A Great Chieftain Was Already Dead at the Start? Damn, This Black Calamity Is Way Too Pure!

Mannis wasn't the type to speak in riddles.

But for the Endless One to cross the boundary between the Astral Plane and the material world just to deliver such an obscure warning and urging was proof enough that this was serious.

Yet Murphy could read the deeper meaning in the words of his unruly partner. He looked at Mannis and said:

"That's not what you really came to tell me, is it? Some great being asked you to pass a message along?"

"Hey, would a mighty time serpent like me willingly become the messenger of some damned, powerful, irresistible Astral Dragon? We're on good terms, sure, but watch what you say or I'll sue you for slander!"

The Endless One flicked its tail irritably and rose toward the sky, preparing to leave the material world as it began to suppress it. Murphy, still holding the gnoll chieftain's head, raised a hand and waved goodbye.

He quipped:

"Please, don't spend too much time playing with outsiders. You're completely lacking in dignity when you talk like that. I know what I have to do. As soon as the Black Calamity lets up a little, I'll set off.

"Actually, I think I can handle both things at once."

"Hmph. Do whatever you want. Even if the worst really happens, I'm protected by time, so I'll always make it to the end. The lives you care about, on the other hand, might not."

Mannis sneered:

"Stop spending all your energy on Triss and put some thought into what matters! Oh, right. You've made decent progress developing the power I gave you, especially after Triss passed the ancestral power of the Immortal to you. Your affinity with the power of time keeps growing.

"I thought you'd have to grasp these mysteries on your own, but