Rockslide stood up and inspected himself. He looked none the worse for wear, but I was no expert on rock demon biology.

“Yeah,” I said. “Getting put back together fucked me up too.”

Rockslide looked at me with searching eyes. His gaze roamed up and down my body, making me more than a little uncomfortable.

“Thou art whole.” He knelt before me and lowered his head. “I, Rockslide, swear my life and afterlife to David Jinn, Alqanun of the Djinn.”

A white pearlescent light connected us together, and I coughed. “Uh, ahem, okay there big guy. What’s that all about.”

Rockslide looked at me with adoration. “I am thy vassal, Alqanun.”

“No, no, no, nope,” I said. “Get up, we need to get moving.”

“Yes, Alqanun,” he said, standing immediately.

I covered my eyes and shook my head. “Look, I’m flattered, but I don’t want any vassals.”

Rockslide looked crestfallen. “Dost thou reject mine oath?”

Em flashed between us, then circled me. Her pulsing was slower, and she sped off down the shoreline.

“Let’s walk and talk,” I said. “Why the oath?”

We caught up to Em, and she floated between us. Souls began to appear the farther we walked. Not the luminescent orbs like Em, but ghastly, incorporeal beings that shambled along oblivious to our presence. They were a mix of Human, Shaytan, and Malak, and wailed occasionally.

“I have battled with thee,” Rockslide said, “and witnessed thy generosity. Thou hast named me and given me the freedom to choose.”

“Sure,” I said. “But, that’s nothing special.”

“Thou hast broken mine overlord’s hold,” he continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “Rockslide is a slave no more.”

The waters of Iteru sped up as we walked. White-water rapids crashed over stones and fell down miniature falls before flowing into a large pool. At its far edge gaped the maw of a giant tunnel shaped like the head of a jackal with great fangs protruding from the mouth.

“So, you bound yourself to me?” I said. “How’s that different than before?”

“Because now, Alqanun,” Rockslide said defiantly, “I choose my place.”

“But, you already said you chose,” I said. “How the hell is that different than now?”

“Tis true,” he said. “I chose to defend thee and to help with thy quest. But always mine overlord’s chains bound me, calling me back to his side. When thou descended to this place, I felt thy existence fade. Something changed in me, and I could no longer feel mine overlord’s beckoning.”

“What changed?” I asked.

“Mine allegiance,” he said solemnly.

The Duat shook at his words, and chunks of the ceiling fell, crashing into the water. A deafening roar washed over us, knocking us to the ground. Even Rockslide. It was filled with malice and anger. I tried to move forward against the onslaught but only managed to get to my knees. Rockslide faired better, managing to get all the way to his feet. He leaned into the sound and let his own, fiercer call.

Rockslide’s answering call modulated oddly. It evoked defiance, pride, and accusation. This is your fault, it seemed to say. The sounds pressed into one another in a visible battle for dominance. Em’s soul cowered behind me and made me wish I had somewhere to hide. With no threads of chance to work with, I was a useless lump of flesh standing in the wake of two pissed off immortals. The sound faded with neither of them the clear winner.

“I guess your old boss is pretty pissed,” I said with a trembling voice.

“He’ll get over it,” Rockslide growled.

I blinked at his use of such a modern phrase. Shakily, I got to my feet and surveyed the aftermath. It looked like a storm of boulders passed over us. Pieces of stalactite littered the ground as far as I could see, except for a straight line where the sounds had met.

“How do we get to the tunnel?” I asked.

“I shall carry thee on my shoulders,” Rockslide said.

“Oh, goodie.”

Rockslide stepped into the water, and I clambered onto his shoulders. The sharp edges of his skin made getting comfortable an impossibility. I shifted and squirmed until I found a bearable position, and Rockslide started to move. Em floated beside me, and I could tell she was amused.

The water never rose above Rockslide’s chest, but he strained against the current. When we reached the tunnel opening, he was leaning back to keep from being swept away. I clung tight to his neck, hoping like hell it didn’t get any worse. Stupid me.

We came to the first stone pillar, and Rockslide was forced to cling to it. He wrapped his ruby arms around it, holding us fast. I counted at least another ten pillars before the water emptied into the lake beyond. I had my doubts even Rockslide would have the strength to make it that far. He stepped away from the column, and deep, booming laughter filled the tunnel. A mound of water slammed into Rockslide’s back, and we fell forward.

I was pulled under by the current before I could draw a proper breath. The water buffeted me this way and that, slamming me on the bottom before throwing me clear of the surface. I had time for one breath before I was underwater again. My body slammed against a column, the churning waters turning red with the blood from fresh cuts. I couldn’t orient myself. Up and down were the same direction as I flailed, trying desperately to keep my mouth closed.

I impacted another column, and it forced me to exhale. I clamped my mouth shut, ignoring the instinct to breathe in. I was immortal, but I still had all the physical needs of a human. My lungs burned, and spots appeared before my closed eyes. The water continued throwing me around, and I was sure this was the end. A powerful hand clamped onto my arm and flung me to the surface. I felt my shoulder pop and blacked out.

When I came to, I was lying in shallow water. Gentle waves sloshed over me before fading away back into the lake. I tried to see where I was, but a bright light marred my vision.

“David,” Em said. “David, are you okay?”

I bolted upright. “Em? Is that you?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice filled with love. “I’m here.”

I looked around. “Where are you?”

Her soul fluttered in front of me, and I slumped.

“What’s wrong?” Em said.

“I thought,” I said, “y-you w-were alive again. Since you’re t-talking to m-me.”

“I couldn’t speak to you before, but I’m home now.”

“H-home?” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

“Yes,” she said. Sadness filled her words.

I sat silently, trying to collect myself. Em moved in and around the reeds, occasionally meeting another soul and playing a game of spiritual tag. I became aware of my cuts and bruises. My shoulder was on fire, and my arm didn’t want to move. I hoped my super healing still worked down here. I still had a long way to go, and there was no telling what else I might face.

I realized, suddenly, that Rockslide wasn’t next to me. I wanted to look for him, but the simple act of turning my head sent pain coursing through my body. I called out to Em, and she floated back to me.

“Where’s Rockslide?’ I asked.

Em let out a tinkling laugh. “He’s fighting the lake.”

“He’s what?” I said.

“Fighting the lake,” she said. “He’s got quite an audience.”

Okay, pain or no pain, I had to see this. I turned around as slow as I could. It still hurt like hell but wasn’t unbearable. Sure enough, Rockslide stood in the middle of the lake, taking mighty swings at the incoming waves. He was in full-on demon mode, and steam rose from where he stood. Even from here, I could hear the pop and sizzle of the boiling water.

A large group of souls hovered around him. Their movement looked jubilant, but they didn’t get in his way as he engaged the lake again and again. The scene was ridiculous. I was about to call him to me when a massive swell formed in front of him. Rockslide swung two massive fists at it, but inconceivably, the water dodged. Rockslide bellowed in defiance.

“Looks like the sprites are having some fun,” Em said. “I doubt they’ve been played with in a long time.”

“I just hope they think he’s playing,” I said. As entertaining as this was, I was exhausted and in pain. “Can you keep an eye on the idiot? Let me know if anything happens?”

Em didn’t answer, but I took her silence for assent. I laid down in the shallow water and fell asleep. I don’t know how long I slept for, but it was more than a few hours. When I woke up, Rockslide was sitting by my side. He was his usual childlike self and played with several smooth, bright stones.

“Did you win?” I said.

Rockslide growled but otherwise didn’t answer. I guessed his pride took a hit when the lake didn’t up and run away from his awesomeness. It was kind of cute, in a way. As far as he was concerned, the lake attacked us, and as my vassal, he couldn’t allow that without some form of retribution. I replayed the image of him swatting the water in my mind and smiled. The big guy might not be too bright, but he was loyal.

“Well, I’m sure you showed that lake who’s boss,” I said, trying to keep a straight face.

“Yes,” Rockslide said.

He played with the stones for a little while longer, then set them on the shore. They were now a small set of figures. I recognized Rockslide and me, but the proportions were wrong. He’d made me taller than himself, and somehow more imposing. A large wave stood before the two of us, and it seemed to be bowing at my feet. Rockslide’s view of the world, I guessed.

“Thank you,” a voice said. It was a high pitched, chittering thing that made my eardrums itch. “Come back any time. It was fun.”

A delicate, watery hand drew the figurines into the lake. Rockslide’s throat rumbled, but he let the statues go without further protest. Probably for the best. We had enough enemies without the guy charging into the lake for round two.

Em drifted over to us. “You’ll be going soon?”

“Yes,” I said. “You coming?”

Em was still for a long time. The sound of the wind blowing through the reeds had a calming effect. It urged me to stay here where it was safe, where nothing could hurt me ever again. I heard voices all around me, but there were no words. It was a symphony of exultation and peace. And of love. I could stay, right? Rockslide could play with the sprites and make them more toys. Em and I would be together.

A discordant voice rose above the choir. It gnashed at the harmony and devoured the peacefulness, promising retribution. Souls fled the song and hid within the reeds. Soon only that lone voice remained. It faded into malicious laughter. Silence reigned for a long time after.

I shook myself, the spell broken. I had things to do, and some ants to step on. This might have been Em’s home, but not mine. And not Rockslide’s. I stood up and turned away from the lake. Rockslide got up and moved to my side. I patted him on the back.

“You ready, big guy,” I said.

I heard the sound of glaciers breaking apart as Rockslide cracked his knuckles. We started walking. Em fell into place beside me. She still didn’t speak, but she didn’t have to. Her actions said more than any words ever could.