After their hard-fought victory, the group decided to harvest a couple of the monster chitin plates from the fallen creature for comparison. Frank and Hector carefully extracted the pliable chitin while Mia and Diana kept watch, still tense from the recent battle. The men also took the two stingers.
Mia watched as Hector paused in his work to quickly check his messages.
YOUR SKILL POWER STRIKE REACHED LEVEL 3 !
YOUR SKILL BATTLE CRY REACHED LEVEL 2 !
YOUR SKILL ARMOR MASTERY REACHED LEVEL 2 !
YOU HAVE LEARNED A NEW SKILL, BUTCHERY
Hector winced, probably still waiting for that level up Mia though.
The work finished quickly,the harvested parts in tow, they left the gruesome scene behind and made their way up the ramp. Frank took a quick look at his gains.
YOUR SKILL SHADOW DANCE REACHED LEVEL 3 !
YOUR SKILL PRECISE STRIKES REACHED LEVEL 4 !
YOUR SKILL DODGING REACHED LEVEL 2 !
"I’m winning dad." Frank said under his breath. It made Mia smile,he could think in memes even in a situation like this.
As they reached the new level, Mia's mood took a massive hit. They were greeted by a macabre sight – a vast room filled with the desiccated husks of dozens centipede monsters. The brittle, parched remains crunched underfoot as they cautiously ventured forward.
"They were feeding on these centipedes," Hector observed, his voice low and grave. He held up a damaged piece of centipede armor, the segments now cracked and shattered.
Diana examined the surroundings "The flying ones must have made this their lair, that's why there weren’t many monsters on the last levels" she surmised, her gaze shifting to the numerous corpses surrounding them.
Tension gripped them as they gingerly moved through the room, their senses on high alert. The bodies of the centipedes, their armor rendered brittle and useless by time, posed an eerie obstacle course. Each step was a gamble, and the slightest noise seemed to echo menacingly in the stillness of the chamber.
Mia kept a keen eye on the ceiling, expecting any moment to see the flying monsters descend upon them. The air was heavy with the stench of decay and desolation, and their progress through the morbid labyrinth was marked by an uneasy silence.
Finally they noticed a shaft of light. It seemed they had reached the last ramp.
Mia's heart pounded with anticipation and her legs shook with exhaustion after the countless ramps and levels. As she and her friends reached the last obstacle. She took a deep breath and began to ascend the ramp, the others following closely behind.
"Everyone stay alert," Mia reminded them, her voice barely above a whisper. "We don't know what we'll find up there."
As they emerged onto the rooftop, a gust of wind carried the scent of dampness and decay, making Mia shudder involuntarily. The perpetual dusk outside was blinding to them after so much time in near darkness. They found themselves standing on a flat, weathered surface, the edges of which were a sheer drop. In the fading light of day, the city spread out before them in a perfect grid.
"Wow," breathed Frank, his gaze sweeping over the panoramic view. "I didn't think the city could look any creepier from up here."
"Creepy might be an understatement," muttered Diana, her eyes narrowed in concentration as she scanned the rooftops for potential threats.
Mia couldn't agree more. From their elevated perch, the city sprawled beneath them in intricate detail – tightly packed buildings, straight featureless streets, but what truly captured her attention was the colossal pyramid-like structure that pierced the skyline. It was unlike anything she had ever seen, its sides adorned with strange symbols and adorned with a luminescent glow that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy.
Frank noticed the pyramid too, “Who wants to bet there are some answers there?”
Mia, raised an eyebrow. "Or maybe it's a trap. That pyramid could be a death sentence."
“Why not both.” Frank countered.
Hector joined the conversation, his gaze fixed on the distant structure. "Whatever it is, it's our next destination. We need answers, and that pyramid seems like the best place to find them.”
“Yeah about that,” Diana said as she pointed toward another fresh horror, a cluster of buildings encased in a pulsating, white organic growth. It crawled across walls and rooftops, casting an unsettling, alien aura over the structures.
Hector couldn't peel his gaze from the disconcerting sight. "What on earth is that?" he asked, visibly shivering.
Diana shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine, but I've got a feeling it's a nest."
"Look there, and there, those infested buildings seem to be spread around the city. There's also a big cluster near the pyramid.” Frank added.
A piercing screech ripped through the air, shattering the silence that had settled over the cityscape. Mia instinctively whipped her head around, eyes scanning the rooftops in search of the source.
"Did you guys hear that?" she asked, her voice tense as her grip tightened around her weapon.
"Of course we did," Frank replied, his own daggers at the ready. "It sounded like it came from one of those infested buildings."
Their attention was drawn to a rooftop near one of the horrifying towers, where at least ten of the flying scorpion abominations buzzed around
"Is that… ten of them?" Diana whispered, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and fear.
"Looks like it," Frank confirmed "There are more on other buildings but they are more numerous near those infected ones."
Mia's heart pounded in her chest as she observed the creatures, their sinister forms casting dark shadows across the rooftops. The sight of them sent chills down her spine, and she could feel the unease settling heavily over the group.
“Okay, so we've got more flying monsters now, no problem we will deal with them too." Hector said, his voice steady. "Good we mostly stayed inside, those things are probably far more dangerous in the streets."
"Death from above," Frank mused, his brow furrowed as he studied the creatures from a distance. They saw one of them dive and come back up with a centipede in its claws after a moment. “Yup they hunt the centipedes at least”
Diana’s eyes never left the scorpions.
Ding!
YOU HAVE LEARNED A NEW SKILL, IDENTIFY
“Guys check this out!” Diana said, as she used her new skill on the flying abominations.
CTHOSARUM DUSKSHRIEKERS
TYPE: ABOMINATION
LVL. 3
HP: 120/120
MP: ??/??
SKILLS:
YOU MIGHT BE READING A STOLEN COPY. VISIT ROYAL ROAD FOR THE AUTHENTIC VERSION.
??
PASSIVES:
??
TWISTED FUSION OF DRAGONFLY AND SCORPION, THESE GROTESQUE CREATURES THAT INHABIT THE AIR ABOVE THE CITY OF CTHOSARUM. NATURAL ENEMIES TO CTHOSARUM ABERRATIONS, THEY HUNT THEM FROM ABOVE, PARALYZE WITH THEIR VENOM AND CARRY TO THE NEST THEY CREATE NEAR THE ROOFTOPS.
KILL MORE DUSKSHRIEKERS TO LEARN MORE.
Huddled together on the rooftop, the group examined the information Diana managed to glean about the creature they had just faced.
Mia spoke first, her voice a mixture of exhaustion and curiosity. "So, these creatures are called Cthosarum Duskshriekers," she began, "but honestly, besides their name and hit points, we already had most of this information."
Diana added, "It's frustrating. We learn something new just to discover we need to learn more."
Frank nodded, a contemplative expression on his face. "At least we know where we are.”
Diana closed her window, determination in her eyes. "We won’t be hunting them, especially in the open, so I guess we won’t be learning more any time soon."
Frank shrugged, “I’m fine with never seeing their ugly faces again.”
Mia nodded, her heart racing as they cautiously advanced across the rooftop, the distant screeches of the flying monsters echoing in their ears. It was a sound that would haunt her nightmares for a long time to come.
“We got a lot to think about, let's take a break and then head back down. I'll take the first watch and keep an eye on the Duskshriekers.” Hector said.
----------------------------------------
Diana stood next to Hector but was deep in thought, her gaze fixed on the sprawling city below. The strange, alien landscape stretched out before her, her mind raced with thoughts about their situation.
"What is this place?" she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible above the city's distant hum. "And what are we supposed to do here?" Up till now they were too focused on day to day survival but now they had some space to think about the bigger picture.
As she pondered these questions, her thoughts turned to the colossal pyramid-like structure that dominated the city's skyline. The pyramid had fascinated her from the moment they reached this rooftop, and she couldn't help but wonder about the strange, luminescent symbols adorning its sides.
"What do those runes mean?" she mused aloud, her voice barely a whisper as she gazed at the distant pyramid. "Could they hold the key to understanding this place, or perhaps they are a part of some grander puzzle?" Like the other examples of writing they found it felt oddly familiar. She could almost read it.
"There's no way around it, we need to check out that pyramid. But how do we get there." she muttered to herself, her voice barely more than a whisper.
She could feel the magic in the runes even from the distance. "And how do we get that power for ourselves."
Her heart sank as she realized the only viable path to the pyramid led right next to the biggest nest of monsters.
----------------------------------------
Hector sat cross-legged on the rooftop, his brow furrowed in deep concentration. The encounter with the Duskshriekers had left an indelible mark on his mind, and he couldn't shake his need to find some way to deal with these airborne horrors. His friends' safety depended on it.
Hector thought that Duskshriekers ability to fly was the biggest threat. They could dive and fall back with very little time for any reaction. He worried that their team lacked strong ranged attacks; they really needed to get Mia that bow.
Hector's mind was a whirlwind of questions. He thought about using ranged attacks, traps, or even finding their weaknesses if they had any. It was clear that they couldn't rely on their old tactics forever, not if they wanted to move forward.
As he contemplated strategies, Hector couldn't help but glance at the infested buildings in the distance. It felt like an enigmatic sentinel, blocking their way to the inner city and its mysteries. It was definitely something they’d have to overcome.
Hector resolved to discuss his ideas with the group. They needed a plan, and fast. The city of Cthosarum was full of unknowns, and the Duskshriekers were just the beginning.
----------------------------------------
Mia sat at the edge of the building, her legs dangling over the side. Her back was turned to the pyramid and the horrifying growth covering whole buildings. Her gaze was fixed on the edge of the city below, she could see the intended grid layout of the city, but some buildings turned to rubble, or even fell down across the streets. The rotten state of this hellhole created the chaotic maze she knew from the ground level. She looked lost in thought, a mix of determination and longing in her eyes.
As she stared into the abyss of the unknown world, Frank approached her quietly, careful not to startle her. He knew that Mia had been carrying the weight of their journey heavily, and he wanted to offer her some support.
"Mind if I join you?" Frank asked, settling down beside her.
Mia turned her head to look at him, managing a faint smile. "Of course not, Frank.” she gestured for her friend to sit. They sat together in comfortable silence for a while.
“Can I tell you something Frank?” Mia asked.
“Mia, you know your secrets are always safe with me. I never listen anyway.” Frank responded, his eyes alight with mischief. Mia snorted but then got serious again.
“You know I keep thinking about this book, from when i was a little kid. It's about a girl lost in a dark forest, surrounded by monsters.” she sighed heavily. “The book didn’t do justice to the situation.” Mia looked up straight into Frank's eyes.
“It's just... this place, it's so overwhelming. The constant dusk is killing me. Where is the light even coming from” She hugged her knees and said quietly “I keep thinking about home, about getting back to our world."
Frank nodded, his gaze mirroring Mia's as he stared at the city below. He sighed. "I get it, Mia. We're all in the same boat. This world, it's like nothing we've ever known. But we can't give up. We've come so far, and we're a team. We'll find a way home together."
Mia sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I know, Frank. It's just... it's hard. I miss home so much. I miss the little things, like a hot shower and a good meal."
Frank chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood. "Yeah, I could go for a burger right about now. But hey, we're survivors. We've faced those monsters, and we'll face whatever else this world throws at us. And when we finally make it home, we'll appreciate it all the more."
Mia turned to him, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and determination. "You're right, Frank. We can't give up. I’m going to do anything to go home." she said with fervor in her voice.
They sat there for a moment longer, side by side, looking out at the city, Mia’s hearts heavy with longing. She had faced monsters out of nightmares and fought them, she shuddered at the memory, she never wanted to do that again. Understanding that fighting was necessary to reach home, she made a solemn vow to herself—absolutely nothing would stand in her way. Nothing.
While thinking about the way home her gaze lingered on the distant edge of the city, but something kept bothering her. It took her a while to figure it out.
"Frank, what's beyond those buildings?" Mia asked.
Frank followed Mia's gaze to the distant, empty horizon where the city seemed to end abruptly. It was as if the city just dropped off into a void, and there was no trace of what lay beyond. The emptiness stretched out endlessly, and it sent a shiver down his spine.
"Nothing," Frank replied, squinting at the distant buildings, "No hills, no mountains in the background, just … Emptiness"
"Emptiness?" Mia repeated, panic in her voice. "That can't be right. There must be something beyond that. Maybe we just can't see it from here. Maybe the buildings are obscuring the view." An unsettling feeling gnawed at her, and she shifted uneasily.
Frank, seeing Mia was afraid, tried to salvage the situation. "Calm down, Mia. We don’t understand this place, but we will figure it out in time."
Mia's desperation shone in her eyes as she pondered the distant horizon. "Calm down? Are you stupid? Frank, I can't accept that there's nothing out there. I have to find out. I need to see it for myself. Perhaps there's an escape route, a concealed path, some other answer we've overlooked."
Frank hesitated for a moment before suggesting, "Maybe there are some answers deeper in the city. That pyramid looks promising"
Mia's anger flared, her desperation turning into frustration. "Deeper into this nightmarish city? Frank, we've been searching for answers for so long, and what have we found? More questions, more dangers. I can't keep doing that, when we could just try and leave.!"
Frank tried to be conciliatory, "I understand, Mia, I really do. But maybe we don't have to decide this now. We have so many leads now, and we'll figure something out together."
Mia clenched her fists, struggling to control her anger and despair. She knew Frank was trying to be reasonable, but the thought of more uncertainty weighed heavily on her. "Fine," she finally conceded, her voice heavy with resignation. "For now, we'll focus on surviving the day. But we can't ignore this."
Frank nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "We won't ignore it, Mia. It's going to be fine."
Mia clenched her fists, her determination unyielding. She knew she had to convince everyone to explore the edge of the city first. Her voice was firm as she spoke, "Frank, I'm sure of it. We have to check out what's beyond those buildings before we go deeper into this nightmare. I'll talk to the others, and they'll see it my way. It's our best chance to find answers."
Frank looked at her, and decided to just agree. "Yeah we will talk about this for sure." he said,
Mia nodded, her anxiety easing as she knew she had made the right choice. She had to convince the group that this was the way to go, and she was determined to do just that. They needed to get out of here as soon as possible.