Straying further from the road and closer to the small mountainous area to their left Dante led the group up an old game trail that led to a ledge that overlooked where the war camp had been. Instead of a war camp they saw lush greenery with a few of the trees and forest animals interacting and moving around. Not so much as a bit of ruin remained of the war camp that once occupied these lands.
Motioning for the group to huddle up Dante spoke in a whisper “Seems the information was correct. The ent’s have taken over the whole of the forest. I don’t think it would be safe to try and enter the underground from the front so we are using one of the lesser known back entrances. It’s also usually less guarded when I was here last so there is a good chance it may be so still, though we want to be ready for a fight in case it is heavily guarded instead.”
Nodding agreement the others quietly followed behind Dante as he scaled the mountainside working his way along it towards their goal. A few times they crossed the path of what seemed like small patrols that were scattered along the ridge but they went otherwise unseen by them. Before long they were at the entrance to a dark cave and Dante again waved them over to lay out a simple plan.
“I’ll take the lead and use my Shadows of Chaos skill to hide and Terrance will follow behind me about two seconds after you see me disappear. If there is anyone there I want us to pounce quickly and take them out before they can alert anyone else to our presence.” he explained making sure they were all listening intently.
Terrance seemed like he was about to argue but Dante already triggered his skill and vanished into the caves and the group led by Terrance followed close behind. Moments later they came face to face with their first obstacle in the underground. A knight clad in shadowy gray armor that had many spikes and the few gaps held nothing but blackness underneath seemed to hover above the ground with his great sword perched in front of it like a stand it was leaning on. Before it could react though Dante appeared out of nowhere and a second figure materialized in front of the group. It was described as the night sky cloaked in a fine layer of shadows holding onto a stick of material very similar to the appearance of obsidian if obsidian shifted from gray to black randomly.
Taking the cue from Dante Erchik and Terrance took the Shade Knight while Dante took on the Shade Shaman and they dispatched their foes quickly and fairly silently with their abilities. After the dust settled they reconvened and discussed how they would proceed.
“My abilities did do about half what they normally would against most mobs” Dante huffed. “And it would seem that the Shade Shaman learned how to use a long term Shadows of Chaos like ability. He and I could see each other though no one else could see either of us until we started fighting. I may have to go through the whole place in Shadows of Chaos to make sure we are not caught unaware. Also I can see a few more Shade Shaman along the path down a ways so we are going to do some more off-roading and keep to the untraveled path to the right.”
He pointed to things as he said this. Their eyes had adjusted but they could still not see the Shade Shaman though no expected to. When Dante pointed out the off-road path they would take everyone let out a light grumble seeing that it was a rough path covered in tall stalagmites and low hanging stalactites which they would have to bob and weave through.
Before Dante could trigger his skill this time Terrance grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back “If we go the off-road rout and get caught in there we are totally screwed you know that right?”
Dante smiled mischievously. “Actually what most Adventures didn’t know way back when was that it took little effort to trigger a stalactite avalanche of sorts. So let them get close to you and then everyone back up to the wall and smack one of the low hanging stalactites and let them wipe out the enemy. If that happens though there will be no more surprise attacks on our part and we will be fighting our way into the inner workings the rest of our time here.”
Terrance could only shrug in defeat realizing that Dante had thought of mostly everything he let go of his shoulder to let him continue down their path. As Terrance let go Dante rounded on him and planted a passionate kiss and a wink before vanishing while heading in the direction he had indicated before. The kiss had left Terrance a bit flustered and it took a moment for him to gather his wits but he and the other companions were quickly on Dante’s unseen heels.
Weaving in and out of the jutting rocks they safely made it to the next level down without incident only stopping when Terrance did upon feeling Dante’s hand pressed on his chest suddenly bringing them all to a quick stop as he shifted out of Shadows of Chaos and waved the group into a small dark alcove.
“The bottom of level here is full of enemies. Both Shade Knights and Shade Shaman are scattered about. Though from what I can see none of the Shade Shaman are using the same skill down on this level so I won’t need to stay hidden. That's probably for the best since the path we will need to take to get through it all is a bit hidden and I will have to show you first hand. I just want you to know that if we get caught down here on this level we are gonna be swarmed on all sides in no time flat so I want everyone ready to fight. Hit them hard and fast if that happens and we might be able to make it to another safe spot to hide out and let the situation defuse a bit” was all he said before waving them along behind him in the shadows.
Creeping along as quietly as possible they could pick up small tidbits of talk amongst the Shade Knights and Shade Shaman and it would seem they already had news of Serlonia and the fall of the Enchantress. For the most part they seemed almost relieved to hear of her downfall though they were worried about who might have been able to cause it and whether or not they would strike here in the near future. For a brief moment Dante thought they would be caught as they rounded a corner into a well-lit hallway with Knights and Shaman walking around it but the group was able to slip back into the shadows before they were seen.
Having always wanting to do this, Dante found a loose stone and tossed it down the hall behind the enemies causing them all to tense up and slowly make their way towards the sound. Everyone in the group knew they would not be able to make it much further without at least a small fight, so they all readied themselves and rushed in dispatching the group as quickly and quietly as possible. Before they proceeded they slunk back into their shadowy hiding spot and waited to see if anyone came to check on the noise.
Three Shade Knights and an elite Shade Warrior strolled down the hall mumbling about hearing something from this direction but with the bodies of the mobs vanishing in smoke the moment they were looted there was no evidence of a struggle and they turned around and headed back up the corridor they had come from. Sighing with relief Dante and his party carefully and slowly made their way down the corridor. What they found around the corner though was not what they had expected.
In front of them was a small army of Shade Knights and Shade Shaman facing what looked like a stage where four Elite Shade Warrior’s stood. In front of them was a pillar of black stone upon which a clawed metal key of sorts sat. The Elites were speaking in turns to their captive audience.
“Our king,” began the first one only to be continued on down the line of elites, each saying two or three words “has informed us that the Enchantress has been slain.” Which caused a small bit of cheers from the army unaware that her killer and his group were at that moment slowly making their way around the room towards the stage. “Though great in his power the King of Demon’s is unable to find the one who slayed the Enchantress and expects that as with the other legendary beasts he will be targeted soon.” Inciting boos and growls of rage from the crowd until the elites raised their hands to silence it. “We must be vigilant and prepared to defend the key. If the enemy finds out that this is where they will find the key to enter the Kings Sanctuary then this will be their first stop. Go now and prepare. Anyone able to defeat five of the legendary beasts and make it impossible for them to respawn will be a force to reckon with, and we should not be lax in our duties.”
> With that said the army made their way out single file through the door and down the corridor that the group of friends had only recently been wandering through. The party who were now hiding in the shadows close to the stage waited for the enemies to leave them alone in the room. To their dismay the four Elite mobs stayed there on the stage surrounding the key each facing away from it in different directions trying to peek into every nook and cranny in case anyone were to advance on them.
Dante seeing an opening signaled the group to stay put and triggered his Shadows of Chaos ability and quietly made his way onto the stage. He suspected that the elites would not be able to see him and it would seem his hunch was correct as he got up to the pillar and laid his hand on the key. Doing so though seemed to count as a dispelling action and his Shadows of Chaos melted away leaving him standing there in the middle of four elite warriors who had still not yet seen him. Causing further worry he could hear the march of other mobs coming from the corridor towards the room.
Dante Alexander: Knight Mage
Level: 40.08
Attack Power:226
Defense Power:427
Health:1932/1932
Mana:1344/1344
Stamina:1335/1335
Attack Speed +5
Casting Speed +5
Critical Hit +5
Movement Speed +5
Gear:
Main Hand
+14 Blade of Chaos
Off Hand
+14 Short Sword of Chaos
Helm
+19 Hidden Circlet of Chaos +150 HP
Armor
+25 Leather Breastplate of Chaos +250 HP and +30% Damage Reduction
Gloves
+17 Leather Gloves of Chaos +250 Mana/Stamina, +22 to evasion
Shoes
+18 Leather Shoes of Chaos +250 stamina, +87 to evasion
Set effects:
2 pieces: + 1 to casting/ attacking speed
3 Pieces: +1 to critical hit
Full set: +1 to movement speed, and +40 to Attack
L Earring slot +20 Earring of the Enchantress +50 Mana/Energy, +20 Attack, +20 Accuracy
R Earring slot +20 Earring of the Enchantress +50 Mana/Energy, +20 Attack, +20 Accuracy
L Ring slot Ring of Attack +1 to attack speed
R Ring slot +10 Ring of Stamina +25 Stamina, +8 Attack, +10 Evasion
Necklace slot +12 Assassins Necklace +10 Attack, +6 Defense, +6 Evasion
Belt slot +13 Snakeskin Belt +14 Attack, +10 Accuracy
Skills:
Basic Attack
Swift Strike
Cascading Blades
Scatter Blades
Chaotic Shield
Hidden Power
Cycle of Fate
Chaos Hold
Shadows of Chaos
Intertwined Fates
Chaos Dash
Plight of Chaos
Chaotic Blast
Chaotic Subterfuge
Light of Chaos
Dominion of Chaos
Core Attack: Annihilation
Chaotic Flow
Evasive Blade Stance
Lashing Chaos
Burst of Chaotic Blades
Leap of Chaos
Companions:
Terrance Walsh: Warrior
Level:36.02
Attack Power:189
Defense Power:372
Health:2341/2341
Stamina:1356/1356
Attack Speed +5
Casting Speed +2
Critical Hit +5
Movement Speed +5
Erchik: Crossbowman
Level:36.78
Attack Power:206
Defense Power:301
Health:1672/1672
Stamina:1033/1033
Attack Speed +5
Casting Speed +0
Critical Hit +3
Movement Speed +4
Laurina: Healer
Level:35.44
Attack Power:212
Defense Power:330
Health:1479/1479
Mana: 1091/1091
Stamina: 707/707
Attack Speed +1
Casting Speed +5
Critical Hit +5
Movement Speed +4
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Seeing Dante’s predicament Terrance was the first to act as he leapt onto the stage and triggered his area of effect attack stunning all four of the elites briefly before shouting “Get out of there and deal with the trash mobs heading down the corridor. I’ll hold these bastards off until we can face them together. Erchik cover Dante and Laurina please keep me alive!”
As Terrance finished what he was saying a group of five mobs came around the corner to see the group taking on the elites. Dante struck before they could react though and he activated his Intertwined Fates skill followed by Scatter Blades and Cycle of Fate cutting down the three Shade Shaman and most of the health of the Shade Knights. Tucking away the key in his inventory he finished off one of the last two as one of Erchiks charged arrows finished off the other. He turned to see Terrance taking a barrage of hits from the duel wielding Elite Shade Warrior’s all the attacks were taking chunks from his health even though they were landing squarely on his shield.
Erchik beat him to the punch with a hail of well-placed arrows that drew away the attention of the elites giving Laurina a moment to heal Terrance back up to full. Dante quickly took charge of one of the elites who was already missing half his health while Terrance taunted two others and leaving Erchik to deal with the last one on his own as he kited it around the room launching arrow skill after arrow skill whittling down the health of the creature while avoiding the hits by only a hair.
Dante was the first to get his down, with Terrance managing to take another down before Dante came to his aide. As they finished off their Elite Erchik killed his own attacker which allotted the group a moment's respite to regenerate health, mana and stamina. Each grabbing a bit of loot from one of the Elite Shade Warrior’s corpses. Not wanting to be caught by another group of wandering enemies they stowed their weapons and made their way out of the enclosed room and into the hallway. It was empty to their relief but the path they had taken to get to the corridor was now filled with enemies and the group was forced to take the other direction leading towards the front entrance.
Enemies were now everywhere, though according to Dante none were hidden like the Shade Shaman they encountered before. Figuring that they were not expecting to be assaulted from the front they left a lot more openings in that direction for Dante’s party to sneak through. Wanting to be sure Dante did lead his group towards another otherwise hidden entrance and when it seemed like it was clear the group all made a run for the exit. Halfway to their goal they were stopped by a wall of Shade Shaman who appeared out of nowhere. Knowing that they would not escape without further fighting all four of the group began launching attacks and mowing down the enemy in front of them as they heard the commotion of others coming up from behind.
They would be trapped if they stayed there for too long so once they were able to make an opening the group quickly rushed through it and out of the cave entrance into another part of the forest. It was bright and the light hurt their eyes but they kept moving forward until they saw what was in front of them. Ent’s both short and tall ranging from level forty-six to forty-eight were lined up in front of them and blocking their path with behind them in the shadows of the cave was an army of Shade Knight’s and Shade Shaman who were waiting to cut them down.
Standing back to back circling around and watching both sides the group looked on waiting for one side or the other to strike out. “Ho” came a shout from the ent’s group. “Did you do harm to the beings of Shade and Shadow?” the voice asked.
Nodding and taking a look trying to find the location of the voice Dante responded “We did and though I would hate to do harm to any being of the forest I will do what I need to see myself and my friends safely from this place.” Glaring up and down the row still
unable to find the source of the voice.
Something resembling a stump waddled forward the from the crowd of ent’s as it laughed “If you are the enemies of the Shade and Shadow then you are friends to us. Come join us for a celebration in your honor and we shall discuss things in a peaceful manner.”
Unsure but not seeing any other option with the Shade Knights and Shaman behind him Dante put away his weapons and gave his group a look telling them to do the same. Walking over and offering a hand to the talking stump he was now close enough to read its information.
Elite Elder Alder Stump Ent
Level: 50
Hp: 156,000/156,000
“Names Dante,” He greeted as the creature placed a bushy branch in his hand to shake. “I would like to thank you for not attacking us on sight.”
The stump didn’t seem to have a distinguishable face but from within it a voice that sounded something like an old man spoke up “For one of the tree folk we are more than happy to oblige. Even more so if you have struck a blow at the beings of the Shade and Shadow.” Giving off a hearty laugh that shook its bark while leading Dante and his group through the other ent’s who still held a line in front of the cave.
Relaxing a bit Terrance scratched his head and asked “What do we call you sir? I don’t want to be rude or anything especially to a new found friend…” he paused. “Who happens to have an army surrounding us.” Offering an awkward chuckle.
Giving another hearty laugh the stump responded “Elder Alder will do and you have nothing to worry about human so long as you are with one of the tree people you are safe among our people. I do ask though that you do not wander off without,” looking over at Dante “Dante was it? Hmm interesting name.” Before waving off his thoughts with his branches leading the group deeper and deeper into the woods.
From the Beginning Page 22