For a brief second, Arwin and the drunkard stared at each other in complete silence. The Infernal Smithy itself seemed to hold its breath as it watched. There was no possibility that the blue-eyed man had come through the doors. One second, he had not been there. And that should have been impossible. “Me,” the drunkard agreed, but for the first time since they’d met, he didn’t sound particularly drunk. The man’s words were as cold and measured as his eyes. “I suppose this has been a long time coming, Arwin.” “It was you,” Arwin said. “You helped me?” “Why? How?” A dozen questions bubbled up and died within Arwin’s mind. It hadn’t exactly been a mystery that the old man was far more than he’d appeared. He’d helped them save Monica’s life and had aided in the fight against the Falling Blades. “Because this was my home seven hundred years ago, and it remains my home today. I spilt acres of blood to defend it on the day I died, and I have spilled acres more since. These lands are mine.” “There were a bunch of thugs living on the street before I moved in.” Koyu let out a chuckle. “That is far from filth. They were low lives, but acting takes energy. Until you moved in, it was preferrable to have them than some of the alternatives. I must admit that I find the current company far mor enjoyable — despite your constant invitation of scum onto my lands. I have removed the worst.” “Removed — wait. So the rumors of people going missing…” Koyu raised a hand to reveal a thin garrote wire. “The weeds have been pulled. As they always have. And, so long as I retain any semblance of strength, as they will continue to be.” “So why did you help me finish the Core?” It’s little wonder a Lich would be capable of it — they’re masters of making soul items. But for him to help me… it just doesn’t make sense. We aren’t really allies. We tolerate each other at best. “Because I promised to.” Koyu smiled. “None of your concern. You’ll find out, eventually. Move on.” There was no room in his voice for argument. Arwin suppressed his annoyance and focused instead on his complete befuddlement. “Why?” he asked. “I don’t understand. You’re dedicating your life to… defending a run-down street? Is there something hidden in it?” “Nothing,” Koyu said with a smile. “It is just a street. Just as Lillia’s inn is just an inn. Just as Esmerelda’s little store is just a store. Just as your smithy is just a smithy.” “That’s not much of a just.” “Of course not. It is mine. Since the last Great War, it has been mine.” “That wasn’t all that long ago. It’s been a few months at most.” Koyu burst into laughter. Arwin stared at the ghostly old man in confusion. “Months?” Koyu repeated. “Oh, no. I said Great War, not the stage play you partook in. There was a time before this neatly organized empire. Before factions had even been put together. When the only thing that ruled was power. Before the Mesh itself had become a concept… and before this planet started to starve.” “Before… the Mesh?” Arwin repeated. “There was such a time, but I only lived for a few short years of it. Where power could be claimed without any resistance or challenge. When magic was free. It was a beautiful time. A horrible time. Do not ask me of it. My memory has waned, and to my delight, drinking has ensured that it does not return.” I suppose drinking even works on Lich apparitions. Good to know. “Then… what did you mean by the planet starving?” “A suspicion more than anything else,” Koyu admitted, glancing away. “The more time that passed after I lost my body, the more I have felt in tune with the world. Despite my best attempts to shut it out, I have gotten… feelings. Deep, gut-wrenching pain, like my stomach—” “Is trying to eat itself.” Arwin finished. The goosebumps against his skin intensified. He could have sworn a cold breeze pressed its hand against his neck. “Like you ate hot coals and they’re trying to burn their way out.” It was Koyu’s turn to look surprised. “Yes. How did you know?” “The Hungering Maw,” he whispered. “The curse the Mesh gave me with my class that forces me to consume magic. That’s what it feels like when the Hungering Maw needs to be fed.” “You are tied to it,” Koyu said, staring in surprise. “You have something to do with the degradation of the world.” “You said it was a suspicion.” “I was being optimistic,” Koyu snapped. He flicked his hands irritably. “You are involved. The Mesh has brought you in. To what purpose, I do not know.” “Then we’re going to have to find out.” “We?” Koyu tilted his head to the side. “There is no ‘we’, Arwin. I gave you answers today because I was feeling unfortunately lucid. I am not throwing my lot in with your guild. I will protect the street as I always have. You will—” “I’ll make you a Core.” Koyu stared at Arwin. “What?” “A Core,” Arwin repeated. “And a body. A Lich apparition as old as you… you can’t have much left. You can’t keep a corporeal form, right? That’s why people think you’re a ghost. But I could give you one. A permanent one.” “What makes you think I want a body back?”