The world is shaking.

Everything is a blur.

I can hardly think, let alone speak, and yet that’s exactly what this one time owl insists I do.

I mean, really. What’s so bad about being called Suzy?

With no other choice left to me I clamped onto her furiously flailing arms, held myself still enough to stare directly into her silvery-gold ringed eyes, and stammered. “S–Silvia! Your new name is Silvia.”

She cocked her head again and blinked. “Silvia?”

At once, she released me, and I slumped weakly against the soft yet prickly wall of the gigantic rabbit nest.

I looked up at her like a drunk who’d just been berated by their disappointed daughter. “Yeah… Do you like it? Is it good enough?”

The system then whispered.

I swore I could see little sparkles shower from an abrupt lightbeam down onto the newly dubbed Silvia’s head. Then she threw her arms up in celebration, let out a very owl-like cooing sound, and shouted. “Yay! Master gave me a name! Silvia has a name! A name!”

Then the system whispered again.

I… Of course. Why should I even be surprised at this point? But that doesn’t mean I need to cooperate.

I groaned internally, and dredged myself up from where I’d been resting for who knows how long. “And on that note, quit calling me master would you? It’s really uncomfortable.”

Her face fell, and she stared at me in shock. “B-but if Silvia isn’t to call you master then what should Silvia call master?”

I crossed my arms and pouted. I get that the system tied her to me, so that’s why she’s calling me that… but at the same time I get the feeling that she isn’t gonna like me asking her to just use my name… so then what?

I pounded my fist onto my open palm. “Boss! You can just call me boss.”

Suz–I mean, Silvia clapped like an impressed child while hopping up and down. “Boss! Boss! Boss! Master is the boss! So master is Boss!”

I forced a smile. Why do I get the feeling that this isn’t going to go like I’d hoped?

She danced and pranced around like someone much younger than she appeared, or, on second thought, maybe she was just moving around to explore the range of movements of her new body. Regardless, she was distracted, which finally gave me some much needed time alone with my thoughts.

Uriel… I’m afraid to ask, but how long have I been out?

Uriel buzzed.

Answer: Approximately two days.

Then I pulled up part of my status.

-Status: Health: Healthy; Mana: Full; Endurance: Full; Strength: Able; Agility: Able; Speed: Able; Toughness: Able; Spirit: Maximum

Status Conditions: None-

“Huh.”

It says I’m back to normal, but I still feel tired… but that isn’t anything new. I felt like this after saving Calden and that merchant’s kid with that warm… stuff that I pulled out of me. Though it’s good to know this alternate fatigue isn’t impacting my overall ability.

I muttered. “And it’ll come back anyway so there’s nothing to even worry about there.”

Suz–I mean Silvia snapped her head around, and then rushed over to stick her face uncomfortably close to mine. “What’ll come back, Master? What’re we worrying about, Boss?”

I knew she wasn’t really going to listen.

I pushed her face away as gently as I could manage. “As I just said, we’re not worrying about anything, and as for what’s coming back, I guess you could call it the energy I used to help you become what you are now.”

I let my hand drop once she was an appropriate distance away. She blinked a few times, taking a moment to process what I’d said. Little tears glistened in the corners of her eyes, and she dove at me, wrapping me in a tight hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank yooou! Silvia forgot to thank you, thank you, thank you, for letting Silvia be more than a monster! Silvia is better now! Silvia owes everything to Boss!”

Now it was my turn to blink in confusion. Is being a monster really that bad?

The system whispered again.

I looked down at her, face buried in my chest, and started to run my fingers through her soft silver hair. So what I did was way more significant than I thought.

The system trailed off into silence, though I was pleasantly surprised with how much it gave this time around. It’s still being vague, but we’re making progress. On that note, Uriel, is there any way to know if anything else significant happened while I was recovering? It’s been a while since I checked in with the Count so I’d like an update if at all possible.

It took a minute, but Uriel buzzed.

Notice: Individual Carmella has become an observer as a result of your blessing.

Notice: Kalsynthholme reconstruction is well underway. Original completion date was two months from now, however, new projected date is two weeks sooner.

Notice: The majority of the infected populace is stable and being treated effectively by individual Ysdra

Warning: Individual Calden Dresdeth is in critical condition. Location, upper floors of Castle Kalsynth. Estimated time till death, 15 minutes.

My mouth fell open, then I snapped it shut. Ahh… I… I totally didn’t warn them about the assassin… .

Silvia naturally stared up at me, as she had either refused or refrained from letting me go. “Master Boss? What’s wrong?”

I muttered. “We need to go. One of my friends is dying.”

Her bright eyes widened and the feathers of her dress bristled as she hopped back a step. It looked like she was about to do something drastic, since her mana suddenly swelled, so I held up a hand to stop her and instead pictured the upper floors of the Count’s castle.

Guided Gate.

Thanks to Uriel I retained every detail of the spell I cast with the Baronette, unfortunately, I didn’t have the time or space to draw the massive formation out, but thanks to my new and improved mana mastery ability I could just imbue my mana into the area around me in the shape of the spell’s layout in order to force its activation.

I just saved a whole lot of time, but it’s costing a bunch more mana in exchange. It’ll probably get easier as my ability grows, but it’s not like I’m lacking mana right now, so who even cares?

In a flash of blue, Silvia and I were swept up by a rush of air into the ludicrously fast current that whisked us through the long white space that I could only assume everyone visited when they teleported.

I was, of course, still very much aware of myself and my surroundings, but I was surprised to see that Silvia wasn’t completely unconscious like I expected her to be. Her eyes were drooping like she was fighting off the stranglehold of sleep, so I’m not sure how much she could actually fathom, but it was interesting that she could resist the suspended state this place put people in.

I wonder if it’s got to do with how high her stats are? If it’s not that then… Y'know what? I really don’t want to ponder the implications of all her blessed abilities and their link to me right now. I’ve got bigger concerns.

To my amazement, I started to sense the surroundings of our destination before we even arrived. We were landing in the great hall I introduced myself to the Count in, so naturally there were several guards around, but beyond them the long and spacious vaulted chamber seemed relatively empty.

I guess my improved detection abilities along with the upgraded mana perception are what’s letting me look ahead. And given that they’re no doubt in a state of high alert after an attempted assassination, it’s good that I can plan out my next move before causing too much of a commotion.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

We lurched to a stop as we materialized in another azure flash, and before the guards could even open their mouths or get into a defensive position I quietly suppressed them with a focused activation of my ??? Authority ability.

They trembled under the invisible weight I’d dropped on them, so I took the opportunity to expand my senses in order to find Calden.

It didn’t take long, though he was a good bit away, and given the spacious layout of the castle it’d take far too much time to walk to him. I was about to teleport again, however, I also noticed that there were several groups of guards, including the Count, Ymir, and the old butler Griswold, rushing in my direction.

They all wore grim expressions, not that I blamed them, but I found it strange that they knew where I was–even stranger that Silvia was standing defensively beside me like she expected to be attacked. A little more snooping revealed that the castle’s magic defenses were all active, and that upon my arrival I’d inadvertently smashed a barrier that’s supposed to prevent teleportation, setting off a silent alarm that only the castle’s designated personnel can hear.

Funny, I think I can hear it too, now that I know it’s there. And man is it annoying! If I’m gonna need to concentrate to save Calden, then I’ll need this thing off.

I continued to have Uriel interpret the workings of the complex magical matrix that protected the castle and found it centered on some crystals in the basement all chock full of my mana.

Guess that’s where the excess power I gave Carmella went.

I reached out with my mana mastery ability to get the control device to silence the alarm, restore the barrier, and designate me and Silvia as friendly, but the crystals resisted.

Uriel took a break from deciphering the last parts of the castle’s magic to tell me that the crystals needed the proper level of authority to operate, so I stopped holding back and activated mine full force–which more or less overrode the security and let me do as I pleased.

It kinda felt like I just broke something a little bit, so I guess Uriel probably meant that the proper level of authority was needed from the Count, not simply a strong enough authority ability… But that can be fixed later! I need to go!

Thankfully, Silvia seemed to calm with the magic defenses deactivated, or at least were no longer targeting us, so I selected her, the Count, Ymir, and Griswold for good measure, and then used Shifted steps on all of us in conjunction with Double Standards.

After another brief visit to the interim white world, everyone I teleported appeared in Calden’s spacious bedroom.

The deep green curtains were open to let the late morning sun’s light cascade over the dresser, landscape paintings, coffee table, sofas, gold trimmed rug, and the oversized bed.

Ygvarge and Carmella were present near his bedside, nursing wounds of their own, watching intently as little Ysdra tried her hardest to once again heal the unfortunate lordling.

Carmella noticed our arrival at the foot of the bed first, and she whirled around, wand at the ready, only to gasp and drop it the second she saw me. Ygvarge, however, remained on guard,keeping a cautious eye on Silvia, and a bandaged hand on the hilt of his saber.

I’d placed the other three a little ways behind us since they were running and didn’t know what was going on, so they’d likely need the time to stop and assess things.

And it was a good thing I thought ahead too!

The Count, who’d looked ready to kill, staggered to a stop and sheathed his sword once he registered where he was and what had just happened–a look of hope beginning to brighten his sour demeanor. He even muttered. “At last.”

Ymir, who had been running with single minded determination, dropped his sword with a clatter and fell to his knees at the sight of my back–sliding up to me with his head to the floor only for Silvia to stop him with her foot.

She hissed. “Do not touch the master.”

He whimpered while slowly scooching back. “I–I wouldn’t dare! T–that wasn’t my intention!”

Placated by his answer, and my look of derision, Silvia backed off.

In that time, the ever composed Griswold, who had been trying his best to keep up before the warp, slowed to stillness, and dabbed the sweat from his brow with a hastily drawn handkerchief–wisely leaving the hostile owl lady’s actions without comment.

I forced a smile. “Good. Now that everyone’s here, why don’t I get to work?”

#

Carmella stared at Anon. Without realizing her wand slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a small clack. She barely registered the Count and others appearing, as her eyes, which had retained a strange warmth after she awoke in the control room, began to pulse and throb as they took in Anon’s ever changing form–which now resembled her mentor.

It’s been days. Days! And not a word! And now you return at our hour of need, smiling as if you planned it all, wearing the faces of those we trust, while we’re most willing to cooperate! I want to believe in you! I have before! But I can’t right now! Not until I know for sure that it’s safe!

The Silver haired, winged, and feather dressed girl beside Anon shot her a warning look, and on reflex, Carmella activated her observer ability.

[Name: Silvia; Newest Title: *%@#&? @#$%^&*; Status conditions: Clear Mind; Abilities: Observation level too low; Disposition: Neutral to user–sending hostility]

Her eyes pulsed again. She broke out in a cold sweat at the sight of the strange symbols that blurred out the title section, then steeled herself and turned her attention back to Anon–pushing through the rhythmic throbbing that built in her eyes.

Calm down. Focus. That girl isn’t important. I need to know the truth of Anon. She let out a slow breath. Before I let them do anything more to Calden.

Ignoring the feeling like her eyes would burst, she activated her observer ability again and it revealed.

[Ability Blocked.]

Then she heard the phantom voice that announced her sudden ability acquisition say.

She blinked away the mounting discomfort, and pressed a hand to her forehead. Blocked? Permission denied? I’ve heard legends of Elder Breasts stopping an observer’s eye, so am I to believe that Anon is one of the original animals?!

Then the image of the sublime, pure, white light shaped like a person she’d seen flashed across her mind.

No. No. It can’t be. Anon can’t be more than that, right?

“Good. Now that everyone’s here, why don’t I get to work?”

The blood drained from her face, and Anon sent her a knowing smile before shuffling by. Her eyes throbbed again, and the face of her mentor faded into a softly glowing orb of white light.

Anon sat at Calden’s bedside, and gently started to pull Ysdra away from her charge.

The young torathan shouted. “No! I need to–! I need heal him! I– have to–!”

“Ysdra.” Anon’s voice was as kind and consoling as a mother’s. “It’s all right. He’s going to be okay.”

Ysdra had been so focused on healing Calden that she ignored the comotion behind her, but once she registered Anon’s voice, she spun around and wept into their shoulder. “You have to! You have to save him! I don’t know what’s wrong again! They keep hurting him in ways I can’t figure out! Why do they keep hurting him?! It’s not fair!”

Carmella half-raised a hand to stop Anon, half to simply reach them–to touch and understand the living mystery before her, but the girl named Silvia, who’s mana she now felt to be as oppressive as Gretkarn’s, got in her way.

The fierce girl didn’t speak, but her gold ringed eyes narrowed in challenge to her. Carmella backed away, and then Silvia turned the same harsh eyes to the now wary Count, Ygvarge, and Griswold–until they too relented to her tyranny.

Carmella sighed, then blinked as Anon now stood before her–still holding the wailing Ysdra. She took the fussing girl from Anon, struggled to carry her with the injuries to her arms, and sat with her at the nearest sofa.

I… I can’t… I don’t know anymore. Why give me this sight if you won’t provide the answer I seek? She turned her head so that she could still see Anon. What do you want from me?

She watched the amorphous entity, who she swore now resembled Calden’s own late mother, head wreathed in that luminous orb, return to the bedside, sit, softly cup the cheek of the sweating and shuddering boy, smile, and whisper. “Calden. It’s time to wake up.”

#

Calden didn’t remember much. He knew he was enjoying helping others when a sudden moment of surprise and fear stole him away. He didn’t know what happened or how he’d gotten here, but here wasn’t so bad so he didn’t really mind.

Though this place resembled the radiant, rainbow sparking, white room he met the Creator in, he saw no sign of the great throne or the lord he served anywhere around him. Instead all he saw were a massive pair of silvery-gold gates directly before him.

No matter where he turned or which way he went, they were always in front of him, blocking his path. He couldn’t see anything special through the bars, though he did sense a great deal of warmth and comfort emanating from the other side.

“I guess I can’t go anywhere else can I?”

He looked back over his shoulder, at nothing in particular, frowning at the sense that he’d forgotten something important, and would be leaving it behind.

The gates opened to the sound of trumpets blaring triumphantly and the sound brought a smile to his face.

I’ll get to see the Creator again! This time without needing to look away!

He ran toward the wonderful world that awaited him as he felt the last tether holding him back release.

Only steps away from the world beyond, he heard his mother’s voice behind him. “Calden. It’s time to wake up.”

He froze and looked back. “Mother? But you should be–?”

Calden peered into the white veil just before him and the silhouettes of his mother and grandparents appeared and waved to him.

Eyes wide he backed toward the gate, searching frantically for whatever had just called to him. “I–I won’t be deceived! I’m safe here! I belong here! I–”

Then the disembodied voice that charged him to live for his people spoke.

He lowered his head and shut his eyes. Flashes of memory returned, especially those of the blade that pierced his side.

His lower lip trembled. He wanted to see his mother again, to stay in the bliss he felt, so he looked up at the rainbow filled sky and murmured. “Would the Creator be disappointed with me if I stay? Will my Father and friends suffer if I don’t go?”

Then he felt strong, warm, arms wrapped around him from behind and a voice that encompassed all whispered in his ear. “”

He swallowed hard, gritted his teeth, and bowed his head. “Then I’m going to go”

Light enveloped him as the world around was washed away. His consciousness drifted and his mother whispered, “Be brave.”, before the dark of sleep took him.

#

I sighed and sat back from Calden as his breathing steadied. It was a relief that I really didn’t have to do much of anything in order to save him. After all, he already had all the energy needed to restore himself gathered up in that ability I apparently gave him, so all I needed to do was convince him to use it.

And thankfully he listened, because for a second there I actually got the feeling that he didn’t want to come back… But all's well that ends well. Now, I’m obviously gonna need to chat with those gathered here, and get the rundown about how this all happened–even if I have a pretty good idea already. But after that, what do I deal with first? Do I help them fortify and rebuild? Or do I go rescue Witness and likely avenge Calden? Oh! Right! There were also those Ascendant Church bozos around somewhere too! It probably wouldn’t hurt to check and make sure they aren’t up to no good again.