Author's Note: Sorry my big dumb brain doing it again. I don't know how I kept mind numbing my own name in Veronica's place. Sorry!
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Chapter 3: The Crypts - (Part I)
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Quest XI
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"Oh good," Serena mused with twitching lip upon entering the Cryptic Crypt. "There's just so many of them..."
Indeed - there were more than a dozen foreboding presences that made themselves known to her upon feeling her own glittering aura meld in. "I'm just ever so lucky."
Sarcastic but ultimately it felt good.
At best it was an inside joke among sisters.
If there was anything at all to go wrong - it was usually because Serena was so hapless.
Bridges collapsing, sudden abrupt snow storms, an out-of no where-pit dragging them under as well as a few other unintentional mishaps...Serena's leadership skills were considerably lackluster.
"I'm useless." Serena would breathe out in exasperation after every dreaded misfire. "Utterly and terribly useless."
Thankfully big sister Veronica was always one to set the record straight with a playful knock to the shoulder as well as a melodic laugh to escape her lips.
"For the last time Serena. You are not useless. You're just very unlucky."
"Aah...So that's how it is."
"Of course it is." Veronica reassured her as she turned to face her younger sister with a mischievous grin. "I just know these sort of things. Blessed I assure you."
Always the cheeky one.
Serena could only shake her head and play along with her sister's antics. The young priestess would simply curtsy gracefully and smile brilliantly.
"Then if you please..Show this lost lamb the way."
"Dear child, I would love to do nothing more."
It was simply profound.
A bond among sisters.
In fact their bond was so strong, the two constantly found themselves embracing each other into tight hugs and then giggling at their sudden need to have the contact in the first place.
Inseparable.
Until now.
Serena drew tightened deep breath and shuddered. Her sister's echoing mana finally fizzled out seemingly lost to outstretched hands.
Someone had contained her - locked her away and now the presence was gone...The tears were falling once more.
No - don't go.
And as if the gods willed her to find comfort - Serena began to see things. Nostalgic imagery of old memories dancing away into darkened corridors guiding Serena forward. Plunging her further and further into the darkness but at least she began to feel the coiling tendrils of her sister's trapped magical essence once again. A small sacrifice.
Serena would have allowed such imagery to keep guiding her but when an angry screech echoed down the halls. Serena was forced to brand her weapon out in front of her once more. Preparing to engage with whatever was flapping its wings so loudly. Growing closer and closer until finally from scarcely lit room did its presence become as clear as daylight. Serena steeled herself for the worst.
"Woosh!" She cried out in determination. Her mana keenly responded - firing forward a blast of air at the would be attacker. A Drakemage that was now torn into shreds by such a sudden burst of sheering winds.
See that wasn't so bad.
Serena jolted at her sister's voice. It was soft and distant but even so Serena could hear it. Like a hammer to a smelting pot. She could never forget. When the young priestess turned however to meet her sister, she was instead greeted to an empty space of nothingness.
A dream perhaps? Or was it something else playing tricks on her?
In any case - why did she suddenly feel so dizzy?
It couldn't have been from using elemental magic, right?
Her vision danced at the reminder.
No, no. That's not right at all.
Veronica made sure of that.
"Try again!" Veronica commanded as Serena flinched for the fourth time during this little training exercise. It had been raining, and she was tired, wet, and cold.
"This isn't working!" Serena countered exasperatedly. Her hands were beginning to grow numb to touch. "I can't do this Veronica. I'm not a mage - you are."
"We were both chosen! Remember that!" Veronica roared back. "We share a bond Serena. Most people don't get such an opportunity. Look -" Veronica paused, taking a rock from the floor and examined it. Dropped it, then another until finally she found the perfectly shaped one to her desires.
Serena's eyes practically bulged from skull as soon as Veronica took sharpened edge of the rock and pressed into right arm until it drew blood.
"Veronica!" Serena cried out all to quickly. The training could wait - her sister had lost her marbles and it was Serena's job to -
"No." Veronica told her sternly stopping Serena's pleading eyes dead in her tracks.
"B-but why?" Serena asked with uncertainty. Veronica was quick to smirk.
"Watch carefully." Veronica instructed as she reached for her staff and looked down at her injured arm. "Staff of Salvation." She murmured and sure enough a warm familiar green aura appeared. It was much smaller than anything Serena had seen on her own accordance but nonetheless Veronica had managed to heal herself without needing her help. As always Veronica was full of surprises. "See, see!" Veronica exclaimed excitedly. "If I can do this then you ought to be able to as well."
Serena knit her eyebrows at such a proclamation. Mixed emotions flooding through her.
"How can you be so sure?"
Veronica was quick to give Serena a good flick on the nose.
"Because we're sisters! Duh! Common Serena, get back into stance and let's try again! From the top -"
"Woosh!" Serena cried out for a second time once memories had all but faded. Her heart drumming against chest as she seemingly managed to just barely sidestep an incoming attack from a wandering Drakemage. It's body would end up shattered and defeated like its brethren before.
At one point Serena nearly screamed when she had stopped for a quick breather. Hand leaning against podium as she attempted to let her mana rest for awhile. It was just her luck that a walking corpse of all things came bursting out from underneath her and grabbed hold of her right leg.
The commotion itself sent the poor priestess to the ground. The back of her head slamming down on pavement. "Ack..." Serena coughed weakly a small expel of her own blood from accidentally biting down on her tongue during fall. With a tongue pressed against cheek - Serena grew determined to break free. Going as far not only to fight back but also kick the ghoul multiple times in the face with freed left leg until it would hopefully release her from its grabby clutches.
Unfortunately Serena would not go completely unscathed from such a bout as the ghoul spewed a poisonous gunk onto her right leg before fully releasing her. Finally a scream and a groan as nausea swept over her.
"Squelch!" She grit out dispelling the gunk from her. "H-heal." She managed next after the poison became purged from system. The corpse in turn tried to swipe at her, she rolled away and pulled herself back to her feet. Gathering her strength she prepared another spell. "Woosh!"
The walking corpse however didn't appear affected. It simply swiped at her again forcing her to pull away. Serena continued this method multiple times but the spell proved to be ineffective. Now there were others were beginning to spring awake from their dirt naps. Rising up and starting to pile up in mobs.
It was in this moment that Serena realized.
It was time to run.
Sure - yes - maybe not the most optimal choice to take when on a rescue mission but there was one thing she knew more than anyone else.
Walking ghouls while dangerous to many were also in reality actually extremely slow creatures.
So she ran - but even fleeing had its fall backs.
For one Serena couldn't remember which way she had came from or what path to take... Sometimes she ended up falling back down to the room from she initially sprang free from. Especially when she came toe to toe with a Lump Wizard. Something who was much better at the elemental arts and would easily counter her own spell. The process was more grueling then the last. For every time their paths crossed she was sent sprawling and once again she was forced to take another walk of shame back up the stairs. Time and time again until finally Serena held her breath and managed to ultimately sneak by undetected.
This whole excursion was really starting to take its toll on the poor girl. She felt dizzy despite healing the wound on her head - her mana felt like it was withering away - draining her enthusiasm with it.
In truth Serena wasn't used to this need...The need to expel so much mana out in such a short time span. Especially since this was still a very new experience for her. At one point she nearly tripped over her own foot as she felt her mana droop dangerously low.
If she didn't find somewhere to hide soon - Serena feared exhaustion was going to be the end of her story. So it was now or never and Serena decided now was the best time. With a sigh, she let her body crumble, dropping to her knees. Sure she was exposed in this opened hallway but at least it also meant she could outright see who was going to attack her, thus giving her a chance to take the fight on headstrong.
She needed this. At least she had the opportunity to replenish some of her mana before another daunting purge diminished her already crumbling resources.
Veronica - I hope you are safe.
Serena thought as she clasped her blue beaded necklace that hung around her neck. I also hope Yggdrasil will keep me safe as well too.
And finally as if her prayers were answered a secret door slid open. Revealing a would be fountain. Not a trap - from the sight alone of the barrier that was placed around it. A holy one. A very powerful one at that.
Serena nearly jumped in joy after a single consumption of its blessed waters. Her body that had previously felt worn and broken now sizzling with energy and in truth it was much more relaxing than any of the sauna's offered in Hotto by a long shot. Serena couldn't help but yawn...Surely a nap wouldn't be too much of a bother...
Right?
