Yvir was first to step into the room. As if on cue there was a slight flash of light as the rooms hanging torches burst into flame. We entered a central chamber where a sizeable coffin-shaped box sat. The rest of the stone-walled room was suspiciously empty.

"Okay that wasn't creepy at all," Leonidas said.

"You ought to be comfortable with magic by now," Cairngorm sneered.

"Quit playing around guys and stay alert, " Shauna seemed worried.

I took stock of the room. It was a simple empty chamber with nothing of interest but the central altar. Which looked way too much like a coffin for my comfort. We approached carefully, each of us all too familiar with trapped dungeon rooms by now. I flipped a mental switch, and my HUD display flickered to life. I made another mental command to activate my trap detection ability.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Trap Detected

Your keen instincts have detected a nearby object is booby-trapped. Proceed with caution.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"The altar box is trapped" I scratched my chin. "Let’s see if I can pick the lock without getting us all killed!"

"That doesn’t worry me at all," Cairngorm folded his arms. "But I trust you can do this without causing a party wipe."

"If anyone can do it, Cassie can," Shauna held her healing staff at the ready.

Yvir gripped her battle-ax, a determined look on her face. "Go for it girl, we got you covered."

I approached the central altar and then kneeled. The brass lock was amazingly shiny and without age. Man, I really did hate magic, it always seemed so benign until it horribly killed you. With the flip of a mental switch I activated my lockpicking ability. An electric sensation flowed through my core, as new information flooded my mind. Before long I had intimate knowledge of this lock's working parts. I still never got used to learning new skills this way. Man, if only they'd allowed knowledge downloads back when I was a high-school student!

I opened my lock-pick kit went to work. Probing the lock, I stopped when I felt the internal latch. With a flick of my wrist, I pulled the fastener loose. There was a distinctive pop, and the lid to the altar box creaked open.

"Okay get back," I cautioned.

Yvir, Shauna, Leonidas, and Cairngorm all took a step backward. Each of us ready for whatever surprise the diabolical dungeon had in store for us. The box finished opening, and a whiff of dust floated into the air. With great caution, I approached the newly opened box and peered inside. To my surprise, there was a dusty object inside. I reached inside and pulled it out the mysterious doohickey. To my surprise, I held a small statue of a very ugly toad. Within its hideously large eye sockets glistened two large rubies.

"That’s the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen," Yvir grimaced in disgust.

"I’m going to check for harmful enchantments," Cairngorm held out his hand and closed his eyes. I felt his magical energy reach out and wrap around the statue. He muttered an unintelligible charm, and then he opened his eyes.

"It definitely enchanted," he said, "But I can't really tell what type of magic is."

"These definitely are not the Phoenix gems!" I announced.

"Didn't think so," Leonidas said. "We would have received a big notification message and a big fat completed mission reward."

"So what in the hell is it?" Yvir leaned in.

"Something important," I put the object in my knapsack. "We'll take it back and have Varick give it a once over."

"It’s probably worthless," Shauna spoke up.

“Let’s go back to King’s City," I turned towards the door. "There's nothing of value to be found here."

We made our somber way back through the winding tunnel. Our hopes were dashed, we’d been hyped to find the Phoenix Gems, only to run into another dead end. Part of me wondered if Grymme had somehow managed to get to the gems before us. No matter what we tried, the devious dragon AI and his minions were always two steps ahead of us. Soon we found ourselves back in the cavern where we’d slain the Quheevloge. It stunk even worse than before.

"Woohee that stinks!" Leonidas held his nose.

"Smells like moldy fish and rotten eggs!" Shauna shook her head. "Let’s just get the hell out of here!"

Braving the stink, out party made its way through the winding tunnels. Soon we were back in the sewers that lay underneath the abandoned city of Caer’Dun. At this point, we climbed out the way same way we came in. Once we were back on the surface, I glanced around the ruins shrugged my shoulders.

"I was really hoping the Phoenix gems would be down there!"

"We can't win every time," Shauna advised. "Besides, I do think that Toad might be some kind of a clue. So the sooner we get it to Varrick, the better.”

Our dejected band of adventurers made our way along the winding and abandoned streets of Caer’Dun. As we passed the flood-damaged buildings, now crumbling in ruin, I understood why everyone believed the old city haunted and cursed. We eventually found our horses securely tied and leisurely grazing in a green field. Luckily, nothing had disturbed the beasts. The horses brayed lazily as we approached.

“Did you miss us old girl,” Shauna spoke in soothing tones to her honey-colored mount. The mare shook itself and neighed. Shauna’s connection to the natural world was amazing to witness. Even though this was a virtual simulation, almost all wild creatures seemed aligned with our cleric.

Cairngorm and the others mounted their horses, while I secured my knapsack to my ebony mare. Then I jumped on her back and pulled at the reins.

"Let's ride out!"

We rode for what seemed like hours before we were back at the King City Gates. The way there had been a bit strenuous, and I could sense the horse's fatigue. I was glad to be home, where a warm meal and soft bed waited.

"Man I can't wait to stop by the Tavern," Leonidas let out a heavy sigh. "There's a couple bar girls there that have my name on them!"

"Is that all you think about?" Shawna pulled at her horse's reigns. "Seriously, you're like every bad stereotype about a horny Otaku there is!"

"Don't hate the player," Leonidas wagged his eyebrows. "Hate the game!"

"Oh for Christ sakes," Yvir pulled ahead with her horse. "Let’s get these horses to the stable!"

The guards recognized us and immediately let us pass. In the past months, we’d become known as the King's chosen champions due to our closeness to the royal family. Having that kind of increased reputation score definitely made navigating the Iron Kingdoms much easier. When we reached the stable and the grouchy old horse master waited for us.

"Well, at least this time you didn’t get the horses killed!" Darius wrinkled his mouth as we approached.

"It's good to see you to stable master" I dismounted my horse.

"Hmmm," he let out a puff of air. Then he took my horse's reign and called for stableboys to help.

"Well the horses are going to get a good rest and food," I said. "I think we should all do the same."

"I'm already on it," Leonidas called over his shoulder. "Come to the Inn and have drinks on me."

"I’m taking this weird statue to Varrick," I said. "Then I'll join the rest of you guys at the Tavern."

“Sure you don’t want to come with us?” Leonidas teased, “Rachel will probably be there.”

I bristled at the mention of my ex’s name. Things hadn’t really gone smoothly between us since her arrival. In fact, I was quite sure I’d screwed up royally, and Rachel never wanted to talk to me again.

“That’s OK,” I fidgeted with my knapsack. “I really should get to the tower and find out if this statue is anything special.”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Suit yourself,” Leonidas put an arm around Yvir’s shoulder. “You ladies ready for a little R&R?”

The surly barbarian pushed his arm away, “If you’re buying I’m drinking.”

“Let’s go,” Shauna patted her stomach. “I’m freaking starving.”

"Hey guys," Cairngorm called out. "Wait up, I'm hungry too."

"Walk faster Necromancer," Yvir gestured to him. "We aren't zombies!"

"Smart ass," Cairngorm muttered as he caught up to the group.

The unlikely quartet disappeared into the night, as I made my way to Varrick’s tower. It seemed only a few days ago that the old Wizard had taken us under his wing. Having such a valuable contact made our lives much more comfortable. And I was convinced someone outside the game was attempting to aid us through the powerful NPC. It worried us all that GM-Jason had all but vanished. We weren't sure what exactly what happened. Leonidas theorized that Grymme had shut down outside communications. Which effectively handicapped us in every way. The Dragon’s AI was playing to win, so he wasn't about to let us have an advantage. I approached the magical door to Varrick’s tower. The massive oaken door swung open in anticipation of my approach. The automatic magic door seemed almost too modern for this medieval setting. It was smart enough to only Varrick, and his designated champions enter.

"Varrick!" I called out into the candlelit hall.

"I see you’ve made it back safely," the old Wizard almost seemed to glide across the floor. "You also brought back something magical. I can sense its power.”

"We found this weird toad statue in Caer’Dun— the ruined city.” I produced the weird statuette from my knapsack and held it out for him.

Varrick took the statue from my hands and looked it over. “This is definitely not the enchanted gems you were searching for.”

"No, it's not," I told him. "But I can't help but think it's important somehow."

Varrick placed the statue on his work table and regarded it for a moment. Then he made a few elaborate hand gestures. Strange glowing runes appeared in the air and floated around the statue. The magical symbols circled faster and faster. Then they exploded in a shimmer of bluish-green light.

The old Wizard stroked his beard "I hadn't seen one of these in ages."

"What is it exactly?" I asked him.

"Just a moment," he leaned in closer to the statue. “And you'll soon know."

The Wizard placed his hands on the cold stone relic, and it's to Ruby eyes glowed in response. Then rays of energy beamed from the Toad’s eyes, projecting an image on the wall. My jaw dropped when I realized it was a map.

I took a step back. "Why didn’t it do that back in the caverns?”

"You didn’t ask it to," the old Wizard grinned mischievously.

"So what is this a map to?" I asked.

"This is a map to the Temple of Aeris," Varrick looked pleased.

“Located right through the Dark Hills,” My heart sank. “Smack in the middle of Grymme’s territory!:

"Passage through those woods is not an easy task," Varrick said. "They are filled with brigands and thieves ready to slit your throats for bounty."

"Is there any way I can take that map to show the others,” I asked.

The wizard made another silent gesture, and a scroll rose from his desk. It then hovered in front of the Toad’s light projecting eyes. The image was now clearly visible on its once blank surface. Varrick gestured again, and there was an immediate quick flash of light. He plucked the scroll from the air and handed it to me. To my amazement, the parchment was now a perfect copy of the previously projected map.

"Now you have a map to guide you," The old wizard paused, “But you shall need more than that. I'm afraid we may need to ask a favor of Nazyr."

"Nazyr!" I didn’t bother to disguise my shock. "He's in prison he belongs!"

"Have an open mind,” Varrick cautioned. “Things are not always what they seem and questioning him may prove valuable."

“What do we need from him?” I was still very skeptical.

“Nazyr can possibly get your party through Grymme’s lands safely,” Varrick tented his fingers.

I regarded the old wizard’s words carefully. In the previous months, King Alaric fell into a mysterious unwaking coma. All evidence pointed to Nazyr as the culprit. It was theorized the devious young man had poisoned his own father in hopes of snatching the throne. But the ruling Council didn't let that happen. Instead, Nazyr was arrested and thrown into the dungeon. Currently, his younger brother Prince Corbin held the throne. While Corbin was doing his best, he was far too young to be king of anything. And with Grymme’s army gaining more ground, tension in the King’s City was high.

"I'll do it," I said. "I'll talk to Nazyr."

"Remember young rogue," Varick placed a hand on my shoulder. "Nothing is more important than finding the stones and putting an end to Grymme!”

"Trust me Varrick," I said. "It’s my number one priority!”

"The question Nazyr and gain his trust!" Varrick crossed his arms.

I exited the tower and headed towards the Imperial Dungeons. Where I knew Nazyr was being held. I hadn't seen or talked to the dark prince since he’d been imprisoned. Even now, I wasn't sure he could be trusted. After all, he was indeed a player who had hacked his way into the system. Where he gleefully rewrote enough code to make himself a member of the royal family. There was no doubt Nazyr was in league with Grymme. Furthermore, he’d poisoned the rightful King. The rogue prince wanted power, and he was willing to anything to get it. But I realized that if I could get through to him, he might be just the ally we needed to beat Grymme. Like it or not, aligning with Nazyr made sense. I walked down the cobbled stone path towards the Imperial Dungeons. More determined than ever to score a victory against Grymme and win our freedom.