Clammy awoke to bird songs, she slowly got dressed and went to the kitchen. Reep was making breakfast humming a tune.

I think she’s doing better; I know I am. Clammy thought to herself. Normally Vel would be already up, helping Reep make food, she would then disappear until training actually started.

“Where's Vel?” Clammy asked.

“Hmm? Oh, she and Max are outside somewhere by the water.”

“Max is awake?”

“Yeah, he had an epiphany last night or something and now he’s testing new spells.”

“Alright, I'm going to see how they're doing. We need to go to the Adventuring Guild later, remember?”

“Mhm, I’m making French Toast, a recipe from Max’s world. He said it was his favorite. Tell him it will be ready in 20 minutes!”

Clammy nodded and ventured out to the courtyard. After a few minutes of failed searching, she decided that she needed a better vantage point to find Vel and Max. She slowly started floating up, using her magic. She spotted Vel by a small dock. Instead of lowering herself and walking over, she kept her weightlessness but added horizontal gravity, making her move forward. She had tried levitating herself before, but never with movement. She timidly moved towards Vel.

Vel watched Clammy approach, a smile on her face. Clammy landed, looking for Max. Vel shoved her thumb towards the water. Max was underwater, a sphere of water was visibly spinning around him.

“He learned how to breathe underwater, another mythic spell. Lost One Dongoshit.” Vel had explained to Max the cover story that they would tell everyone, earlier in the morning.

“How long has he been down there?” Clammy asked, shocked.

“Ohh... an hour and a half maybe? He’s working on a defensive spell that surrounds himself in water. Since he doesn't have to breathe, his only limiting factor is mana.”

“HOUR AND A HALF?” Clammy was about to jump into the water to make sure he was okay, but Vel stopped her.

“Kid, if you go down there right now, you will be swallowed up by the current he is creating.” Vel started gathering mana, touching her finger to Clammy’s head. “Look again.”

Clammy’s eyes felt weird, like she had gotten water in them. She trusted Vel and peered over the edge of the dock. The water was crystal clear. The spell was called Water Sight, it allowed the caster or target to view through water with no obstruction. Clammy saw hundreds of fish being pulled into an orbit around Max. She was stunned.

“H-how are there so many fish?”

“Kid are you daft? I just explained it to you. Max is spinning water around himself in a sphere, causing the nearby water to form a strong current. The fish come in and can't go out. Don’t worry, they should be fine.”

“I can't swim, how was I supposed to know?” Clammy muttered quietly.

“YOU CAN'T SWIM?” It was Vel’s turn to be shocked. “How have you gone 15 years without swimming?”

“I was... Sheltered as a kid. My first real outing was... Well...”

Realizing her mistake, Vel put her hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze.

“We all have our past, kid. Some good, some bad. But remember, it is not our past who defines us. It’s our present and future.” Vel said with a proactive smile. “Now then, tell me about that flying spell you just used.”

Clammy smiled, “I haven't gotten the spell box yet, that was actually my first try. I figured out a while ago that I can make objects fly, so I thought why not myself? It worked pretty well, I’d say.”

“There is a story from Earth about flying too close to the sun. Lester actually named Icarus after the main character. Don’t run out of mana up there, kid.”

Clammy shuddered, remembering the broken body of Denny. Max eventually emerged from the water, shouting in joy. Before he said anything, Clammy told him that breakfast was ready a few minutes ago, making Max rush to dry off.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I asked Reep for a special breakfast and now I'm going to be late for it?” Max asked

“Well, I’m sorry you were BREATHING underwater in a SPHERE of water, UNDERWATER! How was I supposed to tell you?” Clammy replied.

“I don’t know. Throw a rock?”

“Tried.”

Max grumbled something and increased his pace to the kitchen table. Reep, had a bemused face. Reep went on to explain that she knew he was going to be late and ended up giving Clammy a 10-minute buffer. They all laughed at that, except Max.

“I was never this bad on Earth, I swear.” Max said downcast.

“Oh, shut up and eat.” Vel snapped!

Once the meal was starting to whine down, the conversion changed to Max and his new training.

"-and that's how I learned to breathe underwater." Max told the girls, reciting Vel's story perfectly. "Vel had the idea to surround myself in a spinning water. The idea is a perfect shield. The spell is called Center of Water, it's a rare domain spell."

Three forks quickly clanked, falling from three stunned hands.

"Domain? You learned a domain spell, with only the concept?" Reep asked.

"Well, yeah? My gift gives me better manipulation of water, and I learn domain spells easier from my class."

"Show it to me." Vel said, giving him no indication, he was allowed to say no.

Max pulled up the notification and willed it to them three.

Congratulations you have learned the water domain spell: Center of Water (Domain Rare).

Channeled

Water rushes to defend you in a perfect sphere. You serve as an anchor, where you go water will follow. Other spells are usable while Channeling.

For learning your first domain spell you gain 150 experience.

Congratulations [Tidal Mage] is now level 3.

You gain 5 stat points.

"Oh it's not as good as I assumed." Vel said.

"What? How is that not good?"

"This is a real domain spell." Vel's eyes looked through him for a moment before a box appeared to him.

Domain Spell: Dark ice Requiem (Domain Mythic).

Using you as a center, dark water rushes outward, freezing anything in its path.

"It's very similar to what Icer used against the Kepu. You see, the spell causes a chain reaction. Once ice forms on something, more ice will form on that ice and on that ice." She made a repeating gesture.

The three students were quiet. They had all known that Vel was an [Arch Mage] but without a benchmark, they had no idea how powerful she actually was. The three sat in silence, each thinking about how to become stronger.

Max broke the silence. “Sooo, we are going to take on a quest?”

“Yes, we were going to go to the adventure guild after breakfast. Do you want to come?” Reep asked.

“I don’t think so. I want to try and learn another spell; I think it could do a lot of damage. Since my only offensive spell is Water Bolt. Since my sword is unreliable, I think it will be worthwhile.”

“If you're not going to go, you three need to choose a team name and captain.” Vel said.

“Reep should be team captain.” Max said firmly.

“Wh- Me?!” Reep shrieked.

“Agreed.” Clammy announced.

“Reep, you are the most responsible out of the three of us. Plus, you are the highest rank between us. Tell me a good reason NOT for you to be team captain.” Max said.

“I-I don’t know what to say...”

“Don’t say anything, just accept it.” Clammy reached around her shoulder squeezing her in a light hug. “You are going to be a great leader. I can feel it.”

“Well, that's great and all, but team name! It’s the most important part, you don’t want to have a dumb name!” Vel said with more enthusiasm than Max had ever seen from her.

The three looked at each other, all shrugging. No one had any ideas. Max didn’t want to name them something from Earth, he felt it lame. Clammy, honestly didn’t care. She wanted someone else to choose, it would make it easier for her. Reep had a name, but she didn’t think the others would go for it. She chose to remain silent.

Vel noticed Reep’s unusual posture. “Just say it girl.”

Reep looked aghast. How did she- Reep shook her head, resolving herself.

“I have a name… It was my parents team name before… Before they were killed, and I was taken as a slave.” Reep’s voice was quiet and sad.

“Your parents were adventurers?” Max asked.

“Yes... they were amethyst ranked.”

“Amethyst? Is that high?”

“Fourth from highest. The ranks are, wood, copper, iron, gold, amethyst, sapphire, ruby, emerald, and Magestone. Once you break into the gem ranks, you are considered a true adventurer.” Vel answered quickly.

“What happened to them? Your parents I mean.” Clammy slowly asked.

“They were killed. A group called Ikzag’s Vast Empire, murdered them. Ikzag is the God of Pestilence and Slow Death. My parents' team... They took on a quest to investigate a series of murder and thefts, in the capital. It turns out it was the Vast Empire. I was 12 at the time and had no money, no food, I had to steal. I stole from the wrong [Merchant] and was sold to [Slavers].”

She took a breath and cleared her tears. “Eventually I was bought. The person who bought me was a member of Vast Empire. Apparently, my parents had pleaded with him to spare them, saying “we have a child at home!”. The man gave me to Denny and Tyr, new recruits for their cult. The rest you all know.”

The other three were shocked, Vel most of all. “The Empire is back? I thought we destroyed them. How are they back? Reep, I know this is hard to talk about, but I need to know everything you know about them.”

“Oh... I understand. I don’t know much. My parents wanted to keep me out of their jobs as much as possible. I only know the name ‘Vast Empire’ because the man who bought me liked to drink. When he got drunk, he talked, among other things.” she shuddered. “All members were forced to tattoo a rune around their belly button. It would kill them if they ever betrayed the cult. It was also considered a membership card. That’s really all I know. Sorry.”

“No, girl, that's a huge boon. I need to tell the appropriate channels. Excuse me.” Vel stood and left, leaving the others.

“Reep, I’m sorry that all happened to you.” Clammy said, “Let's make a vow. If we ever come across the “Vast Empire”, we destroy them.” Clammy looked between the other two. Max nodded and Reep looked frightened.

“If you don’t want to Reep, we won’t. Just know that we are here for you. After all, we are a team.” Max said.

The two looked at Reep, waiting for a response. Max and Clammy could tell that she was thinking things through, and they were both fine with waiting. Max had realized that he put Reep and Clammy on the backburner. He wanted to be there for both of them, Clammy’s vow will only help. On the other hand, Clammy saw a hurt, scared young woman. A woman that was failed by the royals. Before Clammy left her family, she had never really met a slave. After meeting Reep, however, Clammy decided the royals were wrong. She was wrong. Slavery should be outlawed; everyone should be free.

“Thank you.” Was all Reep was able to say. She didn’t cry, but Clammy and Max knew she wanted to. Once the moment passed, Max asked.

“What was your parents' team's name?”

“Humble Titans.”

There was a brief silence, “I like it.” Clammy said.

“Alright then, from today onwards we shall be known as the Humble Titans.” Max said, a large smile on his face.

The three laughed, finding joy even in the darkest of conversations. Max for the first time since coming to this world, felt correct. He still wanted to get home, but he also knew that it was a far-off goal. He needed to live in the present, after all now he had a family. A beaten and broken family, but a family, nonetheless.

“I have something to say.” Clammy announced. “I have not been honest with who I am to the both of you. I am not Clammy, a Merchant's daughter.” she stopped herself.

Can I really tell them? What if they kick me out? Where would I go… No! No. Max and Reep wouldn’t do that. Would they? Clammy took a deep breath, summoning the courage to speak.

“I am Princess Bella Salae, sixth in line to the Throne of Salae.” Clammy looked around, neither Max or Reep had said anything. Her anxiety flared.

“We know.” Max said.

“You knew? What how?” Clammy asked, mortified.

“I had my suspicions when we first met, I think Reep did also.” she nodded, “When we went into Domic’s office, Captain Shatterwing was talking to him about a missing Princess. We both put the pieces together. I think Vel knows also.”

“Why did you never say anything.”

“It was never our place to ask. We both could tell you were running, and that you would tell us eventually.” Reep said, nonchalantly.

“I think I’m going to be sick.” Clammy rushed off to the bathroom, her anxiety finally breaking.

A little while later, Clammy came back. Her eyes were red, hints of tears plagued her face. She had been crying, Max and Reep assumed the worst but before they could ask her what was wrong, she stopped them with a hug.

“Thank you both. You can always count on me. Thank you.”

“It is expected after all, we are a team!” Max said quietly.

“Do you want us to call you Clammy or Bella?” Reep asked.

Clammy broke off the hug, smiling proudly.

“Clammy!”

The girls were walking to the adventure guild, they had already stopped by an [Armor Smith] to fix the dents in Clammy chest piece. The Adventure Guild was rugged and worn, after all it is one of the oldest buildings in Lesterwood. The building itself is primarily made of wood, steel, and stone. If the building didn’t have the historical value, it would have been demolished and rebuilt. The front had a large sign with a sword and shield painted on it, off to the side was a sign with a mug of ale. The guild was famous for their [Brewers].

Clammy and Reep walked through the door, a few heads turning to examine them. Most heads turned back after the initial glance, while some did not. One such Drake slowly stumbling up, swaying on his feet. He approached, visibly drunk.

“What's two pretty things like you doing in here, you lost?” he reached out to grab Reep's arm, but he quickly found himself out of reach.

The drunkard was floating, Clammy had applied her Gravity Magic on his approach. She had slowly lowered his gravity, eventually adding a reversed property. Once he noticed his feet were not on the ground, he started shouting.

“HEY! Wh-Why. What's- HELP!”

“Does anyone want to claim him? No harm no foul?” Clammy announced.

Everyone in the common room was watching them. The drunk flailed, trying to find something to push off of. Some of the patrons' eyes were slowly widening. Others looked on with a smile. One person raised their hand, cowering slightly.

“He-he’s with me. I apologize on his behalf, m-my Lady.” A lanky Birdfolk man said. He had blue and green feathers and a long yellow beak. Birdfolk were rare in Lesterwood, most opting to live closer to the mountains. Salae had many clans of Birdfolk, Clammy knew their customs from her Princess training. She decided to show him respect back, after all he was not the issue here. She bowed and spoke:

“Thank you.” She maneuvered the man over to the Harpy’s table, making sure to leave enough room from the man’s wildly swinging appendages.

“Anyone else?” Clammy challenged. She and Reep stood strong. When no one took their challenge, they continued forward to the quest board. The quest board was a simple piece of wood separated into 10 columns, one for each rank. The leftmost had the most postings, while the far right had only 3. Clammy glanced at those three, they read:

MAGESTONE:

Extermination (Continuous): Death Affinity Monsters

Retrieval (1): Witro’s Lily (Divine)

Information: Dark God Cults

Yeah, looks about right. Any death affinity monster would definitely be Magestone level. Witro’s Lily, a flower named after a god? Never heard of it, but its Divine ranked so no wonder. Dark god cults. Huh, I wonder if that's from Vel? Clammy thought to herself.

She looked at Reep, subtly nodding to the third post. Reep nodded to her, signifying she was thinking the same. The two moved over to the wood section.

Kill goblins, kill treents, collect flumesfire, collect Nature’s Willow. All lame. Clammy thought.

Reep pointed to a posting, drawing Clammy’s attention. About halfway down was a small, crumpled piece of parchment:

Wood:

Exterminate: Flame Dire Wolf (estimated level 8)

Village of Leafhall is being plagued by a Flame Dire Wolf, looking for a party of 5 to exterminate the beast, and its kin.

10 gold for the head of the beast.

5 gold for all of its kin.

“Fire affinity is countered by Max, and he has that issue with wolves, right? I think he would agree to it.” Reep said.

“I agree, but it says five is the minimum to accept. I don’t think they would allow us to go out as three.”

“You're probably right, but maybe we can use Max’s affinity as a bargaining chip.”

Clammy nodded and followed Reep to the counter. A Pixie greeted them. He was small, around 5 foot. He had short green hair, and deep emerald eyes to match. He wore a receptionist uniform along with glasses on a silver chain. Pixies were known for their flying and subtle magics. Most Pixie racials had something to do with Wind Magic. Wings and Wind Magic are a powerful flying combination.

“How can I help you? By the way, I loved the way you dealt with Drake over there. Was that Wind Magic? I couldn’t even feel the gust.”

“Hello, and no it was not Wind Magic.” Clammy said with a wink.

The Pixie didn’t know how to respond. He thought either she was lying, or she was a very powerful mage. He put his best smiling on, saying:

“I see. What can I help you with?”

Reep reached forward, placing the posting on the counter.

“We would like to register our team and accept this quest.” Reep spoke with certainty.

“This is a wood level quest. You know that right?”

“Like I said, we don’t have an official team. We need to start somewhere, right?”

“Right… Just fill out this form, after that you can accept the quest.”

“Is it going to be a problem that we only have 3 members?” Reep asked.

“Uhh. No. I have already seen what one member can do. I will waive the requirements. Just… Be careful.”

“We will, thank you.”

Reep and Clammy sat down, filling out the form. The form explicitly stated that the rank of the team will be equal to the lowest rank of the members. Some exceptions could be made, but those were typically for the higher ranks. The guilds used a “points” system to know when members should rank up. Quests give points in regard to their difficult or special circumstances. Extra points were awarded for miss leveled quests or for completing bonus objects. For example, the quest to kill a Flame Dire Wolf, is worth 20 points. Killing the rest of the pack would be considered a bonus, adding 10 points. The “material” ranks all require 50 points to rank up. The “Gem” ranks requires 200.

The point discrepancy was in place to dissuade teams from taking only easy quests from the board. While two quests can be considered the same rank, they might not be the same difficulty. This was put into place when a team ranked all the way to Emerald, only doing harvest quests. If a team fails to complete the accepted quest, unless they can prove it was harder than the listed rank, they lose points. Standard point loss is double the main objective.

Reep turned in the filled-out form. The receptionist gave her a small scroll. The scroll had a letter of introduction written on it. He also told them the pass phrase, Bird Song. He explained that bandits sometimes kill adventures on the way to villages. Posing as the dead adventurers, they use their power to plunder the town. The passcode is more secure for the villagers.

He lastly gave Reep a map, the village already marked. They said their thanks and left, picking up lunch on the way back.

They found Max in the underground training room. He was sitting within a ball of spinning water. Small spouts of rapidly surging water spun around him. Suddenly a spout launched towards a target dummy. The dummy was picked up by the force generated from the swirling waters. When the water finally dissipated, the dummy could be seen again. Ordinarily the dummies looked like reinforced scarecrows. Now, the dummy had rips and tears, its limbs were twisted to wrong angles, and large dents lay in its metal frame.

A second spout launched forward. This time, small shards of ice spun with the water. The ice created a pseudo buzzsaw effect. The resulting dummy had the same damage as the previous but acquired much more cuts and rips. The third and final spout was more compact. While the two previous spouts were around 3 meters tall, this one was around one and a half. The spout landed, but instead of absorbing the dummy into the water, it rebounded. The resulting dummy was savagely thrown, impacting hard on the closest wall. The spout stayed stable; Max controlled it into a second dummy. After the third, the spout finally failed.

Max remained in his water sphere; his eyes still closed. Max was mumbling under his breath, much like a priest would saying a prayer. The sphere of water started to slowly roll forwards, taking Max along. Max and the water’s speed kept increasing. Both Clammy and Reep worried that he was going to slam into the wall. Abruptly the sphere stopped, absorbing all of Max’s forward momentum.

The girls started walking towards Max, thinking the display was over. Suddenly, the sphere started rising. Sweat started down Max’s forehead, only to be taken by the flood of water. The sphere was only a few inches when it popped. A few hundreds of gallons of water fell, splashing down and out. Max fell, it was only about a foot, but he landed hard. Max finally opened his eyes, groaning in pain. The girls rushed to him.

“Max! Are you okay?” Reep asked, beating Clammy to it.

Max sat there breathing hard, unable to speak. He held his weak arms up, signaling he was fine. After a few minutes of rest, he felt good enough to talk.

“I’m... okay. How was the-Guild?” he asked, his breath still rigid.

“The guild? Are you kidding Max? That's what you want to talk about? The guild? Not what you were just doing? Do you even see how much damage those tornados did?” Clammy said, not trying to hide how livid she was.

“Spouts... They are called... spouts.”

Max took a moment to assess the damage, after all this was his first time seeing it. Max used his Space Affinity to determine where the dummies were. He could feel their space being occupied. The destruction surprised him. Most of all it was the third spout. Max figured that it would be hard to stop once he became more proficient at casting it.

Max looked over the dummy the ice spout hit. Small shards of melting ice could still be seen protruding out. Max had figured out how to freeze water a few days ago. After his initial experiments with it, he forgot to use it more. This was his first offensive test using ice, and he was quite happy with the damage to mana cost. Adding ice only made the spell cost a little bit more compared to the bare spout. Vel had told him something similar when he was first experimenting.

“Ice is efficient but takes time to form.”

Max had to agree with her assessment on the time front. His normal spout only took 10 seconds to fully form. The compressed one took 12, and the ice 23. If Max froze the water too quickly the whole spout would suddenly flash freeze, ending all chances of a working spell. The trick was to slowly lower the temperature of the water he wanted to freeze while maintaining the rest.

Max decided to use his normal tornado when he had the freedom for a large cast time. Exchanging it with the compressed one when the situation called for it. The ice spout was not realistic. Once he became more proficient with ice? Sure, but until then?

With the creation of these three spells, he hit the favorite spell cap. He looked through his notifications and changed his favorites list. He removed Create Flame, Fisherman’s Friend, and Water Write.

Congratulations you have learned the spell Waterspout (uncommon):

15 Mana

Variable Damage

Water spirals into a vertical form. Damage dealt will depend on time spent within the Spout.

Congratulations, Waterspout has become level 3!

Congratulations you have learned the spell variant Waterspout: Ice (Variant Uncommon):

19 Mana

Variable Damage

Using shards of ice within a Waterspout, creates a more deadly spell.

Congratulations, Waterspout has become level 4!

Congratulations, Waterspout has become level 5!

For learning your first spell variant you gain 30 experience.

Congratulations you have learned the spell variant Waterspout: Compressed (Variant Uncommon):

17 Mana

Variable Damage

Compressing a Waterspout adds to the durability and its ricochet power.

Congratulations, Waterspout has become level 6!

Congratulations, Waterspout has become level 7!

Congratulations, Manipulate Water has become level 6!

Tidal Mage: Favorited Spells.

1.Manipulate Water

2.Water Bolt

3.Water

Shield

4.Center of Water

5.Soothing Mist

6.Waterspout

7.Waterspout: Compressed

Name:

Max Fowler

Race:

Lost One (Human Earth)

Class:

Tidal Made: level 3 (79/320)

Heath: 35/35

Mana 120/120

Stats:

Strength:

Dexterity:

Stamina:

Intellect:

Wisdom:

10

10

10

15

30

Stat Points:

0

“Max? Are you listening?” Clammy asked, breaking Max from his menus.

“Oh sorry, what did you ask?”

“We understand what the spouts were, but what about the thing you tried at the end? You rushed forward, then tried to fly?”

“Yep, exactly right.”

“You were trying to fly? In a huge ball of water? Are you crazy?” Max was slightly taken back by her accusation.

“What do you mean? You can fly. Why can’t I?”

“I can fly because I’m only lifting my weight. Not a thousand pounds of water.”

“Ah but that's where you are wrong, dear Clammy.” Max said with a posh accent. “I did fly. Barely off the ground, sure. But I did. That is what matters to me.”

Clammy made an unamused face. She looked at Reep, pleading for help. Reep shrugged, saying:

“I don’t think she is saying that flying using water is impossible. I think she is talking about how much strain a small amount of height gave you.”

“Ah. Yes, that is true. I’m going to have and raise my Manipulate Water level more.” he said with a shrug.

“And intellect.”

“Hmm, I never thought that intellect would affect that. Good idea, Reep.”

She could only smile at the praise. Max though, I should praise her more often.

“Enough of that, what happened with the Guild?”

“Drunk guy tried to touch Reep. Levitating him away. The que-”

“Someone tried to touch you? And you just levitated him away?” Max asked, surprised.

“Then she challenged the whole room, “Anyone else?” she said! It was badass.” Reep was smiling like a giddy child, “I think the whole place thought she was an [Arch Wind Mage]. How many other classes do you know that could move someone like that?”

Reep’s retelling may have been slightly embellished, but it still caused Clammy to turn bright red.

“What happened to the scared little kid Clammy?” Max laughed.

“I’m… Not sure. I think it was finally getting a class and gaining some power. I... Just don’t want to be weak anymore, so I figured, go big or go home.”

The group laughed to themselves for a few more minutes, eventually Max realized he still didn't know what the quest was. Reep handed him the paper, explaining that it was originally for 5 people. Max was totally fine with the quest. He had a thing for wolves, and he knew it.

“Alright, we leave at dawn, and we should get there by sundown if we hurry.” Reep stated.

“Mhm, how late do the markets stay open?” Max asked.

“Once it starts to get dark, most pack up. Why?”

“I just thought we should buy supplies.”

Both the girl’s eyes opened in alarm. Max calmed them saying they had plenty of time. The group ate their lunch and headed out to the market. While they were eating, they talked about what they needed. They decided that they all should carry small packs, traveling light. Max would serve as a mule, holding the bigger items in his inventory.

Vel and Icarus stood together, watching a projection. A small crystal bloomed light through it, creating an image of the underground training room. Max, Reep, and Clammy had just exited. The destruction from Max’s spouts is still evident.

“What do you think?” Icarus asked.

“They look solid for their ranks. The quest should be a cake walk.” Vel replied.

“I’m not talking about the team. I’m asking about Max. What do you think of him?”

“I think...I think that if he survives until his tier three class, he’s going to be a monster. Far stronger than Lester or I.”

“That’s what Lester thinks also.”

“Ah now you confirm he is alive.”

“Oh please, you never thought he died.”

Vel snorted.

“What about the other two.” Icarus asked.

“Clammy, or should I say Bella? She is going to be a force to reckon with if her confidence goes up. I watched her and Reep at the guild this morning. She scared the shit out of a harpy.”

“And Reep?”

“I don’t know. She's traumatized. That much is apparent. For her potential combat power? Well... you remember Bishop... You know what her class combination can do.”

Icarus shuddered. “I still can’t believe you contacted him.”

“She needs all the help she can get.”

“What about Vast Empire?” Icarus asked, changing the topic.

“There is chatter. Not much past that. Either they are grouping up and recruiting or planning something big. Either way they need to be crushed. Mayor Silverjewl has sent word to the capitol. He is planning to add to the defensive budget, along with hiring some anti-plague specialists.”

“He thinks there might be another attack like Wistburg?”

“No one knows. That's why we need precaution.”

The conversation went on for a few minutes more.

“Tell him I love him. Okay? He can still come back.”

“I will, and he knows.” Icarus said, starting to fade. “Stay safe, Veline.”

“You too.”

With that, Vel was left alone.