I sat cross-legged, watching Stormclaw's colossal body begin to dissolve into fragments of light, which drifted up into the air like sparks in a bonfire.

The boss room was beginning to reset. As we watched, the whole battleground reverted, restoring the natural state of things. The rope bridge which had been destroyed in the battle began to repair itself, and the surrounding terrain was restored to its original form.

Eliaria handed me the card I'd lent her in battle and then sat beside me, her knees drawn up to her chest, and her head resting on them.

She stared transfixed at the twinkling lights and playfully nudged my shoulder, "Who says prayer doesn't work," she said with a smile.

"Maybe," I said, "but I have a feeling the prayer card will be on cooldown for a while."

She laughed, shaking her head. "I don't think it works that way."

Flint walked over and stood next to us, a deep furrow etched on his brow.

"I can't believe the thing disintegrated," he said, staring at the fading light. "I planned on taking its bones as crafting materials."

"What were you going to do with its bones?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Make something cool."

Eliaria giggled, "Like what? A necklace?"

Flint glared at her. "I was thinking something like a spear or a staff."

The fragments of light, now resembling ethereal fireflies, floated upward, drawing our gaze. They sparkled for a moment before dissipating into a shower of sparks that shimmered and danced in the gentle breeze.

Eliaria gasped. "Wow," she breathed, watching the display.

I smiled, enjoying the moment, and then the Tower’s message filled our vision.

[Achievement Completed: Slay Stormclaw]

[Reward: 1 Primary Affinity Spell Card]

"Holy shit," Flint said, grinning. "I thought we’d get another pile of essence."

"Sure as hell beats a dragon tooth as a reward," I said.

A gentle sound like a thousand voices singing in harmony filled the air, and the sky above us turned a pale gold color.

"Come on," said Flint, "please be something good."

I crossed my fingers, hoping for the best. A bright flash filled the sky, followed by a massive pillar of golden light. It shone down on us, illuminating the entire area in a warm glow.

"Oh, wow," Eliaria said, her voice filled with awe.

When the light faded, a card appeared in front of each of us.

I grabbed mine. My hands trembling in anticipation. I looked down at the card, taking in every detail. The card had a blue border, meaning that it was rare. The image in the center of the card depicted a figure enveloped in swirling shadows. It was curse affinity, but that was expected, the achievement had awarded each of us a card that was our own primary affinity.

I held the oracle glass to my eye and read the description.

[Shroud Form]

[Curse Affinity] [Rank-1]

[Effect: The caster absorbs the shadows in the area and transforms into a thing of shadowy nightmares. While in this form, you cannot deal damage or take damage]

"Now that's a badass spell," I said.

It reminded me of old ghost movies where the ghosts were ethereal forms unable to touch people. I tried to think back to those movies and how those ghosts had used their form in clever ways. Nothing really came to mind, but I could imagine using the card to go ethereal at the moment that a boss launched a large spell at me.

"What did you get?" Eliaria asked, eagerly.

I grinned and showed her the card.

She gasped, her eyes going wide. "I have to admit, the idea of transforming into a creature of darkness does sound pretty fun."

"I know right? But I bet yours is just as good."

Eliaria shrugged and held up her card.

[Sacred Javelin]

[Divine Affinity] [Rank-1]

[Effect: The caster gains the ability to conjure and hurl holy javelins imbued with divine power]

"A throwing weapon?" Flint asked. "Would its damage be based on [strength] or [power]?"

"[Power]," said Eliaria. "The potency of all spell cards are based on [power]."

"But I'm sure [speed] and [agility] would have an impact on how fast and accurately you can throw them," I said.

Eliaria nodded. "Makes sense. I leveled up four times from Stormclaw, so I'm still sitting on 12 unspent points."

"Same," said Flint, "What about you Bronze-Boy, what rank are you up to?"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Bronze-3," I said. "I got two ranks from the boss, but I’m holding onto my points for now, just until I know what we are in for on the next floor."

Flint nodded, "Fair enough."

"So," I said gesturing at Flint, "What card did you get?"

Flint's smile faded, "It's not as flashy as magic javelins or shadow forms."

"Show us," Eliaria demanded, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Flint shrugged and held up the card.

[Float]

[Space Affinity] [Rank-1]

[Effect: Target becomes weightless]

"What are you talking about," I said. "You can basically fly."

Flint chuckled, "Yeah, but come on, while you guys are being all badass, I'll just be hovering around like some butterfly or something."

Eliaria laughed. "I think it's cute."

Flint scowled at her, "Cute, really?"

"Anyway," I said, changing the subject, "We should get out of here before the boss respawns. I'm not in the mood to fight another dragon."

"I hear that," Flint said, "besides, the sooner we get to the next floor, the sooner I can get a drink."

***

As the last of Stormclaw's body vanished, a swirling vortex of otherworldly colors opened up before us like a doorway into the void.

We stared at it, captivated by the kaleidoscope of colors dancing within its depths. The air tingled with energy, sending shivers down our spines.

I looked at my companions, "Are you ready to go?"

Eliaria grinned, her eyes reflecting the swirling colors of the portal. "Second floor, here we come."

Flint sighed, "Let's just get this over with."

As we approached the portal, the surrounding energy intensified, the hairs on my arms rising. I could feel magic coursing through my blood.

Eliaria reached out her trembling hands and her fingers found my own, intertwining with mine in a silent agreement.

"Together, then," she said.

Flint looked at her other outstretched hand and snorted, "Yeah, yeah, don't get all mushy on me now, priestess."

I smiled, and we stepped through the portal, holding onto each other's hands.

The world seemed to spin, the ground beneath our feet falling away. We plunged into a maelstrom of color. It felt like I was caught in the midst of a tornado, the wind rushing past my ears, as the swirling colors blinded my eyes.

I could feel Eliaria's hand gripping mine, and I squeezed back. We were still together. Then the sensation passed, and we were on the second floor.

***

The sky was full of stars, and the moon was high overhead, casting its silver glow upon Caldera, the city of darkness.

Lanterns hung from buildings that seemed to have been carved from the earth itself, their dark stone surfaces reflecting the light of the moon. A few spires that reminded me of corkscrews rose up among the buildings, their windows glowing with an eerie orange light.

Music played somewhere nearby, a sweet melody of flute and harp. And voices filled the air, speaking in hushed tones, laughter, and even shouts.

The streets stirred with life.

People passed us by, some carried lanterns, their light casting gentle glows upon the cobbled paths, and others strode alone, their eyes hidden beneath cowls.

"Welcome to Caldera," I said, gazing at the city before us.

Eliaria stared wide-eyed, taking it all in.

"Wow," she breathed.

"Is it really always night time here?" Flint asked, his eyes fixed upon the skyline.

I nodded and paused as I could hear the sound of hoofbeats coming toward us.

I turned to see a pair of riders approaching. They wore black armor that seemed to be made of some kind of interlinking shell, and they rode on giant white horses, their hooves clattering on the stone streets.

They slowed to a halt in front of us, and the man on the right raised his visor, revealing a reptilian face, with green scales and slitted eyes.

He glared at us, his gaze boring into mine.

"Travelers," he hissed. "Which floor have you just come from?"

I swallowed, "Third floor," I lied, trying to keep my voice steady.

Eliaria shot me a worried glance, and Flint's jaw clenched, but they said nothing.

The genesis floor had been warded shut for a decade. It would do us no favors letting the guards know where we were from. For all I knew they'd want to test us for the blight or possibly imprison us.

His eyes narrowed. "I see."

He held a shard of oracle glass to his eye, inspecting us one at a time and muttering something to his companion under his breath.

Finally, satisfied, he said, "I see you have no bounties, this is good. The second floor does not welcome the barbaric bloodshed that is so common on the third floor. This is a civilized city, and the law here is the only law."

"We understand," I said.

"We will be keeping an eye on you and your companions, Bastion Ward," the guard hissed, "if you do not know the laws of our floor, then be sure to educate yourself."

He lowered his visor, "Ignorance is no excuse."

I watched the guards gallop off into the darkness, their cloaks billowing behind them.

Once they were out of sight, Flint turned to us.

"A real frigging life sliven," he said, his face pale, "they are a thing. A real bloody thing."

"I suspect most of the Tower’s races are represented on the second floor," Eliaira said. "We better be careful, we don't know how humans are seen around here."

"We'll need to get supplies and a place to stay," I said, glancing around the darkened streets.

"Don't forget the drink," Flint added.

***

The further into the city we traveled, the stranger it became. The whole city seemed to have been built into a crater, with massive natural walls surrounding it on all sides.

As we walked, we spotted patches of bioluminescent flora growing on buildings. They provided an eerie, yet beautiful glow to the streets.

Eliaria stared at them, transfixed, and I watched a smile play upon her lips as the glowing leaves sparkled and shone. I had to admit the architecture was beautiful and elegant, yet simple. Like the whole city had been carved out of stone by a great artist.

The people, too, were fascinating.

Whether human, quilled kithara, horned zorin, reptilian sliven or the insectoid ven'thik, they were dressed in all manner of fashions, from flowing robes, to form fitting leathers to chitinous armors. But despite the variety, the outfits all seemed to have reflective patterns and glowing crystals woven into the designs, creating an overall look of unity and mystique.

"So, what's the plan?" Flint asked.

"Plan?" Eliaria said, tearing her gaze away from a pair of ven'thik warriors.

"Well, we're here to kill the boss, right? How do we find it?"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," I said, thinking about it for a moment, "We don't know anything about this floor. We barely managed to beat Stormclaw, so we should probably learn about our surroundings before heading straight for the boss."

Flint frowned, "If you say so."

"I want to find the card forge," I said. "I've been saving my essence and want to craft some new cards."

"Oh yeah," said Flint. "Me too. I'm pretty much broke, but I want to see what this forge is all about."

"That settles it," Eliaria said, smiling. "Let's find the card forge and then an inn for the night. In the morning, we can learn more about this floor."

"Sounds like a plan," I said.

"Let's not piss off any of the guards while we’re at it," Flint added. "I don't think I could handle being interrogated by a snake-man."

***