The lull that followed the rush of invaders was almost unnerving, the quiet stretching on for what seemed like hours. The square had been rocked with the noise of battle, stood still, the only sound the faint rustle of leaves and the low hum of the blue walls.

  Kael leaned back, stretching his arms above his head as he took a slow, deliberate breath. The battle had been fierce, but it had also been short. The invaders had come in almost the same time but now there was nothing but silence.

  Kael sat near the center of the square, leaning on his Arcane Anvil, his gaze fixed on the glowing orb. Its soft, persistent light pulsed gently, casting an eerie glow on the floor beneath him. The words flashed briefly on the surface before fading.

  Kills: 64

  The orb was glowing its brightest, its mana reaching maximum capacity.

  "Time for a large Skara," Kael said.

  Skrindle, hearing Kael talk about summoning poofed into existence, his tiny wings buzzing in the quiet. "Is that wise Master? Should we prepare for the rest of the invaders?" he asked.

  Kael shook his head, his mind certain. "No need to," he said.

  “There were 25 Ardurans and 25 Beastfolk killed. And one fae.”

  Skrindle blinked, hovering silently for a moment, waiting for Kael to continue. The imp’s eyes darted around the square, expecting invaders to jump from the shadows.

  Kael sighed, his fingers tightening around the orb as he spoke again. “That means the remaining 24 fae have keys, but they won’t be coming. Not anymore.”

  “No more fae? That’s a relief,” Skrindle said.

  “The remaining 25 keys should be with another species—humans, most likely,” Kael explained. “They haven’t sent a single one, and they won’t. Not now. It’s too late for them.”

  “Too late?” the imp asked. “You think they’ll just sit out this round, then?”

  “I think so. If not, they should've already sent them in. Mixed in with these lot,” Kael said, his gaze looking over the broken bodies litter on his square. Gerry was walking among the dead, lifting and pilling the corpses in the corner.

  Skrindle’s face twisted into an expression of mild disappointment. “This sounds like a dull game.”

  “I don’t think this is what Zibbit had in mind when he started the Gauntlet either,” Kael replied.

  "So it's time for a large Skara," Kael said again.

  Kael stood tall, his clawed hand gripping the orb. The orb pulsed brightly in his hand, radiating an energy that was both familiar and relaxing. The mana moved through him, swirling in his chest. The orb dimmed, just barely.

  More mana, he thought.

  He could feel the surge in his veins as the energy from the orb flowed through him, the raw magic coursing into his body. The air around him seemed to bend from his magics and with a final breath, he released the energy.

  There was a moment of stillness. Then, a roar.

  It was huge. The largest summon Kael had ever summoned. The creature stood taller than Gerry by a full head, its red scales gleaming like molten metal under the moonlight. The ground seemed to tremble with each step it took, a small puddle of water rippling nearby to its movements.

  It was a demon, born for battle and it was ready to fight.

  Xal approached the enormous creature, his own growls joining the Skara’s. The smaller Skara faced down his much larger brother, both creatures roaring at each other.

  Kael could feel it. The Skaras, the demons, the violence. It was in their nature to dominate. But he wasn’t going to let that happen.

  "Brothers," Kael shouted, cutting through the growling and roaring. "No fighting! You are brothers, not enemies."

  His words echoed out, but the Skaras continued to snarl at one another, their hostility too fresh, too immediate. Xal growled low, still uneasy, but he didn’t attack. But the larger Skara lunged forward, its massive fist swinging in a wide arc, aimed directly at Xal.

  But before the blow could land, Jello appeared, wobbling into the path of the strike. The punch struck Jello, the strike bouncing off as the slime wobbled slightly from the impact.

  Kael couldn’t help but smile. Jello was the mediator among his companions—the one who always managed to find a way to settle things.

  Kael’s eyes flickered between Xal and the larger Skara. He knew he needed to calm the beast before things got worse. A name, Kael thought. A name might help to settle it, to bring order to the chaos.

  He glanced at Xal, and something clicked. "Grymos," Kael said aloud, the name forming in his mind with surprising clarity. It was a name that honored the God of Demons, a name that was worthy.

  The larger Skara’s head tilted slightly, its body quivering as it processed the name. And then, as if satisfied, it let out another deep, rumbling growl, this time gentler, more accepting. Grymos seemed to like the name.

  Without hesitation, Xal stepped forward, climbing up the back of his larger brother. It was not a show of dominance, but one born out of respect.

  "The invaders dropped some large weapons," Kael said. "Grymos, you can use them. The battle axe, the greatbow."

  Grymos let out a low rumble, its massive frame shifting as it turned to Kael. The mention of weapons seemed to fire up the Skara.

  Grymos was a powerful addition to his forces but all the mentions of Xal and Grymos reminded Kael of the God himself. Kael remembered the parting words of Xalgrymos, more kills from demons meant more power.

  Kael’s fingers brushed against the smooth surface of his orb, pulling out the book of demons. The Demonomicon.

  The pages, as always, were mostly blank, filled with the potential of secrets yet to be unlocked, powers waiting to be discovered. Kael’s eyes ran over the blank pages, searching for the next fragment of power. And then, something caught his eye.

  One page was filled—Fire Whip. The words shimmered on the page, the ink glistening like fire in the dim light of the square.

  Fire Whip - Conjure a flaming whip to strike enemies at a distance

  A new spell, Kael thought.

  There was a sense of excitement within Kael receiving his second spell. He could feel the magic already, a thread of heat and power swirling in his hands as he began to channel the energy.

  Flames began to gather around his fingers, swirling like ropes of fire, wrapping themselves around his hands. It was a steady heat, like the ember of a fire long kept alive. He swung his hands, and the flaming whip extended, crackling through the air with a satisfying snap, its flame casting wild shadows across the ground.

  Kael’s eyes sparkled with excitement. He could already see the possibilities, the ways he could use this new power. His grin spread across his face as he turned to look at his companions.

  He was not the only one stronger. They were no doubt stronger now, each of them having gained experience from the kills in battle.

  His eyes flicked to Jello who had grown alongside him, but nothing had changed. The other green slimes were all level 3 defenders, their size now matching Jello’s.

  “Why hasn’t Jello leveled up?” Kael asked, turning to Skrindle.

  “Jello’s level 3 already. Killing Introductory invaders isn’t enough for him anymore. To level up now, he needs to kill bronze or above.”

  Kael nodded, understanding now what Skrindle had meant. He needed a challenge. Bronze or more.

  And then there was Mush, the ice slime. Mush had leveled up as well, his cold aura spreading a larger radius, freezing the air around him as if the very world could not handle the power within him.

  Kael’s eyes flicked back to the orb, still glowing brightly. “I’ll need more companions,” he said.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  The orb dimmed for a moment, and Kael focused his will, his magic reaching out, calling forth new companions. In an instant, several more green and ice slimes appeared before him, eager to join him.

  Kael stood silently as the slimes wobbled in front of him, feeling their presence settle into the square. Each one was a reminder of how far he had come, how much more he could achieve.

  There was a quiet pride swelling within him as he looked around at the companions he had summoned, the warriors who had become extensions of his will. They had grown strong, each in their own way, tempered by the battles they had fought together.

  They were shaping up well, ready for whatever came next.

  “What about yourself?” Skrindle asked, fluttering around Kael. “What about you, Master?”

  “What do you mean?” Kael looked at Skrindle, his eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity.

  “In that last fight, you got many achievements.”

  “Really?”

  The orb in his hand began to glow brighter, the numbers and text shifting before his eyes.

  Achievements Unlocked

  No Mercy - Reach Personal Kills of 25

  Unlock: Undead Wheel Spin

  50 First Kills - Reach 50 total kills

  Unlock: One Personal Skill Point

  Spark of Power - First kill with a spell

  Unlock: Faster Mana Regeneration

  Hoarder - Perform 50 Summons

  Unlock: Scroll of Summon Experience

  Secret Achievement Unlocked

  Bad Cop, Badder Cop - Torture a member of the Outside Race for information

  Unlock: Truth spell - Touch a creature capable of speech. The next question asked by the caster will be answered truthfully, and the target is compelled to speak.

  Kael’s breath caught in his throat, and for a brief moment, he couldn’t help but smile. His efforts, his sacrifices, had been recognized. His gaze was locked on the list of his achievements, each line filling him with a quiet satisfaction.

  His hands moved to the orb, his fingers lightly brushing the surface as he took stock of what was now available to him: another personal skill point, giving him a total of two, the random Undead Wheel Spin, and the Scroll of Summon Experience.

  "That scroll," Skrindle said, "can help your companions level up."

  Kael glanced at the imp, the wheels of his mind already turning. That would certainly help if any of his companions were struggling. But no, what caught his attention was something else entirely.

  The Truth spell.

  His hand reached out, fingers spread, and the faint gold trail of magic began to swirl around him. The shapes formed the outline of a mouth, golden and glowing. The magic sparkled in the air before Kael, and as the shape solidified, he could feel it. The power. The truth.

  “Skrindle…” Kael said softly.

  Skrindle’s translucent form shifted slightly. His face, though lacking true definition, seemed to soften slightly as he gave Kael a knowing look.

  "I’ve told you the truth, Kael," Skrindle said. "I’ve told you everything I know."

  But then, something in Kael’s gaze shifted, something in the way he stood, and Skrindle understood.

  "If you want to use that spell on me," he continued, his voice quieter now, "I’ll accept it. I’ll show you that I have been telling you the truth."

  Kael stepped forward, his eyes focused on the imp, the decision to use the spell suddenly feeling wrong. He reached his hand out toward Skrindle, hesitating. But Kael persisted.

  As his hand neared Skrindle, something strange happened. His fingers passed right through the imp’s translucent form, as if Skrindle was little more than smoke. Kael’s fingers closed around nothing, and the spell, the golden magic dissipated.

  Skrindle hovered there, his form flickering slightly, as if disappointed but not surprised.

  “I wanted you to trust me, Kael,” Skrindle said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “I wanted you to use the spell to see I am telling the truth.”

  Kael didn’t know what to say at that moment. The bond between Master and guide had cracked, a difficult relationship to mend.

  The silence stretched out between them, heavy with unspoken words, until Kael spoke again, his voice rough, the weight of the moment pressing against him.

  “I’m sorry, Skrindle,” Kael said, his eyes lowering. “I didn’t mean to… doubt you.”

  “You needed something, Kael. I understand that. It’s just that I’ve already given you the truth. And I want you to know that.”

  The more Kael thought about it, the more it felt like they were all just pawns in someone else’s game, pushed around on a board they didn’t fully understand. The path ahead was still unclear. Skrindle may not know the truth of the system or the squares but he could tell that Skrindle was genuine.

  As Kael mulled over this, his gaze turned toward Skrindle, who hovered just to the side, his form shimmering slightly in the dim light. The imp had always been a mystery to Kael—part guide, part mischievous imp—but there was one thing Kael knew: Skrindle wasn’t his enemy. Not truly.

  "This system of Masters doesn't seem to make sense," Kael said. “But you're not the enemy, Skrindle. And it was unfair for me to treat you that way.”

  Skrindle blinked, and for a moment, he seemed to freeze. There was a flicker in the imp’s eyes, a hesitation, but then it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced with his usual bravado. The sharp, sarcastic edge that Kael had come to expect from Skrindle returned, as natural as breathing.

  "Hey, why so moody, Master?" Skrindle asked with that familiar smirk. "Here, have some fireworks for your achievements."

  With a flourish, Skrindle raised his tiny hands and in a blink, a burst of bright sparks appeared on his hands. The fireworks fizzled and popped, the sound like crackling fire, bright streaks of color flashing through the air.

  "Thanks. You know, Skrindle, you sure are sassy."

  "I’m glad you’ve noticed. Someone’s gotta lighten the mood around here."

  “Say, what do you think? Would the truth spell work on Zibbit?”

  Skrindle’s eyes widened, and for a brief moment, he seemed at a loss for words.

  “But Kael, the consequences will be even worse.”

  "Yes, I know. But this time... it wasn’t too bad. In fact, it helped me power up."

  Skrindle hovered in place, clearly unwilling to agree but also unable to stop Kael. Kael’s attention turned back to the orb, his fingers twitching as he held it, weighing his next decision.

  "Should I spin the undead wheel?" Kael asked. The undead wheel had given him the will-o-wisps and they were instrumental in his growth.

  Skrindle pulled out a ludicrously large wheel from his ear, a grin spreading across his face. The wheel was simple in design, the colorful sections that marked its segments gleaming faintly in the light. "This thing," he said, shaking it in front of Kael like a prize. "I’ve been waiting for this."

  Kael glanced at the wheel, seeing the various creatures on it—Death Knight, Banshee, Lich—each more powerful than the last. He looked at Skrindle, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "You want to spin it?"

  Skrindle’s face lit up, his expression a mix of excitement and greed. "Me?" he said, the words practically bubbling out of him. "Yes! Absolutely! Let me do it!"

  He spun the wheel with a flourish, his face flushed with anticipation. The wheel spun rapidly before it slowed, coming to a stop with a dramatic pause before landing with a firm click.

  Kael looked at the result, his expression unreadable. "What’s that?" he asked, his voice a little quieter now. The wheel had landed on Ossuary. He peered into the orb, his eyes scanning the new entry that had appeared.

  Summon: Ossuary

  Description: A large undead made from the bones of multiple creatures, bound by fell magic.

  Requirements: Bones from ten medium-sized humanoids.

  Kael’s brow furrowed as he read through the details. A creature made from the bones of multiple beings? Bound by dark magic? Kael had seen the kinds of horrors the undead could create, but this sounded different—more powerful.

  "Kael. I can already tell. You’re going to call him Boney, aren’t you?"

  Kael chuckled, the sound deep and genuine. He couldn’t help himself; the thought of an undead creature made from bones and bound by fell magic, being called Boney, was absurd, and absurdity was exactly what Kael thrived on.

  "I wasn’t planning on it. But now that you mention it, it does fit, doesn’t it?"

  "I knew it!" he said, his wings flapping as he zoomed around Kael’s head in excitement. "Boney it is!"

  Kael’s fingers tightened around the orb, the cool surface smooth against his palm as he focused on the energy swirling within it. His mind flickered to the Ossuary, the creature he had already named Boney.

  The concept of the undead monstrosity forming from the bones of slain enemies was exhilarating, the power undeniable. But when Kael pushed the magic into the orb, focusing on the summon, nothing happened.

  He felt the weight of it. The orb lacked the mana needed to summon the creature, the required energy slipping from his grasp, dissipating before it could take form. The amount required to call forth such a being, an undead of that magnitude, was beyond what he had at the moment.

  “Well, you got faster mana regeneration now, so you might be able to summon him tomorrow night," Skrindle said, feeling Kael’s frustration. "But, hey, don’t rush it. You’ve already done so much tonight anyways."

  "Yeah," Kael said. "We’ve pushed hard enough tonight."

  He had his new companions. Grymos and the new slimes. And despite the incomplete summoning of Boney, Kael knew he had done enough for now. For now, a good rest was needed.

  As Kael laid to rest, he suddenly heard a voice that seemed to resonate from the very walls of the square, deep and commanding.

  "Kael!"

  "Strategist!"

  Kael’s body tensed instantly. He focused, the mental shift instantaneous. In his mind's eye, he saw Argarath flitting and glowing with blue light. The wisp hovered, a silent messenger between Kael and Vor.

  "Our plan?" Vor’s voice came again. "When?"

  Anytime.

  Argarath’s words shimmered in the air, the blue light glowing faintly as the wisp completed the message.

  “Not busy with the Gauntlet?” Vor asked, his tone skeptical.

  Kael didn’t hesitate in his response. His thoughts were already aligned, his mind calculating the most efficient path forward.

  No.

  “Tomorrow?” the general asked.

  Kael nodded.

  Yes.

  The words of agreement lingered in the air in Vor’s dark hall, only to be followed with another message.

  In fact, the first part of the plan should already be in place.

  ******

  Square: Unknown

  Master: Kael

  Difficulty: Bronze

  Conclave: None

  Treasure: 1692 Gold

  Residents: 6 Ice Slimes Lvl 1

  1 Ice Slime Lvl 3

  15 Green Slimes Lvl 1

  2 Green Slimes Lvl 2

  3 Green Slime Lvl 3

  1 Poison Slime Lvl 1

  24 Will-o-wisp Lvl 1

  1 Steel Golem (Strength Specialization) Lvl 3

  1 Steel Golem (Complexity Specialization) Lvl 3

  1 Skara Lvl 1

  1 Skara Lvl 3

  Mount: Shadow Mount

  Kills: 64