Alice

  The portal pulled her into the dark, swallowing her and Liz. She held her baby tight as she fell.

  One moment, she was on a sun-soaked, flat, dusty plain; the next she was stumbling through the portal with Carson holding her waist to keep her from falling.

  She got her feet under her and pushed him gently away, and he let her as she took in her surroundings. She stood on plush carpets in an ornate room of some sort.

  The fragrant smell of flowers filled the air as well as… was that coffee?

  The portal flared behind her with a sound like cracking ice, then snapped shut. She looked around, half hoping Riven would be in the room waiting to take her back with that dumb grin of his. But she knew he was gone. Riven was gone and she didn't know when she would see him again.

  The asshole's voice brought her out of her thoughts. “You’re safe,” Carson said calmly beside her, as if that was a normal thing to say after dragging someone halfway across reality.

  Alice turned to him. He looked completely unbothered by the transition. He stood straight-backed, arms crossed, displaying no discomfort whatsoever. “Define safe," she whispered. Brushing dust off her hoodie and rocking Liz gently to calm her while attempting not to look as shaken as she felt.

  Carson smiled faintly at her, the kind that didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re inside the faction headquarters. One of the protected zones on the third floor. No monsters. No death.”

  She turned her gaze forward. “Comforting."

  She looked around the room, taking in the place. It did not look like her idea of a dungeon. There were no chains dangling from the walls. No prisoners along the walls crying out in distress. No bucket to use the restroom in.

  It appeared to be just a large comfortable room, with a bed and everything, but massive columns sprung up from the ground, touching the stone roof. The walls had strange symbols that pulsed faintly. The pillars had odd looking lamps that burned with something that didn't appear to be fire or electricity that gave off a white glow.

  Alice frowned. “So... what do you intend to do with us?” Carson studied her for a moment, then nodded toward the bed. “For now, you’re going to stay here in this room and recover.” Alice stiffened. “That sounds like a nice way of saying we can’t leave the room.”

  “You are restricted in your movements that is true, but this is not a prison or anything," he responded evenly. "You’re under light guard for your and the baby’s protection. An attendant can be summoned if you require anything as well."

  He pointed to an indentation next to a smooth-looking wall. "All you have to do is place your hand on the rune next to the door, and it will call her.” Carson said, voice even. "This floor is restricted to faction members only.

  So, you will be safer here than anywhere else, especially with Liz. There are... things in this world you are not ready to see.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Like what?” He didn’t flinch at her look. “You’ll be told more in time. When my father thinks you are ready, and we have more information about whether Liz is going to be who we need her to be.

  Also, to see if your brother can be of use, or if he needs to be eliminated before coming into his power.”

  Alice opened her mouth, ready to lash out at him, for threatening her brother, but something in Carson’s expression stopped her. He wasn’t smug. He wasn’t taunting her like he had been Riven. He looked... bored. As if kidnapping seemed like an everyday event for him or something.

  She watched him walk over to that smooth wall section he had pointed out earlier. He placed his hand on the indentation and an outline appeared in the shape of a door from the stone. It opened slowly, and he slipped out of the room without another word. She looked down at Liz in her arms, the baby was soft and warm and completely oblivious to what was going on. Her need to protect her gave her strength.

  She breathed out, calming herself with the breathing exercises her Dad had taught her. For now. She would play along. She knew her brother would never stop. He had always been like that. Seemingly easygoing on the surface. But when he really wanted to do something, he always accomplished it. He would come for them. In the meantime, she would learn all she could and try to piece together a plan to let him know where she was.

  A few minutes passed before I was ready to stand again. I groaned, dragging myself upright. “Alright. The moment’s over. Let’s see what we bled for.”

  It was almost completely dark now, and I wanted to get back to the cave and set up the tent before night fell.

  Balt made a noise somewhere between a grunt and a laugh as he stood up as well. “If it’s another key to some mystic never before heard of dungeon again, I’m throwing it back in.”

  I reached out and touched the Gold Chest. Please be another key. That old man will shit a brick if it is.

  The chest clicked, hissed, and slowly opened. Gold light poured out. Inside were two items, both resting on a black velvet cushion.

  One was a long, sleek staff, its shaft forged of dark wood inlaid with pulsing gold runes. The top flared into a three-pronged fork, each tip humming with dormant energy. I went ahead and Identified it.

  Balt whistled, leaning in. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. It’s been a wild mix of terrible and amazing lately, but this? This is a top?shelf weapon.”

  I was happy for him, but my eyes were focused on the second item: a pair of fingerless black gloves, reinforced at the knuckles with fine steel mesh. With a textured grip layered on the palm.

  I reached in and took the gloves, flexing my fingers as I slid them on. They fit as if they’d been made for me. These will definitely help with the slickness of blood and gore on my hands trying to wield that humongous sword of mine.

  Balt clapped me on the shoulder. “We both needed this. Look at us, still breathing, still leveling, getting cool gear.”

  I glanced at the staff, then at my... friend. “Nice pull.” Balt just smiled. “I know, right? Let’s get to that cave and get some rest.”

  “Agreed,” I seconded.

  We both turned from the chest, the remnants of the skirmish behind us, burnt grass, shattered stone, and a few mangled Ravagers littering the landscape. A testament to the fight we had survived.

  I adjusted my new gloves, feeling their stats settle into my body. Every flex of my fingers was smooth; the material did not hinder me in the least. I liked them already.

  We moved quietly across the gorge, backtracking the way we had come. The sun had dipped fully below the horizon, leaving only a band of fading red light. Stars blinked to life overhead, and the moons began their slow crawl across the sky.

  For once, nothing leapt out of the shadows to ambush me. No distant howls. No rustling in the brush. Just the wind, soft and steady.

  “I don’t trust how quiet it is,” Balt muttered after a while, breaking the silence. I shrugged. “Let’s just enjoy it while it lasts."

  We crested a small ridge, and the entrance to their cave came into view. I had to admit that the spider had picked a solid spot for cover. Secluded and defensible.

  By the time we reached it, the last of the light had drained from the sky. I slipped inside first, sweeping Ashbourne around to let the silver light illuminate the cave.

  The sword cast a soft silver light over the walls, revealing an empty cave. "No unwelcome guests. We appear to be good.”

  Balt followed, “Let’s set up that tent quick. I’m two steps from collapsing.” Setting up the tent took only a few minutes. The tent once again seemed to blend into the surrounding environment.

  The system had really come through with the item.

  Just before we ducked into the tent, Balt grabbed a bucket and went to fetch water for us to wash. I’d tried propping the flask on a rock for a makeshift shower, but the thin dribble that came out earned me a look from Balt, then he wordlessly set it aside and pulled out his bucket.

  It took a long time before my body didn’t feel like a sweaty, bloody mess. The leveling helped with my breaks and bruises but does nothing for my clothes or the blood and dirt that were caked on my body.

  I got as clean as I could with no spare underwear to change into and nothing but cold water with no soap to clean myself with. "I'm ready to turn in, you want first watch or second?"

  "Go ahead and get some rest. I'll take first watch," said the old man, holding his staff like it was his long-lost son.

  I threw myself on the tent floor, I was too tired to argue. The soft pad nearly knocked me out the moment I hit it.

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  “We’re alive,” I heard him whisper. Balt dropped beside me; "can you hold off a bit while I check my progression?”

  I smiled and sat up. "I’ll keep watch, go for it.” A few minutes later, I glanced behind me as a soft light enveloped Balt. And I watched him... get younger.

  He opened his eyes and looked at me. “Did it work?" He asked.

  I spun around all the way to see someone I barely recognized. It was Balt, but he appeared much younger. Fewer wrinkles and his beard had gone from pure gray to having patches of color in it. "Hell yes it did. Whatever you did you look much less decrepit than before."

  He gave me the finger and I laughed. I had just witnessed a miracle. "What the hell did you do?” I sputtered out.

  “Talent point went into a new Restoration branch,” Balt said, stretching his fingers like they were new. "It's a passive healing and restoration Talent. I used the free stat points we earned from the fight on my Vitality as well, so that helped quite a bit."

  I stared at him. “So... let me get this right. You just spent a free stat point and a Talent point to turn back the clock?”

  Balt smirked. “Essentially, yes. He jumped, landing nimbly on his toes. My knees haven’t felt this good in years.”

  Magic really is amazing. I thought. “Okay, my turn.” I stated. Some tiredness leaving me, seeing Balts new Talent activated.

  I pulled up my stat sheet to allocate my free Stat Points and view my progress.

  This time there was a System Notification flashing at me. I remember dismissing a notification during the boss fight and this must have been it. I clicked on it.

  I blinked at the notification. Limit Breaker Slash (Rank 2), huh?

  My heart kicked against my ribs. "Finally," I breathed, a grin tugging at the corner of my mouth. I still don't understand Talent upgrades during battle vs using a System given Talent Point. Balt was not for sure when I had asked him previously... We will learn as we go then.

  With the memory of the boss fight still pulsing in my bones, I skimmed the effects of the new upgrade, eyes catching on lingering flame zone, weaken regeneration, and the new scaling. My mouth hurt from the grin I had on my face.

  My hand flexed instinctively, already imagining the arc of fire carving through the next enemy line. Then I read the cool down part of the description... My grin faltered, just slightly.

  It was better than having to level to use it again, but a 24-hour cool down felt massive.

  I moved off the new upgrade and went to my stats. I had only 1 Talent Point this go-around. But I did have 5 free stat points to allocate.

  Limit Slash had been key in the last few battles. It ran off of strength and spirit.

  Toward the end of the fights, my spirit was so spent I could barely use the technique. I have to shore up my weaknesses in my kit. Getting the gloves which added Intel and agility, helped out a bunch.

  I put 2 points into Strength, 2 points into Spirit and put a point into Stamina. That should help me fight longer and recover quicker.

  Now that the meat and potatoes were taken care of, I moved on to the whipped cream pumpkin spice latte. My only Talent Point.

  I knew that I had promised myself that I was going to upgrade Ashbourne and my Mana Ball when I was last here. But Quick Step had saved my bacon the last few fights.

  If I were any judge of these things, I felt that it was damn near a broken Talent.

  I should take the chance and upgrade it. The only real hindrances currently were the cooldown and range.

  I felt that if I used the Talent Point on this, I could shore up the Talent and that my battle power could skyrocket. I went with my gut. Placed my palm on my Talent Tree and upgraded Quick Step.

  I blinked as the glowing blue text faded from my vision. The dim light of the tent swam back into focus, Balt’s quiet breathing nearby the only sound.

  My pulse was hammering. Flash Step... I felt the new strength in my body, legs twitching like they were itching to move.

  The power felt coiled inside me, a spring of energy ready to snap at a thought. I couldn’t help grinning, a sharp, wolfish grin as I thought of a good test. Alright, this is going to be fun.

  Balt was sitting cross-legged, peering out the tent flap, scanning the cave entrance for unwelcomed intruders, eyes half-shut in meditation. My grin widened. It was time for me to get some payback for that little accident earlier with the Ravager Prime.

  With one thought, the world blurred, air rushing past my ears. In less than the blink of an eye, I was in front of Balt, hand extended like a duelist’s blade.

  Tap.

  The old man’s eyes flew open all the way as the delayed realization hit him. He let out a sharp, choked grunt and folded forward to the tent floor.

  I was already standing several feet away, rocking on my heels with my best I’m totally innocent face. “Wow. Did you feel that draft? Weird, right?”

  Balt groaned, one hand cupping his balls. “You little bastard… that’s abuse of a Talent if I ever saw it, he was groaning and rocking back and forth.

  I had hardly tapped him, but those gentle taps could be the worst. I put on my most innocent face. “I am sure I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about."

  Balt just raised his middle finger and groaned out. “We’re even now.”

  “I once again state that I have no idea what you are talking about, but if I did. I would agree with you.”

  After Balt got himself together, we got some much-needed rest. I noticed that with increased stamina and spirit, we needed less sleep to function at 100%.

  The next morning, me and Balt were sitting on a couple of boulders eating and drinking some rations for breakfast when the sun started to come up.

  I had already dismissed and stored the tent earlier. As soon as the sun came up, we would be ready to go.

  Balt reached into his Anchor and, with a flick of the wrist, produced a small, faintly glowing key. Its shaft pulsed with runes along its length.

  I leaned forward. “You ready?”

  Balt nodded. “Our ticket to an unknown dungeon, one I’ve never even heard of, and I’m the guide for this area. What’s not to be ready for?” He turned the key over in his fingers, the runes catching the sunlight.

  I frowned in thought. “There are no real shortcuts to power. We need the rewards and skill growth that place offers. From what you’ve told me, I’m still under?leveled… even for the first floor.”

  Balt just nodded and stood up. “Okay, let’s do it.”

  My grin returned. “Alright. Where are we headed?”

  He pointed towards the dark ridges on the horizon. “About a day’s travel east. If we leave now, we’ll be there by this time tomorrow.”

  My muscles twitched, itching to use Flash Step. “Good. I’ve got some energy to burn. Think you can keep up with that newfound youth of yours?”

  Balt’s eyes narrowed. “Worry about yourself, kid. These knees have fresh juice in ’em.”

  “Then prove it, old man.” We set off together, our shadows stretching long behind us as the sun climbed toward the horizon, toward whatever trial awaited.