Loc and Kenjiro fly to a brown forest surrounded by a desert on Ki-Ki.

The pair stand before a giant tree. Loc approaches it.

Loc: How do you know about this place anyhow?

Kenjiro: C’mon. Time is ticking.

Loc places his hand on the tree. A large black glyph appears on it. Loc walks through the tree. Kenjiro and Ki-Ki follow him.

Inside the war room of an ancient looking bunker is Loc, Kenjiro, Rivna, Gideon, Tamar, Gidget, and Aldrog.

Loc sits on a throne-like chair and exhales.

Aldrog: I’m glad you made it back to base sire— I mean Loc.

Loc: Don’t worry Aldrog. After we defeat Queen Bethel and retake the throne you may refer to me as King Loc.

Aldrog smiles.

Aldrog: With pleasure, Your Majesty.

Gideon: I’m glad you’re back in one piece nephew, but I wouldn’t get too comfortable just yet.

Tamar: Who healed your arm? I mean I saw that sea monster bite it clean off and now it’s back to normal?

Loc: Apparently, a young Iynvyk Caster by the name of Lady Lykah restored me back to health. At least that’s what Heldine told me. Oh and speaking of which, how the hell did I end up with her by my side when I woke up?

Gideon laughs.

Gideon: I bet she made you feel like a real man, huh?

Loc: Very funny Uncle. I thought I was living out a nightmare or something. Hell to a degree I was.

Tamar: You were knocking on death’s door after Daagon so we rushed to the nearest town we could find. We were in such a haste we didn’t realize that Heldine's men were in the area.

Gideon: And given Heldine’s incredible power she could easily sense your vyrkra for miles.

Rivna: So then can’t she sense him here?

Gideon: This is a sealed ancient Arcane bunker. Not even the Queen of Queens could sense us here if she were standing right at the entrance.

Gidget: It was certainly a gamble, but we figured we’d let Heldine find you so the rest of us can stay hidden. Even though she’s considered an enemy we highly doubted she would do anything to harm you.

Loc sighs.

Loc: You guys did right. But how did you get Kenjiro mixed up in all this? When I first saw you I thought you were after my bounty.

Kenjiro: It was certainly enticing but I’ve actually been keeping in contact with your uncle for a while now.

Loc: Really Uncle?

Gideon: That’s right nephew. You’re gonna need allies for what you’re trying to pull off. I’ve been keeping Kenjiro informed ever since we found Rivna. I was the one that commissioned him to rescue you from your favorite damsel.

Loc: I don’t believe it. The lone wolf is joining up with the Flying Broom?

Kenjiro: History is on the verge of changing Loc. I’m just trying to be on the winning side. By the way, I still think you’re crazy for not settling down with that princess. She has to be the most beautiful damsel I’ve ever seen.

Loc: I’ll admit she’s easy on the eyes, but crazy isn’t exactly a turn on for me.

Tamar clears her throat.

Tamar: Well, in any case the Flying Broom is out of commission. We won’t be able to use it during our raid on Massadah palace.

Gidget: She’s gonna need at least two weeks to soar again.

Loc looks disappointed.

Loc: Is there any good news?

Rivna: (I’m glad to see you’re doing well Loc.)

Loc smiles.

Loc: (The same to you, Rivna.)

Gideon: We’ll be ready to launch the attack in three days. Seth and his crew are ready. Our informants on the inside have already made the preparations. The siege will begin when the palace is at its most vulnerable.

Loc stands.

Loc: Excellent. So then Rivna, are you prepared? We’ll be fighting my aunt for the throne. Rest assured it will be bloody.

Rivna: I’m prepared for whatever fate has in store for me. As long as I am fighting by your side that is.

Gideon: Listen kid, there’s something important you should know. You’re not going.

Loc looks surprised.

Loc: What do you mean I’m not going?! I’m leading this operation.

Gideon: Not in your current state you’re not. Your Combat Rank is far too low to even attempt to fight a queen. Bethel is not going to go easy on you just because she’s your aunt. This is a battle to the death.

Loc: But we have Rivna!

Gideon: Listen nephew, Rivna’s power is incredible, and she’s easily the strongest one among you guys right now, but only you hold the power to defeat the Queen of Queens.

Gideon materializes a large black orb into his hand. Everyone looks at it with intrigue.

Loc: Is that what I think it is?

Gideon: Your current class is a Vuardra. It has served you well up to now, particularly when we’ve fought fiends. But now you’re going to be fighting a lot of men.

Loc: But I can’t change now. It would take too long to get acclimated to another form of combat. How did you even get your hands on one of those anyhow?

Gideon materializes another orb.

Gideon: I’ve been saving these for a long time kid. But that’s beside the point. Right now you’re going to change to the class of a Black Caster. And you Rivna are going to change to that of a Kreygyk Warrior.

Rivna looks at him quizzically.

Loc: A Blavyk Caster?! You want me to sit behind everyone and lob vyrkra arts all day? That’s the complete opposite of what I’m accustomed to.

Rivna: And I too am most comfortable as a nimble Ruuk.

Gideon: You’re a commander at heart Loc. You need to be in the back lines. It suits you best. And honestly you have what it takes to utilize the full potential of that class. And Rivna, your true strength is in your power not so much your speed. Combined you two will be both magical and physical powerhouses. Able to penetrate any foe's defenses moving forward.

Gidget hands Loc black goggles.

Gidget: Here put them on boss, I upgraded them.

Loc puts on the goggles and examines Gidget. A small amount of steam emits from them.

-------------------------

Gidget

Combat Rank: 4

Combat Tier: Common Tier

Class: Galvux

Elemental Affinity: Light/Lyrkrian

Vyrkra Reserves: 54

Might: 17

Fortitude: 26

Agility: 9

Growth Potential: Limited

-------------------------

Gidget: I call them Syrrna Goggles! They’ll allow you to analyze someone’s basic statistics and see what their Combat Rank is right away.

Loc looks fascinated. He looks at Aldrog.

-------------------------

Aldrog

Combat Rank: 34

Combat Tier: Warrior Tier

Class: Palyth

Elemental Affinity: Dark/Dyrkcen

Vyrkra Reserves: 227

Might: 332

Fortitude: 449

Agility: 175

Growth Potential: High

-------------------------

Loc looks at Kenjiro.

-------------------------

Kenjiro

Combat Rank: 51

Combat Tier: PalythTier

Class: Zoh-Gyn

Elemental Affinity: Dark/Dyrkcen

Vyrkra Reserves: 453

Might: 579

Fortitude: 241

Agility: 456

Growth Potential: Very High

-------------------------

Kenjiro: Impressed?

Loc: Not really.

He examines Rivna.

-------------------------

Rivna

Combat Rank: 77

Combat Tier: Palyth Tier

Class: Ruuk

Elemental Affinity: Aqua/Quatan

Vyrkra Reserves: 1746

Might: 611

Fortitude: 441

Agility: 865

Growth Potential: High

-------------------------

Loc looks impressed. He turns to Gideon.

-------------------------

Gideon

Combat Rank: ???

Combat Tier: ???

Class: ???

Elemental Affinity: Neutral/Arcane

Vyrkra Reserves: ???

Might: ???

Fortitude: ???

Agility: ???

Growth Potential: ???

-------------------------

Loc: This thing must be broken. I can’t get any of your readings Uncle.

Gideon smirks.

Gidget: Try examining your own status.

Loc taps a button.

-------------------------

Loc

Combat Rank: 29

Combat Tier: Warrior Tier

Class: Vuardra

Elemental Affinity: Neutral/Arcane

Vyrkra Reserves: 302

Might: 382

Fortitude: 337

Agility: 247

Growth Potential: Moderate

-------------------------

Loc looks disappointed.

Gidget: I’ve been developing it for a while now. I think even Heldine’s data is in there now. Although it might not be that accurate.

Loc taps a button several times. He looks astonished.

-------------------------

Princess Heldine

Combat Rank: 111

Combat Tier: Witch Tier

Class: Vuardra

Elemental Affinity: Heat/Avalian

Vyrkra Reserves: 34000

Might: 11000

Fortitude: 6500

Agility: 8600

Growth Potential: Moderate

-------------------------

Loc: We certainly have our work cut out for us.

Gideon: Then you know what to do kid.

Loc pauses and sighs. He touches the orb. It glows bright and illuminates the whole room before crumbling. Everyone watches in awe. Rivna follows suit.

Loc clicks a button.

-------------------------

Loc

Combat Rank: 39

Combat Tier: Warrior Tier

Class: Blavyk Caster

Elemental Affinity: Neutral/Arcane

Vyrkra Reserves: 1653

Might: 534

Fortitude: 255

Agility: 270

Growth Potential: Extreme

-------------------------

Amazed, he turns to Rivna.

-------------------------

Rivna

Combat Rank: 87

Combat Tier: Palyth Tier

Class: Kreygyk Warrior

Elemental Affinity: Aqua/Quatan

Vyrkra Reserves: 926

Might: 1714

Fortitude: 976

Agility: 766

Growth Potential: Very High

-------------------------

Rivna examines herself. Gideon smiles.

Gideon: Now let’s train and get you two acclimated before the family reunion.

Chapter End