"Viz!" Rox screamed, diving toward her brother, who lay motionless amidst the rubble.

  KiAera scrambled to her feet, her spectral flame blazing brighter than ever. Her heart pounded as she stared at the Mruzast, its soulless gaze fixed on her once more. She clenched her fists. "You'll pay for that! I won't let you hurt anyone else!"

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  [Innate Status]:

  Name: KiAera

  Age: [26 Cycles] [25]

  Race: [Merecritt]

  Species: [Mearcritt]

  Innate: [Human ?????]

  Evolution Stage: [Emergent] (E)

  Variant Grade: [Common]

  Attribute Influence: [Beast] [Fire]

  Dominions: [Revise] [Virtuoso]

  Stored AP: [3154]

  Current APeX: [11700 Units]

  Power Limit Cap (APeX): [11700 Units]

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  With a roar, KiAera charged as she evolved into her Emergent Mearcritt form, her spectral flame burning white-hot as she launched a flurry of attacks. The Mruzast dodged, its long limbs and deceptive speed making it difficult to land a blow. It cackled and retaliated with its elongated jaw, its long fingers slicing the air with deadly precision.

  Accelerating with [Mereswiftness], KiAera gritted her teeth, narrowly dodging each strike.

  "What the hell, KiAera?! You can evolve?" Nex hissed as his eyes flashed with envy.

  KiAera didn't respond as she dodged another strike.

  "Tch! Fine. I'll join the fight!" Nex declared as he flew towards the Mruzast's face, unleashing a blast of sonic energy that caused the creature to stumble back.

  Scarbol, seeing his opening, rushed forth with a fierce battle cry. He slammed his axe into the Mruzast's chest, only for it to be caught in the creature's hand.

  "You'll need to do better than that!" Scarbol snarled as he tried to wrench his weapon free.

  With a sickening crunch, the Mruzast twisted Scarbol's weapon until the shaft splintered under the pressure. Scarbol grunted as he was sent flying across the chamber by a powerful strike.

  "Scarbol!" Tailza screamed, her hands reaching for him but he was too far away.

  The Mruzast roared triumphantly as it turned to face KiAera once more. She could see the anger and hatred in its eyes, as if it had finally found a worthy opponent.

  The flames that enveloped KiAera's body grew hotter as she prepared to attack. Her ears elongated into razor-sharp blades that she sent spinning like a flaming disk towards the Mruzast. The Mruzast only had a split second to react as the twirl startled and sliced through its right arm.

  It howled, but she was not done yet. KiAera leaped forward with a furious cry, her ears extended into sharp spears that pierced the Mruzast's chest. With a roar of pain, the creature collapsed, its body convulsing as it burst into particles.

  Stored AP: [3154] → [3244]!

  ??. .??

  KiAera's Status

  ?? [Uncommon] Particles of the defeated Cryvitates gained…

  Siphoning from [Common] to [Uncommon]. Progress: 54% → 94%

  ??. .??

  She looked away quickly to where Nex and Scarbol fended against another Mruzast.

  As a shifting formation, Nex, Scarbol, and Tailza were in the middle of distracting the creature.

  With a dash through the chamber, KiAera was about to help when she heard a weak groan from Viz. Rox was by his side, gently cradling her brother's head in her lap as her tears streamed down her cheeks.

  "Viz," she sobbed. "Please, wake up."

  KiAera's heart clenched as she watched the Nexperbax siblings. She knew what it was like to lose a sibling—she would never wish that pain on anyone. "KiAera! We need your help!" Scarbol's voice snapped KiAera out of her thoughts as she turned to see Scarbol and Nex fighting against the remaining two Mruzasts.

  Her flames burned hotter as she readied herself for another attack. She launched a barrage of fiery projectiles at the Mruzast, causing it to stumble backwards from the impact. Nex saw this as an opening and flew towards the creature, unleashing a powerful sonic blast that sent the monster careening into the wall with a sickening crunch.

  Scarbol followed up by leaping into the air and bringing his claws down in a mighty strike. The blow cleaved through the Mruzast's neck, decapitating it and ending the fight. The final Mruzast let out a deafening roar before retreating into the depths of the dungeon.

  ??. .??

  Creature: Scarbol the Kobolbo

  APeX: [3858 Units] → [5208 Units]

  ??. .??

  KiAera breathed a sigh of relief, the adrenaline leaving her body as the exhaustion of battle took its toll. She reverted back to her Merecritt [Fledgling] state, before surveying the chamber.

  Tailza rushed over to Scarbol and flung her arms around him. Scarbol winced as he returned the embrace, but he didn't push her away. "I'm okay," he muttered gruffly.

  The group gathered around Viz as Rox gently shook him. "Come on, bro," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "We won. You can wake up now."

  This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Viz groaned weakly, his eyes fluttering open. "R-Rox?" he croaked.

  "Viz!" Rox gasped, her eyes lighting up as she pulled her brother into a tight hug. "You're okay!"

  Viz grimaced, but he returned the embrace nonetheless. "Yeah," he rasped. "I'm okay." His gaze then flicked to KiAera. "I-I'm g-glad you're safe."

  KiAera smiled softly at him. "Thank you, Viz. You saved my life."

  Scarbol and Tailza approached her, their expressions grim. Scarbol's weapon had been broken in the fight, and Tailza's claws were cracked. KiAera knew they couldn't stay any longer.

  She looked around the chamber, taking in the destruction and carnage that had been wrought. The crystals lay scattered across the floor, shattered and broken by the battle. The decaying bodies of the slain Mrumunches, Diamos, and Cryvitates littered the ground, their lifeless forms giving testament to the ferocity of the fight.

  "It's time to go," she said quietly. "This place isn't safe anymore."

  Rox nodded, helping Viz to his feet. "Next time think twice before saving your crush," she teased.

  Viz blushed furiously, his eyes darting to KiAera. "N-no! That's not—"

  KiAera let out a soft chuckle. "Let's just get out of here."

  As they left the dungeon room, KiAera couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. They had managed to recover most of the crystals they needed, but at what cost? Viz had been severely injured, and the others hadn't fared much better.

  KiAera vowed that she would do whatever it took to keep her newfound companions safe—no matter the cost.

  "You can lean on me if you need to, Scarbol," KiAera said. "You look like you took a beating back there."

  He gave a gruff nod, his expression still tense. "I'll be fine. Just a few scratches. I've had worse. I think you should concern yourself with that one's glares," he pointed at Nex.

  Nex was glaring daggers at KiAera as they walked through the passage. "You never told me you could evolve," he hissed.

  KiAera rolled her eyes. "I didn't tell you a lot of things."

  He grunted, his lips still pursed into a scowl. "That's not fair! You're a [Common] Merecritt. Wait. You're reverted back—"

  She shrugged, patting his head. "It doesn't matter now. We won, and we got what we came for, correct? Let's focus on getting out of here in one piece."

  Nex grumbled something under his breath, but he didn't argue.

  The group continued through the tunnel, their pace slow but steady. As they made their way back to the surface, KiAera couldn't help but think about how different things would be now.

  Suddenly, the damp, eerie quiet of the Dareloop Dungeon was broken by a strange, hissing voice, echoing from the darkness ahead.

  "Well, well, what do we have here? A little pack of fledglings bumbling about where they don't belong."

  KiAera's ears snapped to attention, the soft glow of her spectral flame casting long shadows on the walls. She stepped forward, her claws flexing cautiously. "Who's there?"

  From the shadows emerged what appeared to be another Merecritt, larger than KiAera and cloaked in thick, fluffy purple fur that shimmered faintly under the bioluminescent fungi. Her yellow, slit-pupiled eyes locked onto KiAera with an unsettling intensity.

  "Relax, little beastie. No need to puff up like that." Her tone was playful but carried a mocking edge. "Name's Violet."

  Another Merecritt? KiAera thought in surprise. She tried to appraise this one with her Insight, but nothing came up. Strange…

  "I'm KiAera. What are you doing here? This dungeon isn't safe," she replied.

  Violet snorted. "Yeah, no kidding. That's why I'm here—to make sure no one gets eaten by anyone else but me. Not exactly a good look when you're trying to get your claws on those crystals."

  KiAera narrowed her eyes, her ears twitching slightly. "So you were after the crystals too? Did you find any?"

  Violet shook her head, a lazy smirk spreading across her face. "Nah, but I've got something better. C'mon, follow me."

  Without waiting for a response, Violet turned and sauntered deeper into the tunnel, her tail flicking casually. KiAera glanced at the others for their thoughts on the matter.

  Nex stepped forward as his wings unfurled partially. "We don't need a guide. We're doing just fine on our own."

  Violet scoffed. "You call this 'fine?'" she asked, gesturing at Scarbol's cracked claws and Viz's crumpled wings. "I can see your injuries from here, fledgling."

  Tailza's ears drooped, her gaze shifting between Scarbol, Violet, and KiAera. "KiAera," she muttered quietly. "Maybe we should go with her."

  Scarbol grunted, but didn't say anything. His expression was still tense, but KiAera could sense that he was considering it.

  "You know what, let's go with her. She seems trustworthy enough," KiAera said as she stepped forward.

  Violet raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. She brushed herself against KiAera, giving her a sultry wink. "You'll make me blush, little beastie."

  KiAera rolled her eyes and shoved her away playfully. "Alright, alright, let's go."

  As they followed Violet through the tunnel, KiAera couldn't help but feel a pang of uncertainty. Who was this mysterious Merecritt, and what did she want from them? Only time would tell.

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  The group emerged from the tunnel into a large chamber filled with glowing crystals, their faint light reflecting off the glistening walls. In the center of the room stood a large stone pedestal, atop which rested a cluster of glittering light-blue crystals.

  "Here we are," Violet said smugly, gesturing toward the crystals. "The jackpot."

  KiAera approached cautiously, her ears twitching as she scanned the room for any signs of danger. "How did you find this place?" she asked.

  Violet shrugged, her tail flicking nonchalantly. "I have my ways. Don't worry about it."

  KiAera narrowed her eyes, her spectral flame shifting slightly. "Tell us why you brought us here."

  Violet smiled, a forked tongue flickering from her lips. She moved herself to the only exit of the room and sat. "Oh, I think you know exactly why. I want those crystals."

  KiAera's ears snapped to attention as her spectral flame burned brighter. "What makes you think we'd just give them to you?"

  Violet laughed, her fangs glinting in the dim light. "Because if you don't, I'll kill you."

  KiAera felt a chill run down her spine at the venomous threat.

  Violet's form then started to change, growing in size as she became serpentine-like. The transformation was shocking and abrupt, but she had managed to catch a glimpse of the creature's true form before she reverted back to a Merecritt.

  "Don't be so tense, little beastie. I'm just messing with you. Besides, I've got enough crystals already. But if you keep stumbling around like blind grubs, you'll be dead before you reach your precious destination. And that would be such a waste." Her eyes flicked to KiAera, lingering. "Especially you, little flame. You're far too… adorable to end up as a smear on the dungeon floor."

  KiAera felt heat rush to her cheeks. "H-how did you—"

  Violet chuckled softly, her yellow eyes glinting. "I've got my ways." She then turned to Nex, Rox, and Viz. "And as for you three, I see potential. A lot of potential. It'd be a shame to let it go to waste."

  The siblings exchanged uncertain glances.

  Violet rolled her eyes. "Ugh. You fledglings are so dramatic." She turned to Scarbol and Tailza. "What about you two? Want to be part of something bigger than yourself?"

  Scarbol stepped forward, his expression stern. "I'm… not interested in whatever game you're playing. But I won't let you hurt my family."

  Violet pressed her nose against KiAera's. "You mean this one and your whole hodgepodge? So, tell me, little flame… what's a Merecritt like you doing with a ragtag crew like this? Seems a bit odd for someone like you to be hanging around with these... misfits."

  KiAera stepped back, her spectral flame flickering slightly. "They're my friends."

  Violet let out a low chuckle. "Friends? That's cute. But you know what they say about friends, little flame. They can't always be trusted. Especially when they can be devoured."

  She licked her lips hungrily, her gaze drifting from KiAera to the others.

  "What… what do you mean by that, Violet," KiAera asked cautiously.

  "I mean," Violet said slowly, "that you should be careful who you trust. After all, there's no telling what someone might do when their life is on the line. Or when they're hungry."

  KiAera shook her head, her ears twitching nervously. Violet brushed her paw pad against KiAera's cheek. "Relax, little beastie. I'm not going to eat you. Not yet, anyway." She smirked. "But I'll be watching you. All of you."

  Violet then turned. "Until next time."

  Her tail flicked behind her, melting briefly into smooth scales before re-forming into fur as she sauntered out of the chamber, leaving the group alone with their thoughts.

  KiAera stared after her, thoughts racing. She knew Violet was dangerous—and that caution would be essential around her. Yet, she couldn't deny her intrigue. The enigmatic Merecritt had a sigil strikingly similar to her own, though shaped like a crescent.

  She looked to her companions. Nex was glaring at the door, his wings half-unfurled. Viz was trembling, his eyes wide. Rox was fidgeting nervously, her claws clicking together.

  "We need to get out of here," Scarbol said gruffly. "This place isn't safe anymore."

  KiAera nodded, her ears twitching. "I agree. Let's go."

  The group headed for the exit, their footsteps echoing through the tunnel. KiAera couldn't help but glance over her shoulder, wondering if she'd ever see Violet again. Her mind wandered to the "diamond-shaped" sigil. Who was she connected to?