The final room had a different vibe from the others. Between the drum rolls, clashing cymbals, and cannon fire, it traded the cathedral’s reverence for bombast. Also, the cathedral didn’t have cannons. I didn’t see any yet, but I’d listened to Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" enough times to recognize the sound. Meaning the smoky aroma we’d been following was probably gun smoke.

  It led us down a rocky corridor to a plateau covered in stalagmites and stalactites. Sixteen each on top and bottom. A perfect set of quartz teeth.

  A trio of staircases extended from the plateau to the ground floor. Polished stones formed the stairs to the left and right, while interwoven stalagmites and stalactites made up the center. If the inside were teeth, then the stairs were a Fu Manchu and overly pierced tongue.

  Ants clad in red coats and tricorn hats fired muskets against an advancing phalanx of bronze-plated termites. Ah, that explained the stained glass in the cathedral. Between the literal praying mantis and gun smoke, I expected literal bullet ants. My dash of disappointment was mixed with a greater sense of relief.

  “So, what’s the plan, Char?” I asked.

  Nana scoffed. “We get the treasure, duh.”

  “You’re right, dumb question. How is the plan?”

  Char shook her head. “You’re not going to like my answer very much.”

  No coy tone or knowing smirk. That wasn’t playful banter. Just cold resignation.

  “Why not?” I asked warily.

  Char pointed toward the center of the insect battlefield. A glittering transparent chest stood alone in the center. I couldn’t make out what lay inside, but it was shiny. We knew where the treasure was. So far so good. All we needed was swoop in, grab it, and leave without getting hurt.

  Only one of us was fast enough to pull that off. The same one of us who was flimsier than wet paper. One mantis claw put her in very real danger. I didn’t want to consider what a literal army was capable of.

  “No,” I said.

  “No, what?” Nana asked.

  I didn’t even look at her. “We’re not letting her do that.”

  “It could work, Robin,” Char said.

  “I don’t care if it’ll work, Charlotte. I care about risking a little girl’s life.”

  “Not a little girl. I’m twelve.”

  I wasn’t about to have that conversation. If Char and I were on the same wavelength, then the plan was simple. She’d distract the bugs with Light Show, while Nana Flashstepped to the treasure and raced back before any enemy could hurt her. It was too easy.

  Aside from the hundred and one ways this could go pear-shaped. Enemies immune to Light or aggro drawing skills could kill her before she got back. Even if every enemy were affected, Light Show's effects lasted ten seconds. Flashstep's cooldown was fifteen. Nana would be vulnerable for five seconds even with perfect timing.

  There was no guarantee she’d be fast enough to make it back. Sujeonggwa buffing her Kinetics increased her speed, but bullets were generally hard to outrun. A serving of Buldak might keep the bugs aggroed on each other instead of her, unless they were programmed to only attack players if one was nearby.

  “There are too many variables, Char.”

  “I know,” she said, draping her arm across my shoulders. “You’re right to have reservations, Robin. Just know I’m right when I say she can do this.”

  “Can we test Light Show, first? Just to make sure it can aggro all of them?”

  Char scoffed. “Of course. What do you take me for? An idiot?” She paused for a brief moment. “Don’t answer that.”

  Every bug stopped to watch the Light Show. That was one issue avoided. Another could be mitigated by stacking Sujeonggwa servings. I prepped one to my inventory and planned to serve a second to Nana closer to go time. Still no guarantee she’d be fast enough to return unscathed, but it gave her a runner’s chance.

  One serving of Sujeonggwa will be prepared in ten seconds.

  One serving of Buldak will be prepared in ten seconds.

  One serving of Kimchi will be prepared in ten seconds.

  “Hey, Char, why don’t you Flashstep with her? Stardust can buy Nana some extra time, right?”

  She shook her head. “Unfortunately, Stardust only affects my perception of time. Even if Nana was standing beside me, it wouldn’t do her any good.”

  Nana raised her hand with a slightly sour expression. “Hey, um. What’s the plan?”

  “Get the treasure, duh,” I said quickly. “Weren’t you listening?”

  Nana rolled her eyes. “How is the plan then?”

  Char completely ignored her. “Can’t you make her faster?”

  “Yeah, but it might not be enough.”

  “Enough for what?” Nana elbowed her way in-between the two of us. Her irritation gave way after a sigh. “I get it, okay. I’m the annoying brat who doesn’t know what she’s doing. But I’m still part of the team, right? So, could you include me when you’re discussing plans? Please?”

  “No,” I said.

  Her nostrils flared. “And why the heck not?”

  I pointed at the treasure chest. “Char’s plan is for you to Flashstep to the treasure, while Light Show distracts the bugs. You’ll have five seconds in-between Light Show ending and your Flashstep cooldown to hoof it back here. I can buff you enough to give you a chance, but you might get hurt or worse.”

  I snapped my fingers at Nana. “The reason you don’t need to be included is I already know you’re going to say ‘That idea is so cool; I can’t wait!’”

  “That idea is so cool; I can’t wai—” She gasped and stood behind Charlotte. “Can he read minds, Lady Charlotte?’

  “I hope so, 'cause the words I'm thinking can't be said in front of a child.” Char patted Nana on the shoulder. “He is right about my plan, and its dangers. Sounds like you’re on board?”

  Nana nodded. “Mh-hmm. This is gonna be so cool!”

  My wife’s eyes glittered with condescending pity. “That’s two against one, sweetie.”

  “Leave it to democracy to outvote common sense.”

  Char cocked an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means I’m worried. But if this is the plan, then I hope it goes well. Just be careful, okay?”

  Nana gave me a thumbs up. “Rule number three. Don’t do anything stupid.”

  “Wasn’t rule number one to shut up?”

  That earned me a thumbs down and a raspberry.

  Char laughed. “Can you two play nice for ten seconds?”

  Speaking of ten seconds, I had another recipe to prepare. Preparing four recipes left me with 95 MP, seven uses of garlic and five of ginger.

  One serving of Sujeonggwa will be prepared in ten seconds.

  Nana frowned “I’ll try, Lady Charlotte. But I don’t know about this one.”

  “Just leave him to me. You focus on getting back in one piece.” She gave Nana a brief hug before turning her attention to the bugs. “Your best bet is to move as soon as the arrow explodes. Let me know when you’re ready.”

  Nana dropped into a three-point stance. She took a few short breaths and looked my way. It felt like she was silently asking for my approval. Just in case she was, I smiled. Still had my reservations about this plan, but she had my support. I added a thumbs up for extra umph.

  She replied with a toothy grin and an arrogant chuckle. Then she nodded at Char.

  Char pulled the bowstring. “Three.”

  Nana licked her lips. “Two.”

  I sighed. “One.”

  Light Show burst into a shower of sparks. Nana appeared beside the chest almost immediately. Redcoats and centurions surrounded her but paid no mind. She kicked open the chest; dazzling light emanated from it. Too bright for me to see the treasure. Nana seemed especially taken by whatever waited inside. Precious seconds ticked away while she stared into the chest.

  "Hurry up!" Char barked.

  Kiddo jumped at the harsh tone. She snatched the treasure and turned around.

  Every bug in the vicinity stared at her. Light Show remained active, but pretty lights seemed less important than their treasure being snatched. Opening the chest superseded other aggro. And she still had about ten seconds before Flashstep was available.

  “Run!” I yelled, praying she’d make it back to us safely.

  She did. A pair of clones appeared at her sides. Each sprinted towards a different staircase.

  One serving of Sujeonggwa provided to Shadowcloak.

  One serving of Sujeonggwa provided to Shadowcloak.

  One serving of Buldak provided to Shadowcloak.

  The invisible cannon roared. Cymbals crashed; timpani reached crescendo. A trio of muskets trained upon each Nana. Either the music drowned out my prayer, or God was deaf to my plea.

  Nine muskets fired in unison. Enough gun smoke filled the crackling air to create a small fog cloud. Lead balls punctured the cloud. Thrice more the cannon roared. Each blast punctuated a downed target.

  The left Nana disappeared quickly. A musket ball cracked the back of her skull, and a second tore through it. I glimpsed her mangled face briefly but knew the image would remain in my mind forever.

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  The right Nana lingered a little longer. The first ball struck her back. Echoes of crunched bones drowned out the cymbals and timpani. She staggered, barely avoiding the second, but the final ball pierced through her neck. She choked on blood and lead before dispersing into shadow.

  The center Nana, the real Nana, spun away from two balls, but the third struck her sternum. Its impact knocked her down. She quickly hopped to her feet but collapsed, clutching her chest.

  One serving of Kimchi provided to Shadowcloak.

  One serving of Kimchi will be prepared in ten seconds.

  One serving of Kimchi will be prepared in ten seconds.

  I healed the damage but was powerless to stop her pain. Another pair of servings were targeted for her and my inventory. I still had 85 MP, which was limiting but still workable. The problem was I’d run down to five uses of garlic and three of ginger. A lot of good those would do if she didn’t start moving.

  "Nana, keep running!"

  She did. The ants needed to reload, giving her precious seconds. She only needed a few more to be in the clear…

  Unfortunately, the termites had spears. They launched them like a volley of arrows. Nana weaved through the falling spears, but one impaled her leg. She dropped to her knee, screaming. Fingers curled around the shaft. A shot rang out; a lead ball smashed the wooden shaft. Nana’s screaming intensified, as she clutched her mangled hand.

  Every successful hit punctuated by cannon fire.

  I used my last two potions to stabilize her. Char had two more as a just in case that seemed more likely. Come on, Nana. Don’t you dare die on me, kiddo.

  An actual volley of arrows flew toward the termites. Shields deflected some, but a few heads received extra holes. Char strung and shot another arrow. An ant lost its head. Suddenly, spears and musket balls started flying our way. One came within inches of Char’s shoulder.

  “I’ll keep them off Nana. You keep her safe. Got it?”

  I curtly nodded.

  Char headed for the right staircase, firing arrows as she sprinted down.

  I scanned the battlefield for Nana. Her left hand dug into the ground, and her body scraped forward. She lifted her head, looked at me, and disappeared.

  Sputtering breath rasped behind me. Nana lay on her back. Eyes bloodshot, cheeks shining from tears. Her left hand clutched the injured leg. Her right hand reduced to an unrecognizable mesh of bone and flesh.

  Pungent odor punched my nose. Foul, grody. The same smell of opening the fridge and realizing something went bad–with a dash of wet copper. Nausea rumbled my stomach, but I managed to fight it off.

  “Shadowcloak…”

  With injures like that, the least I could do was call her by the name she liked. But this wasn’t the Shadowcloak I knew. This was a vulnerable girl who needed my help.

  One serving of Kimchi provided to Shadowcloak.

  “Robin…-it hurts.”

  “I know, and you’re being so brave. I’m gonna fix you up, sis.”

  She sniffled. “Okay.”

  I grabbed a roll of bandages from my inventory. “I’ve got good news and bad news.”

  “Bad news first.”

  That sounded a bit more like Shadowcloak. “Bad news is I can’t do anything for the pain. Good news…” I ripped off a chunk of bandage. “I can fix your injuries. Can you hold out your hand for me?”

  She grabbed her wrist, winced, and held out her arm. It wouldn’t stop shaking. “You need it still?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  She took a series of short breaths and slid her left hand up to her palm. She winced again, but her right hand was still.

  I worked quickly. The bandage wrapped around her hand, and I ripped off another chunk. “Show me your leg.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t wanna.”

  “Why not? Does it sting?”

  “No!” Her voice cracked, and she looked away. “Yes…”

  “Okay. How about we talk while I apply the next bandage? Keep your mind off the pain.”

  “About what?”

  “Whatever you want. Things. Stuff. Maybe even thuff.”

  “Thuff?” She almost laughed.

  “Yes, Nana. Thuff. It’s a very popular topic these days.”

  “My name’s not Nana!”

  That time it was an accident. “You’re right. My mistake. May I ask for your name?”

  “My name…”

  Nana rolled up her pant leg. Despite all the blood, her leg was luckily more intact than her hand. There was just one problem. A shiny metal spearhead lodged just below the knee. No wonder she didn’t want me to see the wound. She knew what had to happen next.

  “We have to get that thing out of your leg.”

  She emphatically shook her head. “N–no we don’t.”

  I gripped the spearhead.

  “No, you can’t!”

  I offered a smile. “What’s your name, Shadowcloak?”

  “Robin, if you—”

  I didn’t understand her next word. It was screeched with rage and pain rather than any attempt at enunciation. Not that I blamed her. Preying Mantis taught me just how painful this could be. I didn't wish that pain on anyone. Especially a kid.

  I dressed her leg room and let out a deep breath. Then I lost my fight with nausea. Unsurprisingly, that did nothing for the smell. And the realistic colors only made me more nauseous.

  "So..." I said. "I didn't catch your name. Mind giving it to me again?"

  "Shadowcloak is the only name you need to know." She openly glared at me, but there was a ghost of a grin there too.

  "Feeling any better?"

  She nodded. "Still hurts."

  "Think you can walk?"

  She rolled her ankle, managing one and a half rotations before grimacing. "Not if I don't have to."

  "Then I'll carry you."

  "Wha? Why?"

  "Since you're stable, I need to check on my wife. But I'm making sure you're out of spear and musket range first. Otherwise, Char'd kill me herself." She didn't object further, so I carried her deeper into the cave-mouth. "Stay here."

  "Where do you think I'm gonna go?"

  "Dunno. Just don't go there." I jogged back to the inner mouth in time for another Light Show.

  Char looked slightly worse for wear but still healthy. The same couldn't be said for the dwindling ranks of ants and termites. Two Redcoats remained on their last legs. One of them couldn't stand without using their musket as a cane. The heartier termites still had chunks of health left, but I doubted they enjoyed being living pincushions.

  Too bad there wasn't a cannon blast for each arrow.

  Char glanced at me. I nodded curtly. She returned the gesture and slayed one last ant.

  McRobin Leveled Up!

  Ooh, Level 12. Even levels granted the option to pick new skills or upgrade old ones, while odd levels had numbers getting bigger. Mental note to cash in on something new later.

  Char hoofed it up the stairs. Her FLASK distribution was more even than Nana's, but she was still fast.

  "I... Never... Again..." She said.

  "Wanna try that again in a complete sentence?"

  She raised her middle finger. "How's that for a complete sentence?"

  "Glad to see you're alright, love. Need a hug?"

  Her head plopped onto my shoulder; her chest sank into mine. My arms tightly wrapped around her back.

  "Are we still renewing our vows?" I asked.

  "Mhmm," she said. "Still not sure what to say yet."

  "Say whatever you want if it leads to a second honeymoon."

  "You're incorrigible," she laughed.

  "And you're my precious."

  She flushed. A Charlotte rarity. "Robin..."

  "Yes, love?"

  "Nothing." She pecked my lips. "Just like saying your name."

  "Eugh!" Nana gagged from down the corridor. “I'd rather get speared in the leg again than listen to this mushy crap."

  I picked up the discarded spearhead. "Ready if you are."

  "Wha–no! I was being fuchias."

  "Fuchias?" I asked Char.

  "I think she means facetious," Char whispered. She approached Nana but kept hold of my hand. "How're you feeling?"

  "Ugh, not good. But better. Bird brain helped."

  “See? I was right when I said to be good to your supports.”

  Nana nodded. "Oh!" She sat up with golden eyes. "Wanna see what I got from the chest?"

  A silver butterfly hairclip appeared in her hand before we could say yes. She set it in her hair just above her ear. "Does it look cool?"

  Moonlit Butterfly: Treasured by the Ant Kingdom and Termite Empire for its beauty. Reduces damage from all bug-themed enemies by half.

  Charlotte nodded. "Silver looks good on you. What say you, Robin?"

  That she should’ve equipped it once she pulled it from the chest. "I say she looks pretty enough to be our flower girl."

  Nana cringed. "I still have to do that?"

  "I'll leave that to my wife. What say you, Char?"

  “I say that she–”

  Charlotte abruptly stopped talking. The laughter disappeared from her smile. Worry clouded her eyes. And her ears were twitching.

  "What do you sense?" I asked her.

  "Those players from yesterday," she said. "Their levels are higher than I thought.”

  "Do I dare ask?"

  "Thirty,” she said.

  That was very high. The average range seemed to be 10-15. Any player who cracked twenty raised eyebrows, but it wasn't impossible to be that high through legitimate means. Late twenties–let alone thirty? Three guesses how they got that high, and why they’d followed us.

  "Where are they?" I asked.

  "Outside the dungeon, by the horses."

  With fast traveling disabled within dungeons and combat, we couldn't flee. The only way out was Vulcan's escape item. The one that left someone behind…

  "We can use Light Show--"

  "It won't work," Char said. "Players are immune to aggro effects."

  "Then... then what do we do?"

  "Nana," Char said. "I won't ask you to be my flower girl on one condition."

  "Yes, Lady Charlotte?"

  "I need you to do exactly as I say exactly when I say to do it until you leave the dungeon. Can you do that for me?"

  Nana nodded. "Consider it done."

  "Attagirl." Charlotte patted her head and offered a hand to me. "You ready?"

  "You have a plan?" I asked.

  "I always have a plan.”

  There was that hiding something from me look again. I didn’t doubt she had a plan. I knew for sure I wasn’t going to like it. But I trusted her to keep us alive. After all, her last plan was dicey but still worked.

  I squeezed her hand. "Till death do us part, Char."

  Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Don't be so dramatic," she said, squeezing my hand back. "You're not going to die, Robin."

  "Don't you mean we?"

  She pecked my lips. "No, I mean you."

  Alliance ended with Moonhuntress.

  Electricity coursed from her fingers into mine. Pain wracked my body in waves. Each hurt more than the last. Instinct begged me to scream and release her hand.

  Paralysis kept me from doing either. The lightning bolt symbol flashed beside my draining health. My body went rigid. Every joint glued–no, cauterized in place.

  Charlotte let go the moment paralysis kicked in. An alliance didn’t prevent her from hurting me, but she couldn’t inflict damage or status with it active. What plan was so deranged she needed to make sure I couldn’t stop her from pulling it off?

  “Lady Charlotte? What’re you–”

  “Keeping my husband from doing something exceedingly stupid. I just sent you an item. Take his hand and use it when I leave."

  Everything fit into place. Her saying you instead of we. The need for my paralysis. Vulcan’s item could only spirit two of us out of Colve. She didn’t plan on being one of the two.

  No matter how I tried to yell or reach for her, the lightning bolt kept me firmly in place.

  "Where are you going?” Nana asked.

  "To take care of some business. Nothing I can't handle alone.”

  Nana nodded slowly. "Anything else you need?" she asked warily.

  Char stood before the door with her back to us. Her hands shook, but her voice remained steady. "Look after him, yeah? He needs someone cool to boss him around."

  "Yeah, okay. But only until you come back... You are coming back, right?"

  No, she wasn’t. Please, Nana, don’t let her leave…

  Charlotte scoffed. She turned with a signature smirk plastered on her face. "Please. Even death wouldn't keep me from my husband. I'll see you soon."

  But her eyes didn’t convey the same confidence. I saw her affection. Her regrets. And one last thing that would forever remain unsaid.

  Charlotte blew one last kiss and left me behind.