Chapter Three Hundred and Fifteen - Childish Fears Grow Up to become Adult Fears

Chapter Three Hundred and Fifteen - Childish Fears Grow Up to become Adult Fears

Chapter Three Hundred and Fifteen - Childish Fears Grow Up to become Adult Fears

This was our third time in the bedroom that linked the entire dungeon together. I was growing used to the room, I guessed, though it had changed again.

The bed wasnt just undone, it was missing its blankets and sheets, and the mattress was stained and gross. The walls too. Water damage made the pretty wallpaper peel in places and rot in others. Mould was sneaking up along the floor and the entire room smelled damp and unclean.

I couldnt resist letting some Cleaning magic leak out. It spread across the room and brushed aside some of the worse stains and cleaned out the mould. I didnt want anyone getting a cough while we were down here, and the room smelled much nicer after a minute or so.

We caught our breaths after the long run on the last floor. Aria slumped to the ground and splayed her hands out behind her and Lucille leaned against one of the walls. Even my friends looked a bit winded, though we were recovering quickly enough.

Lieutenant Petalwrought cleared his throat. The next room shouldnt be as difficult, he said. Does anyone have a timepiece?

Bron did. He pulled it out and tossed it to the lieutenant who caught the device out of the air.

Weve been in the dungeon for just over an hour. I think were due a small pause. We have some supplies, if anyone needs to eat. Dont forget to drink as well.

Id love some tea, Lucille muttered.

Ah, I can help with that, I said. I could be helpful! I plopped my pack down and pulled out my tea set. It was a necessary part of my adventuring kit, after all. I prepared some tea for everyone, though I only took a tiny cup for myself. There werent any bathrooms in dungeons, and while it was an easy walk back up to the surface, I didnt feel like challenging that maze room again.

Once everyone was relaxed and sipping at warm tea or lukewarm water, the lieutenant straightened his back and cleared his throat for attention. Two floors remain before we meet the dungeons boss. This next one is perhaps the easiest floor in the dungeon, at least for some. Its generally a combat-free floor, just a challenge to test your bravery, and so far you all seem more than brave enough to pass this trial.

I puffed out my chest, even if the compliment was a bit silly. I wasnt that brave, I just wasn't afraid of much.

Whats the challenge on this floor? Lucille asked.

Not another maze, I hope, Erin muttered.

The lieutenant chuckled. Nothing so complicated. Its a series of rooms, each with a bed and some sleeping amenities. To get to the other side, you need only crawl under the bed. Eventually youll find yourself in a corridor, though the dimensions are never the same. Thats where youll encounter your greatest fear.

Our greatest fear? Awen asked.

The lieutenant nodded. I have only heard of a few who have been injured on the floor, at least physically. The fear will be illusions and light and sound. Not real. Just keep pushing forward. Ignore the fear or face it, as you wish. Once youve crossed the corridor, youll come upon a doorway into a hallway; that is where well all gather before returning to this room.

Can more than one person go under the same bed? I asked.

He shook his head. No, its one at a time. There are multiple rooms, so well all have a bed to crawl under. Fears rarely change, so I know that the knights and I will be facing the same challenges as we have before. The first time is unpleasant, but always remember that it is only an illusion. It will not actually hurt you.

Youve already said that some people were injured, Amaryllis pointed out.

Lieutenant Petalwrought nodded. Yes. Usually by their own magic. On occasion a recruit has tripped over their own sword.

One of the knights jokingly elbowed the other. I couldnt see the face of the poked knight, but I could feel the embarrassed glare directed to his companion.

You wont be injured by the challenge itself. Scared, perhaps, but not injured. I promise.

There wasnt much else to do once we were done drinking. I refused the offer of crackers from Bron (they looked way too dry) and then I repacked my tea set, nodding to Lucilles muttered thanks.

We didnt form up as we continued into the next room. Lieutenant Petalwrought stayed at the front, but he said that we didnt need to worry about any adversaries in this next part of the dungeon. Still, it was clear that he was checking his corners and watching for trouble anyway. He was nothing if not diligent.

Awen slid up next to me as we squeezed into the next floor. Broccoli, she asked in a low voice that wouldnt carry.

Yeah? I asked.

I created another light ball, then raised it high so that I could see better.

The room was filled with roots.

They crissed and crossed from every direction, big brown ones as large as trees and some no bigger than my pinkie. I poked one of the roots with my foot. It thunked. So they werent just illusions, then.

I shouldered my pack and started to look for a way through the maze of roots. I didnt find a way to walk through it, but I did find a way to slip between the bigger roots.

Was this my greatest fear? A room choked by Evil Roots? It was more annoying than scary, honestly.

I rolled through a hole and flopped onto the ground on the other side of the roots, then paused as I heard someone groaning above.

It was Amaryllis, and she was nearly stuck trying to squeeze her way through the roots. I tried not to giggle at the look on her face, and that had her glancing up and finding me in the dark. Well, will you help me or just stand there gawking? she grumped.

I laughed and climbed up to help her down. She was quite stuck, actually, but we managed to wiggle her through. Mostly that meant me putting some weight on one of the roots so that it moved aside and made enough room for her to pass.

Are you okay? I asked. I patted her back free of dust.

She sighed. Im fine. I didnt think we could rejoin each other in here. The lieutenant didnt say anything about it.

He didnt, I agreed.

Amaryllis eyes narrowed. Are you the real Broccoli, then?

I shrugged. I know I am, but then I dont know if youre the real Amaryllis. The Lieutenant also said that the illusions in here couldnt hurt us. Uh, I know youre physical though.

Corporeal, the word youre looking for is corporeal.

I grinned. Whether or not it was the real Amaryllis didnt matter, I figured. Id treat her as a friend, and that was that.

Come on, theres a weird light that way. I bet thats the exit.

Yes, you would run towards the first shiny thing you see, Amaryllis grumbled.

I laughed, the sound lightening my heart in the face of the darkness and the roots. I gave her a hand to slip through two of the bigger roots.

Broccoli, she said once she was on the other side. Come here, please. There was a strange, worrisome note in her voice. I hurried to push through, and when I did, I found myself confused.

We were on a hillside? There were still roots all around us, and it was mostly dark, but only on the edges.

In the centre was a ravine, with a slope before us and one just a little ways away. The image, the illusion, faded on the edges. It still felt familiar, somehow.

Then a group of cervid materialised from thin air on the far end, and with them an Amaryllis that was trussed up and tied.

Oh. It was the only sound Amaryllis made.

Was this... was this that time she was kidnapped? When I rescued her? Wait, was this her greatest fear, rather than mine?

Itll be okay, I said as the scene continued. Im here, youre fine.

I know, she said. But still.

We probably shouldnt have stopped to watch, but neither of us moved, not even as a smaller, bunny-ear-less Broccoli showed up, looking... looking like a much younger, less confident me, one who desperately wanted to save the only sorta-friend she had made so far.

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