Waking up, Wren turned his ears back on and took a look around to realized he wasn't sleeping on a bedroll in the underground cabin anymore. Instead, he was relaxing in a luxurious king-size bed being grappled by a naked Troy. Scrabbling out of bed, he saw Healer being glomped by Assassin in much the same way, at least the after-image of it, as he felt something cold and sharp pricking the soft spot under the base of his skull.

Assassin lowered the blade as he said softly, “It's not advisable to move erratically near resting predators.”

Wren slowly nodded as he left the room, followed by Assassin, and asked, “I'm a little confused. How did I end up in a mansion and why were you and Healer sleeping? I thought Tier VI and above was beyond the need for such things.”

For a split second, Assassin looked a little bashful as he said, “I wasn't expecting Troy to be able to keep up with me so well. I may have gotten a little carried away with myself and destroyed the safe-zone after it annoyingly tried to evict me. As for the sleeping thing... We're not exactly fully recovered from thousands of years being discarnate souls but even if we were... You'll understand once you have reached our elevation. Some mortal remnants are hard to leave behind because they are as much pleasure as need like sleeping, eating and sex.”

Wren smiled and said, “Well, if you think it'll be appreciated, I could manage a decent spread if you'll show me to the dining room.”

Assassin showed him the way as he said, “Since you're not asking for the kitchen, I hope it's not that mush Healer makes. Summoned food lacks a little something.”

Arching an eyebrow as he began constructing organic models, Wren said, “Oh yea of little faith, that missing something is life essence and it's not a problem.”

Since Assassin seemed to be in a convivial mood, Wren chatted with him about a few things and even talked the evil looking man into giving a few pointers to Troy after breakfast. After a little mental wrangling, Wren decided to give this meal a festive touch and used the last two sin-eater eggs to make omelets stuffed with a few savory tasting SE enhancement ingredients for the four non-vegetarian world gods and, under Assassin's watchful eye and guidance, he prepared a special parfait with SE enriched nuts and fruits generously infused with LE for Healer.

The relatively sizable group filtered down to eat and the rest of Assassin's group was pleasantly surprised to find such a sumptuous meal prepared by a mere Tier III. After everyone began to tuck in, Assassin jokingly offered to add a sixth position to their group but Wren declined with mock seriousness that he wasn't willing to change his name to Cook. Towards the end of the meal, a flushed Healer looked at Wren quizzically before switching an accusing glare at Assassin. After Healer excused themselves, Assassin followed after with a mischievous gleam in his eye.

Wren asked Mage, “What was that about?”

She responded, “It's just Assassin picking up his favorite game from when we had bodies before. Due to Healer's unique biology they only experience heat once every decade or so. Since that leaves Assassin feeling frustrated, despite having the go ahead to find other outlets, he invented the 'What aphrodisiacs does Healer respond to?' game. For the most part it only works once or twice before Healer builds up a resistance to them so it's an unending game. That is, unless he finds someone gullible enough to waste life essence for his antics.” As Mage looked pointedly at Wren, he felt enough guilt to get a little redness in his cheeks.

After clearing his throat, Wren said, “Troy and Lilly, I've got a few items I need to make for us today. My goal is for us to be at the peak of Tier III before dinner and consolidate some over night. Take some time to consult with the experts here, if they'll allow. Their experiences are all invaluable treasures that would be hard to come by otherwise. Knight, I know there's only so much one can accomplish in a few days but I would be grateful for you to help lay a foundation for Lilly. Mage and Druid, if it's not much trouble, Your deeper spiritual strength would be helpful in the processing of medicine. I might even be able to surprise you with a couple of the recipes I want to tackle. Originally, I wanted to consult with Healer but they seem to be otherwise occupied.”

As Lilly lost herself to a plethora of martial drills and ethical discussions on liberty and equality with Knight, Troy organized his inheritance until Assassin joined him five hours later looking overly pleased with himself. Wren dove head first into the world of alchemy and not only did Mage and Druid aid him to make some things beyond his grade but they also made some profitable trades for things far more useful to Wren and those he intended to help, also helping them expedite their recovery.

“That was a surprisingly lucrative morning. How did you get your hands on crimson glory lichen?” Mage asked a little intensely.

“I'd personally like to know where the Emerald Arbor sap was acquired,” Senega added.

Wren sighed and said, “If you weren't my sister's people I wouldn't tell you if you tortured me to death but a certain Abyssal Apothecary branch manager pissed off a few of my iterations with raw deals. It just so happens that I have access to several order numbers for his hidden stashes of skimmed goods. That guy and a certain bitch of an Infernal Engineer should get hitched and joyfully back-stab each other for eternity.”

As Druid looked at Wren like a particularly tasty looking piece of cake, Mage appraised Wren with a touch of insanity dancing in her eyes as she asked, “Are there still more to collect?”

Wren reluctantly said, “Yeeees... I was afraid to grab too much at once because if a SYSTEM registrar came to investigate, I'd be screwed.”

“And if we were willing to shoulder this risk?” Senega asked.

Wren thought seriously and said, “Help me get them and a few other possessions that are either unclaimed or in storage for entities that do not exceed Tier VI, most goods that they can't admit to having, and I'll split it equally half for my group and half for yours. I'll get first pick but I'll oath fairness and non-covet agreements as long as everyone in your group will do the same.”

Mage countered, “We get first pick on all organic and Tier VI spiritual items.”

Wren chewed on it and said, “All but two specific items I need and you have to split the seeds in the gold cat statue equally with me. That's more than fair and a hell of a lot of resources I'm conceding out of convenience and face to you and my sister.”

Mage looked at Senega and he nodded slowly as he said, “It is, in honesty, a quite generous deal considering your leverage, Wren. Agreed, but Mage... you will be responsible for getting Assassin's oath.”

Mage looked between Wren and Senega helplessly and said, “Can't we just leave him in the dark and monitor his good behavior?”

Wren said, “Too many envious items in it all to rely on that. If it helps, tell him we can get him a handful of hidden weapons that would make a Tier VII Balance Keeper Alliance enforcer cry if they had to face them. If that just makes him more jumpy to get sticky fingered, tell him I'll be getting those from Pops in a day or two. To be clear, that's mine and Satyra's father.”

Mage looked startled as she said, “You know where he is!? Why are we wasting time on this? We should be freeing him immediately!”

Wren said, “Unless there are Tier VI divinities lining up to sacrifice themselves, I need to finish my preparations. Preparations that would be greatly assisted by the items you're bargaining for a piece of.”

Mage suddenly curtsied low before he said, “I wasn't aware young lord. Of course we will forfe-”

“No you won't,” Wren interrupted then continued, “Honest effort and risk deserves fair reward. I just want to ensure it's fair for both. Just please get that oath out of Assassin... And please stow the young lord stuff. Gives me the creeps.”

Two hours and a late lunch of philters and pills later, everyone but Wren and Healer were heading to a remote location to do retrieval and continue a heated debate, in Knight and Lilly's case. Troy was tagging for extra storage space due to the cloudy peak realm Wren gifted him. Wren and Healer turned to more long term brewing and purifying with Wren taking a break to fix the safe-zone to make the Guardian Alliance representative go away.

When the asinine inheritor sent a message to cause trouble and demand compensation, Wren triangulated a better location and reinstalled there then sent a message back saying the new location was now the property of the Guardian Alliance in totality with the provision that he and and designated party, up to ten people, could use it as much as they wanted. He further clarified that a native world god, who was a direct subordinate of the world's creator, was allowed a certain amount of collateral damage without raising eyebrows, up to and including the life of a small kingdom's dick of a leader. Unsurprisingly, he didn't receive any more missives aside for a thank you letter from the Tethyr chapter of the local Guardian Alliance representatives.

Early evening, when the entourage returned to Mage's summoned manor, all looked well aside from Knight and Lilly who were covered in blood and gore. Since they were still bantering back and forth on the merits and flaws of feudalism, Wren didn't bother asking what happened. What he did ask was for everyone to move to his void realm. As everyone started unloading large hills worth of various materials, Wren used his mastery of the space and BZ's assistance to organize it all, moving the shares that he'd already agreed on and creating a manifest with the items listed they could pick through first.

Wren said, “My half of the non-organic and previously mentioned items have already been removed. Rummage at will.”

“And when can I get my hands on those hidden weapons?” Assassin demanded.

Wren replied a little annoyed, “When I get father in a day or two.”

Knight weighed in with, “Why would we be waiting for such an important task? It should be a first priority.”

Wren sighed and said, “As I explained to Mage... Unless we have a couple of Tier VI's who are willing to burn out their divinity to save us that small amount of time, I have to prepare some things first. For now, the five of you should split up your loot while I get busy with tomorrow's crap. Besides, dinner's going to be another five course banquet of fortifying and strengthening medicine and some of it's bubbling its way to completion right now. When you're done, just leave the rest where it lays. I'll straighten it up later.”

Seeing the slightly disappointed look on Troy and Lilly's face, Wren relented and said, “The front pile of precious metal and whatnot, you two can help yourself to. Swim in it for all I care. Just don't take more than two hours. That's when I expect everyone's meta-meals will be done.”

Knight said, “Make that 30 minutes Lady Easterbrook. We have far too much ground to cover and far too little time to accomplish it.”

Not to be outdone, Assassin rejoined, “Make that 15 minutes for you, prancing pony. Now that you have wealth you can pay me for lessons too.”

Troy looked at Assassin like he was the devil but rushed over to Wren's pile of vulgar wealth. With the last view of his space being Troy and Lilly doing their best to test the limits of 'helping themselves, Wren turned to finishing the evening infusions. From there, he got Healer's help with the crafting of two one-shot void power boosters he affectionately named curse eater gauntlets.

At nearly nightfall the group finally took a break from their individual pursuits to enjoy the fruits of Healer and Wren's labors. It made Wren's heart bleed a little to watch the lion's share go down the gullets of the five world gods but he was determined to get it's worth back in the next few days so Wren just considered it payment in advance. To show their appreciation, Mage taught a trick to condense SE through meditation while Knight and Assassin shared a few little secrets of their own with their chosen pupils. After a small conversation with Wren, Senega helped Wren get various vegetation going in his middle void realm and Healer 'adjusted' the Tier III newbies' bodies to optimal performance.

Uh oh. Man-killer Lilly's back. Present company not withstanding, she's gonna have issues in Undercity... Assassin's asking Troy out for a night training exercise? Not my problem. Why are they walking over here?

“Sorry,” Healer said.

Wren looked perplexed at Healer as he said, “Why are you apologizing? I'm happy that Troy and Lilly can skip nearly a year worth of physical training. If you did a good enough job that the end results can even turn a world god's head, I should say congratulations on a job well done!”

Healer looked at Wren with sympathy as he said, “I'm saying sorry to you.”

“Is something wrong with me!?” Wren said as he looked himself over and crafted a mirror to check himself out.

So adding a couple years and fine-tuning makes me look like a sin stained angel huh. Whatever, I'm kind of numb to it at this point. At least my future careers as a visual kei band member or porn star are secure.

Wren said, “No big deal. My structure was set awhile back. You can only work with what you've got.”

Healer blushed as they said, “It's your scent. It seemed someone put a limiter on one of your beneficial traits. I mistook it for malicious obstruction and removed it before stabilizing and strengthening the trait and the inherent resistance to structural changes you already possess. I think I understand why they did it now... Only a Tier VII with the same specialties as myself can change it without harming you, probably.”

Wren paled as he said, “So I'm back to being basted in 'rape me' sauce!?”

Healer replied, “I don't think so? I may have opened the broad band of appeal but I stabilized it. It's more like you'll smell preferable and to some select individuals you might also smell...ready. To state it simply, your scent is slightly more subtle in effect but far more pervasive.”

To everyone's surprise, Wren disappeared, leaving Troy and Assassin confused as they had just arrived to talk with him. When he reappeared, Wren was wearing a caster styled, modified soul forge battle suit. Wren guessed if it was space ready it would be air tight. When it was done readjusting to him, he looked at himself to realize that he might as well be wearing a TSSR suit for all that it left little less to the imagination. He comforted himself that the caster style came with a short sleeved and hooded, open front robe.

Troy took a moment to clear the catch in his throat before he said, “Assassin wanted to know if you'd help with a night detection exercise. You'd be playing the 'mark' and I'd be trying to spot him before he reached you.”

Troy looked to Assassin for help and caught his mentor sniffing the air then Healer before Assassin's face turned quizzical and slightly disappointed.

Assassin said, “There for a moment I thought your 'special' time had come early, Healer.”

Healer said barely above a whisper, “I already told you it wouldn't be for at least another month.”

Turning to Wren, Assassin said, “So are you willing to put yourself in a little peril to help train your friend? You know, it's better if you're unwilling. If you don't change your suit out for something a little easier to breach, I'll have to get rough.”

Before anyone could protest, Assassin kidnapped Wren, as he threw the protesting man over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes and took off with Troy chasing behind.

Wren said, “If you don't put me down, I'm going to just-” His world went dark.

As Wren came to, He found himself bundled up and being carried back to the manor by Knight.

As he observed Knight's turned head and exaggerated mouth breathing, Wren said, “What the hell happened!?”

Noticing that he was awake, Knight dropped Wren roughly and handed him back the battle suit. With that, came the realization he was only wearing a jock under Knight's repurposed cloak but even that had cut marks on it.

With a look of disgust, Knight said, “Assassin's training exercise went outside of acceptable borders. Seeing that you were not in any condition to give consent and the utter lack of discipline and self-restraint Troy and Assassin were exhibiting, I took it upon myself to extract you. Currently, Assassin and your catamite friend have exchanged gainful exercise for perversions.”

After seeing his own state and the likelihood of where things would have ended up without timely interference, Wren said a little shakily, “I officially un-invite myself from any further 'training' of theirs. I would appreciate it being known that, unless I have specifically said otherwise, I don't want to be in the same place as Assassin unless another of your group is present.”

Before quickly making himself scarce, Knight said, “No offense to your generous and reciprocal presence among us but I will be glad when this fortnight is over.”

After a light discussion, Wren was granted access to Mage's antechamber till the next morning. Since Wren was far from sleepy, considering his two hour involuntary nap and jangled nerves, he settled for deep meditation. Under the influence of multiple fortifying medicines, Wren began compressing his SE into a more consolidated state.

When light started filtering through the high vaulted window of Mage's antechamber, Wren donned the battle suit and went outside for a little practice of his own. Filtering through the basic constructs and awakened imbuements, Wren moved on to combat conjuring. Most of his iterations had barely scratched the surface of evocation flavored conjuring but after a couple hours of familiarization and fine control exercises, Wren felt fairly confident to take on anything at Tier III or lower and was fairly certain he could survive a Tier IV encounter that didn't start with a sneak attack.

Seeing that Mage and Senega were milling around, Wren got their help to refine some more future infusions that he didn't have the personal spiritual strength to do himself yet. To reciprocate, he showed off a bit of Infernal Engineer techniques as he prepared a few enchanted items while he waited for Lilly and Troy to get up. By the time it was approaching mid-day Wren got fed up and went to get them up. Predictably, he found Troy sprawled out but alone in a bed that probably looked nice before it was employed for other purposes. He doused Troy with ice water and moved on. Lilly wasn't asleep this whole time, having woken up earlier that Wren. Her and Knight had been hard at drills and had lost track of time due to getting into another lengthy debate.

Once Wren had finally gotten the whole group gathered, the better part of the day was wasted. He would have been upset but they weren't on a strict time table. After blandly tossing out some customized battle suits, weapons and various supplies, he walked over to the Undercity obelisk and made an 'after you' gesture to Knight. Wren let the world gods take the lead as he stepped in with Lilly and Troy. Surprisingly, Assassin and Knight were actually yanked by the curse trap on the ley-line and would have been harmed severely if not for the timely intervention of Wren and Mage. Upon stepping into Riverside Pavilion, Wren was greeted with a sight that none of his iterations had ever seen before, a visibly fearful Glaucous.

Unused to such courtesy, Glaucous grated out, “To what does this humble place owe the honor of your visit, Heralds of Satyra?”

Knight spoke, “Child of Satyrus, there is no need for alarm. It is Satyra's brother who desired this sojourn. Unless my eyes and ears are deceived, he wishes nothing but goodwill towards you. The same cannot be said for the entirety of your wardship.”

Glaucous looked sad and resigned, “I have over thirty years left on my guardianship. Though there are some among them I despise myself, I cannot turn my back upon that.”

Wren stepped forward and said, “I beg to differ. Your brother wanted you to protect and guide his first 888 descendants not protect for 888 years. This was a lie perpetuated by mutual agreement of the first eight houses. The current Great Teacher of House Deepwise would be more than happy to enlighten you since Grimshadow has all but usurped the ruling power.”

A desperate hope burned in Glaucous' eyes as he said, “I do not wish to seem questioning of your word...Eldest? Still, I would ask leave to verify.”

After getting a nod from Wren, Knight waved Glaucous on. As they waited, Wren felt the warning tingle he had been wary of and extended his void space to intercept far more god-killer curses than he had anticipated.

Wren said, “I don't understand. I expected an attack on Glaucous and Jaden maybe, but all of us!? They have to be keyed in-” Wren felt a strong and terrifying fullness that even the mysterious Angel/Demon door couldn't siphon down to safe levels and as Mage threw up an oil rainbow sheen barrier Wren said in a panicked voice, “Healer, channel excess SE. I'm...”

Wren wavered to remain conscious as Healer latched on to him and began sending out temporary bonds to all within the barrier. The amount was horrific. Healer could barely keep up with the spill over and strengthening Wren's spiritual integrity as chains and scroll ribbons restrained and destroyed the rampant curses threatening to overpower the devouring strength of Wren's void. Attempting to turn disaster into opportunity, Wren used the nearly unbearable pressure to forcefully condense his SE into a liquid state.

What would have been pure suicide, became only marginally risky under Healer's watchful eye. Wren watched his four essence pools become two at a visible pace. Once he couldn't handle the pressure against his structure anymore, Wren grew it out into the second diagram. Once the pressure had an outlet, the liquefied SE and EE began pushing the extra-dimensional structure into directions only viewable by Wren himself. To keep his astral body from growing to rupturing thinness, Wren ate a portion of ambrosia as he lamented the waste but it was the only thing he had that would act fast enough to fill in the thin spots and help him to neutralize the sheer amount of curse filth that was making it past his void.

Wren heard the sounds of fighting and Healer's ragged sigh of relief as he wrestled the overwhelming amount of curse power into something manageable. As Healer sagged to the ground behind him, Wren opened his eyes to a spectacular bloodbath. Seeing that everything was under control, he handed healer a restorative and headed out to find find two specific bodies among the wreckage. Sure enough, Wren found the corpse of Sable sprawled over the barely breathing form of Grimalkin.

Assassin watched Wren in amused curiosity as the frantically moving man, bound the corpse tightly. He stopped being amused as Wren pulled out and placed an enchanted angel feather on Sable's forehead and bent to the task of healing Grimalkin.

In irritated confusion, Assassin said, “You do realize that these two were near the front of those who released the curse boxes. Why are you undoing my hard work?”

Wren spared Assassin just enough attention to reply, “They're different,” before returning to his task.

Five minutes of fatiguing work later, as Grimalkin opened his eyes, Wren said to the father and son, “You have paid your death tithe. You are free of House Grimshadow but are in debt to me. Do you agree?”

Grimalkin looked in confusion at his bound father who replied, “I accept.”

“Oath it.” Wren said as he looked agitated.

Sable looked surprised as he complied and Wren drew them into his void space moments after ordering them not to resist. Wren drew in a ragged breath himself as the tension ratcheted down.

The temporary peace only lasted a second as Glaucous appeared in a jet of water and said, “Wha-”

Seeing Assassin turn afterimage, Wren desperately drew on his manifestation as if it were an embodiment, throwing scroll ribbons and barbed chains around Glaucous only to see them get sliced through like butter. It was enough to warn Glaucous, however, as the blue man retreated to the side of Wren who emanated strong feelings of acceptance and protection.

Wren had little enough time to draw out a golden blood coated and archaic cold iron bolt and a single soot colored curly hair before moving in front of Glaucous, relying on spacial calculation and BZ's aiming screen to position it so that Assassin appeared with it pointed an inch away from his eye. He was under no illusion, for Assassin, it might as well been a mile wide but Wren relied on the potent symbol of what he held to stop the man where words would be too slow.

Assassin focused on the bolt as the color drained from his face and said, “You would dare?” more surprised than angry.

Wren put the hair and bolt away as he said, “Not really but I didn't have time to say stop and I'm not certain you would have listened even if I did. Glaucous isn't responsible. I can't say the same about his father though... Aaron! If you or one of your unreasonable amount of avatars is, we have to share words. Don't waste precious resources only to net a loss!”

A familiar cold and impersonal voice said, “What could you possibly have to say that would be worth hearing?”

Wren took a deep, calming breath and said, “The World Mother Tomb is empty and it's resources are used or gone. She has awakened and we stand on the only Satyrus in all iterations of this arm. Your effort and preparations have been in vain.”

A hand snatched Wren into the Gloaming as Aaron said, “Not necessarily, Satyra's little brother.