Vesna strode confidently along the well-trodden path toward the Echoing Depths, sword at her side, cloak billowing. Leshwai perched on her shoulder, munching a berry.
"Alright, Zzyzx. Stick to enhancing — no chit-chat distractions. We're hitting those lower floors hard."
"Mmm, but darling… this path? Boring. Slow. Sense the forest — shortcut pulses there. Faster to the dungeon!"
"Forest? Whisperwood's thick with monsters — wolves, insects, worse. Safe path's fine."
Tendrils subtly tugged her toward the trees. "Trust me. I… cleared some earlier. Easy pickings. More monsters? More fun. Feed me, get there quicker!"
"Cleared? What — hey! Stop pulling! Fine, shortcut… but if it's a mess, your fault."
Deep in Whisperwood the ambush hit — overgrown vine beasts lashing out. The fight turned into a wild, synergistic brawl: Vesna's agility boosted, Zzyzx's neon pulses and fluid tricks, Leshwai's imps and vines. They even took down a massive treant in a chaotic combo.
Afterward, the path opened toward a side entrance to the dungeon.
"That… was nuts. But yeah, faster. You planned this for fights?"
"Maybe. Hunger sated. Your pet shone too — less jealous now?"
Leshwai nuzzled, tired but proud. "Chirr… team?"
Vesna chuckled. "Fine, team. Dungeon awaits."