Chapter 49

In the depths of the ruins lay a circular room with three levels, each containing a web of runes and glyphs with a single palm print in the center.

Connected to this room is a gate, allowing access to the deeper areas of the ruins, and three shining, silver token resting on a pedestal. Floating above them is a single, golden token, slowly spinning as it glowed in the darkness. The web of runes stretched from each palm print to the gate below, keeping it sealed shut with its magic.

In the center of this room was a portal, the smell of sulfur leaking out of it as it phased in and out of existence. Surrounding the portal was a prison of magic, strong enchantments that kept it sealed, the evil within trapped and locked away.

“So, let me get this straight. You’re saying that in order to weaken the enchantments sealing access to the gate, we need to also lower the seals on a portal to Hell?” Wil said, leaning back in his chair as he set his cup of tea back on the table.

“Correct, although it isn’t connected directly to Hell, but a plane of existence just above it. The Guild would not be insane enough to leave a portal to Hell open for a test!” The mage scoffed, shaking her head.

They were sat around a table in the center of the room, joined by the wolf eared Beastman as they discussed what the next challenge entailed.

“Well, I’m glad that they kept a shred of sense. Wouldn’t want a portal to anywhere dangerous opening down here.” Wil said, rolling his eyes.

“The challenge comes when weakening the wards, the three who place their palms on the runes must be uninterrupted while they channel their mana into the array. Conversely, the more the runes weaker, so too does the seal on the portal. The more mana that is channeled, the stronger the resistance we can expect to emerge from within. The creatures inside are drawn to our power.” The mage next to her, a young man, explained.

“What are we expecting?” Wil asked, not knowing much about portals, or the planes they connect to.

“They are ‘Dretch’, small fiends of the higher levels of Hell. They are insignificant when alone, barely stronger than a Rank-less, but they will continue to pour out in large, overwhelming numbers. Time will be against us while the portal is open.” A third mage spoke, this one a young woman, her hair cut extremely short, and Wil winced at the piercings in her eyebrows and lip. The woman smiled at his discomfort, a grin on her face as she winked at him.

Looking around the room at the six-remaining people, Wil didn’t think they stood a chance of holding against a tide of creatures with their numbers. The rest had followed the three dwarves earlier, intent on working alone to seize the tokens for themselves.

“I see the need to work together, although we don’t have enough people to make this work, not without the others. Three working against the runes while three to provide cover, we wouldn’t last very long.” Wil said, doing the math and not liking the result.

“I concur, we will need everyone here to last the required time to unseal the gate.” The lead mage concurred, nodding her head at Wil’s words.

“The others will see reason, they cannot overcome this obstacle by working alone.” The Beastman assured.

“If they do come back, how do you propose we split the tokens? Four divided between twelve of us, someone is not going to be a winner.” Wil asked, looking from the mages to the Beastman for an answer.

“The tokens will go to those with the greatest contributions, of course.” The mage answered, looking towards her companions for confirmation. The other human mages nodded at her words.

“And who determines that, you? Most of us won’t be happy with that decision, better to draw straws or a lottery.” Wil asked, shaking his head at her answer.

“The question is moot, at this point. We do not have the numbers to accomplish the task, regardless.” The mage said, waving the concern away.

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that.” Wil responded, looking at the entrance.

From the darkness, a group of figures emerged. The trio of dwarves, significantly less boisterous and looking worse for wear, led the way. They were battered and bruised, sections of their armor missing, and long cut and scratches covered their faces and bodies. One of their beards was significantly shorter than when he had left, and Wil though he could see smoke still rising from the burned end.

The humans that accompanied them were in no better shape, sporting a variety of injuries. Clearly, the battle did not go well.

Stomping past the group gathered around the table, the dwarves headed to the back, already pulling out bandages and ointments for their wounds.

Wil, not willing to wait another two weeks in the ruins, sitting and waiting for everyone to come together, stood up from the table. Clearing his throat loudly, he drew the attention of the dozen potential adventurers in the room.

“Look, I understand that we’re all after the same thing, but none of us are going to be getting any tokens unless we can work together. We don’t need to become best friends to get this job done.” Wil started, looking around the room.

“And who made you leader? Don’t think you can waltz in here and take over, or you’ll find my boot up your bloody arse.” One of the dwarves yelled, spitting on the floor.

“Someone is going to have to lead, and I’m thinking you’re all too stubborn or stupid to do it.” Wil responded, pointing his finger at the dwarf.

“That’s it! I’m going to…” The dwarf leapt to his feet, pulling out his axe. Not bothering to say a word, Wil flared his mana, a vortex of power that swirled around him as his magic responded, always eager to be unleashed.

Papers fluttered from where they blew away from the table, and the people near him leapt up in shock as Wil let loose.

“Enough!” He shouted, before putting a rein back on his magic. The dwarf, wary of the Rank 7 power that Wil just wielded, slowed down, before warily lifting his axe. His companions drew up next to him, facing the threat.

“Listen. I’m not looking for a fight, or even to lead. If you’re worried about the gods damned tokens, we’ll have a lottery after, random and fair. I’ll even withdraw my name from draw, if you would only pull your heads out of your ass and listen to me!” Wil said, yelling at the end of his sentence.

“What trickery are you after, human? You’d go to all that effort and not even want the bloody tokens?” One of the dwarves asked, his tone suspicious.

“I agree, I do not understand why you would go through the effort of helping and voluntarily turn down the reward.” The fox tailed beast woman spoke, the first thing he had heard her say.

“Because there are other tokens, but I can’t get to them if I’m stuck here, waiting to get pass that thrice damned gate. So, I help you guys out and you follow my lead, and you can have the Twin’s forsaken tokens. I just want to keep going deeper into the ruins, and I don’t want to have to put up with your yelling and arguing.” Wil said, running his hand through his hair in frustration.

“So, here’s what I suggest. One Dwarf, one mage and One Beastman on each of the wards, while their groups defend them. All the loners, including me and the others here, we’ll split between the three. We bring the wards down, deal with the ‘Dretch’ and get the tokens. After, you draw names or straws, or you can shove the tokens up your asses for all I care.” Wil said, looking around the room.

“Deal?” He finished, waiting for a response.

The dwarves gathered close together, their voice a low rumble as they spoke. The mages shared a look, before nodding. The two beastmen didn’t even have to converse, they nodded together as soon as he finished speaking.

Looking around at the half dozen loners, he saw each nod, agreeing to his words.

Finally, after a long discussion, the dwarves broke up their huddle, turning back to look at him.

“We agree, but you swear on your gods that what you said is true.” The lead dwarf demanded, his brown eyes narrowed as he stared at Wil.

“For the Twin’s sake. I swear, by the Twin Suns and the Sea God, Aruna, that everything I said was true. I also swear that I will shove your heads up each other’s ass and make a long chain of dwarves if you don’t start being more cooperative.” Wil said, holding up his hand as his magic flared briefly, the oath taking hold.

“Don’t think you aren’t the only one to threaten that before, Laddie. But aye, we’ll work with you.” The dwarf said, stepping forward and holding out a hand. Shaking it, Wil grinned at his words.

Now he just had to lead them through this mess. No pressure.