The sun was rising in the realm, and the grass in the endless fields was covered in morning dew. It was a brisk morning. Levi was going through his morning routine, stretching and getting ready for a workout and a run, followed by meditation. Savine came and sat next to him and started stretching.

  "Joining me on this one?"

  Savine nodded.

  "Okay, let's go."

  Levi didn't cut any corners. They did the full workout followed by a five-kilometer run.

  "Dad, do you do this every day?" Savine said between breaths.

  "I've done this every day since I got my first skill. It's important to maintain a certain level of discipline and motivation. There were plenty of days I didn't want to drag myself out of bed to do this, but those are the days it matters most," Levi explained.

  "Can I join you every day?" Savine asked.

  "Absolutely. Let's sit and meditate, go through all your skills, and read what they do. Try to think about how they synergize with each other."

  "Okay!" Savine sat and spent time looking at her skills, and Levi did the same.

  **Name:** Levi Law

  **Age:** 33

  **Level:** 26

  **Rank:** Bronze

  **Class:** Stormforged

  **Race:** Human

  **Profession:** Innkeeper

  **Health:** 6,900/6,900

  **Mana:** 2,800/2,800

  **Stamina:** 5,520/5,520

  **Stats:**

  - Strength: 690

  - Vitality: 690

  - Perception: 430

  - Willpower: 560

  - Intelligence: 560

  **Race Skills:**

  [Cataclysm]

  1. Second Wind: When your HP falls below a certain threshold, you gain a temporary boost to your abilities.

  2. Damage Amplification: The more damage you take, the more damage you can deal.

  3. Enhanced Abilities: During the Second Wind state, your abilities are enhanced, allowing you to deal more damage and gain other benefits.

  [Humanity's Inspiration]

  +100 to all stats

  [Master Linguist]

  Understand and speak all intelligent languages and forms of communication.

  [Advanced Health Recovery]

  Recover from damage much faster; wounds heal easier and poisons are less effective.

  **Blessings:**

  [The God Titans Blessing]

  Plus 200 to all stats.

  Adds bonus damage to all lightning and Abyssal affinity attacks based on intelligence. Allows immunity to godly presences.

  **Skills:**

  - Magic Manipulation

  - Magic Infusion

  - Sunder

  **Spells:**

  - Abyssal Lightning

  - Abyssal Armor

  - Storm's Fury

  **Affinity:**

  - Lightning

  - Abyssal

  Levi looked at his profession title and sighed internally. "Not much of an innkeeper without an inn. I wonder if I should change professions...who knows if I'll ever run an inn again." The thought saddened Levi. Being an innkeeper really made him happy—the smell of beer and a good stew, the sound of a bard spinning tales and playing music. "Maybe one day..." he said.

  "Hey, Dad, I have a skill choice. I'm not sure what to pick. Any advice?"

  "That can be tough. I try to be a bit versatile while understanding I am not a mage and shouldn’t try to be one. Understand your path or at least a general direction. Remember, you determine your path. You've always been my little trickster."

  "Trickster...thanks, Dad. I think I made my choice," Savine said.

  "Great! Let's get some breakfast. There's going to be a meeting later this afternoon."

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

  "What about?"

  "I think it will be about the future, what we will be doing, how we'll achieve our goals, and who farted."

  "Who farted?" The moment she said it, Levi began wafting a stinky fart her way.

  "Oh, you! Son of a..."

  "Hey!" Levi cut her off.

  she punched him in the arm. Levi and Savine strolled into the suite. Armorica sat on the balcony.

  "I can't believe you farted on our daughter," Armorica scolded.

  "It was too easy!" Levi laughed.

  "Are you guys ready for this meeting?"

  "Boooo," they both said in unison.

  The rumor mill was turning. Even for the few people in the realm, there was a ton of speculation. Most believed it would be about them leaving.

  "You two go wash up and grab a bite to eat. We meet in the main hall at noon."

  "Yes, ma'am," they again said in unison.

  "Boooo!" Char said just after them, which made everyone laugh.

  The meeting was about to begin, and the people of Lockden were gathering outside. No one wanted to be the first to enter. Reginald walked up the stairs, waded through the people, threw the doors open, and strode into the hall, followed by everyone else. The Law's showed up late as usual.

  "Keenan! You owe me five gold pieces!"

  "Dang it!" Keenan said, handing Reginald his winnings.

  "Are you guys betting on how late we would be?" Armorica inquired with a glare.

  "Uh...um, y-yes, ma'am...sorry, ma'am..."

  "Keenan, come here...now." Armorica said. He rushed over, looking mighty embarrassed at this point.

  "You call me 'ma'am' ONE more time, I'll make sure your insides become outsides, mmkay?" Armorica whispered in Keenan's ear. Keenan straightened up, looked at Levi, nodded deeply, and ran back to Reginald, who was rolling on the ground at this point.

  "You should see your face!" Reginald blurted out, laughing.

  "Reginald, dear, do you wish to get another prosthetic limb?" Armorica said, shifting her gaze his way.

  "N-no...please don't kill me," Reginald begged.

  "Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!" Char chanted as she reached for him to pick her up. Reginald leaned down, snatched her up, and threw her high into the sky. She giggled and cheered.

  Ignis entered the hall from behind them.

  "Please, friends, take a seat. We have much to discuss."

  Reginald sat at the head of a long table, and Ignis at the other end.

  "Lord Ignis, we can't thank you enough. You've saved us from our death march. We understand that we cannot stay in this realm forever and hold no ill will towards you if it is our time to leave," Reginald said.

  "Mayor Reginald, Levi, and Armorica, you three have led these souls through a great ordeal and should be proud of what you've done. As Reginald says, this will be a discussion on your exodus. You cannot stay in this realm if we wish to achieve anything. What you all must understand is that I am banished here. You all may come and go as you please. The problem is the dimensional gateway is under the mountain. I would ask that you exit the realm and secure a new gateway to this realm, then set up a home base to operate out of for future missions," Ignis said.

  He summoned a meal and drinks for everyone.

  "How do we go about moving a dimensional gateway? None of us are exactly qualified for this task," Armorica said while trying to get Char to eat scrambled eggs. She hates scrambled eggs.

  "I have an item for that. It will absorb the gate, and you will be able to move it to a new location. But I warn you, once moved, it cannot be moved again for a thousand years," Ignis mentioned.

  "So we'll need to go out, get the gateway, fight through the mountain, find a way out, and then find a place to put this portal?" Levi said.

  "Yes, it won't be something that can be done alone. A team should be formed to handle this task."

  "What about the people unable to do this? What will happen with them?" Keenan chimed in.

  "I have been here for so long. I will not lie. My goal is to use you all to escape my banishment and bring the destruction of the world as you know it. The world as you know it is an awful place, built on betrayal, corruption, and hate. I want to end that and allow a new world to blossom from the ashes, one that will nurture innocents, love, and growth. As long as you stand with me, I promise protection, guidance, and peace. The people of Lockden are welcome to stay for as long as they would like," Ignis stood and said.

  "What about the people that don't agree with you or those that simply don't want to wage a war?" Keenan retorted.

  "Young Keenan, you're asking the right questions. You're wise for your age. I'll give passage to all that don't want to be involved. While I would suggest they stay until the gate is moved from under the mountain, they are more than welcome to leave, and I would wish them peace."

  The meeting carried on with people voicing issues and worries, and Ignis answering the questions.

  "Lord Ignis, after the immediate mission is completed and we have a base of operations, what comes after that?" Reginald asked.

  "We make our first move. You say Crainwall is tearing apart the border towns of Nefaria. We will protect those towns while also destroying any temples to the lesser gods that brought this world to its knees. Hopefully, we will gain some support and save some innocents."

  "What if those temples resist or the townspeople fight back and support those gods?" Reginald asked.

  "Reginald, we will wage war. Lives will be lost. I implore those involved to use diplomacy first, but when diplomacy fails, they must get the job done. I will never force anyone to kill someone. If you can't stomach it, there will always be a home here," Ignis responded.

  "Who will be part of the team?" Savine asked.

  "Reginald, Armorica, Keenan, and myself," Levi said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You and Emma have training to do, and someone needs to watch Char. Have you seen Iggy hold her? It's like she's venomous."

  Savine and Armorica started laughing, and Ignis glared at Levi.

  "Then let the meeting be adjourned. Some of you I wish to speak with in private. I will reach out shortly. Please enjoy the meal," Ignis said.

  Levi went to Keenan. "You're worried he's going to turn on us once he gets released from here?"

  "You're not?"

  "No. Before I got here, I was against working with a god or whatever was here, but after hearing his story and hearing the pain in his voice, you can trust he will do what he's said."

  "This is going to get crazy once Nefaria figures out what's going on."

  "I'll give them a chance to surrender," Levi chuckled.

  "Oh, you'll give one of the most powerful nations in our world a chance to surrender. That's very kind of you," Keenan mocked.

  "Sir Keenan, would you allow me a moment of your time?" Ignis, who had just appeared out of thin air, said.

  "Oh shit! You gotta stop that, man," Keenan said, spilling his drink on the floor.

  "This way." Ignis walked with Keenan until they got to a door. It was not the usual double door seen throughout Ignis's many halls but an intricate wooden door with a golden knob.

  "Keenan, you have a lot of potential as a fire mage. With guidance and experience, you could easily become the best. As a thank you, I give you access to the fire magic portion of my library. These are all copies of the originals, and you may take them if you have a spatial storage item or ability."

  "W-What!? I-I can't believe it, there's so many," Keenan stuttered.

  "I hope you will continue to aid the Law family and myself for a better future," Ignis said.

  "What's the catch? You handed out blessings, gear, protection, and now these books. There has to be a catch, Ignis," Keenan said as he walked among the books, his gaze shifting between titles.

  "Honesty has become more untrustworthy than betrayal. You are more confident that I will betray you than actually aid you. I want to change that across the world, but my word is all I can truly offer you, and at this rate, what more could you lose?" Ignis said, smoking his pipe.

  "You drive a hard bargain, Ignis, but I'm in until I'd like to see where this goes," Keenan shrugged.

  "The library is yours, Sir Keenan. Please make great use of it."

  Emma was making Char giggle by pinching her thighs when Keenan and Ignis returned. These meetings went on with all the members of Lockden. Emma received a pair of leather gloves that enhance barriers. Armorica received a staff that increases buffs and healing and has one revive spell charged on it, but will consume the staff in the process. Savine received a pair of leather boots that nullify sound, allow the wearer to walk on air while channeling mana into them, along with very good stat increases. Reginald received an ethereal knife that resonates with his arm and can be manipulated by it and even hidden in it. It also came with massive stat increases. This went on for the rest of the day—a bow that shot magic missiles was given out, a shield that reflects a portion of damage received, and a blacksmith's hammer was given to the blacksmith's apprentice Yorvin.

  "Along with the hammer, I give you full access to the forge. If you'd like, I can guide you in the art of making true masterpieces," Ignis bellowed.

  The young apprentice was flabbergasted, his mouth wide open in awe of the grand forge, the material on the shelves, and Ignis himself.

  "I accept your offer, Ignis, on one condition: teach me everything you know. I want to craft the best weapons and armor in this world," Yorvin said with sweat running down his face.

  "Ahahah, you are hungry! That's what I like. I will teach you the lost techniques of the titans! You could become the next forge god!" Ignis shouted while pulling the bellows to fan the forge flames for dramatic effect.

  Night fell onto the realm, and the next day was on everyone's mind. The team would gather and start their journey out of the mountain.

  "Everyone, come here!" Levi yelled.

  "What's up?"

  "What?" Levi wrapped them in a hug.

  "Your mother and I will return as fast as we can," Levi knelt down. "Keep an eye on the people here. Things have happened one after another. While we're gone, I have a feeling a lot of people will start grieving. Please help where you can, also keep your eye on Emma."

  "Emma?"

  "Savine...she's lost her family."

  Savine's eyes went wide. "But she said there's a chance they're still alive..."

  "Savine, I passed their house on my way out looking for them. It's gone. They were nowhere to be seen. There is a slim chance they made it out, but they weren't fighters."

  "Dad, we have to keep hope alive. Even if the chances are almost zero, they aren't zero."

  "You're right. I am sorry for having a bleak outlook, but be ready for many to be hurting during this downtime."

  "I will," Savine said.

  "You've made us proud. We won't be gone long. Take care of your sister," Levi said.

  "And eat your veggies!" Armorica chimed in.

  "Ugh."

  Everyone tried their best to rest, but the excitement of an adventure kept them awake most of the night. The endless grass sea swayed back and forth. It was early morning before the sun rose. The team was gathered with their packs and gear, surrounded by loved ones to send them off.

  "This is the item that will absorb the gate. Channel mana into it to awaken it," Ignis said, handing it to Armorica.

  It was a swirling dark blue and yellow glass like orb that felt almost weightless, Armorica placed it in her pack.

  "Thank you, Iggy," she said with a smile. He nodded.

  One last Law family hug, and Ignis opened the gate. One by one, they went through it, Levi being last. He shouted, "Oh! Ignis, Savine loves steamed vegetables!!" Then stepped through the gate.