Bob stepped through the ancient, rune-carved doorway and into the Heart of the Abyss. His boots struck the smooth obsidian floor with deliberate force, each step echoing faintly in the cavernous expanse. Behind him, his Zombie Shriekers shuffled forward, their decayed forms twitching with unnatural life. Captain Nutmeg, perched proudly on Bob’s shoulder, chittered a series of sharp orders to the squirrel soldiers following close behind. The tiny, armored rodents scampered into formation, their beady eyes darting to and fro as they surveyed the ominous chamber.
Bob tried to keep his breathing steady as he looked around. The void-like darkness seemed endless, swallowing all light and hope. But then, as if on cue, a pale, otherworldly glow began to pulse in the chamber. It started as a soft flicker, barely enough to illuminate the tips of Bob’s worn boots, but it rapidly grew stronger, driving back the shadows in waves.
The glow expanded, climbing the smooth walls and stretching high into the unseen ceiling. Bob squinted, his eyes struggling to adjust to the sudden brightness, and that’s when he saw it.
A massive paw.
The paw was pristine white, as if carved from marble, and it rested with an almost casual elegance upon the floor. Its claws, each one as long as a sword, gleamed faintly in the growing light. Bob’s breath caught in his throat. The Abyssal Reptilian Menace they had fought on the previous floor had been monstrous, but this? This was something far beyond. The paw alone dwarfed the previous monster’s entire foot, and Bob’s mind reeled as the light continued to grow, exposing more of the beast.
He swallowed hard as the rest of the creature emerged from the shadows. It was enormous, easily the size of a castle, its fur so white it seemed to glow in the dim chamber. Muscles rippled beneath its coat, and its tail flicked lazily, sending gusts of wind through the cavern. But it wasn’t just the sheer size that made Bob’s knees threaten to buckle.
It was the face.
Bob let out a gasp.
The face was unmistakable—a scaled-up version of Snowball, the fluffy Frost Hound Pup that he had bonded as a companion in the Tower of Trials. The same wide, curious eyes. The same pointed ears that twitched at the slightest sound. Even the same adorable little nose. But this wasn’t Snowball. This was a titan. A god-like manifestation of canine grace and lethality.
Bob’s mind raced. What in the nine hells is this? Is this real? Is this some kind of sick joke?
Captain Nutmeg let out an angry chatter and pointed his tiny sword at the creature, but even the brave squirrel’s movements seemed hesitant. Bob could feel the tension rolling off his troops. The Zombie Shriekers were already shifting uneasily, their instincts screaming at them to flee.
The massive hound blinked slowly, and the light in the chamber pulsed in time with the motion. Its gaze settled on Bob, and for a moment, nothing happened.
Then it barked.
The deep, resonating vibration of the bark shook the ground beneath Bob’s feet, rattling his bones and sending waves rippling through the air. Several of the squirrels staggered, and Captain Nutmeg dug his claws into the rock beneath him to keep his balance. Bob himself barely managed to stay upright.
“Okay. Okay. Think, Bob. Think,” he muttered under his breath. “It looks like Snowball, sure, but it’s a monster. A boss. It’s just another challenge. Yeah. A big, terrifying, fluffy challenge. One that was...is still my friend?”
The beast’s tail flicked again, and this time the motion knocked over one of the Shriekers. The undead creature let out a keening wail before scrambling back to its feet. The giant hound tilted its head, curious, and took a single step forward.
Bob flinched. That one step sent tremors through the floor, and the weight of its presence grew heavier.
“Hold the line!” Bob barked, his voice sharper than he intended. The Shriekers responded instantly, forming a loose semicircle between him and the beast. Captain Nutmeg screeched an order, and the squirrels fanned out, drawing their tiny weapons.
Bob raised his sword, feeling the familiar hum of magic flow through the blade. He focused on the beast in front of him, as Peacebringers glow intensified.
The hounds ears flattened, and for the first time, Bob saw a flicker of danger in its eyes.
“You want to play?” Bob muttered, gritting his teeth. “Let’s play.”
Bob took a step toward the beast, determination and concern warring across his face, as he readied his sword to attack his companion. Before he could take a second step, a window popped up in his vision.
Name: Snowball
Level: ??
Class: Corrupted Frost Hound
HP: ?????
MP: ?????
SP: ?????
STR: ????
CON: ????
WIS: ????
INT: ????
DEX: ????
CHA: ????
Bob shook his head to clear the lingering doubts, he knew that this was in fact his faithful bonded companion. But he also knew now that it was corrupted by the Abyss, and had to be what was keeping the Caretaker from fixing this realm. Snowball or not, the corrupted monstrosity that stood before him wasn't his friend. Snowball was a victim, and Bob would do whatever he could do save him if he could. But this realm needed to be healed, and Bob wanted to get home. Even if the price of that task was the loss of his best friend. He hated himself for the thought, but he knew that one of them would die here today.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
BOSS BATTLE
BEGIN
Bob steeled his resolve, and charged forward with his summoned companions. He knew that they wouldn't be enough but he had to try regardless of how unwinnable the situation seemed. As he was running toward the corrupted beast that was once his friend, he activated the Rolodex's ability. The reels manifested, but he didn't have time to watch them as he swung Peacebringer. The glowing blade sliced into the massive paw that was coming toward Bob.
Snowball, howled in pain and annoyance, as the sword sliced into the tender flesh of its paw. A slight whine of pain and irritation escaped the hounds massive maw. The beasts eyes locked onto Bob and narrowed. Bob nearly shit himself.
Bob dodged a swipe of the injured paw that would have turned him into a Bob puree. Bob glanced to the side after rolling backward and getting back to his feet. He had a second and saw the reels. They had locked in with the Abyssal Drake monster card, and the multiplier reel had locked in with a 5x. The Abyssal Drakes materialized and vanished into the shadows to attack.
The temperature seemed to drop as Snowball continued to stride forward, as frost began to cover the floor with each step.
Bob stood at the edge of the frostbitten chamber, his breath forming pale clouds in the freezing air. His sword, Peacebringer, pulsed faintly with light, its runes glimmering against the oppressive dark. Before him loomed Snowball, once his loyal companion, now twisted into a monstrous Corrupted Frost Hound. The beast's jagged icicle fangs glistened, and its eyes burned with unnatural blue fire. Its growl shook the chamber, the sound reverberating like distant thunder.
Bob tightened his grip, his knuckles whitening. Around him, the Zombie Shriekers let out guttural wails, their decayed forms shuffling forward. Captain Nutmeg and his squirrel soldiers stood at attention, their tiny blades and shields ready, but Bob couldn’t help but feel a pang of dread. Against Snowball’s titanic form, they were insects swarming a dragon.
Snowball lunged. Bob dodged, rolling to the side as jagged claws tore through the stone floor where he had stood moments before. He swung Peacebringer in a wide arc, its blade slicing through the air and leaving trails of light. The strike connected, but only a shallow gash appeared on the beast’s leg. Ice immediately began to form around the wound, sealing it almost as quickly as it had opened.
The Zombie Shriekers attacked, their moans turning into shrieks as they lunged at Snowball’s legs. The Frost Hound reared up and came down hard, smashing them under its massive paws. Bones splintered, limbs scattered, and Snowball snapped up the nearest Shrieker, crunching it between its fangs. The sight sent a cold shiver through Bob’s spine.
Captain Nutmeg gave a high-pitched war cry and led his squirrel soldiers forward. They swarmed the beast’s paws, their tiny bodies darting up its legs like rivers of fur. They jabbed and stabbed at the hound’s hide with their miniature weapons, drawing faint lines of blood and fury. Snowball barked, shaking his head as the squirrels reached its face. Annoyed, it growled and rolled onto its back.
The squirrels didn’t stand a chance. The massive weight crushed them, their squeaks silenced in an instant. Bob watched in horror as their bodies shimmered and dissolved into motes of ethereal light, which were hungrily devoured by the Rolodex. Bob didn't have time to mourn his companions deaths, as Snowball continued toward him.
A series of roars echoed from above. The Abyssal Drakes emerged from the shadows, their leathery wings unfurling as they dove at the Frost Hound. Flames spewed from their mouths, bathing Snowballs back in crimson fire. The smell of burning fur and scorched flesh filled the chamber as the Drakes landed, clawing and raking at the beast’s back.
For the first time, Snowball howled in pain. The flames bit deep, and the talons tore through its flesh. Bob felt a surge of hope—perhaps this was enough to turn the tide. But then the temperature dropped even further.
The fire dimmed and winked as frost crept across the chamber, smothering the flames with tendrils of ice. Snowball’s wounds sealed shut, glistening with frozen armor. The Drakes faltered, their movements slowing as frost crawled up their wings and limbs.
“No!” Bob shouted, rushing forward. He slashed at Snowball’s flank, but the blade barely penetrated the newly formed ice. Snowball shook, dislodging the Abyssal Drakes. They fell, hitting the ground with sickening cracks. Frozen solid, their bodies shattered into shards of ice, and the motes of their essence drifted into the Rolodex. Bob lifted his arms in front of his face and covered as best he could. As the ice shards exploded outward in all directions. Several chunks inflicted various wounds across his arms and torso.
Bob panted, his breath shallow and quick, as his blood dripped to the floor and frozen solid. His allies were gone. The chamber was an icy tomb, and Snowball loomed larger than ever. The beast’s breath steamed, and frost crystals danced around its maw. Bob gritted his teeth and raised Peacebringer. He had to finish this. Even if he knew he didn't stand a chance against such a massive beast as he is.
The Frost Hound lunged again, its massive jaws snapping shut inches from Bob’s head. He ducked and rolled, bringing Peacebringer up in a desperate slash. The blade scraped against Snowball’s side, this time drawing a deeper wound. Frost tried to form over it, but the inner glow of Peacebringer flashed even brighter and the frost vanished from the blade, as the light burned through the ice.
Bob’s boots skidded across the icy cavern floor as the frost hound lunged again, its massive paw crashing down where he had stood just a moment before. Shards of ice exploded outward, forcing Bob to roll to the side to avoid the razor-sharp debris. His breath came in ragged gasps, clouds of mist escaping his lips in the freezing air.
Bob activated the Rolodex again, and the reels formed. The first reel locked in the Acid Slime card, and the second reel locked in a 50x multiplier. The reels vanished and 50 acid slimes appeared next to Bob.
The frost hound snarled, its glowing blue eyes locking onto him. Bob ducked low as another swipe tore through the space above his head, the claws leaving frost-coated scars along the cavern walls. His legs burned from constant movement, but he couldn’t stop—not yet. Another swipe forced him back, his foot catching on a loose chunk of ice. He stumbled but recovered just in time to avoid the beast’s snapping jaws.
“Come on, Bob,” he muttered, voice hoarse. “Think!”
His gaze darted around, searching for anything to use. He spotted a cluster of stalactites hanging overhead. An idea formed. Bob dove sideways again, barely avoiding another swipe. He had one chance. Digging deep, he pushed past the burning in his lungs and sprinted toward the cavern’s edge, baiting the beast into position beneath the deadly spikes.
He mentally commanded the Slimes to fire their acid spit at the stalactites once he was clear and the beast was beneath them. Bob ran as if his life depended on it, and it very well did. He barely cleared the field of his planned trap, before Snowball barreled into the area. The slimes unleashed blast after blast of acid into the caverns ceiling, dislodging the many stalactites above the creature. The cavern shook with the beasts steps, as the stalactites fell. Snowball howled in furious agony, as the hundreds of stalactites crashed into him from above. Each strike drove the beast down, until he was on the floor whining in pain.
The blue glow around the hounds eyes flickered briefly before intensifying. The beasts maw curled up into a menacing snarl, as its chest heaved. The beast unleashed a piercing howl that echoed through the chamber. A sapphire glow began to emanate form its throat, as a giant ball of ice formed in its mouth. The giant ball of ice was then launched toward the group of acid slimes.
Bob watched in horror as the projectile rocketed toward him. He ducked, as it passed just above his head and shattered against the slimes. All fifty of the slimes immediately frozen solid, and shattered. The essence floating until it was consumed by the Rolodex.
The hound shuddered, as it slowly got to its feet, exhaustion and rage warring across its face. Bob noticed the tiredness, and realized that the ice attack had just taken a lot out of the beast. Bob hoped that it couldn't use it again any time soon, because getting hit by that would surely spell his doom. Snowball shook itself, tiny ice chunks clattered to the floor. It looked at Bob, and growled low in its throat, as it took another step toward him.