It was high noon as the bright sunlight blinded Snow's sight as she looked out into the distance. Everyone was ready, packing things up and even buying a few last-minute things. She was handing each of them extra food and water items for emergency provisions.

Heather ran towards her. She grabbed onto Snow, who was helping the other's pack up.

   "Snow!"

   A sharp yank pulled Snow out of focus. She snapped towards the force, realizing that it was Heather. She gave her friend an unhappy expression. Her hand reached up towards the back of her neck, feeling a bit of pain.

   "Why didn't you explain to me how serious it was." Heather seemed to be heated by something that Snow didn't understand.

   "What are you talking about?" Snow asked the others were looking over, wondering what was going on.

   Heather realized the other's attention; she pulled Snow over for them to speak alone.

   "You didn't tell me that the actual culprit for the 'Virgin Murderer' was actually in our room." Heather hissed.

   "I told you there was some freak walking around our home. Isn't that a red flag already?" Snow didn't understand Heather's thoughts. Mostly because she thought it was a big deal even if that person wasn't the so-called Virgin Murderer.

   "Yes! It means everything. You're a virgin!" Heather let out her voice a bit too loud that Snow raised her hand to silence Heather.

With quick, nervous glances, Snow hoped that the others didn't hear. Her eyes locked eyes onto Mike, and then Dairen, both looked away, telling her that they did. Even the others knew what Heather had said, which brought a deep blush on her cheeks.

   "Why don't you just state that out into the whole world." Snow seethed. "That maniac came to see you. Not me."

   "I highly doubt that." Heather peeled Snow's finger off her face. "I am not a virgin, and if that fool thinks I am, they would be soooooo disappointed."

   Putting both hands on her hips, Snow gave her friend a serious look that she wasn't playing. "It's what he said."

   "You talked with him?" Heather gasped.

   "Yes, more like I was frozen on the spot and couldn't do anything."

   "Oh my god. My poor friend." Heather grabbed her and gave her a fierce hug. "You went through so much when I was asleep. I'm such a fool for not sensing that stuff."

   For a moment, Snow could feel her body tighten a little too much, making it a bit difficult to breathe. "Heather. I can't breathe."

   "Ah, sorry." Heather pulled back away. "I'm going to hire more bodyguards and set up more magical defenses around our place. That creep is not ever going to come near us when we sleep. Plus, you're a virgin. I don't want him to spirit you away." Heather hands tightly gripped her arm, slightly shaking.

   Snow could tell that her friend was worried. She was grateful for it, but at the same time, she was more concerned about Heather than herself. Mostly because Levian was interested in Heather.

"Okay, before you do anything crazy. I am going to find you, someone, for you to knock up." Heather's words smacked her in such a way that she felt utterly baffled by her suggestion.

"What?!" Snow's voice went up an octave. "Are you mad?!"

"Absolutely not." Heather placed her arm on her hips. She was dead serious on what she was going to do, and Snow knew Heather. Once spoken, there was a 95% chance that she was going to go through with it. From the looks of it, Snow was sure that she would bring over streams of guys for her to "date."

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Heather shifted, "you think I want you to be spirited away?" She shook her head, vigorously. "It's one trade-off, You won't become a sacrificial virgin."

"Damn it, Heather." Snow wanted to shake her friend for being irresponsible with her words, mostly when there was still her group around.

"Look." Heather flatly pointed out, "you got a choice of three: Mike, Dairen, and Tamaki. Hell, they are probably better than the rest of the other crazies who would jump in your pants any time."

"Okay. Enough." Snow replied; she wasn't going to talk about this. "Let me deal with my sex life, and for crying out loud, don't you dare bring any so-called guys around me."

Heather didn't have it. She shook her head, being stubborn as a mule, she glared Snow down. "You're my friend."

"Yes, but you gotta respect my boundaries and morals."

With a heavy heart, Heather gave in. "True. Still, date one of them or something. I'm afraid you will get in deep trouble by yourself one day and when I am not there." Her hand caught Snow's hand, she looked straight into Snow's eyes as the water seemed to bubble out into a tear.

Already, Snow could feel a deep stirring of guilt in her heart.

"Look, I'll try my best. If things happen with someone, things happen. But you know me, I'm not looking for anyone or hoping to get hooked up with anyone."

Heather squeezed her hand, understanding what she meant. Letting her go, she pulled Snow in.

"Don't do something stupid, okay? I'll take care of the store here, come back safe." She whispered into her ears.

"Thanks, Heather." Snow patted Heather's back with a gentle pat.

Heather pulled back, she smiled. "Ah, I forgot something." Rummaging through her pockets, she pulled out a sapphire necklace.

"This is?"

A glimmer of excitement broke out from Heather's lips, she almost seemed to jump up and down, trying to explain what it was. "It's a stone that can store and even help you control yourself when you are in a large area of magic. With this, you can go down deeper into the dungeon without much trouble." She handed the necklace to Snow.

Snow gratefully took the tear-shaped necklace. It glistened beautifully underneath the sunlight, giving it a surreal magic of its own. Already, Snow could feel the pulsating magical aura around it, soothing her mind and even her body. Her heart hummed with pleasure at the gift that her friend had given her.

"Thank you."

"Anything for you, doll." Heather jokingly winked and laughed right after.

"Oh, stop, hun." Snow played along, punching her friend's shoulder.

Both of them joyfully laughed out loud until they hugged once more.

"I should go now. I'll see you again."

"I'm counting on it, best friend." Heather waved, watching Snow go back to the group as they departed.

A sadness gripped Snow's heart, but with great resolve, she pushed forward. She had a job to do and a mission to accomplish. A bubbling curiosity of Levian's murdering streak and about dungeon's grew.

The journey through the first level dungeon was monotonous with barely any effort. The monsters stayed far away from them as they had used the blood scent of the Wendigo to push through.

When they finally arrived at the glowing gate, Snow couldn't help but take in a good look at the deserted landscape. It was bare with no life as far as the eye could see. The ground was coiled with ashen colored sand that told her that the soil was sick. The only thing that was present was the Stonehenge gate that told them that they were going to enter into the next level.

Snow breathed in deep, following the group as they entered the gate. She felt herself falling; eventually, she felt the ground, which threw off her balance. A bit sick, she stumbled, landing on her hands and knees.

"Are you okay?" Dairen came over, giving him her hand to get up.

It took a moment, but Snow was able to pull herself up with Dairen's help.

"Thanks."

"The motion sickness always gets to you when jumping through the gates," Dairen replied, understanding what she was feeling. "It takes a few times before you get used to it."

"I see." Wiping her lips, she searched around.

   She was shocked to see where she was. Out before her was the ocean. The only piece of land was a long strip that kept on going off into the distance. Ocean water touched both sides. She wondered if the tide would come in to wash away the whole piece of land, making it impossible to cross.

     Snow was baffled at the scene. Even if she heard and saw the map, being in the presence of the ocean was something completely different. She could also hear the sound of seagulls flying around overhead as the water bashed itself unto the nearest rock and beach.

 "It's the Starlight Ocean or Starlight Lake. Someone tried swimming out in the hopes of escaping, but they were returned back to the shore. I think there is some kind of magic placed around it." Dairen pointed out, "Luckily, this floor is effortless. We just need to follow the open land before us, and it would lead us to the third floor."

   To hear it was a straight shot, Snow wondered what else was present in this field. She had the feeling it wasn't as simple as Dairen made it out to be.

   "Except for a few monsters that like to pop out and try to eat you, it's not a big deal." He casually remarked. "They don't come out often, so it's more of a stroll. I believe it takes us a good day to go across."

   Snow weakly laughed. She wasn't sure if the start of her journey was a blessing or a curse, but she knew what she needed to do.