"No, I won't cure you." Lorne scoffed.

"Why the hell not!?" Malcolm was losing it at this point. For nearly thirty minutes, he'd been trying to talk Lorne into curing his new Mana Vampire aliment. But the death goddess wouldn't budge.

"I've interfered too much already. No, I fear you'll have to deal with this issue yourself. Besides, it's not that big of a deal. I think you lucked out."

"Lucked out?" Malcolm gritted his teeth, which felt strange with newly elongated fangs. "Not that big of a deal!? That damn Lich turned me into Edward Cullen! I don't want to be a vampire!"

Lorne rolled her eye at her pathetic harbinger. "You aren't even a vampire! You aren't even undead! Now get yourself together, this kind of thing happens in this world all the time."

Malcolm leveled a glare at the death goddess. "So, people get Lichmarked all the time around here? Really?"

"Gah! That's not what I meant!" Lorne sighed and tossed her hands into the air. "By the Unseen! You are stressing me out. Listen, I'm done here. Clean this place up and get your people settled."

With a wave of her hand a tear in the very fabric of reality opened and she began to step through it, all the while grumbling to herself that she needed to take a relaxing bath.

"Wait, what about-" Malcolm began.

Lorne hushed him with a finger. "I'll be back later, much later, to give you the quest to unlock a Leyline to your new land. Try to stay alive. Ta-taa!"

Malcolm swore loudly as the portal zipped closed, he was just about to go into a full-blown tantrum but the he heard someone knocking at the front door.

"Uh," Saria poked her head into the room. "Is she gone? Oh gods, what happened to you!? Did Lady Lorne- "

Malcolm let out a loud sigh and pinched the spot between his eyebrows. "No, it wasn't her. Apparently, the Lich cursed me before we killed it!"

"You've been marked? That's..." Saria's face shifted and for a moment Malcolm thought he saw disgust. " We will have to chat about this in depth later. Everyone is waiting outside."

With a calming breath, Malcolm stepped out on the porch with Saria. He looked over the large crowd of people who had decided to follow him. He reminded himself that just a week ago these people were mere husk of their former selves and lay crumpled in cages. Now they all stood tall and had a fire lit in their eyes that burned with hope.

"I'd like to welcome you all to Oasis!" Malcolm addressed the group and the people cheered but then gasped as they saw his new appearance.

Malcolm deflated slightly. "Yes, as you can see there were some side effects to the battle with the Lesser Lich. I am now Lichmarked." The crowd began to whisper.

He held up his hands to calm the crowd before they went into hysterics. "I may look a bit creepier, but I'm still me! These fangs and eyes are nothing, they don't change who I am!"

The whispering halted slightly, but there was still murmuring. Malcolm bit his bottom lip, he could already tell that words alone wouldn't be able to win over everyone. He'll have to prove to them that this curse didn't truly turn him into a monster or drive him insane like the Lesser Lich.

He waited for them to settle down before continuing. "My friends and I have slain the bastard and now this land is ours! I won't lie to you all, I am now lord and master of this town and the surrounding land."

He looked down at the crowd and could see the uneasiness in their faces, the question on their faces was plain to see. Had they escaped one slaver to end up in the clutched of another?

"Now hold up," Malcolm called out. "I may be lord and master of this town, but that doesn't mean that I am master over you. You are all free! We fought for that freedom together, remember?"

Cheers rose into the air again, even a few began to chant "Give me liberty or give me death!" Hopefully old Patrick Henry doesn't mind me using his quote as a battle slogan, Malcolm smirked.

"That's right!" Malcolm shouted. "It's your choice whether you want to join in making this town not only livable but turn it into an example to all others that you don't need slavery or heedless discrimination! Together will make this place into a wondrous society! You told me that this world works by the strong preying on the weak. But I don't see weak individuals in front of me, I see fighters, and we will draw our strength from each other! The future belongs to us! Our freedom belongs to us!"

The crowd was getting uncontrollable at this point. Cheers were shouted, chants recited, and tears of relief flowed down cheeks. He saw Darion holding his sister on his shoulders, a wide smile on both of their faces. He found Berlung near the back of the crowd, the old dwarf gave him a grin and a soft nod. Hell, he even saw Kaslier smiling up at him. These people have been through so much. Malcolm thought to himself. They deserve peace and I'll do whatever's in my power to keep them happy.

Malcolm gripped the handle of his hammer and raised the weapon high. "So, tell me, are you with me?!"

The cheers grew even louder, there was even a few who started shouting out "Long live Lord Malcolm!" and "Hail Lord Malcolm!". Though Malcolm quickly raised his hands to hush the crowd. He wasn't quite comfortable with being called a lord just yet. After getting the crowd to settle, he rode the momentum and began shouting orders to start the town cleaning.

"My lord," A dwarven woman came up to Malcolm after he walked off the porch. "I was wondering if I could be of assistance. I-I have experience."

The dwarven woman came up to his chest and had a fine hip to chest ratio for her short stature. She had warm brown hair, that she kept tied back in a ponytail. Her eyes were green and sparkled with her beaming smile.

<>Name: Rimda Castrock. Level: 8. Age: 31. Disposition: Friendly.

"Experience?" Malcolm cocked an eyebrow. His eyes scanning her from head to toe.

Rimda blushed. "Oh, yes I'm a Builder! Well, I was in an apprenticeship to become a Builder. Then the orcs attacked..." She looked away and her bright eyes dimmed. Malcolm placed a hand on her shoulder, she gave a small smile then continued. "I was nearly done with my tutelage. At least I know enough to know that these buildings aren't at all livable. B-but parts of them can be used to make more suitable lodgings-"

"Whoa there!" Malcolm held up a hand to slow down the woman's constant flow of words. "Slow your roll. We will most likely have to set up camp tonight, so come by my tent and a few of us will go over how we can build better lodgings. That sound good?"

"Yes, my lord! Till then I will search for materials!" Rimda nodded.

"Oh, and Rimda, please call me Malcolm."

Rimda hesitantly nodded again before rushing off. As he watched her go, he made a mental note to find out if any of the others had any jobs that could help build up the town. He was also surprised at how attractive female dwarves could be. Damn, those hips don't lie!

"You perv." Darion tutted. "Did the Lich's curse affect your hormones?"

"W-what? I didn't do anything!" Malcolm turned to see the approaching green haired elf, who still had Milly perched up on his shoulders.

"Calm yourself horn dog, she's a widower." Darion sighed. "Lost her husband in the big fight. She needs this, working will do her good. Make her think of something else."

"That's terrible... How do you know all of that?" Malcolm questioned.

Darion tsked and rolled his eyes. "Easy, I talked with her. I've talked with most of them." He paused to set Milly down on the ground. "I'd suggest you do the same, seeing as you're their lord now."

"Hi Malcolm!" Milly beamed and waved at him. “I don’t care if you’re lick marked, I still think you are a good person!”

Lick marked? Malcolm chuckled. "Thanks sprout. I think you’re a good person too." He ruffled up her hair which made her giggle.

 "And actually," He said turning to Darion. "That's not bad advice. I need to get to know all of them, they are my responsibility now..." He scratched his head. "Oh, and Darion?"

"Hmm?" Darion said as he directed Milly to go to off with the rest of the kids to help pull out weeds in the walkway.

"Listen, I know a lot of people are gonna start calling me lord and stuff now... But could you not?" Malcolm exhaled a breath. "I know we joke around and all, but I do value you as a true friend. I could really use a friend right now-"

"You assume that I'm staying." Darion cut in. He looked at Malcolm's shocked expression and then grinned. "Oh, settle down, I'm just jesting."

"You are an asshole!" Malcolm said in a strained voice. "I open up to you in a time of weakness and you-"

Malcolm stopped ranting once he noticed Darion's outstretched hand. With a wide grin, Malcolm gripped Darion's hand with his own. "You're still an asshole."

Your relationship with Darion Oakwolf has changed! You are now Companions!

As Companions you have both shed blood for each other in the thick of battle and watched each other's backs. You both wouldn't hesitate to lay down your life to save the other.

Companion Perks now available!

Darion shared his grin. "And you're a perv. Creepy eyes and fangs or not, you're still someone I'm proud to call my companion."

Someone cleared their throat causing the both to jump.

"Am I interrupting something here?" Saria cocked an eye at the two now fidgeting young men.

"W-what? No, we were just... What'd you need?" Malcolm coughed into his hand.

"Mmm-hmm," Saria looked over the two men. "You know, there's no shame in same sex relationships-"

Darion nearly choked and Milly fell into a fit of giggles.

"Way to ruin the moment!" Malcolm shouted, shaking his head in annoyance.

After Saria's laughing fit, they got down to business. Together they went over all the things the town would need to keep all its new residents comfortable and happy. The immense details that went into running a whole town was nearly mind numbing to Malcolm.

They needed to dig out new latrines, a fence to keep out hostile creatures, guard post, heck he needed to assign people to be guards! Thankfully they were in the middle of a lush forest, so the fresh water and fertile soil would make their crops grow like crazy.

"Hold up a tick." Darion suddenly said in serious thought, causing both Saria and Malcolm to stop. "You're a lord, now right?"

Malcolm rolled his eyes. "Yes, I literally just said that to you a few moment ago."

"Like an official Lord?" Darion inquired.

"Yes!" Malcolm snapped, getting a bit annoyed now.

Saria tilted her head to the side. "Wait, when did this happen?"

Malcolm let out an exasperated sigh. "Lorne granted me the title of Lord. She called it Lord of The Waste."

"Lord of The Waste!?" Both Saria and Darion exclaimed. They both then started muttering to themselves and rambling like fanatics.

"That title hasn't been held in nearly a millennium!" Saria looked to Malcolm in astonishment. "And she granted it to you?"

"The stories of the Lord of The Waste are legendary!" Darion gushed. "To think I'd live to see the next one and to even call him a friend."

"Wait, what?" Malcolm took a step back from his now crazed friends. "What are you two talking about?"

It took a long moment, but soon the two calmed themselves and gave Malcolm a short history lesson. As it turned out The Lord of The Waste was a kind of folk tale. The one to first earn the title had been a character of immense honor and strength, and back when New Pangea was in shambles thanks to the effects of a great global war, which was called the War of the Realm. The Lord came out of nowhere and used his skills and power to bring the country together and keep it from falling back into constant war.

"So, the Lord was a hero?" Malcolm questioned.

Saria and Darion gave him mixed responses. Saria shook her head gravely, while Darion looked like he'd give himself a concussion due to how fast he nodded his head.

"Some would call him a hero, but there are tales of him using deadly backhanded tactics and fear in order to force people to go the way he wanted them to." Saria sighed. “Kidnapping, extortion, bribery, cold blooded murder…”

"Just as he brought the country to harmony," Darion chipped in. "he sought to do the same to the lands beyond. He made a crew of his most loyal and strong, then set out on the ocean."

"What happened to him after that?" Malcolm asked to which both his friends shrugged.

"Some say that he hit land and became a raging ruler of a far-off country." Darion said while looking off in the distance.

"And others say that he died of dysentery." Saria shook his head slowly. "A shitty end to a shitty man."

Malcolm stood there for a while and went over what he'd just been told. Lady Lorne hadn't told him that the title had such history to it, though she never really told him anything useful.

"So, with this title I'm either destined to be a great hero or a great tyrant?" Malcolm looked to his friends. “Or crap myself to death…”

"Either way greatness is destined in your future." Darion shrugged with a smirk.

Saria pushed Darion aside and stood in front of Malcolm, a serious look on her face. Malcolm remembered that look, it was the same look she gave him before handing the town over to him. Then just as before she suddenly nodded.

"And I wish to be by your side either way, hopefully I can help guide you." Then she crumpled to the ground. Settling one knee to the ground and placing both her hands on the ground.

Before Malcolm could begin to ask what in the hell she was doing, Saria began speaking. Once she did, Darion quickly bent his knee in front of Malcolm as well and repeated after her. Milly got off her brothers shoulders and looked just as confused as Malcolm.

"By the Gods and all of the Elementals. I, Saria Aedorin, swear my honor and fidelity to you, Lord Malcolm the Lord of The Waste, by my power I will serve and protect you. Let this oath be both binding and held above all previous oaths, so let my loyalty be known!" Both Saria and Darion looked up at him expectantly.

Malcolm reeled back. He didn't know what to say, everything was going so fast. Did they just swear loyalty to me?! He didn't know what to do. But once he looked into their dead serious eyes, he knew there was only one option.

As he opened his mouth, words came out on their own fruition.

"I, Malcolm Freeman, Lord of The Waste, do hereby accept your oaths of fealty and power in service to me and in return I offer you both protection and sanctuary within my lands in so far as I am capable of providing. Stand my vassals and join me as comrades to a similar goal!"

And stand they did. Once they were on their feet, they both gave Malcolm a smart salute by placing fists over their hearts. He nodded to the salute and glanced around them. A few people had gathered and took audience to the strange exchange, already Malcolm could hear them whispering amongst each other. Damn, I feel like this might get a bit out of hand.

Then as if on cue, he heard a fanfare of trumpets and a prompt popped into his view.

You have received and accepted your first oaths of fealty, this solidifies your title of Lord of The Waste! With this title you can draw more people to become your vassals and build upon your land! Will you use this power and influence for the greater good or the greater evil? Carve your own path and let it be known!

Your fame has increased by 100! Title perks now unlocked!

"My lord?" Saria said, and she relaxed her stance.

Malcolm quickly shook his head. "Just as I told Darion earlier, you don't have to call me Lord. You are my friend, Saria. You can just call me Malcolm."

Saria nodded her head slowly as she mulled over what he said in her head. "I understand but wish to call you Lord all the same."

Malcolm sucked in his bottom lip. "Ah..."

"As I was going to say, My Lord." Saria went on. "I'm thankful you accepted my oath, but do you really intend to name this pace Oasis? Kind of straightforward don't you think?"

Malcolm began to nod but then halted. She's got a point. Malcolm scrunched his face up in thought. Perhaps I should name this place something a bit more creative. Maybe a name that'll sound inspiring, or perhaps a name from Earth? Minneapolis? New York? Mirage Town? New America?

Malcolm turned to see all the people around them. He smiled as he took in all their happy faces. He then looked to the forest surrounding the town, watched as colorful exotic birds flew from branch to branch. A soft sigh escaped his lips as he inhaled and could smell the fragrant flowers and sweet ripe fruit.

Now that the Lich's stench was being wiped away, Malcolm could clearly see the pure serenity and harmony of the land. 

A word manifested within his mind and before he knew what he was doing he opened the towns interface and entered the new name.

You have changed the town's name from the default of Old Mining Town to New Arcadia. Are you certain of this choice? Yes or No.

Malcolm confidently nodded.

"New Arcadia? Such a strange name, I like it though." Darion nodded thoughtfully. "Does it mean anything?"

"In my world Arcadia was like a dream city, a place with perfect harmony with nature and kindness throughout its citizen. It was a paragon to all other lands. I hope we can forge something close to that here..." Malcolm smiled.

He didn't tell her of the fond memories he had of him and his father building pillow forts together when he was a kid as they played "Defenders of New Arcadia!". An imaginary city they had both made together. It was just before his father...

"Are you alright?" Saria inquired.

Malcolm nodded. "Just thinking how much of a headache taking care of this town is going to be."

Especially if people are going to start swearing fealty to me now! Malcolm thought as he bit his lip. "But oddly enough, I'm also excited as hell! Let’s set up camp!"