Naruto vs Braindead 13
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Naruto x Vivi
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Story Start
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'So whats your story?' Naruto couldn't help bur wonder what the circumstances that led to Vivi being here.
She inclined her head. "Let's just say I was once… an 'assistant' here. That was before I realized Dr. Neurosis had zero moral qualms about using me to test vile experiments. And definitely before that imp, Fritz, decided I'd make a tasty meal." She shivered. "I was fortunate enough to break away, and now, I run this little shop in the southwestern wing of the castle. I get by on trade with some of the more… stable creatures around here."
"Stable creatures?" Naruto echoed, raising an eyebrow. "I've been jumped by a mutant alligator chef, a demonic rug, a living statue, and that's only the tip of the iceberg. If those are considered normal around here, I'd hate to see what's truly insane."
A faint smile touched her lips, though her eyes still seemed guarded. "Strange as it may sound, some of the experiments living in the castle do retain a semblance of sanity. Or at least, they have no interest in helping Neurosis or attacking me." She spread her arms wide, gesturing to the jars on the shelves. "They sometimes bring me relics, potions, or bits of technology in exchange for odds and ends. It's how I've managed to survive and gather resources for an eventual escape."
Naruto's eyes lit up at the last word. "Escape, you say? I'd love to get out of here—preferably with that formula so Neurosis doesn't do something insane, like spread a new plague or blow up half the continent." He shrugged. "Any chance you know the layout of this place? Or even know where he might be stashing an important formula?"
Her expression darkened. "He's got a hidden lab deep in the catacombs beneath the castle, rumored to be accessible only through a hidden door in the main tower. The door's locked behind a puzzle so convoluted that even I couldn't figure it out. But that's where he does all his real work." Her gaze dropped to the scuffed floor. "Back when I was his assistant, he hadn't yet begun his 'grand plan' to conquer the entire world, but he was definitely gathering resources and perfecting his formula. I suspect he's close to finishing."
Naruto exhaled, that sinking feeling in his stomach deepening. "Great. So I guess I'll have to smash my way in if I can't figure out some puzzle. That or find a back route."
Vivi tilted her head, studying him. "You're different than the usual dopey adventurer that stumbles in. You've got some skill. The way you hold yourself, the way you talk—like you have confidence and power." She paused. "Are you some sort of hero or warrior?"
"Something like that," Naruto said simply, patting his thigh where a kunai holster was strapped.
Her gaze flickered with curiosity, but she didn't pry further. "In that case, maybe we can help each other. I've been searching for a way to sabotage his formula lab entirely, to destroy everything so he can't hurt anyone else. But I haven't had the skill or firepower to go toe to toe with his bigger monsters." She grimaced. "Even that wretched imp nearly did me in once."
Naruto's eyes glinted with an impish spark. "Deal. You show me the fastest way to get to the puzzle—help me if you know any clues—and I'll handle the heavy lifting. I'll blow his lab to dust if that's what it takes."
Vivi's lips quirked into a hesitant smile. "That might just work." Then, as if remembering something, she turned to rummage behind her counter. "But before we start forging alliances, maybe you need a little gear. I've scrounged up a few items over the years—some potions, tools, maybe even a dagger that doesn't rust after one slash." She emerged, holding a small box. "Take whatever you need. In return, you can help keep me alive if we have to fight. Fair enough?"
Naruto put his hands behind his head, grinning. "Sounds like a plan."
A few minutes later, Naruto was examining his newfound acquisitions. Vivi had given him what she called a "Corrosive Coating" potion—a small, glass vial with a swirling green liquid. Supposedly, if poured onto a weapon, it let the blade slice through nearly anything, even metal, at least for a short period. Another item was a "Night-Eye Salve," a thick ointment that, if rubbed around the eyes, granted improved night vision. Finally, she provided him with an archaic but sturdy short sword. It wasn't exactly the same as his preferred ninja weapons, but it looked serviceable enough—especially with the weird horrors lurking around every corner.
They stepped outside her shop, the flickering sign still emitting little sparks, and Vivi locked the door behind them with a complicated series of bolts. "Let's hope it's intact if we make it back," she muttered.
Naruto nodded, scanning the shadowy corridor. "What's the plan?"
She sighed. "We need to get to the Great Hall first. The puzzle door is hidden behind one of the tapestries. But the Great Hall is basically the castle's central chamber, meaning it's crawling with everything from living suits of armor to chain-chomping gargoyles." She glanced at Naruto. "Are you sure you're ready?"
He cracked a knuckle. "Let's do this."
They proceeded down the corridor, boots echoing on old tiles. Light from distant torches cast dancing shadows, making each statue look alive. Occasionally, Naruto caught Vivi giving him sideways glances. He wondered if she was sizing him up, or if she simply wasn't used to having an ally in this nightmarish place.
They paused before a rotted wooden door with iron hinges. "The Great Hall is just through here," Vivi whispered, pressing an ear to the door. "I hear something… clanking around."
Naruto gestured for her to step back, then carefully pushed the door open just enough to peek inside. Moonlight filtered through stained-glass windows, revealing a cavernous space lined with dusty red carpets and large suits of medieval armor. Immense chandeliers hung overhead, swaying gently as if caught in an impossible breeze.
"What do you see?" Vivi asked softly.
Naruto's eyes scanned the silhouettes. One set of armor took a slow step forward, then another. The hollow metal footfalls echoed. Then three more suits of armor lurched into movement. They were arrayed in a rough semicircle around the center of the hall. Each suit brandished a dull steel weapon—halberds, swords, maces. Their empty visors glowed with an eerie red light.
Naruto swallowed. "Great, more possessed junk," he muttered. He pulled the short sword from its scabbard. "I'll distract them. You find that tapestry you mentioned. Once we get behind it, hopefully we can get out of sight."
Vivi set her jaw, eyes flickering with determination. "I'll do my best."
Naruto edged into the hall, heart pounding. The suits of armor rattled at his approach, turning mechanical heads in his direction. Their weapons rose, scraping on the stone floor. For a brief second, everything was still… then they launched forward in a clumsy charge.
"Come on!" Naruto shouted, darting left. He slashed at the first suit's arm, but his blade skittered across the metal, leaving only a faint scratch. "Tch, guess I should've put that Corrosive Coating on it first." He hopped back, rummaging in his pouch to retrieve the vial. The second armor suit swung a massive halberd overhead. Naruto leapt clear, flipping backward, while carefully uncorking the vial with his teeth.
Greenish fluid trickled across the short sword's edge, sizzling softly. He tossed the empty vial aside. "Try that again," he taunted, lunging forward to meet the second suit's halberd. This time, the metal parted like butter, the halberd's haft sheared in two. The top half clanged uselessly to the floor.
The possessed armor raised its visor as though to snarl in frustration, but Naruto pressed the advantage. He brought the sword around in a wide arc, slicing through the suit's torso plate. A surge of eerie, purplish energy crackled out from within, and the armor collapsed into a heap.
Meanwhile, Vivi dashed along the perimeter of the hall, scanning each tapestry. She passed images of macabre feasts, battles with mythical beasts, until she found one depicting Dr. Neurosis himself, floating as a disembodied brain above a world map. "Of course he'd have a narcissistic tapestry," she muttered. She ran her hands across the edges, searching for a seam or hidden latch.
A clank behind her made her spin. Another suit of armor had peeled away from the group, apparently deciding she was fair game. She grabbed a small dagger from her belt, but it looked pitiful next to the armor's massive mace. The suit swung overhead. Vivi dove to the side, narrowly avoiding a crushing blow that shattered a chunk of the marble floor.
"Ugh, too close," she hissed, rolling to her feet. Her mind raced—how to disable a giant hunk of walking steel? She recalled the potions in her belt. One was a potent acid that could corrode metal, but it worked best when poured or pressed onto a surface. She'd have to get up close. As the armor advanced, she sidestepped and jammed her dagger into the shoulder joint. That forced it to slow down, momentarily stuck. She popped the cork on the acid vial and poured it along the armor's arm. With a hiss and a puff of acrid fumes, the metal began dissolving.
The suit convulsed, the red glow in its visor stuttering. Vivi slipped free, panting. "That'll teach you to come after me." She gave the dissolving metal an extra kick, sending it collapsing in a steaming heap.
Elsewhere, Naruto performed a nimble flip over the final suit's broad swing. The creature pivoted with surprising speed, the tip of its sword grazing Naruto's side. He hissed at the sting, but wasted no time bringing the corrosive blade down through the armor's helmet. The entire thing split in half, top to bottom, the red glow flickering out.
Panting, Naruto glanced around. Three piles of shattered and corroded armor. "All right," he huffed. "That's one way to clear a room. You good, Vivi?"
"I'll live," she called, coughing slightly. The acid vapors lingered in the air, leaving a sour taste. "I think I found the tapestry." She tugged at its edge. With Naruto's help, they pulled it aside, revealing a blank wall with a faintly carved octagonal outline. Each side bore a strange symbol: a brain, a scalpel, a gear, a lightning bolt, a key, a skull, a rose, and a question mark.
"That's definitely suspicious," Naruto said. He traced the carving with a gloved finger. There was no doorknob, no handle—just the carved shape. "How do we open it?"
Vivi frowned. "I remember Dr. Neurosis mumbling something about the 'octagram puzzle.' Each symbol corresponds to a different lock or mechanism hidden around the castle. We might have to track them down."
Naruto's shoulders slumped. "What, we have to solve eight separate locks?"
She gave a rueful nod. "The only time I ever got close to unraveling it was when I snuck into the library. But the place is guarded by one of Neurosis's biggest brutes. I think… the library might hold instructions or clues on how to deactivate each mechanism."
Naruto sighed, dropping his gaze to the floor. "Guess we don't have much choice. All right, let's find that library."
The route to the library wound through half-forgotten corridors, each sporting its own deadly surprises. At one point, the floor gave way to a pit full of snapping turtle-monsters. Another hall featured living paintings that tried to ensnare them in swirling illusions. Naruto's chakra control and quick reflexes saved them more than once, but by the time they reached the tall double doors of the library, both he and Vivi were scuffed, bruised, and more than a little exhausted.
"This better be worth it," Naruto grumbled, rotating his aching shoulder. "When I took on this mission, I never expected an entire carnival of nightmares."
Vivi brushed dust from her dress. "Welcome to my daily existence."
Pushing open the library doors, they stepped into a vast chamber lined from floor to ceiling with ancient tomes. Tall ladders led to overhead walkways, which offered access to more shelves. At intervals, wrought-iron candelabras flickered with ghostly blue flames, casting an otherworldly glow.
"Where do we even start?" Naruto asked, eyebrows shooting up.
Vivi pressed a finger to her lips. "Shh. There might be something… or someone… in here."
They crept along the aisles, scanning the titles. Many were written in archaic scripts. Occasional squeaks from overhead suggested bats or rats. Or worse.
Naruto parted his lips to ask another question, but a thunderous roar cut him off. Two enormous, hulking figures emerged from behind a shelf near the center of the library. They stood nearly seven feet tall, all bulging muscle and patchwork skin—stitched-together monstrosities reminiscent of Frankenstein's monster, each wearing tattered trousers and with a metal plate bolted to their chest. Thick cables ran from their necks to some kind of battery pack strapped to their backs.
"Huh," Naruto muttered. "We've got ourselves a two-for-one special here."
Vivi cursed under her breath. "They're Dr. Neurosis's shock troopers. He uses them to guard important areas. We need to be careful—those cables carry an electrical charge. If we get too close, they can electrocute us."
As if on cue, one of the brutes slammed its fists together. Sparks danced along the cables, and a low hum built in the air. The second brute let out a guttural growl and advanced on them, arms outstretched, ready to smash anything in its path.
"Divide and conquer?" Naruto suggested, glancing at Vivi.
She nodded. "I'll distract one. You handle the other."
Naruto kicked off the floor, launching himself toward the nearest monster. He formed a quick sign and summoned three shadow clones, each one fanning out to flank the creature. The brute hesitated for a fraction of a second, confused by multiple targets. That was all Naruto needed. He lunged in with a flying kick aimed at the monster's jaw.
The brute stumbled back, but then it swung a massive hand, swatting one of the clones into the nearest bookcase with enough force to send a cloud of paper flying. The clone vanished in a puff of smoke, but Naruto grinned. "At least it wasn't me," he quipped.
Meanwhile, Vivi circled the second brute. She pulled a small device from her belt—a short-range taser-like weapon. "If this can short-circuit their battery packs," she whispered to herself, "it might stop them." She dashed in, feinting a slash with her dagger. The monster took the bait, swinging a thick arm overhead. She ducked beneath it, pressed the device to the battery pack, and squeezed the trigger. A crackle of electricity sparked, the brute howling in surprise. It staggered back, the cables on its neck sparking wildly.
"Now's my chance," she breathed. She withdrew another potion—this one labeled "Flash Freeze"—and hurled it at the brute's feet. The vial shattered, spewing a burst of frigid vapor that iced over the floor. The creature's huge feet slipped, sending it crashing onto its back with a resounding thud.
On the other side of the aisle, Naruto summoned a swirling orb of chakra in his palm—his trademark Rasengan. With a sudden dash, he thrust it against the brute's chest plate. The metal warped, sparks flying, and the brute let out a guttural roar. The Rasengan tore through the cables, causing arcs of electricity to dance chaotically around the creature. It convulsed, then collapsed in a smoking heap.
"Almost too easy," Naruto remarked, though he rubbed his shoulder in discomfort. Even a glancing hit from that brute had felt like a truck plowing into him. "Vivi, you good?"
She turned, nodding, her own brute thrashing on the icy ground. "Just finishing up." Seizing the moment, she plunged her dagger into the battery pack on its back, letting the combined effect of the short-circuit and the freeze destroy the mechanism. A final crackle of electricity, then the brute went limp.
Vivi took a moment to steady her breathing, while Naruto dispelled his remaining clones. The library was quiet once again.
"Now," she said, crossing to a central reading table, "let's find that puzzle solution." She gestured to the dozens of dusty tomes scattered across the table. "I recall something about an 'octagram incantation' hidden in an old manuscript."
Naruto started rifling through piles of books. The titles blurred together: The Neurological Omnibus, Chemistry of the Brain, Cultivating Evil in 12 Steps, Forbidden Arts of the Ancients… "Man, this guy's reading list is pure psycho material," Naruto muttered.
Vivi flipped open a large tome with a battered black leather cover. "Here," she said, brushing aside cobwebs. "Codex of the Nightly Mind. If I recall, it had some references to the puzzle." She skimmed through pages crammed with runic symbols and diagrams of brains. At last, she found a parchment tucked inside—handwritten notes by Dr. Neurosis himself. Her eyes darted left to right. "Okay, it says:
For the Octagram to open, each symbol must meet its counterpart hidden across the castle. When all eight locks are synchronized, the door shall reveal the path…
"Then it lists each symbol: Brain, Scalpel, Gear, Lightning, Key, Skull, Rose, and Question Mark. Next to each symbol is a clue:
Brain: Seek the chamber of illusions, where reflections lie.
Scalpel: Within the operating theater, guarded by the surgeon who never sleeps.
Gear: Find the clock tower's hidden mechanism.
Lightning: The thunder of the tower spire.
Key: Inside a labyrinth of cells beneath the crypt.
Skull: Past the catacombs of the dead, a guardian awaits.
Rose: In the haunted greenhouse, watch for the thorns that bite.
Question Mark: The riddle behind the grand organ—play the correct notes or suffer.
Vivi glanced up at Naruto, her face grim. "So we basically have to run around this entire nightmare castle, solve a bunch of mini-quests, and find items that correspond to each symbol. Only then will the puzzle door open."
Naruto let out a long, slow breath. "So it's not just a puzzle—it's a scavenger hunt. Great." He eyed the list. "All right, where should we start?"
Before she could answer, a faint clapping noise echoed through the library. A mocking, drawn-out clap: clap… clap… clap… Emerging from behind a tall shelf came Fritz, the little green hunchback. His eyes glowed with malicious glee, and he brandished those wicked golden claws. A fresh set, apparently, after the last pair had been destroyed. Behind him slithered two more monstrous creatures—one an elongated snake-woman with dripping fangs, and the other a spidery abomination with far too many limbs.
"Damn it, not again," Naruto muttered, raising his sword. "That imp just can't take a hint."
Fritz cackled, the sound piercing. "You're making quite the mess in Master Neurosis's domain," he said in a nasally sing-song. "He's not pleased. But guess what?" He dug a claw into his nose, as if picking at it casually. "He sent me to tidy up."
The snake-woman hissed, coiling around a nearby shelf. The spidery monster tapped its many limbs in an unsettling rhythm on the wooden floor. Vivi's face paled. "We need to run."
Naruto clenched his fist, adrenaline surging again. "Running might be wise, but I'm tired of letting them chase us. We can't keep dragging them along wherever we go." His gaze flicked around the library. "Got any bright ideas?"
She bit her lip. "There's a side passage near the back that leads to the old reading room. It might give us a route out—and maybe we can barricade them in here."
"All right," Naruto said. "On three, you bolt for the side passage. I'll cover you."
Vivi nodded. "Don't get yourself killed, lover-boy."
He smirked. "Not in my plan."
She dashed to the left, skirting along the shelves. Fritz and his minions lunged in pursuit, but Naruto formed a quick string of hand seals. Another trio of clones materialized, standing in the path. They brandished short swords, forcing Fritz and the snake-woman to slow down. The spider creature scuttled over the shelves, but Naruto flung a handful of shuriken, pinning some of its limbs.
Meanwhile, Vivi reached a narrow door at the far end. She threw it open, calling to Naruto. "Hurry!"
Naruto dove after her, the clones following in a battered state. Fritz let out an enraged screech as the door slammed shut. Naruto twisted a deadbolt. "That won't hold for long. Let's move."
They sprinted through the reading room—a smaller chamber with large windows that overlooked the courtyard. Moonlight spilled across ornate rugs and carved desks. On the far side, a spiral staircase beckoned.
"Up or down?" Naruto asked, panting slightly.
"Up leads to the roof," Vivi said. "Down leads to the archives and eventually a route back to the main corridor. I'd vote for down."
A thunderous crash behind them signaled that Fritz's monstrous entourage had broken through the door. Without hesitation, they barreled down the spiral staircase. The air grew cold, musty, the flicker of more ghostly torches appearing at intervals. At last, they emerged into an arched hallway of damp stone. Crates and old manuscripts lay scattered about.
"Which way now?" Naruto asked, glancing both left and right. Each direction stretched into gloom.
Vivi paused, uncertain. "I think the right leads us back toward the main corridor. Left might take us to the catacombs." She winced. "Neither is ideal."
The scuttling of spider legs above them made the decision easy—Fritz and his gang were close behind, and the corridor to the right was partially blocked by collapsed debris. "Left it is," Naruto said, hauling Vivi by the arm. They dashed onward.
The passage sloped downward, each step seeming older and more decrepit. Water dripped from the ceiling in arrhythmic plinks. Naruto's nose crinkled; the air here was rank, reminiscent of rotting leaves and moldy grave dirt. A chill wind moaned through the corridor, carrying with it faint whispers that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
Vivi clung closer to Naruto, her eyes scanning every shadow. "The catacombs," she breathed. "I didn't want to come here yet, but maybe it's a blessing in disguise. One of the puzzle items is rumored to be hidden in the crypt. The Key, if I recall correctly."
Naruto recalled the clue: Inside a labyrinth of cells beneath the crypt. "Well, might as well grab it while we're down here." He tried to sound casual, but unease prickled at him. This place felt different than the rest of the castle—older, more malevolent.
The corridor opened into a low-ceilinged chamber. Rows of iron-barred cells lined the walls, each door rusted shut or hanging ajar. Some cells contained nothing but piles of bones. Others had rotting cots or broken shackles. The entire room reeked of suffering long past.
"Stay alert," Vivi whispered, her grip tightening on the hilt of her dagger. "Legend says something prowls these halls—some kind of jailer who punishes trespassers."
Naruto squared his shoulders. "Guess we can take him out like the others if we have to."
A moaning sound drifted from the far side of the chamber, followed by a scraping of chains. Naruto felt the fine hairs at his nape stand up. He and Vivi exchanged glances, then carefully advanced. Light from a single torch sconce revealed a hulking shape slumped against a back wall. A pale, emaciated figure wearing ragged, ancient chainmail. Its eye sockets glowed with a faint, sickly green, and it clutched a heavy ring of keys in one skeletal hand. This must have once been the castle's jailer—now undead, animate only by dark magic or some twisted experiment of Neurosis's.
The creature raised its head, letting out another low moan. Then, with shocking speed, it lunged upward, rattling the chain attached to its wrists. Its jaw hung open in a soundless howl, and it brandished a large, corroded axe.
Vivi took a cautious step back. "We need the ring of keys he's holding. One of them might be the puzzle Key."
"That means we can't just blow him to pieces?" Naruto asked, half-joking. "We'll see." He moved forward, letting the creature focus on him. The jailer's eyes blazed brighter, and it dragged the axe, scraping it across the stone floor with a dreadful screech.
Naruto measured the distance. This creature might be slow—he hoped. He dashed forward, feinting left. As the jailer swung the axe, Naruto jumped, flipping over the arc of the blade. He slashed with his sword, but the creature's chainmail deflected the blow, though it tore open a few links. Landing behind the jailer, Naruto pivoted for a follow-up strike.
But the undead warden whirled, faster than expected, catching Naruto's blade with the haft of its axe. Sparks flew. Its hollow face loomed mere inches from Naruto's, releasing a fetid stench that nearly made him gag. With surprising strength, it shoved him back, sending him skidding across the wet floor.
Vivi took the chance to dart in, aiming a slash at the jailer's side. The chainmail parted slightly under her blade, but the monster scarcely seemed to notice. It backhanded her with a chain-wrapped arm, knocking her aside. She hit the wall with a groan, sliding down in a daze.
"Damn it," Naruto snarled, climbing to his feet. "Not good." He formed a hand seal. Another trio of clones sprang to life, charging the undead jailer from multiple angles. The jailer swung its axe in a wide arc, decapitating one clone instantly. The second clone leapt onto its back, trying to wrest the ring of keys from its skeletal hand.
Meanwhile, the third clone stooped to help Vivi up. "You okay?"
She shook her head to clear it, wincing. "Yeah. That thing's stronger than it looks." She watched the second clone struggle behind the jailer. "We need to disarm it. If we can separate the axe from it or break those chains, maybe it'll slow down enough for us to snag the keys."
Naruto nodded. "All right." He charged in from the front, feinting a direct attack. The jailer roared—or gave an approximation of roaring, given its missing flesh—and hauled back the axe. That gave the clone on its back just enough time to jam a kunai in the exposed patch of its chainmail, right near the spine. Black ichor spurted out, and the jailer stiffened, loosing a garbled shriek. The ring of keys clattered to the floor.
"Now!" Vivi yelled, scrambling to snatch the keys. But the jailer's foot lashed out, kicking them across the floor. They slid under an iron grate near the wall, dropping into a small drainage channel. "No!" she cried in exasperation.
Naruto cursed. "They fell down there? Great. Now we have to fish them out." That momentary distraction allowed the jailer to fling the second clone into a cell door, which slammed shut behind it. The clone vanished, leaving Naruto alone against the monster once more.
"Vivi, you handle the keys," Naruto shouted, forming a swirling ball of chakra in his right hand. "I'll keep him busy." He lunged forward, slamming the Rasengan into the jailer's torso. The rotting chainmail buckled, and the undead flew backward, crashing into a support column. Its chained wrists sparked with necrotic energy as it tried to rise again.
Vivi scrambled to the drainage channel. Murky water trickled through, barely a few inches deep. She spotted the ring of keys lying just out of reach, shining faintly in the flickering torchlight. She grimaced, thrusting an arm through the grate. The metal bars were slick with algae, and she strained to force her hand deeper. Her fingers brushed the cold metal ring. Almost…
With a final push, she grabbed the keys. "Got 'em!" She held them up triumphantly. A guttural shriek behind her signaled that the jailer was somehow still moving, battered chainmail scraping.
Naruto watched in alarm as the jailer advanced again, cracks in its spine leaking black fluid. "This guy's persistent," he groaned. "Time for plan B." He reached into his pouch for an explosive tag. He pressed it against the floor at the jailer's feet, then jumped back, forming a quick seal. "Kai!"
The ensuing explosion rocked the catacombs, sending stones and bones flying. The undead warden was blown to pieces, limbs scattering across the chamber. For a second, the swirling dust made it impossible to see. Then everything settled. The monster's torso twitched feebly, but it no longer posed a threat.
"Let's hope it stays dead this time," Naruto muttered, joining Vivi near the drainage grate. "You got the keys?"
She dangled the ring, relief etched on her features. "Yes. One of these might be the puzzle Key or at least lead us to it." She flicked through them, noticing each key had a different shape. One was shaped like a small skull, another like a stylized brain. A third had a question mark design. "These might actually correspond to the puzzle. Let's see if any of them are obviously the puzzle 'Key' we need."
Naruto picked up the skull-shaped key, a sense of déjà vu. "Wait, the puzzle door had a symbol for a skull, too. Maybe these are part of multiple locks?" He frowned in confusion. "Why would the jailer have them?"
"Who knows?" Vivi said, tucking the ring safely into a pouch. "But it's good we have them. We might not have to do as big a scavenger hunt if these keys unlock more than one symbol. We might have just saved ourselves time. If we're lucky."
"We need to find somewhere to rest," he murmured. "We've been fighting nonstop."
Vivi's gaze flitted to the gloom beyond. "We're not safe here. The catacombs go deeper, but maybe we can find a small chamber or room to barricade ourselves in. Just for a short breather."
Naruto nodded. "Lead the way."