Chapter 7-177: Grim Outlooks (1/2)

“Sama... the stars above the Shroud aren’t the stars of Earth.”

She blinked once, then leaned forwards. “This planet has been moved, just like Terra-Luna?”

“A lot more subtly, but yes. The Shroud didn’t just introduce open magic here; it had to move the planet to a reality that would make it possible. A low-magic reality would have ground down on the Shroud and the undead, eventually neutralizing both. The Shroud is powerful, but it can’t fight an entire low-magic universe’s laws.”

She leaned back, her eyes wide and thoughts obviously churning. “This is a magical universe, and when the Shroud goes down, we’re going to be right in the sights of everything...”

“I would like to recommend at that point that a substantial number of the population be Forsaken. Also... Allegiances will destroy any semblance of standard governments, as will your Markspace.”

“So, I have to literally turn an entire generation of Terrans into Forsaken, build up an organization that can intimidate the Powered Allegiances that are going to manifest, prep the world for dealing with the interest of powerful things from across Creation, and make the Earth a player by sending people out to save other worlds, even if I can’t go there myself?”

I made a face, while she just looked thoughtful. When she started putting on the crazy smile, I knew she’d bit.

“Damn. It’s so nice when the ultimate stuff I could be doing becomes the stuff I need to do. Convenient, that.” I smirked at her expression. “But what about you?”

“I believe I’m tied to the Shroud. When it goes, I go.”

Her eyes sparked. “Not that I don’t believe you won’t be a holy terror in the false night when that happens, but that sounds damn grim, Trav.”

“Yeah, being forced to go to Shrouded world after world, fighting the undead there until there are no more, does make for a grim retirement plan,” I had to agree.

She studied me, and we both grinned at the same moment. “Being immune to fear includes dread,” she pointed out, as we tinked glasses. “That is so horrifying a future I don’t even want to think about it.”

“And the Emperor of all Karma grinds!” I observed. “Be nice if I had a whole lot of armies to share it with, or something.”

Sama nodded slowly, her eyes flashing. “That’s a lot of Good people to be sending away, leaving the shitty and the cowardly and the uncaring behind.”

“Gonna need a ruthless bitch in charge to keep the greedy fucks in line,” I observed sagely.

“Ain’t that the bloody truth.” She cracked her knuckles, her eyes flat. “Let’s just say I got experience with Neutrals who only care about their own agenda, and go fuck the rest.”

“Amen.” We tunked again. “Ael always hated dealing with the Neutrals. Perfectly happy to let the rest of Creation go hang as long as they got what they wanted.”

“Yeah, yeah, and Good is a bunch of busybodies dragging folk into other people’s affairs we have no business being involved in and making trouble for everyone,” Sama snorted.

“But they are the first to complain and beg for help when those affairs and troubles are theirs!”

“Of course!” We sighed together. “Okay, we’ll have to read in Briggs on this, as he’s basically going to shoulder it all and drive it forward. Gotta love them big, fuzzy Sources.” Her mood brightened as soon as she mentioned his name. He was out with the boys, having a good no-women time, and I’d even had Master Fred go along with them. I had graduated to the point of being able to take care of myself, and although I liked having him around, he needed some time off of me, too.

“Yes, he’s got that engineer frame of mind, wanting to fix everything and make a perfect solution for it. What to fix, and making sure it gets done, is something else.”

“My job,” she agreed without batting an eye. “For such a massive Source, he’s rather open-minded and not an egotistical showoff. Part of the template?” she wondered aloud.

“No. He’s a Rantha Hagspawn, and you’re a Rantha Hag. You’ve got gender dominance on him. He’s very much a dominating authority figure when you’re not around.”

“Mmm!” She blinked acknowledgement, already factoring that in. “So, I’m going to be cleaning up the Daoist Immortal problem, or at least spearheading it, while he takes over getting as many Forsaken trained up as possible.”

“We don’t dare open up the world while there’s Daoists around. The trouble they might bring down on the planet is horrible to even contemplate.”

“A world where strength is everything. I got it. Haven’t messed with any of them yet.” She quirked a small smile. “They aren’t going to like dealing with a Forsaken.” Suddenly, her smile faded away. “You’re missing out on something.” I lifted an eyebrow. “Remember, China isn’t the actual home of kung fu and stuff. You forgot there’s another branch of profound martial arts with negative connotations right next door.”

I blinked. “Oh, shit.” I put my hand up to my head. “Please tell me no.”

She didn’t say anything.