Despite Reph's constant protesting, Abac and I traveled across both Earth and Drowl in equal measure. The people of Drwol had no idea, or even concept, that their planet was now in orbit around another. For most of them, it meant practically nothing and would impact their lives very little. For the people of Earth, they were informed that travel to Drowl might someday be possible and what they might expect. A world of magic and strange technology, of systems and new cultures. The news sparked a great deal of interest across several nations but plans to actually travel to Drowl would take decades of work. Drowl hung above the Atlantic Ocean, near the coast of Africa. The only realistic entrance to the inverted planet was through the hole in the bore-bot capital. So Jack and Abac traveled to the capital, ready to confront the bore-bot ruling class.

  After five different attempted murders, Jack was able to finally pursue an audience with several sympathetic influential families. Meeting with the powerful groups of bore-bots who secretly accepted a tri-internal type allowed Jack to scope out the political landscape and navigate the upper echelons of society. He learned that the ruling bore-bots had become aware of the existence of Earth, and were attempting to devise a way to travel to it. Using this avenue, Jack was able to secretly present some ideas of what might assist them.

  The human God had informed Jack that Drowl and Earth were now in a locked orbit, with zero drift between the two. The God had given Jack plans for a space elevator, built from Drowl to the surface of Earth. Jack nearly had an aneurism as he realized he had created a world with a tower and magic system, another staple of modern story design. The bore-bots took the idea and presented it to the rest of their people, and the idea was pushed forward readily. Work began almost immediately to construct a massive tower down to Earth, right in the center of the bore-bot capital.

  The massive undertaking would require more than the bore-bots had, both in materials and labor, so a unified alliance of nations was announced. It amused Abac greatly to see nations form both worlds all coming together for similar purposes, each assuming the other world was too incompetent to actually achieve anything.

  Once everyone had been informed of the state of things, Jack took some time off. He closely monitored the situation on both worlds with Abac's help, then with his own body once Reph was able to desperately cobble one together. The clockwork bore-bot continued to be mad at Jack, but Glimm and Dirge both still welcomed him on every occasion, calming their partner.

  Abac became an invaluable confidant for Jack, eager to help with the plans of both worlds. He quickly became a friend, and Jack was able to rely on him for many things.

  Once work began on the elevator from the bore-bot capital down to Earth, the people of Earth responded. An oceanic platform was built in the Atlantic, with the beginnings of a tower being built on Earth as well. Jack suspected that the intersection between the two towers would be rather hectic, but didn't see any reason to stop the process.

  Bob the ducol continued to perform his duties on Drowl, despite being told that his power would soon be taken away. He seemed rather rin different, claiming that he would simply do as he pleased until the end.

  The end came two years after the arrival of Drowl to planet Earth. The space elevator was nearly complete, both sides nearing each other in low orbit. There had been attacks, setbacks, and minor civil wars on both worlds, but there was very little in the way of the project being finished anymore. Once more, Jack found himself summoned by the Gods of Earth.

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  Jack had seen plenty of the human God over the past few years, and a bit of the beast God. The God of nature and God of magic had remained reclusive. However, now was the time for the God of magic to reclaim its lost power, and reawaken once again.

  "Jack, your assistance in this matter has been extremely useful over the past two years. Once again, we would like to thank you for all you have done." The human God was all smiles today, and Jack let himself feel a bit of pride despite still not liking any of them.

  "Yeah, well, if I let you guys handle everything, millions of people would be dead." His sass was well deserved in his opinion. He still didn't understand how the Gods could be so flippant at times. It was like they didn't care at all about anything other than the complete extinction of their charges.

  The human God waved their hand dismissively. "Regardless, the time has come for our payment. We will strip Deis and Bob of their power, returning it to the God of magic."

  Jack nodded, and they all appeared in the white void where Deis lay in a coma. Jack hadn't returned to this place, even knowing that he might be able to regain some measure of Godly powers by doing so. Deis still lay where Jack had left him, breathing softly, his eyes closed. The snakes of light in the air all froze as the Gods appeared, then rapidly swum in the air toward the God of magic. They wormed into the floating mass and disappeared, the God now glowing slightly as hundreds of wriggling lights disappeared into it.

  Jack was startled, but the other Gods simply watched and waited. Once all the snakes were gone, the God of magic drifted forward and enveloped Deis' body. There was a pulse, a shockwave that emanated from the floating blob, and then it floated back into the air. Suddenly, the blob grew alive with color and began undulating wildly. Incredible, unnatural hues of color shone through its form, bursting out like spotlights over the white void.

  The God of magic settled its attention on Jack. It was a nostalgic feeling, different from what Bob did, but similar in nature. It was like Jack was suddenly aware of someone watching him. Not ominously, but more like he could feel a curious gaze looking him up and down. Then a voice spoke, kind and soft. "Thank you, Jack."

  Then the God of magic disappeared from the white void. The three other Gods looked incredibly pleased, the God of nature and God of beasts both leaving as well. The human God turned to Jack once more. "I suspect that the God of magic is going to speak with Bob. His power would be helpful, but he serves an interesting niche on this world, protecting the people from the power that both protects and harms them. A barrier between the life-giving sun and the fragile people below. He may be contained to allow to serve."

  There was a pause, and the human God looked conflicted. "We...could allow you to serve a similar purpose, Jack. If you wished to remain, that is."

  It was a generous offer. Jack would continue to exist, likely doing things similar to what he had been doing all this time. Managing the system, working with the people of both worlds or anything else the Gods wanted. He was tempted, very tempted.

  "No. I don't think I can do that."

  In the end, it was a conversation with Abac that had convinced him. Jack was torn between worlds, a slave to the people he was forced to serve. He couldn't spend time meaningfully, or even settle down and live his own life. Abac had enjoyed the adventures Jack had given him, but he wanted to use them for a greater purpose, to change his home country. He had told Jack that if there was no way to pursue his own goals and life, it might be worth trying life again. A new life.

  Jack had struggled to survive when he first met Deis because he hadn't accepted his death. The threat of soul destruction had sounded terrifying for a guy who still considered himself to be alive. But the time Jack had spent with the people of Drowl had taught him important lessons. They were all alive and living their lives. Jack? Jack was coasting and trying not to let everyone die. He was tired and ready to stop.

  The human God nodded knowingly. "Have you said all your goodbyes?"

  "Yeah. Everyone on Drowl that I want to say goodbye to has been told." Jack had even written a letter to Mills, wishing the man all the best.

  "Then goodbye, Jack. I will see you again someday." The human God waved their hand, a soft smile on their face.

  And then Jack was no more.

  The tower was completed.

  Magic was restored to the world.

  And the system met with the Earth.