Zack once again approached the tower door, and he placed his hand on the door and gave the door a gentle push, the door swung inwards , the trio entered and were standing not in a room, but on what appeared to be a wide walkway ,the walkway was the only thing that was illuminated ,either side of the walkway was nothing, and to call it nothing is an understatement, it was the void, there was no light or sense of anything .
" Do not stray from the path, if any one were to fall into that ,no one knows what will happen, you may die you may stay trapped forever ,so let us not find out, stay on the path" said Dain.
"What is this place ,are we inside the tower right now, or are we somewhere else, or is this illusion and tricks"said Ninx.
" I have an idea that this is the hall of worlds , it's something I remember knowing about when I was king when i was Vincent Eldridge,now I'm Zachary, Vincent Eldridge, I only can access a small amount of information from my memories, at this stage I need to evolve before I can access more information, but what I can remember is the hall of worlds, connects to every world throughout the universe, it is said the hall of worlds is older than the universe itself, and the universe was created around it.
Some say the primordial gods of creation, built the hall of worlds, no one knows the truth for sure ,this is all I can remember.
For now we follow the path ,let look for the right door "said Zack.
The door behind them had disappeared as soon as they arrived ,now the only way to leave was through one of the doors, that led to many worlds.
The hall of worlds was closely connected with Arcadia the world of magic, the natural gateways worked because they connected directly to the hall of worlds, allowing the formation of gateways and spreading magic across the universe ,everything was intricately connected playing out its role in the symphony of the universe.
The trio walked for hours ,then suddenly the void on both sides of the walkway was replaced by walls, and in the distance they could see doors, on either side of the hallway evenly spaced down the hall .
"The hall seems to go on for ever "said Dain.
" I believe it does ,we can try a door and cut across to other worlds ,until we get back to the Fairy realm, or we discover why we are here and what are we here to do "said Zack.
Zack opened the first door he came to and sent his senses through, he was able to pull his senses back into his body at will, so his senses looked around and then returned to Zack .
"It's safe let's cross, there is another door a short distance from this one on the world ,lets go "said Zack .
Zack sent his senses ahead nance more
The group stepped through the door and were in a flowering meadow, they crossed the meadow quickly and opened the door ,stepping through they found themselves on a world that was covered in snow,the next door was close but they had to trudged through the snow to get to the door , they opened the door stepped through .
The trio found themselves back in the hall of worlds, but now much farther down the path ,behind them they could see countless doors ,as the hall stretched back out of sight, the same view lay before them.
Zack picking a door at random opened the door and sent out his senses Zack quickly closed the door again .
" No not that way" said Zack.
The world was under the intense glare from two suns, Zack had strong resistance to the sun light ,but not strong enough for him to handle two hot suns .
Ninx picked a door and the trio stepped through ,they were inside some sort of tavern .
"Welcome strangers to honest Joes the tavern of the hallway said the bar tender.
The tavern of the hallway what is this place" said Dain.
The tavern is one of a few places, that are part of the hall of worlds, yet at the same time are outside of it , here people from all different worlds meet and do business,among other things , this is a place where people can buy anything including information .
How can I help you" said the bar tender.
The bar tender was a man of average height ,he was slightly overweight and had a warm smile on his face , the man had red skin and short black hair with grey eyes .
" I'm the proprietor and bar tender here at the tavern, people call me honest Joe "said the man.
" Well I don't know if you will be able to help us or not , we were brought to the hall of worlds from a tower in the Fairy realm , I'm not sure what the purpose of sending us to the hall is" said Zack .
A tower in the Fairy realm you say , the black tower of Aserloth , I see were you on some kind of a quest or something " asked honest Joe.
"Yes as a matter of fact ,I was at the tower to recover my ring ,and upon entering the tower we were transported to the hall "said Zack.
" Your ring you say ,well if what you say is true and it's your ring, then you would be the Vampire king " said Joe.
" That is correct I am Zachary, Vincent Eldridge, the vampire King" said Zack.
Well then take a seat and have a drink ,I can help you with your problem "said Joe.
" Just how do we pay for drinks here, and how exactly can you help us " asked Ninx.
" The currency here is the same as what is used throughout most of the known universe, or as I said before information is for sale here" said Honest Joe.
" I see , then we will have three blood ales" said Dain.
Dain placed two silver coins on the bar, the bar tender took the coins, and placed three flagons of blood ale on the bar in front of them .
The one that can give you the information you need is here , you need the services of the Oracle, I can introduce you but she will be the one who will decide to help you or not, and she will decide what the price will be,
Sometimes she will ask for something small ,and sometimes the price she asks maybe more than you are willing to pay.
"This is all that I can do to help you" said Joe.
Zack thanked him and the group was shown to a table at the back of the room .
A pretty looking dark skinned woman, with long black hair and golden eyes, was seated at the table alone, she had a lost look upon her face, as if she was staring into some other place other than seeing what was before her eyes .
The woman looked up and smiled as the group approached her.
" Please take seat , Zachary, Vincent Eldridge, the vampire King welcome.
I am Valora, the Oracle Rinaway , I know why you are here and I know what you are seeking , I see what no other can see I see the past and possible timelines the determined and the undetermined of the future, I will help you Zachary.
The price for my help is a place in your realm, where I and my servants can live without fear of being hunted ,by those who wish to control me and use my power for their own needs.
I seek shelter from the Shadow king ,and his demons"said the Oracle.
" I will gladly pay that price Valora , come with us ,and we will take you to the Dark City, where you will be safe from the reach of the Shadow king " said Zack .
" Then we have a deal Vampire King " said Valora smiling .
" What you seek is indeed in the black tower of Aserloth ,it is located on the second level of the tower ,and is guarded by a Wraith.
The only was to gain access to each level of the tower is through the hall of worlds, the tower is connected to the hall of worlds , I will come with you and guide you to the ring Zack, and then you will keep your end of the deal ,and provide a place for me and my people" said the Oracle.
Zack smiled warmly at the oracle and drank his blood ale .
The trio plus one ,set off through the hall of worlds , some time went by before the group stopped before a door.
This is the door to the second floor of the tower of Aserloth, the ring will be found on the other side of this door ,remember that the ring is guarded by a Wraith ,the wraith feeds off the spirit or the soul of its victims, so do not let the creature touch you, it will drain your spirit through touch warned the oracle.
" Are you ready " she asked.