Centuries come and go, following the great collapse the dwarves are in disarray as they doubt each other. As the only one that has access to their ancient underground realm, Thuram was now a hotspot for its neighboring brothers. Through great effort they are now one step from claiming their ancestry and the sacrifices throughout the years of bloody skirmishes wouldn’t be in vain.

  With their decision in settled, the deep road expeditioners were given less than a month of preparation. At this time, there were no debauchery, no festivity but only a hand full of drinks and laughter as they enjoy every bit of time they have.

  “A rift? Care to enlighten me?” Akatosh implores.

  “Well basically a conjugation between realms.” Risha replies.

  “Ever dealt with it before?”

  “The only person that I know who have knowledge in dealing this rift is archsage Azageis.”

  “Oh…” Says Akatosh; and upon hearing the person Risha was referring he became agitated not for himself but his partner. “What about that elven enchanter, I’m sure he might know a thing or two about that rift.”

  “Can’t say… this rift isn’t a just your typical portal between realms, it’s rather much more than what we know. It’s wasn’t just two realms combined, but the estimate that was given to me from the elf enchanter were more than five realms.”

  “Then what about that sealing scroll you used.”

  “Oh, that was a vigil scroll, it’s not meant for isolating a conjunction of realms. Its main purpose is sealing or preventing any unnecessary leakage between other worlds.”

  “Ah...” Akatosh says, while his partner is still in other realms fishing for food, he tries diverting other topics. “So, about your ale, do you still have some of that left… even a bottle or two would be nice.”

  “I’m sorry but that barrel was the last thing I got; I even hide it, though they were too good at sniffing where I put it.” Risha lied.

  “I see, then I’ll be in my chamber, call me when you need me.”

  Once reinstituting from his cottage Akatosh lazes off on his bed as he contemplates anything relating on his journey. Thinking about the scroll of balance, he scrutinizes how to use its outmost potential. From his thoughtful mind, fatigue slowly invades his brain, nevertheless he freely gave in. Day’s pass and while waiting for any solution from Risha and the dwarves the travelers return to their sanctuary.

  “Sooooo…. any idea how do we crack that thing?” Akatosh says as they both stares at the scroll of balance sitting on the table.

  “Sigh… it’s unfortunate but that’s the one thing that I wouldn’t touch or understand, it’s unpractical to touch it such as myself.”

  “But your friend did.” With a bit of smirk.

  “Foolll! Only because they’re in desperation!”

  “Hmm, anyway…” Then out of suddenly Akatosh remembers Ignus and his perfect image. “Care to tell me about that perfect image the kobold was saying, I’ve seen other mages cloning themselves together with their weapons and items.”

  “Ahhh… I know what you’re thinking, but how can we; when upon holding the scroll it would just dispel any spell nor magic. Even I can feel its power ripping my aura, it’s a fitting item for you since you’re not a magic user. I cannot event cast a spark of magic when you hold that scroll, not to mention we can’t even tell if the scroll itself can be duplicate.”

  “Hmm…”

  Having no knowledge in dealing with the scroll of Balance, Akatosh goes to his hoard searching any items that could be useful from his travers. And while doing so he searches the item that Hawk once hold; hoping he might find some answers. Bringing out the small two box, and with his partner’s help they revise the seal and whence done the two boxes slowly grow.

  “Hehehe… Yeah boy.” Akatosh says, amuse from his hoard of artifacts and items that the cave they’re in couldn’t contain his treasures.

  One holds knowledge by the pile of parchments, scrolls and books that contains Hawk’s knowledge throughout his centuries of living. While on the other hand holds powerful weapons and artifact that was kept safe not only; each of the items were identified, their abilities they magic capabilities all were written on the books and scroll.

  It was euphoria, being surrounded by many ancient and powerful items was ecstasy to his body and soul. Even so, he kept his composure researching any information regarding dimensions and rift conjunctions.

  “Can you just tell me how to deal with that conjunction of rifts?”

  “Beats me I don’t know.” Amaragnum lied followed by a slight amusing tone.

  “For heaven’s sake don’t you want to go at the world tree.”

  “Even if we go, that old bastard knows I’m setting my eyes from that place. He might had sent out his lackeys, and if he did; best we delay our schedule. But if patience isn’t in their virtue, it would be an easy access for us.”

  “Hmm…” Express Akatosh concentrating his mind and time towards the books; and while he was absorbed from his work time was lost to him.

  Time pas to who knows what days or hours was consumed, still the traveler didn’t have a single knowledge about dimensional rifts. But that all change when he gave a chance to read Hawk’s journal. A three inches magical black book containing Hawk’s encounters, an endless page similar to his partner’s grimoire. When open Akatosh went towards the last page but was flustered upon reading his name as describe by Hawk and his journey with him. And so, he moves to his past adventure and encounters towards extraordinary situations, it took time until;

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  “EUREKA!!!” Akatosh cry upon reading Hawk’s journal relating about dimensions and realms from different side. On his journal it says;

  ‘217 AC (After Crisis)

  Can’t tell how many centuries had passed, and I can feel my body slowly consumes me. I fear every so often lost through the marching of time. It’s been twenty years since the replacement of one of the artifacts that was given to us by the goddess herself. And I fear I’ll have to dirty my hands for another suitable replacement before they can create a calamity. Restless and tired, I hope that someday all of this will be done; although the prison that holds Razgothor should weaken the prince of demons from the passing of time and if there will come a time, I should end it all whatever it cost. But for right now, a new situation calls upon my aid a conjunction of realms or so I’ve been told.

  It’s been four days of my recovery and I felt worse, the curse of my abilities greatly affects me from that encounter. I’m rattled for the information that was given to me was rather impracticable, resulting in many losses. They said it was only three conjunctions, but when I enter it was more than just three; there were nine. And to who may that person be who orchestrated that crisis is one to be warry off. I’ve sent information to archsage Azageis, hope he will investigate this matter. As for my past encounter, dealing with conjunction of realms is no easy task and must be done in secret. I know this and so do the ones who have knowledge in these types of crises. It’s easier to create a rift conjunction even for a simple mage if they manage to learn than to dismantle. And dismantling such problem should be done without mistake; and if ever there was, it would bring calamity to our realm and only Balance could save us all.

  To solve such issue, I have to leap through dimension until I find the rift; the one that merge all, the door to all of our dimensions. If one made such mistake in destroying the rift it will permanently be irreparable making our realm in everlasting union; additionally, it will expand until all of the worlds is merge. When enters at the rift, I have to deal with devils and demons guarding the place. There were lesser demon prince and lords but I dispatch them with ease since they’re in constant fighting. There are many ways in razing the rift, but the easiest I know is using the scroll of Balance if one knows how to use it, and having one is slim to none. Fortunately, I have my own ways in dealing such problems. A sealing scroll that I device from my long years of living. The only downside is, it’ll need tons of energy to activate the scroll. In return I used one of the artifacts to activate the scroll.’

  Once read Akatosh immediately went rummaging where Hawk kept the artifacts and scroll. When done, he manages to find five scrolls, by the looks of it the item was reinforced in silver with a few fancy designs. Upon holding it he can feel a slight tingling vibration humming his skin. But as the journal says it needs great amount of energy to be activated.

  “The cube,” Akatosh says remembering the box type that holds mass amount of energy, to which again he went rummaging.

  On his right was the cube and as he slowly approaches it towards the scroll, it begun to emit bright lights which he instantly pulls for who know what the scroll will bring forth.

  “Okay? That was weird.” He implores. Lacking for more information he went back reading Hawk’s journal for a better understanding.

  Two days came and while Risha and the dwarfs are still searching for any solution Akatosh barge in calling the elven enchanter.

  “He’s too busy at the top managing political negotiations with neighboring kingdoms and surveying spies.” Risha said.

  “But can I talk to him even for ten minutes or so?”

  A bit hesitant and unable to look directly at Akatosh she sends a message to the enchanter. It took some time until the traveler was finally able to meet him in a private meeting.

  “I don’t know if you knew about conjunction rift or not but I know for a fact that these situations aren’t something to announce it to the public.” He implores at the elf whose eyes are shut but ears are open, listening to what Akatosh was saying.

  With a slight smile, the elf slowly opens, “Then you must know the dire consequences if one made such a mistake?”

  With the elf calm reply, Akatosh slowly lean back on his chair and with that he summarized the consequences of rift conjunction. There were no cut off from the elf a gentleman at that, he just waits until Akatosh finishes his sentence.

  “You’re quite an interesting man.” Says the elf.

  “How so?”

  “Pretty much everything.”

  “Uhh… okay.”

  “I can’t say… The knowledge you have is indeed on point, but it’s not easy in these kinds of situation, for there are no trial and error.”

  “I see…” Akatosh sigh heavy, “If I may ask; have you ever heard of Hawk from the thieves’ guild?”

  Through his words, the elf’s eyes twitch for a second. His facial expression changes for a mere second but quickly assured collectedness. With no choice left Akatosh had to bring forth his former master, and knowing the consequences for announcing his faction he waits for what’s to come.

  “I see…” The elf replies secretly casting ‘detect lie’. “I met him once, a man with great deeds and valor. He was the one who solve the dilemma at Valthamir and I heard he too was involve at the troubles at Ravalind.”

  “That is true.”

  “Hmm… then let me trouble you, what is your connection with sir Hawk.”

  “Sigh, my master.”

  The elf waits for his spell if Akatosh was lying or not and in seconds the spell reveal he wasn’t. Inquisitive the elf then asks, “Curious, I ask why sir Hawk takes an interest here I Thuram.”

  Taking a light breath, “No… I came here by myself; it was a coincident that I came across with the prince and by that here I am. And if you’re talking about my master, he’s no longer with us for he accomplished his long and painful task.”

  Astound from his words, the enchanter again with his spell but all he received was the truth.

  “Oh, if you’re using about lie exposing spell that won’t be necessary for, I’m here to return the favors this kingdom had offered me. I’m not here to cause disruption upon this kingdom, I’m here to make friends and once this is done, I’ll return to where the road takes me.”

  Silent yet the spell didn’t show any slander coming from the traveler the elf slowly stood. And before he ends the conversation, he warmly shows Akatosh a gentle smile, a very charming smile.

  “It seems our majesty is calling my presence, it’s a pleasant to have a conversation with you. Truth to be told I would like to hear more of your thoughts, in the meantime take pleasure with your time, we’ll continue our discussion.” The elf implores before vanishing away, teleported.

  Two weeks after their conversation the army of Thuram were in position facing the towering two statue that seals the gate to the realms of demons and devils. The atmosphere was intense as thousands of dwarves are waiting, their shields are firm, their weapons are clenched welded from their hands.

  Prior to that, Akatosh was having his second conversation with the enchanter. It was then he revealed his strategy and to the enchanter’s reaction he was in a mix feeling of awe and mystified. And for two days of decision, the elf reluctantly agrees to his plan but with a proposal to join him on his journey to the rift.

  “Thuram’s forces won’t hold the forces of other realms for long.”

  “True… If only we’re lucky to find the rift upon entering we might be able to dismantle the rift before any more casualties.”

  The elf smile, “I think I know someone who knows how to jump through dimension faster.”

  Now even before the battle could be start, Akatosh’s heart was racing, furthermore the spirit that reside from his ax slowly influencing his mood that small dragon scales appear on his face. The place was large that giant dwarven golems towering twelve meters were present in their aid what’s to come.

  Through the back line were the enchanter together with his two associates holding the vigil scroll. The time was ripe and with the elf nodes towards Risha they activate the scroll removing the seal. Once triggered a bright light engulfs the place, when passed the towering statues that guards the entrance was no more in exchange the area was flooded with mist. And there; a great crusade is about to begin and the conclusion will decide the fate of who will come in succession of the underground realm.