After eating and a short binge of shots at Wren's prompting, Malkanthor began his tale.

“I never meant for it to turn out like that. It seemed like every time I'd let my guard down, another girl would find some way to accidentally become addicted. Usuway was the only one I personally pursued but in the end, sometimes I wonder if even she didn't succumb to my courtship because we'd kissed or held hands too long. I began believing it in earnest when a maid who did our laundry suddenly started exhibiting signs, wife number four, and Usuway told me that it was my mistake for throwing too many damp clothes into the hamper. She was my only wanted wife and she supposedly had a condition that made her monogamous, so how could she sympathize with other women enough to override her 'imprinting' and make me take responsibility?

“It didn't help my health of mind when I found out that the one who she actually had imprinted with was my second wife. She was a generous hearted woman from the Deepwise family who tried her best to help me come up with practical solutions to and help hiding my issue after she was exposed to a great deal of my blood during a sneak attack in the early days of the war. It's a bit humorous looking back. Mantha and her friends started a fashion trend, on my behalf, that shaped the culture we have now. When at home and it's warm, no clothes. Naked means no touching of any kind unless intimate. Sexual freedom and ridiculously complicated social etiquette that somehow was easy enough to remember was her doing to. I grew to love her best and she loved Usuway and myself equally.”

Wren couldn't believe the sheer amount of non-stop story telling that spilled out of Malkanthor but since it was a different kind of boil lancing, Wren didn't interrupt.

Malkanthor continued, “So essentially heart-brothers was a concept I borrowed from the relationship Ephyra and Grandmother had to cover up the abnormal activities of my war band after some other family's band caught two of mine licking me to stem their cravings. I remembered daring them to say anything about my heart-brothers wanting to disinfect my wounds. As the war against the 'others' continued, we spent more time away from home and engaged in other activities to conquer other cravings. Even that became social norm.”

“In the early campaigns, we returned home frequently. On one such trip, I noticed that my brother had become overly attached to me. The more cold I was, the more persistent his pursuit of my companionship became. Since this was not long after the death of our grandfather, I didn't have the heart to deny him overly much but I still tried my best to observe all the precautions that I could. Once when he was fifteen he accompanied me on a training run, little more than a warrior's vacation if I'm honest. He had opened my bedroll to 'wake me up' because he had a bad dream that was a rarity for him by then, but in my half aware and inebriated state, I had confused him for one of my band members. He was an exceptionally developed youth.

“Likely silent due to my strange behavior and little light for me to see... When I was with my wives, I was in control but with my band, when I took one to release their cravings...I needed a little pain to enjoy myself. In the act of stealing my brother's innocence I also exposed him to perversions only fully consenting adults should consider. It wasn't until he cried out in release that I realized the shameful thing I had done fully. After that, I kept him close yet distant at the same time. In the past, it seemed that the cravings only affect my victims when I was near for more than short periods of time so I secretly dosed my brother's food or drinks whenever we campaigned or otherwise spent much time around one another.

“To tell a sad truth, I was more willing than I should have been to join the Guardians when the fighting moved off world. I felt as if I had shackled so many with my affliction, that dying to protect them seemed the least I could do. To keep my brother from joining the fray, I entreated him to watch over my children long enough to last a century or so, ensuring the fighting would be done. Learning now how they and their descendants have abused that request makes me burn with anger.”

Malkanthor finally lapsed into broody silence as Wren pondered what he heard. After giving the sign for a healer's needful touching, Wren examined both their bodies as he urged them to keep chatting and sharing. The constant flood of self condemnation and absolution of guilt towards one another was enough to make Wren roll his eyes as BZ helped him analyze the results. What he found did not surprise him in the least.

Wren sat down and took a few sips of beer before relating what he had uncovered, “The addictive body fluid trait was artificially introduced to you, Malkanthor. Upon resurrection, you no longer possess it so stop secretly dosing your brother.”

Malkanthor's eyes grew wide as he said, “Then how did such a thing come to be!?”

Wren replied, “It's no longer of importance but I'm sure you can figure out why. If you look through the archives of your descendants and see that only those with strong gloaming fae gifts seemed to spontaneously develop it... After so many introductions to bloodlines it has become a recessive trait that never gets expressed as more than an extra minor edge in courtship now, though. As for Glaucous' affection towards you... he was never influenced by it... The generational curse you possessed before your augmentation, Glaucous, turned your own, er, fluids toxic and it's of a much higher magnitude of effect. In short, past Glauc juice trumps past Malk juice. Enough said.

“I know my opinion isn't wanted in your personal matters but I will say this anyway. So what if you guys are a little closer than the average siblings. It's not like it hurts anybody. Since you're both dudes, you don't even have the shallow breeding issue. When I was a teen, I used to be into Wicca and the only reason I bring it up is because the main tenet in their rede sticks with me to this day: An it harm none, do what ye will... Now I'm gonna go for a walk world-side. No one can bother you here unless they're a Tier VI or above with dimensional abilities. Help yourself to whatever you want in the cabin and Glaucous can contact me when you're ready to leave. I'm begging you guys to work this out.”

Upon leaving his void space, Wren encountered a face he was expecting to show up at some point as Usuway said, “I was a gift to your mother from her own father. I had no choice but to follow her will for a time. I even added a few additional manipulations to aid my own descendants. Whatever punishment you see fit to give me, I will not deny.”

Wren looked at her blearily as he was still a little tipsy, and said, “Too much. Don't give a shit. I'm washing my hands of it.”

Usuway stood stunned then said, “Just like that? All is forgiven so easily?”

Wren shook his head and said softly, “No, not easily but necessary. Got bigger fish to fry now. As for your legacy, ya got two and if you want, you can have three. Jampa's around somewhere.”

Usuway said, “I brought him along, in hopes... Seems I overthought it.”

Wren said, “Then roll him out. If you're planning on imploding after it's done, slap me with a little life spirit on your way out the door. I'm a bit over drafted.”

Usuway looked at Wren a little sadly and said, “So my death has become a joke to you?”

Wren said, “Lady, you turn your back on heaven just to walk to hell even though there's no gate. I can't count the different ways I've tried to talk you out of it, much less witness it happen. You don't want to live. What more needs to be said. I'm not happy nor am I sad. To say I'm indifferent isn't right either. I just accept it for what it is.”

As Jampa approached, he said, “So we've known each other many times? Then you have me at a loss. This is the only life I know.”

Wrapping up his friend and sometimes more, of many lifetimes, Wren said, “Just stick to being you. It's never really let you down in any way you'd see as a disappointment.”

Wren did decide to wring one concession out of Usuway, which she readily agreed to, as Wren waited for Jampa to be revealed.

An elephant huh? That's cool I guess.

Wren visited with Jampa for a bit before Usuway brought him back to Kajrya. While she was gone, Wren put Sable on a resource gathering mission with Senega and bribed Assassin with some neat toys to destabilize the slaver kingdom on Tethyr along with Healer and Knight. The latter looking ready to murder a few infidels with little prompting but lots of scowling Wren's direction. Mage and Ephyra just kept plugging away at the preparations on Seaside. Wren had already checked for signs of dream eaters but came up empty before he'd even did his deal with Rohn and Jaden so he took a nap on the beach.

After Usuway returned, she took Wren to juice up a handful of people that had appeared a few times as devoted lovers or deepest friends scattered throughout Satyrus. While they were at it, Wren snatched a meteor with a fossilized Tier VII entity inside it and transferred a relatively young but diseased dryad grove to the garden within his void space. As their outing wound to a close, Wren apologized for his earlier callousness at her inevitable suicide which she shrugged off before siphoning her remaining life spirit off to Wren.

Well, at least I arrived in time to keep Imani from being boiled for dinner. Blame it on overwhelming scrambled memories that it slipped my mind to tell her about the translation thing... I can't believe five of my iterations swore themselves as eternal companions to a unicorn, a frigging unicorn. Nice guy though. Good cautionary tale for staying away from pretty statues in the middle of the woods. Not going to lie, being a horse sucks, being a mare sucks more... Is knowing a really nice slave girl I saved from being sacrificed a few iterations back, who just so happened to fantasize about being a unicorn, a coincidence or more manipulation? Well, whatever. Hope they have lots of happy little foals and all that.

Reformed smuggler turned slave liberator? Check. Sullen moss hag, correction, maiden? Check. Also check on never confusing that kind of mushroom for an edible one again. A shame she's stuck to her spot. Best apothecary assistant ever. That and her sisters are nasty bitches...Artiya'il took too damn long to convince but then again, my iterations that knocked boots with the angel didn't have an easy time of it either. Luckily Usuway was with me to play a little seer trick on him. You'd think a bad memory erasing angel would be more easy going. That only leaves the one who's my ticket to the next stretch of my journey. Time for a small coma and tidy up my affairs here.

Wren woke up in the simple beach shack he'd erected to a thunderous split of lightning splaying across the water where it had bounced off the array Mage had finished setting up for him after a teary yawn had him messing up one of the lines for a second time. At first he thought he was under attack but then he realized that a huge and scary looking storm was blowing in and there was a bit too much iron in the frame of his beach shanty.

Wren blinked into Seaside while he cursed under his breath, “Fucking rookie shit. Crazy monsters, soul-eaters and petty god-like beings can't keep me down but I almost got wiped by a lightning rod shack... Smooth as sandpaper, Wren.”

Mage waltzed up smirking as she said, “And here I thought it was because you liked waking to loud noises and light shows... I may have twitched the ambient essence draw a little when you'd already slept for ten hours and I saw that beautiful cloud formation on the horizon.”

Wren whined, “Would it have hurt anyone to let me sleep in?”

Mage snorted, “Everyone's returning from your errands and Ephyra has half convinced herself you've kidnapped her adopted grandchildren.

Wren said, “Oh for the love of... It has been over three days hasn't it. Well, I was prepared to give them as much time as they wanted but it's getting pretty late into the time-table. Alright, lets see where things stand.”

Thinking at Glaucous, Wren started off with a mental door knock before he said, “Ephyra's going to gather a lynch mob if I keep you guys for much longer.”

Glaucous responded glumly, “All dreams must end... Now we return to our lives and responsibilities. What do I do now? He allowed me as much comfort as I could take but in the end he is my brother and though he loves me, my brother is what he wishes to remain... I know if I remained the shadow at his side he would pity me from time to time but his love will not be the same as mine.”

Wren empathized, “What is there not to do. You've got closure, better than most can expect. He loves you enough to do this for you but if he can't see you as more than a brother, for both yours and Malkanthor's sake you move on. You grow up and, with time, you find your happiness and allow your brother to find his, taking pleasure in the fact that he is alive and capable to do so again.”

Knowing what the big man was likely to ask, Wren propositioned a request at the gathering of Tier VI world gods, “Glaucous is going to need a vacation from this place. Any of you have a spot open for company?”

Mage shrugged noncommittally as Knight pretended he hadn't heard. Assassin's blatant negative stance and Healer's look of helplessness answered for them. Wren could feel Glaucous building up the courage to request something Wren would have no choice but to turn down as Senega stepped forward with a smile on his face.

The ancient but young looking druid said, “To have a deity at my side with the powers of life and fertility, how could I possibly not! There is much work to be done, repairing the damage of multiple wars and resource stripping this world has endured. We must be ready when the time comes.”

Wren interrupted Glaucous as the big man had just built up to a mentally stuttering start, “Senega has shown interest in your company if your interested in giving a little distance and time to smooth things over. I warn you, the man's probably going to work you like a- whatever an appropriate beloved but well used beast of burden counts for around here.”

Glaucous hesitated for a moment, looking forlornly over his brother's lightly bruised and languid form, “Tell him I'd be glad of the opportunity.”

Good for you G-man but I really didn't need snapshots of your activities over the past few days. Free pass, he's probably hurting like hell right now.

Wren relayed, “ He's down... I mean he's willing, Senega. Expect him to not be very good company for a bit though. He's technically just been dumped.”

Senega nodded and said, “Hard work for a good cause will do his mood wonders I'm certain.”

Wren nodded and after they were presentable, he brought Malkanthor and Glaucous world-side. After Senega and Healer handed over their respective items to Wren, he informed the five that he couldn't see any further need from them that he couldn't accomplish on his own save for if a Balance Keeper Alliance member showed up which Mage assured Wren his sister had handled.

Wren said, “Thanks for everything guys. I know we haven't seen eye to eye on a few things but-”

Knight interrupted, “I'll stay and fulfill my agreed duty. Besides, Lilly still has much to learn from me.”

Wren attempted to pick up his speech from where he left before being interrupted by Mage with, “We all have taken an interest in one thing or another here. Do as you will Wren. Our path forward has already begun, even if your path takes you elsewhere.”

Wren slowly nodded once, slightly confused, before walking off. It didn't take long before Healer caught up with him. He could tell that whatever it was, Healer had some difficulty conveying it. A mental whisper from his shadow, alerted Wren to the presence of Sable warning him that Assassin was spying on them.

And you weren't creeper!? Ugh,just spit it out Healer!

Wren said, “No need to stand on ceremony or anything. I can't speak for you guys but I consider you all friends, even Assassin, as long as he keeps his rapey hands to himself.”

From a corner of a ruined wall, Assassin dropped down and said, “I wasn't going to rape you... Molest, sure but rape is too strong a word.”

For a person who thinks that permanent crippling is just a practical joke, what's a little sexual assault between comrades?

Healer took a slow and deep breath and said, “I'll be going into heat soon and this may be the only period of peace we may know for who knows how long. I... I'd like to release the block on my fertility.” Assassin stumbled hard enough to almost fall down before a complex expression crossed his face as Healer continued, “Aside from our mistress, you are the only person who possesses dimensional power and also has formation knowledge that I know and trust. It's a simple thing. Reach inside my womb and remove the lock on it and then into fourth direction to remove the ones on my... other parts.”

Assassin glared at Wren as he said, “That won't be needed. Healer, why don't you just show me what I need to do.”

Healer said, “It would take time and there's no way of knowing if you'd be ready before my heat. Your abilities lack fine precision and you have no patience for formation work.”

Wren sighed and said, “Really, Assassin? You do realize I don't have to use my actual hands or anything. A touch to the sacral point is enough.”

Both Assassin and Healer looked surprised.

Wren trudged on, “Just relax your spiritual defense, Healer. Assassin, if you pull a weapon on me, you're going to hurt my feelings. I may decide to hurt you back this time.”

As soon as he felt Healer drop their guard, Wren placed his hand on their lower abdomen and moved void power into Healer's reproductive area, branching it out into the layers of organically formed sub-space. Moments later, he dropped a handful of slimy carved pearls into Assassin's vest pocket.

Wren grinned mischievously as he said, “A souvenir for ya there, killer. Early congratulations , by the way.”

As a slightly bitter smile spread on Assassin's face, Healer thanked Wren and offered to share some life spirit as payment which he refused with the excuse of how small an act of friendship it was. As he walked away, he heard Healer telling Assassin not to lose the pearls if he didn't want to be a father every decade which had Assassin patting his vest pocket as he asked the number to make sure all of them were there. Wren was glad he was the only one who could hear the chuckle coming from his shadow.

After swinging by where Lilly and Troy were running through some blade practice, he dropped off two large crates of various things he thought they could use. After saying a few words of parting and enduring some warbled words from Lilly and some sweaty hugging and groping from Troy, Wren was ready to leave. He wanted to say more, do more for them but he reasoned that their success was ultimately on their shoulders and sticking around never really helped them much in any other iteration.

Wren walked out of the secret exit into the woods behind Seaside and summoned his spectral transport. Activating an artifact prototype that simulated various sprite attributes at Tier IV elemental strength, Wren chose an improved version of the teardrop design, a much roomier and strong one. Before he could board it, Knight hailed for him to stop.

Storming up to Wren, Knight said, “Did you not hear me? I have made a commitment to keep you- be at your bidding till the fortnight is over. Were you going to just leave like this? I don't even know where you are going and I do not have convenient powers of mass distance movement within my purvey.”

Wren pinched the bridge of his nose and said, “Knight, you are the one who was worried about me being coddled and all that. You don't even particularly like me. You do seem to like Lilly so just spend what time you have left polishing her skills up.”

Knight looked agitated as he said, “What of the gift of mine you returned? I need more- would like more time.”

Wren smiled and said, “No you don't. You would have broken, abandoned or returned it to me before now if you had decided against what I asked you to think over. Just spit it out already. It's not in your nature to be indecisive.”

Knight flushed a little and said, “At least tell me where you are going.”

What, and have you lock me in a box while Senega helps you sit on it? Not a snowball's chance, dude.

Wren slowly shook his head in the negative and rebuffed Knight's attempt to convince Wren to take him with. After staring at Wren like he would enjoy strangling the weaker man, he stormed away even more angrily than he had arrived. Wren let out a tension relieving breath as he climbed into his spectral 'shuttle and took off.

Sable emerged from Wren's shadow and said, “Would it be permissible for me to ask where we are going?”

Wren nodded and said, “Not only is it allowed, you have the option of refusing to go and leaving my service with good will. I'm going to unseal an ancient, forgotten demon and ask him to take me to the Abyss.”

Sable lapsed into stunned silence long enough for Wren to conjure and drink a cup of tea before he said, “Had I known, I would have taken time to sow a few seeds before asking Ephyra to return me to Seaside.”

Wren laughed and said, “If you were from any other culture I've known I'd say that was irresponsible but I fully believe you could find a woman or two willing to try with a husband willing to take responsibility. Sure, if it wasn't an attempt at gallows humor, I'm game. You want to make a conjugal visit to Undercity? It's on the way... sort of.”

Sable 'grew' visibly excited at the prospect as he said, “How much time?”

Wren did a few mental calculations and responded, “I'd like to keep a generous buffer so how about two days? Also, don't hold back on my account when I ask what comfort request gifts you'd like for me to prepare for you.”

After assuring Wren that two days was likely more than he could fill but he would try with all he had, he started listing out a startling array of practical and luxury goods that Wren could almost completely fill from the stock of goods in his void space. After slapping the armor and clothing with one-time fitting enchantments and sprucing up the weapons and jewelry with a few simple enchantments as well, they were at Undercity. Blinking them into the Riverside Pavillion, they parted ways after Wren handed Sable some pills to keep him 'strong' and two bottles of LE and life spirit enhanced wine.

Sable slipped by unnoticed but since Wren was lounging around the pavilion like he owned the place it didn't take long before a Suncave patrol spotted him. Thankfully they recognized him and a few minutes later Rohn arrived to speak with him. After making it abundantly clear he had no desire to leave the pavilion for two days but was willing to fill some of their supply wants and needs, Rohn dropped the coaxing and started listing out the things he felt were needed in order of importance. It was a busy first day that ended with Wren relaxing in the very nice washroom of the pavilion. That was until a few women and a couple of men intruded to make overtures and offers Wren wasn't in the mood for taking even if the demon-side of his manifestation wouldn't grumble him to distraction. It was much harder to turn Rohn away but Wren managed and even hinted at the situation with Rohn's own heart-brother enough to have the warrior scooting back to the manor to verify.

The next day was more of the same but with ever increasingly difficult requests till Wren finally told a runner that enough was enough. Running out of things to do, Wren went back to tinkering with some gadgets and ideas, sparing some time to clear the invasive problems of the Dryad and her grove trees in his garden. Vigna made some overtures of her own before Wren promised to introduce a guy who wouldn't mind a little vitality sharing as long as she promised not to get too carried away. Not that she needed it. Were the garden grounds any more saturated with EE he'd risk mutating the plants and the specialty of Tier IV up, plant based lifeforms was efficiently converting magic to life. It wouldn't take that long for the Dryad's grove to produce life-force bolstering fruit.

Wren was napping peacefully in a guest bed when Sable appeared and dropped on top of him out of nowhere, smelling strongly of sex and sweat while looking barely alive, as he said, “Now I'm ready to die.”

After rolling Sable off of him, Wren responded, “From exhaustion or just in general?”

Sable didn't answer as his breath became even and heavy. Blinking them back to the surface after leaving a thank you note and a manual for Rohn's daughter, Wren resummoned the transport and added a cot to the back before dumping a clean Sable in it. Two hours later and far to the north, Wren stealthily moved Sable to the grove in the garden before warning Vigna to play nice.

Vigna looked disappointed as she said, “His potency is already used up for now.”

Wren chuckled as he said, “I would imagine. He stayed busy for two days with no sleep, likely leaving a legend behind.”

Vigna arched an eyebrow and asked, “He possesses that much persistence truly?”

Wren locked eyes with her and said, “Wait until he grows into his new potential a little more. He'll be able to break that record with ease and without supplements. You could try to sweeten his disposition towards you a little by tending to him. Just take care not to startle the guy, he's a stealth assassin by trade and very good at it. Keep the light elements in anything you give him to a minimum. It's not that compatible with his essence and I'd have to help him clean it up if there's too much.”

Vigna smiled and said, “I'm neutral, just slightly to the dark alignment. Accidentally killed a couple of mistletoe fairies trying to put their parasites on my hamadryad.”

Wren looked at her in surprise as he said, “Mistletoe on an oak tree is like nice jewelry on a pretty woman. They might not need it but it doesn't hurt to have.”

Vigna replied tartly, “I'm not enamored with mortal trappings either. What use is jewelry or clothes to me?”

Wren sighed and returned world-side. Back in business mode, he began looking around for the cave entrance that shifted ever so slightly out of the material plane most of the year. To others, it would be nearly impossible to find but to Wren it stood out like a sore thumb in this rocky tundra.

Wren called out clearly, “Hello again Rozchereck. Since I'm not some random mortal with a death wish or a dark practitioner looking to get a wish granted, would you mind lighting up your booby-traps and curses so I don't step on or in them?”

A gravelly voice responded, “You seem familiar, though I remember you not. Very well but expect consequences if you annoy me.”

Multiple patterns and sigils began glowing a sickly yellow-green. Wren waded his way through them until he reached a rather luxurious space with an eight foot tall man, the color of a kidney bean and sporting an impressive set of ram horns on his head, standing in it.

“I don't intend to associate with you long enough to annoy you but you're a rather temperamental guy and I'm known to often say unpleasant things. Let's not drag this out. I've got a proposition you can't refuse.”