Chapter 17: An Empty Dungeon

The next day, after breakfast and far too many supply checks, Mira noted Jax's nervousness.

Jax checked the straps on his pack three times before leaving the table. Mira pretended not to notice. She tied her boots tighter instead.

The two of them headed toward the dungeon.

They walked through the city, occasionally stopping to greet familiar faces. The morning air was cool, carrying the scent of baked bread and damp stone. Before setting their sights on floor one, they stopped at Shinra's shop.

"Good afternoon, you two," Shinra called as they stepped inside. "Did you talk to Mira about the dungeon?"

"No luck. She's set on the dive," Jax replied, waving a hand absently while browsing the many wares Shinra peddled.

His fingers brushed across polished steel and reinforced leather before pausing on a necklace near the counter. An emerald pendant with thin gold accents caught the light.

That would look good on Mira.

He imagined it resting just below her collarbone, catching light when she laughed. The image came too easily.

He checked the price without meaning to. Too much.

He calculated what three successful dives might earn. Even then it would be tight. He looked away before she noticed. Gold caught light easily. Mira did not.

"Well, if you ask me."

"I'm not," Mira cut in, dropping a can of healing ointment onto the counter with a dull thud.

"I'm just trying," Shinra said, lifting his hands in surrender.

"Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you," he added with a weary sigh.

He did not look at Mira when he said it. He looked only at Jax.

"We'll be fine. I have Jax, and he has me," Mira said, stepping closer to him. "His shields are strong. Have you seen his stone spike attack?"

Shinra turned toward Jax expectantly.

Jax hesitated only a moment before forming a small spike from the stone floor. It rose clean and sharp. Controlled.

A thin crack spidered outward from the base before sealing again as he released it. The control cost him more focus than he let show.

Shinra leaned in, impressed. "You've improved."

After a few final words of advice and a reminder about caution, the shop owner sent them on their way.

After a short walk, once Jax had fully cleared his mind, he turned to Mira.

"I won't ask again after this, so if you want to change your mind, speak up," Jax said as they neared the city gates. The guards gave them brief nods as they passed. "Once we're in, we move slow. Watch everything. If you ever think you can't handle something, run. Please."

He hated the word. Please.

"No. Cowards run," Mira replied, rolling her shoulders, frost responding to the spike in her emotion.

The word hit harder than she meant it to.

Jax did not move. Did not blink.

A week ago, he would have.

"A coward saved you a week ago. Maybe I won't carry you out this time, Mira. You could seriously get hurt." He stopped walking and faced her fully.

The street noise faded behind them. A cart rolled past. Somewhere a child laughed. It sounded distant.

"You aren't a coward anymore."

His jaw tightened.

He was not sure when she had stopped seeing him that way.

He was not sure he deserved it.

"Jax, you've gotten stronger. And I've got these new boots and an entirely unique skill. The early floor beasts should be manageable." She tapped her heel lightly against the stone.

The tap echoed sharper than expected.

Before he could see the hesitation she refused to examine, she stepped forward.

"If it starts feeling too dangerous, we leave. Only because you keep asking."

"Deal."

She gave him a brief look that was almost an apology. Almost.

"Until then, let's go slay some monsters. We have a window to pay for, remember?" she called, skipping ahead with renewed energy.

On the short journey to the dungeon, they encountered a few wandering creatures along the outskirts.

One creature lunged. Jax's shield flared and redirected it midair. The impact rattled his arm harder than he expected, numbing his fingers down to the knuckle. A dull ache lingered even after the body hit the ground.

Mira pivoted and drove her blade through its exposed flank before it struck the dirt.

A fraction slower than she would have liked.

A dire wolf got close to Mira. Jax raised a shield without thinking.

He had not even seen the wolf clearly. He had only seen her exposed side.

The wolf's teeth scraped against stone instead of flesh. The vibration ran up his forearm, leaving a faint tremor in his grip.

Mira finished it cleanly.

They continued discussing dungeon patterns and tactics for the first three floors. When Jax spoke, Mira watched him carefully, committing his words to memory.

The dungeon entrance came into view.

"We're finally here. The clouds are gone too," he said, scanning the sky. Sunlight filtered cleanly over the stone archway. "Maybe Shinra was worried for nothing."

They performed one last check of weapon, boots, and potions.

The air near the entrance felt colder than it should have. Not Mira's kind of cold. Something older.

The breeze that had followed them from the city stopped at the threshold.

Sound thinned.

Their footsteps echoed deeper than the visible corridor allowed.

Jax stepped forward first.

The stone under his boots felt slightly smoother than the exterior rock. Worn.

As if many had entered.

Not as many had left.

Mira followed without hesitation.

Light from outside stretched into the corridor and then bent subtly along the walls. Not enough to notice at a glance. Enough that Jax felt it.

The temperature dropped another degree.