They started the next morning by finishing the Manticore stew that June had cooked. With their hunger sated, Quin led him back to her village, where they discovered the aftermath of the zombie attack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The village was a quaint little settlement situated just outside the edge of the forest, which comprised medieval-style buildings constructed with stone walls and thatched roofs. Most of them still stood, but a few had burnt down with only a wall or two remaining, as evidenced by the embers and slow plumes of white smoke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A door creaked as the wind blew past, bringing with it the scent of rain. Looking up, the heavy gray clouds threatened to release their payload at any moment. And June\u2019s predictions came true when the first drop of rain pattered onto his cheek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe should go. There\u2019s nothing left here,\u201d June said to Quin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
June turned to her when she didn\u2019t respond and found her staring at a building that still stood with its door wide open. It sat near the outskirts of the village, closer to them, and was probably the reason they could escape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs that your home?\u201d June asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She finally tore her eyes from the building and looked at him. She struggled to hold back her tears as she nodded in confirmation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDid you want to check it out?\u201d June asked, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She hesitated for a moment before responding. \u201cYes, mister.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
June chuckled as he led her to the building. \u201cJust June is fine. No need for formalities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The village stood silent, eerily so. There was not a single zombie in sight as they approached, and nothing came out from the buildings as they passed by. Arriving at Quin\u2019s home, June entered first just to be safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The home was small and cozy. A hearth sat in the center, where they probably did most of their cooking. Several dried herbs hung from a rack just beside the hearth. Multiple overturned grass-woven baskets lined the left wall, while a wooden divider lay strewn across the floor to the right. Beyond it were two cots, a queen-sized one likely for her parents, and a twin for her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Quin followed closely behind June. After he gave the all-clear, she hurried past him to her bed and reached underneath, pulling out a small chest. Opening it, she took out a crude doll and cradled it to her chest. Then, she grabbed a piece of parchment and stared at it. June walked up behind her and saw that the parchment had a painting of her and her parents. Water splattered onto the paper as her tears flowed freely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
June knelt beside her and patted her head. \u201cThat\u2019s beautiful. You all looked so happy.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He didn\u2019t know if what he said comforted her, but he tried nonetheless. She turned and leaned into him, and he wrapped her in a warm hug, rubbing her back as she cried into his chest. She had done her best to remain composed all morning, but returning to her home had shattered that composure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They stayed like that until she had cried her heart out. Standing, June pulled her to her feet and told her to gather any of her belongings she wanted to keep. There wasn\u2019t much she grabbed besides what was already in the chest and a few dresses. He stored them all in the chest before placing it in his dimensional space. Her eyes widened in panic when the chest disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d June said before pulling the chest out, \u201cI just stored it away for safekeeping.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seeing the chest and hearing his words, her panic eased, and June stored it away again. They left her house and were heading out of the village when a sudden surge in his senses warned him of danger. He grabbed Quin, pulled her close, and erected an Essence barrier just as bone spikes shot at them from a nearby house. The spikes slammed into his barrier and penetrated a few inches through, but no further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
June turned as a person walked out of the building, where the spikes emerged. It was bone thin\u2014there was probably not an ounce of muscle on it\u2014and pale as a ghost with glowing red eyes and wispy white strands for hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is that, Sarah?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s a Draugr, a type of undead.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n June summoned a ball of fire and shot it at the Draugr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is it the Dungeon Boss?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n No, a Dungeon Boss will never leave its domain unless a Dungeon Break occurs.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A bone wall erupted from the ground and shielded the Draugr from his fireball, which erupted in a fiery explosion on impact. Grunting, June leapt to the side with Quin in his arms, avoiding another barrage of bone spikes that shattered his barrier. On its flank now, June fired off another three fireballs, which were smaller but more concentrated in power. The same bone wall shifted to block the attacks, but that was a mistake as the first explosion cracked it, the second shattered it, and the third flew straight into the Draugr, exploding and sending it flying back several dozen yards away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Draugr struggled to its feet, but June didn\u2019t give it any chance to attack or flee. Flames encircled the Draugr, forming a vortex that consumed it. The screeching wail it released as it died sent shivers down his spine. Nothing but ashes remained after his spell ended. June collected the Soul Crystal, and they left the area promptly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the next couple of days, June spent his time clearing out as much of the zombie horde as he could. On the second day, they came across a giant stone tower that jutted out from the forest like a sore thumb. According to Quin, it was where the necromancer Vish-rel Granwoad lived, whom June surmised to be the Boss. That was their eventual destination, but first, June needed to get as strong as possible before then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout this time, he and Quin had become better acquainted. She lived in her quiet little village with her parents. Her mother was a leatherworker, and her father a hunter. He would bring home the food and materials that her mother used to make a variety of things, ranging from belts to boots, to trade with either their neighbors or the roving merchant caravans. Quin mainly remained with her mother, helping with tanning and running errands. Together, they were a pretty good unit and did well for themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, she knew very little about the outside world beyond her quiet village or about the reality of the Dungeon. What was strange, though, was that she knew about Dungeons and the System but didn’t realize she was inside one\u2014a part of one. The System limited that knowledge and revealed it only during a Dungeon Break. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So June refrained from mentioning that this was a Dungeon or the Repository. It may be too much for her to understand at the moment. June, however, had said very little to explain who he was, other than that he was a warrior from a distant land just trying to go home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After seven days, June had cleared the forest of zombies, and they headed toward Vish-rel’s lair. The fight itself wasn\u2019t anything special. After discovering that the Boss was at the top of the tower, all June needed to do to defeat him was bring the whole structure down with multiple Essence blasts. He didn\u2019t want to deal with any hidden traps or minions inside the tower. Besides, the Boss might have been a powerful necromancer, but that’s all. He wasn’t a threat without his army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After the Boss\u2019s death, June didn’t waste any time sifting through the debris and hurried to the edge of the Dungeon, back to the Manticore Dungeon. He needed to get Quin out of the Dungeon before it reset. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The world around Quin blurred as June carried her through the forest in his arms. The wind rushing past drowned out all sounds as she clutched onto his arm tightly. She could never get used to traveling like this, even though this wasn\u2019t her first time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At first, she thought him to be a powerful sorcerer, but she was mistaken. He was also a formidable warrior, a legendary Paladin, a warrior mage blessed by the System to defend the world from evils such as Vish-rel the necromancer, as her father used to tell her at bedtime. She believed her father\u2019s stories when she was younger, but as she grew older and experienced more of the real world, those stories became just that\u2014stories. But now, maybe his stories were more than that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It didn\u2019t take them long to reach their destination, but Quin frowned when they stood before a cliff face. She craned her neck and followed the sheer wall all the way to the top. It had to be about 100 yards to the summit. Were they going to climb it? Not fully understanding why they were there, she turned to June. He wasn\u2019t looking up at the top. Instead, he stared straight ahead at the rock wall as if he thought he might see through it if he focused enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat are we doing here, June?\u201d Quin asked when he set her down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It still felt strange to address him just by his first name. Her parents raised her to be polite and call everyone “Missus” or “Mister.” However, June refused such treatment, and she couldn\u2019t wrap her head around why. Usually, adults found her formality charming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her heart raced a little faster when June\u2019s concerned look landed on her. \u201cWhat do you see?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt’s just a cliff face,\u201d she said, reaching out and touching the jagged stone slab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, she frowned when she realized the texture of the stone didn\u2019t match what she felt. The stone slab had many grooves and crevices along its surface that should have given it a rough feel when she ran her hand over it. Instead, it was as smooth as a pebble she\u2019d find by the riverbank. She then tried to grab a handful of dirt, but couldn\u2019t. Her hand only brushed against a smooth surface again. The dirt wasn\u2019t actually there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A shiver ran down her spine as she jerked her hand away from the wall and faced June. There was dark magic at work here, as the wall radiated an oppressive aura. She needed to get away as quickly as possible. A deep dread inside her told her to leave and never return. Her presence was unwelcome here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, June\u2019s contemplative look left her stumped as he stared at the wall with a tilt of his head. How could he have that look on his face? Didn\u2019t he feel that sense of foreboding and doom?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, it’s just a cliff face to you?\u201d June asked, and all she could do was nod, unable to find her voice as the malicious aura washed over her. Not seeing her response, he turned to her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n His curiosity quickly shifted to concern as he knelt beside her. \u201cAre you okay? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She could only shake her head as her body trembled and sweat broke out across her body. The aura constricted her like a Traverian Constrictor wrapping its long, scaly body around her and squeezing tight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMust be the System,\u201d June muttered, but Quin didn\u2019t have the mind to pay any attention to his words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her breathing shallow and light, darkness threatened to overwhelm her as she fought to remain conscious. Even if she wanted to escape now, she couldn\u2019t. The evil in this place prevented it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Suddenly, a warm sensation, like a hug, enveloped her, pushing the evil presence away and shielding her from it. She gasped for air as her tears streamed down her face. Falling into June\u2019s arms, she cried as a torrent of emotions overwhelmed her. He stroked her back, allowing her to cry into his chest as he reassured her that everything was okay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After releasing her emotions, she stepped back and looked between the cliff face and June. How was he unaffected? Then she had a realization. Had he somehow protected her from the wall? The feeling that shielded her had felt very much like him. He was the rock that kept her steady, the shield that kept her safe from harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She stared in amazement as June rose to his feet and extended a hand to her, a confident smile on his face, assuring her she was safe. Returning his smile, she grasped his hand as he stepped forward. She hesitated for just a moment before also stepping forward, trusting him with her life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Standing before the wall, June brought their hands forward, and to her utter shock, they passed straight through it. The once solid barrier was now viscous, like water, yet her hand remained dry on the other side. With her mouth open, she looked to June, who gave her a reassuring smile and told her to keep going. She did, and he followed right behind. The moment she passed through, she felt something inside her snap, and the world around her became a little clearer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before she knew it, she was in a completely different world. The first thing that struck her was the heat. It was intense, much worse than during planting and harvest seasons back home. A vast forest with strange-looking trees surrounded her. Turning around, she saw the familiar forest she had lived in her whole life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat? What is this?\u201d Quin asked as she reached back with a hand toward where they had come from, but found an invisible barrier blocking her path. \u201cWhere are we?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re in another Dungeon,\u201d June said, turning to face where they had just come from. \u201cThat is the Dungeon you lived in, and this is the Dungeon I was trapped in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She whirled to face him, her eyes wide. \u201cWhat!?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June sighed and picked her up. \u201cI\u2019ll explain when we\u2019re somewhere safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The world whooshed by as Quin held tightly onto June. Just what did he mean by Dungeon? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ever since they had arrived at the barrier, Quin had been acting strangely. It was as if she didn\u2019t want to be there. June believed that the System\u2019s influence over her had drastically increased upon arrival, and her strange behaviour lent credence to his theory. To counteract this, he enveloped her in his Aura. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the years, he learned his Aura wasn’t just an attack but also a shield against other Aura attacks. So he surmised that since it was the System\u2019s will, a.k.a. Aura, affecting her, all he needed to do was fight the System with his own Aura. He didn\u2019t know if his plan would work, but relief filled him when it did. Now that it looked like he had severed the System\u2019s chains binding her to the Dungeon, he had partially fulfilled his vow to save her. All that remained was to get her out of the Repository. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After avoiding every Manticore along the way, June and Quin made it back to the cabin. She marveled at the grand two-story building with its large glass windows. It was probably the first time she had ever seen a building like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stepping inside, she couldn\u2019t keep her mouth closed as she stared wide-eyed at everything. June led her over to the dinner table and sat her down in a chair. June went over to the kitchen and prepared a quick meal of Manticore steak on the firewood stove as Quin watched in fascination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As they ate, June explained everything to her about him, the System, the Dungeons, and the Repository. He laid everything out in the open for her, hoping it would explain what was going on. But it looked like what he feared came to pass as the more he spoke, the less she ate, and by the end, she was nearly catatonic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cQuin?\u201d June asked, trying to pull her from her stupor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He placed a hand on her arm, but she recoiled at his touch, spilling her uneaten food. His heart sank at her reaction, but he understood why she might feel revulsion toward him. He had just shattered her entire world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n June bent low and cleaned up the spilled food before preparing another for her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHere,\u201d June said, placing the cooked meal before her. \u201cI know it\u2019s a lot to take in, but you still need to eat. I\u2019ll give you some space to process. If you need anything, I\u2019ll be right outside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The storm door swung closed behind him as he stood on the porch, once again in this godforsaken Dungeon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You know, you really shouldn\u2019t have left her to deal with this alone.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n June sighed when he heard Sarah\u2019s voice. He knew where she was coming from and understood her perspective as well. It’s just that he held a different perspective on parenting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She needs space and time to process the world-shattering information I just shared with her. She\u2019s her own person and has the right to decide how she wants to handle this.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But then a thought struck him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She\u2019s free now, right?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarah remained silent for a moment before answering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Considering she crossed between Dungeons, I\u2019d say yes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n June exhaled a breath of relief. Thanking God that everything had worked out. Just then, the storm door behind him swung open. June turned to find Quin standing there, a little dazed but with a radiant smile on her face. She ran up to him and hugged him, something he wasn\u2019t ready for but readily accepted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you. Thank you for not leaving me,\u201d Quin murmured between sobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOf course, I promise you I\u2019ll get you out of here even if it’s the last thing I do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She looked up at him, tears streaming down her face, yet hope glimmered in her eyes. \u201cReally? You promise?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI promise,\u201d June said, patting her head. \u201cNow come on.\u201d June led her back inside. \u201cFinish your dinner, and I\u2019ll show you the place. You\u2019re going to love it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the next ten years, they remained in the Manticore Dungeon. June spent the first three years killing the Dungeon Boss daily. He figured that by placing the Dungeon in a constant state of reset, the System wouldn\u2019t pull the Dungeon from the Repository and place it on a world. This way, he could remain in the Repository until he could grow strong enough to move to the War Dungeon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides, for those three years, Quin wasn\u2019t able to Cultivate because she was still too young. That wasn\u2019t to say that she did nothing during those three years. June trained her every day, mind, body, and soul, preparing her for her eventual awakening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She was a quick study and had a fascination with magic ever since her first meeting with June. So after turning sixteen, she gained access to the System and chose the path of Essence Cultivation before immediately joining June in hunting Manticores. The first Essence she unlocked was her Life Essence. She never wanted to feel as useless and helpless as she did when her parents died in the zombie attack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He fast-tracked her, giving her all the Soul Crystals to Cultivate, so she\u2019d catch up to him as quickly as possible, and within five years, she ascended into the Awakened Realm. They spent another two years in the Manticore Dungeon, refining her control over her second Essence, Death. Ever since he told her they could bring someone back from the dead with certain Essences and caveats, it has been her sole focus to achieve this. No one else was going to die on her watch ever again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the course of those ten years, their bond had grown. June became a father figure for Quin, and she became his daughter. There was an incident that occurred when she reached adulthood. One \u200che should have seen coming, but didn\u2019t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It was just a typical day. They were out hunting Manticores. Quin was mainly doing all the fighting, learning to fend for herself with June\u2019s oversight. However, during an encounter with the Boss, she misstepped and tripped, falling flat on her face. That wasn\u2019t too unusual, but what happened after triggered something in June. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a fit of panic, she called out to June. Her fear-laced voice triggered a memory. One that he had buried, never to revisit. The image of Quin as an adult surrounded by corrupted Dweller monsters resurfaced. June staggered to his knees, the vision the Dweller showed him on repeat in his mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n June knew he had recognized Quin when he first met her, but his mind refused to connect the dots. Because if he did, that meant that there was a highly likely chance that the other visions he saw would come to pass as well. And that, he cannot abide by. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rage replaced his initial shock at that revelation. What he had seen was something yet to happen, and only happened because he wasn’t there. Because he remained trapped here, in the Dungeon Repository. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rising to his feet, June obliterated the Boss with a single blast of Fire Essence. He helped Quin to her feet and reassured her he would always be there for her, or that he’d do everything within his power to prepare her. He wasn’t about to let fate, the System, or the Dwellers decide his or his loved ones’ lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They never returned to Quin’s Dungeon and instead crossed over into the Arctic Dungeon. Here, the resident monster was a yeti-like creature with four arms and a terrible temper. Living there was pretty simple, actually. The Yetis were quite dull and easily provoked into infighting. Meanwhile, the cold wasn’t an issue because of June’s Fire Essence. His own body was immune to the freezing temperatures, and as long as Quin stayed near, his Aura would shield her as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They spent fifty years there because it took longer to cultivate from the Awakened Realm to the Sovereign Realm, and they were now gathering Soul Crystals for both of them. Just like that, sixty-four years passed, and June was counting every day. Only 319 years remained until the first Dungeon Break, and all hell broke loose on Earth. He needed to get stronger to enter the War Dungeon. His family depended on him; he couldn\u2019t let them down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Trial of Truth was slightly more challenging than the Trial of Fear. It forced him to confront the truth about his flaws and failures in life and to accept them as part of who he was. He knew his core self. Most of his flaws and failures he had already worked through with Natalie, so accepting that part of himself wasn’t too difficult. It was only the failure revealed in the visions that he struggled to accept. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet, he ultimately accepted them. He acknowledged his failings in the vision. But they had yet to come to pass, so he could still change their fates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Quin had taken the path of a healer, June found it redundant to also go down that path. So, for his next Essence, he chose Kinetic Essence. The main reason he chose Kinetic Essence was that he was a huge Star Wars fan, and Kinetic Essence was essentially telekinesis. Now he was one with the force!<\/p>\n\n\n\n From here, they moved from Dungeon to Dungeon, never spending more than a few hours hunting the local monsters before killing the Boss and moving on. Time was their greatest enemy, June\u2019s greatest enemy, but they lucked out. In just 300 years, they had ascended to the Transcendent Realm. With only nineteen years remaining, they entered the War Dungeon and never once killed the Boss, hoping that the System would place it on Earth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But the years ticked on by as nothing happened, and before he knew it, those nineteen years came and went. June nearly had a mental break, struggling with the reality that he wasn\u2019t able to return. If not for Quin, he may have done something rash and gotten himself killed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Time passed by without a care in the world as June grew numb to the pain. He took his anger and frustration out on the Dungeon and the Demons, slaughtering them by the droves. The days blended, and before he knew it, centuries had passed. He had stopped counting, stopped caring. All he knew was carnage and slaughter, and the entire time, Quin stood by him, watching over him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When he finally came out of his drunken rage, no amount of words he could have expressed would have conveyed his shame and gratitude to Quin for remaining with him the whole time. But to her, it was expected. He had been there for her when she needed someone the most, and now she was repaying the debt. Besides, he was more or less her father by now, so the thought of leaving him never crossed her mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And so, millenniums passed as they remained in the War Dungeon, waiting for the day the Dungeon Gates would open. In that time, they both ascended to the Divine Realm, gaining their True Soul and unlocking all of their Essence Cores. Even after reaching the Divine Realm, they continued to cull the Demon army and Cultivate because there was nothing else to do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Things went on like this until 150,000 years later. It was just another day of hunting and Cultivating when a loud clap of thunder resounded in the direction of the Dungeon Gate. In a fraction of a second, June had teleported before the Gate and found the distinct blue portal there. Quin arrived a second later, and her face brightened with amazement at the sight. It was her first time witnessing the Gate come to life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Without any hesitation, June teleported to the Boss, killed it, and returned to the Gate. Steadying his breath, June readied himself to step through, hopefully to Earth. Quin grabbed his hand and squeezed it tight, reassuring him that everything was going to be alright, and gave him a radiant smile. June chuckled to himself. He was supposed to be the one there for her, yet the roles had reversed. Squeezing her hand back, June returned her smile before they stepped through to freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sasha and Kia rushed into the cramped little quarters they shared, slamming the door closed and locking it behind them. They swiftly removed their armor and weapons before Sasha became impatient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCome here,\u201d Sasha said, but instead of waiting, she pushed Kia up against the metal wall and aggressively kissed her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She savored the sweet tang of oranges mixed with Kia’s saliva, delighting in Kia’s plump lips against hers. Their tongues danced to a familiar tune as their hands roamed over each other’s bodies. Her left hand tangled with Kia\u2019s long, wavy hair, holding Kia\u2019s head in place while her right hand grabbed a handful of Kia’s luscious ass, squeezing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So focused she was with the kiss that she didn\u2019t even feel Kia\u2019s sly hands deftly unbuckling her pants. Her attention faltered when fingers brushed past her panties and pressed her clit. Heat jolted through her as Kia\u2019s fingers slid past and found her folds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sasha released her hold on Kia, breaking their kiss, and a moan of pleasure escaped her lips as Kia\u2019s finger slid easily into her soaking hole, sending sparks jumping through her body. \u201cFuck, babe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She shuddered as Kia teased her G-spot with a feather-light brush before vacating her dripping hole. She glared at Kia, who threw her a devilish grin. Heat flashed in her pussy as Kia\u2019s tongue stuck out and she lapped the finger slick with her wetness before enveloping it with her lips, sucking it like a cock with delight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCome on, I need more,\u201d Sasha moaned petulantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A pop sounded as Kia pulled her finger from her mouth, pressing it against Sasha\u2019s lips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShhh. Don\u2019t rush me,\u201d Kia said teasingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tingles ran across her body as Kia\u2019s finger slowly trailed down her neck to caress her breast, pinching a hardened nipple before slithering down to her slit. She moaned in pleasure as Kia\u2019s finger slipped into her again in a come-hither motion, first going fast and with heavy pressure before slowing down to give her a breather, only to speed up once more. It was as if she were on a never-ending rollercoaster of ecstasy that she never wanted to get off. She enjoyed every second of Kia\u2019s teasing rhythm, driving her to the edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s it, baby, you like that?\u201d Kia asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sasha could only nod her head in reply as another moan escaped her lips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kia chuckled before capturing her lips in a deep kiss. Before long, Kia broke the kiss and slipped a second finger into her, increasing the pace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kia\u2019s hot breath tickled her ears as she whispered, \u201cCum for me, babe,\u201d and pushed her over the edge she had been teetering on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShit!\u201d Sasha shouted, not caring if their neighbors heard her, as Kia brought her to a squirting climax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She soaked her pants and underwear as Kia continued to apply pressure to her G-spot, not letting up and prolonging her orgasm. Her knees buckled, and she slumped into Kia’s embrace, surrendering to the pleasure. Sparks danced in her vision as the cold air in the room grew damp from her heavy breathing and perspiration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A minute later, Kia set her down on the cot they shared as she took in ragged breaths. \u201cFuck, babe. You have no idea how badly I needed that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, I knew,\u201d Kia said as she shimmied Sasha out of her drenched pants and panties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After getting them off, Kia pushed her legs wide open, putting her cunt on full display. \u201cAnd I\u2019m not done with you yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Sasha managed to say before another moan escaped her lips. \u201cFuck!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rough texture\u200c of Kia\u2019s tongue dragging from the bottom of her pussy all the way to her throbbing clit, sent waves of pleasure coursing through her. Her sensitivity from the previous orgasm made Kia’s renewed assault tenfold more intense. She tried to squirm away; the sensations were too much for her at the moment, but Kia\u2019s firm hands gripped the back of her knees tightly, spreading her legs wider and pinning her in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mini fireworks exploded in her head as Kia\u2019s tongue flicked her clit continuously. She didn\u2019t last long as another tide of heat rose from her core before she let loose another scream, showering Kia in a deluge of her fluids. Her legs fell loosely back over the side of the cot, her body trembling from the aftershocks of the orgasm, as Kia released her and got up, quickly undressing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sasha lay dazed, her mind fogged over from the climax as Kia climbed over her and straddled her face, hovering just above her mouth. The heat radiating from Kia\u2019s pussy drew Sasha from her stupor as Kia smiled down at her knowingly. \u201cMy turn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sasha returned her smile before reaching up and gripping Kia\u2019s thick caramel thighs. She pulled Kia down, smothering her mouth in Kia\u2019s dripping pussy. Her tongue fluttered out and lapped up Kia\u2019s wetness, savoring the flavor on her tongue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fingers dug into her hair as Kia\u2019s hips rocked over her face. \u201cYes, baby! Stay right there for me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She let Kia fuck herself on her tongue as Kia\u2019s pace quickened and her moans grew ragged. \u201cThat\u2019s it. I\u2019m close!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, before Kia could bring herself to orgasm, she gripped Kia\u2019s hips tightly, holding her in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sasha\u2019s mother had once told her about a technique her father had used on her mother, which had driven her crazy. Initially, it disgusted her; she did not need to know that kind of information. But after using it on Kia one night, she couldn\u2019t thank her mother enough for the insight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sasha clamped her lips around Kia\u2019s clit, sucking and viciously attacking it with her tongue. Her actions caused an immediate reaction from Kia, who scraped her nails against Sasha’s scalp. Kia wasn\u2019t a squirter like her, but she could feel the tremors traveling through Kia\u2019s body as an orgasm washed over her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kia slumped forward and leaned against the wall, her energy spent. Sasha wriggled out from underneath Kia and helped her lie down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFuck. I needed that as well,\u201d Kia said breathlessly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMm-hmm,\u201d Sasha responded before lying down beside her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They cuddled together, naked, basking in the intimacy they shared before falling asleep in each other\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sasha startled awake as the sirens blared to life. Beside her, a naked Kia rolled off the tiny cot they shared and rose into a combat-ready stance. That had become a common occurrence now in their current reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShit,\u201d Kia said, fully waking. \u201cThey\u2019ve found us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYup,\u201d Sasha said, throwing aside the blankets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She ignored the cold air, still damp from their lovemaking, that slammed into her, causing goosebumps to form all across her naked body. They both rushed to put on their clothes in the cramped room they shared, as the flashing light of the siren bathed them in a grim red tone. Of course, it had to be now. Of all the days, the monsters just had to find them on a night when they lowered their guards and enjoyed themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After fully dressing and equipping their armor and weapons, Kia pulled the door to their room open, and the cacophony outside finally reached them. The siren was even louder out in the cramped hallway as people streamed down it, rushing toward the teleporter. Their panic and fear were palpable as mothers clutched their children close. Sasha tried to gain control of the situation, but the screams of the crowd drowned out her voice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, a loud, booming voice rose above the noise, calling out to her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSasha!\u201d Zach shouted as he made his way toward her, moving against the stream of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He donned his golden armor, which Darren had crafted for him, with a giant greatsword slung across his back. Following him were the members of his team: Jenna, Ryan, Lenny, Jerome, and Hinako.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cZach! Where\u2019s mom!?\u201d Sasha asked when he reached them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe\u2019s already at the teleporter,\u201d Zach said, pointing back the way he came from as people squeezed past his enormous frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat about my mom!?\u201d Kia asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe\u2019s there as well,\u201d Zach said before pushing past them. \u201cGo! My team and I will hold them off for as long as we can!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo!\u201d Sasha screamed, grabbing Zach\u2019s gauntleted hand. \u201cYou can\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zach wrenched his hand from her grip. \u201cWe don\u2019t have time to argue about this!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n He pushed her and Kia down the hallway. \u201cGo! You\u2019re the only one left who can operate the teleporter!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before she could say or do anything, Zach pushed past the crowd and disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry!\u201d Jenna shouted, placing a hand on her shoulder. \u201cWe\u2019ll make sure he comes back!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYup!\u201d Lenny said with a thumbs up. \u201cWe won\u2019t let him play hero!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n They then also rushed past, hurrying after her brother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCome on!\u201d Kia said, tugging her arm. \u201cZach\u2019s right! You need to get to the teleporter!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sasha reluctantly tore her gaze from the direction her brother went, and they rushed down the hallway with the river of people. A minute later, they arrived at a large hangar-like room that was quickly filling up with people. She used her Kinetic Essence to pick herself up and fly over the crowd, and Kia followed with her Wind Essence. They landed on the platform for the teleporter, and their mothers rushed up to hug them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank God you\u2019re okay,\u201d Sasha said after their embrace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her mother offered her a tired smile before nodding toward the teleporter. \u201cWe\u2019re all counting on you now, baby.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sasha nodded before approaching the device. It was a large, circular mechanical archway built in a similar design to the Dungeon Gates. When a mage channeled Space Essence through it, a portal would open up just like it, leading to wherever the mage desired. However, they were running out of places to run to. Where were they supposed to go now? She had no clue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sasha placed her hand on the Essence Crystal that powered the machine and closed her eyes. How had everything come to this? They were the last of humanity, fewer than 5,000 survivors, and they were on the run. Fleeing from the corrupted monsters sent by the Dwellers. No, sent by him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A tear rolled down her face as a flame of rage fanned to life within her. If only her father hadn\u2019t died in that Dungeon all those years ago, they wouldn\u2019t be in the mess they were currently in. An image of her father popped up in her mind. His handsome, rugged face smiled back at her, reassuring her that everything was going to be okay. That was where she found safety, in her father\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She channeled Space Essence into the Crystal, and to her surprise, lightning crackled as a portal flickered to life before her. Her mother released a joyous laugh as Kia and the advance team moved forward. Kia looked at her, a questioning look on her face. She gave her a nod before they entered the portal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A moment later, Kia returned. \u201cIt\u2019s safe! Let\u2019s move!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sasha\u2019s heart nearly leapt out of her chest as the crowd surged forward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kia came to stand by her as people rushed past. \u201cIt\u2019s a safe world, looks a lot like Earth. Hopefully, this time, they won\u2019t find us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey\u2019ll always find us,\u201d Sasha said, pausing before continuing. \u201cHe always does.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kia\u2019s face darkened at her words, her caramel skin reddening in anger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut this time, I think it\u2019ll be different,\u201d Sasha said before Kia\u2019s anger boiled over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy\u2019s that?\u201d Kia asked, her face returning to normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. It\u2019s just a feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just then, the entire structure shook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLooks like they\u2019ve finally breached through,\u201d Kia said, drawing her sword and pulling her shield from her back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMom!\u201d Sasha shouted, drawing her attention. \u201cI need you and Aunt Chrisy to go through and organize the people on the other side!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her mother looked like she was about to argue, but before she could, Sasha continued. \u201cPlease, Mom! Do this for me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her mother hesitated for another moment before nodding her head and stepping through with Aunt Christy. Everyone passed through until only a small team of warriors and the two of them remained, waiting for Zach and the defense teams to arrive. Thirty seconds later, Zach\u2019s team came rushing into the room as Jerome slammed the blast doors behind them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGO!\u201d Zach shouted as they flashed over to the teleporter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The door shook as something big rammed into it. Those who remained rushed through until only Zach and Sasha remained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGo!\u201d Sasha shouted as the room shook this time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Zach gave her a reluctant look before going through. Sasha turned to look at the door just as the hulking monstrosity burst through. It was at least ten feet tall and shaped like a gorilla, except that shadows covered it with spikes protruding from it. She pulled the Crystal from the device and stepped through just as the monster charged her way. Luckily, the portal winked out of existence just as the monster landed on the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sasha turned, and her mouth fell open when she took in her surroundings. The world they were now in was breathtaking, especially the sky. A large planet with swirling blue gas similar to Jupiter dominated much of the sky, illuminating it in a dim blue tint. She didn\u2019t know why, but this felt like home. This world was going to be their new home.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" They started the next morning by finishing the Manticore stew that June had cooked. With their hunger sated, Quin led him back to her village, where they discovered the aftermath of the zombie attack. The village was a quaint little settlement situated just outside the edge of the forest, which comprised medieval-style buildings constructed with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-131","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-uncategorized","pmpro-has-access"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_hostinger_reach_plugin_has_subscription_block":false,"_hostinger_reach_plugin_is_elementor":false,"coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/author\/authorderekyanggmail-com\/","display_name":"authorderekyang@gmail.com"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 6 mois il y a","modified":"Mis \u00e0 jour 6 mois il y a"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 le novembre 27, 2025","modified":"Mise \u00e0 jour le novembre 28, 2025"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 le novembre 27, 2025 8:54 pm","modified":"Mise \u00e0 jour le novembre 28, 2025 10:06 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":false,"series_order":null,"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-08 17:54:51","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/131","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=131"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/131\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":252,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/131\/revisions\/252"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=131"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=131"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=131"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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