Before John was spread a scene that stole his breath away. The Shining City, Jewel of Tyrshal, The Grand Crossroads. They were all names for the heart of Human civilization.

Lumis certainly lived up to the hype.

The trio had only had to travel for a little over half of the day to reach the city. Something didn’t add up to John in that though. It ended up being yet another of the questions for Vulgad.

Mainly, he was concerned about the strategic problems inherent in having a capital so close to the border of another land. The Dwarf waved away such concerns. If anything, being a day’s march away from the Bet’ital wood was more a boon than a detriment.

The Halflings were known to be non-violent as a general rule. They also wouldn’t abide by having armed forces move in their sacred lands. The stretch of wood was a barrier to all violent action but would allow traders and travelers who paid a toll to move freely across. It was like having mountains acting as a barrier without any of the drawbacks like limited travel and hard soil.

The city had never been assaulted in its history. A history that stretched all the way back to the Land Mother’s gift.

Lumis even sat on the fork of a major river that ran from north to south and westward to the coast. The multiple paths of travel made Lumis a versatile trading hub. It also made it a great place for Vulgad and Baff to leave from. Who knows how many ports of call could be reached from the city?

Beginning at the town they first came to, which John now knew to be named Iesdade, the road they followed was the only route to reliably follow.

Frequent monster quelling patrols, otherwise treacherous terrain off the road, and being a straight shot to Lumis meant that traipsing heedless through well-cleaned Halfling wood had come to an end. Much to Vulgad’s grumbling.

He took the path through Bet’ital so they would be hard to follow. Only after leaving the wood did John realize how worried Vulgad was of being followed. He seemed convinced that there were outriders close on their tail. Which led into John’s next question. Just who was following them?

He’d asked that one in the morning after Baff had gone to relieve himself.

So far, Vulgad had remained vague on the threat following them. And in that moment, he continued to hold his cards close to his chest. He would only say that John would find out in Lumis

The city which they found themselves looking down at from the crest of a hill.

John could feel in his heart, a new chapter of his life was only just beginning.

***

Even from outside the gates, the shining peak of the Lumis cathedral couldn’t not catch the eye of weary travelers lined up outside the gates.

‘So, do they have religion here or not?’

John had heard from both Dwarves system-themed exclamations, the ‘land mother’ too for that matter. Phrases like ‘system be damned’ or ‘by the land mother’ were often uttered under breath or outright screamed in surprise. So he couldn’t help but wonder just what the temple was for. Hell being real also made God a real possibility.

‘So troublesome…’

Now was the perfect time to ask questions though. To enter the city without a resident’s pass took ages and paying the premium to get priority searching would call too much attention for Vulgad’s taste. The sluggish line was an excuse to ask questions really.

“Vulgad, another question for ya!”

“Oh, may the Stonelord take me! Of course ‘e ‘as another one. What is it lad?”

“Well, I see that we have a cathedral staring down at us.”

John lazily wagged his finger at the towering structure.

“I wanted to know what it was that you guys did for religion around here. Is it the system, the Land Mother, that Stonelord guy you mentioned, those gods you mentioned were young thousands of years ago, what’s the deal?”

The Dwarf gave him a defeated look.

“Of course, ye always gotta ask the questions wit’ long answers.”

“I get more information that way y’know.”

“Ye don’t worship gods in Mordor John?”

Baff took advantage of the slow-paced conversation to interject. That gave Vulgad an idea.

“Baff!”

“Yes, master?”

“Why don’t ye take a moment to tell John all about the gods. I’m sure ye paid attention to yer schoolin’, right?”

The eyes of Baff went wide.

“Oh, um, well, ye see-“

“Don’t worry lad. John knows less tha’ ye do. Jus’ say what ye know.”

The encouragement of Vulgad was actually just a cover, John could see the old Dwarf passing the chore off to his apprentice.

‘Sneaky old man, very sneaky…’

“Alright, alright… Where tah start… Oh!

“So in the beginnin’, there were no gods. Only the Land Mother an’ ‘er children, the races o’ the land.

“From what I was taught in me schoolin’, the gods were people like you an’ I. Well, not like us, they were much more powerful, but they were mortals…

“The legends all say tha’ they ‘ad leveled up to unseen levels. They got so powerful, they weren’t the same as mortals anymore. So, the system raised the most powerful of each race to the level o’ godhood. So they didn’t destroy the world with their powers.

Each god was tasked wit’ lookin’ o’er their people by givin’ guidance an’ blessin’s. Tha’s about all I know. The only god I know much about is the Dwarven one, the Stonelord.”

Baff did a little shrug as if to say ‘that’s all I got’.

John turned his focus to Vulgad, the old Dwarf had exhausted his apprentice’s ability to sate his curiosity.

“I guess it be me turn now.”

The reluctance was palpable.

“The boy was right in what he told ye. But I can tell ye more about the gods.

“The Stonelord is the Dwarven god, ‘e rules over the mountains, the forges, an’ is defender o’ the Dwarven people.

“The god o’ ye Humans, she be known as the Maiden o’ Light. She is the goddess o’ healin’ an’ protectin’.

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

“Above the Elves, stands Greengaurd. Their god promotes growth, nature, an’ wisdom.

“There are far more gods out there o’ course, but that be the basics of it.”

John rubbed his chin in thought.

“If there’s a god for every race, then how many races are there?”

“Enough to be ‘ard to remember ‘em all lad.”

“So a lot then.”

As the conversation drew to a close, the three came to the front of the line. Two guards stood at the gate to the city. Many more guards patrolled the walls above. On the left of the gate, one of the well-armored men spoke to them.

“What is your business in entering the city, travelers?”

The tone was official, not aggressive.

Vulgad took the lead.

“We’re only lookin’ to book passage down the river. A friend o’ ours ‘as fallen ill ye se-“

“You may pass, after we search your bags.”

The guard and his partner stepped forward and motioned for their bags.

They acquiesced without complaint.

“Hmm, let's see what we got here, just some clothes and random items?”

“I’ve got a tent and bedroll here, Fal.”

The two rummaged a bit longer, muttering to each other.

John decided to break the silence of the group.

“Is there a problem, sirs?”

“Well, you’ve got to have food to travel any long distance. You also don’t seem to be from around here, or you’d have gone through the local’s gate. So why don’t you have the supplies to travel?”

Vulgad was twisting off his ring gingerly. John could tell the Dwarf didn’t want to explain the spatial tent and draw attention, so he spoke up.

“You see sir, I can understand your confusion, but we only traveled by ourselves from Iesdade. We are in a hurry so we just made the trip from there to here ahead of the group. We were confident in buying supplies, so we just left the extra weight behind y’see.”

The guard, Fal as called by his partner, nodded slowly with a frown.

‘Come on dude, just buy it.’

“I suppose that makes sense… On your way then. Welcome to Lumis traveler. Next!”

‘Whew, what would these two do without me.’

Baff looked confused, as usual, and Vulgad nodded gratefully. The old warrior did not practice his conversation skills it seemed.

Now, they were within the city itself. What a monster of architecture it was…

The streets seemed to branch out and twist, turn and abruptly end with little heed to planned placement. In defiance of the labyrinth that was Lumis, Vulgad made unhesitating steps as he went onward. It seemed he only had two speeds, stopped, and full throttle. The pace of Vulgad spoke to his familiarity of the streets as well. Nowhere John had been was even half as convoluted.

“So, Vulgad, where are we headed?”

“First, we’re headin’ to me old party member’s ‘ouse to give ‘im a letter and introduce ye to ‘im. Baff an’ I won’t be able to stay long, we need tah catch the evenin’ ferry down to Phirah. Then a few more trips by boat an’ foot till we reach our final destination.”

‘final destination’ was said with a meaningful look to the Human. He nodded in understanding.

“How much further to this friend’s house then?”

“A ways further, ‘e lives near the ferries. We can’t miss ‘is ‘ouse. It tends tah stick out.”

“Onward then, I look forward to meeting this guy.”

***

‘A ‘ways further’, he wasn’t freaking kidding.’

Vulgad failed to mention it was on the other side of the city. Their trek through maze like streets only came to an end as the surroundings became more populated.

They now found themselves in a busy outdoor market. The water of the river was in sight and various offshoots of streets could be peeked down from their position.

Vulgad stood still, watching the sky. It was the first time he stopped since entering the city, and it rather confused John.

“Um, buddy. Could you tell me what we’re doing here just standing in the middle of everything?”

“I’m watchin’.”

The grunted words were the only response.

“-forrrr?”

“The smoke.”

“What smoke? You going senile on us here buddy?”

“Look fer the violet smoke. Tha’ is where we’re goin’. I can’t remember what street the ‘ouse is on.”

‘Violet smoke? Odd, but that would definitely be unique in a city.’

Baff suddenly shouted.

“Ah, look! There it is! The smoke!”

Sure enough, John could see the smoke wafting up from one of the streets. The violet hue really did give it an otherworldly feeling.

“Tha’ crazy bastard is still up to ‘is experiments it seems.”

The three began walking down the street. As they got nearer, the building that birthed the violet smoke couldn’t have been ignored.

Most buildings in Lumis had a drab grey quality to them. The stone construction was responsible for the aesthetic

Not this building though.

“Your friend has an… interesting? Sense of design.”

Baff was a bit more blunt.

“What in the depths issat?! I’ve never seen an uglier lookin’ buildin’ in me life!”

Vulgad didn’t even make an attempt for defense. He just accepted the truth for what it was.

The building was definitely at odds with its surroundings. Bright yellow walls, with similarly bright orange trim. An oval for a door, the windows shaped like diamonds.

‘This is the guy Vulgad wants me to stay with? I’ll have to sneak out whenever I want to leave! I couldn’t be caught dead in a place like this.’

Vulgad grimaced and walked up to the front door. The sight was painful for him as well.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

They waited.

A few seconds stretched to minutes.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

Again, no response.

‘Oh no… people are starting to look…’

“Vulgad, maybe he isn’t ho-”

“Nifriden! Come out ‘ere ye shameless bastard! I’m tired of starin’ at yer gods forsaken door!”

The Dwarf’s arm reared back, ready to punch the door. John knew that he was strong enough to take it down with a single punch.

The fist flew forth at blinding speed. At that same moment, the door had opened, and a face peeked out.

John’s eyes widened in alarm. He couldn’t say ‘duck’ fast enough.

Luckily for the face, he didn’t need to.

The lightning-quick fist stopped before it could turn the surprised face into a meaty pulp. It had been stopped by a barrier of translucent energy. John’s eyes could make out small runes seemingly scrawled across the barrier.

‘A spell?’

“Vulgad! My friend! How long it has been! Come in, come in. I won’t have you waiting on my doorstep a second longer. What sort of friend would that make me?”

The man didn’t even blink at the near catastrophic attack from Vulgad. And now, Nifriden he assumed, was inviting them inside.

Sharing a quick glance with the equally confused Baff, the two followed Vulgad in entering the hideous home.

“You sure have an interesting friend Vulgad”

John echoed his thoughts from earlier.

“I’m one o’ the few at level 4 or above tha’ is normal. Ye don’t get as strong as we do by bein’ average.”

He paused.

“But Nifriden, ‘e’s odder tha’ most. A dear friend to be sure, but so very odd…”

As it turned out, the inside of the house was downright mundane by John’s standards. It had a luxurious undertone, but largely just spoke to good upkeep and design rather than gaudy opulence.

Vulgad continued through the pleasant home until he walked out into a sitting room. The furniture was tasteful, as were the decorations on the walls. Various items were on display. John was willing to bet that they all had stories to go with them.

Their host spoke from a couch he lounged upon.

“Sit, sit. I haven’t seen you in years Vulgad. Why, I believe the last time we spent time together was in that dreary village out in Navaris. I even still have that mulork’s eye.”

The eye in question sat in a jar on a shelf. Only figuratively watching them. Probably.

‘Did it Just wink at me!’

“I’m afraid we can’t stay long ol’ friend. Me an’ the boy ‘ave places to be. We are off to take the evenin’ ferry. I came to give ye two thin’s. The first is this letter.”

Vulgad pulled out an envelope and placed it on the coffee table that occupied the center of the room.

“Tha’. Will explain everythin’. I can only say now tha’ times are changin’, an’ not fer the better.

“The second thin’ is this one.”

John felt a little bit like an object by Vulgad’s choice of words, but nonetheless waved at Nifriden.

“Nice to meet you. My name’s John. And you,-”

‘Identify’

Nifriden

Elf

Level:

4

“-must be Nifriden.”

The Elf looked between John and Vulgad, then promptly laughed.

“You are not one to pull jokes Vulgad, but you nearly had me there. Now, tell me why you really came. The suspense is literally killing me, figuratively of course.”

“I would not lie to ye Elf. The letter an’ John ‘ere will explain everthin’. But fer now I just need you to trust me.”

The Dwarf’s gaze spoke to his sincerity. It was slowly reciprocated in the eyes of Nifriden.

“So, I take it our world has had another stone thrown at it?”

“Oh, like ye wouldn’t believe. Come on Baff we need tah be on our way.”

“But master-”

“Baff, I promise I’ll tell ye why when we get to where we need to be. Fer now, jus’ trust me when I say we need tah be on. Our. Way.”

“Yes… Master.”

Baff grumbled out his agreement.

Understanding that this was the end of their journey, John walked up to the dwarf and offered his hand.

“It’s been a pleasure Vulgad. You have helped me in a way few others have. Thank you, truly.”

The old, grey-haired, Dwarf clasped John’s arm.

“Ye are a better man tha’ most John Cribb. Destiny ‘as much in store fer ye yet.”

The Dwarf’s attention now went to Nifriden.

“I wish we could share tales and drink ale into the night, but time is o’ the essence. Whether it be in Cuerus, Heaven, Hell, or otherwise, we’ll meet again my friend, o’ tha’, ye can be certain.”

The air of indifference was gone from when the Elf first spoke to the trio.

“Is there nothing that will change what’s going on Vulgad? I will do all in my power to aid you, you know that.”

“Tha’ I do friend, tha’ I do. This journey is me duty. I’ll see it through. Fer now, ‘elp John ‘ere get his bearin’s. Ye’ll find in him some very interestin’ knowledge. Farewell.

The abruptness of Vulgad’s actions and words surprised everyone to some degree, most of all Baff. The young Dwarf dragged out of the room by his master. A slamming front door rang out shortly afterward.

‘I guess Vulgad really isn’t one for lengthy goodbyes…’

John and Nifriden shared a glance with each other.

“Looks like I’m your new house guest then!”