Isaac re-read the screen three times. Then once more for good measure. The Tower wants me to do what now?

* * *

Evan's vision blurred briefly and a screen appeared as he finished his report. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see faces glaze over as the rest of the men and women in the room had screens materialize in front of them too.

The Tower has requested your assistance!

You and your men have put their lives on the line, some of you committing the ultimate sacrifice, in order to investigate the appearance of an unknown dungeon. You have rightfully concluded that the dungeon has not manifested naturally, and the Tower fears the destruction that it could unleash onto the first Floor.

The Tower has issued a call to arms to destroy this dungeon. All those who heed the call will be rewarded.

Temporary teleportation portals have been created in all major towns and cities.

A NEW DUNGEON RAID HAS BEEN FORMED!

Raid will begin in 30 days!

Location: Aether

Raid Leader: Isaac King

* * *

Isaac waved the screen away slowly, still puzzled by what he had read. Several moments passed before Isaac noticed that the room had gone completely silent. He looked up to find that every single person in the room was staring at him. Well, this is awkward.

He absently wiped his face with a sleeve, "what?" Evan erupted into laughter, the sound vibrating off the walls. "I knew I was right about ya lad! An honest-ta-god raid leader! Right here in Aether! I'll be telling this story for ages!"

"Raid leader?" A new screen answered Isaac's question.

The Tower has granted you a Title!

Title: Raid Leader (10% increased attack and defense to all members in a party or raid; you are able to share the benefits of a single perk to all members in your party or raid. Perks are limited to those you have acquired.)

There was a glint in Evan's eyes as he spoke. "Raids are battles of legend. Entire floors united together against a common enemy. The Tower hasn't called a raid in centuries. And as far as I know, there has never been one on the first floor ... " the large man took a moment to compose himself, "every raid is led by someone chosen by the Tower, a Raid Leader. Don't ask me how that choice is made, books written by others far smarter than I have tried to answer the question and failed". Evan stared straight into Isaac's eyes, "and you boy ... you've been chosen".

The next couple of hours were a flurry of activity. It seemed that every single person in Aether had received the notification about the upcoming raid. Even the Citymaster seemed to respect Isaac's new position. Evan had immediately put a detail of four Royal Guards to escort Isaac everywhere. "There will be those that are ... envious ... of the position that you have been granted. Raid leaders are rare, mythic even. The Tower has not seen one in centuries, and the rewards bestowed upon those who are successful in their mission are likely to be ... impressive".

Great. Thanks Tower. Great job. Isaac shook his head. His combat experience was limited, and he surely didn't have any experience commanding armies of men and women. Not to mention that dungeons existing within the Tower was completely new to him. None of the books he had read had made any mention of them. His stomach grumbled. Damn, I haven't eaten since this morning. I'm starving. He turned to one of the guards that had been assigned as part of his protection detail. "Hey Ryan, let's go get a slice of that blackberry pie". Ryan grinned, "now that sounds like a good fuckin' idea".

The group escorted him quickly from the Citymaster's residence. Despite the armed guards, nobody paid them any attention. Hundreds of armed soldiers moved in the direction of the town barracks, while men in red robes, whom Isaac could only assume worked for the Citymaster, could be seen running into and out of every weapon, armor, and potion shop in the city. Smoke drifted from the inside of every crafting house as metal clanged against metal. The entire town was preparing for war.

Eventually, the group reached a small tavern near the outskirts of the town. A weathered sign read "The Dirty Dwarf". Wait, are dwarves real? Isaac considered asking Ryan, but the thought was forgotten the moment they entered the tavern. The smell of roasted meat and baked bread reached his nose and in that moment nothing else mattered. Ryan waved over to a small woman at the far end of the bar as they walked in, "Mary! Two of your best blackberry pies and a couple of ales for all of us!". The small woman smiled and gave them a thumbs-up before going back to dealing with customers.

A couple of minutes went by and Ryan introduced him to the other three guards that made up his protection detail. "This here is Simmons, Jason, and Yerrick", he pointed at each of the men as they sat down. Several hours passed as Isaac and the group of Royal Guards ate and drank. They talked about their lives in the Tower and their adventures as Royal Guards. They asked Isaac questions about the world outside the Tower, the academies, and the small town he had grown up in. As night-time fell, Isaac began to doze off again, the alcohol in his body making it harder to stay awake. "General Evan has paid for your room upstairs, so go up and get some rest. Me, Simmons, Jason, and Yerrick will take turns guarding the door to your room. It's on the second floor, third to the right". Ryan held out a key.

Isaac took the key and nodded, then stumbled his way up the stairs, quickly wishing Mary goodnight as he passed. He placed the key into the lock and scrambled inside. He was so tired that he didn't bother to take off his bloody clothes and climbed into bed. Isaac was asleep before his head hit the pillow.