“Shit. I wanted the ability to cast wish.” I said.

“Well, just because genies can’t cast it on themselves doesn’t mean you can’t get one to do it for you,” Rubert said.

“Also Master there might more creatures with the ability. If you want power you should find Kuo-toas. Their faith will elevate your power,” Clarion said.

“That is true. Another reason to head for the Underdark,” I said

We had looked at genies and it turns out they can only cast wish on someone else. So if I killed one I would only be able to cast it for another person and a limited number of times. That's not to say I shouldn’t try. Casting wish at all is powerful. Wish is the most powerful spell ever created. It does exactly what it implies. Speak the wish and reality remakes itself to grant it. That is a level of power that could save the world and I do want it.

In the meantime, I go over everything on Eiselcross. I hope they say yes to adventuring with me, but if they don’t I will still head up north. The antimagic abilities of the nullifier are too powerful for me to miss. Forget all the other immunities and natural abilities, counterspells and antimagic fields are too important. The antimagic is a once-a-day ability but the counterspelling is at will. With extra hydra heads, I can counter up to 9 or so mages all trying to cast spells at me all at once. There is also the ability to dispel magic at will. I will be a menace to all mages with these abilities.

It will make exploring Shattengrad and looking for the Luxon Beacon possible as well. I can’t get anyone else involved in that. I can run from the assembly by myself and I don’t care if they put out a hit on me, but I will care if they do it to my friends. Damn evil wizards.

Well other than more brooding about people with too much power I hang out with the residents of the Soul Dream. They are doing good on their own. Clarion has set up some memory orbs so that people can watch movies. Those have been a big hit. Tiny has gotten the Shorewardens in a relatively comfortable place. Once I get planar travel I might need to recruit a therapist. Someone who can help these people cope with their deaths. Yussa might know someone.

Now once I am done with Eiselcross I might need to consider going to Vasselheim. I say this only because if the world is not any bigger than what I already know then the city would be close due to the curvature of the planet. It might be a short flight away. Something to think about. I might just fly to Uthordurn instead and hunt the Greater Nightmare.

………………

23rd of Sydenstar

Unlike these weak non-shapeshifting mortals, I had a great morning free of hangovers. Lupine, Zenix, and Carmilla are all moaning telling each other to stop being so loud. Devin practiced drinking responsibly. Abaxis didn’t drink. He said something about spellcasters being too dangerous to be drunk. I don’t know if I believe that. Folin was nowhere to be seen.

“Where’s Folin?” I asked.

“He didn’t sleep here I don’t think,” Devin said.

“Probably found someone to share a bed with. Knowing him it could even be multiple someone,” Abaxis said.

“Lucky,” I said. The others looked at me and we had a short chuckle. “So you two make a decision yet. I didn’t mean to come here and just guilt you into coming with me. My paranoia sometimes leads me to head to dangerous places. You don’t have to come with me,” I said.

“We already decided to go with you. Eiselcross is a dangerous place but it is full of opportunity,” Devin said.

“There is long-forgotten magic there I would like to learn a little about myself,” Abaxis said.

“Yes. We all want to go. What we were discussing was something else,” Devin said.

“Oh. What was it?” I asked.

“We were talking about inviting you to be a part of our group on a more permanent basis,” Devin said.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

1. Shit. That's a big deal. Another person means splitting gold and treasure one more way. It means someone else would have a voice in group politics. Any trouble they are dealing with now becomes the group's problem. You also need to make sure they are compatible. A group of righteous paladins might not like working with members with heavy ties to an assassin's guild.

I do not think I will have any of these problems if I joined the Formation. I get along well with most of them and my powers are very useful. I am sure I would be a great member but the issue is that I will attract too many enemies. I can’t do that.

“I’m sorry but I move around too much. I am heading to distance and forgotten holes in the ground all the time. As much fun as it sounds to adventure together I don’t think I can justify dragging you guys everywhere I decide to go on a whim,” I said

“We understand. Give yourself some time while we adventure in Eiselcross. We might be there a few weeks after all,” Devin said.

“So what is your plan then,” Abaxis said.

“My plan?” I asked.

“You are the one that proposed the adventure. You come up with the plan,” Abaxis said.

“Alright. Give me a couple of hours. I had some ideas I was going to suggest, but if I am leading the way I need to think,” I said.

“Of course. These idiots need to deal with their hangovers anyway,” Devin said.

There was a loud group of groans from the three girls. Aww, how sad. We eat breakfast and enjoy the morning. I had a few ideas but I will need to run it by the group. Folin wanders into the room looking proud of himself.

“Good night?” Carmilla asked.

“Oooh very good. So what have you all been doing,” Folin said.

“Recovering,” Zenix said.

“Also have been discussing Eiselcross,” Lupine said.

“That place gives me bad vibes,” Folin said.

“Good. It should. Not a nice place to be, but the treasure is real. We can make some serious money there,” I said.

“And how do you know this? Eiselcross isn’t something they teach in school,” Folin said.

“I learned a bit about the place from the Archmage Yussa Errenis. He lives in Nicodranis. I managed to gain an audience with him to discuss my powers. He was interested in the unique powers I might be able to get. He suggested Eiselcross and the Greater Nightmare,” I said.

“You met with Errenis? How did you do that!?” Abaxis asked.

“Knocked on his tower around lunchtime. Talked to his butler and managed to convince him it was urgent. From there I was just honest and showed the full extent of my abilities. He was very interested because he had never seen anything like it before we talked through lunch about what I could do,” I said

‘Holy shit. Can you please introduce me? Yussa Errenis is famously a reclusive individual and I can’t believe you just knocked on his front door and had lunch together. My gods. Holy shit,” Abaxis said. This was the most flustered I had ever seen the stoic elf. He usually kept his cool.

"I'll see what I can do," I said.

"Alright. Have you considered a plan then?" Devin asked.

"Yes. I am glad you asked. We have two outposts that can act as a home base during the expedition. Balenpost which is run by the Cerberus Assembly and Syrinlya which is run by Uthodurn," I said.

"I don't like the assembly," Zenix said.

"They are fine. I know some members have questionable reputations but they aren't all bad," Abaxis said.

"I don't like the assembly either and Syrinlya has a better community I heard. Now once we arrive I know of a few crash sights but the one I am interested in is the main crash site. I can find the most Aeorian Hunters there. Once I find those we can find other things of value and then leave. Simple as that,” I said.

“Easier said than done. How are we getting there?” Lupine asked.

“We fly. My Roc form should be big enough to carry everyone. We can make something that lets you all sit up there comfortably. We can either take the long flight to Eiselcross or fly over land and head to Uthodurn, then to Palebank Village and lastly to Eiselcross. If we fly over land we can camp on the ground,” I said.

“How long would it take to reach with a single trip?” Carmilla asked.

“Maybe 15-20 hours of continuous flight,” I said.

“Can you fly that long without a problem?” Devin asked.

“Oh yeah. It's how I got here so fast. When I called you I was at the Wuyan Gates,” I said.

“Damn. I think we should fly directly there,” Folin said.

“I believe with the single trip option we should rest in Byseas Tyl first. We can fly in the morning. Also, you all need ropes, blankets, maybe a tent or something. Whatever you can construct on my back so that you guys are comfortable and don’t worry about falling off. I have gold for that and wouldn’t mind paying for some of it if I can keep it after for my uses,” I said.

Some of the group looked to Abaxis. “Fine we can stop in Bysaes Tyl,” he said. I looked at them confused.

“Abaxis is elven nobility. His parents sent him to the Solstryce Academy where he dropped out and became an adventurer,” Lupine said.

“I thought you guys were from Taldori?” I asked.

“Not all of us. Zenix and Abaxis are Dwendalian nobility. Lupine and I are from Taldori, Carmilla was born on Darktow, and Folin is from Marquet,” Devin said.

“Wow. A diverse bunch,” I said.

“Yup. Alright, let's go find a blacksmith and a general store. We are going to need lots of rope and buckles,” Lupine said.

…………

“You're tellin me you got a pet rock. What ya do, throw it at people yellin here's Mr.Rock,” The crotchety old man said. We found a blacksmith that had or could make the things we needed.

“No sir, not r*o*c*k but R*o*c. It's a giant bird,” I said.

“Bird?! Don't bring any birds to my shop. I don't need bird shyt everywhere,” He said.

This went on for a while till we convinced him to come see the bird out of town. He might have pissed himself when I showed up as the Roc but we calmed him down. He was actually rather enthused about making something the Formation could use to ride safely on my back. The trip to Eiselcross is hopefully not going to be as interesting as the destination.

I worry about the things we might find there. Going over all the information I have from the Nein's adventures there I believe if they had looked in a different area they could have probably found a Luxon Beacon the mages of Aeor were studying. I hope to spare the others from becoming too involved in my future conflicts with the Cerberus Assembly and my hopeful alliance with the Kryn Dynasty. But if we find the beacon I will need to worry about taking it to the Kryn. I might tell them the truth about it.