As I walked I thought a lot about what I was doing Ingame. It had far passed the point of being a game; it was the reality that I now lived in. That reality currently meant I was walking across black sand and rocks heading towards a mysterious building at the edge of the horizon. On a side note being considerably heavy than a normal human sucked, with every step I sunk into the sand about three inches.

I continued on as the heat became stifling and the desert began to shimmer all around me. Strangely enough the heat did not bother me, something to do with the dragon heritage I guessed. After walking for several kilometers I found a large boulder and sat with my back to it for a rest. I did not feel tired but I wanted to make sure I did not overdo it.

Sitting there I reflected on my vision. Something tickled my memory, something the Gaiatoci had mentioned, but I could not recall it. The life-force it was all around us surrounding us being a part of us. To be honest it sounded like something from the latest Star Wars movie number 23. The Force Droid. Sighing I tried to open my mind to feel the life-force, then holding out my hand I tried to make a small pebble rise into the air. After five minutes, and several choice words, I decided I was not a Jedi. I probably would be more a Sith lord with how I looked anyway.

Having decided I had enough rest I consulted the map, noting I was almost halfway there I continued my stroll across the desert. After several more hours of trudging through the wasteland I finally arrived. Looking at the building I saw that it was a stone keep castle, surrounded by a thick wall with a moat and a gate that stood in front of the drawbridge.

Sitting on the bench outside the gate was what looked like an imp. I studied the creature and he definably looked like an imp, a sleeping imp. Not sure what to do, I walked closer and soon I could hear him snoring. Suddenly there was a ding and a window opened.

Congratulations Mortal.

You have discovered an unknown Instance.

The castle of the Six Temptations.

Will you enter the Keep and overcome Temptations.

Reward for completion.

One ability of your choice.

Do you dare accept?

YES or NO

Yes, I thought and then the Imp woke up. “Hello what have we here, a mortal looking tasty and yummy. “Tasty and yummy,” I asked. The imp smiled at me and then spoke, you will find out mortal, if you make it past me.

Clearly this was something scripted, I hoped. “Hold up there,” I told the imp. “I have a few questions and would really appreciate some answers. Looking surprised at this the imp slowly nodded his head and spoke, “all right I suppose I can answer a few questions, beats sleeping all the time.” Suddenly I remembered a long time had passed since the Gods had taken the races to the Topland.

“How long have you been here waiting for someone to come?” I asked. “About six thousand years.” The imp replied. Six thousand years, the thought of all that time he had spent alone bothered me. “Were you lonely?” The question sprang from my mouth without thinking. As the imp looked at me I suddenly saw his face begin to crease up and his lower lip quiver.

“Lonely,” he shouted. “Lonely, yes I have been lonely, stuck here being the first challenge, and no one coming.” Suddenly the little fellow burst into tears and sat down on the bench and began to silently cry. Not sure if it was a mistake or not I sat down beside him and pulled the tobacco and papers out and rolled two smokes.

Lighting up I handed the poor fellow a smoke. He looked at me and seeing me take a drag, he took a puff. His tears began to dry up and after two more smokes and some discussion about life and being the gatekeeper I made my offer. “Look man, enough is enough, why do you stay here, it has been six thousand years.” Glancing at me he blew a smoke ring and answered, “Where would I go?”

“With me,” I spoke with conviction and fervor, “this is bullshit you having to stand guard here like that. Come with me, I am getting out of this zone as soon as I can. I have to get back to Gaiatoci and then to the Topland. Eyes widening the imp whispered “The Topland.” “Being honest with you, I will have to do some pretty difficult quests at some point.”

His gaze sharpening, the imp asked “like what?” Taking a deep breath I looked him in the eye and said, “I have been tasked with destroying the Gods.” I stared at the imp as his expression changed from curious to malevolent and angry, very angry.

“Those are the bastards who abandoned me here and told me to be the gatekeeper; you are not being deceptive towards me are you?” Lifting my hands I stated my truthfulness. Seeing that I was sincere the imp finally relaxed. “If I join you are you going to enslave me to be your servant, or worse your slave?” Asked the imp.

“Absolutely not, you will be my companion; I will expect respect and give it in return.” Holding out my hand I grasped the imps hand and we sealed our agreement. Staring at me the imp began to smile and then spoke. “The name is Raik and I am a lesser imp. I was captured eons ago by the Gods and tasked with this onerous duty. Damn I am glad it is done.

Smiling I said, “I am glad for you, not sure how you did not go insane but glad that you are with me.” Smiling back the imp said, “Look here” and then leading me to the gatehouse he dragged a chest outside and opened it up. “Have a look and take whatever you fancy, I don’t feel like abandoning the items I was supposed to guard with my life.”

I am not a greedy guy but in that chest were rings and necklaces of an epic variety. Unfortunately, none would be of benefit to me, but I could see some time in the future they would be very useful. Taking the items I put them all in my bag and then turning to Raik I asked. “So what is this castle all about?”

⦁ Gluttony

⦁ Anger

⦁ Pride

⦁ Sorrow

⦁ Fornication

⦁ Avarice

“What, I have seen that or something very close to it.” Looking at me Raik spoke up, “no you have not seen these before, the Succubae who deal with fornication, man if you had ever seen those girls, believe me you would not forget. This whole instance is supposed to show individuals what they are really like. Looking at Raik I nodded, and then looking at the castle I spoke up, “Only one way to tell what I am like I guess, and with that said I started to walk across the bridge.