24 Rising Caverns and Falling Flames (1/2)

Rainer, now heavily affected by his near death experience, portrayed a far more serious mood than before. It hadn't fully hit him at first, but now he understood he was quite literally at death's door. For a swipe of a claw that was only slightly weaker than Kara's to do anything less than kill him would be a miracle.

He alternated between all his detection skills while Gunthar and Kara kept a lookout for Wyverns.

Apart from a few distant screeches, the Wyverns seemed to keep their distance from the party as they made their way forward. Once more they came upon the entrance to a cavern. Immediately Kara decided to begin shifting, and Gunthar took the lead into the darkness.

Rainer on full alert increased the light of his armed [Arcane Bolt]s and followed closely behind.

They walked a few steps in before he called out.

”Stop.”

He held out a finger over his mouth in an attempt to keep them quiet, but it had the opposite effect.

”One, One what?” Kara asked confused. The vibrating effect of her Werewolf voice added to the noise.

”Dammit, it means to be quiet.” Rainer whispered.

”How can it possibly mean that?” She asked again still quite loudly.

Rainer sighed and looked toward the hole at the bottom of the cavern wall. It was small, likely nothing larger than a cat could get through but either way, it didn't look safe.

He leaned against the wall and cast [Spatial Domain]. He searched the small tunnel and soon found what he suspected, a monster. It had a long Serpentine body that stretched deep into the tunnel. An Arcane-Fire formed on Rainer's hand before he covered the small tunnel and cast [Cone of Arcane-Flame]. The serpentine like creature didn't even get a chance to cry out before it combusted in the Arcane-Fire.

”There was a snake-like monster inside.” He said to the confused duo.

”As always Sorcerer an impressive magic. Is this the one you suffered that head pain for?”

”Basically. It's called [Spatial Domain], it lets me sense all the space around me.”

”Every time I am still overcome with surprise, had I a heart it'd be bad for it…” Gunthar spoke to himself as he walked further into the cavern now on the lookout for similar tunnels.

Kara put her finger to her wolven mouth trying to understand Rainer's gesture, her other three paws on the ground. He walked up to her and brought his face close to hers surprising her. Accidently she put her finger to his lips instead. Though in her werewolf form the finger covered his whole face.

”See” He said moving her hand away from himself.

”It works on other people too.”

”I suppose…”

Rainer turned around and snapped back to attention on the lookout for anything else. In this case, it was good to have a fully armored undead leading the way. Ailments like a snake's poison caused little fear to someone who lacked blood.

Every time Gunthar noticed a small opening he'd wave Rainer over before Rainer would cast [Spatial Domain] and then act accordingly.

Once more the cavern had a gently upward slope but contrary to before it seemed to head directly deeper into the mountain. This would be a far longer trip in the darkness than before.

Gunthar dodged and weaved as a multi-headed hydra lashed out at him.

[Serpentine, Female, Young Lesser Hydra lvl 11]

Rainer looked at the result of his appraisal and soon realized that class was highly important to monsters as well. It was the same with that [Ghoul Ogre] in his first dungeon. Far more powerful than its level alone suggested.

He rode on Kara's back as he prepared another [Arcane-Fire Bolt]. The Hydra tried to target him but anytime it approached Kara would only jump away, far too fast for the beast.

Gunthar would capitalize on the beast's mistake and inflict significant damage.

Its healing ability was superior, but the Arcane-Fire caused wounds that would not heal. Once more, similar to the trolls, it prevented the lesser but still monstrous vitality from repairing itself.

And with a final charged [Arcane-Fire Bolt] the Hydra lost its last head and collapsed, its 4 severed heads hissed as steam came off them.

[Mini-Boss: [Young Hydra] has been defeated. 10% Static Experience Gained for the first time having defeated her.]

[First to defeat Mini-Boss: [Young Hydra]. 20% Static Experience Gained]

[Arcanist has leveled up to lvl 17/25. Standard Attributes have been distributed. 1 Attribute and skill point have been rewarded]

Rainer jumped off of Kara as she shifted back to her usual form.

Still in top form, the party headed around the Hydra and continued without rest.

Gunthar took the lead not needing to use much aura for the fight as Rainer and Kara recovered their own partially used resources.

The cavern became steeper and steeper as they went further in. It was gradual, but they could also feel as if it spiraled. The originally vast cavern began narrowing down to a tunnel, and after close to 5 hours of this climbing they finally reached the intended destination.

The tunnel they had been trekking opened up wide and revealed a massive underground space, far larger than before. Rainer held back the group as they decided to sit and rest a bit before entering such an obvious encounter. Obvious at least to Rainer. The rest took his word on the Manner seeing no reason not to rest in any case.

”Kara tell me when you're fully recovered, I'm already fine.”

She nodded and began to meditate. Gunthar already at full capacity stood next to Rainer carefully inspecting the wide area ahead.

”Hey Luna, what do you know about the 2nd Class advancement Quest?” Rainer asked.

Luna popping out of Rainer's pocket had thought for a moment before she responded.

”Not very much. Luna says Fae don't usually take the quest, so we don't know much. Luna also says it can vary widely from little that Luna knows.”

”Fae don't take the quest?”

”Fae, as chosen of World Tree, can advance in a different way. Luna was originally supposed to do it that way…”

”And you will. I'll make sure of it.” Rainer spoke out interrupting her.

”Can I take you with me for my quest?” He asked changing the subject.

”Yes, Rainer can take one familiar.” Luna responded. Her mood improved.

”I do not know how similar they are, but I can explain to you what my people knew of the 2nd class advancement.” Gunthar said.

”The Lady of the Fae was correct in saying it varies but the trial caters to the class. For Sorcerers, it is beasts of magic. For Warriors, beasts of strength. For the Cunning, beasts of such of a kind. For the Crafters, it is to hunt and craft the required item from a specific beast. For lesser classes, I do not know. This can be considered the first part. The second part is what truly varies not just from class but for each individual.”

”I fear yours, Sorcerer, may truly be at a high level of difficulty to match the unbridled irrationality that is your very existence.”

Rainer sat back in thought. It wouldn't be as easy as simply reaching level 25 and going straight to the second class quest as he initially thought. He assumed he would be tested no differently from any mage. And he was partially correct, but the second part worried him. He'd need to be as prepared as possible.

”Luna put me under a sleeping spell until Kara is ready to go.”

He said before closing his eyes and laying on the ground. Gunthar maintained a watchful eye towards the wide open cavern at the end of this tunnel.

The spell was cast unto him and sleep took him. Varied scenes of people and places flashed through his sleeping mind as [Spatial Domain]'s sensory abilities were extended to its utmost under a state of unlimited mana and [Arcane Rage].

Several hours later Rainer awoke on his own. Gunthar was missing, and Kara stood in front of him leaning against the wall looking out of the tunnel.

[Arcane Rage has reached level 4]

He gave himself a good slap shocking Kara who was on watch.

Of course it didn't level up even once. With a name like [Spatial Domain], how could its only purpose be for sensing?

He quickly understood that being able to sense the space around him was a welcome byproduct but the true goal of the spell was to assist in the manipulation of space, increasing gravity at only a single point away from him like when he tried to fly required an extreme amount of control and mana. But would it with [Spatial Domain]?

He cast [Spatial Domain] quickly testing out his theory. He created a minor gravity locus, but different from before not only was it easier to control, and the mana cost decreased.

With the [Spatial Domain] such a thing was made far easier so long as it was within its range.

With [Arcane Rage] leveling once more he started to feel that brute force wouldn't work as well anymore for this skill.

What he had been doing up until now was getting used to unleashing the Arcane power inside him. To understand the effects and how to activate it more quickly. But how to improve the actual power of it was another matter. He guessed that [Arcane Rage] was heavily tied to [Arcane Energy Manipulation] and that he'd need to improve them in concert. The percentage itself per Arcane Power Rainer had figured to be his [Arcane Energy Manipulation] level and his Arcane Power Maximum multiplied by 3 divided by 100.

”Has your strange magic finally broken you.” Kara asked jokingly to Rainer as she stared at him. Though beneath the joking mood concern was evident from the tension in her face.

”No, It's fine, I just wasted some time. Where's Gunthar by the way?”

”He went a bit farther behind us to practice some technique. He didn't specify. Use that Arcane speech of yours to call him.” She replied with a bit of excitement unbeknownst to him.

He had done it subconsciously when yelling at the Wyvern, but he learned the skill could be aimed to some extent and so he yelled down the tunnel.

”Gunthar!”

Kara had her eyes closed enjoying the feel of Arcane in the air.

It took only a few moments for the sound of steel against the ground to ring out in the tunnel as Gunthar approached.

”Ah Sorcerer, you have awoken, excellent.”

”Then let us head forth towards this ominous room as you called it. Though I looked thoroughly, and I cannot see what concerned you.”

”No matter how you look at it Gunthar it's a boss room. ”

”As you say, Sorcerer…”

Kara seeing Rainer's foresight in their first dungeon trip believed him without question.

She shifted as Rainer stood and the party prepared to move forward.

”Luna.” Rainer said while gently taking her out of his pocket.

”Start casting [Gift of Lightning] on Kara.”

Luna nodded her sleepy head before flying over the shifting Kara.

Rainer hopped on to Kara and Luna onto Rainer as they made their way inside, Gunthar leading the way still unconcerned.

The nonchalant attitude turned to shock before becoming a disappointment in himself for underestimating the Sorcerer once more.

A disturbing creature dropped down from the ceiling, hidden entirely up until this moment. It had long arms covered in high black fur that stood straight up. Its face was reminiscent of an ape covered in that same fur and it had three large red eyes. Its legs had far too much length for its body. It stood at nearly twice the height of Kara at 17 feet.

The creature gave out a strange cackle before it leaped over the group and began jumping between the walls and ceiling of the massive cavern.

[Primate, Male, Agogwo lvl 15]

”Rainer jump off me.” Kara growled out noticing the beast had only focused on her.

Rainer moved away, saving his armed bolts for a more opportune moment as he cast a [Spear of Holy Arcane-Light]. The beast's taunting fit in with the longer cast time of the spear.

The monster jumped forward aiming directly for Kara yet before it could even reach her Rainer fired his spear that lacked anything beyond its standard strength.

And yet the beast was helpless as its head exploded from the Arcane-Light.

The whole group stood in shock as the headless corpse smashed into the ground and rolled in front of them. They were positive it was a trick. Even the Hydra was a reasonable challenge. The Vampyr had nearly killed Rainer, but this...

[Mini-Boss: [Agogwo] has been defeated. 10% Static Experience Gained for the first time having defeated him.]

[First to defeat Mini-Boss: [Agogwo]. 20% Static Experience Gained]

”Well, shit. Let's get a move on, yeah?” Rainer spoke.

Kara shifted back and licked her lips as she watched Rainer's departing form.

”Can you at least hide such things a bit, little wolf?”

”I'll try...but I can't help it here.” Kara said while now biting her lip.

”I'll give you this one little wolf. It was impressive.” Gunthar spoke before following Rainer out.

They exited the cavern at high noon. They made their final climb toward the mountain top as the tunnel opened up. Kara at Rainer's behest shifted to her Werewolf form. He assumed the top of Wyvern's Roost would stay true to its name. The path widened as it came to the peak or rather a flat peak of the mountain. Overhead was a Wyvern with a far different appearance than before.

A sharp roar broke out as the beast descended and landed before them.

[Draconic Avian, Male, Adult Scaled-Wyvern lvl 2]

Beige scales tinted with red covered the Wyvern. It's wingspan stretched to twice as far as any Wyvern before it. The level had caused Rainer to draw in a sharp breath. A Draconic Wyvern must truly be superior to anything they faced before for it only to need to be at level 2.

A torrent of air rushed into the mouth of the Wyvern as it inhaled.

”Get Behind me!” Gunthar yelled out as his aura began pouring into his shield. Kara grabbed Rainer as she crouched in her Wolf form behind Gunthar but not before Rainer unleashed all 8 of his armed bolts.

They soared forward and smashed into the Wyvern and yet the beast completely shrugged them off only moving slightly before it unleashed a torrent of fire towards the party.

Gunthar expended nearly half of his Aura blocking the inferno with the shield. Rainer started to cast a spear as the flame continued but the Wyvern immediately took to the sky escaping his reach.

”Split and take cover.” Rainer called out as Kara carried him behind one of the large pillars on this flat plateau-like area. Gunthar headed in a different direction as the Wyvern shot down a ball of fire in their previous position.

Rainer activated [Mana Detection] and noticed alongside the [Draconic Wyvern]'s massive mana pool was that it was recovering quickly.

Then what is a true dragon like?

He couldn't help but wonder even in this situation.

The Scaled-Wyvern continued its flight and flew to an even higher height as new screeches came at the party.

6 Adult Wyverns flew up and over the edge and made a reckless dive towards the party.

”Hold on tight.” Kara growled out before gripping her claws into the ground and making an aura-aided dash toward a Wyvern.

The beast barely had time to react before Kara's teeth ripped out its throat. Another Wyvern came from behind to strike at her but before Rainer could even call out Kara whirled and sliced the beast up and down the middle before she charged forward once more grabbing a Wyvern who tried to fly up by its tail and slamming it into the ground. The sickening crunch of its bones rang out before a clawed foot crushed its neck.

During this Gunthar had dealt with the 3 Wyverns who attacked him. He even took a bite to his armor yet contrary to the Wyvern's expectations its teeth did not penetrate and instead its head was left on the armor as life left its decapitated body.

”Again, Cover!” Rainer called out as a powerful wing beat rang through the air as the Scaled-Wyvern dove. A torrent of flame marked its descent, but the group already took cover behind the pillars.

Without pause, Rainer activated [Arcane Rage] and increased it to 30%. A [Spear of Holy Arcane-Light] formed in his hand. Just as the Flame ended Kara rushed out from cover before Rainer launched his spear not having time to give it a full charge.

It slammed into the side of the Scaled-Wyvern causing a few of its scales to fall on the ground, yet the beast only staggered before it once more took flight signaling the approach of 6 more adult Wyverns.

Suspecting something Rainer used [Mana Detection] before his thoughts were confirmed. The Scaled-Wyvern had lost nearly half his mana. Some from the flame it unleashed but most likely…

”It has some kind of magic protecting itself.”

Rainer jumped down off Kara before rushing behind a pillar away from the other Wyverns.

”Protect me I'll bring it down.”

It needs to be a sustained assault.

As Rainer prepared his tactic, visible fatigue began showing on Kara as she finished off another 3 Wyverns. Gunthar's Aura too started to reach a low as he needed it to deal with the Adult Wyverns. In the end, this wasn't a challenge meant for such a small group.

The Scaled Wyvern took a little longer this time but once more it dove, its mana fully recovered.

Rainer held a [Spear of Holy Arcane-Light] in his hand as he increased [Arcane Rage] by another 20%, now feeling pain tingling all across his body.

Changed from the spell before this spear looked more solid. It was another way to cast the spell as described in the tome, to focus on its penetrating power rather than its magical power.

”Kara over here!” He called out showing her the chain, and she instantly understood taking it in her mouth.

Just as the clout of fire ended Rainer left his hiding spot only to find the Scaled-Wyvern had instead this time rushed toward Gunthar, not taking flight.

But it did not matter as the charged Spear flew from Rainer's hand, taking the Arcane Weaved chain with it. The pointed end of the chain was incorporated into the very point of the spear and was serrated for hold.

The Wyvern resisted the spell once more, but there was just enough damage for the chain to take hold. Kara already gripping the other end before the Wyvern even realized the fast spell that had hit it.

It cried out ignoring its current target and tried to take flight once more. Rainer increased his [Arcane Rage] to a maximum 70% he could now do with his level. The unleashed Arcane power wracked his body as he spun around and poured as much mana and Arcane Power into a second and final spear as he could.

The spear thrummed with an unrelenting power. Rainer's mana depleted completely as his Spear finished charging. The chain snapped as the Wyvern reached its end. Yet, it was enough. The beast staggered back, completely immobile for just a brief moment.

And in this brief moment, the air sang with power as a spear rushed straight through the stomach of the beast and exploded within, its barrier powerless before such might with partially depleted mana. It made one last dive toward the ground lacking any life within its body.

[Wyvern's Roost has been completed. 25% Static Experience Gained for the first time having cleared it]

[First to complete Wyvern's Roost. 75% Static Experience Gained]

[First to complete Stage 1 of the Mountains of Tal'Yorn. 50% Static Experience Gained, Title already held: Dungeon Pioneer. 5% bonus experience gained added to title.]

[Small Party Bonus added: Wyvern's Roost has been completed. 25% Static Experience Gained]

[Small Party Bonus added: First to complete Wyvern's Roost. 75% Static Experience Gained]