Gamers Eight ACT IV- Chapter 6

The next morning Bloodstone was looking at the computer screen, at the pictures, they had taken. Some were of the bodies and some were of the woman above in the dome. Otheres were the golems outside.

“Your up early” Lady Amethyst said stretching

“I couldn’t sleep, something about this is making me nuts.”

“Meaning”

“It almost looks like the tower was attacked. The thing is, who or what killed them and why.”

“So use the mirror on one of the bodies.” She suggested.

“I can’t, let me be more specific, I won’t I have no idea who these people were, why they were killed or who killed them. I could accidentally resurrect the killer.”

“So you’re going to play it safe?”

“Ok, then you pick a corpse, and we can try resurrecting it.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea.”

“It’s not with our time here limited by the food we have, one person would reduce our time here a day. We wouldn’t be any closer to getting into that vault. I know we have a reserve of about a week, that’s the emergency reserve. The goblins ate a little more than I expected, we have the cushion we just are really running out of time.”

“What about that poor girl trapped in that time bubble?”

“With the golems there, I can’t even get close to see if it’s really a time bubble. The only thing that I could do is see if we can get to her from below. Even then if that’s what it is, I don’t see how we could free her from it.”

“Esprite could get in there, “ Kuya said.

“Im not understanding how Esprite could help” Bloodstone said

The small blue light floated over to Bloodstone, “Pi, pi pi pi pi. Pi pi pi. Pi pi pi pi” the small glowing blue spark said.

“I see, time doesn’t affect thought mites, since they exist mostly out of time to begin with. Could you carry a camera through the field?”

“Pi?” it replied.

“How does that help then?”

“Oh I see,” Kuya said.

“Explain it.” Lady Amethyst said complete confused.

“Esprite can go in there and can teleport the girl out.” Kuya said.

“What about the golems?” Lady Amethyst asked.

“Not a problem Esprit can move through that area unimpeded, he’s a thought mite.”

“Your too loud,“ Rana said yawning

“Sorry”

“You want to do this now? Or wait till everyone else is awake?” Bloodstone asked the small blue glow

“Pi?”

“Well it’s up to you, I have no easy way to get her out of that bubble, not without breaking a few laws of nature, and shattering this tower all over Rhir.”

“Your kidding right?” Xyrediane asked sitting up.

“Nope, I have one idea, but best guess is that it explodes the tower over Rhir. Honestly though I have no idea how to get her out. Esprit how about it, you want to save a girl from a time bubble?”

“PI!” the spark shot straight up through the ceiling and vanished.

“Stop encouraging Esprite, “ Kuya said looking up, “Hes going to be impossible after this”

There was a slight rumble and a loud snap and the blue spark appeared and the woman from the dome appeared. She was wearing a simple cotton or wool robe, with a small emblem near her collarbone, on her left side. It appeared to be an arcane symbol, she had a simple belt, and was barefoot.

She made a squeak, and the paused, looking around.

“How did I get into the basement?” She asked herself and then screamed when she saw the men and women with spells and weapons ready.

“Hold!” Bloodstone said.

“Why are you attacking, who are you!?” The woman asked.

Bloodstone stared at her dumbstruck, she was shorter, by a full foot, and her skin was a soft pale, white. The long flowing platinum blond hair accented the freckles on her face, what made him pause was the ears, she wasn’t a half elf like he thought she was an elf.

“Well! Explain yourself! Where is master Nereshal” She said.

Bloodstone bowed, “I apologize for the way we arrived, you have been locked in time. We had Espirit free you.”

The blue spark went  “Pi”  and zipped around her head.

“A great spirit!, who are you people?” she said confused.

“We found a copy of your diary and this place, what’s the last thing you remember?”

She stared at him, “The hourglass!” She swallowed and then looked at everyone standing around gaping at her.

“Take in slow, breath.” Bloodstone said.

Someone offered her a chair. “I am an apprentice, someone broke in, in the middle of the night. I heard screaming.  I ran to find the master. I took the hourglass, and mithril soldiers from the workroom. I tried to take them from the case and I spilled them and it fell off the balcony. I recall three of them expanded and rose to defend me. Someone came up the stairs and threw something at me. That’s the last thing I recall until I was here.”

“Hold up before we get any further, I want you to know your safe, and no one will harm you. I am Bloodstone. This is my wife Amethyst, my daughter Kuya and my son Xach.”

He introduced Xyre and Rana and the others as they awoke. She looked tired. “I don’t know what to believe, I am apprentice, Ashera Rodove my master is the arch mage Nereshal, guardian of the white tower.” She yawned, “ I am sorry I will have to trust you, you could have killed me if you wanted.”

“Ashera, why not rest, we can discuss the tower, and what happened, more when you awaken.”

She nodded and was shown the bedroll and the odd cot that folded up.  She appeared to be asleep in moments.

“Why does that name sound familiar?” Bloodstone asked. He shrugged and sat down and packed up the pictures into a compressed file.  He found himself staring at the young elven woman more than once.

“You keep drooling and you are going to mess up your computer”, Eve teased.

He broke his gaze away from her and looked at Eve, “It’s not like that, I am in shock. I was under the impression that the elves were all gone. Seeing her, you can tell she’s not a half elf, there’s a feeling of life around her, she looks like a half elf in some ways and in others…”

“Well don’t freak the poor kid out, she’s worse off than we are, she’s lost everything. Think of how people will react to her. Even they are a bit shocked.” She gestured across the room where the natives were talking.

Zail , Xyre,  Rana and Nyteria came over to where Bloodstone was sitting, they looked disturbed.

“She the last Elf,” Xyrediane said softly.

Bloodstone stared at them, “Stop it, you don’t know that for fact, she’s just the first elf you have seen. I see this is going to be a problem.” He looked over at Lady Amethyst who was looking through her spell book. “Hey hun, need you for a moment.”

She looked over at him. “What?”

“Before this gets out of hand when we get back to civilization, I want to make sure she’s got some protection, can you pick out some appropriate mage gear from what we have left and” he said looking at the others, “I think I may need your help too bind an illusion to a ring.”

“Fine,” she said using the door key and going into the room. It was packed with crates all along the walls, to the ceiling, in the back it was two deep. She began looking through crates for gear for Ashera.

“What are you going to do with her?” Xyrediane asked.

“Do, nothing except protect her, she’s an apprentice. If the king thinks he can take her, well over my dead body..” He looked at the open door.

“With your mirror.. Oh!” Xyrediane said.

“Precisely, try using an artifact on me and I will destroy it.”

“How would you do that?” Nyteria asked.

He stared at her, “I know a few tricks, that are not skill based. I also have a few that are skill based.”

Lady Amethyst carried over a white robe, as well as a wand, six rings, an amulet, a pair of women boots, and a belt, and a bag of holding. She also had a book of spells. “I think this should get her going, I put some money in the bag, not that she will need it right now.”

Bloodstone nodded. “Will you and Xyre take her under your wing and keep her safe.”

“Why us?” Xyrediane asked.

“Because I don’t feel I should baby her, she deserves the best, you two are the best, Kuya you can assist.”

“Fine.” Kuya said.

 Bloodstone looked at the rings, “These will work, they are not enchanted.”

“Those are from that dragon’s horde?” Eve asked.

“Yup, and they are just normal rings, with good quality gemstones set. I’m going to enchant an illusion into them, never done that before, I know the basics of how it’s done, just need to try I suppose.” He looked over at Lady Amethyst, “So can you mana me up, and we can get these enchanted.”

“Sure, you want to help?” She asked the others.

“Yea!” Nyteria said enthusiastically.

“Meh” Kuya said, “I’ll just watch, I don’t need to make magic items”

Bloodstone spent the next six hours enchanting three rings, the first was just the illusion, and once he understood how it worked he wove the spell into the next ring. Making it less noisy as well as a finer weave of the spell to the gemstone. Unfortunately, the number of spells put into the ring, made it unstable and the gemstone cracked.

“You can’t put that many enchantments into a ring, I can feel the imbalances from here” Nyteria said eyeing the ring.

“I can fix it, I know what caused the stone to crack.”

“Daddy, you might not want to put so many spells into a stone that’s flawed.” Kuya said examining the ring.

“Ok, so we have four left, pick one that’s not flawed.”

They were so intent on the rings, they didn’t notice Ashera get up and see what they were doing. “What are you doing?” she asked.

Everyone paused and then looked at Bloodstone.

“I am making you a ring, so that when you get back to civilization you can blend in. No one has seen an elf in…” he looked over at the half elves, “You two might want to tell her.”

“Me?” Xyrediane said looking Ashera and Bloodstone.

“Fine I will tell her, you’re the first elf anyone here has seen… You are an elf, right?”

Ashera turned bright red, “I, uh, am an elf, that’s a human term. I think the proper term is Sylvan.”

“I am sorry, that may sound racist to you Ashera”

She shook her head no, “I just, haven’t heard that term used before. What is the ring for?”

“This gear here, is to keep you safe, “ He said gesturing to the robe and other items. “I am making a ring that will let you hide your heritage, that’s if you want to. Others may want to talk to you, ask questions, and you will be famous.”

“Me. Famous?” she said turning brighter red., “I am just an apprentice.”

“Maybe so, your still going to be famous, unless you don’t want to. I am giving you that choice. We are enchanting the ring to have illusions, that you can use.”

“Can I watch?” she asked.

“Sure, we have four left to try you have any preference to the stone?” he pointed out the four gold rings each having a different stone setting.

“You’re really going to give me a ring with enchantments?”

“It’s to keep you safe, you don’t have to use them if you don’t want to.”

They group of them made the ring of illusion and handed it to her, an showed her how it worked. “That’s amazing,” Nyteria said, “She looks like a human. Can you make me one of those?” She asked.

“Sure, when we get back, if you really want one. I am a bit tired and we need to get Ashera up to speed, why we are here. In the interest of full disclosure, we came to see if we could get into the vault.”

“The vault? your just like the others then.” Ashera accused.

“It’s not like that, if you have a claim I will respect that. As it is we have no way to get into the vault.”

“And if I refuse to help you” Ashera asked.

“It’s your life, we can put you back in that bubble if that’s what you want, or you can come with us. You could go off alone, I suppose, that is a choice you are going to have to make. I want you to see all your options, we can leave now if you are not going to help us. Eventually you could hire someone or return on your own.”

Ashera stared at him, and the gear that was on the table. “Suppose I believe you, what’s to keep you from killing me once I open the vault.”

There was a sadness to his reply, “I don’t want any harm to come to you, you know where the vault is go and check it. No one will follow you, take the gear, as well.”

She hesitated and then pick up the clothes and other items. Kuya said to her, “My dad is trying to help you. Maybe something to eat might help?”

Ashera nodded slowly, “I will change first.”

Nyteria spoke up, “You can change over there, in the storage room.”

Ashera fled and took the clothes.

“She’s terrified,” Violet said walking over to them.

“I figured, “ Bloodstone said walking into the doorway and looking through one of the weapon crates. He pulled out a beautifully ornate gem covered dagger. He pulled it from the sheath and checked the blade, re-sheathed it and waited. Setting the blade on the table.

They waited, for a good ten minutes, then twenty and Ashera came out of the storage room, with her new gear on. She had put her hair down still and she walked over to Bloodstone. Her eyes were red around the edges.

“You are afraid of me?” He asked.

She nodded slowly, “Your going to kill me, this is all a trick. I open the vault and you take everything.”

“Maybe, unless you disagree, I’m not here to fight you Ashera.” He gestured to the dagger on the table. “That’s yours as well, its enchanted to be sharp, so be careful.”

She looked at the dagger and back at him. She reached out and slowly picked it up, she pulled the blade out and looked at it.

“If it makes you feel better, go through the passage we dug, go see what’s happened since you were stuck.” A little louder, “We are leaving in the morning, so get everything packed. Marcus, Hijala go relieve Elmok and Zail on horse duty.”

“I must protest,” Hijala said, “My place is with the lady.”

“Ok, Xach go with Marcus”

Xach followed Marcus.

Ashera stood watching them with the dagger in hand. She sheathed the dagger and started in the direction of the vault. No one moved to block her path.

Ashera was only gone five minutes and she returned in a panic, “Its gone!”

“What do you mean it’s gone?” Bloodstone asked.

“It’s gone! There is just a big cavern where it was.” She said somewhat panicked.

“Let’s go look then.” , Everyone then followed behind him as they went to the vault room.

The portal was glowing a soft blue, and it opened into a large cavern.

Bloodstone pulled a handful of glow marbles out of the light pouch and stepped over to the portal. It didn’t react to his presence, he stepped through and tossed two glass beads into the darkness.

“They got it first!”

“Who got it?” Xyre asked, stepping in after him.

“The Antinium, they must have had it for ages. I’m sorry Ashera, it’s gone, Dammit”

“Who are the Antinium” Ashera asked.

“A race of insect people, they got the vault, and best guess used a similar trick we did to get in to the tower.”

“What do we do now?” Xyre asked as the others began to file into the cavern.

“See how far this goes, and turn back in a day, or we leave now. We don’t have the time to follow this longer than a day or two. We are almost at point where we will run out of food for the horses and us. We need to decide now, are we going to follow this or are we heading back.”

“If the Antinium have it, isn’t it lost?” Nyteria said looking around.

“Most likely,” there was a shuffling in the darkness.  A half dozen beads were thrown in the direction. There were dozens of antinium, in the cavern.

“Back through!” Bloodstone said and saw there were antinium behind them as well.

A bright green Antinium approached them, and spoke in common, “Surrender or we will consume you”

“What do you want, we have no quarrel with you and your kind.” Bloodstone said loudly.

“We have a quarrel with you and yours. I have orders from the Queen to bring you to her, resist and perish.” The Green antinium said.

They were led down the long dark cavern. The antinium took the horses and disarmed them and took all the obvious magic items they possessed. They walked for hours before being allowed to rest. There were four colored antinium that seems to be in control of the massive numbers they saw. The green one, a red one who didn’t talk, a jet black one who stopped them from talking. There was also a deep orange one who wanted to converse with them individually as they walked.

“You are the leader, you will talk with the Queen.” The Orange Antinium said to Bloodstone.

He was led through caverns, and with his senses he could see the map in his head. It was deep underground and was much warmer.

“You are the one who freed the elven woman?” The orange Antnium asked.

“Not precisely, a friend of my daughter did.”

“You take no credit for her release?”

“Not personally no, I asked if they could and they did it. We were looking for the vault.”

“The vault, oh the cube. We are no longer in possession of it.”

 “Is there something you want from us?” Bloodstone asked the orange Antinium.

“Information, we are aware that some of our brethren made and survived the journey, it is details that we require.”

“Not much to tell, most of the ships were sunk or destroyed before landing on Izril. From the books I have read there are six hives. Beyond that I have no more information for you.”

“We will inquire, what is the status of the Human kingdom”

“Desperate, terrified of the blight. I don’t suppose the antinium are responsible for the waves of monsters?”

“Monsters?” It inquired.

“Crullers, skin stealers, undead and other things that seem to come every six to eight summers. “

“That’s is not the antinium that is from the tear and the others.”

“Why did you attack the humans,” he asked.

“To secure a place to return, to gather more resources, we needed.” It replied.

“Do you consider humans an enemy?”

“Of course, do you not consider the Antinium a threat to your survival?”

“Maybe, that’s a complicated question. It there a way to make peace with the Antinium?”

The antinium didn’t answer immediately as if the question was foreign to its concept of humans, “I do not see how that could be accomplished”

“Small steps and a little bit of trust on each side.”

“Perhaps, we will discuss this further.”

The green colored Antinium pulled Ashera out of the line, “You will come with me”

“I don’t want to!”, she cried.

“Leave her alone” Bloodstone said his voice very loud in the narrow passage they had been following.

Six antinum grabbed him and held him in place. The green one walked over to him, “You speak of trust. No harm will come to her.”

“Ashera, I don’t think they would be foolish enough to harm you. I would make it a point to kill every Antinum on Rhir if you came to harm.”

“I do not see how you would be able to accomplish that.” The Orange antinium said.

“Don’t go there, I have three ways I could destroy you right now, don’t make me come up with more, or a reason to use them.”

They led her away and led the rest of the group to a large room. It was bare, and they allowed to place lights, to see.

“What do they want?” Xyrediane asked.

“No idea, we will find out I am sure.” Bloodstone said.

They brought Ashera back shortly after, he was in hysterics and terrified. The Green antinium told Bloodstone to follow him. “You will behave, in the presence of the Queen.” He stated

He followed the Green Antinium through the dark passageways. “I’m am surprised you have not bumped into anything?”

“I can see in pitch black.”

“I was unaware humans could see in the dark.”

“I’m a special case, most can’t without spells or gear.”

“I understand,” He led him through a few more passages and into a large cavern where a creature the size of a small bus was being attended to by six tall and thin looking antinium, “Is this the human?”

“It is my queen”

“Human, you will explain this.” She showed him a small crystal, an image was playing in it. It showed a woman being protected by Antinium, or at least they looked like smaller human sized antinium. They were attacking goblins

“What would you want to know, I have no idea who that woman is or where this is.”

“It is being sent by several mages, we would know why they are associated with this woman. Is she controlling them or is there something else.”

“I am sorry, I do not know. It’s possible this is from Izril, that’s where your brethren ended up.”

The images stopped, and the queens massive form moved closer to him, her eyes were huge and faceted, a giant insect, was his first impression, “We would know how you freed the sylvan from that temporal bubble”

“Luck and a being who time doesn’t matter, a friend of my daughter.”

There was a clicking sound as the queen ran a massive hand ran along a section of the wall. “I have been trying to decide what to do with you.”

“What are the options”

“Putting the lot of you to death, perhaps send you into the tear, or use in an experiment. I haven’t decided”

Bloodstone stared at the queen, “We are not dead yet, so there must be a reason.”

The queen was silent, the green antinium spoke, ”We know you were responsible for the death of one of the old ones.”

“The [geomancer] with [pyromancy]” he asked.

“We are speaking of the old one you defeated recently, “ The green antinium said.

“Why would I deny it, I have no reason to be deceptive. You already knew this and want to enact some form of vengeance? The others however have not harmed your people.”

“You don’t seem to be afraid, and you removed, the old one, we would know of the treasures and where they have gone.” The green antinium inquired.

“Some of the adventurers that were with us took a measure of it with them , the rest is safe and secure. Im sure you had difficulties getting back in there once it was sealed.”

“You think your magic could stop us, we are antinium” The Queen said.

Bloodstone shrugged, ”I’m not here to fight, I am here to recover the Vault, maybe come to some understanding with you and your people. Mistakes happen, let’s see if we can avoid making any more?”

“Perhaps. You are a strange human, your levels and classes are obscured from my sight, that is very strange.” The Quewn said staring at him, “The cube in question is gone, taken by a creature from the tear, we lost many of our number and it has been there since.  I don’t think there can be an understanding between us.”

“How about an understanding with just those of us here that you have confined?”

The queen was silent and the Green antinium said, “As you wish my queen, I will bring the next one. You will come with me.”

“Hold on, I don’t think you quite understand what’s at stake here. The Blighted king is killing people to summon others to this world, I am not from Rhir, or anywhere else on this world. Making me an enemy is not a wise thing to do.”

 “Wait” The Queen said, “You know of other worlds?”

“Depends on the context, outer space, like the stars, or in other dimensions. I know about gods and pantheons, though not about the ones that were here. If I had to guess, this was all caused by a conflict of Gods.”

“What do you know of Gods!”

“I know most of them are dead from this world, the thing is, dead is not gone. I don’t know what the rules are here, how deities are made, how they are broken and the important thing how power is passed from one to another. There can be different rules for each world, rules that usually are immutable, and are fixed.”

“You know nothing! Take him back, bring the next one I will have answers.”

Bloodstone smiled, “let me know when you want to talk again.”

They walked him back and picked Hijala and took her to talk to the queen.

“What did they want” Lady Amethyst asked.

“Answers to questions, I have no information on. I believe we will all be questioned, answer truthfully. I think they are intimidated, we took down a dragon, and released Ashera from a time bubble than makes us dangerous.”

“Is that what that was?” Ashera asked.

“An antinium queen.” He said to her. Lady Amethyst and Xyre were consoling her.

Hijala was brought back and hissed at the green antinium, “Honor less bug men”

The next to go was Rana, she was gone a long time. She came back with the orange and green antinium.

“You,” he said to Lady Amethyst.

“Ok get ready for the fireworks.” Bloodstone said.

“Why,” Xyre asked.

“If they piss her off or freak her out it’s over.” He said watching the entrance. “Kuya you ready in case we need your staff?” He asked.

She nodded, holding her small pen in her hand.

Marcus asked, “Does your wife still have the key?”

Bloodstone nodded, “They try and take that someone will die, I can guarantee it. You haven’t seen her pissed off, pray you never do.”

“Pray?”

“Sorry bad choice of words, how can I put it, she’s a high-level raid enchanter, she can take on a group of antinium with ease. All she needs is her spells, and there is no being I know of that can remove her spell book. She has her illusions and with the spells she’s added since we first came here. Like I said don’t ever piss her off.”

“I don’t understand “, Nyteria said, “I have not once seen her use a spell book.”

“It’s part of her, I had a test with her, and she casts like breathing, is second nature to her, she doesn’t even need to know the spells name, she just casts it.”

“I have never heard of that, but now that you mention it she never chanted or waved her hands she just made the spell happen. How powerful is she.”

Bloodstone paused, “By herself, maybe equal to a gold rank mage, with anyone else, deadly. The thing is she can charm and hold that charm on someone or something if she desires. With the charms she has, she is never truly alone.”

“And Kuya, what can she do, I heard about some of it in the trial” Nyteria asked.

“I can answer,” Rana said, “She’s so dangerous if she’s bored or angry that I don’t think there is anyone who could stop her, or her brother.”

“Xach is the one who opened the rift in front of the walls,” Kijala said., “That’s was him trying to impress his sister.”

“How much danger are we in here,” Elmok asked.

“On a scale of one to ten maybe a six or a seven” Bloodstone said.

“What was the invasion from the demons?” He asked.

“That maybe an eight or nine” He shrugged.

“Less but still dangerous.” Elmok nodded.

“Violet, are you getting anything from Lady Amethyst?” He asked her.

“Just tired and bored, I don’t think she’s there yet.” Violet said avoiding his look.

“You ok?” He asked.

“Mmm, I guess, just thinking is all.” She said softly.

“Anything you want to talk about?”

“No, maybe, I’m just confused.” She said looking up and smiling at him.

“About?”

“You could have killed them, I wonder why you didn’t”

He looked over at Em and Xach who were sitting against the wall. “I don’t want to get any of you hurt, unless we have to fight let’s see if we can talk our way out of this. Besides, this is a practical application of necromancy.”

“You knew?” Em asked opening one eye.

“Of course, I looked through your bag before we revived you, some of them are really ingenious. How many are you running now?”

“Six, and Xach has four going.” She said closing her eye.

“Wait six what?” Xyre asked.

“Trust me, right now you don’t need to know. Later have her show you her tiny pets.”

“Pets?” Rana asked.

“Found the path back” Xach said.

“And I found the horses” Em said shortly after

“Excellent, now we just need to wait.” He sat down against the wall with them and closed his eyes, “Let me know if anything changes.”

Excerpt from the personal notes of Lord Bloodstone on his impressions of the Antinium on Rhir, after the White tower incident.

The first Antinium Queen that I met was at the time was confident they had us contained and under control. Being confined, however is not a bad thing with the antinium protecting us, we were all free to rest and relax for the first time in several weeks. Some would say how can you relax when your confined, surrounded by hostile enemies.  We were able to study the antinium in a manner that few could, both with the scientific method as well as observation.

As this was the first time that is known where the Antinium took prisoners, the others were notably nervous as to why they hadn’t just attacked us. I will get to that later, however this presented us with the opportunity, to see if any of the speculation was correct. From some of the writings it was speculated that they had different forms of communication, my guess, was seeing as many as I had, that they used a form of hive mind, possibly with chemical signals, like ants did. One way to test this was to see if I could find the hive mind, it wasn’t going to be easy and how does one think like an antinium.

Lady Amethyst came back shortly after, “When are you going to smash these ants?” she asked.

“Did the big scary bug bother you?” I teased.

“No, I told her that if they didn’t let us go, I would take over this whole place.”

“What was the reaction?”

“I don’t think she considered me a threat.”

I laughed considering that if they didn’t consider her a threat they had vastly underestimated us. “I’m going to try something, let’s see if they catch on, it’s going to take me a bit to figure this out”

I sat and meditated, on the world around me listening, and feeling and I activated the skills [analyze energy], and [purity of thought] these were skill from the [EMPTY] class, it was a hybrid of a few casting classes. Violet asked me if the class is empty how can it have skills. I explained to her that it means Energy, Matter, Psionics, Time, and Yar. She didn’t understand what I meant by the words. It’s a class that gives me a quick and agile use of Energy, Matter Psionics and Time. There are Skills, associated with the class. One is [Matter Transmutation], this allows me to manipulate matter from one thing to another based on what I concentrate on. Another is [Telekenisis] the ability to move objects at a distance without touching them.

There are a few other skills, that the class has, I had been building up the class itself from some of the demons that were killed before and during our time in the blight. One thing that I have noted is that I haven’t gained any Lord skills, I think it’s mainly because I haven’t needed them, or been opposed by any other lords or ladies. I did ask my wife and she had one skill from the Lady class, called, [Sovereigns Grace] while I have an idea what it might be, I haven’t had the nerve to check. She does have a few other skills, mostly related to her [Raid Enchanter] class. There is one person that I haven’t asked, about her skills is Kuya.

Now while I sat and meditated, I activated the following skills [Third Eye], [Mind of the Dragon], [Temportal shift], [Quantum Distortion],and [Brainstorm] It didn’t take long for me to find what I was searching for, the telepathic communications that the Antinium were using. I had in the past used Psionic abilities; I decide that it was perhaps time for the Antinium to understand what I was.

Using the telepathic ability with them if it’s done wrong is could be either they ignore me, or realize I am a threat that must dealt with immediately. I wanted a middle ground, where I knock on the telepathic door and see if they are willing to talk there. So I knocked.

At first, I don’t think they even realized I was talking to them.

Hi, would you be willing to talk about the vault we are looking for? There was confusion at first, since none of them seem to recognize the mind they were being communicated with.

Are you an aberration? Was a reply from a strong mind.

No, I figured this might be a better way to communicate with the Antinium.

There was a brief pause, as if they were unsure what was happening.

You are not antinium yet you communicate like one.

Shock resonated through the antinium, something fundamental had happened; a non antinium had spoken with them as they spoke with each other. 

I opened one eye as there were ten antinium that flooded into the room, intent on seeing what was going on.

Hostilities are unnecessary, I have no problem exchanging information and knowledge.

I will not go into the details as to what was discussed, however they learned a lot about humans and myself as well as what had happened to me since arriving, I also in exchange learned a lot about the antinium and the revenge they swore.

Where words would take weeks and days, we came to an understanding of each other in minutes and hours. The sorrow of them losing so many fleeing to rebuild, to come back, stronger was mixed in with the elation that me a human understood the need for change, as a species and as an individual. Antinium think more of the hive as a collective, not as a single or individuals, there were some downsides to that, in that they lost a measure of free thought. Where we as humans saw hundreds of antinium they saw it as we would use a hand to take out an annoying insect. I realize the analogy is somewhat backwards, but it did fit. We as humans don’t hear our liver complain when we drink too much, and if something like that were to happen we would most likely go mad. It was the same for the Antinium, if a single cell raised its voice, in our body we might think it was damaged. It took time to explain the differences, to find the common ground and a place and framework we could work together. They had simple basic goals, where our goals were hazy undefined and we came to each problem as it presented itself. They had a simplistic way of attacking a problem. I asked why they had attacked the humans and was told that at its basics, they didn’t know what humans would do. They needed the resources and we were in the way, or could be used as potential resources. I then had to explain to them that the hostilities must cease, between us, as they were making a mistake that they didn’t recognize as a mistake. Humans could be reasoned with, the question was could the antinium. That simple concept that was both alien to them and at the same time they understood its implication. Queens came to consensus and they began to understand that while we had a primitive way of thinking we also could adjust tactics without commands from someone in the chain of command.  Some of the antinium were considered autonomous and could think for themselves, they only thing was they tended to view everything through the lenses of helping the hive. They could revive a fallen one if it was still connected to the hive, the memory of what they had been could be rebuilt, but only partially, as they didn’t have any way to remember everything an individual did. A kind of an echo of the original, the closest analogy would be a clone or copy.

We discussed what would happen to us, with the antinium. I made a proposal for them to move a hive behind the walls in secret, to learn about humans, and to protect a place they could have their brethren return to if need be. They asked if my king would object, I explained that he had put me in charge of the wall being built, he needed it build. The antinium could help with that, doing that would at least give them some semblance of trust. It would take time, we could train them to use the ships, and get messages to the hives outside Rhir and perhaps find a way to setup hives elsewhere. In exchange they would help me recover the vault. I know in this exchange they seemed to get the better part of the deal, and in a sense they did have us and didn’t have to agree to anything.

A plan was laid out where I would attempt to recover the vault, and all its knowledge that was still contained, and perhaps remove a dangerous creature that was in control of it.

I explained to them that I have tools that allowed me to keep knowledge from my world and use it here. They were intrigued by the phone and the computer. They under stood the organics of biology in a manner that was frankly mind blowing. Coupled with the knowledge I had game wise as well as biology, there were only three true Queens still on Rhir. They had the [Prime Queen] The oldest queen and the only one that listened but did not comment one way or another on anything I suggested. They had dozens of beings they called shapers, those who could change the forms and shapes of the antinium, they were old, taught by the few shapers who did not make the journey, they had lost knowledge when they sent out the fleet.  I then understood, a danger they were unaware of, they had no written language, no way to pass on information to the next generation of antinium and if they lost to much they would be making mistakes they already had and possibly not knowing. I proposed a new antinium, be created, a sentient living creatures to remember every change, to remember the magic, and the past, that had a longer life, and could pass this on to others, antinium or humans. I know this sounds like I was betraying humanity, but I knew that this antinium could be a bridge or at the very least, save the knowledge that they had still.

The orange antinim that was called, Gvvrrxx came in to the room the demeanor was different than before. “Your presence is requested.”

“I suppose I made an impression?”

“The Hive will speak with you. Your proposal is acceptable we would however like to retain your knowledge as well.”

“I see, lead on”

I will not discuss what went on with the Queens and others, there was a consensus that was reached, when I explained, I would be willing to assist them, if they were willing to put aside hostilities to humans in general. At first they didn’t understand, what I meant until I activated the mind skills, and allowed them into the brainstorm session.  There was an exponential explosion of ideas, that shook the foundations of the Antinium, They understood in a short time that humans as an enemy would eventually destroy them. It wouldn’t be today or tomorrow, eventually there would be enough knowledge left behind or learned that they would eradicate anything they saw as a threat. They currently saw antinium as a threat, changing that mindset would take time.

I felt drained when I returned to the others. I explained that I would be going north with horses, and that the rest of them would be going to where the antinium built their ships. They would give us a ship to sail down the coast, to the lands we controlled. I would attempt to recover the Vault.

 I wanted to take three people, Kuya, Ashera and Xach. My wives objected, strongly. It was decided that Violet would accompany us, it was decided not ny me but my wives, she was the fittest of them and could as they put it keep an eye on me.

I explained that the Antinium could get us close to where the vault was so we could observe the creature. I needed someone with destructive capability, and another who had the ability to teleport. The plan would be as follows, Xach and Kuya, Violet, Ashera and myself would move through the underground areas, or the blight as needed to get where we needed to go. We would take the horses, and feed for them. We would use them to get as far north as we could, as the journey would take at least a week possibly longer. 

Since linking with the Antinium, I was able to co-ordinate with them it was like having a few extra hands if you needed them. I understood that I was being given some authority in the hive, simply because I could communicate with them on a level a human never had before, it a first of sorts for them as well.

I rested, and slept. We ate from our supplies, and shared some with the workers who came to clean up. While I understood they didn’t have much intelligence, I alone could sense the potential in each of them. The hive would become stronger if they each had a personality but could work as a cohesive whole. I found the antinium considered free though from the workers as, an aberration. I explained that that might be so, but they should be nurtured not suppressed. I explained to them that these aberrations should be noted and not punished; the rate that they would go insane would drop dramatically. They were coded to be workers, and if they started to question things they were evolving. Evolution of the species is necessary for growth. When it was explained to them in that manner, they understood somewhat, at least I think they did. We still hadn’t been allowed to move forward.

We had been assigned several of the antinium that were considered borderline aberrations. Kuya was the first to ask one a question that I know was a catalyst for its short breakdown. She asked it, “Are you happy.”

That specific antinium broke, it had never been asked that, and it decided that it wasn’t happy. I tried to articulate why it wasn’t. The fear it was feeling is what made Violet step in to help. “You don’t have to be afraid of us.” Violet said, between the others they understood finally what the antinium were.

After it had time to rest, it followed Kuya everywhere. She told it about home, as well as her drawings and magic. The antinium worker asked a question, “Could I learn magic.”  Kuya at first didn’t want anything to do with the Antinium, it took her some time to understand them.

The hive was fascinated with the fact that it wanted to learn magic. A worker learning magic was new. I asked the hive what the workers do, or the others types doing when they are not eating, sleeping or working. They had nothing else; I suggested giving them time to be creative, or a place where they could decide they wanted to go. I knew it was too early, to do more, and asked if they would allow it if they moved a hive south to behind the walls. We never really got an answer one way or another, I feel the queens thought it a waste of resources and didn’t pursue it.

The next morning, we were all escorted to the horses. Once there our gear was returned to us, and we were taken through the tunnels to an underground grotto, there it was explain that this was where they had build the ships and sailed them through underground channels to the ocean. There were antinium there working on a ship, I asked where they got the lumber and they showed us a valley it had been replanted from the trees they had taken decades before. There were trees as well as food. They protected that place as it was very close to the only hive that knew how to build ships. There were more than one ship under construction, They were simplistic, and knowing what I knew about ships in general, they wouldn’t have fared very well on the open ocean, the design was akin to a frigate or cargo ship. Not a deep sea vessel. This was pointed out to them and they decided to have some changes made, once I showed them pictures of wooden ships from a book on the computer.

I let Coreen know that we were splitting the group up and five of us were heading to recover the vault and the rest were going to be delayed, and taking a sea route. It was decided that since Eve had the only sea skills she would be the captain, she objected but once we decided she accepted, as long as she got to name the ship. She joked that she wanted to call it something anyone from our world would know. We knew the ship would take two weeks to complete, so they would wait while we journeyed up north and then I would call them all. I setup the spell, that would do the calling with Kuya helping with the teleportation aspect of the spell itself.

Once that was set we set out to try and recover the vault. We illuminated the horses and were guided through the tunnels, we saw few antinium along the route, and mostly because they knew where we were and exited the passage to allow us to pass through unobstructed. Once the horses needed to rest, we watered them and fed them with help from the antinium.

“What is it?” one of them asked.

“A horse” I answered.

“I have never seen one before; they are not part of us.” It replied.

“It’s not, you can pet it if you want, and it needs to be rubbed down. Would you help me with the saddle?”

“Saddle?” It asked.

“To ride it”

“Ride?”

I showed him how to get on a horse in the passage being mindful of the ceiling.

“Do you want to try?”

The antinium tried and mounted the horse; it bumped its head and ducked down. It then dismounted.

“If you want to help us with the horses, then come with us in the morning.”

This is where I know the antinium had problems with choice, wanting to go but having duties elsewhere.

“You can bring them back if we leave them behind.”

I never saw that antinium, and it didn’t come with us. I was tired, and never really got around to asking. I kept in touch with all my wifes. Lady amethyst and the others had been helping with the ship, Lady Amethyst still had the laptop along with plans for the ships. It was during the discussion of the cove, and water that I learned they were terrified of the water. I understood why, it was how they breathed, the antinium were biologically similar to ants, and they didn’t breath through their mouths like a human would they breathed through their abdomen. It wasn’t obvious but once you were aware of it they could compensate. I explained Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, or SCUBA. Not that I have ever gone diving with a tank, it made me wonder if there was a way they could hide underwater, if they needed to. We never got farther with the inquiry.

It took ten days to make the trip, I had a chance to speak with Ashera, and teach her some magic. We did figure out that she wasn’t sure what to do once we retrieved the vault. Technically was was hers by right, and the fact that I was going to retrieve it wasn’t lost on either of us.

The antinium had given us a spot to rest. They wanted us to wait before we left the safety of the tunnels, as once we went above they wouldn’t be able to protect us as efficiently.  They had killed two hundred and eighty-seven creatures to get us this far. I was aware, Ashera was not. The antinium Gvvrrxx accompanied us, more to guide us through the tunnels than anything else.

“Why are you helping me retrieve the vault?” Ashira asked  a couple of days into the trip.

“You don’t want to recover it?”

“I thought you wanted it for yourself?”

“You could have told me no at any point.”

“I just don’t know this is all happening so fast, I barely have time to think.” She said taking a drink from the water skin.

“What do you have, if we can’t recover it?”

She looked at the cloths and gear she was wearing. “Just what I have on me and you gave it to me.”

“I am interested in what’s in the Vault, not going to lie about that, but it’s something you will own once I can retrieve it for you. It’s not about gold, or magic. It’s about knowledge; I want to know what happened here. The antinium have shown me some I want to know what the elves knew, what your people knew.”

“You just met me, how do you know I am worth all that, what if the vault is now empty?”

“Then we leave and move on, we have a chance let’s take it, we may not get another.”

We spoke about her life, and she cried when she remembered her parents were long gone. I let her talk with the others using one of the ear sets, and I let her keep it. Gvvrrxx kept his distance from us. Ashera spoke with Violet, Xach and Kuya about little things, and they seemed to give her a measure of confidence.  I could tell she was stressed, almost near the breaking point.

The antinium had also been busy, they were many, but from what they told me they had lost thousands when they left Rhir.Tehy had been rebuilding their numbers but it was still a slow process. The Queens knew that if they didn’t change they would soon be gone, at least on Rhir, the fact that the other hives hadn’t contacted them spoke volumes of what they had lost. We made a single stop along the path that was out of the way.

I was brought to another Queen, one of the ones who were skeptical of me. She gave me two eggs of the new subspecies of antinium two of four she had. They were white and leathery looking two feet long and maybe six inches round, it was an egg. These antinium would have a longer life cycle, since they would store the antiniums memories. The eggs I had been given fit into my  leather backpack, with barely any room for anything else. I transferred all my clothes and other items to one of two bags of holding I was carrying. The book, of storage, was in its own leather case tied to the main backpack.

When we arrived at the destination the antinium had indicated. They let us out from a secret type passage way, behind a ridge. It was explained that the creature whatever it was had dragged it away, in its attempt to consume it.

We carefully found the location and even still we were not close, we could see the vault in the distance a rough black cube. With something that looked like a giant centipede on it, the thing was a red and black color, and seemed to blend in with the cube itself.

Gvvrrxx had somehow kept up with us even though we only saw him three times during the trip spoke with us.

“We dare not get closer, we are not able to harm it with magic or anything else we have thrown at it.”

“How long has the vault been here?” Bloodstone asked, “We never did resolve that question”

The Antinium paused and asked the hive, “Before the first walls of the human kingdom were built, a definitive measure time before that would be meaningless without some context. We can guess at least several hundred years prior to the humans returning to Rhir.”

“That thing has been attacking the vault for maybe a thousand years, or more that speaks volumes about the vault.” Bloodstone said looking at Ashera.

“I know it’s the ancestors vault, with knowledge of our heritage. I know my people were reluctant to remain on this world. I have no idea where they might have gone. If they couldn’t beat it what makes you think you can?”

Bloodstone laughed, “I am the master of the impossible! It may be indestructible but it has to obey certain laws of the physical world, even add magic, it is beatable.” He looked from Kuya to Xach, “Right, who wants to live forever!”

Kuya smiled, “I can try erasing it” She expanded her staff and the three feathers dropped lower making it look like a scythe. She waved it in the creature’s general direction. “Nope, no idea why that didn’t work”

“Was worth a shot” Bloodstone said looking at the Cube, “I have no idea how we are going to move it, or where to move it to.”

“No idea,” Kuya said.

“We could levitate it up,” Xach suggested.

“How does that help?” Violet asked.

“Well, we can then move it to where we want it to be like near the fortress or near where we are building our house” Xach suggested.

“Still have a monster to deal with, lets figure out that. Then have Ashera see if we even need to move it.” Bloodstone suggested.

Ashera looked pale, “why are you so insistent?”

Bloodstone looked away from the cube and at her, she was shaking, the fear was visible, and Violet, looked at Bloodstone.

“I can give you two empty bags of holding you can go in pull whatever you think you might need out, and we can leave the rest here.”

“I don’t want to.” She said looking over his shoulder.

“Then you tell me what should we do?” Bloodstone asked Ashera.

“I want to wake of from this nightmare, I want to go home.” She said trying not to cry.

Bloodstone knelt in front of her, she was taller than him and had to look down, “I know, I want to go home as well. I understand you’re scared; We won’t let anything happen to you. Either you trust us or you don’t. I know it’s a lot to ask.” He looked in her eyes, “I’m a scared to, I just know how to hide it better. I want to recover that Vault, not for me, not for anything else but for you. Will you help us help you?”

She sobbed once and hugged him, Kuya, Violet and Xach hugged her as well, until she stopped sobbing.

“There is one thing you could do,” Ashera said rubbing the tears off her cheeks and out of her eyes.

“Whats that?” Violet asked.

“If the Key staff is still there that could be used to control it, at least that’s what everyone kept telling me to bring out.”

“Key staff?” Kuya asked.

Ashera nodded, “Last time I was in there its up on a dias it looked heavy, and I was afraid to move it.”

“Whatever you think is best, “ Bloodstone said, “looking through the spyglass. “That thing is a monster if I ever saw one it doesn’t even look like a real centipede” He handed the spyglass to Xach,”take a look Xach”

“Gross, it doesn’t look like a centipede, I see the shimmery door.” Xach said pointing it out.

“It’s been flipped up” Bloodstone said, “I bet everything is a mess in there. You think we could get inside” He asked Ashera.

“I don’t think so the barrier only lets elves in.”

“You think it would let a rope in or out?” Bloodstone asked Ashera

“I don’t see why not, it’s not alive.”

Bloodstone pulled out of one of the bags of holding a loop of robe with a grappling hook on it, and handed it to Ashera. She put it over her left shoulder and held the grappling hook in her left hand.

“We are going to distract it, Violet is going to stay here and will run if we get to close, to her or Gvvrrxx. We will help you get onto the cube, now for us to get this raid started. While most of my spells will last about twelve hours or so, we should be done in one or two beyond that Kuya will teleport everyone else back. Everyone ready on your side” He stood back and began casting.

[Call of the Raid] Others began appearing in a circle around them, “Thanks for inviting us to the party!”, Lady Amethyst said. Each of them had a green band on each right bicep. The band glowed softly, with a green light.

“Don’t thank me yet, I think the spell should send you all back to where you started when the spell ends.

Marcus, Rana, Xyrediane, Hijala, Zail, Nyteria, Em and Elmok were there they looked a bit confused at first.

Bloodstone began to cast spells onto the group [Enhanced speed][Slow time][Dragon Strength][Mind of a computer][Regeneration][Swift like the Eagle][Lightning reflexes][Afterimage][Endless Endurance][Flicker]. It was then that Lady Amethyst began casting [Voice of Foresight III][ Umbral Rune][Speed of Silver] and [Mirror].

Kuya cast [Teleblink] on everyone it was a glowing band that appeared around their right wrist. “Let me know if you break that”she said aloud. She then handed Violet a bracelet, “that should keep you safe as well”

“Now listen, just attack, if you feel you are going to get hurt cut the band on your arm if you can. That will end the spell and send you back were you started, that will be here or where you were summoned. I am going to be helping Ashera get into the cube. Is everyone ready!?”

There was a shout from the group assembled.

There were spells that started to go off, and landed on the creature on the cube. Zail fired arrows and even at the extreme distance they were seen bouncing off the creature. More spells were used, and Xyre tried to right the cube with her [Geomancer] spells. “[Move earth]” She said completing the spell.

The cube shifted but did not fall onto the correct side. Elmok and Marcus charged, weapons ready. They both were wearing heavy plate mail. They were the first to arrive, and slashed at the creature, it didn’t even seem to recognize it was being attacked. Lightning, fire, ice, and white javelins of light hit the creature, yet it still didn’t react. Xyre adjusted the terrain, dropping the cube onto the correct face so that Ashera would have an easier time to get inside.

“Pull back,” Kuya ordered, those who were close backed up a tornado formed and came in and spun around the cube. The creature still hung on, and the cube began to rotate. Lightning and fire poured into the tornado, making visibility nil.  They stood on the edge of the tornado, as the lightning flashed.  Just as soon as it formed it began to dissipate, and they rushed in again to try cause damaged to the creature.

“This isn’t getting us anywhere it we need to step up the attacks or find some weakness” Bloodstone said to the raid.

The tornado completely dissipated, showering the area around the cube had been scoured of all the loose earth.

“We can’t seem to hit it, or these weapons are not biting.” Marcus said swinging repeatedly at the creature.

“That blade should be doing something it’s a collision, razor sword.”  Bloodstone said.

“Tell it that, I’m not even scratching it”

“Ok let’s try a different tactic, get ready.”

Bloodstone opened the book, flipping pages to the one with massive chain links. “[Invoke] target creature on the cube. [RELEASE]. There was a loud snap as the heavy chains appeared around the creature.  Marcus and Elmok grabbed an end of the chain and started to pull. They pulled the section of the creature off the cube, enough to expose entrance fully. In that moment, Hijala, Rana and Xyre took the other side of the chain and with a spike from underground they began to anchor it to the earth.

“Lets go!” Bloodstone took Ashera’s hand in his and started off at first a slow run pulling her along. She caught up and then went faster. It was as if the ground around them smoothed out and they moved like lightning across the distance to the entrance. He stopped just short of the revealed entrance, and drew his purple blade, as he let her hand go. She ran into the entrance.

“We have the first part done, still no reaction?” He asked.

“Nope,” Marcus said pulling the chain tight.

“I’m going to try my blades, be ready!” He stalked to the closest part, and swung the purple glowing blade, it just bounced, not leaving a mark. “I am going to try something.”

“Is that wise?” Xyre asked.

“We need to find a weakness.” Bloodstone began casting, [call Lightning] and the lightning began to rain down, [change lightning] [Energy Manipulation] A glowing white ball of light swirled slowly in his hand about three inches from his palm. [Matter Transmutation] and slammed his hand at the creature. For a moment nothing seemed too happened. It was then that there was a blinding flash of light, and heat. Bloodstone looked confused as there wasn’t a scratch on the creature. “No Fu…” The creature shifted, and seemed to be caught in the chains.

It seemed to orient on Bloodstone, and its mouth appeared to move towards him, “Its awake!?

Ashera came out of the vault at that moment with a large staff, the creature oriented on it and her. She took a step back to reenter the vault. “I have it Bloodstone. I don’t know how to use it.” She said as the creature started to move towards her.

Bloodstone touched it again, this time he used his [Remove class] skill. The creature made a hissing noise and turned and attempted to bite him.  Bloodstone rolled out of the way, the creature continued to try at bite him.

[sub class Monster tier VIII 98 acquired]

Bloodstone ducked and used his skills [wall of blades] he stumbled as the skill wave hit. The sword didn’t do much but push him back as the creature advanced.

[Condition dragon skin] —> [condition improved reflective skin]

[Condition Regeneration]

“I can’t do anything with the key” Ashera smiled as she threw it close to Bloodstone and tore at the green band on her arm. The creature sensed the movement and saw the staff and lunged for it.

Bloodstone dove, his head swimming as the new abilities washed over him.

As his hand grasped the staff, he knew something was wrong it was either the skill wave or the staff it was if every cell in his body was on fire.

[Curse Race Adjustment: Elf]

[Condition timeless body]

 [Condition Error…1]

[Condition Error…2]

[Condition Error…3]

[Condition Error…4]

[Condition Error…5]

[Condition Error…6]

[Condition Error…7]

[Condition Error…8]

[Condition Error…9]

[Condition Error…10]

He screamed, sending shockwaves out from the scream. The creature was pushed back several feet and then attempted to bite him in half. Marcus and Elmok dove on top of him dropping him to the ground. The others began to hit it with explosion, ice projectiles, Light lances, and even a cloud of green mist. Bloodstone convulses as waves of energy were seen washing over his body.

“Teleport us, “ Marcus said to Kuya through the raid link.

Elmok and Marcus vanished. “Where’s your father!”  Marcus asked as he appeared back in the cavern a few hundred miles south.

“He didn’t go, that staff is blocking it somehow.” Kuya said.

Rana danced over to him Xyre right behind her.  “Whats happeneing!” Xyre asked.

“I don’t know but I’m going to use my skill, and see if it helps him. [Eye of the Gazer]” Rana focused all her eyes onto Bloodstone, a beam of light that converged on him. The energy stopped and dissipated. Xyre knelt and lifted him up, “Something wrong Rana, he’s lite”

“No those are the buffs we have strength.” Rana replied and looked at the monster.  It lunged at Bloodstone and Xyre jumped both of them out of the way. “What can we do Rana”

Rana leapt after here and took up Bloodstones other side. “We need to wake him he will know what to do.”

They landed ten feet back and Lady Amethyst stepped in front of them, “Ladies, keep him safe.” She gestured and the creature was thrown chains and all away from the cube. It lay in a heap.

“Violet, wake him up” Lady Amethyst said to her., she turned to Ashera, “Take the staff, I saw the grin you tried to hide.”

Ashera stopped trying to tear the arm band, “He got what he deserved. He was going to steal everything, you humans are all alike.”

Lady amethyst strode the three steps to her and stuck her across the face with her palm, “You miserable brat! What did you do!”

“It’s only going to make him an elf, as long as he holds the staff. The ancestors made the staff to control it. They put safeguards in place. He just needs to relinquish it and the curse will be lifted.”

They looked at Bloodstone, his features had changed, and he looked smaller being held up by Rana and Xyre. His skin seems to glow more, like a half elf but even more so, and his ears were pointed.

Bloodstone shook his head, and came too.

“Drop the staff, the brat gave you a cursed staff.” Lady Amethyst said.

Bloodstone dropped it there was no change in his appearance.

“What about the creature how long will is stay like that” Hijala asked.

Everyone looked at the creature as it slowly began to disengage itself from the chains.

“Put me down, I don’t think it can be destroyed by normal means. Why do you all look a little taller?” He asked.

“Not now! How do we deal with that!” Xyre asked, pointing her wand at the creature.

Bloodstone thought for a moment, “Throw it into the sun”

Everyone stared back at him then the creature

“Uh how!?” Hijala asked.

“Ok this is what I need,” He looked at the cube, and then Ashera.  “I have a promise to keep.” He bent over and picked up the staff, and touched it to the Vault. The staff and the vault began to shrink down. Once it was small enough to carry he handed the small staff that looked like a key and cube to Ashera.

“But I thought?” she said somewhat shocked.

“That I would lie, I don’t if I can help it, stretch the truth maybe leave out important information never lie.”

“What about the curse” Xyre asked.

“One thing at a time. I need you all to get out of the area, I’m going to use some epic level spells.”

“What do you mean epic level spells?” Xyre asked.

“You know how there are tiers, of magic, first second third and so on.”

She nodded, “Yeah but what does that have to do with.”

“Epic is like a tier ten or higher spell, for that I need to make some checks.” He pulled the bag of dice from his pocket, found four that he was looking for and dropped them to the ground.

“Oh this is going to suck! Anyone care to help me with this?”

“I will just tell me what I need to do Xyre said.”

“I will help as well,” Em said looking at the dice, “If you explain what you just did”

“No time, I need magic, as much as you can gather. Xyre make a the stone below the creature break free in a disc.”

Xyre nodded there was a rumbling as the earth began to shift.

“Xach I need you to ice that monster up, as much ice on it around it over it as you can.” Her looked at the others, “Hijala and Rana I need you to use that Gaze on the creature, when I call. Can you do it.”

“I will see that we are ready.” Hijala said putting her hand on Rana’s shoulder.

“Nyteria, Zail I want to to stay with Xach and Kuya, make sure they leave before you do.”

“We can help as well,” Zail said.

“You are helping if I know they are protected I can do what needs to be done. That’s what Heroes do.”

The temperature began to drop as Xach began to pour cold at the creature clogging the chains as ice began to form, slowing it down a little. The ground rumbled as a ring of cracksformed from a central point around the creature.

“My turn. [Telekenis][Energy manipulation][Matter Transmutation] Now Rana!” He said running towards the ice coated creature.  Rana and Hijala appeared from a shadow, and the beam impacted the creature.  Lady Amethyst cast a spell [Mind cleave] The creature staggered and fell into the ice. Blodstone knelt and picked up the dice, placing them into the bag.

“Time for everyone to go!” Bloodstone said, everyone tore the armbands, and the only ones still there were Lady Amethyst, Kuya, Xach, Ashera and Violtet.

Lady Amethyst ran over and hugged him, “You don’t have to do this.”

“I do, it will be fine.”

They disengaged and he tore the green armband and she faded as the spell took hold.

“Get them out of here Kuya,” he yelled.

There was a flash and they were gone.

The creature shifted in the ice attempting to right itself.

“Let go for a little trip.” The stone they were on covered in ice rose up into the air and began to move faster as it moved higher.

It was near dusk when they noticed the bright object going up in the sky. Sailors around Rhir took it as a good omen as start never went up. only a few others saw it some of the others in the raid were in tears. It was noted in several ships logs of a strange star that rose to the heavens and then disappeared, in a shower of sparks that streaked across the sky in a red burst. The whole event lasted for a minute and then was soon forgotten.

Shooting starts were rarely seen, the meteors were prized as they were perfect for making some of the most powerful weapons.

The small town of Telizmet was still the same muddy mess with the new inn, that evening after Lady Magnolia had visited the sound of thunder awoke everyone there was no rain. A ball of bright flame fell in the mountains to the west. It too was noted, and people went back to sleep.

In a small valley in the mountains surrounded by just woodlands and streams a ball of Ice fell to earth, it shattered on impact spreading ice everywhere, and leaving a trench of uprooted soil.

No one came to investigate the first day.  The second day three young goblins went to see what had fallen in the valley, they had been run off their lands, when the humans began a purge of goblins. They had hid, and now were alone and lost.

The goblins found a very strange creature in the mud. It looked like a muddy goblin, but smelled like ashes and fire.

Meek, poked it with a long stick.

“Quit it” the  creature said his voice raspy and raw.

Meek poked it again. “Knock it off or so help me.”

Meek poked it a third time.

The thing struggled in the mud a little more. The sun rose, slowly.

The three goblins conferred, and they decided to eat whatever that was, they got vines together and lassoed it after several attempts.

“Oh, hey thanks for pulling me out of that mud.” Meek hit in the head several times , with a rock.

Gamers Eight ACT IV- Chapter 5

There was some discussion between the gold and silver teams, out of earshot of Kuya, Xach and the Lord and Lady. It wasn’t that they felt, cheated or anything of the sort. It was that the Gold teams felt inadequate, and even though they had gained levels and skills from the fight with the dragon, and even a large share of the treasure.

“It’s that every time he is nearby, my [danger sense] is screaming. I though it was something else, it’s him.” Kenton said.

Brigette nodded, “there is something about him that terrifies me. Like we are out classes.”

Emily, Em to her to team, “I like his son, asks good questions, even some I don’t really know.” She looked around, “His daughter, has taught me a few things, she has a grasp of magic. What really terrifies me is she has only had access to real magic for a couple of months.”

Haran listened, “You want to abandon him now, after all he has done for us. We chased them down, and now that we have scored you all want to leave?”

“Its not that Haran,” Amanda said, “Its I want to keep this gear and money, we can retire. We can do better behind the wall than out here, looking for who knows what?”

“Yes, outclass is a good apt description, he didn’t need us in that fight, we know we can’t take that key or the mirror, at least not by force.” Euan said.

“Hrak you have been quiet.” Brigette said to the drake.

“Its dishonorable, to leave an ally because he’s more powerful than we are. We are gold teams are we afraid of him?” Hrak asked.

“What are you saying we should do?” Brigette asked.

“Be honest with him, we have all been out here and even with his magic book, its not safe out here in the blight” Summer said.

“Who’s going to let him know” Nerris asked.

The adventurers looked around, at each other, two gold teams and the silver team.

“I’m staying with them.”  Zail replied.

“Why?” Nyteria asked.

“I think your all wrong, I asked Xyrediane his wife why he brought me back, she didn’t know either. She did say that he is kind and generous to people he likes. Has he ever said an unkind word to any of you?”

There were looks around the group, “Its not that, we just don’t trust him.” Vala said, “Think about it he could take over the kingdom if he wanted, who’s going to stop him? Who could stop him?”

“I don’t think he is like that” Shen said.

“Every Lord I have ever met has wanted power and didn’t care how they got it, you know better than I do Brigette” Vala replied.

“If you had asked me a two weeks ago I would have agreed, now, I really don’t have an answer.” Brigette said.

“Ok teams let us call a vote then.” Nerris suggested.

“I don’t think we can be a part of this,” Gyrmoth said looking at his team mates.

“I’m with Bloodstone“, Zail replied.

“I follow my brother, he’s never been wrong” Nyteria said nodding a slight quiver to her bottom lip..

“Gwill, Vala, Kenton?” Gyrmoth asked.

“I’m out, being this far out into the blight scares the crap out of me.” Vala said.

“I am with Vala,” Gwillunlu said nodding in her direction.

“We have our gold, I want a chance to spend it,lets go home.” Kenton said flipping a gold coin across the back of his hand finger to finger.

“We are breaking up the team?” Gyrmoth asked.

“I guess we are,” Zail replied holding out a hand.

Gyrmoth shook in and pulled him close, “Who knew I could get along with half-elves, for as long as we have been together.” He looked over at Nerris and Brigette, “And what about your teams?”

“All the Red Blight are leaving, unless any of you wants to drop from the team.” Nerris said looking them over.

“You’re a real hard bitch” Haran said, “I’m telling you it’s a mistake, but I go where the team goes. No one ever listens to me anyhow.”

Not one other member of the Red Blight said a word. “I guess we are all out, and the Golden Swords?”

“I want to stay,” Em said looking over at the other swords and stopping at Brigette,” Admit it your intrigued”

“As much as I would want to see how he gets past eight mithril golems, I know my limits.” Brigette said looking down.

“I will follow where you go Brigette” Shen said putting his hand on her left shoulder, “We are comrades.”

“I want to go home”, Balis said

“I too want to see where this Lord goes,” She said looking at Brigette, “You have to decide,” she looked over at Em,”Do we really owe Brigette or Bloodstone?”

“We do, what’s the verdict?” Em asked.

“I…I just got you back, I want to go home now. My brother needs me home and told me as much from his last message. There are thing happening on Izril that needs me to return home.”

Hrak looked around at his team, “I have no problem returning to Issrysil, after hearing about the death of the Tidebreaker, there will be war. Perhaps we can convince Lord Bloodstone to journey there with us?”

“I guess that settles it, Em are you staying or going?”

 Em looked at each of her friends, “I have been dead twenty years, and to be honest, I have no-where to go back to.” She looked sad and if she wanted to say more. “I want to go with him. Not for some greater purpose, or because he brought me back from the dead. You have been my family, I just have a feeling, that I need to be with them. I can’t explain it, its, like knowing, that your whole life has been going the wrong direction and finding the path by accident. It’s something he said to me, that has me wanting to see this through.”

“What was that Em,” Brigette asked.

“I never told you, who my parents were. My mother was a pretty good mage and had some issues with money, she was good with secrets but bad with charging for them. She spent time with my father, whom you most likely know. I will not say his name. My mother died, and I know it drove him mad. We left just before the Antinium wars and came here. I was running from my father. I don’t want to go back, to many painful memories, and maybe Lord Bloodstone will let me bring back my mother.”

There was silence for a moment, and Brigett asked, “We never asked your family name.”

“Chandler, I don’t know if any of my siblings are alive. After mom died, things got bad, really bad.”

“Are you telling me you’re the daughter of the Necromancer?”, Summer asked grasping the hilt of her dagger.

“I am yes, I just thought of him as dad, not yhat he was around much. After mom died I…I really don’t want to talk about it.”

“How many siblings do you have?” Nerris asked.

Em looked at her, “Well that’s a secret, what’s it worth to you?”

Everyone stared at Em and then Nerris laughed, “Now that I think about it, I don’t really want to know.”

Em nodded, “So me, Zail and…” Em looked at Zails sister, “Um, its Nyteria right”

She nodded.

“Well, we are the only one staying, so who is going to tell the Lord you guys are leaving?” Em asked.

“I’ll tell him,” Brigette said getting up and going to look for Bloodstone.

She found him messing with what looked like a stone door near the entrance to the caves. “What are you doing?” She asked him.

“Making a door. Now that it’s been cleaned up it can be used by adventurers in the blight, there is fresh water and if I could get some dirt there could be some plants growing.” He said lifting the door up, it settled and fell into stone grooves on the top and bottom. He then placed two small blocks and they each covered the door pins top and bottom. With a tap of the pick-axe it became solid stone again.

“Seems kind of a waste, no one is going to use this place.” Brigette said.

Bloodstone shrugged, “I’m done here,“ he said closing the door.

 “We are leaving, all three teams.”

“I see, anything I did wrong?”

“We just are nervous out here, and it’s not that we are not grateful for all you have done.”

“Is it because of the loot split?”

“It’s not, even with you lending us the bags of holding its very generous. We have most of the magic items and a good portion of the gold. It’s just we want to be able to spend it, some of them want to go home.”

“I see, and one more adventure into the blight is one to many?”

“Em and Zail and his sister are going to stay. The rest we are all heading out in the morning.”

“Oh, good, I want to get out of this Blight! Any of you want to hire a fashion consultant. Blood was kind enough to give me some gold and a letter of introduction to his second wife.” Delilah said giving him a weird look, “That still sounds weird to me.”

“Well in that case take the scouts and Delilah. They are still green and have a higher survivability with your group than with mine. Em knows the way to the white tower, so it’s all good.”

“I thought you would be mad.”

“Why because you told me the truth. If I got mad, about that, that just makes me petty. No, I understand. We are going to go look and might be a couple of days behind you. You forget we can still communicate with the wall. I have been keeping Coreen apprised of the situation, they will be expecting you.”

“I should have known.”

“There is one issue I want to talk with you about” He said looking out into the Blight

“Whats that?”

“I have an offer, I will put anyone’s name on the plaque who agrees to a geas of not being able to talk about the mirror.”

“I um, really? Why, what plaque?”

“To protect the secret, and have an incentive to do so. The plaque of names across from the mirror, I keep it covered when I open the door for guests.”

“I can talk to the others about it”

“Oh, and one other thing, the goblins will be coming with us.”

“Goblins? I haven’t seen any goblins since we left.”

“Good, that was the plan. They are giving us a buffer if demons show up they know the blight.”

 “When did you set that up?”

“I didn’t Kuya did and the goblin she made friend with has gained some prestige for going into the wall.”

“How many goblins?”“Goblins? I haven’t seen any goblins since we left.”

“Never asked, you want to talk to them?”

“No, was just curious.”

“How come you never said anything about them before now?”

“You and your attitude towards goblins frankly is disturbing. There are drakes, sephalids, dwarves, and a bunch of other races you don’t have a problem with. Goblins can be the ally we need. Let’s me put it another way, if goblins could turn the tide of a battle, in the kingdoms favor would you want the help even if it cost you later down the line?”

“I don’t know.”

“An honest answer, that at least means you would weigh the options. Anything else?”

“Be careful of Em, she is always been, a little shady.  After finding out she is the daughter of the Necromancer, I kind of understand why.”

“I have contingency’s in place, I’m not worried about her, I will keep an eye on her.”

“See you in a few days then.”

The next morning the two groups were at the entrance. Delilah handed Bloodstone a black vial, “It’s still pretty nasty, I figured have you keep one of the vials and I will keep the other, just in case.”

“Yeah sure.” He said putting it away in a potion case.

The two groups shook hands and made their farewells and the larger group headed south back to the wall of the blighted kingdom. The other headed north, to find the tower, and see if they could locate the vault that was spoken of in a book.

The blight was black grass, and other strange plants, that seemed to cover the landscape, some looked like wild thorn bushes, other plants that looked like short warped trees.  There was a grove of plants that looked like apples trees, if there was a deep black and purple fruit, that looked like an apple.

“Any idea if these are edible?” Bloodstone asked as they passed through the grove.

“No,” Em said simply.

“How do you know?”

“Look around, over there on the ground.”

There were rotten fruits on the ground, a few strange looking animals were decomposing under the tree.

“I wonder….” Bloodstone said slowing his horse to a stop.

“This really isn’t a safe place “, Em said turning around on her horse.

Bloodstone removed a small vial from the same potion container, the black vial was in. There was a small vial with a rainbow-colored slick. He then let a single drop fall onto the tree. The change was instant and dramatic, the bark went from a sickly red purple to a deep brown, and gold. While the change moved slowly, it was noticeably across the single tree.

“Will have to check when we come back through here.” He stoppered the vial and put it away, the shimmer continued.

“Apple trees, Blah” Kuya said, “I can’t eat apples.”

Bloodstone remounted the horse and caught up to the others, “There is one thing that I have noticed, there are no bird or insects.”

“The blight is like that”, Zail said.

“They had crickets brought in from Izril and released out into the blight, a few years later there was a giant cricket invasion. They don’t bring insect over anymore.” Nyteria replied.

“When was this?” Bloodstone asked.

“A few centuries back, no idea if it is true, it’s what I read on certain monsters seen in the blight.”

As the sun began to set, Bloodstone whistled loudly. Four goblins revealed themselves.

Zail reached for his bow, “Goblins!” He said.

“Its fine Zail they are here to show us a place to camp, and we will share a meal with them if that’s all right with you.” Bloodstone said getting off his horse.

The four goblins looked skittish and a little afraid.

Kuya said something in goblin, and they looked at her and one of them said something back.

One of them pointed and the horses followed, were the four goblins lead them.

“Are you sure this is safe?” Rana asked looking everywhere, but mostly at the four goblins.

“We are in the blight, nothings really safe.” Bloodstone said to her, “You are really high strung.”

The goblins lead them to a larger group, of goblins who all paused when the group entered, it was obvious they didn’t know whether to run or wait and see. The larger hobgoblin, whom had fought with Bloodstone weeks ago stepped forward with the smaller goblin. There were at least fifty goblins, a half dozen hobgoblins were mixed in with them.

Bloodstone dismounted, and walked over to the hobgoblin, who still looked massive compared to him.

The Hobgoblin stood with his club over one shoulder, as Bloodstone approached, “You talk?” The goblin asked.

“If you will listen?”

“Talk then.”

“You know about the cave back that way?” He asked.

“Know.”

“I fixed it up, you can grow plants if you can get good dirt.”

The goblin looked at him somewhat confused. “Grow?”

“You know like corn or potatoes”

“Not know what that is.”

Kuya had dismounted and walked over to talk with the small goblin, the other goblins seemed to relax around her, as if reading the body language of the goblin she had befriended. “Daddy,” Kuya called

Bloodstone looked over and saw her standing next to a small goblin child who had been bandaged across one eye and her head. The blood was still soaking the bandage.

“Who did that to the child” Bloodstone asked the Hobgoblin.

The hobgoblin pointed out into the blight, “Bad things.”

“Demons?” Bloodstone asked.

The hobgoblin shook its head, “Bad things” As if that explained it.

“Goblin run or kill bad things.”

The Hobgoblin, thought about it for a moment, “Kill if can run if can’t.”

Kuya removed the bandage, and the small goblin looked afraid and in pain. A nasty slash had taken out her right eye and left a deep oozing wound across the small goblins face. Xyrediane watching from her horse, “That’s a pretty nasty wound, looks infected. I wouldn’t use a healing potion on it.”

“You want to heal her or should I,” He asked Kuya.

“Um, can you do it?”

Bloodstone walked closer to the small goblin, who shrieked back in fear. He stopped and knelt and opened his hands so that the goblins could see he didn’t have anything in them.

“Why are you bothering” Em said, “That goblin will most likely be dead soon anyhow.”

“Em, you really should learn to shut up”, Rana said blocking her view.

“Whatever.” Em said looking around, at the goblins, “Complete waste of time.”

One of the adult goblins pushed the small one towards Bloodstone, there was some exchanges between the goblins and Kuya hissed and said something. Every goblin looked at Bloodstone.

“Your scaring the poor think,” Lady Amethyst said.

Bloodstone nodded and took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Something changed, everyone there felt it.

“What was that?” Em asked.

Bloodstone opened his eyes and almost touched the goblin and traced his finger along the wound. It closed as his finger moved just above the skin.  The goblin reached up to touch the wound, “No little one, I am almost done.” He said softly. The wound itself was closed, the eye however was still damaged. He reached down into one of the bags at his waist and the goblins moved closer to see what he was going to remove.  He removed a small gemstone.

“Is this how you fixed, Isabell’s eyes?” Xyrediane asked.

“Yes, please don’t interrupt my concentration.” He said releasing the stone, instead of falling, it floated in front of her face. It was a diamond, and he gestured, and it moved to the damaged eye. It merged with the eye, and there was a gasp from the small goblin and she reached for the eye, bloodstone caught her small hands and held them away. The damaged eye changed, and became, like glass then turned the normal color, the iris was a pale blue.” He released the goblin and she blinked. She had mismatched eyes, one red and the other a white blue. He let out a breath and the atmosphere shifted, and the strange feeling was gone. 

“Was that a skill?” Rana asked.

“Yes.” He looked over at Rana, “It’s a Skill called [Matter Transmutation] its part of the [EMPTY] class.”

Em snickered, “I have never heard of a class like that and I have studied rare classes. What other skills does that class have?”

“Rather not say,” He replied.

The small goblin squealed and wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. There was a commotion with the goblins. The Hobgoblin came up and slapped him on the back. “goblin friend.” The Hobgoblin then said something, and they started bringing out what looked like food. Kuya said, “we can share our food as well.”

The meal was awkward and tense for both sides, once they settled in and tasted the foods, the goblins settled. It was strange for both sides, having humans and goblins in the same place, and not fighting.

After they had eaten, the goblin leaders and the small goblin that had befriended Kuya sat with Bloodstone and the others.

“You go to death tooth?” The big goblin with the club asked.

“We want to see what is there, “ Bloodstone told him.

“Death, goblins no go there, bad bad place. Metal things kill, not alive. Why you go?”

“Something is supposed to be there that’s important to my king.” Bloodstone said.

“Only death, only pain. Sometimes see bug men.”

“Bug men?”

The big goblin said something, and a small goblin stepped into the circle, and he looked a little intimidated. “Tell her, she can draw it” Bloodstone said pointing to Kuya.

“I will try”

There was a conversation in goblin between the chieftan, and several other goblins. The small goblin started explaining in goblin and Kuya began drawing what he described. She showed it to the goblin and they made comments and she fixed what they told her.

“Antinum” Kuya said holding up the picture for them to see.

Bloodstone looked at the goblin, “When?”

There was some conferring, and counting on fingers, and then the big goblin shrugged, “When Tripfeet was small.”

“Um, ok.”

“What’s that mean?” Eve asked.

“They don’t have a way to record time, even here they mark time by the kings reign. The only ones who really have a grasp of time is the lords and especially the king with his

[chronomancer]

[steward].  These goblins could tell you what happened yesterday, and maybe last week and possibly monsters they know about but what happened last year this time, they wouldn’t know specifics.”

“Oh”

“They wouldn’t care, they are survival driven. You saw what they foraged, they live out here. They know more about what moves through the blight than even the kings men and all the adventurers. It foolish to hunt them, and there is a terrifying thought that just occurred to me. If it’s true, and I have a way to check, I will be so pissed off, this world will know how pissed off I am.”

“What just occurred to you?” Eve asked.

“If the goblins were here when the blight was made, what were they before?”

“I don’t ….” Eve looked him in the eye, and then understanding popped in her head. “Oh shit!”

“It’s just a hypothesis, one that I can check, or have a certain [Geneticist] check.”

“Daddy what are you talking about,” Kuya asked.

“Nothing just speculation, no proof. Its not important and not like I can prove anything.” He turned to the hobgoblin, “What’s important to goblins?”

The goblin stared at him across the fire, “Food, good weapon, fast feet.” The goblin smiled, “What’s important to you?”

“Getting home, and survival, I know you could teach us a lot about doing that in the blight.”

The goblin grunted and offered him a bowl that looked like black paste.

Bloodstone sniffed it and it smelled horrible. The goblin watched him intently.

“Is it food?”

The goblin made no move and other goblins stared at him. He looked around and saw other goblins with similar bowls.

He dipped one finger in and tasted it, and without making a face swallowed. The goblin leader roared in laugher, “You like?”

“It’s horrible. What is it?”

“Medicine, for cuts.” He laughed more.

The other goblins laughed as well.

“Oh, I see, Xach see if he likes the peppers you found.” Xach dug around and pulled out three small red dried peppers he offered them to the goblin who took one and took a bite.

The goblin began chewing and beads of sweat were forming on his brow. “Good huh” Xach said eating one and the another. The goblin stared at Xach, who was chewing them as well.  They both swallowed at the same time. The goblin said something, and a bowl of water was brought to Xach. “Im good.” Xach said.

“Now know why humans are so tough,” The goblin said. “Have more?” He asked Xach.

“Yeah,” Xach passed him a couple more and they both were chewing them. Em looked at the peppers, “Are you crazy those are really painful to eat.”

“Good though, just right amount of heat.” Xach replied, offering her a handful. “Also makes concentrating on magic easier”

She hesitantly took one and put it away.

The small party wound down and the goblins settled into a routine, they slept on and under black mats woven of grass. They offered them to the humans as well.

The goblins also kept watch after dousing the fire. The sounds of the blight became more pronounced. The goblins lit no fires, and only a few people were able to see, there were clouds that obscured the stars. Others were able to see as well if not better than the goblins.

“How are you able to see?” Rana asked Lady Amethyst.

“I have a buff, that gives me the ability to see in the dark.” She replied.

“Buff?” Em and Nyteria both asked at the same time.

“Jinx” Kuya said.

They both looked at Kuya, “Whats a buff” Em asked.

“It’s a spell that is usually an enhancement, like strength or speed or special abilities.” Lady Amethyst said, “I can cast a couple of buffs on you like a magic regen one.”

“Magic regen?” Em asked.

“Yes it’s like the potions you drink maybe faster. You never said why you wanted to go with us and not your team.” Lady Amethyst asked Em.

“I want to be with the best team to stay alive. I have knowledge of the tower, and I died once already what’s the worst that could happen.  I kind of like your son. Can you cast that magic buff now?”

“Addict,” Kuya said.

“I can,” She said ignoring Kuya. She cast a spell and there was a blue glow around Em.

“Oh wow, I can feel the magic, how long does it last”

“About a day.”

Before Nyteria could say anything, Lady Amethyst cast it on her.

“Now there are two addicts” Kuya teased.

“What about Rana and Xyre?” Em asked.

“Rana doesn’t need the buff, and Xyre gets mana from touching the ground for some reason and doesn’t need the buff either.” Lady Amethyst said.

The goblins shushed them and rolled over on their mats.

The next morning, the goblins were ready to leave at first light, it took about a half hour for everyone else to get mounted. The goblins dispersed as the group rode north.

“Ok I am officially freaked out,” Rana said looking everywhere.

“Oh?” Bloodstone asked yawning and stretching on the horse.

“I can’t keep track of the goblins, they blend in to well with those grass mats.” She said somewhat frustrated.

“It’s not surprising they have been out here for a long time, they have tricks that some adventurers could learn from.”

They walked until near noon and the goblins called a rest. “To hot, wait then go” The Cheiftan said.

“Is it safe?” Eve asked.

The goblin shrugged and walked off into the blight.

“You didn’t have to come with us. “Marcus said to Eve.

“Are you kidding Delila is annoying, and if she asked me one more stupid question about my hair….”

Marcus laughed, “she should fit right in when we get back”

It was while they were resting when Em approached,”Lord Bloodstone, I have some questions to ask you.”

“Sure, you can ask me anything, doesn’t mean I will answer.”

“How does the mirror work?”

“You mean its rules or how it works in general?”

“How does it bring someone back from the dead?”

Bloodstone looked at her and thought about it, before answering. “It’s a bunch of spells together, the first is that it identifies a name or a body part in the reflection it does a divination to find the most healthy version of that person in the past. It takes that body as a template, and then finds when they died, and copies every memory the moment they died to the new body. Then if the person’s soul is there is brings those things together in the mirror.”

 She stared at him silently, “How can you explain that so simply the spells required doing that…”

“Are very high level” He replied.

“How do you know them, how is that possible, you are from a world without magic.” She said somewhat in disbelief.

Bloodstone shrugged, “That’s how I would do it, doesn’t mean that’s how the mirror works but my guess it’s some variant of what I just said. Possibly in a different order but you get the idea.”

She swallowed, “I am afraid, what you might say if I told you I was the daughter of a necromancer.”

“Should I be impressed, or sad? They way you say it, it sounds like you’re a little embarrassed or ashamed of your old man.”

“I, think I underestimated you. Your son has been asking me about necromancy.”

“Well we both have some knowledge of that field it’s a viable school of magic. Why do you think you underestimated me?”

“I thought you were like everyone else here and had a disgust for things undead?”

He looked at her,” I think you are making assumptions, I never said that I would use undead, at least not if I don’t have to. Don’t misunderstand, I know undead have uses and each situation is different. I won’t kill something just to raise it as an undead. It other words I’m not going to kill just to get a better weapon. I don’t need to kill unless I have to.”

“what about using the bones, of the dead?”

“That’s fine, as long as you either have permission, or are aware of the stigma you are going to cause.”

“I have been dealing with the negativity all my life, it’s just odd how you, seem to take it all in stride.”

“He does that all the time,” Rana said

“I see things differently than most people, let me ask you both a question. You are in a small town you have never been to before, everyone seems to be afraid of you or shuns you. What is your first thought as to why that might be?”

“Because I am a half gazer?” Rana said.

“I’m a necromancer?” Em replied

“what if your both wrong, it’s because the town has had bad experiences with outsiders. How do you break the ice so to speak?”

“Why would I want to,” Em said cutting off Rana.

Bloodstone sighed, “you are missing the point, you automatically assume is a bias, and by doing so you can unintentionally alienate yourself. In addition, you may cut yourself off from valuable information, or skills that you could use.”

Zail walked over whipping sweat from his brow and breathing a little heavy, “I did what you asked, and went hunting with the goblins. They kept surprising me, we killed a boar. I should say I killed it.”

“You learn something?”

“Yeah, I think your right about the goblins, I hate to admit it. I never saw them as people before. I am ashamed to admit that, I have killed goblins.”

“Nothing to be ashamed of, it’s part of growing and learning. Its knowing when to admit you may have made a mistake and you re-evaluate your position.

“Well we did get a boar, I’m going to teach them how to cut it properly.” He said turning to go back to the goblins.

“Did you kill it or them?” Bloodstone asked.

“I did, they didn’t seem to want to bother with it.”

The goblins ate well that night.

It took them three days to find the tower, with the goblins help. It was a tower, situated in a small valley surrounded by ruins. The tower stood in the middle of the ruins, of what appeared to be a town made up of stone. It was rubble mostly a few building walls still stood a monument to the massive structure that did still stand a white gleaming tower that stood well over a three hundred feet. There was what looked like a large metal door, set into one face of the tower.

It was the eight metal golems that stopped anyone from approaching the tower. They were twenty feet tall and each had two long metal curved blades of the same silver looking metal. It wasn’t silver, as it hadn’t tarnished. The two people on the ridge of the valley looking through the small spyglass, noted the skeletons, most appeared to be missing a head or cut in half.

The goblins refused to go into the ruins and told them they would wait for them to the south.

“See, those are Mithral golems, it would take a couple of gold teams to take down one, never mind eight” Em said to Bloodstone who was looking through the spyglass.

“The enchantments on them are, intact. I think you might be right.”

“You can see the enchantments on them from here?”

“Yes, I also see some paths in the stonework, how long have you watched them?”

“We watched them for two days, and they moved every few hours.” As if on cue the eight golems moved into a different position, each moving several dozen feet from where they were.

“Those are some high-level enchantments, I don’t see a way past them, without someone dying.”

“You could use the mirror?” She suggested.

“No, that would leave equipment unrecoverable, I can sense some basements and openings in the earth below the ruins. I don’t think there is an easy way into the tower from the ground.” He turned and looked at the top of the tower. It was domed, and there was a shimmer from the balconies at the top. “Flying is out as well.”

“What?, Why?” Em asked.

“Take a look.” He handed her the spyglass.

She looked through and could see inside the dome area, there were three more golems in the space. “Is that a statue?”

“Let me look.” He took the glass back and looked. He was quite for a good minute. “I don’t think it’s a statue, I can’t make out much detail. Hold on, “he said and took out a small tripod and tightened the spyglass to it. “Hands to shaky, and I want to use my phone to get a better picture.”

After the tripod was setup he attacked the phone to the other end of the spyglass. “You had that spyglass and stand made to use with your device?” Em asked.

“Yes, I was worried they wouldn’t get it sent before we left.“ He then turned on the phone, and connected several dots on the screen with a line and the phone loaded. He activated the camera application and hooked it up to the back of the small telescope.  After maneuvering the whole thing to where they could see into the top of the dome. He took a couple of pictures, there were three more golems, and what looked like a statue of a woman.

“What’s that haze?” she asked looking at the picture.

“No idea, going to zoom in onto the woman as close as I can.” He then took the picture.

“Looks like a Half-elf, hard to tell though the light is horrible “ Em said.

“Ok lets get some good pictures of the golems as well as the ruins.” He said panning the focus to the golems, and taking pictures, and even video.

“Well I think that’s about all I can show you” Em said.

“I knew I should have brought Rana, let’s get off this cliff and see if we can’t figure out a way in to that tower.”

“You think you can get into the tower?”

“We have what a week to figure it out before we have to head back. with some of the food the goblins helped procure, were have extra time.”

The two of them climbed back up the ridge to the path they had found. They rejoined the group who had setup camp near the mouth of the valley.

“Well?” Kuya asked.

“No frontal assault, eight golems and no idea what they are programmed to do, best guess is they are heavily enchanted.”  He stared at Kuya, “I don’t think your staff would work on them, and I don’t know what other defenses that might trigger.”

“But I could just….” Kuya started to say.

“No, …” it was at that moment his earpiece chirped, “Just a moment” he touched the diamond, “Hello?”

There a long moment of silence, “That’s good to hear,” He listened for a bit, “You do what’s best, we still have a bulk of the gold and the cache of magic items with us. We did find it and just finished scouting the tower.” He listened, “Its real, I have pictures.” He listened for a minute in silence, and rolled his eyes twice, “Well I can’t guarantee we will be there, by then. If we leave now maybe, I can’t see giving up on this, we just got here. Has he ordering me to return?” He was quite for a long time, “Thanks, Ill contact you tonight.” He touched the diamond.

“What was that all about?” Lady Amethyst asked.

“Coreen says the king heard about the group returning and is going to be doing an inspection, she wasn’t sure when his delegation would arrive. There was a request that we host him and his people next week sometime. Hopefully the gifts we sent back will be enough to leave us alone. Otherwise we have to cut this short and head back tomorrow at the earliest.”

“Your going to defy the King?” Zail asked.

“Not if I can help it, we only got word from Susan, that the king is making rounds after the assault, making sure everything is on the up and up. Coreen said that Isabel told her we do not show up anytime soon. The request came in right after Susan reported to Coreen.”

“Why not head back, now then,” Zail asked.

“It’s kind of like this, we have lord and lady titles,” gesturing to himself and Lady Amethyst,” granted by the crown, if for some reason they were revoked. We would most likely know it instantly. That usually means everyone in the family would be enemies of the crown, I don’t think it’s come to that, especially since we did send very generous gifts to the crown from the Sutters holdings and also from the dragon’s horde. If we can find this vault, we can at least have some extra leeway with the crown. Perhaps find out more about this ritual he is using and putting a stop to him killing off his own people to bring people from our world. If nothing else at least get the information as to what he is using.”

“Do you think you can convince the king?”Xyrediane asked.

“Maybe, I have no idea. Sometimes, it’s talking through a problem and showing solutions to pieces can let you solve the bigger issue. The king is reasonable.  He let us try some of our ideas, maybe having a dialog could help with more solutions, a king makes choices based on information given, if you have bad information you can make bad choices.”

“Let’s see the pictures”, Lady Amethyst said.

“Sure, let me download them off the phone to the laptop.” Bloodstone setup a table, that had been stored in the ‘room’ as it was being called. A tent was setup over it and they began to examine the pictures, that had been taken.

 “Look here, here and here.” Rana said pointing out corpses on the pictures. “they all are inside that white stone around the tower.”

“She right, I don’t see any other skeletons, and all of them are around the edges.” Marcus said.

“So as long as we stay out of that ring, of stone we should be safe.” Zail asked.

“I could take em,” Xach said eying the golems.

“Let’s not go that route. We can’t walk up and flying to the balconies up top is out, that leaves underground. What do you think Xyre?”

“Maybe there enough voids or dead areas under the area, it’s possible and if you use that pickaxe, maybe we can find an underground entrance.”

“Ok let’s do this, since only me and you have the ability to sense metal and stone. We become the team captains, and you get to pick first.”

“You sure?”

“Yes, go ahead and start us off Xyre”

“Ok, Rana”

“I pick Kuya then.” Bloodstone said pointing to her.

“Lady Amethyst” After she was called she walked over to Xyrediane, she smiled, “I’m using my siren illusion”

“Elmok”

“At your service my lord” Elmok said

“Nyteria”

“I guess we have a bunch of mages in this group” Nyteria said.

“Em”

“It’s because I am gold rank?” She asked.

“Hijala”

“I will stay with my lady” She said fanning her wings.

“Violet”

Violet grabbed one of the bags they used for potions and stood behind Em.

“Xach”

“Whatever” and walked to stand next to his mother.

“Eve”

“Why did I get picked last?” She asked.

“Just how it worked out, this should be a good team setup, I’m giving Eve and Xach the pickaxes, since they were picked last.”

“You want the east or west side, Xyre?” Bloodstone asked her.

“East”

“Ok let’s meet back here in a couple of hours, if you have any issues message the team leaders.” They walked down through the entrance to the valley, once it opened to the ruined town they went left and right, checking for holes in the ground, and ready for anything that might jump out at them.

They searched the houses in the ruins for an entrance underground, after searching they returned and compared notes.

“There are voids and areas that are detecting as solid stone, all over the place under the ruins. Most of what we could investigate were collapse basements or buried in with debris.” Xyre said

“We found pretty much the same thing, and even digging down a little we just had small pockets of space that were filled with dirt. There was one spot that we didn’t have time to really check but it’s a massive void to the north, or it’s just not detecting stone or earth there. Any thoughts?”

They ate lunch and talked out some suggestions, “The biggest issue is that there is a lot of loose dirt, and even if we could find stone we would have to move it to make a passage. “ Xyrediane said.

“What are your thoughts?” He asked the others.

“Take out the Golems?” Kuya suggested.

“Mine over to it,” Eve suggested looking at the pickaxe.

“Yeah but the pick axes don’t work on loose stone.” Xach said.

“Your parents are capable of making something that can.” Eve replied.

There was silence for a minute, “Then use that to move the dirt and build a mine to the location, we have access to unlimited stone and an easy way to move it without breaking our backs.” Eve suggested. Everyone stared at her. “Well we do.” She said.

“I think I can make something that works on dirt.” Bloodstone said, “the next question is where do we start and how much time do we have to work?”

“Well me I can pull up raw stone and then someone can use the pick axe on it” Xyrediane suggested.

Em, and Nyteria wanted to see this enchanting, there were some suggestions about where to start and what the goal was and how much time they had.

As the sun began to set, a plan to get into the tower was being worked on, Xyre was working with Eve, Xach, Marcus and Elmok to harvest stone, so they had a supply of it when they were ready to start work in the morning. Bloodstone made the call to Coreen”

“Good evening,” He said as the person on the other end answered, “Oh, Hi Isabell” He listened to her talk for a minute, “That’s good to hear. We have a plan and will put it in effect tomorrow to try and get into the tower.” He listened to her talk and said um, and ok, and then hung up.

“What was that all about” Lady Amethyst asked.

 “Coreen is entertaining the King, he wasn’t happy we were out, in the blight. He also wasn’t upset. They arrive early to surprise me. Brigette and the others seemed to mollify him since they got back yesterday. Three gold teams and a silver team, talking our praises seems to have won us a reprieve at least for the time being. Beth and Newton are making progress on the wall, more than the king anticipated.”

“They are keeping things together?” Lady Amethyst asked.

“For the time being, luckily the King is still going around checking all the holds, Isabel didn’t get to far into what’s going on as the Queen was with her as well. Other than that I think we can continue. Unless anyone has an objection?”

“Any thoughts as to why the king didn’t contact you himself?” Rana asked.

“Now that you mention it, my guess is that he doesn’t want anyone to know about the communication devices, or he turned them over to his mages, I will ask him the next time I see him.”

———-

Isabel handed the device back to Coreen. “Thanks, I missed talking to him.”

The queen sat across the table staring at the two of them. “Did he say when he was going to return?”

Isabel shook her head no, “He did not say.”

“I am really good and finding out the answers. I asked Brigette how she returned with the team we were told had died. She did not have a believable answer. Do either of you know?”

“I do, I would however like to defer that specific question to my husband, as he has the specifics.”

“Convenient, as he is not here, what can you tell me?” She asked.

“Nothing that isn’t just speculation on my part, your Majesty. Do I know what he has, yes, do I know where he got it no.” Coreen, stared at the Queen, “Did he get it from my father? I don’t know. I have gone through everything my father had as holdings on Rhir and you know that the artificial inflation on healing potions has been fixed, that’s was his doing not mine. As well as the other issues that have come to light, far be it from be to question other lords and ladies, since I do not have a title myself.”

“We understand your position, and how vulnerable to politics you are right now without your husbands support. The information you have given me has elevated your position, somewhat. I will talk with the King and see if you are deserving of a title.” The Queen said eyeing Isabel.

“And you my dear, last time we spoke you were such a scared child, alone in the dark.”

Isabel curtsied, “Your guidance was invaluable your Majesty.”

“We do not appreciate your deceptions, as well and the obfuscations. Tell me young lady, what you know about how your husband was able to restore a gold team from death. They seem to be under the assumption that they will be allowed to leave Rhir.  Unless I get answer to my questions, I see no reason that your parents can’t be held accountable.”

Isabel swallowed slowly, “Leave them out of this, I don’t know, you know I would tell you if I did.”

“That’s right, we are running a kingdom, protecting it from monsters and demons. What could you possibly know about those things, your father begged for someone to save your life, offered anything. We needed a [seer], and that’s what you are. Now tell me [seer] what you know about Lord Bloodstone.”

“He’s kind, he loves people, triex to do the right thing. I told you before, that he can save the kingdom, but he needs help and if you interfere with him, the kingdom itself will fall. You want proof that I am a Seer, the world has already seen the greatest strategist living. There are powers moving that even you cannot stop.” Isabel glanced at Coreen, “Lord Bloodstone, will be where he needs to be, when he needs to be there.” She stared at the Queen, “I know you and the King are trying to protect the people in the kingdom, I understand that as well as any, give him the chance to help. Please don’t threaten my family, your Majesty, I have no control over how my husband would react, and my sisters would most certainly object most strongly if something were to happen.”

“We do not threaten dear, only state the obvious.” She turned back to Coreen, “The gifts we have received are impressive, and even the details of where they came from has been vague. Would you care to enlighten us?”

Coreen nodded, “As I understand it, there was a dragon, who was dying they finished the job and freed Brigette’s team. I do not have all the details.”

“Nor do they it seems. We will overlook this for now, since we detect no lies from you or them. We will revisit this when the Lord returns. It is late, and I have a long trip tomorrow” She rose and left them her maids following behind.

It was even later that Coreen and Brigette sat with Nerris and Gyrmoth. “Did you get the asking price for that ring” Brigette asked.

“I did, even some of the mundane things sold for more than we thought they would.” Coreen replied.

“How did your talk with the Queen go?” Nerris asked.

“As well as expected, I have no idea what to tell her about your team Brigette.”

Brigette smiled, “It’s not like we can tell her anything, you would have to go to the monolith to say anything. We know we just can’t talk about it.  You know but you are under no such compulsion.”

“I was surprised when he told me you all agreed to have that done.” Coreen said somewhat shocked.

“It’s not like we can’t slip up, this way we are protected, and since no one can get to where it was done, at least not easily. The spell remains.” Brigette shrugged.

“How does that work?” Coreen asked.

“To be honest, we have no idea, Lord Bloodstone asked if we would consent, after that the spell and the specifics of what we can’t remember, some of it is a blur, and we understand it’s something we agreed on for something more.” Nerris said.

Coreen nodded, “I know what the agreement was for, it’s been nice having you here. I understand your going to travel with the King for a bit?”

“Yes as two gold teams, with the crown I don’t think there is much that we can’t take down, with all the extra gear Lord Bloodstone gave us, we should be named within six months.” Gyrmoth said smiling.

“You staying” Nerris asked Brigette

“Yes, I should head home to help my brother, I just can’t seem to work up the courage to. I made a life here, I know more about magic than I did a year ago. I can do some good here.” She shrugged, “I feel old, drained, maybe a little sad.”

They talked into the wee hours of the night, about the future and the plans they had.

In the blight, Bloodstone sank exhausted into the sleeping furs, he had spent hours enchanting two shovels. They were not ornate or even decorative, just two simple shovels, with a long handle. The metal part of the shovel had a similar enchantment that the pick-axes did, they would make cubes of dirt. There was a third shovel that had been set aside, as it had malfunctioned, it was fine making the dirt cubes, the spell binding them however was not strong enough and the cubes tended to let go with explosive results.

—-

None of the party were aware they were being watched and had been for some time. The goblins had learned to stay away from the tower, after members of the clan had gone missing, or vanished without a trace.  There were antinum still on Rhir, they were the ones who stayed behind, as a rear guard. They did not know the outcome of those who had sailed decades earlier, most had only been around for a few months. They informed the [Last Queen] who gave no orders. She was almost done with her last project, the crowning achievement, a new antinum queen one that could blend in with the races, before the next wave.

The next morning, they started on the mining plan, using the two shovels and the two pick-axes, they worked in shifts to dig and reinforce the tunnel to the tower. The dirt blocks they used to fill in the stone they removed. The path they carved was solid stone, and each iteration of the blocks got them closer and closer to the white stone ring. Once they passed through what they thought was solid stones, it broke open a passageway that was filled with rocks and other debris. They found that it was an old sewer line, that had used enchanted stone and didn’t show up as hollow but as solid. Once they were inside they found they could navigate to the central tower, there were places that the stone had been broken or the ceiling caved in, it was easy to fix once they began using the two tools.

They camped underground, there was no water, in the line, just an old unused passage. They rested and continued towards the goal. It was towards night time they had cleared a path to the central tower, it also was made up of enchanted stone. The pick-axe couldn’t break the enchantment. They started digging east along the enchanted wall and by luck found a section that had fallen into the structure. It was small but with them pulling the stones out one at a time, they widened it enough to enter what was a storeroom. The door was made of wood and opened easily. They move cautiously, opening the door slowly listening for anything out of the ordinary. It took them hours to clear the hallways and the rooms off the hallway, they found the stairs leading up. The whole floor seemed to be storage, except for the large metal and stone archway that had what looked like a metal door with runes, and glyphs on it. The runes glowed a deep red when they approached.

On the first floor, they found more stairs up and a main foyer as well as a sitting room. There was a thick layer of dust over everything. They found a kitchen that still had several broken plates, and a skeletal body that had its skull smashed. They continued to search the first floor, the dust was stirred up and Lady Amethyst cut cloth and made masks to block out the dust. Kuya refused to go into the tower without a dust mask. She retrieved a bandana from her backpack and put it over her face.  She then pulled her staff out and spoke with Esprit and the feathers on her staff dropped down and she began to suck up the dust into her staff.

“What the hell” Eve asked.

“What it’s a magic vacuum I can’t stand dust makes my nose runny”  Kuya said waving the staff around, cleaning.

“I’m shocked,” Bloodstone said.

“She’s cleaning?” Lady Amethyst said.“Who are you and what have you done with our daughter”

“I don’t like dust” Kuya said through her muffled bandana.

The cleared the first floor, there were two more bodies, one was in what looked like a bathroom, and had several arrows in its chest. The other body was buried under the dust and found when Kuya cleaned that part of the floor.  The burned scorch mark in the back of the corpse seemed to indicate a spell of some kind.

“We go slow, oh and don’t open the front door.“ Bloodstone said to the groups as they moved through the first floor.

They went slowly through the tower, they found more bodies, some we killed in the beds they slept in. they found six bedrooms on the second and third floors. A library that seemed to be intact on the fourth floor, there were some shelves that had the contents strewn about. They found a much larger bedroom on the fifth floor, and two large workspaces for what looked like alchemy and magic. They found the three golems on the top floor, and they were still active.  At the bottom of the steps was a corpse, that had been decapitated, the blood still visible  on the stairs and wall.

The golems didn’t shift position unless someone came up the stairs. The golems then moved to an attack posture. Taking precautions they used a phone to get a layout of the room, since the close quarters and three mithral golems was not a good combination.

The started looking at the pictures taken, the woman they had seen was still there, in the same pose as if warding from an attack. It became obvious that there was something strange about the woman,

Lady amethyst attempted to Lull and pacify them, to no effect, they did not react at all to the spells but they still moved when they spells did land.

“I betting immune to that type of effect” Bloodstone said as they retreated down the steps for the fourth time, they had gotten some pictures as well as some video when the golems moved.

“It seems like they get ready to attack if they hear someone on the steps, and the way they creak there’s no way to get up there.” Eve said.

The examined the pictures, and saw something that was unexpected and strange. “Is that an hourglass?” Em asked when they zoomed into the object near the woman’s right hand.

“And a dagger,” Eve said.

“That distortion, it’s a time bubble.” Bloodstone said looking over their shoulder

“Huh, how can you tell?” Eve asked.

“That dagger is floating in the middle of that hourglass, you can see the cracks in the glass. It was knocked from her hands. There’s a second dagger here.” he said pointing to the picture.

“Poor girl”,Violet said, “How long do you think she has been there?”

“No way to know, not really. Best guess a very long time” Bloodstone replied.

“I’m not messing with that “ Zach said, “Time stuff sucks”

“There’s no way to free her is there?” Nyteria asked.

Bloodstone stared at the picture, “I have no idea how, maybe if we could get in the room, the golems prevent that. Let me think about it. Let’s check that vault looking door downstairs.”

They went downstairs to the large door in the archway. It was sealed, with what looked like mithril and the runes glowed a soft red when anyone stood in front of the door.

“Maybe a password is needed” Xyrediane suggested. “I can’t sense anything beyond this, it must block skills as well”

“The books seems to be in good shape in the library, we should start packing them, into the book of storage, and examine them later. Maybe have a team come back later, I don’t see any easy way to get into this vault.” Bloodstone said examining it without touching the door.

“Why do they glow red?” Nyteria asked.

“Maybe it’s a warning, I do see some serious attack spells as well as a reservoir of magic it’s tied to.” He answered.

“I could drain the mana” Kuya suggested.

“I wouldn’t advise that it’s got all kinds of fail safe spells, its complex. It also has wards to prevent tampering, they keep the whole door refreshed with magic and prevent tampering, it’s pretty cool now that I have seen spells like that functioning.”

Brigette was looking at it as well, “This is even beyond you?” She asked.

“Yeah, its layers of spells on layers of spells that interact with each other and there are some that even obscure what’s visible.” Bloodstone replied.

“It’s pretty though” Kuya said

“Yes it is, but it doesn’t do us any good. Its been a long day we should setup in the basement, get some rest and decide what to do in the morning.