Page 168 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
We’d arrived at the portal platform for the next level, but it was deactivated. That meant monsters were already respawning and the level was repairing itself.
And that meant I could finally show off my dungeon-breaking-and-entering skills.
“We are ready,” Julian told me, even though they weren’t ready at all.
“I’ll need everyone holding hands,” I said. “And could you hold on to me while I activate the ability?”
There was a shuffle as everyone took off their winter gloves. John took Pram’s hand, who took Tully’s, who took Visha’s, who took Jeffry’s, who took Julian’s, who in turn took mine. I didn’t know why it was so important that I see exactly who was holding whom, but watching Visha stare daggers at Tully’s hand was priceless.
Good job, me. My shipping powers were still in full force.
“In Between the Light Unseen,
Void and Space All Mixed in Place,
By Portal’s Gift, [Dimension Rift].”
[You have activated the Perk:Dimension Rift. Bridge point detected:Forgotten Frost Dungeon Level Six Portal Access GatetoForgotten Frost Dungeon Level Seven Portal Arrival Gate.]
[You are attempting to open a bridge in a Dimension Barrier:Forgotten Frost Dungeon Level Seven Portal Arrival Gate. You have succeeded.]
[Transport to Level Seven? Yes/No]
[Transport Party to Level Seven? Yes/No]
[Transport Julian von Slyke to Level Seven? Yes/No]
And on it listed options. I selected the second, teleporting all of us to the next area platform.
[Dimension Rift] was a perk I’d gotten from my [+Troll Magic], the + meaning I’d evolved the skill by getting it to level ten. Once that happened, the perks offered were more powerful. My previous abilities were on the level of [Bridge Repair] or [Bridge Sense], and now I was ripping holes through dimensions to make my own bridges.
As one does.
“Well, that’s unexpected.” Tully let go of Pram and lifted his free hand to shade his eyes. The seventh floor looked like regular farmland. It was hot and sunny, with a gentle breeze playing in the leaves. Apple blossoms fell delicately across a field of flowers from an orchard that stretched out behind us to the left.
Tully continued to hold Visha’s hand, and the elf noticed. She wrenched it away as fast as she could and took a step to put distance between them.
“Permission to reequip, Your Grace?” Jeffry asked, and I realized that sweat was pooling between my shoulder blades and at my temples. The winter gear wasn’t heavy, but it was becoming torturous against the heat.
“There aren’t any signs of life for thirty feet,” John informed us.
Julian nodded. “Alright.”
The duke himself didn’t change his clothing. After stripping down to a simple tunic, tights, and boots, I eyed Julian. He was still wearing the Valarian Royal Set, with the mantle folded and pinned with a hood; he hadn’t added much except a scarf and gloves, which he put back into his storage ring.
With a smile, he lifted his free hand and revealed a bracelet on his wrist.
“Ice Elemental Resistance. Takes the edge off so I can still wear the armor set as is,” he confided. “More advanced than a normal Cold Resistance charm. Mother made it for me when I started spending more time here.”
“And you didn’t secure one for your eternally loyal party members?” Jeffry drawled, having overheard.
“You havethreeCold Resistance charms,” Julian shot back, unfazed. “You’ll be fine.”
“So.” Sir Tully leaned back and scratched his head, looking out across the clear fields that stretched in all directions.
Something caught my eye, and I focused as hard as I could directly ahead of us. There were a few trees along the horizon, but otherwise, it was rolling hills into the distance. There was movement in one of the trees.
“Something’s coming,” I told everyone; the group immediately settled into formation as a [Barrier] popped up, covering everyone on the platform.
