Steel got to his feet, stretching after lunch. It had been a good lunch. He was going to miss Nikki’s cooking when the cycle ended.
He looked at Fire. “Ready?”
She nodded, sighing. “I will be happy when next cycle comes,” she said, reaching for him.
“Why?” Kimi asked. “What’s next cycle?”
“Next cycle we will be half-dragons,” Fire said. “I will have wings.”
The four from Admin 6’s group froze. Steel hesitated, looking around.
“How do you know?” Avi asked.
“It is a pattern,” Fire said, sensing the nervousness. “Last cycle we were human. This cycle we are elves. Thus, next cycle we will be half-dragons.”
“Y,” Kimi called, taking her husband’s hand.
The man was quietly hyperventilating, his pupils so dilated both eyes looked black. He started laughing, softly and slowly.
“What’s wrong?” Steel asked, worried.
“He can’t be a half-dragon,” Nikki answered, backing away.
“Fine!” Y shouted, making everyone jump. “It’s fine! I’m fine. There’s nothing. It’s. I’m fine.” He laughed again, this time his voice turning hysterical.
“Y, stop,” Kimi ordered, moving to take his other hand as well.
“Stop what?” he asked. “Did you know there’s a phenomenon similar to the Northern Lights in Antarctica? It’s called the Aurora Australis. I’ve always wanted to see it. Shall we continue on?”
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Steel decided that was the least subtle topic change he’d ever heard.
Kimi sighed. “Y…”
“I’ll be fine,” he repeated. “It won’t come as a surprise now. I’ll be fine.”
Avi and Nikki shared a glance then walked away.
Fire was watching Y, a worried look on her face. Steel knew her well enough to know she was blaming herself for his panic. He touched her shoulder then picked her up, following Avi to the stairs.
Fire looked back. “Should…”
“They’ll follow when they’re ready,” Steel told her.
*****
Dear Diary,
We did it! We kidnapped the dire wolves! The whole pack!
I don’t usually feel like a mad genius, but at the moment I kinda want to laugh like a supervillain.
Steel and Fire were worried about the wolves reacting badly to them or something, but this pack of doggos is very well-trained. They know what to do when someone offers them meatballs. And that thing is to wag their tails and be friends.
There was a slight problem with my “ride wolves into battle” plan. Dogs don’t do well with bridles. And we wouldn’t muzzle the wolves. But! The kobolds got all the wolves used to pulling sleds, so they all know what harnesses are. So Avi made a harness, adjusted it for a rider, and duplicated it for everyone.
And sure, this all took like two hours, but we have wolf mounts now!! And yeah, the wolves are all down to 1 HP, but who cares we have wolves with us!!!!!
We’re on Floor 40 now, and I don’t even care that I can’t use the kitchen. Because, I may have mentioned, we have wolves.
There are a couple other groups here, and they’re equal parts afraid and amazed at our beautiful pack of wonderful fluffy dire wolf friends. Avi is taking all the credit, since he’s the official beast tamer here. I don’t mind.
Actually, I’m glad. Avi isn’t a fighter, so a lot of times he says he feels like a background character. That he’s just kinda there. But this was mostly his doing. He gets to be the main character for today.
Anyways, we gave all the wolves baths, and they’re dry now so we need to brush them.
Goodnight, Dungeon!
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