Sevin’s tanned skin and bald head conflicted with the death mana stones embedded all over his skull, but he grimaced as Kaden approached. “I have consulted with Mortis. They do not dwell in his court. And Mortis himself has answered my call for help. The gods of now do not tolerate the forgotten ones. I am permitted to travel with you.”

  He will not be allowed entry. The fool does not understand the mechanisms at play. Mortis does not understand because he was not there, Nurav said.

  Kaden reached into Inventory. “I’m told Skully would be destroyed. Undead may not function there. You’d be basically helpless.”

  “Undead may not be brought across. They may be created,” Sevin said. “You said you have a way to bring Skully.”

  Kaden did. He drew a treasure from Inventory. “We ran guard duty in the Fire Domain and found a hidden trial. I received this. It’s a [Soulfire Crystal.] They’re so valuable because they can grant a soul to almost anything. I could even make a living golem with this.”

  “Golems are untrustworthy. If it wasn’t reanimated, forced to move with the power of death itself, I don’t want to put my life in its hands,” Sevin said. He was probably mildly biased.

  The heavy, dull crystal pulsed in his hand as he approached Skully. Lacking any other way, he put a hand on Skully and activated the crystal.

  You have used: Soulfire Crystal.

  Soul Generation Process is complete.

  Soul Installation Process is complete.

  Inventory Integrated to newly installed Soul.

  Subsequent Spawn will posesses this nature.

  Co-habitation causes new talent: Spirited!

  [Spirited]

  You are legion. Your corporal structure hosts multiple intelligent entities. Status effects vulnerability is increased. Soul attacks are reduced.

  The System had merged Skully and the [Plague Crows] he’d housed into a single creature. Skully stretched, cracking his vertebrae one at a time, then gazed down between Sevin and Kaden.

  “His form is locked. I can’t change it anymore,” Sevin said. “Oh, the greatest [Tomb Champions] will pale one day next to Skully. And to think he started as a left-over skull we reanimated.”

  His little monster was all grown up and ready to go on a murder spree. “I have to go to Omnor and make a deal with a Demon.”

  “Whether we are forever or for a time, I will not leave Sara alone. And I will pay whatever the price is to recover her.” Sevin drew armor from Inventory, armor made of hundreds of skulls the size of Kaden’s thumb. “Every Necromancer must also be a [Necro Mage], able to inflict death so they may raise their servants. I have had little use for these skills, but now, I will relish the chance.”

  Kaden had always said deals with Demon Lords were off limits.

  Now, there were no limits.

  ###

  Omnor bustled with thousands of people hell-bent on buying their happiness, or someone else’s death, or maybe someone else’s death so they could be happy, and Kaden, with Sevin and Skully behind him, joined the lines to pass the city guards.

  “State your business,” the guard said.

  “I’m here to make a deal with a demon to get my lover back,” Kaden said, meeeting his gaze.

  “Another Number 32,’” the guard called out. “And you, baldy. You’re a resident, move along.”

  Sevin took the lead. “The Emporium survived Diggus’s fall from grace. He dances at our command now. If you want to visit, just to torture him a litle, I’ll understand.”

  “Demons first, pleasure—is never associated with demons.”

  That you know of.

  “I actually need something that can house a deity’s artifacts and silence them. Where can we get that?” Kaden asked.

  I’ll be quiet. For now.

  “I don’t know, but this is the place where anything is possible.” Sevin dealt with guards, escorting Kaden through Omnor with less ‘purchase rights’ bullshit and more ‘I’m always looking for free skeletons and you look like a guy with a skeleton’ energy.”

  As they neared the Necrosium, the mouth-entryway burst open and a inferno of black energy burst out to rush to Sevin, encircling him.

  “Serta, back, you’ll hurt Kaden.” Sevin flailed physical arms against the metaphysical energy, which collapsed into a figure. A form Kaden recognized. The body of the Broker Oberix, but with eyes like the depths of death itself.

  “[Beast Master]. My brother has spoken of what you endured, and Mortis himself denies them entry at our leader’s deamnd. The Undead may not cross into the domain of a god. But this, I approve of.” Serta reached up to caress Skully’s chin. “Remember our time together, monster. And bring the peace of Mortis upon those who wrong you.”

  I like her. I want to speak to her. Take my vicar out of Inventory and hand it to her. Nurav was extremely demanding.

  Kaden offered her the red statue. “Blood healing goddess wants a word.”

  “No.” Serta said. “No to the word. No to any offer. I belong to Mortis himself, and at his call, will surrender myself. But no other. You seek a demon to deal with, and need not enter the market for Xik’limee’deus’s attentions.”

  “Yeah, I mean to deal with Limey.” Kaden hated saying it. Moral purity was an icing he didn’t need when the cake underneath was shit.

  “Then go,” Serta said. “My brother and I will do what we can to improve Skully.”

  Kaden set out across Omnor, headed to the corner where the Demon Lord held sway. Any other time he would have calculated the most efficient path, or savored the chance to buy the very oddest equipment he could for the sole purpose of upseting Eve. Now, he met the guards with a glare and the absolute minimum purchase, until at last, he reached the edges of Limey’s block.

  Demon Sight highlighted all the demons as least level fifty, bright, shining red and purple, and the two Demon’s Daughters in spikey armor stood, flanking their master, who towered over the tents and buildings. “The noon hour arrives and with it, new delicacies and delights. Whether you come with ill will or adoration, in peace or with violence, your desires can be fulfilled. My daughters will see you each in turn. You’ll have to wait.”

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  The crowd rumbled with disappointment, and the Demon Lord lifted scaley claws high. “I hear you. I feel your desires. Why wait? There are deals to be made!”

  Each daughter split into eight, to the delight—and cheers—of the crowds, who pushed in as though they weren’t dealing inhuman evil that would kill them as much as look at them. Kaden held back momentarily, then reasoned he was safest in the crowd, one among the many. He started pushing right, then let the crowd move him left, past the Demon Lord’s massive foot, and further, further to the side like he might be lost.

  Not that the daughters let anyone away. If one turned, hesitant, a clawed hand on their shoulder and a cunning smile lured them back. There were more daughters here than had been to start, and more by the second. He kept his gaze downward until the one before him spoke. “All the Hells offer can be yours. Speak your desire and let us fulfill it.”

  “Mevidon, no.” The words contained a command that froze the demon in place. A heavy, clawed hand moved her aside as Limey crouched. “You, I remember. You bound a demon to your will. I can’t leave you with my daughters, you’d have them dancing your tune in seconds. Or does it work against higher level demons?”

  “It didn’t work aganst Asmodeus,” Kaden said.

  Limey roared with laughter. “That’s where I knew you. Kaden Birch. You are so very, very hated by Asmodeus. Not that the Abyss Lord I belong to cares what he thinks.”

  Demons were hardly loyal, and they regarded testing strength as one’s duty rather than insubordination, the willingness to suffer a mark of respect, not shame. “Can’t be the Fifth Abyss Lord, because he’s dead. And I’m the one who captured his name, I swear before the System.” Kaden was walking a dangerous line.

  Oath heard and verified, Kaden Birch sold the name of the Fifth Abyss Lord.

  The Demon Lord stood very still, no emotion on his reptilian face. “And yet you come to me. What calamity could be so serious that you, slayer of daughters, defier of Lords and betrayer of the Abyss, would come looking to make a deal?”

  “I’m after a Forgotten place.” Kaden wished he’d taken a skill for lying. “I discovered one, one I thought might be the key to what I’m looking for. And it’s moved. I’ve been told that Demons know where all the Forgotten Places are.”

  “He lies,” said the daughter in front of Kaden.

  “No, he tells the truth,” said another. “It is like the question, how long is what’s in your pants? They all lie, a flesh-lie. His desire was truth.”

  Limey’s foot-long claw tickled the chin of the Daughter before Kaden. “Desires are what matter. For one man’s desire, he would burn the earth. For another, he would kill his own mother. What will you give me?”

  “I have a couple of things you’re probably interested in.” Kaden drew Desmona’s core, along with the sniffer core. “Do you know who this is? Or what that is?”

  “Do I look like I lack Daughters?” Limey asked. “You bring ice to the northerner. You sell sand to the Shahad. Or verdant vipers to the [Beast Master]. And that is a lesser demon core, barely more powerful than a [Graht].”

  Kaden put them away. “What do you want? No. What do you ‘desire?’’

  The Demon Lord’s gaze went blank, his claws relaxed, and a face that was not meant to smile did so as it wandered through its own desires. “I want to see you broken. I desire to see you give everything you own and have it not be enough. I want to watch you offer me your soul and wail as I refuse. In a moment, I’m going to give you the chance to leave—your only chance. And you will, knowing full well you failed. Let that failure burn in the trash fire that is your soul.” Limey stood tall, a level one hundred Demon Lord. “Get out of my territory, [Beast Master] or I’ll set my daughters on you. In fact, the next time you set foot across that line, I will order Mevidon to hunt you to the ends of the earth.”

  Kaden knew a death sentence when he heard one. He ran, sprinting away from Limey, headed toward the Necrosium. With every footfall, he curse the demon. Swore would have revenge that couldn’t possibly happen and wracked his brain for a solution.

  There was still hope.

  Kaden switched paths, headed out of Omnor and to the FarPortal. When he reached it, he didn’t bother messaging a portal mage. Instead, he tossed a scroll into the portal and watched it become a fountain that overflowed the pedestal. Every light, everywhere.

  He stepped through, emerging to the brilliant blue skies of Vichor, with the [Falcrow] already at his side. “Get Najur. Tell him Ashi’s in trouble. Get her mother. Tell them I don’t care where they meet, I need help.”

  ###

  The stone beneath Kaden screamed under the weight of such mana, and the skys above were gray and stormy, with lightning arcing between the clouds as hail fell, pelting the streets of Vichor. The solar hatchling soaked in Vichor’s rich mana, glowing golden as it hid in Kaden’s shadow. Kaden had kneeled more because he respected Najur than out of requirement.

  “Rise, friend.” Najur spoke, his voice heavy. “What has befallen Asha?”

  Kaden quickly explained how she’d been betrayed, and the logs. He left out how Nurav had helped him survive, instead offering his nine levels in [Resist Suffocation.] “I’m about to go take on a god. I’ve got it on good faith that I can’t bring a party in here or I’d ask for a full team of battle mages.”

  “I have asked Librarians to determine what we know of this Ghastos. It does not surprise me that Asha turned on him or that her power made a forgotten god desperate. If I am Shada Rahm, she is Opton Rahm, indeed.” Najur didn’t look like his father, no, his face was softer, kinder, but the kingdom of Vichor reflected the storm in his heart.

  “Asha Vanter Opton Rahm. She comes with the power of Rahm himself?” Kaden translated.

  Najur nodded. “As I come with his mercy. Was he truly so powerful, or merciful, or wise? It does not matter. It matters that we aspire to these things. Ah, help comes.”

  Help was not one of Vichor’s librarians, but the ancient man they called the [Mage Master], with sunken eyes and spotted skin and no hair, he hobbled. “Ghastos.” The way he spoke the name brought foreboding. “God of death, until better gods arose. Then he reinvented himself as a god of violence, of carnage, the god of battlefields. It was better that he be forgotten. But remember this: His nature is violence. His domain is carnage, every battlefield ever is a testament to him. And before all of that, he was a god of death.”

  Part of that Kaden understood. “What does that mean? I get that it will be a difficult battle, a deadly place.”

  “Death is patient. Death is calm. Death plans the last day of your life when the first day dawns. No matter what you do, he has a plan for it. Whatever you choose, a counter. With every step you take in his domain, you dance a tune he played before your birth. Truly, I wish I had better news.” The old man glanced to Najur. “There are no spells I can advise. Anything powerful enough to kill him would be an act of violence so strong it would return him in force.”

  “This is valuable knowledge,” Najur said. “And yet, I choose hope.”

  The second person who had said this.

  “Bring me [Fate Breaker],” Kaden said. “I need every advantage, every tool, every trick. I’d use a Tier Up scroll and let my nemesis be damned if I didn’t think it will empower Ghastos.” Kaden wracked his brain. “How do I kill a god?”

  “You do not.” The words made reality bleed.

  Also, Kaden’s nose, but colors sang tunes and space warped as Ashi’s mother manifested beside him. “Do not think to fight a god, yet. This is not that battle, so do not make it so.”

  Kaden forced himself to face her, forced his eyes to open. If he couldn’t look a near-ascended being in the eye, how could he take down a forgotten god? “Then what is the battle?”

  Everything flickered, and the world drew in on itself.

  The endless entity that had been Ashi’s mother now looked like Ashi herself. The streets of Vichor were gone, the sky gone, pitch black remained as not-Ashi spoke. “A forgotten God is forgotten because all its priests or priestesses are dead. But there have been many, many versions of the System. More than the wise can count, more than the ancient can remember.”

  A portion of the System still around. Not functional. “What was different about his version?”

  “You know only of cults. But once, the dedicated could bind their destiny to their gods and become more than just men. They were gifted forms to serve their god and homes to bask in his glory for eternity.”

  “Ghastos has no priest, so he’s forgotten. But he had servants, so he still can act?” Kaden asked. A solar dragon (probably his), shook frills and hissed until the sun burst into existence behind Ashi.

  “I dare not read the future. To look upon it with will like mine is to change it, and the future is a fragile thing. His servants will have prepared an act of glory to empower Ghastos. You must not let this come to pass.”

  A forgotten god’s servants.

  Probably more his speed than the god himself. “I won’t stop. I won’t hold back. And I will either get them all back or die trying. Can you at least tell me if I succeed?”

  “I know Asha’s fate. I know even you cannot change it, though you would spill a river of blood to do so. If I am sad, it is for what she must go through. If I fear, it is because not even I know what lies beyond. Hold on to this: we are remembered for the battles we faced, not if we lost or won.” Ashi—not-Ashi—reached out and grasped his hand. “You failed to convince the Demon Lord.”

  He nodded. “I was hoping you had a spell that would show me where Ghastos’s temple is.”

  “Do not despair. You have what you need, though the Demon Lord did not give it to you. Now, return. And go as the wrath of Rahm himself.” The voice echoed around him.

  “Hey, get off the FarPortal,” someone shouted.

  Kaden stumbled forward as it activated behind him. In his hand, he held [Fate Breaker]. And despite what she’d said, Kaden felt sure there was an answer. He’d learned from the past that the truth was always present in the answers she gave, just not in the way Kaden expected. He had what he needed. Maybe he had what he needed, but it would require help. And then, Kaden would purpously enrage a Demon Lord.