“I didn’t get a notification…” Max said with a look of horror on his face.

“Me neither…” Vel turned to Mallor’s headless Corpse. “He looks dead to me.”

The three slowly inched closer, slightly scared. Thoughts and ideas raced through both Vel’s and Max’s head. Max thought of scientific ways Mallor could still be alive while Vel thought of Magical ways. They abruptly stopped as the corpse twitched. Muscles spasmed like a newborn calf causing a rather demonic looking effect.

Vel, Max, and Emi watched as Mallor’s torso and below slowly found its way to its knees and eventually to its feet. On Mallor’s back, a single arm and two distinct legs wiggled with fervor. Harsh breathing echoed slightly off the walls as the parasite controlled Mallor’s lifeless body.

“I guess Mallor was wrong. His experiment did work. Life after death.” Max said.

Vel watched the body take a faltered step. It fell and fell into a fit of muscle spasms.

“We will never talk about this.” Vel turned to him. “We can talk about Mallor and the fight. But never this. This cannot become public knowledge.”

“I understand.”

“Well then. Take the killing blow.” Vel gestured to the struggling body.

“Are you su-”

“Yes. End it, Max.” Vel interrupted.

Max gave her a weak smile before stepping closer. An iron sword materialized from his inventory. With one fluid motion Max stabbed the undead parasite through its deformed skull. Its red eyes slowly faded. Its harsh breaths calmly grew slower and slower until it moved no more.

“Rest now.” Max whispered to the parasite.

Max stepped back a few feet before opening the notification.

Congratulations you have killed Mallor Henbar, a level 66 Human!

3,813,561 Experience gained!

Congratulations you have assisted in killing Volcanic Basilisk (Reanimated), a level 43 Undead!

1,63,424 Experience gained!

Congratulations, Teleport Object has become level 2!

…

Congratulations, Teleport Object has become level 9!

Congratulations, Blink has become level 13!

Congratulations, Manipulate Water has become level 10!

Congratulations, Water Scythe has become level 7!

Congratulations, Ice Bolt has become level 6!

Golden light filtered into Max’s skin, relieving a stress that he didn’t realize he had. For a brief moment, Max felt like nothing was wrong in the world. But the light faded, and the harsh reality came back.

“Only one level in my main class?” Max asked.

Vel nodded. “The experience needed to level becomes exorbitant. But then again, you gain less experience for killing humanoids compared to the same level monster or beast. One of the few balances checks the system has in place. That’s why you don’t see people murdering for experience that often. It's simply not worth the risk.”

Max reviewed his profile:

Name:

Max Fowler

Race:

Lost One (Human Earth)

Class:

Tidal Mage: level 17 (3,911,111 /6,553,600)

Astral Dimensionist: level 16(1,540,050/3,276,800)

Heath: 290/290

Mana 380/380

Stats:

Strength:

Dexterity:

Stamina:

Intellect:

Wisdom:

10

10

10

85

95

Stat Points:

0

“I am now a level seventeen [Tidal Mage] and sixteen [Astral Dimensionist].”

Vel scoffed. “You will be evolving or combining your classes by this time next year. Might be a record.”

Max gently smiled and pet Emi. The future. It was something he thought about constantly, but never really thought about. The past few weeks had been so hectic that Max never really stopped to consider what he was actually going to do next. Returning to Lesterwood was a given, but past that? Take some classes? Build something?

“What do we do now?” Max finally asked.

“That… is a very good question.” Vel looked around. “First thing is first.”

She moved to Mallor’s corpse and removed a small dark ring. An inventory ring, Max assumed. Vel patted down Mallor’s torso, feeling for pockets and hidden items. By the time Vel decided there was nothing else to loot, she had multiple piles of items. The preeminent category of item was small bones. Some had etchings and carvings, others had ink and stains. Each was of varying sizes and varying densities. A small dull golden pocket watch was the only other item of interest. It was old, most likely a family heirloom to the Henbar nobility.

Vel seemed slightly disappointed with the item haul.

“I would put on the ring, but I need a specialist to make sure it isn’t trapped. Don’t want the thing exploding.”

Max nodded and moved to the pile of bones that was once an Orc chieftain. A small pulling sensation drew Max closer. Max, to his better judgement, reached into the rotting skin and organs and yanked out two different bones. Divine bones.

Max didn’t know what he was going to do with them. He didn’t even know if he should have them. He glanced at Vel who was watching him. She had a raised eyebrow, but otherwise said nothing. For now, at least, Max sent the bones into his inventory.

They made their way over to the husk of the Basilisk. Harden, but warm, rock and stone littered the area surrounding it. A bone and scale shell was all that remained of the once Legendary Beast. Max watched as Vel reached in, deep, and returned with a shattered red-black stone. Vel’s hand was severely burned from the brief moments she held onto the core before adding it into her inventory ring.

“You, okay?” Max asked.

“It looks worse than it is.” Vel said dismissively. “That might be a rather powerful item when used in crafting. Mediums of such potency are rather rare, and expensive.”

They moved down to the center of the hall where the Elemental last stood.

“A shame I couldn’t help it more.” Max said.

“You did help it. You heard what Mallor said. It was a living undead. It knew exactly what it was doing, it just couldn't do anything about it. Putting it out of its misery was the right thing to do.”

“Maybe.” Max whispered.

Vel didn’t say anything more on the subject, but Max could tell she wanted to. They moved to the invisible barrier. They stood at the edge of the carnage, looking into the pristine Tomb entrance. Both Vel and Max had seen what happened to Mallor’s finger as he experimentally touched the invisible boundary.

“Makes you wonder… Why were we needed if something like this existed?” Vel asked.

“Maybe Mallor would have found a way.” Max supplied.

“Doubt it. This is something…” Vel faltered as she thought of the correct words. “Above us. Not us meaning you and I but meaning mortals. This is Divine. This is Godly.”

Max did not agree. He had met two Gods and Goddess at this point, and the construct in front of him did not feel like the Divine. It felt harsher, more primal. With that thought, something clicked in Max’s head. He dropped into the infinite beach just in time to see Tiodepth finish breaching. It always left Max speechless. Something so big, moving with such grace.

Emi, feeling Max’s awe, found her way to the beach. The Leviathan’s massive eye twitched and narrowed on the small bond but moved away a few moments later. Water shot from Tiodepth’s mouth and nostrils like a cannon, drenching Max and Emi.

Normally this signified that Tiodepth was about to speak, but he chose to remain silent. Instead, a small idea sprouted in Max’s mind. Roots took hold and the flower of an idea began to bloom. Max understood. Tiodepth, with one last huff, dived. Back to the deepest depths.

Max returned to the real world with Emi. His sudden blowout of salt water made Vel jump, but he held up his hand silencing her on coming questions. Max took a small step to the barrier. With his missing right arm, he reached through. A ghostly ethereal hand and wrist formed as he slowly moved his stump deeper into the border. Vel gasped as she finally realized what the barrier was.

“I-it’s a Heaven Gate. An entrance to the afterlife. This is no Tomb! This is much, much more!”

Max gave her a tired smile as he flexed his missing arm. It felt so real to him, but so false at the same time. It was his arm, but as he slowly moved back and away, the ethereal arm didn’t follow. He was still armless, and that fact wasn’t going to change. Max was about to turn and leave, figuring he had no reason to interact with a gate to the afterlife, when movement caught his eye.

Something moved far past the living portion of the Gate. As it moved closer, white, and blue wisps of ethereal energy began to condense and form into a shape. A humanoid shape. Legs were the first to be created, then a torso and chest. A head appeared when the being was a few steps away. It was a Female Elf.

She stood unclothed and perfect. No blemishes or scars were present on her pristine glowing skin. She wore a great smile as she looked over Max, Emi, and Vel. Only what Max could describe as a ghost tear fell from her eyes, dwindling into nothing as it evaporated into ethereal. She peered around the live Humans looking at the destruction of the hall, she shook her head and gave a sad frown.

She stood silent and waiting but as the minutes grew long, she grew impatient. With a sarcastic smile and a roll of her eyes, she gestured for Max to reach in. Max was hesitant but felt no malice in her movements or actions. He looked to Vel for help, but the expression she gave him was bewilderment.

With a deep sigh and hoping he wasn't going to regret this, he reached in. When his ghostly arm was formed up to his elbow, the Elf held up a hand signaling him to stop. In her open palm a small acorn formed. She slowly reached to Max, placing the acorn in his hand. For a brief moment her hand touched his, causing a memory to flood his head.

Max stood in the Elf’s body at the base of a large tree. Next to her was a tall slender male Elf. Both were wearing formal clothing, and both wore huge grins. A third Elf stood nearby muttering soundless words. The female Elf twisted to look behind her allowing Max to see a plethora of smiling or sobbing Elves. Her attention flicked back to the muttering man and with a racing heart, she placed her hand on the great tree in front of her.

The male Elf then put his hand on top of hers causing mana and power to flow from the tree into them. Green and blue light highlighted the contours of veins and bones while the people behind clapped. The man turned to his partner and whispered.

“I’ll love you forever.”

Max’s vision returned to the present. Tears streamed down his face. A bittersweet smile formed as he looked at the ghost of Geond, Honeygreen’s wife. Max slowly removed his hand after sending the acorn to his inventory. Geond gave him a bright but sad smile before dissolving into ethereal mist and disappearing.

Max stood quietly for a brief moment before regaining his composure. The Acorn appeared in his left hand. It was large, larger than any normal acorn Max had ever seen. Max slowly felt the hard grain shell protecting the important inners. Power radiated softly telling Max that whatever this seed grows into will be strong.

Geond’s World Seed

“Geond’s World Seed.” Max repeated for Vel.

“Geond? That’s Honeygreen’s-”

“Dead wife.” Max finished for her.

Vel’s eyes went wide as she looked back and forth between where the Elf disappeared and the seed in Max’s hand. Realization formed as all of the coincidences came together. The Unicorn, Belopi, Tiodepth, and now, Max’s missing arm. Everything was planned by someone of great power. But for what end? How does a seed play into the grand plan of the almighty? How does Max fit past this?

Was this what Lester was talking about before he disappeared? Vel thought.

“Are you coming?” Max asked, breaking Vel out of her thought. He and Emi were making their way out of the hall towards the stairs.

They made their way up towards the empty war room where Honeygreen’s husk of a vessel sat. Since the [Arbors] were in their influence state they left their wooden bodies sitting at the war table. It was a bit creepy to Max, walking past lifeless bodies. For the next hour Max and Vel wrote a letter describing their fight with Mallor, and more importantly, meeting Geond. They wrote about the seed and their plans for it. They were going to plant it in Salvia’s abandoned plot.

They read the letter aloud just in case Honenygreen could hear. When Vel spoke about the seed the walls of the trunk seemed to slightly shake. Max hoped that was sadness and acceptance rather than anger and unrest.

Max, with Emi on his shoulder, joined hands with Vel. A small metal spoon appeared in between their grasp and with a surge of mana the sensory changed. They appeared outside scaring a guard and making him stammer backwards from the sudden shock. The checkpoint was full of guards rushing around completing orders or moving equipment.

Everyone in the general area turned to the Elf who let out a loud squeal. Their initial worries of another bomb or attack was quickly relaxed when they saw Max and Vel. Max gave a short and tired wave to the crowd and helped up the frightened Elf. They made their way to the captain’s tent.

It was early morning, Max could tell. With the dome in place, it was hard to tell time of day but from the yawns of passing soldiers and the smell of caffeinated tea, it wasn't that hard of a guess. That guess was confirmed when they were met with a groggy Captain Ism who was in the process of shaving.

“Vel! Max! Is something wrong? Why ar-”

“Mallor is dead.” Vel interrupted.

“Are you certain?” Ism asked.

Vel sent over her notification box when Max materialized Mallor’s body on a nearby table. Ism had to sit down, the shock being too great. A small tear was quickly wiped away and his professional personality came back a moment later.

“Thank you.” Ism said. “We can rest well now.”

Vel smiled. “Indeed.”

They gave Ism a few more details of what transpired in the trunk. By the end of the tale, Ism was wide eyed at the thought of Legendary Beasts, Orc Chieftains, and Elementals. They chose not to mention Divine bones and the seed. They finally left after retelling the story to the other captains, who were summoned.

They slowly made their way through the city. They helped a few in need citizens and healed a few small cuts and bruises. They wanted to rest at the inn but had one stop to make first. Salvia’s plot was blackened and charred. Hollow and ashen branches and sticks littered the ground and surrounding area.

They marched into the heart of the plot and moved large debris to clear a small area of soil. After removing a particularly large chunk of charcoal, a small live root popped from the fresh ground. It pushed and moved dirt and soil creating a small hole. Max watched the root move and knew it had to be Honeygreen.

“Looks like Honeygreen wants us to plant the seed in that hole.” Max said removing the seed from his inventory.

“Looks like it.”

Max crouched down and gently placed the seed in the hole. The root began to cave in the sides, covering the seed.

The bell on the door to the Garden of Globes rang. Vel pushed her way through with a mighty sigh. Max and Emi followed quickly after. The common room was quiet. No one seemed to be around, which worried Max until he heard a loud thump from upstairs. A yawning Drake head peered down the stairs at Max. Max gave a small smile.

“You're back?” Bishop asked.

“We’re back. Mallor is dead.” Max said.

Bishop bellowed loudly, waking the others. A door opened revealing a disheveled Clammy and a tired Reep. Clammy sprinted down the stairs and enveloped Max in a hug. Reep made her way down the stairs slowly and hugged Max when Clammy moved on to Vel.

“He’s dead.” Reep whispered in Max’s ear.

“Beheaded.” He replied.

A single tear fell from her eye. One more of the Vast Empire dead. It was a happy moment for the orphaned girl. One step closer to her goal.

Max and Vel told the story of what happened once again, but this time added what happened after. Bishop seemed the most interested. A Heaven Gate was something of myth. No confirmed locations have ever been found. That is, until today. It was a prosperous find for all of Nava, but one that had to remain secret. Mallor brought an army of undead to breach into a Tomb, who's to say what someone might bring to breach the Heavens.

Clammy told them about her second class and struggled to tell them about some parts. Bishop and Reep filled in when needed. When all was told, Vel apologized. It was the same apology as Bishop, that she should have noticed, all the signs were there. Clammy found it reassuring that both of her teachers were humble enough to admit their mistakes, something her family would never do.

Clammy talked about her visions and nightmares. She told them of the young adventurer and her most recent dream. Max particularly liked the story of the kid who found his note. Even though he didn’t mean to, he was glad he could inspire someone so young.

“What’s next?” Clammy finally asked.

“Well.” Max began. “I want to take a bath then sleep. After that I want to check in on all of the clinics. After that, I guess we can leave.”

“We can’t leave, there is a dome of roots around the city. We watched a group of mages try and blast a whole through it, but they only left scorch marks.” Bishop said.

“We can just teleport past it.” Max said nonchalantly.

“Can you teleport people now?”

“No. Only Emi, but I do have a special item tha-”

“YOU HAVE IT?” Bishop bellowed.

A spoon materialized on the table. Who would have thought that such a small item would give someone enough confidence to attack an entire city? Bishop eyed the Spade carefully. It looked so plain. So normal.

Max returned it to his inventory and stood. “We have our way home, but I told Emi we would stop by the beach on the way back.”

Max went to take a bath. The girls went to help Belopi with moving stock, leaving Bishop and Vel alone.

“He seems different.” Bishop quietly said.

“I think seeing the carnage in the clinic was an eye opener for him. He doesn't have Lester’s temper, but I can already see the same hatred forming.” Vel said back.

“That's not good. We both know that almost destroyed him.”

“Indeed. Hopefully the Gods listening will leave the poor boy alone for a while. Let him fully adjust before throwing him into your games.”

Bishop regarded what Vel said for a moment before speaking. “How did he do fighting Mallor.”

“He’s tier one level seventeen. Neither a Legendary Beast nor an Orc with Demigod bones touched him. He teleported around, splitting his focus on attacking and teleporting lava into Mallor. I don’t think either of the girls would have survived. Hells I don’t think I would have survived much longer.”

“You knew Lester at Max’s level. How does he compare?”

“Max is stronger. No contest.”

It was well into the evening when Max woke and left for the clinics. He, Emi, Bishop and Reep made their way through the city towards the most isolated clinic. Max was pleasantly surprised with all of the activity around the city. There was no more bodies covered by sheets, blood pooling in potholes, or crying children.

Instead, citizens were moving chucks of buildings, logs, and stone out of streets and alleys. Workers of various types filled holes, repaired cracks, and constructed new walls and roofs. Every other street or so there were small stands offering free food and drink. Long lines were starting to form as they walked by.

Guards were seen here and there, making sure no one cut or became unruly. As they walked by a unit, they each would nod to the out of place adventurers. Citizens that were taking breaks when they walked by also nodded to Max and the others. It was slightly embarrassing, but Max made sure to nod back.

The clinics were much cleaner and orderly. Guards still were present, but the hectic screams and cries of the days previous was now solemn silence. Healers and volunteers talked with patients about recovery times, exercise, and general conversation. It was surreal to Max. He remembered all of the blood and gore from his few hours working after the first of the bombs went off. But now? There wasn’t so much as an open wound in the tents.

It took a few hours, but Max and the others visited each of the clinics. They even stopped by the permanent clinics, to see if they needed help. The clinics were still disorganized and hectic, but that much was expected without a leader. It wouldn’t be until Subuntu’s healer arrived to take order, that the clinics would still not be running as efficiently as possible. Max made sure to mention to a few of the senior healers that someone was on their way to help.

As they headed back to the inn, a large fire was started in the center of the city. Families laid deceased relatives to rest. Communities’ laid friends and the unrecognizable to rest. Guards and soldiers laid their brothers and sisters to rest.

As Max watched the flames flicker, he could have sworn he saw a few ethereal forms slowly raise into the air.

“Are you sure this is going to work?” Belopi asked for the fourth time.

“Yes. We’ve already used it once.” Max said, slightly annoyed.

“But what happ-”

A hard scaly hand wrapped around Belopi’s waist, silencing her.

“It will be alright. I trust Max.” Bishop whispered.

Belopi nodded and moved to the speeder with Bishop. Captain Ism approached Max and gave him a respectful Elven salute. The few guards he brought with him, echoed his movements.

“You don’t have to do that.” Max chided.

“Of course, I do.” Ism said. “Are you sure this is going to work?” Ism eyed the wall of roots.

Max, along with his party, were standing in front of the barrier of roots. They were on the main road back to Lesterwood, waiting for Max. Captain Ism and a few others came to see them off. It was a nice, but unnecessary, gesture.

Max rolled his eyes before answering. “Yes. It will work.”

“I will pray for safe travels, then.” Ism said.

“Thank you. When Honeygreen awakens make sure you have him write to me. I have much to discuss with him.”

Ism nodded. “Of course. There is still the matter of your reward.”

“No, there is not. You’ve already stocked us with supplies for a year-long trip and enough gold to allow all of us to retire.” Max waved his hand dismissively. “Remember to water the seed.”

Ism nodded again but didn’t say anything. The seed was under a need-to-know basis. Ism, along with the other captains and a few others were the only ones to know and they wanted to keep it that way for as long as possible.

Ism watched as Max pressed his hand to each and every box of supplies, making them vanish into thin air. Everyone said their goodbyes and one-by-one Max gripped each of his companions and teleported away. He would reappear back and grip the next. The process repeated until only he, Emi, and the speeder remained.

“Stay safe.” Max told Ism.

“You too.”

Max turned to the speeder, wrapping it in mana. It was the largest item Max had ever teleported before but without it being full of supplies, he could teleport it a few feet. It disappeared just like the others did. Max gave one final wave before disappearing also.

Max couldn’t help but feel a part of him missing. Esmel would be a place he definitely would want to return to someday. He was relieved though. He had so many friends in Lesterwood that he was dying to meet again. Iris, Domic, Mel, Celenia.

Truth be told, he didn’t know how Celenia was going to react when he randomly shows up with her long-lost mom in tow. Max racked his memory trying to remember if he ever watched a similar circumstance play out on reality TV. Regardless, he hopes that all goes well with Belopi and Celenia.

“Coming boy?” Vel shouted from inside the speeder.

Max smiled and climbed aboard. Next stop, the beach.