Heart racing, Jack sprinted into the opening ahead, just behind Jacob and Mitch, awed by the massive cavern before them, a waterfall crashing from an opening in one of the massive walls wall seemed to slope impossibly high overhead and into a basin from which he could see brilliant sparkles in the center of the chamber.

Before his eyes were pulled to the dozen or so sentinels of half melted rock and crimson flame, chasing a limping Sin, face twisted in a grimace of exhaustion and horror, his dark leather armor scorched in multiple spots. The look he shot Jack and the others from across the massive chamber was one filled with panic and desperation.

He said nothing, however, merely collapsing into an exhausted tumble when a massive jet of steam erupted from the massive automaton of bronze, standing twice the height of the flaming golemns, glaring down from a face that was a twisted mask of bronze atop cogs, gears, and who knew what ancient magics powered the construct.

"Sin! Hold on! We're coming for you!" Jacob cried, his face a mask of desperation for his doomed friend.

Jack wasted no time, his parting words hollered over his shoulder. "Curse and corrode the automaton! I'll try to distract the golems!"

"Jack, that's not the plan!"

But Jack was focused only on racing for all he was worth, getting to their fallen companion's side before the trio of flame golemns in the lead crashed upon his shaking form as the exhausted Nightstalker forced himself to his feet once more, stumbling around with a snarl that was as much an animal cry of fear and furious resolve, his scorched hands bare of any weapon, determined to face his death on his feet.

"Aqua Effusorium!"

Sin's eyes widened in surprise and painful hope when he stumbled back from the sudden spray of steam as Jack's Water Spout hit dead on, the golem erupting in an explosion of brittle stone.

But the Nightstalker was too weak and exhausted to do more than stumble back on his ass.

"Move, Sin!" Roared Mitch, flashing past Jack in the blink of an eye, the massive chamber echoing with a crack and boom as he Shield-Smashed the closest golemn with such force that it smacked into its partner, both tumbling to the ground in twisted limbs and flame.

And before the pair could slowly righten themselves, Jack had already drenched them in a roaring spout of water, stone instantly stiffening and hardening, brittle crackles forming before Jack's eyes. "Aqua Effusorium, motherfuckers!"

And a single furious blow from Mitch shattered both brittle golemns twisted together into a pile of rubble.

Congratulations! You have successfully taken out 3 Igneous Homunculi! Experience earned!

Spellboost is now Novice Rank 4!

Waterspout is now Apprentice Rank 5!

Waterspout is now Journeyman Rank 1! You have automatically chosen the specialization Perk Potency! Your Waterspouts are now 25% more powerful, especially against flame! Enemies will have a harder time countering your spell!

"Move, fools!" Mitch roared, shaking Jack out of his momentary revelry as the fighter grabbed Sin and raced for all he was worth back to the party, Jack's eyes widening with something very close to dread as he c aught the bronze gaze of the massive bronze sentinel gazing his way, another nine flame golemns only seconds away from knocking him over and burning him alive.

Jack's heart hammered in his throat, but he already knew the choice he had to make.

"Come and get me, brittle bastards," Jack laughed, Spraying the lead golemn with a more powerful than ever blast of water for the split second needed to enrage it before racing away for all he was worth.

Not toward his friends retreating to the funnel-like entrance, but rather back around the lake.

And if the sudden chill of doom racing down his spine was any indication, he had grabbed the automaton's focus as well.

Holding back choking laughter at his madness.

But able to picture all too well what would happen if the Golem vented the blast of steam at his friends racing back for the enclosed corridor. Steam even now washing at Jack's backside and Ice Shield held like an umbrella as he sprinted like a madman.

You have partially dodged Steam blast!

Ice Shield partially counters Steam blast!

Elemental armor partially counters Steam blast!

You have taken 1 Light Wound and 10 Damage!

Deep ragged breaths as he darted around with enemies at his back and a giant sentinel that would boil him alive in minutes.

Having had the presence of mind in his panic to keep a count between steam blasts when Sin had nearly been fried.

20

20 seconds to act.

20 seconds to survive.

"Aqua Effusorium!" Jack screamed, boosting his spell just enough for an added reach as the flood of water spraying from his hand washed over a full half dozen golemns that had been just heartbeats away from taking him down.

Now crashing in a chaotic jumble as Jack sprayed and leaped back, three blackened and extinguished as they were hit full on by Jack's blast, the other three disoriented when his spray extinguished large swaths of their magma-like flesh, massive chunks of obsidian like rock instantly hardening and breaking off, including several limbs.

And the awful shriek threatening to deafen him once again came not from the golemns, but from the automaton sentinel lurching clumsily around the basine between them one massive bronze encased step at a time.

"Sharon! Lauren!" Jack screamed.

Because if there was a time ever a time to come to his rescue...

5... 4...

He wasted no more time as the remaining 3 golemns caught up, moving far faster than they had lumbering outside in the damp, and it was all Jack could do to race away. To try to keep as much of the lake between him and the Bronze Golem about to bathe him in flame yet again...

"Peredo!"

"Twist and warp the cursed metal that would see our death! May its gears and cogs be eternally bogged as it breathes its last inhuman breath!"

Jack felt a fierce surge of exultation even as he raised his shield high and forced his exhausted legs to sprint at least a few seconds longer.

Before the hot wave of fire roaring down upon him made it clear that this might very well be his last stand.

Rolling to the ground as flames roared and washed over his shield

Finesse check failed! Fumble turned to dodge and cover!

You have been struck by Roaring Flame!

Ice Shield (full coverage) counters Roaring Flame!

Elemental armor partially counters blowthrough damage!

You have taken 1 Medium Wound and 30 Damage!

Jack wanted to scream as his Ice Shield turned translucent as the blazing heat melted through, the end just seconds away.

"Scutum Glacias!" Jack screamed for all he was worth, jutting out his right arm that was near instantly scorched...before a second fully intact shield of ice formed, almost before he could finish the words.

He desperately stumbled to his feet just as three deadly golemns crashed into him, sending him flying back.

Elemental armor partially counters blow from Igneous Homunculus! Shield partially counters Slam from Igneous Homunculus!

You have suffered 2 Light Wounds and 15 damage! 1 Rib is cracked!

"Aqua Effusorium" Jack screamed as he sprayed the three golems right from where he had crashed to the ground.

Only a second from being tackled, crushed, and burned alive.

But a second was all he needed as he sprayed their instantly stiffening legs with his now Journeyman ranked Water Blast, all three crashing to the ground on blackened stiffened legs.

But their brightly burning torsos still dragged them forward with furious screeches.

Finess check made!

And a desperately laughing Jack forced himself to his feet, knowing the golemn was just seconds from burning him alive with another blast.

And he would look death in the eye.

As the massive sentinel of what was now tarnished bronze, pitted and green, seemed to suck in so much crimson heat in its torso, Jack clearly seeing the process through the now pitted chest plate, that Jack knew he was dead. The monster sucking so much fire it began to tremble, cogs and screws popping, the once pristine automaton that was now worn and pitted with the corrosion of countless thousands of years looked ready to burst with rage.

"Jack! Run!"

And then it did.

The massive chamber echoed with the roar of exploding Bronze shrapnel when Jack did the only think he could think of to survive.

Diving right into the frigid waters of the underground lake.

Sinking like a stone.

Chapter (?)

Concussive blast mitigated by Lake Waters!

You have taken 1 Light Wound.

You have saved versus knockout (and drowning)

You are suffering from mild disorientation!

Bronze Shrapnel blast mitigated by Lake Waters!

Ice Shield partially mitigates Bronze Shrapnel Damage!

Left calf pierced by Bronze shrapnel!

A sudden pounding wave of pressure jolted Jack out of his senses, tingling blackness about to pull him into oblivion, before the searing hot agony of bronze tearing through his leg jolted him back to awareness... and only the bubbles rising up infront of his face brought him back into the moment.

Sinking into the depths, struggling just to orient himself. To swim up... sinking deeper... consumed by growing terror.

Before realizing what was weighing him down.

He wanted to laugh with panicked relief, but to do so was to drown.

Instead he released his Elemental armor and shield with a single act of will, swimming for the surface for all he was worth, heart pounding with desperation, fighting against the desperate agony in his lungs...

Before finally bursting free and taking a hot scalding breath... Coughing and sobbing and choking on the stench of basalt, burning oil, and scorched metal, sobbing with relief as he struggle for the lip of the basin, not even caring how unnaturally deep it was in this pocket of Regio, his exhausted hand grabbed by none other than Mitch, the man's anxious gaze turning to a hard smile.

"Well hell. It looks like you're actually alive, kid."

Jack wheezed with what might have been laughter as their fighter carefully plopped him on the ground.

"Can you breathe okay, Jack?"

Jack forced himself to nod, whispering the words to a quick spell. "Ventus Zephyrus!"

Taking a deep breath of far cleaner air.

Then Lauren's melodious voice echoed through the chamber. "Spirits of the air, hear my plea. A gentle breeze to ease for my friends and me!" She flashed Jack a bemused smile. "When it comes to air and storms, I think Witches just might have the edge."

Jack chuckled softly. "I think you might be right."

She gave a sad shake of her head. "You're a complete idiot, you know that, right?"

Jack smirked. "Yeah, you're probably right."

"You don't have the foolhearty trait or anything, do you?"

Jack sighed, shaking his head. "I hope not."

"Then why the hell did you trap yourself into circling that lake, just like Sin had?"

Jack forced his weary head to turn towards the entrance of the chamber. "You notice how the entire chamber funnels into the all?"

"Of course."

"That very narrow hallway that constricted just past the Stone Lurker?"

Lauren frowned. Before she paled, suddenly getting it.

"If that... shit!"

Jack nodded. "I was afraid that Golem would lurch around and blast you all with flame or steam. If you were trapped there, lungs getting seared..." then he gave a rueful shake of his head, wincing at the agony this caused. "But I was being an idiot, worrying over nothing. You're a pro at Warding ranged attacks and wind walls, not to mention cleaning the air far better than I could hope to."

"True," Lauren said. "But none of us were actually thinking with clear heads. If we had managed to scurry back down the tunnel, carrying Sin, and that fucker made a beeline for the entrance... yeah...we might all be covered in some pretty serious burns right now, including our lungs."

Jack's gaze turned to the sound of Mitch smashing to rubble the last of the crippled golems.

Only then did Jack catch a good luck at the massive bronze automaton... or the corroded scraps that were left.

Jack gazed back at Sharon. "How?"

"It turns out that combining a witch's tier 3 Hex with an enhancer's Tier 3 Corrosion spell is really, really effective for putting down magically enhanced badies... especially mechanical ones relying on complexity to decrease the overall tier of the enchantment needed to allow for such a powerful construction.

Jack whistled. "I'll say." His eyes widened. "You guys hit level 4!"

Both girls grinned.

"And I finally have Rank 6 in my Enhancer Spell Sphere!" crowed Sharon.

Jack blinked. "So you leveled up and selected your spell in a handful of seconds?"

She sighed and nodded, her expression becoming pained. "Yes, I did. And we're damn lucky I could do just that."

"But you were forced to pick Greater Corrosion as your free Tier 3 Spell. Not Lesser Spell Enhancement, like I know you wanted to do." This Jacob said with a pointed look Jack's way.

"I know, babe. But if things hadn't played out the way they had, we might have been steam fried, trying to retreat back down the tunnel." She f lashed a wicked smile at the remains of the sentinel. "And now Lauren and I know the absolute best combo that will send any automaton crashing to the ground, for some sweet, sweet experience. I'm pretty sure the combo will corrode the golems pretty quick as well, but honestly, Jack's Water Spout spell is absolutely perfect for dealing with them."

Jacob sighed, shaking his head. "Alright. I can't say I like members of our party going off half-cocked. But yeah, sometimes you have to trust your gut and take the initiative. If it works out? You proved yourself. If not? Then you know you're better off falling in line and following orders."

He locked gazes with Jack, wincing as he focused his efforts into healing his injuries.

"We seeing eye-to-eye on this, Jack?"

Jack winced and nodded. "Got it. I was lucky today. If I get another brilliant idea and it blows up in my face... I quit with the brilliant ideas."

Jacob smirked. "Or just talk it out beforehand if at all possible." His gaze turned concerned. "You okay? Shit, you're not. Your calf was lacerated."

"So heal him, Paladin," said Lauren.

"He can't. He exhausted his Lay on Hands ability, pulling back Sin from the brink of death," explained Sharon.

"And I pushed it up 3 more Ranks!" Jacob declared. "My Lay on Hands is now especially badass. It will heal almost any internal injury with a skill check, not just the bloodloss and flesh wounds that comes with the loss of the first 2/3rds of your hit points, unless someone scores a crit against you. But to do that, I sort of had to forgo purchasing additional uses per day. At least for this level."

But Jack was doing his best to tune him out, casting his Lesser Healing spell until the awful weight of ancient regrets and loss exceeded the relief he felt with his newly healed flesh, until at last he collapsed back with a sigh.

"How is Sin?"

"His charming sarcastic self, same as always," Mitch said, now crouching beside Jack. "Furious that he was trapped there, unable to retreat because of the Cave Lurker.

"And damn grateful that we came back for him," said Jacob. "Even if he has a hard time saying it."

Jack gave a relieved nod. "Glad to hear it."

"Not as glad as Sin," said Mitch. "Now rest. We don't have any blankets, but it's warm enough in here. Once we've recharged and finished allocating our character points, we'll loot this chamber and clear this pocket realm."

Jack nodded. "Sounds good. Let me put up a rune of warding or two by the tunnel entrance. Just in case."

This earned him a couple looks and an approving smile or two. "Solid. You do that."

And Jack did just that before crashing, simple runes of chalk, as fragile as they came, which was fine, since the only purpose of a Lituus Rune was to warn the forger if anyone or anything crossed or ruptured the rune. And thankfully, for the eight hours Jack lost himself in exhausted slumber, nothing did.

Chapter

Ice Shield is now Journeyman Rank 3.

Shield and Weapon skill is now Apprentice Rank 4.

Geyser is now Journeyman Rank 4.

Spellboost is now Novice Rank 5.

"How are you feeling, Jack?" Jacob asked once he had awakened.

Jack cracked a yawn and stretched, feeling surprisingly good and refreshed, despite sleeping on hard stone ground in a still damp gambeson. Much better than he had yesterday, even after casting Lesser Healing til he just couldn't bear it anymore. "Surprisingly good," he admitted.

"That's because my man just cast Lay on Hands," Sharon said, giving the handsome paladin's shoulder a familiar pat. She then yawned and stretched, radiating a wholesome vitality that made her, much like the others, seem almost etherially graceful, as if beyond the world's troubles and cares, for all that their clothing and armor was as scuffed and worn as his own.

"Leveling up definitely agrees with you," Jack said, only then realizing he had effectively paid her a personal compliment in front of her now smirking boyfriend. "All of you," Jack quickly clarified. "It's like you're all, well, larger than life, now. Like it's mundanity and hardships won't leave a mark on your spirit or vitality, if that makes any sense."

"Not really," said Lauren. "But unless I miss my guess, someone spent at least a couple of points boosting Charisma and Vitality both, last level."

Sharon flushed and grinned back. "And you did the same."

The now strikingly beautiful Lauren chuckled throatily, radiating a certain fey sensual vitality, that had Jack actively looking anywhere but at her. "I did. Willpower too. And it was totally worth it." But he could still sense the way she gazed at Mitch, also looking so powerfully built he felt more real than anyone else. Then Jack blinked, finally getting it.

"You guys are radiating the magnetism of heroes!"

"Well, I do try to fill that role as a paladin," Jacob said. "With time, hopefully our renown will garner us respect and friendship, wherever we go, so we truly can savor what it means to be valued members not just of the local community, but the nation as a whole."

Jack smiled, shaking his head. "No, that's not what I... I'm sure you're right, and your aspirations are noble, Jacob. But I mean I can just look at you and the raw presence you radiate really does make you all seem like the lead characters in the movie of our lives, starring you."

Jacob nodded. "The power of Charisma and leveling in this world. Personally, I think our HP is as much reflective as the favor the universe has for us, allowing us to endure more damage, survive more close calls before our physical body finally pays the price, as much as it's actually about tougher flesh."

"Or it's a sixth sense, or perhaps our ability to manipulate causality itself," opined Lauren.

"Possibly. Point is, it's one of the major perks of leveling up. Something you really want to consider doing sometime soon, Jack. Because damn did we get a sweet payoff, but we came so close to a very ugly end. Had Sharon and Lauren both not leveled up and been so focused on earning Tier 3 spells as fast as they could... spells that would be the envy of any NPC mage..."

Jack quickly nodded. "Yeah, I wholeheartedly agree. As much as I'm loving the skill-ups I'm getting, this is no beginner dungeon, and I'd be an idiot adventuring in places like this without even a path to level myself up into some kind of build that can take care of itself."

He then peered thoughtfully at his companions. "So let me ask... are we in any mad rush to leave?"

Jacob and Mitch frowned thoughtfully. "We do want to scout this room carefully and loot it, but no. As a rule, pocket realms never reset until you've left. At least not the level you're on."

"Level?"

"We call them levels, but often they're realms within realms, stairs or doorways or shimmering pools leading to an even deeper pocket within regio."

Jack frowned. "That's not exactly how it was set up in Elerium 2.0"

Mitch smirked. "Which make sense, considering that this isn't actually Elerium 2.0." He then flexed his powerful muscles and gave a satisfied smile. "But damn if it isn't close enough, in all the ways that matter."

"100% With you there," said Jack, flushing as he caught Sharon's gaze, knowing that what he was about to ask might be breaching all sorts of party taboos. But nothing ventured...

"Sharon?"

He flushed under the regard of her warm almond eyes, her flawless complexion so perfect he'd think it was photshopped, if she and his other companions didn't actually look more real, not less, than the world all around them.

"What's up, Jack?"

He hated the flush he felt coming over his face. "I, um, don't suppose..."

"Yes?"

"I don't suppose you have any tier 1 spells you would mind teaching me?"

Dead silence.

Four pairs of eyes suddenly fixated intently on him.

Jack's cheeks blazed. "I'm sorry, I don't know if that's a taboo question or not. I just thought it would be stupid to well..."

"Not take advantage of your class perks, Jack of All Trades?" said none other than a coolly smiling Sin coalescing out of the shadows. Looking flawless and perfect and so far above life's petty challenges that it was as if the helpless terror Jack had seen flashing across his features that had so compelled him to act had never been.

"You're a part of our group now. A part of our team. If you can actually learn a cross-class spell, why wouldn't the girls want to teach you? Only a fool would neglect the sword swinging for our enemies' heads."

Of course he damn well knew what happened. His 15 Scholarship had gifted him with a near flawless memory. Yet all Jack saw in the man's smile now was a sense of absolute confidence. His was the look of a man who had mastered his environment, and found it's challenges wanting. Yet somehow... on him... it didn't look nearly as obnoxious as it should. He almost looked...

"Shit, you actually invested in Charisma, Sin?" snarked Lauren, her gaze caught between derision and bemusement.

Sin smirked, buffing his nails. "So many things I could say to that, princess. But I won't." His gaze turned to the shattered ruins of the massive automaton that had almost killed him and Jack both. "Because when shit hits the fan, you sling spells with the best of them. And today, you had my back. So burn all the points you want in Charisma. Look as pretty as you like. Because no matter how many fuck-ups and flaws you're compensating for, you came through when it counted. And you know what? That's really all that matters."

And with a final not to Jack, he faded to the shadows, somehow disappearing between one blink to the next.

Lauren gulped, caught between outrage and confusion. "That, I can't... did he just compliment or insult me?"

Mitch glared, but just shook his head. "Fuck if I know. But he actually does have a point."

A quick glance was shared between the four party member's present. Before they all gazed at Jack so intently he had to resist the urge to bolt.

Sharon shrugged. "Hell with it. So, Jack of All Trades, want to see if you have what it takes to learn an Enhancer's spells?"

Several hours passed then, as Mitch and Jacob made a thorough search of the entire chamber, delighting them all with the find of several priceless jewels, and Sharon absolutely crowed when they uncovered not one but a full dozen golden gears and cogs absolutely brimming artifact potential from the ruins of the automaton.

And as awed and delighted as Jack was to find that one could actually use personal mana to condense any fallen construct or magical beast into enchanted remains or flashing crystals of condensed mana referred to as beast cores, nothing delighted him quite so much as having the opportunity to learn fresh new spells.

"How are you feeling, Jack?" Sharon asked, gazing down at an exhausted Jack, who still found the energy to manage a smile when his finger jutted forth and an arrow of acid shrieked through the air to the other side of the miniature underground lake, splashing into the shattered remains of the bronze construct that had nearly killed him.

Congratulations! You have successfully learned the spell Acid Arrow! This Tier 1 Spell belongs to the Corrosion school of Magic. Inverse and complimentary to Resilience School of magic (Enhancer Sphere). Complimentary to Decay school of magic (Necromancy Sphere).

"Feeling fantastic!" he admitted to a beaming at Sharon.

"Well done. And in just hou'rs time, that is impressive as hell, Jack," Sharon commended, laughing and clapping his shoulder.

She turned around, flashing the witch of their party a cheeky smile. "You're turn, Lauren. And remember our bet."

Lauren just nodded, arresting Jack's attention with her strikingly sensual smile, hypnotic green eyes capturing his and refusing to let him go. "Alright, Jack. I'm going to teach you a personal Wind Ward spell that will protect you from arrows of wood and, if you're good enough, even nasty magic ones like the one you just cast. All you have to do is coax and befriend an air spirit, and if you can charm them into helping you, you just might have what it takes to be a witch!"

Jack frowned at this, finally able to pull his focus away from the strikingly beautiful girl who was already spoken for as he focused all his attention on the puzzle before him, earning more than a couple pouts and frowns as he felt his way through the magic spell.

"No, Jack. You're not controlling Air directly, but you do want to be familiar with Air, to form a sympathetic connection with the air spirits that fill the air at all times. Watch me cast it again, see?"

And for all his Arcane Perception continued to improve, revealing ever more details within the ebb and flow of arcane energy around the witch, it was a frustrating hour when it just didn't click, the spell seeming to slip from his fingers... until suddenly he understood.

"This is as much a Conjuration spell as it is Air manipulation!" He declared.

And for all that Lauren furrowed her brow in consternation, that insight was the key that eventually unlocked the puzzle of the spell, recalling viscerally what it felt like to summon his Blood Bee, even as the air whipped and howled all about him.

Congratulations! You have successfully learned the spell Lesser Wind Ward at Novice Rank 1. This tier 1 Spell belongs to the Wind & Storm school of magic (Witch Sphere). This sphere shares extremely high correlation with Elemental Air School of Magic (save for use of Air Spirit Mediums). Complimentary to Animal School of Magic. (Summoning.)

When he opened his eyes he was surprised to see no less than five pairs of eyes gazing at him with looks that ranged from bemusement to smug satisfaction as a gust of wind whipped just above his head.

"He did it!" Lauren crowed.

Sharon nodded. "He really did. And we just accepted the idea that if you don't want to spend forever training up a skill, eventually you are going to have to burn points."

Mitch gave a frustrated shake of his head. "I don't care if they're just Rank 1 spells, and he's some Jack of All Trades. There is no way he should be able to learn spells that fast."

Sharon shrugged. "All spell casters get at least one spell that comes to them in a brilliant flash of insight, as if the universe is filling our heads with the memories of wizards who came before."

"Yes, but that's just one spell. Per level. And Jack hasn't gone up any levels."

"Exactly," said Jacob. "We're all risking our lives in this place, and we've all gone up two levels, and I know you're damn close to level 5! We're all rocking physiques and power like never before. And Jack?" His smile turned an odd mixture of admiration and sympathy. "Well, he's still the same guy who risked his life, saving our butts. His reward for surviving this ordeal? Leveling up a few spells and skills. And he's still without a class."

Words which turned Mitch's furrowed brow into a far more sympathetic gaze. "Shit. Fair point. If anything... hell, Jack, I'm glad you're able to learn those spells so quickly. you never know when they might come in handy."

Jack forced himself to nod and smile back, sensing the pity Mitch trying to keep out of his voice. And hell, if it kept that increasingly deadly Warrior from resenting him, Jack was perfectly okay with sympathy.

But he believed in reciprocity as well.

"Thanks again, Lauren. I really appreciate the instruction."

"No problem. I think you're a natural!" she said, with the gentle smile and tone of voice reserved for little brothers everywhere.

"I recall you saying something along the lines of your class also having an affinity for the Druidic arts?"

Her brow narrowed when Mitch muttered something about the time, but she nodded gamely enough. "Witches do have limited access to summoning animals, manipulating plants, and enhancing the potency of potions that can be used for healing. But I'm afraid I haven't had the chance to learn any of those spells yet."

"Because it takes weeks to learn any of them well enough to use them in combat, and we'd already spent two months in training," said Jacob.

Mitch nodded. "It was time to prove ourselves. To show our worth for the sake of our Guild. To show that we really are adventurers capable of leveling up. Significant political clout and bureaucrats off our backs, once we do."

"And with the coin we're going to earn, closing this wild pocket rift, we'll be able to afford all the tutors we like," Sharon enthused. "Hell, it almost makes me want to visit the Arcanium once we get back to Greystone. See about finding a quality instructor."

Lauren nodded enthusiastically. "We should totally do that. It will be just like attending university again!" She sighed happily at the thought. "I would love to see what higher education is like in this realm, taking courses I'm actually interested in!"

Their giddy enthusiasm earning a sigh from Jacob and a smirk from their rogue.

"Great, we'll just twiddle our thumbs for the next six months while you girls take whatever passes for basic courses and relive your undergrad years," said Sin. "Maybe if you're really lucky, you'll actually learn a useful Rank 1 spell."

Lauren glared at the smirking rogue. "What the hell is your problem?"

"What he's saying, babe, is that we could advance so much farther if we just stuck together and adventured as a team," Mitch said, clasping her hands. "You know how I feel about you. But the last thing I want to do is sit on my behind studying god knows what for months or years in this primitive world, when we could be adventuring together, gathering crazy wealth and so much power we really be the characters we loved ruling the PvP boards with. Remember those days, babe?"

Lauren flashed a crooked smile. "You know I do, Mitch. There's just one really big problem."

"What's that?"

"Just one bad day is all it takes for us to wipe forever."

Their ebulliant mood instantly chilled, jack recalling how close they had already come to death, the looks in their eyes making it clear his teammates were as well.

"It's one thing to risk it all when the highest stakes are cursing at the monitor and starting a Deathless League back on square one. But if we die here, babe? It's over." She shuddered, looking away. "I'm not saying I'm going to give up the adventuring life. Because you're right. I can get a hell of a lot more powerful after a couple Delves than I could after a year, maybe years, studying at their academy. But at least I'll be safe out there." Intent green eyes gazed into his own. "At least we'll have a future together."

Mitch's gaze hardened. He shook his head, looking away.

"Mitch?"

"Come on, let's get going. Once we clear the keystone, we're out of here."

With those words he and Sin immediately proceeded to the far end of the chamber, past the lake, where Jack could now make what looked almost like a mask of crystal on the perfectly smooth, golden wall on in that corner of the room.

Jack's breath hitched. If that were real Gold... he then turned to the automaton, realizing they hadn't bothered harvesting that either.

He felt a soft hand squeeze his arm, Sharon's bemused gaze meeting his own. "You okay?"

Jack winced, flashing an apologetic smile. "I didn't mean to start any... actually, i wanted to offer to teach Lauren, and you, if you like, one of my own spells. But somehow I didn't get a chance to say anything."

"Of course not," Sharon said, shaking her head. "This dungeon's hitting Lauren hard, and she and Mitch are pulling in opposite directions. Even with her Willpower boosted, this was not the easygoing starter mission we had hoped for."

Jack furrowed his brow. "She's not going to leave the group, is she?"

"None of your business if she does or doesn't," Sharon said. "And none of mine either. Because she's right. What we're doing is dangerous as all hell, even if the rush of leveling up is a sweet as any of the drugs we were stupid enough to try in high school. Drugs that killed several of our friends. If she wants to pull out? I can't blame her." She flashed Jack a rueful smile. "I might not join her on the straight and narrow this time, but I sure can't blame her."

Jack nodded, feeling both awkward and honored by the confession. "Level up, one day at a time?"

"I think the moral here is don't level up, one day at a time."

"Oh, yeah. Avoid the progression rush. But then again, it's progression, not degradation."

"True," Sharon's smile didn't reach her eyes. "The sweetest high we'll ever savor. And it will only make us stronger. Until it kills us."

"Yeah, there is that."

Jack frowned down at the guys below, talking animatedly before the odd crystal face. Now catching sight of something he had missed before. "Is that a golden chest?"

Sharon's eyes widened with something that could only be called dread. "Shit, shit, shit!"

"Sharon?"

"No time!" Her eyes quickly darted around until she spotted Lauren, huddled by herself in a forlorn ball. "Lauren! Get up! Get ready! This sucker's a live one!"

And the look of dread on Lauren's face as melancholy was replaced by cold fear sent shivers of dread racing down Jack's own spine.

"Guy's what's going on?"

Lauren pointed down to their party members conversing before the crystal face, Sin pointing to the chest. And jack felt a chill race down his spine when the inanimate crystal caricature suddenly looked his way... and smiled.