Skylar’s dreams were strange.

  In them, she stood on a battlefield not unlike the one from her favorite game—desolate and riddled with craters, weapons jutting out of the scorched earth like bones from a grave. In the distance, a storm swirled violently, purple lightning illuminating the skeletal remains of colossal monsters.

  She stood at its eye, calm. Her Spartan Sword and the Push Knife are in her hands, now glowing with ethereal light.

  She woke to silence.

  No alarms. No screeches. Just the dim pulse of the Soulspace deep within her chest and the faint blue glow of the safe room’s timer, which now read:

  Time Remaining: 00:14:59

  Skylar blinked. “I slept through five hours and forty-five minutes?” She groaned and sat up. Her body felt rested, her mind sharp. She looked at the gear Aaron had left - Armor Set of the Wraith - and smiled. “Time to give you a proper field test.”

  She exited the room just as the timer hit zero. The door vanished behind her with a flash of light.

  Skylar descended.

  The next few floors were a blur; her new speed and the stealth granted by the armor let her ambush enemies with almost comedic ease. Her Spartan Sword’s essence meter ticked up steadily with every kill, and though the Cobras grew faster and more venomous, they were no match for her new flow.

  Burrow Core Reached. Warning: Boss Arena Ahead. Proceed with caution.

  Skylar paused at the threshold of a vast subterranean dome. Giant roots curled through the stone ceiling, dripping water from above. Glowing mushrooms lit the space with pale green light. At its center, a circle of smooth obsidian stone housed a slumbering serpent easily three times the size of any she’d faced. Its scales shimmered a blue so dark it looked black. Its tail flicked lazily, carving scars into the ground. Along its back were jagged ridges that pulsed faintly.

  Shadewind, the Abyssal Asp

  Level 30 – Boss Monster – King of the Depths

  It was born in the breath between worlds, forged in death and poison. Run.

  She stepped forward.

  The serpent’s eyes snapped open—impossibly pale and impossibly aware. Shadewind reared back and let out a guttural hiss that echoed like thunder.

  Shadewind struck first, a blur of darkness and sound. Skylar barely activated Incorporeal Shift in time, the serpent’s maw passing through her like smoke. She felt cold down to her bones. She rolled left, using Overdrive, and time slowed. She analyzed its movement: three fangs on each side of its jaw, each as long as her forearm; a feint in its strike, followed by a tail lash. Classic bait tactics.

  “Got you.”

  Skylar launched her push knife at Shadewind’s left eye—predictably, the serpent flinched right, directly into her waiting blade. The Spartan Sword sliced deep across its scaled cheek, spraying venomous blood across the floor.

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  -800HP

  Status: Enraged

  “Enraged? Already? That’s not good.”

  The floor shook. Shadewind coiled tight, then slammed its body into the ground, causing a seismic shockwave. Skylar jumped, but mistimed - and was sent flying into a stone pillar.

  -80 HP

  Skylar phased as a tail sweep obliterated the spot where she’d fallen.

  “This thing’s not playing around.”

  Flow of Battle activated, and Skylar rolled as Shadewind sprayed venom in a wide arc. It hit a wall, sizzling holes through solid stone. Skylar dashed forward, activating her incorporeal ability and leaping through a bite. She threw her Spartan sword behind her, burrowing it into Shadewind’s skull.

  Critical Hit! -1500HP

  Boss Final Stage Reached!

  Venom Mirage Activated!

  Duplicate Shadows Created!

  The shadows darted forward. Skylar slashed at one with her Push Knife, and it exploded in venom. Her armor took the brunt, but it melted the lower half of her cloak.

  One clone tackled her from the side, biting down.

  -90 HP

  Status: Necrovenom Affliction (2/sec)

  She screamed and slammed her Spartan Sword into the illusion’s eye, banishing it—but the poison burned through her veins. Her legs gave out.

  Health: 80/270

  Poisoned

  Skylar was going to die - when Flow of Battle lit up her senses. The real Shadewind had coiled above her, about to strike downward. With a scream, she hurled weapon after weapon at the falling snake, piercing an eye, its glands, glancing off a tooth.

  Overdrive.

  With the last of her strength, Skylar spun, beheading the final shadow. And she leapt, directly into Shadewinds' collapsing jaws.

  Shadewind landed, hissing and spitting venom and blood. It knew it had swallowed the odd girl, but it felt nothing in its belly. But then it began to feel pain - in its throat, it felt the hot trickle of blood turn into a waterfall. And as it collapsed, it wondered just how it had been defeated.

  Skylar chopped, slashed, cut. Her Spartan Sword was her companion on this bloody journey. She had activated her last Phase Shift - at least, that's what she was going to call it, ot avoid the snake's fangs. With a final yell, she cut her way out of Shadewind’s throat. She emerged like a demon from hell, dripping blood, violet eyes glowing.

  Dungeon Boss defeated! Dungeon Complete!

  Spartan Sword Essence 100/100 - Evolution in Progress..

  New Weapon Acquired: Venombane

  A blade born of battle and agony. Poisonproof. Each successful strike reduces enemy attack speed. Absorbs toxic essence to strengthen the wielder.

  The Spartan sword in her hand morphed, a snake’s head handle forming around her fist. The blade, too, glowed an ethereal green as she watched.

  Level Up x 6!

  You are now Level 23.

  Special Quest Unlocked!

  Crown of Shadows

  Defeat the Three Kings of the Forest of the Damned:

  Shadewind, the Abyssal Asp (?)

  Wyrmroot, the Verdant King

  Cryowl, The Frozen Reaper

  Reward: Title – Queen of the Damned

  Bonus Reward: Serpent Crown Shard acquired.

  One of three ancient fragments belonging to the rulers of Zephyria’s darkest forest. Gather all to forge a crown unseen for a thousand years.

  “A crown, huh? Might be fun,” Skylar thought, her agony forgotten as she healed from her level-ups. “Queen Skylar does have a ring to it.”

  Skylar spotted a faint golden light behind the fallen boss. Investigating, she found a pedestal holding a crystal orb.

  Touch to Exit Dungeon

  You may return at any time.

  She tapped the orb—and vanished in a flash of gold.