“How many ended up going back to Gemport in that caravan the other day?” Mari asked as they headed down the steps of the 9th gate into the city. The large cave was awash in more light then it had been the first time they had entered it.

  They were with the first group of the morning heading into the city for the day. Just over a hundred adventures altogether in various different group sizes. With it being more than twenty days since the city or the 9th gate was found by The Wrath of Pele and almost thirteen days since they started exploring it with only about a fourth of the city streets having been explored so far.

  “Not many from what I hear. So few in fact that old Helmric had to offer double pay for two Silver teams to go as guards since so few adventurers went back and both teams asked for first picks on Silver missions for the Jade Temple when they return as payment” Faye said as she walked down the stairs next to Mari.

  Summer was in front of them and was excited to get moving for the day. Master Netlor’s briefing this morning had put the fire in the adventures and her. The four internal plazas they had found seemed to have been part of an elaborate puzzle that seemed to have given the solver some key which Netlor thought was needed to open the way to the next floor down. It might have already been fully solved by the Undead or some other Denizen of the Deep by the state of the found plazas, meaning the way ahead would be cleared and they were playing catch up. They just needed to find the stairs down.

  She was happy to be exploring such a place and knew it was the grand adventure of her life. Her days down here exploring and seeing the unknown like a real adventurer was tainted slightly by the true reason that brought her sister and herself here. It was tragic and frustrating as they had not seen Franco since the funeral.

  She thought they needed to just confront Franco at this point to apologize for that night but Faye thought they needed to run into him organically now but his team had been held up in the expedition office for days as her team continued to dive the dungeon.

  “What's the plan for today, old man?” Summer asked the dwarf behind her.

  “We are heading to Plaza 3, that one we found the other day and then we are going to find a way to the third Gate”

  “Undead hunting,” Summer said, surprised they had not teamed up with another group for it.

  “I don’t like that” Kara said from the front of the group as they reached the foot of the stairs.

  Large newly installed street signs lined the plaza where the stairs ended. All saying where the various routes lead to from this spot. They took the third street from the left that clearly stated that it led to the first plaza.

  “Well, that sounds like an internal team matter, I’m sure your captain would love to hear your complaint ” Mari said with a wink to Kara as he passed her.

  The tall beautiful woman looked down at the dwarf as he passed her and then back at Summer who just smiled at her bodyguard's slight frown.

  “No complaints from us” Faye said as she elbowed Kara and then winked at Ishtar, the older level 14 Warrior of the Atwood Axes.

  The light in the cavern had only improved as more glow orbs had been brought in by the adventures over the last two weeks and with that light being reflected by the multitude of hanging crystals far overhead their group moved quickly through the cleared, brighter streets. It would be hard for monsters to ambush them on these nearer streets where people have been using them for days and no organized group had made any deep push into the city beside themselves.

  They walked quickly but it still took them almost two hours to reach the third plaza, the one they had found a few days ago. There were signs on four of the nine routes leading out of the large cleared space. The bones of the undead they had fought here had long been cleared off to the side as well as all the mundane gear they had left behind.

  Mari led the group to the center of the plaza, to the large black stone sphere that had already been open at the center when they first found the place. It sat on the center square of a 11 by 11 square pattern.

  The entire center was roped off and was covered in markings by a Gold team based on the team's symbol that had been left hanging on the ropes. From what Summer could see by the Adventurer symbols left by them when she got near some of the traps were still active but most squares were safe and a path to the sphere had been marked out by the other team.

  The symbols even said that good salvage could be found in the remaining traps. More money to them for finding the place but most would go to the team or company that took these traps apart in the future.

  “Always money in a trap floor” Faye said to their group as they all overlooked the large elaborate puzzle.

  “Dangerous but boring work which always means good gold in it” Dai said as he turned from the puzzle to look at marked and unmarked routes leading from the large plaza

  “My first team as a Tin specialized in taking apart traps and truer words have not been spoken my friend. After six months I had to quit because it was so frustratingly boring and dangerous.” Mari agreed as he stepped away from the puzzle and looked around the plaza until he found one that was marked.

  Summer followed him with Kara and Faye in tow until they reached a route that was marked with a sign that said it led to the fourth plaza and a canyon. Also by the Adventeur symbols left underneath the words it showed that not all the branching paths had been cleared on the route.

  “From what the Green Trees told me this morning we will follow this to an intersection that has two branching paths. The one the Green Trees took led to the 4th plaza but the other they didn't clear but their captain thinks leads closer to the north edge of this place and to the third gate which is our goal. They fought two companies of undead and got some nice loot from them so hopefully we find something.”

  He looked around and everyone nodded. “Alright then standard formation but Kara I’ll have you up front with me with only Ishtar bringing up the rear. Any questions?”

  No one had one so they headed out and Summer was hopeful that today would bring something exciting.

  ***

  “Here take it,” Oaken said as he tossed the priceless grimoire at Franco.

  Franco was laying on his cot as the book landed on his stomach.

  “Finally” Franco said with a grin coming to his face as he brought the grimoire up to his face to look at it.

  It was surprisingly heavy so Franco sat up and swung his feet off the cot so he could sit with his back to the wall as he laid the heavy and powerfully magic book on his lap.

  “Finally?, really? I just learned to free cast Lesser Heal in two weeks and I can cast it as well as any of my Ability spells, that's nearly nearly a miracle”.

  Franco was so excited to start learning his new spell he almost missed Oaken's statement.

  “That well?” Franco said, looking up at his friend.

  Oaken pulled a wand from his adventurer’s belt with this third hand and pointed it at Franco.

  “Test me”

  Franco thought about it and shrugged his shoulders. Putting the grimoire next to him he reached for his knife from his own adventure belt which was on the floor next to his cot and pulled the long knife free before locking eyes with Oaken and cutting himself on his left forearm. A stinging one inch cut in which blood flowed instantly.

  “Ouch” Franco mumbled as he looked at Oaken.

  The Kimber smiled before he pointed his wand at Franco and with his bill and wand only slightly moving as he recited something to himself Franco felt a flash of healing energy hit him two seconds later. It washed over him and he saw and felt the small cut close up while his arm felt better overall.

  Franco clapped at the display with only a few drops of blood on his pants as Oaken took a small bow before putting his wand away.

  “Most impressive, mister soon to be a [Wizard]. That one spell will change what class options you’ll get at ten for sure” Franco said.

  “I know know. That spell book is truly a legendary artifact and I can't believe I let you convince me to let you use it”

  Franco grabbed the book next to him before Oaken could take it back.

  Oaken just rolled his eyes at him and waved him off.

  “Go, learn your spell fast. I want to learn one more spell before we head down again.” Oaken said as he headed out of their room.

  “Where are you going?” Franco said as he opened the book on his lap.

  “I’m going to go show off to my father and everyone else I can” Oaken said as he flung open the door to their room, his bill open in a wide Kimber grin, his tail swinging in pride.

  ***

  “Alright, this is where we turn off. So let's keep this professional. I haven't seen much life around here and based on what the Green Trees fought I expect to find Undead even if we don't find the gate. All good? Good, Dai led the way” Mari said, his large axe in hand.

  Summer watched as Dai got a good half block in front of them before Mari and Kara followed after. She waited with Faye until the two in front of them got ten feet away before they followed. Ishtar came last with his sword and shield, waiting another few seconds before he brought up the rear.

  The intersection they had found themselves in was huge. With the four roads that had connected to it at least sixty feet across. The buildings here were large and multiple stories tall.

  Only one of the routes was blocked, with the way they came and the other leading to the next plaza. So they turned down the large unexplored street and found the buildings to either side of them blocked off like most places in this area. Their front doors and windows filled with rubble and rocks. With Dungeon moss and plants growing over most of them. Some third floor windows were unfilled like many of the buildings they had passed but they had found every building they had checked over the days filled in or empty. Someone had cleared this place clean and made the entire city a dungeon maze. The outer shell of the ancient city was more a disguise than the reality of the place before its fall.

  With Undead having been nearby they found little life moving beside small insects and rodents as they moved quietly down the large road. Bats and other fliers did pass high overhead at times but nothing disturbed them as they moved down the large straight block after block as they got nearer the edge of the massive cavern.

  After a nerve building hour they finally reached an interaction where their only choice was to turn to the right down another large road or left down a small alleyway. The alleyway might lead to treasure but Summer thought the left road way was the better choice to find the gate they could now just make out north and above them.

  Mari pointed right and Dai nodded as he headed that way scanning the area in front of them. The roads they followed were straight but not always flat so one could not see down the full length of this road even if it kept moving straight.

  It was on a little rise just ahead of her that Summer saw Dai hit the ground. Their group stopped and Summer had to pull her eyes off the [Hunter] as she started to scan her surroundings.

  This part of the city with its larger buildings that must have been workshops and warehouses by what she could tell. They had all their first floor doors and windows filled in just like the rest of the place had been.

  She noticed that Dai crawled backwards at least ten feet before he got to his feet and crouching low ran back towards the group.

  Mari waved everyone to gather and Summer could hear Faye’s breathing pick up in excitement. She hoped she didn't show her excitement as easily as her sister did.

  When they got together it only took Dai a few more seconds to reach them.

  “Undead company by the looks of it, protecting the next turn in the road. No idea if anything is around the corner but one Bone Giant and maybe forty skeletons in front of us. The Giant is a Kimber and looks to have a sword and shield with a dagger in its third hand. The skeletons look to have daggers and bone clubs like usual.” The [Hunter] said quickly.

  Summer looked to Mari who just smiled at her and asked. “First pick or the two remaining”

  Summer looked to Faye and then Kara who just shrugged or shook their heads. Mari was wondering if they wanted the first pick off the three items off the giant or to get the remaining two after his team took the first pick.

  “What type of sword is it?” Summer asked Dai as she grabbed the hilt of her two short swords.

  “Not sure Summer but probably a longsword at least. It didn't look too small in the giant's hand.

  Summer nodded in thanks. “Two remaining”

  “Good then, Ishtar gets to fight the giant with Faye as support while the rest of us clear the skeletons as fast as we can. If there is more waiting just around the corner we pull back slowly still fighting until we see how many there are. Run if I say run” Mari said to the group but was looking to her for agreement.

  “Works for us,” Summer said as she drew her two swords.

  “Good luck Ishy” Summer said with a wink at Ishtar as the large man grumped at the nickname she and Faye had given him.

  The group moved out after him as Summer, Mari and Kara spread out while Dai and Faye made up the third line.

  As soon as she crested the slight rise Summer saw the undead about five hundred feet in front of them where the road ended in a left turn. It only took the undead another few seconds to notice them at which point they turned and rushed forward.

  The Bone Giant held back letting its skeletons clear the path for him.

  “Back on line” Mari yelled at Ishtar. Who stooped and let the three of them catch up to him.

  Now in a four man front Mari stopped them next to a building that had a high wall forming its courtyard that they used it to anchor their left side.

  Dai started losing arrows when jogging skeletons were three hundred feet away. Nearly each shot dropped one to the ground motionless. Faye quickly joined him using her Extend Range: Spells a passive Ability that gave her the range to hit skeletons from more than two hundred feet away.

  Her Mage class enhancement Forced Mastery allowed her to Free Cast all common spells. Her Magic Bolts started to bring down a skeletons.

  There were less than thirty skeletons left when they reached the front line of fighters. Summer surged forward and danced among them as her twin blades battered away blades and cut off bone limbs and heads. She had to move away from the Bone Giant as it quickly followed its skeletons into the fight.

  As soon as he could Ishtar locked blades with the giant as they traded blows with their shields taking most of the hits. Ishtar was much more skilled but the Giant was stronger, larger and had that third arm with its dagger to threaten him with.

  She killed her seventh skeleton in just over a minute when she was free of the fight and could see that no more were coming around the corner further down the street and none remained here in this fight besides the Giant.

  Faye was helping to distract the Giant but was letting Ishtar handle it without intervening much. If Summer was in charge they would just kill it quick and move on but Mari and his teammates liked to practice against the things so she let him as she started to check the skeletons she had killed for any good loot.

  She found two rings that might be silver and a smaller knife that didn't feel magical but was in way to good condition for how old it had to be. She pocketed the knife and the rings as she saw Ishtar use his Phantan Blade ability to cut off the left leg of the Giant and then quickly behead the monster after it hit the ground. Altogether the fight lasted less than three minutes and she hadn't been touched. She looked to Faye and then Kara who both looked good to her and were both looting their kills.

  Summer walked over to the downed Bone Giant and saw that Ishtar had laid aside its dagger, sword and shield as well as a bracelet.

  “Know what you want” Summer asked the quiet man

  “The shield, it has a really good Light Weight enhancement when I picked it up.”

  Mari joined them and Summer pointed to the bracelet.

  “Magical?” the dwarf asked his team mate.

  “Yep” was all he said.

  “Well, take the next two picks and then I'll let you chose loot divide next fight”

  Summer looked to Faye who had just walked over.

  “Sounds fair to me and take the bracelet, it looks good,” Faye said.

  Kara dropped her ruck next to them and pulled out a treasure blanket.

  “Any preference between sword and dagger?” Summer asked Kara.

  “Sword” was all Kara said.

  Summer nodded to Mari and then with Kara’s help, wrapped up the bracelet and sword so that they could be safely transported back to the surface later today.

  They spent only a few more minutes looking over the small battlefield before they moved on taking the next turn after finding the short block clear. They went down this new path for just a few minutes before they had to turn left again.

  Now they were extremely close to the north edge of the caravan and the large gate that was open. They couldn't see anything on the stairs leading out nor in the large doorway but Summer felt a fight was coming up. She didn't have Danger sense or the lesser version that some Adventurer titles gave out but as they walked down this street she knew a fight was coming.

  ***

  Franco’s head hurt and his stomach was upset but it was just past lunch. He knew he needed to eat something as he put the book next to him on the cot. He rested his back against the stone wall and closed his eyes. The complex spell formula was almost burned into his eye lids. He could see it and sense it with his mana. The way it was meant to flow and weave together to form the spell that was Soul Lance. It was taxing in ways nothing else had been since he could remember. Which while not long was a strange and new feeling.

  Freecasting requires you to move your own Mana in certain complex patterns with one leading to the other. As long as you created the correct shapes and symbols in the right order a spell would work even if it took you an hour to do it. This spell had nineteen such symbols and shapes to get through to cast the spell and some were very complex.

  Freecasting it would take minutes even if Franco memorized everything and that would be months of training. This grimoire was truly amazing. He could tell that the spell was being pushed onto him as much as he was learning it himself.

  It hurt but such was the price of magic. He couldn't believe that people would spend a year to learn a spell like this to still not be able to cast it in a fight as it would take years longer before they could do it fast and reflectively enough to use it in said fight. He owed Oaken even if the next few weeks were going to be painful.

  ***

  “Its going to be one hell of a fight. I counted at least seven Bone Giants and a hundred thirty six skeletons.” Dai said to the group in a near whisper.

  They were well back from the next right turn that led straight to the plaza at the foot of the 3rd gate.

  “Seems like a lot of Giants and not many skeletons for a blocking force for the door. Could you see all the plaza?” Summer asked.

  Dai shook his head no. “They have some skeletons on the roofs around the plaza. First time I have seen that so I saw the back half of the plaza and near our road well but that's it.”

  “What about the doorway?” Ishtar asked his teammate. The man had his helmet off as he rested on his heels. His dark brown hair hung in a loose braid that kept it from his striking green eyes.

  “Nothing on the stairs or in the doorway from where I was but I would expect something watching the other side.

  Mari rubbed his chin as he leaned against his axe handle in thought.

  “If we knew for sure that was all there was I would feel comfortable in a fight vs those numbers especially in the road way. It's the unknown that's the worry. I expect at least more skeletons to come from the side streets and alleyways. What about weapons?” Mari said.

  “Swords, spears and at least one Giant with a bow. I think I saw a giant with a large two handed axe” Dai said. He hesitated at the end there.

  Mari smiled at the words and looked around. “Well that's enough to get me to want to try this fight. Getting help means hoping to find another group on the way in or organizing one with Netlor if we are lucky and don't lose out to a group coming in now or tonight.

  Summer wasn't sure. It would be well out of their ability to handle it as a Bronze team but with the Atwood Axes it should be a relatively safe fight as long as the surprises weren't too bad. She looked to Kara who was making her thoughts clear. ‘To dangerous” was clearly her thinking by the expression on her face..

  When she looked at her twin sister in that stuped cowboy hat she just smiled at her. They both wanted this and Summer was just kidding herself. Faye knew that and so did Summer. They both wanted this fight and so Summer nodded at Mari.

  “Let's do this.”

  The plan was simple, Dai would get as close as he did last time on the roofs while the rest of them would move up the side of the street till they got halfway down the block. Then Dai would start taking out targets drawing them towards them and then they would hold the line. If more came then they expected they would do a fighting withdrawal to the connor and try and hold there. If it all went to shit they would fall back fast and when they hit the corner they would run.

  They dropped their rucks and any other items they didn't need at the conor before Dai scrambled back on top of the roof and headed closer to the grand stairs. Mari peeked his head around the street corner twice before he waved for them to move forward.

  This time Summer, Ishtar, Kara and Mari would form the battle line with Summer outwards towards the middle of the street. She was the fastest of the fighters and would be able to keep from being flanked. Faye was close behind them as they moved.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  They got within a building of their target before Dai whistled above them and Summer saw his arrow fly across the street and take out a skeleton that was on a roof on the other side of the street that had been behind a roof cresting that hid him from view.

  With his broken bones loudly scattering across the street in front of them they had gotten the attention of the Undead which began moving towards them.

  “Good enough, spread out and call out if you need help” Mari said as he stepped away from the side of the building to give himself room in the fight.

  Summer moved out further into the street to give everyone room as she watched the horde of skeletons move towards them. These ones did not come running which was concerning as it meant they were led by something smart enough to stop them from doing that.

  A low wailing cry came from in front of them. Something that came from the undead: a call or cry which sent a shiver of fear down her spine and caused her to twirl her twin swords in worry.

  “What the fuck is that” Ishtar said loudly as the call still rung out.

  “Call for backup” Kara said her shield and one handed warhammer up and ready.

  “They are coming in way to slow for my liking Mari” Summer shouted.

  The skeletons came forward in a loose formation filling up the street with four Bone Giants behind the first group while the remaining skeletons followed with another four Bone Giants.

  “Neither do I Summer. We have eight Bone Giants cooming” Mari said as they grew closer.

  With all the forces in view and now on the street Summer shivered again from the fear but it was well within their capabilities to handle.

  It was then that from the left side of the plaza in front of the door, an area they could not get a look at, that four more Bone Giants came from. Two were massive figures in armor. Black metal armor with clear green magic vapor coming from their full face helmet’s eye slots. One wielding a mace in one hand and a strange curved shortsword in the other. The second of the blacked armored terrors held a massive two handed warhammer. Between them walked a skeleton mage in a very dirty but intact blue robe.

  Summers eyes snapped to her sister when she realized what those monsters were. Faye locked eyes with her a half second later, clear fear on her face that she schooled quickly and she nodded.

  “Ivory Knights and a Skeleton Mage. Fall back, fall back” Mari said as he came to a stop and with two fingers whistled Dai to fall back as well.

  Summer started to walk backward only half turned to keep her eyes forward as Faye raised a wand to the sky and let out a screaming colored light. Signaling to any adventurer nearby that they needed help in a deadly fight.

  Summer saw Mari shoot Faye a hard look but she didn't see it as she was already jogging backwards, taking a look behind her every few seconds.

  “I ordered it and you know we needed it” Summer said as her heart started to beat so hard she felt like it was trying to break out.

  “Here they come” Kara said as she spun so she was fully facing forward as she walked backwards.

  Summer turned to face forward and saw that the skeletons had started to run forward now. She kept walking backwards as fast as the rest of them, staying in line.

  Skeleton Mages were Gold ranked threats. One Ivory Knight was a Silver ranked team level threat but two of them with a Skeleton Mage, 6 Bone Giants and over a hundred skeletons and they were in real danger now.

  A whistle came from the roof next to them and Summer’s eyes shot to Dai who stood on the roof next to them, bow out and ready while one hand pointed out back towards the plaza.

  Summer followed his pointing hand past the quickly approaching hoard, pass the plaza and up the stairs to the doorway of the 3rd Gate. In that doorway came a flood of skeletons, at least two hundred strong and among them was a Bone Abomination, a misbegotten horror of long bone legs and arms that came from an oval bone body. Almost spiderlike but for the fact it had at least two dozen limbs from a headless body and most of the arms were holding a weapon of some kind. Oh and it was flanked by at least four more Bone Giants.

  “Run” Mari said as he turned and ran.

  Summer didn't hesitate. They couldn't out run the skeletons but they could get more distance between themselves and that abomination coming down the stairs.

  “We hit the corner and stop there. We break this first wave of skeletons and then run to the next turn and do it again” Mari half yelled, half shouted.

  Faye was the first to make it to the corner and spun with wands in both hands. She started lobbing spells as fast as both of her wands could shoot as Summer reached her and spun around. The first wave of skeletons were no more than twenty feet behind them.

  “Die” Summer said as she stepped into the running wave of running bones with a Double Slash.

  She did not hold back and four skeletons fell to her twin swords. Then she stepped back and to the side as she let loose another Double Slash cutting three down this time.

  Kara Shield Bashed two while she did a Sweeping Blow to clear the skeletons in front of her. Faye was unleashing Shock Bolts and Magic Bolts from her disposable wands as fast as she could as she saved her personal Mana but it was the Silver Rankers that broke the first wave of mindless skeletons in seconds. With skill and Abilities they killed two for every one Summer did.

  Summer took several bone club blows and a cut on her thigh before the skeletons around her were down.

  “Run” Mari shouted as he cut down the last of the skeletons in front of him before he turned and ran.

  The Bone Giants were feet away but they all ran. Summer saw that the four giants would catch them long before they reached the next corner and the skeletons behind them were even faster. They would have to turn to fight.

  Sprinting she shouted as she ran. “We won't make it”

  Mari looked behind himself and then quickly in front of him. They were only a fifth of the way down this street before the next turn.

  “Fuck, fuckity fuck” he shouted.

  He ran on for another few steps before he spoke again.

  “On three we turn and fight, alright. One, two, three” Mari said as he turned and swung his axe at the nearest Giant.

  Still too far to be hit by it but not too far for the Force Chop that launched from the swing to crash into the running Bone Giant causing it to stumble.

  “With you” Kara shouted.

  Summer turned, twin swords out as the Bone Giant nearest to her, this one a human shaped one with two daggers that jumped at her as soon as she turned to face it.

  Summer’s eyes went wide in fright as she brought her twin blades up to block it.

  “On me” Kara shouted as she appeared in front of Summer.

  They told people it was just Taunt, a common but not very good ability but in reality Kara had just used her Bodyguard Class ability. Me Before my Client, the best taunt-like Ability known. Arrows would even change direction with its use but Kara could only use it when protecting her Clients.

  The Bone Giant in midleap twisted his daggers to point at Kara and her up held shield. Somehow its massive body changed direction mid-flight and crashed, daggers first into Kara’s shield sending her sprawling backwards and bouncing on the ground as she skidded a dozen feet from the hit.

  Without giving it time Summer jumped forward to the prone Bone Giant and unleashed two charges of Double Slash on it with four blows taking off one arm and the second set of four hits beheading the giant before it could get up.

  Summer backed away as she looked around. Two more Giants were down as the fourth had gone for Faye who was half a block back from them somehow. She was kitting it around as it had lost two of its three arms.

  She ran to Kara who was just trying to sit up. Summer went to her knees mid run and skidded to a stop next to her as she reached for her bodyguards adventurer belt and pulled one of her three healing potions. She pulled the cork top off and holding Kara’s head poured it down her throat.

  “Drink it and then we need to run” Summer yelped as Kara almost coughed up the healing potion.

  She kept it down and her eyes cleared while Summer helped her to her feet. She grabbed Kara’s warhammer near them and handed it to her before she pulled on her arm as the entire group started to run again.

  Faye’s Bone giant was still active but was down to only one arm as Faye turned and ran. Keeping her lead on the rest of the group. Ishtar beheaded the Giant as he ran past it, the Bone Giant still focused on Faye.

  “Everyone alright” Mari asked as he was breathing hard.

  Summer noticed that his chest armor was dented and an arrow stuck out of a shoulder joint.

  “Drink some healing potion” Summer said as she turned to see how close the next group was.

  The skeletons were closing in on them fast. Fast enough they wouldn't make it to the next corner before they caught up to them. Meaning that the Bone Giants right behind the fifty or so skeletons would be on top of them as well including the one with that bow.

  “I’m fine. Kara, you?”

  “I’ll make it. First time taunting something that big mid jump is all” Kara said as she spit blood as she ran.

  They almost made it to the next turn before Faye spun around and started raining spells down among the following skeletons.

  “Kill that bowman” Summer yelled as she spun around to fight again.

  “I know,” Faye said, annoyance in her voice.

  One of the drawbacks in the Path of the Majesty is that at level 9 she only had two Abilities and her Double Slash was the only combat one she had. Still she was faster and stronger than anyone her size should be at her level and she went among the skeletons trading a blow to her left arm to behead the skeleton nearest her. She danced among them, her Dancer and Brave enhancement’s along with her Duel Wielding Skill making her move around the fight trading light blows for killing strikes from her short swords.

  She cleared the skeletons in front of her just as a Kimbor Bone Giant with a sword and shield came for her. She parried the sword strike with her left sword and stepped in to deliver a hit with her right as the giant spun and blocked her swing with its shield.

  As she moved back its third arm shot forward with a long thin shortsword that cut her across her left check. She felt it burn and blood start to flow down her face as she turned away from the strike. Trying to get distance again. This thing was fast and was not going to let her get away. Her fear spiking now as it stayed close, she knew she was in trouble until an arrow hit its mouth causing it to stumble as its head snapped downwards and away from her.

  Seeing an opening and sending a prayer to the one true God for Dai’s timing she turned towards it as another arrow hit the Bone Giant in its helmet causing its head to jerk away again. Allowing Summer to close and strike its exposed right knee. She cut across it with her right sword as she brought her left one down like an axe buckling the knee but not cutting the leg free. She moved back as it went down on its right knee as another arrow hit the ground just passed the kneeling giant.

  Dai had missed that shot but making sure there was nothing else near her she leaped into range again of the giant before it could stand up. Swinging for the knee with her left sword it brought up its shield to block the blow but also blocked its own sight as Summer brought her right sword down on its out stretched right foot and cut it free as she jumped back trying to avoid its follow up strikes.

  She was only half lucky as she blocked the short sword strike from its third arm but its sword from its second large arm cut deep into her right arm and sent her tumbling to the side.

  She didn't fall but she had to back away as the giant got to its feet. It turned to her but two spells hit the back of its right knee sending it back to the ground as Summer backed away from it.

  She looked up and saw more skeletons running towards them just a hundred feet away with the two Ivory Knights and Mage just behind them.

  Summer turned and started to run back toward Faye who was finishing off Summer’s Bone Giant. Summer sheathed one of her swords and pulled out a healing potion, downing it quickly as she ran.

  The cut along her check sealed up easily but the one along her upper right arm only partially closed. Something about the wound was not allowing it to heal fully. Damn it she thought. She should be good for now as the worst of it had stopped and she wasn't losing too much blood but still she ran for her sister.

  “Patch my right arm. It won't fully heal” Summer yelled as she got close to Faye.

  Her twin quickly holstered both her wands and pulled out a bandage from a back pouch of her adventurer’s belt and pressed it against her wound. Faye then Free cast Bandage almost instantly. A common spell that her Mage Class had taught her. The bandage went taught against her arm and she felt the bleeding completely stop.

  “Thanks” Summer said but before she could turn around Faye pushed her towards the street corner.

  “Run” Faye said.

  Summer started running and only after a few steps did she look back to see that three of the Bone Giants were down but that Ivory Knights and the Mage and reached them. Kara blocked a Shock Bolt with her shield as she ran half turned so she could use her shield. Mari and Ishtar were in front of her and both looked injured. Blood was flowing down Ishtar's left leg as he limped ran. Mari’s armor was singed and had deep cuts in it. Blood seemed to seep out the wounds.

  Dai landed just in front of Summer and Faye as they ran towards the next turn and he looked a little worse for the fight. It looked like he had nearly been hit by a fireball. His eyebrows were signed as was some of his armor.

  “Send up another flare Faye, those skeletons just reached the last turn and should be on us in a few minutes with that Abomination behind them” Dai said his voice raw and scratch.

  Faye immediately sent up another colored flare. This one requesting immediate help but indicating a Gold rank danger. Summer was proud of her. No sense getting lower ranked teams killed.

  “Heal up and drink a stamina potion now and get to that turn” Summer bellowed as she ran.

  She pulled out a stamina potion and downed it. Tossing aside the empty little vile as she felt energy run through her body as she ran harder. As she approached the hard right turn in their path she spun around as both Faye and Dai ran past her before they turned around with weapons drawn.

  Summer kept her right hand free as her shortsword was still in its sheath as she saw that Kara was still bringing up the rear with hundreds of skeletons just a few dozen feet behind her now with the Ivory Knights and Skeleton Mage in among the horde.

  “Bombs away” Summer shouted as she pulled out one of her two Firebombs.

  She activated the bomb with her thumb and then tossed it as far as she could. There went ten gold and without hesitating she pulled out her second one, activated it and tossed it further to the left of her first throw.

  She drew her second sword as Mari and Ishtar passed her. Kara with her shield hand holding her hammer now threw behind her one of her two bombs and as Summers bombs went off in fiery explosions Kara tossed her second one just behind her as she now sprinted away.

  Summer closed her left eye as she barely kept her right open as a third and fourth explosion followed behind her two and then a half second later two more went off as Faye tossed hers into the horde.

  Summer felt the heat wash over her as almost all the skeletons were on the ground as well as the Skelton Mage. It was getting up as were more than half the Skeletons but they had bought themselves a few seconds.

  Arrows and spells started flying, taking out skeletons still moving in the middle of the horde while Summer charged.

  “For the Eternal Sky” she screamed as she fell among the nearest rising skeletons.

  Her swords flashed cutting off legs or heads. Any hand that raised a weapon was stuck off with a flash of her blades. She knew she had one charge of Double Slash left but she saved it as she twisted and moved among the rising skeletons. Their firebombs had broken their charge and put down at least a third of the Undead but not enough.

  Summer made sure to keep an eye out on the Ivory Knights and the Mage who were letting more of the lesser skeletons get up to join the fight before they did. She was quickly joined by Kara and after a few seconds a healed and stamina restored Mari and Ishtar joined her. When they did the Ivory Knights surged forward.

  Ishtar had lost his shield somewhere but he surged forward to meet one of the charging Ivory Knights until an arrow took him in his left eye, dropping him. Summer almost fell in shock and looked to see where the shot came from.

  That damn Bone Giant with a bow was standing next to the skeleton mage. She had forgotten about it.

  Mari bellowed and surged forward as he activated three skills to clear the nearby skeletons and met the charge of the Ivory Knight now bearing down on his fallen team member.

  “Get him back” Mari yelled as his axe clashed with the mace of the Ivory knight.

  “Dai it's on you. Faye cover him. Kara with me” Summer shouted as she ran.

  Ishtar was nearer the center of the road and Mari fought right in front of him, refusing to be moved back. The dwarf took an Ability empowered blow to his side which should have sent him tumbling but he stood fast with ribs broken and blood coming from his mouth from the hit.

  Summer went to the far right side of Ishtar while Kara took the closer left, fighting off the skeletons close to them. The second Ivory Knight was swinging wide on her side and Summer knew she had no chance against that black armor clad, massive warhammer wielding monster.

  She felt its deadly gaze on her as it started to move straight for her. Dai used a movement skill and appeared just behind her and next to Ishtar who was still moving. With the brief glimpse she got it looked like the arrow hit him at an angle, taking out his left eye but not hitting the brain. Blood was pouring freely from the wound as Dai broke the arrow and pulled out both halves of it. The pain made Ishtar pass out but Dai was already reaching for a healing potion.

  He wouldn't get his eye back Summer thought but better that than dying but that was the last free thought she had before the Ivory Knight reached her his two handed warhammer swinging for her face.

  ***

  Faye shot down another skeleton and tossed aside the expandable wand. She was down to two rechargeable wands and her Mage common spells. She pulled out her Ice Bolt wand in her left hand. A very expensive family artifact and decapitated another skeleton as she drew her shortsword in her right for the first time.

  With her armored dusty moving easily around her she ran to the far right side where Summer was dodging and rolling around trying to not die as the Ivory Knight followed after her swinging that massive warhammer.

  She had to keep her sister alive. She let loose another Ice Bolt taking out another skeleton that was going after Dai as he dragged the unconscious Ishy away. She was just happy to see that beautiful man still breathing. He would have to wear a patch and become a pirate like the stories of old. Faye smiled as she took a hit from a bone club to close with a skeleton and behead it with her enchanted shortsword. She was a Mage not a damn spell sword.

  She checked and saw that Dai had reached the corner and the turn to the right.

  “Pick him up and run. We will follow” Faye said as she turned and shot off two Ice bolts at the Ivory Knight going after Summer. It used an ability and dodged the fist but was still caught by the second which spun it away from her sister.

  “Back off him” Faye yelled as she started to walk backwards shooting off three more ice bolts. The first and third hit the Knight keeping it pinned down as Summer, much worse for the thirty seconds or so she had to keep it occupied, stumbled away.

  Faye kept moving so the arrow that went for her head but was slightly deflected by her hats enchantment struck her in the shoulder. Not even penetrating the tick and reinforced armored dusty she wore. She loved this outfit.

  She shot back two Ice bolts. One at the Bone Giant that had taken a pot shot at her and one at the Mage that had been harassing Kara and Mari. The two bigger threats. She couldn't let it so she stopped moving backwards and holstered her wand and switched hands with her sword. With her right hand free she took one of only two Concentration potions she had and drank it. She felt her mind clear and then speed up slightly as she began to Free cast a Magic Bolt spell. A common spell that all mages learned instantly upon choosing the [Mage] Class. The most common of Mage Classes that imprinted all ten common spells onto your mind. Where once it would take her near a minute to free cast in good conditions a Magic Bolt, now she did so it in less then two seconds and with her passive Ability Extend Range:Spells the Bone Giant didn't expect the five Magic Bolts in ten seconds that came from her that were also well out of most Mage’s ranges.

  The bone giant lost one hand and then its third arm causing it to drop the bow, its only weapon. It stood there in confusion while Faye turned and freecast Invigorate as fast as she could on her team mates as she started backing away again.

  The Ivory knight near her hesitated in indecision; he had been heading to where Mari fought desperately now that Summer had backed off but Faye’s actions had caused it to look at her as she continued to back away. She was almost a hundred feet away from it but she didn't like her chances and as if sensing that it turned toward her and ran.

  She started to back towards the corner where Summer had gone. She was leaving Kara and Mari behind because she couldn't do anything but tell them.

  “Run” she shouted as she turned to start running but she stopped halfway through her first step as a Knight ran past her.

  She spun and smiled as Summer and Dai followed behind Sir Allen Mills. His glorious two handed sword raised high as he bellowed the old battle cry of House Skye.

  “Into the Wild Blue Yonder” Mills Challenged.

  Both the Ivory Knights and the charging Bone Giant went after him because of his Ability but mostly because he was the most dangerous thing here, a Level 29 Life Guard Knight.

  Faye's smile left her face as a terrible screech answered the Challenging cry from far down the road. She looked and there the Bone Abomination answered as it ran towards them. How could she forget about that thing? Fear quickly replacing hope she sheathed her sword and drew her two wands again as she followed after her sister and Dai.

  Milles launched out two quick Phantom Force Sweeps of his blade that cut down two dozen nearby skeletons and opened up the battlefield as he without slowing Dodged incoming blows while remaining to move forward. He moved under the first swing of the Skeletons Knights warhammer and with a Sundering Blow disarmed the Ivory knight before drove his sword into its waist through its enchanted armor and severed its spine without slowing.

  Moving past the now downed Knight that Summer finished off, Faye started to exchange spells with the skeleton Mage as Sir Mills easily avoided the charge of the weaponless Bone Giant and with no skills beheaded the giant as he ran past it.

  The Skeleton Mage along with the last Ivory Knight both focused on Sir Mills which allowed Faye to land two Ice Bolt shots in the skeleton mage’s face, bringing the skeleton Mage down for good. She was so going to level from this fight tonight.

  ***

  Summer was breathing hard and was still terrified to see that Bone Abomination heading towards them but seeing Allen deal with what had been a deadly threat just seconds before brought real joy to her heart.

  With just one Ivory Knight left, Allen Flashed Step next to it mid swing but had to Dodge away as the Knight used some kind of true strike ability which would have brought its mace down on Allen’s knee.

  Allen stepped back into the fight and with a quick exchange of blows and Abilities he got within reach of the Ivory Knight and smashed his swords crossguard into its helmeted face sending the Knight staggering back and with a quick flash of his blade cut off the forward leg at the knee and then served the spin of the falling Knight at the small of its back.

  Sir Allen stopped and looked over his charges before focusing on Summer.

  “Get out of here now” He said as he spun towards the approaching Abomination and started to walk forward.

  Like hell she thought but she knew better than to argue now with him. She went back to where Dai and Mari were. The [Hunter] was helping his team captain drink a healing potion, maybe his second as Mari looked pale from blood loss and his eyes were unfocused but no more blood was seeping out his many wounds.

  Faye showed up then as did Kara.

  “Get him out of here Dai” Summer said.

  “I can still fight lass” Mari mumbled his eyes still half closed as he drank the potion offered him.

  “No you can't. Get your team moving we are going to help that Gold ranker if we can”

  “Will do” Dai said as he grabbed Mari’s large axe and then helped his captain to stand.

  “We should leave now, Allen has this” Kara said. Her tone was telling more than it was suggesting.

  Summer ignored her and looked at her sister who just smiled at her. She smiled back and she turned and started to follow.

  They were not needed and besides Faye who shot a dozen spells into the Bone Abomination, Allen fought it alone. He like the true professional, he was delimbed the monster first. In his matt grey armor he Dodged, Parry, Flash Step around the Abomination while hitting it with Sundering Blows, Phantan Sweeps and Cleaving Strikes.

  The Bone Abomination got two good hits on Sir Allen and Faye’s spells probably helped save him from follow up hits at those times but within three minutes of engaging the monster it was dead and Sir Allen drove his sword fully into its body causing a torrent of green tented Mana to rush out leaving the Udenad Abomination motionless.

  They walked up to Sir Allen who looked at Summer and then Faye.

  “Thank you for your help Young Mistriss” Sir Allen said to Faye but then he turned back to Summer.

  “When a Gold rank adventurer tells you to leave, do so. Do you understand Captain Summer” Sir Allen said in a serious tone.

  Summer just smiled at him. “Yes, Sir! As you say Sir” and gave him a salute with her right hand.

  He kept his eyes on her and her smile for a few seconds as his lips compressed more before he finally turned away. She was his favorite, she was sure of that. More than her twin or any of her other siblings.

  Summer turned to Faye and hugged her. They hugged each other and danced around a little. They were both going to level for sure tonight and Summer was going to gain her class she just knew it.

  Many hours later, almost fourteen to be exact. After taking care of the wounded, finding and sorting out loot and exploring the third Door or gate that led to the Jade Temple and then the long walk to her bed Summer Skye finally found herself floating in front of the Leveling Column, The Pillar of God.

  She had leveled and it was a big one. Level 10

  Level 10

  Choose a Class:

  You must now choose a Class.

  Class Options are:

  Blade Dancer: Duel Wielding Swords and Movement focused

  Swashbuckler: Agility, Sword and Charm Focused

  Duelist: Nobility, Single Opponent bonus

  Sword Lady: Sword, Nobility and Movement Focused

  Summer was stunned by four options. That was rare, very rare and two of them were nobility fighting classes. Faye had only gotten two choices, Mage and Lady and while their parents were disappointed they understood why she had chosen Mage. It had always been her dream. Summer had gone for Swashbuckler build in her many choices leading up to this point; it's partly why she dressed the way she did and she had dreamed of Blade Dancer as a girl. It was right there, her dream was in reach.

  But now the Apparatus offered her a different route. To be honest she was flattered by the Duelist choice. It was a highly respected class and one that made you feared in any royal court. One that offered you fighting and nobility focused Abilities, Enhancements and Skills but it was one that leveled best by dueling which she had done of course. She had been the second best duelist in grade at the Scholaria but it was not for her.

  Sword Lady she had little idea what it was. It was a class of legend and myth. She knew of no living Sword Lady in all of Abigail. It was the full package for her and it would push her and not Faye into the higher courts and the better marriage matches. Where Faye and her had planned on Faye marrying for the family and Summer marrying for love or never as she went off on adventures so that her and Faye could share both lives as they used their Twin Abilities and switched bodies.

  Faye had been ok with that but now that would change. She would be the better marriage candidate but she would also have a class of Legends. She hesitated only a heartbeat, it wasn't really a choice, of course she was going to choose Sword Lady, how could she not. Faye would be so disappointed with her.

  Class Choice: Sword Lady

  The Apparatus seemed to pause for a second as if it was considering something. This had never happened to Summer before and she had not heard of anyone else experiencing this and then it started again. The golden words appeared in front of her.

  Class Enhancement: Death Dancer: Greatly Improved Dexterity, Strength, Vitality and Perception

  Class Skill: Ladies Awareness: Greatly Improved Perception, Wisdom, Intelligence

  Class Ability: Hidden Blade

  With her class chosen her entire Character Sheet was shown to her and she smiled. There was always a moment of pride in these moments and for her this was one she knew she would never forget.

  Level 10

  The Way of Majesty

  Titles:

  True Twins: One of Mind

  World Traveler: I Have walked Forbidden Shores

  Adventurer (Bronze): I never tire

  Daughter of Abigail: I will Fight on

  Class: Sword Lady

  Class Enhancement: Death Dancer: Greatly Improved Dexterity, Strength, Vitality and Perception

  Class Skill: Ladies Awareness: Greatly Improved Perception, Wisdom, Intelligence

  Class Ability:Hidden Blade

  Enhancements:

  Dancer

  Brave

  Bookkeeper

  True Lady

  Skills:

  Management: People

  Quick Friends

  Duel Wielding

  Abilities:

  Double Slash

  Persuade

  As Summer floated off to that place Skills were taught she couldn't wait to tell her sister about everything.