Alice, Victoria, and Rose were a relentless trio, doggedly pursuing the creature that had snatched Ed. Miles now separated them from Wolf's Run, and the waning daylight created an even more pressing sense of urgency.
Rose let out a string of curses as they pushed through another cluster of thorny brambles. Gathering her focus, she released a burst of elemental energy, which flattened the bushes in an explosive display.
They paused, stepping through the shredded foliage, to catch their breaths. From ahead, they could hear the ominous crashing sounds of the Myrkr moving through the undergrowth. The forest around them was thick and oppressive, distorting sounds and casting eerie shadows that made it hard to gauge distance or direction.
Alice broke the tense silence, "We need to find a way to close the gap before it gets dark. Otherwise, we'll be easy targets."
Rose grimaced, "Agreed. But how do we move faster through this mess?"
Victoria, who had been using her abilities to mend some of the worst cuts and scrapes on each of them, chimed in, "Rose, that elemental attack you used was effective. Could you do that again? Or perhaps channel something else?"
Rose pondered, "I just acquired a fire spell that I can channel, but I'm not sure how long I can sustain it without running out of mana. The last thing I want is to come face-to-face with the Myrkr and be powerless."
They stood there for a moment, each lost in thought, calculating their options. Suddenly, Alice's eyes fell on a towering tree, its thick branches appearing climbable. With a quick hand signal to pause, she scrambled up the tree, agile as a predatory squirrel.
A minute later, she descended, a sense of cautious optimism on her face. "It might not be a problem. The trees thin out about 200 yards ahead. I say you go ahead and burn a path in that direction. Use your mana potion if you need to; now's not the time to be conservative."
Each knew that the clock was ticking, both in the sky and in their quest. With resolute nods, they prepared themselves for the next leg of their relentless pursuit, hoping to reclaim their friend from the clutches of the elusive Myrkr.
Rose turns the way Alice indicated and prepared her spell. Reading over the skill again she started channeling her mana into the spell.
Inferno (Uncommon) - Description: Unleash a controlled stream of searing fire at your target area. This channeled ability consumes a minimum of 1 mana per second and can be intensified up to 15 mana per second for maximum damage output. The stream's width and intensity are directly proportional to the mana consumption rate.
With the skill's description fresh in her mind, Rose began channeling her mana into the Inferno spell. She focused intently, her hands tinged with a flickering red glow as she mustered her magical energies. Then, with a deep breath, she released it.
A jet of fire burst forth from her outstretched palms, scorching everything in its path and creating a blazing trail through the forest. Trees, underbrush, and brambles were instantly reduced to cinders, allowing them a clearer path ahead.
Rose's eyes darted to her mana pool, watching it deplete steadily but not critically—her potion at the ready for when she'd need it. Her friends followed closely behind, alert and anxious, but now imbued with a newfound sense of hope. They were making progress, and if luck was on their side, they might just catch up to the Myrkr before nightfall.
Rose extinguished her stream of fire, her grin fading into an expression of grim determination as she surveyed the meadow that lay before them. It opened up to offer a panoramic view of what appeared to be ancient ruins—crumbling stone walls, archways overgrown with ivy, and remnants of watchtowers piercing the sky like skeletal fingers. Whether it was once a castle or a small city, the distance made it difficult to discern.
Alice's eyes narrowed, scanning the ruins intently. "There," she pointed, "I just saw something move near the gate closest to us. It has to be holed up there."
Just as Alice took a step forward, a small, dark shape erupted from the tall grass, lunging directly at her face. Reacting almost purely on instinct, she lashed out with a panicked swipe of her hand. The force she mustered was likely more than necessary; the creature was obliterated upon contact, leaving a small cloud of mist in its wake.
Catching her breath, Alice looked around at her companions. "Well, that was unsettling. But we're close. We've got to be. Let's proceed, but with caution. We have no idea what other surprises this place might have in store for us."
With each cautious step, the trio advanced through the moonlit meadow toward the crumbling ruins. Despite the ethereal beauty of the scene, the repeated ambushes from small dark forms kept them on high alert. Alice, her senses keen and reflexes sharp, dealt with each attack with swift, subdued motions, preventing any noise from echoing into the night.
Rose looked at Alice with admiration. "You have an uncanny knack for taking those things down."
Alice chuckled softly, "Well, better them than us. We've got more pressing matters, like finding Ed."
Victoria gazed at the ruins illuminated by the silvery moonlight, her thoughts a blend of concern and awe. "If it weren't for these circumstances, this place would be beautiful, in a haunting sort of way."
"You're not wrong," Rose agreed, "but I'll appreciate the scenery much more once we've got Ed back safely."
As they edged closer to the ruins, details of the dilapidated structure became clearer. Ivy-clad walls, shattered windows, and what might have once been a grand entrance—now nothing more than a dark maw—lay ahead of them.
Nearing the door, they found well-defined tracks leading into the dark interior of the building.
Alice squinted at the tracks. "These are definitely our best lead yet. Ready to head in?"
Victoria took a deep breath, hands hovering ready with her healing spells just in case. "As ready as we'll ever be."
Rose clenched her fists, feeling the residual warmth from her last fire spell. "Let's do it. But keep your guard up; the Myrkr's tracks lead here, but that doesn't mean it's alone."
Taking another cautious step forward, they crossed the threshold. Darkness enveloped them, but their resolve was unyielding; they had come too far to turn back now.
Inside the dark ruins, the air was thick with an ancient, musky scent that hinted at long-forgotten histories. Their footsteps echoed off the crumbling walls as they delved deeper, each glance and gesture communicating their shared apprehension and focus.
Rose activated a low-level light spell, its gentle glow illuminating their immediate surroundings. The light danced across forgotten murals and inscriptions, their meaning obscured by the passage of time.
"Look at this," Victoria whispered, touching the surface of a partially intact painting. "It seems like this place was important, once upon a time."
"Yeah, a relic of a bygone era," Alice mused. "But let's not lose focus. Ed could be in real danger."
Their eyes met, each reflecting the gravity of their mission, and they pressed on, following the tracks that seemed to weave through the labyrinthine corridors of the ruin.
Suddenly, they heard a faint noise — a muffled cry, distant but distinct, echoing through the stony halls. The sound gripped their hearts like a vise.
"That was Ed," Rose declared, her voice tinged with urgency.
"Then we've no time to waste," Alice said, quickening her pace.
As they rounded a corner, they found themselves facing a large, decrepit door, slightly ajar. The tracks led right through it.
Alice peeked through the opening and scanned the room, her senses heightened. "It looks empty, but these old ruins deceiving."
Victoria readied her healing spells, anticipating the need. "Well, we won't know until we go in." She was eager to get their friend back with them. Especially since he was pretty cute she thought to herself.
Gathering their courage, Rose pushed the door open with a creak that sent shivers down their spines. They stepped into what seemed to be a grand hall, now in ruins. Columns lay toppled over, and patches of the ceiling had given way to the elements.
And then they saw him.
Ed was bound and gagged, tied to a pillar in the center of the room. His eyes, filled with relief and disbelief, met theirs.
Alice was the first to break into a run, but just as she did, a low growl reverberated through the hall. From the shadows emerged the Myrkr, its eyes glowing a menacing red.
Rose immediately brought her hands together, readying her Inferno spell. "This ends now," she growled, her eyes locking onto the creature.
Victoria stood back but remained focused, her fingers primed to activate her healing magic at a moment's notice.
The tension in the air was palpable, each side sizing up the other. It was a standoff, but one that couldn't last. They were all aware that the next few moments would determine not just Ed's fate, but their own.
The Myrkr tilted its head, as if contemplating the absurdity of the situation. "What did you hope to accomplish by coming so far from help? You humans are always so... optimistic."
Igniting the Inferno spell, Rose's eyes blazed with determination. "Optimism is our strength. We have the power of unity and purpose, something the Myrkr can't understand."
The Myrkr seemed to flinch, as if sensing the resolve that fortified their spirits.
Alice charged like a whirlwind, her lithe figure a blur of motion as she weaved through the battlefield. Her hands, covered in fingerless gloves, were curled into fists, and they radiated a faint, pulsating aura that hinted at the immense energy contained within. Every punch and kick was executed with a fluidity born of years of martial arts training. Her movements were a dance of grace and power, each strike a testament to her precision and strength.
Victoria held her position slightly behind, her fingers lightly touching the glowing icons that represented her array of healing and buffing spells. She was not the gamer the others were and was still getting used to the interfaces so used manual buttons instead of triggering them through willpower. Her eyes flickered between her teammates, ready to restore health.
Rose released the fire she had been holding, sending a wave of blazing Inferno toward the Myrkr. With her other hand, she cast an Ice Missile, amplifying the thermal shock against their foe.
For a brief moment, the Myrkr was enveloped in a swirling tempest of fire and ice, its screeches filling the air. It was the embodiment of chaos, yet Alice, Victoria, and Rose moved with a practiced coordination, the result of unwavering trust and a shared purpose.
Stolen story; please report.
Alice leapt back for a moment, giving Rose the space to launch another spell, her hands now glowing with the light of her newly activated Ice Orb.
"We won't let you keep him," Alice shouted, her voice tinged with both determination and warning. "Give him back now, and maybe we'll let you slink back into whatever dark hole you crawled out of."
The Myrkr hissed, its eyes darting between the three women who stood before it—each formidable in her own right, but virtually unbreakable when combined. It had perhaps never faced an adversary quite like this.
They knew that it wouldn't actually give Ed back willingly. And, they also couldn't let it survive this attack either. They pushed on as it chortled out a laugh. "You will all be converted and my slaves to run this world. Trapped watching your body kill person after person unwilling to end the your pain and suffering."
Rose's eyes narrowed, her hands crackling with the icy essence of her next spell. "That's where you're wrong. We'll put an end to your twisted fantasies right here, right now."
With an almost synchronized movement, Alice lunged forward, landing a powerful kick that sent the Myrkr staggering back into Rose's line of fire.
At that very moment, Rose released her Ice Orb, sending a freezing sphere careening towards the creature. The orb exploded upon contact, shards of ice embedding into its hide.
Victoria, seizing the opportunity, invoked a buff that would strengthen Alice's strikes and improve Rose's spellcasting. The soft glow of her incantation briefly enveloped her friends, making their next attacks more potent.
The Myrkr snarled, its vile utterances filling the air. "You are all fools! You will—"
It was cut off as Alice, empowered by Victoria's buff, landed a blow that made the creature howl in pain. Before it could recover, Rose's Inferno spell bathed it in searing flames.
Alice, looking squarely into its eyes, spoke in a voice laced with conviction, "No, it's you who is the fool if you think you can turn us into your puppets. We're here to make sure you never harm anyone ever again."
In that moment, all three of them knew there was no turning back. The Myrkr had to be vanquished, not just for Ed's sake, but for anyone else who might fall victim to this malevolent entity. And so, they fought on, each giving her all, bound by their unbreakable resolve to put an end to the creature's reign of terror.
Alice, Victoria, and Rose form a strategic triangle around the Myrkr. Victoria's eyes flicker with arcane light as she strengthens Alice's vitality and Rose's mana pool with her buffs. Alice, nimble and fierce, keeps the monster at bay with a series of martial arts strikes, employing her hands as if they were finely honed weapons. Rose readies her elemental spells, her fingers dancing gracefully in the air as icy missiles and orbs form, waiting for her signal to strike.
"Is everyone alright?" Victoria's voice trembles with the urgency of the situation.
"I'm holding up, just keep those buffs coming," Alice replies, dodging another ferocious swipe from the Myrkr.
Rose, chimed in with a touch of excitement in her voice. "Good here, Victoria, just tell me when to let it rip!" Her anticipation was palpable as she readied her elemental magic.
Sensing an opening in the Myrkr's defenses, Alice's voice rang out with a sense of urgency. "Now, Rose, now!" The timing had to be perfect, and Alice's trust in her teammate's abilities was unwavering as she prepared to capitalize on the opportunity.
Rose unleashed her held spells with a mesmerizing display of elemental fury. Orbs and missiles of ice soared through the air with pinpoint accuracy, striking the Myrkr and weakening its monstrous form. This precision set the stage for her Inferno spell. With a surge of power, a stream of channeled fire burst forth from her outstretched palms, creating a blazing torrent that pushed the creature back. The Myrkr roared in agony as the flames consumed it, allowing Rose the opportunity to free Ed.
Ed, now liberated, wasted no time. He swiftly grabbed a health potion and downed it in one gulp. With renewed vigor, he retrieved his weapon, his grin reflecting the thrill of the battle. "You know, I never did get to show you my class skill," he chuckled mischievously. Then, a remarkable transformation overtook him. His human shape contorted, accompanied by the unsettling sound of bones popping and muscles elongating. In moments, he stood as a towering Kodiak bear, his fur so dark it seemed to absorb the moonlight.
Victoria couldn't contain her amazement. "Wow, Ed. That's... amazing!" Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
Alice nodded in agreement, her own eyes wide with astonishment. "Impressive. You're both a tank and a damage dealer all in one."
Ed, his voice tinged with amusement even in his bear form, responded with a hint of pride. "I prefer to think of myself as a multi-talented individual." His bear-like growl carried a sense of camaraderie, uniting them all in their extraordinary efforts against the Myrkr.
The Myrkr snarled, its laughter echoing in a malevolent chorus. "You will all be converted and become my slaves. Trapped in your own bodies, you'll kill person after person, unable to end your own suffering."
With their combined efforts and unwavering teamwork, Alice, Rose, Victoria, and Ed waged a relentless battle against the Myrkr. Alice's martial arts prowess brought her into close combat with the creature, while Rose and Victoria provided vital support from the safety of the back lines, casting spells and healing as needed. Ed, in his formidable bear form, joined the melee, his massive claws slashing through the air as they found their mark on the Myrkr's hide.
As they cornered the Myrkr, their unity of purpose became evident. Their attacks were synchronized, and the creature struggled to defend itself against the onslaught. Overwhelmed by the combined might of their skills and teamwork, the Myrkr found itself on the losing end of the battle.
In the midst of the chaos, Ed's voice rumbled like distant thunder as he asked, "So, what do you think now?" His bear eyes twinkled with triumph, reflecting the pride of a well-fought battle.
The Myrkr never had a chance to respond. It emitted one final screech as it succumbed to its wounds, defeated and overwhelmed by the force of their collective effort.
Exhausted but triumphant, the four friends stood in a circle amidst the silent ruins. Their heavy breathing was the only sound in the aftermath of the intense battle, a testament to the power of their teamwork and their unbreakable bond.
Ed, still in awe of their achievement, shifted back to his human form and exclaimed, "Three levels up. Can you believe it?"
Alice and Rose, their grins as bright as ever, nodded in agreement. "Same here. Three levels. This was one productive hunt," Alice remarked, her satisfaction evident.
Victoria, bubbling with excitement, chimed in with her own success. "Guess what? I got four!"
Their faces beamed with pride, fully aware that this moment marked a significant milestone in their shared journey.
"As much as I'd love the 'Giant Killer' title, I'm not complaining," Rose remarked with a chuckle. "I think 'Courageous' suits us just fine."
With their experience points earned and their victory celebrated, they turned their attention to the fallen Myrkr. Their skilled hands went to work, and they uncovered a small hoard of gold and a couple of magical items. Ed's eyes locked onto a particular item—a ring that glinted with an inner light.
"It's an upgrade for me," Ed declared, examining the ring closely. "More health and stamina, it seems." His acquisition was a tangible reminder of their hard-fought battle and the rewards it had brought them.
Victoria holds up a delicate necklace with a shimmering blue stone at its center. "And this is perfect for me; it offers a mana regen buff."
Alice looks at her companions, her eyes lingering on each magical item before meeting their eyes. "Today was a good day," she says. "We fought, we won, we leveled up, and we got some solid loot."
Rose looks around at her friends, her eyes finally resting on Ed. "More importantly, we got you back, and we showed that creature that it messed with the wrong team."
With the veil of darkness settling over the landscape, the idea of trekking back through the perilous woods seems less appealing. The allure of the ancient ruins before them is too strong to resist. The old world may have considered ruins like these to be mere historical sites, but in this new system-governed reality, they practically scream "hidden treasure."
Drawing torches from their camping supplies bundle, they hand them over to Rose. With a flick of her wrist, she channels her Inferno spell, lighting the torches in a blaze of magic-infused fire. Ed takes the lead, his newfound night vision granting him a slight advantage in the dim light, though he's still getting used to interpreting the world in shades of gray.
Navigating the labyrinthine passages, they move deeper into the ruins, each step echoing off the ancient stone walls. "If there's going to be anything worth finding, it's going to be at the heart of this place," Alice theorizes, her eyes constantly roving for signs of traps or hidden compartments.
Victoria pauses at one point, brushing her fingers lightly over a crumbling bas-relief of some forgotten deity. "These ruins are more than just a pile of stones. They're a slice of history, and who knows what secrets they might hold?"
They finally arrive at what seems to be the central chamber. Intricate murals and mysterious symbols cover the walls, hinting at arcane rituals and untold stories. "This has to be it," Rose says, her voice tinged with awe. "If there's treasure to be found or secrets to unlock, this is where it will happen."
Their torchlight flickers, casting dancing shadows across the chamber, as if welcoming them to uncover the mysteries that have long been hidden in the heart of the ruins.
Despite the promise of hidden treasure and forgotten lore, many of the rooms they explore yield nothing but broken pottery, dust, and debris—a testament to the passage of time or the efficiency of previous looters. Disappointment settles over the group like a thin veil, yet they push on, fueled by the possibility of the next room holding something valuable.
Upon entering one room, they notice that part of the ceiling has remained miraculously intact. Nestled beneath this protective cover is an old, rotten trunk. Hearts pounding, they break the rusted lock, only to find the trunk filled with disintegrated clothing and brittle scraps that might have once been armor. A collective sigh fills the air.
"Looks like we've been beaten to it, or there was never anything worthwhile to begin with," Ed says, unable to hide his disappointment entirely.
Further exploration leads them to a room closed off by a formidable iron door. It’s imposing in the dim light, wrought with ornate patterns that have long since corroded. Strangely, the door has no discernible handle or lock, standing as if it was designed to never be opened—or to keep something in.
Alice circles it, looking for hidden triggers. "I've never seen anything like this. No seams or locks. It's like it's just a part of the wall."
Victoria places her hand on the door's surface, feeling a slight tingle of magic. "There's some residual energy here, but nothing that gives away how to open it."
After a few minutes of futile attempts at solving the mystery of the iron door, they agree to move on, leaving it as a haunting enigma in the back of their minds.
"We have more rooms to explore," Rose says, trying to lift everyone's spirits. "And who knows? Maybe we'll find another clue that could help us get this door open."
They continue their exploration, carrying the weight of unanswered questions with them, but also the invigorating thrill of the unknown. Each room they enter now holds the potential to either deepen the mystery or provide the missing pieces to their ever-growing puzzle.
Upon entering the room, the sense of its former grandeur isn't lost on them, despite its dilapidated condition. The remnants of what must have been awe-inspiring sculptures and icons lay strewn about, like the lost memories of a forgotten age.
Rose surveys the room with keen eyes, captivated by its solemn atmosphere. "This place might have been a sanctuary of sorts. Look at the statue in the center; it's the most intact. It must represent the most revered deity."
Ed scratches his head, peering closer at the central figure. "Could be. If we were back on Earth, I'd say this looks kinda Norse—like Odin and his crew."
Alice walks around a broken plinth, her eyes trailing over the stone fragments. "Whatever this place was, it's in ruins now."
It's then that Victoria feels an unexplainable pull towards one of the plinths—a compelling, almost magnetic sensation that she can't ignore. Unlike the others, this one still bears the foot and part of a leg of a statue. The pull becomes a beckoning, drawing her closer and closer until she stands just an arm's length away.
The room falls silent as her companions notice her unusual behavior. "Victoria, are you okay?" Alice inquires, concern etching her voice.
Ignoring the question, Victoria cautiously extends her arm, her fingers trembling as they make contact with the stone. The moment she touches it, a surge of energy flows through her, causing her vision to blur for a split second. When it clears, she feels strangely invigorated, her senses heightened.
"What just happened?" Ed asks, bewildered.
"I don't know," Victoria finally speaks, slowly retracting her hand. "But I feel like I was meant to touch it. Like it called out to me."
As the room settles into a hushed atmosphere, a sudden tremor courses through the ground. The group's eyes widen as they see bits of stone and debris slowly being pulled toward the central statue. A whirlwind of magic and sand coalesces, and before their eyes, a new statue materializes on the previously empty plinth.
Victoria's heart pounds as she reads the weathered plaque affixed to the base. It names the figure as the god of healing—her god, the divine force behind her own powers and calling.
"This is... incredible," Rose exclaims, her eyes wide with awe.
"More like a miracle," Alice adds, struggling to make sense of the extraordinary event they've just witnessed.
As Victoria touches the statue, a translucent window appears before her eyes, a quest notification materializing out of thin air.
[Quest Alert: Repair the Temple]
Objective: Repair the facilities and bring other chosen ones to this location to enhance the spiritual resonance between the realm and the divine.
Rewards: Experience Points, Enhanced Connection with Deities, Unspecified Rewards
"Do you guys see this?" Victoria asks, her eyes still fixed on the quest window.
"We don't see anything," Rose says, puzzled.
"Try touching the statue," suggests Victoria.
One by one, Alice, Rose, and Ed reach out and place their hands on the cold stone. The same quest window pops up for each of them, detailing the same objective and rewards.
"So, we're temple renovators now?" Ed remarks, his eyes scanning the quest details.
"Seems like it," Alice replies. "But it's more than just repairs; it's about strengthening a connection, making this place a hub for divine energies."
Rose chimes in, "Think about it. A fortified, spiritually charged temple could become a stronghold. We'll be stronger and better connected to our classes' sources of power."
Ed nods, "Not to mention the 'unspecified rewards.' That's always a good hook."
"First thing's first," Victoria states, "we need to figure out what it takes to repair a place like this. The quest is vague on details. Then, we can focus on bringing other 'chosen ones' here. We need Sinclair's knowledge gathering skill to see what else is needed here."
"Sounds like a plan," Alice agrees. "Given the perceived difficulty of the quest, I'm guessing we're going to need some high-quality materials and probably some specialized skills or craftsmen."
They all nod in agreement, contemplating the enormity but also the promise of their newfound objective. Victoria glances one more time at the statue, her hand still lingering on its surface, and then steps back.
"As incredible as this is," she says, "we still have a long way to go. But at least now, we know we're on a path that has some divine backing."
"Agreed," Alice says, extinguishing her torch and sliding it back into her inventory. "This place is fascinating, but we're all running on fumes. We need to recharge."
Rose scans the area with her adventurer's eye. "How about that room we passed earlier with the partial ceiling? It was mostly closed off, so it might offer some protection."
"That's a good call," Victoria concurs, her eyes still filled with the afterglow of the quest's revelation. "It will give us some cover and maybe even a sense of privacy."
Ed, completely exhausted and looking the worse for wear, nods. "Privacy and some element of security sound great right now. Let's go."
They retrace their steps through the labyrinthine ruin, each step echoing their shared exhaustion. They soon find the room Rose had mentioned and enter, inspecting the space for any lurking dangers.
"Looks clear," Ed announces after a cursory inspection.
Alice takes a deep breath. "Alright, let's set up a rotation for keeping watch. Even though this place seems abandoned, you never know what could crawl out of the cracks."
After agreeing on the watch schedule, they unfurl their sleeping mats and blankets, creating makeshift beds on the ancient stone floor. Rose takes the first watch, her eyes sharp in the dim light, as her companions drift into a well-deserved sleep.
Ed is the last to close his eyes, his gaze lingering on the ceiling. For a moment, he ponders the uncanny feeling of destiny that hung in the air. A temple, a quest, and the company of brave friends—what more could one ask for in these tumultuous times? With a contented sigh, he allows sleep to take him, excited and curious for the challenges and rewards that lay ahead.