"What do you mean you changed your mind?" Roden said with no small amount of surprise.

"I think wey about it and I tink you worthy to wield Hyade. Her nature fits you well."

Roden gave the old elf a half frown, "Her nature?"

Mu'tonrae nodded, "Hyade is an heirloom from a time long ago. I was given a Cognomen by di dryads. Her name is Hyade. It is up to you to prove yourself worthy of her full name."

"Full name?"

"Yes, if she believes you worthy she will make it known to you."

"How?"

"You will see."

"I guess I will just have to trust you on this one."

Mu'tonrae nodded again as he handed over the sword in its scabbard.

Riakon leaned over to Errk conspiratorially, "Oh snap is that a talking sword?" Errk shrugged in response.

Roden took the sword reverently, "Thank you Mu'tonrae, I will take good care of it."

"Her."

"Right. her, got it."

Mu'tonrae took a long drag before continuing, "Next, wen u dey boys come back?"

"When should we come back?" Riakon added.

"Dey new moon na for nine days."

Roden and Riakon shared a look and a shrug, "Then we come back in eight days."

"Dat na fine."

At the prospect of traveling to a different dimension all of Roden's gamer knowledge compelled him to ask the question that he wasn't certain of the answer, "How long will we be gone?"

Mu'tonrae thought for a long moment as smoke wafted around him, "Wit di taim dilation you be gone a couple weeks unless yawa don gas trouble."

Roden wasn't surprised, he knew the time would be different. His teammates were less stoic about the matter.

"A couple weeks, cacaw? Why so long, cacaw?"

"Di taim for di shade na slow. One day er get many days here."

Riakon's scowl softened slightly, "Oh so you mean we will only be in the Shade for a few days?"

"Yes and no worry bois Marsh go guide you back."

Both men relaxed visibly. Roden later found out on their return trip to Coastall that both Riakon and Errk had heard there were many unpleasant side effects from being in the Shade. For Errk, his preoccupation was found in the lack of the Sun and its light. Riakon's fears were more Tiamat related given the grim reputation the Shade had among most people. Roden was apprehensive as well albeit for different reasons.

Despite their late night among the Lycans the men were early to rise and after wrapping up their plans with Mu'tonrae they hightailed it back to Coastall. With Errk's flight granting wind, travel woes were a thing of the past. As they sailed over the luscious waves of the Green Sea, Roden basked in the freedom of it all. Sure he had obligations and he was stuck on the path put before him as Zamira's champion, but in that moment he was free to just fly and take in the beauty of that mysterious new world that in a strange way was becoming his new home.

As much as Roden felt he was in control and his own person. He would periodically be reminded he wasn't actually Roden. August was his real name. He was married to his wife Joy, they had a beautiful little like that and was wholly non-magical unless he was trying to seduce his wife then in that case the only magic in their life was love. Yet everyday he woke up on Mir, he woke up into a life of magic, gods, and unearthly creatures that before only existed in his imagination. He longed for his old life, but still found himself fascinated by the life of his host.

More and more he found it easier to slip into his new identity. At times he couldn't tell where he started and Roden began. Having to pretend in the presence of others didn't help the situation either. He was thankful he didn't have to act too different from himself, but the act of hiding his truth was exhausting. It was only in his brief moments of solitude he was able to give August room to breath. Flying atop a cloud with the wind rushing passed his face was as good of a time as any to work out his tension.

Once back in Coastall it was time to become Roden the Cleric of Zamira once more. He felt at least a little blessed that Roden had been such a shut-in during his life and thus he didn't have to put up with any friends or lovers. He had no doubt he would have made a mess of Roden's relationships by that point. Thankfully his only meaningful relationship was with his mother Miriana and she was the mastermind of his current situation. As usual the men entered Coastall through the delta main gate so they could easily take a stroll down the main thoroughfare, sampling the various street delicacies along the way.

One feeling August could never get used to as Roden was the feeling of returning home to his mother's house on the hill. As they walked up the hill he was bombarded by the familiar sweet floral aromas on the air courtesy of his mother's well kept garden. The site of the various trees nestled around the yard gave him a warm comforting feeling that was becoming less and less foreign. Even as an outsider he found himself falling in love with Roden's home.

They found Miriana lounging in the living room with the sliding doors wide opening quietly reading a thin book. She didn't immediately address them when they arrived, instead waiting until she had reached an appropriate stopping point before slipping her leather bookmark in place and tucking the book under the couch.

"Welcome home boys." she said in her well worn motherly tones.

"Hey mom, how's it going?"

"It's wonderful, such a beautiful day out and the breeze is just right to have the doors open." she said, performing a protracted stretch.

"It definitely is a beautiful day, the skys were amazing and my Lady's light shone on us the whole way here, cacaw."

"Brother, you know it is impolite to reference the majesty of another goddess in the presence, let alone the home of a high priestess." Riakon chided.

Miriana waved off the remark, "It is fine, I take no offense from you boys. I am in a particularly great mood, I have fantastic news."

"Yeah? What's up?" Roden asked.

"Well you recall when you sent in your request to audit classes at the University?"

Roden did not remember doing such a thing, but went along with it. "Oh wow, I nearly forgot all about that."

"I assumed you had given all the excitement since you started your journey. They have returned your request and have agreed to allow you a short stay to survey their classes. Is it wonderful?"

Roden wasn't sure what Miriana was getting at. The last thing he had time for was going on a school visit like some high school graduate. He took a seat on the couch opposite his mother. "That would be wonderful, but I think we should discuss our current quest a bit. We are already otherwise engaged."

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Miriana's face flashed with a look of displeasure, "The dragons can wait a couple weeks while you attend. The University can open many doors for you once all of this is done."

Riakon took a chair to Miriana's right, "Actually we have a short quest to the Shade for the Lycans. We–..."

"We, cacaw?"

"I…" Riakon corrected, "Destroyed a valuable artifact of theirs during the last gathering and we need to go into the Shade to retrieve a new one."

"The Shade?! How long would you be gone? You know time passes differently in the Shade."

"Mu'tonrae suspects it would take a few days in the Shade to track down and retrieve the skull, cacaw."

Miriana shook her head, "That won't do, your invitation is for two weeks from now. They even offered to pay for a ride on an airship so you might make it in time."

Riakon and Errk both looked to Roden, who for all his power and magic looked like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar before dinner.

"Uhh, I don't know what to say. I can't let you guys go to the Shade without me."

Errk clicked his tongue, "We can definitely handle the Shade without you, cacaw."

"What my brother means is if you decide you need to go we will manage without you."

Miriana beamed, "See they've got it covered."

"Yeah, besides we will have Marsh to take your place, cacaw."

If things were as dangerous in the Shade as Roden remembered, he wasn't so sure staying behind was such a good idea. "What about–"

Riakon waved it off, "Whatever you can do I am sure Marsh can do just as well. Although we never did get his domain."

Miriana furrowed her brow, "Marsh." she said testing the name, "Is he the Lykinder priest?"

"Yeah, a real rough and tumble looking fellow."

Miriana nodded knowingly, "I'm passingly familiar with the man. He is a Death domain. You boys will be in good hands."

"Then it's settled." Riakon said with finality. "Roden stays and goes to school like a good boy and the rest of us will go into the Shade."

Roden was dumbfounded, "Don't I get a say in this?"

"No." The others said in unison, followed by Errk's "Cacaw."

"In all seriousness Roden attending the University is a tremendous opportunity. If you pass it up now, you might not ever get another chance and no one adventures forever."

"Besides, look how happy it has made your mother, cacaw."

Roden had to admit Miriana looked like she was about to burst with excitement. He sighed, "Okay okay I will go on the visit, but you guys better be extra careful in the Shade."

"No need to worry we've slain two dragons and I got some more of my magic back since we defeated the last one."

"Yeah I'm pretty close to an Advancement too, cacaw."

"I thought I might be as well. I was shocked I didn't get one when we beat the dragon."

Miriana scrutinized the men, "You boys must be on the latter side of your Advancements."

Errk perked up, "Latter side, cacaw?"

"You know, everyone reaches a point where their Advancements slow down."

"I've heard of that, but I still assumed a dragon would be enough." Riakon said sheepishly.

Miriana shook her head, "No no, at that point it takes more than just danger and fighting. Your Spark needs to be stimulated in other ways. Meditation is a key part, but a familiarity with your abilities is a must especially if you advanced quickly."

Roden couldn't stifle his laugh. When he played with his friends he used to always joke about how fast they leveled up thanks to the experience point system they were using for that campaign. During their game Errk and Riakon had blazed through levels going from level one to seventeen in the matter of six months. Roden figured they were moving at about half that pace, but he judged even that was far beyond the average adventurer's experience.

"What Advancement are you boys at any way?"

"We've all had about ten Advancements." Riakon said.

"Then it is no surprise you boys are slowing down. That is an incredible number in such a short time. When you arrived here you were at what? Four or Five?"

"That sounds about right." Riakon said, tapping a clawed finger to his chin.

"By the gods it is no wonder then! That might be the fastest series of Advancements I have ever heard of!"

"I mean we are sons of gods, cacaw." he said with a generous helping of smugness.

Miriana raised an eyebrow, "You are what now?"

Riakon glared at Errk, "What my brother means to say is–"

Miriana cut him off, "Don't you go lying to me now. Tell me the truth."

Riakon closed his mouth and the lie he was about to spin died on his tongue.

"Welp the cats out of the bag boys." Roden quipped.

"There was no cat or bag involved." Riakon said, confused.

"I think he means the secret is already out, cacaw."

Riakon shook his head, "Why not just say that?! Goodness Roden you talk so backwards sometimes."

"Don't change the subject, what do you mean you are the sons of gods?"

Riakon sighed, "Well it's quite simple really, through some odd circumstances I am the son of Erjorn and my brother here is the son of Era."

Roden had to admit, Miriana put on a tremendous performance of her incredulity complete with wife eyes and a hand covering her mouth.

"You are kidding?! How scandalous! Wait that means Erjorn and Tiamat–"

Riakon nodded, "Yeah…That part is still a little strange, but here I am."

Errk clicked his tongue, "My father is Zyz the First Wind."

"Hmmm I am not as familiar with him, but he sounds like a Primordial. Presumably the Primordial of the Wind, maybe the sky as well."

Errk chirped in delight.

"So that is why you boys are advancing so fast."

Riakon frowned, "Well that explains us, but what about Roden? How has he been keeping up?"

Miriana held up a hand, "That is easy actually. His starting Ratio was very high in both Divine and Natural."

All three men looked on with varying degrees of confusion.

"Not to go too deep into all the minutiae, but he has a nearly unheard of capacity for Divine magic. He will make an exceptional high priest one day." Miriana said beaming.

"Really? And that is enough to keep up with Demi-gods, cacaw?"

Miriana shrugged, "Well given you are both mortal, I would guess you aren't able to draw out your full potential here. If I had to guess you would need to be on the Planes of your Primordial parents in order to fully access your potential at least that is the gist of what has happened in the past."

It was Roden's turn to be surprised, "Wait, you mean there have been other Demi-gods before?"

"Of course there have. The gods themselves don't produce offspring all that often given they generally need an avatar for such an act with a mortal, but the Primordials were quite different. If I remember right some of the old scholars believed it was those Prime-mortals that helped facilitate the growth of more powerful Sparks across the population."

Errk slumped.

"What's wrong brother?"

Miriana's mouth dipped into a half frown, "Actually I think he would be your cousin."

Roden made a gesture of waving away her statement.

"I just assumed we were first, cacaw."

"Oh make no mistake Errk, you are definitely unique. At least in our time. The Primordials are all gone from this Plane. Didn't you boys study your history?"

Both of the non-humans looked away.

Miriana shook her head, "Shame on you boys for neglecting your studies."

"Fighting was more fun than reading, cacaw."

Miriana rolled her eyes, "Such a boy's answer."

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