Zack stood up with shock. The implications of Paxton’s words washing over him. He was a kaleidoscope of emotion from fury to joy. Zack tried to form many sentences as tears began to stream down his face.

Suddenly it hit him, his dream about his dad.

He looked at Paxton and exclaimed, “I had a dream the other day. I totally forgot to tell you about it. The most vivid dream I have ever experienced.”

Paxton looked at him with anticipation, “go on, tell me what happened!”

Zack continued, “several years ago my dad and I were having espresso while my family shopped after thanksgiving. It turned out to be a pivotal moment in my life. My dad and I were talking about my life. He told me how proud he was of me. I was trying to decide what to do with my life. I had an offer to go to grad school but wasn’t confident I would do well.”

Paxton looked perplexed, “This was your dream?”

Zack replied, “No, well yes but not yet. He gave me the push I needed to get my PhD. More importantly he told me things that every son wants to hear from their dad. It changed my life.”

Paxton said, “Exactly what was the dream?

Zack rolled his eyes, “I am getting there. A few days ago, I had a dream I was sitting in the same coffee shop at the table right behind my dad and me having that conversation. The experience of watching my dad and I talk was really trippy. It is hard to explain.”

Paxton nodded, “That would be strange indeed.”

Zack replied, “That’s not the strange part. Towards the end of the conversation my dad just made this speech about making your own world and fate. That it is my job to create my own happiness. My younger self got up to go to the bathroom and I was lost in thought about the conversation I just got to relive. When I heard someone say, ‘did you hear what I said.’” I looked up and saw my dad looking at me. He was talking to me.”

Paxton gave a broad grin and said, “what did you do?”

Zack said, “I looked behind me to see who he was talking to. Then looking directly into my eyes, my dad said, ‘I am talking to you. What I didn’t say that day so many years ago but should have, we don’t always get to choose the challenges in front of us. We do get to choose how we meet them.’”

Paxton exclaimed, “Oh my, that is rare indeed. Wow, just wow, what did you say back?”

Zack shook his head and said, “I didn’t say anything, I just stared at him.”

Zack continued, “I mean I couldn’t believe it; he was talking to me from the past. The next part is what really matters. As my dad was getting up to leave the coffee shop, he looks back at me and says, ‘You will decide how your story gets told. Your story and your happiness are out there.’ He paused and then with a smile on his face he said, ‘So am I.’”

Paxton’s eyes went wide it was his turn to start a sentence and stop several times. Zack appreciated not being the one lost for words this time.

Finally, Zack said, “I think my dad was kidnapped. I think he entered my dream to tell me he is here somewhere on Eagan.”

Paxton nodded, “I agree, your dad may not have used magic before, he certainly knows how to use it now. Using dreams to directly communicate is a very difficult skill. Mages of the system don’t have that skill. Your dad may be a wizard in hiding, on the run, or in captivity.

Zack exclaimed, “I need to save him!”

Paxton nodded, “I think saving him will require some planning. First, we would have to figure out where he is. Luckily there is a hint that can send us in the right direction.”

Zack lit up with excitement, “what sort of hint?”

Paxton replied, “All of the old Mage System historical artifacts and information is stored in the Kingdom Hayl. Mages from all over the world travel to Mage Magical Museum. It is like a right of passage for serious magic users. So that would be an obvious place to start. However, many kingdoms boast their own collection of artifacts from the distant past. Usually related to some function or group that once played a strong role in it for the Acolytes of the System but are now long gone.

Zack contemplated the enormity of the planet and its system. He realized, I have to remember the culture of this world is essentially over five thousand years old and immensely complex.

Paxton continued, “A not well-known piece of trivia, The kingdom of Sconnia is the home to most artifacts and knowledge of the Veneficus Sicari. They even have a social order and rank in their military honoring the Veneficus Sicari. Sconnia is where the Sicari originated. Even though the kingdom is not large or overly powerful, their two closest allies are the two biggest kingdoms on the planet. One of which, The Kingdom of Pakarist is home to the global Acolytes of the System headquarters.”

Zack nodded his head in understanding. He said, “That is where I will start my search.”

Paxton shook his head in disagreement, “No, that would be a bad idea. You need to infiltrate Shoreview, capital of Shoreland to learn what Queen Aadici is doing. I don’t think you want to leave Vinstra vulnerable. It would be a good idea to ensure Shoreland does not want to attack or harm Vinstra before heading out to Sconnia or Pakarist.”

Zack grimace at Paxton’s comments. He wanted to apparate to the museum and get answers or fuck some shit up.

Paxton could sense Zack’s growing frustration. He said, “Listen, I know you want to go get your dad. But there are powerful people out there, people that could challenge you if they have time to plan. This is particularly true if there are really Veneficus Sicari running around. You need to grow your understanding of how to use magic and learn more about the ways of this world.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Zack yelled, “What would you have me do? Just waste time while my dad may need my help?”

Paxton shot back with a sterner voice than Zack expected, “I would have you prepare yourself so when the time comes you are actually able to help your dad. If he was able to use magic to communicate via a dream, my guess he can take care of himself.”

Paxton stared at Zack with an almost angry look in his eye and continued, “I know you feel strongly about this. My sense is that your dad is caught up in the mystery of why you are here. If you want to get to the bottom of this and find a way home, I ask you to trust me. I am on your side.”

Zack’s anger melted away as he took in Paxton’s words.

He sighed and said, “You're right, I feel overwhelmed with emotion. I want to find him right now. But I need to be smart about this. Walk me through your plan.”

The next morning Zack got up bright and early. He had breakfast and packed his things. By 8:00am he was on his way to Vinstra. When he arrived, he went straight The Dragon’s Eye. There he found Vita and Vila eating breakfast. Zack joined them.

Vila looked at Vita and went back into the kitchen. Vita said, “Well Mr. Wizard how. Are you feeling this morning?”

Zack winced at the wizard comment and said, “Ok first off, I am just Zack. Call me Zack.”

Vita put her hands up smiled and said, “No worries, just being playful.”

Zack replied, “I am doing well, I hope everyone shows up soon. I have a lot to discuss with the team.

Vita said, “I imagine everyone should be here shortly. However, you should know the mayor is on the war path. He is very angry about being left in the dark regarding the queen’s army.”

Zack looked nonplussed and said, “I don’t care what that guy thinks.”

Over his shoulder he heard an angry voice reply, “Well you better start caring, or I will toss you out of this town. I have half a mind to kick you out myself, boy.”

Vita leaned in close, “He doesn’t know about you yet.”

Zack nodded and turned to the mayor, “I am going to need you to leave the Dragon’s Eye. As of this moment you are no longer the mayor of this town, and you have one day to clear out.”

Zack turned back to Vita whose eyes went wide, “I am not sure that is a good idea, Zack.

Zack pulled out a parchment he had taken from The Hand of the Queen’s tent and showed it to Vita, “He knew the army was coming. After Vinstra would have been essentially wiped out. He would have been named governor over a wide swath of land. Vinstra would become an advanced staging area for the queen’s army. He is lucky I don’t kill him right now.”

As Vita read the parchment her hands began to shake with fury.

The mayor, caught flat footed, attempted to take the parchment from Vita who backhanded him in the face. The mayor fell back on his haunches.

He screamed obscenities at them and ordered his muscle, which consisted of four very large men, to attack Zack and Vita. The men moved on them but stopped in their tracks when Zack turned to face them.

Zack’s eyes were a bright glowing purple as electricity moved between his fingertips. The mayor shrieked in fear and the four men fell over themselves running out of the tavern, leaving the mayor behind. Sherif Taynor burst into the Tavern after hearing the scream.

Sherif Taynor yelled, “What the hell is going on?”

Zack’s eyes stopped glowing and the electricity left his hands. He took the parchment back and handed it to the sherif.

Zack said, “The mayor not only knew about the queen’s army, but he also helped coordinate it. I will leave it to you to mete out justice on this sack of shit.”

The mayor, wide eyed and full of terror, got up and hobbled to the door. Zack, with a no look wave, said “sleep.” The mayor hit the floor snoring, ten feet from the door.

An hour later everyone from the team was eating breakfast and quietly talking at the table. Sherif Taynor returned, having arrested the mayor and secured him in their only jail cell.

Zack turned to the sherif with a broad smile on his face and said, “Good morning sherif, have you ever considered running for mayor?

This got a good laugh out of the group as tension seemed to melt away.

The sherif replied, “heck no, why would I want a demotion?” The table laughed again.

Zack got the teams attention and said, “I hope everyone was able to get a good night’s sleep. I have been very busy the last two days. What I am about to tell you really needs to stay with our group.”

At that Vita got up and locked the door to the tavern and told Vila to take the day off. Zack saw Vila smile for only the second time and without a word grabbed her things and left.

Zack turned to the group, “I know you all had a bomb dropped on you two days ago. I first want to thank you for being so kind to me when you had no good reason to.”

The group smiled and nodded with Teesa’s smile being a little more heartfelt.

Zack continued, “What I am about to tell you is going to sound crazy, but I hope over time you can come to trust me and believe it is true.”

Zack took a deep breath and explained who he was, where he came from, who Paxton is, and about his dad. The team looked stunned but also sat on the edge of their seats with interest.

Zack gave them a moment to digest his words.

After a moment Zack said, “Now let me get to the crazy part.”

Sophie exclaimed, “There is more? And we haven’t even got to the crazy part?

Zack smiled and suggested everyone refill their coffee and buckle up. They all looked confused as no one had a buckle on or near by.

Zack continued, he explained about the difference between natural magic and system magic. How the system magic is starting to go stale again. Zack did not need to spend too much time convincing the group that the mages are corrupted by power and acting like wizards of old. Finally, He explained Paxton’s theory that some system mages tried to integrate earth on purpose to bring natural magic users over.

The group sat in stunned silence.

Sophie was the first to speak, “All I could think about since we arrived back in Vinstra is my grandfather. He was labeled as crazy, and it turns out was right. I want to set the record straight and vindicate his and our family name. What do you need from us?”

Teesa nodded at Sophie and said, “I am in!”

Marko put his hands up and said, “whoa, wait a minute. What are you in for? He hasn’t asked us for anything. What he has stated sounds an awful like a whole lot of other people’s problems.”

Sophie retorted, “Because you got your revenge, you're now content to watch the world burn.”

Marko’s eyes lit with anger, “Sophie watch your tone with me.”

Sophie shot back, “Or what.”

Zack stood up and clapped his hands one time impossibly loud.

The group sat in silence looking at him.

Zack smiled and said, “Sophie and Teesa, I love your spirit and willingness to get involved, but Marko’s right, you have no idea what I am asking. Hell, I haven’t even asked yet.”

Sophie looked down for a moment and sighed, “Marko sorry I snapped at you.”

Marko nodded in acknowledgement.

Sophie continued, “Zack it doesn’t take a gold level mage to understand, based on your words, that there are things very wrong in the world. And that your dad needs rescuing. You wouldn’t have told us all this very high-level info if there wasn’t an ask coming.”

Zack smiled ruefully, “That’s a solid point.”

Marko sheepishly smiled and grunted in agreement.

With a deep breath Zack cut to the chase outlining the plan he and Paxton came up with. When he was done, he leaned back and took a big swig of his coffee.

To his surprise Marko was the first to speak with a growing smile, “well shit, when you put it like that, I am all in!”

They all nodded in unison including sherif Taynor.

Zack looked at the sherif and said, “Sherif I need you to stay here and manage the town. With the mayor gone they will need guidance and to develop a militia.”

The sherif look crestfallen and said, “I can do that.”

Zack looked at the team, which still had yet to be named, and said, “Get your affairs in order, we leave tomorrow at dawn!”