The potion vials shattered inside the boss’s mouth. The liquids sank into its stony membranes.

When the fifth potion cracked, the screams started.

The glow in the boss’s eyes grew into a blinding purple. Its terrified screams shook the cavern. Vivi held her hands over her ears. The boss’s aura seemed to be growing. The layer of stone around its skin burned, as if about to explode from the inside. The boss’s teeth grew longer and serrated, and its hands slowly regrew. More of the boss’s misty ether filled the room; the skulls chasing Rohan grew rampant. One bit into his plate armor before he punched it off.

The demons watched calmly as the boss flailed its stub hands in a mad panic. Lydi and Feni were the most observant, while the others held their weapons, ready to defend themselves from any surprises. Vivi watched for any skulls that may have attacked Lydi or Feni.

Suddenly, a slash sounded from inside the Ember Golem. The screams and the struggle stopped, and the flying skulls dropped to the ground, the string cut from their movements.

Wisps of calm ether began rising from the boss’s body. The Ember Golem had died.

Lydi let out a long sigh. “A failure…”

“What happened?” Ven asked. “It just died? From nothing?”

“It couldn’t handle the sudden growth,” Lydi said. “The potion was a failure.”

“One half of it worked,” Feni said. “The boss sucked in more ether as it was supposed to. The second part was what failed. On top of enhancing the monster’s ether, the potion is supposed to protect the monster from the inside. This effect was lacking. The Ember Golem died due to its forced growth.”

“Did we weaken it too much?” Aang asked.

“Perhaps,” Lydi said, looking annoyed. “But it would be too dangerous not to weaken it. Our solution still needs research and work.”

Feni smiled. “The results were promising. This test has given us new clues, right?”

“I don’t know, Fen,” Lydi said. “I’m tired.”

Rohan groaned a little ways off. He pushed himself off of a few skulls that hadn’t totally disintegrated yet. Multiple teeth marks cut deep into his armor. “I thought you left me for dead there!” he shouted.

Ven chuckled. “Leave you for dead? Do you mean you would have lost to the skulls?”

“No, not at all,” Rohan said. “But this plate isn’t exactly built for running for my life.”

“You did just fine,” Ven said. “Good work. How much ether did we gain?”

The boss’s corpse sizzled beside them, wisps of ether rising as a beacon into the cavern's ceiling. Lucius was drooling within Vivi’s core. Nobody had collected a single wisp of ether yet. “I can’t do this, Vivi,” Lucius said. “I’m sorry.”

Lucius appeared from Vivi’s chest in his cat form for everyone to see. “Aahh! I can’t hide anymore. I will go crazy! Tell me, gang leader, how much ether can I collect?”

Everyone went silent, staring at the spirit.

“Uh, this is Lucius,” Vivi said. “My spirit. He, um… Lucius, say hello?”

“Hello,” Lucius said. “Nice to meet you and something like that. Can I collect ether now?”

“A spirit?” Ven asked. “You mean, a demigod's spirit?”

Lucius gave a smug smile. “A spirit indeed. I am a creation of Ythar. And I am hungry. I need ether.”

“A spirit of Ythar.” Aang smiled at Vivi. “An interesting companion. Lucius, we are honored to meet you.”

“Look here, gang leader.” Lucius crossed his paws. “There’s a dead boss monster right next to us, waiting to be collected. Tell me how much of the ether is mine. Five hundred? A thousand? Tell me now, or I will collect it all!”

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Vivi smiled nervously. Lucius sure knew how to make friends. Luckily, Aang’s gang didn’t take offense at his behaviour.

“We usually collect ether into our shared collection,” Ven said. “In our gang, ether is not one’s to own.”

“It’s fine,” Aang said. “We don’t need ether right now. Lucius claims he is hungry. And Vivi can hide his presence. I couldn’t sense the spirit at all before he showed himself. You may take half, Lucius.”

Lucius flew to the boss and sat on top of the flow of ether. He began collecting. “I would have preferred more, but half will do.”

“Half is more than generous!” Vivi said. “Thank you, Aang.”

Ven wore an awkward smile, while Rohan and Feni appeared shocked. Lydi was already shaking her head. Aang was the only one smiling. “It seems we have made a very powerful ally.”

“You have indeed,” Lucius said. “You seem like a sensible leader. I, as a spirit, respect your strength and courage. My wielder and I will work under your leadership. But only if you prove yourself worthy to lead one as great as I.”

“Lucius!” Vivi called. “Stop being rude!”

Her spirit didn’t respond. He sat on top of the boss, collecting ether. His reserves passed 3500.

When the number hit 3758, Aang snatched the rest of the ether from underneath him, collecting it all instantly. Lucius flinched, as if the floor had been pulled from underneath him.

“No skills,” Aang said.

“Unlucky once again.” Ven sighed.

“We will try again next cycle,” Aang said. “Good work this time. We’re done here now. The Stewards should come back within a few weeks. Collection day is approaching. Let’s head back and see the news.”

Everyone grabbed their items, preparing to leave. The boss arena was left in shambles. One of the columns had collapsed, and the ground had cracked from multiple spots. The destruction was severe. “Don’t we need to clean up?” Vivi asked. “It’s clear someone has been here.”

“This room will repair itself along with the boss,” Ven said. “Dungeons are interesting places.”

“I see,” Vivi said. “What will we do now?”

“We’ll lie low for a bit,” Aang said. “Live our lives as nimrods. Skills can’t be earned while the bosses are respawning. Our job is to ensure the next cycle happens smoothly. Lydi and Feni will work on the potions. Ven and I will keep order within the Union. Rohan will need to repair his armor and find a new runesword. And you, Vivi, you have a lot to work on. Your swordsmanship, your habits, your position within the gang. I intend to turn you into a full-fledged member by the next cycle.”

“Can we take skills if we defeat bosses for you?” Lucius asked.

“That depends,” Aang said. “Right now, we barely use our skills. To be caught carrying one means immediate death. Investigations will be launched. We are currently hoarding skills, and we trust each other not to grow greedy for power.”

Lucius didn’t seem all too happy to hear that. But he had no arguments to throw.

“What are you gathering skills for?” Vivi asked. “Are you looking to make a mass escape?”

“Our goals depend on the strength and power of the skills we gain,” Aang said.

Vivi studied Aang’s expression. He looked uncomfortable speaking about the topic.

“As of now, you’re moving with me, Vivi,” Aang said. “Lucius should remain hidden for the most part. He can show himself in private if he wishes, but anywhere else, hiding him is essential.”

“Of course,” Lucius said. He returned to Vivi’s core.

Everyone was ready to leave. Vivi had nothing she needed to grab. Eem hopped back to her shoulders, and Vivi joined the demons, leaving the boss room to brew.

***

The demons returned to the hidden base. The base, Vivi heard, was simply referred to as home. This wasn’t necessarily a code word, and the demons were allowed to use it even in public.

Inside, everyone immediately moved to their jobs. Feni conveyed the numbers of the boss fight to Henry, the mathematician. Lydi collapsed to sleep. Alisa began helping Rohan with his destroyed armor. Eem ran around aimlessly until Alisa tossed her a big bony slab of meat.

Ven grabbed the snapped halves of Black Rose, Rohan’s old runesword. He laid them out on a table and faced them with shadows covering his eyes. “This is our immediate problem, then…”

Aang’s face was equally gloomy. “Rensfig will be mad.”

The demons thought in silence until Ven sighed. “Did you really snap this, Vivi? How?”

“What?” a new voice called from the room next over. “Who snapped what?”

Everyone in the room flinched. Rohan’s face turned pale.

The man who entered was a dwarf with a dirty beard, thick arms, and curly hair that covered most of his forehead. Short horns were barely visible from beneath his hair. He picked up the snapped blade from the hilt. “Rohan, what the hell is this?”

“I am ashamed,” Rohan said.

“Did you fight a Steward?” the dwarf asked. “How did you manage this? Or did you try to break the hardstone walls? I spend months carving these fucking swords, and this is what you idiots do to them?”

“I am sorry, Rensfig,” Rohan said. “Your sword was strong. I loved it dearly. But Vivi’s sword was stronger. She used no trick; her blade is simply insane.”

The dwarf peered at Vivi. Her heart thumped, body filling with pressure. An excited nervousness.

Rensfig… This dwarf. The demons had claimed he was a runesmith.

“And how the hell has a little girl obtained a sword that snapped my work in half?” Rensfig asked.

A subtle smile crept onto Vivi’s face. She couldn’t hide it. When was the last time she had seen another runesmith besides Jonah or Grandpa? Runesmiths barely existed on the surface. Vivi could only remember vague memories of meeting old retired runesmiths from her childhood.

“What?” Rensfig asked, seeing Vivi’s expression.

“Your sword was well carved, Rensfig,” Vivi said. “But your techniques are outdated. The outside-carving method was surpassed years ago.”

Rensfig frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Vivi could barely contain her excitement. “Show me your smithy. In return, I’ll show you something interesting.”