Mystix has already fallen.

This war-torn wasteland is being pillaged for all its resources. Its natural beauty stripped away and replaced by factories. Mines. Logistical centers.

Keitou sees this world for the first time in her current human life. Her memories of her past life, though, help her see that Mystix looks nothing like the world she once knew.

The U.S. has just about destroyed it already.

But she is not here to relive that life she has lost. She is here to scout out information . To figure out what allies still exist here, and how the Systemless Squad army can best invade this place.

Keitou has lived a life that is full, that is complete. She has trained many stuntpeople to go on to win Academy Awards and see massive success in their careers. She also trained Julie and Esther Rafati to utilize their magical powers and survive in this world. She is and has always been a teacher. But today, for this chance only, she will become a hero in her own right.

Based on Eryk Solbourne’s advice, she has snuck deep into the secret caverns of North Spire, past a hidden and empty village with no residents to speak of. The place is so obscure that there is no chance the U.S. military could have possibly discovered it, and yet it was abandoned when she arrived anyway. If there really are people residing in this hidden village, they are hiding far better than Master Keitou could have ever imagined. Based on the aura alone, it feels like it has been abandoned for something like a century. But the buildings seem eerily intact for something like that.

Underneath the village are the caverns. And about a day into those caverns, after fighting monsters and setting up camp as she mapped out the interior, she finally stumbles upon a rock wall that is an obvious magical seal.

She casts a spell. Unlocks the wall. And it moves aside automatically, slowly, as if to welcome her.

And standing right in front of her is a long-haired old human with their hands folded.

Rare Solbourne, Eryk’s persistent rebel of a sibling.

“Eryk’s told me much about you,” Keitou says as her first line to the warrior.

They laugh. “Why? There’s not much to say. I’m just a simple mage, fighting for Mystix.” They beckon her past the barrier where the wall once was. “Why don’t you join us?”

She does.

Master Keitou enters the secret base of the Anti-Mages.

According to Eryk, this group was a faction of anti-system people who learned how to harness magic even without the Destiny Deck System. They were vehemently against The Goddess, and were also extremely opposed to the power of the Slayers. Somehow, the conflict between them devolved into a worldwide war, and it only ended when Rare Solbourne summoned the U.S. military to help overthrow The Goddess once and for all.

And, you see, that’s where the trouble began.

“I was a fool,” Rare says to Keitou after they make their introductions and exchange pleasantries. “The system is broken. It’s a leech on all of Mystix. But The Goddess was never worth my hatred. She was just an idiot with a menial, multiversal job. Biden and his people are a hundred times worth. And now, with no one at the helm of The Goddess’s realm, no one is being reincarnated. Everyone who dies is simply stuck in stasis.”

“My word, what will happen?” Keitou asks.

“For now, nothing. But with the war raging, the karmic momentum is building up. I’m sure it can be contained for a while, but eventually, the multiverse will start to rip itself apart as karma sweeps across all worlds. And I am directly responsible for the impending destruction.”

“That much is, to be frank, true.”

“I am aware.” Rare bows their head in shame. “That is why I have fought so hard against the very force I beckoned here. We cannot let them establish a permanent foothold over Mystix, or else we may all be obliterated. And yet... Here I am, hiding out in a cave far away from the action. Plotting and planning and putting into motion very few schemes of true ambition.”

“I know your guilt must be powerful,” Keitou tells them. “But you cannot give into the darkness. You are a great hope for us. And Eryk told me to tell you, he loves you very much.”

Rare chokes up. “He... does?”

“Obviously. I wouldn’t lie about something like that.”

They start to cry. Keitou is not good with this sort of thing, she will admit.

“We’re forming a rebellion, Rare, across many worlds all at once. The Systemless Squad is trying to band together as many people from as many places as possible. Then, if we rise up together, the U.S. will have no chance of defeating us. They are spread thin, and they have little experience fighting outside Earth. Mystix may have fallen for now, but we will retake it. The entire multiverse has your support.”

Rare lifts their head up. “Thank you, dear Master Keitou.” They stand up straight and resume a regal posture. A powerful pose that reveals the true nature of their personhood. “I’ve been feeling quite down lately. But your words give me an unexpected hope. If you need any coordinating help, the Anti-Mages will provide it. And I can take you to another ally as well.”

“Another ally?”

“Yes, come see.”

Rare leads Keitou through the caverns to an even more hidden location. It seems several places in this cavern also act as portals to different parts of the planet. But only the trained are able to discover and unlock the hidden walls that block off different sections. The magic at work here is wonderful, positively stupendous. A network of tunnels that link the entire world together for ease of access. If not for the war, Keitou would be satisfied just to explore this place for months.

They go past a few walls, down a cooridor, and find the ally Rare spoke of...

Mestopholees, the Demon Queen!