There she stood in front of me, alive, unharmed. The panic and fear that faded from my body made me feel weak and unsteady on my feet. I moved towards her and reached out a hand to touch her shoulder, still unsure that what I saw in front of me was in fact real. It was!. I grabbed both her shoulders, pulled her close and hugged her. She resisted slightly but did not push away.

"Karla!" I gasped "I feared you were dead. I saw the hound attack ... I saw the flash of light ... I couldn't find you ... I was so scared." I said. Tears streaming down my cheeks. I released my hold and fell to my knees in front of her. I looked up at her and smiled through my tears, "I'm so happy you're alright." I said. Karla knelt beside me. "I'm here and I'm ok. We both made it." she said.

"The terrain is so uneven here that, when the hound rolled over, I fell in that little dip over there, between the rocks." Karla explained. "So I took less damage from the weight of it's body. Don't get me wrong, it was heavy regardless of the rocks protecting me. But I was stunned and couldn't get up or cry out." she said. "But I'm ok now, I hope I didn't worry you too much." she apologized.

"Lets go congratulate the others." Karla suggested. I took a deep breath and composed myself before getting up and joining the group. Everyone was shaking hands and patting each others backs. Thunder slapped me so hard I almost fell over. The two blockers that had held back the dog all this time gave me a thumbs up. Ironfist came up to me and put his hand out. I shook it. He seemed pleased as never before.

"You got it didn't you! You got the last hit bonus!" I said. Ironfist smiled broadly. "I don't want to know." I said as I put my hand up between us. "You got what you came for, and I hope you will put it to good use. I don't want to envy you for it." I said smiling wryly. Ironfist smiled back "Suit yourself, and yes, I will put it to good use." Ironfist said.

"I'm headed back up to higher floors. The guild is going to try to assist the clearing group as best it can. I also want to recruit more members." Ironfist said. He paused a moment before continuing, "The guild could use a couple of players of your caliber. So, if you're up for it, I would like to offer you a place in our group." he suggested.

I was surprised and flattered by the offer, but unsure that I was ready for it. I turned to Karla; she was frowning slightly. "Forgive me, I'll have to decline. It's very kind of you to offer but I'm not ready to be in a guild yet." Karla said, with a tinge of regret in her voice. "I can't speak for you, Wolf. You should choose your own path. I don't want to be in your way. It's a good offer, but I'm just not up for it." she admitted.

"I'll stay with Karla." I stated to Ironfist. Karla was going to object when I interrupted her. "I'm not ready either. I'm not just saying that to patronize you, it's truly how I feel. We feel the same way, because we've lived the same experiences. We're in tune with each other. So it's normal that if you're not ready, I don't feel ready either." I concluded.

Ironfist was visibly disappointed, though I think he was more disappointed at not getting Karla than me. "Shame, it really is a shame that you won't join us. Maybe I'm being a little presumptuous." Ironfist apologized. "I'll leave the invitation open. Maybe time, or necessity, will make you change your minds. I wish you both farewell." Ironfist said as he shook our hands one last time.

The group dispersed as we headed back to town. Some teleported directly to other floors. Others went to the town's market first to sell some of the loot they couldn't use. Most of Ironfist's guild were heading back to the keep first, probably to discuss plans for their next raid, and to trade the loot, they had acquired, with each other. We had had our fill of the day, and on Karla's suggestion, we walked near the big tree just outside the town walls.

"I don't know if we'll ever see them again." I wondered. Karla looked at me a little shocked by my comment. I realized it sounded a little foreboding. "Oh! I didn't mean in that way, I think they'll be safe enough." I apologized. "The floors are vast. And each time a boss is defeated there's more space for players to go. So less and less chance of bumping into an acquaintance, so to speak. They also wanted to help the clearing group, it's likely that they'll stay on the highest floor." I explained.

Karla sighed and held her hands together. "No one is really safe though. Even the best plans don't ensure that everyone survives. There's always a chance someone won't make it back." Karla said her eyes fixed on the ground in front of us. "We're lucky there was only one casualty. If you can call him a casualty. It's more like a victim of a crime who's author we can't stop." she grumbled.

"I refuse to be a victim." I said, "And I believe you do also." Karla looked at me and frowned. "I'd like to say I'll refuse it, but I don't know what we'll have to face. What if we end up in over our heads; the next encounters could overwhelm us. I don't know if I'll be strong enough." she admitted as she turned away from me.

I grabbed her shoulder and firmly turned her to face me. "Don't give me this nonsense." I scolded "I've seen you stand up to players and show them what you're made of. I've seen you take on creatures with determination and confidence. I've seen you maintain control, even when things were chaotic. You've stood up to me and set me straight when I wasn't being fair." I praised.

"I saw your strength from the moment we first started partying together. You shouldn't doubt yourself." I said. Karla's cheeks took on a bright shade of pink. "You once said absentmindedly that 'It's what Karla would do'. That's always been bouncing around in my mind. You've always aspired to be like this Karla person you talk about. But I think you've overlooked something important." I said. I pulled her closer to me and weighing my words, I whispered in her ear.

"Karla ... IS ... you!"