Upon completing his mission, Erdal returns to Terragon, where he learns that there have been no rumors about Essu for several days, and he seems to have taken a particular interest in the affairs of the gnome artificer Zoriana Krucha. He is summoned by his superiors. In the office, both of the Sylvester brothers are present, along with a magical projection of an old gnome Erdal doesn’t recognize. The gnome speaks in a quiet and calm voice, and Erdal notices the Sylvesters are so wary of him that they neither dare interrupt nor even shift in their seats. The gnome turns his gaze to Erdal and speaks softly:
- “Greetings, Erdal. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Fregnard Blixen, and it appears we both share an interest in the fate of Zoriana and Essu. According to my sources, Essu and Zoriana have found themselves in serious trouble, and I believe we both want to help them. With the consent of your superiors.”
- The Sylvester brothers immediately nod vigorously.
- Fregnard continues without pause, “I want to enlist you for a very important task, one on which the fate of our mutual friends depends. If you agree, please step into this portal.”
- An oval portal flares up near the wall.
- “By entering, you agree to serve under my command until the fates of Essu and Zoriana are clarified. If you agree, please step forward.”
Remembering his oath, Erdal enters the portal and finds himself in the MIST operations planning room, where several battle-wizards, fully armored, are gathered around a table. One of them—a tall elf—turns to him and introduces himself: “My name is Doc Ward, I am head of MIST strategic planning,” and with a commanding gesture, he beckons Erdal to the table. Displayed on it is a magical projection of Terragon and its surroundings, covered in zones of varying intensity and colors that flare up and then slowly dim. The Tower is shining the brightest. As he approaches the table, all eyes turn to him, and Erdal notices one area on the map blazing with all colors, as brightly as the Tower itself. Nodding to Doc, Erdal points to the map, and at that moment, an urgent alarm fills the room.
A portal lights up in the room, and over the next few minutes, everyone begins preparing quickly yet methodically for departure. At the same time, Doc approaches Erdal and says, “I believe this is why you were sent here—remember, use force only as a last resort.”
Together with MIST, Erdal steps into the portal and finds himself in an ancient dungeon, in a room with altars and glowing algae on the walls
