The Proven entered the portal, and they were transported to a random location on the second level. Upon arrival, they were confronted with an intense, dry heat. Jeze recalled that each level of the Wandering Spire was different, but she didn't realize that it would be so much different. The second level was cavernous with flowing lava streams as if they were in the belly of a volcano. In contrast, the first level was corridors and chambers that looked very much like a dungeon.
High above them and to their sides were the jagged walls and ceiling of a vast cavern. Below them was a river made out of bubbling magma that gave off an orange illumination with flickering shadows. Jeze and her team found themselves on a tall outcropping of blackened stone. Behind them was a sheer, jagged rock face, and ahead, they overlooked the expansive underground chamber. Dunar scanned the area and did not see other teams or threats. The only way for them to go was down.
"Check your gear and prepare for a climb," the Leader ordered.
Ziplocke snickered and said, "Yes, be prepared! Because if you fall, you will burn!"
The Proven ignored the Goblin and have become accustomed to his antics. However, they each glanced below with some trepidation, and if they were to fall, they would either smash against the jagged rocks or fall into burning magma. They double-checked the straps to their packs, and Rolfe readied a coiled rope. Jeze removed her heavy pack and scaled down the jagged outcropping. When she got to the bottom, Rolfe lowered everyone's packs using the rope. Jeze piled them to the side and tapped into her Earth aspect bracelet to prepare range attacks in case the team was attacked. Dunar, Helga and Rolfe climbed down next while Mikal remained and was prepared to guard the top with his Water aspect spells. Finally, the Healer climbed down.
"Goblin, what monsters can we expect to face on this level?" Dunar asked.
Jeze handed the Demon some paste, and Ziplocke slurped it up.
"Us Goblins tend to avoid the lava pits of the Abyssal plane. But I do know this. You will find Hellhounds and Hellbats, and if you are truly unlucky, Helldrakes! You are all in for a treat!" The bonded Demon snickered.
Jeze fed the Goblin another spoonful of paste and asked, "What can you tell us about them?"
"Well, you should have armed yourselves with Devil Steel weapons! Your current gear will burn and melt!" Ziplocke responded with a cackle.
Dunar shook his head and replied, "We have Frostsworn forged weapons and armor. We should be fine. But Proven, let us be careful."
They were on an island of rock that was surrounded by bubbling lava. The team started to sweat in their armor, and this was especially difficult for the Frostsworn, who were used to the frigid cold. Jeze searched the ground and informed the team that she found clawed tracks that she guessed were probably Hellhounds.
"They appear to be a little bigger than Bloodlings," she observed.
"But they are much worse!" Ziplocke shrieked.
"How many?" Dunar asked.
Jeze shrugged and guessed, "It is hard to tell. I see maybe one or two that passed through here. I do not know how old these tracks are. The Hellhounds have flaming paws that scorched the stone."
"They also can spit fire!" Ziplocke added.
"Be alert! Let's head that way," Dunar said and pointed.
Boulders and flat rocks protruded from the magma river and across from them they could make out an opening that appeared to lead to a tunnel. The Proven hopped to a dozen protruding boulders and made it across with Helga slipping one time. She was caught by Rolfe.
"Oh, ho! That gave me a fright, thank you!" The warrior maiden exclaimed.
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The team stood on a large flat rock that was fifty meters across with the flowing lava river curved behind them. To their front was a tall and wide tunnel opening. The light from the lava did not reach into its dark depths. Jeze scouted ahead as the Proven formed into a defensive position. Her eyes went wide at what she discovered on the ground. Dozens of tracks! Jeze looked up and saw from within the dark tunnel numerous pairs of glowing red orbs appear.
"Prepare yourselves!" She managed to cry as a barrage of flaming darts shot out from the opening.
"Shield wall!" Dunar roared.
He, Helga, and Rolfe readied and locked their shields, and Mikal crouched behind them. Jeze ran and slid as the flaming orbs splashed against the ground and shields.
"Jeze, summon a rock wall!" Dunar ordered.
The Scout Summoned, Shaped, and Controlled the Earth aspect to create rock walls that protected their flanks. With yips and howls, a swarm of Hellhounds erupted from the tunnel. They looked like large dogs with coal block fur and thick canine-shaped heads. Flames danced along their paws, mouths, and tails. From their mouths, they spitted darts of fire that whizzed and hissed at the Proven. The flames crackled and danced along the Frostsworn's shield wall and chipped and marred Jeze's Summoned stone barricade.
"For Glory!" Dunar roared.
"Hurrah!" The Proven shouted back.
Helga and Rolfe banged their shields just as the Bloodhounds crested Jeze's wall.
“Mikal, frost them!” Dunar ordered.
A half dozen Hellhounds ran around or over the stone wall and engaged the Proven. Mikal tapped the Channeling tools on his wrists and completed the gestures with his hands. He swung his arms in a wide arc and sprayed the area with a fine mist. Mikal tapped another Channeling tool and completed the final gesture, which ended with his hands closing into fists. The mist flash froze into an area of ice that snuffed out the flames of the attacking Hellhounds as the beasts slammed against the shield wall.
Mikal's enchantment reduced the monster's attack capabilities and slowed them down enough for Rolfe, Helga, and Dunar to finish them with spear, axe, and sword. Jeze peppered the incoming Hellhounds that were beyond the wall, and the beasts spat more flame darts, which rained down on the Proven. Jeze gritted her teeth as she was scorched by the flaming barrage.
The Hellhounds took more damage to kill than the Bloodlings. Their thick hides resisted Jeze's stone fists, and the Rune caster needed to pour more of her Will into her magic in order to hurt the Hellhounds. The next wave of Hellhounds never came as the beasts were content to attack from range.
"We are sitting ducks here!" Mikal cried.
The walls that Jeze had Shaped had blasted apart from the Hellhounds' fire attacks. The Proven had no protection other than their shields and armor. There was no escape. They were trapped.
"Jeze, place a Darkness spell over the entrance and blind them!" Dunar barked.
The Scout nodded. That was a good idea. Jeze tapped her Darkness ring and Summoned Shadows. A fiery dart burned her shoulder, and she yelped in pain. The shadows dissipated.
"Focus!" Mikal barked.
Jeze scowled at the Healer, and she was angry. She used that emotion to fuel her Rune casting. Despite being bombarded by a hail of flaming darts, Jeze was able to Summon, Shape, and Control an inky ball of Darkness to cover the tunnel entrance and effectively blinded the Hellhounds. Their attacks were more scattered and less accurate.
"Move!" Dunar ordered.
The Leader directed the team to march to the side of the tunnel entrance, and they avoided the blind attacks. Mikal and Jeze attacked with their Rune magic, the occasional Hellhound that crept out of the Darkness. The beasts collapsed to the ground from being struck with stone fists and ice spears.
"The Darkness won't hold much longer," Jeze stated.
Dunar assessed their situation. Going back was not an option. They would be more vulnerable standing on boulders over the lava streams. If they stayed put it would only be a matter of time that they would fall from the barrage of range attacks. That left attacking the tunnel.
"Proven, let us bring the fight to them! Let us show them our might!" Dunar roared.
"Hurrah!" The team shouted back, and as one, they charged toward the tunnel entrance.
Jeze reflected on what Carl Jorgenson had said. They would never have a fair fight, and they would always be up against insurmountable odds. They could be either rushing toward their deaths or toward glory. All they could rely on was their discipline, their teammates, and their training. There will always be moments where one can despair. Where one can feel hopeless and accept defeat. In the end, that is the choice that the adventurer makes. There was a reason why the Proven always cheered before battle. It was to remind them that no matter what, it was their choice to accept death or to accept glory. This sparked a passion in Jeze's heart, and she allowed it to erupt outwards.
"For Glory!" She cried.
"For Glory!" The Proven shouted back as they charged through the tunnel entrance.