Rune Seeker

Two sleeps later, Hiral stepped out of the portal from their third and final run at Splitfang Keep, another pack of supplies over his shoulder.

“That was smooth,” Seena said, the last of them to exit the dungeon. “Well done.”

“Wish we could go in again. Another run and I’d be level twenty for sure,” Yanily said. “That bonus experience from Good Things Come in Threes was legit. Almost got me there.”

At the mention of it, Hiral took a quick look at the surprise notification he’d received when the group had cleared the dungeon for the third time.

Congratulations. Achievement Unlocked – Third Time’s a Charm

Reward: Class Modification – Good Things Come in Threes

Good Things Come in Threes – Successfully completing a single dungeon three times results in significant bonus experience.

And Yanily was right—the experience bonus had been pretty impressive. Good reason to clear all the dungeons three times.

“Yeah, but at least the rest of us are level nineteen now,” Seena said. “Well, except for you, Hiral. What did you end up at?”

“Not bad. The teamwork in there was really good this time. You’ve all done a great job incorporating your new abilities—and Hiral—into the party. I’m proud of you.”

“Aw, stop. You’ll make me blush,” Yanily said.

“All the way up to his silky-smooth scalp,” Vix said.

“Don’t start, you two,” Seena interrupted. “We had the advantage knowing what was coming in Splitfang Keep, but I think we’re as ready as we can be to head out to the next dungeon.”

“Do you think your sister’s party will come with us?” Nivian asked, and the whole group looked back to where the portal would open when they finished their third dungeon clear.

“Seeyela said they’d stay in the dungeon after they cleared it, to hold the vote. We’ll know when they come out,” Seena said.

“Don’t want us affecting the vote with our opinions?” Wule asked.

“Probably. We’re all friends, and nobody wants friction,” Seena said.

“Won’t there be friction no matter what?” Hiral asked. “I mean, if anybody votes differently than what’s chosen?”

“And that’s why not-thinking-and-following-the-boss is the best tactic,” Yanily said… proudly?

“Knowing them all, even if one person votes differently, there won’t be any hard feelings,” Seena said. “They’ve all grown up together, like us. All close. Seeyela is more worried about friction between the two groups if we go and they don’t.”

“You really think there’s a chance they’ll stay behind?” Nivian asked.

“I don’t know. Wule, you’ve been talking to Cal a lot lately. Any idea where she stands?”

“She was scared after the first time they went in,” Wule said. “It was a lot more dangerous than she expected, and she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to heal her friends if they got hurt.”

“How about after the second clear?” Hiral prompted.

“Better. I think she’s coming around. She knows she has to get stronger if she wants to protect her party. They can’t hide in here until the islands come around again.”

“Yanily, any word from Balyo?” Seena asked.

“She’ll follow me wherever I go,” Yanily said.

“Isn’t it the opposite?” Vix asked.

“Details,” Yanily said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “She’s also pretty competitive. Doesn’t want me getting ahead of her.”

“Pretty sure she’s also afraid to have you and your… spear… behind her,” Vix muttered.

“Well, I know Seeyela wants to go,” Seena said, ignoring Vix.

“If for no other reason than to keep you safe,” Nivian said.

“There’s that, but she’s just as curious as I am about these dungeons and what they all mean. Our ancestors have been coming down to the surface for centuries—longer, maybe—and look how much we’ve learned already. This changes everything.”

“Lonil wants to move to the next dungeon too,” Nivian said. “He likes the challenge.”

“Fitch will fight against anything Hiral suggests,” Wule said. “But I think it’s all for show. Underneath it, he wants the loot. Have you seen how he preens around with that sword?”

“It’s kind of creepy how he strokes it,” Yanily said.

“Have you ever seen yourself with your spear?” Vix asked.

“And what are you doing watching me during my private time?” Yanily shot right back.

Vix just shook his head and turned away.

“That just leaves Picoli,” Seena said. “Despite the trail being lit up a bit, having her light would be useful.”

“Especially if the trail leads to something like that lake we ran into before,” Hiral said. “Who knows how the terrain has changed since they originally put in whatever those glowing roots are?”

“Do you think they even need to come with us?” Nivian asked. “I mean, if we clear the three dungeons, find the Asylum, then come back here to lead them there, would that work?”

Hiral was already shaking his head. “The image of Dr. Benza knew we hadn’t cleared any dungeons when we got here. Probably something to do with our PIMs. How much you want to bet access to the Asylum is like access to a dungeon? Either through a door or portal keyed to our PIMs?”

“So, if they haven’t cleared the dungeon, even if they know where the Asylum is, they won’t be able to get in?” Seena finished. “I get the feeling that’s likely.”

“Why did Dr. Benza and his people make this so difficult?” Vix asked. “Why do we need to do dungeons? Gain experience and achievements? Unlock the Asylum? If they had the power and the magic to create our PIMs, why didn’t they just make themselves S-Rank with maximum attributes? Couldn’t they have beaten their Enemy with that?”

“There must be a reason,” Hiral said, though, really, he could only shrug at the question.

“Add that to your list, Hiral,” Seena said with a friendly wink.

“You’re just saying that so you don’t have to keep the list,” Hiral accused.

“Absolutely correct.”

“It’s a good thing I have somebody with exceptional mental attributes, then,” Hiral said. He activated Foundational Split, Left and Right peeling off his body. “Left, you know what to do?”

“Remember the questions so you don’t have to?” Left asked.

“Exactly,” Hiral said.

“Better you than me,” Right said, elbowing Left gently in the side.

“By the way, now that you two are here, good job in the dungeon,” Seena said.

“No problem. Like Hiral said up on the island, we’ve got your backs, if you’ll let us,” Right said.

“Wait, you guys know what I said up there?” Hiral asked. “I didn’t have Foundational Split then.”

“We’re you, remember?” Right said.

“We know everything about you since the day you were born,” Left said. “And no, you’re not adopted,” he added, tossing a glance at Seena.

“Thanks for the confirmation?” Hiral said, though he’d already been pretty sure about it.

“Great bonding moment,” Yanily said. “But, where are they? Aren’t they taking a long time?”

Hiral passed his hand over the interface crystal to bring up the menu. Enter Dungeon was noticeably absent, but that wasn’t what he was looking for anyway. “Help,” he said, and the image of Dr. Benza appeared. “Time Records.”

Splitfang Keep Clear Times

Party (Seena) – 27:01

Party (Seeyela) – 28:16

Party (Seeyela) – 28:38

Hiral shared the window so everybody could see it, then pointed at the second spot. “They beat their previous record, so they must still be in there voting.”

“Hah, but a full minute and a quarter behind us. Oh, yeah,” Yanily said, sharing a fist-bump with Vix.

“We were kind of cheating,” Wule pointed out. “Eight people when the limit was technically six. It’s no wonder we got through faster.”

“What is it with you folks and your details today?” Yanily complained, only to turn to Vix again and whisper, “Still number one.”

Hiral closed the window while the two Growers yammered back and forth a bit, but then everybody quieted as the portal opened and Seeyela’s party stepped out.

“Looks like you all made it through your final run without much trouble,” Seeyela said. She passed her hand over the crystal and said, “Help. Time Records. Damnit. They beat us by over a minute.”

“The Islander did cheat,” Fitch said, echoing Wule’s earlier words.

“What if we told you Hiral and his doubles sat at the entrance the whole time?” Yanily asked.

“What? Really?” Fitch asked, his head snapping from Yanily to Hiral so fast, it was a miracle he didn’t get whiplash.

“No, I’m just asking what if,” Yanily said.

“How did it go?” Seena loudly asked Seeyela to cut off any more arguing.

“We’re leaving with you after we all get a good rest,” Seeyela said. “Unanimous vote to go.”

Hiral looked at Seeyela’s party as she said that, and while the faces seemed to concur, there was also an undercurrent suggesting there had been a bit of discussion before the agreement.

Well, whatever. It’ll be better for all of us if they come.

“That’s great,” Seena said. “I was hoping you would. I’ll feel better having you with us. I think we have a few more hours before we should settle down for the night, so let’s get our gear sorted and figure out if there’s anything we don’t need to take.

“The supplies from the dungeon are handy, but they could also slow us down in a fight.”

“Agreed,” Seeyela said. “Let’s make sure everything is ready before we go to sleep. There were clothes in those supplies that looked like they might be better in the rain than what we have, so make sure you grab some of those. As soon as we get up, we’re headed to the next dungeon.”