Cyber Mortality

Chapter 67:

A twenty-foot stone wall looms above as we approach the castle. A metal gate with a large V decorated across it stands ahead. To our surprise, two guards stand to either side of the archway leading to the gate.

"State your business," One calls as we approach.

"I am Vyra," Vyra steps forward "And we are here to conquer the dungeon."

"Dungeon?" One of the guards snorts. "You're more than welcome to go into our dungeon, but not many leave once they do."

"Hey," the other guard motions. "We don't know if we can trust them. Be on your way!"

I focus on the their voices and let the wind carry to my ear.

"Trust them?" The first guard snorts. "She wants to be locked up in the dungeon."

"They could be spies," the second hisses.

"Do they look like Lizardmen to you?" They both look our group over before whispering to each other again.

"Some of us can still hear you," Zephyr calls out and our eyes meet.

I nod. "We don't know about Lizardmen," I step forward.

Both guards look at me in surprise.

Vyra watches me closely but does not interrupt.

"You don't know about the Lizardmen? How can you not know about the Lizardmen? They've been bombarding us for nearly a year now trying to take our castle. We're at the end of our rope. They've starved us out of supplies," the first guard replies.

"Are you adventurers?" The second guard inquires. "Our king has offered a great reward for anyone who can defeat the Lizardmen and save our people."

My eyes narrow.

"Is this not the next dungeon?" Whispers stir behind me. "She led us to the wrong place."

My stomach knots and I grit my teeth. Something is not right here. I turn to look at the crowd behind me.

"This has to be the next dungeon," I gesture to the castle. "But maybe its not a dungeon in the sense of the word. What did we all do before the tournament? We were adventurers. And now people miles in the sky are asking for help from adventurers?"

"In the sky?" The second guard gives me a look of panic. "We are not in the sky. What on earth are you talking about? Our kingdom has always been on the ground. For hundreds of years."

I gesture at the two guards and give the crowd a pointed look.

"This is a trial," Vyra nods slowly in agreement. "And the reward is the item we seek to destroy Cyberius."

"Ladies," the first guard calls out. "I don't know what in the world you are talking about, but if you want to help we will take a few of you to our king. The rest can stay in the courtyard till you return."

"Let's do it," Flint steps forward. "Vyra and Birch, do you want to come with us and everyone else stays?"

Vyra scowls at everyone superseding her 'authority', but nods in agreement.

The guards whistle and a mechanical clank sounds. Chink chink chink. The gate slowly rises to allow everyone in. Cobblestone paths fill the large courtyard. Rather like a small park than a courtyard. Trees, two ponds, a water fountain, and flowering bushes and plants dot the area.

"Wow," Jez glances around. "It's beautiful. I wanna get married here."

"And who would marry you?" Zephyr snorts. He quickly dodges before Jez can land a punch to his face.

"What is up with all these crazy women?" The first guard whispers to the second as they cast us wary glances.

"Just gotta get used to it," I laugh and follow the two guards deeper into the courtyard.

We leave the large group behind and only our party, Vyra and Birch continue on.

Once inside, we notice there are many people bustling about. All look exhausted, but the biggest thing we notice is that there seems to be no modern technology of any kind. No electricity or even running water. The lamps are even lit with non-magical fire.

"I feel like we've gone back a thousand years in time," Jez grins. "But I kinda like it. Maybe there will be a handsome prince."

Two large oak doors are pushed open in front of us to reveal a large rectangular room. Sunlight steams in through the tall windows to our right and tapestries glimmer in the light.

"Welcome," a voice bellows from deeper into the room. "My men said you were here to help."

My eyes find a man in his mid-forties sitting on a gray stone and gold throne. His beard has some streaks of gray as does his hair.

Vyra steps forward and I try to stifle a laugh. She always needs to be in the lead.

"We heard you are requesting adventurers," Vyra replies.

"I assume you are the leader?" The king tilts his head to side while sizing her up.

"I am," Vyra nods. "I am Vyra, the Golden Spear Maiden. We have fought many battles and are here to assist you in your time of need." She drops to a knee but keeps her gaze fixed on the king. "Do you accept our aid?"

The other six of us fumble for a moment before also dropping to one knee.

"I, King Ander of Tulsimar, Lord of the seven isles, do accept your aid," King Ander replies. "And I assume you know of the reward?"

"We were not told what it is?"

"Ah," The king nods. "It is a magical item from our vault. A pendant. The hero of the battle to come will receive it."

"I see," Vyra says. "And when will this battle begin."

"Anytime," King Ander holds up a hand. "When you entered the palace, the drums of war were heard approaching. Good luck."

We rise and look at one another.

"To war," Vyra holds out a fist.

Birch presses his fist to hers first. Zephyr, Jez, Nyle, and I follow suit. Flint steps up and joins his fist to ours.

"To war," he nods.

"I expect each of you to lead in the areas you are experts," Vyra pushes her fist into ours. "Even you, May. Whether you use swords or magic, you held your own in the last dungeon." Her fist bumps mine again. "Let's go kick some butt."

I smile to myself at Vyra's kind words, but they do not prepare me for the hell we walk into.