A day and a night had passed with little occurring as the group continued onward. It wasn't until the end of the second day of the cave incident that Tanin and company sighed with relief, whereas Karastak listened to Azazel speak, “[It's because there's a road up ahead that'll take us to a nearby border town. After that is a forest, a port city with a few kilometres of open water, and finally Rosenburg.]”

“Uh-huh,” was his only reply, as they journeyed forward. Sure enough, a wide, hard packed dirt road expanded before them with many branching paths going deeper into the mountains. Whereas off to the right, and about an hour's journey south, was a distant town of high, wooden walls.

“Civilisation,” sighed Priscilla, “I need a hot bath, too.”

“You definitely need one,” joked the twins, both covering their noses whilst swiping the air in front of them. Of which caused the Halfling to frown before turning towards Korin with pleading eyes, but just rolled his own.

“That's enough, you four. I'm sure we all need a bath and a hot supper tonight,” grumbled Tanin, who looked over at the immaculately clean Karastak who was busy smiling at the antics of his pet. This led him to sigh as he turned his attention towards the road.

However, just as they stepped onto the path leading towards the town, the group froze. For all around them was the sound of a great and ancient door creaking slowly open. This led to the Elf to look up at the cloudless sky in horror, for high above them was a giant spell circle with many runes and sigils adorning the outside with many colours. Whereas inside of the circle was a darkness so pure, no light could escape.

As he stared at the darkness, he noted that it was quickly marred by a splattering of twinkling lights. In the centre of it all was an orb of blue which steadily grew larger until he could see patches of browns, yellows, whites, and greens scattered about it.

It was here that the Human and his female compatriots could see it as well, and they had a mixture of confusion about their features. Whereas Karastak just frowned, as he saw only a bright and blue sky above, nothing to be afraid about. Therefore he muttered to the little girl in his head, “What's going on?”

“[Hmm?]” she hummed before looking up at the sky with a tilting of her head, “[Oh. There seems to be a world in need of heroes to stop a newly crowned Demon Lord.]”

“Huh... Should I be worried?” His eyes scanned the features of those before him, noting their fear and confusion.

“[As long as you're not near them, you should be... fine? Huh...]”

“What?”

“[Seems like Korin and his non-harem harem have been chosen to go to Azzarath.]”

“Where's that at, and are these summonings reversible?” he inquired, pointing at the group then his own feet.

“[Yeah they are... Why?]” she peered closely at her Goliath, then gasped as she realised what the light around them meant, “[Well fuck. Didn't expect that to happen.]” After which she slapped a hand over her forehead before tapping away on the screen next to her before explaining quickly, “[Seeing how you're not a part of the System we have, I really can't do anything about that without showing my hand, but you'll be fine. I have faith in you that you'll return safely.]”

The light spread around himself until it became as wide as his shoulders, whereupon it created a spell circle of equal design around his feet. However, Tanin didn't have anything below himself, and quickly maneuvered his horse to put some distance between them. Once he was on the main road, he flicked the reigns, causing the horse to begin its galloping motions, but not before an arrow flew through the air and striking the flank of the white haired creature. Of whom reared back and bolted forward, carrying the frantic Elf away whilst Elena howled a, “COWARD!” at his back.

“Why do I get the feeling you're not coming with me, Azazel?” Little Mother squeaked several times before crawling into his robes, then directly into his body where she vanished from existence. As she was Soul Bound to himself, she had decided it was of her best interest to hide within the region his own soul resided, awaiting his call.

“[Because I can't. I'm not from Azzarath, and if I were to show up there, then a few Gods will want to know why. Which will then reveal you, and I can't have that,]” she shook her head, giving him a peck on the cheek before leaping away from his body just as the light shone brightly around his body, reaching for the circle high above.

“Am I still outside of the Systems?” he asked with a great frown across his features, which cut into the beauty of his face. Since the light had appeared beneath him, his legs could not move, but now that it was cascading upwards all around his body, he could not move anything from the neck down.

Soon, he wouldn't be able to move at all, so Azazel quickly explained, “[That's what I'm hoping for. You weren't a part of Terra's, so you shouldn't be a part of Azzaraths, but seeing how you were trapped by the summoning circle?]” she shrugged her shoulders, waving farewell to her chosen Goliath, “[Just be sure to come back alive, okay? I want to hear all about it.]”

And with that, he heard nothing more. For the light had engulfed his body in its entirety, which shot off like a rocket, followed by four others, to the unknown world of Azzarath.

*****

Sarah, Goddess of Iridescent Colours, laid back against her mountain of pillows before placing the book in her hands aside upon her bed. After which she slid out from the comfort of her blankets and sheets in order to step lightly upon a soft felt rug below.

Her body was lithe and of average height, a single piece dress hung closely about her shoulders whilst long, silky hair cascaded about her shoulders and mid-sized chest. As she was a Goddess, her fur, hair, eyes, and dress changed different colours at many intervals, each one never the same twice. However, upon her lips was a frown. For the book she was reading, titled “The Devil King”, was about her husband's past. Of whom was the God King of the Terran Pantheon, and professed his desire to allow all to know of his past.

Unfortunately, discerning truths from fiction was difficult, as the story always continued to change with each new generation. Therefore, she enlisted someone within their personal Library to find a story which will hold more truths from fiction about him. For she had long ago believed her own Story was tampered with, especially after finding out many inconsistencies between Terra's library and Azzarath's, where she was born.

This then turned into a crusade, leading her to many who were opposed to the God King's rule, but not openly so. For if one were to speak out against he who was far above them, then they could end up disappearing when his fanatical followers found out about their spoken words. However, after searching for too long for evidence of such tamperings, many of her contacts within and without the Pantheon stopped speaking with her. After not being able to find out why, she left, returning home to the Castle of Perpetual Midnight where she found the aforementioned book, as well as a note.

To summarise what she had read, it stated that what she desired would be found within, but it came with a single stipulation. She could not act until she read the entirety of the story. Thus she began to read, and already found many inconsistencies within. The most recent was of the summoning he was a part of. For the stories told to her and others was of himself being summoned from Azzarath to Terra, not the other way around.

Of which she thought of as her body paced the lonely hallways of her castle, leading her to the bathhouse. Whereupon she was met with half a dozen naked, Elven women who tended to her body's desire to be clean, as well as a full body massage. During the latter portion, she had to stifle a moan of pleasure when the Elves found her more sensitive areas to massage. Especially when an adventurous pair of fingers slid into her body, resulting in the Wolfwoman to pant as they moved about inside.

This led to her turning to the Elf with a need that hasn't been met since the birth of her son, and the God King ignoring her desires for more. Therefore, she had to find more... secretive ways to enjoy herself, and after the woman's fingers had penetrated her body, remembered how long it had been. Therefore, she ordered the doors shut and sealed so that they may continue with more... privacy.

*

The Goddess wobbled to her room in a night shift, feeling the after effects of many releases by the talented masseuses which plied their fingers in surprising ways. Upon reaching her doorway, she noted a pair of Living Armour along the sides. Each had the appearance of a Roman Legionnaire, and their metal caps had cocked themselves in a peculiar direction denoting curious worry.

To which she sighed and gave a small wave as a husky voice filled with the residue of pleasure escaped her throat, “Too long in the baths.” After which she quickly entered her room, and shut the door before hobbling over to her bed in order to crawl under the covers and towards the book. Here, she took up the book as she leaned against her mountain of pillows with one hand clutching the story close against her shift, and another cupping that which was betwixt her legs.

This resulted in her blushing a furious array of colours as she shook her head free of such thoughts before turning back to the story at hand.

*****

Azzarath. A world of adventure, magick, swordsmanship, and monsters galore. One that was two-fold larger than Terra as a whole, and in desperate need of heroes to save her lands against the newly crowned Demon Lord and her armies. Yes. The Demon Lord of the land there was a woman, and was always as such. For it needed one who was well verse in life and death, so what better way than to have such a creature as the Lord of the armies of death and destruction?

Regardless, each newly crowned Lord was to arise atop one of seven continents, where the inhabitants therein were tasked with summoning a new batch of Heroes. Ones that were to gather together the forces of good to battle against those who were evil, until the Demon Lord was removed from existence. After which they were given the choice of either staying upon the world that had summoned them, or returning to whence they came.

As it was then, it was up to the Humans of Synthanos to perform the Rite of Summoning, bringing forth a new batch of Heroes. Where, within their temple to Anu, God King of all, they performed such a ritual with a dozen Mages, fourteen Priests, and thirty-two Priestesses. The latter danced around the Mages and Priests in mist linen, which served as nothing more than to placate the minds of the males around them.

In front of them, however, was a great spell circle with many runes and sigils scattered about both the interior and exterior. Each serving to smooth the transfer of those who would come to their aid. Whether or not they were willing to do so was another matter in its entirety.

However, the group raised their arms, releasing their voices and mana into their sacred room of summoning. Of whom each felt a verification that a group of four Heroes was on their way to destroy the forces of evil, and to slay the Demon Lord. Therefore, they continued, chanting and praying whilst releasing more and more mana into the sigils and runes.

Before their voices reached a crescendo, the world around them crackled and shook as five, not four, circles of light appeared within the centre. After which a few of those older and wiser appeared worried, but continued to pour out their mana, voices, and prayers to the spell circle.

Once there was no more left to give, each began a domino-like effect, and toppled over one by one. However, before the last fell down in exhaustion, a series of five soft popping sounds echoed throughout the chamber. Of which resulted in the reveal of a disheveled Human, a frightened Halfling, a pair of confused Wolfwomen, and an annoyed Goliath.