Oliver stepped forward so that his companions lay safely behind him. Not only did this keep them out of his way, but in the long term, it was a smart strategy. If he were to rise in the ranks, he’d have to become a leader, and he lacked all the skills to be one. However, history showed one foolproof avenue to gain the respect of others: lead from the front lines.

The shadows within the glass churned in a slow vortex and cleared to reveal a strange, purple sky. A shape moved, tall and thin, with elongated claws. Its fingers stretched forward, pressing as though the mirror’s surface. A hiss turned into a rumbling speech. “I am bound within the ancient mines, sealed by elvish wards. Bring the crystal unto me, and thou shalt receive a most gracious reward.”

Saj wrung his hands. “It’s from the Dark Ages.”

Oliver realized his hand hurt from gripping the swordstaff so tightly. He ignored Saj’s comment. “Who are you, how’d you get imprisoned, and what is the reward?”

The creature’s tone felt off, as if unaccustomed to anything but command. “I am Hygek Ulk, who once roamed these lands ere the elves butchered the dragons, and are men and gnomes drove out goblins and kobolds. They conquered yet found mere victory and savagery lacking, casting the god of the land into chains. Yet even as they linger in sloth and weakness, my power doth swell. Bring me the crystal, and dominion shall be thine. Thou shalt be mine own Dark Captain, with twenty Witchfriends at thy command.”

Oliver remembered the reaper saying there are gods, at least indistinguishable from gods. Obviously, he didn’t trust the elves, but he couldn’t take this kind of gamble. “I’m going to take the crystal to the Sea People. If you’re still gaining power, you’ll find your own way out.”

A sudden pressure seized Oliver’s chest. His breath caught as if an invisible hand grabbed his heart, driving him to his knees. The crystal nearly slipped from his arms, hit the ground, and slid toward the mirror. He struggled for breath.

Halfdan shouted in alarm and leaped for it. A white flash and a snap stilled him. He rolled on his back, “What happened?” Snoke rose from his fur-lined shoulder.

The crystal slid within reach of the shadow hand.

Hunter darted toward the crystal, but the banshee leaped on him. She bit his neck, and he slammed backward into a support to try to free himself.

Seconds ticked by, and Oliver began to lose track of where his companions were. The light faded from his sight. He was passing out, and only panic kept him conscious. He unleashed his last bit of mana in an Astral Lance.

The shadow hand caught the lance, and the darkness swallowed it.

Oliver’s vision blurred. The pain in his chest doubled. This was it.

A shifting in the air caused the grip to relax, and Oliver took a breath.

A pale shape materialized.

White Reaper, its hooded visage looking down on Oliver. “Enough.”

The shadow recoiled.

The reaper’s scythe cut the banshee in half. Blood fountained over Hunter, who flicked his fingers to shake off the crimson spray.

Hygek Ulk snarled. “What are you doing here? Thy single task is but to tend the System..”

The reaper’s hollow eyes turned to the mirror. “Nothing has stopped me from doing as I please.”

“If I were free, I would see thee undone.” The shadow threw a man out of the mirror, and metal armor clanged as the man rolled. “Take Owen hence. He witnessed the elves’ deeds in that age. I did preserve him by taking him into this prison, but now is the hour when he must walk again in a world that hath concealed its crimes..”

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

The White Reaper swung the scythe again. The mirror shuddered, cracks webbing across its surface.

Hygek Ulk splintered. “Oliver, you make powerful enemies. Do not think one danger greater than others.” The mirror detonated, sending shards of glass everywhere.

Oliver felt the glass dig into his forearm, where his cloak left bare skin. “Thank you,” he said, relieved to be alive.

The reaper stood silent a moment. “Take the crystal to the dwarves. They will forge armor far beyond anything of metal.”

Before Oliver could speak, the reaper dissolved like smoke

Halfdan pushed himself to his feet. “The world would be better without magic and gods.”

Oliver nodded. It probably would be.

Sigrid and Saj checked them for injuries.

Charity touched his arm gently, eyes wide with concern. “You looked like you were in a lot of pain.”

“Only while it had me,” Oliver said.

“What now?” Saj asked, picking up a fragment of the mirror. “What do we do with him?”

Sigrid tapped the armored man with her foot. “His name was Owen.”

Oliver leaned on his swordstaff. “The White Reaper said to bring the crystal to the dwarves. Where are they?”

Sigrid turned the man over to lay on his back. “There are dwarves near our homeland. They dwell in the mountains.”

“I’ve got him,” Halfdan said, reached down, and tossed the man over a shoulder.

Outside the clock tower, the mist vanished. The sun shone on the dilapidated town and on the green lands beyond.

The farmer’s boy peeked out of a hiding place inside a barrel. “I didn’t think you guys would make it.”

They had made it, thanks to the intervention of the reaper.

In the evening, Oliver stood at the edge of the camp, gaze fixed on the shimmering crystal.

The group was exhausted and lounged around a fire. The farm wasn’t more than an hour away, but they needed rest.

Hunter handed out a few scraps of dried meat and hard bread. Halfdan and Sigrid were by the horses, checking saddles, while Charity and Saj tidied up the rocks and sticks around the fire.

Oliver rolled to his side, propping his head with his hand, and opened the display.

Eldrin invites you to a group chat—Accept?

Oliver felt an out-of-body experience like jumping from a cliff without the freefall, just the mind expecting it.

The world around him instantly dropped away. He blinked, and darkness filled his vision. He stood in pure darkness, though he could see his hands. Then he blocked a blinding light. As his eyes adjusted, he recognized this place

This was the sterile hospital-like place he’d seen twice, the two times he’d died.

Elstina walked into the room. The thin gown she wore didn’t hide pointed nipples or the hints of her form underneath. “Oliver!” she said and threw her arms around him.

He stood frozen, not expecting her in person. “Elstina. I thought you were at Halshan Castle. And I thought I was sitting by a fire.”

She stepped back, cheeks flushed. “We are, and we’re here. Your friend puts wizards to shame.”

He nervously toyed with the hair at the back of his neck. “Yeah, Eldrin is a genius. He's figuring out all kinds of stuff.”

Elstina nodded in agreement. “Yes, he is. And you’re not—taking off like that. But nothing can be done about that now, and you’re going in the right direction. I’m at Halshan’s Castle because we can’t rely on my mother or any of the elves. With the northern king at your side, we’ll have an army to face Coda.”

Oliver felt a little annoyed. “I’m going to become a king and find as many people to join our cause as possible.”

“You a king? You have no birthright. You have nothing.”

“Look,” he said. “Where I come from, we love fantasy stories, and this is one. It’s always the same—a chosen one gathers the nations together and fights the evil lord. Well, I don’t know how, but that’s what I’m going to do.”

Elstina came close and looked at him with large eyes as if afraid he’d gone insane. “But how?.”

He shrugged and glanced down. He hoped he didn’t appear apprehensive. “I have the Time Crystal. It’s a powerful item. I don’t know how this will lead me to my goal, but this is not random. Things are happening behind the scenes.” Truthfully, it was all a bet by the reaper, but he didn’t want to tell her that.

The world began to fade.

Her mouth was wide, surprised as he was to see everything dim. “I’ll see you soon.”

Before he could reply, she was gone.

“You okay?” Hunter asked.

“Yeah, I talked to Elstina. She‘s waiting for us, as you said.”

“What about him?” Hunter looked at the unconscious lump beside the fire.

Owen was the least of Oliver’s worries. But maybe they could drop him off with the boy. That would be perfect. All these new party members would slow them down. Well, that problem could wait till morning.