Karin was silent for a moment, her gaze unfocused as she considered Ketal’s question. Then, carefully, she asked, “Can you tell me exactly what the demon said?” Ketal nodded, recalling the words with perfect clarity. “The demon said that I am the enemy of both worlds and that taking one side and opposing the other should never happen.” It had been spoken by a demon who had recognized Ketal as a barbarian from the White Snowfield, his true origin revealed in the heat of battle. Karin fell silent, repeating the words in her mind. “Do you think it’s because you’re from the Demon Realm?” she asked him. “Entities from the Demon Realm don’t belong to either side. They can’t be controlled, and you can’t reason with them. All they do is disrupt the world.” She paused, her voice uncertain. “That’s probably why you were called that.” “But,” Ketal countered, “the demon sounded so certain. As if it wasn’t just an insult, but a kind of truth—a law of the world itself.” He remembered the Stheno’s tone, the strange finality in his voice. He called Ketal the enemy of both worlds. The words hadn’t been flung in anger, but with a sense of unshakable certainty, as if this judgment was woven into the very fabric of reality. “There may be something to that...” she admitted quietly. Karin fell into a contemplative silence, her thoughts tangled. Ketal shifted, thinking aloud. “I heard something from Arkemis—a legend, really. Supposedly, there was once a great conflict between the gods and the entities of the Demon Realm. Do you know anything about it?” Karin shook her head. “No. Only rumors and fragments of old tales. Even for me, it’s ancient history—practically legend. I’m the High Elf Queen, and I’ve lived for centuries, but that story goes so far back it might as well be myth.” “Do you know when it supposedly happened?” Ketal pressed. She thought for a moment, then answered, “I always assumed it was after the Divine-Demonic War. After all, before the gods descended, this world belonged to the demons. When the suffering of the mortals became too great, the gods appeared and, after a long and terrible war, drove out the demons. Only then did humans truly begin to prosper. That’s what we know as history.” “So if there was a clash between gods and the Demon Realm,” she concluded, “it would have to be after that great war. At least, that’s what makes sense to me.” However, Ketal frowned. “If that’s true, the demon’s words don’t add up. The demons made it sound as though they, too, were at odds with the Demon Realm’s entities, not just the gods. Why would that be?” Karin’s brow furrowed. “Maybe... there were conflicts even before the gods descended—times when the demons held sway over the world, but still clashed with those entities. Maybe it’s a pattern that repeats itself, no matter who’s in charge.” “It’s possible,” Ketal said, though his tone was thoughtful rather than convinced. However, even that didn’t explain everything. The world was in chaos now. Demonic forces had returned to the surface, and at the same time, entities from the Demon Realm—those Anomalies—were appearing as well. Their simultaneous emergence seemed too well-timed to be a coincidence. All across the continent, people whispered that demons and Demon Realm monsters were in league, working together to plunge the world into disorder. To most, Ketal seemed like an exception—a Demon Realm entity who sided with mortals. However, as far as anyone could tell, all other Demon Realm beings were aligned with the demons. Yet Stheno’s words told a different story. If the Demon Realm entities were enemies even to the demons, then nothing was as it seemed. Karin’s thoughts spun, caught in the web of contradictions. Was this chaos all just a scheme by the demons—had they unleashed the Demon Realm’s horrors to destabilize the world, since the gods now held sway? Karin thought. The logic was sound: the enemy of one’s enemy was their friend, and if the gods were in charge, unleashing the Demon Realm was no risk to the demons. Or is it something else entirely? Maybe the chaos is a surprise even to the demons. Maybe someone—or something—else is pulling the strings, and the demons are merely taking advantage of the situation, Karin thought. So many possibilities, and so few answers. Karin shook her head. “I just don’t know.” Ketal gave a short, wry laugh. “Nor do I.” She looked at him, regretful. “Honestly, Ketal, there’s so much about the world that even I don’t understand. I may be the High Elf Queen and one of the long-lived races, but I’ve spent most of my years within the sacred ground. There’s only so much you can learn from messengers and rumors—you need to see the world for yourself.” Ketal nodded in understanding. “I suppose someone like the Tower Master would know more?” “Probably,” Karin said. “There are people—beings—out there with knowledge far greater than mine.” Ketal let the silence settle between them. According to Stheno, the Demon Realm was the enemy of both worlds. It was hard to deny. The first Anomaly Ketal had met from Outside, Nano, could speak and reason, but its values were utterly alien. It seemed intent on replacing all things with itself—such a being was undeniably a threat to the world itself. He thought, too, of the sea apes deep beneath the waves—creatures of vast intelligence, but monstrous in nature. Even the beasts of the White Snowfield were not much different. To them, everything not themselves was an enemy. The idea of cooperating with demons was laughable. Maybe there’s some law at work, Ketal mused. Demon Realm entities simply cannot coexist with the rest of the world—like two opposing poles of a magnet. The demon’s certainty made it feel like an absolute truth. Yet, something didn’t sit right with him. But I don’t feel that way at all, Ketal thought. To him, the world was a playground. For now, the demons were his enemies, but perhaps, one day, he could call them allies. He held no particular grudge, no real sense of being an enemy to everything. Nothing controlled him, and no Quest compelled his actions. He shrugged. Maybe I’ll figure it out with time. Demons were emerging all over the world—if he wanted answers, he could just capture one and interrogate them. And if that failed, there was always the Tower Master. With a mental nod, Ketal settled the issue for himself. Karin, too, seemed to reach her own conclusion, letting out a soft sigh. “I should look into this as well,” she said. “I’d appreciate that.” Thıs text ıs hosted at noⅴelfire.net “After everything you’ve done, it’s the least I can do,” she replied warmly. Had Ketal not been there, the World Tree might have been lost to corruption. Even thinking about it sent a chill down her spine. “I’ll make sure you’re rewarded for all you’ve done.” Ketal waved her off with a smile. “No need. I’ve already arranged to receive something.” “From whom?” Karin asked him, puzzled. “The Spirit God wanted to make a deal with me. The price was the protection of the World Tree.” Karin’s eyes widened in astonishment. “You—you made a deal with the Spirit God?” Ketal chuckled. “Yes. I’d like to go back to the Spirit Realm again soon.” She stared at him, still trying to process what he’d said. “Wait—so the Spirit God knew what the demons were planning all along? Then why didn’t they warn us?” “I don’t know,” Ketal admitted. “I’ll have to ask at our next meeting.” He smiled, his expression easy and untroubled. The next day, with Karin’s help, Ketal traveled once more to the Spirit Realm. There, Fiego awaited him—a spirit of fire, now acting as his guide. “You’re here. Come with me,” Fiego said, leading the way through the shifting landscapes of the Spirit Realm. It wasn’t long before they reached Beatrice, the Spirit God. “It’s good to see you again,” Ketal greeted. “Hello,” replied the Spirit God in their usual terse, clipped speech. “Was watching.” “So you’ve been keeping an eye on me, then? But why didn’t you intervene? Karin was a little perplexed by that,” Ketal said. “The Mortal Realm used to be ours. Now, there’s a rift. Not only ours anymore. They can interfere too. Not easy.” Ketal nodded, understanding dawning. The world was fractured. Hell’s denizens could now interfere with the Mortal Realm. However, by the same token, until recently, the gods had enjoyed almost total supremacy. They could pour divine power into the world with little opposition, freely spreading their miracles and scriptures. However, with the rift, things had changed. The gods could no longer act with impunity; their intervention was limited. The Spirit God confirmed their suspicions. “We can still interfere. But not as much as before. Too much intervention is difficult.” “That means the mortals need to take up the fight,” Ketal said. “Yes. You did well. I’m satisfied.” The bargain had been struck and fulfilled. Now, it was time for Ketal to claim his reward. “Will give spirit.” Ketal’s eyes lit up. “Finally. I get a spirit of my own.” “Do you care what kind of spirit?” “Not at all. I just want a contract.” “Weak spirits can’t handle your level. But I’ll pick one who can.” “I heard my Myst is too low for a contract,” Ketal said. “Not a problem.” The Spirit God sounded completely unconcerned, as if such limitations meant nothing to them. Ketal could hardly contain his excitement. Finally—after all this time, he would obtain a spirit! Is Beatrice really going to give him a spirit? Fiego wondered as he watched, looking less than thrilled. It always thought it impossible. Ketal simply didn’t have the Myst potential required, and there wasn’t a single spirit strong enough to handle a contract with him. However, the Spirit God could change any rule at will. Who’s the poor soul who’ll have to contract with this barbarian? Fiego wondered, suddenly feeling sorry for whoever it was. Fiego never imagined it would be the one chosen. “You know a spirit already. That’s easier, right?” the Spirit God said. “Better than a stranger, sure,” Ketal replied. “Good.” The Spirit God turned their gaze on Fiego. “You. Contract with him.” “You’ve met. You’ve spoken. You’re strong enough. All requirements met,” the Spirit God said. “Contract.” Fiego’s eyes widened in shock. It couldn’t believe what it was hearing. They want me to contract with this barbarian? Fiego balked. “Spirit God! I already have a contract. Double contracts are technically possible, but I really shouldn’t—” “Not a problem. I’ll send another spirit to your other contractor. You, contract with him.” It was madness. Fiego wanted to protest, to say it was impossible—but this was the Spirit God. They would not change their mind. All it could do was bow its head in resignation. If I’d known this would happen, I never would have come here..., Fiego thought. It had been curious about the strange forces stirring in the Spirit Realm, but now, it bitterly regretted its curiosity. Ketal watched Fiego’s sullen acceptance and felt a brief flicker of sympathy. He looks like a child being sent away by his parents. However, he admitted to himself, it wasn’t really his problem. The contract was performed quickly. Fiego’s face remained downcast as it departed, forced into an unwanted partnership. Satisfied, the Spirit God nodded. “Contract complete.” “Thank you,” Ketal said. “Mind if I ask you a few questions?” “The demons called me the enemy of both worlds. You’ve said something similar before. Is it true?” The Spirit God was silent for a moment. “Yes.” Ketal nodded, his suspicion confirmed. The entities from the Demon Realm truly were considered enemies of the world itself. “But I don’t understand something,” the Spirit God continued. “Why do you help us? Why do you speak with me? Why make deals? Why protect the sacred ground? Why oppose the demons? Why defend this world?” “No particular reason,” Ketal said lightly. “I do it because I want to.” The Spirit God’s gaze sharpened, searching his face for a deeper answer. “We are conflicted about you. Each of us chooses a different response—indifference, goodwill, hostility, control. I haven’t decided yet.” However, at that moment, they made their choice. “I choose to abstain. I will not interfere with you. You are free.” “That works for me,” Ketal said, flashing a grin. He felt his body begin to fade—the contract had drained the last of his Myst, and he was returning to the Mortal Realm. “One last question,” Ketal said. “This might be the most important one. As the Spirit God, you watch over the world. Tell me—why was I able to leave the White Snowfield? Was I the cause of all this chaos?” The Spirit God was silent for a long time. Even as Ketal’s form was nearly gone, they didn’t speak. He was about to give up and leave when, at last, the Spirit God answered, “I don’t know.” The greatest of the spirits admitted their own ignorance. Ketal smiled. “Thank you. I mean it. I hope we meet again someday.” With those words, his form vanished, and he returned to the Mortal Realm. For a long while, the Spirit God watched the place where he had stood. Then, without a word, they moved—not within the Spirit Realm, but elsewhere. She headed for a gathering of beings equal to themselves. The Spirit God traveled to the Hall of the Gods.