by Paul Bellow
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Five grueling hours later, we arrived at a large chamber with only two doors to guard. Axelrod stopped in the middle and looked around while holding his battle-axe.
"We're camping here for the night," he said. "We'll need one guard on each of the two doors."
"I'll take first watch," Eric said.
"Me too," Josh added.
I sat against a smooth stone wall and looked over my new spell options.
New Level One Spell:
You need to find divine scrolls to add more level one spells.
New Level Two Spell:
You need to find divine scrolls to add more level one spells.
New Level Three Spell:
The Three Lesser Chants of Platinum – (20mp) Change one bronze piece created with Conjure Bronze to one platinum for each level of spell caster.
New Level Four Spell:
Hypnotize Barbarian – 40mp – Hypnotize a Barbarian down from a rampage.
New Level Five Spell:
The Five Fortuitous Castings of Tiaras – 50mp – Requires The Three Lesser Chants of Platinum. Change one platinum piece created with other spell to five platinum pieces – up to one coin per level of caster.
Choose a New Level Six Spell:
Evokers' Clouds of Flame – 60mp – Clouds of flame form above target and move down dealing 1d50 fire damage.
The Ration of Soldiers - 60mp – Targets (up to level of caster) all need no sustenance for 1d4 days per 60mp spent.
Illuminated Water Shields – 60mp – Target is protected by glowing shield of water, preventing all fire damage.
Marvelous Ice Web – 10mp per ten-foot square area – cold webs of icy tendrils block the way and stop anyone hit.
Thought Negation – 30mp/60mp/90mp – Target who fails saving throw (INT) can't remember last X minutes/hours/days where X is the level of caster. Varied cost depending on length of memory erasure.
Human Seeking – 50mp – Given enough information about a target, you'll know if they're within 1 mile per level of caster.
While we didn't need money right away, I wondered how powerful the create wealth spells would get as I leveled up. The choice for my sixth level spell wasn't as easy.
The Ice Web sounds nice, but Water Shields or Clouds of Flame might also be useful. Why does the game make it so difficult to choose? I took a deep breath.
"With limited food sources underground, Ration of Soldiers might be prudent," Charlotte said.
You're right, I think, but Human Seeking and Thought Negation are good too.
"It's your call, Sarah."
Playing it safe, I went with Ration of Soldiers. Dying of hunger in the Mines of Oriam would not be cool. All the talk of roguelikes had me fearing YASD.
While we had enough rations for a few days with us, sustenance could mean life or death.
"You should've asked Ryu what spells he has for food," Charlotte said.
Great timing, I thought, wondering if she picked up on the sarcasm.
"You were so busy," she said.
It's fine, Charlotte.
As I settled back against the wall and closed my eyes, sleep came over me. My dreams were even more weird than usual, full of dragon-men chasing me. Troglodytes?
"Sarah, wake up," Charlotte said in my dream.
Huh? What's going on? I looked around the gazebo I found myself in, a green field stretching in all directions around me.
"You're dreaming," Charlotte's voice said in my mind.
I looked to my shoulder.
Where are you?
"Not in your dream," she said. "In the real world, you're walking out of the chamber."
What?
"You're walking in your sleep, Sarah. I'm scared."
Wake me up.
"I'm trying, but you won't wake up."
What else can you see?
"Nothing, Sarah. I'm sorry. Should I bite you?"
No, I thought then reconsidered. Go ahead and try. Maybe it'll wake me up.
"It's not working, Sarah. You're still walking in your sleep."
Calm down, Charlotte. You're not helping.
"I'm usually the one telling you to calm down," she said.
Maybe someone cast a spell on me?
"Who?"
I don't know, but at least you're awake. This is weird hearing you in my dreams and realizing I'm dreaming. I've never had a lucid dream before.
"You're walking further away from the others," Charlotte said.
Wasn't someone on guard duty? Didn't they stop me?
"Ryu was at the door opposite the one we came in, but he was looking the other way."
This isn't good. Maybe the black dragon somehow cast a spell on me? Wake up!
Despite screaming in my mind, I didn't open my eyes.
My body continued walking forward into the unknown.
()xxxx[:::: Chapter 16 ::::>
Dream a Little Nightmare...
SARAH
In my dream, I searched the gazebo then scanned the horizon for any clues to what was happening.
Are we still moving, Charlotte?
"Yes," she said in my mind, a voice from nowhere. "We're in a fresh tunnel. It's not as nice as the others we've been traveling in."
Try to keep track of where we're going.
"I am, Sarah, but the tunnels are twisting and turning, moving up and down."
Had someone cast a spell on me? Maybe another magic trap I'd set off by leaning against the wall? Why hadn't any of the others noticed me walking away? A sense of dread washed over me.
Time passed, but I had no idea how much. I didn't bother leaving the gazebo because it was nothing more than a dream. What can you see now, Charlotte? At least I have you to see.
"We're still walking down a freshly dug tunnel," she said.
I hope Eric and the others notice I'm missing and come after me.
"They will, Sarah. I'm sure of it."
More silence followed. I hated waiting and not knowing what was going on.
Had the game taken an even more sinister turn? Was Magi Inyontoo behind it?
Nagged by an itchy spot on my neck where Charlotte had bitten me, I woke and opened my eyes.
"Whoa," I said, stopping and feeling dizzy.
"Are you okay?" Charlotte asked aloud in her tinny voice.
"I'm fine, but we need to find our way back to the others."
"At least you have your staff."
"Yeah," I said, gripping it. "The extra mana will help keep us safe."
"Use it wisely, Sarah."
"I plan to..."
My voice trailed off as I turned around and walked back down the tunnel.
This won't be too hard, I thought, trying to stay positive about everything.
Up ahead, I heard an unfamiliar language punctuated by snarls and hisses.
I extinguished my magic light, giving my elven eyes a moment to adjust.
The voices approached a bend in the tunnel. I saw nowhere to hide.
Four scale-covered bipeds with alligator heads appeared from around the corner.
One hissed and pointed as soon as it noticed me. Fight over flight. Time to do this right.
Not hesitating, I cast a single Lance of Lightning for thirty mana, aiming it to hit as many of the dragon-men as possible. They were the same creatures from my dreams earlier.
Your Lance of Lightning WOUNDS the troglodyte for 18 damage.
The troglodyte is dead!
Your Lance of Lightning WOUNDS the troglodyte for 19 damage.
The troglodyte is dead!
You have 230/260 mana remaining today.
Not bad, but three dead would've been better.
The other two trogs stepped over their companions and rushed toward me.
I cast Snares of Dust twice in quick succession for six mana. Both troglodytes dropped their weapons as they coughed uncontrollably. Using the opportunity, I sent six Golden Bolts to the closest trog.<
br />
Your Golden Bolts INJURE the troglodyte for 12 damage.
The troglodyte is dead!
You have 218/260 mana remaining today.
Am I going to get out of this without being hit once?
The last troglodyte standing crouched then ran forward, clawed hands swiping through the air.
The troglodyte's claws HIT you for 9 damage.
You have 37/46 health remaining.
Ouch. That doesn't work for me.
Too close for another spell, I swung my staff.
Your strike GRAZES the troglodyte for 7 damage.
Still unable to see, the troglodyte wildly waved his clawed hands. I stepped aside.
The troglodyte's claws MISS you.
I stepped backward then cast six Golden Bolts to finish him.
Your Golden Bolts WOUND the troglodyte for 18 damage.
The troglodyte is dead!
You have 206/260 mana remaining today.
Combat is Over!
You get 2,000 xp.
You have 59,327
You need 17,673 xp for level 8 Wizard -> Warlock
What? I got all the xp? Am I not in their party anymore? Or is it because they're not around? I'm not complaining, but I wish the game would give us more information.
"Me too, Sarah. Me too."
Charlotte's voice brought me back to the moment.
"I think we found those responsible for digging these new tunnels," I said.
"Maybe we should leave your light off a while."
"Good idea," I said. "Let me loot these bodies. I doubt they'll have anything, but you never know."
I rummaged through the clothes and purses of the four troglodytes. They had a few copper coins between all of them. Nothing of value.
"Do you think there will be more of them?" Charlotte asked.
"Yeah," I said. "My mana is good, but we need to be careful because we're on our own."
Charlotte perched on my shoulder, I walked down the tunnel, searching for a way to get back to Eric, Josh and the others. I missed them all even though we hadn't been separated long.
After ten minutes, we crossed the troglodyte bodies. I stopped and sighed.
"We've already been through here," I said. "We're going in circles."
"I think it's magic," Charlotte said.
"Yeah, me too, but how do we get out?"
"Good question," she said, not offering any solutions.
I shook my head and said, "I'm so tired of this game..."
"What do you mean by game?"
"None of this is real," I said.
"I'm real, Sarah."
"You wouldn't understand, Charlotte. Don't worry about it."
"But I'm worried about not being real," she replied.
Will I go mad in here with a pretend spider?
Charlotte said nothing more as I walked forward, slower this time. I watched the walls of the tunnel and the floor, looking for anything out of place.
When we made it back to the four troglodyte bodies, I stopped again.
"I don't even have any magic to get us out of this one," I said.
"Do you hear that sound?" Charlotte asked.
I tilted my head and listened.
"More trouble..."
"We should see where they're coming into the tunnel," Charlotte said. "It might help us find a way out of this trap."
That's not a bad idea, I thought as I rushed down the tunnel toward the noise. A hundred feet away, I saw a half-dozen troglodytes spilling out of an opening in tunnel wall.
I gripped my Staff of the Cavern and stood my ground.
All six troglodytes noticed me. They ran forward, hissing and snarling.
I cast another spell, hoping to maximize my mana usage.
Your Lance of Lightning WOUNDS the troglodyte for 19 damage.
The troglodyte is dead!
Your Lance of Lightning WOUNDS the troglodyte for 19 damage.
The troglodyte is dead!
Your Lance of Lightning WOUNDS the troglodyte for 19 damage.
The troglodyte is dead!
Your Lance of Lightning WOUNDS the troglodyte for 19 damage.
The troglodyte is dead!
You have 170/260 mana remaining today.
Not too shabby, I thought with a grin.
The two remaining trogs looked at each other then fled through the opening in the tunnel wall. I watched in horror as it closed.
I ran forward, hoping to squeeze through before it shut and trapped me again. As I barely made it through, I saw two trogs running away.
They were likely going for help, so I cast a dozen Golden Bolts, six at each one.
Your Golden Bolts WOUND the troglodyte for 18 damage.
The troglodyte is dead!
Your Golden Bolts WOUND the troglodyte for 16 damage.
The troglodyte is dead!
You have 146/260 mana remaining today.
Combat is Over!
You get 3,000 xp.
You have 62,327 xp
You need 14,673 xp for level 8 Wizard -> Warlock
"Good job, Sarah," Charlotte said.
"It's not over yet. We should keep moving."
As I crept forward down the new tunnel, I hoped my mana didn't run out before I found the others. Taking out so many troglodytes on my own felt nice, but I'd need their help eventually.
Solo-gaming had never been my thing in the real world, and I didn't want to change that in the Tower of Gates game. Would I even have a choice in the matter? I wondered as I walked.
"I hear something ahead," Charlotte said in my mind.
Fearless, I crept closer to the now-familiar sounds of troglodytes talking amongst themselves. The primitive grunts got louder as I approached a bend in the tunnel and slowed down.
I slowly inched toward them, sticking close to the wall. A brightly-lit cavern a few hundred-feet away came into view. While I saw no troglodytes, I could still hear them hissing.
"We should go back, Sarah. This isn't the way."
Nonsense. We got this. Maybe we'll find some powerful magic items.
The closer I got to the enormous cavern, the faster my heart beat. If we weren't trapped inside it, this game would be so cool. Stay calm. Be ready.
I reached the entrance of the football-stadium-sized cavern and glanced around. Mysterious glowing orbs twenty or thirty feet up in the air lit everything brilliantly.
Four massive marble pillars stood in middle of the cavern. Still seeing nobody, I inched forward as the strong, steady light from above lit the way.
The pillars were set about ten feet apart from each other, forming a square. I noticed an intricate mosaic formed from different colored tiles took up the floor between them.
"It's so beautiful," I whispered.
"We should go."
"Not yet," I said.
The troglodyte sounds I heard were coming from between the pillars, but I couldn't see anything or anyone between them.
"Sarah, watch out, behind us."
I turned, ready to let loose another Lance of Lightning or two as needed. A dozen or more troglodytes scrambled into the room. They formed a line four-wide and four-deep.
Well, there goes my chance to line them all up and take them out with a single strike. I glanced over my shoulder and saw another tunnel in the far wall opposite the one I'd come in.
As the troglodytes marched forward, I turned and walked onto the mosaic tiles between the pillars. The moment I did, a white mist shot up from the floor, freezing me in place.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Charlotte said, taking the words out of my mouth.
While still aware of what was happening around me, I couldn't move. My eyes had frozen open, so I saw as the troglodytes circled around outside the pillars.
Their long, teeth-filled snouts were yapping as I wondered whether they would kill me or something even worse? I stared forward, unable to close my eyes and stop.
Whatever was about to happen, I'd have a front-r
ow seat to the action.
()xxxx[:::: Chapter 17 ::::>
Standard Troglodyte Infestation
ERIC
When I woke up for my guard-shift, I saw Ryu staring at me from beside the door he was guarding. He looked away when he noticed me looking.
I sat up then stood, stretching and looking around the room where we'd camped for the night. Where's Sarah? I wondered as I didn't see her.
"Something wrong?" Ryu asked.
"Yeah," I said, turning. "Where's Sarah?"
"No idea. I thought she walked away for some privacy."
"You saw her walk away?" I asked, raising my voice.
"Keep it down," Axelrod grumbled then resumed snoring.
"I'm watching for enemies to arrive, not for friends to leave," Ryu said then shrugged.
"Which way did she go?" I asked, not lowering my voice.
Some of the others stirred where they slept on the floor.
Ryu nodded his head toward the door we'd come through to get into the room. We'd passed so many side passages and walkways, she could be anywhere.
"Wake up," I said, clapping my hands. "Sarah's missing."
The others awakened at their own paces, sitting up or standing, except for Axelrod.
"Five more minutes," he said then pulled his blanket over his head.
"Do what you want," I said. "I'm going to find her."
"Criminy Cricket." Axelrod threw his blanket back and scrambled to his feet. "We can't go looking for her. She'll come back."
"How do you know?" I asked, shaking my head. "We're going after her. Something's wrong."
"Did anyone see anything?" Bernard asked.
"Ryu saw her leave." I turned to him. "Anything you're not telling us?"
"I've told you everything I know," he said in an even tone as he stared into my eyes.
"She'll come back on her own," Axelrod said. "If not, I'll go looking later."