As Marco's team disappeared down the stairwell, tension rippled through the camp. A few people whispered, obviously listening to our conversation. Jasper's last words still hung in the air, but I didn't have the time or patience to give them weight.
I exhaled through my nose and turned back toward the center of the room.
Most of the teams had already broken off, checking weapons and tightening straps. The map lay forgotten on the table, outlines of the floors scratched into its surface.
I scanned the room until I spotted Sol near the edge of the gear pile. He wasn't fidgeting or distracted. Just waiting. His backpack sat at his side, buckled and ready. I walked over and crouched in front of them, lowering my voice.
"You okay?" I asked.
Sol nodded. "I'm ready."
He didn't ask why I was checking in. He already knew. I wasn't asking if he was packed. I was asking if his head was clear.
"You'll stick with Liam and the rest of our team today," I said. "Our team will be running this floor."
His jaw tensed. "I can handle myself."
I met his eyes. "You can. But we're still a unit. And I need you in one piece."
He didn't look away. "You said we're supposed to get stronger. How am I supposed to get stronger when I have a babysitter? You, Liam, and Nicole went out alone last time, and now you are scouting the first floor by yourself today. Why can't I go? You're the one who stuck our team with cleanup duty. This floor is already cleared, which is grunt work."
"And we are getting stronger," I said, my voice firm but steady. "But strength isn't just about how many goblins you kill. It's about control. Discipline. Knowing the difference between a fight you can win and a fight you should walk away from. You've got talent, Sol, more than most adults here, but talent without patience gets people killed. Clean-up duty may not be glamorous, but it teaches you how to see patterns, how to stay sharp when things look quiet. That's not grunt work, that's survival training."
He looked away, jaw tight, fists clenched at his sides. "You trained me for years. Do you not trust me? Am I not good enough?"
I didn't let up. "You are good, great even. I didn't assign you to clean-up duty to punish you. I did it because I need you to observe. To learn how the others move, how goblins respond, and where they hide supplies. Fighting is easy. What comes before and after? That's what keeps you alive. I know you are smart and strong; I am depending on you to have my back. Never think I don't trust you, you and your siblings are everything to me."
His silence was sharp, heavy.
I lowered my voice. "You think I don't want to throw you into the deep end? I do. But I'm not risking you to prove a point. You've got nothing to prove to me."
His eyes flicked to mine, still frustrated, but listening now.
"If I see you're steady enough for solo runs, I'll consider it. But you don't get extra credit for rushing into danger. You get a grave."
A pause. Then Sol gave a reluctant nod, the tension in his shoulders easing. "Fine."
"Good." I let the edge of my tone soften. "Now go be the best damn cleanup crew this floor's ever seen."
A ghost of a smile passed over his face. "I will."
I ruffled his curls and stepped back as Amber waved him over. He turned, moving with a little more purpose.
The day had only just started.
And if Marco was right, the worst of it was waiting below.
The last of the teams filed out, their movements quick and purposeful as they headed for the stairwell. I stood at the center of the camp, watching them go, my gaze drifting to Eli sitting off to the side, still wrapped in the blanket Liam had given him.
I walked over to him, crouching down so we were eye level.
"You gonna be okay here while we go out?" I asked.
Eli's eyes flickered up at me, the nervous energy still palpable in the way his hands gripped the edge of his blanket. "I… I don't want to leave," he said, voice hoarse. "I can stay. I'll keep watch. Keep the base safe."
I looked around, noticing that everyone had taken only their backpacks and weapons, leaving the bulk of their supplies behind. It was a good call for the sweep, nothing to weigh them down, nothing that could be used against them.
But it hit me hard. No one had been assigned to guard the base. No one was to check the perimeter while we were gone. If someone else comes and sees all these supplies, they will definitely take them.
I exhaled. "You're sure?"
Eli nodded again, determination in his eyes. "I can handle it. I won't be a problem."
I hesitated for a moment longer, weighing the risks. The last thing I needed was for something to happen back here while we were fighting our way through the floors.
"Alright," I said, standing up. "Stay here. Here is a radio, keep it on and always with you. If something goes wrong, don't hesitate to reach out. But—" I stopped and looked him dead in the eye, "—I don't want anything to be missing when I get back and report if someone comes to the camp. I will have some of the others come back to help watch the place, understood?"
Eli's voice was steady now. "Understood."
I turned away, walking toward the pile of gear and double-checking my own equipment. My pack was ready. My katana was strapped across my back, my pistols in their holsters, and the rest of my gear secure.
I took a deep breath and then pulled out the radio, keyed it, and spoke into it.
"This is Jasmine," I said, keeping my tone sharp and clear. "All teams are to continue as planned. I need one person from each team to rotate back and watch over the base. I don't trust Eli alone here. We'll need someone in charge of perimeter checks while the rest of us level up and loot. Make sure everyone gets their turn."
A crackle came through the radio as the team leaders responded, each one acknowledging the change.
"Copy that," said Logan's voice.
"Roger that," came Mitch's reply.
"Understood," Nicole added, her voice calm and steady.
I sighed, relieved.
After the final confirmations, I double-checked my gear, ensuring every strap and buckle was secure. I grabbed my radio again, muting it this time, and slipped it into a side pocket.