The first and last arena games to take place in Broken Tusk were almost ready to wrap up. Theo had informed the officials that they could buy a few more days, and they couldn't have been more excited. There were, after all, arena battles that were less than standard. The one the alchemist was most interested in was the naval battles. They would be small-scale things, sure, but filling the arena with water and watching people battle it out on half-sized ships was going to be an interesting event to behold.

No one knew what the prizes were going to be. Theo hadn't publicly announced what he was offering, and of course, that was a measured step. He didn't want the competition to become so fierce that people actually died. He knew that there would be those who were happy to break the rules to get their hands on such powerful potions.

"Well, it's on your mind there, Alchemist?" a familiar voice called from behind. "Are you deep in thought or just blocking the road for no reason?"

Theo turned to spot Miana standing there. She had a devious smile on her face. Nowadays, if one were to run into Miana Kel along the road, they would see her covered in a layer of filth. She worked the ranch hard, caring for those animals and producing the food that the town loved. Of course, now she wasn't producing nearly enough for all the outsiders, and she instead sold her meat, cheese, and other farm products to the locals. That was a fact the alchemist deeply appreciated.

"I'm just thinking about the prize for the games," Theo said with a knowing smile. "When people figure out what it is, they're going to lose their minds. Anyway, how are you dealing with the change? Are you ready to go?”

"I get to keep my animals, right?" Miana asked with a shrug. “They said you're bringing along the entire town.”

"I'm actually bringing along the entire region," Theo said. "I guess your animals are welcome. As long as they behave themselves.”

"You've never seen sweeter livestock in your life," Miana said proudly. "But good to hear. Mind telling me what the prizes are going to be? That way I can spread the rumors at lightning-quick pace."

"Yeah, I'd rather not. We'll see some issues if I announce what they're going to win. Anyway, I was standing here because I've got too much to do today. Another group wants to migrate before the end. And unfortunately, each person in the group has a planet they want to go to. How they learned about the planets or the differences is beyond me."

"Heavy is the head that wears the crown," Miana said. "I'm glad it's you and not me. I could hardly stand in the position back when it was mine. Back before Broken Tusk was a city and the world's population clambered to attend some silly game. If only they had come when we needed a workforce."

“I guess you don't even need to decide which planet you're going to. You're going to mine, since you're following the town. I'm afraid to say it won't be exactly as you remember. First, it will be flying. And second, the region is much more temperate. We might even get snow in the winter if we're lucky.”

Miana’s eyes sparkled at the mention of snow, but the skeptical look returned to her face only a moment later. "Are you joking with me, or are we actually going to get some snow?"

“Guess we can just move the city, right? So, yeah. We’re gonna get snow.”

“I can’t help but wonder if you got the idea for a flying city from… well, the flying city that attacked us,” Miana said with a laugh. “Are you out here stealing villain ideas and pretending they’re a hero's idea?”

Theo clutched his chest in mock shock. "Miana, you wound me. Of course, I came up with this idea on my own. I definitely didn't study what makes the flying city fly, and I most certainly do not plan to use that same technique to power my city.”

"Oh, I meant no offense," Miana said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she performed an overly elaborate bow. When she returned to a standing position, she was laughing, eventually crossing the distance to slap Theo on the back. "Well, you better get back to it, Mr. Big Important Man. Meanwhile, I'm going to go get drunk. Have fun."

"Heavy as the head indeed," Theo said, watching as she left. Eventually, he shook his head and returned his thoughts to more important things. Of course, the most important thing today was the migration of a group. This group had about 500 people, and the distribution of those wanting to go to one planet or the other was uneven. To his surprise, Khahar's world had about 50 folks on today's docket.

Tresk’s world oddly had 100 people ready to live the swamp life.

Although the administration team had done a great job of rounding everybody up, they had not yet been segmented into groups based on where they were going. Theo wrangled a few junior administrators and went through the massive crowd that had gathered along the road to the north. It was the only area outside of the row housing Ziz and his people had built that could accommodate so many people.

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"Listen up," Theo said, clapping his hands. He looked over the group of excited faces and this time found more than just the elderly or infirm. He saw faces from all over the world and only one person from Broken Tusk. Apparently, the locals planned to ride it out until the very end. Which was a very half-ogre move. “We’re doing the express version today. On your assigned world, there is a team waiting for you. Although the effects of reforging your souls will only take an hour, there could be effects that last longer. Understand?”

Theo earned a series of nods and grunts for his efforts.

“Well then, you better hold on tight because we're going,” Theo said, sending his aura out and wrapping around the first group of fifty.

Today Theo planned to go in reverse order, starting with Khahar's world and then working his way back. He wasn't sure about dropping people on Erradon, but the 75 people who wanted to go would find their way one way or another. For now, he wouldn't object. They had been given a warning about the world and had agreed to it. So, whatever. Compared to yesterday, when he had used the reforging technique, this time it went a lot smoother. He understood the timing of using his aura better and handled the first group with ease. Thankfully, there was a team waiting to integrate those people into society, allowing the alchemists to leave and head off to his next destination.

The process of distributing 500 people to 4 worlds took about an hour, which shocked Theo. It was mostly thanks to the organization of the administrators on those planets. As the alchemist was wrapping up things with Belgar in Boar Hollow, a wild Elrin appeared. He had a sheepish smile on his face and waved before pressing his back against a nearby building.

“Thanks again. For everything,” Theo said, patting Belgar on the shoulder. “Unfortunately, I think Elrin needs my attention.”

“Of course! We’re always happy to get new people.” Belgar bowed his way into the distance, eventually running off to help with the rehousing issue.

Theo took his time walking over to Elrin, the smile hanging plainly on his face. "So why did you need my help?" he asked, leaning against the building and shaking his head. "The only reason I could see you waiting here for me is if you needed help. Wait, now that I'm thinking about it. How did you get here?"

“Aren't you the one supposed to be enforcing people traveling from the mortal plane outside of it? That's easy enough after I watch you do it a couple of times. That's how I figured out how to break into the Bridge of Shadows.”

“I bet Uz’Xulven was happy.”

“She tried to fight,” Elrin said, his smile growing broader. “I won… Well, I have a predicament back in the mortal world. As you know, there are quite a few shards on the surface, and I need help to attune them. I tried doing it by myself, but I simply can't be in as many places at once as I need. There are slight variations between them that are causing synchronization issues. We could leave it as it is, but the World Anchors will be much more powerful if I attune them properly.”

Theo tried to hide his surprise. Elrin was such an independent person that he had never expected the man to come to him for help. But of course, he was happy to offer it. Managing the mortal world was something that fell in Tresk's purview. And since Tresk was part of the Tara’hek, it fell into Theo's purview.

"You know, we'd be happy to help you. I can bring along the gang, and we can do it all at once if you like. No need for error."

"Are you bringing the dragon? Are you sure she can perform the task? I mean, it isn't that complicated, but she is a dragon."

“She draws on the connection we share, so giving her orders from afar is very simple. I wouldn't worry about it," Theo said. "Did you want to get started now? Do I need to learn how to do anything?"

"Yes, I need to show you how to configure it. How good are you with energy manipulation?"

"I'm pretty damn good. I mean, you've seen me do it," Theo said with a laugh.

"Fine then. Take us to the Shard of Calet and I'll give you a demonstration."

Theo didn't wait for any more confirmation. He folded space in on itself and interdicted both himself and Elrin to the frozen plains. He had become familiar with, based outside of the massive tower, the shard spinning a lazy circle inside. Both men surmounted the steps, removing themselves from the frigid tundra and providing a reprieve from the howling wind.

"So this isn't very difficult," Elrin said. "Typically, I'd say a normal person couldn't interact with the potent energies of the shard, but the network seems willing to open itself to others."

"As long as you can provide a series of steps, then I'm happy to help," Theo said. He regarded the shard and tilted his head to one side. As far as energy went, it seemed like a pure, constant stream that flowed from within the giant crystal. “So how do we do this exactly? Do I need to draw the energy out or something like that?”

"No. Think of it as a beating heart. It goes at a certain rhythm right now. The rhythm of all the shards is out of sync. What you need to do is basically tap the central core at a certain pace. Like this.”

Theo felt Elrin reach out, connecting with the Shard. Within the core of the crystalline thing, he heard a low tapping start. It was a matter of forcing one’s senses inside, then producing the rhythm. Easy enough.

"Like this?" Theo asked, getting closer to the shard and forcing his aura inside. He tapped it at a steady beat, which he expected was wrong but close enough for their example. "How will I know if it is the correct rhythm?"

"Pretty easy. When it syncs up with the entire network, you'll see some sparkling and a small pulse of power. When you take your proverbial finger away, the rhythm you were imparting into the Shard will continue."

Eyes still locked on the Shard, Theo shook his head. “But that’s not the hard part.”

“Nope. Going between each one and getting that rhythm right is the hard part.” Elrin let out a sigh. “I wish I could teleport more often, but… what can you do?”

“I get it,” Theo said, rubbing his hands together. “I think we’re ready to start.”

“I like a man who gets down to business.” Elrin cleared his throat. “Let’s get started.”