"Welcome back," Kal greeted Nyz as soon as the warrior stepped out of the decontamination room, dressed in a suit and carrying the orb. "Let me check it."

Kal took the orb from Nyz as the warrior looked at Sen and Wys, who were sitting on a bench, watching. Sen was dressed in normal clothes rather than Nyz's shirt, so he assumed that Kal sent her back to her place before bringing her there to watch.

"What kind of attacks were those?" Sen asked as Nyz approached. "You said 'chaos energy', but I've never heard of that before."

"That's what Kal calls it," Nyz shrugged. "I don't know what it actually is. It disrupts anything it passes through, as long as the target's weaker. I made sure my barriers were stronger than Tom's attacks, so its attacks couldn't penetrate. Meanwhile, the magic shots were more powerful than Tom's feeble attempts after the grenades got through his barriers, so they penetrated his just fine. I'm glad Wys figured those out, that fight would have been much more difficult without. I did manage to release half of the souls first, too."

"Alright," Kal approached. "This is it, so I'm going to go install it. Nyz, head to the broadcast chamber. They can come too, if they want."

Kal walked off, and Sen stood up.

"The broadcast chamber?"

"Now that we have the orb back," Nyz said. "Kal's going to install it, then set the island to its proper settings. After that, he's going to make an announcement across all the world. I'm going to be seen in it so the corporations and military forces are aware of who he is – command. He basically said you two can be in the broadcast as well. But you'll have to be quiet and just stare at the camera."

"We can do that," Sen said. "Teleport?"

"No, we can walk," Nyz said. "It's not far from here."

He wasn't sure he could teleport, either. His magic felt off for some reason, and he wasn't entirely sure why, nor did he know when it began. It wasn't until he was decontaminating that he noticed it, but it could have begun at any point while he was in the ruins of the city.

"Let's go," Nyz began walking.

They walked through a couple of hallways before reaching a room with a camera set up facing a black wall, and when Nyz turned on the lights, a pair of bright, white lights turned on, reflecting off white panels to illuminate the broadcast zone evenly.

"I don't think we're dressed properly for a global broadcast," Sen said.

"Who cares?" Wys grinned. "We're going to be on TV!"

"You've been on TV," Sen rolled her eyes.

"Fifteen and a half times," Nyz stated.

"And a half?" Sen asked.

"There was a news station filming at a park he was at," Nyz said. "You could hear him calling out to one of his friends, back before he ran away."

"I don't think hearing him counts."

"His voice is half of him," Nyz stated.

"He's right!" Wys went to put Nyz in a headlock, only to be shoved aside. "Hey!"

"Leave the hair alone, we're going on air once Kal finishes and comes here."

"What's the big deal with that one, anyway?" Sen asked. "Didn't you say the missing orb was for environmental and gravity regulation? Isn't that just for the farms and some weird training stuff."

Wys snapped his attention to Nyz, eyes wide.

"Wait, gravity regulation?" He asked. "Mixed into the same controls as environmental? Okay, I know the farms are being sustained by another orb at the moment, Nyz, but those two things combined suggest-"

"Attention, everyone," Kal's voice echoed into the room. "This is a broadcast to the entirety of Nyzkal Island. Please be aware that you may feel some trembling over the next half-hour. It is nothing to concern yourself with, and may not happen. If it does happen, it may be brief or extended. I apologize in advance, and we will replace anything that breaks as a result of the trembles. Do not attempt to fool me on what broke, I am monitoring the entire island for issues as we move it into position."

"Into position?" Sen asked Nyz. "What does he mean by that?"

"Thank you for your understanding with this," Kal continued. "And once I finish moving the island into position, activities may resume as normal and the risk of any monster attack will cease considerably. Thank you, and I am beginning the process. If you wish, you may go outside to watch me move the island into position."

Sen stared at Nyz, who looked at his watch.

"Nyz," Sen said. "What does he mean by into position?"

"Nyz," Wys said. "No one mentioned the island was going to be floating above the fog."

"What?" Sen asked.

"Hm?" Nyz looked at Wys. "We didn't tell you?"

"No!" Wys exclaimed. "I'd definitely remember that!"

"Oh," Nyz said. "Yeah. The final orb is powering the system to regulate the gravity manipulation to ensure we float as well as to ensure the atmosphere of the island is suitable both for breathing and for plants, since it's normally thinner the higher up you go."

"A floating island?" Sen asked. "The island is going to be floating above the fog?"

"Just like the islands the dragons live on," Nyz stated.

"That's why you guys have such powerful defenses," Sen realized. "To ensure that if a dragon takes issue with your floating island, they won't be able to do much about it."

"Yeah," Nyz stretched. "Don't worry about falling or anything, even if we move fast, the gravity regulators and environmental regulators will ensure we're fine. They localize to the different regions of the island, too, in order to ensure stability, rather than being a blanket thing. We can fly it pretty high, too. About two hundred miles high, Kal said the island can handle before the regulators aren't able to match a livable atmosphere for the island."

Wys let out an impressed whistle, then clapped his brother on the back.

"Knowing the island would be above the fog would have been nice," Wys said. "But still, that's pretty dang impressive, Nyz. The things a genius from that branch can do amaze me every time I hear it."

"Wasn't everyone from that branch a genius?" Sen asked. "I mean, they were bred for inhuman intelligence."

"No," Nyz responded. "Kal is considered a genius for a member of that branch."

"Just like Nyz and I are considered prodigy soldiers," Wys told her. "It's part of why we survived the AMF attack in Troak."

"Nyz," Kal's voice came over the PA system in the room. "It's nice that you figured out how to thought-activate the camera in there, but please stop making goofy faces while streaming it to my phone."

Sen and Wys looked at Nyz, who bore the innocent expression of a child who just shoved cookies from the jar into his pockets.

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"Also," Wys said. "The decontamination process automatically does a health check, it's part of the system I designed to check for viruses and such that someone might be bringing with them, though the gas helps with those, too. When you decontaminated upon returning, Nyz, it picked up something weird. I'll need you in my lab after so I can do a proper check, the decontamination check is meant for human anatomy and genetics."

"Okay," Nyz said. "I wanted to talk to you about that, too. My magic is feeling strange."

"Then stop using it to make goofy faces and stream them to my phone," Kal said. "How did you even figure that out? It's only to my phone, and there's not much of a chance of you actually figuring that stuff out so fast."

"I remembered thinking 'I could use that for streaming goofy faces to Kal's phone' when you showed me this room, so studied the manual you wrote on how to use it. I practiced with my phone, it took me a few weeks."

There was a silence in which all three of them knew Kal was likely groaning at Nyz's response.

"Anyway, I'm back to doing this," Kal told them. "I'll head over once it finishes."

Wys gave Nyz a concerned look.

"Your magic is feeling strange?"

"I've probably over-used soul magic," Nyz shrugged. "It probably shortened my life a little more, releasing the souls Tom had stolen from the Asterox soldiers. It's not the first time my magic's gone all weird. Last time, I just had to stop using it for a few weeks, and I was fine. You did, too."

"When?" Wys asked.

"The stacked stones."

"Okay, Wys told me about that while we were there," Sen snorted. "You guys seriously did that just to be brats?"

"None of us liked repeatedly making and banishing flames," Nyz told her. "We'd mastered the spells they had us practicing weeks before. So we did that in the hopes they'd stop. Kal convinced some of the older boys, like Wys and his friends, to join us for a joint spell."

"I'd forgotten that we all got sick after," Wys scratched the back of his head. "Well, not sick, since we don't get that, but what amounts to us being sick. Yeah, we did have to stop using magic for a couple of weeks, and then we were all fine."

"Kal called it 'magical wear'," Nyz said. "Even if we're considered successes, our bodies still aren't fully ready for using heavier magics. As a result, if we use powerful magics or use magics too much in too short a time, we have to rest a bit so our body can recover from the wear the magic gave us. We also can't tap into our full magical power at all."

"And you probably put yourself into that magical wear state with the soul magic against Tom," Wys smacked him in the back of the head. "You idiot. Don't just keep using magic after if you're in that state, Nyz, especially not with your shortened lifespan as it is."

"Kal said mind magics don't affect it, so they're safe to use in this state."

"That explains why you didn't teleport us here, then," Sen said.

"No, that was just because it was a short walk," Nyz looked at his brother. "You didn't tell me you knew."

"Kal made me swear not to," Wys turned serious. "Nyz, I don't want to head back home before you-"

"Stopping Zenitk's project has priority," Nyz stated. "That should give you incentive to hurry."

"Okay," Wys gave Sen an uneasy look.

"She knew," Nyz said. "She seduced me earlier."

"I didn't seduce you," she said, and Nyz raised an eyebrow at her. "I pushed for you to accept your feelings, there's a difference. Do you regret it?"

"I regret not letting us let it build up," Nyz stated. "But otherwise, no, I do not. I enjoyed it."

Their discussion turned to Wys and whether or not he would make the most of his time before his own expiration, and Nyz debated on if he should tell Sen his suspicions. By the time Kal returned, Nyz had stopped paying attention to the conversation, which seemed to be about whether or not mint chocolate candies was something that might be a viable market. He also decided to speak with Sen about the possibility of them having children, just in case their activities over the next few months could result in one.

"Alright," Kal said. "Let's do this. Do you two want to be in the broadcast? I'm sure I know the answer for you, Sen, but Wys? Once you're in the broadcast, there's no going back. You'll be officially associated with us."

"Let's do this," Wys said. "I support you two more than my parents, as much as I love them."

"Alright," Kal said. "Come on."

They moved into position, with Kal standing directly in front of the camera, Nyz to his right and a little back, Sen and Wys to the right and left respectively, standing a little further back than Nyz. Then, Kal turned on the camera using the thought controls, overriding all of the broadcast systems in the world to project them out.

"Hello, everyone," Kal said. "Most of you probably recognize Nyz here, the warrior who went against Asterox in order to retrieve what was ours, an item of great importance which they stole from us.

"The item was stored in Berut, as I discovered when they decided to move it. However, not even an hour ago, the convoy was attacked by a dragon as they flew near the surface of the fog. Though the creatures are believed to be mythical, you can see my recording of the event here. It was short and brief. After making sure the dragon was far away, I sent Nyz to retrieve our property from the ruins of the city the mechs were flying over when the dragon attacked.

"Now, you are likely wondering who I am," Kal said. "I am Kal, inventor of the Fog-Destroying Kal Beacons. Or Dispersing, as Asterox calls them. I am the one who created the magitech which recorded that fight, magitech that I have scattered all over the world. I am the one who created the equipment Nyz wears, and yes, that missile-proof underwear he wore to the fight in Troak. I am the one who easily tapped into the global broadcast systems to project the message.

"After retrieving the orb, I brought Nyz back here," Kal said. "We utilize teleport magitech, allowing us to cross great distances in an instant, which made this easy. Now, you're probably wondering 'what is so important about that orb'?

"The answer is simple: it was one of four I created, each of which was quite difficult and risked my life. Asterox noticed me creating them and set up a trap to steal it, as they thought at the time I was unguarded, as I had Nyz doing other things during their creation. Then, they set up a camp in the one location it's possible to create them.

"What does the orb do? Why did I create four of them? To better the world, of course. Utilizing advanced magitech workers, I built an island with an absolute defense system and the most advanced Fog-Destroying Kal Glow I have. It contains several levels of farms and is quite self-sustaining. Even a majesty of dragons wouldn't be able to breach its defenses, which is why the dragon attacked – it wanted to prevent us from retrieving the orb.

"In other words, Asterox Corporation stole and refused to return the property of another corporation, one which had far more advanced magitech than them, out of greed and jealousy and an act of sabotage. Our island is not beneath the fog, but above it, floating more than one hundred miles in the air. Our residents will never have to worry about monster attacks. Yet Asterox knowingly stole one of the power sources used to ensure our systems will never fail. The backup orb, as it is. They couldn't stand the idea of another corporation succeeding in creating a true haven, and so sought to destroy us. Fortunately for us, Nyz here isn't so easily defeated by a soul-sucking bogral, because the same dragon which attacked the fleet also decided to camp out at the location where I have to make the orbs to prevent me from returning there even with Nyz.

"Because of Asterox's actions," Kal stated. "The NyzKal group, which owns the various companies under the NyKa brands, will refuse entry to anyone employed by or related to someone employed by Asterox Corporation. Other than Sen here, who has helped us with fighting her family's corporation, Nyzkal Island is no-entry for them.

"To everyone else," he continued. "We will be moving our island around, from city to city. We will take applicants and screen them. Anyone who can become a productive member of our society and who swears to follow the laws of it will be permitted to come and live with us. We have food, safety, shelter, water. We have gardens, parks, and other recreational areas. We want to share this with you, with those of you willing to work for your keep to help keep this island's society running. Farmers, this extends even to you. No longer is farming your only career choice due to what you know.

"In one week, we will begin opening applications for residency. We will be bringing our island close to populated cities and temporarily destroying the fog around them while present. We will be looking for doctors of all types, plumbers, mechanics, security officers, and other people who can provide essential skills. However, we'll also be looking for normal residents, people who would work in a store or a restaurant. Do not be discouraged just because of your skills. We will appraise all applications equally and allow in those who meet our character standards. It will take us more than a lot of time to visit every city, but we will visit every city.

"As you can see," Kal indicated Wys. "Wys Zenitk is with us. Zenitk Pharmaceuticals will be releasing a press statement regarding information about their company in the next few days. Thank you for watching, and we look forward to building a society that holds no fear of the fog."

Kal ended the call, then looked at Wys.

"Your parents are going to be wondering what the heck is going on," Kal said. "And why you're here. I've sent some information to your email. Present it to them during your discussion when you return. You'll understand then why I said that. They will, too."

"Good job painting Asterox as an even more evil force," Sen told Kal. "Now the world knows the truth, especially once the island is seen at the cities. No one will be able to argue with what amounts to a giant fortress."

"Yeah," Kal said. "Asterox is going to lose their hold once word starts spreading about how honest this thing is and how it's a rather nice place to live. They'll try to smear us because of our standards, but-"

Nyz began coughing, clutching his chest as he attempted to breathe properly. Golden veins began appearing on his skin, then quickly turned red, as if burning, his flesh turning black only moments later.

"Nzy!" Kal exclaimed as all three of them rushed to him as he collapsed to the ground.

"What's going on?" Sen asked.

"He's expiring," Kal answered as Nyz curled up, his mouth open in a silent scream of pain. "His magic is literally destroying his body. My estimates must have been off by a lot. Get out of here. Both of you. It's probably going to get uglier."

Sen and Wys tried to protest, neither of them wanting to see Nyz like that, but Wys pushed them both out, exiting with them. He closed the door, though all three could sense Nyz's life burning up. From time to time, they heard screams and sobs, but otherwise, it was mostly silent. All three kept their heads down, avoiding looking at anyone or speaking as their friend suffered in the room behind them.

Nearly an hour passed before the feeling of Nyz's life disappeared, and they all knew that Nyz had died.