Mira's legs burned from standing for so long. She looked across at Brill, who gave her a sheepish smile back. She didn't want to admit it, but they were in a tough spot.
"Seems like they aren't making it back..."
Brill nodded. "If they aren't coming back, then it's up to us. I'm gonna try jumping to the exit."
"What? No, that's too dangerous."
Countless glowing magic circles covered the surrounding floor. They pulsed with magic, threatening to activate at the smallest touches. If they put one toe in any of them, they'd be teleported like the others.
Alicia, Wren, and Sophie had been caught in the teleportation traps, sent to who knows where. If they weren't careful, they'd end up just like them. Brill stood a few meters from the exit, but making a standing jump that far was unlikely to work.
"It's the only choice we have. If I get free, I'll come back with help. Keep fighting."
"No... Don't go."
Mira bit her lip as her own legs trembled. Her cramping muscles screamed out after standing for so long. She felt like she might fall down at any moment. Whether Brill escaped or got caught, she didn't think she could stand for much longer.
"It's going to be okay. We're going to make it through this."
"Brill, please. Wait-!"
Brill threw herself at the exit. Her upper half reached the stone doorway, but her toe brushed on a stray spell circle. A bright flash of light consumed her form, then she was gone.
"No!" Mira screamed out after her, but Brill had already disappeared. Any hope of escape vanished with her and tears budded in Mira's eyes. "Why... Why did it come to this?"
The last of her strength drained away and Mira collapsed to her knees. A spell circle flashed beneath her and a bright light consumed her own form. Her surroundings twisted as the teleportation took effect, then she felt the spell wash through her.
--
"Mimi?"
Mira blinked as her new surroundings washed in. With a pop, she appeared in a brightly lit, plush room. Soft carpets covered the floor beneath her, and she heard a voice calling out to her. She looked up to see a familiar face standing in front of her.
"A-Alicia..?"
"It's Allie now, silly."
Alicia reached down and helped Mira to her feet. She wore oddly revealing clothes, but she seemed to be okay. There wasn't even a scratch on her.
"Alicia, you're okay!" Mira jumped forward and hugged her tight. The tears in her eyes ran freely as a strange happiness enveloped her. "I didn't think I would see any of you again."
"It's okay, Mimi." Alicia stroked her back and squeezed her tight. "This dungeon is actually safer than it seems."
"N-No, I'm pretty sure it's much more dangerous than it seems!" Mira laughed as a wave of relief washed over her. "Still, I'm glad you're okay."
"You seem exhausted..." Alicia pulled back and stared at her in concern. She reached forward and gently cupped Mira's cheek, stroking it with her thumb. "Why don't you take a rest. This is a safe area."
Mira blushed a little at the oddly intimate gesture. The tender gaze in Alicia's eyes differed from the hard, calculating gaze she normally wore. The disconnect only flamed the confused pounding in her chest and she quickly averted her eyes.
"Y-Yes, I think I need to take a rest. My feet are killing me." She walked over to the bed on wobbly legs.
Pink, plush furniture covered the room, and the bed was no exception. A thick magenta blanket covered the mattress and as Mira sat down on it, her rear sank several inches into the soft material.
"Wow, this bed is awfully nice. I would never expect it to be in a dungeon."
"Isn't it?" Alicia sauntered forward as she spoke. "This room is more comfortable than a queen's chambers. It wants to keep people inside it for as long as possible, after all."
Mira's eyes briefly flicked down, following the sway in Alicia's hips. The sheer negligee left all of her body exposed, and she wore no underwear, leaving her sex completely exposed. Oddly, Mira felt her eyes drawn to the cleft in her friend's crotch and her heart beat a little faster.
"Uhm..." Mira tore her gaze away and met the soft, inviting eyes of her friend. "Alicia..."
"Allie."
Alicia corrected her and put one finger on Mira's lips. She leaned in, bringing their faces close. Mira felt the warmth of Alicia's body radiating against her skin, and the strange thumping in her chest got stronger. She tried to take a breath, but it caught in her throat.
"Uhm..."
"Shh..." Alicia pulled back her finger, smiling sweetly. "You're tired. You should just rest..."
She suddenly leaned forward, bringing her lips to Mira's. Alicia's soft mouth brushed Mira's own and her eyes fluttered. She let out a soft squeak, too surprised to resist.
A sudden wave of exhaustion washed through Mira. Her eyelids drooped closed and as the kiss continued, she fell back into the bed. Alicia came with her, still continuing the kiss.
The soft mattress enveloped Mira's tired limbs, leaving no room to resist. Despite the pounding in her chest, she felt an intensely drowsy urge for sleep washing over her. She briefly opened her eyes, spotting a spell circle floating in Alicia's hand.
"Y-You..." Mira used the last of her energy to break the kiss. She narrowed her eyes at Alicia, but her friend still wore the same relaxed smile.
"You need some rest. This will help you sleep."
Alicia brought the spell circle closer, bringing it up to Mira's eyes. The glowing yellow runes spun in front of her and a warm sensation enveloped her head. Like a soft blanket covering her, every inch of her body filled with warmth as the spell took effect.
"Alishhhyaaa..." Mira could barely make out her friend's name anymore.
"It's Allie, silly. I'll teach you that better once you awake again."
Mira's eyes drooped closed and her breathing slowed. Any hint of resistance disappeared under the warm glow of the sleeping spell. Something was definitely off about this situation, but she could worry about it later. For now, all she wanted to do was sink further into sleep and forget about all her worries.
--
Brill clenched her eyes shut as a bright light enveloped her body. Despite her best efforts, she had gotten caught in the teleportation spell.
With a pop, she appeared in a completely different location. She landed face first on a dark floor. She looked up, but couldn't see anything. A black void surrounded her on all sides. Only a thin cone of light illuminated where she kneeled.
