At the start of the third stage, the contestants gathered before the yawning entrance of the dungeon, its towering archway carved from ancient stone. The glowing glyphs etched into the surface pulsed rhythmically, casting the group in patterns of golden light. The air thrummed with energy, reminding the weight of the challenge ahead.
Catty stood near the pink dragon. His massive tail tapped against the cracked ground. Around her, the other contestants prepared silently, glancing at their crystals, their mounts tense and ready.
A sharp vibration rippled through Catty's crystal, and glowing text appeared in the air:
> Order: Enchanted Key
> Pickup Point: Boss Chamber
A shimmering map materialized, displaying the dungeon layout:
Entrance Hall → Corridor → Pickup Point
Tingstan's dragon crouched low to help the rider mount, its muscles coiled with anticipation. The man adjusted his grip on the reins, a smirk flicking his face. Josassod whispered something to his phoenix, its fiery wings glowing brighter. Kára's pegasus hoofed at the ground, its wings tucked in tightly, as she studied her crystal with calm.
Catty's dragon let out a low, throaty growl that echoed across the space. 'Patience,' Catty muttered, brushing her hand along his neck. He rumbled again, shifting his weight from one massive clawed paw to another.
The glyphs on the dungeon entrance began to shift, rearranging into words that glowed brighter than before.
Start
A chime reverberated through the air, and the ground beneath them trembled as the massive stone doors creaked open. A gust of warm air blew outward, carrying with it the scent of mustiness and damp stone.
The contestants started swiftly. Tingstan's dragon launched forward in a jump, its wings folding back for speed. Josassod's phoenix rose smoothly into the air. Kára's pegasus leaped lightly into the shadowy expanse. Silvamor leaned low in the saddle, his silver hair trailing like a banner as his unicorn surged gracefully into the dungeon, its steps precise and sure.
By contrast, Qreggex kicked at his wyvern's sides, the venomous creature letting out a hiss that reverberated through the air. Its leathery wings snapped open, propelling it into a sharp dive through the dungeon's entrance. The kobold grinned, his jagged teeth glinting in the light as he gripped the reins tightly. His wyvern twisted sharply midair, narrowly avoiding the walls, its movements as erratic as its rider's wild laughter.
Catty scrambled onto her dragon's back. 'Don't do anything crazy,' she contacted R.I., gripping his horns. He snorted in response, crouched low, and sprang forward, leaving deep claw marks in the stone as they charged into the dark.
Ahead, the first section of the trip loomed—a winding corridor.
It narrowed sharply, and shadowed depths illuminated by the dim glow of magical glyphs etched along the stone walls. The air felt heavier, charged with an invisible hum.
First, Tingstan flew on the dragon, pursued by Kára and Jossasod. R.I., with Catty on his back, followed them, his wings almost scraping against the uneven wall. Behind the girl, the screams of Silvamor and Qreggex reverberated, each vying to pull ahead.
Around the turn, the first obstacle came into view—enormous swinging blades with red-hot edges. The pendulums hung from the ceiling like colossal scythes, and their movements rhythmically cut through the air. Each swing created a low, vibrating hum, and the edges flared brighter with every pass.
"Great," Catty mumbled, "the day off is over."
The first contestant to approach, Tingstan, leaned forward on his dragon. The sleek beast tucked its wings tightly and darted forward. Tingstan's face remained impassive as they slipped between the pendulums, the last swing narrowly missing the dragon's tail. Without breaking fly, they disappeared into the next corridor.
Kára followed closely behind, her pegasus moving with practiced grace. Its hooves struck the ground rhythmically as it galloped forward, leaping cleanly over the first blade before ducking under the next. Kára's calm demeanor never faltered, and her hands remained steady on the reins as they surged ahead.
Josassod's phoenix approached the blades from below, its fiery form casting flickering shadows against the walls. The creature twisted sharply in midair, dipping just enough to avoid the lowest edge before soaring upward again. Josassod smirked as they passed unscathed, the phoenix's feathers leaving trails of golden light.
Then came Catty.
Instead of charging directly through, R.I. came to an abrupt halt just short of the first blade, the sudden stop throwing Catty forward against his neck.
'What are you doing...' she began, but her words were cut off as R.I. rushed to the side, skimming his bulk in parallel with the swinging arc of the blade. The burning edge passed so close that its light reflected off the dragon's pink scales.
"Careful!" Catty yelled as R.I. crouched low, his powerful legs coiling beneath him. With a surge of muscle, he leaped forward just as the next blade began to descend. His wings snapped open midair, stabilizing their trajectory momentarily before folding back again to avoid scraping the narrow walls.
> Luck: 25
> Speed: 25
They had just managed to fit into the turn when the girl heard a desperate screech of the wyvern behind them.
'Hope Silvamore will get through,' Catty thought, but there was no time to turn around - the next obstacle awaited them ahead.
A loud crack reverberated through the air as the corridor section suddenly gave way, sending a cascade of stone into the chasm. Walls crumbled and fell, vanishing into the void with a resonant echo.
"Stay high!" Catty exclaimed, gripping R.I.'s horns tighter. "No crashing today, please..."
R.I. snorted. Crashing? Watch this. With a flick of his tail, he surged forward to avoid falling debris as another section of the corridor collapsed in a deafening crash.
The map shimmered in Catty's crystal, and she saw their path separating in several twisting routes through Side corridors that appeared to the left and right.
Kára's pegasus galloped along a narrow side ledge, its hooves striking sparks against the stone. Then, it leaped gracefully across a large crack and darted into the nearest corridor.
Josassod's phoenix arced higher, its fiery wings lighting the space. It spun sharply to avoid debris and soared to another corridor right at the ceiling,
Tingstan's dragon dropped low, skimming above the chasm. With calm precision, the rider directed the creature's every move as it banked sharply to dodge falling stones.
Catty noticed how Tangsteen managed to fly through the tiny hole, and the wall collapsed, cutting off her and the dragon's escape route.
There was no time to think.
R.I. twisted sharply downward and, folding wings, dove into the chasm. The sudden drop made Catty's stomach lurch, and she clung to his horns as the steep walls of the rift rushed past them. Stones tumbled from above, narrowly missing R.I.'s tail as he turned to avoid a sharp protrusion.
He sank lower and lower until he reached the very bottom.
The crevice opened slightly, giving R.I. enough room to spread his wings. He flapped harder, and they flew inside the dark, trusting in their destiny.
When a strong gust of wind caught them, the girl realized they were in a tunnel. They had been flying for a long time, and it seemed an eternity had passed before a light appeared ahead.
With a final burst, the pink dragon surged upward, breaking free of the crevice and landing heavily on solid ground just ahead of the others. Dust swirled around them as R.I. shook himself, his wings folding neatly against his back.
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'See?' he grinned as if nothing had happened.
Catty swiped at the dust on her face, her fingers trembling slightly from the adrenaline. 'You're lucky you're good at this,' she patted his neck before glancing back.
> Speed: 30
> Stamina: 25
There were four: Tangstin, Kára, Jossasod, and Catty. Silvamor remained under the rubble of the corridor.
They moved on, and the dungeon widened abruptly, revealing a sprawling intersection that branched into multiple paths. The air carried a sharp, metallic tang. At the center of the intersection stood towering figures, their hulking forms illuminated by the soft glow of floating orbs that hovered above.
The animated armor stood motionless, their polished surfaces reflecting the flickering light. Each suit gripped a massive weapon—swords, axes, and halberds—all poised for devastating strikes. Behind them, spectral guardians drifted in slow circles, their translucent forms crackling with energy. Their hollow eyes glowed dimly, scanning the space as if searching for intruders. Smaller shapes skittered and clicked along the ground—swarm constructs, their glowing cores pulsing as they moved in erratic patterns.
R.I. hovered midair, flapping his wings to keep them aloft. "Great. A buffet of nightmares," the girl muttered, scanning what awaited them ahead. The dragon's tail flicked in irritation as the animated armor began to shift, their joints creaking as they prepared to block the paths forward.
Behind her, other contestants arrived—Tingstan's dragon landing heavily on the ground, Kára's pegasus snorting softly as it pawed at the stone, and Josassod's phoenix letting out a sharp cry that pierced the dungeon.
The animated armor turned their heads in unison, their glowing eyes locking onto the intruders. The spectral guardians released a chilling wail, and the swarm constructs skittered faster, converging toward the center.
Trouble didn't just knock—it kicked the door down and brought its friends.
The glowing orbs above flared briefly as the animated armor began to move. Their massive frames shifted with menace, each step reverberating through the stone floor. Weapons glinted with magical energy in their arms—swords poised to cleave, halberds to sweep, and axes to crush.
Tingstan was the first to act. His dragon lowered itself almost to the ground, its wings tucked tightly against its body as it advanced carefully. Tingstan raised one hand, and a burst of blue light shot from his palm, striking the core of the nearest animated armor. The construct shuddered and froze, its glowing eyes dimming before it collapsed in a heap of metal. Tingstan repeated the process without pausing, each strike precise and efficient, clearing his path.
Behind them, Catty's dragon, R.I., let out a guttural growl. His massive tail lashed against the stone as he advanced, his eyes locked on the nearest construct. "R.I., don't—" Catty began, but her words were lost as the dragon roared and charged directly into the fray.
The first animated armor raised its halberd, aiming a devastating swing at their path. R.I. responded with brute force, slamming his claws into the construct's chest. Metal tearing echoed through the chamber as the construct crumbled under the impact, its glowing core flickering out. Another armor moved to intercept, its sword swinging low. R.I.'s tail lashed out, striking the weapon and sending it clattering across the floor.
"We can't fight everyone!" Catty shouted, clinging tightly to the dragon's horns as he barreled into the next armor. This one was larger, its massive form towering even over R.I. The dragon lunged, his claws tearing into the construct's shoulder plates, scattering its pieces across the corridor. The ground trembled under the force of the clash.
Meanwhile, Tingstan's dragon slipped into the clear space ahead, its path cleared by the rider's precise strikes. Kára's pegasus darted past a final construct, its hooves barely touching the ground as they surged into the corridor behind it. Josassod, flying above the chaos, grinned as his phoenix dipped low, gliding forward as the constructs turned their attention to the chaos below.
By the time R.I. smashed through the last animated armor in their path, the others were already ahead. Catty coughed, waving away the dust and fragments of metal.
'You couldn't just go around, could you?' she asked, glaring at the dragon.
R.I. snorted, his tail flicking triumphantly. 'Where's the fun in that?' he grumbled, his wings flaring briefly as they moved forward, the sounds of clashing metal fading behind them.
The contestants were pushing onward, their mounts emerging from the winding corridors one by one. The rhythmic hum of magic was growing louder as the towering doors loomed into view. The map indicated that the pickup point was further away.
The massive chamber doors groaned open, revealing a vast expanse shrouded in shifting light and shadow. It expanded far beyond sight. The stone walls were lined with glowing runes, casting erratic patterns across the stone floor—it stretched outward in uneven slabs, interrupted by jagged cracks and faintly glowing glyphs that snaked toward the center of the room. Overhead, a dark ceiling arched high above. The shadows were interrupted only by flickers of light from torches hanging along the walls.
At the center of the chamber stood the Boss.
It stood motionless, its colossal skeletal frame draped in tattered robes. Empty eye sockets burned with cold, blue flames. Its bony hands clutched a staff, the tip crowned with a shard of black crystal that radiated waves of power. The air around it felt heavy, its presence was charged with ancient menace.
Surrounding the Boss were four massive pedestals, their surfaces etched with shimmering runes similar to those on the walls. Above each pedestal hovered an Enchanted Key.
The air in the chamber pressed down with a palpable energy, thick with magic that amplified every sound—the echo of a claw scraping stone, the rustle of wings, or the hiss of the creatures. It felt as if the room was watching, waiting for the first move.
Catty tightened her grip on R.I.'s horns as the dragon glided forward. 'Big room, big trouble,' she thought, scanning the space ahead. R.I.'s eyes locked on the Boss, his tail swishing restlessly as if sizing up the challenge.
Tingstan's dragon got ahead of him and moved with the decision, its claws clicking against the stone as it crossed the threshold and landed inside. Behind him, Kára guided her pegasus into the chamber, its wings folding neatly against its sides as it paused to assess the space. Josassod's phoenix followed them, its fiery form casting shadows on the walls as it glided over the threshold.
The Boss stirred slightly, a subtle shift in its posture that sent a ripple of energy through the chamber. The runes along the walls brightened momentarily before dimming again, giving the impression that the entire room was alive.
The contestants and their mounts stilled, each waiting to see who—or what—would make the first move.
The lich's burning gaze swept across the chamber, lingering on each contestant as though weighing their worth. Its skeletal fingers tightened around the staff. A low, resonant voice filled the air, not spoken aloud but echoing directly in their heads.
"Prove yourselves," its words were as cold as the lich. "Get what is yours—if you can."
The pedestals around the lich began to hum, their glow intensifying as shimmering barriers of magic formed over the Enchanted Keys. They pulsed, teasing the contestants with their proximity.
As the contestants exchanged glances, the lich moved its staff in a slow, deliberate arc. The runes on the walls flared, casting strange patterns across the chamber floor. From these patterns emerged new obstacles—spectral guardians and shifting glyph traps—turning the space into a labyrinth of danger.
The lich's voice, emotionless but commanding, continued, "Only those who endure may claim their keys. Beware—missteps will cost you dearly."
Tingstan's dragon strode forward, its claws clicking sharply against the stone. The lich's hollow gaze shifted toward them, the cold blue flames in its sockets flaring brighter. Tingstan sat upright in the saddle, his posture confident. One hand rested lightly on his reins while the other held his crystal. He glanced back at the others, his calm demeanor betraying no concern.
The contestants hung back, watching in tense silence as the lich stirred. Its skeletal hand gripped the staff tighter, and the runes carved into it began to light one by one, casting gleams across the chamber floor.
Tingstan stopped a few strides from the lich. His dragon crouched slightly, wings tucked close as it growled low in its throat. The sound echoed through the chamber, a warning that the battle was about to begin. Without hesitation, Tingstan raised his crystal and released a burst of energy toward the lich. At the same moment, his dragon lunged, claws outstretched to strike.
The lich moved with terrifying speed. It swept its staff in an upward arc, deflecting the spell with a sharp crack that sent sparks scattering across the chamber. The flames in its eyes flared, and with a flick of its free hand, it conjured a glowing shield of energy. Tingstan's dragon slammed into the barrier with a thunderous impact, its claws scraping uselessly against the shield.
"Pull back!" Tingstan shouted as he prepared another spell. His dragon landed heavily on the stone floor.
The lich retaliated without pause. It raised its staff and released a surge of dark energy that arced toward them like a coiled serpent. Tingstan moved swiftly, creating a shimmering shield of his own, but the force of the attack drove him back. His dragon roared and lunged again, trying to get through the shield and snapping with fangs at the lich's outstretched arm.
The lich twisted effortlessly, its movements precise and deliberate. It swung the staff downward, striking the dragon's flank with a burst of energy. The dragon staggered, its roar turning to a pained snarl as it struggled to regain its footing.
Tingstan didn't falter. "Keep moving!" the man barked, his hands moving quickly to cast another spell. The dragon launched into the air, its wings beating furiously as it regained control. Tingstan's gaze remained fixed on the lich, his jaw tightening as he calculated his next move.
His hands moved in quick gestures as the man unleashed a second spell, a piercing beam of light aimed directly at the lich's core. The lich raised its shield again, but this time, the force of the spell caused it to flicker and crack. Tingstan pressed forward, his dragon roaring as it charged once more.
The lich was prepared. It raised its skeletal hand and sent a column of flame to Tingstan. He dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the fire, but the lich didn't stop. Another spell followed, a spiraling blast of dark magic that struck Tingstan in the chest, knocking him off the dragon's back. He crashed to the floor with a scream, his crystal clattering from his hand.
The dragon roared in fury, launching itself at the lich in a final, desperate attack. The lich swung its staff again, sending a wave of energy that enveloped the creature midair. It collapsed heavily, its body skidding across the stone as the magic drained its strength.
Tingstan struggled to rise, clutching at his side. Blood dripped from a cut on his head as he reached for his crystal, but the lich moved faster. It extended its hand, flames swirling around its skeletal fingers before launching in a beam. Tingstan's cry was cut short as the attack struck him, his crystal shattering in his grasp. He fell to the ground, motionless.
The chamber fell into silence. Tingstan's dragon let out a final, weak roar before it went still. The lich lowered its staff, its cold gaze turning toward the remaining contestants as the flames in its eyes flickered ominously.