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Ryson Acumen finds that his time of service to the Land of Uton and its people is not yet complete. Together with Holli Brances and Lief Woodson, they must work together once more to end a growing threat and to meet their own undeniable destinies. It is not without loss or sacrifice as they struggle to battle grotesque forces of malevolence. Enemies once forgotten return to hold sway over each ensuing conflict. Under the conniving guidance of the serp Sazar, legions of dark creatures rise out of Dark Spruce Forest. Allying himself with a sorceress of power in the Lacobian desert, Sazar finds the strength to rule and turns his lustful eyes eastward. Targeting the outposts and farmlands surrounding Connel, the serp forms a dark army to bring terror to the humans. Even as Ryson and his elf friends struggle against such foes, they look to the powerful wizard Enin for aid, but the spell-caster remains withdrawn from nearly every clash. It is within him to decimate the entire horde, but the consequences of such intended actions trouble his very soul. An understanding of balance has taught the wizard more than caution, it has led him to the presence of a being of equal power, but a creature with intentions of malice. Enin's unwillingness to interfere in the choices of individuals is born of the belief that he must allow all those around him to seek their own path. While these paths may differ, each will lead those that travel them to their ultimate fate.

Enin was quite literally flying just above the tree tops, but the delver's response was lost on the wizard. Swooping and gliding through the air, Enin continued to peer through the leafless branches as he studied the delver from nearly every angle. Trying to categorize Ryson's movements and match them to a potential spell, however, proved much more difficult than flying and even more elusive than the cold wind that blew through the clear blues skies of this day.

Death is not the end of existence for Steven Drilach. After his body is crushed in a flood, he finds himself in the afterlife, but his surroundings are stark and empty. He maintains his memories and his identity, but the spiritual existence appears to lack the purpose and clarity he always hoped to find. Despite his confusion, he consents to the assistance of a guide. He is shown the connections between the physical world and the spirit plane, and he discovers the importance of acceptance. As he journeys back to earth, he encounters lost souls, and through their experiences, he learns to face his own personal doubts and to remove the barriers which separate him from God.

He works for the United States Federal Government to ensure the slower pace of progress. He hates unobstructed innovation and accelerated invention. He believes in doing things the hard way, even the wrong way, but especially the inefficient way. To him, waste is just another way to utilize resources, and incompetence is a prized characteristic of human nature. He is… Counterproductive Man! As a fully licensed agent of the government, it is his sworn duty to protect the interests of the United States by thwarting ingenuity and productivity. Utilizing his own methods of obstruction, he has accepted the role of a hero with enhanced capabilities. He can leap tall buildings with the aid of a magnetic jump pack, and he can break glass with his sonic disruptor pen. With every department of the United States Government at his disposal, he can bring swift retribution against those that oppose him. Even though he does not work in secret, little is known about this masked crusader. For many inventors, he is simply the personification of oppressive bureaucracy. Technological advancement in product or process is Counterproductive Man’s enemy, and while he is not the brightest star in the Milky Way, he might be the most annoying. In this story, the origins of his inefficient and combative partner unfold, as do the initial conflicts with his archenemy. Counterproductive Man learns to work with others, something he does not do well, and he feels the stinging pain of defeat. Still, this is a hero that embodies the domineering perseverance of any government agency bent on having its way. He will fight his adversary to the end in order to defeat unbridled progress and to remain true to his name… Counterproductive!

Clayton Troblan finds the peace of his solitude disturbed by an insistent stranger. The introverted accountant wonders if his uninvited guest is slightly confused, but after the intruder announces he is from another world, Clay realizes the combative individual might be more than just a harmless distraction. Hoping to pacify the stranger who has described himself as a conveyor, Clay follows his guest and is suddenly transported to Drenna, a world with a unique energy field and no usable metals. The conveyor insists Clay become a judge and settle a growing dispute between two tribal factions. The prospect of engaging aggressive and confrontational council members leaves the accountant desperate to find a way home. Unable to recreate the passage back to Earth, Clay is forced to intervene in the politics of Drenna and place the security of his personal detachment in jeopardy.

Ray Breckford faces a cataclysmic future, an end of times marching slowly but unyieldingly forward. Mysteriously, all mammals face a barrier to conception. Scientists and engineers explore theories in hopes of explaining the mystifying condition, but they fail to discover any answers. People of the world are somewhat slow to accept the dilemma, but when they do, panic erupts. Ray witnesses terror and confusion unfold as governments across the globe react to the crisis. Decisions meant to protect the innocent grow beyond the scope of their original intentions. Policies initially designed to guard the welfare of certain citizens lead to even greater turmoil. As Ray searches for safety and sanctuary within the mayhem, he faces difficult questions regarding his own role in the dwindling legacy of humankind. Ray does not seek the attention, but his unwillingness to ignore the plight of friends and strangers places him within a struggle for control and security. While he realizes he cannot prevent civilization from entering the abyss, he attempts to save one small piece of humanity in hopes of grasping a ray of light for a darkening future.