Tom barged into the Dungeon first, his plate armor clanging.

Tess followed him, and skidded to a halt.

A Black Bear reared up on its hind legs, its roaring lips pulled back over large blood-stained teeth. An emerald green glow radiated from the Bear's throat, which pulsed and grew more vibrant the louder the Bear roared.

Tess held her ground.

Loo was hunched against the wall, wide-eyed and whimpering. The Bear stalked over and paced back and forth in front of her. It reared protectively and roared again.

"Is that Mom?" Amber yelled.

The Damascus family, the Robinson family, and Brad had all made it inside the entrance. They gaped at the Bear, not daring to approach it.

A single torch burned on the cave wall, its light accenting the Bear's black fur and deep blue eyes. The Bear dropped back onto all fours and growled at them.

Tess checked her [Battle Map]; the labeled green dot told her the Bear's identity, but that information was difficult to reconcile with the prowling mass of fur, muscle and teeth.

Kate the Bear paused. She sniffed at Loo, then licked her face, making a soft mewling noise.

"Ewww gross, Mom." Loo tried to push the large Bear head away.

The cave walls cracked. Dust trickled into Tess's hair. The ground rumbled and shook, throwing her off-balance. The boulders at the entrance shifted and slammed against each other, creating a deafening clap that echoed through the cramped space, drowning out their shouts. The small amount of nocturnal illumination they'd had was now blocked.

The cave's putrid stench intensified and choked Tess. The single torch was now the only source of light; as though its sole purpose was to highlight the tons of earth pressing on them from all sides.

A prompt appeared.

[Level four virgin Dungeon initiated. You must defeat the Dungeon in order to leave. Caretaker Purge.]

The commotion had riled up Kate the Bear; she let out another roar, her fur standing on end.

Loo grabbed the Bear's head with her good hand and turned it toward her. "We're okay," she said, looking into the Bear's eyes. "We're good. We're okay." Loo buried her face into the Bear's neck and hugged it.

The Bear studied Loo, then the rest of the group. She let out a huff, her breath condensing in the cold.

Finn cautiously approached Loo. "Loo, your arm's glowing bright red. Can I heal it for you?"

Loo nodded, wincing as she tried to move it. "Yeah, it's bad. I can't even lift it." She struggled to her feet, and addressed Kate the Bear. "Mom, Finn needs to help me heal. Your aura looks like it still works in Bear form, but it's taking too long, and this really hurts."

Finn crept closer.

Kate the Bear stepped in front of him and sniffed him up and down. Finn stood ramrod-still, his eyes wide.

The Bear let out a chuff and then approached Tom, who cautiously held out his hands with palms open.

"Kate, can you understand me?"

The Bear tilted her head and let out another huff.

"I don't know what that means," Tom said.

The Bear sniffed at him. She made a gentle mewling noise and rubbed her side against him, almost like a cat rubbing against someone's legs.

Tom looked into her face. "Are you going to stay as a Bear for now? Can you change back when you want?"

The Bear tilted her head again.

Tess pulled her gaze away from Kate the Bear, drawn to the green light flaring in the gloom. Finns' hands moved up and down Loo's arm. Loo let out a long sigh of relief and flexed her fingers experimentally.

"Thank you, Finn."

Kate the Bear moved off to sniff at Chloe and Amber.

Tom moved to the entrance. He grunted as he pushed and shoved at the boulders blocking their path.

"Dammit," he growled. He slapping one of the larger rocks. "It won't budge."

"I don't think it will," said Tess. "You guys saw the prompt, right?"

"Are you saying we're trapped here?" Brad whispered.

"No," Tess said. "I'm saying I think we have to go deeper."

"I don't like it but, what other option do we have?" said Bo.

"Maybe the people on the hill will dig us out if we wait here?" Tom said.

Chloe shook her head. "The prompt said we're stuck until the Dungeon is cleared." She peered into the darkness in front of them. "I doubt they can simply dig us out. If they even come."

"I think we have to push forward," Tess said.

With a growl, Tom rose and pushed and shoved at the boulders, straining until veins were visible in his neck. He smashed his Flail against the rocks; the hammering reverberated down the tunnel.

"Tom, that's loud as fuck dude," Bo shouted over the noise. "I know you don't want to bring your kids down here, but I think it's our only option."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Tom's shoulders sagged, and his Flail thudded onto the ground. He glanced at his children. "Fine." His tone was resigned. Defeated. "Sorry, everyone."

Tess scanned the group: the ruby cuts across their skin; the deep purple bruises blossoming on faces and limbs; the slumped postures; the mud splotches; the puffy eyes. She tried to inject some confidence into her voice. "Let's wait on our cooldowns and mana before going anywhere." Her enthusiasm sounded false even to her own ears.

Tess's mind raced with self-doubt.

She had failed.

Even with the constant practice on the hill, the chaos on the battlefield had been too much for her to handle. She hadn't been able to keep up with targeting, formation, or anything else. And when the Headless creatures maneuvered past them, it was complete mayhem. She had lost all control and all strategy.

Tess had given up trying to use her [Battle Map] and just focused on fighting. Her failure meant she didn't see the Boar Rider heading for Loo.

We're trapped because of me. It's my fault.

She couldn't let things get out of hand again.

I have to do better. Always.

Hana let out a sharp cry and stumbled away from the wall.

Tom strode across the cave and snatched the torch from its holder. He shone it on the wall behind Hana. Stalactites and stalagmites grew out from the walls, forming sharp spears of rock. They had been largest near the entrance, but now they were spreading everywhere, herding them deeper into the Dungeon

"Guess we can't wait on cooldowns," said Tess, her voice hollow. "Let's go."

The ceiling was low, and Tess had to crouch or duck to avoid the low rock formations reaching down toward her. With each step along the tunnel, the rough wall would nick or scrape exposed skin.

Kate the Bear snarled her displeasure at having to squeeze her huge hulk through the tight spaces.

Tom led the way, holding the torch up to light the path ahead. However, its meager glow barely penetrated the oppressive darkness. Their footsteps echoed off the damp walls, mingling with the distant drip of water, and the occasional squeal from deep within the cavern.

The air hung thick with the smell of earth and sweat.

My God, everyone stinks!

Dirt and grime clung to Tess's skin.

I want a shower so bad!

They came upon a narrow turn that opened out into a vast cavern. The feeble torchlight didn't come close to reaching its depths. Snorting and grunting noises bounced off the walls, coming from dark shapes crouched just out of sight.

Another prompt appeared Tess's vision.

[Room 1 of 3: Wave 1 of 10 approaching.]

Oh crap.

Tess caught herself. She couldn't fall apart. "Ten waves . . . "

Tess set the group's formation with her [Battle Map], taking advantage of the narrow opening they had just left, and the sea of stalactites and stalagmites around them. She positioned Tom in front; he could handle multiple enemies at once. Tom placed the torch in a hidden wall sconce before taking his stance.

Tess instructed Kate the Bear to stand alongside Tom, both for her [Regeneration Aura] and to support as a secondary tank.

Kate the Bear flopped onto the craggy floor and sniffed at the green arrow in front of her.

"Uhhh. Kate, can you move into position please?"

Kate the Bear tilted her head and stared at Tess.

"Please, Kate!"

The pig snorts were louder and more energized.

Hope this isn't insulting.

Tess reached up to her [Battle Map] and wiggled Kate's arrow, then spun it in circles.

The Bear's eyes watched the arrow, like a cat with a laser pointer. She stood, and tried to swipe it with a paddle-sized paw.

Tess used the arrow to lure Kate the Bear into position beside Tom. Then she placed herself in the middle of the group, in case any monsters slipped past their frontline. She directed Amber to a large stalagmite off to the side, hoping she could use it for cover and for sneaky flank attacks. Her mother, Chloe, and Loo were grouped together toward the back line. Her father, Brad, and Finn were positioned even further back, near the tunnel exit.

The cavern rang with squeals and shrieks. The ground vibrated beneath Tess's feet. Her [Battle Map] lit up with ten red dots, and their corresponding [Level 1 Pygmy]'s emerged from the shadows, their gaunt arms reaching forward.

"Brace yourselves!" Tess yelled. She unsheathed her Sword and gripped its handle.

Tom raised his shield and let out a battle cry. He swung his Flail down onto the Pygmies, drawing most of their attention.

Kate the Bear reared up and roared; a tremor rolled through the entire cave, and the Pygmies were weakened by an XS morale debuff.

Chloe and Hana's spells cascaded onto the creatures, dissolving their health.

In moments, all of the creatures were crumpled and motionless on the ground.

"Dude . . . " Amber muttered, the disappointment heavy in her voice. She hadn't even moved from her stalagmite perch.

A prompt appeared before Tess, announcing wave 2 of 10. Her heartrate ramped up. She scanned everyone's health, spells, and mana. The first wave had been easy, but they couldn't afford to waste mana at this rate.

"Dad, don't use your song buff till I tell you. Save your mana. Same for you, Brad. Loo, you too; don't use your [Mana Spring] yet."

Tess paused and swallowed the lump in her throat.

What if I mess up again?

"Mom, Chloe, everything needs to die, but I think you're wasting mana on overkill. Just cast enough to kill them. You don't have to stack so many spells when one will do."

Tess nodded at Amber. "We can finish them off."

Amber nodded back.

"Everyone, conserve resources," said Tess.

"Yeah, There might be a boss fight or something at the end." Chloe said.

The sounds of the next wave reverberated through the canyon.

Tess inhaled deeply, fighting back the fear that threatened to consume her, like it had on the hill. "We got this!"

*****

[Wave 10 of 10 approaching.]

The prompt flashed before Tess; she dismissed it with a huff. She adjusted everyone's positions, gathering them around Kate the Bear for her [Regeneration Aura].

Finn cast healing spells on Tom and Kate the Bear as fast as he could, his mana draining with each spell.

The waves had grown more brutal. The last few were mostly made up of Marauders. The ninth wave contained two Boar Riders; Kate the Bear had flattened one, and Tom had tanked the other. Both Tom and Kate had been sliced up by tusks and claws.

Chloe's mana was running low; she had dealt direct damage to some enemies, and kept others under crowd control with [Epilepsy] and [Fear].

They were handling the waves, but everyone had taken minor damage. Mana was low, a lot of cooldowns had been spent, and they were exhausted.

"Dad, song on this wave," Tess instructed, her voice tense. "Loo, mana spring. The whole works. Brad, help dad if you can but hold enough mana for your own song as backup."

Her father nodded and moved up beside her, scrutinizing her face. "I know that look, and I know that feeling. You all right?"

Tess clenched and unclenched her jaw. "It's . . . I have to monitor everyone's health and mana, while also fighting and giving orders . . . I'm going to mess up."

"You can do this," Bo said to her. "You've trained. You've practiced. You have this specialization for a reason. Trust your instincts, and don't doubt yourself. Give your orders, and commit." He peered into her eyes. "Last wave."

Tess's tried to speak, but her words were cut off by ear-piercing screeches.

Her father held her gaze. "I know you can do this, because . . . the heat is on." He backed away from her with a wink, and moved to his designated spot.

Tess took a deep breath, and gathered her courage. She double checked her group's formation and assigned targets. She needed a more effective way to manage the juggling act of giving orders, watching the [Battle Map], and monitoring the fight itself.

I need to see through this damn map!

A message popped up in her vision.

[Would you like to adjust the opacity of the Battle Map?]

"What? Yes!" Tess mentally screamed.

The [Battle Map] became translucent, and Tess could monitor both the map and the fight.

Perfect!

A blue light grew and intensified behind Tess. A magical guitar materialized in her father's hands. His fingers danced across the strings, and the first notes of [The Heat is On by Glenn Frey] filled the air. Waves of mana pulsed with the rhythm.

"Here they come!" Tess shouted. Her eyes darted back and forth between the oncoming horde and her semi-transparent battle map.

Tom and Kate the Bear roared as the wave of Marauders and Boar Riders crashed into them.

Tom swung his weapon into the skull of a monstrous pig.

Kate the Bear lunged at the other Boar Rider, her powerful form tackling it to the ground.

"THE HEAT IS ON!" Bo belted out, dancing around at the back of the group, and strumming his ethereal guitar with gusto. Brad added a beatbox, and the music washed over the group like a tidal wave of energy.

Tess accessed [Morale Insight], which allowed her to gauge the mental fortitude of her adversaries. Small glowing bars floated beside each creature's identification label; most were in decline.

Tess zeroed in on one particular abomination skulking near Kate the Bear; its morale bar was almost fully depleted. As Kate the Bear unleashed her fury on the monster adjacent to it, its morale plummeted further.

When the bar emptied, the creature panicked. It tried to run from the fight, but collided with its brethren and bowled them over; their morale took a hit as well.

An opportunity; Tess directed Amber toward the disoriented creatures.

Amber weaved through the monsters with agility and precision, her knives flashing brilliantly under the torchlight.

A Marauder slipped past Tom and Kate the Bear, charging straight for Hana.

Instead of rushing forward as she had on the hill, Tess calculated her moves. She positioned herself between the creature and her mother while simultaneously setting Amber's targets on the [Battle Map]. As the beast lunged at her, Tess deflected its claws and activated [Counterstrike], her Sword slicing through its flesh. As the screaming creature stumbled back, Tess assigned more targets to Chloe, then drove her Sword deep into the Marauder in front of her, ending its life.

There were many red dots on her [Battle Map] but Tess did not let it shake her. She swiped her hand across a dozen red dots and assigned them to her mother, then sliced at another Headless in front of her.

Sickly yellow-green [Radon Light] burst from Hana's rotted Pygmy hand and illuminated the battlefield. The eerie aura cast twisted shadows across Hana's face, and across the writhing mass of monsters. She unleashed her [Malnutrition] spell upon them.

Bo continued to dance and sing.

Tess barely had time to catch her breath before another Marauder broke through their frontline. Once again, she chose to wait and intercept it rather than charge, and used the precious seconds to issue quick orders.

"Loo! [Mana Spring], now!"

Blue motes danced around them and replenished their mana bars.

Moments later, silver light consumed the blue specks and increased everyone's ability power.

Tess settled into the rhythm; she gave commands and controlled the enemy forces, and only jumped into the fight when necessary. As she faced down another foe, she relied on [Counterstrike] and [Riposte]'s quick parries to protect herself, then directed Amber to kill the creature.

"On it!" Amber darted into the fray and thrust her blade into the Marauder's back.

It dawned on Tess that Amber, Loo, and Finn were the quickest to react to her battlefield orders. The adults, and Chloe—who hadn't participated in practice—were much slower. If the waves had been more challenging, their sluggish execution might have cost them dearly.

I need to get everyone involved in training.

The last of the Boar Riders fell under Kate the Bear's relentless claws. She climbed the pile of Headless bodies and roared triumphantly.

Huh. Jurassic Park.

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