Dunsparce Scribbles

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Volume 2, Chapter 10

Ayyyyyy

Godkillas

Liz: Zaresi.

Zaresi: Liz.

-the two goddesses stare at each other. Morgan looks between them, seeming uncomfortable-

Liz: This can still end, you know.

Zaresi: I was going to say the same.

Liz: Give up the magic. Shoot it all into space or something.

Zaresi: Come back to the right side. There’s nothing that can stop me anymore. Not even you.

Liz: I don’t want to kill you.

Zaresi: I would not worry.

Liz: …Please.

Morgan: Liz? What are you doing?

Liz: Zaresi, please. This is my fault. I made you like this.

-Zaresi tilts her head-

Liz: It’s a long explanation. But…please. Give me a chance to fix it. Just stop all this.

Morgan: Did we come here to talk or fight? You gave me a whole speech about following through, so maybe let’s do that?

Liz: …Right. Z. Last chance. Stand down now, I’ll explain everything, and we can undo what we’ve done.

-Zaresi is still for a while-

Zaresi: No.

-Liz sighs-

Zaresi: I do not know what you are talking about, but I—

Liz: Conversation’s over.

-she holds out a hand, and it expands into a three-dimensional map of sigils. She barks a word, and a red and black beam lances outwards, piercing straight through Zaresi-

Zaresi: Wh-what was that?

Liz: Ritual.

Zaresi: Obviously. You did not consider that I would just cancel it?

-Death magic ripples out from her…and stops-

Zaresi: What?

Liz: (mockingly) “You did not consider that I would just cancel it?” Obviously I did, because that ritual prevents you from doing that anymore. Neat, huh? Set it up while you were on your way here.

Zaresi: …How?

Liz: Magic? Obviously.

-she turns to Morgan-

Liz: Okay, so, I constrained her magic to prevent it from interacting with other magic. She can’t take out rituals like she’s been doing anymore. She can still cast a whole lot more than you can, and I still wouldn’t let her magic touch you, but at least she won’t just cancel everything you do and kill you in seconds, right?

Morgan: Wait, are you not helping?

Liz: Yeah, I really need to go back and keep the zombies from killing your friends.

Zaresi: About that…

-everyone looks over to where Liz has been piling zombie corpses-

-or, at least, where she had been, because the corpses have linked together to form into a massive, misshapen, hulk of bodies-

Morgan: …Um. Yikes.

Liz: …I should probably deal with that.

Morgan: …Please.

Liz: Good luck!

-Morgan gulps as Liz flashes away, and she turns to Zaresi-

Zaresi: …You know I will kill you, right?

Morgan: Nah.

-cut down to the ground. Janice opens fire on Evan, who maneuvers the tentacles from his mat to block her. Quinn sprints around behind him, firing arrow after arrow, but Laura intercepts, disintegrating Quinn’s attacks with a wall of Death magic-

Evan: What happened to us, Janice?

-the two are exchanging fire-

Evan: Didn’t we used to get along?

Janice: That was before you killed Richard.

Evan: Oh, yeah, I guess that’s fair.

-suddenly, Quinn appears within the mass of tentacles. She punches Evan hard enough to knock him off his feet, but several tendrils catch him before he falls and several more block Quinn from approaching again-

Quinn: I have heard enough out of you!

Evan: Oh, are we playing Categories? How about “Things people say right before I kill them?” Phalcoboenus megalopterus!

-he throws another playing card into the air, where it detonates like street fireworks, pressing Quinn towards the tendrils behind her-

Quinn: Is there anything you take seriously?

Evan: “Famous last words?”

Quinn: What on earth could have made you this kind of a person? Is there some excuse you’ve got for this? Rough childhood? I mean, not that that would excuse anything, but you’ve got to give me something!

Evan: “Elementary school counselor report summaries?”

Quinn: You’re literally the worst human being alive.

Evan: “Advice from friends?”

Quinn: Get better friends!

Laura: Hey, Evan? Is Quinn in there?

Evan: We’re having a conversation! Can you give us a moment?

Quinn: Actually, you know what, that’s fine.

-and she vanishes. Evan rolls his eyes, and continues fending off fire from Janice-

-Laura, meanwhile, has been standing around somewhat awkwardly, and seems slightly relieved when Quinn appears, firing arrows at her-

Quinn: Seriously, why do you put up with him?

Laura: I try not to.

Quinn: You don’t seem to do such a terribly good job of it.

Laura: Can we just focus on trying to kill each other?

Quinn: If you insist.

-meanwhile, about a block over, Liz is battling the zombie hulk-

Liz: You know…

-she rips the magic out of it with dozens of Love magic feathers. It collapses to the ground, but almost immediately gets back up-

Liz: That’s the seventh time I’ve killed you. Whatever’s powering you, I’m almost impressed.

-she dodges a massive fist, and detaches it with a slash of Death magic. It disintegrates back into composite bodies, which are quickly reabsorbed into the main mass-

Liz: At least, I might be if you weren’t trying to kill me. Seriously, cut it out.

-her arm transforms into a sigil diagram, and a beam of magic lances through the amalgamate. It slumps, and then magic pulses out from it and it recovers-

Liz: Oh come on, that’s eight! What’ll it take? Maybe thirteen? Zaresi likes thirteen…

-as the amalgamate charges her, she continues killing it over and over again-

-in the sky, Eneril is still battling the Reapers, Dee and Andrew on his back-

Dee: Go east. East!

-Eneril looks around, picks a direction and rockets that way, swirls of flame picking off the Reapers that attempt to follow-

Dee: East, I said! They’ve laid a trap this way!

Eneril: And how, exactly, am I supposed to intuit which way is east?

Dee: Use the sun!

Andrew: Why are you under the impression that we can see the sun?!

-as Eneril keeps flying, dozens of Reapers rise out from behind buildings, intercepting him-

Dee: See? Told you we should have gone east.

-On the rooftops, Morgan charges Zaresi. She leaps across several rooftops and lunges at the goddess, a scythe forming in her hands…and another scythe interposes itself between the two, catching Morgan’s weapon and flinging her off to the side-

Zaresi: Hopeless.

-Morgan catches herself with a pair of scythes before she can fall off the edge of the building-

Morgan: You’re the one with no hope!

Zaresi: I do not understand.

Morgan: You don’t understand!

Zaresi: …That is what I said.

-there’s an awkward pause-

Morgan: Can we just cut the banter? This is ridiculous.

Zaresi: If you insist. I will make this quick then.

-she bats aside another scythe-stroke and sends scythes cascading down around Morgan. She sprints away-

Zaresi: To reiterate, though, this is hopeless.

-she forms a scythe in her hands and slashes it crossways at Morgan. She catches it with her own scythes, and Zaresi starts to push her back-

Zaresi: You have no chance of winning.

-Zaresi whirls the bottom of her cloak, batting Morgan away again. This time she sails over the side of the building and drops about fifty feet before she can get a handhold with her scythes. Her descent changes from a lethal drop to a slow slide-

Zaresi: I have defeated everything in my path so far, including yourself. Fair fight or no, you have never before succeeded in standing against me, and now you come equipped with nothing but a Contract and a fighting spirit? You are arrogant.

Morgan: You’re calling me arrogant?

Zaresi: What did you say?

Morgan: No, seriously, how can you not get the hypocrisy there?

Zaresi: No, I mean, what did you say? You are very far below me. Figuratively, yes, but also at this moment literally.

Morgan: Oh, uh. (yelling) I was saying that you’re also arrogant!

-Zaresi shrugs-

Zaresi: It is a flaw we share, but all the same it will be your undoing and not mine.

-she raises a hand, a scythe forming-

Zaresi: I have allowed you to live for too long. There will be no next time.

-and she points down, the scythe diving towards where Morgan is desperately clinging to the side of the building-

-a few hundred feet up and a few seconds earlier, Eneril blasts away the last of the Reapers attacking him and notices Zaresi knocking Morgan off the side of the building-

Eneril: She’s not paying attention!

Dee: So?

Eneril: So now is the time to strike!

Andrew: Also, we should probably help Morgan out.

Dee: I wouldn’t. We can’t take her on.

Eneril: Don’t be ridiculous.

-he swoops towards the rooftop she’s on-

Dee: Wait! No! Bad idea bad idea bad idea!

-as the scythe plunges towards Morgan, Eneril bats it out of the way with winding patterns of Darkness magic-

Eneril: ZARESI!

Dee: Why would you get her attention I thought this was supposed to be a surprise attack--

-the goddess doesn’t look up-

Eneril: The time has come for my long overdue vengea—

-a scythe opens him up from chin to…well, let’s say the base of the tail. Death magic burns at the edges of the cut, and multicolored strands of magic drain out like a leaking pipe-

Eneril: Augh!

Andrew: Are you okay?!

Dee: And this is why we stick to the plan…

-Eneril crashes into the tower, even more of his form being sheared away by the collision. He whirls away, having lost control entirely of his flight path-

Dee: You need to let go! That Death magic will just keep burning away at you if you don’t jettison all the magic it’s touched!

Eneril: I won’t! I’m stronger than it!

Dee: Ugh…I figured I’d be using this on Evan or something, but this works too.

-she pulls herself up to Eneril’s head, produces a post-it with sigils scribbled onto it, and slams it onto Eneril-

Dee: Big Brother!

-Eneril’s eyes flash gray, and suddenly a huge portion of his body mass disintegrates. What’s left is no longer touched by the Death magic-

Andrew: What was that?

Dee: Mind control.

Andrew: Seriously?

-Dee shrugs-

Dee: Well, it was that or let him die and then also fall to our deaths. Any idea how to fly this thing?

Andrew: I don’t think “fly” is really the verb you want here.

-Eneril, Dee, and Andrew crash to the ground on a lower rooftop. As the ritual controlling Eneril’s mind fades, he awakens, and shifts into his human form from before-

Dee: And how are you feeling?

-Eneril notices Dee and leaps to his feet, flames sprouting around him-

Eneril: What did you do to me?

Dee: Saved your life. Now, new question.

-Eneril stalks towards Dee, the flames swirling around his hands-

Eneril: Make it a good one.

Dee: What do we do about them?

-she points behind Eneril, where the remaining Reapers are descending on the three-

Eneril: Please. Even injured, I’m more powerful than all of them combined.

-and he swings his arms wide, a wall of flames erupting between the three and the Reapers-

Iggy: Koliko dugo možeš to da uradiš?

Reaper #2: (aside) Var dette ritual lavet ved hjælp af google translate?

-Dee and Andrew fire blasts of their own up at the Reapers, but the Knowledge magic isn’t terribly useful, mostly bouncing off or being dodged. Eneril, for his part, grabs a Reaper with a tendril of Darkness magic, and drags it down into the flames, incinerating it-

Dee: Well, that works.

-Eneril flickers slightly around the edges-

Eneril: It’ll hold for now.

Andrew: That’s kind of concerning.

Eneril: (more firmly) It’ll hold.

-meanwhile, Morgan is still slowly sliding down the side of the building. Quinn notices-

Quinn: Hey, Janice, can you hold Laura and Evan both for a few seconds?

Janice: I AM THE UNQUESTIONED MONARCH OF ALL WAR MAGIC!

Quinn: I’ll take that as a yes.

-Quinn vanishes, darting over to Morgan-

Quinn: Hey, fall! I’ll catch you!

Morgan: Oh thank goodness.

-she dissipates her scythe and drops a few stories, where Quinn catches her-

Liz: Oh, good, you two are together.

Morgan: Wait what who told you?!

Quinn: We’re not—Um—

Liz: No, I mean standing together.

-there’s an awkward pause, broken by Liz firing a beam of Death magic through the head of the zombie amalgamate. It collapses again, but gets up just as quickly-

Liz: That’s 13. There goes that theory.

Quinn: Huh?

Liz: Nothing. Anyway, second ritual time! You two are gonna need to kiss.

Morgan: What.

Quinn: What.

Liz: I mean, you don’t have to, I guess. But it’s the ritual I set up for Love and Death, it requires you two to be in proximity, I guess you could just like—

-Quinn and Morgan kiss-

Liz: Yeah, that’s what I thought.

-as they do, a tendril of Death magic extends from Morgan, and a tendril of Love magic from Quinn. The tendrils intertwine and then split, curling back together to form a heart-

Liz: Aww, that’s kind of cute.

-and a wave of force sweeps out from the ritual, extending over the battlefield-

Liz: Well, hopefully that works. Okay, you two can get back to fighting now.

-she glances at Morgan and Quinn, who are still kissing-

Liz: ...Now.

-nope-

Liz: Quinn, just because you don’t need to breathe doesn’t mean Morgan doesn’t.

-this warning goes unheeded. Liz sighs-

Liz: Hey!

-the two snap apart, blushing-

Liz: Thank you. Get back to the battle?

Quinn: R-right.

-she dashes off to help Janice-

Liz: Morgan. Doing alright?

Morgan: Uh, been a little better. Last few seconds helped. Any advice?

Liz: Don’t die.

Morgan: ...Thanks.

Liz: Well, also—

-Zaresi rushes past, grabbing Morgan and dragging her along-

Liz: ...Eh, it’ll have to do.

-and she returns to battling the zombie hulk-

-meanwhile, the growth of the force sphere created by the ritual slows and stops, and flickers of pink and black energy begin to form within it-

-on the roof, Eneril, Dee, and Andrew are still holding off the Reapers. As the wall of flames begins to weaken, the Reapers’ assaults become bolder, until Iggy dashes past the wall-

Dee: Ah, crap. It’s been an honor, guys.

Andrew: This is the worst way to die ever.

Dee: I dunno, I could think of worse.

-the pink and black flickers gather around her-

-and a familiar, if somewhat shadowy androgynous figure interposes themself between Dee and Iggy, fending off the Reaper with an explosion of Knowledge magic-

Dee: …What.

-for the first time since we met her, she looks baffled-

Dee: …T-Tirali?

Tirali: Good to see you again.

Dee: H-how…

Eneril: Do you see those flickers?

-indeed, the pink and black flickers are now surrounding Tirali, cloaking them in an aura of Love and Death-

Eneril: ….I think Liz’s ritual is summoning ghosts.

Dee: What? Ghosts aren’t real. They’re not…

Eneril: Well, not ghosts exactly. More like…echoes of the people you’ve lost, formed out of the love you had for them. Which is, essentially, a ghost.

Dee: That’s…

Andrew: Kind of horrifying.

Dee: …Yeah.

-as a few more Reapers make it past the wall, Tirali repels them with more blasts of Knowledge magic. They’re joined by more shadowy figures, until a small army is helping to hold off Zaresi’s forces. Meanwhile, Eneril rebuilds his flame wall-

Andrew: Oh, hey, that’s my goddess there.

Dee: …C-contractor.

-on the ground, Evan and Janice are facing off. As they do, Laura slips around to the side, readying an attack from behind-

-and her blasts are deflected by a volley of arrows from Quinn-

Quinn: Hi! Sorry, needed to step out for a moment.

Janice: No worries, I’m having fun.

Quinn: That’s a little more concerning, honestly?

Janice: Why’s that?

Quinn: Never mind.

Janice: Cool. So. Ritual. Timeframe?

Quinn: Uh, should be soon.

Laura: Wait, what ritual?

Evan: I can’t see anything from in here. Laura, what’s going on?

Laura: Something about a ritual!

Liz: Oh, I made a ritual using Love and Death to summon ghosts of the people we loved to help us fight.

-Evan jumps and turns around to see Liz standing behind him-

Liz: Also, I need to borrow your ritual for just a minute.

-the zombie hulk crashes headlong into Evan’s tendrils, impaling itself. It grunts, and tears itself free, stupendous amounts of zombie biomass falling to the ground before being reabsorbed-

Liz: That didn’t even kill it? Shoddy ritual, Evan.

Evan: You—

-the flickers gather around Liz, and ghosts appear around her, tackling Evan-

Evan: Hey! Who even are these people?

Liz: Yeah, nobody you’d know.

Evan: Oh, come on. Spill.

Liz: …Nah.

-and she’s gone, taking the ghosts with her-

-Evan grumbles, and picks himself up-

-meanwhile, as Janice and Quinn fight, the flickers begin to gather around them-

-as Laura steps forward, a tall figure appears on the shoulder of Janice’s mech, and the air is suddenly filled with glowing birds made of War magic. Bolts of energy ricochet throughout the street, and Laura is forced back-

Janice: …Richard?

-yep-

Richard: Good to see you again, Janice.

-he nods to her, and spreads his arms, more and bigger tulpas forming and charging down Zaresi’s side. Laura tears holes in them with blasts, but they’re forming faster than she can destroy them-

Evan: Oh, come on. Wasn’t killing you once enough?

-the tendrils from his mat lash out, ripping through dozens of tulpas at once and making for Richard-

Janice: No!

-she fires at them, but Laura suppresses her attacks with a torrent of Death magic-

Janice: Quinn, if you could help out with some ghosts, that would be real nice!

Quinn: Well, I was never exactly friends with any of the other Love Magicians, so—

-there’s the twang of an electric guitar-

-followed by the tinkle of a-

-triangle-

Janice: What.

-and Allen and Jacob appear at Quinn’s side, a wave of sound spreading out from them and repelling Evan and Laura’s assault, leaving the tulpas untouched-

Quinn: …I’m with you on that. What.

Allen: Quinn! I know it seems like it’s hopeless, but you can do this!

Quinn: Allen, how do you have even the slightest idea what’s going on right now?

Janice: I think that it’s less that that’s Allen, and more that that’s your extrapolation of what Allen would say in this situation.

Allen: Hey! I’m Allen enough for these purposes! Now, Quinn, you are going to give this your best, and you are going to win! Right, Jacob?

Jacob: …Oh, hey, is this London?

Quinn: …I missed you two.

Jacob: But yeah. You got this.

-they continue their playing, keeping the tendrils at bay, and as Quinn, Janice, and the tulpas press the assault, they start to drive Laura and Evan back-

-meanwhile, now several blocks from the rest of the battle, Zaresi comes to a halt and flicks one of her scythes like a lacrosse stick, hurling Morgan away. Morgan stops herself from splattering by conjuring up her own scythes and grabbing on to them, but before she can get her footing she’s already dashing from side to side as more of Zaresi’s magic rains down around her-

Zaresi: Stop, Morgan. Just surrender. You will be granted leniency.

Morgan: I don’t want your leniency.

Zaresi: You will die, then.

Morgan: No, I won’t!

-she swings her scythes, but they’re stopped cold by Zaresi’s. Morgan conjures up more and more, but Zaresi matches them without so much as slowing down-

Zaresi: You cannot win this. You will never win this. I outclass you in power, in experience, and quite frankly in drive to succeed.

Morgan: Bit of a broken record there?

Zaresi: If I repeat myself, it is to drive home my point.

-more scythes rain down on Morgan, who is slowly buried under them-

Zaresi: You are doomed.

-Morgan’s scythes begin to sputter. She conjures more, but they form wispy and barely solid-

-cut back to Liz, who is still fighting the zombie amalgamate, which is just picking itself up from yet another death-

Liz: Oh, come on. You still haven’t run out of juice?

-she notices something, and looks at her feet, which are starting to flicker and blur-

Liz: …And speaking of running out of juice…

-as the amalgamate gets up, she blasts it with another wave of feathers, accompanied by similar blasts from her ghosts. However, the combined attack doesn’t even slow the amalgamate down, and the flickering spreads up to Liz’s knees-

Liz: Oh dear.

-the amalgamate charges-

-and shift to Janice, Quinn, Evan, and Laura, who are still facing off-

Evan: Hey, Janice!

-Janice turns around, to see Evan perched on the shoulder of their mech. Their eyes widen-

Evan: See, the big difference between our rituals is that I can ditch mine and let it run on its own. Which, as you might have noticed, I just did. Necrosyrtes!

-and he jams his knife into the mech, which vanishes into nothing. Janice yelps and drops to the ground, rolling with the impact as compared to Evan’s somewhat graceless plummet-

Evan: …Ow.

-on the other hand, without the suppressive fire from the mech, the tendrils of Evan’s ritual rapidly overwhelm the waves of sound, and then the summoned tulpas-

Quinn: Janice! A little—

-she turns to see the situation-

Quinn: Oh.

-and is distracted long enough for Laura to hit her from behind with a burst of Death magic. The attack burns several holes in her, which she patches up as she begins to flicker as well. Meanwhile, Evan advances on Janice, twirling his knife. They open fire on him, but the tendrils, now largely unimpeded, intercept their bullets-

Janice: Richard!

Richard: Janice.

Janice: It looks like we’re about to lose!

Richard: That is seeming like a possibility.

Janice: I just wanted to say, since I didn’t get to the last time…fighting at your side. It’s been an honor.

Richard: …As has it for me.

Janice: …See you around.

-and the tentacles tear through Janice’s covering fire. One of them grabs Janice, draining the life from them, and flings them back. They land hard and don’t get up-

Evan: And that’s what happens when you work together. High-five for teamwork, Laura?

Laura: You take too much pleasure in this.

Evan: And yet you don’t stop me.

-he limps over towards Janice and Quinn-

Evan: It’s probably no big secret at this point, but when I use my ritual and suck the magic out of something, everything they’ve ever seen flashes in front of my eyes in the split-second it takes for the ritual to work.

-he stares at Janice-

Evan: I tell you this because I hope you’ll understand why it’s so important to me that I don’t let Laura kill you less painfully. Everything going on in your head? I need it. After the ritual worked on Nicholas, I decided I’d do whatever it took to get to keep using it.

-he grins, and tilts his head a little-

Evan: Fortunately, the conditions for the ritual just happen to coincide with one of my favorite things in the world to do.

-Laura, meanwhile, has approached Quinn, and is sitting in front of her-

-Quinn lashes out with a bolt of Love magic, which Laura casually deflects, looking very tired. Quinn, meanwhile, becomes even blurrier-

Laura: Don’t. It’s not worth it.

Quinn: So what?

Laura: Tell me something, okay? Before you die?

Quinn: Why should I do that?

Laura: It’s not about Morgan. I promise.

Quinn: …Fine.

Laura: What did you think you were going to accomplish? You had to understand you didn’t have enough power to engage with us directly. Nobody and nothing does.

-cut to Liz, slashing dozens of holes into the amalgamate-

Liz: 32…

-she’s now a formless wisp from the waist down, but she still flits aside from a strike-

-cut waaaay up to Dee, Andrew, and Eneril on the rooftop, as they attempt to hold off the incoming Reapers-

Andrew: Uh, how much longer do we have?

Eneril: I can do this all day!

Tirali: That is definitely false.

Andrew: So again, how much longer do we have?

Dee: About five seconds.

-on cue, the wall of fire Eneril is producing flickers and dies. Having lost the element of surprise, the ghosts are swiftly eliminated-

Dee: See?

-Andrew gulps-

Iggy: Ovo je gotovo! Po njih!

-and the Reapers all dive-

Dee: …Well. At least I’ll die as I lived.

Andrew: How’s that?

Dee: Being right all the time.

-they raise their magic up for a last stand-

-and back to Laura and Quinn on the ground-

Quinn: …

-she shrugs-

Laura: …Ah, crap.

Evan: Hmm?

Laura: Evan, deal with these two! I need to go now!

-and she’s gone-

Evan: Flaky to the end. Oh well.

-he twirls his knife-

Evan: Well, it’s been fun, and it’s been real, but it hasn’t been real fun.

-he kneels down by Janice, who hasn’t yet gotten up-

Evan: Now, I’ve been having a lot of trouble lately with people escaping while I’m making up my mind about who to kill first, so when this fight started I decided I’d start with you. Say hi to Richard from me.

-Janice spits in his face-

Evan: Whaaaatever.

-cut back to Morgan and Zaresi-

Zaresi: Do you have any last words?

Morgan: (breathlessly) See, uh, I’d say something, but I actually can’t right now, and I’m really sort of kicking myself for that because it would be the perfect time to say that something, but I think you’re about to see for yourself so you can probably guess.

-and Liz’s ritual washes over the two-

-there’s a flicker of pink and black around Morgan -

-her scythes disintegrate as Zaresi’s all slash down-

-and they all miss-

Zaresi: …Damn.

Morgan: …Wait—

-and there’s another figure standing between the two, arms outstretched as Space magic bends Zaresi’s attacks-

Holly: Hey again.

-Morgan stares in shock-

Morgan: Holly! I—

Holly: Just a minute. We need to get this done.

-she points at Zaresi-

-who is suddenly directly in front of Morgan-

Holly: You’re up.

Zaresi: What are you—

Morgan: Holly—

Holly: Finish this!

Morgan: …Right.

-Zaresi slashes at Holly’s magic with her scythes, tearing through it-

-but just before it snaps-

-Morgan takes a deep breath and stabs Zaresi with the knife-

Morgan: And that thing I wanted to say earlier was—

-Laura rushes up-

Laura: Zaresi, be careful, it’s a—

Morgan and Laura: --Distraction!

-there’s a pop-

-and an explosion of pure magic spills from the knife into Zaresi. Her form starts to waver, and then crack, white light spilling out from the holes-

Zaresi: Oh.

Morgan: Told you. Distraction.

Holly: She’s good at those.

Zaresi: This will not stop me. I just need to…

-she focuses-

-where Liz is, the amalgamate is charging her. Liz spreads her wings, but they’re wispy and see-through, as is most of Liz in fact-

-the amalgamate swings down its fists-

-and abruptly disintegrates, the energies that had been keeping it going draining away-

Liz: …Guess 37 was enough. That’s my cue.

-she looks around, realizes nobody is nearby to hear her one-liners, and dashes off after the magic draining from what used to be the amalgamate-

-Evan, meanwhile, sees the same thing, and further notices the magic draining out of his knife, his spell mat, and several other rituals he had on his person-

Evan: What the hell?

-he glances at Janice, who doesn’t seem like they’ll be involving themselves in the fight any time soon-

Evan: …Stay there.

-and they run off-

-the magic reaches Zaresi, who absorbs it into herself. The cracks begin to seal…and then open up again, splitting even wider-

-Liz runs up-

Liz: Hey.

Morgan: Uh, hey. You’re not looking so great.

Liz: I’ve had better days. You did the thing, huh?

Morgan: I think so.

-the two glance at Zaresi, who is still struggling to contain the released magic-

Liz: You won’t survive canceling it out. Novju may have had millennia to grow, but she was just skimming off the top. Janice and I got magic from the pyramids, Stonehenge, ancient cave drawings…we went deep. It’s too much even for you.

Zaresi: I have another option.

Morgan: You do?!

-she turns to Liz-

Morgan: She does?!

Liz: You’re thinking you could just not bother containing it, right?

-Zaresi glares at her-

Liz: You could, I guess. Change your form to put the magic on the outside, zip off somewhere else, leaving the magic here to spread everywhere. You’d probably even kill Morgan and me.

Morgan: Wait, what?

Liz: But this is a lot of magic. It wouldn’t stop there. You’d probably end up scouring London. Maybe all of Great Britain.

Morgan: Wait, what?

Zaresi: I would win.

Liz: You would admit that this whole thing was never about improving lives. That there’s no point where you stop killing and let people live in peace. That it was all really just about putting yourself in charge. Trying to show you were right.

Morgan: No, seriously, did you give her a way to wipe Great Britain off the map?

-Liz ignores Morgan-

Liz: Well? Gonna do that? Prove me right, Z.

-there’s silence for a while, as the cracks spread-

Zaresi: …Liz, you could come with me.

-Liz blinks-

-Zaresi abruptly shifts down, taking on her human form. Liz takes a step back-

Zaresi: I know you don’t like it, but it’s the right thing. I’ve ended conflict.

Liz: There’s always going to be conflict, Z. You can’t solve everything with the nuclear option.

Zaresi: It works.

Liz: Until there’s nothing left to protect.

-she waves her hand, gesturing at the battlefield-

Liz: You want to pack up, do this again in New York, or Shanghai, or Addis Ababa? Take your pick, really. It’s not going to end.

Zaresi: …

Liz: Do the right thing.

Zaresi: …We were friends, Liz…

Liz: We were.

Zaresi: …

Liz: When you were a Spirit, I…I think I changed you. And I spent too long avoiding dealing with that, and then you went and took over the world. So now I’m fixing things.

Zaresi: …

Liz: Sorry.

-she and Zaresi stare at each other for a long time. The cracks grow wider and wider-

Zaresi: …It’s okay. I made my choices. Whatever you might have said…this is on me. I guess it’s only fair that I be the one to make the choice to end it.

Liz: …Goodbye, Z.

Zaresi: Bye, Liz.

-the cracks abruptly seal-

-for just a moment, Zaresi stands there, perfectly still-

-then her form flashes pitch-black-

-and it’s gone-

-up on the roof, the Reapers dive. The last defensive spells fail-

Iggy: Oh! Oh hey! I can speak in English agai—

-and the Reapers transform into harmless wisps of light. Iggy crashes headlong into Andrew’s fist, which is covered in a thin film of magic-

Andrew: Quiet, Iggy.

Dee: Ooh, sick burn.

-Eneril just sighs as the remaining ex-Reapers scatter-

-back with the spot formerly occupied by Zaresi, and its constituents, Liz bows her head-

Liz: I tried.

Laura: …You…

Evan: …Lady Zaresi?

-his eyes narrow, and he raises his knife-

Evan: What did you do?!

-he rushes at Liz, swinging his knife…but it just passes through, no longer possessed of any magic-

Evan: Aaagh!

-he turns towards Morgan, rushing her-

-and finds himself shoved away by a wave of Space magic-

Holly: Not happening.

-Evan’s eyes flick back and forth between the assembled Magicians and Spirits-

-and then he remembers that Janice is still very much around, and very much barely conscious-

-and he sprints off. Liz swipes at him in an attempt to stop him, but just as he passed through her earlier, she passes through him now, too drained to keep herself fully corporeal-

-Morgan takes a few steps after her, then totters and slumps over, exhausted from casting all day and from being flung around the city like a ragdoll. Holly makes to cast a spell, but her form starts to flicker the moment she gets more than a few meters from Morgan, and she steps back in range of the ritual-

Evan: I won’t be denied this! I’m going to kill someone today, and I guess it’ll be—

-he’s tackled to the ground, the knife skittering away from him-

Laura: No.

-and she punches him in the face, knocking him out-

Liz: …Huh. Thanks for the assist.

-Laura says nothing-

Liz: Okay then. So, uh, these ghosts aren’t going to last forever. I don’t know how everyone feels about the whole closure thing, but…there are a couple conversations I’d like to have before they fade.

Morgan: …Yeah.

-she turns to the Holly specter-

Morgan: Um…hey.

Holly: Hey, Morgan.

Morgan: …I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.

Holly: It’s alright.

Morgan: Is it? You’re a ghost, talking to me. What’s alright about that?

Holly: Think about it. I’m a ghost made out of Love and Death magic. I’m basically an imprint of myself, taken from the minds of the people who love me. Which means, no matter how much you blame yourself, deep down you know this wasn’t your fault.

Morgan: …I don’t follow.

Holly: Which is proof that I’m the real me. You never could have figured that out.

-she giggles-

Holly: Hey, speaking of people who love me, did you ever get Quinn’s memories back? It would be nice to talk to her.

Morgan: Oh, right, she should be—

-she trails off-

Morgan: …Where is she? Evan’s unconscious, Laura’s here.

Laura: Uh, we were fighting, I sort of left her…

-she gestures vaguely, and Morgan rushes off, Holly following-

Liz: …Oh dear.

-She glances at Laura, who looks stricken-

Liz: …Well? Go after them. I’ll keep an eye on Evan.

Laura: …Right.

-and she follows, as Liz turns to one of the ghosts-

-Morgan quickly arrives to a road where Janice, semiconscious, is being watched over by a specter of Richard-

Morgan: Janice! Have you seen Morgan!

Janice: Mmm…five more minutes.

-they shift a bit-

Morgan: …

Laura: Um, Morgan?

-Morgan turns around, glaring at Laura-

Morgan: What do you want?

Laura: …Look carefully.

-Morgan does so-

-and realizes that the air in the area is very slightly tinted pink-

Morgan: Wh—Wha?

Laura: She took a lot of damage, and she used a lot of magic. She’s…dissolving.

Morgan: Wh—no!

-she looks back and forth as if expecting someone to solve the problem-

Holly: …I’m currently bound into the ritual that made this version of me. I can’t end it early, or I’d…sorry.

Morgan: No, this isn’t okay! We won! This isn’t supposed to happen!

-Morgan drops to her knees, attempting to scoop the mist back together-

Morgan: Quinn, please! I can’t lose you again! Not after all this…

-Morgan continues to babble as she sobs into the ground-

Morgan: Spirits can revive if they receive invested magic, right? I brought Quinn back before; I’ve got plenty.

Laura: What?

Morgan: Right after we broke out of Zaresi’s prison! She started to dissolve, I put her back together!

-Laura frowns-

Laura: …Morgan, if you were actually able to repair her, it means she was probably faking dissolution. Once a Spirit reaches this point, it’s really only a matter of time.

Morgan: I’m not going to accept that. If she needs more magic, I’ve got plenty.

Laura: …No you don’t. You’ve been casting all day, and Quinn needs almost a whole life’s worth. Do you remember, back when I explained Spirits to you, I said you’d never realistically run out of magic?

Morgan: Yeah, so?

Laura: You’d almost certainly run out of magic.

Morgan: So what? I can just come back as a Spirit, right?

Laura: A Magician can return as a Spirit if they died from channeling too much divine magic at once. If you burned out the last scrap of magic in your body…you’ve seen Evan’s ritual. You know what would happen.

Morgan: …Fine.

-she glares at the mist-

Morgan: Quinn, you already died once because I couldn’t figure out what Zaresi was doing before it happened. If this is what it takes to keep you from dying again, then accept it and come back, because you’re all that’s left worth living for!

-magic begins to flow out of her, twisting off into the mist, which starts to gather. Morgan spasms, and nearly collapses-

Laura: Morgan! You’re going to die!

-Morgan chews on her words for just a moment, before spitting them out-

Morgan: Then tell Quinn I love her!

-more and more magic flows out of her. She cries out in pain-

-and Laura steps forwards, and grabs Morgan by the arm-

Laura: Tell her yourself.

Morgan: Laura, what the hell are you doing?

Laura: The least I owe you.

-and magic starts to flow off of Laura too-

Morgan: Like you’re in any better shape than I am right now?

Laura: It’s a gamble. But with two of us…it could work.

-Laura crumples to the ground as well as her magic intertwines with Morgan’s, tendrils fanning out into the mist-

-for a brief moment, nothing happens. Morgan’s breaths start to slow. Laura’s speed up-

Laura: (softly) …I’m sorry.

Morgan: (equally softly) Thank you for trying.

Laura: …That’s not what I’m sorry about.

-Morgan’s eyes start to close. The specter of Holly blinks, and her eyes widen-

Holly: Wait, no, don’t—

-and the mist abruptly starts to regather-

Holly: Morgan!

-Morgan’s eyes snap open as the pink light begins to take shape-

Morgan: …Quinn!

-and the light resumes its physical form as Quinn, as Laura and Morgan both collapse, breathing shallowly-

-but hey, at least they’re breathing. Holly bows her head in relief-

Quinn: Oh, man, I really do not want to do that again.

-Morgan stares at her for a moment, from where she’s lying on the ground-

Quinn: (weakly) What’s the matter, Morgan? You look like you’ve seen a ghost…

-and Morgan leaps to her feet, and kisses her-

Morgan: I love you, Quinn.

-Quinn grins-

Quinn: So I heard.

-Holly smiles-

Holly: Hey, Quinn!

Quinn: Holly?

Holly: Someone else you think Morgan would have gotten from the ritual?

Quinn: There could have been another me.

Holly: You’re not dead.

Quinn: I’m a little dead.

Holly: I’m more dead.

Quinn: …Okay, yeah.

-she hugs Holly. Meanwhile, two other people walk up-

Allen: Hey!

Jacob: Hi…

Morgan: …Oh my god.

Quinn: I mean, kind of.

Morgan: You’re back! Quinn brought you two back?

Allen: Yeah! Not even death is gonna keep a good musician down!

Jacob: -yawning- Death?

Allen: We kind of died, Jacob.

Jacob: …Huh. Didn’t notice.

Morgan: Never change.

-she hugs the both of them-

Allen: Not like there’s a whole lot of time to.

Morgan: …Okay, yeah, that’s a bit of a mood-killer.

-Quinn nods-

Allen: Well, while we’ve got the band together, why not play one last show?

Morgan: With no instruments or audience?

Allen: Jacob and I can make the instruments.

Quinn: And it’s not like we ever had an audience anyway.

Holly: You’ve got me.

-Laura, who is still lying on the ground, raises a hand-

Laura: And me?

Allen: See? That’s like twice our usual.

Jacob: … (to Laura) Didn’t you kill us?

Laura: …Kind of.

Jacob: …Huh.

Allen: …We can’t really turn down an extra audience member.

Holly: You sure can’t.

-about an hour later, they’re still playing-

Laura: Uh, how are you turning down the volume on acoustic instruments?

Holly: They’re not.

-she waves a hand. It’s starting to fade-

Holly: The ritual’s about to go out. Our time’s up.

Morgan: …Oh.

Quinn: …Oh.

Allen: Yeah.

Jacob: Eh.

Quinn: It was nice getting to play with you again.

-she hugs the other band members. Morgan joins the group hug for a moment, before stepping aside, to Holly-

Morgan: …So, uh.

Holly: Yeah.

Morgan: …I’m glad I can at least say goodbye.

-Holly nods-

Holly: Goodbye, Morgan. You did good.

Morgan: Goodbye, Holly.

-they hug, and when the hug breaks, Holly’s gone-

-Quinn, Morgan, and Laura are left alone. Liz approaches, dragging an unconscious Evan behind her-

Liz: Hey. Have you…

Morgan: Yeah. We did.

-Liz nods-

Liz: Where’s everyone else?

Quinn: Well, Janice is still out, I think, and…

Liz: …Where are Eneril and Dee?

Quinn: And Andrew.

Liz: I guess.

-meanwhile, back on the roof of that one building-

Dee: Awesome, we won. How do we get down?

Eneril: Oh, be quiet.

-and back on the ground…-

Liz: …I’ll go get them.

-she flashes away, returning with a very confused Dragon, a very confused Magician, and a second Magician whose entire mode of existence is based on never ever being confused-

Dee: Nice work, Morgan.

Morgan: You could at least admit that, for once in your life, you are startled by the events that have transpired.

Dee: …No.

Andrew: I am.

Dee: Dude.

Liz: Eneril. Thank you for your assistance. Will you be alright?

Eneril: Hmph. I’ll repair, given time. For now, I’m going home.

Dee: Mind giving me a ride?

Eneril: Yes.

Dee: That’s alright. Come on, Andrew, let’s go.

-and the two follow Eneril, the Dragon sighing as he walks off-

Dee: See you around!

Liz: Well. Anyone seen Janice?

-as if on cue, they walk up-

Liz: Alright, problem solved. Janice, how are you feeling?

Janice: …I have been distinctly better in the past.

Liz: I’m sure you’ll be fine.

-she sits down by Janice-

Liz: We’ll all be fine.

Janice: Yeah? How about him?

-they gesture at Evan-

Liz: Piece of work, that.

-Quinn tilts her head at Evan-

Quinn: I have an idea!

Morgan: You’re thinking what I’m thinking?

Quinn: I should hope so.

-cut to Evan with a small sigil on his forehead-

Janice: Honestly, at some point this is probably kinder than telling him his actions ended up leading to Zaresi biting it.

Liz: …Let’s not try and pretend this isn’t petty revenge.

Janice: Works for me.

Quinn: Yep. Sweet, sweet petty revenge.

Morgan: Okay, on the count of three.

Quinn: One…two…three…

Morgan, Quinn, Liz, and Janice: Buteo!

-there’s a flash-

Evan: Huh?

-he looks around in confusion-

Evan: Where am I…what’s going on?

Janice: …There’s a lot to explain.

-they take Evan aside, and begin whispering to him-

Liz: Well, we’ll see if he develops any better this time around.

-the remaining three turn to Laura-

Morgan: So.

Laura: Well? Get it over with.

-she spreads her arms out-

Laura: I’ve got no magic, Liz is a Reaper, and Morgan’s a Death Magician. I can add two and two, so just finish this.

Liz: Hm.

Morgan: No.

Laura: What?

Morgan: Laura, were you wrong?

Laura: Bit too late, isn’t it?

Morgan: Answer my question.

Laura: Why?

Morgan: Zaresi’s dead, your plan failed, and everything you did to achieve it was pointless. Were you wrong?

Laura: …

-Liz suddenly steps forwards-

Liz: Laura. Do you know my history with Zaresi?

Laura: I—

Liz: I used to love her. And when he changed, I spent a long time loving her still, before I realized that I needed to hate her. She wasn’t willing to change how she thought about the world, and that made her so dangerous that she turned love into hate. Is that what you want to be?

Laura: …I never wanted this. Any of this.

Morgan: So?

Laura: I’m sorry.

Morgan: That’s not what I wanted to hear.

-there’s a long silence-

Laura: I may have made a bad call.

Morgan: …Okay.

-Laura bursts into tears, and Morgan gently hugs her-

Morgan: I haven’t forgiven you. I don’t know if I can ever forgive you. I don’t think I can ever forgive you. But…okay.

-Morgan lets go, and Laura steps back-

Quinn: …You did kind of kill me once. Sort of sore about that.

-Laura sniffles-

Quinn: But hey. I got better.

-she grins vaguely. Laura laughs hollowly despite herself-

Liz: …So. Who wants ice cream?

-cut to everyone in a small ice cream parlor. Everyone but Evan has ice cream, Evan seems more occupied asking questions to Janice, though, and isn’t bothered-

Liz: So what are we all going to do with ourselves now that we’ve saved the world? Or, at least, failed to prevent it from being saved?

-she nods to Laura, who sighs-

Janice: I don’t know about you, but I’m heading back home. Somewhere close to it, at least. Aren’t you?

Liz: I’ve had enough of America for now. I’m going to stay here for a few months, see the sights. Besides, someone needs to clean up after Zaresi. Keep in touch, right?

-she grins at Morgan-

Morgan: Did you ever actually get a phone?

Liz: I’ll get on it. New times, new me.

Morgan: Workable.

Liz: What about you, Evan?

Evan: I…don’t know.

Janice: He can come with me. He has some relearning to do, after all.

Morgan: Really?

Evan: Maybe I can go to college, study herpetology. I always did like lizards.

-Morgan gives Janice a look. They shrug-

Liz: Laura?

Laura: …Janice? How do you feel about a third party?

Janice: I’d be agreeable. It’s not like this is the first time we’ve tried to kill each other, after all.

Laura: Probably won’t even be the last.

Janice: Amen to that.

Liz: And Morgan? Quinn?

-she winks-

Morgan: …Good question.

Quinn: Yeah.

Liz: Well, I should get going. I’ve got a whole city to explore.

-and off she strolls-

Janice: And I’ve got some plane tickets to get. You two don’t mind cleaning up, do you?

-they hop to their feet and leaves, followed by Laura and Evan. Janice wraps an arm around each of their shoulders as they go-

Quinn: So. Just us left, then.

Morgan: Yeah.

Quinn: So really, Morgan, what are you planning to do? Stay here? Go home?

Morgan: I don’t know.

Quinn: Really? You haven’t the slightest idea?

Morgan: None.

Quinn: Not going to go chase down Laura and win her back?

-Morgan frowns-

Quinn: Okay, not funny.

Morgan: Not really.

-there’s a long silence-

Morgan: So what were you thinking of doing?

Quinn: I was thinking I could head back to America too. Maybe go live in Dee’s town; it was nice there. Or maybe go west.

Morgan: Sounds like a good idea.

Quinn: …

Morgan: …Quinn, when you were mist, how much did you hear?

Quinn: Not much.

Morgan: …

Quinn: Something did stand out to me, though. Something you were saying…

-Morgan turns red-

Quinn: Come on, saying it for the first time when it looked like I was about to die? Talk about clichéd.

Morgan: Uh…

-and Quinn kisses her-

Quinn: I love you too, Morgan.

-montage of a lot of things happening-

-Morgan is sitting on a bench, alone, talking on her phone-

Morgan: Liz.

Liz: Honeymoon phase over already? Laura and Janice tell me you’ve barely been talking to them lately.

-Morgan blushes-

Morgan: You’re the first person I’ve talked to in a while besides Quinn.

Liz: Probably as it should be. What’s on your mind?

Morgan: I needed to ask you something.

-she takes a breath-

Morgan: All the people who died. In town, during the war…

Liz: …

Morgan: Is there anything we can do about it? I wasn’t thinking so clearly, but looking back on it, there’s Life magic, right? And we could find another Goddess of Space, undo what happened to Holly. We could—

Liz: …Magic can only go so far.

Morgan: But—

Liz: I’m sorry. Almost anything can be healed with some work, but death is…well, it’s final.

Morgan: …Oh.

Liz: …I’m sorry.

Morgan: …

Liz: I had an idea or two though.

-the world starts to go back to normal-

-Morgan and Quinn are at a gravestone, left in a small patch in a certain forest. It bears Holly’s name. Morgan is crying into Quinn’s shoulder, Quinn holding her close. Pan out to show dozens more gravestones. Janice is standing in front of Richard’s, Laura standing uncomfortably next to them. Evan just looks lost. Liz is standing off to one side, looking somber-

Laura: ...Janice?

Janice: …I’m fine.

Laura: That’s not your “I’m fine” face. That’s your “everything hurts, but I’m keeping it in because I think Evan or Laura is going to make fun of me” face.

Evan: I made fun of people?

Laura: Constantly.

Evan: …I sound like I was a dick.

Janice: You really were.

-and they burst into tears. Laura sighs-

Janice: I just…I miss him. He pretty much taught me everything I know about magic, and now he’s gone. And I miss him. You know?

Laura: I don’t know. But I get it.

-Janice nudges Laura, who somewhat awkwardly wraps an arm around them-

Evan: Um…I’m sorry, but who is it that you miss?

Laura: Richard.

Evan: Who?

Janice: ...I have some explaining to do.

-cut back to Morgan and Quinn-

Morgan: …It’s never really going to be okay, is it, Quinn?

Quinn: No.

-she pulls Morgan in a little closer-

Quinn: But it’ll be better.

-cut to Morgan and Quinn in a synagogue, Morgan still crying, Quinn wrapped around her-

-cut to the two in a room. Quinn makes a joke. Morgan giggles-

-cut to the two talking together on a park bench. Morgan looks sad, but she’s still smiling-

-once again, Morgan is alone, when Liz appears out of nowhere, wearing a wide-brimmed hat-

Morgan: …Can’t you literally shapeshift?

Liz: Sure I can. But I like the hat.

-she sits by Morgan-

Liz: Did it help any?

Morgan: I don’t know.

Liz: That’s fair.

Morgan: I just…don’t know what to do now.

Liz: Spend some time with your girlfriend. Go to college. Start a sitcom.

Morgan: And things will be better?

Liz: …Someday.

-she pats Morgan on the head gently-

-cut to a small hotel room, clearly on the west coast. Morgan and Quinn are watching a news report-

News: People all around the world are reporting a sense of lost time, and very few are able to recollect any of the events of the last several days. As of yet, no explanation for this phenomenon has been offered.

Quinn: Sure are a lot of Magicians in the world, huh?

Morgan: Lot of Magicians, lot of gods. Guess some things supersede town squabbles, huh?

Quinn: Leave it to Liz to find one last way of draining excess magic from the world.

-Morgan laughs. Quinn sighs-

Quinn: Something like this could always happen again, you know.

Morgan: It could. But you know what?

Quinn: What?

Morgan: We were there to stop this one. Someone else will stop the next one. You know what we do now?

Quinn: What do we do now?

Morgan: We rest.

Quinn: And enjoy our happy ending?

Morgan: Is it?

Quinn: We have each other.

Morgan: Only after everyone else died.

Quinn: We have each other.

Morgan: …Yeah. We do.

Quinn: We’ll remember them. Us, and Liz, and Laura and Janice…

Morgan: Not Evan though.

Quinn: Would we really want him to?

Morgan: Ha.

Quinn: People die, Morgan. It’s up to us to live.

Morgan: …I can live with that.

Quinn: And me?

Morgan: Don’t be silly, Quinn.

-she leans in-

Morgan: You, I can’t live without.

-the two kiss again, and everything fades out-

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Volume 2, Chapter 9

Yes, it’s actually happening. Tune in next week for the conclusion.

What to Get for the Goddess Who Has Everything

Morgan: …You’re alive!

-she rushes Janice and hugs them. Janice seems profoundly confused-

Janice: Well, of course I’m alive.

Quinn: Are we about to get another flashback?

Janice: Obviously.

Flashback!

-back in town, shortly before the ritual went off…-

Morgan: Janice, run!

Janice: Huh? Wh—

-and the Fae whips around the corner-

Janice: Oh. Well.

-and it bats them aside so fast they vanish-

Janice: Waaaaaaaugh!

-they recover their senses midair, arcing down towards a very messy end-

Janice: …Oh dear.

-they take aim with their rifle, and fire, an explosion of War magic blowing them skywards again-

Janice: Waugh!

End Flashback!

Morgan: …Quinn, am I missing something, or did that not explain anything?

Quinn: Grammatically, I don’t think I know how to respond to that. …But that made no sense.

Janice: You know rocket jumping, right?

Morgan: Like, the video game thing?

Janice: Yeah, that’s what I did.

Morgan: The video game thing that is entirely not possible in real life?

Janice: Oh, please, you learned about serious magic like a year ago. What do you know about what is and isn’t possible?

Quinn: They’ve kind of got you there.

Morgan: …Okay, but that doesn’t actually do anything to explain how you survived the ritual designed to kill everyone in town.

Janice: Oh, yeah, that tulpa knocked me out of the city limits. I sort of figured that was obvious.

Morgan: (aside) You could have opened with that.

Quinn: (to Liz) You know, for a ritual that was supposed to kill everyone, it kind of didn’t.

Liz: Nobody’s perfect.

Quinn: I kind of feel like that was obvious when you nearly killed everybody.

Janice: Oh, hey Quinn, how’s it going?

-Quinn blinks-

Quinn: …You know me?

Janice: You were one of Nalis’s Magicians, right?

Quinn: One of his secret Magicians, yes.

Janice: Vorn had a list of you guys.

Quinn: …Did she?

Janice: Yeah, we were going to hunt the non-War Magicians for fun after we took over the town, and Vorn wanted to make sure we didn’t miss anyone.

-they beam at Morgan and Quinn, who seem slightly alarmed-

Morgan: …Uh, Liz, do we have to work with them?

Liz: I think they’re kidding. (to Janice) You’re kidding, right?

-Janice just smiles-

Liz: (firmly) …They’re kidding.

Morgan: (nervously) Okay.

Quinn: (equally nervously) Yeah.

Janice: So, how’s everything?

Morgan: Um. Kind of terrible?

Janice: Aside from that though?

Morgan: …Aside from every bad thing, how am I doing?

Janice: Yeah.

Morgan: …Fine, I guess?

Janice: Nice.

Quinn: Were you always this odd?

Janice: I’ve been wandering the entire world alone for weeks with only Liz for company. I think at this point I’m entitled to a little eccentricity.

-with that, they go over to a chair in the corner and flop into it. Quinn and Morgan turn to Liz-

Liz: Right, I guess it’s my turn to explain then?

Janice: Yep!

-they curl up in the chair for a nap-

Liz: See, once Zaresi killed Novju, I realized I was going to have to change tacks pretty quick. I’d figured Janice was alive, so I split myself for the first time and sent the other me to check on them.

Morgan: How’d that go?

Liz: Well.

-she thinks back-

Flashback!

-Janice is tinkering away in a shed, when there’s a knock on the door. They open the door to see Liz-

Janice: Liz. Hi.

Liz: May I come in?

Janice: I can’t really stop you, can I?

Liz: Good point.

-she brushes past Janice, and sits down on a workbench-

Liz: I’ve come with a proposition.

Janice: Yeah?

Liz: I assume you’d agree with me that Zaresi needs to be stopped, yes?

Janice: Sure.

Liz: I have a way it might be doable. But I need your—

-she is interrupted by Janice turning around and shooting her six times in the forehead with a handgun-

Liz: …Help. Janice, you have to be aware that that doesn’t do anything if there’s no magic behind it.

-Janice is already putting the handgun aside and picking up a hunting rifle-

Janice: Yep!

End Flashback!

Liz: They had some tensions to work out. They eventually agreed to assist me, however.

Morgan: With what?

Liz: Obviously, two plucky kids and a 100-year old Spirit aren’t enough to defeat Zaresi.

Morgan: Wait, really?

Quinn: (to Morgan) Are you serious?

Liz: So, I’ve been ferrying Janice around the world in various disguises in order to steal the magic that’s been stored in ancient world landmarks.

Quinn: Oh.

Morgan: Cool.

Liz: Yep.

-there’s a long, awkward silence-

Quinn: …Kind of sounded like you were going to tell a story there.

Liz: Nope.

-there’s another long silence-

Morgan: Okay, so we have all that magic now. Where are we keeping it?

Liz: Janice has it.

-Janice sleepily waves a knife from the corner-

Quinn: Oh, I get it. It’s like the narrative counterpart to Evan’s knife. One drains magic away, whereas the other is full of magic.

Morgan: Not everyone’s a theater kid like you, Quinn.

Liz: No, that was the idea behind it.

Morgan: Why are you all so dramatic?

Quinn: You fight with scythes.

Morgan: …Okay fine. So we have the magic, we give ourselves a boost, and we go kick Zaresi’s ass.

Liz: God no. We’d all die.

Morgan: Well then what is the plan?

-Liz shakes her head in amazement before continuing-

Liz: If you remember, when we fought Eneril, I disabled his rituals by causing the magic to spill out wildly.

Morgan: I get it! We’re going to stab Zaresi with the knife, then detonate it and blow her up!

Quinn: Obviously we’re not going to do that.

Liz: Um, yeah we are.

Quinn: …Oh.

Liz: There are two problems. Firstly, of course, we need to pressure Zaresi enough that she draws all of her selves here, so we can take them all out at once. That problem is solved by…well, I solved it. You’ll see.

Quinn: That’s really ominous.

Liz: I have to keep some secrets, right? It’ll be so awesome when you see it.

Morgan: …Okay.

Liz: The second problem is that getting the knife to Zaresi is, obviously, incredibly dangerous.

Morgan: I’ll do it.

Liz: I sort of figured.

Quinn: Wait, what?

Morgan: It’ll be fine.

Liz: Good enough for me.

Quinn: Not me! I—

-Liz cuts her off-

Liz: Let’s plan a war.

-cut to the three sitting at a table. Janice is lying on the bed, but observing with some interest. Snacks have been gathered, and Liz has obtained a notepad from somewhere-

Liz: Okay, the first and hopefully last war council of Team…Morgan, did you write “Team Not Zaresi” in here?

Morgan: It seemed accurate.

Liz: The first and hopefully last war council of Team Not Zaresi is called to order. Who knows what resources Zaresi has access to?

-silence. A cricket chirps-

Liz: The answer is me. I have all that information.

-she coughs-

Liz: Zaresi has two armies, one of Reapers and one of various undead. She has two Magicians of exceptional power, those being Evan and Laura.

-Quinn and Morgan wince-

Janice: Oh, they’re still alive?

Liz: Yes? Why wouldn’t they be?

-Janice shrugs-

Janice: I just sort of figured they’d done something stupid and gotten themselves killed by now. Good for them.

Morgan: Not really…

-Janice shrugs again-

Liz: And, of course, Zaresi herself shouldn’t be underestimated. So, here’s what we’re going to do…

-time passes, until it’s quite late. Quinn yawns-

Morgan: So much for not needing sleep.

Liz: Seriously, who told you that was true? We’re as prepared as we’re ever going to be. We might as well rest.

Quinn: Wait, so—

Liz: Good night, everybody! Big day tomorrow!

-cut to Morgan and Quinn curled up next to each other. In the background, Liz is asleep, Janice napping while sitting up-

Quinn: Can’t sleep?

Morgan: Not really. You?

Quinn: I’m not sure I really need to anymore.

Morgan: Oh.

Quinn: Yeah, it’s neat.

-there’s a pause-

Morgan: How are you doing?

Quinn: Come again?

Morgan: About stuff in general. You know how I’m doing—

Quinn: Hard not to.

-Morgan winces-

Morgan: But how are you holding up?

Quinn: Oh, I’m good. No need to worry.

-there’s a pause. Meanwhile, in the background, Janice has tipped over onto Liz, who hasn’t noticed-

Morgan: …Just because it’s been a stressful week doesn’t mean I can’t still tell when you’re lying.

Quinn: …You’re not wrong.

-Morgan wraps an arm around Quinn-

Morgan: What’s going on?

Quinn: Well, um…everyone’s dead. Like, aside from the people here, every single person I ever knew growing up is gone. And that’s kind of weird.

Morgan: Weird?

Quinn: I mean, it’s just…

-and she bursts into tears. Liz starts to wake up. Morgan hugs Quinn-

Morgan: Quinn, you can talk about it.

Quinn: What’s to talk about? Jacob’s dead. Allen’s dead. Holly’s dead. Your parents are dead. My parents are dead. I’m dead! I’m dead, Morgan, do you get how weird that is?

Morgan: I mean, I don’t think you’re actually dead—

Quinn: I feel like I am!

-Liz opens her eyes. She notices Janice on her, and makes a face, then looks over and notices Quinn and Morgan, and abruptly pretends to be asleep again as the two glance at her-

Quinn: I can’t feel my heart beating or my own breathing unless I really work at it, and any time I move too much I’m scared I’ll fall apart again! I don’t think I can do this, Morgan. Working for Nalis I really didn’t get into too many fights, and I just—

-she cuts off, Morgan still holding her. Liz tilts her head-

Morgan: Quinn, it’ll be okay. I won’t let you get hurt. If you even feel for one second like you’re going to come apart, just let me know and I’ve got some magic on tap for you.

-a little jolt flows between the two. Liz makes a wibbly face-

Quinn: Morgan, you don’t have to—

Morgan: It’s the least I can do.

-she smiles-

Morgan: We’re going to win this, Quinn. For everyone we couldn’t save, and for the people we still have to. It’ll be okay, and you’re going to be amazing.

Quinn: I don’t feel so amazing right now.

Morgan: I don’t either. But we have a plan, we have firepower, and we’re going to do this.

Quinn: You sound a whole lot more confident than you did yesterday.

Morgan: Things are starting to look up.

-she forces a smile. Quinn smiles back-

Morgan: And, Quinn?

Quinn: Huh?

Morgan: I’m sorry.

-Janice by now has woken up. They notice Liz, and the two begin to freak out, but silently. Liz claps a tendril over Janice’s mouth to ensure this-

Quinn: What?

Morgan: For everything. For not letting you in on what was going on before it was too late.

Quinn: Didn’t we go over this?

Morgan: That’s not what I mean, though.

Quinn: Huh?

Morgan: We used to share everything with each other. I didn’t, and look where it got us.

Quinn: I mean…I can’t really blame you. Formal magic isn’t exactly supposed to be common knowledge.

Morgan: We’re best friends. I should’ve figured something out.

Quinn: …Yeah, you should have. But you’re not the only one who had secrets.

-she waggles a hand, sparks coming off it-

Quinn: Working for Nalis for a year, remember?

Morgan: Okay, so maybe you’re a little culpable.

-Quinn sticks out her tongue-

Quinn: Can we get back to the part where you apologize?

Morgan: I’ve got a better idea.

-she holds out her hand-

Morgan: To no more secrets?

-Quinn smiles, and takes Morgan’s hand-

Quinn: No more secrets.

-the two share a giggle-

Quinn: So, um…in the spirit of full disclosure…

Morgan: Huh?

-and Quinn leans forward and kisses Morgan on the cheek-

-Morgan stares. In the background, Liz grins widely. Janice attempts to say something but is still muffled-

Quinn: …

-Morgan’s face starts to break into a grin-

Quinn: Anyway, you should get to bed. Big day tomorrow.

Morgan: Wait, but—

-Quinn grins-

Quinn: Get some sleep. Bet you a dollar you’ll need it.

Morgan: …Do I have to?

Quinn: Well, no.

Morgan: Cool.

-she leans in and gives Quinn a proper kiss. Liz beams-

-and then frowns as the two show no signs of stopping-

-and still none-

-eventually she just coughs. Quinn and Morgan spin around, Quinn flaring up and Morgan blushing a deep red-

Quinn: So, uh, good night everyone.

Morgan: (in a very high-pitched voice) Yep!

-cut to Morgan and Janice, who are fast asleep. Quinn is still awake, grinning maniacally-

Liz: I take it you’re still not feeling like sleep?

Quinn: Not really.

Liz: Fair enough.

-she curls up by Quinn, yawning-

Liz: Congratulations.

Quinn: Oh, hush.

Liz: No, really. Even a shot at happiness is more than a lot of folks get.

Quinn: I guess.

-there’s a long silence-

Quinn: So what about you?

Liz: What about me?

Quinn: Well, uh…you know. We’re about to go kill your best friend. How are you okay with that?

-Liz is silent for a long time-

Liz: …Zaresi and I were close when we were different people. I think I spent too long pretending we were still those people. She needs to be stopped, and if I’m the one with the power to do it, then that’s what I’ll do.

Quinn: …Are you sure?

Liz: I’m sure. Go to bed, Quinn.

-she smirks-

Liz: Big day tomorrow.

Quinn: …People shouldn’t have to fight the people they loved.

Liz: There are a lot of shoulds and shouldn’ts. Go to sleep.

-Quinn, finally, does. Liz stays awake for a long while before doing the same-

-cut to the Tower of London rooftop, where Zaresi is perched, surrounded by Reapers. Laura and Evan are sitting next to her, Laura looking tense and Evan looking deeply unconcerned-

Evan: Aww, you can’t tell me you’re not excited.

Laura: I’m not excited, Evan.

Evan: Just picture it.

-he wraps a hand around her shoulders and points up at the sky-

Evan: We’re going to get to kill Morgan! Come on, isn’t it every girl’s fantasy to murder her terrible ex?

Laura: It’s usually a hypothetical notion.

Evan: Right, and everything’s better when it’s actually real. Like magic and assassinations.

Laura: I don’t agree with your assessment.

Evan: I don’t agree with your assessment! Just admit it’ll be nice once we’ve wiped out the last traces of opposition!

Laura: The “opposition” used to be our friends.

Evan: And now they’re traitors! So we stab them!

Laura: I don’t stab people.

Evan: Oh, get off your high horse. Just because you haven’t offed any Magicians personally doesn’t mean you’re not a killer.

-Laura frowns-

Evan: What? That was a compliment.

Laura: You’ve gotten even more unbalanced.

-Evan grins-

Evan: You could always sit out. I’d be happy to deal with them on my own.

Laura: I don’t think so.

Evan: Spoilsport.

-he tugs at Zaresi’s cloak-

Evan: Lady Zaresi, Laura isn’t excited about killing the enemy.

-Laura shoots Evan an irritated glance-

Laura: Zaresi, Evan is altogether too excited about killing people we once worked with.

-Zaresi stares down at the two of them-

Zaresi: Enough of this.

Evan: Um?

Zaresi: I have no interest in listening to the two of you bicker. My lieutenant has turned traitor and broken her Contract. My power will be challenged. I do not care whether either of you is excited or not. I only care that you do your jobs.

-Evan flushes. Laura bows her head-

Evan: Of course!

Laura: …Right.

-the two leave, Evan skipping, Laura trudging-

Evan: Come on, this’ll be fun.

-they pass by a familiar Reaper-

Iggy: You know, Evan, I’m pretty excited about—

Evan: Oh shut up, Iggy. Nobody asked.

-cut again to a cell, where Dee and Andrew are sitting. A Reaper enters the cell, moves out of sight of anyone, and pulls down its hood to reveal Liz’s face-

Liz: Dee, you’re sure you’re not willing to make a Contract?

Dee: I told you, if you’re not willing to work with Knowledge magic, I can’t carry out my plan.

Liz: And I told you, I’m already going to be managing a solid three Domains. Four is powerful, sure, but unstable, and I’m not interested in disintegrating.

Dee: Then I’ll do my own thing.

Liz: Good luck with that.

Dee: Thanks!

Andrew: Uh, I don’t really have my own thing to do. Any chance of assistance?

Dee: What, you don’t want to help me with my thing?

Andrew: What thing are you even planning?

Liz: You haven’t told him?

Dee: I don’t like explaining things to people.

Liz: Okay then, Andrew. Do you want to work with me, the one who explains everything to you and has a clear, coherent plan? Or the one who refuses to tell anyone anything except for the barest hints of a plan that doesn’t even make sense?

Dee: You make me sound so disorganized.

Andrew: Dee, do you even really need my help?

Dee: I could use the moral support. And another Magician might be handy, I guess.

Andrew: …Well, Liz, Dee never beat me up.

Liz: I guess that’s fair. I should go before anyone notices I’m not really a Reaper. Good luck, you two.

Andrew: That’s so depressingly ominous.

Dee: Or is it ominously depressing?

Andrew: That too really.

Dee: It sounded better in my head.

Liz: (firmly) See you in the morning.

-and she dissipates into smoke-

Dee: So, which one of us gets the bed for the night?

-she gestures at a small wooden cot in the corner-

Andrew: I’m not sure I can sleep.

Dee: Works for me.

-cut back to the hotel room, the next day. Liz has drawn up a handful of sigils, which are glowing with magic-

Liz: Okay, death first.

Morgan: Good slogan.

Quinn: Not really.

Liz: Remember, as soon as I start, there’s no stopping. Zaresi will know where we are, exactly what’s going on, and is going to start gathering herself back up to kill us all. So.

-she sighs-

Liz: Morgan, Janice, do either of you need to use the bathroom?

Morgan: …No.

Janice: Uh…

Liz: Look, just go check.

-a few minutes later-

Janice: All good.

Liz: Is everyone reasonably fed?

Morgan: Yep.

Janice: Yep.

Morgan: I could maybe use some more coffee.

-Liz just stares at her-

Morgan: Okay, not the time.

Liz: Are there any last-minute questions?

-Janice raises a hand-

Liz: Yes?

Janice: What do we call a Spirit of Death, Love, and War? I’ve never seen one of those before.

Liz: Are you serious?

Janice: It’s a relevant question.

Quinn: How about just calling them Lizes?

Liz: In case the treaties are even remotely intact after this is all over, I’d rather this not be connected to me.

Janice: Freyas? Like the Norse god?

-Liz eyes Janice-

Janice: Well, like, she’s explicitly noted as a goddess of all of those things.

Morgan: Why is that information you have offhand?

Janice: Why not?

Liz: …I’ll pass on that.

Quinn: Ooh! Morrigan!

Morgan: Huh?

Quinn: Not Morgan, Morrigan! The crow goddess?

Morgan: Why do you two know all these goddesses?

-Quinn shrugs-

Quinn: It fits.

Morgan: …Seems like it might get complicated.

Quinn: Oh, fine. What ideas have you got?

Morgan: Seraph?

Liz: No, that’s what they call Spirits of Fire and Light.

Morgan: That would make more sense.

Liz: …We’ll workshop it. Anything else?

-Morgan, Quinn, and Janice all look between each other, and shrug-

Liz: Then let’s begin.

-she begins to chant, and magic whirls up around her. First, Death magic blossoms from her as her outfit shifts back to her usual Reaper garb-

-suddenly, Love magic joins the cloud. Her head suddenly vanishes-

Morgan: A Spirit of Love and Death is headless?

Quinn: They do say love is blind…

Janice: Ssh!

-and finally, War magic billows out. Liz’s head reappears, and as the ritual fades, she is wearing a black, pink, and red tailored suit-

Morgan: That is such a look.

Quinn: You sound so old when you say stuff like that. But also, yes. It is.

Janice: I am in awe.

-Liz grins-

Liz: Then let’s make some Contracts.

-cut back to Zaresi’s perch. She twitches slightly, and Evan and Laura look up-

Zaresi: I feel it. Liz made a Contract to become a Death goddess.

Evan: Oh, good, so you know where she is now, right?

Zaresi: We do. Follow the zombies.

-indeed, zombies are already crawling down the sides of the Tower of London. Evan grins. Laura nods silently-

Evan: So, what about you?

Zaresi: I will recollect myself and join you shortly. Go. Kill them all.

-around the world, zombies topple over as people watch in confusion. Meanwhile, streaks of light shoot up into the sky as Zaresi begins recalling her duplicates-

-cut back to the street, a while later, where Evan and Laura are following the zombie swarm. Flashes of Death magic streak overhead towards the Tower-

Evan: Honestly, I’m kind of disappointed.

-Laura doesn’t respond-

Evan: I said, I’m kind of disappointed.

-still nothing-

Evan: See, I was really hoping—

Laura: You know, when I didn’t respond to your floating a conversational starter, that should have been taken as an invitation to not keep talking.

Evan: I don’t really care. Anyway, I was hoping we were going to… like, see some action. Fight one on one, final battle, that whole thing? But I don’t see anyone around. We can’t find Liz ourselves, and if she’s not going to come out, it looks like the zombies are going to be having all the fun.

-he kicks at a pebble-

Evan: This is just so anticlimactic. What’s the point of ending a war with no flash?

Laura: I think the substance is the important part.

Evan: Uh, no. Aesthetic or death. Or in this case, aesthetic and dea—

-the sun goes out-

Liz: Someone say aesthetic?

-and a spear of War and Death magic plunges from the heavens, lighting up the artificial night and striking the zombie horde in a massive shockwave of red and black light-

-it clears slowly, the barrier between the earth and sun slowly dissipating to reveal the zombie horde now a pile of scattered bodies, and Evan and Laura protected by a barrier of Death magic-

Laura: You wanted your flash? I think you’ve got it.

-Liz floats down from above, six wings extending from her back, two black, two red, and two pink. She alights on the ground, raising a palm towards Evan and Laura, and blasting the barrier with a second spear of magic, this one Love and War. The barrier detonates, flinging the two backwards-

Liz: Welcome to the party, you two.

-she readies another blast, but is interrupted by a zombie tackling her-

Liz: Oh, come on.

-she flings it to the side, but it’s replaced by another. And another. Evan hops to his feet, grinning-

Evan: You really thought one good hit would take these zombies out?

Liz: Yes, Evan. I, the person who helped Zaresi design this ritual, am completely ignorant of its properties.

-she slashes a zombie’s legs off with a wing, keeping her eyes on Evan and Laura. While she tosses a bolt of magic their way, Laura deflects it-

Liz: Yes, Evan. I, the person who helped Zaresi design this entire plan, thought just walking in with a lot of magic and a few Domains would be enough to stop her army.

-she launches a series of pink feathers, tearing the magic from a handful of zombies-

Liz: For someone who claims to be so smart, Evan, you really don’t bother thinking about why anyone else does anything.

-Evan draws his knife-

Evan: What are you talking about?

Laura: She’s obviously distracting us, dumbass.

-and she whirls around in time to parry a hail of bullets and arrows-

Janice: Hey!

Quinn: Long time no see.

Janice: We, uh, we sort of took apart a few of your zombies on the way here.

-Laura looks past the two to see numerous zombies which have alternately had the magic torn from them or simply been blown apart-

Quinn: Hope you don’t mind.

Evan: Hey, Laura, I’m still watching Liz, but is the Poltergeist girl there?

Laura: She’s a Nymph now, but yeah. Janice too.

Evan: Really? Janice is still alive?

Quinn: Turns out you’re not very good at killing people.

Janice: How’s it going, Evan?

Evan: Have you ever been eating cookies, and found a cookie at the bottom of the bag you weren’t expecting?

-he snaps his fingers in Liz’s direction, and more zombies advance on her. While she’s still fighting them off, it’s starting to actually take her full attention-

Evan: Because that’s what killing you is going to be like.

-he whips around, drawing a playing card from his pocket with a free hand-

Evan: Daptrius ater!

-and he hurls it. It explodes in darkness and a streak of Death magic lances towards Quinn and Janice, who dive to one side. Before either of them are back on their feet, Laura follows up with a wide blast of Death magic-

Janice: Take cover!

-they hurl a bouncy ball at the blast, the resulting detonation providing enough concealment for Quinn to disappear down an alleyway. Janice, meanwhile, makes no move to go anywhere-

Evan: …I guess leaving your partner to die technically counts as strate—

-and Quinn bursts out of the alleyway again, tackling Laura away from Evan-

Evan: That works too.

-he shrugs-

Evan: Janice. Excited?

Janice: Like you would not believe.

-Laura, meanwhile, hurls Quinn away, keeping the other girl at bay with bolts of Death magic-

Laura: Where’d Morgan go?

Quinn: Wouldn’t you like to know?

Laura: Um, yes. That’s why I asked.

-Quinn rolls her eyes, launching arrows back at Laura-

-Laura’s question is answered, meanwhile, on the roof of a tall building, where Morgan is using scythes as grappling hooks to roofhop towards the Tower of London-

Morgan: I’m coming for you, Zaresi!

???: Um…

-and Iggy lands on the rooftop in front of her-

Iggy: Hi.

Morgan: Iggy. Really?

-she brandishes a scythe at him-

Morgan: I don’t want to hurt you. Just get out of my way.

-Iggy droops a little-

Iggy: Honestly, I don’t think that’s true.

Morgan: It’s completely true. I’m not interested in hurting anyone but Zaresi. If you let me by, you’ll be fine.

Iggy: You might be right.

-he poses more thoughtfully, resting a handless arm on a chinless hood-

Iggy: But I don’t know, really. Maybe that’s true for everyone else, but everybody always laughs at me, and you’re no exception. I don’t think I trust you.

-he takes a more combative stance, and Death magic starts to spill out from him, solidifying into a fleet of floating swords that dwarfs Morgan’s handful of scythes-

Iggy: But who’s laughing now?

-and all the swords plunge towards Morgan-

Morgan: Ack!

-she dives out of the way, scythes hooking a few swords aside as she rolls to her feet-

Iggy: Everyone always assumes I can’t fight. I’ll show them…

-More swords form, diving and slashing around Morgan as she desperately holds them off-

-cut back down to the street, where Liz is still battling zombies. Liz is slashing through dozens of them with little trouble, until a pair of them evade her at exceptional speed-

Liz: Ooh, Vampires. I was wondering when this was going to get interesting.

-she casually cuts one of them into dozens of pieces, but the second one sinks its fangs into her neck-

Liz: Hmm.

-and then bursts into flames-

Liz: What? Little divine magic too spicy for you? Honestly.

-and she returns to causing carnage, until she notices Morgan battling Iggy. She additionally notices dozens more Reapers slipping around buildings, angling towards Morgan’s back and taking up positions out of her sight-

Liz: Oh, come on. I can’t take my eye off that girl for a second…Time for phase two.

-cut to Dee and Andrew, who are still in their cell, when a Reaper storms up-

Reaper: You two!

-Andrew gulps-

Dee: Heya.

Reaper: You’re the reason I’m not on the frontlines right now!

Andrew: Um, well, the thing is—

Reaper: That is to say, thank you.

Andrew: Oh. Uh, you’re welcome.

Dee: I wouldn’t be grateful if I were you.

-a tendril of Love magic wraps around the Reaper, holding it still-

-a second Reaper walks up, the tendril extending from its sleeve, and lowers its hood to once again reveal Liz’s face-

Dee: I probably could have talked him onto the sigil myself.

Andrew: She means thank you.

Dee: I don’t.

Andrew: (a little desperately) She does.

Liz: She probably doesn’t. What sigil?

Dee: Andrew, help me with the bed.

-she and Andrew grab opposite sides of the bed and lift it up, careful not to drag it, and move it away from the corner-

-revealing an incredibly finely-drawn map of pencil sigils-

Liz: What.

Dee: Cool, huh?

Andrew: Liz, please tell me you understand these.

-Liz stares at them for a long moment-

Liz: I certainly do not. Dee, what does this do?

Dee: Stuff. Things. Put the Reaper on it, but make sure you don’t touch it.

Liz: Um.

Dee: Do you want this to work or not?

-Liz shrugs, and maneuvers the Reaper onto the sigil-

-it immediately vanishes, and about half the sigils glow with magic. The magic of the Reaper spills out as pure magic, lines twirling out from the sigil and reknitting it into a new, humanoid form, with no features except for a mouth-

-several more sigils light up, and words begin to pour from the form’s mouth-

Liz: Dee, what are you doing?

Dee: Just watch.

-as the figure finishes speaking, the last of the sigils start to glow, and the figure abruptly turns gray-

Liz: …What.

Andrew: …What.

Dee: Say hello to Dee Jr.!

-neither of them says hello, being too busy staring-

Liz: …Did you just—

Dee: Create the sigils for recycling the magic from a Spirit into a tulpa, a secondary ritual to turn a creature of pure magic into a Knowledge Contractor, and a tertiary ritual to cause the newly created tulpa to speak the words of the secondary ritual, all without the slightest bit of casting on my part, allowing me to create a Contractor despite being human and currently unable to cast?

-she grins-

Dee: Yeah. Yeah I did.

Liz: …How is that even possible?

Dee: I’m very, very, smart.

-she extends her hand to the tulpa, and power flows between them. Dee smiles wickedly, and turns to Andrew-

Dee: This is where you come in. She’s going to need some extra juice, so I was hoping you’d make a Contract with her too.

Andrew: …Sure.

-he does-

Liz: Wait, so what’s your plan with this god?

-Dee coughs-

Dee: I just created this being myself. What part of it screams divine to you?

Liz: Well, what’s your plan with it?

Dee: You’ll see. My advice, though? Get out of the line of fire.

-Liz nods, and dissipates-

Andrew: Now what?

Dee: Well.

-she grabs the mattress from the cot and tosses it aside, revealing hundreds more sigils scrawled onto the bedframe-

Dee: They’re playing at being gods? I say, let the punishment fit the crime.

-Knowledge magic gathers up around her hands-

Dee: Babel!

-and she slams her palms onto the map of sigils, a pulse of grey magic exploding outwards from her and through the walls of the Tower-

-back to Morgan, who is fending off Iggy’s onslaught, though she’s slowly being backed towards the other Reapers-

Morgan: Look, Iggy, you’re good, but you’re not…you know, that good.

-her scythes turn a deeper black, and slash cleanly through Iggy’s swords-

Morgan: See?

Iggy: I guess. Fortunately, I don’t have to be.

-he raises his voice-

-just as the wave of gray light washes over him-

Iggy: Ubij je!

-there’s a long pause, then a voice from behind Morgan speaks up-

Reaper #1: Attends, quoi?

-Morgan whirls around, to see the rest of the Reapers assembled-

Morgan: …This was your plan?

Iggy: Dobro…

-he pauses-

Iggy: Da li govorim srpski?

Reaper #2: Vent, jeg kender serbisk. Han fortalte os at dræbe hende.

-it pauses-

Reaper #2: Hvilket sprog taler jeg?

Reaper #3: Tanskan kieli.

-it pauses too-

Reaper #3: ...Perkele.

-Morgan, meanwhile, is looking in some confusion between the Reapers-

Morgan: So, uh, I’m out of here.

-and she hooks the next roof over with a scythe before running for it-

Iggy: Neko je zaustavio!

-Reaper #4 turns to Reaper #3-

Reaper #4: Uthini na?

-Reaper #3 shrugs helplessly-

-Liz, meanwhile, is watching Morgan flee the Reapers, grinning-

Liz: Phase 2 is well in hand, it looks like!

-a ghoul snarls in her face, she laughs back at it and flings it into a line of zombies, scattering them like ninepins-

-a bolt of Death magic whizzes past Liz’s ear. She rolls her eyes as Quinn lands nearby her, ducking behind a wing for cover as Laura hurls more helical blasts after her-

Liz: Nice to see you too, Quinn.

Quinn: Sorry, I’ll just be here a minute.

Liz: Take your time.

Quinn: You’re really letting Morgan take on all those Reapers by herself? She’s going to get killed!

Liz: Well, that’s what I said, but she wouldn’t listen. That’s why I have phase 3. You wanted to see how I was going to exert pressure on Zaresi? I just let her know what was coming.

Quinn: Phase 3?

-there’s a massive rush of air throughout the street-

Liz: Oh, here he comes now.

Quinn: He?

Liz: Take a look.

-she looks up-

-as do Laura, Evan, Janice, Morgan, and the Reapers-

-as does, in fact, every living person for several blocks-

-a dragon appearing in the sky in a fiery explosion will do that-

Morgan: This is possibly the best day of my life.

Quinn: Seriously?! You recruited the Dragon?

Liz: Yeah, why not? He was bored, I needed the muscle, we worked it out.

-the Reapers recover from their awe and start to advance on Morgan again, but are interrupted by a pillar of fire descending from Eneril-

Eneril: This retribution is long due, Zaresi!

Iggy: Znate, tehnički Liz—

Reaper #2: Hold kæft, Iggy!

-the Reapers scatter as Eneril rains more fire down on them. The Dragon glides past the battle towards the tower, and sinks his claws into it, tearing huge sections out of the building-

Liz: ...I’m sure we can fix that later.

-the Reapers already regrouping to pursue Eneril, the Dragon lends out an annoyed grumble, and sticks his claw into the Tower, withdrawing-

Dee: I’ve never been so happy to see the sun!

Andrew: What sun? We’re in London.

-Eneril then takes off, the Reapers continuing to chase him as they exchange fire-

-meanwhile, Quinn is still taking cover behind Liz’s wings-

Liz: Can you move, maybe? I’m really kind of busy right now.

Quinn: Just a second. Oh, watch out for that ghoul over there.

-Liz turns to see an undead darting towards her. She casually swipes at it with a Love wing, disenchanting it and leaving it to crumple-

Liz: Thanks for tha—

-she turns back. Quinn is gone-

Liz: Oh, cool, she figured that trick out.

-Laura runs up to Liz-

Laura: Oh, hey. Have you seen a Nymph?

Liz: Are you serious?

-Laura looks slightly ashamed-

Laura: It’s a little hard to get used to not being on the same side.

Liz: If you say so.

Laura: ...You’re not going to—

Liz: I’m not what you have to worry about.

-Quinn grabs Laura’s arms from behind. Laura attempts to create a blast of Death magic, but Quinn flares with Love magic, diverting the blast harmlessly-

Laura: Nice trick.

Quinn: Thanks!

Laura: So, uh...Quinn, right?

Quinn: You know my name.

Laura: No, I mean, that’s who you are, right? I kept seeing you but nobody ever actually told me what your deal was.

Quinn: Oh! Well, uh, yeah, I’m Quinn.

Laura: Well, um, sorry.

Quinn: Wait, are you serious? You’re still trying to apologize? You killed almost everybody I knew! Including, temporarily, me!

Laura: No, I mean sorry about this.

-she pulls on Quinn, whipping the Spirit around into a wall. Quinn’s form flickers slightly as she slides over the wall, and Laura uses the opportunity to break away. She frees her arms, spins around, and looses a helix of Death straight into Quinn’s face-

-or she would, if Quinn didn’t bend out of the way-

Laura: Okay, that’s kind of impressive.

Quinn: ...Yeah, I totally did not know I could do that.

-as the two battle, exchanging blasts and arrows at astonishingly close range, Evan and Janice are watching-

Janice: You know, I used to think you two were decent.

Evan: Laura’s okay, I think. I like to give her a hard time, but she really does think she’s doing the right thing.

Janice: Coming from you? Not really a high bar.

Evan: Whatever.

Janice: You killed hundreds of people. That’s really a whatever to you?

Evan: Oh, come on. You’re actually mad?

Janice: Was the gun to your head not a clue?

-Evan looks to the side slightly. Indeed, Janice has conjured up a pistol to Evan’s temple-

Evan: Aww, cute. But have you noticed where you’re standing?

-Janice looks down, and notices that Evan has dropped his sigil mat on the ground-

Janice: ...You really think you can get a ritual off before I shoot you? Those bird names have, like, 7 syllables per.

Evan: That’s true.

-he grins-

Evan: Fortunately, I’ve branched out a little.

-he stomps on the mat, and a crackling sphere of Death magic bursts out from it. Janice’s gun vanishes instantly, and they have just enough time to duck away as patches of their skin start to burn and necrotize where the sphere touches-

Janice: Okay, that was cool. Finally dropping that ridiculous theme?

Evan: Well, not entirely.

-he draws his knife-

Evan: Gypohierax!

-he slashes the knife through the air wildly, sending crescents of Death magic flying towards Janice-

Janice: Oh, that’s new.

-they conjure up heavy artillery by way of cover, but the crescents disintegrate their conjurations on contact-

Janice: New and unwelcome.

-they attempt return fire, but the sphere from Evan’s mat deflects the attacks-

Janice: Extremely unwelcome.

Evan: Having fun yet?

Janice: Speaking of fun, whatever happened to you using kid’s toys? That was whimsical and lighthearted. I appreciated it.

Evan: Something make you think this is a game? This is business, Janice. See, as outstanding War magic, you’re the red in my ledger. But don’t worry, I’m shooting to be in the black by the end of the day.

-there’s a long pause-

Janice: That was...possibly the worst line I’ve ever heard. It didn’t gel with the theme of the exchange at all! Like, at first you were going for the whole ”pretending this is a game” angle, but then you criticize me for trying to roll with it?

Evan: Maybe I’m mixing business and pleasure.

Janice: We always do that. Doesn’t excuse poorly-thought-out banter. Seriously, what kind of tortured metaphor—

Evan: How’s this for tortured? Carunculata!

-the sphere vanishes, and is replaced by an enormous wave of Death magic, which races after Janice-

Janice: ...Today is just...really difficult.

-and they bolt, disappearing behind a building-

Evan: Aw.

-he shrugs, and turns his attention to the Quinn and Laura fight. The two are still launching helices and arrows at each other from about a foot away-

Evan: What kind of...

Laura: Don’t take this personally or anything, but it would have been a lot easier if you’d died back in town.

-she sweeps a helix at Quinn’s head. Quinn responds by simply vanishing her head, and responds with an arrow, which Laura dodges with milliseconds to spare-

Quinn: How would I possibly not take that personally?

-she rains down arrows, and Laura steps out of the area of effect, putting some distance between her and Quinn-

Quinn: Honestly, you act like you can just say ”mission” and that excuses all the people you’re hurting. Do you not get the hypocrisy?

Laura: I’m trying to help people!

Quinn: Do you hear yourself? You expect everyone else to just be willing to lay down their lives for your plan!

Laura: I’ll happily die myself if that’s what it takes to get this world into some semblance of order.

Quinn: Good to know.

-she vanishes, reappearing behind Laura, and kicks her legs out from under her. Before Laura hits the ground, Quinn’s in front of her again, a bow and arrow forming and pointing directly at Laura’s heart-

Quinn: Morgan really didn’t want to do this, so I feel like she shouldn’t have to. But I think it needs doing.

-More and more magic gathers in the arrow, until it’s a very solid object. Laura just stares at it-

Laura: What are you waiting for?

Quinn: I’m not.

Laura: So why am I still alive?

Quinn: Do you not want to be?

-Laura shrugs-

Laura: I don’t think you’ve really got it in you to kill me.

-Quinn points the arrow a little more carefully-

-and an arc of Death magic slashes her from shoulder to hip, dissipating the bow and arrow. Quinn cries out in pain and collapses as Evan strolls up-

Evan: As usual, Laura, you need me to clean up your messes.

-he points his knife at Quinn, who is slowly pulling herself back together-

Evan: If you’re going to kill someone, you can’t take your time about it. But I guess it’s a little too late for advice now. Gypohi—

Janice: HEY EVAN!

-though only Evan was called, all three fighters look up to see Janice standing on top of a skyscraper-

Evan: ...How’d you get up there?

-he turns to Laura-

Evan: How’d they get up there?

-Laura shrugs-

Janice: WANNA SEE SOMETHING SUPER COOL?!

Evan: NO!

Janice: TOO BAD! ROLL OUT!

-and they step off the side of the building, plummeting towards the ground-

Evan: ...I guess that’s cool, in an existentially depressing sort of way.

Laura: Wait, look.

-Evan does-

-as Janice falls, wisps of War magic gather around them, forming a shell. Though at first it just seems like an amorphous blob, it gradually takes shape-

-until they land on their feet, encased in a two-story tall, heavily armed mech suit composed entirely of War magic-

Evan: ...Okay, that’s fairly cool.

Janice: Right?!

-and they open fire. Laura has just enough time to bring up a barrier, which quickly starts crumbling under the offensive-

Laura: That is an...astonishingly powerful ritual.

Janice: It ought to be! I spent months charging it!

Evan: Hmph. You’re not the only one with big guns. Normally I wouldn’t stoop to fake birds but...ZIZ!

-and he throws his mat onto the ground. It explodes with writhing tendrils of Death magic, parrying Janice’s fire-

Laura: When did you make that?

Evan: It’s been a work in progress.

-he points at Janice, and the tentacles all plunge towards the mech suit-

-and an arrow strikes them midway, pinning them to a wall-

Evan: Oh, come on.

-Quinn waves from where she’s reformed, a bow and arrow still floating behind her-

Quinn: You were saying something about killing people quickly?

-Evan’s tendrils tear free of their restraints, and Laura hops onto one of them, being carried up into the air. Quinn, as counterpoint, hops onto Janice’s shoulders as the four face off-

-back in the skies, Dee and Andrew have climbed up to Eneril’s back, and are holding on for dear life as the Dragon circles the city, slashing and blasting at the swarm of Reapers surrounding him-

Dee: Okay, so, tactics time.

Andrew: What?

Dee: Tactics time.

Andrew: No, I heard you, I’m just not sure what you mean. Why is it tactics time?

Dee: It’s always tactics time. We’re fighting. We need tactics.

Andrew: Then why announce it?

-Dee blinks a few times-

Dee: Right, so, Eneril, the ritual is keeping the Reapers from coordinating, which gives us the advantage.

Andrew: I don’t know if he’s listening.

Dee: Which means we’re going to need to communicate. You’re going to want to bank left; they’re lighter in that direction and you can hopefully get on one side of the entire army.

Eneril: You’re going to want to stop trying to give me orders.

Dee: Well, if you say so...

-and Eneril runs headlong into a massed group of Reapers, who open fire. Though he fends off the attacks with bursts of Darkness and Wealth magic, and disperses the Reapers with a wave of flames, the effort is clearly winding-

Eneril: ...So. Left?

Dee: Well, forward probably works now.

-Eneril plunges forward, slipping through the horde of Reapers before they can regather-

Dee: Moral of the story, listen when I give directions?

-Eneril snorts out an irritated breath-

Eneril: So it would seem.

Andrew: So, uh, what should I do?

Dee: Oh, you’re here for moral support.

Andrew: Starting to wish I’d taken Liz up on her offer.

-Dee grins, a little maniacally-

Dee: Too late now!

-Meanwhile, Morgan is still making her way towards the tower-

Morgan: Hey, Liz!

Liz: What?

Morgan: Have you noticed—

Liz: No, I mean ”what” as in, I can’t hear you!

Morgan: Wait what are you saying? I can’t hear you!

Liz: I can’t hear you! Morgan, can you come over here?

Morgan: What?

-Liz rolls her eyes, and in a flash is standing next to Morgan-

Liz: What is it? Make it quick, I have a zombie army to defeat.

Morgan: Have you noticed that Zaresi stopped recalling her duplicates?

-Liz looks up. Indeed, the dark flashes have stopped-

Liz: ...Uh-oh.

-and the Tower detonates-

-Zaresi rises from it. She’s still wearing the form of a Reaper, but she’s easily 40 feet tall, dozens of scythes floating around her. Morgan and Liz stare-

Zaresi: Afternoon, everyone.

Liz: ...Well. Time for phase 4.

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Volume 2, Chapter 8

Um, wow. It’s been a while. But it’s here and it’s time to conclude, with...

How I Met Your Goddess

-the two girls stare at Liz-

Liz: Well?

Morgan: …Yeah, you could definitely say we have questions.

Quinn: Dee and Andrew?

Liz: I’ve already told you, they’re safe. I have a few of my selves disguised as Reapers making the argument that they shouldn’t be executed. Even if Zaresi does decide to try and root me out of her forces, it’ll take long enough that I’ll be able to break them out too.

Morgan: But why break us out and not them?

Liz: Practicality. No way Evan was letting you live. Besides, Dee’s more useful if she’s on the inside.

Morgan: She can’t cast, though, right?

Liz: Not without a goddess, no…but she’s smart. You two, on the other hand, are better equipped as fighters.

Quinn: Hey!

Liz: Sorry. I couldn’t resist. In any case, Morgan, you’re an exceptionally powerful Magician, and as a Spirit, Quinn, your only limit is how much magic you have access to. I need you both on the frontlines.

Morgan: The frontlines? For what?

Liz: Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to bring down Zaresi.

-there’s another pause-

Morgan: Right, so that would be my second question. What the hell is going on?

Liz: …Right. Well, that one’s rather involved.

Morgan: We’ve got time.

-she blinks-

Morgan: …We’ve got time, right?

Liz: Somewhat unusually, yes. A number of factors have yet to be brought into play, and until they all get here, there’s no real point in trying anything. As such…

-she sits down in a chair, across from Morgan and Quinn-

Liz: It’s storytime. Have I ever told you how I met Zaresi?

Quinn: …How old are you?

Liz: Never mind that.

-cut to Morgan’s hometown, though it’s rather clearly in the past-

[Liz: Some time ago…]

[Quinn: How long exactly?]

[Liz: I said never mind.]

-a pair of Archons backtrack down a road, avoiding burning missiles-

[Morgan: Wait, Archons? Not Reapers?]

[Liz: We weren’t yet a Death faction. I’m getting there.]

Archon 1: I’m beginning to feel this assault was poorly planned.

Archon 2: Definitely could have gone better.

-a shape rounds the corner. It’s a 7-foot tall humanoid figure wreathed in flames. We will call it an Ifrit-

Ifrit: Running so soon? We’ve only just gotten started.

-the Ifrit holds out its hands, and flames cut the Archons off-

Ifrit: I mean, Oliss hasn’t even arrived!

-the flames start to draw inwards, and the Archons inch towards the Ifrit-

Ifrit: But if you insist, I will happily kill you. Home-fried Archons, coming right up!

-and suddenly a bolt of glowing yellow magic blows a hole through the Ifrit’s head. It suddenly shrinks dramatically, the flames around it nearly winking out-

Archon 1: …Oh my god.

Archon 2: I think I’m going to go enter the lottery.

Archon 1: That might be hard, considering you’re legally dead and most people can’t see you.

Archon 2: Spoilsport.

-a figure drops from a nearby rooftop, and lands in a crouch by the Archons-

-it unbends, revealing itself as a young woman with a shocking resemblance to a certain Reaper, though she’s wearing more yellow and pastels-

Liz: Need a hand?

Archon 1: I do miss them.

Archon 2: Some assistance wouldn’t go amiss.

Archon 1: Also, the Ifrit said something about Oliss.

Archon 2: So, um, keep an eye out, yiss?

Liz: …Yeah, you two need to stop.

Archon 1: Fine, fine, we know when we’re dissed.

Archon 2: I guess we need more practice.

Liz: Look, just go tell Z to get her butt over here.

Back in the Present

Morgan: Wait, Z?

Liz: Uh, well, I can’t quite remember her name. Zelda? Zanna? Zara? It’s been a while…look, don’t distract me.

Morgan: And you used to be a Light Magician?

Quinn: I’m having a really hard time picturing that. You’d look nice in yellow though.

Liz: (dryly) Thanks.

Morgan: What does this have to do with anything that’s happening now?

Liz: I’m getting there.

Quinn: You’re really playing this reference out.

Liz: …Shush.

Flashback! Again!

-the Archons flee, and Liz turns back to the Ifrit-

Liz: You can go now, if you want. I know Sal’s there.

Ifrit: Oh thank goodness.

-it also flees, and a woman steps out from an allyway. She’s about Liz’s age, maybe a little older, with pale, sunburnt skin and bright red hair. She is also wreathed in flames-

Sal: Yo, Liz.

Liz: Hi, Sal. Get it over with.

Sal: Get what over with?

Liz: Whatever trap you’ve set. We both know the little flame wrap is for show; you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t have some ritual set up you thought might actually work against me.

-she takes a couple skipping steps forward, and brilliant glowing yellow wings spread out behind her-

Liz: Besides, if you don’t bring it out, I can’t wreck it for you.

Sal: Cocky.

Liz: Correct.

[Quinn: I see your trash talk hasn’t improved.]

[Liz: Are you telling this story or am I?]

Sal: Well, if you want to end this that quickly, I suppose I might as well oblige. Pompeii!

-she spreads her arms out, Fire magic pouring from her into the ground. Dozens of lines spread out from her, forming a map of sigils across the entire street-

Sal: Didn’t see that coming, huh?

Liz: I’ll admit, it’s a little more large-scale than I was expecting.

Sal: That’s rituals for you. You never considered crossing over, really?

Liz: Always seemed like a lot of work.

Sal: But worth it.

[Morgan: Wait, was Sal like your Evan?]

[Liz: Will you please stop interrupting? …But yes.]

[Quinn: Yikes.]

Liz: Look, this talking was what I was trying to avoid. Can we just get to the bit where we fight?

Sal: Gladly. Cindercone!

-she points at Liz, and flames race along the sigils, exploding outwards towards her-

Liz: Impressive.

-she folds her wings in front of her, the flames glancing off them-

Sal: Freaking Light magic. Pyroclasm!

-the flames stop spraying wildly and begin to gather up. When they strike Liz’s wings, they don’t bounce away, instead clinging and burning like napalm-

Sal: You can’t keep that shield up forever!

[Liz: You may notice, at this point, that my fight with Sal was somewhat more…intense, than any conflict you saw before Zaresi’s ritual went off. It’s not an exaggeration. Oliss, the god Sal was serving, was destructive…as many Fire gods are.]

[Morgan: Uh, okay? What’s your point?]

[Liz: I’m laying the groundwork for the events that come next. It’s called effective storytelling.]

[Quinn: Whatever happened to “show, don’t tell”?]

[Liz: Whatever happened to “respect your elders”?]

[Quinn: Well, maybe if you told us how old you are--]

[Liz: Moving on.]

Sal: Come on, Liz. Anyone can see it. You’ve lost, so run away and let me leave the sigil here.

Liz: So you can turn the town to cinders? I don’t think so.

[Morgan: So you actually were trying to protect people at one point?]

[Liz: I’m getting there.]

Sal: Well, it’s that or stay here and burn. Either those wings of yours melt, or I’ll just keep adding fire until the convection roasts you.

Liz: As it happens, you aren’t getting to eventually.

-and a glowing sword descends from the sky, slashing at Liz’s wings to scrape the napalm away-

Sal: Ah, crap.

-a second sword descends more slowly, carrying another woman about Liz’s age. She’s very pale, with platinum blonde hair reaching to her midback. She’s also quite recognizable as Zaresi’s human form-

Liz: Thanks for the save, Z.

-she grins-

Z: You know I have your back.

End Flashback

Quinn and Morgan: Wait, what?

Liz: What?

Quinn: You said this was about how you met our goddess. Which, first of all, is wrong, because I never worshipped Zaresi. But secondly—

Morgan: This story’s about when Zaresi was still human?

Liz: I’m making use of a framing device.

Quinn: Also, how would you not remember her name from before she was a goddess?

Liz: It’s been a while! Now stop talking.

Resume Flashback!

-Z hops off of her sword, taking up a position next to Liz as more blades form around her-

Z: Sal. You’re really doing this?

Sal: This town’s ours, Z.

Z: And then what?

Sal: You and your goddess are going to leave, for starters.

Z: That’s not what I mean. What happens after you win? What do you need this town for?

Sal: Lots of magic.

Z: …And?

Sal: I don’t follow.

-Z sighs-

Z: Freaking conqueror gods.

[Morgan: Wow, she really said that?]

[Liz: You’ll see what I’m driving at.]

Sal: Look, I didn’t come here to banter. Are you going to fight or—on second thought, no or. Cryptodome!

-glowing spots appear beneath Z and Liz, and the two jump out of the way as pillars of fire extend upwards-

Liz: Okay, air time.

-she scoops up Z with a wing and hurls her into the air, where Z catches herself on a sword, Liz quickly leaping up to join her-

Sal: You think I didn’t account for three dimensions?

-and a sphere of light appears around the two, who dive out of it just as it ignites-

Liz: It crossed my mind. I’ll hold them off, Z, you take care of her?

Z: Right.

-the battle begins in earnest. It’s quite epic in scope, feathers slashing aside pillars and spheres of flame, swords flashing this way and that, and-

[Morgan: I feel like you’re embellishing.]

[Liz: Fine, I’ll just skip to the end.]

[Morgan: Hey wa--]

-anyway, Liz and Z win, dozens of swords holding off the flames as Liz plunges through to strike Sal with her wings-

Liz: This is over, Sal. Z’s got your sigil locked down, so run back to Oliss and tell him you’re done for the day.

Sal: Hmph. I suppose you’ll want me to put out the fires I started on the way here.

Liz: Um, yes. That should go without saying.

Sal: Fine, gosh.

-she turns around, and starts to leave-

-suddenly, another sword appears next to Z, pointed towards Sal-

Liz: Z? What are you doing?

Z: I—

-her face goes tight-

Liz: Z? Dismiss that last sword, okay?

-Z’s starts to emit light-

Liz: Dismiss it!

Z: Can’t…

-more light mists out from her, and she suddenly relaxes, all the swords around her dissipating-

Liz: Are you—

-and Z detonates in Light magic, leaving only a faint yellow smudge. Liz claps a hand to her mouth, and Sal turns around-

Sal: Well. That sucks.

Liz: You really want to be running about now.

-Sal takes the advice and scampers away as the light slowly condenses back into an Archon-

Liz: Z? Do you remember anything?

Z!Archon: …Uh, hi. Did I just become a Spirit?

Liz: …Yeah.

Z!Archon: Crap.

Liz: Do you remember me?

Z!Archon: Not in the slightest. Should I?

Liz: …

-she spins around angrily, wings extending and tearing gashes into the road to destroy Sal’s sigil pattern. She remains there, facing away from Z, wings still outstretched and breathing heavily-

Z!Archon: Yeah, I think I would remember that…

Liz: Just come with me.

-she dissipates her wings and stalks off, the Archon hurriedly following-

End Flashback

Morgan: Um…I’m sorry to hear that.

Quinn: Yeah…

Morgan: How is it relevant at all though?

Quinn: Also, you never actually told us how you two met.

Liz: Oh, we went to high school together. Turns out we were both Magicians, so we signed up at the same time.

Morgan: That’s really anticlimactic.

Liz: Yeah, turns out our actual meeting wasn’t really that important.

Morgan: Neither is any of this story, as far as I can tell.

Liz: I am getting there. Anyway, that sigil pattern took a lot of magic, so we had some peace for a while. During that time, I did everything I could to bring Zaresi’s memory back. I never told her what her name had been, they said not to do that, but... Every day, I’d ask her about things she should have known about, hoping she’d remember.

Morgan: Wait. Didn’t you say specifically not to do that when Quinn was a Poltergeist?

Quinn: Yeah, what gives?

Liz: You’ll see. About a month later, there was another little skirmish with Oliss…

Resume Flashback! Different one this time!

-Liz and the Z!Archon are battling a pair of Ifrits-

Liz: Archon, no offense, but I don’t think I need you here.

Z!Archon: Uh, Archon’s not my name.

Liz: Look, I know Iggy wanted a name, but that doesn’t mean every Spirit should get one.

[Morgan: Wait, Iggy was around then?]

[Liz: Yeah. He never really made anything of himself.]

[Quinn: Wow.]

[Liz: You didn’t kill him, by the way. I sent another version of myself to break the two of you out.]

[Morgan: Whoops.]

Z!Archon: No, I have a name though. It’s Z. Right?

Liz: Wait. You remember?

Z!Archon: Uh…yeah. Yeah, I think I do.

Liz: That’s amazing! Z, I—

-a ball of fire whizzes past her head-

Liz: Will get to that in a minute!

-after the battle, Liz is hugging Z, who has resumed her human form-

Liz: It’s so good to have you back!

Z: It’s nice to see you again, too, Liz. Or, you know…remember you.

-she smiles. Liz smiles back-

[Quinn: Wait, were you two--]

[Morgan: Oh, they so were.]

[Liz: Hush.]

Liz: Come on, let’s get back.

-she drags Zaresi off-

End Flashback

Liz: It…didn’t work out. See, one of the things I’d wanted to know the whole time Zaresi was busy being a faceless Spirit was about why she’d tried to attack Sal while she was running. And…well, I think the idea got implanted.

-she stops, and looks down, pursing her lips-

Liz: The reason I told you, Morgan, that informing Quinn about herself would alter her, is that I’m quite certain that I did the same to Zaresi. After she reformed, she was never really the same. She was quicker to anger, she was more ready to end fights for good…basically, she became a great deal more like who she is today.

Morgan: All because of a few conversations you had with her?

-Liz looks away. Morgan and Quinn exchange looks-

Liz: Eventually, it came to a head. After one battle with Oliss…

Resume flashback

-a number of Archons, as well as Liz, another Magician, and Z, are gathering by a school-

Z: I can’t be the only one who’s sick of this, right?

Liz: Sick of what?

Z: Sick of this fighting. Sick of stopping Oliss every month, and having to do it again the next. Sick of never being done.

-Liz laughs-

Liz: Well, you know, that’s how it is.

Z: It doesn’t have to be.

Archon 1: Whatchu talkin’ about, Z?

Z: I’ve had an idea. Sure, our goddess works. She keeps the town safe. But Light…let’s face it, Light’s not a Domain for doing that sort of thing. It’s good on defense, but what we need is offense. Which is why I’ve been looking up Death magic.

-Liz’s eyes widen. The other Magician, a young man, looks up sharply. The Archons, not having faces, have limited ability to express surprise, but manage to anyway-

Z: It’s a solution, not just a stopgap. We can destroy errant Spirits, we can fight back properly instead of playing catchup all the time.

Archon 2: So, what? You want to go over and ask if we can pretty please switch Domains? I don’t think it’s that easy.

Z: Actually, I was thinking of the more direct approach.

-she holds out a piece of paper-

Z: I have the ritual. I’m a Spirit now. What’s stopping me from doing it myself?

Magician: Your oath?

Z: I’ve served. I just happen to think it’s time for a promotion.

Archon 1: Are you expecting us to defect with you?

Z: I certainly think you will. But I feel confident in my plan, so regardless of who’s with me…well.

-she begins chanting, and Light magic bleeds off of her, suddenly turning pitch black. The change echoes across her, the last vestiges of color draining from her skin, hair, and eyes, and turning her clothes black-

Z: I stand by my decision. Who’s with me?

-there’s a long, pregnant, pause. And then one of the Archons moves next to Z-

Z: That’s one.

-she places a hand on the Archon’s head, and it transforms, into a Reaper-

Liz: That’s what a Death Spirit looks like? That isn’t ominous at all…

-one by one, the rest of the Archons follow, as does the other Magician, until only Liz is left-

Z: Well, Liz?

-she looks up at her, and their eyes meet. Liz stares into Zaresi’s eyes, which are wide, hopeful, almost sparkling-

[Morgan: You had it baaaaad.]

[Liz: Don’t interrupt.]

Liz: …Can we talk?

Z: Sure.

-the two move off to one side, away from the others-

Z: What is it? Sorry I didn’t tell you, I just sort of thought you would freak.

Liz: I still might. I mean, Death goddess? There hasn’t been a Death god in…well, I’ve certainly never heard of one.

Z: That’s what makes it a good idea. Nobody’s ever going to expect it. Besides, we have a goddess of Parking, so what could be weirder than that?

Liz: It just seems…excessive.

Z: It’s not!

-she paces back and forth, wringing her hands-

Z: I was thinking about what you said, and it hit me.

Liz: What I said?

Z: When I was an Archon, you kept asking me why I tried to attack Sal. And I couldn’t remember, so I just had to keep thinking about it.

-Liz tilts her head-

Z: And I figured it out. I must have thought that I was done. It’s like I said, I didn’t want to have the same fight over and over again.

Liz: No. You were probably just tired, you didn’t want to—

Z: No, no, that isn’t it! I figured it out, Liz! If we’re using Death magic, we can actually put a stop to Oliss, and to any other god like him!

-she smiles-

Z: And thank you for helping me work it out.

-Liz stares at Z, eyes wide-

Z: So. Are you in?

Liz: …Yeah.

-she places her hand in Z’s, and the magic around her shifts, turning into Death magic-

Z: You’re probably gonna need a change of outfit.

Liz: Shame, I liked yellow…

-she sighs-

Liz: So, you’re a god now. What are you going to call yourself?

Z: I think…Zaresi.

-Zaresi nods to Liz, and walks off, leaving Liz staring after her, an expression of horror spreading across her face-

End Flashback

Quinn: …Wow.

Liz: Yeah.

Quinn: Wait, why didn’t you take over from her?

Liz: I was still a Magician at the time. Couldn’t be a goddess. But I figured Zaresi would listen to anything I had to say.

Morgan: So, um…if you talked Zaresi into this—

-Liz glares at her, but Morgan continues talking-

Morgan: Couldn’t you talk her out of it?

Liz: Maybe at some point I could have. But I confess, I wanted to see if maybe she was right. So I stood by when Zaresi made her attack on Oliss. I wasn’t so excited about participating, but…

Resume Flashback

-Zaresi, still in her human form, is talking with Liz-

Liz: You’re sure you don’t want me at the front?

Zaresi: Oliss knows there’s been a change. She probably pegged me as the source, so she’s going to try and take me out, hopefully decapitating our forces.

Liz: So I’m your bodyguard?

Zaresi: You’re my friend. There’s nobody I’d rather have watching my back.

-Liz smiles and nods-

Sal: There you are.

-Sal rounds the corner, followed by three Ifrits. Liz rolls her eyes, and spreads a pair of pitch-black wings-

Sal: You think I’m scared because you’ve got some fancy new magic?

Liz: You really should be.

-Sal laughs spitefully-

Sal: Ifrits, get her.

-the Ifrits hustle around Sal, and all three of them are met by feathers, left with burning holes. They swiftly backpedal, moving behind Sal-

Liz: Still not scared?

Sal: Hmph. Bet you can’t keep that up.

-she pulls a rubber band from her pocket-

Sal: Chicxulub!

-and fires it. It ignites brilliantly, a star streaking towards Liz-

-who simply shoots it with another feather, vaporizing it-

Liz: Was that supposed to be impressive?

-she turns to Zaresi-

Liz: You know, I’m loving the Death magic. Really works.

Zaresi: Be careful. Don’t burn yourself out.

Liz: Eh. Never happened before.

End Flashback

Liz: Well, it happened. And I didn’t recover my memories for a long time.

Quinn: Okay, question.

Liz: Yes?

Quinn: I got back all my memories in…well, a few days. It’s been a week, tops. Why didn’t you?

Liz: You know, I’m not entirely sure. I do have my suspicions, though.

-she smirks-

Quinn: What?

Liz: Oh, nothing.

-her smile fades-

Liz: Anyway, while I was out of commission, Zaresi got a whole lot worse. She’d annihilated Oliss’s forces. Every Spirit and Magician either joined her, left town, or died.

Quinn: Sounds familiar.

Liz: Yeah. She became a bit of a recluse after that; I don’t think she had many other friends. That was when she picked up the habit of dressing up as a supersize Reaper and never using contractions, incidentally.

Morgan: I’d been wondering about that.

Liz: The minute I regained my memories, I realized I had to talk to her. She’d changed a lot in my absence. She hadn’t bothered getting anyone to double-check her thinking after me, and she was convinced that her way was the right one.

Morgan: But you never brought it up?

Liz: We couldn’t really pick up where we’d left off. She wasn’t the same person I remembered, and I’d been a faceless Reaper for so long that she never quite went back to thinking of me as her best friend…we were cordial, and after a time we were even close again, but it was a different relationship.

Morgan: I’m sorry.

Liz: What’s past is past. After all that, I ended up just sort of going along with things. Out of momentum, really. I don’t think I ever expected Zaresi to actually succeed…and when she did, it hit me what I’d helped set in motion. And I realized it couldn’t work.

Morgan: You’re telling me?

Liz: You’ve seen it, right? The gods that have power are either despots, like Zaresi, or bystanders like Novju.

Quinn: Uh, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there’s kind of no way to fix that without running into the same problem.

Liz: That’s mostly true, which is why I have come up with a brilliant plan.

Morgan: Yeah?

Liz: Sure. We’re going to gather as much freefloating magic as we possibly can, and we’re going to blow it all off of the Earth.

-there’s a long pause-

Morgan: Come again?

Liz: You heard me. Zaresi’s march has been concentrating more and more of the world’s magic into herself. So, if we take her out, and we don’t use Evan’s ritual to do it…it’s gone. I was hoping I could manage that earlier, when Evan killed Novju, but Dee and Andrew got in my way. So things have been a bit more difficult. Hence…well, all of this.

Morgan: (quietly) Did you just say hence?

Quinn: So where do we come in?

Liz: I figured you two might be in the market for Contracts.

-their eyes widen-

Liz: Do you remember when Retilwa showed up, and we tried turning Avarra into a goddess to counter him? I’m working on the same principle. If I declare myself as a goddess of Death, Zaresi’s going to get wind of it, and we’re going to throw down.

Morgan: And we can take her?

Liz: Oh, absolutely not.

-Morgan and Quinn look nonplussed-

Liz: Which is why I’ve set up a couple more plans. There’s plenty of Death magic to power me as a Death goddess, but I’m not stopping there. Quinn, how’d you like to be doing Love magic again?

Quinn: Wait, but that’s completely against the treaties.

-crickets-

Quinn: …Okay, before anyone says anything, I heard myself say that. That’s fair. I understand.

Liz: Wilthe’s remaining Magicians should be enough in that regard, and the multiplying effect of different magic types will give me a boost.

Morgan: Wow.

Liz: So are you in?

Morgan: I mean, I don’t like it…

Quinn: But I don’t think there are so many other options.

Morgan: Let’s do it.

Liz: Not yet.

Morgan: And why not?

Liz: We have resources, but not enough of them, and we don’t know how to apply them.

Morgan: Since when do we need that kind of strategy?

Liz: Since we’re still outgunned. We have to be smarter than Zaresi if we’re going to win here.

Morgan: No, we just need to hit her before she gets stronger!

Liz: We need a plan!

Morgan: A plan didn’t exactly work out against Nicholas!

Liz: This isn’t Nicholas! This isn’t a squabble with Vorn or Erian, this isn’t fighting off some Spirit with an ego and a chessboard! We are declaring war on a god, and if we want a chance of winning, you need to understand how to win, not just fight!

Morgan: What?

Liz: As much as I hate to agree with anything Evan’s said…ever, he had a point. You get angry, and you let that run your fighting. You’re trying to hurt someone, but you don’t know what you’re doing, and so you can’t finish anything. You didn’t kill Nicholas, you didn’t kill Laura, you won’t kill anything when you get the chance.

Morgan: What’s so wrong with that?

Liz: You can’t start something you’re not willing to finish. Defeating someone and leaving them alive is just purposeless violence, and throwing yourself at Zaresi so you can die like a hero is just purposeless death, which I’m sure you’ve had enough of!

-Quinn’s jaw drops. Morgan stares at Liz in shock for a moment. Liz, meanwhile, gathers her composure before continuing-

Liz: When you fight to accomplish something and not just fight, we can stop Zaresi.

-there’s a long pause. The fight drains out of Morgan, and she slumps to the ground. Quinn puts an arm around her-

Liz: Are you done?

Morgan: …Yeah.

-Liz beams-

Liz: Wonderful! Now, shall we begin planning?

Morgan: Fine.

Liz: The moment I assume the role of a Death goddess, Zaresi will know where we are. We need to wait until everything is in place.

Quinn: What’s everything?

Liz: Well, for starters…

-there’s a knock on the door-

Liz: Oh, wow, timed that perfectly.

Morgan: Uh, shouldn’t you not be talking that loudly?

Liz: Don’t worry, I know who that is.

-her arm stretches out to unlock the door. It opens, to reveal-

Janice: Hey! Long time no see!

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Volume 2, Chapter 7

What? Really? It’s here? Shocking.

Resistance as a Function of Time

Andrew: You don’t have to be like that.

Dee: I don’t have to not be like that either. This is all we’ve got?

Morgan: It’s a start, right?

Quinn: What is it you do, exactly?

Cam B: Pretty much what you just saw. We hang around in the stations, waiting to hear anything.

Cam C: Because these days, if you hear anything, it’s bad news.

Cam B: And if there’s someone who needs rescuing, we rescue them. That’s really all there is we can do.

Cam C: We take them into the station, keep them around until curfew’s over, and get them back home as soon as we can.

Cam B: If someone’s actually wanted for something, we can usually shelter them until Zaresi stops paying attention. There’s a lot of her, but nobody can keep track of 7 billion people.

Quinn: A lot of her? What do you—

-she pauses-

Morgan: Novju’s ritual.

Quinn: Evan must have helped her with it.

Cam C: Wait. You know Evan?

Morgan: Sadly.

Cam B: He’s, like, our archnemesis.

Cam C: We don’t have an archnemesis. He’s just a problem. According to our inside source, he’s pretty much Zaresi’s go-to research guy.

Quinn: He did recently kill a goddess older than most civilizations and absorb her memories, yeah.

-the Cams stare-

Quinn: …Uh, anyway, you have an inside source?

Cam C: How do you think we’ve survived this long? We get tipped off if we need to make ourselves scarce, we know a little more than we might about Zaresi’s people.

Morgan: Do you know who they are?

Cam C: Not really. They talk to a Reaper, the Reaper talks to us.

Dee: …How do you know this person is trustworthy?

Cam B: Haven’t led us wrong yet.

Dee: That’s kind of a lacking reason to trust someone.

Cam B: It’s all we’ve got.

Dee: This is why I like Knowledge magic. So much less uncertainty.

-she huffs, and walks off-

Morgan: …I mean, she’s not wrong. That’s ominous.

Cam C: We all know that.

Wilthe: You can confirm what they’ve said, though, can’t you?

Morgan: Sure.

-cut to everyone sitting in a circle-

Cam C: From what you’re saying, Evan’s probably the best person to go after. He’s a huge information source, he’s spiteful enough to come after you, and he’s not actually any good in a fight.

Quinn: It really depends on how much he’s been able to teach Zaresi.

Dee: Probably not a lot.

-everyone turns to Dee-

Dee: What? After I discorporated a Magician they sent to check on me, they started letting me have books to keep me quiet. Novju’s ritual is incredibly complicated. There’s no way Zaresi could keep it going without help from Novju, or at least someone with most of her memories.

Quinn: What if she’s smarter than you’re giving her credit for?

Dee: She’s definitely not.

-everyone stares at Dee for a while-

Andrew: …Besides, even if Zaresi figures out that one ritual, there are probably other things she could learn from Evan. It’s worth doing anyways.

Dee: Surprisingly good point.

Andrew: Come on, Dee, I’m trying to back you up.

Dee: And you made a good point.

Andrew: Yeah, but when you say it like that—

Wilthe: Enough, please.

-the conversation stops-

Dee: Sorry.

Andrew: Sorry.

Wilthe: Is it agreed? Evan is the person to target?

Dee: Yes.

Andrew: Sure.

Morgan: I’m always up to target Evan.

Quinn: I still owe him payback for so many things.

Cam C: It certainly seems like our best option.

Cam B: Then let’s do it.

Wilthe: Then let’s plan.

-cut to a zoo, at night, where Evan is walking around, examining sleeping birds and flanked by four zombies-

-voiceovers of everyone else-

Wilthe [VO]: According to our sources, Evan tends to visit the zoo after curfew. Apparently he’s a bird person?

-Evan is watching a secretary bird nap-

Cam B [VO]: I thought those didn’t exist.

Cam C [VO]: No, bird person like he likes birds, not that he’s part bird.

-Evan, who is looking at a guidebook about secretary birds, attempts to imitate its call, and frowns-

Dee [VO]: Syntactic ambiguities aside, how do we get there?

Wilthe [VO]: I think you don’t really understand how enormous London is. There aren’t enough zombies to be everywhere at once.

Cam C: Once you get past the whole “undead horde” thing, it’s actually not that hard navigating after curfew. We can get to the zoo no problem.

Morgan: If he has zombies, we want to deal with them first. The ones Evan makes himself are usually tougher than the ones in the subway.

-in the park, a rope of pink light suddenly pulls one of Evan’s zombies away. His head jerks up, and as he turns, another disappears. Repeat until all have vanished-

Morgan: And we want to get that knife away from him. He keeps a lot of rituals on it.

-Evan draws his knife, and an arrow drops from the sky, disarming him. The knife skitters away-

Evan: …Hm. Someone thinks they’re clever.

Quinn: I mean, yeah.

-she steps out from behind a cage, two bows floating next to her-

Evan: You’re Morgan’s friend, aren’t you? Didn’t I kill you?

Quinn: Didn’t take.

-she lets herself flare out a bit-

Evan: So I get to kill you in front of Morgan again? Cool.

-he looks around a bit-

Evan: I assume she’s with you?

-Morgan steps out from behind another cage, on the other side of Evan-

Quinn [VO]: Morgan, have you ever used Love magic?

Morgan [VO]: No?

Quinn [VO]: Don’t worry, it’s not hard to learn.

-and a set of rapiers appear around Morgan, floating in the air-

Evan: So you found yourself another god. Something about the resistance, I’m—

-he’s cut off as he ducks an arrow from Quinn-

Evan: Oh, is that how you want to be? Okay. I can play that game too.

Quinn: With what? The knife you can’t find?

Evan: What kind of ritualist would I be if I only carried one storage device? Ardeola idae!

-while speaking, he draws a slinky from his pocket, letting it drop. As it taps the ground, and both Morgan and Quinn attack, a cocoon of Death magic springs up around him, deflecting the strikes as Evan sprints off to the side-

Morgan: Don’t let him get the knife!

Evan: Try and stop me! Syrigma sibilatrix!

-Evan does exactly the thing you are never supposed to do with a slinky, whirling it around himself like a flail. A crescent of Death magic sprays outwards-

Quinn: I’ve got it!

-arrows rain down on the Death magic, pinning it to the ground even as it burns through them. Morgan, meanwhile, leaps onto a rapier, vaults over the attack, and tackles Evan, sending him sprawling-

Evan: You sure that was a good plan?

-he yanks his phone out of his pocket, pointing it in Morgan’s face-

Evan: Bu—

-a rapier shatters it-

Morgan: That got old a long time ago.

-Evan snarls-

Evan: I liked that phone, you know.

-and a zombie plucks Morgan off of him-

Morgan: Gah!

-she stabs at it, but a mantle of Death magic protects it. Quinn fires several arrows, but they dissolve as they get close-

-the aura of Death around the zombie begins spreading to Morgan, who yelps-

Evan: Gotcha. After Holly took the boring way out, I was really excited to disembowel one of you. Guess this is my chance.

Quinn: Guess again!

-and she picks up Evan and hurls him at the zombie-

-as he flies towards it, he gestures in its direction and the aura around it vanishes, which is fortunate as he crashes into it shortly thereafter-

Evan: What, did you think I wouldn’t have an offswitch for the death aura?

Quinn: I was sort of counting on it, actually.

-and an arrow removes the magic from the zombie, which collapses to the ground, Morgan rolling free. Evan glares-

Evan: What’s with you, anyway? It’s not like you’re dead.

Quinn: Are you kidding me?

-she vanishes as another zombie attempts to claw at her, and while Morgan goes to battle the zombie, continues firing arrows at Evan, who parries with his slinky-

Quinn: First of all, you still killed almost everyone I’ve ever known.

-she vanishes and reappears behind Evan to fire again, but he blocks without looking-

Quinn: Secondly, even if it didn’t work, you kept trying to wipe my memory.

Evan: It didn’t work? That’s annoying. Why not?

Quinn: I had a counter-ritual!

-she rains down arrows. They all vanish into a cloud of Death magic-

Quinn: Oh, and thirdly…

-Quinn vanishes again, appearing right next to Evan, and hurls him straight into the air-

Quinn: It freaking hurt, you asshole!

Evan: Gah! Ixobrychus exilis!

-a burst of Death magic appears around him, gently carrying him back to the ground-

-at least until Quinn shoots it out from under him. Evan drops to the ground, lying stunned-

Quinn: Morgan! How are you doing?

-Morgan is fighting the remaining three zombies, but her attacks simply glance off their mantles-

Morgan: Uh…could be better.

Quinn: Most definitely. We need to overwhelm them. Those barriers are tough, but they can’t just hold out fore—

-and the zombies collapse-

Quinn: …

Morgan: Huh. Maybe I got lucky.

Evan: (spitting) Don’t count on it. Neophron!

-he points the knife which he grabbed at Quinn and Morgan. Spikes shoot out from it, impaling the two of them. Death magic flickers out around them as Quinn begins to dissolve-

-Evan leers-

Evan: You actually thought you had a chance here? You’ve never won a fight against me, Morgan. You couldn’t even fight me before Zaresi became queen of the world, so what hope do you think you have now, huh?

-he waves his knife-

Evan: So you killed one of my zombies! Big deal! I just needed to gather back some of the power stored in the other three for the ritual that’s killing the two of you now!

-and then he points the knife at Morgan-

Evan: Now. I want to be clear. You failed. It’s done. This isn’t a fight, it’s the cutscene when you lose. So game. Freaking. Ov—

-he’s blasted off his feet by a stream of hearts, slams into a rock, and crashes to the ground (dropping the knife), as Cam B and C step out from their hiding place-

-the two of them then focus fire on the knife, which explodes in a shower of magic, releasing Quinn and Morgan-

Quinn: …Ow.

Morgan: Yeah.

Cam C: Sorry we’re late.

Morgan: So not complaining.

-she turns to Evan-

Morgan: Hey, jackass, maybe learn to stop monologuing.

-Quinn, meanwhile, is conjuring up a series of bowstrings, wrapping them around Evan’s hands and feet-

Evan: I’m kinkshaming.

Quinn: Stick it in your eye.

Evan: Thought you’d want to kn—

-she jams a bow into his mouth-

Evan: Mmph!

Cam C: Can’t he just cast a spell to burn his way out?

Morgan: Maybe someone else could. Evan can’t cast to save his life.

-Evan glares-

Quinn: I can set up a ritual to keep him from using magic once we’re back.

Cam B: Then we should get going before more zombies show up.

-cut back to the base, by the subway car, where Evan is securely tied up with actual rope, and sitting in a corner inside a circle of Love magic-

Dee: I’m still sort of surprised that you actually managed that.

Morgan: Ye of little faith.

Dee: In you? That’s correct.

Morgan: That’s hurtful.

Dee: But correct. So. Now what?

Morgan: Huh?

Dee: You got Evan. Zaresi will be looking for you to get him back, I’m sure. So what are you doing now?

-there’s a long silence-

Dee: …When will I learn to stop assuming you have a plan?

Morgan: Apparently? Never.

-Wilthe, who has been watching silently, sighs-

Wilthe: With Evan gone, it is hopefully likely that Zaresi will begin having difficulty in maintaining her rituals. If we can hide from her long enough, it is entirely possible that she will be forced to reconsolidate herself.

Morgan: So? If she’s as powerful as Novju, that won’t make much of a difference.

Wilthe: Unlike Novju, however, Zaresi maintains spells and rituals all over the planet.

Morgan: So?

-Quinn, however, seems to be getting an idea-

Wilthe: As you get further and further from a ritual, the drain on your energy grows.

Dee: I once tried to leave a ritual going to read a book for me while I did my groceries. I nearly passed out.

-Morgan’s eyes light up-

Morgan: So you’re saying—

Quinn: --If Zaresi can’t get Evan back, and she loses her eyes and ears—

Wilthe: Her power will most likely be severely curtailed. It’s most likely the case that she lost a great deal of Novju’s power in her initial display of force, forcing her to rely on proxies like she does. If she were forced to withdraw again, it might even be possible for the world’s remaining gods and goddesses to band together and defeat her.

-Morgan stares-

Morgan: That’s…that’s the best news I’ve heard all day. All week.

Quinn: Hey now.

Morgan: Okay, second-best. But still!

-there’s a noise from the other side of the room. Everyone turns, and sees Evan losing it-

Morgan: What’s so funny?

-Evan, obviously, doesn’t respond-

Quinn: …Do we want to risk ungagging him?

Dee: No.

Cam C: What’s the harm he could do?

Dee: I don’t like hearing him talk.

Morgan: Yeah, fair enough.

-Evan shrugs and returns to silence-

Morgan: …So I guess now we wait.

-cut to a couple hours later. Everyone is just sort of lounging, Morgan and Cam C are cooking some instant noodles. Evan, meanwhile, has been left in the train car-

Dee: All too familiar.

Andrew: So, um, who’s feeding Evan?

Morgan: Does someone have to?

Cam B: Come on.

Morgan: Okay, okay. But I’m not doing it.

-Cam B looks at Dee-

Dee: No.

Andrew: I’m equally not interested.

Quinn: Not a chance.

Cam C: Hey, I made these noodles.

-Cam B sighs, picks up a bowl, and heads into the train car-

Morgan: So.

-there’s a pause-

Morgan: Anyone got a deck of cards, or something?

Quinn: I could probably conjure one up.

Morgan: Oh, nice.

-Quinn flicks her hand, and a deck of cards made out of sparkling pink Love magic indeed appears on the floor-

-Morgan grins-

-a few minutes later, everyone is playing cards-

Morgan: Full house.

Quinn: BS.

Morgan: Damn it.

-she takes a card from the deck, and places a card from her hand into a discard pile-

Dee: …What game are you two playing?

Andrew:  It looks complicated.

Dee: It also looks like you’re losing, Morgan.

Morgan: I am! It’s ridiculous, Quinn was never this good at—

-she pauses-

Morgan: Hey, Quinn, how do you shuffle a deck that’s literally just you?

-Quinn beams at Morgan, whose face falls. Dee and Andrew laugh, when Cam C looks up-

Cam C: …Hey, shouldn’t Cam B be back by now?

-there’s a pause-

-a moment later, everyone enters the train car-

-to find Cam B being held at forkpoint by Evan-

Evan: Hi, everyone! How’s your evening going?

-Morgan immediately summons several rapiers, but Evan just grins-

Evan: You don’t get any better at this, do you? When I take someone hostage, you play along. Or do you need me to kill someone else in front of you?

-Morgan’s eyes widen and she starts to move, but Quinn gets in her way-

Quinn: How’d you get out? That circle was perfect.

Evan: Maybe for me. Wouldn’t keep Novju in for long.

-he winks-

Evan: A hemp rope withers pretty fast when you expose it to a little Death magic.

-he giggles-

Quinn: You still don’t have any rituals. We can take you out again, even if you can cast.

Evan: Admittedly, you’re probably right. Which is why that wasn’t my plan at all.

-he takes a phone from his pocket-

Evan: Would you like this back, Thing 1?

Cam B: …Yes.

-Quinn gulps-

Dee: …Uh-oh.

Evan: Tick-tock. Thanks for helping me find you guys.

-and the ceiling caves in-

Zaresi: Hello.

-Morgan and Quinn both move to attack, and Zaresi holds out a hand-

Zaresi: No.

-and Wilthe is swallowed up by Death magic-

-the effect is immediate, both Morgan and Quinn’s magic vanishes-

Zaresi: Insects is what you are. You cannot keep fighting. I become stronger and stronger, and your persistence falls ever further from a threat to an annoyance.

-she raises her hand again, as everyone looks on in horror. Evan, meanwhile, has made a tactical retreat-

Zaresi: An annoyance which I will now snuff out. It has been a pleasure.

-Zaresi falls silent to make her point. There’s a long pause as everyone stares at each other-

Dee: Um, actually?

Zaresi: Hm?

Dee: I don’t agree.

-Dee and Andrew step towards each other, and suddenly join into a single person-

-that person being Liz-

Liz: You know, I’m beginning to see why Novju was so fond of doing that. It’s quite a rush.

Morgan: …What.

Liz: You know, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to satisfactorily imitate those two, but I suppose I shouldn’t have bothered trying so hard, given your usual lack of perception.

Quinn: …What.

Liz: Before anyone starts asking the fiddly questions, the real Andrew and Dee are safe. Still imprisoned, but safe. As is, for that matter, the real Liz.

Zaresi: (beginning to recover from the shock) Not for long.

Liz: Oh, I very much doubt you can find me. I know all your tricks, after all. Incidentally, Z…

-and she spreads her wings-

Liz: Consider this my resignation.

-and her wings snap forward, cutting Zaresi off as she’s blasted into the far wall-

Evan: Traitor!

Liz: Oh, be quiet. I’ve heard enough from you.

-Liz points at Evan, Death magic starting to gather around her. Evan, taking stock of the situation, flings a small and fairly decrepit bolt of Death magic at Liz and runs-

-Liz simply bats the attack aside, and sighs, turning to the Magicians-

Liz: Morgan, Quinn, Cam B and C. I’ve found safe houses for you, take these addresses and go. I’ll explain things later.

Cam B: But—

Liz: No buts. Trust me.

Morgan: Why would I ever do that?

Liz: As I see it? You don’t have a choice.

-some rubble shifts, and smoke flows out of it, reforming into Zaresi-

Zaresi: Liz! What have you done?!

Liz: Something a long time coming.

-she turns back to Zaresi, spreading her wings again-

Liz: Seems almost a shame to bother with this fight, being as we’re both only projections…but what the hell. Taste of things to come.

-Zaresi conjures up twin scythes-

Zaresi: I do not have any desire to fight you.

Liz: Makes sense.

-she turns back to the Magicians-

Liz: Did you not hear me? Go!

-the Magicians do indeed go, as Liz and Zaresi clash, flashes of Death magic spraying everywhere-

-as they run, Cam B and Morgan check the addresses-

Cam B: These aren’t the same places, I don’t think.

Morgan: Well…good luck, okay?

Cam C: You too.

-the two split up-

-cut to a small hotel, where Quinn and Morgan enter. Morgan walks up to the front desk, looking at the piece of paper-

Morgan: Hi, I’m here for the, uh…

-she checks-

Morgan: Eliza M reservation?

Clerk: Oh, yes, right this way.

-cut to the room. The clerk leaves, and Quinn floats out of Morgan’s jacket and resumes a human form-

Morgan: Liz’s note says to keep the windows closed and the lights off.

-the two peer out the window, and indeed there are Reapers flying through the skies above the city. They immediately shut the blinds and blackout the room, ducking into a corner-

-there’s a long silence-

Quinn: So that…happened.

Morgan: I think.

Quinn: Now what?

-Morgan looks at the note, using Quinn as a lamp to read it-

Morgan: Doesn’t say. Just… “Wait.”

Quinn: I hate waiting.

Morgan: You and me both…

-but they do. For a while. Time passes…-

-Morgan yawns-

-Quinn yawns-

-the two curl up with each other, starting to nod off…-

-and there’s a knock on the door-

-the two immediately sit up, Morgan looking around the room for a weapon. A glowing cloud seeps under the door, and reforms-

-into Liz. She’s not wearing black, unusually, and the ambient magic around her isn’t Death but just a general white cloud-

-the two girls stare at her-

Liz: So. I imagine you have a few questions.

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Volume 2, Chapter 6

Breaking Out is Hard to Do

Morgan: …Quinn?

Quinn: Who were you expecting, anyway?

Morgan: Quinn! You’re okay, I’m so glad you’re okay!

-and she hugs Quinn tightly and cries-

Quinn: It’s good to see you again too.

-she blushes faintly-

Quinn: I’d give your mourning for me a…7 out of 10? Could have used more tears. But I guess you were busy trying to save the world. On the other hand, you did punch Evan for me, so maybe I should bump you up a notch…

Morgan: Well, my concerns about a Spirit masquerading as you have been dispelled.

Quinn: Nice.

-Morgan blinks a couple times-

Morgan: …Nalis?

Quinn: Um, yeah.

Morgan: Why?

Quinn: Maybe we can get to that later?

Morgan: Uh…

Quinn: I was working for Nalis before you were working for Zaresi, though. But because of his rules, I wasn’t about to tell anyone. I was sort of hoping you weren’t ever going to get mixed up in magic. It’s a little bit of why I was okay with starting a band…

Morgan: You were, like, the least interested of all of us. Which is kind of impressive because I’m including Jacob in this.

Quinn: I was hoping you’d just end up a band Magician. You wouldn’t have to deal with anything serious, you’d be left out of the fights in the town…

Morgan: Well, that didn’t work.

Quinn: It did not. After what happened with your sister… I was pretty sure you’d been picked up by someone. And then the cloud showed up at school, and… well, you know Nalis gave us a ritual we could use to block mind-wiping, too.

Morgan: …Oh.

Quinn: Evan is a dick.

Morgan: You’re telling me.

Quinn: I wasn’t sure what to do. I talked to Nalis, who told me to just sit back and watch.

Morgan: You didn’t know he was having one of his Magicians follow me?

Quinn: I didn’t know anything about his plans. He didn’t tell anyone anything, he didn’t even tell us what he was up to or about his other Magicians.

Morgan: That doesn’t seem like good planning.

Quinn: It certainly didn’t work out for him.

Morgan: …Yeah.

Quinn: I didn’t know he was going to try and take over like everyone else. I thought he was pretty minor; he just had me and a Nymph or two on tap. When it turned out he was trying a major ritual, I went to go find you to make sure you were okay.

-Morgan blinks-

Morgan: …Thanks.

Quinn: Unfortunately, Taylor found me on the way to the graveyard. He was basically our Evan.

Morgan: Yikes.

Quinn: Yeah. He wanted my help catching the tulpa you guys made—

Morgan: Did everyone but me know it wasn’t a Fae?

Quinn: …Is that what they told you? I don’t think there’s any such thing as the fae.

Morgan: …Oh. Wow.

-Quinn looks sheepish-

Quinn: Anyway, the tulpa split us up in the forest, and I happened to find Evan graffiti-ing some walls. I thought he was just…you know, being Evan, but after he left I took a closer look at the sigils he was putting up. Turned out he was trying to amplify his kill ritual.

Morgan: How do you know about that? You weren’t there when he was—

-she pauses-

Morgan: Wait.

Quinn: Yeah?

Morgan: When I was fighting Nicholas, there was some Love magic that came out of nowhere and stopped him from killing me. At the time everyone thought Nalis helped out for a bit, but—

-Quinn flickers a little, and looks away-

Quinn: I wasn’t about to just let him kill you. Nalis told me not to interfere with Nicholas, since if Nicholas took the rest of the town’s Magicians, Nalis would be the only god left with any power. I was okay with not fighting him, but…no.

Morgan: …Thanks again, then.

-Quinn nods-

Quinn: Anyway, when I realized what Evan was about to do, I had…about five minutes to come up with a countermeasure, find Nalis, and protect the town.

Morgan: …

Quinn: I’d gotten through step one by the time the ritual went off. And…

-she gestures at herself-

Quinn: Not that well.

-Morgan looks down-

Quinn: Whatever Evan’s ritual is, it cuts past almost every line of defense Magicians use. Shields, diverting the flow of magic, even just dodging the spell. It’s uncanny. Considering his usual level of ability, it’s honestly astonishing he could have come up with it. But…he did, and even when I set up a defense specifically designed to counteract it, it took so much magic to maintain that…well. You see how that worked out.

Morgan: …Yeah.

Quinn: …Hey! Look on the bright side!

Morgan: The bright side.

Quinn: Yeah, I can do this now.

-there’s a flicker, and her facial features turn into Evan’s-

Evan!Quinn: Woo, woo! I’m a gigantic dick!

-and back to herself-

Quinn: Can you imagine how cool a party trick that’s going to be?

Morgan: …That was the most horrifying thing I’ve ever seen. And that’s a staggeringly high bar.

Quinn: It did feel kind of weird. I think I prefer being my regular shape.

Morgan: Your regular shape is perfectly nice.

Quinn: Well, thank you.

Morgan: So you can just look like yourself now?

Quinn: Yeah, it’s not even draining. See? It’ll be fine.

-Morgan stares at Quinn-

Quinn: What?

Morgan: Okay, then. Here’s what you need to do. The bars here are tight, but you can just, like…dissolve into a cloud of smoke and slip through them. This building is probably ventilated, so you can get out like that.

Quinn: What about you?

Morgan: What about me?

Quinn: Morgan. They’re going to execute you. Soon. I’m not ditching you.

Morgan: I can take care of myself.

Quinn: …Can you really?

Morgan: I—

Quinn: Let’s take a look at the facts, okay? We just got the crap kicked out of us by Zaresi, and that was when we had Novju backing us up. Now we’ve got no god, no magic, and no friends. And you still want to fight? No. If I just wanted to escape on my own, I could have done it whenever. Either we get out together, or we go out together.

Morgan: That doesn’t work. After…

-she sucks in a breath-

Morgan: Holly’s dead. Novju’s dead. Everyone else is dead… but you’re alive. I can’t let you die for me too.

Quinn: So that’s your plan, huh?

Morgan: Yep.

Quinn: I’ve said it before, but you really suck at those.

Morgan: Hey!

Quinn: If we want anything that we’ve sacrificed to be worth it, we need to get out of here first. We can be sad later.

Morgan: …Fine. But we can’t get out of here. There are guards everywhere, and anyway I’m going to be executed in…

-she looks at a clock-

Morgan: About five minutes.

Quinn: That’s plenty of time to come up with something. How many people are in this cell right now?

Morgan: Two.

Quinn: And how many people does everyone else think are in this cell?

Morgan: …

Quinn: Bet you ten dollars we’ll be out in less than a day.

-a short while later, a Reaper floats up to the door. Quinn has once again hidden in Morgan’s jacket-

Reaper: Hi again.

Morgan: Again? Who are y—Iggy?

-Iggy sighs-

Iggy: Even in the new world order, I still get no respect.

Morgan: (quietly) I almost feel bad about this.

Iggy: Feel bad about what?

Morgan: Nothing. Never mind.

Iggy: Don’t feel bad about being dead. It’s not so bad. Look at me.

Morgan: Aren’t Spirits not really dead?

Iggy: No, no, I’m very alive. I’m just saying, it could be worse.

Morgan: I guess you’re right.

Iggy: Are you going to stand up? I’m not going to leave if you don’t, you know.

Morgan: I’m not really feeling it.

Iggy: Of course. Why should anyone make things more convenient for me?

Morgan: Oh, shush, Iggy.

Iggy: You’re a prisoner, you know. You should be a little more polite.

Morgan: Why? Not like you can kill me any more than you’re already planning to.

Iggy: I guess. I’m just saying, it would be nice of you.

Morgan: I’m not exactly feeling very nice right now.

Iggy: Of course you aren’t. Why should anyone be nice to me?

Morgan: I think you’re being a little pitiful, honestly. I’m the one who’s about to die.

-Iggy sighs-

Iggy: I suppose…

-he drifts into the cell-

Iggy: Something something, prepare to see the glory of Zaresi’s new world, blah blah bl—

-Quinn, in the form of a cloud of smoke, drifts behind Iggy and sucker punches him-

Iggy: Ow! Evan, was that you?

-he conjures up a longsword, and spins around, only for Morgan to grab the blade-

Morgan: Ow ow ow ow ow!

Iggy: Hey! Return that at—

-and she stabs him with it-

Iggy: …Oh.

Morgan: …

Iggy: …Yeah, I guess I should have seen that one coming.

-and he dissipates-

Morgan: …I think that may well have been a mercy.

Quinn: I don’t remember anyone ever being able to just take my spells like that…

Morgan: …Yeah.

Quinn: …Yeah…

Morgan: Still felt better than it probably should have.

Quinn: That’s an issue for later. Time for phase 2.

Morgan: That doesn’t sound cool.

Quinn: It sounded better in my head.

Morgan: Doesn’t work.

Quinn: I tried.

-she flickers, and is replaced by Iggy-

Quinn: This is a very handy party trick.

Morgan: It’s also incredibly creepy.

Quinn: Yeah…it feels weird. I think it’s better for me to just look like myself.

Morgan: Let’s get out of here quickly, then.

Quinn: Yeah.

-Quinn takes Morgan’s hands and marches her down a hallway. They pass a Reaper-

Reaper: Oh, there’s the guest of honor. Excited to be dead?

Morgan: Is that a real question?

Reaper: Don’t be such a baby. Dying isn’t that bad. Look at me. Although I guess you’re not really going to be coming back. So…never mind. Don’t look at me, then.

Morgan: Weirdly, you’re not the first person to tell me that today.

Reaper: Well, you wouldn’t want to take an example from Iggy.

-the Reaper slaps Quinn on the back-

Quinn: (in a passable reproduction of Iggy’s voice) Yeah, yeah…

Reaper: Oh, hush, Iggy. Get her to the gallows.

Quinn: …Gallows! Right! And that would be…

Reaper: Jeez, you’d forget your own head if you had one. Thataway.

Quinn: Right, right…

-Quinn pushes Morgan in the indicated direction, exhaling as the Reaper passes-

Quinn: That was close.

Morgan: Do you really need to breathe still?

Quinn: …It just sort of feels right. Now come on. There isn’t exactly a map printed, but I was exploring this place while I was still recovering. I think I know a way out that doesn’t go past the…well, you know.

Morgan: Gallows?

Quinn: Yeah, that.

-as they keep moving, more and more Reapers start gathering around them-

Morgan: Uh, Qu—Iggy…

-Quinn doesn’t respond-

Morgan: Iggy?

Quinn: Oh, yeah. Because Iggy is the person I am. Why I would want to be Iggy, I have no idea, because frankly that is kind of a terrible person to be…but such is my life.

Reaper: Classic Iggy.

Quinn: Anyway, if you could excuse me for a bit? Mo—Uh, the prisoner needs to freshen up a bit. Can’t be executed not looking your best, right?

-the Reapers look between themselves-

Reaper: …I dunno. Etiquette on the subject is kind of lacking.

Reaper #2: We could write to Miss Manners?

Reaper #3: She won’t take our mail anymore. Something about “Not having any respect for small-minded dictators.” Same for Dear Abby.

Reaper #2: Oh…

Reaper #3: Unfortunately, we seem to be left in the position of trusting Iggy. Go ahead, take her wherever.

Quinn: Much apprec—

Reaper #1: Hush, Iggy.

-Quinn leads Morgan away-

Quinn: Wow, Iggy really does not get any respect, does he?

Morgan: Like I said, I think killing him might have been the most merciful option.

-they keep moving-

Quinn: Okay, so. That way leads to outside, so if we follow this hallway—

Evan: There you are!

-and he strolls up, heading in the direction the other Reapers were. Morgan’s face goes tight with rage-

Evan: Hey, Morgan. Hi, faceless mook.

Quinn: Um, it’s—

Evan: Quiet, Iggy.

Quinn: …If you know my name, why would you call me—

Evan: Do you hear that, Iggy?

-Evan puts a hand to his ear-

Evan: It’s the sound of you screaming pointlessly into the void in search of respect that you will never find.

Morgan: I see you’ve gotten even nicer.

Evan: Oh my goodness, you’re still talking. I sort of assumed you’d just give up on that after we locked you up alone for a week.

-he giggles-

Evan: So. Excited to be dead?

Morgan: Why does everyone keep asking me that?

Evan: I mean, some of the Reapers might be genuinely curious. I just sort of like rubbing it in.

-Morgan glares-

Evan: Anyway, Ho—Oh, wait, sorry, sorry. I get so confused, because normally I can tell you two apart because one of you is dead or about to be, but now, uh…

-he shrugs and grins apologetically-

-Morgan lunges at him, and is only barely restrained by Quinn. Evan steps out of range, laughing-

Evan: Man, you should have seen the look on your face.

-he takes out his phone and snaps a quick photo-

Evan: Fortunately for you, I’m in a good enough mood not to care about your little tantrum there. It’s not every day I get to perform an execution, and let me tell you, I am psyched. I mean, killing you a week ago would have been fun too, but nothing quite beats ending your life in front of a crowd of Reapers cheering for your blood. Right? Riiiight?

Quinn: Is this really necessary?

-Evan stifles a giggle with his hand, which is suddenly holding his knife-

Evan: I think all present know how I feel about that question.

-without warning, he flips the knife around, pointing it at Quinn and Morgan. Quinn takes a step back, pulling Morgan with her-

Evan: So. Hand her over.

-Morgan’s eyes widen-

Quinn: Oh, um…my orders were to take her directly to the…um, gallows.

Evan: Really? Well, I’m giving you another order, which is to hand her over since you’re going the wrong way.

Quinn: Um—

Evan: Um? Is there someone to whom my orders are secondary of whom I have not been informed?

Quinn: Zaresi?

-Evan pauses-

Evan: …Zaresi told you to take her directly?

Quinn: …Yes.

Evan: Weird. Can’t imagine her taking time out of her day to talk to a lowly Reaper.

Quinn: I have a name…

Evan: Yeah, but nobody cares. I’ve already forgotten it.

Quinn: You used it earlier.

Evan: Must be pretty unimportant then if I already forgot it, huh?

Quinn: …Well, I’ll see you at the gallows?

Evan: One second, actually. I’m a little confused as to how Zaresi gave you orders when she was just talking with me.

-he cocks his head to the side, and leans in-

Evan: Any words on that?

-the two stare at each other for a long time-

Morgan: Okay, change of plans. How distracted would you say you are right now?

Evan: What do you—

-she slams a knee between his legs, and he doubles over-

-Quinn, meanwhile, slams him into a wall, and he collapses to the ground in a heap-

Morgan: That felt exactly as good as it definitely should have.

Quinn: Less catharsis, more getting out of here.

-as they run, Evan looks up-

Evan: You’re going nowhere.

-he draws his knife-

Quinn: Looks like a really good reason to keep moving!

-which they do-

-meanwhile, the phone picks up-

Laura: What do you want, Evan?

Evan: Laura! Iggy’s betrayed us!

Laura: Is that really surprising?

Evan: And he’s taking your ex with him!

Laura: …Crap.

-cut back to Morgan and Quinn running. As they do, they hear steps from around a corner-

Quinn: Eep!

-and they duck into a convenient alcove as Laura comes around the corner, Death magic flickering off her hands-

-Morgan blanches. Quinn grabs her shoulder-

Laura: Morgan? Are you there?

-she walks down the hallway, looking back and forth-

Laura: If you give up and come out, it’ll…well, you’re still going to die.

-she sighs-

Laura: I’m sorry, I tried to talk Zaresi out of it, but Evan’s a whole lot better at talking her into it. But it’ll be painless. Promise.

-Morgan makes a move to try and get out of the alcove. Quinn clamps a hand over her mouth-

Morgan: Mmph!

Quinn: Stay there! I have an idea!

-Laura’s head snaps in the direction of the sound-

Laura: Who’s there?

-and Quinn pops out of the alcove, once again wearing the shape of a Reaper-

Quinn: Hi!

Laura: Oh. Iggy, is that you?

Quinn: God no.

Laura: Makes sense. I didn’t feel any urge to interrupt you. Have you seen him? Or Morgan?

Quinn: That way.

-she points the way she and Morgan came-

Laura: Thanks.

-Laura sighs again, and keeps going-

Quinn: Someone’s a failure of the employee morale system.

-she goes to collect Morgan-

Quinn: What’s with her?

Morgan: Don’t know. Don’t really care at this point.

Quinn: Huh.

-she shrugs-

Quinn: Well, at least it wasn’t Liz. Did you see that time we fought her? She’s scary. Dee, Andrew and I all fought her and she still won. I don’t think she was even trying…

-Morgan’s eyes widen-

Morgan: Andrew and Dee! Where are they?

Quinn: All part of the plan. They’re on the way.

Morgan: Oh. Good.

Quinn: You look so shocked.

Morgan: I’m having a little trouble reconciling my best friend who helps me make bad decisions and someone with, like, actual planning skills.

Quinn: Well, one of us had to develop them.

Morgan: Ouch.

Quinn: You know I’m right.

Morgan: Well, yeah. Obviously.

-as they move, they find another cell, this one containing Andrew and Dee-

Morgan: Hey, you too.

Andrew: Oh. Hi.

Quinn: Is that any way to say hi to the people who are rescuing you?

Dee: Are you rescuing us?

Morgan: We’re not just going to leave you here.

Andrew: Um, who’s the girl?

Morgan: We’re both girls, but I assume you mean the one who’s not me?

Andrew: …Yes.

-Quinn flickers, returning to the Poltergeist shape-

Quinn: More familiar?

Dee: I’d say you look better with a face.

-Quinn returns to her normal appearance-

Quinn: Much appreciated.

-and she yanks the lock off the cell door-

Quinn: That was cool.

Dee: I didn’t say that.

Quinn: Right, so someone had to. Let’s blow this popsicle stand.

Dee: That makes you sound old.

Quinn: We should still probably do it.

-and they do, finally slipping out of the building, into Zaresi-controlled London-

-it’s a bleak scene, not only because of the general fog. The streets are completely devoid of people, with what are almost certainly zombies shuffling around-

Morgan: …What.

Dee: It is pretty late. Didn’t you hear about the curfew Zaresi’s been imposing?

Morgan: Are you serious?

Dee: Dead serious.

Andrew: (quietly) Was that a pun?

Quinn: Dude.

Dee: She’s been using zombies to maintain order.

Quinn: How did you find out about that?

Dee: Overheard a few Reapers.

Quinn: Nice.

-she turns to Morgan-

Quinn: So not to put too fine a point on it, you owe me ten do—

-Morgan is gone-

Quinn: …Oh no.

Dee: You should probably go do something about that.

Quinn: Yeah.

-Quinn rushes back towards the tower, tackling Morgan-

Quinn: No!

-Quinn grabs Morgan, attempting to pull her back, but begins to dissolve-

Quinn: Morgan, you can’t!

Morgan: They killed everyone, Quinn! Tell me you don’t want them as dead as I do!

Quinn: Of course I do! But right now, the only people who are going to end up dead are us!

Morgan: I’ll think of something! I usually do, right?

Quinn: You don’t think of—ARGH – good things!

-suddenly, Quinn’s arms dissolve. Morgan tumbles free-

Morgan: Thank you. Now let’s—Quinn?

-she turns back to see Quinn mid-dissolution-

Morgan: Quinn! What—

Quinn: Um. Maybe I shouldn’t be exerting myself right now.

-with an effort of will, she resolidifies. Morgan gasps in relief, and pulls her close-

Quinn: Oh, man, I do not want to do that again…

Morgan: Oh, thank god.

Quinn: Maybe not the best turn of phrase right now.

Morgan: Point.

Quinn: So. Now do you believe me when I say we need to run?

Morgan: …Yeah.

Quinn: Come on. We should get off the streets.

Morgan: Yeah…

-Quinn gently leads Morgan away, walking by Dee and Andrew. Dee gently holds her back-

Dee: That was smart.

Quinn: What was?

Dee: Pretending to dissolve like that.

-Quinn’s eyes widen-

Quinn: Hey!

Dee: I’m not going to say anything.

Quinn: Okay, okay.

Dee: I’m not being sarcastic. You haven’t reached that point yet, I think, but if we actually had to fight, you’d wink out pretty quickly without anything backing you.

Quinn: …Uh, okay.

-Dee smiles at Quinn and strolls by-

-Quinn stares after her, looking very concerned, and then goes to catch up with Morgan-

Quinn: Hey, Morgan, is it just me, or are Dee and Andrew acting kind of—

-she interrupted by Morgan flinging a hand out in front of her-

Quinn: What?

-Morgan points at a handful of zombies in front of them-

Quinn: …Oh, are you serious?

Morgan: Are you really surprised at this point in our lives?

Quinn: I guess not.

Dee: Shouldn’t we be running?

-the zombies take notice of the four-

Zombies: Please return to your homes. The curfew is in effect.

Morgan: …Yes. Yes we should.

-and they do-

Morgan: Quinn, do you know anywhere we can go?

Quinn: No, why would I?

Morgan: I don’t know, I’m just sort of hoping someone does!

Dee: Try the Underground?

Andrew: …That’s surprisingly clever.

Dee: What’s that supposed to mean?

Morgan: Enough talking let’s do it please.

Quinn: Right!

-they disappear down some stairs into a station-

-the zombies stop at the entrance-

Quinn: That was surprisingly fortunate.

Morgan: Um…was it really?

Andrew: Oh no…

-indeed, there are more zombies patrolling the station-

Morgan: Dee.

Dee: …How was I supposed to know they had patrols here too?

Morgan: Don’t you know everything?

Dee: That’s a clever illusion perpetuated by the fact that I have a good memory and talk a lot!

Morgan: That would have been nice to know earlier!

Dee: In what possible world would I know everything?

Morgan: I don’t think things through that carefully! We established this!

-Dee tilts her head at Morgan as the zombies approach. Morgan, meanwhile, backs in front of Quinn as the zombies approach-

Zombies: Please return to your homes. The curfew is in effect.

Dee: (aside) I see several problems with this…

Morgan: Any ideas, anyone?

???: Oh! I have one!

-and a stream of hearts hits the zombies, forcing them back-

Morgan: …What.

Dee: What.

Andrew: What.

Quinn: …That’s convenient.

Morgan: Since when do excitable people out of nowhere help us? They’re usually Evan.

Quinn: That didn’t sound like Evan.

Morgan: It did not.

-two people, a boy and a girl, run up, still spraying hearts at the zombies-

Boy: Hey! Come with us if you want to live!

-he stifles a giggle-

Boy: I always wanted to say that.

-the girl nudges him-

Girl: Come on! We don’t have a lot of time!

-she gestures to Morgan and co-

Girl: Are you with us or not?

Morgan: Odds it’s a trap?

Dee: Pretty slim, actually. That’s Love magic; I can’t imagine Zaresi would let a god work for her if they hadn’t sworn to her first.

Morgan: I’m just saying, I don’t know how much I trust Love Magicians either.

Quinn: Hey!

Morgan: …Okay, we’ll go with them.

-they follow the two into the underground-

Dee: This isn’t sketchy at all.

Girl: It’s not far.

-everyone arrives at a car-

Morgan: This looks intensely abandoned.

Girl: Aha.

-Love magic flickers from her fingers, and the train hums to life-

Quinn: Huh. How’s that work?

Girl: Oh, we’ve been practicing. Cam’s garbage at it—

-she gestures at the boy, who looks embarrassed-

Girl: But since Zaresi took over, it’s useful to be able to move the trains.

Quinn: With…Love magic.

Girl: You can see it? Are you a Magician too?

Morgan: We all are, actually. Well, I’m never really sure about Andrew.

Andrew: Hey now.

Girl: Well, pleasure to meet you. I’m Cam.

Dee: I thought you said he was Cam.

Girl: We’re both Cam. I’m Cam B, he’s Cam C.

Dee: ...Well, I’m Dee, but my name’s not Cam anything.

-Cam B bursts out laughing. Cam C rolls his eyes-

Cam C: If you’re all Magicians, are you willing to fight?

Morgan: Yes.

Quinn: Um.

-Andrew and Dee, meanwhile, look between each other-

Cam B: No?

Dee: …I’ve sort of seen enough fighting for a while.

Andrew: Yeah.

Cam B: …That’s perfectly alright. You’re still welcome to stay with us.

-Morgan raises a hand-

Morgan: Who’s “us”? You and other Ca- uh, Cam C?

Cam C: Yeah, no. We’d be very dead if it were just us.

Cam B: We’ll be at the end of the line in a few hours. Relax a bit.

-everyone sits down. Andrew and Dee sit by each other, as do Morgan and Quinn-

Quinn: Is it just me, or is this very surreal?

Morgan: A year ago, we were in a band together. Now you’re made of energy, we’re in London, my old boss just took over the world, and we’re running from zombies.

Quinn: So…

Morgan: Very much so, yes.

Quinn: At least it’s not just me.

-Quinn leans her head on Morgan’s shoulder. Morgan wraps an arm around her-

Morgan: See? You do need sleep.

Quinn: Oh, shush…

-and the two fall asleep-

-shortly thereafter, however, they’re awoken-

Cam B: Hey! We need your talents!

-Quinn and Morgan wake up, notice that they’re leaning on each other, and both blush-

Cam C: Quit flirting! You two are Magicians, right?

Morgan: Yes?

Cam C: Then get your Contract-making faces on! We’re under attack!

Dee: Here? Really?

Cam B: You and the guy stay in the car! We’ll deal with this!

-the Cams, Morgan, and Quinn all run out of the car, and enter straight into a battle-

-a pair of Magicians are fighting a group of zombies, but are clearly outmatched. They’re spraying vague pink sparks that simply skate off of fields of Death magic around the zombies-

Cam B: Ugh, since when are zombies this tough?

Morgan: I’ve seen zombies like this before. They’re basically impossible to kill.

Quinn: …No, they’re not.

Morgan: What are you talking about?

Quinn: I have an idea. Where’s your god?

Cam C: In the back.

-he points at a young woman outlined in pink, who is currently watching the battle in mild terror-

Quinn: Hey! You! I need magic!

Goddess: …Is that really how you want to ask?

Quinn: Do you really have that many options?

Goddess: Fair enough.

-light flows between the goddess and Quinn, and Quinn bursts into pink light-

Morgan: Love magic? What good is that against a zombie?

Quinn: Let me demonstrate.

-she sprints in between the other Magicians and the zombies, and suddenly an artfully constructed bow appears in her hands-

-and a half dozen more appear floating behind her-

Dee: Arrows. Not bad.

Quinn: Watch and learn, everyone!

-and she fires. Each arrow pierces through one of the zombies, pulling the magic out of them in blobs of shadow. The zombies, the sources of their power now pinned to the far wall, collapse to the ground as the magic animating them dissolves-

Morgan: …That was unbelievably cool.

-Quinn winks-

Quinn: It’s not my first time fighting the undead.

-everyone, meanwhile, is staring at Quinn-

Quinn: …What?

Cam C: How did you do that?!

Cam B: Yeah, none of us have been able to do anything to them. We’ve just been running any time they get close.

Quinn: How long have you been Love Magicians?

-one of the other Magicians speaks up-

Magician: Only a week or so. My old god got killed when Zaresi took over everything, so I hid underground and found these guys.

Quinn: …Yeah, I’ve got a lot to teach you.

Cam C: It’s only going to go so far. You’re probably the most powerful Magician we have now.

Quinn: Wait, really?

Cam B: We’ve been pretty strapped. The more powerful Magicians either signed on to work for Zaresi or got…well.

-she makes the throat-cutting gesture-

Cam C: The rest of us went underground. Literally.

Magician: Then we found Wilthe, and we’ve sort of been working from there.

Quinn: Are there more of you?

-the goddess floats forwards a bit-

Wilthe: Around the world? Sure.

Quinn: But here?

Wilthe: There are other branches. But it’s hard getting in touch. And nobody has anyone who could do what you just did.

Quinn: Well, you’re in luck. Morgan’s way stronger than I am. And Dee and Andrew aren’t so bad either.

-the two wave-

Wilthe: We’re certainly in no position to deny anyone who offers to help. Welcome to the resistance.

-there’s a beat-

Dee: …Wow, we’re screwed.

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Volume 2, Chapter 5

Time and Space

-battle lines immediately begin to form-

-Novju begins advancing on Zaresi, and the two vanish-

-Liz moves towards her, but is intercepted by Dee, Andrew, and the Poltergeist-

Liz: Oh? Is this really the decision you want to make?

Poltergeist: Do we really have a choice?

Liz: We all have choices. Dee? Um, whoever you are?

Dee: Just because I ran out of rituals doesn’t mean I don’t know how to fight.

Andrew: …(weakly) I’m Andrew.

-Dee gives him a look-

-Liz shrugs-

Liz: Well, if you’re sure.

-she summons a single wing-

Liz: Last chance?

Poltergeist: Bring it.

Liz: Okay.

-Liz lunges, moving so fast she turns into a streak of energy. Dee already has a tesseract up, and Liz is suddenly moving in a different direction, but the Reaper stops on a dime, whipping around and hurling three feathers. Andrew steps forwards, and puts out his hands-

-and a rock appears, whirling around in the air to deflect the attacks into the ground-

Dee: …Where did Morgan find you?

-Andrew shrugs helplessly-

-as Liz prepares to strike a second time, the Poltergeist flashes past Dee and Andrew, intercepting her, bursts of miasma meeting wings-

Liz: You’re quick. I’m quicker.

-she vanishes, reappearing behind the Poltergeist, and grabs it by an arm, swinging it around and slamming it into the ground as one of her arms extends into a long tendril-

Liz: You won’t be making it out of this in one piece, I’m afraid.

Poltergeist: I didn’t come into this in one piece either, so I’m not too worried. Anyway, as Morgan would say, distraction.

Liz: …Damn.

-she spins around in time to parry attacks from Andrew and Dee, but is forced to spin back again, as the attacks are now coming from both directions-

Liz: Not bad for a bunch of kids. But I’m pretty sure I’m older than all of you put together, and I’ve still got a trick or seventy up my sleeve.

-and she vanishes again-

Poltergeist: That’s a cheap tactic.

Andrew: Why can’t you do that?

Liz: They’ll probably figure it out. Assuming they live that long, which is looking unlikely.

-she reappears, darting around the three and launching feathers from all sides, but Andrew and Dee work together to redirect them. The Poltergeist, meanwhile, charges, crashing headlong into Liz and sending both Spirits tumbling-

Poltergeist: Hey, you’re right!

-and Liz disappears again, leaving the Poltergeist to keep going and crash into a wall-

Liz: Credit for trying, I suppose.

-at which point a stream of attacks from Dee and Andrew force her to put up a wing as defense-

Liz: Hm.

-Laura, seeing the battle, runs towards Liz-

-and a moon smashes to the ground in front of her. She turns around to see another behind her, and then turns to see Morgan glaring at her-

Laura: Morgan, what are you doing?

Morgan: Something I should have done earlier.

-she smashes the two moons together, and Laura jumps back to avoid being crushed. Morgan swings herself around, whirling the moons like flails, and Laura ducks and scampers around them-

-then Morgan collides the moons again. One vanishes, reappearing along a completely different line of attack. It collides with Laura, and sends her flying-

Laura: Erk!

-she rolls to a halt as Morgan sprints towards her. She scrambles away from the two attacks, and blasts them apart with Death magic-

Laura: I don’t want to hurt you.

Morgan: Too late by a lot.

-Morgan conjures another moon and swings it down onto Laura, who sidesteps. Morgan then once again hits the moon with another moon, sending it careening off towards Laura, who sprays a barrier out from her hands to parry it-

-at which point the other moon, which reflected off the first one, hits Laura from behind, knocking her to the ground-

Laura: …Fine. Is that how you want to do things?

Morgan: I’m done listening to you talk.

-she whirls the moons around, swinging them down onto Laura-

-and dozens of spirals of Death magic shred them into nonexistence-

Laura: Okay.

-she stands up. She looks more or less on the verge of despair, but her eyes narrow and her face hardens-

Laura: I’m really, really sorry it got here, Morgan.

Morgan: Save it.

-Laura breathes out-

-and the two leap at each other-

-cut to the skies above London, where Novju and Zaresi are battling. Zaresi flashes around the other goddess, whirling twin scythes, each pitch-black and trailing Death magic in their wake. Novju is taking a far less flashy approach. Each time one of Zaresi’s scythes gets close, she simply alters space to avoid it-

Zaresi: It is not too late for this to end peacefully, you know. We both have an interest in conquest. There is no reason we could not work together.

Novju: Interesting offer, Zaresi, but let me remind you of something.

-two slashes are made. Each is made to miss-

Zaresi: Yes?

Novju: When you thought I was just some backwater Goddess of Parking, you snuffed out my life without a second thought. You’ve killed, by my count, at least five of my bodies between your hometown and here.

Zaresi: And?

-Zaresi slashes at Novju, who decides she’s bored of simply dodging and teleports to a nearby rooftop. Zaresi plunges after, veering around pockets in space created by Novju-

Novju: Am I to expect that your show of mercy now, when you’ve finally had your chance to see me at my full power, is anything other than a sad attempt to bluff?

-she grins as she waves her hands lazily back and forth, conjuring up more obstacles in Zaresi’s path as the other goddess attempts to reach the rooftop-

Novju: I’m older than you can imagine, Zaresi. I’ve met gods like you, and I’ll meet gods like you again when I’m finished here. I know you. You take what you want from those you think can’t resist you, but you roll over like a dog to anyone who might be a real threat. You wouldn’t stand up to Vorn until you knew you could kill her without retaliation, and you won’t stand up to me now. But I guess that’s why you’re a goddess of Death, huh? Not willing to take on anyone with any life still in them.

-Zaresi finally lands on the roof, immediately whirling her scythes at Novju, who leans back ever so slightly to dodge-

Novju: Your second mistake was in assuming I was looking for power. My only goal has been to prolong my existence as long as possible. To see everything. To experience everything. Until now, I’ve never even felt the need to so much as step out of the shadows.

-she shrugs-

Novju: But I suppose you’ve never been much for subtlety. I’m not surprised such a concept would escape you.

Zaresi: I am Death, Novju. Nothing escapes me. I claim all.

-Novju smiles ever so slightly, placing her hands together as though triangulating-

Novju: Claim this.

-it immediately becomes clear what the earlier columns of Space magic were. A tiny, glowing point streaks from Novju’s hands, and as it reaches Zaresi, it erupts with light. A column stretches skywards, carrying the Death Goddess with it. Novju then jerks a hand, and the column vanishes, Zaresi dropping like a rock to crash back into the rooftop-

Novju: Your first mistake, by the way, was picking a fight with me at all.

-she begins gathering Space magic into a point again-

Novju: Sure you’re feeling up to this?

-Zaresi floats back to her feet-

Zaresi: It is my turn now.

Novju: Are we taking turns? You should have mentioned something; I’m afraid I’ve been taking yours.

-cut back to Morgan and Laura, who can see the battle from far away-

Morgan: Looks like we’re winning.

Laura: Zaresi knows what she’s doing.

-the two exchange attacks, Morgan flailing away wildly with her moons and Laura destroying them with precisely-aimed bursts of Death-

Morgan: Does she really?

Laura: Yes!

-for the first time, Laura seems to show an emotion that isn’t anxiety or sadness. She makes a frantic series of attacks against Morgan, swirling helices of Death homing in on her from all directions-

Morgan: Sure.

-Morgan forms a moon in front of herself, bending Laura’s attacks away from her-

Morgan: So, where’s Thing #2? Not that I’m complaining about not having Evan around, but I’d really like the chance to punch in the face of the guy who personally murdered all my friends, as opposed to just the one who helped.

-Laura winces, and chooses to ignore the jab-

Laura: I don’t know where Novju sent him.

-Laura ducks under a moon, and blasts another one away-

Morgan: Well, maybe we’ll get lucky and he’s in the Thames.

-Laura sighs, while Morgan swings a moon over her head, smashing it down onto Laura-

Morgan: Got you!

-no response. Morgan’s eyes widen slightly-

Morgan: …Laura?

-Death magic bursts out of the moon, shredding it and revealing Laura standing, uninjured. Morgan’s eyes narrow again, while Laura’s widen with realization-

Laura: You don’t want to kill me.

Morgan: I’m not the killer here.

Laura: What do you want, then?

Morgan: I’d like my sister back.

-she conjures multiple moons-

Morgan: I’ll settle for stopping you.

-Morgan whirls the moons at Laura, who tears them all apart with a spiral of Death magic-

Laura: …I’m sorry.

Morgan: Stop apologizing.

Laura: Not seeing many other options.

-and the two continue fighting. Cut to Liz, who is watching the battle while easily fending off attacks from Dee, Andrew, and the Poltergeist-

Liz: A shame about those two. I could have told you from the start it was a poor decision, but…

Poltergeist: Oh, come on! At least pretend like you’re putting effort into this.

Liz: Erm. Sorry.

-she dodges the next attack from each one, then grabs the Poltergeist, still evading strikes from Dee and Andrew as her arm extends to smash the Poltergeist into the walls, floor, and ceiling of the garage-

Liz: Better?

Poltergeist: Not really…

-the Poltergeist vanishes, and Liz sticks out a wing in what seems like a random direction…only for the Poltergeist to reappear with the wing intersecting what would be its torso-

Poltergeist: …Uh-oh.

-there’s a blast of Death magic, and the Poltergeist is flung away, landing in a heap with smoke pouring from burning holes in its essence. Liz turns towards Dee and Andrew-

Liz: Any further concerns?

Dee: None.

Andrew: You know we’re both screwed, right?

Dee: I kind of think I knew that when I got into this.

Andrew: No, but like…not abstractly. Not just “Oh, we’re up against it.” We are concretely and conclusively screwed.

Dee: Don’t be such a pessimist.

Liz: You’re welcome to cut and run at any time, you know. You have my word, you won’t be pursued any longer.

Dee: I’ll admit it’s tempting…but no.

Liz: Don’t say I didn’t give you the option.

-Liz flashes forwards. Without the Poltergeist, Dee and Andrew are left at a massive speed disadvantage, and in a storm of feathers the two are left stunned on the ground. Liz sighs and sits down-

Liz: This is kind of boring, you know.

Dee: Screw you…

-cut back to Novju and Zaresi’s fight-

Novju: This honestly isn’t nearly as entertaining as I’d hoped it would be.

-she waves her hands back and forth, space shifting around them. Zaresi is slammed into the ground, then launched high into the air, where she struggles to a halt in time to dodge another explosion of Space magic. Zaresi hurls a scythe down at Novju, but Novju stretches space, and then collapses the scythe into a point, destroying it-

Novju: I mean, it’s fun and all, but is it really worth it? I didn’t have to call in my whole self just for you. Remind me to complain to Morgan and the rest after I’m done here.

-Zaresi dives for Novju, but is simply redirected to the side-

Novju: Actually, wait, I guess you won’t be around to do that…

-she sighs-

Novju: Is there anything you could maybe do to make this more interesting for me?

Zaresi: I have an idea, but I doubt you would like it.

Novju: Meh. Can’t be any worse than this.

Zaresi: Very well.

-she vanishes, reappearing on another rooftop-

Zaresi: Now.

Novju: Hmm?

-darkness pours out of the windows of buildings, whirling around Novju-

Iggy: We hear and obey!

Novju: That isn’t cool. Like, at all.

Iggy: Oh…

-the darkness coalesces into dozens of Reapers, which all dive towards Novju-

Zaresi: I have been collecting! All the gods with any real sense agreed to join me, so I sent them on ahead! This whole battle, I have been maneuvering us to where they were waiting! And now, Novju, you will—

-Novju spreads her hands wide, and dozens of pockets of space erupt, mostly in the middle of the Reapers. The unfortunate ones who happen to be occupying those spaces are quickly torn apart. The survivors of the attack pull back-

Novju: I will what? Finish your sentences, Zaresi.

-as Zaresi flashes forwards, Death magic exploding off her, Novju casually evades a half-dozen scythes-

Novju: Out of words? That works too, I guess.

-cut back to Laura and Morgan-

Laura: You couldn’t finish me when you had the chance, Morgan. I know you don’t want to hurt me any more than I want to hurt you, so let’s just call this off.

-Laura sends a blast of Death magic at Morgan, who bats it aside-

Morgan: …

Laura: It isn’t too late, Morgan. Zaresi’s angry, but I could talk her into letting you back.

Morgan: …

-and her magic shifts. Instead of the moon, her scythe forms, splitting into several blades as they tug Laura’s helices apart and send her tumbling-

Morgan: That ship’s sailed.

-Laura stares-

Laura: How did you…

Morgan: I dunno if it really matters. Sheer righteous anger, probably.

-and she hurls scythes at Laura, who only barely destroys them before they reach her-

-the two exchange attacks-

Morgan: Maybe, just maybe, I could have forgiven you for the tulpa that hurt Holly. And even after you killed everyone, I still didn’t really want you dead. But after you got my sister killed?

-fighty fighty-

Morgan: I got into this for my sister. I pledged myself to Zaresi because I had the slightest hope that I might be able to save her. And you helped take that away.

-Morgan begins to gain an edge, as her attacks bend Laura’s out of shape, pushing them out of the way. Laura backs up, nervously-

Morgan: But you think I’m not only going to forgive you, I’ll come back to work for Zaresi? And you think that because I don’t just kill downed opponents that I’m secretly still on your side?

-she hurls a scythe. As Laura moves to block it, it shrinks…and then reappears in front of Laura, slamming into her and carrying her twenty feet back before dissipating. Laura’s attacks vanish, as she collapses to the ground-

Morgan: Well, fine. I won’t be making that mistake again, don’t worry.

-cut back to Liz’s fight. Liz is sitting cross-legged among her opponents-

Liz: So how’s it going?

Poltergeist: Ow.

Liz: That’s fair. Are you getting used to being a Spirit?

Poltergeist: Not really.

Liz: Remembering anything?

Poltergeist: I’m remembering you just smacked me into the ground hard enough to kill anything corporeal.

Liz: Well, yeah, that happened like twenty seconds ago.

Poltergeist: I’m just trying to point out that we’re not friends.

Liz: That doesn’t mean I actually bear you any ill will. I just need to stop you.

Poltergeist: Do you really?

Liz: Well, it’s this or you go to fight Zaresi and actually get killed.

Poltergeist: So I should thank you?

Liz: I wouldn’t expect you to. I’m only stating a fact. You fight me, you get thrown around some, it’s awkward for you, it’s boring for me, you get to live another day. You fight Zaresi, you’re never going to get a chance to figure out who it is you are.

-behind Liz, Dee and Andrew have recovered. Andrew waves to the Poltergeist-

Poltergeist: Hey, Liz?

Liz: Yes?

Poltergeist: If you were going to shake your head, but you didn’t have a head, what would you do?

Liz: There’s always ASL.

Poltergeist: Don’t know it, unfortunately.

Liz: Shame. Why do you ask?

Poltergeist: No reason.

-Andrew and Dee both lunge. Liz, without looking, catches them both and flips them over her head, where they land in a heap-

Andrew: Ow.

Dee: This isn’t any better for me; your elbow is in my lung.

Andrew: Sorry.

Poltergeist: I did try to warn you…

-cut back to Novju and Zaresi. Novju isn’t really bothering with anything fancy at this point, just using telekinesis to slam Zaresi all around the city, occasionally teleporting to keep track of her-

Novju: I’m kind of disappointed, if we’re being honest. I recalled every tulpa I have in the field to gather all the power I thought I was going to need to defeat you, but this is just overkill. And to think of all the excuses I’m going to have to make…

-she flattens Zaresi to the ground in the parking lot again, gently drifting down after her, barely glancing at the downed goddess-

Novju: Well, you have conclusively failed to put up any sort of fight, so I think I’m just going to kill you now. Send that poor girl back to what’s left of her life.

-she advances on the fallen Zaresi-

-Morgan and Laura turn to see the two returning. Laura’s eyes widen, Morgan’s narrow-

Morgan: The last couple times I fought you guys, I lost because I didn’t have a god to draw on. Let’s see what happens when the shoe’s on the other foot.

-the two duel for a moment, but at this point Morgan’s clearly ahead. The two split apart, Laura surrounded by her helices, Morgan holding twin scythes-

Morgan: This is over, Laura.

-cut back to Liz and the others-

Poltergeist: Well, it looks like your work was for nothing. Your goddess is about to become past tense.

Liz: Mmm…

Dee: You could just surrender now and spare yourself the trouble.

Liz: I don’t think I’ll do that.

Dee: To the bitter end, huh? Fine, I guess.

Andrew: Aren’t you going to, like, kill us out of spite?

Dee: Do you want her to?

Liz: Why would I do that?

Dee: …Could you at least take him?

Liz: Sorry.

-cut back to Novju and Zaresi-

Novju: I have a lot of choices, you know. I could push you into a fold in space and rip you in half, I could just shunt you out of the atmosphere…

-she lifts up Zaresi, who is looking somewhat raggedy at the edges-

Novju: Any preferences?

Zaresi: None especially.

Novju: Alright then, I’ll pick for you.

-Zaresi’s cloak begins to shift-

Novju: I think… I think I’ll just teleport each individual bit of you to a different place on Earth. I’m sure that wouldn’t kill you normally, but if I put enough magic into it, it should do the trick. Besides, it feels apropos.

-suddenly, a voice emerges from Zaresi’s arm-

???: Ooh, I get that joke.

Novju: Hm?

-and Evan sticks a head and arm out of Zaresi-

Evan: Heya!

-cut to Morgan and Laura. Morgan sees Evan emerge, and her eyes widen. She makes a snap decision, and lunges at Laura, swinging her scythe-

-cut to Liz’s group. As Evan emerges, the Poltergeist sits up-

Liz: And this is why I don’t surrender.

-as the Poltergeist lunges, and Dee and Andrew fire blasts, Liz takes action. She hurls two feathers at Dee and Andrew’s attacks, destroying them, catches the Poltergeist out of the air with an arm and slams it back to the ground, and bats Dee and Andrew away with a wing-

Liz: Sorry about the inconvenience.

-back to Novju, Zaresi, and Evan-

Evan: That was a lot less comfortable than I expected it would be. No offense.

Zaresi: None taken.

Novju: …When?

-her eyes widen as she realizes-

Novju: The Reapers.

Zaresi: I needed to recover Evan. He was, I will admit, my only hope of defeating you. The Reapers located him, and distracted you long enough for me to collect him.

Novju: You sacrificed half your forces just to—

-Zaresi leans in, her human face appearing from within her hood-

Zaresi: Do you not understand, Novju? There is nothing I will not sacrifice to achieve my goals. And that is why I win. Evan. Do it.

-Evan hops the rest of the way out of Zaresi, and stabs Novju in the arm-

Novju: No—

Evan: Necrosyrtes!

Novju: N—

-there’s a flash of black light-

-flickering tendrils wrap around Novju as she twists space around her, but it’s not enough to get anywhere-

-it takes much longer than Nicholas, and resembles much more the draining of Morgan’s hometown-

-and then, in a burst of light, Novju’s gone-

-as Morgan leaps for Laura, her scythe disappears, and she stumbles-

Morgan: No!

-Laura catches her, and Morgan shoves herself away, glaring at the other girl, who looks to the side-

Laura: …I’m sorry.

-the Poltergeist, still lying on the ground stunned, gradually dissolves away, into a formless mass of light-

Dee: Ah, crap.

-Andrew just gulps-

-Evan, meanwhile, is standing on the ground, staring into space. His eyes are glowing bright blue-

Zaresi: Evan.

-after a moment, the glow fades, and Evan rubs his head-

Evan: Now that was a rush.

-he staggers for a moment, leaning against Zaresi-

Zaresi: Are you well?

Evan: Oh, I’m better. 5000 years of experience, times hundreds? Thousands? I could fill a library with that kind of stuff. It’s just…

-he sways slightly again-

Evan: …You know. There was a lot to it. Hard to keep it all straight. But hey.

-he grins, and holds up his knife, which is giving off a blinding glow. He pushes himself to his feet, blinks, and stands straight-

Evan: What’s dead is dead, am I right?

-Morgan’s eyes widen, filling with tears-

Morgan: NO!

-she sprints towards Evan-

Laura: Morgan, wait!

-Morgan doesn’t wait. Dashing past Zaresi, who seems too surprised to stop her, she tackles Evan to the ground, sending the knife skittering away from him-

Evan: Nngh!

-Liz, noticing this, blinks, and gets to her feet, but is suddenly tackled by Dee and Andrew-

Liz: Oh, what are you doing?

Dee: Keeping you from doing whatever it is you’re planning on doing, obviously.

Liz: Despite the fact that you’re now just ordinary people, and I could crush you utterly?

Dee: Yeah, definitely despite that.

Liz: I guess I’m impressed, but I really need you to let me go.

Andrew: No dice.

-meanwhile, Morgan has knocked Evan over-

Evan: Get off of me, you irritating moron!

-and she punches him in the face-

Morgan: That was for Novju!

-she punches him again-

Morgan: That was for Holly!

-and again-

Morgan: That was for Quinn!

-and again-

Morgan: That was for Tirali!

-and again-

Morgan: That was for everyone else in town!

-she raises her hand-

Morgan: And this is for me!

-and a blast of Death magic appears, picking her up and sending her flying away from Evan, where she lands in a heap-

Laura: (barely audibly) Sorry.

-she walks up towards the knife. Liz finally hurls off Dee and Andrew, both of whom crash to the ground unmoving, and darts over to where Laura has picked up the knife-

Liz: …Excellent.

Morgan: Argh!

-she leaps to her feet, and Laura blasts her over again-

Morgan: Laura! You know he deserves this!

Laura: Probably.

-she holds the knife uncomfortably-

Laura: But, at the end of the day, he’s on my side. And you’re not.

-Morgan moves, and Laura fires another burst of Death magic at her-

Laura: So please. Just stay down, okay?

-Morgan begins to pick herself up again. Evan and Liz look to Laura-

Laura: …She’s not a threat at this point.

-Liz shrugs. Evan snatches the knife back from Laura, pointing it at Morgan-

Laura: I told you, she’s not a threat.

Evan: Yeah, but I am.

Morgan: You’re all…Evan, you suck.

Evan: Haven’t heard that before. Do you have anything original, or did you just plan on spouting random gibberish to try and annoy me?

-Morgan drags herself towards him. He yawns-

Morgan: And Zaresi, you’re pathetic. You beat someone so much better than you…with a cheap trick. Couldn’t even, in a fair fight…

Evan: And now you are crossing a line. Spinus tristis.

-he tosses a marble at Morgan, and it detonates in a burst of darkness. She screams and crumples, twitching. Laura looks away-

Liz: Enough.

-she waves her hand, and a bubble appears around Morgan. Evan frowns-

Evan: Really? I wasn’t done.

Liz: And now you are.

Evan: Hmph.

-he twirls the knife-

Evan: Well, not quite the grand presentation I had planned, but hey. Proust.

-he tosses Zaresi the knife. Zaresi takes a hold of it, and focuses…-

-and suddenly swells to a massive size, her head scraping the ceiling of the parking lot-

Zaresi: Now this is magic.

-Laura stares up in a mix of awe and terror. Evan looks up in glee. Liz looks utterly impassive-

Zaresi: What do you think?

Evan: Hmm… maybe ease off on the giant form, milady? It’s a little hard to talk to you from down here.

Zaresi: Hmm. Oh well.

-she shrinks back to a more manageable twenty feet tall-

Evan: …So, how do you feel?

Zaresi: Powerful.

Liz: Powerful enough?

Zaresi: Without a doubt.

-she points into the air, and tiny sparks of power emerge from her, zipping off into the distance-

Laura: What was that?

Zaresi: Call it phoning ahead.

-cut to a street somewhere different -

-the spark plunges down from the sky, and strikes the ground-

-suddenly, corpses exhume themselves from the earth. There is general panic-

-the same scene repeats itself around the world-

-cut back to London-

Evan: So.

Zaresi: So?

Evan: What are we doing about Tall, Dark, and Lost Everyone She Loved in the Last Couple of Days?

-Laura winces-

Zaresi: Hmm.

Evan: Can we kill her? Please? I really want to kill her.

-Laura closes her eyes. Zaresi seems to think about it for a moment-

Zaresi: We will keep her alive for now. I want her to see the world I will create.

Evan: …But then we can kill her?

Zaresi: Yes.

-Laura bows her head. Evan fistpumps-

Zaresi: Now. We have some kingdoms to claim.

-Zaresi emerges from the parking lot-

Zaresi: You did not like the giant form, Evan?

Evan: It has its pluses and minuses.

Zaresi: In this case, I think it will be useful. You have the ritual?

Evan: Sure do!

-Zaresi grows again, holding out a hand, which Evan cheerfully hops onto as the two exit the garage-

Morgan: What…

-Liz sits down by the bubble, Laura standing far back-

Liz: Zaresi and Evan have worked out a ritual to pierce the veil that keeps magic hidden from non-Magicians.

Morgan: …She can do that?

Liz: The veil is itself a ritual. A very powerful one, but a ritual nonetheless. With enough magic, it can be broken…and Novju’s combined power is more than up to the task.

Morgan: So what happens then?

Liz: Simple. Zaresi announces herself ruler, and takes control of the entire planet, just as she said she would.

Morgan: But—

Liz: No buts. It’s done.

-Liz waves a hand, and the bubble vanishes. Morgan immediately lunges at her, and Liz casually snatches her out of the air-

Liz: I’m sorry this couldn’t end better for you.

-cut to a prison cell somewhere. Morgan is thrown in. She doesn’t bother standing-

-cut to about a week later-

-Morgan is still lying in her cell, when a soft white light spills out from her hood--

Morgan: What?

-and forms into the erstwhile Poltergeist, now only a vague human shape-

Morgan: Oh. You’re here.

-the Spirit shifts in an affirmative way-

Morgan: I mean, sure, you couldn’t save my sister.

-no response-

Morgan: And you couldn’t stop Zaresi from killing Novju when it really counted.

-still nothing-

Morgan: But hey. At least you showed up to keep me company before I die.

-the Spirit shakes its head-

Morgan: What?

Spirit: I’m not going to let you die.

Morgan: Right, because it’s your permission that matters. I’m a few hours from execution, and you’re a fog machine.

Spirit: Not if I have anything to say about it.

-the Spirit shifts, solidifying slightly-

Morgan: My apologies. I’m a few hours from execution, and you’re half a person.

Spirit: Maybe, but at least I’ve got some fight left in me.

Morgan: Why? What’s the point anymore?

Spirit: How about protecting what’s left to us?

Morgan: I don’t know if we’re watching the same things happen, Poltergeist, but there isn’t anything left. My sister is dead. My friends are dead. Novju’s dead, and Zaresi has her power. We aren’t just being screwed, we were already screwed a long time ago, and now we’re just waiting to see how bad it is. So just let me mourn in peace for the last few hours of my life, okay?

-beat-

Spirit: Sorry, but no.

Morgan: Ugh. Can’t you just go back to hiding in my coat?

Spirit: Well, I can’t exactly haunt you into a better person if I do that, can I?

Morgan: Pretty soon, I’m going to be haunting you, okay? So just leave me in peace and we can spend eternity together later.

Spirit: But then you’d be a Reaper, not you. And I like your face.

Morgan: Flattering.

Spirit: No…it’s more than that.

Morgan: Is this really the time?

Spirit: You’re important to me. Everything else I knew is gone, and you’re still here…

-the Spirit jerks suddenly-

Morgan: What now?

Spirit: Morgan, I remember your face.

Morgan: Of course you do. We’ve been in each other’s company since I met you in Novju’s garage.

Spirit: No, it’s not that I know your face. I remember your face.

-Morgan blinks-

Spirit: I remember.

-­Morgan’s eyes widen-

-the Spirit’s form starts to shift-

-the white light is suffused with pink-

­-Morgan stares-

-and Quinn is standing over Morgan-

Quinn: Come on, Morgan. Let’s win this war together.

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Volume 2, Chapter 4

If It Ain’t Broke, It Will Be

-the zombies are closing in-

Holly: Okay, so we should almost definitely run.

Morgan: I’ve had enough of running. There’s no Zaresi here, and we’ve got a god just as powerful as her behind us. We’re going to fight!

-she conjures a moon and bowls over one of the approaching zombies-

Evan: Yeah, about that.

-it immediately stands up-

Evan: Zombies aren’t as smart as ghouls are, and that’s a pretty low bar. Upside though, they’re way harder to kill.

-and the other zombies begin clawing at the moon, Death magic swirling around their hands to burn it away-

Morgan: What?

Evan: Yeah, see, I wanted to go with the “rip your flesh apart and eat your brains” sort of thing. Classic, right? But Laura said that would draw too much attention. I said I could just mind-wipe people, and besides, it’s not like anything’s going to be secret for much longer, but she made the face at me. You know the face, right, Morgan?

-Morgan glares from where she is still trying to bat away zombies-

Evan: So instead I just made them burn through any other magic they touch, and absorb it to keep themselves going. It’s not quite as cool, but it’s pretty energy-efficient, and I guess you’ll die either way.

-he shrugs-

Evan: Can’t have everything, right? For now, I mean.

Dee: I’m really starting to dislike that guy.

Morgan: That puts you approximately a year behind everyone else here.

Poltergeist: Didn’t you say you weren’t supposed to try and influence who I was?

Morgan: Well, nobody liked him, so I figure I’m good.

Andrew: Uh, guys?

Dee: Nobody else here is a guy.

Andrew: Folks?

Dee: Better. What’s going on?

Andrew: I don’t want to be a bother or anything, but, uh…I don’t have any magic. And nobody here is actually doing any harm to the zombies. Like, at all.

-indeed-

Andrew: So maybe we should take Holly’s advice and run?

Morgan: Little late for that! We’re surround—

Dee: Yeah, on it. Locus!

-a portal opens-

Dee: Everyone through!

-everyone goes through the portal, emerging on a roof. A zombie begins climbing through-

Dee: Center!

-and the portal closes-

Poltergeist: …Ech.

Holly: Death magic is gross.

Morgan: It’s normally not this bad.

-she punts the half-zombie off of the roof-

-cut back down to below-

Evan: Now that’s just annoying.

-Laura approaches-

Laura: Where are they?

Evan: Up there, I think.

-he points up-

Laura: Oh.

Evan: Don’t you worry. I’ll handle them myself.

-he grins-

Evan: You don’t even have to watch.

-Laura looks away uncomfortably. Evan laughs and heads towards the building-

Morgan: Okay, battle plan.

Dee: Keep running?

Morgan: Sort of. We need to find Novju and get Andrew a Contract so he doesn’t get eaten by zombies.

Andrew: Thanks.

Morgan: Don’t mention it. Then, once we’re all actually able to fight, we deal with Zaresi’s subordinates. Novju can finish off Zaresi herself, and we’ll be good.

Holly: Sounds like a plan.

Dee: Not really.

Holly: I mean, you’re right, but I think it’s as close as we’re going to get.

Poltergeist: I like it.

Andrew: I support me not dying.

Morgan: Okay. We can probably take Laura or Evan, but those zombies are a problem. And watch out for Liz.

Poltergeist: Didn’t we fight her already? She’s not so tough.

Morgan: I’ve seen her move so fast she was basically teleporting, and take down Spirits in seconds. With all the power Zaresi’s got right now, she should be even stronger…but she’s not. She’s holding back when she fights us. I don’t know why, and I don’t want to test her patience on the matter. So if you see her, just get out of there. Don’t talk to her, don’t fight her, just run. Everyone got it?

Poltergeist: How are we going to find Novju?

-there’s a crackling noise, and a pillar of blue light erupts a few blocks away-

Poltergeist: …Okay, fair enough.

Morgan: Let’s go.

-they start moving, but almost immediately, a second pillar appears from the other side-

Morgan: …Okay, so finding Novju might be a little more difficult than previously planned. Who knew gods moved that quickly?

Dee: I did.

Andrew: I probably could have told you that.

Poltergeist: If Liz can move that fast, why shouldn’t Zaresi and Novju?

Holly: …It did seem to make sense.

-Morgan sighs-

Morgan: Okay, new plan. We wait for the fight to come to us.

Holly: Uh, Morgan? That might be a problem.

-several zombies start climbing up onto the roof, and Evan follows them, casually strolling up the fire escape-

Evan: You really thought you could run away?

-he draws his knife-

Evan: Gypaetus!

-and a ring of Death magic forms around the roof-

Evan: Don’t you get it? There’s never been anywhere you could go.

-Morgan immediately summons moons, whirling them around as she swings one at Evan, but a zombie intercepts the blow-

Evan: Please don’t interrupt me while I’m monologuing.

-the zombies circle the group, Morgan floating moons to keep them at bay-

-Evan takes out his mat and lies it down-

Evan: Phalacrocorax!

-the mat starts to glow, a new pattern of sigils forming-

Evan: Like the theme? I made the new one after we beat Nicholas. Throwback Thursday, right?

-Dee leans forward-

Dee: Morgan, if we can distract him for a few minutes, I can get us to another building.

Morgan: I’ll see what I can do.

Evan: Hey! No talking while I’m threatening you.

-one of the zombies slashes a hand at Morgan, trailing Death magic. She dodges, and smacks it away with a moon-

Evan: Fuscicollus!

-suddenly, tendrils tear their way out from the mat, whirling around, and dive for Team Morgan. They scatter as the tendrils impact the rooftops, and the zombies charge-

-Morgan is off by the side, separated from the others by a tendril, and attempts to duck around to reach Evan, but is intercepted by more tendrils. She summons moons, bending space to force herself a path, and a zombie gets in her way, grabbing at her throat. Death magic springs up around her-

Evan: Enjoying the new features?

Morgan: Nngh…

-further away from Evan, Dee is forming sigils out of Space magic, while Holly is standing guard. As a zombie approaches, Holly forms a vector arrow to move both it and a tendril, and the zombie is impaled, rapidly disintegrating-

Holly: …So that’s what they’ll do if they touch us.

Andrew: Yikes.

Dee: Just a moment…

-at this point Holly notices the zombie strangling her sister-

Holly: Morgan!

-she forms another arrow and fires it at the zombie, which doesn’t notice-

-Morgan, meanwhile, is rapidly getting paler. While moons form around her, they’re wispy and gutter out quickly-

-Evan is giggling-

-Holly looks between Dee, who is still murmuring over her ritual, Andrew, who just generally looks afraid, and…wait, where’s the Poltergeist?-

Holly: …Hm.

-she forms an arrow on the ground between her and the zombie, and shortens it. Suddenly, the zombie is directly in front of her. She pulls it just a little closer….-

-and releases the arrow-

-there is now no more zombie. A burst of Death magic escapes from it, and the hand lessens its grip on Morgan’s throat. Morgan drops to the ground, gasping-

Evan: Spoilsport. But even you can’t keep track of everything.

-Holly turns back around, to see that a tendril has impaled Dee’s ritual, shattering it, and a zombie is forcing Dee towards the ring of spikes surrounding the roof, while another is busy draining the life from Andrew-

-another tendril strikes Morgan, and another Holly. The two are suspended in the air-

-Evan, meanwhile, bursts out laughing-

Evan: You know, Morgan, this could have been avoided. If you’d just stayed out of our way, you wouldn’t be here, and I wouldn’t be killing you and everyone allied with you. Sure, you’d have to let someone else fight your battle for you for once in your life, but is that really so bad?

-he shrugs-

Evan: Ah well. I’d have hunted you down and killed you anyways. Maybe Marian and Superfluous Guy could have survived?

Andrew: Dude…

Evan: Moot point now though, seeing as how I’m about to kill all of you. Look, I already got the Poltergeist.

Poltergeist: Actually…

-something taps Evan on the shoulder-

Poltergeist: Hi.

Evan: Well. Hell—

Poltergeist: No one wants to hear your voice, asshole.

Morgan: Distraction!

-and the Poltergeist kicks Evan in the chest. He goes flying, straight towards the spikes. His eyes widen-

Evan: Barbatus!

-the spikes vanish, but this leaves Evan with a second problem-

Evan: Lucidus!

-the tendrils vanish, and a new one forms, grabbing Evan before he can fall to his death. Holly and Morgan are freed, and the two set to work freeing Dee and Andrew from the zombies-

Morgan: Come on! We need to get somewhere else, and quick!

Evan: You’re going nowhere!

-he draws his knife-

Evan: Neophr—

-the Poltergeist throws the mat over the edge after him, and he drops, screaming. The zombies remaining on the roof mill about vaguely with nobody to give directions-

Morgan: Dee, Andrew, are you alright?

-Dee stands up, wincing-

Dee: As you might imagine, I’ve been better.

Andrew: Feeling a little out of it…

Morgan: Okay, great, let’s get going then.

-Holly uses an arrow to bend another building’s roof to within walking distance, and everyone crosses over before she snaps space back into shape-

-immediately, a pulse of light goes up from the direction they came-

Dee: Whoops.

Holly: Worth going back?

Morgan: I don’t think so. They seem pretty random; we’ll get close sooner or later. We just have to keep moving so we don’t get caught by Zaresi’s goons again.

-so they begin roofhopping. From the ground, Evan is watching them-

Evan: …This is not going to stand.

-and he and his zombies rush off, the ones on the roof falling off in the background. Laura sighs, and goes to circle around-

-back on the roof, everyone is moving from building to building. While Holly, Morgan, Dee, and the Poltergeist are getting across using magic, Andrew lacks this option and is being carried by the Poltergeist-

Andrew: This is kind of embarrassing…

Poltergeist: Yeah. I can’t believe I have to carry some random around.

Morgan: I can probably take him.

Poltergeist: I’d be shocked.

-suddenly, a flare goes off from right next to them-

Morgan: There! Now!

-and she leaps off the side of the building, riding a moon down. Holly follows, using arrows to keep herself and Dee from splattering. The Poltergeist just sprints down the side of the building, carrying a terrified-looking Andrew-

-however, as they reach the street, there’s no sign of Novju or Zaresi, It’s just like any other crowded street-

Morgan: Crap. Too slow. Oh well. Don’t slow down, and keep straight.

Laura: That might be difficult.

-she steps out of an alleyway, blocking everyone off. Morgan slows to a stop and points her palms at Morgan, a moon hissing into existence behind her-

Morgan: Credit for the pun, but get out of our way.

Laura: Can’t.

Poltergeist: We can get around her.

Morgan: Or we can go through her, which is what we’re doing if she doesn’t get out of the way.

Laura: Not happening.

-Holly taps Morgan on the shoulder, and gestures to some passersby, who seem very confused by Morgan-

Morgan: Uh.

-she puts her hands down, but the moon remains floating behind her-

Morgan: We already fought you by the ocean. You want to do this again?

Laura: You stepped in when we were already busy fighting a few dozen other gods and their entourages. Want to see what I can do when I’m not almost tapped?

-she flicks a finger at Morgan’s spell. A tiny burst of helical Death magic pierces it, and it vanishes-

Laura: I’m sorry about this.

-whirling spirals begin branching off her-

Holly: Okay, rerouting!

-a series of vector arrows form, and suddenly Laura is no longer between everyone else and anywhere-

-or rather, the space behind Laura has been moved to directly in front of the group-

-space is complicated-

Holly: Let’s go.

-and everyone steps around Laura-

Dee: ‘Scuse me.

-and off they all go, Morgan hurling several moons to disrupt a parting shot from Laura-

Andrew: Wait, you guys know her?

Morgan: Uh, yeah. Long story on that one.

Poltergeist: She’s her ex.

Morgan: …Yeah, that.

Dee: Doesn’t sound like such a long story to me.

-Morgan blinks-

Morgan: Wait, how did you know that?

Poltergeist: …I’m not sure.

Dee: Probably a question for when we’re not running for our lives.

Morgan: But—

Poltergeist: Sounds like a plan.

-a wacky chase scene ensues-

-well, not that wacky, it’s actually kind of horrifying-

-in a general way it involves Team Morgan running a lot, with Laura or Evan taking potshots at them-

-it also occasionally involves zombies pretending to be civilians-

-but also Scooby Dooby Doors-

Dee: -face-to-face with a doppleganger of herself-

Holly: This is unusual.

Dee: No kidding.

Dee #2: …Want to make out?

-Dee cocks her head-

Dee: Maybe some other time.

-anyway, cut back to the chase scene-

-they keep running, until there’s a flash of blue from right across a large parking lot-

Morgan: There! Full speed ahead!

-they start running through the lot-

-a flash of darkness appears from across the block and rockets across the street, slipping around pedestrians, until it lands in front of Team Morgan, coalescing into Liz, who spreads her wings and floats up into the air, hovering in front of the group-

Liz: Hi.

Morgan: …Oh.

Poltergeist: Heya.

Andrew: Ulp…

Dee: So you’re Liz. Nice to meet you.

Liz: A pleasure. You were Tirali’s Magician, yes?

Dee: Is there some point to me lying?

Liz: Not really.

Dee: Sort of figured.

-she eyes Liz, who ignores her and turns to Morgan-

Liz: I thought you might be trying to follow the battle. It should be back here shortly…but I can’t let you pass.

Holly: (whispering in Morgan’s ear) What do we do? I think there’s an alley, I can try getting us into it…

Morgan: (quietly) At this point? I’m not sure that’s an option.

Liz: I can hear y—

Morgan: Now!

-everyone opens fire. Morgan hurls a moon, Holly launches vector arrows, the Poltergeist produces a fairly generic plasm, Dee creates a tesseract and flings it, and even Andrew grabs a small rock off the ground and throws it at Liz’s head-

-Liz strikes the attacks out of the air with feathers before they can get a few feet from Team Morgan-

-and she catches the rock-

Dee: You did say we couldn’t fight her.

Morgan: I was hoping I was wrong!

Liz: So. How about that alleyway?

Holly: We are now recalculating our destination.

Andrew: …Is that, like, a line from an old movie or something?

-Holly summons a vector arrow-

-and Laura emerges from the alleyway, Death magic spiraling around her-

Laura: Hey again.

-Holly spins the arrow around, only to find that Evan and the zombies are approaching from behind-

Evan: I am so very, very pissed off right now.

-he cracks his knuckles. The zombies do the same-

Evan: You’re trapped, Morgan. Nowhere to run…

-he giggles, leaning on a zombie-

Evan: So. Now what?

Dee: I could try another portal…

Liz: Do you think you can create a ritual faster than I can cast a spell?

Holly: No.

-everyone turns to her-

Holly: But I think I can cast a spell while all of you are talking.

-she moves her hand slightly, and it becomes clear that an incredibly complex network of arrows has been set up. Space twists in and out of itself, so that if the spell is destroyed, the recoil will cause a number of cars to be launched at Laura, Evan, and Liz-

-most importantly, though, there is a clear path for Team Morgan to simply step past Team Zaresi-

-which they proceed to, Morgan using a moon to cover their escape-

Morgan: Distraction! Thanks, Holly!

-she blows a raspberry at Team Zaresi-

Morgan: Nice try, but I guess my sister’s just a little bit smarter than you are. We’ll be seeing you! Everyone, let’s—

Evan: Hold it!

Morgan: And why should I?

Andrew: Uh, Morgan?

Morgan: What?

Dee: …We might want to take a headcount.

Morgan: You two, me, Poltergeist—

Poltergeist: Present.

Morgan: And…

-she trails off. Everyone turns back, to see Holly being held at knifepoint by Evan, in the middle of her field of altered space-

Holly: …Hi.

-Morgan conjures a moon-

Morgan: Let her go or I’ll break your face, Evan!

Evan: Who’s going to make me? In case you haven’t noticed, if you try anything, Other Morgan comes down with a bad case of anemia.

Holly: That isn’t what anemia means.

Evan: Why does everyone I hold at knifepoint always correct me on things? Do you not grasp the implicit threat of this situation?

Holly: I think you’re not grasping it, actually.

-she points down-

Holly: We’re right in the middle of a space that shouldn’t exist. What happens if I die?

Evan: …

-he realizes that he is, in fact, within the field of space currently stretched very strangely out of proportion-

Evan: …Smart.

Holly: Yep.

-Evan turns to Laura and Liz-

Evan: I don’t suppose either of you happened to notice that, did you?

Liz: I may have.

-Laura doesn’t respond, and in fact is looking away-

Evan: Hmph. Well, thanks for pointing it out. I guess I have to let you go now…oh, wait. No I don’t.

-a handful of zombies surround Holly as Evan steps back. Holly sighs-

Evan: And we’re back to where we started. Now, Morgan, collect your sidekicks and come over here, and I might consider letting your sister go.

Morgan: You wouldn’t be okay with just me?

Holly: Morgan, no.

Evan: (mockingly) Morgan, no.

-he sneers-

Evan: At this point, no I wouldn’t. I’m making a point here.

-he twirls his knife-

Evan: Either you let Other Morgan die, or you and everyone else dies. You said you wanted to keep her safe? Well, here’s your chance.

-Dee, Andrew, and the Poltergeist turn to Morgan somewhat nervously-

Evan: You’re probably powerful enough to do it, aren’t you? It’s easy. Just snatch them up and toss them over here. Hey, Liz, want to take bets?

-Liz has been watching Holly intently-

Liz: No, I don’t think I will.

Evan: Boring. Oh well. Morgan, you get 10 seconds. Make up your mind. 10…9…

Holly: Not that I think Morgan would actually kill 3 people and herself just for me, but I do have an opinion on the matter.

Evan: Who cares? 8…7…

Holly: You really should. Dee, double-check me. Liz isn’t going to fight us except in self-defense, right?

Dee: Given the degree of power she’s displayed and the fact we’re still alive? I’d say you’re right.

-Evan turns to glare at Liz-

Liz: Hmm.

Holly: So. With Liz pretty much out of the equation, that leaves you and Laura. And I think Morgan, Dee, and the Poltergeist can take you.

Evan: You seem to be forgetting my swarming horde of undead. Oh, and by the way, 6…

Holly: No, but they’re about to be taken care of.

Evan: Oh, please. They’re unkillable. That’s the whole point of—

-he trails off-

Evan: You wouldn’t.

-it clicks-

Morgan: HOLLY, NO!

Evan: Enough of this! Zombies, ignore Other Morgan and go get real Morgan!

Holly: Actually, you’re the one being held hostage now.

Evan: Oh, please. You’re not about to sacrifice yourself.

Holly: Morgan, you really should be running right now.

Morgan: I’m not about to leave you!

Holly: Yes you are.

Evan: Very touching. Zombies, kill someone.

-he waves a hand, and they begin to move-

Holly: Say hi to Novju from me. Oh, and Evan? Distraction. Goodbye, Morgan.

Morgan: N—

Holly: The name’s Holly, by the way.

-the entire field of twisted space vanishes, as does Holly and the zombies-

-there’s absolute silence for a moment. Liz looks pensive. Laura stares in horror. Evan looks impassive. Andrew just seems confused. The Poltergeist lacks a face. Dee looks startled-

Dee: …Oh.

-Evan is the first to recover-

Evan: Well, that was a waste of undead.

-Morgan crumples over, sobbing. The Poltergeist makes an attempt to comfort her-

Evan: Oh, right. You’re still here.

-he glares, and then snickers, and then starts to laugh, and then finally bursts into utter hysterics-

Evan: You know, for a complete waste of resources, that was hilarious.

-he continues cackling-

Evan: No, really! Tell me that was not the funniest thing you have ever seen!

Liz: It really wasn’t.

Evan: Then your sense of humor is lacking, because wow! I mean first off, look at Morgan’s face, because that should be funny enough in and of itself…

-both Laura and Liz are staring at Evan at this point-

Evan: But second of all, and this’ll just kill you, it was completely pointless!

-Evan crumples as well, but unlike Morgan, he’s laughing hysterically-

Evan: You’re still outgunned, and you still have no hope of ever reaching your god! You’re still going to die here, alone, far from home, and knowing just how many people are dead because you failed, and that is. A. GAS!

Laura: Evan—

Evan: Do I sound like I’m even close to done? Not only was it pointless, it was also entirely avoidable! If you’d just listened to your sister’s advice and run for it at first, or kept going instead of picking fights every time one of us happened to be in your way, Other Morgan might still be alive! But you didn’t, you wouldn’t, and she isn’t! So HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES?!

Liz: Evan! Your gloating is embarrassing. Get over yourself and get this over with.

-Evan stands up, still giggling-

Evan: Whatever you say, mom.

-he takes out his knife, and advances on Morgan-

Evan: Hey, check it out. Even your Spirit abandoned you. Guess you really are going to die alone.

-indeed, the Poltergeist has vanished-

-Dee forms a tesseract, and Evan points his knife towards her-

Evan: Torgos.

-twin beams of Death magic snap from the knife, striking Dee and Andrew and hurling them away-

Evan: Don’t worry, I’ll deal with you two later.

-he leans down to Morgan and tilts her head up, placing his knife against her throat-

Evan: Any last words before I send you the same way everyone in your life has gone?

-Morgan just stares at him blankly-

Evan: Fine, gosh. Don’t let them say I never do anything nice for you.

[offscreen]: Hey, I’ve got some words for you.

Evan: Huh?

[offscreen]: Distraction.

Evan: Distrac…

[offscreen]: Again.

Evan: Who are you? And what are you talking ab—

-there’s a whistling sound, and a large object shrouded in blue appears, plummeting towards all present-

-and Zaresi smashes into the ground in the parking lot, flipping several cars and crashing into a wall as the Space magic surrounding her flickers away-

Evan: What?!

-there’s a blue glow around Evan-

Evan: What?!

-and he disappears-

Laura: Liz? What’s going on?

Liz: …We have company.

-and Novju appears in the parking garage. She’s about twice her usual height, and has the same aura of power as Zaresi-

Novju: Morgan. I see you decided to follow me after all.

-Morgan doesn’t respond-

Novju: I suppose I should apologize for taking so long to acknowledge you. I didn’t really expect you to show up, and I was rather occupied. Fortunately my Poltergeist got around to notifying me.

-the Poltergeist peeks out from behind Novju’s back-

-Morgan still says nothing-

Novju: Is something wrong?

Dee: …Awkward.

Andrew: Uh…her sister just died.

-Novju blinks-

Novju: Oh. Um, not to divert attention or anything, but who are you?

Andrew: I’m Andrew.

Dee: You keep saying that!

Andrew: What else am I supposed to say?

Novju: Are you a Magician?

Andrew: Uh, yes.

Novju: Good, then you can help me fight.

Andrew: Oh. Um, yeah.

-he glows with Space magic-

-Novju, meanwhile, has shrunk down to human size, and goes over to Morgan-

Novju: Morgan.

-Morgan looks up, still crying-

Novju: Don’t cry, Morgan. You’ve done well. Zaresi, admittedly, was slightly stronger than I anticipated, but with you and yours keeping her subordinates occupied, I’ve been able to gain the upper hand. Can you still fight?

-Morgan takes a few deep breaths-

Morgan: …Yeah. I can.

Novju: Excellent.

Zaresi: This is not over!

-she snaps to her feet, her aura of power swelling to fill the garage and batter against Novju’s-

Novju: Your pride needs breaking badly, Zaresi.  Morgan, Dee, Andrew, Poltergeist, I trust you can handle Zaresi’s pet Magicians?

Morgan: I…

-the Poltergeist steps in front of Morgan-

Poltergeist: We’ve got this. Let’s kick some butt.

-as Liz and Laura reenter view, Novju flows forwards-

Novju: Yes.

-she raises a palm-

Novju: Let’s.

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Volume 2, Chapter 3

Con of the Dead

-Morgan, Holly, and Dee are sitting on the plane. The Poltergeist is an amorphous cloud above them-

Poltergeist: Huh. I think I’m getting back some mortal memories.

-Morgan’s head jerks up-

Morgan: Wait, what? What are they?

Poltergeist: Mostly about how I hated flying on planes.

Morgan: …Oh.

Poltergeist: It’s a lot nicer now that my feet don’t swell up though.

Dee: Huh. Maybe I should try being a Spirit.

Holly: Hopefully not any time soon.

Dee: Spoilsport.

Holly: Card-carrying.

Dee: Hmph.

Morgan: …Maybe we should get some rest.

Poltergeist: I don’t think I sleep anymore.

Holly: That doesn’t make any sense. Sleep is a necessity for mental reasons just as much as physical.

Dee: And even if it weren’t for you, it would still use up more magic keeping yourself awake. It’s just not practical.

Poltergeist: You silly people and your evidence.

-Morgan sighs-

Morgan: Okay, everyone, we’ll be in London in like 8 hours, so get some rest please.

Poltergeist: Whatever you say, mom. Actually, wait. What if I’m older than you?

Morgan: You’re n-- …Well, you should still go to sleep.

Poltergeist: Hmph.

-nonetheless, it condenses into a glowing marble as the three girls nod off-

-cut to a little while later-

-Morgan opens her eyes, and passes her hand in front of the face of the other two-

Morgan: Okay, good, you’re asleep.

-she sighs-

Morgan: That’s fortunate, because you definitely wouldn’t approve of this.

-she takes out a book, and flips it open-

-and her arm is immediately grabbed. Her head snaps around to see Dee, who is now wide awake-

Morgan: (in a low whisper) What?!

Dee: (not whispering) Is that a library book?

Morgan: …Um, well—

Dee: Theft of a library book is generally inadvisable. Theft of my library books is just really annoying.

Morgan: The fate of the world is at stake!

Dee: …I’ll give you a pass this once. But you’d better return that when all this is over. The library’s still running perfectly well, you know.

Morgan: Fine. Just let me get this ritual done. If my sister wakes up, she’s probably going to be upset.

Holly: What am I going to be upset by?

Morgan: Damn it, Dee.

Dee: You started this.

Holly: Morgan, what are you doing?

Morgan: Well—

-Dee peers over Holly at the page Morgan’s flipped to-

Dee: She’s trying to scry Zaresi again.

Holly: Really? You’re hopeless with rituals. Let me help.

Morgan: What? I thought you’d be all “We should just stay out of it” like you were about going to London in the first place.

Holly: Don’t be ridiculous. Now that we are, unfortunately, irrevocably set on the path of going to London and fighting a battle we’re almost certainly going to lose—

Dee: Cheery—

Holly: --We ought to know as much as we can about what we’re up against. So give me that book and I’ll do the ritual.

Morgan: Okay, okay.

-she hands the book over. Holly begins fiddling with it-

Holly: Okay, here we are. Go back to bed, you two.

-Space magic starts flowing from Holly’s palms, forming the ritual…-

-once again, sometime later, Holly nudges Morgan and Dee awake-

Morgan: Is it ready?

Holly: Should be.

-she holds out her palms-

Holly: Mirror, mirror, on the plane, we need to spy on the bad guys again.

Morgan: Forced rhyme.

Dee: 2 out of 5.

Holly: Yeah, yeah.

-a line appears in front of them, and then expands, showing a bird’s-eye view of the Atlantic coast-

-where Zaresi and co. have gathered. A number of additional Reapers are present-

Dee: Hang on, I think I recognize that one.

Morgan: What?

Dee: Yeah, I know that Spirit. She used to work for Xenn. What a traitor.

Morgan: Well, at least we know where the rest of the new Reapers probably came from.

-she purses her lips-

Holly: Ssh. I think I can hear them.

-the three fall quiet, and voices can be made out-

Evan: I don’t get it. We want to kill Novju, Novju’s in London, and yet we haven’t started moving at all. What gives? She isn’t going to be getting any weaker, you know.

Laura: Have you been paying any attention for the last few hours?

Evan: I was kind of too busy daydreaming about stabbing Morgan to death.

-Laura winces-

Laura: Gods have been issuing formal challenges to Zaresi left and right. We’re hanging around to clear up a few.

Evan: Sounds boring.

Liz: Nobody ever won fighting a war on two fronts, Evan.

Evan: Yeah, yeah, you’re old and I’m not, whatever. Let’s just kill whoever shows up and get on with it.

Liz: You’ve somehow become even more distasteful.

-she walks off to talk to Zaresi-

Laura: …

-she leaves as well-

Evan: Hmph. What’s the point of being hysterically witty if there’s nobody around to listen?

Iggy: I’m still around if you want to talk to someone—

Evan: Bye, Iggy.

-he stalks off-

Morgan: At least they don’t like him either.

-Evan’s head perks up-

Evan: Is someone there?

-he draws his knife-

-Morgan ducks out of the way of the portal-

Morgan: (whispering) He can hear us?!

Dee: (also whispering, for once) This is Space magic, not Knowledge! If we’re scrying, it opens a portal, and any portal is going to be two-way. …So yeah, he can hear us. And also see us.

Morgan: You couldn’t have mentioned that?

Dee: I assumed you’d calculated the risks!

Holly: (also whispering) Never assume that kind of thing about Morgan!

Morgan: How do we know if he’s still looking?

Holly: Um…

-she taps the glowing sphere, and the Poltergeist suddenly forms-

Poltergeist: What’s going on?

Holly: Ssh!

Poltergeist: (now whispering) What’s going on?

Holly: Do you actually need eyes to see?

Poltergeist: …Really?

Holly: Okay, okay. Can you, just…peek around in this portal, and tell us what’s there?

Poltergeist: (seeming slightly confused) If you say so?

-it yawns, and bends near the portal, to the point where its head would be looking through it-

Holly: What’s there?

Poltergeist: Um…Zaresi. Lot of Reapers.

Holly: Is Evan looking at us?

Poltergeist: Who?

Holly: The guy. Short hair, looks like an asshole.

Poltergeist: Uh, no, he’s busy with—Wait, what.

Morgan: What is it?

-everyone looks through the portal-

-and they see a fight-

-gods and Spirits have appeared, mostly out of the ocean, but also from inland. The ones from the ocean are all what seem to be Water Domain, navy blue with features of varying oceanic life. The Spirits are wearing what appears to be a long, seaweed dress, with similar faces to the Nymphs-

-they are also conjuring up various magical weapons and clashing with the Reapers. However, the amount of power Zaresi is wielding makes her Reapers easily more than a match for the Water Spirits, so while the forces of Death are badly outnumbered they more than make up the difference. Iggy is visible. He’s there I suppose-

-this is to say very little of Laura and Liz, both of whom are easily worth a number of Reapers on their own. Laura is leaping between spiraling tracks of her magic, launching spheres down at Water Spirits. Liz is flying on her own, wings extended as she duels a pair of Magicians, one launching sheets of wind and the other conjuring purple smoke-

-Zaresi herself is standing at the center of combat, already a fair ways out to sea, the eye of the storm. Evan is skulking around her, balancing on a platform she created, cradling his knife. A humming aura of Death magic swirls around him, deflecting incoming strikes-

Morgan: …Well.

Poltergeist: That got out of hand quickly.

Dee: They are not doing well for themselves.

Morgan: There has to be something we can do!

Holly: No, see, that would qualify as “We should just stay out of it.”

Morgan: We’re working for Novju! She has enough power that we could probably stand up to them, right?

Holly: Add to the list of “Things I’m not willing to risk.”

-back in the portal, Laura and Liz combine attacks, giving Zaresi’s forces a small breathing space-

Ocean God: Zaresi! Your mad quest ends here! We will stop you!

-the gods draw back, raising their hands, and a wall of water begins to gather-

Liz: Mm, that’s a problem.

Zaresi: Evan. Now.

Evan: Oh, excellent!

-he runs forwards, and holds up his knife-

Evan: I spent a really long time making this ritual, so you should definitely pay attention, okay?

Darkness Magician: Screw you!

-he sends a cloud of Darkness magic at Evan, which is destroyed by the barrier-

Evan: I appreciate the thought…

-he twirls the knife, and thrusts it skywards-

Evan: But I’m not really into soon-to-be-necrophilia! Cryptoleucopteryx!

-a tiny bolt of light flies off the knife and disappears-

-everyone stares in confusion-

Laura: …That looked completely pointless.

Evan: Ah-ah-ah. You’re a pretty good Magician, Laura, but there’s something you never figured out.

Laura: And what’s that?

Ocean God #2: Your ritual is a failure!

Ocean God #3: We can still do this! Get them!

-the wall of water begins to rise again as the gods charge, and a wicked grin spreads over Evan’s face-

Evan: Showmanship.

-he snaps his fingers-

-and dozens of spears of Death rain from the skies. They strike the wall of water, destroying the magic keeping it intact and sending it tumbling back, and many of them pierce the gods or Spirits arrayed on the field. One catches the Darkness Magician, sending him dropping to the ground. By the end of the storm, only a handful of the Spirits, as well as the Wind Magician, are left-

Morgan: …Holy crap.

Holly: I don’t think there’s anything holy about that.

-Evan, meanwhile, bursts out laughing-

Evan: That was hilarious! The way he was all “You’re a failure” and then he died? My one regret is that they didn’t live long enough for me to internalize the looks on their faces.

Laura: Your one regret, huh?

Evan: Don’t be such a spoilsport. Liz gets it. Right? Riiight?

Liz: Believe what you want, Evan.

Morgan: Okay, we have to do something.

Holly: Like what?

Morgan: Like this.

-and she unbuckles her seatbelt-

Holly: Morgan, the seatbelt sign is on. You’ll—

-and she jumps out of the portal-

Holly: …Get in trouble.

Dee: …Did she just—

Poltergeist: Yep.

-Morgan plummets towards the ground-

Morgan: Okay, let’s see what Space magic can do for me.

-she holds out her hands…-

-and a moon forms in front of her-

Morgan: Oh, this is awesome.

Dee: Holly, your sister has the strangest concept of Domains of anyone I’ve ever seen.

-and Morgan crashes her moon into the beach, creating a shockwave of magic that blows Zaresi’s entire army off of its feet. Liz catches Evan before he can fall into the water-

Liz: You need to figure out how to fly on your own.

Evan: Bite me.

-the attention of the battle turns to Morgan-

Wind Magician: Who are you?

Morgan: Uh…I’m on your side, that’s who I am.

Laura: How did you get here?!

Morgan: I think the question you should be asking is “Would you like our surrender vocalized or in writing?”

Zaresi: Laura. Deal with her.

-Laura sighs, and runs at Morgan, spheres swirling around her-

Wind Magician: Good enough for me!

-the battle resumes, and Laura and Morgan begin to duel, helices to moons. However, a couple Reapers join her, and Morgan begins to lose ground. Evan takes notice of this, and begins murmuring a ritual-

Poltergeist: Well, my turn.

-and it dives out the portal, turning into a streak of light as it descends. It hits the water and changes back into its (roughly) human form, sprinting across the surface towards Evan-

Evan: Oh, you again! Not exactly sure how you got here, but I’m always happy for someone to watch me kill their frie—

-the Poltergeist stops dead about 30 feet from Evan and hurls a whirling blast of Space magic at him, knocking him into the water-

Poltergeist: You know, I don’t remember much, but I definitely don’t like you.

-there’s a garbled shouting from underwater, and spikes of Death magic emerge from the ocean, stabbing at the Poltergeist-

Dee: Your friends have the worst decision-making processes I’ve ever seen.

Holly: Yeah.

-she unbuckles her seatbelt-

Dee: Don’t tell me.

Holly: I already climbed through one portal to rescue her from a situation she brought upon herself. Why not another?

Dee: Well, stay safe.

Holly: I think it’s a little too late for that. Are you coming?

-Dee shakes her head-

Dee: Someone needs to make sure you can get back onto the plane.

Holly: Alright.

-and she climbs out the portal and leaps-

-her descent is a little less graceful than Morgan’s or the Poltergeist’s, in part  because she’s screaming really loudly-

Morgan: Wha—Holly!

Zaresi: Someone intercept her!

Iggy: On it!

Evan: Someone competent!

Iggy: Oh…

-a Reaper darts up towards Holly-

Morgan: Look out!

Holly: Eep!

-she flails a hand at the Reaper-

-and a vector arrow forms in front of her, stretching out the space between the two. Suddenly, the Reaper’s leap falls far short of Holly, a skull narrowly missing her. The space then narrows again, and Holly hits the Reaper with another arrow, knocking it to the ground. Holly forms several more arrows as platforms to keep her from crashing to the ground, and immediately opens fire on Zaresi’s troops, driving them back from Morgan and the Poltergeist-

Poltergeist: Hi, Holly!

Morgan: What are you two doing here?!

Holly: I could ask you the same question. This was a terrible idea.

-Evan dredges himself out of the water, climbing back onto Zaresi’s platform-

Evan: There’s something we can agree on.

-the Wind Magician lands next to Morgan and co.-

Wind Magician: Are you Space Magicians?

Poltergeist: Well, I’m a Space Spirit.

Wind Magician: I’m Andrew. Thanks for the hand. You’re working for what’s-her-name, then?

Morgan: Novju, yeah.

Andrew: Right, the weird one. Did you know she turned out to be, like, really old?

Morgan: …I’ll catch you up on the rest when we’re not maybe about to die, okay?

Andrew: Oh, yeah. Sounds good.

-the four turn to see Zaresi’s forces incoming-

Morgan: Right, let’s do this then.

-and they collide-

-Morgan slams a moon down in between herself and a frontline of Reapers, sending them all flying-

Andrew: …I feel as though my contributions to this fight might be minimal.

-the Poltergeist pats him on the back-

Poltergeist: Don’t take it personally.

-Morgan’s moon suddenly dissipates as Liz flies over-

Liz: Morgan. Long time no see.

-and she begins firing feathers down at Morgan, who runs out of the way-

Morgan: Not long enough, really.

-she conjures a moon and swipes it at Liz, who flits out of the way of it and a burst of wind from Andrew-

Morgan: I saw your face the last time we talked, Liz! There’s no way you support this! So just stop!

Liz: I’ll thank you not to question my loyalties.

-she barrel rolls out of the way of Morgan’s moon, and slashes it in half with a wing-

Liz: The reasons behind my actions are my own, and I can’t allow you to stand in their way.

-Liz fires more feathers at Morgan-

-and Holly intercepts, using her vector arrows to redirect them. Morgan then hurls her moon at Liz, knocking her back-

Morgan: Fortunately I don’t need your permission.

Holly: You can’t make the cool one-liner when I just saved your life, you know.

Morgan: Can and di—

-Laura leaps over the moon, sending a spiral of Death down. Holly parts it, and Morgan swipes at Laura with a moon, which she rolls under, and the two begin to duel. Liz quickly joins in, and the duel alters into a sort of rhythm, Liz and Morgan both pressing offense while Laura and Holly stay on defense-

-meanwhile, out to sea, Evan is poking Zaresi, who is still battling the surviving gods-

Evan: Can we get over closer to land? I don’t think I can hit them from here…

Zaresi: Have you considered looking for additional ranged options?

Evan: I’m a big fan of up-close and personal.

Zaresi: I feel as though that may prove a liability, but I will assist you.

-she moves close enough to the beach for Evan to leap to land-

-and the Poltergeist bursts from the sand-

Poltergeist: Hi again!

Evan: Not this time!

-he stabs his knife at its chest-

-which of course accomplishes nothing, as it doesn’t have one-

Evan: …Huh. Interesting.

-his observations are cut off by the Poltergeist judo-flipping him across the beach-

-the battle zooms out. Holly, Morgan, Andrew, Liz, and Laura are still dueling, and now Evan and the Poltergeist are exchanging fire as well-

-cut back to Dee watching the battle through the portal-

Dee: …They’re definitely going to need a bailout shortly.

-a flight attendant comes by-

Flight Attendant: Excuse me, miss?

Dee: Uh, hi. What’s going on?

Flight Attendant: Where are the two who were sitting next to you?

Dee: …Bathroom.

Flight Attendant: Both of them.

Dee: …They’re very co-dependent.

Flight Attendant: Well, the seatbelt signal is on, so when they get back, please tell them to remain in their seats for the moment.

Dee: Will do.

Flight Attendant: Now, would you like anything to drink?

Dee: Oh, do you have Sprite?

Flight Attendant: Is Pepsi okay?

-Dee looks puzzled-

Dee: …Why would it be?

-the flight attendant shrugs and moves on, leaving Dee with a bag of peanuts-

-Dee tries one, and makes a face-

Dee: Hmm…

-she balances a peanut on her thumb, and blue Space magic swirls around it-

-and it fires through the portal at incredible speed, nailing a Reaper that was about to attack Morgan from behind in the back of the head-

-and with that we’re back to the battle-

-it’s a pretty dead heat. Despite the gross numerical imbalance, the huge amounts of power that Morgan, Holly, and the Poltergeist are bringing to bear are leaving things approximately even-

-the occasional peanuts out of nowhere aren’t hurting either-

Andrew: Hey! I think we’ve got th—

Zaresi: No.

-the word echoes across the battlefield, as Death magic ripples out from Zaresi. The Magicians put up barriers, managing to repel or divert the attack. The gathered gods, however, aren’t so lucky. Most of them are left with injuries, a few simply vanishing-

Morgan: I really hate it when she does that…

Andrew: Ah! My god…my magic!

-he flicks his hands, but nothing happens. Laura casually knocks him over with a burst of Death magic-

Morgan: Hey!

-she stands between the two-

Laura: He’s fine.

Morgan: At this point, getting in your way is its own reward really.

-Laura purses her lips, and another wave of magic ripples out from Zaresi-

Zaresi: Enough!

-Laura, Liz, and Evan draw back as Zaresi emerges onto the beach, shrinking down into her human form. Morgan immediately hurls a moon at her, but Zaresi simply flicks it aside with a scythe-

Zaresi: I said, enough!

-scythe blades begin forming around her as she stalks forwards-

-back on the plane-

Dee: Uh-oh.

-back on the beach, the Magicians and the Poltergeist are still hurling attacks at Zaresi, who is deflecting them with contemptuous ease-

Zaresi: I have left you alive so many times, out of nothing but the basest sentiment. I have let you escape from my clutches over and over again, given you every chance you could want, and you still return to fight me every time. Well, no more.

-Death magic ripples out from her a third time, knocking the three to the ground-

Dee: Crap, crap, crap…

-she begins pouring magic into the portal, murmuring to herself-

Zaresi: You have been a thorn in my side for too long, Morgan. This ends now.

-she raises the scythes up and swings them down-

-and the portal swings by, scooping up the three. Morgan yanks Andrew through as well. The scythes crash down into the beach-

Zaresi: …What?

Evan: A portal.

-he hisses-

Evan: Space magic. They were spying on us, and they used it to get here too. Hey, Morgan!

-the voice carries onto the plane-

Morgan: Nobody wants to talk to you, Evan.

Zaresi: Then perhaps you will talk to me. I have little to say, as I assume your desire for conversation is limited. But understand that even if you do reach London, your mission is hopeless. You will die, and I will succeed. That is all.

Poltergeist: To the point, isn’t she?

Zaresi: I am Death, Spirit. That is my job.

Morgan: You’re getting too big for your britches, Zaresi. We’re going to cut you down to size.

Holly: Did you really just say that?

Morgan: Shush!

Zaresi: Like you did just now? You are welcome to try.

Evan: See you soon! Have a going-away present!

-Dee and Holly’s eyes both widen, and they make identical gestures at the portal as Evan hurls his knife. The portal closes just in time-

Holly: …So. That was terrifying.

Dee: I hope you had fun on your reconnaissance mission.

Morgan: I wouldn’t call it that.

Dee: Who’s the guy?

Andrew: Andrew.

Dee: Technically informational, but not really an answer to my question.

Andrew: Uh, I used to be a Magician of Wind. Now my god’s dead and I’m on a plane somehow.

Dee: Contractor. Fair enough. Now, unless you can turn into a little marble like our friend here, can you find a seat somewhere else and get out of my lap?

Andrew: Yeah, sure.

-he stands up-

Flight Attendant: Excuse me, who are you?

Andrew: Uh…Andrew.

Dee: Why do you keep saying that?

Morgan: He was in the bathroom at the start of the flight. He just got back here.

Flight Attendant: I thought you and your twin were in the bathroom earlier.

-the two look at Dee. She shrugs-

Morgan: ...

Holly: …

Andrew: …

Flight Attendant: Never mind. Please return to your seat, sir. The seatbelt sign is on.

Andrew: Uh, right.

-he leaves. The flight attendant also leaves, muttering something about the mile-high club-

Dee: …I miss being a Knowledge Magician. Covering things up was easier when I could just change people’s memories.

-Morgan glares at her-

Dee: …It’s not a first resort.

Andrew: Everyone does it. Would you rather we just tell people we’re on a quest to stop a murderous god from taking over the world?

Random Flier: What?

Andrew: …LARP plans.

Random Flier: You sad nerd.

Dee: Okay, seriously, who is he?

Andrew: I’m on your side!

Dee: I believe you, I just want to know.

Morgan: He was there when we got there. Didn’t really want to let him die.

Andrew: I’m Andrew.

Dee: We’ve heard.

Holly: Um, everyone?

-everyone turns to Holly-

Holly: We’re definitely going to have company when we get to London. Maybe we should actually get some rest? Without any rituals that end up with us trying to fight Zaresi again?

Morgan: …Probably a good idea.

Dee: I could use some shut-eye.

Poltergeist: Still not really sure if I sleep.

Dee: You definitely do.

Poltergeist: Sounds fake…

Andrew: You people are weird. I’m going to nap.

-cut to a bit later-

Holly: Not going as planned, is it?

Morgan: I haven’t really slept.

Holly: Me neither. I’m having a difficult time not thinking about…

-she cuts off-

Morgan: About seeing everyone you love turned into piles of ash in an instant because one asshole decided she wanted the playground to herself? Yeah. Me too.

Holly: Pretty much.

-Morgan wraps an arm around Holly-

Morgan: I’m still here, Holly. I’m not going anywhere.

Holly: But…

Morgan: I know. You miss them. I miss them too. I miss our parents, I miss Allen, I even miss Jacob. I miss Janice and Richard, you never met them…

-the Poltergeist turns to stare-

Morgan: I miss…I miss Quinn.

-she looks up at the Poltergeist-

Morgan: I miss Quinn so much. I mean, you’re my sister, but she was my best friend. We were supposed to share everything, but we were both hiding so much, and she exploded into dust before I could explain…it wasn’t fair.

-she takes a deep breath, and then sobs-

Holly: …I miss them too. And it wasn’t fair.

-she holds Morgan close-

Holly: But you aren’t the only one who can be there for people. And I’m not going anywhere either.

-meanwhile, the Poltergeist is staring at them-

Poltergeist: Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think you’re kind of lucky.

Morgan & Holly: What?

Poltergeist: You miss people, right? It hurts.

Holly: Yes.

Poltergeist: I don’t miss anyone.

-Morgan looks uncomfortable. the Poltergeist folds itself vaguely-

Poltergeist: I don’t have anyone to miss. And the worst part of it is that I know I should miss someone, and I don’t. It’s on the tip of my brain, but I don’t even know who I am, let alone who was important to me. All I know about myself is that I woke up on a sidewalk somewhere and snuck onto the first train I saw.

Holly: You have us now.

Poltergeist: Huh?

Morgan: Whoever you had before, now you have us.

Holly: And we’re not going anywhere.

Morgan: I’m especially not going anywhere.

Holly: Hey, I’m super not-going-anywhere.

Morgan: No way. I’m way more not-going-anywhere.

Holly: Morgan Stein, I have never gone anywhere in my life and I don’t plan to start now.

-she giggles-

-Morgan giggles too-

-and then even the Poltergeist joins in-

Dee: Okay, I get it. None of you are going anywhere. But I’m also not going anywhere, and in this case, the “anywhere” I have in mind is “to sleep”. So can we change that, maybe?

Morgan: …Whoops.

-shot of everyone sleeping-

-cut to the airplane touching down-

-Morgan and Holly get out, followed by the Poltergeist, Dee, and Andrew. Morgan has her hands in her pockets, but there’s a clear glow of magic emanating from them. Holly, meanwhile, is clutching tight to a pen-

-Dee is just holding the map-

Morgan: Okay, keep an eye out for anyone. Zaresi won’t show up, but the others are probably fair game. Especially watch out for anyone who looks like they might be a Reaper in disguise…

-as they exit the airport, they see someone carrying a sign saying “Morgan”-

Morgan: Like her, for example. Eyes down, other direction.

-the three change direction…-

-only to run into someone carrying a sign saying “Other Morgan”-

Holly: I hate him so much.

-they carefully slide past, but then run into another person with a sign saying “Marian”-

Dee: Oh dear.

-another person, with “Honestly, we don’t know the Poltergeist’s Name”-

Poltergeist: That’s just rude.

-and finally, one with a sign saying “Who even is that guy you saved?”-

Andrew: Ouch.

-they start to turn, and from all sides people carrying signs appear, until the three are completely ringed in-

Morgan: …Okay, on the count of three, we open fire. One—

Holly: Morgan, we can’t! These are just people!

Poltergeist: They seem to be very strange people, but we probably still shouldn’t hurt them.

Evan: Welcome to London!

-the three turn around, to see Evan strolling up from a side street-

Poltergeist: Hey! Guy who killed me. Long time no see.

Evan: You’re not dead.

Poltergeist: Well, you turned my physical form into so much dust.

Evan: Probably. Who are you again?

Poltergeist: …You’re a dick.

Evan: I like to think my charm makes up for that.

Poltergeist: Do you just not listen when people talk?

Evan: Not really.

-he turns to Morgan-

Evan: Do you like the welcoming committee?

Morgan: I don’t know what you did to these people, but you’re going to pay for it.

Evan: Even if I did believe your absurd delusions of grandeur, I haven’t done anything to anyone. These people were already dead when I found them.

Morgan: Wait—

Evan: Got it right this time! Want to know the secret ingredient for making zombies instead of ghouls?

Morgan: Not really.

Dee: Kind of, actually.

Andrew: Zombies?

Evan: Way, way more magic.

-he grins-

Holly: Ugh.

Evan: Ah, what am I saying? This doesn’t matter anyway.

-he rubs his hands together-

Evan: Seeing as you’ll all be dead in five minutes.

-he points-

Evan: Well, zombies? Sic ‘em.

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Volume 2, Chapter 2

Monopoly and the Long Game

Dee: Someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah. Really? Nothing?

Morgan: That song is older than all of us combined.

Dee: I know it.

Holly: I sort of got it, but not until right before I saw you.

Dee: Still!

Evan: Okay, ladies, we’re all getting very off-topic here.

-he presses the knife into Dee’s throat, and she stops talking-

Morgan: Evan, what are you doing?

Evan: Holding a friend of yours hostage for her god’s good behavior while Zaresi figures out how to use my ritual to kill them? I sort of thought that was obvious.

Morgan: What happened to no unnecessary killing?

Evan: Who told you that? Was it Laura? Did she find you already?

-he laughs-

Evan: Was it the happy reunion she was hoping for? I bet it wasn’t. Did you kill her, Morgan? Huh? Didja?

Morgan: No!

Evan: Hmph. I guess I have to go find her, then.

Holly: You know, I can do to you what I did to her.

Evan: Can you? Does that mean you’re a Magician now?

-his eyes narrow-

Evan: A Witch? Faker.

-he giggles a little-

Evan: Well? Going to do something? If you’re such a Magician, why don’t you attack me?

-Holly pauses-

Evan: Oh, right! It’s because I’ll slit Marian’s throat here if you try.

Holly: That’s a rather dated reference.

Evan: Well, turnabout’s fair play. Hey, Madame Librarian, you seem to know a lot, how do you say “Please don’t kill me” in…oh, let’s say, Serbian?

Dee: Um, actually, it’s—

Evan: Rhetorical. Be quiet.

-Dee shrugs-

Morgan: What do you want, Evan?

Evan: What does anyone want?

-he grins wickedly-

Evan: Nah, see, you’re thinking this is the kind of hostage situation where I want something out of it. I’m just waiting for Zaresi to figure things out, and then none of you will have any magic and I can go my merry way. So tell me, Morgan, did Laura give you the “I don’t want to hurt you” speech?

-Morgan winces-

Evan: I’ll take that as a yes. But see…I definitely want to hurt you. Badly. So once Tirali’s dead, I’m going to kill your sister, make you watch, and then kill you. Cool?

-Morgan summons a textbook-

Evan: Really? Is nobody noticing the knife here? Marian, all this callous disregard for your life must be terribly upsetting.

-Morgan grits her teeth, but dismisses the book-

Evan: Better!

Holly: Dee, do you have any rituals you could use without Evan noticing?

-Dee raises an eyebrow-

Holly: Right. You’d have used them.

Evan: Are you seriously planning your dramatic escape directly in front of me?

Morgan: Is there anything you can do about it? If you kill Dee, Tirali doesn’t have any reason not to fight back against Zaresi.

Evan: Like they could do anything.

-still, he doesn’t kill her-

-he taps his foot irritably-

Morgan: Getting bored?

Evan: Unimaginably.

-he turns off to the side-

Evan: Hey! Zaresi, are you almost—

Morgan: Distraction.

-and a book sends him flying across the room. Dee exhales with some relief. Evan whips himself to his feet, looking murderous-

Evan: You little—

Holly: Elucidate!

Dee: Eyewitness!

-the two rituals go off. Evan is shrouded in gray magic, and as it clears, he looks utterly befuddled-

Evan: fgsoep wkewk owi iwej ksls iaoqm nsn…

-Dee and Holly look at each other curiously-

Dee: What did yours do?

Holly: Temporarily forced his brain to track the movements of a couple electrons. I think he might be overloaded.

Dee: Ooh, bad combo with mine. I gave him compound vision.

-the two look at Evan, who still seems insensate-

Dee: So, um…you probably don’t have enough processing power to actually understand me right now, but the words you might be looking for are “Nemojte me ubiti.”

-a glowing eye forms in Dee’s palm. Evan stares sightlessly up at it-

-there’s then a scream from the other room-

-a loud hiss-

-and Dee’s eye disappears-

-there’s a stunned silence, broken only by Evan’s babbling-

Morgan: Oh no.

Holly: What? What just happened?

Morgan: Tirali’s dead! Our Contracts just got broken! We have to—

-and Zaresi appears behind them. She’s in a sized-down form, but the power billowing off her is enough to force Morgan and Holly to take a step back-

Zaresi: Too late.

-Morgan gulps-

Zaresi: Morgan. Holly. Good to see you again. Dinah, good to meet you.

-Dee glares at Zaresi-

Zaresi: Would you be interested in joining my ranks? We could use a Magician of your caliber.

Dee: Well, if they call off my interview in Hell on account of snow, I’ll consider it.

-she takes a pen from her pocket-

Dee: You may have killed my Contractor, but that doesn’t stop my rituals from working! Electric Company!

-Knowledge magic starts to build up around the pen-

Zaresi: No.

-Zaresi flicks out a hand, and the pen explodes with Death magic. Dee yelps and drops it-

Zaresi: None of that.

-Holly reaches into her pocket, and Zaresi’s attention flicks to her. A scythe suddenly forms at her throat-

Morgan: Leave her alone!

Zaresi: And why should I do that? Our Contract is voided. I owe you nothing.

-she tilts her head-

Zaresi: Unless, of course, you are interested in returning to my service, once again in exchange for your sister’s life?

Morgan: I—

Holly: Don’t you dare, Morgan.

Zaresi: Very well.

-she waves a hand, and a pulse of Death magic ripples over the three. Knowledge magic drains away from Holly and Dee’s various rituals and is burnt to nothing, and Evan suddenly recovers his senses-

Zaresi: I will leave you in Evan’s capable hands, then. If you will excuse me, I have a town to finish subjugating.

-she leaves the room, growing in size as she does, and the three turn around to see Evan picking himself up-

Evan: Hello again! Where were we?

-he draws his knife-

Evan: Right. I was killing the three of you.

Dee: That wasn’t where we were.

Evan: Fair point. It’s where we are, though. So, anyone volunteering to go first?

-he points his knife between the three, who back off-

Evan: Unbelievable. I have to do everything myself.

-he starts moving the knife between them-

Evan: Eeny, meanie, miney, Necrosyr—

-something flashes out of a ceiling vent and slams into Evan, sending him sprawling, before straightening up, revealing itself to be a humanoid figure, sans torso or head-

Dee: Wait a second. You’re—

-Evan leaps to his feet, grabbing his knife again-

Evan: Hey! No fifth wheels! This is strictly a four-person murder!

Figure: Sounds boring.

-it taps a finger against Evan’s chest, and a burst of electric blue magic sends him flying-

Figure: Hey, you two. Time to go.

Dee: Two?

-the figure tilts its body at Dee-

Figure: …Huh. I wasn’t told about you. Oh well, come along!

-it grabs the three, and there’s a rush of electric blue. The three are gone, leaving Evan alone-

Evan: …Damn it.

-he slams his knife into a table-

-cut to blackness. The figure reappears, towing the three-

Morgan: Where are we?

Holly: Who are you?

Dee: What’s going on?

Figure: Well, I can’t really answer the second one, not really knowing myself. I’m only a Spirit, after all.

-a light appears in the distance-

Figure: As for the first and third, however, welcome to my goddess’s domain!

-a series of lights flicker on, and reveal…-

Holly: Your goddess’s domain is a parking lot?

Morgan: Wait a minute.

Dee: Oh, yeah, we have a Parking Contractor here. Always thought she was kind of weird. Didn’t know she had any Spirits, but I suppose that explains the mysterious new Spirit wandering around.

Morgan: …You have a goddess of Parking?

Dee: Contractor. Why?

Morgan: …We had one too.

-a blue light approaches from offscreen-

???: The sisters, I presume?

-pan-

Novju: We have a lot to discuss.

-Morgan and Holly stare. Dee waves-

Novju: Oh, um. Dinah, isn’t it? What brings you here?

Dee: Your Spirit. And call me Dee; everyone does.

Novju: Really?

-she turns to the Spirit-

Spirit: She was with Morgan and Holly. It didn’t seem right to just let Evan kill her too.

Novju: Evan was there?

Dee: Zaresi too. Tirali’s dead. Xenn’s probably dead. When did you get a Spirit?

Novju: Quite recently, actually. I—

Morgan: Hold it!

-everyone turns to Morgan-

Novju: Yes?

Morgan: You’re dead.

Dee: Well, that’s not very poli—

Morgan: No, I mean, you’re dead. I saw you die, Novju.

Spirit: Wait, what?

Holly: No, it’s true. I mean, she told me it was true.

Dee: Wouldn’t that make you only a secondary source?

Holly: Yeah, but you’re a ternary source.

-Dee raises an eyebrow and points at Novju-

Holly: ...That’s irrelevant.

Novju: Let’s take a vote. Who here thinks I’m dead?

-Morgan and Holly raise their hands. The Spirit, Dee, and Novju herself don’t-

Novju: Looks like you’re outvoted.

Morgan: But…how?

Novju: Excellent segue. Have a seat.

-she waves a hand, and four mounds form out of the ground. Everyone sits down in front of her. Novju herself pulls herself into criss-cross applesauce, floating a few feet above the ground-

Novju: First off, I’m a tulpa.

-Morgan leaps to her feet. There’s a whisper of electric blue, and she’s sitting down again-

Novju: None of that! Time is limited, and we’ve wasted enough of it trying to determine whether or not I’m dead.

-she huffs-

Novju: First of all, when I say that I’m a tulpa, I mean that what you are seeing right now, and what you saw in your hometown, Morgan and Holly, was also a tulpa. A very, very complex tulpa, made using a ritual I’ve been perfecting over…oh, 5000 years or so?

Morgan: Wait, what? That would make you—

Novju: About 5000, yes. Now, with respect to Tirali—

-she inclines her head slightly in Dee’s direction-

Novju: I’ll attempt to forestall the obvious questions here. I don’t always look the same, and I don’t always lay a claim to the same domain. I’ve gone by Organization, Real Estate, Location, and more, and what it adds up to is me being the Goddess of Space in almost every city of every country in the world.

Dee: …Contractor.

Novju: Aren’t you brave?

Morgan: That has to be against the Convocation.

Novju: As a matter of fact, it’s not against the Convocation, which one of my several identities was involved in creating. Since I make no effort to attain any power beyond what I’ve skimmed away over my many lifetimes, and since my Domains are so uninspiring, nobody has ever bothered challenging me for my post. Somewhat ironically, I do my best to avoid taking up space in the world. I’ve never recruited Magicians, and this is the first Spirit I’ve ever felt the need to have in my service. In fairness, of course, I would call this an extreme situation.

-she gestures to the Spirit-

Novju: This…Poltergeist? Does that seem like a good name?

Morgan: I like it.

Poltergeist: I don’t.

Dee: Eh.

Holly: Is this the time?

Novju: This Poltergeist is the remains of one of the Magicians of your town.

-there’s a beat-

-Morgan flashes back through things that have happened, most notably Quinn’s death-

Morgan: …I know who you are.

Poltergeist: …Um.

Morgan: Qu—

Novju: No!

Morgan: What? But I--

Novju: It’s a new Spirit, and one formed under particularly unpleasant circumstances. Its memory is going to be spotty at best. It’s not going to know about itself, and if you try and remind it, it’ll only pollute what’s really there with what you think should be.

Morgan: She’s my friend! I—

Novju: Was that the only Magician who died there?

Morgan: …

Novju: What if this is Richard? Or Janice, or one of Nalis’s other people? If you fill its brain up with how it’s Quinn, it won’t be pretty. Trust me.

Morgan: I—

Novju: Drop it.

-Morgan slumps. The Poltergeist awkwardly pats her-

Morgan: I just thought…

-Novju’s expression becomes more sympathetic-

Novju: You thought you would get to see someone you knew again. I understand. But you can’t rush the formation of a Spirit, or it might never recover its original memories. Best to leave it alone for now.

-everyone looks between each other-

Morgan: ….Okay.

Novju: Excellent. Now, I’m sure you’re wondering why I’ve rescued you.

Morgan: I kind of thought it was out of the goodness of your heart.

Novju: Maybe a little, but you also happen to be useful to me. See, the me from your hometown wasn’t aware enough of what happened to her to be of use, and of course my Poltergeist has no memories. Consequently, I’m going to need you to tell me exactly what happened.

Morgan: …Oh.

Novju: Please.

Morgan: Well, um…I worked for Zaresi, but she was secretly setting up some sort of ritual. So she absorbed the life of the entire town, and now she’s trying to conquer the world one city at a time.

Novju: …I see.

Holly: For what it’s worth, I had a hard time believing it too.

Novju: That’s not the issue. This simply requires a proportionate response.

Morgan: Meaning?

Novju: Meaning it’s time for a family reunion.

-Novju flicks a hand, and a watch forms out of nothing. She checks it-

Novju: Hmm. So, my proper form, who has been touring England, has already begun the recall of her many selves. I am currently 857th on the list, giving us approximately…32 minutes.

Holly: What?

-Holly appears to be doing math in her head-

Novju: I’ll teleport the four of you out of town before I go, don’t worry.

Morgan: Hang on.

Novju: Huh?

Morgan: What happens then?

Novju: Um… well, you go somewhere safe, I pull myself together, give Zaresi a personal lesson in her Domain, and…well. I’ll probably have a lot of explaining to do after that, but I’ll deal with that when the time comes.

-she shrugs-

Novju: Is that a problem?

Morgan: I want to help you!

-Holly and Dee stare. The Poltergeist tilts its body in a way that would suggest the same if it had a face-

-Novju bursts out laughing-

Novju: Help me? Really? I think you’re underestimating the amount of power we’re talking about here.

Morgan: But—

Novju: I’ve been skimming off the entire planet for five millennia, and Zaresi has the entire magic supply of a small town. Do you know how much magic a single human life contains?

Dee: Well, attempts to scientifically measure magical output have been limited in scope for obvious reasons, but there are a few obscure SI units, and the average output of a single human life has generally been considered—

Novju: The answer is a lot.

Dee: Yeah, that.

Novju: Any human Magician would be hopelessly out of their league. You’d burn out in moments trying to keep up.

Holly: Well, that sounds like that settles it.

Morgan: There has to be something we can do!

-Novju stops laughing-

Novju: There isn’t. This is beyond you. Just go. And take the Poltergeist with you, I think it’s taken a shine to you.

-Morgan turns to see the Poltergeist leaning over towards her-

Morgan: …You want me to travel with someone who is almost certainly my dead best friend, but I can’t acknowledge that in any way?

Dee: Aw, don’t be like that. It seems sweet.

-the Poltergeist hops over-

Morgan: What’s with the sudden attachment?

Holly: Do you suppose Spirits imprint?

Dee: Not that I’ve heard.

Poltergeist: I dunno. You seem stressed. I’m guessing you could use a friendly face. So to speak.

Morgan: …Seriously?

Poltergeist: And standoffish, too. But I’m sure you’ll get better about that.

Morgan: So, what? You’re going to haunt me into a better person?

Poltergeist: It’s like peer pressure, but it’s justifiable!

-the Poltergeist slumps over, and its manner becomes more sincere-

Poltergeist: Seriously, though, you think you know who I was? Maybe if I stay around you, I’ll get something back.

Morgan: …Good luck.

Holly: I’m sure you’ll be your old self in no time.

Morgan: So…what? I go off, I forget this happened, and I start a sitcom with my sister, a librarian, and a ghost?

Dee: (aside) I’d watch it.

Poltergeist: (aside) Spirit. Ghosts aren’t real.

Novju: That’s the general idea.

Holly: Is that so bad? You heard… Novju, right? This isn’t a fight we can be a part of anymore. We need to step aside, and let people who know what they’re doing handle this.

Morgan: I know what I’m doing.

Dee: Do you really?

Holly: You’re talking about picking a fight with a god. That’s not a course of action that generally works.

Dee: Contractor.

Holly: Not actually helping my case, Dee.

-she turns back to Morgan-

Holly: I get it. You feel betrayed. you feel like maybe you could have stopped this from happening, you think it’s your responsibility to solve things. But it’s not. At some point, we have to take a back seat.

Dee: That point is now, by the way.

Holly: Dee.

Dee: Just saying.

-the two turn expectantly to Morgan-

Morgan: …Yeah. You’re right.

Holly: Oh, I know.

Novju: Mm-hmm. Very nice. Now, if you’ll all be on your way, I can--

-there’s an explosion-

Novju: Oh dear.

-and the sound of arguing-

Laura: We’re trying to keep a low profile here!

Evan: Oh, please. They’ll just blame it on gas leaks or something.

-and the forces of Death enter the garage-

Novju: …Evening, Zaresi.

Zaresi: Novju. How surprising to see you. You are looking well.

Novju: You’re looking overblown as ever. Still think the “I can’t wash my bedsheets” look is in fashion?

-Evan takes a step forwards, brandishing his knife-

Evan: Speak with respect. I killed you once, I’ll do it again.

Novju: Certainly doesn’t look like you did a good job of it.

-she yawns-

-Evan snarls. Zaresi holds up a hand-

Morgan: You really don’t get any respect, do you?

Iggy: Now you know how I—

Evan, Laura, Morgan, and Holly: Quiet, Iggy.

Dee: Is your name Iggy?

Iggy: Um, actually, it’s—

Dee: Quiet, Iggy.

Iggy: Oh.

-Evan glares at Morgan, but doesn’t do anything-

Novju: What do you want?

Zaresi: To tie up loose ends.

Novju: Oh, Zaresi. As always, you think too small.

-she giggles just a little-

Novju: First, you think a single town is enough for you to challenge the world. The fact that you’re still grubbing around in cities one by one is really only the cherry on top of the absolute mediocrity that got you to this point.

Zaresi: How dare you—

Novju: Second, even with the great power you claim to have, you’re still working on the scale of a handful of Spirits and Magicians. I can think of a lot of ways I could cut your reign short right now, but unlike you I’ve got no interest in killing a whole city just to achieve something.

Zaresi: My goals are—

Novju: Oh, and finally…you really think I’m the only loose end here?

Zaresi: …What?

Novju: It didn’t occur to you to wonder why you couldn’t kill me? I’m a tulpa, Zaresi. The Novju you killed up north, that was a tulpa too. There are thousands of me, all around the world, we’re all linked, and now every single one of us knows what you did.

-she grins-

Novju: You weren’t around when they invented the printing press, but before the information age…let’s just say the rush of a good story never really gets old.

Zaresi: What have you done?

Novju: You have no allies. Anywhere. Not now, not ever. You broke the tenets of the Convocation, and every Spirit you see is going to be out for your blood.

-she gives Zaresi a thumbs-up-

Novju: One town is worth a lot of magic. But so’s a whole world. You wanted conquest, Zaresi? You better get conquering. And of course…I’ll be waiting for you when you do.

Zaresi: …Very well.

-she conjures up a scythe-

Zaresi: I will begin with your form here.

Novju: Might be tough.

-Novju flicks out a hand, and Zaresi vanishes-

Evan: What did you do to her?!

Novju: Sent her elsewhere.

-Evan gets on guard, but Laura steps forwards-

Laura: She can’t do it again, or she’d have done it. We don’t have to fight you, Novju.

Novju: How many times have you said that today, Laura? What kind of choice do you think you’re offering people?

-Laura purses her lips, but magic begins spiraling up from her palms. Evan, meanwhile, steps forwards-

Evan: You made a big mistake sending Lady Zaresi away.

-Novju holds up her hand again, but Evan ignores her, stalking up to Morgan and pointing his knife at her. She takes a step back-

Novju: Morgan, how many times do I have to tell you to run?

Evan: It’s too late for that. Sagittarius serpentarius!

-the knife glows with black light. Morgan steps out of slicing range, but dozens of spears of Death magic cascade around her, penning her, Holly, Dee, and the Poltergeist in-

Dee: Tell me, do you use rituals for things like that because you’re a weak spellcaster?

-Evan snaps his fingers in Dee’s direction, and more spikes appear. He turns back to Morgan, who glares at him-

Evan: You. Traitor. And you, other Morgan. Marian too. And what the hell, Spirit, you cost me my chance to kill the three of them back in the library, so you’re on my list too. I’m going to cut the four of you into tiny pieces.

-the spears push Morgan closer to him, and he places the knife at her throat-

Evan: I just want you to know…you got into this for your sister? Because I assure you, this ritual hurts a lot more than getting attacked by Dreamedge. Hey, Laura, want to watch?

Laura: No.

Evan: Oh well.

-he grins-

Evan: I don’t need witnesses to enjoy myself.

-throughout this, Novju has been watching impassively, her outline turning more and more hazy-

Novju: Hmm. Good luck with that. Morgan, you said you wanted to help?

Morgan: I do.

Novju: Then help.

-and power flows between the two-

-and Evan is immediately blasted backwards by a stream of electric blue light-

Evan: Nngh!

Dee: Hey, any chance I could get in on that? I’ve done a few studies on Space magic.

Novju: If you insist.

-Dee glows as well, and a small wormhole opens, allowing her, Holly, and the Poltergeist to exit the spear cage-

Novju: Holly? I suppose you want a Contract too?

Holly: I’ve been letting my sister fight my battles for me for too long now, I think.

Novju: An admirable sentiment.

-Holly glows as well-

Novju: Well then! That’s about it for this form, so Evan, tell your dime-store goddess that I’ll see her in… hm, London. Morgan, Dee, Holly, Poltergeist; fight well, and my orders stand. Keep yourselves safe.

-and she twists into a single point in space and vanishes-

Morgan: So, Team Zaresi. Still want that fight?

-the assembled Reapers and Laura eye the four, all of whom are pulsing with Space magic, and back off-

Evan: Argh…cowards!

-and the Reapers flee. Laura stays, but hangs far behind Evan, looking downcast-

Laura: …Evan, come on. These four aren’t important.

-she tries to make eye contact with Morgan, who ignores her-

Laura: We need to find Zaresi, regroup, and move on.

-Evan tilts his head, and then sighs, following Laura. Just before leaving, however, he turns around-

Evan: I want you to understand something. This isn’t over. Even if you never get in our way again…once Zaresi rules the world, I’ll come find you, and I’ll kill you.

-he smiles-

Evan: Just thought you should know.

-and he follows Laura out-

Dee: …Wow. And you said you were friends with him?

Morgan: No.

Holly: Is it just me, or is he getting worse?

Morgan: I can’t imagine killing people and living their entire lives is really making him more stable.

Dee: Seems unlikely.

Poltergeist: What a dick.

Morgan: A common sentiment, yes.

Holly: So, what now? Where do we go?

Morgan: That’s easy. Novju said she’s in London, so I’ll go to London.

Holly: Well, she also said specifically not to try and help because we’d all die. Don’t you think we should do that?

Morgan: No. I got into this to keep people safe. I can’t stand by until I know I’ve done what I can to help.

Holly: …

Morgan: What?

Holly: Did you want this to happen?

Morgan: What?!

Holly: Novju giving us the Contracts? I know you, Morgan. You were looking for an excuse to pick a fight with Zaresi from the start, right?

Morgan: So what if I was?

Holly: I can’t let you do that. There’s nothing we can do at this point.

Morgan: We can try.

Holly: Dee. You seem sensible.

Dee: Thank you for noticing.

Holly: You agree with Novju, right?

Dee: Now that you mention it, no, I don’t.

Holly: What?

Dee: Zaresi killed Tirali. My Contractor, and more to the point my friend. I’d be willing to bet she killed every Contractor and Spirit here. Even if our efforts are token, I quite frankly want revenge. I can understand if you don’t feel similarly, but I have to support Morgan’s plan.

Holly: I—but—

Morgan: Zaresi killed our parents, killed Allen and Jacob, killed Quinn!

-she eyes the Poltergeist, who doesn’t react-

Morgan: We can’t just leave this to other people to fix.

Holly: …Poltergeist?

Poltergeist: I’m going with Morgan.

Holly: …Well. I guess I’m outvoted then. Let’s find an airport.

Morgan: Whoa, wait. You’re not coming.

Holly: What?

Morgan: You’re going to get as far away from here as possible. I’ll give you a call when this is over.

Holly: What? No!

Morgan: I got into this to keep you safe, Holly. I can’t stand to the side, but I’m not going to let you get any more involved in this than you already are.

Holly: You can’t stop me. I’m not going to be shut out again.

Morgan: …Sorry about this.

-a wormhole opens to the motel room. Morgan nudges Holly through it, and closes it-

Morgan: I’ll see you when this is over.

-she looks back to Dee and the Poltergeist-

Poltergeist: …You don’t think that was a little cold?

Morgan: I almost lost her once. It’s not going to happen again.

Dee: Let’s hope you’re right.

Morgan: Now come on. Let’s get to the airport.

-cut to the airport, with the three boarding a plane-

Morgan: You’d think things would go a little faster, the fate of the world being at stake and all.

Dee: Eh.

Poltergeist: You should try being incorporeal.

-it occupies a seat next to the two, not bothering with the seatbelt-

-this makes it very awkward when a portal appears in the same seat, and Holly climbs into the plane, intersecting the Poltergeist-

Poltergeist: ...Um.

Morgan: Holly?!

Holly: Did you really think you could just ditch me?

Dee: I do think that was the plan.

Holly: Come on.

-she parks herself next to Morgan-

Holly: You sent me back to the motel room, and you left some of your books there. So I did a little more research, and I learned how to trace your portal back.

Dee: Oh, impressive. Really, Morgan? You didn’t think to hide them?

Morgan: I…

Holly: I’m your sister, Morgan. That means I’m with you.

-she grabs Morgan’s hand-

Holly: Maybe you got into this to keep me safe, but you can’t leave me out of it anymore.

-she stares at Morgan-

Holly: We’re in this together.

-there’s a long pause. The Poltergeist turns between the two-

Morgan: …I guess there’s no choice left. We’re going to London.

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Volume 2, Chapter 1

Sorry for the delay!

Absence Makes the Hate Grow Stronger

-Morgan and Holly are getting off the train-

Holly: So…magic is…

Morgan: Yep.

Holly: Important?

Morgan: Apparently.

Holly: And everyone is—

Morgan: Yeah.

Holly: …I see.

-she purses her lips-

Holly: Well, we’re outnumbered, outgunned, and distinctly out-organized, which leaves surprise as essentially our only option. We need to find someone we can trust, tell them what’s going on, and mount a counteroffensive before Zaresi follows us here, which she’s definitely going to do. And we need to do it fa—What?

-she breaks off, as Morgan is staring at her in shock-

Holly: …What?

Morgan: …You’re taking this a lot better than I did.

Holly: It’s this or curl up and cry.

Morgan: Yeah, I was definitely going to do the second one.

Holly: I can’t imagine what that would accomplish.

Morgan: …Holly, everyone but us is dead. It’s okay to cry.

Holly: Okay. Not helpful.

Morgan: I’m going to cry for thirty minutes. You’re welcome to join me.

-cut to a motel room. Morgan has just finished crying. Holly is holding her with one arm, and is using the other to look at her phone-

Holly: I don’t understand it at all. The population of an entire town simply vanishes, and nobody at all is discussing it?

-no response-

Holly: Morgan.

Morgan: (in a small voice) Evan.

Holly: Right. The mind-wipe.

Morgan: There’s probably some kind of side effect to his murder ritual.

Holly: We can’t count on anyone learning about this until we’ve told them, then. Making that still our priority.

Morgan: Right…

Holly: So, you can’t use magic without a god helping you, right?

Morgan: …Right.

Holly: In that case, let’s find one.

Morgan: That would be a decent idea if I knew how to find one.

Holly: Seriously?

-she sighs-

Holly: You said that each god had a meeting place that appealed to their Domain, right? So we just look for the kinds of places where you find gods. City Hall, graveyards, bookstores, coffeeshops…parking garages?

Morgan: We’re not likely to find any other gods hanging out in parking garages. It’s not exactly classy.

Holly: Don’t be so negative. Come on, let’s go scare up a god.

-cut to the two wandering through town-

Holly: So what are we looking for?

Morgan: You’re not looking for anything. You can’t see magic unless you’re a Magician, and I don’t think you can see Spirits normally unless you’ve made a Contract at some point in your life.

Holly: Oh.

Morgan: I don’t really know though. I guess keep an eye out for anything glowing.

Holly: You know, you probably could have stood to ask more questions.

Morgan: Do soccer players research mechanical physics?

Holly: You’re maddeningly incurious. Doesn’t any of this interest you at all?

Morgan: Not really. It was a party trick, then it was my secret life, then it got almost everyone I care about killed.

Holly: …Would you like a hug?

Morgan: Yes.

-Holly hugs Morgan-

Holly: This isn’t a good situation we’re in. It’s, in fact, probably the worst situation I’ve ever seen. It quite frankly redefines my standards for bad, actually.

-she looks Morgan in the eye-

Holly: But standing around moping about it isn’t going to solve anything. We can mourn properly when we’ve figured out where to go from here and gone there, and I need you to do that, because I understand things even less than you do. So please. Where do we want to look?

-there’s a pause. Morgan’s face hardens-

Morgan: …Let’s start with a library. I have an idea.

-at the library-

-Morgan is chatting with the librarian, a young woman who doesn’t seem much older than her. She has deep brown skin, has her hair covered with a tight cap, and is wearing gray from neck to toes-

Morgan: Hi!

Librarian: Do you want something?

Morgan: I was wondering if you have any books on magic theory?

Librarian: What?

Morgan: Magic theory. That’s a thing, right?

Librarian: Are you in college?

Morgan: Uh, no, why?

Librarian: Why would you be interested in magic theory then? It’s all very complicated, and it’s usually not something relevant to the lives of high schoolers.

-Morgan coughs-

Librarian: Yes?

Morgan: Oh, uh, it’s just for fun. (stage whisper) My sister’s a nerd.

Holly: I value knowledge. Is that a crime?

-the librarian raises an eyebrow-

Librarian: Well, they’re in the same section as theoretical physics textbooks, so…enjoy.

-the two walk off-

Holly: That seemed weird.

Morgan: Didn’t it?

Holly: Where are you going?

Morgan: Like you said. To study some magic.

Holly: Were you serious about that?

Morgan: Of course. I thought you knew that when I called you a nerd.

Holly: …You always call me a nerd.

Morgan: Let’s just find a book.

-Holly follows behind Morgan-

Holly: Nobody studies magic unless they have to for a reason. It may sound interesting on the surface, but it’s just a lot of numbers and guessing.

Morgan: Well, it’s the best chance we’ve got.

-the two are poring over a book-

Holly: …This is ridiculous. There’s almost nothing here.

Morgan: Is studying finally failing you?

Holly: …Don’t go there.

Morgan: You were right when you said nobody studies magic. Only a tiny percentage of the population even sees it, and most of them aren’t about to explain. I couldn’t imagine some physicist figuring anything out with approximately zero percent of the information she’d need.

Holly: So this was for nothing?

Morgan: Not exactly.

Holly: You know, Morgan. I know you’re used to not explaining anything to me, but I would hope you might start now that there’s no reason to keep so many secrets anymore.

-Morgan pauses-

Holly: Hmm?

Morgan: …Right.

-she looks guilty-

Holly: So what’s your game plan?

Morgan: Keeping up appearances, mostly. I figured nobody would ever be interested in books on magic.

-she looks up slightly-

Morgan: And if someone was—

Holly: Were.

Morgan: If someone was, that would draw a little attention.

-she snaps her head to the left-

Morgan: Hi! Overhearing anything interesting?

-the librarian peeks her head out from behind a bookshelf-

Librarian: Smart thinking. And here I thought I was cleverly discovering a pair of undercover Magicians.

-Morgan holds up the book defensively-

Holly: Are you a Magician? Morgan, is she using magic?

Morgan: No to the second.

Librarian: Yes to the first. My name is Dinah. Call me Dee.

-she extends a hand, which Morgan shakes. Dee does not let go-

Dee: Now, you’ve got twenty seconds to explain why you’re in my library and explaining things to some non-Magician.

Holly: How did you—

Dee: You just asked your sister—And don’t bother telling me she’s not, by the way, given as you’re literally identical twins— if I was using magic, which you wouldn’t have done if you could see it for yourself. QED, not a Magician. So what’s up?

Morgan: Let me go and I’ll tell you.

Dee: Better safe than sorry. Things have been too weird lately to let a stranger just hang around.

Holly: Weird how?

Dee: Couple rumors of a strange Spirit wandering about. Not aligned to any Domain I recognize. You know what a Spirit is?

Holly: Um, yes.

Dee: Then you know that when there’s a Spirit, there’s probably a Magician. And your stunt double here seems like the type.

Morgan: Wait, Spirits? What do they look like?

Dee: …Huh.

Morgan: Huh what?

Dee: You’re not practicing right now, are you? You’re new in town, but you’ve got no connection to the mystery Spirit, and you haven’t done anything to fight back yet.

Morgan: Well—

Dee: New in town, looking for magic but don’t already have any, so you just got out of a Contract. But you’re running, and you’ve talked your sister into coming with you, which means she knows about formal magic. You wouldn’t be telling a non-Magician about formal magic if there weren’t a really good reason, so either you did something really bad or you’re trying to avoid something really bad. Either way, I think it’s time you told me what’s going on.

Holly: …That was impressive.

-Morgan grunts-

Dee: Thanks!

-she smiles brightly-

Dee: So! Your turn!

Holly: Uh, Morgan, should we—

-Morgan’s face goes oddly blank-

Morgan: I used to work for a goddess of Death named Zaresi. At first I thought she was trying to maintain order in my town, but it turns out she was just biding her time. She had one of her other Magicians make a ritual that drained the magic out of the entire town and absorbed it, and she’s using all that power in a bid to try and take over the world.

-Dee makes a face-

Dee: Wait, what?

Morgan: Holly and I are here because I need to be able to use magic again so I can stop her.

Holly: What?

Morgan: I had this dream about a Dragon where—

Dee: Okay, that’s enough!

-she lets Morgan go, Morgan’s face readjusts to normal levels of emotional expression, and then to a deep red-

Morgan: Wait, what just happened?

Dee: Truth ritual. Don’t take it personally.

Morgan: Wait, then you’re—

Dee: Magician of Knowledge. At your service.

-she bows-

Dee: Well, not really, obviously, but you know what I mean. Sorry about the whole prying information out of your brain by force.

Morgan: Is that really the kind of thing you can just apologize for?

Dee: …Yeah, you’re right, I shouldn’t bother. I had to make sure you were on the level, after all.

Morgan: And are we?

Dee: No!

-she flaps her hands agitatedly-

Dee: You are such an incredibly dangerous person to be around! You ran away from your Contractor because she killed everyone in your town, you’re trying to fight someone who’s capable of doing that, and you’re coming to me to ask me for my help? There is absolutely no way that’s not going to put me and everyone I associate with in danger!

-beat-

-beat-

Holly: Contractor?

Dee: Someone calling themselves a god doesn’t make them one.

-Dee finger guns at Holly-

Dee: But that’s beside the point! I should definitely not introduce you to my Contractor!

-Morgan and Holly stare at her-

Dee: …So I’m going to do it anyway!

Morgan: What.

-Dee claps her hands together-

Dee: Way I see it, Zaresi’s probably gonna come by to tie up loose ends either way, so if I’m going to die horribly I may as well do it doing the right thing, don’t you think?

Morgan: That’s a refreshing attitude.

Dee: You must have known some very disappointing Magicians.

Morgan: You have no idea.

Dee: Well, let’s make some introductions! Right this way, please.

-she leads the two behind a desk and into the back-

Dee: Right then!

-she spins around. Morgan immediately grabs a book, holding it up defensively and standing between Dee and Holly-

Dee: …Aren’t you paranoid?

Morgan: It’s been a long day.

-Dee turns to a bookshelf-

Dee: Tirali, are you busy?

???: Hmm?

-several dozen books glow with a soft gray light, which seeps out, forming into a tall, androgynous figure-

Morgan: Whoa!

Holly: What’s happening?

Morgan: A god—

Dee: Contractor. Please.

Morgan: Just oozed out of the books. They’re kind of monochrome.

Tirali: Ah, you brought me recruits? It’s a little unorthodox to keep a non-Magician around, but given the extenuating circumstances, I can allow it.

-suddenly, a speaker starts emitting a monotone voice as Tirali speaks-

Holly: Aah!

Tirali: My apologies, miss. Normally non-Magicians can’t detect my presence, so I had this made on the occasions when I might have to speak to one. Now, as to business.

-they look thoughtful-

Tirali: We don’t have a lot of ability to hold off an offensive of that kind of strength, so Dee, if you could talk to Xenn about preparing for an attack, that would be appreciated. Morgan, I understand that you are reticent, but the organization of powers in this town is nothing like your home. The gods—My apologies, Dee, the Contractors, work together in a non-unilateral system to keep order. As we all depend on each other, no one Contractor could ever make any real motion to take serious power. With that settled, yes, I accept your offer of a Contract.

-gray light flows between the two-

Morgan: What…

Tirali: Holly, while you aren’t a Magician, if you are interested I would be happy to attempt to make you a Witch.

Holly: Huh?

Morgan: Whoa—

Tirali: I recognize, Morgan, that you don’t like the idea of your sister being involved in this sort of thing, but she is, as things stand, already neck-deep. Becoming a Witch would be an effective avenue through which she could protect herself, and no, I don’t believe you are sufficient to do so. My apologies, but this is a delicate situation and all firepower is welcome. Your sister is, I suspect, possessed of similar latent power to yourself, and having access to it would be a boon. Very well, I suppose it isn’t necessary. Still, Holly, my offer stands. Down the road is a motel, Dee has no interest in escorting you, but I imagine you can find the way on your own. I can lend you a book on the scrying ritual you need, of course, I’ll just consider it my favor in exchange for your Contract, in addition to the protection of course, but given your general history with rituals I don’t know if you’ll have any more luck with this one.

-they wink-

Tirali: Dee doesn’t seem to want to help you, I’m afraid, so once again, my offer to your sister stands. You would make an admirable Witch, Holly. All the same, I do have studying to return to, so goodbye for now!

-and they dissolve back into smoke and reenter the books, leaving Dee smirking and Morgan staring openmouthed-

Morgan: …What was that?

Dee: That was Tirali.

Morgan: What were they doing?

Dee: I think your sister figured it out.

-Morgan turns to Holly-

Holly: They’re a mind-reader. They read our minds.

Dee: Bingo.

Morgan: That’s incredibly creepy.

Dee: You’ll admit it’s a time-saver though. So, Holly, you’re sure you don’t want to become a Witch?

Holly: Well—

Morgan: Not happening. Holly, come on, let’s get to the motel so I can work on this ritual.

Dee: Good luck!

-she hands them a book, and they leave-

Dee: …Why do I feel like I should be writing my will?

-cut to Morgan’s old town. Liz is reading a map while leaning on Iggy, Zaresi pacing around irritably behind her. Evan and Laura walk up-

Evan: Are we moving on anytime soon? Turns out my ritual rotted most of the food in range, and Laura and I can’t exactly survive on salt alone.

Laura: You can’t?

Evan: Hush.

Liz: We’ll be moving on as soon as we can figure out where Morgan and her sister have gone.

Evan: Eeee…

-he rubs his knife excitedly. Laura looks disturbed-

Liz: Evan, can you go bother someone else?

Evan: Who’s to bother? We killed everyone but the Reapers.

-Laura winces-

Liz: Um…Iggy. Entertain Evan.

Iggy: Why me?

Evan: What? No!

Liz: You heard me. Both of you, shoo. Get some food from the town over or something.

-she brushes them away. Laura makes to follow, but Liz holds her back, moving her off to the side and away from Zaresi-

Laura: What is it?

Liz: You seem perturbed.

Laura: What else is new?

Liz: I know where Morgan and Holly are.

-Laura’s eyes go wide-

Laura: Wait, what?

Liz: I figured it out pretty much as soon as they left. They’d just take the first train they could, and I checked where it goes. It’s a small town, not so many gods, a lot like this one. Well, a lot like this one used to be.

Laura: …Right.

Liz: I’m going to give them a bit of a head start, I think. Just in case they’ve decided the best course of action is to keep running and stay out of our way. I’ll tell Zaresi where they are tomorrow.

Laura: I…okay.

-there’s a pause. Liz leans in, staring into Laura’s eyes. Laura looks startled-

Liz: You do believe we’re doing the right thing, don’t you?

-Laura’s face hardens-

Laura: …We are.

Liz: That’s what I thought. We’ll leave tomorrow. I hope you’re prepared. Go do something else now. Maybe rescue Iggy from Evan.

Laura: Do I have to?

Liz: You do now!

-Laura walks off. Liz remains in thought, reading her map-

-cut to Morgan and Holly in the motel. Holly is waking up. Morgan is sitting on the floor, a number of sigils drawn out in gray Knowledge magic and pencil. There’s a mirror in the center-

Holly: Morgan, have you slept?

Morgan: Yeah.

Holly: For how long?

Morgan: …Few hours?

Holly: How much coffee have you had?

Morgan: I don’t know, but they’re sending out for more downstairs.

Holly: …That isn’t healthy.

Morgan: Sure isn’t.

Holly: Have you at least had any luck?

-Morgan turns around, to reveal that her face is covered in ashes-

Morgan: …I’m not very good at rituals.

Holly: That’s not surprising.

Morgan: Supportive.

Holly: I’m your sister. It’s my job to insightfully point out your shortcomings.

-she sits up to look over Morgan’s shoulder-

Holly: It might just be me, but I think you’re looking at rituals too much like art. From what you told me about Evan, it sounds like they’re a lot more like math.

Morgan: Well, that’s your thing. But I’m an artist.

Holly: You know, it might be easier if you’d let me talk to Tirali. I’m pretty sure I could figure out the ritual. I could—

Morgan: No.

Holly: But—

Morgan: It’s not happening, Holly. Being a Magician is dangerous. I’ll figure out the ritual on my own, don’t worry.

Holly: Can you at least get a little sleep? You might have more luck if you’re less…completely exhausted.

Morgan: …Fine. But I can’t imagine I’ll get a lot of—

-cut to Morgan snoring softly, and Holly awake-

Holly: …Sorry about this.

-Holly leaves the room, heading back towards the library. A pale blue glowing hand is reaching around a corner that she passes-

-at the library, she loiters around until just before closing, and then slips in-

Holly: …Hello?

-a voice comes from behind her-

Dee: Welcome back.

-Holly spins around, raising her hands-

Dee: Hi! I’m assuming you’re not here for a textbook this time?

Holly: Now that you mention it—

-Dee giggles-

Dee: Holly, right? You’ve decided to take Tirali’s offer!

Holly: How did you—Wait. Don’t tell me. Morgan wouldn’t leave me alone, so if I’m on my own and coming to visit you, it means I’m not her.

-Dee’s smile grows wider-

Dee: I knew I liked you for a reason. But you don’t actually look that much alike. Identical twins never do.

Holly: Fair enough. But how do you know I’m here to become a Witch?

Dee: You can’t figure it out?

Holly: I could just as easily be here to ask for more help, or just try and find out more about the world I seem to be living in.

Dee: Nice bluff, but… you’re here without your sister. You’re joined at the hip, but now you’re here alone? If you just wanted information, you’d have brought her with you. You want something she wouldn’t be okay with. And unless I’m completely misinterpreting the situation and your sister just really doesn’t want you dating, that would be Tirali’s Witch ritual. Am I on target here?

Holly: …Yeah, you are.

Dee: Well then, right this way.

-Dee brings Holly back to Tirali’s study-

Dee: Tirali, she’s back.

-Tirali flows out of the books-

Dee: They’re here, Holly.

Holly: Um, hi.

-the microphone begins speaking again-

Tirali: Welcome! I’ll get the ritual started right away.

Holly: …Mind-reading, right.

Tirali: Dee, if you could assist with the circle?

-cut to a chalk circle outlined on the floor. Dee sits cross-legged next to it. She’s humming softly to herself-

Holly: Why are you doing that?

Tirali: The ritual requires sound to organize the magic. It’s quite complicated, and I’m sure Dee would rather you not interrupt it. You don’t have to trust me, but I don’t see you as having much choice. Of course I’m not wrong. I’m never wrong. Now kneel in the center of the circle.

-Holly does so-

Tirali: In the interest of gravity, I’ll allow you to respond verbally at this juncture. Why yes, that is gracious of m—whoops, sorry.

Holly: Apology accepted.

Tirali: Do you, Holly Stein, accept the power offered you, with the understanding that it is granted in exchange for your service, however minor and/or temporary your service might be?

Holly: …Yes?

Tirali: Dee.

Dee: Reading rainbow!

Holly: Really?

Dee: It was that or the bridge to “Music of the Night”, and I’m not really a singer.

Holly: I’m just saying it’s—

-there’s a flash of gray light-

Holly: Ah!

-the full scene comes into view. Holly is surrounded by dozens of floating eyes and sigils, and Tirali is resting on the table in front of her-

Holly: …Oh my god.

Dee: Contractor.

Holly: I…what?

Dee: Welcome to formal magic.

Tirali: And back to the status quo.

-they turn off the microphone-

Holly: …You’re real.

Tirali: Well, of course I’m real. Now, as to the ritual. You are correct in your assumption that you can manage it, but if it comes down to it, I think it’s best if you’re prepared for other eventualities as well. To those ends, I’ll treat this as the favor you’re owed.

-they reach forward and tap Holly on the forehead. She reels back-

Tirali: Isn’t that more convenient than spending weeks learning magic? Yes, you do. Not everything, of course, I don’t owe you anywhere near that much, but certainly enough to keep yourself safe.

-they wink-

Tirali: You should be getting back to your sister. I doubt she’ll be pleased if she awakens to find you gone.

Holly: Uh…right.

Tirali: You’re welcome.

Holly: …Thanks.

Tirali: You didn’t need to say that.

Holly: And I did anyway.

-she leaves-

Dee: …I remain worried about them.

Tirali: Mm.

-cut to the edge of town, at night. Zaresi and her Night Parade are slipping in-

Evan: Really? You think Morgan came all the way to this backwater?

Laura: Like our town was so much better.

Liz: Quiet, you two. We don’t know who’s listening.

???: I am!

-a bright spotlight shines on Zaresi’s group. It’s coming from a humanoid figure with a glowing light for a face-

Liz: …An Archon?

Archon: I am a servant of Xenn, God of Light! State your business!

Liz: All yours, Z.

-Zaresi steps forwards-

Zaresi: Our mission here is to enter your town, destroy or subjugate anything that tries to stop us, recruit the Spirits and Magicians that are willing to assist us, and move on from there. Which part of that sentence would you like to be involved in?

-there’s a pause-

Archon: I was warned against you! Prepare to be—

Evan: Necrosyrtes!

-shank-

-the Archon vanishes-

Laura: So much for stealth.

Zaresi: It was bound to happen.

-she turns to Laura and Evan-

Zaresi: Liz and the other Reapers can take care of the local gods. You two, find Morgan and her sister. It seems as though they have already given this town warning to be prepared for us, so subtler approaches may no longer be an option. I am tasking you with finding out who else they have told. Do what must be done.

Evan: Got it!

-he runs off-

Zaresi: Laura?

Laura: …Right.

-off she goes as well-

-cut back to the motel room. Morgan’s waking up. It’s clearly a little while, later, as the sun is coming up. She looks at Holly conducting some rituals, glowing gray Knowledge magic fluttering around her in the shapes of words and flowing into various sigils as she hums, and goes back to sleep-

-wait-

Morgan: Holly! What are you doing?

Holly: You needed the ritual. I’m conducting it.

-the scrying circle begins to glow-

Morgan: You took Tirali’s deal?

Holly: Yep.

Morgan: Without even talking to me?

Holly: Yep.

Morgan: While I was asleep?

Holly: Yep.

Morgan: …Why?

Holly: Because as much as you think you’re here to protect me, I’m here to protect you just as much. In this case, that means not deliberately blinding myself on your say-so, and it means equipping myself better to deal with any threat that comes our way.

Morgan: Holly, now that you’re a Magician, if Zaresi finds you, she’s going to kill you.

Holly: I’m pretty sure she was going to try anyway. Now I can do something about it.

Morgan: But—

Holly: Besides. You were never going to get this ritual to work. I, on the other hand, just did.

-and the circle bursts to life, darkness pooling in the center around the mirror-

Holly: Now. Tirali says we’re going to need a little bit of whoever you plan on scrying on. I don’t suppose you have Zaresi’s skin samples or something?

Morgan: Pretty sure she doesn’t have those. I’ve got the next best thing though.

-she takes out a hair-

Holly: …Oh, please don’t tell me that’s—

Morgan: (blushes) Shut up! I just happened to have it on me when I left, and I figured it would be useful for the ritual!

Holly: Well, you’re not wrong.

-she takes the hair, and places it into the circle-

Holly: Mirror, mirror, on the floor, show us who we’re looking for!

Morgan: Really?

Holly: I know, I know, “the ones for whom we’re looking.” But that wouldn’t rhyme.

Morgan: That wasn’t even close to my first complaint.

-beat-

Holly: You’re sure you’re okay with seeing her again? Even through the ritual?

-Morgan’s face hardens-

Morgan: It’s fine.

Holly: That’s very fortunate, because I really should have asked that a few seconds ago.

-the view on the mirror resolves…and it appears to be looking through Laura’s eyes, because it shows a hotel door-

Morgan: I guess she’s checking in somewhere?

Holly: …Wait. Isn’t that our door number?

Morgan: Wha—

-there’s a knock-

-the two turn to the door in shock-

Holly: (mouthing) What do we do?

Morgan: (mouthing back) Just pretend we’re not here!

Laura: I know you’re in there, Morgan. The light’s on.

Morgan: (in a falsely deep voice) Who’s Morgan? You must have the wrong room!

Laura: Right. That’s plausible. I believe you.

-there’s a bang, and the door is knocked off its hinges. Laura steps into the room-

Laura: …Hi again.

-Morgan, predictably, is speechless. Holly stands up slowly-

Laura: Sorry we always seem to end up meeting under difficult circumstances, Holly.

-Holly shrugs, but Morgan steps between the two-

Morgan: Don’t say her name. I don’t like hearing it in your mouth.

-Laura sighs-

Laura: Please don’t make any other sudden moves, Morgan. I don’t want to hurt you.

Morgan: You’re a little late on that one.

-Laura winces-

Morgan: You know, when Liz and I were vampire hunting that one time, she told me that spells came out as whatever you thought of the Domain you were using. So I made scythes and Liz made wings. (aside) I still don’t get the wings… (to Laura) But I couldn’t figure out what your deal was. Little skulls? Spiders?

-Laura stares impassively-

Morgan: But I get it now. That’s supposed to be DNA, isn’t it?

-Laura’s eyes widen-

Morgan: Your parents died and your brother got sick, and maybe you’ve got the same thing waiting for you somewhere down the road, so you think death is just something in our blood that we’re all ready-made for and so you don’t care about it when it happens to other people either. But that doesn’t make you right! It just means you couldn’t get over your parents and you’re taking it out on everyone else!

-Laura presses her lips together, clenching her fists. Small spheres drift out from her palms before vanishing-

Laura: Think what you want about me.

Morgan: It doesn’t matter what I think! It matters that you still think you’re doing the right thing!

Laura: You…you still don’t get it, do you, Morgan?

Morgan: What?

Laura: I don’t like what Zaresi’s doing. You think I want to kill people? I don’t. I know what happened back home was wrong. But it was necessary.

Morgan: You’re not exactly the first person to make that argument.

Laura: Zaresi’s going to fix the world, but she needed the power to make sure people don’t try and stop her. Now that she can do that, nobody else needs to die.

Morgan: Except me, right? And Holly? So we don’t interfere?

Laura: …That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.

Morgan: What?

Laura: You and Holly are clearly up to something, but Zaresi’s already plugged the leaks. There’s no harm done.

Morgan: …Except to the leaks.

-Laura presses on-

Laura: You’ve got another chance. You don’t even need to agree to help Zaresi. Just…go. Stay out of our way. For real this time. I’m not going to be able to do this for you again, but if you leave now and never come back, I’ll tell Zaresi I killed you and she never has to be any the wiser. You two can find jobs, go to school, try and live a normal life without magic. You’ll be happier in the long run, but just stay out of our way.

Morgan: …You’re joking, right? I’m not going to stay out of your way now that I know what you’re up to! That’s just as bad as helping you!

Laura: You’re being myopic.

Morgan: You’re being an idiot! If you came here to explain yourself, then you suck at it, because I haven’t forgiven you and I never will! You killed my friends, you killed my parents, and you’re going to have to kill me too because I am never going to agree with anything you say or do!

-she punctuates this by snapping a hand out, Knowledge magic bursting off of it. It arranges itself into the shape of a massive textbook and smacks Laura out of the room-

Laura: Argh!

-her eyes flash gray, and she seems stunned-

-Morgan stands there, breathing heavily-

Holly: …That’s really what you think of Knowledge?

Morgan: Is this the time? We have to go now. Get to Tirali and get this town ready for an attack.

-she begins pulling Holly out of the room, when strands of Death magic bar her way-

Morgan: Crap.

-Laura picks herself up, dismissing the strands-

Laura: Nice shot. But you’re not getting another, and if that’s how it’s going to be…

-she sighs-

Laura: It’s probably better if I do this than Evan.

-she shifts into a fighting stance. Morgan does the same, immediately hurling another book at Laura-

Laura: Nope.

-she ducks to the side. Morgan conjures another book-

Laura: I guess you wouldn’t have ever fought a real Death Magician before. It’s more annoying than you might think.

-she generates twin spheres which slash through Morgan’s book, disintegrating it. The spheres then loop around, plunging towards Morgan, who takes a step back. As she’s on her back foot, Laura  suddenly fires a twirling burst of Death magic, striking Morgan in the chest and knocking her backwards-

Laura: You can’t keep running. I realize that contradicts my earlier statement, but…circumstances have changed.

-she places her palms together, Death magic swirling up in a spiral pattern around her hands as she prepares to fire a blast at both Morgan and Holly. Morgan summons a book as a shield, but even the convection from the attack starts to tear into it-

-suddenly, pan to Holly, who has been muttering softly into an eraser-

Holly: Hey, Laura.

Laura: Hmm?

Holly: Morgan’s not the only Magician in the family anymore.

-she hurls the eraser at Laura, who instinctively catches it-

Holly: Occlude!

-the eraser erupts in Knowledge magic, surrounding Laura, who slumps back against the wall. She struggles to move but can’t, and no magic is forming around her-

Morgan: What was that?

Holly: Tirali showed me a few rituals in exchange for my working for them. Laura won’t be using any more magic, or most of her somatic nerves, for another few minutes.

Laura: Nngh…

-Morgan glares at Laura-

Morgan: You’re really lucky I don’t go around killing people like you do, you know.

-she turns to Holly-

Morgan: Come on. We’re gonna go talk to Tirali.

-the two run for it-

-outside, there’s a clear aura of tension in the air. Though there’s no sign of the branches that signal Evan’s kill ritual, a number of burning yellow sigils are floating in the air, and almost nobody is out on the street-

Holly: Those marks. They must be like what Vorn used to keep people inside during her attacks.

Morgan: Which means either this town has a lot more internal tensions than Tirali suggested, or Zaresi’s making her move.

-an Archon rushes up to them-

Archon: Are you Tirali’s new Magicians?

Morgan: That’s us.

Archon: Do you know where they are? Xenn’s been trying to get in touch all day, and nothing! Our battle plan’s in shambles, and—

-it’s cut off by a Reaper darting past-

Archon: Excuse me! Please, find them though!

-it dashes off after the Reaper-

Morgan: That’s problematic.

Holly: We should still check the library first. At the very least, it’s the only place we know they frequent.

Morgan: Right.

-they reach the library…and find it closed-

Morgan: … (nervously) Well, that makes sense. Usually rituals like the one the Light Spirits were casting make public spaces close up. We can probably still get in though.

-she approaches the door. Music can be heard softly playing from it-

Morgan: See? There’s music.

-she tugs at the door, and it opens-

Holly: That isn’t ominous at all.

Morgan: I’m sure it’s just Dee trying to make it look empty.

Holly: Then why the music?

Morgan: …Ambience?

-Holly listens-

Holly: …”I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” isn’t very ambient.

Morgan: She probably just has weird tastes in music. Let’s find Tirali’s room.

-the two move cautiously behind the counter, walking towards Tirali’s place…-

Holly: …Wait a minute. That song—

-they round the corner, and find Dee being held at knifepoint by Evan-

Evan: See? Told you they wouldn’t get it.

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Sorry!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the break is taking longer than expected! Volume 2 will begin next Saturday!

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Chapter 10

This chapter marks the end of Volume 1 of TSSBD!, and there will be a short break of one week before Volume 2.

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

-Morgan stares at where Quinn used to be. All that’s left is a pink haze-

Morgan: Quinn…?

-nope-

Morgan: Quinn…

-she starts to shake-

Morgan: No…

-and off she runs-

Morgan: Please, please, please…

-Morgan runs through the streets, finding only piles of ash and the branches of Death magic, still hanging in the air-

-Liz appears next to her, and places a hand on her shoulder. Morgan jerks away-

Liz: Laura was going to tell you. It’s why I had her go with Evan. I thought your finding out then would be…counterproductive.

Morgan: So you decided you just wouldn’t tell me at all?

Liz: Come to the graveyard. We’ll explain everything there.

Morgan: Do I have a choice?

Liz: You could run. I wouldn’t recommend it.

-she gently pushes on Morgan’s back. Morgan takes the hint and proceeds towards the graveyard, Liz trailing behind, her expression unreadable-

-as they arrive at the graveyard, they find the rest of team Zaresi gathered. Evan is lounging on a tombstone, the Reapers have clustered around Zaresi, and Laura is sitting off to the side, looking abjectly miserable. Zaresi herself has regained her normal height, and looms large at the center of it all-

Zaresi: Is everyone here?

Iggy: Um, madam—

Zaresi: Quiet, Iggy.

Liz: We’re all here, Zaresi.

Zaresi: Excellent. Now, Morgan, before we begin, I imagine you have some questions.

Evan: Do we have to do this?

Liz: Evan.

Morgan: Yeah, I have some questions.

-she steps forward, away from Liz, and marches up to Zaresi, staring her down-

Morgan: What the hell did you just do?

Evan: Uh, isn’t it obvious? We killed everyone in town who doesn’t follow Zaresi, and drained their magic for a power-up. Which reminds me, I don’t owe Janice those favors anymore. Yay me.

-Morgan lunges at Evan, but is restrained by a pair of Reapers-

Zaresi: Evan, I understand you are pleased, but make an effort to control yourself. You as well, Morgan.

-she shifts down, into her human form-

Zaresi: In essentials, Evan is correct, but I would prefer to explain my actions without his additions.

-Morgan struggles against the Reapers-

Zaresi: Please, release her.

-they do. Morgan immediately conjures her scythe and slashes at Zaresi, who sidesteps the blow without blinking-

Morgan: What possible explanation could you have for this? You tricked me!

Zaresi: Unfortunately necessary. As Nalis had claimed most of the town’s Magicians for himself, I was under the impression that one as powerful as you would be a limited resource. I wanted you on my side. In any case, your sister was fine.

-while this conversation is happening, Morgan is still doing her best to kill Zaresi, who is easily evading-

Morgan: Only because I agreed to sell my soul!

Zaresi: You did nothing so drastic. Can you deny you have helped to make this town better?

Morgan: I’m pretty sure I was just complicit in making it dead!

Zaresi: Again, an unfortunate necessity.

Morgan: What could possibly have made this necessary?

Zaresi: You have seen as well as I the pattern. We fight, we win, we leave Vorn or Erian or even Nalis alive to work mischief another day. We allow for the Nicholases of the world, the Enerils. We risk one of them winning out of a misguided sense of fair play.

Morgan: What happened to the Convocation?

Zaresi: Empty words that allow history to repeat itself. Like any law, it must be discarded as it becomes outmoded. I have evolved beyond it.

-she smiles slightly, and her voice alters in pitch slightly, sounding far more human-

Zaresi: You’re young, Morgan, and you’re new to this. Death is a part of life, and has just as much meaning.

Morgan: What are you talking about? There’s no meaning to this!

Zaresi: Which brings me to my next point. This ritual is just the first working step in a plan that’s been in the makings for a very long time.

Morgan: What?

-Zaresi stands still. Morgan rushes her, raising her wispy, but still very sharp, scythe-

Zaresi: I told you, I’m sick of conflict. With my new power, I’m going to stamp out all opposition, and rule alone in the world as a true god of Death. I will remove the veil that hides us from ordinary humans, and I will enforce order. There will be no more war, no more meaningless destruction. Only my absolute authority.

-Morgan stops dead, scythe raised over Zaresi’s head-

Zaresi: You get it now? The magic of this town was a necessary sacrifice. Originally, my plan was to use the tulpa as a weapon, consuming the gods in my path as I traveled, but you saw how well that worked out. So Evan began work on his ritual.

Morgan: But—

Evan: You really thought that was for use on some cloud in the woods? You’re dumber than you look.

-Morgan whips around towards Evan, but a pair of Reapers intercept her-

Zaresi: I understand that he is irritating, but your conflict right now is with me, and I would prefer to resolve things between us.

-she glares at Evan-

Zaresi: Without the interjections of third parties.

-Evan withdraws, looking sullen-

-Morgan, meanwhile, is reminded that she’s currently trying to kill Zaresi, and resumes doing exactly that. Zaresi continues easily avoiding the scythe-

Zaresi: After the ritual worked on Nicholas, I was sure it would be enough to provide me with the power I needed, but not if I only took power from the gods and Spirits. Unfortunately, I needed the magic stored in the humans too.

-she sighs, dipping her head just enough to avoid being decapitated-

Zaresi: Everything I’ve done was out of necessity, and I can promise you that no other innocents will be harmed.

Morgan: Like that makes up for what you’ve already done? You’re no better than Nicholas was, or the Dragon! You just move from place to place, take what you want, and you don’t care who gets hurt in the process!

Zaresi: Nicholas and Eneril had no purpose but conquest. I’m looking for peace. An end to violence.

Morgan: Except all the violence you do, of course.

Zaresi: Means to an end. You would have killed Nicholas. You helped destroyed the tulpa when you still thought it was a being in its own right.

Morgan: They were hurting people! They had to be stopped!

Zaresi: This is only an extension of that logic. I’m trading the lives of the people here in order to fix everything.

Morgan: But they did nothing wrong!

Zaresi: Which is why it’s unfortunate.

-Morgan’s scythe vanishes as she looks around the clearing. She meets Liz’s eyes-

Morgan: Liz! You’re sane! What’s wrong with this picture?!

Liz: The world is full of atrocities, Morgan. This is a few hundred people compared to saving billions.

-however, as soon as Morgan turns away, Liz looks to the side-

-Laura steps forwards, cautiously reaching out a hand-

Morgan: Don’t touch me!

-Laura withdraws-

Morgan: You had family here too! What about your brother?

Laura: You never met him, did you?

Morgan: No, but what does that—

Laura: He was dying, Morgan.

Morgan: What?

Laura: Same thing my parents had. Even Zaresi couldn’t fix it, in the end. He was in pain, every day, and all he wanted…all I wanted for him, was an end to that.

Morgan: And everyone else?! What about the balance you talked about? What about living a life outside Zaresi?

Laura: …Liz is right, Morgan. This is the best way to fix things, long-term. There’s going to be time for the rest once things are stable.

-Laura turns away-

Evan: What? You aren’t going to ask me why I’m doing this?

Morgan: I don’t really care.

Evan: Exactly, me neither! I mean, come on. Vorn was too busy talking tactics to pay attention to anything that was actually happening, Erian’s head was in the clouds in every sense imaginable, Nalis thought he was so clever and look where that got him, and Novju…I mean, what even was Novju? Some second-rate goddess who thought she was creative? Oh, and don’t get me started on the humans. Because let me tell you—

Liz: Evan. Quiet.

Evan: You take the fun out of life, let me tell you.

-even so, he shuts up-

Iggy: Um, does anyone want to—

Liz: No.

Zaresi: Are you in or out?

-Morgan lunges at Zaresi again-

Morgan: Of course I’m out!

-she swings, dissipates her scythe midswing, and conjures a new one going the other way, burying it in Zaresi’s chest. The goddess takes a few steps backwards, face tight with pain-

Evan: Zaresi!

-he rushes forwards-

Zaresi: Evan, stay back!

-she looks up at Morgan, untwisting her face-

Morgan: Maybe I don’t have much power right now, but neither do you, and I bet there’s still enough in that scythe to kill you.

-indeed, Zaresi is looking drained around the edges-

Zaresi: Then that is your final answer?

Morgan: Yes, it is! You killed my friends, you killed my family, you killed my sister! I am never going to side with you, and if you want to talk about killing people for the greater good, then I’m going to start with you!

Zaresi: Very well.

-her voice resumes its normal tone-

Zaresi: Evan. The magic.

Evan: I was wondering when you’d get around to that.

-he extracts the bell jar from his pocket. The light it’s giving off is literally blinding-

Zaresi: My apologies, Morgan, but I would not have allowed you to attack me if there had been any chance of your success.

-she summons a tentacle, and drives it into the bell jar. The power flows into her, her outline resharpening. The scythe in her chest shatters as she grows back to her usual 10-foot-tall Reaper form, and she continues growing, becoming easily 20 feet tall, long trails of tattered cloth streaming out behind her. She stares down at Morgan, who is pretty much insignificant next to her-

Zaresi: Would you like to change your answer now?

-Morgan stares up at Zaresi, eventually finding her tongue-

Morgan: No! Never! Even if your logic were airtight, which, let me tell you, it isn’t, I’m not going to work with the people who killed my best friend and my sister!

-at this point, everyone adopts genuinely puzzled looks-

Liz: Your sister?

Morgan: You know, the one you put in the hospital to get me to join in the first place? Or did you forget about that fact?!

Laura: Holly—

Morgan: Don’t say her name!

Laura: …Your sister is fine.

Morgan: What?

Zaresi: The terms of your Contract, Morgan. Your sister’s life for your service. Those terms still hold. Your sister is perfectly fine.

Morgan: And you didn’t mention that?

-Zaresi once again shifts down to a human form, taking a more normal tone-

Zaresi: I apologize. I assumed it would go without saying. But she is well.

-Zaresi extends a hand-

Zaresi: What do you say?

Morgan: In that case…

-she extends her hand towards Zaresi’s-

Zaresi: I thought you might come arou—

-Morgan smacks Zaresi across the graveyard with the head of a scythe. Evan draws his knife, but Liz grabs his arm-

Morgan: My answer’s still no. Quinn’s still dead because of you.

-she takes a few steps back-

Morgan: I told you I wanted to keep people safe. I told you I wasn’t going to let anybody hurt them. So I’m going to save the one person that’s left, and then I’m going to save everyone else from you.

-Evan steps forward, and a pulse of power ripples off of Morgan, knocking everyone to the ground-

Morgan: And I’m not doing it by your side anymore.

-and she runs again-

-Zaresi returns to her feet, once again growing to her massive Reaper form-

Evan: Well, in my heart of hearts, I suppose I always knew it would come to this. Shame about her sister, though.

Zaresi: Liz. Catch her, if you would?

Liz: I suppose I would.

-she vanishes-

-cut to Morgan running out of the graveyard, when Liz appears next to her, easily keeping pace and outspeeding Morgan, cutting her off-

Morgan: Tying up loose ends?

Liz: Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not about to kill you.

Morgan: What’s stopping you? Not a sense of right and wrong, that’s for sure.

Liz: Think what you like.

-she shrugs-

Liz: I’ve been sent to catch you. Zaresi left it up to me to decide what that entails, so I’m inclined to think it involves trying to convince you that you made the wrong call here. So I’d appreciate it if you came back.

Morgan: Well, I would have appreciated not seeing my best friend explode in front of me.

Liz: Explode?

Morgan: Yes, Liz, explode! My best friend blew apart into dust and sparkly lights! So forgive me if I’m not interested in joining up with the people who helped that happen!

-Liz cocks her head and regards Morgan interestedly-

Liz: …I suppose you’re right. Good luck.

Morgan: I’d wish you the same, but it’s not how I feel.

-she keeps running. Liz watches after her with an intrigued expression, before disappearing-

-back in the graveyard, Liz reappears-

Liz: Couldn’t find her.

Laura: I might know where she is. Let me try.

Zaresi: Go ahead.

-cut to Morgan’s house. Morgan bursts in, and Holly screams from the couch, where she is curled up, staring at twin ash piles that were most likely Morgan’s parents-

Holly: Morgan! What’s going on? There was coffee, and then I was at the bookstore, and then I came back here, and then they…they just…they were there, and then they just dissolved! Morgan, I—

Morgan: I know.

Holly: What?

Morgan: We need to go, now!

Holly: Wh—wha—

Morgan: There isn’t any time! We have to get out of here before—

Laura: Morgan!

Morgan: That.

-Laura enters. Morgan stands up, putting herself between Laura and Holly-

Morgan: Liz didn’t already tell you I’m not interested?

-Laura tilts her head in confusion-

Laura: It’s not too late, Morgan. Please, just come back, and it’ll be okay.

Morgan: It’s never going to be okay, Laura. I thought I’d feel bad about this, but—

-Morgan thrusts out her hands. Nothing happens-

Laura: Zaresi terminated your Contract when you ran. You have no magic. I’m sorry about this.

-she raises her hands, which are sparking with Death magic, twisting helices already branching off of them…and then lowers them-

Laura: …Go.

Morgan: What?

Laura: Before Evan gets here. I’ll say you were already gone when I arrived. Take some money for you and your sister, run for it, and hope we never see each other again.

Morgan: I’m not leaving! I don’t care if I don’t have magic! I can still—

-Morgan grabs a candlestick, which Laura casually blasts out of her hands. Holly shrieks-

Laura: I said, go!

Holly: …Morgan.

Morgan: What?!

Holly: I think that we should listen.

Morgan: …

Laura: Morgan?

Morgan: What?

Laura: It was…it was nice to know you.

-Morgan runs upstairs, and Holly follows. Laura, meanwhile, sits down on Morgan’s couch and sobs as the two leave-

-a moment later, Evan enters-

Evan: Jeez, what’s your damage? We won.

Laura: Go do something else.

Evan: If you insist.

-cut to Morgan and Holly running away. As they run, it’s possible to see the Death branches slowly fading away. They run by where Quinn died, the pink haze now vanished-

Holly: Morgan, please, what’s going on?

Morgan: I’ll explain later.

-they enter the woods, and keep going, ignoring a large indent in the ground-

Morgan: We need to get as far away from here as we can, as fast as we can.

-the scene fades out gradually, and zooms back to reveal the two on a train-

Morgan: --And that’s how we got here.

-Holly stares-

Morgan: I think that about covers things?

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Chapter 9

Better Than Caffeine

-Janice opens fire. The Magicians and Liz dive out of the way as Janice conjures up more guns, and as all the guns are polite, elegant derringers as opposed to Janice’s usual artillery, there isn’t a whole lot to avoid-

Morgan: Damn it!

-she conjures a scythe, but it’s still wispy and translucent-

Morgan: What? Why can’t I cast?

-Laura forms her spheres, but they’re tiny and equally wispy-

Laura: Nalis said he’d rerouted the connections of everyone in town, right? If Zaresi’s low on power, we are too.

Morgan: Because nothing can ever just work out. Of course.

Janice: Hey, less talking, more dying.

-they continue firing, everyone taking cover behind tombstones-

Morgan: I can’t believe we’re having the big climactic boss fight and I can’t even do anything.

Liz: What?

Evan: See, this is what you get for using spells. Once a ritual’s made, it’s not like you can unmake it, so I guess I’m the only one properly armed right now. As usual, I’m—

-he cuts off-

Morgan: Do you actually have any rituals on hand that aren’t based around brainwashing people with coffee?

Evan: …Maybe.

Morgan: Why is it you’re only useful when nobody wants you to be?

Evan: Oh, shut up.

Laura: So we’re screwed, basically.

Liz: Not quite. You three are Magicians, but I have my own magic. Under ordinary circumstances I’d rather not use it without Zaresi to draw on, but I think this qualifies as an emergency. Stay down.

-Liz hops over the tombstone. The Magicians follow her instructions, but then…-

Morgan: Come on. Are we really going to miss a chance to see Liz fight?

-and they poke their heads up to see Liz easily evading a volley of shots from Janice-

Liz: Janice, I made a ritual that can get the magic out of your system! If you hold still, I can get you free!

Janice: Now, why would I want to do that? Nalis lets me shoot things.

Liz: I sort of figured you’d say that. I just didn’t want anyone to think I hadn’t offered you the easy way out.

-she spreads her wings, sniping every single bullet out of the air with a feather, and then fires another feather at Janice, hurling them backwards-

Janice: …Ow.

-they don’t bother getting up-

Morgan: That was so cool.

-Liz turns around-

Liz: What part of “Stay down” didn’t you get? Magicians these days, hon—

-she flickers-

Liz: Crap.

Morgan: What’s going on?

Liz: Spirits don’t generate magic like mortals do. Normally, my Contract with Zaresi would be keeping me sustained right now, but if all her connections are gone too, she probably can’t afford to waste any more power on me than she is on you.

Morgan: Wait, so—

Liz: For the time being, I’m a limited resource.

-she goes to exorcise Janice-

Morgan: …So it’s two weakened spellcasters, an unarmed ritualist, and a dying Spirit, up against an entire town’s worth of Magicians?

Liz: Essentially.

Morgan: …This is going to be a really long day.

Laura: Yes.

Evan: Actually, I have an idea. Do we have spray-paint?

Morgan: There’s some at my house, why?

Evan: I took down those charms when I was working for Retilwa, but if I can put them up again, I should be able to channel a ritual through them that ends the brainwashing for everyone.

-Laura and Liz’s heads snap around-

Laura: Wait, what?

Evan: Got a problem with that?

Liz: Not at all. I’m impressed, actually.

Laura: Wait, wh-where would we get the magic to power that?

Evan: I’ve still got a bottle of distilled Nicholas at home. Sure, I used some of it to make the Coffee ritual, but there’s more than enough left to power a few thousand sigils.

Liz: I could use a little of that too, now that you mention it.

Morgan: Well, what are we waiting for? We have a plan, let’s make it happen.

Laura: Um, someone needs to rescue Zaresi too, right? Nalis is most likely holding her and the rest of the gods hostage, so if Evan’s going to use his ritual, he needs to make his Contract again.

Liz: Good point.

Laura: O-okay, so I’ll go with Morgan, then?

Liz: No. Your job right now is to keep Evan from getting killed. I’ll take Morgan to find Zaresi and the other gods.

Laura: Wait, but—

Morgan: Laura, what’s wrong? I’ll be just fine.

-she grins at Laura, who frowns-

Laura: …Right. Evan, come on.

Evan: About time.

-the two run off-

Morgan: What was that all about?

Liz: …She likes you an awful lot. I don’t think she wants you getting hurt.

Morgan: Aww. She doesn’t have anything to worry about. We’ll be fine.

Liz: Let’s find Zaresi before you jinx us to death. Keep in mind, anyone besides us who isn’t brainwashed is most likely working for Nalis of their own accord.

-at the word “brainwashed” Morgan’s eyes widen-

Morgan: Wait! What about Holly? Or Quinn? We need to find them and make sure they’re okay!

Liz: Your sister? Laura and Evan are already going to your house to collect spray-paint. I’m sure they’ll check on her.

Morgan: That’s not as reassuring as you seem to think.

Liz: Little ever is. Now get moving.

-the two break into a run-

Liz: Nalis sets up shop by the bookstore, I think. If anything’s going on, it’ll be there.

Morgan: We’re not too far, then.

-suddenly, a random bystander turns around-

Bystander: Admittedly true, but—

-the two leave earshot of the bystander, and another speaks up-

Bystander #2: You journey may not be so smooth.

Bystander #3: You see—

Bystander #4: Taylor was not my only hidden Magician.

-glowing pink diamonds streak from nowhere. Liz evades them, but Morgan is knocked to the ground as a blonde, curly-haired girl makes her presence known, more diamonds appearing around her like knives-

Girl: Hi! I’m Celia!

-she rubs her hands together excitedly-

Celia: It gets super-boring just working for Nalis and not even getting to do anything, you know! I was soooo jealous of Taylor, getting to be all mysterious and fighty, but now I get to be mysterious and fighty too!

-she fires another round of diamonds. Morgan generates a scythe, but it’s fairly pitiful-

Celia: I think Taylor’s still lucky though. He got to fight you when you actually had any real magic, but I have to do it when you’re all weak and pathetic.

-she blows a raspberry-

Celia: Oh well! I can still have fun!

-she points at one of her diamonds, which grows large and sharp-

Celia: Say cheese!

-the diamond hurtles towards Morgan, who rolls out of the way-

Celia: Hey! Stay still!

-she forms another diamond, but is interrupted by Morgan tackling her-

Celia: Now that’s just unfair.

Morgan: You really want to talk about fair right now?

-Morgan ducks a diamond-

Morgan: Liz! What should I do with her?

Liz: Maybe snap her neck?

Morgan: That doesn’t involve killing her!

Liz: Um!

-Morgan avoids another gem-

Morgan: Quickly, please!

Liz: I have a ritual I set up a while ago that will keep a Magician from doing magic for a little while, but I only made one use of it and I don’t have the energy to create another one from scratch! I sort of planned to use it on Taylor!

Morgan: How about we burn that bridge when we get to it?

Liz: If you insist.

-she points at Celia, who is currently being pinned to the ground by Morgan, and shouts a nonsense word. A sigil forms around her for a moment, and then another forms around Celia. The diamonds all vanish, and Morgan gets up-

Celia: Hey! What did you do?

Liz: Nothing permanent. But even Morgan has more magic than you right now, so I’d suggest sitting the rest of this war out.

-Celia waves her hands, but nothing happens. She gives Morgan a terrified look. Morgan conjures a wispy scythe, and Celia runs for it-

Morgan: Lucky you had that ritual on hand.

Liz: I make my own luck. But I told you, we’ve only got the one shot at that, and we just used it. For the next Magician, you’re on your own.

Morgan: Got it.

-they keep running-

-until they crash into Jacob. Morgan falls over. Liz doesn’t-

Jacob: Hey, what gives?

Morgan: Jacob! You’re awake!

Jacob: Oh, yeah, Allen woke me up. Said something about a “new world order” and coffee, and then went to the bookstore.

Liz: He doesn’t look brainwashed to me. Morgan, is your friend a Love Magician?

Morgan: Actually, I think he just doesn’t drink coffee. It would explain a lot.

Jacob: It pollutes the mind, you know.

Morgan: You’re more right than average today. Jacob, have you seen my sister? Or Quinn?

-Jacob yawns-

Jacob: Actually, yeah. They were with Allen. Are any of them dating?

Morgan: You—No. They’re not.

-she exchanges a look with Liz-

Liz: Fine, fine, I was wrong.

Morgan: You should probably stay home today.

Jacob: Oh, cool. I was going to do that anyway.

-he yawns and wanders off-

Morgan: We have to get to the bookstore.

Liz: We already had to get to the bookstore.

Morgan: Let’s just move.

-they do. As they do, though, they run past more people talking-

Bystander: You got past Celia?

Bystander #2: Impressive, if entirely expected. But there’s plenty more to do, even if you did exorcise Janice.

Bystander #3: I’ve broken their Contract, by the way. Don’t count on any help from them.

Bystander #4: Oh, I’d duck.

-Morgan does, and a wave of pink magic passes over her head. Liz dodges it, and a boy and a girl step out from behind a house, wearing matching pink scarves-

Boy: Hi! That’s Kaylie—

Kaylie: And this is Pierce! And we’re going to stop you with the power of Love!

-the two strike a pose, a heart forming around them-

Morgan: I mean…they’re not technically wrong, I guess.

Liz: You know how I said you were on your own for the next fight?

Morgan: Yeah, why?

Liz: I changed my mind.

-she darts forwards in front of Morgan-

Liz: Hey, lovebirds!

Kaylie: Yes?

Pierce: Do you have something you’d like to say?

Liz: Not exactly!

-her arms extend into long tendrils, each one wrapping around one of the two Magicians-

Liz: But you two are incredibly annoying!

-and she leaps into the air, does a complete corkscrew, and spikes them both into the ground-

-oneshotted-

Morgan: …Wow. What brought that on?

-Liz picks herself up, now looking positively gaseous-

Liz: …I just really don’t like lovey-dovey stuff.

Morgan: …Maybe Laura and I should cut down on the PDA, huh?

Liz: I didn’t say that.

Morgan: …

Liz: …

-Morgan gives Liz a thumbs-up-

Liz: That makes you look old.

Morgan: Jeez. Let’s just go rescue everyone.

Liz: Let’s.

-so they move-

Morgan: Hey, you know who hasn’t shown up? Richard. Does he drink coffee?

Liz: Wait, damn it! I completely forgot about—

-click-

-a sigil glows into life below the two, and they both leap away in time to avoid the resulting explosion-

Morgan: That was close. Is he nearby?

Liz: Probably not. He doesn’t usually stick around to check his work. But he likes to put traps together. If there’s one sigil, that means…

-multiple additional sigils light up, and tulpas begin forming. Mostly humanoid ones, with a few dogs and birds mixed in-

Liz: There will be more.

Morgan: Can’t anything ever just be simple?

Liz: Rarely. We’re going to have to run for it.

-they turn around, but more tulpas are already approaching from behind-

Morgan: Oh.

Liz: That’s unfortunate.

Morgan: Uh…it was an honor fighting with you?

Liz: I mean, I guess.

Morgan: …Yeah, this is anticlimactic and depressing.

-at which point there’s a loud bang, and several tulpas explode-

Morgan: What was that?!

Janice: Hi!

-they skip into view, raising a hunting rifle into position again and firing to take out another set of tulpas-

Morgan: Oh my god, I’ve never been this happy to see you.

-Janice continues firing at the tulpas. Noticeable, the sounds made by their rifle are different than usual-

-also, the rifle is real and not made of magic-

Morgan: …Janice, is that an actual gun?

Janice: Yeah, why?

Morgan: …No reason.

Janice: If it helps, I don’t usually use it on humans.

-it doesn’t-

Liz: How are you casting?

Janice: Oh, these are just some rituals I cooked up. Once you got the coffee out of my head, I didn’t have any magic to cast spells with, so I figured I’d pick up some stuff I stored in my garage.

Morgan: Why do you have a magic gun?

Janice: In case my regular magic guns run out. Which they did!

-they fire again-

Morgan: I’m simultaneously incredibly afraid and very grateful.

Janice: Thanks!

-they either didn’t notice or didn’t care that only half that sentence was meant as a compliment-

Janice: You guys should probably go on ahead and deal with Nalis. I’ll clear up the tulpas and talk to Richard to snap him out of things.

Liz: Right. Morgan, let’s go.

Morgan: Are you sure you’ll be okay?

-Janice beams-

Janice: I’ll be fine! I’ve known Richard for years.

-they cock their rifle-

Janice: I can snap him out of any brainwashing.

-they fire and the rifle clicks, they toss it to the side and pull out a handgun, which is evidently also loaded with magic bullets because each shot sends sprays of War magic everywhere-

Janice: By the way, when you see Nalis, make sure he suffers, ‘kay?

-they punctuate this by firing a bullet right past Morgan to kill a tulpa about to attack her from behind-

Morgan: …Will do.

Janice: Awesome! See you in a bit!

-as Morgan and Liz run off, they hear a cry of “Take cover” followed by a massive explosion of War magic-

Morgan: That was fortunate.

Liz: Very.

Morgan: And also terrifying.

Liz: Yes.

Morgan: Okay, let’s get moving. There can’t be that many Magicians le—

-she’s cut off by reaching the bookstore, where a fairly impressive scene is going down. Nalis, surrounded by Nymphs, is leaning against the wall, having grown to approximately Zaresi’s height. Zaresi, Vorn, Erian, Novju, and all associated Spirits, meanwhile, are entangled in chains, and most have shrunk dramatically-

-also, Allen and Holly are being held by one of the Nymphs-

Nalis: Yo!

-Morgan immediately charges, forming a scythe, but is intercepted by a Nymph, who parries the scythe with a giant flower-

Morgan: Let them go! And where’s Quinn?

Nalis: Uh, why exactly would I do that? Hey, Nymph #3? If Morgan attacks me again, kill the humans.

Nymph #3: Right!

Nalis: The third one…I dunno. Haven’t seen her.

-he leers. Morgan glares-

Morgan: What did you do to her?

-Nalis shrugs. Morgan growls, but dispels her scythe, and looks to Liz for direction. The Reaper appears somewhat defeated, though-

Nalis: I get it. Lots of righteous anger. But let me run the numbers for you. You’ve got no power, Liz is all out of tricks, and if you try and attack me, I’ll kill your friends. Should I go over things again? Is there something I’m missing?

Morgan: Leaving aside that if you hurt any of my friends, I’ll kill you with my bare hands, magic or no magic?

Nalis: Definitely leaving that aside.

Morgan: Yeah, there is.

-Evan and Laura run up. Evan looks triumphant. Laura looks nervous-

Evan: Okay! Sigils up, jar of nickels collected, ritual’s a go. Where’s Zaresi?

-Laura points wordlessly-

Evan: Oh. That’s a bit annoying. Morgan, how much do you care about your sister?

Morgan: …Are you kidding me?

Evan: Just checking.

Liz: Evan, would you mind giving me that?

-Evan hands Liz the jar. She dips a hand into it-

Nalis: What is that? What are you doing?

Liz: You know, I’m sure you sat out the battle with Nicholas because you didn’t want to give away the depth of resources to which you had access…

-her form becomes more clearly defined, and she spreads her wings-

Liz: But you missed a whole lot. Evan, hold this for me.

-she hands him the jar and saunters towards Nalis’s troops-

Morgan: Liz, wait!

Nalis: Nymph 3! Do your thing!

Nymph #3: Ri—

-it poofs into nothingness as Liz snipes it through the head with a feather-

-followed by the rest of them going as well. The chains are also destroyed, the gods dropping to the ground-

Nalis: Whoa!

-he turns his attention to Holly and Allen-

Nalis: Both of you, I want you to—

-he’s cut off as another feather zips past him-

Nalis: Hey! Watch it!

-and Liz flashes by him, catching Holly and Allen and exorcising them both-

-they look around in shock-

Allen: Where are we?

Holly: No idea. Wait…Morgan, is that you?

Allen: Do you know anybody else who looks exactly like you?

Morgan: Um…you two should get home. We’ll talk about this later.

-Allen nods and heads off-

Nalis: Hey, wait one sec—

-he’s interrupted by another volley of feathers from Liz-

Holly: Morgan, I don’t understand. What’s going on?

Morgan: I’ll explain in a bit! Run!

-this is punctuated by the floor exploding next to Holly. She takes the advice. Morgan sighs. Laura stares at her, but makes no move to assist-

-meanwhile, Evan has sprinted past the battle, to Zaresi-

Evan: Zaresi! I apologize for my truancy and reaffirm myself as your servant once more!

Zaresi: Apology accepted, Evan.

-Evan grins wickedly-

Evan: Then let’s make this happen.

-he raises the jar-

Evan: This is for beating me to killing Retilwa! Ectopi—

-the sun goes out-

Evan: Huh?

-it’s a localized event, as a massive dark shape slams to the ground by Nalis, interlaced with flickers of pink-

-and a chain appears from nowhere, snatching the jar from Evan and bringing it to the hand of Taylor, who followed the dark shape to the bookstore-

Taylor: Hey, Nalis. Picked you up something from the store.

-he turns to Team Zaresi-

Taylor: What? I said we needed it alive.

-indeed, it’s the Fae-

-they are all too stunned to respond-

Evan: You…you! Do you even know what you’re dealing with?

Taylor: I mean, not really, but I know it likes eating magic, and that it’s totally under our control. What more do you really need? Drink up!

-he tosses the jar of Nicholas’s magic into the Fae, where it vanishes instantly-

-the Fae turns darker and more defined, limbs growing out of it. While it’s still silent, the air ripples around it from the force of its power, and the ground cracks where newly-grown talons strike it-

Morgan: Um…is this bad?

Laura: Extremely.

Morgan: Should we run?

Evan: Probably.

Taylor: Sic ‘em. Tybalt!

-as Taylor whips around to battle Liz, the Fae stampedes forwards, and the Magicians scatter. The Fae crashes past them and into a building, getting its newly solid form jammed in-

Laura: Any ideas?

Morgan: Besides not dying?

Laura: I was hoping more for a game plan!

Evan: When in doubt, hit the enemy’s weakest link.

Morgan: You mean Taylor? I think Liz has that covered.

-indeed, she’s currently evading chains and sending feathers flying at him-

Taylor: You really are a very irritating Spirit. You already died once; is it so much to ask for an encore?

Liz: I don’t take requests, I’m afraid.

Evan: The faster we get him out of the picture, the faster his hold on the Fae dissipates. Come on.

-he hurls his knife at Taylor, who ducks it-

Liz: Evan, what help do you really think you can offer me in this situation?

-Liz takes flight to avoid chains coming up from the ground, but Taylor catches her with another one, dragging her back to earth-

Liz: Nngh!

Taylor: This would be so much easier if Spirits drank coffee. Oh well. I hope you like murdering your friends.

Morgan: Hey!

-and she takes the direct approach, tackling Taylor to the ground-

Taylor: Ow!

-the chain disappears, and Liz lifts off again. Taylor turns to Morgan-

Taylor: You are going to pay for that.

Morgan: Actually, given as Laura’s behind you, probably you are.

-Taylor spins around, lashing out with a chain…and sends Evan flying-

Taylor: …That wasn’t Laura. Can’t you even recognize your own girlfriend?

-at which point Laura hits him with a helical burst from the side, knocking him to the ground-

Morgan: Whoops. Distraction!

Evan: Are you kidding me?

Liz: I’ll deal with him! You get the gods out of their chains!

Morgan: Right!

-Morgan and Laura begin the slow process of disintegrating the chains around the gods and Spirits. As Taylor gets to his feet, he’s pinned down by a series of feathers-

Liz: Yeah, we’re not finished.

-she hurls another feather down, striking him in a huge burst of magic-

Liz: Oh. Wait. Now we are.

Morgan: Ha! Problem totally solved!

-the two finish cutting the chains, and the gods begin fleeing in different direction-

Zaresi: Excellent work.

Vorn: Quick question. Why didn’t you get rid of the smoke cloud first?

Morgan: Huh? If Taylor’s out cold, that means he—

-beat-

Morgan: Can’t…control…it…

-beat-

-the Fae rips its way out of the building, blades and tendrils growing from it as it transforms into a ball of sharp-

Morgan: …Time to go.

Laura: Yep.

-cut to them running-

Evan: Didn’t we just come this way?

Morgan: If you’d rather get eaten, be my guest.

Laura: I can’t believe we forgot about the Fae!

Morgan: Really? I can.

Evan: Either way, we need to find a place to hide! I can kill it if we do!

Morgan: Speaking of hiding, have either of you seen Quinn anywhere?

Laura: I haven’t, sorry.

Evan: Why do you care? She’s either brainwashed or dead, and either way it doesn’t really make a difference if you find her.

Morgan: After we’re done here, remind me to punch you in the face.

Evan: If you find me somewhere I can get a little work done, I might even not punch you back.

-as they run, they come across Janice-

Janice: Oh, hey you three! I fixed Richard!

-they twirl their gun. Laura ducks-

Janice: Well, actually, I knocked him out, but I’ll deal with him later. He’ll be fine, is my point.

Morgan: Janice, run!

Janice: Huh? Wh—

-and the Fae whips around the corner-

Janice: Oh. Well.

-and it bats them aside so fast they vanish-

Morgan: Janice!

Evan: They’ll be fine. Probably. But we won’t if we don’t keep moving!

-So they do-

Laura: There’s a tornado shelter under the library, if we can get there we might be able to buy some time!

Evan: Sounds like a plan, assuming we make it!

-there’s a crackle of thunder, and bolts of lightning descend from the sky, striking the Fae. It slows slightly-

Erian: Did someone say “make it”?

Evan: Since when are you helpful?

Morgan: Ignore him! How’d you get out?

Erian: Oh, Liz helped out with that.

-she lands between the Fae and Team Zaresi, and a wall of wind cuts it off-

Erian: So as a favor to her, I’m keeping you guys from dying! Though I always felt like you should all be more excited about that. Because, y’know, goddess of Death, right?

Laura: …That’s not really how it works.

Evan: Eh.

Morgan: Thank you, though.

Erian: From where I’m standing, stopping Nalis is in the best interests of the town. Which includes me! I’m not even the only one helping out~

Morgan: Wait, who else is—

-pop, electric blue light-

-unpop within the shelter-

Morgan: …Everybody gets two, I guess?

Laura: Uh…thanks, Novju!

Evan: Thanks? I have tickets in very uncomfortable places right now.

Morgan: Evan, just get your work done. I really want to punch you.

Evan: Ah, yes. This should just take a moment.

-he takes his knife from his pocket-

Evan: See, my ritual was a bit of a pain to figure out, but turns out? It’s actually pretty simple to make once you know the trick.

-he makes a slash on his arm, and then drains a tiny bit of magic in an odd, keylike pattern. The knife glows-

Evan: Necrosyrtes.

-the knife stops glowing, and the Death magic is sucked into it-

Evan: And hey. I know it works now.

-he smiles brightly as a massive tendril punches a hole into the shelter-

Evan: So. Someone else want to say it? Can I say it?

Morgan: I’ll say it.

Evan: If you insist.

-the Fae starts to fill the shelter-

Morgan: Fae! Understand that your actions here today are in violation of the Divine Convocation. Should you not cease immediately, a reaction will be provoked.

-she settles into a fighting stance-

Morgan: Now for the something flashy…

-she conjures up a scythe. Despite its wispiness, when she slashes at the Fae with it, it recoils-

Morgan: Let’s do this.

-and the battle begins-

Morgan: Evan, you’ve got the knife, you’re on point!

-she and Laura step back, fending off tentacles with what spellwork they can manage-

Evan: I have to say I’m slightly uncomfortable with the plan.

Morgan: Want a straw?

Evan: A straw?

Morgan: So you can suck it up! Just keep an eye out!

Evan: Seriously, Morgan, I’ve seen enough anime to know how this—ugh!

-the two girls turn to see Evan knocked sprawling by a tendril appearing from under his feet. He drops the knife, which clatters away-

Morgan: …Seriously?

Evan: I’d like to see you dodge all these tentacles!

Morgan: What do you think we’ve been doing, having tea?

Laura: Never mind him! Morgan, you’re point now!

Evan: Um, Laura—

Laura: Get the knife to the tendrils! Like last time!

Evan: Laura, I—

Laura: I’ll cover!

-Laura swings her arms out to send bursts of Death magic everywhere, burning away the tendrils, while Morgan once again dives for the knife. However, a tendril rises from the ground, cutting her off-

Morgan: Hey!

Evan: Laura! You need to get that knife!

Laura: I—

-but she grabs it anyway as Morgan starts hacking through the tendrils around her-

Evan: Now! Find one and stab!

Laura: …

-she stares at the tendrils-

Evan: What are you waiting for?

Laura: I…I don’t think—

Evan: Stab it!

Laura: But…

-Evan, who is still being swarmed by tendrils, hisses-

Evan: Oh, grow a pair and stab the damn tentacle so we can get this pathetic sidequest over with and get back to the main event!

Morgan: Excuse yo—

Evan: Shut up!

-Morgan stares. Laura, meanwhile, continues staring at the knife, until she’s bowled over by a tendril. The knife clatters to the ground again-

Evan: I hate you so much right now.

Morgan: I’ve got it!

-she dives for the knife, scooping it up-

Evan: Okay, fine, whatever, now give that to me so I can get this done!

Morgan: I’m on it, don’t worry your asshole little head!

-a tendril swoops for Morgan. She sidesteps, and plunges the knife into it-

Evan: Wait, you should—

Morgan: What was that keyword you used, Evan?

Evan: Morgan, no!

Morgan: Necrosyrtes!

-there’s a flash of black-

-and then Morgan’s somewhere else-

Flashback

-Morgan is looking out at the world from a position on the floor in a small room, surrounded by an intricate pentagram. A man is standing over her, Zaresi standing over him, and Evan and Laura close by-

Zaresi: …Excellent work, Shroud.

Morgan (as narration): Where am I…?

Shroud: Excellent work indeed, my lady! I, Shroud the Magnificent, have created for you a tulpa to surpass all tulpas!

Morgan: …A tulpa?

Zaresi: …Well, I would not give yourself that much credit.

Evan: Seriously, don’t.

Shroud: It’s a pretty darn good tulpa, is all I’m saying.

-Morgan shifts around, bouncing against the edges of the pentagram-

Shroud: Sure took a lot out of me, though.

Zaresi: I can only imagine.

Shroud: So, what is you need it for, anyway? Skirmish with Vorn next Town Hall meeting? Getting rid of Nalis once and for all? Just showing off? Wreaking general havoc?

Zaresi: I have never been in the business of wreaking havoc. I do indeed intend this tulpa to tip the balance of power in this town towards myself, certainly.

Shroud: I’ve never been so honored before! Truly, this is a day of days.

Zaresi: Let us not get ahead of ourselves. Have you placed the seals on it so we can control it?

Shroud: Your wish is my command!

-a set of wickedly curved knives appear around him-

Morgan: Wait, are those—

-the knives hang in the air-

Zaresi: Shroud?

Shroud: I—I—

Zaresi: Are you well?

Evan: Ooh, ooh, I know this one.

Shroud: …Oh, drat.

-the knives drop down, forming a series of seals in the pentagram-

-and Shroud detonates, leaving a pile of ash and a glowing black miasma-

Morgan: Oh my god!

Laura: …Crap.

Evan: Dibs on not cleaning it up.

Laura: I mean, I never liked him, but that’s a terrible way to go.

Evan: Well, you can’t say he didn’t put himself into his work.

Laura: Was that necessary?

Evan: You know, I hate it when people ask that.

-the miasma suddenly coalesces into a Reaper-

Laura: Ack!

-Evan takes a step back, pointing his knife at the Reaper, but Zaresi holds him back-

Zaresi: Reaper. Do you remember anything?

-the Reaper looks side to side, and then rockets out of the room-

Zaresi: …Unfortunate.

Evan: Dibs on not cleaning that up either.

Laura: Come on.

-time passes-

Morgan: What’s going on…?

-and Laura and Evan rejoin Zaresi in the room with the pentagram-

Evan: See? Told you I wouldn’t need to clean it up.

Laura: You still nearly let some poor girl die.

Evan: Excuse me? I saved her life.

Laura: Her life only needed saving because you were too lazy to do your job.

Evan: Yeah, well, your mom was too lazy to do her job too.

Laura: …Zaresi, can I punch him?

Zaresi: You may.

-she does-

Morgan: As soon as I get out of this weird hallucination, I’m going to do the same.

Zaresi: Anyway, you two, I have decided to recruit this Magician. She clearly has some power, and I would like to have her on our side when our plan goes through. I particularly do not want her on anyone else’s side.

Laura: Oh.

Evan: How exactly do you plan on getting her to join up? She seems pretty happy with her life, and I figured gods only recruited people who were miserable.

Laura: Uh, at the risk of agreeing with Evan, he does have a point. She’s got two parents, a sister she loves, and a pretty solid friend group…not exactly approachable with an offer to join a secret society.

Evan: I could always kill some of them.

Zaresi: Regrettably, you are close.

Laura: Wait, what?!

Evan: Dibs!

Zaresi: Evan, calm yourself. I have decided to kill two birds with one stone. When in distress or contemplative, this girl comes to the graveyard to speak to the angel statue there, which will mean an easy opportunity for an overture. To that ends, I will test Shroud’s tulpa by having it attack and injure her sister. The Magician will come to talk to the statue, where I will make my offer. She will accept in return for healing her sister, and she will be added to our company none the wiser.

Laura: …I really don’t like this.

Evan: I think it’s hilarious.

Zaresi: Admittedly perturbing, but it seems to me the most effective method of providing leverage. I take no pleasure in it, but it must be done. Now…

-she generates a scythe, and touches it to the seal on the pentagram-

Zaresi: You have your orders.

-the pentagram hisses, and explodes, throwing everyone back-

Laura: Uh-oh.

-Morgan expands upwards, filling the space, and then whisks away on the wind-

Zaresi: …That is disheartening. Let us hope the command at least worked.

Evan: Eh. How much trouble can a tulpa be?

-cut to Morgan soaring above the town-

-she sees Holly below her-

Morgan: No…!

-and dives-

Morgan: No no no no n—

-and slams headlong into Holly, sending her flying, before disappearing into the woods-

Morgan: No!

-fast-forward through everything else, until we reach Morgan stabbing the “Fae”-

-and she jerks up, to see no cloud, and Laura just getting up, while Evan stares at her in shock-

-Morgan punches him-

Evan: Ow!

Morgan: That’s for what you said to Laura back then.

Laura: Back th—

-she turns to Evan-

Laura: What’s she talking about?

Morgan: Well, Evan? What am I talking about?

-Evan, for once in his life, looks totally off-guard-

Evan: …Did it attack you? Psychically?

Morgan: Please. You aren’t that good a liar.

Laura: Morgan, what are you talking about?

Morgan: There’s not even such a thing as a Fae, is there?

Laura: Evan, what is going on—

Morgan: Answer me, not her! Now!

-Evan glares at Morgan-

Laura: What the hell is going on?!

Morgan: You’re the reason Holly was in the hospital in the first place!

-Laura freezes in shock-

Evan: …The ritual, the one I used against Nicholas. It has a side effect.

Morgan: You’ve heard of your life flashing before your eyes, right? Well, I got to see that for that thing you made to get me to join. Isn’t that right, Evan?

Evan: …I wasn’t sure if it would happen with a tulpa.

-Laura’s eyes still wide, Morgan continues-

Morgan: So that’s why he didn’t want me using the ritual. Because he knew I’d find out what you did.

Laura: Morgan…

-Morgan whips around to look at Laura, and the full impact of what she’s seen hits her. She’s speechless-

Laura: Morgan, did you—

Morgan: I could have expected this from Evan, but…

-her voice catches, and she can’t continue. Laura takes a step forward-

Morgan: No!

-Laura stops, looking guilty-

Morgan: Please, just…don’t. Okay?

Laura: …Okay.

Morgan: I just need…

-she clenches her fists, and magic sparks up-

Laura: Morgan—

Evan: If you’d allow me to explain—

-Morgan punches Evan in the face again-

Morgan: That’s the one I promised you earlier.

she whirls back towards Laura, who just stares at her sadly-

Laura: …Please don’t go. You don’t kno—

-and Morgan runs, climbing out of the hole in the shelter roof left by the tulpa-

Evan: Awkward.

-he rubs his jaw-

Laura: You deserved that, you know.

Evan: Ah, whatever. Not like she was going to be sticking around after our next trick anyway.

-Laura winces-

Evan: You knew this was coming, not my fault you started a relationship with an expiration date. We got the magic back, let’s pull the trigger on this.

Laura: …Right.

-Morgan, meanwhile, is running through the town, seeing the destruction left by the tulpa-

Morgan: Hmph. Serves them right if they have to let people know what’s going on after this.

-and she arrives back at the bookstore, where Liz is clearing things up. Zaresi has left, though Vorn is still around. Taylor is lying on the ground, semiconscious-

Liz: Oh, Morgan. Did you—

Morgan: Yeah, I killed the tulpa.

-Liz processes this for a moment-

Liz: Oh. Well then.

Morgan: Yeah.

Liz: Have you seen Nalis?

Morgan: Wait, that’s seriously what you’re asking me? I just found out you engineered a hit on my sister to get me to join you, and Laura and Evan are talking about pulling some trigger, and that’s what’s at the forefront of your mind?

Liz: Ah, they’re doing that now? I suppose it doesn’t matter then.

-she sits down, and takes a deep breath-

Morgan: What are you talking about?!

Liz: You’ll see.

-there’s a hiss. Morgan spins around to see a circle spraypainted near the bookstore glowing brightly-

Morgan: The unbrainwashing ritual?

Liz: …Not precisely.

-and a burst of Death magic streams out from it, piercing through Taylor’s chest-

-Morgan screams-

Liz: Relax.

Morgan: What’s happening?!

Vorn: I have the same question! Liz, what is this?

Liz: None of your concern anymore.

-another tendril branches off from the first one, stabbing through Vorn and twisting skywards, where it splits into four new branches that all go in different directions-

-as Morgan looks up, she can see five other pillars of Death magic rising up, each one emitting its own branches-

Liz: Goodbye, Vorn. I can’t say it was nice knowing you.

-as she looks back at Vorn and Taylor, the shapes of the two waver. Vorn simply vanishes, and Taylor explodes into dust. Red and pink light drains from each of them down the branches impaling them-

Morgan: Liz!

Liz: It won’t hurt you. It will only touch things unaligned with Death.

Morgan: But what is it?

Liz: Evan was correct in saying that these sigils would be used to amplify a ritual. At the moment, they’re being used to amplify the ritual he keeps on his knife.

Morgan: …They’re going to drain the magic from everyone in the town?

Liz: …Yes.

Morgan: I have to go.

Liz: It’s too late.

Morgan: I don’t care.

-and she goes-

-as she runs through the town again, she sees bolts of Death magic striking other people. A Forecaster is caught midflight. Kaylie and Pierce are consumed from where they’re still lying prone, pink light streaming up from them-

Erian: Hey! What’s th—

-and she’s gone too. Morgan keeps running, and nearly runs headlong into Novju, who has already been caught-

Novju: Well then.

Morgan: I—I didn’t know!

Novju: Neither did I, I’m afraid. Too late for either of us.

-she gives Morgan a contemplative look, and is sucked down the tendril. Morgan’s gaze hardens, and she keeps running-

-and she slams headlong into Quinn-

Quinn: Ow! Morgan, what’s going on?!

Morgan: Quinn! I—

-she stops-

Morgan: Wait. You’re not brainwashed.

-Quinn sighs-

Morgan: …And you know something’s happening.

-Quinn looks away slightly-

Morgan: …You work for Nalis.

Quinn: And you work for Zaresi. What’s going on?

-Morgan’s frozen in shock for a moment, and she hugs Quinn-

Quinn: Oh.

-there’s a short gasp of shock. Morgan looks up, and sees that a tendril has gone through Quinn, neatly forking around Morgan. Quinn freezes, as pink light flickers along her-

-and she explodes, leaving a cloud of ash and a pink haze-

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Chapter 8

Caution: Coffee May Be Hot

Narration, Morgan’s voice: After Nicholas was killed, things started settling into a pattern around town.

-Pan over a shot of the town-

Narration: The damage was cleared up by some hired Magicians, and the public eye shifted away from the whole thing. Rogue Magicians weren’t exactly common, especially ones like Nicholas, but it wasn’t far enough out of the ordinary for anyone to really be fazed. Basically, things were getting back to normal.

-Zoom in on a street-

Narration: Well…mostly.

-Morgan and Laura are walking by hand-in-hand, chatting-

Narration: And you know what? Things are okay these days. Sure, there’s still the occasional problem…

-as the two walk, a Makhai passes, and the two run after it. Fade out-

Narration: But I still go to school, and I still play in the band. We even have another audience member now.

-cut to the band playing. Laura applauds-

Morgan: I think I managed to find that balance Laura talks about. Quinn seems kind of unhappy with Laura for some reason, but they all get along. Nobody likes Evan, but he keeps to himself these days anyway.

-Laura and Morgan are walking along again-

Morgan: The most interesting anything’s been this month was the new coffee shop.

-they come across a store announcing itself to be “Barstucks”, opening May 25th-

Morgan: Things are good.

-cut to Morgan drinking a cup of coffee as she leaves school, when Laura walks up-

Laura: Okay, so Barstucks represents a clear and present danger to the safety of our town.

-cut-

Morgan: …Barstucks?

Laura: Yeah.

Morgan: …The coffeeshop.

Laura: …Yes?

Morgan: Are you serious?

Laura: I am always serious.

Morgan: That’s a bald-faced lie.

Laura: I am sometimes serious.

Morgan: What’s so bad about it? Sure, it’s a little overpriced, but—

Laura: It’s being used to power a god.

Morgan: A god? What kind of god gains their power from—

-beat-

Morgan: No.

Laura: Yep.

Morgan: Of Coffee? Really?

Laura: I’m as surprised as you are. I almost thought Zaresi was trying her hand at jokes again.

Morgan: Reaper comedy night was not a rousing success.

Laura: It was not.

-the two of them pause to remember the travesty that is the mixture of 2020 comedy and 2036, but Laura ends the moment first-

Laura: Okay, but a Coffee god isn’t even the weirdest thing going on lately.

Morgan: That’s hard to imagine.

Laura: You know how nobody’s seen Evan all week?

Morgan: I just figured I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

Laura: That’s what I thought too, but…come on.

-they go over to the local Barstucks-

Laura: Look through that window.

-Morgan does so, and-

Morgan: …Is that Evan?

Laura: Yeah.

-it’s awfully hard to tell, because he’s bleached his hair and pierced an ear-

Morgan: …What?

Laura: That’s still not the weirdest thing. Look at what he’s drinking.

Morgan: Is that a frappuccino?

Laura: Yeah.

Morgan: So his taste in coffee is terrible. He’s also terrible. What’s your point?

Laura: He broke his Contract with Zaresi yesterday.

Morgan: So he’s not even our problem anymore?

Laura: Unfortunately, he’s still very much our problem.

Morgan: Shame.

Laura: Evan’s probably the most freakishly loyal Magician I’ve ever known. When I first met him, he would have cheerfully died for Zaresi, and I think the only difference these days is that he’s a little more subtle about it.

Morgan: …Huh. How did you meet him, anyway?

-Laura sweatdrops-

Laura: That’s a story for another day. My point is, if he’s defected to some coffee god, then there is something seriously fishy going on. We’ve called a council over it, and we’re meeting behind City Hall.

Morgan: Oh. Well then.

-beat-

Morgan: Wait, so does this mean no more coffee dates?

Laura: We’re going to have to go back to ice cream.

Morgan: But coffee!

Laura: You are part of the problem here, you know that?

Morgan: Coffeeee…

Laura: …I’m sure that once we get rid of Barstucks, a normal coffeeshop will appear and we’ll be able to get coffee.

Morgan: You’re the best.

-she kisses Laura on the cheek-

-cut to behind City Hall-

-literally everyone is there, and already arguing-

Zaresi: This is unacceptable. The institution of godhood is not to be treated lightly.

Novju: What in this situation suggests that anything is being treated lightly?

Vorn: A god of Coffee, Novju?

Novju: Do you have some sort of problem with unorthodox Domains?

Erian: I mean, it’s kind of weird.

-Novju glares at Erian. Despite Novju being much shorter, Erian shrinks back-

Erian: …You know what I mean.

-Novju stares-

Erian: …It’s not that bad?

Vorn: It’s more than kind of weird! Fine, you’ve got your crazy fake Domain, but that doesn’t mean that we can just let anyone go around being a god of whatever they please!

Novju: You think my Domain is fake?

-a tiny flicker of blue spreads out from her feet, but disappears quickly-

Vorn: Oh, please. Like anyone’s going to worship a goddess of Parking.

Novju: I certainly seem to still be around. Face it, the only reason you object to a Coffee god is because it doesn’t suit your insufferably dramatic sense of what a god “ought to” be.

Vorn: You—

-she’s cut off by Zaresi interposing herself between the two-

Zaresi: What I believe that Vorn is attempting to say is that, while you are a fixture of this town, the increased presence of gods with, as it were…peculiar Domains does not bode well for the overall tenor of modern godhood.

Vorn: I wasn’t trying to say that at all!

Zaresi: I am being diplomatic.

Novju: I appreciate your efforts, but my opinion stands.

Zaresi: Very well. Nalis?

-the gods all turn to a young, incredibly attractive man trailing pink sparkles. He’s flanked by a number of Nymphs-

Nalis: Hmm?

-he seems to only just now notice the conversation-

Nalis: Oh, right. Yeah, I guess it does seem a little bogus.

-he grins lazily-

Nalis: So what is it we’re talking about again?

Novju: And people think a god of Coffee disrespects the institution?

-there’s a general devolution into arguing, until-

???: Excuse me! If I could have a say…?

-another Spirit walks over. He seems vaguely nervous, and is trailing a brown glow. He also looks like hipster trash, right down to a big muffler hat, a bad goatee, and flannel-

Zaresi: Ah. You.

Vorn: You really thought this was a good idea?

Spirit: I am Retilwa! I speak for the beans!

-there is a long silence-

Morgan: That was…awful.

Retilwa: Sorry. I’ve just…I’ve always wanted to say that.

-he enters the group-

Retilwa: Look, I get it, you don’t like me. I’m a whole new paradigm, and I’m weird, and you’re probably thinking “Wow, look at this guy, thinking he can just set up shop in under a new Domain and get away with it!”

Zaresi: In essentials.

Retilwa: Okay, but, can I make my pitch first?

Zaresi: Pitch?

Retilwa: If you think about it, I’m kind of the future of modern godhood.

Morgan: (aside to Laura) He’s not the first to say that.

Laura: Yeah, I’m not impressed.

Retilwa: Think about how much magic flows into coffeshops every day! Just, like…think about. Are we really just letting that go to waste? We have to innovate, man! Leverage our opportunities!

Novju: Well-said.

Morgan: Not really.

-Novju and Zaresi glare at her. She eeps and retreats-

Zaresi: I, for one, am done listening to you talk. All in favor of annihilating the upstart?

-Vorn raises her hand, but Erian, Novju, and Nalis don’t-

Zaresi: Erian? Nalis? I can understand Novju, but you two?

Erian: I mean, it’s weird, but why not give the guy a chance, right? He doesn’t seem to be hurting anyone.

Vorn: Nalis?

Nalis: I may not like him, but no need to rock the boat. Let’s see where this goes.

Vorn: Naturally.

Retilwa: So, that’s it, right? Can I go now?

Zaresi: …I suppose.

Retilwa: Cool, cool. Catch you on the flip.

-he skates away on a pair of Heelies-

Zaresi: …Novju, are you sure you do not wish to change your mind?

Novju: …His mannerisms aside, he is a god. If you violate the Treaties to make a direct attack on him, I will take that as an attack on myself and respond accordingly.

Zaresi: Should I be concerned?

Novju: You might be surprised.

-she disappears in a flash. Erian floats off on her umbrella, while Nalis simply strolls away-

Vorn: What are you waiting for, Zaresi? Scram.

Zaresi: A pleasure as always, Vorn.

-she drifts away, followed by her retinue-

Zaresi: Laura. Morgan.

Laura: Yeah?

Zaresi: You may have noticed that Evan is not with us. You have seen him, correct?

Morgan: …Oh boy.

Zaresi: Even ignoring Retilwa’s other quirks, I suspect him of foul play. I want you two to talk to him and Evan both. Find out what’s going on.

-she’s gone-

Laura: …That’s an unattractive prospect.

Morgan: It can’t be that bad.

Laura: I don’t think I want to talk to him. I can’t figure it out, but something about him creeps me out.

Morgan: I hope it’s not the flannel.

-she grins-

Laura: It might be the goatee.

Morgan: I can do the talking if you want.

-Laura smiles, and takes Morgan’s hand-

Laura: Thanks.

-Laura moves a little behind Morgan, who runs after Retilwa-

Morgan: Hey!

-Retilwa turns around, his brown aura sparking up-

Retilwa: Here to finish the job? I may not look like much, but I’ve taken a few self-defense classes. Gotta keep up the repertoire, right?

Laura: Deme fuerza…

Morgan: Don’t worry, that’s not why we’re here.

-Retilwa perks up-

Retilwa: Ah, looking for an internship then? Another local Magician’s already approached me with an offer to synergize.

Laura: Synergize? Really?

Morgan: You’re talking about Evan?

Retilwa: Ah, yes! Friend of yours?

Morgan and Laura: We wouldn’t say that.

Morgan: More of a co-worker, really. Until very recently, he was a Death Magician in Zaresi’s service.

Retilwa: Huh. He must really like coffee.

Morgan: Respectable.

-Laura makes a face, and peeks out from behind Morgan-

Laura: …Uh, sure. Is that what he said when he offered to form a Contract with you?

Retilwa: Something like that, yeah. He seemed pretty frantic.

Laura: …Can we talk to him?

Retilwa: I don’t see why not. Far be it from me to keep friends apart.

-Morgan laughs-

Laura: Sure. Morgan, let’s go see Evan.

-the two walk off-

Laura: Okay, that seemed deeply wrong.

Morgan: He seemed okay to me.

Laura: Really?

Morgan: Smelled like coffee. Kind of a hipster but that’s the worst I’d say about him.

Laura: Like that isn’t bad enough?

Morgan: Why don’t we just go check in with Evan?

-cut to the coffeeshop, where Evan is drinking while typing something on a laptop-

Laura: A vanilla steamer? Really? That isn’t even actual coffee.

Evan: It’s the principle of the thing, Laura. I wouldn’t expect you to understand.

Morgan: Pleasantries over, I guess?

Evan: Never really been my thing.

Laura: Cool, then I won’t bother either.

-she sits down, and glares at Evan-

Laura: What’s your angle here?

Evan: Pardon?

Laura: What’s going on? Did Zaresi want you to infiltrate this sad little hole in the wall to prove Retilwa was up to something?

Morgan: Uh, Laura, maybe keep it down a bit.

Laura: And if he did, was there some reason you never mentioned it to me?

Evan: There’s no angle here, Laura. I’m just not working for Zaresi anymore. I wasn’t getting anywhere doing that.

Laura: Since when has that been a concern for you?

Evan: Just look around at all these coffeeshop people. They’re all doing things with their lives. And what about me? Am I going to end up like Richard, spending all my time in graveyards by the time I’m thirty? Does that sound like a good way to live?

Laura: Um—

Evan: Retilwa offers a low-stakes partnership, see? I work for him when he really needs me, but in the meantime, I’m free to do what I want to better my life! I’ve been thinking about quitting school and maybe getting into some startup work…

Laura: Are you listening to yourself right now?

Evan: Also, we get coupons for coffee.

Laura: Your hair is blond and your ear is pierced!

Evan: You don’t like the look?

Laura: …Morgan, we’re going.

Morgan: Oh, okay. See you around, Evan.

Evan: Toodles.

-Laura and Morgan walk out-

Laura: You can’t tell me you didn’t think that was weird.

Morgan: Evan certainly seems off.

Laura: Off hardly does it justice. I don’t trust Retilwa any further than I could throw him.

-she thinks-

Laura: Actually, I could throw him pretty far, I think.

Morgan: He’s really weedy.

Laura: I guess we have to tell Zaresi.

-cut to them telling Zaresi-

Zaresi: …You think Evan was brainwashed? By coffee?

Laura: At this point, it seems like the most likely explanation.

Morgan: He might have just gone around the bend, you know.

Laura: I’m pretty sure that ship sailed a while back. This is weird even for him.

Zaresi: Hm. Do you have proof?

Laura: I can’t say I do…

Zaresi: Which means, unfortunately, that we are unable to act on your suspicions. If we could prove that Retilwa had acted directly to influence Evan, it would be sufficient provocation to attack him ourselves. Without that, however, we are still limited to indirect methods to recover our errant Magician.

Morgan: Uh, question.

Zaresi: Hm?

Morgan: What if he’s just switched sides? I mean, it’s kind of out of character, but a lot of weird things happened after Nicholas. Maybe he felt like the third wheel.

-she blows a raspberry at Laura, who looks pensive. She looks back at Zaresi-

Zaresi: …Our options being limited, Vorn and I have devised a plan. We’re gathering by City Hall again in an hour. Be there.

Morgan: If you insist.

-Laura and Morgan are walking to City Hall-

Morgan: You don’t think you’re being just a little paranoid? Evan’s a tool. We knew that. Maybe this is just a different expression of preexisting toolness.

Laura: You think that’s normal?

-she points down the street. There’s Evan, cleaning up the protective charms he’d been setting up previously-

Morgan: …I kind of thought that spray-painting sigils onto houses was weird in the first place.

Laura: Evan!

-he turns-

Evan: Hi, Laura! Want to help me clean up this graffiti?

Laura: No, I don’t.

-she brushes past him, Morgan following-

Morgan: …Okay, admittedly, Evan doing anything to improve the lives of other people is a little strange.

Laura: Thank you!

Morgan: …Sure we can’t just leave him like that?

-Laura sighs-

-at City Hall, they find Vorn having gathered up her troops, and Zaresi with Iggy and another Reaper-

Janice: Hi!

Richard: Afternoon.

Laura: Yeah, hi.

Morgan: How’s life?

Janice: Could be better.

Zaresi: The situation has officially reached the point where drastic measures are called for. To that ends, you will all be breaking your preexisting Contracts.

Morgan: Wait, what?

Vorn: We’re making a new god.

Laura: What.

Morgan: We can do that?

Vorn: It’s an extreme measure. We’re going to have one of our Spirits declare itself a Coffee god in order to provide some competition for Zaresi.

Morgan: Wait, what? How can a Spirit be a god?

-Vorn gives Zaresi a glance-

Vorn: You don’t tell your Magicians things?

-Zaresi shrugs-

Zaresi: I may occasionally forget to mention details.

Richard: A god is a Spirit that uses a ritual to absorb power from a given Domain. That’s all there is to it. Contracts just make sure that all of a Magician’s excess magic is going to the one Spirit.

Morgan: Promotion. Nice.

-Laura blinks-

Morgan: …Wait. So does that mean that you two used to be human?

-Vorn and Zaresi give each other awkward looks, impressive since neither have faces-

Zaresi: …We prefer not to discuss it.

Laura: Everything’s human in the end. It’s just a question of how many steps it took after.

Vorn: Moving on!

Zaresi: When two gods of the same Domain occupy the same immediate area, it creates conflict, as both rituals attempt to sap magic from the same well. It is a challenge that Retilwa will have no choice but to answer. So.

-she eyes the group-

Zaresi: Who wants to be a god?

Iggy: Well, as the Spirit present with the most seniority—

Zaresi: Quiet, Iggy.

-Iggy shrinks back-

Zaresi: You. You will do.

-she points at one of the Reapers, who immediately turns from a Reaper into a formless wisp of light-

Vorn: Richard, got the ritual?

-Richard hands the wisp a scrap of paper-

Richard: Read this.

Wisp: Uh... Quicolannicorganicholy? How is that even—

-there’s a hiss, and the wisp turns into a young woman, dressed in a similar style to Retilwa and with the same brown aura-

Morgan: Dang. Coffee gods are cute.

Laura: Really?

Morgan: Just saying.

Zaresi: How do you feel?

Coffee: Like I want to listen to music on old records. And not even good music. Music, from, like before I was alive.

Vorn: Right, right, sounds like it worked. Pick a name and get on with it.

Coffee: …How about Avarra? I like Avarra.

Zaresi: Avarra it is. Everyone, Vorn and I will break your Contracts, and you’ll swear to Avarra.

-there’s a sharp hiss. Morgan, Laura, Janice, and Richard don’t change, but the Reapers and Makhai do-

-they turn to Avarra, and pledge their service. The Spirits change into uniformed figures with aprons-

Janice: …

-they conjure a spell, which takes the form of a bean-

Janice: What? I was totally going to make an espresso shots pun. I hate this.

-Morgan, meanwhile, is producing a steady stream of fluid magic, while Laura’s more resembles coffee grounds-

Morgan: Is it just me, or does coffee magic actually smell like coffee?

Laura: It does and I hate it.

???: In the market for Magicians?

-someone walks up. It’s the boy from the graveyard and the forest. Laura and Morgan immediately go on alert-

Zaresi: Who are you?

Boy: A Magician without a Contract, obviously.

Morgan: Who do you work for?

Boy: Nobody. That’s kind of the point. Anyway, I couldn’t help but overhear that you were planning to set up some fights between the new Coffee god and the newer one, so I thought I’d throw my hat into the ring. Proverbially.

Vorn: Why would we let you do that?

Boy: Because I’m incredibly competent. Just ask those two.

-he gestures at Morgan and Laura-

Zaresi: Well?

Morgan: Unfortunately, he’s not exactly wrong. But I don’t like him.

Zaresi: Not an immediate concern, I’m afraid. Do you have a name, Magician?

Boy: Have I really never introduced myself? You can call me Taylor.

-he grins at Morgan and Laura-

Morgan: …This doesn’t make us friends.

Taylor: Well, of course.

Avarra: Okay then. Who’s ready to put a stop to a trespassing Coffee god?

Laura: Finally. Let’s make this happen.

-smash cut. Avarra and co. are hanging around outside Barstucks-

Avarra: Well, I’m bored. This is boring.

Laura: He hasn’t even budged. As far as I can tell, he hasn’t even noticed us. I don’t get it, Avarra just being here should be stealing power away from him, but it’s like it doesn’t matter. Richard, are you sure you got the ritual right? Maybe Avarra’s not a Coffee goddess.

Richard: Anything’s possible, but it seems unlikely.

Avarra: What else would I be a goddess of?

Laura: Hipsters?

Janice: Gentrification?

Iggy: Is it possible that—

Laura: Iggy.

Iggy: Okay, okay.

Morgan: It’s been hours. Can’t we just call it a day?

Taylor: With zeal like that, it’s honestly a shock to me that you couldn’t beat me.

Morgan: Why are you even here?

Taylor: Nothing better to do with the afternoon.

-he yawns. Morgan rolls her eyes-

-time wears on. It starts getting dark, and Barstucks closes. Retilwa exits, Evan notably trailing behind-

Retilwa: So. How’s your scheme coming along?

Avarra: Scheme?

Retilwa: I get it. You guys don’t respect me. But that doesn’t mean I’m not worthy of respect. You think you can just claim the same Domain as me, and suddenly you get a share of the proceeds? Ever heard of copyright law? Monopolization of resources?

Richard: I’m not certain it applies to magic.

Retilwa: Seems like it does now. Evan, would you like to explain?

-Evan smiles, though it’s a more genuine smile than his usual wicked grin-

Evan: So, I’ve been working with Lord Retilwa—

Laura: Lord? Really?

Evan: --I’ve been working with Lord Retilwa on a ritual that keeps other gods from nosing in on his Domain. Using secret Coffee magic, I’ve reorganized the flow of energy to make sure any and all Coffee-related thoughts, feelings, or opinions go directly to him.

Retilwa: Or, in laymagician’s terms, you’re stuck without any power. If your god isn’t drawing any magic, then neither are you, which means that not only are you not coming anywhere near my business, you’ve completely crippled your entire side. I’ll see you tomorrow, assuming you haven’t given up by then. Ciao!

-he strolls off-

Morgan: What is it with people and saying goodbye in another language with the wrong accent?

-she gives Taylor a sideglance, which he doesn’t notice-

Taylor: Well, that was interesting. I was wondering why I felt so powerless. Oh well, shouldn’t be a problem if I break my Contract then.

-he does so, and skips away. Morgan hurls a stream of coffee after him, but it comes out as a trickle and doesn’t even clear a foot-

Taylor: Have a nice day!

Avarra: So that was a total bust.

-she sighs, and suddenly reverts back to a wisp. The other Spirits do the same-

Laura: We’ll try something else tomorrow. Maybe we could open up a stand or something.

Morgan: …Has anyone considered that maybe we’re being paranoid about this?

-everyone turns to Morgan-

Richard: No.

Laura: It’s not paranoia when they’re actually out to get you.

Morgan: But maybe this time they aren’t. Retilwa’s annoying, but it’s not like he’s really doing anything wrong. Let’s just let it lie.

Janice: Pssh. That’s no fun.

-they dart off, trailed by Richard and the Spirits. The Reapers head off in a different direction-

Morgan: Come on, Laura. Let’s call it a day.

Laura: …Morgan, how much coffee have you had the past couple weeks?

Morgan: Couple dozen cups. Why?

-cut to Laura dragging Morgan into the graveyard, where Liz is conducting a couple rituals, her limbs distorted into sigils and emitting odd humming noises-

Laura: Liz!

-the rituals all detonate. Liz sighs, and reforms, turning to face the two-

Liz: What’s going on? And why have you tied up Morgan?

Laura: I need your help.

-Liz stares-

Liz: Well, I won’t lie and say I’m not flattered, but I’m not at all interested in mortals, so—

Laura: You are badly misinterpreting this situation.

Liz: Thank goodness. What do you need?

Laura: Morgan got on the wrong end of a Coffee ritual. I’ve got no idea how to reverse it, and Evan’s out of commission.

Liz: …Hm.

-she takes Morgan by the chin and peers into her eyes-

Liz: What’s with you?

Morgan: Have you considered the benefits to unpaid internship?

-Liz recoils-

Liz: Goodness, she’s in deep.

Morgan: I’m kidding, jeez. Come on, Laura. Coffee makes people hyper, not brainwashed.

Laura: Except in this case, when it does both.

Morgan: Laura, there’s nothing going on with my brain!

Laura: (to Liz) My guess would be that Retilwa encoded some sort of ritual into the beans, or the machines. He might have started it himself; he’s probably getting Evan to perpetuate it.

Liz: Let me see…

-her hand twists into a sigil, and she scans it up and down Morgan, a low, tuneful hum pouring from it-

Morgan: Do you have any idea how paranoid you sound right now? This is what I’m talking about! If you hadn’t noticed, Evan actually seems happy with his life now!

Laura: Were you not happy before?

Morgan: I mean, I’m okay with things, but I’m barely 18! I was going to go to college next year! People our age aren’t worried about fighting people like Nicholas, you know! I should be thinking about where you and I are going to go on our date, or about my grades, not whether or not a Dragon is going to eat my soul! This isn’t what I want to do for the rest of my life!

-Laura freezes-

Laura: …Do you mean that?

Morgan: I—

Liz: She doesn’t, actually.

Laura: Huh?

Liz: She’s under a compulsion. Complex one, too. It’s probably better if you just don’t listen to what she says while I fix it.

Laura: That won’t be a problem.

-montage of Liz forming various glyphs around Morgan, while Laura sits off to one side, stony-faced-

Liz: Well, let’s see if this works. Exorcisamus te…

Laura: Really?

Liz: Come on, let me have a little fun.

-Laura just stares at her-

Liz: Fine.

-Liz mumbles something to herself, and the glyphs all glow black. There’s a burst of brown light, and Morgan goes limp-

Liz: How do you feel?

Morgan: …Really tired.

Liz: Caffeine withdrawal will do that.

Laura: Now do you believe me?

-Morgan notices Laura, and looks guilty-

Morgan: …Um. What I said when the Coffee magic was in my brain. You didn’t…you know that’s not me, right?

-Laura looks incredibly tense, but nods-

Morgan: I want to help people. Maybe someday I’ll leave, but not today, and not while there’s still work to be done.

-Laura smiles, but still looks tense-

Morgan: And I love you. Do you know that?

-Liz makes a face. Laura relaxes a little. Morgan leans in and kisses her, and she relaxes a lot-

-Liz sighs-

Liz: Is this really the time?

Nalis: Don’t be like that, Liz.

-he grins. Morgan and Laura separate, startled-

Liz: What are you doing here?

Nalis: Young love, reunited?

-he clasps his hands together in the manner of a starstruck youth-

Nalis: Kind of my thing. But I’ll be on my way, now.

-he drifts away into rose petals-

Liz: …So. What’s been going on? I’ve been working on that ritual the last few weeks. And, incidentally, you ruined it when you interrupted me. So I hope this was worth it.

Laura: Well, um—

Morgan: New coffee shop is actually run by a god—

Laura: Of Coffee. And Evan defected. Which Zaresi’s not happy about, but without any reason we can’t just attack him.

Morgan: So we were leaving him alone.

Laura: But it turns out he’s brainwashing people through the coffee. Including Morgan. And probably Evan.

Liz: Wait, so you had me exorcise you? All that means is you’re right back to having no proof that anything’s wrong with the coffee.

-pause-

Morgan: …Damn it!

-she kicks up a chunk of grass. Laura facepalms-

Laura: Well…too late now.

-Morgan tilts her head-

Morgan: …Is it?

-cut to the two outside Barstucks, standing on either side of the door. Evan makes his way out-

Morgan: Hi.

-Evan turns around-

Evan: Hi, you two. Do you want something? I’m a little busy.

Laura: …We’re kidnapping you.

Evan: Oh.

Morgan: Don’t bother resisting, okay? It’d only be embarrassing for you.

Evan: You’re probably not wrong.

-cut to the graveyard-

Morgan: It’s getting chilly. Evan, are you sure Retilwa actually cares enough about you to come get you?

Evan: He would never abandon me.

-at which point Novju appears in a flash, Retilwa next to her-

Retilwa: Excuse me?! How dare you? Attacking another god’s Magician unprovoked?

Novju: He isn’t wrong. What’s the meaning of this, you two?

-Morgan and Laura gulp. Fortunately, Liz appears -

Liz: Novju, I understand your anger, but in this case, your trust is misplaced. We’ve reason to believe Retilwa is employing brainwashing magic in the coffee he peddles—

Retilwa: Peddles? Really?

Liz: -and that he used it to turn Evan to his side. Furthermore, he intends to do the same to the rest of us.

Retilwa: What possible grounds could you have for that accusation?

Morgan: Hey! I just had to get exorcised because of you, you—

Novju: Do you have proof?

Morgan: Not exactly.

-Novju raises an eyebrow-

Laura: But we’re about to.

-Liz places a hand on Evan’s shoulder-

Liz: I’m going to use the same ritual I used on Morgan. It burns away outside magic. If Evan is really acting of his own free will—

Evan: I am.

Liz: It won’t do a thing. But if he’s not…

-Retilwa glares-

Retilwa: And how do I know that ritual does what you say it does? You could just as easily put him under your own control!

Liz: Novju? You are on Retilwa’s side in the matter, are you not? Would you care to examine the ritual?

Novju: Please.

-Liz’s arm transforms into the sigil for the ritual, which Novju analyzes-

Novju: It does, indeed, seem to be exactly what Liz claims. I see no reason not to allow it to be tested on Evan.

-there’s a pause-

-and Retilwa runs for it-

Novju: Disappointing.

-he is suddenly reeled back in as the distance between him and Novju shrinks. She grabs him by the collar and reels him over-

Novju: I vouched for you, Retilwa. You were a proof of concept that unorthodox domains had a place. And you let. Me. Down.

-she shoves the coffee god to the ground-

Novju: Put Evan in the ritual.

-cut to Evan standing up, as the last of the Coffee magic drains away from him-

Evan: …Oh, Zaresi, what did I do to myself?

Morgan: Dyed your hair blond and got a really bad piercing.

-Evan whips around, glaring at Retilwa, who gulps-

Evan: You. Do you have any idea how annoying it is to have my mind messed with?

Morgan: (to Laura) Does he not see the irony?

Laura: Nope.

Evan: If I could reaffirm my Contract now, I’d kill you where you stand.

-he takes out his knife and points it at the god, who flinches-

Evan: Whatever. I’ll do it later.

-he turns to Liz-

Evan: Where is Zaresi, anyway? Didn’t she want to see her right hand restored?

Liz: You’re not as important as you think you are. On the other hand, I’m not altogether sure where Zaresi is.

Nalis: Oh! I know this one!

-he appears in a shower of petals-

Morgan: Why do you keep being around?

Nalis: Reasons. Stuff. Things. Anyway, your god’s indisposed. As, in fact, are most of them.

-he beams-

Morgan: Huh?

Nalis: I’m pretty stoked with the Coffee ritual, Retilwa. Just so you know.

Retilwa: Um?

Nalis: In fact, I was so totally impressed when I found out about it, that I had my Magician conduct a ritual of his own to subvert it to my own purposes. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, don’t you know?

Everyone: Wait, what?

Morgan: What Magician? I’ve never seen any Magicians around you.

Nalis: That’s because I don’t declare them and I keep them completely secret so that each can further my goals in their own tiny ways. Duh.

Laura: Wait, that would be in complete violation of the treaties!

Liz: It would also explain why this town seemed to have so few Magicians.

Nalis: I mean, yeah, it’s against the Convocation.

-he grins-

Nalis: But so is hacking into an illicit Coffee ritual using Love magic in order to take over the minds of every single person in town who ever drank so much as a sip of Barstucks coffee, followed by manipulating those people’s magical connections to ensure that they focus entirely on me, depriving all the other gods here of any power they might have ever had and ensuring my absolute power. And I had a guy do that, too.

-pause-

Morgan: WHAT?

Retilwa: You hacked my ritual? Nobody hacks me! I—

Nalis: Dude, chill. Much like your fashion sense, you’re no longer relevant. Welcome to obsolescence.

-and dozens of chains burst from nowhere and impale Retilwa, tearing him apart, as Taylor steps into the graveyard-

Taylor: Hey there.

Morgan: …We really should have seen this coming, shouldn’t we have?

Evan: I wanted to do that!

Taylor: Probably. I mean, zephyr? I practically gave it away.

-he smiles-

Taylor: Speaking of tragic romances, and accidentally killing your lover, Morgan, how much coffee have you had lately?

-he points at her, touching a finger to his ring-

Taylor: Ophelia!

-a sigil forms…but nothing happens-

Morgan: There’s no Coffee magic in me, Taylor.

Liz: Burned it out myself.

Taylor: Hmph. Well, with Evan and Morgan out…

-he turns to Laura-

Laura: I don’t drink coffee. Bad for the…well, everything, apparently.

Taylor: That’s really disappointing, honestly, because it means I’m going to have to have someone else kill you all while I go finish some work.

-Janice steps out of the shadows, twirling their guns, which are now a bright pink and a tad more elegant than average-

Evan: Oh, dammit.

Taylor: So. An entire town’s magical resources, vs. three Magicians, one without a Contract, and a single Spirit, all powered by a goddess that may as well be a band Spirit for all the residual power she’s got left.

-he beams-

Taylor: Nice odds.

Nalis: Taylor, we agreed that I got to make the dramatic speeches.

Taylor: Aw.

Nalis: Unfortunately, with Taylor already having done so, I don’t think there’s much to say. Ah well. Arrivederci.

Morgan: …At least you can pronounce it right.

-Nalis drifts away in petals again, leaving Taylor and Janice alone-

Taylor: Any last words?

Morgan: Yeah. Taylor, your actions today stand in violation of the Divine Convocation. Should you not cease immediately, a reaction will be provoked!

-and she summons her scythe-

-which is essentially seethrough-

Morgan: Wait, what?

Taylor: Did I not just say that your goddess is incapacitated? Where exactly did you plan on drawing power from for your spellcasting?

-he yawns-

Taylor: Whatever. Janice, you know what to do.

-he saunters off, leaving Janice alone in the graveyard with the four-

Janice: Hi, you four! How’s it going?

Morgan: We’ve been better.

Janice: Yeah.

-they point their guns, and open fire-

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Chapter 7

We are a go!

The Sorcerer’s Apprentices

-open over Morgan battling a Makhai, scythe to sword-

Makhai: You cannot prevent the triumph of our lady Vorn!

Morgan: Heard it.

Makhai: Our ritual will turn this town against itself in maddened rage! Or at least mild irritation!

Morgan: Seen it.

Makhai: Cower before the strength of War!

Morgan: Beat it.

-she slashes the Makhai across the chest with her scythe-

Makhai: Ow!

Morgan: No, seriously, beat it. Screw off. Battle’s over, you lost, enough.

Makhai: Excuse—

-Morgan conjures another several scythes-

Makhai: …Okay, okay, I’m going.

-it turns tail and runs-

Morgan: Ugh.

-cut to her meeting up with Laura and Evan. Evan seems cheerful, Laura less so-

Laura: …Hey, Morgan.

-Morgan doesn’t respond-

Evan: …Well, I’ll take point on this briefing then. Makhai routed?

Morgan: Yeah.

Evan: Janice and Richard talked down?

Laura: Got it.

Evan: Ritual destroyed?

-both Morgan and Laura tilt their heads-

Evan: Oh, right, I did that. Go me. Now, relationships mended?

-a long silence occurs-

Evan: That’s what I thought. Which is why I’m just going to leave you two here. Ciao.

-he skips off-

-Morgan and Laura stare at each other awkwardly-

Laura: …Can we talk?

Morgan: I think we’ve said plenty.

Laura: I—

-Morgan’s gone-

-Morgan stalks through the town, kicking random pebbles in her way. A lone Makhai attempts to sneak by-

Morgan: You really want to be running right now.

-it does-

???: Hey, Morgan!

-Morgan is already spinning around, a scythe forming in her hand-

-and consequently, she nearly decapitates Quinn-

Quinn: …Hi, Morgan. Under stress?

Morgan: …You could say that.

Quinn: Want to talk about it?

Morgan: Might help.

Quinn: I know an ice cream place.

-cut to the place in question-

Morgan: …How do I keep ending up here?

Quinn: You’ve been here before? I only just found out about it; it’s mindblowing.

Morgan: Everyone keeps saying that.

Quinn: Ooh, who’s everyone?

-she props her elbows on the table and leers-

Quinn: It wouldn’t be Laura, would it?

-Morgan frowns-

Morgan: Holly didn’t tell you?

Quinn: Tell me what?

Morgan: We’re not dating.

-Quinn blinks-

Quinn: O-oh.

Morgan: Yeah.

Quinn: That’s…uh…sorry?

Morgan: Don’t be.

Quinn: Uh…did something happen?

Morgan: It’s complicated. We kissed, but…we haven’t spoken at all since.

Quinn: Doesn’t sound that complicated.

Morgan: It was under weird circumstances, and…I just don’t think I can see her right now.

-Quinn tilts her head-

Morgan: I know, I know, it’s a mess.

Quinn: Sounds like.

Morgan: Can we change the subject? What’s been going on in your life lately?

-Quinn blinks-

Quinn: You’ve kind of been there for most of it.

Morgan: Really? Nothing going on?

Quinn: …Nope.

Morgan: Darn. I was hoping I could live vicariously through you for a bit.

Quinn: Sorry.

-beat-

Quinn: Hey, would you—

???: Excuse me?

-the two turn to see a young man wearing a neat white suit-

Morgan: Uh, sorry, but we’ve both found God.

Man: Have you, though?

-he leans over the table, using his body to hide himself from the rest of the shop, and holds out a palm, flames licking off it-

Man: You are also a Magician.

Morgan: What?

Man: Don’t bother lying, please, I have been given a spell to sense these sorts of things.

Quinn: Morgan, what’s going on?

Morgan: I have no idea.

Man: You know why we have been granted magic, right?

Morgan: Uh, no. Nobody does.

Man: That’s incorrect. I do. And more importantly, Nicholas Langer does.

Quinn: Wait, what?

Morgan: Who?

-the man’s face takes on a beatific quality-

Man: A new kind of god.

Morgan: What.

Man: Have a blessed day.

-he bows slightly, and exits the store-

Morgan: What was all that about?

-she turns back to Quinn, who looks horrified-

Morgan: What?

Quinn: We have to go.

Morgan: Why? Who’s Nicholas Langer?

-Quinn drags Morgan out of the restaurant, an impressive feat given the height disparity, and into an alleyway-

Quinn: Nicholas Langer is a traveling Magician.

Morgan: Oh. So what? Maybe I could get some part-time wo—

Quinn: He’s not a band, he’s a cult leader.

Morgan: Come again?

Quinn: Nobody understands how, but he’s way more powerful than Magicians usually are. He goes from city to city, recruiting other Magicians, and then he’ll take them with him when he moves on.

Morgan: Oh.

Quinn: If he’s in town, the best thing you can do is just lie low until he’s gone. Trust me.

Morgan: How do you know all this?

Quinn: Never mind that right now. Just keep yourself safe.

Morgan: Everyone keeps telling me that.

Quinn: You hang out in graveyards at random hours of the day, you’ve nearly smashed the school twice, and I’ve seen you sprinting down the street at night alone. You’ll forgive me if I worry about my friends.

Morgan: Would you be this worried about Jacob?

Quinn: You can’t blame all your problems on Jacob, you know.

Morgan: Can so.

Quinn: Just stay home for the day. I’ll come with you, we can play some video games and make fun of Holly.

Morgan: Sounds good to me.

-Quinn smiles-

Quinn: Okay, let’s—

-Morgan’s phone buzzes-

-she checks it, it’s a text from Laura-

-she rolls her eyes and deletes it-

Morgan: What are we waiting for?

-cut to Morgan’s house, where she and Quinn are watching an old film. Another couple texts have shown up on Morgan’s phone, but she’s ignoring them-

-then there’s a knock on the door-

Morgan: Ugh. Can you pause? I’ll be right back.

-she gets up and walks to the door-

Morgan: Laura, I know you want to talk, but I don’t! So can you please just—

-she flings the door open. A tall man dressed in the same white as the one from earlier is at the door. A long thorny vine of pink light extends from one of his fingers, and is coiled around Laura, who looks very uncomfortable-

Man: Don’t be angry with your friend. She was brought here under extreme duress.

-he smiles-

Man: Hello, my name is Nicholas Langer, and I’d like to share some truth with you. Is anybody else home?

-Morgan reacts immediately, multiple scythes exploding from her and swinging towards Nicholas. He holds up his other hand, and branches made of green energy twirl out, each one wrapping around a scythe and holding it steady-

-Morgan glares, and the scythes flicker darker, but make no headway-

Nicholas: Life magic. Many types of magic have special interactions, and Life counteracts Death. You’ll learn.

-Morgan ignores him-

Morgan: Laura, are you okay?

Laura: …For a given value?

Morgan: How are you doing that, anyway?

-she gestures at the pink light-

Morgan: That’s Love magic, isn’t it? A Magician can’t use more than one kind of magic at once. Everyone knows that.

Nicholas: People know much less about magic than they think they do. Put those away before you burn out.

-she withdraws the scythes, but doesn’t relax-

Nicholas: I’m sure that you’ve heard my spiel before, so I’ll make this quick. I’ve heard that you are a Magician of some power—

-Morgan blinks-

Nicholas: --and when I leave this town at noon tomorrow, I expect you to have joined my retainer. If you, or any of the other Magicians I have selected to join me, refuse to accompany me, I will reduce everything within three miles to rubble. Are those conditions amenable to you?

Morgan: …No!

Nicholas: That’s alright. I’m releasing your friend now. Please do not attack me.

-Quinn walks up-

Quinn: Hey, Morgan, is something going—

-she sees the situation-

Quinn: …Oh.

Nicholas: Hmm?

-his demeanor immediately changes-

Nicholas: Have a blessed day, miss.

-he dismisses the vine around Laura, bows, and walks away-

Morgan: …Laura, what’s going on?

Laura: We need to get to the graveyard.

Quinn: Whoa, what? Aren’t you two not speaking?

-Laura makes the universal face of someone struggling with the universe, and gives Morgan a look-

Quinn: Don’t give me that. Why are you here?

Laura: Uh…well, I was held hostage by the missionary who just left, and he forced me to bring him over to Morgan’s house, since she’s an incredibly powerful Magician and he wanted her as a recruit.

-Quinn scoffs-

Quinn: You know, I get it if you don’t feel like telling me everything about what’s going on, but you could at least be a little more polite about it. Morgan, permission to slam the door?

Morgan: …Actually, I should go.

Quinn: What?

Morgan: Uh…that guy? At the door? Yeah, that was Nicholas Langer.

Quinn: …Are you serious?

Laura: Wait, Quinn, you know about Nicholas Langer?

Quinn: Doesn’t everyone?

-Laura makes a face-

Quinn: Morgan, if he’s actually looking for you, you need to stay here.

Laura: Where he already found her?

Quinn: Whose fault was that?

Laura: I—

Morgan: Hey!

-both turn to look at her-

Morgan: …I’m going with Laura. Sorry. I’ll explain later.

-she’s off, leaving Quinn looking concerned-

Laura: Okay, so—

Morgan: Are you alright?

Laura: I’m fine—

Morgan: Good, then we don’t need to talk.

-cut to the graveyard, where Zaresi’s forces are gathered. Notably, however, Vorn and her troops are also there, as is Erian, flanked by her Forecasters. Laura immediately places Zaresi’s forces between herself and Morgan. Morgan, meanwhile, finds a place near Evan, who is lounging against a tombstone, and Liz, who is glaring at him-

Liz: Took you two long enough.

Morgan: We ran into some difficulties. Zaresi knows what’s going on?

Liz: No, this is just our annual ice cream social.

Evan: Ooh, I want ice cream. Are you holding out?

Liz: You get nothing.

Evan: Not cool.

Liz: Precisely.

-she turns to Morgan-

Liz: Novju and Nalis aren’t helping. Novju cited a lack of active followers, and Nalis…well, he’s Nalis.

Morgan: So is Zaresi almost here?

Zaresi: Better.

-Zaresi appears in a rush of darkness-

Erian: Ooh, fancy.

-Vorn glares at Erian-

Vorn: Take this seriously.

Zaresi: I trust everyone understands the situation. Our town is, though subtly, unmistakably under attack.

Morgan: I wouldn’t call threatening to turn the town to rubble subtle exactly.

Evan: Ssh.

Zaresi: Before we begin, it is important that we know if any of the Magicians present today have been approached by Nicholas or his entourage.

-Morgan, Laura, and Janice raise their hands-

Evan: Really? They wanted you?

Liz: Ssh.

Vorn: Tell us what you heard. Exact words. Janice!

Janice: Yes ma’am!

-they skip forward-

Janice: Someone came up to me while I was making some ex—uh, some dinner in my garage. Told me she knew I was a Magician, and that if I knew what was good for me I’d join up with her. I told her I’d shoot her if I saw her again. She said she’d be sure to burn my house down herself. It was a pretty good talk.

Morgan: Yikes.

Zaresi: Laura.

Laura: Some guy came to talk to me, so I told you about it. But later, I ran into him personally. He was looking for…Morgan, actually. Made me take him to her.

Zaresi: What?

Morgan: Yeah, and he was using two different kinds of magic. One was pink, one was a sort of light green. Is that normal?

-it isn’t. There’s a general muttering-

Vorn: He’s a Sorcerer?

Zaresi: It would explain a great deal.

Morgan: A what?

Evan: Why are you here? Do we need you here?

Liz: Quiet. Pay attention.

Morgan: Okay, but what’s a Sorcerer?

Evan: Seriously, why are you he—

-Liz snaps her fingers and mutters something under her breath. A wall of darkness shuts Evan off-

Liz: I’ll fill him in when we’re done.

Morgan: That was awesome.

Liz: It is what it is.

Morgan: So, um, Sorcerer?

-Evan blows a raspberry, and slumps to the ground-

Liz: Fundamentally, there are three types of casters. You are Magicians, and I used to be. Our naturally more reactive magic allows us to form a Contract with a god or goddess, using their divinity and drawing on some of their power to awaken our latent magical abilities.

Morgan: That’s the part I know.

Liz: There are Witches and Warlocks too, and they make their magic more reactive with outside assistance. Usually they know a Magician who casts a ritual for them.

Evan: (shouting) Posers!

Liz: People do their best. Anyway, Witches and Warlocks, if they can get someone to help them make their magic react, become functionally the same as Magicians. My point is that normally, to perform any kind of magic, you need that bond. So a Magician’s weakness is their corporeal form, and as a Spirit, I don’t produce energy on my own, so while I don’t have to worry about exploding like you do, I still have a limited pool to draw on unless I have a source somewhere.

Morgan: But a Sorcerer?

Liz: A Sorcerer is a rarity, even among Magicians. Not only can they latently produce magic, they can shape it without the assistance of a god.

Morgan: What?

Liz: They’re not constrained by Domain, since they have no sponsors. They have a corporeal body, so they can just keep producing energy to draw on for magic. And they haven’t formed a Contract, so they can just keep on casting without breaks. It’s a perfect medium.

Morgan: Scary.

Liz: That isn’t the half of it. There’s no chance all of Nicholas’s followers could be Sorcerers, which means that he has Magicians that can cast. Either he’s backed up by a god of some power, or he’s somehow made himself into one, and he’s letting his followers form Contracts with him.

Morgan: How would he do that?

Liz: Sorcerers can access magic in its purest sense. Their spells and rituals are an order higher than anything even I can do. It’s entirely possible he found himself a way to become a sort of pseudo-god.

Evan: (practically screaming) Sorcerers aren’t gods, they’re just freaks of nature! If Nicholas thinks he can stand up to Zaresi, I’m happy to show him how wrong he is!

-the bubble, by this point, has fallen, and Evan is shouting at the top of his lungs within earshot of everyone-

Zaresi: An admirable sentiment, Evan.

-Evan glares at Liz, who smirks-

Nicholas: Certainly is.

-everyone turns, to see Nicholas at the entrance to the graveyard, flanked by two followers, a man and a woman-

-everyone immediately summons weapons. Evan takes out his knife, but Nicholas doesn’t seem bothered-

Nicholas: I can only assume a convocation has been called in the interest of removing me?

-tendrils of white light drift up from him-

Nicholas: I should clarify something though. I am not removed. I leave when I please, and I take what I want along the way. My emissary ought to have explained things before I did, but he unfortunately ran a tad amok. That’s what I get for merging three Spirits at once, I suppose.

Vorn: Three Spirits at—

-she trails off-

Zaresi: You created Eneril?

Nicholas: Is that what he calls himself now? I made a Dragon and sent him ahead to announce my arrival, certainly. Allow me to demonstrate.

-the tendrils arc out, spearing a Makhai and a Reaper, and then join together, forming a circuit-

Morgan: What.

Liz: Remember how I said that most fused Spirits are made due to strange magic? This is the kind of thing I mean. Get back.

-Morgan does, and Liz steps between the arcs of magic and the various Magicians and Spirits, spreading her wings. There’s a flicker, and suddenly, where there were two Spirits, there’s one-

-It’s dressed in red and black armor, with a ragged cloak over it. It’s taller than either the Reaper or Makhai, and it has an impassive, undistinguishing face made from a deep red metal-

Morgan: What is that?

Liz: A Valkyrie.

Nicholas: I’ll leave you to deal with that while I get myself some lunch. Assuming any are left surviving, please send your Magicians to the forest within the next 24 hours. Ta.

-off he goes. The Valkyrie stares at the assembled Magicians-

Valkyrie: Wait, so…who do I work for?

Zaresi: Whom.

Vorn: Me.

Zaresi: Excuse you?

Laura: Actually, it would be “for whom do I work”…but maybe this isn’t the time.

Valkyrie: Um…

Zaresi: You work for me. Come here, please.

Vorn: Get over here!

-the Valkyrie twitches slightly, looking between the two goddesses-

-and then crouches-

Valkyrie: Actually, I think I’m meant to kill you both. Sorry.

Morgan: Uh-oh.

Liz: Zaresi?

Zaresi: If you would.

-the Valkyrie tenses-

-and Liz strikes, sending dozens of feathers flying towards it. The Valkyrie generates a pair of bracers, one red and one black, and uses them to ward off the feathers, the resulting detonation shrouding it in smoke-

Liz: Don’t let it get close, it can kill you with a touch!

-she leans back as the Valkyrie bursts from the smoke, its claws coming within an inch of her face and trailing Death in their wake. She reaches up and grabs the Valkyrie’s arm. Immediately, Death magic starts seeping down towards Liz-

Morgan: No!

Liz: Buddy, what do they teach you about biting off more than you can chew?

-suddenly, her arm rearranges itself into the shape of a sigil, a strangely-pitched hum emitting from it-

-and the magic reverses itself, tearing the Valkyrie apart instantly-

Liz: It’s too bad Spirits don’t leave a body behind. Would have loved to have sent that to Nicky.

Morgan: I cannot believe I didn’t get a picture of that.

Evan: Under normal circumstances, I would point out that Spirits don’t show up in pictures and that you’re an idiot. But…I think I need to make a ritual to fix that.

Liz: Gratifying.

-she grins and walks off. Morgan makes an attempt to catch Laura’s eye before catching herself and looking away-

-meanwhile, everyone else is staring with varying expressions-

Zaresi: So. We have seen what Nicholas is willing to do.

Vorn: But do we fear him?!

All Makhai: We do not!

Zaresi: …Reapers?

-there is some vague muttering-

Vorn: You really are an inspiration to your troops, Zaresi.

Zaresi: Silence.

Erian: Can I make the speech?

Vorn: No.

-she turns to everyone-

Vorn: Nicholas has asked us for our Magicians. We will go to him, and we will tell him to come and take them!

-the Makhai and Janice cheer. Richard nods grimly. Evan, Laura, Morgan, and the Reapers seem indifferent-

Erian: …You cribbed that from 300.

Vorn: Shut up!

Zaresi: I cannot lie, this fight will be dangerous. While I would prefer to have all of you involved, if anyone steps out now, that is their right.

Vorn: Not on my end. You’re in this for the long haul.

Erian: …Forecasters, you’re sticking around, right?

-they nod-

-Morgan and Laura step forwards. Evan, on the other hand, does not-

Zaresi: Ah. Yes. You may go.

Laura: Evan. Are you serious?

Evan: I wouldn’t be much help in a fight this big. My bag of tricks only runs so deep.

Morgan: You’re just going to chicken out now?

-Evans’ face twists for a moment-

Evan: Okay, Morgan. Have you ever created a ritual?

Morgan: Um, no? They always blow up in my face.

Evan: Then you don’t know anything about me.

-and he stalks off-

Morgan: …Asshole.

Zaresi: Now.

Vorn: Let the war council begin!

-some time later, Morgan arrives at home-

Holly: Hey, Morgan. Someone was here looking for you earlier. Did you make friends with any missionaries earlier?

Morgan: Um…no.

Holly: I sort of thought.

Morgan: Hey, you know I love you, right?

Holly: You say that an awful lot.

Morgan: I always mean it.

Holly: If you say so.

-Morgan ruffles Holly’s hair, passes by her, and sighs-

-cut to Morgan back in the graveyard. It’s now late evening-

Morgan: Hey, creepy angel statue. I know that you’re actually just a part-time vessel for Zaresi’s voice, but we’ve still had some great conversations in the past. So…maybe you can settle something for me.

-she sits down in front of the statue-

Morgan: I keep getting into situations where I’m risking my life. I’ve nearly died twice in the past few months alone, and tomorrow, I’m going to do it again.

-she shrugs-

Zaresi: You certainly are.

-Morgan turns around to see Zaresi behind her. Unlike her usual appearance, she’s taken on the form of a young woman, only slightly older than Morgan, wearing a neat black cloak and with freakishly pale skin, eyes, and hair-

Morgan: Oh. You…look nice.

Zaresi: I cannot be a grim specter all the time.

-she sits down in front of the angel statue-

Zaresi: Everyone reaches this point eventually, you know. The thrill of magic use can only sustain one for so long. Laura mentioned to me that you had been concerned with your work consuming your life, so I thought I should talk with you.

-she places a hand on Morgan’s shoulder-

Zaresi: Past a certain point, I can no longer really call debts into the equation. Any favors you might owe me have long since been paid back, so if you wanted to, I suppose you could go your own way.

Morgan: …I could?

Zaresi: I offered an out of fighting Nicholas, and I would offer you a similar out from my servitude.

-she tilts her head-

Zaresi: But I have to ask. Would you take it?

-Morgan’s eyes widen-

Zaresi: You agreed to fight Nicholas, which nobody is making you do. Why?

-pause-

Morgan: I fought a Reaper to save Quinn. I agreed to work for you to save Holly. And I don’t want to go with Nicholas or see anyone else go with him, so I’ll fight him too so he can’t destroy the town.

Zaresi: Why?

Morgan: …To keep people safe.

Zaresi: Why?

Morgan: …Because that’s what I want to do. I want to keep everyone safe. My family, my friends…everyone. I won’t let anyone hurt them.

Zaresi: Then you will stay?

Morgan: Yeah.

-she summons her scythe-

Morgan: Let’s go kick some Sorcerer butt.

-Zaresi smiles-

-cut to outside the forest, the next day. Nicholas has gathered up his Magicians. One of them, a young woman, steps up to him-

Woman: Lord, are they not coming?

-Nicholas strokes her head-

Nicholas: We must always hold out hope, my dear Martha.

-a figure appears in front of them. It’s Liz-

Nicholas: Hello?

Liz: Hey, Nicky. I’m here to accept your surrender.

Nicholas: …Pardon me?

Liz: In writing is preferred, but a verbal agreement will suffice if you leave now.

Nicholas: How dare you?

Liz: Really? You come here and make your demands, and you ask how dare I? Men, honestly.

-Martha immediately leaps forwards, hurling a column of flame at Liz, who casually steps aside, spreading her wings, taking flight, and hurling feathers at the Magician. Another one of Nicholas’s followers steps forward, and a wall of rock intercepts the feathers. Martha smashes through it, to find Liz gone-

Martha: Where the hell are you? Come back here so I can burn you to the ground!

Janice: You want to burn Liz too? I thought we had something!

-Janice, Laura, and Morgan sprint onto the scene, all three of them opening fire on Martha. She parries with a wall of flames-

Martha: Jonathan! Get them!

-the other follower grunts and steps forwards, slamming his palms into the ground. A pillar of rock emerges, pointing towards the three, but Janice pulverizes it with a stream of bullets. Laura, meanwhile, lunges at Jonathan, who is forced to step back to dodge. Janice returns to focusing fire on Martha, and Morgan circles around to catch a glimpse of Nicholas, but is intercepted by two of his followers, and begins dueling them-

Nicholas: What are you waiting for? Kill them!

-however, as Nicholas’s forces start to advance, bolts of lightning start to strike around them. A howling wind keeps them off-balance, and hail begins to pour down-

-pan up to the Forecasters, who are floating above the battlefield, casting spells-

Forecaster #2: Fair is foul, and foul is fair, hover through the fog and filthy air!

Forecaster #1: …No.

Forecaster #3: Please keep your foolishness to yourself.

-Pan back down. Nicholas’s forces are in disarray-

-meanwhile, Richard walks up, hurling down a piece of paper-

Richard: Tiamat! Come out and play!

-light streams out of the paper, arranging itself into the shape of a massive serpentine dragon, which tramples through Nicholas’s Magicians, scattering them-

Morgan: I have never been this in awe of anything in my life.

-Janice is grinning wildly-

Janice: That’s Richard for you!

Morgan’s Opponent: Excuse me, but aren’t you going to pay attention to your fight?

Morgan: Eh. Not seeing a compelling reason. Besides…

-and the Reapers and Makhai join the fight, crashing against Nicholas’s forces and shattering them-

-at which point, one of Nicholas’s Magicians flickers, and is replaced by Liz-

Liz: Thanks for the distraction, everyone.

-her fingers elongate into long blades, wrapping around the other Magicians’ throats-

Liz: Hey, Nicholas! Look what I’ve got?

-Nicholas examines the situation. His entire entourage is now held at Lizpoint, a storm is disrupting outgoing spells, and there’s a dragon wreaking havoc-

Nicholas: Well-played.

Liz: I’m ready to accept your surrender any time.

Nicholas: I have a different plan.

-he points a finger at the dragon tulpa, and a beam of Death magic blasts it into nothingness-

Liz: Well, if you insist.

-Liz slashes the throats of everyone she’s holding. Morgan is shocked for a moment, but she follows the others in charging Nicholas-

Nicholas: Unfortunate.

-he waves a hand, and a massive gust of wind forces the others back, forming barriers that repel the storm. He flicks another hand, and bolts of War magic strike the Forecasters out of the sky as he marches forward-

Morgan: Hey!

-she rushes Nicholas, swinging scythes, but he parries them with green branches-

Nicholas: You Magicians really are laughable. One Domain at a time?

-he knocks Morgan aside as well, followed by Janice, Richard, and Laura-

Nicholas: It’s sad. This is why I’ll be your new god.

-he walks up to Liz, who stares at him-

Nicholas: Well?

Liz: Well, what? Your people are dead.

Nicholas: Not yet.

-he holds out his palms, green light streaming out of them. Liz spreads her wings, but it’s not an attack. The light soaks into Nicholas’s forces…and they stand back up-

Morgan: What.

Liz: …Life magic.

Nicholas: Life magic.

Liz: Damn it.

-attacks begin coming again from all sides-

Morgan: Did we just get surrounded?

Liz: Not to put too fine a point on it…yes.

Morgan: Oh.

-everyone puts up barriers, but it’s clear they’re about to give out. Nicholas strides up-

Nicholas: It’s a shame you weren’t willing to take my first offer. Let me show you my second.

-and he fires a stream of white light into the barriers, piercing them instantly-

-there’s a flash of light-

-and everyone’s gone-

Morgan: Wha—where are we?

Liz: We’re in…a parking lot. That doesn’t make any…oh. Oh.

???: Everybody gets one.

-a woman appears out of nowhere. She has dark skin and hair, and is wearing an electric blue dress-

Liz: Novju?

Morgan: …That’s Novju?

Novju: The same.

Liz: You claimed to have no active worshippers.

Novju: (in a slightly irritated tone) I don’t. What I do have is a large passive worshipper base. Death and war may affect many, but everyone needs parking. So I offered a hand.

Liz: Under normal circumstances, I might point out that your direct interference is in stark violation of the Convocation. But…thank you for the save.

Novju: Don’t expect another.

-and she vanishes, leaving behind some papers-

Morgan: …Are those parking tickets?

Liz: …Hm.

-she walks off-

Morgan: That was perhaps the strangest thing I have seen today.

Evan: Really? That’s disappointing.

Morgan: Oh. Of course you’re here.

Evan: I’m not happy about it either. How’s the fight going?

Morgan: We pretty much got stomped.

Evan: Sucks to be you.

Morgan: Maybe it would have gone better if you’d been helping.

-Evan yawns-

Evan: Maybe it would have gone better if you and Laura were willing to talk. Really, get it together.

Morgan: Are you serious?

Evan: Besides, I’m fighting this time.

Morgan: Dare we dream?

-he twirls his knife-

Evan: It’s going to work this time. Guaranteed. All I need is for the rest of you to provide me a distraction.

Morgan: …You can’t be serious.

Evan: Excuse you?

Morgan: Since we have met, I have never once seen you treat anyone with anything less than total disdain. Do you have friends I don’t know about that put up with this? Do you have a single redeeming feature?

Evan: Are you going somewhere with this?

Morgan: You wipe people’s minds for fun, you sit out important fights when we’re already outnumbered, and now that you’re actually fighting, you want the rest of us to cover for you? I don’t know what kind of egocentric jackass world you live in but it’s over! You want to fight, you fight, or you stay out like you were doing before and let someone with some guts handle things!

-there’s a pause-

Evan: (coolly) Are you done?

Morgan: For now.

-Evan looks from side to side-

Evan: Sorry.

Morgan: What?

Evan: Sorry, I said. I…I should probably just show you.

-he holds out his arms. Upon closer inspection, they’re covered with scars-

Morgan: Evan…

Evan: I admit it. I’m not a fighter like you or Laura. I can’t channel as much magic as either of you; that’s the real reason I stick to rituals so much. I can keep up with a Makhai or two, and maybe even hold my own against Janice, but against an army of Magicians, I’m not worth the space I’m taking up.

-he takes out his knife to show it to Morgan-

Evan: I’ve been working nonstop on this ritual since Nicholas got here, but in order to make it, I need to give up a little blood. And to make it over and over again as many times as I have…

-he sighs-

Morgan: I had no idea.

Evan: Confidential missions are confidential for a reason. I know this ritual is going to work this time, and no matter how much magic Nicholas gathered up, it will kill him. But the only way I’m going to find out is if I can get close to Nicholas, and I can’t do that without help.

-there’s another pause-

Morgan: You’ve got it.

-she steps forward and hugs Evan-

-as she lets go, his mask returns, and his face returns to his usual grin-

Evan: So, Morgan. If we make it out of here, will you put in a good word for me with your sister?

Morgan: …Don’t push it.

Evan: Well, what are we waiting for? We’ve got a war to win.

-cut to the battle lines reforming. Evan is standing between Laura and Morgan, who are determinedly not looking at each other-

Evan: I just want you both to know that if we die here…

Morgan: It’s been an honor.

Evan: I was just going to say it’ll really suck. Yours is probably better, though.

-Nicholas enters the garage, flanked by his Magicians. He’s holding on to Forecaster #2 and another Spirit, which resembles a young, vaguely human figure wearing bright pink-

Nicholas: I thought you might not be dead. Fortunately, I caught these two along the way.

Morgan: What’s with the Plastic?

Evan: Nymph. Love Spirit. Nalis won’t be happy.

-there’s a flash, and the two Spirits become one, a parasol-toting feminine figure dressed in pink and pale blue. The other two Forecasters wince-

Nicholas: What to call a Spirit of Weather and Love…how about a Bus Stop?

Morgan: Really?

Nicholas: I’m a god, not a namer.

Evan: You’re neither, actually.

Nicholas: Who are you again?

Evan: Okay, let’s kill him.

-Evan sprints straight forward. The Bus Stop moves to intercept him, but is itself intercepted by Liz and a tulpa in the shape of a massive knight. It lashes out at the two with gusts of wind and streams of pink ribbons, Liz parrying with her wings and Richard standing behind the knight-

-Martha then gets in Evan’s way, grabbing his arm-

Martha: You will not touch Lord Nicholas!

Evan: Please. Some loser calling himself a god? I’ll do what I like.

-he grabs a small pouch from his pocket, and upends it, pouring out sand-

Evan: Pitohui!

-the sand glows black and whirls around Martha’s arm, burning into it. She shrieks and lets go of Evan, who immediately ducks into Nicholas’s troops-

Janice: Okay, you two, are we really going to let Evan be cooler than us?

-They sprint forward, opening fire on Martha, but Jonathan steps in front, catching the bullets with a wall of stone. Morgan and Laura glance at each other, look away, and follow after. Laura spins her spheres around the wall, but Martha blocks them. Morgan, meanwhile, uses a scythe to lever herself over the wall, and goes right for Nicholas-

Janice: Kick his ass for me!

Laura: (softly) Be careful.

-as Nicholas’s other Magicians move forward, they’re interrupted by the collected Spirits-

Iggy: Where are you going?

Magician #1: Step aside, Spirit.

Iggy: I’d love to but unfortunately I’m under orders…

-Iggy summons a longsword made of Death magic, and begins to duel the Magician, gradually drawing him and the other followers out of the garage-

-meanwhile, Morgan rushes Nicholas, summoning a scythe and swinging it, but Nicholas deflects it with a branch of Life magic-

Nicholas: Attacking me on your own? Brave of you.

Morgan: You’re nothing special.

Nicholas: You’re quite wrong there.

-Nicholas conjures up a thorny vine of pink light, which twists around Morgan’s scythe, casually yanking it out of her hands-

Morgan: Hey!

-she sidesteps as he swings her own scythe at her, conjuring up another one to fight with-

Nicholas: Magicians are pigeonholed, you know. The only thing your magic might possibly be worthwhile having for is to serve me. It seems only logical that that’s why it’s there.

-he summons a snakelike whip, catching the scythe. Suddenly, the energy of the scythe reverses itself, and Morgan yelps in pain, dismissing the weapon-

Nicholas: I have so many ways to kill you. The hardest thing about this fight is deciding how I want to go about it, really. Lightning?

-he casts a series of lightning bolts at Morgan. She runs out of the way as they splinter the ground around her-

Nicholas: Or perhaps…

-Nicholas places a hand on the ground, and the ground shatters in a straight line, forcing Morgan to stop cold-

Nicholas: Oh, have you ever been caught out in a snowstorm?

-he swings out his other hand, and a wall of ice cuts Morgan off in the other direction-

Nicholas: Your gods are outmoded.

-a gust of wind echoes between the two barriers, knocking Morgan to the ground-

Nicholas: If you won’t join my garden, then you can join the rest of the past and die.

-flickers of pure magic accumulate, forming into a spear-

-cut to Laura and Janice vs. Martha and Jonathan. Laura looks to the side, and sees Nicholas gaining the upper hand against Morgan-

Laura: No!

Martha: Eyes on your own opponent.

-Martha forms a fireball, and Laura ducks it, sizing up the situation as Janice raises a rifle and Martha forms a wall of fire to block the incoming shot-

Laura: …You know what, you’re the smaller problem here. Janice, can you take rock guy?

Janice: I’ve never been this insulted. Obviously I can.

Laura: Good.

-and she slashes her spheres through the air, gathering Death magic into them. The spheres strike Martha’s flames, which instantly gutter out-

-and then they strike Martha…-

-who drops like a puppet with her strings cut-

-Laura barely seems to pay attention to this however, still watching Nicholas-

Laura: This is going to suck.

-and she sprints at full tilt between Morgan and Nicholas, forming a barrier and taking the spear-

-she’s sent flying, crashes to the ground, and doesn’t move-

Morgan: Laura!

-she stares at Laura, before looking back at Nicholas, who sighs and conjures up another spear-

Flashback!

Morgan: …Because that’s what I want to do. I want to keep everyone safe. My family, my friends…everyone. I won’t let anyone hurt them.

End flashback!

-Morgan turns to Nicholas, scythe after scythe flashing into existence around her-

Morgan: Nicholas, your actions stand in violation of something something something I’m going to kill you.

Nicholas: That’s exciting.

-and she lunges, using the scythes as grappling hooks to move quickly. Nicholas parries with thorny vines and snakes, but this time the other scythes simply cut through them before they can get any offense done. She brings another scythe to slash at him, and he vanishes in a burst of blue light-

-Morgan swears, and sprints out of the garage-

-meanwhile, Richard and Liz are still dueling the Bus Stop-

-until Morgan slashes it into particles offhand-

Liz: …Handy.

Richard: Did she have to destroy the tulpa too?

-outside of the garage, Morgan catches up to Nicholas, using a scythe as a hook to change directions and slashing at him again. He deflects it with War magic and teleports again, to the top of a building, but Morgan vaults onto it and continues her pursuit-

Morgan: Get back here!

Nicholas: Aren’t you worried about giving something away?

Morgan: The only one who should be worried here is you!

-slashy slash-

-Morgan bats Nicholas off of the roof, and then into the ground. She lands easily, using her scythes as springboards-

-she stands up, spreading out dozens of scythes and slashing at Nicholas from multiple angles. He puts up barriers to stop them, but they keep coming-

Morgan: You think you can just waltz in and take whatever you want? Well, take this!

-slash-

-and suddenly, Quinn comes around the corner. She freezes. Morgan sees her, and freezes as well-

Morgan: …Quinn? What are you doing?

Quinn: …What are you doing?

Morgan: …You have to run. Now. I’ll explain later.

-she does-

-Morgan turns back to Nicholas, and is immediately blasted into a wall by a stream of War magic. She picks herself back up, summoning more scythes, but her distraction has given Nicholas an advantage. He continues firing attacks, starting to overwhelm Morgan-

-when a streak of pink light appears out of nowhere, striking one of the attacks and diverting it off to the side-

Nicholas: Wha—

-he looks to the side, but nothing’s there. Meanwhile, Morgan’s recuperated-

-scythes everywhere. So many scythes. Scythes growing out of the ground, out of Morgan, even, somewhat awkwardly, out of Nicholas. The Sorcerer is instantly on the defensive, overwhelmed and about to be turned into a light pink smoothie-

-Morgan gasps-

-and crumples to the ground, the scythes disappearing-

Nicholas: Well then.

-he stands up-

Nicholas: You really are powerful. But even you are vulnerable to the inherent weakness of any Magician. A shame, but such is life.

-he casually kicks Morgan, forming another spear of magic-

Nicholas: Or in this case, death.

???: You’re so right.

-and a knife goes through his back-

Evan: As distractions go, A+ for commitment. You really are good at those.

Morgan: …What?

Evan: Now, let’s see this works this time around, shall we? Necrosyrtes.

-Once again, the black aura forms…-

-And a stream of light flows from Nicholas into the knife. He disintegrates into dust.-

Evan: I think I can officially label this ritual a success.

-he offers Morgan a hand-

Morgan: …I hate to admit it, but that was impressive.

Evan: Wasn’t it?

Morgan: Hey, did you see whoever cast that spell?

Evan: What spell?

Morgan: Just a moment ago. I got distracted, and Nicholas was going to kill me, but a pink arrow came out of nowhere and deflected his spell. Love magic, right?

Evan: …Huh, really? I guess Nalis must have been annoyed over his Nymph.

-he shrugs-

Evan: Speaking of unexpected, though, we should probably find that friend of yours and mind-wipe her before she gives anything away.

-Morgan’s eyes go wide-

Morgan: …Should we?

-Evan tilts his head, looking around at the battlefield. Aside from a small crack in the pavement where Morgan batted Nicholas into the ground, there’s very little signs of battle-

Evan: You know what? I’m feeling nice today. If you can explain yourself decently, I’ll pass on the wipe. Just make it snappy.

-and Morgan sprints off-

-she finds Quinn a block or two away-

Quinn: Morgan! Are you okay?

Morgan: Yeah, I’m just fine. Me and Nicholas worked out our differences and he left town.

-Quinn blinks. Morgan makes a passable attempt at a smile-

Quinn: …Huh.

Morgan: Everything’s okay.

Quinn: That’s…good.

-beat-

-Morgan hugs Quinn. Quinn seems a little surprised, but hugs Morgan back-

Morgan: I’m glad you’re my friend, you know that, right?

Quinn: I do know that, but also you are crushing me to death.

-Morgan lets go-

Morgan: Whoops.

Quinn: …Did you want to talk about something?

Morgan: Just checking in.

-she boops Quinn’s head-

Morgan: I’ll see you around, okay?

Quinn: Yeah.

-Morgan walks away, rejoining Evan around the corner-

Morgan: Well?

Evan: …Yeah, it’s all good.

-cut to Morgan and Laura sitting in a hospital, Laura in a bed and Morgan on a chair. They’re not saying anything-

Evan: You two seem gloomy.

-neither responds-

Evan: I’m not sure what you’ve got to mope about. We won!

Laura: Well, I do sort of hurt everywhere.

Evan: Are you really so surprised? You broke literally every bone in your body. You’d be very dead if not for…well, let me show you.

-he holds up a bell jar, filled with glowing white light-

Laura: …Is that—

Evan: 200 ccs of Nicholas Langer.

-he breaks into a wide, only slightly wicked grin-

Evan: The ritual worked! Even better than I thought! Not only did it drain all the magic out of Old Nick, it actually managed to store it for future use! All I have to do is a little ritual, and I can even make this into other kinds of magic! Fire—

-he shakes the jar, and flames flicker out of it-

Evan: Death—

-he shakes it again, and it glows black-

Evan: And most importantly, Life!

-and it glows green-

Evan: I patched you up nice and good. No need to thank me, I’m doing it for the art.

Laura: Thank you anyway.

Evan: Seriously, if it hadn’t been an interesting test of all this magic, I’d have let you die.

Laura: You’re welcome to stop talking.

Evan: Whatever. Anyway, the day is saved, thanks to me.

-Iggy passes by-

Iggy: You know, I’m the one who got rid of Nicholas’s Magicians by leading them into the forest so the Fae could eat them…

Evan: Oh, shut up, Iggy. They all lost their Contracts after Nicholas died, and now we can’t even recruit them.

-Iggy sighs and drifts away-

Evan: Speaking of which, I should probably go over there and see what’s salvageable.

-beat-

Evan: Or at least recognizable. See you!

-he skips away-

Laura: …He came by earlier to leave me a magical alarm clock just out of reach. I had to get Liz to smash it for me.

-Morgan laughs-

Laura: It was playing “Small World” on vuvuzela. I don’t even know how he got his hands on that.

Morgan: …So I guess we’re talking again?

Laura: I guess we are. What brought this on?

Morgan: Well, nothing like a good near-death experience to force you to reanalyze your priorities, right?

Laura: You have a point.

-pause-

Morgan: Okay, I know you were kind of out of it, but was I or was I not awesome?

Laura: I heard you were pretty damn awesome.

-there’s another pause-

Morgan: Laura, I’m sorry about what I said. I know I’ve been difficult, and complicated, and I’ve acted like I didn’t want to be here, but I’m here to protect people. My family, my friends…and you.

Laura: …Are we not friends now?

-beat-

-Morgan leans in and kisses Laura-

Morgan: …

Laura: …Oh.

Morgan: …Yeah.

Laura: …Are we going to talk about that one?

Morgan: Talking wasn’t quite what I had in mind.

-they kiss again-

Laura: You know, I’m not totally sure how I feel about you only ever kissing me after we’ve almost died.

Morgan: Then ask me again tomorrow.

-she winks. Laura flushes-

Laura: I don’t know if I really want to wait that long.

-Morgan smiles-

Morgan: Works for me.

-they kiss again as the scene fades out-

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Chapter 6

Next week’s update may come somewhat late.

All That We See or Seem of a White Christmas

-Morgan is asleep, when there’s a rapping on her window. She sits up-

Laura: Morgen, Morgan.

Morgan: Augh! What are you doing here?!

Laura: Oh, thank goodness, it’s actually you. I got your sister last time, she was kind of freaked out.

Morgan: I’m kind of freaked out! What’s going on? It can’t be more than four in the morning!

Laura: Well, there’s a problem.

Morgan: There certainly is.

Laura: Morgan, we’ve got a white Christmas.

-there’s a long silence-

Morgan: What?

Laura: See, Evan and I were outside early, going over the place where we fought Eneril.

Morgan: What? Why?

Laura: Looking for clues about where Eneril came from. Dragons don’t just show up out of nowhere, you know. Usually they’re created by a Magician, and usually by accident.

Morgan: Oh. Did you find anything?

Laura: That’s not the point! While we were there…well, look!

-Morgan does. Outside, there’s snow everywhere-

Morgan: …So, when you said we had a white Christmas, you literally meant that we were having a white Christmas.

Laura: Yes!

Morgan: That’s great! It hardly ever snows here.

Laura: Exactly. This is Erian’s work.

Morgan: …Wait.

Laura: Waiting.

Morgan: It snowed on Christmas.

Laura: Yes.

Morgan: And your immediate conclusion was that the Weather goddess is behind it.

Laura: She had a fight with Nalis last week. It’s pretty much her standard pattern to throw a tantrum and pull something big.

Morgan: Just to reiterate, you think that she’s doing this by making it snow on Christmas.

Laura: It’s smart when you think about it. It’s not so weird that it draws everyone’s attention, but it still nets her a lot of power, from all the kids playing in the snow and the adults hoping it’ll clear up so they can go about their days.

Morgan: …Right. Do we have to fight, then?

Laura: Huh?

Morgan: I’m just saying, maybe we don’t need to be in danger today? How about we just go build a snowman or something?

Laura: That would be a betrayal of everything we stand for as servants of Zaresi. I’d probably have to have Evan kill you.

-Morgan laughs nervously. Laura manages to maintain a poker face for about five seconds-

Morgan: …Okay, explain to me one more time, like I’m five. Snow is a bad thing…why?

Laura: Gods aren’t really supposed to mess with the natural order of things. That’s how the wars got started last time. What Erian’s doing now violates the Convocations in a major way, like Vorn’s little power plays but on a way bigger scale, and we have to shut it down before people start to notice.

Morgan: Wow. Never knew snow was such a big deal.

Laura: Well, now you know.

Morgan: If you say so.

-beat-

Morgan: …So, uh, can I have a little privacy? I’ll be out in a bit.

-Laura blushes-

Laura: Right. I’ll do that.

-Cut to Morgan, now dressed, outside with Laura-

Morgan: Hey, so, um, about what we talked about the other day—

Laura: Don’t worry about it. Things are fine.

Morgan: Oh.

-there’s an awkward silence-

Morgan: Uh, did Holly say anything about you showing up?

Laura: She was a little surprised that I was there so early, but she figured I was just picking you up for something. She…thinks we’re dating, right?

Morgan: Oh.

-beat-

Morgan: Right.

Laura: …Right.

-neither seems especially pleased-

Morgan: Okay, so what do we need to do?

Laura: Erian doesn’t have any Magicians working for her, but she has three subordinate Spirits called Forecasters. Normally not a threat, but Erian’s juiced them up with the power she’s getting from this storm, and she’s working through them to keep the ritual going. If we take them out of the picture, we can use them as a bargaining chip to get Erian to stand down and we can all enjoy our Christmas.

Morgan: Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go kick some Forecaster butt.

Laura: Well, actually…

Morgan: …I don’t like that look.

Laura: Zaresi and Vorn agreed to put aside a reasonable percentage of their differences.

Morgan: What.

Laura: And Evan and I are working with Richard.

Morgan: But—

Laura: And Liz is off on her own tracking down Erian…

Morgan: So that would mean—

Laura: …And Iggy and the rest of the Reapers are taking Christmas break.

Morgan: Wait, you can’t—

Laura: Which means—

Janice: Hey, dry bones!

-the two turn to see Janice skipping over-

Morgan: …You cannot be serious.

Laura: I am.

Janice: She is! Ready to go hunting, Morgan?

Morgan: There is no way I’m working with you! You shot me!

Janice: Yeah, so? I’ve shot pretty much everyone.

Laura: You kind of stop taking it personally after a bit. It’s the explosives you want to watch out for.

Morgan: Wait, what?

-Janice beams-

Janice: They’re my specialty!

Laura: I’m just saying, Janice, we don’t all take our work home with us. You don’t see me throwing vials of disease at you.

-Morgan’s eyes widen-

Janice: Hmph. I hardly do that anymore.

Laura: But getting shot? That’s sort of par for the course. They shot me once while we were still dating, even. Remember that?

-Morgan’s head pingpongs back and forth-

Janice: You weren’t any better.

Morgan: What.

Janice: We’re all just doing our jobs. You hit me with your scythe, remember?

Morgan: Only after you literally shot me.

Janice: Semi-literally. It was a magical construction.

Morgan: That doesn’t make it better!

Janice: Point is, it’s all water under the bridge.

Morgan: Is it?

Laura: We’re still having the social in March, right?

Janice: You’re bringing the pizza?

Laura: ‘Course. Where are Richard and Evan?

Janice: Down by town hall.

Laura: See you, then. Good luck, you two. Don’t kill each other or anything.

Janice: Why would you make such impositions?

Laura: …Uh, yeah. Vaya con Dios, Morgan.

-she runs off-

Janice: So. We’re good?

-Morgan looks horrified-

Morgan: …Are we?

Janice: Oh, I was just kidding about the killing you thing.

-they grin. Morgan doesn’t seem entirely convinced-

Morgan: …I guess for now.

Janice: Then let’s go find a weather witch!

-cut to the two wandering through town-

Morgan: So, um. If building a snowman gives power to Erian, does that mean I can’t have crushes on anyone without betraying Zaresi to Nalis?

Janice: Who told you that?

Morgan: …Uh, never mind.

Janice: Why? Interested? You’re cute and all, but you’re not exactly my type.

Morgan: I don’t think I’d date anyone who shot me once.

Janice: I am sorry about that.

Morgan: Let’s just not talk about it.

Janice: Sounds good to me.

-beat-

Janice: I’m not really that sorry. It doesn’t look like there was any permanent damage.

Morgan: What part of not talking about it escaped you?

Janice: Just figured you could use some closure on the whole thing~

Morgan: Nope. All good.

Janice: If you insist!

-Janice continues strolling alongside Morgan-

Morgan: …So. Did you and Laura really use to date?

Janice: It wasn’t really serious. Dating outside of the magic community can be kind of difficult, so you see a lot of that. Especially in little towns like this one. We broke up though; she said it was getting too awkward. Not sure why.

Morgan: I…can’t imagine.

Janice: …Wait. Wait! I get it now!

Morgan: I—

Janice: Aww, you two would be cute together.

Morgan: Hey! I never said—

Janice: You have a pretty expressive face.

-Morgan is indeed bright red, though as she’s called out on this the blush fades-

Morgan: That’s not right at all!

Janice: Isn’t it?

Morgan: I’m not looking for that kind of thing, okay? I have my own friends. On the normal side of things.

Janice: Doesn’t sound like an issue of friendship to me.

Morgan: It wouldn’t work out.

Janice: If you’re sure.

Morgan: I am.

-time passes-

Morgan: So what do these Forecasters look like?

Janice: Think Mary Poppins with weather magic.

Morgan: Didn’t she already have weather magic?

Janice: I knew those books were propaganda for something.

Morgan: You might be reading too much into it.

Janice: I am reasonably positive that I am not.

Morgan: If you’re su—

Janice: Move!

-the air crackles, and Janice tackles Morgan aside as a lightning bolt strikes-

Morgan: Augh!

Janice: Calm down.

Morgan: Isn’t lightning supposed to strike the highest point around?

Janice: Yes, it is. Which means we’ve got company.

-the air starts to crackle again, and the two scatter-

Morgan: So where’s the Forecaster?

Janice: You have no grasp of tactics, do you?

-they flick a hand, and a machine gun forms-

Janice: Get yourself ready.

-Morgan conjures her scythe, looking around-

-crackle-

-the two spin around, but the next bolt knocks them flat. Janice picks themself up first, and opens fire in a random direction, but hits nothing but snow-

Janice: This is ridiculous. What kind of asshole Spirit won’t even show its nonexistent face?

Morgan: Well, that last shot hit us both, which means it wasn’t coming from the alleyways.

Janice: Huh?

Morgan: It was from up there.

-she points into the sky. Janice’s face lights up-

Janice: Roofhopping!

-they conjure up more guns, pointing them in different directions-

Janice: I knew I was keeping you around for something.

Morgan: Excuse me?

Janice: Eh, you know what I mean.

-Janice opens fire, explosions creating plumes of steam across the roofs of the buildings-

-until one of them strikes something. There’s an explosion of electricity, and a figure is revealed-

Morgan: …Wow.

-the figure leaps off the side of the building and drifts down. Closer inspection reveals it as a feminine figure with no face, wearing what appears to be a wide, ornate dress. It carries an umbrella with a pattern of lightningbolts on it-

Morgan: …Mary Poppins. Seeing it now.

-Janice and Morgan aim their weapons at the Forecaster, who cocks its head, twirling the umbrella as lightning crackles around it-

Forecaster #1: Janice. Laura.

Morgan: Um, I’m Morgan. You’ve got the wrong Death Magician.

Forecaster #1: Close enough. I suppose you’re here to try and capture me?

Morgan: Actually, we’re here to roast some chestnuts and spin a dreidel.

Forecaster #1: Hmm. I think I’ll speak to Janice.

Janice: There are rules about this kind of thing. You know them, Erian knows them, and they got broken anyway. Morgan, what’s that annoying thing you guys say?

Morgan: Understand that your actions here today stand in violation of the Divine Convocation?

Janice: That, yeah. Hey, Sparky, listen to her, okay?

Forecaster #1: Hmm. And if I have a different op—

-it cuts itself off by firing a lightning bolt at Morgan from the tip of its parasol. Morgan, startled, doesn’t move-

-one of Janice’s guns moves to block the shot-

Janice: Do you mind getting it together, Morgan?

Morgan: Excuse me if I’m used to fighting Makhai and you.

-the Forecaster fires another bolt, but Morgan parries this one with her scythe-

Morgan: So do we get to the good bit now?

-Janice grins-

Janice: Yep.

-Janice conjures another pair of handguns, and then opens fire with every weapon they have, but as the bullets approach, the Forecaster disappears in a flash of lightning-

Morgan: Behind you!

-Morgan spins around as a bolt comes from behind, and slashes it apart with her scythe before it can touch Janice-

Janice: You know, that’s not nearly as cool as when War magic hits Weather magic.

Morgan: …Okay?

-she parries another bolt, and tracks it back to a rooftop-

Morgan: That is shockingly fast.

Janice: Maybe don’t do the banter thing.

-They run off-

Janice: Morgan, I need a distraction!

Morgan: Sure, no need to tell me your plan or anything. Uh…hey, mannequin, distraction!

-this is punctuated by hurling her scythe. The Forecaster flickers out of the way, and retaliates with a lightningbolt, which Morgan blocks with a new scythe-

Morgan: You know, I love your work in department stores.

-Morgan launches a wire, which sprouts a scythe head and twists around, slicing at the Forecaster from behind. It blocks with its umbrella, and Morgan rushes it, slashing another scythe at its front. A wall of lightning appears, cutting her off-

Morgan: Not cool.

-Morgan’s scythe flickers with Death magic, and the lightning shield vanishes, as does the Forecaster-

Morgan: Even less cool.

-she conjures up multiple scythes, whirling around to block lightning bolt after lightning bolt-

Morgan: Would it kill you to stand still for a few seconds?

Forecaster #1: Do you think I’m a fool?

Morgan: Now that you mention it?

-and Janice comes sprinting in from a side alley-

Morgan: You did totally forget that there were two of us.

Janice: Tag! Forward march, sucker!

-they slam a sticker down onto the Forecaster’s shoulder, where it glows and affixes itself-

Forecaster #1: What?

Janice: 3…

Morgan: Uh, Janice?

Janice: 2…

-the Forecaster points its parasol in Janice’s face, but they don’t seem bothered-

Janice: 1…

-with a flicker of War magic, a turret sprouts up out of the ground about twenty feet behind the Forecaster, and opens fire at the sticker. The Forecaster vanishes, but as it reappears, the turret teleports with it-

Janice: Probably should have mentioned I don’t ever actually count all the way to zero. Oh well!

-the Forecaster continues teleporting, the turret following it around-

Morgan: …That’s cool.

Janice: Just cooked it up. Your Reapers are faster than I’m okay with, so it’s designed to create predictive algorithms of their movements and figure out where they’re going to be before they do. Guess it works just as well with a teleporter.

Morgan: …Surprisingly technical.

Janice: I’m sure I’ll get to try it on you some day.

-they beam. Morgan sweatdrops-

Morgan: Hopefully not any time soon…

Janice: We’ll see. Oh, one sec.

-they turn to the Forecaster, who is still desperately avoiding automated fire, and casually wing it with a hunting rifle. Morgan gulps-

-Janice takes out a ziptie and uses it to cuff the Forecaster’s hands-

Janice: At ease.

-and the Forecaster vanishes-

Morgan: Did you kill it? We’re not really supposed to do that.

Janice: It’s just contained.

Morgan: Oh, great. So is that it?

Janice: I wish. Laura told you there are three of these, right?

Morgan: Oh. So that one was lightning…

Janice: Which leaves wind and rain.

Morgan: Heigh-ho.

Janice: What?

Morgan: What?

Janice: …You gotta stop.

Morgan: Never.

Janice: Hmph. Just keep an eye out for the other two.

-at which point there’s a flurry of snow-

Janice: Gotcha!

-they conjure guns, opening fire, but once again hit nothing. Morgan similarly slashes at air as the flurry passes over the two and leaves them unscathed-

Morgan: What was that?

Janice: Probably rain.

Morgan: Felt more like sleet.

Janice: You’re not very figurative, are you? Come on, keep an eye out. We’ll see it before it sees us.

???: Unlikely.

-there’s a flicker of a humanoid shape, another Forecaster, and the two are blown apart by a strong wind-

Janice: Oh, that’s funny. Really funny.

-Morgan lands awkwardly but swings a scythe from where she’s lying on the ground. The Forecaster dodges it, and immediately turns invisible again-

Morgan: Great.

-she picks herself up, swinging her scythe, but a blade of wind bisects it and Morgan is left with a rather useless stump, which she allows to dissipate before a gust sends her skidding back-

Morgan: How are these guys so much stronger than the Makhai?

-Janice leaps to their feet, forming floating sniper rifles, which begin taking potshots, but none connect with anything-

Janice: You wouldn’t know it, but Erian’s a lot older than Vorn. She’s accumulated way more energy over time, and she doesn’t spend it nearly as freely.

Morgan: Vorn does tend to live hand-to-mouth.

Janice: Easy now.

-a blast of wind sends Janice into the air, and then a wall of wind cuts Morgan off, forcing her away from where the Forecaster presumably is-

Janice: Ow…why couldn’t we be fighting a Reaper? That’s way easier, just set up a few proximity mines and watch them blow themselves up.

-Morgan swipes a scythe at empty air, but is rewarded only by getting thrown into a wall by a blast of wind-

Morgan: …You mean, like, a ritual or something?

-the two attempt to get back into position, but walls of wind form, cutting them off-

Janice: Yeah, sure, that.

Morgan: …Wow, Laura wasn’t kidding about the explosives.

-the wind wall moves to intercept both Janice and Morgan, before twisting to slam the two into each other. They both fall to the ground-

Janice: Explosives are never a joking matter, Morgan.

Morgan: …Ow.

Janice: You going to get up?

Morgan: …Ow.

Janice: That’s respectable…

-Janice flops over-

-snow and debris begin to gather into the air, whirling faster and faster-

Janice: I can’t believe we’re about to be killed by a magical HVAC system.

Morgan: (disoriented) Sounds fine to me…

-at which point a knife flashes out of nowhere and buries itself in what is quickly revealed to be the Forecaster’s head-

Evan: Necrosyrtes!

-nothing happens. The Forecaster turns around to face Evan, the twister still moving-

Forecaster #2: Laura.

Evan: Evan. None of you ever get that right.

Forecaster #2: Like you can tell us apart.

Evan: Sure I can. You’re the annoying one.

Forecaster #2: We don’t even wear the same colors.

Evan: Well, you’re pretty invisible right now, so you can’t exactly blame me.

Forecaster #2: Only one of us turns invisible, you twit!

Evan: Sure, but which one?

Morgan: Uh, what’s going on?

Evan: Saving your life. Again. Shut up so I can do that.

Forecaster #2: Don’t get me wrong, Evan, I don’t object to you being rude to your fellow minions, but you’re not actually accomplishing anything with this little pen-knife. That useless ritual of yours failed yet again, and you know perfectly well you can’t hurt me without magic.

Evan: I guess you’re right.

Forecaster #2: Sure am.

Evan: …Actually, no. I can’t even pretend. Sorry, guys, doesn’t work.

Forecaster #2: Huh?

Evan: I stuck that knife in your head so you can’t go invisible, and also I’m not here alone. Also also, you’re not as smart as you think you are, and I am not a twit. Twit.

-a bolt of Death and War magic appears, striking the Forecaster in the back and knocking it to the ground as Richard and Laura step into the area. Laura has twin spheres floating above her, and Richard is flanked by a small, bird-shaped tulpa-

Richard: I apologize for Evan’s rudeness, but we are required to take you into custody.

-Laura, meanwhile, runs over to Morgan-

Laura: Morgan, are you okay?

Morgan: My head kind of hurts.

Laura: That’s not exactly surprising.

Janice: I’m fine too. Thanks for asking.

-Richard places a ziptie on the second Forecaster, absorbing it-

Morgan: That was not fun.

Janice: It kind of was.

Evan: It was great.

-Richard walks over-

Richard: Morgan. A pleasure to be working with you for once. Merry Christmas.

Morgan: Uh, happy Hanukkah.

-Janice immediately hops to their feet, grinning-

Janice: Hi, Richard! These two give you any trouble?

Laura: That’s really your first question?

Richard: No more than average.

-Janice glances at Evan-

Evan: What? I’ve been angelic.

Richard: Satanic may be a better descriptor.

Evan: Because you’re always so sunny and warm.

Richard: I am professional.

Evan: Yeah, a professional—

Laura: So! We got one, you got two, that makes us done, right?

Morgan: Wait, two?

Laura: Lightning and rain?

-there’s a pause-

Morgan: …We figured you got rain.

Laura: …Oh. Oh no.

-a shape drops from the sky and crashes to earth in an explosion of snow. Janice, Morgan, and Laura ready their spells, Evan pulls a slinky out of somewhere questionable, and Richard’s tulpa flies forwards-

Richard: Magicians! At the—

-a beam of light lances out from the snow and strikes Richard. There’s a hiss, and he’s encased in ice-

Janice: No!

-the snow settles, revealing the third Forecaster-

Forecaster #3: Oh, don’t worry, he’ll be fine for now.

-it tilts its head, leaning its umbrella on its shoulder as snowflakes drift down around it-

Forecaster #3: Can’t say the same for you though.

Janice: Oh, shut up.

-Janice opens fire, but panes of ice appear to block the bullets as the Forecaster retaliates with spears of ice. Evan, meanwhile, runs up from behind, holding his slinky-

Evan: Hey, Forecaster, watch this! Polemae—

-the Forecaster doesn’t even bother looking, but flicks a hand in Evan’s direction. Suddenly, the snow under him bursts upwards, flipping him end over end-

Evan: Hey! Since when does snow go up?!

-The Forecaster drops Evan, continuing to exchange fire with Janice. Laura and Morgan, meanwhile, sprint forwards as the Forecaster starts to gain the upper hand-

Morgan: Hey! Distraction distraction distraction!

Laura: Really?

Morgan: It’s worked so far!

-indeed, the Forecaster turns, but isn’t impeded in its battle against Janice. It opens its umbrella in Morgan’s face, avoiding a scythe stroke-

Forecaster #3: You really think that’s so effective? I think you need a time-out.

-as Laura swings her spheres, shards of ice dissipate them. The snow turns into water, and catches up Morgan and Laura, slamming them both back into a wall. It then freezes over, sealing the two in, and water begins to seep into the cracks, rapidly rising-

Morgan: …Oh.

Laura: (dizzily) What…?

Morgan: Um…we just lost.

-Morgan tries to cast a spell, but the world spins around her and it fizzles out-

Morgan: Laura, you have anything?

Laura: I see lots of pretty lights…

Morgan: Well, we are under some very nice decorations.

-the world spins again-

Morgan: Janice!

-Janice, meanwhile, seems highly occupied with their own not-dying as she avoids jets of water, icicles, and other sundry water-based attacks-

Morgan: …Well.

Laura: What’s going on…?

Morgan: (hollowly) Um…we’re going to die.

Laura: That sucks.

Morgan: …Yep.

-the two are silent for a moment, as the water continues to rise-

Laura: Well, it’s a nice day for it. White Christmas, right? The lights look pretty through the shield of ice that’s going to kill us both.

Morgan: You know, you’re not wrong.

-Laura looks up-

Laura: Hey, check it out. Mistletoe.

Morgan: So it is…

-the water has risen to their chins-

Laura: Just a plant. Not even a good one. Parasitic.

Morgan: Really?

Laura: Totally. Kills everything it touches.

-the water rises a bit more-

Laura: …We’re going to die anyway, right?

-the two kiss as the water goes up over their heads-

-and then it starts draining out-

Evan: Heya!

Laura: Oh my god Evan.

Morgan: Wh-what’s going on?

Evan: I’ve lost my slinky. Mind helping out?

-a tiny flicker of Death magic appears around his hand like brass knuckles, and he punches another hole in the ice before collapsing. Laura and Morgan hop to their feet as he runs off-

-Laura eyes Morgan awkwardly-

Laura: …Are we going to talk about that?

-Morgan looks incredibly panicked for a few seconds, but her face settles-

Morgan: …We’ve got a fight to win. Come on.

-the two run towards the battle, where Janice is still exchanging fire. There is a short, mostly offscreen fight scene in which lovely teamwork is demonstrated, but eventually Janice gets the cuffs on-

Janice: At ease!

-and the Forecaster disappears-

Janice: And that is that.

Laura: …Yeah.

Morgan: That.

-cut to Zaresi and Vorn (who resembles a larger Makhai) in front of Erian, who resembles a Forecaster but larger and more detailed-

Vorn: You cannot even imagine how much trouble you’re in.

Zaresi: Do you have any idea how many laws you have broken? You could have exposed everything.

Erian: Oh, no, mommy and daddy are mad at me. Whatever will I do?

Morgan: (aside) Wait, I thought she was older than Zaresi.

Janice: It’s the spirit of the thing.

Vorn: This is serious, Erian!

Erian: I made it snow. On Christmas. Sue me.

-Vorn grabs Erian by the collar, hoisting her up to eye level-

Vorn: It is well within our rights to kill you!

Morgan: Whoa, whoa, hold up.

Vorn and Zaresi: Excuse me?

Morgan: Uh, sorry. Madam. And Vorn. But, um…it’s not even 5 yet. Literally nobody’s awake to have seen this. Besides, it’s not like it’s that weird for it to snow today. Nobody will know.

Zaresi: It is still a violation—

Morgan: And it got everyone working together! Isn’t that the Christmas spirit? Or something? I think?

Zaresi: Is it?

Morgan: No idea; I’m Jewish. I’m just saying. Maybe we shouldn’t kill anybody today?

Zaresi: Erian’s servants were more than happy to kill you.

Morgan: Yes, and I think we should just forget that that happened. For a lot of reasons.

-she can’t help glancing at Laura, who looks a little downcast-

-Vorn and Zaresi exchange looks-

Vorn: Your logic isn’t inherently idiotic, I suppose. Anyone else agree?

-there’s a pause, but then the Magicians all raise their hands (except Evan), as does Liz (who also raises Evan’s hand for him)-

Zaresi: …Then I suppose you get to live.

Vorn: Don’t think you don’t owe us for this.

-she lets go of Erian, who disappears in a whirl of clouds-

Zaresi: Well. We have some time left before the rest of the world awakens. I suppose we might as well enjoy it. Vorn?

Vorn: Be nice to each other, children.

-cut to the Magicians and Liz near the edge of town. Janice and Richard are singing a duet of O Tannenbaum (poorly). Evan is wearing a Santa hat as he sips a cup of cocoa and chats with Laura, who looks uncomfortable. Liz and Morgan are standing near a menorah-

Morgan: You light an extra candle each night for eight nights. It’s fun!

Liz: Well, I’m always in favor of extra fire.

-everyone enjoys their party-

Janice: Sun’s coming up. We should probably be getting back now.

Evan: To never working together ever again?

Janice: To never working together ever again.

-as the group splits up, Laura catches Morgan’s eye-

Laura: So. Fight won.

Morgan: Yep.

Laura: Are we gonna talk about that?

Morgan: It was a pretty awesome fight, wasn’t it?

Laura: You’re dodging the question.

-Morgan sticks her hands in her pockets. Laura attempts to meet her eyes, but Morgan studiously fixes them above Laura’s head (not difficult for her)-

Laura: Are we going to talk about that kiss?

Morgan: …It’s a Christmas tradition, isn’t it? Especially when you’re going to die.

Laura: That’s all?

Morgan: I’m sorry.

Laura: What?

Morgan: I shouldn’t have led you on like that. I…it was nice spending time with you. And I like our friendship. But I shouldn’t have kissed you. I shouldn’t have let you tell Holly we were dating as cover.

Laura: I—

Morgan: I’m not part of this, okay? I want to have a life outside of blowing things up with magic.

-Laura stares at Morgan, who still can’t meet her eyes-

Laura: That isn’t so hard. You can just—

Morgan: I almost died twice in the last few months, Laura! I’ve been lying to Quinn for half a year now! It’s bad enough I have to be a part of this, but at least I can try and do something else!

-Laura’s face hardens a little-

Laura: …Okay.

Morgan: Thanks.

-there’s a pause-

Laura: I guess we’re going to need to feed Holly a new story. It would probably be too awkward now.

Morgan: Why’d you tell her that in the first place?

Laura: You know what? I don’t know.

-she shrugs-

Laura: (with some bitterness) Maybe I should just have Evan wipe her. How does that sound?

-Morgan’s eyes widen in shock. Laura claps her hands over her mouth-

-Evan, hearing his name, starts walking over-

Laura: I’m…sorry.

Morgan: You know what? Maybe I can tell her we broke up, like normal people do when they need to make it sound like they stopped dating someone!

-with that, she stalks off-

-Laura blinks as Morgan walks away. Evan sidles up next to her-

Evan: Lover’s quarrel?

Laura: Shut up, Evan.

-Laura leaves. Evan giggles and wanders off in the other direction. Liz, who has been observing, nudges Richard-

Richard: Hm?

Liz: I did warn them. That excuse always causes trouble in the long run.

-cut to Morgan and Holly looking out at the snow together-

Holly: Hanukkah miracle, huh?

Morgan: (coolly) Yeah. It’s pretty great.

Holly: So.

-she winks-

Holly: Your girlfriend came by pretty early. What was that about?

Morgan: …

-she looks away-

Morgan: (softly) Nothing. Nothing at all.

[terrifyingrenegadelibrary]

Chapter 5

Do Hoarders Dream of Eclectic Heaps?

-reactions to the news from the previous chapter are fairly immediate-

Liz: Well. That’s bad news.

Iggy: You don’t think that’s a bit of an understatement?

Liz: Not really.

-pan to Laura-

Laura: A Dragon? No. No way. You can’t be serious. Please say you’re not serious.

Liz: Laura, have you ever heard Zaresi make a joke?

Laura: …No?

Liz: The last time she tried was 30 years ago. It wasn’t very funny.

-to Evan, who is toying with his knife-

Evan: Maybe if I…

-to Morgan-

Morgan: …We have dragons? That’s awesome.

-everyone turns around-

Liz: …I’ll talk to her.

-she drags Morgan aside-

Morgan: I can’t believe we have dragons! Why hasn’t anyone ever told me about them?

Liz: …Do you, in fact, know anything about Dragons?

Morgan: They’re giant flying lizards that burn everything to the ground with their fiery breath!

Liz: Nothing, then?

-beat-

Morgan: Guess not.

Liz: A Dragon, so named because what else would you call it, is a Spirit of Fire, Darkness, and Wealth.

Morgan: Wait. You can do that?

Liz: Like everything to do with magic, Spirits aren’t exactly cut-and-dry. From time to time, a random accident with magic will merge two or more Spirits into a single unified entity, and eventually the two personalities will bleed into each other enough that it gains self-awareness.

Iggy: Alternatively—

-Liz glares at Iggy, who shuts up-

Liz: There are other ways for a Spirit to have access to more than one Domain, yes. But they’re banned under the Convocation, and we won’t go into them here. Iggy.

Iggy: (weakly) Sorry.

Morgan: Wait, what’s so bad about a Spirit having more than one Domain?

Liz: Magic of multiple Domains has multiplicative effects. A Spirit of two Domains is significantly greater than the sum of its parts. A Spirit of three? Even without outside interference, it’s probably on par with a good-size god.

Morgan: Which brings me back to the giant flying lizards that burn everything to the ground with their fiery breath.

Liz: Do you see any of those things happening right now?

Morgan: Dragons are smart, right? It’s probably biding its time.

Liz: Dragons are smart, yes. They’re smart enough not to do any of the things you just described.

Morgan: That’s kind of disappointing.

Liz: A Dragon’s usual MO, as demonstrated here, is using Wealth magic to steal things without detection. They’ll ramp up the thefts over time, using their abilities with Wealth and Darkness to eat the energies from the stolen objects as fuel for their spells.

Morgan: What? How?

Liz: What stores magic?

Morgan: Things people care about, right?

-she stops-

Morgan: Oh.

Liz: Sure, in the grand scheme of things, your keys aren’t so important to you, but what about every single person’s keys in the town? Or favorite book? Wealth magic is good for taking things, and Darkness, like Death or Love, is good at influencing other magic. Normally, the magic hidden in an object just sort of lies around uselessly, but between Wealth and Darkness, it can be drained out and absorbed.

Morgan: So…yikes?

Liz: Dragons raise this particular trick to an art form. They can steal and take in almost anything. Dormant magic, unfriendly spells…they could eat a Spirit and keep it alive inside themselves as a servant if they felt like. They are the perfect self-perpetuating consumers and thieves. They make sharks, Lupin, and Wall Street bankers look like infants, and they only get stronger as they amass their hordes.

Morgan: I’m definitely hearing a yikes.

Liz: That’s why we have to stop this one now, before it drains the town dry. Now, let’s get back to the others.

-they return-

Zaresi: Liz. Morgan. Good of you to rejoin us. Liz has tracked the Dragon to the library, so get ready.

Morgan: Wait, now?

Laura: Why not?

Morgan: (somewhat lamely) It’s Friday evening?

Evan: What, you think the bad guys only attack at discreet times?

Morgan: It’s just—

-her phone rings-

Zaresi: Please silence all devices before—

-Morgan answers it. Zaresi sighs-

Holly: Morgan, where are you? I just got home, and I couldn’t find my keys, so I ended up having to pick the lock. It’s almost Shabbat.

Morgan: …Is it?

Holly: Yes?

Morgan: I must have lost track of time. I’ll be home in…uh…

-she flails a hand-

Laura: Give it an hour. Either we’ll drive it off or we’ll be dead by then.

Morgan: An hour?

Holly: What are you doing that’s so important?

Morgan: …Studying with Laura?

Holly: While I’m not generally one to suggest someone stop studying, that can’t wait until tomorrow?

Morgan: We’re right in the middle of, uh…Riemann sums. I’m really close to getting it; I just need a bit more time.

Holly: I’ll explain them to you. They aren’t that complicated.

Morgan: I’m in the zone, Holly. Just say I won’t be home for a bit.

Holly: If you insist.

-she hangs up-

-Morgan stares at the phone apprehensively-

Evan: Are you done lying to your family? We’ve got a Dragon to kill.

Morgan: Do we have to pants you again? It seems to make you nicer.

-Evan narrows his eyes. Laura intercedes-

Laura: Come on, everyone’s moving.

-cut to Zaresi and Liz leading a parade of Spirits, with Morgan, Laura, and Evan bringing up the rear-

Morgan: Wait, so we’re just going to walk up and kill it?

Laura: Well, we’re probably going to tell it to leave first, but if it doesn’t, then yeah, we fight it until it does.

Morgan: And you’re not scared? I mean, Liz said Dragons were powerful.

Laura: They are. But you know what?

-she grins, placing a hand on Morgan’s shoulder-

Laura: We are too. It’s going to be fine.

Morgan: But—

Laura: You killed a Reaper before ever learning about formal magic, and you fought Janice to a standstill in your first real battle. Just because you’re used to not doing anything more than party tricks, doesn’t mean you can’t.

Morgan: I—

Laura: This is pre-battle jitters. It’s just some neurotransmitters acting up, and you’re better than that. Besides, everyone has them.

Morgan: You don’t.

Laura: Sure I do. You think I’m not scared?

Morgan: Is this the part where you talk about being strong for your friends?

Laura: Don’t be silly. I just know that I have backup.

-she pulls Morgan a little closer-

Laura: And so do you.

Morgan: …Thanks.

-Evan falls into step-

Evan: Besides, I’ve been thinking about that ritual. And it should work this time.

Morgan: Yeah, that’s slightly less reassuring.

Evan: I am saddened and hurt.

Laura: Just don’t screw up.

Morgan: You know, again. Or leave the two of us to be killed by a monster.

Laura: You know. Again.

Evan: This is character assassination and I will not stand for it.

-he walks off while Morgan and Laura hi-five-

-cut to near the library, where Zaresi’s forces have gathered-

Morgan: So, I hate to be the one to say this, but I am noticing a distinct lack of giant fire-breathing lizards. Where’s the Dragon?

Laura: Right there.

-she gestures at a man wearing very nice clothing, who is sitting on a bench and staring up at the sky. Despite the presence of Zaresi’s forces, he looks entirely unbothered-

Morgan: What? That’s not a dragon. What’s he cosplaying, anyway?

Laura: Look closer.

-she does. It becomes clear that there are sparks drifting from the man-

Morgan: …What?

Laura: Spirits don’t really have a defined form, so they can shift their appearance for convenience.

Morgan: What’s so convenient about that?

Laura: …Being a giant monstrous lizard is not exactly inconspicuous?

-Morgan frowns-

Morgan: You know what, no.

Laura: No what?

Morgan: This is bull.

-and she marches forward-

Laura: Wait, don’t—

-past Liz and Zaresi, who both turn in astonishment-

Morgan: Hey! If you’re going to call yourself a dragon, you need to at least look the part!

-the man turns to look at her-

Laura: …Mierda.

Man: Is that so?

-he blinks-

-and a wall of fire explodes into life between him and Morgan-

Dragon: How’s that?

-Morgan backpedals, staring at the flames-

Morgan: …A start.

Zaresi: Alright, please put that out before you alert anybody.

Dragon: Who’s going to make me?

Zaresi: Ideally, you will do it of your own accord. If not…

-she leaves the threat hanging-

Dragon: That’s cute.

-he lazily examines Team Zaresi-

Dragon: Not really seeing anything that’s going to stop me, though.

-he starts pointing out the members of the team-

Dragon: Let me see here. Small-time goddess, smaller-time Magicians, and a few ragtag Spirits. Tell me what I’m supposed to be afraid of?

Morgan: How about this?

-she generates a scythe, spinning it in a circle. Laura looks alarmed-

Dragon: Put that away, little Magician.

Morgan: Not seeing a good reason to do that.

-the Dragon turns his head towards Morgan, fire building up around his eyes-

Liz: Alright, let’s bring it off.

Zaresi: Morgan, I admire your zeal, but please step aside while Liz and I conduct negotiations.

Morgan: …This is still a sucky dragon.

-she still steps back, and Zaresi replaces her-

Zaresi: Dragon.

-the Dragon breathes out a puff of air, and the fire dissipates-

Dragon: Please. Call me Eneril.

Zaresi: Objects have gone missing. Not to put too fine a point on it, but it is clearly your doing.

Eneril: And?

Zaresi: This town is not yours to plunder. You will surrender what you have taken and move to somewhere where you are welcome.

Eneril: Which brings us back to the issue of how exactly you’re planning to make me.

-he gets to his feet, and cracks his neck, small flames springing up-

Eneril: You can’t stop me. The other gods of this town can’t stop me. I go where I want, I take what I please, and I destroy who gets in my way.

-he waves a hand, and streams of gold light twirl away into the distance. Suddenly, socks begin to rain down around him, light streaming from them back into him-

Eneril: Wasn’t that entertaining?

Morgan: …Is that where my left socks always go?

Laura: No. Washing machines are just weird.

Zaresi: Magicians, advance please.

-Laura and Morgan both step forwards. Evan, meanwhile, skips up, straight towards Eneril-

Evan: Hey, Dragon. Who’s got two thumbs and is about to do something with magic that makes your head explode?

Eneril: Pardon?

Evan: This guy! Take two, here we go!

-he stabs Eneril in the chest-

Evan: Necrosyrtes!

-there’s a massive explosion of black light-

-and then nothing-

Evan: …Um.

Eneril: Should I be expecting something?

Evan: …Give me a moment, maybe? This is kind of new.

Eneril: Pity.

-he slams a hand into Evan’s chest, a sphere of flame blossoming between them and sending Evan flying. The Dragon steps forward, flames swirling up around him-

Liz: So much for the diplomatic option.

Zaresi: Attack.

Liz: Are you sure that’s the best option here?

Zaresi: Evan has not left us with much choice.

Liz: I suppose you have a point.

-Laura steps up next to Morgan, who has reformed her scythe-

Morgan: Do we have to help out Evan?

Laura: Focus on the big picture here.

-the two attack. Morgan’s scythe extends, the handle turning into a wire as she slashes at Eneril. Laura generates spheres, sending them flying in helices towards the Dragon-

Eneril: Points for effort, I guess.

-he waves a hand, and a wall of flame blocks off the incoming attack. He waves the other hand, and a whip of purple energy knocks Morgan and Laura away-

Eneril: This is bordering on the absurd. After your next attack fails, I think I’ll just eat you.

Liz: Hold up! Hold up!

Zaresi: Liz, what are you doing?

Liz: Ideally, trying to make sure nobody ends up dead today.

Eneril: Hmm, bit late on that one. I’ve already made up my mind to annihilate you all and drink the life that flows out of your broken corpses. So…you know. I think our goals here conflict a little.

-the flames twirl up around him-

Liz: Wait!

Eneril: Why?

Liz: Because if you do that, who are you going to bet against?

-Eneril pauses-

-for a long time-

Zaresi: …Liz?

Liz: I’m working here.

Eneril: …Bet?

Liz: Fun of the hunt, right? I mean, come on. It has to get boring just using some ritual to take what you want, doesn’t it? Where’s the thrill of the chase? Seeing defeat in your enemies’ eyes as you crush them mercilessly under your heel?

Eneril: I could do that now if I really put my mind to it.

Liz: Sure, you could. But you’re clearly so powerful; we’d all be wiped out before you could really get into it. You need something that’ll pose a challenge! Then you can really feel alive! Feel the blood pump through your veins!

Eneril: Blood doesn’t pump through my veins.

Liz: Mine neither. It’s a figure of…look, do you see my point or not? You can’t tell me you don’t want a proper challenge!

Eneril: You want me…to bet against you…for the exact same thing I intend to, and certainly can, take anyway?

Liz: Yeah, exactly.

Eneril: ...Look, am I the only one hearing this?

-he looks between everyone else-

-they are all completely silent-

Eneril: …You know, I’m almost tempted to say yes, just to prolong the death of someone with that sort of audacity.

-Liz just watches-

Eneril: …You’re playing me.

Liz: Well, yeah, obviously. I wouldn’t do something if I didn’t think I could win it. Isn’t that the point? And isn’t the point of being a great predator to outplay the other hunters?

-Eneril glares at Liz for a solid 30 seconds, and then bursts out laughing-

Eneril: You know what? You’ve piqued my interest, and after that speech, it would be a shame to kill you know. What do you propose?

-Liz breathes out a long sigh of relief-

Liz: Chess.

-Eneril blinks-

Eneril: Chess?

Liz: Chess! You know, game of kings?

Morgan: Isn’t it game of thrones?

Laura: You’re thinking of something else.

Eneril: Very well. Next evening, we will play chess.

Liz: Excellent.

Eneril: I’m not finished.

Liz: …Yes?

Eneril: Your pieces will be those of you willing to actually fight me. Mine, meanwhile, will be Spirits I’ve sealed into the trinkets I’ve picked up in my travels.

-Liz makes a face-

Liz: If we win, you return what you’ve stolen and leave town.

Eneril: Once I win, I won’t just kill you. I’ll absorb you into myself, and you and the rest of your town can entertain me on my travels.

Morgan: (aside) Wait, what?

Liz: …Sounds good.

Eneril: Ta.

-there’s a burst of fire, and he’s gone-

-everyone stares in shocked silence-

Morgan: That happened.

Liz: So!

-she rubs her palms together-

Liz: Who knows how to play chess?

Morgan: Wait, what?

Laura: Liz, you can’t play chess?

Liz: I feel like I used to remember. Funny how things slide after 100 years or so.

Laura: Then why would you suggest it?!

Liz: It was the first thing that came to mind! Dragons are well-known for a tendency to take wagers, so excuse me if I didn’t want you to be eaten!

Zaresi: Liz’s improvisational skills aside, we have a meeting with the Dragon next evening. So, who among us can play chess?

Evan: You can’t, madam?

Zaresi: I’ve always preferred to occupy myself with legitimate conquest.

Liz: She likes Risk.

Zaresi: How about you, Magicians?

Morgan: I’m more of a checkers girl.

Laura: Never been a fan of the whole black and white dichotomy.

Morgan: Hey!

Laura: Figuratively, I mean. No offense.

Evan: Video games all day every day.

Zaresi: Reapers?

-the Reapers make low hissing noises-

Iggy: I’ve played a little shogi.

Liz: Did we ask?

Iggy: Oh, okay then.

-it drifts away-

-Zaresi thinks about this for a moment, and nods resignedly-

Zaresi: So. It appears that we have signed ourselves up for an exceptionally high-stakes game which none of us have any knowledge of how to play.

Laura: I think Janice might know?

Evan: They’re out of town right now. They do that a lot.

Morgan: …Well, they make chess rulebooks, right?

Zaresi: …I suppose we have a day to learn. I expect you back here tomorrow at your earliest convenience.

Morgan: …So much for Shabbat shalom.

-everyone begins to drift apart. Laura nudges Morgan-

Laura: Just keep what I said in mind. It’ll be okay.

Morgan: …Right.

-everyone goes home-

Holly: There you are. We were just about to light candles without you.

Morgan: You wouldn’t.

Holly: What happened to you? You look like you went three rounds with a tree.

Morgan: Well… you should see the tree.

Holly: …Morgan, did you fight a tree?

Morgan: (quickly) I did not fight a tree.

Holly: (equally quickly) Did you fight someone in a tree?

Morgan: (even more quickly) I did not fight someone in a tree.

-Holly gives Morgan a sideways glance-

Holly: Well, wash up before you come to dinner.

Morgan: Whatever you say, mom.

-cut to Morgan, having restored herself to order, eating dinner. The scene in general is fairly serene. Morgan, less so, as images of Eneril occupy her head. There’s a slight flicker of Death magic, but it disappears quickly-

Holly: Es, Morgan.

Morgan: Oh. Right.

-she does-

Holly: (quietly) Is something wrong?

Morgan: No?

Holly: Yes there is.

Morgan: I’m glad you told me. I hadn’t noticed.

Holly: Well, I don’t have any plans Saturday, so we can spend it together and you can talk about it.

Morgan: …Oh.

Holly: Is that a problem?

Morgan: I said I’d hang out with Quinn.

Holly: Oh, that’s fine. I like Quinn.

Morgan: Right…

-the next day, the two are picking up Quinn-

Quinn: Holly!

-she hugs Holly-

Holly: Good morning to you too, Quinn.

Quinn: I feel so honored. What brings the other Stein twin out of her lair?

Holly: It’s been a while since I really spent any time with my sister, after the accident.

-Morgan becomes noticeably more pensive-

Holly: So for today, we’re a double act.

Quinn: Sounds good to me. Want to come over and watch a movie?

Morgan: Actually, I was hoping we could go over to the graveyard, take a walk in the forest?

-there is a long, awkward, silence-

Quinn: You know we’ve failed as a support system in her life, right?

Holly: I sometimes have concerns.

-cut to the graveyard, where Team Zaresi has gathered. Morgan crosses her fingers and approaches-

Morgan: Hey, Laura! Evan!

-the two turn around to wave, when they see Holly and Quinn. Laura’s jaw drops. Evan grins, and Morgan runs ahead a bit-

Laura: You…brought Holly and Quinn.

Morgan: They won’t see Zaresi or the Reapers, right?

Laura: That’s true, but—

Morgan: Holly wanted to spend the day with me, and I promised Quinn I’d hang out with her.

Laura: …Okay.

-meanwhile, Evan has wandered over to the two-

Evan: Morning, Morgan’s friend, other Morgan!

Holly: Other Morgan? Really?

Evan: I’m not really a names guy. Nice hair.

-Holly casually takes a step back. Quinn, meanwhile, brushes past Evan to go talk to Laura and Morgan-

Quinn: Morgan, why do so many of your friends hang out in graveyards?

Morgan: I wouldn’t call Evan a friend so much as a friend of a friend?

-she glances at Laura-

Laura: Yeah, I wouldn’t call him that either.

Quinn: Why do you even hang out with him?

Laura: Necessity, mostly. He’s a…uh, family friend.

Quinn: Shame.

Liz: Okay, what’s going on here?

-she walks over-

Morgan: Oh, uh…

Liz: You brought non-Magicians? Really? Don’t worry, I’ll do all the talking.

-she waves a hand in front of Quinn’s face. Quinn doesn’t notice-

Liz: Never gets old. Hey, Morgan, either of your friends know how to play chess?

Morgan: Um.

Quinn: Morgan? Talking to someone?

Morgan: Oh! No, just thinking.

Laura: Hey, Quinn, do you play chess?

Quinn: I’m not that into board games. Why?

Laura: Well—

Morgan: Actually, Holly does. Why don’t we ask her?

Laura: …That could work.

Quinn: Should probably rescue her from Evan anyway.

-the three girls wander over to Holly, who is ignoring Evan in favor of her phone. Evan seems nonplussed-

Laura: Hi, Holly! You’re Morgan’s sister, right?

Holly: Actually, we only just met.

Laura: Wait, but—oh. Got it.

-she laughs-

Laura: Morgan said you know how to play chess?

Holly: I’ve dabbled.

Laura: How fast do you think you could teach me?

-beat-

Holly: Odd request.

Laura: I’m an odd person.

Evan: You don’t know the half of it. She color-codes her socks.

-Laura blushes-

Morgan: Don’t feel weird. I do that too. I mean, they’re all black, so there’s not much point, but…

-everyone laughs-

Laura: Seriously though, can you teach me? I always wanted to learn.

Holly: Uh…okay?

-cut to Laura and Holly sitting across from each other-

Holly: Okay, so setup looks like this.

Laura: Right. The pawns go in front. That makes sense. And the horses—

Holly: Knights.

Laura: What?

Holly: The horse pieces. They’re called knights.

Laura: Why?

Holly: Because.

Liz: Laura, let it lie and keep going.

Iggy: You know, shogi has knights, but I think they’re a little more sensible. They can’t—

Morgan: Ssh.

Quinn: I didn’t say anything.

Morgan: Oh, I meant Evan.

Evan: …I didn’t say anything.

Morgan: Preemptive strike.

Evan: Classy.

-cut again. Liz has wandered away-

Quinn: So, Laura, how’d you and Morgan meet, anyway?

Zaresi: Laura. Ask her how promotion works.

Laura: Uh, not now.

Quinn: Oh, sorry.

Laura: No, not you. Evan.

Evan: What did I do?

Laura: I’ll think of something. Sorry, Quinn, I don’t mean to ignore you, making fun of Evan is a full-time job. Anyway, Evan spies on people during Calc, and he knows I like helping people out when they’re struggling.

Evan: Correction: You like helping cute girls out.

-everyone turns to Evan in shock-

Evan: What? Turnabout’s fair play.

-he wanders off-

Laura: That is—

Quinn: I mean, you’re not wrong.

-Morgan blushes. Quinn shoots her a wink. Laura laughs-

-an awkward silence occurs-

Holly: …So, anyway, the next thing you need to know about chess—

Zaresi: Laura. Promotion.

Laura: No, I get it, don’t worry.

Holly: Oh, I’ll just skip castling then.

Laura: Wai—

-cut again. Evan and Liz are talking in the background-

Holly: And that’s called checkmate.

Zaresi: I do not understand. How can a pawn threaten the king?

Laura: Um...wait. Holly. This is only a pawn. Why can it take the king?

Holly: That’s just how chess works. At the end of the game, everything goes back in the same box, right?

Laura: Oh. That makes sense.

Zaresi: It does not.

-one of the Reapers accidentally bumps into Holly-

Holly: Ow! What was that?

Morgan: Uh…Evan.

-Holly turns to see Evan about ten feet away, talking with Liz. She picks up a nut off the ground and pegs him in the head with it-

Evan: Ow! What the hell?

-Morgan gives the universal “sorry” face, though sticks her tongue out at him when he turns his back-

Quinn: Can I throw something at him too?

-cut-

Holly: And that’s chess. Any questions?

Laura: No, I…think I get it. Everyone good?

Holly: Who’s everyone?

Laura: …Evan. I said Evan.

Holly: I don’t understand your friendship with him.

Laura: Neither do I.

Zaresi: I think I understand chess now.

Laura: Alright then.

-she coughs, and covers her mouth, looking startled-

Laura: Glad that’s dealt with.

Holly: Are you going to explain why you wanted to learn chess so urgently?

Laura: Oh, well…

-she looks around for clues-

Laura: I made a bet with a dragon to play chess with him, and if I lose he’ll eat my soul.

-there is a long pause. Liz quietly facepalms. Quinn tilts her head-

-Holly laughs-

Holly: Well, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want.

-Laura breathes out a sigh of relief. Quinn looks a little downcast-

Quinn: Well, as fascinating as this is, I should be getting home. I’ll see you around, Morgan, Holly. Laura.

Evan: Evan?

Quinn: Nah.

-and she’s off, leaving everyone else laughing-

Evan: I don’t understand why people are so rude to me.

Morgan: It’s because you’re an awful person and you’re terrible to everyone.

Evan: Well, sure, but aside from that.

Holly: You’re also generally uninteresting to talk to.

Evan: That’s just slander.

Liz: Attention Magicians!

-everyone turns to Liz sharply, except of course Holly-

Holly: Huh?

Liz: It’s that time of day.

-Morgan pales-

Holly: Is something wrong?

Morgan: No, nothing, but…is it okay if I go with Laura now? I’ll be home soon, I promise.

Holly: Actually, I was hoping we could spend some time as sisters, but I suppose.

Morgan: Well, you know how it is.

Holly: How…what is?

-Laura casually loops an arm around Morgan’s and pulls the other girl in close-

Holly: …Oh. I see.

-she nods sagely, while Morgan turns a bright red. Laura winks. It comes out a little better than last time-

Holly: I’ll just…head home, then. Have fun, you two! Be safe!

-she gives Morgan a (not very) covert thumbs-up, and strolls away, whistling-

Morgan: Holly!

Holly: Hmm?

Morgan: I love you!

Holly: …Alright. Thank you.

-and she’s gone-

Laura: What was that?

Morgan: In case we…well, in case.

Laura: …Ah.

-the two are still linked, though they don’t seem to notice-

Liz: …Well, that was an inventive cover.

-Laura and Morgan immediately separate-

Laura: I’m sorry I didn’t mean to do that I just couldn’t think of anything else and—

Morgan: Don’t worry about it I wasn’t exactly coming up with anything it’s fi—

-the two cut off and make faces at each other-

Liz: I always found that that excuse caused more problems than it solved. But I’m sure you’ll work things out.

-Liz goes to talk with Zaresi, leaving Morgan and Laura alone-

Morgan: …Want to go fight a Dragon?

Laura: Really badly, for some reason.

-the two sprint away to join the Reapers. Liz glances over at them and sighs-

-cut to the Night Parade again, arriving at the library. Eneril is waiting there, surrounded by odds and ends-

Zaresi: Eneril.

Morgan: (to Laura) He’s still pretty cut-price. And he looks like a hoarder now.

Laura: Ssh!

Eneril: Wow, you actually made it? I’m almost impressed.

-he yawns-

Eneril: I mean, I’m still going to annihilate you and drink your essence, but I guess you’ll make a nice diary entry.

Zaresi: Arrange your side.

Eneril: Gladly. Just let me slip into something more comfortable.

-and now he’s a dragon-

-like, full-blown dragon-

-a brought-ruin-to-Erebor, throw-down-your-weapons-and-run, Seto-Kaiba-wet-dream dragon-

Morgan: …Oh.

Laura: …Yeah.

Morgan: …Now that’s what I’m talking about.

Laura: We’re going to die.

Morgan: We’re going to die complete.

-Eneril expands his wings, and shapes flicker into life across the ground in front of him. They form a chessboard pattern and then populate it with vague humanoid shapes-

Eneril: Your turn!

Zaresi: Assemble.

-they do. The Reapers organize in front as pawns, Zaresi takes the King space, Liz the Queen, Evan the King-side Rook, and Morgan and Laura the Queen-side Knight and Bishop respectively-

-there is a pause-

Eneril: …Anyone else? I’d heard this town was a little dry on Magicians, but this is just sad.

-he licks his lips-

Eneril: At least you smell powerful. I’ll enjoy devouring you.

-he lazily hunches over, letting out a low growl as a puff of smoke rolls out over the board, and flicks his tongue in Iggy’s direction. The Reaper gulps and takes a step back-

Eneril: You know, Liz, you said this would be a challenge, but I can’t say I’m seeing any good reason not to just go ahead and take a bite…

-Zaresi steps forwards, forming a scythe, and slams it into the ground. An explosion of Death magic wells up, burning the tip of Eneril’s tongue. He withdraws, and Zaresi forms a second scythe, glaring up at the Dragon-

Zaresi: We will make do. Adhere to your terms.

Eneril: A little fight to you. I appreciate it.

Zaresi: And I would appreciate it if you refrained from threatening my Reapers.

-Eneril gives a toothy grin-

Eneril: Whatever you say.

-meanwhile, Laura is hyperventilating, and Morgan is attempting to comfort her-

Laura: I don’t believe it that’s actually a dragon and we’re trying to play a game of chess against it and we don’t even have all the pieces we need and—

Morgan: Hey! Hey!

-she places her hands on Laura’s shoulders-

Morgan: Weren’t you the one telling me not to worry?

Laura: Okay but that’s a giant snake and a giant bat and it flies and breathes fire a-and it could kill us all pretty much whenever and—

Morgan: Oh, it’s just an oversized lizard. A really cool oversized lizard, but still. And I’m not going to let it hurt you.

Laura: What?

Morgan: It’s a knight’s job to keep the bishop safe, right?

Laura: …Is it?

Morgan: Eh. I’m gonna do it anyway.

-she helps Laura up-

Morgan: We’re going to win this, just like you said, okay?

Laura: …We’re still down three pieces.

Morgan: It can’t make that much of a difference, right?

Laura: Honestly? No clue.

-she half laughs, half sobs-

Liz: Morgan, Laura. The game is beginning.

Eneril: Okay, if you’re all done moping and making peace with your imminent demise…it’s my move.

-e4-

Zaresi: Morgan. The book said that knights can move over other pieces, so intercept the pawn.

-Morgan takes a deep breath, looks at Laura, and grins-

Morgan: On it.

-Nc6-

Eneril: …Just to clarify, do any of you actually know the rules of chess?

Zaresi: Technically? Yes.

Liz: …Very technically.

Eneril: Got it. Well, have fun dying.

-he examines the board, and lets out a low chuckle-

Eneril: May as well have fun with this.

-Qg5-

Zaresi: I do not get it.

Liz: It makes sense to me. You want to bring your most powerful piece onto the board as quickly as possible.

Zaresi: Was there not something about bringing out knights first?

Liz: Sure, but…

-Morgan, meanwhile, has been looking at the board, and her eyes widen-

Morgan: Zaresi, if you don’t castle now, we lose a Reaper and Evan.

Zaresi: Pardon me?

Morgan: Look! His queen can just come down, take that pawn, and then Evan’s a sitting duck, no matter where he goes!

-Zaresi examines the position. A cloud of darkness swirls up around her-

Zaresi: …There will be time to work on your tone later. Thank you for noticing.

Evan: Uh, as Evan, I’m not really okay with this.

Reaper: As the Reaper, I am also not.

Evan: Yeah, but nobody cares.

Zaresi: Very well. A clever attempt, Eneril, to aim for blood so early in the game.

Eneril: Uh, yeah.

Zaresi: Now. Liz. How do I castle?

Liz: Um.

Morgan: I think you have to go around Evan?

Zaresi: Well. Obviously, I will have to move the pawn first.

-g6-

-Eneril stares-

Eneril: …Congratulations. You completely misunderstood the entire concept of castling.

-he narrows his eyes-

Eneril: Unfortunately, you somehow also stopped me from attacking. I’ll have to remedy that.

-Bb5. Morgan gulps-

Laura: Be safe…

Zaresi: You aren’t the only one who can attack. Reaper, forward. Laura, be ready.

-d5-

Eneril: …You’re joking. Right? You have to be joking. That’s your move? You lock all your pieces into a useless quagmire, you fail utterly to comprehend the strategy of the game you’ve staked your life on, and you have the audacity to threaten my queen? Well, fine. If you’re so eager to see a little violence, I will happily oblige.

-exd5-

D5 Reaper: Uh-oh.

-a gold shimmer appears around the Reaper, and Eneril’s tongue flicks out, wraps around the unfortunate Spirit, and reels him in. It’s instant and horrifying. Everyone stares-

Eneril: Mmm. Chocolate-y and smooth, but just a slight kick. I can’t wait to find out what the rest of you taste like.

Morgan: Okay, so that was horrifying.

Eneril: And you’re next. Isn’t that nice?

-Morgan eyes the two pieces threatening her, and starts to generate a scythe-

Eneril: I wouldn’t do that if I were you. If you break the rules, I might feel tempted myself.

-he flicks his tongue out lightly-

Eneril: Take my queen. I dare you, Zaresi.

-Morgan looks at the board again-

Morgan: Wait, you have to.

Laura: What? Why?

Eneril: Because if she doesn’t, then my queen will take you.

Laura: …Oh.

Eneril: Of course, if you do, I’ll have my pawn take your knight. You’ll be able to continue playing, but either way, you lose someone. It’s awfully difficult playing chess when you have an emotional attachment to the pieces, isn’t it? So, Zaresi, crunch time.

-he punctuates this by snapping his jaws together-

Morgan: Zaresi, you have to let Laura take the queen! I’m pinned down anyways, so—

Laura: I…Morgan…

Zaresi: …Right. Liz.

Liz: On it.

-Qxd5. Liz slashes the pawn in half with a wing, and Eneril bursts out laughing-

Morgan: No!

Eneril: Congratulations. You lose. Get her.

Morgan: NO!

-the queen rushes Laura, who purses her lips-

-and the queen explodes. Qxx-

Eneril: …What?

Zaresi: Seems like your control spell failed and your queen escaped. Do not worry, it happens to everyone from time to time.

Eneril: …No matter. I’ll create a new one.

Zaresi: That seems to me like it would be cheating.

-Eneril stares at Zaresi-

Liz: You can’t manage minus one piece? That would be embarrassing, considering we’re facing you missing a knight, bishop, and rook.

-Eneril snarls, flames licking up the edge of the board…but he regains his composure-

Eneril: …Very well. We continue.

Zaresi: Our move, I believe. Liz, clean up.

-Qxb5-

Eneril: You are rapidly beginning to get on my nerves.

Zaresi: Are you sure you play chess yourself?

Eneril: Once I absorb your soul, I’m going to turn you into my personal toenail clipper. Not that I need one, but I’m going to have you do it anyway.

-Nc3-

Zaresi: Liz.

-Qe5 check-

-Ne2-

Zaresi: Laura. Your turn.

Laura: Right.

-Bg4-

-as Laura passes Morgan, she takes a deep breath. Morgan gives her a wave and a thumbs-up-

-Eneril growls-

-00-

Zaresi: Oh, is that how you do it? Evan, did you see that?

Evan: Yes, madam.

-00. Eneril snorts-

-d4. Liz eyes the pawn impassively. Qd6-

Eneril: Now for the fun bit.

-Bf4-

-Qf6-

Eneril: Time for another little appetizer.

-Bxc7. Chomp-

Iggy: Not exactly heartening…

-Zaresi hisses-

Zaresi: Liz.

-Qf5-

Eneril: You aren’t as clever as you think you are, you know.

-QRc1-

Zaresi: Evan. Put the fear of me into that bishop.

Evan: Got it!

-Rc8-

Eneril: Ugh, you don’t give up, do you?

-Be5-

Zaresi: Now, Morgan, please capture the bishop.

Morgan: Wait, what?

Zaresi: Please capture the bishop.

Morgan: I heard you, but…what?

Zaresi: Please capture the bishop.

Morgan: But the pawn’s there!

Zaresi: That is an acceptable sacrifice. After the pawn takes you, Liz can take the pawn, and Eneril’s offensive force will be all but shattered. I apologize for the necessity, but I will not ask again.

Morgan: …But…

Zaresi: Now, Morgan.

-she hesitates-

Laura: Morgan!

-Morgan turns to Laura, who seems fairly upset-

Laura: Zaresi has given all of us lives. She asked for our service in return. If she…

-she breaks off-

Laura: If this is what she wants to do with it, then I’m sorry, but…

-she can’t keep talking. Morgan watches her, clenching her fists-

Evan: Oh, get it over with. Morgan, do your job.

Eneril: You could always break the rules. Provoke me. Give me a reason to go right ahead and slaughter everyone here.

-he licks his lips-

Morgan: …No. I’ve got this.

-she steps forward, conjures a scythe, and slashes the bishop in half. Nxe5-

Eneril: A true soldier. Stand up straight so I can eat you.

-and the pawn explodes (d4xx)-

Morgan: …What.

Zaresi: Pity, that.

Eneril: …But…how…

Zaresi: You really need to keep your rituals under better control.

Eneril: …Something’s at work here.

Zaresi: Prove it.

Eneril: …Make your move.

Zaresi: Gladly. Liz.

-Qe6-

Eneril: You won’t escape me!

-Nf4-

-Qc4-

-QNe2-

-Qxa2-

Eneril: I—I…

-Rb1-

-Rxc2-

Evan: Hiya, Eneril!

-Nd4-

-Rc4-

-Nf3-

-Nc6-

-h3-

-Bf5-

-g4-

-Be4-

-Rc1-

Eneril: Now. Once again, you’ll just have to make a choice. Rook, or knight? Go on, Zaresi. I’m getting hungry.

Zaresi: Mm-hmm. Laura, take the knight.

Laura: You’re sure?

Zaresi: Always.

-Bxf3-

Eneril: Well, rook, I suppose you’re not that highly valued.

Evan: Do what you need to.

Zaresi: Just make sure you do not have another little accident on the way.

Eneril: Pardon?

Zaresi: I am just saying. Seems to happen every time you try and capture a piece.

Eneril: It won’t.

Zaresi: If you insist.

-Eneril growls, narrowing his eyes-

-Rb1-

Zaresi: Whoops.

-Rxf4-

-Eneril breathes out smoke-

-KRc1-

-Nd4-

-Ra1-

Zaresi: Reaching…

-Qxb2-

Eneril: Ready to lose another Reaper?

Zaresi: At which point you would have lost the game, of course.

Eneril: …Fine by me. Die.

-Iggy gulps-

-and the rook explodes (QRxx)-

Eneril: No!

Zaresi: So very tragic. You are just falling apart at the seams here. Liz?

-Qxc1 check-

-Kh2-

-Ne2-

Eneril: …You won’t win.

Zaresi: We already have.

-indeed, looking at the board, it’s now checkmate in one-

Eneril: No.

Zaresi: Most definitely.

Eneril: None of you even know how to play chess!

Zaresi: And yet here you are. Defeated. As per the terms?

Eneril: …You cheated! You did something!

Zaresi: Nonsense. You merely could not control your rituals.

Eneril: …Control this!

-the chessboard explodes into light. Eneril rears back, sucking in air for a blast of fire-

-Zaresi and Liz step forward. Zaresi conjures a scythe, Liz spreads her wings, and both deliver vicious strikes to the Dragon, who crashes back, his form flickering-

Liz: Thought so.

Zaresi: Your spell to conjure the chessboard must have been exhausting for you, Eneril. Let alone controlling all those Spirits at once. It’s a wonder we did not watch you gutter out on the spot. But then, to challenge us directly after?

-she generates a second scythe-

Zaresi: It was hopeless from the beginning.

-Eneril growls-

Zaresi: When you leave, send out word to your friends. Conquerors are not welcome here.

-Eneril flickers with fire…and then abruptly returns to the form of a human-

Eneril: I honor my wagers. Unlike some.

-he snarls-

Eneril: I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again, Zaresi. I can assure you, the next time I pay a visit, I won’t be put off by a chess game.

Zaresi: Then I look forward to defeating you again.

-she curtsies. Eneril snorts-

-and he disappears in a puff of flame-

Zaresi: And that is that. Thank you, Liz, for the opportunity.

Liz: No problem.

Morgan: That was the most terrifying experience of my life, though also probably the coolest.

Laura: Agreed.

Evan: Absolutely.

Liz: Take it…as a lesson. Do whatever you need to in the heat of battle. Lie, cheat, bluff, appeal to pride, and claw every advantage you can out of every opening you’re given.

Morgan: So you do know how to play chess! I knew it!

Liz: …No. That was blind chance.

Morgan: Well, good to know that you set all of us up as bait and we only lived because our scaly friend couldn’t handle his rituals.

-Laura claps a hand to her mouth. Liz seems amused though-

Liz: There you may have had a little help.

Laura: …You didn’t.

Liz: You may have noticed that the disintegrating pieces had previously been next to me?

Laura: …You did.

Evan: Remember how I saved your life back in the alleyway, Morgan?

Morgan: …No.

Evan: Of all the ungrateful…

Liz: Evan and I prepared a handful of uses of a ritual that disrupts and releases the magic stored in an object. Excellent for destroying a ritual or slow-acting spell, and apparently handy for freeing Spirits trapped inside Eneril. Some good acting on the part of the rest of you sold the show.

Evan: The explosions were not necessarily part of the plan, but they were remarkably amusing.

Liz: By which he means they’re a side effect he can’t control.

Evan: Gotta have the last word, don’t you?

Liz: You make it easy.

Morgan: Wait, you were never near that rook.

Evan: Yeah, when did you use the ritual then?

Liz: Oh. That was a bluff.

-Evan stares-

-Liz grins, and strolls away-

Evan: I get no respect.

Laura: As it should be.

Zaresi: You should all get some rest. It has been a long couple days.

-people start to split up, some of them scooping up keys as they go. Morgan and Laura head off together-

Morgan: You know, for all that Zaresi has bossed everyone around, she’s…surprisingly personable.

Laura: I did tell you. It’s not all bad. At the very least, you’ll always have a community.

Morgan: You’re not wrong.

Laura: Now let’s get ourselves home. I don’t know about you, but I hurt in places I didn’t even know I had.

Morgan: …You’re not wrong.

-the two walk along-

Morgan: …What you said back there, Laura? When I was taking the bishop?

Laura: …I thought that might come back to haunt me.

Morgan: I mean, I could have died. You could have died. Doesn’t that bother you?

Laura: Of course it bothers me. You think I want to die?

Morgan: I don’t know, but I know you don’t seem to put a very high value on your life.

-Laura is silent for a while, and then starts to talk-

Laura: I live alone with my brother. My parents were both sick, and…they died a few years ago. I wasn’t sure what to do, and I went to pray…and Zaresi answered. She takes care of us, she helps out with jobs and money, and she got Liz to set up a few rituals that make sure people leave the house alone. When I say I owe her, I’m really not exaggerating.

-Morgan stares-

Morgan: I’m sorry.

Laura: You didn’t know. I’m sorry I told you to…

Morgan: No. It’s…it worked out.

Laura: I just…I have to trust that she knows what she’s doing, right? Even if she asks me to sacrifice myself, if I don’t believe that she’s doing the right thing…how can I let her keep taking care of my life?

Morgan: I…

-the two sigh-

Laura: …You should get home. Your sister must be worried sick.

Morgan: Right.

-she doesn’t turn around, though, instead gazing at Laura-

Laura: …Good night?

Morgan: …Night.

-they go their separate ways-

-and Morgan arrives home-

Holly: Evening, Morgan. How’s life?

-she grins-

Morgan: It’s…it’s good.

Holly: It doesn’t sound good. Is something wrong?

Morgan: …Nope.

Holly: Really?

Morgan: Cross my heart.

Holly: Alright, then. Just keep yourself safe. We both know you can’t do that that without me around.

-Morgan laughs hollowly as Holly walks away, and takes out her phone, looking at a picture of the angel statue-

Morgan: …Uh, so, I almost died today.