Pag rubbed his face with both hands letting out a heavy sigh, fatigue tugging at him. He had hoped that once he had received Dedisco's blessing the exhaustion would have faded, but it seemed it had simply morphed, no longer the bone-deep weariness of the Tombs Rattle, but the mental and emotional exhaustion of knowing what he now knew. The weight of the refugees’ stories, the knowledge of the Kellin, and the ever-present countdown timer that had, until recently, ticked away his remaining time had taken its toll. Pandora was right; he hadn't gained a single stat increase despite everything he’d been through. His stats remained stagnant, a nagging reminder that something was amiss. Was it a blessing? Or was it something else? The icon of Dedisco’s power continued to pulse, a constant presence in the back of his mind, and the words of warning from Pandora echoed through his thoughts. You should also start to consider what profession you want and whether you want to pick up a second class. He had been so focused on survival, on finding the cure for Tombs Rattle, that he hadn't even considered these aspects of the game.
"Alright," Pag said, pushing the unsettling thoughts aside. “Let’s see about advancing this pyroclasm class." He glanced around the cavern, his gaze falling on the shimmering pool that had been the source of so much turmoil. "Any suggestions on where to start?"
Pandora smiled, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "The Patala tunnels," she said, her voice soft but firm. "They are a network of ancient waterways that run beneath the Sunken City. They are said to be filled with raw mana, a source of power for those who know how to harness it. But be warned, Pag," she added, her voice taking on a serious tone, "the tunnels are dangerous. They are home to creatures twisted by the wild magic that flows through them. You must be careful."
Aviva stepped in front of Pag, placing a hand on his chest to stop him. "I have a bad feeling about this. Let’s explore a bit more first. There has to be another way to advance a class." She pulled up her menu and scrolled through it.
"There is a reason I chose this place, Aviva. The Patalas were the heart of the Lunar Empire, and if my theory is correct, the influx of wild mana should be able to be used to advance a class quickly." Pandora replied.
Aviva frowned. "You're the one who warned about Dedisco's whispers. How do we know this isn't another one of his manipulations?"
Pag nodded in agreement. He had already experienced firsthand the consequences of making deals with Dedisco. He didn't want to become another pawn in the god's game. "Maybe we should consider other options," he said, his voice hesitant.
Pandora sighed. She understood their concerns, but she believed this was the best course of action. "The Patala tunnels are a source of immense power. If you can learn to control it, it will make you stronger, more capable of facing the challenges ahead," she explained. She paused, her gaze intense. "Besides," she added, "we don't have much time. The longer we delay, the stronger Dedisco becomes."
Her words reminded Pag of the chaos that had engulfed the game world, the system disruptions that had left them stranded. He thought of the refugees in Kyrbane, the victims of the war that raged between Draggor and the Lunar Empire. He had to do everything he could to stop Dedisco, to restore balance to Ludere Online.
“What exactly are we looking for anyway?” Pag asked.
Pandora gave him a small smile. “A place where the wild mana is thickest. There should be a chamber of sorts. If it hasn't been destroyed or corrupted yet.”
Pag swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. He wasn't sure he liked the sound of that. But he knew he had to trust Pandora. She was his only hope. He squared his shoulders, pushing down the fear and doubt. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenges that lay ahead.
With a final glance at Pandora, he stepped towards the shimmering pool, ready to face whatever dangers awaited him in the depths of the Patala tunnels. He paused and turned back towards Pandora. “You're not coming with us?” he asked, halting mid-stride.
“No, I think it's best if I don't. I'm going to look into why your stats aren't changing and try to figure out what's going on with the servers.”
“Before you go to Kyrbane, I think you should advance your pyroclasm class to the next tier. Regardless of whether you decide to free Dedisco, you'll likely face many trials that you won't be able to handle at your current tier. Even now that you are cured of Tombs Rattle. You should also start to consider what profession you want and whether you want to pick up a second class,” Pandora said, watching him carefully.
Pag frowned, glancing at his character sheet. Pandora was right. He hadn’t gained a single stat increase despite everything he’d been through or all the levels he had gained. His stats remained stagnant, a nagging reminder that something was amiss. Was it the blessing? Or was it something else? The icon of Dedisco's power continued to pulse, a constant presence in the back of his mind, and Pandora’s words of warning echoed through his thoughts: You should also start to consider what profession you want and whether you want to pick up a second class. He had been so focused on survival, on finding the cure for Tombs Rattle, that he hadn't even considered these aspects of the game.
"Alright," Pag said, pushing the unsettling thoughts aside. "Let's see about advancing this pyroclasm class." He glanced around the cavern, his gaze falling on the shimmering pool that had been the source of so much turmoil. "Any suggestions on where to start?"
Pandora smiled, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "The Patala tunnels," she said, her voice soft but firm. "They are a network of ancient waterways that run beneath the Sunken City. They are said to be filled with raw mana, a source of power for those who know how to harness it. But be warned, Pag," she added, her voice taking on a serious tone, "the tunnels are dangerous. They are home to creatures twisted by the wild magic that flows through them. You must be careful."
Pag nodded, his heart pounding with anticipation and apprehension. The prospect of navigating the Patala tunnels, of harnessing the raw power that flowed through their depths, both excited and intimidated him. He glanced at his character sheet, the icon of Dedisco's power pulsing, a reminder of the dark god's influence. He had to stay vigilant, maintain control, resist the whispers of chaos that echoed in the depths of his mind.
"I'll be careful," Pag promised, his gaze meeting Pandora's. "I won't let you down." He turned towards the shimmering pool, its surface rippling with an energy that felt both alluring and dangerous.
Aviva’s hand fell on his arm, stopping him. “Are you sure about this?” she asked. “There’s something not right about all this.”
“Aviva. I have to do this. We have to do this,” Pag said, glancing at her and then back to the pool. “Something’s wrong, Aviva, something’s very wrong, and I think the only way to find out what happened to Mark and why the servers and the game is going haywire is to do exactly what Dedisco, and PillowHorror want us to do.” Pag placed his hand over hers and squeezed gently.
Aviva frowned but nodded. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. And that you’ll listen to that little voice that tells you something’s not right.”
“I promise.”
Pag turned back to the pool and, with a deep breath and a final glance at Aviva, stepped into the swirling vortex of light, bracing himself for the journey into the unknown depths of the Patala tunnels.
Aviva watched Pag disappear into the shimmering pool, her heart pounding with a mixture of anxiety and determination. She knew there was no turning back, that they were committed to this path, however perilous it might be. She glanced at Pandora, who stood silently, her gaze fixed on the spot where Pag had vanished.
"He'll be alright," Pandora said, as if reading Aviva's thoughts. "He has a strong will, and he's determined to do what's right." She paused, her expression turning serious. "But he's going to need your help. The Patala tunnels are a dangerous place, and Dedisco's influence is strong there. You need to be his anchor, to remind him of who he is, of what's important."
Aviva nodded, her resolve hardening. She knew what she had to do. Taking a deep breath, she stepped towards the pool, steeling herself for the journey ahead. As she entered the swirling vortex of light, she could hear Pandora's voice echoing in her mind: Be careful, Aviva. Protect him. Protect this world.
The transition from the cavern to the Patala tunnels was abrupt and disorienting. One moment Aviva was surrounded by the cool, still air of the chamber, the next she was plunged into a rushing torrent of water, the force of the current nearly knocking her off her feet. She gasped, struggling to maintain her balance as she was swept along a narrow, winding tunnel, the walls a blur of dark, moss-covered stone. The water was cold, biting at her skin, and the air was thick with a strange, musky scent that made her head spin.
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Aviva quickly realized that she couldn't fight the current. It was too strong, pulling her relentlessly deeper into the tunnels. She relaxed her body, allowing the water to carry her, her eyes scanning the darkness ahead, searching for any sign of Pag.
She spotted him a short distance ahead, his form illuminated by a faint, ethereal glow that emanated from his body. He was struggling against the current, his movements awkward and uncoordinated.
"Pag!" she shouted, her voice barely audible above the roar of the water. "Over here!"
He turned towards her, his face pale, his eyes wide with relief. He reached out, his hand grasping hers, his grip strong and reassuring.
Together, they allowed the current to carry them deeper into the Patala tunnels, the darkness closing around them, the unknown stretching before them like a vast, uncharted sea.
The tunnels were a labyrinth of twisting, turning passageways, some narrow and claustrophobic, others opening into vast, cavernous chambers that echoed with the rush of water. The walls were a tapestry of textures and colors: smooth, polished stone that shimmered in the ethereal light; rough, jagged rock that clawed at their skin; moss-covered surfaces that pulsed with a faint, green luminescence. Strange, bioluminescent plants clung to the walls, their tendrils swaying in the current, casting eerie shadows that danced and shifted, making it difficult to discern what was real and what was a trick of the light.
As they journeyed deeper into the tunnels, Aviva felt a growing sense of unease. The air grew heavy, thick with a cloying sweetness that made her headache, and the water took on a strange, oily texture that clung to her skin. The silence was broken only by the rush of water and the occasional, unsettling sound that seemed to echo from the depths of the tunnels: a low, guttural growl; a high-pitched, keening wail; a scraping sound that sent shivers down her spine.
She kept a close eye on Pag, watching for any sign that the wild magic was affecting him. He seemed to be holding his own, his movements becoming more fluid, more confident, as if he were beginning to adapt to the strange, chaotic energy that flowed through the tunnels. But she could see the strain on his face, the tension in his jaw, and she knew that he was fighting a constant battle to maintain control.
"Are you alright?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
He glanced at her, his eyes dark, his expression unreadable. "I'm fine," he replied, his voice tight. "Just… focused."
She didn't believe him, but she didn't press the issue. She knew that he needed to concentrate, to harness the wild magic without letting it consume him.
They continued their journey in silence, the current carrying them deeper into the heart of the Patala tunnels, towards the unknown.
As they were swept along by the current, Aviva noticed a change in Pag. The intricate network of crimson and gold runes that marked his mana scarring, once confined to his left hand and forearm, now blazed across his chest, branching out in jagged lines that resembled veins of molten fire. The light emanating from the runes pulsed with a mesmerizing intensity, flaring brightly with each surge of wild mana that washed over them.
Aviva had seen mana scarring before, but never like this. It was as if the wild magic of the Patala tunnels was feeding the scarring, causing it to grow and spread with an alarming speed. She remembered Pandora's warning about the dangers of Dedisco's influence, about the god's power to corrupt and twist. Was this the beginning of that corruption?
"Pag," she said, her voice tight with concern. "Your scarring… it's spreading."
He glanced down at his chest, his eyes widening as he saw the glowing runes. He flexed his left hand, the one that bore the original scarring, and felt a strange tingling sensation, a surge of power that seemed to flow from the runes, up his arm, and into his chest.
"I… I can feel it," he said, his voice hushed with awe. "The magic… it's… it's changing me."
Aviva's heart sank. She knew that the wild magic of the Patala tunnels was potent, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous. She had hoped that Pag would be able to resist its influence, to harness its power without succumbing to its darker aspects. But now, as she watched the mana scarring spread across his body, she feared that it might already be too late.
"We need to get out of here," she said, her voice urgent. "We need to find Pandora. She might know how to stop this."
Pag hesitated, his gaze fixed on the glowing runes. He could feel the wild magic coursing through him, filling him with a sense of power and exhilaration that was both intoxicating and terrifying. He wanted to explore this newfound power, to push its limits, to see what he was capable of. But he also knew that Aviva was right. He needed to get control of this magic, before it consumed him entirely.
"Alright," he said, his voice strained. "Let's go."
As Pag and Aviva struggled against the current, the tunnel widened into a cavern, the air thick with a humid, earthy scent. Strange, bioluminescent fungi cast an eerie green glow upon the cavern walls, illuminating the grotesque forms of several creatures lurking in the shadows. They resembled oversized wolves, but their fur was matted with patches of pulsating, crystalline growth, and their eyes glowed with an unnatural, crimson light.
"Wild magic tainted beasts," Aviva said, her voice tight with apprehension. "We need to be careful. The wild magic can make them unpredictable, even more aggressive than usual."
Pag nodded, his hand instinctively reaching for his dagger. He could feel the wild magic thrumming through his veins, amplifying his senses, sharpening his reflexes. But he could also feel the pull of Dedisco's influence, a whisper of chaos urging him to embrace the untamed power surging within him.
The beasts snarled, their crystalline growths pulsing brightly as they sensed the presence of intruders. They lunged, their movements swift and erratic, their fangs bared in a silent snarl. Aviva reacted instantly, drawing her rapier and meeting their charge with a flurry of blows. The blade danced in the flickering light, deflecting their attacks with a precision born of years of training.
Pag, still struggling to maintain control over the surging wild magic within him, hesitated for a moment, the chaotic whispers of Dedisco echoing in his mind. He remembered Pandora's warning about the dangers of losing himself to the god's influence, of becoming a pawn in a game he didn't fully understand.
Shaking off the insidious whispers, Pag focused his will, drawing upon the raw power of the Patala tunnels. He imagined a wall of fire, a barrier of protection between him and the tainted beasts. As he channeled his magic, the crimson and gold runes that marked his mana scarring flared brightly, the heat from them intensifying until the surrounding water began to simmer .
Instead of the familiar, comforting flames he usually conjured, a torrent of black fire erupted from his outstretched hand. It was a terrifyingly beautiful sight: a wall of obsidian flames streaked with veins of molten gold and ghostly green, mirroring the mineral striations that laced the cavern walls. The flames roared and hissed, consuming the air with a strange, chilling intensity that seemed to draw the warmth from their surroundings.
The beasts recoiled from the inferno, their growls turning into whimpers of pain and fear. The intense heat melted the crystalline growths that covered their bodies, sending shards of glowing rock flying through the air.
Aviva, momentarily stunned by the sheer power of Pag's spell, quickly recovered and pressed her attack. Her rapier, infused with shimmering blue light, moved with deadly grace, striking the beasts with pinpoint accuracy, exploiting the openings created by Pag's fiery assault.
Pag, fueled by the wild magic coursing through him, pressed forward, his flames licking at the heels of the retreating beasts. He could feel the power surging within him, growing stronger with each passing moment. He was a conduit, a vessel for the raw energy of the Patala tunnels, and it felt exhilarating. But even as he reveled in the power, a part of him, a small, insistent voice that sounded suspiciously like Pandora, warned him to be cautious, to stay in control.
The battle raged within the cavern, a chaotic dance of fire, steel, and shadow. Aviva, with her grace and precision, weaved through the frenzied attacks of the beasts, her blade a blur of silver and blue. Pag, wielding the black fire like a weapon, held the creatures at bay, his flames a roaring inferno that consumed everything in their path.
They fought as one, their movements synchronized, their strengths complementing each other. Aviva, the agile warrior, exploits the openings created by Pag's fiery onslaught. Pag, the conduit of wild magic, unleashing a torrent of power that pushed the beasts back, step by agonizing step.
But even as they fought, they knew that this was only a temporary reprieve. The wild magic of the Patala tunnels was unpredictable, its influence growing stronger with each passing moment. And the beasts, driven by a primal fear and hunger, were relentless in their pursuit.
The last of the tainted beasts collapsed, its body consumed by the black fire that had become Pag's signature. The flames receded, leaving behind a smoldering, crystalline dust that glittered faintly in the eerie green light of the cavern. A wave of exhaustion washed over Pag, leaving him trembling and weak. The wild magic that had fueled his spells receded, leaving behind a hollowness that seemed to amplify the aches and pains of battle.
Aviva, breathing heavily, leaned against a moss-covered rock, her rapier resting across her knees. She, too, bore the marks of battle: a tear in her cloak, a smear of blood on her cheek. But her eyes, as she looked at Pag, held a mixture of relief and concern.
"Are you alright?" she asked, her voice raspy.
Pag nodded, forcing a smile. "Just tired," he said, though the words felt heavy on his tongue. He could still feel the pull of the wild magic, the lingering whispers of chaos that beckoned him to embrace the untamed power that surged within him. He pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the more immediate concern: escaping the Patala tunnels and finding Pandora.
"We need to keep moving," he said, pushing himself to his feet. "Pandora might know how to stop the scarring." He gestured toward his chest, where the crimson and gold runes pulsed with a faint but persistent light.
Aviva nodded, rising to her feet. "Let's go," she said, her gaze scanning the cavern for any sign of danger. "But we need to be careful. The wild magic is strong in this place. We don't know what else we might encounter."