Author’s Note: I don’t feel like the last three chapters have been the best writing I’ve ever done, but that’s okay. There will always be rocky parts, especially considering how inexperienced I am. New readers will have no idea (hahaha!) but my current readership will note that I’ve changed the spelling of Magareet to Maguerite both in this chapter and all preceding it. It’s the same character, you haven’t missed anything! For anyone new to the story, the horrible and slanderous idea that Maguerite’s name was once spelled Magareet is both horrible and slanderous. You should be ashamed.
-The Drewcifer

I need to get back to the demirealm soon. It’s time to try what I had in mind at the beginning of all this. Maguerite’s made impressive progress in the few hours we’ve had to work. She can now see the vast tapestry of magic that holds this universe together, though I doubt she could construct a new one yet.

“Maguerite, are you ready?”

“I think so.” She does nothing to hide the nervous excitement in her voice.

“I’m going to slowly unravel part of this realm. You just have to fill in the weave as I undo it.”

And we begin. I start very slowly, both as an allowance for Maguerite and a caution for myself. Some of the hot plasma of creation begins to dim, but Maguerite quickly picks up the process, infusing the realm with her magic to replace what I take. Soon a good portion of this realm is running on her magic. Now I will be strong enough for the tasks ahead in the coming days.

“Excellent job, Maguerite,” I say. “Flawlessly done. This universe has two Gods now.”

Maguerite does another something I haven’t seen in years. She blushes.

“That was. . .exciting. And rather fun. Will you teach me more?”

“Every chance I get,” I assure her. Gods it’s been so long since we spent any real time together. I’ve been missing her without realizing it. Just one more reason to hate the Elders. And Maxwell.

“Maguerite, we need to get back now. You should be able to transport here from almost anywhere now, but don’t. Only come here from our quarters. I have protections in place that prevent someone from following your trail.”

“Of course,” she says, still smiling.

We fade back into the demirealm. Maguerite and I change into fresh clothes and ready ourselves for the return to Earth. Maguerite stands and readies to leave. “I’ve got to head to the crisis room to do the pre-jump checklist and take care of any last minute prep that needs to be done.”

“There’s one more thing I’d like you to see before you go. Something I’m taking with me when I go visit Maxwell.”

I reach into my footlocker and pull out a false bottom, revealing a hidden compartment. Lying there in the dust is an ornate rapier in its sheath. Maguerite’s breath catches as I lift the sword and wipe the dust from it.

“Is that what I think it is?” she asks, incredulous.

I nod. “The sword you gave me as a graduation present. The same one I used as my badge of rank in the Magician Corps of the Carlisle Home Guard.”

Maguerite’s familiar fierceness is back, her voice has an edge of savagery as she speaks. “Make sure that blade strikes true. I’ll sleep better knowing the weapon that killed Maxwell,” she spits on the ground after saying his name, the strongest insult to a man’s honor in our homeland, “was made by my hand.” There’s fire in her eyes, a fury that only Maxwell is capable of conjuring within her. “Show him what becomes of traitors, Aldain.”