Athena gazed out over the first floor of the dungeon, her eyes wide with wonder. The vibrant forest, the cascading waterfalls, and the breathtaking aurora above left her speechless. She turned to Draven, her companion in this strange and magical place. "Have you ever seen anything like this in a dungeon before?" she asked. Draven shook his head, his expression thoughtful. "No, it's unlike anything I've ever encountered. The mana here is different, ancient even," he replied.
Kael, the group's resident mage, nodded in agreement. "Yes, it feels as if this place is steeped in power," he murmured, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. Athena chuckled at Kael's antics. "Always thinking like a mage, aren't you?" she teased, shaking her head playfully. She then gestured towards the far end of the floor. "That's where the boss will be," she said confidently, her eyes fixed on the massive silver tree that stood proudly on a raised platform.
Its leaves shimmered in hues of blue, purple, and green, casting a stunning display of colors against the backdrop of the aurora. "Draven, lead the way," Athena commanded, her voice filled with determination. With Draven at the front, the party made their way towards the towering tree, steadily progressing.
It was not long before they found their first opponents: a herd of giant deer with shimmering fur and silver horns. She used [Identify] on them, hoping for more information.
Grade G [Viridis Cervorum].
"They're Grade G!" She exclaimed to her comrades, as she swiftly pursued Draven.
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The herd of Viridis Cervorum charged towards them, colliding with the dwarf and nearly toppling him over. His shield radiated with a brilliant light, preventing the deer-like creatures from bypassing him.
Then, Athena seamlessly joined the fray. She effortlessly danced around the Viridis Cervorum, skillfully slashing and stabbing. Her enchanted sword, adorned with a simple rune, allowed her to maintain her graceful combat. The blade sliced through the creatures' flesh with ease, enabling her to effortlessly annihilate her foes. She slowed down only after the battle was won, leaving behind a scene of fallen adversaries.
Her breathing was relatively calm, her ancestry granting her the endurance to fight for extended periods without pause. Numerous bodies bore arrows, and she offered a weary thumbs up to Aeliana. Instantly, the arrows vanished, reappearing in the moon elf's quiver. Aeliana simply nodded at Athena, before nocking another arrow and surveying the now-empty clearing.
Draven placed a hand on her shoulder, his gruff voice showing genuine gratitude. "Thanks for the help," he said. "I owe you one for saving me from those impalements." She simply nodded in response, taking a seat on a nearby stone and beginning to clean her blade.
The sword, a gift from her mother, was perfectly suited for her beast-like heritage, with a comfortable grip and effective design. As she polished the dimly glowing stone set in the crossguard, a flood of memories washed over her, bringing a bittersweet smile to her face. Brushing aside the nostalgia, she rose to her feet and turned to her companions.
"Shall we continue onward?" she asked, already knowing the answer. "The Shadows shall not fade this day!" Aeli and Draven declared in unison, their determination matching her own. Athena nodded solemnly. "The Shadows shall not fade," she echoed, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them next.