AFTERWORD

Chapter 78

Chapter 65

Overview

Carl's summoned forces arrive via mass teleportation to assault the Madness castle's rear flank, but the enemy army engages immediately. During the initial skirmish, Carl falls victim to a devastating psionic attack that forces him to train his Mind Balance skill to level 16 before snapping awake. Just as the battle intensifies and missiles begin striking the enemy line, the goddess Eris casts a wide-area spell called Bear Witness that freezes nearly all combatants on the floor in place—with notable exceptions including Carl, certain pets, and former tattoos—and then casts Bring Forth the Witnesses, which teleports the frozen witnesses away and blocks long-range teleportation for an hour.

Summary

The 105th Scream Warriors materialize in the woods behind Carl's position via mass teleportation spell, despite some soldiers colliding with trees and triggering traps. Carl's team assembles, including Jurgen, Jamal with his new flamethrower enhancement, and Rend with his new tooth cap allowing short-range summoning. The Madness army, hundreds of dune buggies strong, stops a kilometer away and begins raising shields. Imani warns everyone about Madness mind magic tactics. Carl relaxes against a tree and begins reminiscing about his father and books, but is suddenly struck by a sustained psionic assault. Multiple debuffs including Endless Thread of Distraction, Self Harm, and Intrusive Thoughts overwhelm him. A familiar dwarf voice—later implied to be from an All Tree entity—encourages him to anchor himself mentally, and Carl trains his Mind Balance to level 16, unlocking the ability to perceive mind mages. He awakens to find his feet stuck in a decaying tree. Carl identifies and marks the enemy mind mages for targeting. As the battle begins with Jurgen and Jamal ready to engage, Rosetta's missiles strike the Madness lines. However, the goddess Eris suddenly casts Bear Witness across the entire floor, causing all soldiers except Carl, Rend, certain other pets, and those formerly tattooed to freeze with white eyes. Eris then casts Bring Forth the Witnesses, which ascends all frozen combatants into the air and vanishes them, simultaneously blocking long-range teleportation for an hour. The teleported witnesses include most team leaders and soldiers across multiple locations. Prepotente does not return from the spell. Bianca the goat dragon lands furiously beside Carl, and he directs her toward the Dream castle where Eris battles other gods.

Characters

  • CarlMain character leading the assault on the Madness castle; victim of psionic attack who trains Mind Balance to level 16; directs forces and identifies mind mages
  • JurgenLarge blond barbarian who teleports in and helps lead troops; prepares to attack alongside Jamal
  • HeidiBarbarian who arrived with Jurgen and shares command of forces
  • JamalHammerhead shark with newly-enhanced fortified legs and flamethrower attachment; excited to engage in battle
  • ImaniFlying companion who supports Carl throughout the chapter; expresses concern during his psionic attack; warns troops about mind magic
  • RendCarl's pet creature with new silver tooth cap enhancement; summoned for battle support
  • BautistaTeam member who arrives teleported and interacts with Katia
  • ChrisTeam member who receives a hug from Imani and remains frozen when Bear Witness is cast
  • Clay-tonDescribed as 'the cretin'; team member inseparable from Chris throughout the floor
  • KatiaTeam member who converses with Bautista; frozen by Bear Witness spell
  • Gluteus MaxxTeam member from the Penis Parade summoned for the assault
  • Doctor BonesTeam member from the Penis Parade summoned for the assault
  • AresonLarge ogre team member summoned for battle
  • Splash ZoneSoldier who observes the approaching dune buggies and comments on their number
  • ElleTeam member who participates in debate about the Lone Ranger phrase; frozen by Bear Witness and witnesses the psionic assault on Carl
  • CharmanderLevel 60 Fire Dryad soldier from the Scream Warriors who comments after teleportation
  • PrepotenteForce arriving to shield Carl from psionic attacks; teleported away by Eris's Bring Forth the Witnesses spell
  • ErisGoddess of chaos who casts Bear Witness and Bring Forth the Witnesses spells, affecting nearly all combatants on the floor
  • BiancaGoat dragon who appears searching for Prepotente; becomes angered when learning Prepotente was taken by Eris
  • RosettaProvides tactical communications; coordinates missile strikes and warns of incoming spells
  • DonutTower operator near the Madness castle; reports readiness and informs of nearby frozen soldiers
  • BomoAssists with missile operations; coordinates with Carl and Donut
  • Dong QuixoteOld stripper who, like Carl, remains awake after Bear Witness is cast and meets Carl's eyes in understanding
  • BigsSluggalette summoned creature unaffected by Bear Witness
  • GonkYak creature unaffected by Bear Witness
  • BodiMilitary commander who reports withdrawing and later indicates the Madness forces have abandoned pursuit
  • TipidTeam leader in the FOOP who reports most defenders frozen by Bear Witness
  • KiwiTeam member searching for his daughter Tina after Bear Witness is cast
  • TinaDaughter of Kiwi frozen by Bear Witness while fighting
  • Li NaReports status from Shanty Town; unaffected by Bear Witness while inside structures
  • Li JunWith Li Na inside structures and thus unaffected by Bear Witness
  • ZhangOutside during Bear Witness spell and thus frozen
  • FlorinBattalion leader making way to Shanty Town; frozen along with entire 101st unit
  • BoomerWaiting at front door of Reavers castle; does not answer communications after Bear Witness
  • TranCommander of 102nd unit rushing to FUPA; does not answer communications after Bear Witness
  • LouisConducting bomb run on Reaver castle; reports dragon attacking him and firing anti-air missiles
  • SamanthaCapable of unaffected communication; reports being okay and heading to opposite side of Reaver castle
  • YariloChasing Samantha in circles without engaging
  • MeatusOne of the gods fighting in Dream territory; wraps around Eris and uses her as battering ram against Harpocrates
  • HarpocratesGod fighting in Dream territory against Meatus
  • Epitome TaggPresumably hiding in woods while three gods fight in his territory
  • MordecaiSends warning that Eris's spells could affect everyone in the realm
  • HarpocratesOne of the gods involved in the battle at Dream castle