The first thing I wanted to do was check if the others had survived as I didn't want the worry to be constantly harassing me, and if they hadn't, better to rip the arrow out, as Uliena advised. People think putting it off helps, but most of the time, you need to face the problem. Running won’t last, and when the arrow does hit, it’ll pierce all the deeper, and that hope will turn to poison. Trust me, I know what hope can do to a person, both good and bad. It can be a great tool of torture.

There was a story there, and a sad one if her words were any indicator, but she would tell me in her own time or not at all. My relationship with the demon was… unique. It was like we were friends with benefits, but closer. She hadn’t tried anything, so I gave her some trust. But on Bob’s urging, I still kept an eye out.

It was actually easy to figure out if they were alive as they all had an online presence on the PPW, so I used Bob’s phone, pulled open Zoogle, and being searching. None were particularly active, Bob told me I could check their DOSA profiles. An invisible weight was lifted when I saw that all three had made it. I hadn’t. My own profile had me listed as deceased. I couldn't access much about it since I wasn’t on my account. All it said was my name, and that I was dead.

After that, the next decision was what I was going to change into. Bob was right, as much as I didn't want him to be. If I showed up, they’d find me, even if not to question, then to wipe my mind clean of the event.

Which meant that for now, Richard Halls was dead.

“How about a dragon?” Litra suggested as I leaned back on the couch. Uliena was bathing, and Bob was settled down on my lap.

“That would be a long process, and we don't have the resources,” Bob said. “At least not to turn him into a dragon like you. We could turn you into a dragon blooded, maybe some horns, a tail, claws.”

“That doesn't sound too bad, although the tail will make some things a problem.”

“Not if make it adjustable so you can vanish it and anything else at will, like Litra.”

That didn't sound too bad. I was oddly excited about this, and couldn't help but see it as a character creation like in a video game. There were a tone of races Bob could turn me into, though some would be only on the surface, while others would be deeper. He could apparently really turn me into an elf or even a demon, though I had no desire to become an imp or lesser demon as he put it.

“How about an orc?”

“Orc sorcerers aren’t rare, but uncommon and with your level of power, it will attract attention.” Bob was still in the mind of keeping low until we were powerful enough. I’d asked how powerful, and he told me when I could nuke a city with a wave of my hand, then maybe, we could attract some attention, albeit carefully. I hadn't questioned it. Higher than the heavens.

“I’d be fine with any of them,” I said, “to be honest, but orc is really… calling to me. Maybe a half-orc?”

“That could work,” Bob said. “But half what?”

I shrugged. “Human, elf? Something humanoid. You pick, but no turning me into a woman or picking something crazy. As much as I’m intrigued by the idea, I don't want extra arms or whatever.”

“You sure, four arms can come in handy?”

“Dead sure,” I said, getting up. “Now how long is this going to take?”

“If I spend the whole day, I can get it all ready. Be glad we stocked up on so much, and that the ender is likely not a problem anymore. If they believed our soul was destroyed, then even if the trail leads to you, it doesn't matter. Because we’ll be gone from Portland as…” He waited. “You haven't picked a new name yet?”

“What's wrong with Richard?”

“It's boring, Dick.” He moved up to my face. “How about Dick?”

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“You already call me that.”

“Yes, but they don’t.”

“I’ll find a name.” I definitely wasn't going with Dick, and he was right. I was changing everything, so why keep the name? It was just that it felt like I was burying myself, and in a way, I guess I was.” Even before this, I already changed so much. The Richard Halls being buried now is a different person than before. It’s all changed.

I left Bob and Litra and headed to the workshop. Bob called out as I did. “Rick, have you picked a location yet?”

“No,” I said, not wanting to think about it. Bob had suggested we leave Portland behind for now and get a fresh start someplace else. Leave behind everything I knew. It was not something so simple as he put it. I would be leaving behind the city that I'd grown up in, and my friends Zara and Han. I already decided that I was going to tell them, but I didn't know what would happen after that. Would we stay in contact? They would want to, but was it possible? Bob had suggested we might be able to use the pocket as a meeting place, but that would mean them finding out about Bob and me, which he’d said, would be akin to painting a target on them now. A target that would get bigger the stronger I got and the more knew of my existence. Bob had enemies, and he’d said when people found out about him, things would get difficult.

That was the biggest concern left. Not to mention Brooke, who I wasn't sure I should tell. We were very close, but it wasn't the same with her. However, another part found that stupid and said that just because we weren’t lovers, didn't mean we weren’t just as close. She’d helped me so much. I’ll repay it all one day. If I get as powerful as Bob believes, I will pay them back.

The workshop was quiet, and I moved over to one corner and took a seat. I pulled out Bob’s phone, and just scrolled for a time. I wanted to be alone, but I hadn't wanted to kick them out of the house, and Uliena was being rather aggressive with her caring. It was nice, but I needed time to myself.

As I looked over the news, I couldn't help but be astonished by how much they’d covered up, and the absolute lack of anything to do with the event. A hole had opened up, and one of the US’s largest cities had been burning. Now, it was as though nothing happened. As I looked over more news, a particular article caught my eye.

“Las Vegas Demon Kidnappings,” I read aloud. I clicked the link and read through an article detailing some disappearances of local demons that had been occurring for the past few months. All the victims were demons, and no trace was left of them. They just vanished. “Las Vegas.” I’d always wanted to go to Las Vegas, and my father had spent some time there. He’d said it was rightfully named the sin city, and was a hell of a place. “Sin City…” I considered it. “Maybe.”

After some time, I put the phone away, and stretched, gathering my thoughts. Things had spiraled, and I was been forced away, but despite everything that had happened. I was still alive. I was still standing, and so were the others. The ender was still out there, but now it was unlikely we’d be found. This was a loss, but also an opportunity. I only needed to seize it. This wasn’t the end.

I headed out of the workshop, my stride purposeful. I would seize it, and figure out solutions to my problems. I’d gotten out of the pit once, and I could do it again. Hell, this time it wasn’t so bad. The phantom pain seemed to return at those words, and I shuddered, but I didn’t stop. I wouldn't let it stop me from moving forward.

I found the others in the living room, and Bob and Uliena seemed to be arguing about what the other half of my race should be.

Demon would be best. An incubus could work. Half-breeds happen.

“You just want him to be half demon.”

What, like you want him to be a woman? What’s your obsession with such a transformation? I never took you to have an interest in gender-bending.

“I just think it would make things easier, and why not a woman?”

Litra just sat and listened, eating some meat as usual. She never gained a single pound and seemed to have a bottomless pit for a stomach. Then again, how did that work? Were her insides magical, or what?

When they finally noticed I was standing in the doorway, they both stopped. I turned to Uliena. “I’d prefer not to be a half-demon, no offense, but neither am I turning into a woman, Bob.”

Uliena slumped, and Bob’s pages fluttered slowly.

“But, I think you’ll like where we might be heading?”

“You’ve picked?”

“I think so. I want your opinion of course, but what do you think of Las Vegas?”