The little map in the corner of my HUD has updated to reflect our new surroundings, but the Dragon's Inheritance quest marker was dimmer than before. I turned in a half circle and found it was pointing to the west. I needed to consult with the others and get a consensus on how to proceed next. But, until Stretch was back in the party, I wasn't going anywhere.

I followed EchoAnilTrine through the winding streets of Luminaris, my companions close behind, and tried not to gape at the vibrant and living world around us.

"How did this just spring to life in a few days?" I asked Echo.

"More of an unearthing. The city was here, but buried," she lowered her voice and leaned in. "I assume the engineers took care of it. They are fast."

"Why are you whispering?"

"Because many, such as your friend Thandroot, consider it a grave breach of protocol to step out of character."

"I had a feeling that was a thing," I whispered back. My suspicion had been on something like that. Thandroot didn't believe it yet, but he was a man out of time, just like us.

"One other-" She lowered her voice again but trailed off and looked pained.

"Are you okay?"

"Weariness from our battles. Nothing more."

As we rounded a corner, I caught sight of something that made me stop in my tracks. There, looming on the horizon about twenty miles away, was The Nexus. Its colossal form dominated the landscape, casting a long shadow across the land as the sun passed overhead.

"Holy shit," I breathed, pointing. "Look at that thing."

Darby stepped up beside me, her eyes widening. "Wow. Compensating much?"

I snorted.

As we continued our journey through the city, I couldn't help but notice the high elves that seemed to be everywhere. They stood in small groups, their faces impassive as they watched us pass. Their aloof demeanor was unsettling, but I could feel their eyes studying us intently.

AldorionBreylis also accompanied us, but he kept his eyes on anything but us as we walked. He was a strange one. I felt a sense of familiarity, but I didn't know this dude from a hole in the wall. He was good with his sword, I'd give him that. Otherwise, he was just another postie masquerading as a high elf.

"Echo," I said, breaking the silence, "what's the deal with this place?"

She glanced back at me, her expression softening slightly. "Luminaris was once the capital of Eldrath, before... well, before everything changed."

We finally arrived at a large, ornate circular building with a huge spire on top. A small doorway cut into the side swung open as we approached. Echo led us inside, and I found myself in a spacious banquet hall. Long tables were laden with an array of foods and drinks that made my mouth water instantly.

"So. Hungry," Leech exclaimed and made for the table.

We were ushered to a spacious table in the center of the room. I eyed the spread of food before me with a mix of hunger and wariness. The table was laden with an array of meats, cheeses, and breads that would have made any medieval king envious. Succulent roasted boar, skin crispy and glistening with fat, sat alongside a platter of tender venison, the meat still pink in the center.

Wheels of aged cheese, their rinds dusted with herbs and spices, were arranged next to loaves of crusty bread, the aroma of yeast and flour wafting through the air. The only thing missing was a tiny version of Phil dressed in a toga outfit strutting around with a hand on his lapel.

Leech, Darby, and Trogs joined me at the table, their eyes wide with amazement at the feast before us. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of distrust as I glanced around the room, taking in the aloof expressions of the high elves who observed us from a distance. I knew they were post-humans, and the thought made me uneasy.

Darby sat down next to me, giving EchoAnilTrine a tight smile as she did so. I could tell she was just as wary as I was, but her hunger seemed to outweigh her suspicion for the moment.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Thandroot and Sylara sat off to the side. Their heads bent together in quiet conversation. I strained my ears to catch what they were saying, but their voices were too low for me to make out.

I hadn't taken a bite of anything yet. AldorionBreylis, perhaps sensing my hesitation, reached for a piece of cheese, picked it up, and tossed it in the air. He caught it in his mouth and smacked his lips.

I reluctantly put a few morsels on my plate and picked at them nervously, even though I felt like I was being paranoid. If these guys had meant us harm, they'd had ample opportunity to take us out on the way here. Or back at the Maledicted Vault.

After taking a few bites of the delicious food, I couldn't hold back any longer. I turned to EchoAnilTrine, my voice firm. "Where's Stretch? I need to know where he is."

EchoAnilTrine's eyes met mine, and I could see the conflict within them. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, a wave of nausea hit me like a ton of bricks. The room began to spin, and I gripped the table's edge to steady myself.

I glanced around, noticing that Darby, Leech, and Trogs were also looking unwell. Darby's face had gone pale, and she swayed in her seat. Leech's eyes were unfocused, and he seemed to be struggling to keep his head up. Trogs let out a low groan, his hand clutching his stomach before he doubled over and fell heavily to the floor.

"Trogs!" I shouted.

I tried to stand, to reach for my sword, but my limbs wouldn't cooperate. It was as if my body had turned to lead, heavy and unresponsive. Panic set in as I realized we were all paralyzed, unable to defend ourselves. Move, hand. Fucking move! It refused my command.

EchoAnilTrine's expression was pained. She lifted a glass and drank, then looked away. A single tear rolled down her cheek.

"What the hell, Echo!"

"I am sorry, Liam. I was compelled."

AldorionBreylis picked up a small chunk of meat and considered it, then popped it in his mouth. As he chewed, he began to change. His features shifted and morphed, his body growing taller and leaner.

"S'up, Liam, my man. Did you miss me?"

That voice. That fucking voice!

Rage boiled within me, and I wanted nothing more than to lunge out of the table and wrap my hands around his throat. But I couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't do anything but sit there and glare at him with all the hatred I could muster.

"Captain Al." I stared dumbly.

"Yeah, buddy. That's me. You know something? I've missed these little chats."

"I didn't."

"Asshole!" Darby tried to yell, but it came out practically a squeak.

"What's your postie name? DicklessMcDickless?" Leech yelled.

Captain Al sauntered over to the table, a smug grin on his face. He picked up a goblet of wine and took a long, slow sip as he savored the moment.

"Ah, shucks, Liam and his assembled band of idiots. You accomplished one thing when you restarted the reactor. You got us out of The Nexus. We're free. Bound to the earth, but free. It's a start."

"Liam…" EchoAnilTrine whispered in an imploring voice.

"I should have made sure you were dead." I fumed.

"You can't kill Captain Al! I'm immortal, baby.

I wish I could report that I spit at him, lashed out, and knocked him on his ass. Head butted him into next week or even had a clever comeback. None of those things happened. I was frozen in place. Unable to lift a finger, and I couldn't voice a single word.

I wanted to spit in his face, to tell him to go fuck himself, but my tongue was as useless as the rest of my body. All I could do was glare at him, my eyes burning with fury.

If I could just get him to react and fight me, kill me, I would…

Captain Al straightened and turned to address us. "We can't kill you. You would simply respawn. So we're going to get creative. Can't have you running around bashing up against our plans."

He must have read my mind.

I found my words, but they were a rasp. "You betrayed me!" I seethed at Echo.

She reached up and pointed at her neck. I don't know how I'd missed it before, but she wore a tiny choker no thicker than a fishing line.

"I had no…"

Captain Al gestured, and she went rigid. Her eyes widened, and she gasped in pain. Echo collapsed, toppling from her seat and crumpling to the ground. She lay there motionless, her face contorted in agony, clearly suffering immensely.

"Stop," I managed to say through clenched teeth.

I wanted to scream, to lash out, to do anything but sit there helplessly. My eyes darted to Echo, still lying on the floor, her body twitching in obvious agony. The sight of her suffering tore at me, intensifying my rage.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Darby's fingers twitch. For a moment, hope flared in my chest. If she could break free of the paralysis, maybe we had a chance. But her movement was slight, barely noticeable, and she remained slumped in her chair.

Thandroot and Sylara were already slumped in their chairs.

Suddenly, a strange mist began to seep into the room. It crept along the floor, curling around our feet and rising steadily. The other high elves, who had been watching impassively from the edges of the room, quickly made their exit. Their faces showed a mix of concern and urgency as they hurried out, leaving us alone with Captain Al. A soft glowing orange bubble came to life and surrounded his head.

As the mist thickened, I struggled to keep my eyes open. My vision began to blur, and I fought against the heaviness that threatened to overtake me. I looked to Darby and Leech, desperate to see if they were faring any better.

To my dismay, Leech's head lolled forward, his chin dropping to his chest as he lost consciousness. Darby followed suit moments later, slumping over in her chair.

> SYSTEM MESSAGE: Congratulations! You’ve been enveloped in Snooze-O-Mancer’s Mist. I'm jealous I didn't come up with that name, because it's on brand for me. Anyway. Resistance is futile. Enjoy your nap!

Phil! I shouted into the void.

The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was Captain Al's smile, his figure becoming hazy as the mist enveloped us completely. Then, my vision went black, and I knew no more.