The first fight had been difficult, serious burns had been applied, which if not for the wyverns slain before, we wouldn't have the blood to use in the remedy potion.
Once we had completed the first run, exhausted but elated.
We were met with disappointment, the heart hadn't dropped.
Lord Rayleigh Raptor would return to his den in three hours' time, so we rested, we ate, and we ran through the game plan.
With experience came runs that were less and less daunting.
Lord Rayleigh Raptor's move patterns were predictable but punishing.
By the 5th run, not only had we perfected the mechanics, we had also equipped fire-resistant gear which he dropped.
Mostly blue-hued and only one purple-hued item.
No one complained
I was beginning to grow nervous.
They didn't need to clear this boss for days on end with me.
They didn't need the drop…
Obligations were not set in stone.
Yet, they stayed.
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We grew close.
W grew stronger.
We grew together.
Finally, by the 8th run, its heart rolled out and rested before us.
Silence filled the air as our hearts beat rapidly.
Small percentage drops made for the greatest surprises.
Then it hit us…
Yes!!!!
Let's go!!!
We all cried.
Grumblings from Ernest joined in.
Which I hoped meant he was happy
From the peaks of one of the highest mountains in our realm, we yelled for the world to hear.
We yelled as the victorious few.
Above our heads, etched in gold, letters floated.
“Rayleign’s Champions”
Nearly to tears, I gingerly grabbed the drop, still in disbelief. As the runs had begun stacking up, my pessimism had also begun to stack like a curse. Ramping its negative effects on my mind.
Finally….
I whispered as I clutched the heart close to my own, feeling the power that could save.
Then…
Letting out every emotion
Everything I had bottled up along this expedition
I finally cracked.
I wailed on top of the world, for all to hear.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traveling back through the caves we found the bodies of the rest of the expedition.
In heaps of parts they lay.
A gruesome sight of the other possibility of adventuring.
Quinn covered her mouth.
Muller sighed.
Ernest grumbled what sounded like a prayer.
Seeing this, I turned to the party and said:
Remember this sight.
Victory is not always in the cards.
Tragedy is always only one misplay away.
Don't take this for granted.
Train hard, fight smart, and this won't be us.
I hope….