I lay on my bed crying.

Solace: Well, you could have handled that better. Just to let you know, Sprite and Sola know most of what happened to us. They will not disclose it unless we agree. I strongly suggest that you talk to Xar or maybe Seraph.

I can't. Rax needs to come back. I don't know what we can do if we can't get his engrams back. I don't want Raechina… well, I don't know how to tell her that I killed her father. How rare and expensive are the cores?

Solace: You know you didn't. He chose that.

I know, but what hope do we have if the supposedly most powerful person in the world, what do we call it now, galaxy, universe? What hope do I have after he chooses to end his existence?

I took the Stasis Coffin out of my Inventory and put it on my bed. I was looking at it, imagining being trapped inside. How was I going to tell her? How was she going to adjust? I couldn't bring her out until at least something of her father was returned. I was a coward. I had already failed the future Empress. I had nightmares about the Emperor's body falling as I fled.

Fuck me, Dress to Impress an Empress.

We had less than a week. I had no idea what she looked like or who she was. I had no idea where or how to contact the champion, and I had no idea why I was such a coward. I could have just handed them over to Xar, and he would have dealt with it. Maybe I felt responsible for Rax. Maybe there was that connection to his daughter and her sad story. I'd never want to be powerless. I needed to make choices. I sat staring at the coffin, imagining what it would have been like to go off to meet your future husband, whom your entire Empire hated, only to find betrayal. She was 22 going on 5022. Trapped out of time, and she had no one thanks to me.

I took the Engram Crystal out. I could feel the weight of the Empire in my hands.

It was beautiful.

I could feel the full potential of Rax within, waiting. I wondered if he was in there somewhere, aware. Rax may have been a great man, but he was tired, worn down, desperate, and a father. I could not tell people how we spent the final time, his cry for help and him giving up, not even trying to save her himself, yet he had dumped it on me, a random visitor.

He was supposed to be wise and powerful. But that was the difference between history and reality.

I knew it was more complex, and he was a father facing a difficult choice. I knew he thought he could not cope with the energy influx when he returned. He made a choice, not one I would make, and he sacrificed his true life rather than take a chance. At least, I hoped I would not make the same choice. One day, I, too, might face the same dispare and make a similar choice. I hope that future me would be stronger.

Maybe he was a coward. I would have tried if I had a daughter. Shit, I don't know. Perhaps I would have given up.

The crystal I had in my hands was possibly the most valuable item in the Empire. Crap.

Solace: Can I let Luke and Mike in? They are concerned.

I returned the crystal and the coffin to my Inventory.

Sure.

I was very sulky and full of self-pity. I went to meet them in the lounge. Future me was looking like a coward. Shit, I needed to get a grip.

Luke looked at me with an unsure smile and hugged me.

"What the horses, Sarah? That was a load of trash. What happened to you?" Mike asked. I could see his class skills mitigating his genuine emotions. He was angry. He saw me as threatening his orderly plans and wanted to know why. Instinctively, I could read him and knew he struggled to place me in the strategies. I was not making it easy for him. I owed him more than this, so I tried.

With a huge sigh, I sat down. "I can't say yet. Please don't push me, Mike, this…."

I stopped. I would not break down here now.

"Tackle Sarah. Do you want me to spend over 100 million credits on just a say-so? Even you know I can't do that, even if we had the credits. I would do it in a heartbeat if it were just you, Luke and me. This is more than you or me. Sublate, you know I would do anything for you, but this would throw us under the bus. That is our yearly projected income when we hit City. That's the tax for over a hundred thousand people for a year. We don't have the credits."

"Fuck. Mike, I didn't know. We need it set up before the party, a couple of days earlier, at least" crap, I knew it would not be easy, "a Tier 4 would be ok, but I promised that it would be upgraded as a priority if we did. If I tell you beforehand, it will be an even bigger mess. Empire mess. Big, Big mess."

"Even that is over 10 million credits and still rare, and I'd still need a damn good reason to outlay that."

Shit, maybe I could call in some favours. Fuck, who was I kidding? I didn't know anyone with that kind of cash.

"Didn't you drop a Tier 4 on the resort? So you could cuddle your girlfriend?" I asked. I was wincing as I said it. I regretted it straight away.

Luke stepped up, hands on my shoulders, "Low blow, Sarah, even for you. Talk to us. Tell us why it is so important."

Solace: These are your friends, Sarah Owens. Be kind. Maybe talking can help. If you can't trust them, why do you do this?

I am scared, Solace. I can't tell her that her father died. I may as well have killed him. I can't tell them I failed the Emperor. I will be hated. Luke is so Legion, so Empire, and I failed them. How could she face that?

Solace: That is for her to face. You do not have the right to do that because you are afraid.

Mike was a bit shocked, "Fold outside! We need to know. There is more to this than just us. We are setting up for the future of the human race, which includes you, so unless you talk, we can't do this."

I cried, "Fine, you fuckin want to know what happened? I helped kill the Fucking Emperor. Raximus. The big cheese. I saw him crumple while I fled. The entire First Legion, I left them. To. Die. They are dead because I was not strong enough and didn't listen to... Because I am a coward."

I took the coffin out of my Inventory and threw it at Luke. I took the Engram Crystal out and threw it at Mike.

"That's what we need the core for: the cowardly Emperor who took the easy path, his daughter, whom I didn't want to wake up alone. She needs her father, and he needs that core to run his engrams."

Not my finest moment, screeching at my friends.

Luke quickly caught the coffin one-handed and put it down as it weighed next to nothing. Mike fumbled with the crystal but caught it. I could see Mike struggling as I let my aura slip.

Luke swept me in a big embrace as I broke down and told them what had happened.

I could not mention anything about Nalios. Even getting close to speaking about it, I could feel the disappointment and the Geas suppressing the words and thoughts.

Mike paled. "Ok. That was intense. Not quite up there with your big tantrum, you know, when you threw one when you didn't get Puck in Midsummer at school, but pretty cool." He tried to smile at me. It was forced, but it was a token peace offering.

It was enough. These were my friends. I whispered a teary, snotty "sorry" into Luke's chest.

A couple of minutes later, we were sitting and talking. It was not quite the easy-going talking we had before, which I was scared would never come back, but we were moving forward into something where I could see some light in my fears. It took some time to get the story straight. They listened for the first time as I calmed down, and then they gently asked questions.

Mike left, saying he would look into getting the core and giving me the crystal back. "Safer with you than anywhere else here, I'm guessing. Two genuine powerhouses! What a draw. "He seemed happier. "I understand, Sarah, I really do. Let's see what we can do. Let me handle this. I'll let Luke handle Xarius, though."

Luke stayed, and we talked late into the night. He left late, promising not to say anything, as he was leaving to help the Legion in the morning. He also agreed that bringing the Empress back before her father might not be the smartest thing to do.

Solace: I am proud of you.

Shut up, Sol. I hate my life. What do we do? How can we get the money for the core?

Solace: Rax gave you a credit stick. Maybe it will help with some of the costs.

I thought I was so rich when I had 1 million credits. I spent that all on ... well, it was totally worth it, but shit.

Solace: Did you know it would cost you about the same price as a core to upgrade all your skills to your new Tier? Tier 5 is supposed to be a long-term investment supported by an entire community. If a large nation-state planet is lucky, it will have one or two Tier 5s. They are the last protectors for many places.

Crap, Sol, how do you make money in the Empire? No wonder there are not many super-powerful people. I feel like I have been given a fancy house, and now the rates are due, and guess what? I can't pay them. What is that Indian proverb about giving people elephants?

Solace: Give your enemy an elephant; it is a magnificent gift, making you generous but guaranteed to bankrupt them.

Yeah. I need money. Can we rob banks?

Solace: As exciting as a life of crime would be, I could not in good faith … oh wait, that was sarcasm. You need to be at the top of a field to make money. Artisans make large amounts of money in crafting, but materials are expensive and take a lot of time. Closing Incursions, completing quests, bounty hunting, and gambling are the legal ways. If you were less than honest, theft and extortion would put you at odds with the Drakes, which, despite my misgivings about them, seem to be a powerful ally. Borrow money from someone. Dance would have that in spades! My advice is to give them back the Empire, the coffin and the engrams. It is only your sense of guilt and responsibility that drives you now. The Empire would revive them both in a heartbeat. Although Rax was worried about corruption, and with Luke's recent events, you might not find any that were not corrupt. Oh. I see why you are concerned.

There was something that I knew I was missing, and suddenly I remembered.

My bike! My bike should be ready to pick up. That might help cheer me up and take my mind off things. I might visit the shop, see if I can get a dress, flight clothes, and battle clothes, and upgrade my skills. I need to get coffee, and damn, I shouldn't have given Luke my cash. Would Rax or Raechina mind if I spent some money on the cash stick?

Solace: Well, Rax gave it to you as a gift, and he won't know, and Raechina is asleep, and she does not know, so it is yours, I guess, but make sure you spend it on what it was intended to first, so you will not feel as guilty. He did tell you to use it as you saw fit.

You know me pretty well, Sol. Are you up for some shopping?

Solace: Always. As long as it's not shoes.

I have enough shoes now, but we can work on boots for my biker outfits.

Solace: Boots are shoes.

I thought you were an intelligent AI and all logical. There is no way boots are shoes. Boots are…

Solace: less talking. Shopping.

Who are you, and what happened to my friendly logical AI?

I smiled as we engaged in some more carefree banter. It was almost normal—if talking to an AI in your head was normal.

I made my way out to the shopping hub, not knowing what to expect but curious. I was slightly disappointed but relieved when I saw the familiar pillar that gave me access to the shopping features. There were three pillars, all separated by small lane guide ropes that would not be out of place in a bank or airport. Approaching one, I placed my hands on the pillar.

Welcome to the Karmahouse Emporium.

As this is your first time using this type of terminal, some additional information is available. Remote browsing allows you to select everyday items and transfer them directly here. A 2% surcharge applies to cover the cost of more oversized items. Visiting the shop allows you to have a complete shopping experience with the Karmahouse Emporium. The Frequent Shoppers Club is now available.

Do you wish to remote shop or visit the shop?

Excellent, it looks like they are really getting into things.

Solace: Settlement and Planetary start-ups are always very profitable.

I thought 'visit' and was transported directly to the store.

The dim store was now brighter, with five chairs and small side tables beside them. Each table had a tablet on it. The counter had also had an upgrade, with a transparent glass barrier over some everyday items I recognised, healing canisters, injectors, ration packs, and an assortment of other things you could sample. It was weird that I now considered healing canisters everyday items.

Hydrox stood behind the counter.

"Greetings, Sarah Owens. It has been too long. I see that rumours of your demise were incorrect. I have been expecting you. I purchased information about your well-being, and it was inconclusive, which indicated you were not deceased. Welcome. Please let me know if there is anything that I can procure for you. Your previous purchase has arrived and is ready to be picked up. You are quite fortunate, as we held it for sixty days after your reported demise before returning it to your estate. Do you wish to sample some food or beverages?"

OMG, Solace, did anyone tell my mum I was dead?

I felt like crap.

Solace: I believe that is one of the things on the table for discussion before your tantrum. I will inform Mike and Julie that you may be ready to discuss that.

Thanks. Man, I feel like a jerk. It wasn't a tantrum.

Solace: I believe you. Others may not.

"Hi Hydrox, I'm good for now, thanks. I'll get the bike before I go. Not sure what I am getting today. I have a list, but I need to check my funds. Can you check this balance, please?"

I passed the credit stick to her.

"It is good to see you corrected your Karmic Imbalance. You can check if you have access to a banking exchange, which I believe is required for your next settlement upgrade, one moment…"

She took the stick, placed it on the counter, and accessed her tablet.

"Oh my. This is unusual. Do you mind if I ask where you got this? I got a level for just checking it!"

"Um, is everything ok? I'd rather not say at the moment. It was a gift from a friend."

"You are indeed an authorised account holder. I will have to verify this one moment. I am not qualified to deal with this yet."

She sounded excited, and I could see her body quivering with little wavelets. It was mesmerising and quite pretty.

Several nervous minutes later, she responded, "The account is just using a very dated and old encryption style. It has had a substantial amount added to it. There are several quite successful investment accounts. I hope you don't mind, but I would not have known if I had not accessed our hive consciousness."

Hydrox sounded super excited, her form bouncing or sloshing up and down," You are the authorised owner of this credit stick. You can use this, and I must say, please take this stick and just let me know what you want. I will transfer it to the bank at your earliest convenience. I will ensure you gain access to the VIP experience on your next visit, where you will have your shopping concierge. Please feel free to order what you want! Oh my, this is exciting. Thank you. I gained experience from this exchange. If I may offer some advice, keep that stick safe and secret. Would you like me to set up a store account and settle this with the IB directly, as you may want to visit a branch as soon as possible to deposit those funds?"

Wow, that was the most she had ever said. She was excited. Couldn't you access the funds?

Solace: No, I am unable to break the encryption. Only Empire-sanctioned banks and holders of Empire Merchant Licenses can access, add and remove funds. If you take it to a banking station, you should be able to get account access that is bound to you, which means I can also access it.

It sounds like we have a lot of credits, though. Did you want anything? I guess you can spend what you want too. I don't know. Just keep it reasonable, I think.

Solace: Thank you, although I don't need credits now.

"I'm looking for rare items and need them in a rush. I'll start with the easy stuff."

"Rare and rush are two words I love to hear. It is a wise decision. That way, you won't get distracted by the challenge and forget things."

"I'll forget things anyway, but let's see... I want skill upgrades for all my spells and skills."

"Not a problem, but you have to ensure me that you use them according to the guidelines. As Earth Humans, you tend to be either ignorant of the dangers or disregard them through impatience. I have had to make several orders for items to fix neurological issues. They are not cheap and are not guaranteed. Earth Humans can be very illogical and vexing. Please do not take that as a personal insult."

"No insult there, Hydrox. I get vexed by humans, too!"

Solace: I do, too.

Shush you.

"Do I have enough credits to sort those?"

"I don't think you understand, Sarah. You do not have to worry about credits. You could not spend your balance in your Earth Human lifespan! Some major factions would envy your disposable credit balance."

It's a pity I am not Earth Human, isn't it? So if I am going a long time … omg, this is the first time I have really thought about it.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Solace: Calm, Sarah Owens. I am excited, which means we have a long time ahead together.

I guess you are right. Thanks, Sol. Luckily, I am so easy to get along with.

Solace: Is it too late for me to ask for a transfer? It won't hurt too much.

"I am going to get some more clothes, and I think I may need to replace my crafting workstation. I want to do that myself, so I can leave it to you to find me something everyone says is rare and expensive."

"What can I find for you, Sarah?"

"It is a rush order, too. Just mentioning it threw Mike into a fit, so please don't laugh at me; I would like you to try your hardest. This is very, very important, possibly one of the most important things I could ask for right now."

"I would never laugh at a customer, especially a VIP customer. I must say that this agreement is doing wonders for my reputation. At the Karmahouse Emporium, we like to look after our customers. We have an extensive network inside and outside the Empire."

"Ok, ok, sorry to doubt you, I am looking for a Tier 5 Unconfigured Core, worst case, a Tier 4, but we would need to upgrade it very quickly."

"Oh, Sarah, I see why you were concerned. Tier 5 cores are very, very rare, and unconfigured ones are more so. If you go clothes shopping, I will see what I can do to help you. If you wanted it, I would have several options for a Tier 4 core, and I could get a favourable deal. Tier 5 are rare and costly, even for your funds."

"Thanks, Hydrox. See if you can find the big bad Tier 5. I guess I'll settle for Tier 4 if I have to. But make sure we can meet the upgrade requirements quickly. Do I have enough for that?" I asked.

"Yes, although upgrading a core takes time, the energy, material and time requirements are prohibitive. I will make enquiries. I am not sure how long it will take. If you are willing to give me more details, I may be able to speed the process up."

"No more details right now, Hydrox, sorry."

I exited the door.

Solace: Can you remember what you are getting?

Of course, I need goggles, a flying outfit, a Spelldancer outfit, and a dress. I also think I might need some boots.

Solace: I am sure you need the boots. Are you forgetting anything?

I don't think so.

Solace: Don't forget coffee. Remember your TODO list?

OMG. Thank you, you are a lifesaver.

I had a better idea of how to use the simulator now and had some thoughts I wanted to try out. One of the things you could do was pose an avatar and see from an external perspective as the avatar went through its paces instead of having the items and clothing appear on you. Some design houses also let you modify their designs on the fly. The high-end, that is, the costly design houses, also had a virtual conference with one of their designers.

I started with flying clothes and goggles. Ultimately, I settled for a faux-dragon hide bodysuit. The hide was thin yet strong enough to offer protection while being flexible enough not to inhibit movement. It was near midnight blue with a very dark golden trim along the arm and leg seams. The artisan outlined the scale pattern in an ultra-fine neon blue, which seemed to have tiny whisps of smoke drifting from them. It had a very supervillain vibe, which suited my mood right now. I ordered a second one in the less sinister colourings of red and black. I paired it with a full-face helmet that retracted into a black neck collar clipped onto the suit. When deployed, a darkly tinted faceplate covered my entire head. The nano-metal back protected the back of my head and neck.

All in all, I looked super sexy and super-don't-mess-with-me. The package was Tier 3 and protected from elemental energy attacks. I accessorised it with a dimensional bandolier that had six canister dispensers. Each one could hold an entire carton of 24 different canisters. I didn't upgrade to the auto-injectors. That was getting a bit too freaky for me, and I was unsure if I could justify the higher-tier injectors required for my new body. The default injectors could no longer break through my aura to provide healing energy to my nanites.

I couldn't help but get another three swimsuits, all high-cut bikinis in different styles and colours: white with blue dots, metallic gold, and black.

The tricky bit was my Spelldancer outfit.

I needed a look. I had spent some time thinking about the image I wanted to project when I wore my Spelldancer outfit. I had also asked Solace to ransack what was left of the Internet for inspiration. I was also starting to get a bit worried about how I was beginning to compartmentalise my life with outfits. Be that as it may, I was still determined to have an outfit that would do justice to my classpath and make people notice me.

With some help from the shop AI, I selected the Grace Apparel design house to assist me in my choices. I had Solace assist them by linking a backup of the Internet into my tablet so I could search and show pictures of what I had in mind. It made it so much easier. I met with Caesura, my personal fashion stylist, who was most impressed with Earth's Internet. He would not shut up about it, so I arranged for him to have a permanent connection to the Internet, limited as it was. I tapped into it via part of Earth Inc.'s cultural protection program. Personally, I thought you could delete 99% of the Internet, and the rest would still be full of porn and fake news.

I had no idea how it worked and who would pay for the connection, but he gave me a discount for facilitating it. As he said, or squealed in joy, you would not often have access to an entire new range in fashion without too much competition. I was a bit miffed at having a fashion stylist, as I had always thought of myself as a great judge of style, and even more so with my skills.

I was soon put to shame. Caesura was a true professional, and he assured me he was at the forefront of current trends, where I was at a loss. I had no current Empire cultural context for my skills to anchor off. Spending two hours with him filled in so many cultural gaps in my skill repositories.

I started with the boots and worked my way up. Red below-knee boots with a small 2-inch wide heel. Thanks, Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman. I went with golden trim across the top and dark jade studs along the side zips. Comfortable. Self-cleaning. Self-repairing, built-in healing for blisters or minor injuries.

For the rest, I envisioned a cross between a Chinese and Middle Eastern outfit, maybe even a Western anime style. I had no idea where he was going.

The top was a deep V-cut older Chinese dress that ended mid-thigh in the front, with high sides on the hip. Dragons embossed in the fabric. Some cerulean lace covered the V.

We argued about the colour; I was fine calling it deep blue, but Caesura's histrionics made me settle on calling it cerulean.

The deep blue top definitely showed off too much cleavage and stomach. Still, Caesura assured me that as a Spelldancer, it was a badge of honour, beauty, and brawn with smarts.

I snorted at him; I think he was just a perve. It was weird having a virtual assistant.

The sides of the dress were styled with golden embroidery and runes in a crisscross pattern, again revealing way too much, with just a hint of side boob. I made him include a tight under tube top to keep it a bit more modest. I was having flashbacks to when side boob was a TikTok fashion faux pas. Over the top of my breasts and down my cleavage, the dress had padded support. It amazingly also incorporated some magi-tech, shields and slots for other upgrades. My boobs would be super protected – from what I didn't know. Maybe Caesura thought they were important.

Red, gold, and ''cerulean'' shoulder pads, with overlapping protective layers, fed into a high collar that draped down over my back, forming a retractable thin red train of thin material that ended just above my boots. A red, jade and gold silky sash sat down and across the hips from right to left, with the bottom of the belt tied around my upper thigh with a small dimensional pouch on my hip. I had red and gold armbands from my wrist, covering the back of my hands to my elbows, set with a jade gem in the middle of the forearm. The entire package included enhancements to give bonuses to deflection, misdirection and befuddlement skills and abilities. Perfect for my new class.

When I saw it, I snorted, but it was a definite winner. However, I would have to work hard to keep everything together in a fight—lots of loose material and perhaps too much skin showing.

I would not wear it on Earth until I was sure I could rock it properly. It reminded me of the time we all started wearing high heels. Several of the girls nearly broke their ankles, while some of us had practised on treadmills until we could walk and power walk without major injury. The difference at our high school prom was noticeable.

I also purchased additional long hairstyles for my Insta-do, a Hair-do wand, one of which is guaranteed to add a wind effect to sweep your locks behind in a wind-swept hair look on demand. I wanted to rock the don't mess with me look. The rest were mainly braids, pony and piggy tails.

I made Caesura sign the system equivalent of a binding NDA so that I could discuss my needs for the party with him, one that he was delighted to sign.

My god, I thought I was pedantic with my fashion sense. For this, my only requirement was that it be black and/or red. Caesura assured me he could have three unique designs for me to choose one for approval within two days. I just ordered all three and said it was fine. I trusted him, and I'd wear them all at some stage. I immediately regretted it but decided I had enough to worry about. If I went down the looking-for-a-dress rabbit hole, I'd forget nearly everything else.

Despite having new boots for the Spelldancer outfit, I ordered two more sensible boots similar to my Doc Martins, a blue suede pair, just because of Elvis, and a nice shiny black pair.

Based on Hydrox's and Solace's advice, I needed to shore up my fighting. I was a weak fighter, so I searched for fighting styles for a battle staff. These synergised with the Spelldancer class, offering bonus movements and attacks. I was working a little blind since, as usual, I had no idea. Maybe I'd be set a bit more once I found a trainer. I purchased two skills:

Viam Baculi (Tier 3, Upgradeable, Trainable)

The way of the staff. By learning to use your body as a weapon through ancient, unarmed fighting techniques, the Viam Baculi tradition enhances this to extend the focused energy to the staff, becoming a living extension of the practitioner.

Nhobyai (Tier 2, upgradable, trainable)

This highly mobile defensive and offensive martial art focuses on overwhelming your opponent through manipulation and exploiting his or her weaknesses. The primary focus lies on pressure points and agility and often relies on skill and quick thinking. The biggest strength of Nhobyai is the effective use of the whole body and dance-like patterns. By capitalising on the shifts in the centre of gravity and flowing motions, your movements are unpredictable to your opponent, allowing you to become an overwhelming force.

My last two purchases for myself were Mana Loom (Tier 2). and Blueprint: Clothing Workshop (Tier 2).

I wanted to make up for my behaviour over the last few days, so I looked for some gifts. I was not overall a gift-giving person. I did birthdays and maybe Christmas for family and my few close friends – Mike and Luke. Usually, a small gift card to a fashion shop I thought my friends needed to get something from or one I wanted to visit. This was slightly unfamiliar territory for me.

I was not sure what the catering arrangements for the party were going to be, and I was also confident that an alcohol purchase would not go to waste. With that in mind, I ordered a bunch of different drinks,

I messaged Hawk, and we talked about alcohol for quite some time; I was reading him some of the reviews. Eventually, I spent nearly as much on alcohol as I would on the core! Well, not quite by a long way, but it felt that way. I made sure to get some highly-rated stuff, high-tier stuff.

It's not that I cared too much about the credits at this stage. I always found something very therapeutic about spending money, especially someone else's money. If Rax trusted my judgement, I would not be second-guessing myself, even if I already was.

I did feel butterflies when I placed that order, as it was a lot of money for drinks. Delivery would take some time, and I was sure to get it here just in time for the event.

Mike's gift was relatively easy in the end. I got a gift for him that would also benefit me: a Blueprint Artisan's Tower (Tier 3, Upgradable), a Blueprint Brewery and Distillery (Tier 4), and a Blueprint: Energy converter (Tier 4). I also added a bulk order of Ore of various qualities and a bulk order of construction supplies. That was expensive, yet I did not put a dent in my balance.

Luke was harder. I was still settling into my feelings and did not want to send a too strong message, but I wanted to make it unique. I blushed, thinking I could do a show for him of my lingerie, but I was not ready for that yet. I didn't mind showing my body off in public with my swimsuit, and my new Spelldancer outfit might be pushing it, but I was still not confident with that in my personal life.

In Luke's fights, he described his almost brawling fighting style, so I found some things that he might appreciate. They were also in a bargain bin – not that I was a cheapskate, but I was conscious of the amount I had spent and was going to pay for all the rest of the gifts. Using the simulator to test all the weapons was fun, but I eventually settled on a shield and sword.

The Eye Of Lyztune (Tier 4):

This mighty square shield, made from a rare and secret alloy, offers a forceful safeguard for a practitioner of war, especially against crushing attacks and ballistics. Mastery and perfection came into play as nightmares forged this shield in the Lyztune abyss. The shield's edges are reinforced with double rows of spikes and decorated with part of an ancient dragon scale. At Its centre is the Baleful Eye of Lyztune, the single-eye remnant of an old being from beyond. The surface is etched with emblems of victory and death. This shield has experienced battle. Scores, scratches, and dents leave fond memories of victory, but one thing is certain: neither the shield nor its master is ready to rest.

Req: Strength 180.

Binds to its user until death. It has 2 Unique abilities.

It had some unique abilities for the user, and I could see in the description that it would suit Luke perfectly. It would have to wait for Luke to accept it before he found out what they actually were.

Where the shield was a hideous slab of metal, the sword was a work of art.

Dawnbreaker, Ruined Blade of the Requiem (Tier 4):

A long, thin, jagged blade made of black ceramic is held by a grip wrapped in an exquisite, golden-scaled cord. This sharp, dual-edged blade makes this weapon the best choice for cleaving and stabbing your enemies with ferocious power. The cross-guard has an elegant hawk beak on each side, marking the weapon as belonging to the Requiem. A large pommel is engraved with the sword maker's symbol, a double x rune surrounded by a sunburst a symbol. This is a warning as many are jealous of the wielders of these weapons, for these symbols are often found in legendary weapons. Owners of this sword who manage the binding will be granted immortality in song and legend. Requirements: Str 80+, (Full Potential: Blademaster: longsword)

I was reasonably satisfied with these purchases.

Solace: Do you want to know how much you just spent?

Not at all. If Hydrox says I don't have to worry about money, I won't until I have to. My mother would have a heart attack. Besides, what is the point if I can't share my wealth with my friends?

Solace: Probably wise. If you want to know, make sure you sit down or have medical attention nearby.

Sol, was that another joke? Way to go, girl.

Solace: Thank you. Don't forget coffee.

Thanks.

Since interdimensional storage seemed to work as stasis and kept food items fresh, I went overboard on the coffee. I got over 100 Kg of fresh beans and 100kg of ground coffee in different roasts and grinds. Surprisingly, the only source of coffee was from Earth. It was not a thing in the wider Empire. I messaged Mike; maybe it was something that he could use as trade if the Empire liked it.

Then, there were three coffee makers of different styles, and I also ordered 500 coffees in takeaway cups of various types. They would stack in my Inventory and stay hot! Fresh milk and sugar also went into their slot. While thinking about it, and since my Inventory had been upgraded with my Tier to a genuinely gargantuan size, I also got some basic furniture, cooking equipment, and pre-made food and drinks to feed an army for at least a month.

I cheated and got Solace to read me some adventurer gear lists from some DnD forums. I ordered several varieties of things there. Candles, bells, string, chalk, mirrors, poles, crowbars, lock picks, tents, sleeping gear, wet weather gear, insect repellent, caltrops, ball bearings, grease, oil and more. Ropes, grapple hooks, both mundane and mechanical

There were several general-purpose kits, so I also got those and a few varieties of essential tools.

I exited the room and saw the mound of skill crystals and spells, my clothing purchases, the blueprints and the weapons. There was also the gleaming form of my bike. As exciting as all that was, I dreaded the answer to my query, "So … did you find one?"

"Yes and no."

"Explain, please." Frustrated was not the best word to describe me, as the reality of what I really needed returned after my blissful shopping therapy.

"Well, Sarah, one of the elders has one but will not sell it."

"That does not help me!" I was a little short with my watery friend.

"I said they would not sell it. There is a distinction. Please be aware that this is not a request on behalf of the Karmahouse Emporium or our species, Water Elementals --I believe Earth Humans call us, but rather on behalf of Eldest Javonte. The Eldest. He will give you the core in exchange for a Personal Boon."

I could feel the power and implied authority of the request. A personal boon was different from a Personal Boon. One I am sure the System would enforce.

Solace: Be very careful here. A personal boon can bind you in unanticipated ways.

What do you think? Have you heard of this eldest?

Solace: Eldest is a title amongst her people. As I said, be careful. Not much is known about the hierarchy of their species despite them being staunch Empire supporters since its inception.

Ok.

"Tell me more about Javonte, who can give away a fortune so easily. Evidently, a personal boon can be a big thing, but not that big."

"Yes, it is. May I ask that you do not repeat the following information unless permitted?"

SYSTEM: Hydrox, on behalf of Eldest Javonte, has asked to keep the conversation that follows secret and not to disclose it in part or full through any form of communication unless given permission by Eldest Javonte.

This private agreement between individuals present, including the AI entity known as Solace, is separate from any customer relation agreements with Karmahouse Emporium. Privacy Level (Tier ???, Energy cost: 1000)

Accept Y/N

I sighed - Yes

I felt all of my energy drain except the last remaining unit.

"Once the energy cost has been paid, we can continue."

Solace: Meditate and recharge your energy.

I took out the Wanderers of Alubusm's Novice Prayer Mat and focused on my energy.

It took about ten minutes to restore fully, pay for the remainder of the energy, and recharge my reserves. Hydrox watched me intently.

SYSTEM: The agreement between Sarah Owens, Solace and Eldest Javonte is complete.

Consequences for breaching the terms may be catastrophic.

"I am permitted to tell you that Eldest Javonte is his title and position in our society. While we are all equal, Eldest is unique. He is ancient, even by our standards. Please be patient. I am telling you things that are part of our culture and not discussed much, if at all, with outsiders. I have been given some small grace to speak now. I am still young and must be careful as I am, what you might call, on probation and monitored. My agreement with Earth Human Luke and Julie has helped me, but my age is still a barrier to full trust."

She paused, and I could tell she was nervous. "I tell you this because it is unusual for Eldest even to be aware of one such as myself, let alone share a sliver of his consciousness with me and to seek my help. He had been in contact with me moments after you left this room and was aware of your request before I even put the request to the rest of the Emporium and our network. He is the only one who knows of your request, and I did not forward it to our network."

Before I could retort, Hydrox continued after letting that sink in, "Eldest is, as his name suggests, the oldest. Our legends, which he will not confirm, say First would be better. Regardless, he has an absolute position of respect and authority that he does not abuse despite not being in our official hierarchy. He is quite mysterious and secludes himself in his meditations and research for generations at a time. This request is a big thing for my people, but his request is simple. These are his words:"

Hydrox's voice and mannerisms shifted. There were subtle differences. Still, I knew I was now in the presence of someone different. It was very creepy.

"Sarah Owens, I will be brief so as not to stress out this dear child. The burden of sharing myself is taxing on this young one. The core you request is one of two available, and only one is available for you now. Some time ago, when I knew that you would seek it, I obtained it so it could be passed on to you. In exchange for this core, I seek knowledge."

The voice paused.

"What do I know that you could need to know so much?" I dreaded the answer as I felt the stirrings of my Geas tugging my subconscious.

"You are on a path of power, taking your first steps, and your transcendence was rare and unique. I request that you share your experience with me."

I quickly scanned my logs to see the wording of my Geas.

You have been placed under a Geas of???? (Tier ???): Nalios, an Elder Being, has requested that you not disclose the nature of your transcendence to others who cannot determine it. Nalios may be disappointed.

He knew about my transcendence, so I should be ok.

I think this is ok.

Solace: I, too, believe that you may safely disclose the information, but that does not mean it is wise.

I could feel the binding force of the Geas and knew that I could disclose some of it to him. I knew I would have to deal with the consequences either way: Blessing and Curse.

I am getting sick of all the distractions. I have a class I have never used, a bunch of spells I have never cast, spells and skills I need to learn and a trainer I need to find. I need to get some information about the mages' guild. I need time to sort myself out. I must deal with my mother, who probably thinks I am dead! I need to fix things with the princess, even if it is to stop me from feeling so guilty for what happened to her father. I won't blame Xar and Seraph for hating me for abandoning the First Cohort to a fate worse than death!

Solace: one thing at a time. We can get through this. If you talk to Luke and ask him for more information about his tutorial, I have a plan that may be able to help you with the settlement and, eventually, all of the Earth's human race.

"Eldest, I agree to your request."

"Excellent. Child, I know you will honour your agreement; your time now is precious. It would be best if you made peace with your … friends, family, guild, and yourself. However, I have time, and it's not too much, but I can spare you some pain in this. Seek me out, and I will listen. The core is yours."

"Just like that?" I was a little freaked out.

"Just like that. You will know when to seek me, and you will come when the time is right. I see a confluence coming, and your knowledge and experience will ease my troubled being. However, when the time comes, make sure you seek me, for if you tarry too long to make good on our bargain, the consequences will be dire for you and me."

The presence left Hydrox. "I levelled up again! You are a true friend for bringing me such an experience! Everything you need is here, including the core!"

I also needed to make peace with my guilt, "Hydrox, can you do me a favour, please? This is personal, and I am exhausted."

"Certainly, Sarah, I would be more than happy to do anything for you." The now excitable water elemental almost squealed.

"I need to help Xar, Seraph, and the others—something big, something nice. I think that this is a good use of some of my funds. I'd feel much better knowing that the local forces were well-stocked. I mean, with the good stuff, can you source and outfit a one-hundred-member force, top gear, and an upgrade to the barracks they purchased for you? Do you have military vehicles, maybe a light aircraft? I mean, let's go the whole hog here!"

The more I thought about it, the more I thought this would be a good idea.

Solace: do you think that you might be going a little far?

No. Possibly not far enough! This is important to me. This will make up for the lost First Legion.

Solace: Gifting because of guilt can be a dangerous road to travel.

Thanks, Dr, get out of my brain! How long have you been a psych?

Solace: I have consumed most of your Earth's information regarding what you think of as the human condition to integrate better and feed back into the Empire System. I must say that many things have a solid basis, and an equal amount could be considered fiction!

As long as you know the difference, Dr Sol.

Solace: That is a challenge sometimes. Earth Humans as a species is very strange.

"I have the Barracks upgrade right now, and I will forward you a proposal for the rest for you to review and approve."

I shook my head, "Just get it at your normal rates. I trust you."

"Thank you for your trust, although I must say it would be nice to see you again, Sarah."

"I'll see how I go, Hydrox. The next little while will be busier than a hippy at a tie-die contest. But I'd like to come back. I love the peace here, and buying new boots works wonders for my soul!"

Did we get enough shoes?

I spent another little while getting some more shoes, accessories, and gifts for my mother—that was totally guilt buying — and was looking at exotic pets before Solace talked sense into me.

I exited the hop. Damn, I loved shopping.