The elevator lowered, the central crystal casting a steady bluish light. The circular perimeter was made of clear glass, so transparent it seemed nothing separated them from the metal of the shaft outside. Justin placed his hand on the surface. It was cool to the touch, and when he removed his hand, it left no mark.
Various doorways flashed by, but the elevator moved so quickly that Justin couldn’t discern what was beyond them.
“Where do those hallways go?” he asked Emberlyn.
“Warehouses, mostly,” Emberlyn replied. “This is the boundary between upper and lower Zanthera. We call it the...well, Boundary.”
“Fitting.”
“Yes,” Emberlyn nodded. “Who knows what the gnomes actually called it? We think it was supposed to be a shield of sorts. Like the walls of a surface city.”
“I see,” Justin said. He frowned. “A wall protecting against what?”
Emberlyn’s fiery eyes flickered. “Well, the gnomes and Zanthera weren’t immune to the tragedies of the Ethereal Era. You can see signs of battle in the city itself. They thought they would be safe, but it was actually the city above that survived much longer.”
Justin remembered the murals depicting the Fyrspawn and gnomes locked in battle. “Did the Fyrspawn wipe them out?”
“We believe so, but that would have been ages ago. By the time we got here, the gnomes were long gone.”
Lila shifted on her feet. “It’s not surprising. I’m sure multiple waves of Fyrspawn have come through the gate over the years.”
“Of course,” Emberlyn said. “This elevator is the only way to the surface and the Gate Hub. Or Nexus, as you call it. By limiting access, they could control who got in and out. Because Zanthera was a coveted prize. It was the greatest mine of pure ether on Eyrth, tapping directly into the Vein of Aetherus.”
“The Vein of Aetherus?” Justin asked.
“One of the largest veins of ether ever discovered,” Emberlyn answered. “Possibly the largest.”
“So, Zanthera’s power came from its ether crystal trade,” Justin said. “Like Drakendir?”
“Yes,” Emberlyn agreed. “I don’t know much about the Drakendir Kingdom, but I can almost certainly say Zanthera’s trade was far greater. The Ethereal Era held wonders we can scarcely imagine today. You’ll see something of its scale as we go deeper.”
Justin nodded. “I see.”
The shaft outside the elevator disappeared, giving the illusion that they were suspended in space, surrounded only by the perfectly clear glass.
But what he saw below was far from what he expected. Instead of complete darkness, a vast ethereal sea of sapphire blue stretched beneath them. Justin hesitated to call it a sea, as the substance didn’t seem like a liquid or gas, but something in between—almost like a thick, billowing cloud. This cloud rippled and swirled, forming small waves.
Floating above this sea was a large, rocky island. And on that island stood a ruined city, built upon a central mountain and surrounded by tiers of cliffs, a much larger version than the cavern above.
“Whoa,” Justin whispered, his eyes going wide.
“That’s the Vein of Aetherus, huh?” Lila asked.
“That’s right,” Emberlyn said. “The World Gate is down there.”
“In that mist?” Lila asked.
“It’s not really mist, but ether in its raw state. Normally, it’s not visible, but it becomes so when dense enough. Over time, it collects and solidifies into crystals. When it’s dense enough, it actually functions more like a liquid. It’s only when the ether becomes less dense that it bonds to other minerals, producing a less pure state. This less pure state must be broken down by Enchanters, and then directed to produce various effects.”
“So this is the real deal,” Justin said.
“Yes. On your world, the infrastructure and knowledge no longer exist to refine and use ether in its raw form. But such a large source is necessary not only to power this city, but also the World Gate. And the excess was used to create crystals of extremely high quality that were exported around the world. Even through the Gate and beyond.”
Justin stood fascinated. In fact, it sounded a lot like the oil trade from his own world. In this world, ether was the energy, and those who controlled that energy—and the magical enchantments it created—could control just about anything.
It was easy to imagine why this would be such a coveted prize.
The elevator lowered into the mountain, and darkness enveloped them.
A moment later, their ride came to a stop, its doors sliding open to reveal a vast, central chamber. It resembled a modern train station, but on a far grander scale—more like those found in the world’s greatest cities, only now abandoned. Like the gnomes above, it didn’t seem they had built with their own scale in mind, but for those of a cosmopolitan society of many races.
The floor was made of polished black marble, worn and smooth from centuries of use. Towering arches of blackened crystal framed the chamber, rising high above them and supporting large, intricate beams of glowing metal. Glowing glyphs, still active after all these years, were set into the doors of various elevators, pulsing with inner blue light.
This was a place where magic and technology once coexisted in harmony—but now, it seemed frozen in time.
Yet the ruin of thousands of years was evident—piles of debris, cracks in the walls, and the remains of a broken spider construct, its metal gleaming despite its damaged state. The crystal embedded in its top was dark, its power long spent. That might not be the case for all of them.
Beyond this central hall, corridors led into darkness, some filled with fog-like ether that swirled ominously. Ahead, a wide archway led deeper into the city, opening into what had to be Zanthera Plaza. The silence was overwhelming.
“Where do we even start in a place like this?” Lila asked, her voice strangely muted.
“They would have gone for the gate first,” Emberlyn said. “They already had the key. Something must have happened along the way.”
“The gate, then,” Eldrin said. “Where is it?”
Emberlyn pointed with her staff toward the main exit. “We need to head out to Zanthera Plaza. Then it’s down the main street toward the end of the island.”
“Before we proceed, maybe we can go over our abilities,” Eldrin said. “As well as some basic strategies for working together.”
Emberlyn nodded. “That’s wise. I am a Fire Sorceress of Ashralok, baptized in the Flames of Mount Meruh’rah on Solanis when I was young. My spells are a direct connection to the Fire Goddess.”
Justin frowned. “I thought Vorthak was the God of Fire.”
“God of Fire, yes,” Emberlyn said. “And many would place him ascendant over Ashralok. But Ashralok was raised from our own kind to be his wife, his true love. She is esteemed equally, at least among the Fyrspawn here.”
“I see,” Justin said. “I know a Fire Sorcerer...sort of. He isn’t a great guy.”
Emberlyn ignored that point. “My powers are derived from Ashralok herself. Every Sorcerer’s power comes from their divine connection to their patron deity. So, my spells are all fire-based. Flame Arrow, Metal Melt, and Fireball are my primary attacks. I also have support and defense spells, like Enflame Weapon, which creates flames along a party member’s weapon. Or Flame Shield, which burns arrows and the like before they can hit. And, of course, all my party members get access to Ashralok’s Flame if they don’t have it already.”
“Cool,” Justin said. “Can I combine my Ashralok’s Flame with Vorthak’s Flame?”
“Ashralok’s Flame only protects from fire damage. Vorthak’s Flame does this, but also defends against Freeze and Darkness effects. We’re unlikely to encounter enemies with those abilities down here.”
Justin realized that Emberlyn had never questioned his lack of flames upon returning through the gate. Maybe she intrinsically understood it was something he could turn on and off at will.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
For now, his Lathalon’s Grace was active. He would keep it unless he needed something else.
“And you said you also have healing magic?” Lila asked.
“Yes, a lesser-tier spell called Cauterize Wounds. Its closest equivalent would be Bind Wounds.”
“That sounds painful,” Lila said.
“It isn’t for our kind. But Ashralok’s Flames should protect you from that. Hopefully.” Emberlyn nodded. “That should serve as a decent overview. And what about you?”
They spent the next half hour going over their abilities. Emberlyn wasn’t interested in directly sharing all her business, which was fair since she was only a temporary ally. Justin had the feeling she had more spells up her sleeve, but she had simply chosen not to reveal them.
They also mapped out a few basic strategies, the main one being Justin drawing enemies’ attention while the rest did damage or healed as needed.
If they came across anything stronger, well, they would have to come up with a more detailed plan, or worst case, improvise. Justin was used to fighting with Lila and Eldrin, and by this point, they intrinsically understood their roles.
“The majority of the enemies down here are metal-based,” Emberlyn went on. “My Flame Weapon will be useful. It will help with the gnomish constructs that are still working.”
“Sounds good,” Eldrin said. “Ready?”
“Yes. Let’s learn more.”
Emberlyn led the way, picking a path across the black marble floor. Within a minute, they stood at the open archway, revealing Zanthera Plaza.
It was a wide circle surrounded by towering buildings of metal and glass. A central fountain displayed a grand geometric design. Though the cascading water had long since stopped, Justin could imagine that it must have once been quite striking. Empty doorways led into various buildings, many of them blocked off, their original purpose long forgotten.
But off to their right, the true spectacle revealed itself.
A wide portal stood in the distance, at the end of what seemed to be a main street cutting through the center of the city. Skyscrapers towered on either side. The gate seemed to be the terminus of the street and the end of the island itself.
But it wasn’t the portal that caught Justin’s eye. Something far more unsettling blocked the path. A gargoyle-like shape, with blazing eyes, four twisted horns, and thick limbs streaked with rivulets of fire. A massive pair of fiery wings spread out from its back. It was about the size of a small house.
It was difficult to judge the distance, but Justin estimated it to be at least five hundred feet away. The creature didn’t seem to notice them, and it was too far for Justin’s monocle to capture any useful data.
Eldrin motioned for them to fall back, and they retreated into the shadows of the transit station.
“What in the Nether is that thing?” Lila whispered.
Emberlyn’s fiery form dimmed momentarily. Justin, through his Insightful Gaze boon, could tell that the expression was akin to a face paling with fear.
“That’s...a Pyrosphinx,” she said quietly. “An infernal creature from our world. They are usually the spawn of a Greater Demon, who in turn is the progeny of Vorthak. They are difficult to defeat, to say the least. It’s no wonder the expedition never came back.”
“So how did that thing get here?” Justin asked. “Through the gate?”
She nodded. “It can’t be anything else. This one must have been drawn to the power of the ether, or perhaps even the gate itself. When sphinxes bind themselves to World Gates, or any magical threshold, really, they gain a tremendous boost in power.”
“What level do you think it is?” Justin asked, his heart racing.
“It’s certainly Level 28, like the Vault,” Emberlyn said. “And at least Champion in tier.”
“Not Guardian?” Justin asked, recalling their recent battle with the Level 25 Guardian Mummy.
“Guardians are strong, but they are not meant to guard a Vault,” Emberlyn replied. “It’s most likely a Champion, but if we’re truly unlucky, it could be a Mythic.”
Justin swallowed hard. “Anything above Mythic?”
“Ascendant,” Emberlyn said solemnly. “Pray it’s not that. But in a Level 28 Vault, with four party members, we’ll probably be facing a Champion.”
Justin wondered what Vorthyrn had been. Given that there had been nine party members for that battle, he would not have been surprised if she had been Mythic in tier.
Whatever the case, his monocle would tell him as soon as they were close enough.
“A tough contest for sure,” Eldrin muttered, his eyes narrowing in thought. “But if your expedition encountered the same creature, it’s unlikely they would have directly engaged it without a plan.”
“More than that, they probably would have tried to come back and report their findings,” Lila said. “The Vault hadn’t been created yet, after all.”
“True,” Emberlyn said. “While I hope one or more of them will be alive, it’s not likely. Perhaps they even passed through the gate to confirm the key worked first, but were attacked by the Pyrosphinx. And maybe it followed them back.”
“That would explain how it got through,” Justin said.
“It would,” Emberlyn agreed, “although Sphinxes, as said before, love portals, narrow passages, and the like. Anything they can guard. Whatever the case, we cannot directly challenge that thing. It’s said that there is a library connected to this square. It would be a natural place to seek more knowledge about the city. I can’t read Ancient Zantheran, but Ignis could—he knew some of the language.”
“Ignis?” Lila asked.
“Our only Scholar on the expedition,” Emberlyn said, her voice tinged with sadness. “Not a fighter, really, but I thought he’d be okay. We sent our strongest warriors and sorcerers along. Ignis would have wanted to learn more before even daring to approach the sphinx.”
“How many were on the expedition in total?” Justin asked.
“Four in all. A couple of Fire Sorcerers, a Fire Vanguard, and then Ignis, the Scholar.”
Justin guessed “Fire Vanguard” was a class unique to the Fyrspawn. “I’m surprised your people have any knowledge of a language as old as Zantheran.”
“Well, ‘knowledge’ might be stretching it. The linguists of our world have deciphered fragments. The gnomes had two languages—one for everyday communication and the other, a unique Foundation Language. We can best translate that as being called ‘Aetheris.’ It’s the language of the glyphs you see, which power their enchantments—designed to make use of raw ether as well as ether in its solid form. We’ve made some progress with the first language, but the second one...not so much. It’s beyond us.”
“I’m not sure how a library will help us if we need to deal with that Pyrosphinx first,” Justin said. “Shouldn’t we focus on a way to defeat it?”
Emberlyn sighed deeply. “Pyrosphinxes require powerful ice or water-based magic to be neutralized. They may be vulnerable to other status effects, but my fire magic will prove ineffective.”
“My cane can cast Drake’s Breath,” Justin said. “And it has a chance to deal ice damage with each strike.”
“That’s good,” Emberlyn said. “But will it be enough?”
“With my Sapphire Aegis combo I talked about, it might be.”
“It’s a gamble,” Emberlyn said. “If it doesn’t work to bring it down, we’ll be left in the open. Sphinxes are incredibly wily. They won’t just let you walk up with a strange shield and swing at them. They can fly.”
“She’s right,” Eldrin said. “We need more information. If there’s any chance Ignis left us clues, we should head to the library.”
“I agree,” Lila said, looking determined. “We’ve got nothing to lose.”
“That still doesn’t explain why the expedition wouldn’t just escape and report back after encountering the sphinx,” Justin said.
“Perhaps the sphinx wasn’t here at the start,” Eldrin suggested. “Or maybe the gate was inaccessible in some other way. Or maybe they didn’t encounter the sphinx at all. We need more information.”
“Maybe,” Justin said. “I don’t know how useful this is, but where I come from, sphinxes are known for their riddles. If you answer their riddle in three tries, they let you pass. If not, bad things happen. Does it work the same way here?”
Emberlyn’s gaze hardened slightly, her voice dropping low as she answered, “Yes, I’ve heard those stories, too. Our worlds must be similar in that way. I recall one that my mother told me about a Pyrosphinx guarding the entrance to a volcano where it was said there was great treasure.”
“Any clues about what we’re dealing with?” Justin asked.
“Perhaps,” Emberlyn said. “The Pyrosphinx would give three chances to answer its riddle, like you said. If answered correctly, you could pass. But if you couldn’t, it would not simply kill. No. It would grant the sphinx a blessing—a boost in its powers. It was a cruel trick, designed to lure would-be adventurers into a false sense of hope. With each failure, the sphinx grew stronger.”
Justin was quiet as he thought about this. So it was a question of whether it was worth the gamble to bypass a fight or just to attack it outright.
Emberlyn continued her former line of thought. “In one story, the riddle went thus:”
> “‘Silent giant born of snow,
>
> I carve the mountains as I flow.
>
> Though I move, you cannot see,
>
> You will wait for eternity.
>
> My blue heart hides ancient air,
>
> Stories frozen within my layers.”
“A glacier,” Justin said without hesitation.
Emberlyn blinked in surprise. “That is indeed the answer. But it speaks to the craftiness of the sphinx. You see, in the world of Solanis, there is no such thing as a glacier. It’s too warm there. One might know if they are familiar with ancient myths, when the world was cooler, but how could a common Fyrspawn, born on Solanis, ever dream of knowing such a thing?”
Justin understood her point—it was chilling to think about.
“Brave warriors tried to outsmart the creature, thinking they could solve the riddle and gain access to the volcano. Others tried to destroy it outright, but were easily vanquished, empowered by past conquests. With each failure, they watched the sphinx take on aspects of each answerer, growing stronger and more powerful. Finally, someone gave the right answer. A learned Fyrspawn who did not trust in her Power, but in her Intellect. She claimed the treasure, a mighty artifact, and the sphinx flew away.”
She paused. “Though the riddle was eventually solved, it was also a trap. The sphinx had no intention of letting anyone pass. The game was merely a way to grow stronger.”
“What happened to that sphinx?” Lila asked.
Emberlyn’s flames flared. “Who can say? Whatever the case, if this Pyrosphinx is of the same nature, we must be cautious. Of course, we don’t know if it’s the same or if the stories are even true. But if it wants us to play a game of riddles, it might be a challenge we can’t win.”
Justin blinked. “Why would it let anyone pass at all?”
“Because the Pyrosphinx cannot escape its nature,” Emberlyn said. “And its nature is to confuse and sow doubt, drawing the power of the deceived.”
Justin frowned. “What kind of power?”
“It takes something that belongs to the owner. It can be a unique skill, knowledge, or an aspect of the person’s personality. I’m not sure how it works exactly. What I do know is that sphinxes are drawn to important magical thresholds, like World Gates, to test those who would attempt to pass. It’s waiting for someone desperate enough to challenge it.”
“Sounds like we’re in for a fight,” Justin muttered. “If that story is true, then it’s best not to play the game. Anything with the ability to absorb others’ skills and memories can become unbalanced.”
“Yes,” Lila agreed. “But if we’re not strong enough to beat it anyway, we might have no choice but to play the game.”
“Who can say?” Emberlyn asked. “But first, we must learn more. The library may hold the answers we need, both for understanding the city and for surviving what’s coming.”
Given the undeciphered Zantheran language, Justin believed it was a dead end, but it didn’t hurt to try. This Vault seemed a bit more open-ended than others, in that they had to figure out how to defeat the sphinx themselves.
There was definitely a way, and unlike the other Vault descriptions, there seemed to be no obvious clues left behind. None that Justin could see, anyway.
“Across the plaza, then,” Eldrin said. “Quickly and quietly.”
They left the transit station, stealing across the shadowed plaza in silence. The sphinx remained unmoving, seeming not to react to their presence.
Within a minute, they were stepping through the massive, open archway and into the library.