The next week, in the early morning, Jeze and her team gathered their packs, weapons, and armor and headed out toward the battle lines. Jeze was surprised at how empty it all felt. It seemed like they marched alone, and they only saw people when they arrived in the valley, and they were carpenters.


    "What are they building?" Jeze wondered.


    "An obstacle course. Mainly in case there were any soldiers that wanted to become guild members," answered Dunar.


    Jeze nodded.


    "Oh, ho! Look at that!" Helga exclaimed and pointed.


    Ahead of them, in the distance where the boundary markers were, was a vast plane of red sand and obsidian black rocks. They felt a dry heat emanate outwards from the hellish landscape.


    "Home," Ziplocke said.


    What they saw before them was the Abyssal plane. The Wandering Spire had finally arrived.


    "Is that it?" Rolfe asked, his eyes squinting.


    What Jeze had originally thought was a dark cloud formation in the far distance turned out to be something different when she looked at it again. She took a sharp intake of breath.


    "The Wandering Spire," Helga responded.


    "It is so much bigger than I imagined," Dunar observed.


    Ziplocke snickered and stated, "You all are in for a treat."


    Mikal snapped, "Enough gawking! We are already late. All the other teams have entered, and the armies have marched home."


    Jeze glanced around and saw other teams entering the valley. They were not the last, but they were behind schedule. That couldn''t be helped as their teammates suffered grievous injuries.


    "Mikal is right, let''s march!" Dunar ordered.


    They walked toward the Wasteland and as they neared the Boundary markers, they were stopped by a group of soldiers and Guild officials.


    "Papers? You need to be a Guild member of at least Initiate Rank to enter," the official stated. He wore mail armor with the green colors of the Ironfist Kingdom.


    The soldiers were also from the Ironfist Kingdom, and Jeze guessed that they had taken over the security of the Wandering Spire event as the other armies were no longer needed. She looked back and saw the long advancing lines of the Legion as they marched up the mountainside and out of the Valley to return home. Could she be so lucky that Drake was among them? She wondered.


    "Jeze, your papers?" Dunar asked.


    The others had presented their documents to the official and waited on her.


    "Knucklehead," Ziplocke hissed from her shoulder.


    Jeze produced her certificate, and the official nodded. They were allowed to continue. Passing the boundary marker was a surreal experience. They left the churned grass and dirt of the valley and stepped on the hard gravel like sand of the Wasteland. The air was hot, and had a faint smell of sulfur in the air.


    "So this is the Abyssal plane?" Mikal asked.


    "Pretty much, minus the blue sky," Ziplocke answered.


    Jeze fed the Goblin some paste. He slurped it up and licked his fingers from her shoulder.


    "What happened to the land that was here before?" Dunar wondered.


    "I have read that when the Spire vanishes, the area will appear ravaged as if by a thousand tornados and hurricanes. But it will regrow like it does from those natural disasters," Mikal answered.


    "But the animals? The people that were here? What about them?" Rolfe wondered.


    "Dead!" Ziplocke shrieked with glee.


    Mikal shook his head. "The Goblin is not right in the head," he muttered.


    "I imagine the people and the animals would flee like they would from an approaching blizzard," Dunar answered.


    "The guild and Ironfist kingdom did their best to evacuate the towns and villages in the area. Luckily, this region was largely isolated with no major towns," Jeze said. She recalled hearing that from her many lunches with Irvin.


    "That''s because of the Dragon," Rolfe stated sagely.


    Mikal scowled and muttered, "Fool, that is just a child''s tale."


    "Is it?" Rolfe turned on the Healer. "Then explain why a rich valley was isolated?"


    Helga nodded, "Back home, wars would be fought over a valley such as this."


    "What are you all talking about?" Jeze asked.


    "It is told in myths that a mighty dragon resides in Mount Dragon. A dragon with scales as black as onyx and a soul that is equally dark. None dare even whisper his name," Dunar said.


    "Where did you hear this?" Asked Jeze. They were from the Frozen north, how would they know about legends in the Ironfist Kingdom?


    "From drinking with the locals," Rolfe said with a crooked grin.


    "My point exactly. Those are tales told over drinks. Nothing more," Mikal stated.


    Dunar recited, "It is said that the dragon was cursed by the gods to live in this mortal realm. His power weakened to the point where he was forced to sleep for centuries at a time. But when he awakes, he is reminded of his plight and becomes enraged. He ravishes the land all around until he is exhausted and falls back into his deep slumber. It is said that he sleeps in the mountain, and his dreams give nightmares to anyone who lives in this Valley. That is why no one lives here."


    Their feet crunched on the hard, sharp sands of the Wasteland as they made their way toward the Spire. It was desolate around them, and in the distance, they could see the faint shapes of other teams exploring the area. They passed large boulders made out of black obsidian, and ahead of them, they could see the rolling dunes, with the Spire being a faint silhouette that grew larger with each step.


    "Does nothing live here?" Rolfe wondered.


    "What could live here?" Mikal asked.


    "Bloodlings, Ogres, Howlers, and Rovers. You know? All the things you killed?" Ziplocke said.


    Jeze nodded as she glanced around. Did this area team with the Demons Ziplocke mentioned? What secrets would they find lurking under the dunes if they stopped to search for them? Jeze shook those thoughts out of her head. She had a singular purpose, and that was to save the realm and seal the Fiendish Lord at the top of the Spire. How far did Daverius make it? Jeze wondered with a sharp pang of grief in her chest. Ziplocke recognized when Jeze was lost in her thoughts, and he bopped her on her head to snap her out.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "Jeze? The Safe Zones? When will they be working?" Dunar asked a second time.


    The Scout returned from her thoughts and blinked her eyes. This was a long answer and she took a breath.


    "We can only enter the Spire through a portal that will transport you to a random location on the next floor. Only five people will be allowed to arrive in the same spot," Jeze began.


    "We know that already!" Mikal snapped.


    Jeze scowled at the Healer and continued, "Each floor has more portals from within where monsters and Demons will spawn from. When they are discovered, I can repurpose the portal to link outside. This will allow adventurers to leave to resupply or evacuate wounded teammates."


    "Or dead ones!" Ziplocke shrieked.


    The team nodded quietly. The Goblin reminded them of the hard reality they will experience when they enter the Spire.


    "Demons will be spawning on the floors?" Dunar asked.


    "Yes, until all the portals are discovered and repurposed, no level will be safe, even after the Floor Guardian is defeated and the next level becomes available," Jeze answered.


    "I heard that some teams purposely keep the portals open so that they can harvest the Demons that come through," Mikal stated.


    Jeze nodded. That made sense, even though it sounded horrible. She learned that the more powerful enchanted items, such as the Water Bricks they purchased, could only function when using the rare materials discovered from Demon parts. Otherwise, enchanted items would operate like the armor she wore. The enchantments were only good for an hour or so before the magic ran out and needed to be recharged.


    They traveled on through the desolate landscape, and Jeze saw something in the distance. She held up her hand.


    "What is it?" Dunar asked.


    Jeze pointed. Ahead, there were faint figures on the ground.


    "Monsters?" Rolfe asked eagerness in his voice.


    "I hope so! I''m tired of just walking. I want to fight!" Helga added.


    Dunar and Mikal shushed the two large warriors.


    "There is no movement," Jeze observed.


    "Are they bodies?" Dunar asked.


    "Only one way to find out," Helga responded as she hefted her Dane axe. The warrior maiden was not sure which weapon to prepare first, and decided to go with the one she was most familiar with.


    "That is a fair point," Jeze acknowledged. She wrapped herself up in Shadows and blended into the bleak landscape.


    The Scout crept forward as the others waited in formation and were ready to respond at a moment''s notice. Just like they had drilled for countless hours during the months before the Spire''s arrival. Jeze crouched behind an obsidian boulder and peeked around. It was human-shaped bodies that lay twisted and gnarled on the ground. They had gray leathery skin, and their hands were curled into claw-like shapes. Jeze studied them and saw that they had wounds that came from weapons on their grotesque bodies.


    Using the skills that Raynor had taught her, Jeze studied the ground and saw tracks that passed through the area. She counted five sets of tracks, including several wagons, and deduced that a team had escorted a merchant caravan. They passed through here and fought the monstrosities that lay on the ground. Was it an ambush? Jeze was not sure and needed to get closer to inspect. Tentatively and stealthily, she crept out from behind the black boulder. The bodies were even more horrid up close and gave off a stench that reminded Jeze of the Zombies in the Night Mistress''s Jade palace back in the sewers of Angston. Nearly a dozen corpses littered the ground with scuff marks along the gravel that indicated a fight. Jeze kicked a body with her foot and jumped back when it moved. Noxious fumes burst from the corpse as it deflated and became inert. Jeze relaxed and returned to her team.


    "Well?" Dunar asked.


    "A fight happened. It is safe for us to go through," Jeze answered.


    "Are you sure?" Mikal asked, skepticism clear on his face.


    Ziplocke snickered and replied, "I''m with the Healer on this one. Jeze is a terrible scout. You all are doomed!"


    Jeze scowled at the two and motioned for the others to follow her. They arrived where the bodies were. Helga and Rolfe covered their noses.


    "Oh, that smell!" Helga nearly retched.


    "It smells worse than a corpse," Rolfe added.


    Mikal, untroubled by the stench, knelt and examined the bodies. He rose and answered, "Undead. I''m guessing these poor souls did not evacuate in time."


    "Is that what happens if you are stuck in a Wandering Spire event?" Rolfe asked.


    Mikal shrugged, "That is my guess."


    "They went mad!" Ziplocke exclaimed.


    "Necromancy is not native to the Abyssal plane," Jeze explained.


    "But the Affliction aspect is! And Affliction can cause madness, especially to mortals!" Ziplocke danced with delight.


    "You are a troubling beast," Mikal hissed at the Goblin.


    This elicited more snickering and laughter from Ziplocke.


    "The adventurers that came before us put these poor souls out of their misery," Dunar stated.


    "Aye, gave them a proper Warrior''s death," Helga added.


    Mikal shook his head. "But not a proper burial, their souls will remain restless."


    The Healer gathered large rocks from the surrounding area.


    "Do we have time for this?" Jeze asked.


    "We make time, especially when we can. We must aid these poor souls to travel to the Frozen Halls," Mikal said.


    Jeze nodded. This was a side of Mikal that she had not seen. She respected it. As a team they helped their Healer bury the bodies under a cairn of jagged stones. When they moved on, Jeze pointed out the wagon trails.


    Dunar shook his head and apologized. "I''m sorry for my injuries. We are way behind schedule if they are setting up a camp outside the Spire."


    Rolfe snorted and said, "You forget we were also injured. Don''t take the blame upon yourself." The large warrior motioned to himself and Helga.


    "Aye and as I like to say. Better late than never!" The warrior maiden chimed in.


    They traveled further on and made camp for the night. Ziplocke explained, "You do not see stars in the sky in the Abyssal plane, just red and darker red."


    "That is horrible! I always find peace in the stars," Helga stated. She fed Ziplocke a treat.


    "One of the things I love about this realm. Is to see the sky like this," the Goblin said as he munched.


    Jeze wondered what Helga gave the Goblin but didn''t ask. She was happy that Ziplocke was getting along with her teammates. She joined Helga and looked up at the sky.


    Dunar organized a watch schedule and ordered, "Get some rest. We should be at the Spire by tomorrow."


    "You hear that, Micky? We travel as fast as Orn!" Helga boasted.


    The Healer was fast asleep or pretended to be to avoid talking with his teammates. The night went by without incident, and the team packed up and traveled early the next morning. The Wandering Spire loomed impossibly large before them. Its presence looked surreal, and each of the Proven trembled as they approached.


    "It is so large," Helga stated and squinted up.


    The area around the base of the enormous Spire bustled with activity. Dozens of wagons were parked and merchants began to set up the stalls. Hundreds of adventurers formed camps. A large shimmering purple portal could be seen from the distance where groups of five entered at a time.


    "This is it," Dunar said.


    "We made it!" Helga added.


    "I''m ready to test myself for Glory!" Rolfe stated.


    "Same," Mikal said with a nod.


    Jeze howled like a wolf to vent her excitement.


    "Knuckleheads!" Ziplocke snapped because she screamed near his ear.


    The group paused in shock when they saw a neat row of covered bodies.


    "Those are the fallen?" Rolfe asked.


    "Told you! The Spire is dangerous!" Ziplocke replied.


    There was activity upon their arrival and a group approached them. Jeze''s heart sank when she saw Drake and Miss Heng at the front. Miss Heng''s face was a mask of barely contained fury.


    "You!" Miss Heng said and pointed at Jeze.


    "Uh oh, someone is in trouble," Ziplocke snickered.


    "Hush! Now is not the time!" Jeze snapped at the Goblin.


    Ziplocke cowed and scampered off her shoulder to climb up Helga''s.


    Drake shook his head as if he was sad. But Jeze knew it was a deception. The Empire Agent was scheming something.


    "We have not established any Safe Zones. We can''t because of your insubordination! These deaths," Miss Heng cried and motioned to the bodies, "are on your hands."


    "Seize her," Drake ordered.


    A team of Legionnaires approached. These were different from the ones Jeze had seen earlier. These were the special forces for the Empire. The ones that completed the trials and became official members of the Guild. Dunar and the others drew their weapons and moved into formation.


    "Proven! Stand down," Miss Heng ordered.


    "No," Dunar replied on behalf of his team.


    None objected, not even Mikal. The Healer, despite all of his grumblings, stood readied with his spear. This warmed Jeze''s heart but also saddened that they may lose their lives before entering the Spire. The Legionnaires readied their spears, and crossbows. They outnumbered the Proven, and appeared to be highly trained. She would have to think of something, and fast.