Breathing a sigh of relief, Liam scanned over the flood of visions. None required his immediate attention.

Now that time flowed normally, his goal was to return to Earth, but first, he needed to decide what he would take with him.

The visions could wait.

Storing his tools, armour and weapons, Liam looked over his forge.

I should have been preparing to leave! He realized, wanting to kick himself for his oversight. The forge was a scattered mess of items–none of which he’d considered prioritizing to take with him.

He knew that he only had enough space to fit materials into his Ring of Storage and Crafting Bag. Anything else he took with him he’d need to wear.

All told, that was still a massive hoard. The crafting bag could store over one thousand items; and those items could be stacked up to one hundred times.

Liam decided to store the rarer materials within his storage ring, and the rest of the Iron, Steel and less valuable ores within the Crafting bag along with all his tools. He decided to keep the Volcanic Hammer on his person. While not a great weapon, its ability to change shape, made it a valuable tool.

He was loath to leave his original armour behind, but it would serve little purpose to take it with him. It no longer fit his enormous six-and-a-half-foot frame, and he was certain that each piece of armour would take up an entire slot in his ring.

He glanced at the ring, seeing that his Armour of the Harbinger took up the expected nine slots. His weapons and shield taking up another three.

He began equipping his gear to free more space in the Ring of Storage.

As he was already wearing his rings and the arm ring, he began.

Removing the armour from his storage ring, he donned it quickly. He found that although the chainmail slid over his body smoothly; it was still somewhat uncomfortable to wear without a padded gambeson. Liam determined to have one made for him as soon as possible upon his return.

As he donned the mail, he kept the hood of his mail coif draped down his back. He would not be wearing the Bascinet and visor unless he found himself in combat.

Travelling while wearing the helm would be very uncomfortable for anything but a short walk and so he placed it back within his storage ring.

Next, he put on the Armour of the Harbinger, flexing his shoulders with a grin as the added attributes merged with his form. The increased vitality helping with the discomfort of the chain.

Liam also withdrew the Volcanic Hammer. He tied a cord around the handle and slung it from his back. He’d need to find some way to cover the hammer’s head to prevent it from unintentionally striking his armour.

He solved the problem by changing the shape of the hammer to a blunted axe-head. At least all he had to worry about now was the noise it made as he walked.

His heavier gear secure, Liam retied the belt holding Camwennan in its sheath around his waist. The nearly foot-long blade was his constant companion, and he was loath to part with it, even to store it within the ring.

Finally, Liam picked up the Harp of Bragi, placing it upon his belt in its usual place on right hip.

Liam took a moment to stretch, feeling how the armour and gear moved on his body. He ran in place for a moment then jumped, tucking his knees to his chest.

Satisfied that none of the gear would inadvertently come loose, Liam prepared to send a message back to Lord Douglas using the daily ability of his armour.

Liam inspected vambrace of the Armour of the Harbinger, opening a vision.

He then selected the ability: Harbinger’s Call.

A new vision appeared.

One Liam had never seen before.

State the Realm, Location and Name of the individual you want to send this message to.

Liam recalled that the system called his world the “Mortal” realm.

“The Mortal Realm, Scotland, Lord James Douglas of Douglas.” He spoke in a firm tone, not wanting the system to mistake his words.

Speak your message, Harbinger. Your current level allows for a maximum of 32 words.

Liam had not considered this might happen. He'd prepared a lengthy explanation of all the events he'd experienced, from his meeting with Bragi to the information he'd discovered about Spirit Nexii and crafting.

Heading to the Archimancy workshop for quill, ink and parchment, he quickly revised his speech to something much shorter. Many of the things he’d wanted to say were crossed out. After a few minutes, he had reduced it to the required length.

“Lord, this is Liam. I return to Scotland today. An army of the Damned marches upon Earth. They are strong beyond measure. Warn everyone. No help will come from the higher realms.”

The vision accepted the words of the message and another notification appeared.

Message successfully sent and received. Next message can be sent in 23 hours, 59 minutes.

Satisfied he was ready for any unexpected events, Liam knew it was time to start packing all his gear into his Ring and Crafting Bag to get ready for his return.

***********************

A few hours later, Liam stood at the edge of the cliff, looking out at the wide expanse of land below him. In the far distance, he could make out a gleam of light from the shining roof of Forseti’s hall in the distance.

Part of him was tempted to head back and confront the Aesir, but that could wait until he’d grown in strength enough to return and slay the troll. Only when he’d proven his ability would he stand before those ascended beings again.

He held his newly forged sword and shield, and for what must have been the seventh time in the last few minutes, he inspected them once more.

Lahat Chereb of the Harbinger (Unique Longsword)

The Lahat Chereb is an unique item, forged from combinations of Aesium and Mythril and powered by runes that draw from the Aesium within the blade. Created by a Harbinger to finish his journeyman’s task, it is beyond anything a mortal smith can create.

Strength:

+50% when facing wicked or demonic forces.

-50% when facing human or heavenly forces.

Agility: +20

Vitality: +20

Active Ability: Feyflame

Feyflame: Forged in a heavenly realm, this blade has access to the flame of the fey. This flame burns magic rather than flesh, causing damage to the target’s body via their magic pool. The greater the magic present, the faster the flame burns.

Passive Ability: Focus

When wielded, this blade reduces Magic cost of abilities by 25% in combat.

The sword was amazing, and he couldn’t help but admire the play of the blueish hues of Aesium against the silver of Mythril. It was even more intense when he activated the Feyflame, as golden tongues of flame sprang from the surface of the blade.

He was concerned by the reduction in strength when facing human and heavenly opponents, but supposed it was necessary if the blade ever fell into enemy hands. The bonuses to agility and vitality were also impressive.

His shield, however, was less so.

Aesium Scutum of Ice (Rare)

A shield faced with Aesium. An incomplete work of a Senior Apprentice, the Aesium Scutum of Ice provides significant protection at a cost.

Movement speed reduced by half when equipped.

Agility: -10

Strength: +5

Vitality: +15

Active Ability: Ice Anchor

When this ability is active, the shield can be planted upon the ground to provide an unmoving obstacle to enemy attack. Enemies striking the shield will be chilled, reducing their movement speed by 10%.

He stored the shield in his Ring of Storage, ensuring that it wouldn’t encumber him as he moved.

Fortunately, withdrawing the scutum was simple. Liam had already practiced bringing it rapidly into action and he’d also experimented with its active ability. Neither function was ideally suited to the combat style he’d developed within the dungeon.

Liam knew he’d need to upgrade the shield as soon as he could. While it was still useful, it was not what he’d hoped for.

Sighing, he sat and dangled his armoured feet over the edge of the cliff.

Now finished packing, Liam thought it would be a good place to go through the last of the visions he’d received for completing the Dungeon.

He couldn’t help but to smile as a gentle breeze buffeted his face. It had been far too long since he’d breathed air from outside.

The four years of still air had been grating on his nerves. He’d occasionally simulated a breeze around himself with Telekinesis so he could simply enjoy the movement of air. Now Liam was content to enjoy the moment without visions, dungeons or world events stealing the moment of peace.

Eventually, though, curiosity got the better of him and he opened the waiting visions.

Congratulations

You have completed the Glittering Falls Crafting Dungeon within the four-year requirement.

You have received:

500 experience added to all classes.

Access to Tribulation Marketplace.

Tome of Training.

20,000 Tribulation Credits per Journeyman class achieved

Title: Journeyman

A Map of the location of the nearest Master Crafting Dungeon within your home realm.

It was a lot more than he’d expected.

Liam immediately opened his loot inventory and withdrew the items as he glowed with another level in the Harbinger Page class.

He studied the mass of Tribulation credits selected them. They disappeared immediately and were added to the few hundred he’d collected from the Hobgoblins and Half-Orc in Ferniegair.

He opened his statistics and glanced at the new balance of his credits.

Tribulation Credits Available:

40,382

Liam then tried to open the Marketplace, and was disappointed with the result. Another vision appeared.

You have been granted access to the Tribulation Marketplace.

To access the market-place, you must be within your home realm and within a designated ‘safe location’.

Liam sighed and withdrew the Tome of Training.

He flicked through the pages, seeing they were blank. Unsure of what the book did, Liam inspected it.

Tome of Training (Glittering Falls Crafting Dungeon)

This Tome of Training is linked to the Glittering Falls dungeon upon Vanaheim. Twice per year, the tome may transport an apprentice of the owner to the dungeon to attempt their Journeyman class upgrade.

All knowledge written within the book will be transferred to the Glittering Falls Dungeon Library at a cost of 10 magic per 1000 words.

Additionally, any book held within the dungeon can be accessed by the owner of the Tome at will. A full inventory of the Library is also available upon request of the owner.

When reading from this tome, any user receives:

+15 Intelligence

+15 Wisdom

+15 Will

+15 Charisma

Cannot be used in crafting or combat situations.

It disappointed Liam that he couldn’t carry the tome into combat. It was then he realized how stupid an idea that would be.

This Tome was worth more than even the bejewelled bible of Lord Douglas. In effect, it was the foundation of a library within itself. Not only could it improve the ability of craftsmen to learn, but it could transport two craftsman each year directly to the Crafting Dungeon.

If this was a standard reward, soon there might be hundreds of these tomes enabling thousands of craftsmen to reach Liam’s level.

Liam thought for a moment, before reaching for the Crafting bag that always hung at his hip so he could store the Tome safely.

The crafting bag was gone.

Frantically, he backtracked over the ground he’d covered and saw something odd.

Every item, damaged section of wall and item he’d discarded within the limit of the dungeon was just as he’d found it four years ago.

The dungeon had reset.

The only exception was the Training Ground, which remained as he'd left it the day before.

As he looked toward the other workshops, Liam saw the forge once more lay empty but for a few tools. Nearby, the Archimancy workshop roof had fallen in once more, the ink dry in old pots. As Liam entered the Tower, he saw that even the mattress had reverted to its place against the wall.

Liam returned to the tower moments later with the ladder he’d first found in the rafters of the Smithy. Liam propped it against the portal into the Library and searched the room, hoping that the Crafting bag would still be on the desk.

There was no crafting bag to be found, however.

Damn. It must be a part of the Dungeon! Liam thought.

He quickly scrawled out a note and left it on the desk. The least he could do is to warn whoever came next of the Troll at the bottom of the falls. He thought for a moment and wrote another note.

Liam took one last moment to look around the dungeon grounds and realized that a good deal of his supplies and tools had disappeared.

The reset of the Dungeon must have somehow collected the items into the Crafting bag for the next occupant to use.

He sighed dejectedly, annoyed that none of the others who completed the dungeon had bothered to leave him a note.

At least the Aesium, Mythril and Adamanthil were in his Ring of Storage.

He'd left most of the gold, silver and other less rare items within the crafting bag.

Whoever was to next enter this dungeon next would discover a trove of treasure worthy of a dragon.

Liam walked back to the edge of the cliff, annoyed that the dungeon would steal so much of his hard work. He calmed as he remembered how much material the past journeymen had left for him to start his own crafting journey.

At least it would go to a good cause. He thought.

Sitting once more upon the rock overlooking the falls, he opened his other visions.

Congratulations, your Crafting class:

Senior Apprentice Magismithing (Rare)

has reached level 10 and has evolved to:

Journeyman Magismithing (Epic)

Ability Gained:

World-smithy (Once per day)

You are a Magismith and the world is your smithy. Once per day, you may designate an area as a smithy for 24 hours. Your designated area gains several bonuses to your crafting and skill development during the active period.

Attributes per level:

+3 Intelligence

+4 Will

+4 Wisdom

+3 Vitality

+3 Available attributes

You have two spells to upgrade.

Telekinetic Field ==> Telekinetic Domain

Telekinetic Field ==> Extended Telekinetic Field

And

Inferno ==> Firestorm

Inferno ==> Greater Inferno

OR

You may select one spell to learn

Available Spells:

Deep Scan

Dark Vision

Stone Walker

Liam looked at his options here. He started with the upgrades.

Telekinetic Domain (Active)

An upgrade to Telekinetic Field. The Telekinetic Domain surrounds its user to a distance of 1 foot, granting them a physical awareness of anything within that area. The wielder may then alter the structure of anything entering their domain.

Distance: 1 foot.

Speed of effect: 1 minute per pound of material.

Magic Cost: 50 per second.

The cost of this skill confused Liam. Fifty per second would consume twice his current magic pool each minute.

The biggest boon this spell offered was the ability to experiment with metal crystal structure. That wasn’t currently a priority for Liam.

He sighed. Perhaps one day I’ll explore this too!

Liam once more reluctantly moved onto the next upgrade.

Extended Telekinetic Field (Active)

An upgrade to Telekinetic Field. The Extended Telekinetic Field provides four times the range and capacity of the original spell form.

This spell replaces Telekinetic Field.

Mana cost: 1 per minute

The upgrade would cost Liam far more than the simple reduction of Magic regeneration. Despite that, it tempted him to take this skill simply to improve the range of his spells.

As he looked through Firestorm and Greater Inferno, however, he found they were less interesting.

Firestorm allowed him to radiate a wall of flame from his body, scorching the surrounding area to ash. Greater Inferno was like Extended Telekinesis and only increased the range and power of the spell.

Liam decided against selecting the upgrades.

Domain simply cost too much, and Firestorm was too indiscriminate.

The true loss was in power and range, but that would be made up over time, anyway. He couldn’t say the same for the skills, which he might never see again.

For now, it was better that he develop new skills instead of improving old ones. He began inspecting the new spells on offer.

Deepscan:

Deepscan allows the caster to instantly map the formation of any vein of ore or tunnel system they discover. This skill applies to all minerals and ores within the System, allowing the caster knowledge of a great variety of materials and their use.

Magic Cost: 500

Liam immediately wanted this spell. While his Magic Attunement allowed him to sense ore within a body of rock, it did not allow him to do so beyond the range of his power.

This spell would give him a map of entire mines, tunnels and possibly even buildings–if the system classified them as a tunnel system.

He moved onto the next spell.

Darkvision:

Darkvision allows the caster or an ally to see in darkness as they would in daylight, giving them an immediate advantage over opponents without the spell.

Magic Cost: 100

This was far more useful for his allies than for himself. The magic cost, however, was too high for what it accomplished. If he could already create light and sense his environment, he was sure that his companions would soon develop similar skills.

Stone Walker:

Stone Walker allows the caster or an ally to walk through stone for fifty feet. Veins of metal will block progress.

Caution: If the user is still within stone after reaching maximum distance, they will be crushed within the stone.

Magic Cost: 250

Again, this skill was more useful to his allies.

The Mail of Silent Steps allowed him to Phase-Shift. He still hadn’t tried to use the ability, but the description stated anywhere within 20 feet. That should be enough to pass most walls he’d encounter.

The problem isn’t if I can move or dig through a wall. It’s about what’s on the other side. Liam thought.

He selected Deepscan and moved on to the vision for his Archimancy.

Congratulations, your Crafting class:

Senior Apprentice Archimancer

has reached level 10 and evolved to:

Journeyman Archimancer.

Ability Gained: Mythic Designer

Epic designs now have a slight chance of becoming Mythic designs. Success rate is based upon the uniqueness of function and materials used.

Attributes per Level:

+3 Intelligence

+4 Will

+3 Wisdom

+3 Agility

+3 Available Attributes

You have one spell to upgrade

Inspired Design ==> Masterwork Design

OR

You may select one spell to learn

Available Spells:

Design Library.

Scriptorium

Liam looked at the Masterwork Design upgrade and closed it immediately. The Magic costs increased by a factor of ten. Until he could work out a better method of powering these higher tier spell forms, he would not waste his time with them.

He inspected Design Library.

Design Library:

Any previously discovered item or object that has been inspected can be reverse engineered.

These designs can be taught to other artificers dependent on their skill level.

Magic Cost:

Common: 30

Uncommon: 50

Rare: 250

Epic: 600

Mythic: 1200

Legendary: 3600

Heavenly: 10000

????

This was a useful spell, and one which he and the people of earth would badly need if they were to stave off the incoming hordes of the damned.

Liam next inspected Scriptorium.

Scriptorium:

Allows the user to replicate a design multiple times for use by other artificers.

Magic cost:

Common x10 : 50

Uncommon x10: 100

Rare x 10: 200

Epic x10: 400

Mythic x10: 1200

Legendary x10: 4800

Heavenly x10: 20000

????

This was exactly what his people would need. Liam had already formed a book of designs of uncommon and rare value. Most of those came from his Inspired Design skill.

If he could replicate them and spread them throughout Scotland - or even better, Christendom - he’d be able to give the forces of God a fighting chance.

Liam selected Scriptorium and closed the vision.

As Liam prepared to leave Vanaheim. He opened his statistics and scanned through them one last time, admiring the massive changes he’d undergone over the last four years. He quickly assigned the 12 available attributes from his latest levels directly into his Vitality.

Titles: Page, Primus, Guest of Glitnir. Journeyman.

Name: Liam Lamberton

Levels: 36

11 (Race Tier 2: Human 10, Demi-Ascended 1)

5 (Harbinger Page)

10 (Magismithing)

10 (Archimancy)

Genetic Heritage: Davidic Scion

Combat Class: Harbinger Page (Davidic Order)

Crafting Classes: Magismithing, Archimancy

Age: 17

Tribulation Experience:

Demi-Ascended: 669/1164

Harbinger Page: 76 251/ 381

Magismithing: 612/931

Archimancy: 376/931

Race:

Demi-Ascended (Human)

Health: 1510

Magic: 2440

Stamina: 100

Attributes:

Strength: 57 (86)

Agility: 55 (104)

Vitality: 59 (151)

Intelligence: 77 (80)

Wisdom: 93 (96)

Charisma: 37 (58)

Luck: 44 (47)

Faith: 35 (38)

Will: 101 (122)

Skills:

Sword: 20

Swimming: 12

Manners: 16

Tactics: 13

Animal Husbandry: 10

Light Armor: 8

Riding: 10

Carpentry: 22

Chivalry: 7

Reading: 44

Stealth: 4

Wood Chopping: 22

Writing: 18

Housekeeping: 31

Languages: 71

Maintenance: 26

Athletics: 20

Mathematics: 21

Harp: 19

Music: 23

Heavy Armor: 6

Polearm: 15

Shield: 23

Lance: 6

Climbing: 18

Fishing: 58

Cooking: 33

Design: 26

Smithing: 32

Mining: 33

Meditation: 7

System Lore: 15

Spells:

Ward: Level 2

Healing Song: Level 5

Telekinesis: Level 8 ==> Telekinetic Field: Level 4

Flame Level 8 ==> Inferno: Level 3

Magic Sight Level 1

Regrowth: Level 1

Scriptorium: Level 1

Deepscan: Level 1

World-Smithy: Level 1

Abilities

Feinting Slash: Level 1

Covered Strike: Level 1

Shield Parry: Level 1

Epic Crafter (Passive)

Inspired Design (System Effect)

Epic Designer (Passive)

Magic Sense (Passive)

==>

Magic Attunement (Passive)

Mythic Designer (Passive)

A few things stood out to Liam.

While he’d achieved level five in Harbinger page, he had gained nothing from it. This was more disappointing than surprising, really. He had expected to become a Squire or to have it evolve.

That it had not could only mean the growth when it finally evolved would be considerable.

The biggest surprise he saw was how much his armour boosted his attributes.

With the Mail ‘Silent Steps’ and his Armour of the Harbinger, Liam saw that his health was now over 1500.

He remembered back to when he’d fought the half-orc chieftain. Whatever that monster’s racial benefits had been, they had made the creature a sponge for damage.

Liam was only now reaching the same amount of health the monster had once had.

The armour had also boosted his magic to nearly two and a half thousand. Liam could feel the magic roaring through his body as his Nexus node compressed and distributed magic at a massive rate.

Liam grinned and looked over his storage ring one last time. He’d packed it with whatever Aesium and Mythril he could find. Each stack of 100 mismatched ingots filing a slot. Liam also stored his shield and helm, considering them to be too much of a nuisance to wear.

One stack of gold and silver ingots each was also present, as was the book of designs. Finally, he’d placed the Portal Sack, Tome of Training and the map of the Master dungeon away.

Next, Liam inspected his racial ability.

A vision appeared before him.

You have activated your Racial Ability: Realmwalker.

You may travel to (One) realm.

Mortal Realm (Earth).

No safe zone has been selected. If you choose to return to Earth, you will be transported to your last known location.

You may set other locations when you visit them.

Do you wish to be transported to Earth now?

[YES] [NO]

Liam selected [YES]

With a last look of farewell to his home of the last four years, Liam disappeared from the cliff-top with a flourish of light and the sound of inrushing air.

*****************************

Liam reappeared in the frozen mud of Ferniegair and looked about. Just as in Vanaheim, the sun was setting, and the last rays of light were fading behind the distant horizon. Liam reached out with his Magic Attunement, finding no signs of life other than himself.

The low light was just enough to make out the remnants of the skirmish of only a few days past. Blood still lay upon the ground, frozen now, and a few discarded items from Lord Douglas’s men littered the burnt-out hamlet.

The village had barely changed at all, which was to be expected since only a few days had passed. Still, it was reassuring to Liam to see that things were as he’d remembered. He’d worried that somehow the magic of the Dungeon had somehow allowed time in his home realm to continue.

Liam spied what clearly had been a message left for him. An arrow pointing towards a cross and the Castle of Cadzow. He smiled, wondering who had thought to guide him on his return.

It wasn’t likely to be Aidan, though he’d seen a change in his friend in the days before he’d disappeared. More likely to be Andrew or Llywelyn.

Liam needed to get to Cadross Castle, but he didn’t have a clue where it might be other than North. And that left a lot of roads open that would lead elsewhere.

With his new height, Liam could see the battlements of Cadzow’s curtain wall over the treetops. The castle lay but a mile from where he stood.

Adjusting his weapons and armour, Liam walked towards the castle. He was sure he could get directions there, and perhaps if he spent some of his stores of gold–a hot meal and a horse.

The temperate climate of the Dungeon was significantly at odds with the barren frozen terrain surrounding him now. It would be nice to get something warm to eat after his trek. He thought, as he pushed through a thick snowbank.

Trudging through the snowy woods, Liam kept a wary eye out for any goblins or orcs who might lurk in the area. The closer he got to the keep, the less worried he became.

Besides a few woodland creatures that had ridden out the cold in their dens, there was no other life in the woods.

As he drew close to the wall, Liam’s magic sense picked up a dissonance resonating from the keep. People were moving within, as were other… things.

Liam hid his approach until he could be sure of what he faced. He moved from cover to cover until he had a clear view of the outer walls and gatehouse.

Several rotting corpses hung from the battlements. Liam watched as another body was tossed over the side to hang limp.

Bodies lined the approach to the gate, too. Many impaled upon wooden defensive stakes as a mute warning not to approach.

He cursed softly at the sight, hoping that the Lord and his friends had not gone to the keep for aid. He feared the worst when he noticed one body wore a cloak adorned with Squire Glengarry's family crest.

If they had slain his friends, these fiends would pay.

Rage boiled in Liam’s heart as he moved closer to the gate. He needed to find out what had happened here.

Silently, Liam withdrew Camwennan from its sheath and stooped low to minimize his chance of being spotted. His armour was making a soft clinking sound as he crouched. Noticing the sound, Liam froze.

He removed his shield from his storage ring and placed it gently on the ground. Gently, he pushed snow over it to hide its location. Next, he stored his chest-plate in the ring.

He’d retrieve the shield later, but for now he needed silence. He judged stealth was more valuable to him right now than the encumbering shield.

As he approached the gate, Liam halted. Through an arrow slit in the wall, Liam could hear gruff voices speaking softly.

“I hate the fucking cold. Those orcs are taking the piss if they think we’re going to guard their loot. I have a mind to go about taking something for ourselves.” One voice said.

“Shut the hell up, John. If one of them hears you, they’ll gut you for saying that. I hear their chief even gave ‘em a bounty to kill humans. You think they care where they get the ears?”

“Well, they can get em from the prisoners before taking em from us!” Came the reply.

Both men chuckled at that.

“Aye, though the girl seems like she’d be a bit of fun. Pity ‘bout the creature guarding ‘em. We might have had some fun if it weren’t about.”

These bastards have allied with the Orcs. Liam thought. And they have been keeping human prisoners. His hand gripped around the hilt of his dirk, and he drew the blade, activating its ability. Well, they won’t be for much longer.

Shrouded in shadows, Liam used Phasestep and appeared within the gatehouse silently. Unfortunately for him, the space he appeared within was directly next to the fire the two guards warmed their hands upon.

They looked up in unison as his shadow fell across them.

Their cries of surprise at the shadowy form’s appearance were cut short as Camwennan’s blade slid across one guard’s throat and then plunged into the heart of the other.

Liam had moved so quickly that he hadn’t even noticed his blade had parted two layers of chainmail to enter the second guard’s heart. The man whose throat he’d cut no longer had a head. His single slash having decapitated him with one swing.

Pulling the blade free, Liam could hear feet running towards the gatehouse. He quickly inspected his slain foes and was shocked to find they were human.

Human

Level 12.

Health: 0/350

The creature that entered the gatehouse next, however, was definitely not.

With a roar of anger, the Hobgoblin burst into the room and took in the grisly display. Liam, who had moved away from the fire-place was now once more shrouded in shadow.

“We’re under attack!” The Hobgoblin shrieked, raising his sword and shield out defensively and backing into the doorway. “Tell the master, quickly!” His voice was a blend of fear and rage.

Liam slowly moved along the wall until he was beside the creature. It sniffed, clearly noticing something wasn’t right as Liam kicked out under the monster's sword arm.

His foot smashed into the beast's ribcage, sending it flying into the doorframe. As it collapsed to the floor, Liam’s dirk once more sought flesh. This time, he slammed it repeatedly into the Hobgoblins head, each strike driving through bone to the hilt.

The gurgling sound it made as it struggled to catch its breath ceased, and Liam reached out with his magical senses once more.

A group of eight monsters and humans were coming across the courtyard towards him, and another three humans from a stairway leading onto the walls.

Liam, however, did not need doors, and he once more used Phase-shift to move into the stairway behind the three humans. In his shadowed form, they did not see him appear behind them, and he escaped to the walls.

Looking out into the inner bailey, Liam paused. Tents littered the courtyard, and armoured men were mustering around the gate. There were at least twenty that Liam could see.

Who in the hells are these people? Liam thought as he snuck along the wall. They cannot be the Lord of Cadzow’s men.

Liam could sense one man had been left in the tower as a lookout, and he determined to find out.

Liam moved stealthily into the tower just as Camwennan’s thirty second ability ran out. Fortunately, he had surprise on his side, and as the man turned in surprise, Liam slammed a hand over his mouth.

Liam sheathed Camwennan quickly and, with his other hand, he spun the man around to face away from him.

Before the man could shout again, Liam’s right arm snaked around his thin neck and squeezed. Liam bent his head forward and whispered into a helpless ear.

“Who are you?”

Liam released the pressure just enough to allow the man to speak.

Instead, he tried to scream.

Liam felt the man’s lungs expand and was amazed at how quickly he could assess and react to this simpleton’s panicked attempt to cry out.

He tightened his arm around the man’s neck. As he did, he felt the man going limp, so he relaxed the pressure. For a moment, Liam thought he’d gone too far.

Fortunately, the man simply gasped for air.

Liam repeated his question. “Who… are… you?”

The man’s eyes were bugging out, but he answered. “Me? I’m no one, sir.” He pleaded. “I just took a job to feed my family and the next minute the horns blew and I ended up with this band!”

Liam growled. “I don’t care what your story is. What happened here, and why are you consorting with hellish creatures?”

The man’s gasp turned to a sob. “We didn’t have a choice, Sir. A band of Balliol’s men captured us and they sent us here. We’re supposed to help one of them Orcs who captured the castle in guarding the place.”

Liam could feel the man’s fear through his pulse hammering on his forearm.

“What level are they?” Liam asked.

“I dunno? Maybe eighteen? They are far more powerful than we are.”

Liam considered the answer. Level eighteen was only half his own current level, but these were combat classes, while he was relying heavily on his crafting skills. Still, they hadn’t detected him yet.

“Who put the bodies outside?” Liam asked.

“We did, Sir. They ordered us to make it clear that the humans who lived here were tortured. I dunno why they did it, but they were already dead when we hung ‘em out there.”

“And did you see a party of travellers?” Liam asked, hoping that the Douglas’ were not amongst the dead.

“No, we only arrived yesterday. That was the day after the Orc’s son died.” The man said. “One hob said he flew into a rage and killed all the villagers he could find.”

The man paused, clearly terrified. “A lot of them sought refuge here when the Orc attack began.” He explained.

Slowly, the man raised a finger to point outside. “They’re the ones we stuck on the poles.”

Liam pondered what that could mean. The Half-Orc in Ferniegair was clearly the son, meaning the father was here, and likely of a much higher level.

“What of the Lord of Cadzow and his servants?” Liam asked.

“They’re in the dungeon below the keep.” The man said. “The Ki… Lord Balliol ordered that no harm was to come to them, and the Master left one of his… creatures behind to ensure the other prisoners would be unharmed until we could move them.”

“What creature is that?” Liam asked, but the man shook his head.

“I don’t know. All I know is that we’re meant to guard the keep with the Orcs.”

“How many are here? Orcs and Humans?”

“Including me? Thirty. I dunno how many orcs there are, but I reckon about ten including the boss. There’s another thing here too–that thing the Master left. Not sure what it is, but it gives me chills just looking in its direction.”

Liam’s brow furrowed. Orcs and something else?

He was just about to ask another question when a strange sensation flooded his Magical sense. He turned, throwing the man towards the presence as a sword darted from the shadows to glance off his vambrace. The impact knocking Liam’s arm out wide.

Liam looked at his assailant and saw something from nightmare approaching him with a fluid grace. It was not a man who flew at him, but a woman, her face bloated and evil. The face of the dead.

Sharp fangs protruded from her mouth and Liam immediately knew what he faced.

Vampyre.

The man he’d thrown thrashed in the monster's grip, its red eyes darted towards his shaking body for a moment. Her hand closed, breaking his neck as if it were a twig.

“Fool mortal. What do you think you are doing? Did you think to test my master? He is not here.”

The monster’s voice sounded like the hinges of an old door. Worn and full of decay and age.

Withdrawing the Lahat Cherub from his belt, Liam activated the flame and swung the blade at the Vampyre’s neck. A blade of darkest night rose to meet his blade, and the two clashed, kicking up sparks and motes of darkness that fought for supremacy.

Liam continued to strike at the monster, ignoring its questions.

The Vampyre parried his next blow over its head and lashed out with a foot. The kick knocked Liam back into the wall and bringing down a cloud of dust from the ceiling.

He ducked the next swing and activated an ability he hadn’t used since he’d first destroyed the training pell in the dungeon.

The ability failed to activate. Shocked, Liam nearly lost an eye to the next attack, barely deflecting the Vampyre’s blade over his head.

Its bloated face shifted in a smirk as Liam realized the problem.

Covered Thrust wouldn’t work without a shield!

“Stupid mortal. Is this your first time?”

Her form twisted and suddenly Liam was facing a beautiful woman.

“Would you like me to show you how to use your big sword?” She asked, her voice filled with mocking desire.

Liam’s teeth curled back in a snarl.

“You can pretend at beauty all you want, demon. I’ve seen your true face. I know how hideous you truly are.”

The Vampyre shrieked its rage, launching another series of attacks. Liam parried each one, sensing each blow before it began. He realized that his Magic sense was gifting him a tremendous advantage, but he wanted to test his other combat abilities.

His armour had proven itself effective against this monster’s blade, and so long as he was careful, he could truly see what he was capable of. Unfortunately, without a shield, he had only one ability to use.

He used it now, aiming his blow at the Vampyre’s sword-arm.

As Feinting Slash activated, Liam took a step forward, bringing his sword up and down in an overhead blow. It blocked the blow just as he’d expected. Liam used the blade’s momentum to bring his sword into a low guard. From there, he cut up in a slash directed towards the Vampyre’s leg.

As she moved to block the blow once more, Liam twisted the sword in his grip, using his wrist to bring the reverse edge down upon the Vampyre’s now vulnerable forearm.

Lahat Chereb sliced through the monster's flesh as though it were mist, the Feyflame catching in the wound and burning with a golden light.

As he’d trained, Liam kept his guard up and disengaged, resetting his balance for whatever came next.

What happened, though, was entirely unexpected.

The Vampyre screamed in agony, its once confident demeanour now one of fearful horror.

It spoke two words quickly and Liam felt his sword arm go numb for an instant, his blade hanging uselessly from his grip.

He could feel the sensation fading slowly, but he needed to do something before the Vampyre recovered.

Liam used phased-shift once more and appeared behind the blood-sucker, withdrawing Camwennan in one swift movement.

Lunging forward, he rammed the blade between the monster's ribs, seeking its heart.

It shrieked, spinning about in a fury. Its movement tearing its chest open even more on the blade still gripped in Liam’s hands. Gore splashed across the room and Liam roared in triumph.

Thinking it defeated, Liam removed the blade and took a step back, only for a long taloned hand to strike at his chest.

Liam felt the long talons between the links of his mail and into his chest, but knew the wounds were superficial at worst. His backwards momentum having saved him from a more serious injury.

He dropped into a combat stance, his left arm raised to ward, still gripping Camwennan and his right held back, ready to deliver a strike.

The Vampyre considered him a moment, and Liam inspected it in return.

Beta Vampyre

Level: 27

Health: 1803/3000

It was then that he realized how stupid he was being.

He didn’t need to know what level it was, only to kill it.

He cast inferno and launched the fireball into his target's face.

The force of the impact surpassed even what Liam had thought possible, as the Vampyre launched herself backward. Despite her effort to escape, the fireball struck her shoulder, slamming the monster through the wall of the tower and out into the courtyard.

Liam walked to the hole in the wall and looked down. Dozens of human faces stared up at him, fear clouding their expressions as they looked from his armoured frame to the wounded Vampyre in their midst.

The Vampyre slowly rose from its crumpled state, its eyes burning a blood red as it glared around at the surrounding feast.

Before the men could move, she leapt upon the nearest bandit, sinking her teeth into his neck and ripping out his throat in one vicious move.

The Vampyre locked her foul bloated lips to the ruined throat and drank deeply, carrying her meal bodily with her as she fled into the keep.

From where he stood, Liam could already see her dismembered arm regrowing itself.

The sight of the Vampyre’s defeat and callous disregard of their lives broke the rest of the men in the courtyard. First one, then others began sprinting to the gate, seeking to escape the nightmare playing out before them.

Liam watched them flee impassively.

A few of the men still in the courtyard crossed themselves, staring at Liam’s armoured form and golden fiery blade, thinking they looked upon an angel. Many of them dropping to their knees in prayer.

Liam, unaware of what he must have looked like to these men, pointed his sword at them. “Run or face my judgement!”

They ran. Liam sighed gratefully. He hadn’t wanted to kill them.

While they had consorted with the enemies of God, many–like the man in the tower–had simply fallen into evil company.

He didn’t feel sorry for the men he’d killed, nor for the man in the tower. They had chosen their path.

What he hoped for was the redemption of those who yet lived.

“You have all seen what befalls those who consort with Demons. Repent and seek absolution!” Liam shouted after them.

He wasn’t about to let the Vampyre go so easily, however. Liam leapt bodily out of the hole in the tower, using Telekinetic field to soften his fall.

As he landed, he looked about for enemies. Two orcs were running across the courtyard towards the Keep and Liam sprinted after them, arriving just as they slammed the Keep’s door in his face.

He was about to pursue them when he stopped, realizing that now would be a perfect opportunity to re-armour and re-arm.

His Magic Attunement allowed him to discern that only fourteen beings remained alive within the keep.

He hoped he would not be too late to save the Lord and his household.

Liam withdrew his coat of plates from the storage ring, donning the armour once more. Next, he left the courtyard to fetch his shield. As he made his way to the door into Cadzow's keep, now encumbered by the shield, Liam assessed how he’d go about this assault.

He determined that his best option to test himself was to go head on. He needed to see what he was capable of against determined foes.

If he became overwhelmed, he’d simply phase-shift away and use Camwennan’s ability once more to disappear into shadow. From there he’d assess his options.

Finally, Liam cast Healing Song and Ward on himself, Liam stepped in front of the door into the Keep of Cadzow Castle.

It took three kicks for Liam to break the lock, and one more for the doors of the keep to smash inwards, revealing the rooms beyond. Liam raised his shield and stepped forward.

As he dodged the swing of a Bill hook, Liam grinned, sensing the next blow before it even started.

It was time to see what he could truly do.