Contract Conditions Party A, hereby referred to as the Master, and Party B hereafter referred to as the Slave, enter into an agreement to...

"...The hell is this?" Isa looked incredulously at the overcomplicated wall of text that flooded her vision.

"A binding agreement enforced by the system." Hemloc grinned, "Short version, you do what I want and I'll take care of you to the best of my ability. Of course, you could always not comply and deal with the consequences of system enforcement."

"And the conditions for breach of contract?"

"Hm? I knew I forgot something." Hemloc shrugged, "I suppose that means the defaults apply if I don't uphold my end of the bargain, or one of us dies. Or perhaps if you find fault with the conditions it would nullify."

"In any case," Hemloc waved his hand dismissing that topic, "What you have to do is simple. You're forbidden to hate me. I'll give you tasks to complete; I won't demand 100% success, but I also won't tolerate deliberate failure."

"That first clause... I can't just turn that off on a whim." Isa snorted.

"Seriously, that broke the contract already?" Hemloc looked bored but otherwise unbothered, "Forced compliance isn't much fun anyway."

"Why is it the more you talk the easier it is for me to hate you?" Isa inwardly thanked her luck. The mere thought of doing anything he wanted, even if he just wanted her to drink water, was enough to make her vomit.

The system enforced it's 'failure to comply' clause. It severed Isa's mind from her body and locked her away inside a mental prison. The light in Isa's eyes dimmed and faded into a blank stare. Hemloc grinned, "That's a good look for you, now come along little pet. It's time to play. Did I forget to mention violating the terms of the contract modifies the terms quite drastically?"

"You seriously thought I didn't include conditions for breach of contract?" Hemloc laughed as she docilely followed behind him. "Now what to have you do?"

"Or is the question who?" Hemloc continued laughing, "At least, until I turn you over to the goddess."

"Oh, I can just imagine the fit you're throwing in there right now." Hemloc caressed her face and Isa's body reacted with a purr.

"Your Grace!" two Liralau soldiers interrupted.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Two grey skins are asking about a phoenix at the gates."

"Oh? Send them away. I haven't had my playtime yet. Isn't that right Sherisa?"

The two guards looked at each other, shrugged, and ran to the gates.

"Mother," Jaden protested, "they're not going to just turn her over to us."

"I happen to agree. However, that wasn't the reason we were polite about it." Vivian shrugged. "I had Sasha tag the guards that ran off. I know right were Isa is now, and that something is wrong with her."

"The Liralau..." Jaden said to himself.

"For the Horde!" Vivian turned and raised her eyebrow.

"...King?" Brains tried to sound shocked.

"Hmm?" Vivian looked over the newcomers. "And you are?"

Jaden made hasty introductions glossing over everything he deemed irrelevant at present. Vivian gave him a look, he's hiding something. "We'll talk more on this later."

"You're here to liberate some of your people that were captured... and you want to help us recover our friend." Vivian scratched her chin. "Even with your numbers, we're still outmatched. There's at least one mirage dragon inside; are any of you immune or at least resistant to fire or heat?"

"That does pose a few more problems." Brains admitted as Brawn pulled out a chunk of bread and nibbled on it.

"What was your plan without that information?" Vivian asked.

"We'd rush in, raise some hell drawing their attention on us."

"I see. Your original plan included us, not knowing we'd be here." Vivian smirked.

"..." Brains fell silent. She's shrewd, much more so than King. "And your plan then?"

"Originally, it was 'get in and get out as quickly as possible'." Vivian stated, "That hasn't changed much."

"What do you intend to do then?"

"Truth be told, your intelligence stat is higher than mine. You've got ten minutes to come up with a viable solution." Vivian stated, "If you can see our stats, consider my strength a minimum of tenfold what it reads. And my son... well, even I'm not sure what his actual limits are. Just know this: We can pull off whatever you can think of. That being said..."

"You wish to avoid killing anyone if possible." Brains stated knowingly and frowned slightly, "Give me but a moment, ten minutes is only time wasted."

Brains closed his eyes. In a matter of seconds, he calculated thousands of possible solutions, his hands moved invisible objects, dropping any with less than one percent chance of success, even taking luck into account. His hands slowed gradually as the possibilities diminished.

Brains opened his eyes. "Do either of you possess anything to reduce damage from heat or fire?"

"No." Vivian shook her head confirming her answer. Brains discarded one of the two final remaining options.

"Here's our path to success..." Brains began. She's not going to like it.

Anya led them through the new city; a living, breathing work of art. Roads and alleys transformed into scenic walks and nature trails adorned with trees, mosses, vines, and flowers assaulting the senses with the pure beauty of nature. Just as no two plants are truly identical, every building had a unique appearance both inside and out.

"You've really done wonders to this city Anya." Molli couldn't help but voice her opinion. Her eyes feasted on the arrangement of flowers, how they complemented the trees and grasses, not taking away from them, but instead adding to the beauty of the whole. She breathed, it was impossible not to take in the fragrance of everything around. The trees, the grasses, the flowers, and even the moss contributed their unique scents, filling the air with an aroma that only the Jadendajuda could fully appreciate.

Anya nodded in appreciation, even without voicing their compliments, she could feel their awe as they looked over her territory.

Molli, for you. Anya pointed to an exaggeratedly large building where the tree had expanded into a bloated potbelly, giving it the appearance of a potion bottle made of wood.

"You made me an alchemic workshop?" Molli could hardly contain her excitement. Everything forgotten, she rushed inside. Molli peered around inside, opening drawers and cabinets. Various equipment stashed away within: an alembic, an aludel, a calcinator, a crucible, a retort. Molli reached into her pack and added the mortar and pestle she received from Alchemist to her repertoire of tools. None of it was high quality or made of the best materials, but she could work with this. Anya walked to follow Molli into the room. Emily practically bulldozed her way through, chasing her mother into the building. Anya chuckled lightly as she stepped out of the way.

I spent some time with the Rat, Alchemist. I am sorry I can't reproduce the quality of the equipment. Anya felt bad for the pure enthusiasm Molli oozed into the atmosphere over such inferior quality.

"Anya, I couldn't possibly ask for more than this. Thank you!" Molli snared Anya into a tight hug. Letting go slightly, Molli held her shoulders and gazed piercingly at her, "Will you continue to help me learn more?"

I have learned far more from you than I have taught, I hope I can continue to do so. Anya replied, turning her gaze down in shame.

Molli fell silent as she considered that. She's unaware... "Anya. Your extensive knowledge of plants and your ability to break them down into such pure individual components. I never considered working with such pure raw materials as a possibility. Trust me, you've opened my eyes as much, if not more than I've opened yours."

Let's continue learning together. Anya smiled. Molli gave her a firm nod with a grin plastered on her face.

"Can I learn too?" Emily snuck in between them and wormed her arms around one of Anya's and Molli's legs.

"Are you sure? That means less time to make flower crowns. And I have no doubt your true calling is still waiting for you."

"Spending more time with Mommy," Emily replied without blinking.

"And what about Daddy?" Molli asked.

"I can train with Daddy! And learn with Mommy!" Emily's eyes only shined brighter.

How did I ever close my heart to my little girl before? I have Vivian to thank for giving me this chance to make it right.

"Of course you can." Molli ruffled her hair lightly while she had tears of joy threatening to stream down her cheeks.

Bayne couldn't contain himself any further, he picked up Emily and hugged her with his wife. Anya extracted herself and abandoned the building, leaving the family alone.

Lulu, Daryl; shall we continue? Anya led them a short distance.

"This...?" Lulu wasn't impressed with her building. "It looks like a wooden bowl."

If you're not satisfied with the appearance, I can always change it. Now if you please, step inside.

"I didn't say that..." Lulu stepped through the intricate archway. Inside she discovered a large variety of tools for shaping, carving, and general-purpose woodworking.

"Anya?" Lulu had never truly had proper tools for working with wood, but it was a necessity for the clan. Now, it appeared she'd had all the tools to allow her artistic side to take hold in her work.

I am sorry for the low quality of the tools.

"No. They're perfect," Lulu stated as she sat down to begin a project. "I can't thank you enough for this."

We can discuss the building's appearance later.

"No, leave it," Lulu replied as she prepared the first wood craft she felt she'd actually enjoy making.

Daryl? Anya turned to leave.

"It's nothing," he stated, his eyes lingering on his wife's bright smile. When was the last time any of us smiled like that? Daryl sighed as he followed Anya outside.

Would you like a moment with her?

"No... I'd just get in her way."

Then, this way.

"Hm? You have a building for me to work as well?"

I have... a personal request. If I may be so bold.

"Our lives are in your hands, Anya. If you have a request, I can't refuse."

In that case. I want to learn your magic. Anything to hide us away, keep us safe. Anything that will allow me to protect my mother and brother, and the rest of you.

"I understand your feelings. But those two are beyond requiring protection." Daryl stated.

Anya's features turned grim as a single word filled Daryl's mind. Sphinx.

"Isn't that monster gone?" Daryl asked, "Also, don't get me wrong I'm not saying no. I'll teach you everything at my disposal."

Yes, it is gone. But not forgotten. Anya replied with her hand clenched tightly. I'll never forget what I did to it, nor how it almost killed Mother even if it was unintentional. I'm afraid to think what would have been left of me if not for her, or Jaden.

"That's the best you could come up with... seriously?" Jaden asked disappointed.

"Surrendering isn't really an option here." Vivian was also not pleased, "We might as well forget it and just leave if that's the case. And that's not happening."

Brawn looked between King, his mother, and Brains. "There's a lot I don't understand and that always be the case for me. Not all Brain's ideas work. But the idea chain always leads to eventual success for our part. Case in point, we lost in combat, but we still won in the end and took all your clan members to our city."

"That's only because..." Jaden stopped, he didn't want to admit he'd underestimated them.

Vivian shook her head to clear her mind, "Sorry but no. We're going to do this my way after all."

Brawn shrugged, "Suit yourself. Brains, we do we do?"

"Jaden. I want you to collect Isa, I'll go after the captured Rats. She's behaving strangely so be ready for anything. If she's under a contract... do what you have to and break it." Vivian stated.

"Mother?" Jaden questioned if he understood what she was saying.

"If there's no other way to break the contract, and the one responsible can't be reasoned with... one way or another we're not leaving Isa to such a fate," Vivian confirmed his understanding, albeit she looked sad that this might be the only way. She shook her head and firmed her resolve. "If there's no other way. Kill him. This 'contract system' needs to go too."

Mother... "I understand."

Vivian gave him a nod, "Okay. Go 'knock' on the front door again."

"Knock?" Jaden asked.

Brawn looked at Brains, who only shrugged cluelessly in answer.

The door started opening as Jaden approached. He frowned inwardly but maintained a blank expression on his face.

"His Grace is currently not to be disturbed. You'll have to come back another time." the sentry tried to hide the shake in his voice.

"Oh okay. Sure. We'll just come back tomorrow." Jaden stated, easing the worried looks of the sentries. When the door slammed shut behind them, Jaden drew back and punched the door.

The initial impact destroyed the integrity of the door, deep cracks spiderwebbed throughout the material. The door blasted off its hinges and flew harmlessly beyond the sentries standing guard. They swallowed heavily as they turned to see what caused such a heavy and sturdy door to break like nothing. Their eyes fell upon a grey skin rubbing his hand, it looked like he was massaging some aches. The truth of the matter: he merely wiped off some dust.

"Let me see... This race just irritates me more and more, so what would be the best way to deal with them I wonder." Jaden scratched his chin as he approached the guards.

The guards drew a spear and sword and rushed the intruder, stabbing and slashing. Jaden continued walking forward, his body simply disappeared. He grabbed them by their heads and brought them crashing together. They collapsed in a heap, unconscious but alive. Jaden picked up the sword as he scrutinized the spear. Shaking his head, he plunged the sword into the ground up to the hilt and gave it a swift kick, breaking the blade. He lifted the spear and ran into the city.

"I am glad he's not our enemy." Brains admitted. Brawn shrugged, "They still need to deal with that insane heat."

"And we will," Vivian stated. Sasha. I need to know where the Rats are held. Vivian observed a blue line threading its way through the city. "What will you be doing?"

"Plan B." Brains shrugged, "While I don't want to assume you're going to fail, I can't simply discard the possibility."

Vivian shrugged as she flexed her body experimentally, "I hope it's better than your first plan."

Brains and Brawn watched in silence as she vaulted toward the city. She hit the ground running.

"Hey, Brawn." Brains looked at his companion, "You think I made a mistake?"

"Time will tell." Brawn replied, "It's not always the strongest, the wisest, or the luckiest that stands on top when the smoke clears."

"You surprise me at times, Brawn."

"What?" Brawn pulled out another bit of bread, smeared it with cheese, and ripped it in half. "Here."

"It's like you've got some brains in all that brawn." Brains took the bread and bit into it.

"What is Plan B?" Brawn asked.

"There isn't one. What I've just seen, we'd only get in their way and slow them down."

"You're wrong. We can help them." Brawn rose to his feet, "They'll need it too."

"Take all you need." Brains shrugged indifferently, "It's time I retire from strategy planning."

Brawn slapped his friend across the face, "Pull yourself together. I need your brains."

"Set the city on fire." Brains looked at Brawn deadpan, "It sounded like they can develop the skills they require when exposed to extremes. Fire resistance will be absolutely crucial here."

"That's better Brains." Brawn patted his shoulder, "Sorry I hit you. All of you, with me!"

"For the Horde!"

Brains smirked to himself as he was abandoned at the encampment. He watched with delight as his plan unfolded. He rubbed his face, That's going to leave a mark though. In any case, time to prepare my part in all this. Brains rose to his feet and walked casually toward the city. He bit into the cheesy bread.