January 16, 2019, 4:22pm. The wrong time to realize you left your phone in the other star-system.

My very first question is directly related to Ivicka's grin, "why does she look so happy?" I ask while pointing over my shoulder.

"Probably because she'll be able to capture us when we complete the quest," Rufka answers cheerfully while looking around the city, "mum never let me come here before, but she mentioned that you always exit at the same spot."

"Yes, I imagine that is precisely what she intends," Tipan adds while stepping forward.

"Then why'd we come here?" I ask while indulging Smoulder in head scritches.

"Three reasons," Tipan starts, holding up her upper right paw.

"First, we can rest and make sure your males are properly recovered from their conditioning. The rest area will be clearly marked," she continues lowering one finger as I finally stand up while Smoulder moves to my shoulder.

"Second, I've heard this is one of the easier iron rank training zones to complete. Since we're in the area, Beth agreed it would be a good idea to do so," Tipan says. Beth nods when I look over to her.

"And third. Well, I'll explain the third reason once we enter the privacy of the rest area," she tells us with a grin on her face. She almost looks like Rufka when she smiles like that. If Rufka had white fur, was far less athletic, and had intricate patterns braided into her fur like the ones running down Tipan's arm.

I saw the patterns before, but I didn't think anything of them at the time, thinking they were part of one of the harnesses they're always wearing. But upon closer inspection I discover she has a thin strip of leather woven into her fur, creating a swirling pattern, almost like a rune. But there doesn't appear to be any magic in it.

"Okay people, we're looking for a rest area. It should stand out," Beth declares in English as we start heading into the city.

"Okay, that all makes sense. But why isn't she chasing us?" I ask as I look around. The buildings of the city are very rectangular, the once lustrous sheen, faded to a dull grey. There's also a shortage of windows. What windows there are, all consist of small round potholes. Everywhere I look, there are small sprouts of greenery poking through.

"Because she wasn't in our party," Rufka explains as she sneaks up right behind Tipan, startling her. I'm not sure how old it is, but compared to the village, it's hardly overgrown at all. I have to admit. I’m a little disappointed. If this is a Builder city, I kind of expected more.

Once Tipan recovers, she looks back at Rufka before adding, "partially that, yes. But also, because she's copper rank. She literally can't enter an iron rank zone."

"Huh," I reply as we continue.

We spend the next couple minutes in relative silence, the only disruption when Josh and Roberts repeat whatever words Tipan says as she points at the scenery around us.

This continues as we move around a corner, heading down a side street.

"I do believe we've found it," Roberts notes as he chuckles, pointing down the street.

He’s hardly the only one to have spotted it. It’s blatantly obvious.

Hanging in the air above the street is a big pink neon sign that reads, in English, Raz's Remarkable Reststop and Repository with an arrow pointing to a small door. The sign isn't attached to anything, just floating there, minding its own business. As we step closer, I realize it's displayed in my interface. Does this mean that the system comes with pop up advertisements?

Shuddering I inspect the building. Its facade is the same as every other dull grey monotonous slab of stone building in the area, only shorter. The door itself is so low that everyone, including me and Tipan, will have to do the limbo to make it through. Or duck.

"Interesting. I've heard of named rest areas, but this one is new to me," Tipan comments when she sees Roberts pointing.

"Hmmm, are named rest areas good or bad?" Beth asks, before switching to English, "stay frosty people, we don't know what's inside."

Rufka seems eager as we gather around the door, "mum says that all the best rest areas have names. All the worst ones too."

"We'll be safe while we're inside. That's guaranteed in a safe area. There's no cost to enter a rest area, or to stay for the first ten hours. We'll likely have to pay for any extra services that are offered, however," Tipan adds while looking at Beth and me.

"Ohh, like food. I hope it's got Builder fare. I've always wanted to try Lembasian. Theria says they use a lot of something called bread, but it still goes down smooth," Rufka gushes as she rubs her hands together in anticipation.

"That would be a rare treat. The primary trial below Aetheria has a Builder's cafe run by an actual Lembasian. She's very sweet. And the food is like no other I've tasted," Tipan agrees as she reaches for the door while the rest of us wait.

The door swings inwards easily, revealing a dark wooden floor, but not much else from our angle. There’s music, which drifts out across the street. It's just a single low voice accompanied by a guitar, which is rather relaxing. I watch as Tipan crouches stepping through to the other side. Once inside she turns around. As she stands up, I realize she's shorter.

"Ohhh, a dimensional space. Sweet," Rufka exclaims as she hurries through.

I look around at the others, wondering who should go next. Josh steps forward, "nice tunes," he comments as he bends his tall frame almost in half to squeeze through the small opening.

Roberts follows right behind him, a hand tracing the edge of the door as he smiles, "like stepping through to Narnia."

Beth and I are standing outside the door looking in when our eyes meet. I shrug then step forwards through the small opening. As I cross the threshold, I detect the familiar feeling of distortion, as if I had cast my Return spell.

The interior resembles a pub. There’s one near Sab's that her dad took us to a couple of times, to expand our horizons, he’d say while watching hockey. There’s no hockey here, but there is what appears to be a billiard table in the corner. There are also several rich wooden tables with a dark, nearly black bar along the back. The entire place is dim, with several pools of soft light over the scattered tables and bar, creating islands in the dark.

In the corner is a raised stage where a short lizard-like creature sits, strumming and singing, the source of the music which fills the room. I don't understand the words, but the beauty of the song is soothing. It kind of sounds like country music. Each twang is produced by the creature’s finely polished claws striking the chords with precision. It sits calmly, its scales absorbing the soft light of the stage.

When Beth steps into the room, pulling the door closed behind her, the short lizard creature opens its eyes, looking up at us. A pair of dull grey spheres play over us while it continues singing.

We all come to an unspoken consensus to hold off speaking until they're finished. While listening to the relaxing music, I take a moment to check my notifications.

Skills increased:

Temporal Manipulation (28 to 29) Water Manipulation (38 to 47) Lightning Manipulation (31) Stone Manipulation (53) Cleaning (41 to 46)

"You have entered Raz's Remarkable Reststop and Repository."

"You have entered a rest area. Please note that your survival quest will not progress while you remain within a safe zone."

"Rest area time remaining 9:59."

"Additional services will be explained once he's finished playing around."

With a final twang, the song ends, a final echoing chord drifting gently through the room. The lizard sets the guitar to the side with care as he slowly stands, before turning back to us.

"Hello, hello, my name is Raz, your humble host," he greets, waving as he steps down. He's speaking in Vausian, yet I can hear a quiet mumble of English beneath. When I focus on it, the Vausian drops to a barely audible mumble while the English becomes clear.

His eyes focus on each of us for a moment, "Ah, I see we have several first-timers. The standard spiel then, I suppose."

Before any of us can respond he continues.

"Ah. Ahem. Welcome users, to Raz' Remarkable Reststop and Repository. Welcome. No need for the full name of course. We just call it Raz's these days," he explains gesturing around the room while I keep flipping his voice back and forth between English and Vausian.

Even as he's speaking, I wonder if it would be rude to analyze him. I feel like he analyzed us.

"Raz's has all your standard Nexus access features, including bank, class selection, class advancement, return point attunement and general ability shopping. Raz's also carries a full line of interesting and useful drinks and food," he informs us, indicating the bar behind him with a casual wave while I start shifting back and forth. I hope this place has bathrooms.

"If you're feeling weary, we have rooms available. All rooms come with an additional 24 hours of rest area access. While sleeping at the tables is discouraged, we understand that not every patron has spare essence to spend on rooms. If this is your situation, we recommend moving the table to a corner and sleeping beneath it, so as not to unduly disrupt the other patrons. The floors are clean, that's a Dragonheart guarantee," he continues, as I start searching for doors.

"Finally, for the truly discerning user, Raz's has a limited stock of high-end iron grade focuses and armours," he finishes, finally perking up as he looks from face to face.

"Well, this is quite possibly the best place we could have found for the four of you," Tipan states as she rubs the end of her staff with her finger.

"I'll take that as a compliment young lady. You're a K'tharn, correct?" he asks in Vausian, extending a hand in her direction.

"Oh my. You're really here, aren't you? I mean, yes. I'm a K'tharn," Tipan responds, extending her hand to the short lizard.

"Aye. Special request from a friend," he remarks, winking at us.

"And you four would be why my friend asked for me, I imagine. Species not found. That's an interesting occurrence. From outside the system then?" he asks as he moves behind the bar, which is sized for much taller creatures. Hopping onto an invisible ledge that runs the length of the bar, he turns back to us.

"Mostly," Beth answers, "there's been limited contact. But there was no interface until we were brought here."

Wait, what? I mean we did all get the cryptic invites, I guess. And my magic. Did Beth have something else?

"Hmm. Interesting. I imagine you have a lot of questions then."

"I believe that may be a bit of an understatement," Roberts laughs as he settles on one of the stools facing the bar.

"Well, answers are free. At least most are," Raz continues with a particularly toothy grin.

"Before you get into whatever you're doing with them, can you send me your price list?" Rufka asks as she twirls back and forth on a stool further down the bar.

"Of course," he replies, before turning his attention back to us. I hear Rufka mumble, "these are great," as she spins around.

"Uhm, actually. Is there a bathroom?" I interrupt before anyone else can interject.

"Bottom of the stairs, on the right, young lady," he replies pointing to a hallway at the back.

"Good idea kid. Questions can wait," Beth decides as I make my way back while Smoulder hops onto the countertop. Turning to Tipan she adds, "can you please finish taking Josh and Roberts here through the language quest as you did with me? We need to be able to communicate, and I imagine we're going to need to keep speaking Vausian if we want to talk to your people."

"Well, of course, I will. If you'll follow me," she agrees while motioning to Josh and Roberts. Neither of whom follow her, looking to Beth instead.

The last words I hear from Beth as I close the bathroom door are, "She's going to continue teaching you the local language."

The bathroom's more magnificent than I expected, though it’s designed for a single occupant, it's huge.

The toilet, singular, is made of an especially pleasing darkwood that just looks wrong as a waste receptacle. The matching pedestal sink is wrought in a design that makes me picture a tree trying to support a lake. And succeeding.

A full-size tub made of the same wood, with big claw feet is set against the opposite wall. But the real shock is the full height mirror along the back wall.

I have to step back out to look at the relativity mundane aesthetic of the actual rest area before I'm able to use the restroom. It's just so elegant it's jarring.

Once my business is finished, I turn to the task of salvaging my onesie. I couldn't not notice its state with the giant mirror. Its….

It's really not looking good.

And my hair. My mom would yell at me for hours if she saw my hair like this.

The thought makes me smile, and I summon several balls of water.

It’s so easy to clean myself and my clothes, I can’t help taking a minute to do so, now that I can see the spots I missed, the water scrubbing thoroughly. While I clean my hair, I still leave it a mess after. Mom would hate it.

Once I’m done, I stitch the remains of my onesie back together as best I can. I've foregone all material past my knees at this point. The legs just keep getting ripped up anyway. The material can be put to better use elsewhere.

As I’m twirling my hair, inspecting myself in the mirror, I check my facet. I have just enough to purchase the Paradox codex. Given my previous experience with codex downloads, I probably shouldn’t just activate it though.

Stepping back out into the common room, I move over to Beth informing her, “Hey, I’m going to download a codex. Watch me?”

“Sure kid,” she answers, with a bit of a far-off look in her eyes. I take a seat across from her at the table, resting my head, just in case, before confirming the download.

A moment later I receive a notification.

“Paradox codex download initiated. Beginning playback. Sweet dreams Alexis.”

Ha! I knew…..

_________________

Tuesday, February 25th, 2020. 6:12pm.

There's a crack in the sky, split by lightning exactly as I'd seen in Uthica's vision. Back when her world was destroyed before being invaded. It's a lot closer than any Uthica ever saw. But that's to be expected. The worst of the swarm will be landing near here.

I don't know how I know that, but I do know it's true.

Wherever I am, it’s cold.

As my eyes leave the light show above, I realize, I'm standing on the top of a mountain. I think I'm standing on the mountain just north of Vancouver. What was it called again? Some bird, I think. I've never actually been to the top before. I didn't do the outdoors much before Akilo.

So, here I am standing on top of this mountain as world-destroying energy rains from the sky.

Doesn't seem like the best place to be when the world's ending.

But I'm not here, am I?

No.

I’m in the bar with Beth and the others.

Still, it feels like I'm here, bundled up in my favourite winter boots and my aunt's old, not-really-fur, coat looking out over Vancouver. A city I've spent the last eight years in. If I'm honest, I don't have much affection for the city. It's not a bad place. But like the outdoors, I never really interacted with it much.

I'd still hate to see it destroyed.

The sun comes out, warming my face, the mana strikes driving the clouds away.

I notice that my hand is transparent when it moves to shield my eyes from the light.

That confirms it. This is another vision like with Uthica. But didn’t it say playback? This feels like the future. Even my internal time sense says it’s the future. How am I here instead of watching someone else's memories?

Hello, I try to call into the empty air, not expecting a reply. But I don’t even get that much, as no words issue forth. I’m just watching again.

Yet trying to speak seems to have been a trigger, or maybe I'm just at the end because the edges of the world start to close in, the sides fading away. My vision becomes focused on one final mana-strike falling from the sky. I watch as a bolt the size of a coliseum shatters the familiar globe of Science World. The bolt continues down into the earth causing a massive shockwave of concrete, steel and angry Canadian geese to ripple outwards, destroying everything in the vicinity.

Just like that the entire area is no more than wreckage.

Damn. Sab is going to be pissed.

She loves Science World.

_________________

“Download complete.”

“Class unlocked: Paradox."

“Paradox (Forerunner): Created as a standalone temporary class, this class is designed to allow continued use of abilities while not constraining the Forerunner within the system.

Attributes: Small increase to all attribute maximums.

Resources: Small increase to all resources including facet.

Abilities: Increased System access.”

I barely read the description before straightening myself out to look at Beth, "Hey."

"Wow, I didn't realize how much the mud was holding your outfit together kid," Beth comments when she glances over, throwing me off.

"Yeah, whatever I've been through the last couple days, I think my onesie's had it worse" I agree, fingering the edge of my hood while contemplating what I saw.

"So, I think I know when the apocalypse happens," I add as Beth turns away.

“Good. We’ll talk about it later. Let’s get you something to eat first. Raz, could I bother you to link the kid a menu?" Beth requests, raising her hand to get his attention. She doesn't even question how I know.

"Of course," he answers with a smile, pulling a strange device up onto the counter.

Before I can protest, my stomach rumbles, reminding me that yes, I am hungry.

Opening my notification log, I find a link that brings up a list of items. There are over a hundred different choices but I'm able to narrow down my options by thinking of preferences.

There's a number listed next to each item, which I imagine is the price, but it's not particularly clear. Instead of using focus, I decide to fall back on a more traditional method of gathering information.

"Uhm. Excuse me?" I call quietly, getting Raz's attention, "what currency are we paying in?"

"Why essence, my dear child. Essence, the one currency accepted across the galaxy. Some civilizations try to establish their own currencies of course, but essence lies at the heart of the System, so it's not like they're truly independent. They all accept essence in trade after all," he tells me while polishing a round metal tube that I'm fairly certain is not for drinking.

"So, when it says two essence for curly fries with gravy, is that two mana essence or two elemental essence? Are they mortal grade essence or iron? Or copper?" I ask as he smiles back.

"Prices on my menu are in mortal elemental essence. If you focus on the prices in your interface you should be able to feel what each one is," he answers as he combines the metal tube with a crystal.

"Hmm. Speaking of paying. Alexis, I think we're going to need some of our essences. Twenty each should do," Beth decides while he starts wrapping the crystal with thin copper wire, securing it to the tube.

"Sure," I reply reaching into my pack, retrieving eighty shards, packed in clumps of twenty held together by a little bit of dirt. Then I look at Tipan and Rufka, withdrawing another two clumps.

"Ah, I see I should mention that we also sell system wallets here. Which will allow you to pay directly. No need for all of… this," he frowns, waving a hand at my clumps of dirt while putting his tube beneath the counter.

"How much," Beth asks immediately.

"Fifty essence. Mortal, elemental grade of course," he answers, holding up a pouch only slightly larger than my hand.

"This little pouch is going to hold how much essence? And it'll let us pay you directly?"

"The amount of essence is based on your storage space, which is based on your total attributes. You'll need to bond with it, which takes an iron. Like any bonded storage item, you'll then be able to access your inventory which you can use to transfer directly," he explains with the practiced ease of someone who's repeated the same line thousands of times.

"I've got over three cubic metres storage space," I note to Beth when Raz finishes.

"How much essence do we have, kid?" Beth asks, turning to me.

I'm prepared for this question. I checked when he told us they were 50 essence each.

"We have a total of 1143 mortal earth essences," I reply. "That includes these," I add gesturing at the ones floating in clumps around me. I'm pretty sure I missed a few essences when I looted them, but I think I got most of them. I don't bother mentioning the copper essences because Beth already knows we have four.

"Okay, that's two hundred and eighty-something each right?" Beth asks while inspecting the little pouch.

"285.75," I reply automatically.

"Right, two eighty-something," Beth repeats with a bit of an amused grin.

"But what about Rufka and Tipan," I ask, as I realize she's only divided by four.

"Oh, their loot went straight into their inventory. I added Rufka to the party as soon as you fired off your second huge fire spell. And Tipan's been in the party since the gliders," Beth informs me, holding the pouch out towards Raz.

"We'll take three," Beth decides.

Before Raz can respond, I interrupt, "actually, I have another question first."

Beth looks at me curiously as I continue, "does the size of the container matter? I mean, my backpack does the same thing as your pouch, but it's way bigger. Wouldn't it be better to just carry a pouch around?"

"Well, yes and no," Raz replies.

Before I can question him on his partial answer, he continues, "your pack likely provides additional storage, just like a normal backpack would. The pouch only provides access to your base dimensional storage. Also, the size of the opening matters. You can put much larger objects in your inventory using your backpack than with these pouches."

"Do you have more backpack's then?" I ask while giving Smoulder, who has decided to join me on my stool, scritches.

"Sorry. Just the pouches," he replies with a sad smile.

"Though it sounds like you and your friends may be able to afford an item or two from my special stock. If you're interested," he adds with a considering glance at Beth.

"We'll look later. We'll take the three pouches please," Beth answers.

"Excellent, I'll just need the essence," he states, turning to me.

Paying him turns out to be as easy as willing for a transfer to take place. A screen appears showing the transfer of ownership, as well as a disclaimer that all items traded are provided on an as-is basis with a guarantee of iron grade System-level craftsmanship but no warranty. There's also a disclaimer stating that any items not bound by the system which are stolen or misplaced will not be replaced.

I guess you don't need a warranty when you can repair or replace a bound item directly.

"Pleasure doing business with you," he smiles as he places two more pouches on the counter.

Beth fastens hers to her belt while grabbing the other two and marching over to the others. Once she's explained how to use them and made sure we've all bound one, she has me transfer an even 220 essence to each of them saying, "we wouldn't have any if you hadn't looted them all for us."

Which leaves me with three hundred and thirty-one essence. After I purchase the curly fries with gravy. Beth did say we could eat.

As we finish our meals, I look over to Josh, Roberts and Tipan. Roberts is already picking out object after object, but Josh seems to be having some trouble. Even as I sidle over to take a closer look, Roberts exclaims, "Yes!" standing up in excitement. A second later his eyes roll up, but Tipan catches him before he can hit the floor.

"Whoa," Josh cries out as he lurches forward, a half-second after Tipan, as Roberts starts to fall. But he sits back down when he sees Roberts is fine.

"I tried to tell him he should be sitting down," Tipan frets looking at us apologetically.

"That's my fault," Beth supplies from the bar, "I should have told him he'd pass out."

"It is funnier this way though," Rufka adds.

"Okay. That was surprisingly quick. Now I just need to continue working with Josh here," Tipan notes.

"I can do it," I volunteer before I realize the words are out of my mouth.

"Sounds good kid," Beth answers, "you should grab some dinner Tipan."

"That's precisely what I was doing Bethany," Tipan quickly fires back.

"Good. Listen, Raz, do you have drinks too? Feeling a little parched here," Beth asks.

I don't hear his response as I start working with Josh on his enunciation, but soon drinks find their way to our table. Frankly, Josh's enunciation is kind of horrible. I end up giggling several times at his mispronunciation, but he does get better. It takes us another hour, two more drinks, and a plate of fried bird that we pretend is chicken before Josh says, "uh oh."

I barely catch him as he tips out of his chair, and even then, he ends up slipping out of my grip. He's too damn heavy. But it's a gentle slide, as he slumps on the floor.

Once Josh wakes up there's a quick round of official introductions between everyone. Rufka tries to insist her name is pronounced Destroyerofworlds but is shut down by Beth. Once that's done, we finally get to the questions we've been waiting for.

"Okay first question, what's the deal with the minor, small, large and so forth?" I ask.

"Well, they are the tiers of effectiveness or increase. We have confirmed that the correct order for the lowest tiers are minor, small, moderate, substantial, large then huge," Tipan lists off while ticking down her fingers.

"Yep. And mum said immense was the best, so massive would be just below that," Rufka adds, nodding along.

"That's just supposition, it's never been proven," Tipan snaps back at Rufka.

"You calling my mum a liar?" Rufka asks, her voice going low.

"O-of course not," Tipan stutters back.

"Oh. Too bad. She lied all the time. About pretty much everything. It's a surprise I turned out so honest," Rufka claims with a straight face while inspecting her fingernails. Claws? They're pretty much right on the edge of either.

"What?" Tipan says while Josh and I exchange a glance.

"Can we get back to it," I ask.

"Yes, of course," Tipan responds, still flustered.

Straightening herself out, she continues, "I'm sure you're aware of the four base class types. What is less known is that there are advanced classes that don't fit in these categories."

"It's believed this is because their abilities are diverse enough, they could easily be classified as more than one subclass. Such as Elementalists," she explains nodding in my direction. While I'm not technically an Elementalist I understand what she's saying, so I nod back. My bag of tricks is already pretty diverse. I imagine a class could only enhance the effect.

"There are five recorded levels of rarity of class that have been confirmed. Common, uncommon, rare, epic and legendary. There's also the unique classification."

"Unique is basically a trap," Rufka adds.

"Not necessarily. While it's true you can't determine the actual strength of the class from its title alone, since the unique classification overrides the base class strength descriptor, a proper analysis of the class listed improvements can give you a solid understanding of the class," Tipan disagrees as Raz arrives with a basket of nacho equivalents. I'm feeling monstrously hungry.

"Yeah, but unique classes have no customization. Whatever the class says are your features, that's it. Sure, you can flex which aspects are the strongest, but not much else. Who wants a class like that?" Rufka counters as she snags some of my nachos. I try to ward her off, but I've only got two hands to her four. Time for an upgrade.

"Yes, but the abilities are complimentary. And, as per the classification, unique to the class tree," Tipan states as I summon stone barriers to keep my nachos safe. I'm using them to ward off not just Rufka, but Josh as well, a heinous traitor who purloined a clump loaded down with an especially delicious looking jalapeno substitute.

"Which would be great if we could look up a class' abilities in a library. But we can't, can we?" Rufka's last words sound surprisingly accusatory. I'm basking in the successful defence of my nachos when Beth bumps me, snagging a chip that's absolutely loaded with cheese. Sighing in defeat, I drop my stone barrier while ordering another plate.

"The Builder’s library of Lathiac is locked for good reason," Tipan replies coldly as she glares back at Rufka.

Before Rufka and Tipan can elaborate further, a giant plate loaded with what was listed as the ultimate sampler platter arrives, causing everyone to take a moment to look in my direction.

"What? I'm hungry?"

Then, with all eyes on me, I make the ultimate sacrifice.

"Fine, I'll share."