Their three specters, Undine, Johnny Blaze, and—Kepler’s last minute decision—Slenderman moved in silent formation around the delvers.

Blaze, the most obvious of the trio, took the center route. They were hoping to draw the delvers attention with his bright, spectral flames.

On the delver’s right, Undine glided into the pools of water that had been placed whimsically across the obsidian floor.

Slenderman took the long path around. He moved with a calm certainty that didn’t suit the situation, featureless face sending chills down Clare’s spine. His long legs pushed him forward with spider-like precision.

As he walked around the edge of the room to flank the delvers, he put out one ghostly hand and let his fingers glide through the stonework.

[Good.] Kepler told the specters. Clare had ran the last operation, so he was directing this one. [Remember, this is about distracting them long enough for the rest of the servants to respawn—we don’t expect you to beat them.]

Johnny Blaze grit his teeth, taking offense, and burned more brightly.

The diplurans fell silent in anticipation.

The delvers were three feet from the door now. Now four feet. Five feet.

[Now.]

Spectral fire shot at Ira’s face and she dodged low. Celio threw lightning in response, but Blaze ducked. Slenderman was almost there. Undine nervously indecisive.

Get Celio. Clare told her. If you get him wet, he can’t use electricity.

Girl’s Just Wanna Have Fun began inexplicably playing from the Choir moat.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Blaze threw another glob of flame, and Ira flared with mana—cutting it in half. Celio stepped behind her, glancing around for other threats, but didn’t see Undine or Slenderman. His foot landed half an inch from Undine’s puddle, and Clare didn’t have to tell her twice.

With an anxious shriek, their water specter flung herself at the mage—soaking him through. Celio cursed and threw an ineffectual punch. It went straight through her incorporeal build.

“Ira, can you do close up? I’m going to need a minute to dry off.”

In response, Ira slashed her skill at Undine. The clumsy servant died instantly. “I’m never delving here with you again, this is a terrible matc—”

A white-gloved hand burst from her chest. It inflicted no wounds, phasing through her cleanly, but ghostly red blood stained it all the same.

The hand was holding a beating human heart.

“Ah…” Ira said. She swayed, eyes becoming unfocused. “So cold…”

Celio lunged. “Put it back!” Lightning sparked on his wet skin, giving him purchase on the specter.

He squashed the hand, and heart, back into her chest—she gasped, suddenly becoming alert—then reached over her shoulder with a gangly arm.

Slenderman hissed, filling the room with anguished shadows, but Celio just moved faster. Slapped his electric hands where the face should be and unleashed a current.

A terrible odor filled the grotto. Slenderman flickered. Ira swung Celio around, almost do-see-do, and parried another fireball. He crashed into the long-limbed specter and embraced him with lightning. Ira took a shadowy step and appeared in front of Johnny Blaze

There was a loud snap, and Celio found himself without an opponent. Moments later, Ira disposed of her own with a single slash.

Finally alone, the two friends panted heavily, leaning on one another. Mist trembled in the air, mixing with the up-beat notes of the dipluran choir, with the scent of Celio’s self-burnt flesh.

Clare stared at the delvers, chewing her lip. They were nicked and battered from head to toe, with some of the injuries being quite deep. Celio looked the worst, burnt by his own powers, shivering, and far paler than when he’d entered.

Just go home. She mumbled. Just call it a day—you don’t have to see our core.

Celio sighed. Checked his system interface. “How long until the monsters respawn?”

Clare’s heart sank. She looked at Kepler.

Her symbiote stroked her hair, soft-eyed.

“We can’t have more than two minutes of peace.” Ira replied, “Then we’ll be swamped on our way out.”

[Closer to one minute.]

Clare despondently nodded in response.

“Right.” Celio scowled, squaring his shoulders. “Let’s claim this dungeon already.”

Kepler watched the delvers continue, his low growl thrumming against Clare’s shoulder.

The diplurans began singing Pizza Time.