The team slowly marched through the burning forest, guided by their scout. Each step was torturous with burning twigs and swirling ashes lashing out at the intruders.
The leather equipment worn by the mages and rogue was cooking their fleshy insides like a smoker. The once brown colour had transformed into black char. The smell of burnt steak wafted from the armour, adding to the collective stench of ashes besieging their owner's taste buds. The metal gear fared no better, acting as giant ovens.
Noses were clogged with ashes. Mouths were filled with a bitter and smoky taste. Eyes watered continuously, the tears evaporating before they reached the cheeks. Sweat appeared and dried instantly, offering little relief. "Nearly there," the rogue choked out. The sound of footsteps quickened drastically.
After another couple of minutes of treading through the dying forest, the troops burst into a clearing. Fresh, no, cleaner air. There was no escape from the blistering heat nor the unending grey haze that masked the landscape.
Doubling over, the adventurers panted, some taking multiple swigs of water while others simply sat in the warm dirt.
Placing the burdensome load of steel and wood on the ground, the tank inspected his team. Noticing the splatters of water on the ground, his cracked lips opened, "CONSERVE YOUR WATER!" The people on the ground nodded along, eyes closed. The leader looked down at the glass of clear liquid tied to his belt, licking his lips. It was so tempting, like a siren's call but through visuals. The water sloshed, lapping against the confines.
Sighing in defeat, his hands gently unbound the bottle and delicately pulled out the stopper. His shaking hands brought the liquid to his lips. "Just a sip..." he reiterated. A third of the water disappeared down his gullet. Catching the mistake too late, the man sighed and restrained the glass container to his belt. "ONWARDS!"
The adventurers got back on their feet unsteadily. The three melee users looked desperately at their mages, "C-can you provide some cooling s-spell or something?" Unable to look into their pleading faces, the two cast their gaze on the ground.
They shook their head. "I can't! Holy magic has [Cleanse]. However, it is ineffective against anything but debuffs." She jerked a thumb at the woman beside her, "And she is a fire mage."
Wallowing in disappointment, they returned to trudging through the black, ashen sands. "Did you find the door," the tank questioned. The scout nodded breathlessly, lurching sideways slightly as his feet landed upon a buried branch, "It should be right in front of us."
A wooden exit slowly came into sight. A raspy cheer rose from the group. Salvation.
Ripping open the door, the adventurers were buffeted by a burst of cool, untainted air. A roar of excitement rose collectively from their throat. Almost jumping over each other, they raced in like natives fleeing from an eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The door clicked shut behind them.
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They pressed their bodies against the cold, stone surface, throwing all dignity aside in favour of relief. Sighing contently, the adventurers unbuckled their metal chest pieces and unstrapped their helmets. Digging into their charred, ash-encrusted belts, they pulled out thin cuts of jerky.
Their faces were repulsed by the tough, leather-like texture. Appetites crumbled as the smoky residue from the curing process permeated their senses. Unscrewing the caps of their water bottles, the warriors forcefully shoved the bland protein into their mouths, eyes clenched shut and swiftly brought their water flasks to their lips, swallowing.
After relaxing for another couple of minutes, they prepared themselves, checked their armour and headed for the next room.
Opening the next door, they were greeted by a puff of hot air jumbled with smoke and ashes. Groaning simultaneously, they mentally composed themselves and slowly marched into the black smog. The tank looked to the scout, "Find the way out."
Nodding silently, the man dashed off, soon consumed from sight as his form slowly melded into the ashes. While the rogue was searching for the exit, the remaining party stood vigil, eyes scanning the treeline for movement.
Within the flaming trees, a small orb of swirling fire flew about, being chased by its evolved form, a human-like construct made of flames. With hands outstretched, the spirit grabbed at the ball. Just as the tips of his hands reached the orb, the sphere playfully levitated just out of reach, spitting a small plume of fire onto his hands. Wiggling from side to side as if taunting, the orb flew onwards, leading his friend on a merry chase towards the adventurers, unaware of their presence.
Breaking from the tree line, the two parties met. The orb slammed to a halt and its friend soon followed, bumping the ball forward slightly. Silence. Time stopped briefly as the unexpectedness held the ticking hand still. The shock subsided. The peace was broken as a white bolt tinged with black was flung at the duo. All hell broke loose.
The front rank of melee fighters charged the enemy as fast as their feet could carry them, hoping to eat up the distance before the fireballs were released. They didn't make it.
Two flaming projectiles were launched at the men, failing to penetrate their shields but succeeding in halting the charge. Another three fireballs were launched shortly after the first two, aimed at the mages. They fell harmlessly upon a blue sphere surrounding two. The impact sent small ripples across the surface as the force was evenly distributed.
Casting a firewall to discourage the adventurers from following, the mobs fled back to the forest.
The team's faces were blank as their brains slowly began to catch up, processing the events that just happened. They turned to look at their neighbour, who wore mirrored expressions. The priestess breaks the silence, "I guess we know what mobs it uses... Elemental dungeon from what we can tell." While the humour had fallen flat, the comment roused the adventurers from their thoughts.
Mumbling under his breath, the leader gestured for his team members to form up, taking his place at the front once more. Eyes resumed scanning the smoking, blackened forest edge once more.
A dozen minutes passed with no further movement from within the trees, aside from the waving flames and the occasional collapsing tree. A shadow flickered and fluctuated as a man leapt out. Striking a heroic pose, the rogue looked at his team, "Ya like my [Shadow Jump] ability?"
His overly-pompous entrance broke the tense atmosphere, bringing smiles to their faces. Laughter broke out. The built-up tension and anxiety flowed out from their bodies. Regaining his composure, the young swordsman opened his mouth only for the scout to cut in, "Yes, I have found the exit."
The journey began once more.