Chapter 21

We crouched down, sifting through the remains of the Lurker. My HUD pinged, highlighting several items of interest.

Manavore Crystal Fragment

Rarity: Rare

Description: A shard of the Lurker’s core, this crystal is imbued with mana-draining properties. Useful in crafting and alchemy.

Lurker’s Claw

Rarity: Uncommon

Description: The sharp, crystalline claw of the Manavore Lurker. It can be used to craft weapons or armor with a natural resistance to magic, or refined into alchemical components for nullifying enchantments.

Mana-Infused Hide

Rarity: Common

Description: A piece of the Lurker’s tough, mana-infused hide. It’s durable and flexible, ideal for crafting lightweight armor or enchantment-resistant clothing.

I carefully stored the items in my spatial storage, marveling at the glowing fragments and oddly beautiful sheen of the hide. Sitting back on my heels, I looked up at Felix.

“Did you find the key?” I asked, brushing dust off my hands.

Felix shook his head, his brow furrowed in concentration. “No, like I thought, we have to finish this corridor to get it.” He sighed and glanced around. “What time is it?”

I checked the arm panel on my suit, the display glowing softly. “Just after noon.” I frowned. “It took us longer than I thought to get through that fight and gather everything from the other rooms.”

Felix rubbed at his face, looking weary. “We’ve been running on fumes for a few days. We need to be smart about how much more we take on today, especially if we want to be in decent shape for that call with John.”

Nodding, I accessed my inventory and pulled out two of the health potions I’d picked up. “Yeah, I hear you.” I downed the red liquid in a single gulp, feeling the familiar sensation of the potion stitching up my wounds. A subtle warmth spread through my body, the flavor reminding me of red cream soda with an odd, cough syrup aftertaste. “Ugh, not bad, but not my favorite,” I muttered, grimacing as the healing energy surged through me, easing the aches and pains that lingered from the fight.

Felix grinned, taking the other potion while watching me with a raised eyebrow. “Red potion down, blue one to go?”

“Yep.” I unstoppered the mana potion and hesitated for just a moment before drinking it. The blue liquid was cool and effervescent, like carbonated blue Gatorade. It filled me with a surprising rush of energy that chased away the lingering mental fatigue. “Whoa,” I gasped, feeling a sudden, strange craving for a Crunchwrap. “That’s... different. Feels like I just drank ten espressos without the jitters.”

Felix chuckled softly, holding his own empty potion bottle. “Yeah, I’m definitely good to go.” He glanced over at me, his expression turning serious. “How many do you have left?”

I frowned and did a quick count. “Only three. I don’t even remember where I picked them up. I must have been more focused on other stuff.” My gaze shifted to Byte, who was limping around in slow, unsteady circles. His frame was dented and bent at weird angles, sparks flickering from the joints of his damaged leg. My heart twisted with guilt. “Oh, buddy! I’m so sorry!” I rushed over, scooping the little robot into my lap and inspecting the extent of his injuries.

Byte let out a soft, apologetic whirr, his single good leg retracting slightly as if to say he was okay. But he clearly wasn’t. His chassis was a mess, the metal plating cracked and the wires exposed. One of his legs was nearly detached, hanging awkwardly from its socket.

“Hey, Felix, can you finish gathering those mushrooms and any loose crystals?” I asked, gently setting Byte down and pulling out my toolkit. “I think I can get him patched up in an hour or so. That should give us another two to three hours to finish this corridor before we have to call John.”

Felix nodded, his expression softening as he watched me work. “Sure thing. Don’t worry about it. You take care of Byte, I’ll handle the rest.”

I cradled Byte gently in my lap, feeling the sharp edges of his battered frame dig into my palms. The little bot let out a low, plaintive whine, his single good leg twitching pitifully. I bit back a sigh. There was no way I could do a perfect repair job in under an hour but time was of the essence and we didn’t have any to waste.

“Alright, buddy,” I murmured, patting Byte’s damaged exterior softly. “This isn’t going to be pretty, but we’ll get you moving.” Byte went into low power mode and began recharging from the ambient mana in the room.

I dug through my spacial storage and pulled out mismatched parts from the mechweavers, and bits of metal scrap. Nothing here was ideal for repairs of Byte’s current spherical form, but beggars couldn’t be choosers.

I started reattaching Byte’s nearly dislodged leg. Sparks flew as my tool hissed against the damaged joint. “Hold still,” I muttered, steadying the leg with my other hand.

With the leg more or less reattached—though with a slight wobble I’d need to address later—I moved on to his chassis. One of his internal circuits had been completely severed, the exposed wires poking out like broken bones. I gritted my teeth, using a rusted screw to hold the circuit board together and wrapping the wire around it to create a crude connection. The improvised fix sent a faint pulse of energy through Byte’s frame, enough for his systems to flicker back online.

“There, see?” I whispered, giving him what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “Good as new.”

Byte’s single functional eye blinked on and off, his good leg tapping lightly against my arm as if to say he was hanging in there. I worked quickly, my hands shaking slightly as I twisted more makeshift wires together, securing them in place with other miscellaneous pieces I’d found on the mechweavers when I ran out of screws. Every movement felt rough and clumsy, the tools I had unsuited for the delicate work Byte needed. But I pushed through, willing the little guy to hold on just a bit longer.

Felix wandered back over, an armful of glowing mushrooms balanced against his chest. He set them down gently, squinting at the mess of metal and wires spread out around me. “Uh, you need anything else? I found some moss I could... I dunno, use to pad things?” He sounded unsure but eager to help.

I snorted, shaking my head. “Nah, it’s okay. Moss won’t help much here.” I grimaced as another screw slipped and clattered to the ground. “What I really need is about a hundred extra bucks worth of spare parts and a soldering iron.”

“Hey, you’re doing great,” Felix said encouragingly, crouching down beside me. “But… I’ve got some spare wire from the traps I dismantled. It’s copper-coated steel, though. Won’t it overheat or something?”

“Probably,” I admitted with a rueful grin, taking the wire anyway. “But it’s better than leaving Byte stuck with a leg that’s one stiff breeze away from falling off. I’ll take the risk.”

I cut a piece of the wire and, using a piece of scrap metal to steady it, secured Byte’s left leg. The wire creaked ominously as I twisted it into place, but it held. With the copper wire now serving as a brace, I used some webbing to reinforce the attachment. The result was a far cry from elegant—more like a ramshackle bundle of wires and mismatched metal that would probably make any respectable mechanic cry—but it was enough.

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“Moment of truth,” I muttered urging Byte to rouse from rest. Byte buzzed, the sound weak but unmistakably positive. He wobbled to his feet, his frame jerking slightly as he tried to steady himself. The leg moved, though not as smoothly as before. It would have to do.

“Nice work,” Felix said, watching as Byte took a few tentative steps forward. The little bot began zooming around testing the durability of his leg.

“It’s a temporary fix,” I warned, running a hand over Byte’s dented frame. “These connections won’t last more than a few more fights but with a little more time tonight when we camp I’ll be able to fix your frame better than before.

Byte rubbed between my legs and then Felix’s having fully embraced his feline role.

I smiled, exhaustion pulling at the corners of my mouth. “You’re welcome, buddy. Just... hang in there until we find a proper workshop, okay?”

Felix gave Byte a gentle pat on his head. “He’ll manage. He’s a tough little guy. Just like his creator.”

“Creator? Try ‘haphazard repair person.’” I laughed softly, the sound a bit strained. “But thanks.”

We both stood, surveying the battlefield of crystalline shards and makeshift repairs. Byte wobbled after us, his movements making a new tink thunk tink thunk. I sighed, realizing how makeshift and temporary the fixes were. But we’d get through this, one broken part at a time. For now, it was enough that Byte could move again, even if it was with a limp and a few dozen Macgyvered joints.

“Okay,” I said, rolling my shoulders and trying to shake off the tension. “Let’s get this done, find that key fragment, and get the hell out of here before Byte falls apart again.”

**

We walked for a little under an hour gathering mosses, mushrooms and herbs. Two straggling Shadowfang Wolves were the most excitement we’d run into but they were quickly dispatched without even so much as a scrape. Byte’s repairs held up nicely and the three of us were in good spirits.

As we moved down the hall it began to cool even further and goosebumps danced at the nape of my neck. Something wasn’t quite right and I urged everyone to stop so that we could listen over the sounds of Bytes clanking.

There was a faint sound—like wind rushing through narrow spaces—but it was too rhythmic, too deliberate. It wasn’t natural. “Felix, do you hear that?"

“Yeah, I hear it,” Felix said, frowning. “Sounds like air ducts or something.”

We moved cautiously forward, the sound growing louder with each step. The path curved ahead, and as we rounded the bend, we saw the source of the noise. Ahead of us, the tunnel split into several smaller paths, each one choked with crystals that glittered with soft light. But between the crystals, air vents dotted the walls, their metal grates barely visible beneath the glowing mushrooms.

Felix stepped forward, holding his hand out toward one of the vents. The air rushing from it was strong, unnaturally so. "It’s like the whole tunnel is breathing."

I stepped closer, inspecting the grates. "It’s some kind of ventilation system, but why would it be in a dungeon like this?"

Before Felix could answer, the ground beneath us shifted slightly. I staggered, catching myself against the wall of crystals.

"Whoa," Felix said, steadying himself. "What was that?"

The entire cavern seemed to be trembling, the crystals vibrating in their sockets. The mushrooms’ glow intensified, flickering faster, as if responding to the movement.

Suddenly, the tunnel filled with a deafening roar, and a powerful gust of wind shot from the vents, nearly knocking us off our feet. I braced myself against the wall as the air rushed past us, whipping through the crystals and mushrooms, creating a vortex of wind that made it almost impossible to stand.

The crystals dug into my back and arms. Through my suit I felt my skin bruising.

"Maura!" Felix shouted, his voice barely audible over the howling wind. "We need to move! Now!"

I nodded, gripping the crystals for support as we stumbled forward, trying to find our footing. The wind wasn’t just coming from one vent anymore—it was blasting from every direction, creating a chaotic whirlwind that threatened to sweep us off our feet entirely.

Byte zipped past us, his small form below the majority of the wind allowing him to navigate the gusts with ease. He beeped urgently, his scanners picking up something ahead.

"There’s gotta be a way to shut this down!" I shouted, struggling to stay upright. The wind was so strong now that it felt like it was pushing us back, trying to force us to retreat. But going back wasn’t an option—we had to get the key.

Felix pointed ahead. "There’s something up there!" He yelled, barely audible over the storm of air. Through the swirling wind and flashing lights from the mushrooms, I could just make out a control panel embedded in the wall ahead, near the ceiling.

I looked at Felix, then at Byte, who stood nearby, his small form stable in the chaos. "Byte!" I shouted, gesturing to the panel. "Can you get up there and shut this down?”

Byte took off in a flash. His height was perfect to move beneath the trap. The wind was aimed higher and left him almost entirely unaffected. As he approached the wall nearest the control panel though a new problem arose. He wasn’t tall enough to reach it.

Refusing to give up Byte extended his legs between the wall and the console’s base, his small form beginning to get buffeted by stronger gusts of wind. I watched with bated breath as he maneuvered closer, using his legs to brace as he shimmied between the wall and the console.

“Can you reach it, Byte?” I called, the wind snatching my words away almost as soon as they left my lips. Byte beeped in response—a sound of determination I’d come to recognize.

With a final push, Byte was close enough so that I could activate my [Data Integration] skill. The holographic interface flickered to life, its glowing lines barely visible against the swirling wind. Byte’s sensors glowed brighter as he scanned the intricate panel, searching for an entry point. His body rocked back and forth, fighting against the unrelenting gusts and debris that threatened to knock him away.

Felix and I huddled near the wall, bracing ourselves against the wind’s force. My fingers dug into the rough stone, knuckles white from the strain of holding on. I squinted up at Byte, my heart in my throat as I watched him work. He shifted position, his body pressed tight against the panel, and let out a small surge of energy, connecting to the trap’s internal systems.

“Come on, buddy,” I muttered under my breath. Byte’s lights pulsed rhythmically as he engaged with the trap’s mechanisms, the holographic lines fluctuating and shifting rapidly. His form began to spark, the familiar sign that he was pushing his systems to their limits.

The wind around us intensified, howling through the corridor like a beast woken from slumber. Byte beeped frantically as his body convulsed from another energy surge. The trap’s defenses were fighting back, sending feedback loops through Byte’s systems. His body shuddered violently, and I felt a pang of fear.

“Maura, he’s struggling,” Felix shouted over the roar of the wind. “He’s taking too much damage!”

“I know!” I yelled back, panic lacing my voice. “But he’s the only one who can shut this down!”

Byte’s lights flickered, dimming dangerously low as he continued his attempts. He tried redirecting his energy pulses, targeting different nodes in the trap’s system, but each effort seemed to drain more and more of his power. He shifted, his legs struggling to maintain their hold against the barrage of wind and energy feedback.

“Hang in there, Byte,” I urged, my heart pounding as I watched his small form shake and sputter. The wind picked up even more, the pressure threatening to tear him away from the wall. Byte emitted a desperate series of beeps—his distress signals.

“Maura, you have to call him back.” Felix yelled, his voice edged with fear.

Just as it seemed like Byte might be ripped away completely, he let out a single, defiant beep. With a final surge of energy, his body glowed brightly, sending a powerful jolt into the panel. The trap sputtered, and the wind around us began to slow, the violent gusts weakening into a steady breeze.

But then, Byte’s lights dimmed completely. His small frame convulsed once more, and he dropped from the wall, plummeting to the ground with a heavy thud.

“Byte!” I screamed, pushing against the dying wind to reach him. I stumbled forward, my hands scrabbling across the stone floor as I reached his lifeless form. He was sparking and shuddering, his legs twitching erratically. His lights were out—no blue, green, or red glows, just darkness.

“Please, buddy. Stay with me,” I whispered, scooping him up. I could feel the heat radiating off his body—he’d overheated, pushing himself far beyond his limits. His frame was battered, one of his legs hanging limply from its socket, and the thin casing around his core was cracked.

“Felix, help me!” I begged, my voice cracking as tears pricked at my eyes. Felix was at my side in an instant, his expression grim as he crouched down beside me.

“He’s completely fried,” Felix murmured, running a hand over Byte’s scorched surface.

“I… I can fix him.” I insisted desperately, clutching Byte tighter. My hands were shaking as I tried to force mana into him, but there was no reaction. Nothing. “There has to be something I can do.”

Felix’s gaze softened. “We’ll try. But right now, we need to get out of here. We can’t help him until we’re somewhere safe.”

My heart twisted painfully, but I knew he was right. With trembling hands, I placed Byte carefully into my inventory, his small frame vanishing into the storage space. The emptiness I felt as soon as he was gone was suffocating. Byte had been with me since the beginning. He wasn’t just a machine—he was my friend, my partner.

“We’ll get you back, Byte. I promise,” I whispered, more to myself than anyone else. Felix placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently.

“He’ll be okay. We just need to find the right tools and parts,” Felix assured me softly. “We’ve got to keep moving.”

Nodding numbly, I stood up, brushing away the tears that threatened to spill. The wind trap was finally deactivated, and the tunnel beyond was quiet, the eerie silence pressing in on us.