January 25, 2019, 12:05 pm.

With the Lord out of sight, I glance up the tower. Seventh floor, yet we're not even halfway up. There must be at least another twelve floors above us. And those are just the ones I can see. Judging by the exterior there's are plenty more I can't.

"Alexis, I might be able to restore your health," Tipan reminds me, wrenching me back to reality as her hand pokes me in the side. She chuckles at my reaction, offering me her hand.

When I take it in mine, her soft fur reminds me of Rufka. I consider reaching out to update her when I remember I can't connect with my IFF damaged. Which raises a new concern. What if I'm unable to connect to her after I'm healed because I've lost the connection?

Tipan's efforts arrest my thoughts, the tingling sensation similar to Roberts's healing but gentler. And far less effective. A quick glance at her mana indicates she shouldn't waste her time.

"That's pretty inefficient," I note. It's costing her five mana to heal a single point of health.

"Yeah. It's nearly a one to one trade when I use it on myself," Tipan sighs in defeat.

Still expensive, but I'd take that deal.

A quick grunt from Beth refocuses us. "Unfortunate. Good thing it's not our only option."

"Agreed," Tipan responds, discussing which option might be best with Beth as we turn back to finding Lefi-whatever's workshop, Beth leading the way. As we move across the platform, I note the seventh level doesn't have as many stores. It appears each one receives a larger portion of the floor than the smaller shops below. On the plus side, this makes finding our destination rather easy.

The sign isn't the most elaborate display I've seen since we've arrived but it's tasteful in a way most others can't match, a simple wooden sign, the raised script proudly stating 'Lifithent's Luxuries'.

We're moving to enter when Smoulder pokes her head out of my pocket, her nap over.

Bringing her to my shoulder, I follow Beth inside, almost giggling as Smoulder tickles my ears with her soft wet nose. A couple of head-scritches later, Smoulder's back to scanning the workshop, perched on my shoulder like a sentry.

While Beth approaches a counter with a bell on it, I follow Smoulder's example, inspecting fine wooden figurines who fill a single glass and wood display case to the right of the door. Each figurine appears to be of a different outlander species. There's everything from Yrken to Phothen to Human. And the human looks rather familiar.

Which isn't too surprising since I've seen her in the mirror countless times.

I don't think I've ever had my likeness carved into wood before. Looking at my figurine, there's an alluring aspect to the way she holds her tattered onesie closed I wish I could emulate.

Great, I'm jealous of my own wooden figurine's appearance.

"Wow. That looks just like you," Tipan states, startling me.

"What?" Beth asks, bumping against my arm as she stares down at my figurine.

"How the hell did they get such an accurate image of you?" Beth wonders as a crashing sound rings out from behind the counter.

"We're closed," calls out a shrill voice as the shortest, and cutest, K'tharn I've ever seen stumbles through the door into the small reception room. She's only barely inside when she pauses, shaking one of her legs causing a small sawdust nimbus to encircle her for a moment.

"We're here to see Lifithent," Beth states plainly, her arms crossed as the short K'tharn peeks over the top of the counter at us.

"Uhm. She's not seeing anyone right now. Can you leave? Please? She's going to be cross with me if she realizes I forgot to lock the door," the young K'tharn pleads, turning her adorable kitty eyes on each of us in turn. It's a good thing Beth's in charge, cause I almost cave to her squeaky voice and brown saucer-like eyes. Then Smoulder intercedes, launching herself onto the counter in front of the young K'tharn.

Smoulder pokes her nose into the young K'tharn's face, totally derailing her efforts. When she glances at Smoulder who's still investigating her, she squeals in delight. She's reaching towards her when she looks up at me, asking, "is it okay if I pet her?"

"Sure," I reply. It's a good thing she's not still trying to get us to leave because now that she's petting Smoulder with single-minded dedication, their combined adorableness is overwhelming.

We all watch them for a few seconds when another deeper voice calls out, "Methila, where are you? Did I hear the bell?"

Methila jumps, pulling Smoulder close, hiding her from sight.

A moment later a tall, skinny K'tharn emerges through the same door. She tsks at the sawdust lying on the floor before addressing us. "I see Methila forgot to lock the door again. How can I help…. You!"

She's pointing a shaking paw at Tipan as she places herself between Methila and Tipan, inadvertently brushing against Smoulder, who starts purring louder in response.

"What the…" she exclaims, jumping away from Smoulder towards us. Then as if she's been burned, she reels back, keeping her distance from Tipan instead.

"Why are you holding a mana-warped? And what are you doing in my shop, Tipan?" the jumpy K'tharn who I'm assuming is Lifithent asks.

"Mana-warped?" Methila murmurs, still holding Smoulder close.

"I didn't know it was you Livi. I would have waited outside," Tipan replies, her words clipped as she strokes her arms in agitation.

"Ahem. Sorry to interrupt, but we actually have some questions about one of your figurines," Beth interjects, causing everyone to turn to her.

"I'll just… wait outside," Tipan states before doing exactly that. She throws a single glance back at 'Livi' before closing the door.

"My questions," Beth prompts again.

"You can find my figurines in the display case. If you're looking to purchase a specific model you can place an order through one of my affiliates. I'm really quite busy," 'Livi' intones, carefully pulling Smoulder out of Methila's hands then holding her in our direction as if she's going to explode.

Which, I mean, fair.

Stepping forward, I reach out to take Smoulder from her. As I'm accepting my little bundle of trouble and joy, Livi freezes, almost causing me to drop Smoulder when she holds onto her more firmly than I expected. Smoulder looks back at her with a feeling of disdain as she climbs onto my shoulder.

"You're one of the new outlanders, aren't you? The ones from my collection?"

"That's what we're here to talk to you about," Beth grits through her teeth, "Do you recognize this?"

Beth holds up Josh. Well, the figurine that looks like Josh. Livi attempts to pull out of Beth's hand, but Beth doesn't release her grip.

After a second Livi realizes Beth's not going to let go, so she bends lower. "Yes. This is one of my carvings. I sold it through a friend."

"It is? Now we know we need to find Josh. Thank you," Beth responds, immediately pushing us towards the door.

"Wait. Who are you? What are you doing here? Why are you with Tivi?" the confused shopkeep asks as Beth directs me towards the door.

"I'm sorry, we have to find our friend," I call over my shoulder. Beth is right. If this isn't Josh, then someone has him which means we need my IFF back. Like now. Livi halts me with a hand on my shoulder before I can step outside.

Turning back, I notice moisture at the corner of her eyes. "Please. Can you tell Tivi I'm sorry? Please?"

Nodding, I apologize again for having to leave so quickly as I follow Beth out into the tower.

With all our objectives achieved, we race back down the stairs. I relay Livi's apology which Tipan accepts with a terse nod. I'm tempted to ask Tipan about Livi but now's not really the time. Maybe when we're practicing magic together later.

We're on the second level crossing the short distance the next set of stairs when several K'tharn block our path. Beth tries to step around them, but they have the stairs blocked and they're not budging.

"Where do you think you're going?" the K'tharn in the lead asks, a low 'thock' sounding out when she plants her staff on the floor. It's only at this moment I realize they're all carrying similar weapons.

They're also wearing a utility vest with a badge showing a great tower on a glittering… Wait, no. A glimmering beach. Security for Glimmering Sands maybe?

"Move it. We need to get through," Beth demands, trying to push the K'tharn with the staff to the side, but she barely budges.

"Well. I'd say that confirms it. You're the outlanders who think they can ignore the rules. Well, you're not special. You're coming with us," she says as she grasps Beth's wrist. Which was probably a mistake as she's suddenly on the ground staring up with confusion in her eyes as Beth smoothly redirects her attempt. Amazingly I'm able to follow the entire thing.

Unfortunately, the now prone K'tharn has a lot of friends. The moment her body thuds against the floor, invisible bindings snake around my wrists and ankles. It's impressive but as I test their control over the spell, I'm certain I could escape without having to resort to teleportation. And they didn't even try to restrain Smoulder.

"Lordites," Tipan states, drawing my attention back to the K'tharn.

Damn. She told us about these. People who've pledged themselves to one of the Lords in exchange for power. Apparently, the Lords of the Deep have an easy time power-levelling people.

The K'tharn on the ground chuckles as she pushes herself off the floor. I catch her name as one of the others asks, "are you okay Vethel?"

Waving her companion off, Vethel turns back to us not seeming particularly upset. Still, I'm not a fan of being restrained. I'm about to shatter their control when Beth signals us to stand down, "Sorry bout that. Reflex."

"Impressive skill. But our Lord Thansome has requested your presence and you will attend. Now," Vethel's eyes narrow at the last word as I feel my feet leave the ground. Guess I get to fly after all.

A moment later we're all flying up the central chamber. Flying isn't as much fun when someone else is in control.

Seconds later we pass Livi's shop and my eyes linger on the shopkeep. She gapes at us, her jaw hanging slack as we pass. I wave cheerfully.

But we don't stop there, continuing to ascend. Eventually, we arrive at the highest level. There's a single door which opens as we approach, revealing a large open set of stairs leading upwards with dark columns spaced evenly along its sides.

When we reach the top of the stairs, we emerge into a large chamber that occupies the entirety of the tower. This room alone is triple the height of any below. The entire thing would remind me of a throne room from a movie except it's missing the throne. It has several ornate columns, thick luxurious carpets and a raised dais, but no throne. Kinda disappointing.

To the right side of the room, we find Ivicka standing, surrounded by her Fallen escort. The one who waved at me earlier is missing. In fact, half the fallen Ivicka was with are no longer accompanying her. She glances in our direction when Vethel leads us in, baring her teeth in a vicious grin when she notices us.

Our guides deposit us across from Ivicka, a lush purple carpet all that divides us.

While I'm staring at Ivicka who's opening her mouth to make some sort of remark, a low groan emanates from the door at the far end. It swings open revealing the great squid who passed us earlier. I'm not terribly familiar with squid from home, but I swear, even if it's not exactly the same, it's damn close to those who dwell beneath our waves.

Other than the intricate tattoos that cover every inch of its massive body, that is.

I've never imagined a tattooed squid before. Unlike the K'tharn tattoos I've seen so far, which are patterns more than images, the ones on the squid's flesh are full-blown tapestries. The most prominent is a squid grasping a dragon, several K'tharn and one of the six-legged lions in its tentacles, each one clearly bleeding from open wounds.

Well, not such a subtle statement, that.

As I'm inspecting the large squid, it lowers itself onto the stone dais, located in the back of the chamber near the doors. Two large tentacles wrap themselves around a nearby pair of pillars before it turns one of its giant eyes to flick over us. A tangible wave of pressure rolls over me when it settles into place. At first, I think it's some type of aura, but then I notice a sheen of water now encompasses the squid's upper body. Is it using magic to allow it to remain above water?

From the pillar on the right, a deep voice asks, "What sort of mess am I cleaning up this time?"

One of the K'tharn who brought us here steps forward. It takes a second for me to realize it's Vethel, the same one Beth knocked on the ground. "We've brought the outlanders." There's a pause, the K'tharn looking at the squid who remains silent. "As you requested."

"Oh. Right, the outlanders, of course. But what is she doing here? And why is she walking around with food? We have proper storage places for such things." The squid wiggles one of its tentacles in the direction of Ivicka, causing waves of light to flicker in the air.

I swear I can see Vethel trying not to facepalm as she quietly explains, "she's the ambassador from the Aetherium you asked to talk to. The others are a gift."

"Hmm. From the Aetherium you say? What happened to Tessa? And why would they send me such a gift? Tessa would have brought me something I like, fish or some monster that's been making a mess nearby. She never brought me kitty snacks before."

"They're not snacks my Lord. They're servants," Ivicka interjects, seeming nervous for some reason. Probably the multi-story tall squid staring at her.

"Wait. I recognize you, don't I? Yes. You've been here before. Guards. Arrest her!" the squid commands. One of its tentacles starts reaching for the door behind it as Ivicka's nervousness evaporates with a shrug.

"Knew this was a silly plan. At least I can tell her I tried. It's so much more fun this way anyway," Ivicka grins, striding forward while ignoring us. The Lordites magical bindings holding me in place weaken as several elemental blasts smash towards Ivicka, all of which she ignores.

Eep.

The Lordites don't just cast spells. They're already moving, yet before they're able to get close, Ivicka is already leaping towards Lord Thansome. She has one of the listless Fallen in one hand, tossing it past him, towards the entrance he emerged from.

The large squid dodges to the side, a thunderous boom shaking the tower in his wake.

What little was left of my bindings is wiped away as the explosion collapses the distant doorway. Then the door behind us explodes as well, knocking me to my knees, leaving me with no health and ringing ears.

There's a moment of confusion as we all watch the gore strewn rubble spill to the ground. Is she trying to prevent his escape? Or everyone's?

Then people are moving everywhere. I'm barely able to make out Lord Thansome dodging slashes from Ivicka, who's drawn a pair of scimitars from somewhere which she's using to harass him. She's mostly ignoring the Lordites who are in turn attempting to harass her. She's pushing the giant squid closer to where we've all collapsed on the floor.

As I'm standing, another shuddering shake runs through the floor, but this one doesn't come from within the room. Moments later I feel a shift in the tower below my feet. The feeling is disturbingly reminiscent of our first training challenge.

"What have you done?" Vethel cries out as she unleashes a burning blade at Ivicka's back. She's prevented from using any follow-up attacks when one of the Fallen leaps on her, literally exploding in a disturbing shower of gore as her blade is turned aside.

"Should we be helping?" I ask as Thansome brings a tentacle down on several Fallen, sending stone and viscera flying.

"This is above our weight class. We need to get out of here," Beth yells over the rumbling of the nearby battle. "Kid, can you make us an exit?"

"I'll try," I respond as we push up against the wall, trying to avoid the fighting. Smoulder is ready to launch herself into the fight, but I command her to get in my pocket. It's only after I explain that we're leaving that she accepts.

Reaching out with my magic, I find the stone is similar to my first efforts at the church, resistant to manipulation. But only resistant. Realizing time is of the essence, I pause then start shaping like crazy. Even with my ability, it still takes me three realtime seconds to carve a hole large enough for all of us to squeeze through. The tower's wall is over two metres thick.

"Not that it's going to matter, but I think we're going to need to fly," I inform Beth.

"Expected. Tipan first, try to catch me please," Beth instructs as the floor shifts beneath us again, a loud 'screee' sound reaching up from below, setting my teeth on edge.

Tipan nods as she blasts through, not waiting to be outside before she starts flying.

Beth is right behind her, diving through the hole in the wall right behind her.

I'm about to follow when I hear Vethel call from behind me, "Stop her. Stop the Forerunner!"

Not wanting them to catch me, and not stopping to ask how she knows I'm a Forerunner, I throw myself through the hole feet first without casting flight. The tower is tilted slightly, so it feels like I'm on a slide as I emerge in the air a long way up. I'm in free fall for a moment as I shoot out from the tower.

Then my reflexes kick in, accelerating time as I cast my flight spell.

Hmm. So good.

I'd have to fly up to join Beth and Tipan but the tower is giving another great lurch and groan, so I glance upwards. It's at this moment that I'm able to confirm it's falling. And of course, it's falling north, directly towards Roberts and Demo. As I watch, a single piece of the tower roars past, slamming into, then through, one of the nearby cabins.

So much for their powerful protections.

"Goddamnit! Let's move people," Beth screams, pointing at the inn where we left the others. Tipan doesn't hesitate, flying towards the inn before I'm able to decipher Beth's words.

Even as Beth's speaking, an alert pops up.

"Glimmering Sand's ownership has been contested. All users are recommended to vacate the stronghold until ownership has been decided."

As I read over the notice while following behind the others, I can't help but look back.

Through the hole in the wall, I can just barely make out Ivicka's distinctive orange fur. Without any sign of movement, her fur disappears.

Then I glance up. The looming tower is still moving towards us. Which is when I realize I don't have time to be distracted or to wait for Beth and Tipan.

Looking down, I plot a route that'll get me back to the inn using flight and teleport in tandem.

Time to hop, skip and fly my way across town.

Should be fun.