Leaning against a flimsy balcony on the penthouse floor of the Regina building, Jack blew a lazy ring of cigar smoke into the gentle breeze.

  It had been raining almost solidly since he’d inserted himself into Regina’s personal guard and when it rained in Castalor, it rained blood.

  The natural phenomenon was unique to the city and the ring of desert which surrounded it and most people, including Jack, didn’t really know why.

  In an odd way, Jack kind of liked it. He had enjoyed reading gothic novels as young squaddie and for some reason the weather in Castalor gave off similar vibes for him.

  “You look bored,” Regina said, moving next to the ex-soldier and leaning on the balcony in a suit worth more than most people’s homes.

  “I just don’t like being kept in the dark,” he replied sullenly, “don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to serve Diako, but I just don’t get why a phase three like me is here protecting a level capper like you. It’s been nearly a month and all I’ve done is light reconnaissance work and fuck all else.”

  “I need a contact to Diako, and keeping switched on people around me has always been my personal policy,” Regina replied casually, lighting up a cigar of his own. “I might be strong, but I can’t see everything can I? Besides, I’ve grown to like having you here Jack, you liven up the place.”

  “Yeah… very funny, Sir,” he replied taking another drag.

  Back on Earth, Jack hated smoking. His deadbeat father had smoked rollups and the smell all but sent him into a blood frenzy. But there was something about smoking a cigar on a balcony that touched the clouds was just… special.

  “I still don’t get why you don’t just speak to Diako yourself,” he continued after a moment. “I mean I kinda get it, having a dude in your head is weird, but you get used to it.”

  “I like to keep my private thoughts private, that’s all there is too it. I heard from my contacts in Cali Port that my son’s charge will be arriving soon. I need you to let your god know.”

  “Cali Port is a fair way from here, are you sure soon is the term you want me to use?”

  “Well if this Kaleb fellow comes directly here it’ll only take a week by car.”

  “He’s not that kind of guy, Sir,” Jack replied, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, “if I had to guess I’d say it’ll take at least twice that, and that’s if he doesn’t end up fighting another syndicate on the way.”

  Jack chuckled to himself as Regina raised a single eyebrow sceptically.

  “How much trouble can one rookie adventurer get into?” He asked, “Lucas’s letter said he only arrived in this world four months ago. If he was really as careless as you’re making him out to be, he’d be dead.”

  “If he was just a normal adventurer then sure,” Jack conceded with a flippant wave of his hands, “but then again, Diako and Chrysus wouldn’t want him so badly if that was the case would they?”

  Regina took a step back from the balcony and looked over his companion with eyes that washed over every inch of the man’s face.

  “I guess not,” he sighed, “what’s so special about this man anyway?”

  “Hell if I know,” Jack shrugged.

  “Well, whatever it is, it better not screw up my plans,” he huffed. “I’ve always tried to maintain a healthy relationship with the pantheon, I’m not looking to piss anyone off. I’ve spent too long cultivating a solid working relationship with them to ease my own transition to godhood. The last thing I need is to throw centuries of work down the drain doing a favour for Diako.”

  “You’re not a god yet,” Jack said quietly, “I’d remind you to keep your delusions of grandeur to yourself when speaking to me, he could be listening to everything you say.”

  “Well tell him he can come out here and speak to me himself if he’s so bothered by it. You know Diako is the only one I’ve never met face to face? It’s a bit rude if you ask me.”

  “I didn’t.”

  “Watch your tone Jack,” Regina said coldly. “I like having you around but as you said, you’re only a phase three. You should learn to speak more reverently to your betters.”

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “I could say the same to you,” Jack replied, matching Regina’s icy tone.

  Pushing off the balcony, he turned and glared at the level capper. The two of them locked eyes for a long moment and then burst out laughing.

  “Alright, alright,” Regina said, “that’s enough of that. Tell Diako his man is on the way and that I expect my problem taking care of in return.”

  ***

  Regina left a short time later and Jack felt the presence of his god appear in his mind. He was beginning to get used to sharing his internal space with another being, though he was certain it would always feel at least a little alien.

  If anything, it was the intrusive nature of the commune that unsettled him the most. The mind is supposed to be sacred, but it was hard for Jack to truly feel that way about his own when Diako could waltz in and out of it as he pleased.

  In doing so, he connected Jack to a wider state of being. No longer was he just Jack, the singular man. He was connected on a deeper level to all of The Organisation.

  He was one part of the whole, and when Diako entered his mind he became more aware of the bigger picture. As a career soldier, he felt oddly uneasy about that.

  “Regina says Kaleb and his party are on their way from Cali Port,” Jack said aloud.

  He knew that this was unnecessary as simply thinking a response would constitute as conversing with the god. However, he had heard that spoken words more easily masked inner thought and he didn’t want to invite Diako to go poking around in his brain any more than he had to.

  Good, then everything is falling into place, Diako responded, soon your true purpose in all of this will come into play.

  “You mean pretending to guard a man who vastly outranks me in both power and status wasn’t my true purpose? Shocker.”

  Indeed, I know this has been a frustrating assignment for you but you have played it well and very soon things will change for you. I’ve been planning this for some time now and thanks to your efforts, all the parts are almost in place.

  “What exactly is this master plan of yours?” Jack asked for the thousandth time, “and what’s so special about Kaleb Akabane anyway? I kinda liked him, but he’s just some reckless adventurer. I can’t fathom why he’s so important to you.”

  Patience, all will be revealed in due time.

  “You said that last time.”

  And I will keep saying it until it is no longer true. For now, continue to stick to our most valued client. Carry out his orders when you can and continue to gather information on him.

  “I know, I know.”

  I can sense that you see this deception as distrustful, but Regina is an ambitious man who one day may very well ascend to godhood. The more knowledge I can gather now, the better position I will be in if that day does come.

  “Yeah, he’s pretty certain it’ll happen, he’s already preparing for it.”

  It will be another decade at least before he can reach ascension, if indeed he ever does. However, for one as old as I that time can pass so very quickly. It is not for you to worry about right now. It will not affect your mission.

  “I hope you’ll send people to spy on me when I become a god,” Jack smirked to himself.

  I hope so too, nothing would make me prouder than to one day call you my equal. For now though, stick to the mission. Gather intel, keep an eye out for the target’s arrival and contact me again once he arrives.

  “Yes, My Lord.”

  ***

  Lucas Regina gazed out of his top floor office window towards the Havarian palace, he clutched a piece of parchment loosely in his hand.

  So much had happened recently, yet ever since Kaleb left with Lucas’ right-hand woman, things seemed terribly slow.

  Havar had been chaotic in the days that followed the regicide, a day which had now been marked as a public day of mourning for the next ten years.

  Sighing, as he took a sip of his favourite malted liquor, Lucas closed his eyes hard and waited for a moment, seeing the backs of his eyelids light up with the orange glow of the evening sun.

  “You called for me Director?” Lucy said, entering through the private elevator.

  “I did, thank you for coming up Lucy,” Lucas replied warmly, turning to greet his catonid receptionist. “I’m going to need you to arrange some transportation for me. There’s a tournament coming up and an old… friend, has invited me to watch it. It’s on the continent.”

  “That won’t be a problem, but why call me up here to ask for something so simple?” She asked, cocking her head to the side slightly, “surely a system message would have done the trick.”

  “Do you enjoy working here?” He asked distractedly, ignoring her question.

  “Of course I do Sir.”

  “Me too,” he replied, his eyes unfocused and distant. “I’m going to have to find replacement soon and I wanted to ask for your help, you know the rank and file much better than I.”

  “A replacement Sir?” She asked inquisitively, standing with a ridged back and her hands clasped nervously behind her back.

  “Indeed,” he sighed, “corporate will send someone eventually, but I’ll need a replacement in the interim. Is there anyone up to the task?”

  “Well, as you know, there aren’t many adventurers left in Havar, and definitely none at your level. Sally would be the obvious choice, she and I are the only silver rankers on staff at the moment, but she’s gone to the content with the Dissident Flame party. Everyone else…”

  Lucas zoned out as the receptionist gave her meticulously detailed report regarding the current, lacklustre state of the Havarian branch.

  Wandering almost on their own, his eyes found the parchment in his hand. A curiosity.

  “Isn’t it amazing how such a small thing like this can change your life forever?” He asked and Lucy stopped her report to look quizzically at the man who was usually much less flippant and way more attentive.

  “Director, would you mind telling me what this is all about?” She asked, daring to move forward and place a comforting hand on his arm.

  Looking up at her with dazzling eyes, he held out the parchment which held a broken seal. A seal which once depicted a purple orca.

  “They’re making me the new king of Havar,” he said, and took a long swig of his drink.