The lights dim. The suns’ brilliance darkens as the shadows creep across the floor. Clawing out like a beast trapped in mud, the harvestman rises from them.

Jack on one side with the staff in hand and Saga on the other, He speaks. “Finally taking things seriously. Good. hand over my staff and I will return your friend.”

Saga sends out a small fire sprite from behind her back before she speaks. “You first! Bring back Vardinn!”

“Do you believe me stupid? I will not return your friend until I have my staff in hand!”

“I suppose that is my queue.” Porter says as he comes into the room. Holding an incredible gold and black cube with an impossible amount of words, runes, and symbols etched into it.

Porter turns the corners of the cube and presses in the centers of each side. He then faces the only side that is different from the rest at the Harvestman.

“What and who is this supposed to be?” he says but is cut off as chains made from the same impossible gold and black metal launch out of the box and wrap around him and drop him to his knees. 

“I should have suspected you would pull something like this! I truly underestimated how much you care for your friend. Release me or he dies!” He says through unseen gritted teeth.

“To answer your previous question, I am Porter. This box is the containment for the chains of eternity. It’s a funny story actually. These were made to hold a literal god but perhaps another time.” Porter says with a slight grin while he places the box down.

Pushing past Porter, Saga runs up to the Harvestman, grabbing him by the collar she states, “bring him here. Now.”

“You pulled this trick on me already, why should I do anything you want?”

“Because we only did this so you couldn’t run away after we gave you the staff. We will only release you once Vardinn is returned to us.”

After attempting to flee through his shadows and failing, he gives up and says, “fine but I want a blood oath from you that I will be released.”

“A blood oath.”

“Yes. why? You scared it will interfere with your next scheme.”

“There are no other…doesn’t matter. Alright. A blood oath then.”

In unison, they both speak, “I swear on my life, before, now, and all to come, that I shall hold my word to you.”

“Alright!” The Harvestman reaches down and touches the floor. 

After a few minutes of silence, “we have a problem, he isn’t there.”

“What do you mean?!” Jack says as he steps up to him.

Shaking his head, Porter leaves the room saying, “I will see what I can do back at the castle.”

“Well, the only explanation is that he woke up ooooor he was moved.” He says with an unconvincing shrug, “I’m sure he is fine. Wherever he is.”

__ Back in The Void__

“Vardinn!”

“Vardinn! Wake up child!”

Vardinns eyes snap open. No longer in the Void, he finds himself in a beautiful garden. Looking up to the sky, he sees galaxies and a multitude of worlds. Inverted lands, unbelievably massive creatures floating throughout. “Definitely not in my world anymore.”

“I know the Planes of The Cosmic are Beautiful but I did call you here for a reason.”

Shifting his body and gaze to land on a man standing in the center. Roughly 10 feet tall, dressed in all white with a form as solid and featureless as stone. Almost like an unfinished sculpture with royal holy mages robes draped over them.

“Ah! I suppose I have you to thank for rescuing me from that awful place.” Vardinn says as he approaches him.

“Yes and no. I only brought your mind here. Your body still remains behind. I brought you here to offer you a chance to become my chosen.”

“A chosen? Is that what that vile man is? If so, no thank you!”

“Hahaha! I knew I would like you! First! I am known as the Protector. The Harvestman, as you call him, is a chosen of the Void. Second! While becoming my chosen will grant you the power to repel him, it is ultimately your choice.”

   Staring up at the sky again Vardinn says, “This seems like quite a life altering decision to throw on someone in a desperate situation. I’ve spent my entire life trying to prove myself.” 

   turning himself toward The Protector, “to my father, my peers, to myself. I pride myself on getting through situations on my own power. I have had a good many failings but they were Mine.”

Hmm. “Perhaps you have a point. I have decided then. I shall return when you are at your highest point and make my offer again. Until then, I have a favor to ask of you.”

Pulling out a red crystal, he hands it to Vardinn. “That is a shard of The Devourer, or his chosen at least. Somewhere in that castle is a woman, trapped by him and her own issues. Find her.”

“Feel that crystal and remember its energy. When you find her, you will know how to help her.”

“That’s all I have to do? Doesn’t seem too difficult.”

“And as a thank you for helping me with this, I shall impart one small gift upon you.” The Protector says as he approaches Vardinn, lifting his massive hand to Vardinn, he flicks his head. “Until we see each other again, Vardinn of The Cosmic Fae.”

In swirling images, the planes of the Cosmic disappear and he finds himself back in the castle of The Harvestman.

“Finally! First things first.” He grabs his necklace and tries to open a gate with no luck. “I should have known that would be too easy.”

The hall is now completely different. All the overgrown shadows and inky dark soup is gone and all that remains is the food that he had eaten earlier that day. “The Shadow was an illusion. That’s good at least. I really hated the idea of that sludge inside me.”

Looking around for any evidence of people or strange things but finding nothing, Vardinn decides to press forward. “I guess the only way out is through.” He says as he opens the massive hall doors and proceeds down the hall.