A cold breeze carried the sharp tang of blood from the river below as Joe crossed the bridge, keeping an eye out for any more blood parasites. Something orange and ragged tumbled across the path like a piece of windblown trash. TJ slipped past Joe and snatched it up before it could blow off the bridge.

  He held it up—a tattered orange hoodie, dark splotches of blood clinging to the shredded fabric. Dawn and Rose flanked him, both raising their guard as they leaned in to get a better look.

  “What a rough way to go.” A knot of unease tightened in Joe’s gut. He didn’t know their ascender number but hoped whoever the hoodie had belonged to had enough time currency and life expectancy to respawn. Otherwise, it was a brutal end.

  “Yeah, brother.” TJ‘s tone carried a weight with it that made Joe glance at him. “Back home, being torn apart by dragons was as common as ale froth in a dwarf’s beard.”

  TJ neatly folded the hoodie, placed it on the ground, and set a piece of driftwood on top like a makeshift grave marker. Bowing his head, he said in a low voice, “Respawn in peace.”

  They pressed on, moving quietly across the bridge until they reached a pair of massive double doors set beneath an imposing arch made of dark, heavy wood reinforced with iron bands and rivets. Rose’s fingers traced the intricate carvings on the doors, each depicting a titanic creature representing one of the elements—water, wind, fire, and earth.

  “These carvings almost look like they’re watching us.” Rose gave the door a cautious tap with her staff.

  Dawn’s fiery hair blew like embers in the cold breeze, and she whipped the strands crossing her face away, twisting them up into a bun. “This place gives me the creeps,” she whispered. She hesitated, meeting Joe’s gaze with a flicker of fear in her emerald eyes.

  Joe stepped closer to the door, scanning it for any obvious way to open it. There were no handles, no levers—nothing that screamed, ‘Push here to enter.’

  TJ threw his shoulder into the door, but it didn’t budge.

  Rose, drawn to the carving of a water dragon, let her fingers glide over the detailed scales. The eyes of the dragon glowed a soft blue but quickly dimmed when she pulled her hand back, startled.

  Joe scratched his jaw, piecing it together. He placed his hand on a carving of a titan with earth affinity, and its eyes glowed orange. As soon as he lifted his hand, the glow faded away. Turning to the others, he motioned them closer. “I think I’ve got it. We need to activate all four elements by touching the carvings.”

  “We’ve all got two affinities—one for our race and one for our class. Which one do we go with?” Dawn’s gaze shifted between the carvings.

  “The earth carving lit up for me, and the water one responded to Rose. That leaves fire and wind. Dawn, you’ve got both, and TJ, you’ve got earth and wind.”

  Dawn’s hand began to glow softly with energy. “I’ll handle fire. TJ, you’re on wind.” She pointed at a carving of a creature that looked like a spinning Tasmanian devil on a caffeine high.

  “On three.” Joe’s hand hovered over the earth carving while the others got into position. They pressed their hands to the carvings, but nothing happened.

  After a couple of seconds, TJ growled in frustration. “Open up, or I’ll set my BK machete to work on you.”

  “I think you’re onto something.” Rose’s brow furrowed in thought. “We’re missing a key detail about how these elements interact.”

  Joe snapped his fingers. “That’s it!” He saw their expectant looks and grinned. “Rose, you start. Place your hand on the carving, and when the eyes light up, Dawn, you go next, then me, and finally, TJ—you finish it off.”

  TJ frowned. “Why am I going last?”

  Rose rolled her eyes but started the process. The eyes of the water dragon lit up, and Dawn quickly placed her hand on the fire carving.

  “It’s all about the cycle of elements.” Joe touched the earth carving, waiting for the familiar amber glow. “Water douses fire, fire scorches earth, earth smothers wind, and wind... well, you get the idea.”

  TJ placed his hand on the wind carving, and the breeze around them died. In the stillness, Joe could hear the faint hum of gears turning within the walls. A light of triumph sparked in their eyes as the massive doors slowly creaked open, revealing a faint mist rolling out from the dark interior, carrying the scent of oil and ozone.

  Inside, flanking either side of the entrance, stood cylindrical glass cases. Each one housed a gorilla-like Kong made entirely of metal, like those creepy old automata from the 20th century. Their eyes glowed eerily, and the clockwork innards were visible through their transparent torsos.

  A loud ding echoed through the space, like an old-school microwave announcing that dinner was ready. A cheerful, slightly off-kilter voice filled the air, emanating from a glowing crystal orb mounted on the wall. The orb projected a hazy image of something not quite human—a faceless figure with knobs for hands and feet.

  “Welcome, ascenders, to The Facility, the tower’s top experimental warehouse on the third floor,” the voice chirped. “Please note that due to ongoing calibrations, some experiments may not function as intended. Proceed with caution.”

  The voice floated through the hazy atmosphere, and even with his Quick Wit activated, Joe struggled to grasp the scale of their surroundings. Without warning, he was dragged forward as he stepped onto a conveyor belt that began to pick up speed.

  Swatting away the mist, Joe noticed other ascender groups zipping past on different levels above them. Muffled sounds echoed in the distance, and he could just make out a huge silhouette with multiple heads bobbing up and down, barely visible through the thick fog. The heads lit up with different elemental colors, like a twisted fireworks display.

  TJ pointed ahead with his machete. “That’s where we need to be. What’s with all this tour guide crap? I say we ditch him.”

  “Be patient,” Dawn said, though Joe noticed her eyes darting nervously at the iron bars on windows and cages up ahead, clearly triggering some bad memories for her.

  “You okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she snapped, but then immediately softened, letting out a breath as she caught Joe’s arm. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—” A large guttural roar cut her off.

  “No need to apologize. It’s me, remember? You’re a survivor. You’ll get through this.” Joe gave her a reassuring nod. She returned a grateful look, her grip on his arm relaxing.

  The others were too busy taking in their surroundings to notice their exchange as the conveyor belt sped past what looked like a storage section. Joe couldn’t help but wonder what was inside all those containers—one was oozing the same green sludge they’d seen bubbling up through cracks and oozing from storm drains back in Metro Valley. “That looks like the stuff we saw earlier.” He nudged TJ, who had missed it, too focused on the foggy distance where the titan boss battle was raging.

  TJ tried stepping back, but the conveyor belt kept pulling him forward. He managed to take a step before hitting an invisible wall, his feet moving but going nowhere, like in some game glitch moonwalk that used to crack Joe up.

  “Nice dance moves.” Dawn chuckled.

  TJ grunted, trying to force his way back, but it was no use. Catching Joe and Dawn’s amused look, he muttered, “Never speak of this to anyone. I don’t dance.”

  As they traveled further, it became clear that the multi-level conveyor belts were like something straight out of a Terminator or Batman movie. Heavy thoughts weighed on Joe as he heard the loud thuds of ascenders crashing against walls, thrown from the battle dome, their bodies landing on the conveyor belt lifeless before fading into their respawns.

  A message popped up in chat.

  Ryan: We’ve accessed the warehouse from the Iron Ridge quadrant. How about you?

  Joe: We’re on the bottom level conveyor belt heading towards the titan from the Metro Valley entrance. You’re right about the timing—it’s some distance away. Looks like lots of ascenders here.

  Nick: Dawn, check your map. You’ll see how many factions made it this far.

  Dawn: That’s a lot—everything’s obscured, so I wasn’t sure. From the map, it looks like at least a dozen or more in the vicinity of the titan.

  Joe: They can’t all be from one faction. Is Andras coordinating the attacks?

  Ryan: From what we can see, that’s the case. Looks like he’s commanding an army.

  A glowing red light broke through the fog, ticking away like a giant digital clock timer. Joe’s stomach dropped as the implications hit him.

  “Fighting this titan is different from the last.”

  Ryan: Have you seen the timer yet? You get limited time to fight the titan, then your turn’s over, and you have to start again.

  Joe almost forgot about the ghostly guide, who had been calmly narrating their journey. A quick glance to the side, and he was appalled by what he saw. Holding cages lined the walls, each containing monsters that looked like they’d been part of some twisted science experiment.

  Scattered on the ground were scraps of metal, broken weapons, and bloodied gear. Above, rusty chains hung from the ceiling, some ending in jagged hooks, while blood oozed across the grimy floor into dark corners. The sight made TJ grimace like he’d tasted something rotten.

  The cheery voice of their ghostly guide rose above the distant battle cries. “This is where the magic happens.” It gestured to a copper bucket with steam rising from it. “The humble beginnings of this magnificent facility. Behold, the bucket of steam.”

  A loud squeak came from a holding cell labeled ‘Failed Experiment,’ and the cage door swung open, flinging a toad-like monster onto the conveyor belt. It blinked its big, confused eyes at them.

  The guide continued, “Here we are at the holding area for irretrievable failures... like this one.”

  “I’m not a failure,” croaked the toad monster, its eyes flickering nervously toward the compression vice ahead, a mechanical maw ready to crush it.

  TJ tried to move toward the creature, but the invisible wall blocked him again. “Give the poor toad a chance!” His fists slammed the invisible barrier in frustration.

  “Objection noted Ascender 95 but he’s already dying. He just doesn’t know it,” the ghostly guide replied, the cheer fading from its tone.

  “I’m not dying. I'm feeling much better!” the toad weakly protested.

  “Oh, well then, off you pop back to your cage,” the guide said, its indifference unsettling. “Just kidding.”

  “Wait. What?—” The toad’s words were cut off as manacles shot up from the conveyor, binding it in place. Joe turned away right before the compressor slammed down with a sickening thud.

  THWOMP!

  Gritting his teeth, Joe couldn’t bring himself to look back at the aftermath.

  “Forget about what I said earlier, this place sickens me.” TJ elbowed him. “Looks like they put all those experiments to use.” He nodded ahead as the titan came into full view.

  The creature was a terrifying blend of organic and mechanical parts, its central body covered in thick, reinforced plating. Glowing energy conduits pulsed beneath its armor, feeding power into four heads atop snake-like necks. Each head bore an elemental symbol—fire, earth, wind, and water.

  Joe: How much time do we have? Do you know, Ryan?

  Ryan: One of Andras’s faction was locked in battle. There was a four-minute timer before it opened up to new challengers. Not much success on the ground level—we’re taking the fight higher up.

  They had to time it right. As the conveyor belt above aligned with their path, they leapt, clinging to the edge, feet dangling over the abyss.

  “Don’t look down,” Joe said, feeling the burn spread from his fingertips down to his arms.

  Relief flooded him as TJ, already on the upper platform, locked a thick hand around his wrist and hauled him up to standing. All four regrouped, spotting other ascenders launching attacks at the titan a few paces away. The titan roared in response, making the ground tremble beneath them.

  Ahead on the conveyor belt, an ascender in a green hoodie shouldered another off the platform, grinning as the body plummeted to the ground. He raced onward, shoving others aside, making it look like an accident.

  Scorch marks littered the conveyor belt, and when a wall of flame swept across the platform, scorching nearby ascenders to a crisp, Joe turned and shielded his face. Rose quickly covered them in a cooling mist to prevent burns, her staff glowing like a blue storm cloud.

  Joe raised a fist. “Once we engage and the titan retaliates, our combat timer will start. If we attack from this level, the titan has the height and reach advantage. I say we go higher. Watch out for any crafty ascenders trying to ‘accidentally’ knock us off.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “Let them try.” TJ snorted. He was already leaping over scorch marks and broken weapons, jumping to the next level. Offering a helping hand, they continued up the multi-level conveyor belts, timing their jumps. All the while, Joe’s Quick Wit scanned the titan for weaknesses. By the time they reached the top level, an idea had come to him.

  As far as Joe could tell, the titan was inspired by his world, and if the Lich was familiar with kaiju movies, it would have a weakness like Ghidorah. The weaving necks of the titan were fully armored with thick metal plating, and it made Joe wonder if there was a way to exploit that.

  “Here’s the plan,” Joe began, catching their attention. “TJ, you watch for ascenders trying to force us out once we engage or after the four-minute timer ends. We can’t afford to respawn back at the orange zone, not with everything that’s at stake.”

  They all knew what that meant for Brian if they failed. He sent a quick message through the alliance chat to fill the Blanche Brigade in on the titan’s weakness.

  Ryan: We’re getting into position to engage with the titan if you don’t finish it before the timer runs out. Good Luck!”

  Joe: You too and watch your back, Andras’ ascenders are everywhere.

  Facing a titan with 1600 HP, Joe knew it was wise to test how much damage they could deal with ranged dps. If their rate of damage output was too low, they risked being wiped out if enrage mechanics were involved on this floor or they’d simply run out of time.

  “Rose, test your water attacks on the water titan head and provide a shield against incoming elemental attacks. You’ll be weakest against earth, so we’ll rely on our physical skills to avoid harm from those type of attacks. Dawn, that’ll give you space to—”

  “Take on the fire titan head?” Dawn interrupted, a fiery glint in her eyes.

  “No, focus on the metal armor covering the necks of all four titan heads. I think that’s protecting their weak point.” Joe held a fist above his head, watching the timer tick down to one. He flung his arm forward, launching a smoke pellet at its mechanical feet several stories down. The cloud plumed as the timer struck zero.

  [Titan Slayers locked in battle with Mecha-King Apollycon.]

  “Now!” Joe took a step to the side.

  “On it.” Dawn’s eyes and hands glowed as she unleashed a barrage of fire strikes on the armored necks, one by one.

  The titan heads roared in unison, retaliating with a water blast, followed by a fiery eruption, and then a boulder launched by the earth head. They barely dodged its attack as the boulder plummeted toward them, leaving cracks on the conveyor belt beneath their feet.

  Dawn kept up her attacks, her mana visibly draining as she melted off the last metal plate, exposing the vulnerable scales beneath. Each titan head snarled, their massive maws opening wide as they prepared their next counterattack.

  The wind titan’s head, atop a serpentine neck with scales shimmering like a storm cloud, sent out devastating dust devils, but Rose’s water shield held firm.

  The timer was ticking down fast.

  “Uh, we better speed up—we’re running out of time.” Dawn’s voice tightened with urgency as she fired another blast.

  Before Joe could respond, the fire titan’s red-scaled head spewed lava, followed by the earth titan’s attack—a brutal, stony face grinding together with the sound of a landslide, its jagged teeth and molten eyes spitting out boulders.

  Activating Shadow Step, Joe tugged Rose and Dawn out of the way, barely dodging the earthen shower. Rocks shattered the platform, leaving jagged metal bent into table sized holes around them.

  “It’s following the cycle of elements, just like we had to do at the main entrance to get in.” Joe steadied himself, grabbing a steel cable. “The key to beating it is recognizing that pattern and striking when the heads are distracted by their own attacks.”

  Dawn grinned, timing her fire strikes perfectly to hit the vulnerable necks. She started with the earth titan head, melting flesh away until the head detached and crashed to the ground, crushing ascenders below.

  She moved on to the next head while Joe coordinated Rose’s attacks, and TJ fended off any ascenders who dared to approach while also dodging incoming boulders.

  They managed to take down the second head, and Dawn was halfway through the third when the timer ran out.

  A notification appeared:

  [Time’s up. Better luck next time.]

  “So disappointing.” The blue flame’s heat flickered. “Your dps performance is subpar. I wonder if it’s even worth saying—good luck, chump. You need a miracle”

  Ignoring the flame, Joe’s attention snapped to the Blanche Brigade. A fast-moving shimmer darted toward Gaia from behind. He opened his mouth to shout a warning, but Ryan had already sprinted at full speed toward the threat.

  Too fast. Joe’s gut twisted.

  A flash of steel cut through the air beside the shimmer, swinging in a wide arc. Ryan dodged left, but the weapon still sliced through his hoodie, blood spraying across the attacker. The camouflage shattered, revealing a green-haired changeling, grinning like he was proud of the cheap shot.

  Gaia spun around, eyes wild, and blasted the changeling with a surge of bright blue fire. The creature laughed, his face and hair scorched black, as he staggered backward over the railing. But just before he fell, his hand lashed out and grabbed Ryan’s injured arm, dragging him down with him.

  Ryan’s face twisted in pain, his grip faltering, but he managed to snag the edge of a cage, barely stopping himself from plummeting.

  Joe’s stomach lurched. No, no, no!

  Without thinking, Joe activated Shadow Step, his body blurring as he shot forward. But before he could reach Ryan, a whooshing pop rang out, and the battle dome burst, its protective barrier dropping the Titan Slayers back onto the lower conveyor level like discarded toys.

  Joe hit the ground hard, wincing as his shoulder took most of the impact. He scrambled to his feet, his eyes immediately searching the platform above for any sign of Ryan.

  Where the hell is he? Joe's heart pounded. He fumbled with his interface, sending a frantic message in the alliance chat:

  Joe: Ryan, you okay?

  No response.

  Come on, man... answer me!

  “Felt like we were shot out like a nasty turd.” TJ brushed himself off with a scowl.

  “Speaking of nasty turds.” Dawn pointed to Andras.

  Joe tensed at the mention of that back-stabbing bard. He hoped to hell Ryan was ok but right now he had to keep eyes on Andras.

  The bard was chatting with a group of ascenders, completely ignoring Joe’s team but clearly talking about them. “Good effort, everybody, but look who’s joined us—the Titan Slayers who somehow fall into shit and come out smelling like roses. Stop standing around after your pathetic four rounds of reducing its health. Go in and do more than try for the win. And remember, if you try to take out the Titan Slayers, there are stiff penalties, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He gave one ascender a knowing nod before gesturing to Joe with a wicked grin.

  The power of suggestion was strong, especially with Andras’ charisma. A whole mob of ascenders charged at Joe and his crew, forcing them into a fighting stance. But before the mob could reach them, they were blindsided by another group, tackling them aside with punches and kicks. It was like watching chaos unfold as boots morphed into quad skates.

  “Check out that faction,” Dawn said, impressed. “Like roller derby gals.”

  Joe blinked in surprise. The group had customized their gear, with sleeves ripped off, cargo pants cut short, and makeshift helmets and armor to protect their knees and elbows. They were in fact a fantasy version of a roller derby team, with at least seven members—only one looked human, while the rest were a mix of kobolds, elves, dwarves, and ratfolk.

  "Oh look, meals on wheels have arrived." Andras sneered, though Joe noticed the slight wobble in his voice as he took a nervous step back. "We didn't order anything, so kindly show them the door." He pointed to the steep drop below.

  The leader of the roller derby crew, a hybrid dwarf-elf with tinted yellow glasses, had a smile that felt like the warmest, coziest hug. But her glare could melt steel. Black spiked gloves flexed as rainbow sparks danced between them—cuteness and carnage combined.

  "Ooh, I like her already." Rose gushed, her hands closed around the gnarled wood staff.

  The smallest of the group but clearly the toughest, she led the charge with a gutsy war cry. "We will break you, break you all!" She slammed her right shoulder into the belly of an orange zoner guy twice her size. The wind knocked out of him, he folded like a cheap newspaper, and she used the momentum to drive forward, sparks flying from her hot pink wheels.

  He didn’t stand a chance. She judo-threw him over her shoulder with a swift, practiced motion, and his eyes bugged out as he tumbled straight into the path of a fierce ratfolk skater. Decked out in piercings, she wore a hoodie with a biker patch that boldly declared, "I Don’t Give A Rat’s Ass!"

  As the orange zoner guy scrambled to regain his footing, he made a desperate grab for her as she whizzed past. Her nose twitched. Sensing she was within his reach, she angled right and spun to meet his assault. Dropping into a low crouch losing no speed, she shot out a foot that clipped him hard in the shin.

  “You flea-bitten rat bitch!” he yelled, hopping on one leg while gnashing his teeth. Snatching a green bottle from his belt, he downed it in one gulp, and with a manic grin, he hulked out—except now his skin looked like it was made from lumpy orange peel. He picked her up like she was a rag doll, and though daggers shot out from her gloves, his tough hide only sparked as her blades glanced off.

  The derby team leader spun back from an attack that had sent a slew of the ascender mob flying like bowling pins, zeroing in on her friend now choking in the vise grip of the orange-skinned brute.

  "She's not going to make it." Rose’s storm-blue eyes locked on the hulk’s savage grin as if he was savoring the moment before crushing their hopes. Right as the derby leader was within arm's reach of her teammate, the annoying orange brute let go, a cruel smirk on his face.

  The derby girl flailed as she fell, her blades disappearing as her arms helplessly pinwheeled.

  Joe and Rose exchanged a look, and Rose shot forward, spinning her staff to knock aside any ascenders in her way. With a quick motion, she cast a water whip that lashed out and over the edge of the conveyor just as the derby girl disappeared from view.

  Strain was visible on Rose’s face as she pulled back on her staff like she was reeling in a big fish. The soft blue glow of the water whip lit up her smile as the derby girl reappeared over the edge, swinging her legs back onto the conveyor. Using the whip like a vine, she soared through the air and delivered a slamming right hook, powered by her wind affinity. The punch connected with a satisfying crunch, sending the orange-skinned brute sprawling.

  He hit the ground with a dull thud, eyes wide in stupid surprise as he realized he’d just been taken down by someone half his size.

  Skidding to a halt, the leader of the derby team motioned to her crew with a hand gesture. In unison, they nodded and got into formation. She zipped around Joe, her wheels barely making a sound. “You’re one of the Titan Slayers, right?”

  “Yeah, I’m Joe. You’ve got an impressive crew—”

  “I’m Rose and I absolutely love what you did with your clothes,” Rose butted in, practically bouncing. “Do you have a crafter on your team?”

  “I’m Katia Tran, but everyone calls me KT,” the leader smirked, dipping her glasses below her eyes. “My friend, Andy, altered our gear. She used to be a skater back on Earth before, well, you know, she died. Now she brought us together as the Bruiser Battalion.” KT gestured to Andy, who had just taken off her helmet, revealing large, cartoonish rat ears full of piercings and purple spiked hair. She swung her helmet like a weapon, cracking it across an attacker’s head before pouncing on him, her tail whipping in a frenzy as she punched his lights out.

  KT grinned. “Andy is friends with Lucky. He told her you were nice to him. Can’t stand lying cheaters like that prick Andras. Wasn’t about to let his goons take you down.”

  “We owe you one.” Joe nodded, grateful for their help.

  KT waved him off with a warm smile. “Rose saved Andy, so we’re even. See you guys around.”

  “Byeee, KT!” Rose enthusiastically waved as KT and her crew sped off into the chaos.

  The fog pulsed with the red glow, another faction’s time ended. He leapt back as the derby girl rolled past, clotheslining an ascender who’d charged from behind them.

  “Re-engage in battle.” Joe glanced back at Dawn who had already launched a fiery blast, but her attack fizzled against an invisible shield as the timer reset.

  TJ punched an ascender in the throat, the attacking ascender stumbling backward tipped over the edge of the railing. “Why are they attacking us instead of the titan?”

  “One reason. Andras.” Joe’s eyes narrowed on the dark elf as he gestured at the titan.

  “The neck!” Andras cupped his hands over his mouth, a gust of wind carrying his frantic voice. “No need to get too close. Block the fire. Heal him!”

  “That faction is amazing.” Rose joined Joe’s side, admiring the last of the skater faction as they whizzed further up the conveyor belt, and shifted to another platform like an acrobatic team.

  “They’re setting into place for the next battle.” Joe waved Dawn over. “As soon as the timer hits two seconds, launch your attack so we can engage.”

  He searched the area around the titan for Ryan and the Blanche Brigade, but there was still no sight of them.

  Joe: Ryan, you guys alright. We’re about to lock in battle.

  Still no answer.

  A creeping dread filled Joe.

  Loud mechanical gears creaked, the four heads clanked against the steel cables as its body slowly fell to the floor. Walls of the warehouse shook, and the conveyor belt platforms swayed.

  [Congratulations Andras Alliance! Floor Three Titan Mecha-King Apollycon has been defeated. Floor Four is unlocked for all ascenders. Proceed with caution to your designated zones.]

  Disgust replaced Dawn’s fierce determination as Andras crossed his arms, displaying a smug look. “Looks like Andras got the score he was looking for.”

  The clang of TJ’s machete struck the invisible wall behind them. “If it weren’t for this conveyor belt blocking me from going down there, I’d let him have what he needs.”

  Standing motionless and enjoying the slow ride, Andras nodded to an ascender. “Go ahead, and collect your loot. Fifty-six people in my faction alliance, and we will all benefit from my hard work and skilled leadership.” His voice reeked of deceit.

  “Liar!” Dawn scoffed. “He’s like an attention whore bragging about their 3000 friends on social media, but how many of them actually wish you a happy birthday?”

  Joe’s shoulders shook with laughter. “Let him claim them, we’ve got the Blanche Brigade and I think we can count on the Bruiser Battalion to have our backs too. Now we better get out of here and make it up to the fourth floor.”

  “We’re still blocked by the conveyor belt’s invisible wall.” TJ sheathed his machete, looking toward the roof where a single ladder and large pipe extended outward. “Only way is up.”

  “If we run on the conveyor, our speed will quicken the pace.” Joe lunged, preparing a stance to sprint. “But, remember to dodge the chains and pools of blood.”

  Dawn’s hands glowed. “We’ll have to fight our way to the top.”

  Joe glanced up, a group of ascenders waited at an upper platform. He made eye contact with one, a hillbilly hybrid with a gold tooth grin, who pounded his fists together and followed up with a swing into an uppercut motion.

  “Wait a second.” Rose glanced back at the roller derby girls as they leapt from one platform to another. The metal railing clinked as she tapped her staff in their direction. “You still got your rope, Joe?”

  Retrieving the paracord, Joe stood back up. He followed Rose’s gaze to a steel cable that stretched the length of the warehouse. “Did they have a circus where you came from?”

  “Do they ever?” Rose grinned as she extended her staff across the cable. Joe looped and knotted the paracord around two central points. She tugged on the staff. It held firm against the cable, the thorns extending from it secured it further. “Hold on tight!”

  Joe and Dawn leapt on one side, while TJ grabbed the other beside Rose. In an instant they launched over the railing, the zing of her staff against the steel echoed, but TJ’s long yodel is what grabbed the attention of Andras.

  In moments, they kicked their feet against the metal spool and released their grips, landing on static ground. Rose grinned as she slid her hand over the thorn as it retracted. “Oooh, nice. An off-label skill for my weapon.”

  As the exit finally came into view, their ghostly tour guide was still droning on, oblivious to their absence. “That concludes our tour of The Facility. If you’d like to know more, there’s a companion guide available for the low price of two years. It’s practically a steal! Have a pleasant day, and please come visit us again soon!”

  Joe shook his head, the absurdity of it all barely sinking in before his interface pinged.

  Nick: Crit Hit taken. Go on without us.

  The smile dropped off Joe’s face.

  “We should help them.” Rose planted her staff down, sending a sharp echo through the warehouse.

  “No,” TJ cut in, his tone firm but not unkind. “If Ryan’s hurt, we’ve gotta trust that Gaia and the others’ got it handled. They’ll find us when they can. But Brian? He’s running out of time.”

  Resolve filled Rose's voice. “A critical hit is serious. I could go to them and catch up to you on the fourth floor.”

  Dawn exhaled. “I hear you, but Brian’s got to be our focus right now. If we split up, you’re on your own here until you reach the others, and this place is swarming with Andras’ goons.” She looked at Joe who nodded.

  “We stick together and do what needs to be done.”

  Joe: Stay safe guys. See you on the fourth.”

  Busting open the warehouse door, Joe set off at a dead sprint toward the zone inter-exchange, his chest tight with the pressure of that ticking clock hanging over Brian’s head.

  They had to find the Time Hacker—fast.

  Time’s ticking, buddy. Hang on.