Angelica stepped out of the tent. On the one hand we hadn't known each other all that long, but on the other I could see that she had put her game face on. It wasn't a shocking change nor was it impossibly subtle. Her face wore an expression of determined neutrality. To most people she looked unbothered and ready for work. It made sense, looking that way made it as hard as possible to see if she was angry, scared, or any other mental state beyond ready. I knew that meant Angelica was at her most guarded.

The walls were up. I understood why. We were heading into a fight, into war. It wasn't a coping mechanism. It was a necessity for survival.

Still though that was unfortunate. There were things I wanted to say, but now didn't feel like the right time.

"Are you ready," She asked me.

I didn't say no, but let's go anyways. Instead I lifted the tent and pulled it and its contents into my inventory. "Yeah, we are going to be riding in Toad's car together, at least most of the way."

She started walking toward the car, "You can just drop me off before you head south."

"That is the plan," I agreed. I opened the hatch door on the back.

Angelica climbed into the back and I followed after her. The car seemed bigger with fewer riders. It was just me, Angelica, and a few goblins. Toad was traveling with a command squad in a different vehicle.

We rode in silence for a long time. Eventually Angelica spoke up. "Just say it already."

"Which thing?" I asked. I really did not want to guess wrong.

"The part where you ask me not to kill your friend Enkidu, the Demon of Frost" Angelica answered flatly. It wasn't an accusation, but she had the certainty in her voice, that tone that couldn't be argued with. We were going to talk about this.

I considered a moment, Richard was a brother in all but name and blood. Not that either of those truly mattered. He had put in the time, and had been good to me… well the Titan. That's just it though. He had been good to me. That did not change the fact that he had been a jailer and tormentor to others. He claimed it was to save the world. He insisted that if we just gave him time he would surrender, but the trouble with that is I could not let him harm others.

"I only ask that should he or anyone for that matter earnestly surrender, you accept with mercy." I spoke finally.

"That's it?" She asked. She was watching me carefully.

There were way too many random paths this conversation could wander down. I decided to cut to the heart of it. "I trust you Angelica. Since I came into this world you have been one of the few good things in my life. The only reason I have gotten this far is because of you. If anyone in that tower gives you the wrong vibe, do what you have to. I trust you."

After a moment's consideration Angelica said something that turned my blood cold, "I can't shake the feeling that we are being set up. I wouldn't be surprised if something at the tower puts us into conflict. Turn us against each other," her last four words hit like a hammer, "It's what they do."

The audience would think she was talking about the demons, but I knew she meant the Narrators.

"We will just have to face that together, if it happens.," I admitted. I didn't let my mind run off with cyclical conspiracies. That wouldn't accomplish anything, and the here and now required my attention.

"How would that work?" Angelica pressed me.

I shrugged, "I trust you."

"That can't be your answer to everything," She insisted.

"You can trust me," I told her. "I can't promise everything will be okay, but I am not going to ever actively do anything to hurt you."

The conversation lulled. I could see Angelica and Celeste having a discussion. It wasn't a long one nor did it seem all that heated.

Angelica sighed, and said, "Doug, I am really glad you came into my life, and I trust you too."

There were a lot of other things I really wanted to say, but time was an issue. Also the reality that effort does not equal outcome needed to be considered. Trying too hard often makes things worse. I wanted to say a lot of things, but I didn't fully understand most of what she was going through. I kind of understood what it was like to be separate from other kids, and be vaguely feared. The titan was always large and had a scarred face, that altered how the world looked at you, but it wasn't the same. I comprehended losing loved ones, losing family. Angelica had to fight and kill her demon possessed brother. It wasn't that same. We were both about to go to battle, but even that wasn't the same. I didn't have a ticking clock

In the end I nodded.

While it got the point across, it didn't feel like enough. Like I said though there wasn't that much time.

We were still moving and no longer slowed by the pace of the convoy. Most of the military vehicles were on the faster side of the bell curve. The snow had turned to freezing rain and then simply rain not long after. The setting sun was hidden by the clouds if only briefly. The rain slowed and the clouds thinned. There it was the tower, visible even miles away

Every now and again you see something and it is just jaw dropping. You know the beautiful landscapes at sunrise or the devastation of a natural disaster. This was a bit of both. The tower was truly impossibly tall. Yeah, yeah, I know fifty stories doesn't sound crazy. All sorts of major cities had dozens of buildings that height or taller. This however was basically by itself. The tower was planted in the center of miles of dark gray, lifeless mud, and a seemingly narrow band of verdain fields. The dark metallic structure gleaming with an ominous red light at the top. This caused its shadow to blanket everything even in the twilight of the setting sun. Three spikes at the top of the tower caused the massive shadows to appear to be three horned figures gazing down at the land below.

That was definitely something to behold. But my focus was strangely pulled to something else.

Everything I had seen so far was cold, and froze. I was used to harsh winters in general but the warmest day I had seen in this system controlled world was far colder than any I experienced in the world that was. Seeing a place that was warm and alive was shocking. I know, I saw the green houses at the Mandir, and while they were an honest wonder in their own right this was impossible. Maybe it is just me, but I was so stunned at seeing wild flowers bloom I didn't immediately see the six rings floating around the tower.

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Oh yeah, the evil demonic tower was wreathed with floating rings. Each of them was impossible in size, somewhere between a quarter and one whole mile in diameter. Each was loaded with large weapons. They were aimed outwards as the rings hovered at various heights around the tower. Each slowly turned in alternating directions. We should be well within the range of those guns but they didn't fire.

We had stopped very close between the border of mud and ice. Water ran past our vehicle forming trickles that connected to rivulets that connected to streams that ran toward the cliff surrounding the tower..

"This is where I get out," Angelica said.

I opened the door in the back and stepped out to make way for her. My boots splashed in the cold water.

Angelica stepped down.

There was one last thing to say. "Celeste, I love you. Angelica, I love you too."

"I know," Angelica answered, quoting Han Solo. "And Doug," She held up her hand in a Vulcan salute, "Live long and prosper."

There was only one correct response to that, I got back in the car. I then looked her right in the eye and said, "Nerd!" Then I closed the door.

I immediately regretted saying it.

I probably shouldn't have done that," I muttered out loud.

"She is giving us the finger," the driver said checking the rearview mirror.

That was probably fine.

Not long after, roughly twenty minutes I was stepping out of the truck, "Will you be able to get back safe?"

The driver chuckled, "Absolutely. Otherwise we would have to go with you. I am not fuckin' crazy. Wreck their shit!" Then he rolled up the window and drove away. As he moved I notice the ring that seemed to be rotating to track us, the fourth one from the bottom, wasn't following the truck. It was aimed at me.

That was probably for the best.

I stood at the end of the gray depleted mud. Best get going. I manifested a layer of ablative shell before stepping forward. And sank to my knees in lukewarm filth.

Construction Check… Successful

Mud consumed.

Hard Packed Dirt Road created.

The mud in front of me flattened before solidifying into an eight foot wide lane formed of thick bricklike slabs.. I stepped up onto it. The slabs were solid and devoid of water. This made them float like a dock on a lake. That beat the hell out of wading through mud, but it wasn't much faster. I had to walk at a deliberate pace. I was very good at construction but that wasn't to say I didn't have limits. Literally shaping the world around me through will and magical tools took quite a bit of time.

Then again I wasn't in a rush. Part of what I was doing was giving everyone else time to get into position.

Where were the demons? Surely someone should be showing up to stop me. It was odd to me that no one tried to bombard us. Them just letting me trundle up to the gate was bizarre.

You have entered the Domain of Despair.

This Domain is under the control of the Demon of Frost.

That prompt popped up when I was about five hundred yards from the band of crops. In front of me was a massive pumpkin patch. Maybe squash. Everything was green, so un ripe pumpkins or round squash. I was not a gardener. Jo tried to give me a green thumb, but it never took

The rings of the tower had adjusted and six very large guns were pointing down at me. That made more sense.

Still no demons. I really had expected someone to show up by now. At least to monolog or you know tell me to fuck off.

Beyond the pumpkin patch a cliff with a large gap of empty space that went all the way down to the deep dark. Beyond that was a landing. It could extend to form a bridge. Past that was a heavily fortified gate. If the doors were open and the bridge extended you could run two semitrucks through the doorway easily

I paused for a final beat. I muttered "Hey there demons… it's me, ya boi." Nothing happened.

I best get this going. A few quick commune checks to confirm everyone else was in position and it was time.

You have activated Voice of the Titan

"Hear me! I am Doug, Left Hand of the Titan. To every demon and any allies hiding inside this tower with them. This is your one chance. Surrender. Open the door. Lay down your arms. Release every prisoner." My voice thundered through the air and rattled the tower. This was something beyond noise. I was heard. This was certain. "Do this and you will not be harmed."

The silence that followed was broken by Richard's voice echoing down from the top of the tower, "Doug, I truly wish you had simply waited." His voice didn't rattle the world like mine had. It just seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at once.

I nearly said his name on reflex. I considered saying it on purpose. Speaking his real name could compel him. Doing so with Voice of the Titan would absolutely force Richard to comply. Trouble is that is the sort of shit that gets you in trouble. It would overwrite Richard freewill. That wasn't something I was comfortable with. I am not going to lie though, I am not some paladin that would put my personal morals ahead of the lives of thousands others.

I had told Toad about this. He had shot the idea down. Getting Richard to surrender wouldn't really do anything for all the other demons. They would fight us. The remaining demons, newly freed of their leader, might do something drastic like kill prisoners. Technically, Richard might do the same, but I did not believe he would. When we spoke beyond the veil he didn't sound like a monster. He sounded cornered.

"Brother, stop this madness. Please? It is not too late. Let me help you." I wasn't going to use any skills. The Narrators would fuck with them anyways.

"No Doug," Richard sighed, "Leave now. I am begging you."

I shook my head. I hadn't expected Richard to take the offer, but some small part of me had hoped he would take a hand offered in friendship.

I reached behind me and grabbed the Carnyx of Gabriel. I may not be able to store the thing in my inventory, but it seemed to travel with me effortlessly. Others also seemed to ignore it unless I drew attention to it. It wasn't all that much to look at. It was a black metal tube roughly three feet long. One one end was a mouth piece bent at a 90 degree angle. On the other a bronze head of what was probably an old depiction of a dragon. While carrying on my belt it was impossibly light. Holding it in my hand and it was deceptively heavy. I read its description again.

Carnyx of Gabriel

This is a Titanic Relic! This item cannot be stored in Inventory.

This Item is claimed by Doug.

To understand this item requires understanding its name.

A carnyx is a celtic horn. They would blow it before battle. Between the upsetting noise and the extreme violence most of their enemies quickly learned to dread the blowing of a carnyx.

The horn of Gabriel is actually a double reference. Besides being the noise that would kick off the Judeo-Christian apocalypse it is also a geometric shape with a finite volume but infinite surface area. Now that is true for this Carnyx also. The nifty bit is the true name of every being in existence in the system are currently inscribed inside this horn.

No peeking. Seriously, don't.

Blowing this horn will start a war, and will announce it to all of the world.

Note: Using this item will always have extreme consequences.

Before raising the horn to my lips I yelled to the tower, "To every soul trapped inside the tower, hold on! We are coming! The goblins are here to save everyone. Don't fight them, remain neutral. Just hold on a little longer. Today is the last day under the demon's rule. Tomorrow you will be free!"

Then I blew the horn and the war started.

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