The inside of the dungeon matched what Gregory would have expected wandering into a cave shaped like a stone troll. A huge cavern opened up before them. It was lit by a mysterious light from a hole in the ceiling far above. Oddly, it seemed like moonlight, though it was definitely still morning out.

At the far end of the cavern, down a small hill from them, there was a large double door. It looked like the entrance to a palace, with torches set into the wall on both sides.

As they approached, they both received a message.

----------------------------------------

You have entered Dungeon: The Heart of the Beast

* Dungeon Type: Combat/Resolve

* Clear conditions: Defeat the Guardian at the end of the Dungeon

* Bonus conditions: Clear the trial of resolve, deep within the Dungeon

* Recommended Level: 2-5 (Standardized)

* Recommended Classes: Any

----------------------------------------

“What does Standardized mean?”

“I think it means levels relative to common rank.”

“I don’t really understand the whole ranking thing.”

“We can talk about it more when we get out, but classes are grouped into rankings, these have an effect on how much stronger you get every time you level, and things like what skills you get, and how many you have. I have a common class, and you don’t have one at all, so our levels would match up with the levels shown in the description.”

“But I’m level 0, should I not be in here?”

“I don’t know. Probably not, but Olivander seems to go by his own rules. I don’t think he’s a cruel person, maybe a little mean, but not cruel, so I don’t think he would just shove you in here to die.”

“That’s something I guess.”

Cooper sniffed the air.

“Smells like bones. Lots of them. No people…some kind of animal, but it’s far away. Maybe the guardian?”

“You can smell all that?”

“Humans always get offended by smells, but they can barely experience the highest levels of scent. I can smell that and more.”

“That’s like having an ability all on its own. Nice. Well, should we see what’s in store for us?”

Cooper gave a nod, and they made their way down the rocky, uneven floor towards the door. The cavern descended slightly, and there was a spot where Gregory had to slide down.

“Ouch! I wish I still had my armor,” Gregory said, rubbing his tailbone.

Cooper hopped down gracefully beside him, cocking an eyebrow.

“I’m fine.” He really did miss his armor, but he knew it was doing more harm than good. It was like Olivander had told him, he needed to face his challenges head on, and not hide behind some equipment. He would be able to get armor again, but only after he earned another class or decided which way he wanted to direct his skills.

“Should we check for traps?”

“Why would there be traps?” Cooper asked, cocking his head to the side.

“Because this is a dungeon?”

“Before yesterday, the most dangerous thing I’d ever done was sleep in an old lady’s garden. I have no idea what a dungeon is.”

That was fair. Gregory often forgot that Cooper wasn’t a human, and might not know all the things that most humans know.

“Sorry, you’re right. I forgot you don’t have experience with this kind of thing, while I’ve been hearing about them my whole life, since my Dad is a strong guild adventurer. So yes, there might be traps, just keep an eye out. There could be pressure plates that trigger when we step on them.”

Cooper nodded. “I will search for them.”

“Okay. Oh! Watch out for trip wires, they should be easy for you to spot since they’ll be closer to eye level with you.”

Cooper began sniffing intensely. Stopping occasionally and looking around. He was very methodical. Once Cooper was halfway across with no signs of traps, Gregory followed him.

Cooper reached the door where he stopped, hearing a “click!” behind him.

Gregory’s foot had depressed a tile.

Suddenly, the air was filled with the sound of arrows zipping by.

Gregory dropped and rolled, then just curled up into a ball.

Cooper saw an arrow glance harmlessly off Gregory’s back.

----------------------------------------

Cower

* Skill

* Cost: Low stamina

* Curl up into a ball to hide from your problems.

* Provides a bonus to constitution and wisdom for the duration, increasing resilience to all incoming damage.

----------------------------------------

The arrows slowed, and then stopped. They had been shooting at the area where Gregory had pressed the tile, so Cooper hadn't been hit nor in any real danger.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“You know, I’m just realizing that you might not be heavy enough to depress the tiles, especially with four legs to spread out your weight.”

“That makes sense. Sorry I missed the trap.”

“It fine, I wasn’t paying attention. I could have stopped myself before fully triggering it, but I was too confident following you.”

Taking more care, Gregory retraced his steps, avoiding the trapped tile this time. Another tile moved slightly as he started putting weight on it, but he stopped and was able to avoid triggering it. After an agonizing minute, he made it to Cooper.

“Good job, you did it.”

“Thanks. Looks like we can just push this door in.”

The door was far too big for Cooper to help, so he just watched Gregory push the massive door open. Beyond was a corridor made from sandy brown blocks. The entire thing was illuminated by torches evenly spaced down the length.

Once again, they made their way down the corridor with a slow and deliberate pace. When they reached the end a few minutes later, the corridor opened up into a small room. There were three skeletons waiting. They had rusty swords and half rotted away shields.

“Bone men!” Cooper wagged his tail in excitement.

“Skeletons. They’re fueled by magic, once we do enough damage, the magic will be drained and they’ll collapse back into a heap of bones. Looks like this is one of the combat rooms that Olivander mentioned.”

“So we fight?” Cooper asked, pausing his tail wag.

Gregory pulled his sword from the sheath at his side. “We fight.”

* * *

Outside the dungeon, Olivander was enjoying his book. Over the last few years, his reading time had really become stretched thin. It was one of the reasons he had been willing to watch over and help Gregory. He wouldn’t join them in dungeons, so any time they encountered those, it would give him plenty of time to read. He guessed if it was a combat dungeon, they would finish in around twelve hours or so.

He glanced up when turning a page to find someone standing in front of him.

In an instant, he was standing, conjured staff and wand in hand, ready for serious combat. If he hadn’t noticed someone approaching, they would be at least a match for him.

“Peace, Olivander. It’s been too long.”

“Thorgar’mirous?” Olivander asked, allowing his conjured weapons to vanish. “What’s an old dungeon like you doing in a place like this?”

“Come now, call me Thorgar. I’m out here for the usual. Fixing a problem that shouldn’t exist.”

“Yes, I saw the mana anomaly. Please, have a seat,” Olivander said, conjuring his chair back. He had destroyed it with his earlier sudden motion. He conjured a second for his old friend.

The dungeon spirit was a man that looked like a ghost. Or perhaps the other way around. He had sharp features and jet black orbs for eyes, but his whole body was slightly translucent.

“What has it been, fifteen years?” Olivander asked.

“That sounds right. I haven’t been to a conclave since then,” Thorgar said. “Speaking of, what are you doing out here? This is awfully far from the capital for you to just be wandering around.”

“Ahh, yes. You probably haven’t heard the news yet. I’ve been deposed. There’s a new Arch-magus in the capital now.”

“Really? Who did they get to replace you? And why?”

“Amegnon, the insufferable,” Olivander said, rolling his eyes. “As for ‘why,’ I’m at a loss myself. I was just tossed out on my ear.”

“Little Amegnon? A Magus? That’s almost hard to believe.”

“Well it’s true. He bested me quite handily too. I don’t know how he grew into his power so quickly, especially given the nature of our class, but he did. So here I am!”

“And why exactly are you here? Are you traveling with the two young ones that are in my dungeon?”

“I am! I was looking for something to do, and struck a deal to help teach Gregory, and put him through the fire a little. Cooper was unexpected. I just discovered him a few days ago. He has a touch of fate on him.”

“I can sense it. It is quite curious.”

“Are you going to tell me how they’re doing?”

“Why don’t you go in and find out?”

“I thought we were friends!”

Thorgar laughed.

“I expect they will finish. Though I don’t know how much longer it will take. They are being cautious.”

“I certainly didn’t teach them that.”

“I wouldn’t accuse you of something so reasonable.”

“It’s starting to feel like a guy gets removed as Arch-magus, and suddenly he’s the butt of every joke.”

“It is a position you have always tried to put yourself into. But nevermind that. I should get to business. I did not come to see you just for an idle chat. I would ask something of you, Olivander.”

“You know the price.”

“I do, but in this case, it’s both important, and already paid.”

“Really? Well in that case, please, how can a down-on-his-luck former Arch-magus assist one of the great dungeon spirits?”

“I would roll my eyes, but not having pupils or irises diminishes the effect. The mana imbalance here wasn’t some freak occurrence. Something is happening. I don’t have any details, since we’re just learning about it. I ask that you keep your eyes open, observe, and if you can, correct any problems before they become problems.”

“I understand. Would you like me to diverge from my route? I’m heading more or less south, to Mardareth.”

“I think your path will work. Keep an eye on the fate-touched. It might be unrelated, but you finding him, right now, with what has started is too much to be coincidence. I suspect the seed of fate is related to the rising mana imbalances around the continent.”

Olivander put a hand to his chin considering.

“Very well. Will we be seeing many more temporary dungeons? As you can tell, the two I’m traveling with are quite weak. With the magic levels increasing as we approach Mardareth, I don’t know if they’ll be able to keep up.”

“Maybe if they keep entering dungeons, they’ll surprise you.”

“An interesting thought. Although Gregory’s father asked me to hold him in the fire a little, temper him. Not toss him into a volcano and run away.”

“I believe you’ll be able to find a middle ground, Olivander," Thorgar said. Then he sighed and stared off into the distance. "My time is up, and I must depart. It was nice to see you again. I do hope we have the chance to meet again, perhaps in better circumstances.”

“I look forward to it, Thorgar,” Olivander said.

He stood to shake the spirit’s hand, but Thorgar was already gone.