The last watch ended and Frank walked around gently waking everyone up. The soft rustling of bodies shifting on the floor filled the room as they slowly awoke from their sleep.
Hector was the first to sit up, his stomach growling hungrily. "Monster meat again, huh?" he mumbled, glancing around at his friends. "Seems like it's our breakfast of champions."
Frank, with a wry smile, handed him a piece of the cooked meat. "Well, it's better than nothing, and I kind of like the taste."
Between bites of the somewhat questionable monster meat, Frank couldn't resist injecting some humor into their grim situation. He leaned in with a playful smirk and said, "You know, this monster meat isn't half bad. I heard it's low in calories, but the downside is you might grow a couple of extra legs."
The group burst into a strange mixture of laughter and partially horrified chuckles, visions of centipede monsters too fresh in their minds.
As the group prepared to embark on their ascent to the building's rooftop, they gathered around their makeshift table to recheck their weapons. Frank twirled his daggers one last time, his practiced Sleight of Hand on full display. He watched as Mia ran her fingers along the freshly sharpened edge of her spear and as Hector hefted his mace, the reinforced handle firm in his grip. Both getting ready for whatever lied ahead.
Diana, with her Enchanting skills, examined each weapon, and Frank saw the faint glow of magic enveloped the blades, a silent assurance of the power they now possessed.
With their equipment checked, the group closed the heavy stone door of their hideout, sealing it with the locking mechanism. They knew that monsters lurked outside, and any hint of their presence might spell disaster.
In single file, they descended into the darkness, their footsteps echoing through the narrow passageways. The way was treacherous, strewn with debris.
They found the ramp to the first level pretty quickly, as they had their own floor mapped accurately. They entered uncharted territory afterwards. As they scoured the level for any sign of a ramp to the next, the unsettling echoes of distant monster growls reached their ears. The group froze, exchanging nervous glances. The eerie noises seemed to be coming from multiple directions, making it impossible to discern the exact location of the approaching threats.
“There be dragons,” Frank whispered.
"Stay quiet," Hector admonished, his voice barely audible. He gestured for them to move closer together, forming a protective circle. Frank's heart raced, and the tension in the air was thick as he strained to listen to the monstrous sounds drawing nearer.
His eyes darted around, scanning the gloom for any signs of movement and he shuffled his feet a bit, getting ready to strike at a moment's notice. The flickering shadows played tricks on his eyes, making it difficult to distinguish friend from foe.
The cacophony of growls grew louder, reverberating through the empty building. The group held their breath, mentally preparing themselves for the impending confrontation with whatever lurked nearby. In this grim world, each encounter with the unknown brought them closer to the edge of their sanity, and they couldn't afford to let their guard down for a second.
As the unnerving chorus of monsters drew closer, the group huddled together, their anxiety reaching a fever pitch. But to their surprise, the source of the noise didn't emerge as monstrous creatures. Instead, they heard the unmistakable sound of countless, skittering claws passing by just a couple rooms from them.
The group exchanged bewildered glances, as they heard the noise grow faint, their tension gave way to a sense of relief. Whatever had just passed them remained hidden, leaving only the eerie echo of leg movements in its wake.
Hector's brow furrowed as he tried to hide his terror in his voice and failing. "That was way more than three."
Mia nodded, her hands shaking on her spear. "And they were so close to our hideout."
Diana's usual composure wavered. "We can't stay here. Let's move in the opposite direction and find that ramp quickly."
Frank, his heart still racing from the encounter, led the way, and the group moved swiftly in the direction away from the unseen horrors. Each step they took was laden with dread, knowing that they were navigating a city of unknown terrors, where even the smallest noise could spell their doom.
After what felt like an eternity of cautious searching, the group finally stumbled upon a decrepit ramp leading to the next level. It was partially concealed behind a mound of rubble, as if the city itself was trying to hide its secrets. The ramp was wide enough for two cars. Franktook a tentative step on it.
With Frank still leading the way, they ascended the weathered ramp one cautious step at a time. The stone surface was smooth beneath their feet, and the air was thick with tension. Each member of the group felt the weight of the unknown that lay ahead, and they couldn't help but wonder what awaited them on the level above. Nevertheless, they had no choice but to press on, higher into the building.
As they climbed the stone ramp, Frank couldn't help but voice the thought that had been nagging at the back of his mind. "You guys ever wonder why these access points to different levels are so far apart? I mean, it doesn't make much sense, does it?"
Diana nodded in agreement. "You have a point. It's kind of strange. It's almost like they designed this place to be confusing, either to hide something or to deter intruders."
Hector, scanning the stone walls around them, added, "On the other hand the ramps are easier for the centipedes to climb than stairs would be. Like they are designed for them."
Mia, who apparently had no interest the strange architecture, chimed in, "Doesn’t matter anyway. Were not damn archaeologists, we’re just trying to get to the top"
Diana shook her head at Mia, and Frank thought he understood why. It was obvious that Mia only cared about the way home. He considered explaining why it was a good idea to figure this stuff out but decided against it. It would only fall on deaf ears.
The four friends kept climbing the tower.
The relentless search for ramps between levels, coupled with the constant need to evade lurking monsters, had begun to take a toll on the group. Their stamina waned with each passing level, and their breaths grew increasingly labored. The constant tension of being pursued, coupled with the physical exhaustion of climbing, weighed heavily on their shoulders. Yet, they pressed on, their determination fueling their efforts as they clung to the hope of reaching the rooftop and, perhaps, finding a way back to their own world.
----------------------------------------
As the group was scouting yet another floor, Hector heard Frank saying, "You know, I've seen some weird stuff in my time, but this place takes the cake. If I make it out of here alive, I'm definitely writing a book."
"A book, huh? Make sure it's a thriller, Frank. After all, we've got our own little mystery to solve here." his eyes flickering towards Diana. His words hung in the air, hinting at the unresolved issues and doubts that had been festering.
Suddenly, Mia suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. Her abrupt halt caught the attention of the others, and they turned to look at her, surprise written across their faces.
"What's wrong, Mia?" Frank whispered, his voice tinged with concern.
Mia gestured for silence and pointed her shaking finger upward, and the group followed her gaze. There, clinging to the ceiling like grotesque ornaments, were a pair of monsters.
A nightmarish, fleshy creature with six clawed legs, currently buried deep in the stone of the ceiling, seemed to not notice them yet. It was a grotesque fusion of a dragonfly and a scorpion. Its body is a twisted nightmare of organic matter, resembling a bloated insect with a sickly, pallid exoskeleton. It has long, diaphanous membranes that were not moving at the moment.
Dangling beneath its repulsive form was a scorpion tail, its stinger poised to strike. The tail, while still retaining its segmented and spiky nature, seems to be an organic extension of the creature's flesh, covered in writhing, twitching appendages.
What made this abomination even worse is its grotesque mouth, filled with an array of sharp mandibles that click and clack in an unsettling rhythm. It opens wide, revealing row upon row of jagged teeth, dripping with a viscous, foul-smelling slime. This flying monstrosity is a horrific blend of nightmarish insectile features, a true embodiment of the city’s darkest creations.
As the group laid eyes on the nightmarish creature a collective shiver ran down their spines.
Hector's jaw tightened, his eyes widened in a mix of awe and dread, the grotesque sight simultaneously fascinating and terrifying him. He could her Mia's quickened breath and hoped she wouldn't scream, her fear was obvious.
This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.
Despite the nightmarish sight before them, the creature appeared to be undisturbed, its long, diaphanous membranes eerily still. Frank pointed to what was barely visible behind the monsters - the ramp they needed to access.
Hector cursed in his mind and motioned for the team to go back silently and then lead them through a long corridor, glancing at the ceiling way more often now. Having retreated to a safe distance, the group huddled together, their hushed voices mulling over their limited options. The abhorrent creature above remained undisturbed for the time being, but they knew they had to make a critical decision.
Mia, still visibly shaken by the creature's grotesque appearance, voiced her concerns softly. "I don't know, guys. This thing looks like a nightmare. Sneaking might be our best bet, but we have to be incredibly cautious."
Frank interjected, his tone measured. "Sneaking past it is no guarantee of safety either. We can’t have them blocking our only way of retreat. We either fight or go back."
After a tense silence, Diana broke the deadlock. "Alright, here's what we'll do. Frank, you're the sneakiest among us. You need to slip past these monstrosities. Once you're in position, we'll get their attention, and you can use Backstab, it multiplies damage so if we're lucky we get one down at the beginning of the fight."
Mia shivered “ And if we're not lucky we end up dead”
"Darling that was true from the start." Frank said cheerfully, though the smile never reached his eyes.
Hector, looked at Mia “Look, we could try climbing another building. Maybe there is a safer route somewhere, do you want to go back?”
Mia paused for a moment, considering his proposal. Her gaze shifted from Hector to the direction of the monsters.
"We've come this far," she said resolutely, her voice tinged with determination. "We're too close to the top to give up now. I don't want to risk wasting more time searching for another building when we might find answers up there.”
Hector nodded, understanding the urgency in Mia's words, she wanted to go so badly she wall willing to take risks. His job was to make sure she survived those. They set up their battle plan, then they mentally prepared for the nerve-wracking task ahead. They moved back to where the monsters were, all eyes on Frank.
----------------------------------------
Frank psyched himself up for the task at hand, he started singing the nursery rhyme in his head that always helped him focus. He stepped forward and activated his Shadow Dance.
Solomon Grundy
Born on a Monday
As Frank gingerly crept beneath the grotesque creatures, the tension in the air was palpable. He could feel the weight of the party's expectations resting on his shoulders. Each step was a deliberate, measured movement, carefully avoiding the monstrous tails that hung like sinister pendulums above him.
Christened on Tuesday
His heart raced, and he could hear the blood pumping in his ears as he moved with utmost caution. The erratic twitching of the tails added to the nerve-wracking atmosphere, making him question the sanity of this endeavor. The monsters were just a breath away, their grotesque forms casting eerie shadows on the stone ceiling.
Married on Wednesday
Thanking whoever was listening for the skill he knew that an unseen shroud enveloped him, blending him with the shadows and making him nearly invisible. It was the moment of truth for how good he has become.
Took ill on Thursday
Every nerve in his body screamed for him to move faster, but he forced himself to maintain the agonizingly slow pace. Frank's heart pounded in his chest, drowning out the sound of his own breathing. He inched past the repulsive creatures, praying they wouldn't sense his presence.
Grew worse on Friday
As he reached the midway point between the monsters, one of the tails twitched violently, causing his heart to leap into his throat. Frank held his breath, his body still as a statue, fearing that even the slightest noise or movement would betray him.
Died on Saturday
Dodgin another twitch of the tail, Frank’s foot lightly kicked a small stone, the noise deafening to him. Time seemed to stretch into an eternity, but miraculously, the monsters remained oblivious to his presence. With painstaking care, Frank continued his stealthy journey until he had passed them completely. It was only when he was safely on the other side that he dared to release the breath he had been holding.
Buried on Sunday
Relief washed over him, and he could feel the cold sweat on his brow. Shadow Dance had proven to be his saving grace, allowing him to slip past the nightmarish sentinels without alerting them. With a silent prayer of gratitude, he moved on, his resolve strengthened by this narrow escape.
That was the end of Solomon Grundy
He drew his daggers, which was the signal for the party to start the fight.
The plan was set in motion like a well-practiced dance. Diana initiated the attack, she cast an Explosive Rune on the ceiling, the explosion significantly larger now that it was lvl. 3. It made the monster fall to the ground where Hector tried to repeat his feat of finishing it with a single blow.
Hector charged forward with a fierce Battle Cry, his mace raised high. The second monster, still on the ceiling, sensed the threat, began to slowly pull its legs from the stone, one by one. Its hideous forms shifted and quivered as it prepared to defend themselves. The one on the ground seemed stunned.
Hector swung his mace with brute force, smashing into the other monster's exoskeleton. The impact sent shards of chitin flying, and the creature recoiled in agony, still alive. Even stunned and hurt, the monster lashed at Hector with its tail.
Hector raised his shield to block the ferocious attack. The monster's tail came with incredible speed. But in a stroke of both luck and skill, Hector positioned his shield perfectly, and the tail struck with a resounding thud. The sharpened appendage pierced the shield's surface, its barbed tip getting firmly lodged within chitin.
For a brief, heart-stopping moment, the monster's tail remained trapped in the shield, its venomous stinger just inches from Hector's face. Then, with a tremendous jerk, the creature ripped its tail free, tearing the shield from Hector's grasp. All that remained in his hands was the handle of his once-trusted defense, now turned useless. Hector, now exposed and vulnerable, didn’t retreat but switched to a two handed grip on his mace.
In the midst of this chaos, Frank emerged from the shadows like a phantom. His Shadow Dance skill still cloaked him, making him nearly invisible to the monsters. Precise Strikes gave Frank a deadly precision which he combined with Backstab. His daggers found its mark, plunging into the exposed side of the monster. The creature let out a sickening, gurgling screech as the blades pierced its flesh.
Frank's daggers sunk into something vital within the monstrous creature. With a shuddering, thunderous thud, the beast collapsed to the ground. The rogue leaped to the side just in time to avoid the lifeless tail that crashed down with a sickening sound, narrowly missing his head.
The remaining creature, pulled its last leg free from the ceiling, flipped and hovered menacingly in the narrow corridor. Its diaphanous wings, now a shiny blur, posed a challenge for the monster's mobility. It struggled to navigate the tight space, its wingspan limiting its movement.
Mia, observing the fray, realized that her moment to contribute had come. She focused on the monster's wings, aiming to cripple its mobility. With a determined breath, Mia stepped closer, making herself a target for a split second. As the creature lunged at her, she dodged and swung her spear in a wide arc. The metal tip sliced through the wing’s membranes, sending the creature into a frenzied spin.
The monster, now struggling to maintain control, became an easier target. Seeing the place where it would crash into the floor. Diana seized the opportunity and, quick movements of her hands cast two Explosive Runes onto place of impact. Double detonations greeted the monster on the ground.
The already wounded monster took the brunt of the blast, its body mangled and torn by the force of the explosions. Fragments of the vile creature scattered across the floor as it let out a final, agonized screech. It still stood up, its front legs mangled stumps, half of its chitin plates gone from its head.
Despite the devastating damage inflicted upon it, the creature summoned a final surge of strength, staggering forward on its twisted legs. It emitted a guttural, otherworldly growl as it fixed its remaining eyes on the party.
The monster, though wounded and staggering, still had some fight left in it. As the party cautiously approached, it lunged forward with surprising speed, slashing its clawed legs in a wild, frenzied attack. Frank and Mia, caught off guard, barely managed to dodge its deadly strikes.
Hector, undeterred by the loss of his shield, stepped forward to engage the creature. With a swift, powerful swing, he aimed his mace at the monster's head. The monster blocked with one of its remaining legs, chitinous armor met heavy metal with a resounding clang, sending shockwaves of pain through Hector's arms as the monster's exoskeleton proved more resilient than expected.
Diana, standing a bit farther back, chanted incantations under her breath. She cast a slowing rune, trying to hinder the creature's movements and create an opportunity for the group to strike back. The rune shimmered briefly, causing the monster to falter and slow down.
Mia, her hands slick with sweat, lunged forward. She jabbed at the creature's neck, aiming for a vulnerable spot without armored plates. The spear struck true, eliciting a high-pitched screech of pain from the creature. It writhed and recoiled, but Mia's spear remained lodged in its flesh.
Despite their valiant efforts, the battle was far from over. The wounded monster, fueled by primal instinct and agony, continued its relentless assault. Hector winced as one of the creature's clawed legs grazed his side, leaving a gash in his armor. Frank, still agile and alert, managed to evade another attack but couldn't find an opening to strike back.
Hector, powering through his pain, pressed forward. He launched another powerful swing of his mace, aiming for the same spot he had struck earlier. This time, with a deafening crack, his mace penetrated the creature's chitin, causing it to lose its balance. The monster's movements slowed, and it struggled to remain upright.
Seeing the opening, Frank moved swiftly. He lunged at the monster's flank with his daggers, his newly honed skills allowing him to dodge the tail that attacked him. His blades found their mark, and the monster convulsed in pain, its once-threatening claws now twitching feebly.
With the creature weakened and on the verge of collapse, Mia seized her moment. She wrenched her spear free from the monster's neck and, with a mighty thrust, drove it deep between its eyes. A final, grotesque howl escaped the creature as it succumbed to its wounds. Its grotesque form crumpled to the ground in a heap of twisted limbs and exoskeleton.
Breathing heavily, the group exchanged relieved glances, their hearts still pounding from the intense battle. However, the victory didn't come without its costs. Hector’s shield was damaged beyond repair and his armor had a deep gash. All in all it was a small price to pay.