Dungeon Raider System

After so many different experiences in the lost City of San Antonio, the place was already familiar for Uriel. He strode across the streets like he owned the place which seemed a little funny to Charlie, but she remained silent. The reason for that was the obvious awkwardness in between Luna and Uriel.

She didn't know what happened between them, but they were avoiding each other to the point where they used her as a middleman to speak to each other.

However, that was far from enough to spoil the first trip outside city walls for Charlie who removed her tanktop at the first chance she got.

"Why are you getting naked all of a sudden?" Uriel scowled at the Professor.

"Naked? This is technically a swimsuit, so it's fine." She shrugged and continued walking.

"Are you expecting to have a swim? I'm sorry to disappoint you but the river that crosses this place is too shallow for that."

"Miss Charlie, I think you look pretty." Luna said, without even looking at her.

"You really think so? Hey, why don't you remove that baggy hoodie of yours? It's too hot to have so many layers of clothing!"

"Uhm, no." Luna looked shy, but she didn't stop walking.

"This is odd, I can't sense any cryptids around us." Uriel muttered.

"Maybe the others killed them." Charlie pointed out knowing that the main group should have reached the dungeon a couple hours ago given that they had vehicles.

"No, they were supposed to rush inside the dungeon and then report the situation while we scouted the city looking for Cassandra."

"Do you think something happened to them?" Charlie asked.

"It's not likely. Sam is the only one who can open the emergency exit and since he didn't come along they are forced to come out from the same entrance."

The whole city was deserted, not a single cryptid or human was present and they were able to explore it completely. Charlie was beyond ecstatic as she thought that all the cryptids had been vanquished, but Uriel didn't share her excitement.

If there was one thing that worried him more than finding a cryptid where it shouldn't be, like within city walls, was not finding cryptids where they were supposed to be.

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"I don't get it, where did they all go?" Uriel let out in frustration.

At that moment, his cellphone started ringing. He picked up and by the time the call ended, his face shifted into an expression Luna hadn't seen on his face ever since he came back from Chichén Itzá, he was terrified.

***

The mining crew, along with the security team ventured inside the dungeon hoping to find it just how they left it the day before, but ready to face any possible threats that may have been waiting for them.

Exploring a dungeon was always a different experience. In spite of everyone's best efforts in disarming the traps, some of them were still active and there was no saying on what kind of cryptids could be lurking inside.

The security team was already accustomed to fighting the creatures in the happy hunting grounds and they also knew how to fight against vampires. Wood and UV lights did the trick, but the UV lights only worked at a distance since vampires too possessed an FOD that turned off any electrical device.

However, nothing prepared them for what they found inside.

Nothing.

There weren't any cryptids, not even the peaceful pixiephants or the common caterpillars. It was as though they vanished in the air, without even leaving a trace of their presence. The mining crew performed their duty the fastest they could and in the meantime, Nika explored all the floors all by herself.

Not only was she the strongest, her trait also allowed her to escape unharmed from situations that could prove to be dangerous even for a veteran heavenly rank like herself.

The whole place was empty and Nika couldn't find an answer. The only places she didn't explore were those Uriel warned her about, places where only gods could reside and humans weren't allowed.

At some point she gave up and proceeded to exit the dungeon by herself, only to find all the statues turned to pieces and some flux orbs scattered in the ground. If Jon had already made a mess in the cathedral, now it had been completely wiped from the face of the earth.

"Uriel, this is bad. This is really bad. There's no cryptids." She informed him over the phone.

"I know, we scouted the whole city and there's nothing."

"I mean, inside the dungeon. There's no cryptids at all."

What could have been great news for everyone since all the incredible treasures had been left unattended by the horrifying creatures, was actually the most worrisome scenario.

"Did you find any clues about Cassandra?"

"So far, the only weird thing I've seen is a message she must have left behind."

"What does it say!?" Uriel prompted her to speak.

"I don't know, you should come and see it yourself. I'm trying to read it but it doesn't make any sense. It's just a word, but I don't know what it means. It says: Croatoan."

"Nika, tell everyone to grab as much orichalcum as they can and evacuate the dungeon in an hour. I'll meet you at the Alamo."

Uriel didn't even wait for Nika to reply, in fact, he stored his smartphone inside of his trait without even caring if Water warlock stole it. He had heard that word before, in fact, he read it many times during his research of America's colonization process.

The meaning behind it was a mystery lost to time, but something in his gut told him he would be able to learn more if he saw the writing himself.

"Uhm... Uriel?" Luna looked directly at him, implicitly asking a question.

"Luna, Charlie, I want you to take this seriously but remain calm."

"What is it!? You're scaring me!" Charlie yelled, her words echoing in the solitary lost city.

"I think the city is in danger."