Zereh used a Rare Scroll of Teleportation to return to the dragon’s mountain. The quest prompt teleportation wasn’t going to work this time, since she hadn’t technically completed the quest, and she had no intention to do so.

Even so, the goblin with the sapphire earring met her at the entrance. He sneezed at the sight of her.

“Apologies. I’m allergic to failure.”

Zereh winced. She supposed she should count herself lucky that the dragon sent the goblin at all, considering.

They didn’t talk further as they goblin guided her through the hidden tunnels that led to the dragon’s lair. Zereh was too nervous, not just because she was about to circumvent the dragon’s quest, but because the fight against the necromancer had left her raw.

She had used what was probably the most powerful weapon in the game, a single-use item, to save the life of an NPC. In the moment, it hadn’t even been a question. Cut off from Emrys by the paladin shield, she had no other attacks that could have reached the necromancer in time.

Had she saved the weapon, she could have used it against a boss monster far beyond her current level and gained a huge boost through the ranks. Should’ve thought of that sooner. If she’d thought to take a detour before going after Sven, she might have been strong enough to defeat the necromancer without it.

Or, hell, if Brayden hadn’t gotten involved it wouldn’t have been an issue to begin with.

She winced at the thought of him. He was probably already back at her house, telling her parents how terrible she was. They’d believe him too, and she’d be off to Cheryl’s beach house for the summer.

Zereh forced herself to take a deep breath. One thing at a time. It wasn’t worth worrying about Brayden yet.

Because none of that had entered the equation when the one, overwhelming thought in her head was that she couldn’t let Emrys die. There would be no respawn for an NPC; if he died in battle, he died for good.

It was something of a liability, if she thought about it objectively. The threat of actual character death had repeatedly forced her to make extreme choices, and if she stayed with him that would only get worse as she grew more and more attached.

But there was something about him that she couldn’t ignore. As the Unknown God had said, Emrys was special. There was a spark in him, something alive and aware that the other NPCs didn’t share.

That’s what allowed him to change the quest parameters when he wanted to travel with her. It was probably also why his bizarre magical ability didn’t seem to follow any skill tree she’d ever heard of.

Sheer curiosity was what drove her to sacrifice everything to keep him alive. It wasn’t that he seemed more attractive every time they met, or the relief in his ocean-blue eyes each time he saw that she was safe.

No, she was protecting him purely out of academic interest.

The warrior straightened her spine and hid her nerves behind a steel mask. She was used to hiding weakness. It was the one thing she knew she was good at.

The goblin smirked as he waved her in to see D’ahn.

She strode past him without a glance.

D’ahn Nehete’s cave was just as she remembered it, piled high with trinkets and gold coins. The dragon himself was coiled at the top, his head positioned so that smoke blew directly from his nostrils to the entryway.

A power play, and a heavy-handed one at that.

She stepped through it. “I know it doesn’t look like it, but I have done as you asked.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

The dragon rumbled a low growl that echoed through the chamber. “The mage yet lives.”

“He does. But the wording of the quest was that I stop him, not kill him. Emrys won’t be destroying any more of the dungeons in Westover, and that’s what you wanted. He’ll be traveling with me. You can leave him be.”

D’ahn rose to his feet and stretched his wings. The torches that lined the cavern walls blazed with light.

“What makes you think you can promise me that? The only way to guarantee his inaction is for him to die. Not only have you failed in this, you have used up the priceless artifact I gave you for this sole purpose.” The dragon’s yellow eyes bored into hers. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you now.”

Zereh swallowed. It’s not real, it’s not real, it’s not real. “I did what you asked. He will never destroy another dungeon in Westover.”

D’ahn stared her down, but the warrior did not flinch. This wasn’t her first staring contest, and it wouldn’t be her last. If there was one thing she could be grateful to her mother for, it was that.

“I will not kill him,” she said. “And I will fight against anyone who tries.”

For a moment the dragon looked amused. “Even me?”

“Even you. Though if you could give me a chance to level up a bit more first, I’d appreciate it.”

The dragon chuckled and withdrew. “I see you are determined. Very well. I will update your quest.”

The words wrote themselves mid-air.

Dungeon Avenger

Dungeons are in danger! One unhinged mage is threatening the existence of dungeons as we know them! Stop that maniac at all costs!

Reward: bottle of lightning! Oops, look like you already used that up. Too bad.

Failure: D’ahn will personally track you down and kill you. Permanent character death.

The dragon let out a low whistle. “Permanent character death, that’s a pretty serious penalty for failure. You’re really willing to risk it?”

“I’m not risking anything. I’ve already completed this quest.”

He chuckled again. “Perhaps. I do admire your confidence. Go, then. And I’ll only see you again if you’re wrong.”

###

Sarah’s hair was slick with sweat, and a few strands got caught in the visor as she pulled the helmet off.

“You certainly took your time.”

Sarah whirled around to see her mother sitting on her bed, legs crossed. Elena’s expression was bland, but Sarah well knew that a storm was broiling underneath.

“Mother.”

“Brayden’s already come and gone, but that didn’t entice you away from your game, did it? I’m sure you knew he was coming.”

Sarah bit her lip. “I had some loose ends to tie up. I should have to set aside my work just because he threw a tantrum.”

Elena stood. “There is no work inside that game,” she spat. “The only work I needed you to do was on Brayden. He’s a hot headed frat boy, how hard would it have been to win him over?”

“Oh, I won him over just fine, mom. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on me.” She reflected her mother’s venom. “Just like you couldn’t wait to whore me out as soon as you brought me home from college.”

“You watch your tone with me, young lady.” Elena took a deep, shuddering breath. “For as long as you’re living in this house, you will do your part in this family.”

Sarah took a half step back. “For as long as I’m living…” Her mother’s words pressed down on her as if to forcibly mold her back into shape. It was too much. She had already spent 25 years at her mother’s beck and call, and for the majority of that she had at least held the blissful ignorance of youth.

“No.” The word fell heavy like a gavel. “I’ll move out. You won’t have to see my disappointing face again.”

Elena gasped. For the first time, true expression showed on her face. “Your place is here, Sarah. Your duty is here.”

“Why? Why, mother? So you can sell me off to your friends? So you can take away everything I care about, lock me in an ivory tower while good people are being turned into slaves out there?” Her voice rose. “That’s not the kind of life I want!”

“It is the kind of life you have. We have given you everything, every opportunity. The least you could do is be grateful.”

“No.” Sarah shook her head. No. Such a simple word, but it made her almost dizzy to say. “I’m leaving. I’ll find an apartment. I can’t be here anymore.”

“You can’t afford that.” Panic was entering the woman’s voice. “We’ll… We’ll cut you off. Cancel your credit cards.”

Sarah shrugged, giddy with refusal. “Fine. Do it. I’ll find something cheap. I have my trust fund, if I’m careful I can make it work. But if you do that, you’ll never hear from me again.”

Elena faltered. “You don’t mean that. You’ll come back when you need us. You won’t last a month.”

“Won’t I, mother? Do I need you? Or will I realize, out there, that I’m doing better on my own.” Sarah was revving up, getting into the idea. Lighting up with the thought of freedom. “Just think of what people will say when I’m gone. How that will look to your superficial friends.” A smile twisted her lips.

Elena’s breathing was shallow. If there was one thing she feared, it was unkind gossip about her family. But she was never one to let a curve ball unbalance her for too long.

She straightened her spine. “Fine. You’ll be given an allowance, but you’ll come to family dinner once a week.”

“Once a month.”

“Okay. Once a month.”