The next day after getting ready and dismissing the huts, the two groups started heading to the lair of the Mechanicus that made the sisters Nightshade. Though Racknar did have his doubts and called Lisa about it the previous night. If this guy made these three with the power equivalent to a level fourteen individual then that meant he was stronger. Depending on how much time has passed, perhaps even significantly higher level than the sisters.

  This made Racknar nervous as if the man was high enough level he could create artifacts capable of replicating ninth level magic. This included things like Power Word: Kill, Meteor Swarm, and even Time Stop. Racknar could take a lot of damage, but he couldn't do anything to prevent an enemy from stopping time. In order for Counterspell to work it has to be on the same level as the spell it's being used on. So Davy couldn't counter it at his current level. So without some form of artifact they had no way of countering it.

  Racknar stopped walking, causing everyone else to stop. “Guys, I don't think we can do this. I can take and deal a lot of damage but there are things we simply aren't prepared for. We might have to call in backup from Sir Kenneth or something.” Davy scoffed. “You mean the guy who stabbed us in the back because a sneaky archbishop whispered in his ear? I don't care if he's higher level then us, I'm not asking him for help. Even if he has some attractive party mates. We already have three lovely ladies escorting us.”

  Racknar grumbled. “There's a chance he has access to the Time Stop spell.” Davy’s eyes widened. “Why would you suggest that?!” Racknar gestured to the sisters. “They have seventh tier magic, meaning they are at least one level and at most two levels above us. Assuming the latter in order to create something of that power the Machanicus would need to be at a higher level. Meaning at least level seventeen. We have no idea how long ago he created the sisters leaving the real possibility we are facing the equivalent of a level twenty player character.”

  Davy groaned. “Giving him access to ninth level magic. Things like Wish.” Racknar chuckled. “Actually in the edition with tenth level magic that spell was moved up and since I once overheard someone say tenth level magic exists I'm willing to bet that's the case here too. So unless he's reached prestige there's no threat of that.” Donna looked at Racknar's party. “I didn't quite understand all of that but we were created three years ago.”

  Racknar grumbled. “Yeah, so unless he's been sitting around and resting on his laurels he's definitely improved.” Davy sighed. “Alright, worse case scenario?” Racknar sighed. “Level thirty gestalt Artificer slash sorcerer with perhaps some dip into wizard. Access to tenth level spells, ritual casting, and meta magic. Potential to learn planeshift allowing him to go full Hyperbolic Time Chamber.” Davy sighs knowing that several people won't know what Racknar means. “Racknar is suggesting that the Mechanicus could use magic to go to a realm like the nine hells where he could spend a year and only have a day pass here because he wouldn't have to worry about aging.”

  Racknar nodded. “And although the amount of effort to increase his level increases almost exponentially, with theoretically infinite time he could easily gain max level in multiple disciplines. Basically reaching the maximum level of one class then moving to the next until he's mastered every school and source of magic casting and reached a pinochle of aetherpunk technology beyond anything we could imagine.”

  Davy went pale. “I… didn't even consider the possibility of someone using the time difference in that way at first. Depending on when he got access to planeshift he could easily have spent a millennium just improving his skills in the nine hells. Though I do imagine there would be difficulty in setting up a foothold in hell. He's definitely getting noticed and attacked and the more demons he killed the harder he'd receive pushback. Eventually wouldn't a Demon Lord step in? Regardless of level I doubt he could win that fight.”

  Racknar nodded his head. “It would probably be easier to go unnoticed in The Abyss and that realm operates under the same timescale as Celestia, Nine Hells, and Purgatory. In fact most of the outer rim of realms do. Then you've got the inner rim of the elemental planes. They run a bit off from Mortalus but not to that extreme. Rather than the one to three sixty five it's more like one to thirty. So you spend a month there for every day here.”

  Marionette gestured to the road. “Well what do we do? We can't exactly just come back later.” Racknar nodded and started walking again. “We'll have to hope the time dilation isn't common knowledge in this world I guess. We can't stand by and do nothing and reinforcements probably wouldn't get here in time if we called for it.” Ariagoria and the rest of the party started following Racknar. “So we're just walking into what could potentially be a fatal encounter?” Racknar makes a number of grumbling noises. “I've got a few ideas to level the playing field, some more desperate than others.”

  Ariagoria sighs loudly. “You're talking about opening the gates of hell again aren't you?” Racknar hesitated before nodding. “We need to win, even if it means calling on your father or another demon lord. Hopefully that won't be needed.” Davy chuckled. “Okay Ernie. Apparently my book wyrm says everything will be fine.” Racknar tilted his head. “Was that his exact wording?” Davy shook his head. “All will be well.” Racknar smiled. “Thanks Ernie, I know exactly what to do now.”

  Davy looked confused. “I'm missing something.” Racknar chuckled. “Don't worry about it, the important thing is that everything is going to be just fine. You just need to hope and trust.” Ariagoria grumbled slightly. “I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this, but you've yet to steer us wrong.” Donna rolled her eyes. “Well you better have some sort of plan besides hoping for the best.” Krys'tal chuckled. “You don't know Racknar, but he's more than muscles. He's actually our battle strategist.” Donna tilted her head. “Really? The barbarian?”

  Ariagoria chuckled. “He's extremely knowledgeable about different monsters, realms, magics, and a bunch of other stuff. If it weren't for him we would have had no hope in killing not one but two different dragons now.” Donna hums and nods to herself as she walks. There was a long silence before Davy asked. “So why are we on foot?” Racknar replied simply. “That cart stands out. I suppose I could get us each a spider to ride if your feet are tired.”

  Davy shook his head. “I'm good, thanks.” The two groups continued to walk in silence until they got to the castle that was apparently the lair of the Mechanicus. Outside there were several decorative suits of armor around the building. Looking at the top of the building it had several gargoyles. Outside the main entrance there were only archery windows except for the top of the wall. Racknar let out a growl. “Great. I'm willing to bet every one of those are animated armor and the gargoyles are likely alive too. Meaning sneaking in isn't an option.”

  Ariagoria looked at the castle. “Well brute force isn't a great option because we'll burn through a lot of limited resources and can't rest once we enter.” Racknar nodded. “I have enough full restoration potions that'll even restore mana for all of us including the three sisters. But one each meaning we have to save it till just before the final fight.” The party members all nod, as do the sisters. They then head right for the front door only for the two armors to try and block them. Racknar quickly decks them both and opens the door. “Run!”

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  Everyone runs in the door with Racknar closing and barring it behind them. “They'll get through eventually but we can bottleneck them in here. Gives us a massive advantage.” Bella nodded. “I see, I see. So you really are more than just some dumb muscle. I could definitely get used to working with you.” Marionette practically snapped back. “Well don't, because after this we'll go our separate ways.” Racknar gave her a side eye. “They'll have nowhere to go, so we might as well invite them to live in our town. They can become adventurers to pay rent and contribute to the town.” Marionette crossed her arms and huffed. “You're too nice sometimes.”

  Inside wasn't exactly safe as while the party ran through the halls animated armor tried to attack them. Racknar, Ariagoria, and Donna taking the front and simply hitting them once, shoving them out of the way, and making a path for the party. “We'll lead them into an open room where we can kill them as they enter.” Racknar explained as they ran. No one questioned it and ran, making quick attacks to pitch back the armors and soulless dolls that came after them in the hallways. Eventually they reached an open room with Donna covering the entrance with thorny brambles doing damage to anything that chased after them. Bella then shot a flamethrower-like spell down the hallway as stuff started coming through.

  Davy, helping slow down the incoming enemies, casts Eldritch Hunger. Making two separate instances of damage and reduced speed before those that got close were blasted by fire, ice arrows, and throwing knives from both Anna and Marionette. Eventually the gargoyles start coming in indicating they are near the end and Ariagoria smashed the first two with her mace while Racknar took care of the rest using his fists and shields. The groups huffed after the battle was finally over and turned around to continue.

  As soon as they looked at the closed door at the other end of the open area that was a sort of indoor garden in the center of the castle, it opened up. Through the door stepped ten more animated armor, but this time bigger and holding hammers. Shortly after another living doll. This one was different, dressed in higher end clothes much like the sisters. With the body of a tall and slender male the living doll held a large ax that seemed to just be a guillotine blade on a stick.

  The figure spoke in a refined manner. “Hello sisters and unexpected guests. I am the head guardian of this place, a creation gifted with life and autonomy by my Creator much like my sisters but later in life and with better skills. My name is Gallows Nightshade.” Racknar made a deadpan expression. “Really? Your creator must seriously like puns. I bet whoever the hell is writing this shit felt real clever. I can't even take this seriously anymore.”

  Gallows glared at Racknar, ignoring his strange sounding outburst. “I'm here to prevent you from reaching the creator since I'm sure you intend to try and attack him. He's much too busy for that sort of thing right now. Or ever actually. His work is really important. You three may be my sisters but I won't hesitate to destroy you if necessary. After all you turned your backs on the one who gave you life first.” Racknar shook his head. “He created you, that doesn't mean he owns you. Someone giving you life doesn't entitle them to your time. If you owe someone your life, that doesn't necessarily mean to owe them your death. This isn't personal Gallows, not for me. But if there's a chance your creator will pose a threat to the world I have to act.”

  Gallows raised his large weapon. “Fine, you'll have to go through me. I'll warn you, under this iron ash skin is a skeleton of adamantine.” Racknar blinked and cursed under his breath before regaining composure. “I do what I feel is necessary.” Everyone gets ready for combat and the two groups meet on the battlefield. Marionette and Anna start things off by shifting behind the same target and slashing at it. Three slashes each, heavily damaging the heavy animated armor.

  Krys'tal fired an icicle at Gallows that exploded hitting nearby armors with a burst of cold followed by two regular ice arrows. Bella and Davy both took aim with magic with Bella during three beams of red heat at Gallows and casting Fireball to hit all the enemies while Anna and Marionette dodged. Donna cast Entangle firming thorny brambles and vines around Gallows to restrain him while Ariagoria came in with a heavy mace slam enhanced with white flames. After one heavy blow she slammed a second unenhanced attack into his head before backing off.

  Racknar summoned his weapons and shields, gripping them tightly and flexing his arms a bit. Strange golden and glittering mist coming off his arms. “Adamantine skeleton you say?” His fangs curl into a smile. “I can't wait to strip the flesh off your bones.” Racknar came in hot and heavy. “Reckless Infernal Strike!” His sword burst into flames as he also activated its enchantment and slammed the chainsaw greatsword down on Gallows as hard as he could. This was followed up by an attack with the other enchanted sword, two with the enchanted shields, then finally two more with the enchanted swords again hitting Gallows mercilessly.

  Gallows’ clothes were tattered and several spots on his body were cracked or chipped. He let out a roar as he flexed out of the entanglement and swung at Racknar, meeting the shields and only sending him back. His own body had magical flames licking off it. The flicked and kicked with a wild intensity that was much different than Racknar’s classic rage. Racknar cursed under his breath. “He's drawing his rage from The Abyss.”

  Marionette got slightly frustrated. “Stop saying things like you expect me to know what they mean!” Gallows went after Racknar and swung his massive weapon two more times, getting a direct hit on the third and leaving a massive gash in Racknar's side. He let out a sound of pain. “So much for my insanely high armor score meaning something.” The animated armors try to attack the various party members. Anna and Marionette dodged out of the way, Ariagoria blocked with her shield, Krys'tal leaped to the side just barely, and Bella, Donna, and Davy all cast various protective wards to block the attacks.

  Anna and Marionette once again team up on the same target taking it out. Bella fires another trio of red hot beans at Gallows with Davy casting Shatter to hit some of the armors. Krys'tal fired her three ice beams from her bow at Gallows creating a strange reaction as his iron ash skin creeks. Donna decided to crack her whip for a thunder wave aimed at a damaged armor to knock it down and reduce the number of minions. Eight still stand. Ariagoria casts a healing spell on Racknar as he lets out a laugh. “Great job Krys'tal! Hitting Gallows with an extremely cold spell right after Bella's heat spell!”

  Racknar slammed down an enhanced attack his way once again. “Reckless Infernal Strike!” This time when he hit there was a loud cracking like ice shattering as a huge chunk of Gallows' iron ash skin simply crumbled away revealing his skeleton underneath. Racknar then continued his barrage with five more elemental magic boosted attacks from his enchanted weapons. Gallows staggered back, obviously having taken a lot of damage in that attack. “You can't destroy me, Adamantine is indestructible!”

  Racknar chuckled, then started laughing. “Oh you poor baby, you're completely unfamiliar with the concept of sudden temp change fracture. Sure, no attack from mundane means or magic could under normal circumstances damage Adamantine. However, regardless of how durable it is, it is still subject to the laws of the universe. Get wrecked pleb.” Gallows roars even louder than before when he then sends his ax at Racknar three times. This time hacking into his sides all three times leaving massive cuts.

  Racknar coughed as he bled heavily. “Is that all you got? I can do this all day.” The animated armors make attempts on the party similarly failing but this time one went after Racknar and slammed it's hammer hard into his back causing Racknar to grunt in pain. “I can… do this all day.” He repeated through gritted mandibles. Marionette and Anna went after a new target taking it down, Bella cracked her whip a second time taking down a second. Davy cast Shatter again, taking down three more. With only three left, Ariagoria focused on casting healing magic on Racknar.

  Bella ran into melee range of her brother. “This might not be my best idea, but I'm going to put it all on black! Let it ride!” She grabbed an adamantine rib. “Heat metal!” The adamantine started turning red. Krys'tal knowing exactly what to do focused as much energy as she could into a single shot. “Icy burst!” A thick icicle shot into the opening before exploding and hitting Bella with cold energy. The creeping sounded and Racknar grinned with his fangs. “Goodnight sweet prince.” He then slammed his shields into Gallows causing chunks of his body to shatter like glass or ice as he hit the floor unable to move. Racknar then tossed his shields at two of the animated armors leaving one left that Marionette and Anna quickly took care of.

  Gallows hit the floor and struggled to remain conscious but his eyes shut. Racknar put all the parts into the opening. “He's alive, barely. Stabilize him, he's coming with.” Marionette and Donna spoke in unison. “You can't be serious!” Racknar nodded. “It's all part of the plan.” Marionette sighed. “Alright, guess we're doing this.” Gallows' body however was heavy so Racknar summoned a spider to carry him on a makeshift gurney. Ariagoria chuckled. “It'll be a shame when we get the last two artifacts and restore Arachne. You won't be able to summon spiders at will anymore.”

  Marionette let out a huff. “You think that's bad, I'm going to lose my main weapon. You'll lose your current armor. We've made use of most of her artifacts. Losing the ability to summon spiders to support us and fight by our side is minor compared to that.” Racknar gives a nod. “She's right. Besides, as the grandson of Arachne who knows, I might retain that ability. It definitely wouldn't be allowed by the books normally without some sort of extra effort but who knows.”

  The party slowly worked through some more animated armors before they got to the last door before the lab of the Mechanicus. Racknar opened his bag of holding and started handing everyone a bunch of potions. “Drink up, then we'll have about an hour to finish this fight before our abilities drop back to normal. I've got recovery, stat boosters, positions of haste, you name it. I've been stocking up for a big fight just in case. As for the time stop issue I have an idea. Once everyone is ready we'll rush in.”