Hey everyone, I'm back with a new update...enjoy!
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Chapter four: Rod of Atos
A day passed by, Hoodwink and I began the second leg to our journey: finding the Rod of Atos. The instructions given by the shopkeeper took us to a deep swamp adjacent to the mountains we were in. The trip to get here only took about a day but by the time we arrived, we were both welcomed by a hot humid haze in the air.
Turns out, this jungle is about as dangerous as you would expect, so Hood and I had to stay above ground to avoid large alligators, carnivorous plants, and other outlandish creatures hidden below.
After the dawn of the second day inside this place, we saw it: a Mayan-like pyramid structure that stands in the middle of a large marsh. Greenery has overwhelmed the building as if it's been abandoned for centuries.
My fox ears rose all the way up, I was genuinely surprised by the sight unlike Hoodwink who seemed like she's seen better. Still, the squirrel was happy that we finally arrived at our second destination, "choice, we've found it!"
"Our last stop" I chimed in as she smiled even more, "come on then, let's have some fun."
"Lead the way" I chuckled as she passed me.
We hopped through robust lily pads and other floating objects to get to the pyramid. Once at its base, we went up some half-crumbled steps to reach the summit. The sun and twin-moons are overhead to light up the dark hole in front of us: it's a pit that seems to have no bottom. Before I can try to measure how deep it is or even voice my doubts on proceeding in, the rodent next to me jumps in!
"H-Hoodwink!" I exclaimed in fright, stretching my hand out.
Without any regard for her own safety, the red squirrel yells as her voice begins fading, yet it's more from excitement rather than dread…how can she be having fun from doing such a thing!? Man, she really IS crazy!
Oh man…what do I do…what do I do!? I think to myself as I pace back and forth. After a few seconds of debating with myself, one of my fox ears twitched in response…I can't be a coward…I have to jump in after her…I hope I don't regret this!
I followed her in.
Down below, Hoodwink used one of her magical acorns to light up the place. Her long ears move up when she heard a yell above her increasing in volume. Quickly, she jumped away as I struck the ground hard where she used to be. As the dust settled around, I groaned heavily in response to the pain.
"Ya right?" She asked in her accent, running toward me on all fours.
Am I alright!? H-how did she manage to end up unharmed…am I just wracked with bad luck or something…maybe it's a squirrel thing…jeez!
"Y-you're crazy…you could have died, Hood!" I yelled back, trying to stand up.
"Crazy is my middle name, foxboy!" She retorted, laughing at my expense.
"Whatever" I huffed back. She tried helping me up. Once I'm back on my feet and have recovered, we look around the place: it seems we're in a dark room with strange hieroglyphics along the walls. The squirrel pulled out the weapon we had earned from our last adventure to light up the way: the Malestrom. The device gives out bright blue electrical charges that manage to give us heading, "smart thinking" I told her as she smiled at me.
"I hope this place isn't cursed…because it's already giving me the shivers!" I gulp loudly.
"I'll bet" she added.
We started examining the walls and at one point, one of the lightning bolts from the hammer strikes my fur as I yelp out loud in pain, "h-hey!? Watch with that thing!"
She giggled, covering her mouth, "sorry there, mate."
I rolled my eyes, rubbing my arm before we proceeded.
We soon came across a corridor leading into a new area…I guess we just need to match the shapes and follow them. Anyways, it turns out that it's a large room with floating platforms…and below them at the bottom of the room is murky water…not something I'd want to end up in.
So basically, the layout is similar to the chamber inside the ice fortress we were in not too long ago.
"I'm noticing a pattern here" I quipped amusingly as the rodent walked forward, "am I right, Hoodie?"
She either ignored my take on her name or seemed pressed on reaching the middle of the room. It took no effort on her part to make it across (jumping on every platform in her way and avoiding a fall.) Upon reaching the center of the room, Hoodwink noticed a lever sticking out of the ground.
"Caleb" she yelled for me as I made my way to her, being more careful during my crossings compared to her of course. Once I arrived, she was crouched down, gesturing to the lever, "what do 'ya reckon this is?" I shrugged and it soon becomes apparent that she couldn't contain her impatience much longer. Even before I'm able to get closer to inspect the thing, the anthro pulls on the device. This all seems fishy to me…like something out of a movie…a well-known movie in-fact…I don't like this at all…
"Don't you think we should-wait!" I shouted to stop her. It could be a trap!
Sure enough, a cage comes out from the ground and surrounded the creature, boxing her in, "wh-what the!?"
The hammer she held was dropped and was now within arms reach of me, but I ignore it…choosing instead to help Hoodwink; however, once I get to her, the cage begins sinking into the floor slowly! I frantically searched for any way to free her. I grab onto the bars to try and use my strength to bend them, but it doesn't work. So, I tried something else: I went to grab the Maelstrom and brandished it to her, "stand back!" I then start banging it against the bars repeatedly, but it's no use…nothing's working!
"Damn it!" I cursed loudly as the cage was halfway through the floor.
"Caleb" I heard her voice as I kneeled to see her, "find another way!"
"W-what if…" my ears pull back in fear, afraid she'll be hurt…or worse: killed.
"Don't worry, you got this!" She said with a smile before the cage completely disappeared…sealing her within the floor under this chamber.
I pull away, ears drooping, "Hoodwink!" I cried out in vain. I spent the next minute pacing back and forth, trying to pull myself together to save her!
Great! How am I going to get to her!? What if it's too late? Do I really think I can do all this alone…
I glanced over to the idle Maelstrom that had been dropped by Hoodwink: it is lighting up the area with its bluish hue.
I can't keep standing here, she's counting on me!
Putting on a brave face, I went to pick up the mythical hammer and I nodded, I'll find you Hoodwink and I'll get you out…just hold on!
…
And so, I left the central platform for the area opposite from where we came in. Once on that side, I noticed the hieroglyphics on the wall…ones similar to those we first saw in the hallway. That's when I finally noticed: they had a code…each set representing symbols that corresponded to a particular room. I noticed that the middle platform had the symbol of a swan on it. And so, when I saw a pattern of swans pointing to a certain direction…I wasted no time following them. Hopefully this method will allow me to find Hoodwink and save her in time!
Thus, I start "decoding" the walls all over this colossal room. It took a while (more than I could bear) but soon I found where I needed to go: a large door at the end of another hallway. Remembering what symbols I had fiddled with the past few minutes (a cat, an insect, and water), I made random combinations to try and solve the puzzle. Sure enough, the order of water, cat and insect worked and the stone door (which is covered in moss) opened slowly.
I am met with yet another passageway but with a murky river that runs in the middle. The only way to proceed is by walking along the edges.
Easy, right? Wrong.
For one, it's slippery. Two, in the water there are flesh-eating piranhas! H-how do they even get in places like this…you know what: who cares!? I have to focus; one wrong step and I'll fall in and be somebody's lunch.
I carefully make my way through, tucking my fox tail behind me as I do so. I use the famed Maelstrom to light the way…maybe I can use it to fry the fish in the water…heh.
Anyway…about halfway through this uncomfortable mess of a room, one slippery stone in my descent almost made me slip! I managed to use my new claws to dig into the wall beside me to stop myself from tumbling down.
Nice going, fox, I said to myself, shakily standing up as the piranhas in the water eyed me and followed me from the start of the room. Needless to say the scaly vertebrates were stimulated by my clumsy fall. I cursed softly.
Resolve filled me…I AM NOT going to end up a snack for these things…I am NOT going to fail Hoodwink!
I gathered myself, narrowing my furry eyebrows as determination filled me again. Sure enough, I am getting closer to my destination and upon arriving at the end of the descending (river) corridor, I find yet another obstacle in my way. In front of me is a *fast* moving platform and if I don't time my jump properly, I'll fall and…you know the rest: chow for the piranhas.
And so, I tried figuring the best time to make my attempt, all the while rubbing my paws together. I sighed softly as my legs shake in fear. I focused my thoughts, sharpened my senses, and I ran: running as fast as I could…having timed the platform.
As soon as I make contact, the speed at which it is moving almost causes me to fall off! Well, at least I am on it. I gasp, looking down to see the fish hungrily eyeing me from below, and I pull myself up. Upon resting flat on the surface, I lift my head to see how close I am to the finish-line. I shakily stand up and again time my jump accordingly. Finally making it safely across, I groan loudly, "stupid jungle, stupid pyramid…I can't wait till we're out of this dump!"
I glance over to the single door in my way and next to it on the way is a shiny object…I'm not sure what It is but I figured it was my way to proceed. I touched it, but in doing so, I found out too late that it was a trap! Underneath me, the ground opened, and I fell…
I yelled probably the loudest I ever did up to that point. I thought for sure I was a goner, especially when I struck water. Once I break for the surface, I gasped in shock: looking around. Panic set in immediately…oh no, the piranhas!
Expecting to be devoured within seconds, I instead look around…there's none here? I must have been sent to a new area entirely. I heave a BIG sigh, "screw this place…"
I shouldn't have talked…because I soon heard a loud growl in the distance.
Uh oh…
Thanks to my new found night vision (something I forgot to mention I have…what with being a fox and what not…) I can see what's around me: there's a small hill in this black cavern. I can get to the hill, for it's not far away.
Quickly, I swam to it, getting on dry land just as I saw a large beast emerge from the depths behind me!
My ears drooped backwards as I tucked my tail between my hind legs: my pupils shrunk in fear at the sight in front of me. Stomping onto dryland is an enormous purplish alligator and it roars in anger at my unwelcomed "visit."
HoodWink DEFINETLY owes me a drink after all this…
I get my shield out and ready and I display the Maelstrom at the reptilian beast, bracing myself for the battle to come shortly after.
Of course, it made the first move instead of me: charging for my small body (with its choppers in full display.)
Just before it can eat me whole, I jumped in the air and landed on its head. I try landing a hit with the hammer, but it squirms violently…throwing me off! I ended up in the water once again and it doesn't take long for the monster to join me.
Before I can end up its snack underwater, I hastily swim for my life to shore as it makes for me. I get out just in time as its jaws close empty-handed.
Now both again on land, it once again lurched at me; however, I sidestepped and used my shield to strike it as a counterattack! Barely fazed by my move, it snaps its jaw at me again and once again I dodged its attack: slamming the Maelstrom across its face. Unfortunately for me, it uses an arm to send me flying back a few feet.
In a split second I look up to see large rocky formations and a thought crossed my mind. The alligator, meanwhile, slipped away to safety in the water for a few moments. I stand up, grabbing the Maelstrom from the floor and I get myself ready…soon I'll set my plan in motion!
A minute later it finally emerged again and once it attacked me, I jumped like the first time, but once I landed on its ridged back, I jumped again. I yelled as loud as I could, pointing the hammer at the rocks above. Having seen Hoodwink do it, I aimed and "fired" my attack and to my surprise it worked! The blue lightning struck the spiky ceiling and caused the stalagmites to shake and eventually fall toward us.
As I fell back to the earth, I gave a mischievous grin…one that could challenge Hoodwink herself. Upon landing on the wet soil, I am met face to face with the giant beast again; however, before it can do anything, the ceiling came down on it: crushing the monster under the heavy debris!
I did it! Oh, I can't believe that happened!
Hood isn't going to believe any of this, I thought to myself as I picked up my green shield from the ground. I sighed softly as the air calmed around me…the battle having ended, yet I shouldn't waste anymore time…Hoodwink is still in trouble!
I try to use this momentary peace to try and find a way out, but then I thought maybe she's…here?
And so, I cupped my cream-colored paws together and called out to her, but no response came. I sighed softly at myself, oh well…worth a try, Caleb.
There's nowhere else for me to go but in the water too. What if there's more of those things, ah-screw it!
I jumped in again, making my way around the cavern, but I found no way out…until I went underwater. The water is clear enough for me to see a tunnel I can navigate through.
Might as well, right?
Being the type of guy to do crazy stuff, I ventured forth: trying to hold on to my breath for as long as possible. I followed the colorful passage until it led to the surface again: and I am brought into another room entirely. This is the smallest one yet, but it has the same hieroglyphics and artwork on the walls.
"What a strange place…" I scoffed, climbing out of the water to "shore." I shake myself violently, drying my fur like a canine before proceeding. I passed through the room, but soon it leads to a four-way corridor: one leads to the right place and the other three…death.
At least that's what I deciphered from the skull symbols and what not…
Each dark hallway had a set of symbols running along their façade. I figured I should just follow the correct sequence and I ought to be alright.
"Mate, an egghead like you should figure this out" I said to myself in Hoodwink's accent in such an amusing way…she probably would have slapped me with her tail at my one-sided remark too.
Anyways, I examine every single symbol in every single area, and I figured that the corridor second to last is my best bet…if it's not…well…I guess my story ends here, don't it?
So, that's the path I decided to take: second to last. As soon as I passed through, the way I came in closed as if a door rose from the ground!
"No turning back now…" I sighed to myself, for I had no choice but to continue.
…
Not a minute later, I see a light at the end of the tunnel...and a voice! My ear twitched as I caught the familiar voice! I started running until the light got so bright that I was blinded for a moment. Once my sight returned, I had to look at my surroundings: I am in a large circular chamber with many strange tribal decorations hanging above. More importantly, in the center of it all is a cage…and inside the small prison is none other than Hoodwink herself!
Her eyes lit up upon catching sight of me. She had been trying to free herself by picking the lock but to no avail. Now, she looks at me with a smile…with a face that could have meant my hero is here, but let's be honest…Hood's not really the damsel type.
"Took 'ya long enough!" She chuckled.
"Sorry, I had to fight off a giant alligator back there" I walked toward her, still wielding the Maelstrom in my paw.
"You want a medal or something, egghead?" She retorted playfully as I sighed. I try to find a way to break this cage to free her, but of course something else had to get in the way…
We both start to hear the faint sound of drums above us but soon it got louder and started filling the room…a tribal sound that didn't sound the least bit friendly.
We looked around, trying to find the source of the noises. I soon pull away, taking out my shield…preparing for the worst.
"Caleb!" Hoodwink yelled as I looked straight up. A large, grey, anthropomorphic creature landed on top of me, but I had rolled out of the way in time. As I stand up, I am met with a man donning tribal attire and a large spear. An animal mask hides their face, but through that headwear I can hear them chanting a language unknown to me. This man stands roughly nine feet tall and is ready to charge at me at any moment.
My long foxlike ears flattened behind me in dread but then determination fills me when I hear the red squirrel behind me say, "go get 'em, mate!"
I huffed out all my fears and with her encouragement I went into battle. The "boss" and I circled one another. He spun his large spear in a display of skill and soon after they jumped at me…giving a deafening war cry!
Thinking quickly, I raise my shield and block their aggressive jab. In response I try to counterattack by attempting to punch them; however, they smack me away with the blunt side of their weapon. I crashed into the wall as Hoodwink chittered loudly across from me, "get up, he's coming!"
I groggily lift my head and instinct took over right away: I sidestepped just as their spear pierced the stone façade…if I was still there a second longer, I'd be dead…
I jumped and rolled forward to dodge a back-to-back swing and I quickly retaliate by throwing my green shield at them. Unfortunately, their reflexes are good, and they ended up smacking my shield away with their free hand.
"They make it look easier in the movies…" I quipped silently to myself.
I begin running toward the enemy (while evading another swing by the man) and I hastily pick up my shield. Once the "shaman" tried kicking me away, I jumped and managed to smack them with the blue hammer! Finally, a hit.
As the man is thrown in the air by my attack, I yell…jumping in the air: slamming the Maelstrom into the ground to unleash blue lightning on my enemy: great combo, Caleb, I thought.
"Bloody Epic!" I heard behind me, Hoodwink cheering.
Now momentarily paralyzed by my attack, my ear catches the sound of Hood's voice, and something being thrown in my direction, "use this!" The rodent threw a pair of her acorn bolas, and I caught it in the air.
I continued my onslaught, running up to the tribal man standing up. I threw Hood's weapon and it perfectly wrapped around the man…trapping them. I jumped and smacked them in the face with the hammer. Hood smiled happily, glad to see what I had achieved, "that had to hurt, bro!" Yet, fear enveloped me inside when I realized I had punched off the mask that had encased the person's face…what I saw shocked me. Instead of a face, in front of the head is nothing but bone…barely a skull since there is tissue on the sides and behind…as if the front of their face was burnt clean off! A red glow came from its empty sockets and had sent shivers down my back and tail…
Before I could continue with my attacks, the acorn bolas holding them snapped and they kicked me away…hard…
I am sent hurtling through the air and Hoodwink cringed once I slammed into the ground on the other side of the room. The squirrel took out her crossbow and placed it between the bars and aimed for the man. She managed to shoot a bolt at them, and it struck them on the leg!
As they're being distracted by the squirrel, I grunt…attempting to get up again. I have to get up…we can't lose…not after everything we've been through!
I stood up, but now the tribal warrior is angry and is rushing for me again. Before I could react, they grabbed my throat with a hand and pulled me in the air…bringing me to their face. Hood yelled in fear, face full of shock from this. I found myself gasping for air…I am completely at their mercy…
Meanwhile, the red squirrel quickly loaded another shot into her arbalest and aimed for the spearman's head…direct hit again! The shock allowed their grip on me to weaken, and I use all my strength to break free. Once on the ground I dodged a swipe from them and grabbed my magical hammer and aimed for my opponent, "this might hurt" I grinned before unleashing a barrage of lightning at them. It causes them to finally be paralyzed and they drop their spear. I quickly dash for it and upon catching it I stabbed the man…
Silence comes shortly after…we stand across from one another…motionless. Hoodwink just stared at us…unsure on what is going to come from all this…
Sure enough, something DOES happen…something that causes me to jump back and yelp: the tribal man disintegrates into nothing! That's it then…the confrontation is over. That means all that's left to do is to free Hood from her prison. With the spear still in my clutches, I run over…trying again to open the cage. Then, something got my attention: the lock has a hole that is similar to the shape of the tip of the spear. I decide to try it: I insert the end in the lock and surprisingly it does the trick! The door opens and Hood is freed! Right after I used the weapon as a key, it disintegrated from my paws!
The green-hooded squirrel walks up to me and pats my shoulder, "nice work, mate. You and that hammer go hand in hand."
"T-thanks" I gave a surprised look, glancing over to the idle Maelstrom, but my attention is drawn again to Hoodwink who, kind of out of nowhere, brings me into a tight hug, "ya really did a number on them!"
We pull away and I chuckled, "so…uh…what now?" I look around. Right after, as if on cue, something appeared with a flash of light: it's some sort of weapon mounted on a pedestal. We slowly walk towards it…trying our best not to set off any traps if there are any. Fortunately, there's no threat. Our eyes shine at what we see in front of us: it's a silver/black bony rod with a red gem etched on its head…it's the Rod of Atos!
This is it, the last ingredient we had been trying to get to make the Gleipnir!
"That's the one!" Hoodwink exclaimed excitedly as she jumped around, hyper from us overcoming this death trap. As she had her moment, I examined the item with great curiosity…it certainly looks primitive and intimidating as hell…
Hood stopped her bouncing and stepped in to grab it, "alright, let's go ahead and-" upon picking up the strange weapon, the entire place began to erupt!
"Uh oh…" we both muttered, looking to one another as the ground shakes all around us. Soon, rocks came down the ceiling…it won't be long until it caves in and squishes us…
"Gotta go!" The Squirrel exclaimed, "no kidding" I added.
We both tried to find an exit but there is none. My ears then perked up as I grab her, "do you still have a portal scroll with you!?"
"Ye! Hang on, bro!" She pulls it out and starts reading from it. Suddenly tho, I remember we left something behind, the Maelstrom and my shield!
"Hold up!" I stopped her, jumping away as she yelled with her eyes widened, "what are you doing you bloody idiot!?"
"The hammer!" I said as I dodged rocks falling all around me.
"We don't have long!"
"Just start reading it, I'll make it back to you!" I retorted as I slide in to grab both the hammer and my shield. She does so and the ground around the rodent begins glowing. As I make it back to her, kicking my hind legs into overdrive, I look up to see a rather large boulder falling toward her! I yelp in surprise, using all the strength I had to make it to her. By this point, the spell is almost finished but I fortunately jump toward her as she finished the enchantment. We are successfully teleported out of the pyramid as the boulder strikes the ground where we once were.
…
The next thing we know we are (once again) back in the same town we ended up in two times now…
"Ah buggah, not this cruddy place again" Hoodwink groaned as the scroll vanished. It's still daytime outside and the villagers all around us are shocked to see our sudden arrival. She's still holding the Rod and upon realizing that we're being stared at, Hood displayed the weapon…its gem begins glowing a bright red. As soon as she does, the red light causes every human and near-human to panic and run or hide. The squirrel laughed evilly, twirling the rod in the air like a ball, "I like this thing already."
"I'm glad you do, come on…we should get going."
"You just like to suck the excitement out of the air sometimes, yeh!?" Hood protested but I remained adamant in the face of her 'whining', "I do believe there is a certain someone you want to see banished for eternity in the void?" I gave a toothy grin to her as she laughed.
"You got that right, mate."
As I begin walking away, Hoodwink spun the Rod of Atos once last time while putting a paw on her hip, looking around the scared villagers around us, "I'd be careful how you'd treat us critters around your filthy street from now on. I've got more of 'em scrolls in my stash and I won't hesitate to come back and really mess up your day!"
"Come on Hoodie!" I yelled, already on top of a hill nearby. The name sent the squirrel in a slight rage, "w-what did you just call me, fox!? Oh, that does it, come 'ere you!" She began running on all fours after me as I chuckled, a chase ensued.
Welp, our quest is complete…kind of. We do have everything now to create the weapon needed to get rid of the Primal Beast in Tomo'kan, but then came the challenge of assembling it and then finding the blasted thing.
Either way, we headed back to the Mistwoods…but not before Hoodwink pummeled me on the head with her acorns for calling her 'Hoodie.'
Ultimately, our trip took days again and led us back through the grassy hills, the sandy Outlands, and finally…back to Hoodwink's adopted forest…
…
Alright, I hope you all enjoyed that recent addition! Things are starting to heat up, I can't wait to see what happens with the Primal Beast!
Something funny to think about: in the game Dota2, when Hoodwink gets the Gleipnir she says that she went through hell getting the damn thing the first time, which I think is funny. All that I've written (her and Caleb going to get the Rod of Atos and Maelstrom) is made up and non canon of course, but it's funny to consider that this could've been what she meant.
Anyway, I'll see you all in the next update. Take care!