“Earth?” Max read aloud.

The world seemed to twist. Everything was wrong. Everything was a lie. The book had to be wrong. It has to be fake. Earth has no magic; it had no monsters. There were no eyes or border realms. Max’s surrounding seemed to be getting smaller. He seemed to be getting smaller. It was too much. His breathing rasped; his lungs began to hurt. His vision was fading, he couldn’t breathe. It was too much.

The researcher was tied to Nava’s Gods. This journal was a Tome of Knowledge, an object directly related to Ulis. Sweat began to form around Max’s crown. He was trembling. His lungs burned with every heartbeat. It was too much. The redacted name killed the researcher. The last entry was written by someone else. Something else. Max’s chest began to squeeze.

He puked. The researcher described the realm as a shadow. The eyes were in the shadow Dimension. That was a good thing. Max didn’t have access to the shadow Dimension, only the astral. But Earth. It was too much. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t breathe. It was too much. Emi nuzzled herself into his caress. Why was he given this book? Was it a warning? Was it a threat? Was it a call to arms? It was too much.

Icarus appeared and started casting calming spell. They had little effect. Was it Subuntu? Did he give it to Max on purpose? Did he know the content? Could a God read a book that was supposed to have only one owner? Who is Ulis? An Enemy? Subuntu? Ofes said to be warry of the other Gods. But she also told Max to meet with Subuntu. Was this all a ploy? It was too much. Icarus began to cast more potent spells. Ones with ethical disagreements. Max slumped over asleep. The two bonds looked at each other than at the purple bound book lying open on the floor. It was too much.

“-ot sure but he should be fine.” Manus’s distinctive voice said.

“If I find out that you somehow caused this, or your God for that matter, so help me I will-“

“Vel… It wasn’t him.” Max interrupted; his eyes barely cracked open.

“Max!” Manus exclaimed. “How are you feeling?”

“Like my head is going to explode.”

“Ah, sorry about that…” Icarus said from the corner. “I had to use a powerful spell to knock you out…”

Max nodded and pulled himself to an upright position. He looked around the room and its occupants. Each wore varying levels of concerned expressions. Vel was the worst offender. Her strained and wrinkled forehead lead Max to believe she had been yelling. Manus looked sick, his dark skin was paler, and he had dark rings under his eyes. Emi was watching Max from his lap, her green eyes twinkling as if tears were about to flow. Icarus looked the calmest, but it was always hard to tell the emotion of the bird.

“How long was I out?” Max asked.

“A few hours. Its dark out if that helps.” Icarus answered.

“Max, do you recall what happened. Icarus tells me you were reading the Tome?”

“Right… The Tome…” Max looked to where the Tome was resting. A cage of water was surrounding it, wetting the pristine cover.

“It’s safe, Vel.” Max said pushing his arm through the water. Max flipped through the pages to the last entry, noting there seemed to more pages now. He read over the last few words as memories of a few hours ago came back to him. He didn’t imagine it. He didn’t misread it. Earth. With a great sigh, Max snaped the covers closed. He swallowed his feeling and his fragile mind. Nothing good would come with worrying about the Tome now.

“I had a panic attack.” Max said to the room. “Been a few years since I’ve had one. High school was a difficult time…”

“High school?” Manus asked. “Panic attack? I am unfamiliar with the words; they are not in common?”

“What? Oh, sorry yeah that was English.” Max repeated the words in common.

“What made you panic Max?” Vel asked eyeing the Tome.

Max thought long and hard about how to answer this question. In the end, he simply didn’t.

“Manus does Subuntu know the content of this Tome?”

“No, only the owner, author, and Ulis. My lord gifted it to you without reading it.” Manus thought for a moment. “Is something wrong?”

“Not presently no. I just didn’t like the subject matter very much.” Max felt this response was good enough for Vel and Icarus. They knew his situation better than almost everyone else. They knew his goals and his hopes, Max hoped they would make their own conclusions.

“Are the others back yet?” Max asked Vel.

“Only Celenia… We blocked her entry into this room… Max… Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Max lied. “It was just a shock, that’s all. Thank you for checking on me, Manus.”

“O-of course. See you tomorrow.” Taking the hint, he stood, bowed, and left.

They waited for Icarus to give the all clear. When he did, Vel only said one thing.

“Explain.”

Max shrugged. “I don’t think I can. It’s a Tome of Knowledge. But I wouldn’t want too anyways. This stays with me, at least for now. Just know that the Tome is going to be useless for my understanding of Dimensions…. Although…”

Max picked up the book and flipped though again. It was a think book, maybe 15 pages in total, but Max was sure of it. There were more empty pages at the end. He racked his brain for memories of the last pages. He remembered the pages sticking together a bit and having to peel them apart.

There definitely was not this many pages. He thought. Hidden ink? Hidden magic, hidden runes… Ugh…

Again, Max snapped the pages together and returned the book to his inventory. He didn’t want to think about it anymore. The warning was clear. Dimensions are not to be messed with. Maybe one day, but not today. Cobalt and the redacted name had enough poise and finesse to turn an intelligent researcher paranoid while also gaining their trust. It was too much for him right now, he knew, even if it was hard to admit.

Dinner came and went. Celenia had questions that no one wanted to answer. Max didn’t like keeping secrets from a friend but he knew it would only cause trouble. It was getting late into the night when Vel confirmed the plan one last time. Tonight, was going to be a catch-up grind for Emi. They would stick to the shallows and focus on low level enemies to boost Emi. It would be a slow night for Max, but it was going to be worth it in the end.

Vel set up an area in a side room for the three of them. It was large enough that Vel could work if something happened while also being close enough to the lake to pull water from. Max didn’t think she needed to be on guard, but it was a nice sentiment. Two beds were all that was in the room. With everyone else in the mansion asleep, Max was finally ready to start.

“Don’t worry Vel, we’ll be fine.” He said sitting on his makeshift bed.

Vel grumbled something incoherent. Max only smiled.

“See you in the morning.” And with that, Max closed his eyes.

Vel waited a moment before addressing the protector of the house.

“What do you think?”

Icarus appeared next to her, looking at Max.

“You know what I said this morning.” He spoke.

“No, I don’t. Do you think I don’t know when my husband is speaking through you?”

Icarus eyed the old woman. “I guess I don’t anymore… Max is strange… Even stranger than Lester when we first met. He gets hung up on small ideas and goes to extremes to make sure they become possible. Just look at him now, absolutely crazy.”

“You saw the monsters he killed in there. If they get stronger the deeper he goes… He could become a higher level than us…” Vel spoke in an uncertain voice. One that she usually keeps hidden.

“But the danger? The uniqueness? I have never heard of such things. I think it’s too risky.”

“Normally I would agree. But you didn’t see Max fight Mallor. I would have died in that tree without him. He fought an undead Legendary Beast and an Orc [Chieftain] with Demi God bones without taking any serious damage. Granted I think he was very close to being out of mana at the end…”

“You seriously think you would have died?” Icarus asked.

“Yes. Max found a very clever way of causing Mallor to run out of mana, one that I don’t think I would have. Maybe if I had time to study or a large break in the fight.”

“He’s going to be strong then.” Icarus said simply.

“Stronger than me. Stronger than Lester…” Vel said with a hitched voice.

“Good.” The bird said, fading.

Knowing what to expect, Max teleported himself and Emi far into the horizon. He spent his whole mana pool three times before finally deciding to sink. He treaded water waiting on his mana to refill. Emi scouted down a bit, making sure there would be no sneak attacks. From his spot in the water, Max could no longer see shore. The small waves making it impossible.

Sinking was slightly strange to Max. He didn’t simply swim down, instead finding it faster to force the water around him down. It added a strange weight to his shoulders. It felt like being weightless but also crushing. Max had gone scuba diving before, changing the air levels in your vest felt similar to what he was doing but on a much smaller scale.

Eventually they reached the bottom. Sand was pushed out and away, mucking the darkened water. It was kind of a shock to Max. Three entire mana pools worth of teleporting and he still hadn’t reached the pitch black he remembered. They began deeper, staying close to the floor as the perspective changes of battle may disorient in open waters. As they traveled a small school of fish passed by, surprising Max. Both times he had been this deep, he had seen no signs of life until the pitch black.

The school was rather small, being the better part of a dozen. They swam curiously over to Max but when Emi snapped at them, they shot off with great speed. They honestly looked like normal fish. No large over the top teeth, glowing bauble of light, or massive claws. The fish came back a few times as they descended, swimming away with the same vigor each time. Max finally had enough and killed one. There was no experience and no box. They were simple fish. He stored the fish in his inventory. Maybe a [Butcher] or [Fisherman] would know more.

One of the reasons Max didn’t initially want Emi to come along was her eyes. She couldn’t see in the dark like Max. He thought it would be a problem if they ever got separated but as they entered the dark break point, Emi still seemed alert. She watched the surrounding just like she had been, seemingly uninhibited by the lack of light.

Emi, can you see down here? Max asked.

Different, yes.

Huh… Alight then…

The realization came to him a few minutes later. She was a monster. A creature from another world. One that can only speak and communicate because of a bond. Of course, her kind would have evolved to see in the dark. Max honestly felt like an idiot sometimes. But the time for deep thought was cut by a glowing orb in the distance.

See it? Just like we practiced. Imagine the entirety of the spell before firing.

Emi rolled her eyes, conjuring a large spike of ice. It easily tore through the fish, killing it instantly. Again, Max felt like an idiot. Why had he been worried about her. The ocean was, literally, her domain. She was a queen here. She was absolute here. They continued deeper, breaking from their original plan. It was simply too easy. They came across another angler and a few crabs before reaching something new.

The creature was easy to identify. An eel of some sort. It wiggled from the ground acting as seaweed drifting in the current. To a normal fish it might have fallen for the trap, but for Max and Emi an isolated leaf randomly placed in the dark water was a dead giveaway. Max took care of this one, mainly just to see what the box called it.

Congratulations, you have killed a level 33 Drift Eel!

You have gained 33,553 Experience!

Level thirty-one. Max said annoyed to Emi. Let’s keep going.

Deeper and deeper they went. More and more life started appearing. Many would swim away before Max or Emi could attack. Those were smaller, much like the school of fish from earlier. It was becoming apparent that the food chain this deep acted solely off the weaker fish. Max couldn’t imagine a fight between an angler an eel. Either the eel would trap the angler, or the angler would charm the eel. If either were smart, they would both stay away from each other.

Different types of crabs slowly made themselves know when they found a small grouping of rock.

Congratulations, you have killed a level 32 Shallow Shelled Crab!

You have gained 36,812 Experience!

Congratulations, you have killed a level 32 Spiked Spotted Crab!

You have gained 37,171 Experience!

Congratulations, you have killed a level 34 Pincer Crab!

You have gained 39,338 Experience!

Emi was quickly becoming faster than Max at killing the local wildlife. She could see further than Max could with his affinity. She would spot something move in the distance and would quickly kill it with a lance. It was scary but reassuring. Soon they came upon a vibrant and lively coral reef. Small pockets of glowing sea life created enough light for Max to see colors. Rocks and bones of long dead fish created a boundary for life to flourish.

Small fish hid in the cracks and crevasse afraid of the certain death past their protective structure. Max took many samples from reef, noting the names as he placed them in his inventory. Bubble coral, Cliff Anemone, S’leal coral, Lobe coral, North Spotted Tang, Saltwing Snapper, Redhump Surgeon.

The reef came to a head with a torn and broken scar. A chasm fell deep into the sea floor. A straight plunge to far deeper waters. No fish or crab went anywhere near the edge, explaining to Max the danger that entry would bring. It was rather smooth, Max noted. Like it was created by a slice of a sword, rather than tectonic plate movement.

I guess it could be a sword strike… Max thought. Maybe a battle between Gods or something.

They floated past the scar, back to the safe haven of slow decent. But, almost like they triggered its awakening, a tentacle reached out past the entrance of the chasm. Max knew of media from Earth about large monster squids. He even knew that they existed, somewhat, in Earth’s oceans. Rare and elusive, but real, nonetheless.

The monster slowly emerging out of the crack was no less real. Barbed suckers lining ten long and whipping tentacles griped the walls, pulling along its enormous body. Something was wrong with the image Max created for the hidden part of its body, however. Instead of a long tube with massive eyes ending in a pointed fin, the squid revealed itself to be an amalgamation of flesh and viscera coming together into two separate fish heads. Bones stuck out of its slimy skin, creating a jagged defense matrix. Coral and barnacles lined the beast’s unnatural body, creating armor and protections for its soft insides.

Max made a snap decision and called for attack. Ice started forming and piercing into the being’s hardened defenses. Chucks of limestone and calcium broke free, sinking to the floor. Max and Emi kept their distance, bombarding the raging monster. It shrieked in pain, vibrating the waters, and causing a muted buoyant sound. It lashed out with its tentacles, swinging wildly hoping to hit its assailant.

After finding little success, it launched itself through the water towards the onslaught of ice. Max grasped Emi and teleported far away. Again, they laid into the beast with heavy artillery from afar. The wedge-shaped Ice Lances proves best option against the viscosity of the water. Blood filled the surrounding area, no doubt attacking predators. The squid’s movements slowed, eventually failing, and falling still where it swam.

Congratulations, you have killed a level 46 Shallow Water Hydra!

You have gained 2,372,923 Experience!

Hydra? That was a hydra? Max asked Emi.

Strong. Emi answered.

Was it? I mean, we killed it pretty fast…

We stronger.

Indeed, we are. Max chuckled. What do you say we call it a night? I’m sure Vel will be happy to know we are safe.

Emi replied with an image of a sleepy Vel angerly shaking her head. Max laughed again. He quickly tried to add the Hydra to his inventory but found it too large. He spent the next few minutes sawing it into pieces he declared as “important”. The eyes, teeth, a few scales, the longer of the tentacles, and the heart. He had no idea if they would be of worth but might as well loot the thing before the local life eats it.

Water exploded from the pair when they entered the real world. Vel woke up with a shock, gathering water and enclosing on Max. It took Max a few seconds to get her to understand that he was perfectly fine. After discarding the extra water, the began to discuss their adventure. Vel didn’t like that Max went deeper than he said he would. When he explained that the life the close to the surface was simply worth nothing to them, she lightened up a bit.

“Oh, do you know if Hydra parts are worth anything.” Max asked. “Also, if anyone would be willing to buy large quantities of huge fish and crab?”

Vel had ignored the latter half of the question. “Did you say Hydra?” She asked.

“Yeah… It was nothing like what I imagined Hydras to be like. I didn’t even know it was one until I got the kill box.”

“Let me see.” Vel commanded.

Max slid her the box and watched her eyebrows raise. He was expected to get yelled at, but Vel simply stood and left the room. She walked slowly to her room and closed the door. She was tired. More than tired, even. The whole night she spent awake, watching over Max and Emi’s bodies. She mentally kicked herself about falling asleep in the eleventh hour. Her age was catching up to her. Without even taking a step she quietly spoke.

“See what I mean?”

“Indeed, I do…” Icarus’s voice sounded from the freshly created bird body.