“Who is destroying the Monster Portals?” Couzart wondered.

Miss Heng replied, “It limits the monsters from entering this floor, but it also prevents us from creating a Safe Zone.”

“Could it be the Cultists?” Dunar asked.

Rainia nodded. “It is something they have done on the Fourth Floor.”

“Has anyone seen signs of them on this floor?” Miss Heng asked.

The Amber Guard with the scarred face and deep voice answered, “No, but there are many places for them to hide.”

Jeze learned that his name was Kash. He had a lean build and favored light armor with metal plates sewn in that was similar to hers. At Kash’s hips was a wide-bladed curved sword and a wickedly pointed dagger that Jeze heard was called a stiletto. It was designed for thrusting, and fighters used it to stab in between the joints of heavy armor. Jeze felt that she had more knowledge of the Cultists.

“Their objective is to free the Fiendish Lord. They would be either at the Core Tunnels or looking for the Floor Portal,” she reminded the others.

Orn nodded at Jeze as he paced the chamber and asked, “If there are no Monster Portals, then why are there so many blasted undead?”

Couzart answered, “My theory is that the undead were already here. They are not working for the Fiends. Neither is the Lich.”

Jeze had a thought. “If that is true, then perhaps it was the Lich that destroyed the portals.”

“Why?” Dunar wondered.

Couzart clapped his hands. “I think Jeze is right! If the Lich is anything like the Frost Hag, he created this realm and was conquered by the Fiends. To escape their influence, he destroyed the Monster Portals.”

“But, in doing so, he had trapped himself as well,” Miss Heng stated.

“He hopes to get the Hold Core!” Jeze exclaimed, and then inwardly, she immediately regretted that. She had hoped to keep the attention off the blasted Hold Cores, but they are key to power for many people.

Couzart nodded. “When I fought him, I could tell he was at the edge of the Elite Rank. He was very strong. Perhaps the Hold Core will be enough to power him to Hero rank, and he could escape this prison.”

“If that is the case, then why has he not taken the Hold Core yet?” Dunar wondered.

Miss Heng ran a hand through her dark hair. “It’s because it is too risky to advance from Elite to Hero if one is not prepared. He was waiting until he felt he was strong enough.”

Jeze added, “And so he destroyed the Monster Portals and most likely killed the Demons that were here to hide his intentions.”

Orn nodded, his blue eyes sparkling. “That adds up. I wager our arriving and killing his Corpse Eaters has set his plans back a bit, aye?”” he said.

Jorgenson grinned widely. “Serve that dead bastard right,” the Carl growled.

Couzart tapped his chin and asked, “What would be the Lich’s next move then?”

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“To risk consuming the Hold Core?” Jeze suggested.

Couzart nodded and said, “Then we must act fast in order to stop him.”

“What would happen to us if he was successful? Would we be trapped here?” The scarred Amber Guard asked.

Jeze shook her head. “The portals would shut down, but so would the magical defenses, and a stairwell would lead us to the next floor.”

Kash scoffed and asked, “How does a child know so much?”

Jeze scowled at the man. “I am Adventurer ranked.”

“She is also remarkable and an instrumental member of the Guild,” Miss Heng answered.

Jeze was shocked.

“But she lacks modesty and manners,” Miss Heng added.

Jeze was no longer shocked. That last comment was more in line with Miss Heng’s attitude. Kash chuckled but said no more. Dunar failed at suppressing a laugh, and Jeze glared at him. The Proven Leader winked at her.

“It is settled. We head to the Core Tunnels,” Couzart said. Jeze worried that the Elite was only interested in the Hold Core, but she didn’t see any other option.

“Do we think we have enough strength?” Jeze wondered.

Miss Heng shook her head. “We have no choice. We can not waste another minute searching for more Guild Members. We can not allow the Lich to advance to Hero Rank.”

“I am in agreement,” Couzart stated, and he turned to the scarred Amber Guard. “Tell us about the Vampires.”

“They are numerous and armed. The ones we encountered were savage, but that does not mean there is an intelligent one among them,” the man answered.

“Do you suppose they are working with the Lich to guard the Core Tunnels?” Orn suggested.

“What would they gain from that?” Miss Heng asked.

“Power?” Jeze suggested.

“Vampires are greedy and can be quite clever. But it is possible that the Lich has made a deal with them,” Couzart stated and added, “For now, let us assume that they are working together.”

Jeze had a thought. “There are two teams that are also able to find the Core Tunnels.”

Miss Heng nodded. “The Iron Fist Team and another Amber Guard unit. They are both Safe Zone Squads and possess the knowledge about the Hold Core.”

Couzart’s yellow eyes narrowed. “The Ironfist Team? Did Manfeld come through the portal as well?”

Jeze recalled that Manfeld was the Ironfist Kingdom Elite. Miss Heng shook her head.

“He did not seem interested, but it is possible he might have entered after us,” she replied.

“Another Elite would help our cause,” Dunar said.

“I wouldn’t wager on that,” Couzart growled.

This surprised the others.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Jeze asked.

The Elite waved his hand as if he could brush away the topic. The scarred Amber Guard chuckled and studied Jeze. That made her uncomfortable and then angry. She glared back at him. Kash only chuckled more.

“Lady Kalina with the team?” Couzart asked.

Miss Heng nodded.

“Good,” Couzart said and added, “She is very capable. If they didn’t link up with us after the Spirit Walker’s beacon, then they are either dead or heading toward the Core Tunnels.”

Jeze worried for her friends, but was also surprised at how callous Couzart was. He was an Elite afterall. How much death and loss did he experience in his many years of adventuring? It is the life we live, Jeze reflected.

Orn asked, “Do we head toward the Monolith? Jeze here has a way to find the Core Tunnels.”

“That seems to be the most logical course of action,” Miss Heng replied.

“My team can show you the path we took,” Kash offered.

Orn clapped his hands loudly. “We have a good plan. Let us go find our glory!”

“Hurrah!” Jorgenson and Dunar cried.

Jeze cheered along with them, but inwardly, she was concerned. She had a bad feeling about what was to come next. There were too many unknowns and unanswered questions. Worst of all, they had no choice but to act now. Time worked against them. Val and Drake were out there and Jeze knew that they moved closer to freeing the Fiendish Lord. On top of that, the Lich Lev Shubyaton was in the mix. What would happen if he achieved Hero rank? Would he be another villain that would threaten the safety of their realm? Jeze shook those doubts from her mind. She and her team were strong and determined. They would succeed!