The quake was violent and totally unexpected.

“Shae!” Mel called out as her friend disappeared into a chasm that had opened up and swallow the poor girl.

All Mel could do was reach out toward Shae with one arm as the girl dropped from sight before she had her own problems. The whole of the third room was coming down on their heads.

It began with the exit tunnel dropping, closing off any passage forward. The collapse continued on as the ceiling crumbled toward the group, forcing everyone to make a break for the entrance tunnel they came in by. Kip had to grab Mel by the shoulders and force the woman to run in front of him. She was adamant about trying to follow Shae into the crevasse. Once the group had made their escape, the collapse kept pushing them farther and farther away. It chased them back all the way to the second room. Once the dust cleared and a head count was taken, two additional gatherers were gone missing and assumed crushed in the collapse. Mel had outright slapped Kip for forcing her out once they were safe. Only to be rebuked by Nick, with back up nods from Nith.

“You know what happened there Mel. You can’t blame any of us for this. Least of all your brother who was merely looking out for your wellbeing.” Nick began in a scolding scholarly way. “This has very much turned into a selection. You would only have been sacrificed.”

It was a very, very rare occurrence. But there were times when a dungeon would select a single member of and expedition to test their mettle. If any of the others in the group tried to interfere, they would forcibly removed from the situation by the dungeon. Usually this meant simply killing the offenders. No one knew exactly why dungeons would select and force a solo run. Some said it was the will of the gods to challenge a champion for a greater purpose. Others guessed it was retribution against explorers by the gods, for killing off the monsters that were created by the mana beacons. Selecting one person to be a sacrifice and killing others who tried to prevent the will of the gods. There were also more outlandish guesses. But the most prevalent thought was the gods made the choice for their own reasons, or amusement.

Mel slammed her hand down onto the collapsed tunnel “Damn you!” She yelled looking up.

In the meantime, Nith was working to get everyone moving to exit the dungeon. He stated the group would remain at the entrance for three weeks and await word from Shae. Otherwise, they would assume her death and return to town, sending in an emergency expedition once the dungeon reset in hopes they were wrong. No solo dungeon runner had even been found alive again, and only one body was ever recovered in the six times it had happened over the years.

Nith, who was no back in charge, asked the adventurers to work with the gatherers and butchers to work the area. He was hoping they could still make good use of their time while they waited.

“I am asking this of you because I want, no need everyone to keep busy. I do not need everyone running around like crazy goblins. Please help me keep order in the chaos.” Nith had pulled Mel aside in a one on one.

Mel glared at Nith, but she understood. He was not giving up on the girl, but idle hands were the demons playground. So, she grudgingly agreed to help. It would also help her keep herself moving forward when all she felt like doing was give in to depression.

The next hour saw the group set up a few larger tents Nith pulled out of his personal dimensional home. The group would share these tents as common sleeping quarters. A proper camp was erected for a long stay in the swampy forest, at the foot of the dungeon.

With any luck, Nith could find a way to help the girl. That was his promise to Mel.

For her part, Mel finally apologized to her brother for her reaction. He was fast to forgive and to comfort his sister.

The days that past, saw the group bring in a few items of worth. But to Nith’s great disappointment, all his attempts to breach the collapse ended with his making it worse. The dungeon or gods were determined to allow no interference. He could not even divine her location.

On a weirder note, the group discovered the corpse of Kail Darmore. A sponsor for the academy not too far from the camp. There was no indication as to why the man was here or what killed him. He was found lying face up, milky white eyes still open, staring at nothing.

Nith sent a missive off to the academy to have his corpse recovered and examined for clues. But before the recovery team could arrive and reclaim the mages body, it had just as unexpectedly disappeared. As if it was all a dream. Leaving Nith one very stumped gnome. Even after many attempts at divination he could discover nothing about any of these happenings. The information was seemingly being blocked by some force. Which left Nith a clue or two, as not many people or beings could hide from him. Which caused him much worry over the following days. He would not be able to protect the encampment from someone or something that powerful.

Then out of the blue, to make matters escalate even more, but take a lot of pressure off of Nith’s mind, Mihk Asher arrived at their tiny camp. The man was immediately invited into Nith’s dimensional home and took up residence. Awaiting the results of the girl’s trial he said and would say no more. Other than simple chat about the goings on in the world with Nith now and again. What was the third most powerful mage in the monarchy doing here, and what were his ties to Shae? Nith’s poor brain and nerves had taking a beating lately. As to Mihk’s help with locating Kail’s body, there was nothing he could do. The trail was too cold by then.

To Mel’s small delight, Mihk extended the expedition until the foreseeable future, and even portaled in entertainers and more help to bolster moral. He even went so far as to bring in a few top end chefs to cook for the expanded group. Though more than a few thought that was for his own tastes more than for the expedition alone. They would not complain one bit at the end of the day about it though. And everyone felt much safer with such a powerful protector about.

Except two hidden invisible body snatchers who had beaten a quick retreat when they felt the powerful aura approach. The man’s aura was corroding the mind demon’s protections just by being in the vicinity. Wisely the demon and imp retreated to find fun elsewhere.

Mihk also said tinkering with the dungeon would be of no use. Time would tell the tale.

So, they all waited, trying to be patient. Mel most of all. Constantly working to keep busy. Always hoping she would see her friend safely returned when she herself retuned at the end of a hard day’s work hunting and guiding. Always praying that today would be the day.