“This is so frustrating,” Riveene grumbled from on high. Down below, she watched an image play out of a burly woman spitting at something as a host of men slowly encompassed them. After which they were stunned by an array of colours and subsequently slaughtered for throwing a knife at the door frame. Not only this, but a newly made Hero Squad, one which would pledge to her services, was destroyed in the most tortuous of manners.

Off to the side, a Librarian of Azzarath bowed his head whilst grinding his teeth with his own frustration. Something or someone had stolen his master's books, and they were in an uproar over the loss. Not only this, but there were talks of a Quest for the Gods and Goddesses to find this one and force them to return the stolen property before more disappeared. However, they were intercepted by the Goddess, who desired to find out who it was before all others do. Though the reason why was still a mystery to themselves, but they still relented with the stipulation of a year. That is, unless more disappeared.

“It's like we're a step behind them, and they're laughing at us,” she frowned whilst biting her thumbnail.

“What of your Priest in that village-town?” asked a Librarian.

“The fat oaf, Reginald? He's an idiot and only sees gold coins and women,” she waved a hand at him in dismissal, “He was removed from my order a long time ago, and I'm pretty sure that broke him in some way. He still thinks he's... a... part of mine...

“One moment, please. I need to check something.” Quickly, before her thought disappeared, she pulled up a placard which detailed what she could and could not do when it came to her followers. One of which was approaching them, but only through dreams.

Unfortunately for herself, in her younger days, she banned the thought of her going to one of her fallen members and therefore cursed loudly. Which then led to her sighing heavily, “Damnit.”

“Is something the matter, Lady Riveene?”

“Yes,” she drawled out slowly, “I'm not allowed to go near Reginald because he's a fallen member of my order. Only when he's absolved himself of his deeds, will I be able to contact him again.”

“What of another?”

“The closest I have are in Stonewall, which are a two day horse ride journey away. Though,” Riveene tapped her chin in contemplation, “I guess I could send a Paladin or two to check it out. They'll probably over do it, but it's better than nothing.” Shrugging, she left the area in order to trudge off towards her room so that she may prepare herself for an appearance in one of her temples within the city.

All the while, an empty, laughing mask watched from an upper corner within the room as the owner chuckled to himself thinking in sing-song, 'This looks interesting.'

*****

“I... wish...to...serve...” hissed Zabartik as he stood next to Karastak who was kneeling over a magickally crafted duffle bag. Inside of it were many articles of clothing, each serving the purpose of muffling the thousands of coins within. In total, they had amassed 1,492 gold coins, 643 silver coins, 202 copper coins, and 6 platinum coins from looting the corpses of the bandits. On top of that were many leather armours and rusted iron weapons and shields, but he didn't have a lot of room for them.

The bag itself would reduce the weight of the coins by 65%, but it was still quite heavy, especially for those gathered before his eyes. Though it wouldn't be for the Shade, and now that it had decided to stay, life was going to be a whole lot easier for their backs.

“That's good,” Karastak pat the creature's back with a smile as his eyes turned towards the children who were playing with a pony sized and fluffy rabbit. One which was happily munching on a sapling as the girls snuggled into its sides or climbs all over its body.

This was because of his class creation called , which was passed on to Puella and to Little Mother. The former was given the ability to summon only one creature, whilst the latter had her own Swarm of Ten. Of whom was surrounded by little black bats which squeaked incessantly as they searched for a meal or someplace to rest. Though, they did find out that her master's hair was the softest around, and fell asleep within the strands, much to her dismay.

Though, currently, her Swarm were flying around their heads, munching on the biting insects which came a-calling during the dusk hours. Which meant she was left alone in his hair for the time being, and happily wiggled about his scalp.

Whereas Puella just wanted a, “Big and fluffy bunny!” Therefore, she inadvertently summoned up a rabbit the size of a small horse. One that immediately snuggled into her side before hopping around, causing the earth to shake as she giggled and hung onto the creature's neck. Which only stopped when the creature desired food and drifted over to the many trees and saplings which littered the area.

Lupa, on the other hand, didn't want the Subclass, which surprised him to a lesser degree. For she explained with a shrug, “I just don't want the extra burden right now. Puella's all I need, and she has a pet, so I need to look after them both now.”

For himself, he decided to hold off on summoning anything, and instead turned to Zabartik with a hand stretched out with a smile, “Welcome to our interesting party, Zabartik.” As the Shade grasped the outstretched limb, it gasped as tendrils the colour of pitch snaked out of the illusory Human's wrist, and plunged themselves into its own body. This then prompted a pair of placards to appear before his very own eyes, reading:

Congratulations!

You have successfully contracted your first minion!

Go forth and bring more into the fold!

Contracted Minions: Zabartik (1/5)

Summoned Minions: N/A (0/20)

Zabartik

{Race: Lesser Divine Shade}

{Age: 2000}

{Level: 20; until level 21: 100,000/275,000}

{STR: 150; DEX: 65; CON: 150; INT: 80; WIS: 40; CHA: 25}

{Health: 400/400} {Mana: 260/260}

{Class: Warrior} {Subclass: Divine Leader (Locked)}

{Skills: ; ; ; ; ; }

{Titles: Fallen Divine; Mocked; Contracted Minion}

{Titles Equipped: Contracted Minion}

“W-what?” hissed the Shade as Karastak whistled at the Status Menu of his new minion.

“You're quite the strong one, aren't you, Zabartik?” The Shade didn't respond, which led to him chuckling softly, “Well, let's make some clothing for you, first and foremost. .” Upon so saying, a hooded robe, the same colour as his own faded blue, crumpled to the ground between them. Of which was soon repeated, but for a pair of brown boots and a plain, white mask with holes for eyes. Each also landed atop the robe, as he swiped away the placards which danced before his vision.

Congratulations!

You have created a Hooded Robe!

Grade: A

Durability: 100/100

Congratulations!

You have created a pair of Leather Boots!

Grade: A

Durability: 50/50

Congratulations!

You have created a Mask of Concealing!

Description: While wearing this mask, the wearer may conceal all or parts of their face as they will it. Your Status Menu will also be hidden to those not of Master Rank or above.

Grade: S

Durability: Indefinite

“Hmm,” he hummed to himself, rubbing his chin slowly and called out, “Lupa, Puella. Please come to my side for a moment.” His eyes then drifted to the Shade, who was staring at the clothing and mask, “You should put those on. They're hide you from prying eyes and the glare of the sun.” After which they drifted off to the upper right of his peripheral, where he watched his mana slowly tick upwards from (253/462).

Once again, he hummed to himself as the children scampered over with the rabbit waddling behind. “We're here,” proclaimed Puella, who giggled as the rabbit nudged her back.

Here, he nodded and held out his hands towards the children, chanting, “,” with the image of the same mask as Zabartik's held close to his mind. Which then resulted in the creation of the same masks, but with a different design. Such as the Shade's being a plain mask, whereas the children had a fox's design on the front.

These were then passed out to them, and he bade them to wear the masks as he explained, “Based upon their descriptions, the masks will keep you hidden from those who could discern your Status Menus as well as hide your faces.”

Puella released another curious sound from her throat as she put her own mask on. Within moments, the item conformed to her face and vanished, along with her features. Thus, startling Lupa who yiped in surprise and glared at his person.

To which he chuckled, “Just think of your face appearing to the world, Puella, and it should happen.”

“Kay!” she replied, and took on the pose of her concentrating as hard as she could. Which then resulted in her face reappearing to the rest of the world, much to the happiness of the Wolfgirl. “I did it!”

“Yes, you did,” he reached over and ruffled her hair, much to her happiness, “You as well, Lupa. We'll be needing them as we head into Stonewall.”

“But why?” she asked, slowly putting on the item just as the Shade stepped forward with the outfit around its shoulders.

“I do not want people to see everything about you, would you?” She shook her head quickly as her mind willed her face to reappear. Which then prompted the Cat-kin to pounce on her friend in an excited hug.

“Good,” he bobbed his head once, “Now, what would you two like to eat for tonight?” His eyes drifted towards the children, their eyes sparkling as they hurried over to his side with demands for food.

*

Upon the morrow, and after breaking their fast, Karastak summoned up his staff before chanting a new spell, “,” with the image of two horses in mind. One had to be powerfully built for the equally strong Shade, as any other would break in half from the weight. Whereas himself needed a creature who was agile and could prance around on a chaotic battlefield, if there ever was one.

A pair of portals appeared before them, one in front of Zabartik, the latter near himself. The one before the former excreted a dark haired stallion which exuded smoke from its mane, tails, and hooves. This staggered to its hooves as though just birthed, and the party watched as it grew a great muscle structure as its entirety doubled in size. It then stomped and brayed before the group whilst it focused upon them.

Which led to the illusory Human to push the robed Shade towards the horse with, “You two get along now.” Thus leaving them to their own devices as the next horse emerged.

This one was as white as snow, the complete opposite of the smoking horse, but was also a Stallion. However, what was most definitive to their eyes was the horn protruding from the centre of its head. It was as long as a shortsword's blade, but spiraled upwards, and Karastak frowned at the creature as it stumbled forward, nearly skewering himself. Which led to him catching the beast by its neck as he stablised it until it became strong enough to stand tall on its own.

“Why is a Unicorn here?” he muttered into its right ear, which caused it to become startled. It would have backed away and fled, if not for the strong grip on its neck and mane. “I know your kind can speak both verbally and telepathically. So speak, or be banished back into the Void.”

'I'm here because you summoned me', whispered the mind of a shy youth.

“I summoned a horse to bear my weight, not a Unicorn,” his grip tightened on the creature's neck and mane, “Speak. Why are you here?”

'Ow, ow, ow,' the mental voice cried out, which was projected to its physical body by way of it flicking its tail and wincing its eyes, 'I can't.'

“Then I you from my side forevermore,” he growled a dangerous tone just as another portal emerged from below. Here, tendrils and tentacles erupted from the earth, wrapping themselves around the Unicorn and pulling it into the darkest pits from whence it came.

The Illusory Human's frown deepened as he cast his spell yet again, this time with the image of something which would be best fitted for a Demon Lord, but could conceal itself from those who would wish it harm. He had become frustrated from the appearance of the Unicorn, which was a part of the Fey realm and projected peace, love, and harmony to the world. Something which he was not against, but not wholly a part of. Therefore, he changed his stance on what he so desired.

What came out of the next portal caused him to grin, which evolved into a throaty chuckled, then a full blown laugh. For before himself was a Kirin, a green scaled Dragon in the shape and size as a horse with flames for a mane and a tale half its length. Of whom bowed before himself in reverence with a voice that shook the earth below and heavens above, “I live to serve, My Lord on High.”

Karastak

{Race: Foxman (Demon Lord)}

{Age: 25}

{Level 7; until Level 8: 12,000/34,000} {STR: 30; DEX: 30; CON: 80; INT: 40; WIS: 40; CHA: 131}

{Health: 260/260} {Mana: 462/462}

{Class: Illusionist} {Subclass: The Lord of Hosts}

{Illusionist Skills: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; }

{The Lord of Hosts Skills: ; ; }

Contracted Creatures: 1/5

Summoned Creatures: 1/20

{Passive Skills: ; ; ; ; }

{Titles: Soul Bound; Tamer of the Unknown; Indomitable Will; Master Mentor}

{Titles Equipped: Master Mentor}