Kael descended the stairs, the flickering light of the Marketplace now fading behind him, replaced by the murmur of voices and the solemn atmosphere of the gathering hall. The air was cooler down here.

  The gathering hall was a vast, open chamber, the high stone walls lined with intricate carvings that seemed to tell tales of forgotten ages. Masters of all shapes and sizes milled about, engaged in quiet conversations, some leaning over scrolls, others discussing strategies and recent events.

  Kael’s eyes scanned the room, searching for a familiar face amidst the throng. And then he saw her.

  Lira.

  She was standing near the center of the hall, her gaze fixed on the floor as if she were lost in thought, a quiet aura surrounding her. Kael’s chest tightened as he moved toward her.

  She looked different. Gone was the soft, flowing robe she had worn in their previous meetings. Instead, she was dressed in form-fitting leather armor, the dark material hugging her slender form.

  This was a change.

  Lira’s eyes caught Kael’s, and before he could say anything, she ran over to him, her expression bright with something Kael couldn’t quite read.

  “Kael!” she greeted, her voice warm. “I found this armor from one of the invaders. What do you think? Does it look nice?”

  Kael blinked, caught off guard by the question. His eyes traced the new armor, used and well worn but still effective. His mind flashed back to his encounter with Vor, the intensity of their conversation but Kael feel more nervous now.

  He cleared his throat, trying to sound as composed as possible. “It’s very practical,” he said. He nodded, perhaps a bit too eagerly. “Definitely a good choice.”

  She smiled, turning to give Kael a better look at the full length of her new attire. As she did, something caught Kael’s attention—a movement on her back.

  Lira’s armor had a section that seemed to leave her back exposed, and Kael’s gaze involuntarily followed the line of her spine. What he saw surprised him.

  Two small wings, no larger than the span of Kael’s hands, protruded from her back. They flapped in the air, though weakly, their movement almost hesitant. They didn’t seem like they could support her weight. Not yet.

  Lira turned her head slightly, catching Kael’s gaze. “What do you think?” she asked.

  “It’s incredible.”

  “I used my personal skill points on the Body skill tree,” she said. “And I chose wings.”

  Before Kael could respond, Lira spun sharply to her right, so fast that Kael barely registered the movement. His eyes widened, his body reacting a split second too late, the rush of air from her swift motion brushing his face. In an instant, she was back in front of him, her feet grounded, her wings fluttering gently.

  “The wings let me do that," she said, a flicker of pride in her voice.

  Kael blinked, stunned by the speed of it. “That’s really cool,” he said. “You’re getting closer to your dream of flying, aren’t you?”

  Lira smiled at that, a subtle, almost imperceptible smile that made Kael realize just how far she had come.

  “Closer every day,” she agreed.

  “And you,” she said, “you’re getting close to your dream too. Almost ready to form your own conclave.”

  She was right. It was true. If this thing with Vor worked out, he would have enough gold to form a conclave. Help other Masters. Figure out this world.

  “Yeah, I’m getting there. Just need to pull it all together.”

  The conversation turned naturally toward the next step. “So,” Kael asked, “should we start planning your Ascension?”

  Lira nodded, her face serious for a moment before her usual calm returned. “I agree. But first, we need to be sure of everything. We can’t rush this.”

  Her gaze shifted toward the quieter corners of the hall, away from the bustling throng of Masters and their frantic energy. They both turned and walked together to a more secluded area.

  Before they could continue, a voice broke through the quiet air, drawing their attention. "Hey, guys."

  Kael stopped in his tracks, turning his head to see the figure approaching.

  Lorran. The Master with many flexible arms, once aligned with Avaris.

  Lorran stood a few paces away, his numerous arms hanging loosely at his sides, each limb moving slightly. The many-armed Master gave a small, awkward wave, hesitating to say his next few words.

  "Sorry to bother you both," Lorran said. "I just wanted to thank you. For saving my life."

  "It was the right thing to do," Kael replied. “We weren’t going to standby and watch Avaris butcher you.”

  "Yes, it was. You deserved better." Lira nodded in agreement.

  Lorran’s eyes flickered, the gratitude in them obvious.

  “I said what I said. The whole plan would have failed if it wasn’t for you, Kael,” Lorran said. “Avaris knew and that’s why he lashed out at me.”

  “Kael has the best plans," Lira said. “He’s actually planning to form a conclave.”

  Kael raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp as it turned to Lorran. "In fact," he continued, "if you’re interested, I’d be happy to extend an invitation to you. We could use someone like you."

  Hearing Kael’s words, Lorran’s face turned awkward, an unreadable expression that seemed almost apologetic.

  “I... I joined another conclave,” Lorran said.

  He held up his arm, the one that was severed. There was a strange new appendage on his arm, fleshy and plant-like, having replaced the lost limb.

  Kael’s breath hitched at the admission, but before he could speak, a sweet, sickly voice cut through the air, startling him.

  “Yes, Kael. He joined my conclave.”

  Tendrils—slender, writhing things—began to extend from behind Lorran. These tendrils slithered like snakes, moving with a purpose, as though they were guided by a will of their own. And then, emerging from the mass of appendages, was Pathox.

  The Master of Biomancy appeared, his child sized form and pale skin, with tendrils extending from his body like serpents. He had been hiding in Lorran's back, his presence subtle.

  The tendrils detached from Lorran’s body as Pathox stepped forward, and with an almost delicate grace, Pathox’s tendrils shifted and extended, making him appear like a creature walking on stilts.

  “You want your own conclave, Kael?” Pathox said. “Wishing you luck…”

  And just like that, without any other word or gesture, Pathox turned away, his tendrils swaying gently behind him. He began to walk off, Lorran following quietly, his head low, his gaze distant.

  “Wait!” Kael shouted.

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  Pathox didn’t turn immediately, but his tendrils paused mid-sway, as if they had sensed the change in Kael’s voice. With a fluid motion, the biomancer turned, his black eyes unreadable.

  "Thanks for your advice about Avaris," Kael said. "The heart to the solution. You were right. The heart to the golems was crucial. It was the key to our survival.”

  Pathox’s expression didn’t shift, his tendrils still swaying. “Huh,” he said. "I meant the heart of his square, not the heart of his golems. That is where you’ll find him stealing mana for the ritual."

  Kael’s mind flashed back to his time in the Factory, he didn’t even think to look for the heart of Avaris’s square. It made sense now, but not at that time. It was sheer luck he found out about the Gearsmith’s plans.

  “If my advice helps, then it helps,” Pathox added.

  With that, Pathox turned away, his tendrils lifting like a heavy curtain, the dark shape of his figure disappearing into the shadows, leaving Kael standing there.

  If my advice helps, then it helps.

  Kael stood frozen, he gave the same advice to Terrance but realized that it would be useless for him. Kael could only hope that Terrance succeeded on his quest.

  Kael and Lira found themselves walking together, their steps in sync as they distanced themselves from the thrumming chaos of the gathering hall. The air between them was quiet.

  Lira spoke first, her voice a soft hum in the stillness. “That was weird.”

  Kael couldn’t help but agree. “I don’t know what all these high-level Masters are thinking,” he muttered. “Too long in power. Too much scheming.”

  Lira’s lips twitched in the faintest hint of a smile. “I just want to take it a day at a time.”

  Her words, simple and honest, made Kael feel at ease. It was a sentiment he understood well, though he often found himself getting swept up in the larger picture, his grandiose ambitions filling his mind. “Yeah,” he said. “Me too.”

  They found a secluded corner, tucked away from the bustling crowd of Masters preparing for the Sunday meeting. As they sat down, the conversation naturally flowed, each word more comfortable than the last.

  Lira began to speak about her square. The steppes it was located in, vast rolling hills that stretched far. The numerous caves she called home. The giant rocks that were the target of her mace.

  She spoke with pride, about her spiders and zombies being the backbone of her square. Her companions.

  “Spiders are fast, but fragile. They spin webs, trap whatever comes too close but can’t take much damage. They’ll die easily if something stronger comes along.”

  Kael nodded, his thoughts racing. Spiders—quick, agile, deadly in numbers. Sounded like a useful summon for square defense.

  “There’s also the zombies,” Lira continued. “They’re tough but slow. The problem is... I don’t have many.”

  Kael’s mind processed the information quickly. He had the same difficulty with his wisps too. Bodies weren’t easy to come by.

  It was the mention of her wings that caught Kael’s attention most.

  She explained how they flapped, though not with the strength she wished for. There was something comforting in the way Lira described the wings, as though they were a part of her, something that had been waiting to take shape inside her all along.

  Kael listened quietly, focusing on Lira, her words washing over him. It was a rare thing to have these moments between them. So much of their lives had been filled with action, with strategy, with survival. But here, they were just two people sharing their dreams.

  All too soon, that moment ended.

  A voice rang out through the hall, cutting through the laughter and the chatter. "The Sunday meeting is starting," the voice said.

  As they stood, preparing to join the others, Kael hesitated for just a moment. He reached into his orb, pulling out a small box. Lira, who had been adjusting her armor, turned to him with a raised eyebrow.

  “What’s that?” she asked.

  Kael opened the box slowly, revealing two simple rings, their bands gold with intricate runes etched along. He held one up for her to see.

  Lira turned to him, her eyes curious. “Are you giving me rings, Kael?” she asked.

  Her expression was unreadable, but Kael saw the faint blush that made her red skin redder.

  “These are Rings of Link,” he explained. “They allow wearers to talk to each other telepathically. We will be back in our squares, and we could use them instead of relying on Twinkle.”

  “So, I can hear you,” Lira said, her voice a soft whisper of wonder, “even when we’re far away?”

  “Exactly.”

  Lira hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering to the shimmering runes. Then, with a small smile, she slid one onto her finger. “It’s nice,” she said. “Thank you, Kael.”

  Kael slid the ring onto his finger, the cool metal fitting perfectly against his skin. Almost immediately, a soft voice drifted into his mind. It wasn’t his own—it was Lira’s.

  I wish I could tell him how much this means to me.

  His eyes flicked to her, and he couldn’t help the small, surprised smile that tugged at his lips. He hadn’t expected such a raw, vulnerable thought to slip through, but there it was—Lira, unfiltered, speaking to herself in a way she had never done aloud.

  Then, almost instantly, he heard her again.

  Oh gods, he could hear my thoughts.

  She quickly yanked the ring off her finger, her face flushed, her eyes wide in embarrassment.

  “Kael, did you hear anything?”

  “I didn’t hear anything.”

  Lira exhaled a breath, visibly relieved. Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and she gave him a small, nervous smile.

  He reached for his own ring, his fingers brushing it with purpose. “These rings mean a lot to me too,” he said.

  Lira’s eyes flickered to him, her expression caught somewhere between gratitude and something more. Her face flushed, and she looked away quickly. Kael, too, could feel his own green skinned cheeks warm.

  She cleared her throat, looking at the hall ahead. “We should go to the hall,” she said. “We don’t want to be punished for being late to the Sunday meeting.”

  They walked toward the hall, the stone floor echoing beneath their footsteps. Their hands brushed briefly as they moved, the faintest of touches, just a brush of the claws, a fleeting connection.

  They neared the gathering hall, the noise and bustle of the Sunday meeting filling the air ahead. Kael looked at Lira again, this time not as a fellow Master, but as a companion.

  As the Sunday meeting began, Kael’s thoughts drifted back to the brief moments he had shared with Lira earlier. The warmth of the connection, it lingered in his mind, distracting him. But the meeting was not a place for distractions.

  The lights dimmed for a moment, then rays of light burst from the giant orb. It shone on the survivors of the first week. Kael's gaze swept over the room, and he couldn’t help but notice something. There were fewer Masters surviving the first week.

  The light shifted again, shining down on the rankings, the most kills of the week. Vor, unsurprisingly, stood at the top, his name shining brightly, his numbers far above everyone else. The crowd murmured in approval, but Kael wasn’t about focusing on Vor.

  Despite all his attempts at Highhaven, Avaris wasn’t at the top. Not even top three. Kael looked at the center of the hall, where Avaris sat. The one-eyed Master’s granite-like presence was unmistakable. Cold. Calculated.

  The meeting continued, the usual rituals unfolding around him. The Dread Architect’s record was mentioned, as it always was. 14 billion. Vor’s numbers, as impressive as they were, were nowhere near the Architect’s record.

  I wonder what the Architect did with his wish, Kael thought. A god perhaps? Maybe there is a book somewhere that would take me to him.

  As the meeting came to a close, the voices of the Masters began to rise, their conversations echoing through the hall. The room stirred, and the gathering broke into its usual chaos, Masters filtering out to their squares.

  Kael bid Lira goodbye, waving as she disappeared into a portal. He had something he had to do first.

  As most of the Masters had left, the hall grew quieter. Kael looked to the front of the hall, where Zibbit, the massive imp overseer, sat next to the giant orb.

  With a deep breath, Kael began to make his way to the front. Zibbit sat in his usual spot, his massive frame blocking the light of the orb.

  "Master Kael," Zibbit’s voice rumbled through the air. "Why have you not left?"

  "I have questions."

  "Questions, eh? This isn’t open for questions right now, Kael, but I’ll indulge you."

  Kael’s jaw tightened slightly, the secrets that surrounded the Masters, the origin of the squares, the reason for their power. Zibbit had to know.

  "I’ve been thinking," Kael began.

  "Oh, a Master that thinks, ooooo, how intriguing," the imp said. Kael ignored the taunt.

  "I want to know where we all came from," Kael continued, his tone not allowing Zibbit’s antics to distract him. "Where do the squares come from? Why do Masters have the power to summon creatures when outside races seem to lack that ability? And why do outside races reincarnate, completely normal, with their memories intact, while we, Masters, don’t go through that? Why are we different?"

  "You’re a curious one, Kael. Haven’t you heard? Curiosity killed the Master."

  Kael paused. It was a taunt. No, a threat.

  "Why do you need to know, Kael? Is it because you think the answers will give you the power you seek? You should figure it out yourself. It’s much more fun that way."

  Before Kael could respond, Zibbit snapped his fingers. The action was so casual, so dismissive, that Kael didn’t even have time to react before the ground beneath him shifted.

  Kael’s feet left the ground as a portal opened beneath him, pulling him downwards. He barely had time to think before he was falling, his body plummeting through the air.

  Then, with a harsh, bone-jarring thud, Kael landed with a grunt. The ground was damp and mossy. His surroundings were all too familiar.

  He was back in his square.

  The gray light of the walls shimmered above him, casting a cold, unwelcoming glow over the landscape. Kael rose to his feet slowly, his slime cape flapping behind him.

  He had been sent back. Without any answers.

  If the answers won’t come to me, I will find them myself.

  ******