Today marked the beginning. The beginning of what truly could be called a death march. The mood inside the office, was acceptable, but not what I wanted. Not what I desired. Nor did it help that I felt like a corpse that had frozen over winter and was now beginning to thaw.

  Everyone threw themselves into the work, but not with zealous fervor. Not with a burning desire to push forward. No, it was the same mood as a final march, a final hurrah, before it all comes to an end.

  The pay I gave them, along with Terada’s support kept them here, kept them willing to push themselves, but one look over the division was all I needed to know. To know that by the end of the month, they would be done.

  They weren’t like me. They weren’t driven like me.

  Could I blame them?

  As much as I wanted too… No, I couldn’t.

  Leo did not appear in the office, nor did he appear at all as we worked ourselves to the bone. I didn’t cling to the ice, but my body was already stronger than a normal human’s body.

  The ice empowered me, but it also dulled my senses. It was a useful tool, but it was also a poison… Leo was yet another lesson of that truth.

  Days passed. Not once did we break or stop. Not once did we get home. The mood was filled with false cheer. A kind of bravado only industry veterans could have when faced with an impossible task. A task made more impossible as we finally began to work on our new clients’ work.

  They called, constantly to complain or make small changes. I planned for such disturbances, but each call prefaced a sudden shift in schedule or us having to abandon piles of work, nearly resetting our progress.

  Normally, we didn’t so much have to deal with story boarding and all the other tasks related to our work. This was no different, but the directions we were being given at times made no sense, making me, and many others wish we could simply yell and scream at those giving us orders.

  It was clear they were intentionally giving us bad directions. Even then, we pushed on. Sleep was a luxury none of us could afford. Every minute mattered, but even if that was true, not everybody could keep up the pace.

  They were industry veterans, but that also meant they weren’t young anymore. Here, Terada showed his true worth. People nearing collapse were pulled off their work, and their work was redistributed while they rested.

  Terada had been with these people for decades, if not more. He understood on an instinctual level what their limits were. Something I couldn’t have done, not with how short my employment here has been.

  It was the only reason that we were able to even push through without losses. Still, there was a cost. A diet solely consisting of fast food, an egregious amount of coffee and caffeine was not good. A few people nearly had serious complications, and only Terada’s swift intervention kept those incidents from escalating. We were dancing on the knife’s edge.

  Even then, even then… we managed. The moment the final bit was done. Nobody spoke. Nobody groaned or celebrated. As one we all collapsed. Not once in this month had Leo showed up… A part of me was disappointed, another part of me understood that I probably wouldn’t see him again.

  If so, I didn’t blame him.

  This was bound to be my final month of work. If nothing changes, next month, the division will likely collapse at this rate, along with it, my job. A part of me wished Leo had hit me when he had the chance. At least then I wouldn’t have to put myself through this mess. Or maybe it would have made me feel just a little better with myself had he hit me.

  However… life wasn’t so easy.

  Like the living dead, rising from their graves. Slowly, everyone in the division stood up and shambled out. I didn’t know when it was. I only knew that work was out, that we had finished. I don’t even remember how I got home. If I drove or took the bus or train.

  I just remember collapsing in bed, my eyes shutting and the world fading away.

  I slept, what must have been two days. Groggily I woke. My head pounded; my stomach roared. My fridge was about empty, save for a few cans of beer. I forced myself up, not even bothering to change as I stumbled out in search of food.

  Only after I filled my stomach did I feel remotely alive, though my body still hurt. Every part of me hurt and complained. My head spun. I shambled back to the apartment and slowed in the entryway. A month without being here, a month not being in my leased warehouse…

  I had to check the mail.

  The last of my account was emptied paying the months lease. Survival from here out was more of a question, not a certainty.

  Could I ask for help? Would I?

  I didn’t think I was that far gone, not yet. Checking the date, I knew today to be the full moon. Time really flew by.

  Amongst the mail, was a single oddity.

  An invitation. A single card that looked like the night sky. Stars sparkled and shot across the card. Written in silver, cursive letters was a time and place. Along with a note to bring supplies. At the bottom, was signed a single name, Sheep.

  An event then? The invitation told me of an event, the date, and to prepare for an extended stay. And little else.

  Checking my mundane phone… which was dead, having not been charged in the past month. Then checking my watch, the hands still ticking away. I saw that there was some time before the meet-up. I had to be at the bus station around when the sun set. There was just enough time to gather what I needed, so I did.

  A quick purchase, and clothes were piled in, along with a few other items. There was just enough time for me to head back to the warehouse and although I couldn’t bring Cobalt with me, I was able to collect some supplies to bring with me.

  After parking my car, I just barely made it in time. The destination was the central bus station. Just outside the station, I saw a group of familiar faces.

  Wearing an oversized letterman jacket, her hair loose and swaying behind her, a ballcap on her head, was Ruth, the woman that wielded the iron pipe against the heart during the first event. She had in her hands a sports bag. Beside her was a man with some stubble on his face, his hair pulled back into a ponytail. Faust, the man that had shot lasers and also supported during that fight. A simple backpack on his back.

  Then there was another woman, her hair wild and untamed. She was covered in dust and wearing heavy clothing, as if she had just gotten off a construction site. At her side was less a bag, and more a small metal chest with a handle. This was Terra, the earth magic user that was also in the event.

  Finally, wearing an oversized coat, and hunched in over herself so as to not be noticed, was Diva. The young woman with the sonic magic, that was instrumental in taking down the heart.

  My approach did not go unnoticed.

  “Woah!” Terra exclaimed. “You look like shit!” She said with a wide grin.

  “You do too.” I replied back, she was covered in dust, dark circles around her eyes, like she hadn’t slept in a while.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  “Yeah, work’s been busy, busy.” She says with a boisterous laugh.

  I can’t imagine having that kind of energy.

  “Pleasure to see you again, Ruth, Faust, Diva.” I said to each in turn. Ruth returned my greeting with a nod, opting not to speak.

  “I feel the same Prima. Hopefully all goes well.” Faust replied back calmly and with a slight smile.

  As for Diva. The moment I had approached, she perked up. Her hands moved as if to sign, but she clenched them at the last moment. Bringing them close to her chest. “I-its nice to meet you again!” She shouts, a bit too loudly.

  “I see your getting a better handle over your voice then?” I asked back.

  She nods. Her face red.

  “Well, good job. I look forward to working with you again.”

  She makes to move her hands but stops herself. “M-me too…” She stutters out.

  Suddenly, Terra walks up and hits my back. “So, what do ya think we’re doin’ today?” She asks.

  “No idea.” I respond back, calmly. Unbothered by the frankly strong hit. She clicked her tongue.

  “Figures…” She mutters. “Well, whatever, how’s life been for ya?” She then presses on, undaunted.

  “Good enough, I suppose.”

  “Ha, sounds like bull to me! It’s obvious your life isn’t going great. I mean, just compare how we look compared to you.”

  She gestures towards the others. Ruth was leaning on a nearby column, not really engaging. She did look fine. Faust looked fine as well. Diva though, mm, I couldn’t judge. She looked fine physically, but she still seemed out of it. Was she still suffering from being left alone in the dark for so long… or was there another reason?

  My thoughts were disrupted by another hit to my back.

  “Well, what about you? How’s your life going?” I asked back.

  “Like shit. I work for a construction company, and we’ve been doing serious overtime recently. No idea why. Been working well beyond what’s normally safe.”

  “Is that even allowed?” I ask.

  She shrugs. “Probably not, but does it really matter?”

  “I suppose not. What do you even do?”

  “Demolition! At least, primarily. I set explosives and such to help destroy structures, or such.”

  That… mm… “I never noticed any real construction work.” I voice out my thought.

  “Meh, most of it tends to be on the periphery of the city. We do a lot of roadwork and get it done fairly quickly. Worst is when we have to work on the sewers. People get lost all the time and don’t come back when they venture too far off.” At those ominous words, she just laughed. “It can be rather fun!”

  I couldn’t imagine. It sounded more like her work was even more of a death trap then my own… Then again, she had earth magic. Is that what gave her some security, or was she just crazy?

  Uncertain of what it was, we talked. Really, it wasn’t much of anything. Just basic catching up, talking about what we’ve accomplished since we last met. Even Ruth pitched in a bit.

  “Theres a baseball league in the city, we mostly operate out of the parks in the residential district. We don’t have a real stadium, but I’ve mostly been doing that in my past time.” She answered.

  Faust though… “I work at a small curio shop in the commercial district.” He said but didn’t really get into details.

  As for Diva. “I… I’m working for a company that does voice acting and singing.”

  Which was a surprise, though, apparently the pay was bad, and she was living in city housing like me. Terra lived in a kind of share house provided by the construction company she worked with. Faust stayed with the Wizard Gang, and Ruth had a small place she was renting in the residential district.

  As we wound down the conversation, the sun had begun to set. Slowly plunging the city into darkness. The lights of the bus station flickered on. Filling the air with a low hum. The smell of gasoline and exhaust hung in the air as buses drove in to park for the night. As we all stood awkwardly, wondering if the invitation was a scam, a van pulled up.

  It was a larger box type van with a side door that slides open. It was all black, with tinted windows. It pulled in along the curb. Stepping out of the car was a young woman, she wore a suit and tie, with a visored hat that hid her eyes. She also wore white gloves, and I couldn’t help but note the pins on her suit jacket sleeves. They bore a stylized sheep on them, like the sheep coins did.

  “Invitations?” She asked, her head lowered just so. Each of us handed her the invitations. She took each of them and after inspecting them, opened the doors. “Please, take a seat inside. I’ll handle your luggage.”

  Nobody questioned it. The real question though…

  “Who sits shotgun!” Terra exclaimed.

  In consensus, Faust was given the passenger seat. There were four seats in the back, and the passenger seat, perfect for our small party. We settled in, the seats were incredibly comfortable. Track lighting along the ceiling of the van lit up the interior as the driver put out luggage in the back.

  We settled in, chatter dying as we all grew tense. Once the driver was in the seat, Terra spoke out again.

  “So, where we headed?”

  “Out of town.” The driver said. “You will be further informed as we approach the site.”

  Nobody said anything about that, and we settled in for the drive. The cabin was pitch-black. The moment the doors had shut the track lighting went off. It was warm, and cozy inside the cabin. The autumn chill had mostly gone unnoticed, but with the slow rocking of the car, the night silent rumble of the engine, it was only a matter of time until we found ourselves drifting off to sleep.

  We were all exhausted, and everyone stirred when the car finally came to a stop.

  “We’re here.” The driver stated. We all groaned and stretched. Bleary eyes were wiped. The driver eventually slid open the side door so that we could stumble our way out. Faust got out on his own. Our luggage was piled at the side.

  Any lingering exhaustion fled away when we saw what was before us. A stone set of stairs that led up to what looked like a compound. Eastern style lamps flanked the stairs, with wooden railings leading up. Surrounding the compound was a forest of bamboo.

  Confused, and uncertain, we all looked towards the driver.

  “The event is as follows.” The driver said. Their tone without much inflection. “This is a defense event. You can consider this practice for what is to come. The compound above sits on a powerful ley line. Which is supposed to simulate a district within the city. You must protect the ley line from the enemy invaders. Should they come into contact with it, you will fail.”

  Nobody spoke up. Each of us keenly listening to her instructions.

  “The compound is fully stocked with supplies, and you have twenty-four hours from now to prepare for the coming assault. As this is practice, should you fail, there will be no consequences, but that is not an excuse to not give your all. Should you successfully rebuff the invasion, you shall all be given a gold coin as a reward. Finally, as this is an event, and not a real invasion, killed invaders will only drop Sheep coins. Is that understood.”

  We all nod, though.

  “What kind of trouble can we expect?” Faust steps in.

  “I’m not at liberty to say. What I can say, is that the invaders are specially tuned so as not to be impossible for your abilities.”

  “Anything we need to keep an eye out for?” I asked next.

  “Yes, keep an eye out for the invader’s dimensional anchor. It should be easy to note, it looks like a floating black crystal. Destroying that would end the invasion.”

  I nod and ask my next question. “And what would happen if we failed?”

  “As this is an event, nothing will happen. However, if this were real, the invaders would be able to use the ley line to establish a stronger foot hold and send even more forces through. Otherwise, there is a limit to how much they can send, based on the strength of the anchor. Now, any other questions?”

  “What is this place exactly?” Faust steps forward. “And what if we were to say, use the invaders anchor point?”

  “This is…” She pauses a moment. “Consider it a fractured realm. Outside of Purgatory, where the final bus stop is, lies an anchor point for the city that allows transit to the various pocket dimensions under the mascots’ control. In order to invade Purgatory, invaders need to be strong enough to breach the dimensional walls or enter than through the anchor point. Breaching the walls is considerably harder than entering through an anchor point, think of it as entering through the gate or smashing through a city’s walls.”

  We all nod, at least partially understanding what she was saying.

  “As for why using an invading anchor point is ill-advised, the answer is rather simple. Like with the bus stop, their anchor points lead back to their realms. Rarely is that a good idea, and if done, is usually done out of desperation. I don’t believe I have to explain further?”

  We all shook our head, though… it did make me curious.

  “How many other realms are there?” I asked the million-dollar question.

  “Countless, nigh infinite.” She answers quickly and concisely.

  “And… are their other Purgatory’s?” I ventured a guess.

  “Yes. As there are countless and nigh infinite realms, there are countless and nigh infinite Purgatory’s that exist.”

  “For what purpose?” Faust steps in, speaking up before I could.

  For the first time, the driver raised her head to lock eyes with us each in turn. A sigh left her lips. “I can’t say. I can say that the mascots operate over the multitude of cities. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to say more.”

  “Then, are you like us?” Diva was the one to speak up at this point.

  “No.” She states. “I am not a chosen. Rather… Mm… you can think of me as a natural born magical girl. Further explained, as Purgatory grows, appearance of new chosen become limited. Instead, the city becomes self-sufficient producing new magical girls, without the mascots having to get involved.”

  That was quite the shock.

  “Now…” She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a pocket watch of all things. “I believe I should be going. I wish you the best of luck, and I would like to remind you all. Don’t throw your lives away. This is an event, there are no real stakes here. If you cannot win, simply escape.”

  “Hah!” Terra finally chose now to speak up. “Escape!? We’ll win this hands down, now won’t we!?” She asked, or rather, it felt more like she was telling us that we would.

  “Well, you heard her.” I said with a sigh, Faust chuckled. Even Diva smiled a bit, and Ruth, quiet as she was, had a smile on her face.

  “You have spirit, I’ll give you that.” The driver said, “I’ll be sure to pick you up when you defeat the invaders. Again, I wish you the best of luck.” With that, she got back into her van and drove off, along a dirt road.

  We stared after her for a moment, but Terra was the first to speak up. “So, shouldn’t we be checking out our digs!?”

  None of us complained. We grabbed our luggage and made our way up the stairs.