Weapons were instantly drawn and pointed at the shadowy form of a woman addressing the party.

  “There’s no need for that. No need at all. I am but an illusion.”

  “Who are you?” Vorin barked.

  “Vlidask.” Both Gene and Synexus said simultaneously.

  “Yes, yes. Very good. I expected that from the Living System, but not from you.” She addressed Synexus directly and casually strolled over to where he was laying.

  “Are you here to kill me?”

  “Of course not! You must do something about your ability to listen. Like I said, I am an illusion, see.” She dragged her hand through Zuls’ body as if it weren’t there.

  “Okay, you’re an illusion. Why are you here then if not for revenge?”

  “Well to meet whomever it was that destroyed my heart of course. It’s quite a feat and I thought this planet finally produced a master that could perhaps one day rival the divine. Instead, I found you. A level 20. Imagine my surprise!”

  “In that case, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Vlidask’s shadow laughed but still managed to make it a whisper.

  “Talented and polite. You don’t see a lot of people who possess both of those qualities.” She turned to Gene. “Seeing you here does help to fill in the gaps. I’m enjoying this new vessel by the way.”

  Gene nodded. “Thank you. Synexus here made it for me, and you should know that I took no part in this. His talent is his own.”

  Vlidask’s empty eyes widened at their statement.

  “Made you a vessel? Does that mean…”

  “Yes.” Gene cut her off before she could finish her question.

  “Remarkable. I never thought I’d see another one in my lifetime. Still a class like that doesn’t explain how my heart was destroyed especially if you deny your involvement.”

  “He has earned the Mana Weaver achievement.”

  “He is full of surprises, isn’t he? At such a young age and low level.” She turned back to Synexus. “Still, that only accounts for how you got past my enchantment. How did you destroy the Nothing Stone?”

  Synexus was silent for a few seconds before Gene nodded at him.

  “I cut it with my sword.”

  “Ah, a jokester as well. No sword could cut through Nothing Stone especially one empowered by a Divine.”

  “Inspect it.” Gene said in a tone that conveyed pride.

  She did as the owl suggested and took a few steps back in shock.

  “I see. Oh my. You must have an impressive array of information in your collection skills.” She turned back to Gene once more. “He has potential. I assume you saw this in him. He could eventually be on par with the creator himself one day.”

  “I believe that as well. As long as the Coalition doesn’t find him before he can get there.”

  At the mention of the Coalition, Vlidask’s shadow hissed.

  “Those fools ruin everything. History may repeat itself.” She was about to address Synexus again when a somewhat shy voice came from behind her.

  “I’m sorry, but you mentioned the Divine a few times. Does that mean you’re a god?”

  For the whole conversation, the rest of the party was staring at disbelief and confusion. Shell had opened up a mental communication between herself and everyone besides the shadow, Gene, and Synexus. Most of their conversation had been attempting to eliminate their confusion. Finally, Shell worked up the courage to ask what they all had asked one another.

  “How rude of me. I forgot the rest of you were even here.” The shadowy woman glided across the ground circling Shell a few times before stopping inches from her face. “Interesting class. Something new. That’s always exciting. As for your question my dear, I normally wouldn’t answer someone who hadn’t even reached the rank of master, but I fear your owl friend will fill it all in anyways and I tell the story much better.”

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  Gene rolled their big owl eyes.

  “Now, where to start. I suppose the definite short answer. No, we are not gods. Just simply old, powerful beings that have pushed well beyond the normal level of progress.”

  “Okay. That makes sense. You said there was a story?”

  “Oh, I like you. Most wouldn’t dare to encourage me. Yes, there is a story and a quite remarkable one at that. Due to your association with the Living System, I trust you know some of the secrets behind System?”

  Shell nodded. The rest of the party took the chance to nod as well. Synexus had filled them in on some of the major points. He figured if they knew then they could be better prepared against the Coalition.

  “Good, good. Well, once upon a time.” She dramatically waved her hands. “There was an exceptional race, and within that exceptional race was an exceptional individual. He travelled the universe researching all that could be researched. On his travels he made friends on every planet he visited. His friendly smile, light humor, and overwhelming intelligence made him a magnet for the exceptional. I was one of his friends as were the other Divine. We trusted him and his people and in turn we benefited greatly. New technologies, materials, and defensive barriers were given to us first, you see.” She paused as she inspected the others.

  “My creator valued his friends, and family more than anything.” Gene broke the silence.

  “He did indeed. I still remember when I first met him. I knew he’d be trouble. Then several thousand years later, he goes and angers the rest of the universe. I really should trust my instincts more.” She turned back to Shell and continued speaking. “Us eight Divine’s were the first along with our friend to embrace System. Maybe that gave us a leg up or perhaps it was us knowing the true purpose of the soul enhancer, but either way, we excelled. Each of us became powerful, brought our own people along, and now we control portions of the universe for our factions.”

  “And what is the purpose of your faction?”

  “Her faction is one of deceit and shadows.”

  “Oh, you’re no fun.” She scoffed at Gene. “I’d prefer saying that my faction handles the shadier side of life. We host those outcasts that have found their talents to be a bit more under the table.”

  “Thieves, assassins, smugglers.” Gene added.

  “Everyone deserves a home.” She quipped back immediately.

  “And how does a faction like this help the universe?” Shell asked hoping to get the discussion back on track.

  “By bringing balance, of course.”

  “Balance?”

  “Yes. Sometimes possessions need to be stolen. Sometimes a life needs to be taken. We are people of the morally grey and I assure you, that’s as important as any other way of living.”

  “How does that lead you to spawning those creatures below a city of people?” Synexus squeaked out as he attempted to stand.

  “Ah, yes there is that to get to. I placed that heart here before there was a civilization. There was a strong affinity to shadow mana around this mountain, so I utilized it to test a creation of mine. To be honest, I completely forgot about this one until you destroyed it.”

  “Was that the only one you have active on Motholo?”

  “Motholo?”

  “This planet.”

  “Oh. Yes, that was my only heart on this planet.”

  Zuls went to ask a question but slightly yelled it out instead. “If he destroyed your heart, then how are you living?”

  “HA! It’s not my literal heart. System simply names Divine artifacts that.”

  Zuls wanted to say something more but found she couldn’t.

  “Don’t be afraid. I silenced everyone. I don’t have much time here and I need to get to my point of coming.” She turned back to Synexus. “My people and your people had an alliance at one point, and I intend to honor that. You will not gain my ire for destroying my artifact, but in exchange, I want a favor.”

  “What favor?”

  “That isn’t important now. You will need to be much stronger and more advanced to fulfil it, so I will give you fifty years to get there. With your talent you won’t take the whole time, I’m sure.”

  “If what you said about an alliance with my people and your friendship with Zunzutoxian is true, then I will honor my end as well. However, I ask that no more of those foul creatures walk Motholo again.”

  Vlidask nodded at him and started to walk away when she suddenly turned around.

  “I’m known for deception and trickery, but my final words to you will be true. I am sorry about your people. It was a tragedy that should never have happened.”

  With that she faded from existence and the party was left alone once more.

  Synexus started to stumble towards the two halves of the Nothing Stone. Shell saw he was struggling and ran to help him. When he arrived, he absorbed them into his Progress Garden along with all fourteen Razor Hydra plants and some of the ore his explosion had uncovered. They walked back to the tunnel together to meet back up with the rest of the party who were already discussing their wild adventures since coming to Goldhill.

  Gene pulled him to the side while everyone else chatted.

  “Vlidask is dangerous. I know she seemed friendly and jovial but do be careful. Now that you are on her radar and she knows what you are, she will be keeping a close eye on you.”

  “Is it true that her people had an alliance with Zax’xian?”

  “Yes, and she was friends with my creator. It’s been thousands of years, however, and people change.”

  “You don’t think I should have agreed to the favor?”

  “I think you made the right choice. She is not someone you want as an enemy.”

  “I’m curious to know what it will be. Waiting fifty years to figure it out will be painful.”

  Gene hooted with laughter. “Well, then you better get to training, so you can help her out sooner.”

  “That will have to wait. I have several notifications. What do you know about Divine skills?”

  Gene’s eyes widened and let out a hoot of disbelief.