The apostle holds up his staff and the heavens warp into a swirling darkness. Rifts form in the clouds and celestial light penetrates them violently puncturing the sky. Thunder shakes the earth as lightning scatters across it like violent vines seeking to root themselves. The stench of death and rotting flesh fills the air as burnt mutilated corpses float about the marshes of the Slog.

  “Mateo Ryusane, the Father comes for you, meet your demise pestilent mortal,” the apostle says slamming his staff into the murky waters.

  The world freezes. Time stops and a familiar figure appears before Mateo. Garren, god of foreskin, I mean foresight.

  Garren steps toward the apostle removing the staff from his grasp before snapping it over his knee like a twig. The apostle snares at him angrily.

  “Perhaps you do not know who I am!” the apostle yells.

  Garren stares at him like an alpha beast ready to put down its prey.

  “You know not what you do servant,” Garren replies.

  “I have freed the gods so that the Father can destroy them,” the apostle says with an unsettling grimace.

  Garren raises his hand and back hands the apostle with such force that his head explodes into a red mist showering gore over the ground where he stands. Time returns to normal as the god Garren stands before Mateo holding out his hand staring into Mateo’s eyes expectantly as the body of the apostle falls sloppily into the marsh.

  “Drako’s Razor, give it to me,” Garren demands.

  “Why?” Mateo asks.

  “Natalia trusts you, so I also trust you,” he says moving his hand closer.

  Natalia appears above Mateo’s shoulder before landing on it. She stares into Garren’s eyes suspiciously. Several moments pass.

  “Give it to him,” Natalia says.

  “Are you sure?” Mateo asks.

  “He’s not here for us; I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.”

  Mateo hands over the blade and Garren stores it away pulling out a medium sized blade. He hands it to Mateo, and it starts to glow blue. Garren peers over at Terror.

  “Perhaps the effect of that one is of little use to you, don’t worry I have something better,” Garren says taking back the blade.

  He hands Mateo a large rock. Natalia floats into the air crossing her arms.

  “You’re not serious, a rock?” Natalia complains.

  Garren peers over at Natalia with an amused smile.

  “It’s a magic rock,” he replies jokingly.

  Garren turns back to Mateo meeting eyes as his expression morphs from playful to serious. His voice lowers an octave to assert the significance of the situation.

  “It is a shame that you walk the path of a Void Lord, if at some point you change your mind seek me out, I may have an offer for you, until then be vigilant of what gods you align yourself with, something is amiss in the realm of the gods, and I’m afraid this realm has become the epicenter of its focus.”

  Garren is about to leave when he shoots a glance toward Serenity. Covered in gore and sweat her form still gives off the presence of beauty. His eyes turn sad as they return to Mateo’s and his lips form a sorrowful smile as he places his hand on Mateo’s shoulder. Overwhelming power washes over Mateo as the god makes physical contact with him.

  “Don’t be too hard on her,” Garren says in a compassionate voice.

  “What do you mean?” Mateo asks.

  “Until next we meet,” Garren says removing his hand and the pressure from Mateo.

  Garren dissipates leaving Mateo alone with Natalia and a, magic rock. She lingers above his shoulder her arms crossed in contempt.

  “That mother fucker!” Natalia yells.

  “Hey, calm down, he kept us from being obliterated,” Mateo says.

  “He took your best and only weapon and gave you a godsdamn rock!” Natalia scolds.

  “Ladies like rocks, if they’re shiny and expensive,” Mateo replies.

  Natalia lands on Mateo’s shoulder still seeming irritated.

  “Stupid gods, promise you the world and then run off with some large breasted orcen woman to breed an army,” Natalia says through gritted teeth.

  Mateo plucks her off his shoulder holding her out in his hand as she pouts.

  “Do you wanna talk about it?” He asks.

  “No,” she replies angrily.

  “We should probably tell the others what happened then,” Mateo says stowing the rock in his inventory.

  The sacred stone of Garren’s promise has been added to your inventory. The sacred stone of Garren is a god level item and cannot be leveled up as it has reached the max rank of one thousand.

  The blessing of foresight has been bestowed upon you allowing you to use one max level item without being decimated by its overwhelming power.

  “Mateo,” Serenity says wrapping him in an embrace as the others approach.

  Calladen gives him a broken, but sincere smile as he sees him tangled in his daughter’s arms. Yetsu steps up to Mateo with a short bow turning his gaze toward Azul and Jade. No one seems to have noticed the presence of Garren. That or they are ignoring it. No one except, Stitches.

  “We should find a pleasant place to eat, the hellbent have been driven back for now, rest and reverie is in order,” Yetsu says.

  “Indeed, this one speaks true,” Calladen says wrapping an arm around Yetsu.

  “King Calladen,” Yetsu says nervously.

  “We have ‘business’ to attend to, the elfesses and Nezumi will have food prepared, feel free to enjoy the meal, and mingle with the ladies if you see fit,” Calladen says turning his gaze toward Mateo.

  “The only woman I want to mingle with is Serenity,” Mateo replies.

  “Yes, ofcourse,” Calladen says hanging his head slightly.

  Mateo and his party, along with the Harmony Casters, enter the twilight halls. Tables filled with delicacies await them. Natalia swoops down storing everything she can into her inventory. The brilliant shimmer and pleasant scent of beauty draws Mateo to the center of the room where Serenity stands wearing a stunning white and gold dress. He takes her hand as the Harmony Casters start their set.

  ‘Love song’ by ‘The Cure’ echoes through the halls of the twilight kingdom as Mateo and Serenity twirl about the marble floors of the elven castle.

  The song comes to a close and Mateo stares into Serenity’s pale pink eyes.

  “I love you Serenity,” Mateo says.

  “I love you too,” Serenity says with a strained smile.

  “Another dance, or should we?”

  Serenity gives him a lustful grin.

  “We should do something more, vigorous,” Serenity replies.

  Mateo and Serenity bow before exiting the dance floor. A few hours later Mateo emerges from Serenity’s room to find that the festivities haven’t ceased. He notices Stitches sitting alone at the bar as Terror instructs Jade and Azul on how to dance. Something Orcen are apparently proficient at. Mateo takes a seat by Stitches, who is disturbingly intoxicated.

  “Hey Stitches, you really did a good job out there,” Mateo says as the bartender slides him a drink.

  “Thanks, battlefield was a bust though, most of the limbs were rotten and Garren broke that apostle’s staff, if I’m lucky I can salvage some upgrade materials from it,” she replies grabbing a blue drink that smells faintly of coconut and raspberries and heavily of rum.

  “Damn, I haven’t even tried to use my loot ability yet, Garren did give me a magic rock though,” Mateo says pulling it from his inventory.

  The water washed stone looks dull in the dim light of the Twilight Halls. Stitches pokes it, but quickly pulls her hand away as if it shocked her.

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

  “Owe, that was unpleasant,” Stitches says tipping back her drink.

  “Oh sorry, I don’t think anyone can wield the rock but me so I should have warned you,” Mateo says stowing it away.

  “Well, I’m sure it does something cool, it has a combat unlock ability, so you won’t know what it does until you use it in combat,” Stitches replies stirring her drink with a tiny straw.

  Mateo moves his stool closer to her at the bar placing his hand on her back.

  “What’s wrong Stitches?” He asks.

  “Mercedes is being stingy with her brother, they haven’t left your domain since the party started, I don’t like it when people take my toys away and I need someone to dance with,” she says swaying as she raises her drink.

  “Maybe you shouldn’t think of Mitsu as a toy,” Mateo replies.

  “Don’t let his shy act fool you, he is a very vigorous lover,” Stitches says with a perverse grin.

  “A little too much information, but how about I dance with you?”

  “You sure Serenity is ok with that?” Stitches questions drunkenly.

  “She’s the one that pointed you out,” Mateo replies.

  Stitches stands for a moment, and then falls into Mateo’s arms. She peers up at him with blood red cheeks clearly embarrassed.

  “Sorry, been drinking a while, let me equip a different liver and I’ll be ok.”

  Mateo stares down at her both curious and appalled.

  Ability activated: The Immortal Seamstress.

  Stitches stands, now noticeably less intoxicated than before. She pauses for a moment equipping a new outfit. A black corset with red laces and stitching adorns her torso. Her shoulders are bare showing scars that lead down to the sleeves covering her biceps and forearms. Soft red cloth gloves cover her hands. A short black pleated skirt drapes halfway down her thighs barely covering fishnet stockings that run down to leather boots starting just below the knee. The boots have far too many buckles and increase her stature by several inches.

  “What, were you expecting a white summer dress from a girl that collects body parts?”

  “Not at all, you look stunning, though if I may make an inquiry, no choker?”

  Stitches gives him a pleasant smile pulling a leather choker from her inventory. She hands it to Mateo and turns around lifting her long dark hair for him to attach it to her neck. Mateo pulls the leather band and ruby pendant over her collar bone fastening it around her throat.

  “Uzuki gave it to me for my birthday, he said red looked good on me,” Stitches says running her hand over the pendant and then her bare chest. “Man, Barbara’s tits barely fit in this corset,” Stitches says staring down at her bust.

  Mateo and Stitches laugh, and then he slips on some formal wear. A black button down with a purple vest and tie. Long black pants and dress shoes. He takes her hand leading her to the dance floor. The Harmony casters now inebriated after having also been drinking for hours start off with a slower song.

  ‘Wicked Game’ by ‘Chris Isaak’ echoes through the Twilight Halls as Stitches’ and Mateo’s eyes meet as they dance slowly in the center of the Twilight Halls.

  Dark elves, beast men, humans, and even some Nezumi take partners and begin to slow dance around the halls as the lights dim allowing the glow of candles to radiate throughout the open dance floor. As Azul’s input is not required for this song Jade grabs her pulling her to the dance floor. Jade places her hands in Azul’s laying her head against her shoulder as they slow dance along with everyone else.

  Andy the pyrogre steps up to Terror and Natalia who are both stuffing their faces with sweets and picks up a cookie. Taking a bite out of it he chews slowly turning to Terror.

  “I don’t suppose I had a chance to begin with,” he says.

  “Terror knows that the heart wants what it wants, you cannot force love, it comes naturally,” Terror replies.

  “Terror can I use some of your inventory for these cinnamon apple pastries?” Natalia asks.

  “Terror is ok with a few,” he turns toward Andy, “don’t take it too hard, love is waiting for you somewhere, just be patient.”

  “It’s fine, I’m up for the next song in the lineup, Yetsu can’t quite hit the higher notes like I can.”

  Andy steps past the dance floor giving Azul a glance before joining the Harmony Casters on stage.

  “You sure you’re ready for this kid?” Yetsu asks.

  Accipeter looks up from his drum set raising a feathered arm directing him to the microphone.

  “It’s fine,” Andy replies.

  The lights cut out completely leaving only the dim glow of the candlelight. Mercedes emerges from Mateo’s domain with her brother Mitsubishi. He steps toward Stitches and Mateo putting one hand behind his back taking a slight bow as he holds out his other hand to Stitches.

  “May I have this dance?”

  Mateo releases Stitches from his embrace and she takes Mitsu’s hand. The set begins as Andy takes the microphone playing a heavily rehearsed rendition of “Waiting for a Girl like You’ by ‘Foreigner’.

  As the song comes to a close Accipeter places his wing on Andy’s shoulder.

  “Young love can be fleeting; don’t let it clip your wings so that you cannot reach a greater love to come, for so long I was hung up on a song bird that did not sing for me, so much so that I did not hear the melody of the one that did.”

  “What happened when you finally heard her song?” Andy asks.

  “I waited too long, and when I finally heard her song, it was too late, she was taken from me before our love could take flight.”

  “Thanks Accipeter, I think I’ve had enough excitement for tonight,” Andy says handing the microphone to Yetsu before stepping away with his hands in his pockets staring at the floor.

  Mateo steps away from the dance floor joining Terror and Natalia by the buffet. He grabs a meat skewer taking a bite out of it chewing loudly.

  “No dance partner tonight?” Mateo asks Terror.

  “Terror is waiting.”

  “You can dance with me,” Natalia says with a sweet little smile.

  “Nah, Terror is fine,” he replies rejecting her.

  She crosses her arms glaring at him. The doors to the hall open and well-dressed orphans spill in led by Serenity. Ra’sheana follows in a long flowing blue summer dress. A gold sapphire amulet hangs from her neck resting over her scaled breasts and she peers around the room timidly. Terror sets down his plate adorning himself with a long-tailored coat and dress pants. He pulls a top hat from his inventory placing it on his head as he fashions a monocle to one eye. He approaches Ra’sheana holding out his hand and she takes it nervously.

  “Ra’sheana sees many elves, many beast men, no ruksha,” she says nervously.

  “Don’t worry, if problem arises, Terror solves it with violence,” Terror replies leading her to the dance floor.

  “Ra’sheana is curious, why the spectacle?”

  “So that Terror can better behold your beauty.”

  Ra’sheana blushes, well as much as a ruksha can, and Terror places his hand on her hip ready to lead her in a dance. Azul returns to the stage leading Jade to a row of seats upfront to watch her performance. They continue to play late into the night. The moon sits high in the sky as they step down to allow another band to take the stage. Azul drags Jade to the buffet as Terror continues to dance with Ra’sheana. Mateo exits the hall returning to his room where he opens a portal to his void domain.

  Sapphire greets him cheerfully and he hands her a few wrapped bars of chocolate before venturing into one of the empty bedrooms. The door creeks open as he enters peering around at the webbing that decorates the empty room.

  “Olivia?” Mateo asks.

  “Oh Mateo, I wasn’t expecting company,” Olivia says covering her bare chest with her two humanoid arms.

  Mateo turns around moving his gaze toward the door.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to barge in.”

  The rustling of clothes lets Mateo know that Olivia has hastily dressed herself for company. He returns his gaze to her beholden of her large arachnid body covered in dark hairs while her humanoid half form is covered by an oversized lace chest tunic which she is nervously weaving together to cover her exposed cleavage.

  “It’s no matter, I was just resting, I’ve never had much need for clothes, but after the breeding process I find that I prefer to be… covered.”

  “If now isn’t a good time to talk,” Mateo says motioning toward the door.

  “No, it’s fine, Sapphire said she’d have something prepared for dinner, we shouldn’t keep her waiting,” Olivia replies.

  Olivia follows Mateo to the dining room folding her eight legs in an attempt to fit at the low table. Mateo places a small crate on her side of the table where Sapphire rests her plate of boardrel and fried chikus. She takes a few bites hanging her head.

  Mateo takes a few bites and turns toward Sapphire who is sitting beside him eagerly awaiting his praise.

  “It’s good Sapphire, you’ve been reading tomes on cooking?” He asks.

  Sapphire smiles and glances over at Olivia before returning to the kitchen. Mateo takes another bite washing it down with a fresh squeezed berry juice before speaking.

  “You’ve been reading her tomes,” Mateo says addressing Olivia directly.

  “I’m sorry, I-I didn’t mean to,” Olivia stutters.

  “No, it’s fine, if she trusts you then so do I, I’m glad she has someone that understands her,” Mateo replies.

  “You’re not angry that I’m teaching your slave?” She asks.

  Mateo sets down his fork wiping his face calmly with a cloth.

  “Sapphire is not my slave, she is my friend, I don’t know what you’ve been through, but I am not those people.”

  “I’m sorry, master Ryusane,” Olivia says lowering her eyes.

  Mateo stands walking around the table and stopping behind Olivia. She braces herself to be punished for her insubordination. Mateo places his hand gently on her back running it down to her carapace. His fleshy fingers rub gently against the hairs on her shell and his hand glows.

  Ability activated: Calm.

  Olivia is overcome with a warm feeling, and she lets her guard fall. Mateo sits on the table beside her gripping her hand. He places it in his hair and smiles.

  “I’m not your master, and I won’t accept the title, but I will be your friend, if you’ll have me, just call me Mateo.”

  Olivia runs her fingers through his hair and her mandibles form what seems like a smile. She pulls her hand away seeming embarrassed as she holds her wrist.

  “I’m sorry, no one has ever addressed me as anything other than a product,” Olivia says nervously.

  Mateo stands, only hovering over her because she is sitting and he is standing on a table. He looks down at her holding out his hand.

  “Friends?”

  She takes his hand staring up at him with a broken smile.

  “Friends.”

  “Chocolate!” Sapphire yells.

  Mateo turns to Sapphire still holding Olivia’s hand.

  “Yes, chocolate,” he replies.

  Sapphire claps excitedly knowing she has a new friend.

  After smoothing things over with Olivia Mateo returns to Gottes. The festivities have ended, and the day star rises giving birth to a new day. Mateo meets king Calladen in his quarters where he finds Serenity waiting. He removes the book of Sanguine from his inventory presenting it before them.

  “I guess it’s time, are you ready?” Mateo asks looking at Calladen and Serenity.

  “We are, I too pray that you are ready for what is to come,” Calladen replies.

  Calladen leads Serenity and Mateo to a hidden chamber beneath his dormitory. The three of them rest at a table for four as Mateo places the book of Sanguine on the table. He appears in the fourth chair with a sly grin on his face.

  “So, you are ready for the transfer?” Sanguine asks.

  “I have lived for over a century as a night elf, I could not grant my son that, but I will give that opportunity to my daughter,” Calladen replies.

  Sanguine turns toward Serenity.

  “Are you ready to burden your father with your curse?”

  “I am,” she says clenching her fists in anger.

  “Then we will begin, Mateo, please leave the room,” Sanguine requests.

  Mateo stands leaving the three. Time has passed in an odd fashion and one of the three moons of the triplanetary ring has risen eclipsing the day star. Mateo steps outside to get a breath of fresh air when he notices Mercedes smoking what resembles a cigarette in the shadow of the blood moon. She turns to him rolling her eyes.

  “What?”

  “Those are probably bad for your health,” Mateo replies.

  “For fuck sake, isn’t it enough for your neko pet to defile my brother without judging me for having a smoke?”

  “Stitches isn’t my pet, and she isn’t defiling your brother, they have a mutual,” he pauses seeming somewhat distraught, “look I don’t want to talk about it,” Mateo replies.

  Mercedes drops the cigarette stomping it out. She looks up at Mateo taking a deep breath.

  “Thanks for letting us stay in your void palace, I’m sleeping in your bed tonight so, enjoy the couch or something,” she says disappearing.

  The realm quakes and Natalia appears above Mateo’s shoulder.

  “Natalia, what the hell is going on, is something happening with the ritual?” Mateo asks.

  “No, this is something far greater than that,” Natalia replies.

  The mana around them seems to distort as well as Mateo’s vision. Mateo looks up at the night sky and the clouds seem to burst evaporating before turning to rain. The now empty sky fills with a moon that is devoid of impurities. A perfect obsidian sphere reflecting the innumerable stars of the universe as it spins slowly.

  Drenched by the sudden downpour Mateo stares at the perfect twirling sphere. An image appears inside it, that of the head of a massive dragon, Dios. A deafening roar rattles the entire realm.

  The Dragon God Dios has awoken from her eternal slumber.