"This is the last time Betty, I promise. It's for our future." Simon pleaded with his fiancée in their small home. He was on his knees, feeling the cold ground even through his winter slacks.

"Simon, you promised me you wouldn't do anything without telling me!" Betty argued.

"I haven't done anything yet. If you hear me out…" Simon began as he got off the round and approached Betty.

"It won't matter will it? You've already have your coat on. I bet you and Pen already began packing haven't you?"

Simon hesitated. "Betty please…I want the best for us. I agree with you! I don't want to spend the rest of my life going on these dangerous adventures when I just want to be recognized as an antiquarian. I want to be able to retire and look back on my work. I want our children to be proud of their father."

"Then don't go! We'll be fine here, in this little house. You know I make enough as a biologist."

"Yes I know Betty, and it gives me great pride to know you chose me as your husband. But we're talking 50 million credits! With that we could leave all of this treasure hunting behind and live a life of nothing but luxury."

"Assuming you make it back alive. My heart can't take watching you cry getting stitched up again!"

"Hey I was tearing, not crying!" He corrected. "I just won't let myself be hurt this time. You know I can be quite a strong guy when I'm in the right situation." He said trying his hardest to flex his noodle limbs.

"I'm not as worried about that dear; I know Pen will do his best to protect you. I'm more worried about what these relics are doing to you." Betty said wiping his cheek.

"What do you mean? I'm just as spry as a newborn chicken."

"I man I think your fascination with these relics of the past has become a dangerous addiction.

"That's exactly why this will be my last trip. The last artifact I get."

"Simon, last time you almost went blind and went on like nothing happened." She said with a sudden aggression. "I'm scared these objects aren't just going to affect your mind, they're going to affect your bod." She began tearing up. "I don't want to lose you Simon."

Simon came closer to her and embraced her in a hug.

"Betty. I promise nothing in this world is strong enough to take me away from you, my princess. Remember these are only old artifacts. There is nothing supernatural about them. Kaol gave us everything we'd need to get the book anyway. I promise I will be safe." Simon said as he looked her in the eye and stroked her hair gently.

"You promise?" Betty sniffled.

"Promise."

They shared a tender kiss and moment. The blare of a car horn disrupted the couple.

"Oi! Simon, you say goodbye to the sweet lass yet? That book ain't getting any younger."

Simon slowly parted from Betty still deciding what to do. After a moment of silence that seemed to last forever, Betty finally spoke.

"I'm coming with you."

"You want to join me? But what about…"

"You never know, Pen may not be enough."

"So you have to protect me too?" Simon joked.

"I just want to make sure if anything happens, I'm by your side." She said with an intoxicating smile.

"Come on where is that mucker?" Pen said to himself waiting beside a cab.

Simon and Betty finally walked outside hand in hand. They were both bundled up for the weather carrying their bags. This was the third snowstorm this month and it was freezing. Simon and Betty held each other close trying to gain warmth from each other. They were greeted to more honking from the cab.

"And here I was worried you got whipped into staying." Pen said cheekily. "Looks like my little Simon's all grown up." He sniffled.

"Oh shut up." Simon replied leading his lady into the car. "When are you going to grow up?"

"Let's get out of here." He said stepping inside.

"Onward to Greece!" Pen shouted.

There it stood before them. While it wasn't the tallest of towers there was certainly a height to the energy it emanated. Unlike most of the places the group had gone too that were abandoned or dangerous, this place was crowded by tourists with their cameras flickering away. People seemed to walk aimlessly around the area bumping into everyone. The old cracked soil they stepped on felt hollow, like one wrong move would send you a thousand meters into the Earth. Simon, Pen, Betty and Jack navigated through the crowd and finally reached the tower itself. A heavy-set security officer stood in their way.

"Excuse me this is a historical landmark, unless you have authorization to go beyond here step aside."

"Yes my name is Simon Petrikov. We're affiliated with the International Museum of Historical artifacts, we've been sent by curator Kaol Ward himself."

"Simon Petrikov? You mean the crazy guy who goes to deadly dangerous places picking up old artifacts and antiques left in this modern world by the people of old?" The man questioned as he took a glance at Simon's card.

He continued observing the card, making the silence that much more unbearable. After a whole he finally spoke.

"Meh, I don't believe you."

"Just let us in you plonker!" Pen yelled.

"Fine. Whole worlds gone to Nightosphere anyway. Why should I care if ya'll break an old boring tower?" He said stepping aside.

Pen cut through the door to the tower, letting them walk inside. It was moldy and humid, yet there was a very cold presence in the air.

"It doesn't look like anyone's come inside in ages." Betty said.

"Hopefully that means the book is unscathed." Simon said getting anxious.

Suddenly Pen's sword started glowing.

"Here we go." He said as he unsheathed it. It began pointing him in a direction.

They all began to follow Pen follow the blade until they hit a wall. Perplexed, Pen poked the wall a couple of times with the sword. Then the sword forced itself to point straight down.

"Look." Betty said.

Jack had been sniffing around a small opening on the floor below them.

"Now what?" Betty asked, appearing stunned.

Pen took a glance at the sword.

"So you wanna go in there baby. Ok, I promise I won't be too rough with ya." Pen said.

He then stuck the sword in the slot, making Jack jump back. Soon the tower began to rumble. Jack began barking and running in circles panicking. A large crack began to form in the wall. Simon, Pen and Betty all had a look of anticipation at what would happen next.

Suddenly, everything stopped. The four of them stood waiting for something to happen, but there was nothing but silence and disappointment.

"That's it?" Pen said.

"It looks like all we managed to do was break a landmark." Simon said.

"A lot good that did, what made you think that would work?" Betty asked.

"I just thought she'd look awesome stuffed in there." Pen explained.

"Well at least now we know that there was nothing here after-."

Before she could finish, the floor completely imploded below them. They fell into the revealed pit bracing for the inevitably painful impact. The hole seemed endless.

"I told you bad things would happen." Betty screamed.

"I'm so sorry Betty! Please know I'd never wish for something like this to happen. I promise no matter what, if we make it out of this alive, I'll never adventure for another day in my life." Simon pledged.

The two embraced each other.

"I never said this to anyone but I love you man." Pen said squeezing Jack.

Everything went black as they continued to descend into the darkness.

Pen felt a crippling pain in his sides after the impact. He didn't have to look to know his legs and back were broken. He was breathing heavily and could only see straight ahead. He was on the bottom of their human…and dog ladder. Jack was in his arms in front of him, Simon fell atop jack and Betty fell atop Simon.

"Good you're all ok." Pen managed to choke out. "Man, out of all the falls we've had over the years that one was tops. I didn't think we were gonna make it."

His friends didn't respond. None of the patronizing cautioning from Betty, no monologue about everything Pen did wrong from Simon, not even the excited drenching of his face by Jack.

"Maybe I spoke to soon." He said realizing he was alone.

"Simon man, you gotta get up and get that book. You got something to look forward too. To be honest I kind of envy that of you, you got a sweet lass who loves you, millions of kids who look up to you, you even make my rank old brother a cool guy. Even if I can't do anything, you gotta get up. The world don't need me, but it sure as heck needs you."

He began tearing up a little bit knowing he couldn't do anything in his condition. He cocked his head to the side and noticed something. His wet eyes made it difficult, but he began to make out something. It blended in well with the dirty dusty surroundings. Soon he could make out the little sword, the skull head, and the grapes, all there on the auburn cover. There it was the Enchiridion.

Instinctively he tried to get up and run to it but found it to be no use.

"Simon get up, its right there, Simon!" Pen pleaded.

Suddenly two bony hands grabbed the book. Surprised Pen got a closer look at his surroundings. It was a small circular room, with skeletal Greek warriors standing tall with their swords pointing down. They were all decked out in long togas. Pen realized one of these figures held the book in his hands. It was the only one without a blade.

Pen shuttered at the sound of the booming voice. He struggled more than ever to get to his feet.

Come brave warrior shows us your might

Your will of fortitude, your scorn of plight

In a desperate fight or flight attempt, Pen pushed aside his friends and rolled over on his belly. He crawled over to the warrior, and pulled himself up on its robe.

He took a glance at the statue and noticed its helmet was missing one of its horns. He picked up the horn they had brought and managed to secure it onto the helmet. He then took his sword and placed it in the warrior's sheath. He held the vile of blood in his hands but did not see a spot for it. He then noticed the extra broken bones in the chest cavity of the figure. Seeing no other option he placed the vile there.

This blood is unsatisfactory man

You need to come up with a better plan

"Darn it! Come on, there has to be something I can do!" Pen said.

The blood attempt is not the requested

But in this tomb there is blood of the hero to be tested

"What are you blathering on about, bones? I don't have any…more…blood?" He said looking at his arm.

"But I'm no hero. I'm just a hired hand who loves fighting monsters and stuff. I'm just a bodyguard, that's my deal." Pen explained.

The book does not lie

Heroic blood in you…lies

"You rhymed lie with lie? Weak."

Just give us some of your blood already

"Fine!" Pen finally buckled.

He used one of his teeth in his hand to make a small cut on his finger. Not sure what to do next, he dropped some of the blood on the skeletal hands. The room began to shake as the skeleton's hands began to release the book.

The ancient tomb and the skeletal hood

Shall only open for heroic blood

When darkness reigns, in endless night

Lock the book here and keep it tight!

With heavy and yearning hands, Pen picked up the book. While its age was quite apparent it felt like no one had ever turned a single page. He quickly began flipping through the book but was stopped by a whirring sound. He looked into the skulls eye and saw a blue light shine. He instinctively put the book in front of him, letting the light touch the book. The light found its way to the small door on its cover, causing it to open.

A holographic image appeared onscreen. It was of a tiny little man in a simple robe. He had a book that appeared to float above his head.

"Hi I'm Booko. What you hold in your hands right now bravest warrior is the Enchiridion also known as the hero's handbook, the unholy scripture, dimension dominator, book book, niksplichgaginkkakoo, the macguffin and more throughout its long existence." The figure began.

"The book was coveted by evil wizards of the past, who used it's great power to conquer many worlds, but they were stopped in this realm by angry Greek warriors who killed all the wizards and sealed the book within this tower deeming it to be too powerful for mortals promising only to release it from its tomb to a righteous hero who would stop evil from destroying the world with it."

"Wow must be a powerful book." Pen said.

"Well the enchiridion was designed to be capable of drawing the magic energy of the gems of power created by the wizards. With the gems The Enchiridion will have the power to create a portal to any dimension in the multiverse."

"Wow, Simon's not gonna believe this when I show it to him." Pen said.

"Sorry, but the book will only reveal its power and history to those either those with the gems of power or those with the blood of a hero rushing through there skinny little veins." Book-o explained.

"Oh so where are the gems?"

"I dunno. I'm a hologram dude."

"Oh man you telling me I'm going to be the only one who is gonna be able to read this forever?" Pen asked a little disheartened.

"Only you or someone you share blood with." Book-o added.

"Well anyway that's not important, what is, is that we got the book." Pen said satisfied.

"Hey, ouch." Book-o said as Pen closed the small door.

"But now how are we gonna get out of here?" Pen said remembering his injuries and his friend's condition.

He paused to think but for some reason only found himself thinking of using the bathroom. "Man why do I have to wiz right now?" Soon the sound of rushing water in his head became a reality. He could make out the familiar sound in the distance.

"Wait, it can't be…"

A torrent of water rushed in through the hole behind the skeleton. It instantly swept away the entire crew and began filling the room. Pen managed to resurface against the current.

"PEN!" A voice called to him.

It was Simon who had just came to along with Betty and Jack. He was completely overwhelmed by the current.

"What happened?"

"I don't know I grabbed the book then next thing I know, a whole ton of water came and mucked up the place." Pen explained.

"BETTY!" Where are you?" Simon called.

Betty was trying her best to hold on to ribs of one of the skeletons which were oddly unfazed by the flood.

"SIMON!" Betty yelled back. The ribs snapped and Betty got swallowed by the current.

"BETTY!" Simon immediately swam towards her. He fought as hard as he could but the current was to strong and he was pushed back and knocked against the wall.

The water was rising fast and there was little anyone could do to stop it. Jack who was barely visible in the water managed to grabbed Betty who was little more than a log floating underwater. As the water rose it slowly became easier to traverse through. Jack was able to carry Betty to Simon, who saw him and grabbed on to his fur as quickly as possible. Jack swam up to the top, as fast as he could, with a look of worry about his master who had not seen.

On the outside the mass of tourist had gathered directly in front of the tower of winds. Pictures were snapping rapidly. Soon the Tower began shaking. Itrocked back and forth violently to the horror of the tourist.

"Everybody something is going down. Run ruuuun!" The security guard said evacuating everyone.

The crowd ran screaming as the tower was annihilated by the geyser of water that sprang from beneath it.

From out the windows of the tower one could see Simon, Betty and Jack floating on the cascading water down to earth. Simon immediately grabbed Betty.

"Oh Betty I'm so sorry!" Simon said as he tried to press the water out of her. "I should have listened to you! I shouldn't have tried to go after this stupid book." He wiped tears away from his face as he continued his CPR.

The crowd returned to view the heart-wrenching scene.

"I was so weak I couldn't even save you. I'm such an idiot." "I won't ever let my stupidity put you in danger ever again."

Suddenly Betty gently squeezed on his shirt. Simon stopped elated to see a reaction from her. She coughed up some water and tightened her grip. She brought Simon in closer. Simon wiped his remaining tears away as his beloved came ever closer. She then gave him a brutal slap that knocked off his glasses.

As he wiped his face, she straightened her own glasses and gave him a kiss. "Sweetie, I love you because you're an idiot." She said tenderly. "Just knowing you'd risk your life for me like you did, and put me above all else is enough for me to forgive you."

Simon was overwhelmed with joy even though now he could barely make out his princess' face. They embraced each other in another kiss and hug. The entire crowd went ballistic with cheer. No one knew what happened but they enjoyed the moment. Camera flickers were once again in full supply.

"But seriously, no more of this stuff." Betty said sternly.

"Of course." Simon replied.

Jack suddenly began howling.

"Ah Pen!" Simon remembered. They both got up and ran to Jack who was looking over is crippled master's body. The crowd followed only stopping the photos once the saw the body before them.

Pen was sprawled out on his side, legs twisted, fingers broken and arms scared. His ever neat blonde hair was matted dirtied and tight. He didn't move a muscle.

"Oh Pen. No…." Simon whimpered.

"No more tears man. Let's put a smile on that face." Pen choked out as he coughed up some water. He turned over and revealed the Enchiridion, dry as a bone.

Simon and Betty were excited knowing all their effort wasn't for naught. Jack began doing flips and licked his master's face furiously.

"Hey settle down everyone, we all made it and got off with the loot." He said passing the book to Simon.

"We need to get this back to the museum." Simon said.

Pen laughed in triumph until he remembered his injuries.

"Ow." He muttered as he passed out.

"He needs medical treatment; he's banged up really bad." Betty said worried.

"I'll take care of him!" A voice behind them called.

From out of the crowd Kaol walked in with his diligent crew.

"Kaol? How did you…"

"That's not important, did you get the book?" Kaol rushed.

Before Simon could respond Kaol saw the legendary text in his hands and approached it. He was practically salivating over it.

"Finally, after so many years…" Kaol whispered to himself.

He then took a glance at Pen.

"Get him to the limo." Kaol ordered. In an instant the men shuffled to pick up Pen's large broken frame.

"Wait Kaol…" Simon said.

"Simon you've outdone yourself. I never thought I'd see the book in real life." Kaol said again admiring the book. "We must make an extra special spot for this in our archives."

"What about Pen is he going to be ok?" Betty asked.

"He'll be fine." Kaol said as he pulled out two gold cards.

"I'll make sure to give him his pay as well." He said handing the two their credits. "Now hurry yourself."

Simon was befuddled staring at the card. Kaol walked away as if nothing had happened. Deciding not to waste time trying to figure out what just happened; Simon and Betty followed Kaol.