Manny decides to hang with Marcie, but as more than friends.

Hey, Marcie, where are you anyways?

"I'm just checking out my wing of the castle," Marcie replies, "man, Silkress really liked purple huh? Why do you ask?"

You still wanna hang with Manny? He's not busy anymore.

"Great," Marcie smiles, "tell him to meet me here."

Manny, Marcie will meet you back at Gene's palace.

"OK," Manny replies, "on my way."

Manny begins towards Gene's palace, and only now does he get to roll perception to examine the state of the city.

He rolls only a five.

He refuses. He wants to know, needs to know, how his failure effected the city. He has to find some way. Something he can do to...

He manages to bend the game, allowing him to reroll. He gets a nineteen.

The city... is not better than it was. In fact, it's worse off than before. People are now dieing in the streets, storm clouds begin to gather overhead. It's then he remembers a very important rule to this game.

Failure has consequences. Failing any quests, even if it's the right thing to do, will harm this kingdom. So, weigh your choices Manny.

"Got it," Manny replies, "thanks."

Manny continues towards Gene's palace, which is now more worn down than before. The crystals are darker, no longer shining as brightly as they once did. They glow dimmily, like the start of dusk.

Hey, Gene, is that gonna be a problem?

"Nah," Gene replies, "it's just a looks thing. Don't worry about it."

Fair enough.

Marcie smiles, greeting Manny. She wears a sky blue dress, and her manidables are lined on the outside with decorative silver blades, which while they could be used in a pinch, are mostly for looks.

Marcie smiles sweetly at Manny. It seems she and Manny has the same idea.

"Ready to go?" She asks.

"Yeah," Manny replies, "where are we going?"

"Oh," Marcie chuckles, "right. You're an Outsider. From the Other Side. Just sorta poofed into reality. I gotta ask, what was that like?"

"Just, pop. I'm here. I have all the knowledge and education a mortal of the age of thirty would."

"So by our standards, you're an idiot."

"Wait, how long have you been alive?"

"I dunno, a trillion years?"

"What the fuck?"

"Look Manny, death here's a bit odd. When we die, we return to life later, and our physical from returns to peak condition. We're basically immortal, unless our souls break."

"Works for me. So, where are we going?"

"I thought you had a plan."

"Well, crap."

May I suggest the concert on Angel's Way? I mean, why not?

"Nathan," Marcie sighs, "a little privacy please."

That's not how it works I'm afraid.

"Fine," Marcie sighs, "anyways, sound good to you?"

"Yeah," Manny smiles, "sounds good."

The two walk down the street to Angel's Way, along the way passing by bitter mortals and enraged angels. With the multiverse dieing, angels and demons have retreated to this plane of reality. The two parties glare at Manny, but do not act. However, he can sense their malice, the rage at his failure. He knows he can't fail another quest, no matter what...

Apon arriving at the concert, I leave the two alone for just a moment.

I shift focus to my own story. Let's see...

So there's three quests...

But that would entail...

No, no that's impossible.

But if I consider...

Well, maybe Gene is...

But Gene would never...

Damn it! Another dead end!

Sorry, I'm just working on cracking a conspiracy, but we can discuss that after the second quest. For now, let's focus on this adorable little ship you've made.

Marcie and Manny are enjoying the music, a heavy death metal song. They don't focus on the lyrics much, but they say something... odd.

The lyrics are...

Sin!
That's all it is!

Sin!
That is the pen!

Sin!
You strike us down!

Yet we come back,
Hungry for more!

Sin!
That's all you are!

Sin!
You're a a false God!

Sin!
We'll strike you down!

You'll never roll!
That accursed die again!

The song fades out. The singer of the band, which is called Big R and the Dead, speaks up.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" He exclaims, "we have someone very plot relevant here tonight! I won't say any names, but I have one thing to say. This is a shout out from Big R, The necromancer! Listen kid, and listen good, no matter what happens, DO NOT succeed in your third quest."

The third quest. If my theory is correct then...

Nope, I won't believe it. It can't be true. Moving on...

Manny realizes Big R is taking to him.

"Anyways," Big R continues, "enough of this heavy metal shit. I'm gonna play something a bit slower. If you're shipping," Big R stops to smile at Manny, almost to indicate he's doing this as a favor to him, "now's the time."

A slow song beings to play. Manny gets up and offers Marcie his hand. Marcie takes it. The space has opened up a quite a bit in the mosh pit, as those who aren't with someone have cleared out a space.

The two dance with grace and finesse, looking into each other's eyes. Each hoping the other feels the same way, but to insecure to make their move.

Just kiss already!

Manny takes my advice and leans in. Marcie immediately responds and kisses him deeply.

Beautiful...

Big R stops playing and tosses his guitar aside.

"Now that that's done," he smiles, "we can get to the point."

Big R removes his hood, revealing his black hair and silver eyes.

Holy shit it's Reaper!

"I've learned things," he continues, "many things. I've learned necromancy, dark magic, fire magic, and poison magic at the cost of my old abilities, or, some of them. Now, I shall use this power to kill Gene. Do you intend to stop me Manny?"

"Man," Manny sighs, "can't give us a moment can you? Marcie, you ready?"

"Always," Marcie smiles.

Then let quest two begin! Your goal, to erase Reaper! Before you ask how, we'll get there. Now, Manny has a choice to make...