"Here's what we know about this dimension." A black haired Akma stood in front of the group that would escort the diplomat, each member wearing black clothes with blue trim "The sentient people who managed to construct a portal are named the Dirske, their civilization includes one planet named Ukrimare. Their physical make-up is biochemical and interestingly enough, have enough genetics in common with humans that they could be considered cousins like the neandrathals. However unlike Earth, the Dirske's world is mostly covered in mountains, which they have hollowed out to create citys. What method used for construction, is unknown at this time."

Zack thought 'If the genetics really are so closely related, then that also means that they are also capable of breeding with humans. This development could make things interesting for Earth in the future.'

One of the twenty members spoke up, a four armed humanoid with white spots on black skin "What are the lowlands like?"

"The lowlands are teeming with life. I suppose they could be called swamps, but that's a gross understatement. These massive bogs can span for hundreds of square miles and each one is unique due to it's own isolation."

Akma pointed to Zack "That is where you will find your eidolans. But be wary, those areas are dangerous to the point where they are completely unexplored."

One side of Zack's mouth raised slightly "Heh."

"Something funny?"

"It's just that I didn't expect to become a pioneer when I signed up."

The other twenty members let out a few chuckles.

Zack exited the portal and looked at the view of the mountains. Rocky precipices could be seen in every direction, rising above the cloudline underneath a deep blue sky.

He inhaled and his breath immediatly caught. The air was so thin, cold and crisp. Zack activated Eidolan Symbiosis and all of the hairs on his body thickened and grew until he was wearing a pelt underneath his blue uniform. The extra facial hair on his sideburns and jawline was a bit of an issue, but it wasn't something to be concerned about.

'I should be warm enough from that. Unfortunately this air is going to take a hit to my stamina.'

Just then he heard a clang behind him coming from behind. Becker had fallen on the ground.

Kerink said "Sorry Becker. This dimension's physics don't allow electricity to move through any kind of metal. Your suit is worthless here. Hehe, that's what you get for having an over reliance on your tools."

Becker fought against the mechanical servos of his mechsuit and took off his helmet, grumbling he said "You could've just told me instead of dragging me all the way here."

"Being told is one thing, experiencing it is another thing entirely."

"You do understand that I now gotta spend twenty minutes getting out of this thing once I get back." he stood up and slowly walked back into the portal. Servos audibly protesting with every movement.

The group moved out across the mountain top. There was no trail and the terrain was uneven to the point where they had to sometimes half-climb over the jagged rocks. One false step would mean breaking something.

After a mile of hiking they heard a cawing, but unlike a bird's call however it was a little deeper and they saw a creature with a thirty foot wingspan circling above them.

"Does it think we are prey?" asked one of the group's members, a pink-skinned humanoid with eyestalks.

Kerink replied "No. That's our ride."

Zack asked "If we are going to be flying to our destination, why did we have to trek here?"

"Because if we couldn't walk their mountains then they wouldn't respect us at all."

The beast landed in front of them. It was tannish in color and had large green eyes on it's shoulders. Disc-shaped feathers covered the giant creature's wings. It's muzzle extended for several feet and within it were strange black teeth that seemed to move. In it's long muscular legs it carried a metal cage large enough to fit the whole visiting group. Strapped on it's back was another Dirske man who seemed to be in control of it. Above the creature's head was the name

Orkrik Transporter

The cage opened and out stepped a man who almost passed for human. He had gray skin and bright red hair. He stood seven feet tall and had eyes with pitch black irises. The screen provided by the Akma network said that his name was

Hortim Jhik Diplomat of Olherk mountain

The local said "Welcome to Ukrimare. It is..." then paused as he looked over the sheer variety of the group of twenty that had come to visit. The pink man with eyestalks, the furry man with claws, and Kerink with her orange skin and two pairs of eyes.

Diplomat Hortim Jhik continued on as if he hadn't just been staring for the past thirty seconds "It is my honor to be the one to greet you and guide to the Kuywarin Festival. Your seats are within the Lords booth."

Kerink said to the Diplomat "This is the first I've heard of such a festival."

"Our civilization hosts it once every ten years."

"Then I thank you for holding us in such high esteem, so as to give us seats next to the leader of your noble civilization."

Hortim put his hands on his elbows and bowed slightly "We should make haste if we wish to make it to the beginning of the ceremonies." then presented the open cage behind him in invitation.

Zack had his doubts about the beast though and said out loud "And we're supposed to trust our lives to that thing?"

Kerink cast an ireful look at him "Keep your mouth shut and let others do the talking when we meet the Grand leaders of the Dirske. A poorly phrased sentence could permanently screw up negotiations. Besides, If we fall, we all have enough abilities between all of us to survive." as the leader, she had access to the full knowledge of what everyone in the group could do.

"Alright then." then group climbed aboard the cage carried by the alien beast.

The Orkrik transport approached a metropolis on a mountain. But instead of steel structures caves had been dug out of the rock and glass laid over the entrances. Lights could clearly be seen within the large rooms. Silver tubes were built into the bottom of the city and clouds were being sucked into them, presumably for the water supply. Flocks of other Orkriks were being tended to by their handlers, in preparation for other flights. They landed on the mountain.

As they were disembarking their living transportation, in the distance they could hear a musical sound. Almost flutish in nature and rising and lowering in pitch and volume yet there was no order to it. Curious looks crossed the faces of each member of the visitors. Until their guide pointed to a very tall cylindrical mountain in the distance, even from miles away the group could tell that it had numerous caves within it.

Hortim said "It took us ten years to carve out our beloved Peykirhi, the mountain of everlasting song. It's location chosen specifically because it is at the center of where the most turbulent winds in the world are."

The top most layer of the city was filled with agriculture, most of which was growing underneath natural light. And from the smell of things, they were using the Orkrik droppings as fertilizer. The other levels were well lit residential districts, although they were more like apartment complexes stacked on top of one another. All of the areas they went through there were many bridges so that no cavern had very much overhead.

They descended through the levels for an hour until Hortim stopped before a ten foot tall black stone double door

"Open it. The festival begins." their guide said to the two men on either side. They both grabbed a handle and pulled. The four inch thick doors must have weighed hundreds of pounds for them grind so audibly as they opened. Then the two men held them with all their strength.

They entered a stadium of some kind. Large enough to seat several thousand people. At the center of it was a field of black obsidian volcanic glass. It's surface uneven and slanted in many areas.

A hard looking man stood up and threw his arms wide "On behalf of all Dirske, I bid you welcome to this mountain and this dimension." He clearly looked proud of himself for being able to say that. His robes were a deep red and had gold trim. His eyes were copper and on his head was long hair that had turned white. His face had multiple scars on it. Above him was his name and title

Ilvan Vakardrea Grand Lord of all Dirske

Kerink said "We are grateful for your hospitality. However we have not been told about the exact nature of this festival."

The Grand Lord clapped his hands twice "There is plenty of time for you to find out."

Serving girls carrying platters filled with colorful delicacies entered their booth. Each scantily clad in small tops and short shorts, exposing quite a bit of their almost silvery skin. The members of the group sat down on chairs that had thick cushions on their seats and backs. The stadium then began to fill with people. On a whim, Zack decided to use Eidolan Symbiosis to gain Hroyd's sharp eyes and ears. From the conversations he could hear, this event was hated for some reason. Other Lords sat next to each visitor and tried to get information about the dimensions they had come from, but the members of Akmadouric's army were under strict orders to remain silent about such things. Since all low-tierman are supposed to learn about the multi-verse by experiencing it.

The fesivities began with several people clad head to toe in a metal costume entering the black field. It seemed to represent some kind of eight legged monster with antlers.

On the other side of the field another group of people entered wearing a much larger and much more different costume. This one was a green serpent of some kind. It had long fangs that dripped a viscuous liquid. It stood over the group in the metal costume like a giant.

The two groups danced in what appeared to be a mock battle until the metal monster stood over the serpent victoriously. The crowd clapped and then fell silent. A somber atmosphere eerily began to fill the stadium.

Grand Lord Ilvan Vakardrea stood up from his seat and walked towards the front of the booth. The floor raised underneath and became a dais. A light shown upon him and he addressed the crowd "Every time one of our golems fall in battle from the denizens that rise up from below, we must go through this pain filled process of choosing another to take up the mantle once again. Now let the semi-finals of this tournament commence."

Zack leaned over and whispered to the lord sitting next to him "What happens next?"

"The two warriors about to enter are going to fight to the death."