—— ? ——

  Kaelalin and Simon strolled down the street, their unwilling entourage in tow.

  Simon glanced back, taking in the tense looks of the remaining royal guard.

  “Man, they look tense.” He said.

  “They should be.” Kaelalin snarled. “Interrupted the one nice moment I have had all week,”

  Simon grinned. When he had left the lab, he had been greeted to a scene of devastation. Kaelalin was sitting in the middle of the street surrounded by unconscious bruised members of the guard. More had come running from the shadows and nearby streets and had pointed weapons at the meditating inventor.

  She had not taken being interrupted well at all.

  Now they all followed several steps behind them. Curious onlookers gawked and joined in as they were paraded to the southern gate of Varnholt.

  They turned the last corner and came in sight of the gate. There a crowd had gathered, comprised of curious people, guards, and councilors.

  Eyes turned to them as they marched down the street, glancing between the Frost-kin and Simon.

  Simon noticed a distinct divide between the amassed councilors. One side held Marden, the frost king, and a handful of others. On the other side stood Serel, Kurda, Emrick, and… Maelis?

  Huh. Interesting.

  As they approached, Marden stepped from his group. His voice began to boom out.

  “Now, we shall officially banish this man from out town. Doing so will secure our safety in th–”

  “Oh, would you shut the fuck up!” Simon called out. “We all get it you ass.”

  Simon stomped by the mollified man, who took a careful step back. Simon paused, then spun on his heel staring right into Marden’s eyes.

  “You’re a god damned prick.” He shook his head. “And that’s coming from me. I have met divine level asses in a short time in this new world. You are giving them a solid run for their money on my shit list.”

  Simon turned to the crowd. “Don’t think all of you are blameless. You’re all terrified cowards. You’re afraid of the unknown. But seriously, you don’t know who I am.” Simon held up his fingers and started to count. “Where I came from, what my motives are, and you don’t know what the hell is going on.” His voice raised in volume. “But you definitely shouldn’t just believe what one asshole says, and then banish someone to go die in the valley.”

  Simon finished counting. He glanced between his five fingers and the crowd.

  “Oh!” He added. “But I do know one thing.” Simon started to lift his other hand, then stopped. He dropped four fingers and flipped everyone off.

  “Y’all can fuck off. Enjoy your shitty lives, in this shitty town.”

  He dropped the finger and his eyes swept the crowd.

  “With that said.” He pointed toward the people standing near the open gate. “It’s time for me to march my happy ass into a valley of death, blood, and violence.” He stared down the few people who had the misfortune of standing anywhere close to being in his way.

  “If you would be so kind as to get the hell out of my way.”

  The few people on the sides of the gate scattered and pushed away. Simon stomped out, headed for the snow. After he had taken a few steps, he turned and held up both middle fingers.

  “So long assholes!”

  Simon’s feet crunched across the snow as he kept up a rapid pace away from the town. Kaelalin had slowed as he was yelling, but sped up and jogged up to him.

  “That was… verbose.” She commented.

  “Needed to be said.” Simon replied, anger still boiling. “Lets move.”

  He broke into a run, Kaelalin matching his speed.

  Behind him, from the gate, a booming laugh cut through the air.

  “Yer’ fools can’t see how that man got cursed?.” Kurda’s voice trailed behind them. “If anyone in this world was capable of pissin’ off der’ gods, it was that one right der’”

  —— ? ——

  Councilor Serel watched the two figures fade into the failing light of sunset.

  This just didn’t add up.

  There was something more here.

  Her eyes searched the faces of the councilors around her, trying to pick up some clue. To her surprise, Marden the healer looked… relieved? Was that man telling the truth?

  She kept searching, trying to discern more. Her eyes flicked through the opposing crowd, but found nothing. Then her gaze changed to her side of the street.

  She knew the people gathered on this side were the ones that voted against the banishment. At least that was what she assumed.

  But she had learned long ago, that enemies hide in the closest shadows.

  Which is why she found herself carefully studying the smith and councilor, Maelis from the corner of her eye. The smith’s eyes were locked on the vanishing figures. His mask of emotions kept cracking with hidden feelings. Disgust. Rage.

  Why? What is his connection to Simon Starfall?

  Out of the entire crowd, his reactions made no sense. There was a fire burning behind his dull mask of nothing.

  Just as he was a step into the shadows, so were his intentions.

  Serel would have to watch the Yoreboon closer, but it would require subtlety.

  She turned her gaze to Dravlen and Emrick. They were the closest to her, and had been whispering quietly since Simon’s departure from town.

  Noticing Serel’s gaze, Dravlen sighed. "And this is why I don't get involved in politics. Too many headaches, too much shady garbage." He turned to the others. "You think I should have gone with them?"

  Serel grinned at the ironic statement from him. “You hate the shady part of politics?”

  Dravlen rolled his eyes. “You are dodging the question.”

  “I know.” Serel sighed, the golden glow around her fading slightly. “If you leave with them, Marden and others will view that as opposing them. They will feel threatened and strip you of your position.”

  "I don't really like my position," Dravlen scoffed. "It’s not right sending them into the dark to flee from that creature."

  Serel nodded. “I agree, but what of your people that remain behind? Who will protect them?”

  “You don’t have to remind me.” Dravlen grimaced. ”Only reason I took this job.” He sighed. “And I will protect them. My kin, and those that dwell in this city will be kept safe.” His eyes move back out to the snow. “However… this feels like I’m failing that oath.”

  With that, he took a step back into the shadows and vanished from sight. Serel had long since stopped trying to track him.

  “There is more here…” Emrick's thin voice cut in. “So many strings are attached to this, but we just don't know what they are.” He let out a harrumph. “Now we know why Marden wanted to finish that quest. This is beyond any of our guesses.”

  “Outside of all expectations.” Serel replied. “He had far more support within the council than I could have imagined. Kranofis was a surprise. I never imagined that arrogant king would agree to another’s ploy.”

  She shook her head. “Turn’s out that was my mistake.”

  Emrick studied the crowd and people around them. With the excitement over, everyone was drifting away. Serel saw the tailor’s eyes quickly snap to their side of the street, then he whispered.

  “I think Maelis’s reactions were odd.”

  Serel gave the faintest nod in response.

  “So you agree.” Emrick sighed. “I had hoped that intrigue and political posturing would have taken longer to return.”

  Serel released a crystalline laugh. “Oh, Emrick. They never left.” She frowned. “But I too had hoped they would take longer to rear their heads. It seems as if that is just the way of things.”

  Now it was Emrick’s turn to chuckle. “You say that as if you don’t enjoy it, miss ‘shadow of the council.’”

  Serel smiled. “Ah, that name. I guess I do deserve it.” She scanned the few remaining people besides the guards. “But, someone needs to do it. I want Varnholt to grow into a city that I could have only dreamed of in my old life.”

  “A noble goal.” Emrick nodded. “Yet, when you look past every noble goal, you find darkness and filth.”

  “You do.” Serel agreed.

  Her gaze turned outwards, to the snowy hills that surrounded Varnholt.

  “For now.” She said, “All we can do is pray that the aurora blazes brightly tonight.”

  Emrick bowed his head. “May it blaze as bright as day.”

  —— ? ——

  Snow flew into the air as Kaelalin and Simon raced across the landscape. They had been running hard since they left Varnholt, only slowly once to double check the map.

  With every minute, another ray of light would dim and the world edged closer to darkness.

  Kaelalin was struggling. Her body just wasn’t trained to run for this length of time. Simon on the other hand was handling it easily. Between his stats, and the training he did with Kurda the run he had only broken into a sweat.

  Simon desperately searched the horizon for signs of the entrance to the Realm of the Forger.

  "It's gotta be here someplace. Just over the next ridge," he kept telling himself as they plowed through the snow.

  Looking back, he saw Kaelalin was flagging behind. Simon had been slowing his pace, but now he was going to have to be obvious about it. His run slowed from an all-out sprint, to a fast jog.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Kaelalin scowled at him. "You don't have to slow for me."

  "Well, if that thing shows up," Simon breathed, rolling his eyes "Need to have someone slower than me within easy reach."

  “So.” Kaelalin heaved. “That’s why you.” breath. “Didn’t mind.” breath. “Me coming along.”

  “You know it.” Simon replied, a forced grin on his face. “I think we’re getting close.”

  Kaelalin scoffed through her labored breaths. “You said that already.”

  The sun had nearly dipped below the horizon. The amber light bathed the snowy landscape, lighting it up in a cascade of oranges and reds. Simon brought his eyes forward, scanning through the lenses of his hood.

  Distant objects pulled into focus, the effect similar to zooming in a camera lens. Not a great lens, mind you, but it was better than just using his eyes.

  They kept moving.

  As the last rays of light vanished, and the world started to dim, Simon spotted a hill. The snow on it was fresh and open areas of stone were visible.

  Simon accelerated forward, focusing on the hill. A moment later, he was sure.

  “Kaelalin! It’s right there!” he yelled back, gesturing toward the hill.

  In his excitement, he hadn't realized he had gained several yards ahead of the flagging Frost-kin.

  He stopped and waited as she caught up. The world got darker and darker, shifting to night.

  Kaelalin found a new burst of energy and they dashed for the portal. As they grew near, the edges of it ignited with red energy, as if detecting their presence.

  Simon slid to a stop. A blue blur went flying past him.

  “Lets go!” Kaelalin yelled, as she charged forward, diving into the portal. With no sound, she simply vanished from existence.

  Simon followed after her, running towards the portal.

  This was going to suck.

  But better then the alternative. Simon would take fighting asshole golems any day.

  He leapt towards the portal, and instead of the strange feeling of being transported, he shot out the other side.

  Simon stumbled and lost his footing. He rolled ass over teakettle into the snow.

  He spat icy chunks from his mouth as he rolled to his feet.

  *DING*

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > FAILED TO TRANSPORT

  > Location: Realm of the Forger

  > Cause:.This location is registered with the local hub. Simon Starfall is currently banished from Varnholt Artisan Enclave. Because of current status, entry is denied.

  ——————————

  Simon stared, his mind reeling.

  What do you mean the realm was registered with the local hub? How? That didn’t make any sen–

  His stomach dropped.

  Shit.

  The achievement they earned. When they had returned from the sub-realm and it had asked if they wanted to register it.

  That was why it had been a prompt. Why it was a question in the first place.

  By registering it, the portal had been linked to Varnholt somehow.

  But wasn’t he one of the people who had stabilized the damn place? Didn’t that count for something?

  Simon grimaced as he stood. There was also his percentage from the domain. That was supposedly controlled by the ‘local’ hub too.

  “Probably not getting that either.” He muttered as he looked to the sky.

  The stars had emerged.

  This entire run here, he had a sneaking feeling of dread. It had gotten worse with every mile they had traveled. Something was different about this journey into the snow, and it had gnawed at him.

  The feeling had never left.

  Guess he knew why now.

  Was this what his precognition was trying to warn him about? He’d somehow known this wasn’t going to work?

  All he knew right now, is that this sucked.

  He made his way to the front of the portal and stared at the swirling reddish energy.

  Safety was right there, laughing in his face.

  Simon slumped to the ground, taking in calming breaths. He needed to recover and get ready.

  Everything was going to go very wrong very quickly. Simon would need his strength.

  Several minutes went by as he breathed and calmed his spirit.

  He was going to do this. Kaelalin was in the portal and ‘safe’. That was good enough.

  Simon wondered what she was going to think as she stood in that realm. The places black metal walls and molten cracks illuminating an empty room. Kaelalin would wait, and wait, but Simon would never come.

  He would just need to come back here by morning.

  Simon shook his head. He should have gotten the map from her before she went in. That would have been the smart thing to do.

  Not that Simon had a track record of doing the ‘smart’ thing anyways.

  The portal was a consistent swirl. Seemed the thing would remain active as long as someone was standing next to it.

  It’s glow filled the now dark night with a candle-like illumination.

  Simon pulled himself to his feet. Staying on the ground wasn’t going to help anything.

  He turned away and started to walk, trying to adjust his eyes to night around him. His goggles actually helped tremendously with this, the lenses adjusting and brightening.

  Sweet. At least he had that going for him.

  Suddenly, a pulse of light radiated out, lighting up the nearby hill he had been staring at.

  “Simon?! What are you doing, sightseeing? Get your ass in the portal!” Kaelalin’s voice shot out from behind.

  Simon whirled around.

  “Kaelalin?” He saw the Frost-kin outlined against the portal. “What are you doing? Go back in the portal!”

  Kaelain crossed her arms “Why aren’t you coming in? What’s going on?”

  “Well…” Simon moved back to the portal. “We have a little… okay, no, we have a BIG problem. I can’t go in the portal. Says it’s registered and I’m banished.”

  “Damnit!” Her eyes went wide “The quest at the hub.”

  Simon nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Damnit. Damnit. Damnit!” Kaelalin paced. “Why did we do that? That was so stupid!”

  “Seemed like a good idea at the time.”

  “Gah! I know!.” she ran her hands through her sweat drenched hair. “All we got was that stupid telepathic communication. That and the part–”

  She froze, then squinted. “Wait.”

  Her eyes focused.

  *ding*

  ——————————

  > You have received a party request from Kaelalin Zarvenna

  > Accept?

  > Yes / No

  ——————————

  The prompt made Simon blink.

  “Wait, will this work?” He asked, mentally agreeing to the prompt.

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > PARTY FORMED

  > Name: Unknown

  > Members

  >> Kaelalin Zarvenna - Nameless Span, EABST-4327D - Alive

  >> Simon Starfall - Nameless Span, EABST-4327D - Alive

  ——————————

  Simon frowned. “Okay… what's with that name.”

  “That’s what you are worried about now?” Kaelalin waved her hand. “Brian said it’s probably from the names of the realms we came from.” She stepped back toward the portal. “Anyways, come on, let’s try again.”

  She vanished.

  Simon glanced at the notice that was still in his vision.

  >> Kaelalin Zarvenna - Realm of the Forger - Alive

  “Okay, then.” He crossed the distance and took a step into the portal.

  *DING*

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > FAILED TO TRANSPORT

  > Location: Realm of the Forger

  > Cause:.This location is registered with the local hub. Simon Starfall is currently banished from Varnholt Artisan Enclave. Because of current status, entry is denied.

  ——————————

  “Son of a bitch.” he muttered.

  “Simon come on!” Kaelalin’s voice rang in his mind. “Did you step in?”

  Simon focused on her, and mentally willed his words. “It’s the same thing. Failed to transport, I’m banished.”

  Silence.

  The portal flared, and Kaelalin stepped out.

  “Damnit!” her words emerged as she did. “Why?! This makes no sense.”

  “Hey.”

  Kaelalin’s gaze fell on Simon. The glow of the portal cast an eerie light, the red bloody stitching of his outfit looked as if it was dripping.

  “Yeah… I can’t go in… Maybe…” He gulped. “Maybe you should just… I don’t know… I..”

  “Would you quit stuttering!” she snapped. “By the frost father…”

  She looked between him and the portal. “We need to figure something out. Night is here, and... Well…”

  Fear gripped at Simon as they both stood there in the glow. Honestly, Simon was surprised he hadn’t felt it’s icy grip sooner, but he guessed that made sense. Up until now, they had a plan.

  Now?

  He slumped to the ground.

  Everything had been going so well. He had finally started to feel happy again. His talks with these two crazy researchers, his lessons with Kurda, it had all started to feel normal again.

  Now it had all been ripped away.

  Again.

  He’d felt like he had dealt with this whole ‘banishment’ well. No real outbreak. No real emotions.

  The well of emotions broke from their cage beneath. Frustration. Anger. Fear.

  They threatened to swallow him as he wallowed on the snow.

  This whole world was bullshit. It wasn’t fair.

  He stared into the swirling portal. It was almost funny. Simon was the one who had suggested registering the damn thing. How was he supposed to know that choice was going to cost him here?

  There was no warning. Just a question. A choice.

  But it seemed, the system never gave choices unless there were serious implications.

  Well… would have helped if he hadn’t been banished.

  Simon shook his head.

  He needed to get a grip. He was sitting with his butt in the snow, while a dangerous monster stalked the night. All he had was his stupid bunny onesie and a friend who was pacing trying to think of a way out of this.

  He got to his feet.

  “Kaelalin, I need that map.”

  She froze mid step and looked at him. “Why?”

  Simon shrugged. “Going to need to figure out the best terrain to run across.”

  “Simon…” She said. “That’s not the answer.”

  He gave her a look. “Oh? And what is then? You running out there across these hills?” he shook his head. “No, I don’t think so.”

  Kaelalin stood frozen for a moment, then stiffly nodded. She reached into her pocket and withdrew the map.

  “Here.” She said, holding it out.

  Simon nodded, reaching out to take it. His hand gripped it, but Kaelalin didn’t let go. Simon looked at her, but her eyes were locked on the parchment.

  “Kaelalin?”

  “Simon!” she exclaimed. “We registered this portal with the hub!”

  Simon frowned. “Yeah, that’s pretty damn obvious.”

  “Right!” Kaelalin yanked the map from his grasp. “But, we only registered this one.” She grinned.

  Realization dawned on Simon. "The other hills!”

  Kaelalin only nodded, bending over to study the map in the glow of the portal. She chewed on a gloved finger. “This one right here.” she pointed. “It’s maybe an hour from us. Maybe less. We can make it.”

  Simon looked at the spot where she pointed.

  It was deeper into the valley. That direction he had first encountered the creature.

  The plan was suicide. They would be running right into the jaws of the beast.

  Maybe he could make it. He could run.

  Kaelalin needed to stay.

  Simon would be completely alone.

  He steeled his jaw. It didn’t matter. Simon knew what he needed to do.

  He opened his mouth, then froze.

  Up above, a green shaft of light lanced across the sky.

  It was dim, barely visible, but it was there.

  “Simon! The aurora!” Kaelalin said excitedly. She dug into another bag and pulled out goggles that she strapped to her face.

  Simon glanced up, looking through the glowing lenses of his outfit. Up in the sky, green light danced against the darkness.

  “Thank you, Frost Father.” He heard Kaelalin mutter. “It’s dim, but it's there. Simon, we can make it. You can make it through tonight.”

  Simon closed his mouth. Relief poured over him.

  But that feeling of dread still haunted him. He was tense. Something was off.

  He looked at Kaelalin. She was tracing the route between the Realm of the Forger and the other hill.

  She didn’t need to come with. He could run to the other hill himself. He opened his mouth again.

  “Okay, so what if I—”

  "All right, let's go," Kaelalin cut him off, folding the map. "If we head straight in that direction, we should get there in less than an hour."

  Then she took off at a fast jog.

  Simon stared, his mind torn at what he should do.

  Kaelalin had made it several paces away when she looked back. She came to a halt and yelled.

  “Come on Simon, What are you doing? Let’s go!”

  Simon glanced up at the dim light of the Aurora, then to the portal next to him.

  He took a breath.

  Then stepped forward and started to run.

  Disappearing into the dimly lit night.

  —— ? ——

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