Wyn felt the air leave his lungs as he fell in the sky. The now-familiar pink dirt quickly rushed towards him, and he flailed in the sky. He wasn’t as high as he feared, but the fall was still like falling from a high window three or four stories tall. It was enough that he feared no amount of magical healing would help him since he'd just be dead. Especially if he fell on his head. He was directly facing the ground, which didn't seem any better.
Hopefully his gear could take most of the impact. That wasn't enough to rely on, though.
Wyn had only seconds. Casting Shield would hurt just as bad as slamming into the dirt, but maybe it would slow his fall. He tucked his torso and hip using his right arm and leg and tried to turn himself so at least he’d hit his back. Then he cradled his head with both arms and cast Shield.
The spell activated below him, and he pounded into it with enough force for his breath to leave his lungs. The barrier then shattered, not having enough power to completely stop his progress. He fell another ten feet before making a second impact with the ground.
His entire side crumpled at the force and for a moment he thought he really was going to die from both hits. As he took a few breaths, though, he realized the shock of surprise faded quickly, and he wasn’t as injured as he thought.
His equipment likely took most of the damage, though he still felt a sting every time he tried to suck in a breath. There were likely ribs broken, and his left ankle had a sharp pain when he tried to put weight on it.
At least he was alive. The Shield trick somehow worked.
Instead of getting up right away, he laid back down and cast Regen on himself. The pain slowly went away as he felt his breathing ease over the next several seconds.
A loud thud on his left made him bolt upright, and he looked over to see John facing away from him on the ground. The dirt around him splintered from his weight, and he wasn’t moving.
“Shit!” Wyn said, and scrambled over to him. He immediately cast Regen on him before looking for any injuries. Fear took over and he was afraid John somehow started higher, or maybe his heavy armor made the force deadlier on the ground.
As the healing spell took effect on John, Wyn turned him over to inspect him. John was smiling and chuckling, though he looked off-putting as he bled from his mouth and nose. His breathing was ragged.
“Gods, John,” Wyn said, and slapped him on his metal pauldron. “Why are you smiling?”
“Because that was amazing!” John said, his breaths deepening and becoming more even. “I knew one of you would heal me. It would take more than that to kill us.”
“Hey,” Marcy said. “You two okay?”
Wyn looked around but didn’t see her. He didn’t see anyone else.
“Up here!”
Wyn looked up and saw Marcy flying as her cloak billowed behind her, Tasha floating beside her on luminescent wings made of white and yellow magical light, and Cedric gently falling as his robe billowed from the wind.
Lucy then crashed onto the pink dirt not far from John in a grunt and yell.
"Damnit!"
“I got her,” Tasha said, pointing her wand at Lucy. Her Herald mark appeared under her feet in the air as her wand briefly glowed with the familiar white light of healing magic. Lucy then similarly glowed in a white aura as she rolled on the ground and pushed herself to stand up.
“What in the actual fuck was that,” Lucy said, getting up to her hands and knees. She didn’t look seriously injured and her healing aura was already fading. Apparently hers and John's passive skill enhancements were enough to keep them relatively safe.
“I think it was a floor feature,” Cedric said. He stood on the ground and looked around. “I really hope groups have backup healers or enough fall prevention, or this is going to be a bad floor to enter.”
Wyn helped John stand and they all gathered themselves. The initial surprise of starting the floor in the air lingered, and Wyn could tell it was grating on Lucy the most. John loved the experience and didn’t seem to mind being hurt from it, but Wyn had a feeling he wouldn’t want to experience it too many times.
The area around them was clear and open, and it was obviously the same island they were on before. The difference was now they were on a higher cliff edge, and it was far more narrow and treacherous. Where the pink dirt road was wide before with excess plant life and area beyond the obvious path forward, this floor had a tall cliff edge to their left and a deep drop off to their right. Four people could comfortably walk side by side, but fighting any sort of monster would be difficult.
The cliff’s edge on their left wasn’t just tall, either. It was a height Wyn only saw eclipsed by the tower itself back in the city. Clouds covered most of it, though, making the sky invisible, and the cliff was at least six or seven stories high under the hazy clouds. There was no reason to climb up them and no point in even trying.
To the right, a similarly daunting view forced Wyn to keep from being too close to the cliff’s edge. There was a steep drop without any sort of secondary platform or ledge below them that Wyn could see, and more cloud cover below them shrouded whatever could be in the space underneath. The distance was far less than the taller cliff side, though.
A strange sense of claustrophobia enveloped Wyn, and he took some deep breaths to resettle himself on the path where they stood. Some more plant life and harmlessly floating creatures were still around them, but knowing they only had the singular path wedged between two sides was somehow frightening.
Apparently the others felt the same because they huddled together in the middle of the pink road after taking in the surroundings.
It would not be a fun floor.
After a few minutes of deliberation they decided to advance in a formation with Lucy and Marcy at front, Wyn and Tasha in the middle, and Cedric and John at the back. Marcy would be their scout and spotter while Lucy could safely confront threats, Wyn and Tasha were flexible and could move as needed, while John and Cedric could easily hold their own if the group was flanked.
Wyn pulled out his parchment as they started their walk.
Floor 3
Group: 6/6
Quest: As you explore further into the Island of Shifting Cliffs, the elevated heights hold dangers unseen from the lower lands. Riocks are commonly found flying from cliff to cliff, keeping to themselves while maintaining the local ecosystem. Something has changed their habits, though, and the other wildlife has taken notice and acted accordingly. Can you find what’s causing the Riocks to be so aggressive?
Wyn wondered what Alistair meant with this floor and its quest. It was far more of a direct continuation than the past seasons, though it was a nice change of pace. Whatever the quest meant by finding out why the Riocks was direct and obvious. Their boss would be some sort of Riock boss, likely a variation or champion-like version.
The group walked on, slow but steady. Marcy alerted them that monsters and traps both were around, and they stopped several times to check. Riocks were apparently flying in both the clouds above and below, and more Zalman-Dos climbed on the cliffs beside them and off the edge to their right.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Both types of monsters were bigger, faster, stronger, and overall just more of a challenge. They had improved elemental effects with actual elemental defenses, and stronger attacks that Wyn and Tasha needed to protect the group from with their barriers. It was still manageable, of course, being the third floor, but a slip up could mean a major setback for their progression.
It made sense that the monsters were harder for being the next floor, but there wasn’t much else variability with them. Both Cedric and Marcy said that happens during some seasons, where the progression with both the environment and monsters were more linear than sporadic like the couple of seasons before.
Wyn knew there would be a change at some point during this season. And he imagined it was going to a big one.
The traps Marcy found and helped to avoid were pit fall traps into a cloudy bottomless and a vine plant that ensnared and suffocated. Both seemed a bit harsh for the third floor to Wyn, but such was the tower. Danger was everywhere. First tier Climbers needed to be aware of such obstacles to avoid them, just like he did. Now, at least, they went past them without too much additional concern.
Eventually they forged their way to the dead end, or at least what they thought was one. Tasha wasn’t keeping as diligent notes due to the floor not traditionally being as difficult as the second floor, but she was confident they hadn’t missed any branching paths at that point.
As they stood around discussing it, a strong gust of air blew from what looked like an open-mouthed, wide but short porous yellow rock. The effect was so powerful it was visible, and it easily shot directly up into the air fifteen feet.
Wyn looked up and saw that the tall cliff to their side extended into another area of the island further ahead, though it was at least twenty feet below them and likely thirty feet past them. While the cliff extended that far there was a large gap past their dead end path that was just air. It would have been near impossible to try and climb the rock wall or jump the distance but there was clearly a wide and flat space with a familiar pink dirt road that looked very similar to the one where they stood.
The problem was that there was only air between the area where they group currently were and the area were it looked like they should go.
“Do you think we’re supposed to go over there?” Wyn asked, pointing to the space ahead.
Marcy focused ahead of them and nodded. “It looks right. But it’s too far to safely jump. And even if I could jump that far I wouldn’t risk it with the alternative outcome being falling to my eventual death.”
“Subtle,” Cedric said, carefully peering over the side to study the area.
“We could try and go back?” John said. “Maybe we missed some smaller path deeper into the cliff like a cave or grotto?”
“No,” Tasha said. “I’m pretty confident this was the only path to take.”
The geyser spewed its air again, catching them by surprise with the noise and rush of wind.
“Damnit!” Lucy said, kicking the rock. Nothing happened. “I hate that.”
Wyn thought about the geyser and the Reef Gliders they found on the last floor. From the description, they were used to catch air currents to be used to navigate the island. This was likely its use.
He pulled his out of his pack and it expanded to its normal size. The others just stared at him.
“I think we have to use these with that air geyser,” Wyn said. “Maybe it’ll catch the glider and we use them to cross?”
“Fuck that,” Lucy said. “You can fly up and away to your own death, but no way in any of the hells am I going to try that out.”
Wyn stepped forward and stood directly in front of the geyser with the glider over his head. After an agonizing minute, it activated and spewed its air. The moment it did, Wyn reached the glider out and over it so it could catch the wind.
The force yanked him up into the air as the glider’s gray aura shone brightly. Wyn held tight to the handle underneath with both hands as he felt himself lift ten, twenty, then thirty feet into the air.
When he stopped climbing, he began to slowly descend as though he was falling through syrup. He wasn’t sure how to navigate using a glider, but if he didn’t do anything he was just going to slowly fall back down to where he started. So, he tilted it forward and he began to fall forward.
The feeling was intensely satisfying. He never experienced anything quite like it. Then again, he never had tower magic to use at his disposal.
A sudden impulse to obtain an item to let him fly ran through him, but that would be something to look into for another day. For now, he needed to try and focus on not dying.
Steadily he glided forward with his special item using the air current from the geyser. He wondered if the amount was enough to carry him the distance needed, but as he crept forward slowly he realized it was more than enough. Soon he crossed the distance and hovered over the cleared, flat area. He then settled the glider to where he didn’t move in any direction and slowly floated down to the ground.
Wyn laughed. Despite the danger, gliding on the air was thrilling. A flying item might not be a bad idea at some point.
Lucy landed on the ground beside him and shrugged. “I drew the short straw next.”
Wyn looked back and saw the others floating in the air behind them, one after the other. Cedric seemed to be holding onto his glider just fine, and he was the only one of the group Wyn had concerns about. Seeing him use the item just as easily as the others gave him a sense of relief.
“Someone had to be the first one,” Wyn said.
“Mark of a true leader, I guess,” Lucy said. She took her glider and stored it in a small pouch on her belt, the item shrinking effortlessly. “I respect that.”
“I won’t be our leader for long. Everyone will get a chance to try it out. Even you.”
Lucy chuckled. “No thanks. They may want me to, but I’m no leader. I take orders like I’m supposed to and that’s that.”
Wyn wondered about something since Lucy joined with them, and it just crossed his mind to ask. “And whose orders, exactly, are you taking?”
Lucy sighed. “I think you know the answer to that, Wyn. Don’t push the issue.”
Wyn felt his anger returning to him. Lucy took orders from the Assembly, of course, but if they were her ultimate source of instructions what did it matter if she was in a guild? Maybe she would listen to Gregory or the other senior members but if she ignored them to follow the Assembly’s assignments it meant she wasn’t trustworthy.
And that was the exact situation he didn’t want out of his sixth teammate. Someone he didn’t trust.
Lucy put a hand on Wyn’s shoulder and spoke quietly. “I know what you’re thinking. I’m not going to betray the guild. I have orders to do the opposite, actually.”
Wyn relaxed at her response. “That’s… helpful. But only a little bit. Orders change.”
Lucy laughed. “I suppose they might. But coin is coin, and that rules the world.” She turned to the others landing around them and clapped her hands together. “How was the flight? I knew you all couldn’t wait to join us!”
Wyn thought about Lucy’s words. So she wouldn’t betray the guild. At least not now. Of course orders changed. They did all the time. What if they changed later to something far more sinister?
That was a situation he’d discuss with the others privately. A situation that needed some preparation just in case. And if they never used it, all would be fine. But then they would at least be ready.
The six Climbers kept on pace for the floor, swapping between avoiding traps and fighting the enhanced monsters. They found three other air geysers that needed to be used to continue advancing, and had no issues using their gliders. The elevation change was fascinating to Wyn, but then again the entire environment was otherworldly. He hoped the higher floors were equally as beautiful.
After an hour and half total on the floor, the six Climbers finally found the boss area. Instead of the familiar pink dirt it was multicolored grass of yellows, greens, blues, and reds. The portal was nestled beside a large tree where a massive Riock was perched. It dwarfed all of the other flying monsters on the floor by several times, easily being the size of two wagons stacked on top of each other.
The creature bellowed out a yell of defiance at the group before flapping its large wings, creating a wind storm that swayed the grass and forced the Climbers to cover their faces.
When it stopped, it was soaring down at them at an impressive speed with front legs that held talons the size of swords.
Wyn and Tasha both erected magical barriers to stop the Riock’s attack when it came too close, then they all unleashed their conjoined attacked. Cedric and Marcy pelted its wings with magic and arrows, preventing it from taking to the sky. The only two advantages it had were its size and its flying ability, while the Climbers had several more advantages. They had magic, intelligence, and a greater force of numbers.
It took just a few minutes of blasting the creature and striking it from below before it was dead. Where its body began to decay and disappear, a pile of items was left behind. Wyn could see there were coins, two potions, and an item he didn’t care to make out. There was a green aura around it, so it was less useful to them anyway. The only use it had was to be sold for coin.
The portal shifted to its clear state and Wyn was more than happy. They cleared the first three floors in a matter of hours on their first day, well ahead of their expected schedule. They gathered themselves and dropped items from the boss, returned to Alistair’s base, and then received their rewards for clearing the first three floors along with secondary quest on the second floor. Wyn made nearly 350 gold for the morning and a green item reward for the secondary quest. It was a pair of blue heavy metal boots that improved physical defense by a moderate amount and was the water element. Not the best, and not something Arabelle could use. Selling it was always an option.
Lunch came in the form of relaxing at the primary guild’s dining hall instead of their own guild house. It was too far of a trek back to just get food, and they wanted to climb right after anyway. They decided when they went back to their new home, it would be for the rest of the day. So they opted to climb as much as possible before then.
Wyn made the final decision. After lunch was the fourth floor, enjoying their spoils on the fifth floor, then repeating one of them for some extra coin. No one was upset about climbing so much, and Wyn was grateful. Making sure he had the coin needed to help pay off his debt and start saving for his and Arabelle’s future required working harder and climbing more.
This season, Wyn wanted the group to be pushed harder. They could take it. And frankly, they could use the challenge.
It was time to really put his training and abilities to the test.