The proceeding of the adventurers into Karzasham was met with cheers. There was considerable destruction that Kyrie could observe but the non adventurer casualty had been minimal thanks to Game Masters’ intervention early on. Moreover, the adventurers’ level was also back to their previous state. They were max level no more which disappointed Kyrie a bit.

  Kyrie looked besides her at Marcus who was deep in conversation with Orin. They seemed to be discussing everything that Marcus had missed about Furorin versus Gorin and the succession tournament. Marcus had a frown on his face and it seemed that he was not pleased with what he was hearing. Orin gestured to Kyrie a few times during their conversation but Marcus did not look at her but simply nodded.

  Suddenly there was a gust of wind and two dragons landed in front of the adventurers' procession. Tamara stepped in front of the dragons.

  A hush fell over everyone present with the arrival of the dragons. Kyrie was sure that no one was even daring to breathe. They seemed to be either frozen in surprise or fear. There were some who had readied themselves for an attack but were not moving. Just cautious. Clever them.

  It was Nalsifor who spoke, “Our work here is done Tamara. We are leaving.”

  Tamara nodded and said, “Thank you Nalsifor. Thank you Dragor. Your aid was most valuable. Victory would not have been possible without your contributions.”

  Both the dragons snorted smoke as if Tamara had said the most obvious thing. Then they disappeared in a shimmer of light. Kyrie then focused on everyone around them. No one seemed to react for some time. Then the procession started to walk and the cheer continued.

  As the procession proceeded, the adventurers soon began to break off and start towards various adventurers’ guilds or to some other place. The Ori brothers, Kyrie and Marcus broke off from the group to go towards the palace. Surprisingly Tamara followed them. When they reached the palace gates they were met with some familiar adventurers.

  Tanniv was standing in front of the gate, arguing with a group of dwarven guards. The other team members of the champion were simply standing awkwardly behind him.

  As they approached Orin said, “What is going on here?”

  Everyone focused on Orin. Then the champion and his team members saw Tamara.

  “Tamara!” exclaimed Tanniv, “You are back. You are alive.”

  They all rushed towards Tamara and got her in a group hug. The Ori brothers, Kyrie and Marcus stepped forwards.

  Kyrie observed that Tamara was being asked all sorts of questions. Tamara gave answers to some of them. Orin was talking to the guards. Kyrie could not catch their conversation but it seemed to be heated.

  Kyrie approached the dwarves with Marcus. He could now hear what they were saying.

  “And this is final, Prince Orin”, said one of the guards, “Only you four can enter. The rest are not allowed entry. We shall have no more discussion on this. I am sorry about this.”

  “Gorking Gromlin’s hairy ass”, said Orin, “You do have a death wish, don’t you, you gorking asshole.”

  Kyrie could see the guards stiffen. Orin gestured to everyone to step back. He also called the champions and the other adventurers.

  Once all had gathered, Orin said, “All right. I find that there is no further gorking sense in arguing with this gorking Gromlin’s balls. My brothers and I shall be going in to find out what has happened. The castle is under lock down and I do not like it. Wait for us for about a day. If we do not send a message by tomorrow, storm the gorking castle, consequences be damned. I am sure you can do that.”

  Suddenly Kyrie got a major quest update.

  Major Quest

  The Throne of Karzasham

  The final showdown between Gorin and Furorin is now taking place. All interested parties have five hours to resolve the situation. Pick a side, fight for your faction and resolve the issue of the throne. Get to the throne room.

  Note 1: The non-adventurers are not to be harmed. This means the guards too. Killing of a non-adventurer automatically fails the quest for the adventurer who does the killing and they would be met with a penalty.

  Note 2: Other than dwarves, other adventurers are not allowed inside the palace. Find your way in.

  Note 3: Best of luck! Rewards would be awesome if your faction wins.

  Choose your faction:

  Furorin      Gorin

  Kyrie looked at the update and then at Marcus. Marcus was thinking. Kyrie smiled a bit. This was good. She then looked at the Ori brothers.

  Kyrie half shouted, “Go! We will find another way in. Marcus will have a plan soon.”

  Kyrie turned to see the street leading to the palace. There were no adventurers but there soon would be. This was too good a quest to pass on.

  As Ori brothers went inside the castle, the remaining group of adventurers went to a spot where they would not be overheard by the guards.

  “What’s the plan?” Kyrie asked Marcus.

  “Kyrie, are we still with Furorin? Have you experienced anything that would make you believe that Gorin would be a better king?” asked Marcus.

  “No!” said Kyrie quickly and then composed herself, “Furorin all the way.”

  Marcus turned to others and said, “No pressure but Kyrie and I are going to be in Furorin’s faction. Kindly tell me if any of you support Gorin.”

  Tamara said, “We have already selected Furorin.”

  Kyrie did too at that time. She had forgotten initially.

  Marcus said, “Then I do have a plan.”

  “And what is the plan?” asked Tamara.

  Marcus grinned and Kyrie was sure no one present was going to like it.

  ***

  Marcus leafed through another book regarding the palace of Karzasham. He knew in his gut there would be a secret passage leading out of the palace. If the passage leads out then it would lead them to the palace too. It seemed that only Kyrie was sold on his idea. The champions and their team members had decided to follow another approach. Tamara had called it an aerial approach. Marcus did not want to know. Considering the description of the major quest he believed that stealth was the key to success and greater rewards.

  Kyrie came up to him and said, “I am sorry about the others. I wish they believed in you.”

  Marcus waved a hand, “Do not concern yourself with the decisions of others Kyrie. Find out that information on a passageway fast. We have already lost an hour.”

  Kyrie nodded and went back to reading. Marcus did the same. He was reading at a pace faster than he was comfortable with. He just did not have the time.

  Kyrie said after some time, “Are you sure passageways would be public information?”

  Marcus shut his book with a huff, “I am not thinking clearly. Of course the information that we need will not be in the library.”

  “Then should we ask the Ori brothers?”

  “A good idea. I wonder if it is a good time to ask them. I mean they are already inside. I have no idea what is going on.”

  “Let me message Orim. He always replies the fastest.”

  Marcus waited as Kyrie chatted with Orim. She got a reply from Orim fast. According to Orim, there were secret passageways but they could only be accessed by members of the royal family of Karzasham. However, there was one passageway according to Gurnhold legend which was a general passageway. It was never found by the royals of the Karzasham palace. It is said to lead inside the palace. But from where it originates and where it ends, no one knows.

  “How does Orim have time to chat this much?” wondered Marcus.

  Kyrie smiled, “He has three brothers to cover for him. You must have noticed by now, they are Ori brothers for a reason.”

  Marcus nodded. He thought about Orim’s message. A secret passage into the Karzasham palace that no one had found. How were they expected to find it?

  Marcus said, “Could you also find out what is happening inside the castle?”

  “You could text Orim too, you know.”

  “Oh yes! I am sorry. I am not thinking clearly for some fucking reason.”

  Kyrie narrowed her eyes as Marcus texted to Orim.

  Orim. I am sorry to disturb you. But could you tell as to what is happening in the castle.

  A big gorking boring debate. Furorin and Gorin are simply shouting at each other in the throne room. Father, that is, the king is resting in his royal chambers considering the ordeal he went through. Gorking ordeal. We were the ones fighting. Anyways. This is going to be gorking stalemate till someone does something. Come gorking soon. Else I see this devolve into a gorking fight.

  Marcus looked at Kyrie who was looking at him expectantly. Marcus relayed Orim’s message to Kyrie and she snorted.

  “What do we do now?” asked Kyrie.

  Marcus felt a bit of irritation. Why was Kyrie expecting him to think of everything? She had a brain. She was intelligent. She could think of an idea. Then Marcus realized. Kyrie was tired. He could see the tiredness in her face.

  Fucking hell! He was tired too. In the span of many hours, he had escaped from Lucifer’s kingdom after using Memory to put him to sleep, escaped from Twarftha, arrived on Una and aided in killing Manalith, a giant fucking demon lord and now had to help the dwarves in selecting the heir to the throne. He was fucking burnt out. He needed a fucking break.

  Marcus took a deep breath and spoke, “I am sorry, Kyrie. I believe I would be of no help.”

  “What do you mean?”, asked Kyrie. Marcus could see the confusion on her face.

  “To simply put, I am fucking tired. I have been going on non-stop. From where I was, then in Una, the fight with the demon lord and now this Gorin versus Furorin. I want to see this through. But I feel stretched. Fucking tired. I am not thinking clearly. Not making good decisions. I feel I might not be able to help as you expect me to normally.”

  Kyrie stepped forward and placed her hands on his shoulder, “I do have an idea.”

  “Care to share?”

  “I have friends.”

  And with that statement, Kyrie led Marcus out of the library.

  ***

  Kyrie looked eagerly at Rella who simply sighed. Ledia was not there. The air nymph was tired with her ordeal against Manalith and was resting. Rella had fought too, but her mana had not been depleted as Ledia’s had and she still had some fuel left in her.

  “You do know what you are asking for is very difficult to do in just under four hours”, said Rella.

  “Three hours and thirty four minutes to be precise. I am not going for seconds”, said Marcus.

  Rella glared at Marcus and then turned back to Kyrie, “Your adventurer partner is an idiot.”

  Kyrie laughed and said, “So, will you help?”

  “Come on”, said Rella, “I would take you to meet my high priest. You better impress him. He can help you much better than I can.”

  Kyrie nodded and looked at Marcus.

  Marcus shrugged, “We don’t have many options and I am out of ideas. This does seem like as good a bet as any.”

  Marcus and Kyrie summoned their wyrms. Kyrie convinced Rella to sit with her on Nalana and they were off. They were going to meet the high priest of the land nymphs in Karzasham. The land nymph colony was situated on the first mountain, on the outer side. Rella gave them directions but it still took them about fifteen minutes to reach their destination.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  They landed in a clearing in the forest atop the first mountain of Karzasham. The clearing was soon filled with land nymphs. A land nymph stood taller than the other nymphs. He had a crown of rock on his head and he stood in front of Rella.

  “Rella”, boomed the taller land nymph, “You have brought guests.”

  “This is my friend Kyrie, which I told you about, high priest. This is her adventuring partner, Marcus Blank.”

  The high priest clapped his hands and there was a booming sound. Kyrie almost winced.

  “Welcome adventurers”, said the high priest, “I am the high priest of the land nymphs here in Karzasham. Welcome to our groove”, he gestured around everywhere, “To avoid confusion, the whole mountain is our groove. Also, my name is Duran Rockmass. Please call me Du Du.”

  There was a collective groan from the present land nymphs while Rella snorted, rolling her eyes.

  Marcus said slowly, “Is it okay if we do not call you Du Du?”

  Kyrie sighed internally. Marcus was either brave enough or tired enough to ask the question she had not dared asking.

  “But then it would be no fun”, said Duran.

  “All right then… Du Du… We need your help”, said Marcus slowly as if he was making an effort not to laugh.

  Kyrie realized that Marcus was finding this situation funny. She shook her head and then she, Marcus and Rella explained to Duran regarding the major quest and the hidden passageway.

  Duran was silent for some time. Then he looked at Rella and said, “Hmm. This seems to be a difficult task. Even if I deploy all the land nymphs, I am not sure we would be able to find the passageway on time.”

  Rella said, “Are you sure, high priest? I mean with our land sense, all of us working together can cover a large area.”

  “The palace is inside the second mountain Rella”, said Duran with a sigh, “That is not our territory. I don’t think any one of us has explored it.”

  Kyrie looked around the glade. The land nymphs were either shaking their heads or nodding. They seem to be agreeing with what Duran was saying.

  “However, we shall try. It would be good knowledge. Moreover, we can get to know about the second mountain. I think we should do the third mountain too. I mean, we have been living here for many years now and plan to live for many more years. Some exploration would be beneficial for us”, said Duran.

  Marcus said, “But that would require time we do not have.”

  “That is true”, said Duran with a nod.

  Rella said, “I have an idea but you may not like it, high priest.”

  Duran glanced warily at Rella and gestured to her to continue.

  Rella said, “We dig.”

  A chorus of protests exploded across the glade. That went for some time till Duran called for silence.

  Duran said, “That is highly impractical Rella and you know why.”

  Rella tried to argue but Duran held up a hand stopping her.

  “I am sorry. But we are not digging.”

  “What if I say pretty please, Du du?” said Marcus.

  “Are you mocking me?”

  “No, but I really want to get into the fucking dwarven palace and help my friends.”

  “Who are your friends?”

  “The Ori brothers.”

  Murmurs passed through the groove. Duran rubbed his chin and said, “We know of Ori brothers. They are nice dwarves. I have met them.”

  “So will you help in digging, Du Du?”, Marcus emphasized Duran’s pet name hoping he would agree.

  “No”, said Duran, “We will try to search the second mountain for this secret passageway but nothing else. I am sorry, Marcus Blank and Kyrie Shiningstar. But that is all the help I am willing to offer.”

  Kyrie wanted to say something but Marcus lay a hand on her shoulders.

  “I understand Du Du”, said Marcus in a defeated tone, “Please help the best way that you can.”

  Duran gave the orders and soon the land nymphs started to move. Rella told Kyrie and Marcus that the land nymphs have their own ways of reaching the second mountain and that Kyrie and Marcus should meet them there.

  Marcus gave a start when he heard that.

  “What ways, Rella?” he asked.

  “There is a network of underground passages in the first mountain that we have prepared. Not by digging but by willing the land to a side. These passageways help us move through and around the first mountain very fast”, explained Rella.

  “And one of these passages leads to the second mountain?”

  “Yes.”

  “Could you please show me?”

  Kyrie could see Marcus was excited about something but did not know what.

  “Sure”, said Rella, “Follow me and try to keep up.”

  Rella started to run. Marcus and Kyrie followed. The other land nymphs and Duran were already out of sight. Rella was keeping quite a pace but Kyrie was sure she was going slow for the sake of Marcus and her.

  They reached one of the passageways in about five minutes of running. Both Marcus and Kyrie were feeling a bit out of breath.

  Rella turned and said, “This is one of the passageways but I don’t know how you will be able to pass through it. You two are no land nymphs.”

  “How do you pass through these passages?” asked Marcus.

  Rella pointed at the mouth of the passage which was simply a crack in the rock of the mountain, about four feet tall and about a couple of centimetres wide, zig zagging from top to bottom.

  Rella said, “When land nymphs pass through the entrance of this passage, we become one with the land, passing through the land at very fast speeds. We can cover about a kilometer in mere seconds. I don’t know how you are going to use it though. You two are no land nymphs.”

  Marcus sighed, “I am sorry. I thought it would be actual passageways. This is like when Kyrie goes in water and can take on a watery form and swim very fast.”

  Rella and Kyrie both nodded at the same time.

  Kyrie thought out loud, “So, what do we do?”

  Rella replied, “Fly on your mounts to the second mountain. I will meet you there. So will the high priest.”

  Rella waited for a moment and then stepped into the crack. She melded into it and disappeared. Kyrie turned to Marcus to find him deep in thought.

  Kyrie asked, “What are you thinking?”

  “I am contemplating my life on Una.”

  “Right now?”

  “Yes, right now.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I can’t think how we are going to reach inside the dwarven palace on time.”

  “Could we use the sewer systems?”

  Marcus shook his head, “The dwarven sewage systems are small and efficient. They carry only waste and effluent. Not even dwarves can fit in them.”

  “How do they maintain them, I wonder.”

  “There is a long explanation. But I fear we are going off topic again. This will not help us get inside the palace.”

  “Should we go back and see if other adventurers have been successful.”

  “And abandon your land nymph friends. That would be rude, would it not?”

  Kyrie did not say anything. She knew Marcus was right. They could not just take off after asking land nymphs’ help. However, they could not wait days for the land nymphs to find this secret passage when they had, Kyrie checked the time, two hours fifty two minutes now.

  Both Kyrie and Marcus mounted up on their wyrms and flew to the second mountain. They landed when they saw Duran between some trees.

  Duran said, “You two took your time.”

  They did not reply to that comment. Instead Marcus said, “Where do you think the palace is currently?”

  Duran pointed, “About a kilometer in that direction. Straight down from there.”

  Marcus said, “We can start our search from there. Any secret passage would originate from the palace after all.”

  Duran nodded, “I have already sent the majority of my land nymphs there. Only a few are starting from the bottom of the mountain, making their way up. Their task would be slower and longer.”

  Marcus and Kyrie nodded but did not say anything. Duran engaged Kyrie in some small talk. Marcus looked deep in thought. He hardly replied to Duran when Duran tried to engage him. Kyrie wondered what Marcus was thinking about. She could see the tiredness on his face. Maybe he was not in the right state of mind to think properly.

  Finally Marcus spoke, “We need to split up again, Kyrie.”

  “What do you mean?” asked Kyrie.

  “I really want to know what is happening near the palace. Whether the other adventurers managed to get in the palace or not. And you… You need to stay here and get in through the secret passage if the land nymphs find it.”

  Duran said, “Do you think that to be wise? Do you not have confidence in my land nymphs?”

  Kyrie could sense the disappointment in Duran’s voice.

  Marcus smiled sadly at the high priest and said, “It is not that I do not trust you or the land nymphs Du Du. But, it is important for Kyrie and me that more Furorin supporters enter the palace. For that purpose, someone needs to ensure that the adventurers that support Gorin should remain near the palace while Furorin supporters should enter.”

  “And how are you going to ensure that happens?” asked Duran, “How is your presence going to help? Do you have a plan?”

  Marcus threw his hands upwards and flopped down suddenly. He said, “I give up. You are right. Why in the flying fuck am I not thinking clearly?”

  Kyrie laid a hand on Marcus’ shoulder, “Go to sleep. I will wake you up when the land nymphs find something.”

  Marcus mumbled, “I need a fucking vacation”, and lay down on the ground. He was out in seconds.

  Duran looked surprised. He turned to Kyrie, “How tired was he?”

  Kyrie said, “Very. I could tell. Normally his ideas are good. At least manageable. Right now you are seeing him burnt out, I think.”

  Duran nodded and then they waited for the news that the land nymphs had found something. Kyrie hoped that they would soon. After all, only two hours remained now.

  ***

  Marcus woke up. Someone was shaking him. It was Kyrie. Marcus woke up groggily and oriented himself. Yes, they were on the second mountain of Karzasham. They had taken the help of the land nymphs to find a secret passage to the palace inside the second mountain of Karzasham. He shook his head, trying to get the sleep out of his body and focused on Kyrie.

  “Have the land nymphs found something?” asked Marcus hopefully.

  Kyrie did seem excited as she replied, “Come on. Get mounted up. Du Du has marked a spot on the map. We need to hurry.”

  Marcus looked at the time and jumped up quickly. He understood the hurry. There were 57 minutes remaining till the quest failed. They indeed needed to hurry.

  They flew on their mounts, the second mountain going behind them and made their way to the third mountain. Marcus wondered why they were going there. Wasn’t the palace inside the second mountain?

  They reached their destination in about five minutes. It was a lake frozen in ice but the water still flowed out of it in a small rivulet at one end. Marcus wondered how. The entire area was surrounded in snow and enclosed in a hollow inside the third mountain.

  “What is this place?” asked Marcus, shivering.

  “Welcome to the lake of never melting ice”, said Duran appearing from somewhere. Rella also appeared soon after and a land nymph met them coming from the right.

  Kyrie said, “I know of this lake. My armor is made of ice from this lake.”

  The land nymph who had approached Duran earlier whispered something in his ear and Duran asked everyone to follow him. They took a small way to the right of the lake which lay to the face of the mountain.

  Duran said, “Dwarwon here found something. He was instructed to search on the outskirts of the second mountain but he came here to meditate as apparently he does sometimes which is news for me and found something.”

  Duran gestured to Dwarwon and the land nymph placed his hand on the face of the mountain. The next moment they heard a click and a section of mountain, five feet wide and six feet tall moved away, inside the mountain.

  “This seems to be definitely the passage you are looking for. I am sure of it”, said Duran.

  “This is the third mountain”, said Marcus.

  Duran nodded.

  “And the palace is inside the second mountain”, said Kyrie.

  Duran nodded again.

  “So, how can you be so sure?” asked Marcus and Kyrie together.

  Duran looked at Dwarwon who said, “I explored it. Not all the way but up to a considerable distance. It definitely leads to the palace of Karzasham. And I sensed no dwarves in this passage. It means that they do not know of this.”

  Marcus and Kyrie looked at each other and then nodded. It was clear they were going to try this. It was their last bet. They thanked Duran and Dwarwon profusely.

  Dwarwon said, “You best hurry. I do not know how long it would take you to reach the end as it is not a short passage.”

  Duran said, “Rella will come with you. She can help.”

  Rella nodded and the three of them rushed into the passage with Realla in the lead. Marcus checked the time. 38 minutes remained now.

  The three of them ran through the passage at breakneck speed. The passage was mostly straight with some twists and turns and it sloped downwards. The way was flat, rather than steps and Marcus felt that there was finally turning.

  However, they could not keep the pace for long. Soon they started to get tired. Rella turned back to see that Marcus and Kyrie were now quite far behind her. She stopped and pulled out three potion bottles. The potions were green in colour.

  “What’s this?” asked Kyrie.

  Rella replied, “Temporary infinite stamina potion. For about an hour, you would be able to do anything without getting tired. But the crashout is bad. Really bad. You would be crashing out for at least a day.”

  “Why did you not give us this before?” asked Kyrie.

  “Did you not hear about the crash out?”

  Marcus did not say anything but took the bottle and chugged the potion down. Instantly he felt refreshed and energized.

  “Come on then”, said Marcus.

  Both Kyrie and Rella took their potions, Rella slightly reluctantly and then they again started to run. They were approaching the deadline for completion of the quest. They were running out of time while running in the secret passage.

  Soon they came to a dead end.

  “Is this the end of the passage?” asked Marcus.

  Rella bent down to sense something. Then she stood up and pressed a button on the top of the passage. The wall in front of them opened. There were shouts of surprises and Marcus could hear crossbows getting ready with the opening of the passage.

  “Don’t shoot”, cried Marcus, “We come in peace. To help.”

  “Come on then”, said a familiar voice of Orik.

  Marcus stepped out of the passage and fell down. It seemed that the passage led to a wall about ten feet above the throne in the throne room of the palace of Karzasham. Kyrie and Rella landed much more gracefully.

  Marcus checked at the time. Five minutes remaining. Marcus stood up and looked around the room. They had arrived just behind the throne which was made up of a single rock with jagged protrusions on top. There were stairs that led down to an open area with pillars on each side. There was a first floor platform and banners hung across the throne room along with magical glowing lanterns and a thick carpet on the floor.

  Marcus stepped forwards along with Kyrie and Rella. They made their way towards the Ori brothers. They were standing in a group on one side beneath the right platform. Marcus looked on the opposite side. Another group was standing there. It meant that it was the Gorin faction.

  Marcus looked back to see a wizened dwarf surrounded by guards who were still pointing their crossbows at Marcus, Kyrie and Rella. The wizened dwarf, who Marcus assumed to be the king was staring at him in a quizzical manner. Then Marcus realized that the king was not looking at Marcus, but at Kyrie.

  “What’s happening?” Marcus asked in general.

  It was Orik who replied, “To cut a long story short, we are counting the number of adventurers in a single faction. The group with the most adventurers would win and the leader of the group, that is, Furorin or Gorin would be announced as the heir to the throne.”

  “That is kind of… I don’t know… What I was expecting.”

  “You want everyone to fight and create a mess here? Don’t give Gorin the temptation. He is itching for a fight.”

  Orik gestured towards a dwarf who Marcus presumed to be Gorin.

  “So, we wait then”, said Marcus.

  “We wait”, said Orik, “Time is almost up.”

  A few minutes later the notification came.

  Major Quest

  The Throne of Karzasham

  The five hours are up. And as decided by the factions. It is time to decide the victor. Gorin’s faction has five adventurer supporters in the palace while Furorin’s faction has seven adventurer supporters in the palace. Furorin wins.

  The adventurers from Furorin’s faction started to cheer but the king held up a hand and everyone was quiet.

  “It is now decided then”, said King Throwrin, “Furorin shall be the heir to the throne.”

  Now everyone cheered in the Furorin faction. The major quest was completed. They had won. Marcus smiled. But the next second he saw something. Gorin, seething in fury, had cocked a bolt and shot at Furorin. Marcus reacted on instinct. Before Furorin or her guards could react, Marcus was in the way of the bolt. He could not defend against it. It lodged right in his chest taking a chunk of his health.

  The next second he got a notification that he had been poisoned. Chaos had erupted in the throne room and the guards were now subduing Gorin. Kyrie and Rella were running towards Marcus shouting something but Marcus did not hear them. He noticed his health drop to zero.

  “Fuck!” he exclaimed. Marcus died.