Max smiled at his friends as they each looked at the items in their hands. They had waited until they returned home to use the potions and elixirs each had acquired on the 98th floor. Fowl sat there holding four potions, one elixir, and the only ring that he had found worthy of him. Their ranger's eyes were as wide as the moon. Both brown eyes were locked on the elixir and the two potions. She had procured three items that rounded out her areas of weakness. Both Tanila and Batrire had five potions and an elixir. “You look excited,” their mage stated as she winked at him. “Sure, it’s only three potions, but you rarely get anything for yourself.” He nodded and motioned to Fowl. “You’re up. We all promised to let you be the test… er, I mean, go first.” “Bah, you’re lucky you didn’t lie about that ale,” his friend replied. “I’m still upset they wouldn’t sell you any more.” Fowl winked at Batrire and undid a seal on a potion first. The green liquid vanished as he sucked it dry in a moment, smacking his lips, his face scrunched up as he did. “Wow, that kicks,” Fowl muttered as he undid the next one. Soon, all four potions were empty, and the only item remaining was the elixir, which was the golden liquid. “Still can’t believe I’m about to get taller,” their warrior said quietly. “Every dwarf's dream.” “Bah, I better grow again,” Batrire said. “I like having to be climbed.” Cordellia made a gagging sound, and Max felt a little queasy as well. “And let’s not make the pregnant woman feel worse,” Tanila announced. “Drink your elixir so the rest of us can get on with it.” Fowl snorted and quickly drained the golden liquid like a champ. His body convulsed as Batrire’s had, immediately giving off the same energy and heat that Max expected would come. Soon their warrior began to grow, and when Fowl gasped for air, Max could already sense that he was a different dwarf. Fowl blinked, looking up at him as he held out his hand. “I said stand,” Max repeated. “Let’s see how tall you are.” Their warrior grabbed his hand and stood, smiling from ear to ear as he rose. Then his smile faltered as he looked up at Max. Fowl finally noticed the chuckles and looked at everyone who was covering their mouths. “Why am I not taller? I should be–” Max lowered himself, no longer on his tiptoes, and his warrior friend scowled. “You’re an ogre humpin' bastard!” Max laughed, dodging his friend's swings, running around the room as Fowl chased him. “Gods that was funny,” Cordellia said as she wiped away a few tears. Fowl froze on the second lap around the room, and Max spun when he did. He watched his friend's face go slack before dropping to his knees, both hands held up into the air. “Ockrim… thank you,” he whispered. “What’s wrong? What is it?” Batrire asked, moving from the couch toward him. Tears ran like streams down the weathered dwarf’s face, yet he smiled as if nothing at all was wrong. “My stats… they’re… beautiful.” Everyone went silent as Fowl rose, grabbed Batrire in his arms, and spun her around, laughing. “I have a 642 in my strength, a 505 in my dexterity, and my constitution is a 909!” he shouted. “Even better is the 350 in my intelligence and a 372 in my wisdom! I’m… I’m able to acquire the second stage of stat progression!” Max felt his heart quicken and could sense Bob’s reaction. There has been so much growth. What is it about the tower and these last few levels? We gained nothing, but they gained everything. Do not get me wrong; they needed it more than we did, but that kind of growth is exactly what he needed. Now I’m curious about what I’m missing out on. It was bad enough that I was always stuck in your storage space. Perhaps you should have thought of me while you all went shopping. Max groaned, and everyone looked at him. “Sorry, Rakonath was complaining about not getting any love from Ockrim or other gods.” Fowl wiped away his cheeks and stood there, beaming with joy. “I… this day, I never thought it would come,” their warrior said slowly. “I always hoped, always dreamed, but to see these stats and reach three second-tier milestones… thank you. Thank you to all of you.” Max sensed the change in the room as all the anxiety and concern that had been hidden behind walls and masks were stripped away. Both elves stood and moved to where the dwarves were, wrapping their arms around them. “Get over here, baldie,” Cordellia teased. Laughing, Max joined the group, enjoying a moment of absolute bliss. “I hate to ruin this moment,” Max said as he spoke into the group, “but you might want to not sleep in your own bed tonight. Find somewhere you don’t have to clean up after.” “What does that mean?” Fowl asked. “It’s just a tradition I learned for those who hit the second-tier milestone. Thought I’d pass it on. Something I learned on Igarra’s world.” Fowl blew a raspberry and shook his head. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings. “No thanks! Tonight my love and I are going to celebrate! “You realize that everything is going to change, and yet you seem oblivious to it,” Tanila said. “What are you going to do?” Max held her a little tighter as they lay in bed, both of them still trying to process everything that had taken place in that room. “Say goodbye, craft everything I can. Make the most of our time before we take that last step. No one said we had to rush to enter the next floor. I’m not sure about you but I need probably a month to do everything I believe I can do.” Tanila shook her head and sighed. “You are going to be a pain in my arse, aren’t you? Running off to the crafting room.” Turning his head, Max stared into her gold eyes, watching as she winked at him. “We both know that I have to try. Why else would that potion pick that one skill out of all the skills to raise?” Tanila took a deep breath and let it out. “A legendary armor and weapon crafter. Just another title to add to the growing list of things you already possess,” she teased. “What songs will they sing about next? Your muffin baking skills?” Kissing her, he closed his eyes and tried to block out the hundreds of ideas flowing through his mind. You do realize that you will be working nonstop to make this happen. She is right; you will be busy in the coming days. But what can I do? We need to get these things done and see the potential power of the armor I can make! You know we’re running out of time. Tanila will give birth most likely in two months. What would happen to our child if we couldn’t take them with us into the tower? Store them in my dimensional space? What if that skill is taken from me? How would I live knowing that my foolishness cost us our child? Yet you are willing to spend time on things that don’t matter. The tower is all that matters. No my family matters! So stay here, do not enter it and hope you can live out all your days in peace. Perhaps you will not feel the urge you already fight against that calls you to travel to the next floor. I hope your friends understand and can resist the same temptation. Even more so, pray that no other gods come… or worse, that the other black skills do not come. They will not wait. They will defeat the tower and grow stronger. Even if it takes them a hundred years, they will come and you will be unable to stop them, unable to protect your loved ones. Then how guilty will you feel as you watch their lives snuffed out? I say this as your friend. Even though I was filled with a hunger and desire for blood and destruction, what I spoke about almost two years ago is still true. Having those you love is a weakness. Everyone who desires your destruction will use them against you. I can sense that you know this and realize your time is running out. Will I ever be strong enough to stop this cycle? Bob was silent for a few seconds. Perhaps in time. The next step to accomplishing that comes in the tower. Do not think there is any other way beyond that. Max could feel Tanila’s grip on his arm and quickly breathed. “What’s wrong? You are shaking.” “I… Bob’s telling me I might be a fool. No matter what, we must enter the tower before time runs out.” “Runs out? What are you worried about? Our child? Surely–” “The other skills,” Max stated, cutting her off. “They aren’t taking time off. Wherever they are, they are blazing a trail of destruction and will no doubt be looking for me. If I stay here too long, all of you are at risk.” “We can fight them together,” Tanila said, touching his chest. “You’re not alone.” “I know,” he whispered. “I know. Now then, if you don’t mind, I’m going to let you get some sleep. When you wake up, the tub’s over there.” Tanila groaned, lifting her head to look at the copper tub. “You’re serious? It’s that bad?” Max laughed and nodded. “Trust me when I say we’re getting our money's worth from this tavern. They’re not going to like what they find in the morning. Tom frowned as he read the last sheet of paper from the stack Max had given him. “I am. I need it done now.” Huffing, their trainer shook his head. “Never a dull moment. You realize I’m not supposed to be involved in this stuff?” “I do,” Max replied, patting the older man’s shoulder. “But, I’d like to think that Everett will understand and let it go this time. Besides, you’re the only one I can trust with this. No one else.” “At least take me to dinner or something before buttering me up like that,” Tom muttered. “I’ll get it done. And the other stuff you requested will be sent to the crafting room. Give me a day, two tops. Will that be enough time?” Max nodded, snorting, preparing to move to the next spot on his list of things to do. “Two days is fine if that is what it takes. Just know I will be busy until the day we enter the next floor.” “And when is that?” Tom asked. “I mean… word has spread even though we have tried to keep it a secret. The entire town is like a pot about to bubble over. Parties and celebrations along with more betting than you can believe is taking place. Everyone wants to know when you and the rest of your party will attempt the impossible. “In the last two months, I have heard that every Choosing day, the number of humans who are given adventuring skills has increased by almost ten times. Many aren’t nobles who are getting two skills. The rumor is that Phaius himself has blessed this moment. If things don’t change, we'll be in trouble in a generation or two as there might not be enough crafters or other classes to deal with the sudden loss.” Rubbing his bald head, Max wanted to groan but didn’t. Why are you blaming me? Because you did something to my sister. Is it possible that whatever you did has made all this happen? Tom told you why this is happening. The people are correct. Only the gods could cause this kind of change in their world. I had to give up my own power and risk our health to do what we did for your sister. We broke the rules… or bent them I guess you might say. No, what is taking place right now is the logical step for gods who have five of you preparing to take the next step. Unable to help it, Max groaned and Tom laughed. “We will miss you and your ability to craft, but don’t worry, that boy you told us about, Joshua. He is progressing quickly, and soon, his Choosing day will come. When it happens, he has already informed us that he will join our Faction.” “Did someone tell him I gave you his name?” “No. He’s not the only one. Every crafter wants a place here. Our facilities, the items we have because of you… There is no better place in all the world now than the very ground you are standing on.” Scratching his head, Max shrugged. “I guess I’ll owe you all another apology for making life difficult.” Laughing, Tom slapped him on the arm. “I don’t get a lot of sleep at the moment, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” “What’s wrong?” Max asked, teasing his dwarven friend. “I don’t wana talk about it,” Fowl groaned. “Batrire… she blames me.” Laughing, he slid a mug of ale across the table. “I tried to warn you… you didn’t listen.” “Yeah… yeah you did,” Fowl muttered. “Should I ask what the next one’s like? Tell me it gets better.” Max shook his head and frowned. He saw the confused expression on his friend's face and nodded, leaning closer. “I think one has to have a complete bloodline before that can happen.” Fowl grunted and then sighed, picking up the mug and draining it dry. “Well, I don’t gota worry about that then. Ain’t no way I’m getting a bloodline anytime soon.” That makes two of us…