Goldirox looked over when the three adventurers appeared next to him. He beat his fists on the ground, able to sense the two pieces of the flute. "LILY FIND. LILY FIX! MADUSA BROKE FLUTE. LILY FIX FLUTE. FIND GOLD."

Babs ran over, jumping up and down as she clapped for her friend. "I can't believe it! Lily! The Golden Age is so close!"

"Miss Lily." Ordelia came up, grabbing Lily's hand before she could rush into the smithy. "Be careful, we warn. Madusa despises beauty – shiny metal, nice building, pretty face, all these things. Must hide pretty face. Yes, must hide pretty face."

Lily watched as Ordelia took off deeper into town, frowning some. She looked to Malroth who nodded, this would be another project like the Leaf of Life. He sat in front of the door to the smithy as Lily set to work. He slowly swayed with the feeling of magic, feeling the gentle pull and push off it.

"Mal, you alright there, hun?" Babs stopped in front of him, holding out a cold wet rag.

"Yeah, I'm fine, why?"

"You're sweatin'." She leaned down, wrapping the cloth around the back of his neck, smiling some when he gave a small shiver.

Malroth watched her leave, suddenly aware of the pain that crawled over his skin with each wave of magic. He looked over, seeing Goldi staring intently at the smithy. "Oi! Goldi, what's wrong?"

"LILY ASKING TOO MUCH. ME SAVE POWER."

Then the magic suddenly stopped, sending a cold chill through Malroth. He shot up and through the door, seeing Lily wobbling on her toes before collapsing. He dove, catching her before she could hit the ground. He looked at the bench, seeing the flute was finished, but she was exhausted. "Goddess. You're so stupid sometimes. You could have forced Goldi to give you magic."

"He wants to preserve it… I didn't want to hurt him." She whimpered, her vision fading in and out.

Malroth looked over when Tiny landed on the bench, watching them carefully. "Can I give her some of mine? Is that possible?"

Tiny frowned at Malroth, something in those dark, beady eyes told Malroth that might be a bad idea, but the dracky sighed and nodded. "Only a little bit at a time."

Malroth listened as Tiny explained how to go about it, he crossed his legs, pulling Lily into his lap and pressing his forehead against hers and breathing in and out slowly. His limbs started to tingle, but he could feel Lily pulling at him. But she wasn't. Then the sensation hit him like a full mine cart, knocking the wind from his lungs.

"Malroth! Only a little-!" Tiny let out a cry as a wave of energy knocked him back. He watched in awe as Lily took the energy from Malroth, but that destructive man was like an ocean of power. He watched as Lily's eyes opened, those once bright blue eyes were speckled with red as the destructive energy coursed through her.

"Mal… what's this feeling?" Lily whispered, keeping her forehead pressed to his as she panted, feeling like she could destroy anything with a single touch.

Malroth smirked, nipping at her nose. "Do you want to destroy things? Obliterate everything that stands in your path?" When she nodded slowly, he let out a gruff chuckle. "That's my every day feeling."

Lily let Malroth hold her as he stood up, helping her steady herself on her legs. She reached over, grabbing the flute and Malroth's hand, leading him back outside. The two turned, suddenly face to face with an angry Goldirox. "Goldi."

Goldirox breathed in deep, a soft snarl leaving him. "BOTH SMELL DESTRUCTIVE. ME PROTECT KHRUMBUL-DUN."

Lily held up the flute, giving him a smile. "Don't worry, Khrumbul-Dun is safe from us, we need to go down to the mines to find you your gold."

Magrog ran over, eyes sparkling as he held his hands out, almost as if he were afraid to touch the flute. "This… this is the lost treasure of Khrumbul-Dun… Lily… you've done it! We're gonna be swimming in gold soon!"

Lily pulled the flute to her lips, carefully blowing into it. But nothing happened, she frowned at it. "Did I mess-"

"Lily! I hear it!" Malroth howled as he ran over to the stairs, a wide grin on his lips as he jabbed his finger towards the mine.

"Of course, it would be you that heard it." Lily laughed as she and Dougie followed Malroth into the mines.

"Lily! Wait!" Babs ran up, a small sack in her hands. "Be careful down there."

Malroth watched Lily tuck the food away in her pouch. "Pssst, Lily… are you sure we can trust her? She's always plying you with food. I think she might be up to something…"

"Oh, Malroth is silly." Ordelia giggled from behind them, making the three jump from their skin. "It doesn't understands a woman's heart one itty-bitty bit!"

Lily laughed at both of them, popping a marshroom into her mouth. "I hold Babs' darkest secret, neither of you would understand."


The three stood in front of a wall, staring at it as a beautiful sound bounced back at them. Lily didn't know how to describe it, but she wanted to stay there and keep playing the flute so she could listen to this lullaby all day. But if they were correct, she could break down this wall and they'd hit one of the veins they were looking for.

Dougie watched as Lily tore the walls down, seeing the flex of her muscles was more prominent than they were the day before. "'Ey… Lily? 'As you gotten stronger?" Before she could answer, Dougie saw it, the golden glitter in the rocks just ahead. "Thas it! Thas it! Lily! We did it!"

When the trio came back up top, the town was cheering for them, roaring and whistling. News had traveled back quick that all three veins had been found. Lily had ducked into the smithy, making the braziers that she needed for the bar.

She had made quick work of them and was placing them at the bar when Serge slowly walked up to her. "Yes?"

"Lily… I was wondering, if the best builder I know… could upgrade the showers. We have a lot more miners now, and this town is gathering quite a smell to it."

"I can agree to that."

"We'll need about five showers, and I ask that you put in windows, make it scenic-" Serge flinched when Lily slowly turned to him, the look on her face made his cheeks turn red. "What?!"

"You want… windows… in the showers?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"It is ill-mannered to ask your clientele why they want something."

"But… windows… in the showers."

"Yes!" Lily watched as Serge took off, in a huff. She shook her head and sighed, finishing up at the bar before going to the smithy to make… windows, and more showers. By the time she was finished there, the sun was dipping low, but they hadn't called for the evening count yet.

Lily looked out the windows of the new shower room, seeing Malroth standing outside with his arms crossed. She stepped out, leaning against the doorframe. "Serge."

"Probably just wants to peep."

"That's why I put it up a little higher, make it harder on anyone who wants to peep." Lily shrugged but stood straighter when she saw Serge coming up the stairs over by the Silver Pub. "Oi! Serge!"

Serge looked up, then his eyes got wide when he saw the showers and ran over to her and Malroth. "Yes! This is what I wanted!" He looked at the two who had their brows raised at him. "What?! You two have inappropriate thoughts, don't you?! I do not wish to peep. Those poor miners are down in the mines all day every day, they need some sunshine, and windows in the showers gives them the scenic view over the town and gives it natural lighting so they can enjoy the warmth of the sun on those muscles."

Malroth rolled his eyes and turned away, going to the Copper Pub. Lily patted Serge on the shoulder before following Malroth. Malroth let out a growl when he saw Digby eating a steak, the look on the miner's face was blissful even. "Babs! This steak! It's delicious… what didja do to it?!"

"Steak?" Babs walked over; brows knitted together in confusion as she shook her head. "I 'aven't made no steaks, Digby. The two looked over, seeing Lily and Malroth walk into the pub. "Did you make steaks, Lily?"

"I haven't cooked hardly anything, maybe some fruit, but that's it." Lily scratched her chin, confused as well. Until Malroth's fist hit Digby in the jaw, sending him barreling off the chair. "M-Mal!"

"That was my steak! I was saving it for later, you ass!" Malroth snarled and took Digby's spot to finish the steak.

"Wait… you… you cooked?" Lily stepped up next to Malroth, eyeing the steak.

"Yeah? So what? You wanna taste it?" When Lily nodded, Malroth cut a little piece off and held the fork out to her, he watched as her lips wrapped around the meat. He raised his brows at her when she let out a satisfied noise. "Lily… did you just…?"

Lily's eyes sparkled as her mouth watered. "Mal! That steak… it… it's amazing! How did… when did…"

"It can't be that good." Babs gasped when Malroth shoved a little piece in her mouth. Her reaction was the same as Lily's, her knees wobbled, and she dug her nails into the bar. "'Ow… 'ow did you make this?! I don't… I don't think I've ever moaned over food." Her cheeks were red as she too, stared at the steak.

"It's just a steak, guys." Malroth grumbled, frowning when Lily stole another piece. "Oi. Leave it. This is mine!"

"What's mine is yours and what's yours is mine." Lily purred as she forced her way into his lap, eagerly awaiting another piece.

"I just fried it in some oil and used some gladioli petals for flavor."

The group gawked at Malroth as he ate his steak around Lily, a look on his face. "I didn't get the cook right this time. It's a little too done for my taste."

Dougie ran in, the sun was coming down quick, but his eyes were wide. "Miss Lily! Miss Lily! Can we get another dormitory? And make it fancy! We 'ave too many miners to fit in the old one!"

Lily rolled her eyes, kissing Malroth on the cheek before wiggling out of his lap and out of the pub.


An hour later and Digby was sounding the evening count bell, eyes sparkling as he looked to Goldirox. "Looks like we've only got a fousand more gold to pull an' you'll be all gold! We got almost four fousand today! Way to go boys! Drinks round the 'ouse for e'eryone!"

Lily leaned back, looking up at the fancy new dormitory she had built. The walls were made of silver and the beds were actual beds instead of straw mats, curtains were over the windows to help block out early morning rays. If this wasn't fancy enough for Digby, she'd ring his neck. But the miner came over, beaming as he ran in. "This is perfect! Perfect!"


The next day was met with more small projects and the miners bringing back as much gold as they could carry. Lily and Babs watched as Digby counted, their eyes locked on the sparkling nuggets. "An' that makes one fousand! 'Oo wants to give Goldi the good news?"

Babs was the first out the door, running to the Golem. "Goldi! Goldi! We did it! We did it!"

Goldi let out a roar as he scooped Babs up, rubbing his face against her. "ME HAPPY! ME HAPPY BABS HAPPY!"

Lily and Digby carried the bags of gold out to Goldirox, smiling at him as they set them down. "Hope you're hungry, big guy!" Lily laughed as Goldi set Babs down, his large silver fists digging into the bags. Magic gathered around him and gold slowly crawled up his arms, engulfing his entire body. Lily could feel the pull on her own energy, but she stood her ground, letting Goldi fight through this change on his own.

Malroth came over, wrapping arm around her waist. "You're not going to help him? Are you being petty?"

"Not in the slightest. Goldi needs to learn to control himself as the gold takes over, Tiny told me how Gold Golems are very temperamental. Goldirox has to use what power he's saved up to control the new levels. If I help him, what happens when I'm gone? Will he be able to control himself? Or will he go on a rampage and think that the people here are trespassing in his domain? If he loses control now while fighting for it, you and I are here, able to take him down so he can try again."

Malroth gave a nod, seeing that Goldi was huffing and puffing as energy surged through the golem. He leaned down, getting in Malroth's face and letting out a roar that had most of the miners cowering back. But Malroth stood his ground, letting out little flares of his own energy. He slammed his head against Goldi's roaring back at the golem that challenged him. Lily watched the two, but it was Goldi who backed down first, Malroth was clearly the stronger of the two, and Goldi acknowledged that, peacefully. She let out a sigh, her fingers brushing Malroth's to pull him back down from the challenge.

Babs ran up, hugging Goldirox's arm. "Oh! Goldi! You did it! You're a gold golem now! Look at ya!" Her eyes were sparkling as she jumped around. "I've been practisin' the Khrumbul-Dun Rhumba every night in secret, lookin' forward to this day!"

"Yes, yes! Babs is gonna show us 'er moves!" Dougie bounced around, eager to see his girl on the large stage of the Silver Bar. "Can we see now?! Can we?!"

"Nah. The stage just ain't ready yet. Once I've got a proper place to boogie on down, I'll show you me dance. Cross me 'eart, an' all that!" Babs giggled before disappearing.

Digby stomped around, growling to himself. "Grrr! Babs 'as really wound me up this time! Wot does she mean 'the stage ain't ready'? Looks fine to me!"

Serge ran over, looking between Digby and Lily, who was slowly putting her hands up, clearly not wanting to get in the middle of trying to figure Babs out once more. "I have a theory! To give her the very best performance, Babs will need some sort of platform upon which to perform. A boogie board, if you will! That should help her footwork to no end!"

Digby's eyes sparkled as he looked to Lily who was groaning at them. "You might be on to sumfin' there, Serge! Lily! C'mon! Lily! We jus' need three boogie boards! That way Babs'll dance fer us!"

Lily shook her head but disappeared into the smithy, knowing this wasn't going to be what she needed. She could feel Malroth's eyes on her as she built the three boogie boards. "I don't think this is going to work. But what else can I try? Those boys are almost desperate."

Malroth chuckled as he followed Lily out to the Silver Bar, watching as she strategically placed the boogie boards. Digby and Serge were on the second level within moments, wide grins on their faces. Until Ordelia laughed from the water. "You don't understand how a woman's heart works at all, do you dearies? If it doesn't learn, Babs will never dances for it! What a girl needs is something to show her what a superstar you think she is. Something spectaculars! It puts her name in lights!"

Lily looked down at Ordelia, her fingers pressed to her lips as she started thinking. "Is there anything that I could use to make a sign like that?"

"Of course! Must uses zenithium! Very rare! Very shiny! If you love her as much as you say, only the best will do!" Ordelia sang as she floated around in the water.

Lily shook her head, laughing. Babs was her best friend here, the fact that the boys thought she was competition. "Guess we're going back down to the mines, hm?"

Before she could head down though, Malroth scooped her up and jumped down onto the floor beneath. "Tomorrow." He growled as he carried a pouting builder into their room.


Lily and Malroth were up early the next morning, standing in front of the Goodybags. "Ooh! Bona to varda! Your dolly old eeks again! I know you can't have minced it all the way down here just to visit little old me!"

"You're right… we're looking for zenithium. We were wondering if you've seen any?" Lily winced when the four Goodybags let out shrieks.

"Zenithium!? Oh my! You've certainly got a bona orb for fortuni trinkets! Luckily for you, I've got an eye for valuables too! But I've charpered high and low for that stuff, but there's nishta to be found ajax. There's none at all nearby… but there is a tunnel just east of here. Why don't you troll over and have a varda?"

Lily and Malroth shrugged as they thanked the Goodybags and slipped away. Lily waited until they were down the tunnel to pull out the flute, afraid that the Goodybags would go haywire over it. She played it softly, watching for Malroth's reaction. When he took off deeper into the tunnel, she followed. "Play it again." And she did. He grabbed her arm, yanking her down a small tunnel, looking around. "Again."

And again, she did. He pointed to the wall of rock in front of them. "There!" He watched as she pulled her hammer out and started slamming through the rocks. Before too long they were staring at a small vein of glowing blue rock. The two grinned at each other and set to work on digging out the zenithium.

Lily and Malroth hadn't dug out two blocks yet when the bigger Goodybag was on them. "You've found some! I can't begin to imagine how you got your lills on that! You seemed tres intent on finding it, though. What are you planning on using it for?"

"I'm planning on making a sign with it, for one of the girls up top."

"… I beg your pardon. What's a sign? Whatever it is, it sounds absolutely bona! Mind if I come up and have a varda? Don't worry, I won't shush it or anything."

Lily laughed as she went back to work on digging. "That's fine, Goody."

"My name is Jules, by the way. Let me know when you're ready. I want to see all your pretty, zhooshy things." Jules watched Lily and Malroth collect the whole lot before Lily pulled out a map, warping them out of the mines. "So… this is where you live? It's tres Fantabulosa! Oh, look who it is! Bona to varda your eek again, Goldirox! Honestly, there's so much muscle on show around here, I don't know where to cast my orbs! Not that I mind a few dolly dishes ajax, you understand."

"JULES. GOOD TO SEE AGAIN."

Jules turned to Lily, twisting around the builder, sniffing at her. "But before I get settled in, I need to ask you something… how did you find that zenithium?" Lily pulled out the flute, smiling at the Goodybag. "…. EH?! Y-Y-You've got your fambles on the echo flute?! With that, I could charper out all the zhooshiest treasures in the world!" Jules calmed down some, giving Lily the side eye. "I might have a screech with you later and ask you to help me find a few fortuni bits of treasure, hope you don't mind."

Lily laughed as she tucked the flute back. "If I'm not too busy, maybe." She left the gathering crowd and ducked into the safety of the smithy, making the sign as Malroth came in behind her. She felt him wrap his arms around her middle, squeezing her against him as he breathed her in. "Are you alright, Mal?"

"Just a little chilly."

"It's like a hundred degrees out." Lily laughed but turned in his hold, squeezing him back. "Are you getting sick?"

"I dunno."

Lily frowned and held him there for a few moments, a chill running up her spine when he nipped at her. She pulled back some, shoving a finger into his mouth and lifting his lip. He started to grumble at her when she ran her thumb over his canine tooth. "They've gotten longer."

Malroth stilled as his builder examined his teeth. "They have?"

Lily slid her arms under his jacket, feeling how cool he was to the touch. "Why don't you go hang out by the poolside, soak in some rays?" She watched as he nodded and slowly pulled away, leaving her in the smithy so he could go relax in the sun. She took the finished sign, shrinking it down and hiding it in her bag before going to set it up at the pool.

As soon as the sign was up, everyone came running, staring at it in wonder and amazement. "Lily! Lily! Lily! The boogie boards'er in place an' Babs's billboard is lightin' the town up! Finally, at long, long, last… Babs is gonna dance for us!" Dougie let out a cry, staring up at the glowing sign.

Babs was walking by when the sign caught her attention. Her eyes sparkled like the night sky as she stared at it. "Gordon Bennett! The place looks absolutely wonderful! An' wot's that sign? I love it!"

"It's made from the rarest, dolliest metal in Khrumbul-Dun, Zenithium!" Jules bounced over, purring as she sat behind Lily. "You're a bona builder, Lily!"

"You did all this for me, Lily?! I dunno 'ow to thank ya! You've made me one 'appy bunny!" Babs giggled as she bounced around, her hands tucked up against her chest as she hopped around like a bunny. "I'll dance an extra special version o' the Khrumbul-Dun Rhumba, just for you!"

"BABS DANCE NOW?! WANT TO SEE! CANNOT WAIT!" Goldi cheered from where sat.

Babs laughed, winking at Lily as she slowly hopped away. "Tee hee hee! Not now, Goldirox… but soon!" She laughed louder at the miner's reactions. "When everythin's done, we'll throw a whoppin' great shindig to celebrate! Then I'll kick the party off in style wiv me dancin' skills!" She looked to Lily again, grinning. "Can ya wait for yer extra-special show just a smidgen longer, Lily?"

"LILY… ME GET BAD FEELING… DANGEROUS FEELING." Malroth and Lily looked to each other, then at the others that would fight with them.

"Time to fight!" Malroth growled, a wicked look in those blood red pools of his. "The Children are getting ready to launch an attack on the Silver Bar, but we won't let them. The Madusa might come along for the ride this time. Remember, if we can defeat her, Goldirox will get all his powers back – so keep your eyes peeled!"

The group waited, seeing a large Dirty Dogu and a Living statue amongst the group of monsters. "I got those two, everyone keep the other monsters busy!" Lily pulled out her hammer as she ran towards the two stone monsters.

Goldi helped her smash through the two monsters, easily throwing the Living Statue against the canyon walls, shattering it. Lily finished off the Dirty Dogu in a few hits before turning and feeling Malroth's rage pulse through her. Goldi growled at her, feeling the spike of power in her. "LILY CAREFUL."

"Malroth!" She watched as the group from Khrumbul-Dun scattered, knowing the move that was coming as Malroth met Lily half way and throwing her up and over the monsters. Babs watched in awe as the two landed, the monsters turned to a dark ash that was carried away by the warm breeze.

"We really showed 'em 'oo's boss this time, right, Lily?!" Babs cheered as she ran over to her friend, hugging the builder.

"Still, the Madusa wasn't with them. She's the one thing standing in the way of us and the next Golden Age. We have to get rid of her." Malroth snarled as he stomped back into town.

"Malroff! I fink yer forgettin' sumfin' much more important than that! Babs's dance!" Digby ran up to Babs, scooping her up and swinging her around as she laughed.

"That's right!" Den came up to the group, laughing as he slapped Lily against the back. "There ain't a soul in sight 'oo's not lookin' forward to it. The monsters are all defeated! You're the guest of 'onour! We can't start wivout ya!"

Lily looked to Malroth, seeing the concern in his eyes. It was a bad idea. She knew it was, but the people of Khrumbul-Dun needed to let loose, they needed to have this sigh of relief. She looked back to Den, giving him her best smile. "Fine… let's do this."

"Good. Just remember, this is our way of sayin' thanks for all ya 'ave done for Khrumbul-Dun. Babs 'as changed 'er 'air an' got some new clobber especially for the occasion. I ain't never seen 'er so excited before." Den left Malroth and Lily to themselves as he went to the bar.


The sun had set, and the moon was high in the sky was Babs took the stage, dancing for everyone with two beefy miners behind her. Goldirox looked like he was about to lose his mind as he scooped Lily up. "LOOK, LILY! LOOK AT BABS! SHE VERY GOOD DANCER. VERY EXCITED! BRICKS COMING LOOSE!" Lily laughed, feeling a bit of Goldi's magic pouring from him. "BABS NO MADE OF GOLD. BUT BABS SHINE ON STAGE. MORE SHINY THAN ME!"

"Oh~ Goldi! Bring me Lily, please!" Babs hollered from her place on the stage, waving the two over.

Lily felt the alcohol spinning her brain as Babs pulled her onto the stage with her from Goldi's hands. The bunny girl had blonde hair now and her outfit was white with gold trim. "As a thank ya, Lily! We couldn't 'ave gotten this far wivout you showin' up to Khrumbul-Dun!"

The two girls danced and twirled on the stage, holding each other as they spun around, laughter bubbling from drunken lips. No one saw the shadow looming over the Silver Bar. No one expected what happened next as a voice echoed around the town. "Builder… what have you done? Sssuch sssoundsss… sssuch… sssightsss. Without you… thisss beauty… would never have been born…"

Malroth whirled, eyes wide as Madusa, a blue being with snakes coming off her round body and single green eye lowered herself down, staring down the builder. "LILY!" Malroth turned, watching helplessly as a magic shot from Madusa, heading for the two girls.

Babs lunged forward, shoving Lily out of the way of the blast, her eyes wide as she slowly turned to stone. Lily stumbled back, a scream ripping from her throat as her right hand was caught by the magic. She felt the air whoosh around her as she fell, then nothingness. She felt her body hit the ground, but she couldn't stop her wailing. Her arm was on fire, her whole being trembled as she heard the others screaming Babs' name. She slowly turned her head as she started to hyperventilate, eyes glued on Madusa who was staring down at her. "That worksss asss well. She ssstole their heartsss, now she isss jussst another ssstone." A portal opened under Madusa as she disappeared.