A few seconds later, a Sentinel tore through the fabric of reality. I helped pull apart the dinsional fabric, and it stepped through. It tilted its head at .
"You wish to return to Earth, correct?"
I nodded.
"Aw man, more than anything."
The Sentinel sliced through the veil, and I approached a tiny circle showing Earth. I gazed down at Mt. Verner before I gave the Sentinel a salute.
"Till next ti."
I jumped in, and Earth welcod . I breathed in an atmosphere sweet as honey. I gazed at the sun, its shine like a campfire's glow. Even gravity's pull embraced in a gentle hug, the once harsh pull a gentle reminder to stay here. It was one I didn't need but appreciated.
I gazed down at Mt. Verner, my guild no worse for wear. Chrona's void ice castle still gave the place an elegant air, and the growing industry exposed what the site was - a center of trade and prosperity. I flew down, passing several Eltari and Gialgathens, each playing and training in the sun. A few people tended to fields below, the ground rich with life.
It was good to be back.
As I soaked in the sights, I couldn't have smiled harder even if I tried, and I zood past everyone while temporally compressing myself. Peering up from below, Chrona and Krog t my eye. I raised a hand to them, and they connected with telepathically.
Krog clapped his tail on the ground. "It is good to see you again."
I laughed, not aning to.
"You too, you too. Man, you can't know how good it is to be back."
Krog tilted his head.
"Torix ntioned you were away on so kind of lottery? Did you get lucky in it?"
Chrona gawked at , horror striking her face.
"No. He wasn't. What...What happened to you?"
I raised a brow, and she shivered. Chrona said, "You're accelerating ti, but what are you doing to your mind?"
I stopped speeding along.
"Huh...Think of it as abandoning a set ntal form."
She grimaced.
"To , it seems to be torture...And how can you hold a coherent thought while doing that?"
"I have most of my minds still shaped into a solid, cohesive form."
Krog's eyes glazed over.
"Minds? Like multiple of them? What?"
I moved my hands back and forth.
"Well, I an-"
A shadow blotted beside . From nothing, Shalahora arrived in all his glory. He tethered to the gialgathens and I, and Shalahora said,
"These are your allies?"
I gestured a hand to them, "Honestly, they're kind of like family at this point."
Krog peered away. "Ah, that's a heavy-handed title for us, but Daniel has saved our species from extinction. He is more an ancestor to us."
Chrona's eyes widened, "That thing...Is level...65,000."
Krog turned to her, then back to . He bowed. "I, excuse , great sir. Oh powerful, mighty-"
Shalahora sent an acknowledgnt, one spoken in the gialgathen's native language. I could tell because it took a mont for the system to recognize it. At the sa ti, Shalahora took the form of a gialgathen and gave them a certain kind of growl. If I surprised them with my ti magic, Shalahora utterly stunned them with his greeting.
The gialgathens froze in place. Shalahora tilted his draconic head at them.
"Do you no longer acknowledge a Rivarian greeting?"
I leaned away from Shalahora, "What? How do you know about their old capital?"
Shalahora changed his language to English fluidly as he said, "I inspected their surface-level mories. This is their fondest greeting, one they hold dear."
I waved my hands at them, "Hey, I'll explain everything later. We need everyone to et up anyways. Chrona, it'll be at your place if you don't mind."
She shook her head.
"Of course. My ho is always welco to any from our guild."
Krog stood up straight. "I-I shall send a ssage to all and have them rendezvous here imdiately."
I waved a hand.
"No, I'd rather do it in person to introduce Shalahora."
Krog furrowed his brow.
"But...But that is far less efficient."
Chrona popped his side with her tail.
"Be quiet. As you wish, guildleader."
I waved them goodbye before Shalahora and I left. I raised a hand.
"Alright, damn, you learn fast."
Shalahora spread his hands.
"I attempted a friendly greeting. Why are they afraid of ?"
"Your level, for one. Also, pro-tip, try to tone it down whenever you et people. They've lost that capital to an invasion by their old, godlike ruler. It's a painful mory now."
Shalahora murmured, "This is why I tire of conversation with others."
I shrugged.
"I get it. I really do, but they'll get used to you quickly. Co on."
We passed groups of people.
Shalahora said, "That is your species?"
"Yeah. What do you think?"
"You are so different from them...Like another entity altogether."
"Well, different is a word for it. Also, how did you get here so fast?"
"I told Schema to send here."
"And he did?"
"Yes."
"Well, that sounds smooth compared to my talk."
"It was. Let's find the others."
I followed Shalahora, who weaved into the Mt. Verner compound using one of many entrances. He darted between shadows, no one aware of his presence. An assassin of his caliber could sneak in here without raising any alarm bells and kill everyone in Mt. Verner.
This place needed an update, and oh man, I was going to give it one.
First things first, I landed on the lower industrial floor of Mt. Verner. Machines whirled, and sparks flew. As always, I enjoyed the sight of industry, sothing I stopped as guildmates stared at for a bit. I gave my thanks and let them know I appreciated their hard work.
The shadowy Sovereign said, "They believe you are a god."
I rembered the avatar destroying my mind.
"There's nothing that could be further from the truth."
We passed machinery before arriving at the eldritch cages. Amara wrote notes in an obelisk, including recorded audio for later use. Beside her, Hod moved and talked with grand levels of animation, ruining Amara's work.
Hod said, "Hod think pretty woman being hard to get."
Amara growled, "And Amara think Hod is an idiot who should waste his life elsewhere. How hard of hearing are you? I'm working."
Hod spread his wings. "Hod actually have hearing like hawk. How Hod know? Hod explain."
I peered at Shalahora.
"Get ready."
Shalahora tilted his head.
"For what?"
Hod turned a wing to Amara.
"Hod heard that Hod have hearing like hawk. Hod asked what hawk was? Hod get no answers, so Hod find hawk. Hawk look like Hod. Hod know hawk have Hod hearing because hawk like Hod. So, Hod know hawk hearing Hod level. Therefore, hawk have Hod hearing like Hod have hawk hearing."
I put my hands on my hips.
"Ahhhh, good ole Hod."
Hod pointed in a random direction. "Hod hear that. Hod hear everything."
Shalahora and I stood nowhere near where he pointed. I facepald.
Shalahora's eyes widened.
"Impressive."
I raised my brow before several of Shalabora's shades erupted from where Hod pointed his wing. I blinked before Shalahora materialized between the two. Amara fell backward before pushing herself away.
She hissed, "What kind of corrupted, filthy aberration are you?"
Shalahora peered through her.
"I am Shalahora, the Sun Swallower."
The guy could make an entrance, that's for sure. Hod spread his wings, "Hey. Hod have shadows. Shadows Hod thing. Shady man take Hod thing. Shady man thief and scoundrel!"
Shalahora molded into the shape of an Eltari and crossed his wings. He bowed, "We both live in shadow, and as one, we fly."
Hod took a step back before mirroring the gesture. Hod said, "As one, we fly."
Hod jumped out of the pose, "Now shady man take Hod looks. Hod looks Hod thing."
I stared at them both, stunned again by how well Shalahora fit in. The shadowy Sovereign put a hand on Hod's shoulder.
"I shall teach you how to wield the absence of light. Even you who skulks beneath the surface, blighted one."
Hod tilted his head in confusion, but Other Hod understood. Shalahora turned, flash-stepping to with a quick dispersal and rematerialization. Shalahora pointed down, "There are still others to et."
I nodded.
"Hey guys, we'll be having a eting later. Be ready."
Hod stuck out a wing.
"Hod always ready."
Amara stood from the ground and brushed off her dirty clothes. She nodded. I turned to Shalahora.
"Alright. Let's go."
I had to keep up with Shalahora as he dove through the insides of Mt. Verner. It was as if he had lived here his whole life, and we reached the side passage where Plazia-Ruhl set up shop at the lowest levels. Once there, we stepped into his de-systemized territory. The ancient Ruhl carved cipheric runes into the side of a wall, having erected many tablets of the archaic symbols.
As we walked in, Plazia's voice oozed from the walls, many faces crawling out of stone.
"I see you have brought another from your journey. Their mind is dark like the depths of an ocean, and they walk without weight in their steps."
The azure, corrupted Sentinel turned to Shalahora. Insects skittered underneath the armor, and Plazia-Ruhl cackled.
"A celestial? I know of you and your kind. You are like dead stars."
I furrowed my brow while Shalahora materialized beside Plazia. The Sovereign reford into many insects.
"It is good to et you Plazia-Ruhl. Your fractured mories are palatial."
Plazia finished his runes.
"They are? Hm. Since you are perusing my mories, do you believe they are real or perhaps implanted to manipulate ? I often consider that plight."
"They show no signs of tampering, but I would need to pry far deeper to verify. Whether I do so is decided upon by you."
Plazia let out a sharp laugh.
"I decide no."
Plazia and the faces on the walls turned towards .
"And you. You've changed much, like a maggot's tamorphosis into a fly."
I'm sure Plazia ant that as a complint.
I said, "It was over 6 months there. It wasn't easy."
Plazia lowered his hands.
"I ascertained...You walked away with another commitnt upon your shoulders to this one. Will the weight of your promises break you?"
I cracked my neck.
"Eh, I'll be fine."
Plazia lifted a hand, centipedes crawling out from the cracks in his old Sentinel armor.
"Don't forget my agreent in the amalgamation of promises you carry."
I turned and stepped outside of his de-systemized domain. I spawned primordial mana, droplets falling from like goop from a lava lamp. Ti compressed over , splintering my mind, and I gave Plazia a thumbs up.
"Oh, trust , I haven't."
Plazia cackled.
"Then my knowledge remains yours...Harbinger."
I left the hivemind, and Shalahora stepped from Plazia to .
Halfway down the hall, Shalahora murmured, "That is a dark force you ally with."
I gave Shalahora a nudge.
"Shal, you're a literal shadow."
Shalahora actually laughed, and it sounded like fire and darkness expressing joy. The shadow pointed an incorporeal limb at Plazia.
"Do you wish for him to attend the eting?"
"He'll hear everything. After all-"
I pointed around us.
"The walls have eyes. Don't they?"
Plazia's laugh echoed in from all angles.
We flew out of the recesses of Mt. Verner, heading toward the upper floors. We passed by many guildsn, each giving salutes. I returned the gestures before we passed one collection of stores in the residential district. In the middle of everything, Florence bought als for a large group of people, having a feast in the middle of the mall square.
Florence laughed with soldiers, civilians, and ladies alike. As we neared him, the albony stood. He raised a hand to those present.
"Ah, the guildleader is back. Everyone-"
They all stood and saluted . I raised a palm, "At ease."
Florence smiled, his teeth sharp.
"Ah. Don't worry about them. It's hard taking it easy when the boss himself is back, am I right?"
Before I could answer, Florence walked up and gave a hug, squeezing hard.
He said, "It's so good to see you walking around again. You were missed. Deeply."
I patted his shoulder, surprised by the sincerity of the gesture. It had only been five days for him, after all. Florence let go before turning to Shalahora. Florence reached out a hand.
"Ah, a world-destroying monster. Just the kind of friend I expected Daniel to bring back with him."
Everyone laughed before Florence gave Shalahora a wide grin.
"I'm Florence. What do you go by?"
"Shalahora."
They shook hands before Florence turned a palm to everyone here.
"My general rule is that when in Ro, do as the Romans do. Let's introduce ourselves."
Shalahora and everyone stared at each other, the tension thick like mud.
Florence said, "If you'd like, I can help you learn the process if that would make you more comfortable."
Shalahora stamred, "I-I know them all."
Florence put an arm around Shalahora's shoulder, shaking his head.
"Co now. No one knows soone unless they've both t. Here-"
Florence grabbed a lady's hand and gently pulled her to Shalahora. Florence smiled at the woman.
"Hey, he won't bite."
The woman gulped before Florence spread his hands.
"Rember who brought this world eater here." Florence pointed at . "That's soone I think we can all trust."
The lady looked at before reaching out a hand to Shalahora.
She mumbled, "Hello. I'm Margret."
Shalahora grabbed her hand.
"I am Shalahora, the Sun Swallower. Your eyes are beautiful."
Margret blushed.
We took several minutes to handle introductions, and Florence smoothed the process. As we walked off, he waved them goodbye.
"Everyone, don't mind paying. It's my treat."
I gawked at the albony.
"Man, it's good to see you again. Also, why are you already here? Weren't you in the lottery?"
Florence's left eye twitched. He raised a quavering hand.
"No. I joined your guild the day before the galactic council, where the lottery was announced. Ahem...I have a question for you."
His voice broke.
"Daniel...Were any albony with you in the lottery? Do you know what happened to them?"
My eyes widened. Of course. Florence was close to the Emperor, and he was missing. Not wanting him to stress anymore, I pulled out Valgus's shackles from my pocket dinsion.
"Obolis is in here. We got him out, chief."
Florence's head tilted back.
"By Baldowah, thank you...Thank you."
He gave my forearm a squeeze before resting his head against my arm. I leaned down.
"Woah, are you alright?"
Florence lifted his head, and his face wore a smile.
"Of course, of course. I'm sure you wish to et everyone, so we'll discuss what happened afterward."
I spread my hands.
"I don't mind calling the eting right now."
Florence shook his hand.
"I won't ruin your return just because I'm a little worried."
With a bit of apprehension, I let it go. Knowing Florence, he'd let know when to discuss what happened. We went up several stairways before Shalahora touched Florence's shoulder.
The shadow murmured, "I am sorry for your loss."
Florence raised a hand.
"It's nothing. Let's continue."
Florence's voice held a heavy hurt. I was affected as we reached the third floor, searching for other guildmates. I couldn't find anyone, but sothing stalked . I peered around, surrounded by bookshelves. An entity resided within my dinsional wake, tapping upon senses I wasn't aware of.
Shalahora tilted his head at .
"What bothers you?"
Alarm bells rang in my head.
"That's just it. I don't know."
Sothing spawned behind , erupting from the ether of the void. I liquified, letting the entity pass through . I solidified while grasping my hand around its thin neck. Althea turned to , a grin on her face.
"Wow. You have a strong grip."
I released my grasp and lunged to a knee, holding her in a gentle gravity well.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Are you ok?"
Althea tapped her chest, "Ahem, yeah. I'm cool. How about you?"
I wrapped my arms around her, my lunging form far more prominent than hers. I held her in my arms for a mont. I soaked in who she was and that she was here, and man, she slled so good, and wow, she looked amazing, and she must have done sothing with her hair because-
She gave a kiss, and my thoughts muted. I was ho.
We held each other for a while. She whispered, "Hey."
I smiled until my cheeks hurt. Again.
"Hey."
We let go for a second, and I stood up, towering over everyone. Althea put her hands on her hips.
"You look so huge now. Like, wow, big. Too big, heh."
"Huh. You're right. Let fix this."
I pulled myself down using Mass Manipulation. I shrank so but still dwarfed everyone. I shrugged.
"Eh, that's all I got."
Althea jumped up, landing on my shoulder with ease.
"It's plenty if you ask ."
Shalahora condensed into the form I was most used to, and the shadow gave her a bow. He said, "You are a walker of other planes with a mind of steel. Your will is admirable, echoed one."
Althea scratched her cheek.
"Heh. Thanks. What's your na?"
"I am Shalahora, the Sun Swallower."
She hopped off my shoulder, and Althea landed as if she were the master of gravity and not . She waved a hand with a smile.
"Hey. I'm Althea Tolstoy."
Shalahora froze in place, his form no longer rippling. He turned to .
"Harbinger...You are fortunate in this life."
I gave him a thumbs up.
"You know it."
Althea kicked .
"Hey, don't talk like I'm not here."
I raised my hands.
"What? ? Never."
She jumped at , and I darted sideways. Two leaps later, she cornered between bookshelves. She bolted at , but I caught her in a gravity well before she could grab . She windmilled her arms.
"Hey, no fair."
"All's fair in love and war. This happens to be both."
I pulled her to , and she flipped in midair, landing on my shoulder.
I said, "Co on, let's find Torix."
Althea put one finger on her chin, "Hm. He's having a eting upstairs. He ntioned that no one interrupted him. Speaking of which-"
Althea peered at Florence.
"Is everything alright? You usually have a lot more to say."
Florence peered at her, pain across him. Althea raised her hands.
"Not that your talking is bad or anything. Like, I personally like it. You know, you're just always making sure everyone's feeling cozy and-"
I put my hand on her shoulder.
"It's not you. It's sothing else."
Althea peered between the both of us before she jumped down. She gave Florence a hug. The albony gave her a nod.
"Thank you."
Seeing Florence's duress, I sent ssages to everyone to et in Chrona's ho. I could have my happy etups later. Althea let go of Florence and leaped back onto my shoulder. I turned to everyone.
"We'll discuss what happened during the eting, which we need to have now. I've been gone a long ti, and a lot has changed."
Althea leaned on my head, my armor's spikes softening for her without thinking. She said, "Torix will ignore your ssages, probably. We'll have to grab him from the logistics floor."
I said, "If it's so secret, why do you know where he's talking?"
"Because no one else was allowed on the floor today."
Brimming with unanswered questions, we headed to the central elevator. Once at the logistical floor of Mt. Verner, I frowned. My dinsional wake passed over so kind of secrecy magic. Quite a few layers of it, actually. Shalahora's shadows bristled.
"There is soone here who does not belong."
My eyes narrowed.
"Let's go."
We passed through the elevator doors, and no one was present. I leaned through several doorways, each building designed with in mind but no longer comfortable. After passing several openings, I found the source of the isolation magic. From behind a doorway, Torix stood, his eyes flaring red, and he interlocked his arms behind himself.
The lich sighed.
"It would seem we have company despite my warnings against any interruptions. Who-"
Torix laid his eyes on . He took a step back.
"Daniel, ah, it would seem you've arrived from the lottery."
I peered around.
"Why are you so nervous?"
I entered the room, finding a remnant in diplomat's clothing. They spread their hands to .
"Ah, the Harbinger of Cataclysm. I wanted to apologize for whichever agent acted against you in the lottery. We had no clue-"
I reached out a hand, holding the remnant in a gravity well. I pulled his frail body off the ground and glared, my face like cold stone.
I growled, "Who let him in?"
The air grew heavy. Torix's eyes dimd to a deep blue. He raised his hands.
"Please. Calm yourself. I can explain."
I squeezed the diplomat until they curled into a ball. One of their shoulders dislocated, and they grunted in agony. I stepped up to the remnant.
"Why shouldn't I kill you here and now?"
The diplomat tried smiling but grimaced instead, "It...It seems like whoever broke the treaty truly gave much of the goodwill between us away."
Disgust spread over my face.
"Goodwill? Between us?"
The remnant coughed.
"Ahem. I would hope so, yes."
I pulled out Valgus's shackles. I wrapped a chain around the remnant and gave it so mana, enough to psionically isolate. The diplomat scread before I put my hand over his mouth.
Torix's fiery eyes flared white.
"What madness has overco you? They are only a ssenger."
My armor leaked ascendant mana, and Event Horizon crawled toward the remnant.
I seethed,
"Why is Elysium here?"
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