Fortress Dungeon

Tenth Floor

One Shard Active

The arena to fight the champion was entirely different from the Ocean. Owin had been expecting something similar, some circular room. Instead, he found an old ruin with moss and vines. Bits of furniture decorated a sitting area near a hearth that had glowing embers inside. Even the furniture looked old with warped boards and lichen. Against the far wall was a doorway covered in heavy smoke. It looked like a void nexus, though the smoke wasn't as dark.

The champion was nowhere to be seen.

Owin had to get used to the chitin armor again. Having it all grow back between the floor was somewhat expected, but the sudden feeling of being within a shell was somewhat claustrophobic.

Owin turned and found himself face to face with a creature not unlike Gagory from the previous floor. Shade had not been lying about the god's bulging eyes. They stuck out in a horrifying manner, drawing attention to the red irises and long, diagonal black pupils. Diphinadra's skin was golden with auburn fur covering most of his body. Spiraled horns sprouted from the top of his head on each side of a long red mohawk. He only wore a breastplate, a flowing skirt, and spiked gloves that left his clawed, hairy fingers visible.

As soon as Diphinadra turned his attention to them, he snapped, making Shade poof into dust.

"What is your question, goblin?" he asked in a rough, almost growl-like voice.

"No," Owin said. He set the Thunderstrike Maul head on the ground and rested his arms on the shaft. "Bring him back."

Diphinadra didn't have eyebrows to raise. His features didn't even falter. "Why?"

"He's my partner. He's earned his place here just like I did."

Diphinadra snapped, and Shade reappeared without the spear. Shade quickly stepped over to Owin's side and stayed silent.

"Cursed earned their fates."

"That's not what I meant," Owin said. "He fought to get to the tenth floor right at my side."

"The last time Deniz was here, he summoned a 7 Shard Hero." Diphinadra turned his red eyes to the skeleton. "My champion was set to a 4 Shard level."

"It's not his fault you weren't prepared," Owin said.

"Arrogance does not suit you. You are an anomaly. A mistake."

"But here I am. Are you ready for my question?"

"I look forward to seeing Velinka feast on you." Diphinadra turned away, facing the smoky door.

"You're required to answer," Owin said.

"And who, goblin, is going to command me?" Diphinadra gestured around the small room with a furry hand. "Do you see anyone more powerful than me?"

Shade grabbed Owin's shoulder and squeezed. He bowed his head, looking at the ground. "We apologize, Lord Diphinadra. Owin is still learning how to conduct himself properly."

Owin finally let his eyes fall from the god's hideous face. "I apologize."

"Hm. Ask your question."

"How did I awaken?" Owin asked while still looking at the stone floor.

"Ask Ruvaine."

Shade squeezed Owin's shoulder again.

"How many Cursed are there?"

"No."

Owin clenched his jaw. The gods were stupid, hateful people. He looked up at the god's red eyes. "Why? Sloswen answered my question about Shade."

"Sloswen is a fool." Diphinadra crossed his furred arms. "Ask your question."

"Is Artivan alive?"

A wicked smile curled the god's lips. Corkscrew teeth flashed in the light. "No." He snapped again. A figure stepped out of the smoky doorway. She had silken black hair and smooth, youthful features.

"Velinka, do not disappoint me," Diphinadra said.

"I'll kill you," Owin said.

"I look forward to it." The god fully turned his attention to the champion.

"You are my opponent?" Her voice was soft, and her movements were light. She wore a regal maroon jacket and cuffed black boots. A loose cape hung off her shoulders. No matter how long Owin studied her, he couldn't see anything that said who or what she was. She looked human as far as he could tell.

Owin gave Diphinadra one last look, but the god continued watching Velinka.

Fortress Mob

Velinka

Guardian of the Keep

She turned back to the doorway and grabbed a polearm at the side. In a smooth motion, she spun the naginata around and held it in one hand. "Are you prepared?" A single shard hummed quietly as it lifted from her shoulder.

"What class are you?" Owin asked.

Shade opened his index. "Hunter."

Owin grunted. "Shade was a mender before you unsummoned him. I want him to be one again."

Diphinadra snapped his fingers, turning Shade to dust. "Is this what you prefer?"

"You punished Shade for cheating, but what is this? Is this fair?"

"I will return him as a mender when you impress me. Begin, Velinka."

She nodded and dashed at unbelievable speeds. She blurred in a manner Owin had seen before, but he hardly had time to lift the Thunderstrike Maul to block the naginata blade. Her strength sent him straight into the stone wall.

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He let the hammer fall and drew both knives. As soon as his hands gripped the handles, the naginata caught the chitin helmet, dug into the red armor, and ripped the helmet straight off his head.

Smoke Cloud covered the area, letting him drop just below the follow up swing. The sharp blade cut through the smoke and even chopped through some of his purple hair. He electrified the Darkblade and lunged. The power and speed he used to push off broke the stone and sent him directly into Velinka's shoulder. The Darkblade sunk deep into her flesh, sending electricity racing through the boss. A palm strike from her free hand sent him flying toward the doorway on the far side. In the small arena, it only took a quick moment for him to hit the ground, bounce, and hit the wall.

Black blood dripped from the Darkblade. Velinka stood in the same place with her arm and the naginata on the floor, lying in a pool of black blood.

Diphinadra just nodded, then snapped his fingers.

Shade formed beside Owin with Isotelus already turning into a frozen sword. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Owin stood and stretched his back. The chitin armor creaked as cracks spread through his pauldrons. "She's a vampire."

"A grand vampire lord," Shade said. "I noticed the broken furniture right away, but I don't think wooden stakes work on her like they do on other vampires. My memories tell me they don't."

"I can win this. Buff me and stay out of combat."

Velinka shivered, then a full arm grew out of her shoulder. Clear fluid dripped over the lean, defined muscles. She bent over and pulled the naginata from her own severed arm.

"Better yet, use Ethereal Might and we can overwhelm her. Toss the lich bone away so the spell doesn't break it." Shade pulled the Incandescent Blade free and held it out. "Trust me."

Owin did as he was told. Seeing the lich bone clatter against the floor was painful, but it would be fine. He slipped the Darkblade into his belt and took the sword, immediately igniting it.

"Is my mana going to last?"

"No," Shade said seriously. "We will need to be quick."

Owin quickly opened his index, found the mender spells from Shade, and cast Ethereal Might. Luminous fire erupted around his body and Shade's. Another spell caught his eye and he immediately used it.

Luminous Surge. The spell Nikoletta had tormented him with.

Golden fire flared over the already burning Incandescent Blade. He could feel his eyes start to glow with luminous light. Velinka turned into an evil-looking figure burning with black fire.

No wonder Nikoletta thought everything was evil.

Shade looked down at Owin. "Oh. You're really trying to burn through that mana."

"We have a few potions."

Just as he finished the sentence, Velinka was in front of him, slashing with the naginata. The Incandescent Blade blocked the swing, and all the buffs helped Owin stand his ground. Stones cracked under his boots.

Velinka blurred again as the frozen Isotelus blade passed right through where her neck had just been. Shade crashed into the nearby wall. Owin chopped diagonally, aiming for the vampire's shoulder. Instead of hitting flesh, the edge of the blade struck the ground.

Crab legs sprouted from his back and reached over his shoulders. Owin hardly noticed them when they quickly speared the vampire's forearm before she could strike Owin. The blow still hit him in the chest, cracking chitin, but instead of flying back, he stayed directly in front of Velinka.

Owin reappeared a few feet away. He grinned.

"Oh, hello," Shade said.

Velinka looked at her bleeding arm, then over at Owin with wide eyes.

"I do agree. He is the bigger threat." Shade thrust out an arm and cast Luminous Burst. The golden magic smashed into the side of Velinka's face and burned away the skin. She grabbed Shade's collarbone and tossed him aside.

Owin grabbed a mana potion and drank it quickly. Velinka blurred. He dropped low and slashed. Her naginata swiped directly over his head, while the Incandescent Blade ripped through both ankles. The raging luminous fire ignited her boots.

Instead of screaming or collapsing, Velinka's hand flashed and all the blood leaking from her forearm rushed to her ankles and healed them completely.

He stood his ground like Zezog had taught him, trying to use the Incandescent Blade to deflect blow after blow. Velinka moved faster than any opponent he had ever faced, and even after knocking the naginata aside, he never had a chance to counter. She attacked again in fluid, lightning-fast movements.

Something shattered on the other side of the room, but Owin couldn't take his eyes off the boss. Her attacks were relentless and her power pressed Owin all the way against the wall. The sharp polearm chopped the crab legs away and sheared the claws right off as the chitin armor tried to help defend Owin.

He was faster than Chaudius when he conquered the Ocean. And now he felt like he wasn't even a fraction as fast as Velinka. How could he win?

Velinka kicked the Incandescent Blade aside with her bare foot. She blurred as she planted her foot and slashed with the naginata.

Owin saw a glint before it chopped through the sinew of the chitin armor and slashed his throat. Blood immediately poured down the front of the cracked red armor.

***

Sofia pulled off her raccoon skin hat and scratched her greasy hair. What was she doing? What did she agree to? She grumbled and even muttered a few choice swear words as she pressed her face against every window she passed. The area surrounding the portal circle in Atrevaar was busy. There was the ruined Nimble Hogs place with some cobblestone outside that was obviously new. It wasn't yet sunbleached, or really dirty at all. People seemed to take a wide turn around it.

The restaurants and shops elsewhere around the circle were busy. Veph said it could be 'a while.' Whatever that meant. What was she supposed to do with her time?

What did she agree to?

The thought kept repeating. She had already taken money from the Three Heads and had to pay it back, and now the 7 Shard Hero, and, and . . .

Sofia sighed as she made eye contact with a shop owner. She took her face off the glass, used a sleeve to wipe the forehead grease off the window in a half-assed effort, and put a cigar in her mouth. Her backpack shifted and hissed steam.

"Sofia Halaby," a voice said.

It wasn't a question.

"No, no," Sofia said, waving dismissively. "You ain't got the right person." She drew her gun, lit the end of the cigar, puffed, and turned to see the most beautiful woman. She immediately holstered the gun, dropped the cigar, and stomped it out. "Kikuno Itou."

"The Rat." Kikuno wore a wide-brimmed hat that made her curly hair hang awkwardly underneath. Her brown skin was smooth and flawless, despite her being one of the only 5 Shard Heroes. How did someone fight that much without even a scratch?

"The—" Sofia wracked her brain for a nickname. Did Kikuno even have one? "Kikuno"

If Kikuno was weirded out, she didn't show it. Her spider legs were wrapped around her body, acting like a harness over a loose cotton dress. "Are you here for Three Heads?"

"Nah." Sofia looked at her hairy fingers, frowned, and tucked her hands into her armpits. "I broke that contract."

Kikuno slightly raised an eyebrow.

"I'm working for the 7 Shard Hero."

"You know Althowin?" Kikuno took a step closer.

Sofia hunched a little. "Yes."

Kikuno grabbed Sofia's arm with a firm, but non-threatening grip and guided her into an alley between buildings. "You killed Isaak?"

"No." Sofia flinched as her backpack hissed. "Chorsay did. I was just with him."

Kikuno pushed Sofia against the wall.

"Oh." A little noise escaped Sofia.

"Are you in danger?"

"Oh."

Kikuno let go of her arm. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Sofia said quickly. "Why are you worried?"

"You broke a contract." Kikuno took a step back and wiped some sweat from her forehead, making it look elegant. It also made Sofia painfully aware of how sweaty her hair was under the raccoon hat.

"Althowin paid that. I ain't ruining the reputation." She smiled, tried to hide her rat teeth, then sidled to the side, out of the close proximity to Kikuno.

"The 7 Shard Hero paid out your contract?"

Sofia nodded. Out of habit, she pulled a new cigar from her pocket. "She'd talk if you're looking for work."

"I will talk to her." Kikuno looked both ways down the alley. "Why Atrevaar?"

"Somethin' with Veph." Sofia shrugged. She couldn't give away the work. Acting stupid never sat well with her, but it hardly mattered. Everyone already thought she was a moron. "Just waiting.'

"Okay." Kikuno wiped more sweat away. "Can I say you sent me?"

Sofia shrugged. "Don't know if I have that much pull, but say what you want."

Kikuno nodded subtly. "I will head straight to Vraxridge." She looked at Sofia with her gray eyes for a long moment before turning and heading straight to the portal circle.

Sofia watched Kikuno leave and lit her cigar. "What did I agree to?"

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