“So you’re coming with me?” asked Atreo.
“In a way,” Nat replied. “The Nanoflux you wield is of my creation it will act as a medium allowing me to aid you in the world outside of the dungeon.”
“So you’ll be able to materialize outside? How you are now?”
“No not exactly, the best i’ll be able to offer at our current level is conversation.” My power outside the dungeon will be extremely limited.”
“Ok, well seeing as i’m here can you help Kore and I complete your dungeon?”
“I cannot. it is against the rules of this world. All dungeon divers must complete the dungeon on their own merits or the merits of their party. The only thing we’ve done here today is discuss our shared bond which you requested, and i accepted. “
“I understand,” Said Atreo.
“ I wish you the best of luck, may your endeavors bring us both good fortune. We shall speak again soon.”
With Nat’s final fading words the charged enviorment came to a standstill. The pulsing metal faded to a dull hum and Atreo took his leave.
He lingered a moment longer in the cavemouth and took it all in. He was bonded to a dungeon core. What that would mean, he didn’t know. But he hoped it wouldn’t be the end of him.
----------------------------------------
Atreo arrived back at camp, feeling a comfort come over him as he stepped into the clearing where they’d established their makeshift home. The embers of their fire sizzled in the center and surrounding it they’d used the animal fur from the deer to make some makeshift beds.
It wasn’t the nicest, but it was their home.
he sat down and looked around for Kore. While he hadn’t been gone that long he’d been a little worried about Kore being alone. The sense of urgency and the pull he’d felt earlier had driven him to make an impromptu plan, that in hindsight was quite dangerous.
He checked her health bar though in his HUD and verified that she was still at full health, not a scratch on her.
Glancing over at their rations he picked up a bundle of matted furs. They’d wrapped their roasted meat in them hoping to conserve what they could. He gnawed at the tough meat silently, as he waited for Kore to return.
Do I trust Abel? Or do I try and seek out the Alliance...If the story Nat told me is true, the Elvyn could be seriously dangerous. What she said seemed fair though, Abel really was covered in the Nanoflux.
Is this Nanoflux dangerous?
The smell of salt water and forest flowers wafted past his nose. He looked up expecting Kore, and his nose hadn’t failed him.
Kore approached, with a wide smile on her face. He noticed that she’d begun smiling more and more maybe she was proud of her mending teeth, or she was just happier. Either way, it was contagious, and it warmed him to his core.
“What’s up? he said. Giving her a slight grin in return.
“I found something, not too far away. I think it might help us figure out how to get out of here.”
Atreo stood and met Kore’s gaze. Excitement played across his face, and he eagerly wanted to hear more, but then the smile slipped, and his brow furrowed with concern.
catching the shift, Kore’s face soon mirrored his own. “What’s wrong?”
“I found the Dungeon Core, and it told me that we were bonded.”
“The Core?” she said, looking to the big ball of energy at the top of the cavern. “And what do you mean? Like you and I are bonded?” asked Kore confused.
“No, no like the core and I have bonded, and I don't mean that Core. At least I don't think so. There was another core, in the shape of a big tree hidden behind a cave wall. Inside, there was a woman, named Nat that told me of a story about King Fade, the Elvyn and the Fae.”
Kore’s eyes went wide, and her face blanched.
Atreo, recognizing her reaction, felt a confirmation of some thoughts he’d been having about Kore’s family ever since he heard about the war, but he continued.
“She said that she’d be with me, using my Nanoflux as a catalyst, and as I grew in power, so too would she.”
Kore’s face tensed. “That’s... a lot to take in.” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “What does this mean for us, Atreo?” A knowing look in her eyes.
If what he suspected was true, he didn’t want to ask about her heritage in a dungeon that probably hated her kind. He decided to press on, filing his questions away for later.
“Honestly, it doesn’t change much right now,” he said. “Other than making me more eager to get out of here as soon as possible. As for the Nanoflux, what’s done is done. Sounds like a future me problem. You said you found something?”
Kore’s eyes softened, a mixture of relief and gratitude washing over her features. She took a deep breath and nodded.
“Yeah, follow me.”
Atreo followed Kore through the dense forest, noting the vibrant wildlife not for the first time. The smells of nature lingered, distracting him time and time again. As they continued, Kore began to explain what she’d found.
"While I was looking for an exit, I came upon this stone firepit. I figured someone had just made camp and moved on, but as soon as I noticed the detail in the stones, I knew this was different. I don’t know what it is exactly, but I think we could probably figure it out."
The dense forest brush had overgrown the stones standing in a circular shape. Vines crept up the sides, eager to erase the white stone from their green sea. If Kore hadn’t called the stone formation a firepit, Atreo would have guessed that it was some type of well. He walked slowly around the area, nudging roots and vines with his foot, hoping to see if there were any markings or details on the ground. After not finding anything for several minutes, he asked,
"Did you try lighting a fire in it?"
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Kore, who’d been gently touching the stones, shook her head, confirming that she hadn’t.
"Let’s try that," said Atreo. He began to gather sticks that had broken off nearby trees. He also harvested a few of the flowers that had giant cotton-like blossoms on their tops. They were perfect for kindling. After he and Kore added everything into the pit, Atreo looked at Kore expectantly and waited for her to light the fire as she’d done before.
"Ah, crap," she said. "I didn’t bring the rocks I used to make the sparks. I’ll have to head back to camp and grab them; those took forever to find."
Atreo gazed into the fireless pit and came up with an idea. "Hang on a sec, I might be able to get this going and save you a trip back to camp." He focused on his fists and the Nanoflux that had bound to his veins, his core, his body, and felt them come alive. Kore stared as Atreo’s arms began to glow, not the silvery color they’d glown when he’d absorbed the Nanoflux, but a bright, brilliant red. His body looked as if it was on fire, smoldering from the inside. A wave of heat washed over her, and Atreo’s fists glowed like iron being tempered in the forge. Atreo’s heart pumped, and he felt the warmth radiating through him, from him. The loose brush at his feet began to smolder, and he stepped towards the fire pit and placed his hand inside. Instantly, the pit erupted into a ravenous fire, heating the stone foundation and bringing to light something previously hidden. Atreo stepped back, his fleeting power hiding on the corner of his consciousness, out of sight but always ready. He snuffed out the smoking twigs that had combusted due to his heat and inspected the pit foundation. As the temperature of the pit grew, symbols along the stone began to glow.
“Kore, look at this,” Atreo called out.
Kore approached, her eyes narrowing as she examined the glowing symbols. “Interesting,” she murmured. “They seem to light up in a pattern.”
Atreo nodded. “Yes, but there’s no clear clue around here. We’ll have to figure it out ourselves.”
They watched as the symbols glowed in a sequence. The symbols lit up in varying intensities and durations: one symbol glowed brightly and lingered, while others flashed quickly and dimmed.
Kore frowned, deep in thought. “What if the sequence corresponds to the brightness and duration of the glow? Like a code.”
Atreo considered this. “Let’s observe the pattern closely. It looks like one long glow, two quick flashes, another long glow, and three quick flashes.”
Kore nodded, her eyes brightening. “So, the sequence might be 1, 2, 1, 3.”
They decided to test their theory. Atreo reached out and touched the first symbol, which glowed brightly and stayed lit. Kore quickly pressed the next two symbols, matching the quick flashes they had observed. Atreo then pressed the next long-glowing symbol, and Kore followed with three quick touches on the final symbols.
Nothing happened.
Atreo sighed, frustration creeping in. “Maybe we missed something. Let’s try another approach.”
Kore glanced around, thinking. “What if the sequence is related to the position of the symbols rather than their glow? Maybe it’s a geometric pattern.”
They rearranged themselves and tried pressing the symbols in a circular pattern, starting from the leftmost symbol and moving clockwise. Again, nothing happened.
Atreo rubbed his temples. “We must be overthinking it. Let’s go back to the original idea but focus more on the brightness and duration of each symbol.”
They returned to observing the symbols closely. Kore noticed that some symbols not only glowed longer but also with deeper intensity, almost as if they were holding more energy.
Kore’s eyes widened with realization. “Wait, Atreo. Look at the way these symbols pulse. The brightness and the duration together create a rhythm. The longer glows are the key points. Let’s focus on those specifically.”
They watched the sequence again: one bright, long glow, two shorter, dimmer flashes, another bright, long glow, and three quicker, dimmer flashes.
Atreo nodded. “I think you’re right. Let’s try focusing on the long, bright ones as the anchors.”
He touched the first long-glowing symbol. It lit up and stayed bright. Kore then touched the first of the quick symbols, followed by Atreo pressing the next long-glowing one, and Kore finishing with three quick touches.
As they completed the sequence this time, the symbols pulsed in unison, their light merging into a radiant glow. A deep rumble echoed from the pit as hidden mechanisms clicked into place. The ground beneath their feet trembled slightly, and then, with a groan, a section of the stone floor slid away to reveal a hidden passage.
Kore smiled, her eyes reflecting the glow of the symbols. “We did it. The path forward is open.”
Atreo returned her smile, grateful for her sharp mind and keen observation. “Let’s see where it leads,” he said, stepping forward into the newly revealed passage.
With Atreo in the lead, Kore followed close behind. As they descended further down the stairwell surrounding the firepit, they noticed aged stone caked with grime and dirt. Untidy stones crumbled to the floor around them as they adventured further and further into darkness. When they reached the bottom, their eyes adjusted as faint light began to glow with increasing brightness. One of the symbols they’d recognized from the firepit accented the walls and provided a warm light for them to find their way. The pair stood in a stone chamber; the roots of trees above protruded through the ceiling like unnatural chandeliers. As they stood there, a grinding sound could be heard from above, signaling that they wouldn’t be leaving the same way they came. That was, if they even left at all.
Atreo stepped forward, following a stone path through the chamber before stopping in front of a closed door. A blue symbol glowed on it, different from those that had adorned the walls leading up to this point. Glancing over at Kore, he gave her a shrug and placed his hand upon the symbol, hoping he hadn’t just made a huge mistake. A grinding sound emanated from below his feet.
The floor beneath them shuddered, and a stone panel slid away to reveal a small, intricately carved table with a deck of ancient cards similar to those that Atreo had been collecting laid out neatly on its surface. Atreo and Kore exchanged wary glances as a low voice echoed from the walls.
"Welcome to the Trial of Intellect. To proceed, you must engage in the ancient game of Aetherhunt. Your opponent shall be me, a guardian of old. Or at least a simulacrum of one."
A flicker of light appeared above the table, coalescing into the shimmering form of a robed figure. The image of a powerful wizard, his eyes gleaming with intelligence and power, floated before them.
"I am the guardian of this passage," the wizard intoned. "To prove your worth, you must defeat me in the game. Choose your roles wisely, for only victory will grant you passage."
Atreo and Kore exchanged a glance. “We need to think this through,” Atreo said.
“I’ll take on the first challenge.”
"What are the rules?" asked Atreo.
Seeing their hesitation, the guardian began to explain. "The game of Aetherhunt is a test of strategy and cunning, reflecting the ancient conflicts of our time. Here are the rules:
One player takes on the role of the Monster, while the other plays as the Hunter.
The objective for the Monster is to outlast the Hunters or become powerful enough to defeat them.
The objective for the Hunters is to defeat the Monster before it becomes too powerful.
The Monster player selects a single Monster card and several Support cards that can enhance its abilities.
The Hunter player selects up to three Hunter cards and Support cards that aid in their hunt."
Atreo nodded, feeling a mix of curiosity and determination. “Alright, let’s begin.”
Kore nodded. “What will you choose?”
Atreo hesitated, remembering the card he had found earlier. “I’ll play as the Monster,” he said, taking out the Orion the Mighty card. “I have an advantage with this.”
The guardian's eyes gleamed with interest. “A bold choice. I shall be the Hunter.”
Atreo sat at the table, placing the Orion the Mighty card before him. The guardian produced a deck and drew three Hunter cards: a Swift Archer, a Goblin Heckler, and a Mighty Warrior. The game began, the ancient rules coming naturally as they played.
The guardian laid down his first Hunter card, the Swift Archer, whose precise attacks posed a significant threat. Atreo countered by playing a Support card that increased Orion’s health. The guardian’s Hunters coordinated their attacks, but Orion’s might and Atreo’s strategic use of Support cards kept him strong.
As the turns passed, Atreo’s advantage became clear. Orion’s power grew, overwhelming the Hunters. Finally, Atreo played a decisive move, doubling Orion’s attack for one turn. The enhanced attack struck the Hunters with incredible force, defeating them.
The blue symbol on the wall flashed brightly, and the grinding sound returned as another passage opened, revealing a new path forward.
The guardian nodded in approval. “You have proven your intellect and strength. The path forward is yours.”
Kore stepped forward, determination in her eyes. “Now it’s my turn. I’ll play as the Hunter.”
The guardian gestured, and another small deck appeared on the table. Kore picked up the deck, shuffling it with practiced ease. She drew her first Hunter cards: a Shield Bearer, a Swift Archer, and a Healer.
The guardian selected a Monster card: a Dire Wolf. The game began, with Kore carefully deploying her Hunters and using Support cards to bolster their abilities. The guardian’s Dire Wolf grew stronger with each turn, but Kore’s strategic planning and effective use of her cards kept the Hunters in the fight.
At one point, the Dire Wolf launched a fierce attack, severely damaging Kore’s Shield Bearer and Swift Archer. With her Hunters’ health dwindling, Kore played a Support card to heal them, but the Dire Wolf's relentless attacks soon overwhelmed her defenses. She was down to her last few turns, and defeat seemed imminent.
Desperation set in, but Kore refused to give up. She noticed a pattern in the guardian's attacks and realized she could use it to her advantage. Playing a defensive Support card, she managed to buy a crucial turn to regroup.
Finally, Kore saw an opening. She played a Support card that enhanced her Swift Archer’s attack. “This is it,” she said, laying the card down. The Swift Archer’s powerful attack struck the Dire Wolf, dealing significant damage but not quite enough to finish it off.
The guardian’s eyes gleamed as he prepared to launch another attack, but Kore played one last Support card that increased her Swift Archer's attack for the next turn. The Swift Archer, with newfound strength, launched a final, decisive strike.
The enhanced attack struck the Dire Wolf, defeating it just as it prepared to counterattack.
The blue symbol on the wall flashed brightly again, and the grinding sound returned as another passage opened.
The guardian smiled, his form shimmering. “You have proven your worth through perseverance and intellect. The path forward is yours.”
Kore sighed in relief, a smile spreading across her face. “We did it, Atreo. We won the challenge.”
Together, they stepped through the newly opened passage, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them next, their bond strengthened by the trials they had overcome.