The two strange creatures found themselves in a foreign, yet hauntingly familiar world. The landscape was a stark departure from their home realm, a place where chaos reigned supreme. It had been three years since the protective veil, separating their world from the meddling influence of the Observers, was torn asunder. That pivotal moment marked the beginning of the end for her once serene existence, where nature's harmony danced with the enchantment of magic.
A humanoid figure, visibly vexed, bit her lip in frustration as she grappled with the tumultuous events unfolding around her. The other creature, resembling a peculiar mix of a dog and lizard, emitted a soft cooing sound, its scaly snout and whiskers brushing against her leg in a comforting gesture.
With a delicate and elegant frame, she leaned forward to scratch under the chin of the dog-like creature. Her voice, akin to a whisper carried by the wind, broke the tense silence, 'Everything will be fine, Jasper,' she reassured, though the words felt hollow even to her own ears.
Sensing his owner's unease and perhaps the untruth in her words, Jasper, the creature, crawled up her brown leather pants, settling uncomfortably in the snug space underneath her puffy green hoodie. Finding the alcove between her shoulder and neck, the dog-lizard emitted a contented purr, rubbing its head against her, its motions causing the piercings and earrings adorning her pointed ears to chime softly, a delicate melody amidst the chaos.
The dog-like creature was once an elegant faerie dragon, a diminutive yet majestic being known for its graceful presence. Jasper was a small cat-sized dragon with delicate webbed paws and whimsical whiskers that served to detect the subtle threads of magic woven into the world around them. However, unlike most of his kin, Jasper was wingless, a somber reminder and enduring consequence of the loyalty he held for the master he refused to abandon when they were cast out by her people.
Now confined to a wingless state, Jasper had adapted to this new reality with a quiet resilience. He had developed a fondness for nestling inside his master, Raya's, oversized hoodies, finding solace and warmth in the comforting embrace of the fabric. Despite the loss of his wings, Jasper remained steadfast in his loyalty, his luminous eyes reflecting an unwavering devotion to Raya.
As Raya scratched gently under Jasper's chin, a soft chime resonated from the intricate piercings and earrings adorning her pointed ears, a harmonious accompaniment to the dragon's contented purring. Despite the chaos that surrounded them, this moment of quiet connection between master and companion provided a brief respite from the tumultuous events unfolding in their new world.
The moment was paused when the two heard a faint melody in the distance. Curious, Raya readjusted her bow strapped across her back. A brilliant white long bow crafted from a white omber tree from her world, it glowed with a subtle radiance, a testament to its magical properties. The bow was a work of art, an heirloom passed down in her family and the one thing she managed to steal before being exiled by her mother.
Raya found herself inexplicably drawn closer to the enchanting melody, her steps guided through a labyrinth of ruined buildings until she stood before a skeletal sculpture of a boat, the Sun Voyager. Atop this eerie vessel, an elusive spirit danced with ethereal grace. Tip-toeing from one fork of the sculpture to another, the creature serenaded Raya with haunting notes from a violin, each sound weaving a spell around her, compelling her to venture further.
Mesmerized by the music, Raya felt as though she was being swept away by the spirit's captivating performance. Her senses dulled, she was lost in the enchantment until a sudden, cautious reminder broke through her trance.
[The Rootbeer Dragon warns you that this world is stranger than it seems.]
Since signing her contract with the Rootbeer Dragon, Raya had occasionally felt her sponsor's emotions when they surged strongly enough. In this moment, a wave of unease washed over her, a clear signal from her divine partner that helped to pierce through the enchantment's hold.
"What is happening to this world?" Raya whispered, careful not to disturb the haunting melody. Yet, despite her growing unease, she found herself drawn inexorably closer to the dancing spirit.
[The Rootbeer Dragon doesn’t understand what has befallen this world, but senses the presence of strange magics.]
Jasper, who had been nestled inside her hoodie, now emerged from his cozy hideout as if summoned by the Rootbeer Dragon's words of strange magics. His whiskers quivered in the air, occasionally brushing against points that illuminated in a translucent kaleidoscope of colors. As Raya continued her unwitting approach towards the spirit, Jasper's growls grew more urgent, his whiskers now vibrating with colors that danced to the haunting melody.
It was as if Jasper sensed a danger that Raya could not yet comprehend. The spirit, heeding some unseen warning, leaped gracefully from the sculpture and began tip-toe dancing towards Faxaflói Bay.
Despite her senses screaming at her to flee, Raya found herself unable to resist the pull of the music, her feet now wet with the waters of the bay as she walked inexorably forward. The spirit continued its dance atop the water's surface, each step creating gentle ripples that seemed to beckon Raya further into the unknown depths.
[The Rootbeer Dragon urges you to draw your bow.]
With a sudden jolt, Raya realized she could not comply. Panic surged within her as she struggled against an unseen force compelling her forward, the water rising higher around her ankles with each step. The spirit's dance continued, its movements now fluid and mesmerizing as it led her deeper into the bay, towards a fate unknown.
Despite the urgency and mounting panic she could sense from her divine sponsor, Raya found herself inexplicably drawn forward, as if puppeted by unseen strings. The water now crept up to her waist, a chilling embrace that seemed to pull her deeper into the unsettling scene.
The ethereal spirit, once dancing gracefully atop the surface of Faxaflói Bay, now stood eerily still. Its form seemed to flicker and shift, morphing from one unrecognizable shape to another in a disorienting display of otherworldly magic. The only constants were its humanoid silhouette and the unsettlingly broadening smile that crept across its face like a spreading stain of malevolence.
[The Rootbeer Dragon yells at you to run.]
Panic surged through Raya, shocking her out of the enchantment just in time for her to glance down at the water. To her horror, several faces stared back up at her from the murky depths. Bloated and distorted by the water, their eyes were like giant milky pearls, unblinking and fixated on her with an unsettling intensity.
The smile that had twisted the spirit's face now mirrored itself upon each of these submerged visages, a grotesque mimicry that sent shivers down Raya's spine. The air grew thick with a palpable sense of dread as the smiling faces bobbed gently on the surface, their silent gaze boring into her soul.
Jasper, sensing the rising danger, emitted a low growl from his perch within Raya's hoodie. His whiskers vibrated with an intensity that matched the discordant melody still hanging in the air. With a surge of primal instinct, Raya finally managed to wrench her gaze away from the haunting faces and attempted to retreat, but her feet felt anchored to the spot.
[The Rootbeer Dragon yells at you to resist.]
Murky hands, slick with the stench of decay, emerged from the depths like grotesque tendrils of despair. They latched onto Raya's limbs with a chilling grip, their touch icy against her skin as they sought to drag her down into the suffocating embrace of the water. Panic surged through her, a primal instinct to fight against the encroaching darkness that threatened to swallow her whole.
With every ounce of her being, Raya struggled against the relentless hands and the unseen force that seemed to anchor her to the spot. Her muscles strained with the effort, but it was as though she fought against an invisible wall, her movements sluggish and ineffective.
Frustration surged within her, a fierce flame igniting in the pit of her stomach. It was a primal anger, fueled by the injustice of her confinement and the malevolent forces that sought to claim her. Drawing upon an ancient wellspring of power that lay dormant within her, Raya channeled the swirling tempest of emotions into raw, unbridled magic.
The energy surged through her veins, crackling with intensity as it gathered at the core of her being. With a guttural roar that reverberated through the air, Raya unleashed the full force of her wrath.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
[Name: Raya Level: 3 Ranger (Swarmkeeper)
HP: 28 MP: 7/8
Spells: Dragon Fire]
A torrent of searing flames erupted from her mouth, a raging inferno that consumed everything in its path. The water around her evaporated instantaneously, steam billowing into the air with a deafening hiss. The murky hands recoiled with agonized screeches, their ghostly forms writhing in the searing heat before disintegrating into wisps of smoke.
Any lingering spirits unfortunate enough to be caught in the blaze were razed to nothingness, their eerie cries echoing through the dissipating steam. Raya stood amidst the aftermath, chest heaving with exertion as she surveyed the now smoldering waters, the once-menacing spirits reduced to naught but charred remnants.
The air crackled with residual magic,”don’t nag me so much next time.”
[The Rootbeer Dragons scoffs at your insolence.]
The haunting melody resumed its ethereal presence, weaving through the air like a melancholic whisper. Raya's gaze was drawn back to the strange violinist, who had resumed his graceful dance upon the water's surface. It was a sight to behold, akin to watching a masterful skater glide effortlessly on ice. Each step of the spectral figure caused the water to ripple and bubble, as if a mystical force lay dormant beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed.
Completing a mesmerizing circle around Raya, the strange humanoid began to shift and warp before her very eyes. Its ghostly form seemed to melt like liquid, transforming into a watery, ghastly horse with a chilling aura. A strange, ghastly blue substance dripped from its entire form, mingling with the waters below as it summoned several smaller water horses into existence.
Unwilling to be caught off guard again, Raya began summoning another force into her core. The anger that had burned within her moments ago was replaced by a focused determination as she tapped into an ancient wellspring of power. With a deep breath, she exhaled a burst of magic that manifested as a billowing cloud of thick, impenetrable smoke.
[Smokescreen]
The swirling maelstrom of darkness expanded rapidly, shrouding the area in a dense fog. The strange water horses, disoriented by the sudden obscurity, stumbled and faltered in their movements, their spectral forms flickering uncertainly within the haze.
Raya's eyes glowed with a yellowish hue, her connection to the Rootbeer Dragon granting her clarity within her own magical trap. Through the swirling mist, she could see the water horses beginning to regain their senses, their attention turning towards her location with an eerie awareness.
Anticipating their movements, Raya acted swiftly. Her fingers tightened around the grip of her white yew longbow, the radiant glow surrounding the weapon humming with her focused intent. Drawing the string back, an arrow materialized as she pulled further and further. The arrow, shrouded in a radiant glow, seemed to solidify with each passing moment until it was fully formed.
With a satisfying pluck, Raya released the string, sending the arrow soaring through the air with deadly precision. The magical arrow streaked towards its target, a beam of radiant energy trailing in its wake. It struck true, piercing the torso of one of the water horses with a resounding impact.
The spirit let out an unearthly wail as it dissolved into mist, the magical arrow vanishing along with the defeated creature.
After the first of their allies fell to Raya's arrows, the remaining water horses descended into a frenzied stampede. They leaped and stamped around erratically, some veering towards Raya only to change course at the last moment, while others that weren’t initially heading her way suddenly swerved in her direction, forcing her to dodge on several occasions.
Raya gritted her teeth, her focus sharpening as she pulled back the string of her bow once more. With a steady hand and unwavering determination, she let loose another arrow that found its mark in one of the water horses. Once again, the creature dissolved into mist, their numbers dwindling further.
As she prepared for another shot, a water horse suddenly veered towards Raya with surprising speed. Before she could fully react, the watery hooves struck her across the shoulders, sending her sprawling backward into the water.
[HP: 24/28]
With a determined grit, Raya caught herself on her butt, struggling to regain her footing. But before she could fully stand, another water horse hurled itself towards her. This time, Raya managed to brace herself, catching the spectral creature's charge with a few swift steps backward. In a rapid succession, she drew her bow and unleashed three arrows towards the watery creatures in front of her.
[HP: 22/28] [MP: 6/8]
Her focus shifted, and in that moment of distraction, the largest water horse advanced with purpose. With a haunting grace, it pranced towards Raya, its hooves raised menacingly. Unaware of the impending danger behind her, Raya felt a sudden impact as the ghostly spirits stomped down on her from behind, sending her crashing beneath the water's surface. The watery spirit continued by stomping on Raya several more times as she laid submerged under the force of its weight.
[HP: 18/28] [MP: 5/8]
[HP: 13/28] [MP: 4/8]
[HP: 8/28] [MP: 3/8]
[HP: 3/28] [MP: 2/8]
With each relentless assault from the watery horse, Raya felt the elemental energy coursing through her. In a desperate move, she tapped into her innate abilities, channeling the water's power in an attempt to turn the tide of the battle.
[Reaction: Absorb Elements After being hit by an elemental attack, as a reaction you may cast Absorb Elements and apply that elemental effect to your next attack.]
Raya found her body overflowing with a foreign element, unlike anything she was accustomed to. The magic surged through her veins like a raging river, threatening to burst through her magical circuits with an unstoppable force. Drawing upon her ancient heritage, Raya sought to bring the torrent of water magic under her control. It filled the empty spaces within her like a well reaching its brim, threatening to overflow. With a fierce determination, she began to channel a more familiar ancestral power, tapping into a reservoir of rage and defiance that had been suppressed for decades.
Her eyes blazed with a yellow ferocity as she remained submerged, the bubbling rage within her now merging with the swirling maelstrom of water magic. It was a volatile combination, a fusion of ancestral fury and foreign elements that threatened to unleash devastating power.
[Dragon Fire (Element: Water)]
The two magics merged seamlessly, the ancestral energy intertwining with the water magic to create a scalding torrent that erupted from Raya's mouth. The entire bay seemed to roil and churn as the boiling water surged forth, carrying with it the ghastly horse that was mid-attack. The creature was knocked off balance, its spectral form wrenched away by the building wave that carried it far from the magical elf.
As the water horse was carried away, it began to sense a strange sensation in its watery hooves. The temperature rose rapidly, reaching an unbearable level that caused the water spirit to writhe and boil from within. The smaller water spirits, summoned from the larger one's display, danced haphazardly in a futile attempt to evade the scalding water that now threatened their very existence.
Raya rose above the water's surface, her form outlined by the shimmering mist that hung in the air. Despite the bone-crushing force of the water's pressure, she stood tall and resolute, facing the looming figure of the large water spirit before her. It was not the power it possessed that made it threatening, but rather what its presence signified.
With a steady hand and unwavering will, Raya drew her bow once more, an arrow of radiant energy forming at the string's pull. She took aim at the looming figure, her eyes locked on its watery form with a fierce determination.
[You have slain the field boss, Elder Nøkk.]
“Why was there a field boss here?!” Raya's voice pierced the air, a desperate cry of frustration and confusion that seemed to reverberate across the bay. Her eyes were fixed on the ominous clouds above, as if searching for answers in their murky depths.
Before entering this world, the Rootbeer Dragon had briefly hinted at his presence in its history. When she had asked if there was anything special about the world, the Rootbeer Dragon had revealed a disturbing truth—it oddly did not possess any trace of magic. Field bosses were created when the magic in the environment corrupts animals and creatures of those worlds.In a world devoid of magic, the appearance of a field boss was impossible.
“Do you think I’m stupid!”
An uneasy feeling washed over her, growing with each revelation about the current predicament.
[The Rootbeer Dragon urges you to save this matter for later and seek shelter for now.]
Gritting her teeth in frustration, Raya knew she was a sitting duck out on the open water with no cover or refuge in sight.
With determination burning in her eyes, she reached for the neck of her hoodie, the fabric damp and clinging to her skin. She called out for Jasper, her voice tinged with urgency and desperation, “Jasper, can you see if they dropped any magic items when they were defeated?”
The wingless faerie dragon, sensing the urgency in Raya's voice, cooed affirmatively in response. With a swift movement, he snaked his way out of the hole he had created for himself in the back of her hoodie
While Jasper hunted down any traces of magic, Raya trudged through the still boiling water. The steam and smoke from earlier now hung in an eerie greyish haze .The air was heavy with an oppressive weight, and a deep uneasiness settled like a rock in the pit of her stomach, making her feel sick to her core.
Raya couldn't shake the feeling that they were just scratching the surface of the danger lurking in this world. She wondered if anyone here knew how much worse things were about to get, remembering the chaos that had erupted in her own world three years ago when the portals first opened.
[Name: Raya Level: 3 Ranger (Swarmkeeper)
Str: 2 Dex: 6 Con: 4
Int: 3 Wis: 6 Cha: 3
HP: 28 MP: 8
Spells:
Absorb Elements
Dragon Fire
Smokescreen
Dragon Sense
Gathered Swarm
Special:
Dragon Blood]