Achievement Unlocked! The Dimensional Kid – You’ve used a dimensional portal to travel for the first time.

  Reward: 1 Dimensional shard.

  The Astral Hall was a small, richly furnished room. The walls, floor and ceiling were made from smooth white stone. Tapestries hung from the walls, patterned with colorful abstract designs. Brackets held lit torches that provided a flickering light.

  A half-dozen small tables and couches were scattered around the room. They were of all different types, from crude wooden tables with stools to one that looked like it had a solid gold frame with a clear diamond top. Some had lit candelabras, and others had small statues or other kinds of artwork in the center.

  The seats faced a raised pedestal that filled most of the room. A throne sat upon the pedestal. It was hard to make out the details, because the air around the throne shimmered like a curtain of mist.

  Devin looked around for Milo, but there was no sign of him. He set Casey down on a coach and plopped down next to her. He felt her wrist and found a faint pulse.

  A loud knock reverberated through the room. Devin tensed and looked around.

  Something stirred in the shadows.

  “Who’s there?” he said.

  “Hello, Devin. My name is Rainford. May I come in?”

  The voice came from everywhere.

  Devin jumped to his feet as something emerged from the darkness, tail swishing. It was a large Russian blue. It meowed and did a figure-8 around his legs.

  “Milo?” Devin said.

  The cat darted over to the wall and scratched at it. Devin followed. The only difference in this part of the wall was a peephole at eye height and a doorknob.

  Devin looked through the peephole. His visitor’s skin was dark, and his eyes were deep brown with flecks of color and so deep Devin couldn’t bring himself to meet them. His hair was in a close buzz-cut. His robes were deep purple.

  Two tiny gems rotated around the man’s head like planets orbiting a sun. Devin couldn’t see anything holding them up. The orange one flew clockwise, and the green one counterclockwise. They passed through each other every few seconds without visible effect.

  Devin looked down at the cat. “If you’re Milo, say something. I’m not going to open the door to somebody I don’t know if …”

  Milo invited Devin to a Private Chat.

  Devin accepted.

  Milo – Of course it’s me. Who else would it be? I told you this was our Astral Hall.

  Devin – Why are you a housecat?

  Milo – This is my inside form.

  Devin – Is that really Rainford?

  Milo – Would I be scratching for you to let him in if he wasn’t who he said he was?

  Devin shrugged then turned the doorknob. Nothing happened. He tugged, but it didn’t open.

  “Thank you,” Rainford said from behind him. Devin whirled around. Rainford was standing next to Casey, looking down at her.

  “What are you doing?” Devin said.

  Rainford touched Casey’s forehead. She groaned and opened her eyes. As soon as she saw her god, she was on her feet. Devin expected her to kneel or something. He hadn’t expected her to throw herself into Rainford’s arms and hug him like a long-lost relative.

  “Father,” she said.

  From this angle, Devin noticed that the god’s ears were pointed. “You’re an elf!”

  “Not all elves have tapered ears, and not everyone with tapered ears is an elf,” Rainford said.

  “Oh, you’re one of those people who repeats a phrase backwards and thinks it makes them sound wise,” Devin said. It came out before he had a chance to think about it.

  “Devin!” Casey hissed.

  Rainford looked at him and Devin froze. He could feel the god’s eyes staring into his soul.

  Rainford laughed. “You’ll do,” he said.

  A few minutes later, they were seated around one of the tables. Milo sat on Rainford’s lap, purring like a motor. The god’s robes were already covered in cat hair, but he stroked Milo despite the cloud of fur.

  Devin cleared his throat. “Look, Mr. Rainford, sir, I don’t want to be disrespectful, but ...”

  “You’re wondering why I’m in your Astral Hall,” Rainford said.

  “Well, yes. I appreciate you healing Casey, but it feels like a god would have easier ways to do that than showing up himself.”

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “You’re right,” Rainford said. “I came here for a few reasons. For one, I owe you for helping my daughter.”

  “Daughter?” Devin said. “Like, literal daughter?”

  “A figure of speech,” Rainford said. “There are limits on what I can do to aid mortals who aren’t part of my church, but you freed one of my daughters from slavery. That gives me some latitude to help you.”

  “As long as this isn’t some plan to get me to worship you, that’s fine,” Devin said.

  He glanced at Casey. She didn’t seem upset by the question. From what he could tell, she seemed as interested as he was in the answer.

  “No worship,” Rainford said. “Though I’d appreciate it if you kept Casey safe.”

  Devin hesitated. He had no intention of leaving Casey’s side, but he wasn’t crazy about letting a god get it’s hooks into him. Not even one as pleasant as Rainford.

  “I’ll do my best,” he said. “No guarantees.”

  Rainford beamed. “Good! That’s settled, then.” His expression grew serious. “Milo tells me that you recently had an issue with an Achievement reward. Can I help you with that?”

  The wording felt formal and significant. Devin caught a flicker in the corner of his eye and turned his head. A figure now sat on the throne. The force field or whatever it was obscured the details, but it was human in shape.

  “Who is that?” Devin said.

  “No one you need to worry about,” Rainford said.

  Devin frowned and looked at Casey again. She nodded, but it wasn’t as reassuring as he wanted it to be.

  “I’d appreciate any help you can give me with that Achievement,” Devin said. He tried to sound as formal as he could.

  Rainford nodded. “I’ve interceded on your behalf. You’ll receive the appropriate reward plus an additional one for your inconvenience.”

  Devin blinked. “Oh. Thank you.”

  “My pleasure,” Rainford said. “It might also make you feel better to know that the people watching you at the farm were the Winsley’s neighbors, as you suspected. As we speak, they’re recovering the boy and the potion you left. He’ll survive until they can give him the potion.”

  Relief washed over Devin. Lee had saved him, and he’d returned the favor by leaving him half-dead on the ground.

  “Word has already spread about your exploits in Horgoff, and I’m sure Lee’s rescue will add to your legend,” Rainford said. “My brother Wermer won’t be happy. Nor will his lackey, Felle.”

  “That asshole is your brother?” Devin said.

  Rainford’s lip twitched up in a manner that reminded him of Casey. “In a manner of speaking,” he said. “I’m sure you have a lot of questions. Unfortunately, I can’t answer any of them.”

  Devin sighed. “I’m shocked. Shocked, I tell you.”

  “I’m sure. Now, to the most important reason I’m here.”

  He turned to Casey, who straightened in her chair.

  “You’ve served me for more years than you can remember, my child,” Rainford said. “You are the eldest of my living children. Did you know that?”

  “No,” Casey said in a low voice. “I know I’ve been in your service, but … there’s so much I don’t remember.”

  “Yes,” Rainford said. “I’ve hidden many of your memories.”

  “Why would you do that to her?” Devin said.

  Rainford’s gaze swung back to him. He didn’t look quite as pleasant as he had a minute ago.

  “I’m serious,” Devin said. “Is that how you reward your followers? God or not, you can’t meddle with people’s memories.”

  “Devin!” Casey said.

  “It’s all right,” Rainford said. “It wasn’t my idea to remove Casey’s memories. It was hers.”

  Devin’s eyes widened and he looked at Casey. She seemed as surprised as him.

  “Why?” she said.

  “I can’t tell you that,” Rainford said.

  Devin growled. “What a surprise! More secrets.”

  “Devin,” Casey said.

  “Sorry,” he said. “I’ll sit here and mind my business.”

  “I think that would be best,” Casey said. She turned back to Rainford. “Is there anything you can tell me, my Lord?”

  “Only that there’s a plan, and you were involved in its creation,” Rainford said.

  Casey looked away. For a long moment, no one spoke. Then she nodded.

  “I understand, Lord. I know what I have to do.”

  Milo – You’re about to see something not very many people get to see, so pay attention.

  Devin – Something bigger than having a conversation with a god?

  Milo – Yes. You get to watch a deity directly level up one of their followers.

  Casey knelt before Rainford. “I’m ready, Lord.”

  Rainford nodded. He spoke in a loud voice.

  “Casey Bailey, do you hereby repudiate your vows to the Order of the Caduceus?”

  “I do.”

  “And you understand the consequences of this action?”

  “I do.”

  “Very well. I release you from your vows to the Order. As your penance, you will take your oaths directly to me, rather than the Order.”

  “I obey, my Lord.”

  “Then you will remain under my direct guidance, answering only to me, until you achieve Gold level or until I personally release you from your vows. Do you accept these terms?”

  “I do, my Lord.”

  “And will you agree to serve me and follow my tenants to the best of your understanding until death, release, or your elevation to Gold?”

  Casey bowed her head. “I will, my Lord.”

  Rainford held up his hand and a white orb formed in the air in front of him. Rainford took the orb in one hand and touched Casey’s cheek with the other. A warm white glow emanated from the orb and began to fill the room. The orb shrank as the light grew brighter. Devin closed his eyes against the glare, and alerts scrolled across his vision.

  “Then I return your sight and your voice to you, my daughter,” Rainford said. “My Chosen.”

  Casey advances to Silver level!

  Casey’s class has been upgraded from ‘Healer’ (Uncommon) to ‘Chosen of Rainford’ (Unique).

  Achievement Unlocked! Hard Mode – Casey advanced all the way through Copper level without using a Silver Keystone to skip ahead. That’s dedication!

  Reward: Casey gained the Boost ‘Hard Mode.’ Provides a permanent +5 bonus to all Primary Attributes and a permanent +3 bonus to all Secondary Attributes. These bonuses will increase with every enhancement level.

  Achievement Unlocked! Crystal Prodigy – Devin, you took over a crystal network and created an Astral Hall while still at Silver level. Impressive.

  Reward: 10 Dimensional shards.

  Achievement Unlocked! What If God Was One Of Us – You met a deity.

  Reward: You receive 10 Life shards and 10 Matter shards.

  Reward: +5 to Social and +5 to Concentration. The whole party has earned this reward!

  Achievement Unlocked! A Jumped-Up Little Silver Who Went Over My Head – You sure showed me. Getting a god to intercede on your behalf and overrule me after you cheated. I hope you enjoy this reward, because I’m sending four dragons to pull you apart slowly.

  Just kidding! I did a full investigation of your impossible rolls, and it turns out they’re not impossible. I had to squint and use some numbers so high you’ve never heard of them, but the math works. We’re cool. You don’t have to worry about me nursing this grievance until I have a chance to get my revenge. I don’t even mind having to give you a bunch of extra stuff because a god is twisting my arm. All is forgotten!

  Reward: Boost ‘Enhancement Hacker’ – Individuals you enhance will be much more likely to receive ‘Rare’ and higher Boosts upon enhancement and will always receive at least one Exceptional or higher Boost. It’s like your cheating is a contagious disease.

  Congratulations! This is a Unique Boost.

  Reward: 50 Life Shards and 50 Matter Shards.

  Reward: Empyrean Black Tea

  Casey’s Boost ‘Vaccinated’ (Copper) has been upgraded to ‘Double Vaxxed’ (Silver). The healer and all party members within 20 meters have a moderately increased chance of resisting diseases.

  Casey’s Boost ‘Healthy’ (Copper) had been upgraded to Boost ‘Healthy as a Horse’ (Silver). The healer and all party members within 20 meters receive a +3 bonus to Endurance and a moderate healing-over-time effect.

  Devin’s mind whirled as he tried to come to terms with all the new information, especially the fact that he now had two Unique Boosts and his friend was now a ‘Chosen’ of a god, whatever that meant. He didn’t have time to process it before Rainford’s voice reverberated around them.

  “I’m sorry to toss you into the deep end like this,” Rainford said. “It’s the only way to pull this off. Good luck.”