As the others welcomed Taiqana to our group I walked over to the chest that was now visible near the exit. I stood and waited for the others to come and see what would be revealed. Once we are all gathered I asked: “Are we ready?” Seeing everyone nod I slowly opened the chest and taking a look stepped back to let everyone look inside.

“What is that?” Ama asked. I was trying to figure that out myself, I looked at all the others and asked, “what is this, anyone?” Raik and Gluzzie both shook their heads, and Ama’s sister shrugged. I looked over at Taiqana and lifted my eyebrow, circa 1973 bionic man Steve Austin. She was not impressed and delicately lifted her eyebrow even higher, the show-off.

“It looks like a white powder mixed with ashes, and it has some kind of weird aura around it. Is there anything I am missing?” I asked. Raik spoke up, "it has some kind of demonic summoning spell linked to it, I would guess that this would be combined with someone's blood and then heated over a fire.” I was instantly interested and immediately asked about doing it in a pentagram of bone dust or something weird and historic. Raik gave me “the look” and asked, “where do you get these weird ideas.”

“In my realm these things are all done in secrecy and with great ceremony, I really don’t know how the hell you do it, just displaying my ignorance,” I said with a smile. Ama at this point spoke up and asked me to start from the beginning and to tell them all about my realm along with everything that has happened to me but especially about the children in the Kradula. Everyone nodded, they all were interested in my tale. I gathered the small chest with the mysterious powdery ashes and put it in my bag.

Suddenly there was the Ding Ding noise and a new window opened above my interface.

(You have completed the Trial of six Temptations)

(The reward is one unique ability, you have three choices.)

(The first choice is to assume the form and have the abilities of a lesser rock elemental.)

(The second choice is the ability to create a temporal locus.)

This will enable you to portal anyone standing in the area of effect to a location of your choice.

(The third choice is To become master of the Keep, you will be the Lord over the Trial of Temptations.)

Choose wisely, these are unique rewards and will not be seen Ingame again.

The choice was clear after thinking about the three and studying the possible benefits. To be able to shape shift from my level would be a great talent. Most shape shifters achieved that ability only at level 25, and none could shape shift into any kind of intelligent race. Being a tree or a crow might seem cool, but not as cool as being a rock elemental. The third choice was difficult to turn down, having your own castle, hidden away on an alternate plane of reality. It would provide safety and security plus that the whole area had probably not been explored, who knows what might be found there.

It was not an easy choice to make, the ability to shape shift would be great, or the ability to keep those I cared for safe in this crazy game world as it was clearly not safe anymore and that gave me plenty think about, with my friends and my daughter being at risk. All of these things faded when compared to the second choice. It was the one I had to take, the portal ability would be necessary to fulfill some plans I had begun to formulate when I had eaten Gluzzies marble shaped round donuts so long ago.

Making my choice I clicked accept on the second option offered and suddenly my interface had a new spell on it the T-Locus. I would be practicing that spell I thought as I looked at the others who were waiting for me patiently. Thinking of things up in Topland I felt my resolve harden, I would be practicing it a lot.

“Raik, do we have any tobacco left?” I asked.

Reaching into his bag he pulled out the very light pouch and in a few minutes we were all having a smoke, even the girls were smoking with passion. Sitting in a circle I began to tell my tale. Only omitting a few details, like they fact this was a game and my companions were nothing but strings of code running through super fast computers. Once we were done both the rest of the tobacco and my tale I stood up and stretched. Looking at everyone I asked them if they were ready, once they all nodded I opened the final doorway. Inside was a portal with a heading above the mantle cap.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

I looked at the others and said, “I think that this will lead me back to Gaiatoci, however, it might take me back to the Hearth Home Inn. We are all in a party together, so we should all arrive together. If we do not, it has been my pleasure to have known you all, you are more than just people I have randomly come across. You have become friends.

Raik laughed and said, “Hey buddy, you are not getting away from us that easy, I think Ama would go on a hunt to get you back if you disappear.” Ama gave me a smile and said with a bit of iron in here voice, you and I are going to be together for the long term mister, and my sisters and I have decided that we are going to be doing something about the Kradula with or without you.

It is so rare for demonic beings to have children that when we heard your story, all of us women agreed that it is not acceptable for any children to suffer like that. Her face was darkening and small horns were beginning to grow from her forehead, her nails had lengthened while turned blood red and her teeth had sharpened into pearly white fangs.

She was still very attractive in a 5-foot package of demonic fury. I took her hand and looked at here for a minute, her eyes were now changing color to blood red and her hands trembled as I held them. “Hey, you and I, all of us together, we will deal with what happened there,” I spoke with as much conviction as I could because I also felt that strongly about it. As I looked at Ama her breathing began to slow down and she looked down at the ground. Lifting her eyes she looked at me with her normal pretty brown eyes and pulled me into a hug. “Thanks, babe,” She whispered, “the Rage can sometimes be overwhelming to us, we need a solid rock to be anchored to.”

I nodded, I understood about rage from my childhood having seen so many of the children succumb to it over the years. The orphanage had been a heartless dog eats dog place at times. The end result was some very angry individuals. It seemed like yesterday thinking of those memories, it made me wonder how Rebecca was doing. I knew she was burnt out with all the useless government regulations that continued to pile up for the workers. I wish she could be here when we rescued the children to safety, she would be perfect in helping to deal with them.

Right, now is the time I thought and with a nod, I said “see you on the flip side” and stepped through the portal. I would like to say that it was amazingly full of lights and colors and unicorns and virgins frolicking on the ground but it was more like stepping into a public bathroom. I held my breath and tried to do what I needed to do before I had to breathe again. With a pop, I emerged back onto the terrace I had met Gaiatoci on. Soon there were six more pops and my friends arrived, standing around they looked at the curved world with amazement.

Gluzzie walked around looking at the forests and mountains, the great seas shimmering in the distance. It is truly amazing, just wonderful. “Yes, it is” Gaiatoci spoke from behind the group. It is amazing and beautiful and sadly, empty now.” Turning around I walked over to her and went to one knee as I had seen Laikas do. “Hello Grandmother, I have returned wiser and stronger,” gesturing at my friends I said, “These are my friends and more. They have pledged themselves to my aide and to my quests.”

Once the introductions were over Gaiatoci’s servants appeared and laid out a great feast for us. Gluzzie walked over and began to discuss some of the dishes with the cook. I glance at the others, Taiqana was deep in conversation with Laikas who had arrived a few minutes after the food began to appear.

Walking over to him I had mentioned that I was not sure if I had learned to use the life force during the Trials of Temptation. He had looked over at my friends and said, “I believe you have learned to use one aspect of it very well. Taking away the keepers of the Trials of Temptation is no small feat, I would wager that you have also come to see yourself in a different light. Both your strengths and weaknesses.” With a nod, he drifted back over to Taiqana like a moth to a flame. It was not hard to see why as each of the girls was radiating a carefree happiness.

Gaiatoci spoke softly to me, “You have done well grandson, freeing these people from the drudgery of eternity. Thank you and congratulations on your nuptials with Ama, she is a strong woman. I believe you will be happy together. She, of course, wants to have children and the sooner the better, as do her sisters.

I have given them a buff to help them when the time is right. I know I have tasked you with some onerous quests, but I know that you can accomplish them. One day I would see this realm full of life again and that will begin when you rescue the children.” Looking over at Ama I could see that she had something called a Doula buff that looked like it was now a permanent aspect of her status as a Succubae. I highlighted the Buff and read that a Doula is someone who is experienced in childbirth, and who can provide continuous physical and emotional support to the mother.

“Thank you, Grandmother,” I whispered. Continuing to speak quietly, I said, “I will return to Topland, and the Kradula, and begin to round them up, the problem is delivery, I do not know how to get passed the Dark Iron layer in the mantle. From everything I hear it is something that even magic or the life force cannot trespass through freely.

Gaiatoci looked at me and nodded, “It is not easy not knowing all your abilities or having all of your senses, it is in a sense akin to being blind.” I knew what that had felt like and nodded, it was something that weakened the spirit and the flesh, there was just no self-confidence in myself when I was not able to see. It was one of the scariest things that had ever happened to me in the real world or Ingame. And it called out for vengeance.

Gaiatoci reached up and gently put her hand upon my head. Suddenly I could smell flowers in bloom and fresh rain swept grass as Gaiatoci stood beside me and spoke. “Open you eyes wide my grandson and truly see.” It felt like lightning had struck my head and suddenly I could see, so much more than what I had been seeing. it was like having Dragon vision on steroids. I could see several different wavelengths of light, and the streams of the life force swirling all around the terrace. It was like a light fog, present all over the Roundland, seemingly just waiting for someone to trail their fingers through.

I could also see/feel the dark iron belt and realized that it was not a solid structure but was porous in areas and suddenly I knew how to pass through it using teleportation or portals. I began to grin as I extended my vision farther, if this was one of my missing Dragon senses then I was glad to have finally received it. I could only compare it to a magically induced sight, almost a vision of sorts. Suddenly I turned as I became aware of Ama’s approach behind me. She, however, was still several feet away, slowly walking towards Gaiatoci and me.

I blinked and whispered to myself, “what the heck I was sure I saw her right behind me.” Gaiatoci, whispered back to me, “You did grandson, your vision is no longer time-concentric, and you will have to get used to what you see when you see it. It will take practice.

Suddenly Gaiatoci stood up and in a loud voice called us all together. My friends please come together here. I wanted to thank you for your willingness to help my grandson. My gratitude towards you is to give you these and with that, she began to produce small medallions and hand them out. “These are homestones, which will portal you back to Roundland from whatever realm you are in. You are always welcome here and I encourage you to come here and choose some land for yourself and your loved ones."

"Make this your home when you are ready.” Turning towards Ama and I she stated, “I have given you the Isle of the turquoise sea, indeed the whole sea is yours, my grandson. Pointing to a glimmer down the terrace she said, "When you are ready that portal over there will take you. I hope it will be a happy home for you."

We all thanked her for her gifts, it felt good to have someone care and try to help you. It did not seem to happen too often Ingame. Suddenly I remembered the last reward chest and calling Gaiatoci over I opened it up and showed her the powder and ashes. “What do you think,” I asked.

She looked at the contents for a minute and then sighed, then she spoke again. “This is all that remains of one of the mysteries of the Realm.” We had all gathered around to listen and were given her all of our attention. Pointing at the chest she began, “these are the remains of a vanished race, they were never well received and indeed should not have ever been able to happen. They were the cross between a Troll and a Ghost demon.” Raik interjected at this point and said, “there are no Ghost demons Gaiatoci.”

Gaiatoci sadly shook her head, “there are none now and there never were many of them. But they did exist and they had offspring. Fortunately, both the offspring and the Ghost demon died off,leaving only the trolls as the living family. So now we have the choice to restore an extinct race. It troubles me for I do not see anything good coming from this but if this creature has a chance at life then it should be given.”

“Stand here my Grandson, and prick your finger, one drop of blood and then command the life to arrive.” Doing as commanded I let the drop of blood fall into the chest onto the ashes and powder. Very quickly a mist arose from the chest and the most horrendous odor came forth, a cross between putrid vomit and liquid shit.

It was the worst smell ever, and it grew stronger as out of the chest crawled what looked like a cross between a raccoon and a spider monkey. I gestured the other back as it radiated a feeling of anger and hostility at all of us. Suddenly it looked at me and grimaced and grunted, then turned and ran down the terrace, jumping from level to level. The smell lingered on so we all backed away till the breeze gave us fresh air.

“What the hell was that thing” I gasped still trying to not retch at the sight and smell. “That was fugly ugly. I think I just made a mistake in bringing it back.” I wish we had dice here and could do a redo, that ugly fucking thing really had put a damper on the fun time we had all been having. “What is that called Grandmother?” I asked.

Looking sad Gaiatoci nodded at the empty chest and then spoke, “It is called a Kritiq and they have no useful function, they somehow attach themselves to a party and generally cause havoc and discord. You will always be able to tell when you have a Kritiq, it will smell horrendous, like feces and sour vomit.

They seem to be able to only focus on one individual at a time, and while it is a pain they can do no real harm if ignored. They are constantly seek attention, sometimes trying to rearrange how things work out for party members by causing difficulties and differences through the use of very low-level curse abilities. These curses have limited time spans, and once people are aware of them they lose any power.

I am sorry Grandson, I believe even a Kritiq should have a chance at a life, no matter how miserable it is. I hope it will not bother you, I saw it look at you and imprint, so it will probably attempt to follow you. You will always tell if it is nearby, do to the fact it stinks, just know that it has no real intelligence and hides in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to be stupid. Ignore it, but please do not kill it as it has life and life is sacred. If only a little bit for Kritiqs.