Max sighed, squeezing his sister’s shoulder as she leaned against him. “I need to go. Just a few more things left to finish up.” “Another ten minutes?” Her voice waivered, and he kissed her hair and nodded. His feet dangled off the roof of the Faction house. He looked to the east, where the sun’s rays were starting to change the color of the sky. Darkness was beginning to be cast out, and the light of a new day was rising. There were so many people to say goodbye to. Yesterday had been a whirlwind, running across the capital and the other cities, bringing them here. His friends had requests as well, and it took every skill to get them done, yet Bob had been willing to spend the power needed to reset skills to make it happen. “When you beat the tower, send me a sign?” Chuckling, Max nodded and fought against the tightness in his chest. Stacy sat up, pulling away from him, and stared at him. “You’re kidding me, right?” Laughing, he shrugged and then winked at her. “Maybe, maybe not. We’ll see how it goes. Regardless, you know I need to get going. We’ll see each other one last time. Try not to cry then.” Her lips scowled as she pushed against him, almost pushing herself off the roof, as he didn’t move an inch. Grabbing her arm, Max pulled his sister close and hugged her. “Be the woman you always wanted to be. I know you’ll be a great mother and a warrior.” Ignoring her sniffles, Max laughed as she shrieked when he scooped her up and jumped off the building. Breakfast was a solemn affair. Everyone ate quietly, and each member of the party focused on what today meant. Max couldn’t help but think about all the changes they had gone through in the past two years. Fowl sat there next to Batrire, both of them having already braided their beards. Each had small metal rings set in the braids; gifts from their family for protection and luck. Cordellia was running her finger down a list she had prepared. The last few days had been just as busy as she finished setting up things for the group she supported. Outside the city, land had been purchased, and a school of sorts was being built to help train and educate those who needed a new start in life. His eyes moved to Tanila, who was next to him in her chair, eyes closed. She was softly humming a tune as her hands gently caressed her belly and their child. This is it, isn’t it? Yes. Everything you have worked for comes down to what is in that tower. Fear not, I have run through all the tricks and lessons we have learned along this journey. Whatever comes, I will give all we have to ensure you and the others make it through. Max felt a lump in his throat as Bob spoke. Thank you. I mean it. I know our journey together started off badly but I know that without you, I’d be dead and so would they. I… these emotions that spill from you are affecting me. I, too, know that you have changed me into something I cannot remember ever being. Whatever it is I am now, it feels…right. For that, I say thank you as well. It feels like I have a small piece of… humanit,y as you call it. Sitting there, Max took a deep breath and held it, sensing the hand on the clock about to move. The large hand ticked to its position, causing the deep bell to ring. Each of them looked at the other and gave a nod. “It’s time,” Fowl said, rising from his seat. “Let’s go make history.” The sun was up, its warmth spreading over the city, which rang out with a never-ending din of noise. Bells played all over, and cheers and shouts came from the people lined the streets as they moved along. Transporting himself and the team to the tower would have been faster, much faster, but Everett had convinced him that this needed to be done. Flowers lined the city street, and more continued to be thrown as they drew close. Every race and age was present, each shouting wishes and thanks as they rode in the open carriage toward the tower. “This is a way bigger turnout than back in Nalgrun,” Fowl pointed out. “I mean… at least three times as many.” Each waved, smiling as children and adults called out their names. Thousands of bald heads greeted them along the edge of the street, each shining with a fresh shave. Max ignored his friends' gentle teasing, laughing when the occasional group of dwarves was gathered together. The only hair they had left was their bushy eyebrows and beards. Finally, they reached the bridge that carried them to the center of the city, and guards stopped the rest of the town as they moved on to the next part. Every faction was present, with its members standing silently, a single hand closed and placed against their chest. None of them wore armor. All were in a simple white robe. Tears began to fall as Max recognized a few adventurers. Each gave him just a small nod when their eyes locked. No sound came other than the plodding of the horses and the wheels on the carriage as they rode through the line of adventurers, each a witness to what was happening today. “My heart feels ready to explode,” Cordellia whispered. “It’s… like a dream.” Grunts from the rest were her reply as they continued toward the tower, its shape beginning to appear in the center of the town. The last half mile was a special one as only those from their faction lined both sides of the street. Newer members were first and the older and longer tenured ones followed after. Many had tears in their eyes as the party moved past them, and Max couldn’t hold back his own as he remembered the moments he had trained a few of them. As they arrived at the gate and climbed out, no one in the cart had a dry eye. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Holding out his hand, Max smiled as Tanila took it and squeezed. “Just a little more,” he whispered as she drew close, wrapping her arm around his. Max grunted, and Cordellia glanced at him, her eyes landing on the hand he held toward her. “Get over here,” he teased, and she quickly moved, wrapping her arm around his, beaming like the sun. Five adventurers strode through the gate, a single blast of trumpets sounding as the group passed through. Birds were released and took off in every direction of the city, a roar rising from behind as the crowds gathered now knew they had entered the tower grounds. Only a few were inside, special ones hand-picked by Max. Gasps came as the others saw what Max had done. Batrire’s family stood beside Fowl’s family, every dwarf shedding tears. Next to Fowl’s father was his mother, and she cried like the rest, her lips constantly whispering ‘I’m sorry’ over and over toward them. Each dwarf wore a smile, chests proudly puffed out as their children passed by. Max saw his friends standing on the other side and gave them a nod. Three adventurers stood there in shock, bodies shaking and Max wasn’t sure if they would pass out. Tom had done what he asked and for that he owed the man more than he could give. Brutus, Racha, and Miles looked shocked, eyes wide as Max nodded at them. They had grown and looked worn. Each face bore the mark of someone who had seen death and yet pushed through, staying the course of adventuring. Max couldn’t help but laugh as Brutus whispered those words, everyone around him trying to figure out what was so funny. Next to those, Aimee and her father held each other, shaking their heads, their cheeks wet like the rest. Pete was there, dressed in fine clothes and not looking at all like the tavern owner he was. Next to him was Dick and Linda, having been wisked away to join in this moment with their friends. His last one to retrieve for this moment was the only one sitting. A long white beard was carefully braided, and Sam was in the chair, using a staff to try to stand. “One moment,” Max said, bidding his friends to wait. Moving quickly, he approached the dwarf and helped him to his feet. “Bah, now you’re making me look old.” “It’s not me doing that,” Max joked. “It’s that white beard of yours. Still, I’m glad you came.” “So am I… so am I. Fear not. I’ve already started writing the story of Max Hoste. For generations, they will know of the boy whose heart was greater than the darkest skill feared by all.” A sob racked his chest, and Max fought against it with all his strength, simply nodding and giving his older dwarf friend a soft pat on his arm. “Make sure to embellish it. Tell everyone I had great hair.” All those who were nearby and heard burst into laughter, and Max flashed a grin before returning to his friend and winking. Once more, as a group, they walked, side by side, acknowledging the presence of the Faction leaders who had come. They stood there, all in the livery of their Faction, eyes dry and faces set. Max could sense a few of them trembling, but none broke; their gaze and stature were of stone. Nine more people stood before them, the last ones in their path before they reached the tower portal. Tom, Everett, and Dexic stood as one, and Max wanted to scowl as he saw the golden warrior wearing the gift he had made her. “Did he really give that to her now?” Fowl muttered. “It appears he did,” Max replied. “Though I guess it seems right.” The golden warrior stood there, covered in gold dragon armor from head to toe. Only her strong eyes were visible through the slits of the helm, yet Max could see the liquid that dripped from the bottom scale. She nodded once and Max shrugged when they stood just a few feet away. “You weren’t supposed to have that yet.” “You’re a bastard,” Dexic got out, her voice no longer keeping the strong tone she always had. “I… I will see you someday and tell you how high our Faction has risen because of you. Thank you, Max Hoste.” She held out a gold dragon-scaled hand, and Max grabbed it, yanking the woman forward and giving her a quick embrace. Sniffing, she stepped back and to the side as the two older men smiled. “Sorry, I couldn’t wait. A gift like that should be seen by the one who made it,” Everett stated. “Just another song they’ll sing about you in the coming days,” Tom added. “Max Hoste, the one who turns dragons into armor.” All of them chuckled as each party member gave hugs and said goodbye. Waiting for that to end stood an older elf woman whose smile looked like a full moon at night. “You five,” Alfreda said, breathing to steady herself. “The gods have blessed you. I knew it from the moment you handed me that first bag of ogre testicles.” Everyone roared with laughter, able to wipe away some tears and stop the flow. “Be safe, you five. If I ever have children, I will never name them after you.” Once more, the group laughed as they moved forward, giving Alfreda kisses and hugs before she stepped aside. With those four gone, they saw the last five remained. He could feel Tanila stiffen slightly, but she smiled and nodded at her mother. There, flanked between the two Queens of Peltagow and Dagon and Velda, Sylvandra Gilmenor stood, and for the first time Max could ever remember, she looked tamed. Though she was dressed, regal in nature, her hair was white, and her eyes were green. She chose not to flaunt her power or blood. It seems your words moved her after all. Max mimicked his wife, giving the slightest acknowledgement possible with his head. She moved first, the Queen of the elves, stepping forward and bowing slightly. “May the gods watch over you five as you do what has not been done in so long. Know I will keep my promise and do what I can to fix the relationship between our people and the others.” Tanila let go of his arm and approached her mother “Sylvandra… mother. In my heart, there is still a small bit of love. Be the mother to our people, I wish you had been to me.” Having spoken, Tanila returned and took his arm, gold eyes fixed straight ahead. Once more, a small bow was given, and the elven queen moved to the right. Dagon and Velda both moved forward, the pair smiling as they walked. “We’ve done this dance before and I’ve given you the greatest blessing I can,” the King said. “Now, go do what must be done and become what all adventurers dream of.” Velda said nothing, simply smiling and bending her neck, the pair moving to the left. Two young Queens moved as one. Both had dyed their hair black and wore gold dresses, which looked out of place, yet Max assumed he knew why they had chosen that color. “Adventurers, we offer our blessing and thanks. Phaius came and said there was nothing more he could give but his wish to see you soon,” Molly stated. “As for my sister and I… we are grateful for the mercy you have given us. We promise to help our kingdom grow, using you all as the model to mimic.” Max sighed and nodded. “Be the women your Father would have wanted you to be,” he replied. “Thank you for keeping your word.” Both flinched slightly but bowed and then moved to the left, leaving them with no one else in their way. The portal hummed, its presence calling out to them, and Max felt both women’s grip tighten on his arms. “I’m ready,” Fowl said. “Warrior’s first.” Max shook his head and smiled. “No, this time we go as one.”