“You are late,” said Finn turning toward Alex.

“I am not,” said Alex confidently. They each put their hand on an orb held by the attendant. It connected their registration information with the Office of Dungeon Affairs’ database.

“You are both good to go ahead and enter,” said the Attendant with a smile.

“I was watching the time, and you are two minutes late. The attendant was about to kick me out,” said Finn.

“No, she was not and your timepiece or whatever you were using as a clock was wrong. I arrived exactly as I was supposed to. Now let’s get going then. I would rather start as soon as possible and then safely leave when the time is right.”

“Whatever. I took the extra time to check out the market which I found interesting. Not that you would ask such a question.”

“Oh, I probably would though I would have waited to chat once inside and maybe in a lull in the dungeon.” Alex paused for a moment. “So, how was the market street. I haven’t had a chance to visit.”

Together they stepped through the dungeon entrance. It was taking the pair to a separate plane where the dungeon could spread out and create traps, monsters, and spaces for them to challenge themselves.

“You will just have to see for yourself if you think that anything over there is cool and interesting or not.”

Alex looked around the first dungeon room. The room he found himself in was large and wide. The ceiling stood high above him, lost in the shadows cast by the flickering, magical light. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings and reliefs, depicting long-forgotten legends and ancient heroes locked in epic battles against fearsome beasts. The air was heavy with the scent of metal and oil, and the constant thrum of gears and machinery echoed through the chamber like a heartbeat.

In the center of the room stood The Gearshift Puzzle, as a tablet described in writing, a towering contraption composed of countless interlocking gears, levers, and switches. On the walls metal spikes stuck out on occasion. The purpose of this contraption was clear: by manipulating the levers and switches, one could reposition the gears and create a continuous path for the flow of magical energy coursing through the maze. When the energy reached its destination, a door or passage would unlock, allowing the intrepid explorer to continue their journey through the ever-changing labyrinth.

“Oh, shit.”

“What is it?” asked Finn.

“I have seen this place before. It is almost the same as last time.”

“What do you mean last time? Have you run this dungeon before?” Finn asked while taking a step back.

“I haven’t been in this dungeon at least not on this floor, but I have been in this room before. In Gavros, I went exploring in the mines. Deep down I got lost within the maze of tunnels and then I found myself in a version of this place,” said Alex.

“That sounds like you are describing this dungeon and you entered it on the first floor. Were there a bunch of level 30 enemies?”

“No. Nothing like that was in those caves. The enemies were all capped at level 15. Though the boss of the dungeon. If it really was a dungeon was at level 20.”

Finn raised an eyebrow, trying to piece together the information. "Still, you're saying that this dungeon has a twin? Or maybe a prototype?"

Alex nodded, his gaze fixed on The Gearshift Puzzle. "Something like that. It's possible I suppose. The one in Gavros was very similar. The same design and concept. And the puzzle... it took me a while to solve it back then."

Finn looked around, taking in the vastness of the room and the complexity of the machinery. "If this is a more advanced version, then we're in for a real challenge."

Alex smirked, "At least this time, I have a head start. I remember some of the patterns from the last puzzle. But we should still be cautious. If this dungeon is anything like the one in Gavros, then there are bound to be surprises."

Finn nodded, "Alright, let's get to it then. You handle the puzzle, and I will stay back. And I will keep watch.”

As Alex approached the puzzle, memories of his time in Gavros flooded back. He began to manipulate a few of the levers, trying to recall the patterns he had used before. The gears whirred to life, shifting, and turning as he worked. He looked for the gears that connected to the door and their exit. Tracing the back toward the center of the room he flipped a few more pieces.

The energy contained within the machine changed course and intensity based on Alex’s input. It was finicky where it went. Flipping the same switch back and forth would rarely return the pieces to their original positions. It was all a game of guesses and luck.

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The room hummed with energy, the sound of gears grinding and turning echoing throughout. The puzzle was a complex web of interconnected parts, each one influencing the other in unpredictable ways.

Alex deciding on a course of action, pressed a button near the door. The room's atmosphere shifted immediately. The pent-up energy within the machine was redirected to a conduit sticking out of the wall. Lightning crackled and burst forth, filling the room with a chaotic dance of electric tendrils.

Finn shouted, "Alex! Watch out!" He moved forward with his fists raised, ready to defend against any unforeseen threats.

But Alex, with a deep breath, raised his hands, and focused on his mana. His eyes changed to using mana sight bringing his attention to the out-of-control conduit. Using his magic to control and redirect the lightning. The electric tendrils, once wild and unpredictable, now moved in harmony with Alex's gestures, avoiding any harm to him or Finn. He let the lighting spin around him and away.

As the last of the lightning was absorbed into a conduit on the opposite side, Alex quickly moved back to the puzzle, resetting the piece he had accidentally changed. The room returned to its previous state, the hum of the machinery once again the only sound.

Finn, still on high alert, approached Alex, "That was close! Are you okay?"

Alex nodded "Yes, I'm fine. Just a minor setback. I should've been more careful."

Finn sighed in relief, "You sure know how to keep things interesting. But remember, we're in this together. If you need help, just ask."

Alex smiled, "Thanks, Finn. I appreciate it. The conduits are something new that I didn’t know what they did. Now I know. I won’t make that mistake again. Let's get this puzzle solved and get out of here."

After what felt like hours, Alex let out a triumphant shout. "Got it!" The final gear clicked into place, and a rush of magical energy surged through the contraption. The door on the opposite side of the room slowly began to rise, revealing the passage beyond.

Finn grinned, "Nice work! Let's see what's next."

They entered the room together and the door behind them slid close. The initially dark room lit up with an ethereal glow. Alex scanned the area trying to assess its rules and dangers. On the opposite side of the room three automatons lit up. Energy bringing their dull faces to life. They were archetypes of the three path’s one could take as a combatant. One held a standard sword and shield. One held a bow and was drawing back their arrows and the last carried a shield of magic around themselves. Alex checked the walls of the room one last time to confirm what he knew already.

“See those buttons that are on the walls and in the center of the room. We need to press them.” Alex paused as the gravity of the room shifted drawing them forward toward their enemies. “It is the only way for us to throw them off.”

Alex leaned back and slid down the wall and tried to adjust where he would land. He pushed with his feet and launched himself at the archer. Lightning flicked out of his battery and toward the archer. It was almost at the automaton when he felt gravity shift again. He was thrown to the ground. His aim was thrown off and bounced off the walls.

“Sorry,” said Finn apologetically. “That is my bad. I should have warned you.”

Alex looked over and saw that Finn was at the button. He shook himself off and stood up. “Remember what I said about communication?” asked Alex.

“I think you skipped over most of that part. Also, your instructions were vague. I did as you asked and pressed the button. I don’t know,” Finn’s body lurched as the gravity changed so that the ceiling was now the floor. “what you expected me to do with the information ‘We need to press the buttons’.”

“Just go tackle the swordsman. I will cover for any ranged attacks that come your way,” said Alex as he prepared another lightning strike.

Energy surged from Alex’s battery as he rushed forward. He held his daggers ready and ran toward the archer. Once he was close the lightning that surrounded him exploded outward and followed his daggers. He ducked under the archer’s first arrow using his echolocation and his lightning took care of the second shot. The arrow exploded into pieces while dissolving some of the energy in his attack.

Next to him the power within Finn roared outward. His inner strength grew as his tattooed markings shifted. Drawing his hands into fists his skin hardened. He took on the sword of the automaton directly. His hands wrapped themselves around the sword and he grunted as he put his whole body into the motion. The automaton kept its grip on the sword as it was flung over Finn’s head. The machine clattered to the ground and Finn spun around. He ran toward the machine eager to take it on again.

He slowed as his back was pelted by mana attacks. He turned around to see the mage automaton. “I thought you were supposed to take on the ranged ones?” Finn snapped at Alex.

“My bad,” said Alex as he directed an attack at the mage. The attack disrupted the mage’s flow of attacks and Alex attacked again. “There are two of them while you have to deal with only one.”

“Would you rather switch?” Finn yelled back as he threw a punch into the shield of the swordsman automaton. The shield rattled with the force of the attack.

“I’m considering it.”

Finn sighed as he ducked under the swordsman’s attack and threw a few quick punches. His fists dented the metal of the automaton’s chest. Taking a quick step back he dodged the sword coming up from the side.

As Alex fought the ranger and the mage the gravity shifted again throwing himself and Finn backward. The automatons were ready, and bolts of magic fired off at Alex. He quickly sent lightning to intercept the attacks. Alex landed with a thud and rolled as the archer landed where he once was.

“Maybe I do need you to take on one for me,” said Alex finally. “Tell you what. I will press the button this time and send the ranger to you. You just be ready to punch it.”

“That I can do,” said Finn.

Finn nodded, positioning himself strategically in the center of the room as he fought the swordsman, his eyes locked onto the ranger automaton. Alex, meanwhile, dashed to the wall, his fingers hovering over the gravity button.

"On three," Alex shouted. "One... Two... Three!"

He pressed the button, and the room's gravity shifted violently. The ranger, caught off guard, was flung towards Finn. With a determined look, Finn braced himself, his fists glowing with energy. As the ranger neared him, Finn delivered a powerful uppercut, sending the automaton crashing into the ceiling, now acting as the floor.

His punch cracked through the ranger’s armour and its bow skittered away. Finn, now on the new floor, was quick to use his feet. A foot came stopping down on the things head once, twice, and then a third time disabling the machine.

“Nice now we just have to do that a few more times,” said Alex.