We walked along the castle grounds and out into the garden. “My name is Niran; many who know me call me the Primeval, or the Wise, or,” he stared absentmindedly at a fountain, “Lich God.” He turned to face me, and the strange audio wave-like lights appeared. “Who, are you?”

That question threw me off; I thought he knew who I was when I found him chilling on my throne. “Lich God Deidre?”

His decrepit finger poked me on the chest. “Your lich manifestation is my origin, Deidre. You are Niran’s phantom.”

I grew apprehensive at the unassuming walking skeleton. “You’re the one who brought me here? To this world?”

He held his staff with both hands and nodded. “You’ve broken a rule by using magic in your previous world, but I shall overlook it. I am here to illuminate to you, two paths.” He clunked his staff on the ground and an image appeared. It looked glorious at first, but a little disturbing when I thought about the way I wanted to live my life. The image portrayed a lich, one with the same robes and scepter as I, sitting on a throne. Human, monster, and demons kneeled before it.

It gave me goosebumps, perhaps for all the wrong reasons. The second image he brought up was my original human body walking along in a park with Isaac, who was also seen walking healthily. Even though I knew fully well I already healed him, I felt like this image was even scarier for some reason, but I couldn’t figure out why.

I floated my grimoire up and confirmed my suspicions. That creepy guy was the one who wrote the grimoire that was sealed in that little magic shop in Ivora. It was he who put the information about crossing worlds in there. Why the hell would he tell me it’s basically illegal to travel to Earth but have it written in his grimoire then? And why appear now? “What do you want?”

“Denounce your humanity. Become a lich in heart and mind. Only then can you understand the things that plague you so. Also,” he pointed towards the first image with his staff, “for obvious reasons, you should choose the first option.”

I held my head. Ugh… It felt like there were two major unknowns to me since I “died”. One was how this world worked, and the other was how life after death worked. I’d learn bits and pieces of information about both things to spark my interest but never satiate my curiosity enough to justify my participation. How could I just throw around power even though I couldn’t fully understand the ramifications? “You know the second option is more appealing to me. So give me a reason to choose the first option.”

A ghastly chuckle escaped Niran. He gently tapped me on the back to continue our amble through the gardens. “You fear your power will bring about more ruin than it will peace; your eyes perceive from the wrong place. In the end, all lower existences have a nature that they oft cannot go against. Humans will be humans, monsters will be monsters, and demons shall be demons.”

Was it his roundabout way of speaking? Or was it that he spoke a truth I didn’t want to admit? I didn’t know, but he agitated me. “What are you trying to say?”

He let out another hearty bout of laughter. “You cannot ‘help’ from the sidelines and expect this world to be at peace. You must conquer with overwhelming strength. Only then can you effect the change you wish upon the world. Since the beginning of time, the weak surrendered to the strong in exchange for their lives. The beings of this world shall surrender to you, Lich God Deidre, and when they do, you can save them as you see fit.”

He looked up at me and sighed, then suddenly disappeared into nothingness. I found it strange, but I guess I knew why he gave up. I didn’t agree with the notion of conquering at all. There had to be a better way to do things. But even if there was, why would I choose this world over my brother? It was obvious I’d go with the second option and return to Earth.

I shrugged. Eh, doesn’t matter. I’d have to be sick in my mind to choose this world over Isaac. Now that I knew I could make the trip to Earth, all I had to figure out now was how to get back into my original body.

I was on the way to return to my quarters, strolling through the dark hallways of my spooky castle, when Einar popped out of nowhere from a corner I hardly knew existed. “My lo–Dei–Lady Deidre?” he stumbled upon his words.

The first time he met me, I was in lich form, and he knew this female vessel of mine was nothing more than a coverup, but he actually never found out what sex I was. It actually made me laugh out, but I quickly became serious when I noticed the look on his face. “I am female, that is correct. What’s wrong?”

He bowed and made a gratus. “With your permission, I wish to lend aid to the town of Perseverance, My Lady.” He appeared rather anxious, and was already fully equipped in his armor and everything. Despite the castle being relatively cool, the man sweated buckets. Hell, his laden fury evaporated the sweat on his skin.

“Um, sure, man.” I set him at ease and put a hand on his shoulder. “Everything alright? What’s going on?”

He was a little stunned, but he chose not to question my choice of words. “My Lady, Perseverance was attacked by the demons. Thousands lay dead, and thousands more were taken as prisoners back to their vile lands.”

My body seized up; that didn’t make sense. At least, my mind couldn’t accept the fact that it was possible. Perseverance? Attacked? Never! I couldn’t even imagine it.

“As my fealty lies with you,” Einar clenched his longsword’s pommel, “I cannot provide help that could sway your political standing without your permission.”

A wave of rage washed over me, as it did Einar. “L-let’s go then, Einar.” I formed a portal to Perseverance.