February 2, 2019, 3:02 pm. Not long enough to get all the cat hair off.

As I step out of my trial, I find the little island empty. When I check party chat, I discover no one else is finished with their tasks yet. I'm not surprised that indulging a cat in playtime took less time than what I suspect were more serious trials. But who knows. Maybe Josh is grooming the earth-bear. I could see that taking longer than playing with Ineesis.

While I wait for the others, I summon the Ice Castle again. Might as well claim my rewards.

"Item received: Armour Upgrade: Cat's Favour.

"Cat's Favour: When used on existing armour, adds the Cat's Favour modifier. Grants a bonus of 10.0 Stamina Edge, doubles existing bonuses and you have a much higher likelihood of landing on your feet when you fall."

"Note. Armour upgrades will become a permanent part of armour once used. Applying a new armour upgrade will replace the old upgrade."

[Wyonna] "Doesn't do much about actual falling damage though."

The Armour Upgrade adds a new option to the Equipment Management submenu, Upgrade Armour. Pretty on the nose there. Selecting it, I'm given the option to select one of my existing Soul-Bound items. Given my attachment to my Aunt Sharon's jacket, I select it to be upgraded. Then the menu reveals that it costs three Iron-Rank mana Essence to upgrade it.

Honestly, for an extra ten Stamina Edge that would already be cheap. But doubling the existing bonuses too? If I had that much on hand, I'd spend it. Only problem with this dungeon not having any mobs in it. Haven't had a chance to replenish our stock. I'm actually kinda broke, other than the Copper Essence it just gave me. Which I could use, but it doesn't look like it would refund me the extra essence. Might have to spend some time hunting once we're finished. Or maybe just borrow some.

Shaking my head, I move onto the last reward, the new armour.

It appears in my hands, and for a moment I'm confused at the strip of cloth. Is it a scarf? Then I Focus on it.

"Wrap of Ineesis. After having completed his trial to a satisfactory level, Ineesis has deigned to bestow upon you his second-favourite flutter toy."

"Originally used by the elemental as a plaything, this wrap can be secured around the hand to protect the wearer from all heat damage, granting a twenty percent resistance to heat or cold effects before Edge is applied. Focused. Improves Mana Edge by 1.0 and Focus Edge by 2.0 when equipped."

"Current Bond: Citizen Pandora, pending acceptance."

Huh. That's new. No cost to bond. Might as well.

When I accept the bond, a small burst of information accompanies the bonding, like a mini-codex. All it is, is a suggested method of wrapping that I can't help but notice would leave a bit of cloth dangling free where it would be easily swatable.

Deciding to at least test it out, I pose for Smoulder with the wrap, my hands on my hips as I take a classic 'hero' pose. Which is of course when Josh and Rose return. Luckily, I feel them through my IFF before they're able to get close to the bridge to my castle. Though the muffled laughter has me wondering if they noticed me despite the walls in the way.

Not that either of them have any sort of scrying that I'm aware of.

After a quick message through party chat, they join me in the castle, looking around. I wait as they take advantage of the built in Nexus to claim their own rewards. They both get new gloves. Rose's are the same emerald green his mother used to wear, complimenting his golden fur nicely.

Josh's are not pink.

I know that not everything Josh wears has to be pink. I know this. But somehow, the gloves offend me. They're brown. The sort of brown I'd typically see on a workman's gloves. Oh Josh, how far my image of you has come. While I'm lost in thought, Josh holds his new gloves out, dangling from a single hand while his mouth twists sideways. "These..."

Preparing myself to console him, I step forward to pat his shoulder.

"These are perfect!" Josh exclaims, pulling the gloves close and hugging them to his chest.

I blink slowly, as Rose looks over. Josh is beaming as he says, "They let me create dirt. Like, proper fertile dirt. Plus they're great for zapping bugs!"

They're gardening gloves. They're even called Gardening Gloves when I Focus on them.

"I... congrats?" I say, my consolation pat on his shoulder turning into congratulations.

"Thanks Lexi. What'd you get?"

Showing them my new wrap, I discover that the loose end is indeed swattable as Smoulder takes a swipe at it, bouncing off Josh's leg in the process. And nearly knocking him over.

"Whoa. She's really got some oomph to her now."

Looking at Smoulder, I pop open her status to discover she put her points into Strength. And apparently the points she was awarded were before the conversion value. Smoulder's Strength has skyrocketed.

And she has some new class options. One of them she's even considering taking.

Class selection available:

Infernal Sun God (Unique):

Attributes: Minor increase to Strength, Constitution, Intellect and Perception. Moderate increase to Agility and Endurance. Large Increase to Spirit and Resolve.

Resources: Small increase to Health, Stamina, Mana and Focus. Pool evolution: Ignis to Infernis. Immense increase.

Abilities: Epic. Infernal. Sun.”

I have to double check my memory, cause I think the class is as strong as Cataclysm Seed. And by the time I've replayed the memory, it's a moot point. Smoulder's already accepted her class.

Looking down at her, I search her for changes. But there aren't any. Except maybe a bit more of a gleam in her eyes.

Now that she's chosen a class, she could look at a species upgrade too. But even with her amazing new class, she's not satisfied with the options. Not even the Hare-eld of the Apocalypse. I can't help but giggle at the spelling.

As Smoulder snuggles up on my shoulder, I can feel her warmth pressing against me. And I realize that if I hadn't just equipped the wrap, she'd probably be damaging me.

Even Josh and Rose take a step back. When I check her status, I realize she's not even using mana. She just passively radiates that much heat now.

Which is causing slight issues with the frozen castle, the floor getting melty underneath us. So we relocate to the central island right as a fully metal clad Kellica stomps out of her trial, the clanging of her steps announcing her presence.

Before she makes it to the island, I can feel Roberts emerge from his trial. Which only leaves Tipan and Rufka.

Before they join us, I take Smoulder to the far end of the island, the magical grass that doesn't break even under Kellica's metal steps wilting around us.

She's purring contentedly as I give her head-scritches, but that only seems to be increasing the amount of heat she's throwing off. Sighing, I pull her from my shoulder and look into her eyes. "Look, Smoulder. I know you have fancy new powers now, but we're gonna need to dial it down a notch."

Smoulder just looks at me as she dangles there, then leans to the side to push her head against my thumb for more scritches. Sighing, I push the image of her radiating less heat through our bond.

Which doesn't seem to help, as she immediately raises the temperature to a point that makes me start sweating, even with my new wraps and my high resistance. The distorted air around us probably isn't a good sign either.

It takes several more attempts to get through to her, and it's only once I point out that she's not going to be able to get head-scritches from anyone else that she finally starts trying to pull her aura in. Which takes us at least an hour.

By the time we're finished, Tipan has joined the others at the far end of the island, near the bridge to my ice castle.

As I walk up to the little table they're playing cards on, Smoulder's heat completely dissipates. There is a flickering flame on the tip of her tail, but seeing as it's not lighting my clothes on fire, I choose to ignore it as I let Roberts explain the game they're playing. Something he calls Sevens. I listen half-heartedly, but my attention keeps drifting towards the crackling energy of the portal to the Lightning trial. Rufka's still not back. I know she's alive, cause I can feel that my tether's still connected. But her status in the party screen is grayed out, so I don't know if she's alive and doing well or...

Shaking my head, I ask about the other trials, and I'm relieved since no one had anything deadly. Though nobody else was expected to pamper their elemental either.

Just me.

We've finished playing a round of Sevens and put the cards away, discussing our plans for returning home when Rufka finally emerges from her trial. We all notice, because her return isn't subtle. It splits the sky with a bolt of lightning that leaves my hair standing on end. Rufka's standing in the middle of ground zero, a cheeky grin on her face as she poses with her left hands on her hips her right arms in the air.

Just like Sab always used to.

A sudden wave of nostalgia washes over me, tears forming in the corner of my eyes. I blink them away before going to congratulate Rufka on her completion, but I'm interrupted by a notification.

"Zone Quest completed: Ascend The Peak. Requirements: Complete all Challenges. Reward: Channeled Casting added to Class Abilities. Receive the first level at no cost. *Due to completing all Hidden Challenges, you receive the first two levels at no cost. Return to a Nexus to update your abilities."

"Rest areas have been disabled. Training completed. Teleportation has been unlocked. Any users who remain within the training area in ten minutes will be sent to the exit."

We don't wait for the dungeon to kick us out, everyone gathering together instead. Thankfully Kellica has stowed her armour and Tipan's not floating around in wind-avatar form as I prepare the spell-form for teleporting us back to Theria's.

Thankfully, no last minute interruptions arise, and the spell transports us safely to her hidden valley. Well, technically, it's just outside the valley, in a little alcove I shaped specifically for this purpose. Since Theria didn't want us performing magic inside her valley, and I wanted a safe space I knew would be clear, it had been an easy compromise.

"We should check on the cabin," Rufka reminds me the moment we step out into the twisted canyon that leads between Theria's valley and the rest of the Reach.

"You shouldn't need everyone for that," Roberts says before I can reply. "I'm going to check with Theria to see if there's been any word from Beth."

I nod, and everyone except Rufka and Kellica go with Roberts.

Glancing towards Kellica, she shifts her gaze away. "I... need to see what they... what happened because of me."

When Rufka doesn't object, we make our way out of the canyon to the edge of the promontory Theria's valley is hidden inside. For a moment, we all just stop and stare at the incredible sunrise. Even with my timesense, I hadn't realized we'd be arriving in time to catch the rays of light as their sun crested the rise. And if it was just that, we may not have all stopped. But Ukila hangs low in the sky, its surface reflecting against the ocean in the distance. And in the distance, only barely visible, a mana-storm roams the surface of the ocean, moving towards the Reach.

"So beautiful," Kellica murmurs, her voice barely louder than the gentle wind in our still sheltered alcove.

"Yep. Mum said the sunrise was one of the reasons she settled in the Reach," Rufka says, patting Kellica's shoulder. "Though the frequent mana-storms help too. Most users are afraid of them."

"I suspect there's a good reason for that," I say drily, giving Rufka the side-eye.

She rolls her shoulders and grins back at me. "Sure. They're not as awesome as me and mum."

Thankfully, a gust of wind covers most of my undignified snort. And before anyone can comment, I leap off the edge of the cliff. I let myself fall for a second, just enjoying the sensation of freefall before flaring my magic out to catch me. As I come up above the river, I realize how... absolutely insane that was. Sure, I'd done things like that before. But I'd always been fortified by Rufka's moonshine. Now... I just trusted my magic would catch me.

The absolute feeling of freedom I feel in this moment is unlike anything I can remember.

Then Rufka catches up to me, and I feel Smoulder's discomfort at being so high up and out in the open. Which isn't helped by her precarious position on Rufka's shoulder.

Oops.

I fly closer, collecting Smoulder and putting her in her pocket where she's properly secured. Kellica comes up behind, slower than either of us under the effect of a new flight spell, metal wings stretched wide.

It doesn't take long until we're circling over Rufka's cabin. It looks intact, not so much as scuffed grass.

After a quick check of the area, Rufka glides in to investigate while Kellica and I remain overhead.

"I... thought it would be worse. You think she'll find anything?" Kellica asks as Rufka lands in the clearing below, taking her time to inspect the edges before moving toward the cabin.

Bobbing slightly as I shrug, I squint as Rufka stops on the porch. But she shakes her head before turning to us and gesturing us down. "Guess not," I reply while moving to join her.

"Someone was definitely here," Rufka says as we land, proving me wrong immediately. "Mum's major wards are intact, but they trampled through the subtle ones."

"Oh?"

"Vaus-sucking voidbrains don't even realize that I can just..." Rufka's hand glows as she spins what I thought was an ornamental carving of a flower next to the door. The entire yard lights up, thin lines of lavender criss-crossing it. And clearly illuminating three forms crouched near the creek at the edge of the clearing.

Even after we've all turned to stare at them, the figures remain crouched. Do they not realize we can see them? Now that I'm looking, their invisibility isn't even that good. They're barely translucent. I can even see some of the middle one's fur.

"You know we can see you, right?" I ask as I take a seat on the edge of Rufka's porch.

This finally prompts a reaction out of the three, all three standing up.

"What're you doing here, burner?" The middle voice asks, leaving me utterly confused. Who is he talking to? And is that supposed to be an insult? The tone kinda implies it is.

"I'm not..." Kellica starts before choking off, looking down at the ground.

"What did you just call her?" Rufka demands, sparks dancing across her fingers as she approaches the three invisible figures.

Oh. Guess we're doing things that way. I Focus on the three of them, preparing to drop into Pause while hopping off the porch. I blink twice after a quick scan of their strength reveals that none of them are a threat to us.

Even as I'm thinking that, Wyonna messages us, "Wow. I've seen paper lanterns that were less flimsy than these three."

"We were told not to engage," one of the invisible shapes hisses at the one who spoke.

"It's just the burner," the other shape says, letting their invisibility drop. She's a K'tharn with muted greys and blacks whose eyes flick over us as she starts to step forward. "Besides, we know the Archmage is busy. And they're barely iron."

An invisible hand partially obscures their shoulder, halting them before they can take another step forward but it's the voice on the other side that speaks. "Is this how the Taken normally operate?"

"No," hisses the other voice again, trying to pull on the shoulder of the K'tharn who's revealed herself to us. But she doesn't get a chance, cause while they've been arguing, Rufka strode across the lawn and is now standing directly in front of them. Kellica and I are just behind her, and I've already managed to secure tethers to each of them. Though there's something weird about the way my tether attaches to the third presence. A quick double check reveals that his powers are web based and his name is Poogell, which almost makes me laugh.

Rufka flexes her hand and their remaining illusions shatter, revealing that neither of the others are K'tharn. The one on the left, who's been hissing is covered in scales, similar to Raz though nearly twice his height and with mottled green scales and their name is Lik'tik. And the one on the right is so fluffy, it's hard to make out more than their vaguely humanoid shape, though they only have two arms and according to my analysis, their race reads as Melkog. Though it should probably read as 'big fluffy puppy who stands on two legs with an incredibly boopable black nose.'

"Apologize," Rufka states, staring at the one in the centre. I can't help but wonder if she's asking them to apologize for trespassing, stealing from her mum, or the burner comment. Maybe all three?

The K'tharn, whose name is Ael'thani according to my analysis, draws her eyes together as she takes Rufka in. "To you? For what?"

I'm considering how to point out all the things they could be apologizing for when Kellica speaks. "For breaking into her home!"

The K'tharn's eyes flick to Kellica for a moment and Kellica kinda just... deflates, her shoulders hunching in while her eyes fixate on an empty spot near Rufka's feet.

"No," Rufka growls out, sparks surging up and down her arms. "For calling her a burner."

This gets the K'tharn to scoff, lifting her head to the side as she affects the almost same hero pose I was in earlier. "Why would I apologize for calling her what she is?"

Suddenly, Rufka's display stops as she laughs, turning away from them and clapping Kellica on the shoulder. It makes Kellica flinch but she meets Rufka's eyes. "She has a point, friend. Why don't you show this vethka stain who you really are?"

I'm at a loss, but something seems to pass between Rufka and Kellica as Kellica gives Rufka a small nod before squaring her shoulders. Rufka still has one hand clenching and unclenching. But it's behind her back as she keeps her lower arms folded and her other arm on Kellica's shoulder. Taking her cue, I move to the other side of Kellica.

Kellica glares at Ael'thani for a second but instead turns to the Lik'tik, who is still partially camouflaged, their skin mottled in a pattern similar to the trees behind them. Though with their yellow eyes staring back at us, they're not particularly hard to spot. "Please inform the K'mintar that I am invoking the Vigil of Eyes. Ael'thani shall cast no shadow."

"What? You can't do that!" Ael'thani sputters, turning to their companion. "Can she?"

"As you have so tastefully pointed out, she is a Truth Searer. It is within her rights to invoke a Vigil. No matter how disfavored she may be. And she has the right to make you her Light," Lik'tik replies, running a hand over their scaly ridgeline while letting out a low grumble.

"These are the ones the K'mintar wants, are they not?" Poogell asks, his fluffy fur not moving nearly as much as I feel it should when he shifts to look towards Lik'tik.

"No. These are just her subordinates," Lik'tik answers, their yellow eyes fluttering as they look back at us.

"Perhaps we should take them? Would that not get the Archmage to come to us?" Poogell asks.

Okay. Despite how adorable he looks, I'm starting to think Poogell isn't a nice puppy. Also, not that smart, if he thinks they can handle us. We're right outside Rufka's home for crying out loud.

"Yeah. We should just take them," Ael'thani agrees. "Then we-"

Lik'tik hisses, cutting Ael'thani off as the lizard-person takes a step back. "I will have no part in such idiocy. I shall relay your message to the K'mintar." Before we can respond, they leap away, bounding into the jungle.

"Hmm. If Lik'tik believes it is a bad idea," Poogell mumbles before stepping towards the bushes.

"What? But you said..." Ael'thani starts before realizing she's been left alone. She stands there for three more seconds, her eyes locked on Kellica for the entire time before spinning around and darting into the forest. Much less smoothly than Lik'tik did. It's almost as bad as when I first ran through the forest before meeting Rufka.

"So..." I say as the three Taken disappear into the woods. "The Vigil of Eyes?"

"I... it's for resolving internal disputes. We'll be expected to prove our skills. And then we'll be given a chance to air our grievances," Kellica explains, "It will be a private matter, though I suspect the K'mintar will not approve the Vigil until after I have completed my time with you. She was rather insistent about the meeting with your... with the Archmage."

"I'm proud of you," Rufka says, squeezing Kellica's shoulder. "Even if you never should've let them call you a burner in the first place."

"I... Ael'thani isn't that bad," Kellica mumbles.

Rufka and I both stare at her for a second before Kellica tilts her head back. "She wasn't... I mean, yes. She called me a burner. But there are others who are much worse."

"What about the other two? The outlanders?" Rufka asks with a glance towards me.

"Lik'tik doesn't get involved in anyone's business. They're not big on socializing. And the other one is new. I've never seen them before."

"Should we stop them?" I ask Rufka, pointing in the direction they ran off.

"Nah. Looks like they didn't get into anything important. And you tagged them, right?"

I nod, shuffling the tethers to be lower priority. I don't really want to keep them in mind unless they're close. Wonder if I can figure out a way to do that automatically?

Looking into the forest, I can't help but wonder. If they didn't take anything important... what were they looking for?