Justin appeared back in the chamber where the Vault awaited. He took a quick look around and spotted two Fyrspawn guards stationed by the Vault’s entrance. From their reactions—fiery eyes widening, postures tensing—Justin guessed they were surprised.
Before either guard could say a word, Justin stepped forward, speaking Goblinese. “We’d like to speak with Mayor Emberlyn.”
The two Fyrspawn exchanged glances. After a brief, murmured exchange, one guard looked at Justin. “Stay."
He left up the long flight of stairs, leaving his companion to keep watch.
Minutes stretched on. The silence in the chamber was thick.
Justin cleared his throat and raised his voice just enough to be heard. “Mind if we have another look at that Vault?” He nodded toward the elevator shaft.
The remaining guard, however, didn’t budge. “No. Stay there.”
Justin considered whether to approach the Vault anyway—maybe just close enough to trigger a description—but decided not to risk it. One wrong move might land him on Emberlyn’s bad side before he even had a chance to negotiate.
So he waited, hoping the mayor would arrive soon.
Finally, the sound of footsteps echoed down the stairwell. Within moments, Mayor Emberlyn appeared with her black staff with a fiery ruby on top. She was accompanied by Pyra, the Level 12 Fyrspawn Guardian. He was surprised to see only the two of them, but maybe Emberlyn knew they were safe enough because of the agreement.
“You’ve returned,” Emberlyn said, stopping a few paces away. She eyed Justin expectantly, her expression stern.
“We did,” Justin replied. “We’ve had a change of heart."
Emberlyn's fiery eyes narrowed. "A change of heart? You want to help with the Vault?"
Justin nodded. "Maybe. We need to straighten out a few things, first.”
Emberlyn’s shoulders emitted a brief pulse of flame. It didn’t look aggressive—more like a reflexive shrug, albeit one that only Fyrspawn could make.
“I'm listening," she said.
"You said you’d be willing to offer some help. What exactly does that look like?”
Emberlyn’s gaze flicked briefly to Pyra before settling back on Justin. “We can give you one extra party member.”
“Is that all?” Justin asked.
Emberlyn nodded. “It will offer you the greatest chance of success, actually. This Vault doesn’t increase in difficulty for the first four members. Anytime we create a party that goes above four, it tells us that the difficulty will increase.”
“I see,” Justin said.
Justin had never seen that happen, but maybe it varied by Vault. It seemed like most Vaults required a minimum of four party members without increasing in difficulty. Then, for every party member after that, it got tougher.
It probably wasn’t a big deal as long as they didn’t drag down the party level too much, but the Fyrspawn were mostly Level 5-15. They’d just be sabotaging themselves. As the difficulty increased, the party's average level would go down.
“So, who will be coming with us?” Justin asked.
Emberlyn gave a decisive nod. “I will.”
For a moment, Justin simply took that in. The mayor was willing to put herself on the line, and that spoke volumes about her commitment to recovering the key.
Pyra spoke up. “Mayor, allow me to go in your place. You’re too important to risk.”
Emberlyn faced her, her form flaring in agitation. “On the contrary. This village is too important for me not to risk myself. I'm the strongest Fyrspawn left."
“But how can we trust these strangers?”
“We can’t, Pyra. But what options do we have?”
Pyra was silent at this.
Justin exchanged a glance with Lila and Eldrin. They couldn't understand a word of this, so he would have to explain it later.
“We appreciate your willingness to help,” Justin said. “It speaks to your commitment.” He cleared his throat. “So, just to get the basics out of the way, I’m a Socialite, and my skills and boons sort of let me play a tank role. Lila and Eldrin are our main damage dealers, a Bard and a Ranger.”
Emberlyn nodded thoughtfully. “So what you’re really lacking is a spellcaster and a healer for the most part.”
“That’s right,” Justin confirmed.
“I do have some healing magic, in addition to offensive fire spells,” Emberlyn said. “But my manner of healing is…unconventional, at least by your standards."
“How so?”
Emberlyn managed a small smile. “Healing with fire can be a bit…painful. Uncomfortable, at least from your perspective. But it’s effective.”
Justin’s eyes widened slightly. “As long as it works, I won’t complain. We also have a few healing abilities of our own.”
“Perfect,” Emberlyn said. "I must ask, though. What made you change your mind?"
Justin had to play this delicately. “We have our own reasons.”
Emberlyn’s posture stiffened a bit. “What reasons?”
“We believe that one of our enemies might be chasing us down here. He’s not good news. If he manages to find your town here, he might take advantage. Or worse. He’s a Level 36 Lexicant—maybe even more at this point—and a Necromancer."
Justin watched for a reaction. It was hard to reach the darkening of the flames along her body, but Justin took it to mean apprehension, and this feeling was confirmed when she spoke. "We don't abide their kind here."
"I'm glad you agree. The problem is, if he and his party get this far, they’ll promise you help, but end up keeping the gate key for themselves. That's what we want to prevent.”
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Emberlyn was silent for a moment as she digested this. “Well, we have spies in place all around the Aurora Caverns. I'm certain he hasn't even set foot near the Sacred Tree or the Southern Tunnel. Are you sure he hasn't given up the chase?"
Justin felt a flicker of doubt. "He may have. But I'm not one to take chances. That's the whole reason I'm here. It's not likely that he comes here, but the possibility of what he can do with that gate key is beyond imagination."
“I see. And can we trust you?”
“Because of my skill, Gentleman’s Agreement. You know it works; otherwise, you wouldn't be down here with just one bodyguard. I can use the skill once a day, so we can come to an agreement.”
“I see,” Emberlyn said. “Anything else?”
“That’s the gist. Worst-case scenario, we believe this Necromancer—his name is Valdrik—could be here in as little as a day. So we have to move fast.”
Her form flared for a moment. “And to think all this could have been avoided had you not come down here in the first place."
“I’m sorry for that,” Justin said. “When we came down here, we were looking for the gate. We had no idea that we would find your people here.”
It was a half-truth. Justin had expected violent demons, but had instead found reasonable, sapient beings from another planet. He could hardly have predicted that.
“I need to discuss this with Pyra,” Emberlyn said.
“Of course.”
Justin and the others waited a couple of minutes. Emberlyn’s voice was calm, their language lyrical yet strangely crackling, almost as if they were using the flames along their bodies to communicate and not just words. Justin thought it would be impossible for him to learn that language, if only because of Fyrspawn anatomy.
Meanwhile, he updated the others on their conversation.
At last, Emberlyn turned back. “If everything you’ve said is true, and I don’t think you’re making it up, we will work with you. How will we hash out the agreement?"
"We don't want much. We just want that gate key out of Valdrik’s hands. And we want you to avoid him if at all possible, but if he manages to find you, say nothing about us or the gate.”
“That’s easy enough,” Emberlyn said. “Based on that, it would seem our goals are mutually aligned.”
“How so?”
“As you know, this isn’t our world. And the elevator only recently started working, and our own expedition failed to come back from the Solanis Gate.” She paused for a moment. “What I mean is that we want to go home.”
Justin instantly realized what she meant. “So you and your entire tribe want to go back to Solanis immediately. Then, there will be no one for Valdrik to discover.”
“Precisely. The Cataclysm on our own world is done by now. We had already established a village on the other side. But it’s time for us to move on from this place. The riches of this cavern are not worth the risk. At least to set up a permanent colony.”
Justin nodded. “I think our goals are definitely aligned. One other thing: I was hoping you could give us some information about where each of those gates goes. We already went through a few of them, but if you could tell us about the rest, we would be in your debt.”
“Well, it won’t do us any harm. So we’ll agree to that as a sign of good faith.”
“All right. I think I'm ready to enact the agreement.”
Emberlyn and Pyra spoke once again. And as they did so, Justin translated the rest of the exchange to see if he had missed anything.
“All that sounds good to me,” Lila said. “Although, I have to wonder how we can communicate with her if we need to. It could be inconvenient to have everything go through you.”
“Vaults usually supply a common language for everyone to speak, if needed,” Eldrin said. “But this ability goes away after the Vault.”
“I see,” Lila said. “That makes sense.”
Justin already knew this to be true from a couple of Vaults. One of the Vaults had even allowed him to keep a certain dialect of Goblinese.
Eldrin looked at them both seriously. “This is our last chance to decide. Once that agreement is made, there’s no turning back.”
Justin considered this, and indeed, so close to the Vault, it was almost enough to second-guess everything.
But his logic was the same, assuming the level hadn't gone up in their absence.
“I still think this is the best of all the choices we have,” Justin finally said.
Lila looked unsure, but she nodded. “I’m with you.”
Eldrin nodded. “So be it.”
Emberlyn turned back. “We’re ready.”
Justin let out a breath and activated his skill.
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[Gentleman’s Agreement Proposed!]
The terms of this sacred contract are as follows:
1. Alliance of Forces: Justin and his companions shall join Emberlyn, the Fire Sorceress, and her tribe in the mutual endeavor to clear the Lost Expedition Vault.
2. Gate Key Custody: In the pursuit of the Lost Expedition’s secrets, Justin and his party shall recover the gate key and place it in the sole custody of Emberlyn for safekeeping.
3. Secrecy: Emberlyn shall refrain from disclosing the identities of Justin and his party, or any knowledge of the gate key or gate, to Valdrik or any member of his party, should they ever come into contact.
4. Prompt Relocation: Emberlyn agrees to facilitate the safe transit of her tribe through the Solanis Gate as swiftly as possible, with all due haste, once the Vault is cleared.
5. Gate Knowledge: Emberlyn agrees to reveal the destinations and functions of each of the gates within the Nexus, to the best of her knowledge, providing Justin and his party with the necessary information to navigate their path forward.
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This agreement is vouchsafed by the Creator Himself, binding both parties with honor and trust.
Justin reviewed the contract and gave his mental assent.
And within a moment, Emberlyn’s form flared brightly as she agreed.
“And away we go,” Justin said.
He invited her to join the party.
[Emberlyn, Fire Sorceress of Ashralok, has joined the party. You benefit from her Ashralok’s Flames, granting you complete immunity to fire damage.]
At that moment, flames erupted along all three of them, slightly less red and more yellow in tint, but the appearance was much the same as Vorthak’s Flame. Lila and Eldrin’s eyes widened as they raised their arms, marveling at the sight.
Emberlyn gave a slight smile. “I wasn’t sure if that would work. Interesting. It should mean my healing won't hurt you.”
"That's good," Justin said. “Are there fire-based enemies down there?”
“In the deep places of the world, there are always lots of fire- and earth-based creatures,” Emberlyn said. “Come.”
They approached the Vault. Its information populated Justin’s interface. He was relieved that the level had remained at 28.
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Vault Discovered: The Lost Expedition
Recommended Party Level: 28
Average Party Level: 16.5
Risk Level: Practically fatal. Only great luck, skill, or the blessings of the gods will see you survive this Vault.
Description: Long ago, during the time of the Ethereal Era, Zanthera was the greatest gnomish city of all, tapping directly into the Veins of the World itself to power its wonders. Besides its bounteous riches, it was also the site of the World Gate of Solanis.
Two months ago, an expedition of Fyrspawn entered and vanished, holding a gate key with their fates unknown. You must discover the cause of their disappearance, retrieve the key, and survive the threat that caused their disappearance.
The city above, newer and built in a different age, is but a fragile shell above the true heart of Zanthera. Only those who survive the secrets of the old city will find the truth—and a way forward.
Rewards Upon Completion:
* Experience: Scaled to party member level and individual contributions.
* Guaranteed Gold-Level Armor Set: For each party member. Includes headpiece, arm piece, leg piece, chest piece, foot piece, and hand piece, with a unique enchantment combination.
* 1 Class Core: For each party member.
* Access to the Gate of Solanis.
[Do you accept the Vault’s challenge?]
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Justin’s eyes hovered on the Risk Level. Doubt filled him. Did his gear and abilities give them a shot at actually beating this?
If anyone ended up dying, it was completely on him.
Well, whatever the case, it was too late now. The agreement ensured that.
[You have accepted the challenge of the Vault of the Lost Expedition. May courage be your guide and resolve be your shield. Good luck, Brave Adventurers.]
[A language stack has been added for all members of the party for the duration of the Vault: Aranthian.]
The elevator ahead let out an ethereal hum as if it was waiting.
Emberlyn was first, stepping onto the elevator’s smooth surface. The rest followed.
She touched the central crystal, and a notification appeared to her, which said, “Zanthera Plaza.”
“Ashralok and Vorthak light our way,” Emberlyn intoned.
In the chamber outside, Pyra stood watching, her flames flickering in what seemed to be agitation.
Emberlyn faced her. “Make sure you warn the others of this Necromancer, and not to help him. You’re in charge while I’m gone.”
“The town is in good hands, Mayor.”
Emberlyn nodded. The ether crystal flared, and the elevator began its smooth descent into the depths.