Now, Northern Philippines

“These are not the droids… something, something dark side…” Cal waved a hand across the faces of the two guards standing in front of the grocery store doors.

The physical act wasn’t necessary, but it was fun.

Although, this being the fifth time he had done the same thing during the night meant it was starting to get old.

It would’ve been more fun had one of his siblings been around to watch.

Especially, Eron. He would’ve gotten a kick out of it.

The thought immediately sobered Cal and he walked past the oblivious guards.

Mental manipulation was easy and he made sure to avoid doing any lasting damage.

He made no further gestures as he telekinetically moved the surveillance cameras before he walked into view.

Bags floated in his wake as he walked down the aisles.

Fresh meat and vegetables were plucked by invisible hands and placed into the bags. Canned food, snacks, bottled water, milk, juice, even medicines followed suit.

Over a hundred bags were filled by the time Cal was done.

The store was small and it didn’t take long for him to clean it out.

Cal floated up into the dark sky with his haul.

It was a comical sight, if only for his eyes.

After all, he couldn’t allow anyone else to remember.

All across the city, as they had all night long, doors and windows opened as he deposited bags inside.

Along with the delivery he planted a thought in the people’s heads.

To not question the surprise supplies and not mention it to anyone else.

He hoped that doing that would be enough to keep the datu from deciding to search the homes to take the supplies back. The stores refreshed their stocks before the morning and he had left no evidence of his actions.

As long as no one talked, the datu would be none the wiser.

Cal had cleared out every store the datu had claimed by the time he was done.

His father greeted him upon his return to their temporary base.

“Should I ask?” Phillip said.

“Nothing bad this time. Actually did some good, I hope,” he grinned. “I just messed with the datu’s main mechanism of control.”

“That sounds like… a possible problem,” Phillip sighed. “What did you do?”

“No one will know,” Cal shook his head. “The people are essentially forced to participate in a pre-spires economy. They actually have to work for money, as in worthless pieces of paper. The jobs are what the datu says they have to do. So, people get Classes based on that. Instead of ones that might allow them to get out of what amounts to servitude in exchange for survival. The only ones benefiting are the datu and the ones at the top.”

“I see the problem.”

“Right, the stores magically re-stock themselves. There are no corporations or small business owners that can claim to be producing stuff. The world has changed. For the worse in a lot of obvious ways. These people are stuck with the worst aspects of the old while having to deal with monsters and other horrors.”

“So, you did what? Take supplies and give them to the people? The datu will definitely not be happy with that.”

“Basically… why do you care about what they think, Dad?” Cal frowned.

“I don’t. I’m concerned about what they’ll do after we leave. You may have given the people free supplies, but the datu won’t simply let them keep it,” Phillip said.

“Of course I thought about that,” Cal scoffed, partially offended. “I did some mind stuff to lessen the chances of that occurring.”

“Look, I’m just playing Devil’s Advocate, but have you considered that you’ve just put people in danger.”

“Possibly, but danger is everywhere. I think this is pretty low on the scale put up against aswangs. I know the supplies will only last a month or two, but that will give them a cushion at least. They can save their money,” Cal rolled his eyes, “and maybe not have to work as much in the near future. Might give them the time to develop Classes that personally fit them or benefit them beyond drudgery.”

“Still a temporary solution.”

“I plan to come back after we help Eron,” Cal shrugged. “There will be a fair and equitable solution that benefits all, not just a few. I mean, I cannot truly understand why everyone isn’t on board with this. The stores are automatically replenished. There is no legitimate reason to attach a price to any of it.”

“Like you said… it’s about control,” Phillip said.

“Some people just don’t like seeing others get free stuff,” Cal laughed. “Not even a monster apocalypse changed that attitude.”

“I hope that stores continue to produce for free. Supplies are available directly from the spires, but cost a lot of Universal Points. And farming the traditional way… well, it’s hard when you’ve got to defend against random monster attacks. I don’t know if a Farmer or Shepherd could deal with those things. Someone like you or me would have to basically stand guard all the time.”

Cal’s eyes narrowed.

The thought had occurred to him.

“I’d theorize that high enough levels would be sufficient for that,” he said.

“Hopefully,” Phillip nodded. “I started thinking about things like this once I realized what the ending of the tutorial phase thing might mean. The wording implies that things had been easy and now would become more difficult, but what do I know. I’ve never played the games this is all apparently based on,” he shrugged.

“You’re not wrong,” Cal agreed. “It’s just that we go from one crisis to another without much time to consider all these different aspects of the post-spires world.”

“You can’t do everything,” Phillip said.

“I feel like I have a responsibility to try,” Cal said.

Phillip laid a hand on Cal’s shoulder. “Carrying the weight of everyone and everything will bury you. No matter how powerful you are.”

Cal considered his father’s words for a few moments. “I can’t agree to that right now. I just can’t. Not when extinction is a possibility.”

“I’m not saying that you shouldn’t feel responsible. Just remember that there are others that can share the burden,” Phillip sighed. “I just really wish that those people weren’t my children, my wife, myself,” he shook his head. “This wasn’t the life I envisioned for all of you.”

“Isn’t it better than being at the mercy of the monsters and bad people? Imagine people like the datu and the cultists with our powers.”

Phillip had no answer.

Father and son watched the sunrise in silence before heading off to prepare for the continuation of their journey.

----------------------------------------

“Busy night,” Demi said.

It was obviously a statement, not a question.

Cal took a moment to decide on a good answer.

“Yes.”

“Is it going to be a problem?” Demi said.

“Nope. They have no idea.”

“Then why does an obvious killer want to join us?”

Cal blinked. “You’re going to have to elaborate on that, watch captain.”

“There’s a man out at the barricade. Wants to come along. Rebekah pegs him as a soldier, probably special forces judging by his gear and bearing, at least according to her.”

“One moment.” Cal stretched out with his telepathy and quickly ascertained exactly what was going on. “That bastard,” he muttered.

“You’re being creepy again,” Demi frowned.

“Rebekah’s spot on. The guy’s name is Cristos and he is indeed special forces. As for why he’s out there… nothing to do with what I did. Though, he is going to cause problems.”

“Alright, I’ll have him sent away.”

“Hold on. If you do that, he’ll just trail us. I’d rather have him within easy reach.”

“That— is a terrible idea.”

“He’s a dangerous man,” Cal grinned.

Demi let out a breath. “You’re not convincing me.”

“Which means we can use him against threats… until his sudden, but inevitable betrayal.”

Demi shook her head, eyes narrowed into slits.

“Which I will stop.”

“You’re not going to tell me what form this betrayal will take, are you?”

“Better I don’t. Opsec and all that,” Cal shrugged.

Demi ground her teeth. “He’s your responsibility. I’m holding any damage he does to my people on your head.”

“He won’t.”

“What am I supposed to do with him?”

“Have him forward scout. He was an actual ranger from before in addition to having it as a Class. Unlike Rayna’s rangers he’s got rainforest training. They’re more urban rangers, I guess,” Cal shrugged. “I know it sounds weird, but some of them, like Sgt. Butcher, have Ranger in their Class despite not being wilderness trained.”

“Alright, I’ll let Rebekah know.”

Cal turned to leave. “Oh, keep him away from Ginessa.”

An almost imperceptible frown creased Demi’s forehead, but she gave him a curt nod.

He left the planning room and went in search of Hanna. Finding her near the edge of the block of homes they had claimed as a temporary base.

Hanna was in her Threnosh-made armor, one hand on the handle of her sword as she watched the tree line.

“There be monsters out there,” Cal said.

Hanna arched her brow.

“Nothing to worry about. One of them is on our side,” Cal nodded. “Rino,” he said by way of explanation.

“Did you send her out?” Hanna said.

“Nope… she does what she does. Which in this case is hunting mutated binturong.”

“I don’t remember that type of monster from the research material,” Hanna said.

“That’s cause it’s not mythical. It’s an actual animal. Like a mix between a bear and a cat, sort of weasel-adjacent,” he shrugged, “about this big,” he held his hands a few feet apart, “pretty stocky though, I think they run between 30 to 70 pounds. Mostly harmless to humans.”

“Unless mutated to greater size and aggressiveness,” Hanna said.

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

“I’m surprised you didn’t run into any when you went into the forest, by yourself, the other day.”

“Don’t start a lecture. I can take care of myself. My skill and Skills, along with the gear you brought from the other world makes me practically invincible. Those treemen couldn’t even scratch the armor. Aghoy, I think they’re called. The books said they were supposed to be as tall as trees. The ones I killed were more in the short to medium range.”

“Maybe you killed kids and teens?”

Hanna’s clenched jaw was visible through the translucent faceplate of her helmet. “I suppose even monsters must have a life cycle,” she said.

“Maybe. I’m still unclear on how the spires do things. Regardless, monsters need killing,” Cal conceded. “After all, they don’t hesitate to kill us. So, why are you standing here and not out there?”

“To keep a watch…” Hanna hesitated. “And I don’t want to risk a— misunderstanding with Rino.”

“Ah, got it. She can be vicious and slightly out of control in her full Weredog form,” Cal said.

“I wouldn’t want to injure her. This Threnosh blade is sharp,” Hanna said.

“That’s an understatement and I’d bet the Threnosh armor can stand up to Rino’s claws.”

“Fighting among allies would be disastrous to our Quest.”

“Agreed. I’m glad we’re on the same page on that account. So, have you had a chance to meet the new recruits?”

“They are barely adequate.” Hanna didn’t mince words. “With the exception of Jovita. She’s skilled and the highest leveled.”

“The woman dual wielding the sticks?”

“Eskrimador. Don’t you know what that is? This is your culture,” Hanna said.

“I know of it. Never practiced.”

“Your people have a rich culture of combat arts, armed and unarmed.”

Cal detected a vaguely lecturing tint to Hanna’s words. “I wasn’t raised here and my parents weren’t into athletic pursuits. I picked up wrestling in high school and boxing for fun during college on my own. You’re kind of the same, right?”

“What do you mean?” Hanna said.

“Well, you did European sword and shield stuff. Why not a katana?”

Hanna cut Cal with the sharpness in her gaze as she turned to face him fully for the first time. “I was born in California just like my father. Our family moved there before World War II. I’ve never been to Japan and I never will.”

“Ah, so we’re like the same in our lack of knowledge about the lands of our origin,” Cal said flatly.

“Point taken,” Hanna turned back to the tree line.

“So, are you actually watching Rino fighting bearcats or just doing it to look mysterious and foreboding for the new recruits,” Cal noted the small group gathered outside the closest home. He marked Jovita and wasn’t surprised to note that Rai and Ambrose were looking at Hanna. He shook his head with a sigh. The Threnosh armor was rather form fitting. “You’ve got a few more to add to your fan club.”

Hanna frowned. “I’ll beat it out of them.”

“I don’t think those were the right words to use,” Cal said.

“I thought you were a grown man,” Hanna said.

“It’s important to find levity in small moments. You know, in between crushing despair and horrifying near death experiences,” Cal turned to leave, “otherwise we might forget why we put ourselves in those situations. At least that’s what I try to tell myself.”

“And does it work for you?”

“Can’t say that it does, but we have to keep trying. Congrats on hitting Level 30 by the way.”

“How did you know that? I haven’t told anyone,” Hanna snapped as she spun.

“I didn’t. It was an… educated guess,” Cal smiled. “I hope you got a good Skill. We’re going to need it.”

----------------------------------------

Now, Manila

Eron stood on the roof of their main sanctuary staring at the expanse of gray that surrounded them in all directions. He could almost imagine hands and tendrils of fog reaching toward him and recoiling as they brushed against the unseen barrier created by Lilah’s wards.

His brooding was interrupted by the sounds of footsteps coming up the stairs. Light weight, barely a whisper. One of the kids.

“You’re not supposed to be outside, Nestor.”

“But it’s safe if you’re here, Kuya Eron.”

“What’ve I said before?” Eron sighed.

“It’s never safe outside,” Nestor recited.

“And what do you need to do?”

“Go inside.” Nestor’s brow furrowed. “But what if inside isn’t safe anymore?”

Eron regarded the boy. Nestor was skinny and bony. Gangly in the way kids got when they were entering that awkward stage. “Have you been eating enough? You have to eat enough to keep strong.”

Nestor rolled his eyes. “Why do you all keep saying that? All of you are always telling us to eat.”

“Huh…” Eron thought about it and realized that Nestor was right. “Jesus-fucking-Christ, I’ve turned into my parents,” he muttered. “Because eating is good,” he nodded sharply.

“What does it matter if we’re healthy when the fog is going to get us anyway?” Nestor eyes burned with hatred as he stared at the gray gloom.

Eron ran a hand through his ever-lengthening hair. “You heard some of the old people talking.”

“They said the wards failed and Dr. Rufo won’t let us see Lilah. He said she’s fine, but he sounds like you guys always do when you’re trying to keep us from getting scared,” Nestor said.

“Why not both?” Eron tried to grin, but Nestor wasn’t having it. “Okay, don’t pout. That only works for the little ones. You’re much too big for that. You just look kinda ridiculous.”

“Shut up!”

“Fair. Sorry. I’m not kidding though… about Lilah. She’s not—” Eron struggled for the right words, “— at a hundred percent right now, but she just needs a little rest… a lot of rest. And we did evacuate a sanctuary, but it’s a good thing because Lilah won’t have to maintain those wards, which means less of a drain on her… hopefully.”

Nestor eyed him with suspicion.

“Look. This place is our main sanctuary. We won’t let it fall,” Eron said.

“I want to help,” Nestor said.

“Excuse me?” Eron blinked.

“You need people to do… stuff,” Nestor shuffled his feet before standing tall and puffing out his chest.

“From what I’ve seen you’re already doing great helping herd the kittens… I mean smaller kids,” Eron smiled.

“I mean out there,” Nestor pointed into the fog.

Eron followed the boy’s hand and thought he saw the fog swirl in an almost portal-like pattern. Beckoning, inviting.

“Yeah… no. I don’t think you really mean that,” Eron raised a brow. “Only the dumb or those without a choice willingly ventures out into that. I’m pretty sure you’re not the former. Dr. Rufo says you’d be a straight A student if he was handing out grades for your lessons.”

Nestor swallowed a lump in his throat. “But you need help. Ate Madalena’s feet are all torn up and none of the other adults want to go out. You said you need to bring people from the other places back here. I mean, it’s better for Lilah if there are less places she has to take care of. I know Dr. Rufo and you said she’ll be fine, but we don’t want her to die.”

“I’m not saying you’re not wrong, but you’d only get yourself taken,” Eron said.

“I can run fast and I’ve been practicing fighting with Trin— before she…” Nestor looked down.

“Exactly,” Eron gingerly laid a hand on Nestor’s shoulder. “Trin was a good fighter, brave, strong. And she’s gone. Her, Kane and Adrian. They fought many times and they died. Having Madalena with them made no difference in the end. Every fight could be your last. That’s how it works.”

“I want to help… I need to help,” Nestor pleaded.

“Dude, I told you, you already are. You’re a valuable part of what we’ve got here. Maybe one day when you’re older… a lot older. Like, with years of training, so you’ve got a good Class, with Skills and skills. When you’re bigger, stronger, put on some muscle. Then you can decide if you still want to fight,” Eron said.

“I don’t have years left. The fog will take me, like it did everyone else,” Nestor said glumly.

“The fog’s not going to take you. I won’t let it,” Eron said firmly. “Let’s go back inside, yeah? Staring at this shit isn’t good for anyone,” he ushered Nestor to the door.

“Then why were you doing it?” Nestor said.

“I was trying to impart my hatred of it through staring,” Eron said lightly. “Which, now that I say it out loud, sounds really stupid.”

“Yeah, but it’s not one of the stupider things you’ve said or done,” Nestor gave him a small, sad smile.

“Does Madalena still shit-talk me? I haven’t paid attention to it lately.”

“Not as much as before,” Nestor said.

“Good to know… surprisingly,” Eron mused.

----------------------------------------

Madalena gingerly made her way across the living room to the kitchen. The soles of her feet had healed over the past week, but were still tender. Something about newly regrown nerves according to Dr. Rufo. Although, he had admitted that without the proper equipment he was just making an educated guess. She hadn’t been paying too much attention at the time.

Several cold cut sandwiches waited for her in the fridge.

The taste or the temperature wasn’t important. She just need to get as much food in her as often as possible. Her superhuman body needed them to continue the healing. The sooner she could get back fully the better. She couldn’t remain stuck in the small apartment any longer. She worried about the others, particularly Lilah. She couldn’t let Eron go unchallenged. She couldn’t trust him to truly have their best interests at heart.

Eat a sandwich. Drink a glass of water. Repeat.

Ten times.

She ate mechanically, trying to concentrate on the act in order to distract herself from the thoughts that had dominated her mind while she had lain on the couch and done nothing.

She didn’t like thinking that Eron could be right about anything.

Was he right about the shades of their family?

Where they… them?

If so… could she get them back?

The empty glass in her hand shattered with the sudden force of her clenched fist.

“No,” she whispered.

She couldn’t allow herself to think that way. It’d make her vulnerable.

If she fell then there would be no one left to protect everyone.

Just Eron and Cherry.

Madalena’s face twisted with anger.

She cleaned up the broken glass before making her way back to the couch.

Eat and rest.

Such had been her life for what felt like much longer than a week.

She closed her eyes, but sleep didn’t come. She hadn’t needed much since becoming superhuman, which was for the better since whenever she slept, she dreamed and those were filled with memories of terror and death, along with her inability to save those she cared about even with her strength.

An insidious whisper filled her with the thought that she was middling in strength compared to her relatives.

The fog had taken them all.

Why not her?

Was she doomed to be the last?

At the end of it all would she be the only one remaining as the people she had thrown her everything into protecting were subsumed?

Images of the children, Dr. Rufo, Lilah and the others dissolved into the grasping gray, ethereal claws of the fog.

Eron faced her.

The last.

Her cousin’s face was bared in a rictus of rage and anguish as he too was absorbed.

She stared down at her feet as insubstantial, gray tendrils coiled up her body—

Madalena woke with a start.

A curse on her lips died into a half-sob.

She had no idea how long she had slept.

It could’ve been minutes or hours. She had experienced both before.

The only thing outside the window was gray nothingness. No way for her to gauge the passage of time.

She felt it then.

A shiver across her body.

The fine hairs on her arms stood.

The air felt charged with something she could only describe as a hum.

She placed her bandaged feet on the floor and realized with alarm that the entire room was vibrating.

What was Eron thinking? And why was Dr. Rufo allowing it?

She was out of her apartment in a flash.

The pain in her feet forgotten as she rushed over to the kids’ apartment.

The door handle broke in her hand and she slammed the door open.

Only for it to stop as if it was backed by a mountain.

“Jesus!” Eron said from the other side. “You almost hit Cathy.”

Madalena relented and allowed her cousin to slowly open it.

Anger gave way to shame as she looked down at the wide-eyed little girl. “Sorry,” she said.

Shame turned back into anger just as quickly as she looked at Eron.

“She just wanted some ice cream,” Eron said as he ushered Cathy into the kitchen.

“You’re having Lilah do a new ward spell,” Madalena jabbed a finger.

Eron ignored her as he took the time to fill a bowl with way too much before handing it to Cathy.

“Why are there four spoons?” Cathy pipped, her brow furrowed in bewilderment.

“What? You thought that was all for you?” Eron said. “You’re going to have to do the worst thing in the world,” he grinned evilly, “you’re going to share.”

Cathy pouted as she flounced away.

“Explanation… now!” Madalena snapped as soon as the little girl was out of the kitchen.

“Well… let me see… they wanted ice cream and it’s easier to wash one large bowl and four spoons, rather then four smaller bowls,” Eron shrugged.

“The spell!”

“Oh, that? Lilah’s just doing some prep work.”

“She shouldn’t be exerting herself,” Madalena managed to ground out.

“Neither should you, but here you are,” Eron said lightly. “I trust Lilah when she says she can handle this. Dr. Rufo is keeping an eye on her and if he thinks she’s in danger then he’ll shut it down.”

The entire apartment shook with loud bang.

Kids screamed.

Dr. Rufo stumbled out of Lilah’s room.

“What the hell?” Eron hurried over.

Madalena rushed past her cousin as he prevented the doctor from hitting the floor.

Lilah was hunched over what looked like a panel from a car door.

A glowing sigil flared on the surface.

“Lilah—” Madalena reached out to the girl only to be pushed back.

Pain shot through her hand and arm. Like a thousand burning needles.

Multiple sigils appeared for a moment around Lilah, like a forcefield.

Lilah convulsed violently as the sigil’s light grew in intensity.

Madalena drew her fist back.

“Don’t—” Eron warned.

She wasn’t going to listen to him. Not after what his decisions had led to.

Madalena would help Lilah the best way she knew how.

Her fist flew forward like a rocket.