Zildra's voice feels distant when she starts speaking, her eyes looking somewhere far away.

"Forward is important to all the intelligent creatures of the dungeon. All of them want to know why. And all of them know, without knowing how, or why they know, that forward, stronger, smarter, deeper... That is where the answers are. But just as they know that all of these things are true, they're also made very aware, very quickly, that everything that doesn't think, and everything from above, is an enemy. Although, much like what adventurers call the Altane Dungeon, this isn't a rule. And, similarly, it is by no means safe to say that the others, the ones who want to do the same thing, the ones who think and know, are friends." Her voice turns pained, and Tilda... Is confused, but begins to understand, without knowing why. Zildra continues.

"Forward. To those of us who can only grow stronger to a point, pushing forward is by any means necessary. Alliances are formed for strength's sake... And betrayed easily in the name of going just a little deeper, to know a little more. And it is only a little each time. I've heard that from the ones who had to return after they overstretched, and somehow survived. Just as you're hearing this from me. My birthplace was on the floor below us, a place where Gorgons don't belong, the home of, for the most part, Kobolds, Goblins, and Ogres. The furthest I've travelled, and the place I called home for a few years, was two floors below. I thought, for those few years, that it was at least safe to stay. But this, also, is not a rule. Nowhere stays safe..."

Stolen novel; please report.

Tilda reached out her hand. Paused. Then reached out again, and lightly touched Zildra's shoulder, patting it. Tilda already came close to death several times, and it sounded like Zildra was the same. Tilda can feel the pain, almost as if she had Zildra's heart. She knew she didn't. She knew. But to be forced backward by even a dead end angered Tilda. To stop being able to go forward... Tilda's heart froze at the thought. And being forced to go back because they weren't strong...

Tilda never wanted that. Tilda feared it. And finally, she spoke.

"Zildra has worked hard. Because Zildra looked forward, even if it hurt not to move, Zildra can get stronger. Zildra... And Tilda too... We can wait, until we grow. We can even go backwards a little when we need it, because we'll get stronger even if we go a little backwards. Tilda wants to move forward too, and knowing a little of why helps. Tilda..." She looks down, and then up. "...Tilda wants to see Zildra's home, even if it's broken." A smile, the first she's made. "Tilda will even carry your books, even if it's only because she wants to read them too."

Zildra's eyes had been tearing up, but she smiled. Laughed a little. And nodded. "Tilda will grow, and Zildra will catch up. We can get there, I know that."

Tilda nods. And looks into Zildra's eyes. "Tilda will explain too. Why Tilda got stronger. And why Zildra will get stronger too."