Heroes Always Charge Ahead

“They have procedures, Maria,” Thomas said, pacing behind. 

Maria didn’t slow her steps under the glow of the lantern-lined streets. They gave way at the edge of town, where gates opened onto a path leading down under the moonlight.

“I understand, but it’s been three days already… There’s no way they’ll hold out until the end of the week.”

When Maria had gotten further details from the guild receptionist, the whole guildhall looked on in shock. She politely nodded and walked off, saying she would search for the missing rookie adventurers that same night.

Now, Kaelan sighed behind, and Thomas fought a losing battle trying to convince her otherwise. Celeste eagerly caught up and insisted on going along with them.

“I’ll help conquer the dungeon!” she said, rushing forward into the caverns.

The Great Labyrinth of Limina was the oldest known dungeon in the kingdom. Naturally, it had been explored plenty. What made it such an enticing destination for many, according to Thomas, was that its deeper floors shifted anew every few weeks.

Celeste listened in awe as the group walked through a lantern-lined tunnel descending toward the main floor. The cool air tickled Maria’s skin the deeper they trekked.

As Thomas further explained with a grin, because of the shifting layout of the dungeon, plenty of treasure was to be found. And to those in search of prestige, the few who had reached the boss chamber had yet to defeat it.

Celeste’s eyes could hardly hide her excitement upon hearing those last words. Maria just wondered how deep the dungeon went. She hadn’t packed a late-night snack.

“Hopefully, we’ll find them on the upper floors,” Maria said.

“That they’ve yet returned suggests otherwise…” Kaelan said as he took the front with Celeste.

Moss crawled up stone near the lit, traversed paths. The tunnels echoed soft steps, the quiet only occasionally broken by a monster in the group’s path.

They were typical ones expected to inhabit damp and low-light caves, the type even the local farm boys back in Bellmere could handle. Though the slime’s mucous body always just made Maria’s skin crawl.

Celeste was more than eager enough to handle them. As soon as any monster reared its head, she’d rush forward with a battle cry and sword in hand. Kaelan, who cautiously observed their surroundings, reprimanded her for doing so before he could finish scouting ahead. Not that she’d listen.

“You’re gonna hurt yourself,” he’d say blankly. Celeste would just laugh it off.

But one thing was clear: she was unrivaled with a sword. As they descended further, where cramped tunnels opened to archaic ruins, and monsters grew in ferocity, Celeste slashed them down like any other slime. Though ‌when a formidable horde blocked their path, the young knight would reluctantly listen to Maria.

“Let’s go around.”

Sometimes they could find side-tunnels that Thomas noted as he drew up a map while they traversed. Other times, they had no choice but to break through waves of enemies. Maria’s spell that erected radiant protective barriers around everyone made such a thing possible.

Glowstone covered the group in a blue hue the deeper they’d go, but during sections where only darkness surrounded them, Thomas’ flame magic was a godsend. Divine magic could only help so much with lighting; it was either a subtle golden glow, or a prayed spell that turned all into blinding light. Thomas’ flame provided a much-needed middle ground.

Celeste hopped in excitement, making her golden ponytail wave as she turned to Maria. “Did you see? Did you see?”

She’d cut through another beast; one with thick hide, who towered over her. It even made her wipe a bead of sweat from her forehead.

Maria chuckled. “Yes, I sure did.” She patted her head.

Celeste grinned and stuck out her chest.

“But be sure not to run off ahead without us,” Maria said. She couldn’t help but be reminded of Leo, the self-proclaimed “man of the house.” She wondered how well he was settling into his now-official role.

“Okay!” Celeste said with a smile, dragging her words.

Kaelan smirked. “So much for shrimpy here not being a kid.”

“I’m not a shrimp!” Celeste yelled with a hop. “And I’m not a kid, I’m seventeen.”

“Maybe the kingdom recognizes you as an adult already, but that’s because they haven’t seen you in person.”

Maria could just picture Leo going off on his own the minute he turned fifteen. No doubt he’d make a great adventurer, but she’d be happiest if he stayed in the chapel all his life! Of course, whatever dream he pursued, she’d give her blessings.

Kaelan left Celeste pouting. The group’s laughter echoed through the dungeon.

***

At one point they traversed a section that seemed far too foreign and far too chilly.

Kaelan knelt, running his fingers across the ground. “No one has come through here.”

It was a single path that snaked through twists and turns until opening up to a dead end. The glowstone overhead illuminated a wooden chest that lay in the center like a pedestal.

Thomas’ eyes lit up. Kaelan and Celeste stared blankly.

“It’s a mimic.”

“Definitely a mimic…”

“You never know,” Maria said. “Maybe it really is treasure.”

“No…” Thomas said. “I know it’s just a trap. I can’t deny that. But I have to check anyway!” He sprinted forward, accepting his fate. He cautiously creaked the chest open. The shimmer within reflected in his eyes.

“There’s no way…” Kaelan said.

Celeste popped her head in from behind Thomas and looked on in awe

“I’m rich!” Thomas tossed golden coins into the air; they showered him, clinging as they landed on the ground.

Kaelan gave Maria a dry look. “So what? Now you’re just bending the laws of causality?”

She tilted her head, leaving Kaelan in a sigh.

“Wait…” Celeste said as she picked up a gold coin. Her eyes narrowed as she turned it in her hands. “What is this currency?”

Her words gave pause to Thomas's extravagant celebrations.

Maria peeked over their shoulder. The coin lacked the kingdom’s engravings; instead, a weathered engraved face she didn’t recognize was in its place.

Kaelan picked up another and inspected it. “This currency is from this kingdom… but it’s at least a few centuries old.”

Thomas’ face went pale. No longer blinded by the dust-covered glitter, he examined his treasure.

“What is it?” Maria asked.

“This currency is obsolete…” Thomas said. “It’s past three reigns. Holds no value.” His eyes welled up.

“Seems like a waste of gold,” Celeste said.

Thomas bit down on the coin; it bent with little effort. “If only it were gold…” His voice cracked. “Didn’t become widespread until the turn of the century.”

Maria patted his back. “There, there.”

Kaelan turned his face, struggling to hold in laughter.

***

The group continued onward, traversing dark tunnels that almost seemed endless. Thomas carved markings on the walls that could lead one to the entrance. An effective strategy that he acknowledged the limits of once the lower floors' layout shifted. By his estimations, in a few more days.

“By the way.” Celeste paced alongside Kaelan out front. “I’ve been meaning to ask. How old are you all?”

“What’s got you curious?” Kaelan asked.

“Oh, I don’t know.” She glared at him. “Perhaps someone who keeps treating me like a child. You’re probably not much older than I am.”

“...I’m twenty-two,” Kaelan said.

“Huh. So young, yet already wearing such a gloomy expression.”

Kaelan glared back.

“Oh! I guess I’m a bit older than you, Kaelan.” Maria smirked. “I’m twenty-three.”

“Please make me your unofficial little sister!”

“Of course!” Maria embraced Celeste in a playful hug, which she gladly relished.

The sound of someone clearing their throat came from behind.

Maria reached for her water pouch. “Do you need some water, Thomas?”

“Uh, no.” He glanced at Celeste, as if waiting for something.

“Hmm?”

“You will not ask for my age?” Thomas asked.

“Oh, uh. Right… I figured there was no need.”

Maria could almost hear his heart shatter.

“I understand your hesitation. It’s normally impolite to ask an ex-royal court mage their age, but…” He peeked through an eye, “if you insist.”

“That’s one way to cope,” Kaelan muttered.

“Very well,” Celesta said, glancing back. “May I ask your age, Thomas?”

Thomas pressed his index finger against his lips and gave a wink. “It's a se-cret.”

Maria and Celeste laughed, but seeing that play out just made Kaelan shudder.

“Why’d you even suggest it then!?” Kaelan shook his head and body the same way Maria would around Slimes.

Maria grinned and leaned toward Celeste’s ear. “Thomas is middle-aged,” she said.

“I think you forgot the actual ‘whispering’ part, Maria,” Kaelan said, past a slight chuckle.

“Did I?” Her mischievous grin said otherwise.

“...Don't phrase it like that.” Thomas turned away, muttering to himself while poking his fingertips together. "...Forty is barely middle-aged..."

Celeste looked at the group with a widening smile. She joined in the laughter as they pushed further into the depths of the dungeon.

But coming across someone lying against a tunnel wall reminded them why they were there. 

The young adventurer’s blood smeared onto the ground underneath. Maria grasped the ends of her sleeves as she prepared for what else might lie ahead.