“It sounds like you plan on continuing, and you think that’s fine. How many have you killed personally?”

There was an accusation in Luke’s words. His anger was understandable especially considering the condition of the Kishiv. The way they were being treated wasn’t fair, and he obviously didn’t like the joyful expression on Jeral’s face. The master shook his side to side. The motion was slow and didn’t interrupt his speech in any way.

“You do not understand. This may be my only opportunity to reach the immortal realm. Despite how I may look, I am old. Almost to the point where advancing my realm will become impossible. I had given up on the idea before, but these people offer so much ki. Their bodies are practically made of the highest quality material.”

Red’s words cut off Jeral, and she didn’t hesitate in joining Luke’s tone.

“What if I could offer you a peaceful surrender? The Elders said they would agree to one.”

That was not the truth, but Mash kept his mouth shut regardless. She was obviously trying to bait a response from the man. The way she spoke was meant to provoke him. Jeral didn’t fall for it though, and he spoke calmly.

“We would accept. However, I would still need some Kishiv at the very least. I would assume the same to be true of some other masters as well. If you co-“

“No! Regardless of how they look, they are people. You are not going to sacrifice them like cattle.”

Luke was furious now, and he had taken a step toward Jeral. The man still looked calm, certain in his position and belief. Mash was sure that if Luke really tried to hit him, Jeral wouldn’t be able to block it. The punch was never thrown though, and Jeral looked a little annoyed now. It was the first time Mash saw any signs of displeasure in the man. This was a man who was supposed to be virtuous. That was almost laughable now. After getting a glimpse of power he had become consumed with greed. Or maybe he truly believed that it would be more righteous to ascend to the next realm than save lives. He probably believed that he could do better or something idiotic like that. Mash now understood why the others had such sour expressions. His own face had scrunched up a little. Utter disgust was all Mash could feel now.

He felt like he couldn’t even look at the man who Mash had thought of as nice. As it turned out he should’ve trusted his first assumption and never trusted someone who would refer to themselves as a master. Turning away in disgust, he started moving away. Heading toward the lip of the tower so that he could leap off. This conversation was getting nowhere, and he wanted to try and help the other side as quickly as possible. Mash doubted that many in his world would have disagreed with Jeral’s desires, but his methods were extreme. He had done something similar once before, and he had considered it to be one of the worst things he had ever done. Jeral was practically seeking out that situation.

Standing at the ledge, Mash heard Jeral speak from behind him. His domain revealed that Jeral had risen to his feet and he spoke with a harsher tone.

“What are you planning? I know you for the liar you are. Do not act like you would not do the same as I.”

Mash scoffed at his words and prepared to leap from the tower when he remembered why he wanted to speak with Jeral in the first place. It had been something he had been planning even prior to meeting with the Elder. Mash swallowed his pride but couldn’t say the same for his anger. Still, he persisted and turned slightly before speaking.

“I apologize for everything that has happened. I will try and fix it.”

After saying his piece through gritted teeth, he jumped off the tower. He didn’t want to speak with Jeral any longer, and the man barely deserved the apology. Mash should’ve just ignored the man entirely and just apologized to Daniel, but that would be similarly vain. He couldn’t just apologize to the people that he liked. No, it was important that he spoke to those that had been involved. At the very least, he needed to tell someone. Although he would apologize double for the people that were actually good. Mash still believed that Daniel would be doing the right thing.

Mash wanted to see if Daniel was in the tower, but decided to wait for another time. It was more important that he went and met with the Elders again. To hear what they planned to do with his offer. Even if they rejected it, Mash figured they could at least try to smash the portals. He hoped that they could manage that. Maybe Jill’s new explosion thing could break them. It would certainly make for a big discovery if she could destroy a portal. He wondered how that would affect his own world. There must be plenty of people who would benefit from a dungeon being closed. The idea had crossed his mind but he didn’t want to suggest it. It felt like something that could cause problems with powerful people.

As he fell down the tower, a pair of wings sprouted from his back, and he caught up with his friends who were already ahead of him. He had been lost in his thoughts for a second and fell behind as the three of them started heading back to the portal. He quickly caught up with them. He could easily outpace them if he tried, but that would be pointless. They talked casually as they flew, and that basically just meant they vented their frustrations. None of them had liked what Jeral had said because in many ways it was a reflection of their own world. Even they would have made the same decisions if not for the strange turn their lives had taken. It was almost as if they had seen an alternative version of themselves.

Mash mostly just nodded along to what the others had said, as he didn’t know if he could be as hostile as them. It wasn’t that he sympathized or agreed with Jeral, but he could understand his decisions. That wouldn’t change anything he was planning though. Just because he could understand why Jeral was doing what he was, didn't mean that Mash wouldn’t try his hardest to end it. Jeral for all of his cruelty was a very normal person. He was a greedy selfish man, but that wasn’t really surprising. There would always be people like that.

The rest of the trip wasn’t particularly eventful, although Red did notice that the glass orb was blinking again. It seemed like Jeral was asking for them, but they decided to ignore it for now. None of them were in the mood to speak with the man again, and Mash wasn’t about to do anything on his own. At least not if he didn’t need to. Although with Priscilla around he guessed that he never really did anything truly alone.

They spotted the portal on the ground and noticed that there were some people standing outside of it. One of which was Daniel. Mash could see the man fiddling with something in his hand, and could guess what was happening. Jeral almost certainly had a way to communicate over large distances. Even if all they had were these orbs it would still be enough to communicate. They descended quickly and Mash could see many of the people grow tense. Whatever Jeral had told them had not been to ease the situation. He was probably scared that Mash would do something to stop him from gaining more power. Mash smiled as he knew that Jeral could do nothing to stop him.

[Tell the others that I’m gonna talk to Daniel first.]

Mash sent the message to Priscilla. The smile vanished from his lips as he landed before Daniel. The others landed by the portal. Daniel was dressed in slightly different clothes now. He still wore what looked like a mix between armor and a traditional robe, but now they had a bluish hue to them. Mash could tell that he was a little stronger, but the change was nowhere near as significant as with Jeral. Mash met Daniel’s eyes and was given the same respect in return. Mash didn’t know what else to say and just started speaking. Both for what he had done and what he was just about to do.

“I’m sorry. I made a mistake and caused all of this shit. I’m sorry but I am going to end this war and save who I can. I won’t let your people continue to slaughter theirs. I’m the reason your people died.”

Mash turned to the portal, letting Daniel know what he was talking about. Mash spoke his mind without letting Daniel respond or explain himself in any way. His impression of Jeral had grown bad after seeing his greed, and he didn’t want Daniel to reveal that he had become the same. When Daniel said nothing and just stared at the portal blankly, Mash continued.

“I don’t think there is any way for me to really apologize. So, Uhm, I’m sorry. If you need something from or want to punish me I will accept it.”

That part was the easier thing to say. He had calmed down more upon speaking with Daniel, and he really did want to apologize to someone Mash considered to be a friend. Daniel continued to say nothing. The silence stretched for almost a minute. Mash started to think that Daniel wouldn’t say anything and started to walk towards the portal. The others were waiting for him. As he started, Daniel finally spoke.

“Why does Jeral want me to stop you?”

Daniel’s words got Mash to pause. Slowly, Mash turned around to face Daniel again. He wasn't great at forcing his thought into someone else mind. Usually, they had to be receptive to it if he wanted Priscilla to send things. Although he was a lot stronger than Daniel now, he was able to do what he wanted.

[Priscilla, send him my memories with Jeral.]

She knew that he only meant the most recent ones. Mash felt as if Priscilla sent the message, and could see how Daniel's face changed slightly. It didn’t grow hostile, but Mash saw him start to cry. Daniel didn’t even seem to know what was happening, and Mash didn’t step further away from the man. Instead, he took a step closer and rested his hand on Daniel’s shoulder. He squeezed it a little. It was a gesture he had received a long time ago but hoped that it would provide some comfort.

“Can you save them?”

Daniel’s words caught Mash off guard a little. The first thing he was concerned with was the safety of the others. His domain let him feel the genuine concern that Daniel had, but he could also see the betrayal.

“Yes! I plan on taking them to a safer place.”

Mash didn’t explain the exact details but knew that Daniel had heard of his portal ability. He had used it enough the past two days that anyone could have learned of it. Mash didn't want to mention Jeral or anything that he had said. All he wanted to do was reassure Daniel that he would try and stop the war. Daniel nodded, using the sleeve of his right robe to wipe away the tears.

“Good. I will talk to Jeral. And I want you to know that I haven’t killed anyone on the other side.”

Nothing else was said between the two, but they exchanged a single glance before parting ways. Daniel raise one of his hands and stopped the other members of his sect from doing anything. The signal was given and the group dispersed leaving Mash and his friends alone. They stood in front of the portal and braced themselves for the worst. There was a good chance that the Kishiv wouldn’t hesitate. The Elder hadn’t trusted Mash and left a trap for him. While they were unlikely to suffer any serious harm, he felt his heartbeat quicken slightly. The fear of betrayal boiled inside of him.