We had been walking for 10 minutes during which I tried to remember the layout of the dimensional map. All I remembered was that the spirit world was folded strangely. I also realized something else.

Bywen! You’re right! We need to hurry up, time here flows differently than on the Mainfloor. Hours if not days might have already passed over there.

“I was afraid that was the case. This is where I left the spirit world.”

We were looking at a spirit village that was 80% claimed by blackness, the rest was deserted. We also heard the sound of a horn.

“It seems that they are trying to call us back. We should feel a strong tug but I don’t feel anything…”

Me neither. Did we break the horn?

“That is a possibility… This darkness is everywhere, we can’t reach the spot where I got out…”

Do you think...

I pointed at the blackness.

“I don’t know but I don’t hope so.”

We walked around the blackness. I tried shooting some foxfire at it. The mass grew countless orange eyes and black hands protruded from it.

What the fuck?! This thing is alive?

“This is not a spirit! Let’s run!”

The black mass followed us for a bit and gave up. It was slow so we could escape easily. We looked around in horror at all the blackness.

This dimension is sooo screwed… can this all even be fixed?

“I don’t know…”

We gave up on Bywen’s spot.

Do you think that was a fairy?

“I’m sorry Agnis, I don’t have the answers to your questions for I don’t know.”

Oh sorry, this is just as weird for you as it’s for me.

“Let’s go and find the spirit king. Maybe he can tell us what’s going on. He can also send us back. It’s unlikely that he will though.”

Oh. I remember something… the spirit sisters once said that the spirit king was acting weird… that was 10 years ago though. Wait more years over here. I forgot how many. I also remember spirits fleeing the spirit world because of the spirit king…

“This… is bad. Do you mind if we run?”

Let’s go!

I was… slow. Just the average running speed of a beast kin. Still quite fast but slow for my standards and I hated this. No wonder spirits want vessels. I was well aware of the downsides that having a physical body has. I could make better spirit vessels with this new experience.

We saw a large tower in the distance. That must be where the spirit king lives.

I wonder what Greg would do in this situation. Just asking him probably won’t work.

My concern kept going because we had been in the spirit world for almost 2 hours now. Who knows how much time had passed on the Mainfloor. Everything just sucks lately. Nothing has happened yet but I already understand why Bywen told me that coming here was a bad idea. We also had to yet encounter a spirit. 2 hours in the spirit world and not encountering a spirit. This was a very big problem.

I spoke too soon. We saw spirits in the distance but they didn’t look happy.

What is going on? Is this… slavery? Here in the spirit world?

“Let’s hide.”

An enormous citadel had been built around the tower. It was nearing the size of a small country.

“What has happened here, this was never here. The spirit king only has his tower as territory!” Bywen said as she looked around. It didn’t seem as if she recognized anything. Then again she had been on the Mainfloor for millennia, which is an even longer time here in the spirit world. Don’t tell me the 9t need to equalize the time flow between the Mainfloor and spirit world. More bullshit we need to deal with…

Higher ranked spirits were overseeing lower ranked spirits into building up the city. There was construction everywhere. I also saw instances where their spirit energy got collected. Are they sending it to the tower?

I thought the higher spirits were exerting their power here but they also seemed to be under oppression. Legendary spirits were oppressing the higher ones. But even they didn’t seem to do it willingly. What is going on here? I want to find out but we need to get back immediately.

That’s when we saw it. A large statue. It looked like a fairy as the humans know it. Whoever made this statue had made sure to take a great angle of whoever this fairy is. This chick surely thinks she’s hot stuff. But she probably has the spirit world under her thumb so she might. Unfortunately, there is absolutely nothing I can do against a fairy in my current state.

I tugged on Bywen’s sleeve and pointed.

Bywen…

“I saw. The question is, what happened to the spirit king?”

Probably fairy dung or spirit dust by now.

We tried to make haste but also be stealthy. Bywen had been around elves since forever so she was great at this. It still took 4 hours to reach the tower unseen. Quite fast considering this place was like a small country but that’s now 6 hours total. We’ve heard the horn several times but it didn’t call us back so we had to rely on the spirit king.

“There is something I need to tell you after this Agnis. I am not affected by it but you might.”

Uh oh. Is it life threatening?

“It isn’t but it might still be important to know.”

Let’s try to get out of here first.

The tower looked interesting. It was as if countless disks were stacked on each other. Each disk had a random radius so the tower looked quite strange. Did someone say ‘Screw it!’ and didn’t bother stacking them from large to small radii? A strong presence was emanating from the tower but it didn’t come from the top of the tower.

Hehe, maybe they don’t have elevators and the spirit king got tired of walking the stairs and is residing on one of those middle disks.

“That is silly Agnis. There must be a different reason. The spirit king is very powerful we might not even be able to perceive it.” She looked up to the strange yellow clouds. The tower extended into the clouds and we were unable to see the top.

I like my idea more; nobody has time to climb that whole tower.

“Let’s not waste time.” We snuck in the tower covered in my illusions. It seemed like a fight had broken out quite recently.

Hey Bywen stairs! I was right!

“I forgot that only strange things happen around you. Let’s go, what could have knocked out all these spirits?”

Maybe someone who has the same problem as us.

Many floors were like big halls but some also seemed residential but all the spirits here had been knocked out. I couldn’t tell what types of spirit magic had been used because there were no clear signs. Maybe they used close combat.

I poked Bywen. “Hm?”

Oh, nothing I was just wondering if spirits could beat each other up with close combat.

“Why wouldn’t they? Your child-like curiosity is quite cute” She and used one of her hands to pat my head and ruffled my hair.

Hey I’m not a kid!

She smiled and we kept running up the stairs. I almost tripped over passed out spirits that were sprawled on the stairs.

Is this their secret security? Having intruders fall off the stairs and break their necks?

“You have a strange idea about security systems.”

We kept running and running.

Ok I was wrong the stairs are the true boss. Are you sure that these stairs aren’t the Spirit King?

Bywen directed her gaze at some muffled sounds. “Don’t be silly, I hear fighting.”

Are we already at the top?

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“I think we caught up to those fighting.”

Ohh we get some exercise!

“They might be on our side.”

Attack first and ask questions later! Let’s go!

I was quite limited in what I can do so I used my never used skills of martial arts! I rushed at the first spirit I saw, imbued my legs in foxfire and tornado kicked him, causing him to fly off into a horde of spirits.

First blood!

“Whoa!” I was about to kick the next one but this spirit seemed familiar.

What the? Do I know you?

Bywen pulled me back. “Agnis! Don’t just run in and kick them they might be allies!”

2 guys were fighting a group of spirits that looked like those that had been knocked out. Actually there were 3 but I just kicked the 3rd one.

Ok I kicked the wrong one, my bad.

“Agnis? Is that you?” A spirit with light blue skin and strange fins as ears addressed me. he looked quite human besides those traits. I tried to rack my brain but I couldn’t remember where I’ve ever met him.

I’m sorry have we met before?

“We did! When I was just a minor spirit. It’s me Cee Horze!”

WHAT? Whoa puberty hit you hard. No wonder you seemed familiar. So, you’re a higher spirit now, wow good for you! But what are you doing here though?

“Boshi, Starbolt and me are on our way to kill the spirit king. We’ve had enough of his reign of terror!”

Wait Starbolt is here too?

A pale guy with orange and purple spiky hair waved. He had lightning wisps in his hair.

“Do you know these spirits Agnis?” Bywen asked, confused.

Oh guys! I’m so sorry I’m such a shitty friend!

Starbolt gave me a bro fist. “Don’t worry about it we did this by choice. Do you perhaps also know Boshi?”

Who?

Starbolt pointed at a guy in a black suit. “The guy you just kicked away…”

Oh, uhhm sorry!

We started to fight the spirts I was supposed to kick.

“Ugh, Cee Horze, Starbolt, are you guys sure he isn’t our enemy?” A guy with tidy black hair and a tidy black suit got up. If I would have to choose 1 word to describe him it would be ‘Gentleman’.

“It’s fine Boshi, we know him. He is the spirit fox we told you about.” Cee Horze said as he blew bubbles to intercept attacks flying around.

The gentleman inspected me while he casually kicked some spirts aside. “You look quite familiar. Can I see your tails?”

Wow that is very rude but you look like a gentleman so it should be fine.

“Are you sure about that Agnis?” Bywen asked while she put one set of hands in her hips while the others punched agressive spirits aside.

I trust Starbolt and Cee Horze with my life and they trust this guy.

I got my tails out in all their silver glory.

“Ohh, you resemble my good old friend quite a lot. He was long dead when I got sent back to the spirit world but do you perhaps know of Alep Oures?”

Oh, you knew my gramps?

I torched some spirits with foxfire. Starbolt zapped another group and Cee Horze threw around some water skills which complimented Starbolt quite well.

“Can you use Pagos?”

Uhh oh frost magic, I can normally but not in this spirit form.

The Gentleman made gauntlets out of frost magic and walked toward me.

Whoa that’s cool.

“Something like this happened before with Alep. Stand still.” He punched me with his gauntlet but it didn’t hurt. It felt a bit cold though.

Are you also a support spirit?

“Try using Pagos now.”

I could use frost magic for some reason. It was slightly different because I felt it convert energy in spirit energy instead of mana.

Wow! Thank you, Mr. gentleman! Hoho you spirits are so screwed! Cee Horze you can still do the same things right?

Cee horze nodded. “Of course!”

Flood the place. We don’t have time for this bullshit!

Cee Horze flooded the place. I made every spirit slip and froze their pants to the floor.

So long suckers! Let’s go guys! Fighting them is a waste of time!

Bywen, Cee Horze, Starbolt and I ran toward the next flight of stairs but the gentleman stayed behind.

Hey what’s wrong? Aren’t you coming?

“Oh sorry, it has been too long since I’ve seen that move, your grandfather used to do this too. It seems to be a family specialty.”

My gramps sounds like a smart man, now let’s go!

Bywen tapped my shoulder while we ran up the stairs. “How come you have friends wherever you go?”

Dunno. But you could fall in that same category. You wouldn’t be here if I didn’t make that spirit vessel for you. I just am quite lucky in this, I guess. I would’ve died a long time ago without the help of my allies.

We kept slipping up opponents and Cee Horze flushed them all down the stairs. It seemed that Bywen, Gentleman and I were the only ones that really did damage. It was the reason why the 3 took so long to get up.

“So, if Alep is your grandfather is, you must be Agnis Oures correct?” The gentleman asked.

Uhh, not entirely. I will tell you after we get out of here and do you guys also hear singing?

Bywen shook her head. “I don’t hear anything.” The rest also didn’t seem to hear singing. I must be going crazy.

We disabled floor after floor. We had passed over 20 floors and there seemed to be no end to it, the strong presence got closer though. The singing also got louder. I recognized that amazing voice. What is Giana doing here? I was the only one hearing it though.

The Gentleman seemed to be named Boshi. What his relation is to Boshi town? or was it a coincidence? Boshi kicked in a door and miasma met us straight on. Boshi and I used frost magic… frost spirit energy… maybe I should also call it Pagos. Boshi and I used Pagos to protect our team. Bywen was using life energy to made us recover.

I took in the scene and pointed.

Ha! Look there are stairs behind them! I told you! They got tired of walking the stairs and settled for this floor!

“Unbelievable…” Bywen said in disbelief.

Boshi walked forward and the area around him started to freeze as he adjusted his collar. “You are the spirit king I presume?

A large grey-bearded guy was sitting in an improvised chair with his left leg was in a cast.

Haha! Wait! Are you on this floor because you fell off the stairs and broke your leg?!

“Agnis!” Bywen reprimanded me.

“Something is off, he isn’t reacting.” Starbolt said as he increased our casting and movement speed. He anticipated something and he might be right as I did notice something off too. I heard the singing again but I also heard strange rattling. A tall woman appeared from behind the spirit king. She had poison green eyes which looked like snake eyes.

Oh, I forgot about this. You’re not Medusa from myths and folklore, right?

“I haven’t encountered a ssspirit fox in millennia, they are ssstill the jokesters I sssee.”

“What is your relationship with the Spirit king, depending on the situation we will have to remove you too.” Boshi said as he got his Pagos gauntlets out and I made a Pagos sword.

“Oh me? I am his mistresss.” She swayed her hips and made seductive movements around the spirit king, which hadn’t moved at all. Is he dead?

Great another charm magic user. It would be nice if you can find someone else to harass.

Boshi placed himself between the fairy and me. “I assume you’re as weak to charm magic as your grandfather? It was quite the sight to see your grandmother one shot him with charm magic.”

Ugh, gramps is an idiot but I can totally understand as charm magic is unfairly overpowered. Bywen use your charm to counter her!

I pointed but Bywen didn’t do anything. “I can use charm magic? Maybe my spirit vessel can.”

Oh crap!

“How about you join me in taking over this dimension? I already have the ssspirit world. I can resist sssnacking on you and use you as powerful pawns. I had the ssspirit king here call every ssstrong ssspirit over. It seems he has brought a promising group.”

Bywen frowned. “Wait. So, it is you who are pulling the strings? The spirit king is just a puppet?”

The fairy smiled at Bywen. “That is correct at first, I had him call them over because I was quite weak at first but after feeding on enough ssspirits I’m ready to take over the dimension. Ssso you have a choice, help me out or become my dinner!” She licked her lips with her serpentine tongue.

Hey Boshi, so uhm can we beat them? The spirit king is one thing but I have a bad experience with fairies.

“This changes the situation a bit yes… we might have to fight for our lives.” Boshi said while holding his arm to the side and walking backward, causing us to back off too. It might be him hinting at that we should get the fuck out of here.

I got picked up by an arm. Cee Horze, Starbolt and Boshi also got picked up by an arm and we got carried away and down the tower. Bywen had picked us up and was carrying us down the stairs. Giving her 4 arms was probably an excellent idea. “This is too risky; we need to make it back to the Green floor remember! Asking the spirit king isn’t an option anymore!”

“I am conflicted but I think she is right. I don’t know about Starbolt and Cee Horze but you two don’t belong here in the spirit world.”

Bywen’s arm moved me in front of her face so that we made eye contact. “Also, Agnis… I have to tell you something important remember?”

I guess now is the time.