Dunar ducked and entered through the flap of the Amber Guard’s tent. Jeze and Rainbow were practicing the Portal aspect, and both looked up at the Frostsworn’s arrival.


    “I was told that I would find you here,” Dunar stated. His head nearly touched the top of the tent.


    How long were we studying? Jeze wondered. “Are we heading in?” She asked as she stood up and stretched.


    Dunar nodded, his gray eyes serious. “Yes, we are fully stocked and ready to go. What about you? Do you need more time?”


    Rainbow patted Jeze’s hand and stood up. “I am as ready as I ever will be. Let’s hope I don’t cause an explosion.”


    Jeze winched at the comment. It brought memories of Seb and Jonah. Two friends she lost from explosions from the Portal aspect due to Val and her treachery. Jeze growled.


    “Is everything alright?” Dunar asked. Concern on his face.


    Jeze shook her head. “Yes, I am fine. I just,” she paused and finally said, “It is nothing.” She exited the tent, and the tall Frostsworn nodded once to Rainbow before following.


    “Look who decided to join us,” Mikal said in greeting.


    Jeze and Dunar arrived at the Frostsworn camp, where the Proven were packing their gear and preparing their weapons. A short distance away, the Spiritwalkers were doing the same thing.


    “Oh, hush Micky. Jeze, we are happy you are back,” Helga said and nudged the Healer.


    Rolfe shouldered his heavy pack and looked at Jeze. “Is everything alright?”


    “I am fine,” Jeze answered and she went over to inspect her belongings. She started packing.


    “Did you get enough rest? You look tired,” Rolfe said.


    Jeze rubbed her eyes. She realized that her and Rainbow were up all night and she didn’t get enough sleep. Jeze shook her head and answered, “I will be fine.” This was the life of an adventurer, one will never be fully rested or prepared.


    Lady Kalina and her Ironfist team arrived. They were fully kitted out in their armor and packs and were ready to reenter the Spire. This was the first time since the Monster Waves when so many teams were working together. Jeze hoisted her filled pack and did a last check on her weapons and channeling tools. She was as prepared as she could be. Dunar did a final check on his gear, and as a diligent Leader, he inspected his teammates.


    “Proven, we head out!” Dunar barked.


    They marched through the camp toward the fourth-floor portal that led to the Frost Hag’s caves. On the way, they met up with Swordslayer and Rainbow’s Amber Guard team. Four teams in total? Jeze was surprised at this.


    “Are we expecting trouble?” She asked her teammates. Jeze had spent the entire time teaching Rainbow the Portal aspect, and she felt out of the loop.


    Rolfe and Helga shrugged. All they cared about was the opportunity to test themselves in battle. Mikal scowled and gave Jeze the look like she should have been paying attention. Dunar was the one to answer her question.


    “The Guild has decided to approach this Wandering Spire event as if it is a war. A war against the Cultists and the Fiends,” he answered. His gray eyes were serious.


    “We think they will be guarding the Floor Portal?” Jeze wondered.


    Dunar nodded and added, “There are concerns about that, yes. We also still have not heard from Master Couzart or those who have entered the fifth floor.”Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Jeze knew that Dunar did not mention it, but that included Berserker Orn, Jorgenson, and the Carls. She nodded in understanding. Each of the four teams that prepared to enter the Spire had someone trained on the Portal aspect. The goal was to establish as many Safe Zones as possible in order to claim each floor. They will also be searching for the Core Tunnels for the Hold Cores, as well as any treasure that could aid them in this battle against the Fiends and the Cultists.


    They made it to the portal that was at the base of the enormous Spire that loomed above them as far as the eye could see. Rainbow, Swordslayer, and the Amber Guard entered, and the portal shimmered. The other teams followed, and the last was Jeze and the Proven. They found themselves in the ice caves of the Frost Hag. It was so much different from when the Proven fought the monster. Much of the ice walls were cleared away, and the entire area bustled with activity. The caves became an extension of the massive camp city outside. Stalls and tents were set up as numerous teams, merchants, and soldiers prepared themselves. The Proven was greeted by Irvin, and Jeze remembered something.


    “Where are the Elites?” She asked.


    Irvin scratched his neck and answered, “They are still discussing things.”


    Jeze snorted. The Elites did not care about the Guild or the realm. They only cared about themselves. Jeze vowed that she would be different and that she would be more like Master Couzart. If she were ever able to reach that rank. Irvin cleared his throat and led them toward the other teams. When everyone was gathered, the Guild official explained their situation.


    “We believe the Floor Portal to the fifth floor is a few miles hike to the east. We had a few Initiate ranked teams go out to inspect, and they returned with news that the area is crawling with Ice Giants and Winter Wolves,” Irvin said, and his eyes looked grim. “We believe that the monsters will be guarding the Floor Portal with a large force.”


    “Yes! We will bring them a mighty battle,” Rolfe promised.


    Helga nodded. “Oh ya! We will crush their bones to powder. For Glory!” She roared.


    Jeze and her team shouted back. “Hurrah!”


    The other teams nodded with increased enthusiasm in their eyes. Even Irvin appeared more confident and less flustered. Miss Heng stepped forward, and her voice pierced the caves like a crack of thunder.


    “Let’s move out!” She cried.


    As one, the teams marched out of the caves. At the exit, Irvin patted Jeze on the shoulder.


    “Good luck, and be safe,” the old Guild Official said.


    The four teams marched through the frozen tundra. They crossed chasms and scaled cliffs made out of ice. Jeze and the other Scouts traveled ahead of the main group. This included Paca, the small dark-haired girl from the Spirit Walker Team, and Zabo, the bald man with the jagged scar on his face from the Amber Guard. The Ironfist team lacked a stealthy Scout. Their method was to march through the floors in full armor and brute force. The most stealthy and observant of the team was Lady Kalina, who traveled alongside Jeze and the other two. Paca paused and held up a hand. The other stopped to crouch in the snow.


    “Do you see that?” The Spirit Walker scout asked.


    Jeze and the others squinted, and in the distance, they saw a faint red dot.


    “Oh no,” Jeze muttered. Her heart sank. She knew what it was as her team experienced this on the Lava floor.


    “What is it?” Lady Kalina asked. Zabo remained quiet, but he was paying attention.


    “I think, and I hope that I am wrong, but they repurposed the Portal,” Jeze answered.


    “Repurposed? How do you mean?” Paca asked, her voice tinged with worry.


    “They made it so that the Portal can pull in monsters from the higher floors,” Jeze explained.


    Lady Kalina nodded. Her face explained how serious the matter was. Finally, she said, “I will alert the others. Let’s proceed with caution.”


    In moments, the Ironfist team Leader returned, and with the nod, they continued toward the red dot. As they got closer, Jeze’s fears were confirmed. The shimmering red dot was a repurposed Floor Portal. Jeze Summoned and Shaped Shadows to cover them in the gloom of the pale light of the Fourth floor. She and the Scouts crept closer, and over a low ridge, they saw an army of Ice Giants that stood in battle formations before the shimmering red portal. Lady Kalina gripped Jeze’s shoulder, and the teenager looked up to their left. At first, Jeze thought it was just a gust of wind that kicked up the snow a short distance away before she realized that it was a Winter Wolf that was phasing.


    “They also have Scouts,” Lady Kalina said.


    “We need to head back now,” Zabo insisted. When the quiet man spoke, it was for urgent matters.


    The gust of snow materialized into the gaunt form of a pale white wolf. It howled. The enemy was alerted. Zabo had already left. Paca, her face lined with worry, followed the bald man. Below them, the army of Ice Giants prepared to march.


    “Jeze, we must hurry,” Lady Kalina insisted.


    This snapped Jeze back to reality and the two hurried back to the others. They had to prepare for a war where they were outnumbered and retreat was not an option. Jeze grinned. She was excited to test herself.