NameIess

"Does the beast like Noots?" Wondered Esmerelda.

"You can do cute and helpless animals? I would have thought you were more into slugs and hideous monsters."

"Sorry, I meant the other chickens. The ones under King Chickeee."

Fortunately, the Heart of the Revel filled in.

"Indeed. Killed by the chickens."

Esmerelda nodded. "Indeed, Bookwyrm. Can you transform into some form of small, vulnerable animal that tastes delicious?"

Lark appeared in the middle of the confused group, dark circles under his eyes. "Fortunately, I can inform you as to what has happened. The chickens have left the clinic with Emma, and Calano died, meaning I am now truly the rightful owner of this clinic." He glanced around at all the destruction and chaos, eyes narrowing. "There is quite a bit of work left to do here."

He got over it quickly, although he was upset that Calano had left before he could clarify the exact relationship between his and Calano's hold on the clinic. He'd always wanted an opportunity to monologue.

Emperor Sell discovers the plot against him, realizing that the people of Name-Ed will always be divided unless they have an enemy to hate. So he assassinates the treasonous Grand Vizier and blames it on the Gahestian army. War is declared within days of this, and the mighty Demigods once more are unleashed on the enemies of Nam-Ed.

"Oh please. You were killed by one of those glowing daggers, yes? Even with Emma's intervention, that should have left your soul in far too frail a state to meaningfully interact with the world, much less continue as signatory of a binding magical contract like the one that determines ownership of the clinic." Lark gestured to the dimension treaty lying on the table. "Can you contact others, or just me? I suppose it would make sense if it was only me," Lark rubbed his chest uncomfortably "But I wouldn't be too surprised if you could contact the Nethergrim's host as well." He wrote some notes down in his journal, then cocked his head, glancing at a clock on the wall. "Hm. Your hold on the treaty has been weakened. I should be dead by now."

"All right. Bookwyrm, you're the bait. Can you transform into a sheep?"

Lark shook his head, coughing as he looked at the records of the battle. "You can't be dead Calano. I still feel you, pulling on me like an anchor, dragging me down to my grave. If you were dead, this clinic would be truly mine."

Lark stirred, finally waking up. He felt better, marginally. Groaning softly, he struggled to his feet, straightening the things on his desk. "Calano? What was that you said? That I killed you? Why lie about something like that? Did you really think I'd believe you?"

Esmerelda pulled out the map she'd begun making of the Toilet. "The creature likes to wander around this narrow hallway here. We can capture one of the slimes and use it to lure the beast into a trap."

Slowly, scared patients began to emerge from their rooms, wondering if it was finally over.

The words echoed through the empty clinic ominously.

"I believe so, although it is difficult to tell for certain; the beast has been changed significantly by all of the magic it has consumed."

"It is in the hands of a particularly voracious monster. In the stomach, to be more precise. It patrols the deepest depths of the Toilet, searching for unsuspecting victims to devour. I have been tracking the beast, but although I have attempted to kill it several times, it has proven too dangerous to be easily overwhelmed."

"A good name. As Bookwyrm indicated, my name is Esmerelda."

"I thank you, Eizard. Might I ask your name?"

Esmerelda frowned. "You were helping Eof? But...never mind. We can speak on this later. For now, we need to work on getting out of here. With your help, obtaining the key to exit should be easy enough."

General Gladius personally oversaw Emma's imprisonment. Before she had opportunity to awaken, the chickens locked the unconscious Lady of Shadows away in a specially designed cell, made to dampen and contain her Nethergrim powers. Bookwyrm was locked away in the basement, awaiting his fate along with the rest of the rioters. With no further orders from Lark, Gladius was unsure as to his next move. He was a general, not an administrator. Whatever resistance remained in the clinic, they were likely regrouping, and there was little he could do other than set up patrols again. As for treating patients, most of the staff had either fled, joined the resistance, or been killed in the rioting. Perhaps they could bring in chicken doctors? No, that would never work. And what benefit would it give him to do so? Abruptly, Gladius nodded. The decision was clear. His goals were achieved. he turned to his aides, who were nervously eyeing Emma's prison. "It's time to leave. We have what we came for, and remaining here will only cause further losses to our troops. We take the Lady of Shadows back to the capital for judgement, and leave this place to Lark. He should be able to deal with any remaining resistance himself, considering the amount of power the treaty imbues on him." His aides nodded, sending messengers to relay the general's orders. Within a few hours, the chickens were gone, taking Emma and the assortment of magical items they'd plundered from the clinic.

Esmerelda gave Bookwyrm an odd look. "Really? I look nothing like Moniker. And she isn't the type to wear armor made of bones anyway. What are you doing here?"

Lark didn't move, sitting alone in the dark, eyes barely open, breathing shallow, clinic treaty clutched loosely in his hand. General Gladius smiled. The battle was turning out even better than he'd hoped! Not only had Calano been killed, but the Lady of Shadows had exhausted herself trying to save him. "They've lost their two most powerful fighters. Tell Barus that he is to press the attack; those remaining will quickly fall." Nothing can stop us now. This clinic is ours.