“Max! What did you call this… ‘Pie’?” The mayor of Lesterwood, Silverjewl shouted across the room.

“Key lime pie… Or rather just lime pie since there are no key limes in Lesterwood!” Max shouted back.

“Lime? I’ve had lime tarts before, and this is certainly not that! This is more refined and decadent!”

Max shrugged. “It’s a recipe from back home!”

Three others, who were listening to the back and forth, silently stood and meandered over to the desserts table. The mansion house party was in full swing. Everyone Max considered a ‘friend’ was in attendance except for his mentor, Vel. She was true to her word and remained hidden due to the possibility of her estranged ex-teammate Yel showing up.

After the events at the eastern wall, the group had returned home and began to set up for the evening’s events. Max cooked homely dishes while Reep and Clammy moved around furniture and small onset decorations. The mansion was remodeled into more open room and more sitting areas. Three main rooms had been set up; the main sitting room where the largest number of guests could remain, the kitchen where buffet tables of food resided, and an outdoor patio area equipped with space heaters and small party games. Corn holes was oddly popular.

Overall, Max’s impromptu party was a smashing hit. Everyone got along and joked and laughed with each other. Even Elliot, the young boy that shared a friendship and few classes with Max. He may be out of place compared to the local royalty and powerful adventurers, but Head Healer Manus and local branch Head Healer Fen sought to actively include the boy in their discussions. To the side a conversation between the guard captain, Oliva Shatterwind and Arc Flash Bishop was taking place.

“I heard your team had some trouble during the earlier wall defense.” Shatterwind said in between sips of her bubble drink.

“Hardly.” Bishop scoffed in a light manner. “Sure, Clammy overexerted herself, but there was never any true danger. Between Max, Reep, and I, we had everything covered.”

“That is not the story I heard.” Shatterwind giggled. “But then again, the on-duty captain likes to exaggerate. I was informed of the ‘horde of chariens that all turned on the girl.’ And that if it was not for the ‘perfect execution of the ranged guard, then the girl would have died!’”

Bishop snorted.

Currently playing corn holes was Max verses Mel. Mel’s overly active sense of competitiveness has led the two into many rounds of the simple tossing game. The current score, however, was Max’s lead six to one.

“You are cheating!” Mel screeched.

“Am not!” Max retorted.

“You are! I’ve never heard of this game and then suddenly a master appears in our lowly city? Preposterous!”

“Preposterous? Big word? Maybe you should focus on throwing more and less on vocabulary!” Max offered

“Oh! You’ve done it now!” Suddenly Mel spiked the weighted bag of sand with an unnatural strength. The bag missed the stationary hole. “Uhg!”

“Mel, look, the game is not about strength, but finesse. Also throw underhand.”

Mel rolled her eyes allowing them to drift off to the side where Goob was pouring another drink. “Goob get over here, I need to pummel someone.”

Max chuckled and handed the bag off to the new challenger. A smile hadn’t left Max’s face since the start of the night. This was the first real social event he had taken part in. Sure, he had gone with the others to drink in some dive tavern, but that was only so fun. Drunks were not the company he wished to have, and rather performed familiar faces all laughing together. As he walked through the sitting room to the kitchen, he briefly eavesdropped on conversation.

Belopi was interrogating [Druid] Dreamstem while Celenia stood in the sidelines face buried in her hands and the comical red of embarrassment coloring the tips of her elongated ears. Domic was arm wrestling Clammy while Silverjewl and Iris cheered them on. Clammy won, but Domic accused her of using magic. The resulting rematch was even more fiery than before. Reep took part in conversation with Fen about the best way to hide and handle scars. A depressing conversation, but the two seemed to connect over their past traumas. Elliot looked shell shocked as Manus wrote down his name and multiple of his invention ideas for future purchase, stating ‘When you accomplish the Mage Guild [Artificer] certificate, contact me. The Healers would be very much interested in some of these ideas of yours…’

Inside the kitchen, he found most of the fried foods along with the pies missing. It seemed those were the popular choice, and Celenia’s charred vegetables were hardly touched. With a sigh, he loaded a small plate full of veggies and returned back with the others. Celenia, who was looking for any excuse to leave the awkward conversation she was a part of, promptly found Max eating her dish and slipped away.

“Do you like it?” She asked uncertain.

“No, not particularly.” He said with a bright smile.

The Elf’s face of utter horror caused the Lost Lord to laugh. It took a moment, but Celenia joined in after realizing the ridiculousness of the situation. The two moved outside, still laughing. They talked about the night and the discrepancy between vegetable and a house full of primary not Elves and gruff adventurers. A disgusting sounding plop ended their conversation early. They both turned towards the sound. Emi appeared out of the dark waters of Lesterwood’s river, pulling along a fish many times larger than her. She dragged it a few feet before water wrapped around it and carried it for her.

“Dinner!” She shouted for all to hear.

“For us or just you?” Max asked.

This seemed to cause an internal battle in the young monster. On one hand it would be polite to offer up her catch for the party… But on the other it was a really big fish and she wanted to see if she could eat it all.

“Me!” She finally answered causing the onlookers to giggle.

“Fine, but you are cleaning up the mess this time. I don’t want more birds around picking at the left-over carcass.”

“Fine! Fine!” Emi answered while sauntering off to a warm area.

The party eventually found itself entirely indoors. A blazing fireplace warmed the air while the continuous alcoholic drinks warmed the bellies. The kitchen door swung open and a mischievous pair of Domic and Manus walked out carrying two trays of weird items. They set them before Max who eyed his surroundings as everybody was watching strangely intently.

“Magical food?” Max guessed.

“Indeed.” Manus answered. “I would start with the grey one right there.” Manus pointed to a small ordinary looking slice of grey bread. Or crouton, rather, as the bread was grossly dry and unseasoned.

With an over exaggerated sigh, Max plunged the crouton deep in his mouth. The hard bread turned soft before melting into a cold and magical treat. Flavors oscillated between warm coconut and tart barriers, culminating in a tasty and unforgettable dessert.

“Personally, I enjoyed the ‘pie’ more, but citrus bread is always a fan favorite.” Domic said. “That one next.”

Domic pointed to a small glass jar full of what looked like frog eyes.

“Pass.” Max said.

“Wh- Oh come on!” Domic said outraged.

“I told you, friend.” Manus said. “No one wants the eyeballs even if they are magical.”

Domic huffed and started devouring the eyes himself. Small popping noises emanated from the Flame Devil’s mouth. The guests began to eat from the trays, either hesitantly like Celenia and Reep or full adventurer like Clammy and Bishop. Odd hums and groans sounded from bad or downright gross foods while others sung praise for the deliciousness. Suddenly the lights drained momentary before a small owl appeared on the spine of the chair Max occupied. Icarus whispered something before fading away.

“Bishop?” Max said standing. “Might I ask you to join me outside?”

The Drake nodded, understanding the situation. Yel had arrived and they both figured it would be wise to meet her outside so Bishop and her could reconvene. They waited on the stone steps for the Beastkin Guild Master to arrive via the bridge. She walked slowly carrying a small bottle of rum, but when she noticed her welcoming party, she increased her pace.

With a wobbled step, she presented herself to her former teammate. “Bishop.” Yel said.

“Yel.” Bishop said.

The two seemed to communicate further with an intense stare down. Each gaged the other’s power while simultaneously comparing theirs. Their reunion was interrupted when Icarus formed besides them.

“Yel.” Icarus said.

“Where’s Lester?”

“Not here.” The bird answered.

“I can see that.” Yel scowled. “Where. Is. He.”

“He is indisposed and unavailable.”

Yel huffed and turned to Max, shoving the small bottle into his hands, and walking past him into the mansion. The others followed after a conjoined look. The guested silence themselves as the atmosphere changed with newcomer. Yel looked around before turning back to Bishop.

“Where’s Vel?”

“Not here. She didn’t want to see you.”

“Typical.” Yel scoffed. “Thanks for the invite, Max. Until next time Bishop.” She moved back towards the door.

“That’s it?” A voice sounded from the staircase. All eyes turned to Vel who just released her invisibility spell.

“So, you are here? Nice of you to say hello to an old teammate.” Yel chided.

“Where? I don’t see Alex, only the person who took her spot.”

“Vel…” Bishop tried but was promptly ignored.

“Always about Alex with you. How many years has it been? How many times do we need to go through this?”

“Do you expect me to just forget what you did?” Vel asked.

“No, but I expected you to come to your senses. Alex died. Yes, that is true. But let the past die. She’s gone.”

“She’s gone because of you!”

“Yes. That is true, but it wasn’t entirely my fault. You were there, why didn’t you come to her aid? You were probably sneaking off with Lester.” Yel said.

“Don’t bring Lester into this. You were supposed to be partnered with her! She trusted you.”

“Alex trusted everyone.”

“Mistrusted more like.”

Yel didn’t respond, but guild flooded her eyes. “I didn’t come to figh-“

She cut herself off as a rock suddenly appeared in the center of the room. It bounced off the ground before finding a resting point. All eyes flicked to Max, the only one who could move items in such a way. But the boy looked horrified. He slowly moved forward, ignoring the eerie silence of his surroundings. The rock was his focus and only his focus. Fear gripped his chest as he examined the rock.

What is this? He wondered. Who- Why is this here? Emi?

Don’t know. The bond responded.

His heart beat quicker and quicker. A familiar panic was overtaking him. A crushing pain filled his lungs before promptly disappearing. A gentle hand rested on his shoulder, one of Divine magical healing. Manus pumped a spell into the panic ridden young man, ending his suffering, and bringing him back to everyone else.

“What’s wrong.” Manus asked just louder than a whisper.

“I know this rock.” Max answered. “This rock-“

“That rock” Clammy interrupted. She was holding her head and her eyes were returning to their normal color from the Divination grey. “That rock, why did I see that rock?”

“A vision?” Bishop asked.

Clammy nodded. “I saw that rock. It was nowhere I recognized, but somewhere I knew… It was dark, like it was night. But I knew it wasn’t night… Everything felt so close, but distant at the same time. The rock was there… But then suddenly not… And I heard childish giggles. Nothing sinister but humorous, as if a child found amusement in something...”

“This rock…” Max said. “Is the rock I lost when making my teleportation spells.”

Icarus and Vel looked disturbed while everyone else looked puzzled. Only Elliot was utterly confused by the unfolding events, but he chose to remain silent.

“What does that mean?” Vel asked slowly.

“I’m not sure. But I couldn’t find this rock even after looking for it for hours. It teleported away after a failed attempt, and I never say it again.” Max chuckled. “I actually wondered if I cause it to hit some nearby citizen…”

“How is it back?” Yel asked, sharing a glance with Vel.

“I’m not sure… I didn’t teleport it. Emi doesn’t have a clue… But my entire body shivered when I realized what it was…”

“What about Clammy?” Reep asked. “Why did she see the rock?”

Seeing the confused look of Yel and a few others, Bishop said, “She’s a Diviner. But an untrained one. If she saw the rock, that means it has some sort of importance, right?”

“I don’t know…” Clammy said. “But I can hear the giggles still. They sounded so full of joy… So happy…”

“Think back, Clammy.” Bishop said. “Try to remember more?”

She nodded and slowed her breathing. She began to recount to herself the vision. The coldness of the rock mixed with the nighttime landscape, filled her memory. She thought to the non-focal points, finding wild blades of grass and disoriented trees. Her mind tried to remain on the rock, but she pulled away from it finding details in the surroundings.

“Everything was overgrown. Knee high grass and untrimmed trees. Things floated in the air, similar to clouds but denser. There was a sun… But for some reason I saw no light… I saw eyes… I think?” Clammy said.

“Eyes?” Max questioned.

“Yes… They were white and glowing. I think they were the source of the giggling…”

Only Manus noticed the cold sweat the began to form on the [Water Mage]’s back before it was gathered and hidden. Max glanced around the room, they looked to him as if he knew the answer. And while he had an idea, there was no way he was sharing it tonight.

“Weird. I’m not sure.” He said instead, “Yel I think you were about to say something to Vel?”

He hoped the sudden change in topic wouldn’t be questioned, and while no one did, it was obvious he knew something. But as a majority of the guests knew his status as a Lost Lord, no one dared question his secrets. At least not in such a public space.

Clammy, who was being helped by Reep, was glad in the sudden change in conversation. The vision was weird, but she was secretly glad. For the past few weeks, nearly all of her vision had been of the same man in the same tavern. Even if the subject matter was a rock, it beat listening to an old man tell the same stories.

“Yes…” Yel said. “I wanted to say I didn’t come to fight. I want us to be able to be in the same room without fighting. My new position along with your tenure in Lesterwood, means we are only going to keep seeing each other.”

Vel released a deep sigh. “Come on, let’s talk in the other room. Bishop, Icarus you too.”

The four-split off, separating themselves from the others. The rest of the guests looked unnerved. They were all hesitant on what to do next. The evening was drawing to a close, but simply standing and leaving would seem a little rude. But as the nearly silent minutes went on, Domic was the first to stand.

“Well, Max. Thanks for the evening. It was fun, we would do this again sometimes.”

“Ah, yeah we should. Maybe more alcohol next time.” Max said.

“Ha! Of course.” Domic turned to the others. “I am heading back; would anyone want an escort?”

Many others stood accepting the chance to leave. They each said goodbye, and promptly left. Only Manus and Fen remained of the guests, Manus motioned for Max to join him privately.

“Are you alright?” The Healer asked.

“Yes…” Max answer hesitantly.

“The last time I saw you act like this was with the Tome of Knowledge.”

“Yes… Say, Manus… What does Nava do with the clinically insane?”

“Clinically insane?” The Healer asked.

“On Earth, specialized doctors could declare someone insane using a wide range of diagnoses. Usually, these people cannot function on their own due to their psychosis and are placed into specialized homes where they can live out their lives.” Max explained. “A lot of the time there is abuse and terrible living conditions, but that is beside the point.”

“The insane, depending on public safety, are typically killed. Some are housed by family members, but the life expectancy for such individuals is incredibly low. We do not have a system for monitoring these people, mind you.” Manus said.

“I see…”

“Do… Do you think you are insane, Max.” Manus quickly added? “You wouldn’t be the first Lost Lord to believe themselves ill. In fact, it is common.”

“No, I don’t think I am insane. But-“ Max sighed. “I think it may do me well to talk to a few of the insane, specifically mages or magic researchers.”

“Do you well? What does that mean? Is this about the rock?”

“It is and it isn’t. Clammy’s vision is what worries me now. The rock was just a shock…”

“Clammy’s vision?” Manus asked. “Even though her and I just met, I can tell there is something off about her magic. How accurate have her visions been?”

“One hundred present.”

“Truly?” Manus said in disbelief. “Even the Prophet of the Mountain is not omniscient.”

“As far as I know, every vision she has had has come true.” Max said with firmness.

“I see. If you believe it so, then I shall as well. But how does that correlate to the insane? As I recall she spoke of an overgrown landscape and… Eyes…”

Max nodded. “The eyes are what worries me.”

Manus let out a deep breath. “The eyes could be anything. A reflection, lamps, a spell. They also could mean nothing. The giggles are what interested me.”

“You don’t think the giggles relate to the eyes?” Max asked.

“Maybe they do, maybe they don’t. Why are the eyes important?”

“Let me ask you something. Who do you know of that can teleport rocks?”

“A few. You, a fellow in Salae, another from Behian, a vagabond hermit, maybe a couple more.” Manus explained.

“And how many of those can teleport a rock across dimensions?”

Max knocked on the door to the room where Vel, Yel, and the others were sitting. He slowly opened the door after receiving no response and peeked his head in.

“-ink its weird that we are all back in Lesterwood.” Yel said.

“Uhh, excuse me.” Max interrupted, “Everyone has left…”

“It’s alright boy.” Vel said. “We were just finishing up anyways.”

Yel rolled her eyes but took the hint that it was time to leave. Their private meeting hadn’t devolved into a screaming match, and the primary offenders seemed to come to some sort of agreement. They still weren’t friends, far from it, but they could be in the same room together. Which, by all accounts, was progress. Yel nodded to Max and the other before heading across the bridge.

“I’m too tired to discuss what happened tonight. Can we shelve it until breakfast?” Bishop asked the group, receiving various nods. “Alright then, good night.”

And just like that Max and Emi were alone in their room. Emi was fast asleep dreaming of free-flowing fields of magical fish, but Max laid away. His mind drifted from the rock to the ethereal eyes to the dangers his future might have. He needed to become stronger than ever if his worries were accurate. Something was happening behind the scenes, and this time he didn’t think a God or Goddess were the puppet masters. Whoever sent the rock had obviously been watching for a while now and chose the act now. Was it carelessness or a strategic move? Was it planning on Clammy’s vision or was it hoping to stay in the shadows a bit longer?

According to the Tome of Knowledge and the written accounts of the Earthen researcher, the eyes were related to another dimensions. But they only appeared after the researcher made contact and passed over the boundary between the worlds. I must have teleported the rock to another dimension. But how?

Max began to idly flip through the pages of his spell journals, finding the portion of text he had written about the disappearing rock. The rock had gone missing while he was testing tunnels. Could I have caused the rock to puncture into a different reality?

He sighed, getting nowhere with this line of thinking. It just didn’t make sense to him. But then again, he had a very limited knowledge of space magic and dimensions. He could always go interview a few of the Mage Guild specialists, but he figured that if he was really being watched, that would not be wise. People around the Earthen researcher died, the researcher themselves had most likely died, but they didn’t have something Max did. Magic.

The entire account in the Tome of Knowledge didn’t once mention mana or magic. Maybe these eyes are nothing more than common monsters. Maybe Max would be strong enough to protect himself. He wasn’t sure, but he did have a way to help himself.

“Icarus, I’m going to use a Spell Book.” Max said to the open air. “Tell Emi when she wakes up for me?”

“Of course.” Icarus said. “What spell are you going to be learning?”

“It’s called Raging Construct. I’ve had it for a while now, and I think it’s time I finally learn it.”