The others didn’t take the news that well. Nothing unexpected. By the time Rory had finished explaining the situation to them all, several had looks of dismay and fear, while a few looked like they wanted to run then and there.

Thankfully, they all remained calm enough to think rationally. Rory also explained that he had ideas working out in the back of his head, and that he was trying to see hoe best he could carry them out. The announcement put most of the others at ease. It was strange to see how much they trusted him to take care of the situation.

The feeling was both thrilling and depressing. It was uplifting to see how much faith they had in him. But at the same time, all the pressure was on Rory to find the solution to their seemingly insurmountable problem.

“Do you actually have a plan already?” Viv asked when their little meeting had ended. “Or were you just… trying to put them at ease?”

Rory stared at her. “You don’t trust me? My poor, old heart is shattering into a thousand pieces.”

“Dear, I’d be bluffing too if I knew it was going to keep everyone calm. They’re not all prepared to handle the real truth.”

“I don’t know about that, but I do have an idea I want to execute. It involves basically everyone, though, so I’m not sure how reliable it’ll be. But it’s the best I’ve got, so can’t hurt to actually try it out properly.”

“Spill it already, will you?”

Rory smiled, then explained what he was thinking as briefly as he could. Viv’s face seemed to grow thinner as he explained. Rory decided to expand his gist to explain the full breadth of his idea. His heart started pounding a little when he was done. Strange how much he was depending on her actually supporting his rather crazy idea.

“It could work,” she finally said, and Rory sighed in relief. “I really think it could. There’s a lot of moving parts to it, but so long as we approach it carefully, we should be able to carry it out.”

Rory couldn’t help but laugh softly. “I was hoping you’d approve. It’ll be tough, but I think we can do it.”

“I trust that you will, dear.”

Rory beamed at her. So long as Viv believed in him, he felt as though he could take on the whole world. What was one Invigilator against something like that?

When Viv returned to check up on the others and make sure nothing was awry, Rory decided to start getting his plan in order. There was going to be a lot of talking and negotiating, and he wanted to be prepared for it. He had to make sure everything lined up properly. The more he thought about it, the crazier it seemed to him. But there was no time to think of something more fool proof.

The first part consisted of contacting Talvic in his cloud mine.

“This is going to sound crazy, but I need you to hear me out,” Rory began.

“I do not like where this is going,” was Talvic’s reply.

“Like I said, just hear me out first. And you won’t really be implicated in this. It’s mostly just passing on an important message to the people who’ll be doing the actual heavy-lifting. So, the thing is…”

Rory went on to explain is plan. He went through the steps he was setting up, what he expected the fallout was going to be, and ultimately, how he was hoping Rory and his group would benefit. The only reason he was telling Talvic because the minelord could benefit as well if things went well.

“I’ll contact the Otherworlders with your reference then,” Talvic said when Rory was finally done.

“Well, I need to talk to them directly, so if that is at all possible, I’d appreciate it.”

“I’ll let you know if they agree. But one last thing, Rory.” Talvic hesitated for a fraction of a second. “Why go to all this trouble.”

“The Invigilator.” There was no point in hiding the truth of the matter. It would show just how important the situation was. “The Invigilator is coming. We’ve got no time to lose, Talvic.”

“How do you know for certain? And why would the Invigilator be coming down here?”

Rory explained everything Truck had told him, just keeping out the talking donkey while he did so. Surprisingly, Talvic believed all of it. Apparently, he had taken his measure of Rory and found it all lined up. “I hope that’s enough for you.”

“It scares me. But I’ll see to what I can do.”

Rory nodded, though Talvic certainly couldn’t see it. “Thank you. This is urgent, so please hurry.”

He had to take a deep breath when the call was done. It had taken quite a bit out of him. A part of Rory couldn’t believe he was setting up something to that extent. He could be blocked at any stage if anyone he depended on refused to comply, which they very well might considering the sheer scope of what he was asking. Rory wouldn’t blame anyone of they decided to back out.

But everything rested on everyone performing their part diligently. He wished he hadn’t come up with such an intricate plan, but there was no time for something different.

“How’d the call go?” Viv asked.

“Good enough,” Rory said. “We’re going to see what the others think.”

“Alright.” She pressed his shoulder with her lone hand. “You got this. And if you don’t, we’ll figure out something else. No pressure, okay?”

Rory tried to smile at her in reassurance, but he wasn’t sure it came out right, going by the way her eyes narrowed. But she shook her head and left, promising to keep the others ready.

The Sigil of Calling rang about an hour or so later. Its image blinked on the back of the walky-talky Rory was gripping tightly.

He picked up the call, burgeoning hope pounding along with his heart. “Hello?”

“Rory?” It was Arelland. The elf’s voice made Rory’s spirit soar. Talvic had succeeded in the getting the elf to contact him directly. That was all he needed. The elf might or might not agree with Talvic’s version, but as long as Rory was talking with Arelland, he could always try to convince him otherwise. “Is everything I heard from Talvic the truth?”

“It is. All of it.”

Arelland was silent for a while. Rory wondered if he had scared the elf badly. Eventually, he spoke. His voice was steady, but his choice of words betrayed his unease.

“This is… difficult to believe,” he said. “The Invigilator coming now will catch everyone off-guard.”

“I think that was pretty much the purpose.”

Arelland snorted. Even through the walky-talky, the whirring gears of his mask could be heard. “Perhaps. But we were hoping to time the Invigilator’s arrival so that we had taken care of the rebel situation before anyone outside this world got wind of it. Though, by this point, it is likely they are quite familiar with the situation…”

Rory understood the rebels had been making no secret of their activities, but there was still something that confused him. “You sound like there are more people observing than just the Invigilator and the Plane Rulers.”

But even as he said it, other things clicked into place. There was Truck, of course. If he could be system-sanctioned Observer here, who was to say there weren’t others all over the rest of the world? There could be more around Hillhard too, just keeping to themselves instead of revealing their presence or interfering with proceedings directly.

But at the same time, Arelland didn’t sound like he was talking simply about Otherworlders unaffiliated with the war secretly watching things. He made it sound like there was an even further layer to this Rory didn’t know about.

“The war is a show, Rory,” Arelland said. “There are many who observe it, all of whom are far, far beyond your reach, much like what you would call a competition.”

Rory felt his gut plunging. “You’re saying this whole war is a reality TV broadcasted on alien networks?”

“I am not sure I understand what those terms mean.”

Rory didn’t answer. His mind was starting to cloud over in anger, and that wasn’t good. This war, this annihilation and destruction and loss of life on such a massive scale, was nothing more than entertainment. Rory had thought he detested the idea of all-powerful beings like the Plane Rulers using them as pawns in their conflict.

The fact that they were using it as a cash cow made Rory grind his teeth. As if things weren’t unjust and unfair already.

“Rory,” Arelland said. “We need to confirm the details of your plan.”

Rory took a few quick, deep breaths. He had to focus. Learning about the insanity outside his world wasn’t what he had been looking forward to discussing. “Right. The Invigilator is coming, and I was thinking you could use the opportunity to take care of your rebel problem. All we need to prove is that they’re the biggest threat to the Invigilators here, not me.”

“They are canny and smart. They will not reveal themselves if they learn that the Invigilator will be arriving soon.”

“That’s why they’re not going to know. You’re going to keep it an absolute secret as much as you can.”

“That will be… difficult.”

“I believe in you.”

Arelland’s slow laughter came through the walky-talky. “Explain the rest of your plan again, please.”

Rory did so. He’d be happy to go over it multiple times if that was what was needed, so long as it was executed in time. When he was done, Arelland sounded almost as flabbergasted as Talvic had.

“Are you truly sure this will work?” he asked, slightly awed.

“Well, depends on your execution, doesn’t it?” Rory said. “There are a lot of moving parts to it, some assumptions going along with it too.”

“Some very major ones.”

“We all have our parts to take care of.”

Arelland sighed. “I will see to informing the others. The only thing I am unsure of is your ultimate goal, Rory. I cannot guarantee the Invigilator will place greater importance on the rebels than you. After all, the rebels aren’t the ones setting up illegal Safe Zones and manipulating both sides in the war.”

“See, that’s the thing—the Otherworlders oppose the war itself. They don’t like how the system works. We, on the other hand, aren’t going against it. Regardless of our feelings about it, we’re not here to stop the war and prevent…” Rory paused as his mouth started to taste too dry. “We’re not stopping your alien overlords from using this war to make money.”

“…that is an excellent point.”

“Which is why we’re counting on it.”

“I understand now. I will inform the others immediately, and if they accede—which I will inform you about—we will begin preparations immediately.”

“Good. Thank you. All that’s left is making contact with the Homeworlders. I’ll take care of that, then.”

“Do you know how you might make contact?” the elf asked. “Especially after the last debacle.”

“I’m guessing they’re still somewhere in Hillhard. As long as that’s true, I’m sure I’ll be able to find them somewhere.”

“You are correct. The Homeworlders have a base in the area. That is likely where your assailants retreated to. It is only a matter of finding it.”

“I think I can take care of it. Thanks for everything, Arelland.” Rory sighed. “I know this is very big, and likely violates a lot of the things we were standing for, but we’re desperate here. The Invigilator’s appearance is forcing our hand. I’d rather stay out of the conflict, but if this is what’s needed to ensure our survival, I won’t hesitate.”

“I understand. And you’re right, it won’t be easy for me to convince everyone that needs convincing. I think for now, it would benefit if we kept your part in the plan out of my mouth as much as possible.”

Rory perked up. “What do you mean?”

“The Coalition is more likely to believe things and take action if they think that I am the originator of this… situation. Not that I mean to steal your credit, but—”

Rory laughed. “Take all the credit you want, Arelland. You deserve it. If you think telling them it’s your idea will help, then do it.”

“I will do so. Farewell, Rory. If this gambit pays off, there will be a tremendous ripple across everything that has been set up. I hope you are prepared.”

“I’ll make sure we all are.”

Bidding them all good fortune, Arelland cut off the call. Rory slumped over. That conversation had felt even more exhausting than the one with Talvic. His old heart refused recognize its age and continued to pound in his chest. Arelland’s plan to explain it to the Coalition as though it was his idea instead of Rory’s was excellent, but it was no guarantee they would approve of it and act.

After all, Rory was asking a lot of them.

He decided to distract himself by taking care of the last bit of his side that he could handle for the time being. Gathering another deep breath and what remained of his mental reserves, Rory made his last call.

It was nice the Wraith Lord picked up before long. “To what do I owe the displeasure?”

Rory had been about to dive into it, but he paused. “Displeasure?”

“Is that not how you say it?”

“No… no we definitely don’t say displeasure. It’s the opposite, actually. Pleasure.”

“Ah.” The Wraith Lord muttered a curse in a language Rory didn’t understand. “I believe my cultural informants have been mistaken. I must speak to them.”

“You do that. But I need something else from you too.”

“I needed something from you yesterday.”

Rory laughed lightly. “I know. I’m sorry, I got distracted. But I have your Sigil ready. That was partly what I was calling about.”

“Is that so?” The Wraith Lord sounded excited. “Excellent. Now you may proceed to ruin the good news with the bad news that is sure to follow. Partly, as you said.”

Rory was always impressed that the Wraith Lord missed nothing. “I need you to find and contact the Homeworlders.”

“Why would I do something like that?”

“Because I’m about to be threatened by an Invigilator soon.”

The Wraith Lord didn’t reply to that. The seriousness in Rory’s voice convinced him that he wasn’t kidding, and since he wasn’t, there wasn’t anything the Wraith Lord could do directly. Not against the Invigilator. Rory understood. Everyone wanted to survive, in the end.

“I need you to relay a specific message to the Homeworlders when you make contact.” Rory went on to explain the message he needed delivered into the Wraith Lord’s silence. “You got it?”

It took another few moments before he answered. “I applaud your intention of surviving even with the Invigilator coming against you. But I do not wish to get caught up in it.”

“Are you saying you want no part of it?”

“I will perform the task you’ve set me, and any other peripheral tasks you have. But I will have no part in confronting the Invigilator directly.”

“I understand. I wouldn’t want you to implicate yourselves unnecessarily either.”

“Thank you. Take care, Rory.”

“You too, Wraith Lord.”

The call didn’t cut off immediately. There was a slight hesitation before the Wraith Lord sighed. “Emerius. My name… is Emerius. Farewell, Rory. May fortune favour you.”

Rory pulled the walky-talky away as the call did cut off this time. Emerius. It was strange to feel that it was only now that the Wraith Lord was revealing his true name to Rory. But it was a good feeling, all told. If nothing else, he could at least claim he had earned the trust of a friend.