A warp back deposits our side right from where it departed. Not everyone from the other expects the instantaneous appearance because we are a minute early.

  Cassmus directs another performance my way, though there is something else underneath. “What did you plan to accomplish showing us your... What do I even call it? Heroics?” He scoffs dismissively. “Arrogance it’s what it was. So, what was your plan? To gain our pity? Earn our compassion? An exuberant celebration for your great deeds spreading throughout all the lands?”

  I shrug, directing a smile toward the ancient demon. “Simply addressing the allegations. I was not hiding, nor was I ashamed. I made a mistake. Then I fixed it. Though I wouldn’t say ‘no’ to a party.” Cassmus tries not to react to my obvious taunts.

  Yilivin glances briefly at Vrih. She turns to me, the dragon craving an answer. “Why?”

  “Why did I go in?” I ask. She nods. My gaze locks onto Xyll. “Because I am an adventurer, and adventurers manage dungeons. Because I am an artificial intelligence, and AI are sturdier than most of you. Because every single life is precious, and I want to protect as many as I can. Because... I was scared.” Xyll’s eyes change, the gaze returned different. “And I no longer am.”

  Sha’Myr speaks for the first time, “Enough useless drivel.” A fake smile pulls at his lips. “You accuse us of unlawful actions, when it was he that first acted. Under the guise of Princess Khi’Na, he invaded my home. Under the guise of a revolutionary, he spilled the blood of our allies. And under the guise of a human, he fools you all. Wake up from the perfect dream he has trapped you inside. It’s all as fake as he is.”

  Rak’Na starts to laugh, the rumbling sound causing the other beastfolk to lose the smile and gain a frown. She lets out a sad sigh at the end. “Speak again, and I will reduce you to ash.”

  He does not listen, face twisting into a grimace exposing sharp teeth. “How da—”

  Force slams into the lightning-wreathed sovereign, reversing her leap. On her way down, she breaks her chair and smashes into the stone floor. Her body starts flickering and crackling while slowly getting embedded deeper in.

  After a few seconds, she gives up, lifting the suppression deemed impossible, for the current effort she has allowed herself, of course. The other side waits a few more seconds before also unraveling their awaiting spells. So far so good.

  I clear my throat politely to gain everyone’s attention. “Ruler Sha’Myr, may I suggest you retire for now?”

  He swallows thickly, the courage he admirably held onto till now lost. I receive a fast nod. He teleports away.

  Rak’Na digs herself out and fixes the damage with a flick of her tail. A new chair warps in for her. She runs a hand through her hair and smooths her clothes down. The beastfolk sits down like she wasn’t a millisecond away from doing right by her promise. If she had some tea, she would have taken a long sip right about now. Should I warp in some tea? No, that’s really pushing it. …Maybe later.

  Cassmus, ever the antagonist, says, “Sovereign Rak’Na should also be removed. Inciting hostilities at a peaceful meeting should be grounds for immediate ejection.”

  I hum in thought, seemingly thinking through his request. Then I simply reply, “No.”

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

  “Very well,” Cassmus says, already aware of the hypocrisy.

  Xyll glances at the dwarves on his side, subtly reiterating to his remaining allies that they better behave. “Fear has many forms,” he continues from where we left off, before the rude interruption. “How can I believe what you say when you’ve done everything I said you would.” He addresses everyone else on my side, looking at each one, “Even if you all do believe him where I cannot, is your trust so strong as to relinquish all agency? Should it be?”

  “Relinquish is a strong word,” I say. “Whenever possible, barring urgent circumstances, I’ve always given a choice. As many of your people can attest to.”

  “Barring urgent circumstances,” Xyll carefully repeats my words. “As we’ve started with your encroachment upon our world, Lucius, why don’t we examine one of the first and most blatant.” He turns to the dwarves again, motioning for them to say whatever it is they came here to say.

  They don’t say anything, choosing to erect a privacy barrier and whisper between themselves. Xyll lifts a brow.

  Seeing as they won’t be done soon, I decide to be a menace. “Would you like to know how many of your citizens have accepted Project Transcendence?”

  Cassmus looks to be contemplating taking Rak’Na’s bad example, my expression definitely not helping.

  Yilivin immediately replies, the desperation evident in her voice, “Yes.”

  “Yil,” Xyll gently says. “Don’t.”

  “I need to know, My Liege. ...I need to know. Please.”

  Xyll tears his eyes away from hers, returning to mine. “How many?”

  I suck in air through my teeth, displaying mild frustration. “Sorry, medical data is private.” A blood vessel in Cassmus’ forehead comically bulges, ready to burst. Well, not really, but he appears to be quite unamused. “General Cassmus, high blood pressure is prevalent in men your age. I recommend visiting a physician as soon as demonly possible.”

  The ancient demon actually cracks a smile, able to both dish it and take it.

  The privacy bubble around the dwarves disperses. One of them, the bravest of the bunch, speaks up, “Our intentions no longer align with those of the Demon Kingdom. This council will be retiring from the summit, too.” None of the four demons and dragon react, already having expected this outcome. “Councilors,” the dwarf continues, “we’ll be in touch to negotiate a consolidation.” He hesitantly adds, “If you’ll have us back.”

  Harrn and the other dwarves exchange unfocused looks, communicating primarily through their interfaces. After a moment, Harrn replies for them all, “We agree to hear you out.”

  The dwarf nods. “My thanks. Please, excuse us.” All dwarves on the other side blink away as quickly as they can.

  Falrilliat adopts another face. “Must be quite proud of yourselves, picking us off one by one. How clever and sly.” He shakes his head, his expression showing amusement as fake as everything about him in this moment. “Is that what you have planned for our kingdom? Rot it out from the inside? Remove those that disagree? Until only loyal followers remain? A... shell of what it was.”

  Davia snorts, eager to interject. “Look in the mirror, you slimy fuck.” The two Union senators urge the earth to swallow them. “You come after my adventurers and think there won’t be any consequences? We are talking only because of the man you tried to murder. If it was up to me, your heads would be adorning your castle’s wall right about now.”

  Falrilliat replies matter-of-factly, “And while our dead eyes are looking down on you, you would be standing in a waist-high river of blood, Guild Master.”

  Shadows start dancing around the room. Bloodlust radiates from Elisa’s suit, once again back in place, searing light clashing with the writhing darkness.

  A droning chuckle comes out of Xyll’s mouth, gradually turning into a cackling laugh. He soon calms down and says, “We all know we won’t stop trying to remove the disease that has taken hold of our world. And we all know that you will valiantly defend your master. But you will also listen to his wishes. Even if he dies, you won’t involve innocents. You have no leverage to push. Us and you, we are playing by different rules. So, let’s talk terms. Revert all that was brought with him. Save yourselves before it is too late. And... make the rest easy.”

  Elisa stands up and says, her voice amplified by her suit to uncomfortable levels, “My patience has just ran dry.”

  Vrih stands up too. “We don’t want a war, but if you attempt to take Lucius’ life again, we will kill every single one of you. Are those terms acceptable?”

  Xyll replies, “If giving our lives ensures all others, then we will die smiling.” Shadows erupt and consume all five, leaving nothing behind.