The day quickly came to a close after a long tour through the basement. There were a few rooms to visit aside from the ones they had already been to.

The first room they visited was the training room. It was the largest room by far, consisting of an enormous open area for sparring, with shelves of weaponry on the side walls, and a gym room connected to it filled with workout equipment.

Most of the other rooms weren't too interesting, they were mostly storage rooms each holding various different items.

But a room that did interest Bo was the entertainment room. It was a simple room filled with loads of comfy furniture meant for relaxing and playing some games on.

Sera made sure to stop there last because after they arrived, they couldn't help messing around and playing some games for a few hours. They mainly played cards, something that supposedly originated from the Bridge according to Iris.

She was a fountain of knowledge and that might have helped her playing card games because she smoked them at most of the games they played.

After a few hours of games, they all felt the fatigue from yesterday still lingering in their bodies and decided to head back to the guest room to sleep.

They all said goodnight to each before closing the doors to their rooms ready to sleep the fatigue away.

Bo wore a pair of pajamas that Robert had delivered to him and lay in the soft king sized bed in his room, feeling comfort like he never had before.

He brought along a few books to read before bed but just like his first night, this night took away his thoughts and he had no choice but to fall asleep.

***

A week quickly went by.

It was a jam packed week, the three spent their entire days together doing various activities, only taking a few hours to themselves throughout a day. Most of those hours being the ones they had to themselves at night before bed.

They did a lot during this week, especially Bo.

There wasn't really much they could actually do during the week since they weren’t allowed to leave, meaning the range of their activities was small, but they made the most out of it.

The first thing he wanted to do was start training after he saw the training room. He asked Sera the morning of the second day if she could train him and she happily accepted. They asked Iris if she wanted to join them but she said she would only join occasionally.

It seemed she was more interested in scouring the entire library looking for every piece of knowledge she didn't have, and acquiring it for herself.

From then on Bo and Sera would both spend a few hours a day training together.

On their first day training, Sera put Bo through a little test to see how physically capable he was and how adept his fighting skills were. After the physical test, Sera concluded that Bo was much stronger and faster compared to an average human.

His endurance was his best trait though, he could continue running at full speed for minutes or lift heavy weights continuously and not feel tired. Don't forget that with his bronze skin, his resistance was also beyond a normal human.

Sera was a little jealous of his endurance, but thought it was his ember that helped him achieve it.

But then she saw his fighting skills— or lack of.

If Bo got into a fight based purely on strength he would probably win against most people, but in a real fight where skill and experience mattered more, he would be absolutely crushed.

He had no fighting skills, he would blindly swing his fist as hard as he could without form or technique. The test was a spar with Sera and even after 10 minutes, he couldn't land a single hit— he didn't even get close.

That just meant he had a lot to learn.

They continued training throughout the week, mostly sparing because there wasn't a point in training Bo’s physical capabilities.

Sera put him through the ringer throughout the week, sparring for hours all the while Bo didn't stand a chance against her. Even in a battle of pure strength, Sera’s ember made it so that even that advantage of his was obsolete.

It was slightly disheartening at first, but he knew he couldn't stop, he only had to try harder, train more and eventually he would get better.

Their training was mostly unarmed combat with Sera teaching Bo the basics of unarmed fighting like how to punch, kick, grapple and how to defend yourself.

On the fifth day Sera decided that Bo should also start learning how to wield a weapon, because a badge weapon was one of the key abilities a crosser needed to master. It was just or even more important than learning how to use an ember.

After seeing Bo’s machete, Sera would spend a portion of their training time teaching him the basics of sword fighting, not getting too weapon specific yet.

They didn't spar with weapons because he was simply too inexperienced currently. Bo didn't take that as Sera looking down on him, he knew she only wanted the best for him.

Sometimes after Sera was done with their training for the day, Bo would take another hour or two to train by himself, wanting to bridge the gap between Sera faster. He also tried training his body in hopes he could become stronger but he didn't know if he worked like that— better to try than not try.

Besides that, Iris would also sometimes join in the training but she didn't last long and would get tired quickly. Also not to discredit her too much, but she was very clumsy.

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

Both Iris and Bo left the decisions of how they trained to Sera because they knew she was the most experienced with these kinds of things. Iris would usually be made to do body training because she was weak and had no stamina, but Sera also made her and Bo lightly spar together.

Sera made them spar with wooden weapons similar to their badge weapon, Bo’s being a machete while Iris used a staff. Bo mostly ‘won’ the spars because he was much stronger than Iris and could knock her around. Also Bo knew she wasn't a fighter, she was a scholar and like on the Bridge, she fought using potions of some kind.

Whatever the case, he was happy he could fight someone closer to his skill level, and Iris was also happy to learn how to fight because she had never before.

When they weren't training, or reading in Iris’s case, they were spending time together. They did many things like reading together or trying to cook as a group, but most of the time they spent chilling out in the entertainment room playing games.

Sometimes they used a side entrance to go outside for some fresh air and sunlight, but there were gardeners working the yard during the day so they didn't want to disturb their work.

Before bed, Bo would read books he took out from the library, learning more useful information about the Bridge. There were journals from crossers centuries ago, books about the flora and fauna in certain sections, but most books were about general information to help you survive the Bridge.

Overall it was a relaxing but very useful week for Bo. He had learned more about the Bridge, had begun training how to fight and most importantly grown closer to his two fellow basement dwellers.

He couldn't imagine living a life without someone there to chat with, or someone to help him with his weaknesses. If Iris hadn’t run into him, or they hadn't rescued Sera, he'd have been totally lost.

On the seventh day stuck in the basement, Bo woke up and walked out of his room into the main living area where the sound of food being cooked sizzled forth.

“Smells good!” Bo exclaimed and took a seat at the dinner table waiting for his breakfast to be served.

Iris was the one cooking breakfast for everyone while happily humming away, taking control over the kitchen and cooking up a scrumptious breakfast for her friends.

She had taken privy to this on the third morning and since then continued doing so even when Robert said he could do it for them. She liked to see the smiles on her friends' faces when they dug into her food.

Although Robert was initially sad to give up one of his duties, he was pleasantly surprised by Iris's cooking. Her culinary skills were impressive enough that he even praised her after tasting her food.

Iris was dressed in casual clothing with a large black apron overtop it so as to not spill anything on the clothes given to her. She hadn't even worn her witch robes at all since they arrived because they bore the most stink— or maybe she was more comfortable being in normal clothes.

After Bo, Sera followed a few minutes later. She made her way down the hallway in her black short shorts and white tank top which she called her pajamas. She rubbed her eyes and yawned, before scratching her messy red hair and sitting down next to Bo, still barely awake.

“Morning.” She lazily mumbled, “What's for breakfast today?”

“Good morning.” Bo replied with a little more energy. “I'm not sure, it looks like eggs though.”

After a few minutes, Iris cheerfully carried two plates over to the table, one for Bo and the other for Sera. Both plates held a mountain of food mainly consisting of egg omelets perfectly seasoned accompanied by the meat of some delicious tasting beast, and a small pile of a green fruit off to the side.

‘I thinks it's called a Grello?’ Bo remembered looking at the green fruit.

Iris then brought her food over, a much smaller plate in comparison, and the three enjoyed a simple breakfast together.

A knock on the door was heard before Robert came into the room.

He had helped them out a lot during their week here, from helping them clean up to preparing new clothes for them. Iris’s backpack which she brought along was washed on the first day and even the small rips and patches were stitched back up by him, making it look brand new.

Now that's a truly skilled butler.

He approached them and took a deep sniff. Madeline had put him in charge of doing daily checks to see if they still smelled but honestly at this point Bo was used to the smell so he didn't know if he still smelled or not.

Thankfully it seemed today was different.

“I'm glad to inform you all that the stink is gone. There still exists a faint smell, but nothing too intrusive.” Robert told them.

“Wait really?!” “Seriously?” “Really?” They asked at the same time.

“Yes very much so.” Robert swiftly picked up the dirty plates off the table whilst saying. “You're all free to do whatever you wish from now on.”

Bo locked eyes with Iris and Sera before they all excitedly ran out of the room, up the stairs and out of the house into the still reddish sunlight outside.

“We're free!” Sera plopped down onto the grass with a gleeful smile followed by Bo and Iris who lay next to her.

They lay there in the luscious grass, basking in the refreshing sunlight of a brand new day, now free to do as they pleased.

“So… what are you guys gonna do now?” Sera asked after a minute of relaxing. “Just letting you know my house is always open if you guys ever wanna hangout.”

”I want to explore the Bridge.” Bo responded immediately. “There's soooo much out there I want to see and experience myself. Even though a lot of it sounds dangerous, I can't help but still yearn to become a crosser.”

“Oh! I want to be a crosser as well, it sounds so… exhilarating.” Sera cheerfully responded. “What are your plans Iris?”

It took a second before she replied. ”First I gotta check my home, then run a few errands, then…” Iris fidgeted. “You guys both want to be crossers and while the thought kinda scares me, I think… I think I also want to be one.”

Sera shot up and her eyes widened. “You're not lying? You want to be a crosser as well?” She ran over to Iris and shook her in excitement.

“H-h-hold o-on, s-stop shaking m-me f-first!” Iris calmed down the excited Sera first. “I'm not sure I like the idea of being a crosser that much but… if it's us three together then I think I'd want to do it.”

“I do want to see the biodiversity of the Bridge myself and maybe even collect some herbs or materials for myself.” Iris continued, ranting about her love of nature. “Also… I haven't really shared yet, but it might also help my ember grow.”

“Ooh an ember!?” Sera relaxed and sat back down. “Okay okay hold on, does that mean everyone here wants to be a crosser?”

Bo and Iris nodded.

“Let's make a party then!” Sera suggested. “But before we officially create a party, we need to make sure everyone is on board fully because being a crosser isn't a simple thing.”

Now all three sat up on the grass facing each other.

“I've wanted to follow after my parents who are famous crossers themselves so I'm in.” Sera gestured at Bo and Iris. “Now are two 100% sure you're ready to become crossers?”

“There's nothing else I really want to do,” Bo responded first.

Iris took a second before resolutely saying. “I also want to become a crosser with you guys.”

“Are you sure?” Sera asked. “You said you didn't like the idea and were scared of it.”

“...I've spent most of my life alone. Right now I'm more scared of returning to a life by myself than the Bridge.” Iris revealed. “And it's not that I don't like the idea, it's just… a daunting thought, but with you guys I think we can overcome it.”

Sera's eyes widened and she dove at Iris giving her a hug.

“Haha I knew you were the ones!” Sera laughed.

“You're crushing me…” Iris muttered being grappled by Sera on the grassy floor.

Bo smiled watching his friends roll around on the grass.

‘This is where the adventure really begins’ He thought and ran over to Sera, peeling her off the struggling, but giggling Iris.

“Okay let her be Sera.” Bo said. “Let's discuss what—”

“What the hell are you guys doing rolling in the dirt?” Madeline Might said after walking out of her house and looking at them, curious as to what was happening.

“Mother!” Sera stood up and patted the dirt off her. “We just decided to become a crosser party together.”

“Really? Are you all ready to be crossers?” Madeline asked with a raised brow.

Sera shook her head, “I don't think we're ready yet but we've made the decision to do it anyways.”

“I'm not against you becoming a crosser Sera, just remember the Bridge does not take anyone lightly.” Madeline warned her. “You have to be ready, prepared and if you're with a party, there needs to be a high degree of trust.”

“Don't even try going into the Lost Forest without having at least those three things okay?”

“Of course!” Sera affirmed. “Only when we're absolutely ready will we go.”

“Good.” Madeline said. “Robert told me he gave you the okay to leave the house so go out and have some fun before you get into the nitty gritty of prepping for the Bridge.”

“I'm off to court, I'll be back in a few hours.”

“Court? Why?” Sera asked.

“Egh, that damned Zorell asked for a favor, and I owe him many favors.”

“Zorell as in the Chief of Security?”

“That's the one.” Madeline sighed. “I'm already pissed off and now I have to go to court! Okay I really have to go, see ya in a bit, don't get into too much trouble.”

With those farewell words, Madeline briskly walked away.

“So… you guys wanna hangout in Gladesdale? I know Bo hasn't really seen much of it beforehand. We can take today off and start preparing tomorrow.” Sera asked and got a quick nod in reply.

The three happily left the Might mansion after an entire week of being stuck there to explore what more Gladesdale had to offer.