Qing stood before the barrier, meeting Cedric’s glare. He could see the old wizard grinding his teeth, clearly unamused by his poorly timed joke. Dark dust floated in the air, while the barrier hummed with magical energy. The Darksoul Tower loomed above, its eyes glaring down at them with malevolent intent.

They were in the depths of enemy territory, with armies of demons bearing down on them. Energy and life were being sucked from their veins, and now heaven itself had descended to block their path.

“You think this is the time for jokes?” Cedric said, each word clipped and sharp.

Qing nodded, half smiling. “Yup, it’s that or cry. And you called dibs on the second.”

Cedric opened his mouth to answer, but no words came forth. He held up a finger, pointed at Qing, still unable to find his voice. Then his body started shaking.

For a moment, Qing thought he’d broken the old wizard, but then he realized Cedric was laughing. The ancient mage doubled over, smacking his leg and laughing harder and harder until he had to lean on his staff to avoid falling down. Qing couldn’t help but join in, chuckling despite the dire circumstances.

“I mean, come on,” Qing said, forcing the words out between laughs. “Can you think of anything that would make this situation worse?”

Cedric nodded as he laughed, the movement barely perceptible. “Yes,” he managed to say. “Yes, I can.”

“Oh, really? What?”

“Dia-“ Cedric couldn’t finish the word. He just kept laughing.

“Dia? Dia what?” Qing asked, his curiosity piqued.

Cedric bit his lip, looked at Qing, and as seriously as he could, he said, “Diarrhea.”

They looked at each other and then burst out laughing once more, the absurdity of it all momentarily overshadowing their grim situation.

“What the hell are you two doing?” Aria’s voice cut through their mirth. The current mayor of Shadowgrove breathed hard from her run. “How can you stand here laughing? There’s a great big barrier stopping us, and after what just happened...”

Rowan stood next to her, his expression equally unamused. Behind them, Knut, Ruqiya, and Ghida were approaching, their faces etched with concern.

Qing schooled his features, calming his mirth with effort. Jenny stepped forward, her eyes narrowed. “Tell us, what are you laughing at?”

Qing shared a glance with Cedric. It said everything. “Diarrhea,” he mouthed silently, and they doubled over laughing once again.

* * *

As they walked back to the ridge, Qing filled the others in on his conversation with the angel and his new quests. He held Ghida’s hand, drawing comfort from her presence. Cedric had retreated back behind his walls, the brief moment of levity giving way to his usual stern demeanour.

“What do we do now?” Ghida asked. “We cannot simply give up.”

“Oh, we’re not giving up,” Qing said, his voice firm. “I don’t know how, but we’ll find our way through that barrier. We’re going to stop them from releasing the devil.”

“An army of demons is nothing new,” Jenny added. “We’ve handled that before.”

“Not in hell,” Cedric interjected. “Demons are stronger here. More powerful. And in greater numbers.”

Qing nodded, his mind racing. “Here’s what we’re going to do,” he said, his voice taking on the tone of command he picked up in Shadowgrove. “Cedric, you work on finding a way to keep the group safe from the incoming army. I don’t care if you do it by hiding, fleeing, or finding a place to hunker down and whittle them down by having them come at you one at a time, but buy me time to explore. Something in the way Seraphina-“ He leaned to the side and spat at the angel’s name. “The way it talked when we pressed it makes me think there’s a way through. But I have to travel fast, so I’ll be going alone.”

“I can’t let you do that,” Rowan and Morgana said simultaneously. They looked at each other and nodded. “It’ll be suicide,” Rowan continued. “Not having anyone to protect your flank.”

“And who’ll watch your back?” Morgana added.

Qing shook his head. “With Blink, I can move ten times faster alone. I fear Cedric is right. Strength is not my greatest defence at the moment. Speed is. I’ll get run from danger if need be. But if you come with me, you’ll only slow me down and we’ll end up having to fight. With the Fragmentation Ring of Mana reducing the cost of my spells, combined with my Circlet of Azure Wisdom’s mana regeneration, I’ll travel too fast for anything to catch me.”

He stared them down until they both nodded reluctantly. “Besides, I’ll need you to help keep the rest safe.”

“And what is your long-term plan then, oh great leader?” Ruqiya asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “When you scout, what are you looking for?”

How the hell am I supposed to know?

“I’ll know it when I see it,” Qing said, tempering his anger and avoiding her gaze. Yet he could feel her eyes boring into the back of his neck.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Well, it’s settled then,” Knut said with forced cheer. “We go relax and camp, have a little lay down, throw a barbecue, and let Qing run around, saving the world. Suits me.”

Ghida turned to glare at him, scoffing and shaking her head.

“What about the sailors?” Jenny asked.

“We work them hard and keep them moving,” Rowan answered. “Nothing more dangerous to a soldier’s mind than idleness. And make no mistake. They are no longer sailors. They are soldiers in Qing’s army.”

“In Qing’s army?” Cedric asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Most definitely,” Rowan said, his voice firm. “Don’t think for a second I followed you down here.” He held the wizard’s gaze for a moment. “Qing’s the one who’ll see us through, while you’d sacrifice us all in a heartbeat.”

“If that is what it takes to win, then yes,” Cedric said. “I would do it thrice over. And you would be a fool not to do the same. This is no—”

“Enough!” Qing said. “You will work together.

The group went quiet, everyone staring at him.

Qing sighed, rubbing his temples as he watched Cedric and Rowan glare at each other. Why couldn't the danger here bring the group closer together instead of tearing them apart?

"Look," Qing said, his voice firm but tired, "we don't have time for this. Every second we waste arguing is a second closer to the Devil's return. Everyone, just do what I said. Cedric, you find a way to protect the group. Rowan, organize the sailors and set up a defensive perimeter. Jenny, Aria, I want you searching the area and find a place to set up base. Knut, you scout for any signs of demonic activity."

He turned to Ghida, his expression softening slightly. "Ghida, can you work with your mother on rationing our supplies? We don't know how long we'll be here."

One by one they nodded, but as the others moved to carry out their tasks, Qing pulled Morgana aside. "I need you to keep an eye on everyone," he said quietly. "If tensions start rising again, you band together with Rowan, Aria, and Knut to sort it out until I'm back"

Morgana nodded, her eyes darting to where her father stood with the other sailors. "What about...?"

"Keep him close," Qing said. "But watch him. We can't afford any surprises right now. And, frankly, if you want him dead, just say the word. There's enough blood on my hands, so that of a slaver…" Qing shrugged. "Doesn't look like I'll be getting into heaven anyway."

Morgana's line stretched into a thin line, and she crossed her arms. "Don't say things like that, Qing. It's not you."

He tried holding her gaze, but failed, looking away. "Maybe you are right. I'm just…" he shrugged again. "Morgana, I'm freaking terrified here. And he's a wild card."

"I understand. But he's my burden, alright? If anyone's gonna deal with him, it's gonna be me. Got that?"

Qing nodded.

"You've got enough on your plate as is," she said, looking towards the tower and shaking her head. "God damn, what a place."

Qing laughed. "Yeah. God definitely damned this place."

She rolled her eyes at him. "Stupid."

"Thanks."

"For calling you stupid?"

"For being my friend."

Despite their situation. An army of hell descending upon them. Hell siphoning their very life energy. And heaven having aligned itself against them, Morgana smiled. "Any time."

Then Qing went to Ghida and handed her five health potions, keeping one for himself. "For the group. Hope you don't need to use them."

She nodded, and then sighed, looking around until she spotted her mother who clutched onto Knut's arm, begging him not to go scout. "Be safe out there, alright?" Ghida said, reaching up to caress his face.

"Always." With a quick glance, making sure Ruqiya was occupied, he put pulled Ghida in for a kiss, savouring her soft lips and her unique taste.

As they separated, they both breathed heavy, and Qing excused himself, leaving her to divvy out the potions.

With everyone occupied, Qing went to stand and glare at the barrier.

How am I going to get through that damn thing? Can I somehow remove the sword? Maybe I can use Nature's Grasp to rip it out of the ground.

He closed his eyes and sent his focus down through his feet to ground.

And promptly threw up in his mouth.

"You alright?" Ghida called.

Qing held out a thumbs up as he spit on the ground, and wiping his mouth.

Note to self. Be careful with spiritwarden energy here. That must be what it feels like to lick the inside of a pustulant asshole.

He took out a canteen and rinsed out his mouth, spitting out remnants of stomach acid.

As he stood there, wrestling with the impossible task before him, the weight of leadership pressed down on him more than ever.

How did I become responsible for all these lives? For the fate of two worlds?And how the hell am I going to save either of them?

Maybe it's just like dad says. It doesn't matter so much which direction you go in, as long as you go. If its the wrong direction, you'll figure that out faster by going. The worst to do is to stand still and do nothing.

Qing looked up at the imaginary camera and smiled. Then he gave a thumbs up. "Love you dad. Mom. Grandma. Meimei. Hope you are all well. And I hope you are watching, because I'm about to kick hell's arsehole."

Then he cast blink and disappeared.

* * *

Qing blinked across the hellscape, following the shimmering barrier that surrounded Darksoul Tower. The desolate landscape blurred as he teleported, his mind racing with thoughts he'd suppressed since encountering Seraphina.

Why did she want the Devil freed? Boredom? That's mental. There's got to be more to it.

He paused, scanning the area for any sign of demonic activity.

It's odd. No demons waiting for us. You'd think they'd want to ambush anyone coming through.

Qing blinked again, covering more ground.

Maybe they avoid this place. Could be they're afraid of their boss. Or... what if they're affected by the energy drain too?

The thought of weakened demons gave him a glimmer of hope.

Seraphina seemed fine. But its an angel. Different rules, maybe? Or, maybe it wasn't fine, considering the black feathers. Maybe that's why the angels can't just fight the demons here.

As he pondered, Qing reached what must be the edge of the Fields of Fallen Grace as a range of towering mountains loomed before him, their peaks lost in the swirling, ashen clouds above. But the barrier continued straight up, like a visible wall in a video game.

Right. How wonderful it would be if this was a game.

He sighed, imagining logging out, eating a pack of instant noodles, using a modern toilet, and then curl up on his bed and sleeping for twelve hours. Before logging back in and continuing. He chuckled to himself.

Nowhere to go but up.

He began his ascent, alternating between jumping and blinking. The physical exertion felt oddly satisfying, a welcome distraction from the oppressive atmosphere of Hell.

At least this is straightforward. Just keep going.

As he climbed higher, a part of him relished the challenge, seeing how far he could jump. After a while he started adding in flips and spins. Then he brought out the glaive, carving through imaginary foes.

No politics here. No impossible choices. Just me and the mountain.

Finally, after what felt like an hour, Qing blinked to the mountain's peak, his body thrumming with the satisfaction of the climb. He landed on a jagged outcrop and straightened, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

"Ha! Take that, Hell! Nothing you can throw at me will—"

His smile vanished and he sank to his knees, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the horror before him.