The trip didn't have any more surprises, after making 5 turnes and althogether marching for 20 minutes the group finally saw glimps of light piercing stone walls of the cave - the Guiding Lantern. After an hour they reached a wooden barricade stopping them from advancing, but for some reason it was completely abandonded. Only the shining Lantern suggested that humans were still around as it had to be fueled every day or the light would dissapear. They climbed up the wall and resumed their march trying to understand what was going on. It didn't take them long before they reached the outskirts of the city.

Contrary to its name it resembled an army camp more than a city. Arath recognized this place - he would often come here to listen to stories about professional Cave Lurkers watch mercenaries and their daily training to learn their ways follow along with their routine. Sometimes he would be invited to join as a sparring partner for new, weak members and after 4 years he was quite a famous person among the mercenaries. Strong enough, but too young to join he received many invitations saying that once he came of age he would be welcome in their ranks. Every time he would refuse saying his goal was to become a laborer working with summoned Heroes, but as he grew up he changed his goal to being a scout. Both were allowed to go to higher levels of The Tower as a mean of support for Heroes, the difference was that the former was cannon fodder made up of over enthusiastic youth while the latter worked independently. The Scouts were mercenaries or just generally people who wanted to make a name for themselves. Of course the danger was accordingly bigger and many died before even having time to reconsider their decisions.

As they walked between different companies' tents and training camps Arath became uneasy.

"Where is everyone? We have not seen a single soul since we arrived." Anga asked the same question that arose in his mind.

"Maybe they all died or something" Clara said sarcastically, yet that was exactly what everyone was thinking.

"No one in their right mind would leave all their properties just like that. This place is their whole lives. Something must have happened." Arath was checking one tent after another searhing for a clue.

"So.. no.. it's impossible. They all...died?" Anga was scared just thinking about it. Her life wasn't easy and others treated her like garbage, yet thanks to her grandmother who raised her and now Clara's mental support she was still naive. She was only 12 after all. Arath had no idea what such a young girl was doing as a slave in a bandit's camp and he dared not to guess.

"It's impossible, they couldn't just dissapear. The only rational option is they went somewhere, but where could they all go, without leaving any guard behind?" The boy wondered when something came to his mind.

"The ritual!" They all exclaimed simultaneously.

"No way, it was supposed to take place on the first day of next year! There is still over a month left! Right?" He quickly went inside one of the tents to check the calendar. 'Oh shit. It really is the day of the ritual. But how is that possible? When I left the city there was still a lot of time left. Is it possible I spent a whole month in there?' He barged out of the tent shocked.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"So, what did you find out?" The girls asked curious about the situation.

"It really is the day of ritual and since Clara heard the bells ringing for noon about 3housr we really don't have time for sitting here. We have to hurry up if we want to make it in time to see the summoning."

"I don't really care. I mean I could just rob these guys and nobody would ever know it was me. And the ritual? Whor cares, they won't succed anyway. Heroes my ass." Clara clearly didn't hold the otherworlders in high regard. The spit at the end of last sentence cleared any doubt about it.

"Maybe. But I care. After all these guys will be my co-workers for a whole year."

"Wait, you want to work your ass off carrying their bags and wiping their butholes? We don't know each other for long, but I thought you had enough brains to know better."

"I know, I know. That's why a want to be a Scout. Sure it's demanding and I could die every day, but that's exactly what I do for a living now. At least there I would get better loot, if I get lucky maybe I will advance my magic to the next level."|

"Pipe dream, nothing more. You will die on the first day but I guess that's your life. For now let's go or you will get late. Just give me a minute I can't leave such opportunities by, these fellows left nice things behind." Clara said reaching for some valuables she found on a cupboard."

"Clara, don't, why do you think they left it uprotected? On the day of ritual the punishment for even the smallest crime is death. And on this day only the Council's Constables are free to hire. You haven't met them, they will find you anywhere." Arath said while very unpleaasnt memories flooded his mind.

"Fine, fine, whatever"

As they were entering more inner parts of the city they confirmed their theory. The city was completely abandoned almost like a ghost time, but the closer they got to Central District the more noise they could hear. After the silence that they got used to in the caves this was a very unpleasant change. After finally reaching one of the main streets they noticed a crowd with colorful flags waving in the air and occasional cheerful uproar. Every single citizen was obliged to witness the Ritual so not only could they hear and see the crowd they could also smell it.

The smell of tens of thousands of people all gathered in one place. Most of them were from the lower class so it was considered a miracle if they could bathe twice a month. This overwhelming amount of people all living a one cave system was the reasin why The Council had no problem with sending some part of the population to clear higher floors of The Tower alongside Heroes often with no hope of ever coming back. There was not enough food in the caves to feed the whole city so they heavily relied on resources from upper floors. The only problem was that they had access to it only for 2 years every 6 years.

Every once in a while a fight would break out in the crowd but The Council's mages - The Order of Seven Heavens - never let it last for long brutally "calming down" the troublemakers. Just when Arath was getting annoyed by the long wait the bell started ringing. After it rang for the fourteenth time a represenant of The Council walked out from the city hall and climbed up a big pedestal right in front of the giant building.

"Welcome dear Citizens. As we all know another cycle approaches and the time to summon heroes has come. Let us all witness the power of the Summoning Magic - legacy left behind by the greatest mage this world has ever given birth to - and begin the ritual. The two hundred people that shall be summoned onto this plane, hear me out and answer my call for without you we have no hope!"