Sprite did not believe me when I told her I was following a golden rabbit down the beach away from my friends. When I put it like that, it sounded pretty ridiculous and very Alice in Wonderland. I got Sprite to do vital signs reading, just in case I was tripping and had eaten anything untoward.

Sprite: I have fairly serious monitoring of your biological signs, what I can get, with several alerts set up if various subsystems, or in your case, biological systems, perform outside of normal parameters.

It took me a few moments to get going, following the bright, shiny golden rabbit as it hopped along the beach in front of me.

I was wary, looking for ambushes, and I was very concerned that the creature was not detectable by any means other than my sight. According to Sprite, it had no energy signature or mana signature, and she could not tap into my vision and detect it there. It was as if it were being deleted before my higher-functioning brain, those bits connected to the system, and AIs processed it.

The damn thing had interrupted me when I was poking at my connection to the ring.

The ring that I could see sometimes, and at others, was a vague itch, the hint of a ring, or an unimportant ring, something that I had always had and had forgotten I was wearing. Something that I had found difficult and elusive to concentrate on. Other than Julie's initial research, which didn't tell me much other than that it was the Ring of Kalax, I was at a loss. I knew it was Mythical or Transcendent, but information on anything in those realms of power was complicated to find, costly, and protected.

Even now, I could only see it when I really focused, and then my concentration wavered. Kallax. The name was unknown, and Julie's research into the ring had found no reference to it in any of the Empires, ISIDs, or even the System database through the Shop.

Even after Sprite analysed my logs and my personal recollection, I was at a loss to find meaning. There were no clues other than the Tribulation and the N-space ordeals that were still several months away. Still, one path forward was hopping away from me. There were vague hints from the Karmahouse, but they were elusive and other than Hydrox, I didn't trust them too much.

Sprite: I am confounded. I found no energy signatures, physical displacement or mana expenditures. I am conducting a deep scan of your biological brain to determine whether there are any anomalous indications that you are being interfered with. I don't have any explanations and do not have enough data to run a simulation or projection of what we could be dealing with.

It is a small golden rabbit. It speaks. Well, it spoke, and it was impatient. It spoke quite well and sounded pompous.

Sprite: coming from you, that could mean anyone with an education.

Got me there, although more pompous than some of my professors.

I could tell it was impatient as it kept stopping and making a hurry-up motion. For a rabbit, its expressive face, dexterous ears, and tiny forearms imparted quite a bit of meaning with nonverbal cues. I was unsure if I was anthropomorphising the cute little rabbit, but it seemed to have very human or personal expressions.

So far, it had just hopped quickly down the beach, stopped and waited for me to get closer before hopping further down the coast. As fast as I moved, it moved faster. I was not pushing myself due to the uncertain state of my skills and energy consumption, but I was still moving much faster than a regular human from Earth.

The coastline did not change much; we followed the beach as it ran along the desert; sometimes, the foreshore rose into towering cliffs with a narrow strip of beach at the base. Sometimes, small sand hills encroached onto the beach and pushed out into barren sand peninsulas. The beach itself was odd; by the water, where it was damp and compacted, it was reasonably easy to run on, yet there was no tidal zone where the composition changed. There was no line of debris that most beaches had where items drifting on the currents were deposited.

It felt pristine as if I were the first person or being to run on the sand. Looking back, I did notice that my footprints didn't last long in the damp sand; gentle waves washed them away.

Following the rabbit for a good twenty kilometres, I finally noticed the changes in the scenery. The desert and beach were still present, but in the distance, a shimmering blue dome was visible on the beach, with the ocean breaking on one side of it. The rabbit motioned for me to head towards it and disappeared.

Sprite: Old Empire shielding. Modified and configured in an unknown manner.

I ran towards it, and when I could make out more, I slowed my approach more cautiously.

It looked like an energy shield, similar to those generated by the Energy Barriers around Min Min. I only knew what they looked like because Mike insisted we test them. Ours were very cool. I was unsure of this one because it was difficult to see inside; there was at least one structure, and it seemed to be a dome at least 50 meters across, with 10 meters out into the water. The water was hitting the dome and dispersing around it. From my understanding of energy shields, the constant wave motion would continually drain the barrier.

I was so busy looking at the dome that I nearly missed the rabbit hopping through the barrier.

It went through the barrier.

Sprite: So the non-detectable, non-corporal entity, or, and I am leaning on this, the figment of your imagination, just passed seamlessly through an energy barrier?

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Um, yeah. And it was not a figment of my imagination; it led us here, didn't it?

Sprite: Yes. The odds that it exists are slightly higher, taking that into account.

I'm not telling you what my skill says the odds are because doing so would just contradict all your assumptions.

Sprite: 100%?

Um, yes, how did you know?

Sprite: It lead us to the only structure here, so an intelligent being must have sent it.

So you were…

Sprite: Pulling your leg, I believed you. The endorphins you released were similar to those released when you see something that you find attractive, or I'll say cute here, so you are not weirded out.

Appreciate it. I am not sure I am comfortable with you judging me on what I find cute.

Our conversation was cut short by a projection that Sprite could detect. It was a hologram, marginally better quality than Princess Leah's call for help using R2.

"Hark! A presence draws nigh, and with it, a prickling of curiosity! Ere we delve into the pleasantries of introduction, prithee, good fellow, or fair maiden, as the case may be, unveil the purpose of your sojourn. Art thou a herald of benevolence or a harbinger of woe? Once thine intentions are laid bare, with utmost transparency, we can then embark upon the formalities of salutation and the exchange of identities, paving the way for further discourse. Speak freely, and fear not, for within these hallowed halls, truth reigns supreme."

It was an old man or an aged gentleman. His posture seemed at odds with his bright and rambling speech. He was bent forward with sloped shoulders, resting on something outside the projection. A magnificent silver beard cascaded down his front, past his waste. His posture and looks were at odds with his attire, it was an assemble of what looked like carbon fibre plating and bits of reclaimed power armour. The most troubling part of the projection was the vivid glint of a challenge in his deep blue eyes.

"Um, Hello, sir, we have good intentions, I guess."

"Hither, varlet! Cast aside such feckless musings as "guessing"! In the grand tapestry of existence, there exists no room for mere conjecture. Good or ill, such are the stark poles upon which all intentions must reside. Firmness of purpose and a resolute spirit – these are the hallmarks of a soul prepared to stand before one's elders. Forsooth, my patience, though vast as the celestial dome itself, is not without its limits. Dilly-dallying, that most egregious of time-wasters, finds no purchase within these august halls. Speak with conviction, for the winds of indecision carry but the stench of ill intent!"

"Sorry, sir, I did not mean to offend you; I mean you no harm!"

"Hark! Offence and harm? Doth thine feeble mind equate my ire with the pathetic writhing of a worm against a mighty dragon? Nay, good sir (or madam, as the case may be), were I to take umbrage at your blustering pronouncements, it would be with a calculated disdain, not the frothing rage of the simpleton. Let us dispense with such childish theatrics! Dost thou harbour intentions foul or fair? This, and this alone, is the question that warrants an answer. Mark my words, for this shall be my sole inquiry. Art thou a herald, heralding benevolence and bearing tidings of joy? Or, perchance, art thou a harbinger, a harbinger of woe, heralding some unspeakable doom? Unveil the purpose of your sojourn, for time is a precious commodity, and I have no patience for the prevarications of the undecided. Speak plainly and with conviction, for the path you choose will determine the tenor of our discourse!"

Help me, Sprite.

Sprite: Why, this is humorous. I have not seen you flustered like this. Prithee, I may alter my discourse routines to increase the amount of umbrage you ingest from my banter.

I could hear Sprite laughing at me.

I sighed, "Sir, I have only good intentions towards you; if you would know my purpose, our discourse would need to be longer and done in comfort. I am Luke Hammond, Champion of the Empire, and I was sent to this place by foul means. I am seeking a companion who was lost and seeking to free some other companions from some enchantment."

"A weary exhalation escapes your lips, a testament to the inelegance of your initial address. Tush, 'sir', you say? Methinks such a moniker doth a disservice to my seasoned years, suggesting mere courtesy rather than a reverence for the wisdom gleaned from a life well-lived! Though, I must confess, your recent candour, albeit incomplete, warms this old heart. If succour is your quarry, then a more direct approach would have served you better. Had you declared your need with alacrity, a fine example I bestow upon you for no recompense, "My boon companion is lost to me. However, the task of finding such a soul proves more daunting than vanquishing a fearsome dragon or navigating treacherous landscapes. Hence, I find myself in the unenviable position of needing assistance. Perhaps you, with your keen eye and discerning judgement, could aid me in this noble quest?' Then I, Aethelwulf Bartholomew, might have considered rendering some trifling assistance – in exchange for a modest service, of course. However, before our visages meet in the corporeal realm, a series of trials must be undertaken. Trust, good fellow, is not a commodity I dispense so readily, for I stand before you as Aethelwulf Bartholomew, scion of the illustrious House Argenshar. This name surely resonates within the chambers of your memory! Enter, then, and face these tests with valour. Only then shall we determine the nature of our discourse."

Sprite: He is good. I think I like him. I dare you to ask about the rabbit.

Shit. I was curious. Now I really wanted to know. I dreaded the response, yet at the same time, I was fascinated by how he spoke.

"Excuse me, Sir Bartholomew, could you please tell me why you sent a golden rabbit to fetch me and how you knew where I was?"

The stooped man stood straighter and looked at me, "A contemptuous snort escapes my lips at your impertinent inquiry. Dost thou truly believe my pronouncements hinge upon the whims of idle curiosity? Nay, young one, such are the follies of youth – to squander precious moments on frivolous questions when the path to a well-earned repast and moments of levity lies before you! Forsooth, the very notion you dare to compare the antiquated methods of yore to the art of "rabbit sending" speaks volumes of your ignorance! Know this: this skill, honed through years of meticulous research and unyielding temperance, transcends the limitations of such archaic systems. It is not merely a skill but a source of solace, a purpose that grants this old man a companion in the face of encroaching senility. Therefore, choose wisely, Empire's Champion. Shall we delve into the task at hand or waste further time with inane inquiries? The choice, as they say, is thine."

"Let us proceed, Sir Bartholomew."

"Hark! A challenge befits a warrior such as yourself! Wrestle with words, display your strength, and let your cunning be your shield. Best me in this test, and a path forward awaits. Fail, and the shadows that loom shall claim you. Do you dare accept, challenger?"

I nodded.

Sprite: Do you have any idea what you agreed to?

Sort of, not really, no.

Sprite: This will be so much fun.