Plessa and Wilton’s hurried steps echoed around the mountains as they ran up the stone steps towards their goal.

  When they attempted to leave the city out of the mountain path gate, the guards stopped them to ask what the hurry was. To them, their status in the Coalition put them above the law of any town or city, but they didn’t like to cause a scene. Unfortunately, the guards thought it was best to take them in for questioning.

  This delay had cost them nearly four hours and a headache from answering the same questions over and over again. Their annoyance was palpable by the time the guards felt they had a sufficient grasp on the situation.

  Apparently, the one they were after had done some great deeds for the city and had even been an honored guest of the king himself. It complicated things greatly, however, since they weren’t citizens of Goldhill or even Motholo and the king didn’t want to escalate it to a problem with the Coalition, they were let go.

  An escort of guards led them out of the city and left them with a warning not to hurt the young man they were after. They simply waved the guards off and continued their frantic run up the steps.

  Moonlight flooded over them from straight above before they reached the top of the stairs and saw the flickering light of a campfire a little way up the path. With caution, they approached the lone figure sitting cross legged on a wooden bench facing them on the opposite side of the fire.

  “Are you Synexus?” Wilton barely got out between heavy breaths.

  “I am. I assume you two are from the Creation’s Coalition?”

  Wilton looked at Plessa who shared his surprise.

  “You’ve heard of us then? So, you know why we are here?”

  “I have and I do, but I was hoping to have a conversation about it. Please sit, you both look exhausted.”

  They both scanned the surroundings wearily. Synexus noticed.

  “My party is around. I have asked them to secure the perimeter to give us the privacy we need for this conversation. You will not be harmed unless you move to harm us.”

  Plessa sat down on the wooden bench across from the young Zaxillian first. Wilton quickly followed. Their bodies were exhausted and the simple act of sitting down almost made them both lose consciousness.

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  “I’m going to scan you with this device to determine your level and your class as proof for the Coalition.”

  “There is no need for that. I’m level 21 and I chose the Progress Architect class.”

  “Uh okay. If you know who we are and why we are here, why are you putting on this fa?ade?” Plessa asked.

  “What do you mean? This is who I am. What did you two expect?”

  “A monster.” They both answered.

  “Just because of my race and my class?”

  “Yes. You even follow the legacy of the most despicable person in history.”

  “Zunzutoxian? You mean the man who gave a gift to the universe and was killed for it?”

  Wilton spat in disbelief.

  “You defend him? You are a monster then.” His mana started to stir as his anger flowed through his veins.

  “There is no need for that. I’m simply trying to understand.”

  “What don’t you understand? The person you speak of, if you can even call him a person, tried to make the universe bow before him by threatening to take the System away if anyone stepped out of line. He tried to hold our classes and our potential over our heads.” Plessa raised her voice holding back the rage within her.

  “I’m sorry, but I believe you’re mistaken. Perhaps your organization told you lies or created false misinformation to nurture this obvious hatred and rage you feel towards my people like an ember that explodes into an inferno. From what I’ve seen and the memories of my ancestors, this is not what happened. He only ever tried to help people and grant all people the same opportunities.”

  Again, their anger and their mana nearly exploded from hearing his words.

  “If that is your view, then you are the one who has been lied to. Why else would the universe come together to deliver justice to your kind?” Wilton’s fists were clenched, and he was grinding them into the bench with every word.

  “Because whomever it was that started your Coalition, was a master at fearmongering clearly.”

  “Fear?! Why would the Coalition be afraid of Zaxillians?”

  “Because of how advanced my people were. Perhaps it was because Zunzutoxian created System, and your leaders couldn’t handle that. Maybe it was because of the power of the Aether Forge. There are a multitude of possibilities, but I think you would need to question your leadership for the real answer.”

  “You really are just as arrogant as the stories said.” Plessa spit out with disgust.

  “I believe I’m being perfectly pleasant. You two, however, have been hunting down a person for crimes that are decades old. That’s how you’ve spent your whole life. You came and sat down at my fire with a preconceived notion that I was a vicious monster. I offered you my name, level, and class without resistance and you still haven’t offered me the same curtesy. Then you insulted my heritage on baseless accusations alone. Are my comments arrogant or simply gaps in your intelligence?”

  Plessa stood instantly with her fists at her side shaking.

  “Synexus, you are under arrest per Coalition code one.”

  “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

  “You exist.”

  “And that’s enough?”

  “Yes.”

  “What is the punishment for my crime?” Synexus said with sarcasm in his voice.

  “Death.” Plessa shot out between clenched teeth.

  “And you call me the monster.”

  Mana erupted around the campfire as skills started coming to life.