5-07: Second Run
A second run into the dungeon. Rose Garden were letting the girls do their own clearing of the first few dungeon floors. Lilith actually decided to be of some use and helped scout ahead, though it's not like anyone but Veronica could see her.
So, once again, everyone believed Veronica just simply had good intuition when it came to navigating.
First floor was as simple as possible, and the floor boss had already been defeated, so there was practically no issues. Second floor, bit harder but under the protection of Rose Garden, not too much of a problem, especially with the kobolds. And, surprisingly, also no second floor boss.
"Pooh... I was hoping to see what this one was going to be. And maybe even get some good loot from it." Cassidy complained as she carried one with the rest.
"I wouldn't complain if we could at least get some better weapons. I'm still using a cheap axe I got from Liafi..." Veronica said with a sigh.
The girls carried on to the third floor. Similar to the second, but darker and wetter, almost like a transition between a marsh and the forest. The creatures were significantly weaker than the kobolds found on the previous floor, but came in much greater numbers.
Though, it also proved little to no issue. They decided to take a slight break, sitting flat, dry land, taking out various snacks and other things to keep them occupied and focused, just in case they're met with something trying to attack.
Cassidy had sat next to Veronica, taking some bites from her own packed snacks, and a bit from Veronica's. Veronica undoubtedly knew how Cassidy felt, but was still too embarrassed and worried to admit her own feelings to the sorceress.
Cassidy had eventually started to grow tired and had rested her head onto Veronica's shoulder, which Veronica made sure to gently lay her onto her lap, forming an excellent pillow.
Though, the rather strange part was that the other girls started to curl up a sleep. Eleanora and Aviris, Veronica could kind of understand, but then Sable went down, then Seraph, then Kazue. It was just Sirtia and Veronica left awake, and that's when walls had suddenly sprung forth, trapping the girls.
Sirtia and Veronica sprung up, drawing their weapons to protect the sleeping girls, waiting for something to attack. Five seconds, nothing. Ten seconds, nothing. Thirty seconds, not a single thing. They stayed on edge, examining what they could at a distance to find anything out.
Words on one of the walls was something Veronica noticed.
"There." She pointed out.
The words read; "To awake the sleeping beauties, their dreams must be ended."
"That's rather cryptic..." Sirtia muttered.
"Veronica, I have an idea." Lilith said, even though only Veronica could hear her. "We can delve into their dreams and attempt to wake them from there. There's only one slight issue..." She trailed on, looking at Cassidy. "Some of them may be having nightmares instead. I'd suggest to choose wisely."
Veronica gave it some thought as she crouched down near Cassidy a place a gentle hand on her shoulder. As much as she wanted to help Cassidy, getting the rest of Rose Garden up first, and then her own team.
Though, something was a bit strange that she wanted to understand.
"Why are you still awake?" Veronica and Sirtia asked each other at the same time.
"I'm undead. I don't need to sleep. I also don't feel the need to sleep either." Sirtia responded. "You?"
"That, I am unsure of. But I assume, it's because I might have an ability to... well, try to wake them. This is the second time we've had a challenge. But this one is uh... lewd, like the last one was." Veronica tried to answer.
"Right, I had heard that Tisha's students were in here." Sirtia said.
It was surprising that the normally shy girl was suddenly stoic. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that they were in the dungeon.
"Then you better get started. I'll protect you from here. I'd say to get Kazue up first, she knows some pretty decent magic, but it's up to you."
Veronica put it through her mind. Who exactly should she try to wake first?