The white vapor inside the glass jar sparkled pleasantly. It was so thick that Zane could barely see through it. He laughed at the thought of Eric trapped inside the jar, stoned out of his mind.

Pinky sauntered over and put her arms around his neck. “This was a fun idea.”

“Thanks,” Zane said, “Everyone seems to be having a good time.”

The kitsune yawned, showing sharp white teeth. “Yeah. Even Lily is loosening up.” She pointed at the former disciple, who was curled up on the floor with Dumpling.

The Void Stalker accepted the praise and fumbling pets with dignity. “YES, HUMAN. ADORE ME. BASK IN MY GLORY.”

“Sure thing, miss pretty kitty,” Lily murmured.

Pinky laughed. “I think we should cut her off.”

“Agreed. A few more hits and she would be seeing god.” Zane checked the density of Essence in Eric's jar. It was a bit low, almost as if they had a leak.

Zane decided to ignore the possible leak, for now. “Alright, let's load up some fresh cores and keep going. I don't want to be stuck here all night.”

***

“... anyways, that's how I managed to skin them alive, and still get them to repaint my temple!” said the god, cackling with laughter.

Eric fought to hold down his breakfast. “Oh. I would never have thought to do it that way. You must be very smart.”

“Smart?” asked the god mockingly, “I'm the great Shadow Coyote! I'm one the cleverest gods around! Even Lady Foxglove fears a battle of the wits with me.”

The former cultivator nodded, happy to say whatever was required to keep his skin intact. He had long since lost track of what was going on or why there was a god in the jar with him. Nothing made sense anymore.

His head and core felt like they were filled with happy static. Eric giggled as he felt the vibration from Daisy’s heavy steps. Daisy was cool. Horses were cool. Eric couldn't wait to pet her mane when he got out of the jar.

The Shadow Coyote continued to blabber on mindlessly from somewhere above him. “Yes, and that's the source of true power! That's the way you ascend!”

“Oh wow,” Eric said, instantly forgetting the divine knowledge that had been bestowed upon him, “That's neat!”

***

Zane did a quick equipment check. There were no leaks, but somehow the ambient Essence inside the jar was dropping. He hoped that meant Eric's core was using the Essence to repair itself.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Unfortunately, he was running out of willing participants. Pinky was down for the count, laying on the carpet as Lily stroked her ears.

Zane took a second to admire the scene before getting back to work. He had six cores left and his knees were already starting to wobble.

“Daisy,” he said, “I know I'm probably going to regret this… but do you want another hit?”

The walking nightmare could barely contain her excitement as she approached the jar. “Oh yes! I want more! This light is so pure! It tastes of life and happiness!”

Zane loaded in three fresh cores and gave her a thumbs up. “Alright, let her rip!”

***

Shadow Coyote was in the middle of a lecture about how to game the system when he felt the air shift. He looked up to see a dark shadow standing above him, their features distorted by the glass.

“Huh,” he said, “What’s with the horse? Is it a sacrifice to my glory?”

Eric nodded, his brain trying to get into gear as he realized what was about to happen. “Yes, that’s Daisy. She is the Master’s favorite steed. We reserve only the best for you, oh great one.”

“Fantastic!” said the god approvingly, “It’s nice to be treated with respect for once. Half of my shrines are falling into disrepair and the other ones are barely used. I can’t remember the last time I saw such a magnificent creature. I wonder what her insides look like.”

The former cultivator braced himself against the walls of the jar as he felt the pressure start to drop. “Don’t worry,” he told the god, “I have a feeling you’ll get to see for yourself, very soon.”

***

The Great Shadow Coyote felt himself being absorbed, sucked into the hungry void that was Daisy. The trickster god could feel his power being leached away, but he wasn't going to give up without a fight.

There was a human in the jar with him, and their damaged core called out to him, a pocket of safety in the storm. He crawled inside and sealed it shut behind him, waiting out the attack.

The body was strong, but not strong enough to resist as the god took over control. He could hear Eric’s mind howling with anger, but soon it went quiet.

Coyote opened his new eyes and surveyed the room from inside his glass prison. Then, with a pulse of Essence, he shattered the walls that held him.

“Fools!” screamed Coyote as he stood up to his full height, black smoke curling from his nose and mouth. “You think you can consume me? That you can trick me?”

Zane looked at the former cultivator with a raised eyebrow. “Say what now?”

“You tried to feed me to that beast!” Coyote pointed an accusing finger at Daisy, who was propped up against the wall with a dazed expression on her face. She seemed to be having a good time, but it was hard to tell.

“Look, I know some people get a little bit paranoid,” Zane said, “But nobody is trying to hurt you, Eric.”

“I'm not Eric!” screamed the god, clenching his fists, “I am the Great Shadow Coyote, and you are about to die for your insolence!”

“No thanks,” replied Zane, “I have a big day tomorrow.”

Coyote stopped and scratched his head. The young man standing in front of him showed no signs of fear. That was vexing, most cultivators would have been trembling at the mere mention of his name. “Why aren't you afraid of me?”

“Should I be?” Zane asked as the others stumbled their way to safety. They were getting away from the inevitable battle that was about to unfold.

“Yes!” shouted Coyote.

“Oh, right on!” The Rogue Cultivator dropped into a fighting stance. “Let’s get on with it then, I don't have all day.”

The next thing Zane knew, he was traveling backwards at great speed. He crashed through the wall of the restaurant, hit the street so hard that he bounced, then came to a stop against a cart.

Zane’s left arm was bent at an odd angle and his ribs were shattered. Everything either hurt, or was slowly going numb. He hadn't seen the blow coming, but he certainly had felt it.

“OK,” Zane said as his regeneration kicked in and he stood up, his bones popping back into place, “Now I'm pissed.”