"We can provide weapons, armor, and equipment equivalent to your current technological level. We can offer tactical and strategic advice based on real-time intelligence. We can provide limited manpower in the form of specialists. And, as a last resort, we can deploy force to eliminate high-level threats."

"In exchange for what?" Reidar asked.

"Nothing immediate," Xy'tharr said. "The Phalanx takes a long view. We invest in potential, expecting that those we help will, in turn, help others when they are strong enough to do so. A cycle of mutual benefit."

It was a fair deal, Reidar thought. Better than the Church of Unbinding's offer of servitude.

"And what do they want from us?" Lena asked.

"Not 'us,'" Xy'tharr said. Its eyes focused on Reidar. "Him."

Reidar felt his stomach drop. "Why only me?" Reidar asked. "Lena fought the progenitor as I did."

"Your trait," Xy'tharr said. "Your progression rate. Your tactical acumen. You have qualities the Phalanx values. You have the potential to become more than simply another survivor grinding against death."

"That sounds too good to be true," Lena said.

Reidar studied the alien creature, trying to read something, anything, from its inhuman features. "Why now? Why here?"

"Because you are trying to leave the raid," Xy'tharr said. "A decision the Phalanx finds... counterproductive. Most would stay, drawn by the rewards despite the obvious dysfunction. You chose differently."

"So you're watching us," Reidar said.

"We watch many," Xy'tharr said. "Most prove unworthy of further attention. You have not. At least not until now."

The creature's four arms moved in a complex gesture that Reidar couldn't interpret.

Reidar watched as Xy'tharr turned to Jake, its eyes narrowing as it studied the boy. Jake shrank back. The Kytinn's voice, when it came, was different, softer, almost curious.

"Another trait user in your group," Xy'tharr said. He then turned to Lena.

Reidar stepped forward, placing a hand on Jake's shoulder. "He's just a kid. He's been through a lot."

"I can only imagine," Xy'tharr said, its tone flat.

Reidar's eyes narrowed as he studied the alien creature before him. "Why are you really here, Xy'tharr? What's your true purpose in coming to us at this moment?"

Xy'tharr's four eyes seemed to glint with something unreadable. "I came to convince you to help these people, Reidar Miller. As the woman called Seraphine, which we are also monitoring, said, you can't leave the area. You can enter, but you cannot leave. We especially made things this way because we expected you would take a decision like this."

"It was you?"

"Indeed… You're needed for this raid. We need you to guide those people and help them finish it."

"Are you kidding me?" Reidar asked. "Those guys are morons… What good having them complete it will do?"

"It will make a huge difference," the creature said.

"The raid's value isn't just in the monsters you kill, it's in helping those people reach their goal. Your unique abilities could make all the difference in their success."

"The Phalanx's interests align with the greater good," Xy'tharr said. "Your unique trait and your rapid progression make you a valuable asset. Leaving now would be a waste and a huge loss."

"But not for me…" Reidar said.

The Kytinn nodded. "For the others… Right… We need you to take a bigger role in all of this, Reidar."

Xy'tharr's head tilted slightly, a gesture that might have been curiosity or calculation.

"I am here to ensure you have the reasons to help. We knew the quest rewards wouldn't be enough, and that was why they sent me here to talk to you. We needed to make ti so that you wouldn't leave, hence why the fog, and we needed you to see the current situation. Humanity is having trouble cooperating, and this will spell your doom."

"Then why didn't you gave me a better quest to begin with? I might have decided to stay without this charade going on."

"Because we hoped you would have helped them for pure altruism." The Kytinn warrior paused. "Altruism is the key here, Reidar. Without it, you humans are just meat for the slaughter."

"And what if I decide to leave anyway despite knowing this? Will you stop me?"

Xy'tharr's arms moved in a fluid gesture. "You can't leave, Reidar Miller. I thought this was clear."

"Fuck…"

Reidar was basically trapped. He would have needed to get through the valley regardless, and at this point, it became clear that flying would have brought the same outcome because of the fog. He would have been forced to join the raid. Unfortunately for the Aegis Phalanx, he chose to leave and not help. That forced them to intervene directly.

Lena's hand touched Reidar's arm. "Reidar, we need to think about this."

Reidar looked from the Kytinn to the woman beside him, then to Jake, who was watching the exchange with wide, uncertain eyes.

He thought of the sprawling, chaotic camp, the simmering rivalries, and the sheer scale of the task. He thought of his mother's face and sighed.

"You need to make the quest worthwile. I get what you said, but I can't do things for free. If what you said about the progenitor is true, then i will need as much power as I can."

"We know the quest won't be of much use to you," the creature said, "So we issued another quest to make it worthwhile for all of you." He paused. "But remember this… tweaking the system for rewards demands a lot of resources, and it goes against what we believe is right. There won't be many opportunities like this. If there will be, it will be because the system deems it right to issue this kind of rewards, which is another matter altogheter…"

"A different quest," Reidar said. "What is it?"

Xy'tharr's eyes fixed on Reidar.

"A quest that will test your mettle. A quest that could change the course of this raid and, perhaps, the fate of your people, as it will make this region's fighters stronger. You can already understand what this implies."

Stronger forces against the church.

The Kytinn gestured with one of its four arms. "It is called 'The Shepherd's Gambit.' A unique quest designed for you and your group."

Reidar's brow furrowed as he considered the implications. "And what does this quest entail?"

Xy'tharr's eyes seemed to glint with a hint of amusement. "It is simple. You will focus your efforts on helping the other survivor groups succeed. Your reward will be a multiplier of their collective success, but you have to forsake the raid's quest to accept it."

<What the fuck? The final reward will be a multiplier of their collective success? This means that if they get good results, I will get even more. If they level up 10 times, I will level up twenty, thirty, or even fifty or sixty times.>

Lena gave Reidar a look. It was clear that this was an enormous opportunity, one that for sure required the Aegis Phalanx to use a lot of resources.

It was something that wouldn't repeat itself. The system had to work on something. The rewards had to came from somewhere, and keeping this system up for countless of people, for countless worlds, it meant it wasn't cheap.

Reidar was getting the one and only ticket for power leveling, one that only he would be able to get.

"This is your chance to make a difference," Xy'tharr said, its tone unyielding. "To prove that one powerful individual can learn to lead, to inspire, and to create a lasting impact. Or will you remain a lone force, ultimately insufficient to save your species?"

Reidar looked at Lena, seeing the reflection of his own doubts in her eyes. Then he turned to Jake, who watched them with a mix of fear and hope. The boy had been through so much, and yet here he was, standing tall despite the shadows of his past.

"Jake," Reidar said, "what do you think?"

Jake's eyes widened, and for a moment, he seemed at a loss for words. Then, with a determination that belied his years, he spoke. "I think... I think we should stay. We can help people."

Reidar turned to Xy'Tharr. "We will need to see the quest first."

The Kytinn warrior nodded and sent them the quest.

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