Denizens of the Labyrinth

The hinterlands were so vast that it had taken them almost five days to cross one hill. Jazmel was amazed and they all shared their own ideas and experiences. Patton told him that some gates opened to places as small as a house, whereas others would open into something as big as a continent. The labyrinth really opened its different floors as it saw fit for the journey of the Seeker. The hinterlands were wild. Creatures that none of them knew roamed in herds and packs. Luckily, none attacked them and so they knew they were not monsters. But they were beyond the imagination and describing them confused him. But he was happy to just witness the creations of the labyrinth.

Bannerman steered them far away from any suspecting monsters. While scouting, he showed them a small orc tribe that were bringing back the prey of a successful hunt and Jazmel wondered what they had caught. The plains were put together of hills and valleys. Plains of both short grass and tall. All in abundance and Jazmel could tell a person could grow lost in this place. He did indeed wonder what the quest would be in this floor and yet the system had not fed any hints into him.

They had agreed to head for the slopes of the hills and were heading in that direction, making their way through the lower valley. A place where Katie and Sadé had taken the opportunity to forage again. Somehow Sadé knew the several types of plants and herbs, the ones that could be used to create potions and others that were good for traps. Katie was invested in the trap making and so Sadé was sharing with her all the things she knew, and Jazmel did not worry himself with what they discussed. Instead, like Patton he kept his eyes surveying their surroundings. The foliage meant little to Jazmel and using his eyes, he looked out for any Mana fluctuations.

Bannerman whistled and everyone froze. That had been their signal in case of an attack and now it sounded. Patton signalled to the girls to prepare, and they both did, quickly and quietly. Bannerman appeared back from the front of their trail and hurried towards them all, as silently and lithe as usually.

“Undead.” Bannerman mouthed and everyone shuddered. But now was not the time.

“How many?” Patton asked and Bannerman using his hands showed a group of thirty. This was a lot and Jazmel knew that numbers always played a part in an attack.

“Katie. Traps.” Patton said, she slinked off smiling.

“Bannerman and Sadé, flank them. Me and Jazmel will draw them in, you cut them down from behind.” Patton ordered; they left through the grass quickly. Jazmel drew Hajime, the sword ready and cool in his hand. Patton conjured a Mana sword in both hands and standing he told Jazmel aloud.

“Undead are weak to Mana, fire, and head injuries. Cut off their head or crush it. It works.” He told him and Jazmel simply nodded, mind focused on the fight. The first undead to notice Jazmel screeched, drawing the attention of the rest. They were scantily dressed, corpses that were reanimated through longing and hunger. Things that warped Mana in odd ways. True as Patton stated, he struck with slash and two fell into brittle pieces ahead of him. He did not react but struck out again, keeping his sword at the ready and fighting to ensure they did not surround him. Patton fought much the same, slicing them apart.

Jazmel cut down five more before they rushed him, running. They would have overwhelmed him if there was not an explosion. Blowing some of them up where they stood. A trap set by Katie. She landed beside him swinging her chain and deftly striking one of the undead in the head. She whipped her chain and begun to take them out one by one. Jazmel not wanting to be left alone, followed suit. Wading into the undead and re-killing them with each strike. Katie was fluid with her strikes, ensuring to only aim for the heads of the undead, but if she didn’t have a clean shot. She would switch her aim at another victim. Jazmel tried to follow suit, doing his best to ensure none of the undead grabbed him or managed to bite him.

Bannerman and Sadé appeared at the back of the loose group of undead and Jazmel determined to meet his friends. Fought until they stood side by side. Before long, the group had won out and the undead lay in ruins around them. Without having to be told, they all began to pick through the remains. Jazmel simply let his shadow wraith consume his and it collected all the items up for him.

DING

LEVEL UP

SHADOW WRAITH

LEVEL UP

Great it was still growing even with this small amount. They had about finished when Bannerman hushed them and crouched low. They all followed, and Jazmel wondered why but not for long.

Out of the sky, a piercing cry could be heard. A shadow blotted out the sun briefly as something flew overhead and they did their best to hide themselves.

Bannerman raised a hand to keep them all hidden and low for a moment before he rose.

“That was a Roc. I have not seen one of those for many years.” He huffed.

“A Roc isn’t that bad; it could have been a Thunderbird!” Katie said and they all agreed on that.

Even Jazmel had heard those stories as a child. A Roc was the mortal enemy of a Thunderbird, and they fought over the skies as that were their territory. Nobody knew why they despised one another so much but they were distinctly different as the sun was different to the moon. A Thunderbird was dangerous as it could cause storms, but a Roc wielded monstrous strength. Something Jazmel did not want to ever witness.

“We should find somewhere to rest. Out of the grass.” Sadé pointed out and they all agreed.

High ground was decided on and Bannerman sought out a trail and accepted the lead once again.