Rhen gave a gurgling gasp and spit up water. Right, Amphibian Lung. He activated the spell to swap back to atmospheric breathing, sputtering all the while.

Water rushed behind him and lapped over his feet. The sand beneath him was warm and soft. There was a gentle breeze that licked the warmth from his skin. Chirping birds called somewhere nearby, and leaves rustled in the wind. When he was ready, Rhen pushed himself up, and opened his eyes.

He was on the beach of a lake half surrounded by waterfalls. Above the waterfalls were towering peaks of lush, green forest. The water was clear blue, and there at the center, Rhen spotted the pulsing nexus node, awaiting his return. Fish flitted about around the node, poking it curiously. Rhen chuckled. They did not want to go where that would take them.

He turned and looked behind him. The beachhead ran all the way up to a retaining rock wall about ten feet tall, and above that was a line of palm trees. Fat brown fruits were nestled among the broad green leaves, and colorful birds with comically long, orange beaks pecked at them.

Rhen lay back on the sand for a moment, his head woozy. He let a big breath of air fill up his belly and he looked up to the wispy clouds. The sun was warm, but didn’t burn his skin like Cadria. The breeze was cool, but not harsh like Ptahl. The scents on the wind were floral and fruity. The rushing falls were a perfect ambiance to compliment the lapping waves.

Ah. Paradise.

For a second, Rhen wondered if maybe he’d died and laned in the afterlife instead of a new realm. He pinched his arm and winced. Still hurt, so it wasn’t a dream, and probably not afterlife paradise. How had he gotten so lucky?

At first, he grinned, but soon that smile turned to a laugh. Energy returned to his body, and he jumped to his feet. “I founded a new realm!”

The birds chirped curiously in reply, and a few of the long-beaked fellows even came down to the retaining wall to inspect him. Rhen wondered how intelligent they were, and how much more life was here. He couldn’t wait to explore it all, and the world’s many dungeons.

He looked back to the nexus at the bottom of the lake. He really didn’t want to return to the crushing black of his dungeon and fight his way to the surface where only Wyland and maybe Gil or Pattie waited for him.

Poor Aki, and Jakira… and all the others.

As soon as they respawned, he was bringing them all here for a celebration beach party. Tiki drinks, huge bonfires, roasted terrocken legs, and relaxation. They’d earned it. Speaking of earning.

Rhen pulled the map—which somehow repelled water—from his soaked pocket and pulled it open.

[Congratulations – Rhen Zephitz!]

You have discovered a new realm! What an accomplishment for all the Imperial Kingdoms. The Dungeon Owner’s Guild is grateful for your discovery, and anxiously awaits your arrival at the nearest tower for paperwork and proceedings. Please, make haste so we may get underway with exploring this new territory!

-----

Rhen groaned, the joy leeched from his body.

Paperwork. The bane of his existence.

Well, he’d better get used to it now. Realm founding came with a lot of rules, and it would be a long time before they’d explore all that the new realm had to offer. There was sure to be more along the way.

He folded the map up and stuffed it back in his wet pocket. He took one more look around at the wonderful place he’d found. Incredible.

Rhen waded into the warm water, then dove in. He triggered amphibian lung and took his time exploring the lake. There was a tunnel behind the waterfalls that might lead to the very first dungeon. He wanted to explore it but knew the D.O.G. would have his ass if he did much more than visit the beach beside the nexus.

He paddled down, cataloging all the interesting and colorful fish—which were not ginormous sized. The sandy lake floor was alive with little snakes, crabs, and coral, all of it so perfect looking. It was the absolute best he could have hoped for.

The nexus node was before him now, but he loathed to go back. He took one last breath of the fresh warm water of the new realm, then laid his hand on the nexus.

[Nexus Travel]

Would you like to teleport to {Zephitz} Dungeon in realm {Resplendare}?

Cost: 50 anima

{Yes} | {No}

-----

Reluctantly, he selected “Yes.” He would be back soon with all his friends for a killer party. Until then, Paradise would be okay without him.