With swift casts of healing spells aided by their supportive abilities, the healers of Shadow’s Edge quickly get Cenvin back onto his feet. He looks about as good as you can imagine- ragged, anxious, and utterly confused. His face forms a smile as he sees Durand break through the circle of healers and they lock their hands in a firm handshake. Cenvin breaks off and turns a full circle, marveling at the lifesaving healers before him.

  “Yipee! Heals!”

  A memory pops into his head.

  “Be right back!”

  He drops into his pocket dimension before any of the healers can stop him. A few healers stagger as Lucius shoves his way into the circle with Lenny. He looks mildly annoyed.

  “I thought I had all of you understand the repercussions of him using his ability. Never mind, my friends, I take that back!”

  He sidesteps just in time for Cenvin to appear a few meters above, dropping onto the floor carrying the limp and bleeding body of Brett. Rubbing his hands on his cloak, he turns to Lucius and points a finger at the rapidly dying teen. His ginger hair is stained redder than ever before.

  “Heal him!” he demands. “We had a deal!”

  Lucius carefully kneels and places a finger on Brett’s pulse.

  “Dying… you kept him in stasis all this time?”

  “Heal! Him! Or else!”

  He is silenced by a sharp glance from Lucius, but with the wave of a slender hand, the healers begin pouring their abilities and spells into Brett. A few Mercs escort the party away down South Street, where it’s still relatively clean. Lucius soon follows. He shrugs and sits on a stool a Merc had quickly placed down.

  “My friend, Brett is unconscious,” he quickly states before Cenvin can ask. “His wounds are grave. He is not a Gifted, after all. He will remain in our care for optimal recovery. I’m sure no one will protest?”

  The party is silent.

  “It is settled then. We will try our best.”

  “Where is Starmetal?” says Durand.

  “I am happy to say that, like the parasitic Otherworld, we have pushed Starmetal Valley out of Italica City in the middle of the chaos. It turns out, Orions are simple cowards when they’re by themselves.”

  “Is Kores dead?” Lenny asks eagerly.

  “He was in the Citadel when it collapsed. We have not yet found his body, so please do not get your hopes up.”

  “Dammit!”

  “I digress. My friends, while we work on healing young Brett you will be on a covert operation.”

  Previously deep in thought, Durand raises his head curiously.

  “Finally. A quest! What is it?”

  “You will be sent on a mission directly to Starmetal Valley. To topple it. Lenny, this is the promise I had given.”

  “Starmetal Valley? Like, the place, Starmetal Valley? Kores’s headquarters?” Cenvin piques.

  “Yes. Directly in the middle of Italica, between the two great lakes of the peninsula, Lake Ford and Lake Eye.”

  “We’re going to travel half the game world for this?”

  “No,” Responds Cenvin.

  “Yes,” Lenny challenges.

  They turn to Durnand, who once again lowers his head in thought. Finally, he raises to look at the party and the patiently waiting Lucius. He delivers his conclusion.

  “I believe the story in Italica City is done. The loose ends have been tied up. You can say that this arc is finished, so I think we should move on, despite the daunting distance and the possible dangers. But isn’t that why we are still playing Dungeons and Dragons? For the thrill? The excitement?

  “And also, Shyn told us that she is going to Starmetal. We may be a few days behind, but I think we can see her again at Starmetal Valley. Together, reunited, we can destroy Starmetal once and for all. “

  Lucius slowly stands as he claps his hands.

  “Well said, Durand!”

  “Well said indeed!” Lenny also stands.

  With a feeling of finality, they turn to Cenvin, sulking and grim.

  “If it can make you feel better, I will be paying you all handsomely for this,” Lucius says with a smile. “It is a daunting task, after all. Will… let’s see… 10,000 gold each suffice?”

  “I’m on board!”

  Lucius grins and shakes Cenvin’s hand, sealing the pact.

  The next few weeks Italica City saw an explosive drop in commerce. The loss of the Citadel and the destruction caused by the collapse had the Skywatch busier than ever, but without a headquarters to direct the massive civil operations needed to restore order. Merchants began camping outside the city, refusing to enter after hearing rumors that criminals were more abundant than ever before, the most quotidian crimes committed being burglary and murders.

  Shadow’s Edge had not been dormant either. In light of the clear, blue, and spectral-free skies the city now possesses, Mercs had become elite captains for the Skywatch, under the decree of the Royalty. Many others were sent to the rural lands surrounding the city to cleanse these lands of the “Otherworld plague.” Most reports from those returning Mercs indicated that the Otherworld was totally and finally driven away from the capital for good.

  One day, word was sent to the party via sending stone. Lucius had summoned them to headquarters. As they walk in the streets they notice the prospering civilians, the re-emerging of trade as a newly reformed, government-controlled economy. In the distance, the Citadel is being rebuilt. About a quarter of the construction is already done.

  “I feel… like making that joke…” Silently giggling to himself, Cenvin mutters.

  Durand rubs his temples in exasperation, “Don’t make that joke. Please don’t.”

  “It’s so hard to control myself! It’s going to be so funny!”

  “What joke are you discussing?” Lenny interrupts, “I assume it concerns the two numbers, 9 and 11-”

  Cenvin bursts into hysterical laughter while a dismayed Durand stares in defeat.

  “C’mon, it’s hilarious!”

  “It is… not. Many people died, you know.”

  “How’d you know that?”

  “I assume? The continent’s tallest tower collapsing into a densely populated city will surely cause some casualties.”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “Well, I mean, you’re not wrong but they’re just NPCs! Who cares!”

  That’s what I like to hear, Cenvin! Keep that Nihilist mindset! Love it!

  “Whatever. We are wasting time. Let's move on.”

  The party arrives at the door. The peephole slides open to reveal the doorman’s menacing glare. He scans their faces and opens the door.

  “Boss’s given orders to let you in,” he mutters. “Don’t break anything.”

  Cenvin gives an awkward smile and responds, “Never had and never will.”

  In the familiar room of crystalline mirrors and rainbow reflections, Lucius greets the party with a hospitable welcome.

  “My friends!” He begins. “Today is a rare day for you! I have been unexpectedly notified of the arrival of an uncommon face!” His smooth voice ripples as he tries to conceal his excitement.

  “Who is it?” Durand asks.

  “I would personally like to keep it a surprise, but they’re almost here- they’re here! Baobent(the doorman) sent the message!”

  He grabs a sending stone from a pocket and examines it. Putting it back, he draws a small mirror and hastily combs his hair. The door behind him opens, and in walks a slender woman, royally dressed, with the poise of an experienced ruler and the visible kindness of the culmination of a thousand daisies. She is a beautiful woman, enhanced by delicate makeup and her natural smile—the door behind her slams shut itself.

  “My friends, I would like you to meet Her Majesty Queen Bethaza, the Royalty of Italica, and the Premier of Shadow’s Edge!” He moves to the wall and stands still.

  Familiar with the Royalty’s benevolent reputation, Durand stands up in respect immediately. The reaction is opposite from Cenvin’s, who instinctively draws his hood in fear of authority. Lenny remains neutral and sits, having no opinions or previous experiences with the ruler standing before him.

  “This must be the party I was made aware of! The saviors of Italica City!”

  Her voice is silky smooth, smoother than Lucius’s, but it isn’t cold. A passion resonates with every word spoken from her soft lips. Durand trembles and bows with great regard.

  “It is an honor to even behold you, my Queen, let alone be addressed.”

  The Royalty laughs wholeheartedly and slaps Lucius on the shoulders. He flinches, but his manner doesn’t change.

  “It’s an honor for me to have such patriotic warriors of Italica in our age! By the name of God, we will need every help. Your party’s endeavors will be written down in the history books.”

  “I believe,” Cenvin bursts, “that- never mind, Your Majesty.”

  “Oh no, I am all for hearing your words, please continue.”

  “I believe that calls for an… honorary medal? Monetary rewards, if possible?”

  Bethaza freezes, then she buries her head in her pale hands, shaking with laughter. Cenvin exchanges eye contact with Durand, who is still in a deep bow. He turns to Lenny who imitates a slash with his claws. Cenvin begins to sweat profusely as the Royalty gradually recovers from her fits of giggles.

  “Premier, would you like to rest after your journey here?” Lucius quickly holds her and begins leading her out of the room.

  “NO!”

  Hands flinging to his temple, Lucius screams in pain as he experiences the feeling of electrocution. Bethaza, dropping her facade, furiously kicks Lucius to the ground with seemingly no effort.

  “These little shenanigans of yours have done a whole lot of repercussions, you craven! How do you think public opinion will be affected when our tallest Skytower, our symbol of power and authority, crumbles mysteriously? Half the city thinks it’s Judgement Day, a quarter believe we’re under siege by some mysterious foes, and the rest plotting a REBELLION! And you explain to me that the root cause of this is all because you attacked Starmetal Valley and broke their machines?”

  “My Premier, as you can see the benefits outweighed the consequences,” Lucius huskily whispers, “The Otherworld is banished from our great city. Starmetal Valley had been driven out. These are all long-term successes. I am confident we can resolve the issues arising up through the collapse of the Citadel in a short period.”

  He groans in pain as parts of his brain short-circuit. Bethaza seems more furious than ever.

  “Otherworld, OTHERWORLD! All you care about is that! Talk back to me after you learn to govern a continent, will you, bastard?”

  She turns, her fury spreading through the entire room. The party feels a sudden pain in the back of their heads, and they slump down, unable to move.

  “One of you proposed this idiotic plan in the first place. Whoever is the culprit of all this mess better not speak up, because…”

  She points a finger at a metal sheet, reflecting off a dazzling array of sunlight in various colors. It audibly cracks and breaks as it folds into itself, eventually imploding into a tiny ball. The rapidness of the phenomenon sends shivers down the party’s backs.

  The Royalty huffs and resumes her facade. She smiles kindly at the beaten men in the room of lights and exits. At the door, the voice of the doorman bids goodbye, and silence.

  Lucius is the first to get himself up. He dusts off his neat suit and picks up the metal ball in dismay.

  “That’s one of my more exotic trinkets. Shame.”

  Cenvin is the next to recover, followed quickly by the rest of the party.

  “What’s her goddamn ability?”

  “Electron manipulation, my friends.”

  “Damn!”

  “Well, my friends, I apologize for the Premier’s actions. It ultimately correlates to her ability, which makes her quite… unstable. She is the Royalty, after all. Stressful line of work.”

  With a compensation of 5 gp(which Cenvin happily accepts), the adventurers are dismissed.

  The next few days were spent roaming around the city and discovering shops and secrets. Durand managed to convince Lucius to reveal the supplier of Shadow’s Edge weapons and after meeting the blacksmith, he had commissioned the forging of a powerful amulet, capable of storing spells indefinitely. He was told it would take quite a lengthy time to forge, so he bought a lesser amulet that enhanced his ability of matter manipulation. Cenvin also tried to get the blacksmith to forge a triple-firing crossbow, which the blacksmith politely declined.

  A couple of days later, Cenvin confronts Durand in the penthouse while Lenny is out doing some “personal” things.

  “Here,” he hands Durand his pair of shortswords.

  Visibly confused, Durand pushes it back.

  “It’s yours, I don’t want it. You likely need it more.”

  “Ah, don’t worry. I found a better replacement than these rusty blades.”

  Bewildered but strapping the shortswords onto his belt, Durand waits in anticipation of the mysterious box in Cenvin’s hands, who proceeds to open it.

  He holds up a rapier, blue in hue and sharp in mood, the Starmetal glinting off the light. The tip seems to desperately be trying to reach farther than it’s physically capable of.

  “Behold the Rapier of Dimensions!”

  He flourishes at a pillow and stabs, the tip of the rapier several feet away from its target.

  “It didn’t do anything.”

  “Look closer.”

  Durand grabs the pillow and inspects it.

  “It’s got a rapier hole? How?”

  “It makes use of my portals, while also enhancing my pocket dimension. A symbiotic relationship, if you will. Anyway, it uses the portals to gain extended reach and deals more damage, so it’s pretty sick, right?”

  “A Starmetal weapon, no less! This is… broken, Cenvin! Diem’s gonna nerf it!”

  “It hasn’t even seen combat yet. We will see.”

  After Durand goes away, he looks at the ceiling and whispers, “Don’t nerf don’t nerf don’t nerf…”

  In a sleepless night, Nyri bursts through the door of the penthouse, waking up the party.

  “What the hell, Nyri!?” shouts Cenvin and Durand in unison, but they quiet down after seeing the figure walking through after Nyri’s glimmering form. Her glow lights up the figure’s deformed, aged face and they see that it’s their old friend, Sinner the Wandering.

  Sinner’s face carves into a smile, and it widens as he hands Durand a piece of parchment. He reads it under candlelight.

  “Concerning the Lumi Nyri… her purpose… watch… guide… sending messages every night that details our antics… friend.”

  Cenvin pauses, then he takes a step backward, staring at Nyri revoltingly. The white cat purrs hopefully, upon seeing only negative responses, sighs, and slithers behind Sinner.

  “T-Traitor! How dare you! Stalking us and freaking spying, absolute dirt!

  Nyri flashes red despite not taking any physical damage.

  “You two need to get out!” Now!”

  Sinner shrugs and turns to leave, Nyri following close behind. She shoots one last sad look at Lenny and Durand, then closes the door behind her.

  This is officially the end of the adventurers’ story in Italica City! Next chapter, they will start a new quest, one that will be full of perils and dangers, and the party might not even come out with all of their members still conscious…

  Nyri is not gone, from now on she will remain with the party, but she will be watching at a distance, contrary to directing and helping them. It’s a shame that Cenvin likes his privacy.

  Thank you for reading to this point, more chapters to come! A roadmap for the Dark Otherworld’s future will be laid out in a special upload soon, please stay tuned! If you like my little Dungeons and Dragons campaign-turned-web novel, feel free to leave a review!

  Stay conscious(don’t be like Cenvin)!