Jasmi squeezed her hands nervously together as she entered The Headless. Her dress was a shimmering dark purple and complemented her tan skin and made her deep red hair stand out. She had never worn anything to make her stand out and now she was the center of attention as the maître de and even a few patrons looked toward her. She still felt the blush on her cheeks when Dante was at a loss for words when she stepped out of her room. Too be honest with herself, Dante looked very handsome himself. People always seemed intimidated of him because his eyes but even after he became an Essence Mage and his eyes turned silver, they always looked kind. He wore a formal dinner jacket that was as dark red as her hair and the Serist De emblem was fashioned on his left breast. She had almost taken his arm when they walked out of their apartment, forgetting herself completely. Thankfully, Kelsi and Gretta had pulled her into a conversation of their new fancy clothing on the way to the restaurant. Kelsi kept commenting on Ferris and his dark green dinner jacket while Gretta hummed happily and kept looking over at Dante and winking towards Jasmi suggestively. She could only thank the Gods that Dante was walking in front of her, unable to see Gretta and her teasing.

A waiter led her into a private room with her friends in tow. As the door opened, she saw her Grandfather and Grandmother already rising up and embracing her, causing more than a few tears to spring up. Gretta was also greeted as such, the Francis and Alena thanking her for saving their granddaughter. When enough thanks had been given and tears shed, they all sat around a large table where Francis and his wife Alena finally gained enough composure to take in the rest of Serist De.

Francis looked at Dante, seeing the silver like eyes and took a deep breath, calming himself.

“Dante.” Francis stated warmly. “I have heard much of you and the rest of Serist De. I cannot imagine the trials you have been through but I thank you from the bottom of my heart for protecting our Jasmi.”

Dante blushed but quickly corrected him. “She doesn’t need protecting. Jasmi is strong enough to protect herself and then some. But even still, we all protect each other. We are family.”

Alena smiled at Dante and saw the blush that hinted at Jasmi’s cheeks. Her ruby red eyes sparkled at the thought of her only grandchild finding happiness.

“Dante.” Alena interrupted. “The upper tiers are… difficult. Many only see what they own or what they want. And if they want something, they will do anything they can to get it or deny others from having it.”

Kelsi coughed politely. “They can want all they want but when we find out who took Miss Telis from us, make no mistake, they will pay.” She didn’t say it out of anger but as a simple fact. The rest of Serist De took on a serious gaze and nodded in agreement.

Francis’ golden eyes sparkled at the sheer determination of the young Mages. “I completely agree. While there is no evidence, we have looked into certain accounts and found two specific families that are most likely behind the acts.” Francis saw the group sit a little straighter at that but he continued, not allowing them to interrupt. “There is no proof, so there can be no legal recourse and even though I admire your passion, you are not ready to handle the upper tiers.”

That settled them down. As much as they didn’t want to hear it, the upper tier families were out of their league. They needed to train more before they could do anything.

Alena saw their shift and smiled proudly. It was not everyday that you met young Adventurers with this much understanding. That could only help them in their growth.

“We are still looking into it but it will take time.” Alena said confidently. “We cannot just accuse them without proof and we wouldn’t survive a war.”

“A war?” Ferris asked, a look of confusion and alarm crossing his face. “I know the upper tier families are strong but could they really start a war?”

Francis sighed and nodded with a grim look. “Every wealthy merchant family has their own soldiers. The Castellas have been around since the first merchant families came to be but our own forces only number several hundred. The Atahchi family has over four thousand soldiers, some of those are very strong ex-Adventurers. To go head to head with that size force would be to destroy our family entirely.”

The shock of the statement settled over them. Dante had no idea that the merchant families were capable of that. He looked at Francis and Alena and smiled.

“I guess we just need to get stronger then.” Dante said easily, earning a chuckle from them both.

As dinner went on, they talked of what they had done, including their achievements during the Advancement Trials. They discussed Miss Telis and Jasmi and Gretta explained why they had chosen to carry on their teacher’s name. Alena and Francis shared embarrassing stories about their granddaughter that sent her friends howling in laughter as Jasmi returned the favor explaining in detail certain stories that left the rest of the team completely chagrinned. All in all, it was a perfect night and they would have few of those moving forward.

Alisten Atahchi locked his study and set the enchantments, securing the room for further privacy. He unlocked his desk, pulling out a rare green sphere taken from one of the dungeon bosses. The enchantments set into the sphere were displayed in amazing detail, with flowing lines running in and out of runes. The sphere alone would cost a fortune but he had not bought this sphere. This sphere was a gift from his employer. Alistern still didn’t know the Mage’s name, but he knew that the man was very powerful. This sphere was one of many objects of power he had given to Alistern. As he placed the sphere between his hands, he closed his eyes, activating the enchantments.

His mind was whisked away and when he opened his eyes, he was sitting in a dark, cavernous room with a stone table surrounded by twelve other Mages, each shrouded in darkness. His employer sat above them, in a throne like chair, his appearance well hidden but his power could be felt emanating from him.

“The time draws near. Are all of you prepared?” The employer asked, his voice rumbled with power, like a storm rolling across the sky.

A round of nods were all that answered.

“Good.” The employer said happily. “Start the first phase. Do not fail.”

Dante laid on the bunker and looked up at the countless number of stars in the night sky. He had come out every night to watch the blanket of twinkling lights above him, his mind set in peaceful meditation. The towers might have been the wonders of creation that his own ancestors had helped build, but nothing rivaled the brilliant wonder of the night sky. Dante heard the hatch open quietly and a figure lay down next to him.

“I told you it was amazing.” Jasmi said quietly.

Dante smiled. “Yes, you did.”

“Dante, are you happy?”

He looked over to see Jasmi looking back at him. “I think so. A lot has happened that I wished didn’t but a lot happened that I am happy with as well.”

She smiled at him and looked back towards the stars. “That sum’s it up pretty well.”

They laid there a good while and Dante was starting to get nervous as he noticed their close proximity. His feelings for Jasmi had grown quietly, almost sneaking up on him it seemed. One day she was just a competitive orphan who caused him no end of confusion and now she was the same exact girl but she was also kind and protective and… well, he could think of a million other things but it all seemed odd that he didn’t see it before when it was so clear to him now.

Suddenly, a voice interrupted them from the still opened hatch.

“Ahhh.” Ferris said in a high-pitched tone. “Young love.”

Dante growled and turned to see Ferris disappearing down the hatch. His cheeks were fully red and he could only hope the lack of light had hidden his embarrassment. Little did he know that Jasmi was thinking the same.

The following morning, Serist De followed expedition leader Mal out into the surrounding forest. Fourteen Alchemists and Enchanters walked through the forest collecting a number of different plants. Three teams of five surrounded them, watching for predators that could grow larger than normal due to the Essence density. Luckily, they hadn’t come across anything dangerous yet.

Serist De flanked the group far enough out to provide a decent buffer between the main group and any dangers that might present themselves. Dante was vigilant in his duties, but the forest was an amazing sight and caused his mind to wander. The sounds, smells and colors were enough to make him wish he could spend everyday outside but those thoughts were quickly disturbed when a shout came from the front of the group.

“Great Panthers!” A woman shouted from the front. Mal, a large Beast Mage with a small white monkey on his shoulders, started barking orders.

“Group halt! Circle up and keep an eye on the trees!”

Serist de closed in on the main group. Their eyes shifting from side to side, high and low, looking for any sign for the Great Panthers, which would likely be circling them. Kelsi shouted out a warning, pointing towards a tree with large limbs, stretching over the main group. The warning came just in time to see three panthers covered in black fur, leap down from their perch.

Ferris cast Wind’s Call and a cyclone of air hit a panther still in the air. The panther’s decent halted and then was pulled towards Ferris. He lifted his claymore and swung down slicing deep into the beast, but it was not enough to stop its momentum. Four hundred pounds of dark fur, claws and teeth smashed into Ferris sending him flying backwards.

Dante moved forward trying to intercept the closest Panther. He had been watching the trees but not focusing on his Essence Pulse. He had no time to berate himself though as the panther he was running towards would soon land on an unsuspecting Alchemist. Dante heard the crash behind him but he didn’t have time to hesitate. Thinking quickly, he formed a solid metal spear that was thicker and heavier than he was use to. He stabbed forward, piercing just under the front leg of the large black cat. Once he felt his weapon strike, he pushed the butt of the spear into the ground. With his front foot wedged against it, he pulled back on the top of spear. The metal flexed as he pulled with all his strength, yelling out in exertion. The panthers decent slowed as it screamed out in pain and then was flung behind Dante, barely saving the Alchemist in front of him. With a step backwards, he was able to keep his grip on the spear as the panther slammed into the forest floor.

Kelsi was still watching the forest for other threats and Jasmi had jumped beside Ferris and was harrying the panther as Ferris regained his feet. Gretta’s concentration however was on the last panther. She had sent her Dancing Blades into the panther’s side and the beast was thrown off course but it still landed among the main group. When the panther jumped over two other Mages and was flying towards her, she couldn’t help but notice the large incisors that were rushing towards her. She was not a close combat Mage but rarely did life see fit to work our as planned. With a flick of her wrist, she stored her violin and bow in her storage bracelet. Two daggers appeared in her hands and she jumped to the side, activating her necklace. The barrier activated and she watched the tell-tale shimmer around her. The panther hit the barrier with an amazing amount of force. Gretta watched the as the large black cat bounced off the barrier and crash into the dirt. She quickly released the enchantment and ran towards the beast. To her surprise, the beast righted itself quickly and swiped its large paw at her. She couldn’t react in time and felt the sharp claws slice through her arm. The audible snap of bone was the last thing she heard as she was flung several feet away.

Jasmi had just finished stabbing the backside of the panther as Ferris lifted his sword and separated its head from its body. She had turned to take stock of her team when she saw a red blur fly into a bush. She felt her heart sink as she watched a bloody panther follow after. She cast Death’s Grasp and was just in time as skeletal arms burst from the ground, catching the panther before it could leap. She flung herself towards the trapped creature, tears falling from her eyes as she plunged her daggers into the beast’s neck. She ripped the daggers out as her momentum kept her moving over the beast. Once her feet hit the ground, she had already turned and hit the beast from the opposite side, slamming her daggers in its neck once more. The panther fell with a resounding thump but Jasmi was already racing to where she last saw Gretta. She jumped past a large bush and saw a tangled heap of bright red hair, leathers and blood. She waisted no time in moving over to her friend. She saw that her arm was bleeding heavily but a wet cough let her know that she still had time. She pulled a healing potion from her ring and placed it at her friend’s lips.

Gretta was normally pale but now she looked like a ghost. She drank the potion and looked up to see Jasmi hovering over her. Her deep purple eyes stared at her arm and Gretta could only worry about what her friend saw. She felt herself grow stronger but it was slow, as if the healing properties of the potion could barely keep up with the damage. Jasmi yelled and a moment later she saw Kelsi next to her. Kelsi was healing her as fast as she could. A look of concentration peaking past her straight black hair. Gretta mused at how she had always been just a tad jealous of Kelsi’s hair. Perfect and straight instead of the untamable tangled mess that she constantly had to deal with. With a sigh, she closed her eyes and fell unconscious.

Dante watched the panther try to rise; his overly large spear had ripped free when the beast slammed into the ground. The panther was too injured however and fell back to the ground and Dante finished the beast with another stab. He looked up to see Ferris moving back into guard position and Dante followed his example, now casting Essence Pulse several times but not sensing any other beasts nearby. The fight had lasted less than a minute and it was only now that he realized he didn’t see any of the girls. His pulse detected them a moment later and he ran past a destroyed bush to see Jasmi and Kelsi hovering over Gretta.

“How bad?” Dante asked, worry thick in his voice.

She will be fine, but her arm will need several days to heal properly.” Kelsi said tiredly.

Dante looked and saw that the panther’s claws had hit the side of her armor but one claw must have gotten past since there was an angry scar running just below the armor ended. With a nod from Kelsi, he picked Gretta up carefully and Kelsi went to inform the expedition leader.

Mal was covered in sweat when Kelsi ran up to him. His beast companion was looking and sniffing in all direction and the older Adventurer took a deep drink of water from his canteen.

“Sir.” Kelsi said. “We have one wounded and she will need a few nights to get to full health. The rest of Serist de is combat ready and three Great Panthers are dead at the back of the main group.”

Mal smiled at the young woman. He was initially wary at bringing along such a green group but Serist De had shown a surprising level of competence. “Very good Kelsi. Tell the Alchemists and Enchanters to harvest the panthers. We will head back thirty minutes.”

Kelsi nodded and ran back to her team. After informing everyone of the change in orders, they set themselves to continue guarding the main group as Dante watched over Gretta.

The expedition sat in front of the bunkers and several guards had been posted and Mal was tending a large spit where a panther was being roasted. A few of the Alchemists and Enchanters buzzed excitedly at the creature’s appearance and the rare components they received from such. Jasmi was still worrying over Gretta in the bunker but Kelsi had explained that she was fine. Kelsi, Ferris and Dante sat in front of the bunker, cleaning their equipment. An old Mage that Dante had recognized from the main group walked over to them.

“I am Alchemist Rose.” The Mage stated with a bow. “I wanted to thank you for saving my life. I didn’t even see the panthers until your group attacked them.”

Kelsi smile and blushed at the praise. “Thank you, Alchemist Rose. We were only doing our duty as guards.”

A shout of laughter erupted from behind the older Mage as her group and a few guards had been eavesdropping on the conversation. Mal explained from the spit as the laughter died down.

“You young Mages did a damn sight better than any of us had expected. You dropped three Great Panthers in under a minute and none of the Mages from the main group had been hurt.” A round of nods and cheers confirmed what Mal was saying. Dante, Ferris and Kelsi still blushed at the praise given which caused the group to laugh harder.

Alchemist Rose held out her hand and five vials of amber liquid appeared in her hand. “These are a making of my very own. They are called Amberline. Just think of a destination such as North Sea or the Tower of Tel and the potion will let you sense your way unerringly, even blindfolded. The contents of a single vial last a week. If you ever find yourself lost, use this, it is better than any compass.”

Kelsi took the vials and carefully stored them in her ring. She had never heard of such a potion but they must be extremely valuable. The Alchemist bowed once more and left them, returning to her own group. Ferris smiled as he continued to sharpen his claymore.

“You know.” He stated. “This must be what the first heroes of legend felt when they started out.”

Kelsi gave him a look. “Heroes of legend?”

Ferris nodded. “Think about it. Even the heroes of legend must have started somewhere. Maybe they were just like us, just a bunch of young Adventurers doing what they could.”

Dante leaned back against the bunker and smiled. The idea was actually very likely. The stories they grew up listening to never explained where the heroes came from or how they started. They were always portrayed as just being the hero everyone expected them to be. But life was never that easy. They must have had their own doubts, their own habits and experiences that meant nothing to the world since they weren’t known yet. Maybe this moment was something that no one would ever read about in Dante’s history, or even if he would have a history worth mentioning, but the idea made him smile nonetheless.

In several towers across Kahlea, several thousands of people under the guise as ordinary Adventurers, entered the dungeons of the towers. Teams as few as ten to raid teams in the hundreds, entered the dungeons with hidden intent.

The Essence upon the world shivered as those that were driven by greed moved forward. Essence had warned the Gods and they watched carefully, searching for those that would destroy this world. They could not interfere but they would stand witness as the Gods often did.

Essence surrounded every being in existence. She was as much here upon Kahlea as she was across the stars. She would not erase the existence of these Mages but that didn’t mean she would leave fate to decide. She was grooming her Champion just as she had groomed Champions in the past. Mortals must face mortals. That was the law, her law.

At the end of this universe and through several more, she had witnessed the destruction of life far more tragic than any being should be capable of. She had also witnessed kindness, bravery and selflessness. This was the life that she was responsible for. Not all of her Champions were successful and not every world survived even though her Champion had won.

As her young Champion sat against the bunker, listening to his companions and wondering of his own story, she smiled and sat with him. He could only see the aura of her existence. The silvery mist that surrounded him. If a mortal ever saw more of her than that, their mind would cease to exist. Such is the power of Essence. It is her power and her curse.