Chapter 29: Years ago.
Gazel's heart raced as he stood before the imposing entrance of the dungeon, his hands trembling with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. He had heard tales of the wonders and dangers that lay within, stories of ancient magic and untold treasures waiting to be discovered. Afterall his Sensi told him so, and what a better way was there to test ones skills than combat. The dungeon would certainly help him with that.
With a deep breath, Gazel stepped into the cool shadows of the dungeon, his senses immediately assaulted by the musty scent of damp earth and the eerie silence that hung heavy in the air. As he ventured deeper into the labyrinthine corridors, Gazel's footsteps echoed softly against the cold stone floor, the sound a constant reminder drowning out the eerie silence. Suddenly the echo of footsteps seemed to double up.
Spinning on his heel he was able to catch a blade swinging down towards his head in the corner of his eye, Instinctively, Gazel threw himself to the side, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike. His heart pounded in his chest as he scrambled to his feet, adrenaline coursing through his veins.
“So this must be one of those golems.” Gazel mutters swinging his sword, the blade commencing a deadly arch slicing clear through the stone solder.
But before Gazel could catch his breath, another golem emerged from the shadows, its eyes glowing with malevolent intent as it lumbered towards him, and then another and another. Eventually looking around Gazel was fully surrounded by the golems.
With a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins, Gazel let out a primal roar of determination, his voice echoing off the dungeon walls as he charged headlong into the fray. The remaining golems, undeterred by their fallen comrades, turned their attention to the young mage, their eyes glowing with renewed malice as they advanced.
As Gazel clashed with the golems, the air crackled with the sound of steel meeting stone. His sword flashed in the dim light, striking out with precision and speed as he sought to dismantle his stone adversaries one by one. Yet, for every golem he defeated, two more seemed to take its place, their numbers overwhelming and relentless.
Despite his best efforts, Gazel found himself pushed to the brink of exhaustion, his muscles burning with fatigue as he fought to keep the encroaching horde at bay. Sweat trickled down his brow, mingling with the dust and grime of the dungeon floor as he battled on, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
But even as his strength waned, Gazel refused to yield. With each swing of his sword and every thrust of his sword a golem was slain, although Gazel felt the toll of battle weighing heavily upon him. His limbs felt like lead, his breaths coming in shallow gasps as he struggled to keep pace with the relentless onslaught. The golems seemed to sense his weakening as they continued to arrive in an endless onslaught.
As Gazel struggled against the overwhelming onslaught of the golems, his mind racing with desperation, a sudden shift in the air caught his attention. Before he could fully comprehend what was happening, a cloaked figure descended from above, their cloak billowing dramatically as they landed almost soundlessly on the ground.
Gazel's eyes widened in astonishment as he beheld the mysterious newcomer, their presence both unexpected and strangely comforting amidst the chaos of battle. Without hesitation, the cloaked figure uttered a single word in a voice that carried a hint of magic and power.
"Chain Lightning, nya."
In an instant, bolts of crackling electricity erupted from the figure's outstretched hand, arcing through the air with lethal precision. Gazel watched in awe as the lightning danced between the golems, striking them down with a force that seemed almost otherworldly.
The golems faltered under the onslaught, their stone bodies crackling and sizzling as they succumbed to the powerful magic. Gazel exhausted fell to his knees his gaze on the figure.
“Please teach me!” Gazel shouts as darkness overtakes him and he manages to catch a glimpse of his savior's face.