Trap Sprung

Eå's Shield Max! Kanae cast. A blue light flickered around us and illuminated us for a moment. Then spells of all kinds crashed on the shield from every direction at once. We were in total darkness. I don't know where we were, but we had literally just walked into the trap that had been set for us.

“Lux!” I cast upward. The spell shone out but was quickly absorbed by the darkness. It never even had the power to illuminate anything around us.

“We are inside a darkness spell. Someone with dark magik try casting Undark,” I said.

“You are like a walking grimoire, Dee. Undark!” Kanae cast.

Slowly a swirling darkness within the darkness appeared and started sucking up the darkness around it. We could now see a grey stone floor beneath us and around us. The darkness was now like a lifting fog. Only, unlike natural fog, the darkness was lifting from the bottom up.

Crack!

Kanae's spell was broken.

“We are facing a strong enemy to have broken Kanae's spell. They are also casting silently, or are using artifacts against us. I'm going to try something. Rosie can you silently cast spells?” I said.

“No, I also don't know very many spells,” Rosie said.

“Ok. This is going to grow to an uncomfortable temperature here. I'm going to use my dragon strength into this spell,” I said.

Heat Shield! Light Shield! Mega Sol! I cast.

A small intense light appeared above us. It appeared to be burning the darkness away. The light began spreading out, and parts of a ceiling could be seen. Slowly it spread, and we could hear the crackling of broken spells as the light grew, Our own shield began to glow and shimmer as if it was being heated to intense temperatures. The visible parts of the ceiling self-ignited.

“Uh, your spell seems to be burning the ceiling, Dee. Is that normal?” Aoi asked.

“Yes, that's what star fire does. It burns. It burns hotter than any metal can withstand. Think of how hot a star must burn to heat an entire world from high up above the sky,” I said.

“Um, do you really think this spell is a good idea? Could this be really, super, extremely dangerous?” Kiera asked.

“Oh, yeah, it's a terrible idea, but I don't have any better ones at the moment,” I said.

“It's really getting kind of hot in here, Dee. I mean I'm sweating bullets and the shield looks like it's about to buckle,” Kanae said.

Crack!

The darkness spell shattered, and a huge cloud of dark mana dust started falling. We could see we were in what looked like some kind of cathedral. An ancient one. One that looked like it had been abandoned in the ancient past.

“Cancel!” I cast, and the spell went away.

Glacial! I cast.

Blue Ice formed instantly over the ceiling, extinguishing the flames. Unfortunately, the rapid change in temperature was too severe for the ceiling, and it exploded upward in frozen-glass and icy-wooden shards, and ice-covered-metal fragments. Some of it blew far away and outward, but some of it began raining down from above, once it lost its upward momentum. Wherever we were, it was complete darkness above the now roofless church.

“Bitch! You've ruined the Unholy Shrine! I'll kill you! Die!” said a hooded ambusher.

A huge dark sphere slammed against our shield, and the floor trembled. It was still dark around us, but it was now a normal darkness.

“Lux!” Kanae cast.

The cathedral lit up, and we could see a circle of hooded mages in the attire of the Orphean Cult. Far above our heads we could see a rock ceiling. Wherever we were, we were underground, or deep inside a mountain. I could sense an ancient magik resonance all around us. Teleportation out was not possible. At least from where we were standing. There had to be a way out somewhere. There were maybe fifty to a hundred mages surrounding us. But there were people behind them, and something else. Something darker. Something cold. An abomination.

“Kanae, do you feel that? Something dark and cold and unnatural?” I asked.

“Yes. What is it?” Kanae said.

“I feel it too,” Darby said.

“A forbidden spell of Necromancy. Corrupted undead. They must be using them to draw power to themselves. We must destroy them. Utterly and completely,” I said.

“How?”, Darby asked.

“You, Kanae, and Rosie, must use Bless Undead at your maximum powers. Together. Join hands and cast it,” I said.

“Sure,” Rosie said.

“Ok,” Darby and Kanae said uncomfortably.

“Everyone close and cover your eyes,” I said.

“Max Bless Undead!” Rosie, Kanae, and Darby cast.

A brilliant white ball of warm light erupted from their joined hands, and spread out over the entire church and beyond. We opened our eyes and watched the warm light spread out and the undead floating off as dark ashen particles floating up and away in the air currents.

“It's beautiful,” Rosie said.

“Yes it is. Light magik spells are some of the most beautiful spells. Even the more terrible spells,” I said.

“Terrible?” Aoi asked.

“Another time, but yes, light magik can be terrible. As all affinities can be,” I said.

“I guess I can understand the logic of that,” Kanae said.

“Hello? We're in the middle of like a huge battle? More offense and less chatting, anyone?” Darby said.

“This is bad when Darby is the voice of reason among us. He he he,” Aoi said.

Max Somnia! Kanae cast.

Mega Mithril Blades! Kiera cast.

Mega Glacial! I cast.

All the people behind the mages fell asleep, and were frozen solid in thick blue ice. Several mages fell asleep and a few of them were also frozen. The rest of the sleeping mages were encased in ice over the shields they had over them. Several mages fell dead as Kiera's blades sliced through their shields and killed them. Some were only injured, and some unscathed. A few of the standing mages lost their shields when the ice spell hit them and froze up solid. The rest of the mages were encased in ice over their shields. They were now in the process of breaking free from Deidre's Glacial spell. A spell that mimics the glaciers in the far north that became so dense they turned from white, or transparent, to a transparent blue.

“Dark Arrow Storm! Light Arrow Storm!” Kanae cast. Several more mages fell.

“We are slowly chipping away at them. Looks like we took down a tenth of them,” Kiera said.

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“All of their attacks seem weaker now. Why?” Kanae asked.

“They were drawing power from the undead, and from the frozen people behind them. The people are probably slaves with high levels of mana. They likely were draining the mana out of them. The ice is locking away the ability to draw the mana out, but those people will die if not thawed out soon,” I said.

“Any way we can thaw them and keep the mages from drawing out their mana? I assume they will die if they lose all their mana?” Aoi said.

“Indeed, they'll be dead if their mana is drained. If we could move them far enough away from the mages they should be safe,” I said.

“How far away?” Kanae asked.

“It varies by the mage's power, but ten meters should be far enough,” I said.

“So about the distance to that altar over there?” Darby asked.

“Yes, but that Altar has a sickening aura. I doubt it's a good idea to send them over there,” I said.

“What about sending them to the safest spot and sealing them inside a barrier?” Rosie said.

“That would work!” I said.

“Blink! Blink! Blink! Blink!” I cast blinking them in groups as I turned in their direction.

“Thaw! Max Mana Shield!”

Then we continued to thin out their numbers.

When the circle was about half empty groups of the mages turned and fled toward a spot of sheer darkness at one wall. The rest of them blinked away.

“That'll teach 'em,” Rosie said.

“It's not over. Not by a long shot. They are still out there. They've just given up on a direct face to face battle,” I said.

“Well, we should try and capture some of the leaders,” Darby said.

“Which ones were they?” Kanae asked.

“I, uh, I don't know. Couldn't you tell Dee?” Darby asked deflecting.

“Not really. I have, of course, a few candidates,” I said.

“So what next? I felt mostly useless during this,” Rosie said.

“Don't worry, now it's your turn to shine. We can't teleport out from here, so we need to find a place that we either can, or the exit. Ideally we should take down everyone in here on our way out. They are going to attack us in the halls, where fighting is likely to be much more restricted. So you and Darby should be in the front as we try to climb out of this hellscape. I don't like leaving all those people back there. Of course, they may not even be slaves or prisoners. They might be some of the most faithful,” I said.

“Let's go then!” Kanae said.

“Kanae you up front with Darby and Rosie. I'll defend the rear,” I said.

So we began our climb out of this trap. Unfortunately, the place was like a maze.

“There are three forks here. I sense mana in all three. Which way should we go?” Kanae said.

“Obviously this is another attempt at a trap. Let me open my senses,” I said.

“The middle path has the strongest presence, but the right is nearly as strong and feels fresher,” I said.

“Then let's go left, I have a strong feeling for that one,” Rosie said.

“I agree,” I said.

We hadn't gone far when the mana sense disappeared.

“Stop!” Kanae said.

“What is it?” I asked.

“There is no mana presence ahead,” Kanae said.

“A hidden passage! Search the walls!” I said.

We began using our various sense spells to find a hidden passage.

“Here! There's something wrong with this wall!” Rosie said.

“Leave it to a dwarf to find hidden passages inside a mountain,” Kiera said.

“Yes, this is it! Knock knock!” I said.

“Max Fracas!” I cast and the door and its seals exploded inward.

“Show off,” Kanae said.

“You can have the next one,” I said.

“Promise?” Kanae said.

“Sure, promise,” I said.

“Yes there's the mana presence! It's even stronger.” Kanae said.

“Figures they were masking or erasing their trail,” I said.

“Is that possible?” Darby asked.

“Sure, but it's not easy. It takes a powerful mage, or several,” I said.

“This path is leading upward. That is encouraging we are going the right way to get to an exit,” Kiera said.

“Also the stronger mana signature means we are chasing stronger mages, and possibly the leaders,” I said.

“I wish I knew how far ahead they were,” Kanae said.

“Kanae, shoot off some Seeker Arrows. They can fly around curves and bends seeking lifeforms. Maybe we can get lucky and take one down. If we succeed, we'll have an idea of their lead,” I said.

“Seeker Arrows!” Kanae cast.

The arrows speed off up the tunnel. Several minutes later we heard screams. Several minutes after that we found fresh blood on the floor and walls of the tunnel.

“So they are about ten minutes ahead of us. You hit someone, but apparently didn't kill them,” Darby said.

“Apparently,” Kanae said.

Shortly after that we came to another fork in the tunnels.

“Another decision,” Kanae said.

“Go right, I smell blood. That probably won't last long though,” I said.

“Leave it to a dragon to smell blood from a mile off,” Aoi said.

“Hey!” I said. Everyone laughed.

Again the path led upward. Fifteen minutes later we reached a large open hall, with many exits. We cautiously walked around the hall but the mana all seemed to be gone.

“End of the trail. Now what?” Kanae said.

“They must have jumped or teleported from here,” I said.

“We should search for their teleportation circle,” Darby said.

“Too risky,” Kiera said.

“Why?” Darby asked.

“Might lead to a heavily fortified position,” Kanae said.

“We've been led on a wild beast chase. This is another trap,” I said.

“What now?” Rosie asked.

“New plan. Time to make our own exit,” I said.

“How do you plan to do that?” Aoi asked.

“It's not a matter of how, but where,” I said.

“Ok, where?” Darby asked.

“Give me a few moments,” I said.

I walked back to a spot I had passed earlier.

“This tunnel, it's more frequently traveled than the others. I think this will do. Wait here a moment,” I said.

I walked into the tunnel not very far. I scanned the ceiling.

“Here is where we start,” I said.

“Mega Sol Spear!” I cast.

A hot blinding fiery spear shot through the ceiling leaving a hole.

“Going up, everyone?” I said.

“Great Goddess! What are you doing?” Kiera said.

“Making new exits of course. Up we go everyone,” I said.

“Gravity lessen! Wind lift,” I cast, and floated up out of the hole to a level above.

“Coast is clear here. Aoi, Rosie, get ready,” I said.

“Gravity lessen! Wind lift.”

“Kiera, Gravity lessen! Wind lift.”

“Darby, Kanae, Gravity lessen! Wind lift.”

“Now what?” Aoi asked.

“This way goes up, let's explore a little,” I said.

We traveled for several minutes and the tunnel seem to be traveling in a curve. Suddenly we came upon some stairs.

“We must be getting closer,” Kanae said.

“Yes, but that doesn't make me feel any better. I can sense being able to teleport from here. I think we should abandon any more pursuit and get out of here. As much as I want to find out who is behind all this. I just have a bad feeling,” I said.

“We trust your judgment, Dee. Let's get out of here and turn in our spoils,” Kiera said.

Gate!

I opened a door into the Academy entrance and we walked through.

“What the Hell was that? That wasn't teleport!” Kanae said.

“It was actually. This was a teleportation gate. It's a more advanced method. Teleportation circles really require a space where there is no danger of someone standing where you'll land. However, a gate opens a door way in a spot where one person can emerge, and you can see what is in the space you are arriving at. It gives more security. On top of which it works great at creating a door in wall where there is zero chance of someone standing on. Although it can catch someone leaning against a wall. I'll probably switch to these as much as possible, given how we have been targeted,” I said.

“Oh, I like this gate spell! I like it a lot!” Kanae said.

“It uses a lot more mana. Not everyone that can open a teleport can open a gate. You'll have no problem,” I said.

“Let's get to the guild and make our report,” Kiera said.

“Yes, that's the next order of business,” I said.

So off we went to the guild. After making our report, and collecting our gold. We sat down with the guildmaster, and told her what had happened. We then registered Rosie as an adventurer, and party member.

We sent a message to the Queen that we had a new party member who was an Academy transfer student from the Dwarven realm.

A week later we finally had an audience with the Queen, to introduce our newest party member

“Salutations little Princess. You have a new friend I see. Another orphan friend from the slums of Nirvan?” said Queen Matilde.

“No, your Majesty, we ran into her near a forest where we were fulfilling an Adventurers Guild quest. She'd been attacked by bandits, and lost all her papers and id. A transfer student for the Academy. We've taken her under our wings and she has joined our guild party. I think your majesty will find her very useful in our squad,” I said.

“Well then all means let us examine her, and see if we can't locate her transfer records. Professor Bertilde, if you would please,” Matilde said.

“Of course your majesty. Miss, state your name and place your hand on the affinity sphere,” Bertilde said.

“Yes, Ma'am, I am Kaneshiro Róisína. Kaneshiro is my surname, but just call me Rosie,” Rosie said.

“An interesting name for a dwarf, but no matter. Where do you come from?” Bertilde asked.

“I come from Kunzala,” Rosie said.

“You come from the legendary lost mine of Kunzala? Are you really sure you want to go with that?” Queen Matilde said.

“You're Majesty, I come from Kunzala,” Rosie said, bowing before the Queen.

“Tch! Recorder begin. Rosie. All elements except wind. Level 88, masked as 38. Race... That's not possible! Your majesty! She's a Mithril Dwarf!” Bertilde said.

“WHAT!?” Queen Matilde said, and leapt from her seat to see with her own eyes.

“A Mithril Dwarf. From Kunzala! How? How is this possible!?” Matilde said.

“So does this mean you accept me to the Academy?” Rosie said.

The queen and Bertilde didn't hear her at first, still staring at her status record.

“Your Majesty?” Rosie said.

“What? Oh. Oh yes, Bertilde please continue,” Matilde said.

“Yes. Ahem, so to continue Race: Mithril Dwarf. Status: Royal. Job Class: Blessed Knight. Age: 18. Blessed by the War Goddess. Special Skill: Disciple of the War Goddess,” Bertilde said.

“What's that all mean?” Matilde asked.

“I don't know your majesty. There hasn't been a Blessed Knight for centuries, if the legends are true. We will have to research this,” Bertilde said.

“An Academy candidate that has stumped the Grand Arch Mage Bertilde? This is a thing that has never happened. Oh, how interesting! Welcome, Princess Rosie! Welcome to the Dargon Queendom!” Matilde said.

“Bertilde, make sure you find Miss Rosie's transfer records. Now if you would be so kind as to cast a glamoury on our very special guest. We can't have people discovering she's a Mithril Dwarf,” Matilde said.

“At once your majesty,” Bertilde said.

“If you ladies will follow me to my lab,” Bertilde said.