Novels2Search

Ch 5 (4/5): Elements

I snatched Bailey’s device and approached the opening. No alarms blared, and Bailey hurried over. Together, we shoved the section of wall inward and slipped through.

Another long hallway stretched before us, also decorated with wall paintings. These depicted what looked like Tiefling-like ancient Mesoselenians.

“These are supposed to be Mesoselenians?” I asked Bailey.

"No, nothing I recognize… these folks… I’ve never seen their like," Bailey stammered, clearly perplexed.

“So, the current Mesoselenians don’t look like these?” I asked, thoroughly confused.

"No… they’re much like us, really, 'cept they've got the same dark skin as these folks. But no horns, and their faces are… well, different," Bailey clarified.

As I cautiously stepped into the hallway, the floor tiles remained solid. “Maybe I’m being too paranoid,” I muttered. I took another step, and a volley of bullets whizzed past.

Of course. Because why wouldn't there be a trap in a hallway full of ancient paintings?

I marched ahead of Bailey, acting as a human trap detector. Bailey trailed behind, his device and mask clutched in his hands, carefully following my footsteps.

As we proceeded, I triggered a veritable symphony of traps. They came in all elemental varieties: water, thunder, wind, and fire. I narrowly dodged the jet of flames this time.

I really should have packed more spare clothes…

The painted eyes on the walls watched our every move, their gaze heavy with ancient malice. A chill ran down my spine, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched, judged, and perhaps even hunted.

The end of the hallway quickly approached, revealing another doorway. Thankfully, this one wasn’t locked.

I went through first, with Bailey close behind. We found ourselves in a cavern containing a massive, bizarre machine. And it was still running… cranking and turning with a slow, rhythmic motion.

“It’s been runnin’ the whole time…” Bailey breathed, his voice filled with awe.

"What do you think it's doing?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

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Bailey and I examined the machine closely. It pressed directly against the wall, scraping and pushing. Wires snaked into it from underground, and a thick tube led off somewhere into the depths of the cavern.

“Looks like it’s diggin’ somethin’ off the wall…” Bailey replied.

We followed the tube deeper into the cavern.

Ssss…ssss…SssssSsss

The hissing from before intensified tenfold. Bailey and I slowed, and I motioned for him to dim our lights. We peered around the next bend. The tube opened into a larger chamber containing what was once a conveyor belt system, now a rusted, skeletal mess. From the tube’s opening, however, flowed a steady stream of fine, glittering particles that had accumulated into a sizable mound.

A large, golden, slug-like creature was coiled atop the dust pile, surrounded by hundreds, perhaps thousands, of smaller versions, all nestled within and around the glittering heap. Bailey stared, blinked, and rubbed his eyes, as if trying to clear his vision.

"That's more like a Geodyte, a young'un. But that pile of dust over there..." Bailey whispered, his gaze fixed on the mound.

“Why are they all clustered on it?” I asked, squinting. The dust had a distinct orangey-gold, almost copper-like sheen.

“That dust has Adamantine in it. Not much, from what I can see, but there’s a bit there,” Bailey murmured, pointing towards the pile.

So a massive pile of treasure and they are the dragons…

We carefully retreated from the chamber, retracing our steps back to the great hall.

“So, what now? That’s the adamantine source back there, and that machine…it’s been running for who knows how long…” I say to Bailey as we settle down to chew on some more dry meat.

“Aye, that machine’s been runnin’ for ages, by the looks of it. Must be made of some powerful stuff. Nothin’ should last this long, ‘specially without any upkeep. Makes you wonder what’s keepin’ it goin’,” Bailey muses, working his way through a particularly tough piece of meat garnished with a few green caviars.

We consider our options. First, we could backtrack to the city and search for another way out—the safest bet. Unless, of course, the Kavriades are still out there hunting us, and considering the green caviar Bailey has on his meat, that would be a problem.

Second, we could attempt to sneak past the Geodytes and their adamantine dust pile, continuing our search for an exit within the cavern. This is significantly riskier, given that Geodytes are apparently capable of using magic.

Our third option is for Bailey to stay put while I deal with the Geodytes, then return for him. This, however, means I’d be forced to slay a bunch of creatures for no real reason.

After careful consideration, Bailey and I agree on the second option. If we don’t disturb the nesting area, the Geodytes probably won’t attack. Probably.

After a good rest, we gear up and head back to the dust pile nesting area. We crouch low, carefully circling the mound. We’re almost around it when… “Achoo!” Bailey sneezes.

Of course. Just our luck.

The massive slug noticed us, but instead of attacking, it just stared, guarding the pile like a dragon its hoard. We slowly backed away, keeping our distance until we’d almost made it all the way around. That’s when I slipped, stumbling a couple of steps closer to the slug. I thought I was in the clear, but then my hair flared up again!

Oh… this isn’t going to end well…