I awake under the night sky. The shiny moons protrude amid the black of a barren expanse, recalling that sky from the maze again, its endless rows of twinkling lights surrounded by foreign fog. Those were a beauty to behold and make the lightless sky seem limp. Where have the lights gone? What happened to the beauty that used to fill the sky? Or was that a dream?

The moss is less soft in the morning, and my mouth is dry. Vibrations need scanning once the kinks work out. I don't sense anyone near. Wait— Something appears in flashes. They aren't jumping, they're teleporting. I grab my repeater from the bag, and the glow gem tells me another is near. The returning glow after my second attempt bathes me in relief. If a teleporter were after me, I'd be screwed.

“You shouldn’t be ahead of me,” Shan pants as she drinks from the— enchanted decanter?— Maybe.

“I’m not sure.” I cough, reeling from my dry throat and draining both water containers.

“Slow down, bud, you might puke,” she frets, patting my back.

“I’ll be alright, they were right on my tail… a bit ago. What day is it?

“It’s the nineteenth of Wall. “

"Hmm. It was a couple of days ago.

“Haven’t heard a peep from them myself. With the mana water, it was a leisurely pace.”

“That sounds delightful,” I groan.

“So, did you blackout?”

“A bit.”

“That’s not a good sign.”

“No, it isn’t.”

“I’m sure you won’t go mad.”

“We should get moving.”

“Water first.”

“We can get it from this moss.” I postulate, gesturing to the large heaps on the ancient tree.

“Strange that my gem is already glowing again.”

“I think it is the tree,” I offer.

“Nexus stuff like that is all gibberish.”

“Like you can’t grasp the underlying, or you disagree.”

“The latter, give me some respect. The tree is a product, not the power source.”

“The speakers are keeping a lot suppressed.”

“Why, though? Why halt magical advancement? How do you keep people from stumbling on it naturally?”

“Maybe to stay in power? Or keep the peace? I'm unsure why, but I’ve been looking into the how.”

“And?”

"Death magic is the most crucial part of developing amalgamations. With it, formations and everything else related to imbuing are possible. They monopolize advancement by controlling the information surrounding that and making experimentation a crime. Some covens know a little and teach others, which is why certain things like glow gems are prevalent."

“Still, it has to be possible.”

“Not even a death mage can create rune formations. They have a tiny piece; sure, they can cobble something together, but without understanding the fundamentals, it is dangerous.”

"You are strange. It is as simple as wealth. Are the people chasing us any good?"

“I think I fooled them with a double back.”

“Nice? I know what that is, and care.”

“Well, you-”

“We should probably head out,” She interrupts before disappearing.

“Yes, yes,” I feign.

Shan and I are within patrol territory, about half a day from the Wall, so we are far from comfortable. She will have to start being on guard, as her trip was effortless up until now, an absolute cakewalk. The thought of cake grumbles my stomach with a rumble, angry at all the rations. A vanilla cake with no frosting, possibly some unsweetened almond milk to drink, but ice cold, that's the first thing I'll have in the willows when I return one day.

“Dear creation, do you ever pay attention.”

“Hmm,” I grumble, stirring from my cake dreams.

“If I were an enemy, I could have killed you,” she scolds, setting the pace.

“I was busy thinking about something delicious.”

“Knowing you, probably so bland I can't even guess it.”

“I prefer understated.”

“Anyway, I checked in the direction you came from. The trackers are about a day back at their pace. A few appear injured; did you attack them?” She accuses.

“In a way, I am responsible for the harm. I’ll have to meditate on how that makes me feel later.”

“They are chasing you, probably going to throw you in a cell for life. The mines are awful.”

“If I was faster, I could have outrun them; as I was, I barely got past. Wait, where did you find them exactly?”

“They are following a Styx inlet about a day southeast of here.”

“Yes! They don’t have our trail.” I laugh.

“You’re double back?”

“The secret is the triple back.”

“Plain with treats and devious with other things.”

“Thank you,” I bow, stumbling the jog.

“That means?”

“They likely won't know which relay we will be hitting.”

“Makes it easier.”

“Yes. We will get some uniforms from this station. From there, we should be able to pick up a signal from Jer.”

“Works for me. Do we know which station?”

“He has to be in one of these three.”

We do so with little fuss, making good time while easily avoiding the patrols. These groups incorporate shouting senior cadets and recruits on shit duty. The terrain approaching the Wall from this side is dense with foliage, keeping us well hidden. In no time, we are at the base. Shan takes the repeater with a sincere grin. While I watch the perimeter, wondering how long it will take, she reappears as a Penntry runner, dark green linen with brown underneath, her curly hair tied up in a bun.

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“Jerduan is just up there. Where are we ending up?”

“We will go to the nearest relay. Probably that one.”

“Why does it sound like you’re deciding that now?”

“Because I am.”

“This better be thought out. I’m putting a lot of faith in you here.”

“The feeling is mutual-” The connection light on the relay cuts off my comment.

“Starting to feel like a carriage.”

"I can go in there and do it, but I fear I won't be as successful. If you don't mind running with the whole damn Wall chasing us, I guess it can work out."

“Cool it, I’m just saying do not make a habit of it.”

“My point is that no one-'' I begin, getting quite a bit out before she disappears. “I'm just some rune buster then, I guess,” I mutter.

Waiting around for Jer gives me time to examine my plan step by step. After this, we will make our way to the relay, from which we will reach our exit point. Each tower amplifies the magical boundary protecting the Wall. The base of these can be the only place for what we need: the source of the runes and mana for the Wall. However, what that formation looks like is a well-hidden secret that I had no success ferreting out.

In the basement, I will get my first look at the challenge. It isn’t a typical way through, or at least all the instances I found were with naturally occurring loopholes. The task is daunting. I will probably be familiar with the pieces, but this structure is beyond me. Those who built the very ground I now stand on forged it. Inadequacy creeps under my skin— But I can do this.

Shan appears with Jer, whose momentary happiness is interrupted by hurls bending him at the waist. Shan disappears and reappears twice more, bringing along two more people. Strangely, Jer is still smiling as vomit drips from his chin. Shan teleports away, presumably to avoid the acrid stomach contents. He wipes his chin as he continues to smile at me. I then inspect the others who are in a similar state. Gale and Lisen hunch at Jer’s side.

“Are you alright?” I ask, kicking dirt over the puddle.

“That teleportation is something else, felt like falling.”

“We should get moving,” Shan adds from a spot upwind, her sage perfume battling for supremacy with the ick.

“She is right that they’ll notice I’m gone soon,” Gale adds.

“Speaking of which?” I round, looking at Jer.

“Oh? We have to notify each other of additions to the plan now?”

“I get your point, but it isn’t the same.”

“We are exposed here, and we are not in a place to have a friendly gab session,” Shannai orders.

“Yeah, we will have to run there,” I confirm as I start into a practiced jog.

“Have I gotten faster?” Jer laughs from slightly ahead of me.

“I just finished running here from the capital,” I reassure.

“Rough. It took us a month to get down here,” Jer sets up.

“Hardly. Did it in nine days.”

“That’s nuts.” Jer feigns.

“It is! It’s awe-inspiring.”

“Can’t you tell I'm impressed?”

“Fuck you,” I bark with a laugh.

We mess around like this our entire way to the relay. It's nice to have him back. However, the tone is more serious. Before, this was a dream: to come here and commit the ultimate act of defiance. Now we gather at the oppressive barrier, insurmountable in its isolation. Yet, we have a plan, resources, and a chance. Our one fighting chance awaits.

“You hadn’t planned on us coming?” Lisen asks.

“Vesh's just being an ass,” Gale helps.

“I was, I am sorry. The more the merrier,” I attempt reconciliation.

“I honestly think Jer should have mentioned it, though,” Lisen adds.

“Hey.” Jer grunts.

“Agreed.”

“Shannai, you too?” Jer deadpans.

“You’re an inconsiderate ox,” Gale zoomorphizes.

“An ox?” I question.

“Those horned ones, right?” Lisen describes.

“Magnificent sounding creatures.” Jer attempts.

“Do we have the map sketched out?” I rebuff.

“Here you are,” Gale answers, gesturing to her pack.

“Thank you, Gale. No doubt Jer pawned this off on you, too,” Shan guesses.

“All hideously unseemly attacks on my character must end; I won't stand for it,” Jer announces.

“And what do you stand for?” Gale asks.

“One night at least,” Shannai answers.

“You asked for that one big guy,” I comfort.

“What’s the plan?” Lisen asks.

“Our lovely conveyance method here will help us access the rune formation,” Jer mocks.

“I can easily kill you,” Shan threatens.

“And once inside, we will endeavor to keep Vesh safe. The stairway is a perfect choke point, even if it doesn't give us the advantageous height. Gale and I will keep a line while Shannai plays Calvary and Lisen supports.” Jer finishes.

“Thank creation for something useful to do.” Shan huffs.

“Once I get through the runes, Lisen and Gale will be the first. Jer and I will be the last.”

“You can get through the runes?” Lisen asks.

“I am certainly confident in myself,” I reply.

“Encouraging,” Jer adds.

“Should Gale or I be the last out?” Lisen asks.

“I will probably need to keep it open. It is an unavoidable risk, so it’s best to plan it that way.”

“And?” Jer asks.

“And?” I echo.

“The wall magic stuff that is going to genocide people?”

“I will do what I can if it comes down to a choice. What do you all want to do? Assuming Lisen and Gale are up to speed.”

“You know where I stand,” Shan huffs.

“I’m on the side of leaving. We can’t do anything to prevent it, only delay it,” Lisen agrees.

"We should stay and fight. If we can't make it out and disrupt those bastards, I'd join in on the fight and die on the hill," Gale ties the debate.

“Ughh, what is it you say, Vesh? With enough whatever, you can find a solution to anything. Why not this? Why can’t we take our chances in the mines if it comes to it? I don’t want them to win,” Jer growls the last bit.

“I will do what I can. I am with you, Jer, but in the end, I will always go for the practical decision. And we don’t know what is there, so maybe I can do both.”

“And if you fail to do either,” Gale asks.

“Vesh can deal,” Jer defends.

According to the map, we will only be able to reach the stairwell to the basement by first bypassing the entrance and moving up the stairs to the battlements. From there, we access the basement through the crow's nests atop the relay. Concealment will also necessitate the donning of disguises procured by Shan earlier. She has already changed into hers and taps her foot as we all jostle to do the same.

“Jer? Didn't know you were out on patrol,” The guard at the door greets.

“Wasn’t. I am showing a few new add-ons in our regiment around. What’s got you on shit duty during the new year party?”

“I overslept the check last week; no one in the thirtieth segment bothered to wake me. Oh? I don’t have a checkout for you?”

“You know how Meekus is. He always leaves it to someone else. I’m sure you know how he is,” Jer blusters, wooing the way a bird sings.

“Don't I, though. leaves the desk a mess and only partially dates the log. How can you write out 22,020 and not the centulennium code? Guy sucks."

“I feel you. Honestly, I would not log in, and then it’s on Meekus tomorrow when the duty reports get backchecked.”

“Nah, I’ll save his ass again. Just remind him next time that he needs to log it, even if it isn’t a formal exit. How else are we going to know who is coming and going?”

“You are too good for him. I’ll give him a bag of shit next time I see him.” Jer jokes, leading the group to the stairway.

One hundred meters of stairs are plenty more than I hope to climb again, and descending promises to be easier as we come to the battlement. My first view of The Waste is empty. It is all, in every corner, of every direction, and all is sand. There is no life or growth or hope, just destruction. There are lights on the horizon, and shabby structures dot around fires, casting shadowy figures. They are the threat at the Wall, the destructive races, their armies.

At least some of them are three times the size of Goble-kin I’d met. Those must be the Or-kin. They aren't just taller but broader, too. Their visage makes for a more daunting opposition. I see fighting in the camps, sounds of carnage carrying further than the sight. That or their customs are violent. The other side becomes less appealing as the horror unfolds.

“Do they attack?”

“Sometimes, the fights can be bloody even with our advantage. They hurl these wooden rods. Not pretty watching that go through someone.”

“We deal heavy casualties from up here. We probably kill twenty for every one we lose.” Gale summates, seeming conflicted by the idea.

“That army looks huge. How is it fed in a desert?”

"I have heard rumors from the careers finding small pockets of vegetation. I'm not sure how they do it."

“Could be, could be something else.”

We enter the basement in groups of two; Jer and I are first, allowing me a first look at the challenge. It’s complexity incarnate. There are easily thousands of runes for storage and transference alone. The actual rune formations I will need to interact with are nowhere to be seen. This dread confirms a hypothesis that means more work on my end and more magic. The runes I need to access aren’t fully visible, making this more complicated. An alarm is built into the larger structure and will take much more than I can give to disable.

“Meaning?” Shan hedges.

“I must set off their alarms to get deep enough to understand it.”

“Response time?” Shan asks.

“A minute or less,” Gale answers.

“You can do this, right?” Jer worries.

"I can— I think I can— I believe I can. But I don't know. It might be too much, too advanced."

“I believe you can,” Lisen affirms, surprising us.

“Well, looks like you have one fan at least,” Jer nudges.

“Alright, let's get to it.”

I drive my blade into the Wall, which plunges in effortlessly after infusing it with pure magic. While holding the handle, I start sending out tendrils of my magic into the black stone. This action triggers a siren to blow apart our cover. The clattering of armor and the reverberating blows come next. But this can't be. There is another way. Swords clash and strike, screams and grunts tear from lips wise to the gruesome reality. I have other things, another fight entirely different but just as essential.

In the run-up to this, I had considered my understanding of amalgamations. I have learned many things even the high mages don't know. I see an ocean from the puddle I exist in. There's too much, it's too much. It is intricate, and I can't wrap my head around any of it. I thought I could disrupt the barrier and destroy the years of work done by every death mage in the empire. I wanted to parse this monument with my brilliance.

“Vesh!” Someone calls.

“I know!”

I have a choice: to make a hole for escape or disable the work that will kill half of my world. The answer is simple. The practice is untenable. How can there be so many? Even with my perception, I can’t comprehend fast enough. The option is too heavy, and I will fail. There's the sound of us losing ground and a cry of pain from Jer. My failure will kill them in one of the next seconds.

Mana pours out of my catalysts and into my mouth as I send out still more and more tendrils, further and further. Every problem has a solution, every person has a breaking point, and every barrier has a weakness. It’s just a matter of which comes first. My teeth clench the metal as I see the trick they use to slap on the patchwork. If I had someone else at another relay, I could overload the system while disconnecting this portion. The additions will kick in the safeguards and lock the barrier without crashing.

They have to ruin everything. Even when I leave everything behind without hope of returning, they insist on rubbing their stained fingers across my only dream. Can I do it? But how can I do it? How does one do this kind of thing? I just do, or I don't. If I save the people, then I will be damned, and they will still die. If I leave, I can gain the power for retribution.

“Get ready,” I call.

The light and siren quit together. Jer and I are the only ones in a room of guards. The darkness keeps them, but I don’t care. They are close enough to touch with my blade, and they move closer, but I don’t step back. They are nearly on top of us, and I smile at the irony of my indifference. A hand is on my shoulder, and I am again weightless, awakening to a world of blistering truth.