The Dungeon – Part 2

In the morning, Kris was up first, and went to check on Paddy. As he came out of the tent, Paddy immediately gave him a hug.

Kris, not sure what was up, hugged her back. “You alright?”

Paddy smiled. “Yes. I just...wanted to hug.”

Kris squeezed her a bit tighter, pressing his chest into hers.

Mibu, who also came out, hugged Kris from behind. “Are we hugging?”

Celica, also coming out, seemed confused, but then hugged Kris from the side.

Kris blushed a bit, “Hey, I appreciate it, but we should get going...”

The four of them gathered their belongings, geared up, and went down the stairs to the next barrier. Kris went through first again.

This time, the difference was startling. The ambient light was actually much brighter than the first two levels. And this time, while stone walls were still there, there was also tendril-like vines on the ground, floor, and ceiling.

When the others came in, Mibu and Paddy were curious about the vines. Celica however, was immediately suspicious.

“Don't touch it,” she said, gabbing Mibu's arm as she went to poke it. “It could be dangerous. Plant's this large usually are.”

Mibu nodded, backing away from the vine.

It's the dungeon, too, so... “Yeah, let's try not to touch it,” Kris agreed.

They started along, careful to avoid the vines. After slow going for a while, they ran into a crossroads, this one being a four-way.

Mibu asked, “How do we flip a coin for this?”

Kris chuckled, “I dunno. Celica, do you...?”

He trailed off as Celica stepped forward, looking intently at the three options. After a moment, she pointed left. “There's more leaves that way.”

Kris raised an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”

Celica smirked. “More leaves mean's its closer to the base of the plant.”

Kris nodded, “It's helpful to have someone who grew up in a forest village,” causing Celica to blush.

Mibu punched him playfully. “So did I!”

“Why didn't you know that, then?”

Mibu thought for a moment. “I was too busy playing.”

After taking the left turn, they continued on. At this point, Kris also realized there was more leaves. And, they ran into a problem.

They couldn't continue without touching the plant, as the growth was too thick.

Kris thought for a moment. “Alright, I'll try walking on the vines. If something happens, I'll burn the plant and we run back.”

The other three nodded.

He slowly took a step onto the vine, and...nothing happened.

Kris shrugged, “I guess it's-”

He stopped as two vines came off the wall, serpentining towards his arms.

Paddy jumped forward, grabbing each vine, and ripping them off the wall.

Mibu hacked each vine, causing the non-severed part on the wall to flail about.

Kris sighed, Of course it wasn't going to be that easy.

They continued on, vines occasionally coming out, only to be slashed or torn apart. This continued for a while, until they came across another crossroad.

“Celica!?” Kris half-shouted, as he, Mibu, and Paddy protected her while she studied the vines.

After a few moments, she pointed straight ahead. “This way!” she shouted, and they kept going

Kris noticed they were all breathing heavy, especially Paddy, who was half-sprinting in her full armor. This isn't good... After thinking for a moment, he said, “Hold on, stop for a sec!”

The others, confused, did as instructed.

“Kris, what are you...” Mibu said, before trailing off.

Kris stuck his hand out, using Scorch on the vines all around on one side. The vines underneath them stopped wriggling, while the ones on the other side of the Scorch lines flailed about. “Let's rest a bit,” he said, sliding against the wall to the floor.

The others also sat down, Paddy taking off her helmet and panting.

“Drink some water, and grab a snack,” Kris told the others, taking a swig of water himself.

They all rested a bit and caught their breath, watching the vines ominously flailing near them.

“What's the plan?” Mibu asked, looking at Kris.

“Err...” Kris thought for a moment, not sure. We can just keep running like this, but...

Celica pointed up ahead. “I think we're getting close to the main body. The vines up ahead are a lot thicker.”

Mibu nodded. “Let's get it then!”

Kris looked at Paddy.

“I'm ready,” she said, getting herself back up and putting her helmet back on.

After making sure everyone was prepared, they made a mad dash from their resting point. As Celica said, the vines got thicker and thicker, until they were eventually as thick as his legs. They were now slower, but now their daggers and swords couldn't get through in one cut.

Paddy had her ax out, doing her best to cut as much as she could in the limited space she had.

Up ahead, they saw a mass of wriggling vines. Not wanting to stop their momentum, Kris yelled, “Celica, can you Air Slash that?”

Celica, busy dodging vines around Mibu and Paddy, nodded. Grabbing her wand, she ran ahead of him, and a blade of air cut through the vines ahead of them, cleanly slicing through the green wall ahead.

“Paddy, charge through!”

Paddy ran ahead of the others, leaning her shoulder into the sliced wall. As she did, the mass of plants burst apart.

The vines around them them stopped attacking.

Kris smiled, “Nice, I guess we bought ourselves some time.”

As they were smiling, Paddy was suddenly lifted up and out of sight. “Wuuuhh...”

After a momentary confusion, they ran through to see a large room, probably the same size as the goblin encampment from the previous floor, with every surface covered in vines, and a giant flower in the middle, a large mouth-like protrusion at the top.

Paddy was being held by several thick vines, and was struggling to get free.

The others ran in, trying to help free Paddy, only to be grabbed by vines themselves.

Kris cut himself free and fell onto the vines on the floor, but was grabbed by some more and lifted off the ground again.

Mibu was also cutting herself free, and befalling the same fate.

Celica was struggling, unable to get herself free at all.

Paddy seemed to be angry, ripping some of the vines holding her, only to be grabbed again with thicker vines.

Trying to think quickly, Kris looked at the flower. Cutting himself free again, he tried to run towards it. I just need to get in Scorch range. Mibu had tried to Ice Spike it twice, but it seemed to have minimal effect, just lodging into the side of the flower.

As Kris got near, the flower turned down to face him. What!? Does it know where I'm at!? He cast Scorch at the flower.

A piercing screech came from the plant, Kris having to hold his ears in pain. What was...

His thoughts were cut off as a bunch of vines grabbed him again, this time so many and so quickly he didn't have time to react, and couldn't even grip his sword, causing it to fall and stick in a vine. He tried using Scorch to burn them off, but that just made the plant send more and more vines towards him, wrapping him up like a cocoon. Eventually, it lifted him up and over the mouth.

He tried casting Scorch at the mouth again, but after just one more cast, he was out of mana. Dammit!

“Kris!” Mibu shouted after seeing this, trying to run over. She also got stopped partway by vines, unable to move.

This, however, alerted Paddy to Kris's predicament. Enraged, she let out a roar, tearing the vines holding her as she ran towards him. Grabbing her ax, she hacked at the vines trying to grab her. As she got close to the center of the room, she ignored the vines and swung as hard as she could at the flower, cutting a slash through it.

The plant let out another screech, this time a lot weaker, and the strength faded from its vines momentarily. This was enough to drop Kris, which Paddy (dropping her ax) held out her arms to catch.

Mibu had used the opportunity to cut herself free, and then freed Celica, who was almost completely encased in vines, having stropped struggling to escape.

Helping Celica to her feet, Mibu asked, “Can you Air Slash it?”

Celica, leaning onto Mibu, nodded, and held up her wand.

Paddy felt a rush of air go by her, and the top part of the flower was sliced cleanly off.

The vines that had been creeping up her legs again fell limp, and she stepped out of them.

Mibu and Celica limped over to Paddy. “Is he okay?”

Kris looked over at them. “Uh, yeah, I'm alright,” he said, though obviously in pain.

Mibu immediately started using Heal on him.

Kris felt the bruises on his arms, legs, and torso fading where the vines had been digging in. “Thanks,” he said shyly.

Stolen story; please report.

Paddy hugged him close, tears in her eyes.

“Ow, oww, I'm fine Paddy, don't worry,” he said after being squeezed against her armor. He patted her head a few times.

Setting him down, Mibu and Celica also mobbed him. “I told you, I'm fine. Really I should be hugging you,” he said, wrapping an arm around each of them. “You all saved the day.”

As they stood there, the flower and vines all started fading into the dungeon, until nothing was left.

No offering this time? Does that mean we'll get coins instead? Or something else?

Once they were all fully healed, they gathered themselves and continued on. While Kris was worried their might be more plants, there wasn't any vines or other plant-life, just the normal dungeon halls. A bit afterwards, they reached the end of the floor, looking the same as the first two.

After a Silence from Celica, Kris opened the chest, to reveal eight silver coins inside.

“Nice!” Mibu exclaimed, giving a fist pump. “Twelve silver in three days is pretty good, and that doesn't include the Tome.

Kris nodded. “Actually, how far in the day is it?”

Mibu scrunched her face. “I think we've only been on this floor a couple hours.”

Hmmmm...should we keep going then? Maybe we should take account of our stocks. “Do you all want to eat a lunch and then keep going today?”

The other three nodded confidently.

Kris smiled. I'm glad they're all so into this. “How much food do we have left?”

Everyone got out their food stocks. They had about half of the jerky left, three-quarters of the bread left, a few potatoes, enough water for about four more days, and...just a few fish left.

Paddy blushed in embarrassment. “Sorry, I wanted to keep my energy up, so I didn't have to rest like at the village...”

Kris thought for a moment, then slapped his forehead. Dammit! I didn't take into account all the walking and fighting we'd be doing...we definitely don't have enough for a whole week at this rate.

Mibu and Celica also blushed. “Sorry, I was also snacking on some fish too...” Mibu explained, and Celica nodded in agreement.

Kris shook his head. “No, I made a rookie mistake, of course we'd be needing to eat more with all the activity we're doing.” He sighed, then thought for a few moments. “We'll probably need to take stock again every night, to see how we're doing.”

After finishing eating and packing back up, they headed down the stairs and through the barrier. This time, the light was a deep blue, but more strikingly, there was a canal of flowing water in the middle of the floor. It reminded Kris of a sewer, with a walkway on each side. Due to the light, he had no idea how deep the water was.

As soon as the others came through, Mibu held her nose. “Eugh...this smells awful.”

Celica nodded. “This water is foul.”

After a brief discussion, they all lined up on the left side, carefully walking along the canal and being careful to not fall in.

After a short walk, Mibu tapped his shoulder, “I smell something else. I've never smelled it before, but-”

Kris turned around to see Mibu being pulled into the water.

“Mibu!” Kris shouted, bending down to grab her. Kris tried to pull her out, but something was tugging her back down. He reached his arm in, trying to wrap it around her midsection. As he tugged, he felt something pierce his arm. “Argh...” he grunted, but held onto Mibu. After a moment, he managed to get her further out.

Celica, who had been stunned at first, grabbed Mibu's free arm, attempting to help pull. With another big heave, they got her farther out.

They could now see what had grabbed her, a reptilian creature with a beak protruding from it's face. As it's head popped out, still holding onto Mibu's feet, Paddy instinctively gave it a kick, causing it to lose it's grip on Mibu and fly back onto the walkway on the other side of the water.

Getting Mibu completely out of the water, he held her close as she panted for breath. “Thank...you...” she said, forcing a smile.

Kris just wrapped his arms around her head, pulling it into his chest.

The creature was slowly trying to crawl back to the river. Mibu looked over, shouting, “Don't let it back in!”

Paddy took her ax and swung over at it, easily cleaving it in two.

They were all momentarily taken aback by how easily it died.

“Do you know what that was?” Kris asked.

Mibu nodded. “It's a kappa. They were in my children's books,” she looked over at it as it slowly absorbed into the Dungeon. “I didn't think they were real though, just a legend to keep children away from rivers.”

Kris shook his head, How can you tell the difference between reality and legend in a fantasy world like this?

Mibu then noticed Kris was bleeding, her face giving a pained expression, and she immediately started Healing his arm.

“Thanks, Mibu,” he said after she was done.

Mibu looked a bit sad, and hugged him again.

“Um...not to ruin your moment, but...” Celica said, pointing a ways away.

Looking to where she was pointing, there was a rippling in the water coming closer to them.

“Celica, can you Air Slash them?” Kris asked.

“I don't know, but I'll try,” she responded, pointing her wand. There was a large splash as the spell cut into the water. After a moment, the rippling stopped, and blood started blooming through the water.

“Okay...I guess these things don't have a lot of health, they're just really strong...”

After gathering their bearings, they continued on, eyes on the water. They occasionally ran into more kappa, but easily dispatched them now that they knew what they were looking for.

After a while of careful progress, the didn't see any more kappa, and the water was moving noticeably faster, the sound of it creating a din in the Dungeon.

Mibu tapped Kris's shoulder again. “Can we stop? I want to change.”

Kris turned around to look at her, seeing her clothing was sticking to her. “Of course, I'm hoping we're safe for now. We can grab a snack too.”

Mibu started stripping off her clothing, so Kris turned to look the other way.

“Why are you looking away? You see me naked all the time!” Mibu giggled.

Kris shook his head. “I...don't want to get distracted.”

Mibu giggled again.

Paddy wasn't letting her eyes off the water, even as she nibbled on a fish.

Celica gave a 'hmpf'. “Maybe I should change too.”

“That's fine. I might too, later,” Kris added, giving himself a sniff.

“There's something in the water,” Paddy said matter-of-factly.

Mibu only had her new shirt half-pulled down. Celica helped pull it the rest of the way down, and they also stared at the water.

“Do you smell anything?” Kris asked.

Mibu sniffed a few times. “I...don't know. It's hard to tell. Maybe there's something there, but the normal smell of the water is so strong...”

“Do you see it anymore Paddy?”

Paddy shook her head. “No, it swam by that way, I think,” she said, pointing the way they were going.

Grabbing their belongings, they continued cautiously along. However, they went a ways without encountering anything. After a while, the water got louder and louder, until Kris thought there was a different sound.

Celica identified it first. “That sounds like a waterfall.”

Sure enough, a couple minute later, they came into a large open area. Towering above them was a large waterfall that was feeding the water flowing through the Dungeon floor. As they got into the open area, they stood on one of the platforms in-between the water flows. Besides the one they came from, there was three other branches the water was going down.

“Any ideas?” Kris asked, looking at the others.

Celica shook her head.

Mibu shrugged, “I can't get anything, the smell of the water just washes everything else away.”

Paddy unhooked her ax.

Kris was taken aback for a moment, but then looked where Paddy was looking. Out of the pool under the waterfall, the unmistakable shape of a crocodile came out. The creature was massive, almost as tall as them, and probably over a meter wide. He had no idea how long it was as it's back half was still in the pool.

Paddy charged at it.

Kris followed after her. “Mibu, see if arrows work. Celica, hit it with Air Slash if you get a good shot.”

Paddy was already meeting up with the crocodile. It gave a growl, and Paddy roared back at it, swinging her ax. It connected with the crocodile's mouth, gashing it a bit on the edge.

Kris took the opportunity to get a Scorch shot on it, while he also saw a couple arrows land in it's face. However, it didn't seem too concerned with either, still focusing on Paddy.

As Paddy went to swing again, the crocodile turned it's mouth sideways, chomping down on Paddy's torso.

Paddy let out a 'yelp', dropping her ax, and grabbing the crocodiles mouth to no avail. It held onto her tight, and started to slowly back up into the water.

“Paddy!” Kris yelled, running after her. Getting close, he hacked repeatedly at the crocodile's mouth, but it did nothing to stop it. Careful not to hit Paddy, he instead thrusted his sword, stabbing the crocodile through the bottom of it's jaw.

The crocodile growled again, before spinning around, sending Paddy tumbling out of it's mouth.

Kris ran over to her. “Paddy...”

Paddy gave a weak smile, “I'm okay...” she said, before coughing up some blood. There was also puncture wounds around her armor, small amounts of blood seeping through.

“No no no!” Mibu shouted, sliding down next to her and using Heal.

Kris turned around as he heard the crocodile again. It was crawling back over to them, trailing blood along the way.

Holding out his sword, he slashed at it's mouth, giving it several more slash wounds, trying to keep it at bay. He then started to side-step to the right, trying to lead it away from Mibu and Paddy.

The crocodile then got knocked a foot sideways as an Air Slash hit its neck, a line of blood flying out where it made contact.

Kris took the opportunity to cash Scorch into it's open mouth. It started to lunge at him, but Kris back-stepped away, before casting another Scorch.

As the crocodile reeled in pain again, it was hit with another Air Slash. This one hit its mouth, severing part of the top jaw, causing blood to gush everywhere.

The crocodile had had enough, and turned around, heading back towards the pool. As it was almost there, Paddy suddenly jumped at it, lodging her picked-up ax in the crocodiles side, causing it to stop.

Kris took the opportunity to run up the writhing crocodiles back. Finding the top of it's head, he stabbed his sword down into it.

The crocodile lost its footing, falling to it's stomach, causing Kris to fall into a foot of water.

Shaking the water off his face, he watched as the crocodile slowly faded into the Dungeon. Struggling to his feet, he saw Paddy was coughing up blood again, as a teary-eyed Mibu was frantically Healing her. Celica had fallen onto her butt, breathing heavily, having probably expended all of her mana.

That was too close for comfort.

Running over to Paddy and Mibu, he helped prop up one side of Paddy, while Mibu held up the other.

“Kris...okay?” she asked between pained breaths.

Kris nodded, “Yes, I'm good, just hold on...”

Paddy smiled, before a look of pain came over her face.

Slowly getting up onto the platform, they gently laid her against the wall, and Mibu resumed Healing her. She wiped some sweat from her forehead, as she was burning through her mana quickly.

Trying to think of how he could help, Kris took out the last of the firewood from their pack, and lit it to try and dry them off.

“Kris, help me get her armor off,” Mibu said, sounding like she was pleading,

Kris helped slide her gauntlets off, before helping Mibu slide Paddy's torso armor off. It seemed kind of stuck, but after a wiggling it a bit they eventually got it off. As they did, they could see the puncture wounds in her sides, but Paddy also seemed able to breath easier.

Paddy sighed in relief. “That's much bet-”

Mibu held a finger to her mouth. “Don't talk until the healing is finished,” she said reassuringly, patting her head.

Paddy slowly nodded. Kris held her hand, which earned a blush from Paddy.

After a couple more minutes, the bleeding had stopped, and Paddy was breathing normally.

“Thanks,” Paddy said, trying to get up.

Kris and Mibu both stopped her. “Just relax for a bit,” Mibu said, forcing herself to sound cheery.

“Mibu, you need to relax too, you used up all your mana,” Kris responded, looking at her status screen.

Mibu nodded, before sitting down and laying her head in his lap. “This will recharge my mana faster,” she said, with a weak giggle. She then closed her eyes, breathing deeply.

Celica, who had gotten up and walked over, sat next to Kris as well, leaning her head on his shoulder.

Paddy saw this and looked a bit jealous, so Kris pulled her over to lean against him as well.

While the other three dozed off, Kris kept watch, staring into the fire. Surrounded by his companions, he shook his head. Yeah, I'm not risking it.

Mibu was the first to wake up after a bit. After rubbing her eyes and sitting up, she looked at Kris. “Sorry, fell asleep...”

Kris smiled, and motioned to the other two. “It's only been like twenty minutes.”

Mibu smiled back, before looking over at the falling waterfall. “Hmmm...”

“What's wrong?” Kris asked.

However, Mibu didn't reply, as she kept staring at the waterfall. After a moment, she got up and ran along the side of the pool.

“Mi-...Mibu! What are you doing?” Kris shouted.

With the noise and commotion, Paddy and Celica woke up.

Eventually, Mibu got to the water fall, before disappearing behind it.

The other three looked at each other.

Mibu returned after a moment. “There's a path behind the waterfall! I think it's the stairs!” she yelled as she ran back.

The others grabbed their belongings and followed after, carefully walking around the edge of the pool. Once they were close, they noticed it passed underneath, and a passage was accessible behind it.

Only a short ways past it, they reached the stairs, and another closed chest.

“Ooohhh, fifteen silver this time!” Mibu said as she counted while take the coins out.

As the others started to set up camp. Kris stopped them. “I...um...I think we should go back.”

The other three seemed confused. “We have a few days more food though...” Mibu said.

Kris nodded, I know, but I think we need to call it early. The last couple fights were starting to get tough for us. Plus Paddy's armor is a bit damaged...”

Celica seemed conflicted.

Paddy looked down sadly, “Sorry...”

“It's not your fault Paddy...” Kris reassured her.

Mibu pressed him, “I don't understand, we knew it was going to be tough, why would...”

“Because I don't want anything to happen to any of you!” Kris said, raising his voice and looking down. “I...I can't...” he trailed off as his eyes watered up a bit.

Mibu was caught off guard, before starting to tear up as well and hugging Kris. “I'm sorry...”

Kris hugged her back. “You don't need to be sorry. I just...I just couldn't handle if something bad happened to one of you.”

After everyone's emotions calmed down. Kris gave each of them a hug in turn. “Let's go back, level up some more. Hopefully pay off the loan a bit. And then come back when we're ready to go even farther.”

Mibu, trying to be upbeat, added, “Twenty-seven silver and a new spell is a pretty good haul, anyways!”

Gathering their belongings, they headed down the stairs to the barrier. On other side, the ambient light on the new floor had been turned way down, and they could barely see a few feet in front of them.

“I don't think I like this floor anyway...” Mibu said a bit nervously, looking down the hall.

“Yeah, let's just leave!” Celica added, pushing the others through.

Walking back through the barrier, they saw stairs going up, and a starry sky above them.

Phew...Kris sighed, glad to be back outside. That was an experience, but I'm glad to be back.

As they walked up the stairs, one of the guards gave them a nod. The other smiled, “Good to see we didn't lose ya.”

Giving a forced smile, they kept walking towards the inn they had stayed at previously. The tavern was almost empty, only the innkeeper sweeping the floor.

After getting a room, they dropped off their belongings on the floor and all four sagged onto the couches in the living area.

“Ahhhggg...I'm exhausted,” Mibu sighed. “I was going to jump Kris as soon as we got out, but I don't have the energy...”

Celica nodded, “I was too, but I don't even want to move. The whole time we were in there, I felt tense. Now that we're out...”

Paddy was already half-out on the couch, barely able to keep her eyes open.

Kris shook his head. “Good, I'm not up for it right now either.”

Paddy had conked out on the couch, so they took one of the blankets and pulled it over her. After some debate, Celica and Mibu decided they would squeeze together onto one of the beds with Kris (he had no say in the outcome) and the other bed was just left open.

While it made him warm enough to sweat having Celica and Mibu squeezed against him, it was comforting regardless.