The whole crew ran into the core chamber. They arrived wet, wrapped in towels, and armed.
It was a strange sight. Fifty minions, skeletons in towels, orcs in bathrobes, and void bunnies shaking themselves dry, crowded into the back of the chamber. The Harem stood at the front ready for whatever was to come.
The Core Crystal, usually a calm, pulsing, was going critical. It had turned a deep, blinding violet. Arcs of black lightning were jumping from the crystal to the stone walls, carving glowing runes into the rock.
The entire dungeon shook. It wasn't a destructive shake; it was an expanding shake. It felt like the mountain was taking a deep breath and popping its knuckles.
"What is happening?" Seraphine yelled over the hum of mana. "Is it an attack?"
"No," Reed said, stepping toward the crystal. The energy didn't feel hostile. It felt... heavy. Like gravity increasing. "It's... leveling up."
He reached out. His hand touched the surface of the crystal.
BOOM.
