“Hard to appraise what you cannot see, take a peek now.” Encouraged Eric.

Hattie hesitantly took a step forward, examining the far wall for any trace of magic. She leaned against the stone door to see the wall against the far right. Her divine sight talent activated, illuminated two arrow slits with red outlines through the darkness. Hattie pushed off the door, ducking behind Eric. His well muscled arm caught her easily, pulling her back as he retreated from the door.

“I saw two arrow slits in the right wall!” Cried Hattie.

“Did you see anything that might shoot through those arrow slits?” Asked Piper.

“Uh… No.” Said Hattie, immediately aware of how jumpy she was.

“Chin up Hattie, I remember my first dungeon, oh boy did I screw that one up. Triggered the dungeon boss during a midnight piss.” Said Eric with a laugh.

A giggle escaped her lips. Immediately dispelling the tension she felt. Eric gave her arm a squeeze and Hattie found the courage to survey the left wall. Two arrow slits appeared there, in positions and heights that mirrored the right wall.

“Two more arrow slits. No monsters that I can see.” Said Hattie, looking towards Nestor for guidance.

“Sometimes the safest course is to trigger the trap.” Hinted the old man.

Eric caught his meaning and pushed the stone doors open further, angling them until they acted as a shield against the walls. After, he knelt, rolling two more glowstones across the ground to illuminate the arrow slits.

Piper tapped him on the shoulder and Eric vacated the entrance, giving her clear shots on both walls. She activated a handful of skills and shot two arrows with a single draw, bouncing her shots off the far wall of each arrow slit so they would deflect and pierce an archer hiding behind the closer wall.

The party listened intently. Holding their breath until they heard her arrows clatter against stone. Piper repeated the test against the other arrow slits, ending with the same results.

Reassured that no one lay in ambush the party advanced into the dungeon. Eric lead the way with his glow stones, rolling them ahead of the party to light the way. Nestor had his own pouch of green colored glow stones and used them to mark their path through the dungeon. Giving them a vibrant escape route.

The former proved most valuable as the marble walls turned into a maze, dead ends and sharp corners taxed their patience. Forcing the adventurers to wander the marble maze for hours. When the party stumbled upon the arrow slits from the other side they had enough.

“Ah! We are going in circles!” Shouted Eric.

“If only we had a diviner to show us the path.” Mused Piper, concealing her irritation with sarcasm.

“Don’t blame this on me! These powers don’t make any sense, how is a level one supposed to know the difference between two identical lights in the darkness!” Shouted Hattie.

Eric and Piper whirled on Hattie. Looking for any sign she was joking. When they found her meeting their eyes with anger they rounded on Nestor.

“What does she mean level one?” Growled Eric.

“I may be Immortal, but wasting our time with a level one guide tests my patience. If you were anyone besides the divine swordsman we would be dragging you back to Roark, bound and gagged. A week long trek there and back would be faster than counting on a novice!” Sneered Piper, planting her feet and crossing her arms.

Nestor leaned on his staff. Refusing to acknowledge either of their questions.

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“You’re both right. Time for a break. We must be getting hungry-”

“Take your break and shove it. How is a teen only a level one diviner?” Shouted Eric, not allowing Nestor to evade his question.

Nestor dropped his cane and straightened, rising to his substantial height. His cloak fell away, revealing the dual swords on his belt. One was covered in white gold and silver, it’s scabbard inlaid with scenes of angelic hosts on their way to war. His second blade lacked any accolades, a simple steel hilt and crossguard with an ebony sheath.

“Piper, If you live for ten thousand years you will amount to nothing more than a bitter old hag. Check your attitude or find another path. As for your Eric, when I say break you shut your mouth and break.” Hissed Nestor.

Power filled his words. Slamming into the pair of adventurers with the force of a punch. Eric staggered backwards, tripping over his feet and flopping hard onto the marble floor. Piper crumbled where she stood. Emotionally devastated by his rude words. Hattie was not immune from his might and recoiled from him power, slamming into the far wall as he spoke.

“What would a human know of evolution?” Mocked Piper.

Nestor shook his head.

“More than you could ever comprehend.” He said softly, adjusting the sheath of the holy sword.

Her eyes followed his hands.

“Divine swordsmen must train with the finest swordmasters in the world. As with all classes, only the immortal elves can claim mastery. While training I witnessed dozens of elven evolutions. Levels alone are not enough to evolve. Not that you could understand. Give up on joining a race that will never accept you. Find happiness with us foolish humans, we might just be stupid enough to accept one who cannot accept themselves.” Retorted Nestor.

Piper scooted away from Nestor. Reaching the far wall she collected herself into a ball. Tucking her forehead into her knees as she wrestled with the knowledge he had imparted to her.

For his part in the squabble, Nestor busied himself with his pack. Laying out his gear until he found the salted pork and crackers he was searching for. Glancing to eric and Hattie he found them still on the floor.

“It seems that I am not immune from the dungeon’s frustrations. I went too far. Hattie, please heal yourself then attend to our allies.” Requested Nestor.

The soft request stirred Hattie from her pool of stupor. She grunted an acknowledgement. Raising her right hand to cover her heart she activated her spells, speaking the desired spell into being.

“Heal.” She ordered.

White light warmed her body, filling her with bliss. Peace cleared her mind, wiping away the fueg that had settled within her mind since entering the dungeon.

“Ya know, that lighting makes you look gorgeous.” Called Eric from his seat on the floor.

Hattie flushed from the compliment. Cheeks burning hot from the sudden examination. Thanking the darkness of the dungeon a dozen times over for concealing her reaction. Still she could not find the courage to confront Eric, opting to heal Piper first. The half elf did not react to Hattie’s approach, nor did she react to the redhead’s spell. Hattie’s divine eyes showed her health increase, and Hattie left without another word. Healing Eric.

“Thanks. I don’t blame you for being level one. But… I think we are owed an explanation.” Said Eric. Turning to Nestor.

Nestor continued making his travel sandwiches as if Eric had never spoken. Adding slices of cheese between the durable bread and dried pork. He examined the sandwich with both hands, lifting it to eye level before intoning a single word.

“Fire.”

Red and orange flames surrounded the sandwich flickering as the burning sphere illuminated the dungeon. Nestor dismissed the flames an instant later, turning the sandwich over to Hattie. She took the perfectly toasted sandwich and took a bite. Gooey cheese mingled with savory grease from the warm pork. Whilst the warm bread maintained enough of it’s structure to contain the hot mess.

Hattie devoured the meal. Not realizing how hungry she had been. Nestor handed her the other two, which she quickly passed on to Eric and Piper. Coaxing the later out of her funk by wafting the hot sandwich in front of her face for several moments.

Nestor took his time savoring his own sandwich. Watching from beneath his hooded brow for the right moment.

“For all my years and all my levels, I am not immune to dungeon fever. Now that we have tempered our hunger, think. Could a level one diviner discern your entire talent list and your names?” Asked Nestor.

Eric frowned, stroking the stubble of his chin for a moment before he spoke.

“No they could not. She also divined our items and their traits. Plus my daggers. I am sorry for losing my temper Sir Quade, we are only on the first floor and already dungeon fever sets us against one another.”

“Indeed. Hephestus’ power lingers here, as if this dungeon was born just yesterday. As for Hattie, I must admit that her status screen shows level one.” Said Nestor.

“That doesn’t make any sense. A level one would not have been able to keep pace on our hike here. Look, I’m sorry for my outburst. Let’s move on and clear this dungeon.” Grumbled Eric.

He was a warrior through and through. Mysteries concerning levels held no interest for him.

“Very well. Hattie, I have an order you will not like.” Said Nestor

“Are you sending me back to the guild?” Asked Hattie, a bit too hopefully.

“I said you would not like it. No, I need you to go into the dungeon alone. Walk past the last glowrock and use your talents to search the dungeon.” Answered Nestor.

“Search it by myself? Grandpa! No- I can’t!” Blabbered Hattie.

“Hush! I am not sending you to your death child! Your talents can detect magic to a highly sensitive degree, glowrocks give off a small amount of magic meaning that our markers could very well be hindering your senses. Obscuring your eyes and preventing us from clearing this maze.” Opined Nestor.

Hattie did not budge.

“You said you would protect me!” She said fearfully.

“Don’t take that tone with me. Think of the gifts I have already given to you! Now go. Just beyond the light of the last glowrock.” Ordered NEstor.

Hattie swallowed. Terrified of being alone in the dark. She looked to Eric for support, receiving a half visible thumbs up from him.

“We’ll be right behind you.” He said.