Egnatia felt weak. Demon blood ran in thick globs on the cathedral walls. She pulled off her helmet and glove, and wiped blood drops from her cheeks. Her hair had gotten shorter from the fusion, but otherwise, she guessed she looked mostly the same. Fresh purple scars had formed along her arms and neck, leading to the original Demon Killer scar on her cheek.

The Malignant Spirit laughed, gurgling blood. Her katana had carved through the demon flesh, exposing black and gnarled bones. "This will not be enough to kill him." The Malignant Spirit pushed itself up. It coughed and vomited blood. "This will not be close to enough."

"Who?" Egnatia grabbed the demon by the throat. "Who are you talking about?"

"The Abyssal Chosen."

Egnatia grabbed a knife from her belt and rammed it into the Lord's mangled abdomen. "Give me a name."

"How about—" The Malignant Spirit wheezed. Blood ran from its mouth. "A title?"

Egnatia twisted the knife. "Say it."

"The Maimed Magus."

She dropped the demon, sheathed the knife, and redrew her katana. "He's nothing."

The Malignant Spirit smiled.

A smile from a demon was an ill omen. A curse. A portent of death.

Before the Lord of the Abyss could speak again, she cut its head off and kicked it aside.

***

Owin and Potilia went back and forth telling their stories. During her story, Potilia kept pausing to let Siora add details. The soldier sat awkwardly, avoiding Chorsay's warm gaze, and added a detail or two as needed. Cixilo made food and tea while Raif and Sanem asked questions and listened with interest.

Owin leaned on Chorsay, resting his head on the man's huge arm. Shade added bits to the story, focusing more on the vampire sections than anything else from the Fortress.

Everyone took turns. Everyone was happy.

For the first time in weeks, Owin felt truly comfortable.

***

Althowin sat across from them with a look of pure frustration. It was an expression Katalin hadn't seen in years, and she wouldn't have been sad to never see it again.

"What's wrong?" Ernie asked.

"Other than having all the biggest hero companies against us?" Althowin scratched behind one of her fox ears and brushed hair from her face. "Things have gotten significantly more dangerous since you left. And I don't know if I've ever mentioned this or not, but I really don't have any experience fighting other heroes."

Ernie's expression hadn't shifted at all. "People wouldn't support you if you had killed your way to the top."

"Some heroes have. Andres Orben. Zevvrin Kerekes."

"They're both dead," Katalin said.

Althowin nodded slowly. "You're my assistants, but I need your advice."

"Ask," Ernie said.

"Do I stay neutral or do I attack?"

Katalin immediately imagined the devastation that would spread across the world if Althowin went on the offensive. She was right. She didn't know how to fight heroes. Her style, and Katalin's, focused on absolute destruction because on a dungeon floor, one could do that without worry. But outside? In the real world?

"Neutral," Katalin said quickly.

"I agree. Keep Vraxridge as your city. Be its protector. People would never stop fearing you if you slaughtered hero companies. Normal citizens rely on those companies for work and protection. Veph might be our enemy, but to Atrevaar, she's their patron." Ernie turned to the door just as Basolia slid it open.

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Katalin tried not to glare at the stranger standing in the doorway. He looked like an old elf, but he was much taller and broader than the elves she had seen. As much as she didn't want to look, she couldn't help but notice he wore shorts that were far too high up his thighs. The pale skin of his upper thigh became mangled and scarred where it met with incredibly built prosthetics.

Prosthetics that only one person could make.

"Who?" Katalin asked, forming half a question before Althowin gestured lazily.

"Ernie, Kat, meet Zezog."

The old elf raised a hand. "Hello."

"I should have known," Ernie said.

"We were just talking about how I'm helpless in our current dilemma." Althowin patted the seat next to her.

Zezog walked in awkwardly and sat with his hands folded on his lap.

If Katalin were to imagine the infamous Barbarian, she would have had every single detail wrong. This man was timid, balding, and far from intimidating.

"At least this brings me to the next point. Basolia?"

The shadow moved across the room and opened a compartment on the wall. An object clattered as it was moved and eventually deposited beside Althowin.

"I want to talk to Veph," Althowin said.

Katalin shifted uncomfortably. She kept glancing at Zezog, but the old elf just watched impassively. "That seems like a bad idea."

"Why?" Althowin asked.

"You'll be unprotected in a city that's already wrecked. Causing more damage would give the military and Void Nexus more reason to be against you." Katalin nudged Ernie. "Right?"

"Yes and no. I don't think you need protection. Nobody should be idiotic enough to attack you, especially in the open."

"Regardless, I'll wait until Indulf gets back with some more information. Chorsay wishes to speak with Veph, and I feel I owe him that out of respect. I know you two cherish the oaf."

Katalin just nodded. "Oaf" was the last word she'd use to describe Chorsay, but Althowin wasn't in a mood where Katalin wanted to argue.

"Based on what we've heard, Chorsay would be in more danger. Killing Isaak Agapov would mean he earned a bounty," Ernie said.

"Not officially. Nothing has been posted, but if the military is trying to keep it secret from me, they might be communicating bounties privately. I am assuming one exists." Althowin reached into the shadows at her side and picked up an unwieldy, massive sword. "I made this for you." She awkwardly passed it to Zezog. "When I go to Atrevaar, I don't want this place unprotected for even a second."

Zezog stood and actually gripped the sword. Parts of the weapon shifted, reorganizing as the sword became even wider. "This is unusual."

"It really is. I pulled out most of my tricks for that one. We can test it together later." Althowin motioned for him to sit again. "We are now officially operating as if everyone is our enemy. As my assistants, my enemies are your enemies whether you like it or not."

"What do you want us to do?" Katalin asked.

"Build. Learn. I want you both to leave for your second shards in a week."

Katalin scowled.

"Which dungeon?" Ernie asked.

"I don't know yet. Indulf will give us some information and we'll work off that. Prepare for anything. I'll provide you with ample time to create dungeon specific items before you leave." Althowin scooted forward in her chair and grabbed Katalin's hand. "I want you here. I do. But unless you're stronger than our enemies, you're at too much of a risk." She squeezed and looked at Ernie with wide, serious eyes. "You two are my weakness. I won't let you get hurt."

"What if the dungeon is too difficult?" Katalin asked.

Althowin raised an eyebrow. "For you? It's Ernie I'm concerned about." She waved her hand. "We need to be serious. Zezog, you're going to keep these two safe while I'm away."

The old elf nodded. "You don't need to tell me."

Katalin tried to imagine someone attacking the compound, and couldn't. Apparently, the leaders of all the hero companies had attacked, but they certainly wouldn't again anytime soon. Surviving a blast from an Althowin explosive would still have lasting consequences. Anybody smart would stay away. According to everything she had heard, that left only Veph as a potential threat.

"Do you have a job for us?"

Althowin held up two fingers. "Prepare protective gear, armor, whatever you prefer for your next dive. I recommend something fashionable," she said, gesturing to her own lab coat. "And get Miya back in the studio. She's shaken up after the attack. I don't care what she builds. She needs to make something."

"Will we have Basolia?" Katalin asked.

"Yes, ma'am," the specter said.

"I won't be taking it out of the compound. Basolia is operating with a strict list of people to allow inside." Althowin stood up and paused. "Bring Sofia with you to the studio, Ernie. She's fused with a claverstan engineer. That head is full of good ideas and I think she could use some distractions."

Althowin looked between them and raised an eyebrow.

"We'll get it done," Ernie said.

"Yeah," Katalin said.

"Great!" She stopped at the door. "Zezog, with me."

The elf lifted a hand toward Ernie and Katalin. "Nice to meet you both." He walked over, carrying the massive sword like it weighed nothing. "Are you in charge of me now?"

"No, you freak. You're going to hit me with that sword."

"Ah." Zezog followed obediently.

The door slid closed behind them.

"That's the Barbarian," Katalin said.

"Yeah." Ernie scratched his cheek and leaned back. "Give me a second before we go meet with everyone else."

Katalin also reclined her head and stared at the plain ceiling. It looked so odd when Basolia's shadow wasn't covering the surface. In just a few weeks, she needed to make new bombs, armor that could withstand those bombs, and get Miya back to working shape again. If she could handle Miya, Ernie could focus on Sofia.

"We have a lot of work to do," she said.

"Together." Ernie sighed and sat up. "No time to waste."

"Some time, maybe." Katalin tried to close her eyes, but Ernie pulled her from the chair.

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