Ch27: Dark Ruins and a Dark Master
After we established that Medea would be joining us in the dungeons, our group entered the place and found out the hard way that the monsters in the Dark Ruins weren't too fond of outsiders. The monsters that kept on wanting our hides were Soulspawn, Bone Barons, Bloody Fencers, and even some Killing Machines. The only monster that wasn't deadly in the slightest turned out to be the Cureslimes, which had heard about us from the creatures of the sea. About 3 different Cureslimes had healed us up when we fought the bad monsters, which there were many of in the ruins.
"Well, these Dark Ruins certainly hold true. Nothin' but dark monsters all over," Red frowned as she sharpened up her dagger in hand. "It looks like we're nearing some open space here. I wonder what awaits us on the other side?" Stella gawked as we noticed a big door in front of us. We entered through it, descended a few stairs, and found ourselves in the room with the giant light puzzle of Empyrea. "Heh. That's one big bird," Yangus smirked at the giant canvas. "Indeed it is," said a voice from nearby. I looked to the left and saw a small Minidemon looking at us with a posh smile. "It is the eternal foe of the Dark Master, the godbyrd, Empyrea," he smiled.
"Um... okay? Do you know how we can open the door?" Medea asked. "Hehe! In order to open the door, just connect the cursed light to the godbyrd's wings asunder. It matters not whether you are victorious against our lord in the end, he will find a way to win. He always does. HAHA!" the minidemon laughed as he flew out of the place and back the way we had previously came from. "What was his deal? What did he mean by Dark Master? Is he referring to Dhoulmagus?" Jessica asked, her confusion all fake. I could tell and so could Medea and Red and Stella. "No matter, we now know how to open the door, so let's open it, shall we?" Angelo smirked slyly. "Of course," I smiled as I took the left light and Jess took the one on the right.
Once the lights connected with Empyrea's wings, the door then lowered itself to the ground, revealing a staircase that led down into an area with poison water and a sinister force. "Do you feel that? That sinister presence?" Jessica asked with worry. "I do... it's Dhoulmagus without a doubt. I'll keep you guys covered with my magic so you don't become thorns or get transformed. We don't need to go through that process again," I frowned. "Yea to that," Medea frowned.
We soon began descending the stairs and we turned the corner. Once we turned the corner, we were in front of a giant door. I pushed it open with all my might and we were then met with the madman himself. Dhoulmagus was in a giant bubble of magical liquid and he looked to be gaining power. "HEY! Clown monkey!" I exclaimed, getting his attention. I could tell that Dhoulmagus had been healing, as his lacerated face had turned into a mere scar. "You lot a a very irritating bunch, aren't you?" Dhoulmagus asked in anger. "Save it, Dhoulmagus! Why have you been killing innocent people for no reason?! Why kill a casino owner even? What's the deal?!" Medea asked in anger. She didn't know the whole plot, as I didn't dare mention that far ahead, but I didn't expect Dhoulmagus to blab about it either.
"Hmph! I shouldn't have to explain myself to you, Princess Mare-dea! But I do question as to how you were able to lift this scepter's curse," Dhoulmagus growled. "Because of my magical blood, that's how," I frowned at him. "Bah! Enough talk! You came here to fight? Then let's fight," Dhoulmagus cackled as he descended himself out of the bubble of magic and down to us. He put the staff out in front of him and began to charge an attack. And what came out afterwards was the attack I knew he wouldn't be successful with. The thorn attack.
He sent a ton of thorns our way, and my magic protected everyone around me from their wrath. Once Dhoulmagus noticed this, he intensified the blast, which only ended up temporarily covering us, only for the thorns to disintegrate afterwards. "What the hell?! You are no ordinary elf, time traveler! Time to make you pay! Such a pity that you'll be joining the others in purgatory!" Dhoulmagus exclaimed as he used the scepter's power to transform into his monster form. Once he did this, the real battle started.
Dhoulmagus immediately started by trying to pelt me with a Kafrizz spell, which was completely ineffective on me as well as my magical bustier. "Nice try, numb nuts," I smirked as I aimed my fingers at him. "Now it's our turn." I then began my attack by summoning three icicles and sending them right for his heart. They all three connected with him and they all three went in his torso, but no luck. Even with 3 icicles through the chest, Dhoulmagus still stood, even if his body began spewing purple blood. "Take this monster!" Medea exclaimed as she then dashed forward and, with her own unique weapon in spiky knuckles, dug the spikes right into Dhoulmagus's body and punched him right in the jaw.
Dhoulmagus didn't like that at all, as he whipped Medea right into the wall with his massive tail. Medea groaned in pain, as she had taken damage, but she was still raring to fight. "Is that all ya got, Dumb-Magus?!" Medea exclaimed, getting Dhoulmagus's attention with an insulting name. The mad monster roared at this and tried to rush at Medea, only to get stopped in place and wrapped up by Jessica's Gringham Whip. "And now prepare to die," Jessica exclaimed as she used the whip to knock Dhoulmagus from his current point and right into the wall that held up the magic pool of water. Once that happened, the battle was done.
Dhoulmagus disintegrated away into nothingness and he was all gone. The only thing that remained was the scepter. And even though us girls knew what the foul artifact was still capable of, Jess played along with courage, picking up the staff to bring back to Trodain. "We should take this back to Troadain and keep it under wraps. But first, I think we should take a break from this adventuring. I'm quite tired after all that," Jessica frowned. "Sounds like a fair plan to me," Yangus smirked. He, Angelo, and Trode wouldn't have any idea as to what would happen. But I did, and even though I hated it, Jess needed to be brave. Now more than ever.