Rook and Davrin sat on a couch across from Emmrich in his room at the lighthouse reaching the end of a long session. They had been talking about Rook's nightmare and about the Despair Demon that reacted to it. Emmrich had been listening to the story and Rook could only assume was formulating ideas on how to keep the dreams from becoming so damaging. Davrin sat quietly next to him the whole time he spoke. As he recounted the more trying parts of the nightmare Davrin would offer a comforting squeeze of the hand or pull him in a little closer or sometimes both.
"Once I realized I was in the nightmare I got out easy enough," Rook finished his story.
"It sounds like you should try to find something to use as a tell," suggested Emmrich, "Something that you can do that'll let you know instantly that you're dreaming."
"You mean like a trigger word or something?" asked Davrin breaking his long silence.
"A word could work yes…" Emmrich hesitated.
"But?" said Davrin.
"But the spirits or a demon could hear the word through the veil," Rook finished the thought.
"Yes, you really should come up with some sort of gesture between the two of you, something that will let you know instantly that it's truly Davrin." Emmrich stood from his chair and walked to the small table pouring himself a glass of water from the pitcher that sat there. Rook looked at Davrin and then down at his hands for a few long seconds. "I would suggest taking some time to think on it for now. You do not need to share it with me."
"I'll take some time and think it over," Rook stood up and stretched a bit.
"Would you two care to join me on the balcony?" asked Emmrich. "Davrin I believe you have something to report on." Emmrich started up the stairwell to the balcony. Davrin looked at Rook not sure what Emmrich meant.
"Heh, yeah. We can talk about it." Davrin stood and kissed Rook on the cheek before the three of them headed upstairs. As Rook followed he realized that Emmrich's study hadn't changed too much since they all stayed there. Hezenkoss' skull still sat on the table glowing with the wards that kept her imprisoned oddly enough right next to it was one of Davrins carvings, one of Manfred he had gifted to Emmrich. Rook still remembered some of the conversations he'd have with her when stopping by to speak with Emmrich. His collection of books had grown, at one point he had said about bringing books to his library from all over the world to preserve their knowledge, in case an event like the gods ever occurred again. The fireplace still burned bright and Rook could tell Emmrich had kept it clean the box of scrolls that once sat under the stairwell had been removed and likely put in a perfect place. "You coming Rook?" asked Davrin looking down at him from the next level. Rook hadn't realized he stopped to take in the room as he smiled up at Davrin and started back up the stairs. As he came up the stairs Emmrich and Davrin were already sitting across from each other, Emmrich had already poured them some tea.
"Sorry, but I'm all out of gingerwort truffle," teased Emmrich.
"Very funny, Emmrich, the usual Orlesian breakfast tea will do just fine," Davrin laughed. Rook smiled at the two of them thinking how their friendship had grown. He remembered all the conversations the two of them had about Assan and Manfred. Emmrich always used to think of Davrin as a bit of a ruffian and Davrin thought Emmrich was too reserved. Rook remembered how they would talk about the fade and how Davrin at that point still didn't think it was real. Now the three of them could sit somewhere and Rook would barely be able to get a word in. Davrin had become much softer with Assan and Emmrich started to let Manfred have more freedom over what he wanted to do. They had both influenced each other, Davrin had started listening when Emmrich talked about the fade in case he picked up on something that might help Rook.
"And for you Rook?" Emmrich held up a couple of teas that Rook recognized.
"I'll do the mint." Rook smiled as he sat down next to Davrin and Emmrich prepared his cup.
"Wonderful," Emmrich sat in the chair across from them and got comfortable taking a sip of his tea. "Now, my dear Davrin how did it go?" Davrin looked at Rook and smiled, Rook felt his hand rest on his knee.
"Well I turned on the charm and he said yes," Davrin announced. Rook felt himself blushing as he remembered that Davrin had let Emmrich know what he planned to do.
"I'm so glad, it went as expected," Emmrich sat back in his chair with a smile. "Rook you should have seen this one, he was so nervous."
"What? Really?" Rook was surprised. Rook looked at Davrin surprised.
"Honestly I've seen him face down ogres and dragons with more confidence," laughed Emmrich. "He was like a scared puppy with his tail between his legs."
"I was only ever going to say yes." Rook nudged Davrin and laid his cheek on Davrin's shoulder.
"Part of me knew that, but what if you weren't ready to commit," said Davrin kissing the top of Rook's head. "I didn't know."
"What did you think of the piece he carved for you?" asked Emmrich, "He showed me and I couldn't help but feel it fit you both so well."
"It really is beautiful. My Grey Warden warrior with the heart of a halla." Rook nudged Davrin as he spoke.
"It's certainly my favourite piece I've ever done." Davrin took a sip of his tea and sat the cup down.
"I'm so glad you two decided to continue together after the gods fell. I would be so worried for each of you had you not," said Emmrich.
"You're going to have to unpack that a bit," said Davrin confused at the statement.
"Davrin my dear boy, you were always too willing to sacrifice yourself, too willing to die for everyone else," explained Emmrich. Rook felt Davrin shift and he could tell he was slightly uncomfortable. "Rook seems to have convinced you that living would give you so much more." Davrin looked down at their hands together before smiling at Rook.
"Alright, I'll give you that."
"And Rook, from what you've told me about your past and even what we experienced together," Emmrich paused. "You've never had a moment to truly just be happy and I believe that Davrin has given you a safe space to do that in." Before Rook could react Strife came running up the stairwell.
"Davrin, Rook a messenger from the Grey Wardens has come looking for you. He is waiting for you in the rotunda," he exclaimed. Davrin and Rook looked at each other before quickly standing, it had to be something important for Evka to send someone to find them here. The four of them quickly made their way down the stairwell and out into the lighthouse rotunda to find Warden Vincent waiting patiently for them. As they approached he seemed to be marvelling at the bookshelves around the room.
"Warden Vincent," Davrin greeted.
"Warden's Rook and Davrin, pleased to see you both well," said Vincent.
"What's wrong?" asked Rook.
"Evka and Antoine sent me with word of an elven ruin that needs to be investigated. Evka said to mention that it was similar to what Warden Ramesh had brought to us several years ago," explained the young Warden. Rook had read a report by Ramesh in Weisshaupts library when he first joined up that had taken place several years ago. He and his team had been sent after another group of Wardens that were investigating an incident at Hormak. It had become known around Weisshaupt as the Horror of Hormak. Knowing what Rook knew now he was sure it was one of Ghilan'nain's labs, he had heard about the designs on the walls showing that there were at least eleven more of them scattered around Thedas.
"The Horror of Hormak…" Rook spoke out loud.
"I've never heard of Warden Ramesh before what reports?" asked Davrin.
"I found his report in the library, I don't think the first Warden took it all that seriously. But at the same time, I don't think they could have done anything about it. He described some pretty horrific stuff in that report," explained Rook. "Have they found another of the labs?"
"They believe so. Evka has ordered all Wardens to be on the lookout for these labs in their travels. We got a report from a scouting party that was investigating the Deep Roads in Rivain." Vincent seemed to be uncomfortable talking about the subject and Rook didn't blame him.
"They didn't go in did they?" asked Rook worrying about what would become of most if they had.
"No. We're under orders to retreat if we find one so we can send a prepared party into it." Vincent shifted his stance a bit and crossed his arms trying not to look unsettled. He had clearly read the reports.
"Can you mark the entrance on a map?" asked Rook.
"Hold on a minute here," said Davrin, "How did we even find it all the way in Rivain? Do we have a presence out there now?"
"Yes, Taash and Lace have assisted Evka and Antoine with establishing a base there at the old fortress…" Vincent pulled a map from his pack and handed it to Rook. "I have one drawn for you already. The locations are approximate, we've been instructed not to get too close because of what happened to Warden Jovis and his team."
"Vincent go back to Evka and tell her and Antoine that Davrin and I will head there right away, I wonder if we go see Isabela if she can get word out to Taash and Lace. If the reports were true we'll need them." Vincent seemed relieved and Rook could tell he was hoping they wouldn't ask him to come with them.
"Right away Rook." Vincent left quickly going down the stairwell to make use of the Eluvian network.
"I'm going to need you to fill me in on what went on at this place," said Davrin.
"Am I to assume you'll be leaving immediately then?" asked Emmrich.
"Sorry to cut the visit short again Emmrich, we'll talk again soon. I'll think about what you told me," said Rook.
"Of course Rook, I understand. Do you require any assistance?" Rook looked at Emmrich and Strife for a short time thinking it over.
"You guys stay back here," said Davrin. "You have a lot to watch over here, Taash and Harding can fill in."
Rook and Davrin gathered their belongings and made their way through the Eluvian network to the Hall of Valor where they'd find Isabela and hopefully, Taash and Harding wouldn't be too far away. Along the way, Rook had explained more to Davrin of what he had found in the reports to make sure they were both ready for what was to come. Rook had looked at the map and it looked like they were going to need to travel by horse for a day or more to get to their destination. The eluvians would only get them so close. They stepped through the eluvian and the heat of Rivain immediately hit them, the warmth of the sun and the salted sea air was a welcome change to the cool days of the forest they had gotten used to.
"I almost forgot what that felt like," said Davrin.
"Me too," agreed Rook regretting not bringing something lighter to wear than his garb. They stayed quiet otherwise and proceeded down the narrow sandy hallway. They walked quickly through the market seeing a couple of familiar faces but not stopping to speak. They made their way up to Isabela's perch at the top of the Hall of Valor.
"Rook, Davrin what brings you two here?" Isabela greeted them immediately, walking away from who she was talking to to speak with them. "It's good to see you again. Can I get you something to drink?"
"It's good to see you too, and no thank you we'll skip the drinks this time," said Davrin.
"Well that's no fun," she laughed.
"Sorry Isabela, we're here on Warden business, maybe after," Rook promised. "Have you seen Taash and Lace lately?"
"Those two love birds? Since Lace showed back up they've been mostly staying at Taash's old family home. Should I send word you're here?" Rook checked the map and Taash's home was on the way to where they were going.
"If you can let them know we're on our way. I don't suppose you have any horses we can borrow?" Isabela called over one of the Lords and said something to him Rook couldn't quite hear, he nodded and started to walk away.
"Follow him, he'll get you what you need." Isabela sat in her chair and picked up her drink as Rook and Davrin turned to follow the man.
"Thanks, Isabela." He took them down the stairs and through a doorway that they had never been through before. It opened up into another pathway and took them down and into a barn. The smell of hay and barn animals seemed to hit them in the face along with the Rivaini heat.
"Haven't smelled that in a while," laughed Davrin. They went through another door and it opened up into the stables.
"I think Buttercup and Swiftwind are your best options," said the guide gesturing to two of the horses.
"Buttercup's all yours Davrin," Rook smiled at Davrin taking Swiftwinds bridle in his hands.
"No problem, let's go Buttercup." Davrin smiled back at Rook as he patted the saddle and took the bridle in hand. "Can you get up on your own or do you need a boost?" Davrin winked at Rook.
"Really? A short joke?" Rook rolled his eyes and led the horse out of the barn Davrin followed suit. Rook jumped on the horse with ease and Davrin did the same. Assan called from overhead having taken to the air and waiting for them to be visible. He landed beside Davrin and let out a curious squawk.
"Easy boy, these are our new friends for the next few days," Davrin reassured.
"Let's head over to Taash's place," called Rook.
"I'll follow you!" Rook coaxed his horse to start an easy gallop and Davrin followed close behind as Assan flew just above the ground beside them.
It took about an hour to get to Taash's home and when they galloped up to the home both Taash and Harding came out of the house. They waved at each of them with a smile on their face. Davrin and Rook hadn't seen them since they saved Harding from the island. Davrin watched as Rook barely had time to drop from the horse before Taash picked him up into a bear hug.
"Holy crap Rook!" they called as they hugged him.
"It's good to see you too Taash," laughed Rook under a bit of strain. Davrin dropped from the horse and joined them, Assan dropped down beside him.
"Haha good to see you're not going soft!" laughed Taash as they let Rook down. "Davrin!" Taash pulled him into a hug and he hugged them back. "Assan!" Taash practically threw Davrin to the side and bent down to Assan taking his paw and rubbing his chest and back. "Buddy you look so good, I see the griffon daddies have been taken care of you."
"Long time no see Taash," laughed Davrin.
"Seriously Davrin, Assan looks fucken great, that diet I showed you for him's been working huh?" Taash held out one of Assan's wings as they spoke.
"Yeah we've been keeping up with it and he loves it, so it's pretty easy to do," said Rook. Harding had been a little slower to approach them but she smiled and hugged Rook and then Davrin.
"Oh, it's so good to see you both," said Lace.
"Isabela sent word, said you guys were on a mission for the Wardens. You need us? What're we killin'?" asked Taash their enthusiasm bleeding through.
"It's pretty serious we can explain on the way it's at least a day's ride away if we don't get held up," explained Rook. "That's if you'll help us."
"What's this if?" asked Lace. "You really think we're going to say no? Babe go get Sparks ready to ride I'll get our gear."
"What's Sparks? You guys have your own horse now?" asked Davrin.
"Oh no we spent some time in Fereldan, it's a Wyvern," explained Taash as they walked away. Davrin just laughed to himself of course Taash would have a wyvern.
"Come on in out of the heat I'll get you three something to drink and grab our gear." They followed Harding back into the house. She poured them each a glass of a cold fruit juice Davrin had never had before, it was sweet but quenching. Harding went to a cabinet and got her gear on strapping her bow to her back and a quiver full of arrows. Davrin had given her the bow they had found and it looked like she had gotten it repaired.
"So what have you two been doing since you got back Lace?" asked Rook taking a seat at the table.
"Well, I surprised Taash right after as you know. We spent some time travelling, I wanted to introduce them to my Ma so we went to Fereldan," explained Lace.
"How'd that go?" asked Davrin thinking about his own experience introducing Rook to his sister.
"Oh it was great, she loved them." Harding put on her Inquisition scout armour and adjusted the breastplate as she spoke.
"That's good to hear," said Rook.
"We had an experience with my family recently as well that could have gone better but also could have gone far worse," explained Davrin.
"You found your family?" said Lace with an excited look on her face.
"Just my sister and her family, but we've got a niece and nephew now that I got to meet." Davrin leaned against the wall taking another sip of his drink.
"His sister and her husband aren't my biggest fans," added Rook.
"Why not you're fucken great," Taash walked in behind them and grabbed their axes from the wall.
"Well, since you're both here, Davrin asked me to be his Bond mate and they didn't take it too well," explained Rook. Harding gasped and looked from Rook to Davrin.
"And what did you say?" she blurted.
"What do you think he said?" Davrin walked over to Rook and kissed his cheek and took his hand.
"There's that grey warden charm huh?" laughed Taash.
"You know it," answered Rook.
"I'm so happy for you two!" laughed Lace walking over and putting her arms around them both. "You two deserve each other." Davrin couldn't help but feel a warm feeling in his chest at the stark contrast of reactions from his friends to his actual family.
"Thanks, you two, it means a lot after the reaction my sister and her family had for you both to be so excited for us," Davrin stammered.
"Should we get going? I'll prepare you guys for what's to come as we ride," said Rook.
"Sparks is ready to ride if you guys are," Taash agreed. "It's been too long since I've been in a good fight." The four of them walked out of the house to see the semi-adult wyvern standing next to the horses.
"That thing is huge!" exclaimed Davrin. "Harding, how do you even get up on it?"
"Watch and learn," laughed Lace as she walked over to the creature. Davrin approached his horse but watched as Harding simply walked over to the creature and it knelt for her to get on. Taash climbed on behind her and took the second seat. Harding winked at him and Davrin just shook his head and laughed as he climbed onto his horse. Rook rode up beside them and nodded to Taash and Harding.
"I'll lead the way I've got the map the Wardens gave us."
"Isabela gave you guys Buttercup and Swiftwind? They're our best horses," said Taash as they got a better look at the horses. Rook smiled as his horse broke out into a steady gallop.
"So Rook what's this mission we're going on?" asked Harding. Davrin looked at Rook who took a breath.
"Some time ago - we think before the Inquisition but the dates are a little questionable. A senior Warden and his team were lost. Warden Jovis," Rook began. "His former lover Warden Ramesh and his friend Warden Lesha, a mage, were sent to find them. They tracked them to a Dwarven Thaig called Hormak, where they found one of Ghilan'nain's labs. In it, there was a pool that the Darkspawn were using to transform themselves. The details were sparse as to what they turned into." Rook paused and Davrin could tell that it made him uncomfortable to talk about it. "Ramesh found Jovis and another member of his team, Jovis' body had been grafted onto some kind of giant creature. Lesha sacrificed herself to save Ramesh so he could get out and warn the Wardens. He found evidence that there could be eleven more of these labs around Thedas and the Wardens think they've found another one right here in Rivain."
"What the fuck? How're the labs working with Ghilan'nain dead?" asked Taash.
"From what it sounds like it was mostly an automated process. It was even deeper than the deep roads I guess."
"A Dwarven Thaig? I've read a little about Hormak in the Kal'sharok library but not much was available on it," explained Lace. "Do we know what to expect when we get there?"
"It was Ghilan'nain's playground, so just expect the worst and we should be fine," said Davrin rather matter-of-factly.
"Darkspawn is probably the easiest assumption," said Rook, "Davrin and I will be able to sense them though."
"Not exactly getting my hopes up here Rook," said Lace. The group fell silent and they picked up the pace. They all had an idea of what to expect and they were a more than capable group of individuals. Davrin had no fear they'd come out on top of this, he looked forward to destroying more of Ghilan'nain's work and he knew that Harding did too.
They followed Rook most of the day and the route had taken them into the deep jungle, they had left the mounts when it had gotten too thick to bring them without putting them in danger. Davrin could feel the sweat beading on his forehead from the heat that had beat down on them all day. The sun had just gone down and while it was slightly cooler the air was still thick. He wiped at his forehead to stop the sweat from getting in his eyes. Rook had taken out his staff using it to light the way and Taash had lit a torch for Harding. Davrin was ever alert to their surroundings using his experience as a hunter to listen and smell for anything around them that might be a danger. He could hear a small animal moving through the trees, and something dive into the nearby water. Otherwise only the sounds of frogs and cicadas singing along with a distant bird. He could smell the swamp Rook had warned them they would come upon before reaching their destination. He could also detect something in the air that didn't quite seem to belong. It was faint but it had gotten stronger as they traipsed through the jungle.
"Anyone else smell that?" he asked.
"Yeah smells like stagnant sea water and dead fish," Taash answered quickly. "Smells wrong."
"Do you two sense any Darkspawn yet?" asked Harding.
"Nothing yet, I'll let you know the second I do," said Rook. Davrin just shook his head as they walked. He could feel the water getting into his boots instantly making him uncomfortable.
"How much further is it Rook? Should we have set up camp for the night?" Davrin kept walking he could hear Assan overhead in the trees and wished he'd have been able to join him.
"It shouldn't be much further, I think that smell we're smelling is going to get worse before it gets better though. Pretty sure that's where it's coming from. I forgot the report had talked about a putrid brine odour."
"I hope this water doesn't get any deeper or I'm gonna have to get up on Taash's shoulders," said Lace.
"Lace can you feel anything through the stone? If you can feel any large lyrium concentrations it could be where we need to go," explained Rook.
"Nothing passively but if I try to find it with the stone that could get us there quicker. Hold on." They stopped walking and stood there in the swamp as Harding closed her eyes and put her hand forward. She tilted her head back and Davrin could tell she was concentrating, a few seconds passed and her hand began to glow blue. "There's lyrium all over the place here," she whispered.
"Is the concentration higher at any one place?" asked Rook quietly walking over to her.
"I think I can feel where we're going. The stone almost seems… angry here." Harding let out a strained grunt and moved her fingers around a bit.
"Lace, you okay?" Taash rushed to her side.
"I'm fine, Taash." Davrin watched as Harding turned her head from side to side and slowly opened her eyes which were glowing blue. "There's a hillside to the north that we can't see because of the dark. That's where the entrance is. I can see it. I can feel the lyrium in the caves but something is stopping me from seeing inside." Harding blinked and her eyes turned back to normal and she lowered her hand as it stopped glowing.
"Good job Lace, let's go," Rook turned to the north and they began moving again.
As they walked the sounds of the jungle began to quiet. Davrin could hear movement around as they exited the swamp onto a stone walkway when suddenly all the wildlife in the jungle seemed to go silent. He glanced at Taash then Harding and unsheathed his sword and shield, Taash took out their axes while Harding readied her bow with an arrow.
"Still no Darkspawn," he whispered.
"Let's keep moving, be ready," Rook whispered. Davrin and Taash both took point walking side by side while Rook and Harding stayed back a few feet. Assan now flew overhead staying out of the trees and keeping watch. Davrin knew he would sound the alarm if any movement came about. Suddenly the hint of brine and dead fish they had been smelling washed over them in a wave. Davrin held back the urge to wretch as the smell of sour sea air and decaying fish filled his nose. He looked at the others and he could see it in them too. Rook and Harding had both covered their noses with cloth from their armour but Davrin knew it likely didn't help. He felt worse for Taash knowing their sense of smell was more well honed than his.
"Don't think about it and it won't happen," said Rook shaking his head slightly.
"Where the hell is that coming from?" Harding struggled not to gag through her words. Assan let out a warning call and landed at Davrin's side in a defensive posture.
"Look sharp somethings coming." The ground started to vibrate as a large mass began bearing down on them.
"Get behind me!" yelled Rook jumping in front of Davrin and Taash. He slammed his staff to the ground and a bubble formed around them just in time for what was causing the noise to be all around them.
"Deepstalkers!" yelled Lace. The horde ran into the barrier but quickly recovered and proceeded to run around them and keep going. "What the hell's going on why're they running away?" Davrin had never seen Deepstalkers run away from people before.
"They're terrified," realized Davrin watching them run past. "They must be running from something." Suddenly Davrin could hear the whispers of the taint, he and Rook locked eyes. "Everyone get ready, the Darkspawn are coming." There was a hissing sound as several large spiders came from the shadows.
"Oh shit!" yelled Taash at the sight of the horse-sized arachnids. Rook let the barrier drop and Davrin and Taash ran at the spiders. Harding loosed an arrow landing its target in the eyes and dropping it right away. "Nice shot!" Taash swung their axes up cutting off a mandible of the nearest spider.
"First time fighting giant spiders, Taash?" called Davrin as he put his sword through the head of his closest target. In the next instant, he held up his shield and blocked a couple of large venomous fangs from piercing his chest. "They hit harder than I remember I admit!" Davrin bashed his attacker in the face before striking it not quite landing his target but doing enough damage to give the creature pause.
"Davrin get down!" yelled Rook. Davrin ducked and rolled to the side in time for a lightning bolt to strike his target and bounce to three others.
"Nice one Rook!" Davrin played defensively attacking the closest target waiting for it to strike at him before cutting away the limb. One more swing and the spider was down.
"That's why they call him a monster hunter," said Lace firing several more arrows. The four of them worked together cutting down several more of the spiders. Down to the last one Davrin turned to attack it but stopped.
"What is that?" he said holding up his shield and backing away slowly. Before them stood what originally looked like one of the spiders but where its face was supposed to be was the upper body of a genlock holding a sword and shield. It was attached to the spider at its waist and was wearing an armoured chest plate. The rest of its body was that of a spider, Davrin could see a twisted pain in its face that he had never seen on a Darkspawn before.
"That's not like any of the Darkspawn we fought before!" yelled Taash. Rook loosed a force wave knocking the creature back several feet before Harding let an arrow go that stuck in its chest plate. It let out a blood-curdling scream before running at Davrin. "Look out!" Davrin was stunned at what he saw and didn't react quickly enough. The creature kicked him to the ground with a surprising amount of force.
"Davrin!" Rook gasped. Assan dove at the spider landing on its large abdomen while shrieking, biting and clawing at it and lifted off as the creature's attention was shifted away from Davrin. Suddenly Taash let out a roar and blew fire on the creature burning it to almost nothing. Rook was at Davrin's side before he could even sit up. "Are you okay?" Aside from being a little stunned and having the wind knocked out of him from hitting the ground, Davrin was fine.
"I'm fine, Rook." Rook helped him to his feet and Assan landed beside him. "Really I'm good. Nice one Taash." Harding walked over to the burning corpse. Rook smiled at him and rubbed a hand across his back as they approached the corpse. The fire started to subside and there was a greyish liquid pouring from the creature's mouth.
"Just when you think that Ghilan'nain's imagination had reached its limits," said Lace.
"We should keep moving the entrance to the lab should be close by," said Rook. "We're probably going to see all sorts of horrors down here don't let it get to you." Davrin followed Rook closely and it wasn't long before they came to a cave entrance. The doors had been blown open from the inside - one of them was hanging off the frame.
"Hopefully that was the only thing to have gotten out," said Davrin.
"Rivain doesn't need all that running around," grumbled Taash.
"Hopefully," Rook agreed. Davrin watched Rook walk up to a torch on the wall. "Oh good, veilfire torches." Rook took a step back and his hands began to glow green he raised them and then clenched his fists causing the torches to light up with green fire. The torches seemed to stretch the length of the cave so it was at least mostly lit.
Rook continued down the hall with the others following close behind, Assan sticking close between him and Davrin. The taint still lingered in the back of his head and the putrid smell of the brine was starting to get to him. It only got worse as they walked further into the cave, the only positive was that the cold air of the cave somehow dulled the odour if only just a little. It was taking a lot for him not to wretch his last meal. As they walked they headed down a large stairwell and the cave walls began to give way to the dwarven designs of the deep roads. They came to a large open room at the end of another hallway by the feeling of the taint Rook was surprised that there hadn't been any more Darkspawn. The room was far larger than the usual confines of the Deeproads and the veilfire torches he lit didn't seem to provide enough light to reach the ceiling. This told him both how high the ceiling was and how far down they had really gone as they descended the stairwells.
"Is this it?" asked Davrin.
"No. The report said they had found a secret door that led them further in before they found the lab," Rook explained. Rook used his staff to launch a fire bolt ahead of them launching it at a forty-five-degree angle into the air. If there was anything ahead of them he didn't want to hit it but he wanted to see how far the room wall was. The bolt would travel fifty meters and dissipate. "This room is massive.
"Why don't we go back to the entry and walk the length of the wall?" suggested Lace. She looked back and took a quick breath. "Uh oh."
"What?" Rook and Davrin turned to face her and could see what she was talking about. "The veilfire went out. That's supposed to be impossible."
"We should hurry, I don't know how much longer I can stand this smell," said Taash shaking their head. Rook empowered his staff to project as much light as he could and they hurried forward. Assan let out a nervous coo as they walked.
"It's okay boy." Davrin and Rook spoke in unison before smiling at each other. As they walked debris was strewn about the cavern that was typical of the Deep Roads.
"Anywhere there doesn't seem to be any debris will likely be where we will find the door," said Davrin. "Any path well travelled should be pretty clean."
"Why haven't we seen any more Darkspawn?" whispered Taash.
"I'm not sure, but it's for the better, if they attack us in the darkness they'll definitely have the upper hand," answered Davrin. "Also remember that they're stronger when they're down here. The sun weakens them."
"Fuck." They continued in silence and Rook sent out another fire bolt this time the fire struck stone no more than ten meters away. Sparks cascading off the rough stone.
"Here we go," said Rook as he ran up to the wall. "Now let's try your idea Lace."
"We can cover more ground if we split up. Taash and I will go left, you three go right," said Lace. Rook turned and looked at her. Their eyes met and she walked over to him. "Don't give me that look we'll be okay." Rook nodded and swallowed hard. "If we see anything I'll shoot a fire arrow straight up. If you see something use one of your fancy fireballs and we'll come running."
"Okay," said Rook. "Stay safe, above all else alright."Lace gave him a comforting pat on the shoulder before turning away.
"You got it, Rook," said Taash lighting a torch and handing it to Lace. Rook put his hand on the wall and started walking along feeling for any inconsistencies in the rock that might let him know there was a door nearby.
"You okay?" asked Davrin sticking close behind him.
"I'll be fine." Rook had to push down the worry that was building inside him finding himself in a similar situation to Tearstone Island again, this time the gods weren't waiting for him. They were going to get out of this just fine.
"We'll be fine and so will they," Davrin whispered. Rook appreciated what Davrin was doing trying to comfort him but they needed to focus on the task at hand. They continued again in silence and they could hear Lace and Taash's footsteps echoing across the large room. They came to a strange cameo on the wall almost like something that could fit a key. "That's definitely not Dwarven," said Davrin. Rook examined it and it was shaped like Ghilan'nain's Vallaslin.
"It's shaped like Ghilan'nain's Vallaslin we have to find something that might unlock it," said Rook looking it over to see if there was any type of motif or anything else on it that might give a way to unlock it. As he ran his hand over it he realized that there was a small spot to fit an oval object of some kind into it. "It's got a small spot on the bottom you could probably fit something into."
"This has to be the way in, should we signal them?" Rook nodded and fired a fire bolt into the air. They could see the two figures and their torch turn to head toward them. "How the hell are we going to find the key to this thing in this place? Not to mention the actual door it opens."
"One thing at a time." Taash and Harding walked up to them and saw the fixture on the wall.
"Hey I've seen one of those before," said Taash bending down to look at it. "The design on it's different but the mechanism is the same."
"How'd you get the last one open you ran into?" asked Rook.
"Isabela showed me the trick to it." Taash took a small scale from their armour and pulled out a lock pick. "Fuck puzzles." Taash bent down and started fiddling with the lock, Rook watched them slide the scale up into the motif then proceeded to use the lock pick to move it around. "Almost got it I can feel it. Be ready." There was a strange snapping sound followed by the sound of stone grinding on stone as the floor opened up behind them. Harding readied an arrow and Davrin unsheathed his sword. Rook felt the taint grow stronger and another waft of a putrid odor moved through the room from the newly opened stairwell.
"Maker what is that smell coming from," Rook could tell Lace was trying not to gag. "I've never had to fight to hold my lunch down and Darkspawn at the same time." As the stairwell finalized and opened all the veilfire torches lit themselves again and the room opened up. The torches lined the room right to the ceiling. The ceiling in the room had to be 100 feet above them and the room was littered with typical Deep Road debris. Other than the debris and the size there was nothing about the room that stood out, Rook was puzzled as to what such a large room could be used for but they didn't have time to ponder.
"Let's go," he instructed and started for the stairwell. Davrin and Taash took up position ahead of him and Lace, Assan walked again between him and Davrin. They began to descend the depths, the stairwell was lit by the same torches of veilfire and spiralled down several hundred feet. "The reports didn't describe anything like this…"
"Gonna be a hell of a climb back up," said Taash.
Rook noticed that the architecture had changed to a much cleaner and very elven design. He glanced down over the railing and they could see the bottom, and looking down almost made him dizzy. They moved quickly they had to get in, destroy this place if they could and get out alive.
"I've never seen anything like this in the Deep Roads before," said Davrin as they reached the bottom of the stairs. Ahead of them was a large door covered in gemstones that traced out long twisting tendrils that were reminiscent of Ghilan'nain's Vallaslin on the door.
"She was sooo full of herself wasn't she," said Lace. "Lotta good it did her." She snickered as they approached the door. The taint had gotten much louder now that they were deep within and Rook was sure they were walking into a horde.
"I can feel the horde behind that door," said Davrin. "Is this really worth it? As soon as we open that door they're going to get the jump on us."
"I have an idea," said Taash walking up to the door. "I'll get their attention and as soon as they open the door we hit'em with everything we've got."
"Actually a pretty good idea, nice Taash," said Davrin. "Let's do it." Rook, Lace and Davrin all took several steps back from the door putting a good distance between them. Assan took to the air and jumped up on a pillar nearby to perch on.
"Here goes!" Rook watched as Taash banged on the door with their axes. "Hey, Darkspawn fuckers! Better come stop us or we're gonna burn this whole place to the ground!" They hollered as they slammed the door several times. It was like someone had kicked a beehive on the other side of the door as they could hear grunts, growls and hisses coming through. Sure enough, the door started to pry open and Taash jumped out of the way. "Hit'em hard!"
Rook could feel the cold building around him and forming on his staff as he slammed it to the ground sending an iceblast at the opening in the door creating a mound of ice, hoping it would slow them down. Davrin stood at the ready for when they started to break through. He watched as Lace called the stone, her hands and eyes glowing blue as shards of lyrium seemed to form from dust in the air and began blasting toward the horde as they crawled over the ice structure Rook had left behind. The horde was full of horrific creatures like the one they had seen outside. Rook could see that many of the Darkspawn had eyes like spiders. Some of them had extra limbs or lizard tails, scorpion tails, or wings, there were too many monstrosities to catalogue. A genlock had gotten through and Davrin sprung into action bashing it with his shield to knock it off balance before finishing it with a heroic strike. Rook knew he wouldn't be caught off guard again. Rook conjured a lightning storm over them feeling the tingle course through his body before shooting it into the air. Taash breathed a fireball into the horde before standing ready. The next couple that managed to get past the ice lightning quickly struck down. Rook could see that Lace had exhausted stone, so she switched to her bow firing arrows into the pile. They heard a roar from the other side of the door just before it swung open and an ogre broke through.
"Ogre!" yelled Lace firing an explosive arrow into the tangled limbs and teeth before rolling away. Davrin and Taash both took to swinging. The horde had thinned but it wasn't enough. The Ogre turned its attention to Rook and breathed fire at him. He held up his staff and his barrier took the hit.
"Hey that's my trick!" yelled Taash jumping on the ogre's back and digging in their axes. The ogre let out a roar and began swinging its arms around trying to get Taash off its back but only succeeding in knocking around the other Darkspawn. Davrin looked at Rook as Assan screamed into the fight attacking the smaller genlock with claws and beak. Rook knew he had to thin the numbers. He dropped his staff and electrical energy began to crackle all around him he could feel the power crawling up his body as he bent down and pulled the power from beyond the veil, the lightning coalesced as he raised his arms in the form of a griffin made of pure energy he thrust his hands forward and the lightning screamed as it landed in the horde and exploded with an arcing burst of energy. The resulting energy vaporized most of the smaller darkspawn leaving the ogre and a couple of stragglers that were outside of the spells range.
"Good job Rook!" yelled Lace loosing several more arrows at the remaining darkspawn. Rook dove and picked up his staff using it to send volleys of fire bolts at the orge while he recovered his mana.
"Davrin take it out!" yelled Taash still wrestling to hang onto the ogre.
"I've got it!" Davrin jumped forward with his sword in the air and drove his weapon through the creature's head it didn't die right away still fighting them. Rook watched as Davrin used the weight of his body to drag his sword down the ogre's body. Davrin rolled out of the way before the creature collapsed.
"And that's why they call him the monster hunter!" cheered Lace. Taash ran up to the two remaining hurlocks and cut them down with their axes. As the last two hurlocks fell Rook knelt bracing himself against his staff suddenly feeling weak.
"Rook what's wrong?" asked Davrin concerned.
"I'll be okay, I think I just overdid it," Rook panted. "The smell isn't helping anything. I just need a minute." Rook sat for a moment and collected himself focusing his mind but also fighting back the urge to throw up.
"Catch up when you can we're going to scout ahead," said Lace, she and Taash walking through the door.
"Don't get too far in there, we'll be a long in a minute," Davrin cautioned. As the others left Assan landed beside him and Davrin. Rook knew it was coming.
"Nope, can't stop it!" he gagged before turning away from Davrin. His staff dropped to the ground and he knelt on all fours and threw up. The combination of the over-exertion of his magic and the odour had gotten to him and he couldn't contain it. He felt his stomach tighten as everything spilled on the ground in front of him.
"It's probably best to just let it happen at this point," said Davrin as he rubbed the back of his head and back. Rook finished and pushed himself away from the puddle he had left on the ground, the stink of the Darkspawn filled his nose and the taint pounded at the back of his head as he wiped his mouth and took a deep breath.
"Let's just get this over with." Davrin stood and pulled Rook with him. Rook picked up his staff and they started into the other room.
They walked in to see Harding and Taash hadn't gotten very far as they seemed to be looking around the room. Rook followed their gaze to look at the walls. The architecture was unmistakably elven, the walls were coated with elaborate markings that at first glance seemed like paintings but were in fact millions of tiny gemstones creating an intricate mosaic before them. The way the gems reflected the light made the images almost seem alive. The images were almost certainly the Evanuris, as they were depicted as kings and queens among the enslaved elves. Rings that led from top to bottom and the image seemed to repeat itself.
"This would be beautiful in any other setting," said Lace, "But knowing what it represents makes it disgusting."
"Couldn't have said it better myself," said Davrin. "Ghilan'nain was certainly full of herself." The veilfire still illuminated the room but it only seemed to light so far before darkness took over.
"Come on I think we'll find what we're looking for down that way." Rook tapped his staff on the ground causing it to light up as best he could and held it up as they started walking. They could see that the darkness led into another hallway. Taash and Davrin again took point as they walked weapons ready. They entered the hallway and as they walked they could hear strange moans and growls at the other end of the hallway. Rook was certain they were Darkspawn but the noises weren't like anything he had ever heard before, seemingly more human in nature than what they were used to. Suddenly the sound of a baby crying echoed from ahead of them.
"What the hell is that?" asked Taash. Davrin looked at Rook and he could tell they were both thinking the same thing.
"Children…" answered Davrin. Davrin stopped for a moment and Rook could tell what he was thinking right away. "Where's there's Darkspawn Children…"
"There's a Broodmother," Rook finished the sentence. He had never seen a Broodmother before but he had heard plenty about them to know how terrifying and disgusting they were.
"I've only ever heard of them," whispered Lace. "Had hoped to go my life without seeing one."
They continued in silence and at the end of the dark hallway they came to an open door leading into the next room. Rook made eye contact with each of them as he killed the light from his staff and they all crouched to keep a low profile, it appeared that just inside the door there was a stone ledge for them to hide behind. They crept quickly into the room staying quiet and hid behind the ledge Assan crept in behind them as well following Davrin's lead. The light was dim, with only a couple of regular torches toward the back to light the room which looked to be about half the size of the previous room. Taash and Davrin stayed down while Rook and Lace glanced over the top of the ledge they hid behind.
Rook was surprised they weren't reacting since the taint worked both ways, he couldn't help but think that something about the mutations might be blocking the Darkspawn's senses. At the very end of the room Rook could see what he suspected was a Sharlock Broodmother, her disgusting body blobbed in the far right corner from where they were her six tentacles protruding from holes in the ground. Darkspawn children rolling around at the base of her body. Rook had to stop himself from audibly gasping at the horrific sight, there was also a mutated ogre standing to either side of her. They were much larger than usual, he figured they must have been Alpha's something that hadn't been seen in a long time. Also, an Emissary seemed to be floating around her and chanting. He figured these Darkspawn were likely ancient who knew how long it had been since they'd been disturbed. Rook watched as the children rolled into a pool of the greyish liquid they'd been seeing and smelling since they got there. He knew now that this was one of Ghilan'nain's labs as the children rolled out as fully formed shrieks each coming out with a different mutation. Extra arms, spider bodies as they had already seen, some came out with much larger horns on their head almost like those of a halla. Rook couldn't help but notice that every one of them seemed to have twisted faces, and large red eyes some even having extra with much larger fangs than normal. Several even came out with bat wings and began flying immediately. Rook and Lace looked at each other before ducking down.
"We need a plan," whispered Lace as quietly as she could while still being audible.
"We have to stop them from producing the full-grown Darkspawn, I can try to freeze over the pool long enough for us to kill them," Rook whispered back.
"Taash if you can distract those tentacles for a minute I can sneak up behind the Broodmother and hopefully cut her to pieces before she can react," Davrin volunteered. Taash nodded in agreement.
"I'll get rid of any of the children that aren't in the pool with a couple of explosive arrows then, I'll see if I can distract those ogres." Lace nodded with a look of determination Rook hadn't seen since Tearstone.
"Once I freeze that pool, Assan and I can try to take care of the crowd. Remember everyone these things hate fire and we all have our own." They nodded at each other and sprung quietly into action. Davrin snuck along the wall while Taash jumped out from behind the ledge moving quickly to their target. Assan took to the air silently and perched on the wall staying in a darker corner. Rook and Lace made eye contact one last time before jumping the ledge and springing into action.
Rook fade stepped to get closer to the pool as he called the ice from the spirits and felt the cold forming on his fingertips. He thrust his hands down at the ground and the pool along with several of the Darkspawn caught in the radius instantly froze. He then used his staff to target the flyers with several volleys of firebolts. The Emissary floated toward him and Rook could tell it was readying a volley of blight magic. The ogres immediately went for him and Rook fade-stepped several times to stay ahead of them.
At that same moment, Lace aimed with a liquid fire-tipped arrow and as she let it go it struck its targets catching all of the remaining children in the fire, she watched as they burned before aiming the ogres as they gave chase to Rook. Using her best arrows to cause as much mayhem for them as she could. She jumped back away as one of the ogres turned its attention to her and used her stone magic to pelt it with hundreds of needled stones.
Taash had gotten in range and breathed out a fireball at the tenticles catching them on fire and causing the brood mother to roar out in anger. They jumped into the range of the tentacles careful not to take any hits from them as they swung at them. Using their axes Taash hacked and slashed away as fast as they could.
As Taash attacked, Davrin had gotten up behind the Broodmother unnoticed and unsheathed his sword and shield. His sword became sheathed in flame as he tapped it against his shield before bounding into the air and digging his flaming sword into the creature's spine. He used its rippled flesh to balance himself as he began hacking at it with his blade. The creature suddenly swung around quicker than he expected and he blocked the attack but was knocked to the ground. He decided to take the creature head-on as it turned to face him his blade still burning. He dodged one attack before taking a hit to his shield that almost made his legs buckle under him. He swung the sword up cutting the creature and black bile began to spew from its wound as it let out a roar.
"Assan go now!" called Rook quickly rolling out of the other ogre's reach and fade stepping to dodge a blast of blight magic from the Emissary. Assan flew out from the shadows and attacked one of the flyers from above pushing it into the ground before diving and clawing at it. He jumped back into the air as Rook turned back to his attackers. He fade-stepped close to the Emisary sending out several firebolts from his staff as he moved and waited for the ogre to be near it. The ogre ran at him and hit the nearby wall stunning it for a few seconds long enough for Rook to get away from another blight magic volley. Rook turned back to the creature and spun his staff in the air before slamming it to the ground calling a meteor from the fade to crash down on them both setting them on fire temporarily. Assan let out a shriek and Rook could tell it was in anger he turned his attention to the sound to see him propel another of the flyers against the wall.
Lace slid between the ogre's legs as it bore down on her and fired a volley of arrows into its back, it let out a roar and turned to grab for her she bounded away again and fired arrow after arrow into the creature's head. It barely seemed to slow down. "Too close!" she said as she turned to put some distance between them. It ran at her again and she called a stone up out of the ground between them. The ogre collided with the heavy rock and stunned itself for a moment. Using the stone she shattered the same rock and used its shards to pelt the creature cutting it to pieces, black blood oozed from every part of its body as it came at her again.
Taash turned to see Lace get thrown several feet as she attempted to dodge a massive fist. Taash hacked at the two nearest tentacles and turned their attention to the ogre. They took to running and let out a grumbling roar getting almost the whole room's attention. The ogre turned its attention to them and began running at them. As it came within reach of them Taash whirled around it and slashed at its legs with their axes, it let out a roar in pain and fell to one knee. Taash turned and crawled up its back with their axes and took the creature by the horns. Taash gripped with everything they had and ripped the ogre's head in two. It fell to the ground with a thud.
"Lace you okay!" yelled Taash. Lace's response was an arrow in the head of a Hurlock Taash didn't see coming. Lace and Taash joined Rook in dealing with the second Ogre and Emmisary.
Davrin swung his sword cutting open a lump of fat near the bottom of the Broodmother and its black blood gushed from the wound. It let out a roar as it swung up on him hitting his shield but still sending him gliding through the air toward a nearby wall. He used the pressure as he hit the wall to propel himself into the air back at her dropping his shield and gripping his sword in two hands. Just out of reach, he let out a battle cry as he came down on the creature's shoulders and thrust his sword down into its head giving it a violent twist at the end. The Broodmother let out another blood-curdling roar causing liquid to squirt on him from the wound before the body went limp. Davrin jumped off the creature's back and rolled to the ground grabbing his shield as he rolled before joining the others.
Moments before. Rook jumped out of the way of the Emmisary's blight magic as he swung his staff sending a full volley of fire bolts into the ogre's body. Just as Taash joined his fight sliding beneath the ogre and cutting it open with their axes. The ogre roared and went to bring both fists down on them when a stone jutted up from the ground and blocked the attack. Rook watched as Taash rolled to the side and took his opportunity focusing his magic from within the veil he slammed his foot down sending an ice blast hurling at the ogre.
"Assan now!" Assan dove at the creature shrouded in flame striking the ogre and the Emissary on the way by. The magical reaction causes the ogre to explode in a plethora of icy chunks. As the ogre exploded the Broodmother let out a roar and Rook heard Davrin grunt as he rolled to the ground. The Emissary turned to the Broodmother and let out a horrid sound of rage.
"Feeble creatures you have not won!" The creature began to glow an eerie red before throwing its hands in the air and sending blight crawling along the floor at each of them. Rook fade-stepped out of the way, Lace jumped to a platform nearby, Taash breathed fire on the approaching black mass burning it out before it got close to them and Davrin bounded into the air thrusting his sword through the creature's chest and bringing it to the ground. "My death means nothing!" The Emissary looked at the Broodmother and its eyes began glowing, Rook could tell it was doing something but couldn't figure out what as Taash brought both axes down on the Darkspawn taking its head right off. Between Assan, Rook and Lace they had managed to deal with the rest of the smaller Darkspawn.
"That was…" Lace panted bending down with her hands on her knees, "something else."
"Actually it was pretty fucken awesome," Taash smiled. "We still got it."
"We have to find a way to destroy this pool," said Rook focusing on the mission at hand. He walked over and looked at the pool that was starting to thaw out. The others joined him shortly. "Any ideas?"
"Harding how many of those explosive arrows you got with you?" asked Davrin smirking at her.
"I have 8 left but I have a pretty good supply of other explosives as well," she answered.
"Well Rook what if we lay that out around it and you hit it with a fire spell? Or Taash could fireball it?" suggested Davrin.
"Lace what can you tell me about the stone the pool is made of?" asked Rook bending down to look at it closer. Lace bent down beside him and put a glowing hand on the floor. "I know there's lyrium but is it volatile enough to be of use?"
"It might help with the rest of the explosion but it feels like it's been too refined to really be of use."
"Damn." Rook stood up and rested his hands on his hips. "Well let's set up what we have and go from there." Lace took off her pack and laid each of the arrows down on the side of the pool closest to the wall. If it didn't completely destroy it then it would at least cause a cave-in and fill the pool in with rocks. Rook hoped that would make it useless.
Assan landed next to Davrin as Harding set up the explosives. Davrin could tell that he was nervous about something and the griffon seemed to be staring at the Emisary's body. Davrin extended a hand to pet the back of his head, Assan looked at him quickly and then back to the Emissary as if startled before letting out a nervous squawk.
"It's okay boy, it's dead," comforted Davrin.
"Is he okay?" asked Rook taking a step over.
"Just seems spooked by the Emissary," answered Davrin. Assan let out another squawk this time a warning call. "It's okay boy calm down." Davrin bent down to comfort Assan when he started to stomp his feet and called out again.
"He okay?" asked Taash. As Taash finished speaking the air began to feel different almost like something was pulling at every part of Davrins body. He looked at Rook and he could tell he could feel it too. Suddenly the Emmisary's body began violently shaking as all of its blood began floating into the air above it in a ball.
"What the hell's going on?" said Davrin.
"Lace are you almost set to go?" asked Rook. "Davrin before the Emmisary died I think I felt it cast a spell of some kind when its eyes were glowing at the end." Davrin unsheathed his sword and readied his shield.
"Almost there!" said Harding. Davrin watched as the blood orb that formed began to float toward the Broodmother.
"Rook can you stop it?" he asked. Rook stepped forward and his hands began to glow green forming a barrier encasing the orb of blood but it flowed straight through it.
"No, it's blood magic, I can't counter it." The orb of blood reached the Broodmother and seemed to absorb into it right through its skin. They watched as a red aura began to form around the Broodmother and its wounds healed and sealed shut. It let out a roar and the ground began shaking, the very stone beneath it cracked and broke as it raised itself out of the ground. When it raised out of the ground Davrin could tell it was sitting on something, something large. Large shelled legs burst out of the ground around it to reveal that the Broodmother was sitting on top of a massive armoured crab.
"It's done let's get out of here!" yelled Harding.
"It's too big if we run it won't be able to follow us!" yelled Davrin. "Go!" They ran for the doorway as they dove through the creature lifted itself out of the floor completely and gave chase. As they dove Taash managed to turn and breathe a fireball at the explosive. When it connected the force of the explosion threw them farther down the corridor and seemed to collapse most of the hallway behind them and everything was silent for a moment.
"Whew, that did it!" yelled Taash as they dragged themselves and Harding to their feet.
"Nice shot Taash," said Harding. The floor began to rumble as Davrin helped Rook to his feet Assan had already run ahead of them and was squawking for the others to follow.
"It's not over yet keep going!" yelled Davrin. The five of them took to running as they could hear the creature breaking down the hallway behind them with its massive body. They ran through the elaborately decorated room and as they reached the entrance the creature burst through the hallway they had come from. Rook turned and dropped a meteor on it before continuing to run. Davrin stayed to make sure he was ahead of him. They continued running the length of the massive room, the veilfire torches were going out as they ran to the exit. Everyone was through the door and hit the stairwell, Davrin could feel himself getting winded as Assan took to both flying and jumping up the stairwell. He could see him stopping and looking back to make sure they were keeping up with him. "Keep going!" They could hear the Broodmother burst through the doors below them and though he wasn't sure how he could hear it following after them. He had put his weapons away as the shaking was causing him to almost lose his balance to the point he was almost climbing on all fours to escape. They were keeping ahead of the creature and were almost there, they could hear the sound of the stairwell falling apart below them as large pieces crashed to the ground. Assan let out a squawk and Davrin could tell he was calling out to him. "Almost there," Davrin encouraged himself at this point as he saw both Taash and Harding disappear through the opening to the stairwell. Assan flew through at the last moment as he and Rook were through it. They were now in the giant open room they had found as they entered. They kept moving until they were away from the stairs.
"We can't let this thing get out of here!" said Rook turning to face the stairs.
"Then we stop it here," called Davrin grabbing his weapons. "Get ready!" The four of them turned to face the stairwell and the monstrous creature burst through the floor sending debris flying into the air. Rook held up his staff putting up a barrier to protect them from the falling debris when the creature began to run at them. Davrin finally got a good look at it, like a crab it had six solidly armoured legs. Two large pincers were part of its arsenal as well as a large mouth on its underside typical of an actual crab. Rook and Harding immediately sprung into action, Rook blasting it with a kinetic force spell to slow it down and Harding firing arrows at the softer fleshy body. Davrin looked at Taash and they both jumped into action, Davrin had never fought one of these before but he had fought giant crabs before during his monster hunting years. The two of them got in close having to dodge unusually fast movements to do so, for the size of the creature it shouldn't have been able to move so fast. It let out a roar in rage as they got underneath it.
"Taash, we have to focus on the soft tissue at the joints!" Davrin instructed.
"Got it! Just show me where to hit!" they answered. Davrin struck the joint of the larger claw first, Taash following his lead with their axes. The monster moved away from them and struck at them with its huge legs like it knew what they were doing. They each dove away and rolled to get back under the creature.
"Assan distract we need it to stay put!" ordered Davrin. Assan let out a shriek as he dove at the creature's face. He was quicker than the Broodmothers arms as he flew around them as she swung at him, he kept shrieking almost taunting it. Distracted the creature stayed put and while they did have to dodge the legs to keep working at the claw joint it was much easier. Davrin and Taash both swung their weapons with everything they had and the shell finally cracked and the tissue was hanging loose. "Rook hit it!" Davrin and Taash rolled out of the way and Assan flew clear as Rook blasted the weak point with a lightning bolt causing the claw to fall off. It let out a hideous roar and turned its attention to Rook. Davrin watched as the monstrosity barrelled down on Rook so fast that hardly any of them had a chance to react. Rook fade stepped but it didn't take him far enough as it swung one of its legs hitting him hard in the chest, Davrin saw a flicker of blue light as Rook was thrown into a large chunk of stone nearby before falling to the ground.
"Davrin," Rook gasped before falling unconscious.
"Kalen!" Davrin yelled as he took to running giving everything he could. Assan landed in front of Rook and took up a defensive position letting out a hiss. Davrin could see the crab mouth of the creature starting to move and drip grey fluid. Time seemed to slow as Davrin pushed everything he could before diving in front of Rook and hiding them both behind his shield. The monster expelled a stream of the grey fluid at them hitting Davrins shield with so much force he had to use every muscle in his body to stay put. He could feel the adrenaline moving through his veins as he stood there protecting everything he held dear. The liquid began pooling around them on the floor and he could hear a hissing sound as it seemed to dissolve the coating on his shield. With the distraction, Taash had managed to climb up its shell. They let out a roar as they began hacking at the Broodmother's flesh on its back. It immediately began grabbing at them. "Assan help Taash!" Assan hesitated a second before lifting off and diving at the Broodmothers face, he landed right on its chest and gripped it with his claws, pecking its eyes out. The pain was enough to get it to stop the stream of bile and stagger backwards grabbing at its face with its large claw up. Harding came running over as Davrin felt like he was ready to collapse from the pressure. He dropped his sword and shield and turned to Rook.
"Get him away from here, use this," ordered Harding passing him a healing potion.
"Thanks, Harding." Davrin picked Rook up and ran him around behind the large stone as Harding drew another arrow. He sat Rook up against the stone and checked his body over, he was breathing faintly and Davrin realized the blue light he saw was a barrier he had used to protect himself. Davrin fought back tears of joy and uncapped the healing potion pouring half of it into Rook's mouth with his head tilted back so he would swallow it. He checked his mouth and gave him the rest. Davrin kissed Rook on the forehead just as Assan dropped down beside them and got in taking a close look at Rook, doing a bit of a happy bounce. "He's okay boy," Davrin stood up and looked at the griffon. "Now let's go finish this." Assan let out a strong shriek and jumped into the air as Davrin walked out from behind the rock and quickly slid to grab his weapon and shield. He watched as Taash managed to cut off one of the Broodmother's original arms with their axes and was thrown off the creature landing next to Harding as she fired a volley of arrows. Each landing their target.
"This thing just keeps coming," said Harding.
"How the fuck is it still going I practically cut its ass to shreds!" Taash barked. Davrin looked at it, every time it moved blood spewed from one of the wounds they had inflicted, the Emmisary's blood magic had to be keeping it alive.
"Let's see if we can take off its head! Follow my lead!" Davrin called as he started to run at the creature summoning strength from somewhere in his tired body. He glanced at Harding who nodded to him, her eyes beginning to glow the ground beneath him quickly jutting up giving him a boost into the air. "Assan catch!" Davrin put his hand up with his sword and the griffon grabbed him and flung him toward his target just out of its reach. Taash took action attacking it at ground level to make sure it didn't move and Davrin managed to land on the Broodmothers shoulder slamming his shield into its flesh as an anchor so he wouldn't fall. It shifted around but Davrin held himself in place not moving until the time was right. He ducked its hand as it reached for him when an arrow hit it, sinking into the muscle. Davrin let go of his shield and put his sword around the creature's neck grabbing the blade with his free hand and pulling for everything he was worth even using his legs to get an extra hold on it. He felt a bit of give as the monster shifted its wait trying to shake him off. "In war… Victory!" Davrin pulled with everything he had left and the blade finally started to cut through the monster's thick skin. He could feel the blade biting into the metal of his gauntlet. He let out a final roar as he pulled it right through the creature and as the head finally came off he flew from its back Assan let out a squawk as he grabbed Davrin mid-air and they both went rolling to the ground. The head hit the ground and the whole body went crashing down with a thunderous crash that echoed through the massive room. The grey liquid began oozing from its body and a strange hissing sound could be heard as if the body was dissolving itself. Harding and Taash ran over to the two of them and Davrin slowly got to his feet, Assan got up and wrapped himself around Davrin once before sitting next to him. "Nice catch boy," he whispered.
"Nice job monster hunter," Harding sheathed her weapon and rested her hands on her hips. "Good to see settling down hasn't slowed you down any," she laughed. Rook walked out from behind the rock where they had left him staggering a bit as he approached.
"Rook!" Davrin walked up to him and took him into a hug feeling him flinch slightly. "I'm so glad you're okay."
"I didn't mean to scare you, like that," Rook spoke quietly his body was still aching.
"Looks like Lace's potion got you back on your feet," said Taash, "They take a few minutes to kick in but they pick you right up." Taash walked over and put a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Oh I knew it'd take more than that to get you down Rook," Harding laughed.
"Well my chest still hurts, but I'm walking," Rook laughed a bit before turning to look at the creature that seemed to be melting in its own bodily fluids. "Finally we can leave. With the stairwell collapsed even if anything survived down there it'll never get up here and no one will ever go down there."
"Let's get outta here, we'll make camp outside, away from this smell," said Davrin walking up and putting his arm through Rook's.
"It's about time," said Harding.
They made their way out of the cave and before leaving Rook had Harding seal off the entrance using her stone magic ensuring that no one would ever find their way into the lab again. They made their way back to where they had left their mounts finding that Sparks had kept the horses safe and would make camp for a few hours before heading back home.