The group sat there trying to calm down. Brice shook unable to steady his hands. “He didn’t do it…” He kept repeating to himself panicked. “They’re all still alive.”

  Serena glared at Victor. “Why didn’t you try to defend him?”

  “He was never going to hurt him or them. I could tell.” Victor insisted.

  Cawthorn agreed. “HE COULD KILL US BUT HASN’T! HE DOESN’T WANT TO!”

  The realm he destroyed began to piece itself back into existence as the group began to realize just how little control they had over their lives at this point and yet Victor seemed unconcerned. Serena asked. “Why aren’t you more concerned? I don’t understand.”

  Victor nervously answered. “Oh, I’d be more concerned if he wanted to do something malicious to us but he doesn’t. I don’t know what he wants from us but whatever it is we can probably give it to him and leave. He’s got a pretty reasonable philosophy all things considered. I guess it makes sense people wouldn’t willingly disarm themselves unless everyone would. He just took it into his own hands to disarm them.”

  Emilie looked at him with incredible disgust. “You support him causing the Great Mana Crash and the destruction of heaven?”

  “Well it sounds like the destruction of heaven was an accident. It might be unforgivable but what are we going to do about it? As to the Great Mana Crash he probably could have done it peacefully but why should what race or species you’re born as determine what you can be?” Victor asked gently patting Cawthorn.

  “MY MAGE IS RIGHT! HE’S ALWAYS RIGHT!” Cawthorn insisted.

  “The existence of those objects made some species unbelievably powerful by birth and the existence of people like him threatens the existence of all life on Verdan. Why would you want more people like him to exist?” Victor asked pointedly to an unreceptive group.

  Serena and the entire group looked at him sympathizing with Deox in disgust. “You think tricking Brice into thinking his family just died is right?”

  “Oh no, definitely not. He was trying to make a point but he was being an asshole.” Victor said as Deox appeared behind him

  “Oh? I was being an asshole.” The entire group except Victor looked behind Victor to see Deox right behind him.

  Victor slowly turned to him. “Apologize to Brice, you’re being an asshole for teaching him a lesson like that.”

  “And if I don’t?” Deox asked.

  “Then you can kill all of us and shove whatever deal you’re holding into the spell you used TO BE AN ASSHOLE!” Victor shouted in his face.

  Victor glared at him straight into his eyes. For a moment he saw the ocean in his blue eyes before Deox smiled. “I am enjoying speaking to you. You’ve got far more moxie than I expected from watching your group. Though fighting your way out of hell was an enjoyable watch.”

  “I didn’t hear an apology.” Victor continued glaring at the smiling old man.

  Deox turned to Brice. “It is with sincere remorse I apologize to you Brice Pendleton. It is difficult to communicate to others the feeling of helplessness millions felt long ago. The actions I took may or may not have saved lives but everyone being weaker gives them more control over their own lives.”

  Brice swallowed. “I didn’t know it was possible to be so angry and afraid so quickly. I was excited to see you and meet you despite your extremely notorious reputation. Now I just want to leave alive.”

  “That fear just knowing what I could do, that is why I created the Level Breaker Laws . Chief amongst them is simple. Anywhere in the Worldly Realm a level breaker is restricted to level 100. It is my hope that eventually I will be able to create another cap at level 50 to further reduce the mass destruction of the powerful.” Deox explained placing the scroll on the table.

  Victor shook his head disappointed by what he was hearing. “You know that doesn’t stop mass destruction right? Magic isn’t the only way to cause destruction on that level. That’s your main gripe mass destruction right?”

  Deox raised an eyebrow. “In the worldly realm I was originally from a dead magic world, at no point did our world have such destruction. What could possibly make you believe that?”

  “Wait you aren’t from Verdan?” Victor asked.

  Swordie interrupted. “It can’t be.”

  “I’m actually astonished the Fragment didn’t recognize me. You let me be born into this world.” Deox smiled to Swordie.

  Swordie burst out. “IT CAN’T BE! YOU DIDN’T TAKE THE SKILL! YOU DECIDED TO BE BORN AGAIN!”

  “Oh Fragment, I am a Recipient . One of those angels you brought to this world gave their life for me to remember. Victor here is also from a dead magic world if I recall correctly. Was it Earth?” Deox leaned forward.

  The cat was out of the bag. Victor answered honestly. “Yes. Swordie granted me a new life here after my death.”

  Serena just eked out. “You died?”

  “YES! But I lived.” Victor cheerfully joked. “Thanks to Swordie here.”

  Swordie insisted. “You mustn’t tell anyone!”

  Serena glared at Swordie. “If I killed myself would I have come back? Could I have escaped that sadistic elf?”

  “No.” Swordie curtly stopped her. “I’m sorry.”

  She grabbed the book. “TELL ME WHY!”

  “Not everyone gets to go around again. Victors luck was exceptionally bad, with exceptionally few options. His world has no magic what so ever. A few points of damage linger for weeks or months. The highest level person on his entire planet was level 10.” Swordie explained. “Very few people get reincarnated, and even fewer reincarnate here.”

  “His luck was worse than MINE!?” Serena began to try with all her might to snap Swordie in half to no avail.

  Deox walked up to her. “You were born into a world with more options than him. He was effectively born into a world without hope just like me.”

  Victor put his hands up. “For the record I disagree with Swordie on that point Serena.”

  Serena tipped her head. “At least he is reasonable about it.”

  Gargrims eyes opened wide. “He’s the chosen one…”

  Swordie corrected Gargrim. “While I definitely have high hopes for him calling him the chosen one isn’t correct. His life and choices are his own.”

  “He’ll kill the devils…” Gargrim muttered.

  Jenora turned to Victor worried. “You wouldn’t do that right?”

  “I mean if the devil is terrorizing people and killing them I would, but I’d do the same to bandits, goblins or dragons. You’re saving lives and only ending the lives of those who try to end yours.” Victor corrected her. She relaxed back in her seat. “What are you talking about Gargrim?”

  Deox answered. “When the world faces great strife angels provide a savior to the world, or at least that is what people believe but that isn’t the truth is it Fragment?” Swordie didn’t answer. “No matter. On to business.”

  “What business could someone like you possibly have with us?” Victor asked.

  He unrolled the scroll on the table. “This is magical contract paper so powerful even I cannot break it. The portal you seek is impossible to reach unless I permit it. Victor in exchange for returning you to the entrance of the necropolis you entered the abyssal labyrinth from I want 1 minute of your time.”

  “What are you talking about?” Victor asked confused.

  “Due to the rules much of my power on Verdan is restricted. I want 1 minute of control over your body.” Deox smiled beneath his long beard.

  Victor literally laughed in his face. “You’ve got to be kidding me, you’re going to use me to destroy some city or continent! You might even kill me just because.”

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  “Very well, I will ensure you are unharmed during this minute.” Deox agreed.

  “You’ll just kill my group. This is stupid.” Victor insisted.

  Swordie welled up with pride. “You are learning so well my knight. Let this abomination know his place.”

  “I could do that now.” Deox noted.

  “You wouldn’t get whatever you’re after. We’re not doing that.” Victor insisted. “We can live here if you’re going to blackmail us.”

  “I will add to the contact that I shall not harm your group.” Deox scribbled on the parchment.

  “That you won’t hurt or kill people of any race. We’re not going to play this game of increasing restrictions. You harm no one.” Victor insisted suddenly seeming to consider it.

  “Done.” He added it to the contract.

  Swordie threatened Victor. “If you take this deal Victor I will revoke your title.”

  “What? Why? We have to get out of here.” Victor didn’t grasp the magnitude of what was being asked.

  Gargrim asked. “Is this lad just way too trusting? I knew he was too trusting but this is actually hurting my old dwarven bones.”

  Jenora stood up. “I’ll do it.”

  Emilie protested. “No! People already will hate you for being a devil!”

  “Well I’m not doing it and I will cut off Victors hands before he signs that contact.” Serena insisted.

  “Dear we have to sign it or we aren’t getting out of here. Forala will die trying to find us. We’ll never make it back to Verdan if we don’t.” Victor insisted.

  “You aren’t making a deal with him.” Serena stood up and picked him up to put him behind her.

  Jenora insisted. “I’ll do it. Someone has to or he won’t let us out.”

  “I should do it then.” Brice stood up. “The world hates elves enough and I’m an outcast. As long as Victor won’t kick me out of the group I will take it.”

  Serena asked the group. “Are you sure? You’ve no idea what he wants you to do.”

  “Will you tell us?” Victor asked.

  “If I am being earnest, I’ve not yet decided. It will benefit me in some way and most likely it will be at least unpleasant for the one who signs.” Deox answered. “Though I do not care which one of you signs it.”

  Brice shook his head at Jenora. “It shouldn’t be you. It should be me.”

  Jenora insisted. “Devils are way more hated than elves, and Emilie isn’t going to take me back so I might as well be the one to do it.”

  Emilie yelled at her. “Jenora!”

  “Can you assure us what you do won’t make people hate us?” Victor asked.

  “No, but I’ll do my best to do so stealthily. It’s not my intent to ruin the reputation of any of you. No promises though.” Deox explained.

  Gargrim stood up and walked over to Deox stroking his long black beard and both of them stroked their beards for a few moments. “I’ll do it.” Gargrim didn’t wait for their protests and simply signed the form. It vanished as the quill left the page and Deox manifested the green portal in front of them. “At least it wasn’t for nothing. I’m guessing whatever you end up doing to me or through me will be horrible but at least these kids won’t have to suffer it.”

  “A dwarf after my own heart.” Deox nodded to him. The group floated up landing on the green portal. “I hope you’ve all enjoyed your time in this realm and that you never return. Have a wonderful day.” The green portal began to pulse. “Farwell.”

  The group disappeared from the beautiful field reappearing in the dirt clearing in front of the Hurava Labyrinth. The Fur Fellows were just walking out of the cave as the group popped into the realm. Jim standing tall just stood there slack jawed. “I’ll be a son of the Goddess. They’re alive.”

  Clarissa lit up with a beaming smile. “You’re all alive!”

  Stan looked at them. “I’ll be damned. You’re alive.”

  Teresa smirked. “I told them you’d be fine.”

  Serena glared at Victor. “We’ve got something to talk about don’t we dear?”

  Victor gulped. “Yes, we’ll talk about it on the way back to Wonora.”

  Clarissa approached them. Her face twisted in sadness and she asked. “What happened?” Victor began to recount the tale leaving out Jenora and everything that happened with Deox the Destroyer. As he approached the great serpent fight Jenora became visibly nervous until he skipped over it. “Your party escaped hell!?”

  Gargrim stepped forward. “Aye we did lass. They saved me along the way.”

  Jim chuckled. “You seemed like a grumpy old fart that wouldn’t take anyone’s help! These guys saved you?”

  Gargrim chuckled slapping Victors back. “I returned the favor a couple times. With that being said I’m going to return to Kival with my Sphere of Undeath and take some much needed time off. I’ll tell the Golden Guild about what we learned in the abyssal labyrinth.” Gargrim turned and whispered to Victor. “I still don’t like the company you keep. If you ever ditch them I suppose I could join up with you but until then I’m good.” Gargrim started walking off. “Farewell friends.” Gargrim started literally walking off into the sunset and gave them a two finger salute.

  Jenora walked over to their camp in shambles. Jim shouted over to her. “We didn’t mess with your stuff but an animal came through and kind of knocked some stuff over.”

  Their tents had been knocked down by a creature sniffing around but all of their gear was still there. Jenora sat down and started resetting her and Emilie’s Tent. She smiled reminiscing and whispering to herself. “Such is life.”

  Emilie wanted to say something but restrained herself as she reached out her hand before pulling it back. Jim spoke up clapping his hands together. “Shall we hunt for food?”

  “No need! Tonight it’s on us.” Victor pulled out some of the steaks

  “Steaks!? Where did you get those?” Clarissa asked shocked.

  “These look fresh too! Are you sure you were in the abyssal labyrinth?” Jim asked.

  “There are animals in there in addition to terrifying monsters.” Victor noted.

  Serena and Clarissa pulled out pans and started to cook the steaks. Jim asked curiously. “Why didn’t the dwarf stick around? Was he really that much of a loner?”

  Jenora approached them and answered. “He wasn’t a fan of elves.”

  Brice nodded. “Well that at least is true. He did not approve of my race and wanted to kill me. He only didn’t because he was exhausted and Victor stopped him. Somehow I get the feeling he’ll be doing that a lot during our time together.”

  Victor nodded at him with a dumb smile. “Well I’m happy to. Applies to all of you too.” He tipped his head to Jenora. “Anyone who is part of the Stars of Verdan might as well be a family member to me. A hell of a lot closer to me than my own family ever was for sure, and I actually like living with them so I’m going to defend them.”

  Serena grabbed his shoulder and pulled him close. “Come here you goof.”

  Clarissa smiled. “You two make a cute couple.”

  “He’s cute, I’m not.” Serena shook her head. “I’m really surprised he actually agreed.”

  “You’re not cute you’re badass Serena.” Victor insisted.

  “Eh I’ll take it.” She leaned against his arm for a moment before pulling out the steaks. “Steaks are ready. Lets eat.” The group dug in to the delicious food.

  Cawthorn proclaimed. “THIS SAUSAGE IS THE BEST SAUSAGE IN VERDAN!”

  The group laughed and talked over food for the question to finally surface. Teresa asked. “Are you guys going to leave tomorrow? We’re still going to stick around for a while.”

  Jenora answered. “We’re headed back to Wonora. I want to talk to our guild leader.”

  Victor interjected. “I definitely agree. We’ve got more than 1500 gold worth of stuff. We did find that fireball cube thing too.”

  “It’s been so long I almost forgot that!” Emilie exclaimed.

  “You found one of those spell traps? That’s a great find.” Clarissa noted.

  Victor asked. “Really? It seems useless for an adventurer.”

  Brice raised an eyebrow. “A large supply of fireballs is useless for an adventurer? Guess I better pack it up.”

  Victor laughed. “Well when you put it that way! I meant it seems really hard to use without fireballing your own group. It would require you being in front of the group and being far away from the target.”

  “No doubt it’s difficult to use. It’s very valuable as an item though. It also might make a good defensive trap for the vault.” Brice noted.

  “Yeah but anyone that can get in that vault won’t be stopped by a fireball.” Emilie noted. “The vault itself is ridiculously strong it is not even possible for Forala to get into it.”

  Victor mused. “I bet even Zolvorn couldn’t crack it without the keys.” The group got quiet for a moment. Victor stood up. “We should finish setting up our camp.” They walked over and began setting up their camp. “Why did I say that?”

  Serena rubbed his back. “Don’t know, don’t think about it.”

  Brice agreed. “Best not to dwell on things you can’t change.”

  Victor nodded. “I will try not to.” The night passed uneventfully, save for an ominous feeling Victor felt as he drifted through the cosmos in his dreams Luzuzal did not appear though he felt that his must be Luzuzal’s realm.