by Eden Redd
“Sounds like it might be a dungeon,” Rayna whispered.
“We have to keep moving,” Edric said with a touch of alarm. “If they get too far, we will lose them.”
Rayna eyed the summoner, “We don’t know what it is. They could be doing us a favor.”
Edric’s eyes sagged, “That’s not how it felt. The shadow wants us to find it. There is something more going on and we can’t abandon it to whatever monsters might be lurking in the dungeon.”
Claudia stepped closer, “The succubus warned us about this forest. She said her mistress resides here. What if this is all a plan to separate us from the kingdom? What if this mistress and the trolls are working together?”
Edric shook his head, “No, the succubus didn’t know anything about the shadow. We have to keep going. I…I think the shadow may be in trouble.”
Faye stood up and looked south, “If Edric believes the shadow needs our help, then we must work together.”
Rayna smiled, “I never said I wasn’t going to help but we do have to be smart about this.”
Claudia nodded, “We don’t know what to expect in the dungeon but I’ll be there to help.”
Edric looked to the three players, “Thank you.”
Faye began to walk and the rest the group followed. The forest crowded around them once again, shafts of moonlight touching the ground. The silence grew deafening but Edric pressed on. Doubt touched his heart but he pushed it away. He knew the shadow wanted him to find it. There had to be a reason behind everything that had taken place since they arrived.
Ten minutes later, the forest parted and rocky stone ruins stood in the moonlight. The group stepped into the light, knees bent and senses alive. Leeta moved to Edric’s side, mace in hand. Claudia moved with measured steps, spear in hand. The bard held her lute to her stomach, fingers hovering over the strings. Faye stepped with caution, eyes drinking in the silent ruins.
The group slipped along the clearing until their eyes focused on a dark and foreboding entrance. Vines crisscrossed stone and darkness spilled out where even the moon light could not penetrate. The party moved and stood before the entrance, eyes trying to part the shadows beyond.
A giggling laughter echoed off the stones, setting the party on edge.
“You were warned not to come here. You were given gifts to stay away….” the almost childlike voice bounced off stone.
Edric took a step forward, “Something important crashed nearby. We came to claim it.”
Harsh laughter rose up from the ominous entrance.
“My mistress has laid claim to it. You are too late. Return to your city or face her wrath.”
Edric’s fingers curled into a fist, “No.”
“You don’t want to make mistress mad…do you?”
Edric uncurled his fingers and took a breath. “We can bargain. Let us see your mistress and we can discuss.”
“There was already a bargain. You accepted mistress’s gifts and have not heeded her warning. She will not deal with those selfish in their desires. Leave and all will be forgotten. Stay and she will swallow you whole,” said the disembodied voice.
Edric looked to his companions. They all nodded, knowing full well what the summoner was thinking.
Edric turned to the dungeon entrance, “We are coming.”
Laughter filled the area before it trailed off.
“It shall be your funeral dirge,” The voice said and then went silent.
Edric and Leeta stepped to the entrance. Hand up, the summoner spoke arcane words. A ball of light appeared, chasing away the darkness. A long wide corridor stretched out and a creepy dread caressed nerves.
The summoner led the way as the party entered, a cold wind whistling among the tree tops.
***
A metal door opened and several guards stepped down uneven stone steps. Reaching the dungeon cells, they moved as one along the corridor until they reached three specific cells. Keys jangled as the guard inserted it into the lock and gave it a twist. The mechanism clicked and the door was pulled open.
Caspian looked from his cot, elbows on knees. The knight stood up as the guards eyed him with hungry malice.
“The guards on the lower levels have been dispatched,” the guard with the keys said.
“Where are the rulers of the Elora?” Caspian asked as he stood up.
A guard stepped in with a dagger. It glowed with a blue aura as he moved to Caspian’s side and took hold of the magical collar. The guard made a quick swipe and the magical collar fell away. Two other guards moved to Suusa’s and Tyrath’s cells, opening them.
“You’re spies on the streets saw them leave together through the western gate. A comet appeared over the keep just shortly after the celebration began. It landed in Hollow Song forest. It is assumed they left to investigate.”
Caspian tapped at his hip, a sword appearing. “They are making this too easy. How many players have rallied to me in the city?”
“Twenty four,” the guard said.
Suusa and Tyrath stepped over to Caspian’s cell.
The knight eyed them as he tapped his chest and light armor appearing over his body. “It won’t be much fun taking the city without the rulers here. We need to rub their noses in it.”
Tyrath shook his head, “We should take the city and then capture them when they return.”
Caspian sighed. “Fine, we take the city. We can give them a warm welcome when they return.”
The knight stepped to his fellow companions, “Now, let’s gut this place and truly give them a night to remember.”
Seventeen
Torches flared to life along the corridor. The group stood at the ready as magical fire burned. Faye eyed the length of the corridor, pointed ears absorbing every sound and breath. Edric extinguished his ball of light while Leeta stood by his side. Rayna and Claudia glanced down the corridor, fingers at the ready.
The group had descended down two levels without so much as a rat scurrying about. The silence had become unnerving, eyes checking every shadow for some kind of attack. They passed empty room after empty room, no occupants or defenders to be seen. The group felt the familiar sensation that they were walking deeper into a trap.
A haunting giggle echoed through the wide corridor and faded from ears. Faye’s eyes narrowed. A figure moved to the middle of the corridor and stood, legs spread. The monk reached back and touched Edric’s hand. The summoner looked forward, barely making out the figure with bat-like wings.
“Mistress has been kind,” said the pale woman. “She only wishes to be left alone.”
Edric stood straighter, “We do not wish to fight. We only wish to speak to your mistress.”
The demon woman let out a sardonic laugh. “You adventurers are all the same. You claim you wish to talk but only want to find treasure. My mistress will not stand for it.”
The summoner moved past Faye, hands open and to his sides. “Please, tell your mistress we only wish to talk. You must know since you came to our kingdom, we only want peace.”
The succubus slinked back in the corridor, fading from sight.
A shiver crawled up and down Faye’s spine, “I can sense the dead. They are moving. I can also hear heartbeats behind walls.”
Claudia spun her staff and held it at the ready, “Are they coming for us?”
Faye listened intently. “No, they are moving further in. It…feels like they are waiting.”
“Waiting to spring a trap,” Rayna coughed.
Edric stared down the corridor as he spoke, “I don’t know. Is this normal for a dungeon? Shouldn’t we be fighting monsters left and right?”
Claudia shook her head, “This is not normal for dungeon. I have never made it a few levels and not see one living or undead thing. Something odd is going on.”
“They’re baiting us,” Rayna growled. “Faye, you said you heard them behind the walls. Point to one and I can bring the place down.”
Faye shook her head, “And bury us, no. They
are moving further in.”
“Let’s keep moving,” Edric said and began walking.
The group followed, senses sharp. The corridor turned and bended until the group stepped into a large square-ish room. A stone stage took up one wall to the right, a thick red curtain hanging. Torches lined the chamber as rows of seats faced the elevated stage. To the left were paintings hanging on the walls and a small bar. Edric looked to the other side of the room to a set of heavy iron doors.
The group stepped in, taking in the strangeness of a theater so far underground. Once they reached the edge of the seating, the curtains pulled back. The group took a battle stance when a section of wall slid back. Skeletons and dead bodies marched out. The group retreated to the corridor as the dead moved, not acknowledging them. The party watched in disbelief as the skeletons and corpses moved to the bench seating and began to sit down. A crystal high in the chamber glowed and cast a spot light on the stage. The dead finished filing in and sitting down, empty eye sockets on the stage.
Before anyone could make a sound, the near nude succubus stepped out onto the stage. Horns curved forward as her pale skin reflected what small light there was. She had a wide smile as she moved to the side of the stage. A female dark elf walked onto the stage and fell to her knees, a strange crystal in her hand.
“Welcome all to the Dungeon Play! My name is Sekka and I shall tell you a tale of simple beginnings, treachery and power.”
The group stayed close to the entrance, watching the spectacle unfold.
“Poor lonely crystal, created and forgotten,” Sekka said as she moved to the dark elf. “Your pain brought you into this world but even at your birth, you were defiant.”
The dark elf held up the crystal. The skeletons chattered as if interested. Edric’s brow rose as he could not make heads or tails of what was happening.
“With my help,” the succubus continued, “I gave you the knowledge to access your power. You took to it like a babe to a mother’s nipple and your power grew.”
The dark elf stood up to hold the crystal high above her head.
“Your duty, to create a dungeon like none had ever seen before. You created the levels, corridors and rooms with your power, a home for those who are worthy.”
Sekka picked up the crystal. The dark elf exited the stage and a dozen kobolds walked on, standing on either side of the succubus.
“At first, the little kobolds came to make a home and they were welcomed,” Sekka spoke.
Dark elves moved onto the stage and stood behind the kobolds.
“Then the dark elves came and they too wished for a home but they had greedy desire in their hearts!”
The skeleton audience let out hollow hisses. Edric scratched his head as he wasn’t sure what to do. Rayna stepped over and leaned against a wall. Lute in hand, she played a somber tune, adding it to the play.
“What are you doing?” Claudia asked.
Rayna closed her eyes as she played softly, “They want to show us something so I’m jamming to it.”
The succubus continued, “One of the dark elves tried to seduce our mistress but she knew better.”
A male dark elf strolled onto stage and a female dark elf slapped him. The skeletons let out a hissing laughter. Rayna played on, the tune of Spanish guitar flowing from her lute. The kobolds stepped back and more dark elves stepped onto the stage wearing mishmash armor. Sekka placed the crystal in a female dark elf’s hand and stepped to the side.
“Adventurers invaded mistress’s domain but she had grown so powerful, she would smite them with a taste of her power!”
The dark elf with a crystal pointed a finger and the light flashed. The dark elves in armor instantly fell to the ground. The light dimmed and the succubus moved to the center of the stage, face solemn.
“Now, she grows, knowing others would come to hurt her people. Take heed all who enter her domain, she will defend and drive away all invaders. You have been warned!”
The light blinked out as Sekka lowered her head. The skeletons clapped boney hands. Edric wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all. Taking a step in, something appeared next to him. The summoner took a step back as a woman in a fine robe eyed him, black lips curling into a smile.
“Did you like the play?” the woman smiled.
Edric was caught off guard and simply stood. Rayna was up from the wall as Faye, Claudia and Leeta were at the summoner’s side. The woman in the fine robes stayed where she was, eyes gleaming in the dim light.
“It’s…um..interesting,” Edric stammered.
“It could use some better stage direction,” The woman said as she turned and walked to the bar.
The succubus stood behind the bar, placing glasses out. When there was a glass for everyone, she picked up a bottle and began pouring amber liquid into each glass. The woman picked up a glass and took a deep drink before beckoning the group over.
“It’s hard to get good actors to play in a dungeon,” the woman smiled.
“Are you the mistress?” Edric asked softly.
The woman nodded. “Lyndra Spire. This is my dungeon. I had hoped once you received my gifts from my dear Sekka that you would have stayed away but here we are.”
Edric bowed his head, “I’m sorry for the intrusion but you have something we must see.”
Lyndra nodded, “Straight to the point I see. The thing you wish to see is a woman but she is not like any other woman out there in Lukken. I would have been willing to let her lie but even I could feel she was different. My people brought her to me and I wish to be here when she awakens.”
The woman picked up another glass and handed it to Edric. The player was stunned by Lyndra’s beauty. It appeared that her skin was glowing and her eyes were made of detailed crystal. Torches flared to life and the room was once again filled with light. The skeletons stayed where they sat and Sekka refilled her mistress’s glass.
“May we see her?” Edric asked.
Lyndra’s brow hardened slightly, “No, you may not. You come here asking for something that fell in my forest. You have ignored my warnings and now you ask to see her.”
The skeletons turned their skulls to the group. The mood shifted, taking on a gloomy threat.
“My apologies,” Edric said. “We have reason to believe the woman you found has been trying to contact me. She showed me a red comet crashing down. We need to see her so that we can put this all to rest. I believe…she may be in trouble.”
Lyndra stood, eyes staring into Edric’s soul. “I have allowed you this far into my home because Sekka informed me you had a good spirit. I have not unleashed my power or my minions to attack you because Sekka believed you could be reasoned with. My dungeon has been invaded again and again and if I thought there was a chance a group of lord and ladies could keep others from entering my dungeon, a thin alliance may be a benefit to each of us.”
Lyndra turned, facing the party and a dark aura glowing around her form. “Yet, you demand of me in my own home. You push against my hospitality. You insult my play and you give empty compliments for the gifts I have given….”
Edric backed up as energy began to writhe around Lyndra. Faye, Claudia Rayna and Leeta backed up with Edric, eyes on the woman as she grew taller.
“Mistress….” Sekka said as she stepped back further from behind the bar.
“No Sekka! I will not be silenced! You advised me of their good nature but I have seen nothing but rudeness and contempt!”
The air swirled as the group back peddled. The skeletons stood up, some pulling rusty daggers and swords. Lyndra’s body elongated and stretched as she grew eight, nine, twelve feet tall. Leeta took hold of Edric’s arm and pulled him to her.
“Please, Lyndra! We only wish to….” Edric began before something pulled his vision to the door at the other side of the room.
The summoner stared as a breeze picked up, a feminine shadow standing by the thick iron doors. It waved for a moment before sinking into the metal and fading from sight. Lyndra
looked to the dissipating shadow and then burned her gaze on Edric.
“YOU WILL NOT HAVE HER!” Lyndra screeched before power rippled along her body and exploded.
Leeta pulled Edric to her and turned, throwing her back into the shockwave. Faye crossed her arms while Claudia and Rayna turned their backs. The shockwave hit them, sending everyone sprawling to the stone floor. Energy crackled in the air as swaths of dark energy surged. The party turned to see rocks flying from the walls and shifting into metal pieces. Lyndra stared down with glowing purple eyes as metal clamped to her limbs, midsection, and head. Screeching metal curled and hardened against her twelve foot frame.
The group watched as a wicked looking armor took hold and a blunt mace formed in her open hand. Metal crawled over her firm chest and pointed into sharp tips. A crown of twisted metal rose up from her head as purple eyes looked down at the scattered adventures. Skeletons climbed over benches, hollow sockets on the group and blades in their hands.
“Slay them,” Lyndra said with a hollow voice.
“Enough of this,” Faye shouted as she slipped her feet under her and charged.
Chaos bloomed as bodies burst into action. Skeletons charged the group just as Rayna and Claudia were to their feet. Rayna smiled as she faced the incoming skeletons and strummed her lute hard. The sonic blast smashed several skeletons to shards of light. Claudia ran at full tilt at the incoming skeletons and swung her spear hard. The razor edge crashed through boney bodies, shattering them on contact.
Leeta hoisted Edric to his feet. The summoner watched as Faye ran at the twelve foot giant. Lyndra raised her mace and brought it hard across. The monk bent her body backwards, knees sliding across the floor and thick mace passing an inch from her nose. When it passed, the elf curled her body forward, fingers forming into a fist and glowing. Lyndra took a step forward just as Faye slammed her chi powered fist into the giant’s knee. Metal cracked and the force of the blow sent the giant back a few steps.
Faye was to her feet, closing the distance. Fists moved in a blur as she slammed knuckles into the metal leg. Lyndra lost her balance as her leg gave way. With a growl, her armored fist shot sideways. Faye leapt, hands landing on the fist and her leg slamming into Lyndra’s armored chin. The giant stumbled back, smashing the bar to splinters.