Chapter 9

The Darkfire Tavern felt hollow now, its usual spectral patrons conspicuously absent. Chris and Violet sat at a corner table, their quiet conversation seeming to echo in the empty space. Nash's methodical glass-cleaning provided the only ambient sound, a rhythmic tinkling that only emphasized the tavern's emptiness.

Chris leaned forward, his brow furrowed in thought. "Something's been bothering me about what your father said," he began, watching Violet's expression carefully. "The Dark Avatar used the Burning Blade to reach the Void Realm, right? And that rift would have closed after him..."

Violet nodded slowly, her violet eyes reflecting the tavern's ethereal flames.

"So how did Krauser and Scrios follow him? Your father made it sound like they went right after him."

"There must be another way," Violet mused, absently tracing patterns on the wooden table. "One that Krauser and Scrios knew about—"

The tavern door creaked open, and both of them froze. There, outlined against the perpetual twilight of the Afterplane, stood Death himself – or at least, that's what Chris's mind screamed at him. Scrios's skeletal form seemed to draw the shadows around him like a cloak, his burning green eyes piercing the gloom.

"Scrios!" Violet's voice carried equal parts surprise and relief. "We thought you were in the Void Realm!"

The demon lord glided over at her call, pulling up a stool with an eerily graceful movement. Chris couldn't help but stare at those green flames that served as eyes, fighting the primordial urge to flee that Scrios's presence triggered in him.

"What happened after you saved my father?" Violet asked, seemingly unaffected by their companion's otherworldly nature.

Scrios's voice carried the weight of centuries when he spoke. "Krauser and I... we became something else entirely. Something called Krios." His burning gaze shifted between them. "A fusion of our beings, powerful enough to remove the Shadow Blade."

Chris blinked in surprise. "You... merged? Into one being? That sounds like something from an anime!"

Both Violet and Scrios turned to look at him with such blank expressions that Chris felt his face grow hot. Clearly, this concept wasn't as revolutionary to them as it was to him.

"Vol'nash separated us immediately upon awakening," Scrios continued, his tone carrying a hint of... was that amusement? "He called our fusion unnatural – a Solarian and a Demon shouldn't be capable of such a thing. Still, he was grateful for our intervention."

Scrios's flame-eyes flickered. "The Dark Avatar's rift to the Void Realm did indeed close, but Krauser spoke of another path. Unfortunately..." The demon lord's shoulders seemed to sag slightly. "The fusion and subsequent separation left me too weakened to leave the Afterplane. I must recover here."

"Where did Krauser go?" Violet leaned forward intently.

"He mentioned an ancient temple on Gorgonia, beyond the Path of Giants. That's all I know."

Violet was on her feet before Scrios finished speaking, her hand closing around Chris's wrist. "Thank you, Scrios!"

"Nice to meet you, again!" Chris managed to call out as Violet practically dragged him through the tavern door.

Their journey back through the realms was swift but grueling – through the Twilight Forest, back through the Shadowgate, and into the familiar gloom of the graveyard near Roshema Village.

"Too bad the gateway didn't malfunction again," Chris sighed, looking around the misty graveyard. "Could have sent us straight to Gorgonia."

Violet shot him a look. "Or anywhere else in existence. We got lucky last time."

The trek back to Elyndaar City seemed longer than ever, but anticipation drove them forward. However, their hopes crashed against an immovable object in the form of Vincent, standing guard at the shutdown portal.

"Access denied," the android stated flatly. "Pathfinder Point is overrun with Shadowfiends. No civilian travel permitted."

"We need to get through," Violet insisted. "Krauser Killener just went there—"

"Krauser Killener has the necessary clearance and combat expertise," Vincent interrupted. "You are unknown variables."

Violet's eyes flashed dangerously. "Unknown? I am Violet, Princess of the Underworld, daughter of Vol'nash himself—"

"Your infernal lineage means nothing here," Vincent cut her off. "You need clearance from Drake Raven."

Chris could feel the anger radiating from Violet in waves. He gently took her hand, pulling her away before her temper could escalate the situation further.

"Maybe we should talk to Drake again," he suggested softly, but Violet shook her head.

"He'll just tell us to stay put, like last time." Her voice was bitter with frustration.

"What about Gremlock?" Chris offered. "He's a General, right? And he seemed willing to help before..."

Violet turned to him, skepticism written across her features. "Why would he help us?"

"What do we have to lose?" Chris shrugged. "It's worth a shot."

After a moment's consideration, Violet nodded. Together, they turned away from the unyielding Vincent and headed into the city proper, hoping to find one sympathetic General among the countless souls of Elyndaar City.

The afternoon light caught the city's towering spires, casting rainbow patterns across their path as they began their search. Somewhere in this vast metropolis, they hoped, was the key to their next step – if only they could find it.

***

The streets of Elyndaar City buzzed with activity as Chris and Violet asked passerby after passerby about Gremlock's whereabouts. Finally, a merchant loading crystalline wares onto his cart paused his work.

"Gremlock? If he's not at the central tower, check the Titan's Forge in the Market District. Can't miss it – biggest smithy in the city."

The Market District hummed with energy, but the rhythmic clanging of metal on metal led them straight to their destination. The Titan's Forge lived up to its name – its entrance was tall enough to accommodate beings twice Gremlock's considerable height, and heat rolled out in waves from its depths.

They found the Gorgon General at work, his four arms moving in perfect synchronization as he hammered away at a piece of glowing metal. The sight was mesmerizing – each of his arms seemed to know exactly what to do without conscious thought.

"Gremlock!" Violet called out over the din.

The Gorgon looked up, his brutish features breaking into a warm smile. "Welcome to my forge! What can I craft for you today?"

"Actually," Violet began, "we need a favor—" CLANG! The hammer struck the anvil, cutting off her words. "We're trying to—" CLANG! "Would you just—" CLANG!

Chris could see Violet's patience wearing thin. He stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "Let me handle this?"

Violet threw up her hands in exasperation and stepped back, leaning against a workbench.

"That's impressive work," Chris said, nodding toward the anvil. "What are you crafting?"

Gremlock set his hammer down, his eyes lighting up with pride. "Ah, this? I'm working on a ceremonial blade for the upcoming—"

"About that," Chris smoothly interjected, "we're actually trying to reach Gorgonia, but Vincent won't let us through the portal. Any chance you could help?"

The Gorgon stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Can't override Vincent's directive, I'm afraid. But..." A sly smile crossed his burly features. "Ever been to Lunaris?"

"The moon?"

"Exactly. They've got their own portal chamber there. Much... simpler security, if you catch my meaning."

Chris grinned, thanking Gremlock and complimenting his metalwork one final time before returning to Violet.

"Well?" she asked.

As Chris explained Gremlock's suggestion, Violet's eyes widened. "That's... actually brilliant. And here I was ready to start a fight with Vincent." She looked at Chris with newfound appreciation. "You're good for me, you know that?"

Back at the portal room, Vincent didn't even glance their way as they headed straight for the Lunaris portal. One quick step through, and they emerged into a world that took Chris's breath away.

Explorer's Landing sprawled before them, an Elyndrian outpost that seemed to float in a sea of crimson vegetation. Every plant, every vine, every leaf was the color of fresh blood, swaying gently in the alien breeze.

"Why is everything red?" Chris asked, unable to tear his eyes away from the strange flora.

"Some ancient parasite in the woods – Nezal, I think?" Violet replied distractedly, already focused on their objective. Sure enough, a single mechanoid was pacing back and forth in front of the Gorgonia portal, just as Gremlock had predicted.

"We need passage to Gorgonia," Violet announced, approaching the mechanoid. "It's urgent."

"Access restricted," the mechanoid replied flatly, continuing its pacing.

Chris observed the machine's agitated movement. "Let me try something," he whispered to Violet, stepping forward. "Excuse me, but could I ask your name?"

The mechanoid paused. "Designation: Wingnut."

"Interesting name," Chris smiled warmly. "You seem troubled, Wingnut. Is everything alright?"

The mechanoid's pacing slowed. "Assigned portal duty, but primary function is tavern maintenance at Moonfire establishment." It gestured toward a building across the way. "Duties... conflicting."

"That must be frustrating," Chris sympathized. "You know... we could watch the portal while you tend to the tavern."

Wingnut froze, processing. "Directive: Prevent unauthorized portal access."

"Of course," Chris nodded solemnly. "We won't let anyone through."

Wingnut studied them for a long moment. "Whatever you do, don't let anyone pass through it, okay?" Without waiting for confirmation, the mechanoid hurried off toward the Moonfire Tavern.

Violet stared at Chris in amazement. "I can't believe that actually worked!"

As soon as Wingnut disappeared through the tavern doors, they dashed for the portal. In a flash of light, they were gone, leaving behind the crimson world of Lunaris for the rocky expanses of Gorgonia – and hopefully, the path to the Void Realm.

"You're getting pretty good at this whole diplomacy thing," Violet said as they emerged on Gorgonian soil.

Chris shrugged, a slight smile playing at his lips. "Sometimes the direct approach isn't the best one. I learned that from watching you, actually."

"Watching me lose my temper, you mean?"

"Learning what not to do is still learning."

Violet punched his arm playfully, but her expression quickly turned serious. "Now we just need to find this Path of Giants that Scrios said Krauser mentioned. Shouldn't be too hard to spot something built for giants, right?"

As they looked out over Gorgonia's rugged landscape, Chris couldn't help but wonder if anything in this world would ever be as simple as it seemed.