Maria kept an eye on Matteo as she walked beside him. He jumped at even the slightest sounds, from rustling bushes to a kicked pebble. Tanalia took the lead while Chariot guarded the rear. She kept her sword drawn and scanned the surroundings. They ascended through a cavern into another winding ravine. Maria checked her map, hoping it would provide some direction.
It didn’t.
The ravines were a tangled mess of winding, interconnected tunnels. Maria looked back at Matteo. His demeanor hadn’t changed. Perhaps it would be better to lighten the mood a little.
“So, Matteo, what do you like?”
“Me?”
“Yeah. Tell us about something you like.”
“Why?”
“Maybe it’ll help calm your nerves a little.”
Matteo stared into the sky. “I uh… I like swords.”
“Swords are cool, yeah. I once saw a movi– er, a play, where two wizards with glowing swords fought each other.”
“Sounds fun. You’re adventurers? Right?”
“That we are,” Maria smiled. “I’m new to this, but these two have been at it for a while.”
“I want to be an adventurer.”
“Then steel your nerves,” said Chariot. “Your family’s in danger. Stop cowering like a rabbit.”
“You don’t have to be so harsh,” said Maria.
“For once I agree,” said Tanalia. “Adventurers gotta be brave. He’s better off becoming a stable boy or farm hand.”
“Don’t let them get you down, Matteo,” Maria said.
“But my mom says I’m not very brave.”
Tanalia burst out laughing while Chariot groaned.
Maria looked at the two, frustrated. “I’m sure you’ll be a great adventurer one day. It just takes practice.”
“I only have one more year until I’m put into the system, though.”
“That doesn't matter.”
“No, it doesn't,” Chariot said. “When I turned eighteen, my knight order threw me into the fire. Hell and hardship forged me into the warrior I am today. Enough beatings will strengthen anyone.”
“Sounds more like you just got abused,” Tanalia said.
“Hard work sounds like maltreatment to the indolent,” said Chariot. “Are you not a year older than I? Yet still at such a low level.”
“I never said how old I am.”
“Then enlighten me.”
“You don’t need to know.”
Chariot scowled at Tanalia, then focused on Matteo. “Stare down death enough times, and bravery will find you.”
Seeing Matteo rattling at the prospect of dying, Maria stepped in. “Find something worth giving your life for, and you won’t worry about fear.”
As the pair continued walking, they saw signs of Pythors having been through. They must have traveled far.
Maria opened her skill tree menu. If they were to perform a rescue, she needed to be prepared. She had four skill points. Maria looked at magic first. Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Lightning, Light, and Dark. All seemed like they would be fun to play with. Fire certainly appealed to her more. Who didn’t dream of shooting fire from their hands? After unlocking {Firebolt}, she had access to more skills, but two fire spells satisfied her for now. Versatility was more important. Water would make her more well-rounded, but Lightning and Light caught her attention. She opened the Lightning tab. Only {Sparks} was selectable. From there, {Lightning Bolt}, or {Lightning Spear} could be unlocked later.
Spell Unlocked!
Sparks - fires sparks of electricity from fingertips.
Cost: Drains mana gradually in prolonged use.
Base damage: 5
15% chance to give stun status effect.
A jingle played in her ears as the icon for the spell burned bright with a burst of electricity circling it. Maria added it to her equipment slot. It was short range, like {Flames}. Learning something with more range would be prudent. The choices were similar to the decision between {Firebolt} and {Fireball}. Higher power was more appealing.
Lightning Bolt - shoots a lightning bolt.
Cost: 10 mana
Base damage: 20
5% chance to give stun status effect.
Lightning Spear - Throw a powerful lightning bolt like a javelin
Cost: 25 mana
Base damage: 40
5% chance to give stun status effect.
Two skill points left. Maria pursed her lips and tapped at her chin as she looked back and forth between the options. Putting one into a sword skill like Chariot suggested might be good. Then again, maybe offense only wasn’t wise. She checked the Light category.
Basic Heal - casts gradual healing. Caster must be touching the injured ally.
Cost: Drains mana gradually in prolonged use.
Base health recovery: 5 HP/Sec
After the incident with Master Eardwulf, she had a feeling something like that might happen again. They were lucky Chariot had a healing potion, but there was no guarantee they’d always have healing potions. She could prioritize healing the team and reserve potions for emergencies. Thankfully, she remembered to restock on mana potions before leaving, bringing her total to three.
This side quest should be a piece of cake.
Spell Leveled Up!
Flames - Fire shoots from the caster's hand.
Lvl: 3 >> 4
Cost: Drains mana gradually in prolonged use.
Base damage: 7 >> 9
15% chance to give burn status effect.
Spell Unlocked!
Lightning Bolt - shoots a lightning bolt.
Cost: 10 mana
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Base damage: 20
5% chance to give stun status effect.
Spell Unlocked!
Basic Heal - casts gradual healing. Caster must be touching the injured ally.
Lvl: 1
Cost: Drains mana gradually in prolonged use.
Base health recovery: 5 HP/Sec
Tanalia came to a stop. She narrowed her eyes as she peered into the mouth of another cave.
“What is it?” Maria asked.
“We’re here. Let’s go in and give ‘em hell!”
Chariot squeezed the handle of her sword. “We can’t rush in.”
“Why not?”
“It’s reckless.” Chariot pointed to another cave opening high above them. “Let us go above them and scout them out. Knowing what we face will help ensure victory.”
Tanalia rolled her eyes, but Maria agreed with Chariot. Charging in was overruled.
The group slowly made their way up the ravine, scaling ladders and tilted ramps before passing through the cave. Upon reaching the exit, they found themselves standing at the peak of a wide, enclosed ravine. Vines and moss grew up the walls and hung from the ceiling. The head of a ladder was leaned against the railing directly before the group.
The walkways here didn’t cling to the walls. Instead, they were supported by protruding scaffolding, leaving a gap of almost three feet between the platforms and the ravine walls. The lack of guardrails was alarming, and there was an excess of ladders, stairs, ramps, and uneven paths. Rocks protruded so far that they created natural stone bridges over the canyon. A slender beam of sunlight penetrated a crack in the ceiling.
Below, a horde of Pythors marched. Maria gulped. They looked a lot scarier than the Hallows. They were armed with steel swords or axes and crowded around stolen carts filled with barrels, crates, and cloth wrappings. Stolen food and supplies, most likely. Most were positioned near the mouth of caves.
“It looks like your cart wasn’t the only one they’ve raided,” Chariot said to Matteo. “There’s a lot of stuff here.”
Beside one of the openings to the cave, four people were bound to wooden trunks: a middle-aged bearded man, a short girl who looked the same age as Matteo, and two men in steel armor.
“That’s your dad and sister, correct?” Maria asked.
Matteo nodded. “The two men are with us as well. They’re our guards. Jor is the one with the iron helmet, and Pieter is the other one. He lost his helmet.”
There didn’t seem to be any Pythors watching the prisoners. Many of them sauntered by, occasionally glancing at them.
Tanalia scanned the canyon once more before grinning. Her bow and an arrow materialized in her hand. She held the arrow out to Maria. “Light this for me.”
Maria looked at the arrow cautiously. She held her hand out, cast {Flames}, and ignited the tip.
Chariot’s eyes went wide. She tried snatching the arrow away, but Tanalia leapt to a higher rock.
“Trust me.” Tanalia walked towards the edge.
Maria peered over the side, looking for what Tanalia could be aiming for. Nothing stood out. She glanced at Tanalia and followed the trajectory of her shot. On the opposite end of the canyon, amidst the array of supplies stacked beside a cart, were red barrels. A large horde of Pythors were gathered around them, moving them into a cave. Maria’s eyes widened.
“Wait!” she yelled.
Tanalia released the arrow. It flew into the canyon and struck the red barrel.
The explosion shook the canyon. Boulders shifted and came crashing down. Much of the scaffolding was blown back, sending flaming shards of wood and debris everywhere.
Maria stumbled back, grabbing Matteo as he nearly fell over.
Hundreds of hisses rose in tune. The Pythors raised their weapons and scrambled. Several ran towards the explosion, but a few were more observant.
“Up there! I sssssssee them!”
“Intrudersssss!”
“Cut off their headssssss!”
“What were you thinking?” Chariot screamed.
“I made a distraction,” Tanalia said. “We can free them easily now.” She leaped off the side of the canyon and landed on the wooden scaffolding below. Again, she leaped across the chasm and rolled onto another platform in front of a Pythor. She kicked it over the side before drawing her bow and firing at approaching Pythors.
“That tom fool!” Chariot said.
Hordes of Pythors rushed towards Tanalia, ignoring everything else. “Well, she is distracting them,” Maria said.
Chariot groaned. “But now the whole camp knows we’re here.” She hurried over to the ladder. “Keep Matteo safe while I free his family. Hopefully I can get there before she blows them up too!” She climbed onto the ladder and slid down to the scaffolding below.
“What’s going to happen to them?” Matteo asked.
“Nothing. They’re going to be fine. Just stay with me.”
Tanalia fired her arrows at Pythors as they neared. One dropped from above, but she jumped back and kicked it off a ledge. Two Pythors were coming at her. She parried one of their swords with her dagger and knocked the blade away while blocking the other’s sword with her bow. The Pythors stumbled back, hissing. Their necks elongated, slithering high until it looked like half their body was balancing on a suit of armor. Tanalia slashed at the throat of one, causing it to squeal as it backed away. The other tried biting her, but she dodged the attack and sliced off its head.
One jumped down from the scaffolding above, catching Tanalia off guard. It slashed her across the back. She gasped and spun around. then threw her dagger into the creature's head.
Chariot ran across the scaffolding. The planks wobbled as she crossed over the deep chasm, but began wobbling harder. A Pythor was barreling towards her. She readied her sword, prepared to strike, but a plank gave way beneath her!
Maria cast {Lightning Bolt}, and electrocuted the Pythor before it struck Chariot. The attack launched the creature over the side of the scaffolding. A few seconds later, she received a small amount of XP and tattered cloth to her inventory.
“Maria!” Matteo yelled.
She spun around. A horde of Pythors were ascending the stone path, hissing and snarling. Seven approached. Too many to handle solo.
“Jusssssst come with ussssss,” one hissed.
“Sssssstay sssstill ssssso we can sssssslice you up into tiny piecessssss!”
“We need to run!” She grabbed Matteo’s arm and pulled him over to the ladder.
Matteo descended the ladder as Maria cast {Sparks}. Crackling lightning flew from her fingertips. It zapped two Pythors, causing them to spasm. When Matteo reached the bottom, Maria hurried after him. Her MP had dropped to {74/91}.
The planks rattled as they crossed the chasm to the other side.
Three Pythors dropped down and ran across the beams without fear. Their eyes were crimson and glowing. “After her!”
Maria pulled Matteo off the bridge and struck it with {Firebolt}. The wood shattered and collapsed, along with three foes.
Another Pythor dropped in front of Maria. It elongated its neck and hissed before striking. She drew her sword. When their blades collided, Maria pushed the Pythor aside, then thrust deep into its neck. It staggered, giving Maria a chance to pierce its heart. She grabbed its sword before the monster's corpse fell off the edge.
Maria presented the sword to Matteo.“You said you wanted to be an adventurer, right? You’ll need this.”
Matteo gulped before taking the blade.
“Good. Let’s keep moving. Follow me!”
From the caves below, another wave of Pythors swarmed out. They ascended the scaffolding, hurrying to Matteo's family. The fires from the explosion had spread and burned away the walkways and ramps. In a few minutes, the fire would reach Matteo's family.
Tanalia leapt down onto the platform and raced towards his family. She ducked under the swing of a Pythor and slashed it as she hurried past. It screeched and coiled its neck around Tanalia before collapsing, keeping her tight in its grasp. “Hey! Bastard!” she yelled. Another one came running, raising its ax to chop her.
Maria cast {Lightning Bolt} and struck the monster from across the canyon. It spasmed, giving Tanalia a chance to land a lethal backstab. It vanished into polygons and freed her.
Chariot deflected a Pythor’s attack and pushed it off the edge. “Maria, this way!” She stood at the start of another bridge over to the other side of the chasm. Maria looked ahead, and on the other side, beside the bridge, was a ladder leading to another bridge that would bring them straight to Matteo's family.
Pythors approached from both sides.
“Their numbers are too great,” Chariot said.
Maria looked around. Another piece of scaffolding was below with a ladder attached that led directly to Matteo's family.
“Jump down there,” Maria said.
“Proceed first. I shall defend.” Chariot swung, sending a horizontal arc of light at an approaching horde of Pythors. It slashed through them, draining their health, though not completely.
Maria took a few steps back and pushed off the edge, crashing into the scaffolding below. The wood creaked under her. At least it was secure to the wall. She turned back to Chariot and Matteo.
“Matteo! Jump!”
“What?” he yelled. “I can’t!”
“It’s your first time staring death in the face,” Chariot said. “Find your bravery and jump.”
“I’ll catch you!” Maria said.
Matteo tucked his sword into his belt. He took a few deep breaths, then ran and jumped. Maria held her arms out to catch him, but as he landed, the wooden scaffolding shattered in two, and the pair plummeted. They screamed as they crashed into another layer of scaffolding below.
Maria groaned, gasping for air. Matteo had landed on her, softening his fall, but worsening hers. Her health dropped to {453/532}.
“Are you hurt?!” Chariot flung another arc of light at the Pythors.
Maria pushed Matteo off before nodding her head.
“I shall find another way down! Make haste!”
Maria got back to her feet and ran with Matteo down a ramp, and onto the wooden platform where his family was being held. The four of them struggled against their bindings.
“Matteo!” the bearded man said.
“Dad! Silke!” Matteo hurried over and cut the ropes binding them.
Tanalia fended off most of the Pythors. She kept her distance, firing arrows. Chariot ran across the scaffolding to the other end of the chasm with a trio of Pythors giving chase. Tanalia aimed and shot the lead one in the neck, sending it staggering into the other two. Seizing the opportunity, Chariot hurled another arc of light, sending all three off the ledge.
Maria freed the two guards. “Thanks,” one of them said. He picked up one of the Pythors weapons, and handed it to his partner, before grabbing an ax for himself. The guards hurried over to Matteo’s father and sister, making sure they were okay.
Chariot reached the platform, panting, and holding her side. She was out of breath and bleeding. “Is everyone safe?”
The guards nodded, as did the father.
“More are coming,” Tanalia said.
A swarm of Pythors emerging from the caves. It didn’t seem like it would ever end. The fire had reached the platform and started eating away at the barrels and crates stacked around. One of them was red.
“Everyone, run!” Maria yelled.
The others looked in her direction, spotted the barrel, and followed Maria as she ran for the cave behind them.
The red barrel exploded, shaking the cave a second time and collapsing the ceiling. Scaffolding shattered under the weight of boulders as they came crashing down. Everyone hurried into the mouth of the cave, narrowly avoiding a large boulder as it crashed through the platform. Splinters and flaming pieces of wood flew everywhere. Two more boulders came crashing down before the entrance, sealing it off. The group was engulfed in darkness.