Elara watched as Ignatius focused his energy, the flames at the tip of his staff flaring brighter and brighter until the entire chamber was awash in a warm light. They found themselves in a cavern smaller than the one they’d fallen from, but thick, sticky cobwebs still draped every surface.
The group moved cautiously, their footsteps muffled by the webs that stretched beneath them. She could feel the strands tugging at her boots with each step, the sensation unpleasant.
Velma’s voice cut through the silence. “Hold up,” she said, crouching down to examine something on the ground. “There’s something here.”
Elara and the others gathered around her, watching as she used her heated blade to slice through the cobwebs near her feet. As the strands fell away, Elara’s eyes widened in surprise.
Beneath the layer of webs they stood on was nothing but air, a gaping void that stretched out into the darkness below. She leaned forward, her heart pounding in her chest as she peered down into the darkness.
Far below, she could just make out the glint of another layer of cobwebs, the strands stretching across the void like a net. The sight made her stomach churn.
Isolde stepped forward, her eyes scanning the chamber for any sign of an exit. “We need to find a way out of here,” she said, her voice steady despite the tension that hung in the air.
Velma stood up. “Should we head downwards?” she asked. The idea of descending even deeper into the unknown made Elara’s stomach churn. She glanced around at the others, trying to gauge their reactions. To her surprise, neither Isolde nor Ignatius seemed averse to the suggestion.
Ignatius stroked his non-existing beard thoughtfully, the flames from his staff casting flickering shadows across his face. “It may be the right way,” he mused. “Perhaps a shortcut to the dungeon boss. I say we give it a try.”
Elara couldn’t help but wonder if they had experienced something like this before. Their calm demeanor in the face of such uncertainty was both impressive and unnerving.
Isolde remained silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on the opening above them where they had fallen through. “The others may have met the same fate as us,” she said finally. “Or they could be looking for us. I think we should wait a few more minutes to see if they come for us.”
Elara nodded in agreement, relieved to have a moment to gather her thoughts. She didn’t relish the idea of waiting in this eerie chamber, but the thought of plunging deeper into the unknown was even less appealing.
The group instinctively huddled together, seeking comfort in their proximity. Ignatius closed his eyes, entering a meditative state. His breathing slowed, becoming deep and rhythmic.
Velma, on the other hand, was restless. She paced back and forth, her eyes frequently darting to the abyss below. Every few seconds, she would stop and peer into the darkness, as if expecting something to emerge.
Isolde was alert and watchful. She scanned the surroundings with keen eyes, her hand never straying far from the hilt of her weapon. Every now and then, she would tilt her head, listening closely for any sign of danger approaching.
The cave’s heavy darkness made each minute seem endless. Elara gripped the hilt of her dagger tightly, ready to defend herself if necessary.
Finally, after what felt like an age, Isolde spoke up. “It’s been long enough,” she said, her voice firm. “If the others were coming, they would have been here by now. We need to decide.”
Elara’s heart raced as she watched Velma and Ignatius exchange determined nods, their decision clear. Their gazes turned to her, and she felt a sudden rush of uncertainty. She hadn’t expected to have a say in the matter, and the weight of the decision made her palms sweat.
“I... I’m not sure,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. “I trust your experience, but this feels...” she trailed off, unable to find the right words to express her unease.
Isolde, sensing her hesitation, stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I understand your concerns,” she said, her voice gentle but firm. “But I believe going down is our best option. I’ll help you get down safely, so don’t worry.”
Elara looked into her eyes, searching for any hint of doubt or uncertainty. But all she found was a steady confidence that helped to calm her. She took a deep breath and nodded, steeling herself for what lay ahead.
“Okay,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Let’s do it.”
Ignatius and Velma exchanged a glance, a silent communication passing between them. Then, without a word, they prepared for the descent.
Ignatius focused his energy, the flames from his staff flaring brighter and illuminating the chamber in a warm, flickering light. Velma, meanwhile, used her heated blade to slice through the cobwebs near the edge of the opening, clearing a path for them to descend.
Fixated on the opening below, Velma inhaled deeply. “I’ll go first,” she said, her voice steady. “Wait until I give a signal before following.”
With that, she stepped forward and jumped, plummeting into the darkness below. Elara watched with bated breath as Velma’s form disappeared into the void, the sound of her landing muffled by the thick cobwebs.
Seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. Then, finally, Velma’s voice echoed up from below. “All clear!” she called, her tone triumphant.
Ignatius nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. After a brief pause, he also took a step forward and disappeared into the darkness.
Elara watched as he faded from view, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she was next, but the thought of jumping into the unknown made her palms sweat and her stomach churn.
Without warning, an arm encircled her midsection and drew her near. She looked up in surprise to see Isolde grinning down at her, a mischievous glint in her eye.
“Hold on tight,” Isolde said, her voice laced with amusement.
Before Elara could protest, Isolde lifted her off her feet, holding her in a princess carry. Elara felt her face flush with embarrassment, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it as Isolde stepped forward.
The sensation of falling was both terrifying and exhilarating. She clung to Isolde, her eyes squeezed shut as the air rushed past them. She could feel the cobwebs brushing against her skin, their sticky strands clinging to her clothes.
Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, it was over. They landed on the cobwebs below; the strands bouncing under their weight. She felt a rush of relief as Isolde set her back on her feet, a grin still playing at the corners of her mouth.
“See?” Isolde said, her tone teasing. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
She couldn’t help but smile, her heart still racing from the adrenaline of the jump. She knew Isolde had carried her like that on purpose, likely to fluster her, but she found she didn’t mind as much as she thought she would.
She watched as Velma crouched down once more, using her heated blade to slice through the cobwebs that stretched across the opening below. The strands fell away, revealing another layer of the cavern beneath them.
Ignatius stepped forward. He focused his energy, the flames at the tip of his staff flaring brighter and brighter until they were almost blinding. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he sent the fire plummeting into the darkness below.
The flames illuminated the surrounding as they fell. Elara leaned forward, her eyes wide as she took in the sight. The cavern below was even larger than the one they were in now, its walls stretching out into the darkness.
She could see the glint of cobwebs stretching across the cavern floor, the strands glittering in the light of Ignatius’s fire. Velma straightened up, her blade still glowing with heat. “Looks clear,” she said, her voice echoing in the cavern’s silence.
Ignatius nodded, his eyes fixed on the opening below. “I’ll go first this time,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
He stepped forward, his staff held high as he fell into the void. Elara watched as he disappeared from view, the sound of his landing muffled by the cobwebs below. Velma followed soon after, her blade flashing as she leaped into the darkness.
Once again, Isolde wrapped an arm around Elara’s middle, pulling her close. Elara felt her face flush, but she didn’t protest as Isolde lifted her off her feet.
The sensation of falling was just as terrifying as before, but this time, she kept her eyes open. She watched as the walls of the cavern rushed past them; the cobwebs brushing against her skin as they fell.
They landed on the cobwebs below; the strands bouncing under their weight. She could feel the stickiness of the webs clinging to her clothes, but she tried to ignore it as Isolde set her back on her feet.
Her gaze swept the cavern. It was even larger than she had imagined; the walls stretching out into the darkness beyond the reach of Ignatius’s fire. She could hear skittering in the distance, the noise making the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
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She could see the others in the group tensing up, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons as they scanned the darkness.
Velma’s voice cut through the tense silence. “If whatever’s making that noise comes close, should we fight or keep heading down?” she asked, her tone serious.
Isolde paused for a moment, considering the question. “It depends on how many there are,” she said finally, her brow furrowed in thought. “If it is over two, fighting might not be the best option.”
She glanced sideways at Ignatius, a hint of concern in her eyes. “And if it comes to a fight, Ignatius’s fire could destroy the webs we’re standing on.”
Ignatius nodded, his expression grim. “Isolde’s right,” he said, his voice low. “If we’re not careful, we could end up separated and falling even further into this place.”
Elara swallowed hard. The thought of plummeting into the unknown alone twisted her insides. She gripped the hilt of her dagger tightly, her palms sweating as she tried to calm her heart.
The skittering sound grew louder, echoing off the walls of the cavern. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end, her body tensing as she prepared for whatever was coming.
Out of the darkness, a figure appeared, scurrying toward them on thin, elongated limbs. Elara’s eyes widened as she took in the sight of the creature, its body covered in thick, bristly hair and its eyes glinting in the light of Ignatius’s fire.
It was a spider, but not like any spider she had ever seen before. It was massive, easily the size of a horse as it approached.
Velma cursed under her breath, her blade flashing as she shifted into a defensive stance. Isolde and Ignatius followed suit, their weapons at the ready as they faced down the monstrous arachnid.
Elara’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched the creature approach, its movements jerky and unnatural. She knew they were in for a fight, but the thought of taking on such a beast on the unstable surface of the cobwebs made her blood run cold.
She took out her dagger and assumed a defensive stance, her heart pounding in her chest as she faced down the monstrous spider. She used her inspect skill on the creature.
Ivoryfangling [Level: 44]
The words flashed before her eyes. She was surprised at seeing the level.
Velma stood closest to the creature when it struck. The spider lunged, fangs gleaming in the flickering light of Ignatius’s fire. Reacting instantly, Velma raised her blade, deflecting the attack with a sharp clang. She twisted to the side, attempting to sidestep the beast and create some distance.
But the webbing under her feet hindered her movements, slowing her down and making it difficult to maneuver. “Shit,” Velma cursed, realizing the danger she was now in.
Elara’s mind raced as she tried to come up with a plan to intervene. She knew Velma wouldn’t be able to hold off the spider for long, not with the unstable footing of the cobwebs.
But before she could act, she heard Isolde let out a noise. She turned just in time to see Isolde swing her flail, the spiked ball at the end of the chain whipping through the air.
For a moment, she wondered why Isolde was attacking from such a distance. The spider was well out of range of her weapon, and it seemed like a futile gesture.
But then, to her amazement, the chain attaching the spiked ball to the wooden handle extended. It grew longer and longer, snaking through the air towards the spider with incredible speed.
The spiked ball slammed into the spider’s side with a sickening crunch, sending the creature flying. It let out an ear-piercing screech as it was sent flying, its legs flailing in the air.
But before the spider could recover, Ignatius saw his moment to strike. With a flourish of his staff, he summoned a bolt of fire; the flames crackling with heat. He aimed, arranging his shot for when the spider was completely airborne.
The firebolt streaked through the air, leaving a trail of sparks in its wake. It struck the spider directly in its underbelly, engulfing the creature in a blaze of searing flames.
The Ivoryfangling let out an agonized shriek as the fire consumed it, its bristly hair catching alight like kindling. It thrashed and writhed, its movements becoming more and more erratic as the flames ate away at its body.
Elara watched in a mix of awe and horror as the spider’s struggles grew weaker and weaker, until finally, it lay still, its charred remains on the cobwebs.
The cavern fell silent. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, her heart still pounding in her chest.
She watched as Isolde retracted the chain, snapping it back into place at the end of the handle. She had never seen a weapon like that before, and the sight of it in action left her amazed.
Velma, who had been closest to the spider when it attacked, was panting, her blade still held at the ready. She looked shaken but unharmed, thanks to Isolde’s timely intervention.
Isolde herself was standing with her flail held loosely at her side, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. She looked almost casual, as if taking down monstrous spiders was just another day.
Isolde turned to Velma, concern etched on her face. “Are you alright?”
Velma nodded, her breathing still heavy from the close call. “Yes, I’m fine. We can continue downwards.”
Isolde paused for a moment, her brow furrowed. “I want to risk setting fire to the cobwebs,” she said finally, her tone serious. “The spiders seem weak against it.”
Elara’s eyes widened at the suggestion, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of the entire cavern going up in flames. But before she could voice her concerns, Isolde continued.
“I’m confident in keeping myself and Alira safe,” she said, her voice steady and assured.
Velma considered the proposal for a moment, her eyes scanning the cobwebs that stretched out before them. “I would prefer if we did it layer by layer first,” she said finally, her tone thoughtful. “If we hurry, we might be able to set fire to it at the end and fry them all at once.”
She glanced down at the cobwebs beneath her feet, a hint of distaste in her expression. “I just don’t want to fight whilst standing on cobwebs.”
Isolde nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “Agreed,” she said, her tone decisive. “We’ll do it your way.”
Ignatius, who had been listening to the exchange in silence, spoke up. “I’m in agreement as well,” he said, his voice low and serious. “Setting fire to the cobwebs could be risky, but if we’re careful and strategic about it, it could give us a significant advantage.”
Elara watched as Velma cut a path through the thick cobwebs, her heated blade slicing through the strands with ease. The webs sizzled and burned as they fell away, clearing a path for them to descend.
With a nod to the others, Velma jumped down, disappearing into the darkness below. Ignatius followed close behind, his staff held high as he lit the way with his fire.
Isolde wrapped an arm around Elara’s waist, pulling her close once more. This time, Elara’s face warmed only slightly, as Isolde effortlessly lifted her off her feet and leaped into the hole.
They fell through layer after layer of cobwebs; the strands brushing against their skin as they plummeted deeper into the cavern. Each time they landed, they could hear the skittering of spiders in the distance, the sound growing louder and more numerous with each descent.
But they were quick, moving with purpose as they dodged the approaching arachnids and jumped to the next layer. She clung to Isolde, her heart pounding in her chest as they fell.
After passing through four more layers, they finally reached one that differed from the others. The cobwebs here were much thicker, the strands so dense that they almost seemed to form a solid surface.
Velma paused, her blade still glowing with heat as she examined the webs. “This is going to be tougher to cut through,” she said, her brow furrowed in concentration.
Elara watched as Isolde looked upwards, her expression growing tense. “We don’t have time,” Isolde said, her voice urgent. “The spiders we dodged know there’s an intruder now. They're coming after us.”
She turned her gaze to Velma, who was struggling to get her blade inside the thick webbing. The strands were so dense that even the heated metal couldn’t seem to penetrate them.
Isolde turned to Ignatius, her eyes flashing with determination. “Torch the place,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Webbing this thick probably means we’re close to the nest or the boss.”
Velma let out a noise of frustration, but she nodded in agreement. She stepped back from the webbing, her blade still glowing with heat.
Isolde turned to Ignatius again, her voice low and serious. “First, get us inside the next layer,” she said, gesturing to the dense webbing beneath their feet. “Then torch the ones above us.”
Ignatius grinned, a glint of excitement in his eyes. “It would be my pleasure,” he said, his voice almost gleeful.
He stepped forward, placing his staff on the webbed ground. He let loose a concentrated beam of fire directly into the webbing from the bottom of his staff.
The strands burned away instantly; the flames eating through the dense webbing like it was nothing. Elara watched in amazement as the fire spread, the heat intense enough that she could feel it on her face even from a distance.
Velma dodged out of the way of the spreading flames, her movements quick. But Isolde remained standing where she was, still holding Elara.
She watched in awe as the intense flame from Ignatius’s staff continued to burn through the dense webbing; the opening growing larger and larger with each passing second. The heat was intense, and she could feel it on her face even from a distance. Roaring fire cast flickering shadows on the cavern walls, revealing the glistening, sticky threads of the webbing that had ensnared them.
Finally, after a few more seconds, Ignatius stopped his fire and waved at the entrance he had created. “Ladies first,” he said, a small grin on his face. His eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and relief, the light from the residual flames reflecting off his sweat-dampened brow.
Velma didn’t hesitate, immediately jumping down into the opening. “Ever the gentleman,” she called back up to Ignatius, her tone teasing but her movements precise. She landed with a soft thud, her agile form quickly scanning the new chamber for threats.
Isolde followed close behind, still holding Elara in her arms. As they fell, she took in the sight of the room below them. It was yet another chamber filled with webs; the strands covering the walls and most of the ground.
In the middle of the room, she could see a large ball of webbing, attached to the layer they had just jumped from. And on that ball, to her horror, were dozens of spiders, ranging in size from that of a dog to a horse. Their eyes glittered menacingly in the low light, and their mandibles clicked rhythmically, creating a nightmarish symphony that sent chills down her spine.
But amidst the terror of the arachnids, she felt a sudden surge of relief. Because there, in the room, she could see the ground. Actual, solid ground, not just more webs. She had never been so happy to see dirt in her life. It was a small island of safety in an ocean of nightmares.
Velma had already made her way over to a rock sticking out of the ground. Her movements swift, her eyes constantly scanning for any threats getting close. Isolde landed beside her, setting Elara down on the boulder as well. The rock was cool and solid beneath her, a stark contrast to the sticky, shifting webbing they had been navigating.
She looked up at Ignatius, who was still on the last layer above them. Her eyes widened as she saw ten fireballs swirling around him, growing larger and larger until they were the size of his head. Each one burned with an intensity that lit up the entire chamber, casting shadows that danced wildly on the walls.
With a flourish of his staff, Ignatius hurled the fireballs upwards, sending them spinning and torching anything in their path. The fireballs streaked through the air like comets, their flames consuming the webbing and incinerating the spiders caught in their path. It was a magnificent display of pyromania, and she couldn’t help but stare in wonder.
Ignatius jumped down to join them, landing and running over to the boulder where they stood. His eyes were sharp and focused, a stark contrast to the relaxed grin he had worn earlier. Elara’s heart was pounding in her chest, the adrenaline of their descent still coursing through her veins. She could feel the residual heat from the fireballs radiating from him, and the smell of burnt webbing filled the air.