For the next three days, they met at the lake, testing each other's skills in combat and magic.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDgAFE4ZCO
It was almost comical how each tried to show off what they could do, but they always kept the underlying knowledge that this wasn't a game and people could get hurt or die.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTdvVws1Bt
Leenia was the most grounded, followed by Wolf, Coby, and Arlin. Nina was… Nina.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM888UhGgU8
They enjoyed the group dynamic more than anything, though it would be a lie to say Arlin did not try extra hard to impress Leenia, who did not notice.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthWzKaUBPC
Arlin was shifting from darkness and trying to mime fighting a monster and shooting dark puddles that made spikes to attack them to show his skills when he hit the ground, drained.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL5hOeMfd3
He overdid it.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXh6BfFnnT
Wolf reached into a pack and pulled out a blue potion. He beamed a smile as Wolf brought it to him.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jkx90zk9Z
"Thanks."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBFnsoqs39
He drank it, feeling his mana return.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAFKbXHx6L
"Careful with the stuff. I don't know what happens when you drink too much rapid mana. Gain and loss can't be good."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWlUTV13CD
Wolf wanted to make notes to learn long-term effects when Arlin chimed in to help with what he knew.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML5DSsMVFM
"Short term, you're fine. I did it on a bad hunt in a dungeon, needing a lot of mana in a short time, but it drains you after a few hours. You need to rest for a day. I never tried doing it for multiple days, though. It cost too much."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEST5IL7vAT
Yet he was distracted from saying more with amazement by the fox girl's feats.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2y3DBzfv5
She kept easily making stone form into armor gauntlets, pulling the earth to dash, and making random boulders to smash. She would randomly boast while doing it too.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8dNE60k8J
"Look, brother!" A rock bigger than her head sat in her hand. "This is nothing. I bet we clear everything easily."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94Q4K8Iu8b
He looked to see if Wolf was looking, but he was writing in his book, ignoring her. He felt bad, but it seemed she was used to trying to get his attention.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQRlDfi7cS
He was distracted randomly himself by Wolf's sister Leenia, who wasn't practicing her skill. Yet they needed what she could do. She instead sat beside her brother, enjoying the day.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6QGJRNLCW
He wished his sister were here to tell him to quit obsessing, but he couldn't help it. He was like the fox girl in that regard, trying to catch the eye of someone who was not even looking.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mxBBxISbh
"Ok, I'm feeling it now. How long was that?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4zugjH2d0
Arlin looked and saw the fox girl was finally worn down. She hadn't needed a mana potion in the last few days.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D66fq0fX0
They had been randomly practicing. Her mana regen was crazy, or her control allowed the mana use to be much lower. He wasn't sure.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnF7zdupOQ
"Hmm? Sorry, Nina, I was making notes. One sec."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhoCxhPdN5
He reached into a pouch, getting her a mana potion. She happily sat beside him, drinking it and looking at his notes, not caring he did not notice her feats.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR0NXZ6evA
"I was watching, though I was a little distracted," Leenia spoke. "I say about twenty minutes? Is your best before it hits you, and you need to rest."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfN1LnfGuI
Nina nudged Wolf, hearing that, beaming a smile. "Hear that, brother? Twenty minutes. Plenty of power. I don't think anything we fight will last more than five."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM8G48SMoK
Wolf stopped writing and looked at her seriously.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo6HZLsVC0
"Just stay safe. I can't be with you guys, and I don't want to lose any of you…"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vlTndDc8p
Nina squealed with joy, grabbing him. "Trust your big sister. Nothing bad is going to happen."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI3bUy15kW
Leenia also rubbed his back in comfort.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzY7Re0qv2
Arlin felt a pang of envy about how much his family loved him. True, he had people that cared for him, but it felt more distant.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpg9XVB4BWv
Coby spoke up from the side. "The dungeons are gifts from the gods to bring more magic to the lands. People have been farming them safely for years. It's just new ones you need to be more careful with. The monster spawns tend to be higher due to more magic influx. The older ones are almost barren of monsters. You have to go deeper in to farm them. It's why some items are rarer from dungeons."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNK40unxzQ
Arlin nodded. He did find it odd that besides a few random bad runs, the majority were safe. He thought it was the gods adjusting it on their whims. Maybe they were more hands-off than he knew.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgedqlO9xRn
"If it is true, it just means we need to go slow," Arlin stated. "We got potions and a lot of firepower, but we lack knowledge on what comes from a new dungeon. I'll bring it up to my mom and sis to see if they can help. Beyond that, it's just us doing what needs to be done."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPbOVdmxhc
He smiled, trying to show confidence, and faltered when he saw Leenia watching him sincerely and smiling.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTb4rQLmoz
A pat on his shoulder, though light, made him stumble and jerk as he was lost in the moment. It was Coby.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJZPpCJGKy
"Thanks for helping us. We appreciate it."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddaxMAiB0A
Arlin was at a loss for words. He liked them and really liked Leenia, but he was just now starting to not feel like an outsider intruding on their group.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYqTVYRNt6
A few more days passed like that before they knew no amount of planning beyond this would matter.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXRxaFmzod
It was time to act.
Tanya was not happy. She was stressed.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA6r4LDM7s
She filled her pipe and inhaled to relieve some stress, but it was having little effect.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZbRIDHuOG
Knowing her son was in a dungeon with a bunch of kid strangers, she was sitting at a table in a side room at the guildhall.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJnwj6aKq9
The mayor, a gnome who was happily eating some snacks Rosa brought, and the town head of the merchant guild were both friends from her past, but that brought her no joy.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTPbevxSav
"Your daughter and your niece are among them. Do you not care?" she asked, inhaling smoke nervously.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnTvdA9YO8
The mayor looked up, surprised, with a mouthful of a cookie. It was her other friend, Justin, the girl's father, who did speak.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6ZPejT26C
"We traveled the land hunting monsters with fewer powers, and we are fine. Why are you worried now?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ8rtjFQj5
"The same reason you settled down with your wife to avoid these things, not to one day send our kids headfirst into more dangers…"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRX4BsPBpF
She retorted, not liking the carefree response.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJaJdOf4IQ
"Tanya, dear… you know how much I love my grandkids. When Wolf got hurt, I wanted to smash the dungeon myself. But they can't learn and grow if we don't let them."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyESx4JVSQ
The mayor spoke briefly before turning back to another cookie.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61tyEy7L5s
"You told us just the other day," Justin spoke to make a point, "with pride, I might add, how you beat and pushed your son through dungeons for years and how proud of him you are. Yet now you fear him leading my daughter in a dungeon with the help of others?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPGEHqEIBk
He wasn't happy either, but he wanted that cure, and the kids were the best shot.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZVW7ouOyR
"Oh, please," she said, "that was different. I was there, and he did get hurt before. I just made sure nothing killed him."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yk82jGLFa
They sat in silence at that, not able to continue without starting another fight. They had been rehashing this for a while and were no closer to a resolution.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AmMmaA1tu
She broke down first.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMkTz3xqXn
"Did you send another letter? We should have the funds to dissuade them from this farce."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtdtMUAr4I
She inhaled from her pipe, still no comfort for her nerves.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjy1CozLUU
The mayor spoke up, finally showing concern as he sighed.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQYR510xmt
"Three letters, twice in person, met with indifference. He seeks power, not a cure for the people."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYsdu6pWC6
She was confused. This was the first she heard of this.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDNjxt5NSC
"What do you mean?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7EiKtOOjh
"He is trying to find a way to increase his magic. He was born with a low level, near zero, so he is like a normal person, and he hates it. He learned alchemy, hoping for an elixir that would work. So far, nothing. He only made those cures in the past to fund his empire. Now he has money…"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1bkOQE0Ue
He didn't need to finish the sentence. She knew he had all the cards and didn't need to play their game. He could force them to play his.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL21Mwnn1rf
She remembered when she foiled his plans years ago. Perhaps this was petty revenge, or perhaps just a sad coincidence.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtxVrYMueE
"So how is your wife taking it? Doubt she is happy either…"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ7dyiDlOQ
The mayor laughed an amused laugh, and Justin glared at him.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGsf0t7PhP
"She was just as upset as you, perhaps more so. But the kids talked to her and worked it out. She said she'd rather be sick for life than see her kids hurt," he finished while looking downcast.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGkKmwTk0H
"A moving speech, but they did not agree, so here we are," the mayor said while grabbing another cookie, the last on the plate. Not that she cared.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KPrhqsy6m
"I also talked to her," Justin said. "It even worsens her health, worrying about it. We need to give her a sleep potion to relieve the stress. She's better now. She wanted something like that just to keep sleeping, and it is over when you wake. Everyone home and safe…"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB002ch26aH
Slurping his drink, drawing her annoyance, the mayor shrugged and said, "It didn't matter. They were already inside. At best, we pray for the gods to balance and show mercy. Beyond that, it is trusting their strength. My nephew gave them healing potions and mana potions, poisons too. They are as set as they can be. If lucky, they will find it on level three and be done within an hour. If not… level four will have it, but… they will be in for a fight."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUj3aj64as
She had her son train solo on three. She knew what could exist there, but she never trusted level four, fearing pushing him too far.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2t8RUC4Kum
Please, gods, let it end at three.
LEVEL ONE321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcWJr50T0h
"Not going to lie, I thought this would be harder," Nina said casually while smashing a skeleton.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMy6zocmPg
Coby pocketed the mana shard in a side pouch while they went on casually.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6hgU75zmF
"This is level one. It is made to be easy. Even two should be simple," Arlin chimed in.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqe8howmkO
They kept the banter light. They were all a bit nervous. They knew mistakes could happen from carelessness, so they kept vigilant.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg45woDmaD
Arlin was happily walking with Leenia in the back while Nina led the group. Coby stayed further back but used wind to help scout to warn Nina.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGex79BjA9
It almost felt like a date. Well, a date in a cave with monsters and other people, but a date.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XIXjx7snL
He was trying to think of something witty to say to her when Coby broke the silence.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6LUEA75Nn
"Odd, I sense a dead end, but there were no deeper side paths. I checked with the wind…"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HTwrAf9Tj
Arlin expected this. "Where there's good, there'll be a door. It will be in level two. Don't be surprised when it's a new world versus a cave, though. It messes with your head the first time it happens."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIHlcmRypy
They took his words to heart, and indeed, at the end was a door.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNadXcsjpc
"Well, well, here we go!" Arlin chimed as he opened the door to the next level.
Wolf was stressed. He had no way of knowing his family's fate or how close to the end they were.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj04kJHtymO
His hands wouldn't stop shaking. He'd tried making potions to distract himself, but he'd nearly ruined three batches. The waiting was worse than the skeleton attack. At least then, he'd known what was happening to him.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRgLEp4AF5
He now knew how his mother felt when she didn't want them to go.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8u6kuXsFd
But he could not drink a brew to sleep. He refused to sleep knowing they were fighting. But he needed something, so he grabbed a book he'd borrowed on this very thing. Maybe if he understood what they faced, he'd feel better.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMxOnkae8n
He didn't.
The Dungeons and What They Bring by the Church321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnnzlYii29
Though many fear dungeons, they offer a vast amount of supplies such as ore, herbs, and fruits in various forms.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfhn00LUXS
While true, monsters do exist in these places. They tend to be light in spawns the lower the level, while also being slower and simpler.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGdFwa9Gct
Please note the gods also seem to judge based on intent. Those weak or not wanting to fight will find no monsters or easy-to-escape types. Dungeons are still a gift meant to challenge, so please don't misunderstand that as no dangers.
He wasn't comforted by that, knowing the weakest monster broke him easily. So he skimmed till he found something more relevant.
Levels of dungeons: this is what we know. For a more detailed list of monsters, please refer to the guild's version. This is an outline for levels only.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HnzyVzYz6
Level one: It is always a cave for consistency the gods desired. As for monsters, it is the vast majority of the time one monster per dungeon, two at most. Skeletons are most common, followed by slimes. Herbs and ore tend to spawn and regrow daily.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jnIGdhdPy
Level two: It is always random. Even if two groups go in one after the other, they will enter different places. Worlds of undead with a cemetery, forests, deserts, open plains, and winter lands with near-zero monsters to an unknown amount. Do know the gods are kind, and again, understand intent and won't separate teams regardless of size, though untested beyond ten people. With that said, we move on to resources, and they are just as vast of differences as the worlds that you can go to. The majority of adventurers tend to stop at this level and farm it daily for the low risk and abundance of rewards, as the gods never once have not given freely.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vSzXYBSB9
Level three: It is the tipping point, where balance is met by the gods. If you go this far, they assume you intend to fight, and fight you will. Please do not go here without great care. Nothing new is recorded other than the beasts are stronger, and the rewards tend to be the same, though they are rarer crystals from the beast or rarer herbs that can make rare elixirs.
Wolf's heart skipped a beat. Level three. That probably will be where they go.
Level four: The guild has more info on any nuances, but the same themes apply even here, just a stronger beast and a higher chance of herbs and crystal drops.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXUvvdcygR
Level five: It pains me to even write these words, and the times that death has happened in dungeons, it tended to be at level five from foolish adventurers. The monster will be strong even if rare, and the rewards equal to the risk, but please do not assume it is worth your life. If you insist on going, with at least a party of five with a strong defensive and healer type, and the other three with a strong element and knowledge. Anything less and the risk just goes up. Yes, a solo adventurer can win, but that is more rare luck than skill. Trust me, avoid five. The same rules apply, though the guild may offer more details. Please note that while deeper dungeons exist and have been farmed, that is beyond the scope of normal adventurers, and why others die at five…
He was worried they would end up deep in an unwinnable situation, so he skimmed even more, looking for good news, and found words saying they had an easy escape, to his relief.
Dungeon escape: In the event you want to go back or go too deep, the gods do show mercy. The door is always in the same place and will always take you to level one near the entrance. Please note that getting lost or being chased will not make a door or stop the beast from trying to kill you before you can go back. They cannot follow you, nor do any effects from other worlds bleed into the first level.
He sighed. He did not feel as good as he assumed he would.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIzQuhbWqj
He wondered what his dad and uncle were doing. He knew Nebo kept going back to the city trying to get a cure or even the herb they needed, but no luck.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9v12dZMYE
Please be safe, guys.
LEVEL TWO321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUNMfgHPTK
A blazing sun beat down on them in a desert. Vast plains of dunes were all they could see except for random cacti.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFgxv4ple2
Arlin shielded his eyes. "This is good and easy. Barely ever any monsters in these, and at least two or three sources of water with fruits."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxw9carU4q
Nina, already hating the heat and wanting out, asked in desperation, "Are you sure? I hate it here, and the sun is killing me."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLvyid4Mal
She was wearing loose clothes and still was trying to fan herself. Her tail and ears were sagging.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5DMZYwCA6
"How will we find the door to the next level?" Coby asked, noticing the door they had just come through was next to a rock wall. "Will it also be near a rock wall?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib5pbf8zsf
Arlin thought for a moment. "Hmmm, depends. I have seen them around the oasis. My mom tended to find them for me when she was training me. I just kind of went with the flow as I was focusing on the fights. Lot of help that is, leader…"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJnebx2Mmf
"Hey! Not like you're doing anything!" he retorted.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVvzLt6BSl
"Stop…" Leenia said in a low voice, the heat getting to her too.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPIImaTG4P
They calmed down, knowing it was the heat. The dungeons were not just testing them with beasts, it seemed.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr17x4KcTg
They wandered a bit till they stopped to rest at one of the oases, no closer to knowing where a door was.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJStNlzm6S
Coby was the only one unfazed, used to enduring harsh hunts. He tried tracking with the wind to sense the door. He wanted to see if he could feel its magic, so drawing on the wind in search, surprisingly, it worked, and it wasn't far from their spot.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wB5qGhzTb
"About half an hour east from our spot."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoLogayghP
"What?" Arlin spoke, still frustrated that he was supposed to be an expert and was lost.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY10db1YFCP
"About half an hour east is the door. I felt it with the wind," he replied calmly, even with sweat dripping from his brow.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvZJ6B1iSu
"You're the best!" Nina got happy and splashed water on her face. "Let's go. This is not worth the heat."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIwReFKPTr
Leenia agreed with a nod, also washing a little.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NSQpes7fd
Arlin tried to sense things with his darkness. It worked on the monsters, but he could not tell the magic from the door, which made him respect Coby a bit more and also try and improve his skill. Perhaps he got too complacent.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUitC3PVpga
The walk was disorienting after leaving the water. There was another small oasis in the distance, but not in the way they were walking.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpShV1PuBK5
Maybe it was a fail-safe from the gods to give people a chance but also not make it easy to advance.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDqXt60tW0
When they did see it, it seemed to just be a random dune in the desert sand. When close, they could see a door in the sand.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GfNpkybxL
"We did it!" Nina got excited.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocDryUW6Lv
"We did nothing but find the door. We still need the herb," Arlin replied, the heat making him short-tempered.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwrFoPsjPi
"Be nice," Leenia spoke from his side while Nina stuck out her tongue.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwlRvP5yTK
He was annoyed he was looking like a bad guy, but he wasn't going to apologize.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFiNwTFc8p
The door, looking like sand, opened easily enough, but what chilled them was the sight of winter beyond. Even as they burned on this side, snow gently fell on the other.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX5rB3dlMc
"That's bad," Coby said.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X3nehP0Dk
Though nobody else spoke, they agreed. The shift from heat to cold would hurt them too.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB9O2BYg2n
"It's not perfect, but I slept in the snow while helping… um, well, I did it with others and was able to cloak them a bit to keep them warm. It was a short distance then, but I can go out much more now, around fifty feet if I focus. Easier if closer."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ2IqpKsTr
"You sure?" Coby asked, wiping his brow. Even with winter inches away, they only felt the heat.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSR09GO9d1
"I promise," he wanted to make up for before, "but will need you to find next door again if you can."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOKpYOOeOP
Coby nodded, and they knew it was time to go.
LEVEL THREE321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vzPMr3bwK
The chilling wind blew. They knew it should be much colder, but true to his word, a shroud of darkness crept over and around them. It did not stop the chill from affecting them, but it did dampen it.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtDV53B4ph
"Let me try something," Leenia spoke while they still tried to get their bearings.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYYgWDUhOA
A soft light mixed, infused with the darkness, made it turn grey, and they felt a warmth envelop them, and the mood improved.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfLxgxqLVy
"That's amazing," Nina was proud of Leenia's magic.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonabLDJc36
Arlin was also impressed but noticed the strain in her eye from using the power.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunwlJEQsrK
"Not used to it. It's draining. Maybe five… no… ten minutes at best. But no healing if we push it that far, unless we use mana pots."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vHoqD0KKt
Arlin nodded, knowing how it felt when he first did it. Now he could go for at least an hour if he used care.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdmzn3nu9J
Coby was not idle. He had been focusing on the wind this whole time but was frowning.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnKid7NJo3
"I can't find the door…"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy2zM1GMOr
"That's okay. We trust you. Keep trying," Nina tried to encourage, but he shook his head.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCQmbWuxfi
"No… there is no door within a mile. We have to pick a direction and scout from there, but that's not what has me worried…"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqfGUqxG6o
They waited for him to finish as they watched him scout around the area where they stood. It was open for many yards behind the door, which floated alone, defying all. But beyond that was a dark forest. The trees were spaced, but within were only shadows.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0M43d3bTU
He pointed in a random direction before speaking.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkVh7gqOWO
"To the west are a lot of monsters, around ten." He moved his hand another way. "South, I sense just one, but it senses me. It might be coming. Not sure if it's hiding itself. Beyond that, I sense nothing…"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJE3YAsl6Y
"Can we handle ten? That sounds like a lot…" Nina was worried. It went from no monsters to many in a flash.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YbWeZDB0W
"Depends on type. I did Winter Forest before. If goblins, they're easy. If undead, got to watch for special types. But the single monster? That one worries me. Mom always made me turn back on those. She said it was too much for training me, and we should only face them if we were trying to hunt powerful beasts."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAhC7PRJ7D
"West is my vote," Nina spoke first.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2mi3Ohthm
"West," Leenia said.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpDzXk1jRA
"We could try to avoid it all," Arlin offered a different outlook, and Leenia shook her head.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7359Iy4NE
"The gods may show mercy, but for the herb we need? They won't let us avoid monsters and find it only on level three," Leenia said, dispirited.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBapHMiV2RP
Arlin flinched at that. He knew she was right, but he wasn't used to fighting with others, and up to ten monsters plus an unknown was a risk.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRYDJC3VYQ
"I say we go west, fight if we must, and if we get lucky and I sense the door, it is worth the risk of going deeper. This cold will hurt us the longer we stay. We just don't feel it yet," Coby chimed in.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvzQcImGPu
"I agree," Nina said, shaking her tail to remove the snow starting to pile up from their lack of movement.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZyjkIR7a2
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained," Arlin quipped and started west since the majority ruled.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPPJiX7RnY
"You just made that up?" Nina asked, mildly amused.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCHaJkoIJN
"Nah, heard it at the inn, from drunks going on about their adventures."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhQ8FNhJwg
They walked at a steady pace despite the endless falling snow. It wasn't very deep, an inch at most, but the shadows of the trees and the near-identical sights were messing with their senses.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlf0EQha0V
They probably would have looped a few times if not for Coby sensing the horde and keeping a narrow path to them.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIpEcS9EM3
He eventually held up a hand to stall them as they focused. They could see a bonfire camp.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3KREDZx76
"Can you still only sense ten?" Arlin wanted to know what to expect before he made his next move.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLodzAduHdZ
Coby was sure. "Only ten…" He looked past the group the way they came. "Never felt the other again, though."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA7xpjyJEe
Arlin clasped his shoulder and moved past him, turning into a shadow.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWAkQ5eRIL
"You did good. Now let me show you why I was feared as darkness to these beasts."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXsfPNZUmv
The group watched as the gentle snow blended with him into the other shadows to the point he no longer existed. The only knowledge he was ever there was the increase in chill from the lack of his shadow cloak.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbCaiLEGK1
They wished they had planned this better. Nobody talked about how they would handle it.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVZHSC6aJR
Leenia's light was shining too much now that Arlin was gone. It went from a shade of grey to a warm light. They already regretted the cold that followed turning it off to not draw attention.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lkEhvcQSL
"That hurts," Nina broke the silence as she rubbed her arms, wishing she had dressed better.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49oUmDSsSl
"Let's move forward. Not sure what his plan was, but us waiting won't help. Just watch for friendly fire…"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOgRBuTfcn
Coby encouraged them to move, and they nodded, doing just that.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKcFLZvICf
"I want to stand near that fire. Bet it's warm," Nina whispered, breaking the silence once more.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOGlilAlkD
They were now close enough that they could see clearly the goblins.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VeEXH3Tk4
"I thought goblins were green," Nina was the first to speak.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7xJ2XMC4m
"Depends," Coby said. "I hunted blue, red, and green. First time seeing grey, though."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBod0ODlWU
"What determines color?" Nina wondered.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwZjVxjHm9
"Hmmm, never asked?" Coby thought about it. "Maybe their mana type or resistance?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78ieCL0H2c
The camp itself was crude, with just a few bedrolls with sleeping goblins and makeshift tents with a fire in the middle, with a few goblins staring at the flame.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuPbixQZAQ
Four guards were facing various spots.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCl7bdFUJP
They weren't sure how to proceed when the first guard to the west slowly fell.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekiK2v1a6N
A few goblins sitting near the fire heard a wood snap in that direction, noticed the goblin lying down, and got mad thinking he had fallen asleep on watch. They slapped each other to have the next go to wake him before two grudgingly got up to do it.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJMgIp0fw0
When they got close, kicking him and barking to wake him up, they noticed he wasn't responding. When they turned to tell others, spears of darkness pierced them, causing them to fall.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xYbdDumXj
The group was amazed that Arlin just killed three with no effort, but seven were left.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X48prfIpA
So Coby drew his bow and aimed.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqxKWz8vAh
"I got the farthest two. Nina, rush 'em and try to control whatever is left since you are tank."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51nJ378SgO
She was pumped up from the ease with which the fight was going and used the earth to push forward.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuYOns5wmf
Even as she flew forward, she felt more than she saw the arrows rush past her with the aid of the wind controlling their flight. The goblin before her guarding the front felt the same as the arrows startled him into a panic as they flew by him.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNJifJB7Ss
He thought he avoided an unknown attack, but before he could get his bearings to warn the others, a giant rock fist slammed him down, causing a booming sound and shaking the earth slightly as Nina laughed.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZq7sxhLBv
"GOT EM!"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYTAfeyTU0
The two arrows hit the farthest guard right as the boom happened.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWxrjsgxQU
"Four left, I think," Coby said calmly.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiN5pUZHLG
Leenia nodded, hating she could only watch.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KiHTKTW5o
"HERE I AM, UGLY CREATURES, FIGHT MEEEE!"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSLngcAPHv
Nina was excited and trying to draw whatever was left. In one of the tents, revealing a goblin with a spear crawling out and two more with clubs exiting another.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiPTDRaoHs
Only three? Coby thought, worried, and drew another arrow, waiting for a shot.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS8igUPLpM
Even though all three rushed Nina, she danced around them easily and took swings to force them back. Arlin, or his shadow, pulled from the tents, taking a human form. A spike soon followed, killing one more.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhtGzYwqvo
Panic set in, stunning those goblins left.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSSJS0PuRu
Nina did not wait and smashed another down. Coby, seeing an opening, fired before anyone else could act at the last visible goblin, killing it with a clean shot.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z635OaWYa
He knew Arlin must have gotten the other.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8wOfpQeQM
A moment of calm settled before Arlin started shouting.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2Ale0dKj4
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT? I HAD IT."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPekrC66b5u
"WHAT?" Nina was confused by his attitude. Her ears went flat, and she took a defensive stance. "WE'RE A TEAM…"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUzAdaNsO3
"AND I HAD IT," he retorted back.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5kzlTun6r
The fighting went back and forth, both trying to prove who was right. Leenia tried to intervene to calm them down, but it helped little.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jOnvim9uy
Coby was tired, still feeling the adrenaline mixed with the cold, which reminded him of his old hunts.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbobvuwjm2W
His old hunts.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGL74bFHO7
He had to be sure, so he pulled the wind, hoping for a door, expecting the worst. That maybe the other monster was getting closer and found them.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuI0Ik1tbj
"No."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB52vuq5xoV
It did find them, but it was close. So close. Maybe twenty feet from the main group, then ten.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFAcHPDek1
He saw nothing but knew he had to do something. Anything.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAt1SMEXEW
"LOOK OUT, IT'S BEHIND YOU!"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1lOiil6Ki
It was a desperate shout. He saw nothing but the snow and fire from camp, but somewhere within those random shadows, like Arlin's Darkness Skill, a giant beast appeared.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrblhYsIVz
Massive. Silent. Impossible.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSNgMWFYMk
It rushed Nina before anyone could register his words and slammed her down with its giant paw. The impact shook the ground. Bones creaked.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYfKhOIkLz
The wind was knocked from her chest, and she gasped for air, desperate to stop the claws from ripping her apart. Each claw was as long as her hand. She pulled the earth over her body like a shield, frantic, barely in time.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RIchPCX6P
The shadow beast, looking like an oversized bear made of living darkness, did not wait and slammed down on her. It would've crushed her if not for the earth holding it back. The stone cracked under the weight. Her arms trembled.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEVcQPImlW
Arlin, desperate to save her, wrapped vines of darkness around the beast and tried to pull. He started slipping into the snow. He tried to reinforce it by spiking the earth to help pull.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hNojvyhYd
Leenia, desperate to help, grabbed him and helped pull, trying to do anything other than just watching helplessly.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEno6WjZABz
It was not much, but it stopped the jaw from reaching Nina's face and held the beast mostly in place. If only for a moment, it would be enough.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKbCXspz5w
Coby lined up a shot with a poison-tipped arrow. He was saving them from bad outcomes, and this was one.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfSYQz1r6l
He went with the spider venom one and aimed for the eye. The bear was thrashing, and he wasn't sure how well his aim was, but he used the wind to help guide it and hit its mark.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwiRGNx8Hk
He sighed as he saw the bear flinch not just from the shot but also from the poison taking effect quickly. It moved off her in confusion.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctvq9HG82R
Nina did not wait, furious at being shamed and almost killed. She made rocks and smashed the beast down over and over and over. Each impact was rage and terror mixed.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPW0CsjTDWB
She calmed down, and all that was left was the stillness and gentle flames from the bonfire too close. The snow fell. The fire crackled. Nobody spoke.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXciFF7Zoi
I got cocky, Coby thought, to use hunting with my dad covering my tracks.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmI3PVYSQ9
This was only level three, Leenia thought. "Maybe… we should turn back."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOttLECXHJ
"No…"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IgzcQkjAX
Nina was breathing hard. Her clothes had a slight tear where she wasn't quick enough with the earth. Blood seeped through, not much, but enough.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zJGTvfXId
Leenia saw it and went to heal her. Warm light flowed, knitting the wound. She knew Nina loved her new family, but this was pushing them. They were not ready. Her hands shook as she healed.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyEJggn0AQ
"Sorry," Arlin said, surprising them. "We are a team. I almost got one of us killed. I… understand if we go back and you get a better leader."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmX2M5f0Mze
Leenia focused on Nina, not sure what to say. Nina looked away, not wanting to admit that the beast almost got them.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdktnhRW7I1
As it faded, it left a gem. It was a level two, not even a level three, and they almost died for that.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpFcVgKJ2z
A few gems at level one appeared from the goblins. They pocketed them and gathered around the fire, unsure what to do next.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGthLy2M92m
The warmth felt wrong. Too much like comfort when they'd almost lost someone. The snow kept falling. The forest watched them with dark spaces between trees.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA1b2NA4HJ
"Do you sense a door?" Nina finally asked, breaking the silence. Her voice was smaller than before.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnhYjBBBuF
"There is…" Coby said, but offered no more.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uT08hud6R
The fire crackled. Wind moved through the trees. Somewhere out there was level four. Somewhere out there was the herb that could save Wolf's mother.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNZ5sZrVkY
And somewhere in this circle was the knowledge that they'd almost died on level three.
The team was divided. They needed to be on the same page, or there would be no next time.
321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd0ikRa2Ta
and then Add to home screen.