I spend the rest of the day and the next day on Earth while Taiwo puts things in place and I wait for the time B’esloor and I agreed I’d arrive at the space station. More than anything it convinces me that, for now at least, I’m no longer needed on Earth. Wherever I go things are largely under control.

  The Mana Siphons are doing their job and the Mana levels in the higher AML areas have dropped. No powerful Teleports arrive, and no Monsters emerge that could run rampant and destroy a city. There are still hundreds of thousands of conflicts at any one time every day across the planet and there are still people being killed. But those aren’t new problems… that happened before the Influx and I’m not going to save everyone. The population is growing again and increasing signs of prosperity are evident wherever I go, accelerated by the ability for humans to get around the planet wherever they need to be for trade or hunting.

  The reality is, humans are winning despite all the odds.

  But we’re still vulnerable, concentrated as we are in one place.

  My last eight hours before I’m scheduled to pick up Taiwo are spent sleeping. It’s the longest I’ve slept since the Influx hit and for the first time in a long time, I don’t wake up in a state of anxiety driven by thoughts of where I should be instead of where I am. My mind is calm and I feel ready for what’s next. It’s a nice change, but a part of me waits for the shoe to drop.

  When I trigger Omnipresent to open a Portal to Taiwo, I’m surprised to find he’s on Earth, in Queenstown. I stop through the Portal near the waterfront where Taiwo is looking over the lake. Possibly remembering the battle he had with the Dragon here that got him exiled. Possibly just connecting with the water. We spend a lot of time on land for a Merman who has a bunch of water magic, Skills, and I suspect a strong Affinity.

  “Maybe I should visit you on your homeworld one day,” I suggest as I join him shoulder to shoulder to stare out over the calm, beautiful scene. Behind us there’s a lot more Galactic activity in the town than the last time I was here. I suspect the Academy is about to really ramp up very soon.

  “Oh, hey,” he says as I break Taiwo out of whatever train of thought he was in and he recognizes I’m here. “I just came to check the place out, see how the Academy is going. I had a look at Milford Sound and thought about when I met you, the day that started this unexpected current in my ocean.”

  It sure does bring back memories.

  “I’d suggest we go hunting, but there’s nothing really Level appropriate for us here now.”

  Taiwo grins and glances back toward the MIS Hub. HIs long blonde hair ripples and his gills flair.

  “I’m not worried about combat opportunities hanging around with you,” he replies good naturedly. He’s probably right.

  “We haven’t really talked about what you want to do if I get called back to Earth by Foresight or if I want to come check up on things,” I say, then look over at him. “If I’m coming back because if Foresight, it might be some big trouble. Might be some Monster trouble, but also it might be trouble with groups Tenebris or you have an alliance with. You never know what kind of a crowd might show up and try to make a name for themselves on this planet.”

  “I’m in, Bronwic. Until I tell you I’m out. Part of the Party, and I know what comes with that. I made sure I’m still technically part of the Legendary Strike Force that Tenebris has assigned to Earth so that I can be here legit from an SSA Protocol point of view. I know Earth is in good shape with everything you’ve done, but the Universe sometimes diverts a stream when you least expect it.”

  I nod, more than happy with that answer. We stare together at the beauty of Lake Wakatipu, the sparkling shades of blue and green. It’s calm enough that the reflection of the surrounding mountains is clear and crisp. It’s said the lake was formed by the fiery embrace of the mythical giant Matau, whose heart still beats under the water. For now I’m just glad that Mana hasn’t brought that Maori legend to life. Eventually Taiwo breaks the silence.

  “We’re waiting for someone. She just sent a message she’s on her way here. I’ve got a Shop on her world and I’ve known her people for over a century. They live on a planet dominated by electromagnetic forces and they all have a natural Affinity for it. Every one of them; it’s very rare. She’s exceptionally talented.” Taiwo gestures to indicate I should have a look behind us. It’s not what I expect to see and I pull up her Status straight away to find out more.

  Aelara, Electromagnetic Master, Arcforge Engineer, Pulsewright, Circuitbreaker (Level 25 Cyber Technologist) (Enhanced Legendary)

  [Electran] [SSA Cyber Force] [Polarity Collective]

  Health: 4100/4100

  Mana: 6750/6750

  Conditions: Counter-intrusion, Secure Channel, Pattern Recognition, Bio-augmentation, System Disruption, Field Shielding, Energy Conduit, more…

  Aelara’s form is distinctly non-humanoid. Instead, she’s a living sculpture of flowing, metallic liquid that constantly changes shape, but always looks sleek and powerful. As soon as I see her move it’s apparent her structure defies what I’d view as traditional anatomy. Her body shifts fluidly as needed with techniques that send me straight to the ‘way back machine’ to remind me of Blobby, the Adventurer who teamed up with Captain Kulnuk and the Mindstriker.

  Her surface looks like it’s composed of a shimmering, mercury-like alloy, interspersed with glowing geometric nodes of deep violet and gold. Aelara’s "head" tapers into a smooth, oval-like crest with intricate fractal designs that appear etched into her form, and instead of traditional eyes it seems to me that she has around ten multifaceted, crystalline lenses placed around her body that constantly shift colors.

  Instead of arms or legs she uses multi-functional limbs that extend, retract, or split into smaller tendrils from her main body. I wonder how fine grain the control of that is; by the look of it, she has complete control. It looks like she glides rather than walks on her limbs, possibly the base of her form is generating some kind of magnetic field that allows her to hover above the ground, or maybe she has some kind of anti-gravity equipment.

  “Greetings, Taiwo and Bronwic,” says Aelara. Her voice is not really a voice… it seems to be transmitted through some kind of resonant vibration that creates a distinctive sound. I can hear it like any other voice, it just seems to come from her whole body rather than a mouth, which she doesn’t have.

  An intriguing person.

  “Glad you can join us, Aelara!” exclaims Taiwo.

  “Pleased to meet you,” I add.

  “I am ready to accompany you.” She pauses her movement close to us and her body language is literally impossible to read. I have no idea where she’s looking and she has no face to give me any clues whatsoever about anything. This could take some getting used to.

  “Where’s our transport?” she asks.

  “That’s me,” I say and raise my hand. There’s a short pause.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  “I apologize for my surprise. Based on your Health, Mana levels, and your Class I assumed you are a melee fighter rather than a support Class.”

  “Just a Warrior with a few surprises,” I explain. There was no indication whatsoever that I could see that she was surprised. I’m going to have to see if Taiwo has any tips.

  Foresight flashes at me with a scene that’s exceeded the thresholds I’ve set. I can see in the vision an invasion force of bulky reptilian creatures who wear biomechanical armor has poured through hundreds of Portals on the outskirts of Atlanta into Gresham Park. Human and Galactic forces are starting to rally against them and the clash doesn’t go the invader’s way. Atlanta’s done pretty well and has a thriving set of Settlements with over ten million people so they should be able to look after themselves, but what I see next is that a group of Adventurers are about to arrive who must be Legendary Classers by the way they carve through everything and make a beeline for the city center as the flood of invasion troops continues.

  “Foresight?” Taiwo asks. The Foresight flashes are rapid, but from Taiwo and Aelara’s perspectives it’s probably like I froze for a few seconds.

  “Yeah,” I say right away. “Legendary invaders. Coming?”

  “Always,” Taiwo says, and glances over at Aelara.

  “Show us,” is all she says and I interpret that both as a yes, and a slight challenge that she throws down to show her what I’m capable of. If this is something she wants to get involved in.

  I trigger Omnipresent and move my Portal around for a couple of seconds before I recognize the place where the Portal that will let the Legendary Adventurers through will form. I manifest the Portal and step through, leaving it open for Taiwo and Aelara behind me.

  Reptilian creatures smash into me and spin away as they continue to flood out of wide Portals placed in regular intervals for hundreds of meters. Far behind me a roar rises up from the human forces as they clash with the front of the invading forces. I glance at one quickly as enemy fire starts hammering my Dimensional Forge armor to no effect so I can pull its Status.

  Traznek Kraz’thar, Clutch of the Ancients (Level 22 Varoki Elite Warrior) (A)

  [Varoki Invasion Forces]

  Taiwo and Aelara have emerged from my Portal and I leave it open in case they want to leave, tuned to stop any Varok from going through to Queenstown. Hundreds stream past us and dozens attack. A thump sounds from Aelara and all around us Varoki troops seize up as their mechanical armor seizes up and they struggle on the ground. I glance over and see Taiwo is wearing a suit of power armor I’ve seen before. He’s just standing there taking whatever punishment comes his way, I assume waiting to see what I’m going to do.

  In the middle of the chaos I trigger Perfect Focus and then use my Perception to block out distractions as I reach out with my Dimensional Manipulation Affinity to feel all the Portals. They’re spaced regularly with precision, but each has a different Mana signature and I probe with my Affinity around and through them. I test to see how strong they are. It differs up and down the line between solid and very strongly manifested in no particular pattern I can figure out. Time continues to stretch out as I stretch my Affinity and awareness out further and further. To gather my focus and help me visualize what I’m doing, I stretch my arms out end my Affinity encompasses all of them. It’s become more powerful as I’ve pushed and invented new ways to use it, much more powerful than I’ve ever been.

  Blows from Advanced Class Warriors try to injure or move me as I stand with my arms outstretched and they have no more effect than a slight breeze. My Strength keeps me rooted to the spot as I clench my fists symbolically to help me mentally execute this task and whip my arms into my body then thrust them down at the ground as I crouch down. My fists explode into the dirt as all of the Portals but one slam shut.

  “Salt and spray!” Taiwo exclaims at the same time as Aelara shouts something I don’t quite catch with my Perception dialed down.

  The Varoki troops skid to a halt and turn to stare back at the now empty expanse of Gresham Park where hundreds of Portals once stood. The sounds of battle still increase on the frontline as more and more of the troops already through continue their attack, no doubt believing they have a flood of reinforcements right behind them.

  For the space of a couple hundred meters to my left and fifty meters to my right I can feel some of the Portals starting to reform. Likely only Portalers with very strong Skills or very powerful equipment haven’t been crippled by the backlash of what I just did to them. I clench my fists and my teeth and push with my will and my Affinity, aided by my Class and SMI. I latch onto their Portals and accelerate their manifestation, then trigger Fury of the Clan three times, spreading out the damage across all the opening Portals into the people beyond them, then with a grunt I slam the fully open Portals shut again to cause the maximum possible backlash again.

  I wait a few seconds to be satisfied no more Portals are going to be immediately forming then trace the last remaining Portal that’s open to its source.

  “Coming or going back? I ask Taiwo and Aelara. I’ll need to close down the Portal back to Queenstown to finish this the way it deserves to be finished.

  “Not missing this,” says Aelara.

  “Go,” says Taiwo.

  I blast all the Varoki around me for a hundred meters with a triggered Resonant Strike then close my Portal back to Queenstown and open one to the location at the end of the last Varoki Portal. On the other side of the Portal are a group of six Legendaries and a bunch of Mythics who are clearly arguing about what to do next. One of the brutish Varoki Legendaries backhands a Mythic Classer who’s too close to the discussion and she flies tumbling through the air then tumbles into the muddy swamp-like ground.

  “Which one of you is the leader?” I ask after I step into the mud on the other side and Taiwo and Aelara are through the Portal. I keep it open to cover our backs. Without any fanfare I slash out with Imbued Strike and slay the Varoki attending the Portaling equipment then send a few more Imbued Strikes quickly into the machinery itself to destroy it. Most of the Varoki roar, mouths open wide with their jaws opened almost 180 degrees. They’re nervous enough at what’s happened that nobody fires on us or attacks us immediately.

  One of them steps forward and the others move aside a bit. There’s nothing exceptional in her appearance, nothing to indicate she’s the leader. Maybe her expression is a bit more intense than the others, but I could be imagining it. I take it at face value and pull the most basic parts of her Status just to check if it’s plausible.

  Skarith Kraz’thoomdal, Clutch of the Ancients (Level 15 Varoki General) (L)

  [Varoki Invasion Forces]

  The tension in the air is thick. I wonder if maybe they’ll try to kill us before there’s any more chat, but they wait. I trigger Resonant Strike eight times in a row, one for each of the six Legendaries except Skarith and three for the rest of them, the Mythics. The Legendaries fall screaming as the resonance grabs ahold of their flesh and body to rip it apart. Injuries erupt all over their bodies as they convulse and fall. The Mythics have a worse time; they’re impacted by Resonant Strike and are blown apart into a fine mist that scatters on the swampy ground and stays floating on the thick surface. Taiwo flicks a switch on a portable shield generator which stops any of the exploding mist from touching him. Aelana simply slips low behind me and then reemerges immediately.

  One second passes while I wait for my Stamina to tick back up. Gift of Gaia means even in low AML environments my entire Stamina pool is filled in two seconds. Skarith seems too stunned to react immediately or say anything and she’s covered by the remains of her companions.

  For the first time I use my Evolved Psychic Eruption Skill and trigger Geas. The cost is much higher than my other Skills at 15,000 Stamina. Skarith’s eyes glaze over and she looks at me. I have a connection with her mind and instinctively have a feel for what I can place as an obligation on her. It reminds me immediately of The Taskmaster and his much more powerful Ascended Class Skills with similar effects.

  “Go. Warn the Varoki to stay away from Earth. Find everyone who has the resources to invade or impact Earth and convince them they shouldn’t, by whatever means necessary.”

  I feel the connection and the strength of it as my Geas settles on her. It resonates with how she feels right now and that makes it stronger, but I can tell it will only last for a short time. The instruction is too all-consuming while she’s following it and the circumstances aren’t specific enough. She won’t eat, won’t sleep while she follows the Geas and her Legendary Class will slowly push back on my Skill until it fades. She’ll probably never stop mentioning it or visit Earth, though.

  Skarith turns and races off without a word through the swamp. I’m satisfied and I turn to Taiwo and Aelara who are both still. Taiwo is watching me closely and if I had to judge, Aelara is too.

  “That’s some scary shit you can do, Bronwic,” says Taiwo. “I wonder if that’s part of the reason The Taskmaster took such an interest in you.”

  Before I can answer Aelara cuts in.

  “The Taskmaster? You’ve met The Taskmaster? Entropy strike me! You weren’t kidding Taiwo,” says Aelara. Her body is flowing from form to form rapidly which I can only interpret as agitation.

  “Wait,” I say to Taiwo, turning to him. “What exactly did you say about me?”

  “Only the truth, Bronwic. Only the truth.”