I stared at the dark elf. I could not deny that I was put as ease by Loken’s latest persona, even though I realized the Power had only assumed Hamish’s guise to manipulate me.

“Why have you rejected my proposal?” he began. “It is a good one. Better than most would offer.”

“I haven’t,” I replied, sitting down cross-legged from across him. “Not yet, anyway.”

The dark elf studied me carefully. “You want more information before deciding, is that it?”

I shifted. “Partly,” I admitted.

“Ask your questions then.”

“Why did you come here?”

“For you, obviously,” Hamish replied. “The others were a bonus.”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t mean this cavern. I mean why did you come to this sector.”

“Ah,” the dark elf said. “That’s simple enough to answer: I was spying. I came to see what Erebus was up to and to frustrate his plans if I could.” He smiled. “And in you, I found the perfect opportunity.”

I frowned. “I don’t understand that part. What is your interest in me? Or Erebus’ and Ishita’s for that matter.”

“Your evolution,” Hamish answered promptly.

I had suspected as much, but I still didn’t know why. Seeing my confusion, Hamish added, “Its my role to maintain the balance.”

My brows drew down. “That’s awfully cryptic, Hamish,” I replied irritably.

He chuckled. “I know. Nevertheless, it’s all I am prepared to say on the matter. Now is there anything else you wish to ask?”

I chewed over the question for a moment. This was an opportune moment, I realized, to finally get an answer about something I had been wondering for a while. “What are the Forces?” There was more to my question than I was letting on. Understanding their nature was integral to my escape plan.

Hamish smiled. “A complex question, and one with no easy answer. If I recall, you’ve asked about them before.”

“And you refused to answer.”

The disguised Power laughed. “Well, I shall answer you this time. Let’s see, where to begin,” he mused and fell silent. “The Forces are the building blocks of the cosmos,” he said a moment later. “Energy in its rawest form and oftentimes in conflict with one another.

“Light seeks to perpetuate itself and shine on all. Dark is less intent in spreading and more focused on deepening its own nature. Shadow lies in the middle, and attempts to bridge the gap between the other two.”

I bit my lip, chewing over Loken’s words. What he described was not at all how I had been thinking of the Forces—and did not bode well for my plans. Something else struck me about what he had said. “You talk of them as if they are alive. Are they?”

Hamish smiled. “That is something philosophers are fond of pondering, my young friend. But no, the Forces are not alive in the manner you mean. They cannot be slain, defeated or even contained, nor do they possess sentience.”

“Then the Dark is not evil?” I asked, voicing the question that concerned me the most. If my assumptions are wrong…

“Bah!” Hamish said dismissively. “That’s superstitious drivel. The Forces have no morality. Many—including some Powers sadly—assign motives to them, labelling Light good and Dark evil, but those are misconceptions. The Forces simply are.”

My face troubled, I stared at Hamish. Is he being honest with me? “But—” I began.

The dark elf held up a hand, stilling my protest. “I know where you are going with this, Michael. But remember you are new to this world and your experiences thus far have been skewed. As much as Erebus may want you to believe otherwise, the Dark of itself is not evil.” Hamish’s grey eyes burned into mine, driving in his next words. “The Awakened Dead Faction is, but there are factions amongst the Light that are arguably just as evil.”

“And amongst the Shadow too?”

Hamish’s look turned wry. “And amongst the Shadow too,” he agreed.

I bowed my head, pondering the elf’s words while I tried to come to terms with the concepts he explained and its implications for me. “If all you’ve said is true,” I said, articulating my thoughts slowly, “if the Forces have no morality, what does it matter which Force I follow?”

Hamish made a face. “That’s another difficult question to answer. In their purest forms, the Forces are simply different types of energy and in a world devoid of life that is all they would be.

The elf sighed. “But the Forces don’t exist in isolation. They coexist in a cosmos filled with people. People with their own ideologies and beliefs. Over time the natures of the Forces have become… tainted with their followers’ beliefs.

“Light’s propensity for spreading has become synonymous with life and favoring the welfare of the many over the one. Today, Light embodies unity and order, and its adherents primarily wield mass buffs and area-wide effects. Light factions, rarely if ever, compete amongst themselves. It is not in their nature. To be Lightsworn means championing the cause of the many, even unto the detriment of the individual.

“Dark’s inwards focus has become tantamount to individuality and conquering death in all its forms. Darksworn value the self over the collective. An individual Darksworn is usually stronger than a single Lightsworn, but in a group, the Light often triumphs over the Dark. The Dark and its factions favor chaos, and indeed they actively pursue it, both amongst their own numbers and in their conflicts with other Forces.”

Hamish held my gaze, his face unwontedly serious. “To Erebus, you are a commodity, one whose worth is measured by how much stronger you can make him. If he feels threatened by you, he will have no compunction about destroying you, regardless of whether you become Darksworn or not. Do you understand?”

I nodded slowly, accepting the warning for what it was.

“Lastly we come to Shadow,” the dark elf continued. “Shadow tries to balance Light and Dark and can draw from either, yet at the same time it is weaker than both in direct confrontation. Where Shadows excels is in misdirection and containment. We of the Shadow pursue balance, seeking to hold the Dark at bay while also preventing the Light from spreading unchecked.”

I narrowed my eyes. “By your description, Shadow sounds to be the best of the three.”

Hamish shook his head ruefully. “I only wish that were the case, but there are many amongst Shadow who believe that both Light and Dark should be subordinate to Shadow, that Shadow’s true place is to rule over both, not so much maintaining the balance, as enforcing it.”

“I see,” I said. “And I take it your faction’s approach is different.”

Hamish chuckled. “You could say we prefer to work unseen.” He smiled. “We try to guide events to their proper course, while always seeking to keep our hand hidden.” He met my gaze. “You will be well suited to our work, Michael.”

“So is that what this is? A recruitment pitch?”

The dark elf shrugged. “If you wish to perceive it as such.”

I thought for a second before asking another question. “Who is Artem?”

“You’ve attracted her notice too?” the disguised Power asked. “How did you manage that?”

So the Powers don’t know everything. Well, that or Loken’s surprise was faked, which could very well be the case. I ignored the question, not willing to reveal more of myself than necessary.

“Ah, still secretive, I see,” Hamish replied. “But despite your mistrust, I will deign to answer. She is the goddess of nature. Far be it for me to speak ill of a fellow Power of Shadow, but I must warn you, she can be a trifle… stiff at times. Best you stick with me,” he finished with a grin.

I pursed my lips. “She is a goddess? And you’re what? A god?” I asked disbelievingly. “Is that what you Powers are? Deities?”

“That’s exactly what most of my kin have deluded themselves into believing.” Hamish sighed. “My colleagues would not appreciate me revealing this, but we are not in fact gods. Consider us… highly evolved players, if you will.”

I frowned. Had Hamish used the words he just did by happenstance? Or was further meaning hidden beneath? The implications were both scary… and intriguing.

“But enough small talk,” Hamish said. “Time is passing. I cannot stay here longer, and once I leave my offer expires. Do you accept my bargain?”

I rubbed my chin, thinking hard.

On the face of it, Loken’s deal sounded a good one. I glanced down at the two Class stones on the ground.

Do I want to bind myself to Shadow?

Not particularly, I answered myself truthfully, at least no more than I want to become Darksworn. I liked Hamish—I suppose that meant I liked Loken too—and though the bait he offered me was sweeter than Erebus’, it boiled down to the same thing: forswear the other Forces and follow the path I set for you.

So if it came down to choosing between two unpalatable options, why pick Shadow over the Dark?

If Hamish’s explanation on the Forces could be trusted, the Dark was no worse than the Shadow. And I had made a promise to our dead. One that I still intended on keeping. If I took up the Shadow Class and left now, I could not honor my vow. Loken, I was certain would not wait eight hours for me to wrap up matters here.

There was something else that made me hesitant to accept his offer as well: achieving a tri-blend. I didn’t know if the Shadow Class Loken offered would synergize with my existing paths. Until I had a chance to learn more of my lupine heritage, I did not want to blindly pick my Master Class—be it Dark or Shadow. I had to speak to the dire wolves first. And that meant rejecting Loken’s offer and possibly the siphon Class too.

I picked up the Shadow Class stone, and rolled it back to Hamish.

“No,” I said at last. “I do not.”

~~~

Hamish’s perpetual half-smile faded. “Why?”

I sighed. “I have unfinished business here,” I said, deciding to be truthful. “I intend on returning to the safe zone and killing Saben again once he is reborn.”

The dark elf’s eyes flitted over my face. “I believe you would do that,” he said softly. “Do you understand the consequence though?” he asked, his gaze dropping to the Dark Class stone.

“I do,” I replied. “Will you stop me?”

Hamish shook his head ruefully. “Even if I wished that, the Game would not allow me to interfere so blatantly.” He rose to his feet. “Besides, I am not in the business of forcing myself on anyone.” Turning around, he called over his shoulder. “It’s been a pleasure. Goodbye, Michael.”

“Wait!” I shouted.

The dark elf paused and swung around, one eyebrow raised questioningly.

“About the familiars,” I asked, then hesitated. “Are they still frozen?”

“Why, I believe they are,” Hamish said. He tilted his head to the side and studied me curiously as he seemed to divine my intent. “You have five minutes. Good luck, my friend.”

Not waiting for a response, the Power vanished.