The woman, who was apparently my grandmother, stepped forward with unhurried grace, as if the battlefield itself bent around her rather than the other way around. She was dressed in runic green and blue armor that looked almost ethereal. She lifted one hand, palm outward.

  Light snapped into existence.

  Twenty cages of shimmering radiance slammed down around Robert’s elites, locking them in place before any of them could even flinch. The constructs hummed, dense with mana so thick it made the air vibrate.

  Robert froze.“Do not move,” she said, her voice calm but carrying the weight of a verdict. “Or your faction’s members will be no more.”

  From the look on his face, he believed her. Hell, I believed her. I saw him nod almost imperceptibly.

  She continued toward me, each step measured, confident. When she reached me, a transparent barrier appeared around us. She placed a hand on my shoulder. Warmth flooded through me.

  Mana surged back. Health climbed. The ache in my bones evaporated. Even my trigger gauge rose. “We can speak freely; the barrier shields us from sight and eavesdropping.”

  She eased into a more relaxed stance, a bright, warm smile softening her features.

  “I’m your maternal grandmother,” she said gently. “My name is Kaye. You can call me that… or Grandmother.”

  She tapped her chin, considering, “Though I’ve always been partial to Mimi.”

  Her smile turned wry. “You know what, call me whatever feels right.”

  What was that spell you cast on me? I asked.

  “I placed a heal?over?time spell called rejuvenation on you. You’ll be right as rain in about thirty seconds.”

  I was about to ask one of a dozen questions I had about to spill out of me when she held up her hands almost in defense. “I know you have many questions. I’ll answer what I can once we’ve handled this situation. But let me give you a brief rundown of the circumstances we’re all in on this Dungeon world first, so no matter what happens next you know where you stand.”

  She turned slightly, keeping Robert in her peripheral vision. “Do you know what a floor instance is?”

  I shook my head. “Not really.”

  “Here’s the short version, she said. “Instances are challenges set up on each floor, meant to be conquered. A floor key will appear once you complete the challenge that will allow you to advance to the next floor. Floor one has one Instance.”

  I remembered the Task I’d been given when I first stepped onto this floor.

  “The Frozen Lake, that’s the challenge for this floor, right?”

  “Correct, she affirmed. Floor two has two instances, and so on and so on. It takes time to locate these Instances and some of them require additional Tasks to be completed before you can even attempt them.”

  “I’ve located all seven Instances on Floor Seven. My party and I are there now, keeping the respawns at bay. The problem is this: if we defeat the floor instances and advance to Floor Eight, the system will open the way upward for us… but it will also open the way downward for the Floor Eight monsters. We have been stuck in a stalemate for years. But with you here now, I hope that will change because we are running out of time.”

  My stomach tightened. “I am guessing Floor eight monsters are crazy strong?”

  She nodded grimly. “Floor Eight monsters, let alone their Elites, aren’t something this world can repel right now.

  Her expression tightened. “When the Vault’s core power releases from the long buildup on floor eight, it’ll unleash so many monsters that the thought alone keeps me up at night. It will be the strongest monster surge we’ve ever seen… and this world’s combatants are the weakest they’ve ever been.”

  I watched a shiver run through her. “The power jump between floors is… just obscene, and the Factions have crippled its people from leveling by regulating everything and everyone so the leadership can maintain the status quo. They say they are protecting the people, but what they’re really doing is maintaining their own power. That’s where you come in. “You’re the first real chance we’ve had in years.”

  “Me?” I asked incredulously. “You are obviously a badass Mimi, what can I do currently to change this world situation?”

  “One moment,” Kaye flicked her wrist, and the barrier disappeared. Half of Robert’s body vanished beneath a sheath of crystal light, frozen mid-step. Kaye wasn’t even looking at him. “One warning.” She said lightly. “Do not move again.” The surrounding barrier reappeared. “As I was saying… the quick answer,” she said, “I need you to extract a System Pact from Robert. He will not make one with me.”

  “What the hell is a System Pact?” I asked.

  “Language.” She admonished before continuing. “System Champions,” she pointed at me, then at herself. “Have some innate abilities with the System; the ability to create binding terms enforced by the System itself is one of those. But the rub is that the other party must agree.” She held up a finger, “Once they do agree though, the System enforces the pact absolutely.”

  “We need Robert to agree to the terms for a lot of reasons,” she said. “I can’t stay here forever, and I can’t drag you kids with me to another floor. You’re stuck here for now, and your sister needs political protection and guarantees while she grows stronger. And if you have to hover over her every second to keep her safe, you’ll stop advancing, which means this world is doomed.”

  I glanced at Robert. “Okay… so what are you thinking?”

  Kaye looked from him to me, assessing.

  “He will never agree to terms with me,” she said calmly. “He knows I could crush him like the bug he is, and because of that, he’ll be wary of me to an almost pathological degree.”

  A faint, knowing smile touched her lips. “But you, on the other hand…”

  She tilted her head, eyes sharp with calculation. “If he believes he has a chance to get all he wants for minimal risk, he may agree to a duel on terms he otherwise would never accept. Terms that could remove both him and his faction as active threats to you and your sister.”

  I crossed my arms, considering. It was a lot of information she was hitting me with all at once.

  She gestured broadly, as if encompassing the entire world around us. “I learned something over the years. Power isn’t enough. We need people. As powerful as we are, we can’t be everywhere at once. Someone has to hold the lines while we fight the battles they can’t.”

  She paused. Then, quietly but with certainty: “Thanks to the stupid choices of the man you’ve got at sword-point, we can achieve several things today.”

  She tilted her head. “So let me ask you this, grandson.” She looked down at Carson. “You kicked the son’s ass. Do you think you can whoop the father as well?”

  I grimaced. “Honestly? I don’t know. When I used Identify on him, it showed question marks. And I’ve never seen him fight.”

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  Kaye’s expression sharpened. “He’s level 249,” she said matter-of-factly. “And he’s what’s known as a Mystic Juggernaut. It is an evolved Epic class. It gives him massive stamina, rapid health regeneration, and bonus strength every time he levels up. He fights with twin battle axes. Speaking of weapons can I see yours? Its called Ember isn't it?”

  I summoned Ember and she held out her hands, "May I?" I handed it over. She held Ember for a moment and her hand began to glow as well as the blade. The glow faded but the blade vibrated for a moment before she handed it back to me. "Magnificant weapon. That should help it wake up a bit."

  "Um. Okay, I appreciate the help. I think, so Mimi…”

  Her face lit up at the name, hands lifting as if she wanted to clap. She caught herself, and the small, earnest gesture made me smile despite everything. “How can you believe I can take him? You have never even seen me fight.”

  She studied me for a long moment. “There’s something inside you,” she said quietly. “Something that tells me you can handle this. I can feel that you’re close to a breakthrough.”

  She cupped my cheek. “You remind me of your grandfather, and that man was one of a kind. If I didn’t see him in you, I would never put you in this position.”

  She moved her hand, forcing me to look down at her. “You can break their hold on this place right now. I know you can do it, and don’t worry. Come hell or high-water I will make sure my grandbabies are taken care of.”

  I’d never been someone who backed down, and I wasn’t afraid of the Faction leader. What scared me wasn’t Robert.

  It was the image of Alice standing alone in a room with Liz, enemies closing in, and me not there to step between them.

  But when I looked at my grandmother, even though we’d only just met, something in me said I could trust her to keep them safe.

  What started as a rescue mission had shifted into something far larger, with consequences I was only beginning to understand.

  I exhaled slowly, letting the adrenaline drain out of my limbs. “Alright. What are these terms you want me to offer, and how do I initiate a pact?”

  She spread her hands. “Listen to the whole thing before you interrupt, please.”

  “As long as I get to end that piece of shit soon, I am down for whatever.”

  Her expression flickered. “Well… about that…”

  “Mimi.”

  Her aura snapped outward, pressure cracking against the stone. “Young man. I said don’t interrupt.”

  Ten minutes later, I understood how to initiate a pact and the terms Kaye believed Robert might accept. I didn’t like any of it, but I couldn’t deny the necessity. Kaye wrapped Carson up in the same light prison as the others and started a small heal over time on him.

  Kaye lowered the barrier, and I felt Tucker’s voice enter my mind. “Well, how did it go?” I looked over to see Alice and the others looking at us.

  I hadn’t noticed them; I was too engrossed in conversation with Kaye. “Well enough, buddy. Did Mack go get you all?”

  “Yup, Vex has been filling us all in for a few minutes now. I gave Alice and the others a wave.

  Alice waved back then I watched her eyes about bulge out of her head as she stared at Kaye with open disbelief.

  Kaye studied her gently. “You know what you have to do,” she whispered. Then walked over toward Alice.

  Across the field, I heard Robert exhale loudly. “About damn time,” he called. “You two finished plotting? What was it you were discussing while my men were locking us in boxes, how you’re going to kill us?” His lips curled. “We won’t beg. Get on with it.”

  Kaye didn’t even glance at him; she just spoke as she headed toward Alice, “Direct your words to my grandson, Faction Leader,” she said calmly. “He is your only chance for you and your men to walk out of here alive.”

  Robert’s eyes shifted to me. Measured. Skeptical. He shouted back at Kaye. “I thought the Patriarch dealt with you years ago old woman.”

  Kaye let out a soft, humorless laugh as she turned toward him. “Oh, your father knew he never ‘dealt’ with anything. We made a pact. And your son broke it the moment he assaulted my granddaughter.”

  Her eyes gleamed. “The old man must have kept you in the dark. Lying piece of shit that he is and all.”

  Robert’s jaw tightened.

  I heard Balt murmur, “That’s definitely Riven’s grandmother.”

  “But that’s a story for another time,” she continued. “You can ask him about it if you make it out of here. I have a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter to meet. Bother me no longer.”

  She turned away from him entirely then.

  Alice stood frozen.

  Kaye stepped forward, and a small toy bear appeared in her palm as if it had always been there. While the bear kept the baby distracted, Kaye studied the anchor on Alice’s arm. “Sweetheart,” she said gently, “let’s get that nasty anchor off you.”

  She hovered her hand over Alice’s arm.

  The anchor dissolved like ash in sunlight.

  In its place now was a leather-wrapped one similar to mine. Alice stared at it. Then at Kaye.

  Her face crumpled.

  She threw her arms around her.

  Kaye stiffened in surprise.

  Then her expression softened.

  I saw it, tears gathering in her eyes as she returned the embrace.

  I turned away before the moment swallowed me whole.

  Balt stood a few steps back with Tucker at his side.

  I walked over and bumped my fist against his. Then I scratched Tucker behind the ears.

  Balt glanced toward Carson’s broken form.

  “I see you kicked the hell out of Carson,” he said. “Kind of surprised he’s still breathing.”

  I gave him a tired smile. “Yeah. Don’t like that little detail much myself. But after talking to my grandmother… well you’ll see.”

  He frowned. “You’re about to do something incredibly dangerous I’m guessing?”

  I gave him my best smile. Balt let out a long tired sigh. “Of course you are.”

  Robert’s voice cut across the field, and he stamped his foot. “I am getting tired of being ignored!”

  I looked at him.

  Then back at Balt.

  “Wish me luck, brother.”

  Balt held out his knuckles, “I don’t know what is going on, but whatever it is, kick some ass.”

  I smiled faintly as we touched knuckles, and I patted Tucker on the head.

  It was time to ranger up.

  I stepped toward Robert. The light holding him in place dissipated. He straightened, aura flaring at my approach. “Faction Leader of the Shattered Blades,” I said evenly. “I have terms to discuss.”

  Robert stared at me for a long moment.

  “And what possible terms would you be willing to offer that I would accept?” he said. “There is no chance of me beating that woman. Just as you have no chance of beating me. The disparity between us is too great.”

  He shrugged slightly.

  “As far as I am above you, she is above me.”

  I met his gaze. But internally I was grinning. So this guy thought he could whoop my ass easily did he.

  “You’re right,” I said. “You wouldn’t stand a chance against her.”

  His brows rose faintly.

  “But the terms I offer are an alternative to death. Will you hear them?”

  Intrigue flickered across his expression despite himself.

  “What then?”

  “You’ll duel me, with the winner getting the terms we agree upon.” I said. He gestured at me to continue.

  “If I win, you will allow me to recruit from your faction. You will not interfere with anyone who chooses to follow me.”

  I tilted my head slightly.

  “In fact, I want you to Task some of your elites with funneling those who wish to leave to my new home base.”

  “And where is that?” he asked.

  I turned my head and looked past him.

  “That castle behind me is as good a start as any.”

  Robert let out a short, incredulous laugh.

  I continued.

  “You and your faction will also never target my sister or her daughter in any way.”

  He sneered.

  “And what do I gain for all this? I will need more than my life for such concessions. I have a council and patriarch to answer to.”

  “Besides your life,” I said, “I will return your son to you.”

  His eyes sharpened.

  “And you will have the ability to call upon me in the future.”

  He gave a dry laugh. “So I get to call on you for what? To fetch my dinner and tuck me in at night?”

  I shrugged.

  “Whatever you may need… within reason.”

  He studied me for a long moment.

  Then he shook his head.

  “I can’t accept that.”

  I felt the weight of the words before he finished speaking.

  “Unless,” he said slowly, “you also join my faction if I win. Along with your sister and my granddaughter.”

  I exhaled internally.

  Kaye had warned me this is what he would want.

  “I want your grandmother to swear she will not interfere with you or my Faction in any way going forward,” he added.

  I was silent for a moment.

  Then I said, “If I win the duel and you die or yield… your son becomes mine to do whatever I wish.”

  I held his gaze.

  “Do we have terms?”

  He looked at his men.

  Then back at me. Then at his son, “We have terms.”

  I stepped forward and raised my anchor.

  Robert mirrored the motion.

  I placed my hands over his anchor and spoke the conditions I needed enforced by the System.

  A transparent interface unfolded in the air between us. With mine, Roberts and Kayes named next to a open box.

  The terms appeared one by one.

  Robert and I both waited.

  Kaye’s signature appeared at the bottom and her box was clicked.

  Then Robert clicked his.

  The system registered the pact.

  I stepped back.

  Robert did the same.

  “Let’s get some distance from our people,” I said.

  He glanced around.

  “Yes, I can agree to that.”

  I pointed towards the water much further down what was left of the tree line.

  He nodded once.

  We walked away from the others until the shoreline was in sight.

  A countdown appeared in the air.

  Robert’s aura detonated outward in a furious blaze of crimson light. Twin axes formed in his fists as he unleashed a thunderous roar.