Chapter 38: Beyond the Peaks

I walked for a very long time, it felt like, but the terrain hardly changed. I saw no structures or anything that could hint at a lurking evil presence. But I felt evil all around me.

After several hours of finding nothing, I began to suspect there was something watching me. I would turn and see a flash of movement, or hear extra footsteps as I walked. Kingmaker, which I’d had drawn the whole time, seemed to throb in my hand, and I watched in amazement as the tip tugged west. I followed the compass sword, and swiftly found my watcher sitting on a tree stump.

They were a girl of probably 18, with muddy clothes and stringy hair.

“Who are you?” I asked. Kingmaker was tugging insistently at the girl, and I found out why when the girl looked up at me, and I saw her eyes were a bright scarlet. She didn’t have scarlet irises, her eyes were solid scarlet.

“Hello, traveler. I am the Great Evil’s Mistress.” the girl crooned, and in an instant she was a well-dressed MILF with fabulous curves and bountiful assets. She still retained those unsettling scarlet eyes though.

“You’re a shapeshifter.” I blinked.

“Correct. I please the master in any way he wants, as any woman he wants.” the Mistress purred.

“Why are you following me?” I demanded.

“To offer you a deal. Your soul is now bound to this Hellworld. I am a soulless being. If you were to help me escape, I would assure your friends’ safety and seal the wards.” the Mistress said.

“How can I trust you? You serve the Great Evil!” I protested.

“Not by choice! Once shapeshifters walked the Realms. But then we were hunted by warriors calling themselves Slayers. I fled beyond the Neverpeaks with my brother, but he died of his wounds after we arrived. I was alone. And then the Ancient Mage Council sealed in the Great Evil with me over here, stuck. My eyes did not used to be like this. I used to be passable as human, but now I am an abomination, worthy of none. I just wish to escape this hell.” the Mistress pleaded.

“Why do you have no soul?” I asked.

“The Great Evil fed on it.” the Mistress sighed.

“What’s your name?” I asked her.

“I... I... Autumn.” the Mistress recalled.

“Alright, Autumn. Your story is undoubtedly tragic, but how do I know you haven’t been corrupted. Hell, how do I know you’re not the Great Evil?” I demanded. Autumn laughed. She pricked herself on Kingmaker.

“I can bleed.” she shrugged, showing off the gray blood that appeared on her finger.

“You want help getting out, and then you’ll help my friends seal the wards?” I checked. She nodded.

“Yes. I swear it.” she said.

“Could you do me one more favor when you get out?” I asked. Autumn nodded.

“Name it.” she vowed.

“Could you look over my family? I have a wife and twin children in a town called Oceanspell. Jessiriani Liakalyn is my wife’s name.” I told her. Autumn nodded.

“Of course. And I will tell them of your sacrifice.” Autumn promised.

“Alright. Let’s go, then.” I said.

Autumn and I began to walk back towards the mountains, but we were hours away.

“Why was my sword pointing to you like a compass?” I asked Autumn as we walked.

“Because that sword is made of aegis. Aegis points to dark creatures. And technically, shapeshifters are dark in origin.” Autumn admitted. I nodded slowly.

“Hello, there.” a voice drawled, and I turned. A tall, pale man stood behind us, holding two wicked sharp black shortswords, but I had a feeling he could destroy me in a fight.

“Great Evil.” Autumn warned me.

“Pleasure to meet you, Sebastian. I sense you are like me. The Realms is not your native world. I come from a world called Earth.” the Great Evil bowed.

“So did I.” I mumbled.

“Oho! How curious... but you are not of mighty power, like I am? How very odd. Have you pushed yourself at all?” the Evil questioned.

“Uh, not really.” I admitted.

“Have you ever failed to complete a magic task?” the Evil questioned.

“No.” I realized.

“Exactly. You, like me, possess infinite magical ability. Shame you never realized that before you got yourself imprisoned in a Hellworld for all eternity, but it is what it is.” the Evil shrugged.

“I thought your plan was to break the wards and get free.” I mentioned.

“They are. But I will not be freeing you, a hero with my same capabilities.” the Evil winked. I thrust Kingmaker at Autumn.

“Give it to my son.” I told her and she turned and ran.

“No!” the Evil roared, grabbing for the blade, but missing. It occurred to me that the aegis of the blade might be why Autumn needed my help. I decided I wouldn’t let the Great Evil stop Autumn.

I pushed my hands out and sent the Evil flying across the air with barely a thought. Whoa. Looks like I can do all kinds of magic, not just what my measly Level 5 unlocked. I flicked my hand and a massive earthquake opened and swallowed the Great Evil.