Now, Northern California

Time brought a change in the seasons, which in Southern California meant it got slightly warmer as winter gave way to spring.

Up north was different. An indication of how large the state was that one part could be so markedly different, at least when it came to the temperature ranges.

Of course, none of this mattered to Cal or Nila. It took true extremes to bother them. As such they were clad in simply jeans and shirts, while the toddler was bundled up against the cool spring air.

Cal carried a large bundle aloft behind him, floating it with telekinesis.

A gift to those he saw as allies and maybe friends of a sort.

“Oh a park!” Nila said as she glanced to the other side of the street. “And a playground! Me and him are going to play while you take care of business.”

“You could say ‘hi’?”

“And I will… after you finish with the boring stuff. I’m on vacation.”

“A three month vacation? Your arm healed a long time ago.”

“Yeah and? You’re not the boss of me,” Nila stuck her tongue out, which the toddler mimicked with a laugh.

“You know, I was worried about being a bad example, but you’re the truly dark one leading him astray.”

“I figure I’m just teaching him to have fun in the way humans do,” Nila shrugged. “Don’t want him wound up too tightly.”

“He’s not even a year and a half old.”

“Exactly. What better time to not care about what others think.”

“Fine. Fine. Go play. Be careful,” Cal waved them away.

“This is Watch territory. I know they keep it safe,” Nila snorted.

“Yeah, but that territory protection rule seems to be loosening. When I spoke to the governor he mentioned that the bigger monsters, like wyverns, have been actually attacking inside the claimed areas.”

“Better give me your moon gun then,” Nila held out her free hand.

“Hawkmoon,” he mumbled as he handed it over along with the ammo belt. “Be careful.”

“You’ll detect any threats well-before I’d notice,” Nila shrugged. “I trust you to come right away.”

“Still… you shouldn’t take that for granted.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Nila waved Cal’s handcannon as she jogged across the street while carrying the toddler.

Cal walked down the block, alongside the ten-foot-tall wall of concrete topped by barbed wire.

“Stop right there!” a voice called down from the guard tower set at the corner ahead of him.

The young man pointed an assault rifle at him.

He held up his hands. “Hi! I’m here to speak with Watch Captain Lawrence. Tell her it’s ‘Cal’ and I’ve got a few gifts.”

“It’s Watch Commander Lawrence!” the young man barked.

“Oh, I didn’t know that and I think that’s bad opsec on your part,” he grinned, “I won’t tell though.”

The young man flushed and stifled a curse before calling down to someone on the inside of the wall.

“You can come around to the front gate,” the young man scowled down.

“Thanks.”

He moved around the corner and was quickly ushered inside the fortified compound.

The new Watch base appeared to have been a mixed-use set of buildings once.

Apartments up top and a variety of old businesses on street level. He spotted restaurants, a hardware store, a martial arts gym and a few other useful places.

He didn’t recognize any of the young watch members as they led him inside what was once a real estate office. They eyed him and the floating package trailing him with awe and suspicion.

“Don’t worry. They’re safe… well, not against your enemies… and after you’ve learned how to use them properly, otherwise you could hurt yourself,” he amended.

They led him to a large office where the people he had come to see were waiting.

Demi, Hanna and Jake.

“Yo!” Jake grinned. “So, like, the governor’s kinda pissed about this. There I said it and now they can’t get mad at me for not following orders.”

“What the hell can he be mad bout?”

“Don’t know,” Jake shrugged, “probably cause your bringing this huge secret thing, which—” he took out a smartphone and pointed it at the bundle floating behind Cal, “is whatever you’ve got in there that’s reading as magical.” He took a step forward before stopping himself. “Basically, he doesn’t like that your bringing this to the Watch first.”

“Well… they, along with you, I trust and you’ve all got the best abilities and track records that I feel will make the most out of my little gifts. What you might learn from them, I have no problem with you sharing with the rest.”

“They don’t look little,” Hanna said.

“I have a good idea what you’ve got, Cruces, so get on with it,” Demi said.

He unceremoniously dropped the bundle on the Watch Commander’s desk. “Congratulations on the class upgrade by the way,” he said as he unwrapped the blanket to reveal four weapons.

“Don’t mention it… so, magic weapons? You bought them? Cause there’s no way we’re going to be able to pay you back.”

“They’re a gift.”

“Uh huh… what’s the catch?”

Hanna eyed the weapons. “Arming sword, katana, Dane axe and I don’t know what sort of bastardization this last one is,” she held up the blade, “like a butcher knife stretched out to a shortsword length. At least it’s balanced,” she gave the weapon a few experimental swings, “whoever made this should’ve put a point on the end. Leaving it blunt is just a waste.” She returned the blade to the desk and hefted the Dane axe with a grunt. “Too heavy… what’s with the metal sheath, looks like the head and it were forged as one. Why not just use langets and save weight?” she tapped the metal sheath that ran from the bottom of the axe head for about two feet down the length of the haft.

“It’s to protect the wood from the effects of the enchantment when activated.”

“You’d need a pretty high Enhanced Strength to use this effectively,” Hanna said.

Jake picked up the katana and ran his smartphone over the blade.

“Can you tell what kind of enchantment?”

“No,” Jake sighed. “I can tell it’s magical… that’s it.”

“That and the arming sword are fire, while the axe freezes and the weird short sword shocks.”

“How much did you spend?” Demi said.

“Not important.”

“I’d like to know anyways.”

“Sure, but like I said it’s a gift and I don’t hold you to any expectations beyond that… about 75000 Universal Points.”

“Holy shit!” Jake let out a whistle.

“That’s a lot. I saw some running from between 5K and 10K,” Hanna said. “Why’d you buy these ones, specifically?”

“I messaged the different sellers and asked them a ton of questions. Most didn’t answer, some seemed to be full of shit. This one sounded the best as far as appearing to be knowledgeable about what they’re selling. Sexchanter69 seemed the most credible. I’m trying to set up a face to face meeting. He or she is understandably reluctant, but I can offer what most can’t… a fortune in Universal Points.” There was also one other reason, but he kept that to himself.

“That’s too much. We can’t take these,” Demi said.

“Jesus, relax about the cost already. Remember, I told you about my Vegas trip? I already had a ton from the Philippines and the 75K barely touches what I got from a few months in the desert.”

“That new encounter challenge? Even if you didn’t kill any of the bat people you still got a lot of points,” Hanna said.

“There’s value in being the first to simply discover things.”

“I wonder why?” Jake said.

“Probably because being the first to discover things means a high chance of death. I’m just lucky with my abilities letting me get away with that.”

“So, how do I turn it on,” Hanna lifted the arming sword.

“The instructions were simple. Only the wielder can activate it. You focus on the trigger word, ‘ignite’, in your head and you say it out loud with the conviction that the blade will erupt. Might want to give her some space,” he pulled Jake away from Hanna. “You should keep the blade away from your body. It flares quite a bit at first.”

“Ignite,” Hanna said.

The blade burst into flames that caused three out of the four people in the large office to flinch.

The fire died down until it coated the upper two-thirds of the steel blade.

Hanna gave it a few experimental swings and thrusts, careful to keep the burning blade from touching her body. “It’s hot, but, sorry to say this, I don’t think it’s practical,” she said.

“What?” Jake’s mouth dropped, aghast. His eyes had been practically glittering with joy at the sight. “It’s a flaming sword!”

“Yeah, so… I’ll burn you in addition to cutting and stabbing you. An enemy would be just as injured or dead without the fire,” Hanna said.

“What about if you’re fighting someone or something that you can’t stab or cut, but is vulnerable to fire?” Jake said.

“Unlikely.”

Jake sighed at Hanna. “What about non-corporeal monsters? Or the undead,” he jabbed a finger at her, “undead are vulnerable to fire. I’d bet Bennett wouldn’t like you waving that in his face. Or those aswang… a flaming sword would’ve been useful against them… I bet.”

“We don’t know that for sure,” Demi said. She regarded Cal. “How do you shut it off?”

“The shut-off word is ‘extinguish’.”

“Extinguish,” Hanna said.

The fire disappeared and left a blade with a slight glow that slowly dimmed.

“There’s your real problem,” Demi nodded. “How long can the steel take it? How many times before it fails? You wasted your points.”

“I realized the issues and it wasn’t a waste. I didn’t buy them primarily to be used. I bought them with the hope that you guys would be able to get those R&D kids, research team, other Mages and yourself,” he nodded at Jake, “to take a look and figure out how to replicate and improve. That way you can have flaming swords, freezing axes and shocking knives without those drawbacks.”

“That’s a more reasonable take,” Demi said after a moment. “Is that all you’re here for?”

“What? A guy can’t say ‘hi’ to old allies and friends?”

“A guy can do multiple things in one visit,” Demi said.

“Instincts or a Skill?”

“Both.”

“What level are you guys? I mean, just a ball park, you don’t have to tell me specifically,” he said hurriedly, “I know that’s rude.”

“Level 35,” Jake said.

The two women frowned.

“What? I don’t care if he knows.”

“Low-mid 30’s,” Demi said. “We’ve been more active going outside the safe zone and fighting stronger monsters, even if it’s more costly.”

“Not that safe anymore,” Jake grunted.

“I heard,” Cal said.

“I’m almost 40,” Hanna said.

Cal raised a brow.

“I’ve had to go monster hunting out in the wilderness to make up for my Threnosh gear. Needed more of a challenge,” Hanna said.

“That’s putting it mildly, she killed a wyvern last week after it chewed through one of our squads,” Jake said.

“Impressive… how’d you like more of those? Challenges, I mean?”

“The last time we went somewhere on your word people died. The Watch may not have lost as much as the rangers and the state, but we still felt it keenly,” Demi said.

“It could end up the same,” Cal admitted. “Before you say anything, let me tell you a story. It starts years ago on another world.”

He told them about Zalthyss and a Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy.

Then he told them about a church with a suspicious name much closer to home.

Of a song or music, he couldn’t tell the difference, that had followed him from one world to another.

“Look, I’ve got a lot of irons in the fire. This is just one of them, though it’s first on the list. Strictly investigatory at first. I’m looking to gather a small team or high-powered people. I won’t expect any of you to tangle with Zalthyss if it has an actual, physical presence on our world.”

“That’s not all you’re after,” Demi said.

“Can’t get anything past you,” he grinned at her stony facade. “I’m aiming to unite distant communities in a common defense of this world. The bat people are only the first invaders and they’re restricted to that encounter challenge for a generation or two. Not so the Dominion. Their cragants are already invading the Threnosh world. Our world is the next one over. The Deep Azure, the fog entity, the Vitiator—”

“Man, elves are supposed to be good guys,” Jake muttered.

“Point is,” Cal continued, “we have no idea what’s out there. What’s next?”

Hanna regarded Demi for a moment. “I can’t leave. Now that the safe areas, maybe aren’t so safe,” she said.

“I’m in,” Jake’s face fell, “but only if I’m allowed. I’ll have to ask the governor.”

“Volunteers only.”

“You want high-leveled people, Cruces. The problem is we need our high-leveled people to fight against the monsters and the cult,” Demi said.

“I don’t want entire squads. Just a handful of people.”

“What about people in their 20’s?” Hanna said.

“I can’t guarantee safety. They’d be at risk.”

“Everyone’s at risk, but if they’re volunteers no one can complain about it later,” Hanna regarded the dark look on Demi’s face. “We got a lot of levels in the Philippines. I say let those that want the same opportunity make that choice.”

“Look, guys,” Cal held up his hands, “it’s going to be a small operation. I don’t want as many people as back then.”

“How many?” Demi said.

“Three or four, you can split them up between you and the state government so no one feels left out.”

“We’ll see,” Demi said.

“I’ll tell my bosses,” Jake said.

“You got any more business to discuss?” Demi said.

“Nope. If we’re done then Nila’s going to want to say hi for a bit before he get out of here. She’s in that park across the street with the kid.”

“The kid? You’ve still got that baby with you?” Hanna’s eyes narrowed.

“Yeah, hard to adopt,” Cal chuckled.

The other three exchanged dubious glances.

Now, Southern California

“Happy belated birthday!” Cal walked into Rayna’s office in the ranger base, which was once the dean’s office in the administrative building of the community college a few blocks away from the suburb their parents’ home sat in.

“You’re several months late,” Rayna said as she regarded the handful of melee weapons he had dumped on her desk. “And I thought your gift was that sack of gold, silver and gems.”

“It was, but then I thought about it more and it was too impersonal. I might as well have picked you up a sack of rocks off the side of the road with how easy it was to get all those expensive things.”

“You gave me a legit sack of treasure like a pirate coming back from raiding the Caribbean. I think you’ve got a skewed sense of yourself. You say it was as easy as collecting rocks, almost everyone else would say otherwise. That fighting monsters and claiming dozens of stores alone is impossible.”

“I wasn’t alone… Nila and the little guy helped… some…”

“Okay,” Rayna sighed, “you just need to give him a name already, since you guys are obviously going to keep him. It’s unfair to him. He’s definitely imprinted on the two of you at this point.”

“Have you been talking to Jayde?”

“The Punch Mage girl? Not that often. The Furies only spent a few weeks training with us, before they demanded the opportunity to and I quote ‘fuck shit up’. So, I’m having them kill HVT’s down on the outskirts of San Diego.”

“That sounds serious.”

“Yes and no. HVT’s means slightly more intelligent undead monstrosities.”

“I can—”

“No! No, thank you… I appreciate it, but it is our thing to deal with. You have your own concerns, right?”

Cal nodded.

“Exactly. The rangers will deal with what’s going on down south, while you find out if there’s a golden-winged invasion going on. Now, are these what I think they are?” Rayna gestured to the two swords and two axes on her desk.

“Enchanted weaponry by one Sexchanter69. They’re legit. I already tested them. Expect, they’re not really practical. I got them for you so your smart and magical people can maybe learn how to do it and do it better. Fire, fire, electricity and freezing,” he pointed at the two swords and two axes in succession.

“Sounds like a neckbeard,” Rayna scoffed, “but if you’ve tested them and they work, then congrats are in order to Mr. Sexchanter69, whomever he is.”

“Could be a woman.”

“Sure, she could be trying to throw curious parties off the trail of her true identity,” Rayna said.

A loud screech-roar shook Rayna’s window as a dark shadow quickly flew past it.

“Like a bird mixed with a tiger. Was that—” Cal reached out with his telepathy.

“I’m surprised you didn’t already know.”

“I was purposefully not casting a net with my thoughts out of respect for your rangers and their thoughts. So, your babies are getting bigger.”

Rayna shook her head. “Don’t even start.”

“Problems?”

“Not since I established dominance unless you count the dozen times I’ve had small mutant animal and monster corpses dumped in front of me,” Rayna’s button nose wrinkled. “The smells…”

“They don’t fight each other?”

Rayna laughed bitterly. “Oh, they do, just not seriously enough that death is a possibility. We’ve established the hierarchy. Wyverns and Drakes on the bottom, then the trainers, then me at the top.”

“Where do random people fit?”

“In the not food domain. That’s the most important thing I’m having the Drake Trainers and Wyvern Trainers drill into those stubborn skulls.”

“Hmm, class upgrades. That’s good. What about the whole riding thing?”

“Working on it. The beasties are still too small for that so we’ve got time to figure out a saddle system and how we’d even use them in the first place. I’ve been doing a deep dive into historical mounted combat, something I never expected I’d have to do and it’s looking like the drakes will be like a combination fighter-bomber and horse archers, quick skirmishers and scouts. The wyverns will be big and strong enough to carry a squad so, we’re thinking bomber, mobile weapons platform, rapid deployment vehicle and smash and grab machine. All in a three dimensional space.”

“What about falling?”

“That’s the biggest issue. Parachutes don’t work unless you’re high enough. We’re hoping that there’s something like a flight spell waiting to be discovered or purchased. Or even something like featherfall or slowfall.”

“I’d bet on it… eventually.”

“Got to keep leveling.”

“How are you doing?”

“Busy as I’ve always been for the past decade and change.”

“I meant personally. Now that Mom and Rynnen are with Dad in Manila.”

“House has been quiet, but I didn’t spend much time there anyways. I was mostly in here or out there.”

“You know it’s alright, even good to take breaks. You don’t want to burn out.”

“I can’t physically burn out. I just need a few hours of sleep here and there and I’m fine.”

“Maybe, but not mentally, emotionally. Take it from me you need to relax enough.”

“I’ve learned that if I relax people get hurt or die.”

“In the early days, sure… but people are getting stronger. Trust them to be able to defend themselves while you take a rest.”

“Look… I try, but whenever I do it seems like shit happens. I lay out on the beach, landsharks attack. I go for a hike, undead monstrosities attack. I try to watch some old anime, gangs attack.”

“That last thing isn’t a huge problem anymore. The undead are contained thanks to that wall we put up.”

“The Orange Wall,” Rayna snorted, “it’s not even orange.”

“I think the rangers called it that as a joke on purpose.”

“I know… doesn’t make it a good one.”

“What I’m saying is, now’s the time. You’ve got the house to yourself. Watch that anime, cook something fancy just for yourself, read a book… for fun,” he amended. “I left a wide selection of paperback science fiction and fantasy, plus a ton of comic books and trade paper backs. Classics and new stuff… er… new at the time… you know what I mean?”

“A couple of rangers are actually publishing a comic book as a side hobby. Loosely based on my adventures,” Rayna rolled her eyes.

“Wait… why is this the first I’m hearing of this?” Cal’s eyes widened. “I have to see this.”

“Only if you pay them. It’s annoying as fuck, but I have to admit the art and story are pretty good, even if it makes me cringe down to my core.”

“Comic book style art?”

Rayna nodded.

Cal laughed. “So, like skintight costumes and shit?”

“Shut up…”

Cal gasped for breath while Rayna glared daggers into his very soul.

“The way you focus with that ill intent in your thoughts… I’d almost think you were doing it on purpose,” he said after what felt like an eternity.

“I was. I wanted to stab my displeasure right into your brain, asshole.”

“Worth it. I haven’t laughed like that in a long time,” he sighed happily. “Definitely going to buy up all the back issues of this comic I can get. How many, by the way? Issues?”

“Nope. Not helping you.”

“Okay, okay, I can tell you’re salty, so I’d better cut this short before you really get mad. So, weapons delivered,” he gestured to Rayna’s desk, “check. Last thing, can I take the Furies with me?”

“You’re going now?”

“I still need to finish prepping the bus. So… a few weeks? Or a month, but I’m willing to wait a week beyond that if what they’re doing in San Diego is important.”

“They’re helpful, but your thing is more critical. I’ll recall them. You should give them a few days to rest and relax, like you said. It’s important.”

“What about Fin?”

Rayna mulled it over for a while. “No. Sgt. Butcher tells me that he’s been much improved in the teamwork and listening to orders department. I don’t want to mess with that for now. If it changes then you can scare him straight or whatever. I’ve already got a ton of volunteers. Everyone wants the chance to gain levels like Sgt. Butcher’s squad did in the Philippines, despite the fact that only half of them came back.”

Silence descended on the two siblings for good amount of time.

“Alright… that’s about it for me. Thanks and maybe Nila, the little guy and I will move in with you for a few days to help you do the same.”

“Nila and the toddler are cool, but you’re lame and you’ll probably only want to play Zombicide or Sentinels or something equally dork-ish.”

Cal snapped his mouth shut.

“Don’t need to be able to read minds to know you,” Rayna smirked. “Yeah, that’s a good idea, Nila and the toddler can stay… you can visit,” she dropped the hammer.

“It’s not your house,” Cal narrowed his eyes.

“After Mom and Dad, I’m next on the house hierarchy based on length of stay and most recent occupancy,” Rayna said smugly. “I didn’t make those rules,” she threw her hands up.

“Very cold, so cold… after I brought you such an awesome birthday present.”

“And I appreciate it,” Rayna smiled sweetly.

“Terrible, just terrible,” Cal mumbled as he got up and walked toward the door.

“Tell Nila and the little guy they can come over whenever,” Rayna twisted the knife one last time.

Betrayed, Cal moped around for a bit as he wandered through the rangers’ training grounds.

What had once been athletic fields had been transformed for deadlier pursuits.

There were firing ranges for guns, bows, crossbows and spells.

There were rings in which people sparred with melee weapons.

There were obstacle courses and mock ups of various environments in which teams practiced fighting their way through or to accomplish a variety of objectives.

He let his mind guide him to the person he was specifically searching for.

Prim moved with a squad of young people her age as they fought with blunted weapons against their trainers pretending to be monsters through a setting that resembled a small apartment building made out of plywood.

It wasn’t the best display of combat prowess and the youngsters were defeated in short order.

Things would’ve been different had they been allowed to use their magic and Skills, but such was training.

To learn the basics you had to be restricted to said basics.

Cal agreed in principle.

It was always good to know how to fight for when you couldn’t use spells and Skills.

He watched for a bit more before flying away unnoticed.