Steven climbed to his feet.

He felt…good, honestly. They had worked together well, even Del, and avoided serious injuries.

Steven frowned. He was pretty sure, at least, Markus seemed to be moving fine.

His joy dampened a little. He shouldn’t have let that hit get through to Markus. But aside from that, it had gone as well as they could have hoped.

He walked over to the old man, stepping over the golem’s chains as he went.

“You alright?”

Markus nodded, wiping some of the blood from his face with snow.

“Well, that certainly didn’t feel like roses and lavender, but I don’t think it even cracked anything.”

He chuckled and rubbed his mustache. “It’s odd how quickly my mind has adapted. A few weeks ago, a hit like that would have crumpled my ribs. Now it’s something I can hop up from.”

He flexed his hand. “It’s certainly nice. If only it didn’t come with so many complications.”

Steven nodded. “I get what you mean.” He called a shield, the green oval snapping into place between them.

He ran his hand over its smooth surface.

“I feel guilty, sometimes. A large part of me loves the Skills and the powers—coming up with new tricks, the rush of excitement as I gain a new Augment. It’s…magical. But it feels wrong to think that with how much shit has come with it.”

Markus studied him for a beat before giving him a bump on the shoulder. “I don’t think it’s wrong to be amazed at magic. “It is amazing.” He shrugged and started toward the others.

“The two aren’t mutually exclusive. You can hate the pain the System has caused while also being amazed by its wonders. You’ve gotta take the good with the bad.”

Steven chewed that over as he walked.

Good with the bad, eh? Well, it was hardly the first time he’d heard it, but he figured it was worth a try.

Steven looked up in time to see Del finish climbing out of the golem.

She smiled as she hopped down. “Well, that was fun.”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Micheal eyed her.

She laughed. “It was! Finishing a fight without being threatened by my own team is a very pleasant experience.”

Micheall’s frown deepened. “Oh. That…is sad.”

Del shook her head. “None of that! I was explaining my joy, not looking for pity.”

Despite her words, Steven felt a spike of pity. He’d been extremely lucky, being around someone he knew when the fist wave of Scenarios hit. And then finding Micheal, someone who they’d immediately clicked with.

What would have happened if he’d been trapped with a bunch of people like the Red Hand?

Del looked around at everyone. “Are we ready to move on?”

“Sure am,” Markus said. Noodle grunted, so did Margie. Buford wagged.

Micheal chuckled, then glanced at Steven.

He was a little worn but ready to move on.

Despite his Augments not taking energy, when he ‘charged’ his shields by layering his Augments, it wore him out.

It wasn’t the same as the energy drain from calling. It was purely mental, he was pretty sure. But that didn’t make it any less draining.

“I’m ready to go rip Frosty a new one.”

They turned to the fort, and Margie started whistling Frosty the snowman.

Steven snorted, then he started whistling too.

~<>~<>~

By the time they reached the fort’s front door, they were all whistling.

Part of Steven wondered if it was a bad sign they were being this cheery in a Scenario, but they weren’t being careless.

They were in formation, and everyone was alert, their eyes searching for any hint of danger.

Well, as long as we don’t actually lose focus, I’m going to keep whistling, damnit.

The front door was carved from ice, with darker ice used to look like iron frills along its edges.

As soon as Buford approached, the door swung open on silent hinges.

Micheal pursed his lips. “An ominous snow fort. Hmm.”

Del smiled. “I’ve always wanted to be in a horror movie, so this should be fun.”

“You are a strange woman,” Micheal chuckled.

Del shrugged.

They walked inside. The door didn’t slam shut behind them, which was honestly more surprising.

The room was big, with wide walls and a ceiling stretching up two stories.

The walls were lined with furniture and odd cubbies filled with more junk. All of it made from snow and ice, of course.

Margie switched her whistling to ‘Do you want to build a snowman.’

Del and Steven groaned while Micheal and Markus joined her.

Damn traitors.

At the far end of the room was a wide door, its frame covered with 3 incredibly thick locks.

Steven pursed his lips. A puzzle room.