Anton, with Longinious gripped tight in his hands, felt infinitely safer as they traversed the open grassland towards the White Spire. At least now he had something he could defend himself with, and Longinious had demonstrated just how effective she was. As they neared the White Spire small golden leafed shrubs began to grow, not enough to conceal Anton completely but it was better than crawling through the long golden grass.

Though a weapon gave him some surety he wasn't willing to risk his life against the roaming bands of White Creatures and those belonging to his Gods. Even if it meant potentially increasing Longinious's strength. As they approached the White Spire the groups grew larger and larger, for both sides, and it was difficult to find them separate. It didn't matter where they met, in a grassy field or a boulder infested forest, the moment they laid eyes upon one another the battle had already commenced, even if one side was hopelessly outnumbered and outclassed. For some reason Anton felt a little heartened by the White Creatures winning some victories.

"That's very strange," Anton mumbled softly.

"What is, Master?"

Anton looked at the spearhead, where he felt Longinious's voice emanating from.

"Sorry." She didn't sound actually sorry. "What's wrong? We still have a lot of ground to cover before we reach the base of the tower."

"I'm just wondering if I'm changing." Anton tapped his ethereal head. "The Goblins and Ghlotsm, mainly the Goblins, have been no end of trouble for us. And now watching them fight and die like this..."

Anton nodded to a small battle unfolding in a clearing in the forest. While there were only a hundred on each side it was clear the White Goblins were at a clear disadvantage. They lacked the numbers to form a cohesive line, the enemies’ diverse attacks and ability to outmanoeuvre their broken lines only produced havoc and allowed them to be picked off one at a time.

"I just feel a little sorry for them."

"They are inflicting some losses." Longinious murmured something. “So it’s not completely one-sided.”

Longinious began to shimmer excitedly. “I understand, having many of your memories, Anton, that you have reservation about attacking your Gods…” Longinious shuddered. “Such a disgusting thing I had to say about you, but I might be able to gain some strength from killing them.”

Anton looked at the blade.

“I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.” Longinious chuckled. “They have billions after all. Infinitely replaceable. Unlike you, Master. Besides, what does a few more dead matter? They’re more than willing to throw them at these creatures and spend their existences in pointless and expensive frontal assaults. Surely it could be better used to strengthen us?”

The moment Longinious finished another group of Old God creatures made a determined push towards the massive breach in the White Spire. Thankfully Anton was not heading anywhere near the conflict zone but it was quite shocking to see the utter lack of tactics being used. Nothing more than brute force and ignorance.

Though, when the entire battlefield is filled with forces is there really any room for strategy? It’s just a mess. All you could really do is try and put your strongest forces where they’re needed most.

Anton surveyed the battlefields.

But they’re only weak creatures. Low level. So where is that Fire Lord? And everyone else?

Anton presumed the stronger creatures were those fighting in the sky.

“So where are we going?” Anton frowned. “I know you don’t have any hands but you can use a bit of your edge to point the way.”

Longinious scoffed. Aghast even. Anton laughed, though quickly stopped himself. It was the only source of noise in the grassy plains. A scout from either side would surely investigate if they heard it.

“Sorry, Longinious.”

“I was just a little surprised.” Longinious’s spheres shimmered. “That you would ask me to act as some sort of lantern. I can, if you wish. I…I was just a little surprised.”

“Away from that hole. Right?”

“I believe that you might be able to see it from that outcrop, just before the wall.”

As Longinious couldn’t point it took Anton some time to find the outcrop of white boulders. He couldn’t see any battles nearby so it was probably one of the safest places near the White Spire. Anton crouched low, eternally thankful that he didn’t grow tired or exhausted, and ran as fast as he could. He found bodies, from both sides, lying silent in the grass. The breach probably drew all of the nearby forces.

Might give us a chance to get inside, if everyone’s fighting over the obvious hole.

Anton glanced back.

Still no sign of what caused that. Creating a blast that large must have drained a ton of energy. I don’t like my chances of surviving one of those blasts.

Nothing tried to intercept Anton on the journey to the outcrop. However, he still couldn’t see how he was supposed to gain access to the White Spire. He doubted that Longinious’s plan was to use her powered edge to cut a hole through the exterior. Nevertheless, he trusted her, mainly because he had no other plan.

Anton crawled to the top of the white cube outcrop, accidentally striking Longinious against the stone. He winced, fearing that it would hurt her or at the very least elicit a derisive response but she remained silent.

"Stay low," Longinious whispered. "There are a lot of enemies before us. Strong ones too."

Anton heeded her advice and stuck his head above the stones just enough to see, keeping Longinious's brightly coloured spear tip hidden.

"This is the best way inside?"

"...Yes." Longinious sounded very despondent, thoroughly understandable.

A large white gate lay before them, the only irregularity along the entire bottom level of the White Spire, the still burning breach being the other exception. Unlike most structures in this realm the gate was not flat, instead covered in geometric shapes of incredible complexity and scale. His attention was drawn away from the geometric shapes and to the creatures standing guard. White Goblins, Ghlotsm and another creature, but one Anton instantly recognised. An Insect, for lack of a better name, towered over the White Goblins and Ghlotsm. Just like the White variants this was far more regal and, more worryingly, their claws and hide appeared much stronger. The Goblins and Ghlotsm stood behind layered barricades formed by specially cut white cubes while the Insects skulked through the defensive lines.

“There must be at least sixty Insects…If that’s their name, and over a thousand Goblins.” Anton tapped his head on the white stone. “Most of them have bows too.”

Anton looked back towards the battles still rampaging through the golden fields, the brightly coloured disorganised masses crashing into the rigid lines of white.

“Those white arrows can kill just about every one of those simple creatures. And I’m almost certain that it’ll go through me.” Anton pressed his ethereal hand against his body. “I didn’t manage to get hit by those Goblins but do you think that those will actually kill me?”

Longinious shuddered. “I don’t want you to find out, Master. I don’t want to return to the void.”

“Void?”

“Before I came to you there was nothing.” Longinious fell silent for some time. “I was aware of everything. And nothing. Both simultaneously. It’s only now, now that I’m real, that I know that it was wrong. Wrong and so cold.”

“I’m not going to just charge in there.” Anton gently patted Longinious’s spear tip, the purple spheres glinted brightly for a moment. “But we need a plan that might actually work.”

“Do you think we have time to collect more?” Longinious asked. “More blood? We avoided most of the battles but I think I might be able to do something more impressive if I were to take more Essence.”

“Maybe. But I wanted to get inside before they,” Anton nodded back to the rampaging armies. “Got inside. But I know that won’t be too much longer. And something made that hole.”

“I don’t know of anything that could…”

“It was like the sun itself had struck the wall.” Anton gripped Longinious tight. “We’ve wasted enough time listening to me ramble. Can you make a shield? Out of energy? Something strong enough to block their arrows until we get close enough?”

“I might be able to.” Longinious clicked her tongue. “There is so much about myself that I don’t understand-”

A Ghlotsm screeched, pointing to the breach. The creatures dove for their defensive lines and readied their weapons. Even the Insects reacted, hunkering their gigantic bodies close to the ground. This Ghlotsm was slightly different from the others; instead of being completely white its helmet had three red lines running horizontally across its face. It screeched again as something dropped from the sky above.

The omnipresent light refracted brightly from its body, sending out thousands of glints of light. Anton braced against the stone outcropping for the inevitable landing. Whatever it was it had no intention of slowing down. The Red-Crested Ghlotsm screamed at his fellows, waving them back but there was little he could do. The bright object smashed just outside the first barricade. Chunks of white stone, dirt and golden grass shot in every direction, killing those nearby and disorienting the survivors.

"Are you alright?" Longinious asked, worry clear in her voice.

"I'm fine." Anton crawled up to get a better look. "A few bits of dirt but nothing too serious."

When the tiny fragments had struck Anton he felt nothing, the same nothing as when he jammed his foot on the sharp edge of a white cube. It still didn't answer whether or not he could actually be hurt in this realm but he wasn't going to take that chance.

Dust began to settle around the object, the White creatures hesitantly approached with their weapons raised and ready. A giant crystal now stood where the barricade once lay, easily as tall as the Insects at their greatest height but only a quarter of that as wide. Now that it was on the ground the crystal had lost its dazzling luminosity. Perhaps more worryingly it appeared to still be in one shape. Anton moved his head from side to side, something the closest White Creatures mimicked, the refracting light shifted but not always with his movement.

"It's not a bomb." Anton gripped Longinious tight.

A White Goblin thrust its spear at the crystal, bouncing off but freeing a tiny sliver of crystal. The crystal shuddered as parts split off, forming rudimentary arms and legs.

"But which God do you belong to?"

Longinious scoffed at his words but offered no further rebuttal. The Red-Crested Ghlotsm waved the White Creatures back before signalling their archers to attack. The crystal being rose up and spun around. Anton didn't see anything resembling a face but, as it turned, a patch of the crystal surface appeared to be more vibrant in colour.

White arrows flew. The target was admittedly rather easy to hit, a gigantic form that did not move very quickly. The damage the deadly arrows inflicted upon it made Anton understood its purpose. While the white arrows had killed most creatures in a single hit the volley had only caused slightly more damage than the White Goblins spear.

The closest White Goblin, the one who had struck the crystal originally, lunged to attack again. The crystals head snapped to the Goblin. The next moment the crystal threw down its arm, straight on the Goblin, driving it into the ground. The crystal shook its arm, golden blood and shattered white armour fell off, revealing that it had sustained no damage. Now the White Creatures were hesitant to approach, even the Insects.

"Let them fight it out," Anton said softly. "Not the most noble of strategies but it's our only choice."

"Victory is what is most important," Longinious spoke adamantly. If she had a body Anton was certain she would have her arms folded, eyes closed while nodding seriously. "But so is saving your life, Master. There is no need to worry if those beneath you think poorly of your actions."

Anton looked over the rocks. The Red Crested Ghlotsm waved its arms, signalling an all-out assault. Another volley of white arrows flew at the Crystal, followed by all of the Insects, the other White creature’s right behind.

"See?" Longinious scoffed again. "They aren't capable of anything more creative than simply throwing themselves at the enemy. Simple tactics for simple creatures. Master's...Anton, your plan is far superior."

"I don't know about that." Anton looked behind him. The grassy fields were still empty, the thought that something might sneak upon him was a worrying thought. "It's probably the right call."

Longinious's purple spheres shimmered in confusion.

"Better to try and overwhelm it now than to send in their forces piecemeal, get picked off while barely causing any damage."

"Perhaps."

The first Insect lowered its body as it neared the Crystal, pulling its arms close for added strength. The Crystal copied and met the challenge. With a terrible screech the Insect collided with the Crystal, golden blood shot out its back. The two struggled for a moment before Anton understood what was happening. The Crystal shrugged the first Insect aside, golden blood ran off its arms in great rivers, and prepared itself for the next attack. Two Insects attacked together, both impaled through the chest, but the Crystal did not emerge unharmed. The Insects claws dug deep into its shoulders gouging out deep chips of crystals, spattering over the grass. Again the Crystal shrugged off the Insects and swiped its arm at the next Insect. The next swipe missed and the Insect collided with its body, sending it careening onto its back. The Insect didn’t hesitate, Anton had never seen those creatures ever wait, and jumped onto the Crystal, hacking and bashing with every limb. The Red-Crested Ghlotsm raised its arm; the Insects continued attacking but the other creatures retreated to their previous defensive lines.

“See?” Anton sighed, Longinious grumbled. “It wasn’t a bad choice. But the loss of those Insects is definitely going to hurt them.”

“I thought it might put up more of a fight.” Longinious scoffed. “Once Master gains the power to create his own creatures, not that I’m just some creature-”

“I can do that?” Anton held Longinious close, she squeaked in surprise. “How? If we had just a dozen with us we could get through this, I’m sure. How, Longinious?”

“I-I’m sorry.” Longinious sounded on the verge of tears. “I don’t know! I don’t know. Please forgive me, Master, but I don’t know. I know so little-”

Anton gently rested his hand on the spearhead, just above the central sphere. “It’s okay. I…I guess I’m becoming a little nervous and agitated. Being stuck in this alien world for so long, not knowing if I can actually return. But do you know anything about that?”

“No, Anton.” Longinious had regained her normal composure. “But I believe that there might be something inside that building that can help me. Help us.”

“How can you be sure of that?”

Longinious went silent. The Crystal pulled itself up, its central body was riddled with chips and deep gouges across its arms, and staggered to the side. The Red-Crested Ghlotsm ordered the Insects away with another shriek. A volley of white arrows struck the Crystal again, sending the Crystal tumbling backwards again.

“I don’t know,” Longinious spoke softly. “It’s just what I feel.”

The Crystal began to rise once more before a single Insect attacked it again. Now they were evenly matched, and there were far more White Creatures still to fight.

“Why did they send only one?” Anton asked aloud. “Surely they must know that one isn’t enough? They’ve been fighting these creatures for a long time. They aren’t stupid-”

Longinious scoffed.

“-So…So they should have a rough idea.”

“I don’t…Master! Behind us!”

Anton gripped Longinious tight. Hundreds of Crystals trudged up the mountainside towards them, every crystal’s bright patch focused on Anton. For a moment Anton skipped a breath, the Crystals weren’t as large as the one facing the defenders, only a meter and a half tall but there were so many that Anton wasn’t sure which was worse.

He gripped Longinious tight, the purple field burst out of the blade edge and assumed a fighting stance. The crystals stopped simultaneously, one slipped on a loose white boulder before planting its foot deep into a crevice. Evidently they were extremely heavy.

“Can you understand me?” Anton asked, constantly checking they weren’t trying to flank him. Their bright bodies weren’t ideal for such manoeuvers but they might still try. “Can you talk?”

A pair of Crystals looked at one another, their face sections flickered intensely. A conversation, one which Anton had no way of understanding.

Shit. They might be friendly, but that doesn’t mean anything when we simply can’t communicate. The best we can do is stay out of each other’s way.

Anton began to step to the side, allowing the Crystals a clear path to help their larger friend, when a shrill cry from the Ghlotsm stopped him. The Red-Crested Ghlotsm pointed at Anton, momentarily stunned before screeching again at the archers.

“Please tell me you can make a shield.” Anton held Longinious tight as he ran down the mountain, parallel to the White Creature’s lines. His feet missed many footholds, smashing down with such force it would have otherwise broken his ankle or at the very least sent him tumbling if he wasn’t in his ethereal form.

“I’ll try my best! But try to evade their arrows.”

Anton kept his eyes towards the White Goblin archers. Their bows were drawn tight but they refused to loose. Their attention was placed firmly on the Red-Crested Ghlotsm, the creature snarled and pointed back to the small hill. Anton looked back as he had already neared the base. Above the smaller crystals were advancing over the mountain, their bright face section paid him no attention.

White arrows flew, all towards the smaller crystals cresting over the hill as the larger struggled to stand. The smaller crystals hunkered down, the arrows struck their backs and inflicted damage, chunks of bright crystal thrown loose. But these were much smaller and couldn’t afford to lose so much of their bodies. Two of the crystals communicated with one another before they began to charge down the mountain with all the speed they could muster, which was not much.

As the volleys of white arrows soared towards the smaller Crystals the large Crystal began to rise. Huge chunks had been ripped from its body yet it refused to surrender. An Insect put an end to its struggle, ramming its arms through its face and out through its back. From the wound the crystal grew dull and disintegrated into nothing. The Insect looked very confused that its enemy had disappeared but a quick cry from the Red-Crested Ghlotsm brought it and the others back to the defensive line.

“They’re ignoring us?” Longinious almost sounded offended.

Anton was glad they were attacking one another instead of focusing on him. He crouched low, none of the fighters were watching and began to slink closer to the large gate. There was still no way to enter, at least yet, but Anton was willing to try and use Longinious as a cutting torch.

Longinious made another sound, motioning up with her purple energy. More lights, more Crystals hurtling towards them. Not one, nor a dozen, but hundreds. It mattered not that some were the smaller Crystals, each fell like a meteorite, smashing apart the open grasslands and the barricades. The Red-Crested Ghlotsm tried to regain a coherent force but it was largely impossible with enemies literally raining down upon them.

“Now’s our chance, Master.” Longinious urged him forward. “If the Crystals take control of this area I don’t know if they’ll turn on you.”

A large Crystal landed nearby, the air screaming before it crashed into the ground with an almighty thud, the force so great it propelled Anton into the air. He landed gracefully, using Longinious to guide his descent, as the large Crystal rose up and began to lumber towards the battle.

“You’re right. Just so long as there’s a way inside we might be able to get out of here.”

Nearly three hundred crystals had landed by the time Anton reached the base of the White Spire. No shield or barrier impeded his pass, nor his ability to touch the smooth outer surface with his hand. It was identical to the marble stone throughout the White Realm. Not that Anton expected it to be different. A great crash brought him back; an Insect had thrown two small Crystals against the White Spire, shattering them instantly. Anton crouched low until he reached the edge of the gate.

“Shit,” Anton grumbled, keeping Longinious close as he looked to the battle just beyond. “There’s nothing here.”

The gate, apart from its intricate detailing, was devoid of anything that might be considered a handle or any means of egress. Anton didn’t expect something so large to be able to be opened by himself but he had hoped to find a small door, some form of access. Otherwise, what was the point to so many defenders protecting something of no use?

“I bet that Red Crest has something to do with this.”

Anton found the Red-Crested Ghlotsm in the midst of battle. With one swing of its claws a small Crystal fell, then another and another. It was a truly frightening display, far more than the Goblin with the Black Lightning Sword.

“Not that I’m about to ask.” Anton pointed Longinious at a section of the gate that appeared to be the thinnest. “I hope this works.”

“I will do my best.” Longinious laughed. “Even if it is not slaying Masters enemies.”

Anton slowly pushed the purple edge into the marble stone. Longinious effortlessly cut through the marble stone as Anton made a hole wide enough for himself to crawl through.

“I’m through,” Longinious said happily. “It’s only half as thick as I am.”

“Then we can just-”

“Outsider!” The screech came from the Red-Crested Ghlotsm. “Outsider! Tries to breach the Spire. Stop! Stop the thing!”

So he can see me.

The Red-Crested Ghlotsm was far from the battle but he had infinitely more serious problems to deal with. He had surrounded himself with Insects but they were slowly falling to the Crystals, and he had no forces near Anton that were not fighting for their lives.

Anton kicked the small pieces of marble until enough has been cleared for him to crawl through. Sparing a final glance to the battle Anton held Longinious close and crawled through the small gap. Again he was grateful that the ethereal body didn’t feel pain or become damaged like a normal body, otherwise he’d have been torn to ribbons by the time he reached the other side. Longinious did not appear pleased that Anton rested his weight on her when he pulled himself through but she remained silent.

“Are you alright?” Longinious asked.

Anton pulled himself completely through, brushing away the small pieces of marble stone that remained attached, albeit momentarily, to his body.

"I'm fine," Anton whispered, fearful of alerting anyone waiting on the other side. Thankfully there was nothing. Absolutely nothing, only an empty white corridor lay beyond the gate, extending for several hundred meters before stopping abruptly. What lay beyond that he could not see. A bright white light, radiating from above, blocked his sight.

"Do you want to close that gap?" Longinious asked. "Either side might try and come after you."

Anton peered back through the hole. "I don't think they'll be following anytime soon."

The Red-Crested Ghlotsm still continued to fight on, but his forces were reduced to a few hundred at most. He had killed many crystals but they continued to rain from the sky, the thuds barely felt inside the White Spire, so his efforts were ultimately futile.

I bet that if he survived he would have received a reward. Maybe a larger crest on his helmet? Larger claws or some kind of ranged weapon?

Four Large Crystals broke through the defensive perimeter of Insects.

Maybe not.

An Insect picked up a Small Crystal and flung it at the small hole. Anton tumbled over himself as the Crystal became embedded into the gate. The sounds of the battle outside dimmed, leaving Anton in a perfectly silent place for the first time. Only Longinious's energy, a faint hum, reached Anton's ears.

"Won't be long before they break through. Less if they continue to get reinforcements like that." Anton murmured. "Any clue where to go next?"

"Further inside," Longinious said calmly. "Nothing awaits us outside the White Spire."

Anton held Longinious tight as he briskly walked towards the bright light. As he approached his eyes quickly adjusted to the brightness, though he couldn't quite understand what he was seeing. Regardless he made it to the edge, the gate behind had yet to be breached, and marvelled at what he saw.

The interior of the White Spire was massive, truly massive, not that Anton ever doubted such a thing. The centre was completely open, from the base to the very top, where a white pentagram shaped gemstone radiated the bright light along the spires entire length. Thousands of stories, many with landing areas jutting out into the open air, formed the internal structure of the White Spire. Each level appeared to be slightly different, each unique. Apart from the large breach, the structure looked to be intact. No indication the blast punctured through to the other side, or even began too, nor any sign of the broken outer sections.

"To the top, I suppose." Anton almost let out a laugh. "That's the way these things usually are."

"I do not know," Longinious grumbled once. "But we will have to hurry."

The base level was not devoid of life. The White Creatures colour allowed them to near perfectly blend into the surroundings, especially if they didn't move. Dense formations of White Goblins, White Ghlotsm's and Insects behind, slowly marched towards the breach into the wall. A few Old God creatures came through, the fighting continued outside, but were effortlessly cut down. At the front of each formation a special creature stored confidently, each wore unique armour and weapons, and they were clearly a cut above the rest. A large plant creature, after killing two Insects, was obliterated by a single White Goblin wielding a blue bow and armour.

"Anton," Longinious whispered. "On the far side."

Opposite the breach the White Creatures streamed out of staircases leading to the first layer above the ground level. They moved in perfect formation, the White Ghlotsm and Insects were more wild than the Goblins but they still moved in a relatively ordered formation.

“So which level are they being made?” Anton looked to the light at the top of the White Spire. “Right up there? I wonder if that’s what’s creating the black lightning that runs across the sky.”

Anton held his hand to his brows. “How large is that thing? If that’s the top of the spire…Hang on.”

None of the White Creatures had noticed Anton or Longinious, but more importantly Anton saw a nearby staircase, like everything in the White Realm it was ridiculously wide but completely devoid of any creature. Anton could not see where the staircase led but it was the only way to the higher levels.

“Unless…” Anton looked at Longinious. “Can you fly?”

“What?” Longinious’s spheres shimmered. “What did you just ask of me, Master?”

“I asked if you could fly.”

“…No. No, I cannot. At least for now I can’t. I…I might be able to do something like that.” Longinious’s voice grew soft. “Maybe if I’d had been allowed to take the Essence of those that would oppose Master.”

“I’d prefer not to kill everyone I meet.” Anton crouched low and darted to the staircase. “Those Crystals might have been friendly, if I’d been able to talk with them.”

Longinious said nothing as they began the ascent. A series of pillars formed the inner wall of the staircase, allowing Anton to continue to watch the battle. Although the White Creatures fought well they were slowly being pushed back. A great noise came from above, something falling fast through the air. Anton hid close to the pillar, aligning Longinious along his body to which she elicited a strange but pleasant sound, as the noise grew louder and louder. Anton saw six dark objects fall just behind the White Goblin front.

“So that was one of their creatures,” Anton mumbled. Longinious could only make a questioning sound.

Six Dragons, identical to the dead creature chained below Atros above the magma shaft, beat their wings, the wind force throwing the enemy lines, and some of their own, completely into chaos. They raised their hands as one. A ball of black lightning formed in each, more controlled than Anton’s but no less energetic. Out of the lightning weapons emerged; spears, swords and even bows, all large enough to be wielded by the Dragons.

“Just like you.” Anton murmured.

“Absolutely not!” Longinious pouted, at least her voice told him she was. “I’m not something as crude as that. To be used and discarded…Right? Master?”

“Absolutely not.” Longinious let out a deep breath at Anton’s words. “I’d never discard you.”

Longinious whimpered, Anton was certain the spear was trying to squirm in his hands.

The Dragons readied their weapons, their sweeping blows easily tossed the smaller creatures aside but they stopped at the last moment. One readied their spear, similar to the stance Anton had been taught, as a bright light approached. The Dragon creature roared, flapped its wings to rise into the sky and threw its spear at the rapidly approaching bright light. The light dodged, a fly effortlessly dodging a drunken swat, and collided headfirst into the Dragon.

“Wretched! Creature!” The Dragon grappled with something stuck on its face, its voice boomed across the battlefield. “You dare defile the creator’s works with-”

“Be quiet.” Anton recognised the voice, the voice from the strange angel. “Your kind only spout the same drivel.”

The Dragon’s arms rose up, its massive muscles straining under a great force as it tried to crush the angel. Despite its obvious bulk it couldn’t overpower the smaller and more frail woman. Two golden orbs flashed in the angel’s hands, exploding and throwing the Dragon’s hands away.

“See?” The Angel began to rise into the sky. “Not-”

A bolt of white cut through the Angel, severing its upper and body apart. The giant white arrow continued its path, straight towards Anton. Anton cursed and ran up the stairs. Marble chunks flew in all directions, striking Anton in the back of his head and sending him smashing straight into the stairs. Longinious fell from his hand as his mind became disorientated.

“Shit.” Anton quickly recovered to his feet. He found Longinious a few meters away, at the far side of the staircase. “You still alright?”

“I’m fine.” Longinious sounded more panicked than hurt. “We need to get to a higher level.”

Anton did not hesitate and began his ascent, keeping one eye towards the battle below. The angel slowly began to float to the ground, white blood erupting from her grievous wounds, but the wounded Dragon grabbed her upper half. She screamed as he bit her head off, his great and terrible teeth cut through her neck like paper. After a sickening crunch, her limps fell limp and her body began to descend at a normal speed.

“No!” Another shout came from the breach, another point of light but this was a burning red. The Fire Lord flew over the battle, dodging a hailstorm of white arrows, and struck the Dragon with his sword. The Dragon screamed, tossing the headless torso aside as it tried to cover its burning chest. The Fire Lord pulled its fiery wings close and darted to catch the angel’s body.

"You fucking idiot!" He screamed at the torso. "You shouldn't have listened to her."

The Fire Lord stopped mid-air, holding the body tight against his chest, none of her clothes or skin was affected by the heat, a faced the wounded Dragon. It had recovered, somewhat. The wound on its chest and face had closed, leaving a deep scar, but it had lost its spear. The Fire Lord smiled and raised its sword, glowing brighter and brighter with every passing moment.

"You'll regret-"

A white hammer struck the Fire Lord, crushing his head and followed his body into the ground with a horrendous crunch. The wounded Dragon licked his lips, a sinister smile thrown to the other Dragon that had attacked from behind. The hammer Dragon lifted its weapon, tiny chunks of white marble flooring had embedded itself into the hammer and struck the downed Fire Lord again. The Fire Lord shouted in pain and tried to escape by flapping its wings. The moment they raised up a thin needle punctured the joints to his back. The wounded Dragon held the end of the thin needle, still being formed from the unstable black lightning, and pulled up. Four flaming wings flew into the sky, the wounded Dragon discarded his weapon and created another needle-like blade. The Fire Lord looked up, beneath his battered and fire leaking face Anton saw the unmistakable look of loss and pain. He still held what remained of the angel close to his chest.

The Fire Lord opened his mouth to speak but another giant white arrow struck his head, obliterating his head and most of his torso, the arrow crashed but a few meters behind, white fragments hitting the smaller White Creatures that were giving the battle a wide berth.

The wounded Dragon spoke a slew of words Anton could not understand. But he recognised the word Grekka, and the dismissive way it pointed to the dead Fire Lord.

"Can you understand them?" Anton asked. So far nothing had attempted to walk down the massive staircase but that could change at a moment’s notice. It would also be difficult to see them, with Anton's attention divided between not missing a step and watching the battle outside.

"Not yet," Longinious spoke with a questioning tone. "But I believe I can. We are similar, after all."

I don't think that's how language works.

"But there might be something in the level above us. If nothing else a new source of Essence for me."

The Dragons moved together and advanced towards the breach, striding over their forces until they reached the battle lines. With a mighty swing they sent hundreds of creatures flying and crushed them outright. Many tried to strike back, technicoloured volleys of magic struck their scaly hide but it was all for nought. The Dragons remained completely unphased and smashed the enemy forces without a care.

"Shame they didn't make it," Anton mumbled. "Wonder if Esperit knows something about this."

Longinious said nothing as they neared the first level. No guards awaited them, yet there were clearly defensive positions, simple barricades along the width of the staircase, they simply weren't being manned. At least for now. When Anton approached he realised they had, in fact, been defenders, dozens of White Goblins, armed with their white bows, lay slumped down against the barricades. Anton tapped one with Longinious. Something had pierced its helmet and skull in one hit but left the rest of the body untouched.

"These look a little different." Anton tapped their chest armour. "See? It's thicker. Much thicker. Almost as thick as your spear blade."

Longinious scoffed. "And yet their faces are still exposed. Why go through all the effort of giving them extra armour and leaving such a weakness exposed?"

"I don't know." Anton tapped the helmet, again much thicker than normal. "Not that it did them much good."

As he was about to move on he noticed something in the corner of the Goblins armour. Something had been carved into a small indented circle, a series of harsh interconnecting lines. It did not resemble anything Anton recognised but the Goblin had one underneath both arms. A quick search revealed all of the bulkier White Goblins had this marking. To the side Anton found a normal White Goblin. He did not have the mark, but still had a small circular indentation where it should have laid.

"Armour enchantment?" Anton ran his ethereal hand over the mark. "I can't feel anything coming from it. Longinious, can you keep a lookout for anything else like that."

Longinious's spheres shimmered. A yes, in the visual language of a sentient spear.

Beyond the barricades Anton found himself in some sort of storage room. At first glance it appeared straight but there was an ever so slight bend along its length. Large boxes, again made from the perfectly flat and white marble material, lay scattered across the room with many opened and their contents discarded. The contents left Anton confused; hundreds of small cubes, large enough to just fit in his hand, and a multitude of soft colours. None were a harsh colour, Anton would probably call them pastel colours.

“Thousands.” Anton guessed each crate could hold almost a hundred of the coloured cubes. “And this is just one little room.”

“I don’t know what they could possibly be used for.” Longinious murmured. “But…I…”

“If you have something, please speak it.”

Longinious coughed. “I think, and I might be wrong about this, Master, but I think these are used to create creatures.”

Anton held a pale green cube aloft. It was completely lifeless in his hand. He shook it, the cube was nothing more than a lump of stone. Only then did Anton realise that it was far too light for a normal piece of stone.

“If only I had pockets.” Anton placed the cube back. “Keep an eye out for anything special on this level.”

Despite his words, there was nothing else but a near-endless selection of crates filled with small cubes. At the end lay another set of stairs up. This too had a series of columns to allow sight of the inner spire below. The battle continued, an additional three Dragons had arrived and were successfully containing the invasion. Anton wondered how the Dragons would fare against an equal adversary. If the Angel hadn’t been overconfident she could have inflicted significant damage. More so if she had simply flown of out range and fired from on high.

Maybe she had an order and had to obey. Just like my summons. Are the lower ranked creatures not capable of sentient thought like that Angel and the Fire Lord? Trapped in their own minds, thought and reason but no free will? Maybe not for them but it’s still a worrying thought.

Halfway up to the next level, it appeared each of the rooms followed each other in a helical spiral up the White Spire, Anton heard voices. A series of chittering voices. Goblins.

These were manning the barricades but didn’t have many ranged weapons. Anton fell low against the stairs, his profile from above would be difficult to see, and counted only four archers.

That’s still four too many.

“Any chance of that shield, Longinious?”

“I might be able to…I know. I’ll increase the size of the energy, it might be able to deflect the arrows.” Longinious chuckled nervously. “I think it will.”

“Unless I can throw you. But then I’m left without a weapon.”

“Please don’t.” Longinious sounded like she knew he actually wouldn’t, but there was something underneath her voice. Something he had no time to pursue.

Anton slowly approached the barricade, waiting until the last moment before breaking into a run. A spear-wielding White Goblin saw him first. The creature’s eyes narrowed on Anton’s body, unable to understand what he was seeing, before everything snapped into place.

“Now!”

The purple edge flashed brightly. It was as large as a head and focused just on the tip, but it would have to do. Anton had not experienced much pain in this world, some from the assassination attempt in Qaiviel but adrenaline had been coursing through his blood. But he had no idea how it would work here. Memories of the assassin, his body riddled with the tiny marble cubes, flashed through Anton’s mind. Creatures struck by the white arrows disintegrated. What would happen to him?

Anton grit his teeth and charged up the stairs as fast as he could. The Goblins fired their bows, the white arrows were surprisingly slow, he could see them coming, and could actually move a little before the arrows reached him. All bar one missed, the other struck true on the purple energy shield. The arrowhead penetrated through the field but disintegrated before it could hit the spear tip. The White Goblins screeched and fired another volley. This time Anton was far closer and the Goblins had trained their shots. Anton managed to dodge one, deflect another, but two managed to strike him. They struck his shoulder and knee. Both exploded in pain, less than what he had once faced, but his whole body felt slow and lethargic. The areas that had been struck had begun to transform into millions of white cubes, like his ethereal body was solidifying into sand. It bubbled and warped with his movement. Longinious shouted something but Anton focused on the battle.

A heavily armoured Goblin tried to form a line behind the barricades but Anton reached the top before they could. Anton jumped onto the edge of the barricade stone with his good foot and into the enemy line, swinging Longinious over his head as he allowed his body to shrink below the range of their weapons. Though the purple field was not like a cutting edge it retained such an effect, the White Goblins struck by the edge had their armour crumple and flesh torn apart. Golden blood flowed forth, swirling through the air and into the purple spheres. Longinious shouted out the Goblin’s locations, making sure that Anton didn’t lose track of their numbers and ensuring there was someone in-between the archers and himself. The battle was fast and bloody, the enemies had fallen before Anton had a chance to truly think. He looked ahead for any potential reinforcements. All he saw were more white crates, these hadn’t been overturned and almost all were fastened tight. Anton flexed his hands as the adrenaline began to ebb away.

“How does Cetina do this every time?” Anton asked between harsh breaths. He didn’t need to breathe so harshly, his mind simply told him he should.

“Master?”

“Fighting battles like this. On the front, with people in your face: their angry faces, spit, sweat and blood.”

“You killed hundreds before we entered the White Spire?” Longinious sounded very confused.

“I know…” Anton rested the spear on the floor. “But that was one at a time. Mostly. And they were coming to me, not me leaping into the fray.”

“I’m just glad you survived. Not that I had any doubts.”

“Thanks…” Anton looked along the room. “Is it going to be like this on every level?”

“We should find a place to hide, for the moment.” Longinious deactivated the purple field. “Those wounds…I’m so sorry I couldn’t create it any larger. I pushed with all my might…But I just wasn’t strong enough.”

Anton touched the wound on his shoulder. Unlike the rest of his ethereal body the sand-like stone depressed with his touch, slowly rebounding after a few seconds.

“It’s slowly coming good. See? It’s about a centimetre smaller already.”

“If…” Longinious fell silent. “M-Anton! Look outside!”

Anton stepped back down the stairs, hiding behind the last column. Another two Dragons had arrived, their lines had pushed forward almost to the breach, but Longinious frantically urged him to look closer.

A new force had joined the fray, small and large Crystal creatures streamed through the passage that Anton had taken and attacked the flank of the White creatures. The formations quickly responded, four of the Dragons moved to intercept, but they were fighting on two fronts. These defenders performed much better against the Crystals than those outside, staying as far back as possible while peppering them with volleys of arrows. The Crystals lacked any kind of ranged weapon and needed to get close before they could do any damage.

“Guess the Red Crest is dead.” Anton mused. “And if their leaders are intelligent…”

Anton didn’t finish his sentence before his fears were confirmed. While the Crystals engaged the White Creatures some of the smaller Crystals veered away and began the ascent up the stairs. They were slow, thankfully, and each step was a great effort but they were determined to make the climb. And now there was nothing to stop them.

“Let’s keep moving,” Anton said. “The only way is up.”

By the time he reached the next staircase the wounds had completely healed, though they still felt a little stiff. He hugged the wall, again, and found more White Creature defenders. These were looking out of their level, not leaving their positions, through the columns. Thankfully there were only a few archers and by the time they realised they were under attack Anton was in their midst, rendering their weapons useless. Anton ensured they were all dead before looking at the level. There were several empty white crates, at the far end a set of stairs down to the lower level and a one to the level above in the centre of the floor on the outside wall.

“So few defen…” Anton stopped himself and darted behind one of the barricades. Longinious made a questioning noise but Anton didn’t reply. Something was coming down the stairs from the level above.

A small creature slithered down the stairs, a long white eel floating a foot from the ground. It had a single yellow eye in the centre of its forehead and, more alarmingly, ten sets of arms, barely thicker than a straw, dangling limp like the legs of a flying wasp. They almost brushed against the floor as the creature approached a crate. As it circled around the crate its long arms descended, each retrieving a cube and holding it close to its body. Once it had twenty cubes, seemingly of random colour nestled safely on its underside it left, swinging back up through the air to the upper level.

“A worker?” Anton mused. “Seems relatively effective.”

“What?” Longinious murmured, almost sounding baffled.

Anton glanced down the staircase, nothing was following them just yet. “It can fly, carry a lot of those cubes and can manipulate each of its hands independently. There might be billions of them inside this spire.”

“I’m sure you would think of something more effective.” Longinious huffed.

Another loud crashing sound came from the floor, audible over the general clamour of two armies fighting to the death. The Crystals were pushing hard on the White Creatures but now they were being reinforced by an army of black wraith creatures, skeletons mixed in as well. These were considerably faster than the Crystals but vastly more fragile. Much to Anton’s concern they began ascending the stairs, much faster than the Small Crystals that weren’t even halfway up the first set.

“We’re going to run into a million of those things. Aren’t we?”

Anton briskly ascended the next set of stairs. The White Eel was at the very top and disappeared to the next level. There were no defenders waiting for him but this floor was vastly different from the others. Instead of crates of cubes a large raised pool lay in the centre. Dozens of White Eels floated around the edge with the cubes held tight against their underside. A White Eel dropped a white cube, Anton guessed without any of the etchings, into the pool. Anton heard nothing as a White Goblin rose out of the pool, shimmering mercury dripped from his body.

“The same shit those cultists were digging up,” Anton whispered. “I don’t think it’s actually mercury. Maybe it is?”

The White Goblin walked out robotically. Anton was surprised to see it already had simple weapons and armour. It moved to the far side of the long room and stood motionless. The White Eels continued to drop the white cubes, each time a White Goblin emerged from the pool.

“While this is fascinating,” Longinious whispered softly, a slight level of annoyance in her voice. “I think we need to keep moving.”

“Sorry. I just wanted to see what happened when they dropped one of the green cubes.”

As if on cue a White Eel dropped a green cube into the pool. It took considerably longer but this time a Ghlotsm emerged, this one too with armour but no weapons beyond its claws.

“I wonder what the red cubes create.” Anton slunk towards a small staircase to the upper levels, on the far wall.

However there was nothing in the way of cover, nothing to stop the White Eels from watching him pass. As expected one noticed him and hissed, the others stopped their slow meandering but didn’t move to attack. They simply watched him move up the stairs, never blinking or moving other than a slight undulation of their body. More perplexing, the assembled White Creatures did not attack. They stood at the far side of the room, waiting for some sort of order.

Maybe they’re like a shell. Haven’t had their minds, or free will, put in yet.

As Anton began ascending the stairs, keeping Longinious pointed at the White Eels, they promptly lost interest and returned to their duties, throwing the cubes into the pool of liquid metal. Anton had barely made ten steps before the entire spire shook violently. Walls broke, the floor beneath Anton began to crack and the White Eels screeched and coalesced around the shimmering pool. The wall towards the centre of the spire blew inwards, throwing hundreds of white chunks towards the White Eels followed by the broken head of a Dragon. The chunks struck the White Eels, they screamed loudly and dropped nearly all of their cubes into the shimmering metallic pool. As the Dragon fell away, golden blood streaking behind it, the pool exploded in a shower of metal, drenching the cracked ceiling and even reaching Anton. A droplet touched his foot. Emotions overwhelmed him and his mind completely ceased to function. The next thing he knew he was on his backside with Longinious shouting at him. The droplet had rolled off his feet and continued down the broken stairs, becoming lodged in a gap.

“I’m fine,” Anton said, Longinious stopped speaking. “So what’s happening now?”

Anton looked up the stairs. White chunks from the floor above had collapsed through, forming an impressive barricade but not enough to completely impede his ability to climb. Several White Goblins and Ghlotsm were trapped, screeching as they tried to free themselves.

Back down or head up?

The metallic pool bubbled and shook violently. Something began to emerge, a ten fingered hand, formed from different creatures fused together, pulling out a grotesque body.

Up it is.

Longinious did not object to his decision. As he began to climb he made sure to kill the White Creatures, absorbing their blood into Longinious. It was only a few but he knew it might just make all the difference. A terrible screech came from the floor below, the White Eels screamed in protest but Anton didn’t return. The walls began to buckle and break outwards as a white, green and red slime began to ooze through.

“Looks like Harold.” Anton murmured.

It was very similar to Harold’s transformed body, minus the writhing worms. The ooze, now free of the cracks began to build and contort into small knots. Anton lowered his spear towards the building ooze as he continued to walk up the stairs. The knot coalesced and shot out a needle-like protrusion. Longinious’s purple field flashed into reality and caught the needle. It fizzled away as made contact, it tried to dodge around the field but Anton advanced and stabbed at the knot itself. The energy field dug deep into the ooze, sickly golden blood wept out, readily absorbed by Longinious. Anton knew that it only happened when the enemy was dead but doubted the knot was the entire creature, whatever it was.

“Utterly vile!” Longinious spat, though only in sound. “It’s like eating vomit, blood and rotting flesh all at once.”

Do I know what rotting flesh tastes like?

Anton pushed Longinious further until the energy field began to dig into something very hard. Screams came from below followed by a rumbling. An eyestalk grew up and around the stairs, bloodshot and filled with rage. The iris contracted to a pinprick as more knots began to emerge through the wall and following the eyestalk up the staircase.

“Oh…”

Anton ran as fast as he could, eternally grateful that he didn’t feel pain when his feet landed harshly on the edges of the stars while the needles tried desperately to strike him. They were not accurate but the sheer speed which they could travel was frightening. Anton had to run backwards as Longinious could only project the field from the tip of her spear. As he swung his spear, obliterating the ends, a White Eel darted around the mass, mouth wide open and its eye filled with terror. It darted through the air, avoiding the dozens of needles thrown at it. The White Eel granted Anton a few moments of reprieve, which he took to run as fast as he could. When the White Eel screeched in pain he only glanced back momentarily; just like Harold infecting the Clausonne civilians the needle-like protrusions ran underneath the White Eels skin, wrapping around its body as the creature screamed in pain. The small thin hands tried desperately to swat them away but they could not break them. The eyestalk focused on the White Eel and brought it into the multi-coloured mass.

As Anton reached the next level the creature had not ascended far. It lurched and pulled itself forward but it could not move quickly. Somehow Anton knew the creature was frustrated by its current lack of speed.

“Such a dangerous way to create creatures,” Anton said. “Then again, I doubt the White Spire normally shakes like that.”

“Master, we need to keep moving,” Longinious spoke sternly. “I don’t think we can win against that thing.”

Another White Eel tried to escape up the stairway. Why it didn’t try and escape downwards or out Anton didn’t know. It too was consumed but the creature did not give it more than a moment’s attention before continuing its slow climb.

“Longinious? Do you have any ranged abilities? Something out of range from its needles.”

“I think I might.” Longinious clicked her tongue. “But…But I need more Essence. A lot more essence.”

Anton moved away from the staircase when the spire began to shake again. The floor was already cracked from the first rumble and completely collapsed this time. As the chunks fell the creature screamed but the tumbling pieces did no lasting damage. Anton glanced down as he skirted the hole. He couldn’t see the ground through the creature’s mass. Small eyestalks looked between each of the chunks that had landed on its body. They looked up and focused on Anton, all constricting in an unbelievable rage.

It’s not my fault!

Anton ran towards the next staircase when the far wall exploded. He dropped, letting the fragments fly over his head. A Dragon floated outside but its chest was torn open. The Dragon snarled, slowly moved a hand to its chest and dropped like a stone. A blue man, wearing a fish scale type armour with a red scimitar in his hand, floated behind the Dragon and watched it fall with a satisfied smile on his face.

“How disgraceful that I had to get involved.” He chuckled. “Esperit and Solious really need to improve. And then there’s this thing.”

The man pulled his sword back, water rushed out from his and coiled around the sword. He swung it at the floor below, the water turned into a blade and cut through the marble structure. The creature screamed as its body was cut in two, the eyestalks shuddered and collapsed onto the mass.

“Honestly.” The blue man glanced up and gasped. “H-”

A small ball of white crashed into the blue beings head, sending them both towards the ground. It was just a moment but Anton knew what he saw, a small child made with the same white ethereal body as him. He had no idea which one it was, if it was Trellos or Agal, but part of him wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

“Do you recognise that one?” Anton asked.

“That…That felt similar to you.” Longinious said softly. “Not the same but…”

The creature below let out a whimper. Its body began to decay into tiny white fragments and disappeared.

I have no idea what you were, and yet I’m a little bit sorry for you.

Soon there was nothing left of it but a cancerous lump the size of a car stuck in the pool. It tried to move but couldn’t, not even roll itself with its knot-like protrusions. Even the few that it could make were limp and could barely hold themselves up.

“That should be more than enough.” Longinious’s voice was oddly soft. “Better put it out of its misery.”

Anton found a pathway down formed by the partially collapsed floor.

“I wonder if it has a name.” Anton mused as he hurried down the ruins. “Probably something like Abomination.”

A weak eyestalk rolled across the body, unblinkingly staring at Anton. The needles tried to attack but they were growing weaker by the moment.

“Sorry,” Anton said. He thrust the purple sheathed spear deep into the creature. It spasmed once and fell silent and completely limp. Longinious coughed as the blood flew into the purple spheres, far more than normal but he was certain it was just as bad as before.

The creature completely disintegrated, leaving the pool empty. At the bottom of the pool lay the desiccated husks of the White Eels, clearly they had died in extreme pain, and a spiral etching on a small circle at the very bottom, just like those on the White Creatures.

“A brood mother?” Anton said aloud. “Is that how this works?”

Is that what Verona and Kal found in The Shadow Isles? Were those cubes like...No. At least I hope they aren’t.

“Anton?”

“Do you have some sort of ranged attack now?” Anton asked as he began to ascend to the floor above. “Otherwise we might be in trouble.”

“I do,” Longinious said proudly, a groan immediately followed. “That creature felt even worse…I hope that you reward me for what I’ve done. It was absolutely vile.”

“I’ll pamper you all you want.” Anton reached the top floor. “Whatever you want. So what can you do?”

“…Alright.” The spheres shimmered bright. “Stand me upright.”

Anton did as he was bid. The central sphere grew incredibly bright while the two either side pulled free and floated over his head. The two floating spheres flashed bright, discharging a thin beam of light, breaking apart a fist-sized hole in the floor. Every six seconds a sphere could fire, Longinious alternated the shots so the attacks would be more consistent. The central sphere fired a larger shot of light, at least ten times as destructive, but could only fire once every fifteen seconds.

“How’s…How’s that?” Longinious laboured breath told him just how strenuous that brief display was.

“Fantastic. But that just took a lot out of you.”

Longinious didn’t answer for some time. “It does.” Her voice was normal now. “But with more Essence, it’ll become easier. If you’d just done what I’d said to begin with, Master, that wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Don’t give me lip.” Anton smiled. “Now, what’s happening down there?”

“And where did that little child get to?”

Anton hid near the edge of the broken wall and peered down. The White Creatures were doing poorly. Their forces were only barely holding the staircases to the higher levels and a few isolated pockets. Only two Dragons remained and they were hard-pressed by multiple smaller beings, similar to the Angel, Fire Lord and the Blue Man. The Dragons fought back to back, with large shields and spears but their attackers were smart enough to stay out of their reach and pepper them with attacks from afar. There was no sign of the Blue Man nor of the child that had struck him. Anton was surprised that he could still see the dead Fire Lord. And the ruined body of the Angel still held tight in his ruined form.

“Bring those spheres back,” Anton said. “We need to find someone that we can speak with before-”

A rattling stopped Anton’s words. Shadows began to cast themselves across the staircase approaching them, shadows in the shape of skeletons, extra shadows of weapons and shields.

“Do we fight?” Longinious asked. “They’re a lot faster than those crystals. And they don’t sound friendly.”

As Anton glanced towards the staircase to the next level the skeletons burst up the stairs. They were nothing more than shambling bones wielding swords and small shields also fashioned from bones. Anton didn’t doubt their sharpness and they were likely coated in magic. Blue and white flames burned in their eye sockets, all focused upon him.

“Back off!” Anton yelled as he back away himself.

The skeletons did not stop or even waver as they ran at Anton, their weapons swinging wildly over their heads.

“Fine.” Anton tapped Longinious on the ground. “Let’s see if someone can actually talk. Longinious!”

“Understood, Master.”

The spheres glowed bright and began to discharge their blasts of light. The skeletons shattered with each attack, the bolt of light passed through several additional skeletons before smashing into the ground. After a single hit the skeletons disintegrated into hundreds of bone fragments, regardless of where they were struck. The flame extinguished with a pop before the empty bone sockets shattered, like the skull had been punched repeatedly. Anton didn’t know how powerful or weak his attacks or the skeletons were. Regardless, Longinious alternated firing the smaller spheres to keep attacks continuous, shooting the larger sphere’s attack into the centre mass of the skeletons.

A wisp of black lights fled the destroyed skeletons and flew towards Longinious’s largest sphere. Unlike the golden blood, it simply faded into the sphere.

“Tastes like dirt,” Longinious grumbled. “Guess I shouldn’t expect anything else from a bunch of bones. I’d prefer to have more of those Goblins. At least they had some meat on them.”

Anton didn’t know exactly how to respond so continued to back away as the horde of skeletons continued to encroach.

“Keep them near the hole,” Anton said. “And hit those clumps with your biggest attack.”

Longinious large blast carved a giant hole in the horde. The Skeletons tumbled to the side and tripped over their remains, they were easy prey for Longinious’s smaller attacks.

“Longinious? Are you attacking faster?”

“Yes…” Longinious laughed, a hearty laugh. “Just a little bit. But you noticed already?”

Anton smiled as the horde began to ebb and wane. All that remained was nothing more than broken and shattered bones and now nothing came up the stairs.

“Shame I’ve just made an enemy of them,” Anton mumbled. “I hope I can apologise to the God of Death.”

Longinious huffed. “You should never have to bow your head to creatures such as them. Though…Though they might just know a way to return you home.”

A rush of wind flew past the hole in the inner wall. Anton caught the white form of a child soaring up into the sky, holding a severed blue arm, covered in a fish scale armour. Anton ran to the edge and saw him land on a platform halfway up the spire. As he entered the structure Dragon’s, armed with lances and shields, poured out and dropped to the raging battle below. Almost immediately the battle began to turn towards the defenders.

“We’ve still got time,” Anton mumbled. “But…Oh great.” He looked to the passage further down. “Those damn crystals.”

The shadows began to grow once more, now just a uniform shadow against the wall.

“Let’s keep moving, Master.” Longinious’s spheres returned to the spear. “There’s nothing to gain staying here.”

Anton silently agreed and continued their ascent.