She was now crying openly, and Greg couldn't help but reach for her and pull her into his arms, even though his hands were covered in blood and he was horrified by what they had just been through. She fell against him, and they held each other while weeks of fear, grief, and relief all came out at once.

Greg said, "I'm sorry," again, but this time it meant something else. "I'm sorry I didn't get here faster."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'm sorry about Kael, Denna, and Ryn."

"I'm sorry I couldn't keep all of you safe."

Marina whispered, "I know," against his chest. "And I'm sorry too."

"I'm sorry you had to see what he did. I'm sorry you had to do something you hate to stop him, and I'm sorry that we're both like this..."

Greg said quietly, "Maybe we can fix each other."

"Maybe that's what love is, finding someone whose broken parts fit with yours."

Marina pulled back a little so she could see his face. "Is that a yes? For us? "Should we proceed with this despite the current chaos?"

Greg looked into her eyes and saw what was going to happen to him. He saw healing and hope with the chance that he could be more than the violence he had done today. And he saw someone who loved him even though they knew the worst about him.

"Yes," he said. "Let's work together to figure this out so we won't be alone anymore."

Greg thought Marina's smile through her tears was the most beautiful thing he had seen in days. She leaned in slowly, giving him time to pull away if he wanted to. Then she kissed him, and it tasted like salt, blood, and hope.

Greg put his forehead against hers when they finally let go of each other. "Before we keep talking, we should probably leave this dungeon."

Marina chuckled weakly. "Always useful."

"But yes, I don't think level ten of the Sunken Citadel is the best place for romance..."

Greg stood up slowly, his body protesting every move, and helped Marina get up. She swayed, and he held her steady. "Are you able to walk?"

"I'll give it a shot," she said. "But I'm not going to lie to you, Greg."

"I'm exhausted. Everything, including my body and mind."

"All those levels? I don't know if I can get back up."

Greg simply said, "Then I'll carry you." He bent down and turned his back to her. "Get on. I'll take you out of here."

"Greg, you're just as worn out as I am. You can't..."

Greg cut in, "I absolutely can."

"I came here to help you, Marina. I'm not going to leave you now, so get on."

She thought about it for a second longer, then got on his back and wrapped her arms around his neck and legs around his waist. Greg stood up, got used to her weight, and knew it was right. It felt like the place was where she belonged.

"Thank you," Marina said softly in his ear. "For everything."

"For coming to us... To fight for us... and to keep me safe. I knew that day would come because you love me."

"Always," Greg said. "I'll always be there for you. That's what it means to love."

He walked toward the exit of the room, carrying the woman he loved on his back. He left behind the body of the man who had tried to destroy everything good in the world. Elias's body lay in a pool of blood behind them, a reminder of what happens when power and cruelty meet their end.

The path ahead went up nine levels of the dungeon, through the aftermath of battle and signs of sacrifice. Greg didn't think about that, though. He thought about the woman on his back, the future they could make together, and the fact that even broken people could get better.

When they got to level nine, they saw Bork, Felix, Seraphine, and Mira waiting at the entrance to level eight. As they got closer, his friends looked up, and their faces showed how happy they were.

"Is everything okay?" Bork asked with care.

Greg said, "Still trying to work things out to get there."

"We'll be fine. Eventually."

Felix grinned. "That's enough for now, Sensei."

They began the long climb up, with Greg carrying Marina and his friends making a protective circle around them. They went by the places where they'd fought monsters and found bodies. They saw proof of the expedition's pain and Elias's cruelty.

But they also noticed something else. They heard voices when they got to level seven.

Many voices calling out and looking for something. Greg got tense, but Bork held up a hand.

"It's fine, Boss. It's assistance."

"When the Adventurers Guild heard what happened, they sent more people to help. Those people found out that Elias had betrayed them."

"They're very late... they need to be evaluated completely so that this incident does not happen again."

They turned a corner and saw a group of at least twenty adventurers, all heavily armed and ready to fight. There was a tall, imposing woman at the front that Greg didn't know. She had a guild master's insignia on her armor.

She looked at their group, at Greg carrying Marina, at the blood on both of them, and at how tired and hurt they all looked. Her face became softer.

"Greg Greyson?" she asked.

Greg said, "That's me."

"Sorry to keep you waiting so long, I'm Guild Master Helena."

"We came right away when we heard. Is it real? Did Elias Grimhart turn against the mission?"

Greg nodded slowly. "Yes, it's true. He locked up the level five dungeon here and tortured everyone for weeks."

"Most of them are no longer alive, and the survivors need medical help right away."

Helena's face hardened. "And Elias?"

"Dead," Greg said without emotion. "I killed him."

"He's still on level 10. If you need proof, his body is still down there."

The adventurers around Helena moved, some with approval and others with worry. Helena just nodded. "We'll get the body back and all the dead. You have done enough, and let us take it from here."

She waved her hand, and a group of adventurers with medical supplies and stretchers moved forward. One of them came up to Marina, but she held Greg's neck tighter.

"I'm not going down here," she said. "Not until we get out of this dungeon."

"Greg said he would carry me out, and that's what he's doing."

The adventurer looked at Greg, who just shrugged, even though he was worn out. "You heard her. I made a vow."

Helena smiled a little. "Then we'll take you out. All of you, come on. Let's get you home."

...

It took hours to get to the surface, but Greg kept his word. He carried Marina through nine levels of the dungeon, past the bodies of friends and enemies, through the dark, and into the light.

The sun was setting and the sky was turning orange and pink when they finally came out of the Sunken Citadel. Greg took a deep breath of fresh air and felt Marina do the same against his back. He let himself believe that maybe, they 'd be okay.

They were in pieces, and they were very upset. They had lost loved ones and done things they had never wanted to do.

But they were still alive. And they were all together. And sometimes, that was all they needed.

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