Shortcuts

The darkness of the night was dispelled by that brightness. The monster in front of Ninsun was evaporated in the same instant, leaving a trail of fire, a fire intensely red. Ninsun falls on top of Kairos' tent, making him wake up desperately. Arachne, who had used her magic to destroy the monster, runs up to Ninsun.

- Are you okay? - asks Arachne.

Ninsun can't respond, as she's euphoric. Kairos opens his crushed and destroyed tent and comes out of it.

- What's going on? - he says, while getting up.

- Ninsun was attacked by a monster - responds Arachne.

- Got it, by the trail of fire, I don't even need to ask if you killed the monster. I'll go arrange things - says Kairos, while heading towards the other tents to pack them up.

Arachne extends her hand to Ninsun.

- Sorry for being a burden again - says Ninsun, while getting up.

- It's okay, whenever something happens, just call for help. With time, you'll get stronger - responds Arachne.

- Thanks. Next time, I'll ask for help. I didn't ask this time because... - starts Ninsun.

- Couldn't speak? - asks Arachne.

Ninsun becomes surprised with shame.

- Well... yeah... but it wasn't because of fear - responds.

- I know, I also couldn't speak. I tried to warn you about the monster, but my voice didn't come out. It must have been some power of the monster - says Arachne.

Ninsun nods in agreement. Behind Ninsun, the wind becomes very strong in one spot. The wind in that spot becomes weaker, but cracks start to appear and grow every instant, until it breaks like glass and turns into a large portal. Kairos advances to the front of the portal and turns to Arachne and Ninsun.

- Now let's go to floor 7, Ninsun. After that, we'll take floors to higher floors. Our goal is floor 12 - says Kairos.

- Why floor 12 specifically? - asks Arachne, while heading towards the portal and stopping beside Kairos.

- On floor 12, there's a room with a legendary chest that we found. In the runes, it said that to open it, we would need a key, on the 5th floor. That's why we were there - responds Kairos.

- A legendary chest? I've heard that even legendary chests found on the first floor were super useful - says Arachne.

- Yeah, it doesn't matter the floor. There's always something good in the legendary chest. There are also other chests there. If you want, you can take them. This legendary chest is already Kairos'. Sorry - says Ninsun.

- No, it's okay. I wouldn't be so bold as to want the legendary chest - responds Arachne.

- Okay then. Let's go - says Kairos.

As Ninsun enters the portal, she feels like she's walking underwater. When she reaches the other side, she realizes she's in a mining cave, with several monsters eating minerals. Before Ninsun could grab her dagger, all the monsters she could see split into geometric parts. Arachne takes a step forward and uses her fire magic to clear the cave. Ninsun already knew they were strong, but even so, the monsters they easily defeat are dangerous to her. After Arachne kills all the monsters with her power, she turns to Ninsun and Kairos.

- I'll go find a shortcut to the 10th floor. Then, I'll send a flame to guide you - says Arachne.

Ninsun nods while Kairos sits down leaning against a wall. Ninsun looks at Kairos and walks up to him, leaning against the wall beside him.

- You shouldn't keep going - says Kairos.

- Look, I know I'm weak, but I'll manage, okay? - responds Ninsun.

- I'm not talking about that, but you shouldn't have come with us - says Kairos.

- Seriously, dude, no need to be so... - starts Ninsun.

Ninsun looks at Kairos and notices his sad expression.

- Why?... - asks Ninsun.

A small ball of fire appears in front of the two. Kairos quickly stands up.

- Let's not waste time. Arachne is waiting for us - says Kairos.

Ninsun follows Kairos, and the path to Arachne was a short journey of complete silence.