《Anglers and Amberkin》


 Chapter 1: Not Even A Nibble

    Chapter 1: Not Even A Nibble


    He was beginning to think all of the fish were dead. However, Derek wasn''t ready to admit that to himself or to the sandy-haired harpy he called his best friend. Derek would''ve sworn he could actually feel the hot clouds of her condensed breath on his neck. Derek didn''t dare turn and face her. If he turned around and looked at her, one of two things would happen. One: Derek would be forced to acknowledge that ice fishing on this particular dock of Golden Lake might not be the best use of his time and that his time would be better served elsewhere. More than likely something, his mom needed him and sent Harmony to do her bidding. Two: Harmony would actively lose her temper at Derek for wasting his own time. Her subsequent attempt to throttle him would disturb his fishing pole and effectively ruin any chance he had at catching anything. Derek didn''t know why his long-time friend felt how he spent his time was any of her business, but lately, it had become a personal crusade of hers.


    Fishing is a perfectly reasonable hobby, Derek thought to himself, even if the local population of fish has frozen to death or somehow migrated elsewhere. Do fish migrate?


    "Derek?" Harmony asked, her tone making his name sound like an insult saved for society''s most deplorable scoundrels.


    "I heard you the first time," Derek replied. The first time was when Harmony shouted his name from the end of the dock.


    "Why didn''t you answer?" she asked.


    Derek imagined she had put her hands on her hips at this point. "I prefer my conversations to be of the non-shouting variety," he said, "Besides, the shouting might disturb the fish."


    "You really think you''re going to catch anything out here?" Harmony asked incredulously.


    Derek took in the frozen tundra that was once Golden Lake and thought his chances of catching anything were low. "It doesn''t matter what I think," he said.


    "What is that supposed to mean?"


    Derek shook his head and sighed. He briefly enjoyed his own cloud of heated breath before continuing, "Sometimes, the value is in the journey, not the destination." He wasn''t sure he believed this particular line, especially if the journey might end with him getting frostbite, but the most important thing was that his response was sure to drive his friend into a fury. This was something Derek was exceedingly good at.


    Harmony Walker was a pragmatist. If she did something, she wanted tangible, measurable results. To imply there was an intrinsic benefit to freezing his butt off outside without the eventual goal of landing a fish was enough to get more than one of her neural pathways to misfire.


    "You do realize. That doesn''t make any sense," Harmony replied.


    Instead of offering a rebuttal, thus turning his esoteric statement into a debate that Harmony would surely win, Derek shrugged his shoulders in response.


    Derek let the silence between them thicken. He didn''t have anywhere to be. Well, besides, wherever Harmony wanted him to go. The silence didn''t last long. Derek expected an angry lecture to follow that ended with Harmony stomping off the old wooden dock in a huff. Despite their friendship of over a decade, Harmony still managed to surprise him regularly. It was part of why he valued her place in his life, even though they constantly rubbed each other the wrong way.


    Her next question was calm and measured as if she had given it more thought than her usual knee-jerk responses to Derek''s attempts to irritate her: "Do you think this will help you win this year?"


    Instead of trying to irritate her, Derek turned and matched her with a genuine response of his own. .


    "I don''t know¡­ But it couldn''t hurt, right?"


    Harmony looked at Derek¡¯s hands, which had frozen in a rictus around his fishing pole, and laughed, "It just might, but I can see you''re set on this. Anything''s worth a shot if it means it might wipe that arrogant leer off of Rod''s face for a year."


    "I''m not sure anything short of heavy-duty plastic surgery could do that. It''s like my mom used to say, ''If you keep making that face, it''ll get stuck that way forever,'' I mean, have you ever seen him not making that face?" Derek asked.


    Harmony started to laugh. Her laugh did what it did best, make Derek laugh along with her. The shivers and laughter combined to form the most awkward laugh the world had ever seen. Harmony laughed even harder at his expense, to the point that tears glistened on her cheeks. The sparkle didn''t look out of place in a landscape of snow-refracted sunlight that was currently blanketing the town of Golden Lake. Creatively named for the frozen stretch of water, Derek was unsuccessfully trying to divest its fish. Derek preferred the name in the summer. On any given sunrise or sunset, the sun would peak through the trees just right and paint the entire lake in hues of gold and amber. Tourists thought the name was corny, but they treated all beauty like it was something to be purchased.


    "I guess I better tell your mom she is going to have to fetch you herself if she plans to get any work out of you today," Harmony said, wiping the tears from her cheek. The mirth still lingered in her voice.


    Derek turned back to his fishing pole, hoping the merriment hadn''t startled the fish too severely, "If you could tell her I ran away from home to join a traveling circus, I would forever be in your debt."


    "Don''t push your luck, Wreck," Harmony chuckled, using the nickname his mom had given him due to his uncanny ability to screw things up, "I''ll leave you to your fruitless training, but if you want me to lie to Lisa Dunn, you''ve got another thing coming."


    "Thanks, Harm," Derek replied, using his nickname for her that she pretended to hate.


    "It''s not too late for me to push you into the lake."


    "Actually, I think it might be," Derek said, gesturing to the frozen-over lake.


    "Don''t you underestimate me, Derek Dunn," Harmony replied, but the sound of creaking planks announced her departure, ¡°Oh, and Derek? Don¡¯t stay out after dark.¡±


    Derek sent a casual wave over his shoulder, a goodbye, and a dismissal. He knew why she was worried. Everyone knew about the amber lights that allegedly appeared beneath the surface of the lake at night. Everyone also knew about the supposed tourists who disappeared every year, but only after dark. The whole thing could be explained by alcohol and idiocy. Derek had never seen the lights himself, but the rest was easy enough to explain.


    Enough of that.


    Derek¡¯s mind started shifting gears towards the emptiness of mind needed by all great fishermen. Derek began to peel layers of care and worry from his mind like an onion. His field of vision narrowed to contain only his pole, his line, and the irregular hole he''d cut into the ice that morning. His muscles relaxed so they might perceive even the slightest tug on the line. Time seemed to pass by in a blur that was both blisteringly fast but excruciatingly slow. The cold, discomfort, and hunger Derek had been feeling earlier he expelled from his body, reducing them to buzzing gnats that could do nothing to shake his focus or deter him from his ultimate goal. Even if his or Harmony''s doubts proved correct, Derek would still gain something from the experience. He wasn''t sure what that something was, but he had come to know a person could attribute great significance to any suffering after the fact.


    Derek couldn¡¯t have told anyone how much time had passed since Harmony had left, but the pall that had covered the morning was replaced with the sun shining brilliantly in the sky. They were still in the part of winter where warmth could only be remembered as some distant memory, but the sun''s embrace was still a welcome change. Its rays always seemed to instill an invigorating effect in Derek, not unlike a plant converting light to energy. It was a sign for him to get up and stretch out his body.


    The perfect stillness he could achieve with fishing came at a cost, and his muscles started protesting that cost. They burned as Derek stood from his perch on the end of the dock. He didn''t mind the pain. On a day without a nibble, the pain made him feel like he had accomplished something despite all evidence to the contrary. As he stretched, he took in the sight of Golden Lake at its most beautiful¡ªempty.


    An unbroken blanket of snow covered the vast expanse of the lake that gave the town its namesake. Pine trees shrouded in blankets of white ringed the lake to either side. Mount Grange loomed on the opposite side of the lake. Further than his eyes could see, Derek knew the Nines River and its tributaries wound their way down Mount Grange and fed into Golden Lake. Mount Grange''s ever-present vigil over the town made the other side of the lake feel closer than it was in reality. Derek could walk all day along the edge of the lake and still not reach the other side. He knew that from experience. It would take the most determined person about twenty minutes to get to Golden Lake by car after they passed over the Grange and went down the grade. In the winter, it was easy to imagine Golden Lake existed in a pocket of land that had been forgotten by society at large. Cognitively, Derek knew the ski town, Hozier, was at its busiest during the winter, but none of that spilled over into Golden Lake side of the mountain. There were too many trees. Tourists would have to wait until the summer. He knew it didn''t make any sense, but Derek resented the lack of attention given his little town just as much as he resented the flood of tourists they would see come summer.


    "You fishin¡¯ or daydreamin¡¯, boy?" a familiar voice asked, "Or just playin'' with yourself?"


    Derek did turn at this voice. Seeing Rod Hockenson out of his shop in the winter was rare. Layers of winter clothing made the heavy-set man look cartoonishly large, but better yet like he was being consumed by a neoprene beast. Derek could see Rod''s beady, dark eyes and patchwork, toothy smile through a small break in the fabric. His cheeks were an unhealthy color of beet red. Rod''s usual winter habitat was the rocking chair behind the counter of his bait and tackle shop that doubled as the town''s junkyard, cleverly named Rod''s Rods and Other Junk. Surprisingly enough, the man did a lot of business during the summer, but Derek couldn''t imagine what he did during the winter besides keep the hot cocoa industry afloat. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "You getting nervous, Rod?" Derek called back, "I haven''t seen you outside since November."


    "Nervous o'' what boy? Looks to me you''ve pulled up a fat lot o'' nothin''," he chortled with a choking sound that Derek had come to learn was the man¡¯s laugh.


    "It is the poor fisherman that measures his success by the amount of fish he¡¯s caught in a day."


    Rod choke-laughed again, but this time, it was long enough that Derek began to worry the man might be having a cardiac event. "You and yer fancy words, boy. That ain''t fishin''. Fishin'' is yer catch. The battle between man and beast. Yer will against the fish. The only thing yer fightin'' today is frostbite. Come on inside. I''ll rustle you up some cocoa, and if yer lucky, I''ll give you some pointers on how to do some ice fishin'' proper."


    There it was.  Rod liked to play the villain, but deep down, Derek suspected the man liked seeing someone else share his passion. However, Derek had his own role to play.


    "You''d like that, wouldn''t you, old man? These tactics are beneath you, my worthy adversary. Instead of honing your craft, you threaten to entice the competition away from their pole. NOT THIS DAY!" Derek finished with a shout.


    "Come off it, boy. I''m tryin'' ta talk some sense into ya. You could dip that there pole inna water every day from now until spring and naught catch e¡¯en a nibble. And you could fish for the rest of yer life, but ye''d still not e''en be nippin'' at my heels. Worthy adversary, hah!"


    Derek suspected the man was correct on all counts, but that would make victory all the sweeter when Derek finally beat him. Rod had won Golden Lake''s annual Fishing Jamboree every year as far back as anyone could remember, but Derek thought this year would be his year. He told the man as such. Rod swatted Derek''s words out of the sky and exclaimed, "Bah, I know why yer pa'' doesn''t talk to ya lad. It''s a waste o¡¯ breath when you set yer mind to somethin''. When you get some sense, there''s some cocoa in it for ya."


    The big man shrugged, the movement shifting all the neoprene across his massive bulk. Derek winced at the sound. Images of nails on a chalkboard flashed through his mind. He turned back to his pole and listened to the sound of snow packed hard with cold crunch and slowly fade away as Rod hobbled back to wherever he came from.


    Despite his best efforts, the zen Derek had achieved earlier that day eluded him. He pulled his line from the depths. It was time for a rebait and a recast to freshen up his mind and his hook. The morsel Derek had affixed sagged limply on the hook. If a nibble had been taken from the amalgamation of bait, Derek couldn''t make it out. With cold fingers, Derek plucked the piece of bacon-wrapped dog food the Internet had assured him would be good if unconventional ice-fishing bait. He replaced it with another favorite from the Internet. The marshmallow dangling at the end of his hook looked cartoonish next to the lure. The lure was supposed to look like a real fish to entice all the others, but Derek was curious if he himself would fall for that particular disguise even if he only had a few brain cells.


    Proper ice-fishing didn''t need a good cast of the rod. Instead, you just lowered the bait and lure into the water and hoped for the best. The more alive the bait looked while this occurred, the better. Ideally, Derek would bob it up and down, putting a little pep in its step, but he quickly tired of the exercise. One of the things he liked about fishing was the times when you could sit and let the fish come to you; no movement was necessary. There was a part of him that wished life were the same way. The right amount of patience is all that stands between a person and their dreams.


    "Good things come to those who wait."


    "I think whoever said that would tell you you''re taking it too far." Jake reminded him in his mind.


    You''re as wrong now as you were then. Derek retorted, but Jake''s voice drifted on, just like its owner had.


    Derek tried to focus on the line, but Rod''s interruption had ruined the peace necessary for him to be successful despite his rebait. The young fisherman tried and failed to achieve the angler¡¯s zen required of him long enough that the shadows of pine trees started to lengthen over the lake. As the sun started to dip beneath the horizon, Derek decided it might be time to call it a day.  It definitely wasn''t because all the fish were dead or he was cold and wasting his time. What had Harmony told him? That his mom was looking for him? When is that not true? She, and by extension, the store, always needed him for something or other. He supposed he could indulge a kind, older woman''s whims and give her a call.


    However, as Derek tried to remove his line from the water for the first time in the day, he felt resistance. A real fisherman didn''t get his hopes up. Chances were the line just snagged on something. He pulled at an angle. There was no mistaking it. Something pulled back. The smaller spool Derek had explicitly acquired for ice fishing started to spin out faster than Derek could process. Derek urged his ice-numbed hands to life as they slowly began to stem the hemorrhaging of line. When the reel had only two or three turns before it was empty, the line pulled taut. Derek and his adversary stayed locked in that stalemate and would indefinitely unless he did something about it. He stood on the dock and positioned his feet behind one of the wooden supports. If Derek was going to gain any ground, he needed some stability.


    He leaned back, shifting his center of mass, and started to reclaim the line he''d lost. Derek''s initial urge had been to rapidly reel in his potential catch, but Derek''s frantic actions seemed to spur an equal response from his quarry. However, a slower and more methodical approach seemed not to stimulate as much resistance. Inch by inch, Derek could feel himself bring the fish to heel. In his mind''s eye, the fish looked like a true monster, like one of those prehistoric fish they pulled from the deep ocean. The way it fought and the icy conditions caused his imagination to run wild. Facts told him it was probably a holdover from one of the more common denizens of the lake who didn¡¯t know it was supposed to be frozen, but facts had no place in a fisherman''s heart.


    He only wished that he was pulling this kind of monster catch during the summer. Derek could feel this sucker was a winner. Judging by how hard it fought, it had the potential to be the biggest fish he''d ever seen. As Derek reclaimed more line, he scanned the lake''s surface, anything to get a glimpse of even a silhouette of his catch. He didn''t expect the murky casing of ice to yield any of its secrets, but Derek could''ve sworn he saw a massive shadow drawing ever closer to the hole he''d cut in the ice. A crazy thought flashed through his mind. Is my hole even big enough? To be safe, Derek had cut it an entire foot in diameter, but the shadow that threatened to emerge dwarfed what Derek had judged a generous hole earlier that day.


    Derek debated on whether or not he should call for Rod. The man''s shop was close enough that he was sure to hear Derek''s shouts, but he wasn''t prepared for the man to take credit for Derek''s catch. He could hear the words now; the fish were too much fer ye, so ye had to call in the perfessional.


    Not on my watch!


    He¡¯d never let Rod hone in on his catch. In the worst-case scenario, Derek could get it to the surface and take a picture of it, so he at least had proof of his massive catch. If it even was that massive. The sun could do weird things to shadows, and Derek was no expert on ice-fishing. This could be a common phenomenon, and the shadow would shrink as it neared the surface. Derek quickly revised that theory as he started to get a glimpse of the actual size of his catch. The outline from before was puny compared to the hulking form beneath the surface now. He didn''t know how his bargain-quality line hadn''t already snapped. Derek had no choice but to keep reeling and hope for the best.


    Although he kept expecting the line to snap at any moment, Derek''s monster haul slowly but surely approached the surface. It didn''t have any chance of fitting through the hole in the ice. He could see that now. An insane image of the shark from Jaws crashing through the ice flashed through his mind. A picture would be more than enough. Derek fished around in his jacket pocket with a hand so numb it felt like it belonged to a distant relative. In the meantime, he clamped the rod between his knees and hung on for dear life.


    By the time he found his phone, the shadow in the ice hadn''t given up much ground, nothing some meticulous reeling couldn''t recover. Derek kept his camera app ready, daydreaming once again of his once-in-a-lifetime haul. Now, he wondered if he was dreaming too small earlier, thinking of a measly prehistoric fish. The shadow underneath the ice was of a size that would make Rod Hockenson look petite, but it continued to grow. Derek kept pulling, but the effort felt wasted. He no longer felt the same resistance on the line. It was like his catch had given up fighting back and was swimming to the surface to meet him, getting larger and more distinct. Some ancient sense of self-preservation in his genetic code told him to run for his life, but Derek held steady. The shadow grew to the size of a soccer mom van. Derek didn''t know when he''d stopped reeling, but it didn''t matter anymore. He was going to see his catch whether he wanted to or not. At some point, Derek felt like he¡¯d passed a point of no return, and the only thing left on his mind was getting proof, maybe so he could share the experience with someone else, anyone else.


    Derek brandished his phone like it was a weapon against the unknown and that the camera app was a buffer between him and reality. Running away wasn''t an option; it never truly was. He imagined trying to tell Harmony this story and her brushing him off. So you''re not going to admit you froze your butt off for nothing, so instead, you caught the biggest fish in existence. Sure, I was born yesterday, so good for you, Derek. No, Derek was going to show her, and Rod, and his father for that matter. No one would think it was a waste. How could they?


    As the creature approached the surface, it was the size of a small trailer and growing. Derek stopped making size comparisons. He didn''t know the exact moment when he started thinking of the shadow as a creature instead of a fish. It occurred to Derek that this situation could easily have been the plot of a horror movie, and weirdly enough, that gave him comfort: Nothing interesting could ever happen in Golden Lake.


    As if one cue with his thoughts, the entire shadow lit up like a Christmas tree. Lines of bluish bioluminescent light outlined the shadowy figure. The shape was certainly fishlike, but there were a few inconsistencies that Derek didn''t want to dwell on. A hint of a pair of what looked like a ram''s horns, but not near its head or a spined-dorsal fin that wouldn''t have looked out of place on a dinosaur. Derek''s fishing pole fell limply out of his hands, but he still clutched onto his phone.


    My phone! Derek thought I need to take a picture.


    Derek''s finger perched over the button that would immortalize the moment in a photograph, but he never got the chance. The device began to ring. A truly obnoxious ditty that could''ve only meant one thing. My mom. He declined the call as fast as his numb fingers would allow. He would deal with the aftermath later. The entire process seemed to take an eternity while the creature lurked beneath the ice. Inexorably getting larger and larger, seeming to defy the laws of reality in the process. How could anything be that large?


    By the time the camera was ready, the creature almost seemed too large to adequately be caught on camera. It was larger than life. His breaths came out hot and fast in rhythm with his pounding heart. Actually, not quite. In between his own breaths, every three or so, he heard a softer breath on the dock. Right behind him. He turned his head. There wasn¡¯t anyone there. His frayed nerves were getting to him. Derek pointed his camera at what he thought had to be the creature''s head, and - a flash of light flew by. It was like a firefly but too fast for that. A stinging sensation nipped at his hand. Derek''s phone sailed into the air and fell through the hole in the ice with a plunk. The bioluminescent shadow creature disappeared into the depths as if the sound of the dropped phone spooked it. Derek dove for his phone, but it didn''t matter; the beast was gone. On the bright side, his phone still floated on the surface, saved by a waterproof case.


    As Derek clutched his stinging hand on the edge of the deck, a call from his mom illuminated the phone''s surface.

 Chapter 2: MythMaker

    Chapter 2: MythMaker


    Despite the waterproof case, Derek''s phone still needed a rice bath. Lake water quickly proved that waterproof at $50 and waterproof at $5 were two different things. Derek retrieved the phone but didn¡¯t get a chance to answer his mom''s call¡ªthe lake made sure of that. Derek doubted he had snapped the picture, but he had to check.


    In the warmth and safety of his parent''s kitchen, it was easy for Derek to try and dismiss the entire experience. He hadn''t eaten anything other than a protein bar that day, and hydration had been the furthest thing from his mind. A true fisherman is sustained by his unwavering focus on willpower. Derek could hear the electric humming of the refrigerator and the sporadic rumble of an old furnace. From the kitchen, someone could look into the living room over the counter and see whatever sports program his dad left blaring on the massive screen.


    Surrounded by technology, it was hard to envision a dark and primordial creature swimming in Golden Lake. Try as he might, Derek couldn''t force the two worlds to coexist. The cozy vibrancy of civilization and the dark depths he witnessed that night weren¡¯t meant to merge. As he was just about to attribute the entire experience to dehydration and malnutrition, Derek looked at his hand, the one that had been holding his phone. Red, blistered skin ran in a line down his hand and forearm. He''d heard of things like frostburn before, but that didn''t feel right. A flash of light followed by his phone tumbling into the water sprang to mind. Could that be where the burn came from? If it is a burn.


    "I''ll take Questions I''ll Never Know the Answer to for 400, Alex," Derek muttered to himself. What is... what happened to me on the dock tonight?"


    Derek let the question die, but it echoed through the dark caverns of his mind, the parts of his mind more willing to accept the unexplainable, the ones that rarely saw the light of the day. Before Derek could plumb the depths, his phone lit up in the rice bowl. The device was off, so removing the water shouldn''t have changed that. However, an iconic fruit logo flickered onto the screen, proving otherwise.


    He decided to dwell on the unexplainable another time, maybe after he called his mom back and told Harmony what happened that night. She would ride him about being on the lake after dark, but what had happened to him differed from the typical amber lights that spirited away tourists. After the phone''s initial boot-up sequence, the device should have displayed his home screen, a page littered with apps, a picture of him and Harmony, and a group of their friends from high school holding a massive fish between them. It should have been a winner that year, a record breaker, but Rod had other plans.


    Instead of the home screen, a spinning logo of a man holding a sword and a shield dominated the screen. Underneath his feet, the words MythMaker wrote themselves out in typical old English fantasy script. Each letter wrote itself out on the screen as if handwritten by quill. When the unseen hand finished the last letter, the man stopped spinning and seemed to look out of the screen at Derek. He looked determined, like those Army recruitment ads that said, "We Want You." which were made famous during World War 1. Whatever this app was trying to say, Derek didn''t like the way the guy looked at him, the way his black eyes seemed to look into him. People needed enough from him already, so this guy could get in line.


    Derek swiped up on the screen to banish the app, but the man stood there, undeterred. His facial expression didn''t change, but something about it felt responsive anyway. It felt like he was watching Derek''s attempts to close the app with disappointment but also patience. Derek could imagine the small figure, a cheesy fantasy hero, calling out to him, "You can''t swipe away your destiny, Derek Dunn."


    "The only way out is through," Derek said, quoting something, but he couldn''t remember what.


    He tapped MythMaker, and the fantasy hero gave Derek a nod and stepped to the side of the phone screen. Behind the little man was a medieval wooden door flanked by torches. The door swung open to reveal a stone hallway obscured by inky darkness. Moss grew between the stones. They bespoke something ancient and mysterious. It was easy to forget he was looking at the screen of his phone. A new scrawl of white text started to type itself out.


    Enter and Become a Myth.


    Beware: The Making of a Myth is not for the faint of heart.


    Derek tapped the open doorway with his index finger and, for a brief moment, imagined himself sucked into the endless darkness of the hallway. However, it was just the darkness of his phone changing screens, a common phenomenon, but the strangeness of the evening had him on edge. It was only 7 PM, but it felt much later.


    The next screen looked like a more typical menu now but set in a fantasy dungeon. It was set in the same hallway with stone on both sides and endless darkness down the hallway, but floating in the air were four squares. The first square read Character. It was the only one that looked like it had any definition. The other three squares appeared intangible; if they were supposed to have text, Derek couldn''t see it. Despite the weird manifestation of this app, Derek felt immeasurably better. This display was the start screen of a game. Games he could handle. He''d never heard of a game that just installed itself onto a phone, but something like this wasn''t entirely without precedent. He remembered a weird update with one of U2''s albums automatically installed into every handheld music device so the band could break some record. Whoever designed this game must have dropped a large sum of money to do something similar, and when Derek''s phone had turned off and turned back on, it had automatically installed the update containing this game. He wasn''t really in a gaming mood, but after unsuccessfully trying to exit MythMaker a few more times, Derek submitted to the reality that he didn''t have much of a choice if he ever planned to use his phone again.


    He tapped Character with his finger, and his phone chirped with an over-the-top sound effect of a sword leaving a sheath. The handwritten fantasy scrawl painstakingly wrote itself out across the screen. Whoever designed this game has a flair for melodrama.


    Who embarks on this journey?


    Derek''s keyboard emerged from the bottom of the screen, and Derek knew it was time for him to pick his Character Name. MythMaker seemed like the type of game where he wouldn''t need a username with many numbers and symbols to ensure he didn''t have the same username as everyone else, so Derek went with his typical game username.


    Dirk Dawn


    He''d taken to choosing it because he enjoyed how similar it was to his name, and it had annoyed his friends because of how stupid it was. He wondered if they were making their characters at that moment or if their fancy universities were keeping them too busy. As he clicked each letter, they wrote themselves out in the fantasy script, too, and he had to admit he was starting to enjoy the effect. It felt like he was about to embark on some grand adventure. Games like this weren''t Harmony''s style, but he wondered if he could convince her to play it with him. Whatever the game, a group to play it with improved the overall experience.


    The next character creation screen was standard fare in video games, but its options told a different story.


    Myths come in all shapes and sizes. Which shall you be?


    Derek could tell this page was meant to be where he chose his Character''s fantasy race and appearance. Boxes and icons littered the screen, depicting classic options like elves and dwarves along with less typical options like a race called an amberkin, a kismeth, or even a were-folk. He tried tapping them all with a finger to give him some additional information along with any added racial benefits. Derek was the type of guy who never played these types of games as a regular human; sometimes, he just needed a break. However, a tap on each box yielded nothing, and that''s when Derek noticed the borders of each race were grey except one, Human. Underneath the race icon was a short description.


    As all the other races have dwindled across The Realms, humans are the only ones to have become more abundant. Many theorize it was at the expense of others. The Human race starts with well-rounded stats. They don''t suffer in any one stat, nor do they excel. There is no race in The Realms more versatile than a human.


    Derek reluctantly chose his race, and a small human-shaped icon populated the screen. Its back was to Derek, and the avatar turned its face toward the dark hallways of Character Creation. Dirk also seemed to be wearing jeans and a T-shirt eerily similar to the one Derek had changed into after his fishing trip.


    Before Derek could ponder how weird this was, his Character, Dirk Dawn, walked down the hallway at a mechanical pace, as if he didn''t care that he was walking into the unknown without even a torch to guide him. Derek tried not to let his Character''s outfit bother him. The app probably permits my phone to use the camera. That''s why I couldn''t choose any other race than Human. Besides, it''s all for effect. Shock and awe. Dirk kept stupidly walking forward and quickly came upon a three-way intersection that continued straight ahead or either branched at a slant to the left or right. Dirk dutifully stopped to a halt at the intersection. The quill text started to write:


    One cannot become a Myth without one''s chosen craft. Choose wisely


    Three portrait-shaped icons started to populate each hallway, along with a title placard above them. From left to right, they read The Inept Scholar, The Angler, and The Neighborhood Pest. Next to each title placard was a little bubble with a lowercase i inside. Derek assumed this was an information bubble that would give him some information about each option. This new room was the page where he would choose his Character''s class.


    Derek had a couple of problems with it right off the bat. Two of the class options were outright insulting. The Angler option tempted Derek just because it was the only one who wasn''t poking fun at him, but that was where his other problem occurred. Despite none of the classes being the typical video game options like a warrior, archer, or rogue, these class options seemed like picks that needed some degree of personal knowledge of Derek''s life. The Angler was obvious. Derek loved fishing. However, even the other two less flattering options didn''t take a galactic leap of logic to figure out how they applied to him. Derek looked at The Inept Scholar, and it was an icon of mini Dirk Dawn lying on a couch. Abandoned scrolls surrounded the avatar, but the telling detail was a glowing computer screen covered in dust. How could it not be a subtle jab at Derek''s lackadaisical approach towards his online studies?


    The Neighborhood Pest was more of the same. It was a portrait of Dirk Dawn in a cartoonishly large garden, hiding behind a vegetable while an equally giant, angry farmer searched for him. The farmer in the icon bore an uncanny resemblance to Rod Hockenson. As far as Derek knew, Rod had never been a farmer, but he had also referred to Derek as a pest many times throughout Derek''s life.


    Cameras couldn''t explain this level of detail on the phone. AI couldn''t even explain it. An AI wouldn''t have a likeness of the owner of the town''s junkyard/fishing shop stored in its database along with the favorite insult Rod used. He almost decided that his foray into MythMaker was over right then and there, but then he realized something. If he wanted to use his phone anytime soon, Derek would have power throughout the character-creation process.


    He seriously considered picking a random class and continuing down the hallway, consequences be damned, but Derek couldn''t bring himself to that point. Something about this process felt important. If Derek was going to be stuck playing this game, he might as well have the best class possible. That presented another problem. None of these options could be considered conventionally valuable in a game setting. Maybe The Inept Scholar could learn spells at some point. The scrolls littered around the portrait''s room seemed like a good indicator, but before Derek made any decisions, he decided he would press the information bubble of each class. Derek started with The Inept Scholar:


    The Inept Scholar has breezed through life''s many hurdles with a natural aptitude that has prevented him from developing the skills necessary to be a successful student of magic. The Inept Scholar acquires knowledge and new skills at a blistering pace. The only thing holding him back is his motivation. The Inept Scholar is unable to achieve mastery of any one school of magic but is able to cast spells of Tier 3 or lower in multiple schools of magic with the appropriate level of study.


    Derek ignored the insult about his lack of diligence in his studies and almost picked it up anyway. He was comfortable being a magic user in most games, but being unable to get the crazy spells of a high-level character was a big turn-off. The Inept Scholar seemed like a class that would start powerful but prove difficult to be effective with later on, not that Derek knew what later on would even mean. Despite sounding vaguely insulting towards him and knowing too much personal information, this sounded like a good class option.


    Dirk''s next path was The Angler. The portrait depicted a man with his back to the audience, surrounded by a vast expanse of nothingness. The only things in the frame were the man, his pole, and a little fishing hole. However, the fisherman was pulling on the pole for dear life. The struggle between the fisherman and his catch felt like it had been happening much longer and would continue long after he''d left. Derek tapped The Angler info icon.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The Angler is known for his extreme patience and willpower. While the world changes, The Angler remains stalwart and implacable. The art of Angling is a lonely occupation with no limit to its potential. With enough time and planning, every catch is within The Angler''s reach, but at what cost?


    Derek involuntarily shuddered as he finished reading the description. Both of the descriptions hit too close to home. What kind of video game offers for their Character to become the best fisherman of all time? It didn''t even tout the gameplay benefits of The Inept Scholar class. At least with that one, Derek could see himself having some combat potential. The game hinted that The Angler had limitless potential, but would he be forced down some non-combat playthrough if he chose it? Derek tried not to fixate on how seriously he was taking this process. It¡¯s just a game. Choosing a major in college had been a quicker process for him than this. Not that that means much. A business degree is a classic stalling tactic for someone who doesn¡¯t know what they want to do with their life.


    The last potential path for Dirk to travel was that of The Neighborhood Pest. It was the least conventional of the three options, and Derek considered skipping past it. He couldn''t imagine himself choosing it or even a situation in which it could be helpful for his Character. However, he tapped the info icon out of morbid curiosity. When MythMaker became popular, Derek would be kicking himself if he passed over something that had the potential to be one of the better classes.


    The Neighborhood Pest knows his surroundings and uses that knowledge to nefarious ends. He is a debuff specialist known for finding and exploiting the weaknesses of even the most formidable opponents. The Neighborhood Pest excels at attacks from oblique angles but suffers in direct confrontation. The longer he is in an environment, the more advantage he accrues, but the converse is also true. The Neighborhood Pest takes penalties in unfamiliar environs.


    The class intrigued Derek more than he would have thought at the outset. It sounded like The Neighborhood Pest was a rogue or debuff-type class. Derek could imagine himself playing something like that to significant effect, but there were too many unknowns. The description of how he would do it could have been more specific, and the penalty he took in unfamiliar surroundings sounded like it could be a considerable hindrance. Derek didn''t know how long Dirk would be in each area of the game and, therefore, didn''t know how much he could utilize the class to its fullest. It also seemed like a class that might do better in a party, and Derek had serious doubts that would ever happen. If his college friends were too busy to keep in contact, they were too busy to play a game like MythMaker with him.


    Derek tapped The Angler. The miniature avatar of Dirk Dawn walked through the portrait of the fisherman, gaining a tan bucket hat and a wooden fishing pole strapped to his back. How the pole rested on his back reminded Derek of a knight''s sword. As Dirk walked down the dark dungeon hallway, he arrived at yet another intersection. However, instead of more descriptions and things for Derek to choose from, there were five different closed doorways. The doors were each wooden and of a different color: red, blue, green, yellow, and purple. There weren''t any info bubbles for Derek to pick to help him with his choice, and whenever he tapped a door, the only prompt he received was:


    Are you sure? Y/N


    A little more context for the choice would have been excellent, but it didn''t look like he would get any. He still needed to understand how this was part of character creation. Derek chose the green door because he''d watched a movie once that said geniuses pick green. Dirk strode through the door and walked for another ten seconds before arriving at yet another door. However, next to the door was a matching green chest with the words Starting Equipment emblazoned in its intricately detailed wood paneling. Derek quickly tapped the little chest with excitement. Who didn''t love a little loot? As the lid creaked open, a light started to spill out and - "Derek Dunn, where have you been?"


    The voice startled him so much that he dropped his phone. It landed face-down. I hope this doesn¡¯t start to become a regular thing. Derek itched to bend down and see what loot he''d obtained, but the tone of his mother¡¯s voice made him revise that plan.


    Derek''s mother, or as the residents of Golden Lake knew her, Lisa Dunn, was a chatty and kind woman. With heels on, she couldn''t have been taller than 5''2'', and she never wore heels. She wouldn¡¯t be caught dead without her customary flannel shirt tucked into a pair of overalls that led into a meticulously kept pair of black Tecova cowboy boots. Other women in town were afraid to wear pigtails because of their irrational fear that they would never live up to Lisa Dunn''s platinum-blonde look. Lisa was always quick to lend her and her family''s hands to those in need and was on good terms with nearly everyone in town, including a fair number of the summer tourists. However, none of these things were what she was best known for.


    Lisa Dunn''s legendary wrath was what people still mentioned in hushed tones. Even those who hadn''t witnessed one of her notorious temper tantrums pretended like they had because they were always the talk of the town. During these tantrums, her choice of words and her use of the environment both received honorable mentions. Eustace Everly still shivers every time he sees an elk because of the time Derek''s mother pinned him to a wall between the tines of a taxidermied elk head because of Eustace''s drunken advances toward her daughter. Additionally, it prompted all the kids in town to look up the words "waddling bag of erectile dysfunction and alcoholism."


    Derek had never needed to pretend he''d witnessed them. He had far too much experience being on the receiving end. With a sinking feeling, Derek realized this might become one of those times. Harmony had mentioned something earlier in the day about his mom needing him, and Lisa had unsuccessfully tried to get a hold of him at the precise moment he''d dropped his phone in the lake. Now, MythMaker had hijacked his cell phone. He really had intended to call her back, but the road to unleashing his mother''s wrath was paved with good intentions.


    "Today''s my day off, so I thought I''d practice for the Jamboree," Derek told her lamely.


    "The Jamboree? The one in July? Aren¡¯t we still in January?" Lisa Dunn asked, the tone revealing she already knew the answer.


    "Well¡­ yeah. I''m practicing. It''s my day off. I didn''t think it would be a big deal."


    "Well, how are your online classes going?" she asked, another question she knew the answer to.


    Derek shrugged his shoulders, "They''re going okay."


    "That¡¯s interesting. I was looking over your grades, and I couldn''t help but notice you had several B''s in Business Accounting and Management Theories. Not to mention a C in Music Appreciation. I suppose ''okay'' would be an adequate way to put it if one held no standards for themselves. Tell me, how does one get a C in Music Appreciation?"


    Derek''s lips quirked into a half-smile, "Maybe they don''t appreciate music enough?"


    Her icy demeanor didn¡¯t show any cracks beyond the polite smile she always wore as her temper ratcheted up to boiling. Derek couldn''t help but feel that if his older brother or sister had said it, his mom would''ve laughed.


    "I''m glad you find this amusing, Derek. One of us needs to be able to enjoy your failure."


    Derek winced. His brother and sister had always been straight-A students all through college, but his mom had always acted like Derek''s lack of straight-A¡¯s wasn¡¯t that big of a deal. While his dad had always treated Derek like the least of his three children, Derek¡¯s mom always went out of her way to defend her youngest son. Derek worried this time; he''d pushed her one step too far, something he seemed to have a knack for.


    "I''m sorry, Mom. I''m trying hard in my own way. It''s just really tough for me to care about these classes. It''s like, what''s the point? We pay all these stacks of money for classes that teach me how to do something I already know how to do."


    "If you already know how to do it, then why aren''t your grades better?"


    It was a fair question.


    "Because none of it has to do with actual business. Being able to write in APA format isn''t going to help me run the family store. Everything they assign is like that. It''s all theory and being trained to do things like a trained drone instead of being able to apply it in a real-life situation, like working in a grocery store. I''d rather spend my time doing something practical."


    Lisa arched a meticulously crafted eyebrow, "And fishing in the middle of winter is practical?"


    "Yes!" Derek said, unintentionally raising his voice, "I love fishing, and I¡¯m going to win. The whole town wants me to win. Don''t you want someone to wipe that smile off Rod''s face? I can do it. This is going to be my year. I can feel it!"


    Lisa Dunn took a deep breath. Derek braced himself for the eruption, but when she exhaled, whatever anger was building behind that cold exterior visibly left her. His mom''s shoulders relaxed, and the sharp angles of her face seemed to soften.


    "Oh, Wreck, the whole town isn''t thinking of your future after this summer. Neither are you. But I am, and so is your father. So what if you win the Jamboree? What next?"


    "Why does there have to be a next right now? I can deal with that next when we get there, and then all the other nexts as they crop up. Why do I need to have it all figured out right now? I want to live in this town for the rest of my life and take over the family business. I thought that would make you both happy."


    Derek''s mother approached him with a sad look and wrapped her arms around him. Her head didn''t even reach his shoulder, but at that moment, her warmth and love for him enwrapped Derek''s entire being. She held the hug longer than she had since he was a kid, and when his mom finally let him go, she looked up at him with an unmistakable love that made Derek feel like a fool for ever doubting.


    "When you have kids, maybe you''ll understand that what''s good enough for you isn''t what you want for your kids. You want them to have more than you had. Your father and I want you to have so much more."


    At the mention of his father, Derek stiffened. "I believe that''s what you want for me. Dad wants to get rid of me. He hasn''t spoken to me in months."


    If the harsh words bothered her, his mom didn''t let it show. "That''s something you''re going to have to work out with your father, but just know that he loves you very much¡ªmore than you''ll ever know until you have kids of your own."


    Derek stifled his frustration at the line. Whenever parents wanted to make a point, they had to say something like, ''When you have your own kids, you''ll get it.'' There was no response to that that didn''t make him feel like a jerk, especially since he could feel how hard his mom was trying.


    "I have nothing to work out with him. He owes me an apology, and until he''s willing to admit it, we don''t have anything to talk about. I''m not trying to be difficult, but you shouldn''t want me to accept anything less than an apology after what he did."


    Lisa Dunn smiled a tired smile. Wrinkles crinkled the corners of her eyes and the edge of her mouth. It was the first time Derek noticed them, and he secretly wondered if he was the cause. "What if your father feels the same way? Have you considered that?"


    An incredulous laugh escaped from Derek''s mouth before he could control himself. He didn''t want to disregard the olive branch his mother had offered him, so he mastered his tongue and said, "No, I have not honestly considered that. It''s hard for me to imagine something so outlandish. In fact, I don''t know how any person could walk away from that situation and arrive at that conclusion."


    Surprisingly, his mother laughed, "The two of you are more similar than you think. You''ve always been the most like your father."


    "So, now we''re slinging insults?" Derek asked. "I hope you haven''t told Dad that little observation. I can think of several dictators he would rather compare himself to than me."


    His mother laughed again. It felt genuine. Derek could feel himself softening. He couldn''t remember the last time his mother had laughed at or enjoyed something he''d said. At some point in their relationship, she''d started to feel like his boss more than his mom. When the laughter subsided, she said, "Derek, talk to your father, and I mean actually talk with him. Be yourself, not this character you play when you''re having conversations you don''t like."


    "I don''t play a-"


    "Just try. For me," Derek''s mom pleaded, and something in her tone finally extinguished his protests.


    "Okay, Mom. I¡¯ll talk with him, really talk with him. I promise."


    "Thumb promise?" she asked.


    Derek nodded, "Thumb promise."


    The two of them raised their hands and wrapped their thumbs around each other. When their thumbs clasped, the rest of their hands flared awkwardly like the wings of a bird. A thumb promise was something Derek, his mom, and all of his friends used to do together. Derek had always thought pinky promises were overrated. The pinky is the most fragile finger on the entire hand and, thus, easiest to break. So when Derek was eight years old, he proposed the thumb promise, which would be the hardest promise to break because the thumb was the toughest finger to break. His dad and siblings thought it was stupid, but his mom had always indulged him. Before tonight, Derek would have guessed his thumb promise days were over, but that didn''t diminish the seriousness of the promise. He would try to the best of his abilities to have an honest conversation with his dad. Mentally, Derek added another amendment to the thumb promise and decided he wouldn''t give his mom such a hard time anymore. She was trying her best, and it wasn''t her fault she married Harold Dunn, the most stubborn man on the face of the earth.


    "I''ll talk to him, and I''ll do my best," Derek told her, "But I can''t promise an apology."


    "I understand," she said with a nod, removing her hand from his. "Now, what''s going on here?" She said while motioning towards the bowl full of rice in her kitchen.


    Derek explained that his cheap waterproof case wasn''t fully waterproof and that the lake had nearly eaten his phone. He didn''t tell her about his monstrous catch or the burn on his hand. It somehow didn''t feel right. Derek also neglected to mention the bits where he ignored Harmony''s reminder to call his mom.


    When he finished his tale, his mother clucked about him being out in the cold all day and how he needed to ensure he was warm enough. Derek then asked polite questions about her day at the store. The conversation drifted and took them to the living room. Derek scooped up his phone and dropped it into his pocket.


    His mom put on a show about a young genius and his zany misadventures. Derek stoked the fireplace, and the two watched episode after episode in warmth and comfort. At some point, Derek heard the front door open, and his dad slipped into the room, back home after a business trip. He remembered his mom mentioning that his dad needed to go out and schmooze some potential massive national supplier. His father dropped into his overly large reclining chair without a word and watched with them for hours. Derek would find the courage to talk to him at some point, but not tonight.


    His thoughts drifted to Dirk Dawn''s mini adventure and the newly opened loot box from time to time, but he never pulled out his phone to check. It would ruin the moment. MythMaker could wait.

 Chapter 3: Hero of Prophecy

    Chapter 3: Hero of Prophecy


    Derek dreamt of catching monstrous sharks from the lake and crowd-surfing through the town in triumph. He fought to stay in the dream when something heavy settled on his chest. It wasn''t the first time the family cat had decided it was time for Derek to wake up, but he wasn''t ready. It was so rare his dreams were happy these days. The mundanity of his burgeoning adulthood had replaced all the happy dreams one by one. However, despite his best efforts, his dream as the town¡¯s champion faded away. His new awareness he was in a dream acted like a stone thrown into a tranquil pond, the ripples destroying the image. When he reached out a hand to pet his dad''s insufferable tabby cat, Tabitha, Derek found a surprise. His hand brushed against something feverishly warm that had the texture of a Ziploc bag covered with sandpaper and filled with warm soup. A bright light flashed on the other side of his eyelids, and a burning sensation struck the tips of his fingers.


    Instinct took over. In one swift motion, Derek pulled his entire body out from under the intruder, threw his sheets and comforter over the shape, and kicked it off of his bed. A loud "Gahh" escaped the mass of bedding as it hit the dresser, rattling some superhero figures in the process, and fell to the ground. It started thrashing, trying to untangle itself, and Derek leaped off his bed to find something he could use as a weapon.


    "Some Hero of Prophecy you are," a voice said in his room. It sounded masculine with a vaguely European accent that Derek couldn''t place.


    Derek stopped what he was doing and turned to face the voice. It came from the bedding. He tried and failed to come up with a response to the bizarre statement and instead stared as his intruder disentangled itself from the mess. As Derek watched it remove the layers, he shivered in his boxers and nightshirt, remembering the cold. Two space heaters weren''t enough to heat a house in the middle of an Idaho winter, even if that house was only a tiny home. He was weirdly jealous of his strange guest, still wrapped in a warm blanket.


    "Well, Human, don''t you have anything to say for yourself?" it asked, "I''ve read Humans are barbarical, but even this seems beyond the pale. What is that horrific smell? Pine?"


    At that moment, the creature finally freed itself, and Derek learned that magic was real. The little person, or creature more like, stood at about the height of Derek''s waist. It still had the standard set of two arms and legs, but each limb seemed to consist of a redundant amount of joints to the point where Derek couldn''t imagine each joint served a purpose. Despite its tiny stature, it still gave off a lean and gangly vibe, reminiscent of a stick insect if it were combined with a human child. Its golden glowing eyes with coal-like pupils glared at Derek. It had pointy ears, but they inexplicably pointed down towards its shoulders. The creature¡¯s mouth was smiling, and Derek wished it wasn''t. Teeth that alternated between canines and the flat incisors of humans populated its mouth. It had fingers and toes that terminated in sharp nails that poked out of voluminous black robes that were spotted with dirt and fraying at the seams like the creature had just escaped a Looney Tunes brawl. As Derek stared at the bald little creature, a flash of gold light suffused its entire frame; the light started at its head and followed the branching paths of its veins down to its clawed and shoeless feet.


    If brains could short-circuit, smoke would be pouring out of Derek¡¯s ears. Too many questions spilled into his mind, one after another. What are you? Who are you? What is that light? Where did you come from? Did you just burn my hand? Have I gone insane? Hero of Prophecy? Did you actually say barbarical?


    "I can see you won''t be making this easy," the little man said, "the name''s Teetch. You''re my Hero of Prophecy, so let''s get on with it. What can you do?"


    "Hero of Prophecy?" Derek asked, finally settling on a relevant question.


    "This will go much faster if you don''t repeat everything I say. Focus on answering my questions. The fate of The Realms may depend on it."


    Derek bit back the urge to ask the next obvious question. The Realms did sound familiar to him, though, like it was the setting of some movie or video game, but agonizing over it wouldn''t get him anywhere. He had to stop letting this pipsqueak bully him around. Derek wondered if all fantasy races were condescending jerks and scolded himself for the thought. It''s probably just this one guy.


    "Not so fast, Short-stack. I''m the Hero of Prophecy, or so I''ve been told. How about a little respect? And by the way, my room smells like pine because pine trees are literally outside. What else would it smell like?"


    "Where I come from, respect is earned, Human. Because rotten luck made you the blinding Hero of Prophecy doesn''t mean I''ve got to lick your toes about it. And I suggest cutting this pine down if it would remove that malodoriferous smell."


    The little guy''s response gave Derek some grounding¡ªwell, aside from the bit about pine trees. Magic, Heroes of Prophecy, and fantasy realms were way over Derek''s head, but if there was one thing he could use as an anchor, it was dealing with obnoxious customers/people. Teetch is in my world now.


    "Respect is earned? The way I see it, Teetle, you haven''t done anything to earn mine." Derek said, intentionally getting the creature''s name wrong, "The Realms can go burn for all I care if you''re their spokesman. See ya, I gotta get ready for work."


    People like this Teetch, fantasy race or not, operated by setting the dynamic early and treating their opposite like a subordinate, so Derek flipped the script. If he had to guess, the little guy was accustomed to people doing whatever he said. Now, Teetch was the one on unfamiliar ground. The creature had made a critical mistake. He''d let slip that he needed Derek for something. Derek didn''t need him. Sure, he was curious about what in the world was going on, but Teetch had already revealed he had no intention of telling Derek anything. Derek had nothing to lose, therefore, all the power in this dynamic.


    Derek started getting ready for the day. Things got awkward quickly because he couldn¡¯t get anywhere in his tiny home without passing uncomfortably close to the creature without having to climb over his bed each time. He managed to put on jeans, apply deodorant, and comb his hair before Teetch finally gave in.


    "I may have been a bit hasty," Teetch said, nearly growling out the next part, "Please forgive me for my lack of mannequette."


    "Mannequette?" Derek asked. It was the second time the guy had said something bizarre.


    Teetch let out a deep sigh, "Manners and etiquette. I know you aren''t the brightest of Humans, and for that, I forgive you, but if I have to explain every word you don''t recognize, we aren''t going to get anywhere."


    Derek held back a laugh and asked, "Where did you learn to speak English?"


    Teetch stared at Derek for a long moment, his amber eyes blinking slowly and deliberately before he responded, "What did I say about questions? English? Nice try. I speak Human. Don''t you recognize your own language?"


    "Human, of course. I hadn''t realized you were that sophisticated," Derek said solemnly.


    "I''ll have you know that I''m a foremost expert on Human language and communiculture in the Giild, but I must admit that conversing with a real-life Human has been a bit of a struggle. Vaalsa warned me about Human barbarism, but it is another thing seeing it firsthand," the little man said, sweeping his arm out in a gesture encompassing Derek''s entire house. Besides the discarded bedding and the knocked-over figures on Derek''s dresser, the room was spotless, but Derek guessed no matter what he did, it would be barbarism.


    Derek mentally noted the new word Teetch mentioned but nodded in agreement. Questions weren''t getting him anywhere. He needed to pick and choose his battles. Derek decided to start from the beginning of this strange encounter.


    "I apologize profusely for my lack of knowledge, but you mentioned something about a Hero of Prophecy? Please enlighten me," Derek asked.


    "Thank you for the apology. For the sake of brevity, let''s assume similar apologies for your ignorance in all further statements," Teetch said without a trace of irony, "And yes, the Hero of Prophecy, unfortunate business, that would be you."


    At that moment, a golden light flashed and ran like little rivers down Teetch''s vasculature, reminding Derek how unfamiliar the tiny person was, "I don''t know what prophecy we''re referencing, but I would be shocked if any prophecy had my name on it. You''re sure you''ve got the right guy?"


    "Don''t insult me, Human. Of course, I''ve got the right ''guy.'' However, I''ve pinpointed the heart of your confusionment. There is no prophecy, so to speak. I''m, of course, referencing the scroll Hero of Prophecy."


    "So it was a scroll that said I''m the Hero of Prophecy?" Derek asked.


    Teetch tugged on the lobe of one of his pointy ears, presumably in frustration, "It is written that Humans don¡¯t have access to the mystical, but I assumed that was for the small stuff or that they just couldn''t practice magic. I never dreamed it was such a backwater that you''d never heard of the ten Great Spells. Okay, let''s start with the basics. What do you know about magic?"


    "Nothing," Derek said, shrugging his shoulders, ¡°Before this moment, I would''ve told you magic didn''t exist."


    The little creature seemed to deflate and lose some of the frantic energy he''d had since waking Derek. He stood there and scratched his head contemplatively. The image looked comical with his little claws.


    "I''ve reached a conclusion," Teetch said. Another flash of light followed the statement, but Derek would''ve sworn it looked dimmer than the last time, "Sadly, I have no doubt you are the Hero of Prophecy. The scroll chose you, but I¡¯ve ascertained that you cannot help me."


    Until a moment ago, Derek would''ve agreed with the diminutive creature, but now he wanted to argue in his defense. Derek opened his mouth to protest and-


    "Don''t argue with me, Human. You''ve already been Awakened, so I''ll give you some information necessary for your survival, and then you and I shall part ways. Upon completion, I''ll discover an alternate way to save the Queen."


    "I may only be a grocer and sometimes a college student, but if there''s something I could do to help, what kinda guy would I be if I didn''t give it a shot?" Derek protested.


    "I''m afraid I must insist. We are dealing with a precarious situation, and someone with your glaring lack of knowledge would do more harm than good. Now, I suggest you sit down while I attempt to convey the reality of your new situation."


    Derek sat on the edge of his twin-sized bed, his eyeline still a head-length higher than the creature. Teetch seemed to realize this and clambered to the top of his dresser so he could look down on Derek.


    "My people, the Amberkin, have been saving the scroll containing the Great Spell Hero of Prophecy for as long as any individual kin can remember. It was only to be used for a disastrophe that threatened the very existence of the Giild. We judged¡­ or rather, I, Teetch, judge the current situation as having reached that point. The Spell is designed to imbue one Unawakened individual with the amount of mana necessary to both become Awakened and give that individual powers without limit, but the scroll demands this individual be a Human. They''re the only beings left untouched by mana. Therefore, they are a perfect blank slate for unaspected mana used by all Great Spells. The Scroll of Othiamphuus has been gathering raw mana for nearly one hundred million Human years.


    I left The Realms and journeyed to the land of Humans to find an ideal candidate for the Great Spell. However, I''d not left the Giild longer than a moment before I felt the Spell activate. All the power stored by the amberkin escaped and flew inside the first Human that crossed its path. Legends and ancient writings are all we have available to guess the effects of Hero of Prophecy, for the sake of furthering amberkin understanding, I decided to follow you and observe the changes firsthand. Imagine my disappointment when all I observed was you fiddling with that device of yours and quarreling with your fellow humans before then falling asleep. I thought the change might occur while you slept, so I waited. I observed for one cycle of the moon, and still nothing. It became apparent that I would need to shape the Amber myself, so I disturbed your slumber.


    Now, you and I must discover how Hero of Prophecy will manifest inside you, and I''ll tell you what it means to be Awakened. Now, did you notice something beyond your limited understanding happen to you during the night cycle?"


    Derek almost told the little creature, something called an amberkin, that nothing had happened the night before, but then he remembered how weird the night had been. His monstrous catch, the burn on his hand, and even the bizarre new app that had downloaded itself on his phone all swirled around in his mind as disparate events. Maybe it¡¯s all connected.


    "I haven''t noticed anything that made me feel Hero-y, but last night, I got attacked by a light and got this gnarly burn by the lake, and my phone started acting weird. A game installed itself onto my phone, and it knew way too much about me," Derek said, lifting his arm to show Teetch the burn along his forearm.


    Teetch waved one of his multi-jointed arms in exasperation. "The burn''s my handiwork. It likely saved your life. While underneath that wooden structure at the lake, I observed Chaasmyth¡¯s approach and decided to intervene. Chaasmyth hates those devices you Humans carry. Don''t bother to thank me. If given a choice, I''d not save you again. Leaving the Giild was an error. Could the Wheel have been right? It''s far too late to turn back now."


    "Hold up a minute. You haven''t even seen what''s on my phone yet," Derek urged. The contrarian inside of him piping up and desperately wanting to prove the smug little amberkin wrong.


    "Don''t bother. Your silly devices are the negatithesis of mag-" Teetch started to say, but his breath caught when Derek opened his phone.


    Dirk Dawn, his character in MythMaker, was in the process of opening his Starting Equipment loot box when Derek last used the app. The animation finished, and lights beamed from the chest, highlighting items in a glowing, neon font. Before Derek could look at the loot, Teetch was scrabbling up Derek¡¯s body, trying to get at the phone. "Raw mana is pouring off that device. It has to be from Hero of Prophecy. What have you done to it?"


    Derek held Teetch back, putting his palm on the amberkin¡¯s forehead. The sensation was unpleasant, like there wasn''t enough resistance, as there should be. His skin was uncomfortably warm.


    "I didn''t do anything. It''s a game. It''s called MythMaker. See?" Derek said, showing Teetch the phone. It was the wrong thing to say.


    "A game? The fate of the once-great Giild Othiamphuus, the Millenia Queen, and maybe even The Realms is at stake, and you''ve reduced it to an ever-blinding game." Teetch said, horror replacing his previous arrogance. Teetch backed away from Derek like he was holding something dangerous.


    "I didn''t do anything-"


    "Enough! Human! You''ve done plenty¡ªa word of caution. Be careful what you show the Unawakened. The Human mind cannot handle the mystical. Were I you, I''d toss that device and forget you ever saw me. I''ll endeavor to do the same." Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    At the proclamation, the little amberkin''s skin started getting brighter. Derek lunged at Teetch. He had so many questions still, and if the strange creature left, Derek had a feeling they''d never get answered. Golden light overwhelmed his senses. He tried to grab where he''d last seen the amberkin, but it was no use. Teetch was like a miniature fantasy flashbang. As Derek blinked the spots from his eyes, he pondered what to do next. His alarm clock picked that moment to start blaring, and Derek knew what he had to do. Work.


    ¦µ


    His warm shower and walk to Dunn, Dunn, Dunn Market, and Grocery felt surreal. Derek didn''t know what he expected, but he didn''t expect things to be normal after his encounter with Teetch. Miss Pruitt''s bakery smelled as fresh and delicious as it always did. People still exchanged the same pleasantries during their short commutes as they walked to their destinations. The town school bus even drove by, kicking up its typical brown, snowy sludge on a few unlucky commuters. How can there still be school on a day like today?


    Derek mimicked the usual motions, but his heart wasn''t in it. He couldn''t stop thinking about his mysterious visitor and his dire proclamations. Was a world ending somewhere, and no one knew it but him? A more pressing question nagged at him. Could I do anything to stop it even if I wanted to? The amberkin dismissed MythMaker entirely, but something about the game felt like it didn''t mesh, like it didn''t fit neatly with the other aspects of everyday life. Derek felt like he didn''t fit neatly either.


    Derek went through the usual opening routines when he arrived at the store. He stocked shelves and took inventory, and by 9 a.m., he was ready to open the store. Dunn, Dunn, Dunn only had ten measly aisles, but within those aisles, there was a little bit of everything, and it was everywhere. Breakfast food, office supplies, and the latest bestsellers all lived on the same aisle but at a steep mark-up compared to what one could get at a big box retailer, which was why his dad was stressing so much about that deal with a big national supplier. Harold Dunn had always hated those guys. Derek could remember a time when everyone came to their family market, but now, working at the store meant a lot of sitting around at the register, waiting for the occasional customer to groan at prices before eventually buying something.


    During the winter months, they didn''t get many daily customers. The rush, if anyone could call it that, was in the late afternoon and early evening. His parents only bothered scheduling people who weren¡¯t their son after 4 p.m., and Derek still had inordinate free time every shift. Perfect for MythMaker.


    Derek opened his phone to see the neon script listing what gear Dirk Dawn would start with. A few items on the list glowed green, while the rest were written in white. If Derek applied video game logic, white gear would be the common rarity stuff, and the other colors would indicate an increase in value. Derek tapped all of the white items first.


    Wooden Fishing Rod (Common Equipment)


    A fishing rod crafted from supple bamboo. The staple of fishermen used to reel in any manner of catch. It might not look like much at first, but a rod is an extension of its owner. As the Angler develops, so too shall the rod. There is no limit to its potential.


    Iron Fillet Knife (Common Equipment)


    An iron knife with a wooden handle meant for the delicate work of filleting a catch. A simple item that will suit the needs of a novice fisherman. A Bonus is granted against anything hooked by Wooden Fishing Rod. Warning: This item''s upgrade capacity is limited. Tougher catches will require a finer instrument.


    Improved Cast (Common Ability)


    The Angler has spent hours honing his craft and has gained an instinctual knowledge of how to cast the rod properly. Hook, line, and rod are all bent to one singular purpose: hooking and catching things previously unheard of. Description: The Angler has improved control of his rod. This ability is granted a Bonus while using Wooden Fishing Rod. There is no limit to the potential of this ability.


    Identify (Common Ability)


    Knowledge is power. Items and creatures beyond mortal ken populate the Realms. A diligent adventurer must be able to identify them all.  Description: Identify reveals the behavior and stats of unknown creatures, items, and persons. Identify will level along with its wielder; it cannot be used to identify items or creatures of higher level. Warning: Unawakened individuals cannot be Identified.


    After Derek finished reading the item descriptions, rays of grey light, the same color as their item descriptions, spilled out of the phone. Some rays flew past his face while others coalesced at his hip. Derek watched, transfixed, as the light from his phone started to 3D print a slender, fillet knife matching the MythMaker item description sheathed at his hip. Simultaneously, he could feel the familiar heft of a fishing pole and the corresponding strap attach itself to his back. Teetch should''ve stuck around for this.


    Derek pulled the knife from its sheath and admired the slender, wicked blade. It consisted of dull, simple-looking iron, but the shape and sharpness made it easy to tell that cutting flesh was in the mind of whoever crafted the blade. He hoped he wouldn''t have to use it. Catch and release had always been Derek''s fishing philosophy. Killing the fish had never been a factor for him. Next, he pulled the Wooden Fishing Rod from his back. Preconceived notions from video games made Derek imagine it would be a bamboo stick with a string attached to the end, but this thing was a masterpiece: Nothing common about it. The knife was nice, but the fishing pole was something else entirely. If he turned around and tried to sell it, he could easily clear $1000. An antique bamboo fishing pole was worth an arm and a leg in some fishing circles. Derek ran a hand along it, his hand seeming to glide down its length. He grabbed the end to test the tensile strength and was surprised to find the perfect amount of reflexiveness and recoil tension. Derek gripped it with both hands and tenderly placed it on the counter with the same care saved for fine china and newborn babies.


    A piece of his mind wondered how quickly he was accepting all these new changes. That day, a fantasy creature approached and told him he was a Hero of Prophecy, even though the creature eventually took back the offer, it still counted. That, along with his phone creating real-life items out of thin air, should have been enough to have him gibbering on the floor. He''d watched as the Laws of thermodynamics were violated, but Derek couldn''t muster up the energy to care. It was like he''d known it was coming. I¡¯m Awakened.


    Instead of dwelling on his situation''s oddities, Derek picked up his phone. He had some rare green loot to snag. His finger dashed across the three remaining items.


    Bucket Hat of Focus (Uncommon Equipment)


    A tan bucket hat made of tweed and fibers plucked from a bristlelock. Focus is a key trait possessed by all great Anglers. While wearing the Bucket Hat of Focus, Anglers gain protection from all mind-altering effects to maintain focus on their catch. Warning: Protection is only applied while the Bucket Hat of Focus occupies an equipment slot. Upon premature removal, all lingering negative effects will still be applied.


    Line of Steel (Uncommon Passive Ability)


    An Angler''s line often breaks before they¡¯ve given up the fight. Line of Steel allows the Angler''s will to be imbued with the strength of the Angler¡¯s determination. Description: Any fishing line used by The Angler cannot be broken as long as his will persists. Warning: This effect will dissipate if the Angler loses heart.


    No Sudden Moves (Uncommon Passive Ability)


    Legends say the difference between a novice fisherman and a true Angler is their ability to become one with their environment, unseen by their catch. No Sudden Moves adds to this natural ability. Description: While remaining still, The Angler is more difficult to detect. Warning: No Sudden Moves can be affected by the Angler''s attire. Clothes that contrast the environment apply a debuff. Additionally, beings with enhanced perception gain an advantage when seeing through the effects of No Sudden Moves.


    Derek smiled a goofy grin while his phone printed him a new hat. He remembered when Harmony and their other friends begged Derek not to get a bucket hat back when he''d started fishing. At the time, he''d acquiesced to their demands, but now he didn''t have a choice. Derek imagined the mingled looks of disgust on their faces when they saw the old-style tweed bucket hat for the first time. The grin faded when he realized that Harmony was the only friend left. For a brief moment, Derek had forgotten they''d all left him behind. He shook his head to dismiss the negative thoughts and realized a customer had been waiting for him. Derek didn¡¯t want to know how long As Derek bagged her groceries, he ignored the pitying look on Mrs. Burgeon''s face.


    ¦µ


    The rest of the shift passed by at a relatively swift pace. The drip feed of customers was nearly enough to keep him occupied for the whole day. In one of his free moments, Derek rechecked MythMaker, but a locked wooden door blocked the avatar of Dirk Dawn. It wouldn''t open, not even under a blistering assault of furious tapping. During another free moment, he smeared some aloe vera on his Teetch burn and wrapped it in gauze. He spent the remainder of his free time trying to see if he could figure out how any of his crummy abilities worked.


    It stood to reason that Improved Cast would be the most visual, but Derek wasn''t sure he would know what a successful use would look like, so he decided to save it for last. Derek brandished his new fillet knife to test out Line of Steel. MythMaker listed it as a passive ability, so he shouldn''t need to do anything aside from concentrating on the line. Derek spooled out some fishing line from his new rod and tried the knife test. Stabbing and slashing from various angles only resulted in Derek panting tiredly from the exertion. The line remained unscathed even after one particularly nasty swipe of his knife elicited sparks. He wondered if the line needed to be attached to the Wooden Fishing Rod to gain the effects.


    Next, he decided to test No Sudden Moves on the next couple of customers who came to the store. He''d stand behind the counter, as usual, but he''d do it while entirely still and see if anyone noticed. Derek thought there was a good chance the residents of Golden Lake didn''t count as ''beings of enhanced perception'' mentioned in the skill''s description. Paula Milliken noticed him standing behind the counter, but not after she''d stood there for a couple of seconds and even rang the bell for assistance. Derek tested it again, but this time, he stood in the back corner of the area behind the counter instead of directly at the register. Jerry Flanners stood at the counter for over a minute without noticing Derek standing perfectly still in the corner.


    Both of the passive abilities were easy enough to figure out. They were only a tough fishing line and active camouflage, but Derek could still feel his excitement mounting. Maybe these abilities wouldn''t have been able to help Teetch, but he knew one thing they could do. Win the Jamboree. Derek decided he couldn¡¯t handle waiting for his shift to end. He needed to practice Improved Cast. A glance at the clock confirmed he had some time before the early evening rush.


    To test his ability, Derek needed to assess his control over the pole but, more importantly, his hook and line control. For this trial, little bags of candy would be the fish, and the fresh produce section of the store would be the lake. Derek seeded the various mounds of fruit with plastic bags of gummi worms and bears, and if he could thread the hook through the little hole on the top of any bag of candy, he would consider it an Improved Cast.


    Derek cast repeatedly and could definitively say that not one cast felt improved. He managed to snag a bag of cinnamon bears that lay nestled amidst the peaches, but Derek was more willing to attribute that to luck than anything. Despite no discernible improvement, Derek kept at it. He even threw a couple of casts while customers were in the store, and they didn''t even seem to mind. Old Winona Yates even offered him some words of encouragement. Everyone wanted him to beat Rod.


    As Derek cocked his pole back for another cast, the front door jingled, announcing another customer, while simultaneously, three separate voices asked in unison, "What are you doing?"


    The Alphabet Squad.


    Andy, Beverly, and Chuck strode into the store and bee-lined toward Derek. The middle school just let them out, and the three kids were now going to enjoy their favorite pastime: pestering Derek. There was a time when the three children would have filled him with a sense of dread, but now, the little rascals had somehow wormed their way into his heart. Derek could remember a time when his group of friends also used to roam the town, and Rod Hockenson''s store was their first stop every day after school.


    Beverly, the leader of their little gang, stood on the right, Andy in the middle, and Chuck on the left, but Derek always thought of them in order: Andy, Bev, and Chuck. ABC. Derek didn''t know how to explain what he was doing, so he showed them a cast. The line sailed past a bag of circus peanuts and clattered uselessly to the ground.


    "That''s so cool!"


    "That''s so stupid!"


    "I don''t get it."


    The three children said, their responses clamoring over each other, vying for attention. Most people struggled to understand their cluttered mode of speech, but Derek was fluent in the Alphabet Squad¡¯s dialect.


    "I''m going to have to go with Chuck on this one," Derek replied, "I don''t get it either. Something cool is supposed to happen, but I can''t get it to work."


    Beverly looked back and forth between the counter and the fruit several times, the motion whipping her blonde pigtails. Finally, she asked, "What''s supposed to happen?"


    Derek reeled in his line and showed them the hook. "This hook is supposed to go in those holes," he said, pointing at the candy bags. But I can''t get it to happen. And it should happen."


    The kids looked puzzled, but Chuck looked the most puzzled. With his wide brown eyes and big ears, he always looked like a deer trapped in headlights. He repeated his earlier statement: "I don''t get it."


    Derek considered telling the three children about his being the Hero of Prophecy and unlocking new abilities. Kids loved that kind of thing. However, Teetch''s warning about Unawakened people sounded dire, and if anyone could be considered Unawakened, it was probably these three kids, especially Chuck. On the other hand, Derek had reached a dead end with his abilities, so he figured it couldn''t hurt to show them his phone and the character sheet with a list of Dirk Dawn''s abilities.


    "This game is awesome!"


    "What does this have to do with anything?"


    "Can I play?"


    Derek ignored all of their responses while he searched for Improved Cast. "Do you see what I mean?" Derek asked. "With this type of ability, I should easily be able to get the hook through those holes."


    "You really don''t know?" Andy asked, scratching his head through his baseball cap. ¡°It''s kind of obvious."


    Derek fixed the group''s shortest and most confident member with a stare, "Enlighten me."


    "All the best heroes shout out their moves when they use them. You should do it like this," Andy said excitedly.


    He clambered away from the group to give himself some distance, then twisted his cap backward. After posing in an action stance, he shrieked, "IMPROVED CAST!"


    "Okay, sport, I''ll do it just like that," Derek said with a smirk, "Minus the voice crack."


    Beverly and Chuck burst into giggles, and Andy huffily returned his hat to its original position.


    "Just try it," he said, "And my voice didn''t crack."


    On a day when a three-foot-tall glowing fantasy creature told him he was the Hero of Prophecy, Derek supposed he could try shouting out his abilities. It''s still not even in the top five weirdest things I''ve done in the last twenty-four hours.


    Derek brandished the Wooden Rod and did his best to channel action-hero energy, but only after making sure he and the kids were the only ones in the store. He cocked back and let out a rebel yell, "IMPROVED CAST!"


    Energy crackled to life inside him. When he spoke the phrase, Derek remembered an old biology video he had seen in high school. In it, the mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, broke a chemical bond with a little image of an explosion, and energy spilled out everywhere. Shouting his abilities was his mitochondria.


    Derek imagined the same energy that spilled out of his phone was now suffusing his muscles. For that brief moment, he felt stronger than he''d ever felt, and his body knew the exact movements to execute like he was a machine following a pre-programmed routine. Derek didn''t waste a single motion and moved at the precise angle necessary to achieve the perfect result. When the hook left the rod, it was a foregone conclusion, and when he reeled in the bag of circus peanuts, the alphabet squad erupted into cheers.


    As stupid as it was, Derek felt like a hero. Take that, Teetch.


    The moment didn''t last as long as he would have liked. The energy that powered him left as quickly as it arrived and left him with more profound fatigue than all the previous casts he''d tried earlier combined. Derek could''ve fallen asleep right then, and his eyes may have even started to sag, but the sounds of the alphabet squad bickering woke him up.


    Snippets of "Tell him" and "It was your idea" were exchanged repeatedly, with no sign of stopping.


    Derek lifted his head off the counter. He hadn''t realized he''d been lying on it. At the sight of the three children bickering, Derek said, "Nose goes!"


    The two boys instantly touched the tips of their noses. Childhood reflexes had already taken over. Beverly was a hair later, but it was too late.


    "Alright, Bev, what''s so hard to tell me?" Derek asked, saving her the embarrassment of doing it herself after losing.


    "It''s not hard to tell you. We just don''t think anyone''s gonna believe us, but you''re the least lame adult we know, so we decided to tell you."


    "You''ll find I''m particularly receptive today," Derek said, steepling his fingers and looking at the children intently.


    "See? I told you!"" Andy said, "Tell him what you saw, Chuckie."


    ''Please stop calling me that," Chuck sighed, knowing it was never going to happen,  "You know how parents always say not to go to the woods at night? Now we know why."


    Upon completing the boy''s statement, Derek''s phone chirped a familiar sound. It was the notification noise it used for MythMaker, the one that sounded like a sword scraping out of its sheath.


    "One second, buddy, let me check this," Derek said.


    He opened the app to find Dirk Dawn staring at a notice board that had not been there before. It stood next to the locked door. Dirk held a scrap of paper in his hands. Handwritten text started writing along the top of the screen.


    Side Quest Acquired!


    Bump in the Night: The children of Golden Lake found something lurking in the woods on the outskirts of their idyllic town. Discover the source of their fears.

 Chapter 4: City and Color

    Chapter 4: City and Color


    Derek wished there was a side quest for tuna melt quesadillas as he bit into the delicious confection of hot tuna, melted cheese, and a tortilla fried to perfection. Esme Aguilar, the proprietor of La Casita, always knew to keep one warm for him after his Monday shift. It had become a routine for them, and Derek always made sure to tip the angel walking in their midst accordingly. Derek remembered the first time he''d made the bizarre order. He could tell Esme didn''t understand why anyone would want to eat what he described, but she''d consented to the strange request with grace and true culinary mastery. When Derek tried to explain his rationale, she didn''t seem interested. All that interested Esme was making delicious food and seeing her customers smile. It didn¡¯t matter to her whether or not Derek ate tuna to feel closer to his catch or not. Besides, the rationale was silly, and he knew it was silly, but what fisherman worth his salt didn''t have a few superstitions?


    The tuna melt quesadilla didn''t last nearly as long as he wanted, and when he finished, Derek knew he couldn''t stall any longer. He needed to journey to the den of the beast, otherwise known as Rod¡¯s Rods and Other Junk. Derek strode out of the warm haven of La Casita into the frigid January of northern Idaho. The unimaginatively named Main Street looked abandoned, and it was only 5:30 pm. It felt much later. The heart of winter had stolen upon Golden Lake in December and never let go, so they could expect the full dark of night to hit no later than six. If that didn''t scare off idle passersby, then the single-digit temperature did the rest. The empty Main Street felt ripped right out of a detective novel with the lack of people and the luminous orbs of streetlights that always seemed at their brightest in the cold. Derek tucked his hands into the pockets of a long, dark coat and briskly walked by businesses that looked like they''d been closed far earlier than 5 pm that day.


    Despite the abandoned feel of the streets, Derek felt like eyes were watching him as he approached the edge of town, but he couldn''t tell if they were watching because of the bamboo fishing pole strapped to his back, the knife at his waist, or the ridiculous bucket hat he now wore. After hearing the Alphabet Squad''s story, Derek felt safer with the outfit on, but even he wished it looked a little less goofy. The three children couldn''t agree on what they''d seen the night before. Based on their account, Golden Lake had a wolf, bear, or Komodo dragon problem, but the one fact they all agreed on was that there were a lot of them, and they sounded hungry. Derek asked the kids where they saw these animals, and he was displeased to find it was near where he''d been fishing the night before. If Derek had a more typical day, he could see himself dismissing the wild tale, but now it was just another thing to deal with. On top of saving the Giild, whatever that was, Derek was also supposed to investigate ravenous and wild animals of indeterminate origin out in the woods.


    When the Alphabet Squad left, Derek rechecked MythMaker. The main menu had a few icons he had not previously paid much attention to. The system had them greyed out, but now that he''d finished character creation, he had access to more of the interface. Two icons now looked filled in with color: Quests and Inventory. The Party icon still wasn''t accessible, but he tinkered around with the other two. The Inventory menu was self-explanatory. It was just a grid of squares that showed the items he''d received in the item chest. If he tapped an inventory square, it showed the fancy MythMaker description from when he first received the items. The Quests tab was why Derek needed to pay Rod Hockenson a visit. At some point, after becoming the Hero of Prophecy, Derek picked up an accompanying Main Quest. It seemed simple enough, but in video games, these things always seemed more complicated than they first appeared. It read:


    Main Quest


    Small Town Mystique: Amber lights, disappearing tourists, and a distraught amberkin all add to the growing mysteries lurking beneath the surface of Golden Lake. Investigate the source of the amber light.


    A more literal person might go directly to the lake after a prompt like that, but Derek could follow more abstract trains of thought. What would going to the lake solve? He''d been to the lake dozens of times and hadn¡¯t seen anything, but Rod had decades of experience. If there were something fishy about the lake, Rod would know about it. Derek wasn''t avoiding the lake because he was scared. If he was going to be like the detectives, he¡¯d need to question witnesses.


    He kept telling himself that as he entered Rod''s Rods and Other Junk. If one judged the shop by its overfilling trash bin, the rusted metal siding, or the sign written in smeared red paint, they''d get emotional whiplash from the inside of the shop. Fishing poles in neat rows dominated one entire wall, organized by ascending size and manufacturer, each pole evenly spaced and parallel to one preceding it. Lures, hooks, and tackles took up the other wall, organized by the types of catch one sought as if most amateur fishermen weren¡¯t just there to buy worms. No matter the time of year, the room seemed to hold onto the fresh scent of a summer morning out on the lake, clean freshwater with a hint of pine. Teetch would hate it. Rod Hockenson was the only blemish on the otherwise pristine appearance of the shop. Derek could have imagined the guy being handsome once, but those times were long gone. Thinning hair, a couple of missed orthodontist appointments, and a hundred extra pounds over a once-muscular frame made the man look like something that should be living under a bridge scaring children.


    Rod had his face buried in the large fridge he used to store fish and live bait. Derek could hear the man muttering angrily, "Think everythin'' is fer sale. Not ol'' Rod."


    Derek interrupted his ramblings with a clearing of his throat. He''d considered mashing the customer bell to startle the big man, but Derek wanted to start on the right foot. Rod banged his head on a shelf anyway.


    "Gah, who put that blasted shelf there?" Rod asked angrily. When he saw Derek, he added, "Ye finally gave up, did ya?"


    "That was yesterday. You can hardly expect me to live out there," Derek said, trying unsuccessfully not to get flustered by the insufferable man.


    "Only if ye wanna a chance at beating me, boy, but I can''t say I''m surprised. Fishin'' ain''t for the faint o'' heart," Before Derek could respond, Rod added, "Boy, when ye came in, did ye see a pen?"


    Derek did a mental double-take as he stifled his knee-jerk response to continue arguing with the big man, "Uhh, no, I haven''t seen a pen."


    "Are ye sure, lad? It ain¡¯t no regular pen, hard to miss. Black wit'' gold trim. It''s worth a pretty penny. I''ve not seen it since the suit came by earlier. I knew he smelt like trouble."


    "Suit?" Derek asked, curious, momentarily setting aside his reason for the visit.


    "Aye, it was one o'' them fancy suits. Wanted to buy the store. I told the suit where he could shove his fancy contrac'', but it did''na stop his askin¡¯. Pushy fella," Rod answered, but he wasn¡¯t paying attention to Derek. His dark, beady eyes were roving around the shop.


    Derek couldn''t help but chuckle before asking, "He wanted to buy this store?"


    "Aye. Said somethin'' about freshin'' up the town. I paid it no mind. Golden Lake don'' need a fancy suit to freshen it up. She''s perfec'' the way she is," Rod said with a jagged-toothed smile, "He did''na like tha'' answer too much. Stormed off in a huff, but now I can''t find me pen."


    "Wait, is someone trying to buy up the town? And why do you care so much about some pen?"


    "Aye, boy, I did na stutter," Rod answered, "As fer the pen, twas a gift. Ye''ll do well to value yer gifts, boy. Everythin'' else is just stuff."


    "Yeah, sure, I''ll remember that. Who was trying to buy your shop? What was his name?"


    "I did na ask. These types are all the same; pay it no mind. Golden Lake is more ¡®an a match fer the likes o'' him," Rod answered unhelpfully, "Now, what brings ye to my shop ''side from admittin'' defeat?"


    Derek chuckled, refusing to take the man''s bait. "You know those stories about the lake?" Derek asked, "The ones about lights and people going missing?"


    "Aye-yuh," Rod answered, "What about ''em?"


    "Are they true?"


    ¡°Ye¡¯ve na seen fer yerself boy? Yer out there more ''an myself these days."


    "I''ve got better things to do than hang out at a lake after dark," Derek lied.


    "Mayhaps ye oughta give it a whirl," Rod said, turning his bulk with a considerable grunt back toward the shelves, "If ye see me pen, be sure an'' holler."


    "Rod, please," Derek said, something in his voice stopping the man in his tracks.


    Rod turned back to Derek. The big man stared at Derek long and hard before answering as if looking for something inside him. "Aye, it''s true," Rod finally answered, "Why do ye ask?"


    "Lately, I''ve been hearing more about it," Derek said, holding up his phone with the implication he''d seen some journal article, "I got curious."


    Rod grunted his assent and asked, "That all?"


    Derek avoided Rod''s intense gaze, "Well, seeing as you''ve been fishing on the lake more than anyone. Maybe the town expert would know more about it than the average Golden Laker."


    Rod''s eyes narrowed, almost entirely occluded by his heavy brow, "What have ye done wit'' De''ek? T''would kill the pup to admit ol'' Rod''s the expert."


    Derek laughed again nervously and looked down at his tennis shoes. He could imagine the malicious gleam in Rod''s eyes as the man scored a point on Derek. The young angler nearly turned tail and walked out of the shop. He didn¡¯t have time for Rod¡¯s games, but he stopped himself with one nagging thought. What am I doing? Since, when do I let Rod Hockenson have the last word?


    "Oh, Rod, this has got to be so embarrassing for you. If you didn''t know anything about the lights in the lake, you could''ve just told me instead of acting all high and mighty. You''re better than that," Derek said, feeling his familiar smirk tug at the corners of his mouth,


    Rod''s cheeks reddened, and he attempted to sputter an indignant response.


    Got him, Derek thought.


    "I''ll tell ye sometin'' no one knows about them lights. I bet ye don'' e''en know the lights firs'' turnt up only a couple o'' years back," Rod said, the words almost coming out less intelligible than his usual drawl, "Ano''er thing ye don'' know. Them lights only show up come full moon, and sometimes if ye''re lucky and lissen careful, ye''ll hear singin'' like ye ne''er heard in yer life. Soft and beautiful, it''s like nothin'' else in this world."


    "Wait, are you trying to tell me the lights only started showing up a few years ago? I could''ve sworn the rumors have been around way longer than that, and there¡¯s singing now? You really expect me to believe that?"


    "I said my piece, boy, take it or leave it," Rod said and then contradicted himself by adding, "Jus'' ask yer da'' boy. He been on tha'' lake more ¡®an anyone ''cept meself. One summer, when he was no more ''an a pup, he slep'' out on tha lake near e¡¯ery night. No lights and no singin¡¯, and that¡¯s a fact. He¡¯d a told me."


    Derek found the new revelation even harder to swallow. Although he''d seen magical creatures and items materialize from his phone, he still couldn''t imagine his dad doing anything for fun, and he told Rod as much.


    Rod chortled, "Ye don'' yer own pa, boy. Harold Dunn were a proper scoundrel in his day."


    Derek shook his head and mumbled something to escape the conversation. He rushed out of the store and into the frigid night air. Rod''s words still clashed against his worldview more than anything Teetch had said that morning, but Derek didn''t have time to let that distract him from his mission.


    There''s a full moon tonight.


    ¦µ


    Derek considered stopping by his parents'' house so they wouldn''t worry. Derek lived in a tiny home he and his older brother, Kyle, had built in his parent¡¯s backyard. As a result or cost of the free rent and convenient housing, Derek¡¯s parents constantly badgered him about his comings and going. Well, his mom did. If he weren''t back by a specific time, the barrage of calls from Derek''s mom would begin. Eventually, Derek decided against stopping by the house. They''d forbid it if he told them he planned to stay out, or at least his mom would. His dad would look at him disapprovingly. He still couldn''t believe his dad used to spend nights on the lake. Ridiculous.


    As Derek approached Golden Lake, he could still see the hole he''d cut in the ice the day before, but it felt like it had happened a lifetime ago and to someone else. In a way, it had. That was before he''d learned that magic was real. He also hadn''t been a Hero of Prophecy back then. He still didn''t feel like much of one, but he didn''t feel nearly as useless as he had that morning. The little amberkin treated Derek like he was worthless and couldn''t do anything. Still, he didn''t see Teetch out here investigating the amber lights or hunting mysterious wolves/bears/Komodo dragons in the woods. Although, Derek had yet to decide if he would do that either. Until then, he was going to give the woods some space.


    Derek needed somewhere to watch the lake. All good detectives had stakeouts. He considered watching from the dock but remembered his large, fishy friend from the day before and decided against it. Dense forest flanked the lake on both sides, which would make it hard to avoid the Alphabet Squad¡¯s bump in the night buddies. However, on the east side of the shore, there was an elevated ridge that people used as a platform to jump into the lake called Angel''s Perch. A community service project in the distant past had cleared the trees from it and set up picnic tables and a gazebo, giving him some space from the woods. Getting there was a bit of a hike, so he didn''t have to worry about being disturbed by a random passerby. It was perfect.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Although several inches of snow had long since buried the trail, Derek had jumped off that particular cliff enough times to know the way there by heart. He already wished he''d stopped by the house to pick up some boots and wool socks as loose snow slid into the space between his ankles and tennis shoes. While fishing, Derek had no problems ignoring the cold, but he wouldn''t get any angling done tonight. Probably. By the time he reached Angel¡¯s Perch, his feet were so numb he was only vaguely aware of their presence.


    Angel''s Perch got its name because of its relatively short height and overall safety. However, it still astounded Derek how much difference, even a slightly higher elevation, changed the view of Golden Lake. That night, a nearly full moon hid behind a patch of cloud, but enough light snuck through to paint a vivid, snowy landscape that seemed to capture and hold onto the moonlight. He couldn''t look at the majestic vista without feeling a little sentimental, like Golden Lake, the town and the body of water were a picturesque scene designed by Van Gogh instead of a just place where people lived. That night on Angel''s Perch, Derek felt all of it was created just for him. Why would anyone want to leave? Derek thought, wishing his old friends were there to give him an answer.


    Derek had walked to the edge of Angel''s Perch, wind whipping around and through him. He couldn''t help but feel like he was on the edge of some great precipice between his old life and his new one. Some part of him wished he could put it all aside, pull out his pole, and enjoy the night, but it was too late for him to retreat to those simple times. The moon chose that moment to emerge from the clouds, like a child peeking out from a stand of bushes. The night came alive. Moonlight reflected silver, amber, and rose gold. Derek blinked his eyes, but the colors remained, painting the sky the hues of a pastel sunrise. The moon was the same old moon, but the icy lake was now awash with vibrant colors and light. The water and ice still covered the surface, but now, it seemed to cover an entirely new world. To describe the phenomenon as amber lights didn''t do it justice by half.


    A majestic city dwelt beneath the ice. It looked like a reflection, but nothing in Derek''s own world could have created something so beautiful. Tall spires the color of burnt amber spiraled into the depths. Rosy-hued domes dotted the ground level of the city. Derek cursed the ice barriers between him and the city, obscuring the beauty and wonder with the mundane lens of Derek¡¯s world. Derek found he had to resist a strong urge to jump off Angel¡¯s Perch to be closer to the city.


    Derek didn''t know how much time he spent watching the city, and it didn¡¯t matter. He would watch it as long as he was able. As he stood there, he felt soft vibrations of music stirring and whispering through the air. Derek didn''t know if they''d just started or been there all along, waiting for him. He could hear a soft, feminine voice singing in a language he wished he could understand. On a cognitive level, Derek knew it wasn''t his mother singing, but he felt whoever owned the voice loved him like a mother¡ªloved everyone like a mother. He wanted to meet her, the singer, the person who loved them all that much.


    MythMaker chirped in his pocket, and for a moment, he resented the app for defiling the moment. Another patch of cloud drifted over the moon as if on cue with his phone. The city disappeared as if it had never been there at all. Derek wiped away some moisture from his eyes. He was fully back in his world now and had a mystery to solve. Derek tapped the MythMaker notification. It was a quest update.


    Main Quest Updated!


    Small Town Mystique: The source of the amber lights is a city beneath the lake, revealed by moonlight. The answers you seek lie within. Discover the entrance to the timeless city.


    Derek would''ve started that moment. He needed to go to that city more than he¡¯d needed anything in his whole life. That and winning the Jamboree. The sound of footfalls crunching in the snow interrupted his train of thought. For a brief moment, Derek imagined the Alphabet squad''s mysterious creatures lurking in the shadows of pine trees. Watching him, hunting him. Derek had an insane idea that maybe they were protecting the city, and he¡¯d seen something forbidden. His hand went to the Iron Fillet Knife on his belt. He didn¡¯t know how to use it, but he¡¯d go down swinging.


    "Derek?" a familiar but annoyed voice called through the trees. ¡°What are you doing out here? You look ridiculous."


    Harmony seemed to materialize out of the pines. Her freckled cheeks were flushed, making the scar underneath her eye stand out in stark relief. She wore nicer clothes than her typical baggy NFL sweater, sweatpants, and heavy work boots combo, but she kept looking over her shoulder. Was she being chased?


    Derek took his hand off the knife and said, "What am I doing? What are you doing? You hate the cold."


    Harmony glanced over her shoulders again and said, "It''s a beautiful night, and I thought we better take advantage."


    We? Derek thought.


    At that moment, Derek realized he could still hear the crunching snow of approaching footsteps, but the sound of breaking branches and periodic grumbling accompanied it. A new figure stumbled out of the woods. Derek''s first instinct was to warn Harmony, but he quickly stifled that instinct when he realized the person was there with Harmony, not chasing her. As Derek looked the new guy over, he almost wished it had been the latter.


    Derek immediately pegged him as an outsider. The guy, somewhere in his early twenties, looked like he couldn¡¯t make up his mind between panting and shivering. He wore a three-piece suit and an expensive-looking pair of leather dress shoes, which probably looked more impressive before his night-time trek through the woods. Derek could tell the guy had slicked back his hair at some point, but now wayward strands of hair and pine needles poked through the helmet of his hair, making him look more like a newborn baby bird than a swanky business executive. He glared between Derek and Harmony with eyes the color of dull pennies.


    "What have we here?" the guy asked. His voice had an unpleasant nasal quality that Derek attributed to a cold-red nose.


    "Reid!" Harmony exclaimed, a little too loud like she''d forgotten the man was with her, "This is Derek. Derek, this is Reid."


    Reid looked Derek up and down like he was something he''d need to scrape from the bottom of his expensive shoes. The man stepped forward and extended a hand for Derek to shake. The movement looked too awkward and rigid not to be forced. Reid seemed like he''d been pressed and starched along with his fancy clothing. "Reid Wilco, it''s a pleasure."


    Wilco? The name sounded familiar to Derek, but he couldn''t place it. Derek clasped Reid''s hand in a firm grip and said, "Derek Dunn, the pleasure is all mine, Your Majesty."


    "Oh, Wreck, be nice," Harmony chided playfully, but her eyes glared daggers at Derek. Reid''s new in town, so I thought I''d show him all the sights. You can''t beat Angel¡¯s Perch by moonlight.¡±


    "What happened to not being out after dark?" Derek asked. He wanted them gone before the city came back.


    Harmony waved away Derek''s concerns and put an arm around Reid''s shoulders. The guy visibly tensed, and his face got even redder. If Harmony noticed, she gave no sign, "We aren''t actually on the lake, so we should be fine. Besides, Reid will protect me."


    Reid didn''t look convinced, but to his credit, he said, "While you¡¯re with me, you¡¯ve nothing to fear."


    "See Derek? Nothing to fear," Harmony said, "So Reid, what do you think of Golden Lake, Frozen Edition? It¡¯s our best-kept winter secret. No one thinks to come out here when it''s this cold. Usually."


    "I can sympathize," Reid said, "But I can also certainly appreciate the allure. It''s like a large frozen swimming pool but more quaint."


    Who talks like that?


    Derek whistled, "High praise for us simple folk, Reid. Tell us what you think of the rest of Golden Lake?" Derek prodded.


    Sensing Derek''s motives, Harmony said, "You don''t have to answer that."


    "It''s quite alright," Reid said. I find Golden Lake quite ¡­ charming, like a rustic menagerie of sorts full of unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells. Based on my father¡¯s description, I expected to be stuck in a backwater where the collective IQ doesn''t exceed triple digits. I¡¯ve been pleasantly surprised, save for a few notable, fishing pole-clad exceptions."


    "Be still my heart. Harm, you should''ve mentioned he was such a sweet talker," Derek said.


    "Maybe I would have if you ever shut your mouth longer than two seconds," Harmony replied, turning to Reid, "You wanna get going?"


    Before Reid could reply, Derek held out both his hands in a placating gesture and said, "I''m sorry, alright? I''ll stop. I''m not good at playing nice with new people. How did you two crazy kids meet? It''s gotta be quite the story if I''ve never even heard of Reid, and now you''re out at night together, seeing the sights."


    "You''re not wrong on that score, chap," Reid said with a giggle, "As I''m sure you know, Harmony is quite the firecracker. I''ve not met anyone like her. Shall I tell the story?"


    Harmony''s eyes narrowed at Derek. She looked like she was trying to discern whether Derek was sincere or jerking Reid around. "Go ahead. We''ve got time," she said, blowing into her hands to warm them up. ¡°Besides, if we''re going to stay, we should wait for the moon again. The lake is beautiful in moonlight."


    Derek realized his mistake, but it was too late to get them to leave. Without further preamble, Reid launched into the story.


    "Father insisted I accompany him for a business trip to a little town called Golden Lake. I''ll admit I didn''t think much of the idea at first. Father usually handles the acquisitions side of the business, but if I''m to inherit the company one day, I must take on a more active leadership role. I acquiesced and found myself regretting the decision almost immediately. Golden Lake has more trees and snow than buildings and people, without a fast food chain in sight."


    When is this guy going to get to the point?


    ¡°When I''d just about written off the entire experience as a colossal waste of my precious time, a young woman with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes tapped me on the shoulder.¡± Harmony rolled her eyes at that bit, but Reid didn¡¯t seem to notice. ¡°I flinched at first. City reflexes, you understand, but afterward, I noticed she was holding a black leather wallet that looked remarkably similar to my own. I patted my pockets, and sure enough, she had my wallet. I retrieved it and verified it still contained all my valuables. A man like me can never be too careful, especially in a backwater hamlet such as Golden Lake.¡±


    It sounds to me like Golden Lake needs to be careful around a man like you.


    ¡°Imagine my surprise when I found that a crisp, new $5 bill had wandered into my wallet among the rest of my things. Miss Walker not only managed to pick my pocket deftly but was also given the opportunity to steal a portion of my considerable wealth. Instead, she decided to add to it, if only by a minute amount. I was without words. She offered to show me around town, and I must confess that I needed to know more about this strange but delightful girl. If a place like Golden Lake contained one hidden treasure, why shouldn''t it contain more?¡±


    Derek listened to the story with rapt attention, baffled by the sheer fact that the longer the guy talked, the more he sounded like a cliche. Reid told the story with genuine enthusiasm, which was at odds with the rest of his stiff demeanor, and Derek couldn''t bring himself to interrupt or even mock the guy. Derek even chuckled at the Harmony Walker special move. She loved stealing things from people and returning them better than when she found them. Reid was just lucky that he''d gotten it back so quickly. Derek remembered a time-


    "Are you happy now?" Harmony asked, startling him out of his reverie.


    "I''m never happy," Derek replied, "But I am satisfied. You two have a good rest of your night. Don''t do anything I wouldn''t do."


    Derek started to walk into the trees, letting the two of them enjoy the rest of their night, but something gave him pause. He finally remembered where he''d heard the name Wilco. His mom had mentioned it to him, a big national distributor.


    He spun sharply on his heels, the slick snow almost sending him tumbling. Derek called out, "Why are you in my town, Wilco?"


    "Don''t do-" Harmony started to say.


    "No, seriously, Wilco, what brings you to Golden Lake?" Derek asked in a friendly voice but with an edge.


    Harmony turned to Reid and said, "It doesn''t matter. You don''t have to answer him, Reid. Let''s enjoy our date."


    Derek''s phone emitted a MythMaker notification, but he ignored it.


    "I don''t see the harm in indulging the fellow. The denizens of Golden Lake will come to thank the Wilcos one of these days. Father and I are inevitable," Reid said softly to Harmony. He then turned to Derek and spoke in a deeper, more firm voice, "I represent the national distributor known as World Wide Wilco. Perhaps you''ve heard of us. Father and I have come to Golden Lake to purchase, repurpose, and revitalize the essential businesses that are the lifeblood of Golden Lake. It¡¯s our first venture into the real estate business, but Father has it on good authority that Golden Lake is a relatively hidden gem that needs the kind of polishing that only a capital infusion can apply. As a show of good faith, we''ve decided to winter here to familiarize ourselves with the locals while we acquire the seed businesses necessary to counteract the negligence that has allowed Golden Lake to languish in obscurity."


    "Wait, a second. You''re trying to purchase the town?" Derek asked. "I thought you were just doing a deal with my dad to help keep us competitive?"


    "Purchase the town? Of course not, just several key businesses that control the flow of commerce," Reid answered.


    ¡°You mean, like the local grocery store?" Derek asked.


    "Reid!" Harmony said, trying to get him to stop talking, but it was too late.


    "Precisely,¡± Reid said to Derek, ¡° The owner has proved quite resistant, but Father assures me that once we''ve fostered dependence, we can expect him to come around to our way of thinking sometime this Spring, well before the beginning of tourist season."


    Derek didn''t know when he''d gotten close enough to grab the lapel of Reid''s shirt and pull him close, "I think you''ll find the son''s owner is quite resistant as well, Daddy¡¯s Boy," Derek said through gritted teeth, "In fact, I think you¡¯ll find that he¡¯ll resist you, your Father, your company, or any other company that tries to take what he loves."


    Something hard slammed into Derek''s cheek with enough force to send him stumbling back. He looked around to see what it could be and saw Harmony breathing heavily, her face red, and her hand clenched into a fist.


    "Back off, Derek," Harmony said, "You picked the wrong time to pull your head out. There''s more going on here than you know, and you don''t get to take it out on Reid. Take your stupid fishing pole and go back, sticking your head in the clouds. That''s what you''re good at."


    "Are you seriously taking this empty suit''s side over mine?" Derek asked, missing Harmony¡¯s point.


    Before Harmony or Reid could reply, a branch cracked. The crack was followed by a flurry of footsteps crunching through the snow, increasing in volume as they approached. Derek could hear a heavy snuffling that sounded like the labored breathing of a pug but angrier.


    MythMaker chimed another notification in his pocket before Derek even had the chance to turn toward the trees. Derek turned and pulled his phone from his pocket in one smooth motion, and he made a mental note that getting a smartwatch was on his list of top priorities. Having to pull this thing out every time is a huge pain. He had two new quest notifications. The source of the heavy breathing was nearly on top of them, but Derek needed to know what he was dealing with. He opened MythMaker and started to read.


    Side Quest Acquired!


    Unlucky in Love: Harmony Walker has a new romantic partner, but something is not right with him. Sabotage the budding romance before its insidious roots can take hold.


    Side Quest Updated!


    Bump in the Night: The source of the children''s fears has revealed itself. Eliminate the threats before they cause any more harm. (0/5 ??? Defeated).


    As Derek finished reading, the first of the creatures materialized out of the darkness.


    Is that a freaking dinosaur?

 Chapter 5: Fishing for Dinos

    Chapter 5: Fishing for Dinos


    Four more dinosaurs materialized out of the darkness before Derek had a chance to process the reality of the first one. They reminded Derek of the little scavenger dinos in Jurassic Park, the book, not the movie, but they were much bigger than he remembered. The dinosaur-like creatures stood at waist height and were the deep green of dank, dense forests. Their heads were primarily one long snout that was mostly mouth populated by lots of sharp, needle-like teeth and topped by yellow eyes with a slit down the middle, kind of like a goat''s. Saliva dripped from their mouths with the same color and consistency as honey. Their arms were short and stubby, which might have looked funnier if they didn''t end in razor-sharp claws. The creatures stood on two muscular legs, perfect for leaping and chasing after prey. The image was complete with long, rigid tails that pointed straight back, reminiscent of some breeds of hunting dog.


    They fanned out in a semicircle around Derek, Reid, and Harmony, hemming the group in with Angel¡¯s Perch to their backs. Harmony pulled out her tiny butterfly knife she carried for self-defense and brandished it like she thought she could casually knife-fight some dinosaurs like they were your run-of-the-mill sexual predators. Unbelievably, Reid pulled out a small canister of hair spray and started smoothing out his helmet-like head of hair. Despite the bizarre behavior, he didn''t seem nearly as surprised as he should be, but Derek dismissed the weird reaction to nerves.


    Derek knew he needed to do something. He had his Angler powers, but suddenly, being able to cast a fishing pole better than everyone else didn''t feel all that useful. For a brief moment, Derek considered No Sudden Moves, the passive ability that let him fade from view if he stood still, but he wasn¡¯t willing to take the chance. According to the ability''s description, things with enhanced perception could spot him anyway. He held his phone out in front of him stupidly like it could ward off the dinosaurs, and then he remembered one skill he hadn''t used yet because it hadn¡¯t seemed relevant.


    "Identify!" Derek shouted.


    He watched the MythMaker app as a bookshelf poofed onto the screen, and Dirk Dawn plucked a book from the shelf and started to read.


    Seekers (Level 1)


    Remnants of a lost age. Once known by another name, various civilizations have since domesticated Seekers, most notably the amberkin. The usage of Seekers has fallen out of favor over the years. Seekers are pack hunters used to track elusive prey. They are known to pick up and hold a scent for days at a time. Seekers are relatively harmless trackers and make superb household pets unless exposed to amber-rich foods.


    Judging by their feral appearance and literal saliva dripping from their mouths, Derek was willing to bet these Seekers weren''t the relatively harmless variety.


    "Drat it all," Reid said before pocketing something that gleamed brightly.


    The heads of all the Seekers swiveled to look at the hapless businessman. It was hard to read any emotion in their reptilian eyes, but if Derek had to guess, they looked even hungrier than before. Derek reached back and retrieved his Wooden Rod. He''d briefly considered using the shift in attention to grab Harmony and abandon Reid to his fate. The guy may have been a pompous jerk, but no one deserves to get eaten by dinos unless they''re in a movie. And, Derek didn¡¯t think Harmony would¡¯ve left the young Wilco behind.


    All five of the Seekers had gone deathly still, eyes fixed on Reid. He took a hesitant step backward. That was all it took. Derek saw the Seeker nearest Reid tense its muscular legs and leap through the air. The other dinos blurred into motion. Derek needed to act. He was too slow to stop the first one, so he cocked back his Wooden Rod, aimed at the second Seeker, and yelled, "Improved Cast!"


    While the hook and line sailed through the air, Reid dodged faster than Derek would''ve thought Reid capable as the Seeker flew over Reid''s shoulder and off the ledge of Angel''s Perch. The second Seeker prepared for its leap, but Derek''s hook, aided by Improved Cast, looped around the dino''s ankle. At that moment, Derek pulled, yanking the Seeker out of the air and onto its back. Fatigue washed over him, but Derek didn''t have time for it. While he tried to haul the Seeker away with leaden arms, Harmony leaped on top of the incapacitated dino and tried to stab it, but her small knife skittered off the Seeker''s scales.


    Meanwhile, Reid was rummaging around in the pockets of his suit. He seemed to find what he was looking for because he shouted, "Ah Ha!" before emptying the contents of his pocket into the air¡ªa cloud of glittering gold coins. Seekers 3-5 pounced on the shimmering flecks of gold as they scattered throughout the clearing. Did he just throw money at a problem, and it worked?


    While the remaining Seekers fought over money, Derek''s dino-buddy had regained its feet, but it wasn''t interested in gold. Derek''s hook had somehow pierced the webbing between its clawed toes. The Seeker didn¡¯t seem thrilled. Derek angled himself away from the cliff face as slowly as possible so as not to cause it to pounce. He started to inch backward into the forest, leading it away from Harmony and Reid.


    His plan might have worked, but he¡¯d never know. A branch buried in snow cracked at a misstep from Derek, and suddenly, the Seeker was in the air. Derek reacted. As the flurry of deadly scale, muscle, and fangs flew at him, Derek threw his Wooden Rod to the side and plucked some fishing line from the air before the pole even had a chance to hit the ground. The Seeker''s powerful jaws bit down, but not on Derek. Its jaws had closed on the fishing line, pulled taut, and then made unbreakable by Derek¡¯s Line of Steel, but that didn''t stop the creature¡¯s forward momentum. The fishing line acted like a clothesline. While the Seeker''s head remained in place, its body flew forward and up. Somehow, Derek could feel the scales of its rigid tail rasp across his forearm before it fell hard.


    If Derek had been thinking clearly, he would have pulled out his Iron Fillet Knife, but instead, he stood there breathlessly with the fishing line still held tense between his hands. Derek stupidly watched the dinosaur thrash in the snow and return to its feet. He recognized its facial expression now: rage. Derek felt a laugh bubble from his throat. It was just so funny. Steve had always said that Derek had a gift for getting under people¡¯s skin. I guess that includes dinosaurs.


    The Seeker was too close for a big leap, so it hopped toward Derek in a way that reminded Derek of a baby bird. While it advanced, Derek spooled out as much loose fishing line as possible. His operating plan was to get the creature tangled up in as much unbreakable fishing line as possible to hinder it. As it turned out, Derek''s plan didn''t matter much. Something sharp and golden emerged from the Seeker¡¯s chest.


    The dinosaur collapsed, revealing a diminutive, hooded figure with glowing eyes. Teetch. The amberkin grinned evilly, looking like a misfit Jack o'' Lantern. The little guy held a luminescent golden spike that dripped drops of bright red blood that hissed as they hit the snow. Derek looked at it again. Teetch wasn¡¯t holding the spike. Teetch¡¯s hand was the spike. Where Teetch''s wrist ended, the glowing weapon began, starting cylindrical and tapering off to a wicked point. The appendage seemed to glow brighter than the rest of the amberkin''s body as if he''d somehow diverted all the golden light in his veins to that one spot in his body.


    "Well, are you just going to stand there like an idiocile?" Teetch asked, "We''ve got work to do."


    As the amberkin turned to the remaining Seekers, the spike turned back into his hand, still dripping with blood. MythMaker made a new noise, like trumpets announcing the arrival of royalty. Derek couldn''t resist. The notification read, "Temporary Ally, Teetch the Heretic, has joined the Party."


    Derek whispered, "Identify," to try and learn more, but the app gave him frustratingly little information.


    ???


    Warning: Unable to Identify creatures or persons of higher level.


    I''m the Hero of Prophecy. Why is he at a higher level than me? Derek thought as the amberkin reshaped his hand into something resembling a miniature glowing reaper¡¯s scythe. I guess the higher level makes sense.


    Reid and Harmony managed to take down one of the Seekers during Derek''s scuffle. One of the dinosaurs still snuffed through the snow on top of a snowed-over picnic bench, looking for the coins Reid had thrown, and the other dinosaur was eyeing Reid angrily. The young business executive stood on the edge of Angel''s Perch without a single hair out of place. He hardly looked like the same gangly guy who had stumbled out of the trees not even half an hour before. Meanwhile, Harmony drew in ragged breaths, drops of red the color of the blood dripping from her butterfly mingled with her dusting of freckles.


    Teetch advanced on the Seeker, preoccupied with the coins in the snow, while Derek prepared to reel in the Seeke,r poised to jump on Reid. This time, Derek tried to angle his cast for the Seeker''s mouth because it might be easier for a hook to take hold. As Derek started to shout Improved Cast, he noticed the Seeker that had previously jumped off Angel''s Perch was now clambering back over the cliff''s rim, trying to get at Reid from behind. Derek broke into a run and shouted out the ability. He hoped Improved Cast would make up for his compromised casting form. As the familiar energy crackled through Derek, he felt the instinctual knowledge instilled by the ability guide him through the proper motions to pull off a running cast. He prayed he remembered the item description of the Iron Fillet Knife correctly. The hook sailed through the air, with Derek following close behind, pounding through the snow. Derek urged his fatigue-drained limbs forward. The exhaustion from his second Improved Cast settled over him like a weighted blanket. He''d been aiming for the Seeker''s eye, but the running start had thrown off his aim enough for the hook to snag in the dinosaur''s cheek instead.


    A tiny piece of metal shouldn¡¯t have bothered the creature as much as it did, but animal fury stole over its features the second the hook caught. It angrily thrashed its way onto the landing with its eyes fixed on Derek as he slowly lurched toward the Seeker. At some point during his mad dash, Derek had pulled the Iron Fillet Knife from its sheath. The Seeker leaped through the air to meet him. Derek couldn''t stop his forward momentum, so he tried to use it, sliding underneath the Seeker like a baseball player at home plate. He didn''t know how, but he kept the knife pointed in the Seeker''s general direction. When the creature sailed over Derek''s head, the Iron Fillet Knife pierced its belly and slid through the dinosaur like a stick of butter. The Seeker''s own inertia carried it through the knife, slitting open the Seeker from stem to stern, even as its claws slid across Derek''s arm, parting his coat and skin like tissue paper. The dinosaur plopped to the ground with a sickening, wet thud. It didn''t get back up.


    MythMaker isn''t messing around when it says a hooked catch gives me a bonus. Thank you, Iron Fillet Knife.


    After that, the shock set in. Derek lay on the ground trembling, looking at the blood on his knife and the blood dripping from his arm at a steady rate, speckling the snow. He hated how red, how real it looked. It never looked that real in games or felt that warm. Something revolted in Derek''s stomach, and he started retching out his tuna melt quesadilla and moving it onto the snow. Derek watched it steam, the taste of bile lingering in his mouth. He didn''t know how long he lay there next to the half-digested remains of his dinner, but at some point, Derek realized he didn¡¯t hear the sounds of fighting anymore.


    Derek pushed himself to his feet with an embarrassing amount of effort. Using two Improved Casts had drained him more than he''d thought. With the adrenaline of the moment gone, it felt like cement filled his limbs, but the night wasn''t over. When he finally got to his feet, he found that the rest of the Seekers had been dealt with, and Derek was the only member of the group to get injured. His arm stung where the Seeker''s tail had scraped against the same forearm Teetch had burned the night before. Derek''s other arm was numb where the Seeker had sliced it open. At first, he was worried about losing too much blood, but when he looked closer, the wound didn''t look particularly deep, and it had already stopped bleeding. It will probably leave a wicked scar, though.


    MythMaker was playing the trumpets again. He quickly glanced at his phone, and he saw several notifications.


    Bump In The Night: Quest Completed! Claim your reward


    Level Up! Angler Level 2.


    1 Unassigned Stat Point Available!


    Level-Up Rewards Available!


    Reid, Harmony, and Teetch were watching Derek, but only Harmony looked concerned. Derek offered the group a weak smile but couldn''t think of anything snarky to say that wasn¡¯t at his own expense. Reid broke the silence, "I suggest we retire for the evening. I don''t relish the thought of run-ins with any more wolves. Shall we, Harmony?"


    When Reid said wolves, Harmony looked confused, but Teetch picked up where Reid left off: "An excellent idea, Human. The scent of blood might attract more¡­ wolves to the area."


    Wolves? Those weren''t wolves.


    Harmony started to nod to herself. "That kid''s right," Harmony said, gesturing toward Teetch, "Wolves are pack hunters, and we can''t be sure there aren''t more lurking around. Let''s get out of here."


    Reid and Harmony walked away from Angel''s Perch, leaving the bodies of the Seekers behind. At the treeline, Harmony turned around to look at Derek. "You coming?" she asked.


    Teetch fielded the question, "I''ll ensure he gets home safe; you go ahead, Miss. Take care of yourself." He said with respect and concern that Derek wouldn¡¯t have thought the amberkin was capable.


    Harmony nodded, accepting the Teetch¡¯s words with a faraway look. Something like clarity shone briefly in her eyes. "One last thing," she said, "Who are you?"


    "I''m Derek''s blood relative. You''ve never seen me before because I''m from a different Realm," Teetch answered with an attempt at an innocent smile.


    "Town," Derek corrected, "He''s my little cousin from out of town. On my dad''s side."


    Derek didn''t have family on his dad''s side, and if he did, they wouldn¡¯t be in Golden Lake on a Monday night in January.


    Harmony¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion for a brief moment as if she were trying to figure out a complicated math problem, but eventually, her features smoothed out, and her eyes regained their faraway look. Reid gently grabbed her arm and guided her into the woods. Before he left, he made meaningful eye contact with Derek and gave him a nod of recognition and respect. Derek returned the nod, but it didn''t change anything between them. He''d stop the rich jerk from taking Golden Lake out from under him, and no one who talked and acted like that guy would ever be good enough for Harmony. Derek was far from done with Reid, even if he did help save them. Derek had to admit the business heir had handled himself well. Too well. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    "That one''s going to be a troublem," Teetch said, "He''s Awakened."


    Derek turned to the amberkin. The golden light pumping through Teetch¡¯s veins earlier that morning had dimmed to a color closer to a jaundiced yellow. His robes looked even more disheveled, if that was even possible. Teetch seemed as tired as Derek felt, and Derek didn¡¯t feel like he could stand much longer. He swept some snow off a picnic table and sunk into it, ignoring the wet coolness.


    "That guy?" Derek finally asked, "How did that happen? And what does that even mean? Awakened."


    "It doesn''t happen by accident. Humans can become Awakened in a multiriety of ways, but each requires vast amounts of Mana."


    "It happened to me by accident," Derek replied, "And I still don''t know what it means, except for the vague idea that I can see magical junk now like amberkin and flesh-eating dinosaurs."


    Teetch grimaced at Derek''s explanation of the phenomenon. Still, the amberkin didn''t correct him, ¡°That explanation would suffice for an amberling just Shaped, but it goes much deeper." Teetch said, as he started walking towards the first Seeker¡¯s steaming corpse, "Humans and Mana are fundamentally incongruitable, so when beings of The Realms reveal themselves, Humans cannot reconcile their existence. The two beings are like oil and water. They slide past one another. They can exist in the same container for a time, but they don''t mix. Ever. Unless a Human becomes Awakened."


    "How does that happen? Besides becoming the Hero of Prophecy?" Derek asked, already thinking of Awakening Harmony. He needed someone to share in this new world; she seemed the only option.


    "Before today, I would have said they don''t, not anymore," Teetch replied. Then he stuck his hands deep into the body of the Seeker Derek filleted. The light pulses under Teetch¡¯s skin seemed to increase in frequency.


    "There have to be other ways!" Derek said, ignoring Teetch''s macabre activities.


    "There are, but they don''t bear mentioning because they may as well be impossible. We possess no more Scrolls of Hero of Prophecy, and none of the other Ten Great Spells deal with Awakening. A group of powerful Mana-wielders could set up an Idealogram, but that would require astronomical amounts of one Ideal even to be possible. A god could Awaken a Human, but all the gods have passed from the Realms never to return."


    "So what you''re saying is, if I wanted to Awaken Harmony, it would be tough even for someone like me, the Hero of Prophecy?" Derek asked.


    Teetch yanked his arms out of the second Seeker corpse and pointed a clawed finger at Derek, "Do not imagine such a thing, Derek Dunn. A death by Seekers would be a kinder fate than what would happen should you try."


    "Harmony seemed to handle what happened earlier pretty well," Derek said, "Shouldn''t a little exposure to magical dinos and an amberkin make it a little easier? Like her brain can get acclimated or something?"


    "There is no growing accustomed to Mana. Awakening changes a being down to its very essence and rewrites it. No Human can initiate the process on their own and survive the ordeal. Too much exposure to Mana or beings from The Realms will strain a Human''s brain slightly, but Humans are resilient overall. They''re adept at ignoring the Mystical to an extent, but only if their brain has a plausible explanation to compensate. The more plausible the explanation, the more likely a Human won''t experience any malverse effects." Teetch replied, trundling over to the third Seeker corpse.


    "Is that why you¡¯re my cousin now, and wolves attacked us?" Derek asked, ¡°But that explanation didn¡¯t even make sense." Is that why no one has seen that city in the lake?


    "Kindaala¡¯s Mercy, boy, it doesn''t need to make any blinding sense. That''s the beauty of it. You just have to give Humans something to latch onto, and their brains will do the rest. It''s a survival instinct."


    "What happens when they have nothing to latch onto?" Derek asked.


    The amberkin stopped his grisly procession and turned to look Derek in the eyes. Derek would''ve sworn Teetch looked brighter than earlier, as if he''d regained some of his glow. He shrugged his shoulders. "I''ve never seen it happen myself, but Vaasla taught that it was a fatecome worse than death. She had no love for Humans, but even she thought they deserved better than Manoptosis."


    "So you''re saying I should be careful about using my Angler abilities and MythMaker around the Unawakened?" Derek asked.


    "It''s likely Hero of Prophecy has manifested itself in a way to protect other Humans innately. Your handheld device and that pole are common enough Human items that shouldn''t trigger dissonance." Teetch punctuated that last statement by plunging his tiny, sharp hands into the skull of a fourth Seeker. It sounded like someone cracking eggs.


    "Can you stop that? It''s bad enough we had to kill these things. Do you really have to play around with their insides? You''ve already ruined eggs for me."


    "This is the most merciful end for them," Teetch said, punctuating his statement by rummaging his hand around in the dinosaur''s brain pan. ¡°They''re Amber Mad."


    "Do me a favor: If you ever feel a little merciful toward me, keep walking."


    "There''s little chance of that," Teetch said, stopping his macabre activity to glare at Derek with his uncanny golden eyes. ¡°Humans are outside the cycle. These Seekers, however, have had something unconscionable done to them. All because of me."


    "Someone did this to them?¡± Derek asked, ¡°And that same someone sent the Seekers after you?"


    "Of course, someone did this to them!" Teetch said, "Seekers are only supposed to be half this size, and they''re certainly not supposed to attack people, Humans or Amberkin. It''s an abomerration. There¡¯s no low the Wheel wouldn¡¯t stoop to."


    A frantic edge had entered Teetch''s voice that Derek hadn¡¯t heard before. He¡¯d heard lots of disdain and impatience, but this was closer to hopelessness. Derek could feel himself almost pitying the surly little amberkin.


    Derek urged some life into his weary limbs and dragged himself to Teetch''s side at the body of the fifth Seeker. He put his hand on Teetch''s back while the amberkin did his grisly business on the last dinosaur. Derek tried to ignore how much Teetch''s body felt like a water bed filled with hot chicken noodle soup.


    His body is less solid than a normal person''s. Is this how he changed his hand into a weapon?


    "I know what it feels like to have your own people turn on you," Derek said.


    "Gah!" Teetch shouted, moving beyond the reach of Derek''s consoling hand, "I must cut a wretched figure indeed to garner sympathy from a Human. Forget I said anything. Give me some time to think!"


    Teetch scrabbled over to the edge of Angel''s Perch and sat in the snow. The snow melted around the amberkin as he stared over the lake, making grumbling noises. At some point, deeper cloud cover overtook the sky, removing any chance of the city in the lake¡¯s reappearance. Derek wondered how much Teetch knew about the city. Half a dozen questions formed and died before any could leave his lips, and instead, Derek sat down next to the amberkin and said, "The city¡¯s beautiful, isn''t it?"


    "Must you be the center of every¡­ Wait! That''s it!" Teetch said, "You''re the center¡­ I mean, If you insist on inserting yourself in the middle of my affairs, I¡¯ll allow you to assist me.¡±


    "Assist you with what?" Derek asked, ¡°And I haven¡¯t inserted myself into anything. All I ever wanted to do was ice fishing, and then you gave me special powers.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t remind me,¡± Teetch said, ¡°The Giild, Othiamphuus. I must return, and you must accompany me. I''ve got a plan."


    "The city in the lake?" Derek asked, gesturing toward the water, "That''s where you''re from?"


    "Othiamphuus is no mere city; it is a Giild of the amberkin, the last and most glorious of its kind. Will you join me or not?"


    The last thing Derek wanted to do was go anywhere with the bossy amberkin, but he found himself saying, "If it means I get to go to the city, I''m in," Derek said, standing up, ¡°What are we waiting for?¡±


    "You think we can just stroll into Othiamphuus because we wish it so?" Teetch asked. "No, it''s beyond our reach at the moment. Let''s retire to your hovel. You look like you can barely stay on your feet. I''ll need you at whatever you call your best even to have a chance of getting into that once-great Giild."


    ¦µ


    The walk back to Derek''s house passed by in a blur of Teetch explaining why they couldn''t go back to Teetch¡¯s city that night and the constant ringing of Derek''s phone because he kept ignoring his mom''s calls. He couldn¡¯t handle his mom''s scolding and Teetch''s lectures simultaneously; he lacked mental capacity. Derek got the gist of the amberkin''s rambling pretty quickly, but at some point, the amberkin had gotten it into his bald, glowing head that Derek was an idiot.


    Derek expected it to be more complicated, but it was a bit typical as far as magical cities were concerned. Apparently, moonlight powered the gate to Othiamphuus. Derek and Teetch could only access it on nights before, during, or after the full moon, so they would have to try next month. Also, something called Chaasmyth guarded the entrance to Othiamphuus, and it was the same something that Teetch said he''d saved Derek from the other day. If they wanted to enter the city, they¡¯d need to slip past this Chaasmyth on a night with lots of moonlight. Teetch had taken nearly the entire thirty-minute walk back to Derek''s house to explain this relatively simple concept. While Teetch belabored the point, Derek relished the idea of tackling his piscine adversary again with his newfound Angler abilities. He knew these were serious events, and the fate of Teetch¡¯s world was probably at stake, but all Derek could think about was pitting himself against the lake again. He¡¯d help the amberkin, but his rightful place was sitting at the end of the dock and angling until the sun went down.


    When Teetch and Derek reached his house, he shushed the amberkin. The lights of the main house were off, and his mom had stopped calling him after the tenth missed call. Derek assumed she had given up and went to bed. The last thing he wanted to do was wake his parents up and get another lecture. Derek put an index finger to his lips, indicating for the amberkin to keep quiet, and then Derek pointed at the tiny home. The two of them crept through the yard and into Derek¡¯s house.


    Derek hit the light switch, and Teetch shrieked.


    "What''s wro-" Derek started to ask, but then he understood.


    Derek''s mom was sitting at the foot of his superhero comforter while his dad stood in the back corner of the room with his arms folded. Derek couldn''t reconcile the man standing in the corner with the man he''d grown up with. It was like gravity weighed extra on Harold Dunn''s shoulders, pushing him in on himself, making him shorter, less than. The frown lines and wrinkles in his eyes gained more ground each day, erasing the laughing giant that used to carry Derek around on his shoulders. Derek couldn''t ever look for long.


    "I know this looks bad, but I can explain," Derek said, avoiding eye contact.


    "No need," Lisa said, "It''s always the same with you. Let me guess. Lost track of time fishing again?"


    "Actually, yeah," Derek said, realizing how he must look with all his new Angler gear. He shifted his weight and tried to put his arm behind his back where the Seeker had cut him. It had stopped bleeding shortly after the fight, but his arm was still a bloody mess. The last thing he needed was for his mom to see. He hadn''t expected to run into his mom before a shower. "I lost track of time." Derek didn''t add any unnecessary details. In a way, he wasn¡¯t lying. He had lost track of time, and he''d been fishing. For dinosaurs.


    "Is that all you have to say for yourself? Lisa said, her eyes boring into Derek''s soul, "I''ll give you one chance."


    Derek didn''t add anything. He still couldn¡¯t look her in the eye. Parents always expected their kids to incriminate themselves by talking too much. But Derek had an advantage. The truth wasn''t an option, even if he wanted it to be. According to Teetch, the truth would be Mana fry his mom¡¯s brain.


    The awkward silence dragged between Derek and his parents. He could hear the intake of breath a couple of times of his dad about to say something. When Derek thought Harold Dunn was finally going to talk to his son, instead, he brushed by Derek and left the tiny home. Derek couldn''t tell, but it almost looked like his cheeks were glistening and his eyes a little red. If it had been anyone besides his dad, Derek would''ve thought he was crying. Before Derek could ask about his dad, MythMaker chimed in his pocket, announcing a new side quest with its customary sword leaving its sheath. Derek reached for his phone, and his mom cut in.


    "Something killed Eustace Everly''s chickens tonight and gave his hound a nasty parting gift. A couple of Tammy Burgeon''s cats went missing, too. All near the lake," Lisa said. "We tried calling and calling you, but apparently, we didn¡¯t have anything to worry about. You just lost track of time, right?"


    An uncomfortable image of a dinosaur chewing on a fishing line with its breath hot on Derek''s face flashed through his mind, "Yeah," Derek said lamely.


    "Is that all you have to say for yourself?" Lisa asked. "Do you just not care at all anymore? I used to defend you when your father or other folks said you were on the road to nowhere, but it''s getting harder, Wreck. I used to think I understood you, but I¡¯m not so sure anymore."


    "Yes, I mean, no, Mom. I have nothing else to say," Derek lied, hating himself just a bit more, "I''m just trying to win the Jamboree. I don''t see why it''s such a big deal?"


    His mom''s eyebrows arched at that, "You don''t see how it''s a big deal? You don''t see how your parents worrying if you''re hurt or dead is a big deal? Something was out there killing tonight, and you can''t bother to give the people who put food on your table or a roof over your head the courtesy of answering the phone they pay for!" his mom said. She took a deep breath to steady herself, saying, "I wish I''d known it wasn''t a big deal before I¡¯d gotten worried sick."


    "Mom, that''s not what I''m saying," Derek said, taking a step forward. He wanted to hug her but remembered he couldn''t because of his arm. ¡°It was just a rough night, alright? I didn''t want to talk about it before, but Harmony was out with some out-of-towner who said he was going to buy the family store. He¡¯s wrong, right?"


    It was his mom''s turn to look away, "We¡¯re considering all our options."


    "But you¡¯re not actually going to sell the store, right?"


    "Wouldn''t it be nice not to be tied to Golden Lake?" his mom asked, "We could move closer to your brother or sister. You''d have the chance to reach your potential and not worry about the store weighing you down."


    "I literally can''t think of anything worse than that," Derek said, "And that includes an apocalypse." She probably thought he was being dramatic, but he meant it.


    "I''m not saying that''s what''s going to happen, Wreck, but it is a possibility," Lisa said. Neither talked for a few seconds until his mom added, ¡°Harmony was with someone? Another guy?" she asked, with a knowing smile.


    "Mom!" Derek shouted, not liking how loud his voice sounded, "It''s not like that between us!"


    "I was just asking. You two do spend an awful lot of time together."


    "She''s my best friend! Of course, we spend a lot of time together," Derek said, unconsciously rubbing the spot on his face where Harmony punched him, "it''s just¡­ Harmony is incredible. There''s not anyone else like her, so if she is going to find someone, I want it to be someone who recognizes that and deserves her, and that¡¯s definitely not me."


    "And this young man doesn''t?" his mom asked.


    Derek thought about how Reid''s face lit up when he described how he''d met Harmony: "I don''t know, Mom, but I don''t like him. There''s something¡­ off about him."


    "What if there''s something off about everyone Harmony decides to date?" Lisa asked, smiling.


    "Then she just can''t ever date," Derek replied, matching her smile, ¡°Problem solved.¡±


    The two of them forgot they''d been arguing the moment before and just enjoyed each other¡¯s company. Eventually, his mom looked toward his feet and asked, "Who''s your new friend?"


    Teetch! How could I have forgotten about Teetch? She knows he isn¡¯t my cousin. They can''t see me coming back home with some random kid.


    "Mreow!"


    Derek looked down to find the ugliest, vaguely catlike thing he''d seen. A four-legged creature walked toward his mom. It was like someone had bashed a Sphinx Cat with an ugly stick several hundred times and then fed it glowsticks to the point it started to glow. Teetch let out another "Mreow!" that sounded like a cat gargling barbed wire and jumped onto his bed, finding a pillow to curl up on and close his eyes.


    Derek picked up on the queue, "This little guy? He¡¯s just a cat I found by the docks. He seemed scared and wanted to come with me. Honestly, I felt sorry for the ugly little fella, so I let him. I''m not sure if I''ll keep him, but I thought something this hideous could use some love."


    Teetch¡¯s golden eyes opened to slits, and he hissed at Derek.


    Lisa Dunn laughed and looked at Cat-Teetch. Her eyes took on the same faraway look Harmony''s had when they''d told her Teetch was Derek''s cousin.


    "I can probably rustle up some food for this little fella," Lisa said.


    "He''ll be fine, Mom," Derek said. "I''m sorry for worrying you. I''ll do better."


    "Your father was worried, too," Lisa whispered.


    "If he was so worried, he can tell me himself."


    His mom smiled, suddenly looking weary beyond words, "We love you, my son. Times may be changing, but that isn''t going to. Don''t you forget it."


    "Can I get that in writing?" Derek asked, "I love you too, Mom. Dad, too, sometimes."


    Lisa moved to the door, brushing Derek''s shoulder as she passed. As she stood in the doorway, Derek said, "Mom, can I ask you something about Dad?"


    "You bet, can''t promise you''ll like the answer, though."


    "I was talking to Rod earlier¡­ And he said that Dad spent a lot of time on the lake¡­ He''s just messing with me, right?"


    "Hard to imagine, isn''t it?" His mom said, "But Mr. Hockenson''s right. Once upon a time, he and your father were quite the anglers."

 Chapter 6: Worlds Collide

    Chapter 6: Worlds Collide


    Derek didn''t remember falling asleep. His memory picked up at 3 a.m. when he woke to an amberkin berating him for his lack of a "respectuous archive." Half-asleep, Derek stumbled out of bed. Teetch wanted an archive? Derek had the quintessential archive just sitting on his desk. Derek booted up his laptop, opened a search engine, and tried to explain the internet to a magical creature. It did not go well.


    Teetch hissed in response to Derek''s futile attempts to get him to use the computer so Derek could go back to sleep. At that point, Derek realized Teetch was still in his cat shape from the night before. "Why do you still look like that?" Derek asked, blinking sleep from his eyes, "And why don''t you try and get some sleep like a normal person?"


    "Carving this shape required more Ambessence than I anticipated. I recover more slowly in this barren landscape you call a Realm. Tell me, Derek Dunn, are all Humans this lazy?" Teetch asked, "I let you sleep several hours more than myself as a courtesy, but even my vast patience has its limits. We have work to do."


    "Well, since I don''t weigh under fifty pounds, I assume my body needs more sleep than yours." Derek said, "If you require an ''archive,'' you''re going to need to use the computer. It''s like a library but better."


    Teetch''s eyes flashed, and a light pulse rippled down his body. "Kindly recant your blasphemy, Human," Teetch said. "This¡­ device cannot compare to the wonders of the written word. I would be hard-pressed to imagine it could contain more than a single page, not to mention it has no scent. A real archive smells like parchment and ink, not pine. No student of Vaasla worth a drop would settle for such a meager excuse for an archive."


    "Do you have an ''off'' button or something?" Derek asked, running a hand through his snarled hair. It was way too early for this. "I''m going to go back to sleep. I''ll take you to the library in the morning."


    Cat-Teetch hopped onto Derek''s bed, blocking his path to sleep, "I demand you take me at once. You may not care about the Giild, pride, or overall cleanliness, but I draw the line here. We have wasted far too much time sleeping." Teetch said, nearly spitting out the last word.


    "Teetch, humans need sleep!" Derek said, "You should try it sometime. You''d be less cranky. Besides, all the other humans are still asleep, so the library will be closed when we get there."


    "All Humans are like this? Even Lisa Dunn and Harmony Walker? I refuse to believe that, but I''ll acquiesce to your strange customs and wait for this library. However, the time for sleep is over. We must plan. One does not simply stroll into Othiamphuus."


    "Yeah, yeah, yeah," Derek said, "If I''m going to deal with this crap, I''m going to shower first."


    The warm water soothed Derek''s aching muscles and washed dried blood down the drain. He ignored how it stung his arms where he''d been scraped, burnt, and cut in the last forty-eight hours. The pain felt right, justified. Derek would''ve stayed longer, but Teetch''s golden eyes kept peeking into the small shower space through the translucent glass and commenting on how much water Derek wasted. Apparently, modesty wasn''t a concept shared by amberkin culture. Despite Derek''s best attempts to explain, Teetch was too fascinated by how the shower could produce so much warm water without using Mana or Ambessence. Since Derek didn''t know how Mana, Ambessence, or hot water showers worked, he couldn''t explain it to the amberkin either. Teetch defaulted to believe it was some Human ritual, and Derek let him. It was too early to argue with the world''s surliest fantasy creature. To Derek''s surprise, Teetch offered to seal Derek''s wound, but he declined. He wanted something to remember the night that a living being was no longer in the world because of him.


    When Derek was as ready as he could be with four hours of sleep, Teetch hopped onto Derek''s dresser and started to pace back and forth, "To get into the Giild, we have several qualifications to meet."


    "Hold up," Derek said, "Before we get into that, you''ve got some explaining to do."


    Teetch stopped pacing and bared his mismatched teeth at Derek, "We do not have time for this, Derek Dunn. The fate of the Giild is at stake!"


    "If I''m going to help, I need to know what I''m dealing with," Derek said, "The fate of my life is at stake!"


    "I expect my plan will succeed or fail, irrespective of your efforts," Teetch replied, his cat ears flattened in anger.


    "Look at it this way: if you want me to take you to the library or help you in any way. I''m going to need some answers."


    Teetch''s brow furrowed, and he waited a long time before answering. "Fine, you get three questions. Then we will discuss my plan."


    Teetch hopped off the dresser and trotted to where he''d discarded his robe the night before. He burrowed into its folds. A few stray strobes of light flashed through the holes, and Teetch''s humanoid limbs seemed to ooze and bubble from the openings. When the fully formed Teetch emerged, Derek knew it wasn''t his imagination; the amberkin looked dimmer than he had moments before.


    "Proceed," Teetch said, acting like he hadn''t just changed shapes.


    "One, I get that your people sent those Seekers after you and that they made them Amber Mad. What I don''t get is why your people still have dinosaurs. They went extinct 66 million years ago.''"


    "Ah," Teetch said, "Your confusion is understandable, a surprisingly good question. After the desiccation of the other Giilds, the Queen put all of Othiamphuus in stasis, sealed in Amber, to wait for a resurgence of Mana. Still, it appears our stasis ended prematurely several Human years ago."


    "Wait," Derek said, "So, you''re millions of years old?"


    "Before stasis, I was twenty Human years old," Teetch said.


    "That''s how old I am!" Derek said, "We''re the same age! How did you already get this grumpy?"


    "Hah, I am 100 million and twenty years old. Hardly comparable," Teetch said proudly, "Now, hurry along, onto the second question."


    "I have one last question connected to the Seekers, so it still counts as part of question one," Derek said. Teetch nodded his assent, and Derek suspected the little guy enjoyed lecturing. "Why did you have to stick your hands inside the Seekers after we killed them, and how is that mercy?"


    "Right, sometimes I forget you lack even a rudimentary understanding of the world. It''s better you ask now, then slow us down in the Giild later, where time will be of the essence. Amber is the lifeblood of the amberkin, but it is hostile to any other living being. This is the source of Amber Madness. However, Amber is a finite resource. I reclaimed it from the Seekers rather than let it dissipate. Does that explanation suffice, or will you be needing pictures?"


    Derek ignored the insult and nodded, "Alright, Question Number Two, why''d you steal that Scroll? You seem to love your Giild, so why betray them by stealing their only hope?"


    "Betrayal? I, Teetch, am the only amberkin who remains loyal to the spirit of Othiamphuus. If the Wheel had its way, the last of the amberkin would fade into oblivimity, adhering to the old ways. The Queen would never have allowed it to go this far, but she is gone. That''s why I need your help. Question Three, if you please."


    As Teetch answered the second question, Derek could see the light pulses speed up, if not get any brighter. He noticed the instances when the light sped up corresponded with the amberkin''s level of frustration. Derek filed that away as a mood detector of sorts. He wished Harmony or his mom had one so he knew when he was in imminent danger.


    Mentions of this Queen tempted Derek to waste his third question, but something more pressing had been niggling at the back of his mind for a while. "What makes you a Heretic? Is it because you stole the Scroll?"


    "Pass," Teetch said, "Next question."


    "Hey! You said you''d answer any three questions."


    "I will not answer that question. I don''t know where you heard that term, but it is not Human business," Teetch said. "If it means our deal is null, so be it."


    Derek put up his hands placatingly, "Relax, I was just wondering. It popped up on here when I tried to Identify you. I didn''t know it was that big of a deal," Derek said, mentally scrambling for a backup question. It''s a stretch, but here goes nothing. "If the Queen is gone, how is she still singing?"


    Teetch''s ears perked up, and his eyes glowed brighter, "The Queen sang to you? Hah, my suspicions were right! We must get started at once!"


    "Not so fast, ShortStack. You still owe me an answer."


    "The Queen is not physically gone, but her mind has fled. When we returned from stasis, she never recovered, but we shall change that," Teetch said, gleefully rubbing his clawed hands together and wiggling his hairless eyebrows.


    "And just how are we going to do that? If you haven''t noticed, all I''ve got is a fishing pole, and all it does is hook stuff."


    "Leave the finer details to me. I wouldn''t expect a Human to be able to understand." Teetch said.


    "Then why do you need me at all?" Derek asked.


    "You''re the bait."


    ¦µ


    By the time Derek dropped Teetch off at the library, he was ready to go back to bed. Despite the amberkin''s nonstop chatter, Derek didn''t know any more about the Giild or his role to play besides being the distraction for the giant fish monster in the lake. He didn''t hate the idea. In fact, every time he thought about it, he felt a thrill of excitement, but the amberkin was a little stingy on details about how Derek was supposed to distract it. Was he just supposed to catch the ancient city''s protector with his fishing pole? Teetch was intentionally vague but still talked about it for several more hours, regardless. He also made sure to belabor that Chaasmyth was still loyal to the Queen and that Derek was supposed to treat the lake monster with the utmost respect. Derek nodded his assent, but respect was not his strong suit.


    Derek''s mind whirled with all the new information and possibilities he had laid out before him. His life had gotten so much bigger, more important. The more Derek thought about it, the more he realized he couldn''t go to work like this. He would be useless with his head in the clouds. Derek had promised his mom he''d do better, but was he giving her his best if he showed up distracted?


    Before Derek had even finished convincing himself, he opened his contacts list for someone to cover his shift. Most of the other employees were part-time high school students, so they either didn''t answer or unhelpfully told him they couldn''t come to work because of school. As Derek was about to give up, he remembered one person he could call. Harmony worked at Dunn, Dunn, Dunn every summer until she finally got hired as an apprentice at the boat repair shop, and there was no way any boats needed urgent repairs while the lake was frozen over.


    Harmony ignored his first couple of calls, and when she finally answered, she seemed annoyed with him. He didn''t feel like that was fair because she was the one who punched him, but he was willing to forget the whole thing ever happened. Since he needed a favor from her, instead, Derek apologized with his fingers crossed, and Harmony finally agreed to cover his shift. She''d do a better job than him anyway. She only had the fate of one world to worry about. Now that he was finally free of his responsibilities, he could finally go and think. Derek knew just the place.


    ¦µ


    Sticking a hook in ice didn''t give him any bonuses with his Iron Fillet Knife, so Derek cut himself a new ice-fishing hole the old-fashioned way. It felt like ages since Derek had gone to the lake with his trusty pole and let the day''s cares and worries melt away, leaving nothing in his mind save the bare essentials. Derek didn''t care if he caught anything that day. That''s not the point.


    Derek shivered in anticipation when his marshmallow-baited hook sunk into the water. He couldn''t wait to leave behind thoughts of amberkin, Seekers, and World Wide Wilco and return to the times when his biggest worry was whether or not any fish were alive in a frozen lake. The day wasn''t nearly as beautiful as a few days before. Ominous, dark clouds obscured the sky, casting Golden Lake in a dreary filter that made it hard to remember the existence of warmth or happiness. Derek tried to slip into the state of fisherman''s zen, but he found something blocking him. Teetch''s shrill nagging, Harmony''s punch to the face, the burning in his arm, and the tearful look on his dad''s face all swirled around in the ordinarily tranquil pool of Derek''s psyche, distracting him from the mindset necessary for successful zen.


    My dad was really a fisherman and friends with Rod? Teetch''s whole world is down in that lake somewhere? How many more times will I get to do this? Is this my last winter in Golden Lake? Didn''t I have a level-up in MythMaker?


    Derek would get back to fishing after he checked his phone. The level-up seemed essential in his development as an Angler and might help him devise a plan to get into the Giild. Derek couldn''t think of any Angler ability with that potential, but he wouldn''t know until he checked his phone.


    The MythMaker interface had four main buttons. The last button, Party, used to be inaccessible to Derek, but that was no longer true. His Character could wait until he checked his Party. The Party menu only contained one option, a square containing a miniature version of Teetch taking up a quarter of the screen. Above mini-Teetch''s head, it read Teetch the Heretic. Derek tapped the Teetch icon. It zoomed in on the little amberkin until a little 3D model of Teetch hovered on the screen, spinning on an invisible axis with the word Abilities under his feet and the word Equipment hovering near 3D Teetch''s right shoulder.


    The Equipment section only contained one item: Heretic''s Robes. When Derek tried to tap the robes, a pop-up appeared that read:


    Additional Information Function Disabled for Temporary Party Members


    The same pop-up appeared when Derek tried to tap Teetch''s abilities. Teetch''s "abilities" had less imaginative titles than Derek''s.


    Flash


    Carve


    Scald


    Passive - Amber''s Vessel


    Passive - Scrollworm


    Derek tried clicking on various elements of the Party screen, but that was all the information he could dredge up. Some were easy to figure out, while others were a bit esoteric. Derek wondered if Teetch considered himself to have abilities or if these were just elements of Teetch that MythMaker categorized in a way for Derek to understand. He debated whether he would show the amberkin the Party screen, considering how much he made an ordeal of everything else. Ultimately, he decided against it when he remembered how Teetch reacted when called a Heretic and when Derek showed him the internet.


    Before Derek dealt with his level-up, he had one last bit of maintenance. When he''d been talking to his parents, he picked up a side quest.


    Side Quest Acquired!


    Cat''s in the Cradle: Being a Hero of Prophecy has its costs, but it doesn''t have to. Regain the trust of Harold and Lisa Dunn and restore honor to the Dunn family name.


    Derek returned to the main menu and immediately clicked on Character. He''d dwell on that side quest later. Dirk Dawn was back in the dungeon, but Derek could''ve sworn it looked a little nicer. The torches on the wall shone brighter, and the stone looked cleaner and crisper. Dirk was still in a room with a locked wooden door, but over the archway of the door were the words Level 2. A wooden chest, a deep crimson red labeled Quest Rewards, rested in the corner. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    When given the choice between the known and the unknown, Derek chose to open the chest first. Who knew what could be behind the Level 2 door? Lights beamed from the lid as it cracked open. There were no grey or green items this time, and there were fewer items than in the Starting Equipment chest. The new crimson neon script described only two items. Derek claimed them with two deft clicks.


    Guts (Rare Ability)


    The Angler must intimately know each catch to know where to stick the knife to offer a swift and merciful end. Description: Guts instills vital knowledge of the weak points of the Angler''s catch. Gut gains additional effects when wielding a fillet knife. All fillet knives are more effective while Guts is active.


    Seekerclaw Hooks (Uncommon Equipment)


    The claws of the Seeker are known for their ability to tear and rend. Hooks made from their claws are no exception. Description: Seekerclaw Hooks can pierce even the thickest hide, opening up new possibilities for the Angler. Once hooked, a catch cannot wriggle free from the grasp of the Seeker. Seekerclaw Hooks remaining: 10/10


    Warning: Seekerclaw Hooks are not reusable.


    Derek watched crimson beams of light emerge from his phone and start printing him a tacky-looking box of Seekerclaw Hooks with a queasy feeling. The box was the same forest green as the Seekers, and the hooks had the same look and feel as polished bone. The first round of rewards and equipment seemed goofy and geared explicitly toward fishing, but MythMaker tailored these new rewards more toward his encounter with the Seekers from the night before. He had no interest in being able to kill and gut things better. Derek had always been a catch-and-release kinda fisherman. When he thought about it, he didn''t have any interest in even being able to take down Chaasmyth, Teetch''s giant fish bogeyman. He only wanted to catch it to prove he could. The enormous creature was protecting his home, which didn''t feel like a guttable offense. Derek could relate to someone protecting their home.


    It didn''t do Derek any good to wring his hands over it. He had free will. Nothing could force him to kill or hurt anything he didn''t want to, and he had to admit that Guts would have been a huge help against magical, rabid dinosaurs.


    Derek had no choice but to forge ahead and hope his level-up wouldn''t be nearly so killing-centric. Dirk Dawn stood unmoving before the Level 2 door, but Derek could''ve sworn the 16-bit figure felt eager to continue. Derek tapped the door, and Dirk walked into the blackness. When he emerged, he walked along a well-maintained forest trail with the occasional torch to light his path. Dirk didn''t walk long before he arrived at a five-way intersection similar to the one during character creation. Instead of five colored doors, five wooden arches were marked by paper lanterns, all of which corresponded to the same five colors: red, blue, green, yellow, and purple.


    The first time Derek saw the five colors, he''d had no idea what they meant. Now that he had received two different colored chests, each with two completely separate types of rewards, and due to the fact that MythMaker said he had a stat point to assign, Derek had a working theory. He guessed that each color corresponded to a different attribute in Dirk''s and, therefore, Derek''s skillset. Careful not to choose a pathway by accident, Derek clicked around the screen, hoping a clue would reveal itself, and he felt stupid when he had the answer. Tapping on Dirk himself conjured a stat screen for the Character.


    Dirk Dawn


    Level: 2


    Race: Human


    Class: The Angler


    Attributes


    Hardiness: 1


    Mysticism: 0


    Survival: 2


    Community: 2


    Fortune: 0


    Abilities


    Improved Cast


    Line of Steel


    No Sudden Moves


    Guts


    Derek read the list of attributes and abilities and was immediately thankful that MythMaker didn''t share D&D''s rules regarding attributes. If any attribute reached zero, the Character died. Derek didn''t feel like any of his stats should be zero, but there was no arguing with a semi-sentient magical video game. Derek didn''t consider himself particularly mystical or fortunate, and the game had assigned stats accordingly. However, if MythMaker did follow gaming conventions, Mysticism probably represented this game''s version of a magic-user type attribute, and Fortune was just a throwaway luck stat. Derek attempted to categorize the rest of MythMaker''s attributes to fit normal gaming standards better. Hardiness represented anything physical, including Derek''s overall health and physical strength. Survival was trickier to pin down. Derek wanted to say it was comparable to dexterity, his overall agility, and quickness, but it didn''t fit perfectly. Lastly, Community had to be his social statistic, describing how others would respond to him and vice versa. Social skills weren''t super helpful for an Angler, but Derek was thankful for the game''s inadvertent compliment for ranking it the highest, along with Survival.


    The colored doors made more sense when viewed in this light. Derek looked at the five attributes. Assigning each one a color was easy. The colored paths appeared in the same order as their corresponding attributes: red for Hardiness and so on. Typical gaming wisdom dictated that Derek should pick stats that accentuated his character''s strengths instead of shoring up his weaknesses. Still, something about that felt wrong when applied to real life. In a game, it didn''t matter if your Character died; all that mattered was the most optimized set of statistics to deal the most damage, but MythMaker and real life didn''t work that way. In real life, weaknesses are where your enemies exploit you, and Derek''s current problems seemed mystical in origin. Therefore, Dirk Dawn needed more Mysticism.


    Derek tapped the blue trail, and Dirk Dawn walked to the entrance to the blue path.


    Are you sure? Y/N


    A quick tap of Y sent Dirk down the blue path. Dirk plodded through the procedurally-generated forest trail in the same mechanical motion as he did through the dungeon. He walked briefly before arriving at a sunny clearing with no obvious exit. Dense foliage blocked the way in every direction. The only feature that stood out was a gnarled and bent tree oak, the same deep ocean blue as the Mysticism trait. The tree had a dark-knotted hollow at chest height, and Derek figured that must be the forest level''s equivalent of a rewards chest. Derek didn''t see any reason not to tap on the tree.


    The second Derek touched his screen, rays of blue neon light sprayed from the tree''s hollow, writing out Derek''s new abilities.


    Inexorable Pull (Uncommon Passive Ability)


    An Angler''s will is not to be trifled with. All manner of creatures populate the Realms, but none of them can resist the Angler''s pull. Description: A hooked catch will always move toward the Angler''s current position while reeling. Warning: The rate at which this occurs depends on the hooked catch''s size and level.


    Infinity Line (Rare Passive Ability)


    A true Angler is beholden to none but himself, least of all greedy merchants, and his line should always be an extension of himself. Description: The Angler will never run out of line.


    As Derek finished reading the skill''s descriptions, blue light coalesced into a tight beam that passed over Derek in sequential, descending rows, starting at his head and working down like a typewriter. Derek didn''t feel anything as the beam continued its descent, not until it reached Derek''s torn-up arm. A searing pain followed where the beam met damaged flesh and the unpleasant sensation of skin moving and independently knitting itself back together. Derek was thankful he had a coat covering his arm. He could barely watch when someone drew his blood.


    When the beam finished its work, it returned to his phone, still clutched in Derek''s hands. He felt a smile tug at his lips. Derek felt good, better than 100%, as if he were entirely on a whole new number scale. His muscles weren''t sore, he was well-rested, and MythMaker had healed his injuries. In a weird way, it was like the level-up had 3D-printed a slightly better version of himself on top of the old one.


    Additionally, his new abilities were the exact types of skills he wanted. He wasn''t interested in abilities that made him a better killing machine but a fishing machine he could live with. Derek imagined all the possibilities. He''d never have to buy anything from Rod again, and he could become a world-famous fisherman. Derek had never been in it for fame, but there wasn''t a single catch out of his reach if he had enough patience.


    He didn''t know how long he sat there, but the sounds of a heated conversation startled him from his thoughts of catching a narwhal with his Wooden Fishing Rod. The voices sounded close enough and upset enough that Derek was surprised they were speaking so candidly right next to him. Derek almost called out to ask if everything was alright, but then he realized why neither had spoken to him. No Sudden Moves.


    Derek had sat on the dock long enough without moving that it unintentionally triggered his passive camouflage. The two speakers talked openly near a stranger because they thought they were alone. Derek would have sworn he''d recognize any voice in Golden Lake, but these two didn''t sound familiar, and they didn''t sound particularly pleasant either. As they got close enough for Derek to hear their conversation, he was thankful he hadn''t revealed himself.


    "Remind me why we couldn''t wait to do this when it''s warm," a man said in a smooth, cultured voice, the type one would expect from a high-end salesman.


    The second voice, a woman''s, said, "You really want locals crawling all over us while we''re trying to do this?"


    The sound of a snow shovel punctuated the woman''s voice. As the conversation continued, it did so with the backdrop of two shovels steadily removing snow. Derek carefully listened and pinpointed them near the shoreline, underneath the wooden docks.


    "I don''t see why it''s such a big deal. Even if a Golden Laker saw us, what could any of these simpletons do about it?"


    Derek heard an audible sigh. "Just my luck, I get stuck with the novice," the woman said, "Idealograms are most effective when left undisturbed. Attention dilutes their effect. Even a novice should know that."


    Derek''s ears perked up when he heard the word "Idealogram." It was one of the many magical words Derek recognized from Teetch''s ramblings, but he didn''t know what it meant. He had to remind himself not to turn around and look at the speakers. Whoever they were, they valued their secrecy. Besides, who knew what else they''d reveal if he kept listening?


    "Show some respect, witch. I''m no mere novice. I am simply expressing that the working will be big enough that attention from a few civilians should hardly shift the needle."


    "Witch?" she asked, laughing in what one could only describe as a witch''s cackle. "I suppose you can call me that, novice."


    "Being the newest member of your little club hardly makes me a novice. The Craft has been passed down in my family for generations, and I''ve been among the Initiated for over a decade. I gave up my Ideal for this."


    The woman just laughed. "We all did, novice. That''s the price of entry, but I have to admit your Gram does show some skill¡­ for a novice. I''ll only need to fix the connector glyph and genesis line, " she said, "Let''s go back and see if they''ve finished the measurements for the next placement."


    "Nitpicky little witch, my lines were fine," the man said under his breath. It sounded like the woman had already started to walk back to wherever they''d come.


    Derek heard the witch''s voice start to berate the man for something, and the man defended himself in a whiny voice. However, the voices had faded so that Derek couldn''t hear specifics. When Derek could no longer hear the voices, he sprang to his feet. Derek crossed the length of the wooden dock at a record pace, taking boards two or three at a time, careful to avoid the areas weak with age and rot.


    When Derek reached the portion of the dock that met the shore, he jumped off the side. He immediately saw where the bickering duo had been working. Derek considered following them, but it wouldn''t be hard to find newcomers in town, especially when he could just follow their footprints in the snow. Derek was more interested in whatever they were trying to hide and what they were doing under the dock in the first place.


    The way Teetch described it, Awakening someone was almost impossible, but the way those two spoke, they were also hip to the whole "Magic is real" idea, and they seemed to know way more about it than Derek did. It''s just my luck that they sounded like bad guys. Why couldn''t they be two magical goody two shoes who came to save the day and let me off the hook? Pun intended.


    Derek approached their handiwork and noted the pile of loose snow they left behind was packed tightly underneath the dock so any idle passerby wouldn''t see a loose pile of snow and investigate. They''d chosen a stretch of muddy ground equal parts sand and mud. They''d drawn a shape that reminded Derek of the drawings kids did in the sand that, eventually, tides would wash away, but something about it felt off. Less cute, more sinister.


    The diagram looked like a large playing card diamond about a foot and a half in length from top to bottom. The top half of the diamond had a little horizontal hash mark running through it near the tip, connecting the two slanted sides, while the bottom half had what looked like a smaller diamond drawn inside it. A larger horizontal line separated the top and bottom half equally.


    At first, Derek didn''t know how they expected their little drawing to last very long. He thought the lake would wash it away with the first thaw of the year, or at least that''s what he thought at first. The longer he looked at it, the more he felt the opposite. The marking felt permanent, like a scar on the Earth¡ªor reality.


    Derek knew he should probably show it to Teetch, but he''d scuffed his boot through the diagram before he could stop himself. He needed to destroy it. His boot slid through T


    the mud beneath the diagram. There was a long track where his boot passed through, but the diagram lay above it, untouched. Derek started to pile dirt and snow on top of the diagram, but whatever he threw at it, the marking lay on top, undisturbed.


    Derek remembered what Teetch said about magic: that Humans and magic are like oil and water. They slide past each other. That''s what this diagram felt like. Whatever Derek threw at it slid off, unaffected because the two types of matter, or maybe even the two types of reality, were never meant to interact. Whatever the insignia written on the ground was supposed to be, it had no place in Golden Lake.


    Derek considered finding Teetch and showing him the sinister mark, but ultimately, he decided to follow the footprints in the snow to find the culprits responsible. Golden Lake was Derek''s responsibility. They''d done nothing to disguise their tracks, further cementing that even though these people practiced Magic of some sort, they weren''t infallible. No Sudden Moves worked on them, as well as anyone. Derek just wished he had some kind of indicator to know when he was camouflaged or not. It was eerie to have someone look through him like he wasn''t there and have Derek wonder if they could see him.


    As it turned out, Derek didn''t have far to walk. Their footprints wound to the west, across the lake opposite Angel''s Perch. Golden Lake''s docks sat in a natural depression in the land and were flanked on both sides by gentle rises. The east side was more forested and had more natural rock formations like the Perch, while the west side was more of a plateau that held a series of abandoned housing projects funded by tourists, the forest continually trying to reclaim the land, and a motel/bar, creatively named The Lucky Catch, overlooking the lake.


    The Lucky Catch was a two-part business: a bar on the first floor and a motel on the second. Norm Fielding owned them both. Norm used to be one of the summer tourists, but after his wife left him, he uprooted the tattered remains of his life, moved to Golden Lake, and started a business. Locals still referred to him as a newcomer, but as far as Derek knew, Norm had lived in Golden Lake for over ten years and had even garnered a loyal customer base that loved drinking and boating as much as Norm did.


    Derek assumed that was where the footprints were leading. Most newcomers stayed at the Lucky Catch, but the prints wound up past the Lucky Catch and led to a squat, blocky building in the shadow of the motel. It reminded Derek of those temporary buildings and office suites that construction companies used when they had a project in the area. Derek would have sworn it hadn''t been there the day before. The building was the grey of fresh cement and storm clouds. It had no personality and looked like the building equivalent of a punch-in/punch-out faceless salaryman. Derek tried and failed to find anything indicating what the building was or why it was there. No signs or windows. He would''ve assumed it was abandoned entirely, save for the two sets of footprints leading up to the door.


    Common sense screamed at Derek to turn around, leave, and regroup with Teetch. But the Lucky Catch was next door, and nothing bad could happen in the middle of the day in Golden Lake. The town hasn''t changed that much.  Derek ignored the mental alarms blaring and approached the door. Danger or not, he was determined to find who was messing with his town.


    As Derek got about twenty feet from the door, something along the treeline lurched into motion out of the corner of Derek''s eye. It was huge. Derek instinctively reached behind his back to grab the Wooden Rod and started backpedaling to distance himself from what he first thought to be a walking tree. Its long strides closed the distance between them in moments. It cocked back an arm and swung a massive limb at Derek''s face. Derek felt himself stumble over his feet, which probably saved his life. He felt the whoosh of air as the heavy limb passed over him. The fall only saved him a few precious seconds, but he planned to use them. Derek scooted backward across the snow, and just when the hulking monstrosity would go for another swing, it stopped.


    The figure resumed a neutral standing position and then turned around and clomped back to the edge of the treeline, each heavy step sending tremors through the ground. The figure was vaguely man-shaped but stood about two stories tall. Derek had mistaken it for a tree at first because of its coloration, but now that he looked at it closer, he saw it was more bronze than tree-bark brown. He watched it for a minute, and it didn''t seem to move from its position from the treeline. Derek wasn''t close enough to tell, but judging by how eerily still it stood, he would''ve guessed it wasn''t breathing. If it hadn''t just tried to kill him, Derek wouldn''t have thought it couldn''t move at all.


    What''s the secret here? What makes you tick, big fella?


    Derek took a couple of experimental steps toward the grey building. After three steps, the bronze figure left the treeline in long, loping strides right at Derek, but when Derek backed up, the giant returned to the treeline. Derek took another step toward the giant, but this time to the side, not toward the building. No movement. Derek made it about ten sidesteps before the bronze thing started after him. That put him about fifty feet away and not close enough to make out any of its features save that it had two arms, two legs, a torso, and a head, just like any standard human, but jumbo-sized. Identify yielded Derek the ??? message and a warning that the giant had a higher level than Derek. Who doesn''t?


    When Derek had all but decided to use his new hooks and Angler abilities to pull the figure closer to get a better look, he remembered the most obvious fact in the world. Phones could zoom in. Derek almost laughed at how obvious the solution was. Since he''d gotten magic powers, he was starting to see the world through just that lens, but sometimes, there was no substitute for the magic of technology.


    A closer examination of the enormous bronze guard statue left Derek with more questions than answers. Zoom revealed that the creature seemed to be made entirely of stacked coins, pennies, to be exact, but not normal-sized pennies. The giant''s legs were as thick as inner tubes and were made entirely of neat stacks, like how they stacked them at the bank. Its torso was composed of four distinct, circular sections, each looking like the tails side of a penny, a sizeable distorted version of the Lincoln Memorial on display in each quadrant. Arms of stacked coins were attached to the shoulder sections of the torso with no visible joints or attachments that Derek could see. The arms ended in rudimentary four-fingered hands made entirely of normal-sized pennies. Its basketball-shaped head sat perched between the top two torso sections. Derek couldn''t stand to look at the head for too long, so he snapped a picture and then had to look away. There was something viscerally wrong with this bronze giant using Abe Lincoln''s face, even if it was only the penny portrait. Something about the cold, emotionless eyes staring blankly at Derek gave him the chills. Maybe Derek would''ve found it more goofy if the thing hadn''t been seconds away from smashing him to a pulp while wearing that same flat expression.


    Derek didn''t know how long he stood there staring at the construct of coins, but when he finally left, he had a plan.

 Chapter 7: Best Laid Plans

    Chapter 7: Best Laid Plans


    Derek and Teetch originally planned to raid the Giild in February, but two more months passed before they got their chance. The moon never showed up long enough in February to power the gate. In March, two nights provided enough moonlight. Still, one of them, Teetch, was off chasing Bigfoot, and the other, Derek''s parents, managed to nail him down for an evening of family games, which were only slightly awkward because his dad never directly spoke to him except through his mom. There weren''t any more surprise animal killings in Golden Lake, but that didn''t stop Lisa Dunn from going into Mama Bear protective mode ever since. When Derek asked Teetch why the Wheel didn''t send anything else after him, Teetch shrugged, his new favorite Human gesture, and said that most Amberkin couldn''t conceive of a world where a Seeker does not catch its prey or that Teetch could survive outside the Giild for any extended length of time.


    As the days passed, Golden Lake settled back into a homeostasis of sorts. It still felt like the Golden Lake Derek loved, but something would happen every couple of days that reminded Derek that things weren''t quite right. The snow melted too early that year, and "Sold" signs with the World Wide Wilco logo started showing up in the windows of local businesses on Derek''s morning walk to work. Whenever they purchased another local business, Derek expected a full-on corporate makeover. Still, WWW often didn''t make any discernible changes, and Golden Lakers were allowed to keep working as usual. The big company just liked to mark its territory. However, on the rare occasion that a Golden Lake resident decided to relinquish their property rights and move away fully, WWW gave exceedingly generous payouts, or at least that''s what Reid told Harmony and Harmony told Derek. The businesses that World Wide Wilco ultimately bought out underwent renovations immediately, giving Main Street the everpresent scent of wet cement and sawdust. Derek''s parents still owned Dunn, Dunn, Dunn, and it was the leash they were using to keep him in line, something about proving he was responsible and capable.


    It significantly hampered his ability to practice his new Angler skills, but whenever he had a day off, he still spent it at the lake, but it wasn''t the same as it used to be. Every lake excursion reminded Derek of the sinister voices from the WWW main office and their squat, grey office building with a coin golem out front. Derek never heard those two specific voices again, but he knew they were working for WWW. The national supplier seemed obsessed with the lake for some reason, and there wasn''t a day when they weren''t collecting soil or water samples or measuring something on the shoreline. Derek had avoided the dock ever since that fateful day. He couldn''t help but think about the sigil drawn underneath, invading one of the only places Derek viewed as a haven.


    Derek showed Teetch the sigil under the dock and the construct of pennies that Derek had started calling the Linconstruct, but the amberkin''s response was the opposite of helpful. When Teetch saw the diamond shape the company minions had drawn under the dock, the amberkin said it was a sigil depicting an Ideal, sometimes called an Idealogram. Still, since they hadn''t followed the designs of one of the Ten Great Ideals, Teetch couldn''t guess its purpose. He said that about the Linconstruct, too.


    He told Derek it was common for Idealomancers to manifest their Ideals as a construct to act as a servant of sorts, but they could usually only follow simple commands. Teetch said they could do more to hamper the plans of the Idealomancers that seemed to be working for WWW if they knew what Ideal they followed because an Ideal could only be countered by its opposite. Derek and Teetch didn''t have much luck figuring out their WWW''s Ideal because the suits stopped openly practicing their Craft whenever Derek or Teetch watched as if they knew when the duo was watching. Eventually, the duo gave up trying to figure it out. Teetch acknowledged that Derek''s plan should work in theory, regardless of WWW''s ideals.


    With their extra two months of planning, Derek and Teetch refined the plan further. Since Teetch was of the Mystical, he had more freedom than Derek. While Derek worked at the grocery store, he repurposed clothes hangers into wire loops through which he could pass fishing lines. Teetch planted the loops at various strategic positions around the lake, only an inch or two above ground, using the lake''s natural foliage as camouflage. Finally, Derek bought a smartwatch, so he wouldn''t always have to check his phone for MythMaker; the app Hero of Prophecy app seemed to only work on his phone.


    Teetch split his time evenly between helping Derek and researching at the library. Derek would have assumed the little amberkin would have found Human literature barbarical, but he couldn''t have been more wrong on that score. Teetch devoured whatever he could get his hands on. His favorites were fantasy books and books about cryptids. At first, it irked the little amberkin that there were stories about elves and dwarves and even creatures that were cleariously fake called fairies, but there wasn''t a single book about amberkin. When Derek tried to assure Teetch that none of it was real, the amberkin would stare at Derek like he was a simpleton.


    When Teetch wasn''t reading fantasy, he was "researching," which is how he referred to his study of cryptids. Teetch thought the books were a list of potential allies for him and Derek to reclaim the Giild, specifically Bigfoot, because all "confirmed" Bigfoot sightings were in the Northwest. Now, at night, while Derek slept, Teetch spent that time roaming the forests of Golden Lake for signs of the elusive creature instead of waking Derek up. Teetch hadn''t had any luck, but by the end of the two months, Derek would''ve guessed the amberkin was one of the world''s foremost experts on Bigfoot.


    As Derek marked off days on the calendar, he tried to figure out how he felt about this whole thing. As the novelty of learning about a Magical world wore off, he started to consider its implications for his own life. For one, Derek had stopped doing anything other than the bare minimum in his online classes, and only that much because his mom watched him like a hawk. He also started to pay attention to what he loved most about Golden Lake and appreciate those things more fully. Derek planned to return from the Giild but didn''t think he could count on that either. Teetch assured Derek he''d be back, but the amberkin would''ve said anything to get Derek to go. Derek tried to come to terms with the fact that these two months might be his last days in Golden Lake.


    Derek ordered tuna melt quesadillas whenever he got the chance, and he talked to Esme about her kids, who had grown up in Golden Lake and moved away. Derek hadn''t known. On nights he wasn''t preparing for the Giild with Teetch, he was watching sports with his dad or sitcoms with his mom. Derek even attempted to pester Rod more, but there was only so much of the big man that the young fisherman could stand at one time, and despite his best efforts, Derek couldn''t get the older fisherman to tell him more about Derek''s dad''s mysterious past. Of all the people Derek cared about, Harmony made the top of the list, but whenever he tried to spend time with her, she was either busy working or spending time with Wilco. Reid had officially moved to Golden Lake with his father, Wallace Wilco, so they could full-court press their buying and corporatizing of the small town. If their actions bothered Harmony, she didn''t show it. The few times she and Derek spent time together, she acted like she''d completely forgotten what had happened that night at Angel''s Perch, and Derek tried to forget it, too, but things felt different between them.


    Weirdly enough, Derek found that he wanted to spend more time with the Alphabet Squad, but they''d stopped coming into the store much as they used to, and when they did, it was always to buy stuff and not try to embroil Derek in their crazy schemes. Weirder still, they always seemed annoyed when he tried to talk to them. Derek chalked it up to puberty and tried unsuccessfully not to let it hurt his feelings. He tried not to think about how pathetic it was to have middle schoolers outgrow him.


    Derek hated to admit it, but he found himself getting closer to Teetch and, on good days, might even refer to the little guy as a friend before he insulted Derek''s hygiene, work ethic, or intelligence and reminded him how much of a punk the amberkin could be. However, as time passed, the insults felt less genuine and more like they were just the amberkin''s multi-jointed knee-jerk reflexes. In those two months, the amberkin accidentally revealed details about his life and the Giild that Derek paid special attention to, but he knew enough now not to ask questions, or Teetch would clam up or insult him. Derek eventually learned the Wheel was a ruling body in the Giild that ran things while the Queen was indisposed. Teetch mentioned the Queen and a mentor figure named Vaasla often, but never any family or friends that Derek could tell. Derek got the sense that Teetch cared about his home, Othiamphuus, a lot, almost to an unhealthy degree, and it caused the little guy pain to watch it change. Derek didn''t know the specifics, but he could empathize. He loved Golden Lake more than anyone, and watching it become something else hurt, even if that change wasn''t bad. When Derek tried to share this insight with Teetch, the amberkin spit on the ground and insisted the two situations were not "similatable" in the slightest.


    When the time came for the next full moon, the day passed by like any other, but to Derek, it felt like massive gears were shifting behind the scenes. If anyone else could feel how portentous the day would be, Derek couldn''t see it. People still bought overpriced local groceries and complained about the new construction projects like they always did, and Derek savored every second of it. When Derek removed the Dunn, Dunn, Dunn apron for potentially the last time, he did so with a reverence something made of cheap polyester probably didn''t deserve. He hugged Petey McNally, the part-time high schooler on night shift, and left.


    ¦µ


    Now that everything was in place and the moment was nearly upon them, Derek felt like his plan was too stupid to work, but it was also too late to change it. Teetch assured him the plan was sound, but then again, he was the same guy who thought they needed Bigfoot on their team, so Derek still held onto a healthy amount of skepticism.


    Derek sat at their makeshift fishing station, composed of a lawn chair and two heavy boulders for Derek to use as an anchor for his feet. At the same time, Teetch looped Derek''s Infinity Line through the wire loops they''d planted around the circumference of Golden Lake. The Wooden Rod lay in Derek''s lap, and Derek admired the visual makeover it had seemed to undergo after his level-up. Wooden carvings now ran along its length, depicting scenes of fisherman in various scenes of heroism, like catching dragons with their pole or fishing in raging storms. Derek couldn''t help but feel the drawings were more like How to Be a Hero of Prophecy for Dummies.


    Derek sat on the diametrically opposite side of the lake from the World Wide Wilco office suite and the construction project that used to be the Lucky Catch motel. He tried not to let it upset him, but the more he watched, the more he hated how WWW casually marred the lake''s natural beauty to build their version of Holiday Inn. Teetch clambered in that direction.


    They''d tested it, but Derek still couldn''t believe his Infinity Line could span the entire lake''s circumference. Teetch''s job was to plant a Seekerclaw Hook strategically outside the WWW office, lure the Linconstruct onto the hook, and run like mad, yanking loops from the ground as he went until he met back up with Derek. Derek''s job was to reel the Ideal-manifested golem into the lake with his Inexorable Pull. If everything went according to plan and Derek''s abilities worked properly, the Linconstruct wouldn''t even be able to put up a fight. Once in the lake, Chaasmyth would notice the Linconstruct and do what guardian fish do. While Chaasmyth was distracted by the Linconstruct, Teetch and Derek would sneak into the Giild. Derek positioned himself far enough away that even if the Idealomancers saw what was happening, they couldn''t respond in time.


    As Derek watched Teetch get closer, he kept expecting something to go wrong or that one of the WWW suits would spot the amberkin, but Teetch kept getting closer without any issues. The duo waited until dark, when Teetch was less likely to run into any civilians. Neither of them wanted to have to worry about Unawakened collateral damage on top of a giant golem made of pennies and a giant fish.


    Teetch planted the hook directly into the path of the Linconstruct and clambered into the unfinished wooden structure of the new hotel they were building on top of the remains of the Lucky Catch. The night was mostly clear, with a few sporadic clouds, perfect for moonlight. When the Giild appeared, that was their signal to put the plan into motion. It wouldn''t be long.


    "Sweet setup!"


    "So this is what you''ve been planning."


    "Whatcha doin''?"


    Derek nearly dropped his fishing pole as the Alphabet Squad emerged from the trees. He was happy to see the gang but needed to get rid of them before things got crazy. Not only were they Unawakened, but the Linconstruct didn''t seem likely to have a soft spot for small children. Sure, they were annoying, but Derek wouldn''t be able to live with himself if something happened to them because of his plan.


    Derek attempted to put on his best customer service smile and said, "It''s great to see you guys, but you kinda caught me at a bad time. How about we catch up tomorrow after school?"


    "Are you kidding me?


    "You really think we''re that stupid?"


    "Sounds good, Mr. Derek."


    Derek thought he''d been pretty reasonable and polite, especially considering the mounting panic he was starting to feel. He could barely see Teetch heading toward the World Wide Wilco office. Meanwhile, far from pleased, Andy and Bev looked actively upset. Andy''s cheeks were red, his eyes narrow, and Bev had her hands balled into fists, pressed firmly against her hips. When Chuck saw his friends were upset, he did his best to scrunch up his face and look upset in solidarity.


    Bev stepped forward and said, "What''s that other kid got that we don''t?


    "Yeah!" Andy chimed in, with Chuck nodding along sympathetically.


    "Other kid?" Derek started to ask, then realized, "Oh, you mean Teetch? He''s my cousin."


    "Bull crap!" Andy shouted, "No older kid wants to hang out with their family. Just ask my brothers."


    "You don''t understand," Derek said. He could feel a slight tugging on the line, but it was just Teetch setting the hook.


    "We understand more than you think," Bev said, "We understand you don''t trust us. We know you''ve been having that other kid set things up all along the lake. He didn''t even do that good a job. They''re all so obvious."


    Derek couldn''t help but laugh. "You''re right. Sneaky spy stuff isn''t my strong suit." Derek said with a grin, "Why do you guys care so much? I''m just some guy who works in a grocery store."


    "Because you''re cool!"


    "Because you don''t care what anybody thinks."


    "Because you''re nice."


    Derek wiped at something in his eyes and said, "It''s not a big deal, you guys; this was more like a job than anything, boring adult stuff."


    "You could''ve just asked us anyway, Mr. Derek," Chuck said, "You know we woulda helped you. We helped you that one time with your fishing pole."


    At that moment, Derek felt a strong tugging on his pole. The Wooden Rod almost jerked out of his hands, but Derek regained control and started reeling. There was more resistance than he was used to, but he felt the line grow taut and slowly pull toward him. Derek glanced across the lake and could see Teetch scrambling away from the Linconstruct and getting stopped by two people, one in a suit and one Derek would recognize from anywhere: Harmony.


    "It''s not like that, you guys," Derek said, trying to disguise the strain in his voice, "I promise I''ll explain everything tomorrow." I hope I''m around to keep that promise.


    "No way! You''re not getting rid of us that easily."


    "Not good enough, Dunn."


    "No, thank you, Mr. Derek."


    Derek looked at the determined middle schoolers, the small cloud covering the moon, and Reid Wilco now blocking Teetch''s path, and Derek had an idea. With Reid in the way, they couldn''t execute their plan, and every effort to get rid of the kids would only cause them to dig in further. Derek couldn''t leave his post to help Teetch, and he needed to keep an eye on the Linconstruct. From what he could see, the bronze giant had turned around and tried to return to its post now that Teetch had left the perimeter. Instead of returning, it slowly slid backward across the ground toward Derek and, more importantly, the lake. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Okay, fine. You win. I have a super secret mission for you all," Derek whispered, causing the Alphabet Squad to huddle close. I need you to get those little metal rings you saw. That other kid did it wrong. I''m going to need them back."


    Teetch and Derek''s plan wouldn''t work without removing the rings because they needed the fishing line positioned over the lake. During setup, Derek and Teetch couldn''t afford to let the line hang over the lake in plain view, but now a free-floating line over the lake was exactly what he needed. That way, he would pull the Linconstruct directly toward the lake when he reeled instead of the circuitous route outlined by their metal loops. Judging by how slowly he was reeling in the Linconstruct, the kids would have plenty of time to pluck the rings and return to Derek, and by then, Teetch would have probably disentangled himself from Reid.


    All three members of the Alphabet Squad saluted Derek and said, "Sir, yes, sir!" in unison before disappearing into the woods.


    Derek kept reeling and watched as the Linconstruct inched closer to the lake. He was making progress, but it was taking longer than he thought. The golem had probably moved less than fifty feet since they started, and now it was finally getting to where the slope into the lake began. Derek hoped it would move faster once he got the creature on a downhill slope. Otherwise, he would be reeling for hours, and they were sure to get found out. That he could move something that probably weighed over a thousand pounds and still complain about it was unbelievable, but he tried not to dwell on his new normal.


    If Magic were supposed to make sense, the mere knowledge of it wouldn''t break people''s minds.


    Derek felt slight tugs on the fishing line as the Alphabet Squad removed each wire hanger loop. Meanwhile, across the lake, Teetch was gesticulating wildly at Reid, pointing his little arms opposite the office suite and the Linconstruct. Reid tried to step around the amberkin, and Teetch kept shuffling around to stay in front of the WWW heir, blocking his path to the WWW office. Derek recognized the way Harmony''s body shook up and down with laughter. He wondered if it was Teetch''s antics or if Reid had taken a break from being an insufferable twit and was saying something funny for once.


    The moon picked that moment to emerge from the clouds.


    The night came to life, bathed in the light from the moon and Othiamphuus to paint Golden Lake in what felt like its rightful colors. Golden Lake seemed nearly as magical as the city under the water at this vantage. Teetch and Reid stopped mid-argument and basked in its beauty momentarily while Harmony turned around and looked around the lake, puzzled. She couldn''t see the breathtaking city.


    Derek realized this was the first time he had seen the city when ice didn''t obscure the majestic view, and just like that, he was captivated all over again. Something about it felt more magical than the golem made of pennies or the little amberkin that could shapeshift. Derek watched the city and saw amberkin bustling along streets, single-file like the golden veins of the Giild itself. Winged shapes swooped and dove around the massive spires that defied the rules of geometry and engineering. Derek had difficulty believing Teetch''s people could have built such a grand city millions of years ago. It looked more advanced than modern-day cities in its way.


    The fishing line went slack. Derek kept reeling but felt a sinking feeling. He expected more resistance. Had he lost the golem? The Linconstruct shouldn''t have been able to break free. The Seekerclaw Hooks item description said a catch couldn''t escape while hooked, and it also said it could penetrate anything. The Linconstruct should still be trapped. Derek scanned the slope that should''ve held the golem and found his answer. He didn''t like it. The Linconstruct wasn''t resisting because it walked with long, confident strides along the shoreline. Toward Derek. Earlier, it couldn''t even leave its perimeter. What''s changed?


    When Derek looked back at Teetch, he knew what had happened. Reid was looking right at Derek and pointing. Derek could imagine the young Wilco shouting orders at the mindless construct and telling it to chase him down. Teetch said it could follow simple commands. Reid must have overridden its orders to protect the WWW office.


    Teetch tried to sneak through Reid''s legs, but Wilco sensed the attempt and blocked the amberkin, trapping him on the other side of the lake. Meanwhile, the Linconstruct was getting ever closer.


    "Mission accomplished!" three voices shouted in unison.


    The Alphabet Squad. I''ve gotta get them out of here, but I can''t panic or let them see the giant golem heading our way.


    "Excellent work, cadets!" Derek said, "But our position''s compromised, so we''ve gotta retreat and regroup on the other side of the like. Double time!"


    As Derek delivered the orders, he started jogging in the opposite direction of the Linconstruct, hoping the kids would follow him.


    "Hey, wait for me!"


    "Where are you going?"


    "But we just got here."


    All three members of the Alphabet Squad matched Derek''s jog while he kept reeling. As long as he kept the lake between him and the Linconstruct, he should be able to pull it into the lake before the kids saw the golem, but he still couldn''t leave without Teetch. Across the lake, Reid must have done something that crossed a line because Harmony now had the guy in a Full Nelson while Teetch was dodging between the legs of a group of suits that must''ve emerged from the WWW office. A risky idea started to form in Derek''s head. It relied on that Teetch was right about Awakening and that the WWW suits wouldn''t risk Awakening the little kids or Harmony. Here goes nothing.


    "Alphabet Squad, one of our own, is in danger! Your mission is to run interference and aid their escape. Once accomplished, you need to retreat, not come back and help me no matter what you see. Is that clear?"


    Bev was in the best shape of the Alphabet Squad and had run up next to Derek. He asked in a low tone that only he could hear, "We need more than that. I know something''s wrong. Really wrong. You can tell me."


    Derek looked at the girl''s earnest expression, lit by the magical city, and made a decision, "You''re right. Something is wrong, but we can''t discuss it now. I''ll explain everything later. You can trust me." Derek lied.


    Derek snuck a glance across the lake to see the Linconstruct closing the distance between them faster than Derek could make it. Pretty soon, the lake wouldn''t be between them. Meanwhile, a circle of WWW suits surrounded Teetch while Harmony yelled at them, shaking her fists. Reid had somehow escaped her headlock but hadn''t joined the rest of the WWW goons.


    Bev nodded and turned to her friends, "You heard the boss! One of our own is in trouble. Alphabet Squad, let''s roll out." I''m pretty sure she stole that from a movie.


    "Roger that!" Andy shouted.


    "I am rolling," Chuck said between heavy, exhausted breaths,


    All three of them disappeared into the trees ahead of Derek in a burst of speed. He hoped they''d get there in time to help Teetch. However, it was probably a moot point unless Derek figured out how to deal with the penny golem barreling toward him. He needed to do something to slow it down. Derek heard a loud crack as the Linconstruct toppled a pine tree in its path, passing through the full-grown tree as if it were nothing more than a twig in its path. The Linconstruct didn''t dodge as its mechanical stride ate up the distance between it and Derek. As Derek watched in horror, he noticed something about its motion. Its path along the edge of the lake was mindless. The Linconstruct always took the shortest path between two points. A desperate plan started to form in Derek''s mind.


    Still clutching his fishing pole and reeling, Derek held it so that the line was about shoulder height and started running around the base of two trees about five feet apart. Derek probably only needed to run one lap but wouldn''t leave anything to chance. After the third lap, Derek examined his handiwork. A fishing line tripwire was strung taut between the base of the two pine trees. Derek had a hard time believing the slender wire was sturdier than the pine tree the golem casually crashed through, but then again, the same thin line was enough to stop the bite of a magic dinosaur.


    Derek could start to feel the tremors caused by the Linconstruct''s heavy footfalls. He turned and ran, holding his fishing pole over his head, letting it spool fishing line freely. In retrospect, Derek wished he''d been watching as the Linconstruct fell, but at the moment, his lizard brain was too focused on survival to watch the giant golem get tripped by Line of Steel-enhanced fishing line. When Derek heard the Linconstruct crash to the ground with a thunderous tremor, he permitted himself to glance back. Abe Lincoln''s expressionless face watched Derek from knee height while the golem was still using its massive arms to drag it along the ground at a fraction of the speed it moved before, which was plenty fast enough. It didn''t even try to stand back up. Derek guessed that someone would need to command it to stand, but right then, its only command was to chase Derek. He started running and reeling again, trying to get into a position where the lake was between him and the monstrosity.


    Meanwhile, the Alphabet Squad had just arrived to crash the WWW party. One of the suits was slumped to his knees, clutching his groin, while another suit struggled unsuccessfully to get both Andy and Chuck off his back. At that moment, Teetch''s translucent skin started to glow before white light eclipsed everything. Teetch''s flashbang move he used the first day we met.


    Derek blinked his eyes rapidly, trying to get rid of the white spots that felt burnt into his retinas, all while pressing ever forward and trying not to trip. He couldn''t afford to stop. The night wouldn''t be a complete disaster if he managed to get that bronze monstrosity into the lake. When his vision cleared enough to see across the lake again, Teetch was gone. The Alphabet Squad was scattered, and Derek could only get a visual on Bev and Chuck. Harmony and Reid seemed to be shouting and gesturing wildly at one of the goons, and with a sinking feeling, Derek found Andy. A man had thrown the boy over his shoulders; Andy was flailing his arms and legs to no avail. Derek saw Andy''s baseball cap crumpled on the ground while the man carried the boy back to the WWW office.


    Derek almost abandoned reeling entirely to go and rescue the kid, but then he remembered why he was there. If he quit now, then everything they''d done up to that point would be for nothing. Teetch and potentially an entire city full of lives were seemingly at stake, and they needed Derek''s help arguably more than Andy did. Besides, Harmony and even Reid wouldn''t let anything happen to the kid. Reid was a bit of a knob, but the lanky businessman didn''t seem like an altogether lousy dude. Besides, Derek had no reason to assume the suits would do anything outright evil. The Alphabet Squad had attacked them first. It was reasonable to assume WWW was holding Andy so they could contact the proper authorities. Somehow, Derek had a hard time convincing himself of that fact. I''ll come back for you, Andy. I promise.


    Teetch burst out of the woods. Derek expected a snarky comment about how Derek''s plan had been a disaster, but the amberkin clambered onto Derek''s back with a determined expression. Teetch looked dimmer than Derek had ever seen, to the point the amberkin could''ve almost passed for a normal kid. If you ignored the extra joints and claws, that is. Teetch wrapped his arms around Derek''s neck like Derek was giving the little guy a piggyback ride. He weighed way less than Derek would have expected, and if not for the rapid fluttering of the amberkin''s little heart, Derek would have forgotten the amberkin was there. Derek had to resist the urge to blame the amberkin for what happened, but Teetch looked so tired and miserable that Derek couldn''t bring himself to do it. Teetch isn''t the one who sent those kids in there.


    Even with Teetch adding his extra weight, Derek quickly reached the point where the lake was between him and the Linconstruct. Ever since his level-up a couple of months back, Derek felt like he didn''t get tired as quickly as he used to. In high school, the half-mile was enough to leave Derek a sweaty and panting mess. However, even after the night''s exertions, Derek still felt relatively fresh when he could finally wrest the bronze golem to a point where water started to lap over its massive body.


    "Any second now," Teetch whispered.


    Derek kept reeling, waiting to feel the golem drop into the depths. While he waited, he looked around the lake. There was no sign of the Alphabet Squad, the WWW goons, or Reid and Harmony. Despite all the wrinkles, It looked like he and Derek would get to enter Othiamphuus after all. As the golem thrashed its limbs, trying to drag itself to Derek, its movement distorted the reflection of the city. It felt like a bad omen. Derek could feel the presence of his piscine adversary somewhere in the lake. Watching him. Derek didn''t think the ancient guardian would take the bait for a while, and then suddenly, there was no trace of the Linconstruct. It just disappeared beneath the surface so suddenly that Derek had to catch his Wooden Rod before it got pulled into the water.


    They had their distraction. This was the moment they were waiting for, but then Derek realized he didn''t know how to enter the gate. "What do we do now? Just jump in?"


    "Look, Derek Dunn, it''s Bigfoot. He''s here!" Teetch said excitedly, pointing across the lake. "I think it wants to come with us."


    Derek followed where Teetch was pointing, and he was only partially correct. Rod Hockenson stood by the docks on the other side of the lake. He was too far away for Derek to see his face, but he was clearly watching Derek and Teetch. Rod raised a big arm and waved. Derek didn''t have time to speculate what the big man was doing or how much he''d seen. He added it to the list of things he would have to deal with if- no when he got back to Golden Lake. Rod was going to give him some answers.


    "That''s not Bigfoot, Teetch. Just a big pain," Derek said, "Now, let''s blow this popsicle stand."


    ''"I''m beginning to think you''re making up phrases," Teetch said with a grumble, "What are you waiting for? Jump into the lake. Othiamphuus won''t be distracted for long."


    "Hold on tight," Derek said as he dropped concentration and snipped his fishing line with the Iron Fillet Knife. Derek stowed all his magical equipment using the Inventory tab in MythMaker, another discovery he''d made during his months of planning. As long as there were empty squares in his Inventory, all items that originated from MythMaker would disintegrate into colorful neon particles and get sucked into the phone. Derek tried stowing several valuable things from his world, but Inventory only worked with items from the game.


    Derek plugged his nose and jumped. Some part of Derek had been hoping that jumping in the lake would instantly teleport him into the amberkin city. A more significant, rational part of Derek assumed it wouldn''t be easy. Even in a world with Magic and Heroes of Prophecy, it couldn''t ever just be easy. Derek''s new hope was that when they arrived, a warm meal and towel would be waiting for him, but he wasn''t going to hold his breath. Actually, he would need to hold his breath because Derek could see the door to Othiamphuus, and it would require a lot of swimming. It looked like a typical wooden door, except someone had built it into the bottom of the lake floor, and it glowed with a faint amber light reminiscent of the one always present beneath Teetch''s translucent skin.


    Derek considered himself a pretty good swimmer, but even he could tell the swim wouldn''t be easy. He aimed at the door and started to pump toward it with powerful breaststrokes. His progress wasn''t nearly as fast as he was used to, with a buoyant Teetch necklace providing a gentle but persistent tug upward and water-logged clothes that made each movement harder. While he made slow progress toward the door, Derek couldn''t help but marvel at his surroundings. He''d swam at night before and was used to not being able to see his hand in front of his face. The city bathed Derek in a soft golden light. Now that he was closer, Derek could see that he was surrounded by what seemed like holographic images of the spiraling towers and domes of Othiamphuus. It wasn''t the real thing. There was no sign of Chaasmyth or the Linconstruct, but he could feel the water vibrations hinting at their underwater struggle. Derek wondered if the golem was determinedly trying to chase him, still following its orders, even as Chaasmyth attacked it.


    He swam for his life, and by the time he reached the glowing door, Derek could feel he''d just about used up all his oxygen. He''d been underwater well over a minute, and he could feel his chest start to burn and the muscles in his cheeks clench with the strain of resisting the urge to breathe. When his hand closed around the doorknob, and Derek tried to twist and pull, his hand slid off the handle. He grabbed the knob with both hands and twisted it, and even though they didn''t slide off, the door didn''t budge. Who locks an underwater door? By that time, there was a brightness at the edge of his vision and spots he couldn''t blink away, but that didn''t stop him from seeing the baleful glare locked on him. Racing across the lake floor.


    At some point in his struggle with the door, Teetch scrambled off Derek''s shoulders and positioned himself near the doorknob. Chaasmyth was closing the distance between them faster than Derek could''ve imagined something its size could be capable of. Derek would''ve sworn by the look in its eyes that whatever animosity it felt toward him was personal. It recognized Derek and didn''t like him one bit. Now that Derek could better look at his fishy nemesis, he wished he could return to a time when he could only imagine what Chaasmyth looked like. In this case, reality was less kind than Derek''s imagination.


    Meanwhile, Teetch was painstakingly molding his index finger into the shape of a key that would fit the lock to the door of Othiamphuus. He tried and failed a couple of times in quick succession, but not fast enough. Derek''s entire body was screaming at him to try and swim for the surface, and darkness was taking more of his vision. Derek held on for dear life and fought to keep Chaasmyth in view. The Giild''s guardian looked like another holdover from the prehistoric days, but time and possibly Magic seemed to have warped the creature over the millennia. Bony plates covered the beast like a suit of armor, but in some places, the growths had grown jagged spurs that twisted and skewed in random directions. Chaasmyth didn''t have many teeth, surprisingly, just two sharp teeth each on the top and bottom jaw that reminded Derek of a staple remover, but somehow Derek doubted that''s what the ancient fish would use them for.


    Chaasmyth opened his powerful jaws and lunged forward in a sudden burst of speed. Derek didn''t have the presence of mind to try and dodge, let alone stay conscious, so he closed his eyes to accept his fate. Something closed around his wrist, and Derek felt a sickening feeling of his stomach dropping like he was on a roller coaster. He landed on a hard floor with a thud and groaned. Water didn''t rush into his lungs.


    I''m on dry land. We made it?


    MythMaker chirped triumphantly in Derek''s pocket. They''d broken into Othiamphuus.

 Chapter 8: The Once-Great Giild

    Chapter 8: The Once-Great Giild


    Main Quest Updated!


    Ancient City Mystique: The entrance to Othiamphuus lies at the bottom of Golden Lake, protected by an ancient guardian. The real journey begins now. Investigate the Once-Great Giild and discover the ills that have plagued the amberkin for millennia.


    Level Up! Angler Level 3.


    1 Unassigned Stat Point Available!


    Level-Up Rewards Available!


    When Derek and Teetch arrived in the small room Teetch called the Keeper''s Hut, the small amberkin wanted to move on to the city immediately, but Derek convinced the little guy to let Derek level up first. The amberkin hadn''t liked it, but Derek told him they never would''ve gotten to the Giild if it were not for Derek''s last level-up. When Teetch acquiesced, he told Derek to hurry because Chaasmyth would only be trapped on the Human side while moonlight still powered the gate, and the duo couldn''t get past the big fish if he returned to The Realms.


    Derek''s phone worked as usual despite being soaked. Apparently, MythMaker makes it waterproof. Is it indestructible? Derek also noticed he didn''t have cell service. It wasn''t something he expected, but being able to contact people would have been nice. Derek quickly navigated to the Character screen in MythMaker to see Dirk Dawn standing in a forest clearing with a dense stand of trees blocking his route. However, as Derek watched, the trees parted before the little fisherman, and the words Level 3 hovered over the path forward. Derek tapped on the path and watched Dirk mechanically stride down it. As he crossed some invisible threshold, the area around Dirk''s path transformed into a flat expanse of water as far as the eye could see. The dirt trail had morphed into a long wooden dock that stretched into the horizon. Despite how endless it looked, Dirk quickly arrived at another five-way intersection with the now familiar color options of red, blue, green, yellow, and purple. This time, MythMaker decorated the options with five separate docks with correspondingly colored boats waiting for Dirk to choose a stat.


    Derek checked Dirk''s stat sheet.


    Dirk Dawn


    Level: 3


    Race: Human


    Class: The Angler


    Attributes:


    Hardiness: 1


    Mysticism: 1


    Survival: 2


    Community: 2


    Fortune: 0


    Abilities:


    Improved Cast


    Line of Steel


    No Sudden Moves


    Guts


    Inexorable Pull


    Infinity Line


    Derek looked at Dirk''s attributes and felt his choice was obvious. Being a well-rounded Angler had served Derek well so far, and there was one area in which he was sorely lacking. Besides, any good fisherman would tell you a healthy dose of luck is just as important as technique. They were probably referring to ideal weather conditions and whether or not a fish would take the bait, but Derek thought the same wisdom surely applied to being a Hero of Prophecy. Derek chose the purple boat.


    Are you sure? Y/N


    Derek almost turned back when MythMaker gave him the option, but he''d gotten that far by trusting his instincts, and he wasn''t about to stop trusting his instincts because he''d just arrived in a magical world. He tapped Y and watched Dirk row the purple boat into the vast expanse of ocean. Soon enough, Dirk came upon a royal purple chest floating in the waves, suspended by a flotilla of white and purple striped buoys. Dirk hauled the chest into his boat, and Derek tapped it hurriedly. He was excited to see what Fortune abilities looked like, and he could tell Teetch was getting impatient. The amberkin was pacing the Keeper''s Hut at increasing speed, and his vein''s light pulses could''ve matched the beat to any good frantic EDM song.


    Neon purple light spilled out of the chest, and MythMaker wrote out three items in the fancy handwritten scrawl. Derek claimed them all.


    Bait Sense (Rare Ability)


    Creatures of the Realms possess a diverse array of palates, and the Angler has an innate sense for all of them, allowing him access to catches that have long laid dormant. Description: When the Angler names and Identifies their catch, they also gain an instinctual knowledge of the bait that best suits that catch. Warning: Bait Sense has a 10% chance of producing bait that will enrage a catch but still attract them to the Angler''s location.


    Lucky Cast (Ultra Rare Passive Ability)


    The Kismeth have always taken a shine to fishermen, and this Angler has attracted their notice. Description: Every cast of Wooden Rod has a 5% chance to catch something from the Realm of the Kismeth. Warning: This effect can range from deadly to benevolent but will most likely be neutral.


    Wonder Bait (Rare Equipment)


    A white, gelatinous cube with an indescribable flavor. An Angler looking for adventure might use this as bait. Description: Wonder Bait has a chance to attract any manner of catch. Warning: Creatures non-native to the owner''s current Realm may also be attracted.


    Although Derek was ready for the beam of light that shot from his phone and started to scan his entire body, he didn''t think he would ever get used to the uncomfortable feeling that MythMaker was printing out a better version of himself rather than just improving him. However, as the laser scanned him from top to bottom, Derek couldn''t deny he felt much better as it took the fatigue from his aching lungs and the numerous cuts and scrapes he''d accrued while running from the Linconstruct. It even replaced his wet clothes with dry ones. When the beam finished, it moved on to printing a little purple fanny pack that contained the Wonder Bait.


    Derek clipped the pouch around his waist with a small buckle, unzipped it, and removed a white cube. It reminded him of tofu, but it was remarkably sturdy. No matter what shape he deformed it into, the cube would rebound to its original shape.


    "What a misappointment Hero of Prophecy you turned out to be," Teetch said, shaking his head, "Sure, that thing smells good, but I expected something flashier. Scrolls in the archives described wonders beyond amberkin imagination."


    Derek smelled the Wonder Bait but couldn''t detect any scent. "Are you sure this is what smells good? I don''t smell anything. And this isn''t all I got from the level-up. MythMaker gave me a couple more abilities, even one that lets me cast into the Realm of the Kismeth! Whatever that means."


    "Don''t meddle with the Kismeth, Derek Dunn. They have a strange perception of fate, and individuals who''ve piqued their interest tend to regret it," Teetch said, eyes never leaving the Wonder Bait, "How can you not smell that thing? Your sense of smell is beyond repair. I don''t know how Humans can smell anything in your Realm with all that pine tainting everything. Even your food tastes of it."


    "What is with you and pine?"


    "Just put that thing away. It''s a painful reminder that I haven''t had a decent meal in months," Teetch said, walking away from Derek toward one end of the Keeper''s Hut.


    The Keeper''s Hut was shaped like a dome, with the door Teetch and Derek had entered built into the dome''s apex at the top of the room. The walls were made of a material that reminded Derek of adobo-style huts and had that same hand-crafted feel. Derek could easily imagine someone shaping the entire structure with their bare hands. The main layout of the hut was remarkably similar to a studio apartment. Derek could see where someone would prepare their meals; there was even a little work desk at Derek''s knee height. There wasn''t a bed, but that made sense because amberkin didn''t sleep much. Thick layers of rust-colored dust coated everything. Around the circumference of the circular room were ten more doors evenly spaced from one another. Each door seemed made of a different material, often a material that Derek couldn''t identify. One looked like it was made of gold, while another didn''t look like a door, just a rectangular, inky blackness that light couldn''t seem to pass through.


    Each door had a fist-sized device that looked like a metal lantern fastened to the top of each doorframe. This device contained crystals of various types. Derek imagined that, at one point, the crystals glowed with a faint light, but now, they all hung dully from their doors, dusty and disused¡ªlike the rest of this place. Derek wasn''t impressed with his first visit to a Mystical Realm. Teetch stood in front of the only door without a lantern.


    "What is this place?" Derek asked.


    "The Keeper''s Hut," Teetch said impatiently. I already told you. Now, let''s leave this place. The Queen needs us."


    At the risk of annoying the amberkin further, Derek asked again, "Yeah, but what is the place for? It looks important, but it feels abandoned."


    "We don''t have time for this, Derek Dunn," Teetch said, staring at his clawed feet and drawing a line on the dusty floor.


    Derek didn''t move, his eyes staring daggers at the amberkin. Some of him knew Teetch was right, but he wouldn''t let the amberkin drag him around in the dark. Derek left his entire world to help the guy; the least he could do was answer several questions.


    Teetch let out a frustrated screech that Derek had noticed he did when he''d reached his limit with Humans, so it was a sound that Derek heard often. "Yes, Derek Dunn, this place was important, but no longer. It once was a bridge between the Giild and the Realms of the nine other Mystical Races. The amberkin have always been the most widely traveled of the Ten, but that was long ago. If that doesn''t satisfy your curiositiveness, I''m leaving you as bait for Chaasmyth. He didn''t seem to like you much."


    "Good to know it wasn''t just my imagination," Derek said with a shudder, imagining those powerful jaws closing on him. "Let''s get out of here, but later, you gotta tell more about those other Mystical Races."


    "If we don''t hurry, there will be no later, Derek Dunn," Teetch said, opening the door to the next room, "But it will do little good to talk of the other races. They are all but gone, just like us."


    "Dude, you''re like a walking cliffhanger. Whenever we have one of these talks, I leave with more questions than answers."


    Teetch flashed his mismatched smile, "I''ll make a scholar out of you, yet. That inquisitive nature is, or was, perfect for the archives."


    "Yeah, yeah, yeah," Derek said, following the amberkin into the next room.


    If the Keeper''s dusty Hut had been a letdown when it came to feeling Magical, the next room was anything but. However, this room reminded Derek of something closer to a science fiction movie than a fantasy. The room was hot and humid, like the sauna at the city pool, but elongated into a hallway. It was fifteen feet long with a ladder at the far end, but its entire length, the walls, and the ceiling were made of a transparent material so that Derek could see into vast black depths. If Derek hadn''t known he was already underwater, he would have assumed they were in the blackness of space and that the hallway was the transparent bridge connecting two high-tech spaceships.


    "Follow my lead, Derek Dunn," Teetch said, facing the wall with his hands clasped like someone on a diving board. "Prepare to get wet, and I suggest closing your mouth. Passing through one-way membranes with an open mouth leaves behind a nasgusting aftertaste."


    "Wait a second! Why can''t we just use the ladder? I just got these clothes dry! Are we really going to waste a level-up laundry service?" Derek asked.


    "I would imagine that the Wheel has sealed the entrance since my escape, and if they haven¡¯t, they certainly have it under active surveillance. Those skaags would leap at the chance to nab me so they could make a public example of their so-called Heretic. I''m not interested." Teetch said, his smile taking on an almost feral quality before he dove through the wall into the water.


    ¦µ


    Their swim out of the Keeper''s Hut was much more pleasant than the one into Golden Lake. Even though the swim covered more distance, the trip upward felt much faster. Thank you buoyancy. The water felt hot springs warm, and there was a noticeable lack of murderous prehistoric fish. However, Derek did forget to close his mouth before the one-way membrane. It had a citrusy aftertaste that was quite pleasant.


    When Derek and Teetch spluttered to the surface, he took a long moment to take in his surroundings. He wondered if how he felt at that moment was similar to those guys who landed on the moon for the first time. There was a good chance Derek stood somewhere where no man had gone before, and he would soak in the moment.


    The two of them were standing on a dock in the middle of a lake resembling Derek''s version of Golden Lake. Their dock was shaped like a donut and floated in the lake''s center. Derek didn''t have the best spatial awareness, but it felt like the whole thing was about one hundred feet in diameter. Their donut-shaped dock was connected to the mainland by a wide strip of dockway that stretched in one continuous line until it reached the shore. The planks were made of the same adobo-type material that composed the Keeper''s Hut. From above, he imagined the layout of the docks would look like a lollipop with a donut on the end. The Keeper''s hut was at the bottom of the donut hole portion of the lake, which seemed completely walled off from the rest of the lake, which made sense if they kept Chaasmyth in the donut hole.


    The lake was surrounded on two sides by vast forests of trees almost indistinguishable from pine trees save that their needles were an amber-ish yellow. Derek''s internal compass was out of whack, but on what he would consider the north side of the lake, there was a gigantic mountain with a river winding down its side. Near the peak, the river started the same golden amber color, but the water was crystal clear when it reached the lake. The sky and clouds were as stunning as they were the first time Derek saw them in what felt like a lifetime ago. The sky consisted exclusively of soft sunset colors, yellows, oranges, and pinks, casting a beautiful, dreamlike lens over everything. A glowing orb hung in the sky, and Derek didn''t want to even think of the implications of a potentially new solar system in a magical realm at the bottom of a lake. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Derek turned to the south, the side he''d been saving for last. At some point, he''d been affected by Teetch''s soaring rhetoric about the greatness of the Giild, and Derek wanted to savor his first real sight of the amberkin city. It was even greater than he''d imagined or seen through the lake. No lens or gate could hope to capture Othiamphuus'' surreal majesty. A massive spire stabbed impossibly high into the sky near the center of the city. He wasn''t sure if it was magic or an optical illusion, but the tower felt endless, spiraling ever higher into the sky, limited not by design but by Derek''s limited eyesight. Derek had difficulty thinking of something humans had made that could compare. The other spires in the city couldn''t hope to match that central tower, but the other spires all seemed to bubble and twist into their own irregular, unique shapes on the skyline.


    Now that Derek was on the outskirts of the great city, he felt something he didn''t expect. When he thought of large cities, he thought of them as bustling and vibrant, with people hurrying from one destination to the next. Othiamphuus didn''t feel alive in the same way. It was closer to a mansion owned by someone old and wealthy who no longer used half the rooms. Derek felt a pang of sadness for the amberkin city, but then he realized Golden Lake''s fate was just as tragic, if not more so. He would''ve rathered his town fade into obscurity rather than be cannibalized and have a new commercialized town wear its bones.


    "Beaujestic, isn''t she?" Teetch asked, nudging Derek with an elbow that didn''t reach higher than Derek''s waist, "You should''ve seen Othiamphuus in her glory days. The Realm was easily double this size, and you could hear the Queen''s singing from anywhere in the Realm. Now, we''re lucky when she sings at all."


    Derek looked at the ancient city and said, "Beaujestic isn''t the word I''d use, but that''s because it isn''t a word. Still, I''ve never seen anything like it, and I doubt I ever will."


    "Pah, you wouldn''t know beaujesty if it fell from the sky and hit you in the head," Teetch said.


    "Speaking of falling from the sky," Derek said, pointing to some shapes flying in a V formation over the lake, "Are those pterodactyls?"


    "Good eye, Derek Dunn. You''ve spotted the next stage of our plan, but we do not use that bizarre name; we call them Swoopers. They''re another Human Realm creature the amberkin have adapted to suit our needs."


    "Is it illegal for amberkin to name anything cool?" Derek interrupted, "You guys have caught and trained freaking pterodactyls, and you call them Swoopers., Holy moly! What a wasted opportunity."


    Teetch crossed his arms and huffed, "You''d not be mocking the name if you''d seen one swoop down for a kill. Hunting and fishing using Swoopers is a popular pastime and profession for the kin. I would''ve assumed an Angler would appreciate the concept, but I never had a taste for it. As a scholar, I much prefer their alternate use as messengers. Although I''ve never imprinted a Swooper myself, they''re quite finicky."


    "First off, I''ve gotta catch me one of those. It could really up my fishing game. Second, how are pterodactyls the next part of our plan? Third, how do you make hunting and fishing dinosaurs that can even send messages sound boring?"


    Teetch huffed exasperated, "I''ll address each of your idiocilic points and hope the misunderstandings cease. We have work to do. One, a Swooper would never stoop so low as to imprint on a Human; you would need extensive training even to try, but good luck, maybe you''ll find a Swooper with inferior sensibilities. However, if a Swooper hasn''t chosen me as a companion, the thought of one choosing you is laughable. Two, we will catch one and use it to send a message. Three, I have not made Swoopers seem boring. They just are. I''ve never understood the allure."


    "Wait. That''s your big plan, to send a message?" Derek asked.


    "I stole the amberkin''s most valuable artifact that many largely consider the last hope of the Giild. I can''t very well just walk through the front gates or shout my presence from the rooftops. We take a risk even now being so exposed, but I''m relatively certain we can rely on my people''s continued neglect of the old ways to afford us some time."


    "It must be some message if it''s going to make your people forget you stole their last hope. And what makes you so sure your people aren''t checking this entrance regularly? They sent Amber Mad Seekers after you. Compared to that, a daily check of the entrance seems fairly low maintenance."


    Teetch paced back and forth, and Derek could feel the floating structure sway with Teetch''s movement. When Teetch finally answered, Derek could tell the amberkin wasn''t as sure of himself as he acted. I can relate.


    "We can''t be sure of anything, Derek Dunn. Our time is drying up as we speak, but I am relatively certain we have until the Feeding at nightfall. The Wheel probably had the main exit of the Keeper''s Hut laced with some sort of trigger Ambessence, but no other amberkin will visit this place. They do not make a habit of inviting remembrances of who we once were," Teetch said with his little fists clenched as if the thought made him angry, "As far as the message is concerned, I have a friend who may be receptive to our plea. We studied together long ago and once considered each other friends. The favor I''ll ask is relatively minor; he just needs to leave a door open for us."


    Derek felt he could''ve asked a lot more questions, but standing out in the middle of the lake and realizing that he was probably already a wanted criminal in Amberkin Land, he decided he wanted to get out of the open as soon as possible. "So how do we get this friend of yours a message? It seems like an awful lot of things need to happen just right for this plan to work."


    "Derek Dunn, you are the Hero of Prophecy. Events pivot around you. I trust that Kaagen''s Swooper will show itself before long and that you''ll be able to catch it."


    "So this plan is entirely dependent on me being lucky?"


    "I wouldn''t phrase it in such an uncultured manner, but you''ve seen to the heart of my plan."


    "We are so screwed."


    ¦µ


    While Teetch and Derek waited for Kaagen''s Swooper to show up, the sun sank closer to the horizon, and one particular Swooper started to take an interest in Derek. At first, Derek didn''t realize it was the same dinosaur each time. They all looked pretty similar to him. The pterodactyl would pass periodically, swoop by Derek''s face, and screech before flying away. However, after the third or fourth time this happened, Derek noticed that typical Swoopers were colored with varying shades of brown and were uniform. Derek''s little friend''s hide had more of a yellowish-mottled brown color, and its feet were burnt orange. In a way, it reminded Derek of those little bathtub rubber ducks and all of a sudden, Derek started to think that the little guy was cute instead of annoying. He decided to use Identify on the little fella.


    Swooper (Level 1)


    Remnant of a lost age. Once known by another name. However, amberkin have long since domesticated and selectively bred Swoopers to fit their needs. Modern-day Swoopers are considerably smaller than their ancestors to better suit the diminutive amberkin. Swoopers are more intelligent than their small skull would suggest and do not make great household pets. However, with time and dedication, a Swooper may imprint on an individual and become one of the Realm''s most loyal companions.


    When Derek asked Teetch why the Swooper wouldn''t leave him alone, Teetch grumbled and eventually mentioned this was usually the first step toward imprinting. Swoopers generally pick their companions, and judging by the way Teetch pouted about it, Derek suspected a Swooper had never chosen the little amberkin. Just like kids who get picked last always think sports are stupid. When Derek finally realized that his Wonder Bait attracted the little dinosaur, he didn''t tell Teetch. It was funnier to let him think that Swoopers liked him better. Instead, Derek leaned into the attention and started encouraging the Swooper''s attention. He even fished a rainy-day marshmallow out of his pocket and fed it to the Swooper.


    After the marshmallow disappeared down its gullet, there was no getting rid of the yellow Swooper. It even started to follow Teetch and Derek as they walked in circles around the dock. The Swooper came up to about Derek''s knees in height, not counting the cylindrical crest on the back of its long, narrow head. Its mouth was full of short, needlelike teeth. Bats must have been descendants of pterodactyls because they shared the same basic bone structure in the wings, and the little Swooper seemed able to use them as arms and wings. Instead of flying, it followed them, hopping and waddling along on all fours behind them. Every once in a while, Teetch would try to get rid of the dinosaur with shoo-ing motions, but that only seemed to encourage the Swooper like it thought Teetch was attempting to play. The way it instinctually tried to annoy Teetch without training endeared it to Derek even more, to the point where he was starting to feel a connection to the pterodactyl. He named the Swooper Duck. Teetch hated the name Duck, but no amberkin had room to talk about naming conventions.


    As the sun dipped dangerously low on the horizon, Derek turned to Teetch and asked, "Are you sure this Kaagen guy''s Swooper is gonna show up, and how will you know it''s his?"


    "Of course, I''m not sure of a kin''s behavior I haven''t seen for months! Sometimes, I wonder if you even consider what you''re saying before you eject it from your facehole." Teetch hissed, "However if his patterns hold, he''ll send it to feed soon. Kaagen always liked his Swooper''s food fresh. Regarding identifying his Swooper, I could recognize Kaagen''s Ambessence on the creature if it were doused in gasoline and pine and lit on fire."


    "And you think I''m the one who doesn''t think before I speak. I swear you''re just making up words half the time." Derek said, "How do we know it''s gonna come this way for fresh food?"


    "Simple, there aren''t any other options," Teetch said, motioning to the river in the mountain. "The Realm is a shadow of what it once was, and soon, even Kindaala''s Rest will be no more. The Desiccation consumes all."


    "Not if we can help it," Derek said, patting Teetch on the back. He was getting used to the amberkin''s strange, malleable skin. "We''ll save the Queen, and it''ll fix the Desiccation or whatever, right?" Duck squawked in a way that almost sounded like it was trying to be reassuring.


    "Look, Derek Dunn, Kaagen''s Swooper approaches," Teetch said, pointing at a lone Swooper headed in their general direction.


    "Awesome! What next? How do we catch one of those things?"


    "You''re the Angler." Teetch said, "I guessumed that you would simply reel it in with your pole. That''s what you seem to do with everything else."


    "Yeah, but catching something out of the air is way different than the water, "Derek said, removing his Wooden Rod from his back and attaching another of their precious Seekerclaw Hooks to the line.


    "Yes, I would imagine catching something in the air is far easier without all that water in the way," Teetch said, "Hurry! Catch it. You''re letting our last chance fly away."


    Derek ignored the amberkin and tried to envision where he wanted the line and hook to end up and match it with the Swooper''s flight path. He licked the tip of his finger to see if there was a breeze. Derek waited poised for the Swooper to get parallel with their position before bellowing an Improved Cast. The line sailed through, wove between the Swooper''s legs, and wrapped around its ankle before biting into flesh. He winced at the needless injury, but he and Teetch couldn''t risk letting the mini pterodactyl fly away.


    Teetch let out an audible sigh and said, "You caught a Swooper mid-flight. The miracles never cease. Our odds of success were considerably lower than I implied, but I was right. A Hero of Prophecy truly works wonders. I should never doubt myself again."


    "Teetch," Derek said through gritted teeth. Stop yapping and be ready to secure this thing when it gets close. We don''t want it flying away before we get a chance to send our message."


    The item description for Seekerclaw Hooks said that anything hooked by them couldn''t escape, but the Swooper put up a valiant effort. It erratically flapped its wings, clawed, and bit at the fishing line to no avail. It even tried to nip at Teetch before the amberkin grabbed it by the skin on the back of its neck, and the Swooper finally calmed down. Derek saw its chest''s rapid rise and fall, betraying how scared the creature was, but at least it had stopped struggling.


    Teetch instructed Derek where to grab the Swooper to calm it down, and Derek held it while Teetch rummaged around in the folds of his robes. Derek tried to ignore how weird the dinosaur''s skin felt in his hands. If he had to compare it to anything, it felt like pebbled sandpaper, and the sensation wasn''t pleasant. Teetch retrieved a tube from somewhere in his robes and uncapped it to reveal a folded piece of yellowish paper. The tip of his clawed finger started to glow with a faint light, and Teetch scrawled out a message, seared directly into the paper. When Teetch finished his missive, he folded it around the ankle of Kaagen''s Swooper and secured it with an elastic band he also retrieved from the tube.


    Derek untangled the Swooper from his line and removed the Seekerclaw Hook from its other ankle. He did his best to ignore the steady trickle of blood flowing down its ankle. The invasive way hooks penetrated a creature''s flesh was his least favorite aspect of fishing. It was hard to shake the thought that he''d potentially ruined something''s life for sport. Duck seized the opportunity to lick the other Swooper''s wound. At first, Derek thought the Swooper was being gross, but when Derek looked into its beady eyes, he would''ve sworn he saw compassion. Kaagen''s Swooper stood up, shook its head, and took flight, heading toward the mountain. As the Swooper faded to a speck in the distance, Derek rubbed Duck on the spot you''d typically rub to scratch a dog''s ears and called him a good boy.


    "Let''s not dally, Derek Dunn," Teetch said, "It would be a shame to have come all this way to be then apprehended by a mere Feeder," Teetch said, stowing the tube back in his robes and hurrying along the dock toward the city.


    Everything had started to take on a dusky burnt amber color while they were wrestling with Kaagen''s Swooper, and it was clear they didn''t have much daylight left. Derek hurried after Teetch, with Duck scrabbling after them with little hop skips and baby flaps of his wings to keep up. As they left the circular dock for the narrower dock that led to the shore, Derek noticed a transparent barrier separating the waters of the main portion of the lake from the section that held Chaasmyth and the Keeper''s Hut.


    The waters of the main lake churned where Teetch and Derek passed. At first, Derek attributed it to some natural process, but when he looked closer, he saw heaving masses of fish of varying sizes clambering over each other to be nearest to the surface. Individually, every fish was larger than the fish Derek was accustomed to, but then he would get glimpses of some fish that defied logic and would have rivaled the size of some sharks before they disappeared in the thronging masses. Many fish had the same skein of golden veins that Derek attributed to Teetch and the Amber. But Teetch said the amberkin are the only species able to tolerate Amber without going Mad.


    As they hurried by, Derek watched the frenzied movements of the fish and arrived at the only logical conclusion: that every fish in that lake was Amber Mad. They jostled the dock, which wobbled dangerously beneath the duo''s feet as they hustled past. However, Teetch didn''t pay them any notice. It seemed at odds with how outraged the little amberkin had acted when the Wheel had driven those Seekers Amber Mad. Teetch had gone out of his way to relieve their suffering but didn''t spare these fish a second glance. Derek was missing something but would have to puzzle it out later. Teetch was leaving Derek behind in his haste.


    When Teetch reached shore, he immediately turned left, going in the same direction that would have led to the Lucky Catch hotel in Derek''s Realm. A rose-gold dome-like structure reminded Derek of a large bubble emerging from the ground on the top of the eerily similar small hill. Teetch stopped at the entrance to the dome, where someone had carved a door into the side of the dome, made of the same material as everything else in Amberkin Land.


    "Alright, Derek Dunn. This is where we part ways with your little friend." Teetch said, motioning toward Duck, scrabbling to the top of the small hill, "You and I''s sacrilege is unavoidable, but the Swooper is unnecessary."


    "You''ve gotta be kidding me? Mini pterodactyls are where you draw the line? I think you''re jealous the little fella likes me more than you." Derek said.


    "I wouldn''t make light of this, Derek Dunn. We will travel the Flow, and I cannot let a mere Swooper pollute its veins." Teetch said, "If I start picking and choosing what laws to hold sacred, I would be no better than the Wheel."


    "But aren''t we already doing that by traveling through the veins ourselves?"


    "Necessity forces our hands. That is not true of the Swooper. It stays. Say your farebyes."


    "We have a bond! I think Duck has a part to play in all of this. My Hero of Prophecy instincts tell me he needs to come with us."


    "If that is true, then the Swooper will cross our path again, but for now, we part ways," Teetch said, but while he was talking, the Swooper clambered to the amberkin''s side and made a sad cheeping noise followed up by Duck licking the side of Teetch''s face.


    The amberkin looked like he was about to give in, but he steeled himself and tried to shoo the Swooper away. "We don''t have time for this, Derek Dunn. Tell it to go."


    Teetch was right. The sun had fully set, and the only light to see by was the natural glow emitted by Othiamphuus itself, casting everything in a shadowy gold. It could have been a trick of the light, but Duck''s dino features looked genuinely sad to be left behind, but he seemed to understand. Derek gave Duck a nod, and the pterodactyl turned away slowly, walked to the edge of the rise, and took flight.


    "Are you happy now?" Derek asked.


    "You have never seen me happy, Derek Dunn. Not while the fate of the Giild is at stake."


    Teetch pushed on the dome''s wall, sliding into the structure''s walls on invisible hinges like a patio door. Nothing was inside the room except what looked like a natural hole in the ground. Teetch strode to the rim of the hole and looked into its depths. Derek joined him at the edge, and the door swung back into place behind him.


    The hole was dark, and Derek couldn''t see the bottom. And then it pulsed. A tube of gold about the size of PVC pipe flashed and traveled from the direction of the lake toward the center of Othiamphuus.


    "You must think me a hypocrite?" Teetch said as the glow faded.


    "Honestly, the thought didn''t even cross my mind. There''s been too much happening for me to dwell on much of anything."


    "That''s kind of you to say, Derek Dunn, but you''ve made it known you view me a heretic. What''s one more act of heresy for the Heretic?"


    Actually, my phone thinks you''re a heretic, Derek thought, but it didn''t feel like the right response. The amberkin was wrestling with something. Derek couldn''t have cared less about what weird amberkin law Teetch was currently breaking, but it bothered Teetch as if he was violating a personal moral code.


    "Teetch, come on, man, you said it yourself. You stole that Scroll for a reason. That reason hasn''t changed. You don''t strike me as someone to give up when the going gets tough."


    "But, what if I was wrong?" Teetch asked.


    "Does it feel wrong?"


    "No, no, it doesn''t," Teetch replied.


    "Then what are we waiting for? Derek asked.


    "Finally, a good question," Teetch said as he jumped into the hole.

 Chapter 9: Angler Save the Queen

    Chapter 9: Angler Save the Queen


    Teetch was a little fuzzy on the details, but as far as Derek could tell, the tunnel they''d jumped into was what the amberkin used for recycled Amber in fish poo. The amberkin''s one exception to their "Don''t feed living things Amber" rule was for the fish of their lake, and the amberkin harvested the Amber recycled through their poo back to some primary Amber source at the heart of the city called the Uwoom, where Derek and Teetch would also find the Queen. Derek knew his society did something similar with sewage systems, but that didn''t comfort him. He was the type of guy who didn''t want to know what ingredients went into his fast food. Ignorance is bliss.


    As far as sewage tunnels were concerned, Derek was impressed with this one. It was warm, and the floors had that smooth, hand-shaped feel that everything in Amberkin Land seemed to share. Derek wasn''t the tallest guy, measuring 5''8", but the tunnel made him feel like a giant as he had to hunch his shoulders in the taller sections and full-on crawl through the lower sections. There weren''t any set light fixtures, but the tube of Amber they shared the tunnel with always gave off a faint enough glow to see by. The sound of lightly rushing water ran the length of the entire tunnel, overlaying the whole stretch with a white noise that Derek may have found pleasant in other circumstances, like not sneaking into a hostile, magical city with a professed Heretic.


    Derek never thought he would miss the days when Teetch rambled incessantly about some tidbit of information he''d read about. But ever since they arrived in the Giild, Teetch''s conversational skills must not have made it through the Gate, limiting their verbal interactions to sets of businesslike directions or general grumblings about how far the Giild had fallen. Teetch''s underlying anxiety was seeping its way into Derek to the point where he couldn''t take one more second of silence, so he started to ask Teetch questions that would stimulate the amberkin''s scholarly tendencies. Derek would take a condescending lecture over the stifling silence of the sewage tunnel any day.


    He started with the question that had been niggling at the back of his mind ever since they''d arrived in Teetch''s Realm. "Why does your Realm look so similar to mine? It''s almost the exact same, besides everything being the color of Amber. The trees, the mountain, the lake. It''s identical. Even Othiamphuus is built exactly in the same spot as Golden Lake."


    Teetch hissed in displeasure, "Don''t get it twisted, Derek Dunn. Your Realm mimics mine and is merely a pale mimitation of the Giild. However, you are correct. I did notice some similarities. I''ve been pondering some possible explanations for this phenomenon."


    Derek waited for Teetch to elaborate, but the amberkin just trudged forward.


    "Sooo, what are your theories?" Derek asked.


    Teetch laughed in response, but when he realized that Derek''s question was serious, he said, "A Human couldn''t possibly understand Manectics, even one who is Awakened and is a moderately more intelligent member of the species."


    "Did I hear that right? Did you just call me intelligent?"


    "You''re taking my words out of context! I meant solely for a Human."


    "No takebacks, you think I''m smart!" Derek taunted, "But seriously, we have time to kill before we get to the¡­ Uwoom, you might as well give it a shot. What''s the worst that could happen?"


    "If you insist, but my ability to simplify so that you can understand has its limits," Teetch said with a grumble that didn''t reach his eyes. "You remember our talk of Ideals?"


    "I remember you mentioning them and never elaborating because I couldn''t possibly understand," Derek replied.


    "Ah, yes, let''s start there. The Creator designed The Ten Great Ideals to fit the Ten Great Races. Before this, all Mana was plentiful and without aspect. However, Mana began to be tainted and affected by the Races and their Ideals after the Creation. Mana exposed to high concentrations of one Ideal over long periods becomes Aspected to that Ideal. I posit that Golden Lake''s proximity to the Giild has Aspected the trace amounts of ambient Mana in your Realm."


    "So your Magical Radiation tainted Golden Lake with your Ideal? Got it." Derek said.


    Teetch paused, probably debating whether he should re-explain what he''d just told Derek, but he must have decided against it. "That explanation will suffice for this lecture. The amberkin''s Ideal is Preserve. Different Ideals take on different shapes and patterns. I believe the patterns of ambient Preserve-affected Mana molded Golden Lake to match its ideal configuration closer, much like your weather patterns erode and shape structures over time."


    "I think I''m following. Golden Lake''s proximity to the Giild caused the land to shape itself to match your Realm?"


    "Yes! I vastly underestimated my ability to explain complex topics in an easily digestible format." Teetch said, "But it is not just your geography that has been affected. Your culture and behaviors have surely been affected as well. I theorize that the existence of Golden Lake is almost entirely due to Othiamphuus."


    "You lost me," Derek said, "How could an invisible city in another dimension affect whether or not people build a town there?"


    "I am still working on theories. Manectics in the Human Realm is an area with a distinct lack of study, seeing as so few Mystical Races interrelate with Humans, but it is the only plausible explanation. There are too many similarities for it to be a happencidence. You Humans have even formed your own version of an ancient amberkin ritual. Preserve must have prompted this behavior. Nothing else makes sense."


    "Hold up, no one in Golden Lake is doing any rituals. I''ve lived there my entire life, and there''s not been a hint of ritual anything. I know you like messing with me, but this takes it too far."


    "I cannot tell when you are joking, Derek Dunn. You are one of the ritual''s primary participants. I believe I''ve heard you refer to it as the Jamboree. A bit of a nonsense word, but its origin lies with the amberkin.


    "There is no way you''re taking credit for my town''s local fishing tournament. It''s just fishing. There''s nothing amberkin about that."


    "I''m not suggesting your town is conducting a ritual. I am just saying the underlying patterns between our two Realms are so strong that Golden Lake has formed something that mimics the form, not the function of an amberkin tradition."


    "Nope, not buying it. If what you''re saying were true, there would be no such thing as free will. I refuse to accept that everything we do is just copying things the amberkin do." Derek said. He could feel sweat start to bead on his forehead, and he couldn''t tell if it was because the conversation was getting heated or if the tunnel was getting hotter.


    "Oh please, don''t be melodramatic. When it''s cold, do you not wear a sweater? It''s the same fundimentary premise. And does everyone in your town participate in the Jamboree?


    "Well, n-"


    "Of course, they don''t," Teetch interrupted, "Because their free will is intact, but I would imagine individuals with more Mystic potential are inordinately more interested than individuals with no knack."


    "That''s assuming that I even buy that your little ritual is similar to the Jamboree. For the rest of your argument to work, they would have to be similar enough to clearly emulate the other. Tell me about your so-called ritual." Derek said, wiping sweat from his forehead. The sweat almost seemed to glow in the amber light of the tunnel.


    "You may not understand the cosmic or mystic significance, but I''ll try to distill it down to its main points. It starts with every amberkin preparing a freshwater fish each year and releasing it into Kindaala''s Bowl, our name for the body of water you call Golden Lake. For the remainder of the year, the fish are lavishly cared for and fed a steady diet of amber-rich foods. The Amber Madness causes them to grow bigger than they ever would naturally. Of course, some fish die or cull each other from the herd, but the goal is to nurture a large population of fish teeming with Amber by the end of the year. At this point, the amberkin use poles and other devices to capture every fish and release their Amber back to Kindaala, thus Preserving and replenishing the Amber needed throughout the year. This tradition persists to this day, but now, it is a waste of time. Without Kindaala, no kin can use and produce more Amber, so the Wheel hoards the excess Amber produced by the ritual. It does not rejoin the Flow."


    "Okay, I''ll admit that is pretty similar to the Jamboree, except for the release of the Amber bit for Kindaala. But we do add a ton of fish into the lake from a local fish hatchery on the mountain and fish the entire day to try and catch all of them," Derek said. "Wait, what happened to Kindaala exactly?"


    "If I had the answer to that question, you wouldn''t be here, Derek Dunn," Teetch replied. He stopped walking, and Derek noticed the Amber got much brighter ahead. "Arrogant fools," Teetch hissed.


    As Derek approached the amberkin, he noticed what Teetch was upset about. The tunnel narrowed considerably because several more tubes of Amber branched from other locations into the sewage tube to create one gargantuan cylinder of Amber that nearly occluded the entire passage. Earlier, Derek thought maybe it had been his imagination or their argument making the tunnel feel hotter, but now that they''d arrived at this intersection, there was no denying the sudden increase in temperature. The air felt thick and cloying like it was more tangible, solid. Derek was glad he wasn''t claustrophobic, as the air pressing in on him made the room feel smaller and more cramped.


    "It''s not ideal, but let''s not waste more time. I think I can crawl through that narrow hole there." Derek said, pointing at an opening to the right of the tube.


    "This tunnel should have remained uniform throughout. Someone without working knowledge of fluid mechanics or amber dynamics must have designed these other inlets. They are new, shoddy additions to a previously perfect system. It may work as a short-term solution, but it will cause more problems in an attempt to solve old ones." Teetch said, but it didn''t feel like he was talking to Derek in particular; he was thinking out loud. "Vaasla would never have allowed something like this, but those fools ensured she wouldn''t be around to slow their descent."


    "I don''t mean to sound like I don''t care, but aren''t we here to stop those guys? What good does it do to sit here and sulk about how wrong and incompetent they are? Didn''t we already know that?" Derek asked, "Besides, this heat is really getting to me. I''m not feeling so hot, well, I am, that''s sort of the problem. You''re only supposed to be in a sauna for like ten or fifteen minutes, and this feels hotter than that."


    Teetch looked at Derek and narrowed his eyes, but it wasn''t Teetch''s usual look of disdain or condescension. If Derek didn''t know better, he would''ve thought the look on his face was concern. "You''re right, Derek Dunn. Let''s continue with all due haste. We haven''t a moment to lose, and we are nearing our destination."


    Derek wiped the sweat from his forehead, but it didn''t do more than move it around this time. His arm was just as sweaty as everywhere else, which made it easier to notice what was happening to him. Earlier, he''d attributed it to the soft glow of the tube, but now there was no mistaking it. Derek''s sweat had a soft, amber glow to it. Derek hurried after Teetch, but the amberkin had disappeared further into the tunnel. Teetch must have seen what was happening to Derek and knew they needed to get out of there. This much exposure to Amber couldn''t have been healthy for him.


    He got on his hands and knees and plunged into the tiny tunnel. At first, the experience reminded Derek of when he was a kid, making and crawling through forts he and Bridger had built. Except our pillow forts didn''t have giant tubes of Amber. It pressed uncomfortably close to Derek''s left shoulder. He did his best to avoid touching it, but he couldn''t help brushing it a couple of times. It had the same feel as Teetch''s body, like a warm water bed. It felt oddly welcoming as if Derek could give up and be engulfed in its warm embrace, leaving all his worries behind. It would be better than being in this tunnel even a second longer. At that precise moment, Derek decided to succumb to that welcome embrace, and he heard something. A beautiful voice was singing to him, beckoning to him. He couldn''t understand the words, but he knew what they wanted, Derek. They urged him to keep going, not to give up, so he listened. Derek focused on that voice as the world fell away around him and left nothing behind but the heat and that voice. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Derek had never experienced burning alive before, but he couldn''t imagine this feeling was too different. His veins seemed to be burning him from the inside, and it was all he could do to keep crawling forward. Sweat dripped into and stung his eyes, and every movement or intake of breath was on fire, but somehow, Derek kept going. Derek was so focused on putting one hand in front of the other that he didn''t notice when the tunnel ended. He kept going until his head crashed into something hard¡ªthe door.


    It didn''t have a handle, but Derek knew it was the way out. The tunnel had reached its end while the amber tube bent upward at a nearly 90-degree angle. The heat hadn''t let up, but at least Derek didn''t feel like he was about to get absorbed by the magical golden goo. Golden dots were speckling Derek''s sweat, but since Derek wasn''t Amber Mad, he assumed that the ambient Amber in the air was mixing with his sweat, and he hadn''t absorbed any of the stuff through his skin.


    Teetch stood before the door with his hands on his hips, his expression concerned. "If Kaagen had received our missive, this door would be open."


    "Why would anyone build a door that only opens from one side?" Derek asked, "It seems like intentionally bad design."


    "You''ll watch your tongue when speaking of Othiamphuus, Human." Teetch said, "However, you are correct. One¨Cway doors would be a tasteless design. These doors are not one-way. They are a brilliant piece of amberkin ingenovation designed to be attuned to and open in the presence of specific individuals'' Ambessence. As you can imagine, I do not make the list¡­ anymore."


    "So your buddy Kaagen has the golden ticket, and so did you? I didn''t realize you were such a high roller. I saw those robes and thought you were some kind of street urchin."


    Teetch chuckled, "In some ways, my life would have been simpler, were that true, but even before my parents were Reclaimed, I have held a high place in amberkin society. Sometimes, I wonder what luster my life would have taken if Vaasla had never chosen to shelter me. I regret nothing, but surely it would have turned out different than this."


    "Reclaimed? Does that mean what I think it does?" Derek asked.


    "I would not hazard guessing what your human mind is thinking, but Reclaimed refers to what happens when an amberkin rejoins the Flow." Teetch said, "It looks like Kaagen did not receive our message. If we do not want to join them, we must turn back and find another blinding path."


    As if the small door had a sense of dramatic irony, it swung inward as Teetch prepared to crawl back the way they''d come. A blast of cool air swept into the passage, and Derek darted through the entryway to escape the muggy heat. Teetch followed closely behind. Derek admitted to being a little curious about what another amberkin might look like, especially one that Teetch considered a friend, but the new chamber was disappointing. He found himself in a small cylindrical chamber with five more similar doors arranged in a circle around him. A thin ladder climbed high into the air. Derek couldn''t see where the ladder ended; as far as he was concerned, it may have stretched into infinity. The new room reminded Derek of an elevator shaft, and every ten feet or so, there was a new level with another set of six doors. Teetch and Derek were on the ground floor, alone. Whoever had let them in could''ve disappeared behind any number of doors.


    Derek stared into the seemingly endless shaft and asked, "What is this room?"


    "It is an access shaft for the Uwoom. There are several of these shafts. It is forbidden to Shape them, so they are used to provide entry to most areas of the Uwoom. From here, we should have at least indirect access to the Queen''s Chrysalis." Teetch said, staring up into the expanse. Occasionally, he would shake his head and look at a different door as if trying to decide on something.


    "You don''t feel like this is an insane way to design a building? Especially, you know, your main building? You give Humans a hard time, but this place is like a mix between a beehive and a rat''s nest cosplaying as a skyscraper."


    Teetch rounded on Derek and pointed a finger at him while that finger turned into a long, golden whip. "This is the last time I will warn you about speaking ill of the Giild. I held my tongue in your depressing little Golden Lake. The least you could do is extend me the same courtesude."


    "No, you didn''t," Derek said, "You were constantly complaining about how bad it smelled and how it couldn''t hold a candle to the brilliance of the Giild."


    "Derek Dunn, if you could have read my thoughts, you would be admiring my herculean restraint. However, I take your point." Teetch said, "The layout of amberkin buildings may seem a little unorthodox compared to what you are used to, but in the Giild, nearly every amberkin Shapes the Amber. It isn''t like Human culture, where a select few Humans contribute to the building of structures. Every amberkin is born with an innate ability to Shape and do so from an early age. They are taught the guidelines and then urged to Shape in ways that suit the Flow."


    "Gotcha," Derek said, "So the buildings are more like abstract art designed by children."


    "Precisely!" Teetch said, "Now, let''s see if I can remember what door leads to the Kitchens, which will lead to the map room, which will lead us to the Hall of Murals, which undoubtedly will lead to the Chrysalis."


    "It''s that simple, huh?" Derek asked.


    "I confess that I was hoping Kaagen would accompany us to the Chrysalis. Navidirection was never my strong suit, but then again, I never minded spending several days lost in the Uwoom; there are always new chambers to discover."


    "So you have no idea where we''re going? Here I was beginning to worry this would be too easy."


    "I have plenty of ideas about where we are going. However, I am a little dim on how we will get there," Teetch said, baring his teeth, "Quiet your yapping, and let me think."


    "Not so fast, Shortstack. How do we know more of these doors won''t require your Ambessence or whatever?" Derek asked, "Why wouldn''t the Queen''s Chrysalis be locked for a Heretic and an Angler?"


    "You think I''d not considered this? This particular tunnel was locked because everywhere the Amber flows is sacred. The Queen''s Chrysalis will present no issues. Only the Queen herself may modify the door, and even if she had the presence of mind to do so, she would never lock me out. Unlike her chosen ambassadors, the Queen honors and remembers those who remain loyal. Now let me think."


    "Just don''t think too long. If anyone finds us, we''re toast. And I''m over eighteen, so I can be tried as an adult."


    Teetch shook his head disgustedly, "Toast, I do not know how you are thinking about food at a time like this."


    ¦µ


    Eventually, Teetch chose a door on the third floor. We didn''t pass through any of the rooms Teetch mentioned earlier, but that was for the best. We were looking to pass through the Uwoom unseen, and the Kitchens didn''t seem the best way to do that. Sizes, dimensions, and shapes varied wildly from room to room, but they all had that same handcrafted look, and Derek guessed that made sense. If every amberkin could design a room when the mood took them, they''d all feel unique and handmade. Derek asked Teetch if he had ever designed a room, and the amberkin told him not to be an "Idiocile," so he assumed Teetch had designed a room somewhere and the amberkin was embarrassed by it. If Derek could return under better circumstances, he vowed to find the room and leave behind a pine-scented air freshener.


    The rooms Teetch took them through did share a few similarities. They were usually small and cramped and contained walls with honeycomb-like structures that contained scrolls made of smooth, yellowed paper. He said they were the personal studies of renowned amberkin scholars over the ages that had fallen out of favor, and therefore, the rooms had fallen into disuse. The thick veneer of golden dust that coated everything lent credence to the statement. Every so often, Teetch would pluck a scroll from a hole and stash it in his sleeves before continuing.


    Sometimes, rooms would flow naturally from one to another, but then there were times when builders had decided to build the doors into the ceiling or the floor of a room. Derek and Teetch passed through over twenty rooms and changed levels five or six times before Derek finally lost track. Not once in their journey did they see another amberkin, but there were several instances where Teetch would "shush" Derek. Usually, they could hear scuffling and scrambling in a room over, but they would resume their journey when the sounds faded.


    Derek guessed they''d traveled over two hours before Teetch got excited and exclaimed he knew precisely where they were. Their pace increased, and they reached a long passageway that Derek had to crawl through on hands and knees. At one point, he got stuck, and Teetch did something with a glowing hand to widen the passageway. At the end of a narrow vent-like corridor, Teetch pointed above his head and said the Chrysalis was directly above them.


    "This is an entrance bequeathed by the Millenia Queen on Vaasla, and Vaasla bestowed knowledge onto me. I am the sole remaining kin that knows of its existence. Prepare yourself to meet the last Queen of the amberkin, Derek Dunn." Teetch said, putting both hands on a circular hatch. Before he pushed it open, he turned back and added, ''Try not to embarrass me."


    Derek had expected the entrance to a Queen''s Chamber to feel different, but it felt just like every other random entrance Teetch had taken him through. As Derek tried to stifle his disappointment, he heard a soft humming. It was the same voice he''d heard singing that first night he''d seen Othiamphuus and heard again in the tunnels, guiding him. Derek knew it wasn''t possible, but it almost felt like the humming was inside his head, as if the Queen was humming just for him. Derek followed Teetch through the aperture.


    The Chrysalis was a chamber fit for a Queen, and it was the first room that didn''t have the signature "handcrafted" look that the rest of the rooms designed by the amberkin had. One time, Derek''s parents had taken him and his siblings to Yellowstone National Park, and the Queen''s Chrysalis Chamber reminded Derek of something he''d seen there. Old Faithful. The room''s layout reminded Derek of the tall plume of the geyser but much larger in scale. The ceiling easily rose ten stories high, and the roughly circular shape of the room had to be at least twenty feet in diameter, but hard crystallized Amber dominated most of the floor space, barely leaving any room to walk around in the large room. The crystalline Amber pulsed with light in a rhythm similar toTeetch''s veins, and it was easy to imagine this crystal as the pumping heart of the circulatory system that was the entire city of Othiamphuus. In the center of that beating, flashing, pulsing heart was the Queen.


    The Queen of the amberkin vaguely resembled Teetch, but comparing the Queen to Teetch was like comparing Helen of Troy to Quasimodo. You could tell they belonged to the same species, but it was an injustice to compare the two. She hung suspended in the massive crystal of Amber with her eyes closed and a peaceful expression. Her long golden hair haloed around her head like when someone floats on their back in a still pond. She was twice as large as Teetch and seemed less lanky and angular. Flow was the word that came to mind when Derek looked at her long limbs and slender form. She wasn''t wearing any obvious clothing, but the crystal''s folds and angles gave the impression that it clothed her. As Derek stared at the Queen, transfixed, the humming in his ears grew louder, and he could almost hear words being spoken just out of his hearing range. If only he could get a little bit closer.


    The Queen in Amber was the most beautiful and heart-wrenching thing Derek had ever seen. Derek could imagine devoting his life to saving her, serving her, even if it meant turning against everyone and everything. Suddenly, Teetch''s actions, stealing the scroll, going against the Wheel, and becoming a magical fugitive, all made sense. Before, Derek had gone to the Giild because MythMaker told him to, and curiosity had gotten the better of him, but now he wanted to save the Queen because it felt Right with a capital R.


    "Well, Derek Dunn?" Teetch said, breaking Derek out of his reverie, "What do your Hero of Prophecy instincts say should happen next?"


    Derek checked MythMaker, but nothing had changed. He hadn''t even gotten an additional side quest. Whatever being a Hero of Prophecy meant. MythMaker didn''t think it meant saving the Queen; somehow, Derek didn''t think Teetch would accept that for an answer.


    "No divine inspiration here," Derek said, waggling his phone, "I guess we''ll have to go with your plan."


    "You are the blinding plan!" Teetch shrieked. "Recheck it. I was supposed to take you here. I feel it deep in the Flow."


    "Teetch, buddy, I''ve never been here. I don''t know anything about the amberkin, and MythMaker''s got nothin''." Derek said and put a hand on his friend''s back. The amberkin flinched away, "MythMaker says I have to discover what ills have been plaguing the amberkin for millennia, but I think the Queen frozen in Amber is a symptom. It isn''t the disease."


    "I can tell you who the Kindaala blinding disease is. The Wheel and all of ever-blinding amberkin society that listen to their drivel without an original thought in their veins. They yearn for someone to tell them what to do instead of seizing fate in their grasp. While the Wheel refuses to admit they''re as clueless as the rest of us." Teetch''s pulses were dim, but the Queen''s crystal resonated with the little heretic''s erratic pulses as if their pulsing had some empathetic link.


    "Okay, so all of amberkin society is to blame, and you''re the only one who''s right. Let''s say I agree with everything you''re saying. What am I supposed to do about it? I know I''m the Hero of Prophecy, but what does that even mean? I have a freaking fishing pole, a knife, and a phone." Derek said, his raised voice echoing eerily in the chamber, mingling with the Queen''s humming. It felt like they were having a conversation, but there was no change in her peaceful expression.


    "I don''t know what you''re supposed to do!" Teetch shouted, "No one does, but I couldn''t sit idly even a moment longer and let my Giild Dessicate into oblivity like all the others. They may have accepted their fate, but I will fight ours with every last drop in my veins. And you will fight with me because you''re the Hero of Blinding Prophecy. Events pivot around you, so if you can''t think of anything, we will wait until something momentageous happens!"


    At that moment, Derek heard a loud crash and the sound of something rolling toward them.


    "Cover your eyes!" Teetch shouted as a cleansing white light washed away everything.

 Chapter 10: Five Angry Amberkin

    Chapter 10: Five Angry Amberkin


    Derek didn''t get his vision back for what felt like days, and it took even longer before he could finally blink away the last lingering white spots. He was thankful to get it back, even if it only meant he got to see his jail cell and amberkin equivalent of a jailer more clearly. The guard looked eerily similar to Teetch, like carbon copied, save for the vastly different pattern of veins underneath his skin and the fact he wasn''t nearly as skinny as Teetch. Derek would have liked to see the amberkin SWAT Team that had blinded and arrested him but had to settle for feeling their spindly but muscular hands tie him up and carry him to his jail cell.


    Derek''s prison cell had the same floor space, if not a little more than his tiny home, and the ceiling was human height, unlike most of the Giild. Later, Derek learned it was because the amberkin had specifically crafted the cell for him. Teetch''s cell was across the hall from Derek''s and had little bars through which the little amberkin could see and talk to Derek. The walls were fresh and smooth, and the floor had a little slanted grate in the corner for Derek to do any business. He resisted using it, but when hours stretched into days, Derek finally had to suffer the indignity of squatting in front of Teetch. At least when Derek begged for something to wipe with, they gave him some rolled-up golden paper similar to the stuff Teetch had used to send a message to Kaagen.


    Derek thought being in jail could''ve been worse, but the amberkin didn''t have much experience with criminals. They erred on the side of courtesy, to Derek at least. They let him keep his phone and all his fishing equipment. They were open about not considering him a threat. To be fair, he wasn''t. Even if he escaped, there was no way he could get back to Golden Lake without Teetch, and Teetch wasn''t going anywhere. Derek asked the little guy why he didn''t just Shape himself a way out. If all the other amberkin did it, why couldn''t he? Teetch explained it was sacrilegious to Shape pre-existing Amber and that he wasn''t a Shaper. That ended the discussion.


    Derek wished he''d been blind when they brought him his first meal, but Teetch assured him the brown sludge would taste like chicken. For once, Teetch was right. Chicken with the consistency of Jello, but it did taste like chicken. He explained that it was the same Nutrient Goop they used to feed livestock, Seekers, and Swoopers, and yes, Teetch used the words Nutrient Goop. The food the guards brought Teetch looked far more appetizing, but all of it had a gold tinge that revealed its Amber content, therefore off-limits for Derek.


    The prison cell they''d Shaped for both Teetch and Derek had slits built to allow natural light to filter in, and it also allowed Derek to track how long they kept him in prison. Assuming the day-night cycle was similar to the Human Realm, they spent over thirty days imprisoned, but it got hard to keep track after a while. Derek even tried to do that thing where they mark the days with little hash marks in prison movies, but the materials they used in the walls proved surprisingly resilient. A pre-prison Derek might have considered it a waste of a Seekerclaw Hook, but Prison Derek didn''t have anything better to use them on.


    Derek received no visitors, while Teetch received hundreds. All but two of them didn''t speak to him. The average amberkin looked at him through the bars with expressions ranging from disgust to fear to hatred. Derek had to admit he found the guy annoying occasionally, but the treatment the kin gave him felt overboard.


    The two visitors who did talk to Teetch in that month of imprisonment were at least semi-interesting and helped alleviate the mindless activities of staring at the walls or pestering Teetch. The first visitor was a female amberkin named Preevka. Female amberkin didn''t look all that different from male amberkin, but their ears pointed up instead of down, accompanied by eyes shaped like almonds. Kindness radiated from those almonds. She showed Teetch a lot of sympathy and asked him about his time in the Human Realm. Teetch bore her motherly ministrations in a stony silence until she left, but she did tell him she would fight on his behalf before she left. Teetch muttered, saying it was "too late" under his breath, but Derek didn''t think she''d heard.


    Teetch''s other visitor was Kaagen himself. This amberkin looked the most similar to Teetch, but probably because he was wearing the same set of robes, just quite a bit cleaner and less torn. Sometimes, it felt like Kaagen''s veins spelled out words or glyphs, but then he would shift, and there''d be nothing. Kaagen did not get the silent treatment. Every time Kaagen tried to explain himself, Teetch hissed or spat at the other scholar, telling him that Vaasla would be ashamed of what he''d become. Kaagen had more patience for the childlike tantrum than Derek would have, and eventually, Teetch calmed down enough to let Kaagen say his piece. Kaagen told Teetch that he''d given the Heretic enough time to reach the Queen out of respect for their friendship but had to alert the guards at some point to protect himself. Kaagen also said that there was no point in getting them both imprisoned and branded as Heretics. Derek thought the other scholar made a lot of sense, but Teetch said this betrayal dimmed in comparison to Kaagen''s other betrayals. When Kaagen finally shuffled off, golden liquid leaked down the corners of his eyes.


    Watching a set of old friends falling out reminded Derek uncomfortably of his old friends and how they, one by one, went back on all the promises they''d made when they were kids. Derek didn''t expect to relate to Teetch on that level, but he did. Derek could tell that Teetch missed Kaagen, even while the other scholar stood before him. Teetch missed the old days and the people the two of them used to be. Been there, done that, little buddy.


    When Derek reached out to Teetch and shared stories of childhood days of friends long gone, Teetch finally opened up a little bit about his past. He explained that there used to be two types of Flow or ways to work the Amber. Carvers and Shapers. Shapers worked Amber outside their bodies, while Carvers focused on working the Amber within. Carvers started to fall out of favor gradually even before the Desiccation, shifting from an equal amount of amberkin believing in both systems until only a tiny fraction of Carvers remained, of which Vaasla, Kaagen, and Teetch were the last dregs of an entire faith. When the Flow Reclaimed Vaasla, under mysterious circumstances, Kaagen gave up Carving, leaving Teetch the last Carver. The other kin treated him scornfully, but it wasn''t until the Queen never woke from her slumber that the Wheel branded Carving heresy. Teetch refused to give up Carving or Vaasla''s teachings. He feared the direction of the Giild, stole the Great Scroll of Hero of Prophecy, and found Derek. In this long rant, Teetch admitted that he regretted his actions had hastened the Desiccation and would accept whatever punishment the Wheel deemed rationable. That was the most talkative Teetch was during their imprisonment. Even with a steady influx of Amber-laden food, Teetch never regained his vibrant glow.


    The days passed by in a mind-numbing haze. There wasn''t enough room in Derek''s cell to practice Improved Cast, and he worried that if he started doing anything Angler-y, they might take his phone away. Teetch seemed to have given up on any chance of an escape attempt, and when Derek asked him about it, he said they had nowhere to go. The Gate to Golden Lake was closed, and they were at the top of the Uwoom. Derek wouldn''t accept their fate, so he did bodyweight workouts, mostly push-ups and sit-ups, and vowed to escape if a moment presented itself. The moment never presented itself, but Derek felt good that he hadn''t allowed himself to wallow around during his imprisonment. He felt like the old Derek would''ve given up with the heavily stacked odds against them. The more Teetch and the Queen needed him, the less Derek thought about his problems and how dire his situation looked.


    When a cluster of twenty guards came to retrieve Derek and Teetch, the duo learned why the Wheel had been ignoring them for the last month. It was because the amberkin wanted to make a public example of Teetch. They''d spent all that time creating a public courthouse for Teetch''s trial before every single amberkin in the Giild. Teetch wasn''t exaggerating when he said their cells were at the top of the Uwoom. Derek felt like they descended well over fifty floors under escort. As technologically advanced as the amberkin felt in some aspects, they still hadn''t invented anything remotely resembling an elevator. Their twenty-guard escort was respectful but insistent that they keep up a brisk pace, and by the time they arrived at the trial venue, Derek would''ve sworn sweat drenched every inch of his body.


    Derek didn''t know how many amberkin lived in Othiamphuus, but he wouldn''t have been surprised if every single one was in attendance. The Wheel had taken the time to erect an ancient Roman-style colosseum structure that was somehow attached to the Uwoom. Derek would''ve sworn it was impossible without seeing it with his own eyes. He couldn''t imagine this massive stadium appended to the tall spire, but there wasn''t any alternative. Teetch and Derek hadn''t stepped a foot outside in over a month. He would''ve known.


    The building resembled an indoor high school track in shape, with stadium seating on one end and a raised platform that stood at the structure''s highest point on the other side. Derek and Teetch''s escort marched them to the top of that highest platform where they could look down on the assembled masses. From the top, Derek could see a half-circle of six throne-like seats. All but one of them were occupied. He assumed they were the infamous Wheel. When Teetch reached the platform''s top, a brief hush fell over the crowd of nearly twenty thousand amberkin, followed by a wave of hissing boos and jeers. Derek expected to get hit by a couple of raw tomatoes based on the crowd''s energy.


    When Derek reached the platform''s top after Teetch, a guard instructed them to kneel. Derek didn''t respond quickly enough, and something hard jabbed into the back of the knee, causing him to lurch forward. Derek thought he would tip off the platform for a brief, unsettling moment but managed to regain his balance before settling into a kneeling position next to Teetch. His heretical friend stared at a blank space on the smooth molded platform, his eyes downcast, and he refused to look at the crowd below. Derek tried to imagine if everyone in Golden Lake was giving him that treatment, and he knew he wouldn''t have handled it with nearly as much composure as the usually hot-headed amberkin.


    A deep, booming voice cut through the general chatter: "The Trial of Teetch kin Baaltha the Heretic for the crimes of stealing the Great Scroll of Hero of Prophecy and practicing heretical arts that run contrary to the Preservation of the Giild begins now!"


    There had to have been an easier way to say that.


    Judging by the crowd''s attention, the speaker had to be the little guy standing in the center of the semicircle on the stadium/courtroom floor. He didn''t have a microphone but had no problems projecting his voice through every inch of the stadium. Derek wondered if this was some magical version of sound amplification or if Amber structures just had excellent acoustics. When Judge Amberkin started speaking, Teetch''s expressionless mask slipped, and Derek could see Teetch''s teeth bared in anger, and his veins flared just a bit brighter.


    The same masculine voice continued, "I, Spoke Juunor, will adjudicate the proceedings." A wave of cheers followed this pronouncement, and Junoor waited with practiced patience for the cheering to subside before he continued, "It is no secret among those gathered here today that Teetch kin Baaltha is guilty, but it is a testament to the sanctity and fairness of the Giild that he receive a fair trial. These five Spokes of the Wheel will render Judgment. If they cannot reach a majority vote, Teetch kin Baaltha will walk free, but if even three Spokes vote guilty, the Giild of Othiamphuus will fit him a punishment that matches the magnitude of his crimes." Juunor paused again like he were a showman working the crowd. This time he let the crowd boo and hiss at Teetch. The jeering for Teetch lasted a lot longer than the cheering for Juunor. Although Derek was too far away to read Juunorr''s facial expression, Derek just knew it was the smirk of self-satisfaction worn by those who loved to abuse any modicum of power, "When the trial of Teetch kin Baaltha concludes, the Trial of Derek no kin shall begin, for the crimes of illegally obtaining the Giild''s store of Unaspected Mana, interrupting the Flow, and disturbing the slumber of our beloved Queen."


    Before he knew what he was doing, Derek was on his feet with a rebuttal, "Hold up now, I didn''t choose to obtain any Mana. As far as the other stuff goes, how was I supposed to know that was a crime? I didn''t hurt anyone. Some would argue I did too little. But I can see you all aren''t about to let a few facts ruin a perfectly good trial. It sounds like you people decided before we even got here." Derek said, addressing the general direction of the Wheel. His voice resounded through the coliseum, sharing in the magical sound amplification. A hush fell over the crowd.


    "Kneel, Derek Dunn," Teetch whispered, "You only make things worse for yourself. The Wheel will surely not pass a harsh sentence on an outsider. This trial aims to make an example of me, the last Carver. Your trial is merely an addendum for ceremonicol purposes."


    "You accuse the Wheel of offering an unfair trial?" Juunor asked, his booming voice laced with subtext. He was giving Derek one last chance to opt-out.


    "Did I stutter?" Derek asked, stepping forward but aware of how high the drop would be if he fell, "You didn''t even give us any lawyers. Why even hold a trial if you know the verdict beforehand? At least have the courage to admit you''re doing this for the fanfare and the attention. Don''t pretend this has anything to do with your so-called righteous sanctity and fairness."


    Derek could see some members of the crowd muttering amongst themselves. Still, he didn''t know if it was because he had some people examining their beliefs more closely or if they were aghast at the crazy Human derailing the proceedings. Juunor turned and seemed to confer with the other Spokes of the Wheel in hushed tones. Judging by body language, they looked like they were locked in a fierce argument with lots of hand waving. However, when Juunor addressed the crowd again, he sounded calm and collected, like everything was unfolding as planned.


    "By a slim majority, the Wheel has ruled there is merit to the Human''s logic. We have agreed to discuss our deliberations openly, and both the Huamn and the Heretic may interject and state their case if they feel the Wheel has erred in some way." Juunor said, sounding too confident, and Derek worried he''d given the guy exactly what he wanted, which seemed to be more attention. The more they drew this process out, the more this Juunor would eat it up with a spoon, "The Wheel seeks Preservation in all things. By making this process transparent, the good kin of Othiamphuus will experience this firsthand, and also, a Human may glimpse what it truly means to be kin. After all, as he says, it is not his fault he''s become attached to the Heretic."


    MythMaker sounded in Derek''s pocket, the ever-familiar sound of a sword leaving its sheath, notifying Derek of a side quest. He didn''t see any harm in checking his phone. It''s not like we can be in a worse position than this.


    Derek Dunn: Ace Attorney


    The amberkin are an ancient people steeped in tradition, disinclined to change their ways. An open trial is a first in amberkin history. Do not waste this opportunity.


    No pressure.


    "Teetch may be the only amberkin I know, but that doesn''t change the fact that he is everything a good amberkin should strive to be. I''ve known him closely for the last couple of months, probably too closely, and if there is one thing that is a constant to his very being, it is his love for the Giild. I would attest that no amberkin loves his people or his Queen more than Teetch. What more could you ask for?"


    "You''re wasting your time, Derek Dunn. They''ve decided what kind of kin I am long before this farce of a trial. Your futile arguments will not get them to see me in a different light. The kin need a villain. It is too painful to lay the blame at all of our feet. Truth is not a factor in this equation."This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    Derek turned to his friend and asked, "You''re going to let them do this to you? What would the Queen say? Or Vaasla?"


    Teetch didn''t look up, "They''ve given up. Why shouldn''t I? Leave the kin to their fate. There is some solace in that I won''t be around to witness it."


    "Is that what he told you, Human? That he loves the Queen and the Giild? Teetch kin Baaltha cares for one thing: himself. As the Desiccation threatened to take us all, he buried his nose in his scrolls. He did not even act when his mentor needed him most. I have a hard time imagining a more selfish creature. None can guess why he stole our Great Scroll, but I can assure you it was to serve his own ends. If he truly loved the Giild and the Queen, he would''ve sought to aid the Wheel, the Queen''s chosen council, the kin who maintain Preservation and still hear the whispers of the Millennia Queen. It was her words, whispered to I, Spoke Juunor, denouncing the heretical art of Carving."


    Teetch snorted at that last statement, but he still didn''t speak in his defense.


    "It is with our deepest regrets that the Heretic has entangled you in his schemes, Human, but the fact remains that you possess the kin''s greatest treasure through no fault of your own. However, you have also committed crimes against the Queen, Othiamphuus, and the Realm. To Preserve our way of life, we must make an example of those who would threaten it intentionally or not."


    A murmur of agreement ran through the crowd that morphed into an uproarious applause by the end. Derek didn''t know what to do. Evidence and testimonies didn''t matter. The kin acted like he, and Teetch''s guilt was a foregone conclusion, but Juunor was trying to accentuate and exaggerate the severity of said crimes, so if Derek argued the reverse, maybe he could gain some traction. He and Teetch were guilty, but if he could sway the crowd that they''d done it in their best interest, it might force the Spokes to give them a lighter punishment. Derek didn''t know the amberkin well, but something told him that execution was still on the table.


    "I''ve learned enough from your so-called Heretic to know that the Wheel spits in the face of Preservation!" Derek shouted back.


    The crowd gasped but didn''t seem as angry as Derek would have thought. Maybe opinions weren''t as one-sided as Teetch implied.


    "Explain yourself, Human," a new voice said. It was another Spoke of the Wheel. They sounded familiar and curious about Derek''s statement rather than upset.


    "Yes, I demand you elaborate at once, Human," Juunor said, clearly wanting to have the last word.


    Derek paused dramatically, channeling his ability to get underneath anyone''s skin. If Teetch had taught him anything, amberkin could be just as easy to annoy as humans. Derek waited until enough time passed that he wasn''t directly responding to Juunor''s command, and instead of addressing the Wheel, Derek addressed the crowd.


    "Doesn''t it seem like a Wheel focused on Preservation would not hoard Amber for themselves?" Derek asked, trying to remember what Teetch had told him about their fishing ritual, "Kindaala may be gone, but it seems to me that the Wheel is not an equitable substitute, so why should they get the Amber? It should rejoin the Flow." Derek wasn''t even sure he knew what the Flow was, but Teetch seemed to treat it with reverence. It had the same effect on the crowd.


    "Who are you to question the Queen''s will, Human? Our lady has instructed The Wheel to gather Amber for a time of dire need."


    Teetch scoffed, "The Queen would never do such a thing." He muttered the words under his breath, but Derek ran with it.


    "That doesn''t sound like something the Millennia Queen would do. She loved the kin and wanted Amber to be with them, a part of the Flow." Derek said, "It sounds to me like the Wheel is hoarding the Amber for themselves."


    "That''s enough!" Juunor bellowed, "The kin care not for the words of some Human and a heretic. The kin know who has been looking after their best interests since the abandonment of their Queen." The murmurs in the crowd grew louder, and they didn''t sound nearly as pleased with Juunor as earlier, and Juunor sounded less self-assured. The muscular amberkin seemed accustomed to telling people what to do, but logical discussions weren''t his strong point. When everyone views your words as directly from the Queen, you probably never learn how to argue. Everyone probably just scrambles to do this guy''s bidding.


    Derek opened his mouth, ready to push his advantage, but Teetch spoke, "The Queen never abandoned us. We''ve abandoned her. She needs the kin now more than ever, but we have been too quick to abandon the old ways. The Wheel may not view the Desiccation of other Giilds and what is currently happening to our Giild as a disastrophe, but I, Teetch kin Baaltha, do. While the Wheel pretends they have everything under control, they''ve forgotten the teachings and face of our Queen."


    Derek prepped himself for boos and hisses that never came. They were listening to Teetch, and some even unconsciously nodded approvingly. Juunor started to respond in anger, but another Wheel member stopped him. It was the one who sounded familiar, "It is true Teetch kin Baaltha used to have the ear of the Queen, but no longer. He was not there the day she instructed we five Spokes to store and nurture our precious Amber. She told us to prepare for the day we would need it most. That day has not yet arrived, my fellow kin." She stopped and turned to one side of the colosseum, like it were a more intimate conversation, "We know the precious sacrifices you have made and continue to make. We have not forgotten the face of the Queen or you, our fellow kin; we merely wait as instructed. For that fateful day, we need it most. Teetch kin Baaltha is not wrong¡ªthat day fast approaches. What Teetch has done cannot be forgiven, but no one can deny his passion for the Giild. I move to bring him back to the Uwoom, where he belongs, to help us prepare for the ravages of the Desiccation."


    After the Spoke delivered her speech, Derek remembered where he recognized the voice. It was the female amberkin who visited Teetch during his imprisonment, Preevka. The way the crowd responded to her reasonable and measured statements almost made it seem like she had planned for this, and the trial was unfolding in the orderly sequence she''d planned from the start. The crowd that had been ready to murder Teetch and Derek had been replaced with a more thoughtful, introspective bunch, turned away from thoughts of execution and instead made to think about the fate of the Giild. However, the crowd''s opinions didn''t matter in the grand scheme. The final decision would ultimately be up to the Wheel, and Juunor would vote to execute Teetch even if the little guy started to walk on water.


    "A stirring speech, Spoke Preevka. Unsurprisingly, the sister of the Heretic Vaasla would speak in favor of her Heretic spawn. Let us not forget what he has done. Teetch''s passion has squandered our best advantage against the coming Desiccation on a lackluster Human." A new member of the Wheel said, his voice sounded dry and methodical like a calculator would sound if it had vocal cords, "Who is to say his actions haven''t already sealed our fate?"


    Teetch reacted to this statement with more vehemence than Derek had ever seen the little guy muster, "Derek Dunn is no lackluster vessel! I would be the first to admit to my incalculable doubts initially, but during my time in the Human Realm, I became certain. He is our Hero of Prophecy. It does not matter what you do this day. If the kin have any hope of stopping the Desiccation, it lies with Derek Dunn."


    ¡°Tell me Teetch kin Baaltha. You and your Derek Dunn have already attempted to save the Queen, have you not? If saving the kin was his destiny, wouldn''t that be a logical first step? What do you propose we do now?" the calculator said in a coldly logical voice.


    "That''s hardly fair, Spoke Hamool. You should know that as well as anyone," the soothing voice of Spoke Preevka interjected.


    "I concur with Spoke Preevka," a fourth Spoke chimed in, a woman with a raspy voice that sounded like she strained her words through steel wool. "There is no historical precedent for these events, but working with Teetch kin Baaltha and his Human seems the most prudent course. Who is to say the Prophecy has not taken this confluence of events into account and that it is working its intended course?"


    "So you recommend inaction, Spoke Viziir?" the calculator, Spoke Hamool, asked. I find it challenging to sit back in prayer, leaving our fate to a Human. Fairy tales are an effective motivator for children, but they will not correct the course of the Flow. I vote to execute the Heretic and expel the Human from our midst. We cannot allow Human intervention to taint our efforts to save the Giild. We cannot afford any more mistakes, nor can the Queen."


    "I second that vote. We cannot hope to rebuild with that stain of a Carver in our midst. I care not what we do with the Human. Let us return him to his Realm and end this." Spoke Juunor added.


    Teetch nodded after Juunor''s vote, "You gave it your best shot, Derek Dunn, but they decided what they were going to do with me long before this farce of a trial began."


    "I don''t accept that," Derek said at a volume meant for Teetch, but then he raised his voice to address the remaining Wheel members. "I know none of you know me, and judging by Teetch''s opinions of Humans the first time we met, you can''t think very highly of me. My fellow Humans don''t either, but you have my word: I''ll do whatever I can to help you and your Queen. Teetch feels the same way. You seem to think he wasted that scroll, but it gave me some special abilities, all related to fishing, just like your special ritual. How could it not all be connected?"


    The overly raspy voice of Spoke Viziir chimed in on the heels of Derek''s statement, "It seems presumptuous and foolhardy to squander the opportunity presented by the Hero of Prophecy and Teetch kin Baaltha. Novel events are springing forth at every turn, and I''ll not be blinded by something just because it is new. I vote we work with the Heretic toward solutions we haven''t previously considered. We know where our current course led the other Giilds. If something does not change, we will end up like the rest."


    "It is an egregious miscarriage of logic to compare our current course with the trajectory of the other Giilds. We have had many more years to prepare and prevent a Desiccation." Spoke Hamool countered.


    In a sharp voice, Spoke Preevka addressed Hamool. "Yet, our destination remains the same. There has been no significant deviation of our course from theirs based on the records we have been able to dredge up. My sister''s pupil is unorthodox, but maybe the Giild could use some of that, especially if orthodoxy has led to ruin in years past. I vote to use the Human and the Heretic. The worst that could happen is that the Desiccation occurs as scheduled. We will have only delayed his execution by several years. The kin have always been patient. Haste may placate some of our baser urges. Still, it doesn''t yield any significant or new result, whereas keeping the Heretic alive and using the Hero of Prophecy may make all the difference."


    "That''s two votes for us," Derek said to Teetch excitedly.


    "Peace, Derek Dunn, we have one hurdle yet to cross. The fifth Spoke, Aangh, has been waiting for his moment. He only weighs in on matters that come to a tie and could benefit him to some degree. He will not vote in our favor unless he sees something to gain from it."


    Derek scanned the five Spokes and noted an empty chair in the semicircle that would have made each side symmetrical. Why would they build an empty chair in their new arena if only five Spokes existed?


    He squinted at the fifth Spoke as a new voice carried through the arena. He had an unctuous way of speaking as if the words oozed into the air. "My compatriots, you fail to see where the true crisis lies. How am I supposed to supply the great Giild of Othiamphuus with sustenance without proper recompense? Do you all think Amber appears in your homes as if it were from the air? No, it is I, the humble Spoke Aangh, who nourishes the kin, and I merely seek to be able to continue this task, but you give me less and less and expect me to achieve the same result. How can one expect to focus on this trial when there are more pressing matters? You require my vote, but my vote requires proper¡­ motivation."


    When the other Spokes addressed the assembly, they''d stood before the crowd and acted like the orators to elicit specific responses from their fellow kin, but Aangh never rose from his chair. His words made it sound like he was in dire need, but his actions and demeanor were relaxed, like a pampered noble who expected everything served on a silver platter. Judging by the Spoke''s girth, Derek guessed it an apt comparison. Throughout his stay in Othiamphuus, Aangh was the only amberkin that wasn''t spindly¡ªquite the opposite. Rolls of translucent skin seemed to spill over the Spoke''s chair.


    No one knew how to respond to the rotund Spoke, not even his fellow Wheel mates. Derek reasoned they all were used to letting him fade into the background, and Aangh liked to dwell there unless there was a chance to seize an advantage. Preevka was the first to address her colleague, "Aangh, you share the same Giild as the rest of us, so you, of all people, know there isn''t extra to spare. However, I can pledge ten of my best Shapers to the service of the Flow Administry indefinitely to help set your mind at ease and focus on these proceedings."


    When Preevka bribed the large amberkin, Derek realized what was happening. Aangh sought the other Spokes to sweeten the deal and buy his vote. Derek imagined this Spoke would have made great friends with Wallace Wilco. Even as Desiccation threatened the Giild''s existence, he still sought opportunities to exploit the situation for his gain. Derek wondered how someone like that rose to power in a society where most of the populace seemed primarily dedicated to the greater good.


    Juunor stood up next, addressing Aangh directly, "Come, Preevka dear, why would the Flow Administry need more of your Amber-guzzling Shapers? Surely, they need Hunters instead. Without Hunters, who would ply the wilds outside Othiamphuus? In recent years, they''ve grown feral, and my Hunters are the only ones who can brave those lands and provide for Seekers and-"


    "You can stop there, Spoke Juunor. The Flow Administry has its fair share of both Shapers and Hunters. I''m looking for something a little more," Aangh opened his mouth for a long yawn, "sweet."


    Derek could see Juunor''s light pulses quicken, and he started to stride toward the corpulent Spoke. "You dare diminish the contribution of my Hunters to the Giild?"


    "You do an adequate job of that on your own," Aangh said dismissively, "Surely the Office of the Treasury or the Archives have something bright for me to admire."


    Hamool was quick to pick up on Aangh''s hint. His dry voice reminded Derek of those old tools with the beads that helped people count, an abacus. "I am sure we could divert something from the Office of the Treasury for use by the Flow Administry. I am sure we would all agree that with an increase in need, there should be a commensurate increase in Flow."


    Aangh rumbled with pleasure, deep in his throat, "I can see the sense in this. Do you have anything to counter with Spoke Viziir that might better aid our people through your aid of the Flow Administry?"


    "We have reduced ourselves to bribes, I see. Do you not find it interesting that a body of the Giild''s most accomplished amberkin, hand-picked by the Queen herself, could have fallen so far as her Realm divides itself into disparate factions of ideologies and beliefs? The argument becomes not how can we save the Giild, but whether or not this new Giild is worth saving at all?" Spoke Viziir paced the semicircle of the Wheel''s pulpit in deliberate, fragile steps as if she were old parchment that might tear with a sudden move.


    "From The Archives, we have moralistic handwringing, which is as dusty and out of place as Spoke Viziir herself. Forgive me if that does not whet my appetite." Aangh said, smacking his lips dramatically, "If that will be all, I think it is obvious where the Flow Administry leans."


    "Hasty," Viziir said, "The young generations are always so hasty. I was merely admiring a problem; sometimes, there is great merit in holding up a mirror to examine oneself. Great changes can happen unnoticed if we are not diligent in examining self and motive. That said, motives matter not in these deliberations. My Scholars managed to salvage some documents from the Giild of Liicanz. Preliminary findings reveal a novel method of Shaping. I would grant the Flow Administry access to these Shaping methods for the good of the Giild, should your vote align with Preevka and myself."


    "Are they really bribing that Aangh guy on whether or not they''re going to execute you? Why is he so important anyway?" Derek asked. He tried to imagine the public outrage if they handled trials like this back home and couldn''t believe it. People would riot.


    "Only in recent years has he grown so important and indolent. There used to be a sixth member of the Wheel, and for any vote to pass, there needed to be a majority of four out of six. With the Reclamation of the sixth member and no Queen to replace her, Aangh has found himself with great power, especially since the Flow Administry governs food production in Othiamphuus. Without Aangh, we wouldn''t need a Desiccation to wipe out the remainder of the amberkin. Despite his corpulent figure and flamboyant manner, Aangh is a brilliant Shaper, and the kin would''ve starved long ago without his clever interventions. If not for his many indulgences, he could have been the Giild''s greatest hero once upon a time, but now the kin have no heroes."


    "Except for me," Derek said with a wink, flexing one of his biceps.


    A ghost of a smile flickered on Teetch''s face, "Ah yes, how could I have forgotten? It must be the stench."


    "I think it makes me dark and gritty," Derek said, but he let the conversation drop. It looked like the Wheel was coming to a decision.


    Aangh''s unctuous voice delivered the news casually, as if the final verdict bored him, "Upon careful deliberation, the vote of Spoke Aangh rules in favor of execution and expulsion. Spokes Junoor and Hamool have helped me see the light of this matter."


    Juunor cut off the rest of whatever else Aangh had to say. Derek could see a smattering of crowd members who seemed sympathetic to the Teetch and Derek faction. They murmured amongst themselves and seemed upset by the decision, but the cheering masses drowned them out, and they, in turn, were drowned out as Juunor''s voice talked over them all. "The execution of the Heretic will be carried out during the Harvest. Meanwhile, I shall carry out the exile of the so-called Hero of Prophecy immediately."


    MythMaker made a sad warble in Derek''s pocket, reminiscent of a funeral dirge. He instinctively reached down to grab his phone and check what changed, but something solid gripped his arm. The muscular guards from earlier each had grabbed one of Derek''s wrists. Their faces were expressionless as they led Derek off the platform. Teetch gave Derek one last sad, mismatched smile and waved before they hauled Derek out of view. Derek had a sinking feeling that was the last time he''d ever see the amberkin.


    At least I get to go home, Derek thought, but it didn''t bring him any comfort.

 Chapter 11: Evil Lair Ltd.

    Chapter 11: Evil Lair Ltd.


    Say what you want about the amberkin. When they make a decision, they don''t waste time. Derek''s guard entourage hustled him out of the Uwoom and into the streets of Othiamphuus in record time. The crowd was so focused on Teetch that Derek passed out of the colosseum virtually unnoticed by anyone save his guards. Whenever Derek slowed down or stumbled, their relentless momentum propelled him onward, not unkindly, but it was clear they weren''t stopping for anything until Derek was some other Realm''s problem.


    The city felt eerily empty since they were nearly the first people or kin out of the arena. An amber tumbleweed wouldn''t have looked out of place in the streets of Othiamphuus. The roads were narrower than Derek assumed of such a massive city. They were only wide enough for his guards to walk two abreast. It didn''t seem to hinder them. There was a rhythm to how they navigated the streets as if they appeared to flow from one place to another. It was subtle, but Derek thought the city had a tilt to it as if he was always walking slightly downhill. The Uwoom in the center was the highest point, and everything trickled from the city''s center to the outer reaches like a massive fountain.


    Derek tried his best to absorb everything he was seeing. He didn''t know why. This prisoner''s march was the only time he would see the amberkin city, but he did his best to memorize the twists and turns of the cramped streets. The tall, irregular buildings were all unique in their own right, but Derek couldn''t parse any logic to their layout. The only frequently repeated structures were the rose-gold domes that Derek knew led to the Flow beneath the city. He couldn''t tell which types of buildings were where people lived or worked or what purpose any of them served. It felt like a city where everyone built and did what they wanted, and everything worked. At least it had used to. Derek noticed way more buildings than there were amberkin at the trial. There had to have been more of them at some point, and Derek wondered what had happened to the rest.


    Derek''s guards were firm and matter-of-fact, but they weren''t cruel. Due to an over-saturation of prison movies, Derek would''ve expected to get a beating or something whenever his pace slipped or if he asked any questions. The entourage didn''t answer his endless torrent of questions, but they didn''t punish them either. Their gentle but relentless inertia kept him moving. No beatings were necessary. Derek couldn''t have stopped if he tried. Some guards stole furtive glances at Derek when they thought he wasn''t looking, but they hurriedly looked away whenever Derek returned the glance. He wondered if he would''ve been able to turn them to his cause if he had more time with them. However, Derek knew he wouldn''t get that chance. They were already approaching the outskirts of the city.


    As they got further from the center of Othiamphuus, the buildings became less tall and less grand and started to resemble single-story structures one might see in villages or towns. It gave Derek a clear view of Teetch''s Realm at night without the towering structures of the center blocking his sight. The city had been so narrow and cramped and gave off so much ambient light Derek hadn''t even noticed it was nighttime until they reached the outskirts. Predictably, the moon was a perfect golden amber orb suspended in an almost pitch-black night sky. Its reflection on the still water of Kindaala''s Bowl felt like an entirely new heavenly body trapped beneath the glassy surface. There was no sign of the seething masses of Amber Mad fish at night. The golden pine forest surrounding the lake felt like a forest of Christmas lights that framed and highlighted the moon, the lake, and the mountain, Kindaala''s Rest. At first, Derek had assumed that his guards were taking him back through the lake Gate, but they veered in a different direction sharply once they escaped the bounds of the great city.


    The guards led Derek toward one of the swathes of forest, past the same dome Derek and Teetch had used to enter the Amber sewage tunnel a month before. A pang of something clutched Derek''s heart. Am I already feeling nostalgia for when we broke into the Giild together? The answer was yes. Derek had a hard time looking at any of the things that reminded him of Teetch. He didn''t want to imagine a world without the amberkin''s passion. Nagging thoughts plagued him. If he had done more or chosen a different class in MythMaker, the amberkin could have avoided execution. It felt like there was a pattern with everyone in Derek''s life. They never got to stick around: Jake, Bridger, Harmony, Andy, and Teetch. Derek was the common denominator. Why did he always have to be the one left behind?


    A familiar screech pierced the night. Something scaly barreled into Derek''s chest and knocked the wind out of him. Derek made the mental connection between the two events. Duck. The Swooper had found Derek and swooped down on him when he''d finally escaped the confines of Othiamphuus. Derek tried to hug the little Swooper. Duck resisted Derek''s attempts and insistently pawed at his chest with one of its taloned feet. The little dinosaur was careful enough not to draw blood, but it still hurt. Protecting Derek must have been one of the amberkin goon squad''s directives. The second the Swooper seemingly attacked him, several of his guards drew knives and advanced on Duck.


    Derek tried to shoo the Swooper away. His conscience couldn''t handle if someone or something got hurt on his behalf. However, the dinosaur resisted, and his scratching got more insistent. He even managed to tear several long gouges down Derek''s shirt. He grabbed the Swooper''s leg to restrain him and realized what Duck was doing. Instead of grabbing scaly skin, he grabbed something smooth and papery. Derek didn''t know how it was possible, but someone, probably Teetch, had found a way to send him a message via Duck. Derek removed the message and shoved it into his pocket, hoping his guards hadn''t seen it.


    Duck pushed off of Derek''s chest and took flight. Meanwhile, three of the guard had used their knives to make small incisions on the tips of their fingers. Golden blood dripped from the wounds, but instead of dropping to the ground, golden droplets zipped through the air, aimed at Duck. Duck spun and wove through the air, dodging the blood missiles and disappearing into the night. The dinosaur''s appearance couldn''t have lasted longer than thirty seconds, but it reminded Derek that things weren''t as simple as they appeared. They had some hope, even if it was only a tiny glimmer.


    Derek''s guards wordlessly checked him for any wounds. When they were satisfied Derek was suitably intact, they continued their journey into the golden forest. If they''d noticed the clandestine message, they gave no sign. Surreal was the closest word Derek could think of to describe the forest. It was a perfect blend of the familiar and the Mystical. At points, Derek felt he recognized certain tree stumps or twists in the path, but in the same breath, he would see a glittering, golden spiderweb larger than a man strung between two trees. The crunch of pine needles told his senses he was back home, but the citrusy smell of Amber told him something else. And so it went, in this forest that reminded Derek of home but couldn''t have been further.


    They weren''t trudging through the forest long before the entourage stopped at a tree that looked no different than any other. One of the guards, indistinguishable from any of the others, started tapping out a rhythm on the tree trunk with a closed fist. It reminded Derek of little kids with a secret club knock to allow entry into their tree. Derek heard a faint echo of a knock, and a shimmering curtain of energy rose from the ground stretched between two trees. The sheet undulated and shivered like the transparent material used for bubbles. It gave the impression that the slightest movement could cause it to pop, severing the connection between Amberkin Land and its unknown destination ¡ªa long stone hallway decorated with ornate wall sconces holding flickering torches.


    Derek didn''t claim to be an expert, but this seemed like another portal to another world. However, this time, he wasn''t sure where it led. He''d never been to a location like that in Golden Lake, but the amberkin seemed ready to dump him through regardless. However, when Derek protested, the guard who knocked assured Derek that it led back to his Realm and that the "other Human" had given his guarantee it would work for stable Realm-to-Realm travel. Derek tried asking which Human, but the guard seemed annoyed by the question and repeated the words "other Human" more slowly as if Derek hadn''t understood him the first time. Derek resisted when the guards started forcefully shoving him toward the portal. The torchlit hallway couldn''t have been a part of Golden Lake, and Derek couldn''t stop himself from imagining being dumped in some random place or time, stranded.


    Amberkin looked more fragile than they were. The hands gripping and pushing him toward the portal were firm, and Derek''s much larger frame couldn''t break a single, warm grip. An inch from the portal, Derek started thrashing violently, trying to break free. A toe of his sneaker brushed the portal, and it was like when a vacuum catches the corner of a rug, and the whole thing gets sucked down the tube, and Derek was the rug. At that moment, Derek believed humans were 60% water as the portal sucked him through the portal, elongating his body to an unnatural degree, water first. Derek landed in a sprawling heap. He tried to scramble back through, but it winked out when Derek hit the other side. The patch of wall that used to contain a portal looked to be a solid wall of dirt as if the portal had cut out a perfect cross-section of earth. The stone, torchlit hallway from before stretched from the patch of dirt, and Derek guessed the mysterious hallway was underground. At the border of where stone finished and the earth began, Derek saw a rectangular, metallic arch set into the stone and dirt. It had the exact dimensions as the portal, with symbols etched all over its length. Derek only recognized one of the symbols, but it was enough. That same diamond Derek had seen drawn into the snow under the dock months ago.


    WWW. Of course, they have their own portal, and now, they''ve got their very own hand-delivered Hero of Prophecy.


    Derek didn''t need to see anything else. He knew where he was. The portal deposited him in Golden Lake, but somehow, he was in the basement of that blocky, grey office building that seemed to have popped out of nowhere the first day the Wilcos came to town. The building looked so dull and unassuming that no one would have ever assumed a secret lair was underneath. With everyone coming in and going out, Derek felt like an idiot, and he hadn''t expected something like this.


    Derek didn''t know how deep it went or Wilco''s plans, but some incongruities started to make sense. Why they''d purchased the Lucky Catch and why construction always seemed ongoing. While they renovated and worked on buildings in Golden Lake, they built their network of sophisticated tunnels underneath the town. Derek didn''t know much about architecture, but that didn''t seem like the wisest or safest course of action; but then again, if they could build a portal to a Mystical Realm, they could probably figure out how to keep Golden Lake from collapsing under its weight. One thing still stuck in Derek''s mind. Why would a rich and fancy company use torches? Is it because they don''t want the power company to notice the extra power consumption?


    Derek could have descended further into a question spiral, but something occurred to him that sent a chill down his spine. Someone on this side of the portal had opened it. Someone had returned the knock. WWW knew Derek was down here and was probably coming to pick him up any moment, and he couldn''t imagine they were coming to have a friendly chat. He was lucky they hadn''t picked him up already.


    He started down the hall. It was stone with a lush red carpet running down its length. Each torch illuminated an ornate wooden doorway with names written out in cursive carved into the wood. Danica Roswell, Joshua Bancroft, Hendrick Everton, and seven others were listed. Derek didn''t recognize any of the names, and he tried the golden handle of each door, but they were all locked. The hallway ended abruptly at another door, but this one was round and metal and opened with a twist. Derek strode through directly into a solidly built, suited figure.


    Once more, strong hands clamped down on Derek''s shoulders and started to lead him somewhere else. The prisoner transfer was complete. Derek counted only two jailers this time but quickly banished any hopes of escape. They may have been wearing sophisticated suits that off a thin veneer of sophistication, but something dangerous lurked beneath the surface of these guys. Maybe it was the fact they were so muscular they looked like overstuffed sausages that threatened to burst at any moment. Derek half-thought that they could rip out of their suits if they flexed. He''d never seen these two particular guys before and realized they must have spent their entire stay in Golden Lake in this secret underground lair, probably to put people''s minds at ease. Nothing screams hostile takeover more clearly than muscular henchmen who could rip people apart with their bare hands.


    Although their demeanors were openly antagonistic, Derek couldn''t help but feel relieved to be around other humans again. The inhumanly small size of amberkin and their strange habits made it hard for Derek ever truly to feel at ease, and now, being led into the bowels of an evil lair, there was a piece of Derek that still felt more comfortable with that than the unknown threats of a Magical Realm. As they led him deeper into the structure, they took several twists and turns that Derek didn''t even bother trying to memorize; he knew they didn''t lead to the exit, just deeper into the lair. Eventually, fluorescent lights replaced torches, blocks of old stones gave way to carpeted floors, and Derek knew they were nearing their destination. Tweedle Deadly and Deadlier stopped before a beige door and flanked it on either side. They stopped moving entirely. They had gargoyles guarding a basilica vibe to them. Derek inched forward and tried the door. It swung forward with ease.


    Derek didn''t know what he expected, but it wasn''t a corporate conference room with a long table adorned with an assortment of fruits, bagels, and one coffee machine that uses disposable cups. The conference table had ten empty seats and a man standing at the head of the table. His resemblance to Reid Wilco was striking. He had the same sharp, angular face, brown eyes, and head of slicked-back hair but peppered with steely grey. However, where Reid felt guileless and awkward, like the prim and proper persona, was just an image he was trying to convey. The man in the conference room felt like the real deal, and every piece of his image was something he''d carefully crafted. Even the black and gold pen in his suit pocket seemed like something just for that outfit. He strode toward Derek with an economy of stride that struck Derek as the right blend of powerful, efficient, and purposeful. With every step, Derek could tell there wouldn''t be a crinkle or fold of his suit out of place. It wasn''t until he reached Derek that he realized the man couldn''t have been taller than five feet tall. With a smile as perfectly manufactured as the rest of him, the man reached out for a handshake. He gave no sign if it bothered him that Derek hadn''t washed in a month and had a long gash in his shirt.


    "Well, if it isn''t the infamous Derek Dunn, or should I say Dirk Dawn? Wallace Wilco, an absolute pleasure to meet you, son."


    Derek let the business mogul''s hand hang in the air for a few seconds before the man returned it to his side. His face didn''t so much twitch in annoyance.


    "I wish I could say the same, but you know how it is. It''s a David and Goliath thing." Derek said flippantly.


    Wilco laughed, and Derek would''ve sworn he''d heard the same one on a laugh track somewhere, "Don''t be like that, son. You and I should be great friends, at least on paper. After all, we have so much in common."


    "You''ve gotta warn me before you say something like that. Bull crap makes me nauseous."


    Derek waited for the smile to slip or falter, but Wallace Wilco still smiled up at him like the conversation was going exactly how he wanted.


    "Do you like magic tricks, Derek? I''ve always liked magic tricks. Reid hates them, but something tells you''re the type of guy who likes them. Not because you think it''s Magic, but because you like to spot the trick underneath, the sleight of hand. Tell me I''m wrong."


    "You''re wrong," Derek lied. He loved magic tricks.


    Wallace Wilco smiled wider as if Derek had said he loved them. "I''ll make a deal with you, son. I''m going to do a trick. If you can tell me how I did it, I''ll send you home right now, no strings attached."


    "What do you get if you win?" Derek asked.


    "Come on, Derek, my boy, you''re smarter than that. I want to talk about Magic. Magic with a capital M," Wilco said, his eyes never wavering from Derek''s.


    "What''s the catch? With guys like you, there''s always a catch." Derek said, meeting the stare.


    Wilco laughed that phony, too-perfect laugh, "You don''t get to where I am in life without a catch, Derek, my boy. However, we''ll have to have that chat to find out what it is. You know how it goes."


    As Derek talked to Wallace Wilco, the less the man reminded him of Reid. Reid''s haughty demeanor had always seemed like he was trying too hard, but underneath, there was an earnest, awkward guy. Wallace Wilco''s stiff and manufactured persona seemed to camouflage something even more sinister, and when Derek locked eyes with the man, he couldn''t help but feel trapped in the gaze of some predator.


    Derek returned the smile. "You got me. I love Magic tricks. You''re on, Wilco, but if I win, you''ve got to stop trying to buy my parents'' store."


    A single eyebrow arched for a second, but finally, Wilco nodded, smiling even wider, a feat Derek wouldn''t have thought possible, "You''ve got yourself a deal. Shake on it?"


    Derek hesitated. For some reason, he felt like every decision he made played right into Wilco''s hands. As if sensing his weakness, Wilco pressed, "I insist." Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Derek shook the man''s hand, which felt warm and callused, surprising him. They felt like the hands of a man who didn''t shy away from hard work.


    "Are you ready?" Wilco asked. He retrieved a gold coin from his breast pocket. Wilco held it up to show Derek. With pride in his voice, he told Derek that it was "The 1933 Double Eagle," and he couldn''t possibly tell Derek how much he''d paid for it.


    As Wilco talked about his rare coin collection, Derek quickly examined the room, looking for anything Wilco could use for a trick. The two muscled goons had silently entered and taken positions flanking the exit, but otherwise, everything appeared as it should. Derek took a few steps away from Wilco and the conference table so he wasn''t within easy reach, denying Wilco the chance to use him in the trick.


    Derek nodded.


    Wilco positioned the gold coin on the tip of his thumb as if about to flip it, and he said, "Watch the coin."


    This trick is going to be a piece of cake. Coin tricks involve sleight of hand. While I''m watching the coin, his other hand will do something else. I just have to watch his hands.


    Wilco flicked the coin into the air. Derek tried to follow Wilco''s sleight of hand, but his eyes locked onto the coin transfixed. As it flipped and tumbled through the air, it caught the reflected light from the fluorescents and gleamed. Suddenly, there were two coins, four, eight, and sixteen. Wilco deftly plucked each of them out of the air, but when Wilco finished the trick, he was only holding a single coin. The others had disappeared. Wilco put the coin back in his breast pocket.


    Derek smiled at Wilco. "You almost got me there. I''ll admit I''ve never seen that one before, but you don''t have a lot of options using a coin and a room like this. You had the extra coins in your sleeve, and when you put the first coin away, you dumped the rest of them into your pocket or something similar. The real flaw of the trick is that you''ve only got so many options on where you can stow the extra coins."


    The perfect smile faltered slightly, and Derek knew he had him. "You disappoint me, Derek, but you do not surprise me. No one surprises me." Wallace Wilco said mournfully, "There were no extra coins, just the one."


    "How did you?" Derek started, "But I saw other coins. It couldn''t have been just one."


    Wilco smiled again, and it was the first one that felt genuine, "Magic with a capital M, my boy. I did give you a hint. I said it was a Magic trick."


    "You knew what I would assume. You cheated. Deal''s off," Derek said, "Let me out of here."


    "I''ll caution you against calling me a cheater again. I take great pride in my business acumen and have no need to cheat. I shared all pertinent information with you. Your mind supplied its preconceived expectations of what constitutes a Magic trick. If you should be upset at anything, it should be that brain of yours for letting it happen. I''ve often found the ones who come out on top of a business deal aren''t the smartest or the most ruthless. However, those certainly help; the most useful attribute I''ve found is vision, seeing the furthest ahead or all the relevant details of a situation. If someone cannot imagine being taken advantage of because they cannot see far enough ahead, that is hardly my fault."


    "So you''re saying I lacked the imagination to see how the deal favored you, and that''s why I lost?" Derek asked, "I''ll remember that. You shouldn''t have shown your hand, Wally; I don''t make the same mistakes twice."


    "A trait which my son sorely lacks, but I digress. You''ve always struck me as someone who could be a worthy opponent, but I hope it doesn''t come to that. I still think we would make far better allies."


    Derek couldn''t hold back a snort.


    Wallace Wilco had moved to the far end of the conference room, where a projector screen hung¡ªperfect for quarterly reports and spreadsheets. Wilco pulled down on a string, and the screen rolled into its housing, revealing a hidden door behind it. The door was solid gold.


    While Wilco sifted through a key ring, he idly chatted with Derek, "You seem to harbor some ill will toward me, or maybe it''s World Wide Wilco as a whole, perhaps. I would''ve thought you Golden Lakers would welcome someone like me coming in and breathing some new life into the place." Wilco found a gold key in the ring and stuck it into the keyhole, "And make no mistake, Derek, my boy, that is what we are doing. It may not have been this year or the next five years, but without my help, your precious town would''ve died on the vine."


    Derek crossed the room and poked a finger into Wilco''s chest, crinkling the suit. "That''s the problem with you business types. You can''t conceive of a world where someone would rather die doing and being what they love. Your ''changes'' may as well be their own type of death sentence for Golden Lake if they turn it into something we can''t recognize."


    "Derek, my boy, that''s the point. Why would anyone want to languish in a place that has proven it cannot survive and thrive? It defies nature to artificially extend a creature''s or town''s life, as the case may be. I''m providing Golden Lake a valuable service." Wilco said, opening the golden door and strolling into a small, equally golden room, "Now, come, it''s time to discuss Magic." It reminded Derek of a police interrogation room with two chairs and a table separating them, but it was all made of gold. He motioned for Derek to enter, and the owner of WWW took a seat in one of the chairs. Derek hesitated to enter. He could feel something at the threshold that felt wrong, like he would be walking into the lair of some dangerous beast. The air seemed to thrum with an energy that Derek couldn''t touch, but he could feel it, like an electric fence. Wallace Wilco sat in the golden armchair with perfect posture and an unreadable, pleasant expression. Derek would''ve sworn he looked taller and more muscular inside the new room, and a thought struck him.


    Derek pulled his phone out of his pocket, pointed it at Wilco, and whispered, "Identify."


    Wilco raised a hand, and Derek realized he was gesturing for his bodyguards to stand down. They''d both reached into their jackets to grab something, and Derek doubted it was their phones. Derek watched Dirk Dawn pluck a book from somewhere and start to read.


    Wallace Wilco (Warlock Level 3)


    Warlocks are Practitioners of the new Gods. With the advent of Human Gods and Ideals, new schools of Magic yearn for exploration. Warlocks find and forge new pathways in the Craft. Often, these new paths are paved with blood, sometimes their own. Warlocks answer to a higher power, and becoming one requires a commensurate change in alignment to match their chosen Deity.


    Derek looked up, and Wilco was hungrily staring at Derek''s phone. Greed was writ plain on his face, and his eyes seemed to gleam like light glinted off his gold coin. Derek didn''t like that hungry look, so he stuffed his phone into his pocket. That look made him want to step into that golden room even less. Derek didn''t know all the ins and outs of being a warlock, but Teetch was wrong about one thing. Awakened humans were way more common than the amberkin had thought, and they were interested in Golden Lake for some reason. Derek wished he''d asked Teetch more questions about Magic and Ideals. The golden interrogation room felt like a source of magical power for Wilco, and Derek''s skills seemed almost useless in the situation. He didn''t even have anything to protect himself if things went sour. What good is an Iron Fillet Knife against bullets?


    "You''re more savvy than I gave you credit for, Derek, my boy." Wallace Wilco said with a laugh, "I solemnly swear you have protection from any undue influence exuded by my Treasure Room or myself for the duration of our conversation."


    The latent magical energy winked out like Wilco had flicked a switch. Derek walked into the "Treasure Room." Wilco''s gaze only occasionally shifted to Derek''s pocket. Derek took a seat and discovered that chairs made of solid gold weren''t any more comfortable than cheap folding chairs. Derek expected the room to have a sharp, metallic smell, but the golden room was almost distinctive because of its lack of sensory details. Derek wouldn''t have been surprised if a magical barrier somehow blocked germs and smells.


    Derek put his feet on the golden table and said, "Alright, Wally, so how''s this gonna work? We talk about Magic, and if I don''t tell you what you want to know, you lock me up?"


    "Don''t be like that," Wilco said. Derek didn''t know if he was referring to Derek''s feet or his confrontational attitude, "I''ve been looking forward to speaking to the only other Initiated native to Golden Lake. When my Avaricious Eyes pinpointed the largest source of Magic in the United States as Golden Lake, Idaho, I expected it to be more¡­ fantastic."


    "You want fantastic? You should try the potatoes," Derek said.


    Wilco''s smile didn''t falter, but Derek could''ve sworn he saw a slight tightening around the wrinkles in his eyes. "I was hoping this conversation would go a bit smoother. After all, we both have something the other wants."


    "You''re not going to believe this, but I''ve never actually wanted a swimming pool full of gold, so you''ll have to get a little more creative. You''ve got another thing coming if you think your precious money is going to get to me," Derek said.


    "I''m well aware of you and your father''s¡­ resistance regarding financial compensation. I was, of course, referring to your friend, a one Andrew Renteria. It''s come to my attention he''s gone missing. I''m sure WWW could be persuaded to help locate him should you prove cooperative."


    "I don''t know an- Wait, Andy?" Derek remembered the boy''s abandoned baseball cap at the edge of the like and Andy kicking and screaming, carried into the night, "You and your cronies better not have hurt him."


    Wilco raised his hands as if in mock surrender. "I heard he was a friend of yours and that he''d gone missing. I was merely offering my incredible resources. I sincerely hope you aren''t implying I''ve kidnapped the poor boy. Shame on you, Derek. That would be downright villainous. I merely suggested that I help locate him if you cooperate with my questions. This isn''t some sort of backroom hostage negotiation."


    The glimmer of mirth in the man''s eyes told Derek everything he needed to know. Andy was locked up somewhere in this place, and unless Derek told Wilco what he wanted to know, Andy would never see the light of day. The fight sagged from Derek. He wasn''t about to let his stubbornness affect Andy any more than it already had.


    "Alright, Wilco, what do you want from me?" Derek asked.


    "You aren''t listening, son. All I want is a chat, a completely candid conversation," Wilco said, with no trace of the villainous undertones. His eyes even looked a little pleading. If he was faking it, the man was a terrific liar: "I want to forget sides and goals, good and evil, and talk about Magic. Being the one others always expect to have the answers is quite exhausting. It''s been longer than I care to admit since I''ve discovered something new for myself."


    "You just want to talk? No strings attached?" Derek asked. After a long pause, he sighed and said, "Fine, but you''ve got to drop the phony fatherly routine. My own dad doesn''t lay it on that thick."


    Wilco acted offended. "It''s no act, but if you insist, I''ll refrain from acting quite so familiar. In many ways, I wish my boy were more like you. After his mother''s passing, he holed himself up in our estate, losing himself in his mother''s favorite books and television series. Getting anything useful out of him was nearly impossible, but his tutors said he was keeping up with his studies and was ready for more responsibility. I''d hoped our excursion to Golden Lake would allow Reid to prove himself, but all he has proven himself to be is a bitter disappointment. I blame it on that local he spends so much time with."


    Derek found himself wanting to defend the young Wilco. It was almost sad how much the guy idolized his father. "He''s less of a disappointment than you think," Derek said, surprising himself, "I bet half the people who''ve sold to you guys wouldn''t have done it without his guileless charm."


    Wilco laughed, "All Reid''s intervention has done is cost me more money. I could''ve had those businesses at a fraction of the cost and without having to offer ''relocation packages'' for those who wanted to leave, but Reid insisted. I''ve been trying to let him take the reins on the business side of things here, but he''s made it difficult. However, it has allowed me to keep my hands free to focus on other endeavors."


    Reid had been defending the people of Golden Lake the whole time? Derek didn''t believe it. It didn''t fit with the self-centered attitude the Wilco heir had when Derek first met him, but there was no mistaking the guy cared about Harmony. Was it possible his relationship with Harmony spurred him to protect Golden Lake? Derek shook his head. He needed to focus on Wilco Sr.


    "Other endeavors? Like making coin golems and kidnapping kids?" Derek asked.


    "You''re referring to the construct that that cantankerous piscine guardian destroyed? We don''t possess the resources to produce another one, but it''s no matter. Our efforts are focused elsewhere, like that Magical Realm you and your little friend helped us access. Had it not been for your little stunt, we may never have figured out how to power a Gate, let alone make one of our very own."


    "You have a Gate?" Derek asked, shifting in his seat. WWW had access to the Giild, and it was Derek''s fault.


    "Of course, and we couldn''t have done it without you. Our initial attempts to penetrate Golden Lake''s Magical dimension proved fruitless. Still, we''ve finally managed to make contact with a funny little fellow named Juunor, who seems like someone who would be receptive to collaboration."


    "What could you possibly want with the Giild?" Derek asked, but he knew it was a stupid question right as it left his lips.


    "The same thing I want from you, information, all of it, as much as I can stomach. There''s never enough. From the first moment I opened my eyes to the Mystical, I could never acquire enough." Wallace Wilco said, and at that moment, his eyes seemed to gleam the same color as the golden walls, "Ever since I was the boy who needed Magic to get a leg up on his larger, more brutish peers, I''ve wanted to know more. Unlike my colleagues who see Magic as just another crude means to backstab one another and make an extra million here or there. It''s grander than that. Money is transient, temporary. I want more, Derek, and you''ll give it to me."


    Derek laughed. "Did I hear that right? It''s not all about money?" Derek asked, "I just assumed your whole schtick would be commodifying and turning a Magical Realm into a theme park or something."


    "Do not mistake me; money is the fuel that drives the engine of WWW. The various factions within the company are hungry to rise to the top of the money heap, but my goals in Golden Lake are driven entirely by discovery. I would much prefer a Magical Realm be kept secret from my peers and used for each other''s mutual benefit." Wilco said, steepling his fingers and leaning on the table, "Now, I believe it''s time for you to stop stalling and tell me how you fit into this."


    ¦µ


    Derek told Wilco everything, at least everything pertinent to Derek. Derek left out the words Hero of Prophecy and the specifics of amberkin society because, despite Wilco''s assurances, Derek didn''t believe he had their best interests at heart. Derek described his Angler abilities and how he and Teetch destroyed the Linconstruct. When Derek finished his story, Wilco laughed uproariously, deep belly laughs. He and the WWWarlocks had started to look at Derek as a magical boogeyman because they couldn''t figure out who he was or how he did what he did.


    They had some scrying spell called Avaricious Eyes that spotted all "Initiated" or Awakened in an area, and the name "Dirk Dawn" popped up whenever they attempted to scry. They''d assumed a magic user of far greater skill was running circles around them to the point where most of the higher-ups in Wilco''s inner circle were terrified of the mysterious Dirk Dawn.


    Wilco seemed fascinated by how Derek gained new "Spells" and kept asking Derek about his Ideals. Wilco explained that all the Magic he and his cronies practiced focused on one of two Ideals and could only produce effects centered around those Ideals. He even started to info dump that some Gods chose him as a boy because he exemplified their Ideals of Avarice and Ambition. He became their chosen Vessel. It became clear that Derek''s version of Magic and Wilco''s were incompatible, and Wilco decided that Derek couldn''t help him further his goals or knowledge of the Mystical.


    Derek could sense the conversation starting to lose steam, and he realized something, "That felt an awful lot like the evil villain monologue before you get rid of me for good."


    Wilco flashed Derek what he''d come to realize was his authentic smile and said, "I do wish Reid could''ve learned some lessons from you, that grit. You''ve been given so little, and look what you''ve done with it while my boy has the world at his fingertips," Wilco waved his arm expansively, "Everything. But all he can seem to focus on is ethics and feelings. The boy has grown quite tiresome. Hopefully, he gets some calluses from this whole experience, but I''m afraid you''re right. This is goodbye, Derek. The good news is that you''re harmless enough and couldn''t stop us even if you tried. Besides, the town has been on high alert since that Renteria boy went missing. In that vein, I can''t afford any more attention, so all we''ll confiscate are your memories and phone. Then I don''t see why we can''t turn you loose. It''s been¡­ expensive covering for your absence."


    "Wait a second, you don''t have to-" The door slamming open cut Derek off, and the two musclebound thugs walked in and slammed Derek''s face into the table, knocking off his bucket hat. They rummaged through his pocket until they found and took his phone. Once they got the phone, they stepped back and stood behind Derek in the two back corners of the room. The door remained open, and someone in a black robe with a hood slipped in. The figure took Wilco''s seat and sat across from Derek. No matter the angle of light, the new figure''s face was entirely obscured by the shadows cast by the hood. Thanks to a certain movie series about a boy wizard, Derek couldn''t help but think the figure was about to eat his soul.


    With an urgent impulse Derek couldn''t have explained, he reached across the table to grab his hat and stick it back on his head.


    "Removing the last several hours should be sufficient," Wilco said to the hooded figure, then turned to Derek. Sometimes, Ideals can be a touch limiting, so we outsource things like erasing people''s memories. They''ve assured me it doesn''t hurt."


    The robed figure set a wicker bird cage-looking device on the table. In its center was a black onyx gemstone suspended by more wicker arranged like a spider''s web with the gem positioned in the center. The figure started tapping out a complex rhythm on the table. Black gloves covered their hands, and as they tapped, the light and colors in the room seemed to dim and lose some indescribable vital essence. Derek felt something black and questioning tug at him, but it failed to gain any purchase. In his mind''s eye, he envisioned black tendrils slipping and sliding over him but unable to grab hold like his psyche was dipped in oil. Derek got the strangest feeling that the psychic oil came from his bucket hat. He''d worn it since that first day he''d become an Angler, but he''d never had to use its effect. While wearing the Bucket Hat of Focus, Anglers gain protection from all mind-altering effects. Black-robed figures vortexing Derek''s memories into a black gem must have qualified as a mind-altering effect.


    Derek didn''t know what losing his memories was supposed to look like, but he acted like it hurt. Since he was supposed to be tough, he gritted his teeth through the imaginary pain. He put up a fight and eventually pretended to succumb to the effects with a flutter of his eyes and slumping in his chair. A dribble of drool spilled down his chin while the cloaked form stared at him. Suddenly, a tilting of the shadowy figure''s head convinced Derek that the figure knew Derek still had his memories, but Wilco seemed satisfied by the act.


    "What a shame. I would''ve liked to have brought young Derek into the fold," Wilco said, shaking his head, "Thank you for your services. Dimitri will see you out."


    The robed and hooded figure glided out of the room with one of the beefcakes in tow. When they were safely out of earshot, Wilco shivered. "The VC gives me the creeps, and people say I''m over the top. Come on, Vlad, let''s show Mr. Dunn out."

 Chapter 12: Its a Mediocre Life

    Chapter 12: It''s a Mediocre Life


    Wilco and Vlad dumped Derek out at the entrance of their drab office suite. Lucky Catch 2.0 looked nearly finished, so when Wilco told Derek he''d been gone for over a month, Derek had an easier time believing him. The warlock explained that he and his cronies had covered for Derek in his absence so the town didn''t attract undue attention. The people in Derek''s life would all have a sense Derek was gone but that he''d only been gone for what felt like several hours and had been slacking off somewhere, which was never too far from the truth. Wilco didn''t go into the details, but it sounded like they were using Magic to alter perceptions rather than change anything significant about the town or his family''s memories.


    After the explanation, Wilco and his henchman disappeared back into the building, but the billionaire kept Derek''s phone. Derek felt like he should be upset, but he couldn''t muster up enough feeling to care other than a vague sense of relief. He needed a break from thinking about Magic and Heroes of Prophecy, and Wilco had given him that chance. A cool breeze ruffled his hair, carrying the scents of pine and the lake along with its gentle touch. More than anything, I''m just glad to be home. Guilt from leaving Andy and now Teetch behind tried to rear its ugly head, but Derek shoved it deep down into his subconscious. He could deal with it later. Derek remembered Duck''s frantic message in his pocket and decided to leave it there. He could deal with that later, too. First, he was going to check on Golden Lake.


    It felt like late April or maybe the beginning of May. He could hear birds chirping, and the Sun had that "brighter" quality it got in the spring and summer months, like it was a couple of degrees more vibrant. People were bustling around on the docks, and even a few boats were on the water. The hum of their engines reminded Derek of Harmony. The way she snorted when she found something funny or inexplicably always managed to get a bit of grease on the tip of her nose. Derek didn''t care if he looked borderline homeless or smelled like something a pig might wallow in. He needed to see her.


    On the Angel''s Perch side of the lake, a series of docks led into a wooden structure that acted like a garage but for boats. People who needed engine work done would park their boats there, and Harmony and her boss Randall McGuffin, who people called Randy or Mac, would fix their boats in a jiff or their money back guaranteed. Once Randy took Harmony on as an apprentice, he let her take over engine work entirely. At the same time, he focused on bodywork, painting, and finishing boats, what Randy considered the artistry of boatwork. That suited Harmony fine. Working on engines is all Harmony had ever wanted to do, but when she finally got her job at The Pit Stop, she didn''t seem as happy as Derek would''ve thought. She never outright said she didn''t like it, but she always made sly remarks about how any old grease monkey could do it, or once you''d seen one engine, you''d seen them all. That had always confused Derek; she''d gotten what she wanted, so why hadn''t it made her happy? Regardless, with the weather this nice, Derek was sure to catch her at The Pit Stop.


    Derek meandered his way there, soaking in the sights and sounds of Golden Lake, carefully avoiding the dock with WWW''s sigil but otherwise enjoying the pleasant day. It was easy to forget that an entire Realm needed his help when the occasional fish splashed on the lake or he heard someone laugh out on the water. Derek planned to surprise Harmony. He knew she wasn''t missing him because of Wilco''s Memory Mumbo Jumbo, but she was probably at least annoyed that Derek was off playing hooky somewhere without her. Usually, he played hooky on the lake. Since he hadn''t been on the lake, Harmony had to be at least wondering where he was.


    Derek avoided the squeaky boards approaching The Pit Stop. It wasn''t the first time he''d snuck up on her while she was at work. He peaked through the cracked window of the main office to get a glimpse of Harmony working on an engine. Derek loved seeing her in her natural habitat with her work coveralls and hair tied back in a grease-stained ponytail. Randy was putting the finishing touches on a white boat with blue trim and the word Patty scrawled on the side. Harmony''s back faced Derek. Derek''s hand hovered over the door, poised to knock, when Harmony''s melodic laugh rang like a clarion bell. Randy must have said something funny, but that wasn''t the point. Derek scanned through his annals of memory, looking for the last time he''d caused that laugh, and it was long before Reid Wilco and MythMaker. All his recent memories were filled with the countless times she huffed in frustration or scowled at him instead.


    Wallace Wilco boasted that he''d smoothed the edges of his absence, but that didn''t account for the joy in Harmony''s laugh. No Magic could fake that laugh. Knocking on that door would cut that laugh short, and Derek''s mere presence would drag Harmony back to earth and remind her of the vast quantities of water underneath their particular bridge. Thinking of any tangible way Derek added to Harmony''s life proved a task beyond his capabilities. That''s the story lately. If the Great Scroll had chosen someone else, would Teetch still be slated for execution? Would the Queen be awake? He knew the WWWarlocks wouldn''t have locked up Andy. He could see Harmony was happier without him.


    Derek lowered his hand and turned from The Pit Stop. As he slunk away from the shop in defeat, he was still careful to avoid loose boards. He didn''t want Harmony to hear. If she knew Derek was back, he would drag her down. There was only one person in Golden Lake Derek could think of that he couldn''t drag any lower.


    ¦µ


    Rod''s Rods and Other Junk had a hastily taped piece of printer paper at an askew angle. It read "Out" in red marker. Derek couldn''t think of a single reason why Rod would be gone. He didn''t know where to find the big man if not holed up in his shop. Save for the times Rod was fishing at the lake, Derek could only count a handful of times he''d ever even seen the large fisherman outside his shop. Derek cursed under his breath; this might have been the only time Rod''s presence would have been more comfort than annoyance. Derek knew the old fisherman''s life would be the same regardless of Derek''s intervention, and he had no interest in seeing anyone else. He''d disappoint them, or they''d disappoint him. Everything was changing, becoming warped and tainted by WWW and Derek himself. It didn''t matter what he did; WWW was twisting the Golden Lake he knew and loved into an unrecognizable, corporate shape, and anytime Derek took an overt action, it seemed to do more harm than good. He''d thought if he left everything alone and arranged it just so, it would be immune to the ravages of time. But it had the opposite effect; the things he wanted to stay the same changed the most in his absence.


    Maybe that''s why he wanted to see Rod so desperately. In some indescribable way, the big fisherman was the same way as Derek. They were kings of stagnation, antithetical to growth or change. As long as Derek knew him, nothing about Rod changed. He wore the same outfits, said the same things, and lived the same types of days mired in routine. Some visceral, innate part of Derek envied that, but he''d missed the glowing neon signs along the road of that path. Rod Hockenson was alone. The world flowed around him like he was some jagged rock in a rapid, best left avoided, and that''s what Derek could feel himself becoming.


    But surely Rod has some good qualities? Doesn''t he?


    Derek thought about Rod resisting WWW''s advances while the rest of the town succumbed to greed or better lives. Wasn''t that an admirable trait? Shouldn''t he and Rod be lauded for protecting something they cared about, but were they protecting it or preventing growth? Was there a difference? If there was, Derek wasn''t sure he could tell. Would Rod know the answer?


    All roads of thought led to Rod. Hockenson knew more than he was letting on. The big fisherman had been there the night Teetch and Derek stormed the Giild. Rod may be able to tell Derek what to do next. Derek didn''t trust himself to make that decision. He hated to admit it, but he trusted Rod''s judgment over his own. Derek did his best to ignore the big man''s advice and ministrations, but despite how much Derek resisted, Rod tended to be right more often than not.


    Derek''s parents could wait. They''d gone over a month without their troublemaker son and would probably be thankful for a few more hours without him. Derek decided to wait for Rod to show up. He could tell Derek what to do next. Derek wouldn''t be making any more decisions. Whenever he did, people got hurt.


    ¦µ


    The Sun dipped below the horizon. Shadows from WWW''s construction projects lengthened, casting an unfamiliar lens over Golden Lake like the new shadows were Wallace Wilco marking his territory. Even the lake wasn''t immune to his influence. This time of day was perfect for its idyllic golden sheen, the town''s namesake. Instead, the new and improved Lucky Catch proudly marred the horizon, casting an ominous shadow over the lake''s glassy golden surface, claiming the lake in some small, indescribable way. Soon, they''ll be trying to change the town''s name.


    Earlier that day, Derek had decided to wait as long as it took for Rod to show up, but he couldn''t stand to look at the town any longer. Derek had to move. It felt like he was losing the town and himself in real time and needed something to cling to. There had to be something on Main Street to kindle the familiarity he craved. Ever since he''d been back, Derek didn''t feel like he''d returned home. It felt like the Gate deposited Derek into another new Realm. This sham wasn''t Derek''s Golden Lake anymore. He just wanted to be home. Derek''s strides took him past an unfamiliar, unfeeling store until he saw a familiar lime-green awning looming over Main Street. It evoked the smell of hot food and the sweet blend of tuna and cheese fried between two tasty flour tortillas.


    Derek broke into a dead sprint. He needed a tuna melt quesadilla. When he pushed on the glass double doors, they refused to budge. A plastic placard hung from a chain in front of Derek''s face. It read "Closed for Remodel." Derek could see inside what used to be La Casita. Someone had stripped the familiar booths and tables from the building, and an opened paint can lay abandoned next to a wall where lime green was losing a war to corporate beige. Esme''s shop used to carry the faint hint of spices and cooking oil, but it was overpowered now by the smell of cleaning solution and wet paint. A sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach took root. What if Esme gave up because I was gone? Derek had no illusions of self-importance, but he and Esme talked almost daily those last couple of months before leaving for the Giild. Esme, Rod, Derek''s parents, and others were the last holdouts from being bought out by World Wide Wilco. He needed to know how many others were left.


    Main Street passed by in a blur of unfamiliar colors, like Derek was in another new and unfamiliar city. Way more people had succumbed to the complete buyout offer than before he''d left. Wilco hadn''t wasted much time, his logo marking each building like some modern arcane sigil. It held its own type of power. The billionaire was bit by bit, branding the soul of Golden Lake, not realizing that his actions would taint the innate Magic of the town. It was something Derek knew on an instinctual level. Wilco had come to the town because it was a reservoir of Magic or whatever, but the mogul''s need to buy, own, and change the town would stomp out what had drawn him to the town in the first place. Why does it seem like I''m the only one who cares?


    Derek''s feet inexorably carried him where he''d been avoiding since his return. He feared what he''d find, but he needed to know. Derek''s traitorous legs turned off Main onto 4th. At the end of the street stood a familiar building Derek didn''t recognize anymore. Where Dunn, Dunn, Dunn had once stood, a store called Wilmart wore its skin. The Wilmart sign glowed a sinister neon red, marking its territory, its kill. Derek''s future in Golden Lake, his inheritance, was, for all intents and purposes, murdered. How could my parents have done this? Wilco must have cast a spell on them while I was gone. It''s the only explanation. Derek ignored that he''d been on thin ice even before he''d left, and his parents were using the store as a leash to keep him in line.


    Everything started to spin, but somehow, Wilmart managed to stay in the center of his vision. Derek wasn''t consciously walking toward the offending building, but he found his feet inexorably drawing him toward its glass doors. The rational part of Derek''s mind knew he couldn''t do anything to change what had happened, but his heart hadn''t received the memo. He needed to do something, anything. Derek couldn''t let this pass without a fight. So what if he didn''t have his Magical gear or fishing pole? He had his spirit. Wilco would pay. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Derek pushed the double glass doors open with too much force. A cheerful ding announced his arrival, and the store manager emerged from store aisles stocked with items Derek didn''t recognize. Reid Wilco wore a red vest with the words "Manager" stitched on the chest, and all the fight left Derek with an exhale that felt like Wilco''s goons had punched him in the stomach.


    "Derek Dunn, well, aren''t you a sight for sore eyes?" Reid said with a smug smile, "I knew you''d be back sooner or later."


    "This had better be some sick joke," Derek said. He couldn''t stand looking at Reid Wilco a second longer. "Where are my parents?"


    Reid closed the distance between them and got closer than Derek felt comfortable. He responded in a conspiratorial whisper, "I was hoping to bend your ear about something upon your return." Reid placed a special emphasis on the word return.


    Derek remembered what Daddy Wilco had said about his son, Reid. Reid had been working behind the scenes on behalf of Harmony and, by association, Golden Lake. Derek''s mind resisted the restructuring necessary to cast Reid in anything other than a villainous light. Although the business heir''s intentions may have been good, Derek found he didn''t particularly care. Reid had taken his store from him, and all the best intentions in the world couldn''t forgive that.


    "Reid, I''m going to say this once. If you don''t tell me where my parents are right now, the only that''s going to get bent is your face."


    Not the most witty retort, but it''s been a rough day.


    Reid opened and closed his mouth several times as if he were constantly deciding what to say and changing his mind at the last second. The result made him look like a gaping fish grasping for air, and Derek didn''t hate the image. Eventually, the protests died on Reid''s lips, his shoulders wilted, and he pointed toward the back office.


    "Maybe you''re smarter than you look," Derek said with a wink and an accompanying pang of something he didn''t like. Was it guilt? Derek had been more congenial to the guy than he wanted. Ultimately, it wasn''t Reid''s fault Derek''s parents sold the store. As far as Derek knew, they still had free will, which also meant they were the ones he should''ve blamed Wilmart. Swathed in righteous fury, Derek kicked open the back office door, prepared to let his dad have it. So what if he had been waiting for his dad to talk to him first? He couldn''t let this one slide.


    Lisa Dunn''s face looked at Derek with an "O" of surprise, followed by a smile that doused his fury like a bucket of ice water. Wilco Senior might have cast some spell to make people not notice Derek''s absence, but when Derek saw his mom''s smile, he saw that some innate part of her had known deep down that her boy was gone from this world and had finally returned. Derek wanted to be angry, but there was no one to be angry at except himself. He could feel tears welling up in the corners of his eyes.


    Lisa Dunn''s smile faded, replaced by a genuine concern: "Oh, Wreck, what''s wrong?"


    The floodgates burst.


    Derek rushed across the room and wrapped his mom in a bear hug. Tears ran unbidden down his cheeks, and huge racking sobs shook him. His mom held him firm, weathering the storm. Everything he''d felt over the last month, the helplessness and the guilt, found their release. He didn''t know how long since his mom held him like that, but Derek hadn''t realized how much he''d needed it. He could feel how badly she wanted to know what was wrong, but she waited until he''d used up all his tears before she gripped him by his shoulders and looked up into his eyes.


    "What''s going on, hun?"


    Derek had to fight back a melodramatic reply. A more straightforward question would be, what''s right? Instead, Derek said, "How could you?"


    Lisa Dunn swallowed. She knew exactly what he meant, "We had to make the best decision for this family. That includes you." his mom said, her grip firm and her steely gaze intense, "I don''t know when it happened, but you stopped growing Wreck."


    "It was Dad''s idea, wasn''t it?" Derek asked, "That sounds exactly like him."


    "Your father and I are a team," Lisa said.


    "That''s adult speak, for one person made the decision, and the other backed the play."


    "If anyone is backing anyone else up, your father is the one who backed me up," his mom replied, "Your father thinks you need more time to make the right decision on your own. He says that if we make decisions for you, you''ll never learn any lessons, but I think you''ve had plenty of time, Wreck. It''s time to start your life; no more training wheels. Go out, experience the world, my son." his mom said. Derek could feel the subtext in what she was saying. Go out and experience the world like your brother and sister.


    Derek was used to his dad comparing them, but he''d always considered his mom the supportive one. David and Maddie had always been his dad''s favorites because they had goals and ambitions outside of Golden Lake, and it bothered Harold Dunn that his youngest boy was satisfied being a grocery store clerk. Still, Derek always thought his mom understood him and loved him anyway. Inheriting the store and living in Golden Lake for the rest of his life was supposed to be his identity, and she''d taken that away from him and given it to Reid Wilco. He''s already taken my best friend, was that not enough for him?


    "Did Reid put you up to this?" Derek asked, taking an unconscious step back. His brain knew it was a ridiculous question, but his heart was currently running things.


    His mom blinked a few times as if she needed a second to catch up with Derek''s train of thought. "What? Uhh, no. He''d been spending some time at the store, overseeing some changes, and your father and I were worried we wouldn''t have enough help this summer, and Reid offered to help out." His mom said, "We knew the Jamboree was important to you, so part of our deal with the Wilcos was we''d finish the summer so you could have one last chance at a victory before we move. Reid''s been a dear and even helped make it feel like our old store despite all the changes."


    "Mom, they called it Wilmart. How could it possibly still feel like our store?" Derek asked.


    "As I recall, you haven''t been around much lately, so what your father and I do with OUR store is our business. You''re just an employee."


    "Wait, is he my boss now?" Derek asked.


    "I suppose if you look at it that way," Lisa said, "He''s all our bosses."


    "No, Mom, he''s your boss," Derek said, "I''m not sure why everyone in this town is so dead set on giving Wally and the assorted Wilcos ownership of their lives, but I refuse. I''ll make my own way from now on."


    A small smile curled the corners of his mom''s lips, "How are you going to do that?"


    Derek didn''t find it very amusing. "You let me worry about that. Maybe I''ll work for Rod Hockenson. I don''t know. I can''t believe I''m saying this, but he seems like the only person with any sense in this entire town."


    Lisa''s smile widened, "You''re going to work for your so-called arch-nemesis to get back at us? You''ll still have a job here after you''ve finished with your little temper tantrum and get back your common sense. Reid''s been excited to work with you. I think you two boys will get along."


    "When I get some sense? I''m the only one with any sense left. I''m glad you find selling your soul to the highest bidder amusing, but I have higher standards." Derek said, noticing a calendar on the wall. It still had the Dunn, Dunn, Dunn logo in its margins, and it held a picture of a smiling Derek at the top of a human pyramid of the part-time workers Dunn, Dunn, Dunn had employed the previous summer. Derek pulled it from the wall, the pin holding it in place, skittering across the tile, "And I''m keeping this. You don''t deserve it."


    "I know I raised you better than that, thinking you can talk to your mother that way," Lisa said, advancing toward him. One of her famous tempers brewed in her eyes. Derek didn''t care.


    "Better than what? To speak the truth? To hold up a mirror to naked hypocrisy? I must''ve learned that lesson in spite of you because you seem to have difficulty being honest with anyone, including yourself. I''ll treat you with respect when you do something I can respect."


    His mom stopped mid-stride, the storm behind her eyes extinguished in a heartbeat, "I''m sorry you feel that way."


    The heartbreak in her tone extinguished Derek''s temper just as quickly. He wished he could rewind, taking it all back, "I''m sorry, Mom. I didn''t mean that."


    Her eyes hardened. "You said what you meant, Derek Dunn. I think it''s best you leave. This area is for employees only." Derek started toward the door. "Leave the calendar here. We won''t want to call Sheriff Johnson, now would we?"


    "Are you serious?" Derek asked, "I just wanted something to remember the old store by."


    "Serious as a heart attack." Derek''s mom said, without a shred of his mother on her face. She was just Lisa Dunn. Derek could understand why Lisa Dunn struck fear into the hearts of so many, but then again, Derek had faced down dinosaurs and golems. If she wanted to call the cops, she could be his guest.


    As Derek turned to leave, calendar in hand, his mom struck out so fast she was only a blur in his peripheral vision. Derek''s hand instinctively tightened on the calendar, so when his mom tried to yank it from his hands, he pulled back equally as hard. The result was the calendar tearing right down the middle. Smiling faces and reminders of better times fluttered to the ground. Derek left them there. That wasn''t the world he lived in anymore.


    Derek ignored the unfamiliar shelves of Wilmart and hurried out of the store with his head down. He couldn''t take it anymore. Reid said something about desperately needing to talk to Derek, but Derek didn''t trust himself to speak to the pompous business heir. Then they really would have had to call down Sheriff Johnson. A cheerful jingle announced the last time Derek would ever set foot in the building that used to be his parent''s store.


    There was a time in the not-so-distant past when Derek felt lost, frustrated, or abandoned, the first place he''d have gone would''ve been the lake. Fights with his family, friends leaving, or just garden-variety existential crises had always sent him to that beautiful, placid pool of water, but it was tainted now. He couldn''t look at Golden Lake without all the Hero of Prophecy-shaped baggage dragging him down. While he was wasting his time fishing, was he condemning an entire race of people to a slow death because he couldn''t think of a way to save them? Was he abandoning his heretical friend to a painful execution while he dreamed of winning a fishing tournament? Was every second he waited for a nibble a second that World Wide Wilco was buying and corrupting another portion of his town? Logically, he knew that everything wasn''t on his shoulders, but logic had no place in a pity party, and there wasn''t a corner in Derek''s mind he could turn without finding a piece of his subconscious dining on complimentary self-loathing.


    Derek let his feet carry him, paying no attention to the direction. He should''ve known that muscle memory was too ingrained in him. His feet knew the patterns of taking him home after a long day of work, and that''s where they''d gone. Blue light glimmered in the window of his parent''s living room, and Derek knew his dad had to be in there watching a sports program. At any other time, his dad''s silence would''ve been comforting, a part of Derek''s routine, but today, it felt accusatory. Derek didn''t want to be alone, but that''s what he deserved.


    His tiny home was tidier than when he''d left it. His mom must''ve done a cleaning pass while missing him, and Derek felt another pang of guilt, her blank, hurt expression flashing in his mind. Derek''s living space felt uncomfortably large now that he didn''t share the space with the amberkin anymore. Thoughts of Teetch reminded Derek of how desperately he needed a shower. As the grime washed away, Derek wondered if there was some Amber in the accumulated filth that would never make its way back to the Flow. Teetch probably would''ve berated him for his wastefulness. He wondered where the little amberkin was and if he would think of Derek before the end.


    Wait a minute. It''s not the end¡ªDuck''s message.


    Derek dried off, tied the towel around his waist, and rummaged through the dirty clothes he''d been wearing the last month to find the golden slip of paper that was his last tie to the Giild. As Derek picked up the pile of clothes, something heavy clunked to the floor. His phone. How had that gotten there? Derek distinctly remembered having his phone taken by Wilco and his goons, but there was no mistaking the device. Being a Hero of Prophecy isn''t something you can retire from.


    Derek had a suspicion that whatever he or anyone else did to the phone would always end up back in his pocket, reminding him of the Realms he needed to save. On a typical day, finding the device may have been just the motivating jolt that Derek needed, but today, finding the phone had the opposite effect. Derek felt the crushing weight of responsibility of being a Hero of Prophecy and just how magnificently unsuited Derek was for the task. The phone case dug into his hand, and Derek realized his grip had tightened to the point that his knuckles were white with strain, and the grooves of the phone cases were leaving indents in his skin.


    Naked save for a towel, Derek strode out his front door, phone in hand. He walked until he reached the forest''s edge on his parent''s property. He relished the cool Golden Lake night air, a comforting contrast to the Giild''s muggy heat. Derek took a couple of deep breaths, savoring the familiar sights and sounds, before he cocked his arm back and hurled his phone into the forest. It hit a pine tree with a satisfying thud.


    Screw responsibility. I''ll be a Hero of Prophecy tomorrow.

 Chapter 13: The Wrong Guy

    Chapter 13: The Wrong Guy


    The days started to blend together. Some days, Derek felt tempted to open MythMaker. However, the Quest Failed notification gave him pause, but Derek didn''t need an app to remind him he was a failure. This thought process inevitably ended with him throwing his phone into the woods again. There were days Derek watched trash television series like syndicated sitcoms where the characters never really changed or did anything of lasting import. Their lives and problems felt so small that Derek felt jealous of their meaningless lives. In a way, Derek''s situation was just as funny; a magical scroll misfired. Now, the inept protagonist was supposed to save a Magical world, but he wasn''t even capable enough to save his hometown. Comedy gold. He was still waiting for the writers of his life to devise a contrived series of events to wrap everything up in a neat little bow, but something told him he would be waiting a long time.


    Without the family store or fishing, Derek wasn''t even sure who he was anymore. His old life had had enough inertia to carry him forward without needing to do any introspection about who he was or who he wanted to be, and now that he''d become unmoored from everything he''d used to define himself, Derek felt adrift in an empty ocean of possibility without any shore in sight. Derek''s helplessness got so bad that he even decided to work on his college classes. The professors formatted the courses so that all the content had been uploaded at the beginning of the semester, so exceptionally enterprising or particularly sluggish students had the same opportunity to jam out the entire "18-week course" in a few days. He could feel a vestige of the old Derek complaining that the classes were a waste of time, but he couldn''t deny it felt good to start and complete something. The classes may have felt like a trained monkey could have passed with a B+, but Derek still appreciated the reminder that he wasn''t a failure at everything, just everything that mattered.


    Calendars were the enemy. He didn''t need visual cues reminding him of the deadlines looming over Teetch''s head or how many days he had left of the summer. Eventually, Derek ran out of college classes to occupy his mind, but his mom must have noticed he passed his classes and decided to visit him in his tiny home to offer her congratulations. Derek couldn''t think of anything nice to say in return. If you can''t say anything nice, don''t say anything at all. It wasn''t until she''d been gone for several hours that Derek realized the similarity between his dad''s silent treatment and how he''d treated his mom.


    More days passed. Every time Derek considered opening MythMaker again, saner heads prevailed. He hurled his phone far enough into the woods that he couldn''t find it even if he wanted to. It would be better for everyone involved if Derek forgot all Prophecy-related things. Derek''s powers and abilities didn''t matter; they were still delusions of grandeur, in a way. They let him delude himself into thinking he could do things that mattered, but that was more David or Maddie''s purview. His parents had made it abundantly clear his siblings were better than him at everything, and it was increasingly difficult for Derek to think of a counterargument.  If David had become Hero of Prophecy, he would''ve been crowd surfing in a sea of amberkin, and the Queen would''ve woken up for his brother, probably to kiss him on the cheek.


    "Wreck?" a knock sounded on his door, "You in there?"


    "I''m here," Derek said. "Give me one sec to sneak out the back."


    "Don''t you make me chase you, Derek Dunn," Harmony Walker said, a note of playful warning in her voice.


    "Well, when you put it like that," Derek said, opening and slamming the back door to make it sound like he''d left.


    "Nice, try, Wreck. I''m coming in. You better be decent."


    "Wait, does halfway through a game of online strip poker count as decent?"


    Harmony chuckled and entered his tiny home. She was wearing the customary Derek frown and crinkling of her eyebrows she''d started using on him ever since Reid came to town. Harmony had always wanted to be a part of Derek''s antics back in the day, but she seemed more grown-up than she used to be, more serious. She used to be hungry for the distractions Derek gave her from the doldrums of real life, but now, she didn''t need or want an escape and, therefore, didn''t need Derek. He should''ve seen it coming. That''s what happened with all his other friends. Derek was a good placeholder until something better came along.


    "Well," Harmony said, tapping one of her work boots impatiently. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"


    "Nothing you''d remember or understand."


    "You know what I don''t understand? The reason you always push people away." Harmony said, taking a seat on his bed and crossing her arms.


    Derek shook his head and almost pinched himself to ensure this was real, "You think I''m pushing YOU away? If I didn''t know any better, I would''ve thought you had an elective procedure to get surgically attached to Reid Wilco."


    "So we aren''t best friends anymore because I''m with Reid?" Harmony asked.


    "That''s not what I''m saying," Derek said, "It''s more like you''re always with him. Spending time with you used to be effortless, and now..."


    "It feels different because it is different, Wreck," Harmony said, but before Derek could respond, she kept going, "You know what your problem is? You think change always means something bad. If you had your way, Golden Lake would live crystallized in the summer of our junior year of high school, and it would never change. Every time something changes, it deviates further from your perfect memory of Golden Lake. So when I meet someone important to me, you immediately assume that means you''re less important. Or when someone tries to change the town, your first conclusion is it will change into something evil and nefarious. Life isn''t ever that black and white. Some people felt trapped by Golden Lake, and thanks to Reid, they''re free."


    "Forgive me for not thinking money is a one-size-fits-all solution to every problem like your pal, Reid. I''ll admit he doesn''t seem as bad as I thought he was, but he treats us like he''s the white knight to our provincial bumpkin."


    "When was the last time you talked to him? You got one first impression and decided you knew exactly who Reid was. You ignore the capacity for change or growth because you never do, and the sad thing is, you wear it like a badge of honor. Reid isn''t perfect and probably never will be, but at least he tries to become a better man."


    "You think I don''t?" Derek asked.


    Harmony looked into his eyes for something, but he wasn''t sure if she found it, "Do you?"


    "Did you just come here to compare me to your boyfriend? I already get enough of this from my parents. Do you have any other thrilling insights for me? Tell me you brought a list."


    "Derek, I didn''t come here to nag you or to tell you to be someone you''re not."


    "Then why did you come here?"


    "Because you don''t feel like Derek anymore." Harmony said, "Even when you were annoying or infuriating, we could always count on you to put a smile on people''s faces or attempt some new bait or fishing strategy to beat Rod at the Jamboree. You''ve been so worried about Golden Lake changing, but did you even stop to consider how much your change affects everyone else in Golden Lake?"


    "I haven''t changed. I''m not even sure I can change. That''s part of the problem. Golden Lake needs someone¡­" Derek paused, "Better than me. I can''t help but feel if these things had happened to someone else, that person would''ve known what to do. Sometimes, I feel like all I''m good at is making things worse."


    Harmony laughed, "I''m not even sure I should dignify that with a response, but you seem like you''re in rough shape, so I''ll make an exception."


    Derek laughed with her. He''d forgotten how good it felt. Harmony pressed on, "Derek, there aren''t too many people better than you, not in a cheesy way, but in a genuine sort of way. Sure, you''ve got flaws, but who doesn''t? But when you take the measure of a person, you think about their impact on those around them. If we don''t count Reid," she said with a chuckle, "I don''t think a single person in Golden Lake is worse off for having known Derek Dunn. You really care. Most people are polite because it is the socially convenient thing to do, or they want something from someone, but when you make small talk, you care what people are saying and take that into account in future dealings with them. You probably know more about these people and this town than anyone. If you ask me, that''s precisely what Golden Lake needs. You can''t put a price on that."


    Derek wanted to succumb to Harmony''s sincerity. It would be nice if everything were that simple, but there was so much more behind the scenes that she couldn''t possibly understand. Wallace Wilco and the Wheel were ruining their respective Realms. Derek was the only person not slated for execution with any knowledge of what was going on, but he couldn''t do anything about it. So what if he could make people feel warm and fuzzy inside or cast a fishing rod? Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    A loud crack split the air. Derek and Harmony recognized it as the sound of someone toppling a tree, a result of construction companies'' attempts to reclaim some of the wilderness around Golden Lake for a new housing development.


    "It doesn''t matter, Harm. Wallace Wilco can put a price tag on anything, and I can''t go around making people feel good while some rich jerk steals their home and lives out from under them to make his comically large stack of gold even larger." Derek left out the part where Wilco was also there to pump Golden Lake dry of its Magic.


    "Did you ever stop to consider that maybe Wilco is exactly what some people needed to be free of this town finally? I know you love it, but some people would do anything to get out there and explore the world or, if not the world, somewhere other than a smelly lake town."


    "Trust me, I''ve seen what''s out there. It''s nothing to write home about."


    When Harmony replied, her voice rose as if she were agitated at what Derek had said, "This isn''t a joke to me, Wreck. Just because you''ve probably seen some of the world on TV doesn''t mean you''ve actually been there. Isn''t there some part of you that''s the least bit curious about what''s out there? College? Amusement Parks? Fancy restaurants? Wilco''s money might be the chance some of us need to get out there and experience the world for ourselves."


    At some point in Harmony''s rant, Derek realized what was happening. He''d been so focused on himself that he missed what was right before him.


    "Harm, you''re not leaving. Right?"


    "Ma sold the diner."


    "You can''t leave," Derek said. You''re the only one who stayed. You can''t just leave now after you already decided to stay. That''s not right."


    "I applied to some schools. Some of them even have some good engineering programs. Randy''s great, but there was only so much he could teach me. I want more, Wreck. Tell me some part of you doesn''t feel the same."


    "What is with people''s obsessive need to make everyone else validate their choices? Why is it so hard for people to believe this is all I want from life? I would''ve been thrilled fishing and working in the family store until the day I died. I didn''t need or want anything else, just maybe a couple of friends who felt the same way. Why is something so simple too much to ask for?"


    Harmony sighed and shook her head. Then she took a deep breath and seemed to steel herself before patting a spot beside her on the bed. Derek sat next to her, and Harmony made meaningful eye contact. Derek could tell whatever she was about to say was hard for her.


    "Wreck, have you ever wondered why you never want anything to change? It''s not normal. Normal people want things. They want to expand and grow. There''s nothing wrong with being happy with what you have, but that''s not what you''re doing. You''re obsessively clinging to every piece of an ideal life that only exists in your mind."


    Derek stood up and looked out the window. Suddenly, he couldn''t meet Harmony''s eyes any longer. Without that knowing expression boring into his soul, it was easier to form a reply, "You can leave now, Harmony. It''s harder to obsessively cling to my idealized version of our friendship while you''re still here. Let''s skip to the part where you leave me like everyone else. That''s what you want to do anyway."


    "No, I won''t let you push me away right as things get tough."


    "Do you wanna bet?'' Derek asked acidly.


    Something in Derek''s voice must have given Harmony pause because he could hear her get up and leave. Derek couldn''t tell if the "Goodbye Derek" he heard was real or imagined.


    Derek didn''t feel better when Harmony left, but it was easier to avoid thinking while she was gone. Harmony''s visit taught him a valuable lesson: He would have more visitors if he kept moping around his house. No visitors could help him; they just made everything hurt more.


    The weather was nice enough to be outside with a light jacket, so Derek left home and went to the lake. The lake used to be a haven for Derek, where he could escape the troubles of nagging responsibilities and get lost in nature, but it now served a different purpose. Derek found a sturdy and tall tree to sit under and sat perfectly still. No Sudden Moves guaranteed he wouldn''t have any interruptions. Derek spent the rest of that day staring at the reminder of his failure.


    ¦µ


    The first day at the lake was the hardest, but each sequential day got easier. He''d bring himself a lunch, and Derek would spend the day watching the lake, mostly invisible to the rest of the town. If anyone noticed or followed him, Derek didn''t know or care. They eventually lost him when he sat against his trusty tree and watched the town change.


    Derek watched the bustle and change of Golden Lake with an almost horrified fascination as the old and new blended and became one. WWW renovated an old boat garage that Derek hadn''t seen used in years. There wasn''t a day that went by when one of the suits from WWW didn''t have a boat out on the lake. They always seemed to be looking for something, but Derek couldn''t begin to guess what. It didn''t matter how early Derek started arriving. The WWW boat and early birds like Larry Kennig and Ryan Gary were always out there.


    With his idle surveillance of WWW, Derek started to notice other patterns and routines. In their way, the people of Golden Lake were just as interesting a subject as a fish''s specific patterns and habits. It was fun to learn their behavioral idiosyncrasies and wonder if he could catch them if they were fish. Derek wondered if he''d used to be as predictable as these people. Randy McGuffin took three smoke breaks each day, all roughly within five minutes of each other from one day to the next. Ava Renteria, Andy''s mom, still worked in the kitchen of the Lucky Catch hotel through the change in management, and she always took the time to dump kitchen leavings in the lake. Birds and fish gathered and waited for the woman''s daily post-lunch rush visit. Derek tried to ignore the pang of guilt he felt whenever he saw her. Sometimes Chuck would be walking the lake''s perimeter after school, or is school out by now? Derek hoped that Chuck''s wanderings and Ava''s kitchen trek would eventually coincide, but the two never did run into each other.


    The routines gave Derek some measure of comfort and something to look forward to each day. It became easier and easier to forget and lose himself in the lives of others without becoming an active participant. He didn''t even know what his new place would be in these patterns, and in many ways, it made him happier that life persisted whether or not he was a part of it. The days got warmer and brighter, and Derek started noticing lots of new faces. He could tell they weren''t from Golden Lake. They wore a myriad of bright colors and paid attention to the wrong things. Summer people never appreciated the real beauty of Golden Lake. Derek didn''t know if it was his imagination, but this year, it felt like there were a lot more of them.


    The Idealogram that WWW left under the dock was something Derek did his best to avoid noticing, but he could feel its presence with a set of senses that Derek never knew he had. If Golden Lakes'' color palette was green and gold, then the Idealogram would throb with a dull crimson glow that intensified the more people there were near it. The sigil drew tourists like moths to a flame. Derek didn''t think they knew what they were doing, but sometimes groups as large as ten people would find themselves milling around aimlessly on that section of the dock without ever knowing why. Derek tried to imagine the scholarly conjecture Teetch would''ve made. Proxiposition of Humans seems to be a power source for the Idealogram. Humans make convenient fuel for Idealomantic endeavors because they are so easy to manipulate. He had difficulty getting Teetch''s voice right in his head. It felt so long since he''d heard it. Derek wondered if the Idealograms had been drawn around the lake to attract tourists. It was precisely what he would assume money-grubbing warlocks would use Magic to do. More tourists = More money.


    "Don''t bother gettin'' up," a familiar voice said. Derek couldn''t believe he hadn''t heard or smelled its owner approaching. Rod Hockenson settled to the ground next to him, watching the lake. He had a long, green blade of grass sticking out of the corner of his mouth and was wearing a pair of black waders. The familiar smell of live bait and coffee wafted off him in waves.


    "How can you see me?" Derek asked.


    "See ya, boy? Yer sittin'' out in the middle of the open, plain as day. Course I saw ya." Rod said with a chuckle, altogether avoiding the underlying meaning behind the question, "How could I not see ya out here, day after day, wastin'' yer life away?"


    "If I''m wasting my life, what do you call what you''ve been doing every day for the last fifteen years?" Derek asked, forgetting that he''d wanted to talk to Rod about the night he''d entered the Giild. He had so much he wanted to say to the man, but the old fisherman was a pro at derailing just about every conversation.


    "I already lived my life, boy. I had more ''an my fill to tell ya true. Prolly had more than any man should stomach, but all that''s behin'' me. Now, I get to enjoy what''s left. Fishin'' and workin'' my shop is more ''an enough fer me, but a little gup such as yerself has plenty left. It''s a cryin'' shame to watch ya waste it."


    "What''s left to waste?" Derek asked. "The life I wanted slipped through my grasp the more I clung to it. Golden Lake, the family store, my friends¡ªthey''re all gone. Everything I wanted for my future couldn''t have turned out more different."


    "What''s want got anythin'' to do wit'' it? A true fisherman shoulda learned this lesson a hunnerd times o''er by now. It don'' matter what ye bring or what yer plannin''. Ye gotta adapt, think on yer feet, be patient. I don'' get the best catch e''ery year because I''m the best planner. Nah, I win e''ery year because there''s no one better at usin'' what life gave ''im. I''m a bona fide expert at makin'' lemonade outta whate''er crap life throws my way. That''s my secret."


    Derek snorted, "That''s not much of a secret. It''s basically a hick version of telling me to go with the flow."


    "All the best philosophies are," Rod said with a grin. The blade of grass wobbled but stayed in his mouth.


    "How''s that supposed to help me? If I keep going with this flow, my family store will be gone for good, I''ll probably lose Harmony, have to move somewhere else, and Golden Lake will be a billionaire''s tourist theme park. What am I supposed to do, just let it happen?"  Derek asked. He didn''t mention Teetch, but the little Heretic''s execution weighed heavily on his mind.


    "Yer not listenin''. Don'' just let life happen to ya. Ye can''t control the weather, boy, but ya can control yer response. When it''s rainin'', do you give up or buy yerself a raincoat? Are you sure yer the same fella that was out there ice fishin'' so they could finally get the best o'' me?"


    "That fella had a whole lot of life happen to him since then," Derek said, but that was hardly an excuse. Rod''s tirade was scolding that passive mindset, but what could Derek do about any of this? These problems were more significant than a small-town grocer, college student, and Angler. He sighed and shook his head at what he had to do next. It was time to ask for help. "What if he doesn''t know where to start?"


    "How''s about he start with a little job?"

 Chaper 14: Junkyard Dogs

    Chapter 14: Junkyard Dogs


    Being offered a job by Rod stung Derek''s pride just enough to work. Turning down a job offered by his former rival felt wrong to the fiber of his being. Moping around and watching life pass him by was like letting Rod gain a victory over him in some indescribable way, so Derek heard him out. As Rod described the job, MythMaker rewarded Derek with a sidequest.


    Side Quest Acquired!


    One Man''s Trash: Rod Hockenson''s junkyard is a dumping ground for items deemed of no worth. Someone or something has found value there. Investigate and discover the source of the junkyard disturbance.


    After Derek read the notification for his new sidequest, a notification on Dirk Dawn''s job board burst into flames, and a new message wrote itself in flaming letters.


    Side Quest Failed!


    Derek Dunn Ace Attorney: The amberkin ruled in favor of executing Teetch kin Baaltha, and you could''ve done more.


    Debuff Acquired!


    Heretic Lite: Derek Dunn is a known accomplice of the last Carver, a known heretic. Description: In future dealings with Shaper members of the amberkin race, Derek Dunn will receive a -3 penalty to his Community attribute. Addendum: Heretic Lite does not apply to special classes of amberkin like the Queen or the Wheel.


    A glowing red icon of a circle with a slash through it and Teetch''s face in the center emblazoned itself onto Dirk Dawn''s shoulder like a prison tattoo and a permanent reminder of Derek''s debuff. Thankfully, Derek didn''t get a mirrored tattoo on his shoulder, but he still cringed at the drastic change of his 16-bit likeness. It would serve as a potent reminder of his failure. Somewhere in the back of Derek''s mind, there was a part of him still scheming to go back to the Giild and save Teetch, and the debuff meant that it would have to be a solo operation. None of the other amberkin would be inclined to help him.


    At that moment, the thought of the amberkin reminded Derek of Duck''s frantic message. There just never seemed to be a good time to read it, and once Derek had succumbed to self-pity, he''d decided not to read the message because it would''ve just made him feel worse about himself. For better or worse, Derek wouldn''t be running any longer. He didn''t know if it would make a difference, but Rod''s almost incomprehensible pep talk had served as a wake-up call. Derek had forgotten what it meant to be a true Angler. Failure was the bread and butter of a fisherman, but so was the relentless pursuit of their goals. It was time for Derek to bait the hook and try again. Even if it meant failure, at least he would fail, having done so as a true fisherman.


    Derek opened the Equipment screen of MythMaker and decked himself out in his gear. The familiar weight of the Wooden Rod and Iron Fillet Knife felt right in a way that seemed connected to his soul in some profound, spiritual way, like he''d been missing limbs of his soul, and their addition made him complete in a way he hadn''t been since his return to Golden Lake. Derek strode through town with his head held high and paid no mind to the stares of the summer people watching the guy with the fishing pole strapped to his back and knife on his belt.


    Before Derek went to the junkyard, he had one last stop to make. Duck''s message was right where he''d left it, tucked into a back corner of the bottom drawer of his dresser. Derek unrolled the faintly golden tube of material amberkin used as paper, and the fresh smell of citrus Derek attributed to Amber wafted from the page. The message was in a flowing script that Derek couldn''t read, but as he examined the scroll, he saw the letters and markings reorient themselves until they were in perfect English. Derek wondered if MythMaker had some innate translation feature or if whoever had sent him the message had cast a spell to make it readable for Derek. He guessed it was the former because he''d understood every amberkin he''d spoken to and was sure none spoke English as a courtesy to Derek except Teetch. When the letters finished orienting themselves, Derek read the missive.


    Derek Dunn,


    I will skip the pleasantries as I''m writing this message in haste. The Wheel has ordered your exile, and there is a short window of time in which this may reach you. Although the Wheel has ordered the execution of Teetch kin Baaltha, I believe that he and you, the Hero of Prophecy, have a vital role left to play. You must find a way to return to the Giild. Do not use the Keeper''s Hut. Chaasmyth has your scent, and I doubt you will be as lucky during your second encounter. Once you''re in Othiamphuus, wait until the Feeding. I''ve instructed my loyalists to take you directly to me. I will work on a way for the two of us to free your friend, but it is imperative you return as soon as possible. I fear that without your intervention, all hope would be lost, not just for the Giild but all Realms.


    Spoke of the Wheel, Preevka kin Vaasla


    P.S. You may be wondering how I was able to send you this missive. My Feeders stumbled upon this Swooper shortly after your arrival in the Giild. It reeks of Human, so I held onto it in case it could prove helpful. I''m unsure what you''ve done to garner such loyalty from the creature, but it has not stopped pining for you since your imprisonment.


    As Derek read the message, he was glad he''d waited so long. Preevka may have preached urgency, but he hadn''t been ready before. Pity Party Derek hadn''t been prepared for the burden of responsibility, but now its weight settled over him like a cloak. He didn''t have the first idea how he would return to the Giild, but he would do everything in his power to make it happen. After all, World Wide Wilco had a Gate. Why shouldn''t he try and use it? First, he felt he would need some new Angler skills under his belt before he made his attempt. He would only get one shot. Derek remembered the last side quest he''d successfully completed, which bestowed him with new gear and abilities. Without a better plan, he''d start there.


    ¦µ


    Rod''s junkyard had always felt out of place in a picturesque town like Golden Lake. It was hard to imagine a place so beautiful could generate waste, but dumping it all in one out-of-the-way location aided in that illusion, out of sight, out of mind. Derek understood the necessity. Golden Lake was out of the way without a convenient method to dispose of waste, especially the larger stuff, so Rod''s junkyard acted as a holding ground before a proper waste disposal company could make the long trek to Golden Lake and take care of it. Simple trash made the garbage truck ride out of Golden Lake, but larger, harder-to-dispose-of items sat and languished in the other half of Rod''s business, the junkyard. Derek didn''t know how it generated income and wasn''t sure he cared to know.


    The junkyard had a ticket booth-looking structure and one of those yellow metal bars that raised or lowered to admit or deny entry. Still, the faded and rusted metal bar to the junkyard stood permanently open. Derek had never seen it lowered. It looked warm and inviting for intruders, but a security laser activated an alarm if someone snuck in from that entrance. A chain link fence spread from both sides of the ticket booth. In his lifetime, he''d seen the fence''s boundaries expand as more large junk entered that was too large or cumbersome to be removed via normal means. The back of the yard pressed against the forest, and the boughs of pine trees mingled with some of the larger piles of junk on the outskirts. Derek could remember when he, Bridger, and Jake had used the same sagging boughs to sneak into the yard. He wondered if that was how Rod''s mystery guest was getting onto the grounds.


    The way Rod described it, no matter how much security he set up or how long he waited, someone snuck into the yard and messed with stuff whenever he wasn''t looking or had to leave. Derek asked if the culprit was stealing anything, and Rod answered in the negative. He just said things were "diff''rnt" whenever his visitor came by. The visitor moved things around and dug holes in the ground but filled them back up. It sounded to Derek that Rod''s visitor was a skittish animal that liked to come by when he was away, but Derek''s side quest notification made him feel like something bigger was at play. It wasn''t like Rod to worry about some animal rummaging through trash.


    When Derek arrived at the yard, he didn''t know how Rod could tell that someone had disturbed anything. Derek was no expert, but it looked disturbed enough already. There were approximately seven mountainous piles of junk, three times that of hill-sized piles. Rod''s junkyard contained refuse from over fifteen years of Golden Lake''s lifespan, but Derek found it hard to imagine he and his neighbors had accumulated this much waste. It was an amount that defied reason. When Derek tried walking around the yard, the piles of refuse were so tall the place had an almost mazelike effect. In some ways, walking amongst the used furniture and junked cars felt like Derek was in another time and place than Golden Lake. At one point, he would''ve sworn he''d even seen a suit of armor halfway up a huge pile. Rod must have had a sixth sense when it came to his junk because Derek didn''t have the first clue how he would catch someone in this maze and whether or not he would spot the difference when there was an intruder.


    The new and improved Derek wouldn''t let that stop him. Without the credibility lent by a MythMaker side quest, he might have concluded that this visitor was in Rod''s imagination, but Derek pressed forward like the big fisherman did have an elusive visitor who only showed up whenever Rod was gone. Derek wandering around the junkyard wouldn''t flush out whoever or whatever was rummaging around, but he wasn''t sure what he should do instead. This new job didn''t immediately strike Derek as something an Angler was suited for, but then again, MythMaker also had given him a quest to slay dinosaurs and make his parents proud. He would have to make do with what he had.


    On the second day of junkyard guard duty, Derek paced the grounds and tried to get into the intruder''s mind. Derek ruled out using Wonder Bait to lure them into the open. Whatever the visitor''s motivation, it didn''t seem to be food-related, and who knew what kind of weird creature he might inadvertently draw into Golden Lake? As he paced the grounds, Derek looked for tracks but saw no signs of passage save for his own in the dirt. He decided that Rod''s intruder was intelligent enough to cover its tracks. Rod showed him the areas where the intruder had dug, and the holes started in places on the outskirts of the yard and were working their way inward like they were systemically looking for something. Derek assumed they were canny enough not to show their face while Derek was actively looking around the yard. As he walked through the winding piles of trash and thought about the intruder as something he had to "catch," a plan started to take shape in his mind.


    ¦µ


    Wearing a brown hoodie, the color closest to Rod''s junk he could find, Derek sat perfectly still. Derek spent the last several days examining the sights of the intruder''s excursions, paying special attention to the most recent digs. Derek best guessed where he thought the mysterious interloper would strike next. Derek spent his third day on the case, testing a new use for one of his Angler abilities and setting up a makeshift trap for the intruder. On night three, Derek waited for hours to no avail; it was the same for nights four and five. Derek refined his setup each time, camouflaging his fishing line and rearranging the makeshift caltrops he''d made from fishing hooks.


    Perched halfway up a pile of trash, Derek watched the yard. This evening was the sixth night he was on the case, and he felt like this would be the one. He had the most extensive and well-hidden fishing line set up, and his caltrops would be indistinguishable to the naked eye. Derek''s vantage on the junk pile would ensure he got a good look at the visitor, and No Sudden Moves would ensure Derek remained hidden while the intruder wandered into Derek''s trap. He couldn''t be sure how he knew, but Derek knew that this was the night. The first few nights, Derek had given up around midnight and went home, but his constant surveillance and observations of the intruder''s habits made him feel like he was getting inside their head. Derek had no idea what their motivations were or what they were doing, but he could feel like tonight, their wanderings would have them stumble right into Derek''s trap.


    From Derek''s vantage, he could see a good swathe of the fence, including the branches he''d used to break into the yard once upon a time. The perimeter was well-lit, with bright flood lights pointed toward the interior of the yard, but the further one traveled into the yard, the light coverage got spottier. Junk piles blocked lines of sight, creating a warren of light and shadow that made it easier to avoid notice. Derek''s best bet was to get a glimpse of the intruder as they were entering the compound. Otherwise, he might lose them in the shadows and miss an opportunity to get the jump on them. Despite hours passing with no sign of Rod''s looter, Derek''s surety never wavered; something inside him knew that night would be the night.


    When someone spends extended periods without moving, it exacts a weird strain on their muscles. Derek would have thought staying still would be relatively easy, but his screaming muscles quickly disavowed him of that notion. His muscles felt like a guitar string that had been strained too tight and threatened to break with the extra tension. Although there was still no sign of his visitor, Derek fought even the slightest movement with every fiber of his being. Logically, he knew revealing himself to Rod''s intruder wasn''t a big deal, but deeper down, he suspected his psyche couldn''t take another loss. He needed the win. Derek''s newfound, proactive resolution to be more of a hero and storm the Giild and rescue Teetch was like a baby fawn still trying to find its legs, and Derek worried that if he fell here, he might not get back up. As Derek wondered whether sweat dripping down his forehead counted as movement, he heard something empty and metallic clang followed by a muffled curse.


    The sound came from behind Derek toward the interior. If it were the intruder, he''d somehow managed to sneak in behind Derek. If Derek tried changing positions, he risked alerting the wily intruder, and even if he miraculously managed to get the jump on his guest, Derek would be at a disadvantage because they''d be nowhere near his carefully laid traps. Derek needed a way to lure the guy over. Derek had hesitated to pull the Wonder Bait from its MythMaker Inventory slot because of its ominous warning about attracting creatures that weren''t native to the Realm. With Derek''s luck, he could imagine it attracting a dragon or something. Derek had never asked Teetch if dragons were real, but Derek thought it was a safe bet. He just hoped they didn''t like Wonder Bait.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Derek turned the brightness on his phone to his lowest setting so that when his phone 3D printed with its little neon laser, hopefully, it wouldn''t reveal his position. The laser did look noticeably dimmer as it printed the gelatinous, white cube into his hand. Derek still hadn''t heard anything from the intruder, but he assumed they were somewhere in the junkyard and hadn''t cut their losses. With an underhanded toss, he threw the cube into a little clearing free of trash that acted as an intersection for several winding paths, all of which Derek had booby-trapped.


    The intersection with the Wonder Bait looked like an island of light in a sea of darkness, and Derek couldn''t help but feel it looked like the most obvious setup in the world. If the intruder was a human, and the muffled curse lent some credence to that assumption, they''d see that conspicuous cube in a well-lit area and avoid it like the plague. However, the item''s description didn''t exclude humans, and Derek had no better ideas aside from scrambling down the mountain of trash and blindly running in the general vicinity of where he heard the noise. Derek decided to take his chances and wait.


    The Wonder Bait did prove to be an irresistible lure to several squirrels and a lean, feral cat with several patches of fur missing from junkyard brawls. When the cat started yowling after pouncing on one of the hapless squirrels, Derek thought the ensuing racket had ruined his chances of finding Rod''s intruder for the evening. Imagine his surprise when a tall figure dressed in a brown trench coat that matched his fedora and unshaven stubble stepped into the patch of light, casting a long shadow over the fighting animals. They looked up at the figure in unison and bolted into the night.


    Aside from the fact that he was rummaging around a junkyard in the middle of the night, he seemed normal. He reminded Derek of the type of guy you''d see on the cover of a detective novel. Unshaved with a rugged kind of handsome that most guys only think they can pull off. The mystery man moved with a languid grace that belied an innate athleticism that reminded Derek of all things, like a lioness about to pounce on an unsuspecting gazelle. Derek''s original plan had been to throw an Improved Cast while cutting off all avenues of escape by pulling taut the tripwire Derek held in his other hand, but it felt weird throwing a cast at a fellow human.


    While Derek''s indecision stayed Derek''s hand, the man reached for the Wonder Bait and picked it up. Once he had the cube in his hand, he held it to his nose and sniffed. He turned directly to where Derek was hiding and said, "Do you know how distracting this is?"


    Derek tried to shift gears from stalking to conversation mode, but he realized the question was rhetorical when the guy tossed the Wonder Bait back at him.


    "I don''t know who you are, kid, but someone''s paying me a lot to complete this job. You scurry on back to wherever it is you came from before this gets ugly." the man said with a low, rough voice like a growl, "I won''t tell if you don''t."


    "Who are you?" Derek asked, stowing the Wonder Bait in a zippered pocket, "And who hired you?"


    The guy tsked and shook his head, "Ohhh, you thought this was a conversation. Honest mistake because of the words and all. It was more of a friendly threat. I don''t need killing a kid on my conscience, especially since it''s not part of the job. Now, be a good boy and listen to your elders."


    Derek quickly considered his next move. If he left, he could technically tell Rod who was messing with his junkyard but couldn''t tell him who they were or why they were there. Something told him that if he let the guy go now, Derek or Rod would never see this mysterious stranger again. On the other hand, Derek could still try to catch him and wring some answers out of him, but the guy had talked about killing Derek in the same way someone would describe spilling something on their shirt and lamenting having to take it to a dry cleaner. Derek didn''t want to be the stain. He also didn''t want to be the guy who failed another side quest.


    Before the stranger could react, Derek hefted the Wooden Rod from his back and yelled Improved Cast into the night. The energy and Magic crackling through his body felt good as he channeled it into a cast aimed at a spot near the man''s calf. Derek had no desire to hurt him, but he also needed to hobble him so he couldn''t escape. Since he''d threatened to kill Derek moments before, Derek felt less guilty about the idea of a hook sinking into the meaty flesh of his calf, but as it turned out, Derek didn''t have anything to feel guilty about. As the hook sped toward the man''s leg, he waited until the hook was nearly brushing the fabric of his pant legs before he neatly sidestepped the hook and started sprinting into the darkness. Derek hadn''t been ready for the stranger to react so quickly, but he still had his backup plan.


    Days prior, he''d practiced cutting some fishing line and then concentrating on applying Line of Steel to the cut strands. The experiment taught him he could do it, but it was limited to one line at a time because it was concentration-based, and he couldn''t concentrate on more than one. Yet Derek pulled taut a line he''d strung throughout every exit path out of their island of light. If it didn''t completely trip the canny stranger, he hoped it would slow him down enough for Derek to get to him or attempt another cast. It had been so long since Derek used the ability, and he''d forgotten the following fatigue. He didn''t know if there was any running in his future, but sliding down a pile of trash was still in his wheelhouse.


    The stranger cursed, followed by a sharp intake of air. Derek had strategically placed the caltrops in places near his impromptu trip wires. That way, whoever tried to escape would be hindered, even if they spotted the trip wire. However, those who tripped would fall directly into the jagged traps, or at least that was the plan. Derek took off in the direction of the intruder. Derek''s limbs responded better than he would''ve assumed. It had been so long since he used his abilities. However, the fatigue effects of Improved Cast already seemed to be wearing off, and Derek started frantically reeling in his spent line so that he could use it in another attempt if necessary. The intruder hadn''t made any more telling sounds, and Derek worried his makeshift trap hadn''t slowed the man down enough.


    "I don''t get paid enough for this," Derek heard the stranger say. His voice sounded rougher and more guttural than before, and he was also much further away.


    Something birdlike shrieked from the same direction, and Derek sprinted into the darkness. He used his phone flashlight to light the way, stealth no longer a priority. Specks of blood littered the path, so Derek knew his trap had some minor effect, but the intruder powered through it. If it hadn''t been for the third party crashing the scene, the mysterious man would''ve escaped, and Derek knew he would''ve never seen him again. Judging by sounds of exertion and the occasional shriek, Derek guessed both the newcomer and the man in the fedora were locked in some struggle.


    As Derek approached, he noticed a smell that overpowered the junkyard''s curious blend of rusted metal, mud, and pine. The new smell reminded Derek of rotting meat and blood. The site of the intruder''s conflict was on another island of floodlit space, with two mountains of trash framing the conflict on either side. In one corner, the intruder stood, but he barely resembled the calm and composed man who''d been strolling through the junkyard moments before. He seemed taller but, at the time, more hunched. At some point, the man had removed his coat, and the grey button-up shirt underneath was straining against muscle and brown fur. His hands ended in spindly fingers and jagged black claws. When Derek entered the scene, the man turned his head. The reflected light from Derek''s phone illuminated predatory eyes, devoid of humanity.


    The intruder''s opponent seized the momentary distraction. Talons raked down the man''s chest. Buttons split, and flesh tore. The newcomer pushed off the man/beast, leaving two fresh sets of rent flesh down the man''s chest. The junkyard intruder yelped in pain. It reminded Derek of the sound Eustace Everly''s dog made the one time the old drunk had kicked it. Without thinking, Derek prepared another Improved Cast, but this time at the intruder''s opponent, the one Derek knew was responsible for the new carrion smell in the junkyard. It had the scaly, birdlike legs of a rooster but human-sized. Its upper half resembled a human woman''s save for the massive set of oily wings sprouting from its shoulder blades and the black beady eyes that reminded Derek of rats. The beast was human-shaped, but there was nothing human in those eyes.


    After it slashed at the man''s chest, the carrion creature pushed off him and flapped its enormous wings. It circled its prey, waiting for another opportunity to swoop in and strike. It watched its quarry with a single-minded determination, and if it noticed Derek at all, it gave no sign. Its movements were just the right amount of unpredictability for Derek to worry about being able to land an Improved Cast with any degree of accuracy. Judging by the devastation it had wrought on its first pass, Derek felt the hairy man wouldn''t survive another interaction with the beast, his answers dying with him. Derek''s only chance would be when it decided to strike again, but if Derek messed up the timing, he''d have another failed quest under his belt and a dangerous bird creature to deal with. Some of him wanted to cast Identify to improve his chances, but things were happening too quickly for Derek to guarantee he could do it before the creature struck.


    The original intruder breathed heavily, turning in a wary circle, watching the bird thing. Meanwhile, the bird seemed to be watching the intruder with murderous intent, waiting for a perfect moment to strike. Derek didn''t know what it saw, but he saw something change in the creature''s eyes, maybe a murderous gleam, but before the beast started its dive, Derek bellowed an Improved Cast. The bird didn''t seem to care; its focus was on its prey. Derek aimed for a space he predicted the bird would be. If Derek judged right, his hook would pierce the connective tissue between the wing and shoulder blade. He was willing to bet the creature was sensitive there. We''ll be alright if it hurts anything, like getting a paper cut between the fingers.


    As it started to dive, plummeting through the air at a speed nearly faster than Derek''s mind could process, he knew he''d timed the cast perfectly. When the hook bit into soft flesh, Derek pulled. The creature had too much momentum for Derek to do anything other than pull it off course, but that was enough. Its talon sank into soft earth, and it let out an enraged shriek cut short when the man pounced on the bird thing with a blinding speed. The intruder''s teeth sank into the winged creature''s too-human throat and yanked. A cartoonish amount of blood gushed, bathing the earth in its dark ichor. The intruder let the bird creature fall to the ground like a toy he''d lost interest in and turned toward his discarded coat. As he walked, his body slowly returned to that tall, slender man. He still moved with a sinuous grace, but it didn''t look as effortless as before.


    "What are you?" Derek asked.


    The man didn''t even turn to look at Derek, "You really want me to kill you."


    "If that''s what I wanted, surely there are easier ways than hanging out at a junkyard waiting for a guy in a fedora to do the job."


    The intruder laughed, and something dark and wet splattered onto the ground, "Don''t make me laugh. That one felt arterial." The man hacked and coughed, all the while poking around inside the wound left by the bird thing, "That should hold me over for now. You don''t have a shred of survival instinct in you. Do you? Most folks run the other way when they see a wolf monster, and when they''re long gone, they''ve convinced themselves they saw some drug addict having a psychotic break. This job has a way of cleaning up after itself. No killing necessary unless someone sticks their nose where it doesn''t belong."


    "Hate to burst your bubble, but Wolfman doesn''t even break my top three ranking for bizarre Magical creatures."


    The guy stuck an arm in his coat and said, "I don''t know whether to feel sorry for you or impressed, and I don''t mean to sound ungrateful, seeing as you saved my life in all, but my employers aren''t the types that like people poking around and asking the wrong questions, even if they saved a bloke''s life."


    Derek arched an eyebrow, "The wrong questions?"


    "Sure, you''ll ask what I''ve been doing and who my employers are. Forget all that guff. They''re the wrong questions."


    "Alright then, wise guy," Derek said, stepping closer to the man. This guy wasn''t getting out of this without giving Derek some answers, even if that meant Derek would have to get physical, "What are the right questions?"


    "You don''t last long in my line of work without gaining a little insight into what folks are really after. Especially the ones that are paying you to do the wrong job. Like you, you''d be asking about that mysterious fella in the junkyard, but you''re interested in what those Wilco boys are cooking with the amberkin. I can smell it on ya, and I could probably tell ya something about it," the man flashed Derek a wolfish smile, "Free of charge."


    "You''re just trying to distract me," Derek said.


    "If you were smart, you''d let me distract you, kid. That way, we all get to walk out of here."


    "Promise you''ll leave the junkyard alone, and I''ll consider it. After all, I''ve got my own employer to answer to."


    "The big guy? You''re working for him? I didn''t smell that on ya; maybe you aren''t the pup I thought you were." the man said. When Derek didn''t respond to the taunt, the man added, "No promises, that''s one I gotta run through my employer, but I''ll see if I can''t talk them off this little town. That''s the best you''re gonna get, kid. Take it or leave it, but either way, I''m on a schedule here, so make up your mind. If you''re going to attack me, let''s get this over with."


    Derek stopped inching toward the man, but he still clutched his Iron Fillet Knife and replied, "If you don''t tell me anything useful, I don''t see what choice I have."


    "You''re going to try and stick me with that thing? I''d laugh if I didn''t know you were being serious. Has anyone ever told you you''re so earnest it''s depressing? Do you know how rare that is in my line of work? Especially when you''re dealing with the Awakened. If I didn''t know any better, you''re brand new at all this, and you think you stand a chance against me? Depressing. I don''t want a starry-eyed kid like you on my conscience. I''d much rather turn you loose on those know-it-all warlocks. If anyone could stand to be knocked down a couple hundred pegs, it''s those self-important pricks."


    Derek didn''t realize how badly he wanted revenge against WWW until the stranger dangled the thought of taking them down in front of his face. However, Derek wasn''t sure he bought the regretful hired help act. It seemed like a part the guy was playing to distract Derek. Rod hadn''t hired Derek to figure out what was happening with WWW; his side quest reflected that. Derek didn''t know the consequences if he failed another quest but knew he couldn''t give up now. As tempting as the deal was, Derek couldn''t take it.


    "No deal!" Derek said, "Here''s my counter. You tell me who you are and who you''re working for, and I won''t tie you up in an unbreakable fishing line and dump you into the lake. Do Wolf Men get that wet dog smell?"


    The man raised his hands in mock surrender. "I''m quaking in my boots, kid. I really am," the man said, "You''re sure there isn''t another way?"


    Derek met his predatory gaze and nodded. He held the Wooden Rod in one hand and the Iron Fillet Knife in another. He could score a lucky hit if he could get a hook into the guy. Derek didn''t like his chances, but if he was going to be a Hero of Prophecy, he needed to stay the course even if the course had a surly Wolfman in its path.


    In between eye blinks, the suited man had crossed half the distance separating them. By the time Derek raised his hand to cast, even with his improved Level 3 reflexes, the junkyard intruder was already in his face. With a flicker of his arm that Derek''s eyes could barely track, he''d smacked the Rod and Knife out of Derek''s hands. Derek stepped back, and somehow, the man had his foot behind Derek''s. The ground rushed to meet his back, and his breath whooshed out of him. The man pressed an arm corded with muscle to Derek''s throat and applied pressure.


    "Last chance, kid," he said. He had the unfeeling eyes of a predator. A predator didn''t feel remorse when it killed its prey.


    Derek met the stare even as he felt his vision blurring from lack of oxygen.


    Maybe if I die here, the Hero of Prophecy Magic can go and find someone more worthy? Hopefully, they''ll have better luck saving the amberkin and Golden Lake.


    Even as the black closed in and Derek lost his sight, he never stopped staring at his killer. Derek met his fate head-on, even if it meant his death.

 Brief Hiatus

    I hate to do this. Life circumstances have made it really difficult to finish this story to the quality it needs to achieve. Each chapter takes me anywhere from 10-12 hours a week for me to complete, and that is generally what the lion''s share of my free time is spent on.


    This month specifically, I decided that it is is time for a career change. My wife and I are expecting our first child, and being a high school teacher doesn''t cut it in today''s economy. I have a lot of prereqs to go ahead and do something different, and I am taking several online classes to fill in the rest of the gaps. For the month of March, I am going to be jamming out an entire online class, and the time I typically use for Anglers and Amberkin, I need to spend on this online class. However, by the month of April, that class will be done and dusted and we can continue on with our regularly scheduled programming.


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    I have spent too much time writing and planning this story to let it fall by the wayside, and you can rest assured that when the month of March ends, you''ll have some polished chapters ready to go. I would imagine that we will end up going to Chapter 21 or 22 for the first book in this series, and I have every intention for there to be a sequel to Derek''s journey. It feels bad to take this pause, but I genuinely don''t think I can finish it without the quality taking a nosedive.


    I understand how disappointing this is, but I still have big plans for the end, as well as Book 2.


    P.S. The title of Book 2 is  Beholders and Bureaucrats. I have a majority of that book planned out, and if it is possible. For what it is worth, I am even more excited for that book to get going than I was for Anglers, and Anglers is my favorite story I have ever written.