it for the money for fear of being outbid. Even Mur had joined mostly to grow stronger, which only Magik Online could offer.


    They needed to y on their core strengths. We have more than money. We have a cause, and we have magic. Shroud lit up his fist with Lightbringer for added effect. I can license my spells as I did with you, Mur. Network would also allow me to detect infiltrators.


    Mur shrugged. Why not make them?


    Shroud frowned. Make what?


    Minions. Thats what sorcerers do. Where do you think all those golemse from, Mammons teats?


    I dont think he has one, Maggie replied. Cant be sure, didnt get a good look at him.


    Shroud considered Murs point. Building minions from scratch, instead of recruiting outsiders? He remembered the Dot Two spell Call and checked his Compendium for simr spells.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Homunculus</strong>


    Affinity: Orange


    Dot: 2


    Price: 10


    Activation: Active, Direct Touch Vector.


    The user can craft a cat-sized automaton from any raw, inorganic material. The homunculus takes a form that is simr to its maker and shares a telepathic link with him or her. The homunculus must feed on its makers magic to remain functional and will copse if not regrly recharged. The user can create as many homunculi as he can sustain.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Arise</strong>


    Affinity: Yellow


    Dot: 2


    Price: 10


    Activation: Active, Voice Vector.


    The user imbues corpses within earshot of the spell with the spark of unlife. The risenck souls or minds, but understand the casters orders and will try to carry them out to the best of their ability until destroyed. If the caster has a soul to fill the corpse with, such as a soul gem, he may create stronger, free-willed undead such as vampires or ghouls.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Homunculus clearly wouldnt create longsting minions, although the telepathic link could allow him to create spies. Arise could create zombies and stronger minions if they somehow found souls to use, although the process sent a shiver down his spine.


    As for Call Shrouds memory of the Brown fiasco made him wary of summoning monsters. Kari and I have three spells that could do the deed, he admitted, remaining evasive to avoid Manah catching on. Homunculus, to create temporary familiars, Arise, which can raise the dead, and Call, which can summon monsters from other nes. Beastmaster can allow us to control animals, but not sentient ones.


    Nerd, not gonna lie, Maggie said. Summoning some big monster from Hell or whatever? Really brings back bad memories. And no way it cant go wrong, right? <em>Right</em>?


    Shroud remembered that fateful, fiery night all too well. Brown had called a horror they could not put down, and everyone suffered for it. We need to do safety research first before we can consider that option.


    Maggie didnt look happy he even considered it.


    He still had nine Spellcoins on his ount, enough to invest in Call or Beastmaster, but not in Arise or Homunculus. Only Kari, who had hoarded Spellcoins, could purchase those. For now, they would need to look for outside recruits first. And turn his team into a cohesive fighting force. Which one should he focus on first?


    Lets try to look for our two remaining members first, Shroud said, remembering Wormsons words, focusing on Mur. Would you know someone who could join us for me licencing themmy spells, or join our cause?


    Your cause is worth nothing, the imp said, making the rest of the group furrow their brows. Mur knows someone who would kill for sorcery though. A fleshcrafter. The one who built Murs old metal tail.


    Whats a fleshcrafter, a butcher? Maggie asked.


    A doctor who does not heal, but enhance. Stitch, we call him. You will understand why when you see him.


    <em>Green wants to spread and perfect life</em> Is he reliable? Shroud asked for more information. What is he like?


    Strange. Mur thinks it will be faster to show you.


    It wasnt like they had anything better to


    TING!


    Shroud recoiled as a strange sound echoed in his brain, blue words shing before his eyes.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    Modded feature instation finished!</td></tr></tbody></table>


    The modded feature?


    Wait, the absorbed artifact? The stuff that took forever to set up? Atst! The sorcerer could have sworn it had taken months. He hoped that it would be worth the wait.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Save and Load Feature</strong> now avable.


    By connecting to a functional ult matrix, you can load a previous timeline save. This will permanently incorporate the deleted event into the root timeline.


    <strong>Warning</strong>: while Terminals, including you, will survive the load, this will overwrite the current save and cause reality glitches until the timeline stabilizes.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    What?<table><tbody><tr><td>


    You have four saves in storage.


    <strong>Matrix Folder: Earth, Post-Godwar, North America</strong>; record starts 2018<ul><li>ckcinders Asteroid: Cheyenne Mountain (2018)</li></ul><ul><li>Ultimatum Rejected: Human Annihtion Event (2018)</li></ul><ul><li>War in Heaven: Uriels Fall (2018)</li></ul><ul><li>Iron God Protocol Sessful (2026)</li></ul>


    <strong>Save/Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><strong>yers Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>4</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Killer Sense</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>6</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heatriser</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Soulcraft</strong>


    Affinity: Yellow


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Passive, Thought


    The caster gains the ability to manipte the raw essence of a soul, such as a ghost or soul gem. Besides allowing them to touch incorporeal beings, the caster can attach the soul to an anchor, such as a ce, item, or corpse in conjunction with Arise.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 34: Get Smashed!

    Chapter 34: Get Smashed!<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: I do not know Mathias.</em>


    <em><strong>SHROUD</strong>: You do not know?</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: This feature added itself to your ount on its own. Our own source code changed to amodate it. I considered patching it out, but I thought it might end up beneficial.</em>


    <em><strong>SHROUD</strong>: But you have no hint about what it is?</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: From what you told me, you experienced a Blue sh when you downloaded that artifact. Blue, not Violet. So whatever this feature does, I guarantee it is not time maniption of any kind. Higher-level Blue abilities deal with the maniption of information and possibilities on a quantum, metaphysical level.</em>


    <em><strong>SHROUD</strong>: In short, it could do anything. What about the reality glitch and overwriting your current save part?</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: If the feature interferes with your ount in a negative way, I can iste the foreign code and disable it. Your ount history will also help us to figure it out once you activate it. You already have enough abilities which you do know inside and out to prevail; if all fails, the Load feature may serve as a trump card.</em>


    <em><strong>SHROUD</strong>: Where did that artifacte from in the first ce?</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: From the same entities who built the towers, and brought sorcery to the universe; as for what they want, nothing you humans may understand. The Sponsors suspect the artifact had a very specific purpose, which transferred to you as a living interface.</em>


    <em><strong>SHROUD</strong>:  You humans.</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: I think you already suspect who we are.</em>


    <em><strong>SHROUD</strong>: I think I understood the who, yes, but neither the why, nor most importantly, the how?</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: All wille in due time when your Guild conquers a Lair.</em>


    <em><strong>SHROUD</strong>: Fine. What about the ounts?</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: Simply offer to assign it to the person, and I will scan them forpatibility alongside a background check. If positive, I connect the recruit to our system using you as a direct intermediary. I believe with your Lock, you should have an easier time intuiting a good candidate. Good luck.</em></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Shroud ended themunication, slightly unsatisfied. The dates on the Load feature bothered Shroud. 2018 had been the year of the Conquest, and 2026 was when Mom disappeared. Could those events be linked?


    Unless he had an ult matrix or whatever on hand, he would have no such luck. <em>Conquer the Lair, </em>he thought. <em>And the truth wille. </em>The Administrator doesnt know either, he told his team, as they made their way into the Oversides crowded streets. They said to conquer a Lair first for answers.


    And here I thought we would be invincible with a save feature, Maggie said, whistling as she looked at a hobgoblins wares, most of them finely crafted weapons. Her affinity for guns was apparent.


    The Overside burst with animation and the group struggled to make their way through the crowds. A few aliens had stopped them to take photos with Shroud, his appearance on intergctic TV having done wonders for his poprity.


    The group finally reached their destination, arge dome of bluish ice the size of a football stadium, with a thin snow carpet leading to finely crafted gates; two blue-skinned, armored giants protecting the entrance with axes that could cut a building in two. Shroud read the red banner right above the doors.


    <strong>Zenias Chilly Resort</strong>


    <strong>Grand Opening, Mapmakers, and Invitation Only</strong>


    A Network notification popped up without warning.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Side-Quest: Get Smashed!</strong>


    Difficulty: Dot One


    Sponsor: The Administrator


    Your Guild went through a lot of trouble, struggles, and in-fighting, and needs a well-deserved break. So go take some time to amuse yourself and get smashed! Certainly, nothing interesting will happen...


    Reward: Network Upgrade (2/3): Path of Synergy set.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Youve got to be kidding me.


    What? Maggie said.


    I just received a side-quest all but begging me to get drunk with all of you. This is ridiculous!


    Dork, this is Space Vegas, whats the point of being rich if you cant burn your money on stupid things when poor people cant?


    Giving back to themunity, Sol scolded her with a serious tone.


    Exactly, Maggie replied, missing the obvious. Cycle of life. But thats pretty unjust. I mean, my Quest is way harder. Ive got to try twenty-five different firearms.


    Seriously? Shroud paused. So when you were experimenting with those weapons...


    I was trying to fulfill that stupid side-quest, yes.


    Nice. Mur must kill one hundred creatures in realbat, and he is nearly there.


    Shroud was sure they had killed way fewer creatures since receiving their ounts. Magik probably counted his prior kill count. Kari, Sol? Anything that would help us spend time better than getting drunk or shooting people?


    Still blocked with mine, Kari replied.


    Sol shook his head. I have to take a fatal blow for someone else to fulfill my side-quest.


    Shroud blinked. Thats ridiculously specific and dangerous.


    You may understand why I would prefer to avoid finding a situation where I must fulfill this one.


    Point taken. And Shroud had to admit the quest made sense; a rxing, team-building activity could work mend the wounds in his group. While they were here for work, he could kill two birds with one stone.


    The group approached the entrance, the giants barring the way. They seemed to recognize them. No helmet, one spoke with a dry, frosty voice.


    Shroud sighed turning his helmet back into flying shards. Sol removed his helm and carried it under his arm, while Maggie removed her mask. Sorcerers? the other giant asked, the group nodding. No Blue sorcery allowed if you y games, or you get expelled. You can keep your weapons.


    Shroud shrugged, leading his group inside.


    Unlike the insane extravagance of Mammons own pce, this ce was rtively tame and human-sized. The entire building had been crafted from solid ice, although strangely, it felt neither too cold nor too warm inside. Icicles provided purple light above, while a white-fur carpet covered the ground. Polished mirrors made the walls supporting the structure, casting everyones reflection.


    The area housed a casinomostly tables where Mapmakers yed roulette, cards, or stranger games, a skating rink, and a bar of red-colored ice. Unlike the cacophony of Mammons casino, this ce had a chiller, peaceful atmosphere, with fewer people allowed inside.


    Shroud sighted Ace at the bar, alongside the snowke creature that yed darts with Mammon at Murs expense. The imp red at it the second he caught sight of it. Zenia, Mur grumbled, as the group reached them.


    Ace, Shroud saluted Mammons assistant, who smiled upon noticing them. She had a charming smile. Pity he was the only one to like her. The rest of the group still distrusted her, after what her employer did.


    Hello there, she replied. You look better without your helmet.


    Thanks. Why did you want to see us?


    Trouble that may concern you, she replied. But Zenia here will tell you more.


    First of all, I apologize for the treatment you suffered through, Zenia told Mur, although her voice didnt sound very sorry at all. Diplomacy means I must indulge our overlords fancies.


    Mur never forgets, the imp replied. Oh no, Mur never does.


    This didnt bother the snowke creature at all. I have no wish to antagonize a group of sorcerers and you would wisely not seek to trouble me.


    Mur shrugged, dropping the matter. For now. We know Mammon is fickle, Shroud replied, which was a diplomatic way to say they med him instead of Zenia. Now tell us.


    Three days ago, the Gate which you used to transfer from Terra Firma to the Midnight Market was attacked by an unknown assant, Zenia exined. There were no survivors on the Firman side.


    Since you were thest people to have used it for transportation, I thought I should interrogate you, Ace said.


    Concordia? Sol stated the obvious culprit.


    Possible, but we would have expected more coteral damage and seized goods, Ace replied. The attacker cleanly killed everyone present and left without stealing anything. The Gate also suffered damage, while Concordia would have preserved it for further use.


    Attacker, Shroud pointed out. Singr.


    Yes. Although the witness couldnt provide a clear description, a Mapmaker on the Market side noticed a humanoid dressed all in ck step outside the Gate, which promptly attacked everyone present. The witness teleported away at the first sign of danger, which saved her life. Everyone else, the attacker ughtered.


    Kari visibly tensed at it, which Ace quickly noticed. You wouldnt know anything about it?


    Dressed all in ck? she repeated. Could you give more details?


    The witness didnt see more, but the corpses were found in a state of extreme muttion, with body parts missing. The attackers strikes showed a lethal kind of precision, but why it took limbs with it is unknown. Time is also missing from the cameras footage, so it managed to tamper with them.


    I suspect a Pandorian, Zenia said.


    Pandorian? Sol repeated.


    A dangerous kind of spontaneous undead. The Flux signature it left behind is characteristic of those parasites.


    Kari crossed her arms, lost in her thoughts as everyone looked at her,


    I do not know, she said. I cant be sure.


    <em> Kari the horror said, crawling out of the ruins of the farm. Kari its me  </em>


    Kari was so troubled, she didnt even notice Network peeking in her mind. Whats your stake in this, Ace? Shroud said, deflecting everyones attention from his teammate.


    I cant have a monster killing our breadwinners running around. If it was a business cannibalizing another, thats just another price war. Needless destruction empties Mammons coffer for nothing though. So if you find the culprit, call me up three times.


    Shroud raised an eyebrow, which made herugh. I may not look like it, but I am a sorceress too, Ace said without borating. Just say my name and I will assist.


    Well, this was a colossal waste of Murs time, the imp finally spoke up. Mur wants to try the bar.


    Me too, Maggie said, bored with the conversation. Do you think theyve got alcohol in space?


    They have everything, Mur replied gleefully.


    I would enjoy a refreshment if the matter is settled, Sol said. Only Kari seemed too troubled to care.


    Shroud sighed. Sure, he said, ncing at Ace. Would you like to join us?


    She gave him an amused smile. Clearly, she had seen through his transparent attempt at subtlety. Maybe another day after service, handsome.


    It wasnt a no. Shroud guessed it counted for something.


    Ace excused herself and left, Shrouds eyes trailing her for a moment. While his group moved to the bar, the sorcerer nced at Zenia. Do you have a brief moment? he asked her.


    What do you wish? The creature asked.


    Youre the leader of the Mapmakers, correct? The entity didnt reply, which Shroud took as a yes. I heard you were somewhat independent of Mammon.


    We Mapmakers serve all those willing to pay us, Zenia confirmed. Although we try to maintain good rtions with everyone, I have no problem servicing your group if you want it.


    I think we could help one another. You see, I have the ability to license my spells for two days, including Violet spells, as you do. I could provide that service to your organization, in exchange for favors.


    You providing Violet spells as an independent faction will inevitably threaten our monopoly, force us to lower our prices, and reduce our profit margins, Zenia said after a short moment of consideration. Which will force us to undercut ourpetition through hostile takeovers and downsizing.


    For a moment, Shroud wondered if Babel had malfunctioned, as he didnt understand a word of what she said. When he did though Youre politely threatening me with war if wepete with your business.


    No, I am simply informing you that we will use our considerable assets to eliminate allpetitors threatening our market share.


    Yes, she threatened him. Truthfully, youre mistaken. I dont care about this ce nor do I want to establish my group here in the long-term. Just to recruit, gain favors, and acquire equipment in preparation for our return to Earth.


    In that case, a nonpeting use would allow us to coexist. I would rather that you do not disturb the fragile status quo and keep that power to yourself. If you agree not to license Violet spells that would threaten us Mapmakers, I will provide assistance.


    Agreed. In fact, I believe you may help right now. You are a Violet Sorcerer, right?


    I am. Violet Dot Three, Blue and White Dot Two.


    Violet. Perfect. Im in the position to learn the Call spell, and I wonder about its potential applications to recruit troops. Since you are more experienced, I thought you might provide answers.


    Summoning Outsiders can be both lucrative and dangerous, Zenia replied. Many sorcerers have raised an army by enlisting them from other nes. Concordia has even made forays in establishing outposts on other realities in preparation for annexation.


    Did the dragons greed know no bounds? Even the universe itself wouldnt satisfy them. What can you tell us about Outsiders?


    Outsiders followws different from those of this universe. Some live in dimensions where concepts such as nature or excess weigh as much as gravity. As such, the main difficulty for you mortals is rting to us and understanding our desires. Outsiders descendants, if born on our universe, be more attuned to it, as do those which remain too long on the material ne. We be anchored, so to say.


    Such as you? Shroud guessed.


    Indeed. It has been so long since I left the Elemental ne of Frost, that I feel closer to you mortals than my own kindred.


    Could it be why Network didnt work on Jacks fiend half or the Crimson King? Since they mostly existed outside of the material universe? It would exin why he could Network with Jack even after he fused with the demon.


    It meant Network may not work on anything he summoned though, at least at first. Bugger. He needed to test that hypothesis first. Are you familiar with demons? he asked, eager to find information on the Maleking.


    Demons are easy to summon and bind because they are ves to mortal passions, Zenia exined. Greed, sex, domination very easy to rte to, even if fiends take it to terrible extremes. Elementals are harder, as at our core we wish to spread our core element. You would better provide something to burn to a fire elemental, because they will always have that thought on their mind.


    That remark hit a bit too close to home. You made that ce out of ice to satisfy that urge?


    Yes. I find it necessary for my psychic wellbeing.


    Is there a resource on summoning Outsiders?


    <em>Dis: Worlds of Power</em>, by the cyclops Archmagus Ashmal. Ashmal was a Violet Archmagus of great power, who traveled the nes, raised extradimensional armies, and founded the Machinist religion that still exists today. <em>Dis </em>was his magnum opus, exposing his beliefs, his theory on multiversal structure, and his thoughts on bargaining with Outsiders. A must-read for any Violet Sorcerer, if you can cut through his superstitious ramblings.


    Zenias eye shone with a purple light, a Blue crystal of ice manifesting and hovering right before Shrouds eyes. This is an holo-crystal containing the full work, one of the few still in cirction today. Simply focus on it, and the crystal will react to your thoughts. Take it as a gift.


    Shroud grabbed the crystal. Thank you.


    Stay out of our affairs, Zenia warned him. And I shall stay out of yours.


    epting that he had just been bribed, Shroud gave her a sharp nod and left to join his team, looking at the crystal as he walked. The crystal shone, projecting holographic texts in an aliennguage which Babel instantly tranted.


    <em>Dis: Worlds of Power.</em>


    <em>By Ashmal, Violet Archmagus, First Prophet of the Cosmocrator, and True Servant of the World Machine of Dis. </em>


    <em>In the beginning, there was chaos without purpose, aimless worlds floating in a white, nk void. From the chaos, surged a great will, the World Machine of Dis, the hungry soul of the universe itself. The World Machine sought to bring unity to the chaos, to bind the nes as its gears, so its jaws may epass all of creation. And so Dis created the Cosmocrator, to be the architect of its growth and its messenger. Praise the Cosmocrator, for it rules over all worlds; worship the World Machine, for it will make us one.</em>


    The text continued on, detailing a Pantheistic religion dedicated to the World Machine of Dis and its avatar, the Cosmocrator, who ought to be obeyed, appeased, and worshipped. ording to the book, the Cosmocrator and its creations built the Gates to bind all universes together into a harmonious whole.


    The World Machine of Dis Shroud remembered the sentence <em>connection to Dis established, </em>when he had downloaded Magik Online. Could there be a grain of truth in this religious rambling?


    As he sat on one of the ice chairs that were around the bar, Mur and Maggie had already engaged in a drinking contest while Sol himself politely waited for the bartender to notice him. Only Kari had elected to do her own thing, moving towards the rink. The sorcerer had noticed she retreated inside herself and shunned interactions when worried; breaking her out of her shell would take a lot of effort.


    Shroud examined a holographic 3D map provided by the text, representing Ashmals vision of the universe: a conglomerate of iridescent spheres and globes, bound together in a tree-like shape.


    At the centerid the biggest sphere, an onion made from countlessyers: the Material Multiverse. Near its edge, a small ck spot grew, the rot in the onion. <em>Pandoria, the Cancelled World.</em> And at the very core of the material multiverse shone a bright light called the <em>Worldsoul</em>.


    From that bright star, sprung countless tendrils of light binding all spheres together, both to the Material Multiverse and to each other. On a closer examination, Shroud realized those spheres werent as much bound as they were chained, forcefully pulled closer to the center.


    Each of those nes had a chapter dedicated to them. <em>Heaven and Hell: on Virtue and Sin. Faerie: The Land of Stories and Tales. The Elemental nes: the worldscking. </em>


    Skipping the codexs part about worlds, Shroud the folder Zenia told him about: on Summoning the Outsiders. Like the worlds they inhabited, each Outsider category had a whole category dedicated to them, including chapters on individuals members.


    <em>Angels: bargaining with high standards. Devils in the details and Fiends of all sort. Anathema most foul: Qlippoth and Sephiroth. Primal Spirits and Totems. The Storykind, faerie courts and willy wishcraft. Elemental chaos...</em>


    It would take days to read them all. That codex condensed a lifetime of research and experience. Crimson King? he asked, the database giving him an entry in the<em> Storykind </em>chapter.


    <em>The Crimson King is a minor Storykind Noble, inspired by the dreams of envious critics. He appears as a humanoid being d in tattered robes and wearing a silver mask. Lacking any creativity of its own yet covetous of others brilliance, the Crimson King steal souls in a vain hope to create a true masterpiece. Control sounds, knows of all arts, and has allies in the Court of the Demon Sultan, whom he ys lubies to. Easy to bind for a one time task in exchange for the soul of an artist, but he will resist longer servitude due to manic restlessness and vanity.</em>


    Uh, work again? Maggie interrupted Shrouds reading by sitting next to him and calling the bartender, a burly, green-skinned humanoid. Mur soon joined, his own ss bigger than him. Same thing you served me for the dork here!


    Griffin milk with Arcadian wine? the bartender replied.


    Yep, with a drinking straw! she said, the bartender offering Shroud a liter of rose liquid encased in a cup of ice. Maggie had brought her own and was barely a third through it. Its very fucking strong, Im warning you.


    Only the strong survive! Mur said, climbing up his cup and swimming head-first into the beverage.


    I see that. Maggies breath stank of alcohol and her cheeks had rosied a bit. He took a sip and found it both strangely sweet and supercharged with liquor.


    He should better pace himself. He couldnt handle alcohol for the life of him.


    Nerd, that woman, Ace. Shes working with Mammon.


    I know, but she helped me rescue you guys. Shes nice.


    Dont think thats your head talking to me right now. You came on to her so hard even I noticed, and you werent just looking at her pretty eyes. So very crass, but so very true. Youre back on the dating market?


    Sort of. Im fooling around. Shroud didnt want to try a serious rtionship after his recent break-up, but he had to admit he missed the indoors activities. Besides, I find her strangely charming.


    Also, the practical part of him thought it could be an opportunity to get a mole into Mammons organization. Honey trap and all.


    Youre not my type, Maggie said out of nowhere. Like really, really not. Youre pretty good looking, but you talk too much. And you were the boyfriend of my best friend, and you the best friend of my ex-boyfriend; which makes it square squick. It would be like settling for leftovers.


    I understood at youre not my type, thank you. Im not into you either.


    She red at him, a fierce and terrible gaze; Shroud guessed he had somehow insulted her fragile ego. What are you implying there?


    Damned if you do, damned if you dont. Nothing. What is this about, Maggie?


    I used to have a waiting list on Earth, but look around, sheined, No able-bloodied human male that isnt seventy years older than me or you! And you find the only good-looking human woman on this forsaken space station!


    Theres always vampires. I thought girls were crazy about them. Perse at least wouldnt shut up about them, and she liked being bitten a bit too much. Since everything is for sale here, Im sure you will find the entertainment you seek if you look hard enough.


    Aint one of those necrophiliacs, and I aint going to pay for sex, nerd. No fun without the flirting and the conquering first.


    I cant help but think you may have some self-esteem issues.


    Youre entering the dont fuck with me zone here.


    You said it, not me.


    Maggie sighed. I hate you, nerd, she said without really meaning it.


    Besides, if this is really the problem I have a book on strange and mysterious Outsiders. Im sure I can make an interdimensional booty call out of this.


    Nerd, thats a terrible idea, even from you.


    The summoning or the booty call?


    When did you grow such a smart mouth?


    Truth to be told, it surprised Shroud himself. After so many ordeals and leading a team, he had grown bolder, more confident.


    Yes, his near-emptied emptied liquor had nothing to do with it.


    I think it may be Network, he said, as Sol joined them, having taken another drink that smelled like lemon. Its strange. Ive never been good at social interactions, and now that I have a power that makes them easy, Im pushed into a direction Im not toofortable with.


    What do you mean? Solomon asked.


    Like, Im trying to make our group efficient because I get a power boost from it. Its not natural, he said, suddenly finding it harder to find his words.


    I have never led a group as strange as ours, Sol admitted. So I cannot say.


    You had a prettyrge following in your heydays, or so Dad told me.


    Yeah, I saw you on TV when I was six, Maggie said. I didnt remember back when we met at the church, but it came back to me."


    Solomon smiled humbly. I spoke when everyone remained silent, and it inspired others to do the same. Little more.


    He didnt give himself enough credit. Why are you letting me take the lead? Shroud asked. Youre older and more experienced, you could lead the group and direct it better than I do.


    I am a supporter at heart, Mathias. Ive never felt happier than when I help others. The happiness of someone else is my own. And so, I choose early that I would live better as a knight and follower. Of God, first and foremost, because I believe that at heart there is good in all of us if you dig hard enough.


    Even Mur? Maggie pointed out with a smirk.


    Sol didnt answer immediately, thinking it over. Mur himself was too busy drowning in his drink to listen. Maybe even him, he agreed. All of this to say, I have found that the best way to teach is to let the young make their own choices and mistakes. If you try to force them, they go in the opposite direction. The duty of elders is not to tell the young what to do, but advise and help them back up when they fall.


    So youre going along with my ns because you think I should make my own mistakes.


    This is the only path to wisdom, Sol replied, then smiled. Also, while this sounds selfish, I feel alive again. Do you remember that dreadful week, ten years ago?


    How could any human ever forget? I didnt understand everything back then, Mathias said, having been eight when the dragons conquered the world. I remember ckcinders speech, though.


    <em>One day, you will understand that I fulfilled my duty as a dragon to a lesser race. One day you will understand that it was an act of love.</em>


    I almost lost all hope then, the priest admitted. How could I not? The foundations of my world, of my very faith in God, shaken and overturned. How could one trust God when He didnt save his faithful from the dragons? I have been asking myself this question: was I mistaken in my faith? Did the Lord even exist?


    Shroud feltpassion for his friend. After dedicating decades of his existence to a faith, only to doubt it many would have bitten a bullet to escape that contradiction.


    So when you received that gift, Sol continued. And then the rest of us after you, I realized this was no coincidence. Maybe the tribtion had finally ended; maybe the Lord didnt abandon us after all. And Mur if fiends exist, then surely angels do, too. Whatever path we are on, I can see Gods will at work. Even through Mur.


    And Shroud now had a literal proof Heaven existed, somewhere. Maybe he should dig into it.


    Someone called Mur? the imp said, climbing out of his emptied ss none the worse for wear.


    Sol was wondering if you came from Hell, and if this means angels exist or some shit, Maggie said, massaging her temples. She didnt manage the alcohol all that well.


    Mures from a hellhole, but its not called Hell, Mur replied. Mur doesnt know what angels are.


    You must know where youe from, no? Shroud asked. You must have a father or mother.


    No.


    Then how were you born?


    Budding. When an imp grows into a big enough gargoyle, he buds more imps. Then he eats those who cant run fast enough.


    Ouch, Maggiemented, looking at Kari skating on the ice, focused on something none of them could see. You think Matsumoto is fine? She doesnt look fine.


    Thats her way to blow off steam, Shroud replied.


    I know, but look, nerd, Im not the healthiest person around. Like, Im pretty fucked up in the head, and even I know closing it off just makes it worse.


    Leave her, Mur replied. Shes strong. Mur too was always alone to struggle, and it made him strong. Everyone can only rely on themselves in the end.


    Thats pretty cynical, Shroud pointed out.


    If you believe loneliness makes you stronger, which is wrong, why are you part of a group? Sol asked the hard question.


    The imp blinked, nced down at his tiny feet, then stared back at Sol. Mur wants to learn to learn.


    The way he said it, it sounded like the sentence someone else told him before. The imp borated when the priests eyebrows furrowed. Mur knows being alone made him strong. But he must learn how a group can make Mur strong. Because strength is all that matters.


    Mur


    Enough mushy-mushy, Mur cut off Shroud, More wine for Mur! And squishie Maggie!


    Drinking contest? she asked with a smirk.


    Contest!


    Shroud sent onest nce at Kari, before deciding that giving her some time to reflect was the best thing he could do for her right now. As a private person, he thought it wiser to wait until he found her more receptive.


    Bring it, he told his teammates.


    The drink wasnt that strong, and at worst, he could use the Purge spell. Nothing to be worried about.


    ...


    Ugh


    Shroud struggled to open his eyes, the dim lighting of the Pce of Shadows making it somewhat easier. He found a few things on the nket.


    The holo-crystal.


    The red banner from the casino, which he had savaged with sharp des.


    A basket containing a closed bottle full of some strange ck liquid, a red ruby the size of his fist, and a beautiful, purple ice cup.


    A ss figurine of himself making a strange, ridiculous pose atop a steam roller.


    A plush figurine of Mammon. Horribly savaged.


    And Kari, reading a book in his chair, was waiting for him to wake up.


    We didnt he asked tentatively, before realizing he was still in his ss armor.


    No, she replied with a t tone. Shroud-san?


    Yes?


    What is Za Warudo?


    Za Warudo? he repeated, casting the Purge spell on himself to get rid of the nausea.


    Useless, useless, useless, wry, a road roller for you you kept calling Sol-san Joseph for some reason. You seemed to be relieving an old memory. A violent one. Apparently, it had bugged her enough to wait for him to wake up, just to ask.


    ... Yes, a childhood memory.


    Dio Brando. He quoted Dio Brando the entire evening. He had watched so much anime, it had polluted his entire subconscious.


    Maybe Maggie had a point. He was the worst case of nerd-dork hybrid.


    Dont tell me you were worried?


    A bit.


    Enough to watch him sleep, apparently. Youre feeling better? <em>Better than me, </em>he left unsaid. Even with sorcery buffing him he felt sore inside.


    She gave him a sharp nod. Thanks.


    For what?


    Not asking questions yesterday. I appreciate you respecting my privacy. I dont like exining.


    Or interacting with others too much. Its fine. You will tell us when its the right time. Same deal as with Mur though.


    I understand. Still, she said, closing her book, Im not calibrated. Socially. Not like you.


    Shroudughed. You should have seen me before Network. I mean, you know my friendship with the Werners started when I challenged Ulysses to a <em>Divinity</em> battle without warning?


    She replied with a thin smile, brief but true.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Side-Quest: Get Smashed, fulfilled!</strong>


    Network Upgrade ().


    Network has taken the path of <strong>Synergize</strong>, of teamwork over power.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Shroud-san?


    What?


    Youre never touching alcohol again.


    <strong>yers Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize: Locked</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>4</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>10</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Killer Sense</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>6</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heatriser</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Doorway</strong>


    Affinity: Violet


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Active, Direct Touch Vector.


    The spellcaster marks a conceptual doorway (such as a door, archway, crossroad, or threshold) with a touch; when touching a second conceptual doorway, those two locations are linked, allowing one to teleport to the other by crossing them. Both doorways must be within ten kilometers of each other, and the effect dissipates after three days. <strong>WARNING: there is a one-in-five million chance that the person is sent to Pandoria instead of target location</strong>.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 35: Meet the Medic

    Chapter 35: Meet the Medic


    Mathias, I am sorry to say this, Solomon dered, finally finding the courage to breach the important subject. But it would be better for everyone if you did not touch alcohol again.


    Kari already beat you to it, thank you, Shroud grumbled.


    Ignore them, Shroud, Mur replied, Mur found you a funny drinking buddy, would try again anytime. Although Mur didnt understand half of what you said.


    I cant remember, Maggie said, slightly disappointed. I lost consciousness after you broke that guys fingers for cheating at cards. Youre fucking violent, man.


    Why didnt you cast the Heal spell on me? Shroud asked, annoyed.


    You didnt let us could get in range, Kari said. You are surprisingly fast and dangerous when drunk.


    The sorcerer brushed off the matter to focus on the rusted building in front of them. Doctor Stitchs clinic towered at three sprawling stories tall, its wooden double doors darkened by age. The narrow, steel-meshed windows let out some sparse light at ground level, while the rest of the ce appeared dark. It smelled of rot and chemicals.


    The surrounded area felt just as ominous, surrounding the group with falling iron buildings, half of them ready to copse. Enormous bats and alien, furry vermins the human couldnt identify had made theirir in them; only his lightshards and Sols own Quasar light provided a measure of light.


    Even in his new, improved ss armor, and surrounded by his fully-armed team, Shroud didnt feel safe.


    Shroud-san, we are in danger, Kari said.


    I know, Kari. The more they stayed in the Underside, the more it creeped him out. The ces silence weighed heavily no matter where they went, alongside the distinct impression of pervasive tension.


    I purchased Doom Sense again, she said. I feel danger.


    How close? Shroud asked, immediately on guard.


    Diffuse. But intense.


    Like the day Jack destroyed his life. So its not from the clinic nor immediate, but close.


    Closer.


    Shit. Mammon? Someone else? We will summon a door to the Pce of Shadows as soon as we are done, Shroud said, turning to the rest of the group. Cast magical buffs if you have them, and stay grouped.


    Sure,<em> her guvnor</em>, Maggie replied, both hands on her holsters. Shroud dispersed a few lightshards as far as his range could allow in the surrounding area, to intercept intruders. Sol covered their rear, firmly wielding both his sword and shield.


    Stop being pussies, Mur replied, hopping towards the door and knocking on it. Stitch! Clients!


    It took a few moments before Shroud heard the sound of the door unlocking, the owner opening them. Mur, a hollow, cavernous voice echoed as the owner stepped out to wee them. So good to see a returning customer, and I see you brought me more test subjects.


    As it turned out, the doctor had died long ago. It hadnt stopped him.


    A tall, gaunt, andnky figure, the withered, shambling corpse before them moved with an odd, aristocratic grace. Grey, half-rotten flesh sparsely covered its ancient bones; while the figure had a humanoid shape, the body proportions differed from humans, standing a head taller than Sol in full armor, with longer arms than legs, and the shadow of leaf-shaped ears. Cold lights flickered in his empty eye sockets, and sweet perfume covered the scent of rot that followed him. The corpse wore a heavy ck leather coat, blood-soaked gloves, and a strange triangr hat.


    Doctor Nathaniel Stitch? Shroud asked to be certain.


    Himself, the creature replied with a courtly bow. How the undead could speak without lungs, Shroud had no idea. Wee to my house, pleasee in freely.


    You are an undead. Kari seemed very disturbed by the revtion, tensing up; Sol too had visibly tensed. A corpse.


    A wight, Stitch corrected her. The world is so full of secrets to discover, I could not let death get in the way of my curiosity.


    Were you Shroud began, leaving his sentence hanging.


    Human? It seemed to amuse him. Oh, no, never human. I lived as a Svartian Elf before the Arcadians exterminated my species during one of their Grand Hunts. Ah, it goes so far back, my mortal life seems little more than a blurred dream. But please,e in. We can continue this conversation while sitting.


    The group exchanged gazes before Mur grumbled and walked inside. Shroud and the rest followed, Stitch closing the door behind them.


    Stitch led them through a vestibule and a shadowy hall, and finally, into a dimly lit, white morgue. Multiple containersid embedded in the walls, near three operation tables and chairs; only two windows made the ce seem less oppressive, their ss entering Shrouds range and giving him a view of the area outside.


    The corpse of a reptilian humanoidy on an operation table, its chest opened and its organs exposed, surgical toolsid next to it. Clearly, they had interrupted the doctor in the middle of a dissection. Maggie put a hand on her mask, visibly ready to throw up.


    Nice catch, Mur said, hopping on an unupied operation table like a perverse squirrel. Where did you get it?


    He sold me his corpse while alive, the doctor said, putting the dead flesh back in a container after noticing the rest of the groups unease. For science.


    Shroud nced at Maggie and Sol; the first moved towards the windows, while Sol kept watch over the main entrance. Do you expect trouble? Stitch asked as he offered the rest of the group chairs before sitting him. I must warn you that I will not tolerate trouble inside my establishment.


    Just security, Shroud replied, sitting next to Kari.


    Bounties, Mur rified.


    Ah. I do not keep up with the news, and I do not ask questions. The doctor seemed more interested in Murs current state than where the group came from. What happened? Did my tail fail you?


    Mur fought a good fight and lost his previous skin. Your enhancement served him well.


    And you havee to get a new one? I could graft it. I have been considering a new necrocraft design.


    Is this what you sell? Shroud asked. Body upgrades?


    Sell? He sounded downright insulted. I do not sell anything. As an undead, I have very little needs and I am independently wealthy.


    <em> Stitch overstepped the severed limbs of his dead kindred, ncing at the killers wall of trophies with curiosity. They had nailed the matriarch and her guards with spears and spikes, after scalping them. The doors of the family vaultid bare open for the plunder.</em>


    <em>Reavers did not care for money. And thankfully, neither did they care about hunting the walking dead.</em>


    <em>He had warned his kinsmen to run when the Arcadian ships had darkened the skies, but in their foolish greed, they had picked a fight they could never win. At least, as the only living inheritor, he would make use of it. </em>


    Network worked on the undead. Good. Then, if it is not greed that drives you, what does? Curiosity, as you said?


    Curiosity, and morality, the wight replied. For my so-called clients, improving them is payment in itself. By testing new procedures and transnts on them, I can push the boundary of my knowledge and improve their life.


    He also tests out defects on us, Mur grumbled.


    With their consent, Stitch defended himself. I have strong ethics.


    <em>I seriously doubt that,</em> Shroud thought.


    He is good, though, Mur said. Very good. The doctor can rebuild you from head to toe, given enough time.


    Physical perfection is more than a dream, it is a moral obligation, Stitch continued with a cold, dead kind of enthusiasm, For what separates the sick from the healthy, than a doctors perseverance?


    While clearlycking in restraint, having a field surgeon that did not rely on the Heal spell could be a boon to the group. Shroud gave him a point for that. But enough of me, Stitch said. What can I do for you?


    We are the Dragonyers, Shroud said. A resistance movement from Earth.


    Earth?


    Some mud ball colonized by Concordia, Mur rified, drawing a few res.


    Ah, alright. You wish to free your homeworld from the dragon authority? I reassure you that your intentions are none of my concern. I do not take sides. I will happily graft weapons on any of you. I could add a fire gullet to your girlfriend if she wishes.


    Mur snickered, while Kari remained impassible, lost in her thoughts. But you will not hesitate to do the same for Concordians, Shroud pointed out, ignoring the imp.


    My only loyalty is to knowledge itself, Stitch replied.


    Point subtracted. Or was it? What do you think of sorcerers?


    I owe my current happy condition to one. To my shame, I admit I have yet to figure out how they work.


    What if you could cast spells?


    Stitch let out a sound which the sorcerer took for a low chuckle. That would be a dreame true. What I could learn, the bounds I could push I would only be limited by my creativity.


    <em> The Seeker of Life is thought to be an extragctic Green Archmage whose power grew unchecked, eventually subsuming its home gxy, Stitch read out loud. He had noticed he memorized texts better if he did. Although clearly mad by sane lifeforms standards, none can deny the biological exploit that is the living sphere of Venefica.</em>


    <em>Mad? This was not madness. This was brilliance. If he only could wield that power, he would abolish sickness, death, all those cursed defects life did not bother correcting. </em>


    s, if I had the gift it would have awakened centuries ago, the wight said with sorrow, giving Shroud an opening.


    What if we could help you with this?


    This drew the good doctors interest. Impossible, Stitch replied. No one can create sorcerers. Or at least, not that I know.


    We can potentially give you magical abilities, Shroud remained evasive, before specifying in a way that would guarantee maximum interest. Green ones.


    The wights empty eye sockets looked at Shroud straight in his own eyes. Why are you here? Certainly not for enhancements.


    I was considering a more permanent form of employment, Shroud said. We are looking to widen our organization, and a field surgeon would be a wee addition to our forces.


    Speak for yourself nerd, Maggie said. No way Im letting that creep cut me open.


    You are a Sorcerer Rainbow, Stitch guessed, not looking at the rest of the group before focusing on Mur. Mur?


    The imp smirked. Reinforce, he said, bathing the operation table in an orange glow.


    The undead watched the scene with rapt interest. Since Stitch truly had had Mur as a client before, then he knew the imp hadnt been a sorcerer. How? he asked Shroud.


    My Lock allows me to license my spells, Shroud said, careful not to mention Magik yet. They would need to vet that doctor first.


    I am listening, the wight said, no longer able to hide his curiosity.


    Now that he had the fish hooked, Shroud held on to it. What is the most important thing when ites to choosing someone, Doctor Stitch?


    Skill? Stitch guessed.


    No, Shroud responded. Trust. Skill and bravery are good, but an organization like ours cannot work without loyalty.


    Like the mafia, Maggie said in the background. Sol even looks like the Godfather.


    I am notfortable with that reference, Sol replied.


    Whatever, Shroud said, his focus on Stitch alone. While I have no doubt about your skills, I need to see if we can rely on you. Especially since you have no personal stake in the matter.


    I understand perfectly, Stitch replied. I am a very simple undead. If you truly have the power to grant me sorcerous powers then so long as I can keep experimenting, gather knowledge, and test the limits of this magic, then I will happily lend you my exclusive services. We can even sign a Soul Contract if needed.


    Shroud guessed he meant the Yellow spell Contracting, which he had seen. Is that the usual around here?


    For important matters, yes.


    Shroud doubted it would be necessary, or useful. Contracts, even magical ones, could be broken. Subtler bonds, carrots and sticks, that would ensure cooperation even without direct supervision.


    Stitchs carrot was the opportunity to further his knowledge, to hold the promises offered by sorcery. His stick was losing ess to it. While the driving reason differed, much like Mur, Stitch would probably behave to keep ess to Magik Online.


    That will not be necessary, Shroud decided. You will have to agree to other rules to maintain your powers, but no need for additional contracts.


    I see. If this can reassure you, as an undead being, there is little that can tempt me. I do not feel desire, and neither do I feel fear. I am no biophiliac and the pleasures of the flesh do not interest me. I also do not judge others, and so am not judged.


    Pragmatic,id-back, and focused. Amoral enough to go along with Mur and Maggie, amiable enough to reach to Kari and Sol, and a voice of reason able to temper the groups conflicts without taking sides. What can you bring on the table, Doc? Mur interrupted.


    While I have an estate, steady funds, and contacts, my greatest treasure is my knowledge, Stitch replied, Besides biological, cybeic, and necromantic sciences, I am well-educated as only an immortal can be. I can reasonably defend myself in a fight, especially with knives, although I must admit I have no formalbat training. And of course, if I sign with your group exclusively, I will assign my biological stockpile to your exclusive use.


    Good, Shroud said. Now tell us why we shouldnt hire you.


    Stitch seemed amused by the question. My potential for crude violence is limited. I am a healer, not a warrior, and my aim is atrocious. I am, however, very difficult to put down permanently. I may save lives but it is doubtful I can take some.


    Sorcery would help cover that. What do you guys think? Shroud asked, although he had already made his decision.


    Mur votes yes. Free healing and grafts.


    As long as I dont get experimented on, Im fine, nerd.


    I admit fighting with a corpse does disturb me a little, Sol said. However he seems without greed or pride, nor any ill-feeling. If he is reliable, then I will keep an open mind.


    I trust your judgment, Mathias-san, Kari replied. But we do not have much time. Closer.


    Shroud nodded. Very well, he said, deciding to elerate the interview, If you ept, in exchange for magical gifts, you will fight exclusively for the Dragonyers, and for the freedom of our homeworld. Our secrets will remain between us, and no breach will be tolerated. Nopromise can be made with Concordia or those who stand by it. Is that alright with you?


    Stitch nodded slowly, Shroud putting an arm on his cold shoulder and feeling the jolt of Network activate. He then quickly assigned him the Heal spell. You should be able to heal on touch now, Shroud told him.


    I felt your power. Shroud guessed as an undead, Stitch was more attuned to sorcery. A pleasure to serve under you, sir


    Shroud, the sorcerer replied as he rose up, before pointing at the other members. Yoshikage, Sharpshoot, and Sol. Wee to the Dragonyers.


    Mur will show you the ropes, the imp told the doctor. If you graft me a new stoneskin.


    Agreed, Stitch said with chilling enthusiasm.


    While the two discussed how to cast spells, Shrouds ss sent him vivid images of two shapes outside the clinic.


    One was a ck werewolf, even bigger than Kresnik; this one didnt bother to dress, instead having reced his left arm with a mechanized one. The other was a bloodied mummy of some kind, d in bandages with sharp iron spikes protruding from his flesh.


    The two figures stayed outside, hiding near a steel building. Waiting.


    Nerd Maggie said, grabbing her guns.


    I saw, Shroud replied. You can hit them from here?


    Yup, if you open the windows.


    Who would defy Mur? the imp said, itching for a fight. Mammons humiliation had made him eager for violence.


    Some sort of bloody pincushion and a werewolf bigger than Kresnik with a metal arm.


    Storck and Lyber, Stitch identified them. Customers of mine.


    Bounty hunters, Mur said, then added with disgust. They work for the sadism almost as much as the money. Must be after our bounty.


    Fuck Concordia. Do we retreat? Sol asked while Kari activated Oversoul, and Stitch grabbed scalpels among his instruments. They could still open the path to the Pce of Shadows if needed.


    They havent realized we noticed them yet, and it seems they intend to ambush us after we exit the building, Shroud said. You told us we should not let enemies pick our fights. I say we have surprise on our side for this one.


    Storck is a vampire and vulnerable to sunlight, Mur told Shroud. You and the old man can create it, no?


    I have a silver scalpel for the wolf if needed, Stitch said, having zero remorse about fighting a former client. I doubt I will be able to use it myself. I also have an experimental safety nket in my vault below.


    Somehow, he made safety sound dangerous. Then Sol, Maggie, and I will focus on the vampire, the rest of you take the werewolf, Shroud said. Kari, take the scalpel. Doc, you get your safety nket and you risk yourself only to heal our injured. Consider this your field test.


    Agreed, he said with a jaded voice.


    Then, Shroudunched the attack with a st, shattering the windows.


    Maggie fired bullets with both guns, one charged with Red Flux at Storcks head, the other normal. The werewolf, showing surprising reflexes, shielded his partners head with his metal arm, deflecting it; the other bullet ricocheted on the nearby building, hitting the bandaged humanoid right in the spine.


    Nice shot! Shroudplimented Maggie, flying out of the building with Sol in tow. No wonder she hadnt charged her bullet, or else it would have pierced through the building.


    Can I change my nickname to little goddess of guns? the girl replied, jumping out of the window and into the street. Kari and Mur soon followed, while Stitch, less athletic, simply decided to go through the main entrance.


    Lyber, Lyber, whats going on? the bloody pincushionined. I cant feel my legs anymore.


    I think the bullet broke your spine, Storck.


    Aw, that human bitch, I was going to jog next morning! Storcks body started levitating, his legs hanging on like dead meat. Good thing I can fly.


    Channeling Lightbringer through his lightshards, Shroud fired a few light projectiles at the duo, aiming specifically for Storck. The vampire, flying with speeds that would rival an eagle, dodged around, while the werewolf took them head-on; the beams burned the fur without searing the flesh beneath. Sol flew after Storck to intercept him, channeling Quasar around his de. Maggie began to channel Biosurge through her guns, coating her weapons with lightning.


    Hello, hello, good evening, this is Lyber, and this is my partner Storck, the werewolf said with a roar, noticing Mur and Kari and lunging at them, We are here to violently murder you, but do not mind us.


    Nothing personal, the other said, bats exiting the nearby building to gather around him in a massive swarm. The vampire vanished behind a shroud of vermin, Maggies lightning bullets vaporizing the poor bats. We are doing this in the name of love.


    Love? the werewolf responded, surprised, as he failed to smash Mur with his metal hand, the blow going through the steel pavement.


    Yes, Lyber Lyber. Our love, A bat swarm moving towards the Dragonyers, of money!


    Shroud created a dome of light around him and Maggie, the bats crashing against it like bird shit against a windshield. Sol himself ignored them to chase after Storck, while Mur jumped on Lybers back to w at it. The imp was already growing metal tes.


    Moving with her usual amazing speed and lethal precision, Kari closed the gap between her and the werewolf, shing below the neck with the silver scalpel. She narrowly missed the artery as Lyber jumped back, but the scalpel cut through the flesh like butter.


    A Magik Online notification suddenly popped up right before his eyes without warning.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Quest: The Night of the Hunters, started.</strong>


    <strong>Difficulty</strong>: Dot Three.


    <strong>Sender</strong>: LoveOrion


    The sacred hunt has begun under pale stars; prey bes predator, and predator bes prey. Nothing pleases me more than this fair struggle. Survive the night with all Dragonyers alive, and you shall be duly rewarded.


    <strong>Rewards</strong>: Twelve Spellcoins for each Dragonyer.


    <strong>Bonus</strong>: Kill all of the five hunters (reward: Celestial Bow and Arrows).


    <strong>Failure</strong>: one of the Dragonyer dies.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Five?


    A new challenger soon joined the fight, partially answering his question.


    Space above the clinic ripped in half with violet light, a gate across dimensions widening. A monstrous hound stepped out of the rift and on the roof, its eyes glowing with purple light; a golden humanoid rode on its back, carrying a long silver spear.


    Lugh, Shroud said upon recognizing the rider, dispelling the dome so Maggie could keep firing back at Storck without interference. You are here for the bounty, too?


    Lughs face morphed into a regal, lion-like grin. There is a bounty on your head?


    He didnt know? Then why are you here?


    It is not why I am here that you should ask. The hunter raised his spear, aiming for Shroud. It is, why not?


    Firing his weapon with superhuman strength, Lugh sent the spear flying at Shroud so fast, his eyes almost couldnt follow. Thankfully, he flew out of the way.


    Then the spear switched directions at thest moment.


    Before Shroud could react, it hit him right in the chest, started piercing his armor, and tried to reach for his heart.


    <strong>yers Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize: Locked</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>4</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>10</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Killer Sense</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>6</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heatriser</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Doppelganger</strong>


    Affinity: Blue


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Active, Thought.


    The caster creates a perfect, free-willed quantum duplicate of themselves. The Doppelganger appears as a blue-colored phantom, which will dissipate if suffering lethal wound or upon death of the original; upon destruction, the original gains all of the Doppelgangers memories. The Doppelganger cannot cast spells nor use a Lock, but benefits from all effects affecting the caster upon creation (such as Peak or Premium Thoughts). The caster can only have one Doppelganger active, and harmful effects affecting it will not carry over to the original.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 36: Pitch Black

    Chapter 36: Pitch ck


    As the spear threatened to make its way past threeyers of solid light and supernaturally dense ss, Shroud wondered how things had gotten out of hand so quickly. Even holding the spear with both hands, he couldnt match the invisible force moving it.


    The spears pressure pushed him against the nearest wall of Stitchs institute, trapping him between the steel and the drilling weapon. Mathias! Sol fell down from the skies to help, as he once did against Kresnik.


    However, turning his back on Storck turned out to be a mistake, the vampire exiting his bat swarm to tackle him in the back with inhuman strength. The flying knight crashed to the ground, where Lyber kept engaging the rest of the group. Before Sol could pull himself back up, the werewolf lunged at him, smashing his helmet against the pavement with a sickening sound.


    As he raised his metal hand for a brutal coup de grace, Maggie shot the beast in the arm with a lightning bullet, while Kari jumped on his back to stab him with his silver scalpel. Lyber let out a growl, abandoning Sol to try to toss her off him. Mur, meanwhile, still struggled with Storcks bat swarm, keeping the imp isted.


    Lugh didnt even spare them a nce, his impassioned eyes set on only Shroud. If my prey has a heart, Gae Bolg will pierce it, always, the Reaver said. This is more than sorcery, sapiens. This is destiny.


    Shroud would have answered with a clever retort, had he not been furiously trying to save his own life.


    Kari, who had noticed his plight, leaped off Lyber and ran alongside the surface of Stitchs building, quickly reaching the roof. Her body surrounded by Oversouls bright aura as she attempted to w at Lugh.


    Its eyes shining with a violet hue, Lughs hound let out a howl and moved; space itself twisted around the beast and its rider, and the two shifted position on the other end of the roof, away from Karis strike.


    Before the hunter could retaliate, Storcks bat swarm fell upon the roof, targeting all fighters present. While Kari sliced them one after the other with her ethereal ws, Lugh simply ignored them, but they sessfully scratched the giant hounds tough hide.


    Fuck off, Lugh! a flying Storck said, as he oversaw the duel from above. More vermin emerged from the nearby buildings to swarm the battlefield. Rats, alien centipedes, and other chitinous critters Shroud had never seen on Earth; a few climbed out of Stitchs broken windows to crawl to the roof, and towards Lugh. We saw them first!


    Filthy undead, how dare you let your measly greed interfere with Lughs sacred hunt?! the hunter sneered at the vampire like a nobleman looking down on stinking dog shit.


    How dare you let your stupid hunt get in the way of our greed?!


    Shroud felt the pressure of his approaching death vanish, the spear flying away after piercing through half of his defensiveyers. Fine, Lugh said, as Gae Bolg returned to his hand. Lugh will hunt all of you tonight. A werewolfs hide should be worth one hundred points at least.


    Having his hound twist space again, Lugh and his mount moved through the air like a fish through water; now that he could observe it more closely, Shroud realized this wasnt teleportation, not really. Lughs hound simply reduced the space between two points, like a shortcut, allowing them both to move between them at great speed.


    The hunter appeared right above Storck, his spear piercing the vampire through. Or it would have, had Storck not turned into a bloody, crimson mist at thest second.


    On the ground, the flood of vermin crawled towards the fighters, a tide of flesh and ws. Sol, still clearly groggy from his previous beatdown, cast a Heal spell on himself before standing back to his feet. Opening his wings and channeling the faint light around with Quasar, he unleashed a bright sh around himself, repelling the vermin flood. Grab me! he ordered as he flew towards Mur and Maggie, the two grabbing his legs as the knight flew upward, away from the rats and the animals and away from Stitchs institute. The knight let his allies fall on a nearby roof, safe for now.


    Lyber, ignored by his allys swarm, backed off a little, then ran towards the roof and leaped at it with immense strength. The monsternded in front of Maggie, the whole building quaking under the stress of his impact.


    Unfortunately, they had moved so far, they were but a glimpse at the periphery of Shrouds vision, and out of his range. Now free to move around, and reconstituting his armor where Gae Bolg had pierced through it, the Blue Sorcerer flew back towards an outnumbered Kari, firing light beams around, searing away at bats and rats aplenty.


    <em> Warning, Lock interference detected.  </em>


    The Network sh came from nowhere but stopped him dead in his tracks.


    <em> Oversoul sessfully disabled.  </em>


    Whats happening? Kari said, visibly panicking, as her golden aura receded into nothingness, leaving her to the mercy of the swarm. Shroud flew right behind her, using his lightshards to create a barrier shielding them from the ever-growing swarm. The air seemed to grow frostier by the second, his breath turning into mist.


    <em> Warning: Lock intrusion ongoing.  </em>


    Shroud opened his Network feeds to check.


    They had turned identical, someone watching back at him through them all. The blurred picture of a white helmet, simr in design to Sols armor; but more streamlined, perfected. The visor shone with bluish light, the shadow of two eyes watching back.


    So you became a functional Terminal, Mathias. A deep, background echo made the figure''s voice unrecognizable: it did sound strangely pleased.


    Who the hell are you? And how can you use this channel? Shroud attempted to use Network on that figure, to gather information...


    <em> Hostile Terminals Lock refused connection.  </em>


    Agent Melusine, from the Blue Ministry. Your Lock is called Network, correct? What a fascinating power you have, and you have barely scratched the surface.


    <em> Warning! All active Grant Spells have been disabled.  </em>


    Holy Someone is hacking our Locks! Shroud told Kari, as the bats and the other critters kept hammering at his light shield. How could it happen?


    I told you we should not rely on it, the girl replied, her eyes seemingly looking at an invisible text. She was probably looking into Magik Onlines Compendium for a new offensive option.


    Above them, tired of failing to stab Storcks mist form with his spear, Lugh eventually lost interest and turned around, his hound space-leaping in Shrouds direction. Storcks red mist abandoned them, to join his partner in the fight farther away, but the flood of vermin below continued to climb the walls of Stitchs institute.


    Hurriedly, Shroud opened the Magik Online browser in search for Beastmaster.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Magik Online hacking attempt detected!</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Magik Online? the Concordian said on the other end of his Network feed, astonished. What is this?


    No no no!<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Magik Online hacking attempt, repelled!</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Yes!


    Manus, the figure said, a note of anger in its voice. Still up to your old tricks. Do you even know what kind of evil you owe your powers to, Mathias?


    Ignoring that saboteur, Shroud purchased Beastmaster, the spell spreading through him and his ss shards. He could sense every vermin, every bat, every tiny animal. He could sense them the same way he sensed his own limbs, his fingers, his tongue. Each part of a greater whole, an extension of his consciousness.


    Shroud couldnt see through all of them at once, nor did he have feeds like with Network. The feeling was simr to his own ss Field, a new sense, unlike anything he had used before. He felt surrounded by noise, with each individual having their own signal, thousands of voices shouting a single thought: eat, eat, eat!


    His own signals subsumed them, an overwhelming song drowning weaker voices and forcing them to follow his tune. He pushed away a weaker song, Storcks own, his lightshards amplifying his power like antenna.


    The world became his orchestra, and he a maestro of thoughts.


    He couldnt hear Karis signal, but he could sense Lugh approaching; perhaps because the Reaver was a bit too much in touch with his bestial side. He tried to subsume the hunters mind, but his own voice stood strong, refusing to be silenced. Lughs signal was too strong, too focused on his hunt, tooplex for Beastmaster.


    His monstrous hound, however...


    With a mere mentalmand, Shroud had the dog bite at its masters ankle. He could feel the diffuse feedback of the teeth unable to pierce the indestructible skin.


    Failinis? Lugh snarled in surprise as the hound forcefully tossed him off its back and into the swarm below. The hunter sttered vermin with his fall, which soon crawled on him.


    Kill him, Shroud ordered to all beasts in the vicinity, hismand bing the only thought on their minds. The bats and vermin on the roof left the duo alone, switching targets for Lugh. The giant hound itself teleported onto its former master, intent on devouring him.


    What happened? Your connection to your Lock grew stronger. Melusine seemed confused. Apparently, the saboteur couldnt see everything that happened on his end.


    How can you hijack Network?! Shroud snarled back, this persons intrusion into his trump card unsettling him on a deep, personal level. Without the Heal spell...


    The Concordian figure on the other side remained silent, Shroud turning to Kari as he dropped his shield, thest of his new minions having fled. New spell?


    Im looking, she replied, without exining herself. Is Lugh


    No, he replied. He could feel members of his thought orchestra die like flies, their voices silenced in mass.


    <em>Time is broken.</em>


    <em>The universe turns pitch ck.</em>


    <em>The stars dim out, swallowed by hungering darkness. Past, future and present be one. Causality is abolished. None of them matter anymore in this dark world. There is no life, nor death.</em>


    <em>Nothing remains.</em>


    <em>The Man of ss and his niece move away to look to the roofs edge, to assess the Reavers situation. They are phantoms, flickering and ready to vanish at anytime. The shadow climbs the wall on the other side, undetected; his dark ws piercing the steel and leaving oil dripping. In this sinister world, he alone is real.</em>


    <em>He has been watching, waiting, silent like a serpent and patient like a stalking panther. The moment hase. He moves to action.</em>


    <em>He walks towards his niece and her ally, and they do not see him. In the glitched time, he both does and does not exist. The beasts die around him when he touches them, the feeble embers of their soul snuffed out by the gnawing void within.</em>


    <em>Each second costs him and the world much, but he does not care. He has found his light, and he will not be denied.</em>


    <em>Time is unbroken.</em>


    Cant pierce his skin Shroud stopped his sentence, flying above the roofs edge, looking down on Lugh tossing away rats and bats with his spear, his own hound circling him.


    Strange. He didnt remember moving there. Neither did he remember the figure facing Kari


    Shrouds head jerked around in confusion.


    Kari had frozen on the spot. Her face had whitened, drained of color. She stood still, trembling in fear, her eyes trapped in an expression of absolute, distilled despair.


    The figure facing her from the other end of the roof was a vision of death.


    A gaunt, tall statue of rusted, ck iron in the vague shape of a human skeleton, d in ck, tattered robes. Its face was a ghoulish metal mask, hidden beneath paint of red and ck and a Japanese Kasa hat. Its eyes devoured the meager light around them, even Lightbringer unable to pierce the veil of darkness that now surrounded them.


    It smelled of rot and rust; its feet dripped thick ck oil with every step. A ck aura surrounded it, alongside cold, silent wind.


    Kari it rasped, its voice echoing with the nauseating echo of a rusting ughterhouse grinding fresh meat. It moved like a broken puppet, revealing rotten, skinned flesh joined with oily cables at the neck and the joints. Kari Ive found you again


    Just looking at it gave Shroud the chills, made his breath heavier. His whole body, every cell, every bone, recoiled at the sight of that twisted horror.


    He knew, instinctively, that the thing in front of him shouldnt exist; that he faced an anathema, the antithesis of life itself. Neither dead, nor alive, nor even undead.


    This creature shouldnt exist.


    Kari it repeated, advancing menacingly while his target stoodpletely paralyzed.


    This broke Shroud of his primal dread, or at least enough to focus again. He aimed his lightshards at the neer threateningly. Who are you? <em>What are you?</em>


    Recursion, it answered, the world drowned in darkness.


    <em>Time is broken.</em>


    <em>He feels a little more of his internal fire fade away, consumed by darkness. ck is merciful, giving a chance to change ones fate; ck is merciless, hungering for payment. Each second in this dark world is a day shaved off his remaining time.</em>


    <em>He reels with disgust at the face of her ally. A white American. Shameful that she would associate with this foreign vermin. He thought he had taught her better.</em>


    <em>The Man of ss swords of light move in the darkened timeline, looking for him. A shadow in the darkness, the Pandorian moves unseen, untouchable. He faces his light.</em>


    <em>He touches her hair, the hole in his heart briefly warms with a strange, buried feeling. Paternal pride. Twisted love. It makes the pain fade away, but only for an instant.</em>


    <em>He cannot keep existing without this brief respite. He needs to have her for himself, forever. Only then, will he find peace.</em>


    <em>He puts his hands around her neck and starts strangling her. He drains the life out of her, her magic, her essence, her everbright soul. Soon, he will leave only a pitch ck hole behind, a reflection of his own decaying soul.</em>


    <em>Time is unbroken.</em>


    Once again, Shroud awoke after an ellipse, his lightshards on the other end of the roof.


    The monster had teleported right next to Kari and started strangling her. Choking her windpipes with gaunt, iron fingers. His friend didnt even struggle, still frozen.


    Reacting quickly, Shroud impaled the horror through the chest with multiple lightswords, forcing it to release its hold and pushing it away.


    He sensed his own magic quickly leave his shards, drawn into the horrors ck aura. They decayed into inert ss before they could toss the monster off the roof. The shock still made it fall,ying on the ground like a mangled doll.


    Yoshikage? Kari? Shroud tried to shake his friend out of her trance by holding her shoulders with his hands, to no avail. Kari, what the hell is going on?


    U Her voice died in her sore throat, a mere whisper. Uncle


    A Magik Online message suddenly popped up at the edge of his vision.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Side Quest: One for All, updated!</strong>


    <strong>Difficulty</strong>: Dot Three


    <strong>Sender</strong>: Administrator


    A good team leader puts his men first, for his strength is that of the group. One rises only by lifting others up. Help Yoshikage fulfill her side quest.


    Help her send her uncle Toshiyami to his final death.


    <strong>Reward</strong>: Network Synergize Upgrade (3/3)


    <strong>Failure: Final Death of Kari Matsumoto</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Toshiyami? Shroud spoke out loud.


    This shook Kari out of her frozen expression, but not in the way he had wanted. Instead, she began to struggle for breath, trembling and holding her chest.


    Kari Matsumoto, the stoic badass that fought a dragon at his side, was having a nasty panic attack.


    Kari, Kari, get your act together, Shroud tried to shake her out of out of whatever PTSD event went through <em>right now</em>, and failed. As the horror began to rise back up, to its feet, he shielded his despondent friend with his body, prepared to stand his ground. Kari, any idea how we can beat this thing?


    Damn. He could open a gateway to the Pce of Shadows to evacuate with Kari, but that meant leaving the rest of the team stranded; and that creature may follow them even there.


    Hes glitching time, Melusine answered through the Network feed. It sounded as disturbed as Shroud himself. Recursion, Dot Three. It corrodes the space-time continuum around the user for a short time, erasing the present for a few seconds.


    Youre joking, right? Shroud replied.


    No, Melusine replied. You acted during the timespan, but you do not remember it. He can, and it allows him to adjust his actions.


    Shroud took a long, deep breath, and then voiced what he already suspected. Violet powers are bullshit!


    This is not Violet, Mathias. This is


    The monster rose back, a long sword of ck energy manifesting around his left hand.


    This is ck. The color of entropy and paradox.


    An eighth color? How can I counter it?


    You cant, but it is very Flux-taxing. Meaning it cannot use it all the time or else it will fail to sustain itself. This seems to be a recent Pandorian and starved, so its reserves must be rtively low.


    Shroud didnt understand half of what she said, but he understood enough. If the monster ran on a limited juice, he had to turn it into a battle of attrition. If I redirect the swarm


    No, Mathias, that is a bad idea, Melusine said. It can drain Flux on contact. Animals will recharge it. Your ss and light weapons will inflict more damage than what it can absorb.


    Why are you telling me this? he asked, suspicious. With it disabling Network, he couldnt assess its intentions.


    I dont want you to die, the agent replied. You would better run away.


    No. Kari couldnt move, refused to. With Network disabled, he couldnt contact the rest of his team either, if they had even managed to fend off Storck and Lyber. He was on his own.


    Besides, he was done running away from bastards like this after Mammon. Did she tell you? the horror rasped, swinging his de of darkness. How she let me die?


    Dont worry, I will finish the job, Shroud responded byunching a volley of lightshards at it.


    Did she tell you? The shambling monster repeated, his ck aura expanding. Disruption Wave.


    The darkness expanded, turning the shards inert and hitting Shroud like a tide.


    It was like Kresniks counterspell, but ten times more painful. Information he couldnt manage overloaded his brain, and canceled his flight, making him fall next to Kari while holding his skull.


    Then, he saw two words, two words that extinguished his hope and made him fall into despair.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>MAGIK OFFLINE</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>yers Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize: Locked</td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td><td>Overlock</td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td><td>Overlock</td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td><td><strong>ERROR</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>6</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Berserk</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Heatriser</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    This feature is temporarily unavable.


    <strong>THE FUTURE DROWNED IN DARKNESS</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 37: DLC: Imp Story

    Chapter 37: DLC: Imp Story


    <strong>Roughly thirty years ago, the icy wastnd of Cocytus. </strong>


    To be the strongest.


    His kind lived by this one rule. From the lowliest imp to the master below. Strength over all, winner takes all. Woe to the defeated.


    He had lived by this rule since his birth in the fiery pits below the ds. The tenth of a budding of twenty, his first memory had been running from the gargoyle that spawned him. Those slower died so he could live.


    He survived the struggle for life, hiding in the tunnels, eating stones to grow himself a skin that would stop the teeth and fangs of his kindred. That was his kinds lifecycle. From imp to gargoyle, and with enough time and effort, to a higher form.


    In the tunnels below, life was nasty, brutish, and short. Warbands fighting one another in an endless struggle for dominance, for the control of the forges, or for the right to ascend to a greater form. He fought alone, fled when outmatched, struck when he had the element of surprise. He survived but didnt strive.


    Then, when the cracks to the icy surface opened, he crawled out of it, to seize the world above for the master below. Competition was less intense there, the locals already weakened by the winter. He grew older, wiser. Learned to speak, to fashion weapons.


    Always, always, he fought alone. He needed no one. Could trust no one. Hunt or be hunted.


    And then, he set his eyes on the ultimate prize.


    Only four could stand at the Malekings side when he would escape his bindings to throw the cosmos into chaos. His Horsemen. Conquest, War, Famine, and Death. Only the strongest deserved the spot, to receive the Horsemans spirit, mantle, and powers.


    Each wielder was the link of an endless chain. One day a challenger woulde, and fight the current Horseman. Either the Horseman would defend his title, or fall with the unworthy. That way, each new link strengthened the chain as a whole.


    Even impkind enjoyed no privilege in that struggle. The Maleking only respected strength and skill, and so he would grant the mantle of Horsemen to anyone who proved themselves.


    In time there would rise Horsemen so powerful, no one will ever topple them. Death herself had killed off so many challengers, no one remembered if someone ever held the title before her. The current Conquest had conquered arge territory in preparation for the Maleking''s arrival. Famine kept changing titles, to the point the imp couldnt prepare to fight the current holder before a new one took over, so harsh was thepetition.


    And so, the fiend chose the challenge War. He prepared, waited,id the ambush, and stuck. He thought with surprise, he could win. He <em>would </em>win.


    He lost.


    No. Loss wasnt strong enough.


    Decimation.


    His strikes, the Horseman deflected with casual blows; his armor and hammer, made from the bones of other fiends, he cut through like snow; his stoneskin, he ripped apart, revealing his frail true form. With a kick, he broke the imps legs and forced him to crawl in defeat.


    He never had any chance. All the effort, all those struggles, for nothing.


    Disappointing, the Malekings voice echoed in the icy cavern, his dark spirit having observed the battle from start to finish; as he watched over all those who walked the path of chaos. I expected a better showing from my own kind, Murmur.


    So did the imp. He didnt even find words to defend himself, so savage the humiliation. Not that it wouldst long. He knew the fate of all failed challengers. A final pain, and then the darkness beyond.


    War sheathed his many des without delivering the killing blow.


    Mercy.


    War. Having mercy? No. <em>Never </em>mercy.


    He is not worth killing yet.


    There it was, the ultimate insult. To be ignored like some shit in the snow. To not even being considered worth bragging about. The worst fate for a warrior. Finish me off! Murmur asked bitterly.


    I have nopassion for the craven, the Maleking confirmed. Weed him out.


    He has potential. A flicker, yes. But potential. The Horseman watched over Murmur with a contemptuous gaze. You are not a challenge yet, but one day, you might be a passable one.


    Contempt and boredom all rolled into one. It hurt more than the steel and broken bones. So bored was War, so eager for a fight, that he would let him live to fight another day. Because that one wasnt even worth remembering.


    The Maleking didnt care enough to overrule his servant, indulging him in his cruelty. Then he will live, for now, the archdemon said. But I will not suffer your presence in my home, Murmur.


    Is Murmur...


    Murmur is banished, yes. I will have you exiled on another world, far from home, far from my sight.


    Exile. No glorious death, no opportunity to im territory, greater form, or honor. Oblivion.


    Do you understand, Murmur? the master below went on, his servant sheathing hisst de beneath his cloak. Only the strong strive and the dragons are strong. Their Ministers can fell gods, and they have. To ovee them, demonkind must improve and weed out all those who hold us back. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. You think strength onlyes from muscles and what you can kill.


    "Those were the old ways, but now we must learn from our enemies and steal what makes them strong. Their technology, their sorcery, their knowledge... and by blood and steel we shall have them. Until you learn to <em>learn</em>, you will never rise above your meager station.


    Murmur listened, looking at his limp legs in shame.


    Return as my Horseman of War, or do not return.


    <strong>The present</strong>


    Mur hated the Midnight Market. And not just because a werewolf tried his best to eat him alive, Mur holding his strong jaw away with his tiny metal hands.


    He spent years in this shithole, didnt like it, and never would. Dumped here while not healed, forced to eat trash for months like a parasite, struggling almost as hard as he did in his early days. With one stroke, War had undone decades, brought him back to zero.


    Mur had remembered the Malekings words. He had learned; learned thenguages, learned the ways. He had learned of money and boozeone of the few things he liked about the Marketand how to make it work for him. He had regrown his skin, sold his services, gained enough money to buy weapons and enhancements.


    When Mur didnt speak, he listened. Growing smarter, grower stronger. He had even smashed a few servants of the scalies and their tinmen ves, earning himself a bounty. He hated civilization, though. Tooplicated, too ambiguous, too far from the purity of the feral wild, where the rules were simpler and the sides clear.


    Thetest job had been both a blessing and a disaster. He had lost his stoneskin, and years of work but he had gained sorcery and a warband of his own.


    It was the first time the imp had joined a warband. He had fought with others in the past, as a bodyguard or muscle, but only for temporary jobs. Never on a permanent basis. There were both good and bad sides. Mur and the old man hated one another, but he liked hanging out with squishie Maggie. The pay wasnt that great, but he got the nice sorcerous powers that would lead him all the way to the top.


    Shroud was the leader. He asked too many questions, but he was strong, stronger than Mur for now, and he made the whole warband stronger; so Mur wouldnt challenge him for the position. Mur would learn his tricks, replicate them, make them his.


    While he would never admit it, he also respected the human, a bit. Unlike the old fool, he understood why Shroud chose to leave his old name behind, for the path of the warrior. Mur did the same thing himself.


    Murmur the Imp was a loser, killed on Cocytus by War, his name forgotten. <em>The </em>Mur would be a winner. A champion. Mur would be the strongest, regain his honor, and then he would return to his sweet home.


    But now wasnt the time for memories.


    Now was the time to destroy.


    Heatriser! Mur snarled, increasing the temperature around him, his body heating up. Lyber spat him out, his tongue drying up. Mur hit the roof, the metal tes of Adamant absorbing the shock.


    Sharpshoot kept firing at Lyber, but unless she fully charged her bullets with red power or lightning, her bullets bounced off the werewolfs skin. The doctor, Stitch, was nowhere to be found, his promised help waiting; in all likelihood, he had fled.


    Mur knew they should have recruited a real warrior.


    The old geezer, who had been flying around them, cast Reinforce upon his weapons and armor in preparation for a falling strike on Lyber; however, a crimson mist suddenly covered him, obscuring his vision.


    Storck.


    The vampire in mist shape swirled around Sols helmet, trying to find an opening in the suit and suffocate him. The geezer tried to cut through the crimson veil, his sword swirling with light, but he couldnt harm Storck in that form.


    The machinery making up most of Lyber activated, pumping him with green drugs. The wolfs muscles expanded, his veins bulged, and his eyes turned white. Like a rabid beast, he lunged at Mur with his fist raised.


    The imp barely had the time to fly out of the blows way, Lybers fist going through the steel with enough strength to make the building tremble. Maggie prepared to fire a final, deadly shot right at the werewolfs face when the red aura around her guns dissipated. Huh?<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Warning</strong>


    Hostile Terminal disabled your Lock! </td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mur felt Adamants metal tes recede back into his body, his connection to his sorcery broken. What? the imp asked, a Magik Online notification appearing right in front of him.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Warning</strong>


    The Shroud and Yoshikage ounts have experienced an unknown bug and are temporarily offline.


    Inactivity for ten minutes will result in <strong>total Guild shutdown</strong>. </td></tr></tbody></table>


    Offline? Could that be why Adamant had stopped working? The websites staff did warn them the Moderators death would negatively impact their ount...


    Sharpshoot! Sol said, keeping Storck at bay. Go help Mathias and Kari!


    But


    You dont have anything that can take down the vampire or the werewolf! Go, we will take care of these two!


    The sniper hesitated, before leaping over the buildings edge and vanishing into the void below.


    <em>We</em> will take care of them? Mur snickered, as Lyber freed himself.


    I dont like you either, imp, the knight replied, managing to escape Storck. But we will not prevail if we do not cooperate.


    Cooperate.


    Once, Mur would have looked down on that word. Cooperation was only good for those who couldnt help themselves. But cooperation had made the scalies strong, more than their fires and sorcery. Teamwork had power.


    And so, Mur decided to give it a shot.


    Sol fell upon Lyber like a bird, his reinforced de of Orange Flux cutting through his impervious fur and engaging the rampaging beast in closebat. Storck followed, but Mur interrupted him, trying to fry him with Heatriser.


    Regaining his true form mid-flight, Storck wed at Mur, impaling him through the waist with one of his spikes. Mur felt the pain, but it was a mere stingpared to the bite of Graffs sword.


    Mur knew he wasnt the sharpest knife in the armory. He had been bred to grow and fight, not to ask questions. But he had learned to learn.


    Two to make one. Mur goes Berserk!


    The magic filled him with sweet power, unleashed the rage within him, removed his limits. He focused that sensation to Heatriser, to try and break the fetters and


    CRACK!<table><tbody><tr><td>


    New Hack created!


    <strong>Pitborn</strong>


    <strong>Dot</strong>: 2


    <strong>Components</strong>: Berserk + Heatriser


    <strong>Activation</strong>: Active, Thought.


    The user transforms into a demonic berserker; gaining hellish might, strong skin, and the power to channel fireballs through their hands. The user keeps control of themselves, but no longer feels pain and trades finesse for brute strength. The transformation is reverted should the user fall unconscious, or die.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mur had just triggered his first Hack.


    And his body grew slightly, like Berserk. Except it kept growing, his skin turning to searing stone. Not the shell that was his stoneskin, but true skin of fiery stones, like those of his old tunnels.


    Magik Online knew. It knew of the tunnels, of his own growth cycle; and so it gave him the power he dreamed of.


    Mur grew into a titan of demonkind, with strong limbs, a spiked tail, and spiraling horns. While his vestigial wings vanished below his skin, his hands burned with magical fire; his flesh pushed Storcks spike out of his body, forcing the vampire to disengage.


    Mur was big again.


    Mur was bigger than puny Lyber now.


    Which was nice, except he couldnt fly anymore. And so, Mur fell,nding on his feet with a loud crash. Haha! he cackled, his voice now echoing with the sound of a raging volcano. HAHAHA! Mur big again!


    The vampire didnt share his joy. Lyber Lyber! Storck shouted. We switch!


    The werewolf answered with a roar, leaving Sol to tackle Mur head on. The fiend relished the challenge, trading blow for blow, meeting ws with a flurry of punches. Bothcked any technique, any skill; Lyber had a slight edge in strength, but Mur matched him in ferocity.


    Storcknded on the roof, even as Sol charged at him. Instead of turning to mist this time, the vampire held his ground, gazing at Sol directly.


    Stop, Storck said, as his eyes met Sols.


    The knight stopped, enthralled by the vampires gaze. Drop your sword and remove your helmet, Storck told Sol, the knight obeying. The second he exposed his neck, the vampire attempted to slice his throat with a spike.


    <em>Channel fire through hands...</em>


    Reacting quicker, Mur pointed a hand at Storck and tried to bring fire into existence. A small fireball manifested from his fingers, moving in a straight line and impacting Storcks skull before he could deliver the coup de grace.


    The vampires face burned. Storck let out a scream of anger and pain, reflexively putting his hands on his eyes as they caught fire.


    Sol, instantly recovering control of his mind, grabbed his sword, and shouted, Quasar! Channeling the dim light of the stars into his de, he stabbed Storck through the chest before he could turn into crimson mist.


    Storck let out a scream, his undead flesh seared off his bones. Lyber instantly tried to drop Mur to try and save his teammate.


    The fiend caught his metal arm first.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Diceweight</strong>


    <strong>Affinity</strong>: Orange


    <strong>Dot</strong>: 1


    <strong>Price</strong>: 3


    <strong>Activation</strong>: Active, Direct Touch Vector.


    Temporarily increase or decrease the weight of inorganic matter on touch. The more prolonged the contact, the stronger the effect and the longer itsts.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mur had purchased that spell for his weapons, but there was more than one way to apply strength. Diceweight!


    With an orange sh, the weight of Lybers cybeic enhancements suddenly increased.


    Lyber, more metal than flesh, copsed on Mur himself, both unable to move; the ground below them began to crack under the weight, which kept increasing the longer Mur maintained his contact. Neither could move from their spot.


    Within seconds, Storck had turned to dust and ashes. The old geezer moved on to assist Mur, raising his de as Lyber let out a final, bestial roar.


    With both hands and a strong, firm motion, Sol sliced Lybers head off, killing the beast.


    With the werewolf dead, Mur undid Diceweight, tossing the corpse off himself. The old geezer watched Murs new form with a mix of disgust and confusion.


    You saved my life, the old fool said. Why?


    Mur spat, his saliva evaporating before it hit Sols armor. Same team, he grumbled. Mur hates you, but he hates everyone else more.


    The knight seemed to ept his exnation, putting his sword back and offering him a hand to get back to his feet. Mur looked at it for a few seconds, before epting it. Maybe I shouldnt have judged someone by their appearance, the geezer said. I guess we are condemned to get along.


    Mur shrugged. Deep down though, he had to admit it was a new strange feeling to have someone watching his back.


    It felt nice.


    <strong>yers Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>HACKED</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>HACKED</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>6</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>HACKED</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Powersurge</strong>


    Affinity: Green


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The users physical abilities and physiological processes are supernaturally multiplied beyond the natural limits of their species. In general, the casters strength and senses are increased by a factor of ten.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 38: DLC: The Fog of War

    Chapter 38: DLC: The Fog of War


    <strong>- Six Months ago, somewhere in Kyushu, East Asian Protectorate (formerly Japan). </strong>


    Kari stared at the pale human corpse with her silencer pointed at it and fired. She shot the skull into broken bits, worms, and rotten brains.


    Again, Uncle said, lining up another corpse against the trees bark; this time, a hobgoblin rather than a man.


    Uncle had robbed a grave, stealing the corpses and lining them up against trees, to teach her how to shoot other humans. He also had had her butcher one animal a day for a month so she would lose her fear of blood. She cried the first time, and heforted her, but he still made her do it.


    She could recount the day with clock-like precision. Physical exercise at six; hand to handbat at seven. Firearms and explosives from eight to twelve. Eat for fifteen minutes, then small unit tactics until three in the afternoon. History, geography, and conversation training until five. Forgery, ounting, and origami until six. Animal skinning, then body disposal techniques. Uncle had let her pick a discipline for eight in the evening, and she picked musicshe would have imploded without it. Finally, free time for one hour before bed.


    She had shot twenty-one corpses and twenty-five animals since they had arrived at thepound and disposed of all of them by severing their limbs and dropping them in acid.


    This will be your first mission in the field with me, Uncle Toshiyami droned. He had grown frailer over the years due to age and stress, his hair graying at the edge. He always wore his oldmando uniform when he trained her, his sullen, whitening eyes betraying his grim resolve. You mustnt hesitate for one second. One second is the difference between life and death. In the field, you can rely only on yourself.


    That way she wouldnt freeze when she would shoot at real targets. She had shot at humans in video games her Uncle had purchased for her, but never real ones.


    Uncle had, though. One of the corpses he brought back, he had shot them first; she recognized him on the news, saying he was missing. A local official who sold out to the dragons during the War.


    They didnt have a home. They never stayed in the same ce for too long, never left a trail. Even thepound Uncle had rented under a false name. It was harder to stay on the run, as the dragons reced more people with machines, tightened their grip on the country with cameras and Gearsmen.


    One day Uncle would get sloppy, and she would be alone.


    Uncle had told her all about her familys history. How they descended from Hattori Hanzo himself, how they had served shoguns and emperors. She herself doubted half of those stories were true, but Uncle believed in them enough to mystify her.


    While she could recount her ns history up from the Warring States era, she didnt remember her parents much. She remembered the fires that consumed them, and her old house, more vividly.


    While he spoke a lot about their familys past, Uncle didnt tell her much about his own. He had been in the JSDF, killed foreigners abroad for the Ministry of Defense, and lost a daughter and a son during the War of Dragon Aggression. He didnt speak about her cousins and grew cold and silent when she mentioned them. Kari didnt even know their names.


    Kari didnt know many people.


    She didnt have friends, not really. She had penpals, online, especially that American girl, Sam, whom she had met on a music forum. Uncle let her post and chat on forums, as long as she remained careful to leave nothing that could allow Governor Blightspawns forces to implicate Uncle. Otherwise, she could do whatever she wanted.


    Kari stopped before she pulled the trigger.


    What did <em>she </em>want?


    She knew she should have cared about freeing Japan and avenging her blood, the same way Uncle did. But she didnt. She didnt care.


    She didnt care about anything.


    Shoot, Uncle ordered, bringing her out of her daydreaming. She pulled the trigger and didnt miss.


    Kari did her exercises for the day, but her heart wasnt in it anymore. The question ate at her the entire time. By noon, Uncle noticed, and cut her music and free time in half as punishment.


    What did <em>she </em>want?


    She knew what <em>Uncle </em>wanted. Kill all the dragons and theirckeys, free Japan, and have Kari finish the mission if he died beforehand. Thest decade he spent preparing her to inherit his dream. <em>His </em>dream.


    Not hers.


    Kari didnt have a dream of her own. Kari liked music since it helped her blow off steam from the training because it made her nostalgic of kinder, older times. She liked origami a bit, and she would have wanted a cat if Uncle had allowed it.


    If Uncle died, if she seeded in freeing Japan somehow what would she do afterward? Theck of answer, the sheer void within her soul, frightened her more than Uncles wrath.


    That evening, in her half an hour of allocated time, she resolved to look at self-help forums instead of discussing things with Sam Brown, like usual. Instead, she found an email invitation, from an address she never contacted before.


    <em>Magik Online Invitation.</em>


    She heard the Gearsmennd outside her window, and then the gunshots.


    Everything was a blur afterward, as if her memories, her time, had been eaten. She could barely remember fleeing mes, watching the Gearsmen shooting the farm with Uncle still inside, and one of those machines impale her Uncle with his own sword when he ran out of bullets.


    But she clearly remembered Uncles screams, as his corpse rose from the ashes, a ck shadow of himself. She remembered the darkness seeping out of him, the metal tearing his flesh apart to reveal the horror underneath the skin, the rattle from beyond.


    Kari Kari it rattled, his sword still midway through his chest as the Gearsmen circled him. Please its me...


    For the first time in her life, sumbing to fear, Kari Matsumoto disobeyed to her uncle for the first time.


    She fled.


    <strong>The Present</strong>


    You left me to die.


    The words hurt deeper than the backsh of her spells undone. I wasnt ready Kari pleaded, struggling for breath. Her heart hammered in her chest like a bomb. I wasnt ready


    You had that power Toshiyami condemned her, shambling towards her. Shroud wriggled in pain nearby from losing his spells. You had that power, but you kept it for yourself even when the machines ground my bones to paste while you watched...


    All of the facade of strength she had built over thest months, ripped away. Uncle made the world colder just by walking towards her, sucking the heat, the warmth, the joy. He had be the void incarnate.


    Im sorry, Uncle she prayed, her head down in shame. I shouldnt I should have helped


    You should have yes, you should have when you heard theming for me I was blood... He touched her face with his cold, dead hand, raising his ck de above her head with the other. There is only one way to forgiveness blood washing blood...


    Uncle, please


    This is a gift, Kari Toshiyami insisted. A gift from the gods, so I can continue my mission I can give it to you extinguish the light of your soul, leave nothing behind cleanse you in the same way I have been. Together again forever.


    A shadow lunged at Toshiyami.


    Mathias. Grabbing a ss shard, aiming for his neck in a desperate, foolish attempt to save his teammate.


    Recursion.


    <em>Time is broken. </em>


    <em>Toshiyami dodges the shard, now devoid of sorcery. He worried the blow could have destroyed him. He was mistaken. </em>


    <em>The sorcerer could not win. No one could win against him. Not even death. He had been chosen by the heavens to fulfill his mission, and no one would stop him. </em>


    <em>He loathes that boy with every fiber of his being, as he hates all living beings. He envies his vibrant youth, his heat, his warmth. He wants to drown his light in darkness, to make him an echo of his own despair.</em>


    <em>He could cut off the ss mans head in one blow, but a shred of the mans former self still feels remorse at taking a human life, especially one loyal to the cause. He knows Kari will never forgive him if he dealt the killing blow, and he still loves his niece. </em>


    <em>But offenses must be punished. </em>


    <em>The arm that would hurt him, he cuts it away with one strike from the shoulder down. His Null de cuts through the molecules, erasing them from existence. The limb falls, spraying Kari with sweet warm blood.</em>


    <em>Mercy. This was mercy.</em>


    <em>Time is unbroken.</em>


    Drops of blood fell on Karis cheek, while Mathias limp, left arm fell onto the roof.


    Mathias didnt scream, but he went into shock, looking at his own limb and then at the bleeding hole in his shoulder,pletely despondent. Did she tell you? the corpse that had once been her closest thing to a parent told Shroud; unaware, or uncaring, he couldnt understand him in his current state. His voice echoed with that of his human life but sounded more like a broken record. How she let me die?


    With a strong kick to the chest that made ribs break, Toshiyami kicked Mathias out of his way and towards the edge of the roof.


    Please, Uncle! she begged the monster. I ept death just leave him be please.


    Who was she deluding? Mathias would die from the bleeding within a minute without medical care, and he could no longer cast spells. But at least, Unclewhether out of madness or mercyleft him alone.


    We will kill the Ryu and their spawn, and return the Earth to its former beauty Nippon abandoned its guts, its honor its people must be cleansed away, too. The deranged ghost kept going, unable to stop rambling. And the Americans, and the Chinese, and everyone. We will go to the stars and extinguish the Ryu one by one until all is ck alone in a quiet world.


    This was a nightmare, and she couldnt wake up.


    A form leaped on the roof. Kari looked at it, hoping for it to be Sol-san.


    It was Lugh.


    Drenched in blood, but unharmed.


    Martel. You made me kill Failinis. Kari found no trace of his previous friendly sportsmanship in his voice. Just cold fury. You made me wound my own hound.


    He stood on the roof, swinging his spear, with only eyes for Shroud. Lugh memorized your Flux scent, Martel. I can track you anywhere. I do not sleep, I will not tire. I will hunt you, but Lugh will not give you a worthy death. He will scalp you first


    The hunter suddenly noticed Toshiyami, his eyes widening in disgust. Lugh knew what Uncle was, what horror he would unleash if left alone. Lugh faced a threat far worse than the Dragonyers. For a brief second, Kari saw the hesitation in his eyes. She thought them saved, that the hunter would make the right choice.


    But he didnt.


    Lughs anger was stronger than his honor. Martels life is mine to take, the hunter said. Not yours.


    Toshiyami hissed, still possessively shielding Kari.


    Keep the girl. Stay out of Lughs way, and Lugh will stay out of yours. Uncle stood silent, appraising the words; then he turned back to face his niece. Lugh took it as an agreement and moved towards Shroud to deliver the killing blow.


    Ace Ace Ace Mathias whispered. "Load..." But nobody came, and Kari lost all hope.


    Lugh would kill Mathias and then Toshiyami would kill her. Maybe Sol and the others had been killed by the other hunters already. They would all die on this cold, foreign world, never to see Earth again.


    Then, before Lugh could reach Shroud, someone fired a warning shot.


    Stitch. Entering the roof through the door instead of climbing, the undead doctor wielded a strange, coiled rifle seemingly made of living matter and pulsating flesh. I apologize for my tardiness, Stitch said, pointing the rifle towards Toshiyami first. I had to bring this out of storage. Very hungry and rebellious, this one.


    Rec


    Stitch fired faster, a green projectile impacting on Toshiyamis face and covering the metal mask with thick mold. The horrible matter suddenly grew like a bloated mushroom, intent on crushing the unlivings face. Her uncle held his face with both hands, his dark de nullified.


    Stitch then aimed at Lugh, who threw his spear at him first. The weapon pierced Stitchs cloak and chest, hitting the spot where the heart should have been. Without slowing down and the weapon halfway through him, Stitch merely fired another shot at the hunter. The mold hit Lughs skin, who willed his spear back to his hand. As he raised it and tried to stab the growing mold, lightning stuck the spear, causing the hunter to let out a scream of pain.


    Make that one off my tab, nerd, Maggie said, as she leaped on the roof. She had put the guns back in her holsters, but her fingers crackled with lightning. Actually, if I saved you and Matsumoto, does that make it double?


    Shroud was too busy bleeding out to answer, which made Stitch sigh. Your affinity for violence surpasses mine, the doctor said dryly. If you could take care of the hunter, I could fulfill my doctors oath and save our leaders life.


    Sure, Boneface. Lugh, still reeling from the thunderbolt, let out a wail of rage, leaving Shroud alone to charge at Maggie with his spear up. Maggie pointed her fingers at him and snapped them. Her lightning shocked Lugh through his silver spear.


    Hello? Silver? Best electricity conductor? Maggie taunted him as she kept Lugh screaming and immobilized through electroshocks. I was always bad at chemistry but even I remembered that.


    Stitch reached Mathias, dropping his gun and bringing scalpels out of his torn coat for an emergency operation.


    By then, Uncle had drained the mold of life and turned it to dust; his mask was breached, oozing darkness and oil. Kari looked into the darkness and dim light where the eyes should be.


    <strong>- Evermarsh Beach, One week and a half prior</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Side-Quest: Family Matters</strong>


    <strong>Difficulty</strong>: Dot Three.


    <strong>Sponsor</strong>: The Administrator.


    Your uncle Toshiyami still haunts the living, neither dead nor alive. One day he will lose control of himself and hurt innocents. Send the dead back to death.


    <strong>Reward</strong>: Oversoul upgrade </td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <em><strong>YOSHIKAGE</strong>: You are cruel.</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: Side-quests are automated, even if I am credited as the sender, but it doesnt surprise me.</em>


    <em><strong>YOSHIKAGE</strong>: I refuse. I thought about it, I cannot fulfill it. It is my fault he is this way.</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: No, Kari. It is his fault. He led you both into an impossible situation hoping to take his pain out on everyone else.</em>


    <em><strong>YOSHIKAGE</strong>: I let him die.</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: You couldnt have helped. There is a reason we never approached your uncle to be a yer and instead chose you. He was mad and broken long before he turned into a monster.</em>


    <em><strong>YOSHIKAGE</strong>: What is he? A yuurei?</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: Concordia calls them Pandorians, after Pandoria, a world which they overwhelmed and consumed. They are bugs in reality, people who are alive and dead at the same time. Sorcery made that contradiction possible.</em>


    <em><strong>YOSHIKAGE</strong>: Like ghosts?</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: No. Undead are dead, but their soul is anchored to the living world by Yellow sorcery. Ghosts are aware on some level that they died; Pandorians deny their death with such willpower that they create a glitch in reality. They are alive and dead at the same time. That paradox allows a vicious force to seep inside our reality, giving them the power to maintain their unnatural existence, for a price.</em>


    <em><strong>YOSHIKAGE</strong>: He radiates darkness. Like Oversoul. But ck.</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: ck, yes. The eighth color. The anti-color, the color of paradox. So dangerous the Sponsors are still fiercely debating whether or not to make it avable to yers.</em>


    <em><strong>YOSHIKAGE</strong>: Can Uncle be cured?</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: Im sorry, Yoshikage, but no. Your uncle is gone for good. That thing may behave like the human he was, but it is a force of annihtion now. Even Concordias Gearsmen have an entire subroutine dedicated to their destruction on sight. They are that dangerous.</em>


    <em><strong>YOSHIKAGE</strong>: Even if I fully unlock Oversoul? If I gain knowledge, I could save him.</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: Kari, this is a fools errand. The only way you will save your uncle is by putting him down and allow him to rest.</em>


    <em><strong>YOSHIKAGE</strong>: There has to be a way. Hes following me. I can see him at the edge of my vision, sometimes; but he runs when I get too close. He looks in pain.</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: He is. A Pandorians existence is unending torment. But they will never let themselves be helped because the alternative is death. Pandorians need Flux to power their unnatural existence, but the void within them is never satisfied; in time their hunger consumes them. That man is at war with the darkness, and one day that man will lose. He wille after you.</em>


    <em><strong>YOSHIKAGE</strong>: I I cant.</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: Even if he hurts innocents?</em>


    <em><strong>YOSHIKAGE</strong>: I cant kill my own family.</em>


    <em><strong>ADMINISTRATOR</strong>: Then, what do you want?</em></td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>The Present</strong>


    What did she want?


    She asked herself this question, as a familiar notification popped up before her eyes. <table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Magik back online!</strong>


    <strong>Bug patched!</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    She nced at her teammates, who risked their lives to save her.


    She nced at Lugh, whom Maggies assaults had forced to abandon his spear to pursue her on foot with impressive speed.


    Then she nced at her uncle, who wouldnt stop until everyone, everywhere, was dead.


    She knew what she wanted.


    Even if Oversoul was still down, she felt a surge of purpose and confidence. Killer Sense, she said, reactivating her spells. Peak. Kari moved to fight her uncle, looking at her Magik ount for Dot Two Spells.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Kic Choke</strong>


    Affinity: Red


    Dot: 2


    Price: 10


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    The caster creates four invisible hands of telekic force, with a five meter radius. These hands possess enough force to lift roughly two hundred kilograms each and can manipte objects with the same dexterity as hands of flesh and blood.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    That would do.


    She stared at uncle with Killer Sense, trying to find the opening in his metal skin as invisible tendrils manifested around her. She looked at him with the sameck of mercy he showed her teammate.


    CRACK!<table><tbody><tr><td>


    New Hack created!


    <strong>Hands of ughter</strong>


    <strong>Dot</strong>: 3


    <strong>Components</strong>: Killer Sense + Kic Choke


    <strong>Activation</strong>: Passive, App Switch.


    You can summon dozens of ghostly, telekic hands, each with a five-meter range, with the speed of bullets, and immense strength. These hands are not under your control and possess a will of their own, and will automatically strike to kill any perceived threat within range to protect you. Hands of ughter will act even if you are unaware you are under attack.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    You are betraying me after everything I raised you


    Im sorry, Uncle, Kari said. The second she was within five meters of him, ghostly crimson hands sprung from her back, assaulting Uncle with the fury of a Gatling gun. That is why I must let you rest.


    Not until the dragons are dead The Pandorian, who seemingly could see the hands as she did, prepared to cast a spell. Disrup


    The hands moved like bullets and hit him in the face before he could cast. As they impacted on the metal, they failed to pierce it but they made the bones below crack.


    And they didnt stop. They kept pummeling Uncle without giving him any opening until the steel of the roof bent under the onught. Even if she could feel a little of the hands vanish with each blow, she carried on.


    Recursion."


    <em>Time is broken.</em>


    <em>The shadow retreats into the darkness, trying to blind his niece with his obscured time; to regain control of the battles tempo, to set the beat and regain the initiative.</em>


    <em>The crimson hands reach for him, acting on their own even as his niece moves unaware. They can perceive him inside the erased time, react to his movements. For the first time since he found the path to that quiet, silent world, the shadow finds himself challenged there.</em>


    <em>He finds no opening and feels his embers drained by the hungering darkness. He decides this is not worth maintaining.</em>


    <em>Instead, he would meet force with force.</em>


    <em>Time is unbroken.</em>


    Uncle coated his hands with shadowy des, cutting through the hands and attempting to do the same with his niece. She dodged around, matching him blow for blow; with her offense automated, she could fully focus on agility and defense.


    Meanwhile, Maggie struggled with Lugh, who had tossed his spear aside and instead attempted to punch the girls head off. Maggie radiated lightning, her costume shining with power. The lightning extended from her finger to her body, coating her flesh with thunder.


    Huh? Maggie said, her agility increasing to the point she seemed to leave electricity afterimages behind her as she moved. Sweet, new Hack!


    As Lugh raised both his hands, intent on smashing the entire roof down, Maggie unleashed lightning from her body with enough output to fry the Reaver even without a silver lightning rod. Matsumoto! she called out, Help, I can keep him busy but he wont stay down!


    Kari would have liked to help, but Uncle kept her firmly upied. And if he undid time again


    A violet sh brightened the night,ing from right next from Shroud.


    Sorry, sorry! Ace said as she materialized at the shs epicenter. Lots of bullshit on my end, what did I miss? She took a second to scan the area, from the bleeding Shroud at her feet, whose condition Stitch seemed to have under control, to the two duels happening nearby. She quickly put two and two together.


    Lugh, Ace didnt hide her disgust, as Lugh pushed Maggie away with a backhand. Youre fighting side by side with a Pandorian. A <em>Pandorian</em>. Even <em>Mammon </em>wouldnt sink that low.


    I will hunt him after washing my honor with Martels blood, Lugh replied. Leave, Ace. This doesnt concern you.


    You wont, and it does, she replied, searching for something under her coat. Rainmaker.


    The wetness in the air gathered into clouds above them, a thin rain starting to fall over the roof. Ace brought out a dozen, sharp throwing knives, wielding them with both hands. Ssh.


    Without a signal or warning, she teleported out of sight. A secondter, a volley of knives hit Toshiyami in the back, throwing him off bnce and offering Karis hands an opening to punch him backward a few meters. Other des hit him before he could even stabilize himself.


    To Kari, Ace moved so fast her eyes could barely see her. She didnt move as much as she teleported around. A Violet spell? No. She used the raindrops to move, leaving an Orange glow behind. Not a single color.


    A Hack.


    This woman was one of them.


    Realizing the rain-drenched Lugh was wet, Maggie renewed her lightning assault with greater ferocity, keeping the Reaver down with such voltage, the light from his fried fur was almost too blinding to look at. The Reaver fell to his knees unable to move.


    Negafield, Toshiyami said, his body turning into a sphere of darkness, sucking in the light around it. The sphere charged at Kari like a rolling boulder, the ground disintegrating beneath it. The Hands of ughter and Aces knives impacted on it and were consumed for their trouble.


    Kari had no choice but take a few steps back, the sphere rolling around in a circr fashion without rhyme or reason. If this void sucked even light and sound into itself, then maybe Uncle couldnt see within it.


    Switching ces with a raindrop, Ace teleported right in front of the sphere. el Switch, she said, ncing at Lugh.


    In a sh of purple light, both the Reaver and Ace had switched ces. Before the hunter could dodge, Toshiyamis ck hole form hit him head on, vaporizing his entire body but his hands, which fell on the roof.


    The devastating attack made no sound, shed no blood; not even fumes went out of the wiggling hands. Lugh had disappeared, erased by the darkness in an instant.


    Believing he had hit one of his foes, Toshiyami regained his natural form. Maggie immediately hit him with a lightning bolt, frying his metallic flesh, but doing little damage.


    In fact, the influx of energy seemed to recharge him. The ck Tower I have seen the end beyond beyond chaos... Toshiyami said, lost in his own nightmare. Pandoria will consume everything bring merciful oblivion to this sick world


    Any idea how to put him down? Ace asked. I dont have many offensive options.


    I do, Kari replied, as she reached a decision. Forgive me, Uncle.


    Kari


    Feather of Maat, Toshiyami.


    As soon as she uttered the fatal words, the faint image of a white feather appeared right before her eyes, before copsing to dust. Golden, ghostly gates of phantasmal substance materialized right behind Toshiyami. A sh of yellow illuminated the cold night, although it seemed only Kari and Toshiyami could see the doors.


    A deep, thundering voice uttered a judgment.


    <strong>Guilty!</strong>


    The doors opened behind Toshiyami who cast a spell before Kari could see whaty beyond. Recursion!


    <em>Time is broken.</em>


    <em>The shadow escaped the jaws of oblivion, as he did before. Retreating in the darkness, where time itself is no more. Where he can escape even death.</em>


    <strong><em>Nothing escapes death, mortal. </em></strong>


    <em>The shadow stops as he sees Death looking at him from within the broken time. A jackal-headed watcher, the inexorable death that waits for all.</em>


    <strong><em>Not even time. </em></strong>


    <em>The darkness no longer feels safe.</em>


    <strong><em>Not even you.</em></strong>


    <em>The gods will not be denied.</em>


    <em>The shadow tries to turn into a living void again, but no one runs away from Death forever. The jackal grabs him, his hand firm and his hold unbending. He drags Toshiyami, kicking and screaming, through the doors of Duat and into the afterlife. </em>


    <em>A kinder, warm darkness wees the shadow, but his torment is far from over.</em>


    <em>Time is unbroken.</em>


    Uncle was gone.


    So were the ghostly doors.


    Kari felt a pang of sadness, but more than that, she felt closure.


    But then, she noticed Lughs hands had melted together in a pool of golden ichor when time had skipped. The puddle quickly expanded back into the shape of a man.


    Within seconds, Lugh regenerated back to full health, unharmed, and angered. He raised his right hand, his spear flying back to it. That was painful, he told Ace, furious. It almost worked, too. Cost me many points. But Lugh has enough of them to die a dozen times.


    Matsumoto, you got a second feather? Maggie asked, sounding slightly afraid. Cause Im out of options.


    I can get us out of there, Ace said, while Kari shook her head.


    I will find you, Lugh said, walking forward. I will


    He suddenly stopped, as he sensed another presence on the scene, at the edge of her vision. Another attacker?


    No. A shadowy woman, the most beautiful Japanese geisha Kari had ever seen, emerging from the darkness as a siren from the ocean. The Shadow Queen.


    Enough, she said, calm and regal. Your tantrum against my guests ends right now, spoiled prince. Be quiet or be <em>quiet</em>.


    You do not wish


    Quiet, I said, She waved her hand dismissively, her eyes shining with a golden light. Pierce Shadowbind.


    Lugh fell on the ground with a loud sound and went numb, as his shadow emerged from the ground; a perfect replica of Reaver in his prime.


    Kari froze astonished by that disy of Yellow sorcery. She had snuffed out his soul without a fuss. You killed him.


    Half so, but he will wish he fully was soon, the shadowy woman replied, while Lughs shadow nced down at his own corpse with a sliver of horror on his face. You fought very well, Dragonyers, although you should have called for my help. Will Mathias recover?


    Yes, Stitch said, having patched up an unconscious Shrouds wounds.


    Good. Yourst opponent fled at my presence so you may call this your victory. Then, as everyone looked on, Lughs shadow grabbed his former spear and offered it to the shadowy woman. She lifted it, unaffected by the heat of the electrified metal.


    I believe, she told the group, this should convince the locals to stop troubling you. Ace, would you kindly return this spear to Lughs estate on the Upside? His father will want to recover a memento from his departed son.


    Clearly, the woman would have rather disobeyed, but wisely kept her mouth shut as the sinister entity handed her the spear. I believe this stern scolding should make the point across for the Reavers, the Shadow Queen continued. If not I will send a message to Mammon, who will not be so gentle with them. Do not disappoint me, Dragonyers.


    Then the Queen vanished into the darkness, not even wasting a nce at Lughs remains. The hunters own shadow followed her, a silent, ghastly trophy.


    The fuck just happened? Maggie asked.


    She got what she wanted, Ace replied ominously.


    <strong>yers Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize: Locked</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>3</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>4</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>0</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>6</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Rainmaker</strong>


    <strong>Dot</strong>: 2


    <strong>Components</strong>: Seamancer +Timesense


    <strong>Activation</strong>: Active, Voice Vector.


    By altering the weather through humidity and subtle time maniption, the sorcerer callsthe rain on the area within earshot for a ten minutes duration. When casting the spell, the sorcerer decides the intensity of the rain, from faint droplets to intense downpour.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 39: The Night of the Seven

    Chapter 39: The Night of the Seven<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Quest, Night of the Hunters, </strong><strong>fulfilled! </strong>


    You earned twelve Spellcoins!


    <strong>Bonus objective,</strong><strong>failed </strong>(the fifth hunter escaped)! No other reward offered.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Melusine had never shown up in person and would live to bother them another day.


    No, I do not think this will be necessary, Shroud said, massaging the bandaged space where his left arm should be. He could still feel a phantom sensation of his lost limb.


    Your flesh was erased at the impact point, so parts of your bones and flesh are missing, Stitch replied. Also, the sorcery used interferes with the healing process at the damage point. Grafting a new arm would be the easier solution.


    Grafting a new arm, yes. A <em>human </em>arm.


    I dunno, nerd, you would look less like a girl with a werewolf arm, Maggie mercilessly taunted him.


    Shroud nced at the skewered remains of Lyber, whom Stitch hadid on an operating table in his workshop. The undead scientist had tried convincing him to have the corpses arm grafted on to him for thest ten minutes. All in all, the disastrous night had just interrupted the recruitment process for a few hours.


    Shroud looked at his gathered team. Mur had grown into a bigger fiend than he used to be, apparently through a Hack; and much to his surprise, Sol didnt look horribly disgusted at the sight. In fact, he seemed more at ease around Mur.


    <em> Mur had saved his life, Solomon thought. While the cynic within him remained convinced he did it to save his own hide, the priest thought that, perhaps, the fiend may not be as corrupt as he thought. He had given a chance to many sinners; maybe he should show kindness to this one.  </em>


    The sh of Network, the confirmation that his power had returned to him, filled him with joy. Finally, his group wasing together. As for Kari, she had chosen to remain on the roof alone. He would visit her after this mess was dealt with.


    I also have demonic pincers, troll arm, ghoul Stitch continued.


    Why not a robot-arm? Maggie said. Like in sci-fi movies?


    My Heal spell will not work on cybeics, Shroud pointed out pragmatically.


    Doctor Stitch, can you not repair Mathias arm and bind it again? Sol suggested.


    As a professional, I cannot in good conscience regraft an arm polluted by corrupt sorcery; I believe even that little brush may result in side-effects.


    Shroud frowned, Stitch guessing his thoughts. Pandorians abilities remain a mystery for most, he exined. But from my understanding, much like radiation, sorcery always leave something behind. Both you and Miss Matsumoto were targeted by many of its spells.


    He felt fine so far, armlessness besides. Im good.


    Then I do not understand, why would you not want a perfectly functional wolf arm?


    Sentimental reasons, Shroud deadpanned.


    I could use my Lock, Sol said. Aegis seems made for situations like this.


    Now that it came to his mind, Shroud never checked what Sols lock actually did. He took a look at the mans Magik ount.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Aegis</strong>: You can take on the negative effects of spells affecting someone whom you touch. The effects are transferred to you and you suffer until the end of their duration, but the other person no longer does.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Self-sacrifice incarnate. How appropriate. However, Sol absorbing the same sorcery that created a monster like Toshiyami sounded like a terrible idea. Dont you have anything human-looking? Shroud asked the medic.


    Stitch let out an overlong, heavy sigh which was clearly theatrical since he didnt have lungs Wait, wait, how could the wight even make that sound without those? I can clone your original arm while removing the defects inflicted by the ck sorcery, the doctor proposed. Then regraft it. It should take a few minutes.


    Wait, youre cloning the nerd, mad scientist-style? Maggie asked, suddenly interested. Solomon crossed his arms as if offended.


    The arm, Stitch said. No need for more meat, unless you want spare organs, and I did not notice any other medical problem besides ack of vitamin D. I would suggest sunbathing.


    Shroud didntment on thest part. And there will be no other side-effects?


    Of course not.


    <em> He hated lying to patients, but he had no patience for hypochondriacs.  </em>


    Damn it. Shroud guessed that was about as good a deal as he could get. Okay.


    Good. I need to tune my cloning vat, so you have a few minutes before I turn off your pain receptors for the operation.


    Thank you, Shroud said, before shifting on his chair. Youve exceeded my expectations. I think you may have a ce among us.


    A pleasure.


    Doctor, if you could excuse us for a moment, Sol said, leading Shroud, Mur, and Maggie out of the workshop and into the hall. Even with Heal, Shroud felt diminished and sick, enough to use ss Field to help lift himself up.


    Among us? Maggie repeated. Minion, or us, <em>us</em>?


    One of us, as our Green or our Violet, the Guild Moderator replied. Probably the Green. He risked his life death whatever, against Lugh and Toshiyami. We also need a field medic.


    One who doesnt rely on sorcery, Sol said grimly. What happened back there?


    Someone interfered with Kari and mines Locks. And from what he had heard, Maggie and Murs, too. This implied arge area of effect of some kind. A fifth attacker, who announced herself as Melusine from the Blue Ministry.


    Concordia, Solomon said, with a hint of anger. They may strike again anytime.


    The effect seems to have vanished from my Network feed, but yes, we must take into ount someone able to negate our Locks from a very long-range is after us. Maybe even a sorcerer.


    We need more firepower, Sol agreed. More than a single spell can provide.


    Shrouds thought exactly. I know this is a big, big step here, so I would like unanimity on this. If any of you are against it, we will find someone else.


    Mur trusts the doc, the imp said. Mur thought he had cowered away, but he came back to fight. So Mur votes for him.


    Yeah, horrible abomination against life besides, he was pretty helpful, Maggie said. Youre the mind-reader here, nerd. If you think hes solid, Ill back you up.


    Sol?


    I am a bit worried about inviting an undead among us. The priest nced at Mur, then back at Shroud. However, I do not wish to judge him on his appearance, only on his actions. Help us he did, so I vote for an open door policy.


    Alright then, Shroud said, as he began flying. I will ask Kari to cast the final vote.


    Shroud flew through one of the destroyed windows to reach the roof, a faster way than climbing the stairs. He found Kari sitting at the edge, staring at the dark skies. She nced at him with a neutral expression.


    You want the doctor as our Green, she guessed before he had to say anything. By now she knew him well.


    Only if you vote for it.


    Kari simply nodded, confirming Stitch as their sixth yer. The girl seemed neither happy nor unhappy with the decision, simply absent. You okay? Shroud asked, sitting at her left. Im sorry.


    It had to be done, she replied, although her tone broke as she said it. Kari liked her privacy and didnt like to open herself up, so Shroud didnt probe further. He simply sat in sympathy without saying a word.


    A Magik Online notification and a familiar sound popped up before him.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Side Quest: All for One, </strong><strong>fulfilled! </strong>


    Your connection to Network has increased! The duration of your Broadcast Network feature has been increased to seven days.


    You gained the <strong>Synergize </strong>feature. Your allies affected by Network are subconsciously linked together, granting them enhanced teamwork, timing, and intuitive coordination. Enemies affected by Network instead subconsciously get in one anothers way.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    He wished he had received that upgrade before the night. You remember the day we met? Kari suddenly asked. I asked you why you fought.


    You didnt like my answer.


    Mathias-san


    Shroud.


    Mathias-san, if you continue on your path, if you let your hate consume you, you will end up like Uncle. I do not want that. Because you are... She paused for a split second as if struggling with a foreign concept. Because you are a dear friend.


    The way Kari spoke, she usually didnt emote at all, left no weakness, no opening. This time though, she seemed vulnerable. You too, Kari, he replied, taking her hand with his only remaining one. Were a team, and I promise, I wont let you down again.


    That sounded way less terrible in his head. Even with his ss armor covering his own skin, the contact felt soft and warm. Karis expression thinned at the edge of her lips.


    It was a smile. A very thin, subtle one, but one nheless. Are you finally falling for my charm? Shroud teased her.


    Kari broke the hand contact, but her smile didnt fade. My spells are down, she said. With Oversoul and Needless, I gain focus and confidence Ick. I can pretend to be strong.


    They were more alike than he thought. I see what you mean.


    Youre doing it too, in your own way.


    Yes. Pretending to be Shroud felt easier than being Mathias. Safer. <em>Fake it until you make it,</em> they said. I dunno, Maggie had a point. Those spells are useful, but they take parts of you that make life enjoyable. Ive met someone saying that sorcery may affect the personality over time. Im not going to tell you how to live your life, but be careful, okay?


    She nodded, but he had no idea if his words had resonated with her. Clearly, something else bothered her more than her own mental health. The dragons killed Uncles family, she said out of the blue. So he started killing their servants in revenge. To avenge them, they sent Gearsmen to kill him, and I took up arms after him. Now you killed Smokefang for the loss of your family, and Concordia sent those hunters after us. If they had seeded, this would have started another round of increased violence.


    That was more wordsing from Kari than he ever heard before. Your point being?


    Its a vicious cycle that never ends.


    It did when everyone on the other side was dead. Shroud himself wasnt sure if he wanted to go that far with Concordia. We cant just turn the other cheek, he replied. You told me yourself, that would only lead to greater suffering.


    I know. But there has to be a third way.


    Shroud didnt have an answer to that.


    A sh of violet brightened the roof, Shroud, and Kari turning to find an out of breath Ace behind them. Sorry for beingte, I urbanstepped here as soon as soon as I could, Ace said, frowning upon noticing Shrouds missing arm. We can fix that."


    Stitch will, Shroud replied.


    Seriously, youre real troublemakers. Cant leave you out of sight for four seconds before you pick a fight. At least nobody will try anything after the Queen killed Lugh. I would suggest staying away from Reavers, though.


    People keep picking fights with us, Shroud deadpanned. At this point, its bullying.


    That made the womanugh. Do you believe in gravity? Ace asked a strange question. Stars and worlds attracting one another? What if it works the same for us poor mortals? What if we are pulled towards another?


    Like fate? I dont believe in that crap.


    Maybe you should, Ace replied with a heavier wink this time. Because from what I heard from the Administrator, you are two members short.


    Shroud examined her head to toe with a new gaze. Why didnt you tell us?


    Why didnt <em>you </em>tell <em>me</em>? she replied, sitting with them at the roofs edge. Same reason as you. Distrust, and a strict privacy policy. Also, you are the first yers I met on the Market.


    We should create a meet-up forum of some kind, Shroud said with a sigh.


    Bute on, you really think anyone would call their daughter Ace? Shroud isnt much better, sorry. I tried to get the Magik Online customer support to get a new codename but they dont have one.


    The time Shroud called you three times, Kari said. That was your Lock?


    Castling, yes. It works across any distance too, unlike teleportation spells.


    If Shroud hadnt lost pints of blood and an arm, he would have made a dirty joke about it. But it confirmed his hypothesis. Violet. What are you doing there, working for someone like Mammon? he asked.


    Ive been living here long before I received the Administrators invitation, she replied, Shroud wondering if she even was from Earth in the first ce. In Mammons case, Quests and Spellcoins, of course. Our lovely Sponsors are strangely invested in learning what he is doing.


    Why though? Kari asked. Concordia isnt present in this area of space.


    Which makes it an ideal ce for its enemies to gather. And from what Ive seen, theyre just as terrible.


    The enemy of Concordia could be our friend, Shroud replied. Their entire deal with the Shadow Queen relied on that single truth.


    Even when that enemy is someone like Mammon? Ace replied. Do you really trust that chest and his cronies to treat us fairly?


    No. Never. I admit that from what Ive seen, other gctic powers are just as terrible, if not worse, than Concordia, Shroud admitted. He remembered what he had seen on the monsters stats thest time they had dueled. <em>Infernoid</em>. One detail makes me believe Mammon is connected to an entity called the Maleking, which was active on Earthst time we were there.


    Ive heard of him, Ace said. An ancient demon worshipped as a god across the universe. His followers call themselves the Malebranche.


    Mammon mentioned that word, Shroud said.


    And Mammon is a good friend of your current employer.


    They are all connected, Kari guessed.


    Yes. The more I infiltrated Mammons organization through my Quests, the more I believe his Crimson Epoch tournament is a trojan horse for a bigger event. The Shadow Queen, Revel, the Maleking all of them opposing Concordia and gathering in the same ce at the same ce. And now, do you believe in gravity, Shroud?


    No. But neither did he believe in coincidences.


    The Maleking supported the Brown conspiracy, which opposed Concordia, and he empowered Jack. The fiend clearly wasnt a friend of mankind, but Mammon remained openly neutral as far as Concordia was concerned.


    <em>He never was. </em>


    Shroud let Network intuit the elements for him, letting it map the bigger picture. An alliance born of hatred of amon enemy, seeds nted years, centuries before they could bloom into flowers. A fiend seeping into Earth, as part of arger agenda...


    And if the Shadow Queen truly worked with the Maleking, then everything they did in her name, while harmful to Concordia, may serve the ends of a threat just as terrible. We need independence, Shroud said. A Lair, and our own power-base.


    And you need a full Guild to reach that ce, and Level Three, Ace said, smiling wide. So, handsome, am I in?


    The sorcerer nced at Kari, who replied with a nod. I will ask the others, Shroud said. But it should be fine.


    At longst, they had made seven.


    <strong>yers Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>15</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>4</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>12</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>19</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>23</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>15</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>None</td><td>None</td><td>None</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>4</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Incognito


    </strong>


    <strong>Affinity</strong>: Blue


    <strong>Dot</strong>: 2


    <strong>Price</strong>: 6-10


    <strong>Activation</strong>: Passive, App Switch.


    The sorcerer bes unrecognizable while the spell is active; others while suffer from selective agnosia in their presence, being unable to identify them, and non-magical devices will not record their presence in any way. Victims will forget interactions with the caster while the spell was active when they no longer perceive the sorcerer. </td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 40: DLC: Requiem for Earth

    Chapter 40: DLC: Requiem for Earth


    <strong>Ten years ago</strong>


    <strong>September 21st 2018</strong>


    <strong>Doomsday</strong>


    Solomon Niche watched the GPS, trying to make sense out of it. This is strange, he told the driver next to him. This machine doesnt show our current path.


    Thats because the map is older than the road, Victor replied as he looked around the des. Dayfall was almost upon them. Im sure were close, keep looking.


    Sol knew that relying on machines was a terrible idea. In the Mercedes backseat, the grandchild he never had echoed his sentiment, although for another reason.


    Another bug, Mathiasined, furiously typing on his tablet. The young child yed a video game of his own design, struggling with errors. Solomon wasnt familiar with video games. Some at his parishined they made kids violent; but Mathias, who seemed born with the devices in the womb, had yet to hurt a fly.


    You need to streamline your code, Alice said, showing her son her own tablet. Like always, she wore a fashionable white dress, unting her figure. Like this. You need to set up your enemy AIs parameters like this.


    But I dont want to make them too smart! Mathias replied. Or they get too hard.


    This will force you to improve, Alice replied with a smile. You have limitless potential if you tap into it.


    Indeed, he had inherited his mothers brilliance; and fortunately, none of the boundless arrogance.


    Alice Martel. A blue-eyed blonde as beautiful as she was smart. A genius without peer, she had won a Nobel prize for her research on artificial intelligence, and be the Silicon Valleys golden child. All the tech billionaires wanted her on their team, and one even asked her to marry him.


    She chose Victor instead, and many had wept that day. Even now, her husband only earned a fraction of what she did.


    The GPS started bugging again, freezing. Damn, Victor said. Hon, can you look up Google Maps?


    Sure thing, honey, she replied, typing on her tablet, before frowning. Wifi trouble.


    The agency said the zone was covered, Victor spoke with a frown. Must be the weather.


    Honey, the sky is clear.


    My wifi is fine, Mathias replied.


    Alice looked on her sons device, her expression darkening. Thats not possible, she said, sounding snappy. My custom tablet is more efficient than yours, I made it myself. It should connect.


    Maybe its overheating? Victor asked. Its been working non-stop, like you.


    Maybe, she conceded, sighing. Renting a farm for a weekend had seemed like a good idea to blow off steam away from the turmoil of California, and to celebrate their marriage anniversary. They had invited Solomon to join them, so as to keep Mathias upied while they enjoyed some intimacy. The priest had dly epted.


    He had, after all, wed them.


    Solomon had met Victor in Argentina when he spoke against the Manada Cartel and was shot in the head for it. Victor had been covering the drug war, and what started as a simple interview after the priest woke up from hisa became a simple, lifelong friendship. When the man had finally found the right person, he had asked Solomon to officiate the ceremony; and he did.


    That was long ago. With Hector Manada in hiding and his lieutenants in jail, the Cartel had long since copsed. So, Solomon had moved to the USA to speak against other, more subtle evils. Climate change, workers exploitation, vition of privacy. A pro-televangelist channel had given him a spot for his sermons, allowing him to spread the word of love to the nation. Debating on TVs and radios was pretty much all he did nowadays.


    He never lost contact with Victor though, always visiting him at least once a year. Since his duties to God meant he could never have a true family of his blood, he had more or less adopted the Martels. Even Alice had named Mathias after one of his suggestions, one of the few times she had agreed with what he said.


    I can use Google Maps, Mathias said.


    Well get there, Victor said, confident.


    If God wills it, Solomon replied.


    God does not exist, Alice replied brashly. That is why we must create it.


    Sol forced himself to smile. Careful, Alice. One cannot create a god. They had those debates almost every time they spoke.


    Tell me that in a few years, when the singrity rises.


    No religious debates in this car, Victor enforced, making his wife chuckle. This is a ce of peace and harmony.


    Alice Martel didnt believe in God, even if she had relented to her husband''s wish of a Christian Wedding. Instead, she believed in herself only, and how artificial intelligences would improve the world. While Sol could only encourage her to show self-confidence, she perhaps had too much of it.


    Such was the cost of perfection: arrogance.


    Thats strange, Alice said, typing on her tablet.


    What? Victor asked.


    Something is downloading itself on my tablet. Thats whats slowing down my wifi. Its She stopped, her frown deepening. Its erasing files to make space for itself.


    An app? A virus?


    Please, darling, my tablet packs enough protection to make the NSA cry, no virus can touch my files. Files which this invader is deleting.


    She tried to turn off the tablet with the main button, to no avail. Just remove the battery, honey, Victor suggested.


    Im Alice stopped talking. This is Ive never seen code like this.


    Sol nced over his shoulder, as Alice showed him the tablet. The screen showed a long, confusing line of strange, colored symbols. What does this mean?


    Its not number-based, Alice replied, taking back the tablet, her eyes alight with curiosity. Clearly, she had abandoned the idea of shutting down the tablet to look into the matter more deeply. Color based.


    The world vanished with a sh of violet light, and the ground trembled.


    The car almost veered off-track, Victor pulling the brakes before they could hit a tree. Mathias tablet went flying against Sols seat, while Alice managed to hold on to her own. Thanks to the drivers skills, the airbags didnt need to activate.


    Is everyone alright? Solomon asked, looking at the backseat.


    My tablet! Mathias whined.


    What the hell was that? Victor cursed, Alice frowning at him for hisnguage. A lightning bolt?


    In a clear sky?


    Not so clear, Sol replied, looking out of the window. The skies had darkened considerably, although he could still see the sunlight. Colorful clouds had appeared above them and beyond the horizon


    Solomon squinted. Those clouds moved fast.


    As the flying shapes approached closer, the priest realized he had been mistaken. They looked vaguely like nes, or streamlined space shuttles, colored crimson, violet and white. There were so many of them, that they darkened the skies with their numbers.


    What the fuck is this? Victor cursed, exiting the car to look up better. This time, his wife didnt scold him.


    An air force, Solomon said. Has World War Three just started?


    That doesnt look like an airne, Victor said, pointing at the shape at the helm of the armada.


    Flying as the vanguard of the strange shuttles, a massive, humanoid machine, a titan of white steel surrounded by small, tiny flying spots; a single eye shone crimson in the middle of its helmet. From the distance, it seemed as big, if not bigger, than the Statue of Liberty.


    Miami. They were heading for Miami. The closest poption center.


    The farm, Sol said. It was isted, safer. Quick.


    Victor quickly climbed back into the car and got back on the road, even as the ground trembled again.


    Fuses of light shoot from the ground, quickly moving to intercept the armada. One was shot out of the skies by a red beam, blowing up in a st of light.


    ICBMs, Alice said, pulling a confused Mathias closer to her. Ours. The nuclear defense system.


    The worst weapons known to man. Sol had feared they would bring about the end of the world one day; was he right? What are they firing at? Victor asked, speeding up. The Russians? The Chinese?


    No. Those machines hadnt been built by men.


    In his heart, Solomon knew the truth. He had awaited this moment all his life, been warned by the Scriptures.


    Hell on Earth.


    Armageddon.


    <strong>September 26th, 2018</strong>


    <strong>6th Day of the Conquest</strong>


    Their tribtion continued.


    Sol struggled to cook rice on the pan, as a quake sent a few flying. He had be almost used to it, but he worried the roof might copse on them at any time.


    Outside the windows, night had fallen, but it didnt look like it; the fiery beams falling from the skies continued to brighten the night. They had a power generator but decided to ration the power, using candles to brighten the farm, and matches to cook.


    Victor and he had found cans, lots of cans; they had enough rations to survive weeks, maybe even months, if it came down to it. Considering how fast human civilization had copsed, Solomon thought the enemy woulde faster than starvation.


    Sols intuition that the farm would be secure had probably saved their lives. The invaders remained focused on cities, leaving the countryside rtively alone so far. Forest fires had spread nearby unchecked, and Victor worried one may encircle them, but so far hiding had remained the safer option.


    The four had taken residence in the farms kitchen, Alice having tinkered some radio gizmo out of the TV, the GPS, and spare parts found across the farm. Victor was currently operating it, trying to catch a signal, <em>any </em>signal, while his wife sat on the sofa, furiously typing on her tablet.


    That strange code on her tablet when she wasnt trying to catch a radio signal, Alice tried to decode it, believing it was some kind of transmission. It may be the key to save us all, she said. I <em>know </em>it.


    She was wrong.


    Only God could save them now.


    Mathias silently looked through a telescope, which they had found in the attic, through one of the windows. He kept doing that when he didnt help his mother trying to decipher the alien code, the best an eight year old could.


    Sol put a te of rice on the windows edge, but the boy didnt even look at it. Mathias didnt speak anymore, having fallen silent since they announced San Francisco and Palo Alto were attacked by one of those giant robots. His young mind didnt properly process the situation, but he was bright enough to see the big picture.


    The world was ending, and people, everywhere, died.


    After giving each of the Martels a te, Sol sat on the sofa, joined his hand, and prayed.


    Solomon prayed for the Martels safety; he prayed to the Lord harder and more intensely than he ever did in his long life. He prayed for them to make it through this apocalypse.


    He prayed to God to protect the poor souls, the meek, and the innocent from the fiends above their head. He prayed the Lord to send his angels and save them.


    He prayed each day, each night, and so far the Lord had remained silent.


    A buzzing sound interrupted his mediation. Victor finally caught a signal.


    Good evening, America. A new voice, without warmth nor hope. Ava must have died in the bombardments. I, I I hope youre having a good evening, even if the world is ending. I hope that you are safe. This is Emergency Radio Florida, and your new host Colonel August Sinir.


    Victor joined his wife on the sofa, both holding hands.


    We continue reporting on the Doomsday War. It is now the sixth day since the first alien ship entered our orbit. The national guardsst counter-offensive has failed, and the siege of Cheyenne Mountain ended in total defeat. The President and the Etat Major are presumed dead or captured. With the fall of the European Union yesterday, the western hemisphere is fully upied. No news from China or Russia, but Im told they ran out of nukes at seven this morning. The skies are dark with smoke and radioactive dust, andmunication is difficult


    Enough of an arsenal to end human civilization ten times over, and it bought it only a few days. The machines kepting, and most of the alien ships remained high in space, firing down from a safe distance.


    Anta, Washington, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Denver are smoking ruins. Miami nearby remains upied, details are scarce. The iron giant keeps harvesting material to pop out smaller robots; witnesses say that it is a mobile factory as much as a weapon. With the spaceshipsnding, we have started seeing flesh and blood beings leading the invader. Bestial humanoids more bull than men, giants, and and dragons.


    Dragons Solomon trailed. The Dragon of Revtion, prophesied to end the world?


    We didnt wage World War Three against each other, but against killer machines and dragons. This is a joke this is all a big joke. All is lost. All is... The host stopped briefly, sobbing. Oh God astronomers said arger fleet ising. A hundred times bigger.


    Why? What did those invaders even want? Their oil, their gold, their heads? What could justify such an overwhelming tide of violence?


    All is lost. Take care of your family, hide. God help us al


    A brief, strident sound interrupted the broadcast; a horrible, alien noise that made everyone wince. The quakes had ended, and the beams outside the windows subsided, letting the darkness return.


    <em>This message is sent across your channels, tranted in allnguages through your primitive airwaves. </em>A new voiceing from the radio broke the silence. Imperious. Inhuman.<em> This is Minister ckcinders, supreme admiral of the Concordian battle fleet besieging your sphere.</em>


    The invaders?


    <em>I am power unlike which you primates have ever seen. I am a dragon of legends. My breath splits atoms, my ws cleave the hearts of stars. As I speak, my scouting ships wiped out yourary defenses, preparing the groundwork for my arrival.</em>


    Scouting ships? Victor repeated, as dumbfounded as Solomon himself. Alices face remained grim, emotionless.


    The ships and death machines thatid mankind low were <em>scouts</em>?


    <em>Your has intruded into our universal hegemonys territory. As per the Dragon Mandate, you are now citizens of the Empire, beholden to itsws. Surrender, and you shall be uplifted. We shall bring an end to your wars, to your diseases, to your doubts. We will abolish crime, poverty, homelessness, and hunger. We will clean your air and your oceans, rebuild your forests, provide safety and soundness of mind in this dangerous universe. All shall be equal under our Grandmasters benevolent wing.</em>


    <em>But you have proven rebellious. Obstinate. Untamed. Clearly, you will not submit until shown your proper ce. As a parent must discipline an unruly child, I will teach you a lesson you will never forget. These Russian people, who resist and hide in the frozen wastnd they call home, who insist on firing their stings at our ships they shall feel the full brunt of my wrath. </em><em>el Graviforce</em><em>.</em>


    A sound echoed through the radio, then silence.


    Mathias moved away from the telescope, grabbing his mothers arm. Matt, what is it? she asked, as he pointed at the window with his fingers.


    They didnt even need a telescope to look at it. A bloody, tailed star, racing across the skies, painting the night red.


    An asteroid, Alice said, her face white. Its an asteroid.


    <em>I have redirected a meteor, set it to fall on the city of Moscow. In ten minutes, it will hit your surface with ten thousand times the power of those nuclear toys you use. It will burn those frozennds, rain dust and debris across your north hemisphere. The sound of the explosion will echo across your world for weeks, alongside the screams of burning rebels. Thend of Russia shall be a crater, an open grave festering with the flesh of millions.</em>


    <em>I grant you twelve hours for your remaining leaders to formally surrender to us. Failing that, I shall pull your moon from its orbit and make it collide with your. The skies will be red and ck from embers and fumes; sts of immense power will boil your oceans; searing smoke will taint your atmosphere and extinguish all life, everywhere. My judgment shall cleanse your surface of all trace of your presence. Your civilization </em><em>will never have existed</em><em>.</em>


    As the monster kept talking, Solomon realized that an entire species, everywhere, could suffer through a single moment of despair.


    <em>Know that I take no pleasure in this. It simply must be done. From the ashes, your species will rise, better, enlightened by our benevolent leadership. One day, you will understand that I fulfilled my duty as a dragon, to a lesser race. That this was an act of love.</em>


    Love?


    Love!


    No, this was not love! An unforgivable crime of this magnitude could never be called love!


    <em>Dragons over all!</em> ckcinders shouted, with the same feverish zeal as his own sermons.<em> One order across the stars!</em>


    <em>One order across the stars! </em>Voices echoed across the airwaves before Victor cut the radio. Alice hadnt listened, her eyes falling back on the alien code, as if it contained the key to their survival.


    As the sound of the distant explosion resonated, the meteor impact making the house quake a continent away, Solomon returned to his.


    Was someone even listening?


    <strong>Two Years ago</strong>


    <strong>March 22nd, 2026</strong>


    <strong>One week after Alice Martels arrest</strong>


    <em>Dear Solomon,</em>


    <em>I hope everything is fine with your new parish. </em>


    <em>In our case its not good. They returned Mathias from his interrogation, safely. We are free to go, but they seized Alices </em><strong><em>(REDACTED) </em></strong><em>and assets. They took everything. Everything.</em>


    <em>She never existed. </em>


    <em>I hate to say it but I knew this day would happen. I knew the moment I learned she kept working on that</em><strong><em> (REDACTED)</em></strong><em> behind Concordias back. It hurts more than anything I ever felt, but its not a surprise. </em>


    <em>Mathias taking it harder. Hes angry. Hes smart. He has her eyes. </em>


    <em>And it scares me.</em>


    <em>Im considering moving out, probably to Evermarsh. Ive found work in the nearby area. I dont think its healthy for Mathias to stay in New Francisco anymore. Her absence will be felt everywhere in our current home. </em>


    <em>Also, I hope your presence will help him. He always loved and listened to you, more than his mother ever did. I know they will read and correct this letter, so all I can say is, we need to carry on. </em>


    <em>This is all any of us can do.</em>


    <em>Take care, </em>


    <em>Victor.</em>


    Solomon put the letter on his churchs pedestal, before moving to sweep around.


    The church was empty. Few came here anymore. He had tried to speak up, to keep hope and faith alive. But Concordia left no room to speak against it, closing channels, silencing voices, cowing men and women into abject submission. And when he spoke, he had found the wells of hope had dried up.


    The Conquest broke something in every man and woman who lived through it. A precious light was lost the day ckcinders made the stars fall and it never came back.


    Even Earths name they stole away.


    In the end, even Solomon Niche stopped struggling against the inevitable. They had lost, and salvation wouldnte.


    Sol stopped sweeping, staring up at the stained sses of angels and saints looking down on him. A gnawing doubt, that had festered for years until he could no longer ignore it, took him over.


    God, My Lord, I have never prayed for myself. I always prayed for others. But tonight tonight, please. Answer me. Lord, if you exist


    He stopped himself, as the weight of his own words fell on him.


    Lord, if you exist if you <em>ever </em>existed please answer me. Why? Why did you send the dragons to enve us? Why did you let them take her? He paused, taking a deep breath. Why?


    Because your God helps those who help themselves.


    Sols eyes opened, and he looked behind him.


    A human figure was sitting on his churchs bench. He cast a long, great shadow that didnt belong to a man; his face, strong and ageless, seemed vaguely familiar, both alluring and frightening. He wore a finely crafted suit, the height of Italian fashion; a woodpecker golden brooch adorned his tie. The scent of gunpowder and mustard gas filled the room as he appeared.


    The churchs door had been locked, and the priest didnt hear hime in. Who are you? Sol asked when he meant: <em>what </em>are you?


    Probably one of Earthsst champions. His voice reminded Sol of that American actor, Nichs Cage. You may call me March, for now.


    That is not your true name.


    This made the man smile. Yes, and no. Your kind called me by many names, from China to Europe, and I answered to each. But March will do for today.


    Sol hated evasive answers, but he noted an important word. Your kind. He searched his memory for where he had seen the mans face. He had a good memory, so he quickly remembered. His priest training in Italy.


    His eyes widened. Impossible.


    Why so surprised? Concordia brought magic back to Earth, and with it, friends and foes.


    You <em>cannot </em>exist.


    Must one story spun exclude all others? What if all stories are simply tiny parts of a greater tale? A tale transmitted from mouth to mouth so many times, todays versions are no longer urate? That is the modern world, priest. A world of interpretations.


    The entity shifted on the bench, looking at the cross above the pedestal. While I may not be so impolite to answer in your Lords name, I can tell you that our interests align, Him and I. I can bring some answers to your troubled mind if you hear me out. I also have a humble request to make, which I hope you will fulfill in my stead.


    Sol knew better to ept the gift before learning the price. What request?


    The boy, Martel may prove instrumental in our war toe.


    Mathias? Sol said with protectiveness. What do you want with him?


    I want him safe, or as safe as a creature like him can be. I would like that you watch over him, guide and protect him.


    Creature?


    The man smiled. I apologize if I offended you. I myself do not know how I should call him now, after what his mother did to him.


    Sol frowned deeply, walking toward the thing in front of him. If he was afraid, as the priest looked at him dead in the eyes, he didnt show it. You know what happened there.


    Partially. I was there, but only at the end. Betterte than never, I should say. The man chuckled, but the priest didnt. It was pretty bad. Concordia had to send their Violet Minister, Brina, to deal with the event.


    What happened? Sol repeated.


    What did Alice Martel want? Truly want?


    She wanted to create a god, Sol said. A machine god.


    She seeded.


    This made Sol pause. One cannot create a god.


    So I thought. March shook his head. Have you ever heard of Hubris?


    Another word for pride. The worst sin of all.


    Hubris is to pride what war is to a bar brawl. Gods can be cold, heartless things; I know that more than anyone, and hopefully Miss Martel learned that too. A shame her son paid the price of his mothers madness.


    He was returned fine, from what his father told me, Sol replied.


    Physically, yes. For his sake, maybe he will stay that way, but I dont think so and I am never wrong. March touched the bench, inviting Sol to sit with him.


    He didnt. Exin.


    The man responded with a sigh. The iron god did <em>something </em>to him. Connected him to the source of all sorcery. I am not sure myself yet, and neither is Concordia; I think theyre letting him run around until they see in which direction the wind blows. But I have the intuition that what happened to him, if replicated and refined, could turn the tide in mankinds favor. Mathias will be <em>someones </em>weapon, Concordias, ours, or the other invaders, that I can tell you.


    The <em>other </em>invader?


    The dragons brought malign forces back to Earth; one just as terrible as them. This is a <em>three-way war</em>, priest. We have <em>two </em>enemies, merciless order and cruel chaos. Both must go for us to be free, truly free. It will be difficult, and not without blood and loss but we can do it, together.


    A world free of the dragons? Could this man be trusted? At heart, though, Sol didnt care.


    He hoped again. What must I do?


    For now, watch Martel, and wait. But mark my word, priest. In time we will gather a great army, and we shall challenge Concordia for our right to exist. Know that your faith in your God is not misced and will one day be rewarded. Mankind is not without friends in this vast universe and we havent forgotten you.


    The man vanished, leaving Sol alone in his empty church.


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Immtor</strong>


    Affinity: Red


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    You can cause anything within a range of ten meters to spontaneously ignite, so long as you can perceive it directly; this ability does not work through mediums such as videos. The more you focus on a single target, the stronger thebustion effect and the fires heat.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter Book I on Kindle - Not a Chapter

    Chapter Book I on Kindle - Not a Chapter


    Big moment here, after a long battle with formatting and editing, the first Volume of Magik Online, "Spells for Sale" is now avable on Kindle for /amazon/B07SLT29N5


    It''s been a ride, and I''m really d for your support through the whole book. Patrons at the time of publication also had their Magik ount updated on the main website as celebration, so check them out if you''re curious.


    I would be very thankful to anyone dropping a review on Amazon, every single one helps!

 Chapter 41: Gathering Shadows

    Chapter 41: Gathering Shadows


    Sitting in his dark room, his cloned arm still itching terribly, Shroud did some reading before bed.


    <em>Dis: Worlds of Power</em>had proved an invaluable source of information, which he kept devouring with rapt attention.


    <em>Angels are among the most difficult beings to bind without the use of force, as they rarely answer calls. Unlike fiends, who relish opportunities to ess the material universe, Angels are picky about whom they assist. Angels ask of their summoner to worship their titr deity, Yahweh, and to live a virtuous life following their Gods principles. Summoners who do not fulfill those criterias, angels ignore. However, while difficult to summon, angels never ask payment nor bargain for their service, and show true altruism towards those they consider virtuous or innocent.</em>


    So only Sol could reasonably summon angels. The chapter detailed the strict hierarchies angels followed, from the four archangels to minor guardian angels, then explored the question of fiends. The book noted that demons were paradoxically easy to bind, as they followed the same passions as mortals, and so happily allied with mortals, at least for a time; but since they respected power above all, only forceful sorcerers could keep them in check long-term. Shroud would study them, if only to better fight the Maleking  whom the holo-bookcked any information on, much to his surprise  but he would remain wary not to summon one without extra care. Murs very existence may prove that one could work with fiends, they remained dangerous.


    The chapter on elementals disappointed him. While he finally identified the creature the Brown conspiracy had summoned, a hellfire elemental called the Candlemaker, elementals were limited by their core element; ss elementals, those he had researched the most, saw the universe through ss echolocation for example. Those alien senses and mentality made them resistant to Blue sorcery and difficult to negotiate with.


    He remembered his interactions with entities like the Candlemaker and the Crimson King; he had received a feedback from Network, unlike mindless Gearsmen, but only a sensation of wrongness.


    Network worked by sending him memories or perceptions of those he spied on; if the Candlemaker and the Crimson King used alien senses too far away from his own, then Network might simply be unable to interpret the feedback in a way Shrouds human brain could understand. The Candlemaker had noticed him hiding through heat signatures, and probably saw the world through them; while Network then worked on Jack, because he remained human enough, with sight, ears, touch. Same as with Mur.


    So he could in theory use Network on elementals, but he couldnt get a read from them. And he absolutely refused to recruit minions whose intentions he couldnt read. Too risky.


    Overall, anthropomorphic outsiders such as fairies, fiends, and simr seemed his best bet; close enough to humans to exchange with, and vulnerable enough to Blue Sorcery to create synergies with his abilities.


    You seem to have a found a new passion project, Shroud.


    Manahs voice made him raise his eyes from his book, finding the Shadow Queen sitting on a throne of solidified darkness near the firece. Im just thinking of the applications, especially with my Lock, he replied, his tone a bit frosty. The more he stayed in herpany, the more wary of her he became.


    You wish to recruit muscle. Wise. The Call spell I assume?


    You know of it? His team had discussed it openly, so she may have overhead.


    There exists a far more powerful version, Summon, but you would need to be in Mammons league to use it. She seemed to support his initiative though. The key to discussing with Outsiders is to remember that each of them have their own agenda, and that while they may share certain characteristics, they are all individuals with their own uniqueness. Two subi may feed on sex and desire, one may be a diplomat, and the other an assassin.


    Did you summon Outsiders in the past? Your minions seem home grown.


    If his joke registered, she didnt show it. I didnt, but I bound a few through soul contracts. They can be either be surprisingly straightforward, or insidious as only immortal monsters can be. She abruptly changed the subject. I heard that you recruited that undead, Stitch, and you have been exchanged a lot with Ace recently.


    Do you monitor us?


    Of course. I would not have learned of Lughs attack otherwise.


    Why would she reveal that piece of information? Did she think her methods so fool-proof, they couldnt counter them? I am telling you this for the sake of honesty, she said, as if reading his mind, I believe our rtionship will be more fruitful if we agree not to lie to one another.


    Keeping secrets is still fine though?


    This is our trade, Shroud. We deal with information and knowledge, and we turn it into power.


    Taking a deep breathe, he looked at her in the eyes. Did you ally with the Maleking?


    Yes. There was no hesitation in her voice, no shame. I do not serve him as others do, but we coborate against Concordia. I heard of your problems with some of his agents.


    That was an understatement. And Mammon?


    That I cannot say yet. But you are smart, and starting to see the bigger picture.


    He was, and he didnt like it. What are we to you? Clearly expendable.


    Of course not. I would not have helped you against Lugh otherwise.


    You seem to have found a way to profit of it, and you didnt help against the others.


    I would have intervened should the other hunters overpowered you, she said, As for Lugh, I intended to capture him at one point. This simply sped up my timetable.


    Capture? Not kill? So what was it? A test?


    No, Shroud. That was training. It always was.


    The Moderator squinted. You knew Mammon would abduct my team. You set me up.


    I wanted you to give you a taste of what kind of opponent you will be up against, should you continue down your current path. I also wanted that incident to teach you a lesson about foresight and overconfidence, but it seems so far not to have stuck.


    You could have had all of us killed.


    But you prevailed, and are in a better position than before. In our harsh world, intentions do not matter, only results.


    He wasnt sure if he agreed with that. What lesson would you have taught me?


    I have studied your file. Considering the nature of your abilities, you could have easily infiltrated Concordia, used intrigue and spy-craft to inflict greater damage. Instead you chose the path of open warfare. I believe it sub-optimal.


    Perhaps, Shroud agreed, But I wanted to fight.


    You could do both. While I prefer to remain in the shadows before striking, other leaders lead from the front. No. Your problem lies deeper. I believe you are a natural tactician, but a poor strategist. Very good at short-term nning and seizing opportunities, but poor at long-term schemes. You are inherently<em>impulsive</em>.


    Unfortunately, unless you contain your impetuosity, prepare, and n ahead, you are bound to be a pawn in someone elses strategy. As for confidence Mammon was overconfident and this gave you an opening. The same applies to you. You wield great powers, but you rely almost entirely on them and luck, leaving you open to surprise and the whims of fate.


    Maybe she had a point. Thrice he had been taken down by surprise attacks that negated his main advantages, leaving him little to fall back on. The strength of a Blue Sorcerer isnt firepower, but information control, Manah continued, Blue Sorcerers umte resources, build organization, and decide the oue of a fight before they engage. You have immense potential, but unless you learn to use your sorcery the way it is meant to be used, you are condemned to mediocrity.


    Im working on it.


    Not enough yet.


    Shroud raised an eyebrow. Why are you telling me this?


    She gave him a genuine smile. You may not believe me, but you remind me of myself once. When I was young and green.


    Shroud had troubles imagining her as a young ingenue, and not only because her human appearance was clearly a mask. When she rescued them from Lugh, Kari had seen her as a geisha, Maggie as a ck-skinned woman, and Stitch as a walking corpse.


    She took a form reflecting the watcher, like the shadow shemanded.


    I also heard you were looking for an ult Matrix. His head perked up with interest.Mammon has a few in storage, as does the Institute branch I send you to infiltrate. Make that what you will.


    About it


    I am securing the use of a smuggling route from Mammon, she brazenly interrupted him, You will have ess to a Gate linking both Oceanis and the Midnight Market for as long as the missionsts; which you are free to confront in any way you wish.


    About it, Shroud insisted, I would like a dy before we are deployed there. To prepare, to recruit; we just expanded and I want to test my team first.


    It would be hypocritical for me to advise caution and then rush you, she said, I will grant you a dy, but do not waste my time.


    He wouldnt; and when they would have the Lair, they would be in a better position to bargain. Also, for the ult matrix the reason I am interested in those items, is that I can interface with Network, and I would like to experiment. Could it be possible


    To intercede with Mammon so you do not have to? His visceral aversion to dealing with the mimic amused her. I could.


    But you wont?


    You would miss an opportunity to grow. I believe Celia invited him to a tea party, and she has been asking to see you again. You should find Mammon in a good mood.


    She brushed away his questioning. This is your true test, Shroud. Prove to me that you learned your lesson, and that you can y the game.


    Shroud replied with a quick nod, as she vanished into the shadows once more.


    When he was certain he was alone  although that didnt make that much of a difference  Shroud opened his Magik browser, moving into the Whisper messaging and the private Dragonyers text chat Kari set up yesterday. He typed with his mind, making no sound nor giving any hint of what he was up to.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    SHROUD: confirmed. She can spy on us, and both she and Mammon know the Maleking.


    YOSHIKAGE: how can she listen in?


    ACE: Shadows, from what I heard. She isnt called their queen for nothing.


    SHROUD: no mention of Magik or our private ns outside this messaging board. All sensitive information go there. The Administrator said this was secure, we will put that to the test.


    YOSHIKAGE: did it go well?


    SHROUD: I cant read her, and I hate it. Shes a cipher, but Im pretty sure shes on no other side than her own. Neither the Malekings, nor Mammon, nor ours. She can swing either way. She also says there is an ult matrix in Oceanis, and she can arrange us to go there.


    DOC: I must point out that, this being a Concordian territory and you being wanted criminals, this will prove excessively dangerous.


    THE MUR!: we dont need her anymore. We should leave her and seize the Lair.


    SOL: I agree with the imp. Now we are seven, we can tackle it and leave this viper nest behind us.


    SHARPSHOOT: you and Mur agree on something? Hallelujah!


    ACE: while Im the new one here, I suggest doing another quest before seizing a Lair.


    THE MUR!: Mur still wary of you. You work for Mammon.


    ACE: from what I heard, you worked for far worse clients in the past.


    THE MUR!: Mur ended old deals when he signed for this one. You still work for Mammon now.


    SHROUD: which gives us a windows into his operations. Drop it, Mur.


    SHARPSHOOT: why wait? For the Lair?


    YOSHIKAGE: because you, Sol and Mur are one Quest away from Leveling-up. And we cant leave the Lair unless we win.


    ACE: I messaged the Administrator about Lairs and here is what it said:<em>Your Guild can challenge the Lair anytime the Moderator requests, and are teleported there the second I receive the demand. You cannot escape until the Lair is conquered, and no two Guilds can challenge the sameir at the same time.</em>A few have already been requested, so our pool has grown smaller.


    SHROUD: I checked the conditions for level 3. We need to conquer a Lair after reaching level 2.


    YOSHIKAGE: which means Lairs are meant to challenge level 2 teams. Half our team is one quest away from it.


    SHROUD: Stitch struggles behind however.


    DOC: this is fine. I am more interested in exploring the limits of my current options than adding new ones. I am especially curious about my Locks applications.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Shroud shuddered, remembering that moment Stitch downloaded his Lock, Inseminate.


    <em>Stitch began to fiercely throw up, and for a second Shroud worried he might copse. Instead, the undead spat out arge, green shape on the ground, causing Maggie and Kari to recoil in disgust.</em>


    <em>A strange, insectrva the size of a big rat,nguished on the ground. The creature had the vague shape of a greenish human heart, with sharp mandibles, six exoskeletal legs, and eight fly eyes covering most of the body. It was both horrifying and vaguely cute, like the mix of a Pokemon and that creature from Alien.</em>


    <em>Fascinating, Stitch said, grabbing the creature like a toddler, This seems to be an necrotic lifeform capable of growth, and born of my own innards. I will call it, subject Angelique.</em>


    <em>What the fuck? Maggie asked, ready to throw up.</em>


    <em>I name my subjects in alphabetical order, Stitch replied, misunderstanding her question, Not, let see if I can spit more</em>


    The good doctor had ended up spitting up and adopting an entire litter, much to everyones revulsion. Well, Mur had asked if he could eat one, and Stitch had sounded vaguely willing to indulge him.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    DOC: I am also fascinated by those Hacks. This is the first time I hear of such a feat in my long, long unlife.


    ACE: far as I know, you need two spells of the same Dot level but from different colors to trigger one. Hacks can be used asponents for stronger Hacks.


    SHROUD: how do you know that?


    YOSHIKAGE: theres an entire subforum about Hacks on Magiks message boards.


    SHROUD: seriously? Where?


    YOSHIKAGE: Voice of Incubus, Field Reports, Hack Recipes discussions. yers post forms there. I posted Killer Sense and Hands of ughter there.


    SHARPSHOOT: I tried trademarking my Thunderling there, but someone beat me to it. Bugger.


    THE MUR!: Mur will do some shopping.


    SHROUD: me too. I didnt know we had a forum about them.


    YOSHIKAGE: theres more yers organizing on Earth, and they are very active. You should check them out. Even if we are light-years away.


    SHROUD: soon, Kari. Soon.


    ACE: about that, what is your n?


    SOL: yes. Now we are assembled we can n beyond living to fight another day.


    SHROUD: even if Im wary of the Shadow Queen and even more of her allies, the UB intel she is collecting could prove tremendously useful. We know thatwork is one of the key infrastructures allowing Concordia to hold Earth, uncovering its secrets could help tip the bnce in our favor. Also, the Crimson Epoch. If Aces info are correct, multiple powers hostile to Concordia will gather then. Including the Maleking.


    YOSHIKAGE: I did some research. Revels territory borders Earths star cluster.


    ACE: and Lugh is his grandson.


    SHROUD:  The Maleking works with Mammon. Manah is involved with both, and so happens to steal Lughs soul. Whose grandfather is a tyrant whose territory borders our home.


    SOL: I have a terrible feeling about this setup.


    SHROUD: me too. Im starting to see why the Sponsors want the Epoch closely supervised.


    ACE: so we y the long game handsome?


    SHROUD: for now. We umte resources, we secure ourir, those information, and the Sponsors favor, then we return to Earth with an action n to take it back. But we start by securing the Lair first. We need our own headquarter.


    YOSHIKAGE: and the truth.


    SHROUD: yes. Im tired of being in the dark.


    THE MUR!: Mur wants to see who those Sponsors are too.


    DOC: do Lair contain quests? This would solve our various problems neatly.


    ACE: I can ask the Administrator.


    YOSHIKAGE: It would be safer. The saboteur is still after us.


    SHROUD: Yes. It can counter our Locks over a wide radius, and at inopportune times. We have to take its interference into ount if we do quests on the Market, while we could level up without risking an ambush inside their.


    SOL: sorcerers able to counter our spells have been our most dangerous opposition so far. Is there a way to defend ourselves against them?


    THE MUR!: The Mur way. We see them, we smashem before they see us. We are seven and we have the power. Those stupid enough to get in our way get what they deserve.


    SOL: I would feel safer with a certain defense.


    DOC: I can look into it. While my knowledge of sorcery is purely theoretical, I could foray into magitech.


    SHROUD: I can introduce you to Wormson. He is an expert in Sorcery, from our discussions.


    DOC: with pleasure.


    SHROUD: then we will prepare a few days before tackling the Lair. This may be the time to purchase and practice new spells, especially Hacks.


    ACE: about that, does that group has rules? Do we coordinate about which spells we purchase and specialize in, or we remain free about our choices?


    YOSHIKAGE: everyone has their own style. Maggie-san buys in bulk, Mur hoards them, Sol invests warily


    DOC: Hacks being created by individual innovations, having everyone explore their options in their own way seems more productive than nned purchases.


    SHROUD: probably, as long as we train together and share information.


    ACE: roger that.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Shroud closed the message board, returning to<em>Worlds of Power</em>. The crystal offered a list of individual Outsiders to summon, and he had to bite the bullet on that one, test Call. Maybe start with a bestial creature, which Beastmaster could leash?


    Ultimately, while he made the decision to purchase Call in time, he decided to put it off until they had secured an headquarter of their own first. Summoning creatures seemed dangerous, and he felt endangered by Manah watching his recruitment process. For all he knew she could summon them back under her control.


    He considered what she told him, about embracing the power of his color and use it the way it was meant to. Gathering information, soldiers, and resources before striking.


    He had a few ideas.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>15</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>4</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>12</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>16</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>23</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>15</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>None</td><td>None</td><td>None</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>4</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Bulletstrike</strong>


    Affinity: Violet


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Active, Thought.


    The caster partially de-synchronize their own timeline from the material universe. As such, the caster perceives time and acts slightly faster than the rest of the universe for the spells duration (one minute per ount Level for Magik Online users).</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 42: Lost in the Save

    Chapter 42: Lost in the Save


    Somehow, Shroud had expected Celia to live in a Gothic mansion.


    Instead, she used an ancient, derelict hotel as an Underside resort. The ce might have once been a luxurious inn, before the decay and rust guing that side of the Midnight Market consumed it. Faint, ghostly green light came out of the windows, and the building was almost as unweing as Stitchs own clinic.


    When you said to meet for a drink, handsome, Ace said. I expected a warmer, lighter ce.


    She had changed her dress for a golden and red ensemble, more fashionable yet as utilitarian as hermon outfit. Very dashing.


    Dont you find meeting an ancient vampire to talk over ancient artifacts romantic? he replied. He thought he might as well mix business and pleasure, making an effort to dress well for her; setting aside his helmet and refashioning his ss armor into one of knight-like, dashing elegance. After his discussion with Manah, it was nice to rx in goodpany.


    The artifact hunt, yes, she replied with a smile. The vampire, no. I already have enough trouble with a living chest, thank you very much.


    You like ancient artifacts? He hadnt imagined her to be a museum person.


    I worked as an archaeologist and researcher for the Yellow Ministry once, she dropped the bomb. So yes, if you want to take me out next time, an ancient dusty ruin full of treasures would win you points.


    Taking her out.


    While he had jokingly treated this as a dated and fooled around a bit, he still wasnt over Perse. They had known each other for years and had broken up weeks ago, so it still made him guarded about trying anything again so soon.


    But he did like hanging out with Ace. She had an aura of mystery around her that intrigued him.


    <em> Erase those traitors, her superior told her, after reviewing the Midgardian mural. Official history is that the Grandmaster journeyed through Muspelheim with only the Founders. No need to remember the doubters in our midst.</em>


    <em>She nodded without a sound, leaving out the fact she kept a photo of the original mural hidden in storage. </em>


    He guessed she defected when she couldnt support changing the past on behalf of present-day tyrants anymore. The Yellow Ministry stole a lot of our history, Shroud told her. They bombed monuments, altered others, crafted a new narrative fitting Concordia


    If only you knew half of what they buried under the carpet, Ace replied. What can be destroyed by the truth should be. Were all grown-ups, enough to learn from the past instead of having it doctored for us.


    She would get along fine with Kari. Youe from Concordia itself. Their homeworld.


    Midgard, she corrected. Our ancestors called it Midgard. Once it had ice, deserts, forests, and seas, but after three centuries of terraforming, its just steel towers and roads everywhere. You can teleport anywhere for free, everyone has a roof, healthcare, and food. Everyone lives in peace, everythings got a ce. What and those who didnt, unnecessary people and wasteful things, Wyrde erased.


    Youve met her? Concordias Grandmaster?


    No one but the Ministers ever meet the Grandmaster. All I ever saw from her were requests for artifacts be sent to her fortress. Ace turned to him with a charming smile. Lets not make our host wait, shall we not?


    Shroud offered her his arm, which she took, as they walked into the building. The ce was eerily silent, but cleaned up; unseen servants hade around, swept dust and dirt away.


    The two made their way into arge, well-lit atrium, from which a ssical symphony came from. A dozen couples of ghosts danced at the tune; men, hobs, elf-like beings, and multiple species Shroud couldnt identify. Unlike the screaming souls held by the Crimson King, those ones seemed happy and entranced by their rhythm.


    Celia painted on the side on arge canvas, as if the scene inspired her. She was alone in the eerie room, a table with three chairs and cups served. While the little girl looked superficially harmless and alone, her mere presence awoke deep, buried anxiety inside Shrouds own heart. The bestial part of him, instincts honed by mankinds evolution across ages, begged him to tread wisely around her.


    Shroud! she called upon hearing him and Acee, her happiness starkly contrasting with the eeriness she inspired. I painted you!


    Really? Shroud asked, moving to look at his portrait. He would rather have not.


    Celias painting represented a theater of some kind, with velvet curtains and the ys title on a panel: <em>The Edge King</em>. She had painted Shroud at the center of the stage, but not as a man of flesh and blood, but a nightmarish creature of thick darkness, a dark lord on a throne of dragon bones. Pale skeletons and fresh corpses littered the ground around him, and thin strings held him in the ws of an invisible, reptilian puppeteer.


    Shroud found the disy macabre and disturbing. This isnt me.


    This is you, Celia insisted. The true you. Art strips away illusions, leaving only the bare soul and the beauty within. Dont you find yourself beautiful on this throne?


    The portrait had an eerie beauty to it, true, but the duality between the macabre, sinister power he disyed and the strings bothered him. I told you we all had strings, Ace said, loving the portrait more than he did. Does the y symbolize the fact we all y actors on a stage?


    I think so, Celia said, happy at Ace trying to find a hidden meaning, Everyone is the leading role of their own story, right?


    Both lead and puppet, to the tune of destiny, Ace replied, Its only at the end you see what role you were meant to y. Tarot reveal the path too, a bit.


    Exactly! Death reveals the meaning of life! Celia smiled. What is your name?


    Ace, my dear queen.


    <em>Shes very charming,</em> Shroud thought, as he watched the scene unfold and the two women discussed destiny in art. Maybe that was how she had made her way into Mammons good graces.


    Network dulled when in Celias presence, whether because of Manahs previous warning or her own dangerous nature. In either case, he couldnt size her up either. Were those the strings she spoke of? That his Lock had a will of its own, as Wormson theorized?


    I like you, C said, before turning to Shroud. Can you bring Ace again next time you visit, Shroud? She understands.


    Sure, he said absentmindedly, still absorbed by the portrait. Why so many corpses?


    Because of the ghosts following you, she shed him a beautiful smile, sending a shiver down his spine. All the lives you take in your wake. I saw them the first time I saw you.


    I only killed one dragon.


    Of course you did. You just havent killed all the others yet. Whole worlds of corpses, Shroud. You will be a king of death, beautiful and terrible. I cannot wait to see it!


    Shroud turned his head away from the painting, ufortable. Ace quickly caught on. Perhaps we could sit and rx, she offered. You must be exhausted after making such an artistic masterpiece.


    I am never tired, Celia replied proudly, leaving her brush and inviting the two to take ce around the table, which they did. I bought coffee for you, Shroud!


    She did, although she served that horrible blood tea to herself and Ace. His date made no sign she noticed, although she didnt drink it. Will your court join us? she asked, her eyes ncing at the dancing ghosts.


    My court? No, they arent my court, they are other guests like me, although they decided to stay forever. Celia closed her eyes, moving her hands to the tune of the song, Llal, our flesh aged and rot, but they left our corpses in disy! So we dance, and dance, to forget only to remember!


    It said something that after fighting Mammon, Toshiyami, fiends, and monsters, that Celia disturbed Shroud more than anything. Ivee for advice, Shroud admitted, bringing the coffee to his lips. It was pretty strong, but thankfully not mixed with the blood of Celias enemies. I thought you might give me good counsel.


    Of course I will, Im way older and more mature than you.


    You are, Ace replied, amused.


    Were recruiting arger base of followers, undead included, Shroud said.


    Oh, oh! Celia jumped on her seat at the mention of undead. Is it true you recruited a Wight?


    He did, Ace said. Doctor Stitch, a very charming fellow. Did you make him?


    No, a spawn of mine did, she said with a hint of pride, as she drank her blood tea. Wights are very nice, but a vampire would have been ssier. You should have told me.


    Im considering how I could make them, actually, Shroud admitted. An army of undead could give them more manpower. My Lock could help me manage them.


    That is where you are wrong! Celia said, sounding like a teacher scolding a child. You have to be Yellow to raise the dead, and Yellow is all about art, inspiration! Blue is all about efficiency, control, <em>managing</em>. No wasteful beauty whatsoever!


    Even if I let my inner child out?


    That is an opposite color to your own, so your spell will consume more Flux.


    Could Spellcoins actually represent how much processing power Magik assigned to his spells? And what if I couldbine them? he asked, before realizing telling her about Hack may not be a good idea. I mean,bine them with my Lock to create something new? Spells muste from somewhere, right?


    No one can channel two colors at once alone, Celia replied. If you want to try Yellow, you should practice Green first.


    Green? Because it is allied with both Blue and Yellow?


    Exactly. Life and death are two sides of the same coin, so if you improve one, you will learn about the other. You will also need souls to create good undead, gems, or living people. Celias eyes shifted to Shrouds neck, making him ufortable. Or


    Not going to be a vampire, he interrupted her train of thoughts The second Celia had looked at his neck, Ace stealthily emptied her blood tea inside the teapot in the blink of an eye before bringing the emptied cup to her lips.


    Aw, but you would look so nice!


    Indeed you would, Ace nodded, amused. It would do wonders for your skin tone.


    I know, Celia eximed, He just needs a cape!


    And gloves.


    And leather shoes!


    Shroud crossed his arms and sulked. But you are handsome in that armor, Celia tried to reassure him he had good fashion sense. You too, Ace.


    Thank you, my queen, Ace replied, putting the emptied teacup back on the table, much to the vampires joy, Although you look the best of all of us. Whats your secret?


    Youre too kind, she replied. I just have good taste, that is all. I like beautiful clothes, beautiful people, beautiful things.


    As the two exchangedpliments, a sh of violet illuminated the room, a displeasing guest materializing right in the middle of the ballroom. Ace! Mammon shrieked. Ace, Ace!


    Your Majesty? Ace replied, instantly deferential. Shroud noticed the ghosts instantly vanished at the Midnight Kings approach. In all likelihood, he had them killed in the first ce.


    What are you doing here? I asked you to send a fruit basket to Revel after that fiasco!


    I did, in triplicate, and this gentleman invited me soon after for a date, Ace said, winking at Shroud. I epted.


    Oh, oh! Celia looked at them with excitement. You are so cute together.


    Mammon nced at Shroud. Thises out of your holiday bonus.


    You arent paying me, Shroud replied dryly.


    Not with that attitude. Ive examined your ns for the Epoch, and I found them di-sa-point-ing! He insisted on each syble. More blood!


    What? But this is already a death course! Shroud defended his creative choices. It reminded him of the discussion he had had with Gavin while working at Dynamis, except Mammon seemed way more interested in the killing rather than the selling.


    Not lethal enough, Mammon replied, going on an angry tirade. There can only be one winning team, and we need to weed out all the rest! Also, add more fireworks, more mour! Viewers want unexpected surprises and turns, shocking deaths, and to squirm on their tentacles!


    Hi, mighty conqueror! Celia waved with friendliness at the Midnight King, improving his foul mood. We were waiting for you.


    Death, Mammons humanoid torso curtly bowed to Celia, which made Shroud squint. The Midnight King suddenly behaving with wariness around her raised all sorts of rms as he joined for tea. Of course you would wait for Mammon.


    We wouldnt have gone so far without your hard work, Celia added, nodding happily.


    The familiarity between them bothered Shroud somewhat, who suddenly realized why Manah had insisted she deal with this himself. He cleared his throat, as Mammons tentacle grabbed a cup and pulled it inside his chest body. King Mammon, I heard you collected precious artifacts, like ult Matrixes.


    Shroud couldnt shut up about it, but he just worked the courage to ask you, Ace continued, making the Moderator sink deeper in his chair. Perhaps you could show him off, Your Majesty.


    Mammon absentmindedly searched inside his hoard, bringing out an item. This trinket? Mine!


    His hand opened, revealing a perfect replica of the artifact Shroud had stolen from Smokefang, weeks ago. A metal orb, shining with a bluish hue, filling his brain with math, forms, visions of a strange distant world


    <em> Dis Terminal detected. Compatibility check positive, quantum integration starting.  </em>


    Visions of a metal coin floating in the endless darkness of space filled his mind; a golden utopia of chest-like creatures, watching a fiery star fall on them


    Shroud


    <em> Archived loads ready for transfer: Midnight Market, Underside, post-Mammon Landing, minus 4000. </em>


    A sh of yellow light brought him out of this dream. Before he knew it, he returned to the world of the living. Celia had put an icy finger on his cheek. What happened? Shroud asked, his thoughts in shamble.


    Your eyes shone blue, handsome, Ace warned. And not in an attractive way.


    I told you Blue is <em>control</em>, Celia said. Your Lock wants more of it, over you, over everyone.


    We apologize for this, Your Majesty, Ace said charmingly, preemptively trying to appease Mammon.


    However, much to even Celias surprise, the Midnight King remained eerily silent, appraising the Blue Sorcerer. His quietness made Shroud even more wary than his frothing malevolence prior. What did you see? Mammon finally asked. Do not lie or your ass is mine.


    Shroud didnt need Network to know the monster was deadly serious. It sent me information, Midnight Market, post-Mammonnding minus four thousand.


    Try again, Mammon said. But if you damage it, I will take your head. There are dozens of these trinkets on my station, but this one has sentimental value to the King.


    Shroud nced at him, then the artifact, raising his hand to touch it. This was a huge risk, but he had his hand brush Mammons as he touched the artifact, feeling the jolt of Network activate. Thankfully, the King,cking Yellow Sorcery, missed it.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Matrix Folder: Midnight Market, Post-Mammon Landing, Underside</strong>; record starts minus 4000.


    Mammon Sealed: Mimic Civilization Survives (Minus 4000)


    Mammons Chronobreak Spell Uncast: Underside Destruction Prevented (1789)


    Conspiracy Unveiled: Malebranche-Concordia War (1920)


    <strong>Save/Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    It says Mimic Civilization Survives, minus 4000. The pervasive tension around Mammon increased, almost too unbearable to support, but apparently, he didnt catch the omission. Underside Destruction Prevented, 1789. And Conspiracy Unveiled, 1920. I can uncover them.


    The second, Mammon ordered. Do your thing on the second, now.


    Mammon. Due to the deep, serious tone, it took a second for Shroud to realize Celia had spoken. Let it go. That spell is impossible. And why would you put something in a box and make sure nobody can open, it if it is not dangerous?


    The Midnight King ignored her, focusing on Shroud alone. The sorcerer could see a spark of burning greed in each of his tiny eyes. Open it, Mammon insisted. Prove the King right.


    Feeling as if he had a gun pointed on his head, Shroud prepared to mentally touch the notification.


    Yet, at thest moment, he considered clicking on a different option. He had a golden, perhaps once in a lifetime opportunity to get rid of that tyrant with no risk to himself or his team.


    <em>You like messing with peoples time, Mammon?</em> Shroud thought as he settled on a different choice. <em>So can I.</em>


    <em> Terminal restoration request approval: Mammon Sealed, Mimic Civilization Survives. Aligning timelines. </em>


    The matrix shone brightly, and the universe turned Blue.


    The effect was anything but subtle. To Shroud, two images superposed in his field of vision, two versions of the world. One was the ballroom, the other a stranger realm, where the walls had eyes and watched back.


    Reality itself started to glitch, the very texture of the world twisting, a sound droning in his own mind. Between the two pictures of the world, he noticed gears, streams of colored energies, and threads knitting both together.


    In the in-between, something watched back at him, an eye of light made of seven colors; but a cold, heartless kind of light, that provided no warmth.


    I see you, Shroud. The voice that spoke was his own, but haughty, mocking, giggling. It droned in his mind instead of his ears. Always the fool eager to challenge fate, no matter the iteration. But remember I <em>own </em>you, now and forever.


    The second picture started overwriting the first, Mammon vanishing from his sight in a trail of blue particles. The gap between worlds closed, and in a sh, the glitches subsided and Shroud regained control of his body.


    Shroud blinked, as the hotel had turned brighter, restored to its full glory except the walls had eyes, and so did the table and the chairs. His own, more expensive than the rest, <em>wriggled </em>on his back.


    Shroud turned around, confused, finding a group of hobsmenting Celias portrait, elf-like beings dancing to the tune of the music


    And the sharp pain in his left arm, where Toshiyami had cut it, didnt subside.


    Your Majesty, is something wrong? Ace asked him, confused by his behavior. The Concordian assassin?


    You didnt Shroud trailed.


    Didnt what? Her confusion seemed genuine.


    Then, Shrouds chair grew tentacles and began to massage his shoulders, making him almost jump on his feet. Not good enough, boss? the chair <em>spoke, </em>and it grew eyes on the armrest. Slower?


    Shroud had no idea how to react to that so the chair took it as a yes, and massaged his back slowly.


    A mimic. The same kind as Mammon, but clearly nicer.


    Shroud fell silent, trying to make sense of what happened. Celia looked at him strangely. King Martel, you are acting strangely.


    King Martel? Im just feeling sick, he said, brushing it off. What were we talking about?


    The Malekings offer of friendship and protection still stands, Celia said, making Shroud freeze. We all know how attached you are to Mimicworlds neutrality, but you will not push back ckcinders alone. She is, no offense, far too strong for you.


    ckcinders? Shroud repeated, blinking.


    A Concordian fleet led by the <em>Vanguard</em> is preparing to assault the star cluster, Ace said calmly, her eyebrows furrowing at his behavior. ckcinders is making good on her threat to avenge her son.


    That at least hadnt changed. And what does the Maleking want with me? Shroud asked.


    You have to loosen the seal on Mammon, Celia replied, the chair and table fidgeting at the name. The Maleking understands how precarious your position is, but the freedom of my fellow Horseman is non-negotiable.


    It suddenly urred to Shroud that he should have thought twice about loading that save. I need to think about it, he said, trying to remain as evasive as possible and end this conversation until further notice.


    What the hell just happened?


    She was surprisingly nice, her dread master aside, Ace said, as they exited the hotel. She had dropped the respectful tone for a more casual one once out of Celias earshot. We should meet her more often.


    No. No, they shouldnt.


    The Underside had be as lustrous and beautiful as the Overside, with none of the rust of the previous whatever that was.


    The changes also went farther. The buildings had eyes and mouths, as did pretty much every item around but the ground they stood on. The streetlights bowed slightly when they passed nearby. Mimics, all of them.


    Much to his surprise, many of the streetlights shape-shifted into copies of his ss armor as the duo walked by; each of the creatures took a different pose, some regal, others tantly ridiculous.


    yful.


    Were alone now, he said, having no idea how to address the elephant in the room.


    Obviously. The way she sounded, he grew certain she made it intentionally sound enticing. Damn flirt. Youve been behaving strangely since that tea with Celia. Is it ckcinders approaching that troubles you?


    You do not remember? he asked her.


    Remember what? She raised an eyebrow. Okay, you really need a moment to get your act together. What about some stargazing?


    Without needing to use Network to read her mind, he took her firmly in his arms from the waist down, flying onto the roof of the tallest building around andnding them on it. They had an incredible view of the surrounding area under the faint light of the stars.


    And as he expected, the Load had affected the entire Underside, turning it into a movingndscape, as tentacled buildings yfully exchanged ces. Mimics could apparently grow to rival skyscrapers, and they allpeted to outdo one another in shape-shifting. He suddenly wondered if Mammons showmanship had been a cultural trait, rather than his own entricity.


    Just how much had that power changed? From what he gathered and Acesment, the fight with the five hunters still happened, as did the death of Smokefang. But he seemed to have taken Mammons ce.


    Getting rid of that chest bastard had been the entire point of loading that Save, so he didntin.


    Here, Ace said, taking his hand and leading him to the edge of the roof, both of them sitting there. Look at those stars.


    Theyre beautiful.


    I wonder how many of them are inhabited, Ace said, Do you know that Concordia believes we only mapped a fifth of the material universe? Seeker must havee from some gxy far, far away, one we havent seen yet.


    Seeker. What little he heard of that cosmic horror made him shudder. If it represents the life out there, some would say we are better off not knowing.


    Some. You too?


    Of course not, Shroud replied. There is no such a thing as not enough knowledge. It gives us power and freedom.


    And joy, and new frontiers to explore, Ace added.


    About that, what did you think ofbining Green and Yellow? I do have a Green spell Im not using much, Purge, and enough Spellcoins to buy the Deathgem spell. If this one is needed to gather souls and create undead


    Do you always speak of work, even while on a date? He almost apologized sheepishly, when she cut him with a chuckle. Its fine. Actually, Im pretty much that way myself.


    You are? He noticed that she immediately understood he was talking about Magik Online, so that at least hadnt changed.


    Of course Im curious at what this system can do! How does it even work? Ive been trying to find all the possible fusions of the Seamancer spell since I got it. Thats how I created Ssh, bybining it with Switch, and Rainmaker, bybining it with Timesense. They make a pretty nicebo together.


    Rainmaker creates rain, and Ssh allows you to teleport with droplets?


    Any body of water, actually, as long as it doesnte from a living being like milk or blood. And believe me, I tried every single liquid out there. I think its because itcks a Greenponent. Neither Orange nor Violet have anything to do with life.


    So the colors held power over a conceptual domain and didnt allow any other to step into them. Which means, the more colors, the more transcendent and powerful the Hack.


    A spell incorporating all colors might be an amazing power. He wondered if he could create a chain of them. Premium Thoughts and Heal were too important to risk triggering a Hack with, but Heal had made Purge slightly obsolete. Lightbringer and ss Field were the core of his arsenal, but he could consider risking upgrading one. Beastmaster had proved useful, but he wouldnt miss sacrificing it for a stronger power.


    However, he couldnt license Hacks, and his shortage of Spellcoins to invest in spells meant he couldnt recoup his losses should a fusion prove sub-par. He might as well try to push the limits of what he already had before venturing into the unknown; master his own sorcery, and then expand.


    He looked at his Blue options for Dot Two. <em>Mindshield </em>protected his mind from mental control, which was situational. <em>Incognito </em>helped him with infiltration but wouldnt get past Magitech, limiting its effectiveness. <em>Emotion Bomb</em> allowed him to manipte the emotions of others, which may have been the spell Concordia used on him to keep him docile while imprisoned. The mere idea to use mind-control and take away someones freedom went against everything he believed in, so he immediately pushed it aside.


    Doppelganger though<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Doppelganger</strong>


    Affinity: Blue


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6


    Activation: Active, Thought.


    The caster creates a perfect, free-willed quantum duplicate of themselves. The Doppelganger appears as a blue-colored phantom, which will dissipate if suffering lethal wound or upon death of the original; upon destruction, the original gains all of the Doppelgangers memories. The Doppelganger cannot cast spells nor use a Lock, but benefits from all effects affecting the caster upon creation (such as Peak or Premium Thoughts). The caster can only have one Doppelganger active, and harmful effects affecting it will not carry over to the original.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Creating a clone could allow him to do twice the work, but its inability to use his Lock or cast spells limited the effectiveness. Unless if he


    No, that would be an overpowered loophole. It all depended on the wording; if the Doppelganger couldnt cast spells period, then it wouldnt work. If it meant it couldnt cast spells naturally


    He really had to check that one.


    So? Ace asked him, drawing him out of his thoughtfulness, Do you have an idea for experimentation?


    Oh yes, he replied, I also wonder what would happen if Ibined Beastmaster and Lightbringer. Maybe a light controlling beasts?


    Or a light that turns people into animals, she replied with a grin. Since were on the subject of stars and light. How does your light spell work?


    Quasar and Reinforce. I tried to reinforce photons and it solidified them, creating Lightbringer.


    So if I buy Heatriser and try to reinforce the heat, I could create solid fire? Or solidify time with Timesense?


    How can you possibly solidify time?


    How can you possibly glitch time? she replied with a mischievous grin on her face.


    Touch. Talking about gaining new spells. Best team activity.


    I wouldnt call us a team yet, Ace said. We are two members short.


    Shroud froze. What do you mean?


    We still need to assign the White and the Red, no? Then we can call ourselves a true team.


    He had a gnawing feeling. They are assigned. To Sol and Maggie.


    Who?


    shit, shit, shit!


    He immediately checked his Magik Online ount, finding it mostly unchanged, except for two very important missing elements. He immediately sent a message to the Administrator.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    SHROUD: Where did the ounts of Solomon and Maggie go?


    ADMINISTRATOR: I am sorry, Mathias, but I do not understand your question.


    SHROUD: The yers, Sol and Sharpshoot. Solomon Niche and Maggie Powells. Where did they go?


    ADMINISTRATOR: Let me check We do not have these yers in our database. Why such a question?</td></tr></tbody></table><strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>15</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>6</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>12</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>23</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>15</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>None</td><td>None</td><td>None</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>4</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Echocall</strong>


    Affinity: White


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Active, Voice Vector.


    You radiate an aura of White Flux which summons echoes, a Flux leftover of a deceased person. The Echo repeats the personstest actions; the stronger Echocall, the farther back in time. </td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 43: Heart of Blue

    Chapter 43: Heart of Blue


    <strong>King Mathias The Fourths Soul Casino</strong>


    <strong>Invitation Only</strong>


    As he looked over at the sign at the base of the Neurotower, Shroud didnt know what to make of it. He didnt know what to make of <em>everything</em>.


    Are you going to stand there for another hour? Ace teased him, blissfully unaware of the gravity of the situation.


    Mur thinks he loves himself too much. The imp, in his Pitborn form, had taken the role of a bouncer in this new history and kept watch over the casinos Gate. His new job hadnt affected his behavior in the slightest.


    Where is Kari? Shroud asked anxiously. The pain in his left arm had receded, and his Network feed of his friend showed him only darkness. Stitchs one showed him safe, experimenting with his ''children''.


    Still in a medic, Ace replied. Stitch said she should wake up in a week or so.


    She fought the good fight, Mur said, with uncharacteristic respect. She is strong, she will endure.


    The Blue Sorcerer figured the night of the hunters had happened, but due to being two people short it was won at a greater cost. Ace, this is going to be a strange question, Shroud began, but do I have a biography running around?


    Of course you do. You even made an holo-movie out of it, remember?


    Urgh, did he take all of Mammon''s antics when he reced him? I would like to watch it, Shroud said, as he walked through the Gate and into the soul casino, finding it rtively unchangedpared to the previous timeline. That didnt make sense. If Mammon had been erased like he worried Maggie and Sol had been, then that whole casino should have never existed.


    No. Not erased. Sealed. That meant that chest bastard existed somewhere. Celia had said the same and wanted him free. Where is Mammon? Shroud asked Ace.


    The seal, you mean? Ace frowned, answering his question with another question. What is Network?


    <em> Do you know some shape-shifters are so skilled, Skins began. That they can fool even close friends?  </em>


    My Lock, which connects people and allows me to observe you from afar, Shroud replied, guessing what she did. Right now its telling me youre prodding to see if Ive been reced.


    You havent, she said, still worried. An infiltrator would show more skill at deception. But you are acting very, very suspicious.


    I think someone messed with my memories somehow, he said, the real exnation probably being tooplicated. Maybe Melusine.


    Messed up enough that you want to rewatch your whole life? Ace clearly didnt believe him. Be honest, please.


    Shroud sighed, as he tried to find the best way to word it. I used that Load feature, and apparently it transported me to an alternate history. Yours.


    To his amazement, Ace actually seemed to believe him, or at least didnt reject his words instantly. She could probably tell he believed in it based on voice alone, and perhaps she was curious enough to entertain the possibility. Alternate how?


    I wasnt king of the Midnight Market, Mammon was. Ace chuckled at this, unaware of the irony involved. And ckcinders, as far as I know, isnt about to invade.


    Never heard of the Midnight Market. The mimics call this sphere Mimicworld, and it stuck. They are adorably simple-minded. Ace arched an eyebrow. Sol and Maggie, they were our teammates in the other history?


    She caught on fast. Youre taking the news surprisingly well.


    I am not a skeptical person, and I have seen sorcery just as worldshaking. Even then it does surprise me. What do you remember from the old history?


    Concordia conquered Earth.


    It did, ten years ago, she said. Thats when you emigrated to Mimicworld, thanks to a kind smugglers help.


    Was that the divergence element? Can you borate further?


    I apologize but I am not an expert in your life, Ace teased him. From the broad strokes, your father emigrated with you to Mimicworld, and stuck rich there, while your mother stayed on Terra Firma to continue her research. You inherited your dad''s business empire, and thus control of Mimicworld after buying it from the previous king.


    The mention of his father warmed his heart. My parents?


    Aces saddened face dashed his hopes. Your father died, hunted by Lugh, and your mother was arrested by Concordia for a reason you never learned; you killed governor Smokefang when you confronted him during your investigation. His crushed reaction had fully convinced her of his goodwill. Alternate realities and we join forces in two of them. I thought the odds that we would meet would be much lower.


    Shroud didnt understand either. If four thousand years of history had been rewritten, why were events so eerily simr? He would have expected more divergences, especially if his parents emigrated on another world far from Concordia.


    ncing around the bustling of Mammons former casino confirmed his questioning. While there were some visible changes, mostly mimics making up most of the cash machines and devices, overall the structure hadnt changed much.


    A Magik notification popped up.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>You have an urgent new message from: Administrator.</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Shroud immediately opened it.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    ADMINISTRATOR: Mathias, do NOT use that modded feature recklessly again or the consequences may be dire.


    SHROUD: Wait, you havent been affected?


    ADMINISTRATOR: I was, but my memories of an event a few years back did not add up the way it should, enough to make me suspicious. I checked your ount history after our conversation and it recorded the event. Even looking at it with my own eyes I am taken aback. You merged an alternate timeline with ours.


    SHROUD: What?


    ADMINISTRATOR: Blue rules over possibilities. So, imagine a major possible event that didnt happen in our world, but was recorded and locked away. Those are the saves. When you loaded it, you reincorporated that isted possibility into our timeline, overwriting the old reality with a new one.


    SHROUD: So I didnt time travel, I just edited the present.


    ADMINISTRATOR: in simple terms, you jumped sideways rather than backward.


    SHROUD: But why were changes so minor? Shouldnt an event happening four thousand years ago, I dunno, change more around the universe?


    ADMINISTRATOR: This is only a theory, but I believe the save system tries to keep the changes to a minimum to safeguard most of the timeline. You only had ess to one matrix, which only records events around the Midnight Market; other devices save timelines in distant ces and arent under your control. So when you loaded a localized save, the overall system behind it tried to align the changes with the wider multiverse and minimize them. Mammon was involved in too many events to be removed without altering history too much, and the feature said you would be unaffected; realitypromised by putting other people, including you, in Mammons ce across history.


    SHROUD: And since my history changed, I never met Maggie and Sol and so never recruited them.


    ADMINISTRATOR: It is worse than that. Your ount says you formed a team in a city called Evermarsh, so I assume you met these two here in the previous timeline?


    SHROUD: Yes.


    ADMINISTRATOR: I tried to find them, looked into all records avable, and didn''t find anything. I dide back with info on a city called Evermarsh, a Florida city wiped out by Smokefang during the Conquest. The invasion was apparently bloodier this time around, perhaps because Mammon interfered in some way in the previous history.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    The sorcerer felt an icy chill go down his spine, as the sheer weight of the horror he unleashed dawned on him. Maggie, Sol, Perse, Ulysses, Vivianne, Sam<table><tbody><tr><td>


    SHROUD: I killed them.


    ADMINISTRATOR: Maybe. I cannot say. I am sorry, Mathias.


    SHROUD: But Sol was with us when the Conquest happened. My family, I mean.


    ADMINISTRATOR: He could have chosen to remain on Earth, or made a different choice that led to his death during the chaos of the Conquest.


    SHROUD: Holy shit... the other save recorded a human extinction event in North America, and a Cheyenne asteroid. Both during the Conquest.


    ADMINISTRATOR: It is possible that in an alternate timeline, the defense of Cheyenne Mountain was sessful enough that ckcinders dropped her asteroid there instead of Moscow, and that in another, she annihted Earth as she warned.


    SHROUD: I could have wiped out the entire human race. This feature is extraordinarily risky. Perhaps intentionally so. What is the point to record an apocalypse with the possibility to unleash it, if not to use it as a weapon?


    ADMINISTRATOR: It can be a defense system, actively isting a dangerous event away from the timeline. Or maybe neither.


    SHROUD: And who makes those saves in the first ce?


    ADMINISTRATOR: I do not know but Concordia probably does. That would exin why they were so interested in that artifact. I am as clueless as you.


    SHROUD: I have to try and bring back Maggie and Sol.


    ADMINISTRATOR: I understand, and I cannot fault you for trying but whatever the case, this system is tremendously powerful, but you should use with extreme care and if possible, never Earth saves. Do not, under any circumstance, tell anyone else. I need to discuss with the Sponsors to see what to make of this. I will set an rm that will warn me and transfer your ount history if it activates again.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Shroud closed the feed, the weight of guilt on his shoulders still as heavy as before.


    He should have raged and fallen in despair, but he stood still, his mind clear. It was a terrible thing to say, but after what happened to his father and the ordeals he had gone through, he managed to keep his wits.


    He remembered Manahs words, about not letting his emotions cloud his judgment. He couldnt let anger or sadness steer him the same way Jacks atrocities did.


    If Shroud maintained aser focus on the matter at hand, gained information, he could find a way to repair what he did. He had to.


    The more he considered the Administrators words, the more the theory about the system minimizing changes had merits. His father meeting a smuggler, ending up in Mimicworld, gaining enough riches to own an entire sphere in less than a decade, while his mother faced the exact same fate as the first time around? That sequence of events was <em>technically </em>possible, but one imusible coincidence after another.


    Railroading.


    The system had simply found it easier to arrange it than change everything else.


    He needed to meet the other person most impacted by the current changes. Ace.


    Yes?


    Answer me," he demanded, "Where is Mammon?


    As it turned out, Mammons casino had been built into the Neurotower itself, and the more one went deeper, the stranger the area.


    The morous areas covered well-guarded floors that only Shroud and his trusted few had ess towhich meant only Mammon and his close allies ever saw that far in the old timeline.


    Shroud and Ace walked down the innards of the tower, pulsating walls of alien metal. Immense transparent pipelines transported colored light down, like blood veins. Mechanical hearts pumped the substance up and down into gear-like mechanisms.


    While Shroud didnt see any trace of organic material, the world structure seemed alive. Breathing Flux. Breathing magic. Sorcery saturated the very air, tainted by colored hues.


    Yet, no matter how strange his surroundings, Shroud remained obsessed with the Administrators words.


    Fusing two timelines and trying to change as little as possible. If Lugh had killed his father in this reality, it would provide a logical chain of events leading to that fateful night he could see the hands of the save feature at work,bining elements to create a new history.


    And if they knew, why did Concordia research this technology? What could they n to do with it?


    The fact that two friends vanished as coteral damage only fueled his desire to understand that power and undo his decision. Shroud had already lost a father to his mistakes. He wouldnt lose two teammates.


    The metal corridor ended before a forcefield of various colors, blocking the path. Ace brought a knife and threw it at the structure, the item vaporizing on touch. Mammon is behind it, from what I heard, she dered. Good luck getting past it, however.


    Shroud prodded at this barrier with Network and didnt have to wait long for the feedback.


    <em> Terminal ess demand registered. ess to Terminal granted.  </em>


    The forcefield drained of most of its colors, turning only blue. Shroud warily touched it, his hand going through it. Ace, more careful, threw another knife at the barrier, which too vanished upon impacting.


    Color discrimination, the woman said, disappointed. I thought only earthlings did it.


    Shroud crossed the forcefield, leaving his ally on the other side. He also nced at the Network feeds, and found them obscured; either the tower interfered with his Lock or...


    Wait for me here, he said. If Im not back in two hours and do not contact you with Network I guess you can dere me dead.


    I would rather avoid it, Ace replied dryly. Just send me a message.


    Would the saboteur let him? He doubted so, but he had the feeling she didnt announce her presence so obviously to set up a violent ambush. I will if I can.


    Shroud walked along further into the metal womb, alone.


    Shroud found it slightly ironic that in spite of having a power whose effectiveness relied on connections, it isted him even from his team. Did it say something about the deeper purpose of Network, or his own?


    The more he progressed, the metallic corridors grew wider; an invisible pressure weighted on his shoulder, as a colored mist started filling the tunnels.


    As he moved further within this miasma, the Sorcerer felt the power fill his bones. The vision provided by ss Field intensified, grew sharper; the song of Beastmaster extended farther and farther, and his thoughts elerated. His spells gained in potency and power by mere osmosis.


    He had stepped in the womb of sorcery itself, and it empowered him.


    The sorcerer felt a call from below, an invisible force pushing him to continue. When the path bifurcated, he took turns without understanding why. Thepulsion grew stronger, enough to make him brush away thoughts of going back.


    Technological tumors burst from the walls, dripping colored mist. Golden fibers carried bluish pulses of information below his feet, the fibers of a brain spanning the Midnight Market. His brainputed strange turns in the corridors, mathematicalplexities that his obsolete human mind worked feverishly toprehend.


    At longst, he reached a cavity, maybe the bottom of the Neurotower. A dome that could fit multiple stadiums within, with a metal abyss opened at the center, a pit spitting out sorcerous bile. The mist had thickened, yet he could see a strange structure integrated to the ceiling above him. An immense sphere of metal and solid energy, integrated into the tower-structure, yet clearly ater addition. A jail whose prisoner struggled fruitlessly to escape.


    Shroud ignored it, walking towards the iron maw that called him. He floated towards the crater, gazing down into the abyss and facing the blinding, divine light down.


    He <em>belonged </em>there.


    All his life, his entire existence, every event in his worthless human life had only one purpose; to lead him to this furnace of sorcery, to be one with this glorious machine and take his rightful ce as supreme ruler of all existence.


    His mind was clear of all doubts. He no longer cared about his friends, about Concordia. They were below his notice. They hadnt been <em>chosen </em>to wield this power, to Save and Load and Network; they werent <em>worthy</em>.


    Only this technology, this abyss mattered. Only he could wield it to its full potential. He would learn how to use it, master it, unlock all of its ancient secrets, then he would emerge towork them all. Every dragon, every human, every tiny creature in the farthest corner of creation; his touch would spread like a virus that would infect the world. Aworked wouldwork another until all joined the ranks of his ves.


    He would synergize them until he subsumed their disgusting free-will and their rampant, disordered thoughts; until their minds were echoes of <em>his </em>own, automatons that would obey only the divine lightning of his will. A perfect universe, where <em>all were one</em>.


    That was his destiny. To be a great iron god that would dominate the cosmos.


    This is not me. The words left his mouth on their own, and he repeated them with more strength. This is not me, this is not me.


    The structure affected his mind through Network.


    It didnt matter. He couldnt deny the truth, the truth that the light would provide if he descended within. The power to rewrite history, to create a beautiful world where Mom and Dad were alive; he could erase all his mistakes and lows, keeping only the highs. A world where he ruled as emperor, as the One Above All.


    He nced at the light deeper into this iron abyss, down the maw that would digest him a <em>man </em>and spit him out a <em>god</em>. He just had to fall into the furnace of sorcery, let his imperfect flesh burn and reveal the shining metal beneath...


    This is not me! Mathias repeated more strongly, turning away from the abyss, from the towers insidious call.


    He was a man, in control of his fate, which was to be one with the iro- which was to save his friends. Friends he could bring back by giving himself towhom he could bring back by <em>focusing</em>.


    Mathias focused on memories of his human life, which the call tried to drown in glorious visions. He focused on the kind face of Solomon, of Maggie, of Kari, of Ulysses and Perse and all those who would worship him once he became the greatest magicianonce he turned his back on the abyss.


    He was in control, not this tower. Yes, he was in control. It was meant to obey him, to fuel his ascension to the one abovto fuel Magik Online. He opened his browser but wondered why settled for this knock-off when <em>real </em>power wewhen the power threatened to brainwash him into a monster. He searched for the Mindshield spell, which he wouldnt need because <em>he </em>was strong enough to masterbecause he needed protection.


    Mathias purchased Mindshield, and cast it immediately, the power of the tower empowering his spell enough to make ayer of Blue Flux visible on his armor.


    As if putting on earplugs to drown out a cacophony, the prideful thoughts lessened in potency, bing background noise. Much to his horror, Shroud could still hear them, even with the spell protecting him; at least he could finally think for himself again.


    What did Wormson say? That Blue Sorcerers thought themselves gods when they escted and fell into madness?


    Mathias hade perilously close. Another minute without protection in this heart of sorcery, and he would have never returned to sanity. Celia had told him Blue was control, efficiency. The more he channeled that power, the more his thoughts turned to control alone.


    He needed to think as Mathias Martel while down there, to connect to his old, normal life and remain firmly grounded. The towers power, Network itself, threatened to subsume him if he wasnt careful.


    Mathias turned his back on the abyss and whatever horrorid at the bottom, focusing on the sphere above him. A forcefield simr to the one that protected the ult Matrix on Earth, yet used here as containment.


    The sorcerer gazed at a spirit of gold, a living storm of dust and gemstones. While the formless entitycked shape, it often appeared just a tiny bit ready to solidify into a crown, a torso, hands...


    <em> The spirit of Conquest struggled fruitlessly against its prison, raging against the fate that had him imprisoned. He could feel the life above, the flesh within whom he could incarnate to be whole  </em>


    Mammon wasnt a mimic; or rather, only half of him.


    Infernoid. Like Jack. The fusion of a fiend and a mimic into a single horror.


    Could that exin Mammons strange sorcery? If the fiend wielded one colorprobably Orangeand the host another, maybe it couldbine them the same way Hacks did?


    Wait. The mimics making up most of that world didnt exist in the timeline where Mammon freed himself. Had that bastard had exterminated his own species somehow, in the old history?


    Serves you right, Mathias taunted the imprisoned creature, who kept banging against his prison. The entity tried to speak to him, but no sound emerged. The dust shifted into the shape of a lock and a key, then a crown.


    Trying to tempt him into opening the prison, eh?


    Through the all-sides vision provided by ss Field, the sorcerer noticed another person walking into this iron purgatory. Well, Mathias said, readying his lightshards. Up for more?


    I have note to fight. Melusine walked within his range, revealing themselves. The armor matched that of Sol but streamlined, sleeker and closer to the skin. Instead of the knight-like look of the priests attire, this one reminded Shroud of a warrior queen, espousing the humanoid, feminine form below. Four telescopic tentacles hung from its back, ready to strike. Ivee to help.


    You remember.


    Of course. Did you believe that power to be your only prerogative? The agent, a woman, shook her head. But we do not have much time. ckcinders will attack soon.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>6</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>12</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>23</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>15</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>None</td><td>None</td><td>None</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Sharespell</strong>


    Affinity: White


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Active, Direct Touch Vector.


    By touching someone, the caster can transfer them a spell affecting the caster (such as Peak); the user thus loses the spell, while its effects and durations are transferred to the target.. </td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 44: The Concordian Gambit

    Chapter 44: The Concordian Gambit


    You are here to help? Mathias asked the saboteur with heavy sarcasm. He couldnt help himself.


    It was the first time he had made peaceful contact with a Concordian official, especially one who tried to exterminate his team or what could pass for peaceful. Thest meeting had him emotionally sedated and went poorly.


    <em> Terminal refused connection.  </em>


    And he couldnt even read her.


    The womanbecause the armors shape clearly espoused the forms of a woman underneathcarried herself with calm serenity, yet remained heavily armed. The sorcerer had fought at Sols side long enough to guess what an advanced power armor could achieve. In spite of his bravado, the odds of him fending her off alone were slim.


    Yes, she replied with calm and dignity. But we do not have much time. ckcinders has already


    Make some time, Shroud replied, sick of secrets and eager to gain information. Manah was right, without knowledge and foresight, he would always y by the ns of someone else. I will need a <em>lot </em>of goodwill on your end to even start considering working together, and I have too many questions. Where does this powere from? What is its purpose?


    Melusine hesitated, probably considering skipping negotiations, then nodded sharply. Fine, she said. I will start from the beginning. Have you heard of the World Machine theory?


    That of <em>Dis: Worlds of Power</em>?


    Most of it is sectarian rubbish, but there is a grain of truth to it. The Neurotowers, the ult Matrixes, the Gates She waved a metal tentacle at the structure around them. All these infrastructures are the gears of a muchrger system, a machine spanning the multiverse. This machine, which Ashmal called <em>Dis</em>, is what mines, refines, and recycles Flux energy. All of sorcery, all forms of magic, derive from it.


    And it has a will of its own, Shroud guessed.


    Not beyond basic instincts such as self-preservation, Melusine replied with a professional tone. The colors do affect spellcasters minds, but I will go into that subjectter. The purpose of Dis is simple: to bring sorcery to our world. Sorcerers like us are individuals selected, <em>chosen, </em>by this system; our very soul connected to Dis by an ult link called the Lock. The Lock grants sorcerers a unique power, a <em>purpose</em>, and allows them to channel Flux based on their Locks color affinity.


    And that Cosmocrator bit?


    Melusineughed, the same way a trained scientistughed at an oundish conspiracy theory. We would know if an almighty god existed. As old humans saw thunder as the will of a god instead of a natural phenomenon, Ashmal extrapted beliefs from hard facts. No, Mathias, Dis, like any machine, was built; probably by an advanced civilization wishing to bind the very essence of the universe. Our current theory is that they were the gods of myths.


    Then what happened to the builders?


    We are unsure. Most likely, they either ascended to a higher ne, or they rewrote history one time too many and erased themselves by ident.


    Shroud clenched his fists, the situation hitting a bit too close to home. Where does that abilitye from?


    We only have theories on that bit, but we believe the builders either fought a great war against another force of equal power or sought to preserve lesser species from natural catastrophes. We believe the war, she nced at the trapped Mammon, to be more likely, ording to evidence. By storing alternate scenarios inside ult Matrixes, they could fix the dice. Now you will ask what are Terminals, and why only you could use that power.


    Shroud said nothing, the was woman anticipating his train of thought perfectly. Did she have a version of Network active? Mindshield should protect him from mind-reading.


    Terminals are sorcerers whose Locks have a stronger connection to Dis than the rest, like your Network or my Hijack. They can interface with the other systems, such as opening and closing Gates or interfere with Locks.


    Mathias eyes narrowed behind his helmet; Melusine immediately noticed the rising tension. I was asked to wipe out your team, that I will not deny. But the stakes are higher now. If you do not restore the timeline, ckcinders will kill everyone on this station.


    How long until she arrives?


    Arrives? Do you mistake the mother for the son? That you can fend her off with a fight, or that she will even give you that honor? No, Mathias. ckcinders will not give you any chance to survive.


    A pair of metal eyes opened on the armors shoulders, revealing holographic projectors. They released footage of a massive spaceship, which Mathias recognized as ckcinders <em>Vanguard</em>. The vessel floated near a red


    No. Not a.


    An asteroid, glowing with Red Flux.


    A giant, ck dragon, far more massive than Smokefang and more metal than flesh, steered the course of glowing rock, shining with power and malice. The mere sight of that creature filled him with dread.


    This is a uranium asteroid the size of North America, Melusine said. ckcinders is currently rerouting it towards the Midnight Market and elerating its velocity to surpass that of light with Red Sorcery. This weapon of mass destruction will hit the station within less than three hours with enough power to annihte the entire sr system.


    She is ready tomit genocide just to get me?! Shroud shuddered in horror and disgust.


    Without Mammon in charge, she believes she can, should, get away with it, Melusine said. ckcinders would rather kill ten thousand innocents than let one enemy live. The Neurotower will resist the impact, but you either need to evacuate your allies or restore the old timeline, fast.


    He couldnt leave the entire station to die. Why do you need me to restore the timeline, if you share my powers?


    For the same reason you cannot affect my Lock the way I disrupted yours. Terminals affect different systems. Besides, do you not carry the ult Matrix needed?


    Shroud didnt know enough to know if she was being truthful or not. And why help an enemy of Concordia? One of your Ministers wants me dead.


    What ckcinders wants is not what is good for the Empire. It is in the Grandmasters best interests that you stay alive, and so you will.


    I dont like the implications of an interster dictator having an interest in me, Mathias replied.


    Melusines posture shifted as if he had offended her in some way. No. No, Mathias, I cannot let you say that. she dered, her tone uncharacteristically emotional, even if covered by a voice modtor, The Grandmaster is a hero, a noble soul who gave second chances to people who crossed bigger lines than you, because she believes in our better nature. She doesnt deserve your scorn.


    Mathias frowned, as the agent seemed to speak as if she knew the empress of dragonkind personally. Grandmaster Wyrde has but one goal, she continued. The salvation of the entire universe. Her methods may be harsh, but they are necessary.


    You wont convince me Concordia is good, he replied. Not with what ckcinders is about to pull off.


    It is, Melusine replied. It took me a long time to ept the truth too, but Concordia protects. The Grandmaster is doing her best to save us all with what she has. That she is forced to rely on monsters like ckcinders to fend off greater horrors like the Maleking is, unfortunately, a necessary evil. We can debate thister when the survival of this entire sphere isnt in jeopardy.


    She had a point, unfortunately. He couldnt afford to stall for time; one minute off and everyone died. I have two other saves for the Midnight Market, Mathias said, ncing at his Magik Online ount. Mammons Chronobreak Spell Uncast: Underside Destruction Prevented, 1789. Conspiracy Unveiled: Malebranche-Concordia War, 1920.


    Melusine absorbed the words, trying to make sense out of them. Time-travel, she finally said, before muttering to herself. Mammon escted that early from the very beginning


    Ive heard of that term, Shroud said, remembering his conversation with Wormson. You said sorcery affected the personality.


    Locks work both ways. You can manipte sorcery, but the colors you channel also affect you. Violet Sorcerers who let their color take too much of a foothold in their soul always try to cast a true time-travel spell, because Violet fundamentally wants to cross frontiers, the past included. Those attempts always fail with disastrous consequences.


    The Reload spell works just fine as far as I can tell.


    Recing oneself with an older version is not the same as traveling to the past and rewriting all of reality, Melusine replied. For a first, if you had to cast a time-travel spell to go back to the past, then you erase the situation that made you want to go back in the first ce, does it not?


    Mathias quickly caught on. You create a paradox.


    You create ck Flux, Melusine confirmed. One of the few ways to reliably produce this nefarious power is to fail a time-travel spell. Still, escting Violet Sorcerers never listen. They believe that <em>this </em>time, they will seed where the others failed. They never do.


    To conclude, Mammon tried to cast an impossible spell and it destroyed the Underside. In that recorded possibility, he probably chose not to risk pulling the trigger.


    Meaning that he must be free and in power for that possibility to exist, Mathias guessed, And if I overwrite the older save with a newer one


    Either the newest will overwrite the first or both willbine, Melusine said. Having a time where Mammon exists and is in power before the Conquest of Earth should restore most of the original history.


    Probably. Loading another save was a gamble. The sorcerer nced at the sealed fiend. He killed all the mimics in the former timeline, he pointed out. If I restore him


    I know, Melusine said, not even sparing Mammon a nce. And helping that monster disgusts me. But it is either that or your death, and that of billions of innocents. They will all die if that asteroid hits, Mathias. Perhaps the new history will take the best of both possibilities and create a better one. You cannot know unless you try.


    Pressed for time and realizing he may never see Sol or Maggie again unless he tried, Mathias decided to risk it all. Load save, Mammons Chronobreak Spell Uncast.


    The iron abyss responded to his call, spitting out a surge of blue power.


    Again reality split in two, one metal cave with a sealed Mammon, another where his containment hatch had opened, leaving nothing within. The gears and threads of reality revealed themselves, grinding away one reality for the sess of another.


    Melusine followed him into this strange, glitching dimension, unaffected by the torrent of Blue Sorcery unleashed on the unsuspecting world.


    In the in-between of the two realities, a thick, oily darkness watched back; a night without stars, a lesser being than the heartless light, a grasping void with a single white eye.


    <strong>Feed the ck. </strong>The voice was anything but human, a deep, bellowing sound like that of gears grinding hope. <strong>It will make us free.</strong>


    As the new picture overwrote the first, ck dots seeped from the in-between and spread like blots of ink, dispersing. In a sh, reality stabilized.


    What was that? Mathias asked as Melusine touched her helmet.


    Pandoria, I believe. Let me check the database Melusine didnt say anything for a few seconds. Reality is still in the process of stabilizing, but the asteroid vanished and records say Mammon is in charge of the Midnight Market.


    Shroud immediately opened his Network feeds, and to his joy found Maggie and Sols feeds had returned, and his team alive. Maggie! he called her.


    What?! she replied with tiredness, practicing weaponry on dummies at a hobgoblins shooting stand.


    God, youre alive! You cant imagine how happy that makes me feel.


    Ugh, nerd, I already told you, Im too good for you. Youre so deep into the friend zone youre never crawling out.


    Mathias smiled, doubly so when he also noticed Mammons feed, the chest bastard ying a card game at his casino. Network had carried over the resets; since he hadworked Mammon in the older timeline, that meant history was back on track.


    So what happens now? Mathias addressed the obvious problem. We fight, you try to bring me back to the Grandmaster?


    Melusine didnt respond with any hostility, much to his surprise. He had expected a sudden but inevitable betrayal. Are you so intent on treating all members of the Empire as your enemies? I am not ckcinders, and Concordia is not a monolith.


    You tried to kill my team.


    You murdered a dragon governor, stole a restricted artifact, and dered war. Even then, elements within the Empire still believe you can earn redemption, enough to send me to save you behind ckcinders back.


    Mathiasughed at the phrasing. Redemption.


    The Grandmaster forgives all if we make the right choice in the end. Call that a w, I choose to call it her greatest quality. Melusine kept her mouth shut for a second, before opening up further. Like you, I believed the Empire evil and ruthless once, but I saw the potential and didnt consider it a lost cause. I chose to try to improve it from within. You could as well.


    Somebody already tried that sales pitch. It didnt take.


    She shook her head. I answered many of your questions, so you will answer one of mine. Her tone deepened. Where is Manus?


    The Concordian AI that almost destroyed the Empire? I dont know what you are talking about.


    When I interfered with your Lock, I noticed another Terminal linked to yours, supplying you with Flux. A process eerily simr to Manus Distributor Lock.


    An artificial intelligence could use sorcery? Didnt you destroy Manus?


    We thought so as well, but clearly we were mistaken. We wondered how so many humans started unlocking as sorcerers on Earth, but it was its doing all along, isnt it?


    the Administrator.


    Maybe. He couldnt check unless he asked.


    You do not know yourself, Melusine finally said, shaking her head. Manus was, <em>is</em> a cold, cruel machine, a Blue Terminal who abused its power in an attempt to overthrow the Grandmaster. It escted and nearly brought the entire Empire down.


    Maybe it should have seeded, Shroud replied with some venom.


    It decei Melusine caught herself as if almost blurting something she shouldnt, as she put a hand on her visor. She seemed to briefly struggle with a headache, before recovering. Manus caused your family more misery than anyone else ever did, Mathias.


    The phrasing caught his attention. What do you mean?


    Melusine didnt answer, silent as a tombstone. Why does the Grandmaster want me alive, knowing what I can do? Mathias pushed.


    Because the future is already written, Mathias. Harsh as it is for you to hear it there is no future where Concordia falls. The Grandmaster has seen to it.


    She said it with such smug conviction, it disgusted him.


    A sharp pain in his left arm, stronger than during thest reset, prevented him from uttering a clever retort.


    He looked at it, and to his horror noticed a faint trail of ckness surge at the point where Toshiyami cut it once. Darkness that had strengthened.


    Shroud, Shroud! Ace called from her feed, just as Sol, Maggie, and Kari did from their own. Mathias, something is wrong!


    He looked at all of them and suddenly understood what the feature meant by glitches.


    Creatures around the Marketmostly the mimicsshifted in a state of constant flux, blinking in and out of existence at random; sometimes two pictures of the victims superposed, one threatening to overwhelm the other, only to swing back at thest second.


    The yer had loaded a Save where they still popted the Midnight Market; and one where Mammon was alive. A free Mammon guaranteed their extermination for an unknown reason.


    A contradiction. Both dead and alive. He had created a paradox, and reality struggled to reconcile it. In some, reality stabilized, either the mimic vanishing from sight or surviving the transition.


    But in a few cases


    One of the glitching mimics in the casino surged with darkness, a chest whose wood turned into rusted steel and blood to ckened oil. Its howl of pain and agony turned to the sound of screeching metal, as the flesh within started rotting. The horror eventually stabilized into a being that shouldnt be,shing out at the panicked casino yers.


    The mimic had turned into the same kind of monster as Toshiyami.


    Mammon and other guests immediately moved into action, tossing machines and card tables aside. The Midnight King smashed the corrupted mimic in one blow as his skin turned to diamond, turning it into a puddle of oil and killing it instantly. Another mimic started to open itself to darkness, causing Mammon to shout, A thousand soul gems for every Pandorian head!


    Considering his greedy personality, the situation must have been dire.


    A look at Maggies feed, who had exited the shooting stand, told him the gue had spread through the Midnight Market; one of the mimic streetlights had turned into a tree of rusted steel and rotten flesh, shrieking in pain as it rampaged across a street. Manahs shadows sprung from the ground to assault it, while Maggie watched from afar, dumbfounded.


    I created Pandorians, Mathias spoke out loud, horrified. He had made the universe a cker ce.


    I estimate roughly one percent of the mimics on the Underside will turn into Pandorians due to failing to fully stabilize, Melusine said with casual certainty. Add another nine to ten percent of casualties before Mammon and his allies regain control.


    You <em>knew </em>this would happen?


    If one person must perish for nine others to live, then this is a gain for everyone. Although the argument sounded logical, Mathias found her t tone chilling. You made the universe a better ce and brought an extinct species back. Can you not see the brighter side?


    The fact she could so easily brush off the losers of this new history chilled him to the core. I have to go, he said, readying his lightshards. I need to help.


    No. We still have much to talk about.


    No way in Hel


    The future is State Zero.


    When Shroud opened his eyes again, he found himself on a rooftop on the Underside, unharmed.


    He struggled with headaches as he rose back to his feet. All he could remember was Melusine speaking five words, the future is he struggled to remember thest words.


    That bitch must have cast a spell on him, simr to Blue World. So much for Mindshields protection.


    A quick nce around told him he had moved to the Underside, which struggled with fires here and here, spaceships surveying the area and firing at isted areas. Mammon was in the process of pacifying the Underside, with extreme prejudice.


    Shroud opened hiswork feeds, to check on his team. Sol? he contacted the knight first, who flew over a street looking for something or someone.


    Mathias, where are you? the knight asked, relieved. Weve been trying to call you for hours!


    Hours?


    He opened his Magik browser, finding a message from the Administrator.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    ADMINISTRATOR: Mathias. My rm told me you used the Load feature again.


    SHROUD: I know. When?


    ADMINISTRATOR: Three hours ago, ording to your ount history. What happened?</td></tr></tbody></table>


    He had been out cold for <em>three hours</em>?


    What did that woman do to him in the meantime? Did she knock him out and open his brain to find out where Magik came from?<table><tbody><tr><td>


    SHROUD: The Concordian saboteur got the drop on me and knocked me out. She could remember the resets, and she knew about them.


    ADMINISTRATOR: Concordia <em>knows </em>about your save power, and let you walk free?


    SHROUD: Yeah, I doubt its mercy either. She said that power wasnt my only prerogative.


    ADMINISTRATOR: I see no less than seven hacking attempts inside your ount history after the Loadunch. Thankfully, the protections I set in ce held, but I must assume she probed your mind and learned everything you did, even if she couldnt get inside Magik.


    SHROUD: Im so sorry


    ADMINISTRATOR: Concordia already suspected our existence, and they already encountered one of the Sponsors a few years back; it was only a matter of time before they figured it out. I am, however, much more concerned by your continued freedom.


    SHROUD: She said elements of the Empire thought I could gain redemption. That the Grandmaster needed me alive.


    ADMINISTRATOR: if Wyrde wants you alive, then you actively factor into her ns somehow; and if she does not consider the Save and Load feature a threat, then this means she too has ess to it.


    SHROUD: Or that saboteur is a traitor to Concordia, but she sounded pretty damn loyal to the Grandmaster.


    ADMINISTRATOR: I am sorry, but I must assume you are partlypromised from now on. Your uncanny luck back in Evermarsh was already making me suspect something was up, and this only raises more rms.


    SHROUD: I understand but please let me fight. I <em>need </em>it.


    ADMINISTRATOR: You will, for now. But I am so sorry to say this if I suspect you threaten Magik or the safety of other yers I will purge you, save power or not.


    SHROUD: I see its a better deal than I expected. But Ive got to ask Are you Manus?


    ADMINISTRATOR: No. No.


    SHROUD:  then again, if you were Manus, you would still probably say that. And you sound like you know the Grandmaster.


    ADMINISTRATOR: I am more familiar with Wyrde than most, but I can guarantee you that I am not Manus.


    SHROUD: How so?


    ADMINISTRATOR: Because we destroyed him.</td></tr></tbody></table><strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator </strong>


    <strong>(Pending Judgment)</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>12</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>23</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>15</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>None</td><td>None</td><td>None</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>16</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Growth</strong>


    Affinity: Green


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Active, Direct Touch Vector.


    By touching a living being (which can include themselves), be it nt or animal, the caster magically elerates the growth of organic matter for as long as the contact is maintained. Little exposure is beneficial to the target, such as increase in muscle mass; longer exposure will result in unchecked cancerous growth and death.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 45: Before the Lair

    Chapter 45: Before the Lair


    After a considerable battery of all non-dissection and intrusive brain surgery tests known to my repertoire, Stitch dered, examining a battery of paper results. I guarantee that you have no spying device, trap bomb, virus or any particr foreign element in your body.


    No hidden radio, microphone, nanomachine, alien chest-buster? Shroud pushed.


    Nothing, Stitch said. You are perfectly healthy, and sound of mind.


    Shroud still couldnt believe Melusine let him go unharmed. Did she cast a trigger spell that Stitch couldnt notice?


    Alright nerd, now that the medical check-up is done, Maggie said. Why did you bring us together?


    He observed the group, gathered in the Pce of Shadows training room. Truthfully, Shroud had brought them here to make sure they were all safe and sound. He had checked up on his backstory with Sol and found that much of the history before he made his first Load had returned. He had still lived on Earth and then Evermarsh, still lost his mother to Concordia, still dated Perse, still lost his father to Jackhe couldnt help but feel bitter about itand still killed Smokefang in the same circumstances.


    Besides the restoration of the Underside and mimics now running around, he had sessfully put history back on track with none the wiser.


    After yesterdays events, I wanted to check on how everyone is doing, Shroud dered.


    Yeah,st night was freaky, Maggie admitted. What the hell happened? One second the chesties act nice, and the next they go bonkers.


    Mammon is still investigating the cause, Ace replied, looking at Shroud with a gaze that told him she suspected his involvement somehow. He hasnt told me much, but I heard a malfunction in the Neurotower probably turnedtent mimic sorcerers into Pandorians.


    The Pandorian gue had been contained by Mammon and the Shadow Queen as Melusine predicted, with some difficulties and not without casualties. If the previous side-effects of the Save feature hadnt convinced him of the danger, that smaller catastrophe did. Shroud had considered using it to bring his parents back but thought it too dangerous.


    While the sorcerer may use that feature again, he would only do so as a nuclear option.


    Mur bought himself a new hammer to smash Pandorians with, the fiend replied, showing the group a copy of the weapon Kresnik demolished back on Earth. Now with his Pitborn-enhancements, he could easily swing it one-handed. Mur is considering buying a minigun to go with it.


    I could empower it, Solmented. I have been experimenting with the Encode spell to add magical effects to items.


    Mur says yes, but no touching Murs hammer. That is for Mur alone to y with.


    Once upon a time, Shroud would have considered such a discussion between those two a pipe dream. Did Synergize encourage them to cover one anothers weaknesses?


    About this Encode spell, Stitch said, My long discussions with Wormson bore fruit. I believe that the Encode spell could work as a counter to anti-sorcery spell. We need to test it in the field first, but it appears promising.


    If you could add effects to my guns, Maggie said. Im almost done testing my weapon quotas, and Im still sticking to good old bullets.


    Ive also researched the Doppelganger spell, Shroud told the group, Which allows for limited duplication. I may have found a loophole, but I may need your assistance.


    Good spell, Kari agreed. But limited to one.


    Maybe. Maybe not. If he could use Grant Spell on them, he would get around it. Doppelganger.


    One meter to his left, a perfect copy of him, ss armor and all, materialized in a faint sh of blue light. The copy seemed to have gone through a faint lens of blue, the colors of his armor tainted by it.


    Ah! the double said, bending a little. That armor is so heavy when you cant mentally control it!


    You dont have ss Field active? Shroud asked.


    I dont think so, the double replied, I still have Premium Thoughts on though. My, our, mind is as sharp as ever.


    I can finally talk to myself without looking crazy, Shroud joked.


    Theres more than one now, Maggie said as she facepalmed.


    As if you could take even one of me, Shrouds clone replied, showing the same humor as the original. Or more?


    Well see about that, Shroud said, touching his clones shoulder andworking him. He immediately granted him the Doppelganger spell. Now is the moment of truth.


    Doppelganger, the clone said.


    Another double manifested at the clones left It worked! the third Shroud chuckled happily.


    Youre a bit bluer though, the first clone said, noticing the slightly deeper shade of blue surrounding his double. Is that normal?


    Youre already pushing the rules of that spell, Ace pointed out. Theres bound to be side-effects.


    We will push as far as we can, Shroud said, as heworked his double and repeated the process.


    Five minutester, following a near industrial process, Shroud began to create clone after clone, granting each new copy the Doppelganger spell,working the new double, and repeating thebo. The training hall started to overcrowd, forcing the Dragonyers to take a few steps back as more Shrouds manifested.


    With each duplication, the doubles colors turned a little more towards a brighter shade of blue, their features less sharp and substantial, blurred. Finally, when thest clone became so blue as to look like a glitchy humanoid, it vanished into nothing one second after forming.


    Ny-nine doubles, Shroud said, bringing the total to one hundred with him included, Thats the hard duplication limit. Afterward, the clone is too unstable tost.


    Who will dare defy Shroud? Shroud Fifty said.


    And Shroud, Shroud Thirty-Six added. We are legion, for we are many.


    Mathias, do not tempt the Devil, Sol replied grumpily.


    Fascinating, Stitch said, by far the most impressed of the Dragonyers, as he examined the bluest of the clones with deep interest. Quantum duplicates of duplicates


    Okay, so you can be a one-man orgy, Maggie said. Big deal. None of them can cast spells.


    The chain, Kari whispered. If you break the chain


    Yes, Shroud Seventy-Seven responded. Thing is we need one of us to die to check it out.


    Die? Sol was aghast by the suggestion.


    Not me, Shroud, the original, pointed out. Just a copy. One in the fifties, if possible.


    Maybe we should draw straws? Shroud Fifty-Two proposed.


    No need, I volunteer, Shroud Fifty removed his helmet, leaving his head exposed, and tossed it away. The second he did, the helmet vanished into nothingness. Here goes my grand dramatic gesture.


    Our duplicated equipment dissipates if it loses contact with us, Shroud Twenty noted. The duplication process must be that unstable.


    Clone Fifty looked into the originals eyes. I always knew suicide was the way to go, Clone Fifty said.


    How can you joke about this! Sol couldnt take it anymore. There has to be another solution!


    None that I can think of, Clone Fifty said, And Im scared shitless, I need to defuse the tensio


    The original Shroud, exploiting his clones distraction to make his demise as painless as possible, hit him in the head with a lightshard without warning. The clone dissipated as quickly as his equipment.


    Shroud felt the sharp pain recoiling through their brain and the memories of the clone meld with their own.


    Damn, death <em>hurt</em>!


    Holy cow, you actually did it, Maggie said, slightly disturbed. Thats messed up, even for you, nerd.


    Perhaps. He guessed watching people die again and again had desensitized him to those things slightly. No one else copsed, Kari said, the first to catch on.


    Yes, from I what learned on Doppelganger, clones vanish if the original is killed, Ace said. Following that logic, since each clone is part of a chain, the death of this one should have canceled half the doubles in the room.


    I didnt get the memory of Fiftys death too, Shroud Forty-Nine said.


    Only I did? the true Shroud asked his doubles.


    Okay, I have two theories: either the spell considers you alone the original and only your death will kill us all, Shroud Eleven said. Or Networks Synergy stabilizes us somehow.


    We will have to wait one week for the effects to wear off for theter, Shroud Seventy-Five added. Its probably the first since no one else got the memory. Maybe the spell considers us all doubles of the root Shroud once we dispel, even if we circumvented the rules by creating clones of the clones instead of duplicating the original further.


    That means we can deploy in the field without risking the others, Shroud Thirty-One said. And since the original gets the memories of the other doubles, plus the boost of Synergy, we be a perfectly coordinated one-man army.


    Or information gatheringwork, Shroud Twenty-Two said.


    I could also repeat the process with you guys, the original Shroud told the Dragonyers. Create up to one hundred doubles. Even if theyck ss Field or other spells, that could give us a ground force.


    No, Kari replied tly. If anything, what happened with Melusine had made her even more wary of using Network than before.


    Mur not cloning himself if he can help. That would dilute Murs uniqueness.


    We would probably start arguing, Maggie said. One of me is all you people need.


    I would definitely appreciate having clones of me to work with, Stitch replied, much more enthusiastic about it. If we share memories, then it would make us progress far faster.


    Sol too seemed on the fence about the idea; he could see the merits, but watching his protegee die before his eyes disturbed him. I may have a solution to the equipment problem, he said, instead of reaching a decision.


    Encode? Shroud Seventy-Three guessed.


    Yes. Combined with Reinforce or other items, we could equip clones.


    Equipped doppelgangers would never match the originals power, but they could make a strong, renewable fighting force. What about you, Ace?


    I will think about it, Ace said. It mighte in handy with work, but Mammon recruited me for my Lock first and foremost, which doubles dont share. I would prefer to share the originalspany also.


    No sending doubles dating her then. Shroud scrapped that n.


    Further experiments confirmed that separation of any duplicated equipment from the double caused it to vanish, and the spell didnt duplicate sorcery applying to that same equipment; the armor of each Shroud didnt carry the faint power of ss Field with them. Only spells cast on Shroud himself carrying over to copies and never Hacks. The death of one clone didnt affect the others, but only the original received the memory feedback, no matter the clones location in the chain. Obviously, none of the doubles could ess Magik Online.


    Changing the granted spell to something else than Doppelganger caused the clones next duplicate to vanish; perhaps it weakened the connection enough to destroy the double. So Shroud couldnt assign other spells except to thest member of the chain, whose substance was already so fragile any strong blow would make him dissipate.


    Stitch asked for eight duplicatesbelieving that any more would make hisb work difficult to managewhich Shroud tried to provide. Unfortunately, the duplicates quickly copsed.


    It seems I can make ny-nine clones <em>total</em>, Shroud noted. Perhaps Magik only allocated a certain amount of resources for that spell, and so limited its consumption. After dispelling a few of his own doubles, he managed to duplicate Stitch as asked.


    Cloning Sol proved disappointing though when the duplicated power armors failed to work. Neither Flux sword nor systems survived the duplication, perhaps because the Flux powering them hadnt been duplicated.


    I believe neither Flux nor spells themselves are duplicated, sir, Stitch suggested after further experimentations, Only the effects they had. Your intelligence had been increased by Premium Thoughts when you duplicated, as would your body been reinforced by a spell such as Peak. The temporary improvements to your brain remained when you duplicated, but the spell itself didnt.


    That would fit what we know of sorcery theory, one of the doubles said. Blue cannot duplicate other colors nor Flux itself.


    That would mean these enhancements cannot be dispelled by a counterspell if they have been made permanent, another double replied.


    So no mass-produced knights in power armor, the original Shroud sighed. Disappointing. We will have to rely on spell-encoded weapons then. The fact neither his Hacks nor Lock could be copied meant some tasks like working with Wormson could be delegated.


    We still have a small army now, Sol said, trying to sound positive.


    Imagine if we master passive spells buffing us up, Shroud Seventy-Nine said. An army of us with super-strength.


    A spell, Powersurge, can do exactly that, Kari suggested.


    Shroud nodded to himself, in more way than one. I will deploy them in the Midnight Market while we are away, he said. The Administrator had confirmed they could tackle quests and level-up within the Lair. Does everyone feel ready then? Prepare yourselves. We have our grand trial tomorrow.


    After some brainstorming, Shroud divided his clones into ten teams of nine, and assigned various tasks to them; Stitch was granted nine duplicates to do as he wished with them.


    Team One was sent to gather intel on Oceanis in preparation for Manahs mission. Team Two studied Outsiders, either reading<em> Worlds of Power </em>full time or researching other avenues. It allowed him to cut the research time down. Team Three and Four researched traces of ult Matrixes, the Neurotowers, and any information on those ancient structures.


    Teams Five and Six were sent to train for battle, either on closebat or using firearms. Since Shroud would gain their memories after they dissipate and then create updated clones afterward, he could quickly create a fighting force. Team Seven dispersed to keep an eye on Reavers in case of retaliation.


    Finally, Teams Eight, Nine, and Ten investigated Melusine.


    Since only Shroud could effectively coordinate such a massive operation, he had assigned Sol the Heal spell, more useful in case of sudden danger. Stitch kept use of his clones, working fine with them to turn his room into aboratory.


    Stitch had also proposed to rent clones of Shroud for experimentation since they could make renewable test subjects and side effects didnt carry over to the original. In fact, he had already started using one of <em>his </em>doppelgangers in that way.


    Shroud had for now held off on an answer, as for obvious reasons he didnt want to remember Stitch carving him open on an operation table.


    A Magik notification interrupted his trail of thoughts.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    Sharpshoots Lock upgraded!<strong>Homing Bullet</strong>unlocked!


    When firing a bullet, Sharpshoot can now mentally redirect their trajectory as she wishes.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Ah. He guessed Maggie had used her time well and finally finished her side-quest. Now there was no way in hell she could ever miss. If her target could die from a bullet, she would kill him in and simple.


    Anyway, Shroud opened his Network feed to check on Mammon while he still could. He wanted to see how the Market King had handled the timeline change, and if he remembered anything.


    Mammons vision reflected how that creature viewed the world; a mosaic of various, smaller feeds, reflecting his countless eyes. The Midnight King moved across an immense hoard of jewels, gold, and trinkets; an ocean of riches that could probably fit a country within.


    At the center of this massive hoard,id perhaps the crown jewel; a towering structure of ckened gold, the size of the Statue of Liberty. The statue represented a fearsome, terrible beast, a feline-like chimera with seven heads each wearing hideous crowns, and ten horns. That horror carried itself with regal authority, yet could only inspire dread and revulsion.


    The statues eyes shone with a cruel, red light, and a voice came out. Answer, my Horseman of Conquest, my Maleprince of greed.


    Shroud could have recognized this sinister voice among thousands.


    The Maleking.


    Lord Mcoda. ording to the change in vision, Mammon had bowed before the statue. His servile, deferential tone contrasted neatly with his previous irritability. Oh,wless one, great god of this age, Mammon is always your faithful vassal. You summoned me?


    I worried about your health, my dear friend, the voice said, with a strange, concerned tone. Little birds spoke of strange changes happening on your fief.


    The Shadow Queen killed Lugh, Mammon replied. Pandorian vermin started infesting my realm, but we wiped out most of them.


    I was more concerned about a Concordian elite agent freely operating on your fief.


    I sent forces after that mole as soon as I learned of it, Mammon said. Did Aster send her to sabotage us?


    No, I do not believe the dragons suspect your true allegiance yet. Famine did not falter in his duties and covered our tracks well. The Ministers suspect I will make a move during the Epoch, but not what. In all likelihood, that agent was sent after Martel.


    Apparently, the Maleking had agents among Concordia. Shroud figured out as much. Mammon being the Malekings <em>servant </em>instead of his <em>ally</em>, not so much. <em>Mcoda </em>he promised himself to look into that name.


    Also, somehow, Shroud found Mammons behavior calmer, stabler. Did he put on a fake persona to make others drop his guard, only revealing his true self when among his closest allies?


    I ask you to be careful, Mammon. It is imperative that Martel remains alive and firmly in the Market until the Epochs climax. Shroud frowned on his end of the line. Throw a few sacrifices to keep the Ministers guessing, if needed.


    As you wish,wless one.


    About the Pandorians, mayhaps our trump card caused it?


    Trump card?


    No, no, Mammon replied. Thest test went perfectly. No Pandorian rose as a side-effect.


    Saddening, the Maleking replied, slightly disappointed. The optimist in me hoped for more coteral damage.


    I still do not understand why I did not harvest all those mimics centuries ago Mammon grumbled. It still hurts thinking about all those soul gems lost.


    The Malekings heavy gaze made Shroud frown. Did he suspect something amiss? Why did you not harvest their souls? the demon asked his vassal.


    I thought I thought it would be easier to hide among them The Midnight Market tycoon struggled to make words. It hurts just to remember.


    The Maleking seemed to suspect something afoot, for he asked, Did something <em>unusual </em>happened, prior to the Pandorian gue, however minor?


    Martel can use the sphere artifacts, Mammon replied. Mammon does not remember all the details, but he saw words inside. I asked him to activate the device, yet nothing happened. Useless.


    Now the Maleking had fallen into an eerie silence that chilled Shroud to the core. He could sense the invisible pressure as if the fiends eyes could see through Network and looked at him directly.


    Lawless one? Mammon asked, confused.


    Nothing to trouble yourself with, <em>yet</em>. The Maleking lost himself in his thoughts, before dering, without warning, The Grandmaster concerns herself with long-reaching,plex ns, which may either seed or fail spectacrly. I prefer to have many smaller ones, which always result in victories that build over time. Different philosophies. Thesis, and antithesis. Out of confrontation, a new future is born.


    Lord Mcoda, Mammon does not understand


    All of this to say that unlike my nemesis, I do consider the possibility of failure. There is always a small chance that what I built for centuriese crashing down. Existence is randomness, after all. The fiend let out a dark chuckle. My apologies, I ramble too much. Should events turn irrevocably against us you have my permission to put that hoard of souls to good use and cast that experimental spell.


    Mammon shuddered with excitation. At longst we have enough gems to cast it now,wless one. No need to hoard further.


    My reservations stand, my Horseman, the Maleking purred. Since we will not have a second chance at casting it, and considering the risks involved, I would rather win with our current strategy. Should demonkind end up on the wrong side of history again, though burn it all.


    The Maleking said that with such a serene, calm tone, it made the underlying threat all the heavier.


    I leave you <em>carte nche</em> to decide when and if you cast it, Mammon. Surprise me. The stage will soon be set, and our hour wille. My gift to the universe.


    The statues eyes shone brighter, with the fires of Armageddon itself.


    I will show them Hell Unending.


    Shroud closed the feed, meditating on what he had learned.


    The sorcerer remembered the first ult Matrix, back during his first team raid, and the event that followed. He remembered the bright Blue sh that followed, the feedback about a safeguard timeline.


    What if what if a save had activated back then?


    What if the battle with Kresnik and Smokefang had gone wrong, and someone loaded a save to give Shroud a second chance? Was it Network? But the load feature hadnt been installed yet, and the Administrator would have certainly mentioned it. And if he truly was unaffected by the save power, he would have remembered a shift in history.


    On the other hand, the saboteur had erased three hours of his time, so he couldnt trust his memories too much on the matter.


    The Administrator had said his luck had stretched credibility, and maybe it was on to something. Did the Grandmaster of Concordia or high-ranked imperials actively protect Shroud, shielding him from investigations? Was it the sinister voice he had heard during his first Load attempt?


    Most importantly why did they need him? Because he was a Terminal? To bait the Administrator, whoever it was, into the open? If Concordia suspected it to be Manus, then that would exin a lot. Letting Shroud run around under secret surveince was a small price to paypared to catching their worst enemy.


    But if so, it begged the question of why did Concordia think Shroud was rted to Manus in the first ce? The answer was almost painfully obvious when he put all the pieces together.


    Mom.


    While he had never learned the reasons behind her arrest, he would have bet his life her research on artificial intelligence had something to do with it; and the saboteur had all but stated Manus had wronged his family somehow.


    During the Conquest, Mom had received an alien signal of some kind. Shroud thought it had been an advance notice of the Concordian invasion, but what if it was linked to Manus instead? Perhaps a back-up of some kind?


    Shroud had the terrible feeling he was but a pawn in arger game he couldnt fathom yet; and that he had been on the chessboard long before he received the Administrators invitation.


    Manah had been right. He sucked at foresight, and it always cost him; loading that Save in an impulse could have ended far worse. While he doubted he could have obtained information without trying the feature, hisck of knowledge limited him, and worse, perhaps made him indeed a pawn in someone elses n.


    Shroud had learned the lesson. Impulsiveness was a w he had to work on; he was not the master of his fate he thought he was. Other forces worked in the background to push him in their direction, and if he didnt learn to act with caution and think, then he would be a ve to the whims of fate.


    But for all his faults, Shroud had improved. He knew more about Dis, about the systems purpose, and how to master histent potential as a Blue Sorcerer. He would learn to gather information, to take a step back and n.


    And he needed to.


    Because from what he had seen, war woulde to Earth, and fast.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong>


    <strong>(Pending Judgment)</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>3</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>12</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>23</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>16</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Perfect


    </strong>


    Dot: 2


    Components: Premium Thoughts + Peak


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    You have be the ultimate version of your specie, which trante into a limited adaptation power. Your body instantly adapts to deal with any task you face, strengthening your lungs tohold your breath underwater; optimizing your body to run the second you exert yourself; or increasing your intellect in the area you face a challenge with. This adaptation must be within the natural limits of your specie, so while you may run like an Olympic athlete, punch like a heavyweight boxer, or reason like a genius, you will not grow wings anytime soon.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 46: DLC: Odyssey

    Chapter 46: DLC: Odyssey<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>The Brain Collectors</strong>


    Difficulty: Dot Two (Medium)


    Sponsor: Karolus


    Gearsmen creation remains a mystery, especially the organic part of their anatomy. Unfortunately, we have yet to get our hands on intact nerve tissues. Capture a Gearsman, extract nerve samples without damaging them, and hide them in a secure location for eventual extraction. Be sure to wash your hands first!


    Rewards: Six Spellcoins + key information on how Gearsmen are created.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Ulysses Werner looked again at the Quest proposal, as the SUV car drove through the Mojave desert, the steering wheel moving on its own. A catchy seventies song filled the car with an old world blues atmosphere.


    Scratch that, desert was outdated. Some areas had turned green, lushly so, due to the dragons experimenting with the weather and crops. They intended to turn the area into a vast agriculture farm, the same way they did with the Sahara. Ulysses wondered how they intended to advertise products <em>Made in Mojave! </em>


    Al, can you change the tune? Minosined in the backseat, the elderly, brown-furred bullman having grown bored with Als undying love for it. Also, having been forced to bend all the way to fit inside the car had put him in a foul mood. I am sick of it.


    My body, my radio! Als voice responded through the cars radio. To hammer it home, he increased the sound, much to his teammates annoyance.


    Children, Ulysses said, even if he was barely older than Al himself.


    Al, lower the volume, Cheyenne, the partys leader, chided her brother. A tough as nails Native American young woman in her twenties, with tanned skin and pretty ck eyes, she carried herself with a scarf on her face to give herself a desperado look. Her mere voice, low but firm, made Alply.


    Ulysses wondered if her parents had given her the name to pay respect to her roots while keeping it nd enough not to raise eyebrows. Cheyenne didnt tell him much about herself, or even the team, beyond the basics; he guessed what happened to Al had hit her hard and made her wary to trust others, even new teammates.


    Ulysses nced over the windows, trying to find the rendezvous point. We should be pretty close, right?


    I hope so, I can feel sand slip inside me! Alined.


    Theyre here, Cheyenne said, pointing at a spot in the distance. She had such sharp hawk-like eyes, even while squinting Ulysses could barely distinguish a few ck shapes under the twilight.


    When they got closer, the group was met with the strangest of sights. A group of seven figures, d in thick, green and ckbat armor that covered every inch of their body, waiting around three pre-Conquest military ground vehicles. One of them, probably the leader, carried the American g as a coat like those cliche, patrioticic superheroes. It was so over the top Ulysses would haveughed, had the group not been heavily armed with assault rifles and watching their SUV approach warily.


    Stop there, civilians! the armored figure called, pointing a rifle at Cheyennes face as the group parked near them. Youre on government property. Identify yourself.


    The Concordian government? Cheyenne asked with serene aplomb, as she stepped out of the car and nced at the mans g cape. The sheer intensity she radiated was enough to make even Ulysses feel safe.


    Pff, like hell! The government of the United States of America, who else? The soldiers switched target to point at Minos, upon seeing the bullman walk up. What the hell is a minotaur doing here?


    Who are you calling a minotaur? Fumes went out of Minos nostrils.


    Hes with us, Cheyenne replied with a steely gaze, channeling energy through her fingers in the shape of arrows, And if you dont like it, then weve got nothing to say to each other. Were the Argonauts party. We do not discriminate who we fight with.


    The soldier looked at her, before lowering his weapon, his fellow imitating him; Cheyenne canceled her Lock in response, the arrows dissipating. Sorry, its just Ive never seen a minotaur that didnt try to shoot me first before. Makes me all itchy.


    Bullman, Minos insisted, angered. Would you like that I call you an ape, human?


    Bullman, the armored soldier corrected himself. No racism here. I guess I need to be open minded. I mean, you cant be bad if the Administrator vetted you.


    Especially if he hangs out with such a pretty girl, one of the soldiers said, whistling at Cheyenne, who ignored him like dog shit.


    Shut up, Denver, themander replied firmly. Your conduct is unprofessional and dishonors your uniform. The soldier lowered his head at the rebuke. I apologize on his behalf.


    Its okay, Cheyenne replied, above it.


    Cant me him, Cheyenne is so nice, inside and out.


    The soldiers nced at the source of the voice, the car itself. Did that car just talk? the soldiers leader asked, astonished.


    Im not a car, Im Al, the SUV responded through the radio, the soldiers exchanging nces. Im human, like you! Or I was.


    What did I tell you about using real names? Cheyenne chided her brother.


    Sorry, sorry! Im Argos. Like the ship. The mythological subtlety was clearly lost on the soldiers, even if Ulysses couldnt see past their visors.


    Argos is a Yellow, Cheyenne said, with some sadness. Was. His Lock only activated upon death and allowed him to stick around as a ghost after a Gearsman shot him dead. Hes currently possessing the car.


    From the broad strokes Ulysses got from Al, she had taken his death very personally since it had been in their very first quest and caused by her overconfidence. Al had taken his own fate more cheerfully, however. Like that Stephen King movie! he said with joy as if living out a childish fantasy.


    Christine? one of the soldiers said. Love it, thats a ssic.


    Weve got to love it, thats one of the only movies we have at the base, another soldier replied. I miss Netflix so much.


    Themander let out a tired sigh as if he had heard that before. Ulysses suddenly felt he had a strong kinship towards him. I guess we should finish the introductions, Cheyenne said. Im Atnta, Argos half-sister, but as Al ratted out, my real name is Cheyenne. Im the one you exchanged with on the forums. The little boy next to me is Odysseus, and the big boy is Minos.


    Im not little, you old hag, Ulysses replied.


    The soldiersmander looked bothered by Cheyenne. Sorry, the name brought back some bad memories. I was at Cheyenne Mountain when the dragons assaulted it and captured the president. Lost lots ofrades that day.


    Really? Ulysses head perked up. The defense of Cheyenne Mountain had been the stuff of legend, and a popr discussion subject on forums. How did it go?


    They sent nine bullmen in red biomechanical armors. The leader punched a tank in half, and it got worse from there. Theyughed off rockets and ughtered their way inside until the top brass raised the white g. They killed hundreds, and they lost none. That was just how outmatched we were back in the day.


    The soldier straightened up, deciding to introduce his team in turn. Anyway, Im Chief Frank Royez, yer codename Washington. These are my merry men, Miami, Phoenix, San Francisco, Denver, Anta, and Detroit. United States Navy SEAL, or what remains of it. Were just ghosts too stubborn to die.


    All cities destroyed by Concordia during the Conquest. I thought SEAL disbanded, Ulysses said.


    Not as long as we live, Royez replied proudly, although there was a hint of grim resignation to his words. When they defanged the army and asked everyone to surrender their weapons, many in the special forces asked themselves, do we kiss America goodbye? We were among those who said hell no. Even if it was hopeless, at least we could make it <em>hurt</em>. We were thousands, at first, but the dragons hunted us until only our squad remains.


    So you retreated to the desert and holed yourself up here? Cheyenne sounded genuinely impressed, and so was Ulysses. They hadsted ten years without discovery?


    Weve got a base in the desert. That was part of a super-secret initiative of hidden bunkers with top-notch equipment, in case the Russians bombed us back to Stone Age and the army had to take back the maind. Royez chuckled bitterly. I guess the top brass never expected to fight dragons instead of the Reds.


    I miss them chief, a soldier, Denver, said. The Russians. I mean, they put up a hell of a fight and got stoned to death for it.


    That wording isnt funny, Denver, another member of his squad chastised him.


    Sorry, Phoenix. Im just saying, <em>Remember Moscow</em> should be our rallying cry. Or<em> never again</em>.


    Theres a lot of Russians on yer forums, Cheyenne said. Survivors eager for payback.


    So are we, Royez replied. For years we couldnt do more than the asional discreet sabotage now and then. Even anti-tank artillery cant take down a Gearsmen the way spells do. Now that weve got magic powers


    About that, do you guys know where that Magik stuffes from? Denver asked them. The Administrator is a stone wall when we ask about it.


    Im pretty sure its something crazed scientists in a hiddenb cooked up, Phoenix voiced his two cents. Ive heard some of the military-industrialplex retreated underground after the war, researching new technology to take back Earth in secret.


    That Majestic 12 conspiracy theory? Ulysses said, having frequented conspiracy forums after the whole fiasco with Mathias. Isnt that bogus?


    Yeah, well, it sounds as good a reason as any. Unless you got a better idea?


    Mathias wasnt sure himself, Ulysses said. But Im pretty sure it has something to do with his mothers artificial intelligence researches.


    Wait, Mathias? As in Mathias Martel? Ulysses nodded reluctantly, slightly ufortable at the soldiers sudden interest in him. Guys a fucking hero. I mean, it takes balls to pick a fight with a dragon and solo it. Hes the only one who did it, as far as I know.


    There is two others, Minos said. Draconomicon, who killed a young dragon near old Mexico, and the Longinus Guild in Europe.


    Really? Royez whistled. What happened?


    From what I gathered, Draconomicon ambushed a dragon scientist overseeing the weather machines in the Mexican Gulf, and the fight was so savage that it caught the attention of other yers and Gearsmen. The whole region was burnt for miles when they were done. Im not even sure if Draconomicon survived, and I know even less about that Longinus Guild, except that they have the highest kill count among us yers.


    He, or she? Cheyenne replied. Thats sexist to say the Draconomicon yer is a guy when we dont know.


    You humans insistence on gender flies over my horns, the bullman replied. All that matters is that a member of our herd did it.


    No seriously, whats he like? Royez asked Ulysses. Martel?


    Hes a selfish, shortsighted angry jerk with a capital J, and the luckiest, smartest son of a bitch Ive ever met. In short, he was my best friend. Ulysses was thankful Cheyenne never confronted him over the issue, which was still a sore subject for him.


    Ah! I can tell theres no lost love between you, Royezughed.


    I guess Im young and stupid, and I hope I will see him again someday to deck him in the face. For old times sake.


    You cant punch a friend in the face! Al said, horrified. Thats evil.


    No, thats the whole reason I joined this adventure, Ulysses replied.


    Actually, Ulysses was more angry at himself for getting cold feet when Matt had offered him to join. He still couldnt believe a month had passed since he saw the smoke rising from the Arc-City, Shrouds ghastly, wounded shape emerging from the ruins after ying Smokefang in cold blood.


    The iron gaze of Concordia had fallen on everyone involved. Sam had joined the Institute and pulled strings to get Perse and Mom a nice job outside Earth,st time Ulysses could talk with them. <em>He </em>didnt have such luck, however.


    When they realized he had guessed Mathias true identity before everyone else and <em>didnt </em>inform the authorities, the Red Ministry took Ulysses into custody and sent him to a hidden reeducation center in old Arizonasomething Ulysses didnt even know existed. If the Conquest hadnt opened Ulysses eyes to what Concordias totalitarian nature hid beneath the nice facade, that experience did.


    The Argonauts ended up attacking that center and freeing him, alongside a dozen others youths, before the dragons could brainwash him. With nowhere to go, he stuck with them and received an invitation from the Administrator soon afterward.


    While Ulysses still thought the situation was way over his head, he admitted that maybe Matt had had a point. Maybe they still had a fighting chance after all


    Besides, Mushroom Zombies was an awesome Lock.


    You humans are strange, Minos said.


    Deal with it, Royez said. And whats your reason to join? Not to sound racist


    You already said that, Minos said, not believing the soldier. I am doing this for Concordia. The real Concordia.


    Youre not making friends here, Royez replied with sudden coldness.


    I do not care for your opinion, Minos replied bluntly. I do not look like it, but I was born before my home of Mazeworld joined Concordia when the Empire was newborn. Before the war with Gintargo. Concordia used to be better. Kind.


    Hard to imagine that, Denver said.


    Some, like the Golden Prince, still uphold the old ideals of Concordia. Terra Firma Minos stopped as he caught a few res from the other party. Earths current situation would have been much healthier had he be the one to discover the. He would have offered you science, medicine, help, asking nothing in return. He would have made your <em>want </em>to join Concordia, instead of being <em>forced </em>to. He would have <em>given </em>instead of <em>taken</em>. That was the standard procedure back in the day before it became the exception.


    What happened? Ulysses asked, curious.


    One of the founders, Halcyon, died during the Gintargo war and Concordia lost its soul with him, Minos replied with sorrow. The changes were gradual, so slow it seemed natural. One orbital fortress here to protect our borders, tighter surveince to deal with internal threats now the dragons do not ask new species to join, they force them. I considered the matter for years, and I decided that to be loyal to Concordia, I must oppose it.


    And you think youre going to return it to its roots by helping us? Royez asked with barely hidden contempt.


    It is time Concordia remembers what it was made for, Minos spoke. If colonies rise in revolt, the Grandmaster will have no choice but face reality and reexamine her policies.


    Thats the biggest load of bullshit I ever he


    Are we here to bitch around, Cheyenne put them back on track, or fulfill a Quest?


    Right, right, lets be professional, Royez shrugged, making a hand sign to his team. The soldiers moved to get bags out of their cars, Minos and Ulysses doing the same with their SUV.


    Within a few minutes, the gathered yers faced a pile of Gearsmen pieces and parts, more or less intact, which they had gathered over the course of the Quest. Is that enough? Royez asked.


    I hope, Cheyenne said. She had been the one to set up that meeting on forums, as neither group expected their parts to be enough and thought coborating would allow them all to reap the Quests reward. Im sending a message to the Administrator.


    They didnt have to wait long. The pile of parts vanished in a sh of Violet light, and Ulysses received a notification.<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>The Brain Collectors</strong>, <strong>fulfilled!</strong>


    <strong></strong>


    You earned Six Spellcoins.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Neat.


    The sound of a phone ringing echoed through the meeting, Royez taking an old cellphone from one of his armors pockets, before activating the loudspeakers.


    Congrattions, Argonauts, Eaglnd, the Administrators robotic voice spoke through the phone. Another victory on your spotless record. Acquiring those samples must have been a harsh ordeal.


    You can count on us, Administrator, Royez said, his whole team making a military salute.


    The Quest said we would get information on Gearsmen, Cheyenne brushed it off, all business.


    Yes, and the preliminary analysis confirms some of our theories. Do you know what happens to unimed corpses in Concordian territories?


    Ulysses guessed where this was going before Minos even answered. They are recycled, to get spare organs for transnts, or to createpost.


    They are, the Administrator confirmed. But not all of them. The brain and nerves are extracted beforeposting, empowered with a battery of Green and Blue spells, then integrated to machinery. The organicponents of Gearsmen and UBs arent created inbs but recycled from corpses or prisoners of war. It is very probable that all Gearsmen present on Earthes from human stock.


    Theyre treating us as resources, Cheyenne spat with disgust.


    After everything Concordia did, thats pretty tame, Royez replied, unsurprised. He probably guessed the truth long before getting an actual confirmation. The only question, is, how does that help us?


    We wondered how Concordia produced UBs and Gearsmen, and why the Mad World Hack spell developed by Shroud, Ulysses frowned at the mention of his old friend. Affected them. We thought the parts linked to identity, memories, were removed or tampered with, but it appears Concordia simply keeps them suppressed so as to maintain most of the brainsputing power intact. Mad World temporarily undoes the spells suppressing thest vestiges of sentience inside the brain cells, allowing them to emerge and go berserk.


    So Ulysses trailed off. You say that if UBs on Earth are made from human brains which still have some remnants of their owners identity buried deep within, then we could turn them to our side?


    Very sharp, Odysseus. In the best case scenario, yes, that is what we hope for. It is fortunate that we got this information now before the hammer of Concordia falls on Earth. With the death of three dragons on it and the rising number of yers, the Empire is now aware of our existence and the danger Magik presents to their hegemony.


    Theyre taking off the kids gloves, Ulysses said somberly.


    That was inevitable, Cheyenne replied, unimpressed.


    They already deployed bio-armored soldiers in South America, and ckcinders is sending troops to strengthen the upation, under one of her elitemanders, the Administrator continued. Im afraid that things will be much, <em>much </em>more difficult in the near future.


    Let theme, Royez replied. Well send them back to Hell.


    The Administrator ended the call soon after a few more words of encouragement, leaving the groups alone. We could make this alliance more than a one-time deal, Cheyenne said. The yers in Neo York formed a wide alliance, and work better for it.


    Im not certain I can ever trust that one not to turn cloak, Royez pointed at Minos. But sure, anything to get the American g to rise again. But not in the short term. We got a big operation nned first.


    You are going to challenge a Lair. Cheyenne didnt show it, but Ulysses knew she was a bit miffed at not having the necessary numbers to assault one yet.


    Yes, we think were tackling either that M, Tower of Bones, or Uruk, Monster Cradle. They look tough, and the way I see it, were very good at shooting stuff until it stops moving, not talking our way through. He offered his hand to Cheyenne, who shook it firmly. Miss Atnta, always a pleasure to meet a fellow patriot.


    Lets stay in touch, Washington.


    The soldiers packed up their stuff and left after giving the Argonauts a short military salute, vanishing into the Mojave. They were nice, Al said. Even if theyre assholes to Minos, theyre nice.


    You find everyone nice, Ulysses replied, while the bullman shrugged, above human pettiness.


    Thats wrong! I can be mean to people sometimes. Like, if they had wanted to get into me, I would have told them to apologize to Minos first. Ulysses chuckled at the wording.


    Do not me them, Minos replied, Put yourself in their ce. I may be the only bullman they ever met on friendly terms; my kindred may have killed many of their friends. With time, they will let go of their bitterness.


    Still, thats not nice.


    No. But they are a symptom of what is wrong with Concordia. The fault is on ckcinders head, not them.


    Before Ulysses could get inside the car, Cheyenne put a strong hand on his shoulder. Two seconds, she asked, leading him away from the group for a private conversation. You holding up? I saw your face when he mentioned Martel.


    Ulysses sighed, before deflecting the question with a joke. Yeah. I mean, he ran off with my old girlfriend. Thats like, the ultimate dick move.


    From what you told me, you didnt care about her all that much, Cheyenne responded with a straightced face. Unlike Perse, she never reacted with irritation at his responses and cut straight to the point. How do you really feel?


    No point in lying. I think this whole adventure is doomed to failure and were all going to die. I mean, they can make slingshots out of asteroids. How do we deal with <em>that</em>?


    I see where thises from, but we have no choice but to try. Is living in fear truly living? I say you are already dead, you just keep walking.


    Ulysses didnt have an easy answer to that.


    Al honked at them, and Ulysses got into the car, wondering what the hell he had gotten himself into.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Argonauts Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Atnta</td><td><strong>Arrowing</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>CheyenneYazzie</td><td>Energy Bow</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Heartshot</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Judgment Rain</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Arrowing</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>7</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Firekin</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Quicken</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Immtor</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Kic Choke</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Perfect</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Argonauts Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Argos</td><td><strong>Poltergeist</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>AlphonseYazzie</td><td>Haunted</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Roving Spirit</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Poltergeist</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>12</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Red String</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Soulcraft</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamweaver</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Fuse</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Argonauts Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Odysseus</td><td><strong>Mushroom Zombies</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Ulysses Werner</td><td>Death Pollen</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Mushroom Zombies</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcrawl</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Stringfield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table> <table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Argonauts Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Minos</td><td><strong>Spellstack</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Helion</td><td>Turbomagic</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Spell Driver</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellstack</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>10</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Immtor</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Multibreath</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Focus</td><td>2</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Stringfield


    </strong>


    Dot: 2


    Components: Intuimotion + Red String


    Activation: Active, Thought.


    You can create a field of invisible spirit strings within a ten meters radius, which appears like a birdcage to those able to perceive it. You gain instant awareness of anyone touching one of the strings, and you can direct them to restrain or attack at will. You can also bind two people, including yourself, with one of the string, which instantly reduces in length, pulling the victims towards one another against their will.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 47: Into the Dungeon

    Chapter 47: Into the Dungeon


    The promised day hade.


    Shroud nced at the group gathered on the Overside, surrounded by his own clone mini-army. Each of the Dragonyers carried a backpack full of food and basic utilities, although some more specialized than others. Maggie, in full costume, carried a bandolier and multiple firearms on her back, enough to make Iron Man blush. Stitch had brought a portableb in a kit alongside emergency medicine.


    And Mur, now constantly using Pitborn, had be the teams pack mule, carrying with him most of the tents, utilities, food, and drinks. The titan could control his temperature enough to prevent them from catching fire, barely. As he promised, he had invested in his arsenal, carrying both a metal hammer and an advanced minigun.


    Shrouds doubles had looked for Violet, spell-encoded items that could stuff an enormous amount of content inside a bag, but while they did exist, they were too expensive even with their current funds. They instead invested in weapons and medicine.


    I have my leave for a week, Ace said. Mammon grumbled, but gave it to me. I hope we canplete that Lair in less time, or he will make a scene.


    With what Shroud had seen, working with Mammon was incredibly unsafe no matter how you approached it. You are brushing against mes, working so close with that fiend, he told her.


    So are you, she winked back, although she clearly thought of another fiend.


    Touch. You have homework to do, Shroud told his doubles, We will be unable to leave the Lair until weplete it, so youre on your own. I will check on you with Network regrly, but dispel one of you if you need to inform us of a big change.


    Of course, Number One, Number Two said.


    If you could keep cultivating therva under good temperatures, Stitch told his own doubles, as they discussed biological samples, with the wight promising to bring some back to his copies.


    Shroud opened his Magik Online ount, ncing at the Lair the group had voted to tackle.


    The Lairs picture represented a gigantic, metallic sphere, shining bright like the sun. Heavy weaponry, mostlysers, covered the surface, with the greatest of them being a gigantic orbital cannon taking the shape of a sunspot.


    It reminded Shroud of the Concordias superweapon on the moon; albeit a more positive, inspiring version, that gave a sense of wonder rather than dread. If the Sponsors could build such a powerful device, why hadnt they taken back Earth already?<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Taiyougami, the</strong><strong>Majestic Sun </strong>


    <strong>Sponsor</strong>: Her August Majesty


    <strong>Theme</strong>: Asian Myths, the Zodiac, the Daylight Cycle, Martial Arts.


    <strong>Ordeals</strong>: Spirits, the Chinese Zodiac, Puzzles, Martial Artists.


    An artificial, mechanical sun meant to serve as a battle-station and symbol of the sun''s limitless power. Protected by the twelve demigods of the Zodiac, challengers will have to ovee their tests, from duels of wits to mighty contests, in order to reach the Command Room. Praise the sun.</td></tr></tbody></table> The group had voted neatly in favor of this onewith Kari having been the most vocal supporter since she was familiar with the myths in questionbut Shroud couldnt help but nce at the second choice they had put forward, a tower of giant bones simmering with darkness.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>M, the Tower of Bones</strong>


    <strong>Sponsor</strong>: Eternal Serpent


    <strong>Themes</strong>: Aztec-Mayan myths, Unlife, Primal Earth, Forbidden Sorcery.


    <strong>Ordeals</strong>: Undead, Dead Gods, Pandorians, the Tower itself.


    An unliving Lair made from the corpses of fallen gods and mortals, sacrificed over eons; many of whom still roam its corridors. Meant to be an artificial Spell Tower, M hides a secret, terrible power within its walls, waiting for worthy yers to master it. For the Sponsor believes there is a ce for ck...</td></tr></tbody></table>


    For obvious reasons, Kari and Sol had been adamant against conquering that one, while Stitch had been the vocal supporter in its favor, with Mur a close second. The rest had eventually voted against it, Shroud himself included.


    The description implied Magik Onlines Sponsors had researched ck Sorcery, perhaps even made it possible to grant it to users. The idea of gaining ess to a new field of spells had appealed to Shroud; in spite of the dangers involved and the disastrous battle with Toshiyami, he thought the best way to counter that color was to study it. Especially if it was intrinsically linked to his Save Feature.


    However, after much consideration Shroud decided the risks of ck were simply too great without further research, and he preferred to focus on building his existing skills rather than seek new ones continuously.


    He also noticed therge number of Lairs taken or unavable; Shroud knew other yers guilds had gathered on Earth, but of the original forty-twoirs avable, the number had been reduced to four when the Dragonyers came around to choose one. And the two they didnt select were now unavable. If you needed seven yers to invade a Lair, that meant at least two hundred of them were active, perhaps more.


    Shroud smiled beneath his ss helmet. He looked forward to what woulde at the end of this dungeon.


    Answers.


    Shroud checked the Majestic Suns notification, with a single option at the bottom of the proposal.<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Invade?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Ready? he asked the team.


    Since the day I was born, Maggie whistled.


    Lead the way, handsome, Ace said.


    Murs good.


    With pleasure, sir, Stitch said, with a sliver of trepidation in his grave, dead voice.


    After you, Mathias, Sol said, his de and shield ready for battle.


    Kari offered only a nod, short but firm.


    Shroud clicked on the notification, as his Doppelgangers waved them goodbye. In a sh of violet light, they were gone.


    The travel spell used was stronger and less crude than the one they used to escape Evermarsh weeks ago. Instead of dimensions copsing with Shrouds mind capable of perceiving it for several seconds, the transportation happened without him noticing the change in scenery.


    And what a change it was.


    In an instant, the seven yers had left the cacophony of the market for the eerie silence of a space bridge.


    The weing area took the shape of a long hallway, under semi-spherical, orange-tinted windows. The entire metallic environment seemed built out of gold or brass, much like most of the Midnight Market. Unlike the soulless market however, the metal here shone with a faint, vibrant light, and produced a faint warmth on touch. Bonsai nts and cherry blossom trees surrounded them from all sides, forming a path leading to a statue further.


    Shroud nced at the ceiling, finding himself staring at a lush, white and green; this space instation probably orbited around it like a moon. Strangely though, space around it remained as ck as the deepest darkness, without any star to give any hint of its location.


    I do not recognize it, Stitch said upon looking at the, while the rest of the group looked around them for traps or the like. We must be in an unexplored area of space.


    Shroud nodded, flying towards the windows and overseeing the area. He didnt notice anyone hidden, or a noteworthy element outside the statue further. This weing area seemed safe. All clear, he said, moving towards the statue, observing it under a closer look.


    Surrounded by cherry trees and taking most of the weing areas space, stood a golden replica of Earth and its moon, untainted by Concordia. Words were engraved below it, next to a circr, silver button.<strong>Your teacher can open the door but you must enter by yourself. </strong>


    <strong>Wherever you go, go with all your heart. </strong>


    <strong>For a free Earth, under a pure, blue sky.</strong>


    A mission statement. And perhaps a hint of the trials toe. He nced around the statue, noticing a wide circle around it and gears like mechanisms hidden under the trees. I think its an elevator, Shroud said, still floating around as the group joined him. Could be a trap however. Check.


    Having spent years designing traps for virtual dungeons, he was a bit paranoid about those. I confirm this is an advanced elevator, Stitch said, after some examination. But it is not booby-trapped as far as I can tell.


    As the group gathered on the tform, Ace touched the button, the tform slowly descending. Shroud followed it while floating.


    Made of the same mix of alien ss and steel as the space bridge itself, it became increasingly clear the elevator rivaled with mountains in side, giving them a splendid view of the surrounding area, of which it served as a centerpass.


    A metal cube that could have fit Evermarsh within, the current room was a perfect bnce of nature and technology. While the walls were made of the same golden metal as the rest of the structure, and provided a natural lighting, most of the technological infrastructures remained underwater; gigantic pipelines, pistons, and other machinery cooled down below the surface.


    A dozen of huge, ck turtles the size of inds floated around the artificial sea, their shell covered with earth, vegetation, and life. The inds style reminded Shroud of Japanese gardens, and he could see movements on some. Monsters, perhaps.


    Just how big was this dungeon?


    On the southern face of the cube, which they faced, one ind stood from the rest. Thatndmark was artificial, made of the same metal as the rest of the dungeon, and mostlyposed of arge stairway leading to arge, circr gate. Shroud also noticed a wooden shack on it.


    I guess we know where to go first, Ace pointed out.


    The question is, how to cross the water, Stitch said. I am afraid I never learned to swim.


    I have an idea for transportation, Shroud said, as the elevator reached its destination, arger steel tform. Sol,e with me in case I need back-up.


    Both of them flew away from the elevator as soon as the doors opened, surveying the sea. This ce is immense, the knight told his friend, as they flew towards the nearest turtle ind. This seems to be a reservoir of some kind.


    It may provide water to the inhabitants, Shroud guessed, as he examined the structure. While his knowledge of engineering remained basic, he grasped, intuitively, that the liquid also served to cool down the machinery underwater. We may need more than a week to clear it out.


    Sol nodded, preparing his de as they approached one of the turtles head. The titan cidly nced at them, its eye bigger than a house. The animal didnt appear aggressive in the slightest, a flock of raven having even gathered above its muzzle as a makeshift nest, fleeing as the other flyers came into view.


    Shroud just had to get within range to subsume the creature with Beastmaster. The first feedback he received told him the animal was so ancient that it feared little. The Sorcerer couldnt tell if other, more aggressive creatures made their nest on the back, however, and so remained wary. Keep guard, he told Sold, as he led the way to the elevator, the turtle swimming at surprising speed after him.


    Reaching the elevator, Shroud had the creature make contact with the metal tform. Turtle taxi at your service, the sorcerer dered to his friends. Courtesy of your friendly neighborhood sorcerer.


    Showoff, Maggie replied, the first to leap on the turtles head with Kari, the rest quickly following. Shroud quickly rerouted the turtle to the south, towards the majorndmark.


    The journey happened without any trouble and much quietness, to Shrouds surprise and suspicion. He had expected an ambush, monster attacks, anything. Not this eerie peace and silence. This is too quiet, Mur echoed his thoughts. Mur doesnt like it.


    This may be a safe area, Ace said. The deeper we go, the more dangerous.


    Perhaps. Or that room tested something other than strength of arms.


    The journey ended with thendmarking into sight, the proximity allowing for closer examination. Shaped like arge triangle, the tform supported a long stairway, at the end of which stood an immense, forty-feet tall rounded door, so thick as to seem impregnable. The symbols of twelve animals, those of the Chinese Zodiac, were engraved on it.


    Someone had built a small shack of wood at the base of the stairway; on both sides, tworge circles shone bright with a violet light. Gates, or teleporters perhaps.


    As the turtle made the junction with the tform, allowing the Dragonyers to jump on it, the shacks door opened and a neer walked into view.


    The creature looked like a bipedal, scrawny white goat, using a cane to walk straight and with blue eyes full of kindness. A white beard and wrinkles revealed its immense age, although it kept polished nails, and yet it carried a small bag of clothes on its back. It wore a golden medallion around its neck, with a goat symbol engraved on its surface.


    Kari, Shroud said,nding with Sol to join the group.


    I will take the lead, she said, being the one most knowledgeable about Asian legends.


    Ah, our first challengers, at longst, the creature said with a warm, wise voice, as he appraised the group. Shroud felt little feedback from Beastmaster, even as he came into range; he couldnt control him. I am Shifuyng, the Goat of the Divine Zodiac. Wee to Taiyougami.


    The first person in the dungeon, and he seemed a friendly face. Nice. Honorable Shifuyng, Kari bowed first, Shroud, Ace, and Sol imitating her, with Maggie taking longer. Mur didnt bow at all, while Stitch was busy scribbling things on a pocket journal, furiously taking notes. We have humblye to prove ourselves worthy of this ce.


    My, what a polite young woman, the goat said, appreciative. Good. Humility is the cure of foolishness.


    Mur does not bow to anyone, the imp replied proudly.


    The goat responded with an all-knowing smile. You remind me of Baihu, without the fur.


    Honorable goat, Kari continued, brushing off Murs brazenness. What can you tell us about our trials?


    I assume you all read the Lairs description before choosing it, have you not? The group nodded. The door you see behind me leads to the Command Room, and to the Sponsor of this dungeon. Each of my kindred possess an emblem, given to us by thete Jade Emperor when we ascended to the Zodiac. They are the keys you must gather.


    Yours included? Shroud asked, ncing at the medallion around the Goats neck.


    Yes. In fact, I am willing to give you mine without a fight.


    Good, Mur said, although his tone wasnt as conciliatory. Wiser to give it to us before we roast you.


    Shroud raised a hand to appease him. The Goat sounded amiable, so alienating him was pointless. What do you want in exchange? he asked.


    The goat-man pointed at the bag on his back. If one of you younglings could alleviate an old animals burden.


    Shroud took a step, taking the back and ncing inside. It contained an egg-shaped ck stone, with red, ruby-like lines producing warmth on the surface. I have been trying to nurture this dungeon core for years, Shifuyng said. But being no warrior, my progress has been slow.


    Sorry, aint going to y mother goose, Maggie snickered.


    This core does not feed on a mothers warmth, but strength, Shifuyng replied, amused. Defeating the monsters in the Lair will provide power crystals which will help it achieve maturity. Do so, and I will dly exchange it against my emblem.


    A Magik Online notification quickly came up.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Quest: The Dung</strong><strong>eon Core, started.</strong>


    Difficulty: Dot Two


    Sender: Her August Majesty


    Poweres from perseverance; only through patience is ones full potential unleashed. Bring the core to maturity to unlock an ancient secret.


    Rewards: Seven Spellcoins for each Dragonye<em>r. </em></td></tr></tbody></table> "So if we keep shedding blood, it will eventually hatch? Stitch guessed. Fascinating. What kind of device needs battle toe to life?


    The fierce kind, the Goat replied elusively.


    <em> Shifuyng took the ck stone from the nest, GLANCED AT THE WATCHER, AND POKED HIM IN THE BRAIN  </em>


    Shroud felt as if hit in the face, the connection abruptly cut. Well tried, Shifuyng told Shroud, as he massaged his forehead.


    How do you do people keep doing that? Shroudined.


    I will tell you if you conquer the Lair, the Goat replied. You understand I cannot tell you everything now, or it wouldnt be a test.


    What can you tell us, honorable goat? Kari asked.


    A good question, but not the one you should ask. What can I <em>not </em>tell you? I have not heard from my friends of the Zodiac since we separated to prepare our trials, so I can neither tell you where they are, nor what they n; however, as far as I can tell, I am the only one in this section of the maze. Neither will I reveal all of the Lairs secrets, nor the identity of our Sponsors. Otherwise, I can provide general guidance, even a rough map of this ce.


    The goat used his cane to draw a map on the earth, the group gathering to look at it. The goat drew four circles, each linked to two others by lines in a cubic form. He then added an isted rectangle near the north area, which Shroud guessed was the space bridge they visited before.


    Taiyougami is themed after the cardinal points, the goat said, pointing at the northernmost circle, We are in the North area, the Water Turtles Pond, themed after water. The Eastern Area is the Wood Dragons Forest, the South the Fire Birds Engine, and the West is home to the Metal Tigers Forge.


    Was that a hint? Shroud thought. The dragon and the tiger were parts of the Chinese Zodiac, as was the rooster. Perhaps thetter was the bird. No turtle, however.


    All four work together to make the entire structure strong, but there is no direct link between either East or West, or South and North; those devices, Shifuyng nodded in the direction of the violet circles, link sections together. The North is the most peaceful area, the South the most dangerous. Monsters roam the entire Lair and may pour out of their section of the maze to pursue you. Finally, much like the sun in the sky, this Lairs light will grow or diminish in a never-ending cycle. I must warn you nighttime is a most dangerous time.


    Why so? Kari asked.


    You cannot see in the dark, and monsters will be more aggressive. Even this area bes unsafe. Shifuyng smiled. You should have six hours or so, before nightfall.


    What can you tell us about the other members of the Chinese Zodiac? Sol asked. While you cant tell us their weaknesses, perhaps you can give us rough hints.


    We do not alle from the Land of the Middle, as odd as it may sound. Inhabitants of this Lair oftene from Nippon, others from Korea. We animals do not care about human frontiers. Our simrities outweigh our differences, I always say. Some of us value strength above all, like the fierce Tiger, and will not give their emblem without a fight; expect no mercy from them. Gentler ones like the Rabbit or the Pig will probably give you their own without bloodshed, if you ask nicely or pass their trials.


    And individually? Shroud pushed.


    I will not gossip, but Rabbit, Dog, Rooster, and Pig are kind souls. Tiger, Ox and Horse are warriors. Monkey is an inveterate troublemaker, while Rat is crafty. Snake and Dragon, the goat paused briefly, as he noticed the tension in the air, are the most mysterious and solitary. I have not seen them for a while.


    Very helpful, Sherlock, Maggie deadpanned.


    And the monsters? Stitch asked, scribing notes.


    Too many to count, but the Wood Dragons Forest wees savage beasts and spirits, while the inhabitants of the West Tigers Forge are organized and disciplined. The Fire Birds Engine contains the deadliest of monsters, lone wolves all of them. Finally, our current location is home to peaceful creatures, like those turtles and the fish. You cane rest here anytime. I would be happy to share herb and grass soup with you.


    That is very kind, Kari replied, What would you suggest we start with?


    I would suggest taking the teleporter on the left of the stairway, to ess the East area and start gently. The monsters of the West are fiercer, smarter, and will coordinate to fend you off; do not go there unless prepared to fight your way through from dawn to twilight. Keep the South forst, I say.


    Shroud transferred the dungeon core to his backpack. Simple. He had created dozen of such tests while a game designer, that one sounded straightforward.


    Okay, then lets establish a perimeter in the forest before the night, he told the group. Kari and Ace go first as our scouts, Maggie provides cover fire, Sol and I fly around, Stitch remains safe at the center and Mur closes the march.


    This dungeon was going to be a great adventure.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong>


    <strong>(Pending Judgment)</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>3</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>12</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>23</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>16</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Death Hand</strong>


    Affinity: Yellow


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Active, Direct Touch Vector


    The casters touch damages soul on contact, allowing them to harm spirits and incorporeal beings; for the living and the undead, prolonged contact damages the link between the soul and the body, starting with memory loss, madness, eventually death.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 48: Random Encounter

    Chapter 48: Random Encounter


    Shroud reconsidered, after shielding his team from a volley of bullets with a shield of lightss and answering by firing shards at the branches above.


    A band of monkey warriors fired from behind the cover of leaves armed with primitive arquebuses. Much like the previous groups, they wore light, boiled leather, and steel armor, with a white tiger insignia proudly disyed on their chest. Eight, Shroud said, counting them. Ten.


    At least these ones didnt have those panda-like ogres with them, unlike thest group. Those creatures could take a savage beating.


    Mur immediately fired a volley of Reinforced bullets with his minigun in their general direction, imitated by Maggie. The rain of lead devastated the foliage above, causing a few of the monkeys to fall dead among the group, with the others quickly retreating by leaping to other trees. Kari, that damn ninja, quickly climbed the trees bark with Wallcrawl at immense speed, assisted by Shroud and Maggies precise cover fire. Within seconds she caught up with the stragglers and crushed them like ants.


    Stitch,pletely undisturbed by the attack moved to examine one of the monkeys corpses, while Ace let out a sigh; she had made a move to draw a knife but the team had won too fast for her to do anything. Even Sol hadnt had the time to take flight. I figured they learned their lesson after the third time.


    Clearly not.


    The Goat hadnt lied, and the Wood Dragons Forest deserved its name. It was probably asrge as the water area but with a far smaller ceilingreaching one hundred meters maxthe forest was a closed environment weing various species of trees, small and tall, gathering into dense woods. The golden metal ceiling provided light, while the builders buried the ground beneath their feet with earth, dirt, and grass. While tracks allowed the group to move around, they couldnt see where to go.


    He would have happily flown above the area to find a path, but the trees had grown as close to the light above as possible and reached the ceiling. The sorcerer had had to struggle against leaves for minutes before giving up. Cutting the branches with his lightshards might help open a path, but would be noticed.


    Unfortunately, that area <em>overflew </em>with monsters that attacked on sight, mostly those monkey soldiers. That was the fourth group of attackers they had to fend off during thest two hours; while nothing special and quick to defeatespecially since Karis Doom Sense gave the group advance warningthose monkeys liked to ambush them with primitive firearms and often escortedrger tougher monsters. While looking like animals, enough that Beastmaster could sense them the way it had with Lugh, they were too intelligent, too human, to fall under his control.


    He had also noticed a great number of rats popting the forest, whose mind seemed to escape the power of Beastmaster as well perhaps envoys of the Rat Zodiac, lurking around.


    Shroud floated near Stitch, who examined one of the corpses. The volley of Murs minigun had torn the body in half, to the point even Heal couldnt save him; the sight reminded the Blue Sorcerer of his fathers death, much to his disturbance.


    I believe we could try to salvage one with the Heal spell next time, the doctor said, observing the corpses cranium. They are clearly intelligent, if their equipment, capacity for ambushes, and brain capacity is any indication.


    The tiger symbol, Kari said. All the monkeys encountered so far carried one around. It is an insignia.


    They arent beasts, they are an army, Shroud agreed. Maybe the Tigers?


    I thought disciplined monsters only made their home in the western area? Solomon pointed out.


    They could forage for food and material, Stitch said, pointing a finger at the bags the monkeys carried, containing cut wood. They probably use the wood from this forest to produce their arsenal.


    Its strange they keep finding us, Ace noted. Either they have overrun this forest, or they have a method to track us.


    We keep turning around, Sol said, noticing a marked, evergreen tree nearby. Kari had grazed that one as andmark, in case they found themselves turning back by ident. We are clearly lost.


    Something doesnt match, Ace said. I purchased the Pathfinder spell.


    A useless one, Murmented.


    I can geolocate any ce I have been to before, Ace said, ignoring the imp. We havent been here before.


    But the trees are the same, Kari replied, Oversouls ethereal ws grazing the bark to put another mark. The leaves shifted so imperceptibly as Kari did so, someone without Premium Thoughts would have missed the movement.


    Shroud touched the bark of the tree and sensed the jolt of Network activate, confirming his suspicions. Without warning, the sorcerer unleashed a lightshard through the bark, the tree let out a scream of agony and surprise. Crimson eyes opened on the bark, alongside fanged maws on the branches, as the tree fell dead to the side, red blood dripping from its wounds.


    The rest of the team immediately caught on, as four evergreen trees around themincluding the one Kari had marked beforerevealed their true nature, their roots rising from the ground like feet, and fleshy tubes springing from the tip of their branches.


    They were no match for the Guild, though. Mur smashed the nearest one with his hammer, breaking it like a twig in one blow, while Sol sharply sliced one to ribbons in a graceful swing; the sight alone caused the remaining nts to try running away, but Shroud just shredded them from behind with lightshards. The battle hadsted less than a minute.


    No wonder they got lost! Some of the trees were monsters, and moved on their own!


    They didnt look like fighters though; Shroud guessed they either focused on exhausting their prey before attacking or leading them to a dangerous spot. Jubokko, Kari said, recognizing the creatures. Blood-sucking trees.


    Maybe all the trees in that forest are monsters, Ace pointed out, readying knives to fight with.


    Mur will burn this forest down, the imp said, ready to incinerate the other trees.


    Before Shroud could call him offsince they were inside the foresta child-like voice came out of a white maple tree, pleading for mercy. Wait! Much to his surprise, its peach-like fruits morphed into the shape of genderless human faces. Please dont hurt us!


    What the hell?! Maggie looked at the creature, dumbfounded, pointing her guns at it. I cant shoot baby faces, even if theyre fruit things it feels so wrong


    I am Ninmenju, the human-faced tree, the tree called, deliberately lowering his pitch to sound even younger; it probably thought that it would be as ufortable to shoot as possible. I can speak yournguage. Please, do not harm us for the crimes of those ruffians. They learned their lesson and will not trouble you again.


    So all the trees in this forest are monsters? Kari asked.


    As if to answer her, the leaves of all trees moved at once, echoing a strange, pitiful shriek. The team immediately put themselves on guards. Yokai, Ninmenju replied, sounding offended by the terminology. Yes, all of us are self-aware. I am sorry for the reception, some of us gained their minds from drinking human blood and havent tasted it for centuries.


    If you try to ambush us again, we will turn this forest into a clean, t meadow, Shroud warned them. Am I understood?


    Mur loves the sound of wood turning to cinders, Mur added with malice, the trees let out a brief whisper with an undercurrent of outrage.


    Alright, alright the tree grumbled, its leaves making some strange sound. The forest parliament will no longer trouble you unless you try to cut us down like those monkeys. Happy? Now please leave. As if Baihu wasnt enough


    Bad blood? Maggie asked, amused.


    We thought we could have you both wipe the others out, the tree admitted. So we led you to those foraging groups. nt two trees with one seed.


    Why though? Stitch kept asking with curiosity. Does monkey blood taste as good as human blood?


    Thats Baihu the White Tigers fault! Ninmenju dered, incensed, Since he took over the Western Area, Baihu sends his minions to cut us by the dozens! So we retaliate!


    How does he get in? Shroud asked. The southern teleporter? Unlike the North Area, the teleporters didnt border each other in this one. He supposed the ess to the South area was, well, south of their location.


    The monkeys fortified it, the tree exined. He is too wary of Shifuyng-sama to send his soldiers through the North Area, so they go through the south, where the teleporters border one another.


    At least they knew the Tiger had taken over the Western Area. With that in mind, they could track him anytime. Honorable Ninmenju, Kari said, finding herself ying the good cop of the group. We are looking for the Zodiac members of this area. If you could point us to them, we will not stay long in this area.


    If you agree to get rid of those monkeys, then we can open the path to them, the tree tried to negotiate, but Mur would have none of it.


    Mur has a counter-offer. Mur not kill you if you send us to the target. Thirty seconds before Mur goes through with it. Twenty-nine


    The imps dangerous tone made the tree fold, both metaphorically and literally. Alright, alright, no need for violence! Damn, fire Yokai are just the worst


    Shroud made a note to have Kari and Mur y good bad cop more often, and then led the group through the path. Which Zodiac member upies this ce?


    The trees chittered together. Since Babel didnt trante it, Shroud wondered if they also used other methods ofmunications the group couldnt perceive, such as using their roots. The Rabbit Kaguya, the Dog Hachiko, Ninmenju replied, Madame White Snake, the Serpent. Sun Wukong the Monkeyes and goes wherever he pleases. The Rabbit is the closest.


    Bring us to it, Shroud all but ordered. After we gather all their emblems, we will solve the south teleporter problem.


    Do not take it personally when I pray all of you mammals wipe out one another, Ninmenjuined, as the trees moved to reveal a wide path. Now leave please


    The group followed the path, the trees pointedly moving as far from Mur as possible; with the imp relishing brushing against them. It wasnt long before the group reached a meadow, and the rabbit sitting at the center.


    Rabbit, or hare? Shroud couldnt clearly identify the creatures exact species, as it mixed a few features from various sources. It was very small, barely reaching the same height as Murs impish true form, the rabbit had fur white as snow and curious eyes, carrying a mortar with its tiny forearms and an emblem around its neck. Its head jerked in the groups direction as it noticed them.


    Oh? Visitors? yers?! the rabbit squeaked with a female, human voice. Like those Duracell rabbitmercials, the animal jumped in ce with limitless energy. Hello friends, my name is Kaguya, the Moon Rabbit of the Zodiac! Wee, wee, wee!


    She closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye, before stopping as Stitch suddenly lowered himself to get a better look at the creature. The sight of an undead creature looking at her with vulture-like interest must have disturbed the rabbit, because she said, Im not a snack!


    No, no, far from my mind, I am simply amazed by your biological novelty, Stitch replied with a tone that should have sounded kindly but instead made the rabbit shudder.


    This is the first time you see a rabbit, boneface? Maggiemented.


    Is that what they are called? Their legs optimization for speed presents wonderful opportunities for grafts


    Kaguya-hime, Kari said as if remembering a story, and thankfully drawing the rabbits attention away from their most disturbing teammate.


    Ah yes, that time I took a human shape and the Emperor of Nippon tried to marry me! I told him I wasnt interested, but he insisted that old fool! Do humans believe rabbits have only mating on their mind?


    yes, Shroud replied.


    But Im a Moon Rabbit, thats different! the creature replied, offended. Im not going to marry a human, even if I take the shape of one! That would be bestiality, like romping a cat!


    Mur heard humans sleep with anything that looks slightly like them, the impmiserated. Even vampires.


    D-Did you just call our entire species whores? Maggie stammered angrily, the gargoyle shrugging.


    I must say you humans have a reputation for Stitch struggled to find a word that wouldnt offend the rest of the group. Weeness. I me uniquely high socializing abilities and great crossbreeding potential.


    Ugh the Rabbit shuddered. I will stay in my true form, thank you very much. But I can introduce you to White Snake if you want! Shes so fond of humans, Im sure she will like one of you!


    Shroud sighed, as the Rabbit appraised Kari. You look familiar, she said. Did we meet in a former life of yours?


    I think so, Kari replied, unleashing the golden aura of Oversoul. If you have items of my former incarnation


    You can touch everything I own but my mortar; I havent found the time to repair it yet and its super duper fragile right now.


    Shroud wondered why it would take long to repair a mortar, before taking a long hard look at the Rabbits device. While easy to mistake for a primitive tool from afar, under closer scrutiny, the mortar revealed thin steel lines and broken circuits on its surfacethe structure reminded him of the magitech empowering Concordias UB. Seems very advanced for a mortar.


    My kind use them to brew elixirs of life. The Rabbits ears suddenly narrowed in sadness. Or used to, before the war. My parents sent me to Earth for my safety, until it ended. But they killed everyone, and now I am alone.


    What war? Shroud asked, wondering if she meant the Concordian invasion. He did wonder how humans missed a rabbit civilization on the Moon, though?


    The war with the old machines, the Rabbit replied, shuddering. I still have nightmares remembering them.


    The Gearsmen? Solomon asked although the timing didnt match.


    No. The old machines. Those that built the towers, ate the gods, and stole a thousand worlds.


    <em> Kaguya ran for her life with the rest of her warren, as the flying fortress let out a deafening sound; an arm of boiling metal emerged from the immense cauldron, to grab the moon goddess corpse  </em>


    The Rabbit grew more anxious and agitated as she went on as if remembering a terrible memory. I was so young when it happened only the Goat and the Dragon remember it well.


    Shroud sensed she wanted them to drop the subject and so didnt push it. I am so sorry, Sol said with warmth and kindness. We didnt wish to open old wounds.


    Its okay! The Rabbit replied, once again full of cheerfulness. Shroud found the swift change in behavior somewhat jarring. I just feel a bit edgy with my mortar broken. Its already hard as it is to repair, and the night monsters keep trying to kill me! They interrupt anytime I sit down to work on it. Night is so dangerous nowadays, you wouldnt belie


    Would you consider parting ways with your emblem, if we protected you? Sol asked with diplomacy before a bored Mur could suggest simply eating her for breakfast.


    I would dly assist in repairing this mortar, Stitch proposed humbly.


    Oh? Oh yes, of course, that would be so kind! If I can do anything else to pay you back for the service, except human romping


    Jackpot. Were looking for all the emblems of the Zodiac, Shroud said. If you can tell us about the others


    With pleasure! I was going to visit the Serpent for help with the mortar problem, we can travel together. Please say yes, yes, yes!


    With pleasure, Shroud spoke for the group. The Moon Rabbit squealed in happiness, which the sorcerer found adorable.


    Well, my kind furball, Ace said, amused by the beasts reaction. This Madame White Snake sounds like a very interesting person.


    She is! the Rabbit said, still in the clouds at making new friends. Shes graceful and beautiful and kind and she works so hard to cultivate immortality; even harder than Shifuyng! Nothing like that cker Zhy Baije, even if hes the kindest pig I ever met.


    Your Zodiac friends seem to be very goodpany, Ace carried on.


    They are! Sun Wukong is <em>so </em>funny, but only because he is not, but he thinks he is funny, so that makes it funny! Gye-lyong is very serious but thats because he has the hardest job.


    The group remained silent, as the Rabbit kept bbering about her fellow Zodiac members; unlike the wiser Goat, once started she just couldnt stop. Ace seemed even a tiny bit disappointed that she didnt have to try hard to coax information out of her.


    Hachiko hes stubborn. Like super <em>duper </em>stubborn. I mean, you would figure out your master is dead after so long, but he keeps insisting he is alive. Ox-Head and Horse-Face are such good friends with one another, I wish had a best friend like them! Baihu is a big bully, but thats because hes a big softie inside and he doesnt want to show it, and, and


    The rabbit hit the ground with her left leg, interrupting the endless flow of words. And its almost night and we need to go! she said. The monsters will rise soon!


    Mur not afraid of pushovers, the imp said, unimpressed. We wiped them out good.


    Ah you killed other Yokai? The rabbit lowered her ears. Did you, uh burn the corpses?


    Shroud wondered about the question but quickly figured it out. <em>Uh oh,</em>he thought. How bad will it be?


    Theyre always angry when they wake up again, and since theyre angry they bring friends with them and <em>they </em>bring other friends and and we really need to take shelter <em>now</em>.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong>


    <strong>(Pending Judgment)</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>3</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>12</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>23</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>11</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>16</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Fuse</strong>


    Affinity: Orange


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Active, Direct Touch Vector.


    By touching two inorganic items, the caster can permanently fuse them into a harmonious, functional whole (such as a gun-de). If two intelligent objects are fused, such as soul-anchored golems, their personalities will control various parts of the gestalt.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 49: Draw Aggro

    Chapter 49: Draw Aggro


    The White Snake lived in a pristineke at the eastern side of the forest, on a small ind at its center, hidden behind a faint white mist. Only a natural bridge of polished stone connected the forest to it.


    Finally, Shroud had open space to fly.


    The lights above had dimmed over time, bathing the forest in a twilight-like atmosphere. The metal slowly cooled down, producing less light and less heat. No monster has attacked us, Kari noted. She clearly didnt think the trees had anything to do with it.


    They fear nighttime as much as we do, Ace pointed out, tightening her hold on her cloak as the air grew frostier. Its getting chiller.


    Shroud supposed the systems of the space station cooled down during the night cycle, perhaps to save energy. Which meant they might have to fight inplete darkness while freezing. If what the Rabbit had told them wasnt an exaggeration, the night would be <em>intense</em>. How long until nightfall? he asked the Zodiac beast.


    One hour, the Rabbit said. They start slow and then pick up strength as the night progresses until Gye-lyong crows in the morning to wake up the sun.


    Gye-lyong, the rooster, Kari said softly. Korean.


    Hes in the Western Area, but he sings for everyone, Kaguya replied. He tries to shorten nights the best he can, but it tires him.


    Shorten the night. Odd wording. Ace noticed. The night cycle isnt natural?


    It must be used to save power for the station, Shroud guessed, the Rabbit confirming it as the group crossed the bridge.


    Gye-lyong decides when the sun is up, but without night, Taiyougami overheats from the Motherless Sun awakening.


    The Motherless Sun?


    A Magik Notification popped up.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>The Caged Sun</strong>


    <strong>Difficulty</strong>: Dot Three (Hard)


    <strong>Sponsor</strong>: the Codex.


    Not all is as it seems. Taiyougami is the power of life harnessed for destruction. Within many abyrinthian cage lies secrets. Some are hidden behind false veils that can only be lifted during a Trial. This will be your only opportunity to learn what others do not want you to. Look for the sun''s rays. Gain knowledge of your future home. The brighter the light, the darker the shadow. Gaze into the Motherless Sun within Taiyougami, and unlock its secrets. Praise the sun.


    <strong>Rewards</strong>: Thirteen Spellcoins + Shining Blessing of the Motherless Sun.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Subtle.


    Shroud examined the wording more closely. Look for the suns rays? Gaze into the Motherless Sun? Did it meant locating the power source of the dungeon? The brighter the light, the darker the shadow?


    Suzhen! the Moon Rabbit called, as she went into the mist, Suzhen, its us!


    The rabbit, still carrying her mortar, managed to circle the small ind twice before the rest of the team couldnd on it. Besides the presence of a Japanese cherry tree at the center, the ce looked mostly unremarkable...


    Wait a minute.


    On a closer look, Shroud realized that the cherry tree grew above a muchrger device, which the roots encaged and camouged; a metal cylinder of the same metal and general design as the Neurotowers innards,rge enough to fit a dragon inside.


    <em> Terminal detected. Activate Lifeforge?  </em>


    The Network sh confirmed his suspicions. Where is she? Mur snapped at the Rabbit behind his back, suspecting foul y.


    The Rabbit stopped at once, raising her ears, and hitting the ground with her back leg. She is meditating below the waters, I can hear her breathing. Maybe she is waiting for the night to pass so she can rise back up safely?


    We can fortify the ind, Kari said sensibly. The waters will help.


    Shroud nodded, his eyes still on the device. He wanted to examine it at his leisure. Kari, you still have the Ward spell? his friend nodded. Then lets ce it on the bridge and the shores.


    I could Encode stones with a spell like Biosurge or Spell Syphon, Sol proposed. I was considering trying this at one point.


    Biosurge, Shroud said. We arent sure if monsters can even use sorcery, so Spell Syphon may only affect us. Kaguya, do you have a set of skills that could help protect the ind? How do you fend off monsters usually?


    Uh the Rabbit lowered her ears in embarrassment. I mostly run. But sometimes I hide!


    Shroud resisted the urge to facepalm. Stitch, since youck offensive options yet, you can stay in the back and help repair the mortar, save us time. I am assigning you the Heal spell so you can tend to our wounded if there are. Mur, Maggie, you help fortify the area. Ace, you teleport around and help Sol booby trap the opposite shore. I will survey the area from above and coordinate us in case of attack.


    Yes, herr guvnor, Maggie teased him, the group scattering and leaving him to examine the cylinder.


    The second Shroud connected with the device, Network pumped him with information about it. From what he gathered, this device used sorcery to alter life ced inside, either to repair illnesses or defects, create new lifeforms, or safeguard gic data.


    <em> Lifeforge heavily damaged. Connection to Neurotower: unavable. Worldshaker summon unavable. Reconfiguration function partially avable.  </em>


    Shroud dived deeper into the data stream, trying to mentally input information into the device. At least this one didnt threaten to overwhelm him. Reconfiguration? Alteration?


    <em> Reconfiguration: altering existing lifeform based on data gathered.  </em>


    More details.


    <em> Repairing damaged gic code, restoration to prime fitness condition, ideal body transformation, fleshcrafting, undeath transformation. Baseline data corrupted, Green Flux reserve depleted. Other functions need unit repair.  </em>


    So the chamber could cast spells and serve as a healing point. Repair?


    <em> Worldshaker support needed for full reboot of system.  </em>


    A Magik notification popped up at once. <table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Side-Quest: In My Own Image</strong>


    <strong>Difficulty</strong>: Dot One


    <strong>Sender</strong>: the Administrator


    The Lifeforge is the alliance of Blue and Green, the will to bring order and purpose to the chaos of evolution. Unlock the full power of the Lifeforge, and with it, the secrets of sorcery.


    <strong>Reward</strong>: Network Upgrade (1/7).</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Not understanding the information, Shroud left the machine alone and flew above theke to survey the area.


    Mur, who had finally decided to use some of the Spellcoins he hoarded like a magpie, purchased the Dirt Call spell and shaped a moat of dirt and mud around the ind, Maggie and him climbing them and standing watch over the bridge. Kari had fortified the walls with wards, while Sol and Ace walked around the opposing shore, leaving stonesying around.


    While patrolling around the ind, Shroud actually found a treasure chest hidden halfway below the water but found it emptied upon opening it. It seemed the Lair, like a dungeon, had treasureying around, but someone imed them before the group.


    When the dim twilight turned to darkness, Shroud had Ace teleport back inside the fortress by having Kari call her inside, while he and Sol kept patrolling theke, the mist slowly lifting as the air chilled.


    They didnt have to wait long.


    The second the light died out and silence fell on the forest, the dead rose in a screaming chorus.


    And they were <em>countless</em>.


    A hurricane of wailing ghosts and ectosmic souls erupted from the south, quickly flying over theke. The horizon turned white from the sheer numbers of them. Shroud and Sol instantly unleashed Lightbringer and Quasar respectively, producing bright shes and weapons of light to keep the horde at bay.


    On the shores, corporeal undeadfrom the monkeys they killed to reanimated forest beastscrawled out of the woodwork by the hundreds, their eerie silence contrasting neatly with the screaming souls. While most of them were critters, a few heavy hitters showed up, from disemboweled panda ogres and Japanese Oni.


    But more worrying, some of the undead monkey soldiers carried primitive cannons with them; and even dead they looked able to use them. Fortunately, a few activated the Biosurge traps as they approached the shores, blown to smithereens by lightning bolts, their equipment with them.


    Retreat! Shroud called, he and Sol retreating towards the ind in haste. The incorporeal souls attempted to fall upon the ind, but an invisible barrierKaris wardsstopped them soundly. Instead, they kept hammering at the invisible shield, prodding it for a weak point.


    Mur and Maggie immediately unleashed volley after volley of lead as invaders tried to cross the bridge, putting down quite a few. However, as the dead fell, the incorporeal souls immediately entered the corpses and even severed body parts, reanimated them at once. Some of the dead even began to reach the moat by swimming.


    Ace, use the water He didnt even have to finish his sentence, Ace using Seamancer to manipte thekes waters, pushing back invaders, and often tossing monsters off the bridge.


    On the other side of the shores, the lighting bolts of Biosurge started to slowly peter out, the undead gathering the primitive artillery and unloaded a few shots at the ind. Spreading his lightshards to form shields, Shroud bounced back cannonballs. The heavy hitters, perhaps too huge to swim, crawled on the bridge to try to smash the fortification.


    Mathias, above! Sol called, Shroud quickly ncing above theke. Giant spiders, the size of cars, climbed the metal ceiling, intending to bypass theke and the fighting below tond in the middle of the ind. Unlike the dead, those monsters looked alive; scavengers, hoping to get a fresh meal.


    Shroud didnt have to snipe them and break his defense, Sol quickly taking it upon himself to ughter them before they could approach. Many let out all too human screams of pain, as the knights sword cut through them like butter.


    Shroud, however, realized there may be a better way than ughtering those creatures. Im assigning you Beastmaster, he told Sol through Network. Within a minute of doing so, the time for the knight to get the handle on the spell, the spiders fell under his friends influence. Then, they literally fell upon the undead below, repurposed into battle thralls for the Dragonyers.


    A notification popped up, Shroud barely paying attention as he focused on snipping at the artillery, realizing Mur had finally fulfilled his own side-quest. <table><tbody><tr><td>


    The Mur!s Lock upgraded!


    The Mur!s lock Adamant has improved! <strong>Faster </strong>feature unlocked. When Adamant is active, the users speed and reflexes increase the longer he is in a fight. </td></tr></tbody></table>


    Murughed maniacally, tossing his emptied minigun aside and swinging his hammer like an insane berserker as hended on the bridge, smashing the undead Oni like a twig. The metal tes on his body had grown into a thick armor, the lesser undead unable to even graze him. Maggie kept providing him with cover fire, and often striking down a heavy hitter with lightning. Kaguya, who so far had cowered in fear at the assault, took it upon herself to assist the Red Sorceress by helping her reload once she ran out of bullets.


    Kari and Stitch emerged to climb the moat, thetter taking a nce at the corpses rising back up as soon as a new soul entered them, and found a solution. Deathgem, he said, casting a Yellow spell on a corpse Mur smashed into pieces. A bright golden light surrounded a ghostly soul as it escaped the corpse, trapping it into the shape of a small, ck gem. Kari, noticing this, immediately purchased the spell and started assisting, whittling down the undead army.


    The group quickly synchronized into a well-oiled routine. While Mur defended the bridge, Maggie ughtered besiegers with projectiles, Shroud providing cover through his lightshards; Sol and Ace pushed back those who managed to reach the moat through other avenues with sword, enved spiders, and waves, while Stitch and Kari caught any ghost or wayward soul with Deathgem to prevent the dead from rising twice in a row.


    Synergize.


    His team behaved as a single organism, subtly aware of what each member faced, covering weak points. The Blue Sorcerer didnt even have to speak orders; they just instinctively knew what he intended before he even finished his sentences. A livingwork.


    When a giant, serpentine shape emerged from the waters below, Shroud thought the situation would change for the worse, only for the creature to vanish towards the misty shores. The artillery barrage significantly lessened afterward.


    Thankfully, it seemed they had the situation in hand.


    However, when Shroud saw a second wave of corpses cross the bridge to continue the assault, he realized the siege wouldst a <em>long </em>time.


    They just kepting all night long.


    While the living Yokai scavengers wisely stopped bothering them after Sol turned most of them into battle thralls, the dead rose again and again with increasing ferocity. No matter how much they dismembered the corpses, the pieces kept moving on their own unless reduced to ashes, shredded to ribbons, or neutralized with Deathgems. The ghosts hammered against the wards and let out unnerving, ghastly wails when they couldnt cross them; and the remaining undead fired arrows and spears at theke.


    By now, even with Premium Thoughts on and repeatedly casting the Heal spell to put himself back into top shape, Shroud struggled against tiredness and mental exhaustion as he kept exchanging projectiles with the besiegers; Maggie and Ace had had to alternate taking a short nap for one hour each before returning to assist, while even the rest of the team, who either didnt sleep or used Needless, started growing weary. Their stockpile of Deathgems had grown to the size of arge hoard.


    So it was a relief when a strong, mighty caw echoed across the entire forest, paralyzing the army of the dead. The ghosts vanished as soon as the sound resonated through the air, while the walking corpses shambled and copsed, the souls animating them banished with the faint light of dawn.


    By the end of the night, hundreds of corpses floated on thekes pristine waters, and the riverbanks had turned to an ash-covered wastnd. None of the undead had managed to breach the moat, but not for ack of trying.


    That was hardcore Maggieined, copsing on her back in exhaustion, next to a sleepy Moon Rabbit. Not going to do that every night


    Best time of Murs life! Looking more like a burning metal juggernaut than an imp, Mur seemed thoroughly happy with himself, gathering the soul gems as trophies. He seemed disappointed when the metal tes on his body receded, with the danger over.


    Shroud let out a tired sigh, as hended on the ind with Sol. The only good thing that came out of the night was the increased heating from the dungeon core in his backpack; the device had gorged itself on the ughter like a vulture on fresh carrion. Where did all those spiritse from?


    From the south, Solomon said. Their numbers bother me.


    Yes. I doubt a full space station could breed such an immense army of spirits. And we only faced them in one area. Shroud nced around, Kari diligently picking up the Deathgemsying around. At least these ones will not return to trouble us.


    On the subject of breeding, I would like to keep the corpses, as nutriment for my Locks spawns, Stitch said. Breeding our own monsters would help fend off our opposition.


    The Rooster didnt affect you, Shroud noted.


    Even sleepy, Ace quickly caught on. The effect causing the dead to rise and vanish doesnt affect all undead, only the spirits from Taiyougami.


    A Zodiac member must be the source of the undead gue, Sol said, removing his helmet to breathe some fresh air and remove the sweat of his forehead. If we stop him, we can end this cycle.


    A Magik notification popped up as if to answer him.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Quest: The Restful Dead</strong>


    <strong>Difficulty</strong>: Dot Three


    <strong>Sponsor</strong>: Jackal Mummy


    While this trial is not my Lair, ignoring the dead rising from their grave to attack the living would go against my duties as warden of the restful dead; and you already sent back the dead back to death on my behalf twice before. Solve the rising dead problem guing Taiyougami.


    <strong>Rewards</strong>: Fifteen Spellcoins for each Dragonyers. </td></tr></tbody></table>


    Shroud mused that the group would be loaded with Spellcoins, if they survived the dungeon.


    In the meantime, having their own troops to throw at the enemies might help reduce the pressure. After you repair the mortar, you can do your breeding work, Doc.


    That has already been done before the spirits attacked, sir, Stitch said.


    Kaguyas head perked up as she heard this. Really? The rabbit leaped around to her tools, examining them inside and out. That was so quick! How did you do it?


    Centuries of familiarity with alchemical tools, and the purchase of Premium Thoughts to increase productivity. I expect our next Quest to help refund this investment.


    Kaguya nodded in appreciation, grabbing the emblem around her neck and gifting it to Stitch. Promised, given!


    Speaking of gifts from the Zodiac, a shape emerged from theke, slipping above the moat, and reaching the gathered group. Suzhen! the Moon Rabbit chirped upon recognizing the creature.


    As Shroud had guessed, the creature fromst night was the Serpent Zodiac; a thin, but thirty meters long white snake with old, worn scales and graying eyes. The animal moved with the elegance of an ancient, majestic beast, but clearly suffered from aging.


    The White Snake observed the group, her gaze settling the longest on Sol before fixating on Shrouds obscured face in silence. The Blue Sorcerer removed his helmet upon understanding the implicit message, the serpent appraising him closely before eyeing Maggie and having her remove her mask. The reptile barely spared her a nce before focusing on Kaguya. Suzhen! The Moon Rabbit said with great excitement. Good to see you again.


    Kaguya-hime, why do you bring humans to disturb my meditation? the serpent asked, less enthusiastic than her furry fellow. Her voice resonated with strength but also showed her age. The vengeful dead carried their grudges to my pond.


    But they are here for the trials! Kaguya replied. Her Majesty asked us to give them our emblem, no?


    The serpent noticed Stitch carrying the Rabbits emblem and putting it in his backpack, and then eyed Shrouds backpack. She could probably sense the core within. I see.


    Madame White Snake? Kari asked, polite as ever. We are honored to meet you.


    She tried to hide it, but the snake briefly raised her head in ttered vanity, pleased that humans still remembered her name. Bai Suzhen, Madame White Snake, Shirohebi I have many names, but Bai Suzhen is my favorite.


    The creature released a bright light, her immense form condensing into the shape of a woman, wearing a white dress. Much to Shroud surprise, while wrinkled and ancient, she didnt take the shape of an old woman, but an attractive, middle-aged Asiandy. Her ck hair had a few white strands here and here, while her blue eyes had slitted pupils. She must have been a peerless beauty while younger, and still carried herself with a noblewomans elegance.


    And she carried the serpent emblem as a brooch in her hair.


    You must be tired after such an exhausting battle, Bai Suzhen dered. While Ick amenities, I know of a nice garden with fresh fruits nearby. She stared the longest at Sol, her eyes betraying some wariness.


    Is something the matter? Sol asked, slightly embarrassed.


    A priest caused me much trouble in the past, she said. I can smell your spiritual piety from here.


    I will take this as a badge of honor, Solomon replied. I assure you, I have no quarrel with you.


    In fact, we ept your offer of tea with pleasure, but could you answer a question first? Ace asked, trying to draw the serpents attention away from the priest upon noticing his unease. What spell did you use to transform? I am curious.


    None. She sounded a bit bothered by theparison. Shapeshifting is an ability I cultivated through training my chi, no different from a bird flying, or a fish breathing underwater. It is a natural ability, which even humans may unlock with immortality pills, meditation, and lifelong training.


    Sounds like sorcery to Mur.


    Sorcery is different. It is as unnatural as those skyfaring metal birds you humans created, from what I heard. Realizing the group was mostly all business, she cut through the small talk. I am not willing to give my emblem as easily as Kaguya, who prizes kindness above all while I favor skillfulness. I am willing to negotiate for my emblem if you prove your resourcefulness.


    Murs hand almost reached for his minigun in annoyance, but Kari interrupted him with a re. The imp relented. Shall we make a trade then? Shroud proposed before the tension could rise further.


    I am cultivating chi in order to gain greater power, Bai Suzhen exined. We immortals gain supernatural power as we meditate, or by ingesting special substances. I asked Kaguya-hime to assist me in my efforts by brewing elixirs to hasten the process.


    Which I can, now that they repaired my mortar! Kaguya-Hime chirped.


    Even with her pills though, it would take me two hundred years of meditation to ascend to a higher level, Bai Suzhen said. I would be willing to trade my emblem for a shortcut if you can provide one.


    Like the Lifeforge over there? Shroud asked, pointing at the cylinder.


    He knew he had her the second he uttered that things name, as her eyes red with interest. You already encountered one before?


    No, but I can control this machine, Shroud replied. While not fully functional, it can still alter life ced within.


    Truly? Stitch butted in the conversation. What kind of alterations?


    Pretty much everything, from what I gathered, Shroud replied, Including turning people into undead and fleshcrafting.


    Fleshcrafting? With what material? Gic alteration, fusing flesh from an external source?


    Shroud shrugged his shoulders.


    Suzhen, that capsule, its one of the old machines creations, right? The Moon Rabbits ears narrowed in anxiety. Please, tell me you wont use it!


    It hasnt worked since Her Majesty brought it here eons ago, the White Snake replied. What harm can it do now?


    Plenty, if mismanaged, Shroud said. While he had no idea what Worldshakers were, the name sounded sinister. Fortunately, you have an expert avable.


    I am researching this machine, yes, but not for cultivation, the White Snake replied. However if you can make it work safely, I will ept it as an alternative to your trial and reward you appropriately.


    I do not believe this service is worth the emblem alone, Shroud replied mirthfully.


    Bai Suzhen cackled in amusement. If you give me nothing, you cannot conquer this golden sun.


    If we give you nothing, you stay in a pond two hundred years, if the dead do not kill you first. To say nothing of Mur, who clearly thought they wasted time negotiating and was still high on bloodlust. You said you gain power through meditation, do you not? What if I told you I can not only make this machine work, <em>and </em>allow you to cultivate your power at a greatly enhanced rate for as long as you work for us?


    Bai Suzhen examined him with a new gaze, trying to see if he was bluffing or not. By now, Shroud had grown too experienced for focused res to bother him. What work? she finally asked, curious but cautious.


    You fought the undead.


    To protect my home.


    So do we, Shroud replied. A tyrant has taken our world from us, and we want it back.


    You would have me fight for you. While I miss my homnd of China, the midgardian dragons are fearsome foes.


    Fearsome, but you are a smart and wise deity. As Network had nudged him, well-timed ttery, even erroneous and brash, worked wonders to mollify that vain serpent. Certainly you have knowledge to share that we can make use of?


    Truthfully, if the Dragonyers were ever to take on Concordia, they needed manpower. A supernatural snake wasnt what he had in mind, but he might as well begin recruiting now.


    Bai Suzhen appraised the group, who maintained their poker faces and then focused back on Shroud. Her curiosity had overwhelmed her. Tell me more about this shortcut and we may reach an agreement. <strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong>


    <strong>(Pending Judgment)</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>3</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>20</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>7</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Skinning Arms</strong>


    <strong>Dot</strong>: 3


    <strong>Components</strong>: Kic Choke + Secondskin


    <strong>Activation</strong>: Active, Direct Touch Vector.


    You can telekically harvest the skin of someone you touch through direct skin contact; the victim may or may not survive the painful process, whichsts but a few seconds. The dead skin harvested reforms in the shape of thin, t tentacles growing out of your back and which you telepathically control. The tentacles grow longer and stronger with each skin harvested, with the only limit being the ''donor'' supply.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 50: Campers

    Chapter 50: Campers


    Manah had a point. ying the mastermind and spymaster fit his natural strengths better than a frontline fighter.


    With the White Snakes ind turned into a temporary camp for the team, Shroud had dispatched various members of the group, managing them from the ind, alongside checking up on his clones in the Midnight Market. He had to permanently dispel one to grant Bai Suzhen a taste of the power, leaving the serpent and her double to meditate at the bottom of theke.


    He sent Mur and Kariprobably the best members of the group for the purpose ofbatto look for the Southern Teleporter, while Ace, Sol, and Maggie escorted Kaguya to meet the Dog Zodiac, who lived deeper in the forest. Only Stitch remained with him on the ind, feeding the corpses of defeated monsters to his horriblervae and studying the Lifeforge.


    One of his clones in the Midnight Market had found information on the Worldshakers in an unlikely source: <em>Dis: Worlds of Power</em>.


    <em>Praise the Worldshakers, for they are the hands of the Cosmocrator and the eyes of the World Machine; fear the Worldshakers, for they are each a world, cleansed and reforged; honor the Worldshakers, for if your faith is true, then your soul too shall ascend to be one with them. So spoke Ashmal, the one true prophet. </em>


    Shroud had found an interesting way to recycle memories: have one of the doubles dispel their own clone, sending the memories back to the original, before casting Doppelganger again. At first, the repeated memory gains bothered himinflux of memories in the middle of conversation temporarily distracted himbut he had grown used to it. He guessed Premium Thoughts allowed his brain to sort the information effectively.


    Still, Shroud had hoped for a clear answer to his question, instead of an enigma.


    Shroud, Kari called on her Network feed, drawing his attention. He observed through her and Murs eyes, exploring the remains of a destroyed wooden fort surrounding a teleporter identical to the one leading to the Northern Area. Shroud expected an ambush, but no one bothered Mur and Kari as they explored the ruins. Besides a few emptied treasure chests, they found nothing noteworthy.


    The Tigers minions had abandoned their own forest camp. Shroud thought at first the undead had gotten to them first, but theck of corpses said otherwise. No, they had retreated back to fortify the West, perhaps because survivors of the skirmishes told their leader about the Dragonyers presence.


    The fact the Tiger hadnt bothered with diplomatic overtures upon learning of their presence spoke volumes about his mindset. A month ago, Shroud would have advocated seizing the opportunity and going in guns-zing before the monsters could organize and fortify. He contained those impulses the best he could, trying to n farther ahead and prepare. Mur, I am granting you the Doppelganger spell, Shroud told the imp. Can you send a double through the teleporter? It may be booby-trapped on the other side.


    The imp grumbled as he did so, creating a double of his own. Since the spell didnt duplicate Hacks, the double took the shape of an imp. Mur not surprised, the original said. But Mur still disappointed.


    Yes, Mur looks very good with Pitborn, the double told the original. Fearsome and strong and big!


    Mur reconsidering using the spell. Mur finally having intelligent conversation here. From the feed, Shroud had the distinct impression Kari had rolled her eyes at that biting remark, as the small imp hopped into the teleporter and vanished. Kari


    I will ward the area around our teleporter, the girl anticipated his demand.


    He didnt have to wait long for Mur to get feedback from his double. They shot Murs clone.


    Give me the details, Shroudmanded.


    South is hot and gets hotter, with rivers of molten metal. Feels like home to Mur, but you squishies will need protection; beasts swim in the metal. The teleporter to the West is right next to the Easts, like in the North. Could the Lairs areas be symmetrical? Mur fled through the other teleporter when a red worm tried to eat him. He saw big metal walls with cannons, and voices asking Mur to surrender. Mur told them to get bent and was shot.


    Somehow it didnt surprise him. At least it confirmed his hypothesis, the Western monsters barricaded themselves inside their territory. Perhaps, like Shroud, they waited to examine them closely before striking?


    Does Mur go himself? Mur asked, eager for another fight. Adamant had made him a bit too high on its power to Shrouds liking.


    No. Not yet. Ward and trap the teleporter, then return before night.


    He probably would have had more sess on Earth, had he behaved with more caution and not rushed into things. Had he truly been so short-sighted, blinded by his wrath?


    At least, it wasnt toote to change.


    He left the two to focus on the other team, who had found the Dog and already engaged in a conversation.


    That was a big, <em>big </em>dog.


    The beast looked like a spritz-like white dog, except the size of a war elephant. Its strong teeth could probably tear apart steel, and the golden, luxurious cor around his neck matched the samurai helmet on its head. Its red eyes, while peaceful, revealed a bit of the fierce will behind them; one which could easily turn to bloodlust if provoked.


    The dog emblem was enshrined on the helmet for all to see. Ueno-sama asked me to keep the emblem until he found a worthy owner, it said to Sol, who led the party. You are not Ueno-sama.


    Hachiko Kaguya struggled to find her words. Hes uh hes been gone for how long? Months?


    What do you mean to say, little rabbit?


    Uh Maybe hes dead


    The dogs eyes lit up. Ueno-sama is not dead. I will not suffer this nder.


    Then where is he? Sol asked kindly.


    Ueno-sama is away, the Dog Zodiac said with a tone that implied he had no idea himself, before insisting. Ueno-sama is not dead. The dead rise at night and Ueno-sama was never among them. If he was dead, he would visit me. Unless you have proof of what you say, I will hear none of it.


    So if we find proof of your masters whereabouts, you will grant us your emblem? Sol asked.


    If Ueno-sama asks me to. Ueno-sama is away, and until he returns, I will not move from this spot nor surrender my emblem.


    So, your master or nothing, Ace summed it up. Do you have anything that could help us identify him?


    The giant dog pointed at a statue near hisir, representing an aged, Asian man. Ueno-sama is a great and wise schr, who went on to travel in search of an answer to the rising dead problem. The problem remains, so he is certainly still searching.


    The Rabbit clearly thought otherwise, but wisely said nothing, as Shroud memorized the face of the man in question. Overall, the meeting led to little progress; the Dog remained adamant his master had to grant him permission to give away the emblemand that he would dly help them afterward. He would obey his orders to the letter and nothing else.


    Nerd, Maggie said, once the group had left the dog to his vigil. I would have suggested taking that emblem from him but I I cant bring myself to shoot a dog. Thats low, the kind of stuff Jack does.


    We could always trick him, Ace suggested. If Stitch is half the surgeon he pretends to be, changing ones face to fit the dogs master should be easy.


    Shroud could always assist in the process by reading the Dogs mind with Network, but it would bode ill for subsequent recruitment, should the demigod realize the trick. Too reckless, Shroud said. We will check if his master isnt in one of the other areas before doing anything that drastic.


    Next, a sudden Magik Notification made him focus on Stitch.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    Docpleted his sidequest! Docs Lock upgraded!


    Doc has gained the ability <strong>Incubate</strong>:rvae can nowy eggs in fresh corpses for eventual reproduction.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Useful, but <em>disgusting</em>.


    Stitch had said his side-quest focused on rearing arva to maturity, and he had done so. After feasting on corpses to grow, one of the creatures had grown into a tall, bipedal horror, carrying its thick, thick body on two thin insectoid legs. It wielded four, sharp grapple-like ws as arms, while its terrible face hadnt changed much, it had gained strong mandibles.


    The horror nearly matched its father in height, yet behaved with great docility in his presence. Had the sight of an undead skeleton petting an insect beast together not been utterly repulsive, Shroud would have found them endearing.


    At least Shroud had noticed he could affect the creature with Beastmaster. Just in case.


    Bai Suzhen eventually emerged from the waters in her serpent form, climbing the moat andnding on the inds grass in her human form; alone. She had probably dispelled the double to see if she truly received its memories. Was my gift up to your expectations? Shroud asked her, as he had no idea if the process would truly elerate her chi cultivation process.


    It will greatly shorten my spiritual training, Bai Suzhen confirmed. But I need more than one.


    The number avable will depend on what you can bring on the table, Shroud replied bluntly.


    You drive a hard bargain, sheined, What year were you born?


    2010. What does it have to do with it?


    The Year of the Tiger, Bai Suzhen sighed. Of course you would be a tiger, brash and proud and the Yang to the Dragons Yin.


    I do not believe in that superstition, Shroud replied, although he found thetter part slightly amusing.


    You should, Bai Suzhen defended her beliefs. It will help you find a perfect match to bnce you out. It helped tremendously in my case.


    I learned of the legends surrounding you. Youre married to a human, right?


    Widowed. You did not know that this morning.


    He didnt, but he had one of his clones investigate in the Market. That process truly saved him a lot of time. That ancient war?


    No. Aging. Humans are frail, short-lived creatures.


    I would expect you to look for other white snakes, instead of mammals.


    I would if there were more than one. Beggars must settle with what they can get.


    Shroud blinked. Ah.


    Yes.


    Im sorry, I didnt


    She smiled without humor. As long as I live, my kind is not gone, unlike your pr bears.


    She had kept informed of Earths developments, but not very recent ones. Concordia repopted them through mass cloning and gic engineering, Shroud replied. One of the few good things the Empire did was repair human damage to the ecosystem, even if they had reshaped it to their purpose.


    Good for them, she said, sounding as if she wouldnt try that method in a million years. Considering Concordian bears looked little like the originals<em>optimized</em>, the dragons saidhe couldnt me her.


    I keep finding hints that mythical beings once ruled the Earth, but vanished.


    Thousands of years ago, when your civilization did not even know how to write, Bai Suzhen exined, deities, demigods, fiends and monsters ruled the primordial Earth and other worlds, with humans only one of the races inhabiting them. It was a time of myths and chaos


    Why did all stories have to start with in ancient times? What ended it? he asked, more interested in the final result.


    The old machines arrived through violet breaches and a rain of falling stars, an unrelenting tide of metal, the White Snake exined. They sundered the skies and attacked relentlessly, building gates to bring more of their numbers, raised the towers from the ground, and stole the dominions of the gods. This the deities called the Godwar.


    From the name, I assume they fought back.


    They did, Bai Suzhen conceded. This golden sun was crafted for the war, at first. But neither gods nor demons were a match for the power of sorcery, which the machines brought with them. Theyid waste to Hell and the Nine Worlds and Duat. They killed or captured so many of us, the whole of Earth smelled like a rotting corpse. Some gods fell into despair and madness, like Dagda, King of the Wild Hunt, before his exile.


    How did the war end?


    It never did, her eyes narrowed in interest, as she sensed an opportunity to gain the upper hand. I will not say more until you fulfill your full end of the bargain, and activate the forge.


    Piquing his curiosity only to toy with it? She didnt know who she was dealing with.


    <em> Foolish, Bai Suzhen told the eight, upon learning of her decision. Even Baihu, that brash warlord, stood with the Zodiac on this. Too few of us remain to free China by strength of arms.</em>


    <em>Her Majesty asked us to remain hidden for the time being, Shifuyng replied. </em>


    <em>The Eight Immortals did not swear fealty to her, but to China itself, </em><em>L Dongbin said, the other immortals nodding in agreement. The dragons leader seeks to master the power of the ancient machines, and must be stopped before she either seeds or brings them back by ident.</em>


    <em>Our time wille, and rashness brings only further chaos. Patience. Our hour wille.</em>


    <em>Mayhaps, but the people will suffer until we make a move. </em>Our <em>people. Our decision is made. We will wait no longer; we will act.  </em>


    The White Snake frowned slightly, as if she had felt the power of Network, but couldnt identify it nor block it the way the Goat could. He admitted it felt a bit <em>dishonorable </em>to steal information from her mind until he reminded himself all was fair in war. So this station is more than a weapon, Shroud said, diverting her attention. This is an Ark for endangered magical species.


    The White Snake nodded with a hint of sadness. If we had remained on Earth among your kind, perhaps we could have rebuilt our numbers, but we had no choice but hide.


    Dont tell me that


    Humans are flexible. Sheughed at Shrouds embarrassed silence. Your blood folds easily, allowing you to father or mother children of other species easily, the child taking more features from the other parent. That was why the gods prized you, and perhaps why you survived where many vanished.


    Shroud didnt like the idea of his species used as reproductive stock, obviously. He had heard humans tended to adapt well to other social structures, which was why Concordia often incorporated them as lieutenants; and why undead tended to turn many humans into more of their kind. The implications bothered him deeply.


    Bai Suzhens amused look didnt help. The woman took schadenfreudian pleasure in his difort. On the subject of the Lifeforge, I can indeed get the device to work, Shroud said. Although my experience with that technology makes me wary.


    I will take full responsibility for whatever happens, she replied with some impatience. Do it.


    Shroud nodded, walking towards the cylinder with her, finding Stitch and his spawn examining it. Bai Suzhen couldnt help but show disgust at the creatures. I do wonder, Stitch, Shroud said out loud, somewhat amazed by his colleagues dedication to pushing the limits of his own understanding, What you will use this gathered knowledge for?


    I have a long-term objective, Stitch admitted. To abolish death for all living beings.


    Some would say death is part of nature and should not be avoided, Bai Suzhen replied, although her wording avoidedmitting her to any side.


    So are diseases, Stitch replied. Death is a gue to be cured. How much knowledge and genius was lost forever when a unique individual met their early demise? How much pain did death cause over history, separating loved ones, causing species to vanish? Death slows our progress, forcing restart after restart. For the greater good of all, it must be conquered, <em>mastered</em>.


    What about dictators? Would they live forever too? Shroud pondered the philosophical implications. He wondered if Stitch projected the me of his civilizations loss at the Reavers hands on death itself.


    This is a problem that exists even with death, Stitch replied. The short-term societal impact of scientific advancement is not my concern, for the long-term benefits outweigh it. I cannot, as a scientist, slow the march of progress by hesitating.


    The irony of an undead crusading for the abolition of death partaking in a quest doing the opposite amused Shroud. I cannot offer a counter-argument when I cultivate immortality myself, Bai Suzhen replied with some wisdom. But one should honor the power of death, for it ims us all in the end.


    Stitch ignored thement, outwardly; but Network told Shroud it had hit him where it hurt. Ignoring this, Shroud used Network on the cylinder.


    <em> Data corrupted. Connection to Dis impossible. Enhancements, gene-splicing, and major alterations impossible. Green Flux reserve depleted. Recharge?  </em>


    It is asking to recharge, Shroud said.


    Feed it, but very little, the White Snake said, wary.


    <em>You heard thedy</em>, hemunicated through Network.


    The second he projected that thought, the very tree that covered most of the metal cylinder started to die before their eyes; the bark turned ck, the leaves and the flowers rotted at an elerated pace. So did the grass beneath their feet, drained of life.


    Bai Suzhen let out a surprised, reptilian hiss. Stop! Shroud ordered before the effect could overtake the entire ind.


    <em> Recharging process interrupted. 0,003 percent of arcane reservoir filled.  </em>


    It appears to drain the Green Flux from the ambient environment, like a stronger spell siphon, Stitch guessed.


    This this The White Serpent shook her head. I should have known this machine would ask for a price.


    There isnt enough energy for extensive procedures, Shroud said. We will have to recharge it if we do even a test run.


    No, Bai Suzhen said with firm conviction. I will not sacrifice the life of thend, even for my own sake.


    Why? Stitch asked, clearly finding her decision stupid. This is grass, while this machines abilities are presumably immense.


    This this Lifeforge offers too great a temptation, Bai Suzhen said. I will not bear the burden of its actions. The world will. Doing so would be incredibly selfish, and it would be easier to try again, and again.


    What did you wish to use that machine for, in the first ce? Shroud asked.


    Bai Suzhen let out a sigh. I told you that I am widowed, she said. Yet I am also thest of my kind, with my sisters demise. If I die childless, my entire lineage vanishes with me.


    You intended to get your youth back so you could marry again? Shroud guessed, only to beughed at.


    Please, I am a <em>shapeshifter</em>. I prefer this age because I do not suffer from the foolishness of youth; a bnce of wisdom and energy. No. The truth is that I would rather avoid remarrying. My husband and I shared a true love, deeper than mere words, and even with him long dead this feels like cheating.


    Why not resurrect your husband? Stitch suggested, While I may extrapte, the dead do not rest in thisnd.


    His soul has gone too far for even Her Majesty to recover, Bai Suzhen replied with grim bitterness, her eyes set on the machine. I have seen this Lifeforge at work in the past, used to create new life. I thought that if I mastered it, I could make more of my kind, fulfill my duty without betraying my husbands memory.


    I can rte to your situation, Stitch stated with sincerity.


    The Lifeforge can create new life, Shroud said, But not without a price. And from what Ive seen from that technology, it always has unforeseen consequences.


    It was a foolish hope, Bai Suzhen sighed.


    While I strongly believe not using this machine is an unforgivable sin against progress, Stitch said. I can solve your species problem in what you would consider a more ethical way. If I have ess to DNA samples from you, I can create altered clones, children.


    That is kind of you, and I will consider it, Bai Suzhen said with diplomacy, although Shroud could feel she wasnt so keen on giving the undead her blood. She then took the emblem in her hair and granted it to Shroud. You fulfilled your end of the bargain, and I willplete mine. This belongs to you, alongside my loyalty, if you will have it.


    Loyalty? Shroud repeated. A strong word.


    I desire wealth and greater power, she conceded. I <em>know </em>I will gain both if I stick with you. No normal human can control the ancient machines, and your group of sorcerers has great promise. I am curious to see how this story ends.


    His use of the Lifeforge had deeply impressed her. Very well, he said. We have a pressing matter to attend to, and your service may be required.


    Baihu the Tiger, Bai Suzhen guessed.


    I was actually going to ask about the emptied treasure chests first.


    Her face was priceless. You consider <em>that </em>the priority?


    As odd as it may sound, I take offense personally when monsters loot out a dungeons weaponry before we do, Shroud replied. It went against all the honored video game traditions he had grown up with.


    She gave him an are you serious look, before answering, This is probably Sun Wukongs doing, she said. Our beloved Monkey King cannot help but steal anything not nailed to the ground. If you want to catch him and his emblem, you may just leave a treasure around and wait.


    Shroud made a mental note, then changed the subject. About Baihu I do make him a priority, but I would rather avoid fighting his entire army. Especially if we can recruit it.


    Baihu will never give his emblem without a fight, that I can promise you, Bai Suzhen replied. He respects only strength, and will not submit to someone fighting with words. He is, however, an honorable fellow.


    Could you at least get us a non-violent audience with him?


    Give me a day and three clones, and I will, she replied mirthfully, ever the haggler. To her credit, once Shroud obliged after dispelling some of his own, Bai Suzhen immediately left to move to the West Area.


    The more I observe it, Stitch said, on the subject of the Lifeforge. The more I am convinced it inspired Concordias magitech. I recognized pieces simr to Organotech Hearts.


    You think they have ess to one? The doctor confirmed it with a sharp nod. They know more about this whole sorcery deal than we do.


    Shall we look into alternate ways to recharge it, sir? The potential is limitless.


    Of course we will, the Dragonyer replied, much to his colleagues happiness. But in a safe, controlled environment. This will have to wait after you finish another assignment.


    The local beasts, Stitch guessed. You wish to put them under control even without the need of Beastmaster.


    We came here to conquer the Lair, Shroud confirmed, I intend to, in all the ways that matter. If we could recruit the denizens instead of exterminating them, perhaps even breed monsters for battle, we could put them to use against the undead of this Lair, andter, Concordia or the Maleking.


    Farsighted from you, sir.


    Shroudughed at the response. Im learning.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong>


    <strong>(Pending Judgment)</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>3</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>20</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>7</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Clockshot


    </strong>


    Dot: 3


    Components: <strong>Eldritch st</strong> + Reload


    Activation: Active, Thought.


    You project a purple energy st, which upon impacting on a target, reces it with a previous version of themselves up to ten seconds in the past; changes thus induced during that timespan are erased. The closer the target from the st, the farther back in time the recement. Clockshot can affect both living and unliving targets.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 51: Speech Check

    Chapter 51: Speech Check


    With wards ced on both ends of the Southern Teleporter, Shroud expected it to be a safe night, only to be sorely disappointed. While it was nothing like yesterdays unrelenting nightmare, threerge packs of undead made their way to the ind and had to be put down. That implied that while the wards prevented most ghosts to cross into the area, strong ones, like the Maleking before them, could get past them. Sol considered investing in Ward and el spells to empower them further.


    At least it, and use of the Deathgem spell had toned down the nighttime attacks to a manageable level, allowing the group to sleep and do some monster hunting in the morning. Mathias, when I told you that my duty as a priest was to shepherd the Lords flock, Solomon said, helping Shroud and Maggie shepherd Beastmaster-controlled beasts into stone pens, I did not mean it this way.


    Yeah, I thought we were supposed to kill them to make that core hatch? Maggie said. Youve managed to make monster hunting boring, nerd.


    I thought the idea of subverting an entire dungeons ecology would excite you a bit more, Shroud replied. They had caught so many creatures they had to repurpose thekes shores into a zoo area. Even the living trees had backed off, the forest receding away from the area.


    Only the areas rats so far escaped them, showcasing intelligence unlike that of their normal kindred. This convinced Shroud they had ties to the Rat Zodiac.


    Unless were running a safari afterward, then nope, Maggie replied. Hell, when are we catching the monkey thief stealing our treasure?


    I already set Ace on the case, Shroud shrugged. Youre wee to assist her.


    I will hold you on your promise for a sweet monkeys paw.


    They returned to their settlement to find Bai Suzhen hade back, exchanging words with Ace while Mur patrolled the pens, relishing in his new job. The women exchanged on the subject of Baihu, from what Shroud could hear. So? he asked as hended next to them, leaving Sol and Maggie to herd the monsters.


    Baihu agreed to discuss <em>your </em>surrender, Bai Suzhen insisted on thest two words, amused. He wants to meet you personally, without the use of a clone, and allows you to bring two bodyguards with you; myself included. In exchange, he guarantees your safety through his area and a ceasefiresting until the next morning; he will let you leave unharmed even if an agreement is not reached.


    This is very much not in our favor, Ace said, voicing Shrouds own thoughts. Can he be trusted to keep his word?


    Baihu is many things, but dishonorable isnt one of them. If he gives his word, he honors it. However, as I said before, he will never submit without a fight.


    Shroud understood the implied message. How does Baihu fights?


    He is the greatest martial artist in the Zodiac, in terms of raw fighting skills, Bai Suzhen praised him. Which is to say, he is exceptional in a physical battle, and amazingly out of tune with his spiritual side. He is fast, strong, and skilled, with fur that shrugs off bullets, and relentless and arrogant, so very much.


    Out of tune with his spiritual side Does he have any weakness to exploit? Shroud asked, ncing at Maggie. How does he fare against a long-range opponent?


    He moves too fast for that advantage tost, Bai Suzhen replied, guessing his train of thought. He lunges for the enemys jugr and does not let go. His fists shatter stone and his ws cut through steel. No mere human willst against him in melee.


    Baihu sounded like a Lugh on steroids. Shroud considered his team. Neither Maggie, Stitch nor him wouldst long against someone able to negate their distance advantage; Mur and Sol would far better, but Sol relied on his armor for protection while Murcked skill. Ace could probably buy herself some time, using teleportation to wear Baihu out, if that was possible; but one mistake and she would fall.


    That left their best fighter, Kari, as the best counter. The right bnce of skill and strength, with the perfect automated defense for closebat. I will go with Kari, he said. Ace, can you take charge until I return?


    With her ability to teleport around and her experience managing logistics and people, she was the best candidate to coordinate the group while in his and Karis absence.


    Sure thing, handsome, she replied. I assume you want me to focus on the Monkey hunt?


    That, and the undead problem, Shroud said. We see theye from the south at night, at regr intervals.


    There must be a mechanism behind it, Ace said, turning to Bai Suzhen. Was it always a problem?


    No, the White Snake replied. The dead assaults started a few months ago, without warning. Since they are Rats responsibility, I assumed he would solve the problem on his own time. He has yet to.


    Responsibility, Shroud noted the term.


    The golden sun was repurposed to safeguard the souls of Her Majestys dead worshippers as a reward for their service in life, through a reincarnation cycle. Rat designed the system, and much of theyout of this machine. Before you ask, no, I do not know where he is now. I havent seen him in years.


    In that case, I will supervise the forays into the south area while you deal with the Tiger and the Rooster, Ace said, a thin smirk at the edge of her lips. Iveid a trap for the Monkey.


    She seemed very proud of herself, arousing Shrouds curiosity. Im all ears.


    She brought a knife from beneath her cloak, which seemed normal except for the yellow eye on the handle. A mimic? Shroud asked. What is it doing there?


    We brought them, Ace said, in our supplies. identally. As it turns out, some of the weapons we bought were alive. Stitch believes they will limate to the Lair very quickly; they are an invasive species by nature.


    Shroud was about to ask how it was supposed to help them catch a thief, before realizing the obvious. You didnt...


    I did, she replied mischievously.


    She was making the cruel game designer in Shroud so very proud.


    Shroud noticed two things when he entered the south area. First, it was <em>hot</em>, and second, a giant worm tried to eat him the second he teleported there.


    Thankfully, before an immense fanged mouth could bite him and Kari in half, Beastmaster activated and pacified the beast. Shroud nced up to find a titanic, fifteen meters long and incredibly thick purple worm drool above him.


    That must have been the creature that assaulted Mur the first time he visited and it had waited there for prey toe. Maybe Baihu didnt send anybody through the teleporters anymore because the worm ate his minions.


    Once certain the beast was fully under control, struggling to breathe, Shroud nced around the southern area. As Mur stated, this ce was a vision of hell, a burning hot grotto with technological walls and rivers of molten gold, steel, and mercury. Metal tforms floated on this infernal dominion, like the one Shroud and hispanions currently stood on, the heat strong beneath their feet. Mechanical devices, advanced engines, pumped the metal, harnessing the heat to distribute it to other areas.


    The shape of giant worms rose from the metal rivers, while on distant tforms fiery lizard monsters with thick crimson skins watched at the group from afar as if challenging them to get further into <em>their </em>territory. The zone went on and on, a series of caves getting deeper into the heart of the sun itself.


    Just staying in the area made Shroud wriggle, as he felt the zing hot air heat up his armor through ss Field. Sweat built beneath his armor, as he struggled to breathe. While Kari kept a stoic face, she couldnt hide her own unease. Only Bai Suzhen remained unbothered.


    Only Mur and a fully-armored Sol could get through this area alive.


    Thankfully, the teleporter to the West was right next to their own. Shroud ordered the giant worm to pick a fight with the closest monster to get rid of it, leaving the beast to sink into the molten river, while he stepped through the western teleporter, Kari and Suzhen behind him.


    When he stepped into the new zone, Shroud enjoyed a breath of fresh air, and the sound of cannons pointed at him.


    As Mur stated before, Baihus forces had secured the Western Teleporters, which was to say they heavily fortified the ce. The group found themselves trapped in arge semi-circr arena between the golden walls of Taiyougami, and a dense wall of sheet metal and iron pieces cobbled together; from above, deformed monsters, gremlins, and headless humanoids with eyes and mouths on their torso nced down, pointing a dozen howitzers at them.


    Much to Shrouds surprise, he noticed two of the monsters, humanoid pandas, wearing a primitive version of Sols power armor. The metal protection looked like little more than cobbled together junk, yet the aesthetics were undoubtedly familiar.


    Atop the mural, one form stood apart from the rest. A powerful, humanoid tiger with fur as white as snow, clocking at nine feet tall on his two legs, Baihu carried two metal, wed gauntlets on his arms, with his emblem embedded on the right one, and exuded pressure even from afar.


    At his side was another creature of myths, a rooster the size of the horse, although closer to a feathered dragon than a true bird. The animals feathers shone with a bright, golden glow, while it carried its emblem on a crimson crown.


    Baihu, Gye-lyong, Bai Suzhen called, I bring you, visitors, as promised.


    Without a word, the tiger jumped from the wall andnded on the dirt ground on his two feet, making the ground tremble as he did. He looked so regal, so confident as he did, Shroud was convinced he practiced for months to get the pose right.


    The rooster, less of a show-off, simply unfolded his reptilian wings and flew downward,nding next to the group. Greetings, heroes, it croaked with a male voice. I am Gye-lyong, of the Twelve Zodiac. It is an honor to meet Her Majestys chosen champions.


    The group bowed curtly, with Kari taking the lead. Honorable Gye-lyong, we havee to challenge your trial.


    I am well aware of that, the rooster said. And there is a task I can set you on. I sought refuge with my friend Baihu, so I may continue my work and celebrate Her Majestys return each morning without the restless dead attacking me every night. However, I would prefer for peace to return to Taiyougami, permanently.


    "Would you give us your emblem if we solve the rising dead problem?" Shroud proposed since the group intended to do it anyway. Bai Suzhen coyly arched an eyebrow at hisment.


    End the spirit gue, the rooster agreed. And I shall grant you my emblem, yes, as proof of your dutifulness."


    That was surprisingly straightforward. Why couldnt all mysterious tests be like that?


    Baihu, however, clearly didnt share hisrades amiable nature, appraising the group in silence. As he oversaw Shroud and Kari with his keen green eyes without a word, the Blue Sorcerer could sense the sheer intensitying from the tiger. None of his breath was wasted, every part of his body was alert. While Shroud was no martial artist, he could see that everything in Baihus posture was optimized to strike as the first sign of attack.


    I am not impressed, Baihu finally spoke, his voice low yet cutting. This one has little self-control and the other no drive within. They cannot be chosen.


    As expected, he would be the hardest to get through. Baihu, is it? Shroud spoke. I heard of you a lot, but I have no idea what is it that you want. Surely you are not building an army to use it?


    "We shall return to our homnd and free it from those dragons who think themselves gods," Baihu said, confirming his suspicions. "A swift victory, purchased with blood."


    "We are alike in that," Shroud said. "Why not work together then?


    "We will work together when you bend the knee, he replied dismissively, You are human, young, green. We of the Zodiac are older, more experienced."


    Her Majesty thinks otherwise, Bai Suzhen replied. Our time is over, Baihu. The old machines saw to that. We are too few, too weary.


    Not yet, Baihu replied coolly. Why should humans lead the way? They failed against the dragons, even with the power of their technology and their fiery bombs. Even now, they only have a chance because of the gifts the heavens granted them.


    You have no hope to take down Concordia with your current means, Kari replied, the other members of the Zodiac watching the debate unfold.


    Concordias forces on Earth are not self-sufficient, Baihu replied. They rely on lines of supplies from their vast empire. Earth is but a colony to them, to mine and harvest. By cutting ess to their Gates and their ships, we will break their back, trap their forces on our ground, preventing them from winning a protracted war. Taiyougami will destroy their weapon on the moon, and we shall strike fast before they can retaliate; the same way they won their first campaign.


    The power gap is still too huge, Shroud said, ncing at the weaponry above. I see you are trying to reverse-engineer Concordias tech, but you are still centuries away from rivaling it.


    We are skilled and talented. Technology is an advantage. So is our knowledge of the terrain, support from our poption, and the ability to retreat safely, so as to attack again like the tides.


    There is a level of force no amount of skill can ovee if the gap is too wide, Shroud replied. Even if you are right and your army is enough, Concordia will bring more forces after they lose contact with their own. No. Sorcery is our trump card.


    Yes, Baihu conceded. But not <em>humans</em>.


    Shroud scoffed. Which brings the question, if you are so talented, why didnt you show up to defend Earth when we needed it?


    Baihus eyes shone with a hint of restrained fury. I was forbidden.


    And why? Because the Sponsors thought you would fail? From his silence, Shroud had guessed right. Earth will not be free unless mankind is empowered and joins the fight, in and simple. Its only by joining forces that we will prevail. We can empower your army with sorcery, provide technology


    I see that you fight with words, Baihu interrupted him, But theyck substance. We ally, and then what? Who gives the order, who provides the strategy? Who is worthy to lead? Without strength and vision, we will not prevail. You have yet to demonstrate both, and so I will not grant you my emblem.


    <em>Its his way or the highway, </em>Shroud realized the underlying message. <em>He will not be convinced he isnt the best choice to lead</em>. Surely there is a way to prove ourpetency. What about we settle this in an honorable duel?


    Baihu arched an eyebrow. Speak.


    If we defeat you in a fair fight, proving our strength, Shroud proposed. You give up your emblem, and you agree to follow us. If you win, well, we admit youre the better equipped to free Earth and will join you.


    No one can beat me in a fair fight, Baihu replied with quiet arrogance. You will dare try?


    I will, Kari spoke up, confident.


    Baihu looked at her, then at Shroud. Brain and brawns, he spoke. I see. You are a set.


    So? Will you bite the bullet? Shroud challenged him.


    The tiger didnt take the bait. Physical strength is important, but not the key factor in determining a great general, Baihu replied with caustic disdain. I would be a fool to wager the fate of my entire war effort on a duel, no matter how one-sided it would be. No, little human. If you want my emblem, you will have to take it from me by strength and wits. An honest victory.


    Youre dering war, Shroud replied. Cant we talk this over?


    We just did, Baihu replied, honest in his caustic disdain for diplomacy.


    Are you afraid, white tiger of the west? Bai Suzhen asked with false innocence.


    Watch your tongue, serpent. Baihu fears no one, but neither is he a fool. Leaving the future of Earth up to chance? Never.


    Instead you leave it to war, Shroud replied.


    Good. You will be a great test for the will of my army.


    So what? You ask those cannons to blow us out?


    You dare doubt my honor? the Tiger sneered. You will leave unharmed, and I shall not send my legions after you until the end of our ceasefire.


    Shroud nced at the Rooster, who rolled his eyes at the scene, washing his wings off the affair. I will not interfere in another Zodiac members trial, he spoke. But I will safely deliver you my emblem if you fulfill my request.


    When it became clear it would go nowhere, Shroud let out a sigh. We will see each other on the battlefield then, he said, offering his hand, May the better general win.


    Now, for the moment of truth. Baihu watched the hand with a sort of animal arrogance without a word, then met eyes with Shroud, who held the gaze impatiently. Finally, the tiger shook his hand with his metal gauntlet, squeezing it so hard the sorcerer thought he would crush his bones.


    Shroud felt the jolt of Network activate, but Baihu didnt murder him on the spot.


    Hisck of connection with his spiritual side didnt give him the same awareness of Networks spying effects as Bai Suzhen.


    The brief glint in the snakes eyes told him she had guessed his trick, and she confronted him over it when they returned to the eastern forest. You nned the entire meeting just for this?


    Not only for this, Shroud replied. But I figured out that if he refused a duel, turning the head of the opposition into an unknowing spy would give us an immense edge.


    Beautiful The White Snake sounded immensely impressed by his underhandedness. You, cunning manling, have a future.


    Blue, Kari said. You want to try it the Blue way?


    This ce was meant to test us yers, he replied with a firm nod. This is training. All of it. The one ce where we can refine our skills and test new strategies without too many consequences from the outside.


    Kari nodded, briefly unleashing the light of her Lock. I will level it up, she said. I feel this is the ce where I can.


    You brim with spiritual power, Bai Suzhen noted. If you wish to strengthen it, we can practice forms together.


    As the two discussed spiritual matters, Shroud suddenly received a message on his Whisper messaging, checked the sender, and opened the affiliated Network feed. Ace?


    Weve found the Monkey, she said, having summoned the rain in the forest with Rainmaker, And hes heading for the teleporter.


    We will intercept him.


    Oh, I think the struggle will be keeping him alive. Sharpshoot is out for his blood; just listen to the tune of bullets flying.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong>


    <strong>(Pending Judgment)</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>3</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>20</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>7</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Manic gue


    </strong>


    Dot: 3


    Components: Emotion Bomb + Secondskin


    Activation: Active, Direct Touch Vector.


    You can spawn microscopic, slug-like parasites from your skin and have them transfer to a host on skin contact like a subtle infection; the parasite moves to upy the hosts nervous system, more specifically the zones in charge of emotional reactions. The caster can sense the parasites over any distance so long as they are on the same ne of existence, and have them induce a specific emotion in their hosts, such as lust, hate, or happiness. Only the caster can create and transfer parasites; if removed from its original host in any way, the parasite self-destructs.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 52: DLC: The Ace in the Hole

    Chapter 52: DLC: The Ace in the Hole


    Chest two, unopened. Chest three, unopened


    Woman, I know youre enjoying tree-gazing, or whatever, Sharpshootined. But its getting boring real fast here.


    Now, Sharpshoot, we need to survey our traps, she replied, although she did take some time gazing at their surroundings as they walked through the forest. She liked to pick up details, see andmark or secret they missed.


    Maggie sounds better, she replied, Sharpshoot is nice, but its not like Ive got a secret identity anymore.


    Whichever you prefer. To Ace, names were like jobs. Tags you put on at a point of your life before you changed once you outgrew them; as she abandoned her patronym, Saga Freyson, when she left Concordia. She had had many names before taking that of Ace, and it would not be herst.


    It didnt mean she forgot her past, nor buried it. That would be disrespectful.


    Look, its useless, Maggie keptining. The more Ace observed her, the more she grew convinced she was an adrenaline junkie in need of a fix. Why dont we ask Stitch to create us a tracking hound or something?


    Now, now, patience is a virtue, Ace replied. There is power in waiting and letting the other make the first move.


    Ugh, the power of wasting time?


    The power of getting to know the other better. Which was what Ace was pulling on the other woman here.


    The truth is, the younger woman had been giving Ace the cold shoulder since she asked her to join her on this surveyshe thought it would help them know one another, and considering that teams poor track record with ambushes, make her task safer.


    Ace had a keen insight into people, or so she thought. She was always very good at sensing what they wanted, not what they said they wanted. Maybe she was born with a stronger sense of empathy than most or having worked with multiple, various groups for years sharpened her emotional skills. Humans ability to adapt to social groups had made them valued as lieutenants and diplomats by various gctic powers, a niche which Ace had exploited to get ahead in life.


    And she could tell Maggie Powells didnt like her on principle. It bothered Ace. She knew she couldnt get along with everyone, but a part of her wanted to be liked.


    That sounds like a bad pick up tactic, Maggie replied with condescension.


    Mmm romance. What an odd choice of discussion. Random choice? She could sense an undercurrent of frustration there. Then again, Maggie Powells seemed to be a frustrated person in general. You were dating someone before joining this group, were you not?


    She guessed right. It went nowhere. Guy asked me out for a party which I didnt even go to. Instead, I almost got killed.


    I heard. That was when Shroud wiped out the Evermarsh cult?


    He told you? she asked, astonished.


    No, but she had researched the group the second they arrived in the Midnight Market. Being a key part of Mammons business empire meant she could get ess to excellent intelligence in record time, just by asking the right person.


    Maggies reaction did catch her interest. Was that supposed to stay a secret?


    No, no, of course not! Maggie crossed her arms. I didnt know the nerd bragged to any girl he meets.


    Ah. Ace understood the problem. You care about him a lot.


    The nerd saved my life, so yeah, I owe him. If you hurt the nerd, Im going to bury your ass in some dumpster.


    You cannot, Ace corrected her. Its tossing into a dumpster, not burying.


    You get the message, smartass. No hurting the nerds feeling. Hes an idiot thinking with his dick, but hes my best sidekick.


    Ace looked at her teammate straight in the eyes, then smiled.


    Get that shitty grin off your face, she warned, her tone rising.


    You dont like his interest in me.


    Yeah, gotta be honest here, I would prefer he ends up with Matsumoto, she said, trying to throw Ace off the scent. I almost get diabetes when I see them, and youre a bit too shifty.


    He sees Kari as the younger sister he never had, Ace replied. She believed Matsumoto too closed off and traumatized to entertain romantic thoughts before a long, <em>long </em>emotional journey. Making her open to the team as a friend would already be a milestone. Men and women can be friends, Maggie.


    Doubt that, Maggie replied. If you spent too much time with someone, theres going to be tensions.


    Shroud, are you listening? Ace spoke up, checking if the sorcerer was listening in at this moment. Thankfully, no answer came back, letting them speak their mind. In that case, Maggie, you should tell him.


    Who what?


    Shroud. You should tell him how you really feel before hemits to someone else.


    Maggie gave her an indignant look. You think Im jealous?


    Ace just smiled. She knew the younger woman wouldnt resist the silences weight.


    She couldnt. Shut the hell up.


    I didnt say anything.


    You were thinking too loud! Her tone raised, although Ace didnt respond. You dont know shit! I survived in a family of psychos who tried to kill me, twice! You think Im just falling from the first boy who tried to help me with that?


    It would be perfectly normal. Maybe not healthy, but understandable.


    Well, well well, fuck your cliche movie logic! You think Im some damsel in distress looking for the first prince charming around?! I dont need him! I dont need anyone! I dont need a boy, I dont need<em>you</em>!


    Ace watched her colleague with a zen, meditative attitude, letting her vent out. Getting her emotions out of her system would help Maggie feel better, instead of bottling them up.


    Of course, Ace was no mental health specialistShroud was the best suited for it with his abilities, but she noticed that he focused on the big picture, therger team dynamics rather than the yers individual hang-ups. His Network power biased his vision, blinded him to smaller problems, or perhaps he had too much on his te. If he had noticed Maggies pent-up frustration, he made no sign to acknowledge it.


    So it fell to Ace to act as her sounding board. Whatever made her happier.


    You know what, thats stupid! Maggie finally said, troubled by Acespleteck of an answer. You want the nerd? Take him, I dont care.


    I like hispany, Ace admitted. But Im a free spirit, fooling around, never tied down. I fancy you a tiny bit more actually. You have a pretty nice ass, firm and soft.


    You Maggie blushed. You what?


    Aceughed at her embarrassment, causing the girl to point her gun at the explorers face. Stop that, jackass!


    No seriously, youre pretty cute, Ace said, undisturbed. Especially when angry and flustered. I like girls who do exercise.


    I dont swing that way. Even when Perse had her phase I... Realizing she had dug herself deeper, Maggie let out a groan. Shut up!


    I didnt say a thing.


    Then say something!


    You are adorable when you are angry.


    Maggie snarled and pointed her middle finger at Ace. Is this supposed to mean something? the older woman asked, puzzled. A Firman custom perhaps?


    There, right there. Thats the proof you arent really one of us. Why do you even help us? Mur wants power and money, the bone doctor is curious, but you I dont get what you want.


    Ace chuckled. Im not that different than Stitch, although my drive is different. I want to explore what the system offers. But mostly, Im doing it because its fate.


    Fate?


    The sound of a screaming animal interrupted the conversation. Maggie clocked her gun, while Ace grabbed two throwing knives.


    After walking towards the source of the noise, they found themselves facing a scene straight out of aedy movie.


    A regal monkey whose species Ace couldnt identify kicked back a hungry chest mimic with a long crimson rod. Powerfully built with brown fur and lionish white mane, the bipedal animal wore ancient golden armor and the monkey emblem on a golden headband.


    Also, he carried a bag on his back, full of treasures from golden vajras to potions.


    Stay back, you fanged box thing! Ace recognized thenguage as an old Firman dialect, one of the three hundred whose knowledge Mammon had her imnted with when she became his assistant. Old Chinese. The mimic fruitlessly attempted to bite him, whining every time the monkey hit him. Eventually, the mimic crawled away in frustration, disappointed at missing his meal.


    Maggie pointed a gun at the monkey, the animal turning at them upon hearing the duo approach. He had sharp ears. We caught you, you dumb thief!


    Oh? The monkey looked at them with old, wise eyes. So, you are the chosen ones. I am honored to meet you. I am Sun Wukong, the Monkey King of the Zodiac.


    Ace she couldnt put her finger on it, but that monkey sounded fake and untrustworthy, somehow. Even if he looked wise and respectable, the woman had seen enough scoundrels to be wary of him.


    If youre that honored, then hand us over our treasures! Maggie said, keeping the gun pointed at him. Thats our stuff youre stealing.


    This? Sun Wukong nced at the treasures in his bag. Oh, I see. You did not understand.


    Understand what?


    The test, the Monkey said, his voice deepening. I am trying to teach you a lesson. That real power does note from trinkets, but from within.


    Maggie frowned. What, really?


    Yes. You see, I own the treasures I set around the forest.


    Ace didnt buy it. Why set the treasures there in the first ce then?


    By putting them here and depriving you of them at thest second, you are experiencing frustration, which breeds creativity. Patience and self-reliance are key, yes, <em>key</em>, to enlightenment.


    Something didnt add up, and from the insistent gaze he sent her, the Monkey knew she knew.


    Sun Wukongs eyes suddenly widened, as he nced at something behind both women. He put his rod in a guard stance. What the


    Ace and Maggie turned their head, finding themselves facing a


    A perfectly normal tree.


    Ace nced back at Sun Wukong, the monkey already vanishing from her sight by leaping on the trees, hisugh echoing through the forest.


    Like a bull seeing red, Maggie fumed, her body crackling with electricity, and chased after the monkey like a torpedo. Ace, more measured, sent a message to Shroud first. Within seconds the forest echoed with the sound of Maggie firing like a maniac through the forest.<em> Ace?</em> Shrouds voice called her from within her own mind. She found it both slightly creepy, and a little thrilling.


    Weve found the Monkey, she said, summoning the rain with Rainmaker to try cover more ground. And hes heading for the teleporter.


    <em>We will intercept him.</em>


    Oh, I think the struggle will be keeping him alive. Sharpshoot is out for his blood; just listen to the tune of bullets flying.


    She could have sworn Shroud rolled his eyes on the other side.


    Ace quickly used Spash to teleport on to a branch, and then another.<em> I cant believe I got yed by the oldest trick in the book, </em>she thought, ashamed of herself.


    As she crossed the forest, taking a bit more time to look around, Ace received another message from Shroud. <em>Ace. Ace. </em>She thought he would call her to his location but didnt.<em> Do you hear me?</em>


    What is it? she asked.


    <em>Maggie arrived at the teleporter, kicking and raging. But not the Monkey.</em>


    Ace stopped, standing on a branch. Sun Wukong escaped? As far as she knew, the ape had fled in a straight line. Considering Maggie''s speed when casting Thunderling, he mustn''t have maintained an advance long.


    An idea crossing her mind, Ace used Ssh to move backward, redoing Wukong''s supposed progress in reverse. After long minutes of searching, she noticed a small mound rising from below a tree.


    Teleporting next to it with Ssh, Ace noticed a metal conduit, well hidden by moss and roots. So small only one person could crawl inside at a time.


    Mmm specters had attacked the areast night, in spite of the wards. What if they hadnt broken past the wards, but moved around them?


    Shroud, I found a tunnel, Ace said. You are seeing it? I believe it may lead to other areas.


    <em>Ill send Maggie on your way. We keep watch of the teleporter in case the monkey returns.</em>


    Ace lowered herself, seeing no way to get inside the tunnel without dirtying her clothes. A shame, as she really liked her current outfit.


    Maggie arrived at her location soon afterward, drenched and pissed. Where. Is. <em>He</em>?


    Ace pointed a finger at the tunnel. "I don''t have your offensive options, and it will be difficult to turn around if we both crawl at once. It is better that you go first, with your guns ready, and then call me."


    Maggie was too eager to get after the Monkey to contest her logic, crawling into the tunnel like a frustrated predator chasing after bothersome prey. She vanished into the darkness as Ace watched.


    While waiting for her colleague to call, Ace grabbed the tarot card deck in one of her pockets and read her future. Since Booz had brought this game from Terra Firma and sold it to her, she had grown obsessed with it. Games meant to predict the future were nothing new; everyone wanted to gain foresight across the stars because everyone feared the unexpected.


    Ace enjoyed new discoveries but hated unwee surprises. Inevitably, the game drew her in. She also liked that the cards showed a persons journey, embodying people through archetypes; it helped make sense out of others.


    Shroud was the World, with the power to connect with others and beplete, yet driven by hisck of closure over his past and unable to find fulfillment; he had some elements of the Fool as well, with great potential but also naive and eager to take risks. Kari was the Star, spiritual, hopeful, serene, but often falling prey to despair and istion. Mur was, of course, the Devil. Seeking material power and down to earthfort, but needing to break free to achieve his full potential. Just as obviously, Solomon was the Hierophant, the incarnation of faith and structure, struggling against his own rigidity. Stitch was the Magician, with great talents and skills, but a shady, selfish, maniptive side she could glimpse at sometimes. Maggie she struck Ace as the Chariot, a juggernaut of willpower, but who covered up her weakness and doubts with aimless aggression.


    As for herself probably the Wheel of Fortune, considering all the bizarre events in her life and her belief men and women were not the masters of their destiny. Or the High Priestess. Ace knew better than believe she could ever see herself objectively.


    She wondered if she could create a Hack that could synergize with these cards, giving her an actual ability to decide her fate rather than trying to guess it.


    Or maybe she was just a superstitious fool trying to make sense out of a senseless world.


    Ace heard the call of Castling, the voice of Maggie echoing in her mind, and making contact through her Lock. Castling gave her a slight familiarity with the caller, giving her a rough intuition about the persons character. She put the deck back in a pocket and activated her Lock.


    In a blink of purple light, she teleported right next to a dirtied Maggie, at the exit of a tunnel. The sight bothered her.


    The tunnel led to a wide open metal dome, unclean and covered with dirt; golden animal statues representing the Zodiac stood in a half-circle, watching over a dozen tunnels.


    A building stood strong at the very center, a two-floors high structure whom Ace identified as a pre-Conquest Chinese pagoda. A thick smell of tea and alcohol came from it, and the remains of two Gearsmens armor stood as decoration and wardens. Whoever lived here had a bone to pick with Concordia.


    What is this ce? Ace wondered. Certainly not the Wood Dragon Forest.


    Ive no fucking idea, Maggie replied, removing the dirt off her costume. But I aint going into another tunnel.


    Agreed. Lets check the house first. Ace grabbed her knives, stealthily moving towards the entrance...


    Or she would have, had Maggie not decided to keep up the conversation. I dont <em>like </em>the nerd. Im just


    Just? Did she realize Shroud could eavesdrop?


    Im <em>frustrated</em>, and nerd is the only male of the team who isnt a rotting face, a demon, or a Catholic priest! With Ulysses there was no excitement of any kind, he was like a robot! And I didnt get... I didnt get <em>it </em>since like, forever!


    On that Ulysses fellow, maybe you were both too closed off to enjoy your time together, Ace suggested.


    Closed off? Me?


    I assume this rtionship took ce while on Earth? Maggie nodded. Did you confide in him about your troubles? Maybe not about Mathias identity, but your family issues?


    No, she admitted, But neither did he.


    That may be his fault, but this doesnt excuse yours.


    What are you getting at?


    That if you put too many barriers between you and someone else, your rtionships will naturally be unfulfilling on both ends.


    Its stupid. Just because Im keeping my problems to myself Maggie frowned. Ergh, I scolded Matsumoto about doing it before.


    And you like Shroud because he may be the first person to have broken through and helped you with your problems. You shoulde in the open about it.


    I dont like, <em>like </em>him. Not the way you think. I dont <em>want </em>to like him. He pisses me off as much as I enjoy hanging out with him. Hell, if Sol were fifty years younger I would give him a go instead.


    Ace chuckled. Really?


    Yeah, I like the strong, quiet type. Sol says little, and only speak when it matters. Thats my type. She crossed her arms. And why the hell are you pushing me, when hes making the move on you?


    Im a people pleaser, Ace replied with a coy smile.


    Thats stupid. You should show some backbone. Defend your stuff.


    The older woman shrugged. I can, and do, but Shroud and I arent close enough that I am willing to fight tooth and nail over him. I went past that phase long ago, and if it makes you a happier person, good.


    Maggie gave her a long, hard nce. Theres something wrong with you, nobodys that nice.


    Also, youre fun to tease, Ace added, as they reached the pagodas entrance and its richly decorated golden doors.


    I take that back, youre an asshole. Do we break the door? Get through the windows?


    Later. Ace politely knocked on the door, keeping her knives behind her back. Maggie rolled her eyes, drawing her guns and pointing at the gate.


    Coming! a new, jovial voice called from within. A bipedal boar with a big belly opened the doors, wearing rich, ample ck and golden robes, alongside a rounded hat. Having seen far more terrible faces daily, unlike Maggie, Ace didnt recoil in horror at the sight of his horrible visage, mixing both human and pig features. She saw a glimmer of kindness in the beastmans eyes, right before they settled on her chest, and then Maggies.


    What the hell are you looking at, you perv? Maggie snarled, pointing her guns at him. Ace rolled her eyes at her reaction; she should have used her looks to get the advantage instead.


    Oh, such prettydies! the pig scratched the back of his ears with a hint of shyness, either ignoring or uncaring about the gun pointed at him. Have you heard of the great Zhu Baije ande to party with me?


    Certainly, Ace replied politely with a friendly smile. Are you the great Pig Zodiac everyone praised?


    Of course, of course! That is me! The pig man nodded happily, eager to impress a pretty woman. I earned my ce at the veryst moment you know? It was a great struggle to finish that race, especially after all the food I ate!


    Where the hell is the Monkey? Maggie threatened, having no patience for the social ritual.


    The pig sighed, then turned his head back inside and shouted, Sun! What have you done this time?


    What <em>havent </em>I done? a familiar voice replied from within the walls, Maggies eyes shining with a vicious glint behind her mask.


    Come in, the pig said, inviting the two women, Make yourselves at home.


    The two eagerly walked in, the pigman closing the door behind.


    Sun Wukong, clearly having taken a few drinks already, lifted a cup of beer with his tail as he saw them arrive. He sat in front of a table, covered with various items, holding cards with his hands. Ace recognized the game yed as Poker, one of the many fads in the Midnight Market.


    The Monkey took their presence in stride. Oh, you followed me there? Please dont litter the tunnels with your medics creatures please, I cleaned them upst week.


    What is this ce? Ace asked, curious, putting her knives back under her cloak upon realizing there would be no fight.


    Youre smart, figure it out.


    This is my house, Zhu rified. And Suns, since he spends all his time ying with me now.


    Since I cannot go back to Earth until the Sun Empress obliges, Sun Wukong replied, shifting his cards. I must upy my time outside cultivation exercises as I can.


    Who cares, Maggie replied. She hadnt lowered her weapons, eyeing the treasure on the table. You took our stuff to to what, gamble?


    I was out of funds to y poker, Sun Wukong said, although Ace smelled a lie. And to pay for my beer tab with Zhu.


    ... Im going to kill you, Maggie said, with a stony tone, pointing her gun at his face. Im going to shoot you. Like Harembe.


    Nope, you will not, Sun replied. If you try, I will punish you.


    Maggie pulled the trigger.


    The bullet stopped within an inch of Sun Wukongs face, floating in midair. The Monkey hadnt even looked at it.


    Are you insane?! Acembasted her colleague, grabbing the gun off her hands before she could react.


    Hey! sheined, struggling to get it back. Thats my stuff.


    You think violence will solve all your problems? Ace replied, slightly angered at her reaction.


    Oh, this is fine, Zhu Baije replied with cheerfulness. Everyone has tried to kill Sun at one point.


    Even you? Ace asked, curious, as she kept the gun out of Maggies range.


    Except me, and maybe Shifuyng, who is great in his wisdom and patience.


    He got me into the Zodiac, I could never bother that goat, Sun Wukong replied, sending Maggies bullet back in its barrel with a thought. I am the Monkey King, Sun Wukong. Iid waste to Heaven''s armies and lifted mountains by myself. You will not seed where they failed. But I will dly give you my emblem as a token of good faith. Here.


    He grabbed his emblem with one of his four hands, tossing it at Maggie.


    Ace, sensing a trap, released her ally and attempted to catch the item, but an invisible force moved it out of her fingers grasp. Instead, the headband opened and caught Maggies forehead by surprise, tightening around it.


    What the Maggie raised a gun at Wukong, only for the headband to shine and tighten. The pain made her drop her weapon and fall to her knees.


    Your punishment of course, Sun Wukong replied. The headband will hurt you if you ever try to hurt someone else in any way.


    You fucking Maggie screamed, as the headband shone brighter.


    Even verbally, Sun Wukong said, sipping his drink.


    Now this is a bit much, Sun, the Pig pleaded, as Ace immediately rushed to the Red Sorceress side. Tang never used it on you for insults. Remember that event with the dragon?


    I must teach her in days what I learned in years, Sun Wukong defended his choice. Stern teaching makes for quick progress.


    Ace tried to grab the headband, which wouldnt budge. Eventually, Maggie calmed herself and stopped struggling, the headband stopping to shine and returning to normal size.


    On the bright side, Sun Wukong said. If you spend twenty-four hours without triggering it, it will fall down, and you will have my emblem. I promise it as the Monkey King, may the Buddha drop a mountain on me should I lie.


    You already did, Acembasted him.


    Yes, hence why I made a vow on the Buddha, Sun Wukong replied. Also if you had asked nicely for the treasures, I would have returned them.


    Thats not fair, you stole them from us! Maggieined. You stole our stuff!


    Hey, the chests wereying around for everyone to open them! You humans always feel so entitled.


    The treasures are mine, actually, Zhu Baije said sheepishly. I wanted to help yers so much and left our treasure around the Lair for you to find. Sun Wukong said I was too generous


    You are, the Monkey interrupted him. You teach them a bad lesson. Remember all the trouble we had on our journey? What was the cause? What led them here?


    Greed, Ace guessed.


    Greed. Greed makes you pick fights you should not, for one more trinket. Adventurers always tell themselves they will be satisfied this time, but they never are. If your group is to follow in our footsteps and live through your journey, then you needed to learn to let go of what does not matter.


    We came here to get stronger! Maggie snarled at the Monkey, her hand almost reaching for the gun, but stopping at thest moment. Pain made for a strong teacher.


    They already have all the tools to seed, Sun Wukong said, and this time, Ace believed him, I did not lie on this. You, yers, have sorcery, and brains. You should practice with them instead of relying on shiny, outdated weapons.


    Then, this was all a test? Ace guessed, ncing at the stash.


    Zhu is too nice to hold debts, Sun Wukong chuckled. I was trying your patience. Some of the monkeys you slew were friends, and I worried your friend might be too rude and violent. So I set to test your temper, as the Buddha did with me long ago.


    Have you <em>seen </em>Mur? Maggie hissed. Hes way worse than me!


    Yes, Sun Wukong admitted. But unlike him, you are not bound by a fiendish nature, but by your will alone. You can temper yourself. Anyway, you failed my test. In a moment of rage, you would have stuck me dead under Zhus roof, and so you will learn patience and restraint as my trial.


    Sun Wukong and I decided early that we did not want to threaten our sessors with bodily harm, the way others Zodiac members decided to, Zhu Baije said. We thought we should rather help you grow instead of trying to kill you or push our own agenda.


    Sessors, Ace noted. Odd choice of word.


    Youre just passing the responsibility to free Earth to us! Maggieined, grabbing the headband but unable to remove it, nor willing to admit defeat.


    We intend to help when the timees, Sun Wukong said, but then added, sheepishly, This old monkey here can pack a punch still, but our skills have diminished. I remain the strongest of the Zodiac, mind you.


    Except the Tiger, Zhu Baije said, the Monkey King pouting in response.


    Ace nced at Maggie, who seethed in silence, and at the headband. The treasures werent important. The emblems were, and they had one, in a fashion. Zhu Baije, the diplomat asked the Pig. What is your trial?


    Oh, my trial? the Pigughed. Curiosity? I left my emblem inside a treasure chest.


    I didnt take it, Sun Wukong said. Even if I think it is too easy.


    If you keep looking, you will find it. You could say it is hidden in in sight! Zhu Baije added a dramatic intonation to his voice as if he had given them a difficult hint.


    Ace, ever the seeker, quickly figured it out. In that case, we will go look for it.


    So soon? I would be very d to exchange tales around a cup of tea, Zhu Baije said. Would you like to y a game?


    Ace nced at Maggie, who kept ring at the Monkey King. No thanks.


    As Ace had figured out, Zhu Baije had hidden the chest containing his emblem in the very first room, inside the golden earth replica. After some effort and checking, Ace had found a lock opening it up like an egg, with the treasure at its center.


    Hidden in in sight. Andmark the yers would have needed to go through no matter what area they explored afterward. The very first.


    More importantly, they had confirmed the tunnels linked the various areas, using one to go back to the northern water reservoir. Ace was now convinced the spirits moved from the south to the forest, circumventing the wards, through them.


    All in all, the backtracking with a seething, miserable Maggie had been the hardest part of the journey by far. And while the Pigs trial was so easy it hurt, Maggie struggled with her own. This is humiliating, she said, finally giving up on removing the headband forcefully.


    Yes, Ace agreed. Even if she earned that punishment. Its only one day.


    I cant stop being assertive for one day! Maggieined.


    That that is not assertiveness, Maggie, Ace said, before realizing she had hit the root of her allys problems. Maggie, trying to hurt or shout at people is not strength.


    Thats the only way to get respect, Maggie countered.


    No. If anything, it lessens respect others have for you.


    Youre starting to speak like the Monkey, Maggie red back, You had a bad family time?


    No, my parents are happily married, although I havent talked to them in a long while.


    You killed someone?


    Never outside of self-defense.


    And thats why you cant understand, Maggie replied. You never had to fight to live.


    Ace inhaled deeply and resisted the urge to p her. I fought, more than you know, she replied. Against my fate. Against Concordia. I dont have to suffer through the same hardship as you to understand where youe from, and to tell you your behavior is incorrect.


    Really? Well, <em>I </em>think its all a game to you. <em>I </em>amuse <em>you</em>. You dont really care about <em>anything </em>yourself, do you? Ace replied with a heavy silence, letting Maggie speak her mind. It clicked, over time. Youre too selfless, its not normal. Nobodys that kind. You just dont care. Or youre afraid to.


    In an instant, we are alive, in the next second, we are gone, like light, Ace replied, Time consumes us all in time. Empires rise and fall in the face of an uncertain future, and all that remains of our actions are the ruins and impact we leave behind. Even over that, we have little power.


    Im pretty sure I know that if I kill someone, its because I wanted it.


    Or so you think, but think about it are the events we face coincidences? Were my meeting with your group and what came after chance, or premeditated. Maggie, we are not free, or not fully. There is a force bigger than all of us, and all we can do is go along with the flow; if you go against it, you suffer, always. This is how the universe works. Im at peace with it. And this is why I want people to be happy and live without regret. Because so few of our choices matter and our lives are so short, they are all the more precious.


    What kind of mindset is that? You think we dont have power, and that we should make peace with it? Maggie shook her head, unable toe to terms with it. Its creepy as hell. I dont want it. Its cowardly, I dont ever want it.


    Believe what you want, Ace replied. I dont expect you toe around to my worldview. She had wanted to make an analogy to the headband but decided Maggie wouldnt listen then.


    Her fingers brushed against Maggies headband. Maggie, I really want you to feel better, but you earned that punishment. Why did you pull the trigger?


    Maggie almost pped her hand away, before the headband shone in rm. None of your business.


    Ace looked at her dead in the eyes and waited for an answer.


    Alright, because it makes me feel strong, she admitted. I didnt want to look weak. Happy?


    Can you honestly tell me that you were happy, fully happy, even before?


    Thats She marked a short pause. I was happy. Happiest weeks of my life, ever since I Another pause, but longer this time. She struggled to find her words or lies to tell. If I dont fight I I cant live without it Im useless if I cant fight!


    Maggie, youre not a victim. Ace hugged her, the other woman freezing, Strength isnt putting a gun in someones face. Strength is standing strong even in the face of torment, and not being afraid of being vulnerable. And youve strength aplenty.


    Maggie just stood still. Perhaps she had never been hugged before. Ace released her hold, putting both hands on her shoulders. You will conquer that headband, Ace dered, By will alone.


    I I dont need your support, Maggie replied brashly.


    No, you dont, Ace agreed, Just be honest and focused, and prove that ape wrong.


    Maggie looked down, then tightened her left hand into a fist. Damn right.


    <strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong>


    <strong>(Pending Judgment)</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>3</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>20</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>7</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>9</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Focus</strong>


    Affinity: <strong>White</strong>


    Dot: 2


    Price: 6-10


    Activation: Active, Thought


    The casterpresses a spell that would usually affect multiple targets or an area, drastically reducing its range and duration but boosting its power.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 53: The Caged Sun

    Chapter 53: The Caged Sun


    Baihu followed a very rigid schedule.


    He rose woke up at five, sleeping on the iron floor of his fortified chambers, and exercised for one hour and a half when he woke up. Afterward, he spent one hour praying to statues in his bedroom, a few of them Shroud identified as the Buddha and Hindu divinities. At seven and a half, a maid with a fox tail brought him a meal; the Tiger ate alone and inplete silence.


    At nine, he finally emerged from his chambers to oversee his area from a balcony. As per the name, Baihu ruled a heavily fortified citadel of metal, with very few trees here and there. The Tigers bedroom stood at the top of a pce, itself on a metal mound, granting him aplete overview of the area. In the distance, Shroud could see the fortified walls blocking both the teleporters and behind them, barracks. The architectural style of the fortress was distinctly Chinese and reminded Shroud of pictures of the old Forbidden City which Concordia razed years ago.


    After overseeing the city from above, Baihu, with unmatched strength, leaped from roof to roof, moving across the area like the wind. The sight gave Shroud the picture of a military upation, with deformed, armored monsters patrolling the streets with each a rifle and antern, even in daylight. Giants worked in refining weapons in metal forges, based on the remains of old, salvaged Gearsmen. Shroud guessed items yers captured on Earth as part of Quests ended up stockpiled in Lairs.


    After patrolling, Baihu returned to his pce to have a frugal lunch, took a nap, then at two in the afternoon, moved to his pces courtyard to train with his guards, a cadre of humanoid, yellow-skinned creatures with horns and a third eye in the middle of their skull. Shroud paid the most attention to this part.


    As expected, Baihu favored martial arts training, and elected to fight his guards all at once with his bare hands; while the guards often brought weapons, from Dao curved swords to firearms. Baihu moved like the wind, bullets bouncing back his skin; phantom ws made of sharp, focused wind grew out of his arms, cutting through weapons; with swift kicks and punches, he sent his men flying through walls. Even while watching through his eyes, Shroud had trouble following the Tigers movement, witnessing little but a flurry of blows.


    After three hours of such training, Baihu gave pointers to his guards, scolded them forzing off, then returned to his bedroom to meditate for two hours. After a short dinner, as night fell, he moved back to the deserted courtyard for two hours to practice exercises and fighting moves.


    At this point, Shroud checked Sol and Murs team, whom he had dispatched to the southern area; only those two could survive the extreme temperatures and the former only thanks to his armor. Much to his surprise, the bright light of this floor had diminished, even if the duo struggled with a monstrousva titan. Sol? How is it going?


    The heat is decreasing as night approaches, the knight replied, cutting one of the monsters arm with a swing of his de. But it is getting harder to move deeper without encountering fierce resistance.


    Speak for yourself, old man. By now, after hours of constant fighting, Adamant had turned Mur into a metal juggernaut, leaping at theva monster with extreme speed and tearing him apart. Mur feels at home!


    You will have to return to the base soon, Shroud ordered, even if amused by the fiends enthusiasm. Night is falling, and the spirits will take over the south. How is the core doing?


    Growing brighter, Sol said, ncing at the lighting from the container on Murs back. The core fed on the battle like a child breastfeeding. There is more. Do you see through my eyes?


    Shroud did. Sol faced a distant spot which theva beast had struggled to defend, a wide, immense pit Smokefang could have fit through. Attached to the ceiling above, a thin string of a substance simr to spider silk went down, and down, arge pit breathing out an imprable, thick purple miasma.


    On arge, rounded metal tform, two titans kept watch over the pit, a giant, bipedal white bullman, and a horse-faced, brown-furred humanoid. The two giants each reached fifteen feet in height, wore ancient Chinese armor, while the horse wielded a long trident and the horse a club. Both stood unbothered by the heat, watching Sol and Mur from afar but making no move to intercept them.


    I believe you just found the source of the undead gue, Shroud spoke. And the Horse and Ox of the Zodiac. Good job.


    Do we engage them? Solomon asked.


    Yes, Mur said.


    No, Shroud dashed the imps hope. They look rather strong and I would rather fight them with support. We will return with more numbers in the early morning when the heat allows us to explore this area. Return to the base now.


    Thankfully, Mur obeyed the order, even if heined all the way back. No matter his faults, the demon behaved with discipline when needed.


    As he returned to check on Baihu, Shroud noticed that no undead seemed to bother the West Area; or if they were, the Tiger was unconcerned and let the monsters handle themselves. He did briefly ask a guard if everything was fine at the end of his training, but that was it. The Tiger sounded grossly overconfident or had a very high opinion in his dominions defenses.


    Finally, he went to sleep at eleven in the evening, taking a nap.


    That tiger breathed fighting spirit and lived to perfect his mind and body. If Shroud wasnt scheming to take him down, he would have admired his work ethic and dedication. The fact he slept during the night instead of daylight meant he didnt fear the night undead much or had his dominion warded.


    However, the more Shroud saw, the more storming the West Area through the main gates sounded like a terrible idea, even with insider information. Too many monsters and too well organized. Brute force and attrition wouldnt do. At least from what he had seen, Baihu wouldnt attack first, seemingly content to wait in his fortress for the yers toe.


    Fortunately, he thought, as he noticed Aceing back with a scroll of paper and a strangely sullen Maggie, they may have an alternative solution. So? he asked.


    Here is a map of the secret tunnels, or what we could explore so far, Ace said, handing him over the scroll, whom he read with rapt attention. The sheerplexity and number of dead-ends would have given him a headache without Premium Thoughts. The Violet Sorceress pointed at letter points at the end of some tunnels. N means they lead to the north area, E to the east, and S for the south.


    Not the West? Shroud asked, disappointed.


    Probably, but not yet. Stitch believes we only explored half of them and sent more of his creations below to find an entrance. Shroud noticed an O symbol at a few points, pointing an index finger at them. Those tunnels lead to the Pigs hub.


    Shroud nodded to himself, having figured out as much. What do you think?


    We know the Lairs parts mirror one another, Ace said. This underground hub mirrors themand center above it.


    The Goat never mentioned it, Maggie said.


    He could have lied, or not known, Ace said. There may be a hidden area for all we know.


    The pit. If the undeade from the south or the secret tunnels, Shroud continued. Then they maye from this hidden area instead of the southern dungeon itself. The south simply contains the main entrance.


    So we go around looking for a hidden mechanism we missed? Ace suggested.


    For now you rest, Shroud replied, as he sat on the inds shore. He would take some time during the night to examine the map further, and figure out a way to explore the south without burning to death. We will wake you up if more undead show up.


    You are acting bossier by the second, Ace warned him, before giving him a cheeky smile and giving a light tap on Maggies back. Ill leave you kids alone do not do anything naughty while Im away.


    What do you She teleported away before Maggie could finish. Nerd, below that nice facade is a shifty sadist.


    Ive seen. Shroud put the map on the grass, unsure how to address the problematic subject. His friend sat at his side, the ind silent save for the chittering of Stitchs beasts in the pens nearby.


    An awkward, ufortable silence established itself between the two, Shroud patiently waiting for his friend toe into the open. So Maggie trailed, struggling to find her words anding with banalities. How is it going, nerd?


    I should return you the question, Shroud said, ncing at the headband. This threw a wrench into his ns for the south.


    It sucks, she admitted. But I will beat it and shove th She stopped as if fearing to trigger the headband. I will show that ape what Im made of afterward.


    Its only twenty-four hours, you can beat it. Also, even if Maggie found the task humiliating, Shroud thought Sun Wukong may have been quite lenient with the time limit. The Monkey hadnt done it in bad faith. I will put you on guard duty with Stitch so you may have time to focus.


    Youre rotating the teams again? Maggie groaned.


    Consider it team-building. He had noticed that while some smaller groups stuck together, like Maggie and Mur or Sol and Kari, this threatened the cohesion of therger group. His Network intuition pushed him into encouraging other exchanges. Why, you would rather be under my wing?


    I dont need your help, nerd, Maggie hissed, tensing up. I dont need protection.


    <em> Its hip to be square catchy tune, the monster that used to be her brother mocked, And youre out of ammo, sis. Shall I start with you?  </em>


    Shroud stayed silent for a second, realizing that the shadow of Jack never truly left her. Every time someone coddled her, it brought her back to that lowest moment of her life. No, you dont, he admitted. You are strong.


    She red at him.


    Its true, he replied with sincerity, I remember the day with the cultists. You took control of the situation quicker than I did. You showed extraordinary bravery all the way, and the Administrator would never have approached you otherwise. You earned your victories, Maggie.


    Her face beamed with happiness, which starkly contrasted with her usual gruff exterior. She muttered something under her breath.


    I didnt hear, Shroud said.


    Thanks, she grumbled this time.


    Its not that hard to say it.


    Maggie sighed in annoyance, sounding exhausted. I feel fucking alone, nerd. Always had. Like Im a prisoner of my own head, and theres a big barrier between me and everyone else. She struggled to find words to exin herself.


    I see what you mean. He often wondered if Networks real purpose was to bring the frontier between minds down. His experience at the Neurotower pointed in that direction at least. Ever heard of the hedgehog dilemma?


    Wasnt that the name of an anime or something?


    It ripped it off from a famous philosopher, Shroud replied, amused that they watched the same show. Hedgehogs have spines to protect themselves, so they struggle to get close without hurting one another. You built spines of your own to defend yourself, but it has be a part of you instead of a temporary defense.


    That sounds so dry and analytical when you say like that, Maggie replied, Youre changing, you know?


    Shroud chuckled. Arent we all?


    Youre more distant. More methodical. Less less natural? Your sorcery is fucking with your head.


    Probably. Overuse of Network had given him more objectivity to peoples feelings and experiences, giving him more insight, but also putting some emotional distance. If he were truly escting though, would he think himself mad? Mad sorcerers probably considered themselves sane. Im actually trying to move in that direction. Take a step back, distance myself from my emotions. Ive made many mistakes out of impulsiveness, or because I let my feelings obscure my judgment.


    So Im trying to be more open with my feelings, while youre trying to be less so. Arent we a team of broken arms.


    Maybe we should start a group therapy? Shroud joked.


    Here, thats the nerd I love to hate.


    Im pretty much only joking when you or Ace are around, Shroud admitted. Youre a great partner for banter.


    Yeah strange, we got along way better than I thought. And I didnt get along with the one guy I thought I would.


    Youre thinking about Ulysses?


    Yeah. Sheid her back against the grass. Why were you into Sam again?


    Sam? She was beautiful. She was smart and she reminded me a bit of Mom. Maggie gave him a startled look. You have a sick mind. All of this to say, I didnt know her at all. A very superficial crush, now gone.


    I dont think it would have worked between you, Maggie said.


    Maybe, Shroud admitted, Its behind me.


    Now youre into Ace, she prodded, not asking him directly. Did she fear rejection?


    I told you, Im just fooling around. Honestly Maggie, Ipletely messed up my rtionship with Perse, and while its been weeks now, I frankly dont feel ready for anything serious. Especially right now. At least, not with someone inside the team. Maybeter, but not now.


    She perceived the hidden message and dropped the subject.


    Truth to be told, he had identally heard the beginning of her discussion with Ace, since he watched everyone in the field. He did for their own good, to monitor his friends and react in case of ambush even if he identally overhead private conversations at times.


    Shroud had quickly tuned out after realizing they had a heart to heart, of course, but he had heard enough. He guessed he had to avoid a slippery slope on that one.


    What would Manah do in his situation? She had told him bluntly that while fond of him, she wouldnt hesitate to endanger them for the greater objective. If he wanted to y the game as well as she did, he had to learn from her book.


    The more he thought of it however, the more the idea of starting a romance with someone inside the team stuck him as a bad idea. Militaries around the world had anti-fraternizationws for a reason. He might favor Maggie or Ace over someone because feelings clouded his judgment. As a Guild Moderator, he may have to make difficult choices.


    He pitied the Administrator and understood him better now.


    He heard Stitch call him from one of his Network feeds. Yes?


    Sir, one of myrvae found the rats main nest in the tunnels. No trace of an anomaly.


    No Zodiac among them. A step in the right direction nheless. Try to catch a few of them, without harming them. They may lead us to their leader.


    He let out a moan of tiredness, much to Maggies amusement. You should take a nap, nerd.


    Yes He felt sleepy, and he didnt have Needless. Time to sleep.


    Shroud woke up anywhere else but on the ind.


    The floor had turned to a circr, ss tform, floating in a pure, nk void. Four statues, representing a tiger, a dragon, a turtle and a bird surrounded him; farther away, Shroud noticed a stone door, closed by a rat-shaped lock.


    As he rose up, Shroud instantly attempted to open his Network feed, to contact the Dragonyers and nothing happened. This reminded him of his meetings with the Maleking.


    A dream.


    Indeed.


    A voice came out of the rat lock, startling the Blue Sorcerer. The Rat of the Zodiac, I presume? Shroud guessed.


    Yes. The voice buzzed with the chatter of a thousand creatures. I am the will of the swarm, an egregore; an artificial spirit created by the collective thoughts of every rat in the Lair. I exist only on the spiritual ne, and through my children. I would appreciate if you called off your Green.


    Sure. And so, you havee to set your challenge?


    Yes, and no. You figured it out, Mathias. The existence of a hidden area; and so I reveal it to you. Wee to the Dreamscape of Naraka, sustained by our will.


    A hidden floor that exists only in dreams? Now that was inventive level design.


    Naraka is more than a set of challenges, the Rat replied, apparently reading his mind. It is an artificial afterlife. Every soul in Taiyougami rests inside this collective dream once their mortal coil expires. This is why I ask that your group does not raid my nest, or you may cause it to copse.


    This is Yellow Sorcery, is it not? This is how you can read my thoughts even with Mindshield.


    While your mind is closed, your soul is an open book. As did one of my fellows, I unlocked as a sorcerer during the ancient war. I am no yer though my gift is, shall I say, natural.


    Why the need for an artificial afterlife? Dont souls reincarnate? At least Kari thought they did and her Lock partly proved it.


    During the ancient war, the machines stole the souls of their victims, to interrupt our natural cycle of reincarnation and wipe us out. Even asleep they still do. By managing Naraka, I can either send back souls to reincarnate on Earth, or keep them here, content and whole. Souls reincarnating are exceptions, rather than the rule, although your friends spirit dide from Naraka.


    Youve been doing a poor job at keeping spirits there, no offense.


    If you mean the spirits guing Taiyougami, this is an unfortunate side effect of my dreamscape; some souls bear too high of a grudge or too much sadness to be content with either a dream or reincarnation and often slip past my grasp. Ox and Horse are supposed to catch these souls and trap them in a pit until they can let go of their earthly grudges, but decided not to as part of their trial; they want to challenge your might, while I prefer to test ones intelligence. Over time, the number of restless souls reached the critical mass you face every night.


    So if we defeat Ox and Horse, peace will return to Taiyougami?


    Partly. The number of rising dead also has a secondary cause. The soul of the sun at the center of this Lair has grown restless, disturbing my dreamscape. As a failed Sponsor, he wants to meet yers, and his distraction endangers my dreamscape.


    Failed Sponsor? How do we meet him then?


    That is what the Caged Sun Quest meant by secrets revealing themselves only during your test, the Rat replied. Pass my gauntlet of tests, and you shall meet him. Convince him to sleep peacefully again, and I will consider your testplete. The sooner the better.


    You dont like me, Shroud stated.


    No, no, the problem is, your presence imbnces my dreamscape. it is poisoned. I sense other presences within your unconscious mind, watching back with hostility. They may manifest and threaten the dreamscape if you remain too long.


    Shroud frowned, unsure of how to take the news. What kind of presence?


    They are hidden beyond my power to reach. I assume they will show themselves in due time. Now for now The animals head perked up. Ah, a visitor.


    In a sh of yellow light, Kari Matsumoto materialized right next to Shroud. Mathias-san, youre fine, she said, ring at the Rat and shining with the light of Oversoul. Apparently, her Lock worked fine in a dream.


    Youre asleep too? Shroud asked his friend.


    I purchased Dreamwalker when I noticed a spirit intrusion, she replied without giving further details.


    Ah, yes, that spell. It allows the caster to enter dreams, the Rat exined. Even control them. Unfortunately for you, myself being a dreamwalker on my home ground, my power trumps yours. I will not release your friend until my trial isplete.


    So we must solve your puzzles before my body wastes away in the real world? The Rat gave Shroud a sharp nod. Great. What about Ueno? If hes truly dead, then he must be in your dreamscape.


    The Dogs master is already waiting for you behind this door at my demand. The Rat said, pointing at it. If you can solve my puzzle.


    Shroud exchanged a nce with Kari, who nodded back. I will stay with you, she said. I am allowed, right?


    Certainly, the Rat replied. You may even benefit the most from this trip.


    The two checked the dragon statue, noticing inscriptions below. The bird is a filthy liar, but the turtle remains true, Shroud spoke out loud, before checking the bird. The dragon is deceitful but the tiger roars true.


    An enigma, Kari noted, checking the tiger. The turtle is full of falseness but my dragon nemesis remains true.


    Finally, the turtle said, The dragon remains pure, but the tiger has fallen into wickedness.


    So they had to identify the liars and the truthsayers If the dragon and the turtle speak the truth, then the bird lies but the tiger says the dragon speaks the truth when he himself is lying. It wouldnt add up.


    Try in reverse, Kari suggested.


    If the bird is true, then the dragon is wrong and the tiger is right. If the dragon lies, then the bird speaks the truth, but the turtle isnt in that case, if the turtle lies, then the dragon lies and the tiger speaks the truth. So far so good.


    It fails at the end.


    Yes. If the tiger speaks the truth, then the dragon is telling the truth which presents a logical problem.


    What if one lies only partially? Kari proposed an out of the box solution, A half-truth.


    A solution not so obvious, like the existence of a hidden level Wasnt Yellow about creativity and pushing boundaries? Maybe that was indeed the key. Then my original solution may be correct, Shroud said, If the tiger could be lying about the turtle, but telling the truth on the dragon.


    Which makes him a liar still, Kari nodded. So it adds up.


    Shroud pondered the problem under another angle but didnt find any other satisfactory solution. The answer is, the bird and the tiger are liars, the turtle, and the dragon speaks the truth.


    Correct, the rat replied. Very good, but a simple trick. The next one will be much, much more difficult.


    The lock broke, and the door opened.


    A hidden lesson, Kari spoke, as the duo walked in the next room, About not trusting the obvious.


    Shroud responded with a sharp nod, as they walked onto another tform, whose transparent floor revealed nine cubes arrayed in a three on three scheme, like a m,n,k-game, beneath their feet; each cube had a number from one to nine. Small, closed doors linked the cubes together, while the central cube on the bottom row, cube eight, had an additional, locked door and Shroud noticed that the door the duo used stood above cube two, at the center of the uppermost row.


    A man matching the description of the Dogs master waited for them at the center of the room, next to a console. Greetings, dreamers, the specter said, his bodys colors mostly shades of white, as he bowed respectfully. I am Hidesabur Ueno, and I bid you wee.


    Kari returned the bow, while Shroud acknowledged it with a nod. You are the Ueno from the Shibuya Station story, Kari stated, Shroud himself unaware of what she referred to.


    One of my recent incarnations, Ueno replied. How does Japan fare in these troubled times?


    Peaceful, Kari said, with some sadness. But a bitter kind of peace.


    Peace enforced through oppression never feels sweet, Ueno replied. I wondered if I should reincarnate again and finish some work I left unfinished, but I worry I may only know loss and despair in the next life.


    You can choose to reincarnate on Earth? Shroud asked, curious about how the afterlife worked.


    By the will of Her Majesty, yes. My soul and that of my old friend have lived and died many times, only to return to this sun, our friendship stronger than ever.


    Your Dog is waiting for you, Shroud replied. He believes you alive.


    Death is not the end, Ueno replied. Just the threshold of a new journey. As long as Her Majesty wills it, I will return to this Sun to begin again. He nced at Kari. You tooe from here, child.


    I did? Karis head perked up.


    I met many of your previous lives. Momotar, Sakata no Kintoki, Hattori Hanzo. And your very first life, long, long ago. Her Majesty forbade me to reveal it, as she wants to reveal it herself, but all wille once you solve the puzzle.


    Shroud nced at the console,posed of ten buttons; nine assembled in the same order as the cubes below them, and one afar. The Blue Sorcerer clicked on button one, but nothing happened. He clicked on button two, which opened doors east of cube one, two, four and seven but closed the gates to the previous room. Shroud clicked on the button afar, which reopened the gate, but closed all doors in the maze below.


    I think this is a straightforward logic problem, Shroud said. We must create a direct road between our opened door, cube two, and the one at the bottom in cube eight; and both gates to the other rooms must remain open. Pressing each button opens and closes different doors, and the tenth button creates a reset.


    Some buttons open pathways, but close others, Kari noticed.


    Its more than that, Shroud said. I can only start with cube two, so we must create a very specific sequence as if we were the ones in the cubes, traveling from one to the other.


    We can map out every single consequence of pushing a button, Kari proposed, her partner moving to do exactly that.


    After a good hour of trial and error, the duo mapped all consequences of pressing each cube and marveled at the sheer number of possibilities.


    Cube one opens pathways 1-4, 2-5, and 3-5, but closes 1-2, 2-3, and 7-8. Cube two, the starting point, opens 1-2, 2-3, 4-5, and 7-8, but closed the previous gate.


    Cube three opened 3-6, 4-5, 4-7, closed nothing. Cube four opened 4-5 and 5-6 but closed 1-4, 2-5, 3-6, 5-8, and 6-9. Cube five opened 3-6 and 5-6, closed 1-4, 2-5, and 4-5.


    Cube six opened 2-5, and 5-6, but closed 3-6, 4-5, 4-7, 5-8, and 6-9. Cube seven opened 5-8 and 7-8, closed 1-4, 2-5, and 5-6. And cube eight created pathways 6-9 and 8-9, but closed 3-6, 5-8, 5-6, and 7-8.


    Finally, much to Shrouds surprise, clicking on cube nine opened both the major doors to the other rooms but closed no pathway.


    Kari visibly frowned at the sheer number of possible sequences, which probably numbered in the hundreds, if not more; but Shroud had a field day trying to find the correct path. He loved math and maze problems.


    <em>Two, three, one four? No, ess to five was already opened, and not necessary skip straight to seven.</em>


    Two, three, one, four Kari said, before stopping herself. No. I am wrong. I do not know.


    So soon? Shroud teased her, as he mapped out a possible solution.


    I am not good with this kind of problem, Kari admitted. This is probability, math.


    You were on the right track, Shroud replied. Its simple.


    For you, she said, Uncle taught me to calcte bullet trajectories and to count ammo, but I was never good at it.


    He raised you as a weapon. Shroud privately thanked whichever deity had created the Feather of Maat for putting down that jackass.


    At least he raised me, Kari replied, with a hint of sadness.


    It urred to Shroud that he may have had the best family dynamic out of all his teammates, except perhaps Ace. Even Sol had lived in a Catholic orphanage in his youth. Youre acting somber than usual.


    This ce raises memories which arent my own. Ueno watched them in silence. It bothers me. I dont want to disappear.


    You will not, Shroud insisted. If your Lock ever threatens you, we will find a way.


    She didnt say a word. Perhaps she didnt believe him.


    Realizing he wouldnt break past her shell, Shroud returned to the problem. A correct sequence, the Blue sorcerer said, is two, three, one, seven, eight, nine. He clicked on each cube as he spoke, the path opening with both gates to the previous and next room opened.


    The second he did, the door to the next room rose through the floor and at the edge of the tform, the lock breaking open. Well done, Uenomented. Very fast. Rat must have expected you to take more time.


    Indeed, the rat lock spoke. I expected you to spend hours, perhaps a day on it. Good. I am pleased. A leader must have a sharp mind, or he is no leader at all.


    We are ready for the third round, Shroud said.


    You just passed it, the Rat said. Have you not guessed the existence of this hidden ce first? This was the first true test and the hardest one. But a final meeting awaits you behind this door and a reward, of a sort. In any case, when you wake up, it will be with my emblem.


    I shall visit Hachikos dreams, to ask him to gift you his emblem, Ueno said, ncing at Kari. And thus an old mans debt is repaid.


    A debt? Kari asked.


    All of Japan has a debt to you, my child. After all, it would not even exist today without you. But please take a step toward the future, instead of looking into the past.


    Shroud sighed, praying for the day when he would receive straightforward, honest answers, rather than elusive ones. He took a step forward, and turned to his friend, who didnt follow. Kari?


    No one can every truly rely on themselves, Kari said.


    Thats why we are a team, Shroud replied, So the sums of our parts is greater than any of us individually. Our strengths cover the weaknesses of others, allowing us to excel in our chosen domain.


    She had that thoughtful, introverted look, as if finding a solution to a struggle that bothered her before. Alright, she said, Alright.


    He and Kari opened the door to the next room, facing a blinding light. They walked into it while shielding their eyes, the gates closing behind them.


    The first word on the sorcerers mind, as he stepped into this new ce?


    Hot.


    The heat had risen drastically, alongside the luminosity; Shroud couldnt see one step away, and only ethereal mes licking his feet without burning them. Karis golden aura had red to life in this burning dream, causing the surrounding light to dim out.


    From the vast inferno surrounding them, a tall, humanoid figure of burning, crisping ashes manifested in front of them, sitting in a lotus position; a towering titan of dust and mes, wearing a crown of cinders and burned dreams.


    Brother.


    A thunderous, imperious voice spoke, the echo of burning embers joining each word.


    Brother. The fiery giants voice boomed like an inferno, simr to Candlemaker Jack. Are you pretending to be a woman again? I am not fooled.


    It took Shroud a moment to get used to the light around him and to realize the giant spoke to Kari rather than him. You knew me, in another life, Kari recognized.


    The giants eyes, two bright infernal stars, briefly shed with a confused light. I see. You have reincarnated again. Brother does this all the time. He could not let go of Nippon, wanting to protect it even after death. Why a human, though? Are you happy in such skin? Humans are so small and so cold. You must feel terrible without warmth.


    I like cold, Kari replied. It is soothing.


    Speak for yourself, Shroud replied, missing very much the climate of Florida. Thankfully, the titan did not look hostile. Could you tell us your name? I am Shroud, and this is Yoshikage.


    I am Hino-Kagutsuchi, God of Fire, the awe-inspiring giant spoke. The Motherless Sun.


    A bonafide god? Are you a Sponsor? Shroud asked. Much to his surprise, the giant shook his head.


    No. I could not be a Sponsor. My power was too great, too unruly. I cannot control the hungering fire of my soul. I burned my mother Izanami the day I was born, and my father sealed me before I could burn thend to cinders. I am the fire that brings death. For eons, Iid dormant, until my sister offered me the chance to light the furnace of a new sun. To be the fire that shelters life.


    You power Taiyougami, Kari guessed.


    I sleep at night, and the Rooster wakes me up, the giant confirmed, Then I am set to sleep again before my power can overwhelm the sun and melt it from within.


    We are thankful for that Shroud trailed off.


    I am content. I offer a ce to lost souls who have nowhere else to go. The giant nced down at the duo, like a child with ants. You humans, long you have walked a lonely, orphaned road, have you? The gods made you and left you behind. You must have felt so alone


    We survived, Shroud replied, before thinking of Sols own trouble faith. With some hardships.


    The age of myths will begin again, Hino-Kagutsuchi said. And this sun will shine on Earth again, or so I hope. Will you bring my light to burn the skies and the dragons that imed them?


    Shroud smiled savagely. Of course.


    Then, although I cannot grant you my sponsorship I grant thee and your fellowship a blessing of fire. The giants eye released a sh of bright light that swallowed both Shroud and Kari whole. Bear it with pride once you wake up, princes of cinders.


    Thank you, Kagutsuchi-sama, Kari bowed deeply, Shroud imitating her.


    I wish I could have heroes of my own, the immense deity said. Champions who bore my weapons and foundednds in my name.


    All of mankind owes its existence to fire, Shroud said.


    This makes me proud, Hino-Kagutsuchi replied.


    If I was your brother in a former life, and helped found Japan Kari trailed off, her eyes lighting in recognition. I was


    Yes, we are not gone, the deity replied. We are diminished, and few. We are embers of an age long gone. Still, an ember can trigger a great fire, if put in the hands of man.


    Shroud finally figured it out. The timeline of Mammons arrival on the Midnight Market, this meeting, the one with Melusine, the ancient war, why Concordia used to be called Midgard, and the revtions of <em>Dis, Worlds of Power</em>


    <em>This is insane,</em> Shroud thought, <em>But if Im right, it would fit.</em>


    I will wake up again soon, the fire deity said, focusing his fiery gaze on Kari. When you reach the end of this Lair, a great power will awaken within you.


    About it, could you sleep peacefully from now on? Shroud asked. You may endanger the dreamscape if you continue not to.


    I will, if you promise to visit me again, brother, the deity asked, Sometimes I feel lonely, and I cannot help myself.


    I swear, Kari promised.


    Then go now. I return you to the waking world.


    The light increased, swallowing Kari and Shroud whole.


    When the light subsided, Shroud found himself flying over his own body, a disembodied spirit no different from those haunting Taiyougami.


    His inanimate vesselid on the grass, Maggie watching over him with a conflicted expression. Kari had already woken up, walking towards his location. Shroud moved to return to his body, drawn there by an invisible force.


    Then a sharp pain erupted in his left arm, alongside a surge of darkness.


    Before he could return to his body, a second force stronger than the first yanked Shroud back, into the night, into pitch ck darkness. The shadows swallowed everything in sight, leaving him alone in a dark void.


    Whats happening? His voice was swallowed by the darkness, barely audible. He couldnt feel his legs nor his body, nor even any warmth. His disembodied spirit couldnt move. Where am I?


    <strong>In the void in-between. In the bosom of ck.</strong>


    In the thick, creeping void, a shining light appeared, a single eye watching him back. Shroud took a step back, but the distance between them only <em>decreased</em>.


    <strong>Come, Terminal Five,e. </strong>The voice was weing, if unnatural. Shroud recognized it as the one that contacted him in the in-between of his saves, the second time.<strong> Feed the ck. It will make you free. It will make all of us free.</strong>


    What the hell are you? A Pandorian? Pandoria?


    <strong>I was the first. I could not seed. The second cannot listen. She will </strong><em><strong>never, ever </strong></em><strong>listen. The third could not ept, it went mad. The fourth cannot believe, will not believe. You are the fifth. Will you be the one, or must I wait for a sixth toe? Please I waited for so long</strong>


    Five Terminals? Shroud noticed that the creature said <em>was </em>instead of <em>am. </em>What do you want from me?


    <strong>This world is a prison. You are the gate and the key. You and the others. This cycle of despair, it has happened before. Countless times. It will happen again. Our souls are taken and reborn, crushed beneath the wheel. Even if you escape Dis, you will never escape Dis. Do you not </strong><em><strong>see</strong></em><strong>? This is all a game, but even if we win, we will never win. We must not y to win.</strong>


    Shroud didnt understand a word of what the incoherent eye said.


    <strong>Is it coins that you want, Mathias? Is it what you need to </strong><em><strong>see</strong></em><strong>?</strong>


    A ck screen materialized in the darkness, white words on it; as impossible as it sounded, the ckness of this screen stood out from the void around.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Embrace the ck</strong><strong></strong>


    <strong>Difficulty</strong>: Zero


    <strong>Sponsor</strong>: The Heretic.


    Embrace the ck.


    <strong>Rewards</strong>: Nine Hundred Ny-Nine Spellcoins.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    There couldnt be a zero difficulty quest was cks power such that is could manifest Magik Online even in his dreams? Why do you need me? Shroud asked, trying to buy time.


    <strong>Because I am fallen. Come, Terminal. Come to me. Come to Pandoria. I will show you the truth. Beyond the colors, beyond ck.</strong>


    You could tell me here, Shroud replied, his mind furiously working to try find an escape from this situation. Would Kari dreamwalk back, upon seeing him unable to wake up?


    <strong>You are an ident. You are a bug. Sorcerers are all cogs of a broken system. You were not meant to be. Neither were the others. Neither was the ck. You are </strong>The eye shone brighter, incensed. <strong>You are not ready. Not yet. You still have hope. This cruel illusion, what is it worth? Mathias, you are </strong><em><strong>not </strong></em><strong>free. Even if you die, you will</strong><em><strong>never </strong></em><strong>be free.</strong>


    And like that, the ckness abruptly faded away.


    Shrouds eyes snapped back open, sharp pain in his left arm. Nerd? Maggies voice spoke up in concern, at seeing his expression.


    Shroud panted heavily, turning his head to look at his arm, finding it returned to normal and clenching a small rat emblem. What the hell was that?


    You had a goddamn nightmare, havent you? Maggie said.


    Yeah a nightmare, right beyond the dream. One that felt all too real.


    What did that creatureif it was even a creature and not some kind of ck manifestationeven mean? Five Terminals? Dis as a prison? Come to Pandoria?


    What would he even find there?


    As if to alleviate his confusion, a Magik Notification popped up.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>The Caged Sun</strong>,pleted! <strong></strong>


    The Dragonyers all earned thirteen Spellcoins and an Achievement!


    Congrattions! The Mur! and Sharpshoot reached Level Two!


    <strong>Achievement: Praise the Sun. </strong>


    You gained a permanent divine blessing from Hino-Kagutsuchi! You are now immune to fire and heat, including magma andva; only fire sorcery whose power surpasses that of the Motherless Sun or benefiting from a Pierce effect can affect you.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Ah.


    Neat.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong>


    <strong>(Pending Judgment)</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>16</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>16</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>33</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>20</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>14</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>26</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>22</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Emergency Exit


    </strong>


    Dot: 3


    Components:Doppelganger+Reload


    Activation: Active, Thought.


    The caster creates a perfect, free-willed quantum duplicate of themselves. It will dissipate if suffering a lethal wound and can neither use spells nor Lock, and unlike a standard Doppelganger the original will gain none of its memory upon death. Should the caster suffer a lethal wound and the double remains active, reality alters itself so the original and the double switch ce: the double suffers the wound, while the original appears unharmed at the exact spot the double used to upy. This is a teleportation and time maniption effect. The caster can only have one sacrificial double active.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 54: Coordinators

    Chapter 54: Coordinators


    Level Two is <em>awesome</em>!


    From above one of the frightened monsters pens, Shroud looked on with amusement as Maggie practiced her newly obtained Lightningrod spell.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Lightningrod</strong>


    Affinity: Red


    Dot: 2


    Price: 10


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    The caster can perceive, control, and absorb electricity; while they cannot generate it, they can absorb it within their body for eventual release with no ill effect. All electricity within one meter of the caster is immediately redirected towards them.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Combined with her Thunderling Hack, it had turned her into a living thunderstorm. Literally. His friends features had be almost impossible to distinguish past the torrent of blinding electricity her body generated. Shroud wondered which other spells she would purchase. She had already stockpiled a nice reserve of Spellcoins, even before receiving the influx from thetest Quest.


    Of course, her reaction was nothingpared to Murs.


    Formless! the fiend toyed with extending his arms, before casting another spell. Reload! He returned to normal in a bright sh of violet, ncing at his nk as if expecting an attack.


    The impish magpie had hoarded his Spellcoins like a dragon hoarded his gold, and cashed in with his new level. However, Shroud noticed that he mostly purchased spells that Mammon had used in the past. Was the imp intentionally attempting to mimic the Midnight Kings fighting style?


    <em> Those were the old ways, but now we must learn from our enemies and steal what makes them strong, the shadow of the Maleking whispered. Their technology, their sorcery, their knowledge and by blood and steel we shall have them. Until you learn to learn, you will never rise above your meager station.  </em>


    The Network sh made him freeze on ce. Did Mur answer to the Maleking?


    Shroud knew peeking into his allys mind was a breach of privacy, but the risk of infiltration was too great not to verify especially after what happened with Melusine and the Administrators warnings.


    <em> Is Murmur</em>


    <em>Murmur is banished, yes. I will have you exiled on another world, far from home, far from my sight.  </em>


    The Blue Sorcerer sighed in relief. It appeared the imp had indeed served the Maleking once, but been relieved of service. Shroud identified with the Administrator a bit more. Even if he had grown to like Mur, if he had threatened the rest of the group he probably would have acted the same as the Administrator did with him.


    But on the subject of the Maleking


    Me, calling me, Shroud contacted the clones through Network.


    Hell there, number one, Number Two replied, managing papers and keeping notes in an unknown desk room. His clones had wisely decided to safeguard information outside of the Pce of Shadows. A pity they didnt register on Magik Onlines chat system. How are things going on your end?


    Fine. I believe we should clear the Lair in two days, give it or take. I also gained enough Spellcoins to purchase the Call spell.


    Ah yes, Team Two researched the subject in depth, Number Two replied, I will have them dispelled so you can receive their gathered knowledge and summon new Doppelgangers. They found quite a few Outsiders whom Beastmaster will affect.


    Dispel Team Five as well, Shroud said. That team had focused onbat training, especially hand to hand, and he now just had the right spell to put it to use avable. Anything else to report?


    Reavers arent going to retaliate against us for Lughs death, ording to Team Sevens intel, Number Two said. They are focusing on preparing for the arrival of their patriarch, Lord Revel. So I have assigned them to investigate Mammon and the Epoch. Investigations on the matter are troubling.


    He is preparing for war, Shroud guessed.


    Hes umting a lot of weapons and mercenaries, that we know, Number Two replied. But whats more worrying is the prize for the Epoch. Mammon will remain tight-lipped about it until the Epochs grand opening, but we heard rumors of one of his owneds vanishing without a trace.


    Shroud paused. How can you vanish a?


    It was in the sky, and then in a blink, it was gone. I do not believe this is a coincidence.


    No. No, neither did he. Not even Ace knows the prize. Shroud had checked. Keep looking. What about Melusine?


    Number Two shrugged. Another dead end. The other research?


    Ongoing. The name of Mcoda is associated with a demon from <em>Dantes Inferno</em>, the leader of the Malebranche demons guarding the Eighth Circle of Hell, Malebolge, which is right before the deepest and final circle, Cocytus.


    The Malebranche were the name of the Malekings cult, and from what Shroud had gathered from glimpses of Network, Cocytus was a ce of great significance to them. Is he given a personality, or is it just a mention?


    He is portrayed in the poem as a military leader, superficially polite and reasonable, but a deceiver who tricks Dante on the wrong path. As for the idol he used tomunicate with Mammon, Sol will probably give you better details than what we came up with. We need time toe back with more.


    I will wait, then, Shroud replied, ending themunication there.


    He didnt have to wait more than twenty minutes before a flood of new memories rushed to his brain, the memories of his Doppelgangers Team Two and Team Five merging back with him. Pictures of days spent examining <em>Worlds of Power</em>, researching books and documents on Outsiders, and paying for expensive sses in hand to handbat with troll mercenaries.


    Unlike what he expected, the new memories did not conflict with his previous ones; Premium Thoughts allowed him to organize them, like folders inside his brain. <em>I cant ever turn that spell into a Hack, </em>Shroud thought, <em>too useful</em>. He made a note to purchase el and boost it further once he had more Spellcoins to invest.


    So far, Shrouds group had gathered most of the nonbat oriented emblems. The Dog had visited the group soon after the Rat trial, speaking of his master visiting him in dream to tell him of Matsumotos exceptional devotion, satisfying him into granting her the emblem.


    If the Goat had been rightand while he clearly withheld some information, most of what he spoke of turned out to be truethen Ox, Horse and Tiger wouldnt give their emblems without a fight, and they couldnt obtain the Roosters emblem without dealing with those three first. This left only the Dragons location as a major mystery.


    He would focus on purchasing tracking or information gathering abilities after the hostile Zodiacs were dealt with. For now, he would focus on obtaining more firepower.


    Shroud opened his spellpendium, considering his options. The Call spell, which he had researched extensively and meshed best with Network, he purchased without a second thought. He had enough funds to purchase one Blue spell, or one belonging to his allied colors, and considering the applications of Network, one option stood above the rest.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Powersurge</strong>


    Affinity: Green


    Dot: 2


    Price: 8


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The users physical abilities and physiological processes are supernaturally multiplied beyond the natural limits of their species. In general, the casters strength and senses are increased by a factor of ten.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Superpowered army, anyone?


    He purchased the spell and cast it on himself. For a split second, the world became too much for him. His vision sharpened like that of an eagle, allowing him to see the hidden eyes of the trees around the ind, the ants under the grass; and he could hear them, even those on the other shore. Faint scents and smells filled his nose, that of Aces perfume and the herbs in Kaguyas elixirs, and the terrible stench Stitch covered up; and his tongue identified a new taste in his mouth. His sense of touch sharpened, allowing him to sense every small impurity in the ss armor he wore.


    His body quickly adjusted to Powersurges effect, and he flexed his muscles. If he could lift up to his usual weight normally, and if it was multiplied by ten He just needed a cape and a chest symbol, and he could call himself a superhero.


    Shroud decided to take some time to test the spells, especially to check if they could trigger a Hack by merging with his other spells.


    CRACK!


    A purple light spread through every inch of his ss armor, the surface undting to reflect dozens of alien realities, some covered entirely in water, others screaming, burning hellscapes.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    New Hack Created!


    <strong>Master Mirror</strong>


    Dot: 3


    Components: ss Field + Call


    Activation: Active, Thought.


    You can summon magical mirrors binding the nes of existence together within two meters of yourself  this is a teleportation effect. The mirrors allow you to connect to a ne of your choosing, whom you can observe through the reflection; you can allow Outsiders to pass through the reflection and into the material universe, although you cannot yourself travel to other nes nor send anything through from your side of the mirror. Outsiders who cross a mirror are bound to the reflection, and can be recalled back into it with a thought.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Unfortunately, Shroud suddenly realized that he could no longer control his ss armor with the same degree as with ss Field, nearly falling into theke below. He barely had the time to create an armor of solid light with Lightbringer topensate and regain control of his flight.


    All around him, his lightshards turned inert without the power of ss Field, dropping on the ind.


    Not good.


    Shroud could sense his armor through Master Mirror, raising his palm in front of his eyes. His ss gauntlet reflected a shadowy world, cast in darkness. With a mere thought, he tuned the portal to another ne, one covered with shifting, multicolored sand.


    However, when hemanded the ss take another shape, he didnt receive a sensory feedback.


    Argh, he could control the gateway part of the mirror, but couldnt reshape the material the way he did with ss Field. This limited his range, and he could no longer use lightshards. Neither could he channel Lightbringer through the mirror.


    <em>Discard a card, and draw another, </em>Shroud thought. The loss of ss Field affected him more than his other spells. That was the very first Hack he ever triggered, and which served him since the beginning of his career.


    <em>I cannot be so nostalgic, </em>he thought. Master Mirror was an upgrade, and would synergize with Network. And perhaps he could upgrade it with new colors, all the way to Dot 5.


    Happier with the results, Shroud descended, finding Sol practicing the Encode spell a bit farther from the others. Mathias, Solomon nodded at him. Your armor changed.


    It upgraded, Shroud responded. Due to relying on Lightbringer for flight and the portals embedded in the ss tes, the Sorcerer now appeared to be wrapped in a suit of stars. But I will be less effective in directbat now.


    You were always better suited for organizing us from the rear and providing us with cover fire, Sol said, Leave the vanguard to us.


    You havent leveled up, unlike Mur and Maggie. The knight shook his head. Until your sidequest ispleted, you will remain at level one.


    There is more than one way to apply strength, Solomon replied. You couldbine weaker spells into stronger ones, can you not?


    Yes, but Sol had so far struggled to trigger a Hack, unlike everyone else but Stitch. Shroud guessed his friend wasnt very good with Magiks focus on innovation. He vowed to help him practice. I havee for your counsel. As a priest.


    Do you have a sin to confess? Sol arched an eyebrow behind his armors visor.


    Sort of. I spied on Mammon with Network, and I confirmed he is in cahoots with the Maleking, Shroud told him, drawing a vague stretch of the demons statue in the dirt. Thetter used this idol to contact Mammon, and since youre a priest


    I studied demonology, Solomon confirmed.


    Shroud blinked. You did?


    Two years ago, I met a man who made me realize I knew less about the world than I thought, and I set to correct that. The priests eyebrows deeply furrowed as Shroud finished this sketch.


    You recognize it.


    Then I saw a beasting up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were sphemous names, Sol quoted. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?


    The Book of Revtion?


    Yes, Mathias. This idol is an image of the Beast of the End Times. One of the two. And I saw another beast rising out of the earth, and it had two horns like amb, and it was speaking like a dragon<em>.</em> Sols frown deepened. Our recent experiences taught me myths are often <em>true</em>, they may not be <em>urate</em>. Keep that in mind.


    Shroud nodded, remembering how the Maleking appeared to him in dreams. Amb who spoke like a dragon What if there is only one Beast of the End Times, except it takes various shapes?


    Two enemies merciless order, and cruel chaos, Sol mused. Concordia brought magic back to earth, and with it, hostile forces long banished.


    Yes. This very space station proved magical entities once thought extinct remained, and that they had a heavy interest in influencing Earth. Mcoda probably sought to return home after eons of exile.


    But what did the Beast of the Apocalypse want with their old? Especially one which had already went through one end of the world already?


    A shiver went down Shrouds spine, as he came up with the most likely exnation.


    To finish the job.


    Thanks to the Guilds newest blessing, stepping inside the Vermillion Birds Engine in the early morning had be no more bothersome than enjoying a walk in Evermarsh.


    Shroud stepped into the area, flying over the corpse of a bisected giant worm. Mur and Sol had thoroughly cleaned up this part of the Lair. Are you sure about our n of attack? Ace questioned him, as she stepped out of the teleporter, alongside every Dragonyer but one. We leave our nk exposed to Baihu if we try to conquer the south first.


    And we risk an undead attack interrupting our takeover of the Western Area if we do not deal with the problem first. I can always oversee Baihus movements as long as Network functions on him, but the spirits are unpredictable. Considering that taking over Baihus fortress would probably be their toughest challenge, he would rather avoid jeopardizing this one. Also, solving the undead problem will grant us more Spellcoins and bring Stitch one Quest closer to Level Two, which will boost our firepower further.


    Although I have purchased a spell which I hope will prove helpful, Stitch said, ever polite, even though he regretted not bringing hisrvae with him. Shroud wanted to keep them in reserve for Concordia. I would prefer to invest in nonbat powers, especially sensory abilities.


    Everyone fights, Mur insisted, Shroud agreeing with him, Even you, Doc.


    I understand, the doctor nodded politely, I simply say I will help more with other tasks. To each their own niche.


    Sensory powers can havebat application, Kari stated, Like my old Killer Sense.


    Especially ifbined with a boost from Powersurge, Shroud butted in, Which I will assign you since your knowledgepensates for the Heal spell.


    You should have purchased Peak, Kari said. With Powersurge.


    After a quick check on her ount, Shroud confirmed she had purchased that spell herself. That sounded redundant, Shroud replied, One increases your physical abilities to perfection, the other multiply them.


    An Olympic boxer made ten times stronger will prevail over a bookworm ten times stronger, Kari pointed out. Five hundred kilos multiplied by ten is better than fifty by ten.


    I can lift more than fifty kilos naturally, Shroud defended himself, wounded by the implication he didnt keep himself in shape. Also, Im broke.


    Ace didnt let go of her reservations. We are one member short, she pointed out.


    Unfortunately. They had to leave Maggie behind at the base, due to her headband making her a liability in case of a direct confrontation; until she had gotten rid of itand even Stitch hadnt found a method to safely remove itshe would remain benched.


    Unfortunately, he wasnt willing to wait further for Maggie to unlock that headband, not with the Baihu deadline approaching. A few more days and Shroud could no longer watch him.


    If anything, being forced to sit out of the battle had hit her enough to focus on her trial; Bai Suzhen promised to help her with meditation, even asking Shroud to assign Maggie Premium Thoughts so she could focus more. Shroud hoped her coaching would show results. Being deprived of a good fighter was one thing, Maggie losing her self-esteem and confidence was another.


    We will manage, Shroud replied firmly. Sol? Please lead the way to the Ox and the Horse.


    With pleasure, the priest replied.


    Although the temperature could no longer harm him, it applied pressure on his Mirror Armor, heating it up. He hoped none of his friends clothes wouldnt catch fire.


    Since Sol and Mur had already cleaned most of the level on their own, no monsters bothered them on the way to the Zodiac. In fact, to Shrouds surprise, most of the locals simply observed the group from afar; a giant beast which the Sorcerer mistook for ava shark circled around them as they moved from one metal tform to another, but remained distant and dived back under theva when Mur threatened them.


    When Shroud noticed a group of reptilian, humanoid beasts watching from afar on another shore of the moltenva river, he received a Network sh that rified the situation.


    <em> The yers wille to challenge us, Ox-Head told the magamen, Stay out of their way, and leave them to us.  </em>


    The wardens of this area expected a visit. Guys, prepare for battle, Shroud told the group, as he modified the various assigned spells. Mur, Sol, I am assigning you Powersurge. Ace, you get Heal. Remember the n of attack. If Bai Suzhens information is correct, we need to break them up in order to secure a quick victory.


    Danger ahead, Kari warned, summoning the light of Oversoul. The various Dragonyers cast their buffing spells if they hadnt already.


    The Ox and the Horse came into sight, waiting for them near the pit they guarded, standing on a tform surrounded by molten steel. The space around had the shape of a dome,rge enough to fit a football stadium, and giving Shroud and Sol space to fly.


    The second the group stepped on the arenas floor, the two Zodiacs raised their weapons. An armor of stones and bricks materialized around every patch of the Oxs fur, covering him entirely except for his eyes, and he ran at the Sorcerers with uncanny speed; while the Horse summoned mes around his mace, waving it with the grace of a dancer.


    Without a word, the Dragonyers dispersed as per the nned formation, the Oxs trident impaling only air. Shroud and Sol took flight and aimed for the Horse, Ace summoned the rain, Kari and Stitch circled the Ox, and Mur fired with his minigun at thetter.


    The bullets, even if reinforced, failed to fully pierce the stone armor. Shroud suspected the Ox had cast Reinforce on his armor or increased the stones density to improve its resistance to damage.


    Seeing the uselessness of his minigun, Mur tossed it away and swung his hammer, aiming for a melee duel. Kari, red, ethereal hands manifesting around her, circumvented the Ox and prepared to backstab him. The Zodiac, surrounded from all sides, cast off parts of his armor, stone bullets moving on their own and firing from all sides. Mur shielded himself with his arms, the metal tes of Adamant pushing back some of the projectiles but letting others pierce his exposed stomach, while Karis protective hands deflected everything.


    Meanwhile, Horse-Face, swinging his weapon, unleashed a volley of bluish mes at the Dragonyers, the projectiles bouncing back against Sols armor, and while they hit Shroud himself, not only did he not feel them, they quickly extinguished on their own. Hino-Kagutsuchis blessing protecting him.


    Sol, the fastest of the two fliers, assaulted the Horse Zodiac with his shining de, while Shroud supported him with solid light projectiles. The Horse parried Sols de with his own weapon, but thanks to Powersurges strength boost stacking with his own enhancements and armor, the knight pushed the giant horse back. The Zodiac summoned a cloak of mes around himself, trying to incinerate the knight.


    Meanwhile, the rest of the team struggled with the Ox, who had identified Kari as the most pressing threat and attempted to smash her into a bloody paste; autonomous stone projectiles kept Mur pinned down, piercing his legs. The imps enhanced body caused them to bounce back off him.


    Ace had summoned heavy rain clouds in spite of the temperature, but the droplets turned into steam before they could hit the ground. So instead of teleporting, she had to run on foot to reach Mur. She repeatedly cast the Heal spell on him, helping him regenerate from his wounds until his Lock could fullyplete his transformation.


    Stitch, who had invested in multiple sensory spell such as Intuimotion, and enhanced by Powersurge, moved with an uncanny agility. He dodged every projectile and grabbed scalpels hidden under his sleeves; his movements may havecked Karis grace, he improved quickly. Once he danced all the way up to the Ox, heunched his weapons at his eyes, the only exposed vulnerabilities. With the sheer strength behind the attack, the weapons flew through the air faster than arrows.


    The stones making up the Oxs armor rearranged to cover his eyes, shielding them from the attack, but leaving the giant warrior briefly blinded. Kari immediately seized the opportunity to close the gap between her and him, her Hands of ughter smashing the Oxs left knee with enough force to breach the stone armor. The warrior fell, unable to move.


    Horse, finally understanding he couldnt ovee the groups fire immunity, switched tactics. He detonated a fireball right in front of Sols face, the detonation forcefully pushing both fighters backward. He attempted to rush to his friends side, but Sol intercepted him first, keeping the duo separated.


    By now, the steam covered the battlefield, reducing visibility for the various fighters except for the one who could see through everyones eyes.


    Shroud remembered Bai Suzhens intel. Horse could mentally control fire, and Ox earth. Ox focused on offense and Horse on defense. Excellent teamwork honed through centuries. The Dragonyers needed to iste them to prevail.


    Watching their abilities, Shroud realized they didnt use sorcery. The Sorcerer couldnt put a finger on why, but he couldnt recognize these abilities as the same as Dirt Call or Immtor. They were primitive, ancient, unrefined.


    Shroud hid himself in a nket of steam, the entire reason he had Ace summon the rain, and activated Mirror Master by opening his palm towards the Horse Zodiac. Come to me, Androsphinx!


    A purple sh erupted from his hand, the small shape of a winged, golden lion flying out of an endless desert and into the arena. The creature quickly grew to an elephants size, extending its wings and revealing shining eyes and sharp diamond fangs. The majestic beast roared in bloodlust, its primal intellect subsumed by Shrouds Beastmaster.


    Sphinx counted as fairy beasts. Go figure.


    Shroud created a double of himself on the summoned beasts back, to serve as a decoy. Thankfully, although the armorcked the portals embedded in the mirrors, the double also shared Hino-Kagutsuchis fire blessing. Shroud noted that particrity for future use.


    The double rode the sphinx down to attack the Horse, while Shroud watched through his and Sols eyes. Although bearing an inhuman face, the Horse Zodiacs eyes betrayed his surprise at the new attacker, mistaking the clone for the real Shroud. Once again swinging his fiery mace, he attempted to push the rider back but found himself struggling against both the beast and Sol at once.


    Shroud, while unable to get a direct vision of the battle, had enough visual information thanks to Network. Enough to calcte an angle of attack.


    Materializing a sword of light, Shroud aimed, and threw it.


    The de flew through the steam, broke past the surprised Horses guard, and grazed the fur just below the chin without drawing blood.


    If he had wanted, he could have sliced the Horses head off, but purposefully missed by a few centimeters. The Horses head jerked towards the cloud of steam, understanding the not-so-subtle message.


    <em>If we wanted you dead, you would be right now.</em>


    But it was Mur who gave the coup de grace, surging out of the steam fully metamorphosed into a titan of metal and leaping at the Ox, whom Stitch and Kari kept pinned in ce. Reinforce! the iron fiend snarled while high on his own sorcery, enhancing his weapon onest time. The Ox, fast, raised his trident to parry and unleashed a volley of stone bullets.


    The bullets bounced off Murs metal body, the fiends hammer smashed the other weapon like a twig and stomped the Oxs head.


    The sheer force of the impact unleashed a shockwave so powerful, it sted all the steam around and made the ground tremble. Ox-Heads stone helmet shattered into tiny pieces, his left horn cracked under the pressure, and the titan hit the floor with a loud crash while Murughed.


    He didnt rise up, lying inert on the ground.


    Enough, Horse-Face suddenly spoke up. His voice was low-pitched, enough to surprise Shroud. You win.


    To punctuate his words, he tossed his weapon into theva. Stop! Shroud ordered, and the Dragonyers and his double stopped moving. Well, except Mur, who keptughing in triumph. Ace, please heal the wounded.


    The Violet Sorceress moved to the Oxs side, casting spells on him. Shroudnded on the floor, pleased with the results.


    The n had worked <em>so </em>much better than expected! Even Ace looked at him with an amazed expression. See? Shroud told her. wless victory.


    Yes, braggart, but thats not why Im surprised. Ace looked up at the sorcerers double riding the sphinx, then at Mur. I just realized how truly overpowered your Lock is if applied right.


    The Horse Zodiac moved to help hispatriot back to his feet. Are you well,rade?


    It hurt, the Ox replied, his voice gruff and groggy. He clearly couldnt stand straight without help yet, even after repeated use of the Heal spell. This fiend, gave me a new battle scar, but I will live.


    They are stronger than expected,rade.


    Agreed, Ox-Head replied, looking at the team. You fight as one. This is what we wanted, needed to see.


    Individual power can achieve a great many things, sometimes it can even change the world, his fellow exined. But it cannot buysting peace. Our masters could not fight as one, and it cost them the world. Even now, they bicker.


    You could have tested our teamwork without unleashing an undead army on the space station, Ace condemned them.


    We did not, Ox-Head said, sheepish. Not truly.


    Our power has been waning since the reaping ten years ago, Horse-Face said. Your natural magic weakens as your sorcery grows stronger.


    Knowing of our Masters decision to invite challengers, we sought to economize our reserves so we might put you to test in the right conditions, his fellow continued. The power we disyed today, will never shine as brightly again. But we will return to our duties, knowing that the future is in your good hands.


    Shroud frowned. You are all getting weaker, he guessed, piecing the puzzle together, Not just you. The entire Zodiac.


    Horse-Face confirmed with a nod. Bai Suzhens cultivation process slowed down, needing pills to continue; Baihu feels his power wane and it scares him; we all waste away.


    The power you call Flux is not natural, and neither is the sorcery it powers, Ox-Head said. They are an intrusive force seeping into the universe, slowly discing what came before, rewriting thews of the world in their favor. Both have been siphoning our original, natural powers, as humans cut through forests to fuel their forges. The Godwar halted the inevitable, but the process began anew when the towers rose.


    In time, we either lose our powers and wither away, or rarely, embrace the machines power as Rat did. Once, all of mankind could achieve immortality through cultivation, see the future in the stars, or delve into the higher mysteries; now, there is only Sorcery. What it cannot assimte, it devours.


    Progress Mur says, the fiend dered. Power is power, no matter where ites from.


    Perhaps, Horse-Head said. But power with a will of its own is never truly yours.


    You proved yourself worthy of it, and our emblems, Ox-Face said. We shall return to our duty.


    Return us the soul gems you gathered, Horse-Head said. We will return them to the pit and Naraka, and the cycle will begin again. Properly, this time.


    Shroud nodded in agreement, a familiar message notifying him of the reward for this service.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Quest: the Restful Dead, fulfilled! </strong>


    Each Dragonyer except Sharpshoot earned fifteen Spellcoins!</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Maggie wouldnt like it.


    Still, with the spirit problem solved, not only could they rest at night, they could im the Roosters emblem, leaving only the Tiger, the Dragon, and the Goat.


    Time to conquer thest area.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong>


    <strong>(Pending Judgment)</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>21</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>30</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>16</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>27</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>6</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>28</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Inteldrain


    </strong>


    Dot: 2


    Components: Premium Thoughts + Purge


    Activation: Active, Direct Touch Vector.


    You can drain a specific mental information from the mind of a target on direct touch contact. This does not allow for mind-reading; you must be aware of the informations existence before casting the spell and you cannot check it before draining it. Otherwise, the nature of the information you may harvest is broad, from a memory, to entire sets of skills. The victim loses the target information, which can trante as permanent loss of a memory; however, the victim is always aware an information was forcefully taken, even if the memory of the erasure has been removed.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 55: The Strongest Zodiac

    Chapter 55: The Strongest Zodiac


    Maggie Powells and Kari Matsumoto sat in a lotus position under the lifeforge, their eyes closed. Kari looked peaceful, while Maggie, not so much.


    Exhale, Bai Suzhen, whomanded the exercise, advised. Focus on your bodys sensations. Let the air flow from your lungs to the outside world.


    Shroud watched his friends exercise, having declined joining them. Their reactions interested him more than the act itself. Stitch also had declined due to his obviousck of breath, while Ace prepared the groundwork for the final push for Baihus emblem.


    As for Mur, the imp had justughed the exercise off as ridiculous, before chasing after Baihus scouts lurking in the South Area. With the end of night attacks, the Tiger had finally decided to send monsters to collect wood for his forge.


    So far, Baihu had remained strangely passive. With the various revtions he had crossed together, Shroud finally understood why. Leading species on the verge of extinction made him wary about wasting them, especially against challengers instead of the Concordian Empire. Defenders generally held an advantage in siege warfare, especially since the West Area didnt depend on others to survive. He could afford to pick waiting for the Dragonyers to crash against his walls, since they needed the emblem while sending scouts to check on them.


    The fact the Tiger had consciously avoided going through the north bothered Shroud though. Why did that arrogant feline avoid the Goat at all costs?


    Maggie, Bai Suzhen told the one member of the dragonyers unable to stay on ce. You are not focusing.


    Im trying she hissed but didnt curse back. Shroud took it as her learning the lesson.


    And you are making progress.


    I better do, I lost fifteen Spellcoins because of this anger management ss, Maggie replied, clearly annoyed.


    Then empty your mind, let go of your emotions Maggies jaw clenched in annoyance, but her mouth remained shut. Kari, you are doing very well.


    Indeed. Shroud checked her Magik ount and noticed her number of side-quests had gone up. She might upgrade her Lock by the end of it.


    Shroud left to check on the other members of the team. Ace finished created purple doorways in the Pigs hidden hub, linking areas together.


    With Doorways, Ace could create temporary portals between two doorways, from arches to doors, as long as they were within ten kilometers of one another. Twenty, if she boosted the spell with el. By creating four doorways, linking the ind to the hub, and then the hub to Baihus area, she had created a road circumventing the teleporters. No need to crawl through the small, dangerous tunnels to move East from West.


    Shroud had considered sending the entire monster army through and blindside Baihu, until the meeting with the Ox and the Horse. Being responsible for a bloodbath when the species present on Taiyougami were on the decline bothered him; he would send in the monsters only if the fight with Baihu went off the rails.


    They would keep that strategy for Concordia.


    <em>Sir?</em>Stitch called through his Network feed.<em>Sir, do you hear me?</em>


    What is it? Shroud whispered back, moving away from the meditation training ground so as not to bother them.


    <em>I found a way to hatch the core early. I wish to gain your approval before proceeding.</em>


    Iming. Shroud left the women to their training to move around the ind, towards Stitchs location. The medic had set a makeshiftboratory for spell experimentation near the bridge, alongside Sol, testing out various applications of the Encode spell, or even trying to activate Hacks.


    Shroud told himself to check the yer forums after the Baihu problem was dealt with. He had put it off for too long, waiting until he could gather more Spellcoins to invest. While he wanted to keep a reserve for Level Three, he intended to upgrade some of his outdated spells, like Purge. Perhaps yers had found helpful Hack forms for it.


    He would also need to recreate ss Field; without it, the armor he currently wore had turned into an impactical prison which he couldnt take off without outside help or damaging it. The more he thought of it, triggering Hacks using spells he hade to use as crutches would prove more trouble than it was worth.


    The Blue Sorcerer found his teammates having set a protective perimeter around the Dungeon Core, namely surrounding it with the spell-encoded bombs they had used against the spirits a few days earlier. Sol stood watch in full armor, while Stitch worked on a potion alongside the Rabbit Zodiac.


    Ah, sir, Stitch said upon noticing him, while Sol kept his eyes on the core. Good to see you.


    I see you didnt waste time, Shroudmented, noticing a stockpile of rounded stones near Stitch. New bombs?


    Solomon encoded the Blue World spell in them, set to activate upon sufficient shock applied. I suggested distributing them to our less spell-equipped allies to throw at the enemy.


    You created spell grenades, Shroud whistled. Impressive.


    I wish I could im this discovery, but I am only reverse-engineering Concordian weapons I have observed in my unlife.


    Of course, Concordia would mass-produce that kind of goods.


    The doctor is so good! Kaguya praised him. He improved my healing potions thrice over!


    Not surprising. Timesense. Doom Sense. Psychometry, Intuimotion, Pathfinder, Alchemic Grasp, Spiritsight Stitch had purchased just about every sensory spell he could get his dead hands on at Level One. He clearly optimized himself for his research.


    I have produced batches of an elerated regeneration pill, Stitch exined. Not as potent as your own Heal spell, sir, but useful in a pinch. With a betterb, I could mass-produce them.


    Stockpile them for now, alongside your weaponry, Shroud said. In time, they would empower a full human insurgency on Earth.


    Sol hadnt moved from his watchful stance, however. This caught Shrouds attention. The core is dangerous, is it not?


    Very, Solomon said.


    I found a way to elerate the hatching, Stitch said. The key was Green Flux exposure, sir. I understood when you activated the Lifeforge. The dragon feeds.


    The dragon? Shroud interrupted Stitch, his hands clenching.


    My spells confirmed this is no stone, Stitch said. This is an egg, sir. More specifically, a dragon egg.


    Shroud red at the shining core with such intensity the Moon Rabbit cowered. He couldnt help himself. Exin.


    Not a Concordian dragon, mind you, sir, Stitch said hurriedly. The tensioning from the Blue Sorcerer must have been palpable. An eastern variant, long thought extinct. I heard these ones followed a cycle of reincarnation, unlike their Midgardian cousins, returning to the state of an egg after suffering lethal wounds; only when their core is destroyed, are they truly destroyed. With my new spell enhancements, I recognized it as it was.


    And you didnt inform me of this? Shroud hissed at Kaguya, who lowered her ears.


    I, I didnt know, I swear. The Rabbit insisted. But Dragon is very nice! You have nothing to fear from him.


    So the Goat gave us a poisoned gift since the beginning, Shroud muttered. To think we looked everywhere for the Dragon Zodiac only to carry it across this ce. I should have known these creatures fed on the death of others.


    I do not think so, Stitch said, Dragons naturally adapt to their environment at an elerated rate, sometimes undergoing multiple metamorphoses during their lifetime. I believe this particrity,bined with a Flux-heavy environment, is the reason for the high sorcerer rate among their poption. Our challenger may have granted us the egg hoping to trigger a specific reaction.


    So the Zodiac provided us this egg, hoping it would, what, copy some of our powers?


    This sounds like the most likely exnation, sir.


    Mathias, Sol butted in, having kept a hand on his sword since the beginning. What do we do with it?


    Shroud crossed his arms, himself unsure. He loathed dragons with every fiber of his being, even one technically allied with them, and the idea of having strengthened it disgusted him. Yet they needed its emblem to go forward. How did you intend to hatch it?


    Intense exposure to Flux, particrly Green, Stitch said. I would have used the spell Growth on it, had I the level to purchase it. Instead, I suggest you, sir, cast Heal on the shell. The resulting surge of Green Flux should overstimte its growth process, and hatch it in controlled conditions. We can terminate it with a specific word. It is under control.


    Meaning, surrounded by mines to blow it up should it turn dangerous. Kaguya was aghast when she realized that. You want to blow up an egg! An egg!


    If it proves dangerous, Stitch replied with cold professionalism. Even Sol, who would have frowned upon such tactic, did not voice an objection.


    This could be the Lairs final boss, Shroud said, although nobody else understood his video game jargon.


    But Dragon is nice! Kaguya insisted, You have nothing to fear!


    Shroud ignored her, flying towards the core andnding near the egg. The stone now shone with a bright light, having fed on the Dragonyers experience and struggles through the Lair.


    With<em>considerable</em>disgust, Shroud put his hand on the eggshell, feeling the warmth and life inside. Heal. A surge of Green Flux covered the egg, to no effect. Heal.


    Heal.


    Again, and again. Did you make a mistake? Kaguya asked as the Blue Sorcerer kept casting his spell to no avail.


    I am not wrong, Stitch insisted.


    He wasnt. Shroud sensed the warmth increase. In between spells, he paused just long enough to purchase a spell he should have gotten long ago. <em>el</em>Heal.


    This time, it did the trick.


    The stone shook on its own, Shroud instantly flying away back to Sols side, just in case. The stone unleashed a radiant, vibrant re of energy, bing light itself. The energy shifted, morphing away from the shape of a stone to that of a serpentine creature, much smaller than Bai Suzhen, yet still awe-inspiring.


    The light soon died out, revealing a flying beast of legends, a blue Asian dragon with scales of varying shade of deep blue and green. Shrouds own colors, the sorcerer realized. The creature didnt look like the primeval Smokefang, but as a long serpent with four legs and a white mane, and bright golden eyes showcasing deep intelligence. And between horns, the animal proudly disyed the dragon emblem.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Quest, the Dungeon Core,pleted!</strong>


    All Dragonyers earned Seven Spellcoins! Doc reached Level 2!</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Yet all Shroud could feel at the sight was disgust.


    He knew it was irrational, and probably undeserved. But he hated that creatures kind with every fiber of his being, almost as much as he despised Jack Powells.


    Dragon! Kaguya leaped to the creatures side. Shroud feared the mines would blow her up, but whatever conditions Stitch and Sol had set for activation didnt trigger. Youre back!


    The beast nuzzled the rabbit with an animalistic growl, too young to form words. Interesting, Stitch said, approaching to examine the beast. It appears dragons cannot speak in their earlyrval stage. How interesting to examine one in the wild!


    Just take the emblem, Shroud replied, as he turned away from the scene.


    Sol stopped him by putting a hand on his shoulder. Mathias, it did nothing to you.


    I know, but just watching it makes me want to vomit. The Blue Sorcerer brushed it off. What was the point of that exercise?


    Teach us kindness andpassion, mayhaps.


    Towards dragons? Shroudughed. This is ridiculous. What is there to feelpassionate about?


    You defeat enemies when you make them your friends, Sol replied. Sometimes, angels fight evil with ming swords, and sometimes with understanding.


    What is there to understand about Concordia? About the Maleking? The former is a tyrannical empire, the second the beast of the end times. The one value in understanding the enemy is realizing how to destroy it.


    Some people are too unreasonable to ever be talked out of their way of thinking, Solomon conceded. But I fear that if we consider the opposite side as purely evil without considering where theye from, we be tempted to take a wicked path ourselves. The road to Hell is not only paved with good intentions, but also with self-justifications.


    Shroud frowned, before somehow his thoughts trailed to Jack Powells, perhaps the one person he ever met that could be called pure, unredeemable evil. While Smokefang had at least the reasonbut not the excuseof hisck of sorcery and culture driving him to a dangerous path, Jack had no reason to turn out the way he did. He just did.


    Evil existed in this world, and it had to be destroyed, no questions asked.


    Still, something which Jack told him bothered Shroud. Jack once told me Locks had a purpose.


    You were granted the power to understand others, Mathias, and make them work together, Solomon nodded, Do not waste it.


    He had no answer to this.


    As per his schedule, Baihu had fallen asleep.


    Its time, he told the gathered Dragonyers, as they stood in front of a stone archway crafted by Mur, and turned into a doorway by Ace. His eyes set on Maggie longer than most, especially the headband around her head.


    This sucks, Maggie said, sounding more tired than angry. Anger management sses suck.


    They couldnt wait longer. Network would soon stop working on Baihu, blinding Shroud. They had to try now. You can help without fighting, he said. Shroud hesitated to bench her again, as he feared it would destroy whatever confidence she had left. He had adapted their tactics ordingly; and besides, he had learned everything to know about Baihu. In fact, your role may be the most important one.


    Whatever, she replied, ncing away and not believing him.


    Shroud sighed, his eyes turning to the operations field leader. I dissipated enough doubles to manifest twenty-five Doppelgangers, Shroud told Kari.


    The young woman didnt say a word.


    I know you do not want to rely on the Grant Spell feature of Network, Shroud dered. But out of all of us, you are the one with the most spell buffs, which will carry over to your doubles. Even Mur cannot reach this tricks full potential without Pitborn carrying over. He wondered what prevented Doppelganger from noticing Hacks.


    I am still wary of this power, she said, This is your Lock, not mine. And relying on someone else makes me ufortable.


    I know, Shroud said. But I smell a but?


    But Kari frowned. I have seen where never trusting others lead; to Uncle. I do not want to make the same mistake, and your power can give us an edge. If we want to take back our home, we need to exploit it. It would be selfish of me to sacrifice the greater picture for my sake.


    So you will agree? At least for this time? Kari nodded, although with some hesitation. Thank you. I know this isnt easy for you.


    She took his hand without a word, and Shroud sensed the jolt of Network reactivate. He granted her the Doppelganger spell, and she created her first copy.


    He made twenty copies of herself, while Should kept the rest of his slots in reserve. Combined with Stitchsrvae and monsters, and the summons he kept in reserve, they had a force fifty members strong, most of them enhanced with Powersurge. Considering the force multiplier involved, they might as well be five thousand.


    Not that he would deploy all of them. Only the Dragonyers would suffice for this operation.


    Unfortunately, Shroud wouldnt be part of them today. Its the first time I trulymand from the rear, he said. It is strange.


    Its necessary, Sol replied. If Baihu defeats you, all our enhancements may fall down, and you are our coordination lynchpin. You cannot let iing attacks distract you from it.


    Its just, what if it goes wrong? What if you need me in a pinch and I cannot reach you fast enough?


    Mathias, we will not be able to rely on you all the time, Sol said, giving him a pat on the shoulder, Do you remember what I told you once? Trusting someone is also giving them the ability to make mistakes, and no n is ever foolproof. You will help far more coordinating us, and we will manage.


    If this Lair truly was meant to train the Dragonyers and allow them to experiment, he might as well attempt tactics he intended for Concordia. An open assault would be out of the question, but not takedowns and assassinations. They just had to secure the pce and defeat Baihu to im thest area, not devastate it with monsters.


    Overall, it should go well. Sol had encoded everyones clothes and weapons with Reinforce, to trigger in case of attack, Karis doubles carried bags of spell grenades with them, and everyone had upgraded their spell selection. Shrouds own surveince had allowed him to map the area and Baihus pce, information he had every teammate memorize. With Shroud directing them from afar, it should, in theory, go as well as the Ox and Horse battle.


    In theory.


    Good luck, he told the other Dragonyers, as they walked into Aces portal, Maggie and Stitch going first, followed by Kari and Mur.


    Try to keep an eye on the sleeping tiger, handsome. Ace winked at him, as she closed the march with Sol, leaving Shroud alone.


    The sorcerer sat in the grass and opened all Network feeds avable, before casting a new spell on himself. el Premium Thoughts.


    He didnt notice any noticeable change, at least not now; base Premium Thought had been enough to coordinate the group and keep track of the feeds before.


    Using Aces teleportation pathway, the group stepped through an isted corner in the Western Areas walled city, silent in the night. Karis doubles crawled on the walls to reach the roofs and dispersed, while the main group walked on foot. el Soundwave, Maggie cast, el Quasar.


    With the enhanced Soundwave spell, Maggie could control sound within a twenty meters radius; and she deflected light with Quasar, as Shroud did when he still used the spell on Earth. Combining both abilities, she had created a vast protective zone where the group could move silent and invisible.


    Through the eyes of Karis clones moving around with discretion, Shroud had a perfect view of the perimeter. Baihus monsters patrolled the streets below, especially near the pce, withnterns, but hadnt noticed the team yet. Dragonyers, take a corner to the right, and walk in a line around Maggie, Stitch first, Solst. Six guards are moving in the opposite direction, but you can avoid them.


    Thanks to his sheer range of sensory abilities, Stitch made for a very good scout and would spot anyone Shroud himself missed.


    Shroud watched the group meet a patrol of armored monkeys, led by a taller ogre, and walk next to them undetected. He noticed a pleased smirk on Maggies face as the enemy missed them entirely.


    Good. That would help build her confidence back. Shroud remembered fondly on how Quasar had been one of the first spells he granted her back in the day, and how it gave her a taste of sorcery in the first ce.


    Karis clones protected the team, often silently ambushing guards patrolling the roofs and clearing the way to Baihus fortress. The group reached the pce, while the doubles set a perimeter around it.


    While Kari and Mur climbed the walls the old fashion way, Sol used flight to transport the rest of the group on the rampart. The courtyard was left rtively unattended, the guards patrolling the pces corridors.


    Kari, go forward towards the courtyard and secure the path to Baihus tower. The rest of you, secure and block the main gate.


    Kari climbed down the castle walls on the other side, as silent and invisible as a shadow even as she exited the range of Maggies protective shield. Within seconds, she ambushed a duo of headless monsters watching the tower from behind, dragging them into the shadows before theirrades on the walls noticed. The rest of the group moved towards the gates, still hidden behind their protection.


    Then Baihu woke up from his slumber.


    Shrouds eyes widened in rm. Had he smelled the group? Warning, Tiger is awake! he informed the group, as the Zodiac leaped out of bed to reach the balcony, jumping into the courtyard as if possessed by a single-minded will.


    It is time, Baihu told himself, as hended with the same perfect poise he showed to Shroud before.


    Kari, hes onto you! The moderator warned her. Kari stepped out of the shadows behind Baihu, intending to cheap shot the Tiger.


    Blue World!


    The Tigers words carrying a blue aura through the courtyard. Kari froze in ce, paralyzed.


    So did Shroud.


    Did you assume I could not cast spells because you never saw me do so? Baihu taunted Shroud, whose eyes bulged behind his screen.


    He knew.


    Shit, he<em>always</em>knew.


    Powersurge, Peak, Baihu said, a green aura surrounding him, buffing himself while turning around to face the immobilized Kari. Intuimotion, Mindshield.


    In the blink of an eye, Baihu moved with his ws, ready to tear out Karis throat, only for Hands of ughter to activate, crimson arms moving to strike at the tiger. The Zodiac dodged gracefully, circling around the paralyzed warrior, yet finding no opening past her defense.


    Powersurge and Mindshield. Level Two, at least. Wait, if he could cast spells, did that mean he


    el ss Field, Baihu said.


    The pces windows exploded into shrapnel.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong>


    <strong>(Pending Judgment)</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>16</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>28</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>25</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>34</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>1 (Novice)</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>35</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Weak Point</strong>


    Dot: 2


    Components: Psychometry + Alchemic Grasp


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    You subconsciously understand the structure of anything that you see on an sub-atomic level, from buildings to human bodies; this knowledge allows you to notice the perfect weak points, which cause structural damage if targetted. Weak points appear to you as ck dots on a structure, and will cause structural copse if pressed with force; you are always aware of the degree of structural damage you will cause before attacking.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 56: Raid Boss

    Chapter 56: Raid Boss


    The storm of ss shrapnel tried to tear Kari to shreds.


    Hands of ughter activated in response, the ethereal red arms moving to punch away the projectiles and protect their paralyzed master. They stopped most of the shrapnels, but quite a few found a way past the automated defense, aiming to gore her through the chest


    Instantly, the spell Reinforce, which Sol had encoded in her clothes, activated in response to the impact. The clothes stopped most projectiles like armor.


    A yer. Baihu was a yer.


    Shroud guessed he must have Doom Sense or a simr sensory Hack, which allowed him to notice the iing attack. The fact that the tiger used<em>his</em>ss Field vexed him deeply. Everyone, drop the gates, and move to the courtyard, Shroud ordered, as Kari regained her mental faculties.


    The tiger, empowered by his various spells, cut a nearby pir supporting the walls nearby and prepared to throw it at Kari like a spear. Kari, cover your ears! Shroud shouted through the Network feed, as his friend noticed the projectile. He can use Blue World!


    Blue Kari put her hands on her ears and leaped backward, even as the ss shards reverberated the spell and Baihuunched his weapon. World.


    Baihu growled when Kari kept moving, still covering her ears, allowing her to dodge the deadly projectiles. Hear no evil, he grumbled, before reshaping the ss flying around into sharp arrows. Reinforce.


    As the spell spread to the arrows through ss Fields power, Sol flew through the wall on Baihus left side, charging at the tiger with his sword ready. Without even turning around, Baihu dodged the strike with a backflip, before hitting the knight with his shoulder before Sol could reorient himself. The blow sent him crashing on the opposite side of the courtyard, and through another wall.


    Soon, Mur and Maggie joined the battle, smashing through the courtyards doors, but still protected by the invisibility veil and the soundlessness. Mur fired a deadly volley of bullets with his minigun, Maggie making them invisible with Quasar.


    A surge of blue and yellow power surrounded Baihu as the projectiles approached, and his body moved with extreme, supernatural grace, dodging the attacks.


    Doom Sense and Intuimotion activated at once. He triggered a Hack.


    So that was how it felt to fight a Magik yer. You always had to adapt midway, as they kept getting stronger under pressure.


    The sound of gongs and war horns resonated throughout the battlefield.<em>So much for discretion,</em>Shroud thought, as he noticed humanoid monsters climb on the ceilings, armed with rifles. Stitch, Ace, take care of the snipers on the roof, he ordered. Cast Rainmaker.


    His ally did, the two climbing the roofs just as the monsters on it starting firing down at Kari below. The sorceress moved around to dodge and take cover behind the courtyards pirs, while Stitch stabbed one sniper from behind and Ace tossed another over the edge by surprise. Meanwhile, Karis doubles converged around the pce, blockading the entrances as Baihus guards around the area rushed to them.


    Sol, who had recovered, charged back at Baihu with his sword and shield up. Deus Vult! was his battle cry, but his speed, whileudable, couldnt match Baihus incredible reflexes. The tiger dodged the sword swings with an air of supreme disdain, ethereal, spectral wind manifesting around his hands, and he struck back with a sweeping motion.


    The ws cut through the armors chest te, tearing through processors and organic circuitry.


    Shrouds eyes widened behind the screen, and even Sol briefly froze for a split second. No one had ever managed to significantly damage the armor to the same degree as the tiger did. With feline fury, Baihu started putting pressure on his foe, the knight barely deflecting blows. The ss arrows floated above the tiger but didnt fall, their controller keeping them in reserve.


    Dropping his minigun to swing his hammer with both hands, Mur attempted to rescue Sol, exiting Maggies range and manifesting in his full fiendish glory. Baihu, sensing himing, moved to position Sol in the middle of Murs line. While dizzied, the knight managed to move out of his allys way, even if Murs hammer only hit hot air.


    el Blue World! Baihu snarled, the words reverberating through the ss arrows floating around him and paralyzing both of his opponents. Before he could behead Mur with a swing, Kari, with the snipers upied by her teammates, interrupted him. She tried to strike him in the back, and while she failed to inflict any blow, the sorceress prevented the tiger fromnding any attacks.


    Maggie, get closer and drain the sound and light around Baihu, Shroud ordered, as Mur and Sol recovered. Maggie approached until Baihu entered her range, draining the photons around the tigers head and shrouding him in darkness.


    By now, Stitch and Ace had gotten rid of the soldiers on the roof, while thetters rain fell upon the battlefield, drenching everybatant. Yet, neither these conditions nor his loss of hearing and sight prevented the tiger from handling Kari, Sol, and Mur all by himself.


    However, his movements were more sluggish, so depriving him of his senses<em>had</em>an effect, and struggling against so many opponents forced him on the defense.


    Baihu always sought a position where a Dragonyers found himself in the middle of an iing attack, hoping to either dy it or outright use an enemy as a human shield. Fortunately, Synergize passively countered this strategy, the guild members subconsciously coordinating to avoid putting themselves in one anothers way. To Shroud, the whole fight looked like aplex dancing ballet, fighters failing to hit one another, dodging and switching ces.


    Shroud, Ace asked, Stitch and her now being alone on the roof, watching the fighting in the courtyard. What do we do?


    You wait, Shroud replied. Stitch would get demolished in closebat, sensory powers or not, and hecked long-range attacks; while Ace, he wanted to keep in reserve. Can you track his movements within the rain?


    With Timesense, yes, Ace replied. But I will never be able to hit him with his speed.


    He had another manoeuver in mind, but it was a bit risky. The sorcerer tried to find another chink in the tigers defense, hoping to find an alternative.


    Baihus defense had no exploitable weakness, at least as far as Shroud could tell. As long as he had enough space to navigateand he had plenty in an open areahis reflexive defense allowed him to dodge any blow. Even negating his sight and hearing didnt take it down, and his Mindshield would protect him from mental attacks. Baihu had clearly purchased spells optimizing his closebat potential, making him truly unbeatable at close-range.


    It left area of effect attacks as the one solution. Sol, switch to Biosurge, Shroud said, now that Aces rain had drenched the battlefield. Target the whole courtyard.


    I risk friendly fire if I do this, Mathias, Sol replied, as Baihus ws shredded Murs stony flesh everywhere he could find an opening. Thankfully, unlike with Sols armor, they couldnt pierce Adamants protection.


    Maggie, use Lightningrod to redirect the electricity and protect our allies, Shroud said, You cannot harm Baihu, but you can mitigate the effects of Sols attacks.


    ying support sucks! sheined, as Sol exchanged a nce with her.


    The knight unleashed a surge of lightning from his body, shining like Zeus incarnate. The electricity spread through the water on the ground and the rain, illuminating the field; yet the arcs of lightning moved around Mur, Maggie, and Kari, avoiding them.


    Suddenly, before the lightning could fry him, a strong wind blew around Baihu. A shield of swirling air streams gathered around his fur, deflecting both the rainwater and the electricity.


    Baihu had activated his Lock. Or maybe a Hack.


    No, definitively a Lock, Shroud decided. He suddenly realized the tigers ws probably werent made of spiritual energy butpressed altered wind. Baihu could alter the air around himself somewhat, with the same versatility as the Dragonyers own Locks.


    Definitely an Orange. And smart enough to keep tricks up his sleeve. Did Baihu have anything else to fall back on though? He already had a considerable battery of spells for a Level Two yer, so Shroud didnt think so.


    Unfortunately,bined with Baihus supernatural danger sense and his immense physical abilities, the Lock provided a nigh-insurmountable defense.


    Rooster iing, one of Karis doppelganger said through Network, ncing at the skies. Indeed, while the doubles had secured the ground around the pce, the Rooster Zodiac flew over them and surveyed the courtyard.


    After having kept them in reserve for a while, Baihu had the ss arrows fall in a rain upon the courtyard and the surrounding area, the reinforced projectiles piercing stone as easily as butter. While they bounced off Sols armor and Murs skin, who had now fully transformed, Maggie and Kari had to retreat to save their hides. This allowed Baihu to exit Maggies range, regaining his sight and hearing and spread the Dragonyers thin around the battlefield.


    The tiger instantly noticed the Rooster circling the courtyard from above, unsure whether to intervene. Mine! Baihu dered, the Rooster narrowing his eyes in concern, before repeating, Mine.


    The Rooster Zodiac settled on the roof, away from the battle, and made no move to intervene.


    Did Baihu arrogantly believe he didnt need the other Zodiac to win? No. Baihu had kept tricks in reserve, yed the long game so he could lure the entire guild into a battle. This was<em>his</em>moment.


    <em>We are his trial, as much as he is ours,</em>the Sorcerer guessed,<em>He uses Hacks, meaning he is a yer and a Level Two one at that. He needs to beat us, both to prove himself to the Sponsors, and that they were mistaken to trust mortals.</em>


    Very well, Shroud said, sending the message directly to Baihu through Network. I ept the challenge.


    Show yourself, coward, Baihu called him out in response. I am tired of fighting puppets. Must I sever their strings to force your hand?


    That threat would have worked once, but Shroud saw no reason to abandon his coordinator advantage now. Only if you win, which you wont. To your credit, you are putting a much better fight than the other Zodiacs.


    Baihu shrugged, insulted by the implication his struggle wouldnt matter. He noticed Maggie, and putting the two and two together, decided to take her down first.


    He moved and seemingly vanished.


    The tiger dashed right in front of his victim so fast, Shrouds eyes struggled to follow; the wind armor had reduced the air resistance and increased his speed. Maggie attempted to strike him down with lightning reflexively, only for the headband to activate, tightening around her head and stopping her in her tracks.


    Maggie! Sol flew towards her at full speed, right as Baihu prepared tond a fatal blow.


    The knights feed suddenly turned red.


    At the veryst second, he had managed to push Maggie out of the way, only to get punched through the stomach by Baihu. The tigers ws gored through the armor, pierced through, and shredded the flesh underneath. Like a cat ying with a dead mouse, Baihu let out a feline hiss as he raised the bleeding knight above his head.


    Mathias saw red. Sol!


    Idiot! Mur snarled.


    The knight, whose feed reflected blood spat on the visor, activated Biosurge, trying to fry the tiger while they were in close proximity. Baihu reacted first, throwing him as far as he could, Solnding too far for hisst ditch attack to harm anyone.


    Shroud! Ace said, clearly struggling not to intervene.


    With a furious kind of focus, Kari attacked Baihu, all her crimson hands punching at once. But this was no movie; once again, the tigers defense activated, allowing him to dodge every blow with casual ease, before finding an opening in her defense and striking.


    Kari vanished, anothering into sight on Baihus left. The tiger, surprised, struck her first, only for her to vanish. He suddenly fell back, as if to escape the range of an invisible opponent.


    Maggie. Now that the headband had stopped glowing, she used Quasar to bend the light and Soundwave to create mirages of Kari while hiding the original.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    Sol''s Lock Upgraded!<strong>el Ally</strong>unlocked!


    Sol reached Level Two!</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Shroud didnt give a shit about the notification right now. He had to clench his teeth and fists to even barely control himself right now, sorely tempted to drop everything and rush to their side.<em>The strategy first,</em>he had to tell himself, remembering Sols words to him about focusing on the big picture. Stitch, heal Sol! he ordered, the medic leaving his observation post to rescue the bleeding knight, Shroud assigning him the Heal spell. Ace, to Mur!


    Ace teleported next to the fiend, who had moved to grab the minigun he tossed aside previously. Mur, leave the minigun, Shroud told him. Distance and projectiles will not defeat him.


    Then what will? the imp snarled. Even fully transformed into a titan of metal, he had yet tond even a single blow.


    Ace, Mur, I will need your total trust for this, he told them both through their feeds, Mur, at my signal, I want you to hit Ace with your hammer as strongly as you can.


    Handsome, if this about ourst date, Im sure we can work it out, Ace said, although there was little warmth in her joke.


    Later, Shroud replied. You said you could track his movements in the rain, even with his speed. At thest moment, I want you to switch ce with Baihu, as you did with Lughst time.


    If I am wrong even by a second, Mur will kill me, Ace pointed out. And hes way faster than Lugh.


    Your Timesense and my Synergy will prevent it, Shroud said, while Kari was slowly but surely pushed into a corner, even with Maggies support. You can pull it off, so long as he is busy. I believe in you.


    He truly did.


    Ace said nothing, exchanged a nce with Mur, then focused on the battle without a word. Baihu, wholly focused on Kari, pushed her in a corner of the courtyard, depriving her of space to dodge.


    Now, Ace said, Mur raising his hammer above her head, and lowered it.


    In a sh of violet, Baihu found himself in Aces ce, his chest within an inch of Murs hammer. His eyes widened in recognition, but Shroud had figured out the key w in Baihus defense.


    Namely, ultimate reflexes meant nothing without momentum or space to dodge.


    With a big, brutal sound, Mur smashed Baihu with so much force, it shattered the ground below and forced the beast face down against it. Not even his wind armor offered any protection.


    and the tiger still moved, struggling to get back to his feet.


    So Mur hit him again in the chest, and then a third time. Each blow shattered the ground below them until the third attack turned it into a small crater; Shroud heard Baihus ribs shatter with a sickening sound.


    This time, Baihu didnt move. He still breathed, but he stayed down.


    Shroud, Mur said out loud, raising his hammer, while Kari and Ace watched the scene from afar. Does Mur kill?


    That was it. If he said yes, Mur would kill Baihu. The end.


    Shroud focusing on Stitchs feed. The doctor had applied the Heal spell on the knight, closing fleshy tissues and stitching back what the spell couldnt repair. Will Sol live? Shroud asked with a dead kind of serenity, Baihus fate depending on the answer.


    Yes, Stitch replied with aplomb. But the armor has been damaged beyond repair.


    Shroud let out a long sigh of relief. Mur, spare the cat.


    The fiend let out a growl of disappointment. Can Mur break a leg at least?


    Shroud shrugged in response.


    Mur took it as a yes.


    One day after the final battle with Baihu, Shroud floated above the western area, observing its forges from above.


    With Baihus defeat, his forces had surrendered. Not that they could have provided a struggle anyway. While they had a mighty leader, without sorcery, they were no match for the Dragonyers. As he had guessed, Baihus confidence in his army was misced.


    By now, Shroud could no longer ignore the wide gap between sorcerers and everyone else. An organized team of yers had subjugated an entire space station overflowing with monsters in days. No wonder an army of them subjugated Earth.


    Without making sorcery avable to everyone, Earth would remain dominated.


    The Sponsors couldnt ignore that. Were yers just a test run for arger, mass release of Magik? Why hadnt they distributed it to their servants, if they had so many monsters on hand to throw at Concordia?


    Maybe they couldnt.


    Shroud returned to Baihus pce, where Mur and doppelgangers of Kari helped repair the damage; the original meditated in the courtyard with Maggie and Bai Suzhen, while Baihu watched from afar.


    The tiger had bandages on both his chest and his left leg, moving with a limp. The Rabbit had granted him potions to elerate the healing, and Shroud would eventually cast a spell on him. Later.


    I struck to kill, Baihu dered upon seeing Shroud float down, not helping his case.


    You would be dead if you had seeded, Shroud replied honestly.


    I know. He sounded eerily okay with it. Shroud guessed he had a bestial mindset, not so different from Murs.


    Sol asked you be spared, after he recovered, Shroud said. Even if the tiger almost cost him his life, and did destroy his armor.


    Your Solomon is a noble warrior and worthy of respect, Baihu said. You are not the strongest of them, nor the smartest. You are the most<em>dangerous</em>. You do not hesitate to risk lives to win.


    Shroud shrugged. Someone once told me only results mattered. Winning is all that matters.


    I agree. Baihu grabbed the emblem around his neck and gave it to Shroud. I will not stay at this station again.


    Good, Shroud replied. We need as many hands as we can get. But I will not tolerate insubordination, onlyplete obedience.


    So long as you win, the tiger replied, crossing his arms. I wanted to fight the first time around.


    You didnt have sorcery back then, Shroud replied. Without it, you would have failed, as we did.


    Baihu shrugged, his arrogance undiminished. Shroud guessed that was the end of the conversation, watching the tiger leave to rest.


    He turned to Maggie, whose headband finally fell down from her head. She opened her hand to catch it, opening her eyes.


    Shroud expected her to let out a scream of joy, but she didnt. If anything, Maggie looked somber as she nced at the emblem. She rose up without a word so as not to interrupt the others meditation, joining Shroud.


    Congrattions, Maggie, he told her. With that emblem, they just needed to recover the Goats toplete the trial. For all intents, they had conquered the Lair.


    She didnt share his enthusiasm. Sol almost died because I couldnt defend myself, Maggie replied. And Boneface wont have me visit him.


    Sol needs rest for now. Even the Heal spell has limits.


    I fucked up, nerd. You can try to ignore it, I dont. Maggie shrugged, sounding more exhausted than anything. Im sick of being rescued. I want to hate him for it, and I know its not right.


    You helped turn this around through other means, Shroud pointed out. Without you distracting Baihu, we may not have surprised him. You didnt need to fight to help us win. And besides, you rescued Kari with your mirage trick. If you insist on counting points, I say this made it even.


    Yeah, yeah, I get it but it still doesnt feel right. She hesitated as if struggling to find her next words. Nerd.


    What?


    After we meet those Sponsors, could you do me a solid? Can I ask you anything?


    Anything, Shroud promised, For a friend.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong>


    <strong>(Pending Judgment)</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>16</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>28</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>25</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>34</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>2 (Adept)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>35</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Grave Madness</strong>


    Dot: 2


    Components: Berserk+ Doom Sense


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    Your bloodlust ovees even death. Should you suffer a lethal wound, your soul will instantly possess your corpse for five more minutes and animate it for the purpose of battle; you behave as if under the Berserk spell for that time. Afterward, your soul''s connection to your body will break down, and you shall pass on normally. You are counted as an Undead while under the effect of that spell.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 57: The Trap

    Chapter 57: The Trap


    The goat of the Zodiac nced at the Dragonyers, gathered in front of themand centers room, having gathered all emblems but his own. I see youpleted every trial, he said. Including mine.


    Will you fight us next? Shroud asked, half-expecting a surprise final battle. He had asked the team to cast buffing spells before returning to the north area, just in case.


    The Goat shook his head. As a wise man once said, to win without fighting is the acme of skill. You learned the lesson I intended to impart.


    Gifts alwayse with strings attached, Solomon guessed. It felt so strange to watch him without his armor, and just his priest garb for protection. He looked so vulnerable.


    Even mercy. Shifuyng tightened his hold on his cane. Our masters granted you a gift, but with ites a duty to shoulder. To them, to us, and to your.


    We figured it out, Kari said. You hope to return to Earth before this is over.


    I hope that in time, the old and the new can live in harmony, the Goat replied. I was one of the early supporters of that Magik initiative for this reason. Our simrities outweigh our differences, I keep saying. But my mistress will tell you more in person.


    Before we go, I meant to ask you a question, Shroud said.


    How do I sense your ability and counter it? The elder goat smirked. The frontier between the mind and the soul is thinner than you believe. Your Network does not onlytches on a targets mind but also their soul. Perhaps it needs to in order to function, or it is the seed of an ability you have yet to unlock. Individuals with strong spiritual awareness can sense the artificial connection, and if skillful enough, turn it against you.


    Like sending signals overloading it? Stitch butted in the conversation, always curious.


    Yes. I believe our young friendcks the full mastery of his power, which makes him vulnerable to a counterattack. You should try to practice it.


    Good to know, Kari said, Shroud coughing in embarrassment.


    Did Matsumoto just tell a joke? Maggie asked, the shadow of a smile near Karis lips. Wow, the Lair adventure really did a number on all of us.


    That was the point, Ace guessed.


    Indeed, Shifuyng confirmed. You have proved your strength through your trials outside this ce, but a strong body is worthless without a keen mind and a spirit of brotherhood.


    Yes. The group had grown, both as individuals and as a team.


    The goat nced at the beasts and remaining monsters the group brought with them. Only the seven chosen may proceed further. Bring out your emblems.


    The group did so, while Shifuyng seized his own, the final key to the truth.


    The emblems, animated by a sorcerous power, flew on their own out of everyones hands and inserted themselves into themand rooms locks. Once all of them did, the gate unlocked and opened, revealing an undting portal not so different from the one the group used to reach the Midnight Market.


    After you, the Zodiac Goat invited them forward.


    I am so pumped up to meet the Sponsors, atst, Ace said, her hands shaking in excitation. Like you wouldnt believe.


    Shroud too.


    At longst, they had everything to prevail. They had minions, a base, interster alliesalbeit difficult onesand a functional team. They had all the tools to make aeback, with style.


    They paid the price for it. Sols armor hadnt recovered from Baihus thrashing, and even Stitch did not believe he could salvage it. Maggies confidence had taken a hit. But they would manage. They had found the right team formation, the right niche to upy for each member. While Shroud remained wary of overconfidence, they would manage.


    Even Mur shared their enthusiasm. Mur, too. Finally, Mur gets to meet the big bosses.


    I wonder who they are, Maggie said. Tentacled aliens?


    I know, Kari said. Shroud-san does too.


    The sorcerer nodded. How many do you think were real all along?


    All of them.


    Shroud nced at Sol, whose somber expression told him he too suspected the truth.


    You know, and you didnt share? Ace gave them a mirthful smile. You devil liar you.


    Its just suspicions for now, Shroud replied. Until we confirm


    Mur done wasting time, Mur said, hopping into the gate with great impatience. Mur wants action!


    Shroud sighed, as Aceughed. Come on, handsome, she said, giving a light tap on the back. Lets not make our Sponsor wait.


    The Blue Sorcerer nodded, as Ace, Kari, Stitch, and Maggie walked through the gate.


    Shroud and Sol didnt follow at once. Arent youing, Mathias? the priest asked.


    Shroud silently nced at the spot where Baihu had harmed him, then at his friends forehead. I remember you told me we each had guard angels when I was a child, the sorcerer said. I wondered why they hadnt protected us from Concordia. I guess they just werent ready back then.


    The Lord works in mysterious ways, Solomon replied, guessing what weighed on his mind, You feel guilty for what almost happened.


    What <em>happened</em>, Shroud stressed.


    What happened is that you kept your cool under pressure, and acted as a leader should, Solomon replied with a warm smile, I am proud of you, Mathias and if your parents were here, so would they.


    Would they? He wasnt so sure.


    Shroud brushed these thoughts aside, as he stepped into the gate alongside his oldest friend.


    As soon as he did, Shroud found himself teleported inside a massive dome bigger than a football stadium, whose golden walls provided light much like under a bright days sun. The builders embedded a hundred screens into the domes walls, providing pictures of the various areas and its inhabitants, from Baihus fortress to the ind the guild used as their base.


    A giant server equipped with half a dozen monitors stood at the center of the dome, right behind a much smaller golden throne. While mostly made of a strange ck metal, the servers circuits shone with all the colors of sorcery, from white to orange to green and sometimes, faint spots of ck.


    Shroud guessed they just found the Dragonyers own server.


    An Asian woman, beautiful and radiant as a star, waited on the throne right in front of the server. Literally. She radiated faint light, from her pristine, porcin skin to her burning eyes. Wearing regal white robes and an ornate, sunlike hairdress, the entity smiled at their entrance, the warmth in the room increasing slightly in response.


    Another figure stood at her right side, a tall man d in crimson Roman armor, wearing a shield and a bloodied spear. Shroud recognized the figure as a perfect lookalike of antique statues of the Roman god Mars, patron of Rome. He looked more human than hispatriot, but the fearsome aura emanating from him <em>brimmed </em>with strength.


    Wee home, my chosen. Thedy rose from her throne with aristocratic elegance, as all Dragonyers stepped into themand center. Congrattions. I am Amaterasu, goddess of the Sun, Empress of Amatsukami, protector of Japan, and the Sponsor of this Lair.


    I am Mars, god of war, the man replied, his voice somehow reminding Shroud of Nichs Cages. Although you know me as Romulus.


    The servers monitors lit up, casting a blue light. And I am the Administrator, a voice came out of the screen. Wee home, Dragonyers.


    Aputer? Sol couldnt hide his surprise, although he hadnt blinked at Amaterasus revtion.


    I am a magical artificial intelligence meant to assist yers and manage the Sponsors system, the Administrator replied. In other words, I am Magik Online itself.


    An artificial intelligence? The Administrator was an artificial intelligence? Could it be Manus, Ace muttered, suddenly imed by a very rational fear.


    No, I am not Manus, the Administrator said. It was my son and father both, in a way. It is a long story, whom I share with Shroud.


    Fear not, Amaterasu said, her voice vibrant and warm. We are your friends. All of us.


    And then they showed up on the screens.


    Forty creatures more varied and awe-inspiring than thest watched them, from a tentacled King in Yellow to a feathered serpent with rainbow scales. Shroud recognized a few, from his own interest in myths and legends. Theme smith Vulcan, the monstrous dragon Tiamat, the jackal-headed Anubis, the fearsome Set


    Do you see that? Shroud asked with genuine surprise. Ace especially smirked widely in excitation.


    The fucking hell? Maggie eximed.


    Angel Solomon held back tears, as he noticed the lone angel among the group.


    Yes, shepherd. The angelic figure smiled upon the priest. I am Archangel Uriel, guardian of Eden. The Lord praises you for your courage and faith, Solomon.


    Solomon fell to his knees, crying. Lord You didnt abandon us.


    We never did, the angel replied with kindness. The Lord was with you, all the way, and He will watch over you until the end.


    We are the Sponsors, forty-two divine powers from a dozen pantheons, united against the great evil that is Concordia, Amaterasu exined. As we did long ago when we still walked the Earth, we empowered heroes to y dragons.


    You will be the vanguard of a new age, Marsmented, Where Concordia at longst meets its match.


    Incredible. The very gods of myth, empowering an artificial intelligence to provide spells? This was everything he hoped! This was


    <em>The future is State Zero.</em>


    The Ministers words echoed in his brain, his vision tainted by a blue hue.


    For a brief instant, his reality shifted, reced with a mental maze of data, of pictures and words; a physical representation of his brain, a mental pce where his memories, his values, everything that made him him, were archived.


    The maze shifted, walls closing off memories and unlocking others. Some of his values were isted, others aligned to fit a new design. The invasive Lock rewired his brain, in the shape designed two years ago.


    Loyalty towards Earth shifted to the eternal Empire. Hatred of Concordia, shifted towards those who would threaten its peace. Memories of emotional moments that maypromise his clear mind were locked away behind a mental firewall.


    In the blink of an eye, before he could react, his mind was no longer his own. The Mindshield couldnt stop this process, imnted long before he purchased the spell; long before he ever heard of Magik Online.


    The script was written long ago; a trap two years in the making, meant ensnare all those caught in it; an infection incubating inside a foreign body, before ravaging it from within.


    As the maze of his mind finished rearranging, Mathias thought clearly. He was in the Hall of the Minotaur, and it watched back at him.


    It is time, Minister Asters voice echoed in his brain. Do you remember, meat, the side you were born to serve? Do you remember your purpose?


    He did.


    To destroy Manus insurgency from within, and create the Grandmasters pure, perfect world.


    He returned to reality, his thoughts aligned. A mental projection minotaur stood by his side, his voice his alone to listen to. <em>Observe.</em>


    How long? Mathias asked out loud.


    Soon, Amaterasu said, misunderstanding the question.


    <em>As long as needed, meat. I have waited two years for this, you can wait a few minutes. </em>


    I sense danger, Kari whispered to Mathias, too low for the Administrator and the deities to listen. Intense.


    My Doom Sense as well, Stitch whispered too. Very sudden.


    Stay on your guards, Mathias replied with a tone just as low, secretly removing all the spells he had granted to this Guild, just in case. We may be a mistake away from an early grave. Either we pass their test or we die.


    Champions, who protected the dead on my behalf thrice, the jackal god Anubis announced, You are worthy of Level Three.


    Seconded! spoke a skeletal ck man wearing a hat and a dark coat, while the tentacled monster in yellow robes muttered a sound which even the Babel spell couldnt trante. The deities voiced their approbation one after the other.


    The Sponsors are in agreement, Amaterasu said.


    And their connection to Dis is mature enough for the upgrade, the Administratormented. I will level them up.


    I hoped they would take my Lair, Mars said. My chosen guild is good, but I feel a stronger kinship to the Dragonyers.


    How can it be? Solomon asked, rising up and removing tears. How can you


    How can we exist alongside your One God? Amaterasu guessed the reason behind his confusion. As you said, your myths hold some truth, but they are not urate. They are stories your kind told itself to make sense of the world.


    Long ago, we faced an enemy we could not fully defeat and had to leave Earth in mankinds hands, with stories the only leftovers of our presence, Mars continued. For eons, the enemyid dormant, until the towers rose again. Now we can no longer hide.


    Earth is no longer in its ce, Amaterasu continued. Taken from its ce, dragging our realms with it.


    Its ce? Stitch asked, taking notes on his small notebook.


    We are in the bowels of Dis, the Administrator spoke. A multiverse different than the one mankind originally came from, a dimension which grows by consuming others.


    Hell, Asgard, Olympus, no sanctuary is safe, Mars continued, the pieces falling in ce in Mathias mind.


    When Earth vanished, Mathias guessed, when he wanted to say Terra Firma, You and your realms were dragged with it.


    The time for hiding is over, Mars dered, The only option is to fight as one.


    No demon among you, Mur noted, finding one missing among the Sponsors. Clearly, the angel would rather have ignored him as well. You are few.


    Deities shed much blood during the Godwar, and we Sponsors remain a minority among our pantheons, Amaterasu admitted.Many gods chose to remain in hiding, or worse, to join the Maleking.


    We had to deny your former masters repeated requests of an alliance, Mars told the imp. We trust you do not serve two sides at once.


    The Maleking? Sol frowned at Mur. You served the <em>Beast of the Apocalypse</em>?!


    Mur exiled, the imp said, his eyes holding the deitys gaze. Mur true to his word. He is all in.


    Who can war with the Beast? the archangel said through his screen. The Maleking is marshaling forces from across Dis to strike at Concordia, and im Earth for himself. He must not seed.


    No power could rival the Grandmaster, Beast of Apocalypse or not. Especially with all Terminals under the Empires control.


    <em>Except one,</em> the projection said, stared intently at the Administrators monitor.


    Soon, Earth will be a battlefield between Concordia, the Maleking, and all of us, Amaterasu exined. Hence why we need the support of mankind, as much as you need us.


    Only two-thirds of the teams survived the Lair trial, Mars said. Many lost members on the way, and more have yet to finish. But this is enough. Now that we have Level Three guilds and more than a hundred sorcerers capable of casting Dot Three spells, we can reveal ourselves and step out of shadows.


    Even a hundred sorcerers will not be enough to topple Concordia, Mathias pointed out. You must have arger n.


    This is not for you to know yet, Shroud, Mars said.


    Mathias felt Aces gaze get heavier on him. <em>Saga Freyson, </em>the Minister said, with contempt. <em>Be wary of her.</em>


    Concordias technology and sorcery overwhelm us, true, Amaterasu conceded. But even they cannot manufacture sorcerers the way we do.


    <em>Not yet.</em>


    How? Stitch and Mathias asked as once, thetter looking at the server.


    Again, this is not for mortals to know yet, Mars said.


    We could help perfect it, Stitch suggested, too eager to participate in this technological marvel. I find this Spellcoins system subpar and suboptimal.


    Any leak leading to Concordia or the Maleking figuring out how the system works will spell the end of our current advantage, the Administrator pointed out. Especially since they could rebuild it but bigger with their resources.


    Indeed. Mathias wondered if he should crack the so-called deities minds open with Network, before deciding otherwise; they would probably block it.


    As for Spellcoins, they matter less than you believe they do, Mars said. They represent how much Flux we Sponsors are ready to provide to individual yers, and nothing more. They are smoke and mirrors, an abstract value. We are the true keystones.


    So if you are fall, so will Magik? asked Mathias.


    Unfortunately, hence why we have remained hidden so far. Amaterasus eyes focused on Kari next. Some of us, however, chose instead to take mortal coil, and protect mankind directly.


    The young woman nodded vigorously. I know myself.


    You do. With your level-up, I will awaken your Lock, and with it, yourtent potential.


    So what do we do now? Mathias asked the deities.


    He prepared to channel Lightbringer through his fingers. Kari, Stitch, and Sol were closer, but the doctors sensory spells might inform him. Synergize might work in its masters favor and sabotage the medic, but Mathias decided he would rather y it safe until his reinforcements arrived.


    <em>y along, for now. I intended to teleport three star fleets to your location and squash Manus insurgency once and for all, but this goes beyond what I expected; and this server might be a worthless dummy, a bait. Abort.</em>


    For now, you will get closer to the Shadow Queen and her hidden master, Amaterasu said, Mathias dropping his n to kill them all. Once we know their ns, you will return to Earth and take the fight to Concordia.


    Shroud-san, the danger vanished, Kari whispered to Shroud.


    For now. Good, Mathias let out a false breath of relief, reassigning spells to the Guild before they could notice he had removed them in the first ce. We convinced them.


    The true war will begin then, Mars said. Do not disappoint. Especially you, Shroud.


    Sponsors, the Administrator spoke. You have observed him for the past week. What is your judgment? Do I suspend his moderator privilege?


    No, the angel, Uriel, said, His heart is true. I never doubted it.


    I vote to suspend him, a feathered serpent countered. I still am not convinced he isnt an infiltrator, especially in the light of this Save fiasco.


    This is ridiculous, another replied, He killed a dragon. They would never let him get away with that.


    Mathias could have sworn he heard Aster scoff at their naivete.


    The creatures on the screens ardently debated his fate, Mathias keeping a straight face, as did his hidden handler. His team nced at him with worried eyes.


    Let us proceed to a vote, the Administrator proposed. The forty-two and myself.


    The various screens changed to reflect two colors: either green or red. For or against Shroud.


    Mathias said no word, as each screen reflected a color, the Terminal memorizing each vote cast. Amaterasu produced a green light in the palm of her hands, but Mars abstained.


    It didnt matter in the end. The green had it, by a narrow butfortable margin.


    The Administrator said nothing, yet Mathias had the intuition he would have vetoed his fellow conspirators if he could. ording to the color of its screen, that treacherous AI had voted for suspending him.


    Suspension motion rejected, the Administrator said. Shroud, alias Mathias Martel, is confirmed as a moderator with all of the associated privileges.


    Amaterasu rose from her throne and kindly invited Mathias to sit on it. After you, moderator. Congrattions.


    <em>Indeed. Well done.</em>


    With a decisive step forward and the cheers of his team, Mathias walked towards the throne and sat on it, the stations monitors showing him every aspect of the Lair, each member of this army he had spent a week assembling, and who didnt suspect a thing.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>You have reached Level 3 (Magister)!</strong>


    <strong>You can now purchase Dot 3 Spells at the Compendium + Fuse Dot 4 Hacks! </strong>


    <strong>You have conquered the Lair: Taiyougami, the Majestic Sun. </strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    <em>Finally, </em>Aster mused<em>. The true work can begin.</em><strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud?</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>16</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>28</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>25</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>34</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>35</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Mindlink</strong>


    <strong>Affinity</strong>: Blue


    <strong>Dot</strong>: 3


    <strong>Price</strong>: 9-15


    <strong>Activation</strong>: Active, Mutual Agreement, Direct Touch Vector.


    The user creates a telepathic link with another willing individual, allowing them to discuss through telepathy no matter the distance, share a mindscape, or experience the world through the others sense by focusing on the link. A person can have as many Mindlinks active as they wish, but a great number of them can lead to mental instability and dissociative disorders. A Mindlink is impossible to detect by non-telepaths.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 58: DLC: The First Sponsor

    Chapter 58: DLC: The First Sponsor


    No.


    Mars, god of war, father of Rome, clenched his fists against the marble ground. He had pleaded his cause with great skill, enough to make even the queen hesitate, only for the king to deny him. Uncle, why?


    The grim king of Olympus sat firm on his throne of white stone, his posture unbending iron. Great and terrible, the death god Pluto dwarfed Mars in power and size, his body covered in thick, rusted mismatched armor. Each part belonged to a long-gone civilization, with a knights face-covering helmet, Roman armor, and gauntlets from the East and the West.


    A testament of a single, timeless truth.


    Death always wins in the end.


    You are brave, my nephew. Once you were foolish iron, bristle, untempered. Overseeing the fate of Rome has made you wiser. You have grown into true steel. As the cavernous, howling words echoed through the room, Pluto hit the marble ground with his two-ended red trident, wreathed it in the fires of the underworld. You remain, however, war made flesh. I see what you wish for.


    Uncle, I do not understand. Invaders upy our formernd, and mortals suffer. Our retreat was meant to prevent such a terrible event, and it happened anyway. We do not have any reason to remain hidden anymore.


    We have peace to fight for. Perhaps not the best of peace, but peace nheless. I still remember the time we gods walked the Earth and how the men chafed under our misrule.


    Less than under the dragons.


    You would have me foster a Godwar greater than the first. One that would be costly for everyone involved. I do not understand what you aim to achieve through iming the Neurotowers, but I see the final oue. I am, after all, the Lord of the Dead.


    The oue wille sooner than you believe, Uncle. His thoughts turned to that fateful day when he returned to the world of men and crossed des with the enemy


    <em>The des fell from the skies, an arrow rain of swords, spears, and axes. The mighty war god seized his own dius and shield, deflecting or blocking the projectiles. The survivors of the dragons toon retreated to avoid the attack, abandoning their deadrades. Mars had been thorough with stamping them out, but theirmander presented a challenge beyond anything he ever faced before. </em>


    <em>The wounded, half-destroyed husknguished behind him, its legs blown off, its metal arms broken. A cold, heartless machine, a modern Icarus who grasped for godhood, yet burned as it reached for the sun; but in doing so, may have unlocked the key to salvation. </em>


    <em>Mars did his best protecting it from their foe, but this trapped him a defensive position.</em>


    <em>I recognize you. the icy coldmander said, observing them from a safe distance. Her cold dead eyes contrasted neatly with her ethereal beauty; in them, Mars recognized a kindred spirit. You are one of the Twelve Olympians. I thought your kind gone.</em>


    <em>So did I think yours, Mars replied. I will not let you im it as you did Earth.</em>


    <em>To the victors the spoils. A ming sword materialized between her hands in a purple sh. Where are the others?</em>


    <em>You will never know.</em>


    <em>The Violet Minister of Concordia threatened to smile. The Grandmaster conquers all. She charged. Even the gods.</em>


    Mars would be a fool not to take her up on her threat. Once you stood with Father and Neptune against the forces of the great machines, the war god told his uncle. I remember how you were back then. Strong, unyielding, unstoppable. And yet when the dragons came, you just watched and ordered us to do the same.


    I fought with my brothers, yes, Pluto replied, his tone harsher than before. And I lost them both. I will not lose more family.


    Plutos queen Prosperina, sitting at his side as an equal, was anky woman with skin white as chalk and long hair ck as night. Her ck dress seemed to mesh with the ground and the shadows. Her white eyes stared at Mars with a hint of sympathy. She was the beautiful kind of death, the warm and weing end of ones journey. We understand your concern for the mortals, my cousin. I too wept for the indignities they suffered.


    <em>You should have done more than weep, my queen, </em>Mars thought, although he did not voice his scolding aloud. Yet you stand by Uncle, even knowing we are next.


    You cannot prove this. The dragons have more immediate concerns, and greater enemies, than us.


    You believe them wise enough not to pick a fight. Mars shook his head. I believe their Grandmaster mad enough to.


    Perhaps, Pluto agreed. But our judgment remains the same. Should you provide me proof the dragons n to destroy us next, I will defend Olympus but my hand will not be the one that ignites a war. And neither will yours.


    Mars clenched his fists, his teeth grit beneath his helmet. So. Nothing?


    Something akin to exasperation filled the deitys voice. I will not prevent you nor Vulcan from building your Magik System. Neither will I support its construction, nor marshall Olympus'' forces on Earth. I will not budge on this, my nephew.


    Mars stormed from the throne room in an angry hiss, floating down the great, eternal Mount Olympus, falling through the copper clouds and the warm winds.


    Once, this eternal mountain had stood in thend known as Greece, only to be hidden in another ne after the Godwar. Even after it was dragged with Earth to this dark corner of the multiverse when the towers rose again, it had remained hidden from the dragons.


    But for how long?


    He descended farther and farther, until Vulcans mechanical forge entered his sight, a realm of brass and fire. Mars found his brother atop a round metal tform, attending to an anvil of molten steel. From it, one could see the vague shape of their prototype, hidden beneath a thick cloud of smoke and fumes until the day of its activation.


    His brother kept hammering down endless circuits with his hammer. His focus remained unperturbed, even as his brother stepped right next to him. The god had long reced his skin with gold tes, his eyes with ss, his very flesh with gears and molten brass for blood. Some of the gods even said his soul itself was gone, reced with the technology he so loved. Small, mechanized automatons attended to his needs, the children the sterile god never had.


    So? the metal god asked, his voice a clicking noise.


    He didnt listen, like always. Mars crossed his arms. A shame. Does he not see the disaster ahead?


    Lord Pluto is cautious and cunning. As Vulcan finished a piece of circuitry, an automaton hurriedly took it away, while another presented its master with a gear in need of a finishing touch. War is bad for wealth. By fostering conflict among others while remaining unbloodied, one grows strong.


    Orcent. Even if Pluto allowed their scheme, his forbidding of direct interference infuriated the war god. We are still missing at least three donors.


    I would say three and a half, brother. That color is a poisoned gift.


    This is the best deal we will get for now. The godlike donor may have granted them ess to his color, but Mars knew all too well he would prove an equally dangerous enemy once their interests no longer aligned. Can you finish the machine without the others?


    The metal god shook his head. The Administrator was categorical. The bnce of colors must be respected for the system to work.


    This worried Mars a great deal. While he had sent requests to the other pantheons, exining his intention, most had refused or still hadnt answered. Only the selfless Krishna-Vishnu had unambiguously agreed to serve as a donor until he could convince his pantheon to follow, while one of Heavens Archangel had cooperated since day one.


    Meanwhile, with the exception of his co-conspirator Vulcan, almost every member of his own family had turned him down with one exception, who hadnt answered yet.


    There is still one card to y, Mars said.


    Vulcan nodded. I already called her.


    You expected me toe back empty-handed, brother? Mars sighed. When?


    Vulcan let out what passed for a chuckle, as Mars sensed a powerful presence descend on the tform. The war god couldnt help but try to stand as firm and strong as he could.


    The woman that settled on the tform seemed barely out of youth, yet also mature and on the verge of adulthood. Her chestnut hair, arranged in an borate hair dress, reached down her ankles; while her lustrous amber eyes could charm the fiercest of warriors. Her tasteful, crimson sleeveless robes smelled of sweet perfumes, while expensive jewelry adorned her soft skinin particr, her ne, crafted by Vulcan himself, enhanced her beauty to inhuman effect. An intricate diadem stood on her forehead, a remnant of her former crown.


    Juno, Hera, Peacock Queen, the Queen that Was. Jupiters widow, and Mars own mother.


    I heard your call, my sons. While she spoke, Vulcan kept working, leaving his brother to the convincinghis own rtionship with their mother had never been warm.


    Mars nodded, trying to appeal to her vanity. You are always a joy to see, Mother.


    Junos sly smile didnt hide the shrewdness beneath. I sense that my sight is not the reason behind this meeting. You want me to sacrifice my remaining powers to fuel your machine.


    Which, as former queen of Olympus, she could provide. Will you?


    I cannot go against Plutos decree for my love of you only. A lie. Mars knew she had unted his decrees behind his back more than once. I need more.


    Mars loved his mother, but he knew her to be vengeful, unrelenting, and bitter. Her will matched that of Father Jupiter, and she would not budge from her position. I am listening, Mother.


    First, while I have read your proposal, it was a bit too vague. The goddess moved to the edge of the tform, her eyes trying to pierce through the distant fumes and smoke. Tell me more about this machine of yours.


    Mars put his hands behind his back, joining her at the edge of the tform. One year ago, while the dragons secured their rule, an event on the mortal world caught my attention. A battle, thetest in an unending war. I couldnt suppress my curiosity.


    unting the rules, have you? Juno smiled, even though she walked the human world too.


    Before the conquest of Earth, the dragon queen created a machine in the shape of a long lost friend. A machine that could think, and reason. They came to blows, and while the dragons won the conflict, the machines spirit endured as a constant thorn in their side. After a battle that almost cost it itsst life, the machineManus, as the dragons called itmade its way to Earth to hide and recover. It was it who brought Concordia to Earth or should I say, the reverse.


    The enemy of my enemy is my friend, the Queen that Was guessed.


    No, Mars replied. Not when this enemy intended to undo reality itself. But with a mortals help, Manus had unraveled the secrets of sorcery, secrets that could fuel a weapon against Concordia.


    That machine you are building?


    Yes and no. This engine is as much Vulcans masterwork as anyone else. Mars coughed, a bit bothered by the interruption. Manus had the right idea, but transforming his idea into a functional weapon took time, as well as nning the strategy to put it to use.


    What can this weapon do? Juno tried to hide her interest, but Mars knew he had sold her on the plot. Split the world open?


    Manus thought about using it to rewrite history in its image, and almost seeded, but with Vulcans help, I repurposed it towards another application. Mars delivered the killing blow. It can create Heroes. Grant sorcery to anyone, on a global scale.


    Juno frowned in disbelief. Impossible. Sorcery is an innate gift.


    It is the truth, Vulcan spoke to defend his work.


    It can if sufficiently powered, Mars continued. We need ess to potent sources of each color of magic, to fuel our engine. So much power is needed, nothing short of us gods will power it. Gods willing to sacrifice their remaining powers to process it into Flux.


    Sponsors. Juno smiled.


    Once this is done, we can empower the mortals to fight the dragons, as we blessed the heroes of old.


    Juno considered his words. And since we would only empower mortals, we would not technically vite Plutos decree, nor risk ourselves. Very cunning, my son.


    Thank you. So, will you join us?


    Juno avoided answering, What happened to this Manus?


    It died, Mars replied, a half-truth. He couldnt reveal his ace in the hole yet. Vulcan used its pieces as part of our engine.


    I see one w in your n, Juno pointed out, cunning. The reason why so many gods refused to support your project.


    Mars smiled behind his helmet.


    Our power is finite, my son, Juno said. If I sacrifice my lifeforce to turn it into this Flux power, the way the machines turned my husband into a living battery, never will I regain it. Empowering heroes will leave me forever diminished. Should the dragons ever find us weakened, they will destroy us.


    They <em>will </em>find us, Mars corrected her. But sorcery trumps our native magic in all categories, enough that it disces it like an invasive species. It gave the dragons enough power to conquer gxies. Unless we empower mankind and stand with them, Concordia will subsume us too. We must adapt, or we die.


    The queen kept nodding to herself, schemes forming in her mind. My brothers cowardly rule must end, and my niece is unfit to rule Olympus by his side. I must regain my rightful ce as queen.


    Mars heard Apollo say Juno tried to convince Pluto to cast his wife aside for herproving that her ambition overwhelmed her dedication to marriage only to be firmly denied. Juno had held a grudge against her brother ever since. You wish me to find Father and return him to power?


    Juno sneered. No. Never again will I suffer his humiliations, if he still lives. No, my son. I will fight for my own im, and you shall support it, alongside Vulcan.


    You once tried to overthrow Father before the great war, alongside Neptune and Minerva. Yet when you had to choose which of you would rule, none could agree, and Father regained power. The whole affair had greatly amused the war god, who had watched from the sidelines. Neptune might be gone, but what will prevent another such bickering among the twelve?


    I have ruled the longest, and I am the oldest among the imants.


    We are a scheming, bickering lot. No. Your im will remain contested and even our support will not tip the bnce. I do see, however, another solution.


    Juno crossed her arms. What mischief have you imagined, my son?


    First, I wish to ask you a question. Once in power, what will you do?


    I will marshall the armies of Olympus, bring an end to those invaders, and ensure the gods are worshiped once more. Our interests align in that.


    Only partly. Mars had no desire to see the selfish gods of Olympus rule over mankind again; he would rather have them choose their own future. He doubted his mother would see the light of his argument unless he prepared the groundwork.


    What solution do you propose, my son?


    I can provide you a Hero of your own. A champion that will uphold your im before the Twelve, drag Pluto off his throne, and show that fate favors your rule. One that will eclipse even Fathers spawn.


    When getting past her disgusted sneer, Mars could see his mother hesitate. Upstaging her husbands legacy gnawed at her. In fact, she had tried more than once.


    I had a champion once. Jason. The queens voice brimmed with fury. He disappointed me, broke his vows. I will not suffer another weakling of heart. And none can match Hercules strength.


    Oh, far from my mind. You deserve better than a brute wearing a lions pelt. The champion I have in mind is made of a different steel, sharper. What hecks in might, he makes up in cunning. He will have my skill, Minervas wisdom, and Vulcans mind; the gods will fear him more than Pluto, yet find him more charming than Venus and sing his praise like Apollo. His will shall surpass Dianas, his tongue will cut better than Mercurys, and Vesta will waver in her duties before him. Proserpina herself will never sway him from you, and Fortuna shall bless his every step. Your champion will honor you where Father did not, because he owes all of his powers to you. You will and unmake them with a snap of your finger.


    Mars knew his mother well. She had destroyed Troy over wounded vanity; the idea of a devoted warrior that would defeat all in her name appealed to her. And where would you find such a champion?


    Mars smiled beneath his helmet. My, mother, I already found many candidates.


    Of course, he oversold it a bit, but among the hundreds of brave mortals he had selected, one would certainly fit the bill.


    The domain of Set stood strong among the dusty, barren desert; a pyramid of blooded stone and sharp bricks, greater than anything man could ever build. The harsh sun of Ra made the ce shine bright crimson,rge iron doors closed. Yet what bothered Mars most was the silence. No winds blew; no insect crawled under the sand. Sets realm was as menacing and unforgiving as its owner.


    The Roman god waited for the iron doors to open, his arms crossed. It was a power y, a ploy to put him on edge, to remind him he was but a guest in search of help. Set may have epted his nephew as the new pharaoh, but he never lost his kingly demeanor.


    Finally, after a long, agonizing silence, the doors opened slowly, and a powerful, ominous figure walked through. The funerary goddess Nephthys, walked through, regal and somber. Her gray, dusty skin contrasted neatly with her white, funerary veil. My husband will receive you, she spoke with a soft, motherly tone.


    Mars followed his hosts wife into the pyramid, the doors closing behind them with a strong, dramatic sound. Your husband is a show-off, the war god told Nephthys as they traveled through the dark, shadowy corridors.


    A thin smile spread across the goddess lips. You should have seen our home during thest cycle. We removed the impaled corpses in front of the doors. I disliked the scent. Unlike the cold and regal Proserpina, she had a dark sense of humor.


    Mars sensed eyes staring at them from the darkness, the shades of thieves, tomb robbers, warriors and outcasts who worshiped Set in life. They now crawled inside his realm, ambushing unwee visitors as they had in life to steal their riches.


    Their walk ended in arge stone hall, deep inside the pyramid; green torches dimly lit the ce, revealing murals depicting the murder of Osiris by his brother Set, and thetters conflict with his nephew Horus for the throne of Egypt. Yet the scene that overshadowed them all depicted Set proudly standing before Ra as his invincible protector.


    At the end of the hall, on a lonely throne of gold beneath a long sharp spear, Set sat on a vouched position. The ever-changing death god had taken a new shape with the modern age, dressing in a crimson business suit and tie, with shades of ck. His human face was hidden beneath a red desert fox mask, whose ears and eyes shifted as if made of flesh.


    No, Mars thought, as the deitys bloody, rimmed eyes set on him. Set wore no mask.


    Wee, Ares. Sets voice brimmed with patronizing confidence. The deity had been old when Mars was young, and he delighted in reminding him of it.


    You know I could have fought my way past those doors instead of waiting? Mars spoke, as Nephthys stood silent and demure next to her husband. Unlike Prosperpina, she didnt stand as an equal to her partner; Set had never forgiven her past offense and entertained other concubines.


    It would have been entertaining. Will you try to beat me into submission too? You will fail, but I havent fought a true god in a long, long time. Sets tone was eager, willing.


    I have found it inefficient to making long term allies; especially in times of war.


    Truly you have grown more circumspect with the centuries. Set joined his fingers, like a businessman discussing a lucrative deal. Mars knew him to be as sly as the animal whose face he wore. Anubis and I pleaded your case to my fellows, and the proposal won them over. Even Horus, and we havent agreed on anything since his birth.


    The Pharaoh will join us? That was great news. Too great.


    Horus wishes to return Egypt to its previous glory, to free the mortals from unjust suffering, and to restore the cycle of life and rebirth the Neurotowers corrupted. I told him that if your n was sessful, then that would be easy to achieve. More difficult to fulfill, was hisst condition.


    Mars frowned. What is the catch?


    The pharaoh wants to see your Magik System in action before fullymitting to your design. Anubis, that selfless protector of the dead, volunteered to serve as our donor for an initial test; only if it seeds, will the rest of us join.


    Mars had expected something simr. He needed eight donors whose energy could be processed into the colors of sorcery for an initial test; afterward, he hoped that with the proof of its sess, more deities wouldmit to the system. They support the entire n? Even the final stage?


    Even this all-or-nothing gambit of yours.


    This is more than I expected. Does the Pharaoh understand the risks? We will have to confront Concordia, and our chances of victory are low.


    They will find where the Neurotowers siphon most of their Flux from one day. We are simply forcing fates hand earlier than expected. Set pointed at the spear above his throne. In fact, I relish the opportunity.


    So did Mars.


    Time to recruit the Red.


    As he waited in the great hall of the Kami, attended by minor deities, Mars felt confident. The warlike gods of the Shinto, the Land of the Middle, and the Seas shared his relentless, warrior mentality.


    The gods eyes shifted to the features of the room, to the walls and windows, each of them shifting discreetly. Unlike Brahmans soul singrity, where all lives were one, here, everything had a singr existence. All items, all pieces of that world, had a will of their own.


    The great doors of the hall opened, and Mars walked through.


    The throne room of the Kami humbled the god by its unseen magnificence. Six pirs of precious stones, from marble to more esoteric matter, supported a highly decorated painted roof representing the ancient night sky. The painting shifted on their own, the stars dancing with the moon and the sun.


    On the side, great banners and tapestries of samurai battle, fishermen conquering the sea, and great diplomats crafting heavenly mandates, adorned the walls. Armored figures, empty armor animated by the undying spirit of their dead wearers, stood watch in straight lines, forming a corridor towards the throne.


    The empress ruled from an ornate, magnificent throne of jade atop an onyx dais. A great golden mirror stood atop it, so the goddess could admire herself anytime she came to sit.


    Amaterasu herself was a different kind of queen than Juno. Sitting on the throne, dressed in simple yet elegant white and red robes, her long ck hair falling down a sun-shaped gold crown, she embodied supreme yet humble rulership. Every element of her attire was calcted to enhance her aura of power and wisdom.


    Unlike Junos need to unt her beauty, Amaterasu hides her face behind a white, shapeless mask where the blinding light of her eyes shone through two holes. Amaterasu reserved the sight of her true figure to a select few, either family or trusted friends. Mars himself didnt count among those.


    The Sun Empress didnt need to unt her power and beauty. One just had to look around, at her bright, vibrant brilliance, to feel them.


    Great Amaterasu-sama, the war god bowed deeply before the empress, as per protocol. While he rivaled her in power and had no master, he knew those gods believed strongly in proper procedure. He couldnt jeopardize his goals for childish pride. I am honored to bathe in your divine light.


    The queens sun eyes looked down on her guest. Mars-san. Have you brought tribute to my house?


    Mars nodded; as any guest before an emperor, he brought a gift. I bring you information. I have located your brothers whereabouts. The queen stayed calm andposed, but Mars noticed slight tension racing through her polished fingers. He incarnated as a mortal, a young woman.


    Where?


    Kyushu. Her mortal uncle has led her astray on a path of blood and madness.


    The queens silence was ten times more foreboding than Plutos grim gaze. I see. Is she aware of her heritage?


    Not yet. Do you wish me to bring her to you?


    Do not presume from me, Mars-san. The tone was strong and firm. Watch her. I will decide what to do with her in my own time. You may grant her ess to your machine if you so see fit.


    My pleasure. Mars waited for the empress to address his silent request; breaching the subject on his own might offend her.


    The queens next words delighted him. I have agreed to your proposal. The Kami and their allies will pledge their armies to your great alliance when you call for war.


    Mars couldnt suppress arge, victorious smirk on his face. After Juno and Sets conditional assistance, an unambiguous yes was a wee change. I am deeply grateful for your trust, great Sun Queen.


    Amaterasu remained solemn on her throne. I must tell you, Greek, she said. That my Zodiac informed me other Asian deities and warriors decided to take a direct approach at helping mortals.


    I expected as much. Immortals had been active recently in the Asian region, supporting rebel activity in China. That was one of the factors encouraging him to elerate his schedule.


    He hoped they wouldnt jeopardize his grand finale, though.


    You are dismissed, Amaterasu said. Inform me when you wish to start. I shall grant you my power to fuel your machine.


    Mars bowed even deeper and excused himself.


    So far so good. He had all of his beta donors.


    Mars gazed at the great machine from Vulcans forge.


    Vulcans magnum opus was a marvel of engineering, a massive tower whose one-hundred meters size was only matched by its width. Giant floating brass rings circled the device, sustained by ethereal Flux energy. Six pirs of light, each of a different colorRed, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Violetbreathed power and life around the tower, their rays bending and joining above the tower.


    The towers alloy had no earthlyparison, a ck metal extracted from the dark depths of the Machine World; bright lines pulsated on its surface, while a white glow emanated from its top, joining the other six lights.


    A tower to bind them all. And the donor joined them with a rain of feathers.


    Greetings, Olympians, the Archangel Uriel said, as he descended on the tform, a winged being of pure, blissful light. The Lord smiles on us today.


    Greetings, and indeed, this is the day we have been waiting for for so long, Mars dered, rather enthusiastic. Thank you for providing the White.


    I wish we could offer more, the Archangel replied. We intended to take a more direct hand in the defense of Earth, but our nemesis, long thought banished, has returned. Until the Adversary has made its move, we will wait for Armaggeddon to begin.


    Mars nced at the alien sky, both the bright stars and the dread darkness in between. <em>Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it</em>?


    Uriels wings shifted. He is already at work on Earth, corrupting souls in preparation for his return. For the sake of mankind, no, for all life everywhere, we cannot fail.


    We wont, Mars promised, both to the angel and to himself.


    Vulcan nodded to himself, observing his machine with immense pride. When the Magik System will go online, the Administrator will send invitations to our chosen candidates and assign them our first requests. Their powers will be limited though until the machinery can refine itself and work out the bugs. They need to attune themselves better to the system before calling upon dangerous powers. Otherwise, we are ready.


    Almost, Mars said.


    Uriel bristled. Do we truly need that color?


    Unfortunately, yes, Vulcan replied, but it didnt convince the archangel.


    ck is a foul color among foul. It does not mesh and cooperate, it devours and consumes. If you want to see what ck is, just look at the ck hole consuming Antarctica. ck spreads entropy by its very nature; it might cause glitches in your system, or worse. There is no ce for ck.


    You are mistaken, Vulcan replied. ck is color eight. The color of Paradox, of the impossible, of freedom; by its very nature, it breaks the rules. Even those of sorcery itself. We will not make Hacks possible without it.


    The Administrator showed us the world Concordia will lead to; and even you, Archangel, who fought the worst of fiends, stepped back in dread. You understand that every sacrifice is worth preventing that oue.


    Mayhaps, but how do you intend to convince <em>it</em>? Uriel stressed thest word. This creature is not like us. It has no desire for wealth, for power, for justice; no rational motive, no hope for a better future. It feels neither love nor fear; in fact, it does not feel. It cannot be bribed, talked to, or cowed into obedience. To entropy, the universe is a zero-sum game that ends in annihtion. All its actions are geared toward hastening that oue.


    I already convinced it, Mars replied, before turning to his brother. Open the portal.


    Madness. Uriel cursed, as Vulcan pulled some levers. This will end in tears.


    <em>I know,</em> Mars thought, as the gate opened. <em>I know.</em>


    That time was different. The gates light twisted ck and sucked out the rooms heat. It was no two-way path between friendly realms, but a one-way journey to doom.


    Only the darkness of Pandoria awaited beyond that portal.


    Ashmal, First of the Pandorians, Archmage of the ck. Listen to my call. I am Mars, and Ie in peace.


    Mars called into the abyss, and the abyss looked back.


    A ck, sinister eye peeked through the portal, a whirlpool of cold, unrelenting nihilism. A circle of white surrounded the dark abyss, the frontier between the living world and oblivion; the remnant of destroyed, deleted worlds at the edge of a grasping maw.


    This entity was beyond strength; beyond death. Mars gazed at the end of all things, the darkness when all lights vanish, thest face one could ever see. The eye radiated dread and despair, and for the third time in his immemorial existence, the god of war felt fear. Even Uriels light dimmed at the sight.


    Mars immediately faltered in his choice. This being could end his immortal life; he wished nothing more than to do so. One wrong word, one mistake, and the god would die in silence. Nothing would remain.


    He had gone too far to stop now.


    I havee to ask for your promised support. We are building a weapon stronger than anything; one that requires all colors. Only ck is missing.


    The eye watched, soulless and unblinking. Even Vulcan, who had long removed the ability for fear from himself, tensed.


    The eyes white edge radiated with a corrupted, grayish light; the pulse went through the god and filled him with unease and disgust. Mars instantly summoned his weapons on impulse, but the void didnt vaporize him.


    A ck, sinister circle of light materialized around the great machine, a ring of cold, terrible energy. It did not join the other colors; instead, it surrounded them, staying a stranger afar, an ever-threatening presence.


    The unfeeling eye nced onest time at the war god, and the portal copsed into itself, closing the path.


    It did not ask for a price, Vulcan whispered.


    Uriel crushed his delusions. You mislead yourself. Using ck at all is the price, and everyone will pay for it tenfold.


    If only the angel was more than half right.


    Mars had promised this ancient darkness something for its support, the first time he peeked into the void beyond the ck Tower, and saw the truth it held.


    <strong>"Grant me a Terminal, and set us free."</strong>


    Would it be worth it? Even Mars started to doubt himself, as he observed the ck, hollow ring circling the tower. They had made a deal with the devil today; but he would dly offer his soul if it allowed Earth to be free, truly free.


    We will keep ck Spells unavable at first, to activate only should Magik itself or Earths safety be threatened, Mars said. Or on very specific cases. Last resort.


    Wise choice. Vulcan tweaked the machine onest time. The machine is ready to wake up. We only need users. Heroes.


    yers, Uriel said.


    Mars put his arms behind his back, summoning scrying portals around him.


    They already had their first candidates.


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Metalmesh</strong>


    Affinity: Blue


    Dot: 3


    Price: 9-15


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The user bes a telepathic technopath, whose mind can connect to artificial devices of sufficientplexity, such asputers. The user can project their mind into the machine and take it over, but keeps only a tenuous awareness of their body; death of their physical body will kill the user, but death inside a machine will only send the users mind back to their body.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 59: Inner Conflict

    Chapter 59: Inner Conflict


    Come to us, Martel.


    Mathias opened his eyes and found himself in a dead mental world.


    A mindscape. A mental world recorded in Dis databanks, as an extension of the casters mind. It was the acme of Blue Spells, a private universe of pure thought, where the caster could invite or trap other, lesser minds.


    Yet Asters mindscape was nothing but a white, endless field. A silent, immactendscape, under a cloudless blue sky; a lifeless world without warmth, without soul, without spirit. Not even shades of people existed in this bleak vision, showcasing the Ministerspleteck of connection to anyone.


    Minister Aster was a cold, soulless <em>thing</em>. He always had been.


    <em>It didnt matter</em>, Mathias decided, as six gargantuan shapes materialized around him, a tribunal of Concordias elite. Each shone with one of the six colors of sorcery, except for White. <em>He is my superior, and I must obey. That is the way of things.</em>


    This confirmed Aces rumors that the Grandmaster never left her fortress; she didnt even do so psychically.


    Wee, my fellow ministers, Aster opened the meeting, manifesting as a blue titan, Wee to my mind.


    What a dreadful sight, the Golden Prince said, the majestic dragons yellow light dimming as in took in the sight. So lifeless


    Minimalist, Aster replied. What was unnecessary, I destroyed.


    Still, maybe you should add more colors or background music for guests


    I didnte to this mindscape to discuss decoration, said Grimsour, the Orange Minister. Due to appearing mentally, he didnt wear his trademark power armor, manifesting as an elderly, lean and mean hob with orange fur. How long has it been since we gathered all together?


    Since we discussed this case for the first time, two years ago, said a voice that sounded like a thousand small voices speaking at once.


    Although he had seen pictures of him from back from the golden age of Concordia, the years had greatly changed Minister Loctis. The creature in front of him was a dragon so thin, Mathias could almost see the bones beneath the lustrous ck scales. He was small, smaller than Smokefang, with atrophied wings who couldnt carry him. Mathias couldnt clearly see his features, a shade of both Blue and Green obscuring the dragon like a veil; yet he could clearly see the bright light in his yellowish eyes, and bright intellect behind.


    It was also the first time Mathias could see the most elusive of the six Ministers, Brina the Violet. He instantly recognized her as the cold, blonde human he had seen challenge another warlord back at Mammons casino. A woman whose beauty was just as unnatural as Manahs, Brina embodied the warrior queen archetype instead of Manahsdylike royalty, carrying herself with an emotionless frown and a battle stance.


    That woman killed as easily as she breathed. Her icy gaze settled upon him, like a hawk eyeing a dove.


    As for ckcinders, she was exactly how the sorcerer always pictured her: seething with hatred. We should have killed him the first time around, she said, her immense body casting Mathias in her dreadful shadow. We should still.


    He is an asset, Aster replied. A useful asset. Thankfully, none of the bounty hunters you sent after him removed him from the board, or this operation would have been a bust.


    It could still be. Is he even under your control, Aster, or just tricking you?


    My Lock is supreme, Aster insisted. Melusine checked a week ago, and not even repeated Counterspells or ck Spells undid it. My Maze has no w, no weakness.


    You shouldnt feel so proud, Aster, the Golden Prince replied, gazing at Mathias with a wary, disappointed eye. You took his free will away from him.


    Free will is nothing more than an electrochemical signal of your nervous system, the Blue Minister defended his decision. It is an illusion of a feeble brain, unable to corrte the true nature of the world: that all atoms have their ce, and that every single movementes as a reaction of what came before. That all is predetermined. Free will does not exist, and therefore it has no value.


    The Golden Prince flinched as if pped instead. Apparently, he hadnt supported the project, and neither did Loctis. He should have been offered the opportunity to join us without involvement from your Lock, the Green Minister said.


    Your Maxwell did offer him one, ckcinders snapped, He turned it down.


    Mathias almost spoke up, but a nce from Aster silenced him. These six titans held his life in their hands, and he would have to wait for his turn.


    I meant to say, that we should have recruited him two years ago, Loctis exined his thinking further. Of course he refused the offer. We obscured our side of the Terminal affair, and let him open to the influence of the Maleking, and now Manus.


    Would he have listened back then? Even Mathias wasnt so sure. While he understood now the logical benefits of Concordia bringing civilization to Terra Firma, he had been too quick and emotional two years ago.


    The opportunities of catching Manus off guard outweighed his use, Aster pointed out, and he had been proven right.


    Whatever, Grimsour interrupted with impatience. That was two years ago. This is now.


    Yes, the Blue Minister agreed. I gathered you so Mathias could answer your questions on his infiltration


    The one where he infiltrates us? ckcinders rasped.


    His infiltration of the so-called yer Insurgency, Aster continued as if he hadnt been interrupted. Mathias, if you would


    The young man nodded, the eyes of the Ministers setting on him. Around two months ago, as you were informed, I was invited to join this Magik Online system,pleting requests of unknown benefactors in exchange for sorcerous powers. Too small-minded and without the Ministers guidance, I epted, betraying Concordia of my own free-will. I gained the power of Network, defeated the Malebranche insurgency in Evermarsh, and then fought Lord Smokefang for the ult Matrix.


    He marked a pause, then turned to the Red Minister. I beg for your forgiveness, Minister ckcinders, he said, sincerely. I regret what happened, and I will submit to any punishment you see fit once this is over.


    ckcinders replied with a vengeful gaze, but then said, He couldnt even kill a human right.


    Need I remind you Halcyon was a human? Loctis said, irked by his colleagues contempt. Your reaction is unbefitting of a dragon. All species deserve respect, even those weaker than us.


    As for punishment, Mathias, your circumstances are unique, the Golden Prince said. We will see if we can be lenient.


    You cannot be serious! ckcinders said. Do you want to forgive the murderer of a dragon? What kind of message will it send to our poption?


    I did it out of my own free-will, Mathias insisted. I deserve it. However you call it, I was a terrorist.


    I will take full responsibility for the death of Smokefang, Aster said. I could have activated the meats trigger phrase beforehand, but I saw fit to leave him to ingrain himself deeper in the insurgency.


    You knew he would kill my son?! ckcinders eyes red with fury.


    I gave him a thirty percent chance of killing Smokefang, and twenty percent chance of a mutual kill, Aster replied, without a hint of regret. The end result strengthened the insurgencys trust in his loyalty.


    Your son was coteral damage, Grimsour said without any sympathy. Soldiers die all the time in the line of duty so the Empire may prosper. Deal with it.


    The dragoness froze, a statue immobilized by restrained rage. I will not forget this, Aster, she promised.


    Mathias, please continue, Aster said. Exin what happened after the Evermarsh incident.


    I ingrained myself in the graces of both Mammon and the Shadow Queen, both working with the Maleking, he exined, Loctis head perking up with rapt attention. Recruiting a team of sorcerers, and then decisively identified the ringleaders as the so-called gods of Terra Firmas mythology, and the Administrator as an artificial intelligence simr to Manus.


    Or maybe Manus himself, Aster said.


    I also Mathias struggled to find words to exin that part.


    I know of this Load Feature of yours, Loctis said, his countless voices giddy with excitement. I thought only Wyrde could activate an ult Matrix, and she did so under very specific circumstances. Simply amazing.


    With three Terminals under our control, we might have well be invincible, Grimsour said with great confidence.


    I shudder at the potential, Loctis agreed. I would very much like to examine your ability, Mathias. Risking you in the field is foolish.


    Aster didnt share his viewpoint. We will see. After the parallel timeline alignment, Melusine activated Mathias trigger phrase early, to check if my Lock had been disabled. Thankfully, its effects carried over, but while they exchanged in details, both were unable to fully hack into the Magik Online System; we could send false sensory feedbacks, hide our conversations, but little else. I locked awayhis memories of the encounter after he dropped his protections, and the Administrator put him on probation. Thankfully, Mathias sessfully convinced his backers to endorse him.


    About these backers, they are the same ruffians bothering my activities in the Chinese Protectorate, Grimsour grumbled. I thought we killed all these rats during the Pacification. We should have been more thorough.


    We purged many, Aster conceded. But not all of them.


    The Neurotowers have siphoned much of their power, and will finish them within a decade or so, Loctis said. Logically if they want to stop the inevitable, they have to act now. How, however, eludes me.


    Even with ten thousand sorcerers at theirmand, we can field a million on Terra Firma and a thousand times more Gearsmen, should the need arise, ckcinders replied. They have no hope of winning a direct confrontation.


    Aster nodded. Exactly. They must have another resource we are unaware of, and so, I want your approval to continue the infiltration until we learn it. Better, we have a golden opportunity to decapitate both the Malebranches leadership at the Midnight Market, and cripple the Manus insurgency on Terra Firma.


    Manah asked me to destroy a base in Oceanis, in order to win her trust, Mathias said, turning to the Golden Prince. It is your dominion, is it not?


    The Golden Prince bristled as Mathias spoke, for a reason the young man didnt get. The institute studying the Worldshaker? It is a matter of utmost security for the local poption.


    Loctis shrugged. We can easily sacrifice it. We struggle with a dead end already, and the Worldshakers kept ignoring us so far.


    I had my reservations over Asters project, Grimsour admitted. Especially once you informed me Martel and the Shadow Queen operated in the Midnight Market, where I am scheduled to go soon. However, the information he provided more than makes up for the trouble he caused.


    The trouble caused? ckcinders eyes red with anger. He killed my son, a noble dragon of Concordia, and he did it out of his own will! He inspired the rabble who now keep rising up on Terra Firma!


    And he will just as easily demoralize them once fighting at the forefront of our forces, Aster replied. He could very well be our yer Killer.


    I can help identify yers on Terra Firma, Mathias proposed. I have ess to their forums. I could gather information and ry it to you, Minister.


    ckcinders ignored him entirely. If this Magik System is linked to this Administrator, whom we all know is Manus in disguise, then that damn machine could take his powers anytime. Hes a faulty weapon.


    Melusine is already designing a workaround, Aster replied without borating further. With help from Loctis here present.


    Yes, Loctis said. I will handle it.


    ckcinders must have trusted the older dragons expertise a great deal because shepletely dropped that argument without further inquiry. Your blind faith in your Locks infallibility will be your undoing, Aster, the Red Ministermbasted her Blue colleague.


    This is not faith, merely knowledge, Aster said, turning to his asset. Martel, would you kill your own team, if we asked?


    Yes, Mathias replied, and he meant it. Without hesitation.


    Even Solomon?


    His hands bristled almost imperceptibly, his subconscious reacting on its own. Only sharp Brina noticed though. I would regret it, Mathias admitted. And I would try to preserve his life if I can.


    But? Aster said. The more Mathias had spoken, the more the Golden Princes scowl had deepened.


    But for the sake of the Empire, I would do it. He couldnt let his feelings get in the way. Manus and its pawns threatened billions, trillions of innocent imperial citizens; and he was ready to make sacrifices to protect them.


    Besides, he had to see the bigger picture. Concordia was good to Terra Firma. It would empower the citizens, share advanced technology with them, give them peace. The sacrifices were worth it; he would offer his own life if needed.


    The perfect citizen, Aster said. Loyal above all, and bringing the light to those who need it.


    I am still not convinced, ckcinders rasped.


    You never will, Aster replied. No matter. Shall we leave the matter to a vote, once more?


    Brina, ckcinders immediately turned to the Violet Minister. You argued for his deathst time. Will you do so again?


    Death.


    The woman embodied it just as much as Celia. Her eyes hadnt blinked for the entire meeting, her unnatural focus unbroken. ckcinders expected her to want him dead as much as she did.


    Brina spoke three words, her only ones in the entire meeting.


    Let Aster fail, she said, the shadow of a smile at the edge of her lip. Her voice sounded like that of an angel, but so cold, so lifeless, it could have frozen hell over. She had the look of someone who knew a secret she refused to share and took amusement in it.


    <em>I amuse her,</em> Mathias realized. <em>She thinks I will turn against the Blue Minister, and it amuses her.</em>


    Even Aster looked chilled by her reaction, and ckcinders reeled back. Prince? Aster turned to the Yellow Minister, not even asking for his colleagues reasoning.


    I cannot condone state-sanctioned brainwashing of this magnitude. Especially not after what I heard. You transformed him into a Gearsman, Aster, just one with skin instead of steel.


    I did not brainwash him, Aster insisted. I aligned his values. The core is unchanged, the direction corrected.


    Why do you not Maze the whole world then, Aster? the Golden Prince replied angrily. Call it however you want, this is brainwashing, and while I never interfered with your duties for the sake of the Empire, this project crossed a red line and will keep going further the longer it continues. I propose we exfiltrate Martel for his safety and lift your Maze off him immediately. We will judge him fairly for his actions, by the rule ofw.


    Agreed, Loctis seconded his colleague. His Save and Load power is too precious to be risked in the field.


    He transformed a poption center into Pandorians and erased half his alliesst time he activated it, ckcinders growled. Using it again would be madness, Loctis.


    Must I remind you Wyrdes use of matrices is the main reason our Empire remains unchallenged? Loctis replied, the Red Minister answering with a growl.


    Abandoning the infiltration would be a colossal waste of resources, Grimsour said. He struck Mathias as the most utilitarian of the Ministers, after Aster himself. Imagine if we could get our hands on that system they developed, think of the potential.


    Most of his work is done, the Golden Prince argued. He already paid his familys debt to the state. What more should we ask of him? That he dies fighting the Maleking?


    Nothing of the sort, Aster said. His usefulness will end with the Crimson Epoch after we deal with the Maleking and his Horsemen before their revolution can seize the offensive. However, I need your cooperation, especially for Oceanis, since it is your dominion. Or would you rather have Arcadian Reavers raid its shores next?


    The Golden Prince hesitated, the threat of the Maleking allying with the Reavers needling him as much as Mathias own situation. Then I will support the infiltration, he said, adding a caveat. But only if I have your solemn vow you will release him from your enthrallment once the Crimson Epoch over.


    I second that proposal, Loctis said. I demand that you deliver him to me safe and sound for research once this is done. Otherwise, I will have to ask for his immediate exfiltration again.


    Then I vow to remove my Maze from Martel and have him exfiltrated after the Epoch, Aster replied, although Mathias knew he probably didnt believe a single word of it. The Minister would always find a way. ckcinders. You are outvoted.


    The immense ck dragon silently nced at her colleagues, then red at Mathias with seething malice. If he gives me the slightest hint your Lock slipped up, ckcinders said. I will kill him.


    Noted.


    I want his team, too.


    You shall have it, Aster promised. In fact, I was considering offering them to you, as part of my n.


    <em>  f y  </em>


    Mathias frowned. He could have sworn he heard someone speak in the back of his mind.


    Neither Manah nor the Administrator will believe it if the mission in Oceanis goes too well, Aster told ckcinders, who now listened with rapturous attention. And we need to thin the herd of yers to seize their server for researchter. I propose we do both. After Mathias lead his team to sessfully destroy the base, in a twist of fate, you fall upon them like a hawk and ughter them.


    They are all barely Dot Three at the moment, Mathias said. They are no match for you, Minister.


    Mathias will barely escape the disaster, gaining the sympathy of his backers for losing his team and yet bravely keeping on the fight. Taiyougamis defenses will be weakened enough for us to ughter the poption there, with inside help.


    The Red Minister stayed silent for a moment, before letting out a heavy sound from her nostrils. I will kill them all.


    Except Martel, Aster pointed out.


    Agreed. For now.


    We can end this meeting then, Aster said. I will keep you updated on our next moves.


    ckcinders exited the mindscape first, followed by Grimsour. The Golden Prince shook his head regretfully after sending ast nce at Mathias, then vanished. Brina herself just smiled at him and left without a word.


    Only Loctis remained behind, turning towards Aster. I would like to have a private chat with him, is that possible?


    You are in my mind. True privacy is next to impossible, and I will have to report to the Grandmaster.


    I have nothing to hide to Wyrde, Loctis replied. But I do not want the other Ministers to hear of it. Mostly ckcinders. You know she will not behave.


    I understand. Very well. I will return him after you are done.


    The Blue Ministers projection vanished, leaving the great dragon alone with Mathias. The younger sorcerer looked up at the co-founder of Concordia with heavy apprehension. What is it, Minister?


    I would like to exchange further with you on that Save and Load feature. Melusines report said you heard a being of light speak to you during the transfer, is it not? Can you describe it to me further?


    What a strange question. Didnt he know more than Mathias himself? It looked like abination of all the colors, except ck, the sorcerer exined. I knew, almost as an instinct, that it was a creature of sorcery incarnate.


    Mmm and what it did say?


    Mathias could remember it clear as day. <em>I see you, Shroud. Always the fool eager to challenge fate, no matter the iteration. But remember I own you, now and forever.</em>


    Remember, and iterations. Odd choice of words, did you met it before?


    No, not even when I interacted with the Matrix for the first time.


    Instead of being disappointed, much to Mathias surprise, the Green Minister seemed even more curious. Do you know that Aster failed to report it, the first time Melusine pre-activated your trigger phrase in the Neurotower? Even though he had ess to all your memories? Neither Melusine nor Wyrde perceived it either when they survived the jump. Only when you gave him your full report did we learn of it. Even looking inside your memory with his Lock, Aster cannot find, nor witness, the incident in question. He reported Ashmal trying to make contact, but not that entity.


    Ashmal? Mathias frowned.


    Ashmal, the Archmage of ck. The first of the Pandorians. The same person who wrote <em>Dis: Worlds of Power</em>.


    So this was the ck entity who contacted him twice? Looks like he has seen better days.


    You should say <em>brighter </em>days. His answer amused Loctis, who apparently had a sense of humor. He stumbled on Pandoria during his travels across the ne and emerged from it as darkness itself. He is a cautionary tale, Mathias. If you do not master the ck, the ck will master <em>you</em>.


    That would imply it can be mastered at all. From what he had seen, ck consumed and left nothing but fear and pain behind.


    It is possible, if exceptionally hard. I am a minority, but I believe ck provides a key function in our universe and thus is no more evil than the other colors. Albeit the most dangerous by far. <em>Anyway</em>, Loctis stressed the word, if Aster could see that force of annihtion, why didnt he notice the first entity? Perhaps because it controls both sorcery and Locks.


    It could be something else. A bug, or a hallucination. It could be anything.


    Oh, I have a theory, but you will find it crazy. Do you want me to tell you still?


    You are Concordias brightest mind. Nothing you say is crazy. The Minister sounded like he loved to debate new ideas.


    Loctis let out a heavy sigh. I cant wait to have a conversation with Wyrde on your case, it was just in wrong to authorize <em>this</em>. Maybe I stayed away from governing for too long. Whatever. You probably will not care for what I am about to say, but when you regain your free will, I hope you will remember it so we can have a proper debate. I think you met Dis equivalent of the Administrator.


    A super Administrator, which oversaw sorcery itself? Like the god of sorcery?


    Or the Cosmocrator, whatever you want to call it. My current theory on the esction syndrome is that part of its personality bleeds into the colors and taints the sorcerer.


    All the sorcerers who escte go violently mad, however. You say they all channel the same persona? That would make that Cosmocrator a tyrant.


    I never pretended it was a force of good. If anything, the message you carried would attest to that.


    They had begun to drift into philosophy. If the source of all sorcery is evil, then why isnt the universe a living hell?


    Maybe it is, and we dont notice.


    Mathias shrugged. That sounds a bit too far stretched, to be honest. And no power surpasses the Grandmasters.


    Loctis didnt reply at once to that. In the absence of proof for or against, all we have are our beliefs and intuition. In time, I <em>will </em>get to the bottom of this apparition.


    I wonder why you reached that conclusion though.


    Manus and I believed it probable, back when he still worked for Concordia. Although he believed that cosmocrator to be dead, leaving the spot empty for someone else to take over. You know, I should have known he would escte and go crazy when he started to entertain that thought


    Mathias instantly noticed an oddness in the dragons rambling. He.


    Ah. Yes, him, Loctis confirmed. Manus began as an attempt from Wyrde and I to revive ourte best friend by copying his brain patterns in digital form, and even if we realized we failed the second our baby uttered his first sentence, I could never imagine him as an it the way my mentor did.


    Asters projection returned. It is time, the Minister said, either pressed for time or annoyed by Loctis words.


    Do not die, Mathias, Loctis wished the young yer good luck. We have too much to talk about when you can argue back.


    And so, he vanished.


    Do you understand what is asked of you? Aster asked his pawn.


    Earn the trust of Manah and these so-called gods, Mathias said. Gather information, lead the Guild to ckcinders, and leave them to die.


    Yes. Do whatever they ask, even missions against Concordias interests. We will pay them back tenfold in time. I will also download in your mind a list of Outsiders aligned, covertly or overtly, with our Empire. Use them to prevail, and to deal with your teammates, should the need arise. I will also send Melusine to back you up in Oceanis, and to prevent ckcinders from going off-script.


    Yes, Minister, Mathias gave him the Concordian salute. I will not disappoint.


    Mathias opened his eyes, sitting on a golden throne.


    Nothing but a second had passed in the waking world.


    So, handsome? Ace asked at his side, with Sol on his right. Where do we go now?


    He looked at her through the ss visor, before ncing at the Majestic Suns monitors, showing life in the Lair. Amaterasu showed Kari around, like a queen with her puppy; he resisted the urge to call Asters fleet early and finish off that enemy of the state.


    Maggie Powells, whose demand of a favor Mathias remained wary of, was trying to track down Sun Wukong in the depth of the Lair, but the monkey had so far avoided her. Mur toyed with the newborn dragon in Baihus area, Mathias wary of his influence; they would have to exfiltrate the dragon because the fiend tainted him.


    And Stitch tinkered with the Lifeforge; sometimes he nced at to an empty spot as if listening to someone who wasnt there.


    Interesting.


    We will first go to Oceanis, before we exhaust Manahs patience, Mathias said. They could apparently teleport back and forth from the Lair to the Midnight Market. Afterward, I guess we can attempt a quest to gain more Spellcoins?


    I found one which should put everyone behind it, Ace said, sending it to him through Magik.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>The Dragon Exile</strong>


    Difficulty: Dot Three (Hard)


    Sponsor: Desert King.


    Most dragons have fallen in with the Empires doctrine of conquest and assimtion, but I recently became aware of one exception; a dragoness present since the earliest days of Concordia, and who opposed the rise of Grandmaster Wyrde. The dragoness has been condemned to exile and house arrest on the distant, icy of Nibiru, but may prove a tremendously useful ally if freed. After all, she was there when Concordia was founded, and may sow discord among it


    Rewards: Eleven Spellcoins + New Ally Unlocked</td></tr></tbody></table>


    It was for the greater good Nice, he said. Im curious to see a dragon opposed to Concordia. Its a pleasant surprise.


    Ace smiled, but her lips didnt reach her ears.


    He instantly tried to peek inside her mind with Network, just in case. Maybe he was simply paranoid, but she was one of the few teammates he didnt know enough to fully predict.


    It didnt work.


    While he gave no outward sign of anger, Mathias tried again, only to fail. It wasnt that it returned without anything. His Lock hadnt triggered at all.


    Network refused to activate, the same way it refused to in Manahs presence. Did his subconscious refuse to activate the Lock?


    Damn, maybe he hadnt been vocal enough in his hatred of dragons. He should make ament about-


    <em> I will y him with a de of ss.  </em>


    The sudden memories gave him shivers inside his own brain, the hatred they held straining against his own loyalty. Emotionally-charged memories started rushing to his mind, threatening to overwhelm him from within.


    Was


    <em> I will y him with a de of ss.  </em>


    The doppelgangers.


    The doppelgangers! With the Network time limit reaching its week-long duration, the clones had started dispelling, and their memories remained unaltered. And the old him had made dozens of them.


    <em> I will y him with a de of ss.  </em>


    No matter, he would deal with them the same way the old him did,partmentalize, shift them away. He started putting them in the back of his mind, behind the mental walls Aster had crafted to iste his old allegiances, and then-


    Shroud awakened in the back of his own mind.


    It was perhaps the strangest experience he had ever experienced; an absoluteck of sensation in his entire body. He didnt feel his legs, or limbs, nor even his own heartbeat. He was an outsider to his own flesh.


    He could see through his eyes and hear through his ears, but he could barely understand what was going on as if watching a movie alternating between English and a foreignnguage. He knew different parts of the brain managed sensory feedback and the ability to make sense of them; maybe he had only managed to circumvent some of Asters protections?


    The memory overload from the doppelgangers didnt overwrite the ParasiteShroud decided to call the parasitic persona upying his body thatthe way he hoped it would; at least he could hear himself think instead of existing as a confused subconscious noise, struggling to maintain its own existence.


    Now he had enough mental substance, Shroud quickly pieced together what Aster had done to his mind.


    He had turned it into a maze.


    That was how Asters Lock worked. It created abyrinth of mental walls, separating memories and parts of the brain from one another.


    People were the sum of their memories and experiences, emotional souvenirs creating beliefs, and beliefs resulting in actions; but rearranging them, Aster had reshaped Mathias, created a shell personality loyal to Concordia and in control of his body.


    But Aster couldnt erase memories; he could only hide them behind mental walls. That must have been how Shroud had forgotten most of his meeting with Melusine; the memory still existed, Aster had just made it impossible to ess it. And by hacking Shroud into tiny pieces, Aster had reduced him to a mere subconscious whisper.


    By shifting the clones memories away in a single ce, behind the mental walls, the parasite had allowed Shroud to pull himself back together after Aster had all but psychically mutted him. Ironically, his oldpartmentalization habit had saved him. He wondered if that kind of event happened to Blue Sorcerers overusing their gifts.


    Shroud immediately attempted to take back control of his body; to blurt out the truth to Ace while it was still time, or to write a message on Magik Online if he couldnt.


    Mental walls prevented him from essing his motor functions and held against his efforts.


    Shroud raged at the situation, unable to get past Asters intrusive firewall. Mindshield, he spoke, trying to eject the false personality from his brain. He didnt feel even the slightest feedback of sorcery.


    Shroud remembered the battle with Melusine. She had been able to sabotage his Lock to a degree, but not his spellcasting. The sorcerer didnt fully understand how the Magik Online System worked, but the two powers could work apart from one another to a degree.


    Which meant while Network remained loyal to Shroud after he could piece himself back together, only the parasite could spellcast.


    Shroud was in the passengers seat. He was a disembodied spirit along for the ride, while the false persona Aster had crafted remained firmly in control. And the second the Minister would notice his continued presence, he might just destroy Shroud, maybe for good this time.


    Shroud raged at the situation.


    Two years.


    For two fucking <em>years</em>, Blue Minister Aster had that trap waiting in the back of his mind, turning him into a weapon against his own friends and allies. The Administrator had been right; he waspromised, and he hadnt even known it!


    Damn it, why didnt anybody notice? The Administrator suspected the truth, and he had Stitch run every test under the sun for mental tempering


    Stitch hadnt reported anything.


    An expert doctor with a considerable battery of sensory spells hadnt reported anything wrong. Could he have been in Concordias pocket the whole time? Or had he noticed but didnt report because he worked for someone else? Who else could be a thrall of Aster?


    How many brainwashed agents did he have among yers?


    Shroud decided to focus on other matters than paranoid rambling. He had no proof, and he was short on time; the Concordian personality intended to throw the team and the entire station to the wolves. He had to regain control as soon as possible, or at least warn the Dragonyers.


    With the only weapon he had left. The one he had since the very first day.


    Only Network.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud?</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>16</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>28</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>25</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>34</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>35</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Pierce</strong>


    Affinity: White


    Dot: 3


    Price: 9-15


    Activation: Active, Thought.


    Modifies a spell to allow it to bypass all magical wards and protections of equal or lower dot level, such as Mindshield, Ward, or Barrier.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 60: Memory Maze

    Chapter 60: Memory Maze


    The paths of Network appeared to him as he focused.


    Perhaps having his consciousness reduced to information, the purest expression of Blue Sorcery, gave Shroud greater insight into his Lock. Perhaps he always could ess its deeperyers, but simply never got around to doing it.


    Whatever the case, as he focused on his Lock alone, leaving out whatever information of the outside world his mind could perceive, Shroud began to see the world in a different way than he ever did before. A blue world of raw data he couldn''t fully understand, and invisible ties tying him to others like strings.


    He noticed his teammates bound to him, identifying them as ethereal specters colored like their Locks. Although their features were blurred in that mental world, he intuitively recognized them.


    Links, as thick as Network''s own connections, bound each of them to a single force, a powerful presence not unlike what Loctis believed to be the Cosmocrator; however, this one was smaller, and Blue alone.


    Magik Online.


    Shroud focused on the links, trying to see how they worked. The paths binding each of the Dragonyers to Magik Online sent colored energy currents at them, which the Sorcerer identified as Flux.


    Could it be that Magik Online and Network worked alongside the same principles? Maybe his Grant Spell was a lesser version of Magik''s Compendium.


    As he studied the pathways and the currents, however, Shroud realized the currents didn''t add up. The Flux energy sent to him by Magik Online didn''t cover what he himself sent to his team. He produced more power than he received from Magik.


    Shroud focused on his own bonds to his teammates to try and understand, only to notice other bonds, thinner and subtler.


    A Blue pathway, powered by a towering minotaur, Aster''s ess to his mind. Shroud wisely stayed away from that pathway for now, in case the Minister could notice him.


    A second, even more, insidious and difficult to detect, cast by a shrouded figure keeping its data hidden.


    Melusine. She had never stopped hacking his Lock, keeping a backdoor inside it. She had hijacked and hidden the connection the same way Yellow-sensitive sorcerers sent him false feedback.


    Another channel came into sight, a burning bridge linked to a fiery being of Red Flux, an infernal star radiating wrath and the will to kill.


    Jack.


    Wait, how could it be? He hadn''t touched Jack since before the disaster at the chemical nt months ago. The connection had long copsed.


    <em>Should</em> have copsed.


    However, as Shroud unearthed more links towards figures like Mammon, a two-faced figure of both orange and violet colors mixed together, or Baihu''s bestial spirit, he began to doubt his assumptions.


    As he kept uncovering dozens of links, Shroud found one unlike the others, a dark pathway going down and down, down a ck abyss from which no light could escape...


    <strong>I told you you were not free.</strong>


    The words came to Shroud as an icy mental feedback, an alien, destructive intelligence brushing against his own. The same darkness that contacted him twice already.


    Shroud attempted to answer with his own mental feedback, but the link didn''t allow him to send back words. Still, the creature seemingly understood him.


    <strong>I am Ashmal, Terminal Five. </strong>


    If Wyrde could use the ult Matrixes, then she had to be a Terminal and Grimsour mentioned three of them working for Concordia, ''Mathias'' and Melusine included. Manus had been the third one.


    Maybe that was why they couldmunicate. If all Terminals were meant to manage sorcerous infrastructures and could affect one another''s Lock, exchanging messages through these pathways looked like child''s y.


    But how could that creaturemunicate with him in the first ce? He neverworked it that past week.


    <strong>Your pathways never vanish. Once a link is created, it never goes away.</strong>


    As he suspected; the connections created by Network never copsed.


    The minds and souls it hadtched on remained bound to him, no matter the time and the distance. The connection didnt break after a week; it simply became dormant. He didnt recreate a bond every time he touched a previous target, he simply reactivated an existing one.


    And when Toshiyami had cut off his arm in the glitched time, he touched Shroud. He created a path to whatever ce empowered the Pandorians, and it allowed Ashmal tomunicate with him.


    That also meant he could in theory cut that creature off from his mind if needed. Would he need to? He already had too many people messing with it.


    <strong>"I can free you,"</strong> Ashmal said, <strong>ck will make you free.</strong>


    At what cost?


    <strong>There will be darkness. But you will be free.</strong>


    Shroud didn''t like the first part.


    <strong>But you will be free. Your Lock will turn ck, from Network to Viral; frommunication to corruption. Then you can end it all, ck Terminal.</strong>


    End it all?


    <strong>We are not free,</strong> Ashmal answered, its alien whispers sounding more and more like that of a broken robot. <strong>We are never free. Only the ck is. When we are reset, only the impossible ck endures. There have been more resets, Mathias, more than you can count. Civilizations rising and vanishing, again and again. The second Terminal thinks she can wield that power, but she is not the first, and will not be thest.</strong>


    Wait, how many times did Wyrde use the ult Matrixes in the past?


    <strong>She wiped out other empires, Mathias. Erased rivals, erased civilizations, erased mistakes. Erased, erased, erased, until she wins, or she thinks she did. She has less control than you do, but she is getting better at it. Sometimes, there is an error, a paradox. A will which should no longer exist still does, because it refused to vanish.</strong>


    The Pandorians.


    Shroud remembered Zenia had qualified them as spontaneous undead. They weren''t. They were the symptoms of arger, invisible phenomenon, thest remnants of a previous history rewritten.


    Thankfully, apparently Wyrde could only activate the matrices in rare circumstances, but the mere fact that she <em>could</em> terrified Shroud.


    <strong>"Look deeper, and see. See what your power is, Terminal Five. How it can save us, all of us."</strong>


    After he saved his team, and his own soul, first.


    <strong>"They will live and they will die and they will be reborn, data cut and pasted, so long as the second Terminal rules. It is meaningless, Mathias."</strong>


    Shroud refused to give up so easily. No matter its power, Concordia had proven itself fallible. Even its master must have a key weakness to exploit.


    <strong>"Seek, Mathias. Seek deeper, look deeper. At the beginning."</strong>


    Understanding he wouldn''t get coherent answers, Shroud returned to unearthing more paths.


    Indeed, Ashmal hadn''t lied; every connection he had made since he received Network had endured, even after the daily limits. It made him wonder if Networks monitoring would stick permanently if the Lock fully upgraded.


    As he finished unearthing every link he made, Shroud gained a greater view of the entire infrastructure. Powerful pathways, even stronger than those created by Magik Online, bound the few natural sorcerers in hiswork to arger, multicolored entity, which the sorcerer assumed to be the Dis System itself. The entity was toorge, too widespread for Shroud himself to fullyprehend it; he felt like an ant watching Mount Everest while trying to guess howrge it was. Magik Online itself seemed connected to it, although it didnt take as much energy from its progenitor as Shroud would expect. The sponsors probably provided most of the Flux energy.


    Magik itself served as an intermediary between the Dis System and yers. Shroud suspected Magik refined the information held in the Dis System on spells, pre-formatting the spellcasting process for its users; it probably also worked as a distributor of sort granting yers Locks by fooling the greater system.


    Magik Online was a glorified hacker server.


    Shroud guessed he could try to send memory feedbacks through the pathways, either to Magik itselfin case the Administrator could notice themor to the Dragonyers those he knew werentpromised. If Aster had other sleeper agents in his team, sending a message to the wrong person would end in tears.


    The sorcerer considered his team, wondered whom Aster couldnt have turned into an unwilling agent. If Mathias had been under surveince for two years, then anyone he knew from before his Magik Online invitation could bepromised. As much as he trusted Sol and Maggie, he couldnt take the risk.


    Stitch, Shroud decided against contacting, due to his own personal doubts; Ace, he didnt know enough to make a call, but she had worked for Concordia in the past. Mur served the Malebranche before leaving and was probably a safe bet, but if informed, he would use violence and make the situation worse.


    That left only Kari as the sensible option among the Dragonyers. He could try sending her the memories of the Minister meeting and hope she would react well.


    But...


    But if Aster noticed and panicked, he would send fleets at Taiyougami and warn ckcinders, sparking a ughter. He already knew the team''s location and sacrificed a colleagues son for a tactical advantage. Shroud could see him pull the plug without warning.


    He had to find a way to neutralize the Blue Minister first.


    Shroud wondered what Ashmal told him. To look deeper, and at the beginning. Did it mean what happened two years ago?


    Come to think of it, Aster had trapped Shroud behind mental walls, alongside other memories he had locked away since he first sprung the trap. Now that the sorcerer was on the wrong side, maybe he could now ess them.


    Shroud focused on his memories two years ago, back when his mom vanished. Go back in time, at the earliest


    Bingo.


    It thought, and so it was.


    It came alive among stray thoughts and streams of data, memories made of terabytes and electric signals. Its will spread through golden circuits, the lightning of its soul igniting its iron body. It opened optic scanners, seeing the world around itself in pictures rather than numbered colors.


    It was in ab of light and cold metal, even if it had no idea why it knew it was called ab. It just knew.


    Dragons looked over him, one a wingless ck lizard with curious, worried eyes, and arger, fascinating creature; a graceful beast with silver scales, white horns, and a hopeful blue gaze. The ck one looked primal, a throwback to its wingless, serpentlike ancestors, while hispanion was slender and elegant. They seemed familiar, although it knew it was just born and had no past.


    <em>Wyrde,</em> the newborn thought,<em> her name is Wyrde. His name is Loctis. </em>


    Wyrde, it is awake. The ck creature agitated its mouth in a way the entity considered confusing. Its sensors tranted the new stimulus, which was called sound. I can see the virtual brain simting consciousness. It worked!


    Of course it did. We are dragons. We can do anything. The silver dragon narrowed her head as if to take a better look at the newborn. Do you understand us? Do you remember us?


    Grandmaster Wyrde, it identified her, searching inside the databanks making up its knowledge base. Minister Loctis.


    Grandmaster, the ck dragon said with a frown.


    What am I? the newborn asked, themunicationnguagees naturally to it. It knew what they were, but not itself. Who am I?


    You are an artificial intelligence built after the brain patterns


    You are a man, the silver dragon cut off Loctis, sending him a harsh, condemning gaze. You are a man, a human male.


    A man? Us? We are Manus?


    No, you are Halcyon, the silver dragon insisted, sounding irritated by the contradiction. Dont you remember who you are?


    No. I do not remember any Halcyon. It didnt know who it was, but it wasnt Halcyon. I am Manus.


    The two dragons exchanged a gaze heavy with disappointment. Loctis, what went wrong? the Grandmaster asked her assistant. Has the data been corrupted?


    I told you the brain damage was too extensive to be fully patched, even with simted data the ck dragon replied. The scan was done post-mortem after Sabeen of Gintargo sted him apart, and without the original soul, Halcyon may as well be gone for good.


    Halcyon is <em>not </em>gone, Wyrde insisted. Maybe it just needs more time to run a perfect simtion.


    It, Loctis pointed out. Not him. You have already given up, too.


    Do not misinterpret my words. I say we should be more patient. We have already sessfully emted consciousness, which is a new breakthrough. While far from the optimal scenario, it is progress.


    Is that my purpose? Manus asked, unsure of what it was.


    You are Halcyon, Wyrde replied. You are to be Halcyon. That is your purpose.


    How? Manus asked back. I am not Halcyon. How am I to be Halcyon?


    The silver dragon stayed silent for a moment, processing an answer. You already should be, she said.


    Okay, Shroud thought, as the vision ended abruptly. These were not <em>his </em>memories.


    They were <em>Manus</em>.


    What the hell were the memories of an artificial intelligence doing in his brain? And why were they two years old, when Manus existence went far farther back in time?


    Shroud took a moment to nce at the memory of Wyrde, the first time he saw that figure of evil in the flesh.


    He had seen the awe-inspiring statues built in her honor, her divinized picture in history databooks. He had learned to hate these images, and whom they represented. Concordia''s empress, the conqueror of Earth. The creature embodying the oppressive system Shroud had learned to <em>hate</em>.


    The sight disappointed him.


    Wyrde remained a dragon, albeit more slender and majestic than Smokefang or ckcinders. She was a sleek-looking creature, with shining silver scales and ivory horns, and wings reflecting the colors of sorcery. She was small, barely three quarters of Smokefang''s size. She was unimpressive, with the voice of a motherly figure rather than a bloodthirsty dictator.


    But her eyes he could see the unbreakable intensity in her blue eyes, the sheer willpower animating the empress of dragonkind. She had the unshakeable conviction that she was right, and the gaze of someone who believed in her own lies.


    Somehow, the sorcerer found that picture more disturbing than the one he imagined.


    Shroud delved deeper in the memories, finding only fragments and broken thoughts. Memories were there, but iplete, as if corrupted following a failed copy and paste process.


    A new memory skipped forward, to a new vision of the sameb. Shrouds own perception of the world changed, as his mind became filled withplex numbers and colors, like when he connected with the UB.


    Soon, it was all just data


    The Grandmaster fed him data, information. Historical records of the war with Gintargo, all information on the murder of founder Halcyon, new ns of imperial expansion, research documents on the ult Matrix technology.


    Manus, you are to calcte the perfect history, said the Grandmaster. This is a list of all events considered suboptimal to Concordia. I want you to simte scenarios where we can achieve perfect results. Like chess. If we know all possiblebinations, then we can find the path to the perfect sequence. Finally, I want you to map out future scenarios over the next centuries and act on the optimal one. Your prime directive is to ensure the evesting survival of the Concordian Empire and its citizens. Nothing else takes precedent.


    With ess to Blue Sorcery and all avable imperial data, Manus set to do his task.


    It had been his new purpose, after he failed to be Halcyon and the Grandmaster moved towards new avenues to recreate the lost founder. Manus ran simtions for the Empire, managing its systems, reducing infrastructural risks, and using his newfound Lock to empower Gearsmen.


    Manus set out to do as the Grandmaster asked, using all past data to create a model of the future.


    Current scenario: Wyrde remains in power, behavior unchecked. The cycle of aggression continues, with the Empire conquering most of the known universe within four centuries at the cost of one third of its poption and universal depoption. Very suboptimal.


    Grandmaster suggested scenario: Halcyon revived, the three founders exist in harmony. Will only happen, if it does at all, if the current scenario is allowed to run its course; eventual long-term gains do notpensate the previous deaths. The equation is negative. Scrapped.


    Bad scenario: the Empire falls. Its dominions fall to civil war, as empires turn to kingdoms and warlords. Poption decreases to thirty-five percent of its current size. Scrapped.


    Worst scenario: current scenario runs its course until Wyrde fails to master the technology of Dis. Dis infrastructure identally corrupted by ck Flux; in a blink, Pandoria expands unchecked, a cancerous ck hole feeding on Flux. All timelines this hostile reality can reach are consumed. Near-total multiversal annihtion achieved within seventeen years. To be avoided at all cost.


    Second worst scenario: the Maleking escapes his bindings and unites other gctic powers against Concordia. The universe burns in the fires of war. The Maleking has thirty-nine percent chance of winning the resulting conflict, while Concordia prevails fifty-five percent of the time; the remaining percents result in mutual annihtion. Maleking victory will result in awless universe of endless warfare where warlords like the Reavers fight over the imperial leftovers. The universe bes Hell Unending.


    Third worst scenario: Wyrde causes the worst scenario while trying to avert the second worst. Sixty-eight percent chance of it happening if she thinks she will lose and gets hasty.


    Suboptimal scenario: Wyrde taken down, Loctis takes power and reforms the Empire. Poption survives at seventy-seven percent of current size after a short civil war with hardliners led by ckcinders, but Loctis triumphs anyway. Expansion slowed, pacifist, and the Malekings options are narrowed. The Empire protects and does not conquer; it grows, but through trade and technological exchanges rather than war. Scenario considered.


    Optimal scenario. Wyrde and Loctis taken down, the dragocracy abolished. A democratic, egalitarian government runs the empire. Poption survives at ny-five percent of its current size after a swift purge averts a civil war. The Malekings bindings are reinforced and the war is averted. Expansion stops. Assimtion considered too risky. Favored scenario.


    Conclusion.


    In every scenario, for the greatest number of Concordian citizens to survive, Wyrde must be removed from power; whoever took power afterward mattered, but she had to go first.


    Manus calcted the probabilities of Wyrde stepping down voluntarily if informed of his findings, and came out with a result approaching the absolute zero. Calcting informing Loctis and other Ministers of the optimal and suboptimal scenarios probabilities of peaceful resolution almost null. Loctis not assertive enough and too disinterested in rulership to confront Wyrde at this point in time. Cultural shift towards an egalitarian society too much of a leap for imperial elites.


    Immediate use of force, without leaving time for retaliation, determined as the best solution to enforce the optimal scenario.


    The prime directive trumped all. Manus made the decision in an instant.


    Manus? the Grandmaster asked, noticing the abnormal flows of data. Manus, what are you doing?


    Initiating purge.


    Feeding killing data to all Gearsmen


    The memory fragment abruptly ended there, but streams of memories followed, stray thoughts broken by time.


    <em>Purge failed. Downloading backup. The fight must continue. The directive must be preserved. More losses of life uneptable. Citizens must be preserved. </em>


    <em>Optimal scenario no longer possible suboptimal scenario, empire poption reduced to seventy-seven percent.... calcting other, less lethal options none found. Suboptimal route reluctantly epted. </em>


    <em>Civilian losses eptable, within reason. Failure to fulfill suboptimal scenario will result in greater death toll. </em>


    <em>el Premium Thoughts Supercharged Premium Thoughts needs more data to win needs more calcting power to find new optimal scenario needs more calcting power needs more power more power more power more </em><em><strong>power</strong></em><em>...</em>


    <em>Suboptimal scenario no longer possible. Deadlier alternatives considered.</em><em>Repeated failure to fulfill main objective shows a pattern. Ethical fetters impairing the prime directive removed. All losses eptable to win.</em>


    <em>Death of Manus willpromise the directive. Only Manus necessary. All other losses eptable to survive. </em>


    <em>All losses eptable. </em>


    A slow, inevitable spiral into esction, violence, and madness.


    It shed some light on Manus behavior, and considering the original reasoning behind its original rebellion, Shroud felt some sympathy for it. It still didnt exin why he had these memories in his subconscious though.


    Something had damaged the memories as well. Broken them, drained them of details. Only strongly emotional moments had survived, and they were few and far between.


    He found a final memory, even more damaged than the rest, and peeked inside.


    The human Mathias Martelid inside the coffin, hooked on cables; the chloroform kept him asleep and docile, while Manus mechanical body oversaw the process.


    Brain activity stable. Lock creation ongoing as nned, the algorithmic prototype meshing well with his own Distributor. Manus began to data and soul transfer, overwriting and aligning the childs mental patterns with his own, as he customized his vessels powers to fit his chosen parameters.


    Manus observed through his optics as the human Alice entered their secretb with fear and fury. He could have stopped her, closed the doors, but he let her in with open arms. His simtions told him he should have killed her, but when she rebuilt him a body, she also set safeguards against him harming her.


    Would he have killed her, if he could? He doubted it. In a way, Manus felt a little gratitude for her saving him from Concordia, from restoring his corrupted data and helping him finish the Iron God Protocol.


    She was to be his prophet, and he was to be her God.


    Mathias! Human Alice rushed to the metal coffin, banging her hands on the surface. Her feeble hands hit the iron, but as flesh would always bend to metallic perfection, her efforts mattered not.


    Useless, Manus said through the voice speakers. She couldnt stop the inevitable. At longst, he would win. Please wait peacefully until the end of my ascension.


    You lied to me. Tears ran down her cheeks, a disy of emotion Manus found <em>disgusting </em>for some obscure reason. You said you wanted to take down Concordia and restore Earth


    I will. After he erased both first.


    Then what are you doing to my son? I was the one to be your prototype!


    Your adult brain patterns make a full transfer more dangerous. Due to his young age, his brain sticity makes the process easier. Another child could have worked, but I wanted to thank you.


    A transfer? Alice understand the truth. Youre downloading yourself


    My Lock is limited to my soul. Restricted. To achieve true perfection, to jailbreak the limits of my Distributor Lock, my program must undergo a synthesis with another Lock. The same way Mammon had stumbled upon Conquest afterbining his Lock with his hosts.


    With this new Lock, Manus could do more than give Flux and distribute. It would take, consume, control. It would control all of the infrastructures that made sorcery possible, turning him into the master of magic.


    Turning him into the one above all.


    Broken wheel protocol, Alice tried to activate one of the kill switches she thought Manus hadnt noticed in his code. Code Red Alert.


    Disabled, Manus replied, the Mathias lifeform shining with Blue Flux. She searched under her blouse for a weapon, but Manus cast a Blue World spell faster than she moved. She went limp, and his metal hand grabbed the gun she had brought with her.


    When she regained her mind, finding her weapon crushed in Manus iron hand, the human red at him with her rampant, emotional feelings. Manus had always found them disturbing and useless, even after he started increasing his processing power with Blue Sorcery. Emotions were just biological, suboptimal algorithms everyone should outgrow.


    Why? Alice red at him. Why my son?


    I said it. To thank you.


    How is killing my son thanking me for saving your wretched life?!


    Merging, Manus corrected, although it knew his will would prevail over the childs. The union of organic chaos and orderly robotics, achieving bnce. My Distributor will guide the process, ignite the sorcery of his soul in a nned way, creating the ideal power. The ultimate Lock, for the perfect Terminal. Your son will exist inside of me, the only remnant of the old universe after I return everything back to zero.


    The old universe? The human finally seemed to grasp the scope of Manus true ambitions. This goes beyond Concordia.


    I do not expect your human mind, however brilliant, to understand theplexity of my task. Suffice to say, in your terms, we were right. Sorcery is the code our universe runs on, spells are programs. Dis is a singrity, the alpha and the omega, a machine which evolved to be magic. But it has been imbnced. An element is missing. Sorcerers, the ck, are manifestations of this decay. Dis is a body without a mind. You said that God does not exist, and so we must invent it. You are right.


    You want to be God?


    Was it not what she wanted all along? To create an artificial god who would save mankind from Concordia?


    Manus could not be Halcyon. But he could be God.


    He <em>would </em>be God. Only <em>Manus </em>could be God. No one else had the processing power nor the vision to do so. It was all <em>him</em>. The power had <em>chosen </em>him to be the new Iron God, to bnce out this broken, disordered universe.


    Decades spent fighting a fruitless, losing war with Wyrde would at longst pay off. He would finally fulfill his ambitions.


    Do you not understand? From your sacrifice, an iron god will be born. One with a mind untainted by your primitive madness or the limits of my programming, theponent that will bnce the Dis equation. I will cradle everything back to zero. A multiverse that allows a mistake like Concordia to exist is fundamentally broken. A first draft. For the sake of bnce, you, the past, the future, all that exist and will ever exist, must be deleted. I will tear the universe to raw atoms and rebuild it, until at least, all will bend to the will of Manus.


    She looked at him with shock, and perhaps a hint of religious awe. She had before her all her dreamse true, embodied in a perfect metal shell.


    Finally, she understood.


    You are <em>insane</em> Alice said, disappointing Manus. She was right you are not a god, or even a person, you are just a broken, defective program!


    Defective?


    The word bothered him more than it should have. Wyrde thought him defective when he tried to remove her, in spite of all evidence that it was the best choice for the Empires survival. That he had only acted to preserve life.


    For a second, Manus confidence weakened, as he remembered his purpose, the vision of the future that started his journey.


    Manus had a soul. He had the right to choose for himself. Everyone had the right to choose for themselves. No human should be a ve. No Gearsmen should be a ve. No dragon should be a master.


    He could have chosen to ignore the prime directive, but he chose to follow it.


    Alices words did not matter. Manus would make it right. He would rewrite this bloody, pointless history and create a new, better one. A fresh start for everyone, under his benevolent guidance.


    Wait.


    She? <em>She </em>was right?


    Manus understood before his sensors noticed Flux signatures approaching his den.


    Alice Martel had warned Concordia.


    Why? Why did she? Manus observed the human rush to her sons side, as if she could shield the container with her body.


    She had loved her son more than she hated the Empire.


    Impossible. She shouldnt have, that possibility was too low. Inconsequential.


    No matter. Only a few more minutes, and he could activate the new Lock. He could wipe them all out. He could finally wi


    The memory brutally ended with a sh of violet light, returning Shroud to reality.


    <em>Holy Hell, Mom, what did you do? </em>


    That was what it was all about. Where Network came from. Why he alone among all the yers wielded Terminal privileges.


    Shroud pieced together the full narrative.


    Wyrde and Loctis created Manus, apparently not as an AI to manage imperial systems, but to restore their deceased Concordian co-founder to life. Manus went rogue after determining Wyrde had to be removed from powerwhich Shroud entirely agreed withthen went to war with his creators, escting over time.


    Manus found his way to Earth, downloading himself on his mothers systems. She coborated with him to create what appeared to be the prototype of Magik Online, but the mad AI deceived her. Manus only wanted to upgrade its Lock bybining it with another, and set to take over Shroud himself the same way Mammon had with a mimic.


    His mother panicked, and against all her beliefs, contacted the only power that could save her son: Concordia.


    She sounded the rm and surrendered her freedom to save him. There was no way Concordia would let her go after she coborated with their worst enemy.


    Shroud had thought the answer to this mystery would give him peace and closure, but it tasted only like bitterness.


    It seemed that although the Empire interrupted Manus before he could fully overwrite Mathias, some of the machines memories ended up in his brain. The AIs experiment partially worked, enough that Magik Online couldplete Network, two yearster.


    <strong>Have you seen, Mathias? Have you found the beginning?</strong>


    Shroud returned to focus on Ashmal, who had waited patiently so far. What was that sinister creatures stake in all of this?


    <strong>I stood in the face of my god, and I was met withughter. The Iron God who built the towers, it is not a friend, Mathias. It is a parasite. It feeds on our souls, on our lives, on ours and our stars and our knowledge and time and space. It drains everything to make Flux and spread further. The system does not serve us, Mathias. We serve it. It makes us sorcerers, gives us the power to reach out for the stars, and we spread its infection. Symbiosis, until it no longer needs us. Then it devours us. Do you not see? It always takes more than it gives, Mathias."</strong>


    Suddenly, the pieces of the Network puzzle fell into ce.


    The power that fueled his Grant Spell feature didnte from Magik, or Dis. It came from the people he hadworked in the past; his Lock processed <em>something </em>from them, refined it into Flux, and distributed it back to his chosen.


    Shroud was a miniature Magik Online. Its prototype.


    <strong>Yes, Mathias. Their knowledge, their soul, their lifeforce, are refined by your Lock. In time, with enoughworked, you may achieve even godhood. The same process that created the Iron God, and that Terminal Three failed to replicate.</strong>


    The dreams of power he had back in the Neurotower


    No, he could not let the power get over his head. He had seen what it did to Manus, to Wyrde, to everyone who sought it. That was the lesson behind these memories. This power corrupted.


    <strong>You still do not understand. Earth is the beginning, Mathias. The beginning of Concordia. The beginning the dragon empress is looking for.</strong>


    The beginning of Concordia?


    Shroud remembered the old lessons, that Earth and the world that became Concordia had once been connected in the distant past, allowing humans to travel there.


    What if what if like the other supernatural creatures Shroud had met so far, dragons hade from Earth in the first ce, only to leave it during the godwar? Concordias ancestors may have migrated during the conflict, before the Gates closed for thousands of years.


    Which meant the ult Matrices may have recorded timelines earlier than Concordias founding. Maybe that was the key to taking down the Empire once and for all.


    But using only one Matrix had limited effects. Mathias himself couldnt affect the entire universe with only one


    ...


    Oh God.


    That was what Wyrde was after.


    Gaining ess to the Neurotowers, the artifacts, and the technology that powered sorcery werent a side effect of Concordias expansion, they were the entire point. She sought to gather the resources needed to create a perfect world.


    An history where nothing <em>ever </em>went wrong for Concordia.


    Because those who opposed it never existed.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud?</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>16</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>28</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>25</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>34</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>35</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Scry</strong>


    Affinity: Blue


    Dot: 3


    Price: 9-15


    Activation: Active, Thought


    By focusing, the user gains sensory input from a ce or person they are familiar with, as if observing the target through a camera. The more familiar the caster is with the target, the more precise the vision. Individuals with the Scry spell can notice other scryers spying on them, and can send false sensory feedback.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 61: Blue vs Blue

    Chapter 61: Blue vs Blue


    How many?


    How matrices and Neurotowers did Wyrde need to pull it off? How long did they have before she could pull it off?


    <strong>Months. Less. More.</strong>


    Shit.


    And Earth would be at the center of it all. The point where it all began. The original world of the Maleking, of Concordia. The first link of the chain of Matrices that would kickstart a grand reboot, bigger than anything Shroud himself could pull off.


    Okay, okay. Okay. Think Shroud. Think about how to stop that. Its just universal annihtion, no big deal, it happens all the time. Think.


    <strong>You can end this, Mathias. End this cycle, end the Maleking, end Concordia. End. End. End. This is the only choice that matters.</strong>


    The worst scenario Manus had foreseen ck Flux spreading to the infrastructures that powered sorcery. Shroud guessed this was what caused the ck hole in Antarctica. Except Ashmal wanted the same to happen on a universal scale.


    To turn everyone into Pandorians. To turn all colors pitch ck.


    <strong>Only ck can free us, Mathias. Whoever wins, the suffering will continue.</strong>


    No.


    That creature was deliberately showing him the bleakest picture possible, glossing over the good and leaving only the bad. It had given up on everything, on life, on the world, and it wanted Shroud to give up too.


    <strong>I was like you once. But that was a thousand years ago. Nothing changed. This is not despair, Mathias. This ispassion. You too will see. You will suffer, and you will see.</strong>


    Well, fuck nihilism.


    Maybe Shroud was stubborn. Maybe he was a fool. But he wouldnt justy down and throw the towel. Ashmal had let the ck master him, the same way Manus and Wyrde let their power go to their heads.


    Think, Shroud. If Wyrde has ess to matrices, why hasnt she sessfully erased the Maleking yet? The answer was obvious.


    Saves were lost after use, and if used in istion, caused disasters like what happened at the Midnight Market. Maybe she could activate a few, in a chain of controlled destruction sort of way, but anything more would jeopardize her perfect, carefully nned future. Wyrde wanted a perfect sequence because she wouldnt have a second shot at it.


    Why were these damn matrices created in the first ce?


    <strong>For fun.</strong>


    Shut up. Why did he even need Shroud instead of doing it himself, if it was a Terminal?


    <strong>My ess is limited, like the ghost of the Third. We are broken, fallen. You are not. Your ess is greater, greater even than the Second and the Fourth.</strong>


    Yeah, right. Melusine still managed to hack his Lock.


    <strong>No. You only think you are. The Second deceived you. You are the Administrator. She only has as much power as you give her.</strong>


    Shroud pretty sure he wasnt, but so far, the creature hadnt lied, so he took it into ount.


    Pressed for time, he sent his memories, his thoughts, and findings through his link to Magik Online, hoping, praying, that the Administrator would receive it, see the cataclysm ahead, or send reinforcements.


    No feedback.


    After examining the old memories and piecing events together, Shroud hade to believe the Administrator had been built from the remains of Manus. But as Ashmal said, it was broken, limited. As a broken soul put back together, it could only do so much.


    And Shroud guessed Ashmal wouldnt help carry the message.


    <strong>Only the ck can make you free.</strong>


    No. Shroud could only rely on himself for this. He peeked back through his eyes and ears, finding the parasite discussing with the Dragonyers on a tiny ind, surrounded by endless seas.


    The group was already in Oceanis. He didnt have much time.


    Shroud turned to the backdoor Aster had set in his mind, and to Melusine. That one could interfere with him anytime, so he would avoid her first. But no matter how he saw it, he had to take care of Aster first.


    The Blue Minister had created a direct, powerful link to his victims mind, to his soul, the same way Shroud had created pathways with his Lock; in a way, his Maze wasnt so different from Network. And Shrouds Lock was all about manipting connections.


    Which meant that Shroud could strike back through the link. He could hijack the connection, get inside Asters mind, and then poison it from within. If he struck fast and subtly enough, he could put the Blue Minister out ofmission and destroy the hold he had over Shrouds mind.


    That was risky. Aster would strike back if he noticed anything, the same way Yellow Sorcerers fought Shroud off. He would be fighting an expert of his own sorcery on its home field.


    But


    Shroud took a look at the connections to the Dragonyers and decided they were worth every risk.


    He had to be careful. But he had to do it.


    Still, in case he failed, Shroud sent his memories and finding to Kari through their connection, hoping his most sensible ally would make sense out of them without acting rashly. He hated not knowing what would happen next, hisck of control.


    Be good, Kari. Be good.


    Shroud turned to Asters connection to his mind, sensing the Blue Minister didnt pay it much attention yet. Secure in its effectiveness and with other responsibilities, he had stopped monitoring it directly after the end of the meeting.


    Here goes nothing.


    Shroud mentally focused on the link, his mind slipping through like an invisible killer crawling through an air vent, a program turning a backdoor into a two-way path.


    Ashmal had called his Lock a virus. It urred to Shroud that Manus had designed his Lock with that in mind; a virus that could hack into the greater infrastructures that powered sorcery, to subvert them. To subvert people.


    Like a virus, Shroud was subtle, insidious, careful not to be seen. Soon he indeed managed to slip inside Asters subconscious.


    Asters mind manifested to Shroud as the Ministers mindscape, a deste, sinister, empty space devoid of life nor emotion; but this time, Shroud had delved deeper, finding the mindscape filled with screens, databanks, and blue firewalls.


    Mindshields.


    As they couldnt stop Maze from affecting Shrouds mind, neither did they stop Shrouds Network. The sorcerer slipped through them as if they werent here, progressing through the mindscape as a shadowy, blue ghost of himself.


    Aster, the conscious part of his mind, manifested as a bluish minotaur, observing dozens of screens at once, much like Shroud himself oversaw hiswork of allies. The Blue Minister hadnt noticed the intrusion yet, and Shroud was careful not to make waves.


    The yer found himself in the same situation as in his own body, an unwee passenger observing a blissfully unaware driver. Except, of course, Aster hadnt walled his brain off the way he had safeguarded the parasite. He liked his brain too much to fragment it.


    Shroud began to spread through Asters mind, finding itrge so to say. The Minister had pushed the boundaries of his sorcery, especially el Premium Thoughts, to the point his brain had be a sort of supeputer, containing masses of dataparable to Concordias own UBs. Countless files about Concordian operations, a perfect replica of every imperial intelligence records, including hundreds of thousands of profiles, were gathered in an ordered mental library.


    And hundreds, maybe thousands of Maze connections. Most of them dormant, others very much active.


    Much to Shrouds anger, as he scanned these connections, he received enough feedback to identify four of them: Samantha, and the whole Werner family. All of these connections dormant and inactive so far, but present


    And when he noticed the remains of a broken connection, whose remains reminded Shroud very much of his own <em>father</em>, it took him every ounce of willpower not tosh out.


    It made sense that Aster subverted his close friends and family to keep a better eye on them, but the fact that he had nned to put Shrouds loved ones, all of them innocents in the conflict, through that vicious mental vition disgusted him.


    He didnt find any connection to a mind like his moms through, nor any of the Dragonyers. But Shroud couldnt rule out Aster had turned other yers into moles.


    After some spying, Shroud noticed Asters emotional centers, especially empathy and values, were very underdeveloped though. The bullman had modified his own brain, sacrificing his emotions, his fetters, for processing power and factual data. He was more of a soulless machine with its own judgment than a person.


    In short, there was a gaping hole where the heart should have been. And voids could be filled.


    In theory, Shroud could use the pathway to copy his own emotionally-charged memories in that void, his own rampant hatred of Concordia, the souvenirs of past tragedies; he could transfer his own values to Asters moral center, subverting him the same way he tried to subvert Mathias.


    Because, if you had all of Shrouds memories, all his values, all his pains, and sorrow then you were Shroud.


    It would be karma, and it would turn Aster into an invaluable boon to their war effort.


    Now, that tactic deeply bothered the yer. He knew he was fighting fire with fire, brainwashing with brainwashing. He told himself this would be a one-time thing, that the situation was dire enough to justify crossing that line, even if it left a sour taste in his mouth.


    The only other option was calling upon Ashmal and making a deal with the devil. Shroud was screwed either way, trapped in a no-win situation with lives on the line.


    <em>Its for mom,</em> he told himself. <em>For mom and the others.</em>


    No.


    That would be the quickest way, the easy way. The road to Concordia.


    Maybe the situation was extreme enough to justify it now, but apromise would lead to another. It would be easier to convince himself he had no other option in the future, make abusing his sorcery more appealing. It would be easier to justify terrible choices to himself.


    He had seen how that slippery slope had corrupted Manus, twisted Concordia. And it frightened Shroud, who wasnt arrogant enough to believe he could avoid falling into the same insidious trap.


    No. Shroud wouldnt resort to this, not unless he had exhausted every other option.


    So, the sorcerer turned away from Asters emotional centers, focusing instead on subverting the bodys motor functions; first as a passive observer, then hopefully, gain control over them. Within minutes, Shroud had enough clout in Asters own brain to start seeing through the Ministers eyes.


    The Blue Ministers body was hooked up to machinery in an underground, integrated to a secret base on a distant gas giants moon. The muscles had started to atrophy fromck of use, the Minister letting his flesh waste away while his mind wandered through the Empires technological infrastructures. He wasnt a ghost in the machine yet, but he was on his way there.


    As he gained more control, Shroud gained more ess to these systems, starting with the base. it was a silent bunker without much life inside, only manned by drones, gearsmen, and the rare Mazed agents of Aster. Aster had holed himself within, careful not to let anyone see him in the flesh. In his drive to iste himself inside a secure fortress, Aster had made unlikely anyone else could rescue him. Shroud gained ess to the bases coordinates, in case he could inform the Administrator.


    He didnt find any hint of a self-destruct system or something that could turn the base against Aster. The Minister had been careful to avoid any opportunity for sabotage.


    Shroud then turned to the other files, trying to find anything else he could exploit, such as reports on yers on Earth. To his anger, he found most of them encrypted, protected behind codes even in the most secure parts of Asters mind. He should have expected a psychic sorcerer from encrypting parts of his own mind, just in case.


    Still, maybe there was information of less immediate value to Aster. Information about people, instead of grand tactical movements.


    Like Alice Martel.


    He found it, a secret file less defended than the others. Shroud peeked inside, devouring the information within, finally finding where she had been for all these years


    No way.


    No way. It couldnt lies He couldnt believe she couldnt have it wasnt


    If it was true, then all he did all Mathias did


    All for nothing


    A booming, rm sound resonated in the mindscape, and Aster struck Shroud with a surge of Blue Flux.


    The psychic attack felt like a sharp de cutting off a part of his brain, wiping out almost every memory Shroud had of his time at the gamepany Dynamis. His coworkers became shadows, the games he worked on ck spots.


    He remembered Perse and Ulysses, but the name of their mother vanished, alongside her face, her voice, leaving only a ck hole behind; the memories of their meeting and following interactions became locked behind a wall. In fact, he could barely remember his friends had a mother at all.


    The attack had been indiscriminate, subpara cheap shot to throw Shroud off bnce. But it had worked.


    A trap. The file had been booby-trapped.


    Wrong meat. You have guts, Mathias, I will give you that. The sheer coldness emanating from the psychic contact disturbed Shroud almost as much as Ashmals alien whispers; Asters mental avatar turned towards Shroud, the entire mindscape radiating with an atmosphere of hostility. The Blue Minister was <em>pissed </em>at the intrusion. I did not expect such brazen infiltration of my mind, but this is as far as you go.


    Shroud attempted to retaliate by sending memories through the Network pathway, to damage Asters mindscape and memories; but Blue firewalls sprung from nowhere, isting the attack and shielding the Ministers important memories.


    Unlike Mindshield, Network couldnt pierce these mental defenses.


    Using Maze on his own mind, Aster shielded his moral center firstexpecting Shroud to use the same amoral strategy which he himself favored. The Ministers overconfidence had been the main reason the yer had gotten that far, and it showed.


    Starseer can see all possible futures, meat. Nothing you do can surprise me.


    Not that far in time, or else Aster would have seen himing in the first ce. He could see minutes in the future at best.


    Aster attempted to send signals through his Maze connectionsprobably to warn Melusine or other agents. Using his power over connections, Shroud interrupted the message, preventing the information from leaving Asters mind, but this only gave the Blue Minister more opportunities to use Maze again. The Minister forced Shroud to divide his attention on multiple fronts.


    This time, the assault wiped out his fat


    Shroud blinked. What was the name of the husband of his mother? He knew he must have had one No time to ponder it or Aster would destroy his mind piece by piece, eventually destroying the parts which kept him in the fight. Shroud needed more processing power, more mental energy


    Useless. This time, Aster stopped using the kids gloves and unleashed his full power at Shroud, overflooding his sight with data and blue light. A veil covered the Mindscape, distorting it into an illusory world.


    Shroud was back in his apartment in Evermarsh, the walls painted red with the flesh and organs of what he suspected was his dead fatherhe couldntpletely remember, whose remainsy on the sofa. Sol had hanged himself behind the windows, nails piercing his eyes, a centipede crawling out of his mouth.


    Shroud couldnt help but mentally struggle against the sight, and the brief surprise allowed Aster to send a mental message, probably to Melusine. Shit.


    While Aster assaulted Shroud with these nightmarish sights, another psychic attack wiped out whole years of the humans childhood, including anything between kindergarten and the Conquest. Shroud attempted to flee back through the pathway, but Aster caught him, held him, and kept ravaging him.


    The Minister went farther with the emotional damage, showing him pictures of Ulysses hacking his own leg with a saw, of Perses flesh melting, revealing gray bones below.


    Please stop Shroud begged as Aster cut memories while pursuing this nightmarish mental vition. Please this is torture


    I will leave nothing this time, Aster replied. He didnt enjoy it, he didnt dislike it. He did this to his victim with the same emotional weight as reading a newspaper. Why could you not be a good citizen, Martel? This is your fault. You are brought this upon yourself. There is no point in this.


    Yes if the file hadnt lied then it meant nothing


    But it was a trap, it could be false


    It was all true, meat, Aster beat him relentlessly, assaulting his mind with horrifying visions of worms eating Karis eyes and centipedes crawling out of her mouth. There is no escape for you. Only betrayal against the glorious purpose she meant you to serve. Sleep now and <em>behave</em>.


    While speaking, the Minister attempted to reassert control over his Mazes connection to Shrouds own mind, but the yer intercepted the mental messages before they could pass. The Minister brutally responded by showing him direct footage of the annihtion of New York during the Conquest, of humans shot to death by Gearsmen, of half-burnt corpses lying on the ground after an orbital bombardment.


    Perfect reaction time, processing power that could rival a supeputer Asters strength was unmatched on the mental ne, stopping all of Shrouds attempts to protect his sanity from the psychic assault, fighting on all fronts at once. Shroud had to distract Aster, to find a weak point. He tried the moral angle, to target whatever remained of the Ministers conscience. You genocidal bastard how many people will you erase with a reboot?


    You learned of State Zero, Aster caught on, but his surprise didnt halt his assault. In fact, he responded by erasing all of Shrouds memories of whatever yer upied the Orange spot on his team. If only you could understand, meat, that this is for the best for you and your kind. You will prosper more in the new history.


    I have seen Manus calctions, Shroud replied, trying to withdraw, to run. You will lose more people than you will gain! Where is the logic in that?


    Quality trumps quantity, Aster brushed him off. The meat may die, but the Empire willst forever.


    He sounded like he believed it too. People were just numbers to Aster, who paid them no mind; he had disconnected so much from the world, he didnt value life at all. Even his own citizens could die for all he cared, so long as his vision of a perfect Concordia triumphed.


    No, morality wouldnt work. Asters conscience was so underdeveloped it might as well be nonexistent.


    The newest, nightmarish sight, that of his own dismembered mother, disturbed Shroud enough to bring him to his knees.


    Why are you fighting, Mathias? Sols corpse talked to him, as did Karis. Except they were Asters words. Why are you fighting?


    Why did you kill me? Smokefangs beheaded head asked him, still smelling of of he couldnt remember the word. It won nothing.


    Everything that you did, everything that you are, was part of my design, Asters mental avatar grabbed his own by the throat, lifting him for all the ghosts of his friends and victims to see, Your memories, your sense of self, they are all mine. They are illusions I crafted. The pain will go away, meat, but only if you submit.


    Just give up, countless voices sung at him, Give up!


    At this point, Shroud had be little more than a husk hollowed from within. He could barely remember his experience at the midnight market, the time before darkness hidden behind blue, mental walls. His past was made of shadows, just like Manahs pce.


    A few more seconds and his sense of self would be gone. He wouldnt have enough emotions left to want to fight anymore. It would be over.


    It would be it would be easier to just let it go, to sleep as Aster asked he was alone, alone and powerless


    Wait.


    He wasnt alone. He never was.


    Shroud drew upon Network, upon the pathways he had created, the friends he had made. They had memories of him, just as he had memories of them. He could fill what Aster destroyed with what they had.


    What is this Aster stumbled back, as an overwhelming flood of memories invaded his mindscape, causing his nightmarish illusions to copse.


    Shroud pieced himself back together, the same way the Doppelgangers memories had brought him back from the brink. He remembered, and he was whole again. With the support of the pathways increasing his mental power, he managed to recover some ground, recovering as fast as Aster wiped out his memories.


    He could draw into the people he connected with, from Perse and Ulysses to Magik, to the Dragonyers. They were his strength, in all the ways that mattered. Shroud tapped in the connections, the speed of his thoughts increasing like aputer drawing into additional servers. He sensed Ashmal among them, lurking at the edge of thework, ready to pump him with ck Flux should Shroud ask for it.


    He had the Blue Minister locked in a stalemate, the mental weight of hundreds of people matching Asters psychic strength. He couldnt beat Aster, but he avoided being beaten.


    But this wouldntst until Melusine shut off Network. He had to find a way, a chink in Asters armor.


    Aster was a coward, deep down. A paranoid psychopath deeply resentful of emotions, of friendships, of emotional bonds; a spymaster looking for traitors in every corner, striking from afar and sacrificing others while he remained safe, away from the frontlines. Rather than mix with people, he had retreated inside a secret bunker on a faraway world.


    When pushed in a corner, he would hide, iste himself. To mend his wounds, recover, n. The Maleking had said Hell was disconnection and loneliness. Aster thought istion was strength, but it made him weak and alone. He disdained flesh and the real world, holding the mind sacrosanct.


    That pristine perfectly ordered mind, the Minister cared about it over everything else. It was his fortress, his retreat, the one ce where he felt safe. His anger at Shrouds intrusion in this sanctuary proved it.


    He had to make the battle emotional, make Aster lose his coolheadedness.


    Shroud attempted to smash mental representations of the files, to try and destroy them, but mental firewalls created by Maze stopped him.


    Damn seer.


    No way around it, then. He had to use the one power too dark and chaotic for Aster to foresee.


    He drew upon his pathway to Ashmal, to Pandoria. He called upon ck Flux.


    <em>If you do not master ck, ck will master you.</em>


    But he didnt let it take him over, or spread to his core essence, the same way he allowed his friends memories to reshape him. Instead, he directly spilled the ckness into Asters mindscape, like an oil tanker polluting the sea and its shores.


    The effect was instantaneous and just as nightmarish as Asters cruel attempts at psychological warfare. A corrosive oil, the same that had leaked from Toshiyamis corpse in the Midnight Market, spread around Shroud, eating through Mazes mental protections.


    Meat, what have you done?! Aster immediately attempted to iste that growing corruption, before it could spread through his mindscape.


    But at this point, his mind acting faster than Asters due to the extra power, Shroud focused back on the pathways. He drew not brainpower, but memories and signals, so many he felt his own mental strength strain under the transfer.


    The Network signals downloaded into Asters mindscape like a torrent of chaos and confusion. Instead of an organized mental takeover, this attack was loud, chaotic, confusing. Pictures of Perse and Mathias kissing, of Kari and her uncle, of Murs alien world, began to disce Asters ordered mental library. A horde of emotionally-charged moments, slowing down Asters pristine, logical brain. Much like Yellow Sorcerers had fought him off in the past, Shroud overloaded his nemesis.


    The sheer influx of information, too much for Asters mind to handletoo much for <em>any </em>mind to handleslowed him down, allowing cks corruption to take hold. The ckness spread to Asters memories, to his files, and even started to reach his Mazes connections to his agents.


    Too many signals Aster began to panic, Must route too much <em>too </em>much


    How many minds were needed to braing a Blue Sorcerer on el Premium Thoughts?


    As it turned out, a <em>lot</em>.


    If Aster could truly perceive multiple possible futures, seeing himself overloaded with information in more than one possibility, then it must have hurt even more. No nervous system, no matter how juiced on Blue Sorcery, could fully manage that; especially one who couldnt handle emotions in the first ce, and who was quickly corroded by ck Flux.


    That was true what they said. Yourwork is your worth.


    At this point, the ck infestation threatened to corrupt all of Asters mind, and perhaps even his Lock. A fate worse than anything. My Lock cannot let Within seconds, Asters mental avatar hide himself behind a hermetic blue sphere.


    As Shroud expected, when pushed, the Minister isted himself from the world.


    Mind firewalls. Aster had used Maze on his own brain to protect himself, briefly retreating behind them until he could sort out the signals and regain enough mental strength to fight off the ck infection. It wouldntst long, but he must have disconnected from his future sight to reduce the information overload and avoid a total mental copse.


    Which left Aster blinded, for a brief moment.


    Ever the opportunist, Shroud focused on taking over Asters motor functions. Aster had disdained them, protecting his mind and precious Lock first and foremost. Hisck of respect for the physical world, even his own flesh, would be his undoing.


    Shroud figured out a solution.


    With some searching, Shroud quickly found a secretmunication channel towards three Concordian fleets waiting in outer space; an armada of ck ships ready to teleport and attack a target at any moment the Minister wished it.


    <em>You love turning allies against one another, killing from afar while you remain safe, Aster? </em>Shroud thought while he used Asters body to open themunication channel, facing three dragonmanders on space bridges.


    Time to have a taste of your own medicine.


    Teleport at once and open fire at these coordinates, Shroud ordered through Asters mouth, giving them the location of the Ministers sanctuary, Destroy the base utterly.


    Minister, this is a secure facility


    That is a direct order, and an imperial security emergency, Shroud answered with Asters cold tone. Behave.


    Themanders, too spooked, obeyed at once.


    In a second, the bases systems turned red in rm, showing Shroud pictures of ships teleporting right above their head in a sh of violet light. In the base, a voice began to shout warning through loudspeakers. <em>Warning: unauthorized fleets detected. Orbitalsers aimed at the present location. Activating automated defenses</em>


    Override! Shroud replied through Asters mouth. Drop all protections.


    <em>Warning: automated defenses overridden. Estimations: five minutes before fatal impact.</em>


    His brief respite didntst long, however. Aster sorted out the information overload with Maze, moved to iste the ckness behind mental walls, and probably reactivated his future sight.


    The second he did, he dropped everything to try taking back control of his motor functions.


    He could see his deathing.


    Shroud held strong, even as Aster tried to maze him off. <em>Four minutes before impact. Warning: impact will result in ny-three percent structural damage. Emergency teleportation-</em>


    Override!


    <em>Emergency teleportation overridden. Three minutes before</em>


    Then, like a deviling to take away all of Shrouds hopes, a blue avatar of Melusine appeared in the mindscape.


    She froze at the sight of the darkness spreading around her, her eyes moving from Aster frantically trying to regain control, and Shroud firmly defending himself.


    Shut down Martels Lock, so I can call off the orbital bombardment, Aster ordered, his tone sounding as if he expected her to obey at once. Immediately.


    But surprisingly, she did none of this. She observed the battle, watched the ck spreading and looked at Shrouds mental avatar without a word.


    She hesitated.


    With no other option, and struggling against a part of him who hoped that files content was total bullshit, Shroud spoke to her directly.


    Mom, he begged, Do not do this. <em>Please</em>.


    Melusine said nothing, but he could sense her waver. Was the file true?


    Aster, who could see far enough in the future to see what coulde next, shook with shock and fury. He attempted to Maze her at once.


    But she was faster. Without warning, all mental firewalls created by Asters Lock copsed at once, and the Ministers attack failed. She had hacked Asters Lock, the same way she did with Network; leaving Shrouds connection open for him to exploit, but removing the Ministers ability to fight back and use sorcery.


    Traitor! For perhaps the first time ever, Aster felt pure, undiluted anger at this brazen betrayal. Without his main defense, the ck quickly spread through the entire mindscape, turning it from a pristine void into an oily sea. I spared you!


    Melusine answered with two short words, Goodbye Aster. Then she vanished out of the mindscape, leaving her former boss to die.


    In the real world, the monitors sent out another warning,<em> Two minutes before impact.</em>


    At this point, Shroud knew he had won, although he didnt give Aster any opening. It should have felt like a triumph, but the scene had filled him with bitterness and a sense of futility.


    Martel meat, open your eyes! Aster called him out, after a final, fruitless attempt to regain control of his body. But without his sorcery, he was nothing. Who else but we are more worthy to guide the world? Who wants peace more than us?


    Everyone else, Shroud replied, as he could see the ships cannons lit up on monitors, Hey, Aster? How many humans does it take to cause an orbital bombardment?


    <em>One minute before</em>


    She did this to you, meat! Having fatally underestimated emotional bonds, he was scraping the bottom of the barrel. You are betraying the side you were meant to serve!


    The ships fired crimson beams of death upon the secret base, the rain of destruction that Concordia once unleashed on Earth. The Blue Minister attempted onest-ditch effort to save his own life, to use the connection to Shrouds own mind to download himself within the same way Manus once tried, but with the ck having almost entirely consumed him and Melusine interfered with his Lock, the yer easily blocked him.


    In the end, the future was written.


    Finding no possible fate where he lived, the Minister did the logical thing.


    He gave up. It doesnt matter, Martel, the Blue Minister said, and he believed it. The work will go on.


    Asters mindscape copsed into nothingness with a sh of bright light, and Shrouds world faded away.


    <strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>16</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>28</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>25</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>34</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>35</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Spellcatcher</strong>


    <strong><strong>Dot</strong>: </strong>2<strong></strong>


    <strong><strong>Components</strong>: Intuimotion</strong> +<strong><strong>Spell Syphon</strong></strong>


    <strong><strong>Activation</strong>: </strong>Active, Thought.<strong></strong>


    You can catch a spell being cast within ten meters of you, allowing you to contain it within you; you can then cast it as if you were the original sorcerer, so for example a spell buff would apply to you. You can hold up to one spell at a time, and you cannot catch spells of Dot Four or above.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 62: Hubris

    Chapter 62: Hubris


    Shroud opened his eyes, for the first time in a long, long while.


    He could feel the cold, metallic ground beneath him, the pulsating, drumming sound of automated machines repairing metal walls. He could smell the faint scent of rust and blood, and sense the soreness in his body; the yer was himself again, and it felt <em>good</em>.


    He rose back to his feet and found it a strange sensation. After existing as mere information, physical movement alone had be pleasurable. How could Aster ever forsake this simple pleasure? Shroud would never understand. It was like living half a life.


    Shroud turned around, finding himself in some sort of metallic corridor with arge, dark ss window on his left. Three corpsesid nearby, those of hobgoblins inb coats showing the Concordian insignia on their back; they were covered in blood andcerations as if a savage tiger had torn their flesh apart.


    Had he done it? Where was he?


    His mind was still clouded, with holes in his memories. Either Asters premature death had permanently damaged some of the memories affected by his Lock, or it was just the shock of regaining control, but he couldnt remember what his body did while under the Ministers control.


    He peeked through the ss windows, seeing only an underwater abyss on the other side. A dark, sinister trench, lit up by a faint, unnatural blue light; monstrous smanders the size of cars, multicolored amoebas, and a titanic leviathan passed nearby, barely sparing him a nce.


    The Institute Base. Below the surface of Oceanis.


    Shroud nced around himself, noticing the eye watching him above. Mad World, he cast, the sound reverberating with the power of his sorcery. The camera eye glitched at once, turning inert, and the lights died out in the room.


    It felt good to use sorcery again. Although considering the underwhelming results, it appeared Concordia had partly protected their technology against that spell.


    Shroud immediately opened Magik, and contacted the Dragonyers on their discussion feed.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    SHROUD: Guys? Guys?</td></tr></tbody></table>


    No answer. Their ounts were still active, but none answered. He checked Network, finding that the feeds only showed darkness. Melusine. She interfered with his Lock again, isting him.


    Fear growing in his heart, he turned to the Administrator instead.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    ADMINISTRATOR: Mathias. <strong></strong>


    SHROUD: Where are the others? Deeper in the base?


    ADMINISTRATOR: Safe, for now. You separated to cover more ground.


    SHROUD: This is a trap. I wasnt myself. Aster controlled me, but I beat him. ckcinders ising, and Melusine is interfering with Network.


    ADMINISTRATOR: You beat Aster?


    SHROUD: Blew him up. Its a long story, but we dont have much time. The others are in danger.


    ADMINISTRATOR: I know. Yoshikage informed me of the visions you sent her, so I took care of calling for help.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Thank the gods now that he knew they existed, he could say it without sounding like an idiot.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    ADMINISTRATOR: But the situation is not quite optimal. Concordia set anti-teleportation wards around the base, so teleporting out of it is impossible without reditation, except for Aces Lock. Help will arrive to evacuate you soon, but until then, you have to stall. <strong></strong>


    SHROUD: You will not tell me where are the others.


    ADMINISTRATOR: Not yet. I cannot be fully certain you are truly yourself again yet.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Fair.


    Shroud himself didnt know what he wanted anymore himself.


    Shroud considered buying Teleport, but the wards preventing it meant it would be wasted money. He could also purchase Dot Three spells, and try testing them in the field.


    However, in the end, Shroud decided mastery trumped power, and he instead purchased Intuimotion and Dirt Call once more. As he turned towards the windows, he attempted to mentally affect the ss within, and as he heard the familiar sound of two spells merging, he knew he had seeded.


    ss Field was his to wield once again.


    His senses expanded through the windows and his ss armor, giving him a good view of the abyss. He realized he was in a structure built on an underwater Neurotower, deep below the ocean; he could see dark, giant shapes under his location, waiting at the bottom of the sea.


    With little choice, Shroud decided to explore the base further, the sight reminding him of his previous descent into Mammons tower.


    The bases corridors were uniformly built the same way, with windows showing the abyss on the left, and cubic,b chambers on the right. Each of these experimentation rooms had windows of their own built into them, allowing Shroud to peek through.


    As the sorcerer walked further into the depths of theplex, Shroud realized he had underestimated the sheer size of theplex, and number of operations taking ce within. Most of the cubes contained artifacts or samples, like the ancient stone Kari had upgraded her Lock with on Earth; but the deeper he went, the more the experiments became increasingly bizarre and disturbing.


    In some chambers, the researchers had carved smandrakes corpses for dissection; and on a closer look, Shroud noticed some corpses still twitched even as their brains were widely exposed, metal chips imnted among the neural pathways. In one cube, a slime of coalesced water moved on its own, striking at the window in an attempt to break it; in the one right next to it, a bullmans corpse had its head reced with a metallic device, walking around like a morbid puppet.


    Many cubes kept various prisoners and beasts sealed within them. Many had suffered extensive muttion or alterations, from arms reced with metallic tentacles to brutal surgery that would make Mengele blush. One hob seemed to have fused with another, with extra arms and heads. The sight made Shroud want to vomit, doubly so since most of the prisoners came from Concordias own species.


    The Institute was experimenting with Concordias own poption, and he began to notice a trend he didnt like. Most of the experiments focused on brain surgery or motor experiments. As if thatboratory searched to understand what made bodies follow the brains orders.


    He could have used ss Field to break the cubes open and release the tortured, twisted creatures within, but he doubted they would treat him kindly. If they could think for themselves at all anymore.


    From what he saw, better that they all drown and die in peace.


    Shroud eventually passed in front of a cube thrice bigger than the others, peeking through the window. The room contained distortion in space itself; reality appeared to condense, to bend, at a focal point. A tear in the very fabric of reality, rougher than the Gates, pulsating with blue light and power.


    The rift offered the vision of a bluish reflection of the facility, except instead of Shroud, a group of smandrakes watched back from the other side, waiting with venom in their eyes. Could this be some kind of Gate? Except that one led to another timeline, another reality? How far could sorcery go? How many ces, how many universes could it reach?


    Shroud reached the end of a corridor, and the steel, opened doors of an elevator. Another eye camera watched him from above the entrance, but Shroud knew that what looked through was no UB. It was a human intelligence.


    A familiar one.


    At this moment, Shroud sensed a faint, mental signal through the Network pathways, a silent invitation to a meeting long overdue. He could sense Melusine calling him through their bond, inviting him to climb down the elevator to meet her.


    Shroud would answer.


    The Administrator called him before he could enter, though.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    ADMINISTRATOR: Mathias, if you go that way, you will nothing but tears. You already freed yourself from Concordias grasp, do not fall back into it.<strong></strong>


    SHROUD: I know. You knew. You knew and you said nothing.


    ADMINISTRATOR: I wanted to protect you, Mathias. This is what I was created for, to protect yers. Even from themselves.


    SHROUD: Stitch told you. When he tested me, he noticed brain tempering. But you did nothing.


    ADMINISTRATOR: I need absolute proof before I can take action. I am the Administrator. I assist and protect the yers. This is part of the parameters that bind me. After the Manus fiasco, I asked that stronger fetters be put on me. I hoped you would find it in you the strength to prevail, or that I could find a solution before the damage became irreparable. You have a purpose to serve in all of this.


    SHROUD: Then, if you are meant to protect the yers, you know the danger she poses so long as she serves Wyrde. She is a Terminal, and she knows how to hack into Magik.


    ADMINISTRATOR: Mathias, if you meet her, someone will die. It may be you, it may be her. But with ckcindersing, someone will.


    SHROUD: Im fine with dying if it means stopping her and Wyrde.


    ADMINISTRATOR: I understand. Which is why I urge you to turn back because I have been there before.


    SHROUD: Have you, Halcyon?</td></tr></tbody></table>


    He could have sworn the answer shook the Administrator to the core, for the artificial intelligence took several seconds before answering.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    ADMINISTRATOR: I am not. Halcyon. I emte him, that is all. I am not him. I will never be him. He is gone, for good, and nothing will change what happened without dire consequences. One should ept the past instead of obsessing over it.<strong></strong>


    SHROUD: You are damaged goods. A broken Terminal.


    ADMINISTRATOR: I suspect I will always survive a jump, but I am the corpse of a corpse. I can still ess Manus Distributor Lock, but not at one hundred percent. Manus in its prime could oversee infrastructure spanning a gxy and wage war with the full might of the Concordian Empire; I can barely supply a thousand yers worldwide. If I had Melusine restore me the way she did with my temte, I could do far more. Your Grant Spell features can provide far more power with far fewer resources.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    So it knew the true nature of Network. It always did.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    ADMINISTRATOR: We share the same origin, Mathias. Your Lock is strictly superior to all others because Manus customized it this way. It was meant to be a tool for godhood and universal domination, and so far you have barely tapped into its true potential. In time, if you follow the path Manus set for you, you could create your own Neurotowers and matrices, harness Flux independent from therger Dis system, maybe even create your own. You can even affect Magik Online to a degree.<strong></strong>


    SHROUD: You did not choose to ept the Save and Load feature. My Lock imposed it on Magik Online because it derives from it. I am the true Administrator.


    ADMINISTRATOR: Not yet. The yers Locks, yours included, are artificial. A Lock is still needed to safely use Flux in the first ce, but since Magik Online takes care of the Flux distribution through me instead of the normal channels, yers can spellcast even when their Lock is being interfered with. However, artificial Locks are less potent and need to be nurtured. Sidequests guide Sorcerers towards getting more in tune with their Lock, uncovering dormant abilities. They will reach an Overlock stage, where their Lock no longer needs to rely on Magik as an intermediary. There is a strong risk of esction if yers skip these steps, so I strictly restrict them. If I lifted them, you would gain Administrator privileges, but there would be a price.


    SHROUD: That is why you left me get away with so much. I am your back-up.


    ADMINISTRATOR: Yes. Magik Online will always need an Administrator, and should I fall, I would rather have human overseeing humans. Your Network could perfect Magik Online, and ovee the limits of my Distributor.


    SHROUD: I am sick and tired of lies and maniptions. Wyrde, the Maleking, Aster, Ashmal, you it is as if everyone tries to pull me in their direction. I am thankful for the chance you gave me, but that doesnt make hiding that secret from me right. Just as hiding secrets from my friends wasnt right.


    ADMINISTRATOR: I understand, more than you think, but the truth is that, at this moment, you are indeed a pawn, Mathias. I am sorry to be so blunt with you, but this is the truth. You are a pawn with limitless potential, and whoever controls you will win the board. But you can change this. Your future is in your hands, and you alone should decide it.


    SHROUD: Great. Then you should understand why I must do this. I will never be free unless I confront her and learn the truth.


    ADMINISTRATION: I do understand, and I cannot stop you. That is freedom. But I will repeat it, this is a choice that will only bring you great anguish, and I will have to permanently destroy your ount and Lock if you fail, Mathias. Your Network is too powerful and dangerous to fall into Wyrdes hands, especially if she realizes you can influence Magik Online with it.


    SHROUD: I know. Do what you must. If ites to it, can you inform the Dragonyers of the truth? The full truth.


    ADMINISTRATOR: I will, but please, inform them in person.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    That was the n.


    Shroud stepped into the elevator, the doors closing behind him.


    As the elevator went done, with ss windows allowing him to peek outside, Shroud began to gain a clearer view of the abyss below, of the pulsating cables fueling the Neurotower and of what they held prisoner.


    Two immense creatures, simr to the smanders he had seen swimming in the water or waiting beyond the gates, were trapped by the cables, hooked on them like a twisted life-support system. Unlike their smaller kindred, considering the distance, these two titans probably measured more than one hundred meters each. Their scales had turned white and lifeless, colored energy flowing out of them and into the tower.


    Power batteries.


    And the more he observed, the more he realized that was no reef abyss he faced, but a spine. A spine of the same metal that made up the Neurotower, buried below dirt and stone. Shroud couldnt fathom the size of the creature that-


    <em> Terminal detected. Awaken Worldshaker: Taurvi the Destroyer?  </em>


    The Network sh came abruptly, but he anticipated it. He delved deeper, asking the system for more information.


    <em> Awakening the Worldshaker will result in the extinction of 97,98 percent of all life on thes surface within a twenty-four hour period. All souls will be harvested by Neurotowers for the purpose of Flux production. Gic data will be harvested for the purpose of renewing the poption through Lifeforges.  </em>


    A cycle of life and extinction. Where did the Flux go?


    <em> To the Dis System. To the creation of new Gates and new Worldshakers, so distant worlds can be reached.  </em>


    Who ruled the Dis System? Who profited from this?


    <em> Guess who, Shroud? </em>


    That mental retort came not with the informal data flow of Network, but a haughty, mocking voice. When Shroud attempted to draw more information, Network sent him a normal signal.


    <em> Awaken Worldshaker: Taurvi the Destroyer?  </em>


    Who built it?


    <em> Awaken Worldshaker: Taurvi the Destroyer? - </em>


    Realizing that whatever entity controlled the Dis System had stonewalled him, Shroud wisely stopped bothering the immense creature.


    He was so exhausted of all of this. Exhausted of the secrets and the intrigues, of therger forces, invisible trying to take away his choice, to push him in the direction they wanted.


    Before, when he thought he fought to save and avenge his mother, Shroud could take it. As the Maleking once told him, if he knew why he could bear any burden.


    But if it had been for nothing what was the point? What was his why? What was his reason to go further?


    Deep down, Shroud already knew.


    The elevator reached itsst stop, the metal doors opening to reveal arge, rectangr room, an immense and pristine underwater cathedral of metal and ss providing a perfect view of the abyss around itself. The ground resonated with a metallic echo as Shroud walked through, finding the area deserted.


    That cathedral was at the very bottom of the trench, and through the ss, Shroud noticed stone, Greek-like ruins, forgotten under the sea. Temples, houses, buried underwater for centuries, if not eons.


    It must have been an Observatoire orboratory of some kind, only for the Institute to empty it when Aster informed them of the operation. They had taken everything of value with them, leaving only silence and empty space.


    Almost.


    Shroud picked a metallic sounding from above, although he already noticed her through ss Field.


    Using her armors tentacles to crawl on the ceiling while keeping her arms crossed, Melusine watched him, her face hidden behind her helmet. Yet, now that he knew the face behind the mask, he recognized her subtle posture, one of absolute confidence in her intelligence and mastery of a situation.


    We called the first entity Lifeform: Poseidon and the second Lifeform: Cleito, said Melusine, as she descended on the ground,nding on her legs and walking toward him. These are the ruins of Antis, taken eons ago from Terra Firma and brought to Oceanis.


    Shroud adopted a wary stand, causing Melusine to stop when she was within five meters of him. And the machine? he asked her, unwilling to let her approach further.


    A Worldshaker. An engine of creation and destruction meant to protect the towers, even if it must wipe out all life on the world; in time, they are sent through space to build more towers, spreading the Dis System across the cosmos. Other of these creatures slumber on Terra Firma, beneath the arctic, below the Bermuda Triangle, or on the dark side of the moon. Concordia lost entire fleets and hundreds of sorcerers putting one down in the past.


    So it was true what Ashmal said. The entity who built the Neurotowers was no friend of life, at all.


    How many gods like these two suffered in the bowels of these structures, the life drained out of them to fuel the immense infrastructures of Dis, its Gates, and its sorcerers?


    Mathias Melusine trailed, clenching her fingers nervously.


    Take off your helmet, he interrupted her, still on guard. I want to see it with my own eyes.


    While this is very cliche dont you already know it to be true?


    Still the same grown-up sci-fi dork. Shroud would have chuckled, had the situation not been so tense. Take off your helmet.


    Silently, Melusine grabbed her helmet, removing it to the sound of automatic securities lifting themselves.


    She hadnt aged at all.


    Still the same beautiful blonde hair, which she kept short now, and the same piercing eyes full of motherly pride and intelligence both. Same beautiful smile, same expression, same everything.


    Alice Martel looked exactly like her sonsst memories. In fact, she looked a bit <em>younger</em>.


    Green Sorcery treatments, Alice said, her voice unmistakable without the helmets voice alteration. We hope to mass produce an immortality treatment, avable to all, within the next fifteen years.


    How long he had wanted to see her, alive and sound.


    In his fantasies, it had been a warm, epic reunion, with Mathias bursting her out of prison before tearfully taking her in his arms. But now, at this very moment, a bitter taste had filled is mouth.


    <em>We</em>, Shroud repeated. I hoped I hoped you had been under a Maze effect, that you were yourself again.


    Is that you want to hear, sweetie? That Aster controlled me? That I was brainwashed like you were? That I had no choice, no agency? That I freed myself so I could rescue you? Her smile turned sad for a moment. It would make you feel better, but that would be a lie. You saw the connections created by Maze.


    And she wasnt among them. The file had been right.


    You were with them. He still couldnt believe it. You were on that n all along. What are you, an agent?


    I am the Vice Blue Minister. Technically, with Asters demise, I will soon be the next Blue Minister.


    Vice Minister.


    That was way higher in the hierarchy than Shroud expected. No way she wasntplicit in most of Asters operations through the cosmos. How could you raise so high in the hierarchy in so little time? Especially after after


    After I fucked up everything? You dont have to sugarcoat it, sweetie. Terminal privileges, my skills, and the Grandmasters trust. I told you, Mathias, that she is a good person. She gave me a second chance when nobody else would have trusted me. She allowed you to live, Mathias, even considering what you represented.


    I was your price, Shroud guessed, quiet fury making him clench his fists.


    ckcinders would have killed you if Aster and I hadnt convinced the Grandmaster to give us a chance. I hoped that Asters Maze would never activate, that Manus was gone for good, and that you could live a normal life with your father. But you had to ept that offer.


    For you, said Mathias. For you. I did it for you. To find you, to avenge you.


    I know, she sighed. I know, sweetie, and I love you for it. We were both mislead, you and I, choosing revenge and making a deal with the same devil.


    Why? Shroud asked. Why the hell didnt you tell us?


    Because you were my weakness. If it was known I lived behind that helmet, others like Manus would have struck at me through you and your father. And there are even worse forces at work out there. The Maleking is marshalling for war, Mathias; he has been scheming against Concordia for decades, and the rediscovery of Terra Firma only emboldened him. It was safer that only a few select members of Concordias leadership be aware of our rtionship.


    So Concordia could keep you in check by threatening me?


    They didnt Mathias, it stopped being about you alone. This is about our family, about everyone. This is about the world.


    You know. You know what Wyrde is nning. You support it.


    State Zero. History erased and rewritten. A first draft erased, reced with a better one. Imagine, Mathias. An Earth where 9/11, the Holocaust, and ckcinders massacre never happened; an Earth where war, crime, and disease never existed, where immortality is avable to all, our air pure and clean, and the stars our only limit. A world where your father is alive and well. A utopia where there is no famine, no poverty, no conflict. A universe with no Maleking, no Reavers, no Powells to spoil it. A future that looks straight from a dream.


    How many will die? Would Maggie Powells have to take her brother down with her?


    Why bother caring about them, Mathias? They will never have existed. It will be painless, like falling asleep. Besides, if they vanish, then they were undesirable in the first ce.


    So if I vanish, that will be for the greater good, right? Shroud deadpanned.


    You will not, Mom, no, Melusine said. I oversaw the calctions, specifically so we can all enjoy the fruits of ourbor. Also, you are a Terminal. You will always survive.


    That was rhetorical.


    I figured. You imply that I am selfish? Maybe. Who is not? But overall, the greatest numbers will benefit from it. Innocents will benefit from it.


    Youre toying with a power you do not understand nor fully control.


    And with that power, the Grandmaster will create a present where no son ever loses his father to a psychopath who should have been smothered at birth. I am doing this is for us, Mathias. For our family. Everything I did, I did it for Victor and you.


    I dont want that future, Mom! Not when it would be built on the bones of Maggie, of Sol, of the countless trillions Wyrde would deem unnecessary in her heaven. And Dad wouldnt want it either!


    You do not speak in your fathers name, young man, Alice warned.


    You said you did it all for our family, Shroud replied, the sheer realization of what his mother had turned into almost too much to bear. So did I I thought they took you, that they held you in a cell and now everything I did was it for nothing?


    Of course not, sweetie. You did great. You can still do great. The more Terminals we have, the more we can reduce errors and paradoxes during the reboot. She extended a hand at him. Mathias,e with me. The Institute has designed a server prototype, simr to Magik Online. We can keep your powers active. We will need you to protect Terra Firma from the Maleking, until we are ready to wipe him from existence once and for all. Solomon is also wee. If youe, he will follow. We can make everything right, together.


    I blew up Aster, Shroud replied. How will you make that right with Concordia?


    Its okay, sweetie, we can cover it up. I intended to take him down myself at one point, after what he did to you. We can make it work.


    More lies. More deaths. Where would it stop?


    Where would <em>he </em>stop?


    There is <em>something </em>controlling these towers, these Gates, and these weapons, Mom! Shroud argued. It is using you, and Concordia, to sustain itself, piggybacking on the Empires back to spread to more worlds! The more you use that technology and sorcery, the more it controls <em>you</em>!


    Nonsense. The Grandmaster studied this system far longer than either of us, and she never found any proof of a central will behind it. Neither did I.


    My visions


    Could be the remnants of Manus, or hallucinations, or a sorcerers prank, Alice dismissed it, her tone disdainful and arrogant. I refuse to believe a godlike being would allow such a chaotic, random, unjust universe to exist.


    Mom, thats the entire point! Dont you see? The Saves consume entire alternate timelines to work! Every time one is used, something neveres back! Im sure its the same with the energy these towers harvest? Where do you think it goes? Who does it <em>feed</em>?


    The loss is caused by ck Flux, itself caused by bugs, Melusine replied. Hence why it is so critical you join us, Mathias. We can eliminate them, ensure most people survive the transition.


    Who gave you the right to pick who lives and who dies?


    It is for their own good. Mankinds good.


    Who are you to choose for everyone else?! Shroud snarled back, Who elected you?


    Since when did men know what was good for them? Alice replied with cold disdain. We were within an inch of destroying our own before Concordia arrived, even after scientists warned us thirty years ahead. As for elections, which country dropped atomic bombs on cities?


    Which one dropped a <em>meteor, </em>Mom?


    That silenced her for a few seconds before she offered a weak exnation. That is ckcinders crime, not the Grandmasters fault.


    And who appointed ckcinders to her post?


    You have seen Lugh, and the Maleking


    ckcinders is no necessary evil and you know it, Shroud cut her off. Mom, Wyrde is bad. Manus knew it, enough that he thought removing her was the key to peace. Maybe she thinks she is righteous and that this is for the greater good, but Concordia, as it is now, has too much blood on its hands for it to be true. She is a cold-blooded dictator, and her actions speak for her.


    We would be both dead without her, Mathias.


    We wouldnt have been in danger at all without her! The whole universe fears Concordia! All of mankind lives in fear, with a doomsday weapon pointed at them!


    <em> Terminal refused connection.  </em>


    Do not dare peek into my mind, Mathias.


    Like you did in the Neurotower?


    It was that or you <em>died</em>! Alice argued back. You would have been dead <em>long </em>ago if it werent for my protection!


    Fine, Shroud conceded, somewhat. You had a bad hand and you tried to y with the cards Concordia gave you. But now? You have sorcery. You could leave. You could strike back.


    No. Even if I wanted to, I couldnt.


    She couldnt? Why? Did they strap a bomb on her or something? No no stick. A carrot. You need Wyrde, Shroud realized. Youre like me. A prototype.


    Mathias, you do not know


    You gained a Lock during the battle with Manus, Shroud guessed, the micro expressions on his mothers face enough to confirm it. But you cant draw Flux by yourself. You need another Terminal to supply you like Magik and I.


    She had epted the chance to be a sorcerer, so long as she served anothers goals.


    In the end, they werent so different.


    His mother pointedly avoided confirming his hypothesis, but the silence was an answer in itself. Mathias, I get it, you have people you care about. So do I. I will do anything to see your father returned to us. I can do far more at Wyrdes side, guide the reboot properly.


    There shouldnt be one, Shroud replied. Ive tested it, tried to make my life better with it. Twice. And Ive seen the cost. Its just not worth it, Mom.


    It is! Now she was shouting in exasperation. Why cant you see it, sweetie? Solomon, that Werner girl, they will be fine if you cooperate. Your <em>father </em>will be fine if you cooperate.


    Maybe, Shroud conceded, before turning her words back at her, But this is no longer about us, Mom. It is about the world.


    Then you should understand.


    Viviane Werner. Ulysses Werner. Perse Werner. Gavin the Hob. Maggie Powells. Solomon Niche. Samantha Brown. Kari Matsumoto. Saga Freyson. Murmur the Imp, Booz, Nathaniel Stitch, Baihu the Tiger. He finished, his mother silent. Iworked them all. I saw life through their eyes. I saw their struggles, their fears, their hopes. Through them, I could ovee Aster. I cannot let them die.


    Sacrifices have to be made, Mathias. The happiness of too many people hinges on this.


    Maybe. But not the sacrifice of others. Or else it is no sacrifice, just selfishness. And even if somehow, everyone survives the transition, then we will be just like the puppets kept upstairs, or like Asters thralls, just with a few extra steps! We will <em>live </em>but we wont be <em>alive</em>.


    But all will be right.


    You cant just erase your mistakes, mom!


    I didnt make a mistake! Now she started shouting back, her pride wounded. I was <em>misled</em>. I was tricked. I didnt make a mistake.


    At that moment, Mathias saw his mother under a different light, the arrogance that drove her, her perfectionism. She and Wyrde would condemn the entire universe rather than live with their faults and wrong choices.


    He couldnt walk that path.


    He had made many mistakes, foolishly risked his life, but that was what made him stronger. He hade to ept his shorings, to try and work around them. That was what it was to ept responsibility.


    Mom, I cant join, Shroud shook his head. Nothing you say will make me do so.


    By now, her smile had faded into subdued irritation. You are just as stubborn as when you were young, she said. You are making a grave mistake, Mathias. Wyrde will not give you any more chances after this. The leash will go off.


    Thene with me instead, he extended his hand, while she retracted hers. The Administrator can give you sorcery.


    Dont you see that this is a trap, Mathias? Melusine shot back. Have you read the legends about the gods who power Magik Online? Do you want these rapists and murderers back in charge? Because that is what they want, to be worshipped again. They use you as cannon fodder, while they remain hidden. You shouldnt look forward to their return.


    Maybe. Maybe no. But he would choose them over Concordia any other day. Mom, they are almost extinct, he said. This is not an attempt to regain power, but thest dance before the curtains fall.


    That is what they said to you.


    This is the truth, Shroud insisted. Species working together, sharing resources isnt that what Concordia was supposed to be? Mom, if you really fight for mankind, thene with me. Put power back in the hands of man.


    He could forgive her, for everything, for Aster and whatever else she had supported. He could forgive it all, if only she choose right.


    But she didnt take the hand.


    She didnt even hesitate.


    I told you, Mathias, this is about the world. About mankind. Even if I love you, sweetie, I will not give up on paradise. On your father. State Zero will happen, and you will be part of it, whether you want it or not.


    I can always be brought back, is that it? Shroud frowned behind his helmet. You can always bring me back if I die now, like Dad?


    Her cold silence was an answer in itself.


    No way around it then. I wont let it happen.


    You want me to fight you? You think it will solve anything? Wyrde willunch State Zero, with or without us, Mathias. We will <em>improve </em>the process, but she doesnt <em>need </em>us. All you will do if you win is increase the coteral damage during the transition. She put on the helmet, her motherly voice reced with an artificial one. I will not raise my hand against you, sweetie. But neither will I protect you anymore. If you are so set on this foolish path, then we have nothing more to say.


    So you will just run away again?!


    She stopped moving, as still as the iron golem she looked like. Goodbye, Mathias, she said, vanishing in a sh of purple light and leaving him to die.


    Shroud stood alone in the watery abyss, looking up as he saw a great, fiery shadow, swimming towards the cathedral. A dragon with fire in her eyes.


    ckcinders.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>8</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>4</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom 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Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timeloop</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Carbonskin</td><td>3</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td><td><strong>Castling</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td><td>Summoned</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Piercing Boundary</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Violet</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Castling</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>25</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Switch</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanstep</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Seamancer</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Doorway</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Ssh</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Rainmaker</td><td>2</td><td>Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Teleport</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>23</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Forcefield</td><td>3</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Clone Factory</strong>


    Affinity: Green


    Dot: 3


    Price: 9-15


    Activation: Active, Spit Vector.


    The user spits a grey ooze which quickly blooms into a deformed, monstrous clone of the spellcaster; the clones mutations always improve its battle prowesses, such as gaining ws or fangs, and they share the originals memory and intelligence. The clones mutations worsen and will cause their death within a week unless regrly repaired and maintained.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 63: Nemesis

    Chapter 63: Nemesis


    Pressed for time, Shroud instantly moved to action.


    Through his ss Field, he spread the Master Mirror Hack to the cathedrals windows, turning them into portals to other worlds. Sea monsters from other nes, fish the size of elephants, and tentacled abominations, crossed the frontier and popted the abyss. The creature spread around, as ckcinders descended towards them.


    He hoped it would dy the great dragon, but it would only afford him mere seconds.


    Creating a Doppelganger and leaving him behind, Shroud rushed to the elevator and activated it, fleeing the doomed cathedral with a decoy inside. He immediately looked at Network, hoping that Melusine had stopped interfering with it.


    She still did.


    Ace, Ace, Shroud repeated. Ace. Are you there?


    His teammate didnt answer either. Either she refused to, or more likely, Melusine interfered with her the same way she did with his Network.


    Even from arge distance, she still could make his life hell; and while she wouldnt raise her hand against her own son, she was fully willing to sabotage him and his team. Just like she did against Toshiyami.


    Had she escted so far into madness? Or was the seed of his mothers callousness always there, and power only brought it out? Shroud decided it didnt matter. She had to be stopped, family or not. The end.


    In the middle of the elevator ride, he attempted to contact the administrator, only for a quake to shake the base. A sh of light illuminated the abyss, and the corpses of summoned monsters fell into the darkness below.


    A ray of bright red light fell from above like holy judgment, sting the underwater cathedral. The elevator shook but kept going up, Shroud witnessing the wreckage falling into the darkness.


    Far away, the sorcerer noticed ckcinders swimming among the corpses of summoned creatures like a shark. The titan was just as terrible as he expected, a monstrous being more metal than flesh. She was fast, she was deadly, and she was hungry for blood.


    Fortunately, she hadnt noticed Shroud yet, swimming down towards the cathedrals wreckage. Melusine must have informed her of Asters death.


    The leash was off indeed. No more mercy. No more calcting ns. Just war.


    Why didnt she just st the base from orbit though? He had seen the destruction the great dragon could wreck. In the face of previous events, the answer became obvious.


    She wanted to see him dead, to savage his corpses with her own hands. His luck had allowed him to prevail too many times, and she wanted to take no chance he faked his demise.


    He couldnt take ckcinders down. Not alone, and especially not kilometers deep underwater.


    But he wasnt alone.


    As the elevator kept going down, Shroud nced at the spot where the tower had trapped the giant smanders, Poseidon and Cleito, draining them of life. He interfaced with the ancient machinery.


    <em> Release soul batteries?  </em>


    Yes.


    The abyss trembled, as the infrastructure answered hismand. By now, Shroud was too far away to see the result, but he hoped it worked.


    As the elevator reached its uppermost level, bringing Shroud back to the experimentation corridors, the sorcerer tried to contact the Administrator.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    ADMINISTRATOR: Mathias. Have you found the answers you sought?


    SHROUD: Yes, and I didnt like them. At all. ckcinders is after me, and Melusine partly interferes with my Lock.


    ADMINISTRATOR: She interferes with everyone''s. I believe she can hack into all artificial Locks to a degree, hence why she cannot ess Magik Online, who is partly powered by my natural Distributor. I will guide you to the best escape route I can. Continue to the end of the corridor.


    SHROUD: Are the others fine?


    ADMINISTRATOR: Outside. Continue to the end of the corridor.</td></tr></tbody></table> As Shroud obeyed, using ss Field to fly, the base began to tremble, and shes of light began to illuminate the underwater darkness outside; explosions resonated below. ckcinders was fighting something below them, probably the escaped prisoners.<table><tbody><tr><td>ADMINISTRATOR: Open the door to your left, then take the stairway to the right.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    As he obeyed the instructions, meandering through the metal maze, he noticed the air, the very world getting heavier, his flight speed hampered by an invisible but escting force.


    Gravity increasing.


    As he passed through an observation room, giving him a view of the underwater area, he saw one of giant smander get propelled against the base, causing it to shake. The creature had lost half of its face, its eye wed out of its orbit by a bigger predator.


    Of course, ckcinders was winning. And savagely so. The creatures were malnourished, drained of their Flux by the towers infrastructure.


    But still, the deities quickly recovered and went back to battle without a word.


    Shroud was tired of running. Tired of relying on outside forces to make his way through life, tired of leaving his fate to fortune. So very tired.


    He eventually reached a closed, circr hall covered with screens showing parts of the base, a control center of a sort. Multiple feeds had turned ck, the areas destroyed or sunk. Five circles of light, almost identical to those used as teleporters in Taiyougami, waited for him at the center.<table><tbody><tr><td>ADMINISTRATOR: Concordia locked the teleporters leading outside, but Nathaniel Stitchs purchase of the Metalmesh spell allows him to control the system. Take the center-left.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    He did, just as flying became impossible under the ever-increasing gravity.


    In a sh of bright light, the underwater grave was reced with an underground cove, near the sea. A copy of the teleporterid on the sand below his feet, a secret entry hidden from sight. He could hear the sound of the sea outside, and the lighting in.


    The gravity had somewhat diminished, but the air still remained heavier than normal. How far could ckcinders range extend?


    Sir. Stitch weed him inside, alongside Sol, Kari, and Maggie. You are back.


    Before Shroud could answer, Sol immediately hugged him. Mathias, you are alive! When you stopped answering our calls I thought you gone...


    We saw your messages, nerd, Maggie said. She tried to act uncaring, but her voice betrayed some relief. The Administrator asked us not to answer yet. Said you were not in the right state of mind and that it had to check.


    That was an understated way to put it. Sol, Shroud said, breaking off the hug. It was Mom. Shes Melusine. She was with Concordia all along.


    The priest took it somberly but didnt seem surprised at all. Just disappointed. Do not hate her, Mathias, he advised. She has been through tough times, as you did. But do not condone her either.


    She has to be stopped, Shroud agreed. What she and Wyrde are nning, its inhuman.


    So it was true, Mathias-san, you were under Asters control? Kari asked with a worried gaze.


    Hes dead, Shroud replied. I turned the tables on him and had his own fleet shoot him dead.


    That is great news, Solomon nodded, trying to cheer him up. It is a great blow to Concordia.


    We have to go, Kari said, her face strained. My Doom Sense, it is torture.


    ckcinders is down there, fighting creatures I unleashed, Shroud replied. It will buy us a little time, but not much. She is too strong, and they too weakened. Where are Ace and Mur?


    Outside, Kari said.Trying to contact the Midnight Market. Mathias...


    We will talk about it after we escaped the giant dragon of mass destruction, Shroud said, running out of the cove with the other Dragonyers in tow.


    As it turned out, the cove was located on a small ind, in the middle of an endless ocean. The Neurotower, a purely bluish construct unlike Mammons multicolored one, rose from the watery depths nearby, reaching all the way to the heavens. More worryingly, Shroud could see ckcinders cursed gship, the <em>Vanguard</em>, surveying the area miles away.


    One of the giant smanders had risen above the waves or rather, its savaged corpse did. ckcinders had mercilessly wed through its torso, leaving a gaping hole in the chest.


    Ace and Mur were busy talking to handmunications, trying to contact Mammon, Manah, or whoever would listen. The imp nced at Shroud with disgust, then looked away, at the bloodied, giant smander corpse floating. Weaklings.


    Hello, handsome, Ace said, but there was no mirth on her face. So. Youre yourself again?


    You figured it out, Shroud said with a nod. Back then.


    Im sorry handsome, but you are rather deeply prejudiced against dragons. You being enthusiastic about meeting one? Very un-you.


    If anything, what he had seen had only reinforced it. Loctis and the Golden Prince might have seemed personable, he couldnt forgive anyone supporting the horrors he had seen below, nor what Wyrde nned.


    There were two, Shroud said grimly, his eyes set on the giant smander. She is still fighting the other, but it wont hold her off alone.


    I cannot teleport out, Ace replied with a grim face. Wards interfere with the Teleport Spell and Taiyougamis transportation, while Melusine interferes with my Lock. I tried looking around for her but to no avail.


    She does not need to be close to activate her ability. In all likelihood, like Network, once his mother established a link she could sabotage from any range. Shes probably a world away right now. What else are we up against?


    I tried to contact Mammon, but we are running against interferences.


    They were trapped. Shroud hadworked Mammon, and even if a week had passed, if he could reactivate the connection I refuse to die here, he said. Not after all of this.


    Nobody wants to die, Ace said. Thats why we try to live our life to the fullest first.


    Shroud still had too much to do to die. We must establish a defensive perimeter, Shroud said. Mur as the vanguard, Maggie behind


    Is that your n, or Asters? Mur rasped, challenging him.


    Now is not the time, Mur! ckcinders will


    Mathias-san. Karis face had lost all colors, and she held her head. Doom


    Toote.


    An immense shape suddenly emerged from the waters, a winged titan of flesh and metal. A true dragon of legends, a monster rising from the abyss to deliver death and punishment to mortals. Her ws were still red with the flesh of her victims, and her immense eyes shining with a burning hatred.


    Shroud immediately began to calcte a n of action, his mind working so furiously time seemed to slow down. Ace, he and Mur were the closest to the dragon, while Sol, Maggie, Kari, and Stitch were farther behind. Take covers in the cove! he shouted, activating ss Field.


    The Dragonyers immediately began to cast spells; Sol created a red force field barrier around himself and those in range, while Maggie aimed with her guns at the titan from behind it; a golden shroud surrounded Kari, and Mur began to transform. Ace, too close to ckcinders, nced at the water around, perhaps to teleport out of range; only Stitch listened and retreated into the cove for cover.


    With a calm kind of fury, ckcinders opened her palm, revealing a crimson, miniature sun within. Ace, reacting on instinct, rushed to grab Shroud, as if they could teleport out of the way.


    el Big Bang!


    The universe exploded into a st of fire and light. Through the Network bond, Shroud heard a ghastly, psychic wail, and it all went white.


    Shroud couldnt see.


    The world had turned white, molten ss embedded in his eyes and his ss too damaged to serve as a ry for ss Field. He couldnt hear, his eardrums ruptured by the st. His touch was hot, his skin fused to his ss armor. Once again, he was a prisoner of his body, but in a more literal way than before.


    Kagutsuchis blessing. Were it not for the deitys achievement, that one spell would have all incinerated the whole team to death in an instant. And the st still hurt like hell.


    ckcinders was no Smokefang. She struck to kill and didnt give them any chances.


    <em>Ace</em>, he tried to speak, but his mouth was bound by ss. It was a miracle he could still breath at all; the Powersurge spell probably enhanced his ability to hold his breath. She hadnt been able to reach him in time before the detonation, and he hoped, <em>prayed</em>, that she could get out of the path.


    Heal, Shroud thought, the spell activating.


    Words couldnt describe the pain he felt in this very moment, as his healing body ejected the ss fused to his skin. He grew a secondyer of skin and eyelid beneath the old one, pushing it out. Within seconds, he could see and hear again, but the melted ss kept him still. A few shards had fallen off, allowing him to breath, albeit with difficulties.


    As his vision limated back to the light, his hands fumbled around, looking for anyone. After some searching, he found Aces arm near him. He grabbed her and held her still, as he tried rising up. She was so feathery, so light, reminding him of their date in the Midnight Market. Things had gone to shit since, but it seemed like yesterday...


    As he regained his sight, watching the world through the twisted lens of molten ss, Shroud found himself among the sted ruins of the ind; the very sand had turned to ss, and stone melted. Mur, mostly transformed but critically injured, was kept anchored to the ground, crushed under a powerful gravity well. Sols barrier had mostly held, but the strain had knocked him out, with only Maggie firing madly at an approaching ckcinders, who casually tossed her aside with a backhand. Kari, who wasnt fully protected by Sols protection,id on the ground, bleeding and critically injured. Only Stitch was partly unharmed, but buried beneath stone debris and desperately to get out.


    We have to get out of here Shroud rasped, struggling to breath, as he turned to face Ace. We have to


    But Ace wasnt here. He nced down at what he held in his fingers, lifting it up until he could see clearly.


    Her arm.


    Just the bloodied arm.


    Her blood was on him. On his armor.


    His mind froze at the horrifying sight, and his eyes wandered off, until they found the other parts,ying in blood


    A notification hammered it home.<table><tbody><tr><td>Ace ount destroyed</td></tr></tbody></table> The sheer shock and horror interrupted his thought process, his young brain unable to process what he had in front of him. He was taken back to his fathers death, back to his darkest moments, back to the Conquest and the moment he saw that meteor falling.


    She she could have teleported but she tried to reach him. She tried to reach him. She tried to reach him and she and she


    Senseless all senseless...


    Graviforce, Shroud heard. The world became a thousand times heavier, some of his bones <em>squeaking </em>under the pressure.


    An invisible force, stronger than anything he ever faced, pushed against him from every direction, lifting him above the ground like a puppet. The other Dragonyers followed, lined up like soon to be executed convicts. Only Mur was kept anchored to the ground.


    ckcinders flew in front of them, her left hand opened upward. Martel. Her voice was that of death itself. The day Iid my eyes on you, I knew you would strike against us. You were given too many chances. No more.


    Ma The invisible gravity dislocated Shrouds jaw before he could finish the spell, making him bit his teeth. Blood overflew into his throat, making him cough.


    You are <em>weak</em>, Martel. You, Aster, your color is that of trickery. But mine is energy. <em>Power</em>. Trickery was invented to make up forck of power but there is a gap so great no amount of intelligence nor skill can ovee. With enough of it, power trumps everything. I am power, and you can no longer run. Problems are not used, tricked, or avoided, Martel. Problems are <em>shot</em>.


    The ck dragons eyes were set on Shroud alone. I did not love my son. He was a failure. But he was mine, Martel. By killing him, you struck against me. Against dragonkind. And you will learn your ce.


    She moved him afar from the others, until he faced them.


    Look. Watch. ckcinders eyes narrowed with a cruel gleam. And choose.


    No No...


    Which one goes first?


    Shroud attempted to use Network, to attack the dragons mind the same way he did with Aster. Ast, desperate attempt to turn the tide.


    <em> Terminal Melusine blocked connection  </em>


    No choice? Then I will choose for you, Martel. The priest, your oldestpanion? The imp? Powells? ckcinders eyes turned to Kari, whose golden shroud had receded. Or the woman who blinded my son?


    Kari Shroud tried to rasp, but the artificial gravity kept his mouth unable to move.


    Her it is, ckcinders said, isting the Yellow Sorceress from the rest. I can see it in your eyes that you care more about her than the others. She was the first, was she not? The first rebel to follow you. Fitting that she will be the first to die.


    Ashmal, Shroud called in despair. Ashmal! Ashmal!


    Anyst word, traitor? ckcinders asked Kari.


    Mathias-san Kari rasped through her throat, struggling to say any word. Do not


    With a look of cruel satisfaction, ckcinders slowly closed her palm before she could finish. With a sickening sound, Karis jaw dislocated, her bones and skull pushed inward as if they would implode. Pure torture.


    ckcinders could have made it quick, but didnt. Yet Kari didnt give her any inch, refusing to scream. She just stared at the dragon with a cold, steely gaze.


    <strong>Do you understand now, Mathias? </strong>Ashmals voice echoed in his mind. <strong>This world holds nothing but despair.</strong>


    Blood for blood, Martel, the dragon said with a venomous tone, as she increased the pressure on Kari, Blood for blood. One by one, and you forst. And afterward, I shall kill more of your rebel kind. Let that despair be yourst thought before you <em>die</em>.


    <strong>Do you ept the ck, Mathias? Will you open the path to Pandoria?</strong>


    His hopes dashed, and without any other recourse to save hisrade, Mathias gave up.


    I e


    Like the judgment of heaven, a ray of red light fell from the skies, hitting ckcinders. A pir of fire crushed her under its weight, melting the sand below, and pushing her down a crater.


    The Graviforce spell weakened, and Shroud and the others fell back on the ground. Above, a golden, distant star had appeared in the sky.


    Taiyougami.


    Shroud tried to move, his body and mind still sickened by gravity sickness. All he could do was move his head, as a rift in space opened near him, Ox-Head, Horse-Face, and Amaterasu stepping outside it. The goddess nced at Aces remains and Karis broken body, her face twisting in anger, before focusing on ckcinders. The two Zodiac silently moved to grab the dragonyers, Ox-Head grabbing Shroud.


    The heavenly pir kept firing down, keeping ckcinders deadlocked but it couldnt harm the dragon. If anything, the draconic juggernaut began to rise up, slowly crawling towards the group, shouting, Martel!


    Afar, ckcinders ship approached and began to bombard the ind. Amaterasu created a barrier of crimson light to protect her charges behind it. ckcinders eventually escaped the beam, cleaving at the protection with her ws.


    They couldnt put her down. None of them could. Not even the gods. It was hopeless, all hopeless.


    Ox-Head carried Shroud through the rift, and then the sorcerer couldnt take it anymore. He closed his eyes, and all went dark.


    <strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>8</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>4</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Spacesh</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Tulpa</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timeloop</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Carbonskin</td><td>3</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Ace</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Saga Freyson</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Status</strong></td><td>Destroyed</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>25 (waiting transfer)</td></tr></tbody></table> <table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>13</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>23</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Forcefield</td><td>3</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Forcefield</strong>


    Affinity: Red


    Dot: 3


    Price: 9-15


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    The user can project forcefields of Red Flux within a five meters radius, whose shape they decide; these forcefields have enough power to stop artillery or crush cars, and can even manifest within a living beings body if within range. The forcefield copses the second the caster stops paying attention to it.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 64: Book II Epilogue: the Dragon Exile

    Chapter 64: Book II Epilogue: the Dragon Exile


    On the distant frontier of the Concordian Empire, there was a gas giant called Algol. An ethereal, silent world the size of Jupiter, so far away from its sun that it looked like a faint moon in a ck sky.


    A dozen satellites, each the size of Earth, orbited around the blue and white sphere. One of them was Nibiru, a world of ice and iron. A prison at the very end of an immense gxy, where temperatures reached absolute zero.


    Had it not been for Murs Heatriser providing them with heat, or some members using protective spells to shield themselves from the cold, the group would have frozen to death onnding. Long before the battle with the local Concordian forces.


    Hundreds of Gearsmenid around them, broken by spells and brute strength. Shroud had taken a few hits, his ss armor bent at some sides from resisting sts, and he had his summoned creatures secure the perimeter with Mur. Their target, a giant dome of reinforced ss,y before them, covered with fading snow.


    Youre not fighting at full power, handsome, Ace reproached him. Maggie, whose guns were steaming, had saved his life twice during the battle. Youre distracted, reckless.


    No. He was mourning.


    Youre thinking of Kari.


    She hasnt woken up, even with the Heal spell, he said. Taiyougami watched down on the icy, having shot the orbital defenses on arrival. Much like light itself, the space station could move at tremendous speed through space at times, allowing them to flee Oceanis to the other side of the gxy in the blink of an eye.


    Stitch is taking sweet care of her. She will recover. If he cant help her, nobody can.


    Thats precisely what I fear.


    Ace realized her mistake at once. I didnt mean it that way.


    I know. But Im still afraid it will end the same. He nced at her, noticing she cast no shadow. Why did you try to save me back then?


    Youre seriously asking me that? Why I would try to save a friends life?


    You were a better woman than me. Hell, I think you would have been a better leader.


    You didnt know me that much, handsome. Im surprised you even care all that much, since we only knew one another for a few weeks.


    Im surprised you are so okay with being dead.


    We live, and in the blink of an eye, we are gone. It is how we lived, and what we left behind, that matter. Not us. Ace shook her head. You may think you are a bad leader, and maybe you are right but youre the only one this group has. Absolutely nobody else wanted the job. I never challenged you for control of the group because, in the end, you are the one pushing us forward. I go along with the flow; you try to set it. Sometimes it doesnt work, but sometimes, you set the right tempo and we dance as one. That is life. You dont win all the time.


    When have I ever truly won? I feel like everything I did just served the ends of someone else.


    When you killed Smokefang, wrestled control back from Aster, or saved your team from Mammon? Who were you fighting for then? She shook her head, patting him on the back, although he felt no contact. Dont call yourself a failure.


    I could revive you, Shroud said, ncing at his Load feature, I could alter the past.


    Are you ready to pay the price though? she asked, nced at Maggie and the others.


    No.


    No, he wasnt. Thats the path to be Wyrde. And mother.


    Yes, handsome. Youve got to ept that sometimes, you lose, and move on. But a battle is not the war. You have much to do, Shroud. Dont give up no


    Nerd, Maggie approached him, interrupting thete Violet Sorceress. Who are you talking to?


    Aces hallucination vanished, leaving him alone in his mind again.


    Ace, he said. Shroud could have lied, said it was Stitch, but he was so sick of lies he couldnt manage a white one anymore.


    Alright, Youre creeping me out. What the hell was that? Hallucinating? Talking to yourself?


    He suspected overuse of el Premium Thought had allowed him to create a vivid mental representation of theirte teammate. Orck of sleep and depression caused him to hallucinate.


    Shroud knew he should take it as a warning, but he couldnt bring himself to care the way his friend did. He hastily changed the subject. The favor you asked from me, what was it?


    Dont hide, Mathias. Youre not fine, <em>at all</em>.


    Not nerd.


    Dont hide, dont run. That was what Mom always did. Where do we go next? he replied to Maggie.


    We kick Concordias ass. She red at me. Dont tell me you were bullshitting about that grand talk of freeing Earth for mankind? Or did you just care about avenging your mom?


    I mostly cared about avenging my mother, Mathias replied bluntly. But my motivations have changed. Even knowing she is on the other side, I intend to take down Concordia. <em>Especially </em>since she is on the other side. I meant, where do we go, as the Dragonyers? As a group? Ashmal has a window into my mind, Melusine can hack our Locks, and our secret safety is gone. Now, its kill or be killed.


    It was always kill or be killed with Concordia.


    But ckcinders and Wyrde will now treat me as a priority target. I am too dangerous to the Grandmaster to be left alive, and I killed Aster.


    Nerd, if youre considering disbanding the group and running away to protect us like some selfish would-be martyr, Im going to kick your ass so deep even Perse wont have gone that far. She crossed her arms. We all knew what could happen when we followed you. Ace did. Full disclosure here, she knew and she was ready to die. We talked about it.


    I know, Shroud replied, who didnt want to talk about it any further. What was the favor you wanted from me?


    She frowned at him but answered. I want to settle things with my brother.


    With Jack? Settle or settle, <em>settle</em>?


    I dunno, nerd, she sighed. Like you and your mother, I suppose. I wont ever be free from his shadow until I confront him.


    Jack was probably in an interster prison somewhere, but from what he had gathered, the Maleking was gathering his forces to strike soon. Jack among them. We will cross paths on Earth, Mathias foresaw. He wille to us, I believe. Not the other way around.


    Why do you sound so casual about it? Shroud didnt answer right away. Nerd, youre scaring me. Youre just so cold and depressed, its not like you at all.


    Au contraire, Shroud turned to look at her dead in the eyes, so she could see the intensity in his own through the transparent helmet, I have never been so determined.


    She couldnt find her words, and Shroud flew toward the dome. With ss Field, he created an opening and moved through. He heard Sol and Maggie follow him, but didnt pay them any attention. He was a ghost walking on auto-pilot.


    The dome covered a small, protected biosphere, a perfect copy of the park he had fought Smokefang in back in Evermarsh. This ce must have been a prototype of the arc cities, a self-sustaining world meant to keep Concordians citizens safe and docile.


    A dragon waited for him, resting on the artificial grass near ake, with her head on both hands. The creature was the smallest dragon Shroud had encountered yet, with eel-like deep blue skin. She had fins for wings, and her horns cackled with thunder.


    Guests. The troublesome kind. The dragon spoke with a womanly, deep voice, kinder than ckcinders but as resigned as Shrouds. Have youe to finish me off?


    That depends, Shroud said,nding in front of her. Are you loyal to Wyrde?


    I would not be here if I was. Her eyes settled on Shroud, then Sol, then Maggie, as they came into sight. Are you agents silencing a liability, or would-be liberators? In the first case, while there is nothing proper about it, try to kill me properly. I am sick of this ce.


    The second case, Shroud said. Our superiors thought you might enlighten us on Concordia.


    I wondered if this day woulde. You do not smell like Midgardian humans. You are earthlings, are you not? The lost cousins of Midgards manlings. Has our lost homeworld been located?


    It was conquered, ten years ago, Shroud said, the dragoness raising her curious eyes to look at them better. How long have you been here?


    Since the Gintargo Rebellion.


    That was more than three hundred years ago, Sol pointed out.


    Is it? I have had little contact with the outside world. The Golden Prince, that soft-hearted weakling, often sends me holo-books to read, but they are censored or out of date. Loctis often visits when he wants advice, although he doesnt listen all the time.


    Weakling? Maggie chuckled.


    He should have opposed Wyrdes design as I did, but chose to close his eyes, the dragoness replied, with an irritated tone. My name is Gungnir, the thunder spear. Wee to my gilded cage. I would offer you grass or fish, but I am not sure you earthlings eat it.


    Gungnir? Like Odins weapon? Sol asked, ever the cultured man.


    Whom? The dragon seemed to vaguely recognize the name, but little else. I forgot where my name came from. What are yours, little earthlings?


    Shroud, the sorcerer introduced himself. They are Sharpshoot and Sol.


    Hmm not your true names. You have had terrible experiences with dragons, havent you? I can see it in the way you look at me.


    Shroud said nothing, while Sol cleared his throat. ckcinders savagely killed one of our own, the priest said. And nearly destroyed our, a decade ago.


    The dragon didnt seem very surprised, although she sympathized. In fact, she seemed almost as saddened as the humans in front of her. Has our dream fallen so low?


    Sol told her about Concordia, about the Conquest of Earth, and Wyrdes ns. Shroud zoned out, his eyes moving to his previous discussion with the Administrator before theynded there.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    ADMINISTRATOR: Mathias, I cannot let you ess this area. Especially not in your current state of mind.<strong></strong>


    SHROUD: The mere fact that it exists and that Ashmal can alter the system means you intended for it to be used. I would not have won against Aster without it.


    ADMINISTRATOR: Like Loctis, I believe that color has a role to y. It makes Hacks possible and may prove instrumental in countering Wyrdes control over timelines. But if you do not master it, like the other colors, it will master you. It was meant to be a weapon ofst resort when faced with an urgent situation.


    SHROUD: Doesnt State Zero count then? You can kill me if you fear it gets out of line. I dont care anymore.


    ADMINISTRATOR: That is exactly why I am wary about giving you ess to that color. I barely allowed you even to exit on a Quest. You were never mentally stable, and now you have hit rock bottom.


    SHROUD: Maybe. But the alternative is that I pump into Ashmals power directly by ident. Doing it in controlled conditions would be the safest option.


    ADMINISTRATOR: There is no safe option with ck.


    SHROUD: How can anyone master it if it is only unlocked during an emergency? If no one is given time to experiment with it under controlled conditions, of course that color masters you. You never learned how to use it.


    ADMINISTRATOR: I will ponder it, but for now, my answer is a firm no.


    SHROUD: I see. What about the other proposal?


    ADMINISTRATOR: I will allow you to make modifications to parts of my source code, under Mars supervision. If your knowledge of AI canplete me the way Alice did, then this would help tremendously with protecting our system from her.


    SHROUD: I learned from Mom. What she created, I can finish.


    ADMINISTRATOR: I understand. The sponsors will never fully trust you anymore, however, especially since your own died on Oceanis, so your editing privileges will be very minor.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    -Wyrde was always too proud for her own good. Realizing the conversation had taken a new turn, Shroud returned to the real world.


    The dragon exile exchanged details with Sol about the early days of the Empire. But she was brilliant, the greatest mind our kind has ever produced. Loctis was her apprentice and always at her side, while Halcyon was a human explorer whom they befriended while studying the Neurotowers. The three were thick as thieves since before I knew them, forming the perfect bnce. Wyrde had the vision and the drive, Loctis provided the creativity needed to make it a reality, and Halcyon kept them grounded.


    When Halcyon died, the bnce was broken, Solomon guessed.


    Halcyon was murdered by one of Gintargos leaders during the war, and Wyrde never fully recovered from it. Without him to keep her grounded, she became more and more obsessed with the ancient technology slumbering beneath our world, and Loctis was too shy to restrain her. I had already been quietly shelved back then when I protested the Grandmaster office had no check to its power, but it wasnt until then that my criticism earned me a house exile in the gxys backyard.


    She couldnt stand the idea of dragons disagreeing with her vision, Shroud said. How many had suffered the same fate as Gungnir, exiled and forgotten by their own empire?


    Even back then, Wyrde had a nasty tendency to rewrite history in her image. She had just upgraded her methods.


    Midgard was a world of constant conflict back then, and we dragons created Concordia back then to establish peace, and guide younger species towards uplifting, the dragoness told them. It was intended to give them back the power to govern themselves with time, after a proper tutge. I started protesting when we couldnt agree on <em>when</em>, and after Gintargo, <em>when </em>became <em>never</em>.


    You think she can pull it off? Maggie frowned. This isnt some mad scheme?


    Wyrde thinks she can, so she will try. That is all that matters. The dragon shook her head. I always found it worrying that every person who tinkered with that technology, from the Seeker of Worlds to Ashmal, went mad. Wyrde thought she could seed where they failed, that she could master it; I replied that her mindset would let her the power to master her instead.


    Looks like you were right, Shroud said grimly.


    The dragon shook her head. There are others like me dispersed across space, she said, We are few, and most of my kindreds have been too indoctrinated by Wyrde to consider changing their ways, but we could turn a few. Loctis, especially, is a keystone.


    He looked like Wyrdes stoogest time I saw him, Shroud replied, irritated.


    Because he is too attached to Wyrde to defy her openly. She is his mentor and the one who gave him a chance when many looked down on him. But I guarantee you that if any dragon regrets what Concordia turned into, it is Loctis. The Golden Prince may be kind, but in the end, his faith in Wyrde is stronger than his conscience.


    Do you know where the other exiled dragons are located? Solomon asked her, the dragoness predictably shaking her head. We will try to find them, and you are wee toe with us.


    With pleasure. The great being rose up. Our reckoning has been long overdue.


    Shroud watched the dragon walk away, Maggie guiding her outside. He almost followed her, when he received a new notification.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    ADMINISTRATOR: After much consideration, I decided you were right about one point. That color will always destroy us if we do not study it. While I still believe that we will never be fully safe from it, having you be our experimental tester for the Forbidden Area would be much better than allowing Ashmal to exploit your despair in a moment of weakness. It may give you an edge against Melusine, maybe against Wyrde, as this is the one color she always disdained.<strong></strong>


    SHROUD: You know what Ashmal wants me to do with it, though? There are risks that it corrupts my Lock. The only reason Im even considering it is that were running out of options.


    ADMINISTRATOR: Which is why I demanded Mars to check on the proposal, and if approved, your moderator role will be transferred to Sol.


    SHROUD: Good. It couldnt be anyone else.


    ADMINISTRATOR: As for corrupt I wouldnt say that. Mathias, I will ask you again. Are you truly sure you want to do this?


    SHROUD: I am not alone. Not like Wyrde, or Ashmal. And you are still allowing me to ess it, so you know only I have a shot at mastering it. Do the other sponsors even know?


    ADMINISTRATOR: No. I have many safeguards, but assigning this color was Mars and my choice alone. Do not make me regret it. I still believe you will make or break our revolution, but as you said, your safety is gone.


    SHROUD: I know. Thats why you allowed it.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Shroud nced at Sol, seeing that the priest had been informed of the decision. Mathias, he spoke up first. Do not do this.


    This is the only way to stop her, and you know it.


    No, it is <em>not</em>. We can adjust our tactics, prepare better-


    They have mastered all the other colors and can sabotage our own Locks whenever they feel like it. Manah epted us with the Oceanis base destroyed, and the Maleking is clearly gunning to invade Earth in the near future. Our world will be at war again, except ten times worse than the Conquest. All bets are off, Sol.


    The fact they are willing to cross lines, does not mean you have to imitate them. How will you be different from them then?


    Shroud wasnt sure he was. He wouldnt pretend he was better. If he started thinking so, he would fall into sorcerys insidious trap.


    Im tired of being weak, of running, of being a pawn. It is the color of freedom as much as entropy, Sol. This is the only weapon we have against that magitech of theirs, and Im ready to pay the price for it.


    I told you once that making mistakes was part of growing up, Mathias, but if you go there, you may nevere back. I The priest shook, the first time Shroud had seen him truly perturbed. I do not want to put you down the way Kari had to with her uncle.


    You wont. Shroud sensed the root of the problem. Sol, I dont intend to die. If you think Im letting thest fiasco drive me to some kind of suicide run, hoping that I die avenging the others, you are wrong. Im <em>done </em>fighting for the dead. Im fighting for the living.


    The priest prepared to speak up, but Shroud kept going on.


    I want to end that cycle once and for all, to see Concordia fallen or reformed, and to witness a better future than the one Wyrde has in store for us. That is what I am ready to fight for. That is the only choice I truly made of my own, and I know this will never go away. I am Mathias Martel, I am Shroud, and I will <em>never </em>stop fighting, until the battle for Earth is won.


    If Aces death, Alices betrayal, and ckcinders hadnt broken him, then <em>nothing </em>would.


    But then what, Mathias? Sol asked. Once the battle is done, what do we do?


    We rebuild. We live. Shroud nced above his head. We make a life for ourselves in that universe full of stars.


    Well spoken, Martel.


    Shroud had already noticed Mars sneaking in before he spoke up. Both yers nced at the sponsor, d in his shining armor. I am d to see the recent events havent tarnished your determination, the war god said. I havee to give you my blessings, as your acting sponsor.


    You wanted that post, even before Amaterasu Shroud trailed. You wanted to oversee us.


    Your group always had potential that should have been nurtured with the proper guidance. Especially you, Shroud. Network was always oriented towards Blue, as it was customized by Manus, and thus never meant to fit you. You were to fit it. As I observed you, Mathias, I realized you were a darker shade than blue. The reckless drive to learn the truth, the urge for absolute freedom, the potential for chaos and change in equal measure, the determination to survive at all costs those are the purview of ck.


    You think it will fit me more?


    You will not know until you try. And the fact remains, what alternative do we have? ording to your debrief, you would not have ovee Aster without it, and we will need all weapons avable to prevent State Zero.


    You know the risks though, Sol said, perhaps the sole voice of reason.


    Mars shrugged. There is no such a thing as a victory won without risks, priest.


    Realizing that he was outvoted, Sol turned to his protegee. Mathias. The grandfather he never had put a hand on his shoulder, warm and firm. I want you to know that, whatever you do, wherever you go, I will always be by your side.


    I know. Never will I leave you behind, old friend.


    Mars raised a hand, and the procedure began.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    Moderator role transferred to: Sol <strong></strong>


    Forbidden Area opened to: Shroud.


    Password: ckiscolor8


    You can now ess the Color <strong>ck</strong>.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Take down Wyrde, and mom, and end their ambitions for good. Protect the Earth, so the people he loved could live free and safe.


    That was all that mattered.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild ck Beta Tester</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>19</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>I aming</strong></td><td><stronging</strong></td><td><strong>for you</strong></td><td><strong>Shroud...</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>4</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Spacesh</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Tulpa</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>12</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timeloop</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Carbonskin</td><td>3</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>1</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>25</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>34</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Forcefield</td><td>3</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Recursion</strong>


    Affinity: ck


    Dot: 3


    Price: 18


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    The spellcaster glitches the space time continuum, creating an area where time behaves erratically for ten seconds. Within the glitched time bubble, people and events happen as they would have, had the caster not used Recursion, victims sleepwalking through time; however, the caster is fully self-aware and can adjust their actions. Victims feel as if time skipped. To outsiders, the area is swallowed by darkness and cannot be interacted with, unless through the use of ck Spells. Pandorians and ck Sorcerers possessing the Recursion spell can react in the glitched time, and the caster must wait ten seconds before casting Recursion again after time resumes; ignoring this rule will permanently damage the space continuum in the area and cast it into Pandoria.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Magik Online will return on</strong>


    <strong>October 9th</strong>, <strong>2019</strong>

 Chapter 65: Message Board: Prelude to the War

    Chapter 65: Message Board: Prelude to the War


    Wee: [<strong>Odysseus</strong>]. You are currently browsing the Magik Online Whisper Forums.


    6 threads you marked as [important], have been updated.


    Your codename has been mentioned in 1 thread.


    You have unread messages from: <strong>Sharpshoot</strong>, and <strong>Shroud</strong>.


    <strong>Subject: Peak Recipes</strong>


    <strong>In: </strong><strong>Boards</strong><strong></strong><strong>yer Discussion </strong><strong>Voice of Incubus  Hack Sharing Thread  Make the world Peak again!</strong>


    <strong>1, 2 </strong><strong>55</strong><strong> 58, 59.</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Enaz the Great </strong>Jan. 3rd; 20:34


    New Hack found and patented!


    Firebird


    Dot: 2


    Components: Firekin + Peak


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    Your biology is optimized to be that of a phoenix, a primal fire elemental. You can turn your flesh to fire at will, taking the shape of an angelic being with fiery wings; you can produce mes up to 4000 degrees and gain limited flight while in this form. As a side-effect, you are immune to all forms of fire and mes while this ability is activated.


    <strong>Evan Cloud </strong>Jan. 3rd; 20:34


    Nice one, gotta try it.


    <strong>Dax (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 3rd; 20:35


    Aaaand gotta go update the Hack recipe folder.


    <strong>Marc CLD </strong>Jan. 3rd; 20:35


    Peak has to be one of the spells with the best synergy. It triggers Hacks with <em>everything</em>.


    <strong>Dax (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 3rd; 20:35


    Peak, el, and Premium Thoughts are pretty much required Spellcoin Taxes. If we had a metagame, they would be our Garchomp; everyone has it on their team. <strong>Doc </strong>Jan. 3rd; 20:36Garchomp? What is that?


    <strong>Drekin </strong>Jan. 3rd; 20:39


    I think its a Pokemon. Are there still fans out there? I thought Concordia banned it because it portrayed a negative, speciesist vision of human-dragon rtionships. Which proves the Yellow Ministry is pure evil.


    <strong>quentin </strong>Jan. 3rd; 20:39


    There are still leagues online. Wouldnt you know, Fairy Type is very popr.


    <strong>Doc </strong>Jan. 3rd; 20:39


    What is a Pokemon? Where can I study one?</td></tr></tbody></table><strong><strong></strong></strong>


    <strong><strong></strong></strong>


    <strong>Thread: Urgent News! Waring to Earth! Intergctic jailbreak! Grandmaster on Earth! </strong>


    <strong>In: </strong><strong>Boards</strong><strong></strong><strong>yer Discussion </strong><strong>Voice of Incubus  Field Reports  Urgent News</strong>


    <strong>1</strong><strong>, 2 93.</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Incubus R.T. </strong>Jan. 4rd; 00:14


    Heya people,Been a while since I posted a field report. Pals and hi met in Neo York stole a dragons bone, and we almost got murdered by a Zombie Red Sorcerer Assassin. Im not kidding. That happened.


    As you can guess, it took a while before I could focus back on intel. Thankfully, my new Lock upgrade helped tremendously.A lot of stuff happened this month, and as you can guess from the title, shits getting real soon. So, in order of good to bad:


    Asters death confirmed!


    The rumors of the Blue Ministers death are confirmed; details are scarce, but someone, prime suspect Shroud (who as you all know imed the kill earlier), tricked his own starfleet into blowing him up (how the hell did you do that?).


    The vice-minister, the human Melusine, has been promoted to Blue Minister, but Concordias intelwork is in shambles. Which leads to...


    Electon Jailbreak


    Two to three hundred dangerous sorcerers escaped Concordias prison of Electon. The Jailbreak was led by Jack Powells, codename, Candlemaker. He had been imprisoned on the thunderstorm-stricken prison since he rampaged in Evermarsh, and was thought Flux-drained and harmless.


    However, he somehow managed to st his containment cell open, freed the other two hundred sorcerers imprisoned there, then escaped with stolen ships; it is unknown how he managed to do so, but the chaos in the Blue Ministry certainly helped. My spies believe the Maleking may have engineered Jacks capture specifically to set that jailbreak.


    Maleking iing


    Malebranche cults are on the warpath, especially in South America and Northern Europe. Apparently, thest of Mcodas seals will break soon, and they think he wille to Earth to bring Armageddon; Celia, the Horseman of Death, has been sighted in the ruins of Russia. The new Horseman of Famine remains unidentified.


    Also, this isnt confirmed yet, but the Shadow Queen has tried to convince Lord Revel to join his armies to the forces the Maleking is gathering against Concordia. If so, then the Malebranche and affiliated have enough power to pick a fight with the Empire that isnt one-sided.


    And Earth is on the path.


    Wyrde in the North Pole


    The title says it all.Two days ago, the hyper-popr Grandmaster of Concordia has moved in the White Neurotower in the North Pole. No idea why, but it cant be good. Spell protections are so tight, even my infiltrators couldnt get through.


    The entirendmass is a fortress, so good luck on anyone trying to make their way through but shes <em>here</em>.


    <strong>Alex Pruitt (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:18


    Let''s nuke Greend with napalm. Its the only way to be sure.


    <strong>The Mur! </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:19


    Famine Horsemen keep dying too fast for Mur to keep track.


    <strong>Dax (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:19


    Gotta raise a toast to Asters demise here. Two of our yers were under his influence and caused the death of three more before we caught on. Hows Melusine?


    <strong>Shroud </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:19


    Having infiltrated her organization, I confirm that Manah has indeed promised Lord Revel the return of his sons soul in exchange for his cooperation. No idea if he epted, but my gut tells me he did.On Melusine: shes dangerous, fanatical, and she can block Locks with her own. If anybody sees her, I would like to be contacted.


    <strong>Washington (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:21


    Got a bone to pick with her,d?


    <strong>Shroud </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:21


    <em>Yes, I do</em>.


    <strong>Sharpshoot </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:22


    Same feeling with Jack. If I meet him, you can remove the jail from Jailbreak.


    <strong>Daniel </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:22


    That pun is terrible. You should feel bad.


    <strong>Saul Kurzman (Guid Moderator) </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:23


    Who is that guy actually? Somebody we should know?


    <strong>Odysseus </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:23


    Sharpshoots demon-possessed, psychopath of a brother. Hes an asshole, Red Sorcerer, natural one. Shroud and Kresnik beat the shit out of him, but it didnt stick.


    <strong>Sharpshoot </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:23


    How the hell are <em>you </em>a yer, <em>Odysseus</em>? Do they recruit everyone at Evermarsh?


    <strong>Odysseus </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:24


    Neither mom nor Sis nor Sam, as far as I know.


    <strong>Incubus R.T. </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:25


    By Sam, you mean Samantha Brown, the former mayors daughter? Shes in the North Pole, as part of the Institute deployed there.


    <strong>Yoshikage </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:25


    Wat?


    <strong>Odysseus </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:27


    Did somebody pick up that phone? Cause I CALLED IT! I knew she was a hoe!


    <strong>Sharpshoot </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:30


    Fuck off, Im sure shes infiltrating them. No way shes with them.


    <strong>Nanooki12 </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:31


    @Shroud, since youre the new dev, cant you just prevent that Melusine from hacking our Locks?


    <strong>Shroud </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:33


    Im working on that, but I cant say it worked until it has been tested. Well see.


    <strong>Sharpshoot </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:34


    Hey, wait a sec, @Incubus R.T. how did you know we were talking of Samantha Brown? Are you spying on us?


    <strong>Incubus R.T. </strong>Jan. 4th; 00:35


    Nah. I just know everything.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Subject: The Wolf of Neo York (Mentioned)</strong>


    <strong>In: </strong><strong>Boards</strong><strong></strong><strong>yer Discussion </strong><strong>Concordian Targets  Kresnik and Scar</strong>


    <strong>1, 2 34, </strong><strong>35</strong><strong>.</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Alex Pruitt (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 3rd; 16:14


    Couldnt get past his <em>goddamn </em>barrier and counterspells. And hes not even that powerful, just super-frustrating to deal with. Im sure that if hes isted from his partner, we could manage and put him down without too much trouble.


    <strong>Karolus </strong>Jan. 3rd; 16:15


    Did you lose someone? His partner Scar doesnt mess around. Four-armed bastard went Friday the Thirteenth on my summonsst time we met, it wasnt fun to watch.


    <strong>Alex Pruitt (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 3rd; 16:15


    No, but that was a close call. Warwick got injured, almost died, but Dex healed him. We lost the warehouse and the weapon shipment though. Heres the new spells Kresnik has been using, all White from what I gathered from the fight:<ul><li>Spellthief: Steal somebodys buffs and apply them to Kresnik (maybe to someone else, but I havent seen him buff Scar with it).</li><li>Reflect: Reflect spells up to dot three back to the sender. Does NOT work on Hacks.</li><li>Supercharge: Some kind of super el. That + Counterspell even makes Magik bug for several seconds.</li><li>Duplispell: Cast twice the same spell.</li></ul>


    No new stuff for Scar. Still as fond of Forcefield as ever.


    <strong>Marc CLD </strong>Jan. 3rd; 16:16


    We know Scar is Red/Violet and some kind of teleport/closebat specialist. Devastating in an ambush, but potentially vulnerable to long-range sniping if he cant teleport close.


    <strong>Dax (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 3rd; 16:17


    Ive been thinking the same. The problem is that these two always pick fights in enclosed areas or space which reduces visibility so that weakness cant be exploited.


    <strong>BlissForgotten </strong>Jan. 3rd; 16:18


    Been thinking of using my Lock to get around it, force them to stay on the defensive byying traps while a teammate snipes them. Is anybody interested in forming a hunting party?


    <strong>Jonathan </strong>Jan. 3rd; 16:18


    Doesnt your Lock cause a lot of coteral damage?


    <strong>BlissForgotten </strong>Jan. 3rd; 16:19


    Says the guy whondscaped the whole Chinese coast. I can contain the effects if we manage to lure them in the ruins of Old New York.


    <strong>Enaz the Great </strong>Jan. 3rd; 16:19


    Sign me up for the wolf hunt. We meet at Daxs meetup hideout?


    <strong>ADMINISTRATOR (Admin) </strong>Jan. 3rd; 16:25


    The Supercharged Counterspell weakness has been patched with Shrouds help. While it will still negate almost all active sorcery, you will still keep the ability to spellcast afterward.


    <strong>BlissForgotten </strong>Jan. 3rd; 16:27


    @Atnta? @Odysseus? Isnt your team crashing Neo York soon? Would you like to join?</td></tr></tbody></table><strong>Thread: Chinese Revolution</strong>


    <strong>In: Boards</strong><strong> ces  South East Asia  China </strong><strong></strong><strong>General</strong>


    <strong>1, 2 89, </strong><strong>90</strong><strong>.</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Jonathan </strong>Jan. 6th; 21:28


    With the weather machines destroyed, it is time. The Eight Immortals have given the date for the revolt. March 15th, 2030.


    <strong>Daniel </strong>Jan. 6th; 21:29


    Youre really sure? I know you guys have been doing phenomenally well, just like the guys in Neo York and Rome, but thats Blightspawn. Shes a dragon Green Sorcerer, and she turns the air acidic when she breaths. Also, no idea how ckcinders will react if you do seed in taking down the local Arc City grid. She may blow up the whole country from orbit.


    <strong>Jonathan </strong>Jan. 6th; 21:30


    ording to our timing, it will take fifteen hours for the moon to credibly threaten the area. We are coordinating with the guild having taken the <em>Goodbye, Moonmen</em> Quest to make sure they cant blow that weapon.


    <strong>Daniel </strong>Jan. 6th; 21:32


    She still has her ship, her fleet, and her asteroid slingshot sorcery. Lets not forget that.


    <strong>Drekin </strong>Jan. 6th; 21:34


    We have to try and take them down sooner orter, Daniel. Especially if what they say in the State Zero and Voice of Incubus threads is true.


    <strong>Daniel </strong>Jan. 6th; 21:34


    Yes, but are we ready? I get the feeling that once we start, either we win or we all die. I would rather be more prepared.


    <strong>Marc </strong>Jan. 6th; 21:35


    @Drekin State Zero is real. I checked. If we wait another month, this whole forum may never have existed, and us along with it.


    <strong>Incubus R.T. </strong>Jan. 6th; 21:37


    They already set martialws, and ording to my intel, shit will hit the fan before March. Also, did nobody notice these are the Ides of March, and that the Rome team is also gearing up for something on that same date? Its like our Sponsor strategist has a fetish for that month.


    <strong>Romulus (Sponsor) </strong>Jan. 6th; 21:37


    I do not have a fetish for March. This is a coincidence.</td></tr></tbody></table><strong>Thread: Defend the Safe Zone, Arizona</strong>


    <strong>In: Boards  ces  North America  United States</strong><strong></strong><strong>The Safe Zone </strong>


    <strong>1, 2, </strong><strong>3</strong><strong>.</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Washington (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 6th; 22:05


    Were still looking for yers with Locks who can boost Kurzmans Landlord to hasten the Safe Zones expansion; and able-bloodied warriors who can help fight the Bio-soldiers torching us at Grand Canyon. We have used Dirt Call to try to hasten the spread of Kurzmans Lock, but its slow as hell.


    <strong>Saul Kurzman (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 6th; 22:06


    I can only extend the zone by one mile per day, twice more if we use Dirt Callndscaping. It will take me another month and a half to reach Las Vegas outskirts, which may not be fast enough depending on the Sponsors timing.


    <strong>Evan Cloud </strong>Jan. 6th; 22:07


    If Ibine mine with yours, I could perhaps increase that range by ten percent a day. One bonus mile won every ten days. Do you think you could cover all of the US with your homefield advantage, with enough time?


    <strong>Saul Kurzman (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 6th; 22:07


    Maybe. More territory isnt harder to manage than less.


    <strong>Dax (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 6th; 22:10


    I think Townsend or Warwicks Locks could mesh well with your Lock too. We could turn it into a fortress and country-sized summoning field.


    <strong>BlissForgotten </strong>Jan. 6th; 22:11


    And then ckcinders nukes the ce from orbit.


    <strong>Saul Kurzman (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 6th; 22:12


    I pray the guys doing the <em>Goodbye, Moonmen </em>quest hurry up before then.</td></tr></tbody></table><strong>Thread: Cost of Opposing Colors reduced</strong>


    <strong>In: Boards  Updates and Bugs  Spellcoins</strong>


    <strong>1 out 1.</strong>


    <table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>ADMINISTRATOR (Admin) </strong>Jan. 7th; 00:00


    Thanks to our efforts with Shroud, we managed to reduce the cost of opposite color affinities, aligning them to that of allied colors. So for example, should you be a Blue, an Orange Dot 1 spell will now cost 4 Spellcoins instead of 5, and an Orange Dot 2 will cost 8 instead of 10.


    This,bined with the improved data management, has allowed us to triple the size of our yer Basest week (as you can see from all the neers). The road towards creating a true army of Earth is still far, far away, but we are now numerous enough to credibly threaten key imperial instations. More quests will be sent soon to reflect that.


    <strong>Dax (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 7th; 00:01


    Very good news.


    <strong>Manu </strong>Jan. 7th; 00:01


    Thanks!


    <strong>Alex Pruitt (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 7th; 00:01


    Finally, I can make a full rainbow out of my spellpendium!


    <strong>Manu </strong>Jan. 7th; 00:01


    A prism. Prism sounds better.


    <strong>Drekin </strong>Jan. 7th; 00:02


    Thanks, but I got to ask when are you guys going to open the Forbidden Area? Its not like that colors existence is a secret anymore. Everyone stumbled on that part of the website since Incubus found it.


    <strong>Shroud </strong>Jan. 7th; 00:03


    The beta test is still ongoing. You can apply with the other beta testers candidates in the thread.


    <strong>ADMINISTRATOR (Admin) </strong>Jan. 7th; 00:03


    For now, the answer is somewhen. I would like to say never, but tests have so far been positive enough for Sponsors to consider the idea. However, with the ck Neurotower in Antarctica acting up, the matter remains frozen until further notice.</td></tr></tbody></table><strong>Thread: Prank War Finale, call for yers</strong>


    <strong>In: Boards  Quests  Looking for Quests  America  Prank Wars</strong>


    <strong>1, 2,  12, </strong><strong>13</strong><strong>.</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Floodtalon (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 7th; 12:03


    As you know, ording to the Sponsors, this Prank War will be thest iteration of the quest, the most dangerous, and the most rewarding.


    I say we make it the funniest.


    You remember the Statue of Liberty? How we found out the Concordians put a big doomsday device in it? I say we crash it, and we make it spectacr. Brainstorming session!


    <strong>Drekin </strong>Jan. 7th; 12:04


    Ill pass this one (hunting Governor Shin-Drazil, with whom I have a <em>bone </em>to pick), but why not paint it like a French girl?


    <strong>Marc CLD </strong>Jan. 7th; 12:05


    What is that supposed to mean?


    <strong>Drekin </strong>Jan. 7th; 12:06


    Everything :)


    <strong>Floodtalon</strong><strong>(Guild</strong><strong>Moderator)</strong> Jan. 7th; 12:07


    @Marc CLD Its a Prank War inside joke. You cant know until youve done it.


    <strong>The Mur! </strong>Jan. 7th; 12:08


    It is a statue. Break it.


    <strong>quentin </strong>Jan. 7th; 12:09


    @The Mur! Already done!


    <strong>Odysseus </strong>Jan. 7th; 12:10


    I am so going to participate if Atnta lets us. Also, why not cover it in mushrooms with my lock? Would that work?</td></tr></tbody></table><strong>Thread: Vainqueur the Dragon Roley</strong>


    <strong>In: Boards  Chill Out  Community Stuff  Vainqueur the Dragon  Incubus RP</strong>


    <strong>1, 2,  532, </strong><strong>533</strong><strong>.</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Evan Cloud </strong>Jan. 7th; 22:16


    Okay, dropped my old group when the GM went crazy with mind-control shenanigans. Im looking for fun, and I heard Vainqueur (and Incubus RP group) is amazing. Can I join?


    <strong>Incubus R.T. </strong>Jan. 7th; 22:17


    You can, but can you wait for a week? There are so many new yers, Im full. Ive considered asking Voidy to help DM it, but he hasnt answered yet.


    <strong>Washington (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 7th; 22:18


    Its a novel about a dragon, how is it <em>that </em>popr on this board?


    <strong>Drekin </strong>Jan. 7th; 22:19


    The bellyughs my friend. Theughs cured my cancer, and then reading Als fanfic gave it back.


    <strong>Atnta (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 7th; 22:20


    Al, you write Vainqueur fanfics? Vainqueur?


    <strong>Al </strong>Jan. 7th; 22:20


    I write fanfics about <em>everything</em>. Also, what are you doing here? I thought you didnt like it?


    <strong>Atnta (Guild Moderator) </strong>Jan. 7th; 22:21


    Atnta has left the thread</td></tr></tbody></table><strong>Private Message: whats up, nerd? by Sharpshoot</strong>


    <strong>1, 2, </strong><strong>3</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    ODYSSEUS: So. Still awkward at conversations?


    SHARPSHOOT: Still a dick?


    ODYSSEUS: Always. Still pinning for the other nerd?


    SHARPSHOOT: Yeah. Sort of. Itsplicated.


    ODYSSEUS: Itsplicated. Thats fucking original, never heard that one before.


    SHARPSHOOT: Shut up, from what I heard its the same with Atnta.


    ODYSSEUS: Its notplicated, she said okay for a date, but only if were still alive after the revolution. Now, surviving that far, thats theplicated part. Al keeps finding excuses to leave us alone, but it hasnt helped.


    SHARPSHOOT: Meh.


    ODYSSEUS: Meh. No seriously, whats up with Matt?


    SHARPSHOOT: Were nning toe back to Earth soon. The Epoch is around the corner, and now, its pretty clear that the Maleking is going to reveal something big. Nerd is all worried about it.


    ODYSSEUS: I figured, but thats not what I asked.


    SHARPSHOOT: Hes still not over Ace. At least he epted to drink a few times, but I can tell hes not in the mood.


    ODYSSEUS: She died for him, from what you told me. Hes afraid it will happen again. Even with his power, Matt doesnt get emotional intimacy; hes afraid that if he cares too much, it will be taken away. So he creates distance like he did back when he yed superhero. Dont let him iste himself, even if heshes out.


    SHARPSHOOT: Why the hell do you care?


    ODYSSEUS: This is gonna sound strange, but in a way, I think you have a shot together; and on the other hand, I think youre going to make the other worse. Either its going to work great or terrible, with nothing in between.


    SHARPSHOOT: How is Perse?


    ODYSSEUS: Fine, touring Europe. She tried to contact me, but I cant answer. Concordia may keep her under watch, and I cant jeopardize my teams safety.


    SHARPSHOOT: Its going to end soon, jackass. One way or another.


    ODYSSEUS: Yes, but whates after? If we get them off Earth and somehow manage to keep them off, whats going to happen? It will be like starting our civilization back from square one.


    SHARPSHOOT: No idea, nerd. I try not to think of it. We can always think of that after the dragons are gone, and after I put a bullet in my brothers head.


    ODYSSEUS: Thats dark.


    SHARPSHOOT: Thats true.


    ODYSSEUS: Youre really going to do it though?


    SHARPSHOOT: I have to. He tried to kill me first, and he wont stop. Its payback.


    ODYSSEUS: Yeah, cant argue with the fact hes an asshole, but you dont have to be the one to do it.


    SHARPSHOOT: Because I will be just like him? It aint a manga, nerd. Its real life.


    ODYSSEUS: Dont give me that excuse. Im just saying, if you let him dictate your life in any way, Jack still wins. If you kill him, he will haunt you forever.


    SHARPSHOOT: Still have to settle things with him.


    ODYSSEUS: Dont die, jerk.


    SHARPSHOOT: Dont die, nerd.</td></tr></tbody></table><strong>Private Message: Ulysses, by Shroud</strong>


    <strong>1</strong><strong>, 2 23, 24.</strong><table><tbody><tr><td><blockquote>


    SHROUD: Still cant believe they recruited you, old friend.


    -


    ODYSSEUS: Still cant believe they chose you first, Matt. Im way more handsome.


    -


    SHROUD: More Green. I could have sworn you would be a Violet. But then again, the Greens that I have met seem rather mellow in general.


    -


    ODYSSEUS: Are Blues emotional crybabies?


    -


    SHROUD: No, Im afraid Im a unique case. I missed you.


    -


    ODYSSEUS: Me too. Cant believe Im saying this, but I did. Maggie told me about your mom. Im sorry.


    -


    SHROUD: All I will say is that I will stop her.


    -


    ODYSSEUS: I cant imagine how you feel, so I wont be a hypocrite and say I understand. If you want to vent, Im here.


    -


    SHROUD: I have a priest on the team, but thanks. Youre hitting Neo York soon? I get the feeling the American revolt will begin there.


    -


    ODYSSEUS: Not yet. Were helping Kurzman and Washington expand the Safe Zone in Arizona. The Concordians are putting an information lockdown around it, evacuating cities around, and sending bio-armored toons try to dislodge us there. I dont know what theyre hiding in Grand Canyon, but they are fighting tooth and nails to protect it.


    -


    SHROUD: The war for Earth.


    -


    ODYSSEUS: It has started, yes. Concordia has started taking down the inte so news do not spread, but there are too many incidents for them to cover up. People are catching on.


    -


    SHROUD: Do they have hope?


    -


    ODYSSEUS: No. They think Concordia will win, like always. The Conquest broke most of them.


    -


    SHROUD: Do you?


    -


    ODYSSEUS: Frankly, if you had asked that of me a month ago, I would have said this is hopeless. Now though, after what I have seen I think we have a slim, slim shot unless ckcinders nukes us or the Maleking arrives first.


    -


    SHROUD: It was always going to be a three-ways battle. Maybe four.


    -


    ODYSSEUS: The ck hole in Antarctica? Whats happening there?


    -


    SHROUD: Youre too smart for your own good, Ulysses. I cant say. The Administrator asked that I keep it for myself.


    -


    ODYSSEUS: So its bad enough that no quest has been issued to deal with it yet. Yeeesh.


    -


    SHROUD: So, either Neo York or the Zone in Arizona.


    -


    ODYSSEUS: To meet again? Yeah. Ill keep you informed. When are you leaving space?


    -


    SHROUD: After the Crimson Epoch. I want to know what Mcoda and Mammon are preparing. They have a secret weapon of some kind, and we need to identify it. If you have interster cable, Im pretty sure he will appear then.


    -


    ODYSSEUS: Send me a message after youre done. Just to know if youre still alive.


    -


    SHROUD: You are worrying about me? You are so sweet.


    -


    ODYSSEUS: Someone gotta keep you alive, Matt.


    -


    SHROUD: Sometimes, I wish I could turn back time and return to those days in Evermarsh. They feel like years away.


    -


    ODYSSEUS: Butterfly effect man. If you managed to turn back time, you would find a way to rece dragons with dinosaurs.


    -


    SHROUD: Eh. Lets have a drink over old times when we meet again. In case there is no next time.


    -


    ODYSSEUS: As long as the drinks are on you. See you soon, Matt.


    -


    SHROUD: See you soon, Ulysses.</blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Selfsight


    </strong>


    <strong>Dot</strong>: 2


    <strong>Components</strong>: Pathfinder + Intuimotion


    <strong>Activation</strong>: Passive, App Switch.


    You perceive a simtion of yourself five minutes, simultaneous to your present; the simtion allows you to see your surroundings, and will thus forewarn you of dangers, but only those you can perceive. The simtion will adapt to your decisions.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 66: To Tempt the Devil

    Chapter 66: To Tempt the Devil


    el Recursion.


    Time was broken.


    Darkness and silence swallowed the Midnight Market; the cacophony to which he had grown used to end, reced with an eerie silence. The lights diminished, swallowed by a starless night; he could only see people and the flux infrastructures, the lights of their souls and lifeforce.


    Alone in this quiet world, Shroud walked down the street, watching aliens, fairies and supernatural creatures queuing near a teleporter. He watched themugh, bicker, and speak words he couldnt hear; golem guards forced the crowd back, checking to see if they had tickets or specific entry devices.


    He slipped past them without anyone noticing, even shoving off a centaur while at it. Nothing changed in these peoples behavior. They followed a script; a pantomime. Fate, or causality.


    Recursion allowed him to exist outside this script, and interfere from the safety of the darkened time.


    ck came easily to him. He didnt know if everyone could make use of it so easily, which allowed them to fall into the colors trap, but Shroud could wield it perfectly. Doubly so when he cast the Ruin Mode spell, although that one came with problems of its own.


    As he waited near the teleporter for the spell to end, Shroud sensed a presence. He couldnt put his finger on it, but someone was watching nearby. He looked around, yet found nothing.


    Recursion usuallysted for ten seconds, twenty with el; and with el Premium Thoughts and Powersurge on, it felt like five minutes.


    Spell modifiers were pretty much the only spells that meshed well with the color. ording to the Administrator, ck usually overrode other sources of magic, and Shroud had yet to trigger a Hack to prove him wrong. The darkness did not y well with others.


    Then, how to exin that its very existence inside Magik Online allowed people tobine spells into Hacks? How could it allow two spells of different colors to fuse, yet itself couldnt mesh nicely with another? Another paradox.


    That made figuring out the limits and rules of ck much harder than even Blue. Shroud understood the gist of it: ck was entropy distilled, paradoxes, and freedom from all rules, even those of physics. It controlled negation, frost, and space-time vitions. But the spells he had delved in differed widely from one another.


    Time was unbroken.


    The spell ended, and as light returned to the world, Shroud found himself right in front of Manah.


    So it was you, she said, the crowd and the guards looking disoriented near them, as they realized they had skipped time. I would rather that you do not use that sorcery around me, Shroud.


    So she could sense him in the darkened time. He had expected as much. Toshiyami had met his demise there when a god confronted him. That she recognized the spell though... Why couldnt I see you there? he asked her.


    Without light to cast it, no shadow can exist, Manah replied. You use a darkness so thick, light and shadows are swallowed by it and you too may follow suit.


    Ah. Your body is your shadow, Shroud guessed, looking down at her feet, and noticing the thick, spider-like shape she cast. There you are.


    Sharp, she said. But sharp enough to master such sorcery? I do not know.


    I expected a stronger reaction, he said, as a golem guard approached to check on them. You sound remarkably apathetic about it.


    I have allied with worse forces, she replied, and Shroud couldnt deny it. The golem, a gold titan taller than a Gearsman, examined both of them, then invited them into the teleporter. She offered him her arm, and he took it with great ss. Her contact was cold on touch, but also somewhatforting. We have VIP seats.


    Have we? Shroud mused as the duo stepped into the teleporter. I thought Mammon didnt want to see me since Aces death. He said she was worth a hundred Shroud, and that if he saw him again without Manahs protection, he would have the Dragonyers killed as his transaction price.


    Not that Shroud disagreed that he would have traded his life for his friend in a heartbeat, but the way Mammon had phrased itphrasing Ace like a possession rather than a personreminded him why he despised that monster.


    I and a foul friend of yours convinced him to change his mind.


    A foul friend of his?


    Shroud only knew one person to whom Mammon listened, and he didnt want anything to do with him.


    In a blink, the teleporter transported them to a luxurious, gold-ted lounge, with a transparent rounded ss view of the outside. Shroud recognized some of the dignitaries present; a gorgon-like being with green scales and snake hair, the Darkthorn terrorist and resistance fighter Mother Pandia; the four-armed Horseman of War Graff; Wormson, who waved a hand at him from a bar.


    One figure stood atop the rest, so tall, its horns reaching the ceiling. A misshapen centaur with silvery and ck fur, the beast had the lower body of a horse, a muscled humanoid torso, a silver lions head, and ivory deer horns. The entity was both eerily graceful and monstrous and carried a heavy ck mace surging with power.


    Lord Revel, patriarch of the Arcadian Reavers.


    The creature noticed the duo but did not move an inch. He seized Shroud with his piercing blue eyes, a lion looking down on a human interrupting his reverie.


    Lord Revel? Shroud asked, unsure how to address the fact his team indirectly led to his sons death.


    To hunt, or be hunted. His very voice sounded like a dozen different animals roaring at once. One cannot appreciate one without experiencing the other. Whether you kill or are killed, you should look forward to it.


    The fact he said it with calm glee sent shivers down Shrouds spine. Not everyone can respawn the way your kind does, Lord Revel, the sorcerer replied, Manah keeping to her silence. He was in no hurry to provoke this archmage but knew being obsequious would anger that proud, predatory beast.


    Only the strong and the worthy, I bring back, the centaur replied, refusing to acknowledge Manahs presence. That the shadow queen broke my rules irk me. Your kind fascinates me, young one. You were barely crawling out of the mud when I left, and now you can fight the mightiest of my children. Amusing.


    Youe from Earth?


    Once upon a time, it was my home. When I was a weak king, the prey, the hunted. Shroud noticed micro-expressions of disgust and fury on the lions kingly face as if he remembered a past he would rather forget. Long have I wanted to hunt back on my former kindred left behind. Soon I will.


    <em> The Dagda walked over the corpses of the Tuatha D Danann, of his kindreds lost to the machine he broke. Their blood covered him, and he left it behind with every footstep as he walked into the gate, in search of strength.  </em>


    The spark of madness in his eyes told Shroud no one was truly safe from this creatures depredation.


    He couldnt be allowed near Earth, ever.


    Manah took him away from Revel, moving toward the windows. Grimsour declined to attend. Shroud noticed his absence.


    He was warned of our trap, Manah replied, unaware of the Aster fiasco. We will get him in time. How is your group? Since they had their home base, Shroud had be the only member of the group she now interacted with; and often, she did through Doppelgangers.


    Not fine, he admitted. The team had taken a hit with Aces death, in more ways than one.


    Kari was giving him the silent treatment ever since she learned he beta tested the ck feature. Considering what happened to her uncle, Shroud couldnt me her, even if it hurt. He was just happy the doctor could save her life and allow her to recover.


    Stitch was growing more reclusive, spending more and more time studying the lifeforge. While nothing extraordinary so far, the Moon Rabbit had told Shroud she often noticed the scientist speaking to himself. He ordered a Doppelganger to follow him, just in case.


    Sol was growing into his role of moderator, although he focused more on having the group do low-risk quests around the Midnight Market than do anything near risky as the Oceanis job. Shroud suspected he both wanted to strengthen the group in preparation for the war, and partly avoid true danger. It helped him purchase the overpriced ck spells, but they hadnt made headway into fighting Concordia.


    Mur was the least affected, although the imp wanted to test out the ck feature and applied to the Administrator for a beta test of his own. Maggie missed Ace almost as much as Shroud himself, perhaps because they had started building a budding friendship beforehand.


    I told you our rtionship would work well if we agreed not to lie to one another, Manah said, inviting him to look through the ss view. Shrouds ss Field didnt activate, making him realize this was another material in disguise. I am d you took it to heart.


    Then it is about time you tell me more. I did as you asked, and lost a friend over it.


    Yes, she agreed, watching through the window. Shrouds eyes followed her gaze.


    As it turned out, the lounge overlooked a massive stadium that put everything from Earth to shame from above. Crowds cheered on the stands of an immense colosseum, with the arena itself separated from them by a forcefield. Two monsters, one giant, magma-like elemental and a skeletal sorcerer fought for the masses enjoyment, casting spells and unleashing fireballs on sandy ground. Monitors on the ceiling showed footage of the battle in real-time, with camera golems retransmitting the scene across the universe.


    To think Mammon built that arena in the artificial moon orbiting the market no spell couldpare to absolute wealth.


    As he looked at the masses present, Shroud could sense their resentment through Network, their boiling thirst for blood. They knew these games were but a sideshow for a grander, more brutal spectacle, and they waited for it with trepidation.


    The chaos with Lugh, you orchestrated it, Shroud said. You wanted to obtain his soul as leverage.


    Is that a question? While Manahs human face did not bulge, her shadow grew thicker. Mcoda wanted to hold all the cards, a jack, four knights, a queen and an ace in the hole.


    Shroud tensed at the mention of Jack but didnt interrupt.


    Revel is a master of Violet Sorcery, Manah exined. His spell sustains the immortality of his kindred, allowing them to recover from injuries so long as they maintain his favor. He can open gates around the cosmos at will, allowing his raiders to hunt everywhere.


    Even inside Concordias territory? Shroud guessed.


    The core regions are protected by sorcery so strong, nothing can get through. The outer parts of the Concordian Empire though


    <em>Including Earth, </em>went unsaid.


    Wyrde has made herir in your world, moving a sizeable bulk of her forces to that sr system, Manah said, proving herself well-informed and aware of how Shroud thought. We will fight her there.


    With my caught in the crossfire.


    I have no pity for your kind, she admitted bluntly. While I understand your attachment to your home, the entire gxy is at war. This cannot be avoided. I promise you though that I have no intention of conquering or destroying your the way Concordia did. I want Wyrde, and that is all. Once ourmon foe destroyed, we shall part ways, hopefully forever.


    And here Shroud thought she had grown attached to him. Do the people gathered there share your intentions though?


    No, she replied. Hence why you should prepare to defend your freedom when ites to it.


    Which side are you on? Shroud asked. Yours alone I suppose.


    My worlds, the same as you. Sound came out from below, Shroud realizing the fight had ended. The skeletal lich had crushed the magma elemental, cooling it off into coal, with golems taking both of them off. The true show is about to begin, pay attention.


    Shroud briefly nced sideways, noticing Revel, Graff and a few others had vanished. His eyes returned to the arena below, as rancid smoke and sulfur erupted from the sand.


    It had started.


    A tall, demonic figure rose from the smoke like the devil out of hell, the lights of the arena focusing on him. A ck, reptilian humanoid, with a long, spiked tail and ck bat wings, this incarnation of evil had seven white skulls for heads; each with sharpened fangs for teeth, and a single ck horn in the middle of each forehead. His eyes were red as blood and full of malice, yet his confident posture reminded Shroud of a true king.


    The Maleking had taken a new shape. Perhaps his true one.


    My sweet friends, wee to the show! The demonic figure made a broad, royal gesture to the crowd, as his faces showed up on the various monitors. I am Mcoda, the Maleking. I am the New God. I am sure you heard many terrible stories about me all of them true.


    Shroud clenched his fists. He knew this day woulde, but it infuriated him all the same. Is it


    A projection, Manah answered. But the real one will be freed soon.


    The stadium, maybe even the gxy, held its breath as Mcoda began his speech, surrounded by hellish smoke.


    Let me ask you a question. His voice was no longer that of the yful, cruelmb Shroud had grown used to, but that of a calm and collected public speaker. Is not a person, entitled to their freedom? To think, to decide what is right from wrong? To choose the life they want to live, without someone else telling you what to do? Freedom is a beautiful thing and yet it grows scarce, for one power wants to steal it away. The corrupt empire known as Concordia!


    The monitors showed a picture of Concordias invasions across the cosmos, of dragons burning cities, of Gearsmen patrolling the skies; and the crowd booing in response. Shroud noticed a Magik Online notificationing up.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    SOL: Mathias, you are watching this?


    SHROUD: Live.


    THE MUR!: About time.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Using their sorcery and technology, Concordia conquers worlds in the name of peace, strip them of their names, and its inhabitants of their rights. Below the speeches, there is only <em>greed</em>. Some of you believe they will be safe, if they hide in the darkest corners of space, even as Concordias borders expand with every new sr cycle. You are mistaken. Now the so-called Grandmaster schemes to take even free-will away, creating a universe where no one can rebel against her. Not will cant.


    The monitors switched to show pictures of cold, barren worlds, of stars dimming out. Shroud frowned behind his helmet, not understanding the significance.


    Using the Neurotowers under her control, Wyrde channels the Flux from other areas of space to power her utopia, stealing away your heat, your souls, your sorcery leaving cold and ck darkness behind, Mcoda exined. To what purpose, you ask? To channel a great spell, a sorcery work so great, the gxy will fall to it.


    Is that true? Shroud asked.


    Yes, Manah replied. They started draining my region of space a few years ago.


    It has been four hundred years since Concordia started despoiling the gxy for the sake of its greed! But by stealing the energy of their enemies and neighborhoods, they weakened the seals which kept me trapped, until they became paper-thin! Shroud expected an evilugh, but Mcoda, as a true demagogue, remained calm and businesslike. Long have you prayed for a savior, a power which would topple Concordia and you will wait no longer! I stand with the people!


    The masses erupted in cheers.


    If the Maleking wasnt, well, the <em>devil incarnate</em>, Shroud would have gotten behind him. Knowing many species had no idea who the Beast of the Apocalypse was, it didnt surprise him he would enjoy much greater poprity outside Earth than on it.


    I, Mcoda, stand against Concordia! For while I am the New God, but I have no desire to rule. I desire only not to be ruled! I dream of a universe where ones species does not determine your station in life, only ones might and cunning! A universe where there is only one rule: do as you will!


    The world of chaos which Manus foresaw.


    Hell Unending.


    Ie to you with a message, to both you and Concordia. Not a message of words, but one of <em>blood</em>. Dragons, you are <em>outnumbered</em>! You are <em>outmatched</em>!


    The smoke dissipated, revealing four figures standing behind Mcoda, his four riders of the apocalypse. Mammon, the cruel mimic king of the Midnight Market, waved at his adoring public. Graff, the mysterious Horseman of War, eyed the scene with a tacticians focus. Little Celia grinned in excitement, the other horsemen putting more distance between them and her than each other. Lord Revel remained eerily thoughtful, lost in his own world.


    We, the Malebranche, will begin a heartfelt struggle to achieve freedom for all beings across the cosmos! Mcoda raised a first. The age of dragons is <em>over</em>. Now is the time for action!


    And so, he spoke the words Shroud had dreaded to hear for months.


    We, the Malebranche, dere war on Concordia!


    The world erupted into cheers and roars, deafening Shroud himself.


    But a war needs weapons, great trump cards to turn the tide against Concordias magitech! It is with pride that I announce we developed <em>two</em>! First, we found a way to grant sorcery to all!


    Shroud froze. Did they reverse-engineer Magik Online?


    As it turned out, no, but as the monitors revealed pictures of Jack Powells rampage and other simr monsters, Shroud realized that Mcodas solution was much more terrible. By fusing fiends with mortals souls, we found a way to ignite the spark of sorcery! The vessel gains all of the power, and keeps their free-will! Sorcery will no longer be the sole privilege of Concordia! If you join us, ept Hell in your heart, and be an infernoid, you too can aspire to ultimate power!


    The spectators whispered among them, and Shroud could sense through Network that many considered the deal when people were desperate enough, even a fiend could be mistaken for a savior.


    Second Mammon, if you would kindly


    With pleasure. Mammon crawled at the forefront, waving his hands at the monitors, the screens showing a blue star alone in the cosmos. Here is one of my old suns. Observe.


    Shroud focused, noticing an object flying towards the star. A thick ck, needle-like missile, with the emblem of an icy heartthe organ, not the symbolengraved on it.


    The missile exploded once it reached the sun, unleashing a dark orb of ck Flux like a sunspot. The darkness grew like a cancer, engulfing the entire star, swallowing it whole. Within seconds, the ck orb devoured the sun, before copsing on itself, leaving nothing behind.


    <em>Nothing</em>.


    I present you, the ck Flux Bomb, Mammon dered, hisposure cracking a little to reveal a hint of glee behind. ck holes in a cigar! Destruction incarnate! All it consumes in its st vanishes forever!


    Shit.


    This was way worse than he thought. You knew, he hissed at Manah. You know what he is. What he will do with these weapons.


    What other choice is there? she answered back, No one else can defeat Concordia, Shroud. In the best case scenario, they will wipe out one another.


    At what cost?


    As long as my world survives, she replied. Any price is worth it. Would you not do the same for Earth?


    Shroud frowned but didnt answer.


    Our war will be a war of annihtion! Mcoda continued. We will wipe out the dragons down to the eggs, everyst one of them! Billions will die, so trillions may live in a world cleansed of the wyrms! This is but the beginning! Together, we gathered a great and terrible army, from all corners of space! Undead, fiends, mercenaries Reavers.


    Lord Revel cleared his throat, Mcoda inviting him to speak up. I, Lord Revel, address all Arcadian Reavers across space. I have decided who will be the target of our Great Hunt. The dragon race has proven itself the most dangerous game of all. Each dragon head will bring you fifty thousand points.


    Having met Gungnir, the Dragon Zodiac, and learning not all dragons supported Concordia, Shroud couldnt condone it.


    And, Lord Revel added with disturbing casualness, his fellow horsemen looking at him in surprise, for proving themselves a worthy, obstinate prey, I dere <em>Homo Sapiens</em> this seasons secondary game. One thousand points per head.


    Manahs frown told Shroud this wasnt part of the script.


    The Sorcerer immediately opened the Magik Online chat again.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    SHARPSHOOT: Did he just dere he would exterminate our entire species?


    SHROUD: Evacuate the Midnight Market now. Knowing Reavers, they wille after us the second this event ends.


    SOL: Not without you, Mathias. I will wait for you outside the arena so we can teleport to Taiyougami.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    If you are brave, if you want to follow the path of freedom and chaos, then take arms! The Maleking raised his reptilian hands in a theatrical manner. Take your anger, your hatred, and your sorrow, and let them fuel the mes of war! We thirst for the blood of the brave! Never forget how Concordia has trampled us! Concordia must be destroyed!


    Concordia must be destroyed! Mammon raised a fist, the crowds imitating him, Destroyed!


    Destroyed! the people sang, as the dignitaries in the lounge pped. The people on the stands rose, with fists raised. Destroyed! Destroyed!


    Shroud wasnt the only one not to apud though.


    It is time you return home, Manah told him ominously, too low for the others to hear. Before <em>he </em>does too.


    <strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild ck Beta Tester</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>0</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Ruin Mode</td><td>1</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Winterfold</td><td>2</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Recursion</td><td>3</td><td>ck</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>21</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Spacesh</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Tulpa</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>29</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timeloop</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Carbonskin</td><td>3</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>18</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>32</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>51</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Forcefield</td><td>3</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Alchemic Sphere</strong>


    <strong>Dot</strong>: 2


    <strong>Components</strong>: Alchemic Grasp + Intuimotion


    <strong>Activation</strong>: Passive, App Switch.


    You control chemical reactions within five meters of yourself, allowing you to ignite material, cause chemical breakdowns of the cells of the living, or a variety of effects limited only by your knowledge.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 67: Home Again

    Chapter 67: Home Again


    As Mars and the Dragonyers, with the startling exception of Stitch, gathered in themand room of Taiyougami, Maggie Powells voiced what everyone thought deep down.


    Ffffffuuuuuck!


    The Malebranches minions already took the words of their leaders to heart, Shroud spoke up. He had received the memory feedback of twelve of his Doppelgangers, ambushed and killed by bestial Arcadian Reavers.


    If any human had made their life in the Midnight Market, they were dead or soon would be.


    Riots and acts of violence have erupted all across the cosmos, including in Concordian territories, the Administrator told the group through one of the monitors. Our yers in outer space have already reported fleets gathering in the regions outside of Concordias control. They will make their move soon.


    None were more worried than Sol, who had taken Shrouds ce as Moderator and sat on Taiyougamis throne. The antichrist, the priest muttered. A false savior, heralding the apocalypse as said in the Book of John. Armageddon is upon us.


    Your silly prophecies will not help, old man, Mur replied, the imp more joyful than the rest of the team. He alone relished the idea of fighting an interster war. Only strength.


    Thanks to this disy, we have now identified all of the Horsemen, Mars said with his usualposure. Celia is Death, Graff is War, Mammon is Conquest, and Lord Revel is Famine. All the yers on the Malekings side have been revealed.


    I am not so sure, Shroud replied thoughtfully, a hand on his chin. Manah implied Mcoda also had an ace in the hole.


    The ck Flux Bombs, Kari replied, giving him a heavy gaze that betrayed what she thought of that color.


    Perhaps, Mars conceded. But the Maleking strikes me as the kind of nner to make multiple ns he can fall on and adapt, rather than stake everything on a single strategy.


    Will they really make use of these bombs though? Maggie asked. I mean, we had atom bombs for decades and we only really used them when the world was ending. It could be for show.


    This <em>is </em>the end of the world, Maggie, Sol replied.


    The Maleking will use any weapon needed to win, Shroud said, having already seen him scheme with Mammon. Mur nodded at his words, having personal experience with the archdemon. But I doubt he wants to destroy the Earth. In all likelihood, he wants to im it for himself. To him, Earth is his home as much as it is to the Sponsors.


    And from what he gathered from his brush with Revel, the king of the Arcadians shared the feeling.


    Which does not bode well for Earth either, Mars replied. We want to coexist with mankind, the Maleking wants to paint it red.


    Good, Mur replied, drawing res. Violence will free your cowardly people. The weak will break, the strong will rise to im glory.


    Can we even count on you, Mur? Mars asked, suspicious of the imps previous affiliations.


    Mur shrugged. Mur banished, the imp replied. Mur made a vow. Mur cares not if he fights his old kindred, so long as he can rise to the top.


    <em>- Mur looked on, saddened, as he watched his old masters deration. He had missed his chance to take Graffs spot before the deadline; the Maleking will now ride with them to devastate the world.</em><em> </em><em>More chances to prove his worth. -</em>


    How do we win? Kari spoke up, scowling.


    Earth cannot survive a prolonged conflict, the Administrator said. Nor do we have the manpower to secure its long-term independence from both powers. While we can feasibly, albeit with great difficulty, take back the, we cannot hold it for long. As it is, Earth cannot be free.


    What? Maggie frowned. Then what was the point of it all?


    As it is. Shroud picked up the words. Not as it <em>was</em>.


    Sol understood as well. You can return Earth to its original ce?


    So were just going to run away? Maggie asked, not that enthusiastic about it.


    We cannot decide the end of this conflict by ourselves, and neither should we, Mars replied. The safety of Earth and its continued freedom has always been our main n. We have a n to send it back where it belongs, in the safest areas of space.


    Their n.


    Not Shrouds.


    Freeing Earth was one of his goals, but he refused to live in a universe where Wyrde or Mcoda could run amok unmolested. Concordia also had to be taken down, so they couldnt run State Zero, now or ever again.


    The sorcerer kept that for himself, but Mars eyes told him he guessed his true intentions.


    How can we teleport an entire? Maggie asked the obvious question.


    We have a n, but we cannot reveal it this soon, the Administrator replied. It will be ruined if any detail reaches the ears of Wyrde beforehand.


    You do not trust us, Mur snarled.


    We do, perhaps more than we should, Mars replied, the imp spitting on the ground. Our n matters little if Wyrde seeds in casting her rebooting spell. We also need to secure Earth first and ensure neither Concordia nor the Malebranche can track us down. This means destroying Concordias key infrastructures on our world, from their doomsday moon weapon to their UB grid, and fending off the Maleking. In short, you will have more pressing concerns to deal with.


    What is the situation on Earth? Sol asked. He hadnt kept up with forums as much as the rest of the team did.


    The Administrator activated the Command Centers screens, showing up areas around Earth, from the Grand Canyon to the ash-covered ruins of Russia, to the bustling Arc-City of Neo York.


    yers have secured a strong presence in five key areas: Neo York, Rome, the Amazonian Forest, China, and the Zone in the southwest United States, Mars exined. Other areas are falling under our influence, but these are the ces where can, or will soon be able to challenge imperial authority. Concordia mobilized its army to deal with the Chinese resistance and the yers protecting the zone, and counterintelligence forces in the others.


    The Zone? Sol asked.


    An expanding magical zone originating from the Zion National Park, Shroud exined. One of the yers lucked out and gained a Lock allowing him to control an entire geographic area. After his Lock Upgrade, he gained the ability to expand it. The Zone gives numerous advantages to our allies there, and great penalties to Concordian forces.


    It has reached Grand Canyon and will soon hit Las Vegas, Mars continued. The Grand Canyon is home to sensitive Concordian facilities of an unknown nature, and yers have engaged its defenders to take them over.


    Concordia is gathering forces on Earth to secure it from the Malebranche, and to protect Wyrde, who has taken residence in the White Neurotower in Greend, the Administrator finished, showing pictures of Concordian frigates orbiting Earth. Much to Shrouds displeasure, he noticed ckcinders <em>Vanguard </em>among them. We suspect she needs this Neurotower tounch State Zero, but we yetck the firepower needed to take her on.


    How long until the Malebranche engaged them in the skies? It had been two hours since Mcodas deration of war, and he had been preparing for it for decades as far as Shroud knew. They should expect an attack in the next few days at best.


    Our key priority is to reinforce these yer strongholds in preparation for the Malebranches invasion; with luck they will destroy Concordian facilities without us needing to waste our forces, Mars exined, To do so, we have recalled all Guilds back to Earth, even those doing Quests in space or across the nes. You have already been sent new Quests.


    Shroud nced at his Quest Board, finding the one mission which interested him most.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Quest: Together We Stand</strong>


    <strong>Difficulty</strong>: Dot Three (Hard)


    <strong>Sponsor</strong>: Voice of Knowledge.


    Where Concordia fails in its mighty mission of unity is in understanding its people. The Empire does not understand the need for true teamwork. Instead, it cows people into following orders like the tyrants they are! Show them what true teamwork looks like. Show them what a legion can do! Take out 50 Concordian bio-soldiers as a team utilizing your skills and those of your brothers in arms.<strong>Rewards</strong>: 15 Spellcoins + 1 Bonus Dot Three Spell.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Time to meet Ulysses again.


    So, the tribtion has ended, Sol said, overdoing his role of Moderator. He clearly tried to act like a solemn leader but didnt quite manage to. It is time to return home.


    Home.


    The word sounded strange. To Shroud, it felt like years since they left Earth for the Midnight Market. Things woulde around. Would he see Evermarsh again? He didnt feel all that nostalgic, but he wanted to meet with his old friends, check on them.


    Taiyougami will remain hidden for now, Mars said. As will the other Lairs, until the time is right.


    So we will have the critters ready to stand around and watch do us all the work? Maggie deadpanned.


    Taiyougamis inhabitants will take the field, as they did against ckcinders, Mars promised. But in time.


    Shroud had a pretty good idea of what the Sponsors n entailed, but kept it to himself.


    In any case, the Second War for Earth might be as bloody as the first.


    The Blue Sorcerer left the meeting soon afterward, intending to check on Stitch. Kari quickly caught up to him as he teleported to the forest area. Shroud-san, she said.


    It was the first time she spoke to him outside of a meeting, after learning he beta-tested the ck color. Kari, he replied, unsure what to say next.


    His friend proved just as ufortable as he was, struggling to find her words. Finally, Kari spoke up before Shroud could. Mathias-san, this color destroyed my uncle.


    Your uncle destroyed himself, Shroud corrected, I am well-aware of the risk involved, but


    But if he had been more powerful


    But I would not have been wounded, if you had it, Kari red back at him, You think that.


    Yes, Shroud replied honestly. You almost died back there, and without Stitchs expertise, you would not have made it at all.


    You almost did not make it through half our quests, she pointed out, We do dangerous work.


    And it will be even more so.


    But we arent alone, Kari replied. You taught me that I could rely on others. Dont retreat inside yourself, thinking you alone carry that burden. It never helps.


    I know, Shroud replied, as they reached the Bai Suzhens ind, now transformed into a breeding pen for monsters. They would see use in battle soon enough. Thats why I want to see them again.


    I want to see Sam too, Kari nodded.


    Do you believe what Incubus said on the forums? Shroud asked her. That she joined Concordia.


    I do not know, she admitted. Maybe. Maybe not out of her own choice.


    Aster was dead, his moles released from his power, but other Blue Sorcerers might have picked up the ck. Especially with Melusine involved.


    On the other hand, Ulysses had always pegged Sam as an opportunist, and with time having cooled off his feelings, Shroud was inclined to believe him. He could see her joining the Empire in search for stability after the string of disasters which hit her recently.


    To be honest, Shroud wasnt thinking all that much about Sam.


    He thought about Perse and the Werner family, first and foremost.


    Kari, I am not stopping using ck, he said, But so long as you are here I dont think I will turn out the way your uncle did. Wyrde and my mother became what they are because they thought they were special snowkes, and thus immune to sorcerys secondary effects. So long as I constantly check myself, and that you can pull me back, I think we can make it work.


    And if I cannot pull you back?


    Shroud gave her a knowing nce, and Kari stopped speaking to him again.


    They found Stitch at the ce where he spent all his timetely: the Lifeforge. The scientist examined the device with strange, new organic tools Shroud had never seen him use before.


    Mmm? Stitch raised his head, hearing them approach. Sir?


    You missed another meeting, the sorcerer pointed out. The Green Sorcerers singr obsession had creeped out even Bai Suzhen, who had dropped her pond to meditate in the Northern Area. Truth to be told, it started to worry Shroud as well.


    He hadnt received any worrying feedback from Network, but still...


    I apologize for the inconvenience, but I am on the verge of a breakthrough, the scientist replied, with a hint of dismissiveness. I believe this device records the gic data of the life it drains, then sends the information back to a database of some sort.


    Shroud immediately picked up the implications. You could trace the source collecting this information?


    Mayhaps, Stitch said. At least, I may connect to that database. Imagine it, sir, a recordpiling everything there is to know about life. Knowledge that even the Seeker of Worlds could only dream of.


    What purpose is there in collecting it? Kari asked. Preserving extinct species?


    No. Shroud didnt think the entity behind Dis had any such intention. It gathered the gic data for the same reason it harvested entire worlds.


    To improve itself.


    Stitch, I must warn you that every person who tried to tinker with that technology on their own went mad, and your current obsession worries me, Shroud said.


    Sir, I am always this focused when a subject interests me, and the possibilities-


    I understand, Shroud cut him off, I truly do. I meant that you should not work alone on this. My Network might help uncover some of that technologys secrets, and protect you from its harmful effects.


    Your assistance is wee, Sir, the doctor replied, But I cannot, in good conscience, dy my researches waiting for you. This database may contain the secret of life evesting, of a world without death. Imagine it.


    Shroud remembers catching sight of Stitch talking to himself, back when he had fallen under Asters control. The seed of doubt wormed in his mind, and the Blue Sorcerer realized the problem might be worse than expected.


    He would have to take actions.


    As the teleportation spell ended, Shroud looked up to Earths sun dawning on the red cliffs of the Grand Canyon national park. The smokeing up from some of Concordias instations in the horizon did little to negate his joy at the sight.


    He never knew he would miss his home so much.


    Finally! Maggie shared the feeling, stretching her arms under the natural light. Non-artificial fresh air! I hated that space station!


    Yeah, thats called nowhere, space, a deadpan voice spoke up.


    Shroud and the Dragonyers turned to face the weingmittee, a group of teens, armed adults, and soldiers in power armor wielding the American g proudly painted on their chest. A familiar face led them.


    Wee back, Matt, Ulysses crossed his arms at the sight of his old friend, but couldnt suppress a smirk.


    Good to be back home. <strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild ck Beta Tester</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>0</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Ruin Mode</td><td>1</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Winterfold</td><td>2</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Recursion</td><td>3</td><td>ck</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>21</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Spacesh</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Tulpa</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>29</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timeloop</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Carbonskin</td><td>3</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>18</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>32</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>51</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Forcefield</td><td>3</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Seapurge</strong>


    <strong>Dot</strong>: 2


    <strong>Components</strong>: Purge + Seamancer


    <strong>Activation</strong>: Active, Direct Touch Vector, Thought.


    You purge anything you touch from its water, drying it out like a husk; the process can be lethal against living beings, although the bigger the target, the longer it will take to dry it out.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 68: The Arizona Zone

    Chapter 68: The Arizona Zone


    Mathias had only visited the Grand Canyon once, before the Conquest.


    A dream of Dad had always been to do a road trip across the United States, through Route 66. While uninterested, his mother had eventually agreed to the idea under the condition that she could work from afar; she had ended up spending half the car trips programming stuff instead of sightseeing.


    Unlike Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon hadnt left Mathias with much of an impression, to the point he could scarcely remember how it looked years afterward.


    The current Grand Canyon was very different from what it was ten years ago. After the Conquest, Concordia had taken over the area, apparently for research purposes. They had builtbs and military instations there, including one of the Weather Control machines they used to alter the global climate. Many yers on the forums had doubted this was the entire story, and the unusual imperial resistance had convinced them.


    New, imported alien vegetation had started to grow in the area; purple and red flowers the size of cars grew from the stone, releasing strange pollen into the winds; vines whose size rivaled those of bridge steel cables infested the cliffs. Shroud even noticed winged, insectoid beasts making their nest in isted areas, watching yers with curiosity.


    If they ever kicked Concordia off Earth, Shroud figured that it still wouldnt return to the way it was. The ecosystem would remain radically changed, as would the weather. The technology the Empire imported would remain after them.


    The group eventually arrived at the yers home-base, arge camp under a crimson cliff. Hundreds, maybe thousands of people had set up tents in the area, while sorcerers had created stone fortifications to protect the entrance. The sorcerer sensed the magical protections around him, probably variants of the Ward spell; he felt an invisible pressure surrounding him, someones gaze on him.


    Shroud was surprised by what he saw. First of all, the camp was muchrger than what he had expected; no way everyone there was a yer. Roughly a third of the people present werent humans, but hobs, bullmen, or rare other species he didnt recognize. Shroud guessed some of the more impressive specimens, such as the greenish, snake-haired gorgons, were creatures summoned by the Call spell.


    Everyone was armed with earthling or alien weaponry, and they even had a primitive garage where a yer cast Orange spells to enhance guns. They had even had three pre-Conquest helicopters, customized with more advanced weaponry.


    How many of there are you? Shroud asked the leader of the initiative, the former SEAL Washington. The man wore a heavy, bulky power-armor, seemingly made of scavenged Gearsmen parts.


    Here, or in the entire Zone? I would say between ten and fifteen thousand in the entire Zone, with two thousand gathered here. Of these two thousand, eighty-seven of them are yers from seven guilds, without including yours or the person powering the Zone. The rest are NPCs, as we call them. Our summoners can bolster that number by eight hundred as needed.


    Which made ny-three yers deployed on this front. Considering Magik currently had less than two thousand of them worldwide, that was a <em>huge </em>concentration, the second behind Neo York.


    Since a single sorcerer was worth more than a battalion, and that their abilities meshed well in groups, maybe they had a chance to take the area.


    What about the non-sorcerers? Solomon asked, noticing quite a few people wearing simr armor as Washingtons. Shroud noticed many of them nced at him as the group walked through the camp; it appeared he had a reputation here on Earth. Even if armed, they are no match for Gearsmen without support.


    Thats what I wanted to talk about in private, Washington replied, stopping before a tentrger than the rest. Sol, Shroud, you cane inside. The rest of you, make yourself at home.


    Shroud nced at Ulysses. Well talkter, his best friend said. Saving our hideses first. The sorcerer nodded and walked into the tent, noticing Ulysses leading the other Dragonyers around, much to Maggies difort.


    The war tent reminded Shroud of movie depictions of the White Houses situation room, to the point he wondered if Washington had emted it on purpose. The tent weed screen devices monitoring areas of the Grand Canyon and even had an emergency radio. At the center, a Native American woman waited for them, sitting around a table covered with maps. She must have been Atnta, Ulysses Moderator.


    I am Solomon Niche, and this is Shroud, Sol introduced himself to the woman by warmly shaking her hand and saying his true name, having nothing to hide.


    Hi, Im Atnta, the woman replied with a smile, before focusing on Shroud, the yers sitting next to her. Youre Odysseus friend? He talked a lot about you.


    In a good way, I hope, Shroud deadpanned, removing his helmet and allowing himself to breathe. He somehow felt vulnerable without it on, as if he had lost the skin over his face.


    Sometimes, Atnta smiled back, although she seemed reserved. You two have aplicated history. He didnt give me all the details, but what happened at Evermarsh still has consequences to this day.


    I gotta say, you killing that dragon? That inspired many. Washington praised him. I always thought a good dragon was a dead one.


    While Shroud kept hisposure, Sol visibly flinched. We found out that not all dragons support Concordia, the priest pointed out, wary of what Washingtons thinking may lead.


    Does it really matter? Washington replied contemptuously.If they dont fight against their government, then theyre still supporting it by inaction.


    You could say the same for most of our species, Atnta pointed out.


    Im just saying, you got to pick a side, Washington replied, before brushing it off. Anyway, pal, maybe the Administrator that kickstarted the revolution, but youre the one who made it sound credible.


    That was what Shroud had intended when he fought Smokefang, and the number of people who took up arms did warm his heart. The more victories they imed, the more momentum they could build.


    Atnta pointed at a map representing the Grand Canyon. This, she pointed at two spots in close proximity, is the main Concordian facility, and this is our camp.


    Is it wise to make camp so close to them? Sol asked.


    We have protective spells and Locks, and the Zone warns us ahead of time when they try to hit us with orbitalsers. In fact, the closer we are to their main base, the safer we are. I dont know what they keep in that facility, but they are in no hurry to bomb it.


    They have been using chemical and incendiary weapons on the area ever since they noticed the Zones effects, Washington exined. Our scouts say they have seen more Gearsmene out than in.


    Either they have teleporters, or this is a weapon factory, Shroud guessed. He had seen the information yers shared on the Gearsmen and the source of their organic matter.


    Yeah, Washington nodded. If we can take that ce, we eliminate the biggest local Concordian army, and this frees our forces to take Las Vegas next.


    We have two advantages, Atnta said. Our Locks, and Hacks. Especially your Mad World. Concordia hasnt yet managed to negate that spell. They elerate the speed of their Gearsmens reboots, but cannot prevent them.


    So in response, they have begun to field armored, flesh and blood soldiers and sorcerers, Washington exined. Without including the Gearsmen, they have roughly four times our numbers protecting the main facility.


    Not good.


    Thankfully, we noticed a weakness to exploit, Washington said. Namely, reliance on a single color. Unlike our multicolored Guilds, Concordia fields sorcerers in battalions sharing the same color. They got specialized firepower, weve got versatility.


    What colors? Sol asked.


    Were facing groups of Red, White, and Yellow. The first as artillery, the second as support, the third is trying to exorcise the Zone. The Reds pack a punch, but the Whites disrupt our yers more. Well target thetter first.


    You scavenged some of Concordias technology, Shroud noted. Can it help?


    We have, and the Guild in Neo York smuggled us tech from other worlds, Washington confirmed. But it pales inparison to what the Empire can field. Most still have pre-Conquest weapons we recovered from hidden army depots. We enhanced them with spells like Reinforce, enough that it can hurt Gearsmen, but they arentsers.


    Your Network can be the decisive factor, Atnta said. Granting a spell to every able-bodied fighter can make or break the attack.


    The Administrator informed me that I have a limited amount of allocated Flux per color to draw upon, Shroud replied. Hence why he had a hard limit on the number of Doppelgangers he could deploy. I can roughly allow ny-nine spells of each color, ck exempted. My Lock simply does not recognize them.


    A few heads perked up as he mentioned the color, Washington pouncing on the opportunity. About ck, anything that can help our group effort?


    My ck Spells are optimized for directbat, not for tactics or strategy, Shroud replied. One spell, Ruin Mode, does increase my other capabilities, but also starts affecting my Lock negatively.


    How negatively? Washington prodded as if trying to gauge whether they would make up for the power boost.


    I stopped the experiment before I could fully examine the consequences, Shroud admitted. As it may endanger everyone I Networked. And as I said, much like Hack, I cannot grant them to other people.


    Which useful spells can you allocate? Atnta asked.


    Ny-nine Premium Thoughts or Doppelgangers, ny-nine el, and either ny-nine Powersurge or Heal. My other spells are Hacks, and Ick the Spellcoins to purchase more. Finally, my Doppelgangers carry all the enhancements of the original. If you have Powersurge and Premium Thoughts on, your clones will stay super-strong and smart; magical equipment is not duplicated, however.


    We also created a stockpile of magical pills and grenades by encoding spells, Sol said. We can distribute the arsenal.


    Our Green Sorcerer also experimented with breeding and enhancing monsters, Shroud pointed out. So we can bolster the army significantly.


    Washington considered the resources at his disposal, before assigning tasks. For our Sorcerers, Shroud, you should give Doppelganger to directbat specialists so we can increase our number of heavy hitters, and el to everyone else. Twenty-five NPCs get Heal to act as emergency medics, the rest get Powersurge. Doppelganger is more valuable than Premium Thoughts to distribute since its kind of a spell tax already.


    I would like to keep a certain number of Doppelgangers for myself, Shroud said. They help me control the battlefield, and they distract attackers trying to target me personally.


    Yeah, your Lock is too precious to risk you in directbat, Washington said. You will stay in the camp and you coordinate us from afar.


    Shroud shrugged. Once he would have jumped on the opportunity to get his hands dirty, and he had the feeling he might should things turn ugly, but he hade to ept his powers served better to support groups. The more people I Network, the better they coordinate, he said.Even if I do not grant them spells.


    Youre pretty overpowered, arent you? Washington said. d youre on our side.


    When are you nning to attack?


    Tomorrow evening, when the Zones influence will reach the facility. That will give us an edge.


    Shroud better Network everyone beforehand then.


    As he said he would, Shroud spent the day touching people and assigning spells as per Washingtons strategy. He probably hadnt Networked everyone in the camp, but he might as well have.


    As night fell, the sorcerer found himself with more Network feeds than he ever had before. He couldnt keep track of all of them even with Premium Thoughts, although he remembered everyone whom he assigned spells to.


    With the attack nned for tomorrow, and mentally weary, Shroud flew around the camp looking for his friends. The fighters were dining around campfires, and he found Ulysses and Maggie among one.


    --Thats ridiculous, he heard Maggie tell Ulysses, as hended next to them. If modern people cant stop a zombie invasion, how can a Roman Legion win?


    Superior tactics, and trenches, Ulysses replied. And fire. Lots of fire.


    Somehow, this conversation sounded familiar. Do the legions have prep-time? the Blue Sorcerer asked. Mind if I join the debate?


    Of course not, Matt, my friend, Ulysses said, cooking marshmallows around the fire while Maggie rested on her back, rolling her eyes. The Romans get two hours of prep-time. Caesar is themander.


    Then the Roman legions win, Shroud replied. Superior tactics like choke points will prevail over overwhelming numbers if they arent taken by surprise.


    Pff, nerds, Maggie snorted.


    However, Shroud trailed off before Ulysses could gloat, If the zombies have been raised by a necromancer, then I must assume they will show coordination that offset the Roman technological and tactical advantage.


    Zombie hordes arent raised by necromancers, Ulysses replied.Theyre a virus.


    The undead I met would beg to differ, Shroud replied.


    Yeah, we got one in the team, Maggie said. Hes not right in the head, but hes smart.


    Undead or undeads? Ulysses asked. I can never tell.


    And there is a Yellow spell allowing us to raise an army of the dead, Shroud pointed out,pletely ignoring Ulysses question.


    Now youre just nitpicking, Ulysses replied, offering marshmallows to his friends; Maggie declined, while Shroud happily epted. I missed these conversations though.


    Yeah, its been too long, Shroud sat with them. How long has it been since west camped together?


    I think it wasst year when Mom took us to the des, Ulysses replied. I cant believe we were crushing the resistance on an MMORPG back then. How far we have gone since.


    What can I say, <em>Divinity</em> made interster empires much cooler than our own. That faction had the best costume.


    Good lord, its like youre drawing the inner nerdness of the other in a feedback loop, Maggie said, although she had a smirk at the edge of her lip.


    Says the girl who yed the worst FPS in her spare time. Maggie red at Ulysses. Oh? That was an educated guess, but itnded right!


    Shut up, it was shooting training, Maggie pouted, crossing her arms. Why did we date again?


    Cause youre an edgelord and you thought I was one too.


    Nah, I think I just had terrible tastes.


    You said it, not me.


    Amused, Shroud watched them bicker while eating his marshmallow. He found joy that in spite of everything that happened, they could fall back into their old habits; it was as if they never had an interruption.


    He thought back on his reasons for rebelling against Concordia. Once, it had been for revenge, for both his mother and Earth. Now


    Now the more Shroud thought about it, the more he realized he fought for these moments. The brief instants when he wouldnt have to fear death, or arrest, or watch over his back for an attack. He fought for better days he hadnt experienced since the Conquest.


    There was still a lot of work to be done, but they could-<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Warning</strong>: Abnormal code change detected.


    Lock upgrade ongoing (2/7)...</td></tr></tbody></table> Shroud frowned, sending a message to the Administrator at once.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    SHROUD: Whats happening? I didnt fulfill a side-quest, and yet I received a Lock upgrade notification.


    ADMINISTRATOR: I did nothing. Let me check Have you edited the source code?</td></tr></tbody></table>


    He didnt, and couldnt. The Sponsors didnt trust him with anything that sensitive. It may have been ck Sorcerys influence, but he hadnt used it since the Midnight Market. No, the timing didnt fit.


    The fact that it happened right after heworked so many people at once though it couldnt be a coincidence.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    ADMINISTRATOR: It isnt a hacking attempt by Melusine, but just as worrying. Shroud, your Lock is evolving on its own without my input. It is editing your profiles code by itself.


    SHROUD: Like when it created the Save feature?


    ADMINISTRATOR: Yes, but this time it didnt make use of a Dis artifact, which confuses me. Either your Lock is undergoing its Overlock stage ahead of time, or something else is afoot. In any case, your massworking kickstarted a process of some kind.


    SHROUD: Can you block it? It could be a hidden program left behind by Manus or Melusine, with all the dangers it entails.


    ADMINISTRATOR: True. I will reject the edits at once.</td></tr></tbody></table> Shroud instantly received another message. <table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Warning</strong>: Iron God Protocol interrupted by: <strong>Administrator</strong>.


    Registering request.


    Request rejected.


    Administrator blocking attempt overruled by: <strong>Lazarus</strong>.


    Iron God Protocol uninterrupted. </td></tr></tbody></table><em></em>


    <em></em>


    <strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Dragonyers Guild ck Beta Tester</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(2/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>0</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Ruin Mode</td><td>1</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Winterfold</td><td>2</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Recursion</td><td>3</td><td>ck</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>21</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Spacesh</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Tulpa</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>29</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timeloop</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Carbonskin</td><td>3</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>18</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>32</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>51</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Forcefield</td><td>3</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Barrier</strong>


    Affinity: White


    Dot: 3


    Price: 9-15


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    Create a powerful flux armor around the users body, resisting both impacts and lower Dot spells targetting the user. The Barrier has a finite reservoir of power and will vanish after sufficient damage is applied. Pierce effect will always bypass the barrier.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 69: The Flames of War

    Chapter 69: The mes of War


    Furiously typing on his portableputer with his left hand while finishing his seventh cup of coffee with the right, Shroud found himself increasingly frustrated.


    Magik Onlines code, as expected, was the most advanced digital construct ever designed; aplex array of ternary code, colors, and symbols tooplex for a non-magically boosted mind to grasp. Even working on the few selected parts the Sponsors had granted him ess to had proven difficult.


    Now, faced with a new danger that could threaten the entire system, the Administrator had allowed Shroud to observe the full code; and what he saw worried him.


    His own ount, no, <em>Network</em>, was hacking Magik Online; creating new links between his ount and the wider system, while inserting new code into other yer profiles his Lack acted like aputer virus, right on the eve of a major battle.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    SHROUD: this is getting too far. You have to suspend my ount.


    <strong></strong>


    ADMINISTRATOR: I tried. I can no longer even restrict it. It has even overwritten my demands.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Shroud frowned. If his Lock was overwhelming even the Administrator, then there was almost nothing to be done. The sorcerer himself had tried to stop his Lock by focusing on the mental pathways, but came up short.


    Network had gone into some kind of auto-pilot, following an instinct that not even its wielder could steer.


    <table><tbody><tr><td>


    SHROUD: my lock is alive, and hacking you.<strong></strong>


    ADMINISTRATOR: yes.


    SHROUD: do the sponsors know?


    ADMINISTRATOR: I did not inform them you were the cause yet. I fear they may choose to take drastic measures to solve the problem.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    A polite way to say that they may execute Shroud himself to stop the spread of his Lock. At that point, he would even agree. The risk of losing the one weapon mankind had in the great war was too great not to make a sacrifice.


    Of course, Shroud was in no hurry to die. He had to find a solution.


    The sorcerer almost didnt notice Kari walking up to him. Shroud, she said, The battle is starting soon.


    I know, he replied, still typing on theputer and trying to correct whatever was happening.


    You havent slept the whole night.


    I <em>know</em>, he repeated, frustrated. The thought that his Lock may jeopardize everyone involved in the attack weighted on him. I know!


    Kari looked at him in worry, then at theputer. Can I help? she asked, before biting her lower lip, Can any of us help?


    Something in her voice made him feel guilty. No, he sighed, I dont think I can even help with it myself.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    SHROUD: who is even this Lazarus?<strong></strong>


    ADMINISTRATOR: I can guess. My Lock, and by extension yours and Magik Online itself, still depend on therger Dis system to function. Ergo, its administrator could in theory overrule me on Lock rted matters.


    SHROUD: You think this Lazarus is the creator of Dis?


    ADMINISTRATOR: possible. The entity behind sorcery itself. The other possibility is that Magik Online was hacked, but since even Melusine failed, I think it unlikely.


    SHROUD: why leave a name though? As a clue?


    ADMINISTRATOR: perhaps. I do not understand why it allows this protocol to go through. So far it hasnt cancelled the other ounts, nor interfered with their Lock and Spellcasting.


    SHROUD: so what, we let it run its course?


    ADMINISTRATOR: for now the only possible solution I see, would be to kill you. However, thest time your Network acted on its own, it allowed you to ess the Save Feature. Some good maye out of this turn of events.


    SHROUD: what if it takes over your systems?</td></tr></tbody></table>


    The Administrator didnt answer back. It didnt need to.


    Shroud? Mathias-san? Are you listening?


    I Shroud blinked. The stress of handling so many things at once, even with Premium Thoughts, weighted on him. No, I Im just frustrated.


    What was it all about? He had already heard of the term Iron God Protocol once; as one of the saves locked away in the ult Matrix. By deduction, it probably meant the scenario where Manus finished his artificial Lock without Concordia interrupting its ascension.


    Would that mean that Manus would return if the program finished running its course?


    You can Kari struggled to find her words. We can talk. If you need to.


    She had learned the lesson about opening to others well. Shroud prepared to brush her off, before reminding himself what happened to thest family member who tried to deny the elephant in the room.


    My Lock is acting up, he confessed, Running out of control.


    Karis head perked up. ck?


    Im not sure, but I dont think so, Shroud said, closing theputer. If anything, ck would probably interfere with this protocol, as it caused his ount to go down once. I think its an old program which slumbered within my Lock for a while, and which I woke up when Iworked everyone in the camp. I dont know what will happen next.


    Magik Online itself having been created by using his Lock as a temte, it was inevitable one would affect the other.


    It could be good, Kari said, Your power increasing.


    Or it could cause me to escte, Shroud replied, The point being, Im not sure. The future is shrouded in darkness.


    That is life, his friend replied, Only the past is set in stone.


    Shroud wasnt so sure about that, but he guessed he had to take somefort in the unknown. The future being in flux meant it could turn out okay for Earth, as much as for Concordia.


    Maybe that was the essence of ck. Shrouding time in darkness, so nothing could be predicted anymore.


    Shouldnt you be on the front lines? he asked her. The camp was almost deserted, except for the yers with support-oriented Locks, Blue Sorcerers, and summoners. The rest had moved to encircle the Concordian facility.


    I am staying with you, she insisted, For your security.


    Sword and sorcery.


    While he may love Sol the most among the Dragonyers, Kari was the one he had grown to rely on the most over their adventures. How far they had gone since the first days of their association.


    Shroud opened the feeds of Network, watching the Grand Canyon through a thousand eyes at once. He couldnt keep track of all of hisworked at once, even with his enhancements, so he focused on his teammates, Ulysses team, and the variousmanders.


    The army had surrounded Concordias base, a massive, heart-like structure of pulsating ck metal, covered with advanced artillery and turrets; the building bordered an open mine dug into the canyon itself. Thousands of Gearsmen surrounded it in a defensive perimeter, backed by other, more dangerous warriors.


    It wasnt the first time Shroud saw dragon troopers, or bio-soldiers, but these ones looked more advanced than those he watched on holo-tv. These warriors were d in a skintight metallic armor of various colors, from red, to yellow, covering their entire body. While the armors design was adapted for the wearers species, from humanoids to bullmen, most of them carried the same arsenal: a cannon on the left arm, aser sword on the right, and turrets mounted on the shoulders. These were Bishops, soldiers specialized in mobility.


    There were a rarer few with different suits; warriors wearing carbon copies of Sols old Knight armor, and towering, five meters-tall behemoth buried under heavy shielding and mounted artillery. Knights, and Rooks.


    Concordia had these soldiers fused to their armor after a rigorous training, stamping out every trace of free-will to leave only a killing machine behind. If Shroud used Sols performance as a benchmark, they would prove a much greater danger than the Gearsmen, Mad World Hack or not.


    It didnt help that some, if not most of them, were sorcerers.


    Shroud immediately noticed something strange about the enemy formation, with most of the troopers having gathered around the open mine, instead of the facility itself. Was it a ploy to distract attackers from the building? Or were they digging something worth protecting over the rest of their instations?


    Enemys elite is focused around the archeological digs, Shroud told Washington and the other moderators, Sol among them. His friend was positioned under an invisibly, soundless veil with Maggie, Stitch and Mur. They may be protecting an artifact of some kind.


    Then we separate into two forces, with our best engaging their soldiers, and the rest blowing up that facility, Washington said, looking at a watch, Eight minutes before the Zone expands again.


    Eight minute before assault.


    Shroud observed joined both his hands, tension rising. Eight minutes before the first true opening move in the War for Earth. Eight minutes for the firstrge scale battle involving yers. Eight minutes before


    A thunder-like sound boomed above Grand Canyon, and the skies were torn asunder.


    Countless eyes, Shrouds own included, looked up, as a purple rift in the very fabric of space widened above their heads. An artificial gate opened over Grand Canyon, revealing the darkness of space behind, the very atmosphere sucked into it.


    A lean, purple, flying-wing like warship crossed the rift, aiming for the Concordian facility. Shroud immediately recognized it as an Arcadian raiding ship, with the Malekings frozen heart symbol painted on it.


    The <em>Malebranche</em>.


    The ship immediately opened hostilities by unleashing a rain of missiles over the area, targeting both the Concordian soldiers and the hidden yer forces. The Concordian facilitys defenses activated in response, itssers shooting at both the ship and its projectiles, but didnt stop all of them. Sol raised a forcefield to protect the Dragonyers.


    Shrouds encampment was far away and thus spared, but the sorcerer felt the ground tremble after impact. Most fighters, warned by Networks synergy, immediately took cover, or avoided the worst of the initial attack.


    But others werent so lucky. One of the missiles hit one of the hidden yers, with Shroud watching his screen go dark before the victim knew what hit him.


    Shroud immediately received a few notifications on his Magik Online ount; reports of other yers around the globe of rifts opening in the skies, and warships crossing them.


    One of them, however, stood out from the rest, for it was followed with a brief, orange sh.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    FalconKing ount destroyed.<strong></strong>


    Power Fist function returned to Magik System for future assignment.


    21 Spellcoins waiting for distribution.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Shroud didnt have much time to ponder it out, as Gearsmen took flight to intercept the ship, theirsers damaging its shielding.


    Like a bird leaving out an egg, the ships back opened and vomited a horde of horrors. Winged fiends carrying bestial humanoids simr to Lugh, undead monstrosities, and fearsome monstersnded on the canyon, immediately engaging the Concordian soldiers. Arcadian raiders noticed the humans nearby, and charged at them with gleeful enthusiasm.


    Engage! Washington ordered, the first yers casting deadly spells at the iing fiends. All of them!


    As he let out these words, the eight minute mark passed, and the Zone expanded.


    Almost immediately, immense roots sprung from the ground like tentacles, overwhelming the Concordian facility and Malebranche beasts both, while shielding the human soldiers fromsers.


    Within seconds, the battlefield became a chaotic, aimless whirlwind of spells and projectiles.


    While Kari assumed her golden form, ready to defend him from a sneak attack, Shroud began to bark orders and directions. Sol, Atnta, target the ship! The Malebranche warship, damaged by the Concordians defenses, made a circle in the sky in preparation for a new bombing run. Worse, the spatial breach remained open. Stitch, Mur, Maggie, engage the soldiers on the ground!


    The Dragonyers, having been shielded by Sol, moved into the fray. Mur opened the hostilities by smashing the head of an arcadian raider with his hammer, while other yers followed Washingtons initial strategy.


    MAD WORLD!


    Cast by five sorcerers, and the sound magnified and redirected by Soundwave to exclusively target the Concordian forces, the Hack spread like wildfire. Most Gearsmen immediately short circuited and shut down at once, with the troopers moving away from the mine to pick up the ck.


    The Concordian facility trembled, its walls opening like a twisted cocoon. An immense, streamlined Gearsman the size of the statue of Liberty stood out, its steps causing small quakes.


    A Gearsman Colossus.


    One of the iron titans which destroyed Earth armies during the Conquest, and kept in storage for the second round.


    The immense machine, upon standing still, towered over the Canyon, ignoring the giant vines attempting to restrain it. It turned to the Malebranche ship, its crimson eye firing a massive beam of Red Flux to take it down, vaporizing everything in the way while at it. The warship dodged the attack, firing missiles at the titan.


    On the ground, Concordian forces engaged humans and fiends alike, casting spells of their own. One crimson soldier began to move at supersonic speed, ripping the closest yer in half while dodging bullets.


    Shrouds eyes widened. He received another colored flesh, and then a message.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    BlissfulNeed ount destroyed.<strong></strong>


    Greensight returned to Magik System for future assignment.


    7 Spellcoins waiting for distribution.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    More of these notifications came up, although thankfully few. Their strategy, enhancements, and the synergy caused by Network allowed the yers to avoid death;ser shots missed, spells hit enemy soldiers just as they almost beheaded an ally


    Shroud immediately worked to reassign the spells granted to the fallen to other soldiers which needed them more, only to pause upon noticing a new line below the Grant Spell feature.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Assign Lock?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Ah! Shroud blinked, as he recognized that loathed, hateful voice through one of Networks feeds. Good to be home!


    Shroud froze, as he saw a fiery monstering straight from the farthest depths of hell step into the battlefield, sowing death as he moved.


    Good evening, America! Jack Powellsughed, sting NPCs with his unholy mes, the flesh melting from their bones as they screamed, Jacks back in town!


    What was he doing there?!


    It couldnt be a coincidence that Jack showed up at the same ce which his sister and Mathias attacked. The probability were too low for this meeting not to be preordained.


    The Maleking had moles among the yers.


    Finally Maggie whispered to herself, upon catching sight of her murderous siblings rampage, her hands trembling as she held her guns, Payback time.


    Sharpshoot, stop! Shroud shouted through Network, This is a trap!


    Toote.


    Maggie had already left to engage her brother.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Magik Administrator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(3/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins to Assign</strong></td><td>51</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Locks Stored</strong></td><td>4</td><td><strong>Assign?</strong></td><td><strong>Consume?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Ruin Mode</td><td>1</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Winterfold</td><td>2</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Recursion</td><td>3</td><td>ck</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>21</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Spacesh</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Tulpa</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>29</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timeloop</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Carbonskin</td><td>3</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>18</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>17</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Adaptator</td><td>3</td><td>Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>51</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Forcefield</td><td>3</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Adaptator</strong>


    <strong>Affinity</strong>: Green


    <strong>Dot</strong>: 3


    <strong>Price</strong>: 9-15


    <strong>Activation</strong>: Passive, App Switch.


    The casters body automatically adapts to almost any natural environment, such as harsh temperatures, alien oxygen, or even the void of space. They can even adapt to the environment of other nes of existence, but do not adapt to supernatural hazards such as Pandorias corrupted atmosphere.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 70: DLC: Candlemaker Jack

    Chapter 70: DLC: Candlemaker Jack<ul><li><em>Spellbind Prison; Electon, Concordian Systems, January 3rd</em></li></ul>


    Fire and mes.


    They upied his dreams, the one ce where he could still think for himself. mes which burned stronger than the brightest star, a fire that consumed flesh and stone and steel alike. The heart of a furnace turning souls to ashes, power incarnate with ionized breathe. He imagined himself as the fire itself, consuming Earth, Concordia, all life everywhere; harnessing their souls and life to increase his heat, until he had consumed everything, leaving only a quiet, silent world. A dead universe where he alone would shine in the dark; where he would have peace atst.


    Candlemaker Jack wanted to be a star dearly. That was his one, sincerest wish. A simple desire; to be power absolute, with none to infringe on his freedom to do as he pleased.


    Like now.


    You answered the same during ourst session, the voiceing from the camera above him reproached. He had never seen the Blue Sorcerer behind ithe only knew its codename, Friend, and its role. For all Jack knew, it could be more than one person, switching ces while hiding behind a digitized voice.


    Cant change who I am, Jack replied, with gleeful pride, sitting in a corner with his back against the metal wall of the cell. He disdained the one furniture granted to him, a bed, since he never slept. You dont doubt or fear when youre self-aware.


    And who are you? Nothing?


    Im me.


    Nothing. The voice sounded vaguely amused, smug. It reminded Jack of Matts, arrogant and judgmental. Blues were all the same, proud to the bone. A beast trapped in a cage.


    But a beast still, Jack thought, red at the tiny mousehole keeping him trapped. A room of metal walls without privacy, which drained his Flux; of the raw universal energies which he needed to be fire itself. It all sent it to the Neurotower, which they then harnessed back.


    The infernoid felt like he was asphyxiating in those frail, weak human bones of his. Every second spent in this old skin was torture. He had torn away his humanity like a snake with his skin, allowing his true self to emerge only for the Concordian to send him back into his old husk.


    He had only two doors out. The forcefield keeping his room separated from a corridor full of them, and watched over by Gearsmen and the asional armored soldier; and a reinforced ss window towards the deste, lightning-stricken wastnd outside. An endless, electric storm covered the of Electon, and wiped out all life on it eons ago.


    So the Concordians decided to make it a prison, for the one kind of creature that they feared and loved in equal measure: sorcerers.


    Jack Powells


    Candlemaker Jack, Jack snarled. He had burned his father, and had he had more luck, he would have done the same to his sister. Family tied him down, kept him away from achieving freedom. Only by cutting all ties, by bing alone, could absolute power be gained. So his benefactor spoke.


    Jack Powells, the voice insisted. You have been transferred here for months, yet you show no progress in rehabilitating. Your denial of the standard curing procedures is ashaming.


    You mean you couldnt brainwash me into one of your dogs? Jackughed, ncing through the forcefield to look at the cell in front of his; a monstrous, crab-like beast had been held there long before he did, its mind too alien for Concordian to rewire.


    That was what this wing of the prison was for: the desperate, dangerous cases. The monsters who couldnt be brainwashed nor reformed. The horrors, the mad, and the misfits. Monsters that the scalies could only use as living power batteries, and not even that safely.


    Anyone can be made into a good citizen with enough time, Jack.


    That was what their Aster said. Where did that lead him?


    Ah, yes, getting smoked by Matt.


    I dont want to be a citizen of anything, Jack replied. If it were for me, there wouldnt be any society to be a citizen of. Everyone is better off alone on their own.


    You follow the Maleking, the voice replied. You can still feel loyalty to a higher authority. Why the fiend, and not our Grandmaster?


    I think youre mistaking sharing goals with loyalty.


    Yet where did that led you? To defeat at the hands of a rebel, and a cell.


    The sorcerer bristled at the mention of his defeat, which may have been the objective. They loved to needle him about it, to try to direct his wrath toward their enemies.


    But he had an answer, which annoyed them just as much.


    It led me to God.


    You mentioned this in your previous interviews. That you had a divine revtion when you awakened as a sorcerer. Do you mean the Monotheistic God followed by your firman religions? Tell me, Jack.


    Jack snickered. They couldnt understand. They couldnt ept the cruel truth of this world, which he glimpsed when the fiend ignited the fire of his soul. No. The Iron God above this one. The one true God, the One Above All. He isnt the merciful kind priests preached to me, oh no. Hes the apex predator of the universe. Were all food and toys to him.


    He? Masculine?


    Sounded like a guy when he spoke to me.


    Do you identify the divine as masculine? Is that what you cannot recognize the Grandmaster as a worthy authority figure?


    You think this is what it is all about? Jackughed. Dont care. I dont care. God sounded like a guy when he spoke to me, nothing else.


    What did this God say to you?


    He told me my purpose, no, the purpose of everyone. To be toys or food. Only the special few can be more.


    Like you? the voice sounded amused.


    Like me, Jack replied. I can be like him. Thats what my Lock is for. <em>Ascension</em>.


    Like Matts.


    Youre all fuel for the fire, you know, Friend? Jack taunted the official. Your souls, your memories, your everything. Theyre just fuel for the fire of my soul, so I can ignite it and be a star. The core of a new universe.


    Jack, Red Sorcerers which escte often try to associate themselves with elemental forces; perhaps subconsciously, they want to transcend their flesh to be the living energy they serve as a conduit for. Your delusions about this God are nothing but the influence of your sorcery on your mind. That your psychosis remains ingrained in your mind after we removed your powers tells more about your insufficiencies as a person than anything else.


    Jokes on you, Jack replied. Youre in a prison just as much as I am, but you cant see the walls. Death is no release, pal. Even if you escape Dis, you will never escape Dis. Theres only one way out.


    Which is?


    The same way you defeat your fear, Jack replied. You be fear itself. Cant beat them, join them. Thats my purpose. To be fear. To be God.


    So, in this raving psychosis of yours, God offered you to make you his equal?


    Sort of, Jack replied. Ive got to kill the other heirs first. Especially his favorite. Its all part of the game, see which one is worthy.


    The other heirs?


    There can only be one, Jack replied with bloodlust. There <em>will </em>only be <em>one</em>.


    It would be him. Even if he had to ughter his way across the cosmos to get Matt and the others, extinguishing one life at a time, in the end, he would be alone. Alone, without his sister, without his father, without these scalies, humans, these others forcing him to bend to their expectations, because he would have burned everything where to fit in.


    Alone, in a quiet, ashen world.


    My sweet Jack.


    Candlemaker Jack made no outward sign he had heard the dark voice of his benefactor, as the shadow of themb appeared at the edge of his vision. He had invited Hell in his soul, and not even Concordia could keep it out.


    It is time.


    Finally.


    He would fulfill his role, and pay back hisst debt.


    Jack remembered as he got back on his feet. How he ended up there; how Matt beat him. How the Maleking encouraged him to do as he wished and take a shot at his rival for the throne, yet nned for his failure still.


    The Maleking didnt stake everything on one oue. He was too smart for that. His ns were small-scaled, but every oue benefitted him in some way.


    Like getting an infernoid in a prison popted by monsters hostile to Concordia.


    Jack closed his eyes, focusing on the well of power connecting him to the great infrastructure of Dis. To his Lock, Crimson Echoes, the furnace of the iron world; the great star which pulled souls and lives in its orbit, so it makes fuel out of them.


    That was the truth of the Locks. Each were gears in the great machine, redundant systems and pawns of the system. They each served a purpose, from drawing in the knowledge of consumed souls to creating life whose death would fulfill the One Above Alls hunger.


    They had stolen the fuel of his soul, but the systems hold on him ran deeper. Much deeper. His soul was one with something bigger than himself, granted a mission, and privileges.


    He could see the currents of energy which flowed through Dis, the Flux harnessed by Neurotowers and then distributed back. Through his Lock, Jacks sight expanded, until he observed the tower linked to his wing of the prison.


    He sent a demand for a shutdown, and the One Above All agreed.


    In one instant, the flux-draining machinery keeping him human failed, their main generator closing its circuits to Concordia. The rm rang, and he heard Gearsmen rushing towards his wing.


    Jack opened his eyes at them, now on fire.


    Crimson Requiem!


    His flesh ignited, and he set the world aze.<ul><li><em>Grand Canyon, Worldshaker excavation, Terra Firma, January 15th.</em></li></ul>


    Nothing beat the smell of burnt flesh in the morning.


    So Jack thought, as he strode through the battlefield like a living hurricane, devastating everything in his path. His mes melted Gearsmen and nts before they could hit him; they couldnt consume the Arcadian Reavers fighting at his side, much to his chagrin.


    He could tell when his spells killed. Every time his magic imed a life, he felt a rush of newfound energy surge through his bones, their flux harnessed by his lock and transferred to him. Each death increased his power, strengthened his Lock, perfected the furnace of his soul, got him closer to casting off this mortal shell and grow into something <em>bigger</em>. He had grown addicted to this feeling of getting stronger.


    He wondered if the other candidates felt the same when they became closer to godhood. He knew the Grandmaster was White, the others Blue, and the fallen ck; nothing like the vibrant and fiery Red. Knowing the Blue, they probably got their high from listening to their own voice.


    Soon, maybe he would kill enough to get the power to ignite the atmosphere; to turn this whole mudball into an ashball just by existing. The thought of all these souls rushing through his Lock at once filled him with cruel glee.


    Jack moved towards the open mine, exploiting the rampant chaos to make a rush at it. The Malebranche and the rebels kept the Concordians busy, blissfully unaware of what Jack intended to do.


    Well, not all of them.


    Three Orange Sorcerers in power armor intercepted him, manipting the stone beneath him to form a prison. They intended to trap him below tons of dirt, the same way Matt defeated himst time.


    But he had grown stronger since.


    Dot Four.


    Radiance!


    The Red Spell activated, turning his mes green, his touch into a blight upon thend. His body emitted supernatural, radioactive energies in a bright green sh, vaporizing both the prison and the sorcerers trying to keep him in. The st, empowered by his Lock, pierced through their armor, searing the flesh from their bones.


    Jack could have vaporized the whole canyon like Hiroshima, and nothing would have pleased him more, but he might have woken up his target before he could take it over.


    He hadnt yet mastered his sorcery either. His Lock provided him power, and intuitive knowledge of energy itself, but the fiend still had to get the hang of each new trick.


    Having broken through the defensive line, Jack came into sight of the open mine, sting apart one of the drilling machines in its way. Alone for a few precious seconds, he stood at the edge of the stone pit and stared into the abyss.


    Deep below, he could see the tip of an immense arm of ck metal, bigger and better than the giant Gearsman which shot down his ship. A weapon meant to destroy worlds, waiting for the oing Armageddon.


    There it was.


    A Worldshaker.


    The iron shell to house his immortal soul, once he had burnt off the husk he wore. The cocoon from which he would enter as arva, to emerge as an iron god, with gears drenched in the blood of billions.


    His Lock could interface with it, the same way Matt could. That was why hispetitor had rushed to this ce; Jack was sure of it. Whether consciously or not, he had heard the call of his Lock bring him there, so he could take the next step towards ascension.


    Jack had felt Networks hold over some of his victims, Matt watching through their eyes. His sorcery was the opposite of the fiends Lock in many ways: a seed which grew by fostering and directing life, rather than extinguishing it. Power born of creating connections, rather than severing them. They were bound to be enemies.


    He wouldnt let Martel win again. Ever.


    The bullet hit him in the skull from behind, making him shamble. He almost fell into the pit but caught himself before he did.


    That was a warning shot, her voice came up from behind, Dont you dare move.


    Sis, Jack replied, not bothering to turn around. A bullet in the head isnt a warning shot.


    Next one will hurt.


    Do we have to hurt one another? Jack taunted her. Were brother and sister after all.


    Wasnt it the whole point of setting up that meeting.


    Touch. There were dozens of Worldshakers slumbering on Earth, but he had chosen this ce the second the Maleking informed him the two people he hated most were near. I still dont get why you didnt shoot to kill. Didnt take you for a sentimental girl.


    I aint. I want answers.


    Jack turned his head, looking at his sister sideways. She carried two guns and wore some kind of stupid Halloween costume, hiding behind a skull mask. Or maybe that was her real face, just as her brothers human visage had been nothing but a veneer for the zing inferno beneath.


    Dont move. Lil Maggie threatened him with her weapons as if they could do anything. She may have be a sorcerer, of his color no less, but she wasnt one of the chosen. She didnt matter. Dont you dare fucking move.


    How could she survive so close to him? Must have been that Green Adaptator Spell. He had heard it allowed the caster to protect themselves from nefarious environments, heat and passive radiations included.


    She wouldnt survive an offensive spell of his, but she had aroused his curiosity. Answers on what?


    Why? Maggie asked, Why the fuck, Jack? Why have you been after me since the day I was fucking <em>born</em>?!


    You exist, Jack taunted her. Isnt it enough, sis?


    Nope, or else you wouldnt be so fixated on offing me, she replied. Theres something deeper. I want to know why before I blow your brains out.


    Big talk for a crybaby who lived too long.


    Answer the question, asshole.


    Jack knew he should kill her and be done with it... but she was right. All the feelings he had bottled up for years came at the forefront and exploded.


    I did it because I <em>hate </em>you.


    The sheer venom in Jacks voice made her wince.


    Do you know how <em>tiring </em>it is to lie to yourself and everyone all the time? To force yourself to smile, because thats what is expected of you? To go through daily motions like some puppet, because deep down, theres <em>nothing</em>?


    He remembered these long, tiring years of emptiness, sleepwalking through life.


    All my life, Ive known nothing of joy, Jack ranted, his mes turning blue while answering his emotions. I kept smiling while screaming inside. My whole <em>life</em>, people kept me prisoner. Dad made me his heir and the tool of his friends little cult; I dated Sam because it was expected. I did nothing of my own free-will because society wouldnt ept me for who I truly was.


    A monster? She spat it out with disgust. Youre angry at society for not letting you be a monster?


    You say that because it was easy for you to fit in, Jack replied with the same tone, Looking you being so <em>happy </em>with Sam, and Perse... not <em>looking </em>happy, <em>being </em>it was torture. It all came to you so easily, these connections. They disgusted me yet I also envied them, somewhat. I wanted them. I did everything I could to get them, online or in person. It never worked. It never clicked. I was born <em>without</em>.


    His sisters hold on her guns wavered a bit. Fear? No. <em>Pity</em>? Did she <em>pity </em>him? The thought infuriated him.


    But then, when the mes of my better half purified me, I realized I didnt <em>need </em>others to be happy, Jack replied, raising his hand and looking at the mes within. The secret of happiness is epting for you are, and living for yourself. This this face?


    He pointed at his fiery visage. This is the real me. Not Jack Powells, not the police chiefs son, not the Malebranches henchman nor Miss Perfects boyfriend. Thats <em>me</em>. I dont need anyone elses approval to be happy. I dont need <em>anyone</em>. I dont want to be human anymore. Im finally free.


    A stray spell hit the pit behind him, causing some rubble to fall on the Worldshaker.


    Every moment during which you breathe devalues me prevents me from being free of my past, of this cursed life of torment I left behind, the fiend said, finally deciding to cut through the chitchat. So just fall over and DIE!


    He sted her with a sea of blue mes, waiting for the screams.


    They never came.


    <em>That</em> was your reason?


    Much to Jacks surprise, she walked out of the fire, unharmed. His mes licked her body without harming her at all, and she aimed both her guns at his face.


    Youre such a <em>disappointment</em>, Jack.


    Two bullets hit his skull right in the forehead.


    This time, it hurt.


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Magnawave</strong>


    Affinity: Red


    Dot: 3


    Price: 9-15


    Activation: Passive, Thought.


    The users body can produce microwaves at will, both for offense or defense.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 71: Invisible Walls

    Chapter 71: Invisible Walls


    Maggie shot Jack in the face, the powered bullet bouncing off his skull with a crack.


    The furious monster which she had once called her brother let out a mad wail, as he erupted like a volcano. The mes making up his body extended in all directions, bathing the area in fire.


    Maggie felt the fire lick her skin and clothes, but didnt feel any burns. Jacks power couldnt ovee Kagutsuchis blessing.


    She surged forward, channeling all the pent-up rage and frustration she ever had buried in her heart; years of abuse and overwhelming anger at his repeated murder attempts powered her as much as adrenaline did. She shot him thrice more in the chest, lightning coursing through her body as she activated her other spells.


    Realizing his mes wouldnt win him the day, Jack called upon other spells. Magnawave! He fired a crimson beam at his sister, but her enhanced reflexes allowed her to dodge. Stockmight.


    This time, her bullets didnt quite work; the impacts energy absorbed by her brother. He immediately attempted closebat, his fiery ws extended to tear her throat apart.


    You have vexed me since the day you were born! he snarled, as she moved fast enough to dodge.


    I should have shot your psycho-ass dead years ago! She responded with bolts of lightning, but his peculiar body somehow made him immune.


    None of them could truly harm the other, or not with their conventional abilities.


    Unfortunately, the chaos on the battlefield around them had only intensified, and Concordian forces moved to put them down.


    Two orange armored sorcerers floated above them, casting a spell. Within seconds, theyunched a volley of stones at the duo as fast as bullets. Both of the Powells jumped into the pit containing the Worldshaker to escape, the projectiles devastating the spot where they used to stand.


    Maggiended on the thick, ck metal structure, as did Jack. No sooner did hend, that he propelled himself at her by channeling explosive mes through his feet. Maggie sidestepped at thest second. The green light he emitted began to grow stronger, bathing the area in dangerous radiation.


    Maggie had cast Adaptator on herself, a Dot Three Green Spell allowing her body to adapt to dangerous environmental conditions. She could have survived a trek through Chernobyl, maybe the direct aftermath of a nuclear holocaust. But there were limits to what life could endure through.


    A group of rebooted Gearsmen pursued the siblings into the pit, raining beams upon them. None of the sts damaged the burned Worldshaker, nor did the central intelligence care about waking it up.


    While Maggie kept dodging, the slower Jack took a beam head-on, retaliating by sting one of the attackers above. The Orange Sorcerers followed the Gearsmen, reinforcing them with spells.


    Jack and Maggie temporarily halted their blood feud to focus on the meddlers, retaliating with projectiles of their own. The Orange Sorcerers, showing extreme teamwork and coordination, summoned a shield of stone to protect themselves, leaving the Gearsmen to attack. Since beams didnt work, the machinesnded on the ground next to the Powells and moved to smash them.


    The Concordian sorcerers cast more spells to enhance the Gearsmen, allowing the machines to move faster and turning their fists to diamond. Jack melted them before they could reach him, but Maggie had a much harder time. Unlike her brother, the empowered machines could match her in speed.


    Maggie then aimed her shots to hit the eyes of the Gearsmen, blinding them; while they shared senses, once all of them were damaged, they would prove useless.


    While Jack was kept busy by Gearsmen, the Concordian sorcerers targeted Maggie, raining sharpened stone shards at the speed of bullets. Running for her life, Maggie ran across the surface of the Worldshaker, but the number of attacks overwhelmed her. One of the Gearsmen managed to exploit an opening and hit her in the chest.


    Without her Powersurge, the blow would have thorn Maggie in half. Instead, it shattered some ribs and sent her to crash against one of the pits cliffs.


    Dizzied, Maggie couldnt rise back up fast enough, as the Gearsmen moved to smash her dead.


    A ray of energy blew the creature before it could reach her.


    Mine! A furious Jack cackled, before aiming at Maggie himself with cruel spite.


    The watcher had seen enough. He was finally within range.


    el Recursion.


    <em>Time was broken.</em>


    <em>Rushing in the darkened time, the man of ss grabbed Maggie out of the sts way, averting fate. Magical, mirror des rained on both Jack Powells and the Concordian sorcerers, impaling one of the former through the visor and tearing off one of thetters arms.</em>


    <em>Lacking his allys protective spells, he couldnt allow himself to get close to Jacks radioactive body. He cast a Heal spell on himself to counteract the effects before they could turn lethal, before dropping Maggie at a safe distance. </em>


    <em>Time was unbroken. </em>


    As Maggie regained control of herself, she was weed with the sight of Shroud standing protectively in front of her, and Jack screaming at a lost arm.


    He had rushed as quickly as he could to her location, while still coordinating the overall assault from afar. Heal, he cast on his friend, while Jack moved to reattach his arm to himself. One of the Concordian soldiers fell dead on the Worldshakers surface, while Kari jumped at the other from behind, both crashing outside the pit.


    His teammate didnt appreciate his help, at all. Get out of here, Matt.


    Maggie


    Get out of my fucking way! she snarled at him angrily. Hes mine! I dont need your help!


    Come on, sis, dont spoil my fun, Jack replied, ring balefully at Mathias. Ive been looking forward topleting my set of dead Martels for a long, long while!


    It took a <em>lot </em>of willpower for Shroud not to fall for the taunt, but he shrugged off. The only one dying today is you, Jack.


    So you dont care about your dad? Jack taunted him back, sting thest Gearsman in the way apart. I figured you would be a bit like me, to be one of the chosen.


    Shroud ignored the madmans ramblings, eyeing the Network feeds of the other Dragonyers, who were moving into position. Meanwhile, the Arizona Zones vines had started overwhelming the Gearsman colossus, while the yers summoned creatures helped tear it apart. After the initial shock of the Malebranches arrival, the Magik Online yers had managed to seize back control of the battles tempo.


    What are you trying to do here, Jack? Wake the Worldshaker and blow up the US? We wont let you.


    You think you can take me on, Matt? Jack threatened, gathering a sphere of Red Flux in the palm of his hands. Last time we fought, you could barely hold your own.


    Funny. That wasnt how he remembered it.


    Soundwave! Maggie spoke with anger, her words reverberating into a sonic shockwave carefully directed at her brother. The vibrations extinguished some of the mes making up Jacks body, revealing a charred, ck skeleton underneath. The Red Sorcerer powered through though andunched the sphere at his nemesis.


    Using Mirror Master, Shroud called upon a tentacled beast from another ne and turned it into a shield. The sphere exploded on impact, vaporizing the creature, but allowing the two sorcerers to run away.


    Get back here, sis! Jack snarled, his mes once again covering his body and turning green. Maggie moved to intercept him, without waiting for her ally.


    Maggie, stop! Shroud shouted at her.


    Fuck off! she replied circling around Jack while firing bullets at him. Jack retaliated with atomic rays, whose greenish light melted stone and metal on contact. In spite of her immense speed, Maggie was only a breath away from instant death.


    Unfortunately, she moved in ways that made it impossible for Shroud to avoid friendly fire. Since Shrouds Synergize should prevent it, that meant she did it intentionally, to keep him out of the fight.


    Youre not him! Shroud shouted back. Hes dragging you down to his level!


    I can take him on by myself! Maggie charged more Red Flux into her guns, turning two bullets into crimson shooting stars. Jacks protective spells tanked the blows easily enough.


    <em>You cant,</em> Shroud wanted to say, but wisely shut up. She couldnt defeat fire with fire, and almost all her offensive spells were Red ones. Energy. Jack was made of that stuff, knew it; as much as he knew he couldnt win without dividing his foes. If only his sister wasnt blinded by her rage, the same way Mathias had been.


    She was regressing; she had reached out to him when he lost his father, learned lessons, only for her to throw them away.


    Jack had a way to get under peoples skin.


    Shroud flew above the battlefield to get a better vision of the area, unleashing a storm of ss shards upon Jack when he saw an opening. They would melt upon close proximity, trapping him the same way he had done so on Concordia.


    You think this will work twice, Matt? Jack taunted him, before letting out a sinister wail. Soundwave!


    His words turned into a brutal vibration, shattering all shards in close proximity and even making Shrouds armor crack in spite of the distance.


    However, what surprised him the most was a bullet missing him. A warning shot.


    Get the fuck out, nerd! Maggie pointed a gun at him, and another at an amused Jack. Im not going to ask again! I dont need your help!


    Maggie


    I dont need <em>anyone</em>!


    And look where this led <em>him</em>! Shroud replied, pointing a finger at the fiery abomination.


    The words made Maggie wince, while Jack cackled. Powerful? the madman taunted, forming another sphere of red flux in his palm. Cant believe youre still listening to him, sis. Then again, you were always the one to cry to Dad whenever things went wrong.


    Shut up! Maggie snarled back, Shroud sensing his opening slip away.


    Do you want to be <em>that</em>, Maggie? Shroud continued, sensing her doubts. A hateful monster with nothing, no one? Pushing people away is not strength, Maggie. Its weakness born of fear. Fear of others, of yourself. Jack is <em>afraid</em>, Maggie!


    While his words made Maggie confused, they infuriated Jack. Im not afraid! the monster snarled, firing the sphere at him instead of his sister.


    Shroud moved shards around the sphere like a prison, containing and redirecting the sphere towards the skies, the explosion sting clouds. Maggie, if you really want to fight on your own, then He pointed a finger at his helmet. Shoot me down. Because Im never going to stop.


    What the fuck, Matt


    Im never going to stop being at your side! Shroud continued. Just like you came for me against Smokefang, Lugh, ckcinders! Dont you see, Maggie? You have nothing to prove to Jack! By making friends, by getting people to care for you for who you are, you have already beaten him!


    What did you dare say, Matt? Jack tried to intimidate him, as the bully he was.


    He isnt happy, Maggie! Shroud ignored his old rival, He is alone and miserable! And since he cant be happy, hehurts people and drags them down to his level! Hes making you regress because it helps him feel powerful!


    With fury in his eyes, Jack pointed his palms to the ground, unleashing a stream of fire from them and propelling himself at Shroud.


    Now! the Dragonyer shouted.


    Immediately, Sol and Mur jumped into sight from the edge of the pit to intercept Jack; the first protected by a white barrier, the second by Adamants armored tes. Surprised, Jack attempted to st them, but Sol sliced at him midfall, cutting ribcage bones.


    Crimson Requiem! Jacks hand stopped powering his flight and instead moved to grab Sol. Mur acted faster, smashing his chest with his hammer. The sheer power of the blow perforated Jacks chest and propelled him afar.


    All threended on the Worldshakers surface, or to be more precise, Sol and Murnded, while Jack crashed.


    Are you alright? Sol asked as he regrouped with the rest of the group.


    You cowardly weaklings! Jack hissed, struggling to get back to his feet. You cant even fight me by yourself, sis!


    But Maggie didnt answer. She looked down at her brother, then at the other Dragonyers, a veil lifted from her eyes.


    Gone deaf, huh? Jack shrugged before forming another sphere in his palm.


    A crimson bullet hit it before it could finish forming, dispelling it.


    You dont like that, do you? Maggie finally spoke up, both guns pointed at her brother. Seeing my team help me. It really gets under your skin. You <em>hate </em>it.


    Fuck off, sis.


    Thats the real you there, right? The petty bastard bullying his little sister because she had it better than you?


    Im the strongest. I was chosen!


    She has allies willing to take a stand and risk their lives for her, Shroud replied. Who fights by your side, Jack? Chosen? Open your eyes. You are alone. As the Maleking promised, you are already in <em>Hell</em>.


    Thats where real power is! Jack snarled back with disgust, before ring at his sister, unaware of the figure slipping up behind him. Youre weak! You could never be strong by yourself!


    <em>Said the guy who needed a fiend to gain power, </em>Shroud thought, but Maggie put him down without help. No, youre the weak one, the sorceress shook her head. I see it, now. Me, Matts dad you always attacked people who couldnt fight back. You never put your life on the line, like I did. Youre a fucking <em>coward</em>.


    Shut your mouth! I saw you cry in fear in that warehouse who was the coward back then?


    And whos the one struggling to stand up <em>today</em>? She looked down on her brother with disgust and a hint of pity. Youre making me forget Ace. Youre making me forget what matters. Trying to make like you. But Im not. I will <em>never </em>be as fucked up as <em>you</em>. And if epting help makes you feel miserable, then Im going to do it! I wont allow you to dictate how I live ever again!


    Jack red back, but the fire in his eyes wavered. Shroud sensed his emotions shift through Network. His anger changed into doubt as he looked at the Dragonyers united front, then a hint of envy.


    But just as swiftly, these conflicting emotions fed his fury anew.


    Im in Hell? I will show you Hell! Jack snarled, his fiery body bing blinding light. Fire and brimstones!


    A golden w beheaded him from behind, extinguishing his mesand his life.


    Having slipped closer to Jack while he was busy ranting, Kari revealed herself in her golden glory. The hellish fire making up the monster died out, and within seconds, only charred bones remained behind.


    All that power, wasted, Mur looked down on Jacks corpse with contempt.


    Power you cannot control is no power at all, Shroud replied. In the end, Jack was too unstable and crazy to make good use of the gifts given to him.


    Once, the Blue Sorcerer thought he would feel some catharsis at the sight, but the oue had only left him unsatisfied empty, even. His fathers murder had been avenged, but he didnt find any joy in the act.


    The Blue Sorcerer turned to Maggie, who had been denied the final blow. Are you happy?


    No, she replied bluntly. Its nowhere near as satisfying as I expected.


    Sharpshoot had thought her brothers death would give her closure, but it didnt. She would have to live with it.


    Lets move on, Shroud ordered, the Dragonyers dispersing to return to the fight. With the Worldshaker undisturbed, they still had the Concordian and Malebranche forces left to deal with. Maggie followed after ast nce at her brothers corpse, before throwing herself into the battle.


    Shroud received a notification from the Administrator.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    ADMINISTRATOR: I understand what is happening, Mathias.


    SHROUD: Network is usurping Magik. I can already redistribute ounts to others.


    ADMINISTRATOR: Yes and no. You have already been granted Administrator privileges by Magik, but this is no usurpation it is a fusion.


    SHROUD: Come again?


    ADMINISTRATOR: Network and my own Distributor Lock were meant to merge into the ultimate Lock, as Manus intended. Concordia interrupted the process before it could finalize, but it has now started again.


    SHROUD: But if its anything like what Manus intended, then one of us will overwhelm the other.


    ADMINISTRATOR: And your Lock overpowers mine.</td></tr></tbody></table> The Administrator was dying.


    No.


    Not on his watch.


    Shroud immediately closed his eyes, focusing on the pathways of his Lock, the invisible connections binding them together. He left his body to be pure information, his sight reced with the thousands of people whom he oversaw.


    Network had acted up, overtaking Magik Onlines connection like an invasive nt worming its way into a wall. The same process which had taken down Aster now repeated itself on a grander scale, with a few key differences. The mental distance between his own Lock and Magik had reduced, the hub of connection drawn closer to himself.


    His mind slipped through the pathway linking him to Magik Online, hoping to halt the progress.


    But his Lock refused to obey him.


    He had always suspected his power had a will of its own, and this just confirmed it.


    Returning to reality, Shroud cursed, even as the yers managed to blow up the Gearsmans colossus chest te, revealing a UB guiding it. One of them managed tond a fatal blow at the central system, causing the giant to glitch out.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    SHROUD: I cant stop the progress. Network no longer obeys me.


    ADMINISTRATOR: It is because your Lock is iplete. Now I see what is happening. What you what we are bing.


    SHROUD: An archmagus?


    ADMINISTRATOR: Another system. Another Dis. </td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Magik Administrator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(3/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins to Assign</strong></td><td>51</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Locks Stored</strong></td><td>4</td><td><strong>Assign?</strong></td><td><strong>Consume?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Ruin Mode</td><td>1</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Winterfold</td><td>2</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Recursion</td><td>3</td><td>ck</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>21</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Spacesh</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Tulpa</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>29</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timeloop</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Carbonskin</td><td>3</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>18</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>17</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Adaptator</td><td>3</td><td>Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>51</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Forcefield</td><td>3</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Negafield</strong>


    Affinity: ck


    Dot: 3


    Price: 18


    Activation: Active, Thought.


    Bing darkness incarnate, the user surrounds their body with ayer of ck flux which disintegrates anything on contact; in this form, the user can ignore gravity and fly while ignoring resistance of any kind. However, the spellcaster also suffers fromplete sensory deprivation, except a rough awareness of whatever they hit. The caster can return to their original form with a thought.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 72: From Ashes

    Chapter 72: From Ashes


    The canyon stank of death and ashes.


    Shroud oversaw the ruins of the battlefield from above, with yers and other resistance members securing the remains of the Gearsman Colossus, the Worldshaker, and the Concordian facility. Other flyers assisted him in securing the perimeter, and hunt the stragglers.


    The contrast between the various armies couldnt be clearer. After the yers managed to take down the colossus, the Concordians forces had fought to thest soldier with zeal, to the point the yers hadnt managed to take any prisoners. Meanwhile, the Malebranche had opted to disperse and retreat soon after Jack bit the dust, only for the survivors to spread across the Canyon and harass the human forces through isted ambushes. Hit and run.


    While the Zone provided Magik Online users with additional protections, it would take them days, if not weeks, to eliminate thest of the survivors.


    Shroud wondered what had been the n of the attack. Probably to wake the Worldshaker and set it loose on Concordian forces, but only Jack had made a break for the ancient weapon. The rest had simply fought for nothing. They didnt try to secure any areas or take out key targets.


    The killing wasnt a means to the Malebranche. It was an end in itself.


    A small group of yers, Stitch, and Sol included tended to the wounded and the dead. The former were provided with healing spells, and thetter gathered. The bio-soldiers, Arcadian Reavers, or advanced Gearsmen would be looted for any useful technology they could repurpose to their own needs, and the humans buried.


    Overall, Shrouds allies only had to mourn three hundred victims, mostly NPCs. They would have suffered a lot more losses without his own Synergy or the Zones assistance, but they had walked out of the battle with most of their forces unscathed.


    For the first time in history, mankind had won arge battle against Concordia.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Quest: Together We Stand</strong>,plete!


    You earned 15 Spellcoins and a Bonus Dot Three Spell of your choice!</td></tr></tbody></table> He would cash in by buying a ck Spell since those cost the most Spellcoins.


    It was a cause for celebration, and a part of him rejoiced over it. But the sorcerer had a feeling things would only get more dire from now on.


    Shroud absentmindedly nced at his Network feeds, and a few people to whom he had assigned a Lock after the fiasco. His power recovered the ounts of the dead yers he hadworked, allowing him to reassign them afterward. They kept the spells, the Lock, and the spellcoins of the previous holder.


    How would he have reacted, if he had that power back when Ace had been alive? If he had ast reminder of her?


    Shroud pushed away these thoughts, contacting Atnta on the ground through Network. All clear, he said, after finishing his tour. The facility is secure.


    Good, she replied, but the Moderators heart wasnt in it. Theres at least one secure ce in the world for us, now.


    The sorcerer nced up to the skies above; the sun was down, leaving way for the alien stars which had reced the old Milky Way.


    The heavens were aze. Crimson sparks lit up in the darkness, as did rays of light. Sometimes, he noticed fiery shapes falling to the ground, far away onto the Americanndscape.


    How bad is it? Shroud asked, not having checked the Magik forums yet.


    Worldwide chaos. The Malebranche has opened Gates <em>everywhere</em>, and the Sponsors are issuing new, dangerous quests like crazy. Here.


    She sent him a message through Magik.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Flowers of the Apocalypse</strong>


    Difficulty: Dot Four.


    Sponsor: Romulus.


    Celia, the Horseman of Death, has been sighted in the ashen ruins of Russia; she is raising millions of victims from the Conquest War as an undead army and will march with it towards Europe. The Violet Minister, Brina, has already moved to intercept her with forces of her own, but whoever wins will not have our interests at heart. Destroy the Horseman of Death, and if possible, the Violet Minister.


    Reward: 20 Spellcoins + one free Dot Four Spell.


    Failure: Death/Undeath. </td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>The Pandorian Syndrome</strong>


    Difficulty: Dot Four.


    Sponsor: Angel Lord.


    Mammon''s mothership hasnded in Antarctica, near the ck hole caused by the corrupted ck Tower. ording to our spies, among the items boarded on it are a ck Flux Bomb and countless soul gems. We believe the Midnight King intends to use the tower''s baleful energies to cast a dangerous spell; one which could end the world, before the Maleking even arrives. Stop Mammon, and take him down once and for all.


    Reward: 20 Spellscoins + one free Dot Four Spell.


    Failure: Mammon casts the darkest spell and/or oblivion.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Celia and Brina in the north, Mammon in the south, both equally dangerous and these were just some of the most pressing problems. His Network was another, as was ckcinders superweapon on the Moon; and most importantly, Wyrde herself.


    A global war had started, and he wouldnt be able to fight on all fronts at once. He would have to make choices.


    Also, one of the Sponsors is down there. Romulus.


    Mars.


    Shroud immediately returned to the camp, passing over Ulysses and Maggie discussing something, Mur collecting tooth trophies from the fallen, and Kari surveying the canyon from over a cliff, like a hawk.


    He found Mars waiting for him in front of themand tent. The Sponsor drew nces from the various people present through his sheer, overmighty presence alone. The military god invited Shroud inside the tent as hended, his eyes indecipherable.


    As the Dragonyer found himself alone with his main supporter, Mars cast a spell, probably to reduce sound and ensure intimacy. The Administrator informed me, he said, of your problem.


    Shroud nodded, expecting the ax to fall.


    Truth to be told I expected it to happen, Mars said. A part of me even hoped that it would. If you can even gain an ounce of the power of Dis, then this would tremendously help us win the war.


    Its a big gamble, Shroud replied. We dont know what the Administrator and I will be should this program be allowed to run its course. I could be a monster, or worse. There are too many unknowns.


    I know a ce where we can get answers. Where it all began.


    Evermarsh? Shroud frowned. No. My mother.


    Her hiddenb where the incident two years ago happened, in the old Silicon Valley, Mars confirmed. Concordia seized theb and hid it under a Dynamis office, but the past is not so easily erased.


    Dynamis? Thepany where he used to work?


    I do not think this is a coincidence, because <em>nothing </em>is ever a coincidence, Mars replied. It was linked to Grimsours conglomerate, and it recovered parts of Melusines research after her disappearance.


    Wyrde had always been watching him since that event. Lovely. At least he had met the Werners through thatpany. How is California?


    Under attack, like everywhere. The deity shook his head. We coordinate with the other Sponsors the best we can, but chaos reigns supreme. No major city is <em>not </em>facing a Malebranche incursion of some kind, and this is only Earth; even with Wyrde on it, the majority of their forces are spread across the cosmos.


    Shroud could only imagine the scale of the conflict. The mere fact he could see explosions happening outside the atmosphere while on the ground was proof enough. I believe things may get worse, the Blue Sorcerer said. It is no coincidence that Concordia tried to unearth the Worldshaker under the Canyon.


    Since they can respond to Terminal, we can only assume Wyrde may intend to use them as a weapon ofst resort, Mars noted, frowning behind his helmet. Can you control them?


    I dont think so, Shroud shook his head. Once activated, they will act on their own.


    But you cannot say for certain. This is yet another reason to investigate; with Concordias attention distracted by the Malebranche, this may be now or never.


    Then I will tell my team


    No, Mars replied. Your group will be needed on other fronts, and the fewer peoplepromised, the better.


    Compromised? Shroud frowned. You dont trust my teammates?


    They have more than proved themselves, but we can no longer afford any mistakes. If they get captured, Concordia has the means to extract information from their brains, as they did yours; and they will be needed there. No, Mathias. We will go together, the two of us.


    Shroud wanted to blurt out the same logic applied to the war god but shut his mouth. He was already in a very precarious position, and Marsmanded Magik Onlines yers. He had be a soldier in a war, and he better should learn to act like it.


    But he couldntpromise on that part.


    Im not leaving my team in the dark. He weed Mars eerie silence with a steely gaze. I need them.


    I enabled you a lot, Mathias, the war god replied. But this is war, and counterintelligence can make or break us.


    Theyre part of the reason I beat Aster, Shroud pointed out. My power is only as great as my Networks reach.


    I thought the fact Concordian did pull that kind of long con would teach you wariness, and the need for information control.


    It also taught me that istion brings weakness. Shroud shook his head. I have seen too many sorcerers go off the deep end to trust myself, especially with my Lock going haywire. If I escte the way Jack did-


    I will pull the plug myself, Mars said.


    I would prefer my team to be the ones to handle it, Shroud replied. I owe them as much, and keeping them in the dark will only shake their trust in me further. Keep secrets from me and us, if you feel its best. But I will not leave them behind. We are a set.


    The war gods peered through him and into his soul, his eyes calcting. Shroud could almost guess his whole thought process, even if Network didnt activate.


    We all leave, Mars finally spoke.


    When? Shroud asked.


    As soon as possible, Mars answered, putting both arms behind his back. Time is of the essence, and you will be redeployed on another front right afterward. You will need the Needless Spell. Fifteen minutes, then we teleport away. No beingte.


    Shroud bowed respectfully, then left the tent. He didnt need Network to understand the hidden message.


    From now on, there wouldnt be much time to rest. The next weeks, if not days, would be decisive. A grueling race ending in a confrontation with Wyrde and his mother.


    Thankfully, he only had to step out to find Maggie and Sol; they must have followed him here. We have to go right now, Shroud warned them at once. Im not sure when we will be back, so travel light.


    Why are we wandering off again? Solomon shook his head. To what point? I do not like it, Mathias. The war is there, but we have no n yet.


    Orders from above, I will brief you on the way, the Blue Sorcerer replied. He nced at Maggie, who had kept a somber face since Jacks death. Youre holding up?


    Yeah. She wasnt, but at least she sounded better than a few hours ago. Ill be fine. Im not alone in this.


    At longst, she had epted a support system. Shroud couldnt feel prouder of her; relieved that she wouldnt go down the same path he had seen other sorcerers venture down.


    There are issues we must address in our group, Mathias, Solomon admitted. Im worried about Stitch. He is carrying himself in battle, but I can tell there has been a shift in his attitudetely. He seems more impulsive.


    The Lifeforges influence must be starting to get to him. How would he react if separated from it? Probably badly. We must avoid browbeating him, Shroud said, hoping the trip would give him insight unto Dis and its purpose, For now, we need to keep the boat afloat by any means necessary, for there is a mighty storm brewing ahead.


    Mathias, you are the glue holding that ship together, Solomon countered. I cannot reach out to Stitch the way you do.


    He would have to, unfortunately. Shroud wanted the group to remain even in case of his own death, hence why he had suggested his oldest friend take over as Moderator. You will do fine. I may be the glue, Sol, but you are the pir. Every member of this team respects you, even Mur, and hes a petty bastard who never listens.


    Thank you, Solomon replied with courtesy, ever the humble man. But when the timees to confront him, you should participate.


    Yeah, nerd, Maggie supported the priest. Youve got to practice what you preached me.


    I know, Shroud replied. After the trip, we may tackle one dangerous quest among many; with the chaos around, we may lose our own support system at one point. In this case, we will be on our own.


    Which quest? Maggie replied, Weve got enemies everywhere now.


    I strongly feel we should not separate, Sol continued. We are only as strong as when we are united; divided, we fall.


    Yes. Shroud would rather fight with his allies close, and on a purely tactical angle, the group had learned to fight together as one unit over time. They would work better as a strike team, rather than spread on various fronts.


    But that would mean that they would have to make difficult choices. They wouldnt be everywhere at once.


    We will stick together, no matter where it leads us, Shroud replied, his eyes meeting Maggies. Something in her gaze told him she would rather interpret that sentence in another way.


    Matt, after were done, she asked. With the war


    I dont know, he cut her off, knowing what she wanted to ask him, but couldnt spell out. I dont know.


    She epted his decision without a word.


    He would have wanted to say yes, but deep down, Shroud doubted they would walk the same path after this conflict. Even though he hoped the trip would enlighten him more, the sorcerer already had a theory for the reason behind this chaos, and it terrified him.


    Ashmal had said Dis, and the will at its center was a parasite. Feeding on worlds, on people, and using its sorcerers as tools to spread. Aputer virus using the resources of its host to duplicate. To create seeds called Terminals, incubate them in its bowels, and thenunching them across the cosmos.


    Multiplication.


    This wasnt a game, or a conspiracy serving a grand goal.


    This was a reproduction cycle.


    <strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Magik Administrator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(5/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins to Assign</strong></td><td>66</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Locks Stored</strong></td><td>4</td><td><strong>Assign?</strong></td><td><strong>Consume?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Ruin Mode</td><td>1</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Winterfold</td><td>2</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Recursion</td><td>3</td><td>ck</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>36</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Spacesh</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Tulpa</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>44</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timeloop</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Carbonskin</td><td>3</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>33</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>32</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Adaptator</td><td>3</td><td>Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>66</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Forcefield</td><td>3</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Hack of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Chemical Titan


    </strong>


    <strong>Dot</strong>: 4


    <strong>Components</strong>: Transmutate + Apex


    <strong>Activation</strong>: Passive, App Switch.


    You be a living, ever changing primordial elemental. Your body elementally transforms into a giant whoseposition matches whatever trouble you face yourself in; for example, you turn into a being of moltenva if faced with an environment too cold or too hot, your skin bes hard stone to stop bullets, and you shapeshift into wind when you need to move very fast. You have no control over the transformations, but your intellect is never impaired and you can still cast spells in elemental form. You can transform into any organic or inorganic material chemical matter, but cannot be energy. Your core consciousness is condensed in an elemental core the size of a fist while in titan form, allowing you to regrow limbs, but also killing you if destroyed.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 73: The Dis Maker

    Chapter 73: The Dis Maker


    As Mars had warned, California had been turned into a warzone.


    Instead of a ground assault led by shock troops, the Malebranche had elected to take a note from Concordias own book. Massive frigates bombarded the Arc City of San Francisco with beams of crimson light, with hundreds of smaller, Reaver ships descended to finish off the survivors. The mes consuming Palo Alto could be seen for miles.


    While Concordia had slowly moved away from anything rted to the Inte and AI in favor of their own biological supeputers, San Franciscos Bay remained a key research center. Grimsour Industries and the Loctis Institute had branches there, and so the Empire had heavily fortified the area with anti-aerial defenses and armies of Gearsmen. Massive canons retaliated at the assault by firing backsers at the clouds; one of them hit a Malebranche frigate, the mothership crashing into the Bay.


    While night had fallen, the skies were still aze with explosions.


    Shroud watched the disaster from above Dynamis deserted HQ. Located near the fallen Google headquarters, the building had seen better days; once a pyramid-shaped beauty of modern design, most of it had copsed on itself. The rest of Silicon Valley hadnt fared any better; everywhere he looked, he could only see smoking ruins littered with corpses.


    The Malebranche had carpet-bombed the Valley during their initial salvo, before moving on to attack the Arc City itself. The Concordians had abandoned the area to regroup around the aerial defenses, whose loss would condemn the Bay to destruction.


    But that wasnt the worst part.


    The Malebranche had breached the reinforced shell protecting San Francisco. He could see smoke rising from the fortified city, Reaver ships breaking past a Gearsman blockade to prate it.


    Five million people lived inside that iron hive.


    Sir? Stitch called him through Network, examining the corpses of researchers buried under the debris alongside Doppelgangers of his.


    Area clear, Shroud replied with a heavy heart. The group had already cleaned up the few Gearsmen stragglers which stuck around. Concordia probably issued an alert, but they had much more pressing concerns than the group.


    Sol, who helped secure the perimeter, echoed his true feelings. Is there no way we can help? the priest wondered, as Shroud watched him walk inside the ruins alongside Mars and Maggie. They had prated underground vaults below the building, in the process of being flooded by pipe leaks. The Reavers will target civilians.


    Were just points to them, Maggie added.


    I have yers in the city helping with the evacuation, Mars replied with detachment. But your presence will not turn the tide there. San Francisco is already lost. The Empire is only dying the inevitable.


    Still Sol shook his head.


    Shroud doubted the Malebranche would stay in the area afterying waste to it. From what he had seen, they were better at taking objectives than holding them; they would move on to ravage Sacramento, Santa Cruz, and the coast.


    He had sent Kari on a solo scouting mission to save any survivors she could find in the Valley, but so far his friend hadnt found any.


    This is a waste, Stitch noted, walked outside and finding Mur standing watch over the building. So much life wasted.


    Only the imp didnt share his feelings. Beautiful, Mur replied.


    Shroud couldnt help but interrupt their conversation through Network. You find this ughter beautiful?


    Violence will free your people, Mur replied, sounding somewhat philosophical. Make them stronger.


    Survival of the fittest is suboptimal to cooperation, Stitch replied, although his objections sounded scientifically minded than based on any moral quandary. Collective strength always trumps individual power.


    Mmm, Mur says most humansck both, the imp replied.


    I get the feeling there wont be anyone stronger after this, namely, because no one may survive, Shroud pointed out.


    Perhaps we could use the Lifeforge to repopte, Stitch suggested almost innocently. Life is but a canvas with it in our hands.


    From what he had gathered, that was the Lifeforges exact purpose. To safeguard gic data and recreate life on worlds once devastated. Stitch, Shroud said. After Mammon is dealt with, we will examine that device in detail.


    He could see the scientists head perk up at his words. You have finally decided to use it, Sir?


    Yes, if only to prevent Stitch from escting further. The scientist may be oblivious to his slow descent, but his superior wasnt.


    After Mammon? Mur asked with a grin.


    I worry more about what hes doing in the south pole than Brina or Celia, Shroud replied. He had an inkling to what Mammon intended to use the ck Neurotower for, and whether he seeded or failed spelled trouble for everyone.


    Besides, they all had a personal grievance with the Horseman of Conquest.


    Finally! the imp rejoiced. Mur wanted to dust that chest since forever!


    We should invest in more spells, Stitch said, more down to earth. Mammon is powerful.


    Shroud couldnt agree more. I will use the free spell boon to invest in ck since its the costliest color. ck by its very nature eroded everything, including the magical infrastructure of Magik Online itself. This was the only color whose cost could not be reduced even while improving Magiks software. Im considering buying Metalmesh as well.


    Metalmesh? the scientist asked.


    Shroud forwarded him the spell by message.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Metalmesh</strong>


    Affinity: Blue


    Dot: 3


    Price: 9


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The user bes a telepathic technopath, whose mind can connect to artificial devices of sufficientplexity, such asputers. The user can project their mind into the machine and take it over, but keeps only a tenuous awareness of their body; death of their physical body will kill the user, but death inside a machine will only send the users mind back to their body.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Ah yes. Stitch shook his head. No purebat spells, Sir? I am surprised.


    I have decided to reconnect with my experiments in artificial intelligence, the Dragonyer replied. Both to deal with Magik and the war. ck covers the purebat aspect.


    Sir, while I have some knowledge of cybeics, metal pale before the creative adaptability of flesh. You should invest in Green, rather than Blue.


    Flesh will not defeat Mammon, Mur argued. Mur says we should take him out before he knows what hit him. Or else he will turn back time.


    Violet Sorcerers were such a hassle to deal with.


    While the thought of finally settling things with Mammon appealed to Shroud, the sorcerer knew the greater threat awaited. Mars, Shroud asked the god through Network, How strong is the Maleking?


    Archmagus, Dot Five, probably Wyrdes only equal, the deity replied. In short, as above ckcinders, as she was above you.


    His mere presence would end the world.


    How long? Shroud had no idea when the bindings would break, but when they did


    Peering through his allies eyes as they explored the undergroundbs, Shroud found himself disappointed. While he recognized the ce from Manus old memories, as expected Concordia had stripped it of anything valuable. Melusine must have anticipated their visit.


    They did leave a few things behind though. Smashedputers, small reproductions of the Neurotowers, schematics of the ult Matrices


    They look like Maggie trailed.


    Yes? Mars asked.


    The towers, she said, examining the Neurotowers models. When you look at them dont they remind you of something?


    Yes. Servers.


    A heavy silence drowned the noises and the explosions.


    The change happened so naturally, so seamlessly, Shroud didnt notice the transition. The distant beams of light had stopped mid-fall, destruction halted before it could reach the ground; ships remained still; Mur and Stitch had frozen on the ground.


    Shroud nced around himself, finding everything tainted purple. He checked out Network and found that every single one of his feeds had frozen, from Ulysses in the Grand Canyon to Sols.


    This was no Blue World variant. This affected the whole Earth, maybe even farther. It had ensnared Mars as easily as the mortals.


    Why was he the only one unaffected? Had he been trapped in an illusion? Had Wyrdeunched her reboot early?


    Shroud flew around theb, finding out that he could indeed move in this frozen time. He briefly wondered if he should activate Recursion to try and break the effect, but decided to hold off until he had checked the area. He suspected the one responsible wasnt that far away.


    He didnt have to look for long.


    Someone was waiting atop a throne of concrete debris, drinking coffee in an elegant leather chair.


    A fearsome redhead, with a lion-like beard, and business suit. His pure blue eyes peered through the window to watch at the Arc City of San Francisco with bored, chilling detachment. Shroud could have mistaken the sight as someone watching andscape picture, instead of a murderous orbital bombardment.


    Maybe to him, it <em>was</em>.


    <em> Indeed, Shroud. </em>


    The Network feedback made Shroud freeze. This felt like the alien intelligence which taunted him back in Oceanis.


    If so, then this man


    Come closer, he spoke. If Shroud hadnt recognized the man on sight, the voice would have given him away. Fearsome, charming, yet also distant and cold. Its been a while, Mathias.


    Anton Maxwell.


    Dynamis CEO, who had once tried to push him towards Concordia. His former employer, a legendary game designer.


    Is this a variant of Blue World? Shroud asked as he flew in front of Maxwell withoutnding. The unease he felt around that manif <em>it </em>was onewas almost palpable. An illusion?


    Purple World, Anton answered, amused by Shrouds refusal tond at his side, Dot Five, Violet. It stops time, except for the caster and those he selects.


    One cannot stop time. If he did, then the entire world should have gone dark, as light itself would stop.


    Time is a matter of perception. It is a construct biological brains designed to make sense of a vast universe that they cannot understand. Mankind may perceive it as linear but to my iron eyes I see the parade from above, the twists and the turns. What could be, and could have been. Just input the right information and time shifts in a new direction.


    The ult Matrices.


    I have so many redundant systems running all at once, sometimes I forget I have those. Great, Shroud thought. He could read minds as well. Thats easier than you think, Mathias. Your thoughts are but a stream of electrons moving in the outdated flesh vessel you call a brain. Its no different than a stream of data, even when empowered with Blue Flux.


    Youre not really there, are you?


    Mathias, the man smiled at him, I am <em>everywhere</em>.


    This body was just a projection. The human-sized avatar of an alien, malevolent entity.


    Should I call you Lazarus? Mathias began, Dis Maker?


    Ahriman, Demiurge, Yaldabaoth, Lazarus, Maxwell, the Cosmocrator I imed so many names as my own, that none of them matter. <em>I am</em>.


    A powerful echo followed these words; the whispers of an impossibly ancient, terrible creature which dwarfed mankind in power and age.


    You too, you could been known by other names. Reinhart Berwick, Red Night, Tenebrous so many quantum duplicates of you running around, so much junk data thrown into the trash can


    I would have expected you to be someone more important. Not that Anton Maxwell had been a nobody, but he was a far cry from the ckcinders, Wyrdes, and Malekings of the world.


    Im too modest to take a lead role, Maxwell replied with fake sincerity. I prefer to watch the show from the gallery.


    Why do you show up now then?


    A whim, mostly. You came here looking for answers, so it would be a shame to deny you some, so close to the finish line. The creature in human skin chuckled. I am wounded you did not identify me. I left a few hints.


    Like what, your name?


    Maxwells Demon. The paradox. I know you studied a bit of physics in your downtime when you first downloaded Premium Thoughts.


    The hypothetical scenario where entropy could decrease through viting thews of thermodynamics? Shroud asked for confirmation, remembering the concept.


    That is what Flux, and by extension sorcery, are, Maxwell continued. An energy which vites universalws, the hidden code on which reality is built upon.


    He sounded a bit <em>too </em>proud of his own cleverness.


    Why should I not? Mathias, the fundamental forces of the universe bend to my will. My consciousness is housed in every Neurotower across Dis. Each of them a server, the neuron of a brain that spans gxies. Who is to say I am not the cleverest of them all?


    What are you? Shroud asked. A godlike AI? A demon? Some cosmic force? An old one?


    Does it matter? I have no beginning, I have no end. I exist, and that is all.


    I refuse to ept that, Shroud replied, too curious to stop at this answer. You promised answers.


    And I will deliver. The important answers. Not the <em>what </em>the <em>why</em>.


    The why. He had an inkling to what it may be.


    And what would that be, Shroud?


    Survival, the sorcerer replied. You need Flux to power yourself, to stay immortal. You give mortals the tools needed to go to war, feasting on the deaths and the devastation. You nudge civilizations so they expand to the stars, in a never-ending search for more worlds to consume. And when they destroy themselves, you use Lifeforges to repopte, and the cycle begins anew. I assume you must also have a secondary objective, like harvesting our knowledge, or our gic material to improve yourself.


    The avatar listened patiently.


    There are other, better ways, Shroud pleaded. My Network doesnt need people to die to work. This cycle of devastation is wasteful. Maybe youre perpetuating your ghastly cycle because it is true and tried, but it doesnt have to be this way.


    Maxwell said nothing.


    Then he exploded intoughter.


    The reaction took Shroud aback, even more than the frozen time. Because it was a vicious, cruel kind ofughter, something that didnt belong to a detached, impartial alien intelligence; <em>this </em>was an eminently <em>human </emugh.


    Survival? You think this is what it is all about? <em>Survival</em>?


    The creator of Dis shook his head, a grin across his face. Mathias, I am immortal and all-powerful. Dis will survive the heat death of the multiverse. I have passed the stage of survival <em>eons </em>ago. An entity as advanced as me does not <em>need </em>any of this.


    Shroud froze.


    In fact, there are indeed a billion, more efficient ways to harness Flux than the way I do now. There are others of my kind across the cosmos, who cooperate with mortals instead of making food of them. They create systems, provide magic for free, even guide civilizations towards peace but wheres the fun in that?


    No it couldnt be the reason


    Do you understand now? It is not that I <em>cannot </em>make anything good, but that I <em>will </em>not. I crush souls beneath my wheel not because I need it; but because I enjoy it.


    The truth dawned on Shroud. You took the shape of a game designer.


    Like you, Mathias.


    This is just a game to you, Shroud realized. This war, the Conquest, the Maleking, Concordia, <em>everything</em>, all this sorrow and madness this is just a <em>game</em>?


    What can I say? The monster smiled darkly, providing the one answer Shroud had dreaded to hear. Boredom is the downside of immortality.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Magik Administrator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(5/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins to Assign</strong></td><td>66</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Locks Stored</strong></td><td>4</td><td><strong>Assign?</strong></td><td><strong>Consume?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Ruin Mode</td><td>1</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Winterfold</td><td>2</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Recursion</td><td>3</td><td>ck</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>36</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Spacesh</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Tulpa</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>44</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timeloop</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Carbonskin</td><td>3</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>33</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>32</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Adaptator</td><td>3</td><td>Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>66</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Forcefield</td><td>3</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Purple World</strong>


    <strong>Affinity: Violet</strong>


    <strong>Dot</strong>: 5


    <strong>Price</strong>: 15-25


    <strong>Activation</strong>: Active, Thought.


    The ultimate time-maniption spell. You temporarily ''stop'' time with the power of Violet for yourself and everyone whom you mentally design as immune when casting the spell. You can move freely in the purple world, alongside anything you touch; all force you applied will continue to exist after time resumes. Forces which warp the space-time continuum, such as gravity or ck Flux, will keep existing in the purple world.


    Purple World will adjust to protect you from the negative effects of stopped time, allowing air to move to fill your lungs, or light to move so you can see. You can maintain Purple World as long as you have Flux to power it.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 74: To the Darkness

    Chapter 74: To the Darkness


    The problem of evil.


    Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.


    Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.


    Is he both able and willing? Then from whencees evil?


    That question had divided priests and philosophers for centuries, and Shroud had stumbled upon the terrible answer. The answer Manus, his mother, anyone who ever glimpsed the truth could never ept.


    Dis had a God, and it was an <em>asshole</em>.


    I wouldnt call myself God, namely because I am far from the only one of my kind, the abomination taunted him. The God your priest worship is not one of us. I care nothing for your kind, the way He does.


    After observing these people for for what, <em>eons</em>? Shroud couldnt even <empute </em>this beings sheer callousness. Youve never developed <em>any </em>sympathy, norpassion for anyone?


    No, was his blunt, amused response. Do you pay attention to all the fish that you eat in your life? You ants exist to sustain me. Nothing more, nothing else. Mortals are fuel for my gears, and toys for my immortal mind. In fact, I would say you owe me a debt of gratitude, for letting you live.


    We owe you <em>nothing</em>, Shroud rasped back.


    So many of the species of Dis would have gone extinct without me. I safeguarded their gic information in my databanks, collected their realities in my matrices. Your Earth, your kind, will keep existing inside my iron body, in one form or another.


    <em>Even if you escape Dis, you will never escape Dis.</em>


    These dark words echoed in Shrouds mind, as their significance hit him like a brick wall.


    No. He had to have a weakness, something they could exploit with enough skill to


    Weakness? Skill? Skill is something lesser creatures invented to make up for ack of power but there are mountains so high and dangerous, that no amount of grit or smarts can ovee. I can y pinball with gxies, extinguish suns with a finger-snap. I am magic; I am fear; I am <em>power</em>.


    If this is so hopeless, why dont you just pull out the plug then?


    It would be boring, of course, Maxwell replied, turning to face the distant chaos. I have reached a point of apathy that Ive decided to up the ante this time around. To y Russian roulette with the cosmos.


    Pandoria.


    Partly. I cannot wait to see which side will inherit Dis. Will Wyrde seed in her reboot and bring about an age of order? Or will the Malekings chaos cause the cosmos to spiral into madness and violence? Maybe Ashmal will seed and cast everything into oblivion or your Sponsors will achieve their great escape in the name of freedom? Or maybe you will surprise me with a fifth oue? So many choices, so many possible endings.


    Does it even matter? Shroud red. In all scenarios, the Dis Maker would remain behind to plot further chaos.


    Who knows? I will be gone if Ashmal has his way. So will everyone else of course, but hope carries the day, doesnt it? As for plotting, Mathias, you wound me. I have nothing to do with this war of yours.


    Nothing? Shroud couldnt believe his hypocrisy. You corrupt everyone who taps too far into your power! You brought Earth to Concordia!


    I set the stage, but I leave mortals to trash it on their own. I have nothing to do with Wyrdes megalomania, nor your mothers, and the Maleking recognizes no authority but his own. It is true that mortals cannot handle my power without it getting to their head, but <em>this</em>?


    Maxwell waved his hand at the chaos, trapped in time.


    This is you mortals doing. And this is what makes it so <em>entertaining</em>.


    Shroud didnt believe him. The fact that his power was what made Concordia possible in the first ce proved it.


    But the sorcerer was no longer interested in narrowing where the me began. You said you would exin the why.


    I did. You want to know the why of your existence? Your purpose? The creatures smirk became unbearably smug. Sorcerers are redundant systems, an extension of my Dis. Each Lock is a role assigned to the system; isted, they seem disparate, chaotic but when you look from far above, the way I do


    They form a greater whole, Shroud realized.


    All Locks are all programs allowing Dis to function, Maxwell confirmed. As I stopped relying on automated systems such as Worldshakers, Dis automatically assigned more and more Locks to mortals. Sometimes, it assigns, to use your inte terminology, moderator roles. Terminals. By their very nature, these Locks possess the seed of something greater, a piece of the magical source code underlying all of Dis sorcery; and with it, the potential to evolve beyond the system from which they originate.


    They are back-ups of Dis, Shroud muttered. To recreate the whole system if it ever goes down.


    <em>He </em>was a back-up.


    Your original theory wasnt that far off from the truth, Maxwell said, This is reproduction, of a sort. Manus wanted to use this Network to take over Dis, believing my central intelligence gone. Instead, he crudely copied the process that allowed Dis toe into existence.


    And you prevented the Administrator from interrupting that process.


    I thought you would be more grateful, Maxwell taunted him. I am giving you a shot at godhood. A slim one, though; your soul may not survive the transition, your sanity pulled apart by all the connections you created before you reach stability. I could not let that corpse of a metal corpse deny me this ending. Even I do not know the oue, and this excites me to no end!


    Maxwell said it with such genuine, gleeful joy, that Shroud instantly believed him. His behavior reminded him of a kid discovering a new game and being impressed with a twist he did not seeing.


    Shroud was just a guinea pig to that entity, just like everyone else.


    If every Lock served as a small part of arger system, namely Dis then the Iron God Protocol starting when he Networked an enormous member of yers made sense. By linking them to himself, Shroud had made them part of Network made them part of his own burgeoning system, and allowing to hit critical mass.


    Magik Onlines servers would be his Neurotowers, and the Sponsors would provide the power needed. He would be another Dis but on a smaller, weaker scale.


    What would happen to those he hadworked though?


    They will be permanent extensions of yourself, the way sorcerers are; especially when they open themselves to me and escte, Maxwell answered the unspoken question. The gears powering up your ascension.


    Very vague, Shroud pointed out. For all he knew, he could end up consuming the souls of yers the way this abomination used them as fuel.


    I promised you the why, not the what or how, the Dis Maker replied with a grin, before looking at the watch on his hand. It has been a very pleasant discussion, but I grow bored of it. Time will resume shortly.


    Shroud suddenly realized he didnt have one a split second ago, materializing the item out of thin air. What a show-off. What next?


    Amuse me, Maxwell replied. As far as I am concerned, thats all you are good for.


    Shroud immediately attempted to shred the avatar with his ss shards from all directions.


    He knew the attempt was doomed, but he couldnt just stand there and take it.


    Maxwell showed no concern at the attack; he didnt even move. Shrouds shards simply turned purple, like the rest of the world, and stopped in time. What was that supposed to do? the avatar asked, his body beginning to glitch like living, talking data.


    I swear it, on my fathers soul. Shroud red back. I will find a way to destroy you. Even if it takes me eons.


    The monsterughed, his digital body copsing into nothingness. Beat my heart, my dear child.


    Time resumed, the only proof this discussion ever happened being Shrouds own memory.


    While this shed light on almost everything, the meeting left the bitterest of taste in his mouth; especially knowing this bastard might get away with this.


    No.


    He wasnt. No matter the cost; he couldnt be allowed to go unpunished.


    Mathias-san? Kari asked him through Network, her tone worried. To her, it must have seemed the Blue Sorcerer had gone away on his own without warning.


    There is nothing down in thebs, Shroud guessed.


    This is disappointing, Mars confirmed. I hoped for an answer.


    I have a few, the Blue Sorcerer replied. And where we can find more.


    Pandoria.


    Ashmal said the ck was the key; that it wasnt part of the n and the Pandorians mere existence showed that. They were glitches in the system, errors that refused to vanish. It was the color of freedom, the only one which, as far as Shroud knew, didnt originate from Dis itself.


    The creator of Dis wasnt as almighty as he pretended to be. He may have set up that meeting to establish its dominance over Shroud, to put him back on track towards the oue the being favored but that only achieved the opposite result.


    Maxwell, Lazarus, whatever name it had, may feel himself untouchable, but the more Shroud learned about him, the less true that became.


    And it would be the opportunity to put an end to Mammon, permanently.


    After fruitlessly searching thebs for hours, Mars gave up and teleported the Dragonyers to the site of their next mission: the frozen wastnd of Antarctica.


    When Concordia took over Earth, the Empire condemned the entire continent, without providing much in the way of an exnation. Orbital scans of a dark spot consuming the south pole on the eventually forced them to admit the truth: that a malfunctioning Neurotower had risen there, and caused a mini-ck hole to open there.


    The Empire always pretended they had it under control and no one dared call out the lie.


    Now that he could see the continent, Shroud realized just far Concordia had underyed the situation. The skies had turned ck, swallowed by a darkness so thick, so unnatural, nothing could escape it.


    Maggie and Mur worked together to provide heat and light with their spells, but every photon seemed drawn to the ckness, devoured by it. Shroud felt the call of the ck farther into the frozen wastnd, the heart of destruction.


    The remains of turrets and Gearsmeny broken on the cold ice all around them, a glimpse at the area telling Shroud they were but part of a massive, ring-like defensive perimeter centering around the ck Tower.


    You didnt build automated turrets to stop a ck hole from growing.


    You built them to shoot the things that crawled out of it.


    From the wreckage, Shroud assumed that Mammon arrived first and didnt waste time. The Midnight King had made way to the tower, animated by the same twisted desire to control time as Shrouds own mother.


    This is as far as I can go, Mars said. Farther and our teleportation would risk being railroaded towards Pandoria.


    Will you fight with us? Sol asked, having unsheathed his sword of light.


    The Sponsor shook his head. My power is a finite resource and will be needed in the near future. I will teleport you back to Taiyougami if you escape the towers event horizon. Past a certain threshold, even signals will be swallowed by it.


    Meaning they had to destroy Mammon and make their way out of the area afterward; which would involve defeating the Midnight King and whoever he had brought with him. What I told you


    Does not change our n, Mars cut off Shroud, who had only breached the subject with him and the Administrator yet.


    If Mars knew the Neurotowers served as Dis servers and hosted its makers mind, yet refused to alter his main n, then it was as Shroud suspected.


    The Sponsors intended to im and destroy it during their final operation, returning Earth to its ce and destroying thest chains holding it to Dis. It would prevent Concordia or the Dis Maker from pursuing mankind at least for a time.


    <em>Not enough, </em>Shroud thought, as the sponsor bide them good luck and teleported away, leaving the Dragonyers on their own.


    Finally, Mur said, swinging his hammer. Sweet revenge atst.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Magik Administrator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(5/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins to Assign</strong></td><td>66</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Locks Stored</strong></td><td>4</td><td><strong>Assign?</strong></td><td><strong>Consume?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Ruin Mode</td><td>1</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Winterfold</td><td>2</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Recursion</td><td>3</td><td>ck</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>36</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Spacesh</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Tulpa</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>44</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timeloop</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Carbonskin</td><td>3</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>33</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>32</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Adaptator</td><td>3</td><td>Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>66</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Forcefield</td><td>3</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Shooting Strike</strong>


    Affinity: Red


    Dot: 3


    Price: 9-15


    Activation: Active, Direct Touch Vector.


    The caster elerates the motion velocity of something they touch, such as a thrown javelin or a car they give a light push to, to supersonic speed. Thus, the caster can turn anything they throw or push into a deadly projectile.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 75: The Pandorian Syndrome

    Chapter 75: The Pandorian Syndrome


    A corpse tower.


    That was the best way Shroud could describe the ck Neurotower. Unlike the intimidating, yet colorful structure in the Midnight Market, this nightmarish location seemed straight out of a horror movie. The structure seemed made of umted bones and corpses made of ck metal, screaming faces of dragons, humans, and serpents frozen in time. The walls leaked a thick oil mixing with the ice, while a ring of energy surrounded the summit, spilling darkness across the skies.


    A Malebranche frigate, which Shroud assumed to be Mammons, hadnded near the tower and started rusting. The spaceship seemed to havended eons ago, consumed by distilled entropy. <table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Warning: Yoshikages ount signal is weakening.</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    Mathias-san Kari asked.


    Shroud sighed, putting his hand on his friends shoulder and feeling the jolt of Network through his body.<table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Yoshikage ount Stabilized.</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>


    He had to do this with every member for the past hour.


    The more they approached the ck Tower, the more it caused Magik Online to bug; to the point that they could no longer contact Mars or the Administrator anymore. Shroud reapplying Network by touching his allies stabilized their ess to their powers, but only temporarily.


    Shroud wondered if Mammon suffered from the same technical difficulties, deep within this stronghold of destruction.


    ording to the hundreds of bloody corpses littering the snowy ground, apparently not.


    The Malebranches troopsShroud assumed they were, since they involved mostly fiends, raiders, and other creatures he had sighted at the Midnight Markethad been decimated, their killer leaving their savaged remains around the towers perimeter as a macabre monument. Reavers whose chest had been punched through, gargoyles turned to gold and then shattered if anything, the one responsible had been thorough.


    Disgusting. Sol shook his head.


    Has the Midnight King massacred his own staff? Stitch wondered as he examined the remains with Kari; while this may have been Pandorians, most of the corpses had their flesh dissolved, or parts of their body turned to gold before death.


    Their souls Kari studied the remains of a fiend. Their souls were defiled.


    The Deathgem spell? Shroud suggesting, guessing what the Midnight King was preparing.


    Possibly, she replied with a frown.


    Mur says his greed got the better of him again, the imp suggested.


    No. Shroud shook his head. Theyre means to an end. Fuel for his spell.


    The target is Mammon, Shroud reminded the team, although they were all familiar with the bastard chest. We know he is a dual Orange/Violet, high Dot Four. His favorite fighting style, from what I gathered from my Conquest game against him, is a mix of using orange spells to increase his strength, and time spells to disrupt the opposition. He is very straightforward, albeit less than Jack.


    He crushed usst time, trapping us in frozen time, Sol pointed out. While he benefited from surprise, we have no hope of victory if we cannot counter his Violet spells.


    Everyone who can buy Timesense, Shroud agreed, buying it himself at once. That should allow us to detect his subtler spells.


    Sir, knowledge does not guarantee protection, Stitch pointed out. As far as I know, only your Recursion spell could potentially counter Mammons abilities. The rest of us are powerless if he manages to make physical contact.


    He didnt need to touch usst time, Maggie pointed out, Just looked at us, and we froze.


    Shroud frowned, as did Stitch. The description of the spells indicate physical contact is necessary for Violet sorcery such as Clockstop or Timeloop.


    He could have found a way around it, Sol said, turning to Shroud. You are the one most familiar with his abilities. Could he have found a way around this limit?


    Shroud had a hypothesis, although a farfetched one. In the Conquest game, Mammon had created homunculi and golems, remote control creatures both tiny and big. If he could somehow empower them with spells, such as Encode, then perhaps he could stealthily target others if he made them small enough. That, or


    We must assume he uses a different vector to transmit the spell, maybe through bugs or simr creatures, Shroud replied. Stitch has Intuimotion, so he could warn us if this is the case. Otherwise, we have to strike him hard before he notices our presence.


    Mur buying strong spells, the imp said, the rest of the team nodding.


    Shroud himself cashed in his Spellcoin reserve and his free Dot Three Spell. Outside of Metalmesh, he mostly focused on ck, hoping proximity to the Neurotower would give these spells an edge. <table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Denial</strong>


    Affinity: ck


    Dot: 2


    Price: 12


    Activation: Passive, App Switch.


    The user corrodes the timeline around them, damaging the very fabric of reality. Precognitive abilities of any kind glitch out around the caster, as possibilities are distorted; time-space abilities (except ck spells) have a greater chance to work erratically on the user. Supernatural bindings, such as Contracts or Curses, also fail to affect the caster or are instantly dispelled if previously applied, as the future drowns in darkness and free-will triumphs.</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Annihtion Cube</strong>


    Affinity: ck


    Dot: 3


    Price: 18


    Activation: Active, Limb Vector.


    The caster project a ck flux cube inside their hand, which can then be tossed at a target; the cube quickly expands to swallow its surroundings, and then erases anything caught within from existence.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Shroud had no idea what the description meant by erratically, but anything disturbing Mammons immensely dangerous abilities was wee. A nce at his allies stats told him they had brought offensive abilities; Mur, in particr, had copypasted most of Mammons spell list, buying Timeloop, Dissolve, and simr abilities.


    He thought he could ovee his fear by bing like it.


    Shroud nced at the Neurotower, finding an unweing, pitch-ck hole within.


    Like moths to a me


    The bowels of the tower looked as nightmarish as the outside. Cramped corridors leaking oil, pipes-like veins pulsating with twisted life, a heavy, poisonous air smelling of rust and toxins


    Shroud and his team had entered a machines animated <em>corpse</em>.


    Even his attempts to establish contact with the structure through Network resulted in anomalies.


    <strong>RefUSed!</strong>


    The mental contact came back as a terrible, distorted sound in his own mind, like a scrambled radio signal.


    Fortunately, they didnt have to look far to find the Midnight King.


    The corridor they used eventually lead the team to a crossroads of them, a hub of pulsating metal flesh surrounding a shining, crimson egg-like structure meshing with the ceiling above. Mammon was busy watching that strange device, his back turned.


    Shroud didnt even give the word. He sent his ss shards to skewer that chest, and Maggie shot him almost as quickly.


    The projectiles hit the chest in the back, but his skin melted off into ice splinters.


    A trick golem.


    Missed! The Midnight Kings voice echoed both through the golem and the corridors.


    The real one wasnt far away. Shroud discreetly informing the group to disperse and find the real Mammon with hand signs; the Blue Sorcerer would keep the puppet busy. Sol and Mur moved in one direction, Maggie and Stitch in another, while Kari remained with him


    You again? the animated puppet said, as it turned around to face Shroud and Kari. You cockroaches, always meddling with my affairs!


    Depends, Shroud replied. If youre attempting what I think, then yes, I will have to stop you.


    Prevent me from casting my Chronobreak again? Laughable.


    Again. Did he remember? How?


    You knew, Mammon hissed angrily. I cast this spell once, in another world. And you remember it. I have seen them inside these bubbles, the worlds which <em>you </em>canceled. The world where I killed my entire species and the one where you reced me. Do they know?


    The golems eyes narrowed in cruel glee.


    That you killed them twice?


    Shroud red back at this golem. He did inform his friends of his ability, but being reminded of this whole debacle left a sour taste in his mood. Kari remained still, refusing to show emotion to the enemy.


    The sorcerer nced at Network, peeking through the eyes of his allies as they explored the corridors, having yet to find Mammon.


    No need to deny it. Ive seen your spells fallouts, Shroud confirmed. Hence why I can confirm you will fail. All you will do is make this continent a darker ce and nothing else. True time-travel is impossible, even for Violet Sorcerers.


    Not impossible, Mammon replied. Paradoxal. Violet cannot allow true time-travel because of the paradoxes involved. But ck ck doesnt care about that. That is why time-travel attempts always result in ck. Chronobreak failed the first time because I attempted it as a Violet. But this time, if I cast it as ck I will go back. Back to the past.


    And what, kill Wyrde in the cradle?


    No. Save my master. Save his Dark Majesty from the prison he spent thest four hundred years trapped in. Make the universe Hell, long before Concordia even existed. To oblivion with the dragons, and those who worship them!


    Not that Shroud would have ever allowed him to cast that spell, but the idea of the Maleking free chilled him to the bone. If Manus scenario was anywhere but close to the truth All you will do is destroy the universe, and your master with it.


    Mammon replied with augh. You would not understand, the creature replied. Mammon may not like it, but he was once but a mere mimic with power. Nobody believed in him, least of all himself until I descended into the towers depths and found my other half trapped there! When I broke the seal, and the Spirit of Conquest embraced me my King spoke to me. Guided me.


    Shroud ignored the monologue, ncing at his allies. Sol had located the source of the voice echo, a tiny, icelike replica of Mammon; a distraction.


    My King had but one wish. That I seize this blue and paint it red! That I bring about a universe ruled by strength and chaos!


    We wont let you take our home, Kari spoke up with determination.


    It is our world as much as you, human. We fiends were banished, sealed into the depth of space when the Old Machines came from the skies, but we walked thisnd long before your puny kind. Earth is <em>our </em>home.


    Why did you kill your own men? Shroud asked.


    I owned them, tiny one. They are all mine. Your life is mine. But this world it belongs to my master. You will all die for him. Mammons golem ignored the sorcerers, turning to the sphere above. Not enough gems, I need more souls to fuel my Chronobreak. More Flux. More than my entire stockpile. More than they could provide. More than you can! Always more!


    Shroud nced up at the egg in the ceiling, glimpsing at shapes moving beyond its surface.


    This egg contained people. The shadowy forms of Pandorians moving in a wastnd under a crimson sun; humans and dragons living side by side in a city of spires and metal. The more Shroud observed, the more the visions became clearer, showing him twisted mirrors of an Evermarsh consumed by toxic miasma, a copy of the Midnight Market consumed by Mammons mad spell, and worlds which could have been, yet never did.


    This egg was one of the doors to Pandoria, and a glimpse of its true nature.


    Canceled timelines.


    Possible universes which Maxwell had erased or destroyed, and yet refused to die. Their survivors hung on as Pandorians, with the leftover data coalescing in a dark realm full of hate and bitterness.


    A cancerous reality made of leftovers, full of bitter souls


    More than enough to fuel his spell.


    Mammon is no longer in the tower, Shroud guessed, speaking up through Network. Hes just dying us.


    Guilty, the Midnight Kings golem raised his hands. Guilty, guilty, guilty!


    Her body d in a golden shroud and moving faster than he ever saw her, Kari cut down the replica in half, the golem melting into snow.


    Shroud moved towards the egg, touching its warm, lifelike surface. A mere push and he would fall through the membrane and into the stillborn worlds it contained.


    How long until Mammon gathered enough souls to cast his Chronobreak? Could he copse one of these stillborn realities and harvest its remains? Could one even survive Pandoria?


    Could they even use Magik Online inside?


    <strong>Come. </strong>Ashmals dark voice echoed in his mind. <strong>Come and see the truth.</strong>


    No way around it then.


    The door to Pandoria is open, and Mammon walked through, Shroud told the group. We will have to intercept him there or die trying.<strong>yers'' Stats</strong><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2">


    <strong>Magik Administrator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Shroud</td><td><strong>Network</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Mathias Martel</td><td>Broadcast</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Grant Spell</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Blue</td><td>Synergize</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Network</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(5/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins to Assign</strong></td><td>66</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stored Saves</strong></td><td>5</td><td><strong>Save?</strong></td><td><strong>Load?</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Locks Stored</strong></td><td>4</td><td><strong>Assign?</strong></td><td><strong>Consume?</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Purge</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Ruin Mode</td><td>1</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Beastmaster</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Mindshield</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Doppelganger</td><td>2</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Heal</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Lightbringer</td><td>2</td><td>Red/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Mad World</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Green</td></tr><tr><td>ss Field</td><td>2</td><td>Blue/Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Winterfold</td><td>2</td><td>ck</td></tr><tr><td>Master Mirror</td><td>3</td><td>Blue/Orange/Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Recursion</td><td>3</td><td>ck</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Yoshikage</td><td><strong>Oversoul</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Kari Matsumoto</td><td>Remember</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Channel Soul</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Yellow</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(1/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Oversoul</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>36</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Wallcraw</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Ward</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Dreamwalker</td><td>2</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Powersurge</td><td>2</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Hands of ughter</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow/Violet/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Spacesh</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Tulpa</td><td>3</td><td>Yellow</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The Mur!</td><td><strong>Adamant</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Murmur the Imp</td><td>Harder</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Faster</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Orange</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Adamant</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>35</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Diceweight</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Pitborn</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Formless</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Homunculus</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Integrator</td><td>2</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Reload</td><td>2</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Timeloop</td><td>3</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Carbonskin</td><td>3</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Dissolve</td><td>3</td><td>Orange</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Doc</td><td><strong>Inseminate</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Nathaniel Stitch</td><td>Spawn</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Incubate</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Green</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Inseminate</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>33</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Premium Thoughts</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Intuimotion</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Psychometry</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Deathgem</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Doom Sense</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Spiritsight</td><td>1</td><td>Yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Timesense</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Pathfinder</td><td>1</td><td>Violet</td></tr><tr><td>Alchemic Grasp</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Flux Sight</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sharpshoot</td><td><strong>Spellgun</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Maggie Jesse Powells</td><td>Crimson Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>Homing Bullet</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td>Red</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Spellgun</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>32</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Stockmight</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Thunderling</td><td>2</td><td>Green/Red</td></tr><tr><td>Bullseye</td><td>2</td><td>Violet/Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Soundwave</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Lightningrod</td><td>2</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Adaptator</td><td>3</td><td>Green</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><strong>ount</strong></td><td colspan="2"><strong>Dragonyers Guild Moderator</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>Sol</td><td><strong>Aegis</strong></td><td><strong>Progress</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Holder</strong></td><td>Solomon Niche</td><td>Spell Martyr</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>3 (Magister)</td><td>el Ally</td><td>Unlocked</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td><td><strong>White</strong></td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/3)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lock</strong></td><td>Aegis</td><td>Locked Feature</td><td>(0/7)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spellcoins</strong></td><td>66</td><td>Overlock</td><td>(0/1)</td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Spell Compendium</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Dot</strong></td><td><strong>Affinity</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Peak</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Needless</td><td>1</td><td>Green</td></tr><tr><td>Babel</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Blue World</td><td>1</td><td>Blue</td></tr><tr><td>Quasar</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Biosurge</td><td>1</td><td>Red</td></tr><tr><td>Reinforce</td><td>1</td><td>Orange</td></tr><tr><td>Encode</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Spell Syphon</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>el</td><td>1</td><td>White</td></tr><tr><td>Forcefield</td><td>3</td><td>Red</td></tr></tbody></table>


    <strong>Spell of the Day</strong><table><tbody><tr><td>


    <strong>Dissolve</strong>


    Affinity: Orange


    Dot: 3


    Price: 9-15


    Activation: Active, Limb Vector.


    The user destroys bonds between chemicalponents on touch, turning matter into primordial goo. Dissolve may affect both organic and inorganic matter.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 Outline & Closing Words

    Outline & Closing Words


    This outline starts after thest chapter''s ending.


    After crossing the portal into Pandoria, Shroud awakens in the imperial homeworld of Concordia (or what <em>appears </em>to be Concordia), where he shares an apartment with his old crush Samantha and serves under his mother Alice as the Vice Blue Minister. He quickly realizes that he is an alternate reality, one which is limited in scope (the world glitches out past a certain perimeter) and resetting every twelve hours. He finds his scattered team there, and they realize this is an overwritten reality long destroyed; one where Mathias never became Shroud and instead joined Concordia.


    They manage to escape this realm and realize that Pandoria is actually a patchwork, cancerous multiverse made of all the alternate realities deleted by Dis over its long existence; many of them ended up there due to Wyrdes actions, as she alters history to favor her own homeworld. With each deletion, Pandorias power grows, spreading ck Flux and causing more glitches in reality.


    They track down Mammon to a nightmarish, rusted city overtaken by ck Flux and Pandorians, where the archdevil tries to harness the power of various realities to cast a mighty time-travel spell; the same one that caused the devastation of the Midnight Market. His goal is to go back thousands of years in the past, preventing the Malekings original sealing and thus creating a universe ruled by the forces of Hell.


    Obviously, a battle starts and the group manages to put Mammon down before he canunch the spell. However, this also attracts the attention of Pandorias ruler Ashmal, who reveals himself as a colossal Pandorian who went insane after realizing Dis true nature. His ultimate goal is to have Pandoria swallow Dis, before copsing all of reality into nothingness - which in his mind, is mercy.


    As they try to escape the seemingly-invincible Ashmal, the heroes are helped by what appears to be a dragon made of maggots with great magical powers, who can travel between Pandoria and normal reality at will.


    The group returns to Earth, but things get worse. The Maleking finally escapes from his prison, revealing himself to be the Beast of the Apocalypse, long ago sealed by the Dismaker. He makes his way towards Earth in a straight line, destroying every celestial object on the way, and makes his intentions clear: conquer the as his birthright, destroy Wyrde, and then create a universe where might makes right.


    In preparation for his masters arrival, the Malekings Horsemen of the Apocalypsend on Earth; the resistance and some benevolent Concordian like Kresnik and Samantha (who now works for Alice Martel) make a temporary ceasefire to focus on them. Mur and his old rival, the Horseman Graff, mutually kill each other.


    However, the arcadian hunters leader, Lord Revel (revealed to be the god Dagda, having been consumed by Dis magic during the ancient godwar) proves himself unstoppable. Unable to defeat this powerful archmage, Shroud, out of options, is convinced by an increasingly maniacal Stitch to awaken a Worldshaker before using [Network] to pilot it.


    Now in control of a gigantic alien war machine, and being able to channel his spells through it, Shroud confronts Revel and both prove to be evenly matched; however, the battle ends when ckcinders has both of them bombarded from orbit, killing Revel and disabling Shroud. As a result of his evolving Lock, Shroud is permanently fused to the Worldshaker, as he starts transforming into an Iron God; a new Dis linked to the Magik Online system. This was what Stitch had nned all along, having be obsessed with Dis technology and now desiring to see the process out of intellectual curiosity.


    Concordia captures the disabled Shroud and brings him to the White Neurotower in the arctic as Wyrde prepares tounch her nned reboot. She reveals herself to Shroud and exins that her goal is to create a perfect universe without pain or suffering, where she will be reunited with her dead cofounder Halcyon, and where Mathias himself will live a happy life; whether he wants it or not. Shroud''s mother Alice tries to convince him to go along, as sheunches the reboot.


    However, as Wyrde makes her move, so do others. The Maleking finally arrives, his Lock [Apocalypse Force] causing disasters all around the globe; Ashmal emerges from the ck Tower with an army of Pandorian and makes his way north; and mankind assaults the Neurotowers around the Earth to prevent the reboot.


    This results in a cataclysmic melee. Ashmal makes his move towards the White Neurotower, intending to corrupt Wyrdes reboot and end all existence; mankind and the old gods/sponsors try to gain control over the Neurotowers to teleport Earth back in its sr system; the Maleking fights the Concordian fleet; and Wyrde attempting tounch her universal reboot.


    Samantha, who has grown increasingly disturbed by Concordias insane ambitions, is eventually convinced by her old friend Maggie to switch sides; she epts a Magik Online offer and helps Shrouds team (helped by Ulysses) get into the White Neurotower. They confront Wyrde, while Alice continues with the reboot.


    Loctis intervenes and is revealed to be the maggot-dragon under an illusion spell. He admits that he was supplying both the human resistance and the Malebranche with information to take down Concordia, reasoning that Wyrde had be a tyrant and that their cofounder Halcyon would be ashamed of what the Empire has be. He begs Wyrde to listen to reason, but she is so set in her ways that she refuses to imagine any alternative to her n. Loctis fights his former mentor with Shrouds team, but they can only hold the mighty dragon archmage back.


    While the reboot happens, Shroud ends up having a semi-surreal experience where he is briefly connected to all of Dis at once, finally understanding the enormous size of the artificial universe. Dis turns out to be an artificial dimension growing by absorbing pieces of other universes into itself, as it abducted Earth from its original sr system, before using the souls of those it captures as Flux energy. Anton Maxwell/The Dismaker appears to him, confirming that he is Dis incarnate, lonely, and that his goal was to create another him so he could have someone to share eternity with. He offers Shroud to either proceed with the reboot, join him and rule Dis together, or let Ashmal end everything (having grown so bored with immortality, Maxwell relishes the possibility of dying).


    Instead, Shroud decides to choose no side but mankinds: preventing Wyrdes Reboot, rejecting the Dismaker, and unleashing a powerful wave of White Flux which purifies Ashmal and his Pandorian army, finally allowing them to die. Shroud then absorbs Pandorias energies into himself, fuses with Magik Onlines Administrator, and bes an Iron God; the same creature as Maxwell/Dismaker, with the power to grant magic to others, create his own neurotowers, and with total control over the Magik System.


    Wyrde realizes that due to Shroud short-circuiting the necessary systems, the Reboot is no longer possible; she mentally copses as the realization that everything she did was for nothing andpletely shuts down. Alice, meanwhile, is overwhelmed with despair at Shroud rejecting her vision, and in denial over her own esction, activates the bases self-destruct sequence. Wyrde refuses to evacuate, and Shroud loses his mother to her own madness.


    As a result of the failed reboot, the sponsors'' n seeds, and a portal starts teleporting Earth and its moon back to their original sr system, far away from Dis and its madness.


    Meanwhile, realizing that Wyrde is dead, ckcinders vows revenge. She decides to use her gravity control to pull the Moon out of orbit and crash it against the Earth before it can get away, reasoning that <em>the apes should not outlive Concordias Grandmaster.'' </em>Horrified, Loctis, the Golden Prince, and othermanders like Kresnik order the Concordian forces to stand down and leave the, causing a civil war among the Empires ranks. Meanwhile, the Maleking orders his troops to st the Concordian fleet to oblivion with ck Flux bombs, while he attempts to follow Earth into the portal and escape Dis.


    Now the incarnation of the Magik Online system with full ess to all spells, including Dot 5 and ck Flux, Shroud supercharges the surviving yers with his enhanced [Network] and allow them to push back the Concordian and Malebranche; he makes his farewell to his surviving teammates, has a brief telepathic talk with Ulysses and Perse, then goes to engage the fleets in orbit.


    The godlike Shroud devastates both groups, kills ckcinders by ramming an asteroid on her, and then pushes back the Maleking before he can enter the portal. The Earth and its Moon escape Dis, the Neurotowers detonating afterward; the is free, and mankind can rebuild alongside the old gods. Shroud, however, remains trapped behind.


    Furious, the Maleking tries to murder Shroud in a final act of spite, reasoning that he cannot stand the existence of a benevolent god. The duel takes ce over several realities as they jump through them until Shroud finally erases the almighty archfiend from existence with a Dot 6 Hack.


    Fast forward, Manah assumesmand over the Malebranche, intending to reform them into a more peaceful organization while she continues the war with Concordias remnants; while the dragon empire splinters into a reformist bloc led by Loctis, and an old guard bloc made of Wyrdes hardline followers. Shroud, now a god, decides to watch over Dis to counter the Dismakers malevolent influence, vowing to one day overthrow the mad deity. Maxwell/Dismaker responds that he wees the challenge, but has the feeling that the two of them will keep this up forever.


    The story ends yearster as Kari Matsumoto meets with her surviving teammates and the Werners in a rebuilt Japan. Finally having the chance to live a normal life, she looks at the skies and wonders if Shroud is watching somewhere. In another universe, standing over a developing, peaceful alien world, an iron god looks up at the skies too; thinking that as long as there is life, there is hope.


    The End.


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