The horned Healer and the dark fox stopped at the flat edge of the meadow, the chasm directly behind them.

  The pure black Kitlix flowed down the girl's hands and rearranged itself into an instrument that had both violin and guitar strings. A part of the Kitlix turned into a violin bow, attached to the violin by a small, dark chain.

  "Ladies and Gentlemen. We bring you the tale of love n' loss. Cedez Astra and Dumpich Sentirk duo present..." the Healer announced with a flourish. "The Dungeon Diver's Lament!"

  Then the music began. It was a lovely, soft melody that seemed to drift across the outside cafe, captivating the attention of all of the breakfast-enjoying patrons.

  The violin strings carried a sense of lament and longing. The music wasn't just heard - I felt it pulse across all of me. Tiny vibrations rippled through the atmosphere, causing the wildflowers on our table to sway almost imperceptibly. I guessed that Cedez and Dumpich probably had Bard skills similar to what Cinder did.

  There was an echo of static behind the music that seemed to enhance each note, making me shiver ever so slightly.

  Dumpich began in a rich baritone, a wide grin spreading above his violet-brown goatee, his brown-violet long hair swaying in the wind.

  Seeking glory 'neath crystal sky,

  Fortune calls with siren's song,

  Through these halls I'll prove I'm strong!"

  His Vitalix Kitlix rushed down his hand, turning into a green rapier. He began marching in one spot, looking every bit the dungeon delving adventurer.

  Around us, patrons listened with varying levels of attention. Some seemed deeply moved, while others who probably already heard the song continued their conversations, the music providing a pleasant background ambiance.

  The dark foxgirl with the Kitlix instrument watched Dumpich with a cheeky grin, her blue eyes focused on me alone.

  "Come closer seeker, venture deep,

  Such treasures here for you to keep,

  Each step you take leads further down,

  Until my shadows make you drown..."

  She sang.

  Ah. She was the Dungeon.

  "These chambers hold such wondrous sights,

  Crystal gardens filled with lights,

  Why does this place feel so known?

  Like memories carved in living stone..."

  Dumpich sang, looking about with concerned expression. Cedez covered her eyes with a gloved hand.

  "Your voice... it stirs forgotten dreams,

  Of days before the shadow schemes,

  When I was flesh and you were mine,

  Before I made these walls my shrine…”

  She sang. A cold shudder ran down my spine.

  "My heart recalls a love so true,

  A maiden with eyes of deepest blue,

  Lost to darkness years ago...

  Could it be? I need to know!"

  Dumpich sang. I glanced at Cinder’s eyes. She still stared unnervingly at me.

  "Too late I recognize your face,`

  In my Sentinels' death's embrace,

  The one I loved, now trapped within,

  My hunger adds you to my sin..."

  The foxkin sang.

  A shadow suddenly bloomed from her figure, forming a large, looming Shadowbeast that pretended to chomp on the Kitlix rapier-armed Healer.

  Dumpich dramatically collapsed into the grass, pretending to be dead. Cedez stepped over the fallen dungeon diver, her figure wrapped in dancing shadows. Shadow wings spread behind her, a crown of shadows flashing atop of her head.

  "Two souls bound by tragic fate,

  Reunited far too late,

  Yet even as the darkness falls,

  Love echoes through these ancient halls..."

  Both of them sang together.

  "Though flesh may fail and light may fade,

  Our love survives the choices made,

  Perhaps one day we'll find a way,

  To break these chains and see the day..."

  "Until that time, I'll hold you here,

  Your spirit kept forever near,

  Within these walls we'll wait as one,

  Until our freedom's finally won..."

  The singers finished with a flourish.

  I wiped a stray tear from my eye, moved by the whimsical, albeit haunting performance. The tale of a dungeon diver finding his lost love as the Dungeon core only to be killed and turned Sentinel resonated deeply with me on an unexpected, visceral level.

  "That was beautiful," I said, joining the cheering and applause.

  Cinder nodded silently, her red hair shimmering in the morning light. The way she gripped my arm hard suggested the song had affected her too. Her head leaned on my shoulder, rubbing against me in a far too draconic gesture.

  Vespera leaned forward too, gray-gold eyes gleaming with intense interest. "Now THOSE are some talented Bards! Skittles, you should take some notes. Hrm. That Shadowmancy was top notch. Felt... really potent. Genuine."

  "Genuine how?" Cinder demanded, looking like her pride as a singer was somewhat wounded.

  Vespera's body had gone completely still, her entire demeanor shifting from playful to intensely analytical.

  "Proper genuine," the human-birb nodded, tapping her chin with a dark, manicured fingernail. "It's like... she's... actually a dungeon Sentinel. Hollow. Empty. Despairing. Hungry. Very moving s-hhhh-stuff. More moving than I expected it to be. That static in the end. It’s like… she actually wants to nom on him. Nom on us all."

  Cedez turned and looked directly at our table. Her blue eyes seemed to pierce right through our carefully constructed disguises.

  A shadow flickered across her face. Just for an instant.

  "Order something," Vespera hissed at me.

  "Two Sunrise Blend coffees, One latte, one water," I said quickly to Hyrei who flitted to our table with a gust of wind. "And a plate of Snailcake pastries. And four Adventurer's Breakfasts!"

  Hyrei nodded and turned away, but not before catching a glimpse of Cedez's penetrating stare.

  [Don't look at her damn it,] Vespera sent via thought, her human hand subtly covering mine. Electrical sparks danced between our fingers, so faint they were almost invisible.

  [Too late,] I thought back. [She’s onto us.]

  Cedez walked over to the man in the gray robe and said something and then sashayed to our table.

  "Good morning," Cedez said, her voice smooth as silk but with an underlying edge that made the hairs on my newly acquired fox fur stand on end. "Might I join you?"

  It wasn't a question, despite the polite phrasing.

  Vespera's human hand tightened almost imperceptibly on mine.

  [Shit, shit, shit,] her static-filled mental voice danced across my mind. [Definitely onto us.]

  "Sure," I nodded.

  Cedez settled gracefully into an empty chair.

  "Lovely morning for breakfast, isn't it?" Cedez smiled, showing sharp teeth.

  My new foxy nose picked up something odd about her - a complete lack of scent. Like a void in the tapestry of smells around us. The color-shifting dragoness smelled of sweat, scales, old wood, fire, metal and ozone, while the man smelled distinctively like a human. But in Cedez... there was nothing.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  Nothing at all.

  "Indeed," I smiled, noticing that the scales of the dragoness shifted colors from violet to pink-blue as her hand entwined with the ginger man in gray.

  Ha. So I wasn't the only appreciator of chromatic dragons around these parts.

  "I must say," Cedez continued, her blue eyes fixed on me with unsettling intensity as a shadow-halo flickered above her head and all sounds around the cafe fell silent, "your disguises are quite impressive."

  "Why thank you," I grinned as Cinder choked beside me, Vee tensing up even more. Shash seemed unaffected, or maybe simply hiding it behind the illusion of a stoic bodyguard.

  "Shash, do you mind introducing me to your new friends?" Cedez turned to our Assassin/pretend bodyguard.

  Shash's scarred face remained impassive. "These are my...." He began and looked at me.

  "New friends," I interjected. "I’m Sir Christophorus and these are my lovely fiancées," I paused, coming up with names rapidly. "Lady Voltara and Lady Castabriella."

  "Fiancées?" the fox tilted her head.

  "Polyamorous arrangement," I shrugged. “Pretty mundane where we are from.”

  “Curious,” Cedez's eyes dug into me, the gems on her leather outfit reflecting the sunlight streaming from all directions. "And what brings you to Shandria, Sir Christophorus?"

  "Shopping," I said cheerfully. "I'm looking to buy presents for my second fiancée's sister and her parents. Say, what would you recommend in town?"

  "Presents?” She mused. “Hrmmm. How Charming you are. The shops on Glasnova might meet your expectations."

  "Charm is my middle name," I grinned. "And thank you! So, how did you know that we weren’t from here?”

  "I don't know your names," Cedez said. "Which is concerning, since I should know everyone's names. Are you three perchance some kind of foreign domain infiltrators?"

  "Foreign domain infiltrators?" I repeated, letting out a theatrical laugh. "Me? I'm just a humble foxkin accompanying my two lovely ladies on a shopping expedition!"

  "Sounds like something an infiltrator would say," Cedez said sharply.

  "Sounds like something a Sovereign would say," I countered with an equally sharp smirk.

  The entire table went absolutely still.

  Cedez's blue eyes widened for just a fraction of a second before her composure returned. A dark crown and halo flickered atop of her head, dancing like living smoke.

  "And what makes you think I'm the Sovereign of Shandria?" she asked, her voice smooth as silk.

  "A little imprisoned worm told me," I leaned back. “Also, your crown is kinda showing.” I pointed a finger up at her dark shadow-crown and halo.

  “Ah,” Cedez's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "What a clever little fox you are.”

  "I try," I smiled back.

  “So you are…” She began.

  "I prefer the term 'interdimensional tourist',” I said, stealing Zee Captain’s whimsical title.

  "Interdimensional… tourist?" Cedez tilted her head at me.

  "Yes," I nodded. "We came to your lovely city from another world, Sovereign."

  "Like that other bothersome trio?" Cedez wondered.

  "The idiots you sentenced to a thousand years dungeon?" I asked, recalling what Solace told me about Cedez Astra. "Yep. They're our... frenemies of sorts, competition. I do hope that Em's crew hasn't bothered you too much. She's been quite the bug in my grain silo, threatening to murder me and whatnot.”

  "Oh not at all," Cedez waved a gloved hand. "The Watch handled it."

  "Handled it?" I repeated. "By executing them soon?"

  "Precisely. A clean, bureaucratic solution. Death by fire,” she yawned.

  "How very... efficient," I said, matching her tone. "I'm sure the public execution will be quite the sight."

  "Oh, it will be," she leaned forward. "Are you planning to attend?"

  "Wouldn't miss it for the world," I grinned. "Front row seats, perhaps? Are you and your friends going to attend too?"

  "I'm... considering it," Cedez purred out. "It's not every day the city gets their hands on someone who works for a Necromancer. Are you perchance… working for one too?"

  "Heavens no," I waved a clawed orange-tinted hand at her. "To be completely honest, I was the one who destroyed Lord Zalimar's entire drug smuggling operation by exposing him."

  I felt the eyes of my companions digging into my sides.

  "Did you now?" Cedez asked. "And might I ask how and why?"

  "By banishing him into another dimension," I said. "Because he was being a rude knob."

  "Banished him?" Cedez raised an elegant eyebrow. "Just like that?"

  "Mmm-hmm," I nodded. "I don't like Necromancers who murder teenagers for being born with the wrong sort of blood. Would you mind if I taunt Emerald a bit before her execution?"

  Cedez's blue eyes sparkled with mischief. "Taunting her? How delightfully... petty. Nah, I don’t mind. The public execution permits taunting. You can even purchase some fruit for a few coppers to throw at her. That dragon girl made a lot of people upset with her actions. I believe there will be a lot of taunting happening between now and her execution hour. How do you plan to taunt her?”

  "Well," I leaned forward with a jovial expression, "I was thinking of showing up looking absolutely fabulous, making her believe we might rescue her, and then... not doing a single thing. It'll really annoy her."

  Cedez let out a laugh that was part amusement, part genuine appreciation, dark tail swishing. "Oh, you are deliciously wicked. I like you."

  "Thank you," I fired back, my own tail swishing.

  "May I ask who exactly you are?" She asked.

  "You may refer to me as Lord Protector, my Sovereign," I said. "Do excuse the disguises."

  "You're excused," Cedez waved a hand. "So tell me, Lord Protector," she purred, "what exactly are you protecting?"

  "Humanity," I said.

  "Humanity?" The dark fox stared at me.

  "Yes," I nodded. "Wherever it is found, be it Arx or other worlds, I protect the innocent and meek, defend those who cannot defend themselves."

  “Ha!” Cedez barked sharply. "Defend the innocent? That sounds suspiciously noble for someone who just admitted to banishing a Necromancer and planning to emotionally torture a dragon at her public execution."

  "Noble doesn't mean nice," I winked. "It means effective. Emerald will get over it. Maybe learn a lesson. Probably not. Mostly, I'm hoping that her boyfriend and best friend will take something away from it."

  "Learn a lesson… by being burned alive?" Cedez blinked, derailed sideways.

  "We come from a world where... death was cured," I shrugged. "You can stab me through the head right now and I'll just come back in a hundred years time to Shandria, good as new."

  Cedez's blue eyes glimmered with a dangerous challenge. "Shall we test that theory?"

  Before anyone could react, a shadow-blade materialized at my throat - razor-thin, cold, impossibly sharp.

  I didn't even flinch.

  The shadow-blade pressed closer. A normal human would have tensed, shown fear. I wasn't normal. Alexander Glock was at the wheel and I wasn't going to chicken out.

  Cedez's eyebrow arched. “Not scared, huh?”

  "Not really," I said.

  The shadow-blade swung, splitting the air and then stopped a millimeter from my neck.

  "Fine," she said, the blade retreating. "I believe you. You aren't even flinching at the prospect of your head getting chopped off. Hrmm."

  She raised a hand and a shadow-nail extended from her finger heading straight for my eye. I stared at it. It stopped right before my eyeball and retreated.

  "You really aren't afraid of death," she said. "How... odd."

  "Died on Tuesday," I shrugged. "Saw the Wheel, taunted it for a bit, got better."

  "I see," she paled slightly. "So, Lord Protector, what are your plans for after the execution?"

  "That depends," I said. "How do you feel about the Arx Bank, Sovereign?"

  "The Arx Bank?" Cedez pursed her lips. "Why do you ask?"

  "Oh, just curious," I said casually. "Wondering how attached you are to their current... operational methods."

  Cedez leaned forward, her shadow halo flickering. "Attached? Not particularly. They're... useful, if corrupt, I suppose. But useful things can be replaced."

  "Excellent," I grinned. "Because I'm thinking of starting my own Bank."

  "Your own Bank?" Cedez repeated, tilting her head. "How... ambitious of you.”

  "Not just any bank," I stretched, matching her playful energy. "A bank that actually cares about its clients and doesn't eat their mana via the system bracelets. Novel concept, right?"

  "Hrm, yes," she nodded. "And how exactly do you plan to compete with an established institution like the Arx Bank?"

  "Maybe they'll go out of business due to a series of unfortunate events," I shrugged. "Have you perchance seen the yellow folder belonging to the Grand Moloch?"

  "I have not," Cedez said.

  "If you'll allow me," I dug into my backpack and pulled out a copy of the yellow folder. "Here. This details all of their crimes against humanity."

  "Quaint," Cedez perused the folder, eyes quickly running over the names. "You just... hand sensitive information over to everyone like that?"

  "Only to lovely Sovereigns such as yourself. Also, would you prefer I whisper it dramatically?" I grinned. "Or perhaps send it via carrier pigeon? Could you maybe execute the Arx Bankers for these crimes, Sovereign? The folder details all of their crimes in collaboration with Topaz dealers and Necromancer Zalimar Evernacht."

  Cedez closed the folder and slid it down onto the table and sighed. "Love to, but can't."

  "Why not?" I asked.

  "To be honest," Cedez revealed. "I died nineteen years ago. It's pretty inconvenient."

  "Died? And yet here you are. Sounds like we have something in common," I mused, the gears of my mind turning as I switched to the Understanding to digest her words. "Oh. You don't actually rule Shandria, is that it?"

  Cedez nodded.

  "But you want to?"

  "Not particularly," she shrugged. "But somebody has to fix the mess it's become since I died nineteen years ago."

  "Interesting," I said. "Would you like some help with that?"

  Cedez's blue eyes narrowed. "And why would you want to help me, Mister Inter-Dimensional Tourist?"

  "Because breaking things and fixing broken things is kind of my thing," I shrugged. "Perhaps, you would accept a deal?"

  "What sort of a deal?" She asked.

  "I can help you get Shandria in order for… half of it," I said.

  "Such boldness! Half of Shandria?" she asked. "Eh, I don't own any of it now. What would you even do with your half?”

  "Build a city for my gloomy kitten," I stated.

  “I see,” she stared at me. “Which half do you want anyway?"

  "You can keep the top half,” I offered. “I want the bottom half. Undertown."

  Cedez's blue eyes widened. Then she burst out laughing.

  "You want Undertown?" she repeated. "The most lawless, dangerous, effed up part of Shandria? One currently filled with mountains of magic trash, dying addicts and getting infested by the Abystall dungeon draining everything of its value? Really?"

  "Yep," I nodded. "It is a particularly broken place. I like a challenge. So, is it a deal?"

  I offered the ghost of Shandria's Sovereign my hand.

  Cedez extended her gloved hand and shook mine. The handshake was solid, ordinary - not ethereal or ghostly as one might expect from a dead Sovereign. Her grip was firm, businesslike, completely normal. Which made sense in a way. The dungeon Sentinel's arrow that shot me through the chest was real too.

  "You're not actually a ghost, are you?" I asked, sniffing her again. There was still absolutely no scent coming from her. Through the borrowed senses of my Omnid partners, I heard no blood rushing through her veins, no heart beating. Vespera’s electric current detected absolutely nothing inside of her dress, like she was just a projection, an idea of a person.

  She shrugged.

  "A dungeon Sentinel then?" I guessed. "Like your song?"

  She nodded with a small sigh.

  "And you're not a foxkin, are you?" she asked.

  "No," I shook my head. "I'm a human from another world. One who can function without any mana. One who can walk through Abystall dungeon without passing out."