The sounds of battle faded as Justin plunged deeper into the darkness. He knew his reckless pursuit might kill him in seconds. But it didn’t dull his determination. Lila was in danger, and he was the only one who could save her. His fiery form, still cloaked in Vorthak’s Flame, cast a flickering glow around him, lighting the rocky path ahead.
The fiery spear, shining like a distant beacon, appeared closer, but it was still out of reach. Justin pushed his legs to the limit, scrambling over uneven rocks and weaving between jagged stalagmites and towering columns. He’d hoped to catch up to Lila by now, but at some point, she must have started running.
Cresting a small incline, he spotted the spectral figure wielding his blazing spear, along with Lila, who stood before him with her back to Justin. She stood motionless, as if entranced. The red-haired ghost stood tall, wearing radiant armor with eyes ablaze, but he made no hostile moves.
Justin slid to a stop beside Lila, gripping his cane tightly. If this turned into a fight, he knew he was as good as dead. At best, he had Gentleman’s Sidestep to avoid initial aggression, which might be enough time to set up Dazzling Display and hope for the best.
It wasn’t much, but it was all he had. Justin readied himself to do just that.
Before he could act, the specter lifted a ghostly hand, speaking in a lyrical, flowing language that washed over him, entirely incomprehensible. It wasn’t a magical cant, like Vranthillis. At least, Justin didn’t think so. The ghost was simply trying to communicate but didn’t speak Aranthian.
But closing the communication barrier was paramount.
“I don’t understand,” Justin said. “What language is that?”
The ghost’s expression darkened in concentration, then shifted to Lila. Justin jumped as a burst of white magic surrounded her. Her eyes blinked, the haze fading as she came to. Whatever spell he’d cast just broke the Mind Control effect.
Justin reached out, steadying her arm just as she took in the figure before her, her eyes widening in fear.
“He said something to me,” Justin whispered. “I didn’t understand a word, but it doesn’t seem like he wants to harm us—at least, not immediately.”
The ghost turned to Lila again, speaking with slow, deliberate clarity. She listened, her expression shifting from fear to cautious understanding.
“You understood that?” Justin asked.
Lila nodded. “He’s…speaking Daelorian, but it’s old-fashioned. Almost like it’s from a classic Telfaryn play. I can understand it. Mostly.” She paused, listening closely. “He says he has a task for us—one that, in his current state, he can’t complete on his own. He needs our help.”
Justin’s eyes narrowed. Was this ghost part of the Vault, somehow? “What task? And why us?”
“I’ll ask,” she said.
She asked something, once again in the flowing language of Daelorian. The ghost responded, and Lila translated.
“He says he chose me because he could sense my Daelorian blood. He used a mind control spell to draw me to him. He meant to calm you with a different spell, so you wouldn’t warn the others, but he didn’t expect you to resist it.”
Justin swallowed, considering this. “How did he know you were Daelorian?”
Lila asked, and the ghost spoke more.
“He…said something quite unbelievable,” Lila interpreted. “He’s actually a distant ancestor of mine. Many generations ago. That the Starfire blood runs in my veins, weak though it is.”
“Starfire blood? What does that mean? Is he a hero of some sort?”
The ghost asked a question, and Lila responded, mentioning both of their names. Then the ghost continued to speak, Lila interpreting as he did so. “He says it can be nothing other than the will of the gods, Old and New, that I have come here.”
She hesitated at the next part. Her face grew pale.
“What?” Justin asked, his heart beating faster. “Can’t be that bad?”
“Not bad, per se,” she said. “Just…insane.” She swallowed, steeling herself to continue. “He says his name is Alden Starfire. That he has come here to reclaim the Star of Elara, which the Ice Drake Vorthyrn robbed of his beloved’s grave.”
“Alden Starfire?” Justin asked. Justin recalled the song Lila sang in the Wildwood Forest, what seemed ages ago. “Isn’t that the name of Elara’s husband? The one who died protecting her?”
She nodded shakily. “The very same. It’s said he had a mighty spear called Starlance, though I’ve never heard that it was covered in fire, like that one.”
The ghost of Alden continued to speak.
“He says his spirit was awakened when the Star was stolen by Vorthyrn a little over two centuries ago. He followed her to exact vengeance and return the Star to its rightful place. He and Vorthyrn have been here ever since. He says he can’t reach Vorthyrn because of that barrier we came across. It has a powerful enchantment, designed to banish all spirits like him to the Ether Realm. He cannot cross it or even attempt to undo it. Plus, the key crystal had a similar enchantment, meaning he can’t touch it. He needs help from a living being…and he wants our help to do it. He knows where the crystal is. If we help him get it and lower the barrier, he pledges to help us destroy Vorthyrn. He says we can never do it without powerful fire magic.” She paused again, allowing Alden to continue speaking. “He also says he’s willing to gift me Starlance for our help.”
Justin’s eyes widened. He looked at the weapon, what surely had to be one of the Platinum-Level weapons guaranteed by the Vault. Unable to help his curiosity, he reached into his pack, which contained the scryer’s lens he’d purchased on shore. He watched the ghost version of Alden for a reaction. When there was none, he held the iridescent lens up to the fiery spear and gawked at the ethereal text that appeared above it.
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Weapon: Starlance
Tier: Mythic
Enchantments:
* Alden’s Might: +10 Power.
* Dance of Flames: Cast Wall of Flames as many times as your Level per day.
* Flametouch: 25% chance to spread flames on contact; 50% chance for ice-based enemies.
* Last Stand: When near death, gain Berserk status and auto-cast Greater Regeneration on Self.
* Ethereal Bond: Summon and dismiss Starlance at will as many times per day as your Level.
* The Starfire Legacy: If wielded by a descendant of the Line of Starfire, Starlance bestows Advanced Spear Proficiency while equipped. Class restrictions for Starlance are lifted. Grants Starfire Oath.
* Starfire Oath: If Last Stand is active, you may summon Alden’s spirit to fight by your side until the end of the current battle. Alden gains the benefits of Last Stand. Starlance is Banished permanently.
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Justin’s eyes went wide as he read off the enchantments. Nothing he had encountered so far in this world even came close to this level of power.
At Lila’s questioning look, Justin handed her the lens with shaking hands. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head at the sight.
“A Mythic tier weapon,” she said. “The Vault said nothing about that!”
Justin looked at Alden, considering. “Somehow, I have the feeling that Alden’s presence here wasn’t part of the equation…”
“What do you mean?” Lila asked.
“I’m…not sure. But a Mythic Tier weapon? I’m assuming that’s the best one, right?”
“Well, Mythic is one tier below Ascendant. And it’s above Platinum. So almost best of the best.”
“And it’s all yours, assuming we survive all this.”
This Starlance was beyond powerful. The only thing that balanced it somewhat was the fact it could be permanently erased if they got into a dicey situation and needed to summon Alden in the future. And it could only do that if Lila suffered a grievous injury that threatened her with death, activating Last Stand.
But with luck, it would never come to that. Alden had already pledged his help to fight Vorthyrn, so they shouldn’t have to use it in this Vault.
This Starlance, with its fire magic and insane Power boost, not to mention length, seemed perfectly designed to counter something as deadly as an ice drake.
That Alden was here, along with Lila, his descendant, couldn’t just be coincidence. Once again, it was hard to know just how much of this was a conjuration of the Vault, or if Alden really had awakened from the dead to avenge Elara.
Justin was glad the weapon wouldn’t be his. He wouldn’t know how to handle such power. But if the Vault description was correct, he’d at least be getting a Platinum-tier weapon of his own.
“What’s Alden and Elara’s full story, anyway?” Justin asked.
“Like you said, they were husband and wife. He died protecting her on the road after they were attacked by bandits. His core was then bound to the Star of Elara, which was then buried with Elara. It’s said he got the Star from the Vault of Eternity to give to her as an engagement gift, after her father promised her hand if he could do it. The King meant for Alden to die, as it was an Ascendant Vault that was far beyond his abilities. Yet, he cleared it alone. The king was bound by his word, and he allowed Alden and Elara to marry. Given all that, it makes sense Alden’s spirit would stir knowing that someone had stolen the Star for their own reasons.”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“And now he needs our help,” Justin finished. “So, what’s the plan?”
“Even if we wanted to say ‘no,’ it’s not like we have any other choice. We could use his help, just as he could use ours.”
This entire time, the spirit of Alden watched them impassively. His mighty lance burned brightly, illuminating the cavern. He seemed to look at Justin’s own flames, which he hadn’t turned off yet. He allowed them to vanish; if he needed their light again, he could turn them back on.
“What about the others?” Justin asked. “It would make this easier if we all worked together.”
Lila spoke to Alden in Daelorian, and the ghost gave a strong negative response that required no translation to understand.
“He won’t work with Valdrik or his men,” Lila said. “He can tell they’re followers of Morvath.”
Alden shifted, eager to be off. His feet were already floating above the rugged ground.
“I guess we’ll follow, then,” Justin said.
The ghost said something else, which Lila translated.
“He asks, with your permission, he’d like to cast a Harmony Magic spell called Universal Words. It will allow you to understand each other as long as it’s active.”
“Is it harmful in any way?”
“No,” Lila said. “It will just make this more convenient.”
Justin didn’t see why not. “All right. Go ahead.”
The ghost raised its left hand, a burst of white magic spreading and encompassing Justin. It seemed to wash over him, settling in his ears and mind with a sensation not unlike a deep breath of fresh air. The hum faded, along with the aura of light, but the warmth lingered.
Justin blinked, looking at the ghost. “Testing, testing…can you hear me?”
He’d spoken in Aranthian, but the spirit of Alden was already responding in his own language, which Justin understood. “I hear you. We must depart soon. It’s unsafe to remain in any area of this cavern for too long. The elementals are easy to destroy but become difficult in larger numbers.”
Justin took it as a good sign that Alden thought dealing with the Elementals was easy.
“This is crazy,” Justin said. “So, let’s get down to business. How are we supposed to get this key crystal?”
“I’ll get to that in due time,” Alden said. “It’s far past time we left. Are you ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Justin said.
“That is well enough,” Alden said. “Try to keep up.”
Alden turned and floated across the rocks, deeper into the cave. Justin and Lila followed.
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Alden moved with purpose, his spectral form gliding through the twisting tunnels at a brisk pace. Justin and Lila did their best to keep up, but they were soon hopelessly disoriented. Shadows stretched and curved as they passed, and Justin felt a twinge of unease at how lost he’d become without the ghost’s help. The thought occurred to him that Alden could be leading them to their doom, but the spirit had already had plenty of chances to end them.
At one junction, they encountered a trio of elemental wraiths, one made from air, the other two from water. Justin’s hands tightened around his cane, but before he could even react, Alden sprang into action. With a swift, blazing slash of his spear, he obliterated the air wraith, which disintegrated into a puff of cloud. Alden then raised his hand, releasing a rain of white-hot bolts that streaked like shooting stars, striking the remaining two water wraiths. They disintegrated instantly, their watery forms splashing onto the stone floor in puddles.
Justin’s jaw dropped at the display of power. But he supposed he shouldn’t be surprised. Valdrik had mentioned the ghost was Level 40, while the wraiths were clearly meant to be the Vault’s warm-up enemies. In normal circumstances, with a properly leveled party, they would be minor obstacles. If it weren’t for Alden’s help, these two wraiths would have easily overpowered him and Lila.
The journey continued as Alden led them onward. The tunnels eventually opened up to the outside, giving way to an expansive cliff ledge high above a new vista that took Justin’s breath away.
They stood overlooking the ruins of an ancient city sprawled far below them, half-entombed in ice. Moonlight cast an eerie glow over the landscape, illuminating towering spires that rose like skeletal fingers toward the sky. The spires were joined by sweeping stone bridges that arched gracefully over wide, empty chasms. The entire city was on a high peninsula jutting into the frozen Ghostly Sea. Some towers reached almost skyscraper heights, reminiscent of the buildings of Eldareth—but this city had once been even grander. That much Justin could see.
And in the far distance was a tower, larger than the rest, that seemed to be on its own separate island, connected by a gracefully arched bridge, eroded but not completely broken. A line of greenish light extended from its spired top. Justin’s stomach dropped at the sight. Without having to ask, he knew that it was the location of the key crystal.
The air was frigid, so much so that Justin reignited his Fire Affinity, the flames enveloping him and providing a warm glow. Lila huddled closer, grateful for the warmth.
“What is this place?” Lila whispered, her tone filled with awe.
Alden’s gaze turned solemn as he regarded the ruins below. “This was the city of Salinuk,” he said. “During the Godswar, it was a stronghold of the Qilungit. But now, Salinuk lives only in the memories of the Qilungit; I doubt any have laid eyes on it in centuries. And those who have perished for it. Ships know not to sail by its shores unless they wish to meet their doom. It was destroyed by the Harrower at the height of the Godswar, alongside dozens of other cities lost to memory. Now, it lies frozen in time, a monument to what once was.”
“And the key crystal is in that tower, huh?”
Alden nodded. “It is. That’s where the ethereal well is. It’s what powered this entire city in the past. The well keeps the key crystal enchantments active. Without it, the crystal would lose power and the barrier would dissipate.”
“So, that’s why Vorthyrn keeps it here rather than with her,” Lila said.
“It loses charge quickly enough that it has to stay here the whole time?” Justin asked. “It doesn’t seem smart to leave it out in the open like this.”
“For an arcane barrier as powerful as what Vorthyrn cast, the key crystal drains quickly. Especially with the enchantment she placed on it that repels a spirit of my strength. It’d lose its charge within days without the well’s power. It’s more efficient to keep it here.”
“I see,” Justin said. “But I assume it won’t be as easy as just grabbing it.”
“Alas, no,” Alden replied. “The ruins are perilous enough on their own, given the number of elementals created from the well’s ether. This place is the source of those elementals, as you might have guessed. But Vorthyrn is wise. While she lies safe in her glacier, hibernating and birthing her brood, surviving off the bounty of the northern sea, she has left a formidable guardian over the ruins.”
“A guardian?” Justin’s heart sank. “That doesn’t sound promising.”
“Rimefang is one of her eldest progeny—a drakeling over two centuries old. But don’t let that fool you. He is actually larger than Vorthyrn, but not as cunning. I bested him in battle ten years ago, but he flew away before I could finish him. I nearly claimed the key crystal, but that was when I discovered I couldn’t touch it without banishing myself.”
Justin forced a smile. “Well, now you’ve got us.” He paused, frowning. “But surely we’re not the first to try this?”
Alden’s expression turned grim. “No, there have been…others. The last one was about ten years ago, a proud Qilungik warrior named Ryak, along with three others.”
“That has to be Ryak’s son,” Lila said, her eyes widening.
“You know him?” Alden asked, surprised.
“We know his father. He was actually with us in that group. He came here to clear this Vault and avenge his son. He’s kind of the whole reason we’re here.”
“There…wasn’t much hope in that battle. I’m sure he thought it was a well-balanced party. They fought valiantly, but in the end, they fell to Rimefang’s might.”
“And who else has died?” Justin asked.
Alden hesitated. “I won’t lie. No one has ever survived Rimefang. The drake is smart enough to attack living beings before going after me. He knows that while I can fight it, I can’t touch the crystal.”
All was quiet as they took this in. Justin looked down at the city, but there was no sign of the elementals or the ice drake. Only the wind howling through the ruins.
“So, the question is, how do we get the key crystal without Rimefang targeting us?” Lila asked.
“That’s what we must discuss.”
“I have a question,” Justin said. “When we first entered the Vault, Baron Valdrik—that’s the Death guy you don’t like—sent scouts to do some recon. They found the path to this city, but they also mentioned another path that smelled like brimstone. Is that part important?”
“It is. This island is a volcano, but it hasn’t erupted since the days of the Godswar. That part of the Vault is a magma chamber, but you don’t need to worry about it since I completed that bit about a century ago.”
“What do you mean, completed?” Lila asked.
“There was a basilisk there, which I defeated. This gave me access to a Scaling Crystal, which I used on Starlance. It increased its tier from Platinum to Mythic. It’s a step supplied by the Vault to ensure at least one person is powerful enough to face Vorthyrn. It’s possible to take on the drake without this step if you already have the tools for it. However, without powerful fire magic, most parties are doomed to fail against Vorthyrn.”
Well, that at least explained how a Mythic tier weapon had appeared in this Vault. That had been Alden’s doing.
“So, when you came into this cave, was it already a Vault?” Justin asked. “Are spirits like you even allowed to enter Vaults?”
“Usually, no. But I was allowed, given my connection to Elara. Even so, I couldn’t complete that section without help from another party.”
“And now you’re stuck on this next part,” Justin said. “How many people have died?”
Alden was silent for a moment. “You deserve to know the truth. Well over a hundred adventurers have died since the Vault first opened. The basilisk was a formidable foe, but I at least got the Ascension Crystal, ensuring no one else had to suffer its wrath. Then it was another ninety years before the next party showed up. Ryak’s party was the first one to attempt this fight with Rimefang, but I think I’ve learned enough about the drake to have an edge this time. At the time, I didn’t understand why he was targeting the others rather than me. But when I tried to claim the crystal, the reason became obvious.”
Justin had to admit that this was sounding worse and worse.
“What can you tell us about Rimefang?” Lila asked.
“I’ll tell you when we get down to the city. I know a safe spot you two can rest for the night. We’ll want to encounter the drake in daylight, if possible. And this northern climate doesn’t grant a lot of that.”
It was obvious why Alden wanted to attack the drake during the day. The difference in visibility alone made waiting worth it when the odds were already so stacked against them.
But another question was nagging at Justin. “What happens if we clear the Vault? The Vault description said someone would get the chance to have the Star of Elara, yet it seems like you would rather it go to Elara’s resting place once all this is done.”
Alden hesitated before answering. “Well, that depends. It’s not so much that it deserves to be with her in particular. Rather, it deserves to be with someone who proves themselves worthy. These things are beyond me and are left up to the Creator to determine.”
Justin supposed it made sense. The Creator had to be the one who determined Vault rewards and such. For all Justin knew, the Creator himself was the source of the Vaults. It was something he had given little thought to, but Eldrin had mentioned Vaults were a manifestation of Eyrth’s magic. A place with an ethereal well, like this, was probably a prime spot for a Vault to appear.
Alden faced Lila. “Your coming to this place cannot be a coincidence, Lila. You are of the Line of Starfire, however many generations removed. I know neither of you is a mighty warrior, the kind that might be expected to destroy a monster as foul as Rimefang, or even Vorthyrn. But neither was I when I braved the Vault of Eternity and won the Sapphire Star, and then Elara’s hand.”
Justin considered this. Maybe Alden had a point, but the fact remained that they were way in over their heads here. This Level 35 Vault was certainly proving to be the most challenging by far, and it wasn’t even close.
“So, how can we defeat Rimefang?” Justin asked.
“It won’t be easy,” Alden said. “The first step is to review each other’s skills, boons, gear, and overall capabilities, and then to form a solid battle plan. Rimefang is mighty, but with cunning, we might yet overcome it.” He looked down toward the city. “Let’s head to our campsite for the night. We can discuss things in more detail there.