“There will be bastions of light amongst the dark, and great, unlikely heroes will rise to fight back against the dark. A new dawn will come, once all is ash.”

The Oracle of Reeds, some seven centuries past, the sole to reach 40th level and survive

“Bim Selkis has recently attained 40th level. He was, less than a season ago, a mere level 5 . Now he has created an entirely new class, has banished two of our number, and has allied with Vainen, the Circle, and many other momentous mortals. Esultare is gone, as is Kandrev. We’re the Quartet now, not the Hexad. Soon we might be the Trinity. We must band together, lest any one of us be next.” Diren, Esultare of the continent of the same name, as always, appealed to sound logic.

“Bah.” Nok said, unimpressed. “With Esultare out of the picture, you just want me to call off the offensive. I sustain the Demon King alone, now, and that means Kandrev and your pitiful land will soon be mine. I’ll break new ground when it comes to power, and once I suborn Vrogott and Ushorin, I’ll have the power of all of us combined. I’ll remake the Gears as I see fit. I need not trouble myself with some boy. I’ll simply send more Demons. Now where’s Vrogott?”

“Away. He and Ushorin are cowards, running away to their continents. They’re trying to find a way to fully manifest in the physical realm and get out of the Spirit Realm, so as to not give that Bim his unfair advantage.”

“Foolishness. Don’t speak of fairness. We’re Archons, not feckless mortal cattle. We are our own justice, and we instill our own law, and such law is made holy by our estimation. Now, our combined levels near 200. We’re unstoppable. Cease your prattle and join me in slaying these particular thorns decisively.”

✦

Level 8 earned!

gained!

In the last day, Develeon had gained the class, leveled 8 times in it, and leveled once in his Class, gaining the prefix from killing a that appeared from among the local fishermen.

Devoleon was one step closer to creating a finished Elixir of Immortality, though he knew he only had days left to do the impossible. How was he supposed to create an Elixir that a level 30 , with fifty years of experience, hadn’t been able to? He wished he had Andrium, or perhaps just any skilled or , to aid him with the process.

He didn’t have time, as always. Never any time. Still, he could protect these people and keep them safe. He was level 34 now, one of the fifteen highest level people alive.

He had so little time, and so much to do.

✦

“I’m sorry, Caelene, Dolnott. I must go. Four more remain, and I must gather more allies. I will topple them, and see this world reborn, saved. I’m sorry.”

And with that, Bim Selkis, , departed through a tear in the veil, back to Esun, seeking out more allies, who would likely die to see the world saved and the Archons broken before the will of Man.

Bim arrived in Lakeside two days later, going by scattered and overgrown roads and trails. It was the sixth day since his banishment of Kandrev, and he knew things were coming apart. He had heard stories, that entire cities and towns were dropping away into the Abyss, becoming one with nothing. The spells of fluctuated wildly as the very nature of magic warped and changed on a dime. Bim just felt lucky that he was able to find a Veil within two days’ journey of Lakeside, as he had seen many Veils close spontaneously on his way through the Spirit Realm.

He met two guards at the gate, and dimly realized that he turned 15 today. He wore white robes, stained with the blood of Archons and his own sweat, and the world’s dirt. He had scruffy hair on his chin. He should shave, he thought. Later, perhaps. One of the guards smiled at him.

“‘Ello, traveler. I’m Bob, and this grumbly fellow is Rory. What can we do fer you tonight?”

“I need to speak with the Chief Administrator, on urgent matters.”

“No can do, buckaroo. The Big Man’s too busy, I’m afraid. Ye can come in and warm yourself up, though.”

“Tell him it’s Bim Selkis. He’ll know who I am.”

“Awright.” Bob turned to open the gate, but Rory put out a hand.

“Hang on a minute, stranger, you look like you’re not even of age yet. Why should we go about doing what you say all of a sudden?”

“Oh, for Heavens’ sake.” Bim turned, and stomped the ground. “.” A wave of power rippled out, and the entirety of Lakeside was clean, dry, and practically sparkling new in a moment.

Talent Advancement unlocked!

🠊

“I’m level 40, for the love of everything, and I need to speak with Collin. Please.”

Collin Mel Walsh, a man in his early sixties, had never expected to be the leader of one of the last bastions of concrete civilization amongst an encroaching Abyss and legions of Demons. Nonetheless, he tried to handle himself with dignity and project confidence, ensuring that most Lakesiders held strong as the days became shorter and the nights longer, and the Demons more and more common.

All of which made it especially extraordinary that he spat his coffee onto his desk, choked continuously for a minute, before regaining his composure and staring blankly at Bim. “So you’re saying my mother died, has been resurrected, and is currently trying to slay the Demon King again?”

“In short, yes. Also, the Abyss swallowing everything won’t stop, and the world might completely vanish in the next few days. Oh, and the Archons are out to get me. I think I covered everything.”

Collin was silent for a time, and then laughed, almost manically. “I shouldn’t expect anything less from her, or you, for that matter. You’re a madman, Bim, no two ways about it. At least you’re on my side. Level 40 at 15, son of the Sky…” Collin murmured that last part to himself in open incredulity.

“We need to build up our defences. How long can you afford to stay?”

“Not very long.” Bim said solemnly. “I’m mostly here to gather any resources you can spare for the effort, and help in any way I can. I am the highest level in history now, you know.”

“True, true, and we can use that.” Collin said, nodding. “I’ll see what I can scrounge up to help, but I can’t promise anything.”

Level 23 earned!

The Abyss advanced, and vast swathes of the world were unmade.