Yes, not only is Rare here deep in these caverns beneath North Spire. But so is Mestopholees, their sworn enemy and leader of the New Slayers.

Keitou puts her guard up. She’s heard stories about the way she’s aided the United States, about her reign of terror over half of Mystix.

But Rare does not do the same, and she begins to understand.

The impish personality of this extremely full-sized demon comes through with a devilish smile and a stance that seems to exude raw power.

“Mestopholees, I presume,” Keitou says.

“You betcha.”

And yet, like Rare, this demon seems incredibly sad as well.

The two introduce themselves and exchange pleasantries. It is important in all social situations to exchange pleasantries, or else the real parts of conversation will be unable to proceed.

“I was under the impression you were on the U.S.’s side?” Keitou says with a highly suspect tone.

“I am, sort of. The New Slayers fought valiantly against the Americans for as long as we could, but ultimately we surrendered. I’ve been propped up as their propaganda piece ever since. I’m not so against the idea of being a villainous demon queen, but... This isn’t how I wanted it to go. Not at all. ..”

Again, with the shame.

“You did very bad things, didn’t you?”

“Yeah. Lots. I manipulated Eryk. Set Rare up for a huge revenge scheme just to screw them over. Sorry about that.”

“I’ve started a new policy,” Rare says. “I’m letting byegones be bye. Gone. Our relationship has reset. And right now, we are allies.”

Mestopholees nods her head. “I’m still sorry. But I’ll do my best to never betray you again.”

“But it is in your nature to betray, is it not?” Keitou asks. “You’re a demon.”

“That’s racist. Also, true, we do have a long treasured culture of betrayals passed down over the generations. It’s kind of different to your human type stuff where stabbing someone in the back is universally bad. In demon culture, it’s considered a reasonable thing to become a turncoat if it benefits the greater good.”

“Really?”

“Nah, hahahaha.” Metsopholees cackles for a moment, then calms back down and clears her throat. “I’m already betraying the U.S in secret, as you can see here. I’m helping the Anti-Mages subvert them and continue to build up resistance forces. But we’re building an even greater force even further down under the surface.”

“Even greater...”

“I call it the Sleeper Slayers. Fomer villains under my control who have scattered to the winds since my surrender. They’re getting stronger in secret. And when the real battle begins, they’ll join us.”

“When will that be?”

“Well... Is Eryk doing his hero thing?”

Keitou nods. “The Systemless Squad is raging against the dying of the light. We are going to defeat Biden, whatever it takes.”

“Good. I really hope he forgives me someday...”

“He already has. He’s forgiven both of you for your heinous and idiotic acts. He loves you, Mestopholees. You’re an eternal comrade in his heart.”

Then, a voice from afar speaks: “I hope he feels the same about me.”

And into the room steps a new figure... An elderly elf with a giant bow and arrow at her back.

“Who is this?” Keitou asks.

The woman walks up closer to the three. “I’m Malia. Another member of Eryk’s old team. And the final leader of the Sleeper Slayers coalition. Sorry, I was just out attacking a convoy transport.”

Keitou suddenly is struck by a strange sense. “Wait minute...”

And then Malia’s eyes pop open too. “Wait.... MOTHER?!”

...

...

After an unnecessarily surprising family reunion, one that unlocked even more fond memories of Master Keitou’s old days of elvenhood on Mystix, they have finally begun to plan for Eryk’s ultimate arrival.

“I can’t believe I’m older than you now,” Malia says.

“Only in real years. You have youth left in you yet. I’m just about worn out for this world,” Keitou says.

Rare and Mestopholees are confused. They have never lived lives of temporally fragmented reincarnation. Not many people have.

“Let’s catch up, Mother,” Malia says. “I know you don’t remember much, but I’ll help you out as much as I can.”

“We can catch up while we embark on our next mission.”

“What mission is that?”

“We’re going to prepare for the Systemless Squad to begin their secret invasion. I’ll tell you more on the way. Just follow me.”

Rare raises their hand slightly. “Do you need a contingent? We can afford a few mages, but not many.”

“No,” Keitou says. “Just us two old ladies. We’ll be enough.”

“Very well then.”

“Rare, train your army. Gather more forces. And Mestopholees, get ready for your ultimate betrayal. That is all Eryk requires from either of you.”

With everything understood, everything going smoothly, Keitou and Malia set off to a hidden destination.

As Keitou expected, she isn’t returning to Earth. In all likelihood, she never will.

She’s going to become a hero instead.