I woke up in a cold sweat and panic. My face felt feverishly hot, and I smelled the pungent poultice of a witch's brew. Was Betty still here? How close were the Jesters? Panic surged. I tried to swallow it down, only to gag on my dry throat. I needed a drink. Badly.

"Kip…"

I struggled to turn my head.

"Good. You are awake." Cal stood next to my makeshift bed in his flayen form. "We have little time."

"Where's Betty?"

"She had to run. Kip, it isn't safe here."

I knew Betty couldn't be here. That didn't stop my heart from hurting. I could use the company of my friend. I was glad she was safe though… "Is she safe?"

"I do not know," Cal said. He stood with his arms behind his back in a rigid posture. "She said she had places she could hide. I followed her for a time. It did not look like any Jesters were on her trail."

"Are they already here?"

"Maybe an hour or two."

"How long was I out?"

"A little over an hour."

"We're gonna have to work on our time estimates..."

Cal nodded as if taking a mental note.

"Thanks for taking watch."

"You should've summoned me sooner."

"I know." I didn't use my summons to the best of my ability. It was a shortcoming for sure.

"It is not just that…" Cal shook his head. "Never mind. Now's not the time. Can you walk?"

I nodded.

"Good. Follow me." He shifted into his falcon form and stretched out his wings, preparing to take flight. "Oh, and there is no time for walking."

We took off at our fastest speed. That lasted all of five minutes before a blast of energy knocked me off course. It wasn't strong enough to knock me off my feet, but it pushed me out of Cal's wind tunnel. I looked around searching for the attacker. I still had my mana, so that was good.

"Shit."

I looked over at the cursing falcon. Cal had circled back to me. "What do you mean, shit?"

"Betty…"

"I thought she was running?"

"Me too. Kip, we can't go back for her. It will certainly be the end of your loop. We are still at the start. Betty is buying you time. Don't waste it."

"Cal…" I knew what the flayen was saying was correct. Ninety-nine percent of my being agreed with him. The bastard lone percentage was the problem. It was the same stubborn ideal that kept me fighting for my friends. Betty was a friend of mine. I wouldn't abandon her. "I know… I just can't."

"Shit… Follow me." Cal changed course, and I promptly followed. Our direction was northeast, heading back toward the Frontier. As we sped through the rocky forest terrain, mana exploded continually. It wouldn't be long before the witch ran out of potions.

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Judging from the sound, we were about two miles apart. Cal and I should get there in time.

So what is the plan? Cal asked on the move.

I don't have a plan other than showing up.

Being there will not make any difference.

Only to me. I can't leave her behind. I just can't.

You don't have to convince me anymore. We are going to fight. I just want us to think things through, so…

So I don't just get silenced and end up fighting for my life.

Well yeah. And why don't you put your clones to work?

Summon my splits?

Yeah.

I don't know if I can. It feels like I'd unravel if I let them out.

Interesting… I suppose a fight isn't the best time to test it out. Well then, what about Fender's monsters?

Fender's monsters? You mean the ones protecting my mind?

Yeah.

They are protecting my mind.

A bit overkill for the moment. How many mind mages do you expect to counter?

How many flayens are left on Helm?

None that would be fighting in a forest skirmish… besides, your mind is safe. In fact, Fender is just about to reach a new level of security.

How would I even do that?

I don't know. Meditate and ask your splits.

Got it.

Really? Cal asked incredulously.

Well, it should work. Still need to test it.

We've got about a mile left. I will go scout.

Cal took off, flying high in the air and circling the general vicinity of the fight. He sent his mapping to me through our bond.

On his map, I could see markings for Betty and the three dozen Jesters fighting against her. Cal updated his map with information on the assassins as he flew, detailing their energy types, power levels, and class/fighting style.

I had information and the element of surprise… a possible element of surprise. There was a good chance there was another squad or two not involved in the fight and actively tracking me. And there was a chance some Jesters fighting Betty were tracking me as well.

Cal was right. I couldn't rely on old methods. I needed something new. Something more. Much more.

I paused my travels, focusing on a new spell. My mind merged somewhat with Fender's, drawing on his wealth of experience and knowledge in creating monsters. I already knew the idea since Fender was my mind, but the direct connection amplified the knowledge as if it were compounded.

Cyan mana swirled, flowing with a peaceful calm feeling. The summons took shape in my mind, becoming a concrete image. As my hands created a controlled volume for my mana, I forced my will and desire into it. The first monster took shape—a mix between the rat king, wolfbears, and Gulley.

The monster tree rat took shape as mana, runes, and willpower filled it. I pushed the battle experience of the Ratking into the frozen monster, only for it to collapse into a puddle. Failure on the first attempt was a good omen. I repeated the summoning process and tried again. The Ratking seemed more stable but no less of a puddle than before.

Before my next attempt, I channeled the knowledge of Cult as well, exerted more will, and demanded that the Ratking bow before his creator.

That almost worked. The tree rat dispersed mid-bow. On the fourth attempt, the last one before I had to resume running, also failed. At this point, I was no stranger to failure. We were becoming tired friends. I formed a new plan that centered on all the sleepers among the Jesters and started running.

The explosions shook the ground. Trees shook, dropping leaves, nuts, and sometimes branches. Shouts could be heard in the distance. If these Jesters were aware of my location, they weren't showing any hint. All of them focused on Betty.

The witch had an aura of elements around her. It looked like all eight mana types were hers to command. She drank potions and threw explosive vials at her attackers while her elemental shield warded off attacks. I knew the witch had a deep reserve of potions; however, with her life mana cut off, she'd run out eventually, and her impressive display of power would come to an end.

It seemed the Jesters knew this as well. They played their hand carefully, probing at the witch with attacks while staying out of range of her throws. Their caution had me on alert. The assassins were on a time-sensitive mission, weren't they? The longer they fought the witch, the more time I had to escape. Was there another squad that I missed? Cal would've seen them if that were the case. No, they were overconfident in their ability to track me. It didn't matter how much time I had. They knew where I was… I couldn't hide.

I got into position, seeking cover and a height advantage in a tree. I was just outside the sleepers' range. The disadvantage of tougher shots paled compared to the access to my mana. The forest made it tough to get a direct view of all the targets. It was another disadvantage of my position. One I hoped to fix soon.

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