Hey Everybody a new chapter for The Emerald Promise is now up! Not much to say but thanks for checking the chapter out. I hope you all enjoy! - EG
Word Count: 4420
Chapter 3: The Dungeon
I walked down what felt like the thousandth step before there was flat ground once more. "The dungeon," I whisper as I look around, seeing the stone walls of the maze
"Yes, now keep your ears out for any sounds. You'll be able to hear the monsters shuffling before you can see them." I hear Bell suggest as I take a look around, pulling the rapier from its simple leather sheath.
The cold steel felt familiar and strange at the same time, memories from long ago floated from the for-front of my mind. I had practiced with a stick long ago, before I started to be more and more confined to the palace. "Right," I voice out as I start to make my way down the narrow path to my left.
"How are you with orientation? Can you easily remember which direction is north?" Bell asked, with a simple but calm voice. 'Is he simply trying to fill the silence, or is he seeing how well I can concentrate before getting distracted?'
"Well enough, within a few seconds, I can normally find my direction. Here it might be more difficult." A simple but true reply, then I hear it just like he said, a soft shuffle of movement. I could feel my ear twitch slightly.
"Very good, you seemed to notice." I could hear Bell mention, but his voice seemed distant as if he moved farther back.
I was about to reply as I started to round the corner, seeing a small hunched figure of a simple goblin. The green skin seemed sickly but I ignored that and charged.
The goblin gave a great screech as it walked towards me, clumsily swinging its right hand with broken, discolored claws. I saw the slow swing and avoided it with a soft twirl and slashed at its chest, leaving a deep gouge in the creature's flesh.
Blood spurted, narrowly missing me. The goblin recoiled, screeching in pain and giving an opening for me to stab with the tip of my blade, piercing its head with the soft crunch of a broken bone. As it fell limp, I gave a sharp tug on the blade to remove it before sheathing it once more.
"Very well done, most of the time when a fresh adventurer sees a monster for the first time, they freeze up. Maybe you will be a good adventurer with time." Bell moved closer as I noticed that he was roughly thirty feet down the tunnel we came from.
"Thanks, I suppose," I commented before listening again.
"Well, I'll get the stone today but I want you to learn how to in the future since we don't have a supporter," Bell commented as he twirled a simple-looking knife before slamming it into the chest of the goblin and carved out a tiny purple crystal.
A wave of nausea filled my chest, Bell noticed and flicked his red eyes towards me. "Sorry, but this is how we make a living. You'll need to do it eventually." I could only nod my head, not trusting my voice.
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Almost an hour passed as we slowly made our way through the first floor, and the small pouch that Bell brought was almost full. "Why don't you try out your magic. Truth be told I am curious, but I'll stand back a bit because we don't know how it affects creatures."
We looked around for a few more minutes before I could hear the shuffling once more. As I rounded another corner I could see the wolfish head of a kobold. I began my chant, alerting it to my position "I call upon the frosted winter of the north."
The kobold was faster than the more common goblin, I could feel the mental energy I have begin to drain as I spoke the enchanted words. "The unforgiving wind of the tundra snow." I raised my sword as the kobold closed in, only 10 feet away now.
"Freeze my opposition so I might live another Winter." Pain, I could feel the skin of my arm pierced by the sharp teeth of the monster. For a second, panic flooded me as I could feel the magical energy fading away.
"For my name is Alf. Frost Nova!" I managed to finish the chant. I could feel the temperature dropping rapidly as a wave of frozen energy erupted from my body towards the enemy, then exploding in frost. As darkness consumed my mind, the last thing I saw was an explosion of snow and ice surrounding me.
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Blood pooled at the feet of my escort. A brave soul that took the initiative to help me escape even though she was exhausted, fulfilling her duty to help me even though I had abandoned my title as elven royalty.
A memory of running while she blocked the narrow passages of the tree-bound village, my guard pushing me to the side, blocking the leaf bladed sword. Managing to force it out of the pursuer's hands, in a single fluid motion removing the attackers head, elven ears fluttering as it fell to the ground.
'I thought we had escaped pursuit after leaving the oldest part of the forest.' I thought as a fresh tear escaped me, knowing the fate of the loyal soldier that was blocking the remaining pursuers.
Holding close to the only thing I had, a bag I carried with basic supplies of food, water pouch, and money. Not much, but it was enough to help me get by.
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My eyes shot open, followed by the strong feeling of a pounding headache. I looked around to see that I was still in the dungeon, Bell next to me as I was sitting against the rough wall.
"Ah, you're awake. How do you feel?" A soft smile etched his face. "Here take this. It should help." He held out a small vial containing a blue liquid
"I feel like a herd of deer trampled me. What is this?" I held the small sickly blue vial up to eye level.
"It's a mind potion. It will help recover your mind and ease the headache…" After a second I removed the top and drank the liquid. A bitter taste caused me to nearly spit it out in surprise, but with an effort, I managed to down it. I could feel the headache fading as my mind returned to its normal state almost immediately.
"Thank you." I give a slight cough, trying and failing to remove the bitter aftertaste. He only nodded and looked off into the distance as if in thought. "How long was I out?"
It took a second for Bell to reply, "Only five minutes or so." Shifting uncomfortably I started to stand but was interrupted, "Just wait another few minutes. Rushing things might only lead to an unfortunate fate."
Understanding the wisdom of his warning I sat back down and closed my eyes in an attempt to release some tension that had built from within.
"Aiz, wait, you need to rest!" A voice echoed through the halls from the direction of the stairs.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bell tense up slightly. "Bell?"
A powerful gust of wind shot past us, the strength pushed me towards Bell. Who managed to catch me before crashing into him. Cloaked in the wind I barely noticed a human female. Long golden hair, but what caught my attention was a scar running down her cheek and up her arms. Shortly after her, a smaller male with blonde hair rushed after the wind.
"Aiz," Bell whispered as he looked in the direction they went.
"Who is that?" I ask, noticing the sad look in his red eyes.
"Aiz, currently the highest level in Loki familia. She is someone who pushed themselves to the breaking point and continued pushing regardless." He sighed and turned to face me once more, "Unfortunately I haven't heard anything good about her besides that she is stronger than the duo of captains. Her obsessive drive to get stronger will eventually become her undoing."
We sat for a minute longer before Bell stood, "Well her coming through here will probably have scared all the monsters away from here. Let's head home."
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"Goddess, we're home!" Bell shouted as he entered the familia home.
I watched as Dia came around the corner with a gentle smile. "Welcome home. Bell could you check on Ryu? She didn't seem very well today."
"Of course, I can do that, then start preparing dinner." Bell gave a sad smile before bowing and leaving towards the familia rooms.
"Riveria, care to join me in my office? I'm curious about your first time in the dungeon" Dia whispered as she began to move towards the other side of the house.
Without much choice, I followed, entering the same room I talked with the small goddess before. "Is Ryu alright?" I asked after closing the door behind us.
"Yes, she gets ill every once in a while." Dia was facing the opposite wall as she spoke. Turning to face me I could see signs of a strained smile "So, how did it go?"
I almost forgot to reply as a second or two ticked by, "Sorry, it was interesting. But I didn't feel scared or worried with Bell watching over me. It's hard to explain but I guess I felt safe." I shifted uncomfortably, having revealed so much.
Dia just chuckled, "Sounds like a pleasant feeling. He does a lot more than people know. He has helped hundreds of people over the last two years."
A silence filled the room, luckily Bell knocked on the door before it could linger for too long. "Goddess, I am going to start preparing dinner. Anything in particular you want?"
I could see Dia's face seem to light up as he spoke, "Just the usual, I'm gonna update Riveria's status, then yours after we eat. It hasn't been done in a couple weeks."
I watched in minor confusion as the door was still closed. "Of course." With that I could hear his steps retreating from the door.
"Well, let's go ahead and get you updated." I watched as Dia opened a small drawer in the desk, revealing a small needle.
After a second, I start to disrobe, still uncomfortable with the idea. A warm splotch fell on my revealed back as the room lit up in blue.
"Not bad, must have pushed you for the first day." I heard a mutter behind me. After a few seconds, a paper was placed against my back as the blue glow faded.
"Here you go, if you want to check it out." A piece of paper was waved over my shoulder.
Placing the paper aside, I dressed then flicked my eyes over the paper.
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Name: Riveria Ljos Alf
Race: High-Elf
Age: 63
Strength: I6 Dexterity: I10 Agility: I5 Endurance: I8 Magic: I15
Skills: Dia's Blessing
Magic: Frost Nova
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"It may not seem like much but remember you were also only down for two hours. A full day should show better improvements." Dia commented, standing and making her way to the exit. "Let's go wait at the table."
"Goddess, can I ask one question about my stats?" I had to ask. I watched as she nodded, "Why did my magic increase so much when I only used it once? I used my sword most of the time."
I watched as she paused for a second, "Many people don't know this but, everybody has a different affinity for stats. For example Bell excels in Agility but lacks in magic. So his Agility will grow faster than his magic." She paused, seeming to think for a second, "Does that answer your question?"
"Yes." But it felt off, something about that didn't seem correct. But I didn't know enough about the subject to say anything. "Let's go wait." I stand, picking up the paper and crumpling it into a small ball.
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"Also, as you can see on this map of the third floor, it is generally best to take a break in this room…" Barely paying attention, I notice Eina pointing out a room with two entrances. "Reports say monsters rarely go here but can wander in from time to time."
Eina looked in my direction, "Are you alright Lady Riveria? It seems that you've barely listened for the last twenty minutes."
Noticing my own lack of concentration, "I just feel like something is off with Dia familia." I reply, 'It's been four days since I started exploring the dungeon. Bell has accompanied me every time. I feel… well I'm not sure.' Lost in my thoughts, I almost forgot Eina was talking to me.
"I understand what you mean, when Bell visited me regularly, he had a similar mindset." I watched her green eyes narrow for a moment, then light up. "I just remembered a detail I don't think you knew. When he started, nobody adventured with him. He seemed to always be alone despite having a few members in the familia."
"Why is that? Ryu at least seems to get along well with him." My mind wondered back to why he seemed so protective, "Do you think the reason he goes into the dungeon with me, despite him being much stronger than me, is to protect me?"
I could see thoughts turning around in Eina's head as she thought, "Possibly, he always has been the type of person who went out of their way to help somebody."
Eina sighed, "I'm glad he is still the same person at his core, even if he seemed to have changed quite a bit since I last talked to him. But that is not what we are here for."
She slammed a massive book on monsters in front of me, and I could feel a cold sweat run down my spine as I looked up at the half-elf. "I… suppose you are right."
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"Riveria, on your right," I heard Bell call out.
As if on instinct I shifted my weight to the left bringing the slim sword up and around avoiding the claw of a Dungeon Lizard, the green arm swiftly being removed in the same motion.
"Urg," Releasing a grunt of effort, the blade shifted in the air bringing it through the neck. Blood streamed from the stump, splashing on the ground surrounded by monster corpses.
Now my least favorite part. With a sigh I brought a sturdy knife down and started carving out one crystal after another, totaling in fifty-eight so far.
"What has it been, five hours since we started?" I ask as dust fills the air from the last monster in the room.
"Give or take, it's always hard to tell. Great work today, think we should head up or do you want to explore some more?" Leaving the choice in my hands I look around the fourth floor.
"Let's go for about an hour more. I still have plenty of mind to use." Bouncing on the balls of my feet, I prepare to continue.
A soft chuckle could be heard behind me, "Good answer."
Heading deeper into the maze-like structure, I say "It must be boring to watch over me." trying to not let my guilt fill the words.
It was nearly a full minute before I heard a reply. "No, I don't think so. It's always interesting to watch the growth of people, and you're improving at a great rate. Even now, you are handling the fourth floor all by yourself. I'm sure if you wanted to, you could head to the next floor."
I could feel heat appear on my cheeks, but decided to ignore it by starting my chant on a small pack of Kobolds, small scrawny monsters with the head of a dog. After a few seconds, a wave of frost enveloped them, freezing all of them solid.
Pulling out my sword, I walked over and shattered the ice sculptures with a knock of the pommel. "Alright, now I think we should go."
Bending over to pick up the small crystals I notice Bell staring towards an adjacent tunnel. If looks could kill, I'm sure whatever is down there would be obliterated. "Bell?" I ask quietly, placing the crystals in a pouch at my hip.
"We're being watched. Hurry and let's leav…" I didn't hear the end of the sentence as a flash of lightning pushed me to the side.
Looking over I noticed Bell was cloaked in lightning, just like before. Instead of kicking my assaulter, he now had an arrow in his hand. With an audible snap it broke in his hand as he squeezed. The soft rustle of lightning paraded the halls of the maze before me.
I heard something much more unsettling. Someone was clapping, slow and methodical, as a raspy voice broke out from the darkness. "Your title of Raiju speaks true, as do the rumors of a special skill you have. But I must wonder, what toll does it take on you?" A large imposing figure appeared, half his face scarred.
Even as the larger figure approached, several smaller people followed behind. There had to be twenty in all, mostly human but a smattering of beast folk and a single dwarf. "What do you want?!" I heard Bell growl as the lightning surrounding him intensified.
"Well, let's say a little bird told me you have a large bounty on your head in the…" Waving his hand in a small circle as if trying to find the right words. "Darker portion of Orario."
"You really want to do this so close to the surface? I would've expected deeper, perhaps floor eighteen." Bell began to draw his weapons, a shortsword in his main hand and a crimson dagger in the left.
"We were planning on waiting, but you decided to waste your time helping a newbie out." I could feel my ears droop slightly at the jab.
"Fine, shall we get started then?" Bell turned to me and said "I would suggest you leave, I won't be able to protect you when things get started."Bell then took a small step in front of me.
The thought of abandoning him felt wrong, just like before. "I can…" but I was cut off by the sharp tone of Bell speaking again.
"Just go, let the others know. Besides, I don't plan on dying. Go… I'll be up soon." Bell spared a swift glance toward me, I could see unending determination behind his ruby eyes.
Getting to my feet, I could feel the tremble in my legs pass. His determination gave me hope, no more than a whisper I spoke, "You better, you cannot end like the others."
"You're crazy, you know that right? There are several level 2 adventurers and three who are level 3. What hope does a level 2 have against such odds?" The human bellowed through hearty chuckles. "This will be an easy payday."
I ran as those words echoed through the corridors, followed by the clash of metal and a scream of pain.
I ran, memories of the last time I was in a situation similar to this playing over in my mind as self loathing flooded my heart. I slashed my sword at every monster that attempted to block me from the exit.
My lungs felt like they wanted to collapse as I reached the top of the stairs leaving the dungeon. My body was begging me to slow down, but I ignored the feeling. Receiving a status helped significantly, but I was still weak.
The place I have come to call home came rushing towards me, opening the door to see a confused and concerned Ryu standing in the cross section of the home. "Riveria, what happened?"
Collapsing to my knees, panting for the sweet air to fill my lungs. "Ambushed…. Floor 4…. Bell…. Stayed…." I managed between great gasps of air. My vision blurred with the lack of proper air catching up to me.
I could feel myself being lifted and laid on a soft surface. I could feel the realm of dreams approaching rapidly as the exhaustion rapidly caught up.
"You don't think he…"
"I can still feel his blessing…"
"Then do you think he ki…"
I fought the urge to give in for as long as possible, long enough to hear tidbits of conversation, but alas the voices I could hear faded like a leaf floating downstream as my mind went blank.
Dreams invaded my mind that night, images of a rabbit being torn apart by a dozen wolves with fur like dripping blood.
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My mind felt fuzzy but responsive as I roused myself from sleep. A blurry room flooded my vision, "Ah, it seems you're finally awake." A soft voice echoed in my ears.
Looking around I saw the slender form of Dia sitting at my side. "How long was I out for?" My mind reared with a strange confusion of emotions.
"Oh, about three hours. It's around 10 pm." Her gentle voice seemed to calm my frayed nerves.
Then it hit me like a dwarven hammer, "Where's Bell?" Throwing myself into a sitting position and instantly regretting it as my whole body seemed to lock and cramp, especially my legs.
"Peace…" she said, placing a gentle hand across my chest, "He is alive and resting, just a few scratches and bruises. The worst was a cut running down his left arm. Ryu found him on the first floor with a mind down and depleted of stamina."
My heart seemed to begin beating at a normal rate as I breathed a sigh of relief. "Would I be able to see him?"
I could see a pained expression on the goddesses face, "I think it would be best to let him rest. You need your own as well." She paused for a second, seeming to think I was going to argue. After I didn't speak she decided to break the silence, "Would you like me to update your status? You didn't yesterday and I would feel more comfortable if I did."
"Sure, give me a second." As I shifted in my bed and started to remove my shirt only now noticing that my armor was off.
I could feel a slight blush forming on my face. As an elf, it was extremely embarrassing showing so much skin. But alas I managed, and soon felt a drop of warm liquid splash onto my back followed by the subtle blue glow filling the room.
"Let's see here…" I heard Dia mutter as she worked. "Well that's interesting…" I could feel both nervousness and excitement forming in my heart.
"What is…" I whispered as I looked at my hands where calluses were forming from the constant use of my sword.
"Here let me copy it down after I completely finish." It took another minute or two for the update to finish. "Right, here we go." She waved a piece of paper to where I could see it.
Placing it to the side, I put the shirt back on and then looked at the sheet.
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Name: Riveria Ljos Alf
Race: High-Elf
Age: 63
Strength: I98 Dexterity: H110 Agility: H134 Endurance: H101 Magic: H193
Skills:
Dia's Blessing
Fairy Anthem
Magic:
Frost Nova
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"I must have a massive affinity to magic for it to raise this far ahead of every other stat, despite me using it far less than my sword." I comment on the growth in magic, before my eyes land on the new skill I have.
"Fairy Anthem. The longer the chant for your spell the more powerful it becomes. It also grants a boost to magic in general." I heard Dia explain as I read the skill's name over again.
I heard shifting as Dia stood from a small stool next to the bed, "Just so you know, Bell leveled, and that will help in his recovery. Get some rest, you need it as well. I hereby order that you nor Bell can enter the dungeon for two days. I would suggest that you train with Ryu during that time." With that she opened the door before smoothly walking out without a sound.
"I hope Bell recovers quickly, if he only had a few scratches and bruises I wonder how long it will take for him." Even as I whisper those words, I could feel my eyes growing heavy in the night.
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I woke up late, looking at a magic stone powered clock that said 2:51 am. My throat felt like a desert, so I decided to make my way towards the kitchen. Not wanting to disturb anyone's rest, I moved slowly to create as little noise as possible.
A soft klink of glass and the trickle of water became the only sound in the house.
Satisfying my thirst I left to return to my room. As I turned the knob I heard a noise, not one I thought to hear. It sounded like sobbing, or something of that nature. Using my enhanced sense of hearing I realized it was coming from Bell's room.
As softly as possible I knocked on the door, "Bell?" I whispered. The sobbing stopped as a shuffling sound could be heard.
"Come-in." A choked voice meandered through the door.
With a soft creak I opened the door to see the darkened shape of a person sitting in a bed towards the corner under a window. Trying my best to not let my eyes wander around the unfamiliar room, I closed the door behind me.
Taking a few steps closer I whispered, "Are you alright Bell? I wanted to check on you earlier but couldn't."
"Honestly, not really." I pulled a chair up to his bed as he spoke.
I remained silent, unsure of what to say. Just when I began to think he would not say anything, I heard a whisper from him, "I…" I froze, a feeling that if I moved it would cause him not to finish his thoughts.
A few tears began to fall from his Ruby eyes, "I killed them… all of them. It wasn't the first time, but it was in another way…" as tears began to flow honestly, I couldn't hold back. I wrapped my arms around his body and held him tightly as the sobs began again.
'Oh Bell.' Was all I could think as a sense of concern grew. One single thought blossomed in my heart and mind. 'I promise this to you, I won't leave you again.'
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