Please note this is where Chance takes his final, visual transformation. His portraits and thumbs will now reflect this new face from here on out…

Part One – Goodbye Arlo.

The journey to Wishbone Way was uneventful, and the party was thrilled with that. A passing shower that put a smile across everyone’s face, a mild night and some decent campfire food.

It takes them a bit to find the trail down into the valley of sorts that has a lake, sheer cliff walls, multiple waterfalls on the farther end and entrances to columned corridors in the massive natural stone structure. No one would think this place is anything but a wonderful little hideaway. Not the entrance to the infamous Finster that will give him a direct line to the god plane.

Velencia has gotten very quiet and the group can tell she has been in deep thought and reflection.

As much as Velencia was quiet, Chance was completely silent as they got close. Khamyra knew, her fiance, had no desire to murder Arlo in cold blood, but she knows it has to be done. “I can’t even imagine what he is going through right now,” she says to herself, just wanting to take him away from this and go skinny dipping or something.

Chance finds the place that they set up camp previously with Killian and Cassie, and the group agrees it is secure and close enough. It took an hour just past high sun to put up makeshift tents, get a campfire started and within an hour, the anticipation was almost unbearable.

The Champion could not look at Arlo knowing what was about to happen, he is doing everything in his power to not lose it. He had to be strong for the party, for his fiance… for Finster.

Without much direction Arlo pushed forward, getting firewood, getting the horses settled and organizing a few things that the Priestess must like. Going on with his life, like there is nothing wrong, like there will be a tomorrow for him.

“We made good time,” Velencia says, breaking the ever growing tension, “let’s head down there, shall we?”

It takes about five to six minutes, and they reach the mouth of the columned corridor. They all can feel it, voices, odd winds and this odd tingly feeling.

Arlo is looking around, eyes wide and he points into the corridor. He has the biggest smile on his face.

Chance turns and doesn’t look, he can’t. Arlo is a very simple man that is nothing but happy and kind. “I have to kill this innocent person, kill him…” he keeps saying in his mind. The situation is overwhelming him right now.

Khamyra glances over and sees her love as tense as she has ever seen him, she knows he is doing everything in his power to keep strong and steady.

The Onyx Elf walks over and grabs his hand, a spark flies. His grip is light and uninspired as he just stares into the corridor.

“How close can we get? I mean can we go to the door?” Shemrata asks, peering into the corridor.

Chance shakes his head, “the minute you get into the corridor it will be overpowering, the voices you hear now will be like needles in your brain…” he says quietly, still just staring into the opening, “at least that is what was told to me.”

Without warning, the quarter elf says, “it’s time,” lets go of Khamyra’s hand and starts into the corridor.

“Uh, Chump… ok, alright, then, I guess we will wait here,” Velencia says with a bit of annoyance watching him make his way to the entrance.

Khamyra walks over to the Priestess and gives her a look, “you know this is not going to be easy for him…”

Velencia then nods agreeing but still annoyed. “I feel if we have a chink in our armor, it is him,” she starts, frowning a bit, “not his courage and strength, he has proved his worth… It is that soft heart. He will hesitate one day, wanting to take pity, and that will be it. The end.”

The Onyx Elf’s eyes are bulging looking at the Priestess with some fierceness. “Or it could be he will hesitate with a warm heart, make a decision and it will save us all, hmmm?” she says back with some anger.

Velencia shrugs her shoulders.

Chance is about halfway there when he sees movement ahead. As he approaches the door he sees Finster standing by it. The god looks his way and smiles, “ahhh Chance, good to see you.”

Much to the evil god’s displeasure, Chance again kneels in front of him.

He then stands up, and refuses to make eye contact with his lord. “So I just gut this man here?” he pointed at the base of the door, saying with some vulgarity. Chance sees where there are large grooves dug out of the stone, that deep into and around the base of the door.

“Yes, but first put the gem in it’s spot,” Finster finishes, not taking his eyes off his Champion.

Chance nods his head, turns and starts to head back to get the gem and Arlo.

“Chance?” Finster says, before he got too far.

The Champion stops, his back to the demi-god still, but turns his head a bit to listen.

The god is getting a bad feeling about this, “what is vexing you?” He asks with sincerity, knowing this event is not pleasant, but it seems like there is more to it.

A long moment goes by, then Chance shakes his head, “nothing,” he says quietly.

“Well, then, tell the group to get back up to your camp, when the door opens anyone in close proximity will have their soul ripped out of them,” he explains, taking a few steps towards Chance.

He nods his head, then the quarter elf walks away and towards the opening.

Velencia walks over to Arlo, gives him a smile. “You are the most important person on Legon right now, you know,” she says with a bit of muse and a tilt of her head. She ‘signs’ him a few things and he smiles bigger and gives her his patented goofy wave and smile.

Khamyra’s eyes start to fill up, she takes a deep breath and walks to the disabled man. She gives him a hug and she was surprised by the strong tight grip Arlo has. She gives him a long look, but not crying in front of him, in case that would alert him to what’s to come.

“I know you can’t understand me, but thank you for what you are about to do,” she says softly, seeing his eyes flicker with life, a dopey smile and a nod of his head. She gives him a kiss on the cheek, turns and walks quickly away. She now is doing everything in her power not to just sob uncontrollably.

By then Chance has made his way out of the corridor and heads for Shemrata. He gets there and the Odius has already reached into her pocket, grabbing the wrapped gem. She places it in the Champion’s hand. He goes to pull away, but the creature stops him. Their eyes meet and she can see the anxiety, stress and pain ready to explode out of him. She gives him a nod of respect and lets his hand go.

He walks for the oddly dressed man they call Arlo. He doesn’t know if that is his real name or not, but it won’t matter much after the upcoming event.

Puts his hand out for him. Arlo smiles, waves his silly wave, then looks back to Velencia who has a big proud smile on her face and nods to him.

Arlo takes the Champion’s hand and the two go into a dream-like state. But it is mixing with reality. The voices he was hearing can now be seen, souls flying all about the place, hundreds if not thousands. Chance’s surroundings are darker, with an overlay of a deep blue, with a light beaming from the corridor.

“This is what he must see,” he mumbles to himself as he guides Arlo to the opening. He marvels at the sight, it is as haunting as it is beautiful.

He lets go of his hand as they get inside the corridor and the normal real world rushes into him. Chance turns and looks at the three of them, “wait for ‘us’…” he says, stops, clenches his jaw and looks down realizing he just said “us.” In an angry but sad feeling that washes over him, he retorts, “Wait for ‘me’ at Camp. You can’t be this close when the door opens. Finster’s orders.”

They all nod their head knowing of the legend of the door and its ability to eat souls. Khamyra takes one last look at her fiance as he turns to Arlo and guides him down the corridor. They disappear into the darkness and she turns, letting out an audible gasp of a sob. Tears flowing, she just starts to slowly walk, head in hands.

As they head towards the trail, Velencia walks over and puts her arm around her. The Onyx Elf leans in. “Everything will be OK, I am sure of it,” Velencia says.

They start up the inclined path, “I know you are not much for ‘feelings’ but how can you not be heartbroken by all this? You have spent so much time with Arlo.”

After a short moment, Velencia replies, “this is the ultimate sacrifice for Finster,” she continues, but pauses a moment, “I am actually a little jealous.”

The Champion then walks Arlo to the split where the door is. Finster standing there, big smile seeing the man. Chance takes off his necklace and the power practically assaults him. So close to the door, in this place, he feels as powerful as ever.

Chance, careful not to touch the gem, takes it and places it in it’s spot on the door. A bright flash of green sparks, and when the quarter elf refocuses, the gem is whole, like there was never a split to begin with. He takes a deep breath and backs up.

The disabled man takes a long look at Finster, all seven feet of him, eyes wide with a look of wonder on his face. His usual smile washed over him.

“Do not be afraid, we will be here for you the entire way,” the demi-god says with a caring tone.

He guides Arlo to stand against the door. The smiling man concedes from looking all around, most likely at the souls flying about, and leans his back on the door.

Suddenly, silence fell upon all three, as Finster waved his hand.

Arlo is just looking at Chance now, the towering warrior for Finster can see his power reflecting in this man’s eyes. He remembers…

“I found him on the streets of Clovendale, wandering around and only living off of rats and peoples kindness,” Velencia starts, “So I took him in, gave him a job and,” she pauses, “a purpose.”

Chance reaches out and puts his hand on his shoulder thinking of what life he must have had, living on the streets, people not caring or understanding him. A tear starts down the warrior’s cheek, “You deserved so much better…” the quarter elf mutters and shakes his head.

Seeing a tear fall down his cheek, Arlo then starts to check his pockets. Chance watches, raising an eyebrow. The man finds what he is looking for, brings out a flower that was bent and crushed and holds it out to the Champion.

He might as well have taken out a sword and jammed it through his heart. Chance takes it, and just stares at it through his ever growing tears, not believing it. He then ‘signs’ “Thank You” to Arlo, and the man just gives him his goofy smile and wave.

Remembers: Arlo sees Velencia, gets up, almost falls and runs to her and hugs her. Surprisingly, Velencia smiles, hugs him back. He sees the rest of you, gives his usual goofy wave and smile.

His tears can’t be stopped, and Finster glances over after hearing an audible sob coming from the Champion. The demi-god takes a few steps away to give him some privacy.

The quarter elf sputters a bit in between a laugh and him starting to cry…

Remembers: Arlo flinging old food across the room, hitting the wall. He giggles at every fling. Lyric making a sighing noise every time, knowing she has to clean it up later.

Also his makeshift outfit always filled with crusty leftovers, him eating and only half the food making it in his mouth… and the times he just curled up in a little ball and fell fast asleep, a big smile on his face; always.

As he is starting to shake from the sobs, tears stream down his face and he looks to the floor of the corridor trying not to lose it completely in front of his lord.

“I am not sure I can do this…” Chance tells himself, “he doesn’t deserve this, he is innocent…”

He feels a hand on his shoulder. Chance doesn’t look, knowing it is Finster. He just takes a deep breath, trying to stop himself from any further tears. He gets a soft wave of peace, which must have been given to him by the Dark Cleric.

The Champion walks forward, puts his hand to Arlo’s face, and smiles. The man, gives him a wide eyed look, marveling at the creature in front of him. A goofy smile and raises his hand, one last time, to give him that wave.

More tears begin to fall. With his body numb, he ‘signs’ the word “goodbye.” Takes out silent fate and not wanting to put this man through anything more, he takes the blade, and cuts through his throat very deep, very quickly, then jams it into his heart.

“It’s the quickest way I could think of doing it,” he tells himself after going over this moment in his mind a hundred times before now, hoping it would be quick and painless. Blood spurts out, hitting the Champion, across his hands, his chest, a little on his face.

Arlo’s face doesn’t change expression, still a smile, still wide eyes. The air leaves him, the light in his eyes goes away and his life is now ended.

His journey was complete in a world that was not kind to him, where he must have been scared and confused… only too have some peace the last year or so thanks to Velencia. He slowly slumps to the base of the door, blood pouring out of him and his eyes never close. Any plans or dreams he might have had are now gone, no more smiles and hand waves, they will never be again. He is now nothing more than a corpse leaning against a door bleeding out.

Chance stumbles backwards, drops his sword to the ground making a loud clanking noise. Staring at what he just did. It is though he couldn’t breathe, his life flashing through his mind. Everything turned to a blur for him. He turns, blindly walks away from the door and to the opening of the corridor.

He makes it out and drops to his knees. The vision of Arlo, still smiling with a slashed throat, blood everywhere, burned into his memory, blinding him. He did not want to lose it anymore in front of Finster, and Chance barely made it out of the area before collapsing. The distraught quarter elf puts his head in his hands and begins to sob. He just can’t believe this is what he just did.

Khamyra sees this and goes to head down when Velencia stops her. “Hun, not now, the door is not open yet!” she scolds her.

The Onyx elf’s heart breaks again and again watching him with his head in his hands. The last time she saw this, he just killed Shanna. She knew how much pain he must be in right now.

Behind Chance a loud whooshing sound, and the voices he heard go quiet. The three on the top of the trail all gasp a little, feeling a little tug at them, knowing if they were any closer, it could have been fatal. They glance at each other wide eyes.

After a minute of crying, the quarter elf stops. Takes a few deep breaths, and stands. Staring across the lake in front of him, he wipes a few tears off his cheek. He is numb, with a little bit of anger growing in him.

Velencia’s eyes bulge as she can see her Lord, her reason for existing, walk out of the corridor. A giant man, red cloak and outfit. Balding with a scar on his face. “Oh my god, there he is,” she says with such a tone that no one has heard from her, maybe ever.

Khamyra, Shemrata and the Priestess are completely stunned, eyes wide open.

“Chance, please talk to me…” Finster says walking to Chance.

The Champion is struggling with his emotions, his actions and his anger.

The god walks to Chance quietly, puts his hand on his shoulder and surprisingly Chance pulls away. He turns to Finster with anger in his eyes.

“You… YOU!” he yells loud enough for the three on the edge to hear. His power just to bright to see, veins of light just rippling and flickering across his body and his bursting eyes casting a shadow behind Finster.

Velencia’s eyes bulge even more, being able to feel Chance’s power, “what does he think he is doing? How dare he speak to him that way!!!” she all but screams out.

Finster takes a few steps back to the now exploding Champion. As though he was afraid of him.

Visibly shaking, “you have always told me to be true to myself, I will be true to you…” Chance says shaking, in between deep breaths and wiping his nose off, then points past Finster to the corridor and towards the door, “that! THAT! Was not me being true… it was…”

Their two eyes meet, a tear falls down the Champion’s face, “heartbreaking, it was devastating… it was the exact opposite of being true to myself…” he finishes, looking away, shaking his head.

“Why am I here, why am I doing these things? Why would he make me do this?” he mutters quietly, putting his hand to his now throbbing head.

Finster puts his head down, in an odd understanding. He is much like Velencia, always finding a way to make ends meet, so to speak, no matter the costs. It has hardened his heart, but the introduction of Chance in his life has made him step back, look at things in a different light.

Then Chance remembers something; The old man he was channeling is fidgeting a bit, “bottom line, you are part of me now. I don’t expect nor do I want a bloodthirsty warlord. I expect someone to make these hard decisions, right or wrong and know that fate sometimes guides us in a direction we did not want to go.” The disguised demi-god says.

“I have gone in a direction I did not want to go… it is, fate,” Chance says softly, dipping his head. Power bursts from him making Finster step back again and making the the on the cliff eyes widen.

“Exactly. Not everything is going to be an easy decision my Champion,” Finster starts, quietly, “I know you can understand that. But to get to where we need to go, things have to be done. This was, unfortunately, one of those times. To have made it through this and that you did that for me…”

He pauses, the large demi-god smiles softly, “it means you were the right choice for us. I am humbled to have witnessed this event and though it was horrific, I am more affected by my Champions resolve. I am proud of you.”

Chance then looks back to him, a blank look as he wipes the few tears left off his cheek. What Finster said has alleviated a bit of the anger and stress.

“Will you afford me an opportunity to show you what you have accomplished?” the giant demi-god says, bringing his hand back, inviting Chance back into the corridor.

The two of them make their way back in. Khamyra doing everything in her power not to race down and embrace her Fiance. Velencia, wanting nothing more than to behead the Champion using a tone like that towards her lord, and Shemrata is impressed that Chance stood up to the demi-god.

The Champion and Demi-god reach the door, now open. It is hard to see in, but he can tell there is a portal a good 20 feet away. Finster continues to guide him into the long empty hallway. There is no floor, no ceiling, no walls, but they walk nonetheless to the portal.

Much like the portal before under the stronghold, he gets ripped through it, then tossed into a chamber. He lands on his knees, only feels sick for a second, his Champion status keeping him whole.

As he looks around, he frowns a bit. Not exactly what he pictured in his mind, Chance says to himself seeing the dimly lit, blue toned room, bare walls, a few square stone chairs, possibly a table, an altar in the far corner. All made of square solid stone.

To his right he can see a square cut out of the wall, and an oddly shaped, wrapped, object placed in it. Chance smirks a little knowing, that is the heart of Finster most likely.

Finster strides to him, lifts him off the ground. Takes a long look into his eyes.

Chance is still mad at Finster, but he is trying to calm down. He just keeps thinking of his love, Khamyra who always is looking at him with caring eyes telling him, “this has to happen.”

“I know what you did back there was something completely against your nature,” the big god says to him, “but it does not go without it’s rewards.”

He points back to the portal. Around the portal there is a wonderful golden plaque that says “Arlo’s Way.”

A bit of his anger and pain washes away, smiling and his eyes well up again. He is trying not to cry again in front of Finster.

“Thank you,” Chance utters, nodding his head, taking another look at it, “he shall not be forgotten, ever.”

The large god then walks around him, stands in front of the Champion, big smile, raises an eyebrow, points again past the Champion.

Chance turns to see Arlo standing there, looking at his hands, and outfit which is much better than anything he has ever worn. He does have fairly light skin and a blue glow around him.

“Arlo?!” Chance yells, getting the man’s attention. He goes to give you a goofy smile and a wave but stops himself. He looks at his hand, puts it down and says “I have to stop doing that.”

Part 2 – The Ascension

Arlo then glances up to this tall quarter elf, curious look. “Do I know you?” he says, raising an eyebrow.

Chance all but tackles the man, giving him a bear hug.

“You are alive! You are… here!” the Champion says looking him over, seeing the very white skin and the glowing aura.

Now with huge eyes, Arlo looks down at himself, “apparently I am, here…” he chuckles a little and responds, “a handshake would have been sufficient.”

Chance lets out a loud “chance” like laugh knowing that is a line he has said many times.

“I apologize,” the newly remade man says, “You look familiar, but I am at a loss.”

With a smile and a nod, “it is ok, I traveled with you for the last week or so, and helped get you here,” the Champion tells him, with a smile that seems to be permanent.

Finster walks over, and puts his hand on his Champion’s shoulder, “I need to talk with you before…”

Before the demi-god could finish, bright flashes of light erupt from behind him. Finster slowly closes his eyes and sighs very loudly.

“Well, it is about time,” a familiar voice comes from the fading light behind him. Chance recognizes that voice anywhere, it is the god of good; Animax.

Finster turns and sees the short man, balding, in a simple purplish robe. His eyes are pure light and his movement is an effortless glide.

“What? No housewarming gifts?” The large evil god muses, “welcome to my home away from home, M’lords,” giving them an over exaggerated bow.

After a few moments, Animax shakes his head, “cut the shit Finster, let’s get going, we have work to do.”

Edwin is behind the god, and Chance’s blood starts to boil. Knowing this, Finster reaches back and holds the Champion. “Easy Champion, know he is a friend, focus on that.”

The heavenly historian smirks, “good day Finster, good day Chance,” he says quietly and with a slight bow.

Not to be outdone with barbs, Animax looks around the place, nothing but square like blocks and a dull blue light emanating from unknown locations, “I see you have done a lot with this place, is that a new piece of stone there?” he says with a chuckle and points.

Finster smirks and even lets out a chuckle. “I have been waiting for this moment for centuries, a few more minutes won’t kill me. I have to speak with my Champion.”

Chance then nods, bows towards Animax, “Nice to see you Lord Animax,” he says, then standing back up and giving the god a look. Wondering why he chose a small short balding man to be his visible representation.

The god smiles and nods to him, “good to see you too, Champion.”

Edwin gives the Champion a look, waiting for the pure anger to erupt, only to find him almost swallow it, upon his lord’s command. The historian, now shocked to see a smile and a nod towards him from this quarter elf.

Finster brings Chance over to the corner of the hall. Looks into his eyes and smiles.

“I wouldn’t be here without you, Chance,” Finster says with a look of pride on his face, “I owe you one.” he finishes with a smirk and a nudge.

Chance emphatically shakes his head, “you owe me nothing, the fact Arlo is here, and the plaque…” then bows his head a bit, “I doubted you M’Lord, for that I sincerely apologize.”

Finster brings his chin up and he has a big smile on his face, “I think you are starting to realize what I truly meant by; be true to yourself, be true to me…” he says, maybe even a shit eating grin on his face, “It is a two way road, it is not an easy one either, but not without it’s rewards.”

The giant, soon to be god, puts his hand out, his eyes fixed on Chance’s neck.

At first the Champion was confused, then realized. He draws the necklace out of his pocket and hands it to Finster.

The demi-god smiles, grabs Chance’s hands, puts the necklace in the palm. He closes and there is a slight pinch. “There, no more need for that necklace.”

Chance’s eyes grow big, and he opens his hand to find the necklace gone, but the exact design is now burned into his palm. “That necklace…” he says, staring at his hand, his mind turns to Affinity and what that meant to him.

“I know, it was from your first love, and now it is always with you. You can turn into the Champion at will, and then back without the awkwardness of taking it off or putting it on,” he explains.

Before Finster could say; not to do it here, Chance then thinks of his normal quarter elf form and he turns.

Pain washes over Chance’s body and he instantly thinks of the champion and he turns back, the pain goes away.

With a belly laugh, “yeah I was going to tell you…” Finster smiles, brings you in and the two of them have a long hug.

He pulls away, and turns to Animax. “I just have one more errand to run and I’ll be back,” he says knowing he is going to get shit for it.

“Really? You are going to make me wait?” Animax says, turning with a museful look on his face.

The two meet eyes, and Animax smiles and nods.

Finster walks to the portal and poof he is gone.

Chance is looking at his hand marveling at it, when Animax makes his way to him.

“Thank you Champion for the service you performed a few days back, I fear it is only the beginning of her terror on this side of Legon,” the short god says.

Just then Chance remembered that Everlee and Simone were there at one point, “Oh, I know your ‘hero’s’ were there, and in the craziness of the battle and collapsing cave, I did not get a chance to look for them.”

After a long moment, he bows his head, “It is OK Champion, they are with me now…” he trails off, looking down.

Chance’s eyes bulge a little, and backs up, “Oh, I am sorry M’Lord, I wish I could have helped…”

Edwin was still amazed by the good nature of this Champion and his ties to Finster.

“It is ok, they are most welcome in my domain, and there will be others who will step up,” Animax says, “sooner than later now…”

He smiles again looking over at the glowing champion, “I do want to offer a reward for your service, if I may?” Animax puts out his hand.

“M’Lord, is this a good idea,” Edwin says knowing what he is about to do.

The short man smiles and nods his head, “I think it is the greatest reward any one man could receive.”

With a bit of reluctance, he grabs Animaxes hand and everything turns to white.

A few moments later, things start to focus. Chance could hear seagulls in the distance, then a familiar warm humid breeze hit his face, and he could feel sand under his feet. A brilliant sunset across the waves and ocean.

“Look at you, a Champion, here I didn’t even think you knew how to button your trousers…” a voice comes from behind him. The voice hits him like a ton of bricks.

Even before he could think of it, tears started coming down his face. He turns slowly and there, arms crossed, leaning against a tree is his best friend, Ferellus, giving him his patented smirk.

“Ferellus..?” Chance eeks out, eyes wide tears starting to drop like rain.

“What? Were you expecting someone else?” he says with a bit of a playful tone. He stops leaning and walks to his best friend and they embrace.

Both men start to sob, never wanting to let go again.

“I miss you so much…” Chance says finally pulling back trying to wipe his tears.

Ferellus smiles, “I as well, I mean I don’t miss myself, I miss you.” Both friends laugh a little.

Then Chance looks down, as memories of Shanna come to him. Not knowing how he can even look him in the eye let alone talk to him about it.

“What? We have like a minute and you are going to stand there looking like you have fart pains?” he says with a playful look on his face and a smile.

“It’s just..” he says, shaking his head, his voice trembling, “what happened with your sister, I…”

Ferellus gives the man he has been missing since his death, a long blank stare, and he shakes his head, “It is not me you should ask forgiveness from…” he says trailing off, looking just past the Champion.

His eyes all but bulge out of his head. Afraid to turn around, he looks at Ferellus, “she is right behind me, isn’t she…”

He smirks, leans back against the tree and nods his head.

Chance slowly turns around and there stands Shanna, in her usual semi see through top, a short skirt and some cute sandals. Her blonde hair flowing in the seabreeze, blue eyes filled with tears and a look of despair on her face.

The quarter elf is trying to blink through his tears, he wipes his eyes and the two of them just stare at each other not knowing what to say.

Finally, before he completely loses it, Chance utters, “I am so sorry…”

He looks down, only to get practically tackled with a warm embrace, big boobs pressed up against him and a woman, sobbing uncontrollably.

The two of them hold each other, shaking from sobbing.

Finally they pull back and look at each other with red eyed, tear streaked faces and snotty noses.

“I am so sorry Shanna,” Chance starts but gets a finger to his lips and she gives him a pleading look.

“There is nothing to forgive Chance, you were protecting your family, and I was threatening them,” she says in between sniffles and eye wiping.

He looks at her and their eyes meet again, “I was in a terrible place, I barely remember anything I did,” she says looking down.

Chance pulls her chin up and smiles, “Shanna, let us agree that there is nothing between us, all has been forgiven, all has been resolved,” he says trying not to lose it again, “I love you and your dumb brother so much.”

“Hey!” Ferellus says from behind you.

A huge smile washes over her face, tears fall some more. By then Ferellus walked up and the three of them embraced.

Shanna backs off, gives Chance a smile and wave and she vanishes into the sunset.

The quarter elf turns to Ferellus, “I miss you my man,” he says trying not to lose it again, “I will always miss you…”

Ferellus starts to slowly walk away, turns around and smiles at him, “I’ll miss you too, buddy.”

Those words hit him like a warhammer. He just stands there watching him walk away and disappear into the multi colored sky. At that time he missed the isle more than anything, he missed his friends, he missed Britney and he just wanted to hug them all.

He looks down, the tears starting again, he closes his eyes. Chance opens his eyes, leaning against a stone block, in the Hall of Whispers.

Finster looks over, “Oh have a nice nap?” he muses, as he is looking to unwrap the heart.

Chance stands up and shakes off the odd feeling. He looks at Animax and opens his mouth to say something but the god just smiles and shakes his head, knowing he will be ever thankful for that moment in his life.

“You have only two more tasks to perform,” Finster says as he is looking at his heart.

He puts out the half wrapped heart, “I need a little more of your blood,” he says with a smirk.

Chance rips out his dagger, slices his hand and holds it over it.

The Heart starts to pulsate and glow and throb, as the blood hits it.

Animax walks over, grabs the heart and looks at Finster.

“Don’t enjoy this too much,” the large foreboding man says with a somewhat worried look on his face.

Animax snickers and without hesitation jams the heart into Finster who screams in pain. He falls lifeless to the floor.

Chance’s eyes bulge and looks at Animax, “uh what, what just happened?”

From the mound on the floor, rises up another version of Finster, whiter skin, glowing blue.

“Ok, that hurt,” Finster says, musing a bit, but cringing also “that hurt, alot!”

Animax shakes his head and waves on Edwin and Arlo.

Arlo walks to the small god and he takes his hand, the once mute man disappears. Chance now can feel that he has been invited to the great dinner in the halls of Animax, and will be with him in his kingdom forever.

The three of them are heading for the door on the far wall.

“M’Lord, you said I had two more things to do?” Chance says interrupting their journey to the door.

Finster stops walking towards the non descript door on the far wall, “I need you to go on holiday,” he says, then continuing to his destination.

The Champion’s head snaps to the demi-god seconds away from becoming a god, “did you just say, go on holiday?”

He nods his head, turns back for one more look, “enjoy life, enjoy your soon to be wife and enjoy all the giggles of those two amazing kids.”

Chance smiles wide and nods, “That M’Lord, would be something… true to me.”

The demigod nods with a chuckle, turns and walks to the door.

Animax and Finster say a few things and the door opens. Bright light beams in and Chance has to cover his eyes a bit. He can see what appears to be a sky with clouds. The three of them walk in and close the door.

As soon as the light rushed in, it stopped. Bringing the huge chamber back to a dull blue light.

“I just witnessed the most world changing event in our history,” Chance says to himself, sitting back down on the square stone seat.

He takes a moment to think things over, a few chuckles to himself, a few tears but his heart was soaring with thanks to his god for all he has given him. “Thank you M’Lord… now my one true god,” he says with a smile.

He turns and walks for the portal, only to pause a minute to look at the plaque. Another smile washes over his face and he gets sucked into the blue lighted portal.

Part Three: Homecoming

Chance stumbles out of the portal. He is in the transitional area between the gateway to the hall and the big metal door. Looking around he marvels a bit, the space with no ceiling, no floor. It reminds him of a foggy cloudy morning with the sun just rising.

Knowing there could be people out and about, especially his Fiance, he needs to get out and close the door quickly to keep them safe.

He bursts out the door, and slams it shut. The Champion smiles thinking, that was damn fast, doubt anything could have happened there. All the souls should be safe.

Both Khamyra and Velencia snap their heads to the corridor when they feel their souls get tugged a little, but only for a brief moment. A slamming of a door could be heard echoing down the corridor.

Walking towards the opening to where the camp is, Chance stops a moment, turns and looks down the passage that would lead him to the Oasis. Something’s telling him to head in that direction. He turns and walks that way and maybe a moment of respite, he thinks to himself.

Upon walking out, he sees Velencia and Khamyra standing about 50 feet away looking over the stunning little oasis landscape.

Chance just stands there looking at the two. My love and my hate, all right here in a neutral location like this paradise, he muses to himself.

The Priestess slowly turns and looks to see the Champion. A look he has never seen before from her. Pure anticipation, eyes large, mouth open a little all while holding a Midnight Jade flower.

Noticing this, Khamyra turns to see her fiancé at the entrance of the corridor, looking at them deadpan, quiet and without reaction.

“Well…?” Velencia finally says, her heart ready to beat out of her chest.

A huge smile washes over his face and he nods.

Tears well up in the Priestesses eyes, and they fall down her cheek, “he has ascended, he is now a god… we have done it,” she says, getting completely overwhelmed.

Tears falling as well, Khamyra slowly walks to chance, who meets her half way. They embrace tightly and both have moments of laughter and cries.

Finster is now in his rightful place. The god-plane’s alignment has been leveled, magic will be stable and things that were once stunted without magic, will now be allowed to flourish.

Velencia walks to the small lakes edge, looks across the water. A few dragonflies buzz on by, a slight breeze hits her and everything seems to be enhanced and in slow motion. She is soaking in the moment. Everything she has worked for over the past 30 years, came to pass in a matter of an hour. “It was so worth it,” she mumbles, tears falling, “I will never forget this moment, never.”

After a small prayer, she turns to see Khamyra and Chance looking over to her. The Priestess scoffs a bit, looks down at the flower and smells it.

She looks back up just in time as Khamyra is giving her a big hug. Velencia smiles huge, cries a bit more and gives the Onyx Elf a returning embrace.

The Priestess carefully puts the flower in her pouch, “I will keep this flower, always…” she quietly tells herself.

After a few more silent moments for the three, they head out, and back to the main lake, out of the corridors.

The three of them can see storm clouds straight ahead, to the east and they all smile. We wont have to deal with them on the ride home, thank Finster, Velencia says to herself, but man is it nice to see them.

Shemrata is looking out over the water, throwing a few stones into the lake. She turns to see the three of them walking out, red eyed and smiling ear to ear.

The Odius steps forward, “he is in his rightful place?” she asks, pretty much knowing the answer already.

All three nod their heads walking towards her. The large creature bows her head, says a short prayer and smiles.

Velencia takes her aside for a moment, hands her the vial. The giant Odius looks confused but nods her head, putting it in her pack.

They make their way up to the camp area. “We can camp for the night and head out at first light tomorrow,” Velencia says, still floating on a high from the events.

“I will make us some dinner and Chance,” she says in a very unlike Velencia tone, “please tell us what happened. I mean everything.”

The Champion and Priestesses eyes meet, he softly smiles and nods his head.

Toby snorts a little and Chance heads over to him with his usual carrot he steals from the dinner’s ingredients. He glances over and sees the horse that Arlo rode. The vision of him, wide eyes, hand up, throat cut and slumping to the ground just assaults him. Even though he is in a wonderful place now, it is something that he will never be able to get out of his memory.

He looks through Arlos saddle bag to find some of his clothes, a weird smelly doll and his drawings he made at the tavern.

Chance starts to cry a little, and he is trying everything he can do not to lose it, looking through these crazy charcoal drawings. A small smile forms on his face as he comes across one he thinks is Velencia. A stick figure, crazy hair off the top of the head and some round objects underneath that Chance surmises is her boobs.

He folds that one up, places it in his saddle bag then puts the rest back in Arlo’s bags.

Velencia calls everyone to dinner, and they eat under a partly cloudy sky, warm temperature and a light breeze.

It was very good, the stew and bread.

Chance talks about everything, and he couldn’t stop a few tears when talking about Arlo. But when he got to the point of the story, “I turned and there was Arlo in the hall, glowing blue and looking damn good,” he says to everyone’s amazement.

“I knew he was special, and not just that way,” the Priestess says, shaking her head with a huge smile, “he deserved it, out of everyone I know, he deserved it the most.”

The quarter elf finishes off the story, and everyone is smiling, sniffling and loving every word.

“The last thing he said to me,” Chance starts and chuckles a bit, “he said to… go on Holiday. I had to ask him to repeat himself. Holiday? Such an odd request…”

Velencia lets out a loud laugh and everyone looks over, “yeah, he told me too. He will let me know when we are needed again.”

The night moves on, they shuffle a watch, and most of them get a good sleep.

The Priestess took the final watch and got everyone up at the first sign of light. They grab some rations, gear up the horses and they ride off.

---

Monalay (Monday) To Wedmak (Wednesday)

---

Two days later about 4:00PM, they are at the splitting point. Chance and Khamyra will go one way to Greyshale, Velencia and Shemrata will head north to their HQ.

They stop for a bit to let the horses rest.

Khamyra and Velencia hug and exchange pleasantries, then the Onyx Elf says goodbye to the Odius and Temsus.

Chance stands a bit off, not sure how or what to do with the two riding companions. He didn’t want to look soft by saying goodbye, so he just patted Toby a bit and fed him some leftover veggies.

“Avoiding me Chump?” Velencia says giving him a shit eating grin, walking up on him.

He scoffs a bit, “you could say that,” Chance says glancing over to her.

“I honestly thought you were going to fuck this all up, “ she quips walking closer, “but you nailed it. I am not sure it could have gone any better.”

Then with a forceful move, she grabs the arm of the Champion and she looks into his eyes, “If I ever hear you talk to our Lord like that again, I will gut you like a rotting fish…” Velencia says with a low growl.

Chance, staring at her with little to no reaction, “don’t worry Priestess, you won’t be around to hear any of our other conversations,” he continues, still in a deadpan delivery, “so get over yourself, and go do what you nasty skanks do.”

Shemrata notices the exchange and starts to move forward only to get stopped by Khamyra, “Shemrata, let them be. This is what they do.”

Snorting a bit, the Priestess pats his arm, goes to turn only to get her arm grabbed by the Champion. He hands her a folded piece of parchment.

Taken a bit by this, she grabs it, opens it up and it hits her like a ton of bricks. Velencia’s eyes get big, and the Champion can tell she is doing everything in her power not to cry.

“I think he was drawing you,” Chance says softly, pointing at the boobs on the picture, only to get swatted away by the now shaking woman.

After a moment of awkward silence, she folds it up and looks at Chance, “of course it’s me, I have great tits.” She turns and walks to her horse.

The Odius and Chance exchange glances and the legion nods a bit in respect and to say goodbye. Chance reciprocates the nod.

Within 30 minutes, Chance and Khamyra ride down their road to their house. They quickly drop off the horses and head in.

The Order was starting to pile in, once they heard the horses and Dash yelling, “they are back!”

Khamyra and Chance at the front doorway, everyone else standing perfectly still, tense looking them over, knowing something happened, something pretty big.

Sisse is in between them, a spoonful of food sitting inches from Cralons mouth. The baby is staring at it, confused as it hasn’t been jammed in his mouth yet. The Governess is looking back and forth between the two groups, wondering what the hell is going on.

“It is done,” Khamyra says, then gets louder, “he has ascended, he has ascended!”

The room erupts, cheers, yells, cries and claps.

Cralon’s eyes get big, and he starts to cry. It scared the poor tyke.

Sisse stands up, eyebrow raised, and then realizes. The evil god Finster has ascended to the god plane. A powerful wave of anxiety hits her, remembering everything that has been taught to her. Finster is evil, and he will bring evil down upon the lands.

Everyone groups up in the middle of the room, hugging, crying and hand shaking.

Chance breaks free and goes to his lil’ warrior who is looking around confused and crying. He picks him up, Cralon sees his father and stops crying. A huge smile breaks across the child’s face as he gets a big warm hug from his dad.

Krishana is confused too, but she was not crying. It did not matter, Khamyra broke free too and engulfed her daughter with kisses and hugs. The little girl starts to giggle and laugh, loving every second of it.

The Governess is stunned at the revelation and sits down. She then eats the spoonful of baby food, shaking her head.

For a good hour it went on, and everyone was anxious to hear about what happened on their 13 day journey. Novalee made some extra food, just in case, and everyone sat down to a wonderful meal.

Griffin and Cullun set up a meeting, and Chance and Khamyra begin to tell their tale.

• Temsus and the Crowbear
• Shemrata and the Legion Odius
• The journey to Breakwater Wharf
• Staying at Del Rosa
• Fighting a Wyvern and a bunch of Hobgoblins
• Getting to Breakwater
• Using titties to get into the city
• Meeting up with Wilder again
• The first encounter with Drozcon at the herbalist
• Following the clues
• Blood Magic
• Meeting the Huntress Faelyn
• Teaming up with the Huntress
• Fighting a hag and a few Sentinels
• Going through the sigils
• Faelyn and Chance hit a trap, made with blood magic
• Finding Drozcon, Chance speaking with him
• The High Priest sends a snake golem at them, along with an Acolyte
• Exiting the cave to the village of Fiddlegreen of the Kingdom of Keyrune
• Hiding from authorities and then fighting 2 cobble trolls
• Returning and going through the sigil
• Ending up in Thoraxe
• Meeting the King
• Chance hanging out with Grim-eye himself
• Getting drunk on the Ale
• Staying in the Castle overnight
• Going through the sigil
• Ending up in the Thundrad Mountains
• Meeting and talking with Air Dragons
• Exiting and finally making it back to Breakwater
• Reworking their way of going after the Imyrillion followers
• Found in a cave, a homebase where they made the golems
• Huge fight with golems, priests, acolytes, hags, hulks and Champions
• Back to the dolphin, regroup
• Cassie joins in and they find the cave with the mounding bodies
• Huge battle with sentinels, hulks and a huge spider
• Cave almost collapses but Khamyra figures it out in time
• Leave Breakwater
• Arrive at Wishbone Way
• Chance performs the ritual, the door opened
• Chance going into the hall of whispers
• Meeting Animax and Edwin again
• Watching Finster ascend
• Head back home

It was almost high moon when they were done. Everyone was still wide eyed, hanging on their every word.

After a bit of a discussion, for the people back at the homestead, they just tell of a realization washing over them of the drought. Then there were storm clouds for days, downpours and thunderstorms. Some flooding around the area. But other than that, nothing exciting happened.

Chance and Khamyra head up to bed, where their two kids are peacefully sleeping. They stand over them, hugging and their eyes welling up. Eventually they get to bed and fall asleep in each other’s arms.

---

Thuralay (Thursday) 7:00 AM

---

“Your balls are not negotiable when you get married, protect those nuts! Get up it’s 7:00 am you slags,” rings outside as the Crier does his usual thing.

The couple gets up, brings the kids downstairs and before they know it, Sisse has them in the chairs starting to feed them. Khamyra is definitely not used to that, looking on with wanting eyes.

Breakfast is served by Griffin and some tea. Everyone in the room, still all smiles and laughs.

The front door opens up mid morning, and a henchman sticks his head in, “two Camerondale guards here to see Chance and Khamyra.” he says looking back at the two in front of him.

“Ahhh here we go, I was waiting for that,” Chance says, knowing how the Kingdom works.

Khamyra gives the Champion a worried look, “What could they want with us?” She says, surprisingly with sincerity.

“Really? Who were we with? Where did we stay?” he nods his head comically, “oh yeah, it’s going to be one hell of a meeting… they might not know about, well you know, the ascension either.”

The Onyx Elf covers her mouth, “oh no, they don’t know do they?” she says, then sighs.

The couple change, gear up and ride out to Camerondale.

Upon entering the city, it seems like a normal day, busy streets. Chance is a bit disappointed remembering the fan fare he got for other heroics. Then it dawns on him as well, it has been like 5-6 days since and most people are probably only confused as to what happened, not really knowledgeable.

The guards escort them to the entrance and peel off. The two are greeted by Cassie.

“Mornin’ you two, hope you are feeling ok today,” she says giving them an odd, worried look, “it’s going to be a long day I fear.”

The three exchange hugs and head inside the throne room where the King, Queen, Jeremiah, Ronnald, Harlow, Bastian, Xavier and Cassie are. It appears to be a small buffet and pitchers of bean water.

A different configuration for the throne room, to the left is the same large table, shelves, chairs. The center is now wide open, stairs leading to the two throne chairs. Now to the right is a half circle table, two chairs at the straight edge part, 8-10 chairs around the semi circle.

After everyone greets each other, they sit down. A servant finishes giving everyone a mug of beanwater, then leaves. Everyone can hear the doors close and the familiar locking sound.

Jeremiah stands towards the back along with Ronnald. Chance makes it a priority to go over and shake hands with the old King.

“What? The High Priestess is not going to join us today?” Bozutto starts out with teasing wide eyes and a smirk.

Affinity nudges him and sighs, shaking her head.

“Before this gets started, the first and most important thing I want to say is,” the King looks at all of you, “thank you. My wife says thank you, the Kingdom says thank you, hell the flowers out back say thank you too.”

Everyone chuckles a bit, and settles in, hoping that he will have this demeanor the entire meeting.

“I am also bringing attention to the fact, some people think that I lack experience,” he starts, but Affinity grabs his arm.

The Queen looks up and gives him a disapproving look, “this is not the time Boz,” she says quietly, but with a bit of force.

He looks down to her and shakes his head, “no, it is actually the perfect time for this,” the young King says frowning a bit.

“I am not going to lie and say I have experience or proficiency in all things,” he continues, “especially in regards to battle, the day to day adventuring, on quests. Never done anything like that, and the only enemy I have ever faced is the one time I forgot to put down the toilet seat last week…”

Affinity’s eyes bulge a little and she smirks, it was an OMG and a thankful look she had. She giggles a little and nudges him playfully.

By then Jeramiah has walked over to the table.

“I am not above knowing I need guidance in some areas of being King,” Bozutto continues, then points at the previous King, “that is why I am enlisting this man here, for consultation and guidance.”

Jeremiah nods and smiles.

“You might know him, I am not sure,” Bozutto muses, glancing at the big old Knight, “but out of everyone here, he may have dealt with more battles, fighting and situations than all of us.”

The grey haired retired King chuckles, “in other words, I am old.” He smirks and chuckles again.

An awkward moment passes, and the King looks over to Jerry, and nods his head. Bozutto then sits down.

“I looked over the reports. All of them,” the old King says shaking his head, “you guys went through a lot. Though I only got reports from Camerondale, and from what I could gather, Chance, Khamyra, you two went through a lot more.”

They both look over and nod, then look at each other and flash some wide eyes remembering the ordeals.

“I’ll cut to the chase, I know the idea of working with known enemies of Camerondale is what is at the heart of this meeting,” he says pausing looking at the scrolls in front of the older man everyone respects, “considering what you all faced… you do what you have to do. You claw, you spit, you throw dirt. It doesn’t matter, just finish the task and make it out alive…”

The old king was almost in a trance, even wincing a bit, probably reliving some of his battles in his head.

After a few moments of silence, with everyone looking at him with understanding eyes, “you are all back here alive, and I am very thankful for it. So if I can address the pink elephant in the room, I will say working with one of the most powerful women on Legon to secure the completion of this quest… in my humble opinion, is understood.”

Chance looked over to Bozutto who was in deep thought, he had a thoughtful look and that surprised him. He was expecting a frustrated look.

“You guys took a big chance, trusting her,” the young King says looking them over.

Khamyra reactionary scoffs and looks down not realizing everyone in the room heard her.

Bozutto’s eyebrow raises and looks to the Onyx Elf, “Khamyra, something to say?”

She whips her head up surprised hearing her name, and looks around the room which was staring at her. The Warlock swallows hard and clears her throat.

“I am not here to defend what Velencia has done in the past or present for that matter,” the Warlock says, “but when it comes to trust… I trust her with my life, with Chance’s life, with the lives of my babies.”

Everyone looks about the room a bit surprised, except for Chance who is softly smiling a nodding.

“Your children?” Bozutto repeats, wide eyes, looking at Khamyra not really believing her.

The Onyx Elf nods slowly staring at the King, not breaking eye contact, “what she says, she means, what she does, she does not hide from and when she tells me my Children are under her protection… I lay my head on my pillow at night and sleep that much better knowing it.”

The King leans back in his chair shaking his head a bit, probably very confused at what just transpired, between Jerry’s response and what Khamyra said.

Bozutto goes to say something but looks at his wife who’s eyes are bulging out of her head, face flushed just staring at Chance.

He leans in and nudges her, “hun, you ok?” Bozutto asks, getting a little worried.

Chance looks over to her and he leans his head back and sighs loudly, “…and, here we go.”

“Chance, can I speak with you and my mother over at the other table please?” Affinity says standing, and visibly shaking.

The King looks at her, “Affinity, does this really need to be discussed now, and in private?” he says somewhat annoyed.

Bozutto looks to Cassie who is also now visibly upset, making her way over to the other side of the room.

“Yes, absolutely,” she says, heading over to the area farther away.

Chance makes his way over to the table, face flushing, accompanied by Khamyra.

“Tell me it isn’t true, tell me I am reading you wrong,” Affinity says in a quiet hiss-like voice, her eyes turning a bit to slits, and looking kind of angry.

The Champion looks to her and frowns, “I can’t do that,” Chance starts, looking at both Affinity and Cassie, “he has ascended.”

Audible gasps echo through the chamber as the group on the other side turn back to look over.

“How can that be?!” Cassie says in lower tones but with some force, “we have his heart down in the vault in a box that only, you, can open. Did you sneak down there and steal it?”

Chance frowns again, “no, I did not. That would be quite impossible. It was in a box created by Finster himself, all it did was “transport” it to the Hall of Whispers for him to use,” he says explaining the blood box.

“When did this happen,” Affinity asks, after a long pause of thinking, “why are we not bursting with magic or something.”

Khamyra buts in, “he told us that it will take some time to manifest throughout the realm. We were definitely going to tell you, but he assured us it was not something instantaneous.”

Affinity looks to the Onyx Elf, “does all his followers get to speak with him directly?” she says in a curious tone but underlining a sarcastic feel.

“No, just the ones who have been by his side through it all,” she snaps back with the best tone she could, keeping it respectful.

The four could hear a chair scrape back, and the King is walking towards them, a little perturbed at the interruption.

“Chance, we are going to go back to the table, and you are going to tell everyone what happened,” Affinity says, taking a hard gulp, “they all deserve to know this.”

Bozutto reaches the four and looks at them, “can I get a couch for you four? I mean it is not like we are in a meeting or anything,” he says sarcastically and frustrated.

“M’Lord, Chance wants to make an announcement to the group,” Cassie says with a slight bow, making the new King furry his brow and give the Baroness a long stare.

“Fine, fine, let’s go then,” he waves them on back to the table.

Everyone gets back and sits, except for Chance.

“I was going to wait until after we talked about the drought to mention this, but I can’t seem to take a breath without people reading me,” the Champion says with a bit of annoyance in his voice, “after we defeated the intruders at Breakwater and stopped the drought, my group had one other task to perform.”

Everyone’s eyes on Chance, and a few glance to Affinity and Cassie who are still shell shocked.

“We stopped by Wishbone Way,” he said, looking everyone over.

Jeremiah looks up to Chance then immediately waves Ronnald over to a remote part of the room. Bozutto sees that and sighs heavily.

“I was able to open the door…” the Champion says to audible gasps and glances.

Bozutto stands up and glares at Chance, “you, entered the Hall of Whispers?” he says in a somewhat disbelieving tone.

He nods his head, “the door opens to this really odd hallway. It didn’t have a ceiling or floor. Almost looked like a cloudy morning sky and…” Chance continues but gets a nudge from Khamyra knowing he can go off on tangents.

Chance clears his throat, “it led to a portal, one that looked almost identical to the one below the stronghold in Magus Orion. Me and Finster went through it and it led to the Hall of Whispers.”

Everyone starts to talk to each other and over each other in amazement, shaking their heads.

“Quiet!” the King says, eyes as wide as everyone else in the room, “so you made it into the Hall, because of your… situation, you can do this correct?”

Chance nods his head, “the rest of the group had to be pretty far away, so they would not have their soul removed from their bodies,” he finishes to some more gasps and whispers.

“So he is ready to ascend,” Bozutto says, looking down in deep thought, “that pushes the time table up a lot. This big battle and…”

“M’Lord, he has already ascended,” Chance just blurts out, matter of fact like.

The room grows dead silent.

Bozutto slowly looks up to Chance, eyes wide, and can’t believe what was just said, “he what? Impossible,” he mutters.

The Champion looks around the room, back to the King, “it is and was very possible,” he says.

After a few moments of quiet, the King blurts out, “what about this great battle? What about souls being sucked… and what about the bloody heart down in our vault?!” Slamming his hand down at the table.

“The blood box was created by Finster, it allows anything in the box to be transported to the Hall,” Chance starts then looks at Khamyra hoping for a little guidance.

The Onyx Elf looks to him with her big gorgeous eyes, smiles softly and nods.

“When we got into the hall, it was sitting in an alcove, still wrapped up,” Chance continues, “readily available for him to use, which he did. It took some of my blood and Animax just jammed it in him and…”

“Whoa whoa whoa!” the King says with a loud aggressive tone, putting his hands up, “Animax was there, you mean the one true god. Just hanging out in the hall jamming hearts into Finster?!?”

Chance, unwavering, staring at the King waiting for him to acknowledge him, and making sure he knows he is serious.

The King glances up, face getting red and looks at Chance. It hits him, his Champion is dead serious.

“Animax and Edwin took him to the far door in the hall, opened it, went through and well…” Chance says, shrugging his shoulders, “he is now with Animax in the god plane.”

Bozutto plops back into his large chair, wide eyes, mouth open and leans back, in shock.

The King shakes his head a bit, “but what of this great battle? I think we would have got a few reports if hundreds of thousands of people gathered to slaughter each other,” he finishes, leaning up and on the table.

“The prophecy spoke of a great battle on the eve of ascension, and everyone assumed it was Finster’s” the quarter elf starts, looks at the King, in his eyes, “but no one took into account, it could have been someone else ascending and at a different time.”

The blood drained from the King’s face, now just staring off, mind frantic with who or what.

“Imryllion, M’Lord, it is Imryllion,” Bastian blurts out standing up, “the same power that was behind the drought.”

Chance nods his head looking over to Bastian who meets his gaze and nods his head too.

“Well, I didn’t see that coming,” Bozutto says now looking down at the table slowly shaking his head, “what now?”

Khamyra goes on to explain what happened and that it will take time for magic to fully return. She offered help in regards to seeing signs, feeling things or witnessing anything unusual with magic in mind.

Affinity and Bozutto both nod in appreciation for any help they can get.

“One last question, and we must move on with the scheduled meeting,” the King says, looking right at the man, standing before him, his Champion, “why would Animax allow for such a thing to happen after centuries upon centuries of fighting it?”

Chance takes a moment, then looks directly into the King’s eyes again, “Imryllion, M’Lord, she is a threat to Animax, to the god plane, to all of Legon,” he says, then continues, “they will team up and begin to fight this new power that wishes to destroy both of them and all of us on this side of the ever shimmer.”

Harlow who was quiet throughout most of this, leans forward, “so he has teamed up with one evil, to fight another,” she says looking about the room, “there is something to be said about ‘sleeping with your enemy’ you know.”

Bozutto nods his head, “I know this is unbelievable news, but we have to discuss what happened in Breakwater, and the fact Weston Gate has been ruled by a goddamn ghoul for almost a year.”

The meeting moves on, and despite Velencia being at the heart of everything, the King could not push a punishment onto the people who risked their lives for the Kingdom. You can see Jeramiah’s influence on the young King already and it was refreshing.

“Am I really going to say this?” The King muses, leaning back and glancing over to his beautiful wife. “We owe Velencia a debt of gratitude for her valor in battle,” he continues trailing off a bit, wide eyes and in disbelief of what he just said.

“Hardly excuse’s her from the many atrocities she has performed previously, M’Lord,” Xavier says shaking his head,”but at least this one time we don’t have to add to the list.”

The King stands and gets everyones attention, “do not repeat what has been unveiled here today, I am sure the news will find a life of it’s own, but for now, let’s not help it any, ok?”

It took the entire morning, but everything seemed to be resolved. Chance and Khamyra made quick work of pleasantries and were looking to high tail it out of there.

But no luck as Jeramiah took them to a portion of the throne room, where Ronnald is looking over things on a table, including the blood box.

“When did you know this box was a ‘portal?’” Jeremiah asks, almost hurt by the news of the events.

Chance thinks for a moment, and then Khamyra answers, “the first day heading down to Breakwater, during breakfast I believe. Velencia told us of its powers. Maybe 11-12 days ago.”

A look of relief washes over his face, “Alright, I did not think you would have manipulated me that way Chance,” the King glances over to the Champion, “I should’ve known better.”

The old King smirks a bit and glances at Ronnald, “go ahead, I know you are dying to know.”

“You met Edwin? The Historian for Animax? What is he like?” the Camerondale Historian asks with his light blue eyes beaming.

Chance chuckles, “well I want to dismember him, limb from limb and bathe in his blood,” he finishes with a smile.

The three of them, mouth open, wide eyes looking at each other.

“Excuse me what? What now?” Ronnald says not believing what he heard.

Looking at the three of them, “sorry, it is in my blood, that I will attack any direct agent of Animax. I see him and I just want to… gouge and…,” chance says getting a little worked up thinking about it.

“It is something I am learning to control, and overcome,” he says taking a deep breath, the Champion continues, “he is a thin well built man, white radiating skin, no eyes to speak of, just glowing beams of light. Similar to me when I change over.”

Ronnald nodded his head, hanging on Chances every word.

“He knows of the past, in excruciating detail, he knows of the present and from what I gather, a few moments of the future, but nothing more than that,” the Champion says recalling what was told to him.

“So he knew of this change in plans then,” Ronnald says, “ I just went and looked again, to make sure and you are 100% correct. It does not tell who ascends and who is battling who. Just another great example of how many different ways you can interpret the Prophecy.”

The quarter elf nods, “true, but Edwin did not know of this, he seemed as shocked as I was, when Animax offered the god plane to Finster,” he continues, almost zoning out, remembering, “Animax told of the dangers of Imryllion and that he would love some help, ‘putting that bitch down for good,’ as Finster put it.”

Jeremiah’s and Ronnalds eyes both bulge, “you mean that was not the first time you met the gods? I can’t believe you just talk about it like they were next door neighbors or something,” Ronnald blurts out, trying to keep it down.

“Why are we now just hearing about that meeting? I am guessing it is when you, Cassie, Killian and company went there, correct?” Jeremiah asks.

Chance nods his head, “I was sworn to secrecy, by My Lord and Animax himself, who am I to defy that request,” he says with a chuckle.

After a few more minutes of conversation, the couple turns to leave only to get intercepted by Affinity.

“Khamyra, if I may, I need to speak with your Fiance,” the queen asks with puppy dog eyes.

The Onyx Elf chuckles and bows a little in acknowledgment.

The beautiful green eyed woman, takes Chance to yet another corner of the room, and looks at him. Then down around his neck, then back up to him.

“I see that my necklace is no longer needed,” she says looking down, in some ways almost hurt, “I am guessing now you can control your powers, huh?”

Chance lifts her chin up and their eyes meet. His heart flutters and he tells that her heart flutters as well.

“It will always be needed,” he says, bringing up his palm and showing her the mark it left on his hand. It is an exact replica of the necklace.

She grabs his hand and runs her hand across the palm. A big smile goes across her face and she looks back up to the Champion.

Without another word, Chance takes her face, brings it to him and he kisses her forehead.

Finally the couple escapes, and takes a mid afternoon horse ride back home from Camerondale, feeling relieved but a bit spent.

The order is in the highest spirits, the day goes along with some training, lots of smiles and wonderful food.

Evening settles in and everyone retires to their room.

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Freya (Friday) 7:00 AM

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“Me and my wife were so happy for 20 years. Then we met. Get up you lazy slugs!” the crier says much to everyone’s groan and mumbles.

Khamyra forces herself into feeding the Kids as Sisse watches and cleans up where she can.

The front door opens, “M’Lord, you have company…”