Name: Natasha

Race: Mandrill matriarch lvl 10

XP: 435

Size: 75

Type: Beast

Faction: Unaligned

Armor: 0

HP: 100/100

Strength: 8/Speed: 11/Endurance: 8/Magic: 8/Plasticity: 5/Luck 10

Senses: Vision 4, hearing 4, smell 4, taste 1, touch 2

Abilities: Balance 2, omnivorous 4, aposematism 3, specialized innate magic 6, Voice 1, coordination 2

Skills: Piercing bite 6, Jab 8, grapple and strike 7, precise throw 7, agile climb 7, nimble sneak 6, hide 1, rapid dash 6, dodge 2, block 1, discern weakness and strength 6, mysticism 1, quickstep 1, tumbling 1, leadership 4, mystic channeling 1, adaptability 1, infliction 1

Spells: Wind drake breath 6, windfury 5, jetstream 1, cloud step 1, thunder missile 1, misty path 1

Boss ability: mob boss

Lao Tzu

Mandrill lvl 4

HP:0/20 [DEAD]

Tony Luciano

Mandrill lvl 4

HP: 0/20 [DEAD]

Revive minions? So then Tony and Lao aren’t DEAD dead, but if I revive them what does that mean? Will it actually be the same monkeys, or just replacements? I can’t imagine the menu playing fast and loose with words. Anything like this must be very precise in its meaning. So, I can bring them back. I looked at both of their names and felt my chest shudder, half ready to burst out in laughter.

There was a solid two minutes when I didn’t even consider what I could do with this, just bouncing up and down in my cage, and hooting happily, but my smile faded when I actually stopped to think about what this means. If I just summon them back now, they’ll be here with me in this room, and they are not smart enough to get me out of this cage. I really just need to get that key in order to escape the cage. After that it’s just a mad dash out of the city. Though, if I do that, what are the chances that they die again?

I looked down at the names and grit my teeth. I know that they can just be revived again, but I’m not about to just start looking at them like they are expendable just because of that. I recognize that tactically speaking, if this were a game, they would basically just be an extra pool of hp between me and the enemy, but I’m not about to start going down that route. It’s a fast track to making me a very bad person. So then, what am I supposed to do?

I pressed my forehead up against the bars and snorted, slowly sinking down to lay on my belly. No, if I just summon them in, not only do I risk accomplishing nothing, but it will just get them killed again and I’ll lose the element of surprise. Then they’ll know to expect it and take precautions. So what do I do? Just wait until something different happens? Some more information presents itself out of nowhere? Seems like a bad plan.

My mind was hard at work, churning out idea after idea, but the lack of magic was especially limiting. Right now I may as well just be a totally normal monkey. Then I looked up from the floor towards the rope now tied to my cage. I scratched my chin lightly. Well now, there is something there that they might not have realized. They just gave me access to the rope. Now I’m not strong enough to lift this whole cage on my own, but a rope means leverage.

I had the most basic sort of plan-like goo in my head, a proto-plan if you will. Rope means elevation, so now all I have to do is figure out how to reach the key. I could just swing the cage once I’m up there but that seems way too uncontrollable. Maybe it would be better to try and scoot over to the shelf and just ascend it like a ladder? That seems more half baked than an actual plan.

I rolled over onto my back looking up at the roof while thinking. If only I could communicate beyond simple hand gestures, then I could just get the boys to fetch the key. I knew I had all the parts here to solve this problem but still no clue how they fit together. A solution was there, like it was on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t find it.

My mind went from muddled half plans to suddenly snapping me awake as I heard the door click open. My vision came into focus and I looked to the door, seeing the human from yesterday, the mage in the big blue hat walking in alone. They walked in alone as I rolled over and raised up onto my feet, trying not to look like I was scrambling, but I was. The mage knelt down in front of me, lifting the brim of the hat up and slipping it off.

I was greeted by a mop of light brown hair, nearly blonde, tied tightly into a bun. They pulled down the scarf to show the face for the first time and only then did I realize this was a woman. I had just assumed she was a man up to that point because dungeoneering seems more like a man thing to do. Though her otherwise feminine face was marred with a bandage on the right side of her face where I’d stabbed her.

She stared me down like I was equal parts sports car and puppy kicker. I looked back at her but I wasn’t appraising her like a piece of meat. I was trying to guess whether she was going to try and kill me while we were alone. The silence was heavy for maybe a solid minute before she said something to me. Still no clue what, but I assume it was important, given the cadence with which it was said.

I’m honestly starting to feel a bit left out when it comes to these conversations. They have magic, doesn’t anyone have some sort of translation spell or something? Though why would they even think that a monkey could understand a language at all? They’re likely talking to me in the same way I would talk to dogs. Though with a decidedly less baby-ish tone. She gestured to her cheek, and now I at least knew the general topic.

I raised my head, mirroring her gesture to point to the side of my own face, which seemed to either confuse her or annoy her, not sure which. Some more talking at me and then she stood, turning to walk away. I imagine she did that for either some sort of emotional fulfillment, or a vow of revenge, which are complete opposites, so I learned nothing.

The inability to understand the language started as an annoyance, but now that I’m actually surrounded by humans it’s turning into an actual problem. Not one I can solve either. There’s no way for me to learn an entire language on my own, and no time even if I could. As soon as I get out of here, I should try to distance myself from humans as much as possible. Though oddly that thought made me a bit sad. Which didn’t make sense, since they killed Lao and Tony, and kidnapped me. Again, why am I thinking about this? I need to get back to trying to escape.

As soon as she made it to the door, she had put her scarf and hat back on before she paused and looked back at me. Now I couldn’t read her expression at all with only her eyes visible. She turned and exited the room, closing it behind her. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, and started focusing back on the rope.

So! If I were to try and hoist myself up, I could… wait! I had forgotten the whole reason I couldn’t use stealth was because the other two were with me. Being on my own, I can use my sneak skill again. So I should try to make as little noise as I can to make escaping easier. But again, I need to get a hold of that key. Maybe if I try to use the rope as a pulley and once I’ve got a hold of the shelf I can just elevator up? It’s worth a try at least.

I waited two minutes, just to be sure that they weren’t coming right back before reaching up through the bars and grabbing ahold of the rope. I tugged it slightly and saw the chandelier shifting, which confirmed my suspicion that the cage was in fact heavier. So I pulled the rope until the chandelier was pressed against the ceiling. Leaving me with quite a bit of slack to work with. So I pulled it through to wrap around the bars and back onto the hook again.

Now that the rope was tight, I pressed my feet against the bars, walking them up until I was able to hang upside down. I grabbed onto the rope pressing both feet into the roof of the cage as I started to haul myself up, pushing against the top of the cage to lift it with me. I heard the cage scrape lightly against the ground as it started to slide towards the center of the room, so I lifted a bit more so that the cage was off the ground. I could really feel this in my calves, but it was way easier than before.

Once the cage came up over the center of the room, I gently let it back down so it stopped swinging. My back relaxed as soon as I no longer held the weight of the cage, panting lightly from the effort, but I knew what I was doing now. I lowered back down, and slipped my feet through the bars, pressing my feet down onto the floor as I grabbed the bars in hand near the base. One push with my forehead and my feet for leverage, and I was lifting the whole cage off the floor. Now, since I’m leaning the top of the cage forwards, I need to walk the cage backwards into the shelf.

I waddled like the world’s weirdest ostrich, moving the cage back toward the shelf until I felt the rope become taught again. Setting the cage down about a foot away from the self. This time I felt it in my shoulders as soon as I set the cage down. It was close, but I just needed to get a bit further. So I loosened the knot on the rope a bit to give it some more slack, and give me those few more inches near the shelf.

Alright. Progress, now, to get myself up the shelf is clearly going to take a bit of work. My first thought was to try and ladder up the shelf, but clearly my backwards walk isn’t going to cut it there. So instead here’s my plan. Instead of hanging upside down again, I’m going to start lifting myself up by pressing my shoulders against the roof, and use my feet to walk up the shelf… presumably. This is a dumb plan, but I’ve already started.

So, with the now loosened rope, I grabbed onto it and started to hoist myself up, swinging my feet forward and onto the first shelf. Then once my shoulders hit the bars I started to pull the rope, lifting the cage with me. It was certainly harder than being upside down, but at least it was spread out over my whole back this time. After making it up the first step, I tied the rope around the bars again, this way if I actually fall I won’t lose much progress or hit the ground.

The plan surprisingly seemed like it was working. My shoulders and calves were on fire, but I was at least moving. Another pull and another step up to the next shelf, each one seemingly progressively harder. There were a total of six shelves, which isn’t a lot, but my shoulders are already starting to ache. So I had better do this quickly.

I took the next step up, tying the excess rope around the bars and looping back over the hook to mark my progress. I was up to the third shelf, so already halfway there, but I was starting to realize how much the angle was really doing, now having to grip harder with my feet to keep from swinging back again. Never have I been more thankful to have thumbs on my feet.

Next step, and I’m onto four. Only two more and I'm on the same level as the key. I tie the rope again as it creaks, above my head trying to give my shoulders some rest as I hold the cage up with my head and neck. I give my shoulder a quick stretch before pushing up again and onto the fifth step, though now it feels like my calves are doing just as much work as my arms.

I tried tying this one, but my arms were too tired to actually lift the cage with one hand so I could tie with the other. I just had to pull the rope more and hope I didn’t fall. So I closed my eyes, taking a few deep breaths as my legs started to shake, trying to push myself up onto the top shelf, but my foot gripped on, knee bent and I couldn’t lift the other one up. I was stuck here, trying to rest while still holding myself up with my arms.

Crap. I’m going to need to… I guess… I can’t think of anything. I’m going to fall and this cage is going to start swinging. I looked around for something I could use, but there were only books on these shelves. I can’t use books for anything. I felt my grip on my feet loosening and decided I’m going to have to gamble. So I opened the menu, looked down to the bottom and pressed the button.

Revive minions. You may not revive your minions again within the next 24 hours.

Lao Tzu has been revived

HP:20/20

Tony Luciano has been revived.

HP: 20/20

On top of the bookshelf I watched Lao simply fade into existence from out of nowhere, as if he’d just been standing there the whole time and I just didn’t notice. I didn’t see Tony, but I did hear him down on the table below me. Okay, good, so they don’t just revive where they died, that’s fantastic. Now as soon as I saw Lao, I quickly made the skipping stone motion to which he blinked before looking around for any throwable object.

I couldn’t hold on any longer, my grip failing as my bottom leg gave out, slipping away, and the top one following right after. The cage fell loose, swinging widely across the room as I let go of the rope, still suspended at least five feet off the ground. I should probably have been scared but really I was just relieved that I didn’t have to lift the cage any more, and hoping I didn’t hit the wall.

My monetary respite was interrupted by the sound of books being thrown around the room. I looked and saw Lao had taken my order and started throwing books from my order to throw. Which I wasn’t going to complain about. I watched him grab two at a time, hurling them around at random. Tony, wanting to join in, started to do the same, which put an end to my notion of stealth.

The cage swung forwards again, and from the high arc, hit the side of the book shelf with a loud thud and bounced off to start swinging back again, though slower. When I looked up however, I saw Lao with the keys in hand, winding up and tossing them across the room. I jumped up on my feet and dove to the side, upsetting my swing as the cage started circling around rather than moving like a pendulum. I came close but the keys went wide hitting the ground below.

I grumbled, as now I need to untie the rope and get down. My legs hurt and so did my arms, but I forced myself to jump up, hanging upside down to start unhooking the rope and untying the knots. Each knot made the cage lurch downwards another foot, and since I wasn’t looking, it hit the corner of the table, sending it into a spin. I felt the shock, but kept working until only the first knot was left.

After that, I kicked my feet out, headbutting the bars harshly and throwing the cage forwards. I didn’t bother to lift it, just dragging the metal across the wood floor. Reaching out and grabbing for the keys, though unfortunately I hadn’t walked backwards like last time so I was still out of reach.

Swiftly moving to unfasten the last knot, I didn’t even think about the consequences. I was in too much of a rush. I tugged the cage forward and grabbed the keys as the chandelier fell to the floor in a loud crash. I cringed visibly at the sound, but I needed to hurry. Someone had to be coming.

I took the keys, found the door to the cage, and tried two before the third clacked loudly, and I kicked the door open. I tumbled out, hooting excitedly as I heard the humans outside in the hall. The door burst open and three men in red robes looked inside, all three dumbfounded at the sight. I stuck out my tongue at them, giving a cheeky wink before casting drake breath, forcing the door shut in their faces.

I kept the breath up for the duration, even as I jumped back onto the table next to Tony, and as soon as the breath wore out, I leaped up to the window above. All of the soreness in my limbs just seemed to magically disappear, reinvigorated by the prospect of freedom and the revival of my boys. I let out a loud hoot, looking back at the two of them to make sure they were following. Both of them looked at the same time, and I made sure their eyes were locked onto my big blue butt so they’d follow me as I hopped out the window.

I landed on an overhanging section of roof and looked back at the window, seeing Tony jump out first followed by the loud clatter of the door blasting open. Then a pair of bright blue bolts flew out the window just as Lao leapt out after us. I broke into a sprint, running across the section of roof that must have been the hallway I’d been inside before, clattering over the tiles as the two behind me hooted loudly.

I could hear people shouting inside as I ran, and my heart was beating out of my chest. I was sprinting as fast as I could without using dash, making sure that they could both keep up with me. No way I was leaving them behind after all I’d just gone through. I came to the edge of the roof, and gave a quick glance up, knowing that it was still morning and where the sun was. I knew which way was east, and east was the direction of the jungle. Scanning the rooftops, I could see the big old church too, so I knew where I was.

So I looked off the edge, seeing a way to sidle on down the side of the building, but it passed in front of a line of windows. Not ideal, but I don’t exactly have the luxury of time either, so I vaulted over and started climbing down. I passed in front of the window, and saw a number of red robed men all rushing down the hall towards what I assume was my door, but I wasn’t sticking around to find out.

As I dropped down onto the road, I waited for the other too to jump down, and quickly bolted through the street towards the outer wall. It wasn’t too far away now, just down the road, and we should be able to climb right over, just like last time. Though unlike last time, I heard a number of loud horns blaring, which I only imagine is a much more intense alarm than the one they’d raised last time.

I scurried down the road, and towards the outer wall, but almost as soon as I‘d passed an intersection, an arrow flew past and into the dirt. I flinched and looked back to see three soldiers with bows pointed towards me and silently freaked out a little bit. I know I can avoid arrows with a dash, but Tony and Lao can’t. So I turned back, and instead started to climb up on top of a building, hoping to flank around them instead.

I was able to climb up much faster than I had last time I was here, but I still had to wait on the boys to follow, and as another arrow sunk into the thatched roof beside me, I looked to see more guards in the towers along the wall that I’d just been sprinting towards, now aiming at me. I knew that there were guards on the walls last time, but I didn’t even think that this time they’d be looking for me. Stupid, but gotta adapt now.

I ran over the arch of the roof as the arrows sank into the thatch behind me, only needing one quickstep to keep from getting hit before the other two made it up to follow me. I darted from one roof to the next with the boys on my heels, trying to look for a place to keep from being sniped. Which wasn’t easy to do while being sniped. Every time a guard rounded a corner they were looking up at the rooftops, bow in hand.

I jumped from one building to the next, and saw one of those houses entirely made from thatch, and quickly jumped down to leap through the window. Luckily for me, they didn’t have wooden shutters like everywhere else, just some curtains. I hit the curtains with my shoulder, ripping them off the wall and accidentally rolling up into a ball, which took me a bit to wiggle out of.

As soon as I pulled my head free, I saw the faces of the terrified family I’d just burst into the room of. A man and two boys, though I didn’t have much time to get a read on them, as I was already up on my feet, the other two jumped in after me as I zipped across the room, this time throwing the curtains up as I went so they didn’t tear off the wall.

I came out right in front of another group of six guards, who quickly pulled their bows, rearing back to fire in short range, but I was faster, pulling a quick drake’s breath to throw them back off their feet. I’m actually pretty lucky I chose wind. If I’d picked fire or something I’d be burning people alive with this thing as opposed to just tossing them around.

Though they weren’t done just yet, all rushed back to their feet as I bolted for the next building and across the roof again, this time coming right up to the wooden outer wall of the city. The guards were still there and ready to fire, but as long as they’re shooting at me, we’re fine. I jumped up the wall, both of them coming up to leap behind me, but I was keeping ahead. The arrows came close, as I can’t dash while climbing, but I still have dodge to fall back on.

As soon as I came to the top and vaulted over, I could see the yellow leaves of the vale littering the way ahead and marking the border. All I need to do is make it there and we’re scott free. I can get back in there and start making my way up to the orange leaf area on top of the cliff. The boys might not be high enough of a level, but even still it’s safer for them there than it is here.

-12 hp

I felt the sting as an arrow lodged into my shoulder, and ducked under the path of another as it shot past me, only able to dodge because I got alerted by the first. I growled over at the guard, but left the arrow in my shoulder. I can’t bother to deal with the bleeding right now, especially since they stole my packs, and my ring. The ring was the worst thing to lose too. Now the only way I have to heal is the persimmons.

Lao and Tony both made it on top of the wall and I jumped down first, landing and then immediately tumbling to dodge the pair of arrows as they were fired. Followed shortly by the boys who landed after me. Now, this is tricky. Since we’ve got a wide open field, they get a clear shot at us the whole time with bows. I can handle getting shot at or even hit, but these two can’t take two hits.

I huffed as I started running, hopping over the short stone wall easily and glancing back to see both men raising their bows again, and aiming for me. I gave a quick dash to the side as soon as they were fired, letting them sail wide. I can’t dash forwards, because if they're aiming ahead of me, and I dash, it might hit the other two.

There must be a full two minutes of just running through an open field and getting peppered with arrow shots, getting more clever in how they try to lead their shots, one nearly hitting me after I’d dashed to avoid the other, but after that I’d alternated between dash and quickstep, but after a while the arrows stopped, which I imagine was because we’d passed the range where they thought they could possibly hit us.

I saw the window for the autumn vale and it was like a switch flipped in my head, all the soreness and pain I’d collected from the entire ordeal seeming to collapse onto me all at once. My arms, my shoulders, my back, my neck, legs, everything hurt, and I stumbled, but kept on running. It wasn’t going to do me any good to escape and then immediately collapse right outside the city.

So I kept on running, looking back every once and a while to make sure that the boys were both still following. And despite the pain throbbing through my limbs, I couldn’t keep from laughing, which again just came out as a hoot. The next couple minutes passed quickly, almost in a blur, maybe from the adrenalin, maybe from the horrible pain in my shoulder, but eventually I did make it all the way back to the waterfall. Seeing as it’s the only safe place I know, I came up to the beach. I didn't feel like swimming either, as I would very likely drown, so instead I quickly climbed the cliff face to get to the entrance instead. Slipping into the cave and collapsing onto my face.