“Winowna! Look at me. I don’t blame you. I don’t hate you either. All I want you to know is it’s okay to be a dungeon around me,” Regius consoles. Twiddling my thumbs, I mutter, “I know you’re lying. Wilbur told me that non-dungeons hate dungeons. I tried to stay human, but the pain gets in the way. I really didn’t want to be a dungeon around you, but I couldn’t help it. I’m sorry, I would like to stay, but if I really can’t then I’ll just take a pillow with me.” Tearing up, I start to imagine my life outside of the castle. Just a week away from Wilbur and I was already on a buffet dish. Can I really make it without a proper mentor?

Suddenly embracing me, Regius strongly reprimands me, ”Don’t ever say that you will leave me! Don’t you remember that We’re partners now and forever? Don’t be a dungeon if you think it helps you fit in. Just remember, I will never hate you. No matter how much you screw up, I will never hate you.” Snuggling up in his arms, I compare the feeling with Yue’s shoulder. It isn’t as nurturing but more warm and comforting. I guess hugs are also gender dependent. Restoring my optimal eye wetness to normal, I push away from him. “Sorry,” I mutter while playing with my hair.

Laughing fakely, he says, ”Great! That’s all I wanted to say. Don’t be afraid to be a dungeon around me. For me, you will always be Winowna Warper. The girl who unknowingly walking into a hive of sleeping terrors and loves pillows.” pushing his hands into his pockets, he changes the subject, “Anyways, we have to leave for another world today. The person who we caught is a distant relative of mine. The next target is the same, but you cannot go easy on any of them. All of our targets will be criminals and the most dastardly of criminals. Get ready, please. Also, the powers you get in other worlds don’t come back with you. Don't punch any more walls please.”

Shyly turning away, I stiffly move to the exit. “One more thing Winowna. Could you explain the situation to Yue? I really don’t have the time right now. We can drop her off in her world later.” Turning slightly, I nod while glancing at him before scurrying out. I don’t know why, but I’m really happy right now. Could it be just because Regius said he would never hate me? Aside from that, I really haven’t met anyone aside from Regius and his maids in this palace. Should I ask him after the next mission?

Entering my room, I crash onto the bed next to Yue. Now that I think about it, she isn’t that bad of a person. She’s just a little weird. Figuring out my game plan, I break the silence, “So, Yue. I was told to tell you that we aren't on the same planet anymore. Because of that -” I suddenly jump when Yue snores next to me. After another snore, I hesitantly poke her cheek. Not reacting to my finger, I try to poke her again when she suddenly tries to bite me. Laughing hysterically she says, “A little maid already told me everything. Don’t worry about it. On the other hand, she was looking for your new plush toy.”

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Enraged, I ask, “She wanted my new pillow? I’m going to find her right now! I knew she was after my pillow!” Motioning to calm me down, Yue says, ”I’m pretty sure it was Regius who didn’t want you to have it. Don’t get me wrong or anything, but I think He’s being protective.” Tilting my head to the side, I look at her questioningly. Yue groans for no reason and waves me off, “Just get ready for the mission.” Nodding in agreement, I start to pack all the things I think I would have liked in Yue’s world.

Humming a song I heard in the hospital, I pack the first item, Moisturizing cream.

*****

“Ready?” Regius asks. Both Yue and I nod our heads. It really isn’t hard to pack the basic necessities, some toiletries, and some sweats. Beaming at Regius, I ask, “Hey, Regius? When do I get to meet the other people in the palace? Do you have parents? Wilbur said that everyone has parents, so you have to have some. Can I meet them? Dungeons only have mentors so I don’t know what parents look like. Some of the kids I’ve-” Covering my mouth with his finger, he says, “Don’t worry, I’ll introduce you once we come back. I just didn’t know if you were ready to meet my parents.” Taking a deep breath, he opens a portal. Turning to us, he says, “This next world has no powers or magic. I can’t guarantee that we’ll pop out at the same exact location, but we’ll be close. Whatever you do, don’t make any sound. I’ll come to get you so just wait.”

Stepping through the portal first, I brace myself for a landing. Landing on something already in motion, I lose balance and fall with a short whimper. Falling hard on the floor, I rub my shoulder in pain. Getting up, I find something moving on the floor. Remembering Regius’s words, I stay silent as it struggles to get up. Moving into a corner, I watch as the creature gets up. It looked like a man and moved like one too, but instead of a head, several slimy tentacles extended outward. Slowly moving around, His tentacles touch everything around him. Is it looking for me?

Looking around, I find a door on the other side of the room. The problem is that the creature is in the way. I need a weapon! Grabbing a broken pipe on the ground, I wince as something rolls out and makes some sound. The thing slowly moves towards me. Moving out of its way, I slowly edge towards the door along the wall. Just when I thought I am safe, something slimy touches my ankle. Wiping the sweat off my brow, I look down. A few of its tentacles were feeling around my feet. Reaching higher up my leg, I Raise the broken pipe up. It’s now or never. The door is just out of reach!