The ramparts of Halshan Castle came into view an hour after the mountains did. It was built into a thousand-foot plateau in the foothills and rose haf again with white stone. The sprawling citadel had two concentric rings of stone walls separated by ditches carved into the hill.

Oliver spurred his horse forward. He had ridden as much as he could stand and walked the rest. At least now, he didn’t draw attention to himself while mounting and dismounting.

“Last I was here,” Owen said. “Naught but the castle upon the height stood. It lay betwixt the goblins of the mountains and the kobolds of the plains. Were it not for this place, mankind would never have survived in this place.”

Sir Edmund signaled a halt. “It still holds the goblins back. It’s some ten leagues over the pass to the Sea Peoples’ first outpost, and between is a dangerous journey.” He turned back to the mass behind him. “I’ll talk to the king and get everyone to safety, but they’ll have to wait here.”

The army pursued them not far behind. If the people didn’t get into the citadel, they’d be crushed between the walls and Lord Emrich’s forces.

Oliver and his companions rode through the first gate behind the knights. Crossbowmen manned the turrets on either side. Markets stretched from just inside to the next gate, narrow ways full of fragrances, colorful carpets, and garments.

The knights left them at an inn and continued toward the castle.

The innkeeper had a single available room, so they crowded into it, tossed the mattress on the floor, and laid sideways so six would fit.

A notification sounded. Oliver, I have good and bad news. I’m adding world switching to your menu. I only know of three, which I gave you access to. But, I wasn’t able to reproduce the psychopomps’ ability. I need to isolate you from your surroundings, and the best hack I could come up with is for you to travel at about one hundred and twenty miles per hour. Any slower, and you risk a mishap.

Oliver had to read the message twice. How am I supposed to do that? It’s not like I have a car.

I’m afraid a car isn’t the best way to do it. You need to be isolated from inanimate objects. You could, in theory, take another person with you, but you’ll need to drop from a height of at least fifteen hundred feet.

Well, switching worlds wasn’t an option. He wasn’t even scared of heights. That kind of fall was certain death.

“What worries you?” Owen asked.

“I can go home.”

Charity rolled to her side. “What do you mean?”

Oliver sat up into a cross-legged position. He looked at her a moment, and she appeared worried. Worried that he’ll leave them? “I think you’re all aware, enlightened, or whatever you want to call it. Sentient,” he said. “I come from a pretty depressing world, but I have the ability to see it again.”

Hunter furrowed his brow. “I thought our worlds were gone, that when we die, our soul goes on into the next one.”

“I don’t think so.” Oliver had asked Eldrin several times how it worked, and the scientist called it asynchronous. “The worlds share the same place and time but take turns so fast that they’re like three different worlds. I can’t explain it. I barely understand any of it.”

Hunter relaxed with his back against the wall. “I’m not sure it matters.”

“Of course, it matters,” Saj said. “You may not feel attached to your past, but you are. To truly reach enlightenment, you must accept that you are your past. Without it, you don’t exist.” His eyes widened, and his display lit his face. “I leveled up. All I did was think.”

Hunter shook his head. “There is no past. You are because you experience. End of story.”

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Another hour passed before the refugees entered the gate, and tents popped up around the inn and lee of the wall. Fear etched their faces, but most appeared relieved since the enemy forces followed and set camp outside bowshot.

Oliver wanted to ask Sir Edmund what to do, but the man disappeared when a sea of defenders whisked him away to talk tactics.

Halfdan pointed to the main gate. “Let’s have a better look.”

Sigrid, Saj, Charity, and Owen followed in tow.

The latter put his hands on the crenelation and swept his gaze over the multitude of enemy forces. “A mighty host. But lo, this structure hath grown and flourished through the ages. Even the old fortress stopped as many men. Let them break upon these walls.”

Banners snapped in the wind, bearing Halshan’s crest—a griffin and crossed swords. A bowman pointed to the other gates and explained that their inn stood near Red Gate, indicated by the red flags. It is the same with the four gates of the Outer Ring, each named after a color. Besides the inner main gate rose Archers’ Perch, a tower high enough to defend both main gates.

The enemy didn’t rest when the evening grew cool and dim. Four giants felled trees and split them into rough sections that people shaped into lumber. By nightfall, siege towers and other equipment took shape.

Sir Edmund finally arrived. His armor reflected torches. “There. That must be Lord Emrich.”

A tent lay beyond the construction. The desert devil spun close to it.

Oliver put a hand in his pocket and felt the gloves. What other magical items did the player possess? Perhaps Eldrin would know. Can you tell me anything about Lord Emrich?

It wasn’t until morning that the scientist responded. By then, the enemy giants had pushed the siege equipment forward. Sorry, I was sleeping. He’s a player who recently made a deal with that god you met a while back. His main ability is to dispel magic. So don’t let him see you cast.

Lord Emrich now showed rank twenty. With three worlds available, he’s easily one of the hundred best Players.

A horn blasted from somewhere below, and messengers rode along the bridge, stopping short of the gate. A man with a condescending voice and a long, thin nose spoke loud enough to hear. “I have a message for your king. Is he present?”

Sir Edmund nodded to an important-looking man before peering over and responding. “Come closer. You sound like you’re mumbling.”

The messenger frowned, forming lines visible even at this distance. “You can hear me just fine. Do not play with Lord Emrich. He’s in no mood after dealing with your undead.”

“Please,” the knight said. “Step closer and speak up. I want to send a message back.”

“Fine,” the messenger said. He looked to his company and then rode alone to the gatehouse. “What is your…” He turned his horse to flee.

Sand as hot as coals poured down onto the messenger. He screamed and fell, trying to rip his armor off his sizzling flesh. His companions galloped away and left him.

Laughter erupted, but Oliver didn’t even chuckle. He wasn’t a fan of burns and didn’t find it funny in the slightest.

Lord Emrich responded predictably. The enemy attacked. Soldiers with wooden covers ran forward. Arrows rained down but stuck into the protective wood. Their own archers shot from siege towers. Giants tossed boulders like they were trebuchets but with more accuracy. And the desert devil twirled forward and conjured an earth elemental.

Oliver ducked under a rock that skipped from the rampart. Stone fragments exploded, and the projectile caved in a structure below, sending roof tiles flying.

Sir Edmund called for reinforcements and turned to his archers. “Keep shooting. Stand your ground.”

Oliver found Sir Gillian, who clapped him on the shoulder.

The knight stood upright as if taunting death.“If you can do something, please do it. Fight well, and the king will reward you.”

Oliver nodded. Could he turn the army alone? Let’s see what they think of this.

The Astral Lance slammed into a giant. Blood and meat erupted and painted those around it crimson. It was like a hundred pounds of hamburger shot out of the world, but the giant only staggard and let one arm go limp.

Oh, shit.

The only good that came of Oliver’s attack was a rallying cry from those around him. They felt emboldened to fight alongside a wizard. Volleys of arrows loosed down on the assault. The cauldron of hot sand poured onto the unfortunates who’d progressed to the gate.

Oliver sank another lance of power into the giant.

Jaw and bone flew from a detonated skull. The giant flopped down into the swarm, crushing soldiers beneath its weight.

Boulders continued to shake the gatehouse. A wall section collapsed as the earth elemental burrowed up through the ground.

Shrapnel hit Oliver in the head. He saw a flash of light and heard a ring. Blood droplets formed at his feet, and his hand returned from his scalp wet.

Sir Gillian pulled him downstairs. “We’ve lost the main gate. Watch your step.”

“We lost?” Oliver asked, stumbling.

The knight’s eyes were wild. “No, we’ll fall back to Red Gate. We will not let down the King.”

You’re scared shitless.