Elron nodded, his expression resolute. "Let’s keep moving."

The group collected themselves, advancing down the corridor with renewed focus. As they passed the side chambers, it was clear the traps had released the skeletons that attacked them earlier. Ignoring the empty chambers, they pressed on until they reached a solid metal door at the end of the hall.

Maris stepped forward, giving the door a slight push. "It’s locked," she muttered.

Elron leaned in and whispered, "Can you break it down?"

She matched his tone, her brow furrowed. "No, my lord. Not even I can break through solid steel."

Slyra moved to the front, her sharp ears pressed against the cold metal. "Let me take a crack at it," she said, listening intently. "I hear movement... a couple of somethings on the other side." Without hesitation, she pulled out her tools and began picking the lock.

The minutes dragged on until, finally, a soft click echoed through the hallway. The group tensed, ready for what lay behind the door. With weapons raised, they breached the room like clockwork—Maris charged in, shield first, while Elron and Slyra flanked her, with Kael providing support from the rear.

Maris slammed her shield into the nearest skeleton, sending it crashing against the wall where it shattered into pieces. However, while Maris made quick work of her opponent, her companions faced tougher challenges. Elron found himself evenly matched with a skilled skeleton, each of their blades locked in combat. Slyra danced around her nimble foe, equally agile.

At the back of the room, Kael spotted something far more grotesque. With a flick of his wand, he launched a mana bolt at the abomination. "Watch out!" he yelled.

A piercing, unnatural scream filled the room as everyone turned to face the creature. It was vaguely humanoid, its skin writhing like a mass of worms beneath the surface. Its mouth gaped open unnaturally wide, revealing jagged teeth. Though its eyes had been closed, they suddenly snapped open—milky white and glowing—immediately, they locked onto Slyra.

The scream echoed once more before the creature’s eyes closed, and Slyra dropped to the floor, frothing at the mouth.

Elron, still locked in combat, saw her collapse and shouted, "Maris! Help Slyra now!"

Kael, quick on his feet, conjured illusions to distract the remaining skeletons and fired off mana bolts to finish them. Fueled by desperation, Elron funneled his mana into his blade, shattering his opponent’s sword and sending the skeleton sprawling. Without hesitation, he charged at the abomination, rage filling his every step.

The creature’s claws, as long as a man’s forearm, met Elron’s flaming sword with a screech. It clicked and hissed, as if trying to curse. Elron struggled to free his sword from its grip as the creature readied another strike. Just as the second set of claws came down, Kael unleashed a barrage of mana bolts, staggering the abomination. Seizing the moment, Elron ripped his sword free and, with a clean, swift motion, decapitated the monster.

You have leveled up.

Before the creature’s head even hit the ground, Elron was already at Slyra’s side. Her body was still, her eyes wide open, froth still clinging to her lips. Tears welled in his eyes as Maris knelt beside her, chanting a prayer. The strange sensation of time slowing, brought on by his level-up, washed over him, but Elron fought against it. He didn’t care about the power, not in this moment, and somehow casted it aside.

His tears fell onto Slyra’s cold hand. "Is she going to make it?" he whispered, his voice cracking.

Kael, still on high alert, glanced over. "Let her finish the spell. Just wait."

Moments later, Slyra gasped loudly, her chest rising as life returned to her body. Elron pulled her into a tight embrace, relief flooding him.

Maris gently pushed him back. "Give her a moment, my lord."

Though Slyra had no visible wounds, her mind and heart had been badly affected by the creature’s gaze. As Maris worked to heal her, Slyra looked up, dazed. "What... what happened?"

"You had a bit of a fit," Maris replied, her tone calm. "But you’re going to be fine now."

Slyra blinked, still disoriented. "Did I... die?"

Elron, holding her hand tightly, nodded. "It seems so. How do you feel?"

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"Horrible," she said, rubbing her forehead. "Like that time I got drunk and passed out in the park."

"Which time?" Kael asked with a grin.

They all smiled, even Slyra, though exhaustion weighed on her.

Elron looked around at his companions, a deep sense of conflict brewing within him. His desire for strength had always driven him, but seeing Slyra brought back from death made him question the cost. Was it truly worth it? Would he abandon the promise he made to Marsella all those years ago? Would he regress to his old pathetic self?

He gazed at each of them, his eyes lingering on their faces. "Do we still want to continue this quest?" He glanced down at Slyra, who was still regaining her composure. "We could all die."

Maris spoke first, her voice steady. "I will follow you until the day I die, Elron."

As expected, Elron nodded. He then turned to Kael. "Kael?"

Kael’s expression softened, and a grin spread across his face. "You kidding? This is the last adventure I’d walk away from. I’m in."

Elron’s gaze shifted back to Slyra, waiting for her answer. Slowly, she stood on her own, her strength returning. "On one condition."

Everyone watched her, curiosity piqued.

"I want a barrel of my favorite ale," she said flatly, "and Maris has to drink it with me."

Elron chuckled. "Done."

Maris stammered. "But I don’t—"

"Drink for the dead girl!" Kael interrupted, giving her a playful smack on the back.

Maris frowned, but didn’t protest further.

After taking a short rest, the group prepared to continue their journey. They ate, drank, bandaged up, and shared a few laughs under the dim light, the camaraderie momentarily making them forget the grim reality of their surroundings. If it weren’t for their protective spells, their surroundings would have likely been debilitating or at least nearly unbearable.

As they readied themselves to descend the staircase, Maris addressed the group. "Just so we're clear, I can only revive someone who has died within a few minutes. Death is often final, and it’s not something to take lightly."

Kael rolled his eyes. "We know that."

Maris fixed him with a stern look. "You might, but some of the younger members may not fully understand the weight of it." She glanced at the half-elves.

Elron bit his lip, ready to respond, but Slyra stepped in front of him. "I won’t take you for granted, my friend," she said, meeting Maris’s gaze.

After a brief pause, Maris nodded, smiling softly. "Good. Now, let’s go slay some cultists."

The group descended the stairs cautiously. Though the steps weren’t as slick as those above, they showed even greater signs of decay. Whether from age or something more sinister, it was hard to tell. They moved carefully, alert for traps or enemies. The hallway ahead stretched into the an uninviting darkness.

As Maris led the way, her shield brushed aside cobwebs and debris. The passage hadn’t been disturbed in a long time. This brought them more questions than answers.

Slyra crushed a spider with the hilt of her dagger and muttered, "If they get any bigger, I’m going to shit."

They reached another metal door, and the team fell into their routine. Slyra picked the lock, and they breached the room—only to find an empty space, save for a lone, vacant coffin.

Elron raised his hand. "I know we just rested, but let’s take another break."

There were no objections. Everyone knew each encounter in this place would be grueling at the least. So, they all slumped against the walls, taking swigs from their flasks. As they tried to relax, Elron broke the silence. "Have any of you ever... heard of pushing a level-up away?"

Slyra furrowed her brow. "What? No. Is that why you stopped us earlier?"

Kael hesitated, scratching his head. "That’s a tricky one. No, I’ve never heard of that before."

Maris pondered the question deeply. "No, but I like to think Ferah guides my choices."

Elron went quiet, lost in thought. Something had been bothering him, and his most recent level-up had only amplified the feeling. He hadn’t been compelled to choose anything, yet he was sure a decision on his status was made. It left him, unsettled. Closing his eyes, he pulled up his status within his mind.

Status

Name: Elron Malfar

Race: Half-elf

Age: 36

Class: Spellblade

Level: 16

Attributes:

Strength - 13

Dexterity - 8

Constitution - 7

Intelligence - 10

Wisdom - 8

Charisma - 7

Racial abilities: Low light vision, minor leap, keen sense.

Class abilities: Lessor blade mastery, mana conduit, versatile edge.

Spells: Create light, Create object, counterspell, elemental absorption, energy drain, flare, fireball, mana step, self image, shield, thunderboom, void strike.

He was bewildered. Nothing had changed since the last time he had checked his status. How could that be? A part of him burned to ask, but it was deeply taboo to discuss an elf's status. The subject of levels and leveling was almost never talked about outside of immediate family or among sages. This was due to a combination of things: elven modesty, cultural pride, and an air of mysticism that surrounded the system itself. He thought about confiding in his party members—no matter how close they were, the words refused to form. He couldn’t bring himself to continue the conversation.

With a heavy sigh, he pushed the matter from his mind, stood up, and said, "Let’s move out, everyone."