After what feels like hours, the party begins making progress to the lower levels of the dungeon. Freyja continues using her magic unaware that the spent magic is making its way to the lower levels, feeding a monster they will soon cross paths with. The party fight tirelessly as they push back the never-ending wave of gargoyles, their energy and stamina are running low, fatigue starts to overcome the adventurers but with a last burst of their energy, they make it to the stairs leading to the seventieth floor.
"Alright everyone, let's take a break to recover our strength. Those gargoyles were tough opponents. I still can't believe our ancestors fought them so easily."
"Are you really that surprised, Wilter? My ancestors wouldn't even consider these creatures' exercise. I guess that is why the dark elves were persecuted all those years ago. They were feared by the gods, especially after they showed their true power under the leadership of a powerful human. He is basically a god in our eyes, if only someone like him was alive in this age, then we wouldn't have to suffer the way we do."
Freyja starts shaking with anger until a big firm hand grabs her shoulder. She turns to look and sees Greigore sitting next to her. He smiles at her like a father smiling at his children. Then he starts speaking.
"You-- strong elf-- me protect you-- with my life-- I swear this-- to you-- lady Freyja."
Freyja starts smiling as tears run down her cheek. She feels more hands touch her, when she turns to look, Wilter and Henry look at her with compassionate eyes giving her their full support.
"We understand that you have had the most tragic experiences out of all of us. Just know that we are together with you. We will always protect each other. Who knows, you might just find someone you can relate to one day and fill a need that both of you are missing."
Everyone looks at Henry with shock. When he realizes what he's said, his face goes completely red, and he tries to hide it.
"Th- that was just something I read in a book once ok. Geez."
He looks away but smiles happily. When the party recovered their strength, they moved lower into the dungeon. Wilter stops them before they go further.
"Be prepared to face more grueling battles the deeper we go. Let's watch each other's backs and be careful."
Everyone nods as they head down the stairs. When they reach the seventieth floor, they stand with weapons at the ready. Minutes pass as they wait for an attack, but there is no sign of any monster on the level which causes concern among the party members.
"What is going on here?"
"I have no idea Henry, but there is something odd about this floor. There are no signs of any creatures, which can only mean two things. Either they were all killed, or there is something keeping them out of this floor."
"Like what Wilter?"
"Something like a seal or ward or even a sinister presence, Henry."
Freyja scouts ahead looking for any signs. She stops, eyes wide, then calls the others over. Wilter, Henry, and Greigore approach her, weapons at the ready expecting a swarm of monsters to attack. When they catch up to Freyja, everyone goes silent as they gaze upon a giant stone door with ancient and divine symbols. They share a concerned look as they decide to approach it. When they arrive at the giant door, Freyja sees an inscription just above eye level. Wilter, interested in the inscription asks.
"Can any of you translate this inscription?"
He looks to Henry and Greigore, and they just shrug their shoulders. His gaze turns to Freyja who is standing there with sweat running down her face.
"Is everything alright Freyja?"
She slowly turns towards Wilter, a look of horror in her eyes.
"This inscription. Is written in the ancient language of the earth mother. But it has been combined with the language of the divine. It states. Whoever should open this door will bring about the fall of the world once again. The one being kept inside must never be released if you wish to live the lives you have. You have been warned."
Wilter looks to the others as a sinister chill runs through their bodies, causing them to curl up.
"What should we do Wilter?"
"I have no idea, Henry. But if it is something that can bring about the fall of the world, do we really want to be responsible for that?"
Henry and Greigore are apprehensive. He turns to look at Freyja, but her face is steeled, not revealing any emotion. Without warning she opens the doors and enters. Wilter is shocked. He quickly grabs her hand to stop her, but she breaks free of it. The other three share concerned looks and go after her. As Freyja makes her way deeper, lights begin illuminating the dark path before her and she starts running faster. The others try to catch up, but it's not until she comes to a complete standstill that they are able to regroup with her. Freyja is standing like a statue, her eyes fixed on an object in the middle of a grassland.
Wilter must squint his eyes to try and see what she is looking at. His eyes see a formation shaped like four pillars and he decides to investigate. When the party get closer, they start noticing small yet intricate magic circles surrounding the four pillars. When they reach the area of grassland, an ax the size of a boulder comes crashing down in front of them. As the smoke clears, they see a towering figure made of stone and fashioned like a knight from legends standing in front of them. Sweat begins running down the party's faces as Wilter swallows before speaking in a trembling voice.
"Hey… anybody know what's going on here? Why is there a golem shaped like a knight standing before us?"
Henry shakes uncontrollably as he looks to his left and raises his shaking arm and pointing a finger before speaking in a low-pitched girls voice.
"That's not the only one we have to worry about."
All of them look around and notice a total of four armored golems, one carries a sword, the other two carry a bow with arrows and one with a shield. Wilter begins to panic as he tries to think of a way to defeat the golems when a big, firm hand is placed on his shoulder.
"You are leader-- you act now-- like leader. Me-- protect-- you with life."
Wilter gets his fear under control and closes his eyes before opening them and smiling.
"Thanks, Greigore. You really are a dependable member of this party. Sorry for showing weakness."
He turns and smiles at Greigore who returns it with a smile of confidence and trust. Freyja and Henry smile before nodding their heads as they prepare to face the golems with everything they have. Wilter uses his foresight ability to see the possible paths of defeating the golems.
"Sorry, everyone. My foresight hasn't fully awakened so forgive me if I can't predict an attack."
Freyja slaps his back hard, causing Wilter to cough.
"Who do you think you're talking to, leader?"
With a look of determination, Wilter orders all members to attack. He charges straight towards the golem in front as Freyja casts an all-round enhancement spell on him.
"Plena Augendae!" (Full Enhance)
Wilter feels his body become lighter and more agile as he charges towards the golem. He sees the giant ax swinging towards him at great speed. He shouts at the top of his lungs.
"GREIGORE!!!"
A massive figure jumps up from behind him and uses his shield to stop the ax before it can hit Wilter. The shield and ax collied with a deafening bang, but Greigore stands his ground.
"Impenetrable Shield!"
It soon becomes a contest of strength as the two giants duke it out. Freyja joins Wilter as he charges towards the golem.
"Wilter! Shall we use that move we've been practicing?"
"You mean the fire and ice one? There couldn't be a better time."
Freyja looks towards Henry, his bow powering up.
"Henry! Remember what I told you."
Henry thinks back just before Freyja joined Wilter in the battle.
"Remember, Henry. You are not a strong fighter. Don't even try and keep up with the rest of us."
Henry replies, tears building up in his eyes.
"But... sniff… but if I don't… sniff… you'll just leave me behind like everyone else."
He is on the verge of crying when Freyja holds him in a motherly embrace.
"I was not saying you're weak. I was just saying you have your own way of fighting that is unique. Don't try and fight like us, fight like an archer. Then you will become our equal on the battlefield."
Henrys' eyes open like he has just been hit by a wall as he realizes what Freyja said. He stands up straight and wipes the tears from his face.
"Very well, lady Freyja. I will fight the golems my way. The way of a high archer."
Powerful energy gathers around Henry as he draws his bow, ready to fire. Freyja smiles and tells him one more thing.
"Use your instincts to time your shot. I will not help you with it."
"Use my instincts? I shall do just that lady Freyja. Now let's smash these things and go home!"
Freyja can't help but smile to herself. Wilter looks at her with a raised eyebrow.
"What's the matter Freyja?"
"Oh, it's nothing. A young boy has finally taken his first step into adulthood."
"I can't-- hold much longer!"
Greigore continues to block the golems ax, but he is losing a vast amount of energy. Wilter and Freyja split up, she goes left, and he goes right. Before they can get into position, the golem pushes Greigore back and swings the ax towards Wilter.
"Not while I have their backs!"
Henry fires an arrow so powerful; it cracks the floor as it travels. When it strikes the golems leg, it crumbles to dust causing it to lose balance. Freyja and Wilter take the chance to perform their special attack. They both jump into the air and cast magic circles of fire and ice.
"Larva Flow!"
Wilter hits the golem with fire so hot, it begins to glow a bright yellow. The golem roars in pain as it still tries to kill him but Freyja casts her spell in the blink of an eye.
"Glacies Aetas!" (Ice Age)
Heavy snow hits the golem and freezes immediately, causing the golems stone body to shatter and crumble from the sudden drop in temperature. Everyone feels relieved as the golem has been defeated. But it is short-lived when the other three golems start moving towards the party, their mighty weapons drawn. The party stand up, battered and exhausted, ready to take them on once again. They charge towards the golems, their battle cries fill the chamber, knowing full well they have zero chance of survival. They are abruptly stopped by a mumbling voice; cold sweat covers their faces as the hairs on the back of their neck stand up. The golems stop and turn towards the centre of the chamber before raising their weapons to attack. The mumbling voice booms out with such force, it causes the ground and collum's to crack.
"Material Destruction!"
A giant shockwave hits the three remaining golems and they come to a sudden stop. Wilter and the others look on, wondering why they have stopped. After a few seconds, the golems begin to crack and shatter into small rocks, leaving no trace of their existence. When the dust had settled, the group slowly made their way towards the centre of the chamber, weapons drawn and ready for an attack. When they reach the centre, surprise and caution fill their expressions as they gaze upon a man shackled up with chains. His hair reaches his shoulders a mix of brown and red, defined facial features, with a body that makes Freyja blush as her eyes follow every line and shape of his pale and well-built athletic body. They sheath their weapons as they wonder who this person is.
"Do you think he's the one the warning at the entrance was talking about. Lady Freyja?"
"It could very well be Henry, but something inside of me recognizes this human."
Wilter turns to Freyja, his face in shock.
"You have that same feeling Freyja?"
"It… it can't be. Surely were just imagining it. Right, Wilter?"
"Greigore--feel same."
She is left speechless as she turns to Henry who just nods his head. The entire group stand in silence as they try to understand what is happening. The shackled person slowly brings their head up and squints through their opening eyes.
"Wha- what is… this place? Why am I here?"
His eyes adjust to the light, and he sees a group of four people standing in front of him, their right hands holding their chest.
"Who… who are you people? What are you… doing here?"
Freyja kneels before the young man against Wilters wishes. She speaks in a soft delicate voice trying to hide her confusion and fear.
"My name is Freyja; I am part of an adventurer group that is exploring this dungeon. These are my fellow party members. Do you have a name?"
"A name?"
"Yes. Surely your parents gave you a name when you were born?"
"Oh, yes. My name is Benjamine."
'It's nice to meet you, Benjamine. Let's release you from these shackles."
"I don't think this is a good idea Freyja. What if he kills us after we release him?"
"I give you, my word."
Wilter sneers as he draws his sword and brings it to Benjamin's throat.
"Do you really expect us to trust the word of someone who was clearly imprisoned? Don't be ridiculous."
Benjamine turns his gaze towards Wilter, his piercing teal-coloured eyes strike Wilters very soul causing him to pull back. He holds his head and can't stop his hand from shaking. Benjamine looks at him before speaking again.
"Wilter. I just have one question for you and your fellow party members."
Benjamine breaks the shackles holding him, his full height of 1.82 meters makes everyone swallows their words as they look at him unable to respond. But they remain in their places, showing no sign of fear. Benjamine can't help but chuckle before he asks them.
"Do you worship the gods?"
All the party members look at him, blank stares on their faces, before they all answer at the same time.
"WE WOULD RATHER DIE THAN SERVE THOSE BASTARDS!"
Benjamine is left speechless before bursting out into laughter, causing him to hold his belly. Everyone looks at him confused. Before long, he has calmed down and clears his throat before responding.
"Then we have something in common. I look forward to working with you."
He sticks out his hand towards Wilter. Wilter hesitates and looks at his fellow members who support him. He sighs before shaking Benjamine's hand. Wilter thinks to himself and Benjamine smiles as he hears Wilters thoughts.
"I've just made a deal with the devil."