Kyto was bleeding out. He could feel himself starting to lose consciousness. He was lying close to one of the pedestals, and he saw the faintest glimmer of blue light from it. He had no way of helping himself or the others, and as darkness took him, he saw the Groblex catch Sniffer with a club, sending his friend sailing across the room and retaining the slimmest margin of health.
Kyto awoke in the safe room, groggily sitting up. His leg and arm were healed as expected, but the fury he felt over having to clear the dungeon again caused his anger to flare. He looked around the room, but none of the other companions were there. He must have been the first to die. He grabbed a canteen of water and sipped at it while he waited. He could remember seeing the blue light as he had passed out and needed to know what it was. There had to be a way to combat the monster. Tiddles had been doing a great job of keeping its attention, but they had yet to be able to damage it. He noted the need for better weapons, and while he was awaiting the return of the others, he moved to the entrance.
Would you like to leave the Infestation Dungeon? Yes/No
He selected Yes.
As party leader, if you leave now, the level will be reset, and all parties will return to the safe room. Are you sure you wish to go? Yes/No
He thought about it for a few moments. Without his ability to heal them, there was no way they could survive in the room alone. Lars had been unconscious before he had died, and Tiddles had been down to 40% health. He then suddenly thought, how had he been sent back to the safe room while the battle was still ongoing? They usually only returned at the end of a fight. He quickly turned and ran back to the safe room and straight through the portal. He ran to the door leading to the Boss and pulled at the handle, his notification triggered.
Level 3 dungeon boss in progress, 4% damage sustained. Do you wish to enter the final stage? Yes/No
He selected yes, and the door unbolted, allowing him through. He sprinted for all he was worth down the corridor back to the final room. Lars was still unconscious, his health full. Sniffer was on about 5% after being hit by the Groblex. Brandon was at full health, and he had never seen the man move so quickly as he sprinted from one pedestal to the next, avoiding the Groblex, which would attempt to hit him between fending off Tiddles, who was at 20% health now. He looked at the pedestals and noticed the glow they gave off for the first time. It was faint, but two were blue and the other two yellow, diagonally opposite. He entered the room, sprinting towards the nearest yellow pedestal, and tried to pull mana. To his amazement, the wispy pure mana strands began to move towards him.
'Of all the fucking things to now get', he thought as he drew on its source. His pool filled steadily, and as soon as it was over half, he ran towards where Sniffer lay and began pushing strands into him. He was groaning in agony but at least conscious, and his healing began to work, his amplified skill meaning that his healing proficiency was massively improved. Tiddles was still fighting, keeping the monstrosity busy as he finished healing Sniffer. Sniffer gasped and stood back up unsteadily at first. The Groblex had pulverised his left side, and the strange effects of feeling bones and organs repair would make anyone a little uncertain.
"The pedestals contain mana," Kyto told him as he ran towards the next one. This pedestal had a blue glow. Instinctively, he pointed the bracer at it, activating its beam, and it began to draw the charge. He had used nearly all his healing mana on Sniffer, so again, he ran back to the first pedestal and drew more. Brandon had come to a panting stop behind the pedestal as Tiddles valiantly fought on with the monster. He had been hit again, and his health was now down to just over 10%. One more good hit could kill him, and Kyto could not allow that to happen.
Kyto ran towards his friend and threw his healing strands at him as soon as he was in range. Tiddles’s health began to improve, and he maintained the stream until he ran out, turning and running back to the pedestal. Sniffer grabbed Lars's unconscious form and pulled him towards where they were. Brandon looked exhausted and out of breath, and Kyto shouted orders at them. He had an idea.
Four pedestals, two dark mana, two light, one monstrosity that if Tiddles could keep whittling away, they may stand a chance. He finished drawing more light mana and moved to be within range of Tiddles. He had finished healing him at 80% and pushed more healing mana, bringing him back to full and topping his mana pool up as he shouted to him.
"Keep going. The pedestals contain mana. I can keep healing and topping you up."
Tiddles did not respond. He was too busy dodging the clubs and waiting for an opening to lunge at the monster.
"Keep it away from the pedestals," Kyto yelled to him to be heard over the crash of the clubs meeting the stone floor. He ran back to the pedestal again and drew more mana. The glow was lessening from the pedestal, and he stopped pulling before it extinguished and moved to the one diagonally opposite. This pedestal was still glowing strongly in comparison, and he drew from it, bringing his mana up to full. Tiddles had taken another hit from the Groblex, and his health had decreased by about 15%. He was getting the occasional strike on the Groblex between his acrobatics display of dodging and weaving from its strikes.
This would take a long time unless they could think of something to help. Kyto moved into range of Tiddles, focusing on him again. he was close to one of the dark mana pedestals, so he drew from it simultaneously. He stood like a cross, arms extended, blue mana absorbed on one side and yellow pushed on the other. He cut his healing strands again but continued drawing the dark mana. The bracer was at 45% charge now, and he kept going. The glow from the pedestal began to fade when it reached 60%, and he moved over to the other. The first two glyphs were ready to be activated, but he wanted to see what the third glyph did.
Lars eventually started to come around and sat up against the light pedestal's side. Brandon and Sniffer crouched with him. All three turned between looking at where Kyto was and where Tiddles fought the monster. Tiddles was slowly moving backwards from the Groblex, and he must have heard Kyto's instructions as he was drawing it in a circular pattern inside the pedestals but trying to keep it away from them. The Groblex brought two clubs down together onto the stone floor, and a shock wave erupted across the room floor, throwing Kyto from his feet. He clambered back upright, seeing the blast had also knocked over Tiddles. Tiddles shook his head as the Groblex swung at him with his other arms. The clubs caught Tiddles like a sandwich between them, and he howled in pain, his health dropping significantly.
Kyto again moved in range and threw his healing at him, Tiddles's health slowly increasing. That joint strike had been close to finishing him. His health had only been at 10%. Kyto moved within range of the dark pedestal and drew again.
97%
98%
99%
100%
The third glyph began to flash. He had no idea what it would do and hit the glyph on the bracer. His arm was thrown back as if a matchstick and the power from the bracer was released. A stream of electrical energy appeared as a beam was emitted from it. He grabbed his arm with his other hand and steadied the beam, pointing it at the Groblex. The beam hit the beast in its back, and the Groblex roared in pain. Blue trails of light erupted over its surface, encasing it as though being struck by lightning. It shuddered from the impact, and its shoulders slumped as the bracer's charge ran out and the beam cut. Tiddles took the opportunity to strike in its semi-paralysed state and ripped into its closest arm. This time, as Tiddles attacked, he did much more damage, his teeth and claws digging into the flesh of its arm with ease. The monstrous hand came free from its wrist as Tiddles bit through flesh, muscle and bone with his powerful jaws. It fell to the floor, still holding one of the clubs in its clenched fist. The Groblex roared as the paralysis wore off.
Tiddles jumped back away as it swung at him again, moving after him. Its footfall vibrated across the room floor as it went for the beast as he moved in a circular pattern inside the centre of the room. Kyto began to draw dark mana again until the glow faded at the pedestal and moved back to the other, circumnavigating the fighting beasts. The other three companions could do nothing to help while it went for Tiddles. This battle was up to the Enlightened.
Kyto was moving between the pedestals, intermittently healing Tiddles, filling his mana, and charging the bracer. It was a long process, and the fight continued. Tiddles did get the odd strike in, but most of his time was spent dodging the blows. The Groblex had come to smash two clubs down together again, and as it had, Tiddles had leapt into the air. Kyto and the others had been knocked off their feet, but Tiddles had landed soundly, not being in contact with the ground when the shock wave rippled across the floor.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
The others had moved away from the pedestal and back towards the entrance corridor and now stood inside, watching the battle unfold. The bracer reached 100% charge. Kyto now understood the recharge cycle of the pedestals. He again released its power, punching into the Groblex, paralysing it momentarily. Tiddles took the opportunity to inflict full damage, and a second hand fell to the floor. The Groblex, though, was not bleeding out from its wounds. They cauterised, leaving the torn ends as they were.
The pattern of the fight continued in the same vain. Tiddles harried and attacked the Groblex, Kyto healing and blasting it with the bracer's power when able, and the Groblex was slowly dying with each paralysis and attack from Tiddles. Kyto had no idea how long the fight had taken when the monstrosity eventually collapsed to its knees from its injuries. Tiddles launched at its throat, tearing into it with only stumped arms left to defend itself. It could not strike Tiddles easily or with the power to inflict severe damage, and Tiddles clung to it, taking the strikes as Kyto healed him. As Tiddles's jaws finally broke through the skin of its neck, spraying the room with its foul, monstrous blood, it fell forward dead.
Tiddles panted heavily from the battle, and Kyto, seriously fatigued by his mana use, sat on the floor. Their companions ran over to them when a fanfare sound erupted across the room, startling all the companions, and their displays all triggered. Kyto read the message.
Congratulations, you have slain the final boss and succeeded in preventing the final wave of the Incursion.
Experience earned for completion 35,000. 83,000 bonus experience gained due to remaining time of 3 days, 11 hours, and 15 minutes. Part hours do not earn experience.
Due to completing the dungeon, you have been offered one boon of your choosing. Please select from the following options:
Permanently increase your pool size by 50%.
Permanently increase one core statistic by five points.
Permanently increase one skill by one level.
You have seven days to make your decision. After that time, the boon offer will be removed.
'At least I do not need to decide now', Kyto thought. Every inch of his body ached from the mana use, and he needed rest.
"That was pretty amazing to watch," Brandon said as he reached the pair, a huge grin on his face.
"I need to rest," Kyto replied feebly.
"So do I," Tiddles replied, still panting heavily. Kyto slowly climbed to his feet, grunted, and walked to his friend, placing his hand on his head and pushing broken strands into him.
"Thanks," Tiddles replied as his breathing steadied. Kyto had tried pushing mana into his body, but it was resisting, and he believed he had reached his limit for the time being.
The Groblex's body and discarded parts began to shimmer as they were absorbed back into their original source. A brilliant white light descended from the room's ceiling, and when it dispersed, a white pedestal was left in its place.
"Prize time," Kyto smiled weakly and moved over to it. Looking at the surface, he accepted the option to share the list.
Potion of Communication - one-time use, allowing the consumer to understand and communicate with all.
Ring of the Ograthon - prevents life-threatening bleeding, and wounds will be sealed. Warning - if it seals the wound from a lost limb, the limb cannot be regrown. (Soul bound)
Necklace of the Ambassador - improves negotiation skills and gives a 50% bonus when discussing terms. (Soul bound)
Pocket watch of the Fallen - time can stand still, with a one-hour cooldown between uses. (Soul bound)
Ring of Self-Repair - the wearer may repair clothing and damaged items and cleanse their bodies, with a one-hour cooldown between uses.
Dagger of Sacrifice - this dagger will draw on the life force of a struck foe, draining energy. (Soul bound unless bearer is killed)
Cudgel of the Groblex - though small in appearance, this cudgel contains the power of a Groblex swing. One-hour cooldown between uses. (Soul bound unless bearer is killed)
"That is a nice list," Sniffer said.
Ticks immediately started appearing next to the various available items. Kyto selected the Ring of Self-Repair, which he deemed the most appropriate given what they had been through over the last few days.
"Who has gone for what then?" Kyto asked.
"Potion," Tiddles replied.
Lars indicated a stabbing motion for the dagger.
"Pocket watch," Brandon said.
"I can not decide," Sniffer replied, looking around the companions.
"Which are you thinking?" Kyto said.
"They all have decent bonuses if some are a little vague."
"I agree they do. I have gone for repairs as it is not soul-bound." Kyto replied.
"I did not think of that part," Brandon said, frowning. "That ring will benefit everyone."
"Ok, decision made," Sniffer replied as a second tick appeared against the communication potion.
"Potion?" Brandon asked, looking at his selection.
"It would be great for Tiddles to be able to speak to us all," Sniffer replied.
"Potion it is, then," Kyto replied.
Would you like to accept the choices of your party? Yes/No
Kyto accepted yes.
The brilliant white light flashed, making the companions blink, and as it cleared, all five items that had been chosen lay on the pedestal surface.
"Fucking hell, now it changes the rules," Sniffer swore as he saw two cloudy purple bottles sitting on the surface of the pedestal.
Kyto reached out and collected the items, handing them to the companions. He gave one of the potions to Sniffer, who moved to Tiddles's side.
"Head back, boy," he said, and Tiddles obliged, tilting his head backwards and opening his mouth.
"You need to clean your teeth," Sniffer said, grimacing at the beast's mouth as he uncorked the potion bottle and tipped the contents into his mouth.
Tiddles swallowed the liquid. His eyes closed, and he began to convulse. He fell onto his side, and his legs started to spasm.
"What the hell is going on now?" Brandon said, looking in shock.
"Are you OK? Boy?" Sniffer said, kneeling at his side.
"Only joking," the deep, gravelly voice said as Tiddles stood back up, Kyto recognising it immediately.
"Tiddles?" Sniffer said.
"Yes. That is me," he replied.
Sniffer flung his arms around his best friend and squeezed him tightly as tears ran down his face.
"We have some catching up to do," Tiddles said as he grinned.
"What do we do with the second potion? I thought we would get the one for Tiddles." Sniffer said.
"What about Lars?" Brandon said.
They turned to look at him, expressions of confusion. "If it allows a beast to talk, maybe it will allow Lars to, and we have no other use for it."
Lars shrugged at the comment. "We can try," Kyto said, handing the second potion to Lars.
Lars uncorked the potion and drank the contents. He pulled a face at the taste of the liquid and then doubled over in pain as one hand clamped to his mouth and the other to his throat. Lars was not acting, but his health bar was not dropping. "What is it?" Kyto asked with concern.
Lars removed one of his hands and pointed at his mouth briefly before grasping it again. His actions continued before he removed his hands from his face. He opened his mouth and placed his fingers inside. His tongue had regrown from where it had been severed years previous. He pulled at the tip of it, not used to the sensation of having a tongue that could move inside his mouth, and rubbed his throat where his vocal cords, which had been inactive for so many years, seemed to feel normal again. "This is strange," he mumbled, still holding his tongue.
"We can hear you," Kyto said, grinning at the large man.
He released his tongue and looked at them all individually. "Thank you," he said, sounding strained and unnatural.
Kyto had tears in his eyes as he clapped the big man on the back. Lars grabbed him instead, giving him a fatherly hug.
"Do you want the dagger?" Lars said to Sniffer, offering it to him.
"No. It was your fairly," Sniffer replied, smiling.
Brandon had the Pocket watch and was turning it over in his hands. It was silver and looked like several Kyto had seen over his years of travelling. Not that many still worked.
"Does it tell you how it works?" Kyto asked.
"Yes. Give me a second," he replied.
Brandon pushed a button on its side. Nothing happened, and the companions looked at him with confused expressions.
"So what does it do?" Kyto asked.
"I just used it," he said, grinning back.
"Nothing happened?" Sniffer replied.
"Really? Are you sure?" Brandon said, now wearing a foolish grin on his face.
"What are you talking about?" Sniffer replied as his trousers fell. "What the hell?"
Brandon held up a belt that had been keeping his trousers up in his hand.
"How long did time stop for?" Kyto asked in amazement.
"It lasts ten seconds, and Sniffer was the closest, so unfortunately, the target," he replied, grinning.
Sniffer bent to pull his trousers back up, cursing at Brandon, who laughed, handing him his belt back.
"That is amazing, the things you can do with it," Kyto replied.
"I cannot harm anything when it is active. It does not allow it," he replied.
Kyto now took his turn and slipped on the Ring of Self-Repair.
Would you like to activate the Ring of Self-Repair? Yes/No
He selected yes.
His whole body was bathed in white light, and before the companion's eyes, from the top of his head to the soles of his feet, his clothing and items were cleaned, this included his skin and hair, where he still had Geblex blood splatters. In under a minute, he stood as though he had just walked out of a bathhouse, his clothes once again pristine.
"Me next," Sniffer called before anyone else could.
"It has an hour cooldown," Kyto replied.
The companions left the room, their dungeon journey coming to an end. They chatted as they walked back through the corridor to the portal room. Kyto removed the gem from the wall, merging the sixth gem, and they took the long route back to the safe room. As they entered the safe room, the corridors leading from it were sealed. There was nowhere to go now but out. They spent time collecting all the possessions they had left and walked to the exit.
Kyto watched them all leave the dungeon before he walked up to the barrier himself.
Would you like to leave the Infestation Dungeon? Yes/No
Kyto accepted yes.
As the dungeon has been completed, you may not return once you leave. Are you sure you wish to leave? Yes/No
Kyto accepted yes again and then turned, looking back down the corridor one last time. The hardship, pain, suffering, and death they had faced evaporated with the elation of completing the dungeon. He turned, walking through the barrier.