Book 2

Book 2 of The Tree of Life

Book 2 or Phase 2 is the second part of The Tree of Life. It consists of The Beyond, The Life, The Monsters and The Death.

## Summary

As the Bringers of Life, now joined by the piglin Pilin, continue to search for Tree of Life pieces, now going to the Lands Beyond to do it, their journey becomes more perilous as they begin becoming involved in the notorious war against the Order of Magma. In spite of this, they encounter new allies on the way, including the powerful fighter Blooddrawer, the legendary warrior Nadu and the adorable fox Feza.

## Characters

**Playable character**: Dabsar, Chappal, Zian

**Protagonist**: Ezen

**Deuteragonist**: Mmea, Cutie

**Tritagonist**:

**Tetartagonist**:

**Pentagonist**:

**Major character**: Sven, Guard, Zoe

**Supporting character**: Sid, Bob, Baana, Ocie, Puerto, Feza, Blooddrawer

**Minor character**: Nadu, Fire Demon, Glacias, Aer

**Main antagonist**: Pozan

**Central antagonist**: Pilin

**Secondary antagonist**: Skinscraper

**Tertiary antagonist**:

**Quaternary antagonist**:

**Major antagonist**:

**Supporting antagonist**: Coo Coo, Azen, Leethos, Baibee, Vogana

**Minor antagonist**: Ice King, Lurker

**Overarching antagonist**: Zovan, Magma Queen, The Deathmaster

## Part/Chapter List

### The Beyond

Lands Beyond

Ice Kingdom

Lijos Desert

Ocean of Secara

### The Life

Village of Life

Caverns of Life

Mansion of Mayhem

Battlefield of Life

### The Monsters

Mount Fjall

Outskirts of Void

Heart of Fjall

Order of Magma Base

### The Death

City of Life

Ezen's Kidnapping

City of Life Defense

Destroyed City

Oceanside

Outskirts of Myrkur

## Plot

The Bringers of Life arrive at the Lands Beyond. Upon entering, they are greeted by Feza, who welcomes them. She gives them a sword after they tell her their quest to restore the Tree of Life, telling them that it will help them in their quest.

The Bringers of Life arrive in the Ice Kingdom. Once they travel for a while, Pilin stays behind as it's too cold for him, so the others continue. Eventually, they reach an enormous ice castle and travel inside. Once they reach the top, they are confronted by the Ice King who decides to kill them for trespassing. The Ice King fails to kill them, and demands that they live, with Dabsar arguing that they're not leaving without the Tree of Life piece. Before the Ice King can attack once more, Chappal sneezes and apparently, the Ice King is allergic to that, and instantly blows up, shocking everyone. Ezen awkwardly decides they should get the Tree of Life and leave. They do so.

Dabsar, Chappal, Zian, Ezen and Pilin travel through the Lijos Desert.

After leaving the Lijos Desert, the Bringers of Life arrive in the Ocean of Secara, where they must journey across in order to reach the Village of Life. While Dabsar, Chappal and Zian can swim, Pilin and Ezen say they can't, and that they are fatally allergic to it, so Ezen decides to teleport Pilin across. They decide they'll meet at the Village of Life once Dabsar, Chappal and Zian get the Tree of Life piece.

As Dabsar, Chappal and Zian reach the Village of Life, Pilin and Ezen arrive as well, and they meet Cutie, Mmea and Zoe who are already there. They greet each other and congratulate each other for their accomplishments and how they reached here. Mmea then introduces Nadu, the mayor of the town as well as leader of the Legion of Life. Nadu welcomes them to the village, and tells them that if they need anything, she'll be there. She also says she knows their goal; to restore the Tree of Life, and tells them that she was the one who replanted it after the war alongside the Legion of Life. Zian questions why the tree survived the Demon War but not the Order of Magma War. Nadu replies saying it was invulnerable then being in its seedling form, but in the Order of Magma War it was vulnerable. The group then splits up to enjoy the joys of the village, with Dabsar going to by weapons and armor, Chappal leaving to get some food, Zian traveling to the book store, Pilin and Zoe going with Ezen to see the animal zoo and Cutie and Mmea remaining in the center of the town. Dabsar reminds them that they must stay focused on their goal however and eventually move on to get more Tree of Life pieces.

Dabsar, Chappal and Zian travel through the Caverns of Life.

Dabsar, Chappal and Zian, after leaving the caverns, arrive at the Mansion of Mayhem. As they go throughout looking for the Tree of Life piece, they encounter many skeletons. Eventually, they find the Tree of Life piece, but it is extremely high. They are then found by the beast Lurker, who tells them that he's been ordered by someone (whom they presume to be Coo Coo, incorrectly) to not let them reach the Tree of Life piece. He attacks them as they climb to get the piece, until eventually Zoe arrives and kills Lurker. She then informs Dabsar, Chappal and Zian that Ezen and Pilin have gone missing, and that she, Cutie and Mmea went with Nadu in order to try and get them back, assuring them that they'll do so, no matter the cost.

As Dabsar, Chappal and Zian are lead into the battlefield by Zoe, they are greeted by Mmea and Cutie as well as a reappearing Sven and Guard. They then hear a speech from Nadu, the commander of the Legion of Life, who informs them that they have a way to infiltrate and attack the Order of Magma airship and save Ezen and Pilin as well as capture Pozan using a magma block, with four magma creams, hidden about the battlefield. She is conflicted on choosing who should go in this mission, and ultimately, Zian volunteers himself, and Dabsar and Chappal join in. Nadu tells them about how to get there, as well as saying that there are boots in her own airship that they can use to have gentle landings incase they fall from a high place. She wishes the three luck and sends them off on their journey.

Once Dabsar, Chappal and Zian go throughout the battlefield, collect all the magma creams, craft the magma block and place it beneath the airship of the Order of Magma, the climb up and fight many hordes of monsters. After a great deal of fighting, they finally encounter the commander room, with Pozan in it. Pozan slyly greets them, claiming that he knew they'd come for their friend. Dabsar, Chappal and Zian prepare to attack and capture him, taking him back to the Legion of Life, but are then greeted by Pilin. At first they are delighted to see him, but then realize Ezen is not with him. It only takes a few moments for them to realize the horrifying truth: that Pilin was a spy for the Order of Magma. The three are shocked at this, but decide to not let it damage their goal, and warn them that they are outnumbered, and therefore outpowered. Pozan mocks them for thinking this, as he is incredibly strong. He summons a false figure of the Magma Queen and asks what should be done with them. The Magma Queen tells him to kill them, which Pozan agrees delightedly. Pilin feels betrayed, and wishes to not kill them at all. Pozan warns him that if he backs out of this, he'll be banished and executed once more. Despite the hopeful looks on Dabsar, Chappal and Zian's faces that Pilin would turn around, he chooses not to, and alongside his father, attacks them. A fairly long and fierce battle erupts between them.

After a while of fighting, Ezen suddenly appears and, using an incantation, removes much of Pozan's strength, leaving him unable to fight, at least for a temporary amount of time. Pilin quickly realizes that they've been defeated and tells Pozan that they must leave. Pozan disagrees at first, calling him "weak", until Pilin explains that if they leave now, they'll have a chance of coming back, yet if they choose to stay, they'd be captured and the Order of Magma would lose. Pozan reluctantly agrees and the two escape, leaving a heartbroken group behind. Zoe suddenly comes in, and asks what happens. Dabsar explains that Pilin was a spy, and that he and Pozan managed to escape; they had failed. Zoe is disappointed by this, but has most of her attention on the fact that Nadu was struck down by Void magic, and that she was in a critical state. They return to the airship to check on her, but not before getting the Tree of Life piece.

Once they arrive at the airship, the see Cutie, Mmea and Sven all around Nadu, who is in bed, in a critical state. Cutie and Mmea are relieved to see that Ezen is safe, and is horrified to learn that there is a dark wizard in the Order of Magma (who was actually the Magma Queen). Nadu asks to speak to them, and she expresses her pride in the three of them. Dabsar, Zian and Ezen try to persuade Chappal to heal Nadu, but she says she has no experience in Void magic, and that there's nothing she can do to help, leaving them heartbroken. Nadu tells them that it's fine, and that her time had come. She asks to speak to Sven alone, and Dabsar, Chappal, Zian and Ezen leave. Dabsar asks Zoe if Nadu will be able to survive this. Zoe sadly shakes her head. Sven tells Nadu that he won't be able to do anything without her. Nadu debunks this, saying that he'll be an excellent commander for the Legion of Life with her gone. She goes onto a speech about how death isn't suffering, and that it is peace, knowing that one has fulfilled their life's journey, and that they can now rest. Sven gives his wife a kiss and tearfully bids her farewell. Nadu then dies, withering away from the spell. As the Bringers of Life are prepared to return to the Land of Xora, Zoe heartbreakingly informs them that she plans to stay in the Legion of Life, and that this is her purpose in life. Sadly but encouragingly, her friends bid her farewell and leave.

The remaining Bringers of Life are saddened when at the Land of Xora for the loss of Nadu, the revelation of Pilin and the defection of Zoe, but Chappal tells them there is no time to mourn, and that they still have a mission to restore the Tree of Life. Cutie and Mmea agree to this and tell them the next pieces will be found in a distant mountain called Mount Fjall. Ezen realizes that he's in fact been there before, he traveled there on vacations with his family, and that it was essentially a hotel for all monsters traveling through Lijos, as they were typically unwelcome in other cities and towns, most of them belonging to humans. They then leave, all still shaken from the previous events that had taken place.

The Bringers of Life, after a while of traveling, arrive at Mount Fjall. As they go inside the mountain and explore, they are greeted by a blaze called the Fire Demon. He offers to give them a reward if they are able to complete his challenge. Once they do, he gives them a reward and warns them to be careful who they trust, as the mountain is unstable in more ways than one.

They travel through the mountain and eventually meet Blooddrawer, the receptionist of the mountain. He welcomes them to the mountain and offers them several potential places to stay, but Dabsar informs them they're merely here to enter the outskirts. Blooddrawer discourages them from doing this, telling them that any monster that goes into those outskirts doesn't return, and tells them the outskirts are the Outskirts of the Void as well as the heart of the mountain. Ezen agrees with Blooddrawer, knowing all too well the dangers of the Void, but the others decide it's worth it and go into the outskirts.

As the Bringers of Life enter the outskirts of the void, Ezen warns them of the dangers here, as the Void is an incredibly dangerous place; entering even its outskirts is incredibly risky. Chappal retorts this by claiming "don't you know I'm going *toward* the danger by now?" Zian comforts Ezen, saying that they'll manage, but Ezen is still uncertain. Regardless, they go in and start traveling through.

After a while of traveling, Dabsar, Chappal and Zian encounter Glacias and Aer, two more demigods who seem to be guarding an enchanting table surrounded by bookshelves. Glacias demands for them to leave while Aer greets them. Dabsar explains what they're doing here, which causes Glacias to quickly realize that they are humans, and something bad is happening. Sure enough, seconds later, there is a bunch of lightning hit at the enchanting table, and from the flames comes the horrific image of Zovan, who has apparently returned. The shocked Bringers of Life are then attacked by Zovan.

After some time of fighting, Zovan leaves, not before saying that it's been fun, and that he's hoping to see them again soon. Glacias is outraged at Dabsar, Chappal and Zian, telling them that they just released the most dangerous and powerful of all the demigods. Dabsar apologizes, and then asks where a couple of monsters are. Glacias assumes that they are simply looking for innocent monstersto slaughter, but Ezen speaks against this, saying that he's a monster himself, and that they're here to discover why they're missing. Glacias informs them that the Order of Magma is taking them captive and taking them to their base. The Bringers of Life leave the outskirts of the void after gaining the Tree of Life piece and the key to the Heart of Fjall.

Dabsar, Chappal, Zian and Ezen travel through the the Heart of Fjall. Ezen makes some remarks as they go through their journey.

Dabsar, Chappal and Zian reach with Ezen the edge of the mountain and are about to enter the Order of Magma Base. However, they are suddenly encountered by Blooddrawer. They are shocked to see him there. Blooddrawer explains that he is there because of his brother, Skinscraper. He wishes to talk to Skinscraper and get him to leave the Order of Magma. Ezen is distrusting of this after his experience with Pilin, but in any case offers some words of wisdom, saying that Skinscraper won't be able to change just because Blooddrawer asked him to, and that he needed to make that choice on his own. Blooddrawer disagrees, saying that Skinscraper's turn was circumstantial and that he shouldn't give up on him. He tells them he won't get in their way to get the Tree of Life, and that he's only here for Skinscraper, so they ultimately agree to him going with them.

After entering the base, they eventually reach the captain's quarters, encountering Skinscraper with Coo Coo with him. Blooddrawer begs Skinscraper to stop this, but Skinscraper refuses. Chappal is horrified to see that Coo Coo has joined the Order of Magma, so much so that she blurts out that Coo Coo is her sister. Blooddrawer is quick to blame Coo Coo for forcibly converting Skinscraper and perhaps manipulating him, but Coo Coo confirms that she joined Skinscraper, not the other way round. Skinscraper is ready to kill Dabsar, Chappal, Zian and Ezen and threatens Blooddrawer, telling him that if he doesn't join him to fight them, he will kill him too. Blooddrawer, after a moment of hesitation, refuses, saying that Skinscraper is in the wrong. Skinscraper is temporarily wounded, but eventually brushes it off and proceeds to attack them.

After a while of fighting, the voice of the Magma Queen suddenly appears, much to everyone's horror. Chappal demands how they can hear her if she can't be seen, and the Magma Queen answers that she can reach her voice to anywhere that she has control over, including their base in Lijos, saying that that her power is unlimited, and so is her knowledge. She then berates Skinscraper for being unable to handle three teenage humans, an enderman and his brother. The Magma Queen wonders what to do with them as she can't kill them since they were never part of the Order of Magma. Coo Coo suggests giving them the Tree of Life piece. The Magma Queen then glares at Blooddrawer, and realizes that he was once part of the Order of Magma, and that the Magma Queen can kill him. The Magma Queen does so, and turns him to dust, much to Chappal's horror. Skinscraper is briefly remorseful, but goes on to claim that his brother brought this upon himself. The Magma Queen fulfills Coo Coo's wish to give them the Tree of Life piece. However, she then charges Coo Coo for treason and drains her of all her magic, and takes both her and Skinscraper away. Before they vanish, Coo Coo cries out to Chappal, demanding why she did nothing to help. Chappal is saddened by this, but before she can do anything, the Magma Queen warns them to leave, or else she will bring down the base on them. The Bringers of Life do so, saddened by the death of Blooddrawer.

Dabsar, Chappal, Zian and Ezen arrive back at the Land of Xora. Zian expresses the fact that he is exhausted after literally going through a volcano and the outskirts of a deadly realm. Cutie agrees, saying they need a vacation, and knows the perfect place for one. He introduces the City of Life, a wonderous city in which they can all relax and rest, as it is the place where humans, monsters and animals are truly at peace with one another. They decide to leave right away for this vacation.

Dabsar, Chappal, Zian, Ezen, Mmea and Cutie arrive at the City of Life. They are awed by the beauty of the city, as well as the diversity of all who are living there, including nearly every species that lives in Lijos. As they begin making plans of what they're going to do, Zian quickly realizes this is exactly what happened in the Village of Life, and it resulted in Ezen being kidnapped, and discourages them from splitting up. Ezen, however, claims he needs time on his own, and that he needs to think. Zian tells him that he hasn't acted like this since they first arrived at the Land of Xora, and realizes that his friend is going through something. Ezen simply smiles, saying that Zian is insightful. Chappal assures Zian that they'll be fine, and they go their separate ways.

After some time of exploring, Dabsar, Chappal, Zian, Cutie and Mmea suddenly run into a quarters, which is actually the new Legion of Life base. They find Zoe there, who bids them hello. They are thrilled to see their old friend there, and Sven and Guard reveal them to be there too, with many others whom they encountered on their journey, including Baana, Puerto, Ocie, Feza, Bob and Sid. Guard explains that they are the new Legion of Life, and that after the death of Nadu, most human soldiers of the legion had quit the group as they no longer saw hope in it. Sven had his own share of mourning, but eventually decided to act, and began recruiting numerous species from Lijos, from the Lands Beyond to the Woods of Woe and even from the Tree of Topsies, in order to form a new Legion of Life that is more diverse; smaller, but more diverse. Sven asks if the Bringers of Life can join the legion, which they all quickly accept. While they are getting acquainted with the group, the alarm suddenly begins sounding, and they realize that the Order of Magma has arrived, to Sven's horror.

Meanwhile in the city, several hordes of zombies begin attacking the city, killing many civilians and innocent people. They are fought off by several iron golems, but eventually the number of zombies exceeds that of iron golems.

From above, Pozan, Skinscraper and Pilin are discussing their plan to kidnap Ezen. Skinscraper tells them that the people who invaded the Order of Magma Base were the same people that Pilin was spying on. Pozan remarks that Skinscraper had failed, but if they manage to capture Ezen, he won't be punished. Pilin suggests fighting alongside their soldiers, but Pozan disagrees, saying that they're their disposables. Pilin reluctantly agrees, fearing to be banished again. He then leaves. Skinscraper questions why Pozan hasn't gotten rid of Pilin yet, as he's demonstrated weakness multiple times. Pozan replies that he needs Pilin to continue his legacy, as once he dies, he needs someone to continue it. Skinscraper laments that he has no one to do so. Pozan tells him that after the raid is over, he can kidnap a child from the City of Life to be his child, explaining that this is how he got Pilin, which shocks and horrifies Skinscraper.

Meanwhile, even further up, The Deathmaster, Coo Coo and Zovan are watching over the battlefield. Coo Coo is still recovering after having all her chaos magic taken away from her. The Deathmaster reassures her that they'll soon be able to get it back. Coo Coo thanks him. She glares at Zovan, who tries to, once again, justify not coming back to save Coo Coo and taking so long to be set free. The Deathmaster, seeing all the chaos and bloodshed, laments that it's so tempting, and wants to kill at least a few people, but Coo Coo and Zovan forbid him from doing so. Zovan replies that they'll get their chance soon, and they leave.

Ezen, trapped in the middle of the city, and feeling the impact of the war, is frustrated with himself for deciding to separate himself from his friends, as he is now vulnerable, and he is too weak to teleport. As he stands in the middle of the field, he suddenly witnesses a bunch of humans coming. While at first he wishes to get them to safety, they interpret him as one of the monsters from the Order of Magma. Despite his protests, they don't believe him when he says that he isn't, and they attack him. A fight ensues between them, and Ezen is ultimately the victor, as he accidentally kills several to avoid getting hurt. The humans leave, leaving Ezen heartbroken with himself. He is then found by Pozan, Skinscraper and Pilin. Ezen threatens to seal them all in stone if they take another step closer, prompting Skinscraper to note what a great admiral he could potentially be. Pozan asks for Ezen to join them, attempting to manipulate him. However, Ezen is completely unfazed by anything Pozan says, and continues to attempt to fight him. Pozan attacks him, and suddenly is able to take away his pearl, disabling all of Ezen's magic powers. He then takes Ezen captive, and they all return to their base.

Zoe informs Sven that there are a lot of them, using her sharp hearing, and hears many cries on the battlefield. Sven decides to split the group up in order for them to reach the City of Light and keep civilians from getting hurt. They then all leave, ready to fight the Order of Magma to the end and keep them from winning.

Dabsar, Chappal, Zian, Cutie and Mmea, now joined by the Legion of Life, fight off the Order of Magma from the city. After fighting off several, they had through the sewers to get to the main city, and leave to get to the City of Life.

The Legion of Life finally arrives in the City of Life, but it is, alas, too late. The city has been completely and utterly destroyed. They realize that most civilians have gotten out safely, much to their relief, but then Zian remembers that Ezenas in the city. Sven demands why the Order of Magma was able to find them, when the city was secret for so long, and Zoe theorizes that they might be tracking them through Ezen, as the Magma Queen can track Void magic. Cutie and Mmea begin to fear the worst, as to what the Order of Magma could be doing. Zian demands to know what it is, but they answer that it's better if they don't know, and instead act on it. Zoe suggests infiltrating Myrkur, as by now they are out of options, which everyone agrees to. She says they most go through the Oceanside in order to do so.

The Legion of Life travels through the Oceanside in order to get to the Outskirts of Myrkur.

As Ezen is escorted to his prison, he is suddenly found and confronted by his sister, Azen, who is alive and well. Ezen berates her for joining the Order of Magma, while Azen continues to mutter and express her jealousy at the fact that, just like when they were kids, everyone wanted Ezen for his raw strength rather than Azen. Ezen suggests letting him go, then they would focus on her a lot more, but Azen doesn't fall for that. She simply smirks and says that he's weak for not fighting back against the humans, while Ezen responds that she's weak for joining a fascist cult. Leethos appears and tells Azen that it's time to go. Azen smirks and bids goodbye to Ezen, saying they'll be seeing each other soon.

The Legion of Life finally arrives in the outskirts of Myrkur, and they begin to prepare. They start going through the tunnels, fighting many dangerous and powerful monsters, and even going over large Void cliffs. Eventually, once they reach the other side, they are separated, and Dabsar, Chappal and Zian are confronted by Skinscraper, who attacks them. While attacking them, he is, at first, determined that it is their fault that Blooddrawer is dead, and blames them for it, while trying to kill them. However, as he's shouting and shouting, he eventually starts to doubt the lies he's telling himself, and by the time Dabsar, Chappal and Zian are able to beat him, Skinscraper questions as to whether it is his own fault, and not the people he is currently trying to brutally kill.

As Pozan and Pilin return to the outskirts of Myrkur, they are greeted by the Magma Queen. They begin getting ready to return to the actual Myrkur with Ezen so that they can begin to execute their new plan. The Magma Queen then mocks Pilin, telling him that some old "friends" would like to see him. Pilin is greeted by Leethos, who is calling him a "piggy pig". Pozan warns Pilin not to do any funny business and leaves. Azen begins mocking and irritating Pilin, asking him whether his time away has caused him to reflect on his failures. Pilin retorts that it's Azen's brother, Ezen, who demonstrated immense weakness against the Order of Magma and is currently their prisoner. Azen warns Pilin to watch his words, as she can destroy him before he blinks. Baibee questions why she said that, as they are all back together now, which he is happy about. Pilin simply asks where Vogana is. Quite instantly, the witch appears, making a grand entrance. Pilin expresses his irritation alongside Azen with this. After this, Leethos begins to tease Pilin again, and Pilin blurts out that he had more fun outside the Order of Magma than he is in here. Azen responds, quite cruelly, that no one wanted him to come back, and not even his own father wanted him for him alone, and only wanted him for his legacy. Pilin demands for them to stop, and Leethos teases him by saying that he should cry to his mommy, only to quickly say "oh wait, you don't have one". This infuriates Pilin to the point that he punches Leethos straight across the room and leaves in fury. Vogana, confused, asks if she said anything to offend him.

Meanwhile, Skinscraper is feeling great responsibility for what he's done, realizing that it's his own fault that Blooddrawer had died. Chappal scolds him for this, telling him he doesn't deserve his own pity or theirs. Eventually, the rest of the Legion of Life catches up to them. Sven is confused as to why Skinscraper isn't attacking them. Skinscraper begs to join the Legion of Life, as he no longer wishes to be a part of the Order of Magma. Several Legion of Life soldiers are very quick to oppose this, with most of the reasoning being that he hasn't done anything good and has been a fascist for most of his life, and that his loyalty, especially considering that he allowed his own brother to be killed, would be quite questionable. Ultimately, Sven asks Dabsar, Chappal and Zian what they think. Chappal refuses, saying that he doesn't deserve it, while Dabsar and Zian suggest at least giving him a chance. Ultimately, Sven agrees to this, but warns Skinscraper that should he step out of line, he will kill him. Skinscraper agrees, and they continue traveling through the outskirts.

Eventually, they reach another part of the outskirts of Myrkur, in which they set up a base. However, they are found by Leethos who attacks them in a fierce but brief battle. After Leethos realizes he's outnumbered and outpowered, he leaves, warning them that he'll be back. Sid spits at him in disgust as he leaves. Skinscraper discourages him from doing that, saying that he won't appreciate him until he's gone. Sid tells Skinscraper that he's a prisoner, and that prisoners can't talk. Zoe tells Sid that it's fine and that he can talk. They begin discussing about what should happen next, and how they plan to save Ezen. Ocie also questions how they're going to manage to bring the Order of Magma to justice for what they've done to the City of Life. Sven, sadly, responds that there may be no way to bring them to justice, as their main focus currently is to save Ezen. Sid questions why they're risking everything for just one enderman, which outrages Zoe. Sven somewhat agrees, saying that if the entire Legion of Life is captured, there will be no hope for the world, while if just Ezen remains captured, it won't be the end of the world. Zian threatens to kill them both by crushing their souls, but Chappal quickly intervenes, scolding them, and then telling them that Ezen could be used to bring back The Void, and that they should be risking everything to save him, or else the world could be destroyed. Sven agrees, apologizing, while Ocie responds saying that they'll support him with whatever decision they make.

The Legion of Life split up, with Dabsar, Chappal, Zian and Skinscraper going through two tunnels, one with Baibee and the other with Azen. They fight with both of them. Azen mocks them for their weakness, telling them that she is superior and that Ezen will soon be doomed. After this, they go into the last tunnel, into the gateway to Myrkur. They suddenly find the powerful witch Vogana waiting for them. This results in a ferocious battle between them, and Vogana attacks and fights them with great ferocity of magic. She also reveals in this battle that it was in fact the Magma Queen who killed Nadu, not a random Void wizard.

Sometime after they fight, Pozan suddenly arrives, and Azen casts a spell on them to keep them to the ground, preventing them from moving. In this time, Pozan mocks them for failure. He then questions what should be done with them. Leethos suggests simply killing them, while Pilin suggests that they may still be useful. Pozan gives Pilin a warning that he is demonstrating weakness, and Pilin grows quite. Pozan then faces Skinscraper, and tells him that he's demonstrated weakness against the Order of Magma, but worse off has committed treason, which the sentence to is death. Skinscraper asks to do a monologue before his death, which Pozan reluctantly agrees to. Skinscraper responds that he was wrong all along for joining the Order of Magma, and that they are fascists, and that in truth, he wasn't seeking justice for what was done to his parents, but vengeance. He apologizes to what he did, and thanks Dabsar, Chappal and Zian for letting him side with them, for however little time he managed to spend with them. Pozan then orders Azen to execute him, and she does so, striking Skinscraper down, but not before he whispers "thank you" to Dabsar, Chappal and Zian. Pozan ultimately decides to leave the three of them here, letting them rot, and leaves with Ezen in a cage alongside Baibee, Vogana, Azen and Pilin to Myrkur. Dabsar, Chappal and Zian begin falling into despair, but they are quickly found by Sven, Zoe, Mmea and Cutie in time. Cutie is able to undo the spell on them, and they are freed. They are all horrified that they failed, and that Ezen had been captured, with the way to Myrkur closed. Mmea tells them that there's another way to get to Myrkur, and that they aren't finished yet. She promises that they'll get Ezen back, stop the Order of Magma and save Lijos.

Back at the Land of Xora, Sven blames himself for the failure, as he is the leader. Cutie disagrees with him, saying it was his own fault, and explains that he was once part of the demons, and that he shouldn't have left; he should have stayed and help keep the demons from not becoming corrupt. Chappal disagrees, saying there's no way he could have known what would happen. Mmea says that some of them most defend Lijos and enter Myrkur the manual way, but some must head through the back in order to save Ezen. Dabsar, Chappal and Zian volunteer for this role, and Zoe, Sven and Guard decide to come as well. Cutie and Mmea then decide to lead the rest of the Legion of Life to Myrkur the manual way. She tells the stealth group that they must go through the Edge of Lijos, and that that is how they'll reach. She wishes them luck and they all depart.