Adaline and I stood in front of the counter and waited for a good quarter of an hour before a contingent of city guards made their way into the shop.

“Halt in the name of King Liam II!” The first guard declared as three others entered the shop behind him and took up positions in front of the door.

“We’re not going anywhere, how may we serve the king this fine day?” I asked

A woman stepped through lithely and looked around quickly as a man in robes with a staff stepped through without looking to see whom he was talking to, “You may serve the Crown by explaining…”, Arch-Mage Belarious’s voice froze as his eyes locked with mine. Also, at the same moment, his assassin Seraphin noted something was wrong and a dagger was palmed and thrown at my right eye.

Reaching up casually, I plucked the dagger out of the air while maintaining eye contact with the Arch-Mage, “I believe you dropped your dagger Seraphin,” I said as I tossed the dagger, hilt first, back to her. She caught it deftly and replaced it in its scabbard.

“But that was a dream,” the Arch-Mage asked questioningly

“Was it? I’m pretty sure it wasn’t. By the by, have you done anything to Daranus, Chesarie, Thrum, Xander, or Desari?” I asked.

“I don’t have to answer to the likes…”

I cut him off, focused my will, and dominated him to answer my next question, “Have you done anything to Daranus, Chesarie, Thrum, Xander, or Desari?” I asked again.

“I do not even know who the five individuals you speak of are?” the Arch-Mage said before his hand went to his mouth as if trying to stop himself from speaking.”

“Not a dream then, how powerful are you now?” he asked.

While he’d been talking Seraphin had made a couple of small movements then shadow teleported behind me. Adaline was standing beside me and also knew that Seraphin was going to try something, but she hadn’t moved, allowing me to handle the situation. I cheated. I stopped time for everyone as Seraphin appeared. My back still turned, I allowed my chaos to explode from my back and surround and neutralize every single item on her body. If it wasn’t part of her flesh, chaos enveloped broke down and added everything to itself. To say that I now knew Seraphin more intimately than she knew herself, would have been an understatement. She had things hidden throughout herself with special magic items in interesting places. One of the interesting ideas was this line of cloth that had been under her right breast. It had been a bag of holding of some kind. It would have been undetectable unless she was stripped down and someone took the time to lift her breast.

Breast Pocket of Holding, Unique

This item was specifically created for Seraphin by Master Callum.

The Breast Pocket of Holding is placed under the left or right breast. When activated mentally the wearer may place items in either hand in the holding area of this Breast Pocket or Withdraw items to that Breast Pocket.

The Breast Pocket of Holding can hold up to three cubic feet of items.

I focused my intent and took over control of the Breast Pocket of Holding. I forced everything except clothes out of it and absorbed them. Everything else, and there was quite a bit in her three other Bags, or Pouches, of Holding, were broken down and destroyed by my chaotic nanites, I mean chaos, I had to remember that going forward.

I withdrew the chaos back into myself and resumed time to feel her fist come down on my back. Turning I looked at Seraphin as some of the guards gasped. Not missing a perfect opportunity to humiliate this evil killer I said, “My dear if you wanted my attention you didn’t need to strip down and share your God-given gifts with all of us, though I do thank you for your courtesy.”

“Well, I don’t?” Adaline said as Seraphine did a back flip behind the counter to try to cover herself.

“Where are my things?” Stephanie asked indignantly

“I ate them?” I said truthfully

“You ate them?” Seraphin asked.

“You ate them?” Adaline asked.

“I ate them. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes, or in this case give stupid prizes to me. Besides, I know you have another set of clothes in the bag of holding under your right…

“Hey!” Seraphin exclaimed

“Don’t try to gaslight the situation, young lady. You attacked me, even after the memories you have of what I did to you the last time you crossed me.”

The Arch-Mage looked thoughtful. Looked at Seraphin then brought his hand to her forehead, “Why exactly were the guards called?” The Arch-Mage asked.

Rustolph stepped out from the doorway, looking Seraphin up and down, “Damn!” he said admiringly as watched Seraphin’s dress.

Seraphin met Rustoph’s eyes, who hurried past the counter to address the Arch-Mage directly, “That was me Arch-Mage Belarious. I called because this man said that he had 5 million gold that he could pay me?” He said while pointing at me.

“And why did you call the guard?”

“Because no one carries 5 million gold. For sums that large bank notes, platinum or gems are usually utilized,” Rustolph said.

“Adamantadine, that is your name if the dream I remember is accurate?”

“It is,” I said.

“Do you have 5 million gold to give this man?”

“I do?”

“How, exactly?

“I have an ability gifted to me by the Gods to create whatever wealth I need,” I said honestly.

“And gems too,” Adaline added.

“So, magic then. Will the money ever disappear?

“No, once it’s made it’s as real as any other money anywhere. If metal, it could even be melted down.”

“WHERE ARE MY THINGS!” Seraphin screamed as she rushed at me.

I quickly Analyzed her, focusing on her level and hit points,

Name: Seraphin

Class: Thief (Masked Class): Assassin

Level: 4557

Hit Points: 4997

I adjusted my damage output to exactly 4996. As she attacked me with some very impressive martial arts moves. I planted myself so I couldn’t be moved and allowed her to repeatedly attack me until she created an opening. To anyone watching it looked like Seraphin was hitting an immovable object until I, the immovable object, reached out casually and flicked, I didn’t hit her or palm strike, I simply put my pointer finger against my thumb and then flicked her right in the center of her chest with that pointer finger for exactly 4996 subduing damage.

Seraphin went from trying to attack me, to falling to her knees and slumping as she passed out.

“Hold!” The Arch-Mage commanded as the guards shifted to check on the fallen woman and also moved closer to attack.

“But sir, he struck down your right hand?” the Captain of the Guard said.

“Did she die?”

“No Sir, she’s breathing,” one of the guards who’d also come up and also checked on Seraphin while the other two waved their weapons threatening.

“If that dream wasn’t a dream,” The Arch-Mage mused, “Then your level is so far above ours…but I don’t get that kind of level of different feeling from you. Honestly, I don’t get any kind of reading from you. What level are you?”

“More than you remember from the dream,” I said then added, “Also, I am completely immune to temporal magic that is used against me in a hostile manner,” I said.

“I see. Guards, pick Seraphin up and take her back to the castle, I’ll be along shortly. Rustolph, this man’s credit is good, you may accept the money he has stated that he is paying you so he can be on his way,” The Arch-Mage stated. Looked at me before he continued, “May we never meet again Adamantadine.”

“I’m a pretty simple guy Belarious. If people don’t attack me or my family or friends, I don’t attack them. As for Seraphin and my destruction of her property. Had she not attacked me, none of that would have been necessary. Though if I’m being honest…”

I was cut off as the God of Knowledge’s voice entered, my mine, No! Events from a shadow cosmos may appear or they may not. As you are, any meddling or influence you take can be countered by any beings that share a similar power level. Apolyn is an exception because of his meddling in things he shouldn’t be. Your actions are within the rules we hold ourselves to resolve. There was a long pause as if Serena was about to say something else before she continued. At some point, we need to talk. Take care of your lady then seek me out

“Sorry, where was I, oh yeah, if I’m being honest, I may have overreacted, but an apology I will not give. I know exactly how evil she is.”

The Arch-Mage looked from me to Rustolph and finally to Adaline before saying, “Well, if that is all, I’m going to be on my way. You know that someday she will try to settle the score?”

“I do, pass this message on, next time might be very bad for her health.”

“I will, and good day,” The Arch-Mage said as he teleported away.

“Where were we Rustolph? Do you have a bag of holding I can deposit the funds into? It’ll be easier to count that way.”

“I have deposit containers, it’s an item I requested to be constructed. People put large sums of money into it and they and I both receive a notification as to how much was deposited. Then both the depositor and I receive another prompt when the money is moved out of the deposit box. So I have to ask, after you deposit the gold do you want an itemized breakdown of expenditure or do you just want to make the deposit and not worry about your friend for 20 years.”

“The second, though I would like some guarantees that should the five million not be adequate that you will cover whatever additional cost comes up. I do understand that giving you 5 million gold now will allow you to invest that money in other projects. If you invest poorly, you are still responsible for making sure the contract is maintained for 20 years.”

“But the Arch-Mage just said that you had an ability that allows you to create money at will.”

“I do not believe you will be able to contact me for the foreseeable future. I’m not going to be in town or even in this Universe shortly after we are done here,” I said as I felt Adaline getting restless beside me, Do we have an agreement that you are responsible to provide the food for 20 years?” I asked

“We do,” Rustolph said

“Where is that deposit box?” I asked

Rustolph pulled a box up from behind the counter, “Which residence are you upgrading and purchasing food and drinks for?”

“Apolyn’s Abode.”

“Ah yes, we take care of that one-dimensionally. Please deposit your gold into the box.”

“I touched the box and thought Deposit 5 million Gold

Would you like to deposit 5 million Gold into this Deposit Box for use in procuring food and drink for Apolyn’s abode, Yes or No?

I chose “Yes” and immediately received a new prompt.

You have chosen to deposit 5 million gold into a deposit box at Rustolph’s Supplies for Apolyn’s Abode. This Prompt serves as a receipt DO NOT DISCARD

“I do believe our business is done. My lady and I are going to be going now. Have a great day,” I said as Adaline and I turned and walked out of the shop. Once we were outside I turned to Adaline, “Adaline, is there anything you need to do?”

“No, though I do want to ask, why didn’t you warn the Arch-Mage….”

“Shhh, The Goddess contacted me, and let’s just say that if I meddle, they get to meddle.”

“But you’re not a God, are you?”

“Technically,” I said pausing for a moment as I waved my hand back and forth, “I don’t know. Maybe, that would be the best answer. I have the invitation to discuss some things with her, but first I’d like to get you back to Earth and see what’s been going on. I’ve been gone from there almost as long as you and I were separated.”

“Let’s go,” she said.

“I focused my intent and teleported both of us to my estate in New Mexico on Earth. As we arrived in the living room a klaxon went off.

WARNING Intruder Aler

The klaxon ended as Thor’s voice said from a speaker nearby, “Oh! Your back”

“I am, anywhere more secure on the planet you can put me and Adaline for a little while for some alone time Thor. That way we can get freshened up and you’ll have time to get everyone here that wants to see us.”

“Sure, I’m going to open a portal that’s going to lead you down into a very deep underground cavern below us,” Thor said.

“How deep is it?” I asked

“It’s about two miles down, reinforced with carbon weave shell around it and shock absorbers. My computer models believe it could even withstand a level 10 earthquake on the Richter scale, though that should never be a problem. The entire planet has 100% nanite coverage in all inorganic materials.”

“Cool, open the portal,” I said.

A portal opened and while I knew I could have done something like what I was seeing I had not expected to find what I saw when we stepped through “Wow,” Adaline and I said as we looked over the beginnings of a huge biosphere, “What kind of diameter does this cylinder have?” I asked.

“The top of the cave is exactly 2 miles below the surface and the cavern is only 10 miles long. Because we’re still on the planet the only usable area is 45 degrees off-bottom center, so the useable area is only about…”

“Roughly, 21,947 square miles” I finished for him. Are you saying that you made a cylinder under the surface that could one day be used as a lifeboat if you could launch it?”

“Launching it would be easy, within this structure are enough portal generators to let me create a portal at one end of the cylinder, once the nanites take on the appropriate attributes. Make the bottom magnetic, stick that over superconductors and we can just slide the cylinder through an open portal into open space, then add propulsion and instant habitat.”

“I take it all of the machinery, and such is under the current floor of the cylinder, and that you’ll be able to expand around the cylinder because you’ve left some thickness under the floor.”

“Yep, that actual diameter of the out shell is closer to 3 miles. The outer half mile is solid rock, while all machinery is within the first half mile under the inner surface. Without help, it’s a maze in there.”

“So where is our home,” I asked

“Look behind you”, Thor said with a hint of mirth in his voice.

We turned and saw a copy estate in New Mexico. We walked inside, did a quick tour, and then stepped onto the upstairs balcony. The way the building was set had the balcony facing down the length of the cylinder we were in. Our estate was right up against the bottom, or top, of the cylinder

“Thor, how many people do you have in here currently?”

“Not many, Just family and some workers that have signed Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and have first rights to bring their families if they desire. They’re working on setting up a self-sustaining ecosystem.”

“Can’t you do that, wait on, Damn, I never updated you on how to build a Dyson sphere. Knowledge dump incoming,” I said as I opened our quantum link and shared all my memories on the creation of the various Dyson spheres I had and how I’d set up the ecosystems for each. This project was much simpler but this should help him a lot. Once I’d sent the information I asked, “How long would it take you to make this spaceworthy?” I asked

“It’s space worthy now. I won’t be adding the stabilizers or propulsion system until it’s in space but that shouldn’t be an issue, you know how fast the nanites are.”

“Why hasn’t this been moved off into space already? Is everyone too busy to make the call or is there an actual reason?”

“We’ve all been pretty busy…”

I interrupted him, “Okay, make this a priority. Did we stick to the stay-in-the-solar system plan?”

“Yes.”

“Okay then, find a nice quiet place in the Oort Cloud, also make sure that there will be no emissions from this rock. Don’t add a propulsion system, just enough stabilizers to get the rotation going, or did you install artificial gravity?”

“Artificial gravity is installed, it’s just not turned on because it messes with the earth’s gravitational field. I kept it as a cylinder so we could use rotation if we needed to, though it will always have some rotation, in case anything fails so the water doesn’t go everywhere.”

“Great minds think alike,” I said as Adaline interrupted me.

“Adam!” she said in a way that let me know she wanted attention.

“Hey Thor, look at the time, would you let everyone know that I’ll want to meet with them tomorrow…” I started to say as Adaline led me up into the estate.

“Thor opaque the windows, please?” Adaline asked out loud as she started dropping her clothes off her body as soon as we were in the door.

“What she said Thor,” I said as I also started dropping my clothes to the floor which the nanites analyzed, broke down, and remade neatly stacked on a chair in the bedroom, not that I was paying attention to anything but Adaline at the time. I just noticed the clothes waiting for us the next morning.

When Adaline was fully disrobed, she turned to me and asked coyly, “So are you going to stand there, or come over here and show me how much you missed me?”

Giving up on taking my socks off, I had the nanites remove them as I strode forward.

* * *

Thor opaqued the windows as requested, then disabled all camera’s in the estate Adam and Adaline were in. While he had memories of Johnathan’s life he was not a living being so he felt none of the longings he might have felt when he was in a body. Thor started the conversion process of the bottom of the cylinder to ferromagnetic alloy and created super-conductors under them it. The cylinder started to float above the superconductors and was ready to be pushed out of a portal. Next, Thor located the perfect spot in the Oort cloud to put the cylinder. A place that would provide good camouflage as there were other large ice chunks and asteroids.

When he was done making sure everything was ready, he moved the ice and rocks out of the way with nanites in the area, The cylinder Adaline and Adam were in, slowly slid through a portal just a little over 3 miles in diameter. Nanites replaced the original granite and silica in the earth as the cylinder was ejected through the portal.

As the Cylinder emerged into space, Thor activated the artificial gravity. Adam and Adaline were so engrossed with each other that neither noticed when the last part of the cylinder slipped through. Thor created the stabilizers, started a soft rotation, then removed all evidence of this huge structure being artificial. He also added craters, dust, and ice to the surface.

The last thing Thor did was finish the ecosystem and add more water to the inside. To insure no foreign bacteria entered the lifeboat everything added was made from nanites. Living creatures would be imported from Earth but for now, just plant life and water were added. Sunlight was generated by panels that ran down the center of the cylinder which was all on the same day-night cycle. It wasn’t another Earth.

* * *

In Apolyn’s Abode, Apolyn successfully studied and duplicated the enchantment that was on the ring he was wearing. Then he modified it and made his way to Venoran, entered the Dungeon of Divine Elements, and node traveled into the Labyrinth. He could not take off the cursed ring Adamantadine had given him, nor could the Labyrinth remove his ritual once it had been cast.

Apolyn set up everything for the ritual, double-checked it, then cast it before his level could drop any further. The ground rumbled, and the air shook as thunder could be heard all around. Apolyn understood that the Labyrinth might be upset if it was intelligent but there was shit all it could about it

Apolyn walked out of the cave he’d been working in, sealed it with a wall of stone, and then walked back into the Dungeon of Divine Elements and node traveled back to Venoran. By the time he arrived back in the City, all the stolen XP had been replaced, he’d regained the levels he’d lost, and was now leveling more quickly than he ever had before. We would see how powerful this Adamantadine thought he was when he achieved Godhood.