Steel Meets Flesh

The team didn’t hear from Grace the following day, nor did she show up for training. Penny tried to joke about it. “Maybe she’s just allergic to group bonding?” But even she sounded uncertain, the joke falling flat. Ethan didn’t want to pressure her. He simply adjusted drills back to account for her absence.

Alice was the only one who got a message, when Grace texted her on the second day.

Grace: Hey. I’m okay. Just… processing. I’ll reach out when I’m ready.

Alice didn’t reply with questions. Just a simple: Take your time. We’re here.

It was late afternoon when Grace finally reached out again.

Grace: Can we talk? You and Ethan. Together, if that’s okay.

Alice responded almost immediately. Of course. Got a place in mind?

Grace: The cafe in my hotel. I’ll send the address.

Ethan and Alice arrived together, taking a seat next to each other, leaving the other side of the table open for Grace. Grace got there a few minutes later, glancing over at them before heading to the counter to order.

Grace sat, nodding in greeting, hands clasped tightly, not speaking right away.

“I’ve been thinking. About everything you told me.” she said finally. “About the Bond, about what it means.”

Alice nodded, letting her guide the conversation at her own pace.

“Ethan.” Grace spoke, looking at him. “It’s not that I don’t trust you. I do, or at least I think I do. I saw what you did in training. I felt it. You brought us together as if we’d been together for months.” She took a breath. “But what you’re asking, it’s also.. Invasive. Intimate. I just finished spending the last year fighting to reclaim my autonomy, and now what you’re offering feels like being asked to give it away again. Even with all of the benefits, even when it’s with you.”

Ethan’s voice was gentle. “That’s fair. And I agree with you. When you started telling your story last night was when I knew we couldn’t delay telling you about my Class.”

Grace turned to Alice. “You said you didn’t react well at first, right?”

Alice nodded, giving a dry smile. “I didn’t. I hated the idea of his class, what it meant for us. The team and our relationship. It took time and a couple of conversations for us to work through it. Penny helped, a lot. She likes to joke around, but she’s probably more in tune with how everyone around her is feeling than anyone I’ve ever met.”

Grace nodded as Alice explained her experience coming to terms with Ethan’s class. “I’m afraid of falling right back into the same patterns again. It took me the better part of two years to find the courage to break away from my ex. I worry that I’m just jumping right into the next thing that ends up before me.”

“The Bond..” Ethan hesitated. “You’re not wrong. It’s a huge commitment. Not only do you have the emotional ties, but one created by my Class. One of the biggest aspects of this I’ve struggled with is the power imbalance inherent to the Bond. The only real way to address it is to make sure that you feel totally comfortable both entering it, but also raising any concerns you have.”

“I don’t want to be someone’s project. I can’t do that again.”

Alice shook her head. “You wouldn’t. I promise that. So does Ethan.”

Ethan nodded. “Alice is right. You’d come into the team on your own terms, or not at all. You decide what happens, and when, bottom line. Always.”

“I want to start training with you. Without the Bond.” Grace explained. “I want to get to know both of you again. It’s been nearly 15 years since we were friends, and we’re adults now. I’m not going to make a decision this important without getting to know the team first.”

“The briefing starts at 7. Don’t be late, or Harris’ll have you running laps.” Ethan responded, a grin spreading across his face.

“I’ll be there.” Grace smiled back. “Now, do you remember that time when we got into trouble..”

Grace was on time the next morning, already waiting as the rest of the team arrived. Smiles passed across the entire team as they arrived, happy to see her there. She slotted into the routine the team had built over the last weeks, as if she were there from the start. From the start she showed exactly why she had been recommended by Guildmaster Warren. She picked up on the dynamic of the team right away. She watched the team, all of them. The way Ethan timed his Boost, how Penny would command her Minion to move, the way Alice pivoted after her strikes, the openings Mei needed to land a spell. By the end of that first week she was already contributing to refining their tactics and teamwork.

By the second week, Grace was already matching Penny’s energy, playing right into her theatrics and egging her on. There was more than one collective groan as Grace and Penny worked together to get the team to laugh, one corny joke after the other.

In the third week, the team began to see exactly what sort of a natural talent Grace was, with the work ethic to match it. They all saw that Grace had everything she needed to be a true master of her craft. From one on one duels with Alice, to the way she somehow managed to end nearly every bout without taking a hit, they all saw her for what she was: A **** of nature.

By the end of the month, Grace had become a part of the team in every way, barring one. A Bond. For that reason alone, it came as a complete surprise when their advisor team called them in for a briefing off schedule.

“You’ve been registered as active in the Dungeon Response Network.” Announced Strategist Lee.

The group was silent, shocked by the announcement.

“I don’t understand, I haven’t taken the Bond, yet.” Grace was the first to raise an objection to the announcement.

“We understand. We’ve also decided that you are ready regardless.” Lee countered. “Your current level of teamwork has proven sufficient for us to approve you for your first dungeon raid.”

Ethan spoke up next. “I can’t heal Grace without a Bond, how are we supposed to raid if I can’t?”

“Quick heal,” Mage Thompson answered. “It’s undergone trials and is now being put into widespread use. It will allow you to raid without Grace taking a Bond. Even more so considering she ends most training sessions untouched.”

At the confused expressions, Thompson continued. “They’ve managed to make some breakthroughs based on dungeon health potions. While not nearly so effective, quick heal has the benefit of being capable of being manufactured, rather than found by chance. You’ll be given some while on call. It should allow you to stabilize most wounds and give you time to evacuate the dungeon where medical staff will be on hand.”

Harris stepped forward as she finished speaking. “From here on out, you’re on call for E rank dungeons, one on two off cycles. One day on call, the full 24 hours. Two full days off. We’ll continue training as normal on your first off days, allowing you to rest and remain fresh for any dungeon appearances while you’re on call.”

“Your second off day will still involve strategy and ability discussions, though we’ll be going down to an every other cycle. You’re going to see this as some extra free time. And it is. That doesn’t mean you slack off. You will ensure you are rested and geared while on call, understood? Trainer Harris looked to each member of the team, each answering affirmatively out loud.

“Very good.” Strategist Lee spoke, stepping forward again. “You’ll be operating out of response station 9, your first shift is in two days. Be prepared.”

Graces’ new apartment still had the faint smell of fresh paint and new carpet as they hung out, processing the revelation that they would be raiding their first dungeon in the near future. Alice and Mei sat together near the window, watching the snow fall as Mei answered questions from Alice about her experiences as the only member of the team who had been in a dungeon. Penny was singing to herself in the kitchen as she went about cooking dinner.

Grace sat down next to Ethan, handing him a warm mug. “Here, it’s chai.”

He raised an eyebrow as he took it from her, raising it to take a sip. His eyes widened. “You remembered my order?

“Sure did. You order it every time it snows.” Grace said with a self satisfied smile.

He took another sip, savoring the flavor. “I shouldn’t be surprised. You don’t miss a thing. That call out yesterday was a masterstroke, by the way. I think Harris was speechless for once when you foiled his trick before he could pull it off.”

They sat for a few moments, listening to Penny singing in the background.

“I’m still not ready.”

“I know.”

“I know it would make us stronger. I can see it in training. I know it would make me more useful if I had a Bond, but I can’t yet.”

“Grace?” Ethan interjected, catching her eyes. “You’re already useful. You don’t need a Bond for that. A Bond isn’t what makes you a part of the team.”

She smiled at that, shifting until her shoulder found his next to hers. “Thanks, Ethan.”

[0645] Entrance

Raider team enters Response Station 9.

[0650] Identification Confirmed

Raider team identities are verified via GRS.

[0658] Arrival

Response Station 9 commander confirms raider team arrival.

[0730] Deployment

Response Station 9 Commander confirms raider team ready for deployment.

[0742] Alert System Verified

Raider team verified registered with Alert system.

[00744] Alert System Corroborated

Response Station 9 Commander confirms raider team verification

[00750] Alert System Assigned

Raider team assigned to E-rank, district 14b.

[0803] Alert

Raider team briefed on expected dungeon incursions.

[0848] False Alarm

False alert. Cause: malfunction in DMN node 14b-19.

[0900-1045] Scenario Review

Raider team conducts response scenario review.

[1100] Lunch

Sandwiches.

[1200-1700] Rest Period

Raider team released for stand down rest period.

[1800] Dinner

Warm sandwiches.

[2000] Scenario Review

Raider team conducts response scenario review.

[2130] False Alarm

False alert. Cause: malfunction in DMN node 14b-19.

[2244] Alert

Possible dungeon incursion detected.

[2245] Alert system Assigned

Response Station 9 notified.

[2246] Alert corroborated

First eyewitness reports of dungeon incursion.

[2247] Alert Verified

Dungeon Incursion triangulated, assessed E-rank.

[2250] Deployment

Response Station 9 Commander confirms raider team deployment.

[2259] Arrival

Incursion site Commander confirms raider team arrival.

[2303] Identification Confirmed

Dungeon rating verified E-rank.

[2305] Entrance

Incursion site Commander confirms raider team entry.

It was bright as they entered the dungeon. Ethan could hardly see as he waited for his eyes to adjust. He glanced around, squinting, seeing a dark shape moving towards him.

Skraa! The sound grating on his ears.

Woosh. A sound he recognized, Mei casting a Firebolt. The bolt flew past him, impacting the dark shape.

Gak! His vision finally resolving in the bright light, he saw a sizzling goblin lying dead a few yards away.

Skree-skrik! Skrak-Skrak-Skrak! The band of goblins charging down the nearby hill towards them.

“Echo 2!” Ethan screamed. “Mei opens!”

They fell into their positions, Mei already casting her Boosted Air Bursts interweaved with Earth Walls, scattering and disrupting the oncoming pack of goblins.

The mindless beasts continued to charge, unbothered by their brethren being thrown about and tripped. 30 yards. 20. 10.

The Shroud fell over them and the team burst into action. Grace lunged forward to the exact edge of the shroud, swinging and bisecting the leaders at the front of the swarm.

Crack! Alice ending the life of another. Fuh-Fuh-Fuh. Penny’s Shadow bolts tearing apart another. Wreezhh- The shadow minion leaping forward.

The second wave of goblins hit the team. Ethan slammed his shield into one, moving his momentum smoothly into a swing of his mace, cracking a skull.

Grace activated her Aegis Sweep with a swipe of her weapon. Two goblins ran into the glowing line left in her weapon’s wake, falling dead, deep cuts across their chests.

Ethan turned left meet the next goblin charging him just as a Firebolt engulfed it’s head, it crying out in pain for a moment before it stilled.

Crack! zzz Crack! The tell tale sound of Alice chaining together her Shocks the last sound before shouts of “Clear!” began to ring out from the party.

“Everyone okay?” Ethan called out, his eyes still looking out for any other attacks. The team called back one by one, all unharmed. He took a moment to look down at the bodies. Yellow eyes too big for their sharp angled face looked back up at him, the goblin lying dead.

“This isn’t what I was expecting.” Grace spoke first.

“Toto.. we’re not in Kansas anymore.” Whispered penny, looking out at the terrain around them.

Low rolling hills of meadow grasses spread around them, scattered patches of wild flowers and lone trees coloring the scene to what would have been a picture perfect meadow, had it not been for the bodies of the slain goblins laying before them.

“Okay, let’s get up that hill and see what’s around us. I can see smoke in that direction.” Ethan commanded, wasting no time getting to work. As they crested the hill, finally able to see out around them, they could see signs of goblin habitation. They were in a narrow valley surrounded by mountains tall enough to have their peaks obscured by the clouds. Looking down the valley, it was as if someone had taken a bright, open place and hurriedly torn the life out of it. The further they looked, the more signs of destruction they saw.

The wind shifted, bringing with it the scent of sour smoke. “Okay, it looks like we know what direction we’re headed. Ideas?” Ethan asked.

Grace spoke first. “It’s going to be easy to get overwhelmed in terrain like this. It looks like the dungeon put us on the edge of whatever is going on here, but the closer we get, the closer reinforcements will be.”

“Bait and kill?” Ethan asked her.

“Safest that way.”

He turned to Mei next. “Have you ever raided terrain like this?”

“No. Nothing quite this open. I agree with Grace, we should go for bait and kill.”

Ethan nodded, turning to Penny. “You’re up.”

The team found themselves concealed in a hollow, waiting with weapons ready. Moments passed and they could hear the sound of figures running through the grass followed by the telltale sound of goblins screeching. Penny’s shadow minion passed them in a blur, leading the goblins chasing it right into the ambush.

Grace and Mei acted together, boxing them in, Sentinel blocking their path and Earth Wall their retreat. Bolts both electric and shadow flew at the trapped foes, cutting them down. Within moments the fight was over, every goblin lying dead.

“Okay, that makes for an even dozen, now.” Alice announced. “How many more groups do we think there are? We’ve been at this for hours now.”

Ethan nodded. “Let’s rest. Mei and I will be on first watch, followed by Alice and Grace. Penny, focus on recovering mana.”

The group settled in, Mei and Ethan moving up to take watch beside a large tree near the upper edge of the hollow. A large root stretching above the ground gave them a place to sit, the low branches providing concealment.

Ethan was surprised to feel Mei’s hand entering his, their fingers lacing together, her eyes still looking outwards.

“Essence.”

He shrugged to himself, glancing over at her to see a small smile at the edges of her lips. Remaining silent he turned his gaze outwards, content to let her excuse stand.

Fifteen minutes later, Grace and Alice climbed up to relieve them. “Anything? Grace questioned.

“There was some movement on that fourth hill, but they were headed towards the goblin camp.” Mei answered.

As Ethan and Mei returned down to the bottom of the hollow, they found the seats where Grace and Alice had rested. Penny had a mischievous smile on her face as Ethan sat down. “What?” He spoke to her, able to see she wanted him to ask.

“Dungeon sex.”

Mei gave a small groan that turned into a chuckle.

“I wasn’t kidding in your apartment, Mei!” Penny protested. “We’ve used most of my Essence on Boosting my Shadow Minion. I could use a refill!” She started patting the cleared space next to her, gesturing for Ethan to come closer.

“I want the same treatment you gave Mei.” Penny told him. “When you played with her hair. I’ve been thinking about it since Mei mentioned it to Grace.”

Ethan moved to sit where Penny had indicated, surprised as she moved to sit between his legs, leaning back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, whispering into her ear.

“Does it excite you, the idea of playing with yourself in front of her? Having the perfect excuse for it?”

She nodded, her cheeks already turning flush.

“Then what are you waiting for?” He took hold of her wrist, guiding it down towards her waistband. “Touch yourself,” he commanded.

She began to tease her fingers up and down, doing as she was told. Shivers ran down her spine as Ethan fingers through her hair.

“Look at her.” He whispered again. “She’s watching you.”

Mei was giving a poor impression of someone oblivious to what was happening a few feet away from her.

“She wants you to watch.” Ethan spoke aloud. Mei looked at him as he did, her eyes flicking downwards to watch as Penny began moving her fingers even faster as Mei watched openly. He ran his fingers around Penny’s ear, tracing down her jaw towards her collar bone. “She likes to push and tease us, but at her core, I think she wishes she was the one being pushed into all the naughty ideas swimming around inside her head.”

Penny continued to speed up, the sound of her fingers entering her loud for all of them to hear.

“See how easy it was?” Ethan continued speaking to Mei. “She was soaked in moments, probably spent the entire time we were on watch planning this out, didn’t you?” Ethan demanded softly.

Penny nodded quickly.

“What was that? I didn’t hear you.”

“Yess.” Penny whispered.

“Louder.”

“Yessss I did.”

“Did what, Penny? Say it. Tell us what you were planning.”

“I wanted you to play with my hair.”

“While you did what? Say it.” He repeated, his voice firm. “Play with your hair while you did what?”

“While I touched myself. I wanted you to hold me while I touched myself.” Her fingers now speeding in and out of her, the sounds of her masturbating loud.

As she admitted her plans out loud, Ethan turned her head to the side, revealing her neck. He leaned forward, his lips finding the sensitive spot just behind and below her ear, his hands squeezing her breasts as he began to lick. She released a louder moan and her body began to tighten as she came close to her climax.

“Cum for me. For us.” He whispered into her ear.

At that, Penny began to shake, her orgasm taking her as the Essence washed through her.

He looked up at Mei, seeing her biting her lip and thighs squeezing tightly together as she shamelessly watched Penny. She blushed furiously as she saw Ethan watching her, holding his gaze only a moment before she turned away.

He continued holding Penny as she recovered, letting her rest back against him. She recovered quickly, wishing she were able to rest there longer, cursing them being in a dungeon. She leaned her head back, turning it slightly to glance back at Ethan. “I don’t know where this new dominant side of you was hiding, but I hope he’s here to stay.”

It was Ethan’s turn to blush as she spoke, feeling slightly embarrassed at his actions now that the moment had passed.

“No, I know that look. I liked it. You were pressing all the right buttons.”

He nodded. “I’m not sure what’s changed, it just felt right in the moment.”

“It was, and Mei seems to think so as well.” Penny gestured towards where Mei’s cheeks were still bright red.

“I think we’ve rested long enough.” Mei stood up to emphasize the point. “We should continue on.”

Penny and Ethan smiled as their eyes met at Mei’s changing of the subject.

“Okay, let’s continue on. We’ve probably got another dozen groups to clear before we can approach the main camp.” Ethan spoke, his tone indicating the time for play was over. “Alice, Grace, we’re ready to move.” He called up to them.

They set out once more, continuing the process of luring goblins with the Shadow Minion and ambushing them. After another dozen successful pulls, they were near enough to survey the main goblin camp directly, a large hill now vacant of goblin guards giving them a perfect outlook to scout from.

“Looks like only a half dozen goblins left in the camp, other than the big guy. Intuition says that’s the boss.” Grace spoke as she surveyed the camp. “There’s a nice **** point near where the big guy is hanging out between some huts and a ridge.”

“Alright, here’s the plan.” Ethan began sketching out a rough diagram of the location Grace had suggested. “We’ll sneak in as far as we can without being noticed. If we are, we dash towards the **** point. Once there, Grace, you’ll be on rearguard. Mei, I want Earth Walls up to help funnel the goblins into Grace, close up her flanks.”

Mei nodded. “I’ll work from the ridge out towards the huts, that’ll stop any of them from climbing up and over.”

Ethan continued. “Alice, Penny, you’re on boss duty. I want to go all out with the Boosts and hit him hard from the start. Go aggressive with Shadow Minion, I’m going to keep the Boost up so plan on being able to resummon it mid fight. Alice, I want you to Surge in to start the fight and focus on keep him away from Grace and the rest of us.”

“Any questions?” He finished, seeing shaking heads. “Alright, let’s go.”

They began moving down the hill and circling around to enter the camp undiscovered. As they moved into the camp proper the smell of refuse and waste became overpowering. The mud-churned ground was mixed with the entrails of butchered animals, left to rot where they lay in the sun, swarming with flies. The ramshackle lean-tos crafted from broken branches and torn canvas created a veritable maze for them to navigate.

The **** point was in their sight as they heard a screech from their right, looking to see a goblin screaming at the top of its lungs as it began to run towards them. The team began to run, dashing for the **** point. Earth Walls began to rise up from the ground before they even arrived. Grace spun around with a horizontal slash, her Aegis Sweep leaving the trail of light that closed off the **** point to the pursing goblins.

There was a startled noise as Alice Surged forward, the Boost turning her into a blur as she moved, followed by a pained cry that quickly turned into a bellow of rage. Alice danced backwards, deftly avoiding the swing of a wooden club nearly as long as she was tall. The creature followed the swing forward only to be met with the first of many Boosted Shadow Bolts and the charging Shadow Minion. The surprise of the alpha strike allowed Alice to move forward, her blade finding purchase in the large hobgoblins arm as she let loose with a second Boosted Shock.

Grace and Mei already had two dead goblins lying before them as one burst through the side of a hut, the opening hidden from their scouting by a large piece of canvas. Ethan met it with an upward swing of his mace, caving in its jaw with the **** of the blow, following the swing with a shove that knocked it to the ground. A second swing finished it off with the crunch of a shattered skull marking its ****. Ethan turned back towards Grace, seeing her fending off three goblins that had the smarts not to run blindly into Grace’s reach. That didn’t save them as Ethan Boosted Mei.

The Water Whip appeared in her hands, already in motion towards one of the goblins. She wrapped the whip around its neck and pulled, leading it directly into a thrust from Grace, the spike on her Halberd piercing out through its back. A Boosted Air Burst from Mei launched the body off the end of Grace’s weapon, throwing another goblin that had attempted to use the opening to attack towards Grace, where she met it with an armored knee, caving in its face.

“Some help here!” Penny called, prompting Ethan to turn back to the boss.

“Mei, swap!” He called, judging that Grace would be more than able to handle the remaining goblin on her own.

Boosted Firebolts joined the barrage of Shadow Bolts from Penny, creating a nearly continuous stream of attacks hitting the boss. As the enhanced attacks tore into the hobgoblin, it fell down to one knee, its foot losing purchase in the mud. Alice didn’t hesitate, Surging forward and letting loose with a Boosted Shock as her blade pierced its chest. The creature spasmed violently as Alice repeated the attack until it lost its balance and collapsed to the ground. Alice ensured the boss was dead, stabbing it again and giving it another Shock.

“Clear!” Grace yelled from behind them. “Clear!” Alice confirmed the boss was down.

“Everyone okay?” Ethan asked, checking for injuries post fight as he had been taught. Seeing everyone was uninjured, he ordered Alice to go and check out the large Hut built into the ridge that appeared to be the hobgoblins' home.

Moments later, she called out. “Loot! There’s a chest in here.” She came out of the shack, dragging a dingy box behind her. It looked as if it had been built by someone who had no concept of what a chest was. She dropped it in the middle of the team where it sank into the mud indicating its weight.

“Who wants the honors?” Ethan asked the group.

“I say Penny, her work with the Shadow Minion is what allowed us to clear our way here safely.” Grace suggested.

Seeing everyone in agreement, Ethan gestured for Penny to open the chest. She moved forward and opened the latch, lifting the lid up. Inside, she found a single leather glove with metal plates sewn into the top, creating a poorly crafted armored glove. Beside it was a small vial of blue liquid. “A glove and a mana potion!” She exclaimed, knowing how valuable the potions could be. It was about the best you could expect to find in E-ranked dungeons.

“Not bad for our first raid.” Mei commented. “I didn’t find a single potion until I had been raiding for months.”

“Alright.” Ethan spoke up, taking the glove and mana potion to place them in his pack. “Let’s head back to the exit. Same route we came in on, no way to be sure there aren’t other patrols out there.”

They began the long walk back to the exit of the dungeon with confident strides and grins on their faces, their first raid a total success.