Jura's expertise in setting up camp proved invaluable. His vast knowledge and experience guided them as they prepared for the night ahead. He quickly dismissed the idea of returning to the previous floor, explaining that once a floor was cleared in a dungeon, there were no respawns, and no new entrants could enter until the current occupants exited. This was why monitored dungeons in other spheres had waiting times.

They set up a small campfire in front of the entrance to the next floor, using the less-than-ideal wood they found in the rooms. It wasn't the most pleasant-smelling fire, but it provided warmth. Each of them took out simple travel rations, and Zion made sure to offer one to Jura, a gesture of care for his friend. They ate in silence at first, each dealing with their own stress and trying to unwind after the day's events.

"Can you believe it's only been less than twenty-four hours since we joined forces?" Zion's voice carried a tone of disbelief as he gazed into the distance. "We faced trolls, murderers, and defeated our first boss... all in one day. It's... insane."

Beth chimed in, her piece of trail bread momentarily forgotten. "When you put it like that, it sounds much crazier than I remember. I knew our start wouldn’t be ordinary, given our circumstances, but I never expected to be halfway through tier one already."

"No kidding. I figured it would take us at least a few weeks to reach this point. That was until we encountered Mister Mana-Battery over here, who decided to skip the scenic route," Camila teased, tossing a pebble at Zion, who deftly dodged it.

He chuckled at their antics, responding between giggles, "Hey now, you think you skipped the scenic route? I fought a horde of monsters not five hours after my ceremony. Now that's what I'd call skipping to the front of the line."

They shared laughter and banter, lightening the mood until Jura spoke up, seeming doubtful of Zion's earlier claims. "Seriously, Zion, you fought monsters your first day?"

"Far-fetched it may be, but it's the truth," Zion's tone softened, knowing he was about to revisit painful memories. "Terra was attacked by a devastating horde of mobs right after I awoke. I'm talking hundreds of monsters swarming every wall in the town. One of the Champions even showed up, most likely the reason so many mobs made it to the city unseen."

He paused, the weight of the memory heavy on his shoulders. "It was a bloodbath, with a good portion of the city and standing army getting wiped out during the event. I don’t know how well the city will recover. It's also how I lost my dad."

Beth moved to comfort him, and he appreciated her gesture, though he assured her he was okay. "He was an amazing man," Zion continued, his voice trembling with emotion. "He completed his Tapestry by age twenty-six and gave it all up to be with my mom in a silly tier-one sphere... and then he gave his life so I could live."

A somber silence fell over the group as they processed Zion's words. Eventually, Camila spoke softly, breaking the heaviness in the air. "Did he die because of the monsters or the Champion?"

"The Champion," Zion confirmed with a resigned nod. "From what I was told, the creature was easily of the power of the third tier. That's why my dad broke his mark and fought."

Jura's voice carried a gruff tone as he tossed more wood onto the dying fire. "You keep mentioning Champions. What are you two talking about?" he asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "I’ve been alive a long time and don’t recall the term."

All three of them looked at each other, wondering just how much they should tell Jura. Every single one of them trusted the dwarf, it was obvious on all their faces. But trust wasn’t the only factor in bringing him further into the circle. The more he knew, the more danger he would be in. Something none of them could take back.

“Champions are the name of the abominations the Deities of Devastation have made their Heralds,” Zion began, resolved to include Jura in their inner circle. “They are the reason we three, and probably many more, have been blessed. Our sole duty is to stop them.”

Jura sank heavily onto a nearby log, his brows furrowing with the weight of Zion's words. “You're telling me Devastion has their own Heralds. Lad, that's… that's hard to believe. And what do you mean by abominations?”

Camila's fingers traced patterns in the dirt as she spoke, her gaze distant yet focused. “They're individuals who have willingly embraced the Void,” she explained, her tone soft but resolute. “They're neither ordinary mortals nor mobs anymore. At least that's what Lanza told me.”

Zion nodded in agreement, his eyes reflecting the flickering flames. “That's exactly it. My friend described them as reeking of the Void.”

“Wow. That's a lot to take in. It... it changes everything. I need a minute,” Jura said wearily he bowed his head into the palms of his hands.

“It gets worse. Those adventurers who were killing people also stank of the Void. I'm not sure if it's because they were operating around this place, aiding something in bringing them into this dungeon, or because they are part of the Void themselves. But either way, there's some connection,” Zion remarked, his words tinged with a mixture of frustration and concern.

Beth's eyes narrowed slightly as she absorbed the implications, her mind probably racing through possible scenarios. “It makes sense, really. That's probably why no one has defeated this dungeon. I bet they were killing anyone who came here before they could find out what was going on.”

“Well, we're gonna find out one way or another by the end of this place,” Camila declared confidently, her voice cutting through the somber atmosphere like a beacon of determination. “But for now, we have other matters to attend to rather than debating what's going to happen later.”

“What's that?” Zion asked, his curiosity piqued by the sudden shift in focus.

“Are you kidding, Zion?” Camila replied, a hint of exasperation in her tone. “You're the very person who said we needed to get to know each other not even four hours ago. But you already forgot.” She sighed, shaking her head slightly. “Your cluelessness isn't always cute, bud.”

“Well, forgive me, princess. My mind has been a little busy keeping up,” he retorted, not in the mood for ribbing. “First thing to share is I don't particularly like getting snark from my teammates.”

Beth rose, sending a cold wave of frost sliding over both Zion and Camila's faces, eliciting exclamations of shock from both. “Knock it off, both of you! Not sure where the venom came from, but it's not needed!” She asserted with the tone of a disappointed mother.

Turning to Zion, she pointed a finger into his chest. “Zion, she's right. You need to keep your mind more on track.” Then, spinning around, that same finger pointed at Camila's chest. “And you don't have to let that attitude of yours boil over so much, Camila. He's our friend; start acting like it.”

They both looked at each other, first in annoyance, then finally in reluctant acceptance. Beth was right; they both needed to do better. They responded with a chorus of “Yes, Mother.”

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She pouted at that, causing both of them much-needed laughter, the sound releasing some of the tension that had built up inside.

“I'm sorry, Camila. I do need to do better,” Zion finally said after they had stopped laughing at Beth's antics. “I can start if you like?”

“Yeah, I'm sorry too, man. Sometimes, my mouth gets ahead of me. There has been a lot going on,” she returned, a small smile accompanying her words. “I think it's fair that I go first since I egged you on.” Zion nodded, waving his arm in a gesture for her to continue.

“As you know, I’m a Chosen of Lanza. He chose me on my ceremony, just like you. The time frame suggests we're all eighteen,” she began, her foot tapping impatiently against the ground as she spoke. “My build revolves around spears, but I also have skills in shields and staffs, all at the apprentice rank.”

“I have seven abilities currently, with three of those being passives. One provides a damage boost the longer I stay moving, another lets me reflect a portion of spell damage with a parry, and the last reduces the weight of any armor I wear by fifty percent, which is why I wear this steel armor.”

“Those are awesome passives! Not gonna lie, I'm a little jealous,” Zion admitted sincerely. Those passive abilities were solid foundations for future progression.

She smiled at his words, sitting up a bit straighter. “Yeah, that's how I feel, too,” she replied. “You've seen all my other abilities in combat already. The first one is my Phantom Onslaught, which can summon up to five spears. I have my movement skill, Air Veer, which lets me push off on solid air for two steps.” She demonstrated, jumping up and veering to the right as her left foot pushed off nothing.

“Finally, I have Crimson Tip, which increases my damage by fifty percent wherever I hit foes with it. My last one is my favorite but also the most prone to screw-ups. It's called Finishing Hurl.” Zion sniggered at the name, unable to hold back his amusement. She shot him a playful glare, and he raised his arms in defeat, mouthing a grinning 'sorry' to her.

“Yeah, I know, the names are stupid,” she said, sticking her tongue out at him playfully. “But Finishing Hurl increases my attack by two hundred percent and returns my spear to me… unless I miss. If I miss it, I have to retrieve it physically. Now it's your turn. Let's hear the wonderful names of your spells.”

“Fine, you silly woman, I'll go,” he responded, sticking his own tongue out in return. “Well, first off, I told you I'd explain more when we had time, and well, that time's now.” He paused, taking a deep breath. “When I met Ki, she asked me to be her Herald, but more than the title, I was accepting a race change.” He gestured to his appearance. “It pretty much took all my physical stats and melded them with my magical ones. Instead of using mana, it was blended with my very body. That's why I'm now a Manakin.”

“You're one of those dummy things that wear clothes?” Beth interjected, a mischievous smirk lighting up her pale features. Camila snorted and burst into laughter, even Jura chortling at her joke.

“Very funny, butthead. I didn't pick the names,” he replied, not feeling any anger at her joke, before continuing his explanation. “That gave me a racial ability called Arcane Harmony, which makes my four magical stats grow my physical ones in tandem. It means I only have to level those four stats now.”

“Okay, I take it back. I'll happily wear clothes for Ki if I get that kind of benefit!” Beth half-joked, half-gushed, with Camila and Jura nodding in agreement.

“Yeah, but you forgot the part I already told you. I'm restricted to my mana only. If I run out of it, I'll die myself. I also can't use any healing potions to heal, only spells. And those only seem to mend my flesh; I still feel the pain until my mana is full, and then it slowly fades,” he responded seriously. “Well, anyway, enough about my departure from being human.”

“I should explain everything that's going on with this dungeon,” he told them, looking at each in turn.

“You think? That's the part I wanted to know the most. Not that I'm against bonding, but that seems more important,” Camila replied with a sigh, rubbing her hands down her face.

“Well, it's all important, but let me explain. According to Ki, this dungeon is where all the missing adventurers were taken. Not for loot, but as fodder for Devastion. She said they would be joining it, whatever that means,” Zion explained, picking at a piece of bark on his seat.

“You're saying they aren't just being killed, they are being sacrificed? What in the actual name of Creation!” Beth inquired, her body squirming at the idea. “Those sick people.”

“Aye, makes me even more excited to send them to an early grave,” Jura affirmed, the wooden log cracking under the pressure of his knuckles. “We must put those innocent people to rest; there is no greater duty.”

“Whoa, not what I expected. No need to say more, Zion. We'll get it done. We will clear this terrible place,” Camila's voice was resolute, her eyes determinedly fixed to the heavens.

He then changed topics by delving into his array of skills and abilities, even adding details on the items he had. Camila was particularly interested in Arcane Edge and asked if it could be applied to other people's weapons. He wasn't sure and decided they'd test it in the next battle.

Surge was the star of the show; all of them mentioned how doubling stats was really powerful. Jura cautioned him to be careful, though, as moves like that always had a backlash effect, even if it was a small one. He didn't really need that info, considering he just found out fighting against Isabella.

Jura also advised him not to absorb any more strings of power because he was currently missing his ultimate. All three of them listened to his advice because an ultimate ability usually defined how powerful a fighter would be down the road.

Finally, it was Beth's turn, and all eyes turned towards her, much to her obvious displeasure. She started twirling a finger through her white locks, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention. “My story is the same as Camila's, except Rime chose me. I have skills in wands and the bow, along with two passives: one for increasing all ice element damage and another that gives me resistance to physical damage.” She rushed through her explanation, her face turning red with embarrassment. “I have five other abilities: Ice Lance, Wave of Frost, Ice Manipulation, Icicle Barrage, and Grasp of Winter.”

As Camila and Zion continued to stare, teasing her more, good old Jura looked away, giving her a break. Zion, however, wasn't so kind-hearted and encouraged her to go on, “What do those spells do?”

She glared at him, knowing exactly what he was doing. “A lance of ice, an AoE frost layer, ability to control ice, a literal barrage of flying icicles, and a spell that encases the target in ice!” she huffed, not really explaining. Which was okay because he already knew the basics of each ability; he just loved the way her blushing stood out among her white features.

He laughed at her again before turning to Jura, “It's your turn now, old man.” He turned towards Jura, finally giving Beth a break from the spotlight.

“First, watch who you're calling old, squirt!” Jura warned Zion, wagging his finger in his direction. “I have nothing to share. I'm a pure tank; most of my abilities are passive to increase my strength and endurance. I have two shield spells: one for a group and another for singular targets. That's it, I'm afraid.”

“That seems like a lot, Jura,” Camila shot down his modesty. “You're the ideal tank for any group; that's a hard path to walk.”

“Aye, lass, it is. Which is why I'm stuck at the Thread tier trying to break through. I have a hard time thinking of how to improve from here,” he sounded resigned, his head bowing to the words. Zion could tell he really didn’t believe in a path forward. It was something they would have to remedy while he was with them.

“I don't think it's that simple, friend, but I'll try to convince you with action, not words.” Both girls nodded vigorously at his words, hope for his future shining through. “Until then, stick with us; we're a team.” He got a soft smile for his words, a small win in Zion's book.

“Do you two mind me asking about your parents?” He changed the subject gently, eyes resting on the sisters. “You mentioned it, and I was curious what happened. But please don't answer if that's too forward.” He finished awkwardly.

“It's all right, Zion. It's a fair question,” Beth finally answered, sorrow lining her soft features. “Our parents were killed during the battle for Sphere Gaza. Do you know of it?”

The words hit Zion like a sledgehammer. His mother's image, sick and dying in her bed, flashed before his eyes. He knew that battle far too well and hoped it didn't show in his face. He nodded to acknowledge her question but said nothing more.

“They were on the front lines that day, holding back the five legendaries on their own. I'm told they were incredible, a true testament to adventurers.” Beth smiled at that, slightly pulling at the sleeve of her shirt. “Then the Void event happened, and they needed people to escort a mage to the center in hopes of closing the breach in the sphere.”

“They got her to the center all right, even managed to hold back the hordes of mobs while she worked,” Camila chimed in bitterly, her teeth roughly biting her bottom lip. “It didn’t matter, though; the mage failed to close the breach, and our parents died as the group retreated.”

“You must hate that mage for failing,” Zion whispered sadly, a part of him breaking at the story. Of course, they were connected to that damn battle.

Beth wrapped herself around her sister, squeezing her with sisterly love. Zion just stared, shellshocked. Weren't they mad? Everyone was mad at his mother. They talked about her under their breath, criticized her failure in school, and even left her off the memorial of the battle. But here stood two people who were truly affected by his mother's failure to close the breach, and they didn't blame her. He looked up, truly thanking Ki for leading him to these wonderful women. He was truly blessed.

“Zion, are you okay?” Beth asked, her own voice hoarse from emotion. “You look so sad.”

“I'm okay, Beth, truly. I'm more okay than I can explain right now,” he answered, trying to clear the emotion from his throat. “Let's get some rest, everyone. I'll explain another day. For now, we need rest.”

He turned from them then, settling his body into the bedroll. Beth's next question was cut off by a shush from Jura, and he could feel the old dwarf shaking his head wisely. He truly was blessed.