The massive gates slammed shut behind Isaac as he and Slate set out. They went to the portal hub and stepped through the one leading them to Starhold. When they arrived, a group of guards were standing around the tree. After some pleasantries were exchanged, the two made their way into the city.`

  "Alright, we went where you wanted. Where is this Shard located?" Isaac asked.

  Slate pulled a metal tube off the top of his pack and opened the lid with a ‘pop’. He unfurled a sheet of parchment. A map of the Siltar Republic. He held it up, "If that skeletal fellow wasn’t lying in his notes, then there should be an Aether Shard in both of these locations." He pointed at two small red dots, one located south of Highpass, and another near a bay south of the Valley of Stars.

  "Aren’t you from Highpass?"

  Slate nodded and rolled up the map, "Yes. And I’m not particularly looking forward to returning. I left because...well, let’s just say I’m not on good terms with the citizenry there."

  Isaac looked around, "Let me guess then, we are going to buy some disguises here?"

  Slate waved his hand, "No, I doubt they would recognize me." He stroked his beard with a smile, "I’ve been growing this out for some time now."

  Isaac chuckled, "Right. Then why Starhold?"

  Slate began walking as he talked, "Well, we needed a means of travel that won’t arouse suspicion or undue attention. If I have been observing correctly, you can only warp yourself and others to places you can see or have been before, yes?"

  Isaac stopped walking, I never thought of it that way, but he’s right. What else has he noticed? Isaac thought as he caught up to Slate. "Yes."

  Slate continued, "Well then, we can’t just go to Highpass using your abilities unless you've been there. And my own abilities are not suited to rapid transit. Tell me, do you know how to ride a horse?"

  Isaac shook his head, "I’ve never had the need. I always went on foot."

  Slate rubbed his hands, "Then you’re going to learn. But I’m warning you, your legs will be quite sore for a while. And other parts."

  The two made their way to some stables, and Slate began bargaining with the saleswoman there, eventually settling on a price as he handed her several polished gemstones. Slate waved Isaac into the stables and the reek of the place hit Isaac immediately - being from a forested region of the world there was little need for pack animals. Slate showed Isaac how to properly saddle a horse, and the two set off south, leaving the Capital and heading onto the open road.

  As they traveled Slate instructed Isaac on how to ride at various paces and how to control the creature with his legs. After a few hours he began to get the feel of it, and by the day’s end he felt quite comfortable in the saddle. The two looked for a good campsite as the sun began to descend below the horizon. Finding one, Slate erected a tent as Isaac performed a miracle to rapidly grow the grass around them, hiding their location from prying eyes. The horses were tied off to a tent-stake. The two ate a simple meal in silence before laying down to rest.

  Isaac spoke as they lay there, "How many days ride is it to Highpass?"

  Slate rolled over to face him, "About four. Three if we push the horses."

  Isaac grunted an affirmation, "No need to push. Vythin is taking care of Bastion, and we shouldn’t be needed for some time. It’s nice, traveling again."

  "I’ve been meaning to tell you about something. A project I’ve been working on."

  Isaac glanced over and saw concern written across Slate’s face. He sat up as he replied, "Well? Go ahead then."

  Slate took a deep breath and exhaled, "You saw a glimpse of it back at the Inn we stayed at."

  Isaac nodded, feeling a twinge of worry, "Some pillar?"

  Slate nodded and gulped, "It wasn’t a pillar. It was a large tube. And its purpose is… Please, don’t be mad. I’m just trying to help."

  The feeling of worry grew as a knot formed in Isaac’s stomach, "What did you do, Slate?"

  "I have been working on making a special type of golem. Something called a flesh golem. A creature made of skin, bone, sinew. Some necromancers - those who specialize in the spells of undeath, mimicking those creatures - stitch them together from a variety of corpses. Mine is different. It uses a sample of a creature to make an exact duplicate." He covered his face and spoke through his hand, "I’ve found a way to bring back the dead." Isaac’s heart caught in his throat as Slate looked him dead in the eyes, "I think I can bring her back, Isaac. I think I can bring back Willow. You can be with her again."

  Isaac sat there, stunned as silence descended over the tent. He felt tears well in the corner of his eyes. Bring her back? I could have my Willow? In his heart though, Isaac felt unease. "What risks would we take?" he asked.

  Slate sat up as well and turned to face Isaac, "We would be making Caeli quite upset. Willow’s soul, the truest essence of her being, is in The Tempest - Caeli’s afterlife." He tented his hands, "I’ve been thinking a lot on this. You were able to call forth a servant, a soul, suited to a purpose; in that case it was Yvilli. But Yvilli can leave of her own accord, she said as much. The same process should work for souls of other creatures." He looked down, a look of shame crossing his face. "I fear that I’m straying down a dark path here, Isaac. If I can bring back the dead…" he let the words fall away as he stared to the side of the tent. "Who knows what I could do," he whispered to himself.

  Isaac looked down as he pulled out his pendant and ran a finger over the design etched in well-worn grooves. He looked up at Slate, "Is there a way we could ask her if she would want to come back?"

  Slate stroked his beard and cocked his head to the side, his demeanor changing to that of the teacher persona, "I’m unsure. The control over forests falls under Caeli’s domains. Perhaps through that connection you could do something? Maybe pray to the goddess?"

  Isaac nodded, "I’ll think about it. Thank you for the offer, Slate." He put a hand onto Slate’s shoulder and smiled, "You’re a good person. Never doubt that about yourself. As long as the intent came from a good place…" he let himself trail off. Slate smiled and gripped Isaac’s forearm, giving it a squeeze, nodding before laying down and turning away from Isaac. Isaac laid back as he closed his eyes.

  Sleep eluded him, and his rest was fitful as memories of Willow came to the front of his mind.

  The next morning broke as Isaac blinked himself awake. Slate was already up, preparing breakfast as the two broke camp and continued their journey south. They followed the river for some distance and to cut down on time, rather than continuing along the curving river to the ford further west, Isaac used a miracle to warp them across the raging waters. As they traveled nary a word was exchanged between the two, each lost in their own thoughts as they made their way back to an Imperial road.

  I could bring her back, Isaac thought, we could pick up the life we had. He looked across to the forest. But how would she react to the news of her father’s death? Or that I killed him? He craned his neck up to the sky as the wind blew over the land, the vast, green plains filled with lush plants as insects buzzed about. The chirping of birds filling the air, the long grass twitching as creatures scurried through the undergrowth. Isaac felt calm, his head clear of tumultuous emotions, his thoughts crystal clear at this serene moment. How would she react to me being a god? The clop of hoof on worked stone rang out as several deer jumped across the path in front of them. I can’t just pick up my old life. I have responsibilities as a god. Soon I’ll have worshippers. It won’t be the same as it was. He leaned back in his saddle and sighed. Well, that, and she would be an obvious target if anyone wanted to harm me. Isaac was roused from his thoughts as Slate pointed to the South-East.

  Slate spoke, "Up there, hidden in a small crevice is the town of Highpass. Renowned for their mines that produce gold and platinum, and for the smiths that reside there." Isaac looked to the area Slate pointed to and saw three craggy spires ascending into the sky. Not the tallest mountains he had ever seen, but quite sheer. Lowlands and hills led their way up to a narrow crevice between the mountains.

  Slate continued, "From here we are a little under a day’s travel to the main gates. What’s say we set up camp early?" Isaac nodded and guided his horse off the road, following the sound of tumbling water as they came to a small creek. Finding an open space, the two gods set up camp as Slate flashed with red heat, a fishing rod and tackle appeared in his hands as he sat next to the river.

  "I’m going to try contacting Willow," Isaac said.

  Slate raised a hand in farewell, "I wish you the best of luck. Truly."

  Isaac walked along the river until he came upon an elderberry tree whose branches hung over the river. He sat down on a large rock nearby and reached a hand out to a branch dipping low towards the ground, gripping it tightly, feeling the pulse of life flowing through the plant which seemed to react to his touch with a welcoming sensation.

  Isaac closed his eyes. The cool wind blowing across the plains from the east. The tumbling waters of the bubbling brook becoming a monotonous drone. Caeli…I hope you can hear me. Please, let me talk to Willow. He thought of the singular desire to speak with his love, and manifested the heat within his chest. The heat continued to grow and build as it surged into his head. Isaac gasped as he felt the most splitting headache he had ever known. His vision went white.

  He saw an enormous field of flowers. Large cabins stood in a circle within this seemingly endless field. The sky above was the deepest cerulean blue and the wind blew softly, tinged with a pleasant lavender scent. He walked into the small village and looked around, seeing various Ayshor and Vaysani roaming about, enjoying an idyllic life - laughing, singing, and exchanging stories as they ate, drank, and made merry. But one figure stood out from the rest. Her auburn hair flowing to the small of her back, interwoven with flowers from the fields. Shining, green eyes beamed from a slightly angular face. Isaac dropped to his knees and gasped out one word, "Willow".

  The woman turned and she smiled, running over and embracing Isaac. He began to cry as she put a hand on his face, "Welcome home, Isaac. What took you so long?"

  Isaac spoke through the tears streaming down his face, "I’m sorry Willow, I’m so sorry. I didn’t protect you…" his voice faded off as he sobbed into her embrace.

  "Shhh, it’s alright. I’m here." She held his head to her chest and stroked his hair, "You’re safe. Everyone is. " She pulled back after a few moments and looked quizzically at Isaac, "But you look different. You’re all...planty."

  Isaac wiped away his tears as he stood up, "I’m not really here, Willow." He brushed her hair out of her face and leaned in, kissing her as she returned the gesture. He pulled back, "Things are different. So much has happened."

  Willow looked at him quizzically before gesturing to a nearby cabin., "Well, come on in. I’ve been working on sprucing up the place." She took him by the hand and dragged him along into the wood cabin. A modest structure with a few rooms. Austere, just how he preferred. She sat him down on a couch and joined him, sitting on his lap. "Tell me everything. I know you went off on a hunting trip, but it’s been a while. I thought you forgot about me."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  A hunting trip? Isaac thought. Does she not remember what happened?

  "Your father," he paused, taking a moment to breathe, "Your father tried to curse me, Willow."

  She frowned, "Well that wasn’t very nice of him."

  "You took the curse for me. And turned into a tree."

  "Sounds like something I would do. You know I love you." She gripped his ear and gave it a little tug, "You’re my man after all...But I don’t remember it happening..." she trailed off in thought.

  He smiled and squeezed her hand, "Yes, I do know that. But..." He paused, glancing off to the side before looking her in the eyes, "I lost control. I just...I couldn’t contain myself." He looked down, "I killed him for hurting you."

  Willow grimaced, looking away from Isaac and standing up, "You killed my father?"

  Isaac stood as well, "Yes, but it wasn’t like I wanted to! He still had the talisman and I…" he trailed off as she turned back to him, pointing out the window.

  "Then how do you explain him being out there?" Isaac walked over to the window and looked out, glancing amongst the various faces. Indeed he saw him, Willow’s father, sitting and eating with others who shared a familial resemblance. He looked at her and she had a playful look on her face, "If you really killed him why would he be here?"

  Does she not...oh no. Isaac gulped, "How long have I been on this hunting trip?"

  Willow pursed her lips and thought for a moment, "Now that you bring it up, I’m not sure."

  "Willow, where do you think we are?"

  She tilted her head, "Home, of course. In the Vaysha Rift."

  Isaac grabbed her hands and shook his head, "I’m sorry Willow, but that’s not right. You’re...I mean you...gah." He turned around and faced the wall for a moment, thinking of how best to put it. He turned back, "This isn’t the Vaysha Rift. You’re in Caeli’s afterlife...You died."

  Willow put a hand to her mouth and collapsed into a chair, "That’s wrong, that can’t be right."

  Isaac shook his head, "You’re dead, Willow. The curse turned you into a tree, and I stayed with you for several years. But then I left and you were cut down."

  Willow looked at Isaac, a sense of knowing sweeping across her face "You’re not joking, are you?"

  Isaac shook his head, "I’d never lie to you. You’re in Caeli’s afterlife. And I’m not really here." He reached down and ran a hand along his torso, very similar to that of his real body, but various plants and flowers poked out from the surface. "I’m a god now, Willow. That’s why I had to leave you. That’s why you were cut down, I wasn’t there to protect you."

  Willow nodded, she walked over and gave Isaac a hug, "Does that mean you are going to leave me again?"

  Isaac ran a hand along her back, "I can’t stay here. I think I somehow...traveled here." He separated and held her chin, pulling her gaze up to meet his, "But there’s a way. Another god, a friend. He has figured out a way to bring you back to life. You could come back with me."

  Willow looked back into his eyes, her green eyes he could lose himself in for hours, and shook her head, "I can’t go. All of my friends, family, everyone is here."

  The door slammed open and both of them looked over as a woman with long brown hair that curled and bounced entered the cabin, the sound of birds chirping accompanying her as she closed the door behind her. "Sorry for the interruption," Caeli said. "But I noticed an intruder." She walked over to the two and smiled, "Ah, Lord Isaac. I was wondering if you would be visiting my domain or seeking an audience."

  Willow extricated herself from Isaac and bowed, "My goddess Caeli, why did I not know I was in your afterlife?" She looked up with some tears in her eyes, "Why lie to me about Isaac being gone?"

  Caeli looked rather annoyed at Isaac, before she sighed and helped Willow up, "It is easier to cope with death if you don’t believe you died in the first place. At least, that’s my philosophy on things. But," she glared at Isaac, "it would appear someone has cracked that illusion."

  Isaac stared at her resolutely, "I’m not here to cause trouble. I came to see my beloved."

  Caeli nodded, "I understand." She looked at Willow, "Now that you know the truth about my afterlife, would you like me to remove that knowledge? I promise you, you’ll be happier not knowing you died."

  Willow shook her head, "I don’t want to live a lie." She glanced out the window once more, "But I don’t want to tell others and have their feelings hurt." She went to Isaac and grabbed his arm, "I’ll keep it a secret if Isaac gets to visit whenever he wants."

  Caeli laughed, a chorus of birds joining in and intertwining with her own, "Who am I to stop love? He can visit whenever he likes. In fact, since I now know who the intruder is, I have a proposition." She directed her speech at Isaac, "Eventually, you’ll want to make your own afterlife to send your followers to." She clapped her hands, "When you do eventually make an afterlife of your own, I’ll be happy to help you transfer Willow." She looked to Willow, "That is, if you want to." She looked back to Isaac, "In exchange, Isaac, you are going to leave me out of any schemes or plots you have brewing with those other gods you’re allied with. I’m very much a ‘live and let live’ goddess. I don’t like being involved in conflicts, even amongst my own siblings."

  Willow looked between Caeli and Isaac, "I would like that very much...if I could still visit my family."

  Caeli nodded, "Of course! If Isaac allows, I can even open a path between my and your afterlife. Visits would be allowed, just not permanent residence. I must keep those who worship me, you understand."

  Isaac replied, "I agree to those terms. You have my word, my allies and myself will not involve you to the best of our abilities."

  A flash of heat washed out and a glowing green parchment appeared in front of Isaac. "Sign a pact, then. To keep me out of your and your pantheon's affairs."

  "I've never done this before. What exactly does this do?"

  "It's how we gods keep commitments to each other. Sign a pact, and we will both be subject to the terms. In this case, if you do bring me into you or your pantheon's affairs, then Willow will be in The Tempest, forever, with no chance of her returning to your side. A light punishment, when it comes to breaking pacts - but a consequence that in the present would be devastating."

  Isaac nodded and signed his name with his finger, his signature appearing on the page before the floating parchment split into two; one returned to Caeli, and the other flew into him. He could feel a slight warmth that faded after a few moments. "There. Deal."

  Caeli waved her hand and the door opened as wind blew in with a loud SWOOSH. She began to walk out, speaking to them as she left, "We’ll talk again, Lord Isaac. Just remember, we’re technically related now. Forests fall under my domain. But I’m not a jealous goddess. I’m fine sharing." She shifted her tone, singing a small verse, "Amongst the trees and gardens fair, a man stood with his willow, there. Arm in arm beloved embraced, a goddess leaving with haste." She skipped out the door as it closed behind her.

  Isaac smiled and faced Willow, "Well, that was unexpected."

  She smiled and nodded, "I love you, Isaac. And if you ever want to get married, well, there’s a wonderful older shaman here who can perform the rites."

  Isaac grinned and was about to reply, but felt an odd tugging sensation in the back of his mind. He heard Slate, very faintly, saying something; like he was being talked to while underwater. Isaac gave Willow a kiss, "My next visit. I promise. I have to go." She smiled and stepped away, giving him a little wave.

  Isaac blinked and his vision cleared. He gasped and sat up. Slate was standing next to him, shaking him. "What happened?"

  Slate shrugged his shoulders, "You tell me. You were the one who was spacing out. Dinner’s ready."

  Isaac rolled his shoulders as his head pulsed with a massive headache. He groaned as he held his head, "I went to The Tempest."

  Slate looked very interested, almost exuberant, but in a manic fashion, "Did you find Willow? What did she say?"

  Isaac began walking towards their campsite, "I did. She doesn’t want to come back. But I did speak with Caeli." The pulsing headache slowly receded as he walked.

  Slate followed, "How interesting. Anything transpire between you and her?"

  Isaac nodded, "Yes. She is allowing me free access to her afterlife to visit Willow anytime I wish. However, we have to leave her out of anything we plan."

  Slate grunted, "I don’t like others making deals on my behalf, but I don’t blame you. If I was in your position I would do the same thing."

  Isaac smiled and glanced back, "I know it was rash, but thank you for understanding. I’ll take the blame if anything bad comes from it."

  The last day of travel passed rapidly, and as the sun began to crest its highest point in the sky above the two gods entered the gap between two of the mountains, the whole time Slate peppering Isaac with questions about what the visit to a afterlife felt like, which he answered in as much depth as he could. A road, quite steep and only ten feet across, crisscrossed and led up higher and higher. A waterfall ran down alongside the road, occasionally wetting them with mist from the cascading torrent. A few instances they passed quite closely to other travelers, scant inches between them, as they reached the summit.

  A massive pair of wooden gates stood twenty feet high, set into a worked limestone wall that matched the same height. Slate gestured broadly, "Welcome to Highpass." The two rode through the open gates and Isaac got his first look at this city. They were on the highest level, and it descended down in concentric rings like a funnel towards an enormous hole in the ground, where pulleys and other rigging were either sending workers down into the depths or bringing some back up along with large carts of ore. Smoke poured from several of the buildings.

  Slate guided Isaac along the top-most circle and explained the layout of the city. "The top-most ring we are on is residential and is dotted with inns and bars. We should be able to get a room. The rings going down lower contain various shops and smithies, smelters, and crafters. He pointed to a large building right next to the hole in the ground, "That is where I used to work. I made machines that helped in the mining process and maintained them."

  Isaac replied, "Why did you leave?"

  A dark look crossed Slate’s face, "I was forced out of town. After an accident." He continued forward.

  Better not to dwell on that, then. "How did you become a teacher?" Isaac asked.

  Slate seemed to brighten at that question, "I attended school like any other child, but I took the entrance exam to The Royal Academy in Crux Omega. I scored high enough to earn acceptance, and when I finished I took another course to become a teacher myself." He turned the two of them down a side-street and they approached a set of stables, dismounting as Slate bartered for their mounts to be taken care of by a hostler, and Slate continued as they went to a side-entrance to a small inn, "I liked teaching, but ultimately I wanted to give back to the town I grew up in. So I left the academy, and came back home. I wanted to be an inventor."

  Slate traded a few gems to the innkeeper as the two made their way to a back room, setting their supplies down. He looked about and took a deep breath, "I haven’t been here in so long, but the rooms smell the same."

  Isaac sat down, "Where is this Shard?"

  Slate sat as well, "I don’t know. All the notes said was ‘in Highpass’." He put a hand on his chin and looked to be deep in thought, "We could just explore the town and see if we feel the presence of a Shard. But that could take days."

  "Can’t you just perform a miracle of knowledge?" Isaac asked.

  "I could. However, I won’t learn anything unless someone knows about it. Remember, I can only access the sum total of known knowledge. If something is secret, or undiscovered, I’ll get nothing." A red aura flashed around Slate and he frowned, "And it would appear that none here know of a Shard’s presence or location."

  Isaac sighed and stood, "Then I suppose touring the city is our best bet."

  "I go clockwise and you go the opposite way then? We can cover more ground by splitting up."

  "Agreed. We meet here at sunset."

  The two left the inn and went in opposite directions along the upper-most ring. Isaac conversed with the occasional stranger, inquiring about odd-going ons - but nothing stood out. He found himself the subject of several questions, mostly pertaining to his race and reason for being there. He evaded the latter question and just replied ‘business’, which seemed to stop the line of questioning. Evening came as he returned to the inn and found Slate in the common room eating a meal. He sat down and ordered his own.

  "I may have found something," Slate said in between mouthfuls.

  "Do tell."

  Slate swallowed and leaned back, "One of the mine shafts broke through and they found some old fortification in a large cavern. No minerals of value, so they simply boarded up that tunnel." He stabbed down at the remains of his roast chicken with a look of disgust, "Money is all they care about. No concern for the possible history down there."

  Isaac lowered his voice, "And that’s where the Shard is?"

  Slate nodded, also lowering his voice, "There’s rumors among the miners that the tunnel was boarded up because the first few to enter went insane and started to attack their fellows. They were put down, the deaths covered up. It’s just a rumor, though. If it did happen, then whoever covered them up must be good at keeping secrets, my miracles did not discern the truth of the statements."

  "Do you think some New God caused it?"

  "I’m not sure. I’d bet that some creature native to the underground, or even a deep-dwelling Lark," Slate answered, stroking his beard.

  Isaac thanked a server who brought him food as he began to eat as well. It’s a moot point unless we can get down there, Isaac thought. And I doubt we could sneak our way in, there’s only the central shaft with lifts from what I saw.

  Slate quaffed the rest of his drink and slammed the mug down on the table, "In any event we must get down there to investigate it ourselves."

  Isaac put his utensils down, "Maybe we could pretend to be some travelers looking for work?"

  Slate slowly shook his head, "No. I learned that the foreman is the same as when I was here last, and he would definitely remember my face, despite my appearance."

  "Then what about sneaking in?"

  "Perhaps. The mines do not operate at night." He glanced up at Isaac, "You can transport anywhere you’ve been - such as our rooms here." Isaac nodded and Slate continued, "So we just need to get down there." A smile crossed his face, "I have been working on something. Since we ride Vythin around so often. Finish your meal, and let’s go upstairs. I’ll show you."

  Isaac ate and the two went upstairs, Slate pulling a larger bag out of his smaller travel sack. "How’d you pull that trick off?"

  Slate smiled, "We can make lesser artifacts, what some call "magic items". Very good to give your worshippers if they do something noteworthy or you want to reward them. It just takes a miracle and some heat. This bag is just bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. It's not nearly as costly as a fully fledged artifact. You'd be able to do such a thing with your control over space. Thankfully a god of crafts has no limits to these magic items they can design. I can replicate practically any element of creation...through these minor acts of artifice." He opened the other bag and pulled out two white pouches with straps, putting one on his back and handing the other to Isaac.

  "What’s this do?"

  "If you fall more than twenty feet it will slow your descent. I call them ‘feather packs’."

  Isaac nodded and put it on over his armor. "Now we wait until nightfall?"

  Slate nodded and sat down in a chair, "Yes. Now we wait."