Bill and Maddy rushed inside the room while I held point just inside the doorway, Malik already by my side. The Devil Goat looked up to investigate the commotion as I let loose my first arrow.

It landed on the bottom of its neck, pushing his head and body back ever so slightly. It ignored the arrow, and focused all of its attention on me. Its dark red eyes stared into mine. This was not like the mindless beast we'd faced before. This was something much darker. The sadistic and sinister nature I felt radiating from it shook me to my very core.

I felt my tail tuck between my legs and my ears slightly angled downward. As its eyes bore into mine, I took a step back, not even realizing I had done so until I heard the click of my boot on the floor. What was I even doing here? I wasn't strong like Bill and Maddy.

I was just a weak foxkin. I learned long ago that the only way i could survive in this world was from the grace of others. I was a stupid weak filthy foxkin. How could I forget that? When Bill first spoke to me, and offered to share his food, I believed it to be some kind of ploy. A test for me set by my betters to see if I would give in and reach for something that I had no right to.

But I was so hungry, and the food looked so good. I couldn't help myself. My greedy foxkin nature got the better of me. When I took the food and closed the door I couldn't believe what I had done. Had I learned nothing in all these years? Surely now I would be dragged out and whipped once he told Susan. I waited for over an hour without touching the food for the punishment i rightfully deserved, but it never came.

I hoped that if I didn't eat the food that the punishment would be less severe. That I could beg for forgiveness and not be hurt worse. But as time went by, my gluttony won out. It was the most delicious meal I’d ever tasted.

The next day, even after being assured by Bill that it was purely an act of generosity, I expected to be pulled aside and punished. When that didn't happen, it occurred to me that this might be some other kind of test. Maybe they wanted to see if I would report my own treachery. How was I to know? I was nothing but a stupid foxkin.

Over the next few days as Bill continued to share his food with me, I still suspected there may be some ulterior motive. When he made his advance on me, I was petrified. I had been told before that if I ever acted the least bit ungrateful, that I would be sold to a brothel. No one had ever told me what happens when a man and woman lay together, but I had the impression that the experience would be extremely painful, at least for me.

When Bill put his arm around me, I was sure that he meant to use and hurt me. I even resisted slightly. Something I knew would only make things worse. Two nights later when I tried to make amends, in hopes that he would let my transgression slide, he showed me another kindness. He apologized to me! A human apologizing to a foxkin?

The day Bill offered to be my friend, I could hardly believe he meant it. What human in their right mind would ever choose to be a friend with an inferior foxkin like me? I thought that truly, there must exist no one else in the world like him.

The night that the lady of the house barged into his room, while I was trying to console him, I was taken aback. I was sure that I would be punished for not being in my own room, where I belonged. But when she told Bill she meant to escape, and asked him to come with her, I didn't know what to think.

When Bill told her that he wanted me to come too, I felt my heart freeze in fear. I knew that the punishment for attempting an escape would be incredibly harsh. Not only that, but the very idea seemed impossible to me. A slave could never escape. How many times have I been told that?

If I tried to go with them, I would just ruin their plans. I was nothing but a clumsy foxkin after all. Why was he asking me to make a choice? That was not my place. That had been the first thing I was ever taught.

It was only with Bill's emphatic encouragement that I could bring myself to agree. And even then, I was shocked to hear the words come out of my mouth. I didn't honestly believe I could ever be free. That was not the rightful place for a lowly foxkin like myself. But if Bill could be my new master, that would make me the happiest slave who ever lived.

I didn't think he would ever mistreat me. While he still carried a silly notion about me being free, I knew not to contradict him, even though the idea was preposterous. It would only make him angry and I certainly didn't want that. He deserved the kind of slave that would not only be useful to him, but would also cause him as little distress as possible. I only hoped the young lady of the house would be as kind to me as he was.

Having a fellow slave as a friend was a joy I never thought i would receive. Now having my new master be that same friend would be a gift from the Mother herself. As I thought of it more, my fear slightly faded. That was until Susan discovered their ploy. When she caught us, I gave up all hope. I was ready to accept any fate she decided for me. What else could this powerless foxkin do?

Bill acted so quickly and violently, I froze where I stood. I was horrified at first. This was the woman who had held sway over every aspect of my life for 15 years. I could only grovel and beg forgiveness before her. I was nothing but a weak foxkin. But Bill? No. He was a man who could take action and determine his own destiny. Something that I knew was beyond me.

For a few seconds, I was sure that Susan would somehow come back to life and do every horrible thing she ever threatened to do with me and more. Once I saw that would not be the case, I felt a weight removed from my shoulders. Now was no time to fret. Now was the time to make myself useful to my new master, like I had been taught to do since as far back as I could remember.

I would make him recognize my usefulness. Even if I believed he would never toss me aside, that made me all the more determined to show him my undying loyalty. I did my best to be on the lookout for guards and offered my sight, ears and everything else that I had to aid him. It was all this talentless foxkin could do, but I would do all that I could.

Once we had made our escape, I was always at the ready for any orders I may be given. I was so happy to be free from my past master, that I wanted to show my new one my gratitude with impeccable service. But no orders ever came. He kept asking me what I wanted to do and what I thought. I did my best to answer the way I believed he wanted, but I could tell my answers, and even my silence, didn't make him happy. I felt a great failure in that

Did he not know it was a slave's job to stay silent unless spoken to, or unless she had information that she was sure her master wanted? I thought of trying to explain that to him, but such an act would show far too much hubris. He probably just needed time to accept the way of things. It took me years to become a proper slave. It was foolish of me to expect him to learn to become a proper master in a few days.

I expected Maddy to take the lead in these matters, she had experience with handling slaves. To my surprise, it was her that took Bill's lead and not the other way around. She even went so far as to offer me her friendship, just as Bill had. One day in private, she apologized for past offenses against me. I didn't know what to do when she said that.

Should I fall on my knees and beg forgiveness for causing her to be troubled? Not knowing what to do, I simply stayed silent and nodded. I wasn't good at knowing how to act in most situations without being told. She responded with a hug and assured me that any friend of Bill's was a friend of hers.

Maddy started to take a more active role with me in our travels. While she never ordered me to do anything, she did give me some direction, which made me feel relieved. She would rearrange my hair when it got out of place, rubbed dirt off my traveling garments and even helped me pick out my clothes when we shopped together.

She even went out of her way to teach my foolish self many things about the way of the world. While she was always brash and confrontational with Bill, she was gentle and patient with me. I felt blessed to have such kind owners taking care of this useless one. I knew It was more than any filthy foxkin like me deserved.

As time went on, things became more clear to me. While I was theirs to command, they never did so, and I came to the conclusion that they never would. Could such a thing be true? What was I to do with myself if not given orders? That was my only purpose in life. If I could not be of use to them, then how could I pay them back for all the grace they had bestowed upon me?

If I was not to be their slave, then what purpose did I serve in this life? Why was I even alive if I could not be of use to those who had saved me? That day I made a vow. If they would not use this lowly one as their slave, then I must make myself of use to them in any way I could.

I would be a tool to help them reach their ambitions. It was something I was prepared to dedicate my life to. Not just to pay them back for all they had done for me. But also because without that, what use was I?

After I learned that Bill meant to be an adventurer, I was prepared to follow him down that path and support him in anyway I could. I knew that without them, I would be alone and useless. I had no other family or friends. If I couldn't be by their sides, then I'd have no place in this world.

The night that Bill found out his sister had been sold into slavery, my heart broke under the weight of his pain. She didn't deserve that. She wasn't some useless cowardly foxkin like me. That was not the station she rightfully belonged to. When I saw Bill's determination to rescue her I decided to make that my mission as well. I would do all that I could to help. I knew then, the only path forward was to go into the dungeons with him.

Finally, I could be of use to those who freed me. I could finally have a purpose again. But once I looked into that creatures eyes, I felt something which I thought was gone from me after my pledge. I was terrified for my life. I knew I shouldn't be so selfish, but I didn't want to die. At the sight of Bill and Maddy moving towards the beast, I was jostled awake from my memories.

I realized I'd been frozen for the last few seconds as the past flashed before my eyes. I began to grab for another arrow with a shaky hand. The black teeth of the Devil Goat that looked like razor blades smiled at me while I did so. As if they were welcoming me into my new home.

I pulled back and let loose the arrow. My shaky hand affected it's course, causing the bolt to pierce its stomach, instead of the eye that I had aimed for. The beast didn't even flinch at the impact. It stood up, and with its hoofed leg, kicked the table into the air, The pure strength of this monster was terrifying. The table flew just to the right of the doorway.

“Watch out Bill!” I heard Maddy scream as I saw where the table was flying towards. He managed to put up his shield just before it hit, as dodging was impossible. I heard the sound of wood hitting metal as the table struck him.

Bill was knocked 10 feet backwards into the wall to the right side of the doorway. The sound of metal hitting stone echoed in my ears. If Bill hadn't been wearing his armor, I knew with certainty from the sound of the impact he would have been killed.

“Bill!” I shouted as I started to move towards him. He put a hand up to indicate he wanted me to stay where I was, and got to his feet. He moved slowly and favored his ribs slightly. He motioned me to get back and yelled out.

“I'm okay, keep shooting.” He readied his sword and shield and began to approach the monster.

The beast turned its attention towards Maddy, who was now the closest. She held her sword and shield out towards the abomination, but for the first time since I've known her, she hesitated to step forward while locking eyes with an enemy. I saw the fear on her face. If the expression of the ever brave Maddy looked like that, then what look of horror was etched on mine?

It charged at her. She took a few steps backward as it rapidly picked up speed and closed the distance.

Malik yelled at her. “Remember what I told you Maddy!” When it was merely 6 feet from hitting her, she dove to the side. The Devil Goat crashed into the wall behind her, completely obliterating it. Debris exploded outwards in all directions.

One missed my head by only an inch. There was nothing I could've done to dodge it had I not been so lucky. If I had been hit, there would be nothing to do except depend on the uncomfortable helmet I wore to save my life. In my heart, I again thanked Bill and Maddy for getting such equipment for the likes of this lowly one.

Slightly behind me and to my left, I heard the sound of a loud impact, and a scream of pain filled the room. Malik was holding his head as blood poured out from a gash above his eye. He fell backward, holding the wound and bleeding profusely. Could even Malik not dodge such an attack, or had my head hid the projectile out of his line of sight until it was too late?

I saw him try to get up and fight through the pain, but his eyes seemed to be unable to focus and his body wasn't listening to his instructions.

The beast who ran through the wall had lost it's balance when the walls came down, but was now back on it's feet. The grin filled with razor sharp teeth returned as he saw the small pool of blood. It looked down at Malik, and just like any other predator, it would go for the most vulnerable one first.

It dashed toward him. Malik tried to pick up his sword, but his clumsy hand couldn't grab ahold of it, only knocking it further away. He settled for his much smaller dagger that was tied to his waist. Barely managing to hold it with two fumbling hands. It looked like he was trying to decide which of the many Devil Goats he was seeing to aim for.

I wanted to do something to help him, but as I saw the Devil Goat charge in, I stayed as still as a statue. My bow held loosely in my hands and a cold sweat full of fear sliding down my face.

Bill came charging in from the side. With his shield, and all the weight and strength he possessed, he pushed it slightly off its course and into a wall just to the left of Malik. Bill was knocked to the ground due to the impact and appeared to come off worse in the exchange.

Maddy ran out of the room to join us after scrambling to her feet. They both saw Malik on the floor, and knew just as I did, he wouldn't be able to help us, at least not until his head cleared. Maddy yelled out as she dragged Malik to the side of the room. “Focus Meri! Keep shooting!"

Her words broke me free from the paralysis that had taken hold of me. I shot two arrows into its back before it could finish pulling its horns free from the wall. They didn't have the slightest effect on the monster. I reached for a third arrow from my quiver, empty air greeted my fingers. I tossed my bow aside and took out my short sword. At this moment, I felt ashamed for not practicing more with it.

After Maddy placed Malik down against the wall, she drew her sword once more from its sheath and turned to face the beast.

The Devil Goat now had it's eyes locked on Bill. He was the one who denied him his prey. It charged him in a rage with eyes full of bloodlust. Bill moved to counter the charge and cut the beast as he dived out of the way at the last second. The Devil Goat, having seen Maddy already dive out of its way before, was prepared for this.

Bill landed a deep cut in its arm as he dived to the side at the last moment. In response, the Devil Goat picked up its leg while passing by and gave Bill a hard kick. It couldn't get all its power into the attack, but it was enough to send Bill a few feet into the air. I saw the metal plate of armor bend inwardly with the force of the kick. Bill fell to the ground with a loud thud.

Clutching his chest, he coughed up blood as he laid on the floor. His ribs, which before may have only been cracked, where now clearly broken. Perhaps he even had severe internal bleeding. While one of the Devil Goat's arms would not be useful anymore, Maddy was the only one left who could still fight.

Maddy, seeing what happened to Bill, charged towards the beast. She didn't intend to let it get up to ramming speed again. She slashed her sword at it, aiming for it's head. The goat dodged each attack bobbing its head and neck deftly. It's hoofed arm came straight towards Maddy's face, but she diverted it with her sword.

Seeing it focused on Maddy. I ran up behind it, my short sword in hand. I plunged the sword into its back so deeply that the point stuck out through its front. Maddy, seeing my attack, moved in to try to finish it off, believing it to be vulnerable. But even a sword through the chest couldn't stun this monstrous entity.

In her rush to finish the Devil Goat, Maddy left herself open. A hoofed arm hit her in the head. If she had not managed to see the attack in time, and move her head back and to the right ever so slightly before it connected, it would have crushed her skull.

The blow sent her helmet flying off, along with a small part of scalp. Blood flowed out from the top of her head, soaking her golden hair as she landed on her back, knocked unconscious.

“Maddy!” I screamed at her motionless body on the ground. I pulled my sword out of the beast and its dark blood gushed all over my plate armor. It turned around, swinging its good arm at me.

I raised my sword up instinctively. The force of the swing was still enough to send me flying backwards, but at least I managed to cut about half way through his arm. The inside of my mouth was cut up due to the impact.

Its other arm also hung at its side. Completely unconcerned about any damage it took, the beast walked towards me, sure of it's victory and drooling with anticipation. It again displayed its razor sharp teeth, almost as if it was trying to give me some kind of horrible smile.

I got to my feet, only to realize I didn't have my sword anymore. The force of the impact had knocked it far away from me. Not that I was any good with that sword anyway.

Malik had shakily gotten to his feet, still holding his dagger. A lightning current began to run through it. He stumbled towards the beast until he fell on one knee. Forcing himself back up, he walked slowly towards the beast, wobbling from side to side.

He spoke to me. “Get out of there Meri, let me handle this. I'll be fine.” He wouldn't be. At best he would take it down with him. Taking a quick look at the state he was in, that didn't seem likely to happen.

Why was I always so weak? Bill, Maddy and Malik had the look of true warriors who had been through combat. I shot at it with my bow and stabbed it in the back. What was I even doing here?

I came with them because I wanted to be of use. Thinking if I could do this for Bill and Maddy, that I could perhaps change my useless foxkin nature. I knew that Bill and Maddy wanted me to have more confidence in myself. To believe in my strength and ability to keep up with them.

These are things that long ago I was taught would be forever out of my grasp. There was a time I wanted to believe I was capable of being more than a useless tool that followed the orders of my betters. But the days of allowing myself to believe that was possible were over. At least I thought they were.

Ever since our escape, Bill and Maddy had been trying to convince me that I could be strong. That I could accomplish more than menial task. That being a foxkin wasn't something to be ashamed of. Bill had told me once after seeing my status screen that I had more strength than even him.

How could a weak foxkin be stronger than a human? Such a thing must be impossible. But as far as I knew, Bill had never lied to me before. It wasn't that I didn't want to be strong. I would have wanted that if it were possible. Then I could be of more use to those that I owed everything too.

If that were the case, then I could stop this monster and protect those who have protected me time and time again. Now, more than at any point in my life, I wished I could be like other people. If I could be strong and defeat this monster, then it would be possible for us all to go home.

Everyone else has already fought so hard to protect each other. I was the one sitting in the background and shooting arrows from a safe distance. When I said that I would do anything to help Bill on his quest, was that really all I was prepared to do? Was this all the conviction I had?

Was I just going to stand back and let those that saved me from that life of misery die? Especially Bill. He had already risked so much for me. What have I ever risk for him?

I imagined the pain of losing both of them. I couldn't stand the thought. If I wanted to help them, then I couldn't allow myself to be a useless foxkin anymore. Now that I had finally found some happiness in my life, was I about to let it slip away? Why can't I be happy? Even if just this once?

Why are you trying to take everything away from me you damn goat? I can't allow that. I won't allow that. I would allow anything else in this life, but this one thing I will not allow. You've already hurt them so much. You will not touch them again. I will make you pay for hurting them. I will make you suffer.

You are nothing but a stupid goat. Since when did you think you could raise your horns against me? I will bite you. I will claw you. I will kill you. I'll rip the flesh from your bones and feast on it!

Something was happening inside me that I wasn't fully aware of. My emotions had been suppressed my entire life. I had been tamed by the slavers and my instincts and natural predatory nature had been locked away in my mind. In the weeks since I had escaped, I had hunted, skinned and feasted upon the blood of my natural prey.

My walls had slowly began to crumble in the past few weeks. In this desperate situation, for the first time in my life, I finally allowed my anger to spill out. Why should I be afraid? I was the hunter and this goat was the prey. It was time to hunt.

I spread my fingers open and bared my teeth at the creature. The nails that had not been filed down since my escape were almost fully grown. They formed the sharp razor like claws which the foxkin where known for. I ran straight at the beast. I could feel the fox blood pumping through my veins. The excitement of the hunt. This intoxicating sensation which started to feel more natural by the second.

All my senses sharpened. My body felt loose and light. Ever since I could remember, I had been told to move slowly and carefully. I never dared run or jump. Who knew this could feel so amazing? For the first time in my life, I think I understood what people spoke of when they talked of freedom.

The fox wasn't a mere scavenger that licked scraps off the ground. The fox was a hunter that chased and pounced on its prey. I ran towards the Devil Goat and slashed at it, making four gashes along its side. It tried to return my attack with a kick, but I quickly jumped to the side. The fox was an agile hunter.

I ran around the Devil Goat in a circular motion. discovering a speed and quickness I never knew I was capable of. Could I always run this fast? Could I go even faster? Let's find out. You may be able to move fast in a straight line you stupid goat, but you can't move like me. I pushed my legs harder to increase my quickness and felt my body was up to the task.

While we fought, we started to slightly move to the left. This moved us further away from Bill and Malik, but closer to the unconscious Maddy. After backing away to avoid it's counter attack, the monster gave a quick look to the unconscious form on the ground. Drool dripped from its chin. “Get away from her you ugly goat!” I screamed.

With the Devil Goat distracted, I came up behind it and gave it the most powerful kick I was capable of. With as much as the beast weighed, I was only able to knock it a few paces away and make it fall to one knee. I quickly picked up Maddy and ran to Malik as fast as I could. I set her down as gently as time would allow and dashed back to fight the monster.

I saw it look over my injured party. No doubt seeing them as a tasty and easy meal. I yelled at the monster as I clawed at it in anger. “Your fight is with me you disgusting goat! Don't you dare look at them!” It brought it's full attention back to me as I tore at its flesh. It struck out at me in anger, but the attack was a split second too late.

This goat wasn't nimble and couldn't turn around quickly. I managed to get to its side and suddenly changed directions. I clawed it across the throat, but not deep enough. Its hide and muscles were too sturdy for my claws to do any real damage. Its kick grazed my side and left a small cut on my stomach.

Was it already starting to match my movements? What else could I do? Wasn't there something I could do to beat it? Something I had that it didn't? The answer became obvious. I shouted. “Malik, put all of the torches out!”

Malik had managed to stay on his feet but was still wobbling. He answered back. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Before I could explain, the goat's attention was back on Malik. “No you stupid goat! Here!” I slashed at him again. It let out a grunt of frustration and kicked at me. This time it only hit air.

I heard Bill yell out, up on his feet and leaning against the wall. “Just do it Malik. I think I know what she wants.” I gave him a quick look, which was the only type I could spare at the moment. He didn't look like he would be able to move much. But he seemed to understand my plan.

After Bills encouragement, Malik did as I asked without further comment. Of those in our party, he was the only one who could still move reasonably well. He quickly snuffed out the torches next to him. He then moved as fast as he could on his still unsteady legs into the Goat's lair.

One by one, he took the torches off the wall and rubbed each of them into the ground. It was the only place in this entire dungeon where any of the monsters put up lights. Maybe it just liked how the lit torches looked, but I didn't think that was the case. Unlike the other monsters, this Devil Goat may not have the ability to see in the dark.

They needed to hurry though. My body was starting to feel tired and heavy. I was not use to this speed, and the strain of keeping it up was starting to wear on me. I turned to see Malik put out the last torch in the Goat's room. Yet there was still light.

He forgot one of the torches on the far side of the cave that our group put down. He tried to get out of the Goat's lair, but he moved too quickly. Unbalanced as he was, he allowed his foot to get snagged and tripped. Dammit, how much longer was he going to take? This goat was getting used to my movements.

Thinking that I may have to risk making a dash for the torch myself before I tired out, I saw Bill had managed to reach it. No doubt with a mix of limping and crawling. He gave me a smile as he grabbed the end of it and pushed the lit end of the torched into the ground. The cave fell into darkness.

But the darkness is for the prey to fear, not the hunter. The only light that was left were from the tiny embers that were still burning. It would have been impossible for almost anything to see. The goat looked around in confusion, no longer sure of what to do. I watched him swing his limp arms stupidly, and bite at nothing but air. After taking some time to catch my breath, I began my attack.

It turned to face the sound of my boots on the floor, but the echos in the cave made tracking my movements from sound alone nearly impossible. I clawed him across his back. It swung wildly at me, but I had already disappeared back into the darkness.

I slashed at it again, and again, and again. Tearing off small chunks of flesh with each attack. Even though all my attacks were landing, they were not doing enough damage. I clawed it at the side of it's neck and just barely managed to avoid its teeth. How many more attacks would this take? Even in the darkness, it may guess right eventually with one of its bites. At that moment, I saw something pop up in front of me.

[LVL 1/10 Foxclaw]

I looked down at my hands. Was it just me, or did they seem sharper? Maybe I was just getting the hang of how to use them? I realized how crude my methods of using them had been so far. They should be able to cut much deeper than this. I just needed to change my angle slightly, flick my wrist more suddenly, and a few other minor adjustments. I knew it was possible.

I moved in, careful to avoid its maw which opened and shut wildly in the air, hoping to catch me with its razor sharp teeth. I slashed it across the front of its throat and quickly pulled my hand back. A large chunk of goat flesh flew into the darkness. Black blood poured out of its neck as it gasped for air. I wasn't going to wait around to see if it would suffocate. I snuck up behind it while it was distracted. With another swipe of my claws its head fell to the ground.

[Level up: LVL 8]

I fell to my knees from exhaustion, beside it's head. I looked to Bill who was peering randomly into the darkness, trying to figure out what was going on. I spoke. “You can light the torches now, it's dead.”

Bill took out his flint rock and lit the torch that he had put out previously. Malik came toward him, holding a torch of his own, and touched his to Bill's. He looked to be moving a little better now. Still not normal, but better. A notification appeared before us.

[The first floor of the Dungeon has been cleared. Floor two is now open]

A door appeared behind where the goat was sitting when we first saw him eating at the table. We all ignored it and moved over as quickly as we could to check on Maddy.

She had a nasty head injury and was still unconscious. We did what first aid we could for her, but she may not wake up for a while. Hopefully there wouldn't be any lasting effects. It didn't seem to be too bad and looked mostly superficial, but you could never tell until they woke up, if they woke up that is.

“I'll carry her back” Malik said. He started to bend down to try to pick her up before I stopped him. He wasn't in any condition for that.

“No, I'll do it. But thank you for the offer. Please see if Bill needs a hand.” I bent down and easily picked Maddy up. I was surprised by how light she felt in my arms. Were normal humans always this light? Why have I always thought myself so weak?

Come to think of it, when have I ever felt that anything I lifted was too heavy for me? If I could do this so easily, then I should have been doing more all along. From now on I needed to start pulling my weight. Maybe I won't be so useless anymore.

---------------------------------

If Foxkin like Meri were native to my world, I don't see how we could ever make a single one of them our slaves. If anything, it would probably turn out the other way around, with them becoming the dominant form of life on our planet.

While she had fought the most out of all of us, she avoided major injuries. I knew she had the potential to be stronger than us, but what I just saw exceeded my expectations. I was even more stunned to see the change in her character as she continued to fight.

Now with the fight over, I noticed that whatever had welled up inside her started to fade, and she had began to act like her usual self. But there was a change that I saw in her now. It was slight, but something had finally broken through. I knew she had taken the first major step to putting her past behind her. The small smile she allowed on her face as she easily carried the unconscious Maddy was proof of that.

Malik collected the horns and hooves from the devil goat and put them in his sack. Our first venture into the dungeon had shown us a lot about ourselves, and about how difficult this path would be. I wasn't about to give up on getting my sister back because of a single brush with death, but I knew that I would have to face death many times before I ever got the chance to see her again.

All I could do now was learn from this and grow stronger. While I may have to face several more situations like this, I would try to see to it that Meri and Maddy faced far fewer. I wrapped my hand around my slightly caved in breastplate and tried to match the pace Meri and Malik had set. I lost my balance and was forced to grab hold of Meri's shoulder to steady myself.

She barely budged, even while carrying Maddy and supporting some of my weight. Foxkin were just too damn strong. It didn't seem fair. I would need to catch up to her soon. If not, how would I ever protect anyone in the future? She gave me a look of concern but I quickly straightened myself.

“Sorry about that Meri, I just tripped a little. I'm fine now.” She gave me a quick look over, clearly worried about the state I was in. When she stood up straight, I noticed she was only a bit shorter than me. I had no idea she was such a slouch. She gave me a small smile.

“It's perfectly fine Bill, I promise I'll do a better job of supporting you from now on. This one apologizes for her earlier failings and shortcomings. If you need to, feel free to grab hold of my body as much as you require.” She turned her attention back to Maddy as she let out a small moan, but didn't wake up.

Wait a minute, what did she just say...? Dammit Bill. Get your mind out of the gutter. This is hardly the time for that.