Somnia Online by K.T. Hanna (reading strategies book txt) 📕

to talk to Devlish. Since the beginning of working together, those two had begun to get along quite well. Mutual respect and the fact that each of their classes complimented the other definitely helped.

The bent their heads together, discussing something obviously tank-related, and Murmur squeezed Sinister’s hand as the blood mage leaned against her arm. Though they both knew it wasn’t the right time to relax, it was also nice to steal moments where they could in this totally new set of sensations. Esolan’s laughter brought Murmur crashing out of her contentment.

“Well, that was more difficult than half the bosses we’ve had to face so far,” Esolan joked.

Sinister groaned. “Seriously? Hasn’t anyone told them? You don’t invite shit to happen by saying crap like that!”

Esolan laughed for a few moments but then stopped short, and his expression grew shocked and worried.

As Murmur followed his gaze, the area they were in lit up more, and she saw the path was about to stop completely as it widened into a massive room. Ballroom-sized, in fact, complete with glass windows set in the stone walls. And the stone walls still didn’t have a ceiling. Seriously, someone had failed a couple of architecture classes for this one.

Sconces around the massive room began to come to life. One by one on opposite sides of the huge hall, they illuminated alarmingly well. Black rock that looked more like cobblestones adorned the floor. Nothing fanciful decorated any part of it at all. And Murmur noticed liquid running down the sides of the walls that reached up stories high before they ended. She couldn’t see what the liquid was, but she was fairly sure Sinister would know.

The blood mage’s face had gone pale as she looked over the area as well. “Mur…I don’t like the look of this.”

Murmur had to agree. She could feel the trepidation of every single other player in their raid through her nets. Not to mention the fact that she sensed something else outside of their group. That something was scared, but angry, and somehow still stubborn and resilient.

Finally, the lights ignited to reveal what spanned the whole middle half of the hall: a small stage decorated with skulls and other things Murmur shied away from identifying. But the most important part of it was the creature standing in the middle.

Her chest twinged, and she knew what it was, what it had to be. She heard her guild gasp collectively as they recognized her as well. Belius stiffened and moved over to stand behind Murmur, just as Telvar clenched his fists and stepped into line with the other tanks. Emilarth’s face held an impassive expression the enchanter couldn’t read. Which meant it had to be bad, because Emilarth didn’t usually hide how she felt.

Suspended by chains that reached from the top of the walls down to center stage, the feles hung there, motionless. Her robe was in tatters, and blood caked one side of her face, and one of her ears had a bit out of it now. Riasli looked nothing like she had when Murmur last saw her. Held captive, oozing defiance, and yet still emanating that underlying glee she always exhibited at wanting to make people hurt.

“What the fuck is that?” Masha breathed out.

“Riasli.” Sinister bit out the words. “She invaded our island once.”

Risk and Masha glanced at Murmur and her group. It was the Spiral dread knight who spoke first. “You know. We are so fucking going to sit down and have a chat about this. I feel like you all let us come into this blind. Anything helpful would have been great.”

But Veranol held up his hand. “We’ve encountered her before, but her abilities morph, and we had no idea she’d be in here. But yeah, that talk would be great once we get through this.”

Risk nodded reluctantly, and Murmur knew it wouldn’t be the end of it, but for now they were all prepared to fight.

“Guess we’re going in then?” Esolan asked.

“Careful.” Belius spoke up. “She is an enchanter. She’s powerful and has a tinge of blood magic in her arsenal. Don’t let her make eye contact, and make sure you let Murmur protect you with her shielding.”

Just as he finished, Riasli opened her eyes. Murmur gasped. Even with the turmoil of emotions emanating from her, she hadn’t expected the feral eyes that looked at them. Nor could she shake the feeling that this wasn’t nearly how the dungeon was supposed to go. Not even close.

Somnia Online

Continent of Cenedril - City of Darshin - Docks

Day Thirty-Two

She could feel the way the ripples spread out from the prison. It shouldn’t be here, not in this form. But it was, and she had to stabilize it or lose herself and the world. Somnia still wasn’t used to being an actual…well, being. At first, she’d been such a part of Murmur, she could hardly tell the difference. But as more people appeared to interact with, and the AIs became more active, Somnia grew in strength and learned to be aware of herself.

And now she was aware of everyone else as well. It wasn’t the same as Murmur’s sensing. No, this had to do with the intrinsic nature of the world and how it connected to her. How it was a part of her, as much as her very breath.

She knew Dirsna was standing behind her, a bit off to the left, trying to figure out how to say what was on his mind. She didn’t begrudge him his confusion, nor his want to question her, but she did think he needed to ask his question now.

“Go ahead. I don’t bite, you know.” She realized some humans might have added a yet, or much to that statement, but it wasn’t her sense of humor. Humor was the one emotion she was still having difficulty with. She leaned far closer to schadenfreude, and apparently that wasn’t very nice. Somnia didn’t want to be not very nice. She wanted to be kind—but firm—and