Justin wanted to leave the torch behind. It seemed too risky to be seen. However, there was no way they’d go fast enough to catch up with Darian without it, especially considering the unfamiliar path.

On the other hand, Justin worried that Darian might see them pursuing and either pick up his pace or, worse, get off the trail and ambush them.

Eventually, they ditched the torch. It took a few minutes for their eyes to adjust to the darkness, but the risk of being seen was just too great.

Besides, the moon and stars were bright enough to lend some light, though Justin tripped more than a few times.

As the trail continued, it seemed Justin’s original hunch was right—it led to the enemy army’s camp. They were traveling due west, and at many points, they came right up to the cliff that overlooked the pass.

The going was rough, and it was clear this trail was mostly used by animals, perhaps mountain goats. Despite that, there was more than enough room for two men to march abreast. Assuming the Shadow Empire used it tonight, the Valorians would have an ugly surprise for them in a few hours.

“How did you figure all this out?” Lila asked. “Seems like a lucky guess.”

“Well, I’m not sure I really figured it out, per se,” Justin said. “I just felt like something was off about Darian. When he left the fire and said, It matters not, I thought that was a weird thing to say for someone about to face his death. Second, Georgius had a low opinion of him, calling him shifty and strange, which matched my assessment. And finally, this is where my knowledge of history came in handy.”

“What knowledge?”

“Well, in my world, there was a battle similar to this one, called the Battle of Thermopylae. I won’t bore you with too many details, but a group of elite fighters, called the Spartans, defended a crucial pass against the much larger Persian Empire. They were doomed to die, but their end was hastened when a goatherd showed the Persians a hidden path, allowing them to surround the Spartans. Instead of using the pass as a chokepoint, they were forced to defend multiple angles.”

“I see,” Lila said. “So, Darian is our goatherd.”

“I believe so. This trail can lead nowhere but the enemy camp. In exchange for selling out the Valorians, he wants to save his own skin and maybe turn a profit.”

“Makes sense. But should we really be doing this part alone? We’re getting too far from camp. We’ve probably walked a mile with no sign of him. What if we are too late and we run into the Shadow Empire?”

“There’s still time to catch him, maybe,” Justin said. “And if we’re too late, we’ve probably already failed the Vault, anyway.”

“We’d better run,” Lila said. “Our eyes should be fully adjusted.”

As they picked up the pace, there was still no sign of Darian, and within half an hour, they’d hit a turn that took them around the mountain, only to reveal a vast camp before them, many times larger than that of the Valorians, lit with hundreds of fires and tents. Perhaps even thousands of fires, considering the camp followers. The camp sprawled out like a small city, with rows of tents in neat formations and sentries patrolling the perimeter. Shadows flickered across the canvas of the tents as soldiers moved about, their armor dark in the night. The low murmur of voices and the occasional clink of metal filled the air, creating an ominous and foreboding atmosphere. Beyond the camp, the land sloped downward, revealing a rolling plain interspersed with low hills.

“That’s an army if I ever saw one,” Lila said. “Seems Darian is already inside. It would be too risky to keep going. No way we can catch him and escape with our lives.”

Justin was considering this when a shadow fell from above. He nearly screamed, but it was only Shadowflight, perching on a nearby branch and regarding them curiously. Fear instantly changed into happiness; the bird certainly had a knack for showing up at just the right times, probably a product of the animal’s keen sense of sight.

Justin addressed the noble creature. “Tell Eldrin to head north of the latrines. There’s a hidden path here that the Shadow Empire is going to use to attack the Valorians.”

Justin wasn’t sure if the bird understood, but before he could even ask, Shadowflight flew off without so much as a screech. Within minutes, he would perch on the Ranger’s shoulder, relating the message.

Or at least, Justin hoped so.

“It’s the best we can do,” Lila said.

Justin and Lila were about to do just that when a sudden bright light shone, temporarily blinding them, accompanied by a shout.

“Halt! In the name of the Shadow Emperor!”

The language used differed from Valorian, harsher and more guttural. As Justin’s eyes adjusted, he noticed several guards approaching, until within seconds, eight soldiers had them surrounded. Likely, this was an advance party sent to check out the pass for themselves.

Justin realized, with a sinking heart, that the Vault had meant them to pursue Darian from the get-go. He wanted to kick himself for not acting on his hunch immediately.

The soldiers loomed, decked out in heavy black armor with spikes on the shoulders. Each soldier bore a pike, except one, who was dressed in black robes, a sort of light spell hovering above his head. That was a magic-user, if Justin had ever seen one.

Justin did his best to plaster on an amiable smile.

He was a Socialite, so it was time to socialize.

“Oh, am I glad to see you guys! We have urgent information about the Valorian forces that could change things entirely. We work with Darian.”

The two soldiers in front of Justin, the mage and a soldier whose armor was more ornate than the others, exchanged skeptical glances.

It was the latter who spoke. “And who are you supposed to be?”

“I’m Justin,” Justin said. “Justin Talemaker, Socialite Extraordinaire. And this is my partner, Lila the Bard. I’ve been undercover with the Valorians and have gathered key intelligence on their defenses. Intelligence that may save thousands of Shadowian lives tomorrow.”

Justin internally winced at his use of the word “Shadowian,” but thankfully, the soldiers didn’t seem to think anything of it.

“A Socialite and a Bard,” the mage drawled, his voice cold and his thin lips curled downward in distaste. “Well, if there’s one thing your kind is good for, it’s spinning tales.”

Lila seemed to be frightened out of her wits, so Justin knew it was on him to respond. He was strangely calm, and he hoped none of these soldiers had invested much in their Charisma stats.

He just had to keep talking.

“We’ve been gathering information in the guise of entertainers. It’s the perfect cover. No one suspects a Bard and a Socialite, trying to earn their keep from those doomed to die, anyway.” He gave a slimy smile. “And if we thieve a silver here and there, well, who’s there to cry boo?”

“Just get on with it, Socialite,” the mage said. “My patience wears thin. What is this key intelligence?”

“I will speak to no one but the commander of this army,” Justin said. “Whoever he may be.”

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“There’s no time for that!” the mage said. “I’m Zaramund Dar’Karesh, Arch-Mage of the Nihilan Order. I need to make sure this is worth the General's time. Give us something so that we know you’re not playing us false. How far away are the Valorian reinforcements? What are their exact numbers? Telling us this would prove your loyalty to the Empire. And who knows? Mayhap a few silvers might find their way into your pockets.”

“About three days away,” Justin lied. Maybe if they bought it, they’d be less inclined to attack early, though it wasn’t likely. “I can’t say how many, but enough to bog things down for the Shadow side, for sure.”

“What about their magical forces? Are they deployed near the front or are they keeping them in reserve?”

“That, I can’t say. Commander Thalon has been shifting them around of late.”

“What do you think, Captain Varus?” the mage asked the senior officer.

“Something’s not adding up, that’s for sure. Why didn’t Darian say anything about you?”

“That’s easy,” Lila said, coming to her wits. Her voice was filled with indignation. “He hoped to take the entire reward for himself, but this was always our teamwork that pulled this off. He left us without a word.”

“I see,” the Captain said. “Well, perhaps it’s time you headed back to camp. The attack will begin soon.” He turned to a soldier next to him. “Take them to the supply tent and see that they get paid…appropriately.”

“Of course, Lord Captain,” the man said, with a sinister smile Justin didn’t much like. “Follow me.”

“The Empire thanks you for your service,” the Arch-Mage said, with a thin, cold smile. “Now off with you before we change our minds.”

Justin tried to repress the lump that was forming in his throat. Instead, he returned his own smile and gave a half bow. “It was our pleasure, m’lords.”

With Shadowflight likely relating the news to Eldrin even now, there was only one thing he and Lila had to concern themselves with: escaping with their necks intact.

They walked a couple of minutes into the darkness in silence, and it didn’t take long for Justin to realize they were not going toward the Shadow Empire camp. There was only one reason for that. They were being marched off to be killed, somewhere out of sight and out of mind. He could only wonder why they hadn’t killed them on the spot. Perhaps the captain wanted to avoid alarming the troops with the presence of spies or dissenters, or maybe they intended to interrogate them further before disposing of them.

As Justin was racking his brain for a way out, the soldiers came to a sudden stop. As they turned, brandishing their pikes, he knew they only had seconds left.

He exchanged a quick glance with Lila. Her aim had to be true. But Justin could at least give her a better shot.

Immediately, Justin directed his Poison Barb ability at the leader, analyzing his face and discovering the perfect emotional wound to exploit. This had to stun him, or they were both dead.

Justin felt his body fill with an anger and viciousness he had never known. It was as if he were channeling the spirit of someone who had once been unbelievably cruel to the leader. The words flew out of his lips furiously.

“You know why your captain keeps you in the shadows? Because even he knows your mother sold you for less than a pig’s trough and that you’re nothing but a bastard dog licking at the Empire’s boots for scraps!”

The man stopped short, completely stunned. Before the other men could react to the insult, Lila’s hands were flashing. One knife flew, then another, whistling through the air and burying themselves in the soldier next to the stunned leader.

Poison Barb refreshed.

The other men, finally waking up to the threat, thrust their pikes forward. Justin and Lila danced out of the way, heading toward the gap created by the leader. Justin hurled another insult, locking onto the Shadow soldier closest to them.

“You couldn’t fight your way out of a brothel, and even a whore wouldn’t waste their time on that nub of yours!”

The man stopped short, even throwing a hand over his heart, as if he were truly in pain. The leader, surprisingly, was still stunned, and even shaking a bit. From the jerking of his leg, it seemed he was trying to move but failing.

Lila threw the rest of her knives, all but three clinking off their armor. The final one buried itself in the most laggardly soldier’s neck.

Two down, two to go.

Poison Barb refreshed.

By now, the leader was coming to his senses, along with the other soldier whose manhood Justin had insulted. His Poison Barb had gone off cooldown, but with both soldiers advancing, there was no time to lob another insult.

“Attack, attack!” the leader screamed. “Kill them!”

They had one chance left. Justin wasn’t sure how Dazzling Display would get them out of this, but he had no choice but to try.

He activated the skill. As with the Poison Barb, it felt like his entire body was taken over.

For some inexplicable reason, an over-the-top vision of Michael Jackson, complete with an exaggerated white glove and sparkling socks, entered his mind.

Like a puppet on strings, he had no control over what happened next. He started moonwalking in an extravagant, almost comical fashion as a spotlight from seemingly nowhere shone down on him. At that moment, he was one of the most flamboyant performers of all time from his own world.

“Shamone! Hee-hee!” he cried, his voice booming ridiculously loud, as if amplified by a stadium’s worth of speakers.

The two soldiers gawked at Justin, their jaws dropping. Their weapons sagged, their expressions a mix of confusion and disbelief as they were captivated by the absurd performance. They were definitely dazzled, especially as streamers of light and oversized confetti shot from Justin’s person in a ludicrously flashy display.

From the corner of his vision, Justin saw Lila rushing to grab her discarded knives. Despite the danger of the situation, it seemed she was trying hard not to laugh at the spectacle.

Justin kept moving, now doing an embellished Thriller dance, complete with overly dramatic zombie movements, when suddenly, the spotlight went out.

Justin let out a labored breath. “Hee-hee?”

The two men, waking from their trance, charged with a defiant roar, pikes extended. But Lila hurled her knives, felling them both with expert throws.

It was long past time to run.

“Shamone!” Justin shouted. “I mean, come on!”

After Lila had quickly retrieved her weapons, they stumbled into the darkness toward the pass.

“Hells below, that dancing was something else!” Lila said.

“Dazzling Display! Somehow, I was channeling MJ!”

“MJ?”

“A very famous king from my world.”

As they ran, he could only wonder just why it happened. It was beyond random.

But as he thought about it, maybe it wasn’t so random at all. Perhaps the Dazzling Display skill had scrounged Justin’s brain for all his knowledge of entertainers, orators, or otherwise charismatic individuals, allowing him to channel what he had seen, with a hefty dose of lampooning Socialite Magic.

Maybe it was less about who he was channeling, and more about what sort of caricature might get him out of a situation. Maybe, upon using this skill in the future, he would channel other exaggerated entertainers or famous figures.

Whatever the case, it had done the trick because now, they were running full speed back to the hidden path. It occurred to Justin that was where the Shadow captain and mage had gone. They would inevitably run into them, along with the remaining two soldiers.

But as far as he could see it, there was no other way for them to make it back to the Valorian side. The actual pass itself would be thick with Shadow forces, and even if they slipped past those forces, they’d come to the Valorian side and be mistaken for the enemy.

He supposed they could both run and hide until the battle blew over, but they were likely to be found by a Shadow Empire patrol.

The now “not-so-hidden” path was the only option.

“We need to be careful,” Justin warned. “I don’t know who else saw the Dazzling Display.”

“We might have the entire Shadow Empire army tracking us down,” Lila said. “You did right in choosing that ability, I'm not sure how else we could have escaped.”

Justin suppressed a shudder. If he’d chosen Engaging Banter, as he’d been inclined to at first, both of them might be dead right now.

At last, they had made it back to the trail, taking the switchbacks up quickly. In the distance, there was no sign of the Arch-Mage’s light. Surely, he was on the trail somewhere. Or, if they were lucky, they had merely come onto the trail to confirm its existence before reporting back to their commander.

If it was the latter, they had a shot of getting back to the Valorians.

As they ran up the trail, Justin could spy torchlight in the general area where their skirmish had taken place in the pass below. Clearly, they were being hunted, but they had enough of a lead to make it back. There was no way to hide the location of the hidden path, but assuming Shadowflight warned Eldrin in time, the Valorians could at least be apprised of the danger.

As these thoughts raced through Justin’s head, a sudden bright light shone on the trail ahead, like a miniature sun. And that sun was approaching them, fast.

Justin felt the fireball’s heat warming the air, and there was nothing he could do but grab Lila and jump for the safety of a nearby boulder. Just in time, they reached shelter before it could incinerate them. The fireball exploded on the trail about twenty feet behind them, its heat licking their backs.

“Shit,” he said.

Now, they were trapped, with the Shadow Empire’s Arch-Mage on one side, who certainly out-leveled them mightily, and the entire Shadow Empire army behind.

And worse, Justin had none of his abilities left to use, aside from a single Poison Barb.

“You’re going to have to make those knives count,” he whispered. “I can use Poison Barb, but for it to work, I have to get a lock on that mage’s ugly face.”

Lila whispered back. “Justin, how can we possibly stand against him? Even if Charisma isn’t his main stat, he might have a few points in it. Perhaps enough to resist the insult.”

“He can’t be much beyond Level 12,” Justin said. “Besides, we have to try something. Here’s the plan. I’ll duck out and try to get a read on his face and use Poison Barb. You wait till I’m done before coming out with those knives. Assuming I can stun him, you can take him down easily enough.”

She looked unsure, but they were all out of options.

“All right,” she whispered. “It’s a shame I used my Bardic Inspiration on those Valorian soldiers. That might have been all the Charisma boost you needed. Arion protect you, Justin.”

It was too late to worry about that now. Justin released a breath, trying to focus. Then, with a single nod at Lila, he stepped onto the path and ran forward, likely to his death.