“We accept,” Ersabet said after Selma filled us in on the details.

  Those details were rather distressing, and if we weren’t in front of Selma Balaban, I would have discussed this with the rest of the group before we accepted it. Risking our deaths to kill a gorgon wasn’t our only option to gain access to the portal, but it was the most immediate solution. Ersabet had decided for us.

  A notification appeared.

  New Quest!

  Heart of Stone

  Selma Balaban has tasked you with retrieving the head of the mythical gorgon in the ruins beneath Nessa. You don’t strike me as the sort of man who’s well-versed in mythology, so listen up: gorgons are dangerous. Like, really dangerous. Ever heard of Medusa? That snake-headed witch was a gorgon, and yes, her gaze can turn you into stone. Also, her hair is poisonous.

  Enter the Buried City Dungeon, retrieve the gorgon’s head, and return it to Selma Balaban. This quest has no time limit and will remain active until the gorgon’s death. You must be present when Selma Balaban receives the head to complete this quest.

  “Nope,” Val said. “This is a dungeon crawl. You are not even close to being ready to enter a dungeon, let alone kill a boss. Tell that to Ersabet.”

  Give us a moment to wrap this up, and then we’ll talk, I replied with a quick thought before returning my attention to Selma and Ersabet’s conversation.

  “The entrance to the ruins is guarded,” Selma said, producing a rolled parchment. “Show them this, and you’ll be allowed to pass. Once inside, keep your guard up. Old magics have reshaped the world below, and danger lurks around every twist and turn. Many who enter do not return, and few travel so deep as you must. I wish you luck, and I mean that sincerely, as luck will surely be needed.”

  Selma produced a small vial from her desk. Even in the light, I could see the blue glow that the liquid inside produced. “This is Nightshine. A single drop will allow you to see in the dark for hours. I highly recommend that everyone at your party take it. Don’t take more until the effects wear off unless you want to go blind. I made it myself, and if you’ve ever tried Broken Rock mead, you’d know I like my potions potent.” She winked.

  Ersabet bowed her head and accepted the gift from Selma.

  I felt a thrill at the thought of trying another potion. The last time I had a potion, I was an NPC, and I still remember how powerful it had made me feel. This nightshine would be different, but I was sure I would be equally wowed.

  “We will return, Lady Balaban,” Ersabet said. “Thank you for your time.”

  And with that, we were gone. Ersabet led us through the massive distillery and back out the front door.

  “As eager as I am to be restored to my full power, I am less eager for you to die and leave me stranded in a dungeon,” Val said as we walked. “You have no idea what you’re getting into. They call them dungeon crawls for a reason. You’re going to be stuck down there for days, and the further you go, the more difficult it will be. There will be traps and mazes and monsters unlike anything you’ve faced on the surface. But that’s not all you’ll have to deal with. Dungeons are one of the most exciting attractions this game has to offer, so you can bet your little behind that you and Ersabet won’t be the only players down there, and they won’t be low-level nothings like you!”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  This is the game, Val. I have to play it, or I’m never going to be strong enough to take on the Voxals.

  “You don’t have to play this part of it!”

  I’m not going to hide in the forest and kill boars all day, but I’ll share your concerns with everyone. If I’m honest, I don’t want to do this any more than you do.

  “Then don’t do it.”

  I slowed down and fell back a few steps behind the group. The days of ignoring your advice are over, Val. If you say we can’t do this, we won’t do it. So be honest with me. Is there any chance we can pull this off?

  “Of course, there’s a chance,” Val said. “I’ve always underestimated you, and you’ve always proven me wrong. You’re resourceful and determined, which is just as important in a dungeon as the powers you wield, but even the wisest and most powerful players can still trigger a trap or die at the claws of some dark beast. When I say you’re not ready for a boss fight, I mean it. If I did the math, your odds of success would be embarrassingly low, but I’ve learned not to do the math when it comes to you, as you tend to defy the odds.”

  Wow, Val, that was kind of inspirational. Thanks.

  I cringed as she sighed.

  “Just try to convince Ersabet of another path, please. If it doesn’t work, then maybe you can pull off one more miracle.”

  Sensing that I was desperate to talk, Ersabet led us to some stone benches next to a small pool. Green plant life surrounded the clear, still water, intentionally landscaped to look like a little oasis. The distillery was on the outskirts of town, so there weren’t many people nearby. We could talk freely here.

  “V’s not so sure this is a good idea,” I said.

  “Would you rather wait in this city for another month? Ersabet asked sourly. “Or better yet, we could walk to Liport by foot!”

  “I’d rather wait than die,” Delen said.

  “I wasn’t speaking to you,” Ersabet snapped.

  I wasn’t sure I could survive a whole month without Val’s assistance, and Ersabet knew it. Plus, I wanted to put an end to these games as fast as possible. Thousands of humans were being slaughtered every day. Time wasn’t a luxury I could afford. “We can’t wait a month, but we could try the other members of the royal court before committing to this.”

  “You know as well as I that they will just send us on another quest, and that’s even if we can gain access to them. We lucked out with Selma, and you know it.”

  “Maybe,” I said. “But I’m not sure we’re a high enough level to beat this thing yet. It’s Medusa for Christ’s sake!”

  “We can do it!” Tabby said. “Perseus defeated Medusa with a polished shield. We can just bring a mirror, show her her reflection, and bam, she turns to stone.”

  “The Master Control would not design a boss with such an obvious weakness,” Val informed me. “There’s a chance that seeing her reflection could stun her in some way, but it won’t petrify her. She’s probably entirely immune to petrification or paralysis.”

  “Sorry, Tabby. V says it might hurt her, but it won’t be enough to kill her. It would make the fight too easy. This is a boss fight. It’s designed to be challenging, so much so that I don’t think you should come. This is for players, not you guys.”

  “I’m not going to sit around while you go get yourself killed,” Tabby said. “You’re not going to leave me alone in this world. I’m going with you.”

  “Me too,” Kitz said. “I know how to fight.”

  I held up my hands, preparing myself to argue.

  “They come,” Ersabet said. “We will need everyone.”

  “They don’t have any powers! And Kitz is just a kid.”

  “One I would happily babysit while you go play in the underworld,” Delen chimed in.

  Ersabet glared at him. “Everyone comes. Even you might serve a purpose. Perhaps as a human shield.”

  “I’m not forcing anyone to come,” I said, ending the argument. “If Delen wants to stay behind, he can.”

  All eyes turned to him, and he frowned. “I feel like I don’t have much of a choice.”

  “You do.”

  “You don’t,” Ersabet said. “As frustrating as you are to travel with, you have a sharp mind. It will be needed within the dungeon. It will take more than brute force to pass the trials ahead, and we need every advantage.”

  Delen blushed from her flattery but straightened his back. “I’ll go, but I better not be stabbed or bitten or cursed or anything ghastly like that.”

  “I will protect you, manling,” Ersabet said.

  “As long as we stick together and take it slow, we’ll be okay,” I said without much belief behind the words. Even if we managed to stick together, I knew we were in for a world of trouble. “Let’s gear up and get this show on the road."