Irwin walked back through the narrow streets, his card back to a quarter full, but his head still pounding. He wished his healing and endurance would work against the overuse of soul power.

He had taken over an hour to scour the entire second floor, but no sign of the purple mist remained. That didn't mean there wasn't any, he knew, just that he couldn't find it.

"We've decided on two of our other scouts," Brownyn said, walking beside him.

He looked as bad as Irwin felt, and he guessed talking with the other captains had been tiring.

"I presume there aren't five or more cards with them right now?" Irwin asked.

"No," Bronwyn muttered, turning to him." You had a lot of cards… please tell me you didn't need all of them for my heartcard?"

"No," Irwin said. "But what I have left is either needed for something else or very rare."

Bronwyn grimaced." So you can't spare five or more cards?"

Irwin thought for a bit, then shrugged. "I'll check when we get back, but I'm not sure."

He knew he had around forty cards left, which seemed like barely any to him. He'd brought so many when he left Fiverion and had imagined it would be more than enough.

We need more cards, he thought.

"You said the demons drop more cards," he said. "Did you mean from portals or also from surges?"

"Surges mostly," Bronwyn said as he stopped walking. Irwin wasn't surprised that he immediately caught up. "Shit, I'm going to have to go back and send out scouts to find the nearest surge."

Irwin nodded as he tried to force his bedraggled mind to think. "If they can find an Imp surge, that would be for the best."

"Right, because of that flamecard," Bronwyn said before grinning. "Who could have known that simple fire utility card I got you was anything but."

"The ranger you got it from, is he still alive?" Irwin asked, suddenly curious. He had never figured out exactly where the card came from.

"No," Bronwyn said as his smile faltered. "His entire team went into a portal months ago. They closed it but didn't manage to get out."

Irwin grimaced at his brother before looking around. They were discussing things in the middle of a shadowy alleyway, probably not the best place. His head was throbbing, and he wanted to return. Then, he looked at Bronwyn. He could head back and rest while Bronwyn sent out scouts, but…

"Alright, let's head back," he said as he turned the way they had come.

"I can do this by myself," Bronwyn said. "Just go and rest."

"Nope," Irwin said. "If anything were to jump either of us now, when we are at our weakest, that'd be stupid."

Bronwyn stared at him, his face pale, and then they walked back to the path they had just come from.

"You think there's something else in the city that might be dangerous?" he asked. "I don't sense anything."

"Me neither," Ambraz's muffled whisper came from Irwin's pocket.

"I don't know," Irwin said. "But it's not worth the risk."

It took them longer than Irwin had thought to walk back, convince a group of rangers to search for the nearest Imp surge, and finally return home. It was dark outside when they finally reached Bronwyn's house, and a worried-looking Carla opened the door. When she noticed Bronwyn, however, her mouth fell open.

"Bron, your eyes!" she whispered before quickly beckoning them in and closing the door behind them.

Bronwyn grinned as he winked at her. "It's not just my eyes," he said, standing up straight and looking at her.

Carla sighed and shook her head, pulling him to a chair as she began fussing over the cuts and holes in his armor. Irwin sat down, noticing his mother's worried look. She was holding Drum, who seemed to be asleep.

"I'm fine," he said. "Just overused my card a bit."

"We heard there was fighting and explosions at the ranger tower," his mother muttered. "What happened?"

Irwin slowly explained what had happened.

"Do you think there's more of the mist demon?" Carla asked softly, her face nearly white as she held onto Bronwyn's arm.

Irwin shrugged. "I don't know, but let's assume there is and act accordingly."

He took a deep breath and took out his remaining cards, ignoring his mother's gasp. The lowest cards he had left now were topaz, with many emerald cards remaining on the stack. He guessed neither his mother nor Carla had ever seen this many rare and very rare cards in their life. A quick count showed he had fifty-two cards left, more than he had expected.

He would need many for Daubutim's card, and unless he could get more, that left very few for what he wanted to do now.

Still, two wouldn't matter too much, he thought.

He glanced at their hands. His mother still only had the three cards she had from before, a full-hand, but all utility. The resonance from them told him that two were common and one uncommon. Carla had only two cards, and he hummed. That meant if need be, she could take out one and have five of her six cards custom-tailored.

"Alright, I'm going to tell you all a bit more about what happened when I was gone," he said. "Because I need to decide on something."

His mother and Carla looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and worry that he had noticed many times over the last few days on many people.

"Ambraz?" he asked softly.

"About time!" Ambraz snorted as he struggled from his pocket and flew to his shoulder.

"You have a summoned tiny anvil?" his mother asked, her eyes widening. "That can talk?"

Irwin expected an angry retort from Ambraz, but to his surprise, the anvil merely sniffed.

"I'm not a summon," Ambraz said as he flew to the table and landed before his mother. "I'm a Ganvil and your son's smithing partner. Nice to meet you."

Irwin stupidly stared at Ambraz, barely believing what he'd heard.

"I… Nice to meet you too," his mother said, sounding slightly confused. "Are you from that portal world Irwin told us about?"

"No, sadly, my world was shattered," Ambraz said.

"I see," his mother muttered, glancing at Irwin. "So, what do you do?"

Irwin dumbly listened to Ambraz explaining what he did, barely believing his own ears. Ambraz had never acted this nicely to anyone- not even to Lord Gebladir Urdwellan back on Scour, who had been a Ruby rank smith.

When he finally came back to his senses, Ambraz was asking his mother about her cards.

"I don't want them. It's better to give those cards to someone who can fight," his mother said, shaking her head.

Irwin shared a quick, worried look with Bronwyn.

"Mom, it's best if you take one," Bronwyn said quickly. "One card wouldn't change much, but it can keep you alive!"

"Don't give me that," their mother snapped, and Irwin saw a glimmer of the stern woman who had raised him appear. "That one card could save many lives, and you know it!"

"We are going to get more cards," Irwin said.

"Then give me one when you do," his mother said, crossing her arms. "Those should go to the rangers and guards that need them. Not some old woman who can barely walk."

Irwin felt annoyed as he tried to come up with a way for his mother to change her mind.

An hour later, he was lying on the ground with a pounding headache, not sure if he should laugh or cry. In the end, his mother didn't want a single card! Only if he could show her a hundred cards she'd accept one.

Stubborn, Irwin thought as he sighed.

Carla, luckily, hadn't been as unwilling and had accepted one card in trade for her second one, which she had unslotted without seeming to care. It had been a common one that allowed someone to use needle and thread with increased speed and precision. She had gotten a very rare full-body enhancement card that would eventually make her stronger and more agile while giving her increased arm speed.

Glad at least someone had accepted a card, Irwin thought back to when Ambraz had explained why it didn't matter much if he ate higher or lower rank cards.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

So, cards are empty when they aren't slotted, Irwin thought. He'd never really thought about that part much, but it made sense that they were. Apparently, the maximum energy they could hold, or the quality, didn't matter much if all Ambraz would do was break them and use the energy that was generated.

He fell asleep, pondering the differences between cards.

--

"Half of the people have arrived on Ealuathar, the caravan is halfway with another group, and the first two towns have enough housing," the guard reported calmly. "The rangers have managed to scout a large area around our first settlements. Greldo and Captain… Xi'kroak-" the ranger tried, butchering the name. "- have created a defense perimeter around the portal. Greldo said to tell you they were ready and that you should…"

The guard licked his lips as he looked at Daubutim.

"Just tell me," Daubutim said calmly.

"Yes, Lordling," the guard said, looking at the ground. "He said you should hurry the fuck up and get back here. "

"Return and tell him that we are going to need four more days," Lord Bron said as he began pacing around the table, poking at miniatures that represented the wagons and groups of people.

The guard nodded and quickly left the room.

"Lord Bron, can I return to my uncle now?" Clarish asked. "I am sure he is worried about me."

Lord Bron looked up at her, then shook his head. "Not yet. As soon as the last caravan leaves, Daubutim will head to Ealuathar, and Greldo will come here. I want you to take him with you."

"But that would take four days," Clarish muttered.

"Yes," Lord Bron said absently, not looking at her but at the table.

"If Irwin has to battle the Bablibon, the best help he can get would be Greldo," Daubutim said calmly. "His abilities make him exceptionally suited for battling a stronger and faster opponent."

"I see," Clarish muttered, though Daubutim could see she didn't. "Then I'll do as you order."

Lord Bron either didn't hear her or didn't care as he turned to Daubutim.

"How are the Frozir's doing?" he asked.

Daubutim nodded at Clarish, who bowed and quickly left the room.

"Elder Gum'dil'ran has sent word that they have come across two surges and sustained some losses. They will arrive at the portal in three days," Daubutim said as he moved to the table and slowly pushed a group of white pawns across the map. "I have sent a warning about them to Greldo, and he will make sure they don't try and go their own path when they reach Ealuathar."

"Good," Lord Bron said, looking up. "You are sure there will be portals there to other, safe worlds?"

"Definitely," Daubutim said calmly. "Worlds connected to any world at or above rank four are called adjacent worlds and are always kept as stable as possible."

"A bit like we were before the portals came," Lord Bron said before letting out a weary, drawn-out sigh. "Let's hope the mysterious enemy won't locate us too fast."

"Indeed," Daubutim said as he stared at the map.

--

"There are two new surges up north," a tall ranger with short brown hair and piercing eyes said.

Bronwyn had introduced her as Hester, another ranger captain of a scouts group and one of the fastest non-teleporter rangers in the tower.

They were standing before the ranger tower as Hester continued reporting. A group of four rangers stood behind her, staring at Irwin curiously.

"One of them is Galub, the other Imp," Hester said before shaking her head. "But I definitely wouldn't go to the Imp one. I know you said you needed one of those, but it has to be an epic rank portal because there are some of those massive Imps that go berserk as they fight there."

"Brutal Imps," Irwin said as he nodded, not worried yet. "Did you see any of those pale imps?"

"You mean the taller, spindly ones with the daggers?" the ranger captain asked.

Irwin nodded.

"No, just sixty or seventy of those smaller ones. But they might have been hiding," Hester said, seeming uncertain.

"Maybe," Irwin said as he rubbed his chin. The stubble was slowly turning into a short beard, and he still wasn't sure if he should remove it. "So, we do what we planned?" he said as he turned to Bronwyn.

"Although I'd prefer to come with you, this is the safest thing to do," he said. "You create another heartcarded ranger to bring with you, and I'll stay here in case another of those purple mist demons comes."

Irwin nodded. "Alright, then tell the one you chose to meet me in the cellar. I'll do it right now, and after that, we are leaving."

"No need," Bronwyn said as he beckoned one of Hester's rangers, a short dextrous man. To Irwin's surprise, he had two full-hands, which was more than any of the other assembled rangers, including Hester herself.

"Bronwyn, Irwin," the ranger said, nodding shortly.

"Jort, how does it feel to be a two-hand?" Bronwyn asked.

"Great, but I'd have preferred it if I didn't have to go on a suicide mission right away," the ranger said. "Still, it's for a good cause."

Irwin couldn't help but grin at the calmness the ranger exuded.

"Don't worry," he said. "You're only coming along in case some of those pale imps are trying to sneak up at me."

"If you say so," the ranger said with a nod.

"I'm going to talk with the ranger captains that are here now," Bronwyn said. "We've been sending out messengers to get as many back as we can, and over half of the groups are here now."

Which is a good thing, Irwin thought as he thought about the three common and one uncommon card in his pocket.

Those had been brought back by the rangers, which meant he didn't have to use as many of his more powerful cards. A single look at the four cards had reminded him again about the poor quality of most cards. The commons were all utility, and the uncommon card increased the damage dealt with an axe to a tree, something so specific the card's only saving grace was the small increase in strength and constitution.

"I'll come with you," Hester said.

"Be careful," Bronwyn said.

Irwin nodded, seeing the poorly contained worry in his brother's eyes. Then he turned and headed towards the tower entrance.

It took far less effort and far less energy than he had anticipated or than Ambraz had to create Jort's heartcard. When they were done, Irwin just stared at Ambraz's nondescript body for a bit while Jort, now with pale silver eyes, looked around in wonder.

"Go to the square and wait for me. I'll be right there," Irwin said absently.

"Yes, Lord Irwin," Jort said before turning around and walking away.

Irwin blinked in surprise. "Lord Irwin?" he muttered.

"Maybe it's because you ordered him around?" Ambraz said.

Irwin flinched as he realized that he had done that.

"Why did it only take us two cards?" he asked. "Didn't you say it would cost five?"

"Bah, I didn't say anything. I tried to signal you that it did, and that's because you supplied more of the energy than I expected," Ambraz said.

Irwin frowned as he scanned the energy he had left in his card. "My card is still over three-quarters full and filling pretty quickly. Are you saying I could do another three amethyst rank heartcards?"

"I don't know," Ambraz said. "Maybe, I'm not sure. Even then, do you think it's a good idea to experiment with that now?"

"No, but it would be good to know for when we return because if I can make that many low-rank heartcards, we can make everyone a lot more powerful," he said.

"You do realize that means you would have to find a lot of people willing to limit their potential growth…"

Irwin grimaced, realizing he hadn't thought of that part. Then he hummed as he thought about what he knew from Fiverio.

"Didn't lots of people in Fiverio stick to low-rank cards so they can quickly get a soulcard?" he asked.

"They have," Ambraz said thoughtfully. "You have a point… there's no soulcarded yet, and if you want any chance to defend that world, you would need those."

"Well, let's discuss it with Bronwyn after we come back," he said as he walked out of the cellar. "Try and figure out why it cost so little and determine how many heartcards I could make like that."

"Sure," Ambraz muttered as he flew back to his pocket and hid inside.

Jort stood amidst a small group of rangers who were asking him questions, but as soon as he arrived, the ranger came jogging forward.

"Are you ready to head out?" Irwin asked, causing Jort's eyes to flicker around worriedly.

"Are you sure we shouldn't bring more rangers?"

Irwin had thought about that a few times and finally decided against it. So, he shook his head.

"If there's something I can't fight out there, then they wouldn't be able to help much, and I'd rather have the option to run. I can carry you, but any more would be dangerous."

"Carry me?" Jort asked softly.

"Let's go," Irwin said as they headed towards the old gate, holding in a slight grin.

--

"Isn't that Jort?" one of the rangers on the new gate muttered. "Who's that with him?"

"Have you been living under a rock?" the other ranger said with a snort. "That's Irwin, Bronwyn's brother! He's the one that upgraded my card."

"That's him? I guess that makes sense, he's as big as Bronwyn… but- wasn't Irwin that sickly kid?"

"Yeah, I guess if you get the right… cards… What the hell are they doing?"

"He's picking up Jort!"

The rangers leaned forward, staring at the massive coppery-skinned giant cradle the much smaller ranger against his chest before leaning forward. There was a dull boom as he jumped six feet forward, then another as he jumped even further, and within moments, he was sprinted away towards the north, a frightened cry from Jort lingering behind.

"What card does something like that?" one of the rangers whispered.

"Dunno, but remind me never to travel with him. That looked far from comfortable."

--

A good while after they left Malorin, Irwin slowed down to a normal jog and then to a walk before stopping. They were within a low point of the flowing plains north of Malorin, the Gloomforest no more than a thin line to the west and only visible because the plains became lower that way. Although hidden from view, Irwin knew that the plains continued north and east into the mainland of the peninsula for another day or longer.

"Are you alright?" he asked, looking at the ranger pressed against his chest.

The man looked at him in disbelief, then struggled to be let go, and Irwin gently put him on the ground.

"I thought you would only carry me if we had to flee?" Jort said, rubbing his shoulders and legs.

"This was faster," Irwin said before looking around. "So, you said we are close to the portal?"

Jort stared at him for a bit longer, then shook his head and muttered something that Irwin didn't catch.

"It's this way, in the lowlands behind this elevation," Jort said.

Irwin nodded, staring up at the slight slope.

As they walked forward and up, Jort kept stopping, raising his head and sniffing. From reforging his cards into a heartcard, Irwin had a general idea of what he could do. He had enhanced senses, though nowhere near what Bronwyn had, and incredible reflexes. Sadly, because an amethyst rank hearcard allowed only two abilities, he had lost many of his skills and abilities. Though the strength of his two remaining passives was far greater than they had been, and his physical strength was at least double what it had been, Irwin felt bad for him.

Still, he said nothing. Jort could use many cards to fill up his small soullake, and as soon as his soulcard formed, increasing the power of his heartcards abilities, he'd regain his handcards and the ability to regain his lost skills. Besides, if their assessment were right, he would be unable to be influenced by the purple fog.

"They are definitely still here," Jort said. "I can smell their filthy, sulfurous scent and hear their giggles."

"When we reach the top, stay there," Irwin said.

"Sure… care to tell me what you are going to do?" Jort asked. "You did hear what we said, right? There are not just a few of them over there. It's like a small army!"

"I know," Irwin said as he scanned his heartcard. It was fuller than it had been after he'd finished creating the heartcard. Besides that, he was nearly overflowing with kinetic energy he'd built up during the trip here.

"Let's just say that I'm very well suited to fight Imps," he said. "You just have to make sure I don't get blindsided by something."

Jort nodded as he pulled two short swords from their scabbards. "I'm not sure if I'll be much help… I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I'd expected to feel a lot stronger now that I'm a silvereye like you and Bronwyn. Is this due to the difference in the quality of cards that Hester warned me about?"

Irwin nodded as he eyed Jort. "Yes, though from what I recall of creating it, your senses should have improved a lot, as well as your reflexes."

"I know," Jort nodded. "I just wished I could have kept my sword… I'd had that card for over ten years."

Irwin didn't respond, not sure what to say, and Jort remained quiet until they nearly reached the top of the slope.

"There's more than I remember. The top is barely a foot wide before going down again, so we better keep low," he muttered as he went on hands and knees and began crawling the last distance up.

Irwin followed him, almost belly on the ground until they reached the top of the slope. Jort hadn't been lying, as the top of the slope was so short Irwin's legs couldn't even fit unless he went sideways. Below them, the slope was a bit steeper, leading towards a wide, very shallow valley filled with what had to be hundreds of Imps. A massive hole was dug out in the side of the slope, and two Brutal Imps sat beside it, seemingly talking with each other.

That's a lot more than Hester said, Irwin thought as he looked around. I wonder how much my soullake will fill from this!