"He what?!"

I opened my eyes. We were in our room in Khadrel's manor.

That was right.

After a lot of healing and pure grit, I'd managed to get back down here and crawl into bed. Thankfully, Faye healed me enough to carry Tristan. I couldn't live with myself if I couldn't protect her again and also couldn't carry her to safety.

"I was out for one night!"

That was Vral's voice. Why was she yelling?

A muffled woman's voice responded.

"They got hurt?!!"

There was another answer I couldn't make out.

"I don't give a shit who you are, bitch! Whether you're some hero or the fucking queen of Istaera, you're letting me through!" An instant later, the door opened, and a very angry goblin entered the room.

Faye followed her in. The Hero was wearing simple peasant clothes and looked embarrassed. Meeting my eyes, she silently mouthed, "Sorry."

"Mmm, no yelling..." Tristan reached her hand out and took mine. "I feel horrible." A soft cough punctuated her words.

I glared at Vral, nodded at Tristan, and held a finger up to my lips.

"Grrr..." She growled, but to her credit, she did lighten her steps. When she reached the edge of the bed, she leaned close and whispered, "What happened?!"

"Not now." I pointed at Tristan again.

"You have fifteen minutes." Her red eyes were fire.

"Give me an hour."

"Fine!" She turned, huffed, turned again, kissed me with as much heat as she ever had, then marched out of the room.

Faye shook her head. "Take your time. I'll keep her busy."

"Thanks."

Settling back into the pillows, I squeezed Tristan's hand and sighed. Luckily, my fingers still worked after that axe hit. I probably owed Faye thanks for that. As good a healer as Tristan had become, I was confident she couldn't have healed my shoulder so quickly, or so well. Faye was on another level.

With a long, slow exhalation, I willed myself back to sleep.

***

A few hours later, we were all sitting around the dining room table. Elise and Khadrel were seated at either end, looking equal parts stressed and regal, while Kalnari and Amira stood behind their respective nobles. Vral, Tristan, and I sat on the left side. Faye, G... Greta, and the mage, who I'd learned was Faye's brother Kasimir, were seated on the far side of the table. Lize and another guard, a pretty woman of maybe thirty, stood against the far wall, arms crossed, while Ro-Saleh, Renard, and Na-Ya stood behind Elise, looking solemn.

This felt like the worst kind of family meeting.

We'd interrupted a heated conversation when we'd entered the dining hall. Luckily, everyone had given us time to get situated before continuing, but before anyone could speak, Vral snapped. "I can't believe you two!"

"We didn't mean to get hurt, Vral." I reached for her hand, but she swatted it away.

"I don't want to hear it!"

Tristan backed me up. "We told you, we weren't looking for a fight. We were just walking home and looking at the stars!"

"Well..." Vral sputtered. "Stop looking up, and you won't get into fights you can't win!"

"Vral..." Tristan sighed.

"Come on, Vral."

She huffed. "You're not allowed to fight without me anymore! Never again!"

Being unwilling to respond to that, I said, "So," and looked over to Faye, whose eyes hadn't left me once since I'd sat down. "Who the hell were those people? They were crazy strong and, uh, freaky."

Kasimir rolled his eyes. "The man's steeped in the Dark Lord's essence and doesn't know who the Scions are? Am I the only one willing to call nonsense when it's looking me in the face?"

"Shush, you grumpy old shit." If Greta's scowl could kill, Kasimir would have erupted into flames. Pointing at me and Tristan, she said, "I've known the two of them for a while now, and not once have they ever been anything but honest, endearing, and dedicated to the cause." She pointed at Vral, next. "And while I only met that one not too long ago, despite that tongue of hers, I'd bet she'd follow those two straight into a volcano if she thought it would help them."

Vral squeaked beside me."

Kasimir scowled at the witch. "That's not—"

"Also," She cut him off. "I happen to know that Vral has already rejected His offers. None of them is serving the enemy."

"The boy is marked." He thrust a crooked index finger at me. "We all sense it. Are you truly telling me to overlook such an obvious threat? We've already done that once, and look how that turned out."

"He's better than her. And he has more people who are there for him." She looked at me. "Look at him, Kasimir. Do you really think someone like him could go bad?"

"Yes, yes. He's very handsome. "He thrust his finger at Greta. "For once in your life, think with something other than what's between your legs, woman."

"I'm not sleeping with him!" Greta stood, hands on her hips, and glared at Kasimir. "He's just a good kid and deserves better than what you'd do to him!"

"He deserves exactly what I'll do to him."

She leaned forward. "You'll take him over my dead body."

"If you hadn't been cursed all those years ago, you'd already be dust by now. Perhaps you should consider acting out that alternate, and far superior, future."

"Says the fucker who somehow stopped aging a century ago!"

"I've told you a thousand times: it was a blessing from the Goddess. Knowing that, why don't you leave Reial to us adults? We could have already ushered in an era of peace without your constant fuck ups."

Faye held up her hand, stopping both of them. "For what it's worth, I don't agree with your plan either, Kasimir."

The mage whipped his head around. "Excuse me?"

"I, also, have known him for some time. While not as close to him as Greta is, I can see his heart. He means well."

"Meaning well isn't enough."

"Meaning well is always enough."

"Both of you, calm down. We can find a solution that isn't throwing Alex in some magical prison." Elise held her hands up to the heroic siblings. "Let's talk it through."

Ignoring the noblewoman completely, the siblings glared daggers at one another. While no one would ever assume they were family normally, given that Faye looked like she was barely twenty-five and Kasimir looked like he was pushing eighty, their matching expressions made their relationship clear.

"Fine." Kasimir stood. "I'm washing my hands of it." The mage looked the table over and pretended to wipe his hands. "I'll be checking the seal, then I'll be leaving Istaera as per our treaty with the dukes." He performed a complicated series of gestures. When he finished, a hole opened up in the world behind him, revealing a massive cavern whose walls were crawling with living shadows. "When he falls, and he will fall, I'll be waiting for both an apology and a plan of action." He stepped through the portal. "Until then, I have real work to do." With a flick of his wrist, the portal closed, and he was gone.

"You're such an asshole!" Greta screamed her final word at where the portal had been a breath before.

Faye sighed. "Sorry about that, everyone. He and I rarely see eye to eye."

Renard rumbled, "Perhaps you three could use some wisdom to guide your relationship? I could speak with Mother Varga for you, set up a session."

Greta frowned. "Oh, trust me. We've tried that a dozen times. The only thing left is to wait for the old fuck to knock off. Then, I'll finally know some peace."

"Greta..." Faye chided her friend.

"What?!"

Faye didn't answer.

Elise cleared her throat. "So, as we were all saying before... that... happened, it seems that the Dark Lord's... children have set their eyes on Alex?"

Faye nodded. "Yes. It seems that his contact with the Dark Lord has drawn the Scions to him."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"What does that mean for Galden and Khozad'Thar?" Khadrel asked.

"We don't know yet if that means their seal is weakening. However, this isn't unheard of. I would wager that the appearance of the Wanderer in the night's sky, coupled with Yslene's light being absent last night, was what allowed them to manifest themselves. I hope that's all, though the word about the Hands of the Fallen has me concerned."

"I know what the Hands of the Fallen are. I'm confident that's who's behind all this stuff going on. But what about the Wanderer? And who's Yslene? And what seal? What are you people talking about?"

Greta smiled a soft smile at me. "Which do you want to know first?"

Fucking everything. "Start with the Wanderer."

"The last time it was seen was at the end of the fourth era. It marked the beginning of the Scion's war and only vanished when we sealed all thirteen of the Dark Lord's children."

"Twelve." Faye's face was unreadable.

"What?"

"We sealed twelve."

Greta huffed. "Okay, sure. The sign disappeared after we sealed twelve of them and killed one of the bastards."

Faye frowned but didn't say anything else.

"Okay, well, what about Yslene? I've never heard that name before."

"Yslene is one of the Old Gods. Her domains include change, fate, and the moon. It's her light that shines in the sky every night."

Ah, yes. The Old Gods. Everyone knew about those. Common knowledge, really. What an idiot I am. "Why does she matter?"

"She was the first of the Old Gods who gave her gifts to the world when the Goddess created Reial. When the Goddess's light restores itself every night, Yslene's light is what guides us and keeps us safe. Without it, the world would be a far more dire place to live in. With last night being a new moon, it's easier for the Dark Lord's essence to bubble up to the surface."

Great. "Okay, what about the seal, then?"

Faye and Greta looked at one another. Greta nodded, and Faye spoke. "When we won the final battle, we sealed the final six of the Dark Lord's children in the Depths under Galden and Khozad'Thar."

"And you built cities here?!"

Faye laughed. "I told my soldiers to go home, that they didn't have to stay here, but they all swore to protect the seal for the rest of time. Of course, it's been almost three hundred years. Time and shitty regional politics have led to the history of these cities being largely forgotten."

"I guess no oaths can last forever, huh?"

"Some do. Most don't."

Shaking my head, I asked, "So, what does that mean for me? What happens if I stay here? And what happens during the next new moon? Are they just going to keep coming for me?"

Locking eyes with me, Faye asked a simple question: "Do you wish to harm the people of Reial?"

"Of course not."

"He would never!" Tristan shouted.

"The hell did you just ask?" Vral shot out of her chair. "Do you even know who he is?"

Faye chuckled. "So fiery." When Vral sputtered, Faye held a hand up and said, "I had to ask. Calm down." Standing, she whispered several melodic words in a language I didn't recognize, and her blue eyes began to glow a brilliant white. "While I can't take away His blessings, I can ask Her to offer one of her own, if you're worthy."

"And what if I'm not?"

"You'll die."

"Oh, good. And if I don't try?"

"Kasimir will come and claim you."

"Ah."

"Let's just run. Fuck this shit." Vral grabbed my hand and pulled.

"No." I shook my head. "Do it, Hero."

"Okay." Holding her arms up, Faye's words grow more powerful until, all at once, she dropped her hands, and the light rippled from her body and toward me. When it began to sink into my skin, I heard a voice whispering deep in my mind:

I see your heart, and it is good.

As the last of the light sank into my skin, I heard Tristan and Vral both gasp.

"Your eyes!" Vral pointed at my face.

"Love..." Tristan kissed my hand.

Though your road will be difficult, know that I'll always be at your side.

You receive the talent [Chosen by the Light]

I could feel something strain deep in my chest, but other than that, I felt amazing. "What... what is this talent?"

"The Goddess has accepted you as one of her chosen." Faye exhaled.

"What does that mean?"

"It means that the world is now your responsibility." She shook her head. "I can't tell you much else. It manifests differently for each of us."

I flexed my hands, then my shoulders. It was like every bit of fatigue had evaporated out of me. "What about the Dark Lord's blessing?"

As I said His name, I heard His voice echo in my soul.

I WILL SET YOU FREE.

"No one can take away a God's blessing but the god themself. That being said, while Kasimir doesn't trust that you'll be able to do it, with Her blessing, I believe you will be better equipped to face your coming trials and resist the darkness within. I trust that you'll do what's right when the time comes."

I looked at the girls. "What about them?"

"Nope." Vral shook her head. "Don't want it, don't need it. Fuck the gods."

"I couldn't..." Tristan whispered. "It's not my place."

"The Goddess only gives her blessing to travelers like us." She clenched her fist and placed it against her chest. "It's a reward for giving our service to a world that isn't ours."

I watched as that sad look returned to her eyes. "I see."

Tristan grabbed my hand and squeezed. "I'm so proud of you."

Vral pointed at Faye. "Will this blessing or whatever keep him safe?"

Faye shook her head. "That's up to Alex, now."

"Explain." Stop being cryptic, woman!

"I'm sorry, there's just not much to explain. You have two paths in front of you. It's up to you which one you choose."

Greta scoffed. "Bullshit. Kasimir's an idiot. We both know which path he'll choose, even without Her blessing."

Renard and Khadrel both rumbled. "Agreed."

Ro added, "He's a good man."

Na-Ya said, "He'll do what's right."

Elise smiled. "He's already made the world a better place, and he inspires others to do the same."

"He does." Tristan kissed my hand.

"Even if he makes my job harder." Lize stuck her tongue out at me.

"I don't care what you choose. I'll be there by your side no matter what." Vral grabbed my chin and turned my head so I was facing her. "But don't be an idiot. I want to live the good life with you two."

"I promise." Turning back to the others, I felt my heart clench. "Thank you. All of you."

For a few minutes, everyone chattered and gave me congratulations. All I could do was listen and be grateful.

When the conversation died down, Faye sat and said, "Now that that order of business is finished, please, bring out that dagger."

Renard pulled out what I could tell was the cloth-covered black blade, set it on the table, and uncovered it. It was half as long as it was the night before, and the blade had nearly dissolved away.

"Alex, you used this blade last night. Do you know what it is?"

"Yeah, I learned from the dwarves of Tinker Town that it's a black blade made by a mage from your time."

She nodded. "Because he didn't like to waste what he called resources, Aba... that warlock created these to make it easier to turn people to his side without killing them. However, it's been many years since I've seen one. Have you cleansed Embermist lately, Renard?"

"I have, though it may be time to do so again."

As he spoke, words appeared in my mind:

You gain the quest [The Cleansing of Embermist Keep]

"Did you get that, Alex?" Tristan asked.

"Yeah."

Faye smiled. "It seems that new blood has been called to complete that quest, Renard. You've been relieved of your duties."

The dwarf nodded but didn't say anything.

"Speaking of your duties," She turned to Renard. "Were you able to heal the civilians who were infected?"

Renard nodded. "I was."

Lize huffed. "Thank the Goddess. Once they were healed the first time, they all went nuts. It was hell getting them into their cells. I'll be glad to see them go."

"Good." Faye smiled. "That just leaves us with figuring out where they're coming from."

I raised my hand. "I actually know the answer to that. Well, I think I do, at least."

Faye cocked an eyebrow. "What do you know?"

"The dwarves of Tinker Town were approached by a powerful mage. She wanted them to make these blades for her, but they refused. When they did, she attacked, but Renard chased her off."

"I did." Renard nodded. "Strong one. But without their aid, no one else could make such a thing. The dwarves of Khozad'Thar are the best in Reial."

"Well, the dwarves think that the mage found a dwarf woman named Dorit to finish the blades."

"Dorit!" Khadrel and Renard both grumbled.

"Do you know her?"

Khadrel nodded. "Foolish woman."

Renard spoke next. "I know her well enough, though I don't know where we'd find her."

Greta jumped in her seat. "I can help with that!" Reaching her hand out, a hole opened in the air. Reaching through it, she pulled out a paper tube. "I think this map might help you out."

"The map!" Tristan shot out of her chair and took the map from Greta. "This will help so much!"

"To be fair, I took it first." Greta turned and looked at us through one eye. "For safekeeping, of course."

Standing, I reached forward and grabbed the hilt. "Tristan, unroll the map." When Tristan did as I asked, I placed the hilt on the map. Slowly, ink bled onto the page, revealing an intricate cityscape. At the top of the page, the words "Khozad'Thar" appeared, and a small dot, labeled with the name "Dorit," was visible at the edge of the map, just past an area labeled "The Bowels." Unlike with Uralt, no lines showed that she'd walked anywhere. She'd been staying still for a while. That made me nervous. "Found her." I pointed at her dot. "She's over there."

"You can't get to her, though," Khadrel said. "The mines are sealed."

"I know." I pulled the hilt off the map and watched as the ink faded. "The three of us'll be going the back way. Through Copperhill."

"I forgot about that path," Khadrel stroked his beard. "That might work."

"Good, because that's where we're going."

"We're coming too." Ro's jaw set.

"No arguing." Na-Ya crossed her arms.

"Aye," Renard rumbled.

I nodded to my friends. "Sounds great. The more the merrier."

"We'll be coming, too," Faye said from across the table.

"I can't." Greta's face fell. "If I spend much more time with them..."

"I understand." Faye placed a hand on Greta's shoulder. "I guess I'll just have to take on the Beast of the Bowels alone this time."

"Ugh..." Greta's head thumped onto the table. "I hate this stupid curse."

"One day, we'll cleanse it."

"Yeah, I hope so."

"The hero's coming with us? Hell yeah!" That would help.

Faye chuckled. "For a time. I'd like to see you in action, and I'll take on the Beast while you all help this Dorit woman." Looking at Greta, who was still pouting, she added, "Go help Kasimir, okay?"

"Ughhhhh..."

"Greta..."

"Fine!" The witch stood up, flicked her wrist, and a nearby doorway turned into a sea of stars. "But I'm only doing it for you." Marching to the doorway, her simple outfit turned into her deep purple witch's clothes. As her staff appeared in her hand, she waved and said, "Tata!" before disappearing through the portal.

"Perfect." Remembering my promise to the dwarves, I said, "Lize, could you dedicate a portion of the guard to protecting the dwarves of Tinker Town while they clear the mine? We would prefer to come back that way."

"Not possible. If I could keep the damn gangs off my back, I'd be happy to, but they're weaseling their way back into Galden. As long as they're stirring up trouble, my hands are tied."

Vral giggled. "They won't be in any position to fuck with you for a while."

'Oh, Goddess," Lize murmured. "What did you do?"

I turned to Vral. "What do you mean?"

"You think I was on vacation yesterday or something?" She smirked. "After they sent those thugs after us, I met up with some contacts, pulled a few strings. By the evening, I was sitting face to face with the shittiest fuck ups in Galden."

"But they didn't send those people after us. I'm certain the Hands of the Fallen did."

"Well, I know that now, but yesterday? Who could have blamed me?"

I guessed that was sound logic. "Why would they meet with you? Isn't it a known thing that you're with me?"

"Pssh, you're with me. But, yeah, it is. That's why I met with that Arturus guy in the morning. He knows everyone, so I had him tell everyone and their mom that I was waiting for the opportunity to off you. Then I had him tell everyone I killed you in your sleep. By evening, I had an audience with the families."

Vral was insane. "And then what happened?"

Her red eyes were gleaming. "After that, I cut some throats, burned a warehouse down, and now there's only one guy left. Lucky bastard was sick or something. I'll get him next time."

Lize crossed her arms. "You were the one who burned that place down?"

"Uh... no? Who told you that?"

The guardswoman sighed. "Come to think of it, I didn't hear anything. Not a damn thing."

Vral grinned. "Yeah, me neither."

Lize shook her head. "Yes, I can dedicate some guards, but not forever. How long with it take?"

"A week or so."

"I can make that happen, if what Vral said is true."

"Oh, it is."

Lize sighed again, and loudly. "Yeah, we can make it happen." She turned to Elise. "I'll need Amira and Kalnari, too. And Renard, if possible. They would help a lot. There are a lot of monsters down there right now, even with the mines half-closed. My guards can deal with thugs, but not broodmaws and all that."

"Done."

Renard grunted. "If the hero's going with them, I'll go with you."

"Thanks, Renard." Lize turned on her heel. "I need to go have some conversations. Good luck, everyone." She exited the room.

Faye clapped her hands. "Sounds like we have a plan."

I stood. "We sure do." Looking at each of them, I said, "Get your things in order. We're leaving in the morning."

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