When we left the tent, we could see Nari and uncle waiting for us. They had a tense expression as they looked at something in the distance. Movement, a large group by the look of it, large enough to threaten the entire camp, since most people here were malnourished and weakened. Amber squinted towards the approaching group. “Friend or foe?”

Uncle answered after a slight hesitation. “It’s impossible to tell, so prepare for the worst.” Amber nodded and disappeared into the tent again, only to arrive a few moments later with some spherical objects. “Ozweld helped me make these alchemical bombs. I won’t be helpless anymore.” Nari took a slight step back as Amber held up the spheres.

I had no way of gauging how effective alchemical bombs were, but if they made Nari nervous, they should pack a punch. “Nice, I just hope we won’t need them.” Amber’s grin changed to a determined grimace. “I agree with you there.”

As the group came closer, we saw it was a large pack of beast-kin, heavily armed and armored. As uncle saw them, however, he seemed to relax ever so slightly. “Ursus! Hope you haven’t run into those wretched strangers, as I am not in the mood for a fight right now.”

The leader of the group held up a hand, and the entire pack stopped. “Moor, what are you doing out here, and who are these people?” Uncle waked ahead of the rest of us. “Long story, that, why don’t you and your fellows come on in, so we can discuss it around a fire rather than out in the rain.” The leader hesitated for a moment. “Alright, we’re coming in.” However, given the circumstances, please keep your hands away from your weapons.”

Five minutes later, Ursus and uncle were seated around a fire inside the biggest tent. “So tell me, Moor, what are you doing out here? You rarely travel across the plains during the rains, so what gives?” Moor took a deep gulp from a cup of some strange drink I hadn’t seen before. “I was on my way to Labyrinthia’s Maze with my niece and little Amber here, when we ran into Nari. She was acting strange, so I examined her and found she was fighting some kind of blasted Void Magic.”

Ursus looked over at Nari with an expression of relief and… pity? “I see, considering your past, I doubt that sat well with you.” He took a deep sip from his own massive cup. Meanwhile, uncle finished his own and chuckled. “That’s quite the understatement.”

He refilled his cup. “I burst out of the portable cabin and began looking for traces of pursuers. Which, as it turned out, was both hasty and unwise. While I was gone, my nice Keari, and Amber dispelled the magic, and shortly after was attacked by the very pursuers I was looking for.” Ursus winced.

“When I returned, the door to my bedroom had been hidden behind a shelf and Keari was nowhere to be seen. Since the pursuers had left no tracks, it was obvious they used magic to hide themselves. So instead of pursuing them, I worked with Amber and Nari to help jog her memory of what had happened.” Ursus’ expression remained stoic.

“How much do-” Nari put a hand on his shoulder. “Everything, every single horrible second, Moor was kind enough to help me through the worst of it.” Ursus nodded slowly, then spun around and pulled Nari into a hug. “I am glad you're alright, Nari. Although I… Warin he…” Nari hugged him back. Then, after a few moments, mumbled something I couldn’t hear. “Uncle, let’s give them some space.” Moor nodded, and we left the tent.

“So, I take it you know Ursus?” Uncle nodded slowly. “The two of us go way back. He and Warin, Nari’s husband, used to be best friends.” I tilted my head. “What happened to-?” Uncle just shook his head. Oh, damn. “I guess Ursus found out somehow, though exactly how?” He gave a helpless shrug, then looked around. “Where’s Amber?” I pointed towards Ozweld’s tent. “Mixing alchemical concoctions with the Fizbottle’s. She’s been itching to do so since she got her new alchemical manuals.”

Uncle looked that way, then grunted. “Nothing can bet between her and her passion.” I followed his gaze, as Amber ran out and grabbed some things from a crate, then hurried back inside. “That’s our Amber, always itching for the next discovery.”

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By the time discussions were over and everyone in camp had been screened by the shamans to ensure they weren’t bewitched, the sun had set. “Chief, that’s the last of them. Everyone in camp bears traces of Void Magic, like Moor claimed. The only exceptions are Moor himself and the gnome he travels with… Amber, I think her name was?” I allowed myself a sigh of relief.

“Good, then we will return with the camp to the festival grounds first thing in the morning. Until then, have everyone remain on alert. The enemy is unaccounted for, and we do not know what they are up to. So, no one is to be on duty without a ward.” Tarsja nodded and hurried outside to relay my orders. As always, she was a boon to have along.

I turned towards a shadowed part of the tent. “So, what’s your thoughts on all this, old man?” Moor dropped his invisibility. “Your guess is as good as mine on this one, kid. Void Magic should have been impossible to even use after the battle 100 years ago. Where or how these people got their knowledge, let alone the ability to use it, is beyond me.”

If Moor didn’t know it, that left… “We should request an audience with the Oracle of the Labyrinth.” Moor looked at me. Then, after a short pause, he laughed. “If I wished to speak with Labyrinthia, I doubt I would need an audience. We’re old friends, after all. Then again… Indella was pretty angry with me when I left and might make me wait... Either way, I’ll ask about it when we arrive there.” I let out the breath I didn’t even know I was holding. “Thanks Moor, appreciate it.” Moor gave me a pat on the shoulder and vanished, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

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“Alright kid, what did you want to talk about?” Ever since Keari stepped out of the tent, it was obvious she’d been itching to ask something. Though right now, she seemed to have trouble finding the right words. “I- … I had a dream of some sort, but not a dream, if you get my point.”

My first instinct jumped to nightmare, but then the wording hit me. “A vision, or visitation, if I understand it correctly.” Keari looked up at me from where she was sitting and nodded slowly. “I think so.” I sat down beside her. “Tell me about it.”

After a brief explanation, it was obvious my guess had been correct. “Labyrinth of Dreams, eh? That’s what the common people call Labyrinthia’s Maze these days, as dream and reality intersect there. Makes me wonder what’s going on even more.” Whatever this was about, I wasn’t sure it was anything good. Sure, Pearl was a good kid, in her own way, but she had a bad habit of concocting the weirdest schemes.

“You think it was Labyrinthia herself?” Keari looked a mix of apprehensive and intrigued. “Can’t be anyone else. She’s the one who pointed your parents to your location, and the Maze is her domain. If it wasn’t her directly, then it was a trusted ally. No one else would have access to that power. Well, not for long, since Labyrinthia doesn’t like it when someone screws around with people’s dreams.”

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Uncle’s words helped clear some of the confusion, but I still had more questions than answers. Why had Labyrinthia created me with that defect in the first place? Why could I only be cured in her domain, and most important of all, WHAT WAS I? “Thanks, Uncle, I feel better. But…” He patted my shoulder and stuck a cup of tea into my hands.

“Labyrinthia has a penchant for doing things that would leave you bewildered. It’s in her nature as a Sphinx, and it only got stronger after her apotheosis.” That gave me pause. “You knew Labyrinthia before she became a Goddess?” Uncle’s smile faded somewhat, as his gaze grew distant. “I did, kid. Earlier, when I told you the story, I only told you the parts after the Void War. My involvement in that debacle started about a month prior. When we first met, she was a Dungeon Core, a Core we were trying to defeat. That first encounter nearly killed me.” He rose and wandered around the tent. Then chuckled, but it was far more bitter than happy.

Over the next few hours, Uncle told the entire story, about how he met her, their crazy adventure and the result. Amber wandered in partway through and plopped down next to me. Uncle had of, course told us the last part, but it painted a rather differing picture to know the entire thing. And yet, I felt like he was leaving something out, but I couldn’t for the life of me put my finger on it. “That’s quite the adventure to have.” Uncle turned to me, his distant gaze focusing on me. “That it was. I will say, though, I am grateful that Labyrinthia sent me to you guys, haven’t regretted a single day of it.”

Uncle suddenly coughed and turned away, but he couldn’t hide the tears in the corner of his eyes. I decided it was best not to question the nature of those tears, not at this moment, at any rate.

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The camp had grown quiet again, about damn time. It wasn’t the first time I had considered just letting the entire matter go, but no, I couldn’t after that display. Such power in such a small, frail package. I had my suspicions when we first met, but this was beyond even my wildest dreams. “You think we can reach the festival grounds safely now?”

I looked over at the Beast-kin beside me. The insignificant insect had dared to ask me a question. Then again, the whole point of this was to not cause a scene. “I sure hope so.” I gave the young man a reassuring smile. She had aided these people, so they had to have some kind of value, right?

I waved to the insect, pretending there was a chore I had to do, and hurried away. This entire venture was turning out far more interesting than I had originally expected. When she had been taken by those wretches, I had thought my first impression wrong, but no. “You keep impressing me, Keari. You might be the most valuable treasure of them all.” The guards never noticed me leaving the camp, but then, they never noticed me entering either.

Looking back, I once again shuddered at the giant cloud of magic hanging around the tent Keari was in. That old man scared me. How could any man have such a concentrated amount of magic and not self-destruct? Not to mention just what did he do to obtain it? If he was a dragon, I could understand, but a mere human?

Best to keep a low profile with him around. I did not favor my chances in a fight with a monster of that magnitude. With that in mind, I set out to hunt and make my camp for the night. I could talk to Keari later, preferably when the old man wasn’t around.

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The day was as miserable as you’d expect. The sun had set, but without provisions, shelter or slaves, morale in camp was at an all-time low. There was still a week back to the landing and even longer to receive reinforcements and supplies, if they would ever come at all. “These wretched beasts, we should have just blanked them all and been done with it.” I got some looks from the others, but no one was in a mood to have this discussion, not now.

“And I suppose you think you know better than I, Izrah?” Mistress? I looked around, but no, there was no one speaking to me. Then where? “I need a vessel on the front. You are my most loyal subject, and so you will sacrifice yourself for this.” There was no question. The answer was obvious to both of us. “Then open yourself to me.” I sensed something pouring into me, filling me as the world faded away.

“Lady Izrah, we need to take a breather.” One of Izrah’s subordinates put a hand on my shoulder. I opened my eyes and turned around. “Then rest we shall, but be ready to move by dawn. Reinforcements are already on the way.” The young woman stepped back, eyes wide, before he fell to her knees. “It shall be as you command, Mistress.”

Good, it meant Izrah had been useful for something after all. With a bit of luck, this whole situation might still be salvaged. “Oh, and assemble everyone here first. It would do their spirits well to see I have not abandoned them in their hour of need.” Best to stamp out any dissent before it began. Things would get worse for these wretches before it would get better, but then what better test of faith?

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The next morning was busy, but uneventful. Everyone was busy packing up and making ready for the trip to the festival grounds, their spirits far higher at the prospect of safety. “Uncle, you think everything will be alright now? I mean, I torched the camp, and these guys grabbed most, if not all, the supplies and gear as they ran off.”

Uncle didn’t answer, just snapped his book shut with a grim expression. “I somehow doubt that it’s going to be that easy, kid. It rarely is, where magic of that sort’s involved.” I picked up my pack, grabbed my rain cloak, and exited the tent with uncle following closely behind. Amber was already outside and in an in-depth discussion with Ozweld and Bellina about using Alkahest as an ingredient in some concoction I had never heard of before.

“Well, looks like today is another wet and dreary day on the plains in the rains.” Uncle gave a snort, as we met up with the four and began looking for Nari. “Expecting a day without a downpour during the rain is like asking the sea to part, so you can cross without getting wet, pointless.” I turned around and gave Nari a shrug. “Well, can’t blame me for hoping, right?”

Nari was about to respond when a loud commanding voice rose above the general clamor of the disassembling camp. “We will be leaving in about an hour. Get your stuff packed away and ready to go by then. Anything that’s not ready by then, WILL be left behind. We have to travel fast and can’t afford to be slowed down by unnecessary extras.”

The general chaos in camp increased as the tents were quickly taken down and people interrupted their breakfast to pack. Nari excused herself while me and uncle began taking down the tent I had been using while recovering. “Say, uncle, what are we going to do with the stuff inside the tent? I mean the bed you conjured, so that’s probably fine, but the storage chest and everything else.” Uncle shrugged. “I am certain the owners will be happy to take it. If not, we leave it behind.”

Well, I couldn’t really refute that logic. However, I didn’t need to worry. When we had finished stashing the tent onto a handcart, everything in the tent had been taken away, even the conjured bed. “Well, that helps, I suppose. Hey Amber, everything ready on your end?” Amber looked up from her swelling pack. “Everything's peachy here, don’t worry about me.”

The trip to the festival grounds was an uneventful, if wet, affair. Halfway there, the rain and wind picked up and the soggy ground turned to mud underfoot. Most of the people couldn’t hide their relief as they arrived at the large encampment. “Safety at last, thank you again for saving us, Ms. Keari.” Ozweld waved at me from the cart he was riding.

“Hey uncle, they will be safe here, right?” Uncle looked up from the book he was reading as we walked. “As safe as you can be anywhere on the plains with those people around, I suspect.” That wasn’t as reassuring as I’d hoped, but was also the most honest answer I could hope to get. With that in mind, I crossed through the makeshift entrance way and into the festival grounds themselves.

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I looked towards the door to my chambers. Any second now. The doors burst open and Grandfather stepped in, trying, and nearly failing, to keep an angry expression on his face. “Hello Grandfather, if it’s about my actions yesterday why don’t we just skip that, since you’re not furious, and move onto the more pressing matter.” He paused, then had the doors slam shut behind him with a wave of his hand, his angry expression dissipating into a gentle smile.

“What have you seen?” Rubolg’s tone was serious, despite his gentle smile. “Nothing, and that’s the worrying part. No visions at all, which means one of two things. It involves something from outside reality… or the Void.” Grandfather shook his head. “Every void entity I created has become an embodiment.” I sat up and levitated the tea cup Lienru had delivered a few minutes prior to my lips for a sip.

“Then that means a mortal with knowledge of Void Magic, or an intruder from outside existence is involved, or worse, both. I’ll see what I can find you in the dream realm, Grandfather, but don’t expect a miracle.” Rubolg nodded, as he scratched his beard. “I was hoping you would have found answers to what’s going on by now, but if it is like you suspect, I can understand the difficulty. Still, I can’t help but feel like we are missing something.”

I let the cup slowly float down to the floor again. “If someone who's supposed to be Omniscient worries about missing something, then I would say prepare for the worst.” Rubolg looked at me for a few moments, then nodded slowly. “Indeed, as always, your advice is sound. Well, I have taken up enough of your time, see you later, Labyrinthia.”

That was sudden. He vanished without even bothering to use the door. At least he has the courtesy to use it when he arrives, eh, Archives? That he did, and most likely something unrelated to this entire situation. Naah, no way that would be the case.

Because the two haven’t had a single fight for a century and have become practically inseparable. Hmm, true, that could be a point of worry. Not every day two deities would marry after all. No way, not in a million years. If Aunt Inlas wants a bridesmaid, she should get someone who isn’t over three times her height and actually has hands.

My decision is final. Besides, I am still not keen on meeting Medino again after that blunder. It doesn’t make it any less embarrassing, ya know. Ugh, that’s below the belt. Fine, FINE, tell them I will do it, dammit, as if I haven’t enough going on already. I could hear Archives’ chuckle in the back of my head as I left the chamber.

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For a festival, the atmosphere in camp wasn’t festive as we settled in for the night. The beast-kin were welcoming, but guarded, and I couldn’t exactly blame them for that. “Hey, Ashes, how long do you think we’ll stay here?” Amber looked at me from across the kitchen, where she was by prepping dinner for us.

Uncle had put up the cabin in a small open corner of the camp. “I have slept enough on the ground in my life.” Was the answer I got when I had asked why he didn’t just pitch a tent. Well, I couldn’t argue that this was better. The bed in the bedroom was absolutely spectacular, after all.

“I have no clue, Amber. Could be a day, could be a week. However, I doubt it will be the latter, considering what’s been going on. I have little doubt the Beast-Kin will want us out of here as soon as possible. Especially after two tribes have been confirmed all but destroyed and a third still unaccounted for.” Amber grabbed the cauldron and carried it over to the table.

“Well, guess we gotta hope Uncle can grab some rations then. Not that I have anything against magical food, it just tastes…” The door opened and Uncle entered. He seemed in good spirits, despite the dour atmosphere of the Festival grounds. “We will be setting out again tomorrow. I had planned to stay a few days originally, enjoy the festival and what-not. But with everything that’s going on, they aren’t too keen on outsiders staying among them longer than necessary. If it wasn’t for Nari, we’d been kicked out immediately, same with the Fizbottle’s.”

Uncle slumped down in his chair and gave a grateful nod as Amber handed him a bowl of soup. “Ursus has graciously given us enough supplies to last us to the forest, and Nari talked her mother into lending us some mounts.” Amber and I exchanged glances. “So their meeting went well?”

Amber blushed as she realized she had spoken out loud. Uncle looked at her silently for a few moments before he answered. “It was tense for a few moments, but they reconciled. Nari went to visit Warin’s grave with her Mother and Ursus as I left. It’s a private affair for family only, not something I should get involved in.” With that said, uncle began eating and Amber and I soon followed suit.