Book 8: Chapter 80

Book 8: Chapter 80

(Book 6, The General of Izril is available for preorder on Audible! Check it out here.)

My old friend.

That was how it felt. Like an old friend walking through your door when you least expected it. It might be foreign to other worlds, but all the peoples of this one had lived every day with Skills, such that they were as familiar to their owners as a hand, as unconscious as taking a breath.

It was not just the voice, that dispassionate speech that almost sounded a bit likeyou. That announcement, which could be terrible or welcome, that arrived while you were on the verge of sleep or lying on the borders of consciousness with plague or blood loss or fainting in the middle of some great effort.

Skills and classes made people who they were. A [Blademaster]s Skills gave them some of their legendary talent with the sword. A [Mage] matched Dragons by dint of their great reservoirs of mana.

Now, they returned. Like that friend, walking through your door when you did not look for them. In this caseas the doom of the deadlands bore down on them? An old friend walking in with a shotgun.

A magical shotgun. With silver bullets.

Of course, not everyone in the lands of the dead received levels or classes. Some just felt gravity reassert itself, and their benefits were different.

Dragons faltered as they suddenly realized they had to fly, using magic to keep themselves upright, wings beating with effort. But they roared in triumph, because they felt their hearts beating. And the magic

The magic was back. Dragonfire took on qualities that had been lacking before. A plume of silver frost became more than a memory. A howling blizzard froze everything in its path, icy storms summoned around the core of magic emanating from a Frost Dragons mouth. A Dragon of the forests exhaled, and the magic of green and nature grew stronger, and the Dragon chanted a spell which demanded the earth rumble and heave under his foes.

Force, the power of their magicand the glorious weight that enabled them to slam into their foes. Rend with talons and maneuver, rather than glide at the same, slow speed.

Magic was back. So was entropy, the power of gravity and other elements this land had never felt. Skills and classes were restored.

Erin Solstice felt it, and she feltstronger. More complete, and she had only lived with her classes a short time. Her head rose, eyes wide with wonder as she looked at Emerrhain, the God of Magic.

Had he just adjusted the system? Clearlyyes. He had used a backdoor so old that it was built into the foundation of everything, a secret weapon. An unwelcome one, to hear Kasigna rage.

Emerrhain! You fool! You cowardly wastrelI will tear your essence apart and spread it across my lands! You have given them that which I forbid. From when did you hide this, you pathetic schemer?

She was pursuing him as he fledand it seemed like the two might actually come to blows. Emerrhain was laughing in triumph even as he fled, for Kasignas rage was impotent.

It was doneand, clearly, she could not undo it. Laedonius Deviy and even Norechl were incredulous. The oblivious Seamwalkers continued their advance on the souls they intended to devour.

For a moment, at least in Chandrar, there was only silence as ghosts looked up and listened. Listened as their classes were restored, Skills re-enabled. Erin Solstice couldnt help but feel tears spring to her eyes. However, she kept looking at the figure standing next to her.

The Gnome, Zineryr. He was smiling wanly at Erin. It was a complicated expression on his face. A bit of satisfaction for a trick, a plan in motion. Sadness for some reason, and a strange kind of envy and regret.

He knew what she had to be hearingbut he heard not a thing. He flicked his hand, and the ball of magic he had conjured went out. For a moment it shone with every color he had ever known, and there were far more colors within than any rainbow Erin had ever seen. The very color of magic, lights seen only in deep space and places not from this world or hers.

Then he put his hands in his pockets. Erin gazed at him, speechless. They had helped bring it back. Sprigaena and the Gnomes had reignited hope and given them a fighting chance. But all Zineryr did was nod.

Tell me one thing, Erin Solstice. Does it make your life better, having Skills or classes? Your world has neither. If you could go back home with themwould you?

It was a strange question, but Erin answered automatically.

Iyeah? It makes things so much easier. Its so cool. Its amazing. Itit might make things too easy, yknow, and it can do bad things too.

She hesitated, catching herself, and the Gnomes gray eyes fixed on her searchingly. Erin bit her lip.

But it makes everything magical. Especially the actual magic. Earth needs more of that. The good stuff, not the bad. I dont know about everyone getting Skillsbut Id like to keep them.

She didnt know if that was a bad answer. A few Gnomes in earshot looked at her, and one hmmed, but Zineryr just patted her hand.

Thats a wonderfully fair answer. I would that Sprigaena could hear it. Her and all the others. It lacks context, but it makes me glad. I will admitit certainly makes things easier. Something to bear in mind.

Erin blinked at him, but the Gnome was already stretching. There was still no other sensations, smell, touch, taste, aside from the emotions bubbling up in Erins chest. Yet she felt like a person again, almost. She was standing on earth, and if she wanted to get to another continentshe was going to have to swim.

In that sense there were problemsif Erin were alone. She doubted she could drown or get tired, but she was now limited by her speed in life, and she had never gotten running Skills.

But the other ghostsah. One finally broke the stunned silence.

A Named Adventurer. She had been wearing spectral armor of memory. The bones of some great beast, fashioned into armor. The Named Adventurer, the woman who had slain Jaws of Zeikhal and armored herself in their bones, one of the greatest warriors of her era, lifted her hand.

With a trembling voice, she spoke.

[Ever-Prepared, Ever-Vigilant. Ever Armed].

Erin Solstices head turned as she saw light engulf the adventurer. Her eyes went wide.

There used to be periods in Skills?

The dazzling light faded. Zineryr grinned as he lowered his hands, and the Named Adventurer, the Jawbreaker of Zeikhal, was wearing armor and carrying a great, fanged axe.

Real armor. Not a memory, but something realer than even the frying pan Erin could conjure. The [Innkeeper] boggled.

Diddid she just pull that from

Oho. Interesting. The grand design has no limits on where or what it captures. I wonder if thats genuine armor or a copy?

One of the Gnomes was watching with great fascination. And amusement. The ghostly adventurer felt at her armor.

Then she began to laugh.

Aha. Ahahahaha. My weapons! My armor! I feel it. I am not naked and unarmed any longer. Timetime for vengeance.

She looked up at the Seamwalkers, and even with her weapons, she blanched at their numbers. But no longer with that helpless resignationnow as an adventurer, seeing a battle she didnt know she could win. She clenched her jawthen remembered another foe.

You treacherous six. A reckoning comes to you!

She whirled and leapt into the sea with a splash of water. Cursing, the woman realized she couldnt fly and waded into the waters towards one of the dead gods. At this, one of the Gnomes called out.

Hold on. Thats a bad idea. Dont attack them

But the Named Adventurer was too enraged to listen, and she had a target. Laedonius Deviy was still floating there. He seemed untouched by the law of gravitys return, and he slowly rotated as the Named Adventurer lifted the gigantic weapon with one arm.

Die, you things. [Axe of the Gigant]. [Earthshakers Blow]!

She swung the axe down as it grew. Even the Giants stepped back as an axe that something a quarter of their sizeso something as tall as a hillwould have wielded crashed downwards.

The impact as the axe hit the sea and Laedonius Deviy caused a geyser that blinded Erin as water fountained up into the sky and rained downthen dissolved around her. Erins mouth was open as she witnessed the greatest attack she had ever seen in her mortal life. The most devastating Skill.

That could have killed multiple Skinners with one impact! It was an attack suited for someone who slew Jaws of Zeikhal. It could have changed an entire battlefield, annihilated hundreds in a single swing.

HoweverZineryr just looked through the downpour of rain, and the Named Adventurer stared up, and her expression of triumph faded.

No.

The God of Dance and Love had been struck by the axe made of bone. As water swirled around him, he pushed it off his shoulder. There was not a mark on his body or clothing, which looked like formal attire for the grandest of balls in Erins world hundreds of years ago. He could have strode out of a play from the ages of Shakespeare. Oralternativelyhe was the one that had hired the Bard of Avon for a party.

Not even a flinch. He stepped forwards as the Named Adventurer recoiled. She tried to leap back with a warriors reflexes. But the God of Dance and Love was

Faster. He didnt move with that timeless motion like the ghosts. He leapt like someone descending from the stage, as swift as a swallow darting across the water, and his fingers touched her face.

The Named Adventurer vanished. Her armor, her helmet, and her axe fell to the ground. Erin stared at it, and the God of Dance licked his lips. He whirled and leapt to touch another ghost unawares.

Back! Back behind Khelts protections!

Khelta shouted. A wall of sand rose, blocking the God of Dance as ghosts fled from him once more. Even noweven now. Nerrhavia called out in frustration.

Can nothing harm them?

One of the Gnomes shot back.

Of course something can. Just not your Skills or weapons you have access to. Great magic. Their own gifts. Someone get that sword.

Laedonius Deviy looked up and stepped back as a ray of light burned down from the heavens. The memory of Excalibur rose, and he frowned at the ghosts.

I can see now why Kasigna rages. This isinconvenient. But it may be for the best.

The God of Dance trailed backwards a single step, then two, turning left and right to regard the army of Seamwalkers. He pivoted and turned the motion into a bow to his opponents. The Gnomes. They rolled their eyes as he whirled, retreating.

Ponce.

Trust Deviy to put a good face on anything.

That one could trip and pretend he was angling for a way to kiss the ground.

He has bad fashion sense.

Erins mind was racing, but that moment had told hershe was staring at the armor. And the gigantic axe. It wasnt vanishing. It washere. Lying on the sand and burying itself with each wave that washed over it, heavy as stone. Realbut its owner would never return.

We cant hurt them. But our Skills and classes are back. Whatwhat are we supposed to do?

Zineryr turned. He looked at the ghosts of Chandrar, and even Xarkouth and Rhisveris brother, the great Wyrm, suddenly were focused on him.

The Gnome brushed at his spiky silver hair and nodded. He walked a few steps up into the air. Erin saw shimmering steps made out of light magic appear as Zineryr cleared his throat, walking as casually as if the steps had been there all along. He called out, and his voice was magnified.

Attention, everyone. Stay away from the six. You cant hurt them unless you bear what youd call something beyond most Relic-class weapons, or an object that has at least a partial connection to the real world. Weapons connected to a throne or bloodline. That kind of heirloom, Dragonfire, or what youd call Tier 8 magic will hurt them. Temporarily. Devote your attention to the rot from the edge of the world. Make your stand where you wantand watch for them. But we must stop Norechls kin or they will begin to tear their way into the living world. If we need your help, we will ask. Otherwise? This is your chance. Do what you will.

Erin had expected some great speech, but the Gnome simply hopped down and landed next to her. All he did was warn them that they couldnt kill the sixand then?

Youre not going to lead us in some bigcounterattack?

Zineryr shrugged.

We never liked being generals or leading armies. Besidesthat lot would feast on an army. There is a plan, and we will try to carry it out. But you, my dear, are my only concern. Let the dead fight or flee. That is called free choice.

He grinned unexpectedly. Erin Solstice blinked at him as the Gnome nodded to the right. He was looking at some ghosts present here.

Roshals [Slavers]. They were arguably less empowered, with only the Skills they had in life. And their slaves and command and chains

But those they had tormented were here, too. Some of their [Slaves] had followed Roshal even in death. Other ghosts long freed in death looked up in a sudden terror. One of the [Slavers] shouted in exuberance.

I have gained my power! Nownow, Roshal shall return! We shall capture these invaders and turn them against each other! To me I call my old servants. [Summon Slaves: The Spriggan Consort of Roshal].

Erin Solstice looked up as the world flickered. The [Slaver] was trying to call on other ghosts. Did he say?

Huh. Its warring with itself. There was never any plan for this, Im sure. I wonder what its going to do.

Zineryr muttered grimly as he watched space bend. Erin thought she saw figures beginning to appear, shouting in terror, some weeping with memory or cursing the [Slaver] who was holding a handful ofchains? Leashes made of dark metal?

Cold iron? He was laughing and the other [Slavers] rejoicing, pursuing their captives, when someone tapped the [Slaver] on the shoulder. The Garuda turned. Then his triumph turned to pale fear.

You

Elucina beheaded the ghost with a sword made out of blazing fire. Fire, forthe first String-folk to break their bonds of servitude.

Fire, for the Rebel of String who had slain the Threadmakers.

The head floated off the body as Erin gasped. She lowered the pan shed been about to throw as the rest of the [Slavers] whirled in shock and terror. This timethe ghost didnt vanish instantly.

His head trailed wisps of color, of hisself. It tried to return to his body, not floating back, but trying to rematerialize, yet he screamed, a shriek of pain.

Elucina squatted next to the screaming [Slaver], watching him intently.

So magic cuts youlike ghosts. But you die a bit harder. Good to know.

The sword flashed six times, and she diced the Garuda into pieces. This timethey lingered only a moment before fading away. Pieces of the Garuda, bloodless but separated, fading away as they tried to stay together. A whole concept, a soul, too badly damaged. Vanishing with a sigh.

The ghosts of the Spriggans whod been summoned stopped appearing in midair. They called gratefully to Elucina, some weeping. The Rebel of String just smiled up at them. Then she turned.

Rebel of String! What madness is

One of the [Slavers] began to shout before Elucina strode forwards. She was a blur and planted the sword in the chest of another [Slaver]. Without a word, she cut, lightning-quick, slashing the body to nothingness.

Elucina! We are fighting the end of the land of the dead! Enough!

Khelta cried out, but the Rebel of String raised her sword. She aimed it at Roshals ghosts, and an army flocked to her. Freed [Slaves], the [Rebels] and chainbreakers of every age. The Rebel of String shouted.

Even at the end of the world, I will not join hands with those who enslave others. If all will fade awayI will see Roshal die first, screaming. Never again! CHARGE.

She said nothing more, but charged the next [Slaver] and cut the screaming ghost into pieces. Roshals ghosts fled as an army followed them.

A far larger force whose fury had not waned over however long they had been dead. Some of Roshal had the levels to fightbut they were the people who enslaved. Roshals victims had fled the [Slavers] after death, but they had never forgotten the wrongs. And the worst of Roshals get were not here.

The Rebel of String began the first battle between ghosts for the best of reasons. Against all of Roshals monsters, each and every one present. However, she was only the first ghost to strike.

As soon as the ghosts of Chandrar realized they had Skills and a means to kill each other, they remembered their grudges and failed dreams and regrets in life. They looked at their parents and loved ones and remembered

Those that had killed them were here too.

Most did not have Skills to summon weapons. Erin saw a pair of [Kings] who might have been twins square up and begin punching each other, reenacting the very moment of their death with fists instead of swords.

Cawe herself had seized a blade Elucina had tossed at her and was pursuing Igheriz, who was screaming for a weapon. Other ghosts were pursuing their own vengeance.

Amidst the chaos, Khelts rulers tried to restore order, but their authority had vanished as Skills returned power to the dead.

Hear me! I will have no fighting! I am the [Archmage of Sands]! I demand

A Stitch-man flew into the air, booming, and his arms rose and the sands whirled up around him. Geysers of whipping sand that became the hands of giants, walls, and a city of sand, rising ever-higher. Other ghosts backed away as this one lifted his arms, creating a city in a moment. A power supreme even among other ghosts to command them all by force and might. That certainty shone bright in the [Archmage]s eyesright until he saw another [Archmage] rising into the air.

We shall finally settle our match without tricks, you wretched coward!

The Archmage of Fire howled, a dagger wound still in the Stitch-womans back as her cloth-skin burned with the fire of her magic.

Chaos. Their unity was gone in a moment. Erin looked around and saw someone sneaking behind a boulder as the ghosts began to fight.

Nerrhavia, the Immortal Tyrant, the most hated ruler for over a thousand yearspeeked around the boulder. She looked very nervous. She scuttled leftstraight into someone standing there. The [Tyrant] looked up.

Ah. Queen Merindue.

Queen Merindue of Nerrhavias Fallen, the kingdom that had sprung up with Nerrhavias deathone of the women who had seen Nerrhavia dielooked down with arms folded.

Her people stood behind her. All of Nerrhavia Fallens ghosts, the army that had perished trying to slay Nerrhavia, her successors, and champions.

Nerrhavia looked around for her legions and armies, but many had been so depraved they had not even come here. Others had simply forsaken Nerrhavia, having died cursing her name or betrayed, executed for treachery.

She straightened and slowly adjusted her gown. Nerrhavia flicked her hand and reapplied the poison to her nails with a Skill. She gave Merindue a bitter, contemptuous smile.

Do what you will, little successor of mine.

For a reply, Queen Merindue simply reached out and grabbed Nerrhavias arm. Her gaze was cold, dispassionate, and resolved. The Tyrant hesitated, and Erin saw Nerrhavia produce a little dark dagger out of nowhere. Nerrhavia hid the little dagger as she tensed. Merindues grip tightened and Nerrhavia lunged like a cornered snake. Erin was already shouting.

Nerrhavia, Merindue! Dont

Queen Merindue had seen the dagger coming. She rotated, grabbed Nerrhavias other arm, and thrust the dagger up before it plunged towards her breast. Nerrhavia looked bitterly content as she waited for a blow that would end herbut it never came. Merindue held Nerrhavias arm aloft with her own. Then she turned and shouted as loudly as she could to the assembled ghosts.

Nerrhavias Fallento me! We march with the Immortal Tyrant against the end of things! Abandon your grudges! To armsto arms for the end of the world!

She turned, and Nerrhavia found herself facing an army of millions upon millions. Many howled her name, but no one attacked. Merindue pointed towards the first Seamwalkers walking onto Chandrars eastern shores.

To battle! Tyrants shall ever die!

The ghosts of her nation began to march. Nerrhavia turned to Merindue in surprise, and her painted eyes flickered.

Youare a practical ruler.

We have forever for you to answer for your crimes. I will not have the living land of our people despoiled by those things. If we survivethere will be a reckoning.

Merindue met Nerrhavias gaze icily, and the Tyrant smiled.

Ah, practical. I knew there was a reason I found your company tolerable.

Indeedas the two looked around, they saw many quarrels ending. Some went to the death, like Roshal and their foes, but many ghosts had possessed eternities to resolve them. And these Seamwalkers

However hated someone had been in life, they were nothing to the wrongness coming. So, for every ghost that went to pursue a grudge, ten thousand turned and set themselves against their foes.

They had much to do in so little time.

One of the Giants boomed downwards at the ghosts. The Ash Giant was watching her feet, flexing her hands, but the ghost who had died and given her body to Khelt was now looking around.

Little folk! The time has come to let go all grudges. You have slain my kindnow we fight together. So I ask for a weapon. Have you any great [Smiths]?

King Serept of Khelt looked up. His eyes brightened.

I have a halberd made for a Giant!

Oh dead gods, not that eyesore.

Queen Xierca muttered, and Serept looked hurt. But the half-Giant was looking around.

It is functional. If only I had the Skills to pull it from the living worldcan anyone conjure a copy of it?

Another ghost was staring at his bare hands, frustrated.

I am a [Scythemaster]without a scythe! How am I to fight without a weapon?

Few ghosts had the ability to conjure weapons. Erin was lifting a ball of fire in one hand and admiring the glow. Zineryr whistled.

Oh, quite lovely. Is that the emotion of glory? The grand design does do such interesting thingsa shame it was never completed.

She blinked at him.

Huh? Whatwhat are we doing? Hey! Anyone want free glory-fire? Got any piece of wood? You could make a torch!

Give it to me, and Ill cover myself in it.

A stranger strode over with the most amazingly strange skin Erin had ever seen. Oily? She looked at the strange man as he seemed to growno, not seemed to. His body changed. The Jinn accepted Erins fire and passed it over an arm.

Ah, it burns my magic. But it will be a fine little weapon. My kin! Lead us to one last battle!

Erin Solstice looked up, and there they were. The Ash Giant who had called for a weapon looked up and laughed.

Oh, the great smiths of magic. Unchained. This is a great day.

She held out her handsand a Djinni dropped a mace gleaming with blue fires of forging into her hands. A Giants mace.

Another threw down blades that ghosts scooped up, exclaiming in awe. The Djinni! They were creating blades and weapons, even bows and arrows!

Out of themselves. They were purely magical beings, and they were expending their very essence in death to create weapons. One tossed a scythe down, and the [Scythemaster] instantly picked up the long, wicked blade and frowned at it.

Wait. This is a farmers scythe. I need a warscythe

Chandrar was mobilizing itself to war. The more impetuous ghosts flew ahead, [Archmages] and flying Garuda, [Heroes], [Champions], some determined to fight alone.

A thousand thousand [Generals] were arguing over tactics, trying to form the army of dreams. Every [King] and [Queen] in Chandrar wanted the Excalibur blade.

Erin Solstice was standing with the rulers of Khelt as they held a conference with Nerrhavia and a number of other ghosts. Khelta turned.

We will have to spare some of our number to remain. Khelts power is still present here. And we will have to let most ghosts stay on Chandrar. We cannot fight by sea. Who will follow Fetohep? Some are pledged to aid the Gnomes.

What? What is going on? Why are some leaving? To flee?

The Rebel of String arrived, panting. Wounded in several placesbut she had driven Roshals ghosts into the sea, and she had not forgotten Erin.

No, Rebel of String. We are still committed to restoring Erin Solstice to her body. MoreoverI am still convinced our great battle is not just here. See. We are preparing to join other continents where they make their stand. A first conflict shall occur here, but we must all fight together. Especially against the greatest Seamwalker of them all. The one that consumes time. Seeit is almost risen.

She pointed to the edge of the world, and every ghost turned and saw the Devourer of Gods. Even looking at it was dangerous.

It was stealing time. It wasErin Solstice looked at the chalk-white skin and a hundred million eyes gazing outwards.

Each eye was a well into which time was sucked and distorted. Each one so unlike a normal eye. Some bled, others had too many layers. Others were simply blind.

It was standing, and even Dragons and other Seamwalkers fled its advance. Khelta glanced at Erin and the Gnomes, who were nodding. Then she pointed to their route off Chandrar since no one could fly.

Erin Solsticecome with us. Let us cross this sea.

Elucina followed her finger, and even the Rebel of String gasped. For what she saw wasan armada.

An armada and a great bridge across the world.

The [Pirates].

Erin remembered their saviors at sea, and it was Califor, adjusting her hat, who agreed.

They will ferry some ghosts and harass their foes. We shall walk across the greatest bridge this world has ever known.

She pointed, and the Witch Somillune, the Witch of Ashes, alongside the gigantic Witch of Trees, that woman with a body like a vast oak, and the Shark-Witch strode onto the water. They walked into the waterand the earth rose around them. New land, rising from the depths to form a walkway a thousand paces wide.

The greatest [Witches] were passed by a figure skating on the waves. The [Pirates] who had reclaimed some vessels cursed and sailed out of the way of a [Cryomancer] who froze the waves and water itself. On the right, the worlds most legendary [Carpenter] and Drevish were literally building a bridge and arguing about construction.

We go after Fetohep. Who will join us? To Terandria, to Balerosto Drath or wherever the ghosts unite for a final stand!

Khelta called out, and Erin Solstice saw a second legion following her. Erin hurried to catch upbut a hand tugged at her arm.

Not you.

Wh

Zineryr tugged Erin Solstice away as Khelta called out, daring the dead gods to assault them as more Seamwalkers and Norechl itself turned to catch them at sea. It would be a terrible battlebut the Gnome was pulling Erin away.

But Khelta

Zineryr nodded at the great ruler, and Erin saw a young woman shuffling next to her, waving a pan and beaming in a stupid way. The Gnome grinned as Erin Solstice looked at Erin Solstice. He gave her a wink as the God of the Forgotten locked on the fake Erin. Then he patted Erins hand.

Illusion spells. We have a different route. Time to finish telling you everything.

But the battle

The Gnome looked Erin in the eyes as she wavered. Everything in Erin yearned to join in and fight along Chandrars legends.

Yours will be harder because it will continue when you wake up. You have a life to get back toand one of the six in your body could be the greatest disaster of all. Please, join me? My kin and I have another route.

Ohokay.

The [Innkeeper] forced herself to turn away from Khelta and followed Zineryr. She was about to ask what their route was when she saw it.

How many of you? Nine and a Human? Very wellbut I am headed to Baleros first! You will have need of my kin, and a thousand Dragons can stop even those six.

Yes, yes. Now lower a wing, would you?

Gnomes were striding up Xarkouths wing and sitting on his back. The Void Dragonlord looked at Erin with the most grumpy expression in the world. She put her hands over her mouth.

Im gonna ride a

It is for a dire emergency and the oldest of species. Do not think this is because of you, ghost-girl.

Im going to ride a Dragon?

Zineryr just laughed as Erin stared up at the Void Dragonlord. He gestured to his chuckling kin.

Everyone should at least once. If only to learn that Dragons are terrible vehicles.

Xarkouth growled, but then they were flying. The great battle for Chandrar began as Erin Solstice flew with the Gnomes. Into the air, laughing and then immediately getting queasy because she had forgotten she didnt like heights.

Below her, the battle for the lands of the dead had truly begun.

The reappearance of gravity and magic and the sudden opposition of their food did not seem to dismay the Seamwalkers. Did they even understand what was going on?

It was unclear. Mainly because so many were different. Some clearly shared common traits, but as Erin had seen

They were so wildly outside of biology that they were literally impossible. And she realized something.

Some really werent experiencing gravity that well. As the young woman looked down, she saw a Seamwalker with an upper torso connected to a lower, crawling half by a rail-thin spine waverand fall.

It snapped itself in half, and a horrific ooze infested with parasites gushed out. Both lower and upper half kept trying to crawl on the ghosts. Erin gagged as she looked down.

Oh my gdid you see that?

One down. Two more crawling about. Plus parasites. Just as well were all dead or decontaminating everyone affected would be a nightmare. Theyll rot some soulswell, Kasigna gets to clean it up if she wins.

One of the Gnomes commented. Zineryr just shook his head as Erin looked downwards in horror.

That thing was never meant to survive the open air. Norechl has led most of its kin to a demise. If we were in an oxygen-rich environment, theyd suffer more. Some of them.

It was true; gravity alone was the downfall of some of the Seamwalkers. Others seemed to drink in the surface and grow stronger. Even as Erin watched, a giant pillar of flame hit the two halves of the downed Seamwalker and cooked it. A flying [Mage] was hitting every Seamwalker they could find.

Look at that. All that free manaI heard they had the design backing them up, but its still something. Wasteful magic, but an ocean compared to even Dragons.

One of the female Gnomes observed, watching the [Mage] direct another hurricane of fire at a second Seamwalker. This one barely burned, encased in a rubbery hide. The [Mage] dove as Xarkouth banked left; thousands of splinters of flesh shot from the things gaping maw and obliterated several ghosts in the air.

They nearly hit Xarkouth as well, but the Void Dragonlord growled an oath, and a little hole opened up in the world and sucked all the projectiles coming their way into it.

He could cast magic! However, the Void Dragons second spell failed; he uttered a few magical words, then flapped his wings and cursed.

Take us away from the fighting.

Zineryr called down, and Xarkouth complained.

I cannot teleport! I tried to blink-teleport across

Yes, yes. I saw. You cant access other dimensions here. Or else wed all be able to leave. Teleportation is out or we wouldnt need your slow wings. Take us away from that Seamwalker! Now!

Xarkouth and Erin turned and saw a third one coming their way. Fast. It was lunging through the ocean in huge flops of motion. It had neither arms nor legs, and it waswhat, bone? Something between the two, flowing and solidifying by turns, slick with liquid.

Solid matter, sickly yellow, forming a lattice of a body, and a lower half that oozed into the water. However, the upper half was just that strange, almost geometric lattice and a single heart exposed to the world. Like a skeleton.

Forewarned, Xarkouth flew as fast as he could away from it. When Gnomes sounded urgent

The powerful pyromancer spotted a new target and conjured a gigantic, green fireball the size of a house. They tossed it down, and Erin saw the beating heart, too spherical by far, laced with diseased blue and purple flesh

Pulse.

The magic spell vanished. The fire went out, but Erin swore she saw something being sucked into the heart. As if it, like Xarkouths magic, were a maw, and it was eating

Magic. Is it?

Uh oh.

The Void Dragonlord flew faster, and Erin saw the heart was no heart at all. The center of the Seamwalker expanded as the mouth opened, and it ate the magic around it.

The ghostly [Mage] flew out of the sky helplessly, and Xarkouth flapped desperately. At the edges of the anti-magic zone, he lost momentum but stabilized after gaining some ground; the devourer was circling the waters behind it.

How are we supposed to fight that?

The Gnomes were watching the Seamwalkers as the others caught up, using it as a kind of shield against the powerful magic.

Some will be immune or devour magic. I suppose you get one of your highlevel warriors and have them hit it. Giants will do. Or an Elf. Is Sprigaena still dead?

I dont see her. Eyes out for Kasigna, Emerrhain? Norechls still back there. Tamaroth or Cauwine? Even if one got the body, I cant believe theyd share.

That would be a hilariously short-lived scenario. Bets on who got it? Whats our optimal scenario here?

Kasigna ate Emerrhain?

Ooh. I like that.

They werecalm. Chatting and clearly still on Plan A, whatever Plan A was. In factone pointed.

I see more of Chandrars ghosts! Dropping!

One of the nine Gnomes leapt off Xarkouths back as he spotted some [Pirates] on a ship. She adjusted a pair of goggles as she skydived downwards. Erin saw her rotate, give a thumbs up, then land on the ship in front of the startled ghosts.

They were so cool. And they spoke like theyd seen everything, even the Seamwalkers, before. Then she felt a tap on the shoulder.

Alright, until something comes up, weve got time. Back to what you need to know.

Erin gulped as Zineryr spoke to her. Other Gnomes were chattering, running commentary, giving Xarkouth sass, or preparing to visit more ghosts for reasons yet unknown. But her Gnome was eying her.

Are you sure? I meaneverythings happening! Shouldnt we fight?

Zineryr shook his head.

Every ghost in existence is down there, fighting. What would two more do?

But youre a Gnomedont you know super-magic?

He grinned toothily at her.

Youre thinking of Djinni, Dragons, even Elves, Erin. Were Gnomes. We make things. If I had to fight, Id make something to fight in. Besides, you know Norechls kin arent the real enemy. If they get loose, it will be one thing. Those sixthat is our job.

The other Gnomes nodded, and Erin gulped.

S-so what, I should listen, and youll tell me everything?

Yep. You are by way of a contingency in yourself. Someone who might liveisnt it worth arming them as best we can?

The young woman opened and closed her mouth. Erin hesitated.

But what if I forget?

Another Gnome hopped off Xarkouths back with a laugh. Zineryr shrugged.

Then you forget. Frankly, its a huge possibility. Death, trauma, someone eating you before we manage it. Dont worry. You are not the only plan in motion. Im the one out of eighteen devoted to you. We have a plan. So just listen and do what you think you can.

He patted her hand again cheerfully.

Thats how plans work. The best ones adapt for failure. For instance, we didnt know Emerrhain had a backup way to access the design. We just suspected it was in his nature.

Erin was surprised.

Oh? What would you have done if he didnt turn on Skills?

Zineryr winked slyly.

Ah, well, Kasigna could do it too, I bet. If Emerrhain didnt succumb to fear, wed have hoped Kasigna would restore that function once she started losing to that.

He nodded at the Timewalker. Zineryr raised a finger.

Failing that? Wed tear a hole straight into the lands of the living. But that would escalate things. Our goal is to find the best outcome. Back to stories.

Erin and Xarkouths heads were both fixed on the Gnome.

Wait! You cant just

You can do what?

The Dragonlord roared. The [Innkeeper] saw the pure mischief on Zineryrs face. He waved a hand airily.

Come, come, you two. Focus.

That was a Gnome for you. Erin began to get it. Stories about Gnomes always made them clever. These ones were the cool grandparents, skydivers, inventors with goggles. Pranksters.

And they made the dead gods nervous. Becausebecause the Gnomes had humiliated them before. Because they were smart. And they had been there at the beginning.

Zineryr looked across the lands of the dead, so unlike the world he had known. He sat there, legs dangling over the scaly side of the Void Dragonlord as wind blew around them, but the ghosts felt no cold. Such a tiny Gnome, second-shortest of all.

When he had lived, they had been the smallest race. He spoke in a far-off voice, losing the mischief, his tone longing, nostalgic and regretful. He frowned as he looked at the fighting below them, ghosts versus Seamwalkers.

Drat, if only we had time. If we had a month, a weekbut they just had to end the world now.

Time. Erin saw the largest Seamwalker of them all, dwarfing even the Giants, so large it didnt fit on this world. Reaching out with the eyes of a thousand hands to swipe at a Dragon who dodged the slow blowthen appeared in its grasp, screamingand vanished.

Time?

They had mere minutes to relate a story across lifetimes. The Gnome frownedand glanced at Erin.

Time magic is always dangerous. Your Skills can do things even the greatest magicians of our era couldnt. Create new matter at no cost. Even creating a speck of dust from nothing would give Elves a great challenge. Why? You sound like you have an idea.

What aboutan [Immortal Moment]?

The Gnome blinked at Erin. For the first time, she saw an expression of pure surprise on his face. Then he whirled.

The great Devourer of Time was halted in midair. Xarkouth kept beating his wings, but the Void Dragon realizedhe wasnt going anywhere. Everyone was fighting belowErin saw magic bloom across a Seamwalker who looked up at herbut it seemed like an eternity for the magic to lash its body.

The world froze a second. The Gnomes looked at each other, then burst into merry laughter.

What a completely ridiculous ability! And how fortunate!

Zineryr was nodding. He looked at Erin in approval.

I think we have time for our chess game after all. But just in caselets begin.

Erin Solstice beamed in pride at her first special Skill as the Gnome waved at the world around him. His eyes lost focus, and he looked backwards. His voice grew nostalgic, since they had the time for it. He spoke less quickly than the patter of words, because these ones mattered. With too much meaning and context left unsaid. But he did tell her

Everything.

When the people of this world rebelled against the gods, it was Elves who stood first, though they were divided. The vast majority would strive against the gods, but some, like Sprigaena, became their champions, and empowered, they were the greatest foes besides the gods themselves. Yet it was Elves who opposed gods first. Some of their own kind as well, in time. They were never united. For instance, Tamaroth, Emerrhain, and Cauwine belonged to the same pantheon. Laedonius Deviy stood apart, and Kasigna and Norechl were part of their own pantheon. Do you know that term? Those are the six to remember as they seem to be the ones that held onto their identity.

Erin sat there a moment.

I do. Are you telling me?

Zineryr regarded Erin cheerfully.

Everything but the dangerous parts means everything. I can skip it if you want only the details, but I find most people want to understand it.

I want to know. I want toIm not sure Im ready.

Erin Solstice took a shaking breath, and the Gnome shook his head.

Just listen, Erin. It isnt a long story. When we strove against them, it was the oldest races who made war. Some proud mortal kingdoms, but mostly the immortal species who could see the grand design taking place. You understand? What you haveHumans did not have. Skills, levels, classes. There were other reasons, but that was the greatest of them. We went to war. Gnomes, Elves, Dwarves, Dragonseveryone. War engulfed the entire world.

Is itwait. Is itround? Isnt there an end to the world?

Zineryr snorted.

Its round. They werent stupid enough to make a square, and its not one of the ones where you can actually fall off. We justtore a part of it away.

W-what?

The trembling voice came from Xarkouth. Zineryr shushed him.

That is getting ahead, towards the end. Suffice it to say, it wiped out so many peopleit was a blow that should never have been struck, but it had to be. The Kingdom of Drath was the only one that survived even part of the destruction, and their descendants pledged never to forget. They might be allies. But that was one of the last great blows of the war. I wept when I felt it.

He looked out into the distance. Erin grabbed at her head.

You were?

Yes. All the way to the end. Past it, actually. As I said

The Gnome looked at her, and his eyes glinted.

We won. It is not an original story. To summarize it: long ago, before the grand design, before yoursystem of Skills and classes, creation fought creators. We did it because of that very issue. They put in place the grand design that shapes this world. Elves, Gnomes, and other species objected. The gods imposed their will and we argued, then began to fight.

A Gnome looked up wistfully and brushed at a lock of hair.

So long we argued upon that brink, hoping it would not come to it. But they would not relent. We were their subjects. When the Elves stood against them, the gods smote them with armies and magic and the wrath of heaven. So the Gnomes joined our kin, the Dwarves made weapons beyond the likes of which any had dreamed. They were laughing until we slew the first of their number. Then the blood of god and mortals ran into the oceans.

The Gnomes looked at Erin. Zineryrs voice was low.

In time, every kingdom was all but rubble and the pantheons emptied. Gods took sides. So did every mortal race. Realms beyond this one joined the fighting and suffered for it. They died, but so did we. It was a war.

It was just a war. Like every one Erin had knownand greater than she could imagine. She sat there, heart beating, as Zineryr took a long breath.

And in the end, we won. The gods died, leaving only mortals to pick up the pieces and decide what came next. The survivors of both sides, Sprigaenas loyalists and the few like we Gnomes, stood in the aftermath and the death of gods, and we knew it was over. They kept fighting, a while, after it ended. Sprigaena hunted usand killed some.

She got me.

A Gnome waved his hand from the front. Zineryr nodded.

The rest of us made preparations as the mortal world forgot and rebuilt. A world without gods was our victory. A world without gods or Elves or my kin, and so many others.

A tear dripped from one of Zineryrs eyes, but no more. He had wept it all long ago.

I lived for thousands of years after that, mostly helping rebuild, battling loyalists, making sure all was safe. Making what amends we could to the other worlds. I spent my last centuries with the tiny people that appeared. Fraerlings. We meddled, made plans, and died. I regret to say that while we made a lot of preparations, we completely missed Rhir. That one was buried so deep we didnt realize for countless ages something was wrong and then

He sighed.

We were dead.

And you didnt have kids? You said that. Why?

Zineryr scratched at his beard.

You know, children are delightful. Ours would have been too intelligent. They would have asked too many questions, you see? We were tired. Every door was shut. Some of us chose to leave, before the war, and the rest after. We bade them best wishes wherever they went. But we eighteen chose to stay. Just in case. The last Elves, Sprigaena included, died out, and their children became half-Elves because only two Elves can create another Elf. Sort of a genetic flaw, that. But the doors were sealed, so nothing could leave. You seethey were alive, but starving.

The dead gods.

The Gnome nodded.

Exactly. They would have fledif they could. So no children. No great magicsthe world was shattered. We had won the war, but they were not deadyet. Dying.

I dont get it. How did you win ifhow did it end?

The Gnomes still on dragonback shook their heads. Zineryr looked at Xarkouth.

Dragons fell from the skies, screaming defiance by the tens of thousands in the first battles. The greatest spellcasters struggled with the divine, and other lands pledged to do such battle that it engulfed multiple realms. The Faerie King and Queen fought, and the Fae were forever wounded as Titania, Queen of the Fae, fell. Elves died. Gnomes died. We slew them one by one, and there were traitors and great battles, but at the end, we had one last plan. We had no more weapons. Literallyonly a few things of such magical power or similar scope can kill them. Only a few stood at the end, so we enacted our great plan. We wonbut a handful survived.

One last move in a chess game where all the pieces were on the other side. Erin could almost see it. Her voice trembled.

Howhow did you do it?

Zineryr just gazed at her.

You already know. You come from another world. You must be able to guess, young lady. It is so obvious you understand it already. Or does your world lack such ideas altogether? I know it doesnt; Ive talked with your people.

Erin Solstices heart raced. She did know. It was so obvious that she had heard it from the start. She had only put the pieces together later. Begun to think it was by designshe murmured.

The gods are dead.

Xarkouth gasped because he had just figured it out. The Gnomes just smiled. Zineryr resumed his tale.

They were not dead when we killed them. They rotted. Starving. We hoped they would die out, but six must have clung to life. Herewe didnt know they could come here. Eating each other, struggling to survive. Sixwell. Six and a half.

Whats the half? Rhir? Whats

The Gnome tapped at the side of his nose.

Having never seen who it was, I can only guess based on who would have fallen and been buried that deep. Not the genuine article. But closeshe would have been the product of when gods like Tamaroth took lovers among the immortal or mortal. Spawn of gods. I think youd call them

Demigods?

Ah, a lovely word. Yes, and more dangerous because it has a body.

Erin was trying to contain all of this. She had every answernow Zineryr was looking at her.

You have the history. Nowunderstand this. When you wake up, you will find all the explanations. All the regrets and sordid history. We left clues, but the clues only appear if theres a need. Wellsome of them. The last of other species left their confessions and treasures, but look for our designs. Each old race had them. Dragons, Elves, Gnomes, Dwarveseach one safeguards. Pull weapons to fight them. The gods can die. They can lose. Remember that.

Was he talking aboutErin frowned.

Dungeons?

Hopefully more like helpful vaults, but whatever you want to call themI am sure they are overgrown, protected well, and remote. Now

The Gnome was reaching for something, conjuring it out of magic and memory. Erin Solstice leaned over as he produced an object and opened it for her.

heres a map. Im sure the geographys changed, but we can do some correcting as long as no ones messed with the landscape too much. Then again, your High Passes make me think this might be a chore. But theyre not all possible to move. Just hard to get to.

Erins eyes went round.

You have a map?

The Gnomes were insulted. One put her hands on her hips.

Do you forget where you build a gigantic vault? What, did you think wed give you two riddles and a puzzle box to open? What are we, faeries?

Zineryr chuckled, then fixed Erin with an eye. He glanced over her shoulder, frowned at something. Erin looked around, but the [Immortal Moment] was still going on. She wanted to go back to everything. Dwarves. Elveswhat it had been like. The Gnome was rushing on.

Just rememberits not you alone. Just tell them.

But what about you? Cant you come back to life? Arent we going towin?

Every ghost in creation was fighting. Yet Zineryr laced his fingers together and gazed up a moment in contemplation.

Winning takes many forms. Its not just a chess game. This is a far more complicated battle. Yes, we have many plans. Some were more drastic than others. But they are still what they are, Erin. Gods. I am afraid we will not last; they will hunt us down, you see. Nothing like being responsible for killing them once to make them hold a grudge. Dont worrywell go out fighting.

One trick left. You just go back to life and do your best.

But how do I fight that?

Erin looked up at the army of Seamwalkers. The great Devourer, still striding through the waters. Was it looking their way? The [Immortal Moment] shivered as Erins spirit quailed. The Gnomes just laughed. One nudged Erin.

Youll figure it out. As we saidits never just you. Theres never a reason to give up. In the darkest hour, we can turn it around. When its pitch black, cast fireball.

She winked at Erin.

Youre like us. You escaped Kasignas clutches yourself.

Erin smiled faintly and sadly. She looked at a little flame glowing in her hands and wiped at her eyes.

With help. I couldnt do it alone.

The Gnome nodded seriously, still smiling. There was a depth to those smiles. They smiled rather than wept for all the comrades they had ever known. Smiledbecause they would not give their enemies the satisfaction of anything else. Zineryr murmured as he glanced about.

Everyone needs help. But hold onto that. It is the most valuable skill you will ever learn. More valuable than all your Skills. You are like us, you know. You try.

I couldnt do this!

Erin pointed ateverything. The Gnome pinched her cheek.

Dont be silly. Of course not. I said you are like us. Like those [Witches] who took you in. Were all the same. Meddlesome folk, across species. But were the best. Weve been doing it for thousands and thousands of years. And while you claim you cant do anythingone girl is currently holding this entire world in check. Believe metheyre noticing.

Erin started.

What do you m

Then she looked up at the Great Devourer and noticed it had moved slightly. Of course, it was an immortal moment. But every single eye on that vast being had shifted. All of them were staring at

Erin gulped. Then she saw an [Archmage], frozen in battle, looking her way, mouth open in wordless disbelief. She peered over Xarkouths back and saw the Seamwalkers gazing up at her. Xarkouth muttered.

Void consume us. Theyre all looking our way.

Zineryr nodded thoughtfully.

D-did I do that?

The Gnomes were chortling. One slapped Erin on the back as hard as he could.

Yes. Did you think your Skill just stopped time for us? This is clearly a mistake. The grand design is stopping everything. Hah! Even the gods! This must really make them mad. UnfortunatelyI dont think we can tell you all the stories.

The Gnomes were nodding. One look up explained why.

The [Immortal Moment] wasshaking. It was ending, or trying to. Erin felt something tugging at it, trying to eat it. The Devourer of Time was eating her Skill!

She clung to it, forcing more power into the Skill.

Not yet! I have so many questions.

And we have answers. Map!

One thrust it in her face. Zineryr spoke from the side.

You will need to find allies. Go to Drath. Find the clues; theyre irrefutable proof, weapons, tricks, no matter who made them. Ours are very helpful, but Im sure the Elves left some. Dwarves and other species. Ahother species. The Harpies are all but gone, they tell me. But the last ones might be your allies. On Rhir. They call them Demons now.

Demons? But Ive heard theyre bad guys

Another Gnome lifted a finger.

According to whom, exactly? There are always two sides to every argument. To hear those six tell it, we were the disobedient children who rebelled for no reason other than ignorance and spite. I suggest you make your own informed decisions.

Iwho else?

Zineryr tugged on one finger absently.

Djinni went both ways during the war. They have all been enslaved, and their children were wiped out. It would be a mistake to generalize across species, and we are not up to date on the entire world. Although

His eyes sharpened. One Gnome nudged him.

She can trust the fae, cant she?

Of course. But are they even there? The Winter Court wouldnt have kept bringing winter after all this time. Not after all they lost

Erins head snapped up.

You mean Winter Sprites?

She was not prepared for the way all the Gnomes sighed suddenly. One took off a pair of goggles and wiped at her eyes.

Ah, those loyal idiots. They kept their word? How are they?

U-um, mischievous? They throw snow, and they called my friendshes a half-Elfa whore

The Gnomes just exchanged looks. One shook her head.

They never forget. They will be your allies. At leastOberons lot. But hed never open a gateway. That was one of the plans if they started winning. Just open a gate and hope the Faerie King would end this war here. It would mean the destruction and contamination of his realmbut he might dare it. No. Nokeep them out of this. They have sacrificed far too much.

Zineryr rested his tiny chin on his hands.

That will be up to them. The Winter Sprites know more, though they have great rules.

II think weve got that. My friend, Ryoka? Shes friends with one of the fae.

The Gnomes blinked at Erin. She tried to tell them about Ryokabut then they were rolling around on Xarkouths back laughing. One fell off the side and had to fly back up.

Friends with one of the Fae? Which one? Ivoletheah, thats hilarious! Which one is that?

I know her!

Erin looked around wonderingly. The Gnomes caught themselves quicklythe [Immortal Moment] was shivering. Zineryr nodded.

Then they are in this battle. For better or worse. Who else?

Witches.

[Witches]?

The Gnomes were all agreeing.

Nothing like a pointed hat to command respect. They went to war with usand they are always a sensible lot. Talk to [Witches]. Who else? Who can we actually recommend? Drath, [Witches], Fae

Erin felt there were two crucial species they had forgotten. And it was a great question, one she needed to know. She timidly raised a hand like she was in school.

Excuse me. What aboutGoblins? Antinium?

The two monstrous people who she had realized were just people that had no friends. The effect on the Gnomes wasprofound.

As one, they all lost their smiles. Wordlessly, they looked up and about. And Erin remembered something.

There were no Goblins in this entire land. Not one. Perhaps, then, the Gnomes had forgotten Goblins. But the name alone clearly made them remember. Zineryr and his kin hung their heads.

No. Not Goblins.

Why not?

Erin was mystified. Zineryr shook his head.

Leave them be. Do not make them face this cruel destiny. Not twice. They were never on either side, just victims. The youngest deserve nothing but peace.

They had no idea. TheyErin looked at them. Goblin Kings. Goblin Lords and Goblins, hunted across the world. Her voice shook.

But theyre called monsters. Each Goblin King who rises

She saw the blank look in Zineryrs eyes. He didnt know. It slowly turned to horror. And then Erin saw a sight she never wanted to see.

The Gnomes wept. Tears ran from their eyes as the old ghosts cried. One tore at her hair, and Zineryr covered his face.

Is this one last spiteful act of gods? We saw them not, and I only believed they were excluded from this place or sent elsewhere. Monsters? They are not monsters!

I know.

The Gnome lifted his head. He fixed Erin with a gaze.

Then you have done us all a service. Goblin Kings? There was only ever one. His wrath has endured this long? Nothey were never matured as a people. Memory. Memory and Goblins

He looked at his kin, then turned to Erin.

Tell them, then. Tell them who you are facing and reawaken a Goblin King.

Or Queen.

The Gnomes were clustering around Erin. Zineryr grabbed Erins hands. He waved at the others for silence.

Of course! That is why they become Goblin Kings. She needs to tell them nothing. Their King will remember everything. If there is one true allyit is the species truly wronged by gods. So. Goblins.

He looked so wretchedly unhappy. Then Zineryr turned.

She should meet one of the Elves. Sprigaenaif only we could arrange it. If only

He looked up as the [Immortal Moment] shrank. Xarkouth was now silent, flapping along, and Erin felt thebubbleof immortal time shrinking as it was eaten away. One Gnome cursed and stepped back, giving the others room.

Almost time. And I suspect this moment will cost us.

Zineryr murmured. Erin cried out. She held the little Gnomes hands in hers.

I have so many more questions! What about Antinium?

Four Gnomes crowded around her, then three. Zineryr sighed, scratching at his hair.

I have never met them. Some ghosts whispered of new speciesbut they can appear organically. Ant-people? Good for them. We had spider-folk, once. Remember they are people.

He gazed at Erin and smiled.

What am I saying? You know that.

The Gnome looked around and shook his head.

I wish we had all the time to give you answers. But there is one last thing I wanted to tell you: we are sorry.

The two Gnomes nodded solemnly. Erin looked from face to face.

Sorry?

A female Gnome gestured around.

This is not your affair, Erin. This is our mess. Youve been dragged into their games, and we are sorry. We will take responsibility. But we cannot end this ourselves. We tried once, and we will do all we can again. But we failed.

She gave Erin a terribly guilty smile, and the young woman shook her head. She looked at the Gnomes. Eighteen Gnomes, where a people had once been.

The others were all eaten, werent they? Some left. But thats why there are so few Elves. Gnomes, Dwarvesthey were all eaten.

Zineryr shook his head gently.

No. Some just died. Died in such a way that they left nothing behind. Many were consumed, yes.

Thenthenwhy do you call it your fault? This isnt your responsibility. You didnt do any of this, did you?

The Gnomes looked at each other, and one froze. Two left. Male and female. Zineryr and a Gnome with bright, pink hair. They both shook their heads and looked at Erin.

No. We spoke against them when they proposed their grand design. When the Elves rebelled, we stood with them. Then we fought until our people vanished and the world was destroyed. We wonwe did not begin this.

Then why do you say it like that? Why are you still here?

Taking responsibility for the folly of gods? Zineryr held Erins hand and looked up at her as that immortal moment faded away.

I suppose its simplythis is our world. They were our gods. We worshiped and loved them, once.

Erin drank in a world of sadness, a time long gone in Zineryrs kindly, weary eyes. The Gnomes gaze sparkled.

They were like our parents, in a way. We take on none of their sins, Erin Solstice. But it does fall to us to stop them. Because someone had to. When something ill happenssomeone must step forwards. We refused to run or look away.

It was the answer that Erin Solstice could understand in her very heart. She took Zineryrs hand in her own, trembling.

Thank you, then.

He beamed at her. Then the [Immortal Moment] was at its end. Zineryr nodded.

You truly were worth coming here to meet. Erin Solsticelook. What you see here, now?

He pointed across the lands of the dead as they fought horrors from the edge of the world itself. Ghosts of every species. Zineryr captured Erins eye.

Make it a reality. For they will have allies, and there are always simply those who will profit or do wrong. For there will always be

He hesitated. One of the Gnomes looked over Xarkouths wing and swore.

He pierced our spells. Dragon, dodge

Xarkouth roared, and Erin saw Zineryr push her urgently. Then a ray of light flashed past her face. It had gonestraight through the Void Dragons body. She shouted, and then they were falling as the Dragon roared again and fell out of the sky.

Straight down. Erin slowed and hovered, flailing, and saw Xarkouth plummet into the ocean. The other Gnomes caught themselves and turned. Zineryr grimaced.

Ah, wonderful. Here comes the first one.

Emerrhain, the God of Magic, stood in the air, holding an open book in one hand. He pointed at Erin Solstice, face alight with malice.

There you are. KASIGNA! NORECHL! Your prey.

He called into the void, and two figures turned, one standing over a collapsed giant of flesh, a Seamwalker. Kasigna turned with Erins mothers face on hers. And the God of the Lost slowly began to smile again. Erin saw Zineryr meet Emerrhains gaze.

Such petty people. Can you believe he ever ruled over anyone?

Khelta turned as she saw, in the distance, Erin Solstice and the Gnomes facing Emerrhain, with two gods following.

Then another god appeared, and Zineryr sighed.

Well, that answers that question. We may be saying goodbye sooner than I wished. Time for one last battle.

There was a kind of grand finality to it. A delightful ending to all the strife and worry. Now, at last, they could put it to rest. The Gnolls and their damned quarrels, unrest in Izrilall of it wrapped up with a neat bow.

To Wall Lord Dragial, the Meeting of Tribes, embroiled in civil war, was the perfect moment. A chance to end it all.

I dont intend to wipe out the Gnolls, of course. They are not all there. However, the time has come to finally reclaim the Blade of Mershi. To put an end to Gnollish aggression and claim our land. The Great Plains of Izril. Should they surrender, I will happily spare every Gnollwe are drawing up a proposed way to funnel them into cities and designated tracts of land. Make no mistake, thoughthis will be an end to it.

He smiled, and his words were met with polite applause. No less than three [Generals], one a [Mage-General] of Fissival himself, and two more from the lesser Drake cities, were commanding the joint army led by Fissival.

Fissivals army was marching towards the site of the fighting, which was widespread and growing as the Gnolls fought each other. They would be within range by the end of the day. As far as Wall Lord Dragial, who had assumed command of the army, knew, only two other forces would be poised to interfere.

Manus was still on the march from the opposite side, and they might make it, but Oteslia and Zeres would both be delayed getting to the battle. Zeres was moving to counter Oteslia, who had declared they were intending on supporting one of the Gnollish factions.

Since that was plain idiocy, Zeres was mobilizing the two halves of its army to cut off Oteslia. The City of Growth had the weakest army of all the Walled Cities by far, and supplemented by Liscors mercenary army, Zeres would keep them in stalemate unless Oteslia were mad enough to attack.

Which they might be, given theyd nearly started a war by breaking the siege on their city. But that was a move that weakened the City of Waves and City of Growth, and so Dragial was quite content with having no enemies at his back.

In fact, he would be marching on the Gnolls with not only Fissival, but Salazsar, whose smaller force was moving into a spot on Fissivals flanks. Wall Lord Ilvriss Gemscale was apparently leading them, as was right and proper.

A Wall Lord to lead an army. A [General] commanded, but they were the scions of their cities. And this Ilvriss had been a sympathetic ear to his cause.

The Blade of Mershi. With it, his disgrace would be forgotten, and he would be welcomed to his city.

Dragial could almost taste it. If there was one thing that made him frown, it was the last force moving into the Great Plains. Ahead of Fissival.

A ragtag army of Gnolls, Goblins, even Antinium fighting together. Followingthe Titan of Baleros. It is just like a Balerosian [Mercenary] to do something like this.

It is extraordinary that Antinium would follow anyone, Wall Lord. Perhaps we should attempt to take prisoners?

Dragial lifted a bejeweled claw as one of the [Generals] murmured.

Appropriate, General Hexa. The Fraerling himself. A sufficiently small bottle should do. We can mail him to the Iron Vanguard.

Chuckles. Wall Lord Dragial turned back to the map of the battle. They were on the move, of course; he was not resting on his laurels, even though he stood in a rather resplendent war room.

It was just that the war room was moving. If you stepped outside or into the room like a [Messenger] did now, you exited the outside world and entered the huge, mobile Moving Rooms that Fissival was famous for. Rather like the Moving Cities of oldbut all they could do was compress a room into an oversized wagon that could be ported about.

Sir, Wall Lord Ilvriss has sent a runner requesting an immediate conference with Fissivals leaders and an agreement to cease hostilities from any Walled City until we can come to a mutual plan of action.

The [General] reported after a second of scanning the missive. Dragial snorted.

It sounds entirely like the City of Gems. Do they want a contract as well? Inform Wall Lord Ilvriss I will happily meet with him if he will join my position. Indeed, I invite him to coordinate our assault. But I will strike the Gnolls to pieces while the moment is ripe.

They were fighting each other over some traditional foolishness. Dragial turned back to the map.

Nownow was the moment. He dismissed the [Messenger] and looked ahead, towards the Meeting of Tribes. Even if the Gnolls had not their civil war, every Walled City was marching on them save one. This was it. The Wall Lord murmured the catchphrase that had led him these last few years. This would be his great victory.

In the nameof the City of Stars.

Wall Lord Ilvriss was cursing. He was not a Drake prone to it, but he couldnt help it.

Pour quartz dust into your eyes, you ceiling-scraping cave-roach! What about Manus? Cant we go faster?

He wanted to ride ahead, but General Greex of Salazsar only shook his head.

Wall Lord, we cannot cover a mile in moments! If we run our soldiers, they will have no strength to fight!

Ilvriss knew that was true, and marching Skills and speed Skills only worked so well. But never before had he ever considered Salazsar an impoverished, weak nation.

Yet clearlythey lacked the ability to just buy speed like Khelt or a nation like Jecrass. He fumed every slow step of the marching Drake [Soldiers]. And to be fairthey were marching at a fast clip.

ThenManus. Zeres is pivoting to face Oteslia? Can we intercept either army, or move towards them?

General Greex shook his head, but Captain Osthia interrupted.

Wall Lord, Manus is coming from across the Great Plains. We could send a rider, but you would not be able to meet with them unless you went yourself.

And I am needed here. Ilvriss saw his plan collapsing for a number of reasons. The sudden fighting in the Meeting of Tribes had begunand it was Gnolls killing Gnolls.

Disastrous. Worseit had inspired Wall Lord Dragial to prepare for his attack. All for Fissivals grudge against Gnolls for things they had done and his desire to take the Blade of Mershi. Ilvriss had been angling to meet with every leader he could in private before the battle.

Instead, it looked like only Fissival and Zeres would be in close range before the battle began. And of the two

I could meet Wall Lord Dragial in private, tell him about Azkerash and why this battle plays into the Necromancers hands. Indeed, I could, if I didnt think that Drake had actual gravel for brains.

The one authority among Drakes he could easily speak to was a Drake who had not only been exiled from Fissival, but been condemned for attacking Gnoll tribes, Drake cities, and pursuing a Named Adventurer for some relic.

Worse, it was clear he had many allies that supported him in Fissival. Enough to let him assume command of a Walled Citys army.

Ilvriss was grinding his teeth as he rode.

Not Wall Lord Dragial. Call for an immediate meeting with the Admiralty of Zeres. All three of them. Two Admirals and the Sharkcaptain. I will speak with them all directly.

He sent another [Message] spell off and looked ahead towards the Meeting of Tribes. He thought he smelled smoke.

The fighting had begun last night. He had actually seen some of it. The revelations about the nature of Doombearers and the treachery of the Plains Eye tribe were all easy for him to grasp. The shocking part was the revelation of this Daemon of Luck. What was that thing? The worst part, though, wasMrsha.

That little Gnoll that was too precocious by half, caught up in the middle of the fighting. It would be midday at least before Salazsar was able to intervene. Ilvriss ground his teeth together.

Wall Lord? Response from Zeres.

That was fast.

We are communicating on military channels, Wall Lord. Admiral of the Land, Admiral Horsthe, has indicated that Zeres is too busy to engage in diplomatic channels with the Admiralty. He is directing us towards their [Diplomats]

Nerul looked up as Ilvriss lost his temper. He grabbed the [Message] spell. Then he shredded it.

Inform Admiral Horsthe that if Zeres does not want to be flanked by Salazsar to the rear, they will arrange a meeting with me now. Or we will engage in an immediate alliance with Oteslia.

Sir?

General Greex paled. He checked his shoulder.

They are marching with Liscors army. And they have a force twice our size

Send the [Message], Captain Shieldscale. I will not have more idiocy. We are not bound to attack Gnolls. Why can no one see this?

Ilvriss was panting with frustration. He looked around and saw Shriekblade watching him. Ilvriss straightened, catching himself. Xesci was not going to be in the fighting, obviously, so they had asked her to wait with his sister and mother. Ilvriss closed his eyes.

Someone must stop this madness. Why do we need to fight the Gnolls? Just what did they do to us to warrant this? Not as a species. Not one tribeall of them. Why are we marching armies on them?

No one had an answer at first. It was Nerul, sipping from a wine cup as he watched the fighting, who grimaced and turned to his nephew.

Isnt it obvious, Ilvriss? Were afraid that once they stop killing each other and think about how they came to itwe are afraid of what they will do to us with every right.

Ilvriss shook his head, but what had he expected? Everyone knew why they were attacking. It was just so damned pointless with the Humans in the north.

Shortsighted. That was it. He felt like hed been living in a tiny shell, a single city as small as could be, and forgot there was a world outside. Drakes and Gnolls fighting over half of Izril.

forgetting even the Antinium are here. Forgetting the end of the world is coming. If there ever was an answer, Uncle, weve found it.

Hm? What answer?

Ilvriss had a bitter smile on his face as he looked around.

Fetohep of Khelt, the Empire of Drath, the Blighted Kingdom, and countless nations are sounding the alarm. Here we are, fighting each other.

To thatthere was nothing to say at all. Ilvriss head turned, and he looked southwards. Not that he had a perfect sense of direction, but he had asked.

South, towards Chandrar. That was where he had heard it.

That glorious call, echoing across the world yesterday as dusk set. Ilvriss could have ridden into the sea to follow it. Yet he knew that it was not calling him to the location, but to arms.

Many doubted their memories already, Ilvriss was certain it had not been a figment of his imagination. Somehowsomewherehe knew who had blown that horn.

Even in death, they wont stop haunting me. Shaming me by doing more in months than I have in my entire life. General Greex?

The Drakes were watching him. Ilvriss broke out of his stupor.

March your [Soldiers] faster. This is the end of something. I will not have it said that when the world called, the City of Gems failed again. Hurry.

He turned his head to the scrying orb. Osthia Blackwing looked up slowly; she had gone pale as the chatter of news showing the war among Gnolls, Khelts dramatic armies crossing the land, war in Actelios Salash suddenlyswitched.

The first omens of the end appeared for all to see, and not even Wistram could deny it. Ilvriss murmured as every eye turned to the scrying orb.

Ah. How do we fight that?

Five gods stood on the water. That was but a parlor trick for them. Erin hovered in the air as the Gnomes regarded their old enemy. Zineryr nodded.

That makes five. Weve eliminated one option. Good. Youd look terrible with a beard. Knowing him, the first thing hed do would be brewing a potion to give you oneand other appendages I dont think you necessarily want.

He pointed at a bearded man standing in the waves, his eyes narrowed like thunder. They were the very eyes of a tempest, a swirl across the irises of brilliant lightning-yellow, hazel-grey, and the cloudy-blue of storms.

The eyes of the God of Rulers, and of coursethe beard.

Tamaroth.

Gnomes. So this is what caused Kasigna to change the nature of her realm.

Not I. The fool, Emerrhain. See what you meddlers do. Norechl and Emerrhain will both suffer. I swear it upon my name.

Kasigna hissed as she hobbled forwards, an ancient crone of a woman. Literallyif there was any stereotype, she played into it. Hands so gnarled they looked like grasping roots, skin that a corpse would call pallidand two burning eyes with pale pupils as close to white as Erin had ever seen.

Laedonius Deviy, Emerrhain, Norechl. Why were they all here? Perhaps because the others were.

Probably because of the Gnomes. Zineryr hung in the air, face calm, even smiling, but watching them all.

They were untethered. Like the ghosts, the dead gods were free to move and use magic. And ohsome could.

Emerrhain held a glowing orb of light that produced a thin ray of the kind that had pierced Xarkouths body with ease. It writhed in his hand, as if the deadly magic were trying to escape.

I will see your end, you meddlesome tricksters. Then I shall devour every soul. Beginning with that girl.

Kasigna hissed at Zineryr. He scratched at his beard.

Interesting. You annoy them almost as much as we do, Erin. I knew I liked you.

He grinned and looked around. The other Gnomes floating in the air were nodding at each other. One sighed and conjured an imaginary wand. She aimed it up and shot a beam of cascading colors into the air, like a rainbow.

A flare? A beacon. She shook her head as the dead gods recoiled.

Times up, I guess.

Another nodded and squared his shoulders.

Zineryr, would you finish your business with the young Human? I think this is it.

It is indeed, little meddlers. Come.

Kasigna spoke, and all five gods went for the Gnomes. Reaching greedily for the oldest of souls. They were, Erin realized, worth more than even a Named Adventurer.

Back up! Ive got fire! Zineryrhow do I fly?

Erin conjured some flames of glory and waved it dangerously around, but she was caught in Zineryrs spell. One of the five was going for her.

Norechl. It reached out with terrible malice. But the Gnome whod spoken first just laughed. Then he flew through the air, shouting at the others.

Farewell! Get clearin death, I strike one last down!

The other Gnomes turned and fled, and Erin yelped as Zineryr and she flew backwards. The laughing Gnome dove at the dead gods. They looked at him barreling towards them and

Dodged.

The Gnome plowed into the ocean and shot out of it, trailing water. He zoomed left, flying straight at Laedonius Deviy.

Touch me, Laedonius

The God of Dance and Love ducked the Gnome. Erin saw his expression. It had gone from eager avarice to uncertainty andfearin a moment when the Gnome went for him.

Especially when he said that part about striking them down. Erin saw the other Gnomes flying away rapidly. She didnt know what that Gnome had done, but she wondered what would happen if a god ate him.

And clearlyso did they.

All five dead gods backed away from the Gnome as he dive-bombed them. Norechl reached out and hesitated. Emerrhain backed away with a snarl.

What have you done?

Nothing! Touch me, oh glorious gods! Rulers of all! It wont hurtme. Touch me. Whats wrong? I thought that was what you wanted!

He had a wide, manic grin on his face. Erin saw the Gnome reach for Tamaroth, and the God of Rulers blocked his arm. Howeverthe Gnome didnt vanish. Like when hed been headbutted by Sserys or Zel had stopped Kasigna, it seemed they had to concentrate to devour souls. And even he wasnt certain.

This is a trick.

The God of Rulers glared at the wide grin on the Gnomes face.

Sure it is. Go ahead. Absorb

The Gnome dove, and a ray of that killing light hit Tamaroth in the chest. Emerrhain lowered the orb as the God of Rulers snarled at him.

You coward.

The God of Magic hissed back.

I do not see you taking his soul. I will destroy this one.

Enough. They are fleeing, and that living girl is leaving!

Kasigna howled, and all five realized Erin was getting away. They began to stride after her, and they were fast. However, the Gnome blocked their way, and they recoiled from him.

Its a trick! They cannot do anything that would harm us.

Laedonius Deviy shouted, but Erin caught the note in his voice. All five knew it was probably true. Butthe young woman looked back and saw the Gnome give her and his kin a huge wink.

They werent certain. They, the greatest of their kind, the divine, werent certain. Even in death, they feared the worlds finest tricksters. The unpredictable foes.

Gnomes.

Erin was sniffing again. Zineryr looked at her. His smile was as wide as the horizon itself.

You see? They are so arrogant. But it seems that even they remember how badly we beat them last time. It is never the end.

The first Gnome vanished as Kasigna touched him. The three-in-one flinchedbut then she smiled cruelly.

A trick.

The God of Death looked around archly at the other gods, and they glowered at her. Then they turned ahead.

The Gnomes snorted and scoffed at them. Emerrhain lifted that deadly orb of magic, but before he could unleash the magic, he hesitated. Tamaroths head rose, and his gaze narrowed. Kasigna cursed.

That damned pestilence

Behind them, the Devourer of Time took one step.

As gods and Gnomes warred and the ghosts assailed the rot of heaven comingled with the worlds filth, the entity that had feasted on the body of the God of Time rested awhile. It had journeyed far to feast on the marrow of chronology itself.

Even time grew weary. Yet this child without a name, kin to Norechl, was young, and it was surrounded by the bounty of souls.

Curious sights that it had never dreamed of in the darkness. Time captured in a bubble. Six strangers.

A strange half-world connected to others.

It had no name. But perhapsit began to understand that a name was meaning. The other, lesser spawn had little conception of names and meaning yet.

But if they did, they would begin a path far longer than even this long climb. A great journey that twisted around fate and nibbled at the edges of things.

The Devourer of Time stood at the beginning of that long road, and even the six dead gods were no match for it.

It had eaten the body of time itself. It had fleshthough the skin was pale as chalkit had eyes that stared and drank in the world around it.

It even had hands, feeta copy of the titan it had eaten, piece by piece, fighting with its kin to devour the whole of.

A squiggling line for a mouth, drawn across melted flesh that was the barest approximation of a face. Rotted fleshand so the copy of malformed features. A misshapen head as if struck a hundred times and left to further deform.

It stank of that deep carrion, of darkest waters and filth accumulating so far down in the consciousness that thought mired in corruption. Even a single step was pain. Pain and the screaming of time as it was nibbled upon.

One step. It was an eternity of slow movement, for the Devourer was slowcompressed into a microsecond. After allit had power over time, and it was learning.

Learning, for instance, that the little flying Dragons were too quick to catch, but that most did not swim through time except one way. So they were impossible to catch in one senseand flew straight into its grasp if it but moved through the order of events from the end.

In the same wayit stepped. Stepped curiously as an infant from sea to land, in one stride. Sensing the world invisible, beyond this one. Like a childwondering what would happen.

Time stepped onto Baleros.

What Ilvriss saw in the scrying orb had taken over an hour to be reported. Though it had been noticed almost instantly. Howeverthe [Mages], adventurers, and even armies who dared approach the place where a town once was had taken that long to get there for two reasons.

The first was fear. The second was because there was no one there to report what had happened.

Onlyovergrowth.

I dont know what were seeing. Named Adventurer Kositer?

Kositer the Lazy stood. A rarity, for the overweight Naga rarely moved. He was curled around the floating dais that moved for him. Nowhe heaved himself up with a slow dignity.

Stay behind me.

His swords were still dancing, clearing the way for the army and [Mages] showing the world what had happened here. Kositer the Lazy had twenty-nine swords.

Dancing Swords, and not just swords, but other artifacts that fought for him. He had magical rings and amulets, artifacts, and he had devoted his entire class to a curious combination of sloth and adventure. What people forgot was that he had survived long enough to be called lazy.

He had also been daring enough to lead the expedition there. The Naga was watchful. He gazed around. One of the [Scriers] looked around at the thick overgrowth. Towering trees stood overhead, and the foliage had been so thick it had been practically a wall.

It was visible for miles awaya huge patch of overgrown forest had justshot up. Some claimed to have seen it happening. Trees growing, withering, blooming, being overtaken in moments. And stranger things still.

There should be a town here.

The Naga leaned over his dais and stared down.

There was.

Are you sure?

For answer, he just pointed, and a telekinetic hand swept something aside. The Naga lifted something and showed it to the [Mages].

It waswell, just a piece of glass. Broken, fragmented, and mildewed beyond beliefbut glass. The Named Adventurer gazed about.

We are standing inside the town of Yoirthe. The peoplethey were here.

Did they die?

The Named Adventurer just shook his head.

Perhaps. But they might have died of natural causes.

Natural

I wonder how long its been. We may be in danger. My [Dangersense] hasnt stopped going off since yesterday. But we have to know.

Who had lived here? What had they done overhow long? Kositers scales were already crawling. Then he heard a Gold-rank team under his mentorship calling in.

Adventurer Kositer, we need you herenow.

More monsters?

No, sir. Itwe found a memorial. They were here. This entirethey built a dungeon. They said the rest of the world vanished. They were here for centuries.

The Naga spun. The dais lifted, and he shouted.

Take me to them. And evacuate any city nearby! There is no telling where this could come next!

The Wistram [Mages] hesitated. One covered the scrying mirror.

Named Adventurer! We have no idea what happened! A panic

There was a shrill scream, and the viewers saw a dancing sword as the hand jerked away. The Named Adventurer pointed down at the scrying orb, eyes flashing.

Khelt is shouting the alarm, you fools! This is the first wave! We

Then they felt it. Kositer looked up, and his eyes bulged. He lowered his claw, and the speaking stones were suddenly chattering with alarm. He fumbled at his waistthen tore something free.

find me that Quallet Marshand. Identify them, and I will kill them myself. There are only a few dangerous ones. Find

Commander Fezimet! Are there any Dullahans in your forces?

Slowly, the Featherfolk Brigades commander looked up.

Only in the hundreds. None here. Not more than sixty. Why?

Peclir felt his heart sinking. He stepped back and pointed out of the dome tower towards the east.

Reinforcements.

Kenjiro Murata had a crossbow in his hands, but he had not killed anyone yet. He was ready to. But he was standing with Aiko, who had created a nursing tent and was trying to save lives.

She was no Geneva, but she was trying. Ken was no warrior, but he was here.

That was all he could do. So he was also poised to see the four hundred Dullahans coming their way. Kenjiro ran towards them, ignoring calls to get back.

They could be the enemybut Ken took one look at the Grasgil Blockade and knew.

Diplomat Murata. We have arrived.

Ken stared first at the Dullahan wearing Grasgil armor and then at

Kirana? Why are you here?

She was back. The [House Keeper] and over half of the Earthers that had left had suddenly come back. Not alone either. The four hundred Dullahans were not the only force. Centaurs, even other Lizardfolk and Humans were joining them.

A combination army. They were only about two thousand strong, but they were made up of over half a dozen companies.

Our leader has directed our forces to enter the battle for Talenqual. We are preparing for danger from Seamwalkers. But we are poised to render aid. Where is your battle commander?

Strategist Cameral! Reinforcements!

The Dullahan came running out of a tent as Kenjiro felt his heart soar. But he turned to Kirana.

Why are you here?

For answer, she pointed at the Centaurs.

They saw us and demanded we come with them. Some [Mages] are also here to protect us. They said they wouldnt march if we didnt.

The mercenaries from the Stormhooves Company pawed the ground, ready to enter the battle. Ken shook his head.

But youre not fighters.

If you wish us to die for another city and your company, you will have to risk this much, Human.

A Centaur tossed his head. But he was already following the others as they headed into the city.

We can win this. Ken was sure. In fact, Cameral was looking from the veterans to Talenqual.

This is it. We must strikePaeth is in imminent danger of falling, according to Enchanter Resk. We must force the Featherfolk Brigade into believing the battle is lost.

Why are they still fighting?

Aiko had emerged to see what was happening. She had blood on her hands, but she was looking towards the city in ruins. The company engaged in two bloody battles they might never recover from.

Cameral had his head under one arm. The [Strategist] spoke for the mercenaries benefit as well as Kens. He pointed one hand.

Only one figure can inspire them to keep fighting. Commander Fezimet is more than just a leader. His Skills may keep them in line. If he diesit is a shame Adventurer Daly did not kill him. But it must be done. Moreover, there is a sign for the Featherfolk Brigade to see.

He raised a speaking stone to his lips.

Strike Leader Siri. Are you safe?

There was a pause, then Siri spoke.

skirmishing. What?

Cameral looked at Kenjiro Murata, then up calmly.

I am going to send an advance force towards you consisting of War Walker Bastiom and our new forces. They will punch through the Featherfolk Brigades lines and buy you time. My orders to you and Engineer Paige are conditional on one thing: how many blackpowder explosives do you have left?

Slowly, Ken looked up. Aiko, Kirana, the Earthers, all followed Camerals gaze. The new [Mercenaries] didnt know what Cameral was talking about, but explosives

Alchimagus Resk here. How much do you need? What are you intending to destroy?

Cameral just looked up at the most notable landmark in Talenqual. The Featherfolk Brigades headquarters and Fezimets tower.

Hope amidst despair. The Gnolls were fighting as the Drakes advanced on them. Numbtongues heart was racing out of his chest.

That maniac was laughing. Mrsha could be dead with those Gnolls fighting each other.

Yet the Titan of Baleros laughed. He laughed, with his company burning behind his eyes. With his people dying.

It was that kind of laugh. Part of Numbtongue was glad to hear it, because their motley force, multiple tribes, a Goblin army, and the Fellowship of the Innthey were no Walled City.

But with the Titan behind them, they might be.

The Fraerling was riding on his pedestal as the Goblin [Bard] played a marching song. It sounded like the growl of lightning on the wind.

Antinium, The Crimson Soldier, Infinitypear and Rasktooth, Goblins, and Gnolls ran after the Titan. They were racing to be the first to the Meeting of Tribes across the Gnoll Plains.

Fissival is hot on our heels! Titan, what is our strategy?

The Lomost Chieftain was howling with nerves. Niers Astoragon just pointed ahead.

We cannot fight a Walled City alone. We strike the Meeting of Tribes first. Were barely an hour outside of range. When we arriveI will join forces with Weatherfur. Take out Plains Eye and pivot! The Gnolls have enough warriors to fight each Walled City if they plan it right, especially if Oteslia isnt hostile.

He looked at the armies preparing for one of the greatest battles Izril had ever seen, and there was a confidence in his gaze. Nomore than that.

A lust. A hunger that even Snapjaw had never seen in Reiss, the Goblin Lord. The Titan had been here before. His teeth were bared, and his eyes were locked on the distance.

Can we beat Plains Eye that quickly?

The Gnolls were worried. They knew that famous tribe, and they had all seen the truth. Numbtongues skin still crawled when he thought of the Daemon of Luck. Like Facestealerthere were some things that were not meant to exist.

The Titan just shook his head. He calmed slightly and reminded them all of one fact.

I am Baleros greatest [Strategist]. Let him use luck. Is it fate, or is he just that unlucky? Because I accept no luck in my battles. I will have more targets when we reach the battlefield, and I see the situation, butBird!

Me?

The Worker sat up on the wagon he was riding on. Niers turned to him.

You are going to wait until I use my Skill. ThenI want you to shoot that damn Gnoll through the head. We go from there. No luck. No magic. If we are very lucky, someone will be able to recharge my Skill. In which case, I intend to rout Fissivalthen Zeres and Manus can negotiate on the tip of a sword. If they dont want to play, the Antinium Queens can make a bid for an alliance on the spot, or the Five Families.

Are you sure you can win?

Bird asked the question that was most pressing and most annoying to the Titan. The Fraerling threw his shoulders back and calmed. Numbtongue was relieved to see it; he wasnt mad with glory.

I can. Whether or not I do? We can never know. But if I laughits because I have a hand full of cards, Bird. Because I see the enemys best card, and mine counters his. Because I finally can fulfill my promise to that girl. And

The Titan stood there, grinning like a madman.

because I leveled up last night. At last. And I am going to use my new Skill to hammer everyone to pieces.

The Level sixty-six [Grandmaster Strategist] exhaled. Fighting the Witch of Webs, surviving Peclirs treachery, the High Passes, leading an army aroundplus all of what hed been doing before this?

It took a lot to level at his stage. But the rewards were worth it. Even the Antinium goggled at him.

Whats the Skill?

Ulvama sat up, eyes narrowed with inquisitive interest. Niers just smiled at her.

Youre going to have to wait. Nothing like a surprise element.

He didnt dare say it aloud just in case. It would not end the battle single-handedlybut it was a Level 66 Skill. Even he didnt know entirely what it did without testing, but if it was as good as he hoped

It might change the Forgotten Wing company forever.

So he spoke fire and promised them all glory, the people racing with him. That glorious horn call still rang in their ears. Niers Astoragon promised it victory. He promised ithope.

Until they saw the antithesis to such things. The dark web that ensnared every magical blade. The end of every last charge. The ending to every good tale.

Belavierr, the Stitch Witch.

Perorn Fleethoof ceded the walls to Jungle Tails, and the gates opened. The army poured into the city, but slowly. The academy was also a fortress, and it punished them as they grouped up.

But they were too tough. Thusly, Perorn prepared for the worst even as her forces formed up in the last place to make their stand.

The practice fields, where young [Strategists] learned from their teachers. A fitting end.

The Centauress herself trotted through the academy and found some of her students waiting there. Young cadets, some on the cusp of graduating.

Professor Perorn. We want to fight.

The teacher slowed a second and looked at her students. She was limping, her old injury acting up, and only willpower kept her on her hooves. She smiled as she saw the young [Princess], terrified Lizardfolk with swords, Dullahans, and Centaurs who looked at their professor and saw her at her lowest.

No. This isnt your battle.

But

We dont make our students take the consequences of losing. You will all surrender; youll be treated well or Jungle Tails will make an enemy of every company and nation in the world. We will surrender too, some of us.

If it came to it. Perorn trotted on. She would have liked to make a lesson of it, but she had no time.

There would be no surrender for the Forgotten Wings top officers. Even if she thought of itPerorn doubted Jungle Tails integrity. She just had one thing left to do.

Fraerlings, I must apologize. I believe the battle is almost lost. I have hopes to turn it around but I must prepare, as any [Strategist] does, for the worst.

Perorn strode into their midst, the war room, and saw them turn. They were watching the battle and the news. No doubt following Paeth.

Ah, PaethPerorn bowed to Sentry Leader Ekrn and Guidance Heish, and the Sentry Leader just nodded to her.

You fought well, Strategist. We understand. If you only had four species of Baleros, you might have won.

Four?

Centaurs, Dullahans, Selphids, and Fraerlings.

They were looking at each other. Perorns smile was bitter.

Im afraid I am no Titan. And I have no idea what Fraerling tactics he might use, Sentry Leader. Only he could ask it of you.

Yes.

Ekrn met Perorns gaze, but she had no time for that.

Where is Commander Foliana?

The [Rogue] was half out of her bed when Perorn found her. The Centauress and three Selphid soldiers picked her up; Foliana had put on her damaged armor, and she had her daggers.

I will fight. M-meh. Give me a booster.

You will tear your body apart.

Yes. And kill them. You need more officer killers. Too many.

The Squirrel Beastkin woman was still bleeding from the hexes and curse Skills that had prevented her healing. Perorn found the ruined object Foliana had pulled from the last group. She put it on Folianas chest.

Not you. And not today, Three-Color Stalker. Come on. Carry her.

The Selphids picked up Folianas bed, and they trotted after Perorn. Folianas head rose dizzily.

Youis this treachery? Mm.

Perorn slapped her with her tail, but gently.

Dont be stupid. You silly nut-hoarder.

Mm. Racist.

Perorn actually laughed. She threw her head back and walked a bit straighter.

You have been so aggravating all the years Ive known you. Ever since you took in a lost little Centaur girl. Time to repay the favor.

Foliana was blinking up at Perorn. One of the Selphids almost tripped as he looked from Three-Color Stalker to Perorn Fleethoof. But Perorn was directing them down the servants quarters. To a place they had never heard of.

Theyll kill you.

If they catch me. We will try to break out of the postern gates at the end. But Forgotten Wing doesnt collapse because it loses one battle, or three. You know that. In here.

Perorn touched a door and opened it. She trotted into one of the regular rooms with a bunch of spare clothing. Coats and so on. The Selphids halted.

Commander?

In here.

The Centauress bent over a carpet and pulled it aside. She revealednothing but stone. She muttered several passcodes as she trotted around. She got it wrong and had to do it twice.

Foot there.

I know. Its designed for you, not me. Hooves arethere.

The Selphids watched as a hole in the ground opened. Just a long rectangle of space. One recognized what it was at last and looked at Foliana.

A Dead Womans Coffin?

Correct. [Rogue] spaces. Put her ingently. Theres food and potions.

Foliana glared at Perorn as the Centauress gently inserted her and put a pillow in.

Dont

Youll recover. And Three-Color Stalker will haunt Elvallian and the Jungle Tails company in a week, a months time.

The Centauress was smiling at Foliana. The [Rogue] tried to spring up, but Perorn pressed her down.

I will see you later.

Then the stone closed. Perorn stood calmly and felt the last burden fall from her shoulders. Fleethoof turned and nodded at the Selphids who bowed.

Time to eclipse even the Titans legend. Who rides with Fleethoof?

She began to walk from the room. Then trot. Then she galloped down the ramps and stairs as Jungle Tails advanced. Above her, the Fraerlings watched. Sentry Leader Ekrn muttered.

Theres one tactic that the Titan could ask of us.

Emissary Vuul whispered.

Madness.

Ekrn nodded.

I told you. I tell everyone. Niers Astoragon is a mad bastard. But he wins wars.

Hope and despair. The Featherfolk Brigades headquarters shook. A tower fell, and a [Chamberlain] vanished before it hit the ground. The Featherfolks Company gazed up in horror as the dust cloud rose, and Gravetenders Fist and the United Nations side cheered wildly.

But Commander Fezimet was not dead. A single Quexal emerged from the ruins of his home, his pride, his work. He looked around blankly, taking in his colorful little city turned grey with ash and rubble. His grand tower, shattered and lying across his home. His ruined company. The Quexal shuddered.

Then Fezimet went insane with fury.

Gnolls fighting Gnolls. Hope as allies came to the rescue. The despair of long treachery.

One person was not embroiled in any of it. She watched and pointed it out to her daughter like a tourist showing a newcomer the best sights.

Nolike a connoisseur staring at the finest vintages in the world. Belavierr the Stitch Witch had never been happier. She was many things. A merchant, an artisanbut she had and ever would be

A witch.

Look at it, my beloved daughter. You will never see emotions like this for a generation in this species. Betrayal. Fear. Would that Wiskeria were here to witness it, she would surely level and learn something of her craft. Hold it. Can you feel it?

A dead girl laughed.

Yes, Mother! Its so sad and furious andand everything.

Take as much as you can. From thisfrom these moments, you shall spin the stuff of myths. This is why we do such things. It is part payment and why I took the Drakes offer. Of course, one must be paid for the doing in itself.

Yes, Mother.

The Spider of Terandria smiled. It was a cruel smile, one that savored all of this. That rejoiced in putting it into practice. Then she turned her head as she walked across the ground.

The Titan of Baleros army slowed as Belavierr appeared. One woman, confronting tens of thousands of warriors.

But they shuddered. Antinium, Goblins, Gnolls, Drakes, even the Fraerling.

Even a bee who gazed at her opponent, ready for round two. Belavierrs eyes flared malice at Apista.

Yet she smiled.

Stitch Witch! Stand aside or die!

The Titan of Baleros called out. He was wary of her, but he knew [Witches]. He was prepared for bargains and threats.

He was not prepared for Belavierr to raise her arms and the skies to turn dark. The Stitch Witch whispered.

For I have been wronged once and yet again, I call to ye, the specters of my wrath. [Summon the Swarms of Nerrhavias Gardens].

Niers Astoragon looked up, and Apista, buzzing, beheld someone elses pets. Wretched, malevolent, fed on flesh and bred to be a weapon for the Immortal Tyrant. Nerrhavia had been a very good client of Belavierr.

The Titans army came under attack, but the Fraerling was at least good enough to handle one spell. He halted his armys flight, ordered them to turn and face the monstrous wasps bred with the essence of Wyverns and far worse.

Belavierr felt someone tug at her dress as she watched.

Mother. I thought we werent hired to take part in the fighting?

The Stitch Witchs smile did not abate. Her gaze flicked backwards, and that orange glare focused on a little white Gnoll at the center of all this.

Sometimes, my daughter, vengeance must have its say. But you are right. Follow me. Watch the Goblin with the Dragonblood crystal sword.

Yes, Mother.

Belavierr strode into the chaos, past Gnolls, a Goblin loosing arrows upwards. She saw an arrow flicker towards her and grabbed it. She didnt slow.

Bird loosed another arrow without any feathers, and it burst into flame. A strange young woman smiled and pointed as it turned to ash before hitting either.

Mother! Mother, look! An Ant-person!

Pay it no mind.

The [Bird Hunter] reached for another arrow as the Stitch Witch walked past him. But she didnt even glance at him. And BirdBird hesitated and dropped an arrow.

Maviola?

He knows my name! Mother

Keep up, Maviola.

Like a moment of horror, the familiar lady hurried after her mother, pouting.

Like a bad dream. Numbtongues head turned, and his expression turned to one of horror. Incomprehension.

But she was so quick. Belavierr strode through the fighting, into the gap she had opened. Towards a single person who saw her coming.

Niers Astoragon raised his finger, hesitating.

Hesitating, because his greatest Skill could only be used once. Hesitating because

His [Foe Sensor] hadnt picked her up. Could she dodge that even in an open battlefield after ambushing him? Why was the Stitch Witch smiling?

Take her down!

He shifted his finger and pointed at Maviola. The undead girl squeaked, and Belavierrs gaze snapped to the Fraerling. A Goblin with a crystal sword charged her from the side as Ulvama leapt up, fire blazing from both claws, ready for round two.

Yet Belavierr just raised her robes and put them around Maviola, who hid in her dress.

Unchivalrous.

The Titan just howled a curse. He drew his sword. Wavering between Belavierr and the Meeting of Tribes. What was she up to? Belavierr did not make enemies lightly. Why was his [Foe Sensor] not going off?

He did not want to make her a true foe. She could reverse any battle. But what did she want? Vengeance? Nono.

He looked at her, and his mind raced to a wild conclusion. SuddenlyNiers saw Belavierr.

Stitch Witch.

Manipulator.

Temptress.

Spider.

So many namesbut one of her core personalitiessomething he had forgotten? Niers bellowed.

No!

And he dove. He doveas a flurry of needles destroyed his pedestal. They lanced through the air, a flurry whirling around the tiny Fraerling like lances. But Belavierr was a master of her craft.

She only needed one. It was a single needle that was as white as bone, for it had been made of a Unicorns horn, attached to a single thread redder than blood. It struck Niers Astoragon in the shoulder, and the Titan howled in pain.

He looked at the red thread, and Belavierr whispered.

[The Red Thread of Destiny].

Numbtongue leapt, and something that had Maviolas face caught his hands with an impossibly strong grip. Niers voice was a howl.

[Battlefield: No]

He was too slow. Numbtongue tore one arm free and slashed for the string, but his sword couldnt cut that. Belavierr laughed, and Niers Astoragon

Vanished.

She stood there a moment and then snapped her fingers. Maviola released Numbtongue, and the Goblin staggered back.

The summoned horrors vanished. Belavierr took Maviola by the arm and tugged her away.

There. Now we go, my daughter.

The Stitch Witch walked out of the army, smiling. She walked back towards the Meeting of Tribes. Her contract was ever fulfilled. Now

She walked towards Chieftain Xherw. Belavierr whispered in his ears and Ulcres.

It seems you have a terrible engagement, sirs. Do you need the servicesof a [Witch]? My magic is yours for a small fee. Even a discount.

Her eyes flashed malice at the white Gnoll girl staring at her, but Belavierr said not a word. It was justevery other Gnoll she might be paid to target.

That little warlord thought he was the only one who could play every side? She was a [Mercenary] far older than he. The Stitch Witch laughed as Gnolls looked up at her.

Sometimes, my daughter, vengeance is the only reward.

Commander Fezimet climbed out of the rubble of his home. The Quexal had no weapons. Just his teeth and armored body. He had no words. The leader of the Featherfolk Brigade simply leapt into the air with a scream that echoed his companys.

They charged among the rubble. Lizardfolk fighting Dullahans.

Gravetenders Fist were fighting alongside Niers students. Alongside the Bushrangers. The United Nations company.

The officers of the Featherfolk Brigade stood there, two dozen of them, across from Daly, Quallet, even Luan, Siri, Fraerlings, and Humans pitted against their company.

Your precious Fraerling city is about to fall. You have nowhere to hide anymore, Humans.

They had all pushed in to destroy the tower. They were caught in the open by the Featherfolk Brigade.

Daly raised his crossbow, but the standoff wasnt over. Not yet. The Lamia was shaking with fury.

You have destroyed Talenqual. Everythingeverything.

She aimed a trident at Daly, but someone interrupted her.

No. You destroyed it yourselves.

Noa stepped onto Luans shoulder. The Tallguard had drawn her sword. She pointed it at the Lamia.

We never attacked you. We never wanted this. Paeth

Paeth was falling. A Lizardfolk was stomping among the shattered roots. Juststomping as Fraerlings clung to her legs. A single Fraerling raised a sword.

[Great Slash]!

He chopped her leg off, and the first giant fell. The Fraerling was no Tallguard nor security. He was justsomeone who liked to practice with the sword.

Who had leveled ten times in less than that many days. A single Fraerling, howling with madness and grief as he climbed and launched himself into the air. Another Lizardfolk was bashing his way into the city. He looked up, and the sword bit into his helmet.

Tallfolk! Tallfolk

It was a curse. The Fraerling leapt off the collapsing shoulder, sword swinging.

A third [Soldier] swatted him out of the air. The Fraerling, who had learned how to cut a beast ten times his size, landed. He looked up, and a foot stomped down.

Terrible giants. The Lizardfolk were breaking into the base of Paeth. Trying to topple the city. Enchanter Ilekrome stood in front of The Last Box.

Give the evacuation order. Paeth is lost. Tallguard. Defend me for ten minutes. Use everything you have left. Signim free.

Signim free. It was the last resort of the Tallguard. From Sentry Leader to Noait was the most valuable object any Tallguard was issued. An object they could only use at last resort because even the best Fraerling Cities could only produce a little bit each year.

That rare, expensive weapon of the Fraerlings.

Signim was a little, shatterproof bottle marked with a simple sign. Because each bottle was reusedenchanted to keep the magicit could be stylized more than a cheap potion bottle.

It lookedlike a little Fraerling, sword raised to the sky. Like the boast of young Fraerlings.

I will slay the sky.

Noa lifted the one Signim she carried as Sentry Leader Ekrn flew away from Elvallian on a hawk. He looked at his Signim.

Noa. Give it to me.

Someone interrupted Noa. She looked up and saw a Fraerling with no Signim.

Alchimagus Resk reached for the bottle as they stood amid the two sides facing each other. Noas eyes went wide.

No. I have to

I am a Level 35 [Mage] and a Level 32 [Alchemist]. You are lower-level than me. Give me the Signim.

Noa looked at Resk. Then, slowly, she handed him her Signim. The Alchimagus cradled the little bottle in his hands.

Its so little. I hated making it whenever we got enough ingredients for some. I resented it every time you Tallguard used it. How silly. I see it now. Signimits the only thing that makes it fair. Stand clear, Noa.

He lifted the little bottle, ignored by the Tallfolk in their drama, even though they were fighting over Fraerlings. Resk drank the potion down and laughed.

It tastes like chicken broth. You know? It tastes like

He leapt from Luans shoulder as the Human looked at the two Fraerlings. Luan met Noas eyes and saw they were sparkling with tears. Then Luan saw Resk falling through the air, tumbling.

Luan reached out to catch him. But the tiny Fraerling just met his eyes.

Alchimagus Resk landed on the ground. He caught himself, stumbling, as the Featherfolk Brigade whirled to stare at him. The Fraerling mage with pink hair brushed at it, felt at his robes, and then looked upthen down, slowly.

He looked down at Luan Khumalo as the Fraerling straightened. Alchimagus Resk turned and gazed at the Lizardfolk.

I was tall all along!

He was six-foot-five. A barrel-chested man who could have wrestled a Minotaur. The Fraerling felt at his body and then whirled. He looked at the tiny young woman gazing at him.

Signim.

It was a whisper of awe. Luan saw Daly and the other Tallfolk turn in sudden shock. But Resk just straightened.

Yes. Signim. I am Alchimagus Resk of Paeth. In the name of my cityyou are all dead.

He pointed at the Featherfolk Brigade. Signim.

A Fraerlings last resort.

Tallguard of Feiland.

A single warrior in bloody armor stood in front of the scared Lizardfolk and Nagas. He was wounded, but one Fraerling had a single Signim that the Alchimeer had managed to create.

One Signim.

Four minutes. For four minutesthe Tallguard laughed and charged the Tallfolk. They surrounded him, stabbing, eating spells, outnumbering him

But it was easy.

So easy. He had fought giants all his life. Cats killed Fraerlings. They had trained to be stronger than their size!

Signim let them keep that. It was more than a Potion of Growth. Fraerling-made gear, from a sword to armor, grew with him. He locked blades with a Naga and threw the entire Naga backwards. Then the Tallguard swung his sword through a Lizardfolks guard. Stronger. Fearless.

He staggered as someone ran him through the side. The Tallguard whirled as his kin watched him die.

Signim.

Alchimagus Resk stood, facing the blustering Lizardfolk, who had retreated a step. He was flicking his fingers, flexing his shoulders.

Cotm watched. He and Kessice had their Signim too, but Resk was justtalking.

You dare claim this was their fault? Youdo you not see how we die? Do our lives mean so little?

The Lamia had a cruel smile on her face, but she was flicking her eyes to the others. She sensed how much magic the Fraerling had in him.

It was little threat when he was six inches high. But now? His magical power had just magnified tenfold. He might be the highest-level person in the city.

But he had a time limit. Resk was shaking with fury.

You hoard magic like this like a Wyrm, Fraerling. If you only shared

Enough excuses! Enough lies! Fezimet! Face me!

Resk lifted his hands over his head, but the Quexal was nowhere to be seen. Luan was still stunned, but Daly realized the same thing as the Lamia.

The Signim wears off

Enchanter Resk jabbed a finger at the Lamia.

Pull your forces back or I will destroy you all! My oath on it!

She made a show of looking around, distracting the civilian.

Only Fezimet could do that. Perhaps we can parlay?

She smirked, and Cotm was counting.

Forty secondsforty-sixAlchimagus Resk closed his eyes, and one of the Lizardfolk raised a bow. Instantly, both sides raised their weapons.

Do you really want to die so badly, Fraerling? There is only one of you, and that potion has a limit. Parlay.

We are beyond that, you foul Tallfolk.

Resk was wiping at his eyes. But when the Alchimagus raised his head, he was dry-eyed. And his magic burned. The Lamia tensed, but she sneered at him anyways as she raised a pair of wands.

We may be foolsbut we are warriors. Youve wasted your valuable potion.

Resk just blinked at her as Cotm shook his head. The Alchimagus closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Tallfolk Lamia. You are a poor [Mage]. I would fail you out of my second-year classes. I am an [Alchimagus] of Paeth. The entire time we have spent talking? I have been casting spells. Including now.

The Lamia blinked at Resk, mouth open. Then the cobblestones under her glowed.

The first [Fireblast] obliterated her and three officers. Resk lifted his hands.

[Chain Lightning].

Daly recoiled as the air ionized and dozens of bolts of lightning struck the soldiers across from Resk. Panting, he touched his chest.

[Mithril Body]. [Magnesis

He ran over to touch a fallen wagon. He was an Alchimagus, not a warmage. The Featherfolk Brigade charged.

Lizardfolk fighting in the streets. Daly shot one through the chest, but there were so many that his bolt went through two and didnt slow the oncoming rush. Then a dozen Lizardfolk ran into the open ground and

Bounced.

The leaping spell that Resk had cast on that span of stone hurled them up like cartoon characters. Daly saw them fly up, screaming, and land

There were no cushions or spells to catch them. Alchimagus Resk whirled. He pointed.

[Magnesis: Attraction Polarity]!

What was he doing? Luan swung a short oar like a razorblade, keeping Lizardfolk back. Then he saw the wagon begin flying through the air. It was

Magnetized. It crashed into the first rank of Lizardfolk and kept going. They were knocked off their feet. Then the press of bodies struck a wall. And the wagon keptgoing

Until it stuck to the wall of a building.

The Alchimagus looked at the blood and death from the spells, but he kept going. The armor of the Lizardfolk ignited, heating up until it was white-hot. He raised his hands and howled Paeths name.

And Cotmdrank his Signim. The Tallguard [Arbalest] grew into a thin warrior with tears running down his cheeks. He fired his customized crossbow once. Then tossed it aside and drew two blades.

Paeth! Kessice! Your Signim! Kessice!

His partner wasnt anywhere Cotm could see. Was she injured? Where was she?

Tallguard of Feiland!

Cotm had four minutes. Four minuteshe leapt into the Featherfolk Brigade. Lashing around him so fast they were dead as fast as he could swing the Fraerling-made blades.

Their levels were greater than the Tallfolk. The Tallguard were meant to die for their homes. Cotm was shouting.

Kessice! Kessice

One versus a hundred. Not like fighting roaches or other monsters. These Lizardfolk

One bit his arm, a Naga grinding his bones under his leather armor. Cotm stabbed him in the head. He felt someone try to take him down by the legs.

Cotm!

Kessice swung through two torsos with an axe. She pulled Cotm up. The two partners looked at each other.

Paeth on the Coast!

They charged.

Four minutes. Four minutes was a long time. Or a short one. It was maybe longer than you needed to kill a single monster or have a really hurried romantic rendezvous if you were absolutely ready and had low expectations

But it was so short.

Cotm was counting, but he lost track. He was bleeding, but he had wedged a potion bottle in his teeth and drank it. It didnt matter.

Once the Signim ran out

Two minutes? The Featherfolk Brigade were screaming. Resks magic ran through them. The Alchimagus was killing a score.

Thenthen Cotm saw him. A single Quexal. The others were dead.

Fezimet leapt into the battle, screaming without end. His eyes were wide, and the Quexals mouth was bloody, frothing, as he tore and bit like an animal.

Cotm pointed at him, and Kessice tried to line up a shot, but Fezimet was surrounded by berserk Lizardfolk. He surged through the battle, and Resk pointed a finger at him.

[Paralysis Ray].

The Quexal dodged it. Resk lifted his hand.

[Wall of Flames]. [Chain L

Fezimet leapt on him, and the Quexals teeth closed on Resks throat. The Fraerling Alchimagus staggeredand fell. Cotm heard a scream from Luan.

Resk!

The Quexal whirled. Cotm saw Daly aim a crossbow at him, and the Quexal leapt. He flew into the air, and the Bushranger shot him.

His body had been mithril. Fezimet didnt care. He had shattered his teeth on Resks throat to crush it. He took one volley of crossbow bolts, then another, jerking with the impacts. The bolts stuck out in Fezimets body, but the commander kept charging. He didnt care. His wings spread, shedding blood and yellow feathers. Cotm looked for Resk.

He didnt see the Alchimagus. Resk

The magic was gone.

Fezimet!

Luan was screaming. He aimed a crossbow up and saw Fezimet crawling over a howling figure larger than any other. Bastiom, the War Walker, tore at Fezimet, but the Quexal had done something to his body.

Razor spines. His scales were coated in razors. And blood. He encircled Bastioms head and squeezed. Cuttingcuttinga blow struck him hard enough to crack his bones, but the Quexal kept screaming.

Blood fell as the War Walkers head slowly toppled from his body. Bastioms lifeless gaze met Luans as his head fell to the ground.

Fezimet leapt again at a third target. Quallet Marshhand looked up and raised his axe and shield. Luan was looking for Resk. He couldnt findfind

In the distance, he saw Cotm slowing, blades red. Noa was firing crossbow bolts, shouting something at him.

His time was up.

The Fraerling felt the Signim wearing off. Tallguard Cotm threw one of his swords, then whirled. He was shrinking.

The Signim activated in a moment but gave him seconds to hide. To run. Itit did no good.

The screaming Lizardfolk were around him. Cotm shrank. How many had he killed? Two dozen? Three?

Tallguard of Feiland.

He lifted his sword, a six-inch-tall man looking up at a Lizardfolk as a foot rose to stomp down. Everything he had ever trained for. All their magic. Erased just because they had been born bigger.

Cotm raised his blade to stab the Lizardfolk through the heel. Then a hand scooped him up. He stabbed it.

Ow, you idiot.

The Fraerling looked up into a familiar face, far larger than his.

Kessice?

His partner smiled down at him, bloody and panting. Cotm looked up and realizedshe had activated her Signim after him.

Oh. Of course.

It was on purpose. Kessice lifted Cotm up so they were eye-to-eye.

Look after Noa, would you?

Kessicedont

The Tallguard spun. She lifted her partner as the Lizardfolk tried to drag her down. She was shrinking too. Then she threw Cotm.

Kessice!

He saw her before the world blurred. His partner, fighting alone. Cotm was spinning, flailing. Trying to

He hit something and fell down.

It was all going wrong. Umina looked around.

Where are you going? Wheres?

Bastiom, one of the War Walkers, was dead. Two of the Fraerlingsthree?were dead.

The Iron Vanguard were retreating to their ship. They had left half their company behind. The [Captain] turned to Umina.

We have done all we can. We cannot keep fighting. That Quexalwe cannot stop him.

He pointed across the shattered city, houses burnt or leveled from the explosions and fighting.

One Quexal. Just one. Leader of the Featherfolk Brigade.

Fezimet had transformed into a bloody serpent, eyes glassy with hatred, blood and flesh dripping from his fangs.

He met Quallet Marshhand, towering over the Human man as the two fought. An axe cut into his side, and Fezimet buried his teeth in Quallets shoulder, crunching into bone. The [Mercenary] swung his axe into Fezimets side again and again, but the Quexal bit and bit.

The two fought in silence, trying to tear and cut each other apart. Quallets arm rose, and he buried the axe so deep it nearly cut Fezimets tail from his body. Then he looked up as a hissing mouth of fangs opened. He stared up as the teeth closed and let go of his axe. He drew a dagger and stabbed once. The Quexal jerked as the dagger went into his side.

Then he lifted his head. The United Nations Company gazed at a familiar sight. A warrior of Baleros. A mercenary who had forgotten everything. Nothing was left in his eyes, not gold, not power or survival.

Just death and murder.

Quallet Marshhand was dead. One his axes was buried in Fezimets tail. Yet the Quexal didnt stop. A single healing potion began to knit his wounds as he shrieked and charged.

Bushrangersfire

Siri took aim, but the Quexal barely flinched as the bolts slammed into him. He was charging them.

Siri! Tofte

Dawson whirled. He yanked a sword free as a monster faster than they were dove into them. Its scales deflected his swordit felt nothing. It fought like

Fezimet ripped Siris arm off, and Tofte went down as the razor blades lashed him.

They were all dying. Someone ran Dawson through from behind, and he went down, roaring and screaming, trying to drag a potion out as Siri lay on the ground, staring at the blood rushing from her arm.

Fezimet!

Someone was screaming his name. The Quexal looked around. Dawson knew that voice.

Nono

The Quexal leapt again. Dawson dragged a potion out of his belt as someone killed the Lizardfolk on top of him. Ken dragged Dawson up. The young man bent over Siri and poured the potion on her and Tofte. Then he looked up.

Daly and Marian were waiting for Fezimet. The Centauress had her bow raised, mithril string gleaming. Daly raised his crossbow and held a little blackpowder bomb in one hand. Fezimet dove at them.

Dawson closed his eyes. He looked around and finally realized it. He saw Gravetenders Fist retreating, the mercenaries falling back.

Were losing.

The Titan reappeared, still screaming.

Belavierr!

He stood, howling in the middle of his company. In Elvallian, as Perorn lifted her arm to signal a charge.

The Centauress turned her head, and there he was. Clothing ragged and improvised, only holding a shortsword. Terrible desperation on his face.

Defeat.

Niers?

She breathed it like hope, but the Titan just looked up and knew.

He had lost.

She had done the one thing that she had been hired for. That damned [Witch]. That

Not her. His mind was spinning to a conclusion. The Stitch Witchs strange actions. She was a meddler, but she seldom did things for no profit. This? Her revealing the Daemon of Luck, her sending him to Baleros

It was all part of someone elses scheme. One that had outmaneuvered Niers. Someone had hired Belavierr for all of it.

Him.

Chaldion!

Only one person could have hired Belavierr to do all this. Reveal the treachery in the Meeting of Tribes. Anderase the greatest threat to the safety of the Walled Cities.

Yes. Chaldion of Pallass sat, watching the fighting at the Meeting of Tribes. Belavierr had joined Plains Eye.

He hadnt hired her for that. But he had known that any deal with Belavierr could go south. Yet the Cyclops of Pallass had still chosen this path.

His [Path to Victory]. Chaos among the Gnoll tribes who could discredit Pallass. And the Titanput back on his board. Killing him made too many enemies. He was necessary.

But not on my continent. This is my land.

The Drake with one eye exhaled a plume of smoke, smiling like a devil in the darkness.

Daly and Marian were down.

Whats he doing?

Ken looked up. Dawson was staggering forwards, but everyone was running. He looked at the Lizardfolk charging them. Ken answered once as he fired his crossbow.

Heseating them alive.

The immortal Quexal couldnt be killed. Dawson drew his sword and tried to fight towards Dalys screaming voice. Kissilt turned to call for Marian and a Naga leapt on him.

Some days you lost.

It was not just the Titan who tasted despair, but his people. Sometimes, with all the help in the world

Even their great inspirations, their mentors and protectors

Even Gnomes died.

First there were seven. Then there were six. Fivethree

They were fleeing across the ocean. Then they were running through the jungles of Baleros, dodging behind trees, flashing and leaping nimbly through the canopy, blinding their opponent, conjuring illusions.

But it was just magic.

He was their god.

Emerrhain was hunting them down. Zineryr saw the beatific pleasure it caused Emerrhain each time he caught one of the Gnomes.

Eighteennow three. The Gnomes were no longer smiling. They just kept running, splitting up. The God of Magic spoke, taunting them.

You will interfere in no more plans. No more schemes, tricksters. How does it feel, to know that I was ever the victor? I play games far longer than you can imagine.

One of the Gnomes leaping through the air raised a hand.

Serious question, Emerrhain? Ere I end? Will the God of Magic answer me one last thing?

Zineryr ducked away as Emerrhain turned, gracious, condescending in victory.

Ask. Calispe.

The Gnome hovered there as Zineryr and the other Gnome looked at each other. She and he nodded and headed to their goals. A location. The Gnome spoke, staring Emerrhain dead in the eye.

Are you scientifically, biologically, truly gods or a kind of advanced divine amoeba? Because spirituallyyou are not gods. Gods are a concept. Other religions had them as omniscient. You are all too real and too fallible.

The God of Magic met her dancing smile and snarled. He reached out as she saluted her kin.

Then there were two.

Zineryr wondered if he would be the last one. He waitedbut the God of Magic had chosen the other Gnome as his second-to-last target. She led him on a merry chase as Zineryr did what had to be done.

You defied us. Did you not see the grandness of our ideas? Truly, Ameitp?

The Gnome swept him a smile as she swung through the branches, her burnished skin glinting over tattoos she had been given from a dozen realities. A sad, contemptuous smile.

Your grand ideas, Emerrhain? Dont blame us. Blame yourselves. You all created us to be intelligent, then grew upset when we grew bored of your playground. We looked up in wonder at the stars above. Then we took a closer look and discovered that the constellations were mere orbs you hung in the night sky because you didnt understand how it worked.

She dodged one hand, slipping around him.

We went to other worlds to laugh and see what wonders lay in all realities. They suffered for it. They suffered for your entertainment. Have you forgotten what it is like to stand against cruelty? Or did you never kn

He touched her, and she vanished. Panting, shaking with fury, he turned to the last Gnome.

Now, Zineryr was walking. He couldnt help it. He knew the urgency. He knew his time was up.

But stillhe walked a moment.

Walked and shed no tears for the last of his kin. They had all died long ago. If he did weepit was because they had failed, in the end.

We should have been cleverer. We have left you such a burden, you children of another world. My little cousins. The world has never been kind to the small.

The last Gnome in existence came to a stop at his destination. He looked at the broken city and came to rest where the world was just a bit warped.

Folded over, so if you were carefulyou could see the weeping Fraerling kneeling there. Zineryr bent down. He sighed, and whispered as the God of Magic came for him.

The Smallest Folk in the world have ever been the bravest. Little cousin, little cousin. I have a favor to ask you.

Enchanter Ilekrome was waiting for the end. Paeth was evacuating, but many Fraerlings were just trapped. Waiting for him to finish the ritual that would deny the Tallfolk their secrets.

And bury The Last Box deep.

He thought he was dreaming. How else to explainthe figure who stepped out of the air. He was actually shorter than Ilekrome, because he had sized himself down. A sad smile on his face, and as transparent as a thought.

Yet the Gnome waved to Ilekrome, and the Enchanter looked up.

The Clockmakers?

His breath caught, and Zineryr smiled at him. He looked into the distance. There was a world of things to say and no time.

The Lizardfolk were trying to chop Paeth down. Each blow made the tree shudder. The Gnome looked into the eyes of his greatest foe. There was only one thing he could say.

One thing to ever say.

Open The Last Box.

Enchanter Ilekromes head rose. The Gnome slowly pointed and traced something on that cube of infinite dimension, countless puzzles.

It was something they had learned from the fae. It responded to him. The Gnomes finger traced a squareand the door was there. Enchanter Ilekrome saw it appear, before all the other puzzles. A single door.

He looked at the Gnome, and the figure waited. Enchanter Ilekrome ran to the door. He grasped at the little handle and threw it open. He looked into the greatest mystery of the Gnomes, and his breath caught. The tears on his eyes, the despair

He looked up at the Gnome.

Is this a joke?

The Fraerling slowly dropped his hands to his sides as he stared into The Last Box. There was nothing there. Justblank space. He turned to rage at this apparition, thisthis cruel trick! This ghost who mocked Fraerlings in their last hours.

Then he saw Zineryr smiling. The Gnome was smiling and laughing. He leaned forwards, and despite his fury, his despair and shockthe Enchanter leaned forwards. Zineryr whispered in Ilekromes ear.

No. Its a trick.

Emerrhain, the God of Magic, didnt know why Zineryr had stopped. Perhaps the Gnome had given up? Or was he preparing a final gesture?

The God of Magic expected a trick, but he was drunk on victory. The Gnomes had practically walked into his grasp. It was so easy.

Of course it was. Zineryr looked up calmly as his kins sacrifice was realized. He stepped sideways, and Emerrhain saw it.

What isthat?

He beheld The Last Box and the Gnomes final trick. It was justa tiny cube hidden away in Fraerling cities. So small that even the dead gods wouldnt notice it, and hidden from the rest of the world as well. A series of puzzles. An instruction manual in the form of the greatest riddle.

And one more thing.

There was a little door that was open in The Last Box. Fae magicperspective. Emerrhain stared into the blank space and saw a void the size of infinity beyond. Great magicbut Gnomes had always made amazing things.

Then he realized he was inside the white space, staring out. The world flipped suddenly, and Emerrhain was inverted. He stood in a blank space and saw a tiny little door in the distance.

No

The God of Magic whirled. Then he leapt for the door.

Zineryr slammed it shut. The opening vanished, and Emerrhain realized

He was in the box. This wasnt just a puzzle. It wasnt just a cube. It was

A container. A container made so well and hidden for so long no force in the world could destroy it. A prison for something greater than a soul.

A box meant for a god.

What was in the great secret box of myths? It depended on the story, but it was usually symbolic. A revelation. Or all the evils in the worldthat was one of the bad options.

Usually, though, the cop out from the divine entity, the wise master, was something pithy like nothing because the answer was inside you all along and they couldnt live up to expectations.

The Last Box was sort of like that. Exceptinstead of nothing? It was exactly nothing.

Nothing. Including a way back out. Emerrhain had nothing to hold. Nothing to grasp. There was literally nothing here. He had no magic. No access to the grand design.

This place was nothing. The God of Magic looked around, speechlessthen he did realizehold on! There was something.

He whirled and found the one thing in this entire void. Desperately, the God of Magic approached it. It waswhat was it?

Letters. Just magical letters. They drew themselves in the air, and Emerrhain read them. It was the old language of Gnomes, Taeric, which they wrote in. The words cycled, and he realized it was also a simple spell.

It wassorting itself. Trying to determine which one it had.

Dear Tamarooth

Dear Laedonius No Last Name

Deliberately misspelling their names. To deny them even thatEmerrhain stared at the words as they finally locked into place.

Dear Emerrhoon. You are a fool.

Sincerely,

And below it was Zineryrs name. Calispes. Hundreds of names, thousands

Every Gnome who had ever lived. Had ever fought in those wars.

One last little service from the greatest tricksters in the world. Emerrhain looked at the words as they glittered. Then around his new home of forever.

Enchanter Ilekrome didnt know what had happened. One second he had been about to rage at the Gnome. Then he had sensed something entering The Last Box. Thenthe Gnome had shut the door.

Wh-whats happening?

For answer, the Gnome just sat down. He was smiling, but tiredly.

Victory, little cousin. Victory. Thank you for safeguarding it so long. Nowit is over.

Paeth was over. And soso was The Last Box. As Ilekrome watched, the door vanished. The Last Box shiftedand then a calm voice began to speak.

Hello, Fraerlings or whoever has found this boxwe are the Gnomes. We congratulate you on solving thirty-four thousand, two hundred, and twelve puzzles. However, we must regretfully inform you that this object is about to vanish.

Huh? No

The Last Box was beginning to shimmer. The bright voice kept speaking.

This box is going to teleport itself into a space no one will ever find. Please stand clear. You havefour minutes. Three minutes fifty-eight seconds. Three minutes fifty-six secondsI am speaking slowly. Now three minutes fifty-three

Ilekrome saw panels sliding open. Little portals appearing. He looked into thousands upon thousands of rooms and saw the puzzle that the Fraerlings had been working on so long.

The portal activated as stones flew into place.

The Last Box opened up, exposing every secret it had ever contained. As it prepared to vanish.

No! No! Why is this happening?

We have to get rid of whats inside it. Im sorry.

The Gnome was tired as he sat there. Ilekrome looked at himthen he was running, shouting.

He burst into the rooms where [Mages] were preparing the last ritual. They looked at Ilekrome as he pointed at The Last Boxthen saw what had happened. The Enchanter was screaming.

Gget me charcoal and paper! Take recordings! Looklook!

Fraerlings ran, staring at answers to every riddle and magical question, formulas, alchemic secretsfrantically writing everything down. Ilekrome ran through the rooms as the Gnome greeted his cousins and looked down into the destroyed Paeth.

Then Zineryr followed Ilekrome. He found the Enchanter running from wall to wall, staring up at it.

He was looking for something. The Gnome tapped Ilekrome on the shoulder.

Not that wall. Try two rooms back, through the secret wall.

Ilekrome whirled. The Gnome was smiling at him. He ran and found what he was looking for.

two minutes and eleven seconds

The Fraerling stared up at what he needed. What he was sure was there. He turned as Zineryr walked into the room.

Is that what you want?

Yes! How did you know? Have you been watching?

Zineryr looked around as Paeth shook again. He shook his head.

Im sorry, little cousin. We have been battling other things. Even we forget about you. But we left you these just in case. It will vanishand the others probably wont fall for the trick. But remember everything. Prepare for war. Tell all your kinthis is it. Ohand look out for a Human named Erin Solstice, would you?

He snapped his fingers with a smile that made him look as young as Ilekromes children.

Hah! Now theres a contingency plan.

He laughed, and the Fraerling clung to the laughter. As ifeverything could be solved.

Then he was running, calling for the ritual spell to be disbanded. Ordering Fraerlings to maneuver the spells and draw new lines out of magic.

The burning magic spell in his brain. He tried to copy it, improvising with magic. The Clockmakers had made their knowledge easy to understand. It wasnt one specific way of doing things, but the theory.

So Ilekrome wrote the most complex magical spell he could, taking every shortcut he knew how. Ignoring questions from the other Architects. They fell silent as Zineryr walked among them.

He watched Ilekrome write as Fraerlings looked upon the last Gnome and asked all the questions. But Zineryr had only a short amount of time.

He spent the last words he had simply.

You made a mistake here, here, and there. You need to edit this magical channel like

[Mages] were running around as Zineryr flicked his fingers, showing them how to complete Ilekromes magic. He told them nothing of what to do. Just watched and corrected their work like a teacher.

thirty-eight seconds

Is it done?

Ilekrome stopped, and Zineryr squatted down. He double-checked the spell.

It will work. Nice location. Ah, but youve made one mistake.

The Enchanter was stepping into the center. Zineryr smiled at him as Ilekrome, sagging with relief, went to fuel the spell.

You cant sacrifice yourself to activate it.

The Enchanter saw the other Architects and Fraerlings looking at him. He was standing in the center of a circle meant to fuel this great spell. Zineryr had not stopped him, but he did walk over.

Sacrificial magic was made by fools. It gives more power than you put into it, but even soyou do not have a fraction of the magical potential to fuel this spell.

Then I will do it.

Farspeaker Humalepre raised his hand. Zineryr stopped him.

No, no. Every Fraerling in this room couldnt fuel this spell. You are all regrettably small, and your bodies dont contain enough magic. To move this tree?

Ilekrome tasted bile. He stepped back and went to retchthen call for every relic and reservoir of magic they had. Until he noticed who was standing in the center of the circle, lighting it up by his presence.

Zineryr, the Last Gnome, stood there, whistling innocently. He glanced over his shoulder.

Fifteen seconds. Do it now, before the distortion ends. We were never the most magicalbut Ill do.

Clockmaker.

Alchimeer Straesta whispered. Enchanter Ilekrome looked up, then raised his hands.

Activate it! All Fraerlings! Inside Paeth! Prepare for distortion!

His voice sounded throughout their home. Fraerlings paused in confusion, and Zineryr smiled around.

Im sorry. The tall folk can be cruel. No one likes people who laugh too loud.

He smiled, and Ilekromes eyes were running as the spell activated.

Why? All this? All these gifts? This?

He looked at the Gnome as the spell activated. For answer, Zineryr just threw back his head and laughed.

The last Gnome, Zineryr, stood there, slouched slightly so he stood taller on his left side, head tilted slightly. Grinning with the purest spark of mischief in his eyes. He had lines of age, and his hair had gone white, so he had dyed it silver and combed it into a frizzy spike of hair and made it stay there. He aged, but he refused to grow old.

He was the first Gnome to ever see the stars. The one who had built a vessel to defy gravity. His clothing was like a jumpsuit and tinkerers vest, where old tools hung, the collar and sleeves strung with metal to lock his gloves and a helmet into place. He had made everything he wore, from his all-terrain boots to the pouches and zippers built into his suit.

If he had flesh, he would have had a gadget for any moment. A surprise for children. A bit of hope in half a dozen pockets.

The magic illuminated him fully, and Zineryr winked at the Fraerlings. He lifted a hand in a casual salute, one last farewell.

Silly cousins. Helping people never needed a reason. It was just fun.

The magic activated. Zineryr vanished with a laugh, and a god screamed as he was cast away. The Tallfolk looked up as the Great Tree of Paeth on the Coast shone. Soldiers ran back in fearand they all looked up as Paeth vanished.

One last trick. But because he was a Gnome, Zineryr managed two.

The Titan of Baleros stood. At first, they didnt see him. Then he leapt from Perorns shoulder and drank the Signim.

There was a reason for his name. It told people what Signim was. It wasnt that big a secret.

The Jungle Tails company saw Niers Astoragon walk to the head of his army. Calling out to [Soldiers], clapping hands.

Apologizing for being late. He had tears in his eyes.

At firstthey thought he was a double. A fake. But the Titan just looked at them. He raised a speaking stone to his lips.

Tallguard. I will repay every debt.

Shut up, Titan. We werent doing this for you. Avenge Paeth.

Sentry Leader Ekrn barked back. Niers Astoragon looked up at the birds circling the carrion fields.

I swear. Forgotten Wing! To me! Prepare to charge!

The empowered Lizardfolk were squaring up as their officers quashed the sudden dismay and fear. Perorn trotted forwards.

Niers. Were still outmatched.

We have the momentum against them. I have one last trick. I need you to take Centaursand some of your finest. Your personal command; not a generic vanguard, but skirmishersand do a suicide charge straight at their [General].

Fleethoof looked straight into Niers eyes. She didnt hesitate.

Of course.

She was already mustering when Niers pointed ahead.

Wait for it. Wait

The Centaur galloped across the field at the Lizardfolk, who looked at her death-charge with her personal forces. They were never meant for close-combat fightinghit and runs. She was headed straight for their command. Niers Astoragon looked up at the sky.

Tallguard. Drop.

Sentry Leader Ekrn was already falling. They had already begun the Fraerling combined tactics that Niers had once invented.

Not for him. For the Forgotten Wing. For vengeance and Paeth.

Explorer Gindal hadnt given Ekrn back his crossbow when the Tallguard asked for it again. He was falling too. Ekrn couldnt see him.

He was falling alone. One little Fraerling, diving into a sea of Lizardfolk. But he had a target. He saw the Lamia [General]. The former Great Company of Balaeros was all focused on Niers. Even then

How did you stop a man as small as a cup? With an arrow? Could you even see him?

Ekrn was laughing as he fell. Fraerlings didnt fear falling. They were too light.

He landed as softly as could be on the Lamias head itself. The Naga recoiled.

What the

She grabbed him and saw the grinning Fraerling looking at her. The Lamia blanched, and she began to squeeze.

Ekrn had already drunk his Signim.

The Fraerling saw the Lamia recoil as he exploded out of her grip. He landed on the ground.

Fraer

He lifted the spare crossbow and shot her through the chest. For good measure, Ekrn beheaded the armored Lamia and stabbed her twice more. He looked around as Jungle Tails officers recoiled.

The Fraerling took one breath.

Tallguard of Feiland! For Paeth on the Coast!

Around him, Fraerlings were landing. Changing size. An officer recoiled as Gindal fired a Vortex Bolt straight into his face. After that, nothing was left of them at all, nor a fifteen foot space around them. ThenEkrn stabbed another Naga through the face. He whirled his blade, saw them coming for him, and felt the microdose of Signim wear off. He was shrinking as they stabbed at him.

Gindal was bleeding as he shrank. Another Tallguard was already dead. She had missed her target. But enoughenough officers had died. Ekrn knew he had to wait. A bleeding, six-inch-tall Fraerling lay on his back.

Then he activated his [Teleport] scroll and vanished.

The Titan saw Jungle Tails losing their officers. He pointed ahead.

[Charge of the Strategist]. Follow me!

The Titan began to run, sword raised. It was a stupid, Venaz-intelligence move. But sometimes you had to do it. Just to show the enemy they needed to be afraid.

The Forgotten Wing Company was right behind him. The Titan locked eyes with Perorn as her forces fought in the middle of Jungle Tails company.

Fleethoof! Deliver them our wrath!

The Titan of Baleros screamed. Perorn saw him point his blade at her. She was stumbling, surrounded by foes, but her force waited, fighting the Lizardfolk as they began to surround and tear them apart.

Skirmishers. Centaurs and mobility experts, the worst forces to have in a siege and close-quarters. So why?

Then she heard it. The Titans lips moved.

[Brigade: Castling the Pieces].

And Perorn saw the Titan vanish. She saw a Gorgon poised to strike her turn into a stranger, whirling, a guitar singing with electricity in his grip.

Chieftain Shaik?

Numbtongue met Perorns gaze in astonishment and confusion. She raised her bowthen looked around. Her forces, an entire brigades strength, had justswapped places with another force under the Titans command.

Across the entire world. Numbtongue saw the Centauress whirl.

Are you the Titans allies? I am Strategist Perorn. Give me an appraisal on the situation.

He lowered his guitar as his eyes went wide.

No way.

Goblins looked around as they appeared in the middle of the Jungle Tails formation. The Naga recoiled in surprise and horror. Niers just bellowed.

Chieftain Shaik! Ghost mushrooms! Take them apart!

A surprised Goblin riding a giant spider whirled. She didnt know where she and her tribe werebut Goblins could see a threat. Niers bellowed.

Charge!

He led the way forwards as Jungle Tails began to panic. A continent awayPerorn Fleethoof found herself galloping across the Gnoll Plains.

Commander Fezimet was eating the Centauress and Human. Slowly. He was starting with their legs.

He raised his head, dripping with blood, lost in a class so dark it would soon whisper to him in his sleep.

His city in pieces. Yet he would slaughter them all and take Paeth. He would rebuild Talenqual! He would make it the greatest, most beautiful city in the world and restore his tower with Jungle Tails.

Yeshe could almost see it. A shining city of great magic. Fraerling technology. A tower, like the one they had destroyed.

Only not a tree.

The Quexal looked up as his vision of the future, his delirium, was replaced by

A strange reality. A confusing one.

No, he was imagining the future. But he wasnt imagininga tree. A huge redwood, so wide you had to walk around it. Taller than his tower.

What was

Then Fezimet saw into it. Saw that promised city, half in ruins, but free of danger for now. As his company looked upas the fleeing mercenaries and Gravetenders Fist gazed up at the sight of Paeth by the Coast, Fezimets eyes drifted upwards.

He heard someone laughing at him.

Daly. The Human looked up at Fezimet as a bright light shone on the Quexals head. The Commander of the Featherfolk Brigade gazed up at Paeth for one more moment.

How did it come to?

Then he vanished. A laser of magic pierced him, and he evaporated without a word.

Justlike that. The Featherfolk Brigade looked up as Paeth began firing spells in their new home.

They could go anywhere with a [Grand Teleport] ritual spell. But to hide and be found again? Leave the Tallfolk who had fought for them behind?

They were done hiding. Umina led the charge of mercenaries through the rubble as Fraerlings began to attack the Lizardfolk as their morale shattered. Daly lay there, looking up at Paeth.

Its beautiful.

Then he covered his eyes and started crying for all the people hed gotten killed. Paeth stood amidst the ruins of Talenqual as the Featherfolk Brigade fled, and the Jungle Tails forces withdrew from Elvallian in dismay as the Titan reappeared. In Izril, Perorn Fleethoof rode towards the Meeting of Tribes.

In the lands of the dead, the dead gods realized Emerrhain was gone. The last of their smallest foes had vanished. But when they looked around in fear, trepidation, and uncertainty

They could still hear the Gnomes laughing.

Authors Note: We are now three out of six chapters in. I talk like this because I planned on writing six chapters and so far, we have stuckmostlyto my outline. Which is a good thing. It is exceptionally difficult to outline every chapter and sometimes I like writing organically.

But when it mattersI have notes. I think I have pages of notes. Checkingonly 6,500 words of notes in the doc I have, but a lot is in my head or in other documents. For The Wandering Inn? The old doc I used had over 100,000 words of notes.

Sometimes its scenes, so take that with a grain of salt. But we are going fairly well. I did have to split off an important plotline into another chapterbut I think its good since I had one chapter out of the six mostly empty for this eventuality.

I am writing about my process becauseI cant say much about the story itself. I am alive, stressed, but I dont feel horrible about the chapters. We have to see how it ends. No story is perfect or a failure until that final chapter, and Volume 8 is almost up. Let me know what you think, and thanks for reading.

Supreme Muffin Commander and Seamwalkers by pkay!

Ko-Fi: /peekay

BelavierrPaint by QtheBird, Sketch by SirDuckless!