“Good to see you Jon,” I tell him as he steps through my Portal and we exchange a firm handshake. I know from experience that bro hug attempts with an angel-like being is awkward around huge folded wings. Always, adapting, right?

Jon’s dark orbs contemplate me as he gives me a big grin. The beard is still there, but the hair is now shoulder length and everything about him exudes magnetic Charisma that must be on the edge of influencing even me. The difference in height between us has disappeared and he’s got a powerful, lean frame that seems built for speed and power. There’s no doubt he’s put on a few Levels since we last spoke.

Jon Murray, Observer, Ritualist, Slayer of Sea Serpents, Scorpions, Zombies, more… (Level 6 Avenging Angel) (Enhanced Legendary)

[Human] [Sentinels]

Health: 2450/2450

Mana: 6640/6640

Conditions: Underlying Motivation, Path of Humanity, Major Inviolation, Power Incarnate

“Those bloody Eyes not following you around anymore?” he asks in his deep voice, peering around. None of us were thrilled when they appeared for a whole lot of reasons from it being awkward to know people are watching you, to worrying about how easy it might be for someone who wants to attack you to observe your movements, Skills, and habits.

“Had a bit of help and got it taken care of,” I agree.

It doesn’t really matter where we gather to take back Iceland since I can Portal us from anywhere, but I’m pulling the Sentinels and some others back together, as many as I can, so I decided to do it in Dublin on the hope that Finn and Alana would be more likely to join us. So far, it’s working and they’ve agreed to host us for our preparations. The two of them have used some of their Credits to build a massive fortified residence that wraps around the Poolbeg Lighthouse, which is somehow still standing. The whole thing looks like a giant target to me, but maybe that’s the point.

Jon spots Finn and Alana and heads off to greet them while I open the next Portal, this time to England. Jeff has really dived into his Class and has based himself on the site of Cadbury Castle in Somerset. From what I understand the Mana in the wider area has actually manifested itself through historical Monsters being brought back to life and an increase in Classes similar to Jeff’s being offered to Adventurers. Nothing as powerful, there are no other Legendary Classers there, but Squires and other types of Knight seem to be making a comeback. Certainly nothing like Jeff, who as far as I know is the only other human with a unique Legendary Class.

I step through the Portal into a dreary, windy, rainy day that isn’t unexpected. The castle I see is unexpected, though. Where Alana and Finn have created something modern that wraps around a historical landmark, Jeff’s gone full Cyberpunk for his castle despite the historical legacy of his Class. The castle itself is a fusion of old and new, its base made of what looks like stone and iron from ancient times, weathered but reinforced with sleek carbon-fiber scaffolding and reinforced steel. Gothic spires reach skyward, but instead of flags and gargoyles, what looks like glowing data streams ripple from the turrets, humming with power.

I can’t help but laugh; there’s nothing boring about Jeff, ever.

“You around?” I send to Jeff through the GPC, even though I can use my Skill to locate him. It’s a few seconds before he answers.

“Yeah. Good of you to drop by. Business or pleasure?” he sends back.

I feel guilty immediately that I haven’t really been here to explore what he’s been up to and how he’s building something for himself, but I put it aside and know Jeff won’t have any bad feelings toward me whatsoever.

“Unfortunately, business. We’ve got a big problem in Iceland.”

“Iceland… do you know why they called it that?”

“Everyone does, Jeff.”

“They do?”

“Yeah, they do. And Greenland.”

“Why’s it called Greenland?”

I roll my eyes, not able to tell if he’s serious or not through the GPC.

“You good to join us? We really need you,” I send.

“There’s a couple things I need to wrap up right now. Portal to me in 10 minutes? I’ve also got some of the Demons with me, they’ll want to come.”

“Got it, thanks.”

It’s great to hear Jeff has reconnected with the Drumheller Demons and we could absolutely use them. It’s been a while since I saw them in action and I wonder how much they’ve progressed from mid Level Advanced Classers.

I trigger Omnipresent and search for Coumba, hopeful she will be willing to join us, despite the short time she was with the Sentinels. Ten minutes later we’re in Dublin along with her small team of Mythic Classers. I have a serious appreciation for what she’s been able to accomplish in Bamako, leading a team that’s bringing together the people of all the surrounding regions including her people from Dakar. Over 10 million humans are now collected there and it seemed like a busy, thriving place. I make a mental note to try to react quickly to any trouble there, what’s going on is worth protecting. So many people collected in one place is amazing until something really, really dangerous shows up.

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In the short time I’ve been away from Dublin, the few combat oriented starships we own have started to arrive and hover over the city, bristling with weapons and blocking out the sun. I briefly wonder what the unintended consequence of this will be on the areas these ships have left, but I’ve called in all the favors I can think of to try to maximize our chances of success, one of the few benefits to being well known.

Word has been sent out within Dublin also, and I recognize some of the more powerful Adventurers from Iceland from when I Portaled everyone here. They’ve begun to collect on shore at the Port and surrounding areas and no doubt want a chance to take back their homeland. I don’t blame them and can imagine some are questioning why we didn’t stay and fight instead of retreat and then try to take it back.

In my mind, it’s not only because we’ve got more information now that makes it worthwhile to fight rather than leave Hvitserkur to be. I’ll also be taking people who are Mythic Class or higher, as many as I can possibly find. Those people will need to focus on thinning the ranks of the armies of Rock Trolls, rather than Hvitserkur, so that we can try to hit him with a group of the most powerful Legendary Classers without being hit from all sides. If that doesn’t work quickly we’ll retreat just as fast. Not a complicated plan, but I think simple is good.

“You in charge?” a voice asks me as I stand in front of the Poolbeg Lighthouse and watch our forces gather. It has the beginnings of the most powerful group of humans ever assembled.

I turn and immediately recognize Evan Low from the KCC without pulling his Status. He’s still one of the highest Level humans and I’m both surprised and glad he’s here. His military operative background and sense for tactics is legendary post Influx, to the point I’m confident he’s saved at least as many people through organized combat as I have through taking out big threats and giving Oblivion Shroud a bloody nose.

“You’re here? You’re staying?” I hope, and Evan nods. He’s powerfully built with a military style sleek black jumpsuit and the trademark middle ‘feather’ part in his hair. It’s a nod to the 1980s he’s carried through with him all this time and silly little things like that somehow raise my spirits. Everything else about Evan, though, screams military precision and danger; he’s like the human version of a black panther.

“Level 500? Got to see this, and heard you’re assembling quite a crew here. Tough time, with all the action happening around the world, but hopefully we can hit them hard and disperse.”

I nod in agreement.

“Can you take over?” I ask unashamedly. “I can focus on getting people here and you’ll be better at it anyway.”

“You’re ok to step out of the chain of command?” he asks, as if I was the higher ranking officer.

“Completely happy for you to give us the best chance of winning and to take orders from you. A hundred percent. Ok?” I ask, checking for his reaction. A few people have gathered around after overhearing us.

“Affirmative,” he acknowledges and starts giving orders through whatever kind of magical or technological communications device he’s using.

“Evan’s here, I asked him to take over anything I’m doing,” I send to Finn, Alana, Coumba, and Jon.

“Except dive headlong into facing an impossibly powerful Level 500 creature as the tip of our Vanguard… right?” sends Alana.

“Right. Save the really stupid stuff for me and the smart stuff for Evan. I need to be far out in front anyway, everyone’s doing this on my say so, despite all the other threats out there right now.”

That settled, I open a Portal back to Somerset and Jeff, this time directly to him. He’s waiting outside the castle with three of the Demons, a mage, and a half a dozen high Level Mythic Classers who all look like they’re in line to become Knights of the Round based on their physical builds and Classes. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Jeff and the Demons so I pull up their Status to see how far they’ve progressed. It’s certainly clear that Jeff’s time with the Sentinels and his Enhanced Mythic Class, and now his Unique Legendary Class, have put him ahead of the others. They must have been fighting hard, though, to get where they are now.

Jeff Budai, Savior of Drumheller, Chosen One, Founder of the Knights of Round, Slayer of Raptors, Scorpions, Ninki Nanka, more… (Level 7 Knight of the Round) (Unique Legendary)

[Human] [Drumheller Demons] [Sentinels] [Knights of the Round]

Health: 6790/6790

Mana: 2690/2690

Conditions: Tough as Nails, Aura of Detection, Adaptive Reactions, Health Boost, Glutton for Punishment, Survival of the Fittest, Knight’s Honor, Major Inviolation, more…

Jeff’s looking as enthusiastic as ever, his Ronnie Coleman like build and complexion shining. I’ve missed being around him as much, now that the Sentinels have all split up a bit. I make a commitment internally to spend more time here and with Jeff, then immediately come up with a bunch of reasons why I’m going to break that commitment and so is he.

Andiar Voltox, Defender of the Plains, Iron Woman, Knight of the Round, Slayer of Salamanders, Bison, Velocoraptors, more… (Level 1 Lancer) (L)

[Human] [Drumheller Demons] [Knights of the Round]

Health: 5300/5300

Mana: 2120/2120

Conditions: Ironskin, Eye for Battle, Survivor’s Tale, Health Boost

Andiar is a powerful woman and cuts an imposing figure, tall and athletic, with a lean, muscular build developed from countless battles in the wild. Her skin has a slightly metallic sheen due to her Ironskin and her auburn hair is tied back into a practical braid, keeping it out of her sharp, battle-hardened face.

Rakeesh Damji (Level 21 Hatchetman) (M)

[Human] [Drumheller Demons]

Health: 4100/4100

Mana: 1800/1800

Conditions: Razor Sharp, Survival of the Fittest, Health Boost

Rakeesh is rugged and powerful with a compact and muscular build designed for speed and strength. His eyes are sharp, dark brown, and his black hair is short and neat. He wears an interesting mix of leather and metal armor, customized to allow maximum agility and movement in close-quarters combat. Even though he could and probably should keep his weapons in his Inventory, his hatchets are slung at his sides, gleaming.

Brodie Smith, Soul Harvester, Shadow Warrior (Level 29 Reaper) (M)

[Human] [Drumheller Demons]

Health: 5410/5410

Mana: 2780/2780

Conditions: Mark of Death, Reap What You Sow, Shadow Touched

Maybe the most interesting of all of them, Brodie has an almost spectral presence and is only one Level away from his Legendary Class. He’s tall with pale skin and his sandy blonde hair is long and unruly, falling into smoldering, hollowed-out eyes which glow faintly with a green hue. It’s a trope based on his Class that brings a smirk to my face, but black, hooded armor flows around his frame. The armor itself seems to shift with the shadows, making it difficult to track his movements unless I focus with my Perception. It seems different from a cloaking effect and I wonder if it comes to life during combat. Dark tattoos cover his hands and neck, inscribed with runes and symbols that I can only assume are tied to death and shadow magic. There’s an eerie calmness to his demeanor, the type that would have made people nervous in his presence before the Influx. These days, everyone has gotten very used to the things that go bump in the night.

“Thanks for agreeing to come Jeff. Thanks to all of you,” I say with a nod to the group.

“Shut it, Bronwic - we all owe you a lot more than that!” he exclaims and I can see at least half of the group look at him in surprise. “Now, let’s go kick some Galactic ass!”

I laugh, I can’t help it. You gotta love Jeff.