The next few days had been mostly quiet. Groups had been sent out to the dungeons, but the gnolls did not attack either town. Drugos hypothesized this was because they had a cowardly nature, and they may try during the night. With this in mind, the night watches worked with more vigilance than they did prior. Many people started to feel the effects of the watches. Even with nothing happening, people grew more tired from stress and anticipation.

  Austin sat in quiet meditation to start his day. Before he could get deep into meditation, he started to feel the ground shake and rumble. His concentration was instantly broken by the shaking, and he stood to his feet. As the shaking continued, he had to be careful not to lose his balance. He tried to make a run for the outside, but struggled immensely. Each step, he felt like he was going to fall over. Instead, he was forced to hold himself against the wall as he walked towards the door and opened it.

  Now that he was outside, Austin saw what caused the ground to shake. Right outside the neighborhood that made up the town, the ground started to rise upward and take shape. It moved upward at an alarming speed and did not take long to finish rising. Austin was dumbfounded by the speed because the raised ground was the size of a skyscraper. Austin thought it might even be larger than a skyscraper. The risen ground had taken the shape of a marble cylinder with carvings of various beasts throughout. Some of the beasts Austin could identify, while others were ones he had never seen before.

  “Well, crap,” Austin said to himself as he looked upward at the tower. He hoped that the rise of a tower would be exciting, but it just had to be so close to the town. Now, he had to worry about gnolls coming to the tower. They probably would stop being as careful to pursue the tower.

  Because of the threat of the gnolls, Austin knew he had to get ready as soon as possible. He quickly moved back into his house and went into his office. In his office, he had two packs with all the supplies he thought he would need. He grabbed both packs and left his house. He needed to gather his group and make his move on the tower.

  Maya had already reported to Gavin for her scouting assignment. Austin could only hope that he made it to her before she left. Essence flowed through his legs as he took off in a full sprint. As he ran, he felt a rush of adrenaline course through him. It had been forever since he had been in an urgent situation like this, and even if he hated to admit it, he loved the feeling. Austin had been caught in bureaucratic work and safe training. He could finally enjoy the rush of a real battle and test himself.

  Austin ran down the street like a blur. This was the first time he had gone all out since he became Iron, and it was obvious how much he had improved. While he ran, Josh and Sean exited their houses and ran behind him. Austin quickly outpaced them as they struggled to keep up with his newfound speed.

  “Slow down!” Josh called towards Austin. “We can’t keep up!”

  “Sorry!” Austin yelled as he slowed his pace.

  “I’m guessing we are going right in?” Sean asked as he shortened their distance.

  “Yep, we can’t waste a second,” Austin responded quickly with a large smile. “Just have to get Maya and say goodbye to Elliot.”

  “Someone is definitely excited,” Josh laughed. “I don’t think I’ve seen you like this since the Survival Game. I would almost think that danger excites you.”

  “Do I really seem that way?” Austin asked. He did feel somewhat excited, but he did not realize it was that obvious.

  “Yeah, it’s almost scary,” Sean said. “But I kind of get it. You must have been so bored just managing the town.”

  “You’re right,” Austin laughed. “Maybe I can get someone else to handle all that at some point. What do you think about doing it?”

  “No, thank you, way too much responsibility,” Sean said firmly.

  “Damn, well I tried,” Austin said as they arrived at their destination.

  Scouts were still gathered together as Gavin handed out assignments. Austin felt relieved that he made it in time. He saw Maya, dressed in a black tank top and cargo pants, waiting for her assignment. Most of the scouts wore a uniform of a tank top and cargo pants. They had found it easy to move in, while still giving them the ability to carry some things.

  “I figured you would be here soon,” Gavin commented as he took notice of Austin. “Here to take away one of my best scouts?”

  “Sorry to take her away from you,” Austin said. “We have to get going asap.”

  “I know, I’m just messing with you. Obviously, conquering the tower is more important,” Gavin said before he turned to Maya. “You are free from duty.”

  “Thank you,” Maya said as she stepped away from the group. “Hopefully I’m not gone too long.”

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  “We got things covered if you do. So, you don’t need to worry,” Gavin said.

  As Maya joined Austin and the others, Austin moved towards Gavin. He grabbed Gavin by the arm and pulled him slightly away from everyone else to talk in private. “I’m sure you already have taken it into account, but I just want to ensure that you are prepared for any gnoll attacks.”

  “Of course, the moment I saw the tower rise, I had a feeling they might come after the town to get to it,” Gavin said. “I’ve arranged for scout assignments to be closer to town for the time being. It looks like another tower rose close to the orc village as well. So, I have relieved any orcs to work closer to their village. Don’t worry, I will make sure things are safe.”

  “I really appreciate it,” Austin said as he patted Gavin on the back. “You have been excellent in your job. I know I can count on you.”

  “Uh, thanks,” Gavin said awkwardly, like he did not know how to take a compliment. “I’ll do everything I can.”

  “I know you will. You’re reliable like that,” Austin said before he turned back to his group.

  ***

  The group had all their stuff prepared and made one last stop before the tower. They needed to stop by the childcare facilities and see Elliot. As they entered the house, the kids ran around and played as usual. Austin was always impressed with Ava’s ability to handle so many wild kids. Ava sat in a chair at the side of the room, where she was reading a book and periodically peeking up from it to look at the kids.

  “I guess it’s time,” Ava said to the group as she looked up from her book.

  “Yes, are you sure it’s okay?” Maya asked. “I know it’s more work than you usually do.”

  “Of course, we each have our jobs, and this is part of mine,” Ava nodded. “It’ll just be like a sleepover. You don’t need to worry about me. Elliot is who you should worry about.”

  “You’re right. I hope he is okay with us gone,” Maya said.

  “He’ll be okay in the end. He just might be a little sad at first,” Ava said. “Which is why you need to make sure he knows you’ll be back. Now go and say bye to him.”

  Maya nodded, and she walked into the play area. Kids ran around them as they did. Some of the kids were so caught up in play that they almost ran into the two. Elliot did not even notice they were there as he ran and played.

  “Elliot, mommy and daddy are here,” Maya called to Elliot as he ran after another boy.

  Elliot did not immediately respond. Instead, he continued to chase after the other boy. Then, as he chased the boy, he seemed to comprehend the voice that called out to him. He came to an immediate halt and turned towards Maya and Austin with a large smile. He ran towards the pair with the same speed that chased the boy. His arms wrapped around Maya’s leg as he hit her with the full weight of his body.

  Maya knelt down to Elliot and gave him a gentle smile. She ran her hands through his hair before she pulled him into her arms. She held him tight for more than a moment, like she wanted to savor it. Deep in her heart, she feared how the tower would go. She wanted to believe they could conquer it, but she worried about not making it back.

  “Elliot, you’ll be staying with Ava. Mommy and daddy need to go on a work trip,” Maya explained to Elliot as her eyes filled up with tears. “We’ll be back before you know it.”

  “Don’t be sad, mama,” Elliot said as he felt the tears stain his shirt. “We play when you get back?”

  “Yes, we’ll play,” Maya said as she pulled away from Elliot and looked at him intently. “We will have all kinds of fun.”

  “Then everything will be okay!” Elliot said with a smile.

  “You’re right. You are such a smart and strong boy,” Maya smiled as she wiped the tears off her face.

  Austin knelt down next to the two and ruffled Elliot’s hair with his hand. “We’ll have all kinds of fun when we get back. So promise you’ll be good.”

  “I promise!” Elliot exclaimed as he held out his pinky.

  Austin hooked Elliot’s pinky with his own. “That was a pinky promise. So, you better be.”

  Elliot nodded his head before Austin pulled him into a hug. Austin did not feel the same fear that Maya felt. He knew that they would make it back. Austin would make sure of it. Elliot was their reason for doing all of this. If they did not make it back, then it all would be for nothing.

  “I love you,” Austin said as he pulled away. He kissed Elliot’s forehead before he stood up. Then he looked towards the group. “I think it’s time to go.”

  Maya hugged Elliot one more time before she stood up. “Yeah, let’s go.”

  The group said their goodbyes to Ava and left the building to approach the tower. As they grew closer, they could feel the Aether radiating from the tower. It was thicker and stronger than anything they had felt before. The only comparison was the density of the Aether in the Survival Game, but it was even thicker than that. Not to mention, the Aether felt pure. Like it had no corruption or affinity. It was just Aether in its purest form.

  The group arrived at the entrance of the large marble tower. A door-sized hole had been carved in the front of the tower. Next to the hole were statues of armored men with spears. The statues stood at attention like they were standing guard over the entrance. As the group approached the entrance, blue light flashed from the eyes of the statues and scanned over the group.

  “One Iron and Three Coppers,” a robotic voice said. “This group fits the parameters of the tower. Is this a singular party?”

  “Uh, yes,” Austin said as he was caught off guard by the voice.

  “Then you may proceed,” the voice said. “Once you start, you may not leave until someone conquers the tower. Is this acceptable?”

  “Yes,” Austin said.

  As Austin responded, blue light filled the hole in the tower. Austin could tell that this was the tower inviting them to start. He looked back at the group to make sure they were ready. Everyone nodded in confirmation. With the confirmation from the group, Austin led the group through the entrance.