WE NEED TO TALK.

  The Dungeon’s Avatar stood across my living room, framed by the short hallway leading to the bedrooms. Same as ever…an empty robe hanging in the air, dark void where a face should have been. His words froze me mid-step. Blaze bumped into me when I stopped hard in the doorway, gasping at the sight.

  “OK,” I managed, moving into the living room so Blaze had space behind me. “What do we need to talk about?”

  THE RING WAS DRAINED.

  “Sorry. I forgot with everything going on in the fight. I put some in already, but I’ll fill the rest now.” I gripped the ring and pumped MANA into it until it thrummed full again. When I finished, I asked, “Better? I’ll try not to forget again.”

  IT WAS DRAINED BY WHAT YOU FOUGHT. THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. THE TEACHING SAY WE ARE NOT TO CONTACT SUCH ENTITIES. OUR ESSENCES ARE NEVER TO INTERMINGLE.

  “I didn’t know. I didn’t even think about it,” I admitted. “Is there anything I can do now that the Boss is dead?”

  IT IS NOT DEAD. IT IS RESET.

  “Reset?” Blaze blurted. “Does that mean it’ll come back?”

  THAT IS BEYOND MY TEACHINGS. SOMETHING WILL RETURN.

  “When?” I asked. “Will it be the same Boss?”

  THAT IS NOT IN MY TEACHINGS.

  The Avatar’s robe stilled, as if pausing to study us.

  WHY DID YOU NOT ENTER?

  “We weren’t sure we should,” Blaze said quickly. “We only meant to do a quick run through part of your dungeon.”

  “And we hadn’t cleared all the rooms,” I added. “Even if it seemed like you were inviting us, we didn’t know if we should enter.”

  IT WAS AN INVITATION. SUFFICIENT MANA HAS BEEN GATHERED TO BEGIN THE SECOND LEVEL TASK. YOU OFFERED HELP.

  “I did,” I said. “Yes. I’ll help. Do you want a theme for the level, or just help designing it? I don’t know what creatures you’ll add besides the spawns.”

  LAYOUT IS THE FIRST TASK. SECOND IS FILLING IT.

  “If it’s maps you need, I can do that. Can you tell me the size of the area I’ve got to work with, or do you want me to give you ideas you can fit into your space?”

  THREE LAYOUTS. FOR THE THREE TIMES YOU HAVE BEEN HELPED.

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  “Three times?” I frowned, trying to recall. Other than information, the only real help I could think of was with Albert Holmes…when I used the ring to learn how to destroy the book and knife.

  “I can think of one." Blaze said. "When he gave you the ring. But I can’t think of any others. Unless he means the rewards for being the first to clear the level? It’s not like he can help us outside the dungeon.”

  Her words clicked something in place. “I don’t think he meant the extras. Those would’ve happened for anyone. But when we were fighting the World Boss, the sheep owner broke in screaming at us to "leave them sheep alone." The ones grazing above the quarry.”

  “I remember. They didn’t even flinch with all the cars and trucks driving in and people yelling in the quarry. We made enough noise to scare anything.”

  “Right. We saw them on the satellite feed. A dozen sheep, he said…but someone else corrected him. I heard the word, thirteen. There were twelve white and one black.”

  “Oh. Is that why you had the sheep killed?”

  “Yes. It all lined up. Something was blocking me from connecting that extra sheep. The World Boss description could have been a sheep…a giant black one.”

  Blaze’s eyes narrowed. “Then who? Wait. Do you think it was the Dungeon who told you?”

  “Maybe. I think so. It happened after I’d filled my MANA again…and I was outside the Ward. That could be number two.”

  “Then what’s number three?” she asked, glancing at the hallway. But the robe was gone.

  I let out a slow breath. “He’s not confirming or denying anything. And I doubt he would’ve even if he’d stayed. It’s late. We’ve both had a long day, and I’m beat. Shower, then meet you in the bedroom?”

  “Deal.” Blaze smiled.

  We distracted each other for a while, then fell asleep not long after.

  The next morning dawned bright and clear, sunlight spilling through the curtains when the alarm dragged me awake. I slapped the button and groaned, stretching against the sheets. The dark weight I’d carried in the back of my mind since the fight was gone. The World Boss was gone. For now.

  “What do we do now?” Blaze asked sleepily. “Besides the usual.”

  “Relax. At least that’s my plan. I don’t hurt, but I’m still tired.”

  “You can rest. Take a day off from saving the world…or at least the city. You earned it.”

  Rolling to face her, I said, “I should. Nothing too strenuous. Well, not physically. I’ll work on dungeon ideas, refill my MANA batteries. That count as taking it easy?”

  “As long as you don’t push harder than that. We don’t need Bhaarrt sitting on you to keep you down.” She kissed me quickly and climbed out of bed. Her robes shimmered into place, and though I couldn’t see them, I knew her sandals had appeared too. She stood just a little taller. Speed dressing…one of the Game’s underrated perks.

  “I’ll check what’s spawning across the street. Coffee’ll be waiting. You rest. Still a workday for me,” she said.

  “Alright. You convinced me. I’ll try,” I grinned.

  “No. You’ll do it,” she shot back, playful but firm.

  A few minutes later, her message blinked into view.

  [Blaze:] [William of Brinsford] [No Kobolds. One extra Orc fighter. I sent the guild and agency the update.]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Blaze] [Thanks. I’ll check the news about the Boss fight after I refill my batteries. Too much extra?]

  [Blaze:] [William of Brinsford] [No. Sitting at your computer won’t hurt you. Check with Ingrid. If I take TRANSFER MANA, can I refill myself? I’ve got leveling points available.]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Blaze] [Far as I know, yes. Check the GRA database too. It should work without being an Enchanter. At higher levels it’ll help a lot. It’s the spell I use to recharge.]

  [Blaze:] [William of Brinsford] [Good. Thanks. Now go back to sleep. You haven’t had enough since this started. Neither have I. Off to work.]

  I heard her yell, “Bye!” from the living room as the front door shut.

  [William of Brinsford:] [Blaze] [Bye. Have a good day at work… and fun killing spawns.]

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