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She sliced through the two minion-things in her path, grinning as their blood smoldered in droplets on her cheeks. She didn’t bother to conjure a light. She’d already memorized the labyrinth from cheat sites. Learn from everyone else’s mistakes. That was one of her many mottos.

She readied herself for the narrow passageway ahead, and the waiting demons who possessed it.
She reached out to touch the wall, staggered when it wasn’t there. She felt around, finding nothing.

She should have realized this.. she should have noticed that her breaths didn’t echo in the enclosed space. It had ended so suddenly… this wasn’t right… she could have sworn she’d taken the right corridor…

She froze, hearing the soft “tsk tsk” sound to her left.
“You should know better, Val. They’re changing the maze every week now.”
“Daleth, you sorrowful git. You just about gave me a coronary.”
“You’re closer than you think. There are only three more obstacles from here to the Boss room.” He murmured a light-spell, illuminating their faces.

The “all-knowing” ones always wore elfish ears, it seemed. And green hair. Why green? Why? Val hadn’t bothered to change her appearance at all. Hell, she didn’t even wear a helmet.

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She shook her head, leaning on her sword. “Where are you logging on from? Still in Arcadia, or did you actually go the distance this time just to see little old me?”

“Oh, I logged in here, all right. Better fucking believe it.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “By the tone of your voice, I don’t think you came here because of me…”
He frowned. “You mean you haven’t heard??”
Val’s brow furrowed as well. She tilted her head, twirling a hand in a gesture that said “go on.”
“He’s here. He’s physically here.”
“Who’s here?”
“Shardik!” he squeaked impatiently.
“What, you mean their server’s here?”
“NO! God and Christ, Val, Shardik is an actual PLAYER!”
She breathed a skeptical “psh” and started toward the next corridor, igniting her own spell-light.
“Val! Seriously-”
“I can’t believe you actually bought that stupid rumor.”
“Val… there’s no algorithm.”
“Of course there’s an algorithm. It’s probably more advanced than your poor little juvenile mind can comprehend.”
Daleth looked away, hurt. “I just turned 18. You can’t call me that anymore.”

Valkyrae swept a gauntleted hand in front of the next door, chanting her opening spell.