’m not certain that I have any friends. Prince Eric and Prince Dahr are my masters. Chari is a member of my guild, but she is so far above my station, I’m not sure it counts as a friendship. I have my familiars, of course, but I don’t know if I can call them friends. They serve me in the same way I serve my masters. I barely know Sam at all, and I know Zephyr even less. It’s hard to make friends when everyone is part of a different hierarchy. It would probably be easier if I knew where I fit in.


    The Book of Lost Wisdom, Kalutu


    Eighteenth of Learning 1142


    The Misfits of Karmenon and Maynor still have a role to play in all that is to come. However, that role doesn’t have anything to do with Striker.


    A nearby dungeon.


    Yes.


    You need to enter the dungeon and clear it completely. Reach the treasure chest in the final room. Inside will be a book. You must bring it to Queen Treya in Rish.


    Before long, everyone will know where the princes can be found.


    The name of the book is not important. But the book must be brought to the palace at Rish or King Terrence will fall.


    King Terrence is precariously balanced between immortality and death.  His path forward is treacherous. If he strays from his ordained path even slightly, he will fall.


    Your belief is not required. Even while you wander the world on a quest you can’t complete, the situation in Twyl has changed.


    The gods of order have declared war on the Undead King. Forces are being gathered even now. King Terrence has been appointed by the gods of order as High King of all Thysandrika.


    It is true whether you believe me or not. You will receive confirmation soon enough. But on the offhand chance I’m correct, you should head south to the Horn. You will find what you seek there.


    Yes. But more, you will find evidence before that that I am speaking the truth.


    The correct response would be my pleasure, but it would be a lie. It is relief that I feel. I must go now. Farewell, Misfits of Karmenon. Farewell, Maynor of Twyl.


    Never having parted, I need never say goodbye.


    And that is what makes you special.


    Hello, Suzanna. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.


    Do you think you’re going mad?


    Then I would imagine being reassured by a disembodied voice wouldn’t help much.


    I know it is a lot to take in, but Prince Eric spoke the truth, Suzanna. The gods are real. I am real. You are not hallucinating. This isn’t some mental aberration. You are speaking with a goddess.


    You’ll have to go a lot further than that to escape my attention.


    Do you not want to heal people?


    New skill unlocked, Heal. The road to healing is long and difficult, but you have it in you, Suzanna. Your soul is pure. Will you not accept my gift?


    Do you think you’re the best judge of that?


    Are you so sure? Do you know many goddesses? I can read the pain and guilt on your soul as surely as you’re standing in front of me. I know about the daughters that have been taken from you. I know you work hard to send them money, even though you’ll never be allowed to see them. I know why you became a nurse. But most importantly, I know your heart, Suzanna. You’re the first person to give someone a second chance. Will you not accept that you deserve one as well?


    Sylinar is fine. It is, after all, my name, or at least one of them.


    Wherever sentient beings exist, there are those who desire to heal. Earth is one of those places. I only had a token presence, until people became aware of my existence through a computer game. An admittedly popular computer game. And people felt strongly about me, about the skills I gave them, and I grew in power.


    I don’t need to understand how a thing works to know that it does. But the question remains. Do you or do you not wish to be a healer?


    Then let it be so. New skill unlocked, Heal Wound. New Skill unlocked Dull Pain, New Skill unlocked, Remove condition. You are now a Level 1 Healer. You have long desired the power to fix that which is broken. What will you do with it now that you have it?


    Not really. I did it. You simply channeled my power.


    There is no reason to apologize. You have come to the knowledge you have quite late in life. You weren’t raised in a world that believes, but in your heart of hearts, you do want to heal, and I can work with that.


    It may be a while. Prince Eric, at the moment, has his hands full.