In the depths of sleep, Bob found solace in a dream that transcended the dark and dangerous reality of the Tower of Trials. His mind wove a tapestry of vivid images where he stood triumphant at the apex of the towering structure, bathed in the soft glow of a setting sun that hinted at freedom. In this dream, the trials that had relentlessly tested him melted away, leaving behind a sense of accomplishment that reverberated through his soul.
In Bob's vision, he saw himself stepping out of the tower's colossal gates, each step resonating with a determination forged in the crucible of countless battles and challenges. The weight of his burden, the binding dungeon core that tethered him to this perilous place, felt momentarily lighter as he imagined the cool embrace of freedom awaiting him beyond the threshold.
His dream painted a picture of reunion with loved ones, a return to a world where the sky was not perpetually shrouded in ominous clouds and where the air was not heavy with the scent of perpetual struggle. It was a dream that sustained him through the darkest hours, a beacon of hope that whispered of a future where he could once again be whole.
As Bob slumbered, his subconscious danced with visions of triumph, weaving a narrative of resilience and perseverance against all odds. He was finally happy after the long dreary journey through this gods-be-damned Tower. His dream was pleasant and full of joy, and then within the dream, a familiar scent tickled at his senses.
Bob stirred awake, the echo of his dream fading like mist under the warm morning sun. He sat up slowly, groaning as his back protested against the unforgiving hardness of the rock beneath him. His joints creaked, a testament to the restless night spent in the depths of The Abyss. Despite the discomfort, a small smile crept onto his face as a delightful aroma wafted through the air.
"That smell..." Bob muttered to himself, recognizing it instantly. It was the unmistakable scent of freshly cooked food from McTowers, a beacon of comfort and civilization even in the most perilous places.
He pushed himself up, his mind racing with thoughts of hot meals and the promise of a brief respite from delving into The Abyss. Could it be? Had a McTowers outpost manifested overnight within the safe zone barrier? The prospect seemed too good to be true, yet here he was, tantalized by the aroma.
With renewed vigor, Bob made his way through the rocky passageways, following his nose until he reached a small alcove where a glowing sign marked the entrance to McTowers. The establishment looked oddly out of place amid the gloom of The Abyss, but Bob wasn't one to question such fortuitous occurrences.
Inside, the atmosphere was surprisingly cozy, with enchanted lanterns casting a warm glow over the rough-hewn walls. Behind a counter stood a beautiful and buxom gnome, bustling about with practiced efficiency.
"Welcome to McTowers! What can I get for you today?" the gnome chirped, eyes bright with enthusiasm.
Bob grinned. "I'll take a Hearty McTower's Breakfast platter, please. And a large McTower Coffee, make it extra strong."
"How would you like your eggs? Patties or Links? McTower Hash or Towerfries? Type of toast?"
"Scrambled, Patties, McTower Hash, and whole wheat, please."
The gnome nodded briskly, jotting down his order before disappearing into the kitchen. Within moments, the tantalizing scent of sizzling bacon, eggs, sausage, potatoes, and freshly brewed coffee filled the air, making Bob's stomach growl in anticipation.
As he waited, Bob couldn't help but notice movement from the corner of his eye. Across the room, his horde of tiny minotaurs had stirred from their slumber and mosied on in, drawn by the same irresistible aroma that had roused him from his dreams. They lumbered towards the counter, their tiny forms barely reaching the countertop. Nostrils flaring with every breath, eyes closed with pleasure. They were ravenous, and this place smelled heavenly.
The gnome's eyes widened at the sheer amount of Minotaurs, ever the professional, she greeted them with a friendly smile. "Welcome! What can I get for you fine...gentleminos?"
The lead minotaur grunted, eyeing the menu with curiosity. "Uh... we'll take... uh... twenty of your McTower Meat Manias. Extra meat."
"The Works?"
"Ummm....uh..yes, please"
"What to drink?"
The lead minotaur turned around and they all whispered and nodded heads together.
"Extra Large Dr. Towers all around, please!"
The gnome nodded eagerly, scribbling down their order.
"Give me just a bit and I will have it out as soon as possible!"
"No, rush. I know it's a lot."
In no time at all, Bob's breakfast arrived—a mountain of eggs, bacon, and toast, accompanied by a steaming mug of coffee. He dug in with gusto, savoring each bite as if it were his first meal in weeks. The flavors danced on his tongue, driving away the lingering chill of The Abyss and filling him with a renewed sense of energy.
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The McTowers dining area seemed to stretch and bend as more tables and chairs manifested around Bob's single table. The minotaurs took their seats and waited eagerly and yet with patience for their meals.
Spread across the room, the minotaurs received their meals—a veritable feast fit for giants. Bob looked on in awe at the size of it. Twenty gigantic metal bowls heaped with nothing but meat were delivered by twenty gnomes that looked exactly like the one who took their orders. Shortly after dropping the bowls off, they returned with twenty enormous mugs of Dr. Tower. The Diminutive Minotaurs dug in and devoured their food with ferocious enthusiasm, their small yet deceptively deep voices rumbling in contentment as they ate.
As Bob finished his meal, he couldn't help but marvel at the strange turn of events. In The Abyss, where danger lurked around every corner, he had stumbled upon a sanctuary of comfort and good food. It was a reminder that even in the darkest of places, moments of unexpected joy could be found.
Bob and the Diminutive Minotaurs leaned back in their chairs at McTowers, savoring the last few moments of their hearty meal. The fast-food joint, with its bright lights and lively chatter, had been a comforting respite from the relentless chaos of The Abyss. Bob wiped his mouth with a napkin and exchanged satisfied glances with the minotaurs, their bellies full and spirits high.
"Alright, let's go," Bob said, his voice filled with warmth, "time to head back to the campfire."
The minotaurs, although smaller in stature compared to their usual monstrous kin, were just as formidable. They nodded in unison, their horns gleaming under the fluorescent lights, and followed Bob out of the establishment. The night outside was cool, a stark contrast to the frenetic energy inside McTowers. The safe zone was a peculiar pocket of calm amid the otherwise treacherous landscape of The Abyss.
As they walked, Bob reflected on the day’s events. His mind wandered to the endless waves of monsters they had faced earlier. The initial onslaught had been harrowing, each wave growing more intense, more varied. Yet, despite the exhaustion and the constant threat of danger, Bob felt a strange sense of exhilaration.
"Alright," Bob began, patting his full belly and leaning forward, "we need to discuss our next steps. Those monster hordes won’t wait, and neither can we."
Before he could continue the conversation, something strange and amazing happened. As they sat by the campfire, its warm glow cast dancing shadows on the surrounding rocks. One of the diminutive minotaurs caught Bob’s eye. Unlike the others, it had a strange look on its face, its brow furrowed in concentration or perhaps confusion. A dull glow began to form around its small, muscular body, flickering like a candle in the wind. Bob's curiosity was piqued. He had seen many things in his time, but this was new.
The glow grew steadily brighter, transforming from a faint shimmer into a radiant beacon that cut through the darkness of The Abyss. The other minotaurs and monsters alike paused in their tracks, momentarily blinded by the brilliance. The tiny minotaur opened its mouth, and in a voice that quivered with both fear and awe, it said, "Mr. Bob, I don't feel so good."
Before Bob could react, the minotaur’s body erupted into a cascade of tiny light particles, each one shining with an intensity that made him shield his eyes. The blinding light swirled through the air, dancing like fireflies on a summer night, coalescing and separating in an intricate ballet. Bob’s surprise turned to fascination as he watched the particles collide and merge, forming a medium-sized ball of light that pulsed with a strange, mesmerizing energy.
The ball grew larger and larger, its light intensifying until it was almost unbearable. Then, in a sudden, breathtaking flash, it reconstituted into the form of a diminutive minotaur, standing where the particles had converged. The world seemed to hold its breath as the newly formed minotaur blinked and looked around, her eyes wide with a mix of confusion and wonder.
Bob couldn’t help but smile. He now knew what this meant. One of his summoned allies had just evolved, transcending its former limitations to become its own separate entity. This was a rare occurrence, it had only happened one other time. With Captain Nutmeg the Squirrel Soldier, it had happened slightly differently but it was an evolution nonetheless. The evolved minotaur would now have a chance to be summoned alongside a squad of minotaurs whenever the Summoner's Rolodex landed on that option.
The minotaur shook her head as if clearing away the last vestiges of her transformation. She looked up at Bob, her eyes now burning with a newfound intensity. "Commander Cuddlestomp," she said, her voice steady and filled with authority. "Commander Cuddlestomp, reporting for duty, Sir!"
Bob nodded, his smile widening. "Welcome, Commander Cuddlestomp," he replied. "It’s an honor to have you on our side."
Commander Cuddlestomp flexed her muscles, testing the limits of her new power. She looked around at the horde of monsters waiting just outside the barrier, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the situation with a tactical precision that belied her diminutive size. "Let's show these monsters what happens when they mess with us," she declared.
Before they could get back to planning the attack, a voice echoed in Bob's mind.
Hey there, Hi there, Ho There, Bobberino! While you guys were getting your beauty rest, I was feasting. You guys sure did leave a lot of essence in the air. It was invigorating.
Look who it is. Could have used your assistance in those fights. But I understand. We all have our limitations.
Look, Pal, I supercharged a summoning and multiplied it. TO SAVE YOU. Well, and me but you get what I mean.
Ok, that's fair. But do you have the energy to function now, yes?
Yes, Bob-o. We are good to go as soon as you want to. You can freely summon things again. Hopefully, I won't have to overdo it again to save us from certain doom!
Ok, then let's go and finish this fucking tower!
Right-o, Bobby-B!
Bob and the Minotaurs stood up and prepared for the battle ahead. Bob activated the summoning power and a reel manifested in front of him and began to spin. Commander Cuddlestomp gathered her minotaur troops off to the side and formed their battle ranks. Bob watched them form up with a military-like precision that they hadn't possessed before. The reels stopped and locked in the Zombie Brute Boss card. The multiplier reel appeared and began to spin. Shortly it locked in a multiplier of 3x. The humongous Zombie Brute Bosses materialized nearby.
They looked at Bob, and he looked at them before ordering them to take the forefront and do what they do best. Commander Cuddlestomp nodded in approval at her troops and Bob before ordering them to march. The Brutes exited the barrier first, and the waiting horde immediately started rushing toward them. Next came the army of Diminutive Minotaurs with Commander Cuddlestomp and Bob at their head. Bob unsheathed his sword, Peace Bringer, and let loose a fierce battle yell. Bob could feel a slight increase in energy as they all sped up just a little. Odd. Bob thought to himself as they charged toward the oncoming horde.