“Where is it?”

“This way, madam.” The guard captain began to lead Clammy through the main doors of a run-down warehouse. Through the main floor and past many boxes, a small magical device whirled in silent operation. “We’ve had no success in destroying it.”

Clammy nodded at the captain, removing her newly acquired hammer. The hammer itself was nothing to gawk at. It was simple in design, nothing more than a magically treated brick of steel on a long dowel. Originally it was made for punishment, an undisciplined guard may have to swing the hammer for hours. After the first few swings, one’s arms would begin to burn, and after a few hundred…

The guard captain recognized the weapon upon its draw. He had not noticed the massive weight strapped to the princess’s small frame. For a moment, he briefly rolled his eyes at the young girl. What could she do that we couldn’t? He asked himself, but as Clammy strolled past, he noticed there were no straps on her back. Just how was she carrying…

The question hung in the captain’s mind as the princess reeled back, the metal shaft of the hammer bending as if more weight was added. The steel head seemed to move in slow motion as the swing was executed. It collided with the magical device in such a way that all of the surrounding dust and debris vacated outwards. The aftershock cracked the stone floor and shattered the space-lock into chunks.

Clammy wobbled on her feet for a moment, using almost her entire mana pool on a single attack had some drawbacks. She turned around in time to see the captain quickly hide his shocked expression. Under normal circumstances, Clammy would have groveled in the recognition, but circumstances were not normal. She walked by him, back to the entrance.

“Octavia, let’s go.”

The Queen’s Guard leader saluted the princess, and the pair began to traverse back through the city. Octavia Harker, personal guard of Viclear Salae, and last to see [Queen] Evelynn alive. The story was recounted many times in the last few hours. A tail of ambushes, failed duels, and fatal wounds. By Octavia’s report, the [Queen] was taken while she and Viclear fought for their lives.

Viclear dying in the process.

A direct royal being kidnapped was a scary thought. Especially when it was committed within the capital itself. Let alone within the castle. Clammy understood, however. She didn’t blame the Queen’s Guard member. In fact, she commended the woman for her bravery in a deathly situation. No one could have seen this coming, even with Divination magic.

Maybe that was why the situation hung over Clammy. She should have foreseen this. Why did she keep getting visions of some random guy drinking in a bar…? Why did she not see preparations for the attack on Salae, for the attack that took away her mother?

She was blind, aggressively so.

Eventually the guard and princess arrived at the Gate Hub. Meeting her at the door was dozens of soldier units. Nearly two-hundred strong made up the welcoming party, all of which dropped to one knee in salute and sorrow. News of the [Queen]’s disappearance and [King]’s brother’s death had already spread through the ranks. If it was not the middle of the night, the citizens would be out in throes, crying and grieving alongside one another.

Augmenting her voice to be heard in the back, Salae’s youngest princess spoke, “Salae has been attacked. My mother has been taken; uncle killed. The culprits were Vast Empire. [Scouts] and [Trackers] have found evidence that all assaulting members have exited the city. Units are in pursuit, but the outcome is unknown.”

The soldiers listened intently, waiting for the punishment to be issued. There was no excuse for this level of security breach, especially not in the kingdom’s capital. No such punishment ever came, however.

Clammy continued, “Simultaneously, an attack on the Coalition has rendered a large portion of the Yepu Plain’s uninhabitable. Half of you will assist those fighting for control of their homelands. The Gates have already been set. Captains already have orders, if your unit has been selected, please leave now. I will be joining you soon.”

Yelling sounded from various locations in the rows of men, some stood while others remained kneeling. Chatter of confusion filled the air as soldiers began to follow orders. Half poured through the Hub’s doors, entering the Gates already keyed into the Gate outpost in the Plains.

Clammy waited for quiet before addressing the rest, “Lesterwood is also under attack. This time, however, not by the Empire. Your task is to assist in any way possible. Follow the city’s leadership’s orders. They are resolute while you are stationed there. Let us go, I will make the introductions.”

Clammy and Octavia began to the Gate but stopped just before entry, “Inform the upper guard to search the city. The Empire has a history of using explosives.”

“Yes ma’am, I will send for some-“

“No. You will serve good enough. I want someone here to keep my will. That will be you. I do not need protection, especially not in Lesterwood. That is… My home. More than here, anyways.”

Octavia looked at the princess before nodding and bowing slightly. She scurried off, prepared to follow through on the orders.

With a resigned sigh, Clammy stepped through the Gate. The world flashed for a moment, before the familiar scenery of Lesterwood came into focus. The first thing she noticed, however, was that Icarus’s dome was no longer erect. The golden protective barrier was no more, which was expected but worrisome.

“Icarus, can you hear me?”

A few breaths past before the air vibrated. A single golden feather made of light fluttered down, “…Yes…”

A single word answer, as well as Icarus not appearing sent more worries through Clammy’s spine, “I’ve brought reinforcements. But I am needed elsewhere, can you send someone to get them?”

Again, a feather drifted down, “…Yes…”

Troops continued to pile out of the Gate, forming rank in the unknown city. No sooner than when the last soldier stepped through, did Lesterwood’s leadership appear. Guard captain Olivia Shatterwind pushed through, hand on her sword. She was ragged and bruised; her armor was in shambles as well as a cracked smear of blood across her lip.

“Clammy?” Shatterwind exclaimed. Her eyes went wide at the young adventurer’s appearance, “What- Why-“

“Hello, captain. I see that you made it back from the raid.”

“Wha- The raid- Well, yes, just in time too, but forget that- What is all of this?” Shatterwind gestured to the hundred or so guard suddenly appearing.

“Salae’s best. They are under your control.”

“Salae-? Wha-“

“Ah, right. Let me reintroduce myself.” Clammy curtsied an imaginary dress, “I am Bella Salae, sixth in line for the throne. Please call me Clammy.”

Shatterwind scoffed, “You were that princess I was tasked with finding… Do you know how much trouble I got in because we couldn't find you?”

Clammy shrugged, “It’s been rough, I apologize. Please take good care of them, they are a rental.”

Salae’s soldiers, all of whom had been listening to the conversation, stomped their right foot in unison. The sound bellowed through the Gate’s courtyard.

“Of course… What about you? We can use you-“

Clammy shook her head, “I’m needed in the Plains. Tell Reep, Celenia, and Bishop that I’ll be bringing Max and Vel home soon.”

Shatterwind nodded slowly, understanding the meaning of the statement. “Be careful.”

“You too, captain.” Clammy stepped through the portal.

She arrived in an outpost stationed on the cusp of the Plains’ territory. The sudden arrival caused all nearby heads to turn, the soldiers motioned a salute. A captain stepped forward.

“Did you do as asked?” Clammy spoke.

“Yes ma’am. He arrived a few minutes ago. This way.” The captain turned and walked off, he slowed to speak with the princess quietly, “He appeared suddenly and seems distraught. Irrational. He’s been crying.”

Clammy nodded, understanding the meaning more than the captain would ever know, “You know where to take the men?” The captain nodded. It was rather obvious. Smoke blotted out the already dark sky, visible from virtually everywhere in the Plains. “Start the march.”

The captain saluted and stepped away. The cry of the soldiers echoed across the flat land as war sounded. Gear shuffled, and two hundred legs began to move out.

Clammy resolved herself and continued forward. Max sat with his head in his hands, tears streaming down his cheeks and Emi beside him. The trio hesitated for a moment before Max teleported himself into a hug.

“I’m so- so sorry! Y-Your father-“

“I know, I know…” Tears began welling in Clammy’s eyes.

“You k-know?”

The nod was so meek, so powerless, Max thought he misread the movement. “I saw it.”

“Oh.” The world seemed to crash in Max’s eyes. Everything was beginning to make sense, even if the situation was dire. “Then- Then he was talking with you? Or- Or still is? I don’t get it…”

“I talked to him in the future, he talked to me in the past. Divination magic is memories being passed through time… The details I’m not fully sure about, but we talked through time, yes.” Clammy gripped Max’s hand while she talked, finding comfort in the motion.

“But when I got the mana message from one of the guards, he was still talking to- to you? I mean, your past self…?”

“The conversation lasted hours… Will last for hours…”

Max sat down, Clammy beside him. He had thought he understood, but not so much anymore.

Clammy had a vision of the Coalition’s destruction, in which she spoke with her father in the future. For hours. Then the Clammy of the past began to act, and now the Tobyn of the present is speaking to Clammy of the past…? Max held his head, a question arising.

“But then, why did you not change the future? If you knew what was going to happen, why not change it?”

“I thought I was. I thought I was…” The guilt sounded through the young woman’s words like paint on a brush.

“Clammy I-I- He’s only hurt because of me. He took my injuries…”

“I know. He told me. He said he saw a future with you, one without the Empire, without slaves, and without tyrannical rule. He was proud to have taken your wounds and knows that your life will matter more than the remainder of his natural years. ‘My last duty for Salae,’ he said.”

The tears resumed, in all parties present. Emi limped forward, her back leg still healing. It was a damaged ligament, one that neither Max nor Emi had enough medical knowledge about to heal quickly. The little monster snuggled into Clammy’s arms, purring deep and slow.

Minutes past as they sat. They were both guilty, both victims of circumstance and terrorism. Both each other’s first real friend on Nava. They had saved each other’s lives multiple times, more times than either could have known. They had been through some of the worst moments of their lives together, but the key was that they made it through. Surviving Denny and Tyr, surviving Esmel. They knew they would survive this, and they knew they would take revenge. Or die trying.

“Shall we go see him?” Max finally asked, a purple shimmer splitting the air just past his shoulder.

Clammy nodded and walked through. She paused for a brief moment, before exiting.

Tobyn Salae stood, muscles clinched but standing. He was dyed red with blood as his old, wrinkled skin was torn and bruised. He held his head high, will power the only thing keeping him standing. Every few moments he would mumble out a long-winded string of words, seemingly to no one in particular.

Clammy gulped as she was reminded of the sight. It hurt more than she thought, especially after seeing Viclear Salae die just hours before. Two brothers of royalty, dead.

All around, the crowd took in the new arrival. Clammy was now the subject of their ire, as Max’s magic was anything but flashy. Some were crying, others scowling at the Heavens, some didn’t know how to feel as they didn’t know what the death of a [King] implied. Some brewed potions or kicked up old [Ritualist] spells, hopefully something would be able to heal the sundered man.

Eden was the first to notice his youngest sister’s presence, Alia being alerted with a strong nudge. Both were puffy eyed and pale, which was very noticeable despite Eden’s tortured skin. Tears resurfaced as the two princesses embraced, the eldest brother stalked around the outside however, a suspicious look filling his brows.

The next few hours passed strangely quick. Clammy recounted her visions with her siblings, her adventures, and what happened to Salae. Eden was quick to question her decision in moving the city guard but relented when Alia took her side. According to the crowned prince, the guard should under no circumstances leave the city they were stationed to protect. It left Salae vulnerable, which was true, but without the involvement Lesterwood may be worse for wear. Let alone the Plains.

Somewhere along the lines the marching guard arrived at the outpost on the edge of the destruction. They were quickly set into motion, venturing out into the wreckage in a monster hunt. The Centauri leadership made haste in moving the token units around, and rather soon more foot holds were captured.

At some point, Vel spoke to Max.

“Do you feel up for teleporting into the flames for a few minutes? I feel the rewards to be worth leaving for a few minutes.”

Max stared at his mentor for a few long seconds, trying to decipher her meaning. Eventually he relented, simply too tired to care or ask. He was exhausted mentally, and physically. He knew his status was less than stellar, so he accepted the strange request as he knew Vel was in a much better head space. Together with Emi, Max teleported everyone using a vague general direction as guidance.

What Vel wanted to show him was rather apparent, however. In fact, Max would be hard pressed if he had somehow missed the situation before him. The Great Inferno Magma Ram, the strongest being that escaped through the portal, was crushed by the vary device that brought it through the dimensions. The massive halo of white metal-like material had fallen after Max disrupted the spell keeping it open. It had to land somewhere.

The beast was partially dead, its movements were weak and degraded. Like a caged animal that lost its will to survive. It honestly sickened Max. Vast Empire ruined the lives of the Plains and many of the powerful nations of Salarin, but they also effected the beings of the Flame Dimension.

A memory of a Smokeling speaking through broken dialect surfaced in Max’s mind. It may have been a monster, a being that could destroy villages, but it was cold. It was dying in an unfamiliar place, one where it could not live. A place it should never have even been.

“Take the experience, Max.” Vel said after a moment. “With its experience and the gains from the Divine Quest, you should be able to reach tier two.”

Max nodded but sent a message to Emi through their bond. They were to do this together.

A spike of water formed. It was the size of a torpedo and sharper than a needle. It was the product of unlimited time and unbridled rage. Max poured his heart and soul into the attack while Emi mimicked the feeling. Together they bounced their mana together, rebuilding and restructuring the spell. Over and over the spell gained and lost mass, freezing in some spots while flowing in others. The spell was launched at the pinned target, ending its life without any recourse. The light in the monster’s already dim eyes died.

Max threw up.

Everything from the past few days caught up with him in that moment. Fungus, flames, monsters, blood, [Queens] and [Kings]. He had found greater magics while proscribing death for those who trusted him the most. Saving lives and taking them. Some on accident, others on purpose. Who was he becoming, what was he becoming? He was scared. Very scared. Would he live up to Tobyn’s words? Would he live up to the expectation?

Congratulations you have killed a level 104 Great Inferno Magma Ram!

You have gained 303,311,774 experience!

Congratulations you and your bond (Emi) have created a mutual ability, Cooperative Casting (Emotion) (Uncommon): Increase spell potency, decrease cast time, or lower mana cost based on combined emotional status.

They returned to the Centauri camp minutes later. No one even noticed them missing.

The remainder of Tobyn’s conversation played out with Clammy of the past. Time and space were interesting, but not even the [King] of Salae could outrun death. He had managed to stay alive long enough for his deepest regret to be corrected. No one except the father and daughter knew what was said, but the smile of Tobyn’s face when the magic left his eyes explained it all.

He died in the arms of his two eldest and his estranged youngest, happy.

All around Lesterwood battles were being fought. Adventurers battled alongside guards and soldiers, some of whom were from Salae. Together, the walls were protected, and the city defended. Thousands of monsters were being slain, some were predators others harmless game. Whatever the case, the fungus enraged the hosts, and all were eliminated.

Four massive bears stalked closer after being pushed back by the Legendary Unicorn Seetrin. She battled by herself, far from Lesterwood’s support. The battle was long and gruesome, but in the end, she had only managed to slow the quartet of beasts. It did seem she achieved her goal, however, as the bears were forced to rest.

The [Seers] of Lesterwood were able to confirm the Unicorn speeding through the forest towards the bear’s den after the battle. It seemed apparent that Seetrin did not want to kill the bears, but rather tire them out. Going after the main spores was her primary objective.

A silver spider construct gently landed after working through the entire night. It was the second full day of hunting Stalkers and he and his partner were exhausted. Clair hugged her mother, bundled herself up in her silky blanket, and promptly fell asleep. Unlotous stayed beside her, remaining in range of their magic tether. He was proud of the young girl, much more than she would ever know.

Reep dove to her left, dodging a beam of muddy water. The perch she had just stood upon was blown apart. Two rapid fire arrows of electricity collided with the responsible monster. It survived but as seconds passed, Reep’s newest passive effect kicked in. The monster burned from the inside out, as its muscles spasmed with static shock.

Reep made a mental note, reordering the priority list she had been creating over the course of her time on the wall. All monsters that could attack at range were ahead on the list, followed by the slower more brutish melee monsters. Specifically, the kind that could take a beating while dealing devastating damage to those unlucky enough to be within their grasp.

She had been fighting for hours by the time Salae’s army arrived. Her fingers were numb and raw, along with general fatigue. But she kept on, proving herself in her own eyes. Here she felt needed, wanted, and welcome. More than a few times did a captain order her to rest, but each time she returned to battle quickly.

She had seen an end goal, something to strive for when she had received her gifts from the Gods. Goddess Elrin showed her something, even if it was unintentional. Reep had been shown the full extent of what lightning can be. Calm yet deadly, blissful but unrelenting. She found harmony with the storm, and she was going to prove to be its master.

Arrow after arrow, construct after construct, she attacked and killed monsters many times over her level. She had been in the cusp of tier one for a while now, but with this event, she pushed the broader reaches of her class. She was ready to move on, to get stronger. That’s why she never took long breaks, that’s why she was okay with sweating through her armor. Because at the end of the day, she was needed, and she was getting more powerful.

Next to her was Celenia. The young Elf couldn’t keep up with Reep’s unrelenting action, however. Her class and subsequent spells took a lot of mana compared to Reep’s. At the end of the day, an unaugmented arrow fired from an unaugmented bow still could kill. None of Celenia’s attacks could manage the same.

But she still found a place on the wall. Her roots were quick to move and quick to fix crumbling sections. Celenia was making good on her aspects of defensive capabilities. While not perfect and not as potent as a [Stoneshaper], she made up for the fact in a wide area of effect. Roots branched far underground, each operating to the young [Druid]’s will.

Not only that, but Celenia also realized a problem plaguing the injured. Their armor was hastily equipped or relatively weak. Thinking quick, Celenia created a spell based around the fact. She began to place thorns on nearby combatants. It did little for added protection, but it made a monster think twice about attacking. She also began to receive assist experience for her troubles. Which had already proved to increase her level, as the experience she needed was still rather low.

In one of the map rooms, Yel worked alongside an Adventuring Guild officer. The idea was as simple as it was ingenious. Yel’s class limited her actions against non-bounty targets. So, they created them. Reports came in with various monster species and the office filled out the required paperwork. The bounty was set low, one copper per head, but it satisfied the system and gave the Guild Master options.

While Yel could fight along the wall, firing off bolts from her crossbow, she chose to be reconnaissance of sorts. One of her abilities let her track bounty targets using a bird-eyed-view. There were a few monsters in particular that needed to be slaughtered right away, her ability found them. With notes being sent out, the bounties quickly were fulfilled.

Bishop fought alongside Domic on the forefront of the most heavily infested area of the wall. The veterans moved with grace and speed, killing monsters just like in their heyday. While the goblin raid was a nice reminder of why they fought, defending a city was like reliving the memory.

Bishop let himself fall into a rage. It was a part of him he didn’t like to show, but since he didn’t have to protect anyone, he allowed it. The rage made him move faster, react with greater emphases, and project an aura that made others hesitate in fear. It was moments like this that the Drake racial shined.

Domic had begun fighting from the wall, casting Fireballs and Circle o Flames with every breath. But, as the heat began to catch patches of grass on fire, he found that the monsters would simply move further down the wall. The wall itself was rather crowded with other mages and ranged attackers, so traveling to new areas proved difficult. He hopped down and fought in the fray.

He was glad that the raid team made it back to Lesterwood in time. Not only that, but he was also glad that one of the [Seers] saw the approach of unprotected fighters. It’s not every day that you get a tunnel made entirely of golden light as an escort into a city under siege.

The added soldiers from Salae made things operate smoother, but that didn’t mean deaths weren’t happening. The clinics in the city were pushing capacity. Beds and temporary cots were set up on the streets. Healers from the Church and the unaffiliated worked together caring for the wounded and dying. It was grim and depressing in those locations, but it was something they were used to by now.

Regardless, the fungus was being held.

“Are you sure you want to leave?”

Clammy looked to the body of her father. Eden and Alia held him in their arms while the returned guard kneeled in rows. Everyone was paying their respects, even the Centauri and the remaining Coalition leadership. A nation’s leader dying was rather common on Nava, but Tobyn Salae had been alive longer than most. His presence had generational ripples, some good, some bad. Regardless, his residence will be missed.

“Yeah,” Clammy finally said, “Do you mind if we take them back to the castle first?”

Max nodded, “Not all of the guard, however.”

Clammy moved forward and explained the situation to Eden and Alia. They had been informed of their mother’s disappearance as well as their uncle’s murder. This shocked both of them, but primarily Eden. He was now [King], at least temporarily. If the [Queen] was found and returned safely, then she would retain the title until her death. But as she was missing in action, the crowned prince rose to the throne.

A brief conversation ended with all three royals, their father’s corpse, two guards, and Vel entering the Pocket World. Max, who was still puffy eyed, held out his hand to Emi and teleported. The familiar marble grand staircase of Salae greeted the Lost Lord along with shouting by a pack of nearby armed guard.

They shouted for Max to identify himself, but as the royals poured from the pocket’s entrance, they quickly dropped into a kneel. Queen’s Guard Octavia arrived a few minutes later along with a proper stretcher. Clammy wanted to stay just long enough to see her family enter the castle, which inadvertently allowed Max to see inside.

A few moments later they returned to Lesterwood.

High above Lesterwood Max and the others stood on an Immovable Platform. With the added vantage, the whole city could be seen along with the assaulting monsters. Salae’s extra soldiers looked to be adjusting well to the sudden battlement, while Lesterwood’s defenders adopted the help unconditionally.

Soon a long deep horn sounded, the call for retreat. As those outside the city’s walls ran for cover, light began to shine from the sewers. The unmistakable golden light of Icarus expunged out of the depths, flooding the streets and districts. The light moved along contours and runic channels, rushing outward to the walls.

The long-prepared contingency activated, as a black string woven in-between wooden stakes lit. Like a fuse to a stick of dynamite, the string fizzled with the added light magic. A white sheen following the perimeter of the city exploded upwards high into the sky.

“Heh.” Vel mused, “I think we better get inside. We can’t be out here for this.”

The Pocket World entrance opened, and everyone entered. A moment later they found themselves atop one of the tallest buildings of Lesterwood. Around, the pillar of light continued to blast into the sky. Upon reaching its pinnacle, the pillar bloomed. Light branched outwards as thick beams grew threw the air.

Leaves grew, aged, and fell within moments, cascading down to the forest floor. A splitting pop followed as each leaf touched ground. The explosion itself was hardly damaging, but instead was meant to blind and deafen. Monsters roared in pain as their senses were overloaded.

The tree of light flickered and faded which was followed by three short high-pitched puffs from a horn. A full scale charge. The monsters were met by excessive force as all defenders took to the ground or fired pot shots from the wall.

“What a spell…” Max muttered.

“Luminous Tree of Endless Leaves. One of Lester’s contingencies.” Vel said, “I never thought I would see the day it would be used…”

Max squinted at the distant battle. The effects were simply amazing. Disregarding the mana cost involved, the spells theatrics and outcome were praiseworthy. But it did make him wonder.

“Did Icarus cast this by himself?”

Vel gently shook her head, “This was a combined effort.”

The conversation was left at this. Lester, wherever he was, was alive. Both Vel and Max knew this, but they knew not to discuss anything on the subject in the open. From the brief time Icarus explained it, the place Lester was stuck in limited his mana recovery significantly. Mallor Henbar had called the place a prison, which was the most anyone knew about it.

Regardless, Lester must have used an immense amount of mana to help Icarus in casting. The question was, how negatively did that affect Lester?

“What do we do now?” Clammy asked. For the first time in a while, the young Diviner didn’t know what the future held. Her father was the end point of her vision, Lesterwood’s fate was unknown to her.

“Figure out what to do against those.” Vel pointed past the walls and battles. The bears were on the move.

“We may have an idea.” Max said, followed by Emi who nodded. They briefly explained their idea but Clammy stopped them in the middle of a small-scale example.

“That could work, but I expect the Gods to take the resultant spell away. It sounds too powerful.”

“You say that like you’re speaking from experience.”

Clammy smiled distantly, “It’s called Dark Hole. It was decidedly too powerful for the mana cost. And some other factors…” She shuddered at the thought of the ball of Goblins, “Anyways, I remembered you telling me about the concept when you were first explaining gravity to me.”

“Dark Hole? Do you mean you created a black hole? Wait, wait, wait. What?”

Clammy tsked, “Black hole… I miss named it… Eh, well, it doesn’t matter anymore. I can’t use it, and I expect the same to happen to your idea. Are you sure you want to waste it now? It could be useful later.”

Max and Emi shared a look, the same thought forming. Emi shrugged, “We will be stronger later.”

“Good thought.” Vel interrupted, “How long do you need to prepare?”

“Not too long. But we need to find Celenia and Reep. I’m sure they could use an experience boost.”

“Well, get to it. Open-“ Vel stopped herself when a purple shimmer opened behind Max, “You need some couches by the way.”

Max rolled his eyes.

Two Anchored Portals were stacked vertically. They were at a distance of a few dozen meters, mainly for safety if something went wrong. Distantly, the bears encroached, their threatening size finally coming into focus. It was ever apparent that the city would at least be partially destroyed if they reached the walls.

Max nodded to Reep, Emi and Celenia. They, in turn, began to formulate an attack. It wasn’t anything special, just a large arrow made of lightning wrapped with thorns and ice. When it was ready, the arrow was dropped into a lower portal where it fell from the upper. It glided down, landing in the lower portal again before repeating the cycle. Again, and again.

“Go ahead Clammy.” Max said.

She did as previously instructed, slowly attaching her magic to the arrow. It gained in speed as its weight was increased. Soon, the arrow was whizzing by in a blur. It hit terminal velocity rather fast, but as magic continued to pull it down it went faster. And faster. And faster.

It whistled as it fell, screeching through the short distance and becoming a great example of the Doppler effect. Friction became the limiting factor, sending sparks and melting the ice. The lightning aspect of the arrow protected it somewhat from the added heat, but the thorns became charred. Deciding it was time, Max quickly moved the upper Anchored Portal.

The arrow shot forward and teleported a short distance. As it exited the Accelerate artillery spell, a loud boom broke the sound barrier. All around, guards and soldiers dropped to the ground trying to take cover from the unseen attack.

The arrow’s structure gave as it flew, bending and contorting into a ball of sorts. It veered slightly off path, but the target was massive. It didn’t miss. It couldn’t.

The ball of lightning collided with the largest of the bears and pierced straight through. The ground behind exploded into a plume of snow and dirt. The ground broke against the ball’s wake, sundering trees, and blanching grass. At that moment, all fungus infected beings stopped. At once, they all turned to look at the injured bear.

The bear teetered as its wound split open. Blood poured like a dam’s opened flood gate, quickly drenching the bear’s shoulder and paw. Its internal organs were scrambled, forcing it to hesitate. A few breaths passed as everyone watched the bear, but it eventually threw up. Blue bile mixed with deep red blood covered the nearby forest. It hacked up odd squirmy material which began to shrivel and die.

The bear collapsed a moment later. Cheers sounded from all over Lesterwood. Only briefly however, as the monsters were still threatening the walls.

Or were they?

The fungus infected beings were stationary, all continuing to look at the broken bear’s body. Soldiers took advantage of this, striking the non-responsive targets. Others caught on quickly, turning the battle into a full-scale slaughter. Like farm animals being fattened up for sale, the monsters became an experience buffet.

Lesterwood’s guard captains deliberated on sounding the retreat horn. Something strange was afoot, something unheard of in the face of monster waves. But then again, this was no ordinary wave. It was a hivemind of parasitic fungus, one that had made a magical contract with a Legendary Beast.

Minutes passed as the soldiers continued to kill indiscriminately, but the situation shifted. All monsters retreated. They did not attack, they did not help one another, the monsters able simply walked away. They wore blank expressions, a stark contrast to the snarls they used moments ago. This left the guard scratching their heads, acting in safety they blew the retreat horn.

“Impressive use of spells, Max, but did you foresee this as the outcome?” Vel asked, her voice layered with sarcasm.

Max didn’t reply, instead he teleported high into the air. Distantly, he could see a bright pure light splinter through the far forest. Seetrin, he knew. The light burned with a fiery heat, one that felt slightly of Divine mana. It faded moments later, but a similar spell began to radiate from Lesterwood’s walls. More specifically, just before the walls. Max teleported to the source.

“What’s happening?”

Seetrin, the pure white Unicorn Queen, glared at the Lost Lord. Emi was clamped to his shoulder, which caused the Legendary Beast to relax. At least somewhat.

“I killed the original host. But it looks like it separated itself from those spores just in time. I suspect-“

Seetrin stopped herself as a being broke the tree line. It was humanoid, possibly Human or Elvish. It was greatly injured; broken bones tore out from its skin and dried blood coated most of its body. It was completely naked and unashamed of its improper stature. It stopped a few dozen meters away, emotionless.

With neither rage nor hatred, the man spoke, “Why did you kill our primary cluster?”

Now that the man was close enough, Max could make out a few decerning features. First and foremost was the blue tint in the man’s eyes. Obvious signs of the fungal infections. But more importantly were the runic tattoos the man carried. Max had seen similar ones before and could recognize the pattern, [Druid] ink.

“It was you who broke the contract. I have every right.” Seetrin answered.

“We broke the contract? Nay. It was broken by a secondary party. The [Druids] they are called. If we are reading this host’s memory correctly.”

“What stupidity do you speak?”

“Issue of orders one-one-three Lesterwood branch, team members Dreamstem, Ruden, and this body, Grennol, were tasked with finding if the fungus was able to be weaponized.”

Seetrin scowled and briefly looked to Max and Emi, the only ones who could hear the conversation. “That does not explain how the contract was broken.”

“Three parts fennel flame, one part gold eyed barley, mixed using amethyst ranked mana crystals while channeling Aspect of the Grove.”

The Unicorn narrowed her eyes as she recognized the concoction’s intended effect, “Max, Emi, do not repeat that formula to anyone.” The intent in her eyes left little room for discussion, “Where are the other [Druids]?”

“We do not know. This host was left behind as its shift forms were lacking. The other two escaped as far as we know.” The fungus hesitated a moment before adding, “We did not want this. We thought our existence was threatened. What better way to gather strength than to take over everything?”

“The contract stat-“

“The contract was broken. All limitations were left behind. We did only what was in our best interest. That is why we did not take over any intellectual species. We knew if we did, we would have little time left in this world. Except for this body, we mean.”

That didn’t sit right with Max. He spoke, “What about the Lycan? He was intelligent.”

The fungus turned to him, “Indeed. At the time it was in its wolf-form. We did not know until we overtook its body. We did not harm it, however. On the contrary, in fact. We sent it away with full intentions to rid ourselves from its body. You happened to get to it first.”

Max thought for a moment, “Three adventurers entered the forest and one of the [Druids], the one called Ruden, said he sent them away, is that true?”

“No.” The fungus answered, “The adventurers were hunted and killed. Word could not get out about the [Druid]’s mission.”

If he was hesitant before, now Max was as sure as ever. The [Druid] Order were bad people.

“What else can you tell us about the Order.”

The fungus twitched its neck, “The Order has branches in every major city. With the disguises of peace and prosperity for nature, the Order has taken to the shadows. Murder, extortion, blackmail, bribery, illegal trade, treason, are just the surface. We recommend their immediate annihilation.”

Seetrin huffed, “Of course you do.”

The fungus did not reply.

“Why stop your assault on Lesterwood?” Max hesitantly asked.

“It became an unwinnable battle. We decided negotiations would be the most acceptable outcome.”

“Negotiations? That’s funny. Very funny. What could you possibly negotiate with?” Seetrin‘s tone was harsh.

“Information. [Druid] movements, ore locations in the surrounding area, rare herbs, and rare monsters. All of which will be more than enough for what we are asking.”

“Which is?”

“A location to live freely. Under contract with the locals, of course.”

“Lesterwood would never agree after what you put them through.”

“We are prepared to leave the area. All we need is sunlight and room to prosper.” The fungus said.

Max and Emi shared a glance, an idea sprouting between them. They briefly talked it over, making use of their bond but eventually Max spoke, “We have an idea of somewhere you can go. We’ll have to clear it with the locals, however.” A smile formed, “How does the Yepu Plains sound?”