“Are you fucking kidding me?” Bobby said furiously.

It was morning. They pushed all the way to the edge of the second quadrant last night, and set up camp next to a smooth and solid piece of stone wall that was so tall its top was out of sight, and now, in the light of day, they realized it spans endlessly along the border between the second and third quadrants.

“Tell me again why we followed Danny’s shortcut? I remember us having a foolproof plan that would get us to the tree. Seriously, why do we have to complicate things?” Bobby added.

“Chill, dude. My little bro didn’t know. In fact, no one could have known,” Angie said. “No one knows anything about this tutorial.”

“Guys, we’ll figure it out. Like you said, this is a ‘tutorial,’” Alan remarked.

Luméos huffed.

Alan sighed placing his hand on the stone wall. “This wall spirals all the way to the tree.”

“You realize that if we have to walk along this wall we won’t make it in, how…many days do we have left, twenty?”

“Yes twenty. And all I’m saying is that we walk along the wall for a few hours and see if we find anything.”

“That’s the most sensical approach,” Danny said.

“Fine.”

“I’m down for that too,” Angie announced, giving everyone a thumbs up. “And if any spiders come our way I’ll just…” She made spider-man web shooting gestures and noises.

Alan tightened his grip on the falchion, recalling the jumbled mess of memories from his fight against the jumpstalk spiders. “We’ll be ready if more decide to come our way. For now, let’s keep going.”

But Bobby had a point. They had to find a way over the stone wall at some point.

They moved along the wall. At least the path was obstacle-free, with a noticeable gap between the lush foliage and the imposing stone wall.

Angie and Danny chatted animatedly behind Alan and Bobby. Aranya threw a couple of gestures their way, making it clear she'd hang back and keep watch for any threats—no one argued. Luméos hadn’t been giving them any trouble…thankfully.

Bobby sighed, walking next to Alan. “I need to get something off my chest. The truth is, I want us to reach the tree ASAP. You almost died to the big spiders yesterday. And if that happens, how long do you think I’ll last? Yeah, not long at all.”

“I figured something like that was going on. But I’m not going anywhere. I won’t die, trust me. I’ve got a handle on my mana now—I’m an arcanist,” Alan smirked.

“I sure hope you’re right.”

“Just keep working on your alchemy, and we’ll be fine. Hey Bobby, can I, um, ask you something about your time in prison?”

Bobby looked at him, wide-eyed. “Uh, yeah, sure thing, Alan. What’s up?”

“You ever meet a guy named Liam Walsh in there?”

“Liam Walsh?” Bobby shook his head slowly after a moment, “Nah, can’t say the name rings a bell. Why, what’s he to you?”

“Oh, no reason. Just curious,” Alan replied quickly. “What was the name of the prison you were in, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I was at MCI-Norfolk. Why, was this Liam guy supposed to be in the same place or something?”

“Oh, no, it’s fine. I just realized I got it wrong. I think Liam was in Souza.”

Bobby’s interest was piqued now, “Souza, huh? So, who is this Liam Walsh anyway? I gotta say, I wasn’t expecting you asking about other folks who’ve been in the clink.”

Alan laughed, shrugging off the topic, “Oh, he’s just a relative. Lost touch with him a while back and then heard he ended up in prison. I was just wondering if, by any chance, you might have known him.”

“Ah, I getcha. Well, good luck with that, man. If he was at Souza, I wouldn’t have crossed paths with him. Norfolk’s a whole different ball game. But there were actually a few guys who got transferred over from Souza. But I wouldn't get your hopes up; it's pretty doubtful we'll get a chance to ask them though.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“Like Razor and Viper?” Alan chuckled.

Bobby paused, momentarily taken aback. “Er—no, not like them.”

“I was joking, but yeah I figured as much. Thanks anyway, Bobby. Sorry, for asking about your prison time.”

“Ah, don’t worry about it. It’s not a big deal.”

Alan found it surprisingly easy to discuss Bobby's time in prison, wishing he could talk about his own past with the same ease. Maybe someday.

They continued walking in silence until Alan suddenly halted. “Wait,” he said, throwing out an arm to stop the others.

“A bunch of people are coming this way,” Alan said tersely. “At least eleven.”

After a minute an elderly man stepped slowly onto the path with his hands raised.

Aranya stepped in front of Alan and Bobby, tensed.

Will this be just another tense conversation—like with Duke?

The other ten people stayed hidden, though it was obvious they were behind the bushes. It was understandable to be cautious in this place considering what people were capable of doing when there were no rules.

“Perhaps, you would like me to speak to them,” Luméos sneered.

“NO CHANCE! You’re the last person we want making first contact,” Bobby shot back.

The air around the god crackled with energy. “You have forgotten your place, mortal. You have grown too comfortable, and I can no longer tolerate such disrespect.”

Alan felt Bobby's shaky hand on his shoulder, before the old Asian man suddenly interjected. “Hey, I mean no harm, really…”

“Do you mean ‘we’?” Alan corrected him.

“You got good eye, my friend. Name’s Zhao, here to look out for others.”

“Aranya, I think he’s alright,” Alan said, gesturing toward Zhao. “So tell me, Zhao, are you also stuck trying to get to the other side of this wall? We’ve been walking for ages and haven’t found a way around. The wall is too smooth to climb, and the trees are way too far back.”

“Yes, yes, my friend. Tree is there, but path...” He glanced towards the bushes and nodded subtly, “...path not so clear. Your friends, very unique, I tell you—”

“Yo Mr. Zhao! How’s it been?” Angie called out, grinning broadly.

People emerged from the foliage one by one, and Danny stepped forward, studying each face and counting on his fingers.

“Oh, this is your group? That’s awesome!” said Bobby.

“Where’s Damon?” Danny asked apprehensively.

“He not make it,” Zhao gasped, noticing the absence of others. “Two more friends, I see not with you.” As Danny looked down, Zhao continued, “No need to worry my child. We’re all stronger now, and together, we make it to the tree.”

“How utterly sentimental. I had hoped for a more stimulating reunion. But I suppose, with beings of your caliber, this is as good as it gets.” Luméos’s crisp, mid-range pitch and refined articulation commanded attention, making everyone turn their eyes to him, and a few even jumped slightly with a mix of surprise and fear.

“Come on Luméos don’t be like that. We’re only mortals after all.” Alan hoped that the rapport that he had built with the god would be worth something in situations like these.

“Mr. Alan, you seem to be mistaking my generosity for friendship. We are not friends,” said Luméos, emphasizing the word ‘not.’

“Not even a little?” Alan chirped, instantly regretting his words. It was one of his typically lighthearted attempts to lighten the mood, a strategy that often worked in the office. However, as he quickly realized, such tactics were not nearly as effective with gods.

Luméos exhaled deeply, grew a few inches taller, and slowly stepped forward.

Mr. Zhao and half of his group members stepped back, while the other half scurried back into the bushes.

Alan blinked, and in an instant, Aranya had positioned herself squarely in front of him in a protective stance, her elbows bent and poised outward as her hands were raised defensively, altogether creating a barrier that completely obscured Luméos from Alan’s line of sight.

“You too have grown far too comfortable. You are, but a fleeting speck, forgetting your place in the presence of a being who could obliterate your very existence with but a mere thought. Were you my worshiper, I might be inclined to rectify your ignorance gently. Alas, as you stand, perhaps a more... permanent correction is in order”

Is this what this is about? All of this just to get worshipers?

Angie and Danny also looked for cover.

The blue alien radiated an ominous aura as he teetered on the brink of fury. His gem-like eyes turned into twin sapphires set ablaze, piercing the air with tangible intensity. Aranya was slightly pushed back toward Alan by an invisible force. He could feel the god’s pressure still pressing against her.

Alan was still not sold on the idea of becoming a ‘worshiper’, especially when he didn’t know what it entailed; he hadn’t seen the fine print. Nevertheless, he decided to try to diffuse the situation. Hopefully. “I must apologize, Luméos. I realize now that my words were disrespectful. You are right—I am ignorant of the workings of the universe, and you have shown us great generosity. For that, I am truly sorry.”

“Guys!” Bobby cried from a distance.

When did he get there?

“Very well. As long as you’ve learned your place.”

“Thank you.” Alan bowed his head, hoping not to mess up his progress to deescalate the situation.

Luméos stood up straight and nodded. “It looks like the other dolt has stumbled upon something.”

“Whew, that was a close one. We dodged a bullet,” Angie exclaimed with a sigh. “Glad that’s over”

“Alan, if you’re done with the melodrama, come check this out,” Bobby yelled again.