?? Chapter 31 - The Sleepless Lantern

  The world hummed softly.

  Even here - in this halfway haven between sky and abyss - the air tasted like peace. The rivers shimmered like glass under a painted moon, and somewhere in the canopy, unseen birds whistled lullabies to no one in particular.

  Alise sat cross-legged beside her little campfire. Her red cloak was gone, replaced by a thick traveling hoodie that made her look more like a runaway scholar than a hero. Her tent was simple - no door, no wards - because honestly, who would attack someone on the 18th Floor?

  She had meant to keep watch for a few hours, maybe write a note to Bell in their shared journal, but the wine from Astrea's farewell was still heavy in her blood. Her head dipped. Her pen slid. The journal closed itself with a whisper.

  And then something moved.

  A shadow scurried across the grass - small, quick, silent. Then a soft plop.

  The creature tilted its head. Scales the color of pale jade. Fins that fluttered like ribbons. An Iguazu, one of the tricksters of the dungeon.

  It climbed up her sleeve, curious, and then, with all the authority of a crown prince, perched itself squarely on her forehead.

  For a moment, it just sat there, watching the sleeping human who smelled like wild steel and sunlight.

  Then, with a satisfied chirp, it coiled up like a cat and slept too.

  ?? Morning

  Alise woke to a weight on her head and an unfamiliar sound - something like a whistle and a sneeze combined.

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  She blinked. Crossed her eyes upward. Met two enormous, glassy ones staring right back.

  "...Oh. Hello."

  The Iguazu chirped, tail flicking.

  She laughed - a sound like wind through bells. "You're bold, aren't you? Sitting on a lady's face without permission. You're lucky you're cute."

  The creature hopped down to her lap. She noticed then - the pattern of scales on its body shimmered faintly like runes. Ancient, intelligent runes.

  Her eyes widened. "You're not a normal one, are you...?"

  It tilted its head, as if offended by the accusation.

  "Hmm." She leaned forward, nose to nose. "You've got spirit. I'll call you Izzy. You like that? Izzy?"

  A happy trill.

  "Good. I like you, Izzy." She smiled and scratched its chin - and the creature let out a sound that was way too similar to a purr.

  Hours passed. She packed up her tent, her armor, her sword. Izzy followed, hopping from rock to rock. When she reached the tunnel to Floor 19, she hesitated.

  "I shouldn't... but... ah, why not. Just a peek. It's been too quiet anyway."

  She stepped into the darkness.

  What followed was not quiet.

  A shape lunged out of the gloom - a pack of Killer Ants, their mandibles flashing like glass. Alise drew her rapier on instinct - the blade singing.

  But before she could strike - blur.

  A streak of green and silver tore through the tunnel. The ants froze - and then collapsed, clean lines slicing through their joints. Blood hissed on the stone.

  Izzy hovered there, fins fluttering, eyes bright like lanterns.

  Alise just... stared.

  Her sword lowered. "What just happend? That speed....there's no way"

  She couldn't even see the movement.

  A heartbeat ago there had been ten monsters. Now only silence remained.

  She laughed again, a little breathless. "Alright, Izzy. I guess you're the strong one here."

  The creature trilled again and floated toward her shoulder, nuzzling her cheek. For a heartbeat, she could have sworn it smiled.

  Bell,

  I found a friend today.

  He's scaly, smug, and faster than my eyes can track. I think he might be a good sparring partner... or maybe a guardian I didn't know I needed.

  His name's Izzy. If you ever meet him, bring tea - apparently he likes it.

  Don't worry, I'm not lonely down here. The 18th Floor's sky is brighter than I remembered.

  - A.