The ground around Synn turned icy as a frosty cold blue wave rushed out with him as the epicentre. Whenever it reached an enemy troll, it would rush up them, encasing them in a thick wintery tomb. Nothing was safe, the two troll kings were also wrapped in layer upon layer of ice. Unfortunately, two of the members of the Venomous Stingers were also caught up in the edge of it unable to exit the danger zone before Synn had been forced into releasing the skill.

“Pull them out quick before I lose control of the skill.” Synn’s gritted teeth as he focused to hold his enemies in place.

The Venomous Stingers pulled their colleagues to safety and Synn gave them a bit of extra time to go out beyond the boundary of the skill before he pulled his open hands into tightly clenched fists.

Cracks started to appear on each of the low level trolls and then, like the sound of glasses shattering in sequence they started to burst apart turning into smaller chunks that tinkled to the ground and a mist of fine powder sprinkled throughout the air, shimmering in the bright light shining down from the sky.

The two troll kings were cracking a lot slower than the minions who had already been shattered.

“Synn? are you okay?” both Lance and Sophie called out.

“Yeah. They’re. Just. A. Little. Bit. Tougher.” He panted out in reply.

The two ice statues began to vibrate, rattling against the frozen ground as they did so. Finally, they shattered just like the lesser ice trolls before them, and Synn slumped to the ground. His breathing heavy, brow dripping with sweat, and his limbs shaking from the physical and mental drain operating the skill had taken.

“Synn! That was amazing!” Sophie cooed.

“Dude. Major respect. That was one heck of a finishing move.” Lance held his hand out to fist bump.

“What the hell was that you prick?” A foot came flying in catching Synn in the arm as he’d realised with just enough time to pull his arm close to the side of his body and defend. He rolled with the blow reducing the force and quickly popped up to his feet despite every part of his aching body screaming at him to lie down and take a nap.

“What’s the matter with you?” Lance stepped in pushing his fingers into Brad’s collarbone. “He just put himself on the line to keep us all safe.”

“Convenient that two of mine were injured in the process. Don’t you think?”

“Aww, did they get a little chill in their toes? We saw that Synn managed to hold it back in that area meaning it barely touched their boots. They could have ended up in ice coffins like all those trolls.”

“I’m sure that is what he was hoping for!” Brad spat at Synn, who had finally relaxed his combat ready stance with Lance acting as his personal guard.

Danika came over and put a hand on Brad’s upper arm. “Leave it Brad, everyone has survived, and we all got a decent chunk of experience points to help us level. I know for a fact that Synn gets nothing due to his broken skill.”

“Ha ha.” Brad started to laugh. “You got nothing for that? Oh, this is too brilliant. You really are a waste of an individual. Oh, thank you Danika. I really need that laugh” He leaned in, kissed her in front of Synn and then turned to walk away.

Sophie wrapped Synn up in a hug from behind. “You okay?” She whispered.

“I will be. Thanks Sophie.”

“Hey, its what friends are for and if you want to make them jealous? I am more than happy to go even further than a kiss, right here, right now.” She chuckled while pinching him in the side.

Tensing from the pinch but also chuckling reminded Synn just how much pain he was in. Seeing the wince on his face Lance called over their healer. The healer was only a level 5 but that was all that was needed for a continuous healing spell which was then followed up with a refresh spell. It was far from a perfect patch up but for battlefield first aid it was practically exemplary. Healers could make a fortune by working from the safety of hospitals, churches, and guild halls so very few were willing to actual brave rifts and dungeons. Synn made a mental note that whatever rewards he got he would make sure that the healer got a bonus payment from him.

“Okay, that is plenty of healing for you. Stay still any longer and I’m sure Sophie will have changed into a nurse outfit to personally take care of you.”

“Hey!” Sophie pouted. “I’m not that bad! Am I?” Her eyes pleading Synn to offer her a reprieve.

“Your good Soph. It’s nice to be surrounded by people who care about me.”

“Ooo, a pet name. I knew you liked me Synn.” She nudged him with her hip as they strolled back to the group.

Before Synn could respond Lance was calling out to the squads to form a new plan of attack. “Okay scouts, tell me what you’ve found.” He beckoned to them to speak.

“There doesn’t seem to be many other beasts wandering the rift which is surprising.” The first scout answered

“Agreed.” Supported a second scout. “If this is going to break and turn into a nest it should be respawning at a phenomenal rate about now ready to flood our downtown area.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“I have another hypothesis.” Samson interjected. “We have found a stairway leading down several hundred steps to a subterranean level. Based on the elaborately carved and inlaid bronze doors at the base of the stairs I’d speculate it is a gateway to a dungeon. Now, if this is the case, I’m guessing that whatever got too big for this dungeon is drawing in all the ambient energy leaving none for respawns and… that to me is even more frightening.” Leaving the group in stunned silence. After a short moment Lance attempted to introduce some levity.

“Wow, way to bring the mood down Samson!” chuckling at his own line.

“Well,” Sophie sighed “I guess we know where we’re heading next. Thanks Samson.” Her eye roll emphasizing her mocking which brought laughter to the rest of the group.

“I’m glad we’re all smiling again but this next part is serious. If Samson is right then this dungeon is, I’m going to say guaranteed to be dangerous.” Lance began to outline his plan. “So, with that in mind. I understand those who don’t wish to continue but, for those who do we are going to tear this dungeon down.” His fist thrown up in the air for dramatic effect.

“Hell Yeah!” the others chorused in response.

They kept their guard up as they swept the riftscape on the way to the dungeon entrance, but they found no new foes and so decided that, with their backs clear they should enter. There were 350 steps going down to what was two gigantic, sculpted dragons either side of the tall, ornate bronze doors. The dragons were amazingly lifelike to the point that everyone almost expected to have to battle them the next moment, although if they did it would be while retreating up the steps.

Reestablishing the squads, Lance had the teams move in and start pushing the doors. The left door was reluctant to move but the right door slowly began to creep open, so he moved an extra squad across to support and before long they had a way in.

“Okay people. This is it. We’re going in as cautiously as possible. Nobody moves away from the entry until we have an idea of what we’re up against. All understood?”

Cries of “Understood” and “Yes” went up as they acknowledged the instructions.

They filed into the room a squad at a time while the full group from the Venomous Stingers almost rushed in as a single unit, having now joined them at the dungeon.

The room opened into a large chamber. It was a huge, hollowed cave with decorative pillars spaced at regular intervals to reinforce the ceiling. Apart from all the jaw dropping architecture, the room was empty. People started testing walls and the pillars for secret passages when suddenly, a loud hot snort was heard behind a group from the Venomous Stingers.

Panic crept in and they slowly turned around as out from the shadowy walls stepped a 15-metre-long drake that had begun to glow with an eerie purple hue.

“It’s evolving.” Synn shouted. His childhood education kicking in once more. “Based on its length and the horns sprouting from it’s head it’s about to turn in to a full-blown dragon.”

“What can we do?” Lance worriedly asked. Fear for his friends evident in every feature of his face and voice.

“We can back up slowly and leave, wait for support before we come back, or we can engage it now and be in for the fight of our lives.”

“Got ya! All squads on me! We’re falling back to the doors.”

All the members from their squad agreed with the assessment and began to slowly step away. Walking backwards so as not to invite an easy attack. Instead of being sensible like Synn and Lance the Venomous Stingers instead decided it was a great time to provoke the drake.

“Oh no, be ready to scatter.” A panicked Lance cried out. And just as he finished the drake roared and started to fire out laser like shots at the entire room before jumping towards the fleet-footed member of the Stingers who had tried to stab it in the eye before heading to the doors with super speed activated.

Fortunately, everyone from the squads had managed to avoid the incoming shots but a few had ended up circling round the drake and were now deeper into the room. This group of 5 included Lance, Sophie, Danika, and two other Stingers that Synn hadn’t had the pleasure of being introduced to.

Synn wasn’t one to watch his friends being injured so he stormed at the drake clanging his swords together to create as much noise as possible.

The drake however refused to turn around, even with the din that Synn was making. Well, that was until two swords slashed into the flesh of the drake’s tail.

Syphon activated – Skill Void Blast acquired!

Stats boosted!

Warning! Void Blast too high level. Switching to lesser version…Void Bullet.

Synn fired a newly acquired void bullet at the left hind leg of the drake as he sprinted down past the drake to draw its ire towards himself.

“I’ve pulled the aggro so head to the doors now while you can.” He called to the trapped group.

Not wasting any time Lance led the rescued party towards the doors while Sophie and Danika both let their eyes pause on Synn as he fought the drake to protect them before their very eyes.

“Come on you two. You can thank Synn properly by getting a move on so he can start his own retreat.”

“Yes, yes. That’s for the best. He will be okay, won’t he?” fear evident in Sophie’s voice.

“If anyone can find a way it would be Synn.” Danika reassured her as they both started moving again.

The doors were already beginning to close as Lance, Sophie, and Danika ran through.

“Hey, that’s too much. We need to keep a gap for Synn to escape through” Lance called as he turned to see the door about to fully close. He put his hands on it but the momentum was to great and it clicked into place.

“What the hell was that?” Lance roared as he turned on those left from the Venomous Stingers.

“We were thinking bigger picture. We’ve lost too many already today and if that gets loose it would be us and the outside world turned into energy for it to finish evolving to a full dragon. Nobody wants that. Do they?” Brad stared back at Lance a smirk starting to form.

Danika stepped up and slapped Brad. “No. Get that door open now. Synn has... he must come out.” Tears running down her cheeks already.

Behind Brad one of his cronies spoke up. “Not sure this one is a good fit for us Brad.”

“No, she is! She’s just having a bit of trouble letting go of her past. Isn’t that right dear? Even you must see that there would have been more casualties if we’d allowed the door to stay open.”

“Funny how you weren’t willing to fight to save Danika.” Lance shoved Brad away. “Okay squads. Clear these limp stingers and get this door open. I want it opened asap so we can get Synn out in one piece.”

No matter how they tried to push the door, it just wouldn’t open, even with energy and super strength being used the door wouldn’t budge.

Lance’s best guess at this point was that it was a timed mechanism. He just hoped Synn could hold on long enough for it to reset and help to arrive.