[Book II Chapter 43] Zentrias: Braving the Nolfis Underground

------------------------------------------------

“Best of luck.” Zentrias offered. They were gathered at the Nolfis Base Fortress to see Filia off.

“I’m traveling to compete in a sukemon tournament.” Filia laughed. “You’re the ones who’ll need the good fortune.”

“Don’t die.” She added as the lift’s metal grate closed. They watched her disappear up into the mist.

“The supplies you requested are there.” Philip Sabet gestured at two large crates. “That’s quite a lot. How deep are you planning on going?”

“As far as we can.” Carol answered, breaking into the containers. They divvied up enough rations for several weeks, stashing everything in dimensional pouches then in their lugger packs.

“The easiest-to-find entrance is at the end of central avenue, at the heart of Nolfis.” Philip advised before they departed.

After a couple of minutes spent crossing haunted streets, they came upon an enormous vault door left ajar. Vast interconnected shelters had been built under the city. After the rupture, these were quickly breached, turning into a giant death trap for all within. Juda summoned fire fairies to light the way down.

The spirits within were unlike those above ground. Some ran by screeching in horror. Others knelt begging for their life from an unseen assailant. In dark corners, the frantic prayers were repeated endlessly.

“I hate this” Carol mumbled.

“Really?” Juda responded. “I find them reassuring. Ghosts mean we aren’t in the dungeon yet.”

Descending three levels, they found a doorway with cryptic runes glowing green around its frame. The entrance to the Nolfis Underground was discovered fifty years after the city’s fall. Looters wandered in accidentally, and one survived to tell the tale. The dungeon was floor after floor populated with monsters born from the worst of nightmares. Every phobia was represented, which made assembling a full party tough. To compensate, the place was filled with narrow hallways, dead ends, and other bottlenecks to allow undersized groups to deal with threats.

The next floor down was a maze of stony catacombs. Glowing nonsensical symbols scribbled haphazardly on the walls provided faint illumination. There were no apparitions, just the distant sound of hissing. Creeping forward cautiously, Zentrias held up a hand as something slithered by in front of them.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

In a moment the thing returned. It had the head and body of a snake, together with a humanoid Torso and arms ending in sharp talons. Glancing back, Zentrias saw Juda and Carol waiting patiently, staring at him.

Right, I promised to use my eyes… Before he’d been content to gradually work his way up to the wall. The dark age had taken this luxury. Only a couple of months of adventuring remained, a year or two at most, and then they’d be drawn up into some conflict or other. The time pressure of this coming chaos weighed on him, so much so that he’d agreed to bent his most sacred rule. Too late for regrets.

Zentrias focused on the skulking monstrosity, expanding his senses. The patterns flowing within its body became clear. He dashed forward and punched, sending the creatures flying into a wall. It wheezed angrily, rising up only to collapse immediately. Convulsing on the ground, various portions of its body swelled up before exploding into a bloody mess.

“I’ll take care of the rest.” Zentrias declared. More snake men were gathering, alerted by their dying companion. They lunged with fangs and claws. With one strike, he shattered their jaws and limbs. With the next, he ended their lives.

An old familiar rush came over him. Part of him, long buried, felt great pride, even satisfaction. Sensing lifeforce and snuffing out was his unique ability. Despite himself, he reveled in the power.

Soon he stood panting lightly, everything dead. Only then was the elation replaced with shame.

“Astounding,” Juda walked over to studying the disintegrate corpses. “You really can destroy living beings as easily as inanimate objects… I’m almost angry you never used this before.”

“He has his reasons.” Carol said. “The destructive magics he embraces have an adverse effect on his mind when employed this way, among other things.”

Juda frowned. “This place is already known for messing with your head. Is it alright for him to use it?”

Before Zentrias could answer, Carol spoke up, “I judged it ok. We just need to keep an eye on him.”

That’s not the whole story. While what Carol said was true, the problem was more than that. His ability was almost a cheat, to the point of allowing a child to easily strike down combat-trained adults. In his youth he’d lost himself in this strength, and he could feel it seeping back, the pride he’d felt back then. His dormant former self was rejoicing. I’m a like a reformed gambling addict who has decided to visit a casino.

“By the way, I have some good news.” Carol continued. “Even with Jonathan’s pendant, I could always feel eyes on me in the Undermist. That’s gone here. I didn’t realize the impenetrability of dungeons worked to this extent.”

While it was possible to travel between realms in the Ether, Dungeons and other spaces maintained by the HEAVENLY DAO were an exception. Apparently they were so cut off from the rest that Carol’s unseen stalkers could no longer track her, despite this place’s connection with the moonlit lands.

“You’ll still be facing plenty of monsters.” Juda remarked.

“True and unnerving.” Carol agreed. “But compared to the scenario I was expecting, it’s far more manageable.”

They continued downward into the depths, Zentrias praying he wouldn’t lose himself.