Talax adjusted his pack while observing everyone around him preparing for their departure. His stolen glances were fixed on the small opening that would ultimately lead them out of the dungeon. The atmosphere was a mix of excitement and apprehension shared by all.
The unending darkness and lurking dangers had made Talax incredibly tense. He had grown so accustomed to it, that it felt like second nature to be in a perpetual state of readiness, ready to flee at a moment's notice. After recent events, his restlessness and anxiety had only intensified. He remained vigilant, half-expecting Edward or Callum to betray him, to plunge a knife into his heart, the moment he let his guard down. It appeared that Franny and Qalo were in a similar state, constantly scanning their surroundings for potential threats, whether they be of beastly or human nature.
With a nod from Edward, the group pressed forward, entering the narrow opening one by one. Darkness enveloped them as soon as their feet touched the tight tunnel. Torches were ignited, and Franny used his Luminous Spark spell to cast a gentle glow, revealing the cramped confines. The tunnel was so constricting that Talax struggled to fully extend his arms, while Qalo had an even more challenging time, crouching to avoid hitting his head on the low ceiling.
Callum had previously informed them that when he scouted ahead, he had walked for nearly an hour without encountering any changes. He had detected no signs of life or any indication of the tunnel's length.
They continued to walk, their armor rattling and heavy footsteps echoing through the tunnel, the only signs of life to the otherwise desolate passageway. After the first hour, they noticed a subtle shift, the ground began to slope. By the second hour, Talax had to bend his knees to maintain his balance due to the steep incline. By the third hour, they were practically crawling on all fours, as the tunnel had transformed into a sheer cliffside.
Talax huffed and puffed, struggling to catch his breath, his muscles aching from the unexpected physical exertion. His body had been pushed to its limits and was protesting from the abuse he was putting it under, the combination of sleep deprivation and unrelenting stress had taken a heavy toll. He yearned for the day when everything would finally be over. Once out of the dungeon, he envisioned himself searching for a tranquil village, just as Walter had described, and settling down there for good. Yeah, that sounded like a great plan!
As he gasped for air, Talax voiced his confusion. "What I don't understand," he panted, "is if this place was a temple designed by a God, why would he subject his followers to all of this?" He grasped a stone protruding from the wall and pulled himself up. "Puzzles, monsters, spirits, and now this? We're struggling to deal with all of it. How would an ordinary villager ever face all those obstacles?"
A moment of silence followed as everyone searched for the right handholds on the steep passage. Finally, Vesperine spoke up. "Oh, puppy, that's actually quite standard. The God likely aimed to separate the true faithful from those just seeking to exploit what's inside." Franny added with a sigh, "Tests, it's always about tests with the Gods!"
Vesperine chuckled, her movements graceful and effortless as she found the perfect holds. "You do realize that we might end up finding nothing within the temple, right? It wouldn't be the first time a bored God created such challenges just to amuse themselves with mortals."
"What?" Talax exclaimed, his frustration evident. "You've got to be kidding me! After all of this, we might come up empty-handed? That's…" He struggled to find the words to convey his emotions.
Laughter echoed around him, lightening the mood in the oppressive tunnel. Walter chimed in,
"That's why I don't waste me time prayin' to no God. They might hand you fortune and glory one day, only to snatch it all away and replace it with warts on your precious jewels the next! And I do love me jewels!" More chuckles followed Walter's rant.
Callum interjected in a solemn tone, "Not all Gods are like that. Theldas is a benevolent deity who offers guidance and counsel."
His statement drew scoffs from both Vesperine and Walter. Talax wanted to ask questions, but in his current state, he struggled to even catch his breath, let alone speak. So, he listened intently to the others' words.
“Kind Gods? That's a load horse shite if I ever heard one. Besides, what are ya doin’ worshippin’ an elven God? Walter demanded. Callum, responded with a low and reverent voice, "Gods don't care about race. They care about one's purpose and character. The God of the hunt has always been by my side, guiding me and teaching me. I owe the Wild Hunter everything."
Walter abruptly stopped climbing, causing everyone behind him to come to a halt as well. "Since when did you turn into a pious nutcase? I recall you as a young rascal who never left a barmaid unattended!" Callum scoffed derisively, "My God doesn't care about celibacy! All he cares about is the hunt. Besides, laying with a woman is the law of nature, just as stags mate with does."
"Yeah, yeah, and mongrels breed bitches!" Walter interjected mockingly. The conversation, however, abruptly stopped when Edward spoke up, his irritation evident in his voice.
"Enough! I don't want to hear one more word about Gods and godlings! This is not the place to invoke any godling. I don't even want to imagine what could happen." Both men fell silent, chastised by the noble's words, and cast uneasy glances around, as if expecting a deity to appear and smite them.
Talax's ordeal finally ended several hours later. The tunnel leveled out at some point, but later on, the incline became steep again, as if they were scaling a mountain. His entire body ached from the exertion, but one positive outcome emerged from the experience.
Athletics skill, level 11
11% to physical prowess, 11% to mobility
Checking the rest of his skills he realized that the Athletics skill tree was the most advanced. It had reached level 11 and saw two new branches, looking frail and brittle, devoid of mana. He checked the new offerings, wanting to see if something would entice him to spend one of his precious tokens.
- Quick Recovery: Reduces the time it takes to catch your breath after strenuous activity by 20%, allowing you to recover faster between physical exertions.
- Precision Landing: Reduces fall damage by 15% when you land, helping you to safely jump from heights or navigate tricky terrain.
At that moment, both abilities seemed enticing. They might not be flashy attacks, but Talax had come to appreciate the wisdom of Vesperine's words. Simple abilities were the ones that would keep him alive, and both of these appeared quite appealing. The Quick Recovery ability, in particular, sounded like just what he needed at the moment. Despite the allure, he hesitated. What if archery or swordsmanship offered him something even better? With a resigned sigh, he decided to hold off on making a choice, although it pained him. In fact, he felt literal stabbing pains in his gut from all the climbing!
"Is that light?" Callum exclaimed, and Talax looked up, forgetting all about skills and abilities. In the distance, he noticed a subtle change in the illumination. It was so faint that most eyes wouldn't detect the difference, but Talax saw it and felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of finally reaching the end of their arduous journey, which had left him sore and breathless.
The group buzzed with excitement, and even Edward wore a small, hungry smile. As they emerged from the narrow tunnel, the grandeur of the temple dedicated to the long-forgotten deity unfolded before their eyes, leaving them in a state of awe and wonder. The colossal structure stood as a testament to divine craftsmanship, its architecture a symphony of artistry and power.
The immense balcony on which they now stood was a masterpiece in its own right. Exquisite railings, meticulously carved from pure white marble, encircled the balcony, providing a stark contrast to the dark abyss that yawned beneath them like a ravenous beast. It was as though the earth itself craved the divine presence above. It was a precarious perch that separated life from death.
Connecting their vantage point to another balcony at the far end of the room was a bridge adorned with ornate, hand-painted tiles. Each tile was a miniature masterpiece in its own right, with intricate patterns that seemed to tell stories of gods and mortals, evoking a sense of timelessness and antiquity.
Yet, it was the structure that lay beyond the second balcony that truly took their breath away. The towering construct, stretching to the heavens, was a testament to the limitless devotion of the temple's builders. Floors upon floors were stacked one upon the other, each one surpassing the previous in opulence and grandeur. The walls were adorned with an intricate tapestry of statues, mosaics, and carvings, all embellished with a touch of shimmering gold. Each artistic detail seemed to convey the divine presence that once resided within.
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As Talax walked toward the temple, the grandiose proportions of the temple became even more apparent. Everything seemed larger than life, as if it were built to accommodate the stature of giants. The steps leading up to the temple entrance were massive, doors stood tall and imposing, and the windows appeared as though they were meant to frame the vistas of the gods themselves. This deliberate distortion of scale left everyone feeling small and insignificant in the presence of such divine magnificence, leaving them with a sense of reverence and humility.
"I reckon that's the final temple, I do!" Walter announced with awe in his voice and greed in his eyes as he observed all the gold around him.
"Indeed, it appears so," Franny replied, but the furrows on his face suggested that something troubled him. Instead of feeling excited about reaching the end, he looked glum. In a hushed voice, Talax asked his friend, "What's wrong?" Franny seemed uncomfortable, his brows furrowed, and his body tense. "I... I'm not sure."
They all marveled at the temple's beauty for several moments. Vesperine whispered in Talax's ear, "Puppy, you should really savor the spectacle. It's not every day you come across the inner sanctum of a God." Her breath brushed against his neck, but he tried not to react and simply nodded.
"Well, what're we sittin' around for, me lord? Let's snatch that blasted artifact and hightail it outta this dump!" Walter exclaimed, practically dancing with excitement. Edward surveyed the area and finally said, "We'll move in a bit. I need to prepare my equipment." Walter looked as if someone had just stolen his favorite sword and grumbled, "Me lord!" but fell silent under Edward's stern glare.
Everyone began preparing; Callum took out his arrows and inspected each one carefully and then put them inside his quiver with the aftmost care. Vesperine took out some vials with florescent green liquid from her bag and placed them strategically all over her body. She then took out a small knife engraved with peculiar markings and looked at it for a long moment. With a deep sigh, she turned and walked back to the tunnel, vanishing into the gloomy depths.
Walter initially grumbled but decided it wasn’t worth spoiling his mood as he retrieved another bottle from his seemingly bottomless supply of liquor and started guzzling it down. Qalo and Franny stood together to the side, speaking softly and gazing at the long bridge.
Talax joined his friends and asked, "Hey, what's up?"
"We're discussing what God-touched artifact could be inside the temple," Franny replied and Qalo nodded with enthusiasm, a smile stretching his face.
"It could be a huge hammer!" Qalo exclaimed and started rubbing his tusks. Talax looked at the half-orc, both puzzled and amused, but before he could question the tusk-rubbing, he heard Franny sigh.
"It won't be a hammer," Franny responded flatly, as if he had already had this argument before.
"You don't know that! Oh! It could be a huge axe!" Qalo replied with unwavering enthusiasm, continuing to rub his tusks even more vigorously.
"It won't be an axe," Franny's face displayed exasperation, as if he were done arguing with the stubborn orc. Talax couldn't help himself and asked, genuinely puzzled, "What are you doing with your tusks?"
Qalo paused for a moment and replied, "It's for good luck!" before resuming his intense tusk-rubbing.
"Right..." Talax looked at his friend, partly disturbed and partly amused, and saw that Franny felt the same way.
"So, what do you think we'll find?" Franny rubbed his chin in thought. Talax heard a drunken Walter calling his name and making crude jokes at his expense, but he decided to ignore him and focus on Franny.
"Well, by now we know that the God had an affinity for four branches of magic," Franny began, casting disgusted glances at the inebriated man. "Light, Dark, Life, and Death magic. Whatever we find inside the temple would have to be associated with these essences." He paused for a moment to contemplate and then looked up with eyes shining. "Maybe some artifact that grants immortality, or... an armor that can purify darkness, banish evil spirits, and emit blinding beams of light to dispel shadows."
Talax nodded enthusiastically with a broad smile. "That would be incredible!" Franny chuckled and continued making more conjectures, each one more fantastical than the last. "A staff that can resurrect the dead! Oh, oh! Perhaps a magnificent sword that grants glimpses of the Gilded City! Or a ring that lets your touch rejuvenate the land or bless individuals with eternal vitality!” " Talax nodded along, captivated by the idea of discovering something so extraordinary. Then, Qalo joined in.
"It could be a huge mace!" He announced, rubbing his tusks at an astonishing speed, as if his life depended on it.
"It won't be a mace!" Both humans retorted. Talax was about to share his own guesses when he felt an arm hugging his shoulder, and Walter's overpowering stench assailed his nose.
"Don't be wishin', lads. That artifact's meant for the noble, it is." Walter said with a hiccup, and then turned toward Franny and attempted to bow, only to almost fall. Talax grabbed the man’s armor and steadied him. "I ain't talkin' 'bout you, me lord. I mean the other one."
Franny’s face contorted in disgust and looked at the drunken warrior up and down with haughty air. “The artifact belongs to my father. We are merely the instruments of his will. Do not forget that!”
"Whatever you say, me lord. Whatever you say. I'm just a poor old fella, workin' for me coins." He then grabbed Talax’s ear to bring him to his eye level and whispered conspiratorially. When I'm a lord, I'll make ya me squire, I swear by...um, Vliha or somethin'! ou'll be the one fetchin' me shoes, pourin' me wine, and gettin' a couple of them barmaids for a bit o' fun!"
Talax heard Franny scoff. "That sounds... Thrilling!" He replied with a forced bright smile. "Can't wait!" Walter patted him on the back and suggested, "Good lad. How 'bout a round of dice before we head off to battle for our lives?"
Talax grabbed Walter's hand and replied with a cold smile, "Nah, I'm good." Walter shrugged and sauntered off toward the bridge.
"Ugh. I don't know what my uncle was thinking when he hired that lowlife," Franny complained. Talax's eyes followed the drunken man, who was struggling to maintain his balance. Walter was heading toward the railing, stumbling the whole way, his gaze fixed on a gold statue with naked greed.
"I don't know. The man has his charms," Talax said, glancing at Franny and chuckling at the disdain on his friend's face. His eyes returned to Walter, watching him stumble and fall once again. Then, as if drawn by some invisible force, his gaze was pulled a few meters ahead of Walter.
A bright red light flashed suddenly, as if warning him of looming danger. The red light pulsed with warning and Talax felt a burst of mana.
Mystic Insight skill, level 2
2% to detection of hidden paths, 2% perception of mystical constructs
Immediately, he realized what was happening. The bridge was trapped, but not by simple, ordinary traps; it was ensnared by magical constructs that only he could see. Callum, the designated scout, had failed to detect these magical traps, meaning that he didn't possess the Mystic Insight skill.
Walter's path was leading him directly toward the trap. As Talax focused, new lights began to appear in his vision, transforming the beautiful bridge into a scarlet path of impending disaster. As more lights unveiled themselves to him in a cascading wave, he felt another surge of mana.
Mystic Insight skill, level 3
3% to detection of hidden paths, 3% perception of mystical constructs
The traps were so numerous that his skill jumped two levels in mere seconds. Talax watched as Walter's gaze lingered on the magnificent statue, his tongue darting out as if he were savoring the riches he had dreamed of all his life, tantalizingly close but just out of reach. Greed was etched in his face, no longer able to conceal his emotions.
Talax stood frozen in place, his mind in turmoil and his heart in grievous conflict. He had the power to stop Walter. He could save the old warrior from his impending doom and preserve his life. He heard Franny calling his name, but Talax was far away. He was at war with himself. The descent part of him urged him to save the old warrior. The other part, the one that craved his own survival, whispered that without Walter, there would be one less threat.
Edward had shown his hand. Whether or not Franny wanted to acknowledge it, their fates were sealed unless they took action, unless they leveled the playing field. Talax had hoped that Walter could be swayed, that a few coins and sweet words might turn him to their side. But the man's greed was insatiable, and Edward had exploited that weakness. He had promised Walter the one thing he had yearned for all his life, money... money and status.
Talax watched as Walter took another step closer to the magical trap. Only a few meters now separated him from certain doom. Another step closer.
Yet Walter was not a bad man. Greedy and rough around the edges, certainly, but not evil. Lately, Talax had even come to enjoy his company, listening to his jokes and words of wisdom that often revolved around which alcohol to drink on a particular occasion or which barmaid might be open to a threesome. Walter was a man shaped by the harsh experiences of his life. Did he deserve to die?
Another step closer. The red light almost blinded Talax's eyes with its intensity. Walter was nearly upon the trap, the one that could end his life. Another step, and just about a meter separated Walter from what appeared to be an ordinary tile, but was spelled with such potent magic that Talax could see the mana swirling around it, like a swarm of flies over a dead corpse. Did Walter deserve to die? Did Talax deserve to make that judgment?
Suddenly, a memory from yesterday flashed into his mind. A memory from yesterday, when he had overheard Walter and Callum discussing him and Franny. How unbothered he had sounded about the whole situation. His only concern being whether Edward would fulfill his promise of payment. Still, did he deserve to die? NO.
Talax watched as Walter was on the verge of taking that final step. And then it hit him that it didn't matter whether Walter deserved to die or not. Life had a way of subjecting people to things they didn't deserve all the time. Maybe Walter didn't deserve to die, but neither did Talax. He was willing to do anything in his power to avoid it. And, removing Walter from the equation was an easy way to increase the chances that something undeserved wouldn't happen to him. So, he stood there, silent.
As Walter took that next step, the final step, his body appeared to freeze for a moment as his foot touched the painted marble. Then, as if the earth had opened a gigantic maw to swallow him whole, the tile beneath his feet vanished. Walter managed to spin around, his eyes filled with horror and despair as he realized it was already too late.
For a fraction of a second, their eyes locked. It was as if Walter knew what Talax had done, as if he understood that Talax's silence had sealed his doom and led him to his death. In that single glance, Walter conveyed all his fear, fury, and horror.
The weight of his silence bore down on Talax's shoulders for the first time.
And then Walter vanished.