Chapter 32: Gate of Life and Death (V)
Everyone cheered. They were finally free.
Snow was relieved. Relieved that they could now get out the hell hole called a dungeon. She could find herself a new place to live and not worry about exploring this god awful area. The thought of a hot shower and warm food elated her.
"Guys, let's get out of here." Snow called out towards them joyfully.
"Wait, what about loots?" Mike spoke, looking around to find something, but found nothing.
"Loots?" Snow asked, stupefied at what he was saying.
"Yea, you know. Treasures?"
"I don't know…" Even Snow was unsure of how things worked with the Players.
Frustrated that Mike couldn't find anything, he gave up.
"I'm just going to leave." Mike passed through the portal first. The others followed behind. Dairen and the twins went in first, disappearing into the portal.
Snow moved out of the way. Boring a hole into Mr. Everrett's back.
Reaching out to enter, Mr. Everrett's hand as well was stopped. He tapped a few times, taking a good look to find out what was wrong.
"A barrier."
"Why?" Snow felt her chest tighten. "Why just us?"
Tamaki stumbled over with Tommy over his shoulder, still unconscious. "Let me try, Ms. Snow." He tried to go through but was stopped as well. "This is peculiar."
Snow asked in worry. "Are we stuck here?"
"Yes," Tamaki replied. "I don't know why, though."
Snow wanted to cry. The amount of stress that built up last week was mind-boggling. Just to survive, they had to kill a friend. She tried to escape, but she couldn't.
Dairen popped back in. He stared at them, wondering what was going on. "Hey, guys? Why aren't you coming?"
"We can't." Snow blurted out. Her voice cracking. "But how are you guys able to get out?"
"What are you talking about?" Dairen wasn't sure what was going on. "I just stepped out?"
Mike came back in, "Snow? Aren't you coming out? I can't finish my mission if you don't come out." He frowned, wondering what was taking so long.
"They can't get out."
"What do you mean, can't get out? All you need is to take a step through the portal and poof. You're out."
"I know." Dairen rolled his eyes. "There must be something more to this dungeon. Maybe some kind of rule."
Mr. Everret spoke in a calm voice. "I heard of cases like these before. A peculiar dungeon rule that the master of this dungeon sets. This must be one of them."
"There is a dungeon master?" Mike was piqued by the thought of a dungeon master.
"Yes, all dungeons have one. When the dungeon master is slain, the dungeon disappears. This has always been the case with dungeons."
"But why a rule of keeping us in?" Snow asked. She wanted to find the dungeon monster and strangle it to death for impeding her from leaving.
"That my dear girl is something only a dungeon master knows. But for now, we are stuck. It might be wiser for reinforcements to come to clear this dungeon."
Snow thought over what Mr. Everrett had stated. "You're right." She rummages through her storage ring and pulled out a pen, paper, and a ring. She quickly scribbled a message down, explaining the situation. Grabbing Dairen's hand, she slapped the paper in his hands.
"This is really important. I need you to go directly to Dragon Express. Show them this ring, it would validate a proof for you to see the head. Look for Heather and tell her that this is a B Class Dungeon. Any hunters that are not Players are in danger of death as well as unable to escape from the dungeon itself without killing the Dungeon Master. She will understand what this means."
"But what about you?" Dairen asked. "I need to protect you."
"Don't worry, I got the Tamaki, Mr. Everrett, and…." She looked at Tommy and sighed. "Tommy."
"Would that be enough? What if another dungeon monster appears? You're going to need people?"
Snow shook her head. "As long as Tommy wakes up, we will be fine. Just go."
"I'll stay behind, don't worry," Mike smirked.
"No."
"What? Why?"
"I need you to go rally up some people who are willing to enter this dungeon. Because the Hunters that live in this world can't go back out. I need you to warn as many of the Hunters to be prepared if they decide to enter."
"What about the twins?"
"Take them with you." Mr. Everett had stated. "They aren't ready for this dungeon. I need them to find Soran." He took out a business card and handed it to Mike.
"I don't think they would listen to me."
Mr. Everrett shook his head. "They must. Kick them, hit them, or drag them away from here. I'll reward you if you could take them safely to Soran when you come back."
"With Pleasure." Mike took the card from Mr. Everrett's hand. "I'll see you soon, Snow." He winked.
Snow's eye twitched. "Yea…"
Dairen nodded, following behind as they both left.
Snow sighed; she sat on the floor and plopped onto her back. She kicked her foot a couple of times, frustrated.
Tamaki rested Tommy onto the floor, taking a seat himself. "Everything's going to be alright, Ms. Snow."
Snow didn't reply, she kept staring at the wall.
"When Tommy is awake, everything will be much easier." Tamaki tried to console her. "Though this lug is taking a long time to wake up." He kicked Tommy once in a bit of frustration.
"I'm alright." Snow replied and propped up her head. "I just wanted a warm shower." She then realized where she could get one: back at her apartment.
"Well, there should be a watering place or something nearby."
"I can just go back home."
"Home? We can't get through the gate." He asked, confused.
"My apartment got dragged into the dungeon-like some kind of magical fairy tale. If we walk back a day from here, we will arrive back at my apartment. But, until someone from the headquarters comes back with some decent reply, I won't be leaving here for a while."
Hours went by as the group waited for Tommy to wake up as well as to make sure that the gate wouldn't suddenly close upon them.
Snow had her eyes glued to the gate for hours, dozing off here and there. She thought the gate would close when it flickered, putting her in a temporary state of panic. Tamaki looked over and made her laugh a few times when he saw how uncomfortable she was, which she was grateful for.
Eventually, Tommy stirred. Bringing a bit more sense of relief to the party.
"This damn headache." Tommy woke up with a frustrated groan. "Who the hell punched me in the guts?" he rubbed his belly.
"You don't remember? You got a rock thrown at you."
"A rock?" Tommy asked, confused. "We were hunting a Roc not even a few minutes ago."
"That was a week ago."
"A week? Are you sure?" Tommy got up, rubbing his eyes. "You aren't pulling my leg, are you?"
"No."
Tommy looked around, confused. "What the fu*k. Where are we?"
"You aren't playing with me, are you, Tommy?" Tamaki lightly chuckled. "Like you always do when you want to play a prank on me?"
"What are you talking about?" Tommy turned towards Tamaki with annoyance. "Even though I fake certain things to you, doesn't mean I do it every damn time? God damn it, where are we?"
Snow stood up, dusting away the dirt off her clothes. "A dungeon. It seems you got amnesia after that bad hit. You did hit your head pretty hard, while healing you did have a hairline fracture."
"Ms. receptionist. Surprise to see you here."
"It's Snow." She unconsciously replied back.
"I know." He smiled.
Snow was about to correct him again, but then she threw it out the window. There was just no point. "Anyways, we are in a dungeon, and we can't get out. Best sit tight until reinforcement comes."
"Ms. receptionist, I am not going to wait for some reinforcement to come save my ass. Have you not found an exit?"
"Yes," She pointed towards the glowing gate. "That is our exit. We can't pass through."
"Well, you have me." Tommy strutted towards the gate. He smugly looked at the group, filling magically fire energy into his fist. He struck.
A loud boom went off as the room shook, leaving behind a puff of smoke. Coughing, Tommy came out crying from the excessive amount of smoke in the air.
"Told you so." Tamaki folded his arm.
"Well, it was a try." Tommy wiped the tears off his eyes, coming over a bit defeated. "Either way, wasn't there another gate somewhere around here?"
"Wait, you remembered?"
"No. It just was a sudden thought."
"We haven't checked yet." Snow replied. She hadn't thought about the other gate since the moment of the Dullahan's defeat.
"Then let's go."
"I don't know…" She looked over towards the gate.
"I'll stay here," Tamaki spoke. "I remember you have a better understanding of these things, Ms. Snow. It might be beneficial for you if you were to find any other clue in the other gate."
Snow was unsure, but she knew what he was suggesting. Something to do and not drive her insane. She nodded, getting up and started to head towards the other gate as Tommy trailed behind.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
BlackSnowAngel
BlackSnowAngel Snow is having trouble getting through the barrier and all the other Natives. Something is up, what trouble will she walk into again for the dungeon brings dark tidings.
Hope you enjoy the story! :3
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