New iPoints, New Power - The Shadow System: The Darquebane Chronicles

The celebration had been a terrible idea.

Jax had said so several times.

They had a World Tree raid scheduled for six in the morning.

A raid that adventurers had traveled across the continent to attempt.

A raid where some parties had entered and never returned.

A raid where the first group to complete it would receive a legendary reward powerful enough to change kingdoms.

Naturally, the Vixens decided the appropriate thing to do the night before was throw a party.

Technically, the fairies had thrown the party.

The Vixens had simply refused to stop it.

Jax had been outvoted.

Again.

At least one good thing had come from it.

The Fairy Cider was cold.

After Jax mentioned that he preferred drinks chilled, Pixelle had immediately ordered several kegs placed into the cooling units, Jax had brought with him to sell.

The difference had been noticeable.

Even fairies who had consumed Fairy Cider for decades were surprised by how much better it tasted cold.

Jax had spent part of the evening explaining that temperature could be just as important as flavor.

Most of the fairies had nodded thoughtfully.

Then they drank more.

And stopped caring about the business lesson.

Jax looked around the clearing.

Hundreds of fairies filled the village center.

Music played.

Tiny glowing lanterns floated through the air.

Fairies danced between enormous mushrooms while others sat around tables eating the remnants of dinner.

Nyxian had somehow become the center of a game Jax didn't entirely understand.

Dozens of fairy women were attempting to kiss her.

Apparently, the goal was to steal a kiss without Nyxian kissing them back.

Jax had no idea who invented the game.

But they had made one significant strategic mistake.

They chose Nyxian as their opponent.

A pink-haired fairy darted toward her.

Nyxian twisted at the last second, caught the tiny woman gently between two fingers, and kissed her instead.

The surrounding fairies erupted in cheers.

"That doesn't count!"

Nyxian grinned.

"It counts to me."

Three more rushed her at once.

Nyxian's eyes lit up.

"Oh, we're changing tactics now?"

Lexi hovered nearby, laughing so hard she could barely remain airborne.

Jax shook his head.

"Nyxian."

She glanced toward him.

"We have a raid in the morning."

"I know!"

Another fairy attacked.

Nyxian caught her.

Kissed her.

The fairy flew away looking dazed.

"What time?"

"Six."

Nyxian waved dismissively.

"That's hours away."

Jax stared at her.

It was nearly midnight.

He decided not to argue.

Mostly because he had other problems.

Pixelle had claimed his right arm.

Zee had claimed his left.

And Llandra had somehow wedged herself between him and the back of his chair.

All three had been drinking Fairy Cider.

All three had become increasingly affectionate.

And somewhere during the evening, affection had turned competitive.

Pixelle cuddled closer.

Zee responded by wrapping both hands around Jax's arm.

Llandra leaned over his shoulder and kissed his cheek.

Pixelle immediately kissed the other one.

Zee frowned.

Then kissed his neck.

Pixelle's eyes narrowed.

Llandra noticed.

"Your Grace."

Pixelle looked at her suspiciously.

"Princess."

Jax sighed.

"Ladies."

All three looked at him.

"We have a raid tomorrow."

"We know," Llandra replied.

"At six."

"We know," Zee repeated.

"In the morning."

Pixelle rolled her eyes.

"Jax, we understand how time works."

Jax looked between them.

"Do you?"

None answered.

A few minutes later, something remarkable happened.

The competition ended.

Not because one of them won.

They simply realized competing was inefficient.

Pixelle shifted closer.

Zee moved with her.

Llandra wrapped both arms around Jax from behind.

And suddenly all three were cuddled against him simultaneously.

Pixelle smiled triumphantly.

"See?"

Jax blinked.

"See what?"

"We solved it."

"Solved what?"

The three women exchanged glances.

"Nothing," Llandra said.

Jax decided that was probably the safest answer.

Across the clearing, Nyxian was now being attacked by at least twelve fairies simultaneously.

Bunny stood nearby cheering them on.

Jax looked toward the sky.

Then toward the Fairy Cider in his hand.

Then toward the women wrapped around him.

He took another drink.

Fine.

They could celebrate.

For a little while longer.

It was sometime after two in the morning when they finally returned to the carriage.

Jax stepped through the dimensional doorway and looked toward the bedroom.

Then toward the Vixens.

Then back toward the bedroom.

"We have to be awake in less than three hours."

Nyxian smiled.

"We know."

Jax narrowed his eyes.

"You said that earlier."

Bunny pushed him toward the bedroom.

"Come on."

"To sleep?"

Nobody answered.

Jax sighed.

Apparently not.

Jax opened his eyes just before Six in the morning.

Two hours.

But his body felt completely rested.

His System had already purged the remaining alcohol and Fairy Cider from his bloodstream.

He felt fantastic.

The women surrounding him did not appear to share that advantage.

Jax stared at the ceiling for a moment.

Then slowly looked around.

Bodies were everywhere.

Llandra was asleep against one shoulder.

Zee was partially draped across his chest.

Bunny had somehow claimed one of his legs.

Nyxian was curled against his other side.

Pixelle had returned to her natural three-inch form and was sleeping comfortably on Jax's chest.

Lexi was nearby as well, tucked safely within Nyxian's cleavage.

Not one of them moved.

Jax glanced toward the clock.

5:34 A.M.

They weren't entering the World Tree at six.

That much was obvious.

Fortunately, they didn't have to.

Their entry window remained open until noon.

Jax could wake them.

He could force everyone out of bed, feed them something quickly, and rush them to the tree.

He wasn't going to.

The World Tree wasn't worth it.

Neither was the legendary reward.

If the Vixens weren't ready, they would surrender their slot.

They had waited four days.

They could wait again.

Jax carefully settled back against the pillow.

Zee shifted closer in her sleep.

He smiled.

Another hour wouldn't hurt.

It was nearly eight when Jax finally escaped.

Nobody woke when he carefully removed himself from the tangle.

Pixelle stirred when he moved her to Nyxian, but quickly curled back against her.

Jax dressed and walked into the kitchen.

Breakfast.

They were going to need breakfast.

Lots of it.

He started with pancakes.

Eggs.

Fruit.

Juice.

Water.

Lots of water.

By the time the smell began spreading through the dimensional living space, the first signs of life appeared.

Llandra emerged from the bedroom.

Her blonde hair was a mess.

Jax stared.

He wasn't sure he had ever seen Llandra's hair look like that.

She noticed him looking.

"Not one word."

Jax returned to the pancakes.

"I didn't say anything."

"You were thinking it."

"Can't prove that."

Llandra slowly stretched.

Her back popped several times.

She closed her eyes.

"Oh, that helped."

Zee appeared next.

She stretched both arms above her head, rolled her shoulders, and walked directly toward the water.

Bunny followed.

She looked like she could sleep another twelve hours.

Nyxian emerged looking far too pleased with herself.

Jax looked at the four of them.

"You know we can skip today."

That woke Bunny up.

"What?"

"The raid."

Four expressions changed.

Jax continued flipping pancakes.

"If you're not ready, we don't go. I'm serious."

Llandra looked toward the others.

Bunny stretched again.

Zee rolled her neck.

Nyxian leaned against the counter.

Then Llandra looked back at Jax.

"We're going."

"Llandra—"

"We're tired, Jax. We're not incapable."

She glanced toward the bedroom where Pixelle and Lexi were beginning to stir.

"We have prepared for this. We trained for it. We came here because we wanted to challenge the World Tree together."

Her expression softened.

"You are always asking us to understand why we do something instead of simply doing it."

Jax nodded.

"We know why we're doing this."

Bunny smiled.

"We're going to beat it."

Zee nodded.

"And if any of us believes we're becoming a danger to the others, we leave."

Nyxian stretched.

"No treasure is worth losing one of us."

Jax looked at them.

That was exactly what he needed to hear.

"Alright."

He flipped another pancake.

"Then eat."

Pixelle and Lexi entered a few minutes later.

Both were in their natural forms.

Pixelle immediately flew toward Jax.

Jax smiled.

"Your Grace."

Her wings fluttered faster.

She kissed his cheek.

Lexi landed near Nyxian.

Nyxian immediately offered her hand.

Lexi stepped onto her palm.

Then froze.

"Oh!"

Nyxian raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"I got an unlock!"

That got everyone's attention.

Within seconds, breakfast had been forgotten.

The Vixens surrounded Lexi.

"Open it!" Bunny exclaimed.

Lexi brought up her System.

The screen expanded enough for the others to read.

Three options appeared.

PERFECT RECALL — HIGH LEVEL

Allows the user to deliberately commit witnessed documents, conversations, names, numerical information, and instructions to perfect memory.

Lexi's eyes widened.

"That would be useful."

"Very," Llandra agreed.

The next appeared.

COORDINATED DELEGATION — HIGH LEVEL

Individuals working beneath the user's formally assigned authority receive increased efficiency and communication when completing tasks delegated by the user.

Zee nodded thoughtfully.

"That's extremely powerful."

Lexi scrolled to the final option.

GRAND ADMINISTRATOR — LEGENDARY

Once granted administrative authority over an organization, enterprise, territory, or project, the user gains access to a System-assisted administrative network.

Personnel.

Assignments.

Contracts.

Deadlines.

Inventory reports.

Expenditures.

Revenue.

Production.

Supply requirements.

Correspondence.

Unresolved tasks.

Information legitimately reported through the organization will be automatically categorized and prioritized.

ADDITIONAL ABILITY: PRIORITY INSIGHT

The System will identify conflicting information, resource shortages, missed obligations, bottlenecks, approaching deadlines, and matters requiring executive attention.

Lexi stared.

"So which one should I choose?"

Jax was pouring another batch of pancake batter into the pan.

"Legendary."

Lexi looked over.

"You didn't even read them."

"Nope."

"Then how can you tell me which one to choose?"

Jax flipped a pancake.

"I can't. You asked what I'd choose."

He pointed the spatula toward her.

"It's your System. You choose."

Lexi looked back at the options.

She read each one again.

Then selected.

GRAND ADMINISTRATOR — LEGENDARY

CONFIRM?

Lexi hesitated.

Then pressed it.

CONFIRMED

Jax was stacking pancakes when Lexi began reading the full description aloud.

He stopped.

The pancake in his spatula remained suspended over the plate.

"Wait."

Everyone looked at him.

"Read that again."

Lexi did.

Jax slowly lowered the pancake.

His mind was already racing.

Every business.

Every warehouse.

Every shipment.

Every contract.

Every manager.

Every deadline.

Every request that currently depended upon someone remembering to tell someone else something important.

"Lexi."

She looked at him.

"Yes?"

"If that ability works the way I think it does, I need to spend a lot more time with you."

Lexi's wings fluttered.

Jax continued.

"I'd love to have you help me run my businesses."

Her eyes widened.

"All of them?"

"Eventually. Maybe."

Jax returned to his pancakes.

Lexi looked toward Nyxian.

Nyxian slowly licked her lips.

Lexi straightened.

Confidence returned.

"I'm not sure I can accept such an important position without a hefty price."

Jax poured more batter.

"What are your terms?"

Lexi swallowed.

She hadn't expected him to ask that quickly.

"I..."

She looked around.

Then forced herself to say it.

"I demand to be declared your first concubine."

Jax sprinkled sugar over another pancake.

"No."

Lexi's wings stopped.

"Then..."

She scrambled.

"I demand a leadership position within your harem beneath your wives and queens."

"Nah."

Lexi stared at him.

Nyxian covered her mouth.

Bunny was trying not to laugh.

Lexi's face turned red.

"Then what can I offer you?"

Jax continued stacking pancakes.

Lexi finally burst.

"What can I offer you to prove that I deserve to be one of your favorites below the Queen?!"

"Nothing."

Lexi froze.

Her wings drooped.

Even Pixelle stopped smiling.

Jax added several pieces of fruit to the top pancake.

Then a dusting of powdered sugar.

He picked up the plate and carried it toward the table.

Lexi watched silently.

Jax placed it in front of her.

Three enormous pancakes towered over the tiny fairy.

The breakfast probably weighed fifty times more than she did.

Pieces of fruit formed a smiling face across the top.

Lexi looked closer.

The eyes were hearts.

Jax pulled out a chair.

"You don't have to offer me anything."

Lexi looked up.

"I don't want a concubine."

Her expression fell again.

Jax shook his head.

"No. You're misunderstanding me."

He gestured toward the Vixens.

"I don't want a hierarchy where one woman matters more than another."

His eyes moved around the room.

"Llandra isn't Bunny. Bunny isn't Zee. Zee isn't Nyxian. Pixelle isn't any of them."

Then he looked at Lexi.

"And you're not Pixelle."

Lexi's wings moved slowly.

"If you decide you want to be with me, I don't want you beneath anyone."

He shrugged.

"I want an equal."

Lexi stared at him.

"I've already married and become engaged to some amazing women. And from what I've seen, they seem pretty fond of you too."

Nyxian smiled.

"If someday you decide you want to marry them too, I'll happily be there for that."

He pointed toward her with the spatula.

"But I'm not interested in making you some side piece."

Lexi's eyes dropped toward the ridiculous smiling breakfast in front of her.

Heart-shaped eyes stared back.

"I won't accept you as anything less than a Vixen."

Lexi looked toward Nyxian.

Nyxian said nothing.

She simply smiled.

Lexi understood.

Her wings began fluttering again.

"I..."

She looked around at all of them.

"I'd like that."

Jax smiled.

"Good."

Lexi wiped one eye quickly.

"But I'm still negotiating my salary."

Jax grinned.

"Now, that we can negotiate."

Nyxian laughed.

Pixelle suddenly flew upward.

"Excellent!"

Everyone turned toward her.

Pixelle straightened proudly.

"Then as Queen, I believe our first order of business should be establishing certain rules."

The Vixens' expressions changed.

Pixelle noticed.

Her confidence immediately weakened.

"Fair rules."

Bunny narrowed her eyes.

"What kind of rules?"

Pixelle swallowed.

"For occasions when Jax has limited time and can only be with one person..."

Zee raised an eyebrow.

Pixelle continued carefully.

"...those who are fairies shall take their turns alphabetically."

Silence.

"By first name," Pixelle added still flustered by the other Vixens stares.

Lexi looked at her.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

Bunny began counting on her fingers.

Llandra tilted her head.

"Your Grace."

Pixelle looked toward her.

"Yes?"

"Why are you allowing Lexi to go first?"

Pixelle blinked.

"I'm not."

"Lexi comes before Pixelle."

"No."

Five Vixens nodded.

Pixelle looked around.

"Are you sure?"

Five heads nodded again.

"No!"

Lexi burst out laughing.

"Reverse alphabetical order!" Pixelle shouted.

"You can't change the rules because you lost!"

"I'M THE QUEEN!"

Lexi pointed toward Jax.

"He just said there isn't a hierarchy!"

Pixelle slowly looked toward Jax.

Jax had returned to the stove.

He flipped another pancake.

"Don't drag me into this."

Breakfast lasted longer than expected.

Then Lexi had to test Grand Administrator.

Everyone wanted to congratulate her again.

Then Pixelle declared that Lexi becoming an official Vixen required some sort of celebration.

Jax checked the time again.

Still fine.

Then Nyxian whispered something into Lexi's ear.

Lexi's face turned crimson.

"We don't have time for that."

Nyxian smiled.

"Of course we do."

Jax immediately looked toward the clock.

"Actually—"

Zee took his hand.

"One last celebration."

Jax looked toward Llandra.

Surely Llandra would—

She took his other hand.

Jax sighed.

He had lost the vote.

Again.

The bedroom door closed.

When it opened again, the Vixens emerged considerably more motivated than when they entered.

Nyxian stretched her arms over her head.

Her smile was entirely too satisfied.

She looked toward Llandra.

"Now that is my why."

Llandra's face flushed.

She adjusted her clothing and attempted to recover some measure of royal dignity.

"We will follow you anywhere."

Zee straightened her robe.

"We are ready to conquer everything."

Bunny adjusted her armor.

"I'm ready to be smashed."

Everyone looked at her.

Bunny froze.

She looked down.

Then around the room.

"Smash!"

She hurriedly fixed the piece of armor she had been adjusting.

"I'm ready to smash."

Nyxian grinned.

"Of course you are."

Pixelle fluttered beside Jax while trying to fix her bright-pink hair.

"I am prepared to demonstrate why bringing the Fairy Queen was the greatest strategic decision you've ever made."

Jax looked at her.

"You spent most of training riding in Nyxian's cleavage."

Pixelle's wings stopped.

She thought about it.

"It was a strategically excellent cleavage."

Nyxian placed a hand over her heart.

"Your Grace, I am touched."

Lexi laughed.

She wasn't entering the World Tree with them.

A few days ago, that wouldn't have bothered her.

Now it did.

But she wasn't a warrior.

And for the first time, she was beginning to understand that she didn't need to be one.

She looked around at her new family.

"I'll be here when you return."

The others looked toward her.

Lexi straightened.

"I'm going to determine exactly how much Fairy Cider we can produce without exhausting our reserves, what we'll need to increase production, and how quickly we can do it."

Her System appeared in front of her.

Information was already beginning to organize itself.

"Then I'm going through our herbs, flowers, medicines, and anything else the kingdom produces in surplus. I'll determine what we can safely export, what it costs us to produce, and what prices give us the best balance between profit and expanding into new markets."

Jax stopped what he was doing and looked at her.

Lexi smiled.

She was getting into this.

"After that, I'll start identifying what we should be buying from you. There is no point sending a wagon away full and bringing it back empty."

Jax's smile grew.

"And I'll have the first trade proposal ready for you before you return."

She paused.

Then corrected herself.

"No. I'll have it ready for us before you return."

Jax smiled.

"That's my Grand Administrator."

Lexi's cheeks turned pink.

Then she noticed something.

Her System was still open.

Her smile disappeared.

"Um..."

Nobody noticed.

Lexi stared at the screen.

"Guys?"

The others looked toward her.

Lexi pointed.

One by one, everyone opened their Systems.

A countdown hovered before them.

WORLD TREE RAID ENTRY WINDOW

TIME REMAINING: 00:16:07

Silence.