"There's no convoluted rule saying you have to stay together," Addy said, addressing Blaine and Brad.

"That's great, because I wasn't asking for Brad to tag along," Blaine replied, "Go be a hero, Brad. And good fucking luck. You'll need a lot of it."

Brad shook his head. Not to say 'no,' but to communicate the feeling of betrayal. A signal I would usually miss or misinterpret.

But I was paying attention to Blaine now. Had been since the first betrayal in the Pillars of Humanity, when he'd tossed Brad's cubes out of the vault in the final seconds.

"Great, we got Brad for our stealth mission," Addy said, "Any other surprises?"

"Yeah," Kendra said, "I'm coming."

I flinched and fought back the impulse to say something.

Addy quirked his head to the side and said, "Really? I feel like that doesn't make sense for your character's journey. Shouldn't you be going with your sisters? Proving you're a better father for them?"

"A better mother," Kendra said, "And this is more important than taking them to the hospital. It's the guy who's paying Cecilia's bills. Without him, we don't even know where to go for his special little doctors."

"Valid point," Addy said, "But we still can't take you. You're covered in blood and you smell like a porta-potty on a construction site. Not great, especially for a stealth mission."

Kendra responded by ripping off the grimy shirt and tie, exposing a heavy-set frame riddled in chest hair.

Meanwhile, my eyes tracked the three men in ascots. They were four blocks away now, strolling casually. One had their arm around Teddy's neck like they were old-time friends.

They turned a corner, disappearing from sight.

I spoke up, "Guys. We gotta go. Now."

Addy looked to me, then to the shirtless Kendra.

"Fuck it," he said, "We could use the extra muscle."

"There's nothing 'extra' about it," Kendra said.

A comment that evaded me.

Then we started moving, leaving the others behind. Maisie, Layla, Cassie, and Blaine. They would take Cecilia and Kioshi to the nearest emergency room. To begin the treatment on Cecilia's eyes, while also trying to get Kioshi awake. Whatever he had been drugged with had slowed his heart rate dramatically and diminished some of his glow.

That left me, Addy, Brad, and Kendra for search and rescue.

Our goal was to track Teddy. Keep him in our sights. If anything bad happened, we would charge in, guns blazing. Otherwise, we would keep to the shadows. The men had promised to return Teddy, after all, once they were done with him.

I was hoping they meant returned alive.

The crowd had dispersed after the show of violence. Police sirens were still wailing in the distance, and the helicopter roved above, making lazy circles. It had apparently lost track of us. That, or it was ignoring us and searching the ground for a glass ship which no longer existed.

The hospital team lifted the two stretchers and Blaine pointed the way, using the stolen phone to navigate. Addy broke into a run - moving in the opposite direction - then tensed up. A hand went to the back of his leg, and he groaned.

“Alec. Lead,” he said, grabbing his side. Still hurting from his fight with Kendra.

I nodded and took us onto the streets.

We moved one block over before following in the direction that Teddy had gone. I led the way, turning left onto Ash Street…

“Shit. They have a car,” I said.

The others rounded the corner just in time to see the white BMW pulling away. Teddy sat in the back, sandwiched between Red and Blue Ascot.

“Shit!” Addy remarked.

We were in agreement then.

Speed. We needed to match the speed of the car somehow. We could use the game stone, but no matter how we used it, we would attract unwanted attention. Not an option.

“Do we call an Uber?” Brad asked.

No, we fucking don’t, obviously. Too slow. We needed to mobilize now.

I started to power walk while I problem-solved. The others followed suit, engaging in wasteful banter about Brad’s Uber suggestion.

What else what else what else.

Boomsticks, grappling guns, carving wand.

No, no, and no.

The game stone seemed like our only option unless we could steal a car, four bikes, or catch a bus. Unlikely.

Damn, damn, damn!

Think!

We didn’t have Blaine’s glove. I hadn’t had the wherewithal to snag Kioshi’s scepter.

Those weren’t solutions anyway. Object repulsion and abstract magical effects.

Solutions. There had to be solutions. If I could just unlock my brain – think outside the box…

Outside the box. Abstract magic.

Huh.

Photo had created the scepter. They had also created all of our other tools. Did any of those other tools follow abstract laws?

The game stone seemed like a prime candidate. It could absorb solid matter and heat. Outputted whatever the stone’s user visualized. Were there limitations to the visualization process? Could I summon something more sophisticated than blocky shapes if I focused on the conceptual rather than the concrete?

“Game stone. Need it,” I said, holding out my hand.

“Survivalist’s kit,” Brad corrected me.

Shut the fuck up.

Addy plopped the stone into my hand. I veered toward the sidewalk and tapped it against a green antique car.

Various fluids burst from the now-empty space, splattering the road.

"Good one, Alec. That car was an eyesore," Addy remarked.

I ignored him, focusing instead on the abstract concept of the green car I'd just absorbed. Matter emerged from the stone. The metal exterior unfolded, decompressing to fill a larger space...

And the car returned to the street. In the exact condition as before. Only now it was attached to the game stone by a thin cord of shiny green metal.

I sent the mental signal, and all four doors swung open.

"Get in," I commanded.

This time, no one dragged their feet.

I can't believe that worked.

Then, after more consideration, I decided that I very-well could believe it. I'd reasoned my way to a viable solution. The underlying logic deserved recognition. None of this 'can't believe it' crap applied.

I took driver's side, though it was arbitrary at best. I couldn't expect the car to function without all of the interior fluids. But I could will it to hover half a centimeter off of the ground. The flight would give me better handling, acceleration, and speed. A magically-enhanced powerhouse disguised as a car from the '50s.

One block to my right, the white BMW howled, racing in the opposite direction. Circling back towards the theater.

We hadn't lost them.

I felt my adrenaline spike. Sure, relaxing for an hour had been refreshing. It had served to fortify my willpower. But also - as an unfortunate consequence - it had rendered me restless.

The adrenaline tore through my senses. I felt it touch each part of my body separately. Mingling with my thoughts. With emotions.

I'm trying to save the goddamn world, and these fuckers want to interrupt me? Who the fuck do they think they are?

The car jerked forward, spun ninety degrees, and blitzed down the side street. I heard the thump of one of my passengers colliding with a wall.

"Stealth!" Addy shouted, as a reminder.

"Yeah," I agreed, barely slowing as I rounded the next corner.

"I appreciate the passion, but we need stealth. If they see us, Teddy becomes a hostage!"

"Already is," I said.

The BMW was two blocks ahead, turning onto a main road. I gunned it.

"You're not getting it. They'll threaten to kill Teddy," Addy clarified.

"Mere words," I said.

Addy paused to react. I didn't bother to check his expression.

The BMW pulled an illegal U-turn across two lanes of traffic. I came to an abrupt stop, spun our car 180 degrees, and followed them onto a ramp.

"You wanna play chicken with the guys who took down Kioshi."

"Doesn't count. Kioshi was sick," I argued.

No way was I letting that count.

"Yes, and I can tell you respect him. I do, too. But he still lost, regardless of extenuating circumstances."

"You mean when he threw up?" Brad asked.

"Shh!" Addy said. Then to me, "Pull back. Keep them in sight without drawing attention."

I didn't want to. I felt like I could get away with charging them if we used our combined strength, determination, and collection of magical tools.

But all of the arguing had taken the wind out of my sails. Caused me to see reason. I slowed and steered out of the passing lane, nestling between two cars.

A tense silence followed, emphasized by the lack of car noises emanating from our engine.

Kendra began speaking, "Gotta say. You nearly gave me a heart attack when I saw you destroy this thing. The Ford Zephyr is a real beauty. Reliable, even for its age, and not too many left-,"

"Excuse me," Addy interrupted, "What are you doing right now?"

"Just trying to make small talk, if that's alright," Kendra answered, pushing hostility into every word.

"Don't try and get chummy," Addy said, "We share a mutual interest in rescuing Teddy. Once this partnership ends, you can fuck off, and I'll happily do the same."

"Agreed," Kendra said, without rebuttal.

We returned to sitting in silence.

A few minutes later, the BMW suddenly turned down an alleyway. I flicked the nob for my turn signals a few times before remembering they wouldn’t work.

I came to a stop. Waited. Counted to five. The car behind me laid into their horn.

Then I turned into the alley, resuming the chase-

And they were gone. The BMW sat parked behind a dumpster, lights off, unoccupied.

Brad threw open his door to get out.

“Hold on,” Addy said, “Smells like an ambush.”

“You think they saw us following?” I asked, keeping my head low.

“I can almost guarantee it,” Addy said, “So either we spooked them and they’re booking it on foot, or things are about to get dicey.”

I could tell which option he preferred. His thumb fidgeted with the boomstick dispenser, teasing the switch on the top.

Instead of disembarking, I transformed the entirety of the car into a cylindrical barrier. Green metal surrounded us on all sides, with glass slats for windows.

I began moving and the walls moved with me. The others huddled in close, forced together by the small circle of space.

“Not gonna lie. This is overly safe. It’s lame,” Addy remarked.

“You speak too much,” said Kendra.

“And you smell like shit.”

“What you’re smelling is the blood of my enemies.”

“Blood and shit have different smells,” Addy said, “That’s shit I’m smelling.”

“All the same to me.”

That was interesting. A little harrowing.

I continued to lead. When it was clear that no one was lurking in the shadows, I dissolved our walls and upped my pace.

The alley wasn't long. We were almost to the other end when a spark flitted through the air.

It struck the ground just ahead of us, and a wall of fire sprung up. Bright blue, tall enough to step over, and yet we unanimously took several steps back.

Fucking hot, even from a distance.

The man in the red ascot stepped out from behind a wall. Conservatively smug.

"Your driving is good," he said, "You shouldn't have slowed."

"An innocent girl could die if we don't get Teddy back," Kendra said, "We need him! You can have him back after."

"The girl with the blindfold? Kioshi did not treat her?" Red Ascot asked, "He has an advanced understanding of the medical field."

Fucking what?

"Afraid not," Kendra said, "Now if you'd please-,"

"Alec. Give it here," Addy said, reaching out with a cupped hand.

Sure. Why not.

I slapped the game stone into his hand. He clenched it and made a punching motion.

A fist as wide as the alley erupted from the stone, middle finger extended. Red glass, scraping against the ground and pushing the fire with it. Through the crimson tint, I saw Red Ascot go flying.

Addy withdrew the fist and stepped out of the alley. The blue flame had scattered in a wide burst. Burning chunks of pavement now littered the sidewalk and road, and a car came to a full stop, unable to proceed.

Not just because of the little fires. A single human-sized fire was raging in the middle of the road. Furiously tossing about, emitting rasping screams and other human sounds. Spluttering, wailing, trying to form words and failing.

"Fuck!" Addy shouted, running into the road and shedding his shirt. I wasn't sure what he meant to do with it, but I followed, drawing my wand because-

Because-

I wasn't sure. A man was on fire.

Addy crouched, ventured closer, and tried to pat at the man's legs with the shirt. He ended up tossing it onto the man and wheeling backward, swearing something incomprehensible.

I stood nearby. Frozen. Considering all of my options. Wondering what other abstract properties I could use to put a fire out. If I remembered correctly, the game stone-

I didn't get far, because a concrete solution manifested. A grenade clipped to the man's belt exploded.

I felt my eyes widen and my heart go still. The sound of the blast rang hollow, accompanied by a wet squishing sound. I averted my eyes, afraid of what I might see.

Instead, I honed in on Addy. Stared at him with a visceral focus. Waiting to see him react, so that I could judge how bad the damage was.

Addy wiped a glob of white gunk from his chin and chuckled. Nervous chuckling. Humor to hide the horror. It bothered me how some were able to do that.

Then he saw me and said, "Look, Alec! He splooged!"

More humor. And yet, a genuine ease seemed to be washing over him. I forced myself to look.

Red Ascot was standing, absolutely drenched in soapy white foam. The substance dripped from his coattails and sloshed every time he moved his arms. There was something humiliating in how slowly the slime slinked across his form, drooling down his expensive clothes. Soaking into his face and hair.

He spit out a gooey morsel, then reached for his gun.

“Ah-ah!” Addy chided, taking a step forward.

More red glass spouted from the game stone, swirling around the man. Solidifying into a rectangular prism.

Addy tightened the glass prison until the man’s shoulders were locked against his side. A pistol dangled from his hand, inaccessible, and probably useless given the thickness of the glass. As a final touch, Addy left a square hole in the wall, just big enough to allow air to pass through.

Addy spoke into the hole, “What’s your name, champ? Please tell me it’s Bukkake. That can be a name, right?”

“It’s Fudo,” the man said, “And-,”

“Fudo, huh? Fudo, Fudo, Fudo. FudoFudoFudoFudoFudo. Hm. Nah. Too boring. I’m going to sing it J... A... C...”

Addy spent ten seconds of our precious time engraving the name ‘JACK’ into the top of the prism. Why ‘Jack?’ I was afraid to ask.

“Alright, you fucking Jack-in-a-box," he started, before looking to me and saying, "Get it? Because it looks like he jacked all over the box."

"Yeah," I said, "Accurate."

I wasn’t in the mood.

Addy made a face at me, then continued, "Alright, Jack. Time to make like a Brad, because you’re about to get tipsy.”

Addy pressed a hand against the side of the prism and shoved it to the side. The box crashed against the road and white fluids splashed and spilled all over its basin. I heard Fudo inside, spitting and choking on chemicals.

The problem was dealt with. Ok. Now...

I looked around frantically, muttering swear words under my breath.

No sign of the others. Of Teddy. The distraction attempt had worked.

I still felt some of the adrenaline. A residual amount of frustration. I took the feeling with me as I approached the glass box and gave it a sharp kick.

“Hey-,” I started.

But a horn cut me off, blaring from the vehicle that had stopped and watched the entire scene.

“Asshole! Give the man some chill!” the driver shouted.

I ignored him and gave the glass another kick.

“You-,”

“Hey! Leave him alone! Take a break. Go get some coffee!”

Coffee? The sun was down. I couldn’t drink coffee this late at night.

Focus.

Right. I returned my attention to Fudo.

“Hey ass-,” the driver started.

“Shut the everliving fuck up and drive away,” Addy warned the man, “You’re getting involved in matters that don’t concern you!”

“This is my city too, man,” the driver said, “And in this city, we treat people with respect! Let the man go, he deserves none of this! No one does!”

Addy strode up to the drivers-side window, and said, “You honestly believe that. With zero context. That’s amazing.”

“Doesn’t take ‘context’ to be a good person,” the driver said, “Either you try to be or you don’t. Leave the man alone!”

“What’s that?” Addy asked, pointing inside of the car, “On the seat next to you. In the feminine Tupperware container?”

“Leftover lasagna. But listen up, kid, because you need to hear this.”

“I’ve heard enough. No one’s about to preach to me on morality. Fuck your damn lasagna.”

Addy clicked his dispenser and tossed a black twig into the vehicle. A small fireball bloomed in the passenger’s seat, scorching the vinyl and incinerating the man’s leftovers. The man quickly smacked the flames from his sleeve, looked to Addy-

His expression had evolved.

-then reversed his car and drove the other way.

Unnecessary force, but effective.

With that obstacle removed, I returned to the glass box and shoved it with my heel. The fluids inside shifted, and Fudo sneezed.

“Tell us where they’re taking Teddy,” I demanded.

“Concert. Pillars of Humanity,” Fudo said, not wasting a breath.

“Really, now? I don’t believe that for a second,” Addy said.

“Yeah? Why not?” Kendra asked.

“Answered too quick. Didn’t even try to refuse,” Addy explained, “The real answer’s going to take some... convincing.”

Fudo laughed, producing ripples in the fluid, “You would torture me? The prospect amuses me. But it doesn’t matter. I told you because you’re too late.”

“Oh, yes, we’re too late, how convenient. Set the beans spilling, buckaroo, or I’ll begin with your legs,” Addy said, toying with a fresh pair of boomsticks.

Damn, how he loved those boomsticks.

“Legs. How mundane. There are better options, you know. Eyes, tongue, penis, intestine. If you want to do this right, you need flair.”

“Don’t insult me, Jack. Of course I have flair!”

“Addy,” I said, interrupting, “I believe him. Pillars of Humanity? Public setting? I don’t know what their plans are, but I can’t think of a better place to take Ted Lax.”

“You should hurry, or you’ll miss the spectacle,” Fudo suggested.

“That,” I said, pointing to the man, “I don’t like the sound of it.”

Addy grumbled, wrung his fists, and spit on the glass. Then he took the pair of boomsticks and chucked them into the alley, causing a minor explosion.

“Yeah, alright, let’s go,” he agreed.

“Hold on,” Brad said, “I don’t think we’ve explored all of our options quite yet. Shall we follow this mystery down the rabbit hole?”

“The fuck are you talking about? Is that supposed to be your best Addy impression?” Addy asked, “Addy gives you two stars. Two and a half maximum.”

“I was being serious,” Brad said, before promptly giving up.

Good. Whatever. We needed to get moving.

The Pillars weren't hard to find. They weren't even far; three and a half city blocks away. I could hear the distant sound of a man speaking into a microphone. For Addy's benefit, we jogged rather than sprint, abandoning the man in the box.

Various people spoke as the microphone changed hands. It settled on a British man, and I could vaguely make out the words as we drew closer.

“Thank you! We welcome your enthusiasm and we won’t let you down! In the first day of renovation, we created 63 new jobs! When our facility is operational, we expect to create upwards of 5,626 jobs for the people of Palo Alto!”

“Ah, Childerich, you’re so specific!” a woman remarked. A familiar voice. Where had I heard it?

“The work we are doing is exciting! Some call it inspiring, and I must agree! When we are well established, we will grow this city. Palo Alto will earn its place on the map, in the global perspective!”

“Ah, that optimism. Damn if I love it. Tell me, Palo Alto, do you love it?”

We reached the fringes of an expansive crowd. The intersection between the four towers was flooded with people. Main roads had been temporarily shut down for the event.

The mass of people was cheering. Some of them screaming. A few shouted, “I love you.” Others made lewd remarks which would be impossible to un-hear.

A stage had been erected in the center of the intersection. Black, with gold ribbons draped around the edges. Purple and gold spotlights did passes over the crowd and the stage.

A lone woman stood center stage, microphone in hand. Even from a block away, I could tell she was beautiful. Stunningly so. Black hair and olive skin, both glistening. Golden light fell across a dress unlike any I’d ever seen. Dark purple, cut just below the waist, with lace crisscrossing her chest like a corset. Lavender ribbons curled around the bottom of the dress, continuing down her bare legs. It was like something out of a fantasy movie. Something an elven priestess might wear. There was even a hood incorporated into the dress, though she wasn’t wearing it.

I looked around for the British spokesperson, but no one else was present.

When his voice sounded through the speakers again, everything clicked into place like an intricate puzzle.

Pillars of Humanity. British voice coming through the speakers. ‘Childerich.’

It’s Childe.

“Thank you. Your praise is well received,” Childe spoke, “And now, the moment you’ve all been anticipating, performing her first single, ‘A Modest Decree,’ give it up for Avery Papp Dupont!”

The crowd roared its response.