Mable was humming to herself. Becoming fey was the best decision of her life. She was currently watering one of the many gardens on the fourth floor when she felt something. Turning, she tried to place it, only to notice a party exiting the staircase from the third floor. She blinked owlishly; she was not aware anyone was strong enough to make it this deep.
The party also looked just as confused as they looked around. Their gear was in varying degrees of damage. The battle with the Primeval Hydra on the third floor was not an easy one, even if that one was smaller than the one on the surface.
Mable fluttered up to them, growing to the size of a full-grown woman as she landed before them. Several of their members still towered over her, but she stood tall.
“I am Mable. Welcome to the fourth floor,” she greeted, dipping into a curtsy.
“I can honestly say this is not what I was expecting,” one of the warriors admitted as he pulled off his helmet. Once it was off, Mable could see he was Mastiff-kin. “I am Ian. Would you tell me what is going on with this floor?”
“Ian?” Mable mused. “I think I remember you.”
Ian chuckled. “This is not my first time in this dungeon,” he admitted.
“You are one of the leaders of the survey team,” she finally remembered, bringing her fist down into her open palm. “You must have had a hell of a fight to get down here.”
“We did not do it alone,” Ian admitted.
“And we regret every moment of it!” Zeke called out from behind him. Everyone seemed to chuckle at that.
“Would you like to talk with Alycia?” Mable asked. “She has been convalescing on this floor since she finished with the Demon Queen incident.”
Ian’s eyes lit up. “She is down here?”
“I told you she was dating the Envoy,” Crag grumbled.
“Actually, many of the survivors are here,” Mable confessed. “Some of them broke after the fight was over, so we are watching them.”
“So this is a rest floor?” Ian asked.
“Oh no,” Mable dispelled the idea. “This floor has its peaceful places, but the challenge here is a different kind of challenge. This floor is home to the fey, and the only way further down is to gain the favor of one of the four seasons.”
“And how does one do that?” Ian asked.
Mable grinned. It was both too wide and a little cruel. “There are many ways to gain favor down here. But I suggest you rest first. The artisans can see to your gear where Alycia is resting. Please follow me. Maybe I will explain more of how this floor works once you have explored it a bit more.”
“I should probably speak with her,” Ian agreed. “Let’s move out, team. Apparently there are artisans who can see to repairing or replacing our gear.”
There was a general cry of approval at that bit of news. They followed a good distance behind Mable. For her part, she was content to walk.
She led them to the Summer section of the floor. She did not lead them to the slowly expanding city. Instead, she guided them to what looked like a noble estate.
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It was a five-floor-tall building that sprawled across a wide area. There were various gardens, fountains, and other fixtures scattered around the estate. The estate itself was not one of their grown buildings. This one was built from sturdy stone, with vines allowed to grow decoratively along the walls to add color. The windows were large and numerous, meant to remind those staying there that they were not trapped.
Wandering the grounds were various people in different states of awareness. Some shuffled with dead eyes. Others sat on benches with haunted looks, wrapped in blankets despite the warmth of the region. Still others looked well on their way to recovery as they strolled the gardens with a fey companion.
“They look like they’ve seen some shit,” Crag murmured.
“It was worse than you can imagine,” Mable informed them. “I was there. There were so many dead we had to keep pulling the lines back, or the demons would simply flow over us. Three days of endless battle. The only breaks were when spells could clear enough ranks to let us reorganize.”
“You seem to be taking it well,” Zeke noted as he caught up.
“While it was a trying time,” Mable confessed, “it was also the first time I could truly flex my new abilities. The first time I could affirm that I am strong enough to never be a victim again.”
The others fell silent at that comment as Mable led them into the estate. None of them really knew how to follow that declaration up.
For her part, Mable continued strolling forward with her spine straight.
“The craftsmen are down that wing,” Mable stated once they were inside the estate proper, indicating the eastern wing. “The eastern wing is for craftsmen. The western wing is where the libraries and martial halls are located, if you wish to sharpen your mind or body. The southern wing is for recreation. Please, enjoy yourselves. Lady Alycia is currently in the leisure wing, if you will follow me, Sir Ian.”
“Of course,” Ian agreed. “The rest of you are free to do as you wish.”
The other twenty-four members of the raid group let out a collective sigh as they dispersed in every direction.
Mable nodded as she led Ian deeper into the recreation wing. It did not take them long to find Alycia. She was sitting at a round table, enjoying a bowl of food Ian did not recognize.
“Lady Alycia,” Mable greeted with a curtsy. “Sir Ian has arrived, the long way around, to meet with you.”
“Ian?” Alycia asked.
“Will you two need anything?” Mable asked.
“Steak?” Ian suggested.
“I will see what I can find,” Mable promised as she retreated.
“Hi, Alycia. It is good to see you.” Ian sat across from her and immediately began stripping off his armor.
“It is good to see you too,” Alycia agreed with a kind smile. “Did you really fight your way down here?”
“Indeed,” Ian admitted. “The new recruits have grown quickly.”
“That is good,” Alycia sighed. She slurped up another mouthful of noodles.
“What are you eating?” Ian asked.
“Ramen,” she said. “It is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Noodles cooked in broth, with other ingredients added to individualize every bowl. There are a great many varieties.”
“Pasta soup?” Ian asked, raising a brow.
“A gross oversimplification,” Mable sighed as she appeared with several large steaks for Ian. His eyes lit up at the sight. Once Mable served him, she retreated again to let them talk.
“So, what have you been up to?” Ian asked.
“I have been hiding here,” Alycia admitted. “It is one of the few places I feel safe.”
“Was it really that bad?” Ian asked.
“I can’t even describe it,” Alycia sighed, some of the life leaving her eyes. “It was madness.”
“War normally is,” Ian pointed out.
“This was like no war I have ever seen,” Alycia said, her voice hardening. “Ian, the bodies of the demons were stacked dozens deep for miles. There was a literal mountain of the dead. The number of bodies was so great that the only places clear of corpses were where the ancient dragons had detonated to clear them.”
Ian paused. His eyes widened, his shoulders sagging.
“I saw thousands die due to one bad decision,” Alycia admitted. “I saw the legion shattered not by skill, but by mass and physics. Most of the dead could not even be recovered; they were reduced to red smears.”
“Okay, that is bad,” Ian agreed quietly. “I… I am sorry I was not there.”
Alycia reached out and took his hand.
“My old friend, I am glad you were safe and not there,” she said, tears in her eyes but a soft smile on her lips. “I am glad I did not bring more of our people.”
“You said you feel safe here,” Ian noted. “Is there a reason?”
“You are the one who fought your way down here,” she replied. “You tell me why I feel safe down here.”
Ian considered that for a moment as he savored another bite of steak.
“Fair,” Ian admitted. “There are some powerful guardians in this dungeon.”
“You have not even seen Steve yet,” Alycia teased. “He and Antoinette make the Primeval Hydras look like puppies.”
Ian nearly choked on his next bite of steak.
