From Real to Realm

Val groaned, covering her eyes the moment the sun started bleeding through the curtains. Even in her sleep-addled state, she could remember what happened last night. First, she noticed the restraints were still wrapped around the bedposts. Then there was Lynesia’s revealing outfit strewn across the floor.

Gods, I hope we weren’t too loud last night… I don’t want to piss off Marxus.

She took a deep breath, enjoying the comfort of her bed and the warmth of her girlfriend’s body against her beneath the covers. After the night they had, it was a miracle they’d had the energy to take a bath. Val leaned over, brushing hair out of Lynesia’s face before kissing her gently on the cheek.

Val slid out of the bed as quietly as she could. The cold floor greeted her, sending a shiver up her spine as she walked over to the dresser in their room. As she dug through the clothes for something to throw on, she felt… off.

She looked down at her hands. What’s with this feeling? I can’t quite put my finger on it…

Nothing felt out of the ordinary. No aches, no pains, no injuries were lingering. They went hard at it last night, but not so much as to cause strain or pulled muscles. Val shook her head as she slid on linen pants and a shirt. She leaned back against the dresser, sighing.

It’s been a while since I checked my stats.

Mentally, she opened the familiar interface, expecting no change. That wasn’t the case.

A second after the interface appeared, a shimmering golden wave began to cross the screen. It traveled from the upper right corner and continued until it ended at the bottom left. What was left behind made Val’s heart race.

[Name:]

Valnarei Rose Strouss

[Age:] 19

[Race:]

Half-Elf

[Combat Type:] Hybrid

[Archetype:] Locked

[Level:] Two

[Strength:] C

[Endurance:] D

[Agility:]  D

[Dexterity:] E

[Resolve:] D

[Resilience:] D

[Arcana:] ?

[Mana:] ?

[Learned Techniques:]

None

[Passive Traits:]

Harmonizing Touch

Both her level and resilience attributes shone golden after the wave passed. After a few seconds, the glow faded, likely symbolizing what exactly had changed.

“I’m fucking level two! I leveled up!”

Lynesia bolted upright in bed, clinging to the blanket covering her. “W—What happened?”

Val dismissed the interface. “Shit, I’m sorry, babe.” She walked over to the bed, sitting on the side. “I checked my class interface, and I leveled up. I kind of got excited.”

Lynesia yawned, rubbing her eyes. “Is it a big milestone?”

“Yes and no,” Val said, tilting her head side to side. “It’s a big deal to me to finally see progress. After everything I’ve been through… It finally feels like it wasn’t for nothing.”

Lynesia smiled, leaning forward to cup Val’s cheek. “You’ve worked hard. You deserve it.”

Val leaned forward, kissing her girlfriend. “Having someone like you behind me makes it that much easier to keep going.”

With Lynesia awake, Val headed downstairs to grab some breakfast for the two of them. The soft smell of cinnamon and burning wood filled her nose as she rounded the bottom of the stairs. Sitting in his normal spot was Marxus, happily reading a book.

“Mornin’ lass,” Marxus said, peeking over the top of the book.

“Morning,” Val replied, waving. “Is your wife available to make something for breakfast?”

“Aye, she is,” he said, nodding. “I’m beginning to think we should plan on feeding you every day.” He chuckled, sliding off his stool. “I’ll go let her know.”

“Thank you!” she called out, unsure if he heard her.

Val made her way over to the warm hearth crackling in the corner. She walked around the plush chair in front of it before sitting. As she relaxed into the plush cushioning, she started thinking about what to do next. The escort quest was finished, and later today, she’d have more coin. Now the question was what next? They could take on another quest like the escort one, or they could start hitting the dungeon again. There were options, but which was the best one?

Val sighed, leaning her head back. “I’ll ask Amarisse. We’re in it together.”

The rest of the morning was a breeze. Val returned to her room with breakfast by the time Lynesia was out of bed and dressed. Together, they enjoyed a warm meal while bathing in the afterglow of such an… intense night.

After breakfast, Val changed clothes again before heading out to meet up with Amarisse. Today, they’d pick up their payment for the escort quest and check in with Stormveil. They were back in the city, and it was unlikely they’d be leaving again since winter was rapidly approaching.

After giving their names, they were given their share of the pay for the quest. It felt nice to have coin again, more than Val was used to carrying since leaving home. Now it was time to check in with Stormveil; they, at the very least, wanted them to know they were back. Whether they’d be filling in any time soon was still up in the air.

“It’s good to see you’re back,” Tamsin said, hand on her hip. “I take it the escort went well?”

Val nodded. “A little combat, but honestly, really boring.”

Tamsin chuckled. “A boring escort quest is a good escort quest. If you’re fighting a lot, there’s more risk.” She looked between the two of them. “We’ll let you know once we’ve got a group for you to delve with.”

“Perfect,” Amarisse said, smiling. “We’ve got the itch to get back in there.”

“I can see it in your eyes,” Tamsin said, smirking. “We’ll get you in there soon.”

On the way down the hall back toward the lobby, Val remembered some news she needed to break to Amarisse.

“So… I’m level two now.”

Amarisse stopped walking. “No fucking way, really?!”

Val struggled to hide her smile. “Yeah. I checked this morning.”

“Holy shit! That’s great!” Amarisse said, hugging Val. “I’m probably right on the edge of leveling up as well.”

“If you haven’t already hit level two, then the next delve will probably be enough,” Val said, chuckling through the hug.

As it turned out, “soon” was a few days later as Stormveil struggled to find the right group for Val and Amarisse. Val didn’t mind, as it gave her time to spend with Lynesia after being away for almost a week. It wasn’t long before someone knocked on the door to their place.

Val opened the door to a younger man with a satchel. “Hello?”

“Valnarei Strouss, correct?”

Val nodded. “That’d be me.”

He handed over a small envelope with the Stormveil crest on it. “Have a good day.”

Val watched as he jogged down the hallway towards the stairs.

“Who was that?” Lynesia asked, stepping up behind Val.

Val shrugged. “I think it was a courier of some type?”

She shut the door and sat down on their couch to open the note. As it turned out, the next morning, Stormveil had a group of new adventurers heading to floor one. This group was going to be led by a few higher-level adventurers as a training exercise. The same offer was apparently sent to Amarisse as well.

“So you’re going back still?” Lynesia asked, cuddling into Val’s side. “You made enough doing that escort, can’t you stick to those jobs?”

Val sighed, kissing the top of her head. “I’m not the only one signing up for those jobs. I need another form of income, and the dungeon can fill that role.”

Lynesia sighed. “Just promise you’ll be careful.”

“I promise to be careful,” Val said, pulling Lynesia into a gentle kiss.

For the rest of the day, Lynesia was clingier than usual. Val knew why, but didn’t say anything about it. This was also the first time she was going back to the dungeon since what happened. Val knew she could still fight; she’d proven that already. However, the dungeon was different.

Before she knew it, Lynesia was helping Val tighten her armor. Even though she was worried, Lynesia was still diligent in helping. When they finished, Val grabbed her halberd.

“I love you, Val,” Lynesia said, hands holding tightly onto Val’s breastplate.

Val looked down into her eyes. “I love you too, Lynesia.” She leaned down, kissing her gently. “I promise, I will be careful.”

Lynesia stole another kiss, this one with more passion behind it. “You better.”

Reluctantly, Val left their place and started heading for the guild. The crisp, cold morning air caused her to shiver as she walked down the street. Dew clung to every surface while fog hung low to the ground. It was still early, and the sun had barely risen. It was a new day.

Val made her way through the lobby of the guild. She wasn’t the only one up this early, as other adventurers meandered their way through the lobby. She made her way to the entrance to the east wing. When she reached the end, she stopped in front of the Stormveil guild chapter entrance.

“Alright, let’s do this.”

Val pushed the door open. Inside, there was still plenty of activity as various people moved about. The big difference today was the group of adventurers standing together on the left side of the door.

“Val, over here.”

When she looked over, she saw Amarisse standing with the group.

“Is this the group of new adventurers?”

Amarisse nodded. “Not sure what their levels are. There are a couple more we’re waiting on.”

They didn’t have to wait long for the last few to join them. All in all, there were a dozen adventurers, including the two of them. Just about every class was mixed into the group.

Tamsin approached the group with a handful of adventurers behind her. “Alright, everyone’s here, good. Today, you will be delving together as one large group. Behind me are your instructors for this delve.”

“I’m Maeric,” said a very stout man with a shield on his back. “I’ll be taking the lead during this delve.”

A tall elven woman stepped forward next. “I’m Selaine. I’ll be in charge of keeping you healthy. If you are injured, don’t hesitate to come to me.”

“The others will be involved as you push through the first floor,” Tamsin said, crossing her arms. “They will step in when required. Whether that’s handling something the dungeon threw at you or correcting you. They’re there to teach you just as much as protect you if need be. Good luck.”

After a final gear check, the group started heading for the dungeon entrance. As they walked, Val looked at the other newer adventurers around her. She noticed some of them looked nervous while others were excited. She didn’t know any of their levels or classes, so there was no telling what the delve would be like.

When they finally reached the large double doors of the entrance, Maeric stopped. “Alright, if anyone’s having any second thoughts, now’s the time to head back.”

Val’s heart was racing. This wouldn’t be the first fight since losing Elza, but it would be the first time back in the dungeon. The doors felt more intimidating than before. She knew what was waiting down below.

What if we run into another Soul Mimic? Can I protect anyone? Fuck, can anyone protect me?

“Val?”

Val felt someone’s hand gently touch her shoulder.

“Hey, you okay?” Amarisse asked.

Val gulped. “Yeah, just worried, is all.”

Amarisse nodded. “I am too. It’s been a while since we’ve been back.”

Val wiped the sweat from her brow. “I’m not backing down, though. I will fight.”

“Of course you will,” Amarisse said, smirking. “You’re too stubborn to back down.”

Maeric whistled. “One last thing, if you get hit, back off to be healed. Pride kills faster than bleeding.”

Two of the other instructors pushed the double doors open as Maeric led the group inside. Val immediately recognized the smell of wet, moldy stone as they started walking down the stairs. Due to their classes, they were near the front. Maeric had another instructor next to him as they descended.

It didn’t take long for the group to reach the bottom of the stairs and transition to solid stone flooring. Maeric and the other instructors took this opportunity to organize all of the new adventurers into smaller cells. Each cell consisted of four people, each filling a different role. Maeric emphasized that the entire group should work together, but cells could give each other room when fighting started.

“No matter what, you do not wander off on your own,” he reminded everyone. “If you do, I will personally drag your asses back to the surface and blacklist you.”

Once everyone was on the same page, they started moving. As the group moved, Val could hear instructors chipping in when needed. Some offered advice on spacing, posture, and general footwork when moving as a group.

Val and Amarisse were in the front “cell” together with two others. One was a channeler, and the other had a bow, likely a marksman.

Being in the dungeon again brought back some memories for Val. Periodically, she’d take the time to check the ceiling, looking for Root Stalkers again.

I’m looking for stalkers, not wisps.

It was a lie, but Val couldn’t deny the fear of seeing a wisp again.

Squeak. Squeak.

The entire group stopped moving. Everyone seemed to realize they were about to enter combat. Maeric took the moment to give a few hand signals to the other instructors. One by one, an instructor would integrate into the “cells”. It seemed that Maeric and Selaine wouldn’t be working directly with one of the cells.

“I’m here for support only,” the Rhydran whispered to Val and Amarisse’s cell. “Fight as if I’m not here. I’ll step in if I feel it’s necessary.”

Squeak!

“You’re up!” Maeric yelled. “Take out the Bramble Rats!”

Everyone pushed forward. The cells stuck relatively close together, but there was space to move between them. Maeric stuck near the center, protecting Selaine. The two of them watched intently, waiting to step in if someone got hurt.

Val’s palms were slick, her grip not as firm as it should be.

Rats…

Amarisse pushed forward, slamming into one of the rats as it launched itself at them. The marksman of their group let loose multiple arrows at the same time. Val took a few steps forward. Everything was blurring around her.

Please… run…

Those words echoed in her head. It was the last thing Elza said right after being stabbed. They fought a group of rats just like this, just a moment before that.

“Val! On your left!”

Amarisse’s voice cut through the fog. A warning, one that meant she needed to act. Val grit her teeth and turned just in time to see the rat lunging at her.

“I’m not going to die down here,” Val whispered to herself. “And you’re not going to touch me!”

Val planted her left foot forward. With every ounce of strength within, she thrust her halberd. The moment she felt contact, she stepped forward again, driving the spike completely through the rat. It wasn’t dead, so she pinned it to the ground.

“Not today,” she said, stomping on its head.

With the fog gone from her mind, she fell back into formation with her cell. One by one, each cell slew the rats. Before long, combat was over, and it was time to take a short break to check in with everyone.

“Hey,” Amarisse said, wrapping an arm around Val. “You did good.”

Val sighed. “I froze for a second there.”

Amarisse shrugged. “Maybe, but you didn’t let it stop you.”

“I made a promise to be safe,” Val said. “I won’t break that promise.”

Once that small break was finished, the entire group kept moving further into floor one. As they did so, they ran into a few more enemy groups. Val’s minor freeze-up was no longer an issue as she fell into rhythm with her cell.

Hours passed as Maeric guided the group through much of the first floor. Multiple people were starting to become exhausted from the fights. Thankfully, he recognized it was likely time to head back to the surface.

“Val, was it?” Selaine asked.

Val turned, a bit surprised. “Uh, yeah.”

Selaine smiled softly. “You have a few cuts on your arm. Let me heal you.”

Val held her right arm up, already aware of the cuts. “They’re shallow and don’t really hurt. I’d rather you save your mana in case of a serious injury.”

Selaine’s smile hardened. “I didn’t ask.”

“O—okay.”

Selaine raised her hands and began casting her magic. Val stood still like she was told.

After being healed, they returned to the group. The walk back through the first floor was much calmer. Since they were backtracking through rooms they’d already cleared, they only passed by the corpses of what they fought earlier. The walk back was much more relaxed, but everyone was still on guard for anything that might show up.

It wasn’t much longer, and Val was walking back out into the crisp, cool afternoon air. She looked up, enjoying the feeling of the sun on her face. She made it through her first delve since losing Elza.

I can do this.

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