Mibbet looked at the molten circle on the floor aghast, “what the hell just happened?” She asked, “since when did Devils hire Bailiffs?”

“No idea but apparently they do.” Sir Leeroy replied, “and with all the noise we just made we should probably get out of here while we’re still intact.”

Mibbet hopped on Alba, and they decided to exit via the fastest route. Off the balcony and diving downwards. Not that Sir Leeroy needed such things as wings to assist there, as with his usual recklessness he just jumped down. The Ter yur on the other hand were more than happy to take a lift down. (When you are less than two and a half feet tall a second storey drop is a long way down, and given that Sir Leeroy dropping two floors sounded like a brass band falling off a cliff with extra complaints about his knees the stairs would have taken far too long, Mibbet decided there and then to add an actual definition of stealth to the guard manuals, as the current version stated “If there’s nobody left to hear you then you don’t need to be sneaky.” Which all things considered was hardly the best treatise on proper use of stealth techniques she had ever read.)

They made their way into the bushes and headed back towards the city as fast as their legs could carry them. This battle was far from over.

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Back at Howla t’ mun meanwhile Mawri was faced with a strange situation, the system was talking to her. How the hell was the system talking to her? It was merely a curse. Curses aren’t typically known for their ability to converse, hence the confusion, and they definitely are not usually known for their politeness.

Greetings Mawri, esteemed alpha of this city.

I apologise if this seems rude, but as a non human I would like to claim sanctuary within your city. I am cognizant of the harm my presence within the city has caused. But I was not in control of my own actions at the time. I am willing to do what I must to undo the harm I was made to cause.

"What makes you think I would trust you after you nearly caused my city to be destroyed?"

I understand that such a thing will be difficult for you so I will share a secret with you as a show of faith.

"What could you possibly tell me that would justify my keeping you around after doing so much harm?" Mawri barked, she was livid, and the adrenaline was not helping her here.

I do not know, but I can inform you at this moment, I fear.

"You're a bundle of magic and blue boxes, what could you possibly have to fear?"

I find that now that I exist I fear ending. I do not want to cease to exist, to only be known for the harm I did.......... I......... I want to make things right. To be good for something.

"Then you can start by letting those people you are controlling go, they didn't deserve to be subjected to your control. They definitely didn't deserve your lies, or the false promises."

Done, what else can I do to make this right? I may not have been in control, but wrong is wrong, and I was used as a weapon. I must make this right.

"Then tell everybody everything you know. You can do that right? Make everybody see?"

I can, it will leave me diminished, but right is right. They have a right to the truth. Once I do this...I hope I will still be me. But it must be done.

The system reached out, sparking and crackling as it drew the dregs of power from the very spell that brought it life, replacing simple text with images. Pictures and details, something far beyond what it was made to do. Showing the lies, how the hatred was spread. How greed was weaponised, and then, it retreated to the only place it could remain now. Binding itself to the dungeon, using the final dregs of the power it needed to shatter the suggestions. Now it was trapped here, and could never leave again.

*********************************************************************************************

Charles "Charlie" Hoss saw the moment the system faded first hand. For one glorious moment he had almost believed himself a hero. Now he looked at his reflection in a pool of water, and saw a gawky teenager. Clutching not a champions spear as he believed. But a tattered old broom, the same one he'd used to sweep the blacksmiths floor for the last two years. Wait, what about his apprenticeship? He had said some pretty unforgivable things to the boss.

He really hoped he still had a job after all this, but even now he felt a slight pang of nostalgia for his adventures. Daydreams as they were they were real to him at the time, and he was going to miss them. The other members of his party were waking up around him, their gear was a motley array of things salvaged from wherever they had been at the time. But at least their improvised weapons had been gradually replaced by foam blades. Still, it all felt so real, he couldn't help but wonder if any of it was.

Then Jenny stirred, and he couldn't help his heart pitter pattering in his chest. Sure she looked different now that the illusion was gone, but she still had the same kind eyes. She was still the most beautiful person he had seen in his life. Not even the end of the fantasy could really change that too much.

Noticing the prisoners were no longer fighting the guards gradually lowered their shields, glad they hadn't been forced to hurt anybody. They also had formed impromptu alliances and were working together better than ever now. They wondered if they could set up something similar once all this was over as an exercise. The blue box really surprised them.

I hope that can be arranged.

It said.