“How long until she gets here?” Cedrik asked.

  “She’ll get here when she gets here, Cedrik. They’re probably rounding up guards and such,” Callum said.

  “Asling will be back soon,” Pandora said as she caught a ripple out of the corner of her eyes. She focused on the ripple, more a shimmer, and asked, “Hey, do any of you see that shimmer?” She said pointing at the center which was resolving into the image of a man standing next to a Node, not unlike what she’d stood next to when she talked to the Dungeon. No, it was the same node.

  “What shimmer?” Robert asked as he looked then said, “Oh, I see it. Hey, do you see the man standing there looking back at us? It’s like a window.”

  Pandora squinted as the man’s image came more into focus and her eyes went wide with shock as she started to rush toward the image and called out, “Dad!” As she reached where the shimmer had been only smooth stone rested under her hands, “You all saw that right, I’m not going crazy?” she asked plaintively.

  “I saw him,” Robert said.

  “As did I,” Pythias said.

  “Me too, Callum affirmed. “Are you sure it was your dad?”

  “I am certain,” Pandora said.

  “Look at it this way, you know he’s trying to find you?” Robert said.

  “There is that”, Pandora agreed as her lips drew up into a smile, “And he looked happy to see me, though I think whatever cut us off made him angry, I could see it in his eyes.”

  “I’m sure we’ll get that all figured out soon, right now I hear a whole bunch of feet headed this way. I think Asling is back, and she brought friends.,” Cedrik said.

  They all watched as Asling called back in the direction she’d come from, “They’re right down here!”, and then made her way down the corridor until she stood in front of them.

  “Welcome back,” Callum said.

  “Took you long enough,” Cedrik quipped.

  “You know us girls, we have to go sightseeing and shopping. I mean seriously, do you know how many shops are between here and the Adventurer’s Guild?” Asling said with a grin.

  Just then a group of 10 guards came around the corner followed by even more people that quickly took charge. Callum took point and answered questions about the slaves they’d rescued and before long all the rescued slaves were being led off and a contingent of guards had set up a defensible perimeter around the entrance to the Undercity.

  “Most likely you’re going to have to move some guards down to the main chamber below us and have them watch for their raiding parties. I’m pretty sure there are too many ways they could get into the city from that main chamber,” Callum said.

  “Could you show us what you’re talking about?” one of the guards asked.

  Pandora set six of her Mage Orbs to protect Callum and Pythias as they led six of the guards underground. She didn’t think she needed to worry about them, but it was always better to be safe, than sorry.

  “What in the bloody hell happened to you!” a gruff male voice called out. Pandora turned to see Master Minegranet striding purposefully toward Cedrik, Asling, Robert, and Pandora, “And where are the other two? I seem to remember sending six of ye on your assessment, I only be seeing four.”

  “They’re showing the guards the Undercity right below us?” Robert said.

  “Undercity, what Undercity?”

  “There’s an area that looks like people lived in it right below us,” Robert said.

  “Let’s wait until they come back up then while I get a look at you,” the gruff-voiced dwarf said.

  The next ten minutes were a bit awkward as the Master Minegranite stared at each of them making unintelligible sounds from his mouth. As Callum and Pythias rejoined the party he stared at the two of them for a good minute while everyone remained quiet. Eventually, Master Minegranite, knocked his temple twice then looked at all six of them again as he muttered, “How in the hell…,” just loud enough that Pandora could hear him, barely.

  “Okay, what happened? You’re two days overdue. I’d fail all six of you right now except I’m looking at your levels and I can’t believe what I’m seeing. So, Callum, you’re the leader, what happened?” Master Minegranite asked.

  “Well, it all started when we ran into a Sandworm Matriarch,” Callum started to explain and then went on to detail their adventure into the Dungeon and their various encounters. “After Pandora said the Spider Queen had been killed, we decided that we needed to get the people we’d found up to the surface so we could resupply and get help before we went back down to complete the quest we had from the dungeon.”

  “Quest you have from the Dungeon?” Master Minegranite asked.

  “Yes, when we finished clearing the dungeon it gave us a two-fold quest. Find and destroy the source of the invasion into the Dungeon and destroy the alternate entrance into the dungeon,” Callum said.

  “What kind of reward was offered for the completion of the quest?” Master Minegranite asked.

  “50,000 XP and a Mythical Item compatible with our primary class,” Robert said.

  “Well, that definitely be worth finishing then,” the Master dwarf said as he paused for a moment, a thoughtful look on his face. “All right. First, Congratulations on reaching the levels you have. I understand why Pandora hasn’t leveled as much as the rest of you, but I will still say it is rather impressive that all of you are over level 100, within 3 days of the beginning of your assessment. Even more impressive is that you did this before joining the Adventurers Guild which brings me to the second point. Congratulations again. You have all passed your Assessment. You are all Adventurers Guild members. As members I can do this for you,” Master Minegranite said as he concentrated for a moment, and a portal to a room opened.

  “Where is that?” Cedrik asked.

  “The Leadership of the Guild has direct portal access to the guild market. Through that portal, you should be able to sell anything you found and restock for the journey back underground. If the quest hasn’t canceled out because you came to the surface I would take turns so that a majority of your party stays near this entrance and either replace or repair any equipment you need to. Also, don’t take too long.”

  “I’ll go first,” Cedrik said.

  “Hold up,” Pandora said. “I don’t have a lot of stuff to begin with. Could you just please fill these water skins up for me?” Pandora asked as she pulled the empty water skins out of her storage device and handed them over.

  “I can do that,” Cedrik said as he accepted the skins and then stepped through the portal.

  Pythias followed right behind him. They were only gone for about five minutes before they returned and Callum and Asling Stepped through. The last person to go shopping was Robert. He was only gone for about a minute. Master Minegranite looked at Pandora, who shook her head. He closed the portal and said, “We will expect a full report when you’re done down there.

  “All right people, you heard Master Minegranite, let’s get back down there and finish this quest,” Callum said as he led the party back to the stairway that led down to the Undercity and their way into the darkness.

  Once they were below ground and beyond the guard station that had been set up Pandora said, “I don’t mean to sound like a whiner but are we going to rest soon, we’ve been going for quite a while now. “

  “Yeah,” Callum said. “I just wanted us to get further away from the surface so we could try Robert’s new rest ability and take a break for 8 hours. Speaking of which, I think we’re far enough away, Robert if you’d do the honors?”

  Robert activated Shadow Camp and a portal of shadow appeared. As they stepped through the portal they found an open area surrounded by shadows that appeared to be moving but as solid as rock. The area was lighted by a single white orb hanging 10 feet off the ground. Their area couldn’t be more than 100 feet in diameter. The ground was covered in soft dry moss. Along one side of the camp was a stream that emerged from the wall of shadow and disappeared back into it after about 50 feet away. There were makeshift toilets over the stream behind a line of bushes at the end where the stream disappeared into the shadows. Midway there was a small pool that seemed to have steam coming from it and where the water emerged from the shadows it was just a bubbling creek of water.

  Pandora rushed over to the pool of water and touched it, “This is just warm enough to be comfortable for a bath,” Pandora said.

  Pythias, the more practical went over to the head of the stream and held his hand above the water. After concentrating for a moment, he said, “The water is fresh and clean here where it comes out. We can drink it.”

  “Wow, Robert. This ability is useful,” Callum said.

  “Seems that way, and there’s even a place to make a fire over here in the center. Though I don’t see any wood. Hold on,” Robert said as he focused for a moment then a fire appeared above the campfire’s location. “I can adjust how hot and bright the fire is from my Personal Interface. It looks like it’s part of the ability.”

  “This looks incredibly versatile, has anyone else heard of an ability like this before?”

  “Not me,” Asling said, “Although, I have heard of abilities that set up something like this outdoors for the Ranger types.

  “If you think about that it makes sense, “Robert said.” I’m a mage, I don’t need, nor do I care about the environment around me while I’m traveling. Rangers on the other hand want to make sure their surroundings and nature aren’t harmed by themselves or others. It just follows that any abilities they might develop would follow that idea and keep them in the real world.

  “Well, I could definitely use something like this,” Cedrik said.

  “As could I,” Pandora said.

  “Me too, “Callum and Pythias chorused.

  At that, everyone laughed and then they all pulled out their meals and sat down to eat. After an uncomfortable silence, Callum said, “Pandora, so that was your dad?”

  “It definitely looked like him. I think I even recognized where he was.”

  “Where was that?” Robert asked.

  “The Heart of the Dungeon?”

  “The Heart of the Dungeon?”

  “Yeah, it’s where I went right before we left the city. Just before I picked up the Mage Orbs.”

  “Okay, so I guess I know where you’re going after we’re done here?”

  “Yeah, but we need to finish this quest first,” Cedrik said.

  “We will, Callum said. “I gave Master Minegranite directions to the Dungeon. He’s going to send a couple of elemental earth mages to the Dungeon with a party to take care of any stragglers then they’re going to have some Earth Elementals seal the tunnel that comes up into the dungeon and also any other tunnels that come close to the Dungeon.”

  “Well, that will take care of one part of the quest. What do we need to do to accomplish the second part?” Pythias asked.

  “If I had to guess, we need to kill or route whoever was in control of the Ogre and all the goblins, kobolds, and gnolls,” Robert said.

  “Don’t forget about the Dark Dwarves,” Cedrik said.

  “Dark Dwarves?” Asling asked.

  “I think they call them Dreagur or something like that, “Cedrik said.

  “The Gray dwarf-sized creatures?” Asling asked.

  “They were dwarves, just the underground evil kind,” Robert said. “Also, I think they’re called Duegar.”

  “Whatever they’re called we need to either route them or kill them, Cedrik said.

  “Anyone else thinks we’re being a bit presumptuous to think we can clear an underground city?” Asling asked.

  “We’ll be fine. All we need to do is let Pandora go at it after we lay down to go to sleep and when we wake up we’ll be even higher level!” Cedrik quipped.

  “Ha ha, very funny,” Pandora said.

  “While it would be nice if that were true, let’s finish up our meals and pull out our bedrolls. This moss looks really comfortable,” Callum said.

  Everyone finished up dinner, pulled up the bedrolls, and was soon fast asleep. Before Pandora laid down though she set her Mage Orbs to defense, just in case. This safe space was granted from an ability, so no one was really worried about intruders, especially when Robert said it was nigh impossible to enter the Shadow Camp once the door was closed. Even so, she felt better knowing the orbs were hovering over them. Like everyone else, Pandora was exhausted and quickly fell asleep as soon as she laid her head down.

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

  Images flashed through her mind. Things her mother had witnessed Adam do. She dreamed about Earth and now knew that the first Park she’d ever been in had been a replica of a park in New York City. In fact, the entire planet had somehow been within his soul which made no sense. How could anything, let alone a planet fit inside someone’s soul? Eventually, she found her mind drifting until she once again stood before the stone face of the Dungeon.

  “Hello Pandora,” The face on the wall said.

  “I’m asleep and dreaming with my party,” Pandora said.

  “You are. I have contacted you to pass on a message from your father.”

  “So that was him?” she asked.

  “Yes. Please understand that all beings have rules they must follow or obey, or bad things happen, this is true for me as well.

  “I understand, what is your message?” Pandora asked.

  “Your father asked me to tell you that he loves you.”

  “Why did you stop him from getting to me?”

  “I am unable to divulge that information. I can say that should you two come into contact very bad things could happen.”

  “Very well, is there anything else? Pandora asked.

  “Yes, as an apology to you, I am modifying the quest slightly. Should your party be able to route or destroy the Duegar the quest will be considered complete.”

  “What about sealing off the dungeon?”

  “That happened while you slept. The adventuring party that the Adventurer’s Guild sent entered the Dungeon and sealed off the tunnels they were supposed to. As they didn’t run into any invaders they were able to clear the dungeon easily enough then went to work sealing it off. They’re already on their way home.”

  “Thank you, I guess,” Pandora said.

  “You’re quite welcome.” The dungeon said as the image faded away and she found herself waking up to Robert gently shaking her, “Pandora, it’s time to wake up,” he said.

  Pandora came to groggily as she looked around to see everyone putting their stuff away. She stood quickly and then put her gear away as they gathered for a quick bite to eat. As they were all eating a piece of bread, and cheese and drinking some water Pandora said, “I had a dream that the dungeon contacted me,” she said.

  “Really, what did the dungeon say?” Callum asked.

  “It let me know that the first part of the quest is done. While we’ve been sleeping the team Master Minegranite sent was successful in closing up the tunnels.”

  “If it wasn’t a dream, why haven’t we received a notification yet?” Cedrik asked.

  “Just a guess, but I think it’s because we’re in this Shadow Realm Which is also to say there’s a quick way to check,” Robert said as the door out of the Shadow Camp appeared.

  Secret Quest: Cleaning House Part 1 of 2 completed. The alternate entrance to the Dungeon has been sealed. Find the source of the invasion and destroy it to complete this quest.

  Reward. 50,000 XP and one Mythical item compatible with your primary Class.

  The current reward has been upgraded to Epic.

  “What else did the Dungeon say, Pandora?” Callum asked.

  “It just let me know that my dad loves me. Then I just kind of woke up to Robert shaking me.,” Pandora said.

  “Well, it looks like it was more than a dream,” Cedrik said. “You know I’m really liking going to sleep and waking up to find something else done. I mean think about it. We go to sleep, and our current quest reward is set at Scarce unless we complete two things. Then we wake up and the reward has been upgraded to Epic and one part of the quest is done. Don’t take this the wrong way Pandora, but I think I love you!” Cedrik said.

  “Yeah, I’m not really into women but I’m with Cedrik on this one, I think I love you too,” Asling said with a hint of a smile.

  “Aw, isn’t that sweet? How about you all stop fooling around and get your stuff packed so we can get back to finishing that quest and earning the Mythical reward and 50,000 XP, “Callum said.

  “But you have to admit…” Cedrik started to say until he saw Callum’s stare and realized he was serious and finished by saying, “Okay.”

  They all broke camp down pretty quickly and were once again on their way to the Undercity. It had taken a day to get out, but they’d stopped to rest a couple of times for the slaves. Figuring an hour in for their two 8-hour breaks they should be back at the entrance to the large cavern in about 10 hours.

  As luck would have it Cedrik noticed the dark elf scouting party before they noticed him. There were only four of them. Cedrik and Asling were able to use their Stealth to great effect and two dropped before they knew what happened. Pandora’s normal speed allowed her to move up to 25 feet in a single combat round and she used her new absorb ability to great effect when she rushed up on one of the Dark Elves as he drew a bow to fire at Asling only to find the bow gone from his grip as she absorbed it right out of his hand. It only gave her 3 Magic Levels Absorbed (MLA). With the bow gone, he was unable to recover before Robert Quick Cast magic missile which peppered him with 5 magic missiles, killing the dark elf instantly.

  Callum and Pythias killed the last dark elf with little effort. When they checked their notification they found out why.

  Congratulations you have defeated 4 level 30 Dark Elves.

  You have earned 31,000 XP.

  The Dark Elves had all been less than one-third of Pandora’s levels and more than four times lower than everyone else’s. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough XP to get her to level 111, nor did the XP increase anyone else above level 130.

  Cedrik searched the bodies and then disposed of them in the Shadow Plane, and they continued on their way. When they’d traveled for about eight hours Callum had Robert open the Shadow Camp. Before they entered Cedrik and Asling both did things around the tunnel so they could check to see if anyone passed their location when they came back out. Once everyone was inside Robert closed the portal.

  This time there wasn’t much in the way of small talk though Asling and Pandora availed themselves of the heated bathing pool which allowed just enough cold water to enter and mix before exiting to make the temperature perfect for soaking. After they were done the guys took their turn while the ladies ate and then laid down.

  “Sometimes, I wish I was one of the guys, “Asling said quietly.

  “I’m sure the guys don’t wish that, especially Callum.”

  “You’re crazy Pandora, he doesn’t like me like that,” Asling said.

  “I may be less than a year old, but I know what I’ve seen. I also think Robert has the hots for me.

  “The Hots?” Asling said interrupting.

  “Something from one of my mom’s memories. It means that I think he really likes me,” Pandora said.

  “Oh. Do you like him back?”

  “Well, my instincts say yes but I’ve been a bundle of instincts since I arrived here.

  “Why don’t we get this quest done, get back to the city, and then we can both see how our instincts react to the boys,” Asling said.

  Just then a lot of splashing came from the pool as Cedrick pushed water into Robert’s face and they even watched as Pythias, who was sitting on the edge of the pool moved his hand suspiciously as water shot from the other side of the pool into Robert.

  “Hey, that’s not fair,” both women heard Robert say.

  “Boys will be boys,” Asling said.

  “I see what you mean,” Pandora said with a laugh.

  It wasn’t much longer before the men were cleaned up and everyone was resting for another 8 hours which would only equate to about an hour outside the camp. This ability of Robert’s was turning out to be really useful.

  As they packed up camp Robert came over and handed both his staff and wand to Pandora to make sure both were topped off with charges. Of course, since her Soul Core had been increased her mana regeneration rate had gone through the roof. Moments later, she handed both items back to Robert fully charged.

  “That was quick,” Robert said.

  “That’s what she said,” Pandora said.

  “What?” Robert asked confused.

  “Never mind. It seems some of my mother’s memories have taken root in my mind,” Pandora said.

  “Do you care to explain that statement then?” Robert asked.

  “Yeah Pandora, that sounded almost like a disparagement, so I want to know what you meant too,” Cedrik said.

  “Okay, fine. Where my dad is from that kind of comment is something a woman would say to a man when they were finished and she wasn’t satisfied.,” Pandora explained.

  “Satisfied how?” Pythias asked.

  “You’re adorable Pythias,” Cedrik said as Asling tried to stifle a laugh.

  “Your mother sounds like she might have been a bad influence, “Callum said half-heartedly with a smile.

  “Might have been a bad influence? My mom was a Black Dragon before she met my dad. My mother’s first memories of my father were trying to breathe acid on him and getting knocked out for her trouble,” Pandora said with a laugh.

  “Seriously? Cedrik asked.

  “Yep,” Pandora affirmed.

  “Your mom sounds badass,” Cedrik said.

  “Well, with the way things are going and the appearance of my father, I would guess that you’ll all get to meet them in the near future.?”

  “Isn’t your mom and dad like gods or something?” Callum asked.

  “I don’t know, there is just my mom and dad, and please remember I have no more than a day of memories with my mom and only memories of my father through my mother. When we meet again, it will be almost like we were meeting for the first time,” Pandora said.

  “Should be interesting, how about we get out of here?” Robert asked as he concentrated, and nothing happened. “That’s weird”

  “What’s weird?” Callum asked.

  “I can’t open the door to the outside, all I get is a notification that says ‘Recalibrating.’”

  “Recalibrating?” Asling asked.

  “Yeah, I don’t know what that means either,” Robert said.

  Just then the shadows around the Camp and the flow of water, as well as the steam rising off the bathing pool froze. A masculine voice filled the camp and spoke.

  Quest, Cleaning House Complete, Reward upgraded to Mythical. 50,000 XP has been awarded.

  Recalibrating. One moment, please

  Just then more notification popped into Pandora’s vision which she pulled up and went over quickly.

  No Class Detected. Mythical Reward converted to Racial Ability slots unlocked. Total abilities unlocked: Six (6).

  Slot 1) Memories: for 33 Mana you may absorb the surface memories from the target. This will include everything the target has seen and witnessed within the last hours. How far you can copy memories from the target into the past can be extended at a rate of 33 mana for each additional hour so long as contact is maintained with the target. Also, memories can be reviewed at the time the ability is used or the ability can be used and the memories can be reviewed later. Memories reviewed are permanent and fade with time, as all memories do.

  Slot 2) Skills: for 33 mana per skill level you may absorb a skill and utilize it as if it were your own. If you cannot spend enough mana to capture the skill the skill will remain available for a number of combat turns equal to the mana spent divided by 33. For instance, if the Skill were level 11 and only 330 mana were spent, the Skill would be available for 10 combat turns after use and then disappear. This ability cannot be channeled. To capture a skill the entire skill must be captured at once. If successful the target must make Willpower savings throw against a target equal to the mana spent or fall unconscious due to neural shock. They will remain unresponsive for a number of turns equal to the level of skill that was removed.

  Slot 3) Material Properties: For 99 mana per 100 pounds (Rounded up) of Pandora, so 198 mana in human form or 2058 mana in dragon form Pandora can take on the physical properties of any substance she is touching, including Air. This transformation can be maintained at a cost of 33 mana per additional combat round. All bonuses and weaknesses of the material become true for Pandora while she takes on the property of the substance.

  Slot 4) Ambient Energy: At a cost of 33 Mana you may absorb energy from the surrounding area and become fully hydrated and fed. This ability is not noticeable and does not affect the immediate surroundings. This ability only needs to be utilized once every 12 hours to remain fully fed and hydrated. There is no limit to how many times this ability can be used.

  Slot 5) Prerequisites, Kinetic Energy: Kinetic Energy may be absorbed and converted into Magic Levels Absorbed (MLA). 33 Mana to activate ability and 33 Mana per object’s kinetic energy that is absorbed. Every object that strikes has all momentum sucked out of the object. Melee weapons or projectiles will all come to a dead stop. The number of MLA absorbed is equal to the speed of the object in Miles per hour divided by 10. Objects traveling less than 10 miles per hour are automatically stopped as long as 33 Mana is spent per object. Note: This Ability can be utilized to absorb falling Damage.

  Slot 6) Racial Ability Absorb has evolved. MLA can now be converted into Mana at a rate of 1 MLA for 33 Mana.

  Note: future abilities will allow the conversion of MLA to Stamina and Hit Points. Additionally, an overflow pool for each primary attribute; Hit Points, Mana, and Stamina will be able to be unlocked as well.

  Pandora was slightly confused about how the quest had been completed through the abilities that had been unlocked for her seemed amazing. Additionally, if she was reading things right she could activate the Kinetic shield and then use any points absorbed to replenish any mana used in the shield. In fact, the faster something struck her the more mana she could recover. That could really come in handy.

  She closed her notifications and looked over to see Callum sporting a new Long Sword, Asling had a new bow that seemed to be wrapped in shadows while Cedrik was holding two new daggers. Robert was now wearing a new black robe that seemed to be rolling in shadows while Pythias looked like Pythias, though he had a new ring on his finger. Each of them had received an item.

  Before she could think to ask a question the voice spoke again.

  Callum, Asling, Robert, Cedrik, and Pythias the path for Pandora to return whence she came is now open. You now have a choice with your eyes wide open. First, if you follow Pandora you may not be able to return. Second, from here you will be leaving this Universe. If you are unable to return you will not see your friends or family ever again.

  The five looked at each other and turned to look at Pandora. After a moment they all looked back at each other before Cedrik said, “I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m going with Pandora. Ever since we met her things have been crazy, but they’ve been completely awesome, I’m sticking with crazy and awesome!”

  “Me too, “Pythias said. “My destiny merges with her path for now.

  “Us girls gotta stick together, I’m with Pandora,” Asling said.

  “Of course, I’m going, if we meet her mom and dad we’ll effectively be meeting God-level beings, of course, I want to go, “Robert said as he eyed Pandora the look in his eyes giving away the real reason he wanted to follow her.

  “If all of you are going, of course, I’m coming, someone has to keep the five of you from getting yourselves killed, “Callum said.

  Just then the five received notifications and made their choice as a portal opened. Through the portal, they could see a marbled cathedral with statues around it. Near the center of the room was a table and beyond the table was a balcony where a woman with moonlight silver slivers of color highlighted throughout her black hair. They watched as the woman turned, her eyes squinted then she was standing before the portal a hand outstretched to Pandora. None of them had seen her move.

  Pandora stepped through the portal, scarcely believing that this was really happening as she grasped her mother’s hand and was drawn into a long and fierce hug. While mother and daughter held one another the other five stepped through the portal and waited patiently as it closed. Even Cedrik waited patiently which Pandora knew wasn’t going to last. Finally, she pushed away as she said, “Mother, these are my friends and extended family. Callum, Pythias, Asling, Robert and Cedrik.”

  “Greetings, I am Adaline, Pandora’s mother. Let’s get you settled and prepared for the transfer?”

  “Transfer?” Pandora asked.

  “Why yes dear, didn’t you know, we’re all going to be moving into the real world soon.”

  “Real world, what are you talking about?” Robert asked.

  As I said, let’s get you settled and I’ll be happy to explain what is about to happen,” Adaline said.

  Before they could be led off, Pandora asked, “Have you seen Father?”

  Not since the day you were ripped out of my grasp,” Adaline said. “Now let’s get you settled so you’re ready for the transfer,” Adaline said as she led them down a hallway and corridor until they entered an area bristling with activity.

  “Alex,” Adaline called.

  Moments later a man in a white toga appeared before Adaline, “Yes Goddess.”

  “This is my daughter and her friends. Please see to their needs and make sure someone is available to show them how to use the bathroom, showers, and other necessities. After which they’ll probably need a lesson on electronics and computers that are available in their rooms. They are from a Class 1 universe.

  “Yes, Goddess,” Alex said.

  Adaline wrapped her daughter in another hug before she pushed herself away and said, “We will have plenty of time to get reacquainted once we rejoin your father. For now, follow Alex and look over the conversion information on the computers when you get a chance,” Adaline said.

  “But…” Pandora started to say.

  “I know sweetheart. I miss you and I love you but right now I’m trying to make sure we can get back to your father. Work hard and learn fast and after we transfer we should have plenty of time to talk then,” Adaline said.

  Why was it that whenever she could spend time with her mother something always seemed to come up? Finally, she smiled at her mother and said, “I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you too,” Adaline said just before she disappeared.