—— ? ——

  Sunlight rose, the sun peeking over the mountains, illuminating the valley.

  Simon had moved his bedroll further out onto the ledge. The sky was clear, and the wind had died. He sat, waiting for the day's events to begin.

  About an hour ago, a group of figures had left Varnholt and were now working between the inner and outer walls.

  Using the eyeglass that Brian had given him, he watched from his mountain perch.

  He saw a funeral pyre made of ice, where the body of Kaelalin had been set.

  A group of Frost-kin circled it using long staves to trace complicated lines in the snow.

  Simon didn't recognize any of them. They looked older than the ones he had encountered in town, or any of the guards.

  Well, that wasn’t entirely true. There was one Frost-kin he recognized.

  King Cranky? Crankass?

  Simon frowned, then his face lit up.

  “Oh right!” Simon snapped his fingers. “King Kranofis”

  The man looked solemn. He stood at the edge of the ever growing lines in the snow. His arms were outstretched, palms facing the snow.

  Something shimmered and fell from them, reflecting in the early light.

  It looked almost like… droplets?

  Simon frowned. They looked magical, but he recognized the hue that was now stained the snow beneath the man.

  *Oh.” Simon said, in sudden realization. “It's blood. Frost-kin blood.*

  The King’s blood dripped from him, the flow steady. It slowly filled a gouge in below him, the color contrasted vividly against the pure white.

  After a few more moments, the dark liquid started to move. As if a syringe slowly expanded on the other side of the circle. The blood was pulled along down the lines, moving at a sluggish pace.

  “... Is he going to fill the entire circle?” Simon mused, moving his spyglass to take in the complex lines. “That’s… a lot of blood. Even for me, that’s kind of gross. Didn’t know this was some witchy blood magic ritual.”

  The memory of the guards bowing to him crossed his mind.

  The guard’s actions before that had left a sour taste in his mouth. Simon wasn’t sure how he felt about them.

  He sighed.

  They were still dicks.

  But that turnaround of attitude had helped.

  Slightly.

  Whatever.

  Simon’s emotions were a jumble as he watched the ritualists continue their work. Watching them form the slab of ice, then place her body on it had caused sadness to well up inside him.

  At the same time… he was almost kind of happy?

  Kaelalin wasn’t going to just rot away, or be buried in some grave.

  From how the ritual had been described , it seemed like she would become an unmelting statue of ice.

  Once complete, she would keep vigil over the town where she once lived.

  This world sucked.

  It was violent, uncaring, and everything had changed so quickly. The whole situation wasn’t fair. It wasn’t right.

  But that was the world now. It was a world he would have to learn to live in.

  He shook his head, banishing his dark thoughts. Kaelalin would have kicked his ass, or hit him with a snowy projectile if she could see his face right now. One of the two.

  He blinked, pulling the spyglass away from his face.

  Stupid weather.

  Stupid wind stinging his eyes, causing tears to appear in his eyes.

  The silence around him felt like a freight train.

  Simon forced his emotions down. That therapist of his would have chastised him and told him it was unhealthy to bottle everything up.

  He could deal with them later. Right now, he didn’t want to miss anything.

  Not to mention, he was… tired.

  So tired.

  He hadn’t really slept during the night, despite his exhaustion. He had passed out for a few minutes, but then woken with a start.

  Everything about Simon ached right now.

  His body.

  His mind.

  Hell, even his soul still felt a bit hollow. Who knew it was possible to feel your ‘soul’?

  “New world. New rules.” Simon muttered, wiping his face with a sleeve. “It would be nice if some of them worked in my favor.”

  Last night he had decided what he was going to do. Simon glanced up the mountainside, cringing to himself.

  The peak of the mountain was barely visible. He had thought he had climbed forever yesterday. Turns out, he wasn’t even a third of the way up the mountain.

  It was a daunting task that lay before him.

  Simon looked back towards the ritual area. His jaw tightened as he reassured himself.

  He was going to do it. After this crappy start to a morning was finished, he would start his climb. Simon would reach the top, Turn around, flip off the valley, then go down the other side.

  From there?

  He had no idea.

  Find the nearest town? Then grab his class… then what?

  There was a substantial part of him that just wanted to go back to the damn tunnel. Pick up stone, put it on carts, haul it away. It was so much simpler doing that.

  He turned his gaze to the tunnel staging ground below him.

  That had been such a nice break from the madness.

  Simon frowned.

  “Dumbass.” He muttered. “Already thinking of falling back into old habits? It’s only been one flipping night.”

  He sighed.

  Life sucked. Simon needed to get over that fact. He was going to move on. Win. Scrape every advantage he could from this unfair, fucked up world.

  Simon nodded to himself.

  “We can’t get complacent. Complacency is death. The killer.”

  Simon turned his gaze back to the ritual.

  “The friend killer,” he whispered to himself.

  Could he have done something to stop her death?

  No.

  Not as he was now. He had pushed himself and came up lacking. Maybe he could have done more. He should have done more.

  But he hadn’t. Simon had stopped making choices. He had just moved along with everyone else's plan.

  Well, that wasn’t entirely fair, He reasoned. The gods, system, and this world had dealt him a hand composed of garbage.

  But… still.

  He needed to be more. When he put his mind to it, Simon was unrelenting in his pursuits. His problem had been that he let himself get sidetracked.

  No more. He promised himself. I am going to take everything. I won’t stop.

  Simon would become unstoppable.

  He would train. He would push himself. Time and time again.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  That was what he needed to do. The only way he was going keep himself, and those he cared about safe in this fucked up world.

  Simon wanted to see if what that shitty system said was true.

  Growth is Earned. Limits are Unknown.

  His focus returned to the ritual. That stuff looked complicated as hell.

  Simon had no idea how it worked, or what any of it meant. But from up here, the dark lines that were slowly forming looked almost pretty.

  Like one of those cheap shirts with the fancy celtic designs.

  Huh. Could those randomly drawn lines actually have a magical effect in this new world?

  Simon chuckled at the thought, imagining some kid’s t-shirt suddenly glowing when they appeared back in reality.

  He spotted movement from the north gate and shifted the glass to it. There was a procession of people making their way to the circle.

  Simon’s shoved down sadness threatened to rear its head as his gaze fell on one figure.

  Brian.

  The man looked haggard and sleep deprived. His face was a mask, but Simon could see the lines of recently wiped tears.

  I’m so sorry, Brian. Simon thought, as he inspected the man’s robes. They were clean, pressed, and looked like someone had gone over every inch of them.

  It just felt wrong.

  Simon had never seen Brian wearing anything remotely approaching ‘well-kept’.

  Brian’s downcast eyes were taking in the scene. Then they snapped upwards and Simon swore they were looking in his direction.

  But they kept shifting, searching the mountain side.

  I guess if he used a spyglass it would be painfully obvious someone was up here.

  Brian’s hand moved to his stomach. Simon grinned as the man’s thumb rose.

  Maybe he couldn’t see him, but Brian knew he was there.

  Simon swept the spyglass over the other members of the growing crowd. The councilors Simon knew of were all there. He spotted Kurda, Jorik, Emrick, and others.

  His sweep froze as he looked at Serel.

  She was staring right at him.

  There’s no way right? Simon took a step back.

  Serel smiled.

  “Holy shit, she can see me?”

  Simon crouched down, trying to be less obvious than he had been. He saw the celestial councilor shake her head and then roll her eyes as if to say ‘a little late don’t you think?’

  “Right. New world. Magical bullshit.” He chastised himself. “Of course she would be the one that could spot me.”

  Simon really needed to think more. This wasn’t earth. People in the new world had abilities and skills that defied earth logic. He needed to adjust to that.

  The last thing he wanted to do was cause a disturbance during this funeral. Imagine if one of the assholes had spotted him? That would have been a shit storm. He was sure that jackass Maelis would have demanded Jorik or Dravlen run up here to confront him.

  No one needed that Drama. Especially not today of all days.

  This was Kaelalin’s day. The day she would be put to her final rest.

  Nothing could be allowed to disturb it.

  Which is why Simon’s rage exploded when a echoing *DING!* bounced through the entire damn valley.

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

  > An Event will begin soon.

  > Name: Realm Fusion

  > Description:

  >> The System gathers. It unites. Stable worlds are connected and combined, creating harmony. However, there are realms and worlds that require additional steps. These realms must be anchored to places that have already been stabilized and integrated.

  >> Now that the realm has properly stabilized, new realms will be opened. They will appear as portals scattered throughout the land. To aid in their stabilization, the majority will appear near established system hubs. At least one new realm will appear for every hub.

  >> The denizens of these worlds, realms, and pocket spaces may react to this change in drastically different ways.

  >> You, a newly integrated being of Nameless Span, EABST-4327D, must now choose how you will engage.

  >> Will you attempt to trade with them? Give them shelter? Converse and find common ground? Or will you seek dominance?

  >> Some members of these realms may never leave their home worlds. Others will emerge bringing peace. Few may attempt to battle and leave their mark on this nameless span.

  >> There are no limits on what may come.

  > Welcome to the 25th System Event.

  > Time until event: 3h 00m 00s… 2h 59m 59s… 2h 59m 58s…

  > As per contract, divine sponsorship opportunity is now available.

  > Harmony is offered. Growth is earned. Limits are unknown.

  > Good luck.

  ——————————

  Simon stared at the damned prompt.

  “Are you shitting me?!” He yelled. “Really?! It’s Wednesday you dumbass system! You can’t do this!”

  He shook his fist at the sky. “Out of all the god damned days, this is the day you choose?!”

  Simon stomped around the ledge.

  “This is Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit!”

  A minute of curses and enraged circles passed as he took out his frustration on the snow.

  Simon took a deep breath, then looked back through his spyglass.

  Back at the ritual circle, the crowd and Frost-kin were abuzz with emotion and movement.

  Surprisingly, it seemed that most of the people not involved in the endeavor looked… happy?

  “Bah.” Simon growled, then shifted his gaze as he saw Serel crossing toward the Frost-kin King.

  The King looked beyond angry. His face was twisted in rage and contempt.

  “Yeah, I get it dude.” Simon muttered.

  Serel and him shared an animated conversation, the two going back and forth. The Frost-kin looked rough, almost drained. This ritual must be taking a lot out of him.

  “He has been draining his blood like it's some awful water fountain.”

  Simon shifted away from them and focused on Brian. The man’s face had cracked, anger and despair written across it. He stood near Kurda, Emrick and Jorik, the other three in rapid conversation.

  Simon felt a stab of emotion.

  “Fuck this system man. Out of all the days.” He breathed, wrestling his feelings down. “But of course, why not? Add it to the long list of bullshit this world has in store.”

  He turned his head to the sky.

  “Just how messed up are you huh? Couldn’t just wait a damned day?” Simon shook a fist at the sky. “Like come ON! Just why?!”

  Simon stuck out his middle finger. “Fuck off!”

  Maybe the action was silly, but it made him feel better. He turned back to his watch.

  “Not like me flipping off the sky could make anything worse.” Simon muttered.

  *Ding!*

  *Ding!*

  Simon groaned. “No fucking way.”

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > EVENT UPDATE

  > Divine Sponsorships declared. A sponsor has submitted a condition.

  > Condition: Engage Cadence of War Precept: Preparation for War.

  > Evaluating…

  > Evaluation complete.

  > Result: Condition accepted. Precept enacted.

  ——————————

  “What?” Simon asked no one as he read.

  The next prompt appeared in a way he had never seen before. The color of it was darker and sharper than any before. He swore it seemed to claw the other prompt out of its way.

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > The Cadence of War is now active.

  > System event - Realm Fusion has been changed to: Realm Fusion - Preparation for War.

  > Event realm type has been changed from ‘unstable’ to ‘doomed.’

  > Divine sponsorship opportunities changed and reoffered.

  > Sponsors may now choose the amount of portals they wish to back. To ensure fairness, this choice must be made in the next five minutes.

  > Time remaining: 5m 0s… 4m 59s… 4m 58s…

  Conflict is inevitable. Strength is forged. Limits are conquered.

  ——————————

  “I just had to open my damned mouth didn’t I?” Simon asked as he finished reading.

  “How could it be worse? Oh I don’t know, Simon, maybe you should think before you speak? No? Okay, here’s a barrel of shit to go drown yourself in. Ta ta!”

  Simon rubbed his head as he read the prompt again. He knew this had nothing to do with him. But he couldn’t believe this shit.

  What the hell is the ‘Cadence of War?’

  Also, why had the message changed? He was so underqualified to answer these questions, and the boulder behind him wasn’t the most helpful conversationalist.

  What now?

  …

  “I guess we will find out.” he muttered to himself then put the spyclass back to his eye.

  Below, the previously happy expressions had all vanished. The frost-kin looked panicked as they gestured and yelled back and forth to each other. Ritualists dashed through the snow, creating sharp lines that cut through the concentric circles.

  Were they trying to stop the ritual? Kranofis looked horrible. The Frost-kin king had gone pale and his arms were trembling as he still held out his palms. The blood on the snow was no longer being drawn. In fact, it looked like it was moving to pool at his feet instead.

  “Yikes.” Simon said. “That sucks.”

  After a moment of hesitation, Simon shifted his gaze to the center of the ritual. There he saw his friend. Kaelalin’s body had changed in color. Her skin was now a dark blue, white frost tinging her extremities. Her hands made Simon pause. Were they… translucent? As if they were made from pale blue ice.

  So, they had been mid process then? Now what was going to happen? Why would they cut off this ritual so…

  Oh right, the whole ‘whisked away’ part of system events. But hadn’t they read the prompt?

  Well, it was probably better to be sure. Simon had no idea how their ritual worked. The only thing he did know is that they wouldn’t stop it lightly.

  No matter what, I’m going to be there for her funeral. Simon promised her. Even if I need to stay in the valley longer.

  For now, all he could do is wait. Wait and watch another timer tick to zero.

  The five minutes felt like an eternity, but finally it was over.

  *Bawm!*

  Simon was shaken as the sound echoed through the valley. It sounded like a deep fog horn had bellowed out.

  Then the prompt appeared.

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > EVENT UPDATE

  > Sponsor selections declared. List sorted by declared amount and name will be shown.

  > Event Sponsors

  >> Varrax the Unyielding - Martial Domain - 633 Portals backed.

  >> Ambergaz the Ferocious- Beastial Domain - 3 Portals backed.

  >> Clastifo the Chaotic - Mirth Domain - 1 Portal backed.

  >> No other sponsors have declared.

  ——————————

  > An Event will begin soon.

  > Name: Realm Fusion - Preparation for War

  > Description:

  >> The Cadence of War has been called upon, and its presence has descended. The System gathers. It forges. Stable realms are combined and woven to create stable nameless spans. Unstable realms are then joined and unified.

  >> Yet, there are realms that are left behind. Unstable, dangerous, or otherwise unfit to be woven so easily. There are more reasons for this than can be counted. Countless realms fit this classification and are given the title of ‘Doomed’.

  >> A precept has been enacted and it is time for these realms to be joined.

  >> According to the precept 'preparation for war’ all realms of this event will follow a simple rule.

  >> Conquer, or be conquered. Prepare yourself, beings of the nameless span.

  >> Conflict has arrived.

  ——————————

  Simon stood frozen in shock. His eyes blinked slowly as he tried to comprehend just how bad this turn of events was.

  …

  Turns out it was really fucking bad.

  Really bad.

  *Bawm!*

  —- AREA NOTICE—-

  > DOOMED REALM OPENING NEAR SYSTEM HUB

  > Portal Opens in: 1h 59m 55s… 1h 59m 54s.

  > Name: Fulgranshur

  > Description:

  >> Fulgranshur used to contain a variety of agrarian societies. A temperate world, it was easily farmed and mild in weather. While a variety of races once called it home, only one remains relevant.

  >> The organic parasite known as the Phestun.

  >> No sentient mind in Fulgranshur has escaped its clutches.

  > Dominant Races:

  >> Phestun - Hive Mind Parasite

  > Realm Backer: Varrax the Unyielding - Martial domain.

  Prepare yourself.

  Conflict is inevitable. Strength is forged. Limits are conquered.

  ——————————

  Simon fell back in shock, his eyes glued to the prompt. He read the name over and over.

  Varrax.

  That asshole.

  He was backing this?

  What the fuck?

  Simon’s eyes glanced up the mountain. He was still exhausted, but he could make some decent headway in the next two hours, right?

  He stood, his legs shaking below him.

  Simon wasn’t ready for a fight. He was ready for a long nap.

  He quickly gathered his things, storing items in his pouch and strapping his bedroll to his back.

  It was time to move.

  Simon took a step then… paused.

  He slowly turned back. What was everyone in Varnholt going to do? Most of them he couldn’t give a damn about, but Brian? Kurda? Emrick?

  Simon pulled the eyeglass from his pouch and gazed through it. His attention was immediately drawn below him.

  Near the base of the mountain, a ways to the side of the tunnel entrance and up, a massive portal frame had appeared.

  It looked like the ones Kaelalin and He had been to. But this one was five times the size.

  “Holy shit.”

  Simon glanced toward the town. People were rushing back to the gate, the Frost-kin seeming to have finished reversing the ritual. His teeth clenched as he saw four of the ritualists move to Kaelalin’s body. They spread out a stretcher and carefully placed her body on it.

  They were all headed back into town. Everyone looked terrified.

  The councilors were all in a group, talking and moving as one.

  “God damn it.” Simon said through clenched teeth. “I hope you guys have a plan. Come on Brian, come on scary Serel, you can think of something…”

  Simon watched everyone vanish into town.

  “They will definitely figure out a plan. The town has walls and that barrier. They should be fine.”

  He turned away and his eyes looked back up the mountain.

  How could he help anyways? He was still banished. If that barrier got turned on, it's not like he would be able to do anything. Simon shivered as he remembered it burning his arm.

  Feelings fought inside him as he took another step towards the mount

  ain side.

  “They will figure something out.” He told himself.

  Simon looked back one more time and bit his lip.

  He needed to be smart about this. For once, he needed to not reckless run in and do something dumb.

  He started to climb.

  “Good luck everyone.”

  —— ? ——

  — AUTHOR NOTICE —

  Last chapter of 2025!

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