The giant sword was swinging through the air while Kane covered his partner’s weak points. Whenever Natalie or Michael slipped by the blade, he would stall them, Josie would back off, and her endless barrage of sword swings would resume. The teens were pushed into every corner of the cave, managing to escape only by splitting off and diverting the enemies’ attention.

“You fight better alone,” said Josie. “Do you want to separate again?”

“No!”

“Why not? Don’t be difficult.”

Whenever Kane brushed past her shoulder to counter, the girl visibly twitched and momentarily lost focus. Even so, the two covered each other’s weaknesses perfectly.

“How about I fight the brawler and you the bunny?” asked Natalie.

“I can take him,” grunted Michael.

The giant sword came swinging and the two rolled to the side. Natalie’s sword was too short to reach Josie, and neither of them were fast or strong enough to keep Kane at bay.

It was becoming increasingly evident that both one on one and in teams, the teens were outmatched by their opponents. However, this was something neither Natalie nor Michael could admit to themselves.

The teens gritted their teeth and increased their pace. They activated the warrior’s breath and cursed their luck when the other two did the same.

Michael whispered in Natalie’s ear: “Babe, you need to block her.”

“My sword will snap in half, dumb dumb.”

“You should’ve gotten a thicker sword.”

“Inside a dungeon full of tiny tunnels!?”

Suddenly, both of them paused. Having heard their exchange, Josie and Kane gave each other a look and bolted for the cave’s exit. They put their backs against the tunnel and countered the teens who then attacked them full force.

The giant blade went swinging and Michael jumped over it with his fists clenched. Kane kicked him in the chest while Natalie attacked from below.

To avoid getting her right foot cut, Josie had no choice but to retreat into the tunnel. Josie’s attacks became limited to thrusts, completely unsuitable for her weapon and style. Natalie, on the other hand, was in her element, easily dodging the clunky blade and punishing its wielder for any and all mistakes.

“Would you like to split off now?” asked Natalie.

“Really?”

“No!”

Natalie sliced through Josie’s palm, making her almost drop her weapon. With a squeal, the girl retreated further, into a small cavern from which several tunnels protruded.

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‘It’s like a maze,’ thought Natalie.

Having more wiggle room, Kane attacked to buy time for Josie. Michael blocked some of his unusual strikes while Natalie cut him before he could deliver something dangerous.

The martial artist’s clothes became tainted with his own blood, but the cuts were shallow and his face remained calm. Josie, on the other hand, had lost her trademark smile, replacing it with a deep seethed frown.

“You guys are cheaters!” she shouted while smacking her sword on the ground.

“This is a fight, kiddo, there’s no such thing.”

“What!? I’ll have you know I’m older than you.”

Michael shrugged while Natalie shook her head.

“I’m 25,” said Josie. “You should address me with respect.”

Releasing a sigh, Natalie pushed the rapier forward. “Earn it.”

A new round of combat commenced, this time much more balanced than before. Within the open space of the cave, Kane and Josie regained some of their advantage. However, due to the threat of entering one of the tunnels, they couldn’t push too hard or retreat much either. The gap in strength and speed they had initially enjoyed was also closed off after everyone started using the warrior’s breath.

It was a stalemate, dragging on for the better part of half an hour. Thanks to their training and the warrior’s breath, neither party seemed to back down. Finally, Kane tapped Josie’s shoulder, and almost at the same time, Natalie gave Michael a look.

“Let’s pick it up a notch, shall we?” said Michael.

“You guys’ll regret being mean to me.” Josie pressed a button on the hilt of her sword and Michael smacked together his gauntlets.

Suddenly, the oversized sword turned beat red and emanated such heat the walls it touched began releasing steam. Natalie, who was trying to move around it, retreated immediately while her shirt caught on fire.

“Crap, Michael!”

With a wild grin, Josie charged full speed ahead. The beet red blade touched Natalie’s skin, but before it could pierce through, Michael grabbed her and bolted into one of the tunnels. One moment they were there and in the next they were gone.

Josie tilted her head, watching them disappear at a bend in the tunnel. She lowered her sword on the ground, which first dried up and released steam and then turned red and melted into magma. Moments later, Kane placed a hand on her shoulder and pointed forward.

“Huh? Ah, yes. Let’s go.” The two started running. “How is he so fast?”

…………………………………..

Some time earlier, Finn had woken up alone in a different area of the fifth floor. He was inside a tiny, damp cave, barely larger than a room, with three different tunnels sticking out of it.

‘I’m alone. Why?’ He took a knife in his right hand and channeled mana into his left. ‘Is it because we didn’t use the rope? Shit. We should’ve been more careful. The others are hurt. I have to…’

Suddenly, an explosion was heard from tunnel number three and something small struck Finn in the chest. Fortunately, his chainmail caught it, although it was greatly deformed.

“Fancy armor,” someone’s voice echoed from afar. “You the church’s brat, boy? I’m gonna enjoy shooting you.”

“Shoot?” Finn touched his chest and pulled out something small and round. He then brought the iron pebble to his nose and took a long, deep sniff.

Suddenly, his eyes opened wide and the boy ducked his head. Almost on all fours, he darted into one of the tunnels, cursing obscenities under his breath.

“Where ya going, mister fancy, schmancy, altar boy? Your God ain’t gonna save ya now!”

Finn kept his palms up for cover and sent most of his energy into his vulnerable skull. ‘How is this possible? Why haven’t I heard of this before?’

[Bang!]

Finn rolled on the ground and crawled into another tunnel.

“Who the hell are you!?” he shouted.

“I am John Bluntcoat, and I’mma hunt you down.”