Just a half day they said.. Davren thought as he slowly came to consciousness

Groggily he patted himself down, surprised to not find any injuries. Looking around he marveled at the splendor of the room he found himself in. This was an actual room similar to the ones he stayed in while adventuring. He was laid in a large wooden bed with soft white linen. The headboard had a shadow stag etched into it. The stag was black with two silver seven foot antlers. Its red eyes seemed to bore into Davren bypassing his flesh and attacking his soul. The room itself had glass vases suspended from the ceiling holding orbs of light. This Davren knew was a practice in only the most high priced inns. No stains on the walls, a desk with a plush chair and a pitcher of green fluid next to the bed.

It must have been a dream, Davren said chuckling

Can’t tell the team, I would never hear the end of it. Getting stuck in a dungeon, how rich. His chuckle rolled into full laughter as he rolled to the edge of the bed.

As his feet touched the ground Davren noticed his gear was still fully on. A mid to high level inn would have swapped his gear out for healing clothes. Those outfits assisted in bringing him and his team from what would have been major injuries on more than one occasion. That was the entire allure of those inn’s they have their own specialized seamstresses on staff. Reaching for the door a feeling of uneasiness comes over him. The door opens to find Javen leaning against the wall in the narrow hallway. In his hand is a glass of the green liquid with another one on the ground next to him.

Hey bro, you’re finally awake, Javen said smiling

Javen, Davren said, how long have you been waiting there?

Not long, just a few days. He said. Jada and I have been taking shifts to watch over you three. You’re the first one up so far.

Where are the others? Davren asked. Also where are we? Give me all the details.

Everyone is fine bro, the innkeeper said you outdrew your reserves and just needed to sleep it off. Javen began as he handed Davren the glass of green liquid.

So let me see… you fainted and then…

Three days ago

“Javen focus” Jada screamed

Javen turned away from his brother laid out on the white sand, his shield disappearing slowly. The gray wolf had grown bigger and stronger but clearly less cute, Javen thought. Time slowed down for him as he could simultaneously see Jada screaming and Davren lying prone. In an instant he blasted off from where he stood kicking up a moundfull of sand in his wake. In his mind Javen could imagine himself shoulder blocking the beast as he had before. As he flew to the area he should have intercepted the wolf Javen felt the woosh of air left by the beast which he barely missed. Landing, he let out a frustrating grunt knowing he didn’t have enough time to pivot before the beast finished off his brother.

“Concussion blast” Jada said breathlessly

Time continued to slow as the wolf was knocked backwards towards him.

“Phantom sword” Javen said, the words pouring from his mouth as if someone else was speaking through him.

Javen lifted his sword in a slashing motion ready for the attack. The slow time made each second agonizing as the wolf flew towards the perfect intersection. An empowered slash flashed directed by his body as if honed by years of muscle memory. Next to his oversized sword two others appeared, hitting the wolf perfectly this time. The beast let out a yip as it hit the ground defeated.

Two hundred experience points, Jada said

Cool!! Javen said excitedly before his eyes rolled in his head causing him to fall unconscious.

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Today

Two hundred experience points and a new ability!! How? I only received twenty five xp!! Davren said despondently.

Not sure but I woke up here just like you did, Javen said with a smile. Jada could likely tell you more than I can. Hey, did you try this green drink yet? I know the innkeeper spoon fed it to you while you were out but now you should be able to taste it. This stuff is amazing, he says as he downed his glass.

What happened to your rogue? Davren asked, remembering the state he was in previously.

Oh yeah, he’s downstairs in the tavern. He’s holding our seats. Come on, you have to try the food and this drink. Javen said.

They both headed down stairs that Davren had not remembered seeing.

Duran!! Javen exclaimed, slapping the rogue on the back as they made their way to the booth he sat in.

Isn’t this amazing? I mean it sucks that we can’t go home yet but I mean xp, am I right? Tell Davren about this amazing drink. I don’t know what they put in it but it’s A. Maze. Ing.

Yes, Davren you need to try this, Duran said in a deadpan voice. I ordered for all of us, once the caretaker finishes serving others he said he would bring ours.

Davren turned to look around, looking dumbstruck at the empty tavern with eight circular tables surrounded by wooden chairs. They sat in one of the four booths in the large room. There was a chest length bar towards the front of the tavern but no exit. Behind the bar were rows of the green liquid that seemed to sparkle although there was no light shining off of it.

We were lucky to find this place, Duran said in his slow conversational manner.

I know bro, Davren has been asking, do you remember how we got here? Javen said drinking another cup of the liquid in what Davren could have sworn was an empty glass a moment ago.

No man, but I do remember us checking in. Jada said it is a safe area like that clearing we rested in before. Duran said. I even got clean clothes here, my other ones were destroyed.

Davren examined the rogue's clothing wondering if there was a new style he didn’t know about. His shirt was black and white in a swirling pattern but it was still torn in parts. His pants were all black and he wore black boots that looked a little more worse for wear than the last pair he had. There were splotches of blood on them that neither his brother or the rogue seemed to care about.

Jada and Kaylen dragged us in here one by one… Duran began

Two days ago

Ooof…

Kaylen let out a labored breath of air as she and Jada finally pulled Javen to the tavern's door. They laid him next to his sleeping brother. Duran, unable to assist, limped his way slowly behind them. He had awoken just recently racked with pain to find them carrying him also. Although he could barely accomplish the task, he refused to make the women carry him along with the two helpless party members. Besides, if they were attacked someone had to be on watch. The pain kept him alert at this point.

The tavern itself was what he guessed a standard one looked like. None of their party besides Davren had been to one. It was a light blue building with wooden framed windows revealing the bar and eating area. Windows above the bar showed there were at least two floors on top of that.

Knock, Knock, Knock

Exhausted, Jada knocked on the door. Duran hoped for a quick response as he didn’t know how long he would be able to stay upright.

One minute, one minute. A muffled male voice sounded through the large circular door.

Duran’s attention was drawn to the golden letters above the door reading Vas inn.

That’s a weird name, he thought.

The door squeaked open as a short older man with white balding hair appeared from behind it. His peach skin and thick white beard rounded his face while green pants and off white shirt that had rolled up sleeves revealed hairy forearms and knuckles. The man removed a long wood pipe from his lips and scrutinized the group.

Two E’s, One D, One C and a B, the old man said in a weird modulated voice.

Letting out a cough his voice changed.

Your party will do, there are not many visitors yet so I can’t be too picky. The old man continued in a raspy voice.

Those injuries won’t do though, you all need to be whole to continue this process. I don’t need the pain that comes from not following dungeon rules. Come in, come in let’s get some food in you.

At those words Jada collapsed, the last of her energy drying up as it was apparent the party finally found safety. Blackness engulfed Duran as he too joined her in unconsciousness.