Interval I: The Errand

The waves crash at the edge of the beach. The dark sky whips up gusts of wind that sends a shiver down my spine. This is an ill omen.

“Let’s go, we don't have time to waste.”

“Oh can we even be sure that there is anyone still down there? Folks know the dungeon starts to flood in storms like these.”

I shift my glare toward the old orc warrior.

“Fine, I get it Momo, we have to be sure. Guildmaster’s orders yada yada…”

He continues into orcish swears under his breath.

“Brutus you hold the lantern this time. I’ll need both of my hands if we are going into the third floor maze.”

“Oh come on! I am a swordsman Momo. I need to wield my blades.”

“It’s alright you can still wield one blade so we can still consider you a swordsman. Isn’t that right Silence”

Silence stands outside the entrance. Their feet still in the sand one hand clutching their hat firmly to their head blowing against the wind.

A simple nod and they rejoin us.

The descent into the first floor is uneventful.

“Damn, someone already cleared the first floor boss. No easy coin to be made here today.”

I glance disapprovingly with my large singular eye.

“Don’t you start with me Momo.”

“There are some things more important than coins, Brutus.”

“HAHAHAHA! You're right, like all the ale and women!”

“Remind me again why you are divorced and living in the guild hall?”

His boisterous attitude drops.

“Grrrrrr…”

That might have been too harsh. I should apologize.

Vibrations ripple through the stone floor.

Silence stops for a moment and places their hands on the floor. They shake their head.

Not much time seems like the lower floors are starting to flood due to the storm.

I look at Brutus but to my surprise he already is picking up the pace. He is a good orc at heart. He may talk tough but he worries about the rookie adventurers just as much as the Guildmaster.

I feel lighter. Must be some of Silence’s magic. This should give us the boost to make it to the second floor boss room quickly.

“Aye Momo! Looks like we got monsters up ahead! Show them what Death Clap can do!”

I really hate that name. It was seriously only one time. Never again.

I charge forward taking the lead of the party. With how empty the first floor was today I was worrying we wouldn’t get a chance to have some fun.

In the dark there is a lumbering group of skeletons. Their armor is covered in coral and seaweed. The stench is palpable.

“Brutus!”

“I know. I know. I got your back Missy. Just leave a few for me! My blade is itching for a fight!”

I look toward Silence and the quick glance we share is all I need to know.

I raise my left arm. The tower shield is now in position to deflect any blow coming my way. Next I place my club in the melted vertical hole groove of my shield.

Wait for it. Just let them get close Momo.

Once these skeletons stumble into range I violently extend my right arm. The metal ball end of the club launches through the groove and collides with the skeletons like a metal fist. I repeat the motion as I charge through their lines.

“RAWR!”

Brutus’s orcish warcry behind me lets me know it's okay to push forward.

See he can have fun with just one sword. As long as he gets to fight he will stay in a good mood. Some of the skeletons fall around me taken down by vines appearing through the cracks in the stone.

I need to remind myself that I can’t always rely on Silence’s magic. Magic has its limits. So does Silence's mana.

“Hey you two! We are coming up to the boss room.”

My gut has a weird feeling. If any adventurers really did make it down here, why are all the monsters still around? Anyone one of these monsters is worth the time to collect their drops.

This doesn’t make sense. We didn’t miss them on the way out, right?

No. We passed none on the way here and we took the main path through the first two floors.

I can hear the massive thing move before I can see it. It hears us coming. If the second floor boss is still alive maybe any adventurers have already turned back.

I hope they aren’t hurt. I struggle with corpse retrieval. It's never a kind time. I use my large eye to survey the room as we enter. Good. No bodies.

“Hmph…looks like the fools were smart enough to turn tail and run back home.”

Brutus is right. The Gravestone Golem is not a very beginner friendly boss to deal with.

Clack–

I know that sound. I only hear it when–

Silence stands point at the monster forming before us.

“What are you trying to say mute. You'll need to speak up–”

Clack–

Clack–

Silence slams the end of their precious staff into the ground.

Brutus shuts up. He knows better.

What is Silence trying to say?

“A tip of a sword?”

“What are you going on about Momo?”

“Look! Look where Silence is pointing.”

“Hmm…That’s definitely a Guild rental.”

Somebody made it here. Where did they go? Did they use the sword to try and slip past the golem? 

“Brutus–”

“Alright Missy. I got the left.”

Clack–

We both take off charging the golem. Its large arms made of gravestones, bones, and dark dirt move to intercept us.

The golem is slow and we easily avoid it. I may not have any depth perception but I have good spatial awareness.

I am grateful to Brutus for taking the left side. It allows me to do this!

Bracing my shield against the arm of the golem I am free to wail on it with my club. It's not going to let me do this all day better prepare myself.

I brace. Planting my feet firmly. The golem pushes me off its arm with great force. I slide, my back now touching the stone wall.

I have its attention.

“Now is your chance Brutus!”

“RRRAAAWWWRRR!”

This is not the first time I’ve seen him do this move. It never gets old.

He flies high into the air, both blades in hand spinning as a tornado of death. Once his back foot touches the ceiling he recoils himself back down at twice the speed.

His blades connect severing on of the golem's arms cleanly off. The monster doesn’t react, it feels no pain. Golems aren’t living beings so they can be a pain to destroy.

With its left arm gone that opens up a lot of usable space in the room for our secret weapon.

Of course I still need to hold this thing's attention and tank a hit or two.

First blow.

“BOOOOOOOOM!”

The wall behind me cracks. The stones splinter, shards raining on my armor. It knocks the wind completely out of me. I am still standing on pure grit alone. I said I could take two but I really hope Silence can stop this thing before–

Here comes the second blow.

I close my eye.

I grip my shield.

Nothing.

I open my eye to see thousands of roots have pierced every inch of the golem. Moments later it crumbles and dissipates to dust.

Immediately Brutus starts sifting through the dirt looking for anything of value. My back slides down the wall. Man this is exhausting. Brutus locks his eyes with me.

“What? We need something to show for this errand the Guildmaster sent us on.”

I wave my hands not in the mood to argue with an orc.

Silence is laying curled up in a ball on the floor. They give the assuring thumbs up. I reach into my bag and gently roll a mana potion across the floor to them. After a quicker breather we are back on our quest.

“I wonder if that new guy is part of the party that went down here?”

The orc cracks a wide smile. New people? I don’t do good with new people. What should I say? I’m not prepared enough for this.

Instinctively I lower the faceplate on my helmet.

“Okaaayyy…let's go!”

“She isn’t very convincing is she, Silence?”

Clack.

Would you two please stop it.

As we descend into the third floor the air gets chillier and the walls are damp.

“Brutus the lantern.”

“Already on it. Not a fan of this place either.”

I really hate this floor. For one it is a maze. More importantly, it is way too cramped for a cyclops like me.

I hear the sounds of a struggle. They must be close. I take off, my party not far behind me.

There in the darkness a torch falls to the floor.

I know that sound. As I round the corner I come face to face with a naga. Despicable creature. You give other tailed beings a bad image.

Something is wrapped up in its tail.

There he is. Oh no, I really need to be quick about this.

Sorry new guy.

With all my might a swing my club collides with the naga’s head. It explodes due the force and weight of my swing.

Oh this is going to be a pain to clean off.

The lanky man falls to the floor and the naga’s tail blankets him.

New person.

Okay I can do this.

You can do this Momo.

“Um…are you uh…doing okay sir?”

Darn. I must have whispered most of that. I really need to practice more.

“...”

Oh I bet he can’t see very well with all the naga blood on him.

Wait, he has goggles on? That's pretty cool. Focus Momo you just splattered him in naga guts.

Oh this is not going very well…

He is just watching me. Is there something on my face?

I can feel my cheeks fluster.

No dummy you have your faceplate down.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

…He is probably afraid of the blood on my weapon. I feel the remains of the naga twitch and graze my leg.

“Yeah sorry about that. Naga tails continue to move that way even after death.”

Oh my goddess that is such a weird thing to say. Why can’t I act naturally?

“Seriously, it’s definitely dead now. I can assure you of that.”

Seriously Momo you need to shut up.

Wait, why is he laughing?

“Sir! Hey sir please–”

His arms propping himself up slip and his body slumps to the floor.

“–don’t fall…”

Is he okay? With all the blood I can’t really tell if he is injured or not.

I need to get a better look at him. I really don’t want to lift my mask though.

Wait. That doesn’t look good. His color is going pale. I reluctantly lift my face mask to get a better look. He doesn’t look okay. We need to rush him to the Guild infirmary.

Wait, he doesn't look scared. Why is he smiling? Humans are always frightened of me at first glance, especially this closeup. I lift him slowly. He is so light. The lanky man is definitely unconscious. 

We have to move quickly. 

My heart is pounding.

I can’t explain it.

“Come on guys, we have to get him to the Guild!”

“I’ll take the lead. Do your best to keep him steady Momo.”

Clack–