As the dark circle grew, the bricks that made up the street fell into the middle, swallowed up into the blackness below. A scream of thousands of voices welled up into the city and the flapping of wings could be heard churning beneath. Lord Wendeln’s men balked at the sight. One was standing too close and started to slip in before another caught his belt and pulled him back.

“You fool,” Lord Tarris yelled. “You would use [Harvest] within the city? You’ll kill everyone here.”

Lady Timpe didn’t try to reason with the fallen Lord. Instead, she twisted in her half-plate armor, pulled a dagger from her belt, and threw it at Wendeln. The man flinched and batted it out of the air with his hand; however, Lady Timpe had drawn her longsword and was rushing the man as he turned back.

Each swing of Lady Timpe’s sword hit hardened air right before striking Wendeln. Lord Tarris began throwing spells at the man as well. Flashes of what looked like lightning were deflected off Wendeln’s defensive skill. Each strike smashed against the Catanzano house behind, leaving gouges in the brick inches deep.

Silas began twisting his hands in the air before him, looking like he was raving to Orrin. Ripples of air passed over Lady Timpe as she swung in overhand chops that came on faster and faster with each strike. The wavy air hit Wendeln and he stumbled back. Timpe was able to strike down and severed an arm with one hit.

The pit trembled and the circle broke. A single scaly hand reaching up was cut as the summon was canceled. Its green fingers twitched twice before it melted into sludge on the dirt. Where the road had been split, a perfect circle of dirt rested. The stones that had been swallowed up were gone.

Orrin watched as Lady Timpe took two more quick swings, striking down to cut off the other arm that reached up with a wand, then crossing from left to ride. Lord Wendeln’s head rolled across the street.

The fight between the four Lords lasted two in-breaths and one out-breath. Orrin counted. They had moved with purpose and speed that even Samara hadn’t matched. A true fight between titans.

I’ve got a long way to go.

Lord Wendeln’s men hadn’t had the chance to move. Brandt and Madi moved in from behind them, yelling orders to toss down their weapons.

The men did not resist. Weapons hit the dirt. Their Lord was in pieces and he’d tried to destroy Dey. Most looked confused. Orrin noticed one or two were crying.

Lady Timpe was breathing fast but not from exertion. She was staring down at the body of a man she’d worked with for years. Lord Tarris walked forward and rested a hand on her armored shoulder. Orrin couldn’t hear the words said, but she stiffened and nodded once.

Silas turned in his chair and nodded once at Daniel. His eyes traveled to where Orrin had dropped his [Camouflage] and a small smile played across his lips. He mouthed. “Good job.”

Orrin smiled back. If only Silas knew this had been Tony’s plan.

The three remaining Lords of Dey ordered the group about, but Orrin was thankful that he didn’t have to think for a bit. When is the last time I slept?

As more troops arrived in the area, Silas let them go back to the house. They’d earned a rest. It was firmly morning now and Lady Timpe and Lord Tarris had left with a large contingent of soldiers to box in the now correctly termed Wendeln-summon.

Orrin made sure Daniel got into bed first, not trusting him after the last few weeks. He took off his armor and boots and fell on his bed. Sleep took him quickly.

Orrin woke once more to the glorious smell of coffee in the room.

“Wake up, sleepy-head,” a voice sing-songed. “You’ve slept almost an entire day.”

“Go away,” Orrin murmured into his pillow. “Leave the coffee.”

Daniel chuckled and sat on Orrin’s bed. He waited for Orrin to turn and growl.

“I brought the entire carafe and a cup for you.” Daniel offered the cup in one hand and placed the pot of godly fluid down on the nightstand. “They took down that monster. Only minor injuries that the Church was able to heal up.”

Orrin grunted and took the cup. He slurped some in his mouth and sighed. “That’s good.”

“Everybody in the city knows I’m the [Hero] now.”

Orrin flinched. “Not as good.”

Daniel shrugged. “It was going to happen sooner or later. At least now, I can practice more. Silas told me the other Lords-“ he paused. “-and Lady?” He shook his head. “The powers in charge granted me and my party access to the dungeons. Of course, I’ve been invited to like a hundred dinner parties, training sessions, and even a poetry reading.”

“I guess the cat’s out of the bag now,” Orrin said, starting to feel the fuel hit his veins. “What do you think we should do first?”

Daniel smirked and threw a blue box at Orrin.

“The war Quest? Why? We don’t know even know where to start for that-“

Daniel cut him off. “Revenge.”

Orrin thought it through. The name of the aggressor country, Odrana, had come up a few times. They’d apparently paid for the [Hero], leading to all the recent trouble and the downfall of a Lord of Dey.

And leading to the death of a friend.

“How is his family?”

Daniel didn’t need more clarification. “Silas has them protected. He’s promised they’ll be taken care of for life, even after what Jude did. He even said thank you to Tony.” Daniel smiled wide again. “You have no idea how funny that was to watch. Tony kept mouthing ‘what’ and cupping his ear. But Lady Timpe was there and Silas had to play it cool.”

Orrin laughed with his friend. Daniel hadn’t slept as long and filled him in on everything he’d missed overnight.

“Knock, knock. I heard somebody finally woke up?” Madi peered around the corner of the open door. “You boys decent?”

“Daniel’s never decent, but come on in,” Orrin said, sitting up and pouring a second cup. “He was just filling me in on what’s next.”

Madi pulled a chair over and sat by the two of them. As they chatted, laughing and planning, Orrin felt a knot loosen in his chest. He’d spent so many days in a row saving Daniel, running from problem to problem, and battling, that he’d forgotten to rest.

“What is that face he’s making?” Madi whispered. “Is that a smile?”

“Shut up,” Orrin said and tossed a pillow at Madi.

“Yes! [Side Steps] triggered.”

Two days later, Orrin, Madi, and Daniel trained alone. Brandt had requested some leave and Silas had been happy to grant it. Brandt had apologized to all three of them repeatedly until Daniel had told him to shut up.

“Take all the time you need,” he said, hugging the man. Brandt stood stiff. “We’ll be waiting.”

Madi kicked off the wall and swung her spear at Daniel, who dodged under her attack. He swung Gertrude at her but slowed at the last minute. Orrin had debuffed his Dexterity.

“Not fair, I almost had her.” Daniel laughed and ran after Orrin. Orrin threw [Lightstrike]s at both of them and threw a fist in the air.

“I won. You’re both dead.”

Daniel laughed and then hit Orrin with a wide swing, knocking him back. [Ward] protected all of them from taking too much damage, and Orrin was maxing out all of his spells each day. The quiet of the practice was enough to distract them all from the riots in the streets. Some of Lord Wendeln’s men had started rumors that the [Hero] killed him. The Lords of Dey put out the truth, but when the news that the heir to the Wendeln seat was missing and presumed dead, the city had turned.

Madi had not been able to even speak with her father. He was out of the house, putting down looting and burning attempts. She’d quietly put the money she’d stolen from his office back.

“You are both getting better,” Madi said with a laugh, throwing a towel at Daniel. Orrin walked over and took another towel from her.

“Thanks,” he said. The city of Dey, which had once felt so grand and peaceful, was beginning to feel like a cage. “Do you guys think we should wait for everything to die down? I’m not sure how Silas is going to feel about it if we just leave.”

Daniel wiped his face of sweat. “We’re going to write a letter. Besides, you know he’d refuse to let Madi go too.”

The three had begun planning a trip north, toward the elven forest. Orrin had no idea what Daniel planned to find but Madi seemed primed for an adventure and backed all his ideas.

“And, we’ll have the [Hero] with us,” Madi chimed in. “What could possibly go wrong?”

Orrin groaned.

Daniel laughed. “Don’t worry so much, Orrin. We still plan to level a bit before we head out. It’s not like we’re leaving tomorrow.”

Orrin shook his head and looked toward the setting sun. Something inside still felt off to him. He just couldn’t put a finger on it.

In a small house, tucked away far from others, a shadow knocked on the door.

“You summoned me, Illustrious One?”

The figure in the chair sat by one of the many windows, looking out at the view. He waved his right hand at the single guard, gesturing for him to approach.

“Leanthun, my nephew.” His voice was smooth, if old. “I would send you to Dey to find this new [Hero]. Learn everything you can about his powers. Something old and new is stirring in that area. Something I’ve not felt in a long time. Change has come to our world.”

Leanthun saluted with crossed arms across his chest and bowed. “As you wish, sir.” He paused before asking, “Is there anything else you can tell me? Will I need to take care of him?”

The figure smiled and stood from his chair, stretching his back. The sunlight flitted through the open window and lit up the face of the old man with pointed ears. A small circlet of wood ran around his head and his eyes were pale blue with a deepness that made even Leanthun hesitate to look too long.

“No, nephew. You will not need to harm him. I fear not the [Hero]. I’ve seen countless of them come and go.”

“I don’t understand.” The younger elf’s face was puzzled. Why send him to learn about another [Hero] if there was nothing to fear from him?

“I don’t fully understand, either,” the old elf chuckled and waved his nephew out the door. “That’s why you have to investigate for me. A [Hero] has been summoned, but something more powerful has arrived on Asmea as well. Find it.”

The old elf stood on his porch, watching one of the last members of his family scale down his tree. His small house was usually ignored and he’d spent hundreds of years living away from the bustle of society. He was normally at peace with his life.

Yet, something inside felt off. Hopefully, Leanthun would find an answer.