It was pitch dark and his sense of direction blurred. His lungs were beginning to ache with the need for air but he wasn't troubled. He can't use shadow-walk in the waters but few know the waters as much as he.
The water pressure around him decreases slightly, the current felt gentler as if guiding him upwards and so upwards he went, his legs kicking with renewed vigor. He put so much effort into it until finally his face burst through the surface, gasping desperately for air. He cackled crazily as he threw his head back, gulping down air in ragged breaths.
When he regained his composure he continued forward, this time with steady, measured strokes. He must have swam forever when he noticed the depth was even closer than before. He stopped. His feet touched the ground and the water was neck level. He was nearing the end. He got even more excited. None of this makes sense but then again great things never do. He plunged in and continued forward. He swam until they became even lesser water to the point where it wasn't comfortable swimming. He stood up, his robes heavy from the waters. He was surrounded by the comfort of darkness but he put his hands into his robes and brought out a gnome crystal lantern. He pulled the lever gently and slowly it unleashed the closed light within the very portable lantern,shifting the darkness before him back. He flashed it around, scanning the area. Nothing but waters and walls. He waded forward through the waters reluctant to use shadow-walk this early.
Soon, while scanning the environs his eyes came upon a boulder. Only it's top most was above surface. Something was upon it. He approached the rock. When he reached there, it was thin, finely spun fibres. Dark fibres. He grabbed them, confused but then he saw patches of blood and it clicked.
He did survive?
The shadow mage directed the focus of the crystal lantern ahead, his mind a mess with thoughts. Should he go back and report? Or go for the glory of hunting down a false king? A wounded king. His heart thumped in his chest at the implications. Whether it was fear or excitement he couldn't tell. His decision was made. He turned his lantern off and put it back, and then slowly his body dissipates, like a cluster of thick black smoke, merging and becoming one with the darkness. That's the only way he could get to the king faster. It will take at least a day to send message back and that's a day too much for the king to escape, and they might never get this chance again. He can't afford that. Not after what happened after the war. Not after she was finally starting to be happy. She was the only reason why he became a Nattkryper. The only reason he stayed.
In less than a second he covered dozens of feet, the fastest he has ever 'walked' but not the fastest he could walk. He still need to conserve mana to take care of the king.
┌─────── ♕ ───────┐
I walked through the giant doors into an old man-made passageway. A stone tunnel that stretches into the darkness, its arched ceiling made of roughly hewn blocks that's covered with vines just like the walls. The ground was covered with large, uneven stones, along with patches of green moss and small water pools. In my 3rd step in I realized I was being careless. I am too weak to deal with traps.
[Water arts activated]
The water roared behind me and a large wave approached. I directed it into the passageway, about two feet thick in all sides, fitting into the tunnel tightly, enough to exert pressure. I watched as far as my flame torch could show and listened intently. Nothing happened. Even at that I continued down with the tenseness of a man walking on the edge of a cliff.
I was the only light around and beyond and soon the end of the tunnel was in sight. As I stepped out, the flame was forcefully collected whole from me, and what would have been instantly if I had blinked, wall torches were lighted one after another to reveal a vast space. A vast space of ruins. Massive columns and walls scattered about, broken and eroded by time. Vines and moss had claimed them just like the tunnel. I couldn't tell if it was a city, or an ancient temple.
I stopped just in time; the path ended abruptly in a steep drop, more than 30 feet deep. I peered over the edge, eyeing the uneven surfaces below with lots of vines. No doubt I could rough my way down but I wasn't thinking of doing that in my condition. Just looking to see if the materials are enough for a spell.
[Ἐάτωσαν αἱ ἄμπελοι κλῖμακα ποιεῖν καταβάντα τοῦτου τοῦ κρημνοῦ]
[προσέχω!]
[Grimoire activated]
As the vines quivered with new life, the ground I was on shook like it was going to collapse and I took cautious steps back. I heard them twist and weave but I couldn't see it because I feared the trembles. When it finally stopped, I walked forward to see a vine staircase with sturdy looking handrails on either side. Just like I envisioned. I followed it down to the ruins.
It felt like a lost city. Totally deserted. The columns look even more gigantic up close. The ones that are still standing, though broken or chipped, looked like they could never fall. Makes you curious how the others fell.
As I strolled around the ruins, my wounds bite. I needed to lie down, to rest but I need food too to gain energy. Maybe there are rats around or something. I wasn't going to bother myself about exits for now, I don't know what could be waiting for me but I can't fight in this state. I need time to heal, to regain energy then go back to my kingdom and prepare for a hunt.
At that moment I heard the slithering and hiss of a snake. I paused to try and discern it's location. I had it so I rushed as much as my wounds could permit, climbing over large stones, trying not to trip but when I reached close it went quiet, almost as if it realized the danger. The last possible location was a large rock pile. I went down on the ground to see if I could peer through the holes but saw nothing. I even tried using blood arts but felt nothing. Either blood arts don't work on animals or targets I can't see I was yet to know; I was just gutted. I stood back up, the possibility of a meal made me even hungrier. I looked around. Ahead and slightly to the right I saw what I believed to be a large black crystal on a plinth. Or maybe it was an altar. There were vines and moss all over the plinth but none grew enough to disturb the crystal, even though the plinth was at most four feet tall.
I forgot about my stomach for a moment and walked towards it. As I approached, a flicker of movement to my left shattered my trance. I turned immediately, spotting a pool nestled at the cavern wall. Silver flashes pierced the water's surface as fish breached.
My steps turned into a stumbling rush, body screaming in pain with each step. The ache in my stomach flared, the stitches threatening to tear, but the sight of the fish compelled me. I didn't even know I was that hungry. It was like I feared it will just go away, another illusion. When I was close enough, the fish jumped again and I raised a bed of water for her to jump back to, oblivious to the fact she was trapped. I directed it away from the parent body and splashed it to the ground, the silver carp flopped hopelessly on the ground, thrashing and gasping for breath. I stared at it, half expecting it to disappear. Few moments later when it didn't, I reached down and picked up the slippery, wriggling fish.
"Now how do I go about this," I said, my stomach twisted with hunger.
Finally I gutted the fish, resisting the urge for a sashimi I held it over a flame I just casted and watch the skincolor char and curl under the heat.
As it got done, I lifted my face up to look around, to distract myself from biting in too early, and that's when I saw the crystal again. Octagon shaped, I think, and the surface seemed to absorb the dim light. I looked down at my food, satisfied that it was cool enough to eat, I turned off my flame and bit into the partially cooked fish, devouring it hungrily as I approached the crystal. Something about it called to me.
I bit into the fish, savoring it as I approached. When I reached, I stared at it, then the plinth. It was intriguing. I walked around the plinth, looking at the crystal as I devoured the fish. I wanted to touch it and my heart was beating faster at the thought. I reached out, my hand hovered inches above it, my heart beating faster then I let go.
Nothing happened. It felt warm. I left it there for a few moment, then moved it around rubbing it. Still nothing. I held the fish in between my teeth and used both hands, still nothing.
"Hmm..." I muttered, sounding almost disappointed. I thought something would happen. Still looking at it curiously and about to take another bite into my fish, my shield shattered and made me stumble. It was a heavy hit on my seemingly exposed neck. At first I thought it was a trap went off but then the shadows shifted. Shadow mage.
[Ἐάτω τὸ πῦρ περιεκυκλῶσαι τὴν γῆν ἐφ' ᾗ ἕστηκα]
[γένοιτο!]
[Grimoire activated]
There was an uproar of fire that quickly encircled me, an attempt to send any shadows around me away. This is too bad. My face grew hot and beads of sweat were quick to follow. Whether it was of fear or the fire I couldn't be sure nor did I care. I was in no condition to fight, especially not against something as sneaky as a shadow mage.
How many are they? I asked myself, looking around. Why are they not attacking again? My shield must have thrown them off balance but there's no way they give up. I can't stay here forever. In two minutes the fire circle would be gone and that will be very dangerous. Especially if they find out how the shield works.
"Why don't you step out of the shadows?" I suggested, looking around. "You've already tried once, you know you can't hit"
Nothing happened. Should I just stay and see them get desperate when their mana gets low? That would be time wasting and probably exactly what they wanted.
[Χαρίσασθέ μοι τὰς δυνάμεις τῶν πλευρικῶν]
[Aκουε!]
[Grimoire activated]
Six tentacles attached to my back, three on each side. It was like a large roll of weaved purple smoke heavy chain with menacing blade heads at each end. Let's give them the illusion of a readiness to fight and let's make it to the pool. That's my only chance of survival.
I cast another spell, a purple colored magic circle appeared momentarily then sunk into the ground. Then the fire died out.
A few tense seconds passed and it felt like nothing was going to happen but then a dash! A blade connected to one of mine, giving out purple sparks and a second blade missed him as the shadow mage whizzed away quickly back into the darkness. I might have tricked him out by faking a blindspot but I did nothing with that and there's no guarantee it will work again.
Blood dropped steadily from my side. That sharp turn must have ripped the stitches. He came in again and again and our blades collided in purple clashes as he slipped through the darkness like a ghost attacking from various positions, too fast to be possible or maybe there were just more of them.
I stumbled, the pain in my side worse. I could feel my strength waning, my vision beginning to blur. I can't hold on for much longer.
The shadow mage lunged, but the flame circle spell was just finished, taking the shadows away, slowing him down. My tentacles lashed out, defending the attack and quickly counter-attacking but with a skill I couldn't fathom he pulled back mid-air, out of danger and then out of the circle and into the shadows again.
My breath came in ragged gasps but my eyes remained sharp, scanning the dim cave for any movement. The detection circle is becoming smaller, closing in on me since you can't draw magic circle on the same line twice, must be inches apart, this situation is becoming more dangerous for me.
I spun quickly to engage him. The detection spell had gone off, though it was faint it was definitely him, but I saw nothing. When I had spun it activated again, too many at almost the same time, and each fainter than the last. I was nervously confused but then I saw the blood. At first I reasoned it could be mine from the many slashes but then I willed the blades of my tentacles to my face. One of them was stained.
"Fucking hell," I swore, annoyed.
I undid the magic circle and extinguished the tentacles. He didn't respond and after a few moments I expanded the detection spell to it's limits, about 30 feet and the spell went off. He was behind me and he was already materializing for another quick attack. I casually raised my hand and the wind blew past like a great force was stopped abruptly.
[Blood arts activated]
He grunted in pain as I controlled him midair to my front. His face was etched with a familiar fear and pained look, veins all over them and teeth held tightly together. He looked pretty young and his eyes were filled with tears.
"Now that you've had your fun, how about we talk?" I bluffed with as much laid back smile as the pain he inflicted on me could allow.
"S-spare me " he stuttered through the pain.
"Now if you know me you will know that won't be enough," I said casually. "Why does the king of Mittelreich wants me dead?"
I saw confusion in his pained eyes then he replied, "I-I don't know, but I could find out for you"
I squeezed my hand into a tight fist and he cried out in anguish. "Please I'm telling the truth!" he cried, "I don't know, they don't tell us anything"
I freed him a bit as I pondered on his answer. He could be telling the truth, even if he isn't how would I know. I could be wasting my time.
"I can find out," he begged. "If you give me little bit of time I can find out for you, I can work for you. A spy inside, please."
Tempting offer.
"How many of you are after me?" I asked
"Seven" he answered quickly. "Soon they will find out you survived but I can help"
The idea of having a spy within was very tempting but I couldn't risk it. I'm too vulnerable for that.
"What is your name?" I asked but he wasn't dumb. He just stared at me, defeated.
His breath halted abruptly, and his eyes widened. The veins on his face stood out like a network of frosted cables, each one visibly expanding and bursting. I let go and he fell with a heavy thud, like a frozen statue.
I guess I have to keep moving. They could be on to me already, I can't trust his words. I looked around. There is no way there's only one way in and out of here. They got to be a secret passageway or something but how the fuck can I find it. This place is huge. How can I find that one stone to push?
It immediately came to mind what I did in the passageway. Water. That could work.
I returned to the pool, and collected huge amount of water, sending back any fish collected to the pool. My last meal was half finished and trampled upon messily so I will come back for them later.
I took the water to the end of the cave and started working from there. It was the likeliest place for the stone button to be and I have no time to spare.
I worked for a very long time before a stone finally pushed in. The sound of a heavy stone door opening slowly echoed through out the castle. I laughed excitedly. I was already giving up. Even though the secret passageway was at the end of the cave, the stone button was far from it. Almost all the way to the other side. I must have been at it for hours.
As I made my way back to the pool I stopped to loot the body of the shadow mage. He didn't have much on him. I saw something like a thick, circular disk, about the size of a compact disk. I examined it. It has a slider switch within it's width and when I drew it, one side of the disk opened, giving out a bright light. A crystal torchlight? Not surprising. I tossed it back on his body and continued searching but found nothing of worth that's not damaged by water so I took his dark blade and continued to the pool.
Upon reaching I saw lots of fishes. When I used water arts to collect some the others scattered about, scared. In their scuffle I noticed what I had thought was just a cluster of reeds to be something more solid. I splashed my bubble of fishes on the ground and went into the pool, causing more panic for the fishes who didn't know where else to run to. I reached the object and started clearing it of the reeds to reveal a cube with dull edges and lines of ancient glyphs on it's surface. I was haunted by a vague sense of familiarity. It was as if I looked upon something I had never seen before, but had dreamed of, or pictured mentally. It was stuck to the ground but it didn't feel permanent so I gave it a pull. With a bit of an effort it came free. Now in my hands it felt so important but then the whole cave began to shook. Cracks split the rocky ceiling, raining down large debris. The cave was collapsing and fast.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
I climbed out of the pool but there was no way I could escape. I jumped out of the way for a mighty rock falling straight at me. The entrance had already been blocked and there was no way I could make it to the secret passageway on time. I was fucked.
Think! Think! Think! I screamed at myself as I dodged more rocks. It took me falling back into the pool to figure out a desperate plan. I didn't give it a second thought I just went about it.
A whip of water held me tightly on my midsection and then stood tall and flung me hard across the room. I protected my face just in time to crash into the far wall and collapsed to the ground. Agony shot through me as my wounds protested the impact, but I gritted my teeth, pushing through the pain and rolled away into the secret passageway, away from more rocks falling towards me. I felt something magic but I wasn't in the condition to care. I just lay down in pains and watch as more rocks fell until my vision was finally blocked.