Chapter 3: Lurker

Screaming in pain I fell over on my back trying to get away from the hissing monster. Scrambling backwards on the slippery cavern floor I felt stabs of pain every time I pushed with the bleeding hand. The light was rapidly changing as the hand was used to propell me backwards, dimming when it splashed up the bloodied water. The hissing, screaming and spashing echoed around in the the dark cavern, joining the frantic beating of my heart. My mind coming up short when it tried to find a reference as for what to do.

The creature rubbed its huge eye with one hand while the other one jabbed wildly in my direction with the bone.

My pained and panicked scrambling stopped as my head hit the cavern wall behind me. Disoriented I tried to remember which direction I had arrived from, but everywhere was just darkness outside the little pool of green light. Flipping over in the cold water I started crawling along the wall.

Rapidly placing my hands I just barely avoided placing my unhurt one on a jagged piece of bone. My weight now on my hurt hand I flinched, slipping into the now ankle high water as I got my head dunked under the surface. Breaking through the turmoil, some strange, calm part of my mind noticed that the green flame was still burning under the water. The same part urged me to grasp the bones hard as I broke the surface and breathed in the stale air.

Holding a jagged piece of bone the length of my hand I turned towards the creature. Scaled and pale it peered towards me, its huge eye squinting to a slit and sharp needle-like teeth showing.

Drenched and cold I shivered, clutching my improvised weapon painfully hard I though of how delicous sinking my teeth in warm living flesh would be. I would feel the life slipping from the creature and gorge myself upon.... Where did those thoughts come from? Never mind that, I had more important things to focus on.

Under the flame I saw that the bleeding in my left hand had almost completely stopped, leaving a ragged gash. Slowly the pain pulsed with every heartbeat, but distantly, as if belonging to someone else.

A growling could be heard and it took me a moment to realize that it came from me. Stopping the growling I licked my lips. I bet its brains would be delicious, succulent and warm, so full of life.

Those thoughts made me pause and blink. That really didn't feel like me. Wait, the flame was supposed to make me more undead wasn't it? Maybe it's what's causing this? Maybe I should-...

My thoughts were interrupted as I rocked backwards, a thump against my chest.

Looking down I saw that the creature had taken the opportunity to close in and attack while I was distracted by my thoughts. The tip ofc the creatures spear had struck the two bottommost ribs on my left side. Causing a small slow trickle of blood to run out, and from the desperate jerking from the creature to retrieve its weapon it seemed like it had gotten stuck.

I took a step forwards towards my enemy, raising my weapon and then promply slipped on the treacherous footing as the creature pulled once more. Noticing me losing my balance the thing tried to retrieve the spear with one last pull as it stepped sideways out of the path of my falling body. Spinning slightly from the last tug I extended my left hand to break the fall. The bonespear struck the rocky ground and pushed in, threatening to punch through my ribcage before it snapped off under the strain.

Scrambling to get up I saw the creature dive forwards and pick up the bonespear, now much shortened and less pointy. Glancing at the broken tool it hissed before throwing it at my face, making me flinch and threatening to once more make me lose my balance.

Managing to steady myself I gave the creature a bloodthirsty leer. That was when I felt some kind of reserve inside me run dry and the corpse-flame went out. ”Shit” I said with hollow concern.

Splashing was the only warning I got before something slammed into my leg. Pain blossomed as dozens of sharp teeth sank into it. Falling down the pain didn't seem important. Well, atleast not as important as cracking open the things head, scooping out its brain and snuffing out that hated spark of life.

Landing under the shallow water I started stabbing wildly with the bone shard. Strikings something firm I sneered and tried to grasp the little monster biting me with my left hand. Keeping it in place as it attempted to pull back, I repeatedly stabbed at it. I was soon rewarded by the satisfying feeling of somethign soft giving way beneath my weapon. Flesh parted as first the shard and then my hand entered something slimy and hot. Fluid splashed my hand, seemingly scalding to my cold skin as a gurgle could be heard.

The struggling soon changed into twitching as a mouthwatering scent filled my nostrils.

Throwing away the bone shard I thrust my hand into the warm opening I began scooping the contents out, hurriedly bringing it to my mouth and stuffing it in.

Chime~

Level 2 cavelurker defeated

Experience and 2 Honor of Valhalla gained

Level up

You have become level 3

Stat-gain for the Semi-Risen Path given.

+1 End, +2 will, +1 vit, +2 int.

Name Roger Peabody Level 3 Paths Semi-Risen Allegiance Health 43% Mana 14/120 Health regen 0.01%/sec Mana regen 0.6/sec Humanity 64% Humanity restoration 0.01%/sec STR 9 AGI 9 END 9 DEX 10 VIT 8 INT 14 Honor of Valhalla 2 Skills Completely unremarkable Conjure corpse-flame 1 Honors of Valhalla

Seeing the messages I was reminded of where I was and why I was here. Cupping my bloody hands I dipped them into the water. Bringing them up to my mouth I drank, quenching the thirst I had forgotten.

Feeling a distant exhaustion I grabbed my fallen foe and started dragging it to where the water seemed shallower.

Soon seeing faint light I wandered towards the tunnel, dragging the fishlike creature through the shallows.

Stepping out of the water I dropped the creature, put my head down upon its soft belly and instantly fell asleep to the faint sound of falling water and the pleasant smell of death.