The Clockwork Man tilted his head, a sign that he was deep in thought.

“I concede, you certainly have a more elaborate plan than my own.” He settled down finally, as if coming to that decision had been a great physical effort. “I’ll stand with you, for what it’s worth.” He shrugged his shoulders and the Clockwork Spider detached itself, clambering over to the Mystan Elder who took it eagerly.

“I see the matrix is almost complete, my apprentice did well. I’ll be a while adding the final code though.” Without another word he began to cast powerful technomagic over the creature, and the Clockwork Man nodded appreciatively. 

“Now my business is complete, let us see to keeping this tower standing, hmm?” This time he addressed Arty, presuming to make his decision for him at least in regards to defending the tower. It wasn’t much of a choice after all, if they didn’t protect it they were all going to die here, regardless of if they cared about the future standing beside these rebels.

“I’m sure they’ll make another incursion into the tower, I’ll be sure to make them feel it this time. Do you believe we can defeat this force or are we only buying time?” The Clockwork Man posed his question to the Death Cult leaders, but regardless of the answer he would be forced to begin the journey down to the lower levels once again, because a fight was to be had whether there was any hope or not.