Wilson panted as the creature before him dissipated into embers. He was short of breath from shooting so many blow darts at it and the others that had accompanied it.

"Don't rest yet."

Wilson looked to his side, seeing the hooded figure.

"It's far from over."

Wilson nodded.

"How… How many are coming?"

The hooded figure lowered his head.

"I'm not sure but knowing Pugna, it will be a lot." The figure looked to him, noting Wilson had cuts on his on his legs and one across his chest. "Tell me something, how good are you at magic?"

Wilson gave a perplexed look.

"I only barely started learning. Why?"

"Well, if you happen to be good at healing as well." The figure looked to the side, seeing a staff with a blue flower tied to it stuck in the ground.

Wilson followed his gaze.

"I'm afraid to ask."

The figure picked up the staff, tossing it to him.

"Get to work or we're dead."

The figure ran off without another word, quickly petrifying a wave of a creatures as they came out from one of the gates with his spell book.

Wilson looked at the staff, gulping as he tried to figure out how it worked. He could see one of the sisters, Jenny, stumbling as a pit pig slashed her leg.

"AUGH!"

I need to help them. Come on… Please.

He focused, raising the staff above his head as bright green energy shot out from the top of it, flowers blooming around him.

Winona took note of this, quickly lifting her sister into her arms.

"Hang on, Sis, we'll get you fixed up in a jiffy! The guy figured out how to work that staff I got to train with!"

Winona hurried over, sighing relief as the flowers took their effect, her wounds fading as well as Jenny's.

"Nice work, Doc!" Winona said, giving Wilson a thumb up.

He grinned.

"Anything to help out a teammate."

"Behind you!"

Wilson looked behind him to see a pit pig attempting to charge him. He pointed the staff at it as more energy shot out, more concentrated than before, killing it.

"Huh, these don't drop food. Weird."

The hooded figure, Walter and Laika soon came running up to the circle of flowers, relaxing as the effects took hold.

"I see we have a healer. Good." Laika smiled. "This will be a huge help."

"Usually I have to do that part." Walter sighed in relief.

Wilson sheepishly grinned, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I'm used to this, honestly. I'm the doctor for my village."

"Just be sure to keep it up." the hooded figure said, looking at the rings, seeing sparks flying. "We've got more monsters coming."

Wilson narrowed his eyes.

"Right."

"Just do one thing: Stay out of trouble." Winona said before heading over to another gate, Jenny hurrying after her.

"And if anyone dies, don't worry - it's easy to fix." Walter replied.

Wilson was concerned at this and went to ask him before he too ran off.

Wilson shook his head, keeping his staff ready. He watched as his comrades took on the same creatures from before. The hooded figure petrying them, Winona slamming into them with her hammer, Walter hitting them with hot darts, Jenny distracting some while Laika skewered them with her spear.

He wasn't sure what to do but do as he was told, keeping to the center of the ring with his staff. It hurt to watch them get injured though, worse than he had ever seen in his time in The Constant.

"Wilson!" The hooded figure called. "Summon another flower ring! We need to heal before the next wave comes!"

He jumped but did as told, summoning another flower ring as everyone hurried to the center. This time, the hooded figure was also sporting some pretty severe injuries but they were healing right up.

"Is everyone alright?"

"Hanging in there." Walter panted. "That was a lot of pit pigs."

So that's what those things are called.

"They're only the grunts. The real challenge will be showing up soon." Laika growled. "I've heard of the old tales. First pit pigs, then snortistes, then scorpeons then borillas then… the champion, the boarrior."

"Great. How do we defeat those?"

"Watch and learn." The hooded figure retorted before getting the attention of a pit pig, running back into the circle as the creature fell asleep immediately. "This is how."

Laika nodded.

"Sleep and then slay. An old tactic." Laika grinned. "Shall we everyone?" She noted the sparks of the rings flying again.

"We shall." Walter adjusted his armor. "Team up Laika?"

"Team up!" She squealed.

Aww…

The fight continued as the other creatures Laika mentioned showed, up all in the order she had stated. Wilson kept his distance from the fight, maintaining his healing circle for the fighters to return to for when they were injured. There was a dull pain in Wilson's head but he ignored it for the time being, focusing on keeping his teammates alive.

The pattern continued of the fighters, killing as many as possible before returning to the healing circle. However, when the scorpeons came, that's when the pattern broke a bit.

"AUGH!" Jenny fell to the ground, holding her chest, frothing a bit at the mouth.

"JENNY!" Winona shrieked before snarling at one of the scorpeons. "YOU BEAST! YOU POISONED MY SISTER!"

Winona took them on, getting them away from her sister.

"Wilson! Revive her!" Laika called over her shoulder, distracting scorpeons to keep them far from Jenny.

"Revive?" Wilson looked to Jenny, hurrying over to her, realizing quickly that the poison had done its job. She was lifeless on the floor, eyes glazed over with death. His hands shook as he summoned energy, sending it right into her.

"P-Please work… Please."

I don't know half of these abilities… But I am The Prince. I have to help!

The energy did its work, color returning to Jenny's skin, her eyes having life in them again. She quickly got back up, sighing in relief.

"Thanks, Doc. You're the best." She picked up her darts, heading back into the battle. "COME HERE YOU MONSTERS! JENNY HAS SOME DARTS WITH YOUR NAMES ON THEM!"

Wilson was dumbfounded, looking at this hands.

I… I just brought someone back from the dead.

I.

Just.

Brought.

Someone.

Back.

From.

The.

DEAD.

He didn't have much time to think as Walter hurried by him, trying to avoid a scorpeon before he too fell. Wilson quickly revived him, sending him on his way, his mind going at a slower pace than his body. It was like he was on auto-pilot now.

I can revive the dead.

I CAN REVIVE THE DEAD.

A huge roar broke his focus as huge apes came onto the scene.

"Wilson! Stay in the center!" The hooded figure barked. "You do not want to know what it's like be hit by a boarilla!" The hooded figure ducked as one of them tried to hit him. He looked around, noting a staff on the ground that had a red gem in it. He smirked, quickly, lifting it into the air, summoning a meteor from the sky in a flash of light, stunning the boarilla.

"Got ya." He grinned.

Wilson tried to keep aware of his surroundings and his healing circle up. But his headache was getting worse. He took a moment, placing one of his hands to his head, stepping out of it.

Before he knew it a boarilla had smashed the ground, causing it to crack and send him flying into the air.

"AAAAHHHH!"

"Wilson!" Winona shouted.

The hooded figure worked quickly, raising the staff again, shadow clones of himself flying into the air, bringing Wilson down to safety.

"I got him!" He shouted.

Wilson gave him a grateful look, sighing in relief.

"Thank goodness."

The hooded figure nodded, focusing back on the battle, not noting the figure behind him. Pugna smiled as the figure raised its weapon.

"Destroy him, my champion."

Wilson's eyes widened as he saw the weapon come down.

"LOOK OUT!"

It was too late.

The hooded figure gasped as he was hit by a club that was made from the horn of some beast. He was sent flying, skidding across the ground till he finally stopped at the edge of the arena.

"Grand Boarrior." Laika whispered, terror in her eyes as the sight she had beheld.

The Grand Boarrior roared as it gunned for the others, swinging its clubs at them.

"RUN!" Walter screamed. "EVERYONE RUN!"

Wilson gulped, moving towards the hooded figure, noting he wasn't moving much.

"Hang on!"

"Wilson, just revive him later!"

"NO!"

"WILSON DUCK!"

Wilson did as told, avoiding a club that swung right over his head.

"Whoa!"

"Hey, over here ugly!" Jenny called, shooting a dart at its head. "I'm much more interesting than that guy!"

The Grand Boarrior roared before coming after her, leaving Wilson to revive the hooded figure.

Wilson went to do so but stopped as he saw them slowly getting up, their body shaking.

"Augh… Hurry and summon a circle… quickly…" They said, coughing up blood. "Augh… Please…"

Wilson did so concern in his eyes.

"You need to stay down. I'll guard you. Your organs are probably-"

"Shutting down as we speak. I'll be fine."

Wilson narrowed his eyes before summoning a circle around them, the man sighing in relief as the effects from the flowers took hold. He moved to go out but Wilson put an arm in front.

"Stay. You're not better just yet. I can see it your stride."

"They won't be able to handle it without-"

"No. I am not having you dying after that."

"Get. Out. Of. My. WAY!"

The man pushed his way through, going to cast a spell before he was knocked by an earthquake the Grand Boarrior caused, sending both him and Wilson flying and onto their backs.

"NGH!"

"AUGH!"

The figure was sent flying towards to the edge closest to Pugna's throne, the battlemaster laughing at his misfortune.

"What's the matter, Prince? This too much for you to handle?"

Wilson looked over, confused, but the hooded figure snarled before he could say anything.

"I'm… not… down… yet… Pugna…"

"Ah, but you're weak. I'm not surprised though. Like father like son. Heh, you really are Tenebrae's heir. When the tension is high you crack and are nothing but a weakling under all that confidence. You're just like him, Magnus Umbra."

The hooded figure gripped at the ground.

"Shut up…"

Wilson looked up, confused.

Prince…?

"Wait what…?"

The hooded figure let out a growl.

"Shut up… Shut up.."

"You're going to lie there while people are dying. Just like all those years ago... with Lux."

The ground beneath the hooded figure's hands cracked as he gripped at it, his fingers becoming long gray claws. He lowered his head, a growl building up in his throat. Cracking noises were heard as his body changed. His feet became large and claw like, a tail grew out… he lifted his head, showing white glowing eyes were beneath the hood.

The fighters stopped in the battle, as did the Grand Boarrior, all in shock at what was happening before them.

"What the…?" Winona whispered.

"I thought… I said…" The hooded figure whipped around, the hood coming off, revealing a face that was gray in skin color with the rest being made of varying shades of dark shadow flames. "YOU LEAVE LUX OUT OF THIS!" He shrieked at Pugna, a roar leaving his mouth that was deafening to anyone who could hear, making them cover their ears immediately.

Wilson cringed, doing what he could to protect his hearing. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the sight though. What… was this thing?

The once hooded figure let out another shriek before going straight for the Grand Boarrior, digging his claws right into its armor, slashing at it a million times till it fell to the ground before the fighters, its clubs falling to the side.

The creature panted before letting out another shriek, stepping on the head of the now slain Grand Boarrior. The others backed away, not sure if they should be fearing for their lives.

The creature looked to the others before looking to Pugna, growling at him.

"It's over Pugna. You've lost. Now keep your end of the bargain!"

He growled. But a deal was a deal. He raised his club.

"Guards! Open the gateway!"

The way they had come in came a lit with dark flames. The figure made his way over, gesturing for the others to follow. They didn't dare question.

They passed through the flames. The area around them became cooler as the scene changed from one of molten lava and stone to one of wet stone and caverns. They were on a platform that had a large portal on it that was now powered off, the way behind them closing.

"We… We survived…" Jenny sighed in relief, before looking at herself. "And I got my old clothes back!" She grinned, twirling in her now restored skirt. "Thank goodness!"

Winona grinned a bit, adjusting the bandana on her head.

"Heh… Neat."

Wilson looked at himself as well, seeing his regular attire was now on him. He sighed in relief, adjusting his gloves.

"Glad I didn't lose these."

Though his relief soon faded into curiosity, noting the creature still looked the same as he had in the ring save now he was in a different garb entirely. He was now adorned with a cloak and crown, something that was fit for a prince. Laika was looking up at him in awe and wonder before she bowed.

"I owe you my life, Magnus Umbra. I am honored I got to fight beside you."

He gave her a gentle look, bowing in return.

"I was honored to fight beside you, Laika. Your people will be so proud of you I assure you. You are now a champion of the Forge."

Laika looked up at him, her face beaming.

"Thank you."

He nodded before cringing, his form shifting. His tail dissipated, his claws became normal hands, his garb faded into that of black slacks, a light purple vest, tie and a dark purple trench coat, shadow flames became silver hair and dark grey skin became flesh colored. Once it was over he fell to his knees, panting.

"Augh… I haven't taken that form in years."

Laika knelt beside him.

"You poor thing."

Wilson hurried over to see if he could help, his eyes widening as he realized he recognized the man before him, albeit he looked rather different from the last time he saw him.

"... MAXWELL!?"

Maxwell looked up at him, an exhausted look in his features.

"Nice to see you again too, Higgsbury." His eyes rolled into the back of his head before he fell over groaning.

Wilson knelt beside him, pushing aside his disbelief looking him over.

"And he's completely unconscious. We need to get him somewhere safer so I can get a better look."

The others came running over.

"I'm going to say this now, I'm willing to help but I've got quite the word to have with this man."

"As do I." Jenny said, crossing her arms."

"Same." Walter narrowed his eyes. "But… we do owe him for letting us not die so best to return the favor."

Wilson nodded.

"I know place we can go." Laika said. "I know some people who have equipment that could help."

"Let's get him there then."

Winona stepped up, rolling her sleeves up.

"Let me carry him."

Wilson nodded, stepping back, allowing her to do so. He looked to Laika.

"Lead the way."

Laika nodded, heading down a path, the others following right after her.

Wilson took a deep breath bringing up the rear.

There was still much he had to learn about this world.

And he was going to find out.

But for now, I need to heal.