I’m at peace. We’ve been in Colonus for about two weeks and surprisingly nothing has happened. Once we landed everyone said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. There was no welcoming party, there was no parade, and there was no meeting with the lords. I expected all these things to happen after we got back but nothing of the sort occurred. I just awkwardly returned to my room to discover it hadn't changed at all. My books are still all over the ground the way I left them. I spend my days catching up on my reading and that’s pretty much it. I only left the castle grounds once since returning and that was to check on Will. Apparently he was suffering from aura exhaustion but I found out that wasn’t the case at all or if it was he was healed by the time I went to visit. He was wearing a disguise and going by the name “Bill” so I know that he’s just putting on an act so he doesn’t have to do anything. I don’t blame him, I don’t want to do anything either. I’m content with my schedule of reading 24/7. This is my new life as a retiree. I’m not being made to do anything ever again. If they ask me I’ll say “I took a bullet for this country” and that’ll be the end of the conversation. That’ll be my new catch phrase.

After finishing the fifth volume of the biography of Emperor Zarkin who was emperor from 300-305 AC I hear a knock at my door. A sense of dread fills my body.

“My boy are you in there!? Knowing you I bet you are!” the very masculine voice questions.

Oh my god is Armstrong. Ok quick figure out how to make him go away.

“No!” I answer.

I facepalm myself. Why did I respond? I got so scared the answer just sputtered out.

“I knew it! Come on out boy, we've got things to discuss!”

“...Me no Quincy. Mi nombre….Castro” I explain in very broken spanish.

This plan is perfect. Now there’s no way he can know it’s me. My brain is too big for you Armstrong, I’m too smart. Now he’ll have to go away, there’s no way he can understand Spanish. I pat myself on the back when the door to my room is kicked down.

“Second hero there you are! I just finished seeing William now it’s your turn.” he greets entering my sanctuary.

NO MY PLAN! This brute, I forgot he just forces his way through everything. Instinctively I pick up a random book and throw it at him. He effortlessly grabs it with one hand and crushes it. NO I LIKED THAT BOOK!

“Anyway my boy I hope you enjoyed your break because now it’s time to get back to work”

“What work? There is no work, work is over. I’m retired. I took a bullet for this country. Leave me alone”

“Hah! Just one?! Friends I know have multiple shells in their bodies. My friend Jack had five in his body by the time he was your age. I have three. They’re all around here I think?” he says as he points at his right chest.

“....This world is insane”

Ignoring me he continues “Remember the Westphalian Grand Skirmish? We talked about it a long time ago. It’s happening soon, surely you’ve seen the advertisements around Colonus”

“I haven’t left the castle for 2 weeks”

“...I’m impressed by your determination to not see sunlight. But you remember what it is, yes?”

“Yeah I remember everything I read. It’s a giant fighting tournament between the guilds and the winning guild gets a giant dumb trophy.”

“Exactly. It’s the perfect place to settle debts and prove that our guild is the best once again for we are the strongest.”

“Good for you. Why did you bring it up?”

“Because you’re signed up to participate.”

“Nah I ain’t. I ain’t participating in squat. I’m retired. Took a bullet for this country, I’m done.”

“Hah! I knew you’d say something like that. That’s why I thought of a backup plan.”

“There’s nothing you can do that will make me participate in some dumb tournament. I already have all that I need.”

“Oh I know. That’s why if you don’t participate I’m telling the Lords you aren’t keeping up your end of the bargain. That means they’ll take all these books back.”

“...Huh?”

“You heard me. Don’t you remember? The lords believe you have promise so they want you to become strong and become a hero but you said only on the condition you’d get your books. If you retire, that’d mean you aren’t doing what the lords asked of you, so that means they’ll take the books back.”

“Don’t play with me old man. Is this what I think it is?”

“A threat? Yes it is!”

No, god dang it I thought I was the smart one here. I was supposed to have the big brain not Armstrong. My hatred for this man is at its peak. He’s beaten me up multiple times and is now threatening my books. I can fight him now right? I must’ve gotten stronger since the last time we met. Maybe I can kill him. I take another look at his body and forget that idea. He’s still on a whole different level.

“Fine...I’ll participate. I’m going to kill you one day though.”

“Hahaha! You’ll have to get much stronger if you want to do that! I heard about the fights you’ve been in, you’re still struggling with the small fry. But don’t worry, that just means we have to train more.”

“There is no way the Reapers were small fry ok? Don’t trivialize our accomplishments”

“Sorry but I have to call as I see it. The people you fought were quite weak compared to the people I know. Now if you defeated the Man of Stone, that’d be an accomplishment but alas you only beat some underlings. Don’t take this the wrong way, you got a lot of experience out of your adventure. We all thought you were just going to fight angry farmers which wouldn’t have taught you anything. When I found out you fought people of some note I was quite relieved.”

“Alright shut up I get it. Can you leave?”

“Not yet. I also was told to update you on your education. Since you’ve been gone your North Point assignments have been piling up. Expect to receive a lot of work tomorrow mailed to your room. The details will be in the mail. You have a lot to make up for.”

Assignments? Jesus I forgot that North Point was a thing, I was hoping they’d drop me out for not attending or at least exempt me because you know, I was putting down a rebellion.

“Now I’m really depressed, can you leave now?”

“Nope one more thing. The lords are ready for you. You need to go there asap.”

“....This is the worst day ever.”

“I suppose you’re not going to be happy to know that your training begins again tomorrow morning as well.”

“COME ON!” I yell in disbelief.

This is too much to handle at once. So much bad news in such a short span of time surely isn’t good for my body.

“Ok now I’m done. See you tomorrow morning second hero and good job for what you did in Ayana” Armstrong congratulates, leaving my room.

Alone I sit in my chair hoping it’ll swallow me up. I have no motivation to move. In fact I have no motivation to live. This is so much bs to handle. I gotta study more, I gotta fight in a tournament, I have to train with Armstrong, and I have to go to a meeting that I know will be a pain. I know Akane told me about it a few weeks ago but since nothing happened I was hoping it was called off. Reluctantly I get out of my chair only to fall into a pile of books. Now laying on my back looking at the ceiling I take a deep breath. I’m having one of those self reflective moments, a moment when I just stop and think about my life. I think about all I’ve been through and it hits me that I haven’t made any progress in my journey to go home. Great, that's another thing to be depressed about. I tried those cursed books but those didn’t help. I need to ask Will if he can read any more of that weird language, it’s either that or I abandon everything and try to go find some monks I heard about, apparently they can read them. Regardless, right now I have to go to a meeting. I get up and head to the lords’ chamber.

After walking through the usual extravagant hallways which have lost their luster because I’ve seen them so often I arrive at the grand door that leads to where the lords are. However I don’t head inside because in front of it is a very depressed Will.

“Oh hey Bill”

“Oh hey Quincy”

With the greeting out the way we just stare at the giant door together. Neither of us wants to go in there.

“Do we really have to go in there? I don’t want a headache right now.” I ask.

“I want to say no, but everyone else would say yes.”

“Maybe we can get out of this. There has to be something.”

“Like what? I can’t be in the hospital anymore.”

“Just open a portal. Let’s just get far away from here. Never to return.”

“Not a bad idea. I could-”

“What are you two talking about?” a voice interrupts.

We both turn around to see a stern looking Azura.

“Ugh nothing” Will blurts out.

“It sounded like you two were talking about escaping.”

“What? Noooooooo” Will dismisses in a very unconvincing voice.

“Yeah that’s not what we were talking about. Will and I were...talking about….preparing ourselves for this amazing meeting we’re about to head into”

“Yep, that's definitely it. We are so excited” Will adds.

“Ok then go in” Azura orders.

Will and I exchange glances. It’s not too late, there has to be a way out of this but first we need to stall.

“We can’t go in yet. We have to stretch first.” I point out.

“Yeah Azura we need to stretch, it’s for our health.”

“But you guys are going to be sitting down”

“Irrelevant! Will begin the stretches” I command.

Will and I begin impromptu stretches that make us look like idiots in the hallway as Azura looks on in confusion. This proceeds for two minutes.

“Hey Will you stretch your deltoids?” I ask.

“Oh I haven’t. Thank you for reminding me. Quincy have you stretched your..gluteus maximus?”

“No I haven’t. I’ll….wait how do I stretch my butt? Why would you ask that anyway?”

“I dunno”

“Ok you two are obviously stalling. Just go in there and get it over with. I’d come with but they only asked for you two. Once you two go in I’m heading back to Dragon’s Descent. I just wanted to make sure Will actually went to the meeting.” Azura calls out.

“Ugh” Will and I groan.

“Will if it gets too painful we’re bouncing.”

“Obviously.”

With that out the way Will and I open the door together. Inside we see a sea of people staring back at us. Will and I awkwardly make our way in. As we walk down the central walkway I realize that every seat is filled. Usually whenever we met up with the lords it would’ve been just them sitting in their seats looking down at us but now all the seats that are reserved for the audience are occupied. To my left and right are people in uniforms and fancy robes eying us. It feels like holes are being drilled into my body. I try to ignore them by looking straight ahead and see that the lords are in their usual spots. Right beneath them is a table I didn’t notice before that is cluttered with papers. People are seated at said table constantly examining its contents. I can’t tell who they are but they remind me of lawyers who are desperately trying to find a legal document. To my left off to the side there is a man at a typewriter typing everything that’s being said. It feels like I just entered a Supreme Court hearing.

“Who’s next?” Creon angrily asks, sounding like this whole meeting is a bother.

A person in one of the front rows gets up and joins the other people at the table.

“Captain Marianne Gordon Sir” Marianne replies.

Not knowing what to do Will and I awkwardly sit down in random seats because it looks like no one wants to talk to us yet. This was not what we expected to see. I don’t feel dressed for the occasion at all, I thought this meeting would be more laid back.

“Oh I remember you. I’ve seen you on the military recruitment posters” Alkis remarks

“Y-yes sir. You’ve also seen me in person quite a few times” Marianne corrects.

“Ahhhhh you know how old age is. You start to forget sometimes, isn't that right Borin?”

“Speak for yourself Alkis. My mind is as sharp as ever.”

“I-I-I forget faces sometimes and I-I’m young so it’s ok.” Bobbie adjoins.

Ok I’m starting to remember who’s who. Creon is the a-hole, Jana is the old lady. Bobbie is the young one who stutters. Alkis is the one that’s passive aggressive and always has a weird smile on his face. Borin is Lilith’s grandfather. Alderman wears a veil and doesn’t say anything. Finally Tristam is the...normal one I guess?

“Enough with the chit chat. Let’s get to the point. You were one of the commanding officers part of the assault on Lucius’s compound, correct?” Creon interrupts.

“Yes sir.” Marianne affirms.

“In your report you stated that you encountered in your words a ‘multi-tentacled creature that had the body of an octopus with the legs of a tiger’. You stand by this?”

“Yes sir, as outlandish at it may appear that’s what I fought”

“What happened to the body?”

“It started to disintegrate after we killed it sir.”

The lords go over some papers that are at their desks, perhaps to find the report Marianne wrote. I have no idea what’s going on, I’m only slowly putting the pieces together.

“So you truly believe that what you encountered was a demon?” Creon eventually questions.

Upon hearing this the audience gasps. Will and I look at each other in confusion. Why is that so shocking?

“Yes sir I fully believe we encountered a demon.”

“Do you believe it now Creon you ignorant buffoon? Here is direct testimony that demons walk among us. The demon wave is closer than anticipated.” Jana insults.

“Now hold on there’s no guarantee that was a demon. Man made monstrosities are a dime a dozen. This isn’t definitive proof that demons are escaping the dungeons.”

“Creon for the love of- If the girl told you the sky was blue you’d say it’s red.” Jana says, sounding exasperated.

“It doesn’t matter if it was a demon or not. We need to focus on the fact that the rebels had a Valantir. How did a group of pissed off farmers obtain one of the most ancient magical artifacts that exist?” Tristam cuts in.

“Tristam has a point. Valantirs are only meant to be used as a means of communication between users. One is located in each of our courts to be used between lords only, yet none are missing. How did the rebels find out their ancient purpose and find one?” Borin asks.

“I-I don’t know sir. We had no reports that a valantir was taken from the archives. We also don't know how the underground compound beneath the castle was built. There’s no record of construction happening in the Teutoburg forest.” Marianne explains.

“Hmmm well it is a reserve so of course the construction wasn’t done legally. Are the captured rebels talking?” Alkis next inquires.

“No sir. We captured hundreds of them but they all claimed they had no idea what happened underneath the castle.”

“Did you use torture?” Creon bluntly questions.

“N-no sir.”

“Do it. Make them talk.”

“Ignore that order, Creon you don’t have the authority. You should show some affection for your own subjects” Jana reprimands.

“They’re nothing but criminals in my eyes.”

“Regardless, we're getting off track. I’m afraid we’re dealing with something more dangerous than angry peasants.” Borin claims.

“A-a-agreed. I-I don’t think peasants are responsible. I-It may be a demon cult. I-It’s not surprising given the prophecy.” Bobbie announces.

“Here we go about that prophecy again.” Creon grumbles.

“A demon cult isn’t much of a problem. All of our states have dealt with a few over the years. What bothers me is that if it is a demon cult then this is the most organized one this country has ever seen. It would align up with Lucius’s writings as well. If the rebels didn’t know what was happening underground then that means he was working with another group and that group would have to be a demon cult. Borin declares.

“Lucius is insane. His writings mean nothing to me nor should they mean anything to anyone else. I’m going to tell you what happened. Once he was imprisoned for his war crimes he clearly lost his mind starting to ramble about some ‘horned one’. He escaped and to get revenge he started the peasant rebellion. He’s a rich man, he most likely financed everything himself. There is no demon cult on the scale being proposed.” Creon argues.

“He must be somewhat sane if he wants you dead Creon” Alkis jokes.

“Quiet Alkis!” Creon shoots back.

A quiet pause fills the room. The lords are all taking deep breaths to calm down. Tristam is the one to break the silence.

“Given the threat that everyone except Creon acknowledges, should we get the Order of Purification involved?” Tristram proposes changing the topic.

This question makes Alderman tilt his head slightly, this was the first statement in this whole conversation that elicited a reaction from him.

“I think that’s too premature. We don’t need Purifiers running amok raiding people’s homes, turning the country upside down to find this alleged group.” Borin denounces.

“B-b-b-b-b-but if it is a demon cult on this scale w-we need them” Bobbie contends.

“Perhaps but once we let them loose they won’t be accountable to anyone except the Emperor.” Jana maintains.

“They’re busy handling real threats. Witches, necromancers, wraiths, monsters, and all those other abominations. They don’t need to be wasting their time with this.” Creon lectures.

“Of course Creon is against the idea. Captain, what do you think?” Borin asks Marianne.

“Sir, I think the military can handle this, we just need more time. We’ll get to the bottom of things.” Marianne affirms.

The lords seem satisfied with that answer as they all shake their heads in agreement.

“Very well the military will look into this matter for the time being.” Tristam announces.

“D-do we have any more q-q-q-q-questions for the captain?” Bobbie asks the other lords.

The other lords shake their heads in the negative. All except Alderman, he hasn’t moved since tilting his head. Is he alive?

“You’re dismissed, captain.” Creon states.

“Yes sir.”

Marianne gets up from her seat and sits back at her original spot. Looking at it I realize that Ricon and Ice Cube are sitting next to her, no Luther though. They must’ve all been questioned like Marianne just was. Going by the look of things the lords have been holding hearings for quite some time. They must’ve been busy the past two weeks.

“Ok who’s next?” Creon asks the audience.

I look around and no one answers. I look at Will and see a secretary go up to him and hand him a paper. He reads it and sits up.

“Ugh me?” he announces.

“Ah, first hero. How’re you doing?” Alkis happily queries.

“Ok I guess?”

He takes the seat Marianne was just in a few minutes ago. Now he’s in the hot seat.

“Calm down boy no one’s going to hurt you. We know you don’t know much, we’re here to congratulate you” Creon reveals.

“Not only congratulate you but apologize. You’ve been through more than any of us could’ve imagined. You’ve been through harrowing circumstances. We did not expect you to fight such powerful foes. We only expected you to put down angry farmers.” Jana adds.

“Good learning experience. He must be much stronger now.” Borin includes.

“Thanks but I didn’t do much. I didn’t defeat anyone on my own.” Will acknowledges.

“True but that just means you learned the value of teamwork. The parade is scheduled to happen a few days before the start of the Grand Skirmish, you should enjoy it and we look forward to seeing you participate. We also heard you got promoted in the adventurer’s guild, congratulations” Tristam points out.

All this praise makes Will look uncomfortable as he looks at the ground.

“Is the second hero here as well?” Jana asks.

I uncomfortably stand up and say “Y-yeah. Hi.”

“Congratulations to you as well. I heard you sustained an injury, correct?”

“I have a bullet in my head now because of what you all made me do. Can I retire but keep my books?”

The lords momentarily look at each other and start laughing.

“Only one bullet? I have two in my lower abdomen.” Borin confesses.

Jesus, does having a bullet in my head mean nothing?

“Boy that just means you aren’t strong enough. If you were, you wouldn’t have that bullet in your head. No you can’t retire unless you don’t want your books anymore. However I’m getting tired of students asking me where all the history books in the Grand Library went so I’m ok with you saying yes.” Creon carps.

“...No I’m not retiring then...freaking a-holes.” I grumble.

“Um, is there anything you need from us?” Will asks.

“No first hero. You two just focus on getting stronger. What’s happening now is out of your control. We’ll handle things from here. We just wanted to give you our thanks on a job well done, I know you two have been through a lot. ” Jana tells him.

“Before we forget we also wanted to let you know neither of you are to disclose anything relating to what occurred under the castle. There will be no mention of it to anyone outside this room. If anyone asks, you are only to detail what happened above ground. Do not mention the valantir or the underground complex” Tristram orders us.

“Why is that?” Will asks.

“We don’t need to cause a panic. As far as the public is concerned you just put down a normal peasant rebellion. We’ll release the fact that Lucius started the rebellion and give the press his writings so that the world will know he’s a madman. However we can’t let the people know just how close he was to succeeding” Creon elaborates.

Hearing this I pause to think about the implications. If nothing that happened underground will be acknowledged, what does that mean for Warren? Don’t people need to know how his friends died?

“Hold up, wait a minute. What does that mean for the adventurers who saved us all?” I question

“As far as the public will know they passed away as prisoners of the rebels.” Borin answers.

“So nobody outside this room will know of their sacrifice? Only the government will know the truth? That’s who all these people are right? Government officials?”

“Yes everyone in this room is either a member of one of our courts or in the military. Nothing would be accomplished by telling the truth, making people worry for no reason. We discussed it with Armstrong and he agrees that’s how it has to be.”

“That’s bullsh*t!” I yell, still standing in front of my seat.

Everyone looks at me but I don’t care. My body wants to rush up there and beat up each lord but I hold myself back.

“Boy you better calm down.” Creon barks.

I clench my fist in anger. I’m about to knock Creon’s teeth out. I look at the crowd and see Marianne looking at me. She’s shaking her head left and right warning me to not do anything rash. My eyes then meet Ice Cube who’s doing the same thing. I breathe heavily which allows me to compose myself. I sit back down.

“The two heroes are dismissed. Who’s next?” Creon questions already forgetting what just happened.

Will and I regroup and together we head out the room.

“Quincy you ok?” Will asks me now that we’re in the hallway once again but alone as Azura has left a long time ago.

“I’m alright. I just need to lay off some steam. Probably read like five books in a row.” I tell him.

“Well that’s better than punching the lords in the face.”

“Yeah but it won’t be as satisfying.”

“True. Guess I’ll see you later?”

“Yeah see you later Will” I say heading back to my room.

I left my room depressed and am now going back to it angry. I was right about that meeting; it gave me a headache.