"Where the hell are we?" Drake spat.

The four of them exited Val's rift onto a red landscape that was hot and dusty. For as far as their eyes could see, there was nothing but rolling red sand hills, dark onyx rocks, and twisted trees made out of glass. Ozun chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Drake growled.

Ozun shook his head and replied, "Fool! You answered your own question."

Val dusted her robes off. She was thin and pale, but the rage behind her hollow eyes was fierce.

"We must go," she ordered.

"Hold on a minute! I'm not going anywhere until you explain to us what we are doing!" Drake snapped.

Val glanced once over her shoulder and shrugged. "Suit yourself," she said and continued to walk.

Web followed her. That left Ozun and Drake by themselves. The braided-haired sword fighter clapped his hands together and laughed.

"What are you about?" Drake demanded.

"This place! One could go stronger here! Don't you see? We have an opportunity to truly test ourselves!" Ozun replied and hurried after Val and Web.

From further away, Val answered, "Fools! There is nothing but death and misery here."

"You have traveled here before?" Ozun asked.

Drake shook his head and chased after his departing team.

"Yes," Val answered.

Ozun grinned widely. "And you look at you now! A formidable Rune caster in control of the Rift aspect. We will grow strong here. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it!"

"You are insane, you know that?" Drake muttered.

Val led them through jagged hills and across the scorching wasteland. They were beset upon a few times by the hostile denizens that inhabited the area. This included a pack of Bloodlings and a solitary Goreraptor. The experienced adventurers were able to handle those situations with relative ease.

"I, for one, love it here!" Ozun exclaimed. He was chewing on Bloodling jerky they had made from their last encounter.

Drake shook his head. "Where are you taking us?"

Val answered, "To find a fifth teammate."

"Why?" Drake asked.

Val paused to catch her breath. She coughed up blood. When she was composed, she answered, "I'm not sure if you noticed, but we are four now."

"I know that! Wait, you still intend to go back into the Spire?" Drake asked.

Web spoke for the first time, "Duh, isn't that obvious?"

Drake glared at the Rune caster and said, "I ask again. Why?"

Val inhaled deeply and rubbed her temples before she answered, "The Fiendish Lord remains trapped on the tenth floor. Anyone who is able to free him will be granted tremendous power."

"I like that!" Ozun exclaimed.

Drake narrowed his eyes, and he deducted, "You have been here before?"

Val shook her head and continued to walk. "We don't have time for this."

"Of course she has! I knew it was a good idea to join you," Ozun said to Val.

They crested a rocky hill that opened up to a wide valley. In the distance, they could make out a tent city. Music and the smell of strange spices floated toward them through the air like a winter wind. Val took another moment to catch her breath. She turned toward them.

"Do not touch anything! Do not speak to anyone! Follow my lead, do you understand?" Val asked.

Ozun and Web nodded. Drake asked a question.

"What is this place?"

"Do you understand? I will not ask again," Val stated.

Drake nodded.

Val replied, "Good, this is the Wayfarer Market. It has many names and it is home to powerful beings."

"I like it already!" Ozun exclaimed.

The four traversed the wide plain and entered the market. Their eyes went wide with wonder at all that they saw. They walked amongst beings large and small, gentle and terrifying. Val led them to an enormous and opulent tent. When they entered, it was as if they had gone through a portal into another dimension. Outside was dusty and filled with market stalls and the press of bodies. Inside appeared as the most luxurious of taverns. Wooden floors, mahogany tables. Gentle music mixed in with hundreds of quiet conversations floated to their ears. Val led them to the bar, where a female Fiend leaned against the mahogany wood and sipped a clear glass.

"You have returned to take me up on my offer?" The coal-black-skinned Demon asked.

She had a feminine face and body with flame-colored eyes and matching red hair that fell to her shoulders. Two curved horns protruded from her forehead, and a sneer played along her lips that showed the hint of fangs underneath. Her bat-like wings were draped over her shoulders like a cape. She wore light, dark armor made out of blackened ringmail. A sheathed two-handed sword wrested on the counter within easy reach from her.

"I have," Val replied.

The Demoness grinned.

"Who is this?" Drake asked.

The Fiend looked him up and down with a sneer.

"Team, I want to introduce you to our fifth member, Sindred," Val said.

Sindred bowed slightly to them. Ozun's grin widened.

"This is going to be fun!" He exclaimed.

*****

Lev slumped over the corpse of the Greater Fiend. The Demon finally succumbed to his necrotic poison.

"That was not pleasant," the Lich rasped.

The fight took its toll on the undead sorcerer. The lower half of his body was gone, and he only had one arm. Lev used that remaining limb to pull himself on top of the deceased Demon. The fight had taken all of his attention, and now that it was over, the Lich was able to take in his surroundings. The necropolis that he built was slowly fading away. He knew that was going to happen, even when he created the pocket dimension over a hundred years ago. The incorporation into the Stronghold had stabilized the area, but it also made him a prisoner. Lev chuckled.

"I suppose I'm still a prisoner," he acknowledged.

Lev should have escaped through the Portal back into the material realm when he had the chance, but he gambled that he could get the Hold Core. All these centuries, he had worked to build up to this moment, to prepare his Spirit for accession into the Hero rank. Lev laughed when he recalled the arrogance of Couzart. The Elite adventurer felt he could transcend to the next rank and paid the ultimate price for failure.

Lev designed this realm to trick lost souls into believing they could achieve immortality. They came to the necropolis as undead, and he fed upon them for hundreds of years. Now, he was ready and needed the Hold Core to push him over to the next level. What torture he endured! To be so close to his salvation, but for it to be out of reach. Yet, a young girl knew the proper Rune chains to free the Hold Core. Lev laughed out loud at the irony of it all. In the end, everything is foolish, he reflected.

All around the Lich, the stronger undead that were able to remain hunted each other for survival. Their last futile attempts to exist before they, too, disappeared into oblivion. A few of them started to gather around him and the Greater Fiend's corpse.

"Vampires," Lev observed.

But, the Lich was reminded that perhaps all was not lost. He did have the corpse of a Greater Fiend. He knew this Fiend with the One Eye. The story of Azsith was known far and wide. Lev was fortunate that the Demon's power was diminished along with his eye. That explained why the Demon was so crude and simple in its thinking. But Azsith's heart could serve a purpose. There is a way for Lev to achieve Hero rank, after all! It was true that Lev needed a few more items, but he did have a path. Except, the vampires also wanted to feed off the dead Fiend, and Lev's current body was in no condition to fight them off. Lev departed the form, and it crumbled to dust.

Moments later, the Lich returned in a new form with a flowing purple robe. He shooed away the pack of Vampires that were feasting on the corpse, and he floated down to it.

"Yes, the heart is still intact!" Lev exclaimed.

The Lich had gathered his remaining phylacteries and held the pile of gems in his robe. During his travels, he noticed the Floor portal to the next level and the Safe Zone that the adventurers were establishing. The Guild still intended to climb to the higher levels of the Spire, Lev reflected. His pale, gaunt lips pulled back into a grin. The Portal was most likely created by his new pawn. His decision already paid off! But there was a problem. The Portal was guarded on this end by a team of adventurers. It was also most likely guarded on the other side as well. Lev's gaze fell upon the sulking Vampires. They, like him, were ambitious and wanted to survive.

"Hmm," Lev thought out loud to himself, "Perhaps we can be of use to each other."

*****

"Why do I feel like I'm on glorified guard duty?" Swordslayer grumbled.

He and his team were assigned to protect the Safe Zone, and the only exit portal to the Material Realm on the fifth floor.

Aaron patted the sword fighter on the back and said, "Welcome to the Amber Guard, brother."

Rainbow rolled her eyes and returned to make sure the Portal didn't collapse and that it had enough power to remain active. Among them was Kash and his team.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"I like to tell myself that we are entrusted with a very important responsibility. Think about it, this here is the only connection to the material realm and the sixth floor. So, my talents are properly utilized," the duelist said. He was sitting on a stone with his legs propped up.

Tara growled, "Yeah, you look like you are working really hard."

"Why was everyone else able to go back?" Swordslayer whined.

Aaron grinned and repeated, "Welcome to the Amber Guard."

Swordslayer scowled and said, "I could be using this time for training and sharpening my skills!" He paced back and forth.

Aaron shrugged and joined Kash by the stone. "I don't want to jinx this, but this is a good time to take a break, am I right? I mean, we have been running ragged for weeks. We get paid either way. So I say don't argue against easy money."

At that moment a swarm of Vampires charged their location. Kash and Aaron quickly jumped to their feet. Tara readied her polearm.

"You had to jinx it," she growled at Aaron.

*****

The ten Amber Guards that guarded the Portal were very effective against the Vampires. Lev was worried that he would not be able to sneak past them unnoticed. He preferred that no one knew he was on the Material Plane. It would be very inconvenient otherwise. But the stupid Vampires could not even create an opening for him to slip through! What to do? He pondered and the decision was taken from him as reinforcements started to arrive! Lev rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Curses!" Lev spat and rolled up his purple-robed sleeves. "If you want something done, you best do it yourself," he added.

*****

"This is more like it!" Swordslayer exclaimed.

The sword fighter danced and twirled among the attacking Vampires, and he left a trail of blood, cries, and severed limbs.

"Has he ever fought in formation?" Aaron asked.

"Are you mad? The way he swings those two blades around? I wouldn't want to be next to him," Tara muttered.

"Hey, I fight with two blades," Kash pointed out.

"Yeah, one of them is a knife. That does not count," Aaron pointed out.

"I don't want to fight next to you either," Tara muttered.

"That's hurtful," Kash replied as he parried aside a rusty sword with his stiletto and removed the attacking Vampire's head with his sword.

Rainbow Summoned and Shaped Vines that entangled a group of three Vampires. She squeezed her hands into fists, and large thorns erupted from the vines to impale the squirming undead. Their flesh withered and rotted from the magical toxins. Rainbow looked up and saw a crashing wave of a dark purple fog that was streaked with red lightning.

"Watch out!" She cried.

The rumbling fog engulfed all of them and Rainbow immediately recognized that the spell was a combination of the Darkness and Affliction aspects. Pain gripped her body as madness was inflicted upon the others. Each curse was different and so powerful that even Rainbow's incredible Will could not resist it. She fell to the ground as her body was wracked with agony. A lone figure floated past her and through the Portal.

*****

On the other side of the Portal, Irvin was organizing the defense of the encampment. He coordinated with the Golden Empire Legionnaires as well as the Iron Fist Kingdom soldiers. Teams of Initiate Ranked adventurers also joined them in the defense of the realm. The last they heard was that the Safe Zone was under attack by Vampires. Only Adventurer-ranked or higher were allowed to go through the Portal to assist. Irvin waited and ensured the defenses were in place. He was not prepared for what came out of the Portal.

A billowing thick black fog erupted outwards. It was speckled with red lightning, and whomever the fog touched it inflicted madness. Irvin watched with horror from the back ranks as soldiers went insane and attacked one another. This unknown enemy didn't need an army! This dark spell caused the soldiers to turn on each other. Lady Kalina appeared by his side.

"He's here," she growled.

"Who?" Irvin asked. His jaw was still open with shock.

"The Lich," Kalina replied, and in a blur, she was gone.

*****

Lev enjoyed watching the soldiers, legionnaires, and lower-ranked adventurers turn on each other. A part of him knew that he should make haste to depart, but he had forgotten what it was like to be so powerful! Most of the people here are little better than sheep, he reflected and laughed. A dark figure approached him, undeterred by his curse magic. He recognized her immediately.

"Ahh, so you accepted my gift. Believe it or not, I am glad," the Lich said.

In a blur of speed, Lady Kalina attacked with her sword, but the blade sparked against a force shield. Lev sneered at her.

"We shall meet again, I promise," he said.

The Lich flicked his wrist, and Lady Kalina was shoved back. She quickly recovered, but Lev had flown away.

*****

"To arms! We are needed at the Portal!" Dunar cried.

The Proven quickly grabbed their weapons and rushed out of their camp toward the only Portal that led to the Fifth floor. Miss Heng grabbed Jeze by the wrist. Her teammates ran off ahead. From where they were they could hear the sounds of panic and fighting.

"What are you doing?" Jeze demanded.

"Let them go. You are to come with me," Miss Heng said.

“No!” Jeze broke free.

Miss Heng sighed and she said in a voice that was just above a whisper, "I know you have the Hold Core."

"I," Jeze stuttered, "I don't know what you are talking about."

Miss Heng smiled gently. To Jeze, it was odd to see that on her normally stern face.

"You are like my daughter. So stubborn, but also very honest."

That statement caught Jeze off guard, and her body relaxed like an emptied waterskin. "You have a daughter?" She asked.

"Does that surprise you? I also have a son," Miss Heng replied.

Jeze rubbed her face and shook her head. "We don't have time for this."

"True, but you must come with me," Miss Heng stated.

Jeze snarled, "Why? You can't tell me what to do."

Miss Heng's face relaxed. To Jeze, it almost looked sad. "You are the one who decided to take on the burden of guarding the Hold Core. It is a heavy responsibility, and you are clever. I would even say that you are capable. But, you are not ready."

"So what? You want it? Huh?" Jeze asked.

"No, that is your burden. But, I could train you to be able to bear it," Miss Heng replied.

Jeze turned to look where her team had gone. She could still hear the screams and fighting. Others rushed past them to join in the defense of the encampment.

"What of the Proven?" Jeze asked, her voice soft.

"You do not need me to tell you what you already know. You saw how Orn acted when he suspected you had the Core. You know your teammates would follow him to the ends of the earth," Miss Heng replied and added, "I'm sorry."

Jeze fell to her knees and sobbed so hard that her chest heaved. The burden and stress of holding the Core had finally hit her after two days of pretending otherwise. The memories of Couzart dying and Ziplocke's betrayal hung within her heart like heavy stones.

"Where will we go?" Jeze asked.

"I know a place far away, out of the reach of the Elites and those that would seek out the Hold Core," Miss Heng replied.

"I don't want this burden."

Miss Heng smiled. "I know you, Jeze. You want to challenge yourself, and this is a burden and an opportunity for you to grow stronger. Plus, you will not be alone."

"I wouldn't count you as good company," Jeze muttered.

Miss Heng scowled. "Not just me. The Spirit Walkers are with me on this."

Jeze glanced up.

"Yes, they are waiting for us. We do not have much time," Miss Heng insisted.

Jeze looked one more time to where her teammates had gone. Mikal, Helga, Rolfe, and Dunar. She trained with them, fought with them, and bled with them. They were like family to her. But what Orn wanted to do with the Hold Core was not the right thing. Jeze knew that in her heart. She also knew that the Proven would follow Orn, and to protect them from having to make a terrible choice, Jeze decided to go with Miss Heng.

*****

"I could never grow bored of watching this dumb human fall from the sky," Graul said.

Leandria snickered and wondered, "Were we this clumsy when we became Greater Goblins?"

"You two were worse!" Ziplocke shrieked.

Daverius rose from the ground and dusted himself off. He was in the valley where Modok's castle rested that was surrounded by jagged rocky mountains. The Goblins were coaching him on how to use his Elite ranked powers.

"You did good that time!" Ziplocke called out and gave the Human a thumbs up.

Graul chuckled. "That's brilliant! Keep encouraging him!"

Leandria shouted, "Remember, your powers come from your Spirit. It is a combination of your Will and your muscles. You have to keep training it like you did the other two. So, go again!"

Daverius glared at the Goblins and then he steadied himself. He stood before a flat cliff face where at the very top, many meters above the ground, was a flag that he was to get.

"How far do you think he will go this time?" Graul asked.

Leandria tapped her chin. "Hmm, I say halfway."

"Halfway? He made it halfway last time. I say he makes it three-quarters of the way," Graul replied.

"Want to bet?" Leandria asked.

"I say he makes it to the top. I can feel it," Ziplocke added.

Graul and Leandria looked at him and started laughing.

"Care to bet?" Graul asked.

"What are the terms?" Ziplocke replied.

"If we win, you have to call me Your Ladyship," Leandria said and she blinked her eyes.

Graul chuckled, "And you will call me Your Lordship."

"So if I win, you two will have to listen to me," Ziplocke added.

Graul and Leandria both winced.

"That's a tough one. I'm out," Graul said.

Leandria tapped her chin, and finally, she agreed. "I'm out too."

Daverius jumped and scaled the sheer flat rock face. He channeled his Elite powers to provide bursts of speed and strength that allowed him to kick off the wall and shoot himself higher and higher until his energy ran out.

"Ahhhhh!" He screamed as he fell to the hard floor below.

"Shoot! I should have betted," Leandria cried.

Ziplocke and Graul snickered at the look on her face.

"Too bad!" Ziplocke exclaimed.

Graul scratched his bald head and said, "Well, I'm bored."

"Me too," Leandria added.

"Want to head inside and mess with the Lesser Goblins?" Graul suggested.

"Yes!" Leandria exclaimed.

"Are you coming?" Graul asked Ziplocke.

The Goblin Lord shook his head. "No, I'm going to continue to train the Human. One of us has to be serious if we ever want to reclaim the Stronghold."

Leandria rolled her green eyes, and Graul snorted. The two Greater Goblins departed. Daverius came over to Ziplocke. His long hair fell down the sides of his face, and he was covered in sweat and dust. The Human used Rune magic to purify the water in a bowl, and he drank from it.

"What? Taking a break so soon? Get back to work!" Ziplocke ordered.

Daverius glanced at the Goblin and asked, "I overheard the other two mention that you have a Hold Core."

"Yea? What of it?" Ziplocke replied.

In a burst of tremendous speed, Daverius drew his sword and swung it at Ziplocke. The Goblin Lord moved even faster and dodged the attack. His eyes flared red, and fire erupted from his body and arms. But Daverius was returning his sword to its sheath.

"I figured as much," the Human said.

"Are you mad? I should kill you for that!" Ziplocke cried.

"I have no doubt you could. But you need me like you need the others," Daverius said.

Ziplocke narrowed his eyes.

"What I don't get is why the act?" Daverius wondered.

Ziplocke sighed and sat down next to the Human. "I should have lied about the Hold Core."

Daverius shrugged. "Wouldn't matter. I would have figured it out sooner or later. Your colleagues are not the most subtle."

Ziplocke snickered and said, "You and your sister are a lot of like."

Daverius smiled gently at the Goblin Lord. "The fact that you know her is why I have not left yet. But, speak to me truthfully. What are your real goals?"

"I have never lied. I plan to put us Goblins back as the rulers of the Abyssal plane!" Ziplocke exclaimed.

Daverius nodded and replied, "Yea, but you are hiding something. Why else would you act the fool?"

Ziplocke gasped. "Hey! I take offense!"

Daverius crossed his arms. "I just witnessed your true power."

Ziplocke scowled, and he answered, "I want to kill the Fiendish Lord."

"And? What else?" Daverius asked.

"That is all you need to know," Ziplocke replied. His voice lacked all humor.

Daverius studied Ziplocke for a moment and then shrugged. "That's fair. I'll find out your motives in due time. So, when do we head back to the Stronghold?"

Ziplocke's eyes narrowed, and his lips pulled back into a grin. "Soon, and afterward, we will spend some time in the Material Plane."

"What?" Daverius asked.

"Huh? Nothing," Ziplocke replied.

"You said something about the Material Plane," Daverius pointed out.

"No, I didn't. Your falls must have knocked something loose in your head, knucklehead!" Ziplocke snapped.

The Goblin Lord muttered to himself and loped away. Daverius shook his head and sighed. He hoped what he heard was true and that it would be good to return home.