A heavy armed group broke a camp in deep forest before cave entrance. At first glance, they may appear to be bandits - equipment was rag tag and not uniform, camp lacked order or discipline. But actual truth was more appealing - these were adventures, brave dungeoneers, who have arrived to clear a newly discovered dungeon, temporary dubbed as "Storm Dungeon".

  This particular group consisted of two parties, six people each, though one group wasn't like the other - they were not of this world.

  But despite such difference, people from two parties mingled with each other, atmosphere was merry, and a bit away from the main camp, a couple consisting of a young man and woman was deep in conversation:

  - Still strange to think that your world doesn't have magic, - a young woman in red robes pondered, - I guess if I was stuck on your Earth, I would have been out of luck, since my education is purely magical in nature.

  - Oh, doncha ya worry, - a man in armor with a grin on his face said reassuringly, - You are smart, beautiful and crafty. Lasses like you are survivors! Believe me, I know your type.

  - You do, are you?

  - Sure do! Though I guess you would need to change your name - I don't think Shuva has a place in good-olde America.

  - And Jeffrey has a place in Godulia? Who is so cruel to name their boy Jeffrey. Sounds like someone is trying to spit.

  - You got me here, ahahaha!

  It was rare for Shuva to be enamored with men, or women, for that matter. Back in academy, she didn't really have a time for such frivolities, and in her home town, most men weren't fit for her, be it in status, wits or simple manners.

  But adventuring road changed her outlook on relationships, and Jeffrey did so even more. They knew each other for only a week, but Shuva felt such connection with him which she never felt with any other person. She loved her parents and sister, but Jeffrey seem to understand her on a level no one before did. Shuva never thought she will find a soul companion in an otherworlder, of all people, but maybe it was fate - after all, she often felt alienated from other people, as otherworlders often do too.

  While they continued their love bird chirping, a heavy armed man stood up in the middle of the camp - he was ranger Balvau, leader of Shuva's party and commander for their current mission:

  - Listen up boys and girls! We had our minute of fun, but it is time to do our job. Reminder for those who had their heads in their asses during last briefing - dungeon is already scouted, we are here to clear it and to do good-old looting! Most monsters are water, air and lightning based, so I hope all were smart enough to bring lightning resistance gear, spells and other useful nitnacks. Remember - you are paid for loot, not burns and cuts!

  Despite somewhat aggressive tone, everyone chuckled at Balvau's statement - all present here were professionals (As much as the term can be applied to adventurers), and everyone was prepared for what was ahead.

  - Anyone wants to give up now? Last chance to run! No, no one? Okay then, form up and go to positions you were assigned to. And move your butts, we don't have all day!

  They actually did, but no one bothered to argue. After giving a peck on Jeffrey's cheek, Shuva went to her post - right behind frontliners of her group, Chultara and Patur. Shuva worked with the pair for four years now, being her first party mates back when she chose adventuring as her career. Chultara was a bulky, sturdy woman with dark skin tone, native to south-eastern Godulia. Patur was similar to her in stature and look - they were brother and sister after all.

  - Finally, our Lady decided to grace us with her presence, - Chultara grinned mischievously, - and I thought this Jeffrey character already poached our little Firefly.

  - You wish he did - you are still jumpy around my spells.

  - Because your aim is shit to this day!

  Patur nodded to that statement - he was a fellow of few words, but tended to support his sister in such matters.

  - You are still mad about "Sheep Quest"? - a new voice appeared behind Shuva.

  It was a voice of their second scout and trapmaster, Michka. She was an apprentice of Balvau, as well as niece. Shuva and Michka were surprisingly similar in looks - both were lean and short of height with black hair, with slightly tanned skin marking their ancestry to people of Blue Steppes. Biggest difference were their eyes - Shuva had brown ones, with hints of orange, while Michka's had grey ones, prone to darting around, as if looking for trouble. Both often used their similarity to confuse their targets on some quests when opportunity presented itself. Shuva liked to think that Michka was her relative from the same long forgotten ancestor, although there was nothing to prove it.

  - Of course I am mad about "Sheep Quest"! Our job was to secure the sheep from direwolves - and how can they be secure if they are on fire!

  - Hey, they survived! - Shuva implored.

  - But wool didn't! That is the whole point of sheep. But I understand, that is hard to comprehend for a rich city dweller.

  - I am with Chultara on this one - charred wool was not nice.

  Patur nodded meaningfully.

  - You gang up on me! And I know what the point of sheep is, I am not that sheltered, and you know it. Avarag, you are on my side, right?

  Avarag was their last party member - a priest from the temple of Southern gods. He was pale, tall and had blond hair - handsome by all metrics of central Godulia.

  - Don't invoke my name in this matter - I wasn't present at this event, and I am not prone for speculation.

  - So even gods gave up on me. Traitors, all of you!

  - And please, don't add blasphemy to your list of bad traits.

  By this point, party of otherworlders formed up and Balvau moved to their group.

  - You know what my words applied to you all as well, right? I don't see a formation here! And priest, it applies to you as well.

  With a sigh, Avarag hid the book he was reading in bag and stood up to his position - right next to Shuva.

  It was their standard composition - Balvau scouting ahead, Chultara and Pature in the front, with priest and mage right behind them. Michka was last, in case of ambushes or if Balvau missed something.

  - Looks good. These otherworlders are ready too, - Balvau noted, - alright, everyone, move out!

  Both parties started moving into the cave, magical light casted by Shuva and other party's wizard lighting the save.

  This adventure was supposed to be a sure deal. All was scouted ahead, monsters known, possible loot as well. Regular dungeon clearing job, one that would be forgotten eventually even by its participants.

  But it is often that when such mundane activities go awry everything is changed.

  ----

  They were already a few hours deep into the dungeon. By this point, uneven cave floor has changed to a brickwork - clearly some old ruin. Both parties didn't encounter much resistance - electric bats and water rats were weak monsters, even in their favored environment. One would think that two full party of middle-ranked adventurers was an overkill, but they were assigned here due to one fact - the dungeon boss.

  Corridor started to widen, and blueish light was seen up ahead. In that moment, Balvau raised his hand, prompting both parties to stop:

  - Shuva, we need Silence.

  At command of mission leader, Shuva started casting Silence speel - a relatively easy spell to hide conversation which doesn't require a Specialization. The best part was that it didn't require incantation - only a bit of mana, correct spell formula and clarity of mind, which Shuva had in stores.

  Spell formula appeared above the crystal on Shuva's staff, glowing in light-brown color - color of Shuva's mana. A moment later, every sound was muffled.

  - Alright, I think the bastard won't hear us. Anyone here fought a Thunder Bear before?

  Everyone shook their head.

  - Good, no bad habits then. Since bats and rats weren't a threat to us, we will go with initial plan - frontliners of both parties will tie up the bastard, while archers and mages will deal damage. Should be relatively easy and clean, as I like it. Question?

  - Does the monster possess any ranged attacks? - a mage from otherworlder group asked. He was a man on older side, around 40 or so.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  - Of course it does, it is in the name! Although if our bucketheads do everything correctly, it won't be able to fire any Lighting Strikes or Wind Blasts your way, Thunder Bears are single minded beasts, they can't exactly multitask. Is that all?

  - Yes, Master Balvau, - the mage nodded.

  - Then let's deal with it.

  He motioned for frontliners to move - two from each party, mages and archers behind. Mission had only one priest - apparently, Otherworlders tended to avoid priests in their party, though Shuva wasn't sure why. Jeffrey didn't know either, or at least he said to her as much. So instead of a priest, they had something of a druid as a healer, but Shuva wasn't sure of her abilities. Divine healing was the best after all, it is known.

  They finally entered a big, circular chamber - from it a few corridor branched out to left and right, though scouts reports indicate there are only dead ends there with nothing of note. Chamber was lit up by pale, blue and green crystals which grew at the top of the chamber. The room was built of the same careful and masterful brickwork as previous corridor, although wear and tear was more prominent here, especially where crystals broke through.

  Shuva shamefully didn't notice Thunder Bear immediately in the dim light of the chamber - the beast slept at the far end of the room, hundred meters or so from the entrance. The beast itself was imposing - its blue fur of unnatural hue, the size of a small hill and breath which was heard even from the entrance warned that it wouldn't be an easy fight.

  Balvau started gesturing for mages and archers to prepare to shoot, since opportunity presented itself. Shuva start preparing a Fire Bolt - concentrated Fire spell, far better than Fireball in this particular situation. To her right, otherworlder mage started casting some earth spell - which was wiser than the previous time she worked together with another party. Then the full of a hedge wizard invoked a water spell, which hit Shuva's bolt mid air, canceling each other.

  Shaking off intrusive thoughts, Shuva continued to cast the spell. Infusing mana to her staff, summoning correct spell formula and infusing clear intent. Usually, this spell required chanting as well, but Shuva was able to simplify it. It was her biggest magical research achievement, which was her graduation project back at the academy.

  Despite all their precautions, Thunder Bear started to stir from its slumber - seems like it sense moving mana from prepared spells. Beast stood up, shook off its daze and stared at them, before roaring. This road was deafening, almost shaking off her spell concentration - but Shuva held. It wasn't her first dungeon after all.

  - Shoot! - Balvau shouted, loosing an arrow himself

  Shuva direct her spell right at the head of the beast - even if it moves, she imbued slight course correction into a spell, as all proper battle mages are taught to do.

  Bear started charging at them, not even trying to dodge. Arrows reach it first, but it doesn't seem to notice. Then a rock the size of a human head crashes into the bear, staggering it a bit, but not stopping, Then Shuva's fireball finally hit - fire immediately started spreading on the beast's fur. This Thunder Bear couldn't ignore, and it suddenly stopped. Air started gathering around the beast, dozing out the fires!

  - Move bucketheads, move!

  Warriors started charging at the bear, trying to tie it up before it starts to gain momentum for another charge. Bear still tried to ram Chultara head on, but despite her stature, she manage to nimble move away from the charging beast, while attack with a mace.

  Other frontliners took positions around the bear, each taking "a corner" - they stood far enough from each other in order not to be hit by a same attack, but close to prevent bear from slipping away and charging ranged fighters.

  Bear roared and started attacking Malcolm - party leader of Otherworlders. Tall and big, he wielded a tower shield with sword in battle, masterfully deflecting dangerous claw strikes and striking at the maw of the beast.

  To his right, Jeffrey with a spear was attacking the beast, trying to strike at important organs - or at least parts of the bear where he thought organs were located.

  Shuva started casting another Fire Bolt, then Thunder Bear suddenly changed - his fur started to glow up, while crystals in the chamber were getting dimmer and dimmer. He gathered a big attack, and seems he was targeting Jeffrey - or at least she sensed biggest concentration of lightning mana in his direction.

  There was no time to call out druid or a priest - instead, Shuva change her spell mid cast into a Fire Shield. She wasn't a Fire Genius for nothing.

  Imbuing Fire Bolt with Fire Shield, she sent it into Jeffrey instead of the bear. Then hit, a dome of fire appear appear around the warrior, just in time for the Thunder Bear attack - lightning struck Jeffrey, despite the bear still facing Malcolm.

  If Shuva didn't cast her spell, Jeffrey would have been badly hurt - possibly killed. She shook the thought and focused on her next spell.

  This dance continued for a while - Thunder Bear charged a few more lightning and air attacks, but all were weaker than the one it directed at Jeffrey earlier - apparently, crystals had enough mana only for one charge.

  But eventually, they had won - the beast succumbed to its numerous wounds, charred flesh marking the nastiest ones. It roared last mournful cry and then went still. They have waited for a minute, and then Malcolm hit the bear's head with a sword - just in case.

  Everyone sighed in relief - not only they avoided any deaths, but they also had no critically wounded, only scratch there and there.

  Shuva immediately ran toward Jeffrey:

  - Are you alright? I am sorry, I am not exactly sure my spell was harmless, it was the first time I casted Fire Shield this way. Do you have any burns, lingering effect?

  - I am quite alright, sugar cube. If not for your wit, I would have been a very burnt Jeffrey. Haha! But at least I could have taken a cool nickname. Like "Jeffrey, the Lightning Rod!".

  - Don't goof around! You almost died!

  - Sorry, sorry. You are so cute when worried, haha!

  While Shuva checked on Jeffrey, the rest of the party started going on their tasks - surveying the room, tending to wounds, and, of course, checking out the beast's hoard.

  In far side of the room, there was an alcove full of items - it wasn't visible initially, since Thunder Bear covered it, but scouts managed to see it. This is the reason why adventurers were hired - because items in this alcove were identified as relics of Fallen Realms. Any relic from Fallen Realms was incredibly valued, even if it they had no obvious use. Just material of ruined items will fetch quite a sum on the market.

  As party leaders, Balvau and Malcolm started going through the items in the alcove. By the point they finished sorting everything, everyone was gathered around eagerly awaiting results of field appraisal.

  When suddenly, Malcolm stopped. In hand, he held a strange cube - it has some marking on it, though Shuva wasn't able to identify them at a glance. She was quite good in Fallen Realm studies back in the academy, but not exactly an expert - Fire Magic was her main area after all.

  - Something from? - Balvau asked.

  Malcolm was silent for a moment, looking at cube. Shuva noticed that all other Otherworlders were silent as well - it was a bit eerie.

  - I have... a request, - Malcolm said in his soft, confident voice, - We would appreciate if this particular item wasn't mentioned in the report.

  Balvau stared at the man.

  - You know the rules - we were paid specifically to retrieve these items. As a matter of fact, I bet they already have this thing on the list back in Guild Hall. And I am not willing to bend the rules here.

  - I thought we had a good working relationship, Master Balvau.

  - We do - which is why I didn't tell you to sod off immediately. Place the damn cube in the bag and get on with it - I wager they will allow you to buy it anyway. This isn't my first mission of this kind - nobles don't really need all of it, so they may give it to you instead of some of the money. But you still need it to bring first. I will not risk my reputation for you.

  Malcolm didn't appear to be perturbed or disappointed by the refusal. If anything, it looked like he expected it:

  - Very well. I will listen to your judgement. But as you said, we need to report anything we find - I heard from one of the scouts that there were strange magical pedestals in the side corridors. Maybe we will investigate them too?

  Balvau eyed Malcolm suspiciously for a bit, then nodded:

  - Aye, good idea. How to propose to go about that?

  - There only two side corridors - I think if we send two people into each, they will investigate it fast, while the rest of us will finish gathering everything in main chamber.

  - Sounds good. One person from each team per pair, yeah?

  - Yes, I wanted to propose as much. We can't hide anything from each other. We do want to have a good reputation, do we?

  - I certainly do.

  Suddenly, Jeffrey approached me before speaking:

  - Well, you said that these pedestals were magical! How about me and lass here go check one of the corridors? Shuva is probably the best to estimate value of these things! I doubt scouts before even knew if they were valuable!

  Malcolm and Balvau exchanged glances and then nodded. Jeffrey grinned before starting moving towards the left corridor, motioning me to follow.

  - Jeffrey, - Malcolm called out, - remember our goals and don't fool around.

  Malcolm sounded calm as usual when he said it, but Shuva thought she noted something underlining this statement. But she was probably overthinking - she was still a bit nervous after a battle.

  - Of course, Bossman, of course. Everything will be done up to standard! Let's move, Shuva.

  Shuva nodded, and together they embarked on their little exploration mission.

  While they walked, Shuva tried to hold hands with Jeffrey, but he suddenly jerked his hand away:

  - Oh, sorry, - he looked apologetically, - I am always a bit jumpy after a good brawl. This bear put up a good fight, eh?

  - Don't worry, I am nervous too. I was so worried when lightning struck you!

  - Yeaaaah, it was... sweet, Shuva.

  Shuva noticed that he looked somewhat sad when he said it but wasn't sure why. But everyone reacted differently to battles, so who she was to judge?

  The corridor they walked done was a bit different from prior one - walls were carved in some decoration, bricks under their fit were sturdier, but at the same time more comfortable to walk on. On both sides of the corridor were places for some light sources, though none was lit.

  Eventually, they reached a pedestal - it was near a dead end of the corridor, to the left of it. On pedestal, there was a weird, dark-green stone, with light-green veins across it - half a sphere of some unknown material. While Shuva wasn't sure what the deal of the stone was, she markings on the side of the pedestal were a bit familiar.

  - Anything you can tell me about it? I know you love some magic mystery. Looks like right up your alley.

  - Of course I do! - Shuva said, crouching to take a closer look at the markings, - I can't read them all, but here is the Fallen Rune for connection, here for transfer, and here...

  Suddenly, pain started to spread in Shuva's body. She looked down and saw a tip of the spear protruding from her chest.

  She felt the blood leaving her body. Pain muddled her senses; she couldn't think clearly. Shuva never felt pain like that - at the same time, a storm of emotion was in her head. Surprise, despair, fear. She couldn't understand what is going on.

  - I am sooooo sorry, - she heard Jeffrey speak, - But you can blame Balvau for that. Old fool decided to be stubborn for no reason! Never liked the asshole to be honest. Reminded me of my drill sergeant too much. Don't worry - you won't be forgotten. I will remember you with all my heart.

  Shuva wanted to scream at him, to burn him alive, to make sure he was nothing but a walking blister - but she couldn't. She felt how her life was leaving.

  With an awful, slurping sound, spear left her body and Jeffrey started to walk away towards central chamber, while she fell on the pedestal. Shuva faintly heard sounds of battle up ahead - it seems she wasn't some exception. She hoped that her friends - Balvau, Michka, Chultara, Patur, Avarag - will manage to cut up the bastards, but knew that these chances were slim. Soon, sounds faded away.

  Mage read and heard about different descriptions of death. Some claimed you will see one of the Gods of Death approach you in final moments, others claimed you will just blackout immediately, feeling nothing until you wake up in Hallowed Halls. Neither was right - for her, time slowed down, but no God came to greet her. Her magical light disappeared, leaving only some crystals to light Shuva's demise.

  She felt last of her will fading, then suddenly, a voice appeared in her head, as if from the stone on the pedestal:

  "Hmm, what do we have here?"