A figure emerged from the dark shadows of an underground tunnel.

“A third sacrifice… was found…” Buzluc said through his broken vocal cords.

“Efficient, aren't they?” Mallor said, not his eyes off the bone he was inscribing. “Was it Veline?”

“The boy.”

“Interesting. I want him alive.”

“As... You wish.”

Buzluc disappeared as quietly as he came. As he walked towards the city, Buzluc smiled. He finally had his orders. Buzluc hated how Vel embarrassed him. He hated that the boy was able to dodge his attack, and he hated how he had to wait to recover.

It had been a few days since Gwen was captured. During that time, Max and the others continued their search for other living sacrifices. They found a second at an enchanting supply shop. The man had created his own mana regeneration enchants, thus stopping the effects of mana poisoning.

The man, similar to Gwen, would stare blankly and evade questions about their habits. He tried to sell Vel the same inkwell three times before Vel had enough. The man also had the same black freckles behind his ears. He was placed inside the vault along with the now conscious Gwen.

Gwen was acting strange. Since she woke up, she has not spoken a word. She does not eat; she does not sleep. The guards finally had to force food and drink down her throat. She didn’t fight back, however, which only made the situation more eerie.

The third was the hardest for the group, for multiple reasons. The man was a slave. That alone was enough to give the group some pause. The other was because of how hard he was to locate.

They had been asking a jeweler some questions when Max picked up on a “scent”, as he called it. It was faint, but he could feel something off about the store they were in. Their escort guards began to search the building. They return with a Beastkin.

A racoon? Max guessed.

The Beastkin looked well off for a slave. He wore clean, nice clothes. His hair was cut, and he had no visible abuse injuries. The owner swore that she would let the man go when he paid his debt. That was, unfortunately, a common theme between Beastkin slaves. Tribes or families would go into debt, and they would choose to sell the runt of the litter.

After explaining that they were going to take the Beastkin, the owner started to become irate. It was a shitty situation for all, but the woman felt she was getting scammed. When begging and pleading didn’t work, she started to get physical. She fired off multiple single use spell enchanted items that, ironically, probably cost more than what the slave was worth.

She was taken to the Esmel city jail. Since these are unprecedented times, she wouldn’t have to stay long, or pay any fines. It was not normal for guards to forcibly take a slave away, especially on the pretext of mana regeneration jewelry. The guards couldn't fault her for thinking it was a ruse.

The slave man was placed inside the vault with the others. The second sacrifice they had found was now acting strange like Gwen. After the slave woke up, he too became unresponsive. A theory was passed around that their “connection” with Mallor was severed while they were inside the vault.

Maybe there is some sort of clue in that theory? Max guessed. There is just not enough time to look into it.

Practically every waking hour, Max and the others either searched for more sacrifices or trained. If Max had a better understanding of ritual magics maybe he would have prioritized experimentation over training. Max thought it was a shame that he had the potential to help these people, but he couldn’t. At least not as he was now.

It was getting late when Vel finally called it. She was explaining to Reep and Clammy a few anti-mage fighting styles. Granted that she herself was a mage, the argument still could be made that Bishop was a better source for this type of information. And it was probably true, but Bishop was preoccupied with Max.

They were currently in Honeygreen’s training room, but it was getting late. The last few days have been very chaotic, everyone was tired and needed rest. Vel, the oldest, found herself becoming more tired easier. She cursed her measly Human racials as she watched Max and Bishop spar.

After announcing that she and the girls would be heading back, Max and Bishop continued their spar. With the other half of the training room now free, they could battle a little harder. The reason why Bishop and Max were together was due to Bishop’s mix-style type of fighting.

Watching Vel and Buzluc fight, Max had been inspired. He reviewed his strengths and his weaknesses, adopting a more advanced style of his own. He was hesitant to test it, however, but Bishop had been giving him more than helpful tips.

The new name of the game for Max was hit and run. Using his Space Skip as a basis, Max would skip into melee range, attack, and skip out. Granted Space Skip wasn’t the most efficient spell to use, he wanted to get a strong foundation.

Max gave Bishop a nod signifying the start of the bout. Bishop’s opening move started exactly as Max expected. A quick charge to get him on the back foot. Max played into the charge, creating a wall of water between each other. Unlike when he used the same technique against Clammy, Bishop broke right through the wall.

However, Bishop had lost line of sight with Max for a few seconds. Double casting Space Skip, Max arrived at the wall of water ready to strike. Sword in hand, he lunged at Drake as soon as he broke the wall. A buckler shield made out of electricity stopped the stab and sent a shocking feeling down Max’s arm.

Max skipped backwards creating distance. 3 Ice Spikes exploded out of the wall of water. Bishop expertly weaved his body to dodge as he constructed a bow. Max skipped forward while launching more spikes at Bishop's back. Max’s sword connected with the construct bow. Again, Max felt his arm go numb, but with a kick of his boot water surged and froze into a deadly point.

Skipping behind Bishop, Max wildly swung. Bishop’s eyes widened and he was forced to roll. Spike erupted from the wet ground, chasing Bishop as he moved. He somehow was able to fire off an arrow, which Max dodged while casting a spout. Max knew the cast time was long, but he had imbued the ice spike to keep chasing Bishop until he told it to stop. Or he ran out of mana, he still hadn't figured that one out.

A second arrow came quicker this time. Max was narrowly able to dodge in time. Nearby water gathered around Max as the spout formed. With one skip, Max arrived in front of Bishop, his water in tow. The spout ripped forward while Max skipped to the side and sent his sword flying. Again, he skipped and again he attacked. All four attacks collided creating an explosion of water and ice. Max was forced to skip away, his body already receiving numerous small cuts.

The mist and electrical arcing faded to reveal an uninjured Bishop. The man wore a dashing smile and his slitted eyes showed predatory ferocity. He began a slow clap, as his lightning constructs faded. Max couldn’t see it, but Bishop had to create four shields to block each oncoming attack.

“Very well done! That was by far the best attempt.” Bishop congratulated. “Did you imbue those spikes that were chasing me?”

“Yeah-” Max huffed. “-I needed a- distraction to cast.”

Max was exhausted. Managing that mana spell took a toll on his mind, while swinging a sword and dodging took a toll on his person. Emi scampered over giving him a few licks to show her approval.

“If you can master will imbuing, you may not even have to fight. At least, not like that.”

“Those spikes took the most out of me. I can’t do that more than once in a fight.”

Bishop nodded. “Sounds about right. Every technique has a downside, it being a mana cost in this case.”

“Still, you were going easy on me.” Max said. “You shot two arrows at me and didn’t charge after your initial. No one is going to give me that much time and opportunity.”

“You are right about that. But then again, this is training, and you need to get used to fighting like that before the real sparring begins.”

Max silently nodded.

“I do have to say, that was one of the more annoying fights I’ve had.”

Max looked up at the big lizard.

“You teleporting around, bringing water and pre-formed spells with you. I think I’ve fought a [Space Mage] before, and he definitely did not do what you just did.”

“What did he do?”

Bishop breathed out, thinking. “If I remember correctly, he was a [Spell Scribe]. The class is interesting because it doesn’t quite use spells like you or Vel would. [Spell Scribes] specialize in creating and using spell scrolls. They could have spells from all sorts of classes.”

“I thought spell scrolls could be used by anyone?”

“Correct, but [Spell Scribes] gain bonuses while using them. It might be extra casts before it burns out or extra power. In the case of this guy, he was able to store more than one spell in each scroll. I think that’s where his [Space Mage] class came into play. He somehow used it to increase the size of each scroll without actually making it bigger.”

“That’s kind of interesting. I hadn't thought of using space magic like that.”

The three of them began to pack up and leave, discussing different magics and theories. Max enjoyed talking about magic, especially with someone that could answer most of his questions. Right before they left, Max got a notification.

Congratulations, your knowledge of Space Magics has unlocked a branch of the Kepu racial.

You may only choose one.

-Evolve one Space based spell or skill.

-Reduce time needed to form Space based spells

-Increase your ability to feel space.

“Hold on one second Bishop. I got a notification that I need to look at.”

“Take your time.”

Max was wondering when this was going to happen. His knowledge of space magic had jumped leaps and bounds learning from [Arbor] Xylem, it was only a matter of time before this happened. Last time Max had been caught off guard with the choices, but this time he had more time to think.

Feeling space better? I already get that from the Faye racial… Cast time reduced? Well, I only know one spell and it doesn’t have a cast time… Guess there really wasn’t much to think about…

Max made his choice and evolved Space Skip.

Congratulations through knowledge or dedication Space Skip has evolved into Blink (Rare Evolved).

Blink (Rare Evolved):

25 mana

Teleport yourself a distance up to 6 meters.

Max whistled. Reduced cost and longer range!

Max was very happy with his choice. Bishop silently watched the giddy boy, a smile crept across his scaly face. It was moments like that Bishop lived for. He loved watching people read their system. He loved the moments that they realized they just got something good, or that the hours they spent practicing was worth it. He loved the system. Maybe that made him crazy, but he was alright with that.

Max tested his spell, blinking 6 meters away. He formed a ball of water, confirming that it came with him. He tried a shorter jump, only a few inches. To Bishop, Max looked like he flicked in place. It was kind of creepy, Bishop thought.

“Worth the training?” Bishop asked.

“Definitely.”

As they walked back to the inn, Bishop was first to notice something was wrong. Between his experience and heightened Drake senses, he could feel the slightest shift in the air. The streets were empty, but that was normal. Since the first sacrifice had been found, a curfew had been enacted. Only patrols and the special few were allowed to move around past a certain time.

“Max, something is wrong.”

Max glanced at the Drake. His eyes were slits, and he was fully alert. Max held Emi tighter and expanded his senses. He scanned over every bush, every tree, and every building. The longer he searched the more he felt what Bishop did. It was silent, there were no bugs chirping or animals calling.

“I don’t see anything, but I feel it now.”

“Let’s get to the inn.”

They ran. Rock spikes broke through the ground, blocking their path. They turned, a different path this time. Spikes again blocked their path. They glanced back to Honeygreen; a figure was slowly walking towards them.

Max’s heart began to pound. He could never forget this man. His slow methodical steps, the aura of death that surrounds him. The existential terror his presence brings. Buzluc. By now he was close enough for Max to hear the buzzing. Millions of bugs swarmed around his body. Max shivered realizing there were more of them this time. They didn’t stumble on one of his holes. This was thought out, this was planned. An ambush. One with deadly preparations.

Bishop readied a construct. It was almost like a bug catching net. Lighting wove into flexible strands, held together by a centralized handle. The perfect weapon for the job, a weapon made to stall, to kill Buzluc’s swarm. It was a similar strategy Vel used in her fight at the warehouse. Take out the bugs, and the host will follow after.

Across the roofs of the nearby buildings, the larger bugs of Buzluc’s collection made themselves known. They were similar sized to the one Max had killed in the warehouse, but they looked much more ruthless. Species of all kinds roamed the area, spiders, centipedes, beetles, flies, and mantises. Buzluc had brought a small army.

“Send Emi to get Vel.” Bishop whispered. “He’s after one of us.”

Emi hopped off of Max’s shoulder. She manipulated a bubble of water to fly over the earthen spikes blocking her way. Buzluc made no motion to stop her. Instead, he continued walking forward. Bishop launched a flare high into the air. Shadows elongated only adding the eerie atmosphere.

The first of the bugs attacked, causing Max to cover himself in water. Small expendable bugs rushed from the shadows, converging on the two from all sides. Lightning ripped around creating a barrier. Dead bugs started to pile up on the edges with audible popping sounds. The first swarm ended, causing a standstill in the street.

Everyone looked at each other, waiting for the next move. If Bishop was alone, he would attack, but with the number of large bugs, he was worried that Max would fall. If he played it slowly, they would eventually be overrun. There were simply too many.

Max felt the holes first. With the cover of dead insects, Buzluc had subtly been tunneling. Bugs poured out of the holes. Water began to flow around him and Bishop, washing away the new wave. Max drained water into the holes following the tunnels back to Buzluc.

Ice spikes burst through Buzluc’s feet. He had been pouring bugs out of the soles of his feet. With a mighty growl, Bishop acted on the opportunity. He flew across the battlefield, creating a spear in the process while simultaneously electrocuting the incoming swarm.

Bishop weaved attacks with one weapon while creating a new one. He danced around Buzluc, finding openings, and striking with deadly accuracy. Weapons would fade and new ones would take their palace. From sword to dagger to mace to lance, Bishop created his own openings.

Buzluc had cuts, holes, and burns across his grey skin, but he was taking no real damage. That was the issue with Bishop’s fighting style. He could dominate a 1 on 1 fight, always finding the optimal weapon, but if his opponent had high defenses they could fight back. Rocks formed into armor while spikes fought to give Buzluc space.

Max watched the fighting battle with guilt. Bishop was fighting for both of their lives, and Max wasn’t helping. But he could help right? He was a mage. He had spells; he could fight at range. He could help. Max thought back to what Vel did in her fight.

She took out his bugs. Max looked around. The larger bugs hadn’t moved yet. They remained on the roofs, but they looked ready to be called in. Max swallowed his anxiety and got to work. Vel had disabled a lot of the bugs by maintaining drops of water in the air. Max knew his limits and that was not yet possible for him. But he had the next best thing.

A Rain Cloud started to form above the street. It was high in the air but below the canopy. The wet humid air helped with its creation, easily allowing the cloud to form. Drips turned into sprinkles that turned into showers. Soon the street became an isolated storm. Water fell and cycled back into the cloud, creating a self-sustaining loop. Only Max’s mana was the limiting factor.

Lighting arced off Bishop striking the nearby puddles and electrifying all that was in them. Bishop’s onslaught continued. Buzluc was getting beat down, his recovery slowing. A well-placed slice removed his bottom jaw. An arrow took out his left eye. His right hand was broken by a shield slam. His body was slowly breaking, but Bishop couldn’t help but feel this was wrong.

Glancing around, he couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. Only the giant bugs that had yet to move. But when Max suddenly shrieked in pain, Bishop realized he fell for the trap. Buzluc used his own body and the illusion that his pets were staying out of the fight to draw Max into a position to strike.

Max had lowered his defenses while maintaining the rain. Some kind of frog-bee hybrid had launched its stinger, hitting Max in the thigh. The barbed stinger was the size of a fist and coated in paralytic venom.

“I’m good!” Max shouted, urging Bishop to continue. Max fully formed his Center of Water domain, causing the rain to slow. With a loud grunt Max pulled the barb out, knowing that his healing water would ease the pain.

Buzluc saw that Max was still standing. The poisoned stinger had failed, causing him to change to plan B. Every insect attacked. The larger, more robust charged while others flew or provided covering fire. The battlefield quickly fell into chaos. Lighting, chitin, blood, and viscera flooded the air and ground. The stench of burnt flesh was washed away by the rain.

Max felt the ground under him tremble, he blinked away in time to dodge a spear. The spear flew high into the air and found its way to Buzluc. The message was clear, Max was the target. Rock projectiles caused Max to blink and dodge. He had to cancel his rain, the cost was too high.

Max and Buzluc began a game of cat and mouse. Buzluc would attack, Max would teleport away. With each narrowly missed attack, Max would grow more confident while Buzluc grew angrier. Bugs started to turn their attention to Max, defending areas and blocking escape points.

The first spike hit Max in the leg, causing him to stumble and fall. He was able to blink the second, but the third connected. His domain proved to be useless against this type of projectile, the wedge shape serving as a counter. Max dropped his domain figuring the mana cost was too high for its worth.

His leg was quickly healing, but the wound in his belly wasn’t. A quick glance to Bishop gave Max a rough estimate of when he would be able to help. Dozens of insects the size of elephants littered the battlefield. Bishop was fighting off the last few.

“Buzluc.” Max said, hoping to buy himself some time. “What’s Mallor want in the tomb?”

He was ignored and more spikes exploded from the spot he was just at. Max was starting to feel unresponsive. A rock sliced past his shoulder, leaving a deep cut. Max grit his teeth.

“You don’t know what's in there, right? Trust me, you will be smited down if you continue. The Gods guarantee it.”

“Your God… or mine?”

Buzluc raised his arms letting the last of his swarm fly. Max blinked a few times while drawing water into a sphere around himself. Headache from mana exhaustion set in. Max felt a sharp pain on his right arm. A bug. It was quickly washed away, but the damage had already been done. Max’s arm was turning black at an alarming rate. The plague the bug transmitted killing every cell it came into contact with. The undead man laughed.

“He wanted you.... alive, but I’m sure... he’ll understand.”

Bishop found a chance to break from the giants. He arrived next to Max to assess the damages. It was grim.

“Sorry about this Max.” Bishop muttered when he felt his shoulder go numb. A sickening slash sounded from the wet floor. Max’s arm laid detached from his body; the black rot quickly consumed the rest. Max let out a depraved scream. Buzluc laughed louder.

“Max, you need to heal yourself or you will die of blood loss.” Bishop said, casting a calming spell.

Tears added fuel to Max’s spell, as water surged around him. The pain, the cold, the dread was too much for him, he passed out. Bishop swore and moved to help. A rock wall stopped him.

“He died so young…. Shame.” Buzluc taunted.

Bishop made a choice. Kill Buzluc, rather than try to outrun him with Max in his arms. It was a choice he didn’t want to make. It was a choice that could haunt the rest of his days. But it was his choice to make, and he chose. With renewed vigor Bishop went into battle.

Max awoke on the infinite beach. Tiodepth was there waiting. His massive head and eye taking up the horizon. Max looked at his arm. It was still gone; he was still bleeding. But he couldn’t care. It didn’t hurt, it didn’t ache. The calming blissful harmony that his inner world gave him combatted the panic and terror Max felt.

“Finally showing yourself, huh?” Max yelled at the Leviathan. “Only when I’m dying do you appear? Watch well because this is going to be our last meeting.”

Max fell to his butt, content with dying as his mysterious benefactor watched. Water was blown from Tiodepth’s mouth, soaking Max. If it were anyone else, Max would have thought the great behemoth sighed, like a parent lecturing their child.

“My tomb will be breached if you do not live. Wake up.”

Max’s eyes shot open, pain erupted from his stomach and arm. Water was already healing him, something he wasn’t expecting. Vel was crouched over him, her magic surging through his body. His wounds were closing, but too slowly. Max looked around; Emi was crying. She was lying where his arm used to be. Reep and Clammy fighting off the last of the giant bugs. He also saw Bishop lying in a pool of blood. His blood.

His chest was raising and lowering albeit incredibly slowly. Vel followed his eyes.

“He killed Buzluc, but the fucker had a Death Bomb implanted. The blast hit him pretty hard. I’m not sure if I can heal you both.” Vel wasn’t crying, but she wanted to.

Max smiled and placed his left hand on her’s.

“It’s alright. I can heal us both.”

Vel wanted to question him, but his actions proved enough answers. All of the nearby water started to gather. It was by far the most water Max had ever controlled, but then again, he was cheating. Max used his racial, Divine Powered, to bolster a healing spell. A large one. The water consumed Max and Bishop. Quickly Bishop’s breathing leveled and most of his external wounds closed.

Bishop was breathing in water, the life force from the spell allowing him to do so. Max smiled when he realized the sense looked similar to a sci fi film with healing tanks. After a moment of hesitation, Vel left. She went to kill the rest of the bugs.

Max fell unconscious, this time from simple exhaustion. His spell kept working, fully healing them both. The spell continued to work, however. Plants and trees began to perk up, flowers began to bloom, and most importantly plague was washed away. The area would still be able to sustain life.

Mallor was tinkering along in his lair. As he worked, he hummed an old tune. His connection with Buzluc broke. His smile turned into a deep frown. With a deep breath, he stood and continued his tune. It was time for him to destroy the city.