Deacon and the rest of the Regulators, plus Hani and Sophie, struck out eastward. The goal was to meet up with Typhus and the Dwellers to exit the capital. Armand and Elle were going to stick around to help until they were relieved by Crystal Cascade forces. Deacon managed to convince the group to make a stop at Mentalba’s to get Sophie some more appropriate clothes. His shop was closed but he reopened since it was Deacon. Mentalba had an assortment of dresses, but Sophie wasn’t having it. She picked out a pair pants that fit and instructed Mentalba to modify one of the dresses upper half to fit her as a shirt. A hooded cloak with a rose stitch pattern later and she was almost ready to go.

“So if you could just point us in the direction of the embassy Hani, we’ll take it from there,” Deacon said.

“Nope. You paid for services, and I intend to render them,” explained Hani.

“What are you talking about?” Deacon asked while the others perused Mentalba’s wares.

“Your favor from Mr. Clean. I’m surprised you haven’t worked this out yet.” Hani said raising one eyebrow.

“Oh. Gross. A jester. Well I suppose he thinks it’s funny.” Deacon said between changing facial reactions.

“This jester saved your special Adventurer’s Guild unit asses,” Hani replied feigning insult.

“It’s true. He made short work of some demons during our escape from the coliseum. I’d really like to get a closer look at that hat,” said Tantus inching ever closer. Hani just cartwheeled to the other side of the room.

“What’s his deal?” Deacon asked Tantus.

“Seems like he was hired to help. Good thing too. How did Ms. Sophie end up here?” Tantus asked.

“I was attacked by a new and monstrous looking Efimeo Cullep in the coliseum after I finished up with Caphida. I’m not sure how that happened but he lead me to believe he’d been working with the Fates. She was—chained to him and in pretty bad shape. I hope to get the full story from her but now isn’t the time.” Deacon replied.

“Oh no, that sounds terrible,” Tantus said with sorrow in his voice.

“I’ll tell you one thing: I’m not leaving anymore enemies alive out of pity. Especially if this is the result. Had I ended him outside the Plateau, maybe none of this would have happened to her.” Deacon explained.

“Why did you let him go?” Tantus asked.

“He was a kid. I didn’t think stomping his head flat was justified. I figured if I scared him enough, he’d find something else to do with his life. Now I wish I could have curb stomped the hell out of him. He managed to kill me Tantus. If it weren’t for my blessing, I’d be dead right now. It wasn’t even close. That damn sword ate through whatever health I had left.” Deacon said, the words just pouring out of him.

“Wasn’t this after you had a series of tough fights?” Tantus inquired.

“Ok I see your point but I’m not sure I could have beaten him at full strength. They did something to him. He’s got mismatched wings and he’s at least two feet taller now,” Deacon pointed out.

“I witnessed you smash a demigoddess with a giant ghostly fist and ride the head of Gallus Rex while it’s teeth were gnashing at you. I think you’d be able to handle a spoiled noble with a boost in power at your full strength.” Tantus said patting him on the back.

Deacon actually felt better after hearing that. The group finished up and Deacon said his goodbyes to his business partner. Mentalba actually asked him to bring back the latest in Deep Dweller designs. Deacon agreed and they left the tailors shop. The sea elf waived goodbye as he locked the doors.

In a back alley somewhere in the Western District of the capital, two demons are thrust back into their home dimensions. The door to the Silent Tankard swings open and a person covered in robes with a hood over his head carrying staff with topped with a rams skull quietly walks toward the back room. The two Canidae guards open the door to let him pass. After entering the room he pulls the chair from behind the desk and sits down laying the staff across his lap. His hood drops to reveal pointed ears and auburn hair. The elf reaches into a bag at his side and places a human skull on the desk. Its eyes begin to glow a bluish-purple light. Once that is done he takes his staff and bangs on the floor three times. Shortly there after footsteps can be heard climbing the staircase behind the secret door. The door slides open to reveal Lean Paul wiping his hands off with a rag.

“Is it done?” asked Lean Paul.

“Yes sir. I raised enough servants to keep the knights busy for a while. I grew concerned with the priests of Radiant used their call to arms but we had already claimed your materials at that time. I was also approached by the representative of the Crimson Summit. She would very much like a meeting with you. Apparently, the champion disrespected their school. I told her I’d pass along the message,” said the elf.

“Well done, Valerious. Now how did our team fair?” asked Lean Paul.

“Utter failures. The champion managed to slay all of them. He had a particular hate filled response to Mike that I quite admired. In another life he might make a good recruit,” answered Valerious.

“That lesson came with a high cost. I told them our contract was over once we planted the teleportation spike. Can’t tell the young anything. Didn’t the skull say not to fight him?” asked Lean Paul.

“Yes, sir. It did.” Valerious replied.

“What does it say now?” Lean Paul asked knowing he did not directly want to interact with the cursed thing. As a Flesh Spinner, that was not his domain. He’d stick with the simple things in life, thank you very much. Valerious leaned in whispering to the head. After he heard its message, he leaned far back into his chair.

“It says the danger has only grown. Steer clear,” explained Valerious.

“Predictable. Well, give me the pieces of Filthy Mike and the boys. I have a particularly devilish idea for what to do with them,” ordered lean Paul.

Deacon and the others turned a corner to see another collection of wagons grouped up outside a two story building with a large courtyard. On one of the wagons was sitting Typhus, behind him several large scroll cases. Deacon noticed there were fewer than before. He hoped up next to Typhus and shook his hand in greeting.

“You ready to go, boy?” Typhus asked.

“The sooner the better. Hey, what happened to the rest of them?” Deacon asked thumbing over his shoulder at the batch of scroll cases in the back.

“Oh two went missing before we split off with Daskus. At that point we decided to divide them between us incase of any more shenanigans,” Typhus explained.

“So your many options plan is working? Do you even know where the real one is?” Deacon asked.

“Of course I do. It’s in one of the cases,” Typhus said with a grin.

“Onward, I guess,” Deacon said noting that Typhus was keeping that answer close to the chest.

“What about Armand and Elle?” Typhus asked.

“They are helping the capitol and said they’d catch up.” Deacon replied noticing a frown flash across Typhus’s face.

“Well if they are going to clean up your latest Deactastrophe, I full confidence in them.” Typhus said earning a chuckle from behind the Regulators.

Deacon just face palmed. Would he ever escape that dumb phrase? The wagons started heading toward the gate in a line. But something was still bothering Typhus. As the convoy exited the Crystal Cascade, Typhus turned to Deacon and asked him why Sophie was with them. Deacon then took several minutes to explain what happened in the arena fights while Typhus just nodded.

“And the Jester?” asked Typhus.

“Hired goon.” Deacon responded.

“Hired goon?” Typhus asked.

“Yes, hired goon,” replied Deacon.