I watched as my friends walked toward the gates, Trish’s hand firmly in mine.
“They’ll be okay, love,” she said softly, resting her head on my shoulder.
“I know they will. They have to be,” I replied, though the worry in my voice betrayed my attempt at confidence.
Diaz stood silently beside us, his sharp green eyes following the group’s retreating forms. “My friend will take care of them,” he said after a moment. “Though he’s… different.”
“Different how?” I asked, glancing at him.
Diaz scratched the back of his neck, his expression somewhere between amusement and exasperation. “Well, he’s one of those earn my respect types. Likes to test people. But don’t worry, he won’t let them die. Hurt, probably. Die, though? No.”
I chuckled despite myself. “Guess that’s one way to teach the DPS to stay out of the fire,” I joked, a weak attempt to ease the tension.
Trish smacked my arm, her face caught between annoyance and reluctant amusement. “That’s not funny!” she said.
I turned to Diaz, my shoulders tense. “Alright, what do we do now?” I asked.
Diaz raised an eyebrow, a slow, wicked grin spreading across his face. His dragon fangs glinted in the dim light, a glimmer of mischief dancing in his green eyes. “Now? We train,” he said, his voice almost too cheerful.
You know that feeling you get when you just know someone enjoys watching others suffer? Yeah… I really should have trusted that instinct the second I saw that grin.
We trained relentlessly for three months outside the city walls. We fought monsters of every shape and size, sparred endlessly against Diaz, and even turned our weapons against each other to sharpen our skills. But it wasn’t just about physical strength. Between the grueling combat sessions, we trained our minds, fortifying them against the insidious mental attacks of the Void Empress’s abominations.
Diaz didn’t go easy on us. He brought in trusted friends and acquaintances, powerful mentalists who attacked our thoughts and memories without mercy. Though he assured us they were nothing compared to the true horrors we’d face, they were more than enough to leave us shaken. Each battle of wills felt like wading through a storm, fighting to keep our grip on reality.
Trish handled it better than I did. Her focus and resolve were unshakable, her celestial energy like a shield that even the most invasive attacks couldn’t penetrate. I, on the other hand, struggled. No matter how hard I pushed myself, the mental assaults left cracks in my defenses. Even after three long months, Diaz advised me to keep up the training.
“You’re improving,” Diaz said, his tone almost encouraging. “But you’re not there yet. The Void’s creatures will exploit every weakness. Make sure you don’t give them any.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but the air shifted around us. A faint hum, like static, crackled at the edge of my awareness. Diaz frowned, his eyes narrowing as if sensing something I couldn’t.
Before I could ask what was wrong, the notification flashed before my eyes, cutting through my thoughts.
NEW QUEST: Shadows in the Depths
Description: A disturbance was detected deeper within the Depths, where whispers of void-tainted activity are growing stronger. Your companions may be caught in the rising tide, or they may be the key to unraveling its source. It is unclear if danger awaits them or you, but the path forward leaves little room for hesitation. Trust your instincts and move swiftly.
– Side Note: This is a timed quest. You have three weeks to find your friends… good luck. –
REWARD: Significant exp, rare materials for your crafting needs, and you get to see your friends again.
“What in the hells was that?” Diaz asked, his voice sharp, his eyes darting as though expecting an immediate threat.
Trish and I exchanged a glance, a mix of fear, confusion, and anger passing silently between us. My chest tightened, but I forced myself to speak. “We have to go… now.”
Diaz’s brow furrowed; his confusion clear as he studied me. Without wasting a second, I quickly explained the quest details, my voice steady despite the growing knot in my stomach.
When I finished, he let out a low growl of frustration. “Bah, I don’t like it,” he muttered. “But you’re as ready as you’re gonna be. You’re strong enough to face the threats out there as long as you two fight together.”
I nodded, the weight of his words settling over me. With the massive increase in our levels, I wanted to believe that was true. But my concerns weren’t about the monsters.
“And what of Tieryn?” I asked, my voice quieter, hesitant.
Diaz’s gaze sharpened. “Stay as you are,” he said, his tone firm. “Keep your guises intact, and you two should be fine. You’re on the cusp of a power that would make her very much rethink approaching you.”
He handed us our bags, already packed full of supplies, his movements rushed but precise. The sheer size of the packs told me he’d been preparing for this possibility for a while.
I hesitated, clutching the strap of my bag. “But if she did find us before…?” The question hung heavy in the air.
Diaz stopped mid-motion, his hands stilling as he turned to face us fully. His sharp green eyes studied us intently, his gaze lingering as though weighing every word. “Just you two?” he asked, his voice uncharacteristically soft.
I nodded, the worry bubbling inside me threatening to spill over.
He exhaled slowly, the weight of his response clear in his eyes. “It’s hard to say,” he admitted, his voice low. “I want to say you’ll be fine. But I’d be lying. It won’t be easy.” His gaze flicked between us, lingering a moment longer on Trish. “Stay vigilant. And remember what you’ve learned.”
We followed Diaz to the gates in heavy silence, his warning sinking deeper with each step. By the time we reached the road out, the gravity of the moment felt like a physical weight pressing on my chest. Diaz handed us a pair of maps, the path to the city our friends should have gone to clearly marked.
“Good luck, friends,” he said, his voice steady but softer than usual. “I’ll send word to our mutual friend, let them know what’s happening.”
I nodded, gripping the map tightly as Trish and I turned to leave. This time, it was truly just the two of us. No one else would come to our aid. There were no stealthy strikes from Max to pull us out of trouble, no massive swings from Mel to hold the line. It was all on us now.
I stopped abruptly, pulling Trish by the hand and spinning her toward me. Her golden-brown eyes met mine, and for a moment, the world faded. I kissed her, pouring every unspoken fear and resolve into that single act. When I pulled back, I saw the determination blazing in her gaze. It was enough to steel my nerves.
She didn’t need to say anything, neither of us did. Trish climbed onto Nyxala’s back, the Lepidomare’s iridescent scales shimmering faintly under the light of the cavern. I patted the creature’s side, her soft hum vibrating under my palm as she leaned in to nuzzle my shoulder.
With that, we set off. Trish and Nyxala hovered gracefully, the Lepidomare’s movements fluid and otherworldly, while I strode beside them, the crunch of the road beneath my boots grounding me in the reality of what lay ahead.
We traveled in silence for the first day. Trish and Nyxala filled the stillness with their training exercises, darting back and forth along the path in bursts of speed and graceful turns. Nyxala’s movements were mesmerizing, her sleek form gliding effortlessly through the air, her lightning-blue and deep-purple scales catching the faint glow of the cavern light. Trish’s focus was sharp, her every command precise as they honed their synchronicity.
I watched them on occasion, a quiet admiration stirring within me. Most of the time, though, I found my gaze drifting to the world around us. The massive cavern walls stretched endlessly into shadow, intricate patterns carved into the stone by time and nature. Stalactites hung from the ceiling like frozen spears, their tips glinting faintly in the luminescence of the vegetation that dotted the terrain.
There was so much to take in, so much hidden beauty in this vast, subterranean world. For a moment, it was easy to forget the danger that awaited us further down the path.
The faint, distant sound of skittering reached my ears, sharp and unnatural against the otherwise still cavern. My instincts flared to life, pulling me into high alert. My grip tightened around Star’s haft as I raised the shield in front of me, my eyes scanning the darkness clinging to the walls around us. The shadows seemed to shift and ripple, making it impossible to pinpoint the source.
Trish reacted instantly. She dismounted in one fluid motion, her chakrams springing to life, swirling through the air in an intricate orbit around us. Auras flared into existence, their soft glow encasing our bodies in protective light, Nyxala included.
Even Nyxala bristled with readiness, her dark, intelligent eyes locking onto something beyond the veil of shadows. Her pectoral fins twitched with agitation, and her powerful tail flexed in sharp, angry movements. A low hum escaped her throat, almost like a warning.
The skittering grew louder. Whatever it was, it was getting closer.
In seconds, a mass of spiders surrounded us, their gleaming eyes reflecting the faint light like shards of obsidian. My gaze darted between them, cataloging each foe. The smallest was the size of a small dog, their spindly legs twitching with manic energy. The largest loomed over the rest, nearly the size of a horse, its grotesque mandibles clicking in anticipation.
A chorus of excited chittering rose from the swarm, the sound reverberating through the cavern like an ominous symphony. They were hungry. And we were the meatiest prey they’d find out here.
Before hesitation could take root, Trish sprang into action. Her chakrams spun outward, slicing through the air like whirling blades of death. I pushed the shadows outward from my body as I activated [Celestial Battle Cry]. A wave of dark energy rippled through the cavern, my shout echoing like a thunderclap.
The spiders froze for a split second, then turned, their many legs scrambling toward my last known location within the shadows. They didn’t get the chance to leap. Trish’s chakrams tore through the swarm with ruthless precision, dismembering arachnid legs and slicing through carapaces like they were paper. Severed limbs and ichor sprayed through the air in a macabre rain.
Nyxala let out a resonant hum, her fins flaring as she charged into the fray. With a single swipe of her powerful tail, she sent several spiders crashing into the cavern walls, their bodies crumpling on impact. I followed her lead, swinging Star in a wide arc, the abyssal weapon cleaving through the largest spider with a sickening crack.
Within seconds, the cavern floor was littered with broken, twitching bodies. The swarm had been reduced to nothing more than a gory mess of dismembered limbs and shattered exoskeletons.
Breathing heavily, I scanned the area for any movement. The silence that followed was almost unnerving after the chaos, but it didn’t last long. Trish’s chakrams returned to her side, their edges gleaming faintly in the dim light. Nyxala stood beside her, her dark eyes still alert as she flexed her tail, ready for more.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
When nothing else emerged from the shadows, Trish’s chakrams slowed their deadly orbit, shimmering briefly before reverting into the elegant bracelets wrapped around her arms. I exhaled, the tension in my shoulders easing as Star shifted, its flail collapsing back into the haft. I secured it at my side and slid the shield onto my back, its weight a reassuring presence as the cavern fell silent once more.
“I will never get over how terrifying you look when you use that ability in this form,” Trish said, her voice tinged with mock horror as she gave an exaggerated shudder.
I raised an eyebrow, giving her a questioning look. Obviously, I couldn’t see myself when I used it, so I’d never had the chance to witness this so-called terrifying awesomeness through my own eyes.
“Your body looks like it triples in size, and your eyes glow like some eerie blacklight,” she explained, her tone a mix of fascination and unease. “The shadows around you twist and writhe, almost angrily, but there’s something about them that feels… inviting. Like they want to pull you in.” She paused for effect, then added with a wry smirk, “Oh, and when you move through the shadows, it looks like multiple versions of you are taunting your enemies, making all kinds of gestures.”
“Well, that’s… interesting,” I said, tilting my head thoughtfully. “How does it look when I use that in my other form?”
She hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly as she considered the question. “You just look like you,” she replied, though her tone made it sound more complicated than that. She paused, tapping her chin in thought. “Then again, I haven’t seen you in your normal form for some time. That might’ve changed, especially after the forty-three-level gain over the past three months. This form certainly has evolved.”
We had both changed a lot in those three months. Trish’s once-toned build had transformed into one of rippling muscle, her physique lean and powerful. She wasn’t bulky, but every movement she made carried the effortless strength of someone who could probably lift and throw a small car if she wanted to.
Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down her back, its dark strands gleaming faintly in the dim cavern light. She’d even grown a couple of inches taller, her presence commanding yet graceful, as if the strength she’d gained had amplified everything about her.
As for me… I now stood close to seven feet tall, my frame broader and more powerful than it had ever been. My muscles, honed through months of relentless training, moved with precision and strength, every line of my body shaped for combat. My shoulders were wide, my stance steady, and there was an unmistakable weight to my presence, something that made even the silence around me feel charged.
I barely recognized myself anymore. The leaner, more uncertain version of me was gone, replaced by a figure that felt as much a weapon as Star was.
My stats probably had a lot to do with that, along with the intense training we’d endured.
“I’d be curious to know,” I said, glancing at her, “though I think it might be best to wait until we’re out of here.”
Trish nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “Can’t say I’m not excited to get back to my normal form, but I’m inclined to agree. Now’s not the time for experiments.”
I returned her smile, and with that, we turned and continued our trek through the sprawling caverns.
As we walked, the quiet hum of Nyxala’s movements blending with the faint echoes of the cavern, I opened my stat menu. A quick refresher would help me figure out where to put my next points, and maybe get my mind off the unease that lingered just beneath the surface.
STATS
LEVEL – 96, TRAVELER
STRENGTH – 164
DEXTERITY – 136
INTELLECT – 131
WISDOM – 59
LUCK – 29
ARMOR – 43 (Physical damage reduction= 30%)
I was leaning toward pumping the next few levels into strength, getting closer to two hundred before shifting my focus back to dexterity.
I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen when we reached level one hundred. Diaz seemed convinced we’d gain something significant at that milestone, but he never explained what it was. Every time I asked, he’d just smirk and change the subject, leaving me with more questions than answers.
All I could do was push myself to reach level one hundred and find out for myself what awaited.
Trish, however, was already three levels ahead of me. Somehow. I had a sneaking suspicion she’d been sneaking in extra training when I wasn’t around. She’d find out what came at level one hundred before I did, and if I knew my wonderful wife at all… she wouldn’t tell me either.
The next day, we arrived at the mouth of a narrow tunnel at the end of the cavern. It dove sharply into the wall, spiraling even deeper below the surface, where the glowing plants and fungi no longer clung to the walls and ceilings to bring their faint light.
I glanced at Trish, who was busy patting Nyxala’s side in an effort to soothe her. The Lepidomare’s fins twitched with unease, and her normally calm hum had fallen silent. I couldn’t blame her, I didn’t want to go into that tunnel either.
The tunnel looked like it had been carved deliberately, but by whom… or what, was impossible to tell. The jagged edges of the stone suggested it wasn’t a careful craftsman. Yet, according to the map, this was the only path forward. We took a few moments to search for any other routes, but there was none.
Trish sighed, clearly annoyed. “Of course it’s the deep, dark tunnel. Why wouldn’t it be the tunnel that practically screams doom and gloom?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. The sound startled Nyxala, but when Trish’s irritation cracked into a laugh of her own, even the tension in the air seemed to ease, for a moment, at least.
We entered the tunnel with Trish leading the way, Nyxala close behind her. I took up the rear, ensuring that Nyxala didn’t have to struggle to turn and defend herself in the tight, almost too-small space. Staying at her flank also seemed to help ease her unease. Though she wasn’t my mount, she had grown to trust me over time, and a quiet friendship had formed between us.
Nyxala probably would have let me ride her if I’d asked, but I never did. It wasn’t out of pride, just respect. The bond she shared with Trish was unique, and I wouldn’t intrude on it. Besides, I couldn’t communicate with her the way Trish could. Their connection ran deeper than words, a harmony I didn’t dare disrupt.
About an hour into the tunnel, a distant thud echoed behind us, followed by a sickening slopping sound that scraped and dragged against the walls. The noises came in intervals, a heavy grunt, then the dragging resumed, each repetition growing louder, closer.
I hissed under my breath, my voice barely audible over the noise. “We need to move faster. Something’s coming.”
Trish quickened her pace, her steps sure despite the narrowing tunnel. To her credit, Nyxala didn’t panic. She moved with her usual grace, though her fins twitched nervously, her unease clear. She wasn’t afraid of the fight; I knew that much. She was afraid of being trapped. I couldn’t blame her.
The noises grew sharper, faster, pounding through the enclosed space like a pulse of impending dread. And then, from around the bend in the tunnel, it emerged.
The torchlight in my hand barely illuminated its grotesque form, but what I could see was enough to make my stomach churn. The creature was massive, its slimy, eyeless face glistening as it squeezed through the tunnel with unnatural force. Its body was coated in a viscous gel that dripped onto the ground, each drop sizzling ominously on contact with the stone.
Its head turned in my direction, its eyeless form somehow locking onto me with eerie precision. Then, its maw stretched wide into a grotesque “O” shape, revealing countless needle-like fangs, each glistening with acidic saliva. It roared, the sound reverberating through the tunnel as spittle flew outward, hissing and steaming where it struck the ground.
I took a cautious step back, my eyes narrowing as I noticed something embedded in its head—a blade. Familiar, but not quite right. The jagged weapon jutted out of its skull like a twisted trophy, glinting faintly in the torchlight.
Recognition dawned. That was Max’s blade, or at least, it looked like it. My heart sank as questions flooded my mind. Had Max survived his encounter? Or had this monster claimed his weapon as a prize?
Anger surged through me like a firestorm. “Trish, get Nyxala and go. Now,” I ordered through gritted teeth, my voice low but firm.
As much as I wanted to tear this thing apart, I knew fighting it in this tunnel was a death sentence. My goal was simple: hold it off long enough for Trish and Nyxala to get some distance, hopefully, far enough to reach the end of the tunnel.
Trish didn’t hesitate. She broke into a sprint, Nyxala right behind her, the Lepidomare’s fins twitching anxiously as they vanished down the dark passage. The light from her torch flickered, growing smaller and smaller, until it disappeared entirely, leaving me alone in the shadows with the monster.
I gripped Star tightly, preparing to activate the shadows, but stopped. Shadows would be useless here. This thing didn’t rely on sight.
The creature roared, its spindly claws scraping against the walls as it surged forward. Its massive form struggled to maneuver in the confined space, giving me just enough room to retaliate. Star’s spiked head struck with brutal precision, smashing into the creature’s slick, eyeless face.
It hissed and snarled, reeling back as the spikes punctured its thick, gelatinous skin. A sickly black ichor oozed from the wounds, dripping to the ground with a sinister sizzle. The moment it touched the stone, the acid ate through it, dissolving the rock in seconds before releasing a faint, almost satisfied hiss, as if the substance itself was alive and feeding.
I struck again, slamming Star into one of its massive claws, forcing it to drag itself backward with a guttural growl. The tunnel was too tight for either of us to fight effectively, but my precise strikes kept it at bay, forcing it to hesitate.
Each roar echoed like a threat, but I stood my ground, the air thick with the acrid stench of its ichor and the faint haze of dissolving stone.
Faint shouts echoed from behind, barely audible over the heavy sounds of my breathing and the creature’s guttural growls. I strained to catch the words.
“James, the end isn’t much further! Hurry!” Trish’s voice reached me, quiet and fragmented, like a whisper distorted by the tunnel’s walls.
My heart pounded as I turned, adrenaline surging through me. Without hesitation, I sprinted, my legs pushing me forward with everything I had. The narrow walls blurred past, the oppressive darkness closing in as the sound of the creature’s pursuit thundered behind me.
I rounded the corner, a faint glow flickering at the end of the tunnel. Relief surged, an exit. But before I could celebrate, the sound of something massive shifted behind me. I dove forward just as a claw the size of a small car swiped at the spot where I’d been standing, the impact cracking the stone walls.
How could this thing move so fast? Not only was it dragging itself along, but it was squeezing through walls that should’ve been too tight to allow such movement. The sheer force behind it was unreal.
I landed in a roll, the rough stone biting at my palms as I sprang back to my feet. Spinning on my heels, I readied myself for the inevitable as the creature burst from the tunnel.
It expanded, its grotesque form somehow growing even larger now that it was free of the cramped space. Towering above me, it roared in fury, its eyeless face snapping toward me with terrifying accuracy. Spittle and black ichor sprayed as it raised one of its impossibly long arms, claws gleaming in the cavern’s dim light, and swung down with crushing force.
I barely had time to brace myself. I raised my shield, angling it just enough to deflect the blow to the side. The impact rattled through my bones, but I stood firm.
Without hesitation, I activated [Celestial Battle Cry] and [Celestial Sanctum]. A shadowy dome of dark violet energy surrounded us, its edges alive with crimson tendrils that writhed and twisted like living flames. The eerie glow cast shifting shadows across the cavern as I fell into the rhythm of combat. Trish’s chakrams flew past me, slicing through the air like a whirlwind of deadly precision. The creature hissed and snarled, ichor spraying with each strike as the six chakrams darted in and out of its flailing limbs.
Finally, I got a clear look at the beast’s name hovering above it, [⚥ Corrovalk Lvl 88].
Each strike drew more of the thick black ichor from its body, the acidic fluid falling to the ground and sizzling violently. It hissed with delight as it ate through the stone, leaving deep, steaming craters in its wake. I dodged swiftly to avoid the droplets, but some struck the bottom edge of my shield, dissolving it in an instant.
One of Trish’s chakrams struck deep into the creature’s side, embedding itself in its slick, writhing flesh. But instead of simply wounding it, the ichor surged upward, devouring the weapon like a ravenous beast. When the chakram finally fell, it clanged uselessly against the stone, reduced to a warped half-moon shape.
Trish growled in frustration her anger palpable. She adjusted her aim, narrowing her strikes to its arms, avoiding its core altogether. Her movements became more deliberate, her focus razor-sharp as we pressed the fight, each second feeling like an eternity.
Nyxala tried to join the battle, but Trish kept her at bay, making sure she stayed out of reach. This wasn’t a fight Nyxala could survive. But she didn’t back down entirely. Instead, she did something unexpected—her curled tail snapped upward, grabbing large stones from the cavern floor, and hurled them at the monster with surprising force.
One of the stones struck its head with a sickening crunch, knocking the creature off balance just long enough for me to retreat a few steps. I seized the moment and activated [Fury of the Heavens].
Dark violet energy erupted around me, enveloping me in a swirling, chaotic aura laced with streaks of crimson light. The tendrils pulsed outward, writhing like living flames as my roar split the air, shaking the cavern walls.
Tiny comets streaked forth from the shadowy vortex, their violet and crimson trails cutting through the darkness as they hurtled toward the creature. Beams of deep red light shot from my eyes, piercing the shadows and illuminating the cavern in a storm of violent energy. The aura surrounding me expanded, crackling with crimson tendrils, as the comets multiplied, raining destruction onto the beast.
The creature roared in fury, its acidic ichor hissing as it sprayed across the cavern floor. The comets slammed into its massive frame, tearing chunks from its slimy hide and sending pieces of its claws shattering into the walls. The sheer force of the attack left no room for retaliation, the relentless barrage forcing it to stagger backward as it struggled to hold its ground.
The walls and ground trembled under the force of the attack, the cavern shuddering as if it might collapse around us. Without warning, a massive stalactite broke free from the ceiling, its descent swift and deadly. It struck the beast with a sickening crack, driving into its body like a nail hammered into wood. The force of the impact pinned it to the ground, the jagged stone piercing through its writhing mass.
The creature let out a wet, gurgling sound, its spindly limbs twitching violently as black ichor pooled beneath it. For a brief moment, it struggled against the weight of the stalactite, but its movements slowed, then stopped entirely. Silence fell over the cavern, broken only by the faint hiss of its acidic blood dissolving the stone beneath it.