“So, Leo—”

  He showed a drawn map to Narro. Reralt had lost interest the moment the words let’s plan were spoken and was now scaring Bert with the head of Bert.

  “We are here.”

  An X marked their rendezvous point.

  “Progression is here.”

  A circle indicated where the stairs to the next level were.

  “And here”—Leo pointed at a squiggly line—“is where we found the Hat.”

  Harlada nudged him with her elbow.

  “Well then, you say it,” Leo muttered, annoyed.

  “It is just a large conical orange hat,” Harlada said. “Doesn’t do anything.”

  She nodded at Leo.

  “So if you want,” Leo continued, “you can join us at the next level. We, uhhh…” he blinked. “Could use your help, honestly.”

  Leo and Harlada both stared at their feet.

  “More like—you need our help,” Reralt laughed.

  Narro silently shushed him.

  “We understand, but we really can’t. My wife and child need that Hat,” Narro said sternly. “Nothing can persuade us.”

  He looked at Reralt.

  “…Me,” he corrected, then looked hopefully at him.

  Reralt smiled. “However fun this is, Syril is much more important.”

  He agreed—though Narro saw in his eyes that he at least considered the idea of staying and slaying in this dungeon.

  ***

  Every few steps, Narro stopped the group and asked for silence. The Void’s ears were raised high, flicking, hunting for the faintest sound. She meowed heavily—as if her prey were slipping away.

  “The other group was invisible, were they not?” Narro asked Leo.

  Leo nodded.

  Bert stopped and pointed at a tile. “Trap.”

  Reralt threw his axe at it, setting off the mechanism. The entire hallway erupted in flames. Then the axe flew back to his hand. Reralt looked smugly at Narro.

  “And you thought you’d miss Mrs. Hackey,” Narro joked—immediately regretting mentioning Reralt’s old friend.

  Reralt looked sad. Thankfully, he could explain his weapon-loss trauma to Bert, who apparently once had a pet spear.

  “Ah.”

  Leo stopped, turned around, and whispered to Narro. Harlada and the Void leaned in.

  “They’re following us. Waiting for us to reach progression—then they’ll attack.”

  Narro nodded, thought for a moment—then smiled.

  “Reralt!” he yelled. “You’re going to love this.”

  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

  ***

  They turned another corner in the maze. Leo, Harlada, and Narro walked in front; Reralt and Bert followed at the back.

  A door stood at the end of the corridor—large, ornate, and blue, unlike any door they had seen so far in the maze.

  Suddenly, from behind them, laughter echoed.

  Three distinct voices spoke, filled with false confidence.

  “Ssshooowwwedddd ittt riiiigggghhhttt to ussss…”

  A windlike voice drifted through the high corridors, scraping along the stone and echoing back at them.

  Reralt smiled.

  Bert smiled.

  The voices instantly sounded less smug, more annoyed—clearly not getting the reaction they expected.

  With all the effort he had, Bert grabbed Reralt and tossed him into the corridor toward the voices.

  “Ffffooooollllssss!” one voice screeched with glee.

  Harlada raised her hands, electricity crackling between her fingertips.

  “Ohhhhh sssshhhiiiiiittttt,” all three wind-voices whispered simultaneously.

  Lightning struck Reralt. He squealed, giddy like a little girl.

  “Smart, really,” Leo said, taking notes. “The lightning will search for a conduit closer to the ground.”

  Narro nodded, proud. “Physics.”

  The lightning arced from Reralt into three previously unseen windy beings, exposing them fully.

  One by one, Reralt, Bert, and Narro finished the job.

  “Are you taking notes?” Harlada asked Leo.

  Leo nodded. “If only so we don’t forget this worked.”

  ***

  They stood near the corpses, watching as they dissolved.

  Bert pocketed the coins.

  Harlada redid her hair.

  Leo studied his map and placed a large cross over the strange hallway—the one with the Hat.

  “So… I guess this is goodbye?” Leo said, looking each of them in the eye, making sure he didn’t forget anything important.

  Reralt was flexing, showing Bert his teres muscles—both major and minor.

  Bert was convinced he had the same and flexed back.

  “Can’t see them,” Reralt said. “You eat too many snacks.”

  Bert was appalled.

  The Void purred menacingly, clearly delighted.

  Narro took the map from Leo and studied the cross.

  “We are here now?” he asked, placing a finger on the room they were currently in, close to the doors.

  Leo nodded.

  Narro traced his finger to the crossed room—the one with the Hat.

  “And what are these little ‘o’s?”

  “Traps,” Harlada spat the word. Each one had been discovered with pain, blood, and tears.

  “Good,” Narro said, beckoning to Reralt. “Let’s go. Say your goodbyes.”

  Reralt responded by hugging Bert—then tossing him into the air.

  “Stay safe, my small friend!” Bert screamed, somehow in an affirmative pitch.

  Narro shook Leo’s hand. “Good luck on the next level.”

  He released it, then placed his other hand firmly on Leo’s wrist.

  “Be careful,” he added.

  Leo nodded. Only then did he realize the terror in Narro’s eyes when he said next level.

  Harlada picked up the Void and pulled her into a tight cuddle.

  “I don’t know who—or what—you are,” she said softly. “But take good care of your humans.”

  The Void purred.

  Then, with a single claw, she nicked Harlada’s hand. A thin red trickle of blood appeared.

  The Void seemed amused.

  “Give us a few hours, then progress,” Narro said, handing over the gear they had promised.

  “Reralt, give the axe to Bert.”

  Reralt looked genuinely sad. He whispered something encouraging to the axe, then handed it over.

  “How do we measure a few hours in this place?” Harlada asked.

  Narro froze.

  His mouth opened slightly. A tear welled in his eye.

  “Maze,” he said quietly. “Set an alarm for two hours.”

  The maze pulsed.

  Alarm set: one hour, fifty-nine minutes, and fifty-nine seconds.

  The three said nothing as they watched real heroes walk away—disappearing around the corridor.