=== Our first dungeon – part 5

It quickly became dark as I closed my eyes. I could hardly hear anything outside and even the small hole didn't help. Was that a bird flying or just the wind? Was that someone talking or singing a song? I started to get a little confused, I was still inside of an egg and as I expected, the shell closed on me as soon as I entered it under on my own volition.

How stupid for me to listen to that other birdbrain, but this was not necessary bad. I no longer heard their squeaky voices, their cheerful attitude and disregard for danger. I could finally enjoy this silence for myself, at least for a little while.

It was not long till actually something started to happen. I knew that just like Jielby, we will eventually hatch to existence again. The ever so slightly, cracking sound from the outside was heard. Well I presume others were in a similar situation. It wasn't the light, but rather I could feel pressure coming outside of the egg, trying to crack it. It was a valiant effort, but I don't think it succeeded. With my hands pressed firmly I could sense how hard the shell was challenged. Nevertheless, not a single rupture appeared on the surface.

[Are you trying your best? You should definitely just give up already. Nothing even comes from fruitless effort, I know that well. I have this team full of happy-go-lucky disasters—they are a bunch who would never reach any destination alone. Yet, it is truth, I party with them because I'm similar. I probably need to believe in myself a little more, or perhaps even go further beyond that. All I can do is to complain, and sometimes just knowing that hurts me. So please stop pretty birdie, I need to do this myself.]

Right, perhaps I was talking to myself all of a sudden, but no one else would be able to hear me anyway. This predicament was annoying, as I hit the surface of the shell, nothing seemed to crack. Well they say that if the egg is cracked from the outside, a life is wasted. However, if the little bird cracks in from the inside, a new life is born. I am obviously better off doing the later for myself here, but at the same time, I don't want to face that giant monster on my own. What is the point really—I wouldn't have fun playing this game completely alone.

More or less, that might be reason why I am doing this. But for now...I think the outside at least feels a little less lonesome that this. That’s my decision then.

[Damn you, I can't even use skills in this position—even moving legs is difficult in a cramped space like this.]

I'm starting to get it, it's like a feeling when you get born, and you get really excited that you have limbs, so you start kicking everything. Still, I don't even know how you would replicate that in the other world, but this was definitely possible in this game. I'm impressed.

And furthermore, I have enough of this crib already, so if no one is going to help me, I just need to try even harder than last time. Oh please, even with this tiny body I should have sufficient power to destroy this barrier! Come on already, crack open! Damn you birdie!

[Okay, that did help, I can finally see the light! Hey, is someone there? I guess the plan did succeed, I'm alive. But where are the others, have they still not hatch? Well time to look around I guess. Just need to push this thing away...]

I was finally free again, and to my surprise, we were no longer inside of the giant bird's nest. It was the ground, or to be more precise, some kind of field riddled with holes. The dark looking earth looked as it was freshly dug up, along with some small rocks. They resembled fertilized of some kind, but I couldn't really tell what exactly it was.

Stretching my legs and my arms, I regained the muscle in my limbs. After this long in a cramped space I was really glad, despite not touching the surface with my feet. With each step I heard like my bones were cracking, going in proper places. Outside of that, the sun was finally revealed to me, casting a shadow on me with a cloud. The air felt also very different, we were not longer in the mountains, I figured. I also noticed that other eggs besides me, starting to crack on their own.

[Others also made it, I should be happy about it, but I don't know what to say really. Thank you or something?]

Before I could decide what to say, the hatching began. The first one to wake up was our so called commander, leader or something.

[So how was the second seasoning for you? I reckon you survived somehow, so you mustn't complain.]

[Hey there *chirp* Are you my mother *chirp*?]

[I only wish...then I would be able to scold you properly. What were you thinking saying “a small hole could help”? It most absolutely did nothing! I couldn't even hear that stupid bird. What even happened, do you have any ideas?]

[If you say so, I guess we were thrown down from the nest and into the feeding ground. No surprises here, I planned it all.]

Said her, with stupid smirk on her face, still a having a little moustache made by the yolk of the egg. I just want to...

[So you have an idea about what is going to happen next? Are you an expert or something? Have you even cleared a dungeon? You should just consider yourself lucky, if anything. How in the world would you know that we would be thrown down here, outside of that tall mountain? Furthermore, if you knew about that in the first place, why haven’t you told us anything?]

[It’s simple mom. *slurp* You see, if I told others about it they would be like, but we are going to crash right? However, only I knew how hard the inner side was, so there was no danger! See, me ish smarts, I had the right hunch.]

[You said you had a plan, not a hunch! Just get over it already. We would have been fine staying there and fighting the boss. Now we are in this field, full of holes and who knows what else can be hiding here? You know what, let's just wait for others.]

[Okey dokey, you are smarts too, so I agree with that decision. Don't worry, we are going to get that bird sooner or later.]

Right, as you say my birdie. Eventually the two remaining party members emerged from their shells. We explained the situation, and they appeared clueless to what we should do next as well. We landed in the place further away from the boss itself. However, it was more suitable for fighting, despite the ground being uneven. Our objective now was to find a way to call that beast again.

[Right, remember when I used my call for the little birds? I bet that is going to work for their mother as well. How did it go? Cock-a-doodle-doo or something? Right, I think that was the phase. Okay everyone, just be ready for my stunning performance!]

[It's obviously going to work now that we are far away from her nest. But you should try, after we get to position.]

And by position, I mean after I stealthy put on my earplugs again.

[Everyone is ready? Here I go!]

Again the horn was in works. I can't think this was actually a part of the dungeon, since why would it require a trumpeter? It makes no sense, but so do most of the things in this game, hence as long as I turn away and cover my ears I should be fine.

[It is enough my child, even the angels require some rest from time to time.]

[Wow did you like my performance? I'm still new to this, but playing music to monsters actually fells nice for a change. I should think about doing this later. I'm going to be like that guy with the pipe and mice. That would be really cool!]

[Yes, quite a song that carries the heavenly notes to his highness. Fret not my child, there will be opportunities later. For now if you please, should the penetrator arrive, we must steel ourselves and be ready for her arrival. You understand?]

[Without doubt I do! Obviously we are going to beat her up as soon as she lands. We could even use the eggs as a hiding spot again!]

It is not going to help us little fairy, we are just going to end up stuck in them again, remember? Despite my best behaviour, some people just never learn. Just maybe, if I suggest others to wear earplugs, they might regard it as a joke instead of serious concert? Starting a carrier as a comedian, that might not be bad for Corona? Yet, if she would learn the truth it would break her delicate heart. Come on, I’m not that horrible...

[Gush, what are doing again? Let's search the location and see if there are any traps around. Okay, who will volunteer this time?]

[No one is going to raise their hands, you are the Tank here. Don't worry though, you have my quiet support.]

[And you can have my loud support! There is nothing more heart-warming than a hefty cheer when you are about to step on a landmine.]

[Child, I plead that you will be alert, as always. You have not failed us so far, thus I trust in your abilities. And about landmines and traps, my wisdom tells me that is a little exaggerated. The ground was freshly dug here. There is likely a possibility that they not had the time to prepare them. Yet, just in case, please do be careful.]

Let's go with that explanation then, no need to worry Jielby! I gave her a thumbs up with a slightly kind face, from afar. It seems it was again up to her to deal with the problem. If she was to fall down the hole, it wouldn’t be a big deal really. We would just have to...reel her little lumpish body back up. Still, it was smart that she, at some point, retracted her rope from the nest and placed it back into her inventory. Tying it around her waist, she gave us the over end. Obviously with us three doing the assist she didn’t have to worry about a thing, most likely.

Maybe that was just me, but those digs really did look bigger the closer you get. It's a really strange feeling—when you get next to them they are as large as a manhole. One wrong step and Jielby might end underground. Still, she was doing fine so far, I kept saying to myself. However, as she looked down to see if something is inside of one, her balance got uneasy.

[Oh oh ohh! Don't worry, false alarm! I'm fine here. Hey girls, there is something down there, and the hole is really deep! It's like an entrance to an underground system, so what would you say if I were to explore it? Buggers, it’s kinda dark too, I would have to use a light. Fortunately I have a good one on me, so I'm not going to land flat on my butt there, ishishi~]

[I say it would be quite fitting debut for you, given the fact that you are always head first. Say, we need to pull you down? Yes, that won't be a problem. Go ahead—feel free to drop down after you explore everything else on the surface first, okay?]

[Gash, you are such a party-popper Oddie. I just wanted to appear as if I was giving you guidance, like a nice leader. *wink*]

[But you are the one in need of directions! We could have been fighting the boss already if not for you.]

As expected, and without asking others for their opinions, she actually did it! Our leader was clearly fond of playing in the dirt, as she slowly descended into the hole. Without any other visible clues, only a part of the rope remained on the dirty surface. She was making good progress with whatever the pink wearing girl had in her mind, while the rest of us struggled trying to assist.

With each moment my grip felt weaker, and my feet were starting to sink down, all due the increasing force from the cord. Others were similar—their shoes were already partially got dirty with the sticky slush. The situation for us three was dire. It was only a matter of time before we would share her fate and fall down, though our circumstances would not the same. After being pulled through the dirt with our faces glued closely to the filthy slob, we would land piled up on top of each other.

No way was I allowing that to happen, I needed somehow to defuse this situation before it was too late.

[We can’t hold it any longer! Are you going take long? Did something happen? Answer me if you hear me!]

I tried to voice my desperation before anyone else. Others were nodding as well, as they have not heard her reply.

[It seems she doesn't answer, Oddia. What should we do now? Should we keep the rope stretched? Oh my goodness, what if something is actually pulling her away from us? We should help her!]

[Believe me my child, there is no such thing greater than faith. That is why you must put yours in her. I am sure that she is doing fine—it is just that she can't answer at the current moment. I pray it is so.]

[But I don't trust her at all! I am going to cast my spell here, just hold onto the rope until I'm ready again okay?]

[Oh you need both hands to cast that? I understand, I'm going to do my best for her! Can you hear us, Jielby?]

Again the shout was not replied. I didn't think about losing time and used both of my free hands to cast Detect Foe. I concentrated my palms onto the crystal hanging on my neck. With gestures like fortune teller, I polished the orb, and the surrounding came clear to my mind. As usual, I felt like my senses gained the ability to see through walls. It was as I feared, beneath the ground, near the same hole as the pegasus-less knight jumped down, there was a presence.

Obviously holding onto the rope now was useless—we had to follow her down there. It was quite dangerous as well since we would be jumping down into a space we had no idea about. Still, we had no choice. Knowing her she wouldn’t give us a reply anyway, no matter how long we would shout.

[Okay, I say we jump too girls. Forget about the rope, she might be in danger. We need to get down there, somehow avoid landing on our butts, and then save the poor little darling bird that can't even fly yet.]

[I agree, we should absolutely do that. Forget about this stupid rope, she is in danger!]

[I also concur with that logic, we are not going anywhere without her. Let God protect her from all evil.]

The two girls dropped the rope, which was immediately pulled downwards and out of our vision. We had to be really quick, and think little about what is going to happen. We dashed towards the big hole, yet I saw no sights of her down there. Considering our options, there was more than one way for us to drop. For me, I could use my Teleport instead of jumping. Following that, Noctia would use her skill to appear near me, if the range would allow it. As for Corona...Oh well.

[Okay, I'm going to try to use Teleport to get down here. Worst thing that can happen is that I will appear mid way, and then hurt my butt a little. It's better than a full fall, so I'm going for it. Noctia, I want you to follow me, use your ability if you can. Corona, you can use whatever you can, I don't really know what kind of skills you have.]

[Oh yea, now that you mention it, I have this one ability that allows me to return from where I came. For example, if I used went down instead of Jielby, I would have been able to return on my own...but it's too late for that now.]

[You had a skill like that all along? Why did you not volunteered then? We could have avoided this all from the beginning!]

[Eh, she never asked and I kinda forgot. Also, why would I ruin her fun? Look just how cheerful she always is, right?]

She does whatever she wants and when she wants it, but still, that doesn't hide the fact she is a birdbrain! Damn you Jielby, you are stealing all the fun and causing trouble for others! I'm so frustrated about that! And the worst thing about it all, I have to clean up after your mistakes! Yet, nothing will change what happened so far. Right now, I need to save her somehow.