The day of Allowstide has come at last. The Rosenkreuz Guild had assigned several parties to the Black Box. Heathcliff looked over one of the specialized obstacles set up for the occasion.

The room was filled with cubs of various sizes and heights. The shortest of them was half as tall as the knight.

“Seems like the block puzzle is readied,” Heathcliff said.

“I’ve checked the ring target room,” Emily’s voice echoed to Heathcliff. “Minerva said it’s ready as well.”

“Excellent, cher! And the poison?”

“They made sure that none of the toxins would leak into the rooms,” Emily said. “Sarah said that she and Carla have also found blunted arms for use.”

“That will come in handy,” Heathcliff said. “Don’t want the young ones to need stitches after all.”

Although the guild aims to ensure adventurers in affiliated dungeons are at least somewhat safe without sacrificing challenge. For Allowstide they aim to make sure they are extra safe, for this tradition is used as a means of training the more inexperienced and green adventurers.

“What about the Sentinels?” Emily asked Heathcliff.

Heathcliff realized that he had forgotten that the usual ones cannot be used today. The Tarantula Construct is too dangerous for the likes of the day’s guests, the Coloraturas wanted to participate as guides, Carla had yet to trans the beasts to be careful around small opponents, and Tim? Tim didn’t want to harm the children, even for training exercises. However, she had another concern besides…

“I’ll have to get back to you on that, Emily,” Heathcliff said.

“You forgot about the temporary Sentinels didn’t you?” Emily said. She should have expected this. After all, it’s not like some of her preparations haven’t slipped her mind.

“Don’t worry,” Azalea said as she arrived in the room. “There are some options we could use.” Her mischievous smile belied an interesting option as the clionid swam into the room. Behind her was the moth construct. Emily dreaded Azalea’s suggestion as she looked at these cells, whose pollen was capable of reducing one’s vision to squares. Atsuko followed the young clionid, donning a mask to avoid the pollen.

“What’s up?” Emily said to Atsuko.

“You’re doing an Allowstide thing?” Atsuko said.

“Yeah,” Heathcliff said. “We told you at breakfast, remember?”

“I remember,” Atsuko said with a cheeky grin. “I have an idea for the other boss,” she said as she brandished a bow. Unlike her usual one, it was smaller, and the arrows were tipped with soft spheres.

“You want to be a Sentinel?” Heathcliff incredulously asked.

“Just this once,” Atsuko said.

Heathcliff expressed uncertainty. Though the times when she had used her bow were few and few between, especially outside the microdungeons, what they had seen of her archery was marred with deadly accuracy.

“Maybe we should test the arrows first?” Emily said.

Atsuko giddily lifted her ankles. “Thanks!”

Heathcliff sighed. “We’re gonna need someone to take those shots.” He then turned his gaze at Azalea.

The mermaid’s realized what Heathcliff had in mind. She knew that the visitors would be around her age and her height. And her proximity means that she is the most available one at the moment. “Um, I have to go…” she floated away. “Got to, um reel in some treats! Yeah, that’s it! That’s all folks!” she swam away before the suggestion to ensure her as Target practice for Atsuko’s archer could be made.

“What’s her problem?” Atsuko said.

✦✦✦

A few minutes later, Strelitizia offered to test the safety of the arrows Atsuko planned on using. She was the toughest of the Coloraturas.

“Alright, Miss Atsuko,” the minotauride said. “Bring it on!” She took a defensive stance.

Atsuko took her safety bow and arrows and began to aim one. Azalea and Anemone watched the nekomata begin to aim. Azalea was relieved that she didn’t have to put up with the cat-eared archer’s whim. Saizo was also watching with a mix of concern and exasperation.

Atsuko nocked an arrow. The ball collided with Streltizia’s gauntlet and bounced off. Yet the impact caused the horned girl’s arm to recoil a little bit.

“That seems…safe enough,” Heathcliff hesitantly said.

Atsuko fired another arrow, and Streltizia blocked it with her labrys. The teal-ringleted girl smirked before firing another volley of arrows.

Heathcliff turned to the shinobi with the prosthetic. “Do you know why Atsuko wanted to be a Sentinel for today?”

Saizo sighed. “Forgive me, my lady had an intense interest in learning about foreign cultures, even before she left Yamatai and Yae Shoto. This is the first time we were able to linger long enough to experience this tradition.”

“How do you guys train rookie adventurers?” Anemone asked.

“I can’t speak for the other kingdoms of Yae, but Yamatai used academia to a higher extent than here for training the young in adventuring. They practice swordsmanship, archery, and riding from a young age. Upon completing these lessons they would then be scouted by warriors for tutelage as they become squires.”

“Minus the schooling bit,” Heathcliff said. “That seems similar to how ol’ Charlie does things.”

“Though, that doesn't preclude all squires being uneducated or untrained, as your own can attest,” Saizo said.

Heathcliff chortled. “Even that was due to unusual circumstances. Astra only knows how Tim’s life could've gone if he stayed at Jiang-hu, or if his school wasn’t razed to the ground.”

Strelitzia blocked and deflected Atsuko’s arrows. Before she knew it, the archer ran out. She cheerfully looked at the spectators. “How did I do?” she said with a wink.

“Excellent, milady,” Saizo said. “But…”

“Akko. You might,” Emily’s voice echoed to Atsuko with a bit of trepidation and hesitancy. “Uh…”

“I’m gonna have to talk it over with Chiron,” Heathcliff said.

Azalea swam to Streltizia. She noticed the tired orange-haired girl had no kinks in her armor. “You okay, Streltizia?”

“I’m fine,” Streltizia said. “Didn’t hurt me one bit.”

Emily suddenly has an idea. “Maybe I can fight them, as a boss?”

Heathcliff mused on the idea. “That might work.” He knows Emily is capable of holding back when needed, though she will still need more appropriate weapons for the fight. Heathcliff left to contact Chiron about the ideas.

✦✦✦

Later, Heathcliff and Emily floated the idea with Chiron in the entrance hall of the Dungeon. The mirages and Allowstide decoration had changed the atmosphere, with illusory bats, webs, and fake trees around the room. The priest mused over the idea.

“There is a certain risk to having a Dungeon Core avatara also be a Sentinel,” the centaur said. “Yet, given how inexperienced the young ones are, that might be of no concern.”

“As for Akko?” Emily asked.

“From what you told me of her sill, there is some cause for concern,” Chiron said. “But it’s ultimately your choice, Emily. If it matters, Pauline had told me that several of the young ones ended up with sturdier than usual armor lately.”

“Huh?” Emily said.

The priest recounted how some parents had feared for their children’s safety. He then gestured to a group in particular. The elf among them wore a helmet, pauldrons, and kneepads, all made of metal. He came off as a knight’s squire.

“That doesn't seem that unusual?” Emily said.

“And if I told you he was supposed to be a mage?” Chiron asked.

Emily began to realize what he meant. She turned her attention to a young Antarian girl. Her pincer arms and tail were more heavily armored. It looked like she struggled to even walk. Her helmet was adorned with a bow.

“Seem like they had gone overboard,” Heathcliff muttered.

The third of this group was a little clionid merman. The only one of the trio clad in leather. And for good reason, as his bow denoted him an archer. His leather attire allowed for flexibility. The archer laughed at his armored friend’s cumbersome movements.

The sight of how…well protected these children were had relived Emily of her concerns about Atsuko, but in their place were questions if the puzzles they currently had were suited to the lack of mobility.

Elizabeth fluttered to them. “We made the last of the preparations. All that is left is assigning the temporary [Sentinels]. I heard Atsuko volunteered for one of them.”

Emily nodded and explained that she also wanted the other slot.

“Guess it’s settled, cher,” Heathcliff said. “Good luck.”

The three left Chiron to look over the puzzles before the runs could begin. More parties of fresh and budding adventures entered the Black Box.

✦✦✦

Meanwhile, The Coloraturas were among the various young adventurers in the Black Box. All of whom were dressed for their role as guides for groups that lacked them. And all of whom were dressed for the occasion.

Anemone’s costume was the least change, retaining her usual pointed hat, and donning a black robe with different purple accents. Rose meanwhile wore a regal but tattered black cape with pink lining. Her fangs were sharpened for the occasion.

“You two look like you’re out for blood,” Raine said while wearing a leather chestplate. Her red wings were covered only by the feathers on them as per usual.

“Emily said we can get extra treats for dressing up!” Rose said with a cheerful smile.

While they were talking Rose felt a shiver down her spine as someone touched her hand. She turned around and saw someone dressed in a white dress. She yelped as she felt the clammy hand touch her before she saw the face of the white-clad girl.

“Not funny, Hydra!” Rose said with puffed cheeks.

Azalea was near the cyan-bobbed girl, dressed like a fisherman. “How’s my costume? I had to reel in waterproof cloth for the hat.”

“There’s irony, and then there’s this,” Streltiiza said as she and Colver walked in. The minotauride wore a bloodstained dress that made her look like a doll. Clover’s costume instead evoked the image of an armored princess.

Anemone is shocked to see the resemblance to a specific princess. “You’re going as the heroine of Britomaris?”

“Yep!” Clover said. “Lily and Pearl had helped me out with that!”

Strelitzia looked at her costume with some discomfort. “Was the bloodstain necessary?” she asked. She didn’t mind the lace in comparison.

Rose saw Lily approach them while dressed in a stetson hat, and denim attire, including a vest jacket and four-legged short jeans. “Hello there, partners!” she said in imitation of a midwestern drawl.

“That’s certainly not going to ruffle some feathers,” Raine said. Azalea giggled at the pun.

Clover preened her wings to make sure they weren’t in the way of her costume.

“Alight, gang,” Rose said. “Nina and Carla are going with their mothers, and Emily had tasked us to help with the parties. Are you ready?” As she said this she took out a list of groups handed to her by Chiron.

The other girls cheered with affirmation. The eight witches set off to the first group on the list.

✦✦✦

Also among the participants of the Allowstide traditions is Nina. The spiderling had recently found a party with several other kids. The silver-hired Arachne easily showed off the gear she obtained from Revotos’ Valley and modified by Sarah.

One of them, an elven kid, was dressed like a pirate captain. Complete with a tricorne hat, an eyepatch, and a petticoat-looking suit. “So you’re the one we’re a group with?” He carried a blunted cutlass sword.

“That’s right!” Nina said excitedly.

A young girl stood next to the pirate-looking kid. “Name’s Aly,” she said. “Captian pointy-ears here is Evan.”

“Captain Evan, to you!” Evan said. “Scourge of the Seven Seas. Plunderer of the Flood. Despoiler of the land of Y’s!”

Kasumi, Hoshikage, and Salliandra looked at the elf as he boasted about his supposed feats. “I thought the eyepatch was just part of the costume,” the braided kunoichi started.

“Lighten up, Kasumi,” Hoshikage said. “It’s the perfect time for imagination to run free. Besides weren’t you like this when you were his age?”

The sprite with the two ninjas wondered how Kasumi acted half a decade ago. Her mind was bemused at the possibilities.

Meanwhile, Nina looked at Aly’s attire. Rather than wearing a costume, she instead donned heavy, nearly stifling gunmetal grey armor. She held a shield and a sword with her. “Has anyone seen Sally and Gale?”

“Coming!” A meek boy said. He approached the group, carrying a bow with multiple strings. His tattered cloak and green tunic evoked a legendary Albanian figure. Beside him was a mermaid guppy. A clionid like Azalea. She was dressed in a white long coat, with a stethoscope attached to her ears. The headpiece was wet from its presence in the orb of water around her face.

Nina looked over her comrades for the night. “If I lead this team to victory, Emily’ll have to take me with them more!” she thought to herself.

Minerva talked with the parents and guardians of the other children. She assured them that she would take care of them as she guided them through the Black Box. Nina looked at her with impatience.

“So, what are you supposed to be?” Evan said.

“Huh?” Nina said.

“That is armor,” Aly said, almost jealous of Nina’s ability to move unencumbered by it.

“So, that’s not a costume?” Gale said. He strummed his bow with an awareness that some adventures eschew the costumes for reasons of practicality at this time.

Sally swam around Nina and noticed the blades on each of her legs. “Isn’t that a bit too…much?”

A while later, Minerva approached the group. “Are you ready, children?” she asked. Her daughter was naturally the most eager to respond. So much so that she nearly ran off ahead before Minerva stopped her. The Archane mother leads the party into the Black Box.

✦✦✦

As the children and young greenhorns embark on the Black Box for Allowstide, Carla observed the festivities. She saw Charlotte with the Arion twins, mingling with the visitors.

Among the adventurers came a familiar bard. A young man who is currently allied with the Ebony Guards of Noir. He held a lyre that transformed into a bow. He saw his sisters play with their friends as he approached the Alraune. Like her, he was a former resident of Hamlin.

Orpheus approached Carla with an expression that did little to hide his frustrations. It has been more than a year since the Piper Pruflas had whisked the children away from their village. A year since Emily had accidentally absorbed their mana and made them a part of her. Carla, Emily, Charlotte, and even Orpheus had since endeavored to learn more about how to free them. Emily figured that she needed more mana to be capable of releasing them.

The bard’s black hair was ruffled. He clearly had worked day in and day out at Noir’s guild. Carla shied away from him.

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The two watched the children frolic in costumes, robes, and armor. Among the children from Hamlin, only Euryale and Shteno were in attendance. Despite protests from the Cells, Emily and Clara refused to get them involved and sent them to rest for the night.

Orpheus looked at the Alraune mother. Framed for a murder, framed for a kidnapping. He had spent many of the past few months looking for evidence between his missions for the guild. Proof that Clara didn’t murder her husband Samuel. Yet every lead led to dead ends and red herrings.

The awkward silence was between them, drowned out by the chatter of excitable children, eager budding adventurers, and the adults tasked with their supervision and safety. Eventually, Carla spoke up.

“How is Hamlin?” the alraune asked.

“They still think you dead,” Orpheus Arion answered. “This year they are dedicating Allowstide to the kids.”

Carla had committed an act that ensured the village had closure. The village was led to believe that she had burnt to ask, unaware that the Black Box had made her a Sentinel, or of its existence. As far as they were concerned. Emily and her friends were just travelers.

“Geraldine wanted me to give you her greetings,” Orpheus said as he took a drink.

The two gradually talked about their progress and their lack thereof. The only thing of importance Carla had discovered was that the forms of the children-turned Cells reserved those of the Nezumi demi-humans, with their rodent-like ears and tails. Orpheus noted the poeticness of it all with a bitter lament. The children were the demon’s prey. The Black Box an effective mouse trap.

To this day, neither blamed Emily. Carla knew that it was not her fault and both knew that to try to destroy her in misplaced revengance would harm the children. Carla’s trick was to protect Emily as well as the children, for she feared that the rest of the village, overwhelmed by grief and desperation, would attack the Black Box in futile hopes that destroying the Dungeon would also release the children.

“Any familiar faces in Rosenkreuz?” Orpheus said.

“Just yours,” Carla said with a sigh.

Both were at a loss for what to do. Were their efforts doomed from the start? They spent the next few hours asking each other about how to restore the children to normal.

✦✦✦

Nina and her party arrived at the first of three chambers. The group of five young adventurers and one mother saw three in front of them several treasure chests. Each of them silver with glowing blue patterns.

“Some possess treats,” Minerva said. “Others tricks. It is your goal to find out which is which.”

The puzzle is made to train adventures for encountering and dealing with mimics, creatures that disguise themselves as treasure chests. Nina eagerly ran toward the one right in front of her and rubbed her hands before opening it.

A swarm of illusionary bats few from the coffer and scattered across the room. The phantoms frightened the spiderling as they circled around her before she realized they were part of the Sprite’s illusions. She looked at the empty coffer with disappointment.

Evan laughed at Nina’s failure before Sally glared at her. The doctor-dressed clionid swam to another coffer and found a plate of two webcakes inside. She placed the wrapped treats in a large satchel that was provided by the guild. Even smirked as he approached a chest behind Nina’s, certain that there was treasure for the pirate-clad elf to plunder. Sure enough, there were three bags of individually wrapped candies inside. The captain wannabe carefully took a bag out, before all three vanished and were replaced by the sudden emergence of a hand. Even stumbled backwards and fell down as he saw the hand grab him. He then drew his cutlass and slashed it to learn that it was another illusion.

Twenty-one chests remained. Nina and Evan tried to open another, but they could not pry the coffer open. Minerva warned the two that they could only open one chest per room.

Gale and Aly have yet to open their chests. The young knightess and the bard looked and examined each coffer carefully. To Evan’s annoyance.

“Hurry up!” the elf said. “We only have two hours!”

“Patience,” Aly said. “Just because you whiffed doesn't mean we have to.” The armored girl looked back towards the chest in front of her, comparing it to the other chests for signs of differences. The bard meanwhile took a look at the chests already opened by Nina and Even for similar reasons. At the bottom of those two chests, their patterns were missing their blue glow. Gale then turned to the chest Sally opened and saw that had a blue pattern instead of a merely embossed one.

Aly found a similar observation as she stomped around the chests. Her sabatons making normal movement more difficult. She saw a chest with a blue pattern onto it and found five bags of candies. Gale meanwhile used what he had learned and found a chest with an equal amount of webcakes in its contents. After the bard opened his chest, the coffins vanished, and a door at the other end of the room opened.

Evan and Nina were not amused at the tricks at their expense. Sally approached them. “Don’t worry, there are still some more rooms.”

Evan humphed. “Let’s get going,” he said with an arrogant tone. Nina rolled her eyes.

As the group exited the room, Minerva began to question how well she taught Nina to behave around others her age.

✦✦✦

The next room was made to test a different skill. Minerva explained that it was a maze with patrolling Cells around. Treasures with only treats are scattered around, but so are the cells. If they sighted any of them, the dungeon would warp them to the start of the labyrinth.

Armed with this knowledge, The children ventured into the labyrinth. Though Evan had a rough start as he made a wrong turn into the gaze of a cell after starting. Nina chortled a bit at his failure as she made a turn. She saw a chest and rushed for it, but in her haste, she too was caught by one of the machines patrolling the Black Box. The spiderling was warped back by Emily.

Aly tried to survey the area, but as soon as she saw a patroller approaching her location, she tried to run. The encumbering armor prevented her from escaping it as it turned in her direction and she ended up back at the start.

Gale had a plan and used it to secure himself two chests worth of treats. He used his bardsong to trick the cells into walking away from nearby chests and used his agility to avoid his gaze.

Sally meanwhile exploited a loophole. The Cells have to see the children, but if they were attacked from behind… The clionid girl swam around and kicked them with her translucent tail, knocking them off balance.

Evan and Nina tried again. They both saw two chests side by side. They were guarded by two Cells standing still. From behind a corner, the elf and Arachne children conceived their own plots. Nina crawled up the walls and behind the sentinels. From her high point, she then tried to use a dragline to ensnare one of the chests and lift it.

Evan meanwhile attempted to sneak behind them, but his plan was foiled when they started to turn in his direction. The elf uttered a mild curse under his breath and rushed back to the corner before they could see him.

Nina is grateful that the pirate-dressed elfin lad served as an unintentional decoy as she tried to discreetly life the chest. Her webbing however snapped and gravity sent it crashing to the ground. The thud attracted one of the Cells and it looked back, but Nina impulsively skittered higher on the wall and far away from the line of sight. The cell returned to its post while the other one followed the sound of Evan’s footsteps.

“Drat!” Nina said. The little arachne tried again, this time trying to just drag the chest.

Evan managed to avoid the cell by hiding in another path and letting it walk past. Retracing his steps to the path with the two chests, she saw Nina trying to move one from high on the walls. The elf considered distracting the lone Cell and moving it away, but then she saw how Nina was struggling to move the chest and realized that it would take too long. He then considered other options until he heard footfalls behind him.

With a fearful expression, he turned to find the dreaded source. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that it was Aly. The armored girl curiously peeked around the corner and saw Nina using her web to move a chest a few inches. Even then noticed her gauntlets and had an idea.

Before Aly knew it, she saw the elf dressed like a pirate, making loud noises. The Cell turned to the source of the Noise, He gestured to Aly to stay back as he threw his cutlass. The clang was heard by the mechanical being and it slowly approached the sword, giving even enough time to get behind it and topple it. He sat on the head of the machine and Aly used the moment to walk towards the two chests. She pushed the other one with her gauntlets.

With the second Cell still away from the chest and the first one incapacitated by Evan for now. The girls have managed to get the chests away from their place and to a point where they can open them safely. A satisfied and conceited Evan stands up to try to meet up with Nina and Aly and claim his share…but the Cell immediately rotated its head and laid its eyes on Evan, sending the boy back to the start of the maze.

For their part, Aly and Nina obtained twelve bags from the two chests.

A while later, the five kids saw the walls receded into the ceiling, The Cells and remaining chests vanished as a new path opened up. Minerva regrouped the children as they walked towards the next room. Evan fumed as he failed to get treats not once, but twice. Nina approached the boy and handed him two of the bags.

“I don’t need your pity!” He said as he took the bags. Sarah, Aly, and Gale rolled their eyes at the faux-pirate’s hypocritical gesture.

✦✦✦

Atsuko had recently finished an encounter as a Sentinel. The Coloraturas and their charges managed to clear her trial. The nekomata congratulated them and directed the large group of children to a treasure chest as she picked up the ball-tipped arrows.

As the children leave with a large amount of treats and the teal-haired girl gathered her arrows, she saw Saizo approach her.

“Did you give them any trouble milady?” the retainer asked.

The young girl didn’t turn to the shinobi. “Not at all,” her teal ringlets were a bit frizzled by the constant moment. She was more used to sniping at them from a single spot, but her challenge entailed disarming her and therefore the need to move quickly. She soon picked up the last arrow. “Why, was anyone harmed recently?”

Saizo shook his head. The cat-eared teenager made a confident smirk. “See?”

“Emily wanted me to tell you that the next group is on their way,” the ninja said.

“Already?” Her smirk faded into a look of slight fatigue. She had already tested a dozen groups of young and inexperienced adventurers by far.

Saizo affirmed it to his liege. “Get ready,” he said before leaving. The young girl sighed.

✦✦✦

A few minutes later, Nina and her party had arrived for the third trial. There they found Atsuko. Her tiredness was hidden by a cheery smile. “Welcome to your third trial!” she said with a slight yawn. “Here we test your combat skills!” she she said as she directed the children’s attention to their bow.

Minerva explained to the group that the goal was to try to disarm Atsuko while avoiding her projectiles. Atsuko adds that being hit by three arrows will take them out.

Sally asked why. Gale explained that to adventure means to encounter dangerous scenarios and foes. They must be prepared to fight.

Minerva asked if the group was ready to face this trial. Evan and Nina expressed their readiness. Aly had her doubts, given the disadvantage that her heavy armor confers on her, but eventually agreed. Gale noticed Sally had a timid look on her.

“It’ll be fine,” The hooded boy said before saying he was ready. Sally swallowed some water from the orb around her head and nodded.

“Glad to hear it,” Atsuko said. She then took her bow and similarly launched a volley of arrows. Nina, Gale, and Sally barely dodged them. Aly rolled to the side and let gravity her her encumbered body avoid them and Evan was hit by one of the arrows.

The pirate-dressed elf was annoyed as the blunted projectile bounced off him. He took his cutlass and tried to attack Atsuko, but the nekomata nimbly dodged his slashes and fired another arrow at him at point-blank range. Nina launched a web at her arm and tugged at it to throw off her aim.

Sally swam around the arena trying to find a way to remove Atsuko’s heavy bow from her hands. Atsuko noticed the doctor-dressed clionid and turned her aim towards her. Sally dodged the projectiles by swimming through the air. While Atusko was distracted by Evan and Sally, Nina and Aly moved behind her. Nina attempted to use her webs to claim the bow, but all that did that lock her in a tub of war between herself and the nekomata archer. And open her up to two shots in the process. The spiderling’s web was broken by those two arrows as they bounced off her body and pushed her back a foot.

Atsuko then saw Evan charging toward her with his sword and fired several arrows. Even tried to parry them, but one of them still hit the elven lad. Atsuko tried to fire more third arrows to take him out of the fight, but Aly charged in and intercepted the volley.

The armored girl told Evan to run as she took arrow after arrow after arrow. With three hits taken, her body became encased in a transparent cage and moved to the entrance, unable to help her friends.

Sally and Gale were shocked to see Aly taken from the fight and the clionid girl took an arrow as a result of her distraction. Atsuko smirked as she wore down her opponents one by one.

Gale used his agility to evade the projectiles while Nina climbed the walls, trying to take the bow from above. Unfortunately for the young Arachne, Atsuko spotted her and aimed at the young spiderling. Minerva watched her daughter avoid the arrows with a mix of concern and a little pride.

Sally looked at the nekomata. “What do we do?” she thought. She observed her as she fired another arrow at Nina, and reached out for her quiver, and found that there were no arrows left.

Sally saw the blunted arrows strewn about the arena and had an idea. “Nina! Evan! Gale! the arrows,” she yelled.

Evan looked at the now arrowless boss and realized that she couldn’t attack without them. The four kids ran across the arena trying to pick up the arrows before Atsuko could. Each projectile they claim is an arrow denied to the boss. But there were fifty arrows scattered on the floor, and Atsuko already reclaimed a few of them.

From her box, Aly watched her partners try to deny the nekomata her arrows. The confines of her temporary cage prevented her voice from reaching them. She watched Atsuko fire an arrow at Evan barely missed him. She observed Gale being hit by an arrow as he carelessly ignored Atsuko, caught up in trying to steal the discarded projectiles. She saw Nina using her draglines to maneuver around the arena and take the arrows from range.

Evan already taken two arrows so far, saw Nina plummet towards the ground. Atsuko used one of her recovered arrows to attack the dragline Nina was dangling from and sent her swinging to the wall before the line broke. Nina struggled to stand up at Atsuko aimed at her. He saw Sally and Gale rush to intercept her, but he remembered that Aly saving him that way took her out of the fight. He developed an idea and rushed toward Atsuko.

As Atsuko tried to fire her arrow at the fallen Arachne. The pirate-dressed boy tackled her and threw off her arm enough for the arrows to miss. Nina stood on her eight legs again and saw that Evan had knocked Atsuko back.

The nekomata was surprised the elf had done that, impressed even, but with a calm mind she fired the only arrow in her quiver at Evan before he could respond. The pirate-clad boy was now trapped in a case identical to Aly’s, transparent and silent. There he will remain until either Atsuko or the remaining three children win this fight.

The teal-ringletted girl, with an empty quiver again, tried to reclaim her arrows. Even had already taken ten before he was taken out. Nina thirteen, Sally three, and Gale two. There were twenty-two left strewn about. Sally swam around and recovered an arrow on the way as she tried to distract Atsuko. Gale gathered ten around the arena and Nina took three more.

Atsuko eventually recovered two and immediately used them to take Sally out before taking them back and Sally was encased and transported to the arena. With only six left. Gale realized Nina was, between the two of them, the one more capable of getting the arrows without reprisal and instead focused on distracting and intercepting Atsuko. He dodged the few arrows the nekomata archer had fired and deprived her of one of her two arrows, but as fast as he was, Atsuko was faster and eventually recovered her remaining arrows and used them to fire a third shot at Gale.

The green-cloaked boy was transported to where Evan, Sally, and Aly were. Atsuko now only had one target left, but before she could pick up her arrow, a web had suddenly dragged it away. Atsuko looked at a tired Nina, carrying the remainder of the fifty arrows. While Atsuko’s own quiver was left empty.

Nina breathed heavily, having worked at gathering the projectiles. Atsuko was impressed by the spiderling’s progress. “Not bad, Nina.”

The battle was over, though Atsuko retrained her grip on her bow, the lack of arrows meant she was effectively disarmed, and Emily took notice. The other foul were released from their temporary cage and a chest materialized next to Atsuko.

“Have a happy Allowstide,” Atsuko said with shorted breath. Five webcakes and fifteen bags of treats were inside the coffer. Nina looked at Minerva with a triumphant smile, before her mother reminded her that there were still two more rooms left.

The group left Atsuko behind as she graciously said, “May you be blessed in the starlight.”

✦✦✦

Along the way to the fourth Allowstide trial. Minerva and her daughter Nina were asked several questions from the other children. Gale learned that Minerva was one of the Sentinels of the Dungeon they were within and asked how that happened. Sally and Aly asked Nina about her desire to become an adventurer. Evan didn’t have any questions and instead expressed his impatience. “Can we move faster?” the elf arrogantly said.

Nina understood his feelings, but there was something about that tone that annoyed her. “What is your problem?” the young Arachne said.

The moody lad turns his back and refuses to respond. Gale let out a sigh.

“Is this about your brother again,” Sally said.

“Brother?” Nina curiously asked.

“Like it even matters,” Evan said. “We’re not going to see each other after tonight.”

“Huh?” Nina said.

Aly explained that the quartet that paired up with Nina were staying in Eastshire for the month, they had traveled to the Black Box for Allowstide before their families returned to their homes in Alamo. Nina realized that meant that they would part after this run.

Minerva saw sadness in her daughter’s eyes, for it was the first time she knew that sometimes adventuring would entail parting from those they just met. A lesson that had recurred since they and other Arachne from Websdale moved to the Black Box. Neither she nor Nina were Ctenidae, they were not restless staying in one place for long. Minerva knew Nina’s reasons were because she wanted to be seen as a hero, to help others in need.

The group soon entered the fourth trial, it was a simple test of their minds. Find the shapes that fit in specific holes and they will succeed. It was a test that ended with ease, a brief respite from their prior fight with Atsuko. They only had one trial left. And Nina began to dread what would come afterward.

✦✦✦

Nina and her party soon arrive at the final trial of the Black Box’s Allowstide festival. The spiderling looked around the arena and saw nothing.

“That is…strange,” Sally said.

“There’s no one there!” Evan said.

Minerva knew that Emily, the core of the Black Box herself, was the final trail this time. The fight aimed to test how well the young and new adventurers would fare against a less easily disarmable opponent. Nina had some experience fighting alongside Emily, but not against her. The four kids with her have not even encountered her beyond setting foot in her dungeon body.

“Sorry to keep you guys waiting.” A voice echoed out to everyone—even the guests.

Gale took notice of the voice and readied his instrument. A certain purple-haired avatara materialized in the center of the room, carrying foam swords.

Emily greeted her guests, before telling them she would be their last obstacle. A large chest of treats materialized behind her. Nina is shocked to learn that she would be fighting Emily, even if she would be holding back.

Evan brandished his cutlass. “Bring it on!” he rushed towards Emily, who parried his cutlass with her mock weapons. The elf followed up with another slash and partly sliced through Emily’s leg. A silvery substance was seen within the avatara body before rapidly healing. Emily simply made a gentle smile before slashing at Evan’s sword. The two engage in swordplay but Emily’s foam sword disarmed Evan’s cutlass.

Emily’s goal here is to tire them out, not kill them. They’re children after all and this is supposed to prepare them for adventures later in life. Fortunately for her, after four other trials, the pirate-clad elf had little energy to spare. He defiantly tried to fight Emily before he collapsed in front of her.

Gale could only place his palm on his face. The green-cloaked lad simply signaled to Aly and Sally and tried to fight her three-on-one. Nina meanwhile skittered around, trying to find her purple-haired friend’s weakness.

The foam swords were designed to be soft to the point of harmlessness, but also invulnerable as a result of enchantments. With those Emily can avoid harming her opponents as they try to defeat her and claim their prize. Minerva meanwhile is unwilling to intervene but does carry the unconscious Evan away.

Sally and Gale used Bardsong in an attempt to immobilize her. Aly tried to keep Emily’s attention on her and Nina surveyed the arena for something to use against Emily. The spiderling tried to immobilize her with webs, but Emily simply ignited them with fire magic. She then got between Sally and Gale, who tried to launch ranged attacks at each other. Emily got out of the way and those attacks instead hit each other.

Gale’s costume ended up drenched by Sally’s water blast. The clionid dressed as a doctor apologized to Gale and Emily was able to strike her with her form swords.

“You need to be more aware of your surroundings,” Emily said calmly. “Your opponents won’t hold back just because it’s Allowstide.” Emily was surprised to say those words.

Nina tried to charge her, but Emily dodged her attempt at a headbutt. Aly also tried to rush her, but the armor slowed her too much.

The next few minutes involved Emily giving the children tips as she “fought” them. Throughout which, Sally was the next to collapse, and Evan eventually woke up. Annoyed that Minerva or Emily herself won’t let him reengage Emily. He tried to attack, but a wall suddenly emerged to block his advance.

Aly was the next to fall. Her stamina sapped by having to move around in heavy armor for more than an hour. Emily carried her body to Minerva.

Gale and Nina were the only ones still standing, as fatigue bore down on them. The two kids panicked as they wondered how they could defeat her.

Nina observed that Emily’s avatara body also had signs of fatigue. “Wait, this is just some endurance match?” the spiderling blurted out.

Minerva sighed at her daughter’s impulsive question. “Nina, wasn’t that obvious?”

“No!” the daughter answered with panted breath.

This gave Gale an idea, he took out his lyre-bow and strummed it. He attempted to use his Bardsong skills to create a melody that would energize the two for a few more minutes. Emily attempted to distract him with swings from her mock weapons. Gale dodged them and Nina used her webs to snare Emily’s arm and pull it back.

Nina tried to keep Emily away from Gale as he continued strumming and singing. Emily tried to sing a counter-melody, but Nina launched a web at her mouth and sealed it for a few moments before Emily spat out the webbing. Ten minutes later, fatigue had set in for Gale, who could barely keep himself awake. Emily also struggled to stave off her tiredness as Nina blocked her foam swords and retaliated with webs and slices from her bladed legs.

Eventually, Emily collapsed. “Con…gradu..lations,” she said as her body dissipated into the floor. Gale and Nina had managed to prevail in this trial.

The large chest suddenly unlocked and opened. Minerva led the party to their prize.

✦✦✦

Nina’s companions had stuffed as many of the treats as they could into their bags as they embarked back for the entrance. Aly grew shy and embarrassed about her performance in the last fight. Emily’s voice and Minerva helped guide the children through the spirits’ illusions on the way back.

Nina had a bittersweet mood throughout. She had not expected to fight a friend, let alone the one who saved her from certain doom. And she also knew that her party would disband and that there was a chance she wouldn’t see them again.

By now many of the visitors had thinned, and dusk gave way to evening. The parents of Evan and his fellow three friends greeted them as they picked them up.

“Thanks for the party!” Sally said. “I had lots of fun!”

“You’re welcome!” Emily’s voice echoed to her clionid guest.

Speaking for which Minerva saw the Coloraturas looked over their own hoard of treats. The other children with them had a look of disappointment in their relatively small stash. Azalea had taken to humor to soothe them as per usual and Raine had to restrain Rose following an argument over who gets the fudge brownies and webcakes.

“Seems they had worse luck,” Gale said.

Nina chuckled. She then turned to Evan. The elf rolled his eyes. “What do you want?”

Nina refused to answer the arrogant lad. This only annoyed him more.

“Humph,” Evan said. After a while, he boasted, “One day, I’ll be back and you will witness me conquer this dungeon.” His father chucked at his boast.

“Seems someone left an impression on him,” the parent said. “A shame we can’t stay here longer. Alamos awaits!”

"May you be blessed int he Starlight!" Aly said to Nina.

The parents took the guest away from the Black Box, leaving only Nina, Minerva, and the Coloraturas.

Rose bore a triumphant smile after her opponent’s parent intervened and told them to share. Raine stepping in to remind her to take an equal split didn’t deter her mood one bit. Strelitzia and Clover approached a now sullen Nina, while Lily, Anemone, and Hydrangea checked in on Charlotte.

“Did you have fun tonight?” Clover asked.

Nina timidly nodded. She was no stranger to bidding farewell to friends, least of all after having to move after being kidnapped and having her house burnt to the ground. But most of them at least moved with her to the Black Box. This time was different and Streltizia noticed.

“Didn’t he say he’ll be back…eventually?” the minotaruide tried to console Nina’s loneliness.

“Yeah,” Nina said.

“I’m sure you’ll meet them again,” Clover said.

Minerva approached her daughter. “It must be understood that should you adventure, there will be times when you must part with those you met. Cherish the few moments you have together.”

Nina felt a little better. Minerva took her daughter to the daycare area, where the brood’s young sleep. She then turned to the Peryton fawn and minotaur “It’s getting late, Lydia will tuck you in tonight, girls.” before leaving.

Clover understood that and left to let the others know. Strelitizia followed her antlered and green-winged friend.

The Black Box’s first Allowstide festival was a success. Tomorrow Emily and Heathcliff will meet with Pauline to talk about the results, and the Dungeon will resume normal operations.