The guildhall was already bustling when the siblings arrived. Adventurers in worn armor traded stories of last night’s hunts, clerks scribbled notes behind tall desks, and the smell of ink and metal lingered in the air.

  Hela’s gaze, sharp as ever, lingered not on the mercenaries or the trophies mounted on the walls—but on the half-dwarf secretary, Tessa. The woman moved with quiet efficiency, her copper hair braided neatly, her hands gliding over parchment with practiced precision.

  Hela studied her a moment longer than she meant to.

  Artemis leaned in at her side, his grin wicked. “Well, well. Maybe I’m not the only one with beauty on their mind.”

  Hela’s head snapped toward him, eyes narrowing. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

  “Come on, don’t play dumb.” He gave a low chuckle. “You’ve been staring at her for a good minute. I mean, I don’t blame you—”

  “Artemis.” Her voice dropped, warning.

  Before he could push further, another presence drew their attention.

  The woman Artemis had seen the day before entered the hall, carrying a small stack of papers—Guild missions, neatly bound. She was dressed differently now, practical leathers in place of the fine dress, but her beauty hadn’t dimmed. She moved with confidence, eyes set forward as she handed the paperwork to Tessa.

  Artemis’ jaw went slack for a heartbeat, then curved into a grin. “Speak of the devils. Now there’s a sign.”

  Hela scowled at him, though she hadn’t missed the woman’s quiet strength either.

  And then Lokey’s voice cut through, flat and commanding.

  “Hey.” He stepped forward, arms crossed, gaze fixed on his siblings. “Get your heads in the game. We’re not here to gawk. We’re here to prepare lets get what we need potions and food we have no healer so we will have to be careful.”

  The weight of his words landed hard enough to silence them both. Around them, the guildhall buzzed with life, but for a moment the Riftborn stood apart—three siblings on the edge of something far larger.

  Not far away, a man in a gray hood slipped out the side door, silent as a shadow. He didn’t pause, didn’t look back. His steps carried him across the city with haste until the spires of the Church of the Eternal Flame loomed before him. He vanished inside, words already forming on his lips.

  The Riftborn are going to the dungeon.

  By midday, the siblings stood at the edge of the wilds. The roar of rushing water filled their ears as the spray of a great waterfall misted their faces. Hidden behind the cascade, carved deep into stone, was the black archway that marked the dungeon’s gate.

  Its surface shimmered faintly, alive with a strange, beckoning light.

  Artemis grinned, his hand brushing the hilt of his sword. Hela steadied her breath, her eyes fixed and sharp. Lokey stepped forward, the leader’s weight heavy on his shoulders.

  Together, the Riftborn stood before the threshold of the unknown.

  The roar of the waterfall faded behind them as the Riftborn siblings stepped into the shadow of the dungeon’s stone gate. The air was different inside—heavier, charged with energy that prickled against their skin. Mana poured from the depths below, thick and intoxicating, like the dungeon itself was alive.

  Lokey tightened his grip on his hammer and raised his shield. “Open the door.” He glanced at his sister. “Hela, can you summon your friends again?”

  Her eyes narrowed in focus. She nodded once, then began a low, steady chant. Dark energy gathered at her fingertips, and with a sound like chains snapping, the ground split open. Two towering silver skeletal knights clawed their way out, armored from head to toe, blue flames burning in their hollow eyes. They stood behind her like silent guardians, their presence chilling the air.

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  Lokey placed a hand on her shoulder, his tone softening. “That’s awesome. But don’t push yourself too hard.”

  A faint smile touched Hela’s lips.

  “That makes five of us,” Artemis said, drawing his sword with a flourish. His eyes gleamed with excitement. “And they look stronger than before. Hell yeah.”

  His grin widened, his whole body vibrating with anticipation. The mana pouring through the dungeon washed over him like a drug, flooding his senses, filling him with energy he could barely hold back.

  “Easy,” Lokey muttered, adjusting his shield. “Let’s move.”

  They descended into the first floor. The air grew warmer, the faint glow of crystals in the walls casting shifting shadows. It wasn’t long before the first monsters appeared.

  Three Hellhounds padded from the darkness, their bodies lean and muscular, their eyes glowing red like embers. Fire flickered faintly between their sharp teeth as they growled.

  Lokey raised his hammer, stepping forward—but froze as the hounds suddenly stopped.

  Instead of attacking, they wagged their tails. Their growls melted into soft whines, and before anyone could react, the beasts trotted straight up to Hela.

  “What the—” Artemis started, but Hela’s vision suddenly blurred with glowing text.

  You have tamed a Hellhound.

  Skill acquired: Tamer.

  Tamer skill leveled up.

  You have tamed: Hellhound Alpha.

  Hela blinked, her breath catching. “They’re… mine,” she whispered, stunned. “They’re my pets now.”

  The hounds sat obediently at her feet, tails thumping against the stone floor.

  Artemis burst out laughing. “Of course they are. Sister of death and destruction, and now puppies.”

  Lokey’s mouth twitched into a grin despite himself. “Adds to the party. We’ll take it.”

  The group, now larger than ever, pressed on. The warmth in the air grew into a dry, searing heat. Soon, flickers of orange light glowed ahead.

  They rounded a corner—and stopped.

  Twenty skeletal figures shuffled in the chamber beyond. Each bore a skull engulfed in fire, flames licking from their jaws as they hissed and cracked. The heat rolling off them was intense, filling the cavern like a furnace.

  “Flame Skulls,” Lokey muttered, quickly counting their numbers. “Twenty. Figures this would be the first real test.”

  They ducked back around the corner, huddling close.

  Lokey’s voice was low but steady. “Here’s the plan: I’ll go in first with the Silver Mountains—” he gestured to Hela’s skeletal knights “—and draw their attention. Once they’re focused on me, you two hit them from behind with whatever you’ve got.”

  Artemis’ grip tightened on his sword. “Let me go. I can take them all.”

  Lokey shook his head firmly. “No. We fight together. I’ve got your back, you’ve got mine. Same with Hela. No one fights alone.”

  For a moment, Artemis looked like he might argue. Then he smirked, a spark of pride in his eyes. “Fine. But when I outshine you, don’t get jealous.”

  Lokey snorted. “Just try to keep up.”

  The skeletal knights charged into the chamber, weapons raised. Lokey ran beside them, shield high as fireballs streaked through the air. The first blast slammed into his shield, the impact rattling his bones but holding firm. He pushed forward with a roar, hammer ready.

  The Flame Skulls shrieked, their fire building in their jaws—only to be cut short as Artemis burst from the side, a blur of steel and motion. His sword flashed, cleaving through two skulls in a single swing. Mana surged through him, each movement sharper, faster, as he cut another down before it could spit fire.

  On the other side, Hela raised her hands, chanting low and fierce. Shadows shot from her fingertips, spears of black flame that pierced three skulls in one strike. Her knights struck in unison, their blades crushing bones and scattering sparks.

  Then the Hellhounds lunged. Snarling and snapping, they tore into the stragglers, ripping apart two Flame Skulls that strayed too close. The Alpha howled, a sound that shook the chamber as its jaws clamped down on burning bone.

  Fireballs crashed against Lokey’s shield as he smashed his hammer into a skull, crushing it into fragments. Artemis darted past him, his blade catching firelight as he carved a path through the chaos. Together, they moved as one, covering each other, striking in rhythm.

  It was messy, brutal—but it worked.

  One by one, the Flame Skulls fell, their fires sputtering out.

  Finally, silence.

  Ash drifted through the air as the last skull clattered to the ground, flames dying into smoke.

  Artemis stood breathing hard, his grin wild and bright. “Told you,” he panted. “Could’ve taken them all.”

  Lokey laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. “Not alone, you couldn’t.”

  Hela rested her hand on the Hellhound Alpha’s head, her eyes glinting with quiet satisfaction. The knights stood behind her, their flames steady, while the hounds sat wagging at her side like loyal companions. For the first time, she didn’t feel like the quiet one standing behind her brothers. She was part of this fight.

  Lokey looked between them, pride warming his tired smile. “We did it. Together.”

  For a moment, the silence was heavy with meaning.

  Then Artemis sheathed his blade, still grinning. “Come on. If this is just the start, I can’t wait to see what’s waiting deeper in.”

  Lokey nodded. “Then let’s find out.”

  But first what about all the monster parts we came here for money not just to fight remember little brother.