<26 August 2024, MIRROR DEEP RETREAT, ????> [Theo and Julia] >Local Message: Universal Translation in effect "Greetings and welcome back to the Mirror Deep Retreat," Laurel said.

"Hello, Laurel," Theo said, nodding to the strange mannequin-like woman.

"Lord and Lady Sorrin." Laurel said, "I have been tasked to relay you to a specific area. Please follow the line to the appropriate room."

They followed a glowing golden line in the carpet; it led them to a private bathing area that was lavish beyond belief. There was fresh fruit, attendants waiting to massage them, and baths of varying types. At the back was a small room that had a table and chairs.

On the table was a note and a box. Julia read the note out loud. "I heard from the Arthintry that you had some dramatic happenings, and you still managed to ensure their safety, so I have upgraded my gift of thanks to you. First is the box. What is inside of it should be rather self-explanatory. That is your original gift. The additional gift is this bathing area. It is an area that I enjoy deeply, and I expect that both of you will enjoy it as well. Stay as long as you like; the bill is on me, and I hope that you continue to hold an open mind regarding my people. Thank you again. - Lamalla"

"Well, that is nice," Theo said.

"It is. I wonder why Oreburn was so explicit about us avoiding them?" Julia asked.

Theo shrugged. "I don't know, but we can ask him next time we see him."

Julia smiled and then pushed the box to Theo. "Open it, let's see what it is."

Theo nodded and opened the box; inside of it was a delicate silver frame holding three crystals, two spheres, and a cube. The spheres were silver, and the cube was grey and forest green.

"That looks like another access crystal for something," Julia said.

Theo nodded and picked up the cube crystal, Identifying it.

Identification of Target Subject: Leveling Plane Access Crystal (13-15) [LIMITED] Level: 15 Mana Density: S Class: N/A Special: Interacts with certain Skills Species: N/A Other: Usable by all System Users under Level 15. Can be used twice. Description This crystal is linked to a System Managed Demi-Plane. Each User is placed into a solo version of the Plane. Upon entering, the User will have four hours of access before being ejected to the place that they entered. The Access Crystal does not travel with you. It can be taken by others while a User is inside.

This Crystal was gifted to System Users Theo Sorrenson and Julia Brahmin by a System Envoy in response to exceptional hospitality and courtesy.

[LIMITED]: This Crystal has two uses before dissolution.

Value: ???? Status: N/A

"It's another Leveling Plane," Theo said, handing her the cube. "But it's different than the last one we had."

He pulled out one of the silver spheres and Identified it next.

Identification of Target Subject: Instance Booster Level: 25 Mana Density: S Class: N/A Special: Interactas with certain Skills Species: N/A Other: Cooldown: 2 weeks Description The Instance Booster can be used in most leveling planes, dungeons, and a variety of other isolated locations to lift certain restrictions. The more limited the isolated location is, the more restrictions are lifted. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work. This effect lasts for the duration of a User's time in an Isolated Location, or twenty-four hours. This effect can not be triggered again for fourteen days. Value: 3G_17S_55C Status: N/A

"Oh, interesting," Theo said, handing the orb to Julia and placing the Access Crystal back in the box. Julia took the sphere and examined it.

"Interesting indeed. So does it mean we can take more items out of the leveling Plane?" She asked.

Theo shrugged, "We will have to see. It also seems as if we can lift some limitations from dungeons. But I didn't think that we had a limitation when we were in The Royal Crypts of Karzun?"

"I didn't either, but we will have to see what happens with it later, and if it is good, we will have to see about getting more of these," Julia said. "Now, I think that we should take full advantage of the other portion of this reward."

Theo smiled, "Massage with a bath? Maybe some snacks?"

"That sounds wonderful!" Julia said and headed off to get undressed.

Theo placed the sphere back in the box and then placed the whole box into his pouch.

Several hours later, a highly relaxed and refreshed Theo and Julia were walking back to the lobby of the Deep Mirror Retreat. As they approached, they heard a raised voice. "I said that I am not going to pay!"

"Sir," Laurel's calm voice said, "you or someone else must pay for your service before you begin bathing. Any additional services must be settled before departure."

"I know, and I did pay for my bath." The angry voice said.

"Yes, but you also requested services in addition to the baseline package," Laurel said.

"You will let me depart, or you will rue the day you decided to cross me!" The voice roared out.

Theo and Julia walked out of the hallway to see a large Orcish man with golden chains draping from his body, looking incredibly angry. They tried to walk past and simply leave, but they were unable to make it out without incident.

Laurel had seen them and nodded to them slightly. When the Orcish man rounded on them. He then whipped back to Laurel. "You play favorites! I have as much right to not pay as they do!"

Theo and Julia looked exceptionally confused at that statement, and if Laurel's wooden features could express exasperation, they would. Laurel nodded. "You are correct; they do have the same right, which is none. They were gifted a stay in one of our luxury suites. And so to Lord and Lady Sorrin, I say thank you, and we look forward to seeing you again."

The Orcish man raised a hand. "Hold there humans. You are in the presence of Warlord Rhul Morn. Be honored that you have the chance to buy my allegiance."

Theo moved to walk away, but Julia stopped him. "Warlord Rhul Morn. Please do tell us what your allegiance costs and what exactly it entails?"

Theo gave her a curious look, but she motioned for him to wait one moment, so he did. Rhul Morn laughed. "Why, it costs a hundred gold. And it entails you gaining honor through association with me. I am the scourge of my world and soon to be many worlds. One day, when I come to your world, I shall consider granting you mercy."

His cruel and raucous laughter left them no illusions as to what he thought of mercy. He stepped forward with an extended hand. "Now, hand over all your money and bask in my magnanimous allegiance."

Julia smiled and shook her head. "Thank you for the offer, but no thank you."

She turned and linked her arm to Theo's, and they started to make their way to the exit crystal. Rhul Morn was not happy with how that had played out and seemed to vibrate in his ostentatious finery. He lunged forward, and Theo, who had thought it might come to that, stepped between Rhul Morn and Julia, immediately channeling Penitent Strike, but the blow never came.

Wooden-looking hands that shimmered like metal had shot out of every surface and clasped onto Rhul Morn, covering him completely, except for his eyes and nose. Laurel was still standing behind the counter. She spoke the same as always. "As per the rules, Rhul Morn, you will be punished. Lord Sorrin, you have channeled a skill; please discharge it into my hand."

Theo unleashed the strike into the open palm of a hand. Laurel nodded. "Excellent power for your level."

She focused on Rhul Morn. "Warlord Rhul Morn, you will be fined an additional one hundred gold and banished from the retreat for not less than sixty days. Payment will be forcibly extracted and banishment enforced by the System."

Power pulsed, and Rhul Morn vanished; Laurel suddenly had a handful of gold, and they were alone once more. Laurel made the gold vanish, "Now then, once again, thank you, Lord and Lady Sorrin; we appreciate your patronage and Partnership with the Deep Mirror Retreat and look forward to our continued cooperation. Have an excellent day."

With that, Theo and Julia left the Deep Mirror Retreat.

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