Chapter 21: Dungeon Dive

"Well lets get on with this" Amber said as she herded everyone through the doorway and down some stairs. "And Jade's baby, you're wielding that dagger very well, a natural even."

"Are we sticking together in one big group?" Anna asked everyone.

Amber answered first. "Yes, its safest to traverse this place in one large group, safety in large numbers. That way if anything goes wrong, only a couple of us will die instead of...I'm not making a good argument am I?"

"But I thought that having to divide experience up like eight ways would not be very efficient" Anna responded.

"What are you talking about?" Jade inquired. "Does that even make sense to you? If we fight something, why would you learn less just because there's more people around. Chances are the lesson to be learned here is defeat the things that threaten you before they defeat you. That's not all that difficult of a concept to grasp." Her words carried a small amount of irritation as if she didn't quite understand herself why smaller groups seemed to get more experience from their adventures.

After a couple of battles with giant rats, some sort of cave dweller mutants, and for whatever reason a cult of clowns with extra large red shoes living in this dungeon, the group started to grow a little tired. They were about to rest when they came across another pair of cave dweller mutants. "Again prepare for battle folks" Amber yelled.

"No wait, I've already defeated the ten cave dweller mutants I need to complete the quest, I don't need any more!" Ethan said hurriedly before Amber engaged the mutants.

Amber spun around to face Ethan. "Wait, what? We're not going to attack the mutants because you've filled your quota for a quest you're on? How is it that this quest giver even knows you killed ten to begin with, its not like they're going to come out and check. And in the event that they did, why did they send us out here in the first place if they can just safely survey the body count. And besides that one mutant is looking at me funny."

Anna joined in. "Yeah actually why are we even here in the first place, I mean what would really motivate us to come here and do this. We're apparently in some sub-terran structure fighting all manner of creatures, putting our lives at risk, and for what?"

Ethan smiled. "That's easy, for the experience, and so we can say we completed this quest."

"Actually I'd prefer to be gaining experience at sunbathing on a beach in the Tropics" Anna commented. "Maybe attempting to complete the quest to drink another tropical rum & coke before dinner time."

Millie scratched her head. "Where do you even get a quest from in this day and age?"

"That creepy guy with the knife that lives behind the mall inside the old refrigerator box gave me the key and the quest" Ethan responded triumphantly.

"Yep that sounds like a nice and credible source, I'm glad we looked into this quest of yours before coming out all this way." Amber groaned. "What do you think?" she said pointing at one of the mutants.

"Me think you dum"

Ethan threw his hands to his sides. "Aw come on, not you guys too! Epic adventure, say it with me, E P I C .... A D V E N T U R E."

Nikki cut in. "Actually I've been dying to ask, why do you mutants, the clowns, and the giant rats all have their names floating over them like that in red letters?"

"It easier to identify that way"

"Yes but all of your names say 'a cave dweller mutant', that doesn't seem to be an effective means of differentiating yourselves" Nikki countered.

"Me not notice, hadn't been problem yet, how you know you kill right cave dweller for quest if not clearly identified?"

Nikki looked surprised. "What you're ok with us killing your people?"

"Me not want to die, but is part of quest, circle of life, must fulfill role, me always come back brand new in spot over there 5 minutes later anyways. It only hurt at first, get used to it"

Nikki shook her head. "You learn something new every day. Ok I think we're done here, run along you two!" Nikki motioned the two mutants to scurry off. "Alright Anna lets see if we can't go get some experience working a sun tan and work on your quest."

The group started to walk away when there was a loud explosion in the direction of the two mutants. Again everyone turned around to see Cleopatra dropping the rocket launcher. She looked up at everyone with an expression that conveyed "Not Fast Enough" and meowed innocently.

On the way back to the surface and the vehicles, the group passed a sign that said 'Restroom'. Ethan paused and said "I think I should use the restroom before we leave." He then started towards the entrance of the restroom.

Jade put her arm out quickly effectively clothes-lining Ethan. After helping him back up she said "Don't use a restroom in a dungeon, its a trap. Why would someone go through the trouble of installing a restroom in here?"

Ethan dusted himself off. "Well I'm going out on a limb here but maybe because the clowns, rats, and mutants need to go sometimes too. OK the rats pretty much go where ever they want, but the clowns and mutants must use it."

Jade frowned. "You make a compelling argument but I'd prefer if you waited just in case. I have a bad feeling about it and I can't quite put my finger on it."

Millie asked "Could it be that restroom is written in blood and is dripping on the floor?"

Amber walked over to Millie and bonked her on the head with the cardboard tube. "That's for being right. I thought we taught you better." Millie winced and rubbed her head. She then grabbed the cardboard tube and broke it over her knee before tossing the pieces aside.

Everyone then climbed up the stairs out back to the vehicles. As Jade got in the HUMV, she rolled down her window. She stuck her head out the window and said to Amber, "Race you home!" and then revved the engine.