Tal let out a gasp, his heart pounding in his chest. He found himself laying in his bed, drenched in sweat. Above him was the vaulted ceiling he had come to know as he stayed within the Fleet Admiral’s personal residence.

With a deep breath to steady his nerves, he stumbled out of bed and made his way over to his wash basin. It was still dark out, the only source of light came from the dim glow of the moon as it reflected off a mirror.

Grabbing a wet cloth, Tal set to work on cleaning himself. I wish I had a pocket watch like the admiral–

He paused, realizing something was wrong. He could think clearly…

The curse, is it not working? There was an edge of hope but a familiar voice quickly dashed it.

Hello again, Tal.

“Cassius,” he whispered with distaste. “What do you want with me now?”

Ah, perhaps you don’t remember but I promised you a gift.

He took a step away from the basin, quickly searching the room.

You should know by now that I am not there. But I do have a gift for you, go and look in the mirror.

Tal hesitated, his premonitions were telling him to run.

But I can’t… He was effectively trapped here, maybe not physically but where could he go? Where could he hide? The High Prophet and this Cassius had ways of finding him. There was another issue as well.

“What about my brother? You said you can bring him back, is that not my gift?”

No, Tal, that is your reward. Now, go to the mirror. There isn’t much time left, the High Prophet will notice soon.

Tal couldn’t help but notice a slight desperation in Cassius’s voice. And despite his warnings, he slowly returned to the basin.

With cropped brown hair and green eyes, Tal looked much like the man he kept seeing in his visions. There were differences, of course. Tal was shorter and younger. He had less muscle but was leaner and more agile.

But what caught his eye was a strange pendant around his neck. Confused, he looked down at his real chest but saw nothing.

Reach for it, Cassius instructed.

When he brushed his hand along his neckline, he felt nothing. Then, understanding, he cautiously reached forward and gasped as his hand sank into the mirror. A moment later, he grasped the pendant.

Pull it free and it will be yours.

With a gulp, Tal yanked it free and quickly pulled his hand out.

Bringing the pendant close, he examined it.

It was gold, circular, and in the center was a sky-blue gem that faintly glowed. Fine carvings of runes laced its perimeter and energy seemed to course through them.

“An artifact,” he muttered in shock.

Indeed, go ahead and put it on. You will understand what it does then.

With a nod, Tal stared at the pendant a moment longer before fixing it around his neck. A pulse shot through him, causing him to jolt.

“What was…” He trailed off, his mind filling with knowledge. Without warning he dropped to his knees as he became aware.

The pendent was a vessel.

The vessel contained a god.

Ah! That is better. Now, we can work more closely.

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

It was early morning and already the clearing was full of activity. For the majority, it was turning out to be a great day. Two of the three candidates were here, resource gathering was well underway, and bellies were full.

There was little to complain about.

That is, unless one happened to find themselves within the hatchery. There, the story was different. Felix had told Eri everything that happened the previous night. And now, he was retelling it to the other eight individuals, albeit an abbreviated version.

“So, that’s where we’re at,” Felix said with a grimace. The news hadn’t been well received, not that he expected it to be.

“A… A Goddess though? Is that even possible?” Noria asked, still unable to wrap her head around the concept.

“That’s what she called herself,” he said. “Aluin seems to think so as well.”

Solanna interjected, “Never mind that, what is this about fighting? You didn’t make it sound like it was just a raiding party. It sounded an awful lot like a war.”

He gulped, this was one area he had skimmed over. Primarily because he had no idea how to even broach the subject.

“What Felix failed to mention is the vision the Goddess shared with him,” Zira said, taking over. “Someone is coming that will bring ruin to the entire Endless Forest. There might not be any choice but to fight.”

“I’m not going to force anyone to join me, but I will be looking for volunteers,” Felix quickly added.

“Do we really have a choice?” Solanna pressed, her eyes narrowing at him. “Because, it sounds like either we help or we die.”

“I… No, probably not," he admitted with a defeated expression.

Yedril stepped up, coming to his aid. “Sis, we already made our choice. We made it when we agreed to all this.” Then, to Felix, “My dream hasn’t changed. I still want to leave my mark on the world. I will join you–”

Zarrina let out a defiant growl.

“Me and Zarrina will join you.”

“Fine!” Solanna shouted, letting all her frustration out. “I can’t have you going off and dying! What will our parents say? No, I will go too. Someone has to keep you alive!”

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Lorem stepped forward. Until now, the tall and muscular elf had remained quiet, keeping a neutral expression throughout the discussion. Finally, he spoke.

“I must admit that I am the least informed here. Until recently, I was a simple caravan guard who dreamed about one day settling down and starting a family.”

Felix and Lorem locked eyes with each other.

“Two nights ago, I proposed to Noria. We were going to keep it secret for a little while longer and surprise everyone, but…” He pulled out a wood-carved ring and slipped it on.

“But now that has changed. I don’t care whose fault, or why this is happening. No, I care only about my dream, about Tzarin and the dragons, about the kobolds, about you, Solanna, Yedril, and, of course, Noria.

“I will not sit and watch my friends die. I will not let my dream slip through my fingers, not when it's in my grasp. You and I, Felix, we both have something we must protect, at all costs.”

Lorem paused, glancing over to Noria before continuing.

“I will join you.”

Not to be left out, Noria spoke up. “I-I’ll join! I might not have any experience fighting, but I can enchant and… And I know some healing magic!”

Felix blinked, he was at a loss of words. Thankfully, Zira gave him some encouragement.

They are your friends. They are putting their trust in you, just as I am. And we both know what needs to be done, even if we don’t like it. Take the first step.

With a deep breath, he addressed them all. “Thank you, I know what is at stake here and I never wanted this. I’ve made mistakes, I’ve stumbled and fell. But I will do anything to protect this place.

“Thankfully, it seems we have time. How much exactly? I don’t know. But I plan to make the most of it.” He looked each and every one in the eye, including the dragons.

“So, this is what we are going to do…”

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

For her outward appearance, Eri wore a confident smile. She was busy helping with organizing around the clearing, including designated zones for stockpiles and getting the various crafters to prioritize what was needed the most.

However, internally, she was nervous and worried for many, many reasons. There was the news Felix gave her last night, Chief Calsen and whatever scheme he was attempting to pull off, and finally there was everything else.

People were coming to her for all their problems and it was starting to overwhelm her. Worse still was that Calinna was of little help. The woman was too timid and non-confrontational, she couldn’t solve any disputes.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I sort of wish she was more like her father. At least then she could take over for a while…

Eri hoped that Calinna would step up for today, giving the other woman a chance to shine. Personally, though, she hoped to stay in the background to both keep an eye on Chief Calsen and to make a trip to the kobolds’ shrine.

It’s not looking like that will happen any time soon… She let out a sigh and a moment later she felt something nudge her. Turning around, she found Kyrith staring at her with concern.

Everything alright? he asked.

No– I mean… It’s complicated, she answered.

Is it about what Felix said?

Eri gave him a nod, But that’s not all. I’m also worried about Chief Calsen, that and– She stopped herself from going on, feeling a little embarrassed.

What is it?

She relented, I want to get Felix a gift–

Oh! A gift?! That’s a wonderful idea– Wait, but what about me? Kyrith asked, going from excited to despondent in a heartbeat.

His antics brought a smile upon her face. Did you forget? I plan on getting a saddle made for you soon.

His eyes widened in realization and his exuberance came back in full force. That's right! I nearly forgot about that! Oh, I can’t wait– When do you think Haldria will be able to make it?

I’ll have to talk with her later! she answered with a laugh. A few elves glanced her way but she ignored them. Honestly, thank you. You always know how to make me smile.

I do? Oh, yes, I do!

Now, she was tearing up, and everyone around was becoming concerned. However, all that changed when there was a sudden call.

“Eri! I need your help!”

It was Calinna, and hearing her voice, Eri’s laughter began to subside.

Great, I wonder what’s wrong now? she thought, wiping the tears away. She had nothing against the other elf, but it seemed her little moment of reprieve was at an end.

“I’m coming!” she shouted back before giving Kyrith a pat on his side. Wish me luck, I’ll need it.

You don’t need luck, you’ve got me!

She shook her head as she walked away, a new smile forming in the process…

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

Torm hunkered close towards his campfire, the sky trees looming over him. They had left Gaelstone several days ago and were now back to traveling through the forest. Well, they were traveling, but his new master had disappeared earlier this morning.

Now, here I am with that psychopath. Alone. Not once did he let Hanzel out of his sight. The dwarf was busy finding random objects to throw into the fire…

“Oh, this one will be interesting,” the dwarf said in his monotone voice. He turned around, revealing a rather large beetle of some sort. “Tell me, what do you think will happen to it?”

“How should I know? I don’t go around tossing random bugs into fires,” Torm answered with a shudder. It was the creepiest thing, watching the dwarf regard the poor beetle with a smile.

“I think it will pop. It can’t expand its shell, so I think it will cook until it pops.” There was a moment of pause before Hanzel continued. “Do you think it can feel pain?”

He didn’t want to answer, but the dwarf was now looking at him expectantly. “Yeah… Probably,” he muttered.

“I’m not so sure, it might know it's in danger but I wonder if it knows pain?” The dwarf approached the fire. “Let’s find out.”

Reaching into the fire, Hanzel dropped the beetle. “Oh! It’s squirming– And now it's dying… Hmm, I was hoping for something more.”

There was a sickly pop that sent a shiver down Torm’s spine.

“Ah, there it is. Just took a moment.

“Happy now?” he asked, feeling repulsed.

“Yes, for the moment… I want to go find a larger creature–”

“Absolutely not!”

The dwarf looked as if he was about to pout when a sudden rustling noise came from the nearby brush. Torm wasted no time grabbing a stick from the fire and wielding it.

Oh please, like that would do anything, the wind whispered. A moment passed and a terrifying shadow panther emerged.

He quickly threw it back into the fire. “M-Master! I’m sorry–”

Shut it, we don’t have time. I’ve come to learn that something interesting is taking place. It seems you elves are going to select a new queen.

“Really?” he asked, perking up. That was interesting.

The shadow panther stared at him, its eyes narrowing. Yes. Now, get your shit ready. We are leaving.

Torm immediately set to work, all the while his master continued.

Our plans have changed for now. I made contact with another informant and I’m putting a little gift together… For now, we’ll head towards the manor. At least, until I can finish the gift.

He froze. Could he mean… “You mean the Queen’s–”

No, I meant the other manor. Yes, you stupid idiot! Stop wasting time and hurry up, we have to get moving.

Torm felt a jolt go through his body and quickly resumed his packing. Meanwhile, Hanzel was frowning, it was clear he wasn’t done with the fire.

“A manor... Do you think we could set fire to it?” the dwarf asked.

The shadow panther slowly shifted his gaze. Oh, my poor psychopathic dwarf.

You have no idea…