Silence lingered on the party channel for a couple of minutes, creating a tension that seemed almost palpable. Then, Fi-Fi’s childlike voice pierced through the silence. “How much do you know about the hidden path?”

“Only about its existence,” Scott responded. “I’ll find out more before I leave.”

“No need,” Orion interjected abruptly. “I didn’t mention it at the time, because we had a lot going on, but one of my clones accidentally strayed from the path of chains—”

“You’re only mentioning this now?” Slim interrupted, sighing heavily.

Orion giggled softly, continuing, “It happened months ago, and none of you were in the right frame of mind to listen. Plus, I had little data about the place, so it didn’t seem worth mentioning.”

“How about now?” Zara chimed in; her curiosity piqued.

“Well, based on what Scott said, it’s likely the path I discovered was the hidden path he mentioned.” Orion paused, his tone growing somber. “Whatever is in there is undeniably powerful, even more so than those titans. My clones lasted only a minute or two before dying, but the scary thing is that I can’t recall anything about the creature.”

Silence enveloped the channel once more, but Scott quickly broke it. “How confident are you about finding it again?”

“99.9% confident,” Orion replied with a soft giggle. “Not remembering the creature’s identity doesn’t mean I won’t find it again.”

“All right. I’ll ask the substitutes for any information on the creature. The more we know, the better our odds of getting past it,” Scott said, determination evident in his voice.

“I agree,” Zara and the rest of the crew muttered in unison.

“So, are we all in agreement with Ember joining us?” Zara asked, shifting the topic.

One by one, the champions expressed their opinions. Scott and Slim agreed, while Orion and Fi-Fi had no strong feelings about the dragonkin, simply going along with the majority decision.

“Even if Ember joins us, we still need four more members,” Orion suddenly said. “If you guys don’t have anyone in mind, I have a suggestion.”

Silence followed Orion’s words, a tacit acceptance of his proposal. The mage chuckled again as he continued, “I’ve met some interesting people here, and I’d like to recommend them to join us.”

“What kind of people are they?” Slim asked, his curiosity evident in his tone.

Anyone who could capture the interest of a data-obsessed mage was far from ordinary. Adding to the intrigue, whoever they were, they were rank 1s as well.

“Trust me, you’re going to love them,” the mage said, his voice tinged with excitement. “Although, I should mention they belong to a rather infamous faction.”

“What faction?” Zara asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Frăția Morții,” Orion answered without hesitation.

Scott frowned, trying to recall where he had heard the name before. It sounded familiar, yet he knew little about them.

“Who approached whom?” Scott asked after a moment's thought.

“I approached them,” Orion said. “They’re in a situation similar to ours. Their companions decided not to continue the partnership,” he explained.

Slim cut in, “Why did you recommend them? I know we’re not in a position to be picky about new members, but we need to be cautious, especially with the bounties on our heads.”

Orion chuckled. “It’s like you read my mind. That’s exactly why I’m recommending them. One of them is a specialist in disguises. She can change our appearances temporarily,” Orion explained.

“What kind of faction is Frăția Morții?” Scott asked suddenly.

“They’re quite secretive,” Orion said, whispering as if sharing a clandestine piece of information. “Not much is known about them, but a few facts are clear. They boast one of the most fearsome archery armies in the tower. All their members are vampires without exception, and they only recruit females, regardless of race.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Slim interjected. “Are you saying other races can be vampires too?”

“Isn’t that common knowledge?” Zara shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

“No,” Slim admitted. “I always thought vampires were a race of their own, hating all others. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been mocked by those long-toothed racists,” he grumbled.

“It’s a common theme among the ancient ones,” Orion said, still chuckling. “They don’t take kindly to other races.”

“Will those three be a concern?” Fi-Fi asked, her voice tinged with worry.

“Not at all. They’re desperate, so they’ll be on their best behavior,” Orion assured, his voice echoing his confidence.

“Now that I think about it,” Zara mused, “Lysa is a vampire, but she’s affiliated with the Blood Cult instead of Frăția Morții. I’ve heard there are others like her in the cult. Isn’t that strange?”

"Not at all. I’m one hundred percent sure they were mostly spies," Orion said, his voice steady with conviction. "It's likely why Lysa chose not to continue our partnership. Word about the Blood Cult’s fall must have reached her, and she's probably been summoned back to their headquarters."

"That makes a lot of sense," Slim replied. "Shouldn't we be worried? We can't predict what she'll say when she gets there."

"It doesn't matter," Scott interjected, his tone resolute. "Whatever anyone says or thinks about us is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is getting out of this labyrinth. Everything else is secondary, especially when it’s beyond our control."

"Orion, will they be useful?" Scott asked, his voice firm.

"Most definitely," Orion confirmed without hesitation.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Then nothing else matters. We'll use them to our advantage until they're no longer needed," Scott declared, his gaze unwavering.

Orion chuckled softly. "Something about you has changed, and I like it. I totally agree."

"Fi-Fi agrees too," Fi-Fi chimed in.

"Same here," Zara added.

"I can't be the odd one out, so I agree too," Slim said. "When do we start moving?"

"Make your preparations. I'll let you know when I've sourced the relevant information about the hidden path," Scott advised.

"Fine by me. I'll keep you guys posted if there's anything else," Slim said.

One by one, the champions bid each other farewell, their voices fading into silence.

"Orion, where is your main body now?" Scott whispered on a private channel.

"We're still a considerable distance from your location. The journey has been fraught with delays, but these Wutas are incredibly resilient and resourceful. I'd love to take them apart to see what makes them tick," Orion replied, his voice retaining its characteristic cheerfulness.

"And the Brotherhood of the Yellow Sign?" Scott asked suddenly.

"They're on their way too. Everything is set, but our adversaries aren't idle either. You and I are probably the only ones among the regular champions who understand the magnitude of what's coming. I can't wait..." Orion's chuckle was eerie as his voice faded.

Scott raised his head, his eyes lingering on the luxurious chandelier illuminating the room. "Yeah, it should be fun," he muttered, a thin smile curling his lips.

A knock echoed through the room, breaking the silence. Scott remained seated; his gaze fixed on the door with a calm detachment. Seconds ticked by before the gentle knock came again. Still, Scott did not move, waiting through another patient interval until a third knock sounded, more insistent this time.

With a measured grace, Scott rose from his chair and approached the door. Before his hand could touch the handle, it swung open on its own.

“I had a hunch it was you,” Scott said, a thin smile curving his lips. “How did you get here so quickly?” he asked, his eyes locking onto Ember.

The dragonkin’s eyes widened, unable to hide her surprise as she took in the sight of Scott’s unmasked face. Her gaze lingered on his face, tracing the lines of weariness etched there.

She stepped closer, her hand reaching out to caress his cheek, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’ve suffered so much,” she murmured, her fingers trailing to the back of his neck.

Without another word, she pulled him into a gentle embrace, her hand moving in soothing circles on his back. “Your scent completely disappeared. I was so worried,” she whispered, her voice tender and warm.

Scott stood still, enveloped in her comforting presence. The sweet fragrance of her hair filled his senses, and a gentle warmth spread through him. The speed of her arrival puzzled him, but he didn’t ask.

“You should come in,” he said softly, stepping back from her embrace.

Ember entered the room, the door closing behind her with a quiet click. Scott gestured to a vacant chair. “Have a seat.”

With a thought, he summoned a jar of gruff wine from his inventory. Ember, however, remained standing, her eyes never leaving his face.

“I like your face. It suits you,” she said with a warm smile.

Scott chuckled, shaking his head. “Yours isn’t bad either. Come, sit with me,” he invited, moving to his seat.

He placed the gruff wine on a nearby table and sat down. Ember finally took the seat next to him, her gaze still fixed on Scott, her smile as captivating as ever.

“Firstly, thank you for helping us with those snakes earlier,” Scott said, breaking the seal on the jar. The fragrant aroma of the wine filled the room.

For the first time, Ember’s gaze shifted away from Scott. She licked her lips, a gesture that was both innocent and seductive.

“What type of wine is this?” she asked, motioning toward the jar.

The jar slipped from Scott’s grasp and floated through the air, as if drawn by an unseen force. It landed in Ember’s embrace, and the dragonkin licked her lips and took large gulps of the savory wine.

Lowering the jar, her eyes clouded with excitement, a thin trace of purple liquor streaked down the corner of her lip. Ember’s intense gaze locked onto Scott. “Now, you drink,” she commanded, pushing the jar toward him with a flick of her wrist.

Scott took the jar and drank deeply. The wine was rich and complex, an explosion of flavors he had never experienced, sliding smoothly down his throat. Despite its potency, the alcohol did nothing to stir or numb is emotions.

Placing the jar on the table, he fixed his eyes on Ember. “What happened with those snakes?” he asked.

“I was hoping you’d ask about my wellbeing,” Ember replied softly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “But I know you’re not one for small talk.” She sighed, then continued, “He fled as soon as he sensed danger. The other sons of Jörmungandr stayed hidden.”

She stretched out her hand, and the jar flew back to her. Taking several more mouthfuls, her eyes grew hazier. She smiled, an innocent yet alluring expression. “My turn to ask a question,” she said. “Did you complete another class advancement?”

Scott nodded.

“I knew it,” Ember said, excitement creeping into her voice. “So, what class did you earn?”

“Do I have to tell you that?” Scott teased with a smile.

Ember’s smile faded slightly. “I asked because you give off the same aura as some ancient beings that attacked my kingdom centuries ago,” she said, taking another sip.

“What happened to them?” Scott asked, intrigued.

“They were defeated and banished to the nihilistic zone. Their very essence, even their consciousness, would have been erased by now,” Ember explained before taking another gulp. She suddenly lowered the jar, her eyes narrowing. “Some fools still worship those beings as if they were alive. Have you heard of the Nameless?”

Scott nodded.

“Those reckless idiots don’t realize those beings wouldn’t care about their existence,” Ember said, setting the jar down. “The most frightening thing is that some have formed contracts with beings in the Nihilistic zone. How they managed that, I have no idea. Thankfully, their numbers are few.”

“How can you be so sure?” Scott probed.

“Most of us in the tower would have been reduced to nothing by now,” she said, her eyes gleaming with clarity.

Scott nodded; his mind awash with conflicting thoughts. He had always wondered how Llorva could have exiled him to such a dreadful place. Now, a spark of understanding flickered within him.

Does that mean those Celestial Blades bastards don’t know about her identity, or are they in cahoots with Nameless? Scott pondered, his gaze drifting to Ember as she savored her drink.

“What if I had similar abilities to them?” Scott asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Ember frowned slightly, scrutinizing Scott’s expression. “If no one knows, then it shouldn’t be a problem. If they find out, however, you’d likely be besieged from all sides by various factions. You’d do well not to reveal such powers carelessly,” she advised.

Scott smiled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Does that mean you wouldn’t harbor any ill intent toward me?”

“I don’t inherit grudges,” Ember replied, her tone firm yet gentle. “Should you show hostility toward my family and friends unjustly, then I will fight for them. Even if you are one of them, I don’t believe you’re the type of person to cause chaos without reason.”

Scott chuckled, shaking his head. “You speak like you know me,” he said, locking eyes with the dragonkin. “There’s a lot more to people than meets the eye.”

“You’re right. I don’t know you, but I want to, and I’m confident in the person I admire because I’m the one who chose you,” Ember said, her smile radiating confidence.

Scott opened his mouth to speak but sighed softly instead, shaking his head. At that moment, Ember stood up, and several floating discs materialized beneath her feet, preventing her from touching the floor.

Scott watched as the lithe beauty levitated toward his bed, the wine jar floating alongside her. The dragonkin nestled into the bed, turning to Scott with a beckoning smile. “Join me,” she said.

A week passed in a flash. On a certain day, several masked champions emerged simultaneously in Thisos’s Sanctuary. Though a few other champions noticed, their appearance didn't cause much of a stir. In a place where the strange was the norm, nothing truly stood out.

“I’m about to declare our intentions to leave. Is everyone ready?” Zara's voice cut through the party channel, clear and resolute.

One by one, the champions voiced their readiness. The brawler summoned the system window. In an instant, a crack appeared above them, drawing the ten-man party into its depths.

They reappeared moments later in a massive chamber filled with thousands of mirrors. The reflections seemed to stretch infinitely, creating a disorienting labyrinth of glass.

Congratulations! You have reached the fourth layer of Thisos’ Sanctuary, Mirror Domain! Find your way through the maze and make it to the fifth layer! Good luck!