JUDICATOR JANE 6 - CHAPTER 11 (Patreon)

It’s a Wide, Wide World

Cracking her back with a satisfying stretch, Jane yawned and blinked into the crisp morning air. All night she’d been spinning like a weather vane checking whether those she cared about still registered a valid direction. The news had been good.

So, pretty much everyone’s still alive. Who would’ve thought one of my most reliable abilities would be spinning around in circles?

To her right, Veralaktus stood waiting, dutiful as ever.

“Morning,” Jane greeted. “Shall we see what’s for breakfast?”

“As you wish,” the demoness replied. “Also, you should know—the last of the demons are expected to emerge from the labyrinth later today.”

“Great,” she said, already heading down the path with a satisfied hum. The scent of cooked food grew stronger as the plaza came into view.

It looked like most of the villagers had already eaten; the long tables were mostly cleared. Still, the buffet spread remained just as full as ever—steaming rice porridge, finely sliced fruits of every variety, golden-brown omelettes—or maybe pancakes?—packed with lentils and eggs, and thick grain-and-nut bars that looked like they could double as building materials.

Jane piled her plate high, then spotted Melindra finishing her own meal nearby and joined her.

“Hey, morning,” Jane greeted, setting down her plate. She looked around. “Where’s Gral’gor?”

“Ah, there you are,” Melindra said with a warm smile. “I haven’t seen Gral’gor yet. With everything he’s gone through, I imagine he needs a bit of time to adjust to his new form. And you, were you up all night? Honestly, I wasn’t sure you’d make it to breakfast at all.”

Jane’s cheeks flushed faintly. She hadn’t spotted any clocks in the village, but the sun was already well above the horizon.

“Yeah, it was a late night,” she admitted. “But good news—everyone I remember still shows up alive. All the times I checked, the direction pointed southeast. Well… except for my friend Dyle. For some reason, thinking about him makes me turn straight south.”

Melindra gave a thoughtful shrug. “Who can say? Best to tread carefully when dealing with assumptions though—especially when Luck is involved.”

She leaned in slightly. “But with Gral’gor’s testimony and your Luck consistently pointing east, I think it’s safe to say we’re somewhere in the lands across the Green Sea.”

“Yeah… I kind of figured,” Jane said, biting her lip.

“That being the case, what do you intend to do?” Melindra asked bluntly. “Arcadia is a great distance away—with an ocean between us. Reuniting the demons into a singular horde may be a noble ambition, but the logistics leave much to be desired.”

Jane rubbed her chin, eyes drifting over the generous spread of breakfast before her. Here in the valley, food wasn’t an issue—at least not yet. Space itself was what they were missing. Beyond the fields, nearly every inch of open land was already filled with demons. Staying here simply wasn’t reasonable.

“I read a book back in the Great Library,” she said slowly. “Something about old seafarers... I can’t remember the title. But is that an option? Even if it takes time, couldn’t we ferry the demons across the Green Sea a few ships at a time?”

Melindra shrugged, picking at the edge of her plate. “That would fall to the Traders. They’re the only ones who dare make the crossing—with their large deep-sea worthy ships. I befriended one of their captains once, in my younger years. Even then, it wasn’t enough to earn passage. They’re... private, to say the least.”

“Are they human?”

“They are,” Melindra confirmed. “Though if you heard them speak, you might doubt it. They don’t use the common tongue of Alur. As for arranging a voyage... well, once I might have thought it unthinkable. But with your Luck—and the impossible odds I’ve already seen you twist to your favor—I wouldn’t dare predict how they might respond. Their ships are large enough, yes. But they are famously thrifty. Passage would cost a great deal of gold—more than I could even guess.”

Gold. Jane hadn’t thought about money in... a while. How much was still in her account with the Dirthian Banker’s Guild? Could she even find a branch out here?

Regardless, her path was starting to take shape.

“Alright,” she said. “What about you? Got any advice?”

Melindra considered. “Above all, we need information—where we are, what surrounds us, who else inhabits these lands. Perhaps there are coastal settlements that know more about the Traders. If the dragonkin truly dwell here, they may possess other unique classes or means of transport that could help. From what I recall, the Wyrmspire is also on this continent.”

She paused, then added, “Wasn’t your ring forged upon its slopes?”

Jane raised her hand, turning it to inspect the ring on her finger. Its surface shimmered faintly in the morning light.

Storm Ring

Forged amidst lightning atop the lofty peaks of the Wyrmspire, this legendary ring holds an undeniable power. Its very presence has ignited conflicts, causing kingdoms to clash and mighty empires to crumble under its captivating allure.

“Uh… I guess it was,” Jane said slowly, eyes still on the ring.

Melindra nodded thoughtfully. “And that’s not all. Your dress—the Emberwing Inferno Gown. What did you say it was made from?”

Jane blinked. “Fire Drake scales… or something like that.”

“Exactly. And there are no Fire Drakes in Arcadia or the Providencia. I wouldn’t be surprised if the material came from the Traders. I’ve only read fragments in the Great Library—conflicting accounts, at that—but Fire Drakes are said to be deadly creatures. If you plan to move the horde any measurable distance, it would be wise to know what threats lie ahead.”

She’s right. Charging forward blind would be a mistake. If she was going to lead anyone—let alone an army—she needed a clear sense of the terrain, the threats, and the options.

Jane turned toward the demoness beside her.

“Veralaktus,” she said firmly, “it’s time we had an official meeting. Summon my strongest demons to the stone temple. And make sure all Infiltrators attend—every last one of them, regardless of level.”

“As you command,” Veralaktus replied, already moving with precision.

***

Pacing across the wide courtyard, Jane tried to steady her thoughts. There were too many pieces on the board now—too many variables, too many unknowns. Strategy was difficult when you weren’t even sure what kind of game you were even playing.

In front of her stood a formidable collection of her demons, levels ranging from one hundred to four hundred. Many bore Epic classes, their unique appearances a stark contrast to the Hellguards and Tormentors she was used to.

“Alright,” she began, turning to face them. “If I say anything that doesn’t make sense, speak up—especially you, Melindra. Honestly, you’re smarter than me anyway.”

She took a breath and scanned the crowd.

“First off, can the Infiltrators step forward?”

A small cluster detached from the larger group. Crakkis and Harotal led the way, along with a few others.

Less than I expected.

“Is that all of them?”

Balostroze, tall and grim, answered. “It is. Infiltrators were among Ur’s most valued assets. They were some of the first to be summoned out of the Netherrealm during his invasion.”

Right… I had more back in Arcadia, Jane remembered. Still, she nodded. “That’s fine, we’ll have to make do.”

She turned to address the group of Infiltrators directly.

“Alright, you’re heading south—outside the valley. If you come across villages, towns, or cities, do what you do best. Blend in. Gather intel. Map things out if you can. Report back here in two weeks. I want to know if there are kingdoms or empires, and if so, what kind of people or races run them. Keep your ears open for any mention of Arcadia or the Traders.”

Then a thought struck her. “Wait a minute… Crakkis, you Infiltrators can shapeshift into the other races, right?”

Crakkis inclined his head. “That is correct.”

“How many races can you emulate?”

“Four: human, elf, dwarf, and dragonkin.”

Jane slapped her forehead. “Oh my god—seriously? Why didn’t I think of this before? Can all of you guys do this?”

Crakkis nodded again. “All Infiltrators are capable of such transformations.”

“Can you show me what a dragonkin looks like?”

Without hesitation, Crakkis transformed. One moment he was a sleek, black-barbed  demon. The next, he stood as a six-foot-tall, bipedal lizard—his teal scales gleaming faintly in the sunlight. His eyes were narrow and reptilian, but his face had an uncanny flatness, almost like a serpent pressed into a humanoid mold. A white stripe ran from his chin down to his chest.

Jane triggered Piercing Gaze.

Ystharis (Crakkis) (Level 149)

Dragonkin (Demon)

Class: Ash Marshal (Infiltrator) (Rare)

Strength: 67

Agility: 122

Constitution: 113

Intelligence: 201

Dominance: 215

Soul Bound: Jane King

Health: 1130/1130

Jane gasped. Not only could she see Crakkis’s transformed body, but her Piercing Gaze had revealed even more: a dragonkin class. Crakkis’s Fun Fact was the same as before, so she ignored it.

“Melindra,” Jane said, eyes still on the lizard-like form, “he’s got a class called Ash Marshal. Does that mean anything to you?”

Melindra stepped forward, circling Crakkis with curiosity. She poked and prodded at his smoothly scaled arms, lifted his hands, inspected the striping along his chest.

“No,” she said at last. “I’ve never encountered that term. Neither the Great Library nor Orion’s Archive says much about dragonkin—and certainly not their classes.”

She turned to the other Infiltrators. “It may be wise to have each of them transform as well before departing. If their forms come with unique classes, we may be able to glean more insight by comparing them. Combined with the knowledge stored in the temple’s library, it could offer valuable information about the dragonkin as a race.”

Jane nodded. “Right. Good idea.” She looked to the Infiltrators. “Before you head out, each of you should shapeshift into a dragonkin form—just like Crakkis. I want to see your classes and appearances for comparison.”

She paused, then added, “And grab some of those robes and gold masks from the temple before you go. No idea what kind of cultural weight they carry, but if the dragonkin are still around, wearing that stuff might earn you a little respect. This place feels ancient—maybe even sacred afterall.”

That is, if there are any dragonkin left after Gral’gor’s rampage, she thought, throat suddenly dry.

Turning back to the others, she addressed the towering figure of Balostroze.

“I want you, Yiw’drog, and the rest of the heavy-hitters to expand our perimeter—just outside the valley. Take whatever demons you think are necessary, but don’t go too far. Scout the terrain. See if there are any monsters, wild beasts, or other threats. Gral’gor managed to wipe out the occupants of the labyrinth by himself, so I doubt it’s that dangerous… but let’s not take chances. And if you come across any dragonkin, humans or other sentient races—bring them to me. Alive.”

Balostroze straightened, rising tall on his six massive legs. “As you wish, mistress. Veralaktus has informed us that there are no storms or Pazuzi in this realm. If that holds true, expanding your dominion should prove a simple task.”

Jane raised a hand to object to his wording—then hesitated.

Technically, he wasn’t wrong. She was expanding her dominion.

“Uh… yeah. I guess so. Just remember—don’t stray too far. We move carefully until the Infiltrators return with more intel. Don’t forget—as cocky as the old Demon Lord Ur was, his invasion ended nearly as quickly as it began. Expect the unexpected.”

Melindra gave her a sidelong glance, shaking her head. “And you, Jane? What role will you play in all this? With your Luck and mobility, you might just be the best scout we have.”

Jane glanced back at the temple, weighing her options. She was the fastest among them—flying with the Drawn Veil gave her incredible speed, and more importantly, she was nearly indestructible. Add to that her ability to pull information from just about anyone she encountered, and she was clearly the best choice for a reconnaissance.

Melindra and the other Velnatari can handle the research here, she reasoned. But what about Gral’gor? Can he still fly?

If so, maybe he could join her. The thought of tearing across the skies with him—kicking butts and taking names like the good old days—made her grin. She shook it off and refocused.

“You’re right,” she said aloud. “I’ll fly east and try to hit the coastline. Maybe I’ll find a village, or even a city with a dock. If I can meet with the Traders, maybe all we need is a boat ride back to Arcadia. And with my Luck, I can always find my way back here without a problem.”

Melindra nodded. “That seems wise. But I’d advise keeping your first trip short. Despite the calm here, immense power was spent to keep the demons in the Netherrealm. If greater forces are paying attention... we may need you close.”

“Got it,” Jane said, then turned to the rest of the courtyard and clapped her hands. “Okay, everyone—final prep tonight. Tomorrow we set everything in motion. By then, the last of the demons should be free from the labyrinth, and we can finally put that weird place behind us.”

As the crowd dispersed, Jane exhaled deeply. A sense of satisfaction warmed her chest—it felt good to be doing something, really doing something.

She hadn’t tried on her new crown yet… and honestly, she wasn’t looking forward to scrambling her brain just to unlock its mysteries. That could wait.

Raising her hand, she looked at the dark bracelet around her wrist—the key to the Unboreal Citadel. It rested beside the silver one Belgoth had given her. At least that hadn’t done anything weird when she’d put it on.

All things considered, everything was going well. The last of the demons would soon be free. There was food, peace, and purpose. The endless battles of the Netherrealm were finally behind her. Her friends were alive—somewhere—and she had a plan Melindra approved of.

Yeah, she thought, a spark of triumph lighting in her chest, everything’s going just great.