Icarus met them at the gate. He sat perched atop one of the lamp poles that were evenly spaced along the guard railing of the bridge. Max quickly blinked forward a few times. He wanted to talk to Icarus in private before entering the mansion.

“Is Celenia here?” He asked in a rushed whisper as the others were quickly catching up.

“No. She trains late with Master Dreamstem most nights. Is that her mother? The Elf?”

“Yeah, that’s Belopi. She was really worried about her reunion, could you give me a heads up when Celenia makes it to the bridge.”

“Sure. You’re a good friend Max.” Icarus hooted. “What was that spell you just used to get here? Looked like a more powerful version of space skip.”

“It’s called blink, and you are right. It’s an evolved skip.”

“You’ve gotten powerful, Max.”

“Nah.” Max shrugged. “I only know a few space spells.”

“I mean that you seem different. More resolved. Not the scared boy you once were. A man to take the title of Lost One.”

“I don’t know about tha-“

“Max, if anything goes missing from a locked room, I’m coming straight to you.” Shatterwing announced.

“Wha- How is that fair?” Max asked slightly annoyed.

“Nothing about teleporting is fair, Max. Especially if you can pull a dagger on the guard captain of a major city like it was nothing.”

All eyes turned to Max who was turning red.

“You did what?” Clammy asked.

“I uh- I was trying to explain how I got past the gate and well… Went a bit overboard. But down worry, the captain reacted very fast and with deadly intent. I would still be bleeding if I couldn’t heal myself.”

Now, all eyes turned to Shatterwind. Vel, who had her eyebrow raised, spoke first.

“You made my apprentice bleed?”

“After he pulled a knife on the captain of the guard.” She said quickly.

All resemblance of anger melted away and a bright smile appeared on Vel’s face. “Good, he needed a lesson on humility. Wish I could have seen the look on his face.”

But Shatterwind thought back to the dark street, trying to remember his face. It was blank and expressionless. Like that of a seasoned adventurer. One who looked danger in the face and scoffed. One that wasn’t afraid of having deadly magic slicing into their skin, knowing that it would even maim. No, Max’s expression wasn’t of humility or embarrassment, it was of boredom and loathing.

“Come on,” Icarus interrupted, “the others will be here soon.”

The mansion was much the same as before. A large building with ornate decorations and many, many rooms. Max did notice a new garden. It was quite nice looking and a good change from the rather bland front yard.

It took twenty minutes for everyone to arrive. Domic and Silverjewl were an obvious choice to be apart of the meeting, Head Priestess Burk was not, Max thought. He could see her being important if the subject matter involved Gods, but Max didn’t think the conversation would steer to the Heavens Gate. If it did, Max would have to talk it over with Vel first even if that meant pausing the conversation to have a private one. He also didn’t really like Burk. Their last meeting ended with Emi having a hole in her stomach and Max’s whole existence being violated.

“Has a new Adventuring Guild Master been appointed yet?” Max asked.

“Yes… But she has been on a long-term quest deep in the Locan Desert. She accepted the position over mana message and is traveling as we speak.” Mayor Silverjewl answered.

“Oh? Who’d you pick?” Bishop asked.

“Yel-“

“YEL!”

The air seemed to flash freeze as Bishop’s eyes turned to slits. Vel, who is normally calm and composed was fully alert and had a very curious look in her eyes.

“Who-?” Max dared ask.

“A former teammate of ours.” Vel answered in an overly calm voice. One that screamed unease.

“She was the best option we had!” Silverjewl expressed with pleading posture.

“What’s the issue?” Max asked hesitantly. “It seems to me that the old team getting back together would be a nice and welcome thing.”

“Under normal circumstances it would be. But Yel is a different case, one of which I will not get into here.” Vel looked at Burk who gave her a sideways smirk.

Belopi was trying to calm Bishop down and utterly failing. The great lizard was besides himself with an unnatural rage. Berserk as Max remembered it. It took many calming spells by both Burk and Vel to calm the Drake. When he finally did, he looked downcast, and guilt ridden.

“Sorry everyone.” He whispered.

With everyone sitting together, the meeting finally started after a few pleasant greetings. Vel rehashed what she had already sent in her mana message but add more detail and was able to answer any questions. They discussed the use of Stalkers, living sacrifices, undead and most importantly what Mallor was after. Vel, thinking along the same lines as Max, chose not to mention the Gate within Honeygreen.

It was unknown what those Gates could do, but it seemed important enough to keep them hidden. Questions about how Max found connections and evidence was asked by Domic. Max responded with simple answers, the same that he gave Honeygreen and Xylem. The answers seemed to satisfy his curiosity, however.

“I guess that brings us to the Coalition.” Silverjewl said after the conversation lulled.

“Indeed, it does.” Vel replied.

“The Coalition?” Clammy asked. “But- But who called for it?”

“I did.” Vel answered simply. “A meeting with the continent is needed moving forward. There should have been one after Nix in Lesterwood, but no one believed us. The events in Esmel are simply too definitive to disregard.”

“What’s the Coalition?” Max asked to no one in particular.

“All of the powers on Salarin meet somewhere to discuss events and the future.” Vel said dismissingly.

“Oh, come now!” Clammy retorted. “The Coalition is much more than that. EVERY power, even if they are hated, comes. We are talking [Kings] and [Queens], [Emperors], [Arch Mages], Legendary Beasts, High Vampires and Werewolves, [Soverig-“

“Its important, is what she is trying to say.” Vel interrupted. “It is also very political and often a waste of time. It has been a long while since the last, meaning who knows who is being invited.”

Clammy grumbled something under her breathe.

“When is it?” Reep asked.

“Just over three months.” Icarus answered.

“And before you ask. No, Max. You are not coming with.” Said Vel.

“What? Why not?” Max sounded a little hurt.

“Because we will be out in the open. Every power will be buying and selling information to each other. There are things about you that people would kill you for, being a Lost One is simply the tip of the iceberg. Clammy you too, you can’t come.”

Clammy who looked as she was about to say something nodded her head in defeated understanding. If Clammy came, whoever the Royals sent would easily recognize her. It was a shame, however. Clammy would have proven a valuable asset at the Coalition if her identity was not an issue.

“So what? You go to this big meeting and talk about Esmel? Ask for people to start getting ready for war?” Max asked.

“War? No. I will go and talk about Esmel, sure. But I will do nothing more than ask for precautions to be set. It is not my job to force everyone to prepare, warning them is enough. If they want to join forces and eradicate the Empire for good, then great. But I highly doubt that will happen.” Said Vel.

It was Max’s turn to grumble something quietly. A very small copy of Icarus materialized and hopped up on Max’s shoulder. The adults in the room all noticed, except for Belopi. The small Icarus whispered something in his ear.

“Excuse me everyone. I’m going to take Emi and make sure she gets some fish from the river. Be back soon.”

Everyone looked at him curiously, even Emi. But as he removed himself from the mansion, it was obvious to her the reason they left. Celenia was running down the bridge as fast as she could. She must have seen the lights, Max guessed.

“Celenia.” Max said after she stopped a few meters in front of him.

“Max? Is that really you?” She hesitated forward, unknowing if this was a cruel ruse.

“I’m back.” He spoke. “We’re back.”

Celenia rushed him, enveloping him in a deep and tight hug. One that he was not expecting. He hugged her back. Emi, who was on the ground, coiled herself around Celenia’s leg, purring.

“When did you get back?” She asked in a rushed tone.

“Two hours maybe? I would have come to find you, but Icarus said that you were with Master Dreamstem. I didn’t want to interrupt that.”

“Who cares about that-“ She quickly stopped herself. For the first time she really looked at Max. He had a short and untrimmed beard, more muscles that filled his shirt better, and most importantly, a missing arm.

“Your arm!” She screeched. “Icarus said that you weren’t hurt!”

“Well, I’m not. Technically. I am of perfect health. Just without an arm.”

“Bu- But! How- How are you-“ She started crying, something Max was not ready for. He brought her into another hug.

“Shh, shhh. I’ve got you. Its okay.” Max said tenderly.

“I-I wa-s so w-orried!” She said through heavy tears. “You sa-id a mo-nth!”

“I know.” Max whispered. “It was more involved than we thought.”

They stood there, under the light of the moon and a few lamps, for what felt like forever. She cried and cried, overwhelmed with unknown emotions. Ones of sadness and despair for Max’s lost appendage. Others of a crushing weight being removed from her shoulders. They were safe, and now she had proof. Max was real, and he was back. Finally, feelings of anger. How could they do something so dangerous. How coul-

“My moth-her.” Celenia finally said breaking from the hug.

“Inside.” Max said. “That’s why I wanted to meet you alone outside, as to not blindside you. I take it Icarus told you?”

She nodded a small and subdued nod. One that was meek and scared.

“She looked for you, you know. She traveled from city to city, visiting slave sales trying to find you. Spent all of her money and in the end almost killed herself trying to find you. She stole, she ate scraps, she gave her life trying to find you.”

Celenia legs finally gave out, causing her to fall to the ground. Max sat right next to her. Comforting the lost and afraid girl. The sat in silence, both unknowing of what to say. Emi crawled on to her legs, finding a comfy spot.

“She can almost talk, you know.” Max said, breaking the silence. “Scared a guard half to death earlier.”

Celenia eyed the water monster who nodded in a solemn way. Celenia laughed. Max laughed after his initial surprise faded. Emi, who was felt embarrassed about the guard, looked on with a horrific face, one that made the others laugh harder.

Its nice to be back. Max thought when his fit of giggles ended.

“How has your [Druid] lessons been going.” Max said.

“Good, I think. I can’t druidshift yet, but I made the garden look nice…” Celenia answered.

“Ah, I was wondering with happened over there. It looks very pretty, just like the person who made it.” Max didn’t know what possessed him to say that. His face and subsequently Celenia’s turned crimson.

“Ah-Well- uhh.” She was flustered. “I- Master Dreamstem says I need to imagine better- I need to be more creative.”

“Creative huh? How so?”

“Being a [Druid] is more about feeling harmony and acting on our imaginations. Or so I’m told. I was shown an example in the forest outside the walls, but I’m not even sure how it’s possible.”

“What’s not possible?” Max asked in a quiet voice.

“Master Dreamstem created… Something… I can’t even describe it, honestly. Hundreds of thousands of flowers seemingly came out of nowhere. All twisting together with the natural trees and plants. Water flowed from deep below the ground, filling troughs and trenches. Wooden chairs created from roots were woven and placed at a grand table. It looked like something out of a story my mother used to tell me before bed. It was wonderous and breathtaking.

“But it was more than just a table and chair in a captivating grove. No… It felt as though the trees were smiling, the air was happy. I felt as though all my worries and sorrows were gone, standing there. The forest was a living breathing thing, in that moment. It was healing and comforting. I wish you could have seen it…”

“Why not? It’s still in the forest, we can go right-“

“No, Master withered it away before we left. ‘Somethings can’t simply be left where they stand.’ She said.”

“I’ll tell you what. When I can teleport large distances and can take passengers other than Emi, I’ll take you to Esmel. That is an amazing city. Much different than Lesterwood. Maybe spark some inspiration… Hmm… I could also create some memory globes. Ones from Earth…”

“Thank you, Max, I’m glade your back.” She said quietly and leaned her head against his shoulder. “I’m sorry about your arm.”

“Eh, it’s a small price to pay for the outcome.”

“And what was the outcome?”

“Buzluc, a Blight Wright with millions of plague bugs, was killed. His body count for murders was in the thousands.”

“Really?” She asked cautiously.

“Yeah, he was a monster. Mallor was also, but in the end, we won. Esmel is safe. I would gladly pay an arm to ensure that a city can carry on until the next dawn.”

He looked down at her. He couldn’t see her face as it was obscured by her autumn hair, but he could feel the worry in her.

“Don’t worry. I’m back and I’m not going anywhere for a while. Maybe a few simple Guild quests, but I really want to take some classes at the Mage Guild. As I understand it, classes are starting soon.”

“I’m taking a few classes, maybe we can take them together.”

“That would be nice.” Max said softy.

The three sat in quiet comfort for a few minutes. No one wanted to move or speak, they simply wanted to exist. Eventually, movement from the mansion signaled to Max that the meeting was over. With a great sigh, Max slowly stood up.

“You don’t have to meet her now if you don’t want. But it looks like the meeting is finishing up, this may be the best chance for a while.” Max said.

“You’ll be there with me, right?” She asked so quietly Max almost missed it.

“Of course. Come on,” He took her hand and slowly he led her to the mansion

Head Priestess Burk was the first to leave. She stopped to say a few words to Max as she passed.

“Lessons will start next week. Say first thing after lunch. Then you’ll have time for… Your healing class… Right after. I take it you finished those books I gave you?”

“Yes.” Max answered, having honestly forgetting about his aura lessons with Burk.

“Good.” Snorted Burk as she walked to the bridge.

Next, Shatterwind came out. She gave Max a nod of acknowledgment but said nothing. Domic and Silverjewl were next. They were quietly talking but quickly ended their conversation to speak with Max.

“A lunch sometime Max?” Silverjewl asked. “We have a few private things to discuss about your residency in Lesterwood. Hells, that sounded ominous. I-We, just need to discus your roll as a Lost One and Lesterwood’s future. Protection, loyalty… Well, anyways. Just contact my office, they’ll set up an appointment.”

“That sounds fine” Max said with a hint of caution.

“Max!” bellowed Domic. “Come by the Guild sometime soon! We need to have a lengthy discussion about… well, a lot.” He gestured to Max’s missing arm. “Also, we can pick your classes for the next term. Vel has already giving me her recommendations, but I want to make sure that they are what you want before signing you into a class you don’t want to take.”

“That sounds wonderful, thank you.”

Domic beamed and left with Silverjewl. Max led Celenia all the way to the entry stairs before stopping. He gave her a slight nod, one that was the little push she needed. She let go of his hand and entered the house. Max and Emi followed close after.