David

  I stood alone in the morning light, staring at the gate ahead. It loomed above me as the shadows crept steadily up its surface.

  Say my name?

  Whose name?

  A green dot lit up on my HUD, approaching from behind. I already knew who it was before her fingers found mine.

  Still watching the gate, I felt Marlena lean into me.

  “I reached for you, David,” she said softly. “You weren’t there. This is our day together. I was hoping to wake up with you. Melissa said you were out here.”

  I leaned my head against hers and smiled.

  “This thing got stuck in my head. I couldn’t sleep. I hate puzzles without solutions. They haunt me.”

  “It’s getting cold,” she said, brushing snowflakes off her sleeve as light flurries danced across the ground. “Let’s figure it out together. What do you have so far?”

  “Okay,” I said, shifting my stance. “One pillar talks about the first engineer, but not who he is. The other warns that death awaits the unworthy. And then the plaque reads: ‘Pronuntia nomen meum, et solum dignus ingredietur.’”

  “You stinker,” she said, nudging me. “You already solved it, didn’t you?”

  “Yeah,” I admitted, “but that’s not what’s bothering me. It’s what’s behind the gate. What if it hurts you?”

  She squeezed my hand. “Let’s eat first. Then we’ll deal with it.”

  “Breakfast sounds better than spiraling on what-ifs,” I agreed.

  She tugged me toward the vessel. “What’s an hour or two?”

  _____________________

  Goddess Veira strolled through the garden, unhurried, admiring the flowers that bloomed there without season or fail. The yellows and reds were vibrant, proud in their display, but it was always the purples that held her attention. She paused beside them, breathing in their scent, smiling faintly as bees drifted lazily from blossom to blossom.

  Beyond the flowerbeds, the white lattice of the gazebo caught her eye. Inside it sat Khosa. He was a ridiculous sight, and she adored it. The War God sat encased in full plate, massive shoulders hunched as he attempted to perch on a chair clearly never designed for someone of his size, let alone someone wearing half a ton of enchanted steel. It always looked as if he were forcing himself to be still, as though the chair might shatter the moment he relaxed.

  Veira approached quietly and leaned over his shoulder, peering into the portal suspended before him. Below, the vaults unfolded into view, and at their center, the Engineer had finally arrived. Warmth stirred in her chest. Pride, perhaps. Or relief.

  Several within the pantheon had doubted he would make it this far. Had said the path was beyond him. That he would break, or turn back, or be devoured by the very legacy he carried.

  “I thought you didn’t believe he’d reach the vaults,” Veira said lightly. Khosa tilted his helm toward her, the metal obscuring all but his mouth. A faint grin tugged at his lips.

  “There was a chance,” he said. “There is always a chance.” He turned his attention back to the portal, his voice lowering. “But battle is coming.” He leaned back slightly, the chair creaking in protest. “Can your champion survive what’s ahead?”

  “I believe he will,” Veira replied without hesitation. “Otherwise, I would not have chosen him.” Her gaze remained fixed on the scene below. “The greater question is whether they will accept him.”

  Khosa huffed softly. “I still think my choice would have been better. A combat engineer. Forged for war.”

  “Perhaps,” Veira said calmly. “But my choice is still standing.”

  She moved to a nearby table and poured herself a cup of tea, settling back into her chair with practiced ease. Sliding a plate across the table toward him, she added, “Let’s see how the next few days unfold.” Khosa reached out, took one of the round cookies, and bit into it. His expression softened despite himself.

  “These are good,” he admitted.

  Veira smiled into her tea. “Snickerdoodles,” she said. “They’re his favorite. They go well with tea.” And together, the goddess and the war god watched the future take its next step.

  _____________________

  The stateroom was already full. Everyone was seated, eating. No one paused as we entered.

  “Found him outside, just staring at the gate,” Marlena announced, shrugging off her cloak and sliding in beside Allira. “You were right, Seraphina. He gets lost in these puzzles.”

  “I wasn’t lost,” I protested, knowing it was useless.

  “So,” Seraphina said between bites of egg, “you cracked it already?”

  “Yes,” I admitted, taking an open seat. Rachael slid a cup of tea in front of me before I could say anything else.

  The door burst open. Theresa rushed in, followed closely by Veronica and General Kitch.

  “We should lock that door,” Aria muttered, earning a glare from Theresa.

  “You found him?” Theresa came straight to me and wrapped me in a hug. “Where were you?”

  “Outside. Staring at the gate,” Marlena said through a mouthful of bacon.

  “I wasn’t just standing there…” I tried.

  “…Master, yes, you were,” Allyson chimed in.

  I glanced around the table. Every platter was empty. I’d missed everything.

  Kitch finally spoke. “Earl, when will you be ready?”

  “Two hours?” I offered. “Is that enough?”

  “Who’s going with me?”

  Marlena, Allira, and Aria spoke up.

  “No, sweetie, I’m staying,” Seraphina said. Theresa raised her hand, but Seraphina gently placed a hand on hers. “Theresa will stay here with me. Some girl bonding time.”

  Theresa hesitated, then lowered her hand.

  “Two hours, then,” Kitch said as he turned to leave, Veronica on his heels.

  Theresa muttered, “Gods, you’re all the same. I thought you’d be different.” Her voice dropped. “I’m just your trophy princess.” She started for the door.

  “STOP.” My voice filled the room. Everyone went quiet. “Just stop right there.” I came around the table and took Theresa gently by the shoulders. “Listen to me. Remember this until our last day, you are not a trophy princess. When you gave yourself to me, when the Gods bonded us, you became my wife. An engineer’s wife. Mine. Don’t ever forget that.”

  Her eyes welled up. Tears spilled down her cheeks.

  I turned her to face the others. “What do you see? That table, that’s our family. And that includes you. Do you understand what that means?”

  She nodded, lips trembling.

  “I protect them with everything that I have. That means I protect you. But…” I lifted her chin to meet my eyes. “You must, in turn, protect me, too… Theresa, can you forgive me?”

  A wet chuckle escaped her as she wiped her eyes. “Gods, David…”

  “When we’ve confirmed there’s no threat behind the gate, I’ll signal for you both to join us if you want to,” I said, glancing at Seraphina as well. She gave a slight, approving nod.

  “You promise?” Theresa asked, dabbing her face with her sleeve.

  “I do. I promise.”I felt a pair of hands on my shoulders and turned. Marlena stood behind me, eyes soft but smoldering.

  “David,” she said quietly, “you’re too much sometimes.”

  “Sometimes?” Aria called out from the table.

  Marlena ignored her. She reached for my hand. “Come on. You’re eating into my day.”

  She tugged me to my feet, then slowly untied her robe and let it slip to the floor without breaking eye contact. The golden artwork on her skin caught the light, flowing, shifting, and alive. Each step she took toward the bedroom turned into a live performance of desire. Her body spoke through motion, every line and curve pulling me in like gravity.

  I followed, breath caught somewhere between awe and hunger. This was her day. And she intended to take every second of it. She backed into the room, pulling me with her, her fingers laced through mine. With one hand, she slid the door shut behind me, cutting off the noise of the others, leaving only the two of us.

  _____________________

  I returned to the plaque, scanning the inscription again, looking for anything I might’ve missed. But the words were the same as before:

  “Pronuntia nomen meum, et solum dignus ingredietur.”

  Speak my name, and only the worthy may enter.

  I turned to the others. Allira stood nearby, flanked by two combat golems. Marlena and Aria were close behind, and Allyson stood motionless at my left, watchful as ever. The rest of the team waited further back, alert and ready. Seraphina, Theresa, and Veronica had stayed behind at the vessel.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Is everyone ready?” I called out over the rising wind.

  The breeze had turned sharp, kicking up light snow and loose debris across the stone floor. Hands went up in response, affirmatively.

  “Allyson,” I said, “let Seraphina know we’re opening the gate.”

  “Yes, Master,” she replied.

  I stepped forward and placed my hand on the worn stone beneath the plaque. Then, I spoke the name of the First Engineer: “Ealhstan Bosques.” Glyphs burned blue along my arm to my hand on the wall. In response, lines of blue erupted, framing the gates and the entrance from the pillars. Everyone stepped back as the lines converged.

  For a moment, there was only silence, just the howl of wind. Then came a low rumble, initially distant but growing louder. The ground shook beneath my boots. I looked back as blue glyphs flickered to life on the twin pillars, shining brighter with each second and pulsating in sync with the deepening quake.

  Dust trickled from the stone above. Small rocks fell. And then the black gate split down the middle. With a grinding groan, each half slid aside, dragging centuries of silence with it. Stone against stone, slow and final. The sound echoed through the cavern like a heartbeat waking from a long sleep…

  Beyond lay a corridor, narrow, lightless, impossibly still.

  I glanced back at the faces behind me as I withdrew my hand from the wall: Marlena’s lips parted in awe, Allira’s hand hovered near her weapon, and even Aria stood wide-eyed. I turned back toward the darkness.

  “Well… here it goes,” I muttered, and stepped forward.

  Our footsteps echoed down the corridor, quickly swallowed by the cold stone. Then, ahead, light. A faint blue shimmer flickered at the edge of my vision, spreading until it outlined the mouth of a vast chamber.

  When we entered, I came to an abrupt halt.

  The room was circular, its perimeter marked by softly glowing runes and a ring of massive figures, combat golems, each sheathed in gold and standing in silent readiness. Blue light spilled from unseen sources above, reflecting off their armor like starlight on still water.

  One by one, their eyes came alive. Blue. Cold. In perfect unison, every head turned toward me.

  At the center of the chamber rose a dais. Upon it stood a solitary figure, a woman-shaped construct. Her head bowed, arms crossed elegantly before her. She wore a flowing gown that caught the blue light and refracted it in a halo of color.

  I stepped forward.

  She raised her head as I crossed the threshold, and her eyes, brighter than all the others, locked onto mine. I motioned for everyone else to stop.

  As she descended the dais, her movements changed. At first stiff and mechanical, then flowing and graceful, as if rediscovering life. Her bare feet pressed onto the stone in slow, deliberate steps. A high slit in her gown revealed smooth, coppery skin, marked with pulsing blue lines that shimmered faintly with each movement.

  Behind her, the golden golems moved as one. They stepped free of their alcoves and formed a half-circle, advancing until they flanked her in lockstep.

  The woman stopped before me. The room seemed to hold its breath.

  And then, she spoke, her voice calm, resonant, like crystal vibrating in distant thunder.

  “Welcome, Engineer.”

  Her head tilted slightly, the faintest trace of curiosity in her glowing eyes.

  “You are younger than most Engineers… and a master at that,” the golem-woman said, her eyes shifting past me. I turned to follow her gaze and saw Allyson standing at my right, her posture rigid, protective, but calm.

  “Hello,” I said, refocusing on the woman. “I’m David. David Robertson. We’re from Towers One and Six.”

  Her head tilted slightly. “Two towers? Very interesting. And what brings a Twin Master to the Vault?”

  “I was requested to come here and acquire a few items…” I started, but her laughter cut me off, not cruel, just sudden and light.

  “A Twin Master sent on an errand like a boy fetching goods from market,” she chuckled. “Forgive me, Master. It has been a very long time since I’ve had cause to laugh.”

  Then, without hesitation, she dropped to one knee. “Ava, Guardian of the Vaults of the Engineers, welcomes the Twin Master.”

  All around the chamber, the golden golems mirrored the action, kneeling in unison like ancient titans paying homage to a returning god. The moment hit like thunder. I moved forward, my breath caught, and I reached out my hand to her.

  “Please, Ava,” I said gently. “You don’t need to kneel. Stand with us.”

  [DING]

  [Quest Completed]

  [Open the Vaults]

  40,000 Class XP Given

  My vision flared white. The ground rocked beneath my feet as if reality had shifted half a step to the left. I staggered, catching myself instinctively. No void. No celestial messages. Just raw input, like a circuit overloading. Then the cascade began.

  [DING]

  [Class Level Up – Engineering: 33, 34]

  Another jolt… a mental surge like a gear clicking into place. Then…

  [DING]

  [Class Level Up – Engineering: 35, 36, 37]

  XP Remaining: 11,113

  It hit like a rising tide, sharpening my memory and pulsing through muscle awareness. I sensed internal systems adjusting, syncing, unlocking, and refining, a subtle, invisible process in motion.

  [Stat Points Available: 40]

  [Allocate Now? Y/N]

  The familiar interface unfolded before me, runes etched in soft light.

  Alright… not bad. Strength and charisma can wait. Increasing intelligence by twenty, let’s clarify the system. Wisdom gets ten; I want my memory to keep pace with my ambition. And agility gets the last ten. Reflexes need to match strength. Symmetry matters.

  I hovered over the confirmation.

  Then… click.

  Yes.

  The change hit me like a tuning fork resonating through every fiber of my body. Muscles stretched, aligned, and relaxed. My thoughts became razor-sharp. Sound gained a sharper edge. Balance fully returned, as if I’d been leaning a few degrees off center my entire life without realizing it. Even my distant, faded memories snapped back into place like books returning to their shelves. Pancakes. I remember how to make pancakes now.

  “David!” Marlena rushed to my side, grabbing my arm to steady me.

  “I’m okay,” I said, still a little dazed. “Wow… that clears the head, doesn’t it?”

  The last of the dizziness faded as I focused on the woman standing before me.

  “Master, the vaults are open to you…” she said, then glanced at Marlena and Aria. “Are these your wives? Are they lessers? Why are there lessers here, Master?” Her gaze shifted past me to the others. “Humans? Did they force you to bring them here?”

  Her copper-toned skin pulsed with crimson light as her eyes glowed crimson. The golden golems around her snapped into combat stances, their eyes flaring red to match.

  Behind me, I heard the hiss of drawn weapons and the low hum of spells being cast.

  “Stop!” I commanded, raising both hands. “Everyone, stand down!”

  I stepped forward and met her glowing eyes. “Do you intend to harm me?”

  Her red glare slowly faded to a calm blue.

  “No, Master,” she said, dropping to her knees. “I could never harm you.”

  The other golems followed her lead and knelt.

  I lowered myself beside her. “Please stand, Ava.”

  “No, Master. I should be dismantled for my failure.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not. Stick with me long enough, and we’ll have time to discuss it.”

  I took her hand to help her up. Her fingers were smooth and warm, almost too human. I held her hand a moment longer, curious. Behind me, I heard the tension ease as the others realized the threat had passed.

  “Ava,” I said, turning her toward my companions, “these are my wives. This is Marlena…” I gestured to her, and Ava offered a graceful curtsy. “She’s a water mage. And this is Aria, an earth mage.” Another curtsy.

  “And this,” I said, nodding toward Allira, “is Allira, my general.”

  Ava curtsied once more.

  “Three wives?” she asked, confused. “Why so few?”

  “See, Master?” Allyson chimed in from the side. “Miss Ava agrees… You don’t have enough wives for your position.”

  “Ava,” I said, half-laughing, “this is Allyson from Tower Six, and one of my more vocal critics. She and Melissa from Tower One believe I should have eight wives.”

  That earned a chorus of snickers and knowing looks from the others.

  “Miss Ava, he currently has five,” Allyson corrected. “Eight is the minimum based on his capability.”

  Laughter broke out behind me. I sighed. Five felt like more than enough. Apparently not.

  “Eight?” Ava blinked. “But Aldebrand of Tower Four had ten. Surely Master David is stronger than that weak master.”

  She looked around. “You said five. Where are the other two?”

  “Back at the airship,” Allyson answered before I could.

  Ava turned back to me. “Now, Master… can you explain why there are humans here in your vaults?”

  “Ava…” I began, stepping closer. “I believe I may be the only engineer left. So, let me introduce you to my friends and associates.”

  I guided Ava forward.

  “This is Prince Theodore, crown prince of Eldros. Beside him is his brother, Prince Ajax. Their sister… and my wife… Princess Theresa is aboard the Enterprise at the moment.”

  Ava studied the two princes in silence, then gave them a precise, formal nod.

  The brothers exchanged a glance at the word wife. I can see that they wanted to say something, but held back. Yeah, they caught it. I wasn’t worried. They’d understand soon enough. “And over here is General Kitch, senior commander of Eldros’s military.” She gave him the same analytical once-over, then acknowledged him with a quiet dip of her head.

  “This is Bishop Varent, of the Church of Eldros.” Her gaze lingered on him for only a moment before moving on. “And the rest,” I said, gesturing to the others in the chamber, “are adventurers and companions who helped bring me here.” Ava paused and took her time examining the group, reading them, evaluating. She didn’t speak until her eyes returned to me.

  “Master, I still don’t understand. Where are the other engineers? They were here. I remember them. They were here with their families. Children playing…”

  I glanced over to where Marlena and Aria stood nearby, quietly watching.

  “Ava… how long has it been since you last saw anyone?” I asked gently.

  She tilted her head, puzzled. “I… I am not sure.”

  Ajax stepped forward. “Miss, it’s been at least two hundred years since an engineer last walked these lands.”

  Ava blinked and turned to Allyson. “Miss Allyson… is that true?”

  “Yes,” Allyson replied calmly. “It’s been two hundred and thirty-two years since my last master left Tower Six, before my current master, Master David, arrived. My last master said they were leaving… They walk the stars now.”

  As they spoke, I walked among the silent golems. Their armor glinted in the overhead lights, not gold, but Orichalcum. That was rare. And expensive. I ran my hand along one of the smooth plates, a basic design but incredibly effective.

  I continued around the large circular chamber, stopping at each of the four closed doors, evenly spaced along the walls. Others from the Enterprise had also started exploring, spreading out, and murmuring as they took in the space.

  General Kitch finally caught up with me, his sergeant trailing behind him, while other soldiers kept close to the princes.

  “Earl,” he said, “what’s your assessment?”

  I glanced around the room. “The golems? Combat units with Orichalcum armor. That alone is impressive: the material and the construction. The design’s simple, but that’s what makes it effective.”

  He gave a low whistle. “Didn’t expect to see that.”

  He nodded toward the sealed doors. “And those?”

  “If I had to guess, they’re vaults. The open one might be a residence or command center. Something like that.”

  “Same thought I had,” he muttered. Then, with a grin, he gestured to Ava. “And what about her?”

  “She’s… remarkable,” I admitted. “From an engineer’s standpoint, her design is extraordinary. Her synthetic skin is warm to the touch, different from Allyson’s. More responsive. Alive, almost.”

  He laughed. “Engineer’s standpoint, huh? That’s a clever way of saying you like her.” He gave me a pat on the shoulder and wandered off, chuckling. I turned back toward the open corridor that led deeper into the facility, pausing as Allira approached. I knew it was her by the heavy footsteps of the two combat golems flanking her.

  She ruffled my hair as she passed. Only Allira could get away with that. Aria and Marlena weren’t far behind, and soon Allyson and Ava rejoined me as well.

  “Ava,” I said, pointing to the sealed doors, “are those the actual vaults?”

  “Yes, Master,” she replied, watching the others as they inspected the room.

  I noticed a few of them standing in front of the golems, quietly observing the intricate etchings carved into the plating and the faint blue glow behind their eyes. The golems stood perfectly still, silent, ready, and very much alive.

  “And what’s down there?” I asked.

  “That area includes the facility’s lounges, kitchens, and the workshop for visiting engineers,” Ava replied.

  “You want to see the workshop, don’t you?” Allira asked with a slight grin.

  “Why not? I’m here…” I paused, glancing around. “Allyson, could you contact Melissa and ask if Seraphina and Theresa would like to join us?”

  “Yes, Master. Message sent.”

  I turned back to Ava. “Is everything secure up here? I don’t want anyone getting hurt. Also, I noticed the vaults are labeled. Can you tell me, broadly, what each one contains?”

  “All doors are currently locked,” she confirmed. “Would you like them opened?”

  “Not yet. Let’s keep them sealed for now.”

  “Yes, Master.” She turned as movement echoed from the corridor. Four figures approached. “Interesting… Two of your wives, one human, and one synthetic unit.”

  “Ah, Ava,” I said, motioning toward them. “Let me introduce you. This is Seraphina and Theresa, my wives. With them is Veronica, Theresa’s maid and protector. And lastly, Rachael, Seraphina’s personal maid.”

  Ava turned back to me, eyes wide with awe. “You continue to amaze me, Master.”

  “Wives?” Prince Theodore spoke up, clearly thrown. “Theresa… aren’t you only betrothed?”

  “By our customs, yes,” Theresa said calmly. “But by the ways of the Engineers, we’re already married. That’s all that matters.” Theodore looked even more confused. I didn’t bother explaining further. He’d catch up, eventually.

  _____________________

  Tap. Tap.

  General Getyin stood before the sealed wall, its deep, storm-gray surface blocking the ancient tunnel like a forgotten scar in the earth. He tapped again, his claw clicking against the barrier in rhythm with the low hum of the air around them.

  “This obstacle…” he rasped, mandibles twitching. “We must break it. For the glory of the Demon Lord.” The wall remained unmoved. Unimpressed. But, there was a sense of power when Getyin felt the wall. There must be something beyond this obstacle.

  Next to him, something shifted. A deep rumble rolled through the stone as Scruffy, the massive beast coiled beside him, released a low, resonant growl that was felt more than heard. The sound resonated in Getyin’s armored chest cavity.

  He turned toward the creature, chittering affectionately as he stroked one of its thick, plated ridges with a bladed appendage.

  “Patience,” he murmured. “We will feast soon.”

  Scruffy purred again, a thunderous sound that shook the ancient dust loose from the ceiling above. Getyin turned back to the wall and tapped once more. This time, a thin crack webbed outward from the point of contact. A shard of stone broke off and clattered to the floor.

  “Ah,” he clicked softly, a grin spreading beneath the armor of his face. “There it is.” He took a step back. “Let’s begin…”