A few days passed since the discovery of the underground laboratory, and Kashi had all but confined himself, eager to learn as many of its mysteries as possible, nor was he interested in the stash of gold and treasure Miote had discovered in another room. No, it appeared the delf had been sucked into one of those moods which haunt craftsmen of every ilk, and until he satisfied his yearnings, nothing would tear him from his work. Luckily, though consumed by his work, he still had enough of his own mind to issue out requests, some of which were very strange.

Miote, upon the delf's request traveled to Meilfour to meet - and if they did not have one, set up - its trading council. The Chesch did as asked, pleased with the change of pace. He obtained from each of them a list of materials they needed for their respective trades as the church had taken anything that might have furthered the arts, and the monsters that roamed the land were too powerful for men who had not fought a real battle in quite some time.

Miote promised the assistance of the Hopeful Maggots in obtaining these items, but in return volunteers from the town must come forward everyday to join in the hunt. They readily agreed, as they had many young men and women eager to brave the wilds, and it seemed most had been trained directly or indirectly by the good old bartender.

As per Kashi's request (and much to the merchant's chagrin), he also provided them with capital procured from the now christened 'Deserun' meaning 'Rune of the desert' (Kashi named it himself, a fact Miote made sure to point out whenever someone asked after the peculiar name.) Being the merchant he was, he negotiated a deal for the capital. Hopeful Maggots owned 15% of the shops, no-one else could buy into their enterprises without the guild's knowledge, and most importantly, no-one apart from the owners themselves would ever hold a larger share of their enterprises.

The council also agreed eagerly. They could not fathom a situation where any other person would want into their enterprises anyhow. However, credit must not be taken from the golden merchant. Not all were so easily fooled. Some in the council were incredibly long-sighted and challenged the chesch's proposal. But Miote, well versed in the art of negotiations, blessed with a silver tongue reminiscent of the dwarves, and possessing high charisma and charm was able to win even the most bull-headed of them all.

Miote was also charged with negotiating a deal in which the merchants would help mass-produce then sell some of the merchandise the delf would provide in the coming weeks. This was where Miote realized a dreadful fact. Kashi, wise as he was, and always viewing a larger picture than the rest, was quite simply... a terrible merchant. Why, he had the audacity to ask for a 70-30 split... in favor of the merchants!

The delf failed to realize how much of a dangerous precedent that was.

The golden Chesch almost asked for an 80-20 split in the guild's favor, but then understood that the delf was trying to earn goodwill and not money per say from these people. But, before all he was a merchant, and profit always comes first to a merchant. So, he switched to a 60-40 split in favor of the guild, and they were accountable for their own materials (meaning any the guild brought, would be bought as per the market price - with a partnership discount of course). This way, he gained the goodwill of the merchants of Meilfour, but maintained the guild's economic superiority.

The Chesch could but laugh at his own vehemence. This was supposed to be a spy job, but he was thoroughly enjoying himself parading as a merchant. Well, it wasn't like Kashi was really doing anything of real interest for now and as long as he was here, Suzuki, the other assignment and the most difficult one, wasn't.

Sometimes Kira would accompany him, somewhat intrigued by the Chesch's skill (though admittedly very few times), while majority of her time was spent with the hunting party, tasked with a mission that seemed quite deplorable at the time.

Kashi had asked them to not only procure the ingredients from Miote's list, but also to hunt down the local wildlife to the brink of extinction, bringing back as many alive as possible. For this, he gave them poison he brewed which would knock out the beasts once they were within 10% of their maximum HP, and keep them sleeping for weeks.

And if for any reason, they ran out of poisons before they could renew their supplies (the delf was so distracted he forgot to brew a new batch), they did not have to worry as Lunette, augmented by Suvron's mark could produce the same effect with her voice or flute even at 35% HP. This was because Suvron, a goddess of beauty and music was far more compatible with her than with the warring dark elf.

As part of their pact, Lunette received some new abilities, but her favorite was /One/ written in English. This was a double-layered skill. It's first boon was to give her the knowledge and ability to play any instrument she touched, but Lunette could already play every instrument currently known to man, so that didn't change much. The second allowed her highest proficiency to be applied to whatever instrument she used.

Now, that was the killer part. Even if she could sing perfectly and play perfectly, this was still a game, and games had stats. No matter how rich and enrapturing her voice, someone who relied on the system, leveling up his/her voice or instrumental skill to learn, would be preferred in a functioning party.

Because while her voice was perfect for a show or an audience of sort, in the field, stats from enhanced skills ruled the day. Monsters after all don't really care for music.

Hence, the fact that any instrument she touched automatically gained an equal level to her highest proficiency, which happened to be singing, was a real steal. She'd begun using the flute and lute she never used from then on, as they just fit the battle atmosphere more than her voice. The triplets also taught her the bard exclusive skill /Room/, but that will be explored later.

Thanks to her various skills, she was respected by all in the party as a highly valued and much needed member even if she was not gouging out eyes with the rest of them.

Returning to the task they were charged with, it mattered not if the party killed or tranquilized the beasts, they obtained EXP either way because the game recorded wins and not kills. This was why a duel between two players would give EXP even if neither player was killed, as long as one admitted defeated.

The difference with monsters was that after tranquilization and transportation from its zone, the system or no, should we call it the spirits recorded it as a death, a loss of life, and strove to restore the balance. To do this, they hastened the breeding process between the survivors, and babies that would usually take four to five days to reach adulthood (Kira an exception because of her divine status) would only take a day or two.

This was the 'Respawn' nature of Live No Evil, the designers intent on keeping things as natural as possible - well, as far as nature and gaming could mesh at least. 9 months pregnancies and years of maturation just did not cut it in a world where thousands of players were hacking down beasts left and right daily. An RPG without monsters to kill? Laughable.

The Respawn spirits acted in tandem with Mera, goddess of the earth to keep life at an equilibrium. So, in a land like Merriheim where monsters were rarely hunted, the Respawn rate had dropped to almost natural level with full 6 month pregnancies and weeks to months of maturation.

Kashi however, knew that would not do at all. If all went to plan and Meilfour became the powerhouse he hoped it to be, then there would as well be a rapid influx of players uncaring of the fragile ecosystem. They would hunt these high level creatures to the last of them, and the way this world worked, if there were no mammy and pappy to birth babies, then suck it, no monsters would appear anymore. Hence, Extinction!

The hunting party, which Syel had also joined began to see this for themselves when the monsters began to multiply faster than they could kill them. It was at this point that Kashi allowed them to rest, saying there was no longer any need to hunt the beasts so wildly. Now, they could hunt for fun, or for materials as they desired.

One day after a difficult hunt, the party huddled around brilliant fires in the last whispers of evening, the weather having begun its warning of the winter that was but a few months away. Kira, having struck an unlikely bond with the assassin, lay by his side while the party of close to fifty chatted amicably about their loot and fights.

"When was the last time you saw him?" Shadow asked, softly strumming a guitar the delf had repaired. A ways off, the triplets matched his solemn rhythm, filling the camp with a peaceful tranquility alien to these times.

"I don't remember," Lunette replied. "Don't think I've seen him since -"

"Since he stole your first kiss and disappeared?" Shadow teased.

"No," she replied deadpan. "That wasn't a kiss. It barely even counts as CPR don't you think?"

Shadow searched his sister's features. As he thought, not even a hint of an embarrassed blush. "SIGH (he actually said SIGH). This sister of mine, beautiful but not cute at all. Your brother is worried for you, you know?"

"Ho, ho," Lunette mock-laughed, eyes scarier than the Bakut they just fought. "Someone's all big and strong now, eh Assassin-kun?" Her voice was so sweet, yet carried a menacing threat underneath, and her thin smile drew shivers up the poor boy's spine.

His hands screeched the guitar strings as he raced them in surrender. "Eh, C'mon sis, you can take a joke right? Joke, Joke"

"Of course," she happily replied. "This Onee-san can take a joke well. She just thinks it's been a while since she showed her brother some love, wouldn't you agree!" With that she pounced on him faster than Belrug and wrestled him to the ground where she proceeded to torture him. "Ara ara, what happened? Weren't you all worried about your sister? Keep talking and I'll show you something to really be worried ab-"

"Eh, Lunette-san?" one of the volunteers called.

She released her victim who was sprawled in pained laughter. "Yes?" she replied warmly.

"We were wondering if you would sing for us. Like, not the type on the battlefield, a real heartfelt song," he realized with horror what he had just said. "N-n-not to say those are not heartfelt. We just um-"

"Do not fret," she appeased, holding his hand. "I fully understand what you mean."

Elated, the volunteer called the rest of the hunting party to gather around for the show. Once all were present and sited comfortably, beneath the silent moon, warmed by the light of a warm flame, a solitary song blessed the badlands of Merriheim, all who heard, instantly spelled by its haunting beauty. The songstress sang of heroes past and present, of their sad valor, and the humanity they were forced to give up for the sake of those they wished to protect.

All of nature played a backdrop to this song. The wind seemed to pick up and die down along with her pace, brushing the grass such that it produced sweet shimmers, enticing its listeners relax.

***

In this world of hate, in these times of discord,

When rage, our natures be,

Rise up men of great, the world your accord,

And slay, the monsters we,

Stand strong, Shield!

Oh Pierce through, o Sword!

Let my brave warriors be

Stain their hearts,

With darkness blood,

But bring them back to me.

For in this world of shame, in this - broken world

My home, my heart, they be...

The maiden's wretched song carried across the winds far and wide, over rivers of blood and bone to a broken king in fitful sleep, every whip of his magnificent tail a crater in its wake. As the maiden's song reached his ears the thrashing ceased, his heaving dropping to a soft mellow as he dreamt of a time far gone - an age he would never reclaim.

In his dream, he saw her, proud, strong, defiant as she approached reins in hand. Purple hair and eyes danced under the watchful moon as she raced towards him, only to suffer yet another defeat.

"Why do you suffer yourself these defeats?" he asked, amused, as he had lost count of how many times they had experienced this never-ending waltz.

"Hmph!" She declared as she rose to her feet and dusted herself. "Tis only a matter of time! I was closer today, wasn't I?"

"Perhaps," he countered, "or perhaps I allowed it." He watched her turn beet red with embarrassed anger and couldn't help but chuckle to himself. In this mundane reality, she was his sole source of entertainment - human though she was.

But alas, such peaceful dreams were not to be, for nestled within the King's aching breast was a force of malice so thick, so repugnant, it allowed no space for such happiness. A loud roar tore between all the worlds as he was tormented with images of her death, a fate she had taken in his stead, of the death of his brethren at the hands of a man he had once called his Durkin*.

Poignant veins bulged across the proud beast's frame, cursing him with pain of a thousand blades, tormenting him with a thousand deaths. The beast forced itself rise, and strove to ascend the mountain it resided on. Each claw that stabbed the rock forced shocked pain no mortal and even the proudest of immortals could endure, but he persisted in his rise.

As it so happens, he was impossibly large, so with but a few strides he made it past the ashen clouds to the top of the mountain where a beautiful garden was nestled within a basin of rocks. He could scarce believe his eyes. Neither the Calamity nor the ravages of time had been able to spoil the beauty of this sacred ground.

The king's magnificent form dissipated and a man fell in his place into the waters of the garden. He arose moments later, his injuries healed, and bulging veins relaxed. As he'd hoped, the waters still retained their healing properties. Perhaps with this he could st-

GRAAAA!

His scream tore through the serene picture as he clutched as his chest, eyes wide with fear at the pulsating gem. Without regard for his own life, he attempted to pierce his own chest and tear it out, heart and all, but fate was not so kind. The gem, seemingly with a mind of its own strengthened the skin around itself and his claws could but bounce off with nary a scratch.

As if in retaliation, a black miasma shot out of his chest and engulfed the entire basin. There was a strained pause as if fate was deciding what to do next.

Panting heavily, the King realized what the miasma was. It could do a being like him no ill-effect, but, "Please stop!" he begged desperately. "I shall surrender my will and body if it is thy will!"

What a truly pathetic sight it was. To see a King so proud, so powerful, plead to a being not even living, a mere gem. There was something so harrowing about the sight that the winds stopped, and the moon hid its light behind the clouds. For nature itself had decided none was to hear, nor was any to witness the downfall of one so great both in spirit and measure.

"I can no longer hear the song." With those words, Skyrm made one final defiance of fate. With a roar so loud, so painfully wretched, he invoked /Martyr's Bridge/. Portals appeared around the continent as rifts between worlds were torn open. "My brothers and sisters!" he cried out in a foreign language. "The time has come to fulfill your oath! Restore Order, and save this Realm from Cha-"

"So predictable," a voice interrupted.

The miasma was sucked into a ball in the hands of a fox-man. His fur, white as snow possessed an ephemeral glow, holy, yet terrifying, his eyes resembled ice brands, as terrifying and cold. "Remember me, King of Dragons?" he asked, his reply a strained growl. "My bad, where are my manners?" He bowed ever so gracefully. "It is my honor to meet you again, Great One. Your servant Cathek maketh himself known once more."

"I could not forget you if I tried," Skyrm replied. "I would like to know how you are still alive, then rip out your beating heart, but alas, you have interrupted me at an inopportune time. So I suppose I would have to let you live."

"My, my, such mercy I cannot fathom," Cathek said. "In return I cannot let you pursue with your current line of action. What would this world be without a presence like yours?"

"Do not presume too much!" Skyrm bellowed. "Though weakened I can still easily slay one such as you."

"Of that I have no doubt," Cathek agreed. "However, do you believe you can slay me before I destroy that maiden that sleeps eternally in those waters?"

Skyrm gave no indication of surprise, though he did ask, "How did you come to know of her?"

"I know everything that concerns our Lord."

Skyrm shook his head. "Still you serve him, even after a millennia. He will never answer your cries. He is no god concerned with the affairs of mortals."

A sad smile crept up Cathek's face. "And yet thus we shall serve, for his glory, and power surpasses those lesser gods who claim to care for us, yet destroy and toy with our lives at their whim. A true god should be unreachable, unattainable, something we aspire to, but can never be. Do you not agree?"

"I serve no one," was the dragon's only reply.

"I suppose so. After all, in all the realms you are the only one our lord would consider a challenge."

Skyrm snorted. "Speak your mind prime. I grow weary of this."

"As I am sure you have," Cathek agreed as he looked to the silent spring. "After all, you had wasted enough time to transport her to the free realm." He paused. "However," he said as he snapped his fingers. A woman encased in ice appeared by his side. Dark purple hair covered a face so serene in sleep it drew even Cathek's eyes. "I must admit. She is beautiful."

"Get away fr-"

"Now great king, drown in despair and let Chaos rule you." With a snap of his fingers the woman melted from the inside out, till there was naught but blood encased in ice. Cathek let the ice explode, and the scent carried over to the King.

It was her. It was her. It was her. No mistake, no mistake, no - Urgh! Curse you! Damn you! Damn you all! She never deserved this. She did not!!!

The dragon lord struggled to control his rage, the despair, but his mind addled by grief, and weakened by a cursed millennium could not stop the corruption that spread from the gemstone.

The Lord of Dragons exploded in fury.

His visage, corrupted beyond recognition cursed Cathek, Razznik and all of creation to eternal damnation.

"Such as is decreed, Such shall it be," Cathek muttered as he looked to the heavens where runal markings corrupted, and distorted the portals.

The portals spread across the lands, appearing even in the most holy of places, and from them rushed out all of hell, mangled and disfigured, rage their blood and their reason. Twisted souls and Undead rose from the earth. Wyverns, drakes, Meytrites, several ancient beings were awoken from their slumber. The world trembled as colossal giants and monsters rose from beneath the earth and headed to the nearest villages, their aim its destruction.

But more than all this, what drew the world's attention and fear was the moon. For the ever watchful guardian had been eclipsed by a portal so large the entire continent bore witness to it.

Cathek bowed solemnly, eyes closed

All of creation fell into despair as a gloved hand protruded from the portal, followed by a mask white as snow, with a crack in its middle..............