Max’s face was deep red and bloated. Streaks of pigment blanched with the slightest touch, turning his skin ghostly white. He felt burnt, as if he had been castaway on a remote island without shade. Through his healing magic, he knew most of his blood vessels had burst, mainly around his cheeks and throat. The clone had touched him for only a moment, but the damage was ever apparent. In that moment, his life was not his own.

He and Emi stood on an Immovable Platform, a waterfall without a source besides them. A portal allowed salty ammunition for the [Water Mages]. Max doubted Tiodepth would care if he drained a portion of his ocean, but then again, Max didn’t care what Tiodepth thought. The Leviathan had disappeared during a time of need, almost condemning Max, and the others to die.

The spewing water teetered out as it fell, most evaporating but a small pool was beginning to form. The air temperature was becoming unbearable, only the new fresh cold ocean water allowed for Max and Emi to continue. They wrapped themselves in a thin layer, cooling their heated skin. Below, monsters and beasts of all types were investigating the weird source of liquid. They moved slowly, sniffing, and testing while they walked. As being from the Dimension of Fire, they did not know what this foreign substance was.

Across the craterous lands, small battles were taking place. Most were with the few remaining survivors and monsters, but others were the blood clones systematically killing anyone deemed expendable. Max and Emi watched as four clones moved through the lands, ignoring all monsters. They were hunting, but that left opportunity for the teleporting duo.

They moved, using their vantage point and a clone’s relative location to find targets to help. They appeared out of thin air before the survivors, explaining the situation. Most jumped at the chance of escape but hesitated when Max said to ‘walk through the shimmer of purple mana.’ Through one way or another, his Pocket World was slowly filling up.

The King’s muscles strained as he pulled his son along. After the Blood [Queen] left, Eden had been unconscious. His skin was purple-red, eyes bloodshot, and his heartbeat was faint. He was dying. Alia tried her best to assist, but her thin frame and lack of muscle put her title into perspective. She was a noble, dragging someone through the mud was the job for the [Knights].

But she tried any ways. A monster, the largest she had ever seen, was shaking the ground as it stepped closer and closer. The Blood [Queen]’s parting gift was to sick the monster on the family, condemning them to die. Or leave Eden. Alia had confirmed the hover carriage above to be operational but getting Eden up over the lip of the crater had proved troublesome.

Alia pushed and pulled dirt out of the way, making a slide of sorts up the steep walls. Her nails were cracked and bloodied, dress shredded and torn. But the worst of all was the guilt. She, more than once, thought about asking her father to leave Eden. He was a weight the two could not continue with, but he was also her brother. She sickened herself.

She prayed for Divine Interference, pleading for help. She had never had a sense for piety, opting for past experiences to guide her. She hardly thought the Gods existed, at least not as the stories tell. Many miracles dubbed as an act of the Divine could be traced back to natural answers. Others were a farce set-up by the Churches as a way to bring a larger crowd.

Despite her thoughts, she prayed. As if the Heavens heard her words, a young man and his bond appeared besides the royal family. His skin looked similar to her brothers, but milder. One arm was nearly transparent and made of water as his torn shirt allowed a glance into a struggle once faced. A swirl of cool air emanated off the pair as cold briny water refrigerated the area. Both of their expressions hardened as they realized who they were before.

Water whipped forward, blanketing Eden in healing magic. Alia jolted in shock as a water ran up her leg, surrounding her broken fingers. She collapsed to her knees, tears beginning to form. They were saved.

“Is he going to live?” Tobyn asked.

Max hesitated to answer. His healing magic was powerful, but the damage was… Odd. If he was full power, then he would have answered yes immediately but he wasn’t. His head was pounding from the concussion earlier, he was tired, mana weak, and hungry. His Divine drops of power were dried up, having been used to circumvent the Space-lock.

“I’m not sure. But there are other healers, come on.” The blanket of water moved beneath the prince, lifting him up as Vel had done in Esmel so long ago. A shimmer of purple sliced open, sucking in mana and air.

As Max had learned, his Pocket World regulated air and mana by itself when not ‘open’. A constant supply of both were always being rationed through, along with light. But, when the entrance opened, a rush of air and mana expelled outward, then a new quantity was sucked inwards. It was hardly noticeable, but the King and princess were in close enough proximity to feel it. Max had also learned, people do not like this feeling.

He ignored the royal’s questions and walked through the portal with Emi and Eden in tow. The father and daughter looked at each other, secretly wishing for the other to go first. They stepped through together, expecting to be outside somewhere else but found themselves a few steps in the air above a void. Nothingness appeared just beyond white geometric lines, no light, no color, just black void.

Max looked to Emi; a silent message passed between the two. A bubble of water encompassed the small monster and she drifted off the heightened platform. It was only then that the King and Alia noticed the rather large population of people. Dozens of survivors of the Coalition rested around the base of the stairs. Discussion was being had, multiple whispered together forming small groups. Some were talking about immediate plans, but most were talking about the Lost Lord.

“It’s a work in progress, but it will get the job done.” Max said. He motioned to follow, Eden hovering just before him.

“What- What is this?” Tobyn asked. In his entire life, he had not seen anything of the sort. The level of magic he felt, the intricate weaves of space… He was in awe.

“A Pocket Dimension. A really large one.”

“W-who made it?”

Max craned his neck, looking at the King with an odd expression, “I did.”

They moved through the small crowd. It was silent as the Lost Lord passed with the prince and his family. Some assumed the worst and that Eden was dead, others watched and listened to the conversation.

“How? If you don’t mind me asking. I was under the assumption that you only recently came to learn about magic.”

Max thought about the King’s question. He didn’t want to reveal too much information about himself, only what was necessary. But then again, why reveal anything? He knew Salae was not an ally, in fact Salae was Lester’s biggest competitor. He already took risks just being around the King and his family, he didn’t want to give them a reason to have him killed.

“I do mind.” Max finally said, glancing back to make eye contact with the King. He said it in such a way to not imply disrespect, but firmly enough for the question not to be pushed again.

“You could carry an army; you know that right?”

Max stopped, turning completely to face the King. “I know. But that hardly matters right now. We have more important things to talk about.”

They continued walking, “You’re right. I take it you were able to destroy the space-lock?”

“Yes.” Max lied. “Vel was hurt in the process, however. She’s with the other healers.”

One of the first groups of survivors Max and Emi found were the delegates from the Hunlun Isles. Vel’s extended family. They were in bad shape, surrounded by a swarm of Smokelings, and out of water to fuel their spells. They jumped through the pocket entrance without a moment’s hesitation.

“Are you able to close the Dimensional opening?” Alia asked.

“I haven’t tried, nor have I thought about it.” Max shook his head, “I wanted to get as many people as possible out before it was too late.”

“Commendable, but we need to start making plans to end this mess.” Tobyn said.

“Right, which is where we are going. You make the plans with the others, I rescue people.”

“I think your unique magic is going to be needed. You should join the discussi-“

Max spun to face the King, “I am not going to be a part of any discussion until I know everyone I can help is out of this hell. I shouldn’t even be here talking to you; others are in similar situations to what I just pulled you three out of. What makes their lives less important than yours?”

“That is not what I meant. I am only trying to say that your magics,” The King gestured around, “Is very unique to the situation. If you explain your limitations to everyone-“

“Not happening. Talk to Vel, she knows what I can do, and she knows the limit of what should be said. I am not one of your soldiers, I will not let others die for you. Even if you are Cla-Bella’s father.”

The King shifted his weight around, Alia looked away. A warmth flowed between Max and Emi, as positive and calming emotions flooded the bond, “Sorry.” Max amended, “The Blood [Queen] touched me. Tortured me, just like what I assume happened to Eden. I don’t want that to happen to any others.”

Before the King could respond, Max turned and walked off, Eden floating alongside him. He brough the prince to a group of people, three of which were the delegates from Hunlun. Vel, who was nursing a blood-loss potion, sat with them. Emi sat in her lap, having already explained the situation to the healers. Eden was lowered before them, and they got to work.

“Alright, I’m resuming my search.” Max said to the King, “Don’t walk out of the exit without my permission. Otherwise, I might be in the air, and you might fall out of the sky.”

Emi in hand, the Lost Lord disappeared.

“He is stressed.” Tobyn said to Vel.

“Serana toyed with him. Not to mention he thought I died.” Vel grumbly raised a hand, “Help me up, we need to talk to the others.”

Leaving Eden with the healers, the two Salae royals and Vel walked around the Pocket World gathering the remaining leadership from the broken groups. Most had a few injuries, but traces of healing magic could be seen on their bodies. Eventually a small group stood around. They were from all walks of life, all paths of Nava. Race or political standing did not matter, as well as past stances in matters. Everyone had an enemy, the same enemy, Vast Empire.

“What are we still doing here Vel? Why has your Lost Lord not deposited us in our respective nations?” The only remaining Gnome said. His clothes were blood splattered and monocle cracked.

To Vel’s surprise, the King answered, “He is looking for other survivors.”

“That’s all and good, but he can do that after we are safe at home.”

The King didn’t forget his earlier thoughts about the Gnomes being the possible traitors. Wanting to get to safety was something everybody wanted, but a net of suspicion had already been cast.

A [Nomad] with a hunched back butted in, “You are safe here, are you not? I do not know much about space magic, but I suspect this spell is not something that is easy to maintain. Give the man some slack, he has already done enough.”

“Agreed. When he comes back, I think we should ask him to be on the lookout for the nearby Centauri tribes. They should be coming to investigate soon.” Sinus Startemplar said, one of the few remaining Startemplars.

The woman [Assassin] from the Guild spoke up, “Can the boy not just carry an army here? Why are we even discussing? It’s obvious how to carry on with the given situation.”

Vel leaned in, “No, that will cost a lot of mana, more than Max has. He is still a tier one.” She saw no reason to hide this particular limitation. After Vel woke up, Max had explained the Pocket World to her, along with the mana costs associated. She only sort of lied to the remaining Coalition, as he could house an army, just very slowly.

“He’s a tier one, truly? I tried inspecting him earlier, and I was blocked out.”

“Indeed, he is also too good for himself. He is out there fighting for people he has never met, while some of you in here are trying to exploit his powers.” Vel shuffled her eyes around, it was going to be a long day.

Streams of magical propelled fire died out before they reached the height of the Immovable Platform, falling like a rollercoaster after reaching the top of the lift. A ball of anger and pain returned fire, exploding in a mist of super-heated steam. The heat and steam aspects of the spell did little damage to the monsters below, but the size of the explosion was nothing to gawk at. The remainder of the monsters scurried away like ants abandoning their home.

The bombardment added to the broken structure of the landscape, reciting the harsh reality of the situation. A portion of the Yepu Plains were shattered. It wasn’t until Max and Emi took a look around from the height provided by the freedom of space magic that they realized the extent of the attack. Further than the eye could see had effects from the ice-explosion, falling comets, and fire from the Flame Dimension.

Some portions of the land still had green or dull yellows, but a majority had its grass and straw blasted away. The dimpled land left little room for the natural inhabitants to hide, at least what was left of them. Bodies were common, feasts for the monsters. Some were humanoid others beasts, regardless they were beginning to smell under the unnatural heat.

In the distance, the Inferno Ram roared. It swiped at the ground, tearing up flaming dirt. It would take an entire raid team to silence the monstrosity, just like the bears currently encroaching on Lesterwood. Could Max really sit out helping his friends to focus on the Coalition? Clammy seemed rather adamant that only he and Emi would be able to help, something he found odd.

Plenty of capable fighters could be searching the wreckage for survivors. Armies could be massed to take out the monsters. The best academic minds could be researching ways to close the Flame Dimension portal. What was the reason Clammy didn’t want anyone else to help? Her urgency made it seem like life and death, but as Max looked around, all he saw was death.

Maybe that was it? If more people came, more people would die? There must be more contingencies the Blood [Queen] has. Max thought. He shared his idea with Emi, who nodded in agreement.

Bombs, most likely. She concluded.

Bombs were, after all, Vast Empire’s modus operandi. Specifically, suicide bombs in the name of their Goddess. But that didn’t quite make sense, Ikzag was the Goddess of Pestilence and Slow Death not the Goddess of Explosions and Creeping Terrorism…

Max sighed, “Just another thing a certain Leviathan could answer.” He looked inside himself for a moment, hoping to see movement within the infinite beach. It was still silent.

He sighed again just before spotting movement far below. He teleported in front of a group of six, helping dispatch a small horde of monsters. They took a few minutes to be convinced to go into the Pocket World, but accepted, nonetheless. With their departure, Max and Emi began the search again. The battlefield fell relatively silent. Only monsters fought with each other, as no survivors seemed to remain.

That left little for the Lost Lord to do, and instead of sitting in a meeting, he turned his sights to the portal. Tiodepth had said there were beings that even he would have a hard time fighting. Max didn’t know how common those monsters were, but the fact remained that the portal had been open for a while. The Inferno Ram was by far the strongest thing to come out so far, which was worrying.

The portal itself was a white metallic material, perfectly smooth and cold to the touch. If Max hadn’t known better, he would have said the ring was made on Earth making use of precise molds. But that was highly unlikely, not to mention he didn’t really know about the crafting classes. Maybe creating a perfect ring was rather simple with the right class abilities.

It seemed like the cold was a protection of sorts. The heat from the Dimension would have melted or warped the portal frame without the enchanted metal. Spatial lines filtered through anchors and tunnels, much like Max’s own spells. But the scale of the portal left him bewildered. It was simply massive. However, he didn’t need to understand it, he just needed to collapse it.

He got to work.

“That is why I think Lesterwood and Esmel are in cahoots! Someone is a traitor and who is more likely than the person that called for the Coalition!”

Vel rolled her eyes at the Beastkin’s words. From the expression of those around her, she presumed most didn’t think his words to have any substance. But, between questions of Max and pointing fingers, the meeting had progressed very little. Vel wondered if Max would be opposed to dropping the worst offenders somewhere in the Locan Desert…

King Tobyn sighed, “Let’s take a break, everyone. Let’s remember just who’s Pocket Dimension we are in, the Lost Lord’s who operates out of Lesterwood…” The Beastkin reddened, “Veline, a word?”

Vel begrudgingly nodded, following the King and his daughter to where Eden had been healed. The prince was still unconscious, but his skin had lost its red blood pigment and his breathing had leveled. The Hunlun healers did a great job, and the King would make sure to see them awarded. Later, at least.

“I’m really going to have to talk to Max about getting some couches in here.” Vel said, sitting on the geometric floor. It was hard, like concrete or brick.

“Indeed, indeed…” Tobyn didn’t know how to start the conversation, Vel saw as much.

“You want to know about your youngest?” She asked, as if reading his mind.

“Yes. Is it true? Is she one of your apprentices?”

“She’s closer to Bishop than me, but I give her pointers when I see them, yes.”

“Arc Flash Bishop?” Alia asked, mirroring her father’s confusion. “If you don’t mind me asking, but what exactly is Bella to you? I mean, to Max- Or I mean-“

Vel held up her hand, “Bella, goes by Clammy now. She… She is a warrior. The toughest and hardest working out of her team of three.”

“Her class is [Warrior]? But how does that make any sense? I thought she foresaw the events at the Coalition?” Tobyn asked.

“She is a [Gravity Mage]. Fights with a hammer, similar to a warrior. As for her second class… I don’t remember the name but it’s a [Diviner] of sorts.”

“How does that combination even come together? Why is a princess a fighter to begin with? She should be at home, with us.”

Vel shook her head, slowly, as if she was disappointed. “You know, I only heard her talk about you once or twice. Both times she spoke as if you were hardly around. It’s ironic for you to think she should be at home.”

“Veline, now is not the time to berate me over my parenting skills. I had a kingdom to run-“

“Exactly what she said. She doesn’t blame you, in fact she completely understands. But it took some time to figure that out. In Esmel, she realized that leaders are human too, everyone makes mistakes and that she had the power to make a difference. She’s strong, Tobyn, very strong.”

The King held an irritated expression, as if he smelt something bad, “So what? She just leaves home and shows up on your doorstep?”

Vel shook her head, a slight smile of pity forming, “No. Not at all, in fact. She left Salae with four [Attendants], all of which died before reaching Lesterwood. They sacrificed themselves for your daughter, allowing her to escape. Albeit she had lethal wounds, she ran. At some point she came across an old fisherman’s cabin, where it just so happens a certain newly born Lost Lord was heading too also. We learned Max had an affinity towards healing water magic that day, let alone magic in general.”

“How newly born are we talking?”

“I think it was his second day.” The words hung in the air. Vel continued, “Remember when I said I think Max’s arrival location was due to its proximity to Lesterwood and Esmel?”

“You think it was because of Bella?”

Vel left the words unsaid. Eden stirred in his sleep; his fingers tightened into his palms. Sweat was forming across his brow. Nightmares, everyone recognized. There was little anyone could do for the young prince; nightmares were one of the few ailments magic couldn’t heal.

“That is not the full story, however.” Vel thought through her next set of words carefully, “The adventuring pair sent to bring Max and Clammy back, happened to be loosely affiliated with Vast Empire. They were also [Slavers].”

Alia’s breath hitched, the King slouched forward, “They assaulted your daughter and Max, almost killing both of them in the process. Max killed one of them, freeing the slave in their company. She killed the other. Again, Clammy was injured, bleeding out. Max kept her alive until I got there. Now, the freed slave, Reep, Max, and Clammy, are a team together. The Humble Titans, Saviors of Esmel.”

“She could have just stayed home…” Tobyn’s words were of a failed father.

“She could have, but instead she found herself. She has some issues to work out, but those near-death experiences taught her something. She did not want to be weak any longer. She did not want anyone to make decisions for her. Her second class has proven to be a hiccup, but I trust her and so should you.”