Now, Southern California
The loud boom rattled the building.
Dust clouds bloomed inside the labyrinth.
The brave little boy sneezed mid-slash.
The monstrous, stitched-together man, bear and pig roared and bopped him on the head.
“And… you’re dead.”
“Not fair!” the little hero pouted.
“That’s a fight for you,” Cal shrugged as he squeezed into the cardboard tunnel from where he hid and controlled all of the monsters the little guy had to vanquish to proceed on his quest to obtain the Blade of All Heavens. A regular sword with a shiny coat of gold paint and random precious gems glued to the hilt. Nila had whipped it up in an hour.
He regarded the grotesque monster he had let collapse to the floor.
The man, bear and pig stuffed animal was an inspired custom job from a ranger with a sewing-related side class.
The ranger had a talent there.
“I heal?” the little hero tried.
“Okay… but we have to take a break. I need to do something.”
Cal gathered the protesting hero and carried him up to their suite in the hotel.
Nila was busy elsewhere so he plopped the hero on the couch and put the little guy’s favorite movie on the TV.
“I’ll just be on the roof. Don’t do anything dumb,” he said.
“Okay, Dad.”
The little guy was already fully engrossed on the battle between elves and orcs raging on the screen.
Was it safe to leave a small child alone?
No.
Unless, you had powers.
Cal walked out to the balcony, locked the door and flew to the roof where Eron waited.
“You can come in, you know,” he said.
“Not yet,” Eron said lightly.
“It’s been over two years. No signs of fogginess. He’s just a normal human child. I’ve kept you up to date with the test results.”
“Yeah and I’m not the kind to reject the reality staring me in the face in favor of what I want it to be,” Eron sighed. “But that isn’t what this is about. Honestly, I just can’t look at him without remembering the fog.”
“You’ve never actually been in the same room as him this whole time.”
“I’ve occasionally checked in from a distance. From a very long distance. Anyways, I’m not really here about him. I’m choosing to trust you and all the experts when you say he’s a normal human. So, be happy. I’m dropping the requirement that you have to be close enough to monitor him at all times.”
“Thanks,” Cal said flatly.
“Yeah… what with what you’ll have to do with the slave kingdom,” Eron shook his head, “my conscience won’t allow me to make you bring him along. Not that I think you’d do it. And I’d rather not start something over that.”
“You went there? What—”
“Relax. I listened to your message. I didn’t do anything to risk the slave collars going boom. I just watched from a very long distance,” Eron scowled. “If I hadn’t known about the collar issue I might’ve ruined everything and killed ten thousand innocent people. Just would’ve grabbed the king and thrown him into space. That place… I’ve seen some terrible things all over the world,” he shrugged.
“There are potential solutions and I’ll need your help to try them.”
Cal related the details of his more recent activities across the land once known as the United States of America and Mexico.
“Black Galadriel and Tlaloc? I’ve seen weirder. Alright, I’ll patrol Tlaloc’s lands. As long as it doesn’t take more than a few days. I’m busy.”
“You could treat it like a small vacation.”
“Nope. Can’t do that. Say? I’d like to bounce some things off you.”
“Literally?”
“Is that a dumb dad joke?”
Cal sighed.
“Whatever… listen? What’s the difference between a demon and a devil?”
“You’ve… seen one? Both?”
Eron nodded.
“How the hell should I know?”
“I know the difference in RPG terms, but what about in religious and cultural terms?”
“Again… how the hell should I know?”
“You’ve always read a lot and I thought you’ve been doing that even more after the spires showed up. Part of our plan to prognosticate on the threats that might appear. Or are you too busy playing labyrinths now?”
“Devils are more religious. Fallen angels residing in Hell. That sort of thing,” Cal mused. “Demons are, like, any sort of evil and supernatural entity,” he continued.
“So, like, devils can be demons, but not all demons are devils?”
“I guess there’s some of overlap… maybe?” he shrugged. “Ultimately, our labels don’t matter compared to whatever they call themselves. We’d just have to find out if they’re vulnerable to holy stuff. Should I be worried?”
“Maybe, it could just be a regular old monster. Something was killing people in the woods around this settlement in Siberia. I couldn’t find it. Just got glimpses out of the corner of my eyes. Probably, magic shit.”
“So… you left without killing it?”
“Couldn’t stick around for too long. I’ll check again when I loop back around. Hopefully, my presence scared it off.”
“You mentioned something about Hawaii in your message?”
“Oh, that…” Eron sighed. “Yeah, just don’t go without properly announcing yourself.”
“The dragon?”
“She has things in order…”
“You didn’t… punch her?”
“I wanted to, but I couldn’t find an excuse. Life for the people in her domain, which is basically the main island, is looking pretty good. Plenty of everything they need. All they have to do is exalt her existence, which seems to amount to prayer, offering the regular pig, sheep or cow and keeping other things from annoying her. She’s pretty claws-off as a supreme ruler. In exchange, they get prefixes to their classes that just make them better. Like, Dragon-touched Fighter or Dragonfire Mage. There’s even a class called Dragonblooded.” He snorted at the look of incredulity on Cal’s face. “She deigned to allow me to look around and told her people to answer all of my questions.”
“Power move.”
“Definitely,” Eron agreed. “Showing me that she had zero concern about me.”
“I guess we’ll see if a benevolent dictatorship is possible.”
“I’d have said no, but this is a dragon. They aren’t human. What they want out of their lives is probably completely different from us. So… I hate it… but, there could be the possibility of a completely beneficial symbiotic relationship.”
“I don’t see you bowing your head to a dragon.”
“Oh, I never would, but I’m willing to leave them alone as long as there isn’t a problem as I see it. I have way too many places to be. Speaking of… Mom and Dad said ‘Hi’ and are asking about… well, everything,” Eron wiggled his fingers.
“I know. I get their spires messages.”
“Then maybe you should reply.”
“I can’t reply to every one of Mom’s messages.”
“Just the messenger,” Eron stared off into the sky for a moment. “She’s worried about Tessa and Veronica.”
“Stupid kids,” Cal muttered.
“Yeah… Mom didn’t say it outright, but I can’t help think she’s blaming me— us. Something, something… bad influences.”
“I killed Zalthyss. If they only waited—” Cal shook his head. “I still don’t know if there’s a weird time thing between the different worlds. I sent a message to Remy as soon as I could…”
“I am a little worried about the lack of messaging from him and Megan, from the kids,” Eron said.
“It’s expensive to send a message between direct-connected worlds. It might be exponentially more when you have to do it from two worlds away. They also have to save up to travel back to the Threnosh world.”
“Here’s a dark thought… what if Zalthyss isn’t really dead?” Eron said.
“I cracked its shell. Made it explode like a nuke in the middle of Manhattan. I turned several city blocks into a smoking crater. Even if it was capable of transferring its consciousness— and I still don’t know if that’s what it did— then the consciousness should’ve been destroyed. Unless its consciousness is capable of traveling through the spires or some other method,” Cal shrugged, “I don’t know in that case. I was unconscious. Didn’t see the aftermath.”
Silence.
“Remy’s got it covered,” Eron nodded.
They stared into the distance for a long moment.
“You need my help for this slave kingdom? Cause, I really wouldn’t mind some conscience-free smashing. Nothing redeemable about slavers,” Eron said.
“I thought you’re always busy.”
“I know I said that I’d leave North America to you, but I thought about it and that’s not fair to you. You’ve got a family and you need time with him to make sure that he’s brought up right. So, I’m planning to do a quick flyover on my way to South America. Although, this Tlaloc guy sounds good. I won’t have to worry about Mexico and maybe Central America if he’s willing to move beyond his old country’s borders.”
Cal thought about it for a moment. “I’ll have to get back to you on that. I still don’t have a full plan. Everything hinges on being able to destroy the collars without hurting the people.”
“Okay, but it’ll probably be a better idea to leave me out of the planning as a crucial piece since I can’t guarantee my availability. But, if you give me enough notice I’ll do my best to help out,” Eron said.
“Thanks. You’re help would probably make things much easier. The Slaver King does need to be flown into space.”
“I was thinking of just giving him a push toward the Sun.”
“The after stuff will be the biggest headache. We’re going to have to do something about all of the people we free and that’s not covering the others in Miami.”
“You take the enslaved wherever they want to go, leave everyone that benefited from slavery to their own devices. As for the worst of the slavers, let their victims decided what to do with them. Not that complicated.”
“They’ll either get killed without the enslaved fighters they’ve been relying on all this time. Or they’ll try again. Which is why it’s really important we do this right. We need to, somehow, make the creation of these collars impossible.”
“Easy again. You can just mind wipe the knowledge from their minds.” Eron held up a hand. “I know you don’t want to do that sort of thing, but that’s the best way outside of just killing them all. Or at least the ones with that knowledge.”
“That is definitely on my short list. On the bottom though. I’m hoping that Galadriel will come up with a less invasive solution.”
“Actually, I just had a thought. If you do find this Vitiator dude in the slave kingdom. I put myself forward as the one to deal with him. That should free you up to focus on saving the enslaved people. I owe him for trying to kill Mom and Rynnen.”
“He’s all yours if that turns out to be the case.”
“It’d be great if he was. I’ve got two hands. One for the Slaver King and one for the Vitiator.”
“If everything works out how we want it then you’ll get your chance to send them on a trip to the Sun,” he patted his youngest brother on the shoulder and sighed in relief when Eron didn’t flinch away. It had been a long two years since they had fought and somehow it felt like he had his brother back. “How long are you staying?”
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“Not long. I’m going to visit Rayna. I know she had her own dragon encounter. Hoping to compare some notes. And I’ve got a longer more detailed message from Mom to pass on to her. Something about a new boyfriend?”
“I’ve met him. Seems alright…”
Eron’s eyes narrowed. “You didn’t check him out? I mean, really vet him?”
“Rayna warned me not to. She’s not a baby. She can handle herself.”
“What’s the dude like?”
“Normal,” he shrugged. “Just ask Rayna.”
“Fair enough. There’s also this undead thing in San Diego I can maybe help with,” Eron raised a brow.
“The rangers have it under control. If you fix it then they’ll miss out on Quests, points and levels.”
“And people die…”
“We can’t keep everyone safe because they’ll be too weak to save themselves when we aren’t around.”
“God… that’s such a punchable statement.”
“Yeah, I felt a shiver of disgust run up my back as I said it.”
“You should be ashamed of yourself. Soon, you’ll be talking about how we are guard dogs keeping the sheep safe from the wolves,” Eron snickered.
“Or that hard times need hard men making hard decision,” Cal laughed.
“Or we’re the thin line that stands between civilization and anarchy!”
They had a good laugh and spoke for close to an hour catching each other up on their more recent activities.
“… and could you put a little bit more into your reports. I do appreciate you keeping me up to date on the geopolitics of the places you visit, but you’ve got to put more down than, ‘Don’t kill the blue-gray troll guy… he’s alright…’.”
Eron tapped his bare wrist. “I don’t have time.”
Speaking of which… it passed too quickly for Cal.
“Got to go,” Eron rose into the sky. “One last thing!” he called down.
“What?”
“He needs a name!”
The air shook in Eron’s wake.
----------------------------------------
Cal heard the ringing of hammers on steel from miles away.
He descended to the rangers’ foundry complex.
It had once been several square blocks of mixed industrial and commercial businesses. Auto repair, fabrication and welding, steel works and others.
Curious thoughts and eyes swiveled in his direction as soon as they noticed him.
He landed so he could walk and get out of view.
People were busy and he didn’t want to ruin their flow.
“Um… what happened?” Heddy’s eyes widened into saucers when she looked up from her worktable at the dinging of the bell on her workshop’s door.
“Uh, nothing. Just wanted to check in with you. See how you’ve been doing.”
“We’re great! Everyone’s been great! Thanks again for bringing us all here! What do you need? Whatever it is I’ll do my best to make it happen!” The woman’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. The strain of trying to put a happy face on sheer nerves showed in the wrinkles around them. “I’m working really hard with Andre to churn out gear.”
“I heard that your newest flaming weapons are a huge help with some of the undead monsters.”
“Yeah. Investing the spell during the forging process is a lot better than enchanting it onto an already completed weapon. The magical effect and the steel lasts longer.”
“And just a straight investment works against non-corporeal monsters.”
“Fucking ghosts,” Heddy muttered. “I mean, yeah, at least that’s what the reports say. I’ve never seen it firsthand.”
“Hopefully, you never will.”
“God, I hope so,” she sighed.
“Well, everyone’s been happy about your work. But, I’m not here about that. I just wanted to make sure you knew that you can relax. You don’t have to work so much that you aren’t sleeping.”
Her eyes narrowed. “How do you know that?”
“People have eyes and Andre might’ve mentioned something when I had to tell him that he didn’t need to work 16 hour days. I’m pretty sure they told you that unless there was some kind of emergency you can take it as easy as you want. Your safety isn’t dependent on working. Remember, you’re not in Kansas anymore,” he grinned to no reaction from the woman. “You left that behind, what, nine, ten months ago?”
“Nine months, twenty-seven days. I remember…” she said. “It’s just, you saved us all, took us in. I owe that. And I need to do this to get better, advance my skill and Skills, gain levels. I have Quests that revolved around it. I get points and bonuses for my quantity and quality. I need the points to buy better enchantments. I can learn them by learning spells, but that takes time and I think it’ll strengthen my mage class at the expense of my enchanter one. They tell me that it’s fine because I might be able to eventually consolidate the two into one better, but I don’t know. It’s a risk. I need to get better. The better I get at this, the better armed the people keeping me and everyone safe are.”
“That’s a reasonable take. However, burnout is a thing, yeah? So, my suggestion is work hard, but also relax. You can’t just work and then sleep when you’re exhausted.”
“I… have nightmares…”
“There are people that can help with that.”
“Yeah, I know. We all got the list. They’ve helped others. I know that. I just… can’t bring myself to go.” She scowled at nothing in particular. “It just doesn’t seem fair. This whole time you guys were out here and life is great… or at least as great as it could be with fucking monsters and horrible people out there… and we had to live under the church persecuting us, using us… I just… I just wish that Knox could’ve made it too. He worked harder than anyone else trying to keep us alive.”
“I can’t speak for him… from what you and others had said I’d like to think that he was the kind of man that would’ve done anything to see all of you have better lives. And he did that. So, take that gift he left you. Don’t run yourself into the ground. Live as he would’ve wanted.”
“I don’t know if I have that right.”
“Only you can decide that. Although, try looking at it this way. All the things you want to accomplish?”
Heddy nodded.
“Which version of you can do them better? The tired, burned out one? Or the one rested, in a good place, physically and mentally?”
“Obviously, the second one,” she frowned. “But, it’s easier to say all that than to do it. Like, I get the words that you are saying. I just can’t do it.”
“I’ve read before that it takes about three weeks to create a habit. So, why not try that. Starting tomorrow you only put in 8 hours of work a day for 4 days a week. With the freed up time you’ll see a therapist, do things that you used to do for enjoyment before the spires and you’ll try new things.”
“Like what? I wouldn’t even know were to start.”
“There are groups with people that can understand what you’re going through. You aren’t the only one having nightmares. Talk to Andre. Don’t forget that you aren’t the only that survived Wichita. You aren’t alone in that suffering. Beyond that, most everyone here survived the spires’ appearance.”
“How do you do it?” she eyed his prosthetic. “I mean, I heard stories… how do you sleep with all of the horrible things you’ve actually faced up close. That fake angel,” she shuddered, “I only saw it and heard it. That song— the nightmares— I can’t get it out of my thoughts. The worst part is that part of me wishes it had gone the other way. Like, I should’ve given in to the music. If I had then I would be happy.”
Cal mulled over what to say.
“It was a lie. Are you truly happy if it is enforced by an outside source?”
“Does it matter if I didn’t know the difference?”
“Like the slave collars?”
Heddy’s face twisted. “It’s different when you can’t see it clearly.”
“Chains are chains whether physical or otherwise. At least that’s how I choose to see it,” he shrugged.
“I’d like to see it that way too…”
“Zalthyss was insidious like any being that seeks to control another. It’s gone and the slave kingdom is next.”
“Right, so I need to get better and work harder. You’ll need all the gear you can get to take them on.”
“You’re the best at what you do and I’d welcome your best work for it, but you have time. I’d rather you focus your energy on healing. You lived under siege for so long. The damage to your physical and mental health from the constant stress and pressure of life under a society that hated you needs to be healed. Look, I’d never tell you what to do. I’m just asking you to try.”
Heddy sighed. “I guess I’d have to. I can’t exactly ignore the guy that I owe my life to.”
“I’ve told you all before… you don’t owe me anything. Just live how you want. Be happy. Don’t harm others. That sort of thing.”
“The basics,” she nodded. “I’ll take your words into consideration,” she turned back to her worktable.
Cal cleared his throat.
“I need to finish this one thing, then I’ll call it a day. Maybe go for a walk… used to like doing that, I think?” she waved him away.
He departed without a word, but not before making sure that Heddy would sleep free from her nightmares, at least this night.
He decided to visit the mental health center.
He couldn’t stop everyone’s nightmares.
There might be negative long-term consequences in the act.
And it would’ve made him no different from Zalthyss and the slave collars in enforcing a fake sense of contentment.
It was a slippery slope down the path of a mind-controlling tyrant.
But, perhaps he could occasionally help in providing a restful slumber for those suffering the most.
----------------------------------------
Now, Central California
Cal, his passengers and several crates flew south. He followed the I-5 as it traced its way across the landscape. The view was mostly yellow and brown with the occasional patch or strip of green.
The Furies had completed the Quests they had to aid the NorCal people. Both the Watch and the California State Government. It had been mostly skirmishes with the Scions of the Deep Azure cult clinging to their power in San Francisco along with monster attacks.
In their downtime they had done nothing but train with Hanna and the rest of the Watch.
“I learned a literal ton of stuff,” Jayde said with all of the energy of a kid telling her dad about everything she did at summer camp. “Kinda like how much you can bench? I’ve seen Nila get around there. You’re weaker than her, right? Haven’t ever seen you lift. Those muscles all show, no go? Am I saying that right, Jake says it a lot. I think he gets butt hurt that Rino and Kare out lifts him by a lot.”
“They have supernatural strength,” Cal said.
“Yeah, but they do it even when not in full weredog form,” Dayana said.
“The half-form is plenty strong. Seeing them rack a thousand pounds on the bar for reps when they’re in human form would’ve been impressive had I not already seen Nila do it. And she’s the most pettite-est, most,” Jayde said. “Anyways… I learned a ton from Hanna. I could’ve picked up a Swordfighter Class, but since that’d only slow down my Punch Mage gains I didn’t. There’s no synergy anyways. I hit things with my hands. Swords are cool and all, but that just isn’t me, you know? But it was like Sensei Hanna says, even if I won’t use a sword or a sword and a shield in a fight the knowledge of how to use them is valuable in that I’ll know how my enemies will fight with them. Although, I don’t know how I can fight someone that can cut you with an aura like she does. Goes right through my mage shield. Do you know her level? She won’t say, but it’s got to be over 40, right? Right? Hey? Are you listening?”
“You’re doing this on purpose,” he sighed.
Jayde beamed. “So… where was I—” she continued.
Hayden cleared her throat. “What she really means to say is… what’s next?”
“Huh?”
“We don’t have any ongoing Quests. Will we be helping with San Diego?”
Dayana and Jayde gagged.
“Please, no… at least give us a few more months. The smell…” Dayana said.
“The masks do nothing,” Jayde agreed.
“And it’s a pain in the ass having to fight wearing them,” Dayana said.
“Anything new with Kansas?”
“They’re still fighting each other. We are going to keep letting them do that.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? They’ll just keep leveling,” Hayden said.
“While thinning their numbers and there’s a more pressing concern.”
“The slavers,” Hayden nodded. “Are we ready to go?”
“Not nearly close and I haven’t decided on who exactly will be going.”
“We’re definitely in!” Jayde slapped Cal on the back. “Slavers means conscience free killing!”
“The best kind,” Dayana agreed.
“The primary goal will not be killing. It’ll be freeing the enslaved,” he said.
“Yeah, right, but slavers gonna slave,” Jayde shrugged, “only way to stop them is to kill them.”
“Wyvern!” Dayana barked. “I got it!” she pulled her high-powered rifle from her back, chambered a round and sighted a shot.
“Don’t,” he said. “It’ll go away.”
So spoken, the wyvern banked and disappeared into some clouds.
“Probably a nest nearby. Do we see if there are eggs? Add more to what we got from NorCal,” Hayden gestured to the crates flying along with them.
“They get enchanted gear and the rangers get eggs… seems like a weird trade,” Jayde said.
“That’s cause it isn’t,” Dayana said. “It’s more like a goodwill thing, right? You’d give them gear even if you get nothing in return?”
“Yeah… it benefits everyone,” he said. “And in answer to your question, Hayden, the Golden Eagles are due for a shipment in a few weeks. I can take you guys along on the delivery.”
“They need help?” Hayden said.
“No, not from the last I heard, but you three are going to be free for the next while.”
“What do you mean?” Hayden said.
“You can do whatever you want. You can help the rangers. The Golden Eagles. Continue to train. Keep trying to gain levels. Well, at least in Jayde and Dayana’s case. For you it’ll be the continued mastery and strengthening of your powers.”
“I only got 1 level from all the stuff we did in NorCal,” Dayana sighed. “It’s been hard and slow post 40.”
“I thought that’s how you liked it?” Jayde snickered.
“Shut up, bitch!” Dayana threw a peanut M&M at Jayde’s face… hard.
“Fuck! Ow! You’re just jealous that I got a whole 4 levels, slut!” Jayde sneered.
“That’s cause you aren’t even 40, whore!”
Cal sighed.
Women in their 20’s acting like teenagers…
“This is what I have to deal with,” Hayden nodded without sympathy. “We’d like to train with you and you have to go hard. Don’t hold back. Fight us like you did Zalthyss. Don’t give me that look,” she scowled. “The harder the challenge, the greater the danger the more you level and get stronger. We need to be pushed past our limits.”
“Yeah, bro… you’re way too soft,” Jayde threw an arm over Cal’s shoulder, “we aren’t your kids.”
“It was humbling to get our asses kicked by a supermodel with a sword,” Dayana’s eyes narrowed, “sometimes not even with one.”
“Or the supermodels that can turn into dogs,” Jayde added.
“Or the creepy vampire guy that hates fighting and spends most of his nights reading and researching,” Dayana said.
“Nah, Bennett wasn’t that creepy. He’s nice. I definitely didn’t feel like he wanted to suck my blood,” Jayde pouted.
“Even that cute, tiny Filipina vampire gave us tough fights,” Hayden sighed.
“Oh oh!” Jayde waved her hands. “Or that kid with the dogs. She was good too. I mean, beat her, but it was way too close, you know?”
“You’re a way bigger challenge than anything else out there,” Hayden said.
“I mean, we’d ask your sister, but we stand zero chance against her,” Jayde smirked, “at least with you… there’s a shot.”
Cal took a slow and deep breath.
“Alright, more serious training for you guys and everyone else that wants it,” he said.
They cheered.
“However, you asked for a real challenge…”
“Yeah,” Hayden said.
“Duh,” Jayde said.
“Um… did I?” Dayana said. “That was mostly them two.”
“Right, to make real I’ll have to stop just short of the possibility of death. That means things like broken bones are on the table. It does makes sense. The healing types will get levels from fixing you up. The worse the damage the better for them and you.”
“Damn it, Hayden!” Dayana snapped.
“I’ll start a class or program,” Cal mused, “I’ll call it Epic Combat Training: How to Survive… or something like that. Thanks, you three! A truly wonderful idea! You’re going to learn so much!”