A/N: And here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas

Chapter 102: Interlopers

We emergred from the passage, and discovered that this place still held more surprises. The terrain looked like the seafloor, with what looked like colorful corals all around, and creatures resembling fish and rays 'swimming' through the air. As we ventured through the regaion we came upon a shimmering blue-green portal, through which we could see nothing but water.

"This… it's a planar gateway," said Narcrath, "I think it might lead to the Elemental Plane of Water".

"That's not our destination," said Krisyra, "we should keep going".

We ventured deeper, watching the strange creatures of this realm fly past, when I spotted something approaching aggressively. These creatures vaguely resembled giant sharks, complete with maws full of razor sharp teeth.

The creatures moved towards us, and Krisyra channeled her magic, and a powerful beam of light shot from her hands towards these creatues. One of these creatures seemed to resist the damaged but the other wasn't so lucky. Uxarix held his rapier close, and uttered a prayer. One of our foes charged at Charles, but he managed to evade its wild attack. Narcrath called upon his magic and a mass of whirling, turbulent stormclouds appeared near our foes, buffeting them. A bolt of lightning then leapt from the sphere, striking the creature near Charles. Lydratir took aim with his bow, and put two arrows into the nearer of the two creatures, leaving it with strange green ichor leaking from its wounds. I stepped out to the badly wounded shark-like creature, and tore into it with my claws, finishing it off. The second of these creatures, however with still coming, and it swam up to me, and its teeth pierced my hide. I snarled as the damage was done, and looked to Charles. He swung his greatsword in a mighty blow, pushing it back and leaving its ichor spilling onto the ground.

Krisyra refocused her sunbeam at the wounded creature, and the beam blasted into it, reduing it to ash.

As we continued past this battlefield, the terrain began to change, turning into a bleak swampland. We cut a rough path through these marshes, and came upon something of intrest. A haphazard cluster of pillars built of carefully-stacked stones dotted the landscape, some short, some far taller than a ful grown man. Krisyra examined the stones, carefully tracing the ancient symbols of their surface.

"These stones are part of an ancient ritual site. It appears they were constructed to heal a land once scorced by war. I believe that while we're in this area we should be safe from any threats. As well the magic of this place will aid in healing our wounds".

We took time to rest up, and prepare for whatever might be waiting for us deeper in this place. After pathing ourselves up and having a quick meal, we continued on our way. As we did, the terrain continued to shift, becoming costal cliffs where we encountered a group of five angry water elementals. Beyond them, the terrain shifted once more, and the skies turned dark. As we entered this region of the voidspace we were greeted by a shrill scream followed by dark laughter. In the distance, we could see a red light flickering amid the darkness.

"I think this might be a fragment of the World Below," said Uxarix, "it feels that way at least".

From somewhere in the darkness, I heard that same mysterious voice.

"Interloper… intruders in my worlds. You will fail"

"Did you hear that?" I asked.

"Hear what?" asked Narcrath, "I didn't hear anything".

"There's something here, something watching us from the darkness," I said, "something that doesn't want us here".

However, our discussion was cut short as a horde of undead creature loped towards us, looking like ghouls, but stronger: Ghasts.

One of these ghasts charged towards Uxarix, but he raised his shueld and easily deflected its blow. A second ghast went after Charles but he parried the blow, and was left unharmed. Uxarix brandished his rapier and jabbed the ghast near him, and the undead creature was sent stumbing back, its grevious wound still glowing with radiant energy as it tubled into the darkness below. Uxarix moved to assist Charles, and the ghast near him met the same fate. Lydratir took aim at one of the remaining ghasts and fired off two arrows, severely wounding it. One of the ghasts chard at Narcrath but he dodged its attack. Another ghast went after Lydratir, but he too was able to edave its claws. I looked towards our foes and unleashed my fire. Before me, six of the ghasts fell, leaving only two foes. Narcrath retaliated against the ghast near him, blasting it with lightining at short range. Krisyra summoned a small flame, and launched it at the ghast near Narcrath, taking it down. Charles stepped up to the last remaining ghast and, with a mighty blow of his greatsword cleaved it apart.

As we continued across the floating stones that made of the path through this area, we came upon another sight: before us laid an intricate circle of wood and vines. It was three feet in diameter and radiated a soft glow. Within the circle floated a tiny humanoid figure. Upon closer inspection, it appeared the creature was a pixie gesturing to be let out.

"Is there a way we could break this circle?" I asked.

"You want to free this fae?" asked Krisyra, "it should be simple enough".

I watched as she channeled her druidic magic, and made the vines and branches bend out of the way, unweaving the circle. With a burst of magic, the circle dispelled, and the pixie changed, becoming a beautiful fae woman with red hair wearing an intricate and finely crafted green gown. From the raw power rolling off of her, I knew this was no ordinary fae… this was one of their nobility.

"Thank you travelers to this dark place for releasing my from my imprisionment," said the fae noble, "my rivals conspired with the dark one who lords over this place to trap me here. I assume you have come to defeat this void master?"

"Indeed we have," I said.

"You are an interesting one, wyrm," said the fae noble, "I don't suppose you'd be interested in visiting my realm?"

"As much as I appreciated the offer, I am currently engaged in important matters," I said, "If nothing is done, it is possible the void master could destroy all worlds".

"I understand," said the fae noble, "but you know I must make the offer. In any case I must be on my way. To aid you on your task, I shall gift you greater strength. May it grant you the power to defeat the void master".

With those final words she vanished. Her gift flowed through us, and I felt stronger, and well feeling well rested. We were left to continue on our way. We reached the source of the red light without further incident. It was a crackling portal surrounded in red lightning, all supported between an angular frame formed from some unknown material. I glanced around at my allies, and while I saw they looked worried about what might lie ahead, I also could tell they were determined to see this through. I took a deep breath, and together we stepped into the portal. Ready for whatever was on the other side.

A/N: And there we go! As to what the Fae noblewoman gave the party, She granted them enough EXP to reach to reach level 16. as well as granting them the effects of a Long Rest. Next time, our heroes reach the heart of the Void Space, and challenge the master of this place. See you then.