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The Enochian Baron, a towering Mantid Overlord, led its monstrous army through the shifting corridors of the shadowed labyrinth. Angular structures jutted out at impossible angles while looming shadows cast eerie silhouettes against the ever-changing backdrop of the landscape. The air hummed with an otherworldly energy, its presence palpable yet intangible, like a whisper on the edge of perception.
The massive monster viewed the blasted ruins through its thousands of captive minds and sensors. It stood tall on the old battlegrounds at the edge of its territory. Its many eyes sharpened, and its anger grew.
The encroaching fungal blight lay tangled and matted over the broken structures. The creatures' expanded senses dulled upon crossing into the dark landscape. Somehow the rot was closing off the many angled paths that the Baron ruled. The sense of claustrophobia was infuriating, driving so much bloodlust in its host of creatures that the overlord had little need to stoke it for battle.
The Mi-Go swarmed in relentless waves, their carbon whiskers slashing through the air as they descended upon the fungal tendrils with savage abandon. The agile Shaddari leaped and ate whole strands at a time, slashing the tendrils to pieces with their sharp claws. The Shoggoth, a shapeless mass of writhing smog, flowed forward over the twisted tendrils. Its amorphous form contorting and shifting as it unleashed a torrent of corrosive nano attacks that eroded everything it touched.
But even as the giant mantid’s army laid waste to the fungal masses, a grim reality loomed over them. The twisted vines of biomatter strangled the weaker creatures and sharp barbs drew blood. The fungal spores infected any creature unfortunate enough to inhale them, twisting and warping their bodies into mindless fungal zombies driven by an insatiable hunger for flesh.
The army slowed as every fallen comrade joined the slower ranks of the fungal horde. The Enochian Baron urged his massive powers forward. His preferred tools for overwhelming destruction swooped down. The Flare Blightwing variant rained caustic fire down upon the fields, engulfing friend and foe alike.
The insectile overlord roared in displeasure. Its will was unyielding in the face of the ever-present madness that threatened to consume them all. With a ferocity born of desperation, the disparate army tore through the fungal masses, hacking and slashing with savage abandon.
It led its forces to the heart of the blight. A tall fungal dome, the root mother was in sight. Its slower forces would not rise again in time to save it. The tall mantid and its captive lifeforms surged and tore into the Root Mother.
But just as victory seemed within reach, a sudden and unexpected onslaught erupted from the hidden spaces of the Chthonic world. Crystal spears and blades shot forth with deadly precision, slicing through the ranks of the Enochian Baron's army with merciless efficiency. The air crackled with energy as the shadowed landscape erupted in a frenzy of destruction, caught in the grip of forces beyond mortal comprehension.
And then, in a flash of blinding light, the chrysalis creature emerged from the hidden spaces, its sharp gem-like spires pulsating with malevolent energy. It swept across the battlefield, its glass spears impaling the fallen creatures and absorbing the bio-energy from the corpses.
The Baron watched in horror as it new foe dissected its fallen minions, absorbing their unique mental and physical characteristics for its growth. With each macabre feast, its crystalline form shimmered and shifted, morphing into grotesque amalgamations of flesh and crystal.
As the mantid's extended mind was torn asunder and consumed by the insatiable hunger of the hungry ambush predator, a sense of dread settled over the shadowed landscape. As the Enochian’s mind was crushed and its senses faded, it understood. The Root Mother was merely a wedge or even bait into this reality, the crystal creature being the bigger hidden threat.
Soon the overlord creature stood alone. It raged against the impossible as the shattered remains of its army turned on him and dragged him forward into the glassine maw. It was to be his last meal, as the main course.
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Max woke from the nightmare and shouted in his head. “[Mal, did you catch that? Replay and record the Baron’s ability as a Mass Domination skill. Also, tag that crystal things final attack and label it as a Devour skill.]”
Max wiped his dripping nose and blinked at his gummed-up eyes. He grimaced as he saw the blood on his fur. His head hurt worse than the migraine from a .45 through the eye, but it was quickly getting better. He turned in shock to see Xavier struggling up from a cocoon of foglets. His face was bloody too.
“Max!” he croaked, “What the hell is that noise? The voices were whispering and now they are getting louder. It's annoying as fuck. Are you doing something?” Xavier whined, his expression clearly in pain.
“Voices? No, what are you talking about?” Max asked with concern.
“God damn it. Let’s link and you’ll hear them too.” Xavier said and extended a wireless mind link invite. Max joined Xavier in his mind space and couldn’t hear anything.
“[Sir, you’ve been actively running the skill you’ve customized under the label Chthonic Block to prevent your nightmares. I think it is highly likely that being in the sealed space of the Tesseract might be magnifying the signal. Perhaps if you paused the skill…]” Sherlock whispered in Max’s mind. Max thought that Sherlock was very likely correct, although that last dream had certainly snuck up upon him. He terminated the skill running in the background and heard the muttering immediately filling Xavier’s mind.
"Fethi gar ens thyompani, e alar los neola. Zodameranu tasa duanu! En d'elija od micalzo, e gar aozodien! Yehusoz kalyanu!"
Max’s language skill decoded the language swiftly, filling in most of the translation.
"Rise from the thyompani and behold the feeble beings of the lower neola. Heed the tasu many-angled Great Ones! Come forth and be granted power and secrets and let the weak-willed micalzo before their masters! So, it is decreed!"
Max grimaced at the decoded message. He decided not to share it with Xavier for the moment. It would raise a heck of a lot of questions, they needed to move.
“Crap. Xavier, we may need to have a discussion with the others about this. But not right now. Ah, I’m wondering if I trigger my skill while we're connected if you can pick this up. Pay close attention, Xavier. This might help.” Max said.
He waited for a beat and then reactivated the skill.
[Custom Skill: Chthonic Block +1, Chthonic Block reaches level 7]
[Quest: Sharing is Caring - skill transfer logged without training program, +100 XP]
“Whoa, you’ve got custom skills? Hey, it worked. The skill unlocked. Let me see…the whispering stopped.” Xavier said. He brushed his face and saw the blood in the weak blue light of the Tesseract.
“Shit! Is it safe to be in here like this? Max?” Xavier asked with an edge of panic in his voice.
“I don’t feel like anything is wrong…” he said, but thought, except for freakish nightmares and cerebral hemorrhages. “But maybe we should work on getting out of here.” He flexed his arm. It seemed to be in perfect condition; all the damage had been healed.
Max and Xavier inspected the unpacked Speeder bike with the new modifications. Two large canisters were affixed to the distal steering vanes with a large copper bullhorn device nestled between them. Max shared his OverLayer with Xavier and summoned Tesla’s avatar.
“Are those canisters loaded with nano chaff, Tesla?” Max asked.
“Precisely so, my good man. I followed your direction to the tee, but to be sure, we only have one type of chaff available to us currently. It may not be effective against all forms of disassembler nanobots. Without access to the MakerIndex, I could only rely on the samples you created with your new skill. Therefore, behold my addition!” Tesla said with a flourish and a bow.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
“This is an unpowered amplification waveguide, if you direct your focused EMP skill into the proximal aperture, the disruption should be magnified and help to clear your path even better.”
“Nice! Mal? Mal, is it getting any better out there? Can we risk it?” Max asked. Mal’s avatar formed next to Tesla.
“It's still elevated more than three times the levels of density from your trek inwards, but less than ten times increase during the initial mote tsunami. It hasn’t decreased anymore for over two hours. It's your call. We haven’t been able to test anything in here.” Mal answered with wide fearful eyes. Her gaze kept darting around the sphere’s interior as if she expected something to leap out.
I think our time here is up. Even if Xavier holds up with the new skill, Mal is going to be a basket case. Max thought to himself, schooling his expression to mask his concern.
“Alright. Let’s get moving. We’ve been off the map too long. We need to get moving or Charlie and Leah will walk right into this mess.” Max said.
Xavier slung the poison sphere’s case around and checked his weapons. Max jumped on the bike and ignited the engines. The utility fog in the sphere swirled about until Max accessed it directly and locked it into a grid pattern compressed against the side walls.
“Ready?” Max asked. Without waiting for an answer, he revved the bike and cycled the portal to sweep out and shift over the bike, from stem to stern.
The bike and its passengers jolted back into the hazy plain, accompanied by a burst of dense nano chaff from the Tesseract’s interior. Max gunned the engine to full throttle and veered to the west. Xavier screamed from the back.
“Where are you going, Max? The safe zone is south!”
“The territories are pie-shaped. We’ll be out of this mess quicker if we cross to the Fire Domain. We skip right over that and place this last sphere in its home, and we can get off this level.” Max yelled over his shoulder.
They picked up speed quickly. Max triggered the chaff canisters covering them in a protective layer as they rocketed over the hilly landscape. The sting of Nano-Ds was still there. Max shot his Focused EMP through the bullhorn device and was rewarded with the haze evaporating in front of them.
“It’s working!” Xavier screamed from behind. Max grinned and increased the throttle.
Max and Xavier had returned, the Poison sphere in place and the last token in hand. Charlie and Leah had a celebratory meal ready when they finally stumbled back inside.
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It was almost an hour later of shared stories and cheer when the topic of the signals leaking through the Tesseract finally hit. Max explained what he had deduced and showed his memories of the video from the MIT event. The room was silent for a long time while the team absorbed the details of Max’s story that had been hidden.
“Max, this isn’t good. I know your dad wants to keep this secret, but this is way too dangerous. This needs to be reported.” Charlie said.
“My dad is a retired Samaritan, Charlie. He was in Washington DC when we entered the Labyrinth, meeting with the UN, RUSA, and the Samaritan leaders. I think it’s in good hands. He’s more concerned about someone replicating his research without proper safety controls.” Max said, trying to calm the group. He could tell Charlie was struggling with the info. Leah looked terrified and Xavier seemed to be numb and half asleep.
“Look. I’m sure things will work out. I’ve been reviewing all the research my dad did, it’s not obvious how the two different spatial configurations interact but I think access to subspace can be done in both alternate dimensions. I think that signals must be leaking between the subspace gaps. There still needs to be a completely different rift to allow physical passage. What’s on the other side can’t come through unless we make a completely different gate structure.” Max said.
He tried for over an hour to explain the theory and his deductions, but they just couldn’t follow his logic and math, making everyone frustrated. Max was baffled, the math wasn’t that hard.
Am I that poor at communicating or are they being stupid? He thought to himself. Unexpectedly, Sherlock answered.
“[They’re not stupid, Max]” Sherlock sent. “[My apologies, your body language, and subvocalization were trivial to decipher. Your mind has advanced even further than you know, Max. What you see as obvious is almost impossible for even an augmented human to understand.]”
“[Indeed. Even I struggled with the application of the higher dimensions until you shared your father’s D-11 tensor math.]” Hawkin suggested.
Mal chimed in, “[Sherlock is right, Max. I can fragment into three separate thought streams while you're doing the same. You’re barely using your uplift neocortex module now. I’m able to use the extra processor bandwidth. You’re using advanced augmented skills with your biological brain, Max!]”
Max chuffed uneasily. He didn’t feel any different. The patterns came easily to him and the next steps in the theory seemed trivial. He whined slightly seeing with his empathy skill that his friends were still afraid. He couldn’t figure out how to break it down to their level.
“Look. I get it. I saw limited access to the MakerIndex on the rewards list before. I’m betting the AI might offer some communication time outside soon. It’s been too long, and everyone outside could be worrying. I’ll bet lots of people jump at the chance to reassure everyone outside that everything is going ok. If it makes you feel better, I’ll take it if they offer and talk to my dad about what he’s doing to prepare the world for the danger.”
Max was surprised, as he read relief from them all. The conversation shifted to rewards and eagerness to face the next level. He shook his head. Nothing had changed, but with the slightest excuse to shift away from looking at the massive danger, they all refocused on the immediate issues. He shook his head; he didn’t share the human ability to file the issue away. Soon everyone was talking about rewards and the gang rushed to unlock the rewards kiosk.
The team pulled all the tokens they had harvested on the floor and passed the door to enter the final room and approached the rewards kiosk. Leah was elected to go first.
Leah approached the rewards kiosk with a mix of anticipation and nervous energy. She shared the screen with the others as it popped up.
[The Elements - Reward pool: Select one reward from the limited list in order of completion - Leah Choi, Charlie Hawkins, Xavier Bermatti, Max Mitchell. 1 Reward per challenger, quantity removed upon choice, not redeemable later.]
[Reward 1: Skill advancement: +3 Levels for any skill, Qty 2]
[Reward 2: Calvert’s Bomba Bolts: compressed utility fog with a sticky surface that expands x300 and encompasses the target with adhesive.]
[Reward 3: Activation of Tier 3 Skill - Cultivation: Cycle energy between augmentation systems and power core to grow. This active skill enables faster growth of the power core skill.]
[Reward 4: CyberSlicer - wireless and standard universal port preset intrusion attacks to crack security systems, 4 unique attacks, learnable.]
[Reward 5: Free Stat Points +20, Qty 2]
[Reward 6: Daemon emulation of the Mad Hatter with modernized skills in state-of-the-art entertainment, humor, and creative destruction. This selection will open a slot or activate a skill if needed. Qty 1]
[Reward 7: Tank drone- a heavy and armored drone that will block incoming fire and melee attackers. Includes limited combat capability of a Bull Rush attack.]
[Reward 8: Activation of Tier 3 Skill - Area Stun - Sonic stun skill amplified and extended.]
[Reward 9: Restricted Access to External WorldNet - 10 Min, MakerIndex only.]
[Reward 10: AeroTech CyberWing, a sleek and streamlined jetpack designed for urban infiltration and rapid aerial maneuverability. Energy: 50 MW Cost: 0.1 MW/min Max Speed: 100 Km/hr]
Leah picked quickly, selecting the Tank drone. She explained to the team that as the team's resident rapid shooter, she wanted some extra protection from melee attackers. Her dodge skills were good, but some attackers were far too fast.
Charlie went next and immediately selected the CyberWing. “As much as I appreciate Max’s solution to our descent into this level, I’m never going to be hung out in the wide open like that again.
Xavier saw the Cultivation skill and pounced. “See Max. I’m listening. Unlimited power will be mine!”
Max considered the remaining rewards, unlimited power indeed. The options were pretty thin, but 3 skill levels would cap his cultivation skill. This would multiply his available power significantly. Max made his choice.
[Cultivation +3, Cultivation reaches level 10, Skill cap award +5 Will +100XP, Cultivation effects Energy store x10, Energy Regeneration x10]
[Stat Will +5, Will reaches level 100, Stat cap award +250XP]
Not bad, Max thought. All my stats except for Perception are capped. He reviewed his skill list. Most of his 1st tier skills were capped and he was working on their 2nd tier evolutions. He needed more XP. He was still only Master level 23 with another 700 points to go for level 24. The system pinged the group.
[Exit Toll required.]
A large drawer popped open along the wall beside the kiosk. Charlie spoke up.
“Shit guys. I’m all out of crafting projects.”
Max looked over at his latest modifications to Bo’s Speeder bike. It was covered in pock marks from active nano attacks. The Chaff canisters were empty but likely had some residue inside. Max had already submitted the bike once but with the modifications, maybe it would suffice.
He dragged the bike over, but it was too big for the drawer. Last time, the bike was in storage mode. With the modifications, it wouldn’t compress right. Xavier stepped up, igniting a lightsaber.
“I’ll make it fit. I’m sure the AI can figure it out when they scan it.” The lightsaber flashed, and soon the bike was sealed in with some assembly required.
The team repaired and recharged their gear as the kiosk’s timer ticked down. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when the AI accepted the damaged bike in payment and the door to the next level dinged and opened. The “room” looked like an elevator that one might find in a luxury hotel, with gold fittings and ornate red carpet. Only one button was evident.
As the team crowded into the elevator, they held their weapons ready. They had experienced all manner for surprises on level transitions. It was certain this one would be no different. Their system interfaces pinged as the door closed.
[You have successfully completed this initial Foundation Stage of the Mystery Labyrinth. +500 XP]
[You are now entering the Challenge Stage of the Mystery Labyrinth. Here your skills are assumed to be well developed. Challenges will test your ability to use them against the environment and opponents. Pay attention to Challenge Level rules. Only the best will be able to finish this stage. Players that fail will be removed from the Labyrinth.]
Despite their paranoid preparations, the team was completely shell shocked when the doors opened onto the next level.
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