Gold streams flow around the boulder sealing Void below. Gold symbols shine from the green grass. Arena holds a black potion in his hand as he chants a spell. "Is it already that time of the week?" Void's voice runs through Arena's mind, but he doesn't respond. "Oh, don't tell me you are still mad about what happened. Is it really worth keeping a grudge?"

Arena uncorks the bottle. The black liquid flows out of the bottle and starts to cover the boulder. The gold shines brighter once the boulder is completely covered. "You go through a lot of trouble to keep me down here. It must be annoying."

"Not as bad as you babbling," Arena says, annoyed by Void's voice.

"He speaks!" Void says enthusiastically. "I thought I would be talking to myself this whole time."

The black liquid soaks into the rock, and the golden glow dims. The streams of gold flow back into his arm as he places the potion in his bag. "There isn't much for us to say. I feel like we've said all we need to say to each other," Arena says calmly.

"Why are you talking like you've already won?"

"I don't think I won. I don't think in the end there will be a winner. I don't see this as a game," Arena says.

"Oh? Is it because you were close to death?" Void asks.

"Not exactly. That's something that doesn't necessarily bother me. I am more focused on those around me. My goals now are simple. Find a way to keep you permanently below without my constant visiting, and rid this place of anything that would harm those I care about."

"Sounds to me like you stopped trying to find a way home for Lahar," Void says.

"No, I will always try to find a way, but this place isn't normal. I can't find it on any map, and any spell I use to try to find out where I am doesn't work. This place is an anomaly. I just have to prepare for the fact she may never find a way home."

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"But I can."

"Don't start with that again. She and I talked it out, and we are not buying what you are selling. Speaking of which, why haven't you made your move yet? I can see them staring at us."

Arena turns his head to face the field. Surrounding him is a small army of Crews made of grass and dirt. Next to Arena is Pie, standing tall and ready. Far in the field on a small hill is the one Lahar calls Toothpick. Surrounding him are a few other Beasts. They sit there still, staring at them.

"We both know that even in your condition, my children can't handle you and your entourage right now," Void says calmly. "They are there just to watch and nothing else."

"Why are you so persistent?"

"We have goals in our lives, ambitions. I am a firm believer that if you want something, you should go for it. With all your heart and vigor. Well, in this case, your heart."

"All this so you can live? You're alive right now."

"Not really. I am more conscious than alive. I wouldn't expect you to notice. What's the point of holding out? You know how this fairy tale ends. This yellow brick road ends at Oz, and the tin man wants his heart."

Void's words cut through Arena. He turns his back and pulls a vial of pink liquid from his bag. He uncorks it and swallows the liquid. Either the flavor has lost its sting and Doc made it tastier, or it is starting to grow on him. Either way, he doesn't care.

Then a sudden chill goes down Arena's spine. He turns to see that everyone feels what he does. Arena shuts his eyes. He sees a bonfire-size light shining in the direction of the house. In the vast energy, he feels something familiar. "Oh no," Arena says to himself.

"Looks like we have company," Void says. "Are you going to welcome her, or should I?"

"If you think about—"

Void interrupts him. "Don't worry. I won't introduce myself just yet. Though I would hurry. From what I guess, I don't think those two will get off on the right foot."

Arena turns to the boulder. He thinks, how can he know who is here? How does he know so much about things no one knows? His eyes gaze at Toothpick. What could he have planned?

Pie lowers his body so that Arena and Crew can jump on his back. The copies fall into piles of grass and dirt.

"Nice chatting with you. Can't wait till we do it again. Tell Lahar I said hi. Don't worry about Aubrey; I'll make sure to introduce myself." With those words, they are off.

Though he doesn't have a mouth, even though Arena can't see his face, he knows that monster is smiling, and that worries him.