January 19, 2019, 7:24 am.

Rufka decides to stay in her room for another fifteen minutes before finally gracing us with her presence. In that time, Beth finishes her breakfast. This means that before Rufka is finished sitting, Beth has already started to lay out our proposed plans for the day.

"Mostly the plan is the same as yesterday, except we're going to try to fit in as many challenges as we can," she dictates, pointing at several points on Tipan's map of the city. "If we have time after we complete the challenges, we'll stop by to visit Luggett again. It's possible he'll have a method for dealing with Ivicka. If not, I expect we'll be making use of Tipan's teleport once the dungeon completes. We still have several days, so let me know if anyone has another idea."

Once Beth is finished, I pull her to the side to mention that I want to work on modifying my return spell. She agrees that it would be the way to go. Especially if I'm able to figure out how to use it to not just return, but teleport. Even as Beth and I talk, the others don't waste time.

Everyone is feeling excited. The rewards for completing all the challenges are significant. It's got me chomping at the bit. By the time Rufka's finished her breakfast, the others are already strapped into their gliders, ready to go.

We head off to the first challenge, the others hunting Fallen while I practice with my magic. The entrance is beneath several slabs, all leaning against each other. Once inside, I discover the appearance and terrain are similar to 'The Collapse,' except there are two slanted buildings leaning against each other.

And it's a rescue challenge. My interface doesn't have an arrow leading through the buildings. Instead, there are several glowing areas labelled as 'safe zones' and a counter with a little stick figure icon. The four arms make it apparent that it represents K'tharn, but it takes me a minute to find the first one I'm supposed to rescue.

The strange doll kind of resembles a K'tharn. If they were furless. When I pick up the doll an arrow directs me to the closest 'safe zone' where I deposit the dolls before continuing. Once I understand the idea, the rest of the challenge is simple, allowing me to finish with plenty of time to spare. My rewards, +1 agility, 2 iron and a mana-essence. Good to know the rewards are kind of fixed.

The only one who fails on our first attempt is Josh. Everyone else finished it, even Smoulder and Tuffie (Rufka's pet wolfadillo, who she literally summoned out of thin air before the challenge, startling everyone.)

Josh didn't get crushed or anything dramatic. He was just slow.

While Josh goes back in, Rufka, Tipan and I hold an impromptu race. Our race isn't as speedy as usual. In fact, Josh is done his trial by the time we make it past the final ring.

This may have been due to a considerable amount of 'course corrections'. And Tipan wasn't exempt this time.

I end up winning mostly by dint of being at the leading edge of our rolling ball of elbows when we cross the finish line. As I'm lying there, basking in my victory, I can't help but note that health edge makes rough-housing more fun than I remember.

The others are getting faster at getting into their gliders. So, as we're still picking ourselves up, they set out for the next challenge.

"Damn. So much for the lazy day I was hoping for," Rufka sighs as we fly after them.

"Yes, because completing challenges while hunting mindless Fallen is soooo hard," Tipan retorts as she fires a lightning torrent at a group of Fallen who didn't even notice us.

Rufka shrugs, "I mean, it's harder than sitting around playing Astral Stride."

"Spoiled. I swear you must have been utterly spoiled as a child," Tipan mutters before we fly towards the others.

After I'm finished looting, that is. We haven't found a distance restriction to the party looting yet. When I mention the range, Tipan says it should share loot throughout the entire training area and there's a hard limit of 1.2 kilometres outside of the dungeons. It's the same range for the party screen and voice chat functions.

The second challenge of the day is located in a busted-up building that's partially flooded. When we activate the prompt, I'm excited at first, because it allows the flight skill. But once we're inside I discover it's a flooding building, and we're forced to use our swimming skill to rescue the 'helpless' K'tharn trapped within. I end up using swimming a lot more than flight. I'm guessing that's why this challenge gives +1 Endurance.

Roberts is the only one who manages to complete the challenge successfully on the first try. Rufka says that her dolls kept panicking then running away in different directions. Mine didn't move, so I didn't have that problem. But between the fact that they're submerged and I can't see that far underwater, they're much harder to find. That's the only thing that kept me from completing it. I couldn't find the last doll.

The second attempt is easier. Not all the dolls are in the same positions, but I have a better idea of what I'm doing. I'm glad mine don't panic like Rufka's do. I don't have the skills to handle that. Capital 'S' Skills either. When I finish my second attempt successfully, Roberts informs me that Rufka had to start a third time. Apparently, damaging the dolls causes you to get disqualified.

Other than Rufka everyone completes the trial on their second attempt. Rufka manages to succeed on her third attempt.

As she comes out, I sling my arm over her shoulder. "You know, for the fastest person here, that took you a long time," I tease while squeezing her close.

"The Vaus-blasted doll smacked me on the face hard enough I took damage. I reacted with an appropriate measure of force. The challenges are just finicky," Rufka protests while Tuffie comes over to give her a big nuzzle. Huh, I wonder how Smoulder and Tuffie are handling the rescue aspect? I guess Tuffie could grab the doll with his maw.

"Sure, they are," I acknowledge Rufka with a condescending tone before sending the general idea of my question to Smoulder. Her answer is headbutts. She's been pushing the doll to 'safety'. With headbutts. I also get the impression that her dolls are much smaller than mine.

With that answered, I begin flying after the others. I suspect Beth is happy with our progress. It's only been two and a half hours, yet we've already managed to complete two of the challenges.

The third challenge of the day is a building that's flooding again, but this time it's an escape, not a rescue. And the building is collapsing. Whee!

As I pass the halfway point and the timer appears, a piece of rubble falls over the only exit. With my pathetic strength and inability to use manipulation skills, I'm unable to get through the massive slab.

Since I can't find a way around, I realize I'm trapped as the rising water starts reducing the size of my air bubble. Rather than subject myself to drowning, I create a bubble of wind, which leads to a disqualification notice. Thirty seconds later I'm ejected after being told to 'please try again'. When I emerge, I discover everyone except me and Josh completed their version on their first try. Oh well.

As we prepare to restart, Josh mentions that he had a similar problem, except the collapse had been so far ahead that he didn't know where the door was. Which meant he had to dig through rubble searching for it. He did find his way out, but he ended up running short of time before he made it to the end. Apparently, he can hold his breath for an especially long time now, so he wasn't in any danger of drowning.

My second attempt goes smoothly. Knowing the route, I make it through before the rubble can block my path. Once I'm at the end, I emerge from the challenge, disconcertingly dry with another +1 to Agility.

I'm practicing using fire and metal together in a glowing orb of silvery metal when Josh emerges from his trial. He's holding his fists up in triumph this time, so I'm going to assume it was a success. Roberts and Beth both congratulate him and I even give him a high five.

Still feels a little awkward but it's a step back towards normal. Yay.

As we set off towards the fourth challenge, my thoughts turn to lunch. I finally picked up several interesting meals from Raz which I intend to enjoy while lounging around on a rooftop near the fourth challenge. We've been absolutely tearing through the city as we go, we've swept over half the city at this point. There were even a couple pockets of Fallen that were thick enough that Beth gave me the okay to participate. But mostly I've watched the others practice then gathered our loot afterwards.

It's not thrilling, but we're racking up a huge amount of essence at this point. Close to two thousand emgee this morning. The twilight essence remain rare, to the point we have more pure mana essence than twilight, but they do show up.

I have noted that not a single Fallen we've encountered wields twilight, though they use every other element.

As we land in the street near the fourth trial, Beth recommends we eat before the challenge.

Letting the others know I'm going to the roof; I sit on the edge of the building where Tipan joins me.

We watch as Rufka dashes across nearby buildings, taking Tuffie for a 'run'. As I watch, I realize Rufka is at least as fast as her wolfadillo.

"Huh. I wonder why she even rides him," I mention offhandedly before taking another bite of my delicious pulled pork sandwich. The sandwich has a pleasant bite I can't identify and is definitely worth every essence I spent on it.

"Certain abilities or skills only work with a bonded companion," Tipan supplies in between bites of her own crispy meat chips. "But I suspect she just likes him," Tipan adds with a half-smile and a small contented sigh.

"Yeah. I can understand that. Even if Smoulder was useless in battle, I'd still want her around," I agree while giving the aforementioned floofball some of my sandwich, so she knows I love her.

Nodding, Tipan and I finish the rest of our lunch in relative quiet before starting the next challenge with the others.

This challenge is a fire rescue, which turns out to be the most difficult we've done so far. Smoulder is the only one who finishes it on our first try.

I rescue the first doll easily enough, but another catches fire and I'm not able to douse it in time causing an immediate failure.

Rufka has a similar problem, but her dolls were also running around and panicking.

My second attempt doesn't fare much better. I end up crushed under a beam trying to 'save' a doll trapped beneath it. A little after I come out, Josh joins Smoulder in the winner's circle while the rest of us head back in for our third attempt.

After a quick round of healing from Roberts, that is.

This time I take my time, moving confidently between rooms but watching for falling debris. I still almost fall to my 'death' when the floor collapses from under me near the end of the trial, but I manage to pull myself up. This trial was a test of endurance, so it feels appropriate that I get a +1 to the attribute when I finish.

Now that the trial's complete, I find Roberts waiting with Josh, Smoulder and Tuffie. Smoulder is curled up in Roberts' lap, greedily absorbing as many head-scritches as possible while Tuffie is flopped at their feet partially obscuring them from view with his large frame.

"Rufka is on her fifth attempt," Roberts mentions as I join them.

"Really?" I reply, reaching out for Smoulder who gladly trades Roberts' head-scritches for my own.

"Yeah. She messed up early on her third try. She was pretty upset. Charged straight back in then popped back out again a minute later. She seemed very pleased with herself for such a quick failure," Josh informs me while holding his first up for a fist bump.

Alright, more normal!

Returning the fist bump, I listen to Roberts describe his version as Beth and Tipan join us. Basically, it was like mine with a couple more rescues required and burning beams to run across.

When Rufka appears, she's not looking very good. Roberts' rushes over to her. Once she's healed, she just howls with laughter before walking back over to the challenge.

"I guess we might only get four today," I mention to Beth as we all play Astral Stride. Josh apparently borrowed it from Rufka back when we were doing the first trial.

"Hmm. Or Rufka can come back once she's had a chance to cool off," Beth replies as we continue the game. Beth and I have both finished our 'magic zones' when Rufka emerges from the challenge again. She's intact and grinning like a madwoman, so I'm guess-

"Lexi. Pour me a drink to celebrate!" Rufka cries, her eyes locking on me the second she emerges.

Obliging her, I pull out two cups then pour each of us a drink. Can't let her drink alone, now, can I?

Handing Rufka her cup, I raise my own, "congratulations. Finally."

"Ukila above. Finally, is right. One of those Vaus-cursed dolls decided that jumping out the window of a twenty storey building was better than burning."

"Seriously?" Josh asks, beating me to it.

"Yeah. And then it had the nerve to beat on me once I rescued it from certain death."

"You truly have trials far and away more intense than mine," Roberts observes.

"Agreed. Do you need a minute before we move out, Rufka?" Beth checks while pushing herself to her feet.

"Nah. We're this close to finishing this thing. Let's get to it," Rufka responds, handing me her still dirty cup with a grin.

"Excellent. Let's hit it, people," Beth commands as Josh packs up the game.

This time when we take to the sky, there's a celebratory mood. We still have one challenge to go, but we have hours left in the day and no one doubts we'll complete it today. At this rate, we'll be back at Raz's earlier than ever.

Minutes later as we're flying towards the last challenge, I'm looking over at the system boss watching the now familiar movements when I notice something.

"Hey, Tipan," I say, as I float closer to her.

"Yes, Alexis?" Tipan responds while searching the city below for more Fallen.

"Is it just me, or does that thing have more eyes than it did when we arrived here?" I ask pointing at the system boss.

Looking in the direction I'm pointing, Tipan doesn't answer for a second.

"Interesting. I had no idea…"

"Beth," I grab her attention through my link while Tipan mutters to herself.

"Yeah kid," Beth responds, the sound of rushing air slightly distorting her voice.

"I think the system boss is being affected by the challenges."

Ahead, where Beth is flying in her glider, I see her raise up, floating inwards towards the city centre slightly closer to where the boss is patrolling.

A few seconds later I hear her swearing before she remembers I'm talking to her, "Good catch kid. Looks like we're going to have a more interesting time than expected."

"Yeah. I guess so," I reply, dropping the link as I follow her down to a nearby building that is especially grey.

Landing beside her, it turns out we're not just stopping because of the boss. The final challenge starts from the top of this building. Beth does spend a minute staring at it before we start though.

There are numerous ladders, all descending into the dark. The moment I set my hand on one of the ladders the familiar notification appears. This time it's a +1 to Agility again. I wait, with the notification hanging in front of me as everyone gets ready. They're even setting their gliders to the side carefully so they can get into them more quickly after we're done here. They're really getting a system down.

Smoulder gives me a quick headbutt to remind me not to mess up again before heading to her own ladder.

"Raven Queen would like to initiate the challenge, Catwalk. Are you ready? Y/N?"

When I descend, it's as though the light has been stolen away, leaving me climbing in the dark until I set foot on a platform below. Then the entire building lights up, revealing a massive warehouse full of catwalks, steel ladders and flickering lights. Glancing down, I discover the floor is covered in jagged and torn steel plates.

It's not a bunch of pits full of spikes, but it's nasty enough.

Unsurprisingly, the entire building shifts regularly as I follow the steel grey arrow across the room. As I cross, catwalks fall and ladders shake loose to join the other twisted metal below.

It feels easier than it was yesterday. I'm not certain, but I'm starting to feel like there's more to our capabilities than our attributes and skill sheet. My agility has increased by a meagre three points since I ran through "The Collapse," yet I'm feeling much more capable of balancing. I'm starting to suspect there are skills the system either isn't capable of or doesn't bother tracking. Or maybe my Resolve is affecting things in a way I don't understand? It's hard to say.

Reaching the steel ladder leading out on the far side of the room, I look back across the warehouse. Most of the catwalks have fallen away at this point. I can hear the screeching and rattling of another catwalk crashing to the floor as I start my ascent, well ahead of the clock.

I think I'm going to miss these challenges.

When I step away from the ladder, the challenge completed, the usual notification appears.

"Zone Quest Hidden Objective completed: Requirements 1/1 collapsing warehouses successfully crossed. Rewards: +1 current Agility, 2 iron rank integration points, 1 iron-grade mana essence."

"Please return to your closest available Nexus to retrieve your items."

The final quest notification I'm expecting now that we've completed all the challenges doesn't show up though.

While I'm wondering what's going on, I join Beth and Josh at the edge of the building, where they're already relaxing. After a quick greeting, I plop down next to them as we wait for everyone else to finish, confirming that they haven't received a notification yet either. Beth suggests we wait for everyone to finish, then we can talk about it. Tipan is the last to climb onto the roof.

Even as she's setting foot on the smooth grey stone, the notification we were waiting for appears.

"All party members have completed all Zone challenges."

"Zone Quest Hidden Objective completed: Requirements 7/7 unique hidden challenges completed. Rewards: 14 iron rank integration points, 1 iron rank class progression point, 1 Staff of the Elementalist."

"Please return to your closest available Nexus to retrieve your items."

Even as I'm reading over the rewards, we receive another notification.

"Zone Quest updated: Reach the Eye. Denying the Destroyer their prizes, they turn their sights to you instead. Requirements 0/1 Spider Destroyer destroyed. Rewards: 18 iron rank integration points, 1 iron rank class progression point, 1 piece of iron-grade gear. Time: 2/2 hours remaining."

"Rest areas have been disabled. Training area countdown has been set to two hours, five minutes (2:05)."

Looking up, I see the silver legs of the giant spider bot shifting. The system boss that's been ignoring us this whole time, turns towards us, its red eyes glinting as it starts to approach.

As we're all staring over at the boss, Rufka summarizes our thoughts rather succinctly.

"Vaus-Damnit!"