The Wandering Spire

The Goreraptors in the chamber changed everything. It changed several cultists that believed that they were loyal to the Fiends into realizing that they were more loyal to being alive. Mikal ran alongside several of the demon worshipers as they fled the chamber. The Healer was trying to work his way around toward his team. The mayhem happened in the center of the chamber where the beasts ran rampant. However, being along the edges of the chamber did not make one safe, as Mikal learned. He watched one Goreraptor charge across the room to smash several legionnaires and cultists alike into a mushy pulp against the wall.

"See? You are lucky to have me!" Ziplocke whispered into his ear from his shoulder.

The Goblin had hidden the two within the shadows using the Darkness aspect. Mikal couldn't come up with a witty retort. Too much was going on, and all he wanted to do was to link up with his teammates. The Goblin laughed with glee.

"Did you see the looks on their faces before they went splat!?!?!" The Goblin cried.

"Hush you! You want to join them?" Mikal admonished.

The enormous monster was just a few meters ahead of them. It was rubbing its head against the gore along the walls, like a mockery of a cat. The other Goreraptor chased several legionnaires out of the chamber. The monster had one hapless soldier impaled and dangling upon its horn. The rumbling of its footsteps and panic screams echoed from the corridor. This is terrible! Mikal thought in horror.

"You can move now," Ziplocke said.

The Goreraptor that was in front of them charged another group of cultists. The masked leader was trying desperately to keep his subordinates in order. He was fighting a losing battle. The Legion had retreated into the corridors, and at least one squad was being chased by a Goreraptor. Mikal spotted Dunar, Helga, and Rolfe. The three Frostsworn had just dispatched a group of cultists and were now sticking to the shadows to avoid the attention of the giant monsters. Helga excitedly waved at the Healer and jumped up and down in glee. Mikal was so overjoyed to see his team that he didn't even scowl at the muscular warrior maiden's antics. Mikal ran toward his team, and they embraced.

"Are you mad? To lure the Goreraptors here!" Mikal admonished.

Helga and Rolfe grinned. They were not afraid that the giant monster was just a few meters away from them, goring and mauling people.

"They are Demons, and they are attracted to fear. I knew if we brought them here, they would ignore us," Dunar stated.

"Because we do not fear them," Rolfe added.

"I get it," Mikal replied.

"They are not attracted to us because we are brave," Helga stated.

"I know," the Healer said.

"We seek Glory…" Rolfe started.

"I get it! That's enough!" Mikal snapped.

Dunar looked around Mikal and observed, "You have Ziplocke."

The Goblin materialized from the shadows and responded, "Your eyes are getting good!"

"Where is Jezie?" Helga asked.

"We were hoping you would know where she was," Mikal responded.

The second Goreraptor discovered more legionnaires in the corridor and charged out of the chamber. What was left in the room was gore and mutilated bodies. The monsters were masters of destruction and carnage. Only the cult leader remained.

"You!" The masked man cried. His body trembled with rage.

"Does not seem fair, five against one. What should we do?" Helga asked.

"We can draw straws to see who gets to fight him?" Rolfe suggested.

Helga's face lit up, and she exclaimed, "Good idea!"

"Fools! He has the Rift aspect!" Ziplocke cried.

The cult leader chopped the air with his hand, and a shimmering purple tear appeared.

"You will pay for your sacrilege!" The cult leader screamed.

From the tear, in reality, dozens of armored Howlers emerged, and they filled the chamber with their discordant cries.

"We don't need to draw straws," Rolfe observed.

"Ya, that's true," Helga responded.

Mikal shook his head. "I was better off alone," he muttered.

"Kill them!" The masked leader hissed.

"Proven! Form up!" Dunar barked.

The four moved into formation but lacked their shields. They will have to let loose and go all out on offense.

"Micky, do the honors," Helga said.

The Healer rolled his eyes. He did not feel particularly confident. "For Glory!" He shouted as best as he could.

"Hurrah!" The others cheered back.

The Howlers charged them.

*****

"I can walk," Jeze mumbled.

Viel stopped carrying her and placed her back on the ground. Jeze adjusted her armor and pack, and the two resumed walking down the dark corridor with only the light from her globe. Viel confidently led them down the different passageways.

"Do you know who Yasmine is?" Jeze asked.

"Huh? Why do you ask that?" Viel responded.

"Drake mentioned her name. While he was under the Affliction curse, he said he was doing this for love. For her, I suppose," Jeze replied.

Viel nodded in thought as the two walked. The tall man shook his head and laughed.

"Drake, that poor bloody fool!" He exclaimed.

"What? Who is she?" Jeze asked.

"Yasmine, one of the daughters of the Immortal Emperor. Drake fancies himself a chance of marrying into the Imperial Dynasty," Viel snorted.

There were too many families and clans associated with the Imperial Dynasty. The Immortal Emperor, though Jeze doubted he was immortal, had solidified a solid network among the numerous noble families through the marriage arrangements of his many offspring.

"How did Drake even get connected with the Immortal Dynasty?" Jeze wondered.

Viel smirked and replied, "We can say many bad things about the bloke, but one thing is for sure. He is very ambitious and talented."

Jeze scowled. "There is nothing good about that man. He is a snake and a coward!"

"He could be that and skillful," Viel said with a knowing nod.

"How did he even link up with you and my brother?" Jeze asked.

Viel shrugged and said, "Like I told you. He is talented. Your brother was looking for a decent Protector. Drake fit the bill."

"While being a Captain of the Legion? How was he able to do both?"

Viel tapped his chin and said, "I recall Drake mentioned that he was on a special assignment. Look, now the Empire has highly trained teams entering the Spire. Maybe he started that program?"

Jeze stopped walking and balled her hands into fists. "So he chased after my brother's secrets all for an Imperial Princess? He even murdered Raynor, the Old Hunter! I don't see the connection."

The memory of the death of her friend and teacher still brought tears to her eyes. Viel squeezed her shoulders and then nodded with understanding. The tall man shook his head with a gentle chuckle.

“What?” Jeze demanded.

"I think I figured it out. You see, our team was different from other teams. Then your team even," Viel stated.

"How so?"

"I imagine your teammates are close and you all talk to each other, am I right?" Viel asked.

Jeze nodded. She missed the Proven, and she worried for them.

"Our team was made up of talented people that were plagued with dark secrets. You know mine, right?" Viel explained.

Jeze nodded. A dragon cursed to be in human form and with amnesia.

"This is what I think happened to Drake. He was a young man from a poor family with lofty aspirations. The only way for him to climb out was through the military. So he works hard and reaches the rank of captain, but he can't go much further," Viel said.

"Unless he marries into a noble family?" Jeze asked, her eyes widened with understanding.

"Yes!" Viel exclaimed, continuing, "But not just any noble family. The Imperial Dynasty."

Jeze shook her head and stated, "That poor fool."

Viel chuckled and continued, "I bet he charmed Yasmine, but because of his low station, he was forbidden to see her. Maybe, even threatened with execution for his insolence."

"So, the only way that he has a chance to marry Princess Yasmine is through wealth and fame?" Jeze asked.

"Exactly! And the Wandering Spire offered both. If he was a part of the team that defeated the Spire, maybe even if he got the gift of Immortality, then he could marry into the Imperial Dynasty," Viel added.

Jeze recalled something and asked, "What secrets did Daverius keep?"

"Excuse me?"

"You said your teammates were all plagued with secrets. What were my brother's secrets?" Jeze said.

Viel sighed and explained, "Your brother was a very good leader, but he only told us what we needed to know to succeed on a given mission. He was very guarded with his knowledge and it frustrated all of us. Especially, Drake."

"Then why did you adventure with Daverius?" Jeze asked. She couldn't imagine herself continuing on with the Proven if Dunar was not transparent and open with them.

"Because he was bloody effective! Every assignment we took, we succeeded. He found the floor portals and the secrets on how to find the hidden tunnels. Look! Both Drake and I found this tunnel! With the little knowledge we were able to glean from your brother," Viel exclaimed.

"Where did he learn this stuff?" Jeze wondered.

"He was always reading tomes and books. Talking to people and writing in his journal, but never sharing his thoughts," Viel answered.

Jeze laughed. "That I can't imagine! Daverius always took the direct approach," she said as she recalled how he closed the Threshold from within the Pyramid. Daverius didn't bother with exploring. He just marched down the stairs and slaughtered all the Howlers in his path.

Viel shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Maybe he matured in the time he was away from you."

Jeze wiped her moist eyes. The talk about her brother and the Old Hunter dug up emotions from within her heart. Jeze stopped and held up a hand. Viel followed suit and readied his two-handed sword.

"What is it?" He whispered.

"I hear footsteps," Jeze replied.

She deactivated her globe and plunged the two into darkness. Up ahead and around the next corner, they saw the faint illumination of light. In the silence, Viel could hear the footsteps, and he marveled at Jeze's sharp perception.

"Do you think it's the Legion?" Viel wondered.

Jeze cocked her head and heard the faint metal sounds of heavy armor. She didn't think so. Most Legionnaires wore heavy padded armor, with only a few in platemail. What she heard down the corridor was a team in full steel armor. Could it be the Proven? Her spirits lifted. The footsteps stopped walking, and the other team's light went out.

"They detected us," Viel observed.

Jeze agreed. This was a pickle. What should they do?

"Do we go back?" Viel asked.

"I'm not sure," Jeze whispered back.

She heard the sound of gentle footsteps just up ahead.

"I hear you! Announce yourself!" Jeze demanded.

A dozen meters in front of them a light appeared to show a lady with short hair and high cheekbones and tattoos that ran down along her neck.

"Lady Kalina!" Jeze exclaimed.

The Guild official nodded and announced down the corridor, "It's clear. It's Jeze and," Lady Kalina's eyes narrowed. "A stranger," she added.