A stillness had fallen over the ven'thik village. The rift was closed, the wave defeated, but looking at the injured and the dead that littered the ground, I knew the price had been steep.

Eliaria rushed around, healing the wounded as best she could, her golden aura casting everything in a warm glow. Flint helped with carrying the bodies of the fallen, and I joined him, picking up a ven'thik whose leg had been severed.

I carried the ven'thik to a clearing where a pile of corpses was being laid out. We gently placed him atop the other bodies, and then stepped back.

"Thank you," a voice said. "Kel’Rig will dine with his ancestors in Eternity this day."

I turned to see Captain Zak'Sho approaching us, his axe resting on his shoulder. He looked down at the man I’d lay on the pile of corpses.

"You knew him?" I asked.

The captain nodded, "I know the names of each one that fell today, they were family."

I nodded, not knowing what to say to that. I’d seen the corpses of my own villages piled up like fodder to be burnt. I still had nightmares about that day, and I feared those images would stick with me for the rest of my life.

"Walk with me," the captain said, his expression unreadable. "I wish to speak with you."

I glanced at Flint and Eliaria. "Go ahead," Flint said, waving me off. "We'll catch up with you."

The captain led me through the village. As we walked, I watched the ven'thik working. Their hands were dexterous, their fingers moving quickly, as they mended the damaged walls. They reminded me of ants, busily repairing their hive after a storm.

After walking in silence for some time, the captain stopped at the base of the great tree. I looked up at the tree village. The morning light shimmered through the canopy, bathing the village in a soft glow.

At first glance, the whole structure looked fragile, but I knew it was anything but. In the light of day I could see that each nest, which looked to be made of silk-like threads, clung to the giant tree's branches like organic jewels. Small gardens grew throughout the village, creating pockets of greenery wherever there was space.

"Your arrival was timely, ground-dweller," Zak'Sho said. His eyes fixed on the horizon, and I followed his gaze.

There, beyond the tree line, was a dark smudge against the sky.

"That is where the rift appears each time," the captain continued, his voice low. "We have been holding the tide for weeks, but each wave grows stronger, and our numbers dwindle."

"What is causing it?" I asked.

The captain was silent for a moment, then he turned his gaze to me, his eyes cold.

"Who knows," he said, his words measured. "The shadow spawn are not of the Tower."

"Where else could they have come from?" I asked.

"From the other realms," Zak'Sho answered, his expression grim. "From the deep dark between the stars, the abyss itself."

He sighed, and his shoulders sagged.

It was strange to hear someone else speaking of the different realms. Nobody I had met had ever given much thought to why they were living in a Tower. To most people, the world was just the Tower. But I knew better, before I'd come to this world I'd had a life and I suspected that each person here had a life as well, a life before the Tower. If Earth was a different realm then, maybe, each race had come from their own one, just like me, just like the demons.

"Where are all the other adventurers?" I asked, "Why is this village so poorly defended?"

The captain met my gaze and shrugged, and I realized then just what a burden he carried on his shoulders. He was the protector of his people, standing against an unknown force.

"Most came to help when they heard that there would be an achievement reward," the captain said, speaking slowly. "But after facing one wave, they discovered that the achievement was only granted once all the waves were completed and the rift closed permanently."

He shook his head, as if what he was about to say sickened him. "The adventurers left, saying the reward wasn't worth the risk. That is why we are so desperate, because saving the lives of my people is not a good enough reason for adventurers to fight."

The captain was silent for a long time, and I didn't know what to say. He was right, if there wasn't a reward and Patches wasn't somehow involved then we wouldn't have helped either. Did that make us bad guys? Probably, but we had our own war to fight and nobody was helping us with ours.

"Each wave that comes is stronger than the last," the captain finally said, "and the next will be the worst yet. If we are to close the rift, we will need the aid of the adventurers. But how can we convince them to return, when there is no reward in sight?"

There was no reason for them to risk their lives for people who called them ground-dwellers and treated them like shit.

"Especially if you treat them like criminals," I said.

Zak'Sho turned to me and shook his head. "You saw that mage on the battlefield, you saw his power," the captain said, his tone serious. "He appeared during the last wave and tested the strength of the dome protecting the village. He is a ground-dweller, or at least he looks like one of your kind. You can understand our suspicion."

I thought I knew who the ven'thik was talking about. Patches was here. But just because he was human didn't make him one of us. He did not represent the whole of my race, but there was no point trying to explain that to the captain. It was clear he had made up his mind about us.

"What do the demons want?" I asked, changing the subject.

"The same thing all monsters want," the captain said, "death and destruction."

I shook my head, "They want something else. They threw themselves against the dome, like something was driving them on. They want something in the village, and you know what it is, don't you?"

The captain turned his gaze toward the giant tree, its branches swaying gently in the breeze.

"These are not things us guardians are allowed to share with others. My charge is sacred, and my trust is not easily earned."

"I understand," I said, even though I didn't. "We will stay and fight with you, for as long as we can, but just know we have our own mission, and we will follow it wherever it leads."

Zak'Sho nodded, a grim smile on his lips.

"Find your friends and rest," he said, turning away. "Tonight we celebrate the victory, tomorrow, we worry about the cost."

***

After the work was done, we bathed in a stream and washed off the grime of battle. Flint filled his [Arcane Vault] with the river water, saying that on the road you never knew when you’d need a bath. It was amazing just how much water could be stored inside the vault, but it did cost him. It pushed his [Karmic Debt] all the way to [34%].

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Once we were dry, and Flint had stopped checking the sky for falling meteors, we retired to our new rooms. Now that we were 'trusted guests' we were allowed into the rest of the tree village and offered a chance to sleep inside the village proper.

The ven'thik had prepared a special nest just for us. The outside looked like a normal ven'thik nest, but the inside was completely different, suited to ground-dwellers such as us. The floors were covered in thick, soft rugs, and the beds were large and comfortable. There was a boar’s head on the wall and a stuffed fish on the table.

There were no windows, and the only light came from a single lantern hanging from the ceiling. But instead of a flame inside the lantern, there was a strange crystal, giving off a warm, steady glow.

I told my friends everything, explaining the conversation with Captain Zak'Sho and how we were now trusted allies, at least for the time being.

"What did the Zak'Sho mean by saying the demons weren't from the Tower?" Flint asked.

"Maybe they are from another realm," I said.

"Another realm? "Eliaria said. "There is no record of such a thing in the temple's books. There is no mention of any other realms than the Tower."

I sat down on the edge of the bed, "Actually," I said, "I think there might be."

Flint frowned, "Is this another of your Earth stories?"

I smiled, when I was younger I'd told stories about a place called Earth to the villages in the hopes that it would trigger some memories in them, but all it ever did was make me the laughingstock. Flint was an outcast himself, having a drunk as a father and being poorer than dirt, and so the stories were the perfect way to bond with him.

"It is," I said, smiling.

Flint shook his head and laughed.

Eliaria looked confused.

"Well, it is time to get some sleep," Flint said. He climbed into his own bed and looked up at the ceiling.

"I don't think so," Eliaria said, "I want to hear more about this other realm."

I patted the bed, inviting Elia to climb in beside me. With a mischievous smile she hopped onto the bed, folding her legs beneath her.

"I believe that every human in this Tower is originally from another realm" I said when she was settled and comfortable, "A place called Earth, and the other races are from other realms."

"How do you know?" she asked, stuffing a pillow behind her and leaning back onto it.

I wasn't sure how to explain. There was no point saying I was from Earth, the villagers' reactions to my 'stories' were enough for me to realize that nobody believed me.

I shifted to give Elia more space. "Look at it this way," I said, "monsters have spawn points and drop essence when they die. Doesn't that sound odd to you?"

Flint shook his head, a grin on his face.

"And when animals and humanoids die," I continued, "we don't respawn, we don't drop essence. It's because we are not part of the Tower."

"You think that animals are also from this Earth?" Eliaria asked.

"Not necessarily," I replied, "but they're not from the Tower either. When an animal is killed, they stay dead. We have to breed them to repopulate their numbers. The Tower is different, it creates monsters that do not breed."

Flint sat up in his bed and rubbed his eyes. "This sounds insane," he said, "but I see where you are going with it. You think because the demons don't drop essence, it means they aren't actually monsters."

"Exactly," I said. "They are like us, they have dreams, fears, desires. They are intelligent creatures, not mindless beasts."

Flint lay back down and put his arms behind his head. "When I was helping carry the bodies today, one of the guards said that the rift opens every three days like clockwork."

"So?" I asked.

"So, doesn't that sound like a cooldown?"

I sat up straighter, "You think the rift is a spell card?"

"I'm just saying, it is an odd coincidence," Flint replied. "If somebody is opening a portal between realms, then it means someone here is working with the demons."

"Patches?" Eliaria asked.

Flint was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "The waves started before he arrived in the village," he said.

The room fell silent as we all thought about what was just said. Flint was still staring at the ceiling, but Eliaria had closed her eyes, a slight frown on her forehead. I studied her face, noticing the bruise on her cheek, and the cut above her eyebrow. I knew she couldn't heal her own wounds, it was one of her spell card's many limitations.

"Does it hurt?" I asked.

Eliaria opened her eyes, and frowned, "What?"

"Your injuries, are they healing okay?"

"Yes, thanks to the ven'thik healers," she said, touching her cheek. "They healed most of the wounds."

I hesitated, before reaching out and touching her face. Her skin was warm, and I felt a faint pulse beneath my fingertips.

She smiled, and leaned into my touch, her eyes closing again.

Flint rolled over, "If you two are going to make out, then go find a room of your own," he mumbled, "I'm trying to sleep."

Eliaria laughed, her cheeks flushed.

"Goodnight, Flint," she said, before pulling back and snuggling down into the blanket.

I rolled over to the other side of the bed and laid down, my back to the priestess.

There was silence, and then I heard her whisper, "You can come closer, if you want. I don't bite."

"The mark on my neck says otherwise," I teased.

"Oh, shut up," Eliaria laughed, before rolling onto her side, her back pressed against me.

I hesitated for a moment, then reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. She let out a soft sigh, and soon her breathing slowed, and her body relaxed.

I stayed awake for a long time, listening to her breath, her warm body pressed against mine. It was a good feeling, and one I knew would not last forever.

***

We woke up just after sunset. Outside our room, the tree village was a hive of activity. The ven'thik were moving from nest to nest, preparing for the feast.

"This way," a young female ven'thik called, and we followed her down a staircase that spiraled around the outside of the tree.

As we descended, the air grew cooler, and the smell of cooking food filled my nostrils.

When we reached the bottom, we found ourselves in a large clearing. Ven'thik sat on squashy cushions arranged in small groups. They were eating from a variety of dishes, including fruits and vegetables, but also meat, and what looked like some sort of fish.

A drumbeat began slowly, the tempo picking up until the beat was steady and loud. The surrounding ven'thik joined in, adding their voices to the music.

Soon the whole clearing was full of noise and life. The drumbeat continued for some time, like a bell drawing the crowed closer together. Then, suddenly, the beat faded away, and the drums fell silent.

Zak'Sho spoke up, his voice buzzing like a thousand insects singing in harmony, "Amidst the branches, ven'thik warriors arise, guardians of the hive."

The drummers picked up their pace, adding a new beat to the tune.

"Through the darkness, they fly, swift of foot and strong of arm,"

More beats, faster now, and the volume rose as the song progressed. A sudden burst of energy came from the crowd, and the soldiers' voices rang out like thunder as they sang louder than ever.

I watched in silence, feeling like an intruder in an ancient ritual.

"Across the fields and through the woods, the ven'thik swarm!"

The beat increased, sounding like a storm approaching. I looked at Eliaria, who was smiling. She was clearly enjoying herself despite the solemn nature of the occasion.

Flint leaned over, "I need a drink," he said. "Want anything?"

I nodded.

Flint moved through the crowd, towards the food table, he stopped and started talking to a ven'thik girl. She giggled, and Flint flashed his charming smile. I knew I wouldn't be getting that drink anytime soon.

The music changed, taking on a more playful tone and couples stepped onto the dance floor, moving in harmony to the rhythm of the drums.

Eliaria took my hand, and I felt the warmth of her skin against mine.

"Dance with me," she said, a sparkle in her eye.

Before I could object, she was pulling me toward the center of the clearing. I let myself be led, and soon we were dancing along to the music.

Eliaria moved gracefully, her body swaying and flowing with the rhythm. She looked so natural, like she had been born to dance. While I struggled to keep up. I hadn't done much dancing back on Earth, and I’d done even less in the Tower. I felt clumsy and out of place, but the smile on her face made it worthwhile.

The beat intensified, and the crowd cheered. The song was coming to a climax, and the whole clearing seemed alive with excitement.

Zak'Sho stepped forward and raised his hands, his eyes shining in the firelight.

"Celebrate the fallen!" he cried.

The soldiers answered with a roar.

"For the fallen!"

The final roar was deafening, and the drums reached a crescendo. The music slowed, and the crowd cheered wildly.

As my eyes scanned the crowd, I saw one ven'thik not joining in the celebrations.

He stood off to the side, his mask covering his face. He watched me, his gaze never wavering. Flint had said that someone was summoning the rift on our side, and that it wasn't Patches.

Eliaria's voice broke through my thoughts, and I realized that I’d been standing still for a few seconds.

"Is everything okay?"

I turned back to her and pulled her in closer, "Everything's fine. Let's just enjoy the party."

***