Tyler noticed the rogue coming toward him and backed away, clearly nervous. “Um, what—” He stopped talking as Grizzizzik grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him close to the rapier in his hand. Tyler lifted his hands as the blade pressed against his throat. Alejandra gasped, covering her mouth.

“Whoa, Grizzizzik. Back off,” Nick said.

“Who are you?” Grizzizzik hissed at Tyler, ignoring Nick. “You suggested we go on this hike. You seemed hesitant about it, like you knew something bad was going to happen. Did you know there was a giant scorpion waiting for us?” While he was talking, his teeth sharpened into distinct fangs. Tyler was staring at them with wide, terrified eyes as all the color fled his face. It didn’t help that there was a deep cut across Grizzizzik’s cheek.

“I… I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know,” Tyler said.

“Grizzizzik, stop. He’s a friend!” Nick shouted.

It was pointless. Grizzizzik still ignored Nick, which did not bode well.

“You bought us food. You were way too liberal with your compliments. All to lead us into a trap. You want us dead,” Grizzizzik said.

“I swear I don’t want any of you dead,” Tyler said.

“Let him go!” Evelyn shouted.

Grizzizzik ignored her. “What are you hiding from us!”

Hraktar appeared, his great sword pressed against Grizzizzik’s own throat. Alejandra thought the rogue was tense before, but every muscle in his body went tight once the sword touched him.

“Release the boy.” There was no room for argument in Hraktar’s tone.

Grizzizzik didn’t release Tyler, but he turned ever so carefully to Hraktar. “Get that sword away from my neck, or you will regret it.”

“We’ve all seen it. We can’t hurt these people. There’s a good chance your rapier will not hurt that boy, but I know my great sword can dislodge your snake head from your body. Let him go.”

Milo approached, hands in the air. “Come on, guys. Deep breath. Let’s give Tyler a chance to explain himself.”

Grizzizzik returned his glare to Tyler. “The last time we followed this kid, he led us straight to a scorpion.”

Alejandra felt tears in her eyes. They needed Ezekiel. He was the leader of the group, the one that held everyone together. The guy who was never intimidated by Grizzizzik, because Ezekiel was a bit of an idiot. But they needed him right now.

“Grizzizzik, I get it. I’ve been around you long enough to pick up on how you react to things. You’re scared. You’re nervous,” Milo said.

“I’m not scared,” he hissed, tightening his grip on Tyler’s shirt, bringing him closer. Tyler’s eyes went wide as he was an inch away from Grizzizzik’s sharp and lengthened fangs. “I just want answers, and I want to make sure this boy isn’t trying to hide anything.” Grizzizzik winced as Hraktar pushed his sword into his neck.

“Drop. That. Boy. Now.”

Grizzizzik glared at Hraktar, then slowly let go of Tyler. Once his grip was loosened, Tyler scrambled away, breathing deeply. He rubbed his completely fine neck. Grizzizzik backed away as Hraktar lowered his own great sword. Both of them were glaring at each other.

“I didn’t know there would be a scorpion here. I just felt compelled to come for some reason.” Tyler gestured at his head. “I don’t understand what’s going on inside my head.”

“Are you the one rolling the dice for the scorpion?” Derek asked.

Tyler shook his head. “No. I’m not. I swear I’m not.”

“Just let him explain,” Evelyn said. “What is going on in your head?”

Tyler let out a breath, running a hand through his hair. “It doesn’t feel like game master stuff. More like I’m… I’m like a messenger for the actual game master. And whoever they are keeps urging me to make suggestions for quests for all your characters.”

“Who is this game master? Lead us to him and we’ll kill him,” Grizzizzik said.

Hraktar lifted his great sword again to keep Grizzizzik from moving forward. “Easy, snake. We can’t just kill someone we don’t even know.”

“This person uprooted us from our home world. They sent us to this strange land. They are controlling a scorpion to kill us. If that’s not reason enough to kill them, then what is?” Grizzizzik asked.

“A game master isn’t supposed to be your enemy,” Tyler said. “They are… they’re the ones that deal the consequences. You know, you make a choice, give yourself up to the chance roll of the dice, and then… consequences. Whether they are good or bad. But they’re not supposed to be your enemy.”

“This game master might have answers. It would be foolish to kill them before we figured out how to get home,” Clarissa said, glancing at Grizzizzik.

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“I don’t think the game master is the one who brought you here. It’s…” Tyler scratched his forehead as he thought. “I don’t know. But I sense no ill intent from these thoughts. They’re… they’re a piece of a larger puzzle we’ve got to figure out.”

“So give us the pieces,” Derek said. “If it gets them closer to home, we’ve got to do this.”

Tyler sighed again, looking at everyone. “It’s not that easy.”

“We’ve got to get them back home,” Nick said.

“At what cost?” Tyler asked. “I mean, come on, Nick. We’ve been lying to your father this entire time. We’re all lying to our friends and loved ones. This is going to haunt us. So far, none of you are in danger, but what if it shifts? What if another hell hound appears, and the fear is powerful enough to hurt us?”

“We can’t ignore this situation either,” Alejandra said.

Tyler looked distressed. “Some ground rules first. No fighting monsters unless I’m here. Only on the weekends. Please. I’ll travel home as much as I can. I hate the idea that you guys are doing this on your own.”

“How can we possibly promise that? Alejandra got attacked by a hell hound at school. Are we just supposed to ignore it?” Nick asked.

Tyler winced. “Fine, only in emergencies.”

“That’s literally the reason people get in fights. Because there is no other option,” Derek said.

“Though sometimes people fight because they're stubborn idiots who can’t control their emotions,” Clarissa said before shooting a look at Grizzizzik. The rogue did not appreciate that comment.

“You’re both right,” Tyler said. “Be careful, keep calm, and only strike if the monsters strike at you first. Other than that, only on weekends. Or when another adult is present.”

“How? No other adult can see them,” Evelyn asked.

“I’m getting to that,” Tyler said.

“Get to it now,” Derek said.

Tyler rubbed his head, looking as though he was being attacked by a migraine. “What I say to you is something I feel compelled to say. Almost like a side quest. I trust that the reason this needs to happen is because it’s a way to get you all home. But still… be careful.” Tyler groaned, looking ragged. “Sometimes I really hate being an adult.” Without looking, he pointed to Milo. “Talk to Mr. Anderson and ask him to use his lab. Derek, you’re going to have to help because he won’t be able to see Milo.”

Derek’s face fell. “Mr. Anderson? Are you serious? You think he’ll help?”

“I have no idea. I just know what I feel. Please be careful,” Tyler said. Derek and Milo exchanged glances. Tyler moved his finger to Clarissa. “The spell you cast over the entire desert has made this a beacon for all the creatures who came here from the Shrouded Domain. You must keep it strong. Constant feeding and mediation. There’s a second bubble surrounding Elmwood that is steering away higher-level monsters. Do not, under any circumstances, let that bubble drop. You cannot face…” Tyler winced. “You cannot face a level fifteen dragon right now. Death would be horrible for anyone, but for you especially, Princess. Do you understand?” He looked at the other characters. “If Princess Clarissa dies, the bubble drops, and higher-level monsters come running in. None of you will last much longer.”

Nick raised an eyebrow. “So… so that means if high-level monsters can’t come in, then Torraq and Akshi…”

“Won’t come in until you reach a certain level,” Tyler finished. “As the group levels up, so does the bubble. The creatures coming in are still quite dangerous, though.” He gestured toward the scorpion. “Just keep an eye out.”

“Princess Clarissa didn’t make the bubble until a few days after she came,” Evelyn said. “What if a higher-level monster is trapped in here with us?”

Tyler seemed to study something out in his mind before he shook his head. “Impossible. It would have thrown the higher-level monster out of Elmwood.”

Alejandra felt some of the tension ease out of her, though she still thought of the hell hound. It was a higher level, though perhaps still low enough considering Hraktar and Grizzizzik could defeat it.

“Which brings me to my next point.” Tyler moved his finger at Hraktar, glancing up enough to meet the fighter’s gaze. “Be careful about the fights you initiate. Every monster will give you experience points, and if you go it alone, your level will increase, artificially making the bubble think everyone is higher than they are. You’re almost at level three, while everyone else is level one. You all must level together, or you’ll get in a tough spot soon.”

“What about Ezekiel?” Clarissa asked.

Tyler gave another sigh, then looked at Alejandra. “We need Ezekiel. He didn’t fight in the group. He’s still at a very low level one.”

Alejandra nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. How was she ever going to convince Rafael about this?

“Any suggestions for me?” Grizzizzik asked. Tyler glanced up, focusing his attention on the rogue before giving Nick a look that almost seemed like a warning. Nick’s face fell. Grizzizzik’s look darkened. “What is it?”

“There are rules set in place,” Tyler said, dropping his gaze. “Creatures of a higher level cannot be here in Elmwood. But… they can send their lower-level minions to you. And…”

“Drag me out of the bubble?” Grizzizzik asked.

Tyler took another deep breath, letting it out. “Yes. And I cannot stress this enough. The bubble keeps you safe. If you leave Elmwood, all bets are off. You will be facing against a level fifteen dragon on your own, and it will not be pretty.”

Grizzizzik took another step toward Tyler, his face dark. “I can leave to search for Akshi?”

“Shit,” Nick said under his breath.

Tyler looked at Grizzizzik, straightening to his full height. “You are never to engage him until you get strong enough. Understand?”

“I’m not one to take advice from a child,” Grizzizzik said.

“Much to the agony of my imposter syndrome, I am the adult in the situation, and I’m also trying to save your life. Your father did not drop to level one like you five did. I don’t know if you’ve learned about levels, but let me reiterate. You just barely hit level two. He’s a level eight spell caster. At least he was when we were playing him. He has an enormous leap on you in terms of power, and his spell casting abilities are of manipulation and pain.”

“I know. It’s why we need him dead,” Grizzizzik said.

“And you can’t kill him until you’ve powered up. Akshi would squash you without a second thought. Do not go looking for him. When you’re ready to face him, he’ll appear.”

Nick covered his face, giving a shudder. Alejandra felt her heart pounding.

“I’m with the adult in this situation,” Milo said, glancing between Tyler and Grizzizzik. “Don’t do it, Grizzizzik. We’re having a hard enough time adjusting to not having Ezekiel. We cannot lose you.”

Grizzizzik looked as though his mind was going a mile a minute while keeping his face stuck in a glare pointed at Tyler. “Do you know where he is?” the rogue asked.

“I don’t. I’m just saying what I—” Tyler was cut off as Grizzizzik pulled out his rapier again. Hraktar was already there with his own great sword, keeping Grizzizzik from getting any closer to Tyler.

“Back away, orc, before you accidentally hurt someone,” Grizzizzik said.

Both Nick and Alejandra gasped. They knew what happened when Grizzizzik pushed that particular button, and the rogue had his pride hurt enough that he delved into that area of stupidity.