Dougan slid under a minotaurs strike. The behemoth creature’s arms were the width of a tree stump, and its basic looking single-handed axe was still almost a meter in length. The swipe caused a ripple in the air, the pure strength behind the swing caused a wave of pressure that would knock a normal person over.

  “Don’t worry, Jean. I got you!” Dougan said, laughing as he plunged his sword upward through the torso of the minotaur. The blood from the hole left behind by Dougan spattered back onto him.

  Jean was the name they gave the baby they had found within the loot chest left behind by the mimic on the lowest floor. Lydia had thought that it wasn’t the best choice, but Dougan had insisted. Apparently that was the name of someone in his family who had reached the peak of strength.

  “Dougan, are you stupid or something?” Lydia asked flatly.

  “What?” Dougan said, swiping his sword downward to sling the blood from it before sheathing. “Everything is all good.” He said, giving a thumbs up.

  “All good? Right… Jean’s got blood all over him and you think that is all good?” She said, giving him a look that seemed to do more than just question his intelligence.

  “What? He’s fine!” Dougan said, taking the baby sling off of his shoulder. “See?”

  I get what you are saying, Dougan… but you really aren’t pleading your case well here.

  Lydia ran her hand over her face. “When does a baby being covered in blood, sliding under the swing of a minotaur sound like it is okay?” She said exasperatedly.

  I don’t really care, but maybe she is right. What exactly am I supposed to be doing right now anyway?

  The couple were making their way out of the Averis Dungeon with the new addition to their group. It is most like a temporary arrangement, at least Dougan seems to think.

  “I get it. We aren’t going to be able to be parents anyway, Lydia. We are always running dungeons, doing quests, and anything else that pays.” Dougan looked down at the baby in the hastily made cloth sling. “Giving him to the town guards in Averis would be the best option. Maybe I should hang back from fighting until we get out, otherwise he might not make it that far.”

  Lydia sighed. “We are adventurers after all. Even if half of our group is as stupid as you.”

  “Tell me how you really feel.” Dougan said, with a fake hurt expression. “In all seriousness, though, he would be much better off at one of the church’s orphanages. At least he would be away from danger.”

  [Magical Analysis - Level 1: Unlocked]

  Wait, what?

  Writing appeared in front of Jean’s eyes. It appeared to be incorporeal floating letters, made of a dark shadowy ink outlined in light.

  What is this?

  The writing appeared to burn away, like kindling that just caught fire from some dark flame. Then, new writing replaced it.

  [Magical Analysis - Level 1]

  A magical revelation has been given to you. You are now able to analyze magic spells rank 1 or lower. This effect can change as the level increases.

  Analyze magic spells? Am I a mage like Lydia?

  “Another minotaur.” Dougan whispered to Lydia as a giant figure came into view from the darker portion of the stone tunnel.

  “I’ll handle this one.” Lydia said, walking forward. “Just keep Jean safe, if you please.” She looked back and gave him another flat look.

  “Okay, okay. I get it.” Dougan said, throwing his hands up in surrender.

  “Good.” Lydia said, closing her eyes. “Firestorm.”

  A tornado of flame sparked and rose up from the floor, surrounding the minotaur. The intense flame burned, pulling on the oxygen in the surrounding area.

  “How am I supposed to keep him safe when you are pulling stuff like that?!” Dougan yelled, turning around to shield Jean as the heat singed the cloth sling.

  Analyze?

  [Error: You can not analyze magic of that rank.]

  That would have been great. Maybe I could help them get out of here if I knew something helpful.

  “Sorry!” Lydia yelled, her broken concentration causing the flaming tornado to disappear. “Flame isn’t the best option here, I admit that.”

  As the minotaur stood back up, covered in burns but that didn’t look to hinder its ability to fight back, Lydia held out her wand once more. “Ice lance.”

  Her spell seemed to pull the moisture from the air, converging it into a pointed block of ice.

  Analyze.

  [Analyzing: Ice Lance]

  The block of ice flew toward the minotaur, exploding against its chest and knocking it to the ground. It wasn’t enough to kill it, but before it could regain its fighting stance Lydia launched three more Ice Lance spells into its chest. The last one not exploding, but sticking into its chest. As the spell faded, the wound looked almost identical to the one left by Dougan.

  “See that, Jean? Her fire spells are on another level, but her ice spells really aren’t anything to scoff at either. She can already cast rank 6 fire spells, and she’s only 20.” Dougan said, watching every movement made by Lydia.

  He’s definitely mesmerized by more than her spells. Are they not —

  [Ice Lance Analysis Complete]

  [Ice Lance - Level 1: Unlocked.]

  Without wasting a moment, the text burned away and brought up the information Jean was really wanting to know.

  [Ice Lance - Level 1]

  Converge ambient moisture into an ice projectile. If there isn’t any ambient moisture, then mana is used to create the moisture required for the creation of the ice projectile. The size and speed of the projectile is relative to the amount of mana imbued into the spell. This effect can change as the level increases.

  I like that it worked, but I still don’t understand what’s going on. What happened to me before all of this, and why does it look like I am the only one who can see this writing.

  “Very nice, Lydia. Elegant as always.” Dougan said smiling. He may have been genuinely taken with Lydia, but to her it appeared as though he was being sarcastic.

  “Don’t be a smartass, Dougan.” Lydia said without turning around.

  Jean could feel his shoulders slump, even though he couldn’t see his face he could tell the brawny man felt defeated.

  With the third floor cleared, Dougan and Lydia sat at the staircase leading up to the second. Lydia held out her hand, and purple lightning crackled around her hand focusing on her fingertips. After a moment, a round hole appeared as though it were a tear in space. Out of that hole, Lydia pulled a woven basket. The basket itself was a plain, woven wood basket. The top was covered with a red cloth, hiding the contents within.

  Whoa, that looks like some kind of interdimensional storage… Analyze.

  [Error: You can not analyze magic of that rank.]

  Of course.

  “Time for lunch, Dougan.” Lydia said, uncovering the sandwiches.

  Dougan sat crosslegged, with Jean laying on the folded cloth on one of the steps. “I always love your meals, Lydia.” He said, grabbing one of the sandwiches.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “I guess I am happy to hear that. We really need to figure out what to do with the baby.” Lydia said, taking a seat right above Dougan.

  “You mean Jean?” Dougan said, poking the baby with his finger tip.

  “You literally gave him that name on a whim, Dougan. We need to figure out what to do with him once we get out of the dungeon. We can’t carry a baby around on adventures, and we are definitely not parent material.” Lydia said, pulling a sandwich out for herself.

  “I don’t know, I think you would make a marvelous mother.” Dougan said absently, not noticing the blushed look of shock on Lydia’s face. “I may not be the best father figure, but if anyone could be a mother I would put my money on you.”

  “Ju-just stop, Dougan.” Lydia stuttered, shoving a sandwich in her mouth.

  “What should we do? I mean, we could raise him as an adventurer.” Dougan said, absent mindedly playing with Jean.

  Lydia stayed silent, watching Dougan as he absent mindedly made weird noises and played with Jean. Her mind was playing through the different scenarios of what could happen, trying to figure out would be the most probable if they were to keep jean.

  “First things first, let’s get out of this dungeon. We can figure out what to do after that.” Lydia said. She sat up, and once again opened her storage space and placed the basket back inside it.

  They both fought their way through the second level of the dungeon, in comparison to the other floors it was a walk in the park. Dougan effortlessly mowed down enemies who came close, while Lydia set everything else ablaze at a distance. As they went, Jean started noticing them picking up what looked like small rocks from the dead monsters.

  I wonder what it is they are doing.

  By this point, they both were not having to try to fight their way through, the enemies were too weak. However, upon entering the first level their view on the situation changed.

  “These are all low rank monsters… but there are so many…” Dougan whispered from the top of the staircase. “We can make it through, but it looks like whatever was stopping the monsters from spawning in this dungeon is gone now.”

  “I agree, let’s leave Jean here at the top of the stairs and clean house. Then we can come back and grab him before we leave. That gives us the lowest chance of him getting hurt.” Lydia said, materializing her wand.

  Dougan unwrapped Jean and laid him down to the right of the door, and untethered his greatsword from his back. Then they nodded at each other, which signaled the started of the fight as they both charged forward.

  Jean sat, watching the pair utterly overwhelm the monsters of the first level. His makeshift blanket covered one of his eyes, obstructing his view.

  They are amazing… but this cloth is in the way. I can’t see them…

  He tried waving his small arm to push the cloth down, but only managed to wrinkle the cloth a little.

  I got to.. get up…

  He slowly teetered himself up, bracing against the wall. Repeatedly falling back over onto the cloth wrap. Eventually, he was able to sit upright and get a full view of the battle unfolding in front of him. Lydia was gracefully flying through the air, not actually flying, but gliding from one wall to the other firing off spells at the hundreds of goblins, slimes, and skeletons that were trying to overwhelm them with numbers. Dougan, in contrast, stood directly in the middle of the crowd swinging his sword like a madman.

  Bones, slime, and the ichor that was goblin blood flew in every direction as they two mercilessly carved apart the large group of monsters.

  After the carnage that was the longest battle Jean has seen them take part in, the two just looked at each other and smiled. Jean felt a sense of unease as they looked around, grabbing the small rocks as though the walls and floor weren’t covered in monster blood.

  That was great… but are they actually okay? Are all people like this?

  “Jean, no!” Lydia yelled, trying to materialize her wand once more. Dougan had turned to see what she was shouting at only to turn pale white.

  Jean, who was sitting against the wall, was a meter away from a skeleton that apparently was hiding in the corner while Dougan and Lydia were fighting the rest. It lunged.

  Knowing they wouldn’t be able to make it in time, Lydia let out a cry and both of them lunged toward the skeleton hoping to get its attention. It didn’t even notice them.

  The skeleton swung its sword downward with its bony arm, going straight for the kill.

  Time almost stood still for Jean. Lydia’s tears, Dougan’s rush, and the skeleton’s attack all seemed to move in slow motion.

  Ice Lance.

  In front of the baby, a small block of pointed ice materialized, and exploded with momentum toward the skeleton. After that, everything faded to black.

  I have heard this story before, but it really doesn’t make sense that a baby killed a skeleton or that I was a random drop from a loot chest.

  “It’s true, Jean.” Dougan nodded. “You just turned five, and we wanted to tell you the story of how we all came together.

  “I know, dad, but it just doesn’t seem like something that is real.” Jean said. He thought they were just overexaggerating, but he doesn’t have any memories of being that young. According to other people in town, it’s normal for the young to not be developed enough to have memories until they get a little older.

  Still though, I feel like I remember something. I just don’t know what it is.

  “Anyway, while you can’t work or go down into the dungeon with us you can definitely pick up an apprenticeship and start learning how the world works.” Lydia said, holding up her finger. “I think you need to figure out something you want to do, and do it.”

  “Sword training, of course!” Dougan said, boisterously.

  “Don’t be an idiot, Dougan!” Lydia shouted. “Obviously he should do something magic related. He used Ice Lance the same day he was born! He’s going to be a proper mage one day!”

  “Don’t I get a say in this?” Jean asked.

  “Of course!” Dougan said, smiling. “As long as you want to be a warrior!”

  “Shut up, Dougan! Or you can sleep outside tonight!” Lydia snapped at him.

  Dougan shifted his shoulders in defeat, and looked down. “I thought it would be a good idea… I mean he is my son, after all.”

  “He’s my son, too, Dougan!” Lydia said, pointing at him like an angry mother does to chastise her child.

  The two rambled on about magic and sword training, eventually leading to both of them getting quiet because neither one of them looked to waver with their decision.

  “I don’t know what I want to do, but I feel like I want to make something.” Jean said, trying to defuse the situation.

  Over the years, Jean had come to know them as his mother and father. He knows they love each other dearly, but they have the weirdest ways of showing it. Everyday, they bicker and argue but then turn around and act coy and cute with each other. By the end of the day they are laughing together and enjoying dinner.

  “Maybe I can go out and look around town today?” Jean asked. “I haven’t been able to properly wander around yet, so I don’t know what all there is to choose from in Averis.”

  “Well, you are still only five, Jean. We can’t rightly have you wander around town on your own. What if something happens?” Lydia said, gesturing toward Dougan. “I have to go to the guild today, but maybe your father can take you out to look around town a bit.”

  Dougan turned toward Lydia, “We should have talked about this first before you volunteered me!” He whispered, still loud enough for Jean to hear. “I wanted to go back to the dungeon today!”

  “We just got back yesterday, you can take the time to take Jean around town today. You don’t remember what you said?” Lydia whispered, squinting her eyes at him as though he were prey.

  “Yeah, yeah. I remember.” Dougan said, puffing his cheeks out. “But you should have talked with me first, at least I could have planned around it.”

  Lydia ran a hand over her face. “You can go later, just do your fatherly duties HUSBAND.” Her whisper turned into a soft shout at the end. “Besides, making sure he is ready for the world is our job now, right?”

  Dougan grinned. “How did I marry such a smart woman?”

  “Because we found a baby in a chest in a dungeon, dear.” Lydia said, smiling back.

  Jean gestured like he was going to throw up. “Great, now I’m nauseous.” Jean said.

  Dougan turned back toward Lydia, smiling.

  “No, you still have to take him around town.”

  He slumped again, in utter defeat.

  “Look, it’s not that I am opposed to taking you around town. You know that, right?” Dougan said, patting Jean on the back.

  Dougan practically lives in the dungeon. Jean knows the truth as to why, whether Dougan wants to admit it or if he even realizes it. When he becomes more powerful, he can protect everyone that much better. Not to mention, for those of higher skill and power, money is plentiful thanks to the drops in the dungeon’s lower floors.

  “Don’t worry, I underst–”

  “Dougan? Is that you?” A female voice rang out from one of the small crowds gathered around the different storefronts.

  “Alicia? Alicia Deano?” Dougan said, rushing over to give her a hug. He looked around frantically, “Where’s Kael these days?”

  Jean noticed as a look of sadness crept over Alicia’s face, but she was still smiling. “We can talk about that, let’s head over to my father’s shop and we can chat over some tea.”

  Dougan looked back at Jean.

  Jean smiled warmly. “We wanted to go look at some shops anyway, why don’t we take her up on her offer?”

  Alicia led them to a small shop on an alley off of the main thoroughfare. It wasn’t especially noticeable, the outer stone blending in with the sides of the other stores. The sign, small and hung just above the door, said “Octavio’s Magical Equipment”.

  Magical equipment? Is this an artifact shop? The shop itself looks humble, but well kept.

  “I know it’s nothing fancy, but my dad’s a real professional.” Alicia said, and she moved the hanging carpets that acted like the doorway and walked in.

  “Dad, remember you are married. Don’t make mom mad at you again.” Jean said, looking at Dougan flatly.

  “Aw… shut it, kid.” Dougan said, turning red. “It’s not like that.”

  “Welcome to Octavio’s Magical Equipment.” Alicia said as we walked in. “He specializes in creating custom magical equipment for adventurers, knights, and court magicians.”

  Jean wandered around the little display area, until he came across a display cabinet with five wands in it. All of them were intricately carved, and laden with gems. With the exception of one, which looked to be made of metal.

  “Interested in those things?” A man’s voice said from the counter.

  It was an older man, he appeared to be around sixty years old wearing a brown apron and a set of thick glasses.