The hound barreled into Travone, and he tried and failed to hold the creature's weight back, sending him crashing to the ground. Its claws firmed into his astra shield, and it snapped viciously at his head. He instinctively activated his [reflex guard], deftly manoeuvring his head away and shield in position just in time to deflect the creature’s maw, the metallic sheen of his astra shield glinting as he got back onto his feet.
Meanwhile, Rai was facing two wolves and was in a peril of his own. With his back exposed, one hound lunged at his leg, gripping tightly and tugging to unbalance him. In a quick reaction, Rai's instincts kicked in, and he swung his sword, leaving a deep flesh wound on the wretched creature's neck. This sent it sprawling backwards with a pained yelp as it collapsed.
With three of the feral hounds defeated, the alpha growled a warning, a command, causing the rest of the hounds to advance in pairs.
One of the hounds rushed in from behind, slamming into Travone with a force that knocked him off his balance. He staggered, catching himself and turning only to notice that the black alpha hound was also making its move. These other hounds were there to distract him.
"It's coming! Watch out!" Travone shouted as he raised his hand, calling forth the [bind] skill, which held the creature at bay for but a moment before it lunged again. Travone twisted to the side, narrowly escaping the hound’s sharp jaws as it scraped past him, and he instantly felt lighter from the close call, tapping at his waist in search of the small bag holding his power stone.
No, No, No, that's mine. Travone thought as he threw himself against the wolf, jumping for his throat and cutting it in two down the middle.
He shoved his shield into another hound, his blade cutting through the air as he advanced toward the alpha hound, each step more purposeful, focused and steady than the last, leading him into the middle of the creatures that easily surrounded him.
"Stop, Travone! That’s dangerous!" Rai called out, fear tinging his voice as he noticed his peril too late; he had become surrounded.
Travone, his eyes focused dimly on the black hound, heard Rai’s voice telling him to stop; he glanced back to see Rai struggling against incoming hounds, his glance taking in the four other hounds surrounding him and realising how bad their situation was getting. He quickly stole a glance at the alpha and cursed; the creature was now clutching Rai’s waist bag in its jaws, and Travone made his choice.
Shoving back against the three other hounds closing in on him and keeping him away from Rai, he swung his black blade, determined to ward them off while attempting to retrieve his shield, only to find it ensnared in one of the creatures' gnashing jaws. As he tried to cut down the beast, he felt an unexpected pull on his boots, which threw him off balance and sent him crashing to the ground.
Despite his strength stat, the creatures overpowered him, and with Rai equally restrained by two other hounds, the alpha continued to watch, seemingly calculating its next move while chewing on the waist bag. Feeling a sense of desperation wash over him, anger quickly came to the forefront of his mind as he swayed. No other options; Travone activated his bow skill.
A [Spectral arrow] materialized before him; it did so by transmuting from the materials around the minor metals filled with an iron from the soil, glowing and held by his control stat and shot forth, striking the iron-jawed hound that was gripping his boots. Not losing momentum, he conjured another arrow, this time aimed at a hound lunging at Rai, catching it in the side and causing it to whimper. With his balance regained, he stood and slashed down at the beast, holding his shield in its teeth with his black centurain blade, getting himself free to manoeuvre.
He felt it then like a burn even as he fought; a piercing pain bloomed in the back of his neck due to consuming too much energy; his Astrovers were being overworked; if this continued, he would cause him to overdraw.
"I’m not willing to die like a fool," Rai thought aloud, as he sang his blad that was unable to cut the iron hounds far deeply. He remembered his father's training, held the Astra sword tightly in his grip, and swang harder. But his blade felt like a dull blade against wet wood. He looked up, hoping but understanding he would find a corpse. After all, Travone had been in an even worse position running to the hounds like a fool, but as he watched, his brain froze for a moment, the overdraw on his Astra, having to come to wit it as he tried and failed to process what was happening in front of him.
Travone manifested an arrow in rapid succession, an act no shield user should have been able to perform. He blinked. Another arrow clearly in Travones control manifested and struck the beast, lunging to words him. He shocked his head, tore his head away, and slashed at the creature under his belly before it could get back up.
Travone moved with inhuman speed, a blur against the shadowy backdrop of chaos, and Rai found himself on his butt, unable to look away, his eyes transfixed by the display of skill.
"Get up!" Travone shouted, though the words barely registered as Rai took the outstretched arm as he struggled to understand the other boy; he looked at Travone his eyes seeing him for the first time
Was he always capable of this? What would his trick be if he could get that?
Finally breaking from his stupor, Rai leapt back onto his feet, blade drawn, facing the remaining iron-jawed hounds bristling with hostility. The alpha, however, took a step back, glaring at them. Its posture suddenly retreating as it let out a low, commanding growl that sent the other hounds stealing questioning glances at their pack leader. The other hounds backed away a few steps, growling lowly before they turned tail and fled into the shadows of the corridors.
"No, no, no!" Travone shouted, moving toward the alpha before turning to run after the retreating pack, but Rai grabbed his hand, fear twisting in his stomach.
"Where are you going?" he demanded. "What was that?" Travone didn’t answer, intent on following the creatures into the trench.
"What’s in that bag?" Rai pressed, but Travone remained silent as he plunged deeper into the dark. "Where are you going? What class do you have?" Rai could not stop the questions from coming from his own mouth as he stammered.
Travone kept moving, leaving his companion behind, and Rai shouted, "Who are you? Tell me, and I will help you!"
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But Travone's face was firmed, his eyes focused as he turned to Rai. "I don’t need your help!" he insisted, his lips pursed.
"The hell you don’t! You’re gonna get yourself killed if you go down that trench, baka!" Rai warned.
Travone shot him another glare, tightening his grip on his black blade, and he pressed on after the iron-jawed hounds, leaving Rai with no choice but to follow closely behind him in a distance.
Integration Level Up !
Integration Level Up !
Barrier(Level up).
Reflex Guard (Level up).
Spectral Arrow(Level up).
Bind (Level up ).
Shield Skill Acquired!
Passive:
Anchor Stance - Increases resistance to being pushed, pulled, or knocked back reliant on strength and Dexterity.
---
Travone moved deliberately, slowly, keeping his body cloaked in the shadows of buildings, taking care to minimize the sound of his steps in the dungeon city. He followed the dark blood on the ground, looking down and then up.
I should turn back, he thought.
But then he remembered that the quartermaster had said they were looking for him. This was his alibi, and he had made up his mind.
A hand landed on his shoulder, and the glint of his astra dagger materialized in his palm as he turned, its sharp edge catching the faintest light. He placed it where a person's neck should have been, he guessed.
Behind him, Rai had followed closely, blending into the surroundings, his brow furrowing as he processed the strange display of power he had seen minutes ago. How was Travone able to conjure a spectral arrow, a rare skill even among bow users? Does he have two class gems, or does he have even more? Even the [Reflex guard] skill he uses must be from the dagger class, but tests have been done, and no one can handle that much overdraw.
Following behind Travone, Rai mirrored his movements, stopping when Travone did, waiting for shadows and growls to move on, and trying to keep his gaze fixed on the other boy's back. He was instinctively drawn to the dark green blood staining the rocky floor—a trail that led deeper into dangerous caves, but he couldn't stop himself. With someone like Travone on his side, he could even build his own guild.
Rai moved through the dark city, his body stiffening at every movement as his eyes darted around, following behind. He inched closer to Travone, placing a hand on his shoulder. The sudden movement prompting the dagger to appear threateningly against his throat.
"So now you're using daggers," Rai muttered, surprised in his voice. Travone's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at him.
Realising who it was, a silent acknowledgement passed between them. "You’re still following me," Travone remarked, the dagger lowered slightly but still ready. I, too, have secrets, and it takes time for people to trust," Rai replied earnestly, determination etched on his features. Travone regarded him for a moment and nodded slowly. I won’t ask what’s inside that bag, but I will help," Rai added.
"Aren’t you scared of what’s down here?" Travone pressed, his voice gruff yet softening slightly.
"No, I will follow you, and we’ll see," Rai said resolutely, his expression unwavering. The two pressed forward, the atmosphere thickening as they moved a few blocks deeper into the deathly silent city, descending further towards the heart of the dungeon, and shadows creeping in around them.
With each step, the space became darker, the stagnant air damp with the earthy smell of sulphur; they tried to keep their breathing normal and low to blend into the silence.
They watched and followed and eventually reached a balcony, ducking out of sight as they observed a small, secluded garden, or what used to be one with faintly glowing grass where the remaining hounds rested, their bodies glistening with flesh wounds.
A break in the surface had the hounds between it and the pair. Deep below, in that break, a cavernous pit yawned beneath them. The alpha hound growled ominously into the darkness, keeping a watchful eye on it in the churning motions deep below.
"Tomodachi. Friend, this is too far. We have to turn back," Rai urged, closing his eyes and breathing gently, calming himself . "That creature has my power stone," Travone insisted, resolve creeping into his tone as he looked down at the hounds.
"It’s just a power gem; it’s not worth your life," Rai wanted to say but held his silence, unsure of the value of the power gem to Travone.
"What do you think? Is this their den?" Travone asked as he leaned forward slightly.
"No, the creatures are moving," Rai replied the creatures as they ran and jumped to the other side of the deep crack, nodding.
They watched the creatures run and jump on barely, making it across and holding onto the edge before pulling itself up.
The creatures descended further down, where small patches of grass tried to cast away the shadows.
He glanced down at his hands, trembling slightly as he weighed his options. They had been following the hounds for so long.
Perhaps giving it up was the wiser choice.
"Are you coming?" Rai asked, unflinching despite what he had seemed like a minute ago. Travone hesitated, but the look of calm in Rai had given him pause. He ignored all his worries. If Rai was willing to do it, so was he.
Finally, he shook his head and steeled himself.
"How are your injuries?" Rai inquired, concern momentarily breaking through the tension in Travone's mind.
"They’re healing; lucky for us, the creature is more of a coward," Travone replied, his voice steady even as he felt the sting bruises left after the Astra in his blood did its best to heal his body.
like the hounds before they moved down the incline the lost alien civilization once used as stairs until they approached the torn garden and deep crack in the ground.
Rai peered over the edge, wondering what had the alpha black hound so scared and growling in the challenge. He found his feet stumbling back in shock. His left hand clutched his chest in alarm, and his right hand conjured his astra blade, prepared for anything.
"What, what is that?" he gasped.
Travone approached the deep crack in the surface and leaned forward to look. When he felt a surge of dread rise within him, he looked down, and what he saw was... perhaps giving it up was the wiser choice.
The crack, a pit thousands of meters wide, caused his head to spin and, even worse, the thing or things that were deep down. His heart froze as he glimpsed the serpentine form churning in the viscous liquid below.
The creature's massive body dwarfed them, and the entire floor of the hive city, its unfathomable size, lurking just beneath the depths.
"Whatever it is, if it comes out, it could bring the whole city down with it," he muttered, stumbling back in fear as his mind raced with possibilities.
"What was that?" he managed to ask through clenched teeth.
"Don’t know, but let’s get your bag and leave," Rai responded, his eyes never leaving the deep crack.
Travone saw Rai's gaze, seeing on focus reflected back at him, and pushed aside his doubts.
"We Jump."
"We Jump, we can't worry about whatever that thing is right now", Rai repeated.
Travone held his breath, closed his eyes, and breathed in deep and out. He met Rai's eyes and nodded.
Then, without a word, he ran and made the leap. Flowing closely behind Rai, Rai made the jump, and despite the fear telling them to turn back and run away, they continued to track the iron-jawed hounds' movement, heading further into the unknown.
"Are you keeping track of all this?" Travone checked in.
"Yes, I am," Rai confirmed, his resolve apparent. "After all, if the hounds are using it, it must be safe. The only creatures we need to worry about are the iron-jawed hounds."
"Reckon we can come back and report more of this to the UNE?" he asked a glimmer of hope amid the chaos.
"Of course! I don’t think anyone has come this far," Rai assured him. But then, Travone abruptly stopped, a tide of fear cresting within him—was it too quiet?
Had the hounds ceased their movements? He looked around, only to find Rai gesturing for him to come closer. Travone obeyed, standing by Rai, who was already peering down at an open platform that lay ahead.
What awaited them was a headless suit of armour, a grotesque relic of the past beckoning to them amid the darkness, ready to unveil secrets long thought buried in the shadows of the ruined city.
"What is that?"