It felt weird to be traveling in gear.
All five of us were in leather armor. The pants felt like they were lined with something because they weren’t slick. Instead, it felt like fabric on the inside, but it was still much warmer, but that was probably because I’d been running around in just my shorts for the last few days.
I’d bought a new spell as well. It was called Bind and was supposed to restrain a target. I thought it would be particularly useful with this boss.
We were all matching in our leather garb that had been colored blue, giving it a very unique pattern.
Ether was carrying her shield on her back and seemed to be in a much better mood now that she was fully awake.
Rix had a rope wrapped around her from shoulder to hip that was some sort of ranged weapon, but I wasn’t sure how it was supposed to work because it looked flimsier than a whip. She’d also gotten the skill Dash which seemed pretty accurate to go along with her other skill, Hide Presence. We’d also given her the knife back. Trent had given it to her as a replacement for the one she’d lost the first day.
Aelin had been torn between a weapon or a spell, she’d settled for a bow and the spell Magic Arrow.
Despite her earlier resolution, Justia had decided that her Magic stat was too low and ammo cost too much at the beginning levels, so she had taken a snakeblade similar to mine. For her skill, she’d taken the spell Light, specifically for this fight.
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We ported to the gate on the second floor, which was kind of cheating as a way to get to the first-floor boss, but it beat walking through the first floor. That could also be why it felt hot, we were in a desert biome instead of a forest one.
“Is everyone ready?” I looked at Ether. "Please try not to get eaten this time.”
“That worked out pretty well for us last time.” She reminded me.
“Not for my heart, it didn’t.” I pulled her close so I could hug her. "Everyone knows the plan?”
“Light it up, bind it, and break it.” Aelin counted the steps off on her fingers.
“Right.” I pushed on the gate and selected the option from the display that simply read back.
The gate flared to life and we walked into the darkness.
“Is everyone here?”
“Here!” Aelin piped
“Here.” Rix was a surprising second.
“Here.” Justia and Ether said at almost the same time.
“Alright, Justia ready whenever you are.”
“LIGHT!” There was a flash of light and the entire room was illuminated for a split second, then the light died down to just shining in about a ten-foot radius above Justia.
Sand fell from the ceiling and the room began to light up naturally. The Bramble Snake began coiling up and raised its head into the air.
I pulled out my sword and Aelin readied her bow. Ether took her shield off of her back and strapped it to her arm.
Justia was opting not to draw her weapon and I didn’t blame her, she wasn’t wanting to fight up close right now.
I looked over at Rix. The redhead unwound the rope around her and a weight clanged as it hit the rocky floor. I still didn’t see how it was going to be useful. Then I didn’t see Rix at all.
Her Hide Presence ability gave her near invisibility for a little while. Unlike all of our skills and spells, hers had a cooldown.
“Let’s do this!” I pointed the sword at the boss.
“BIND!”