We walked about 10 steps inside fully when the door behind us closed. It caused us to jump and I finally snapped out of my daze. I shook my head and took a look around. The walls were rough with random rocks sticking out at spots. We entered the cave entrance first with Kuro in the lead but I quickly moved up in front of him now that the door had closed on us. I saw it was mostly dry inside. There were little pools of water near the entrance but it seemed an affect of having the door open. The right side of the cave wall looked a bit wet as well and you could see a few drops of water falling from the ceiling here and there as well. This area would be near impossible for Bolggor to fight in as he could barely move around. I pulled out my weapons and knew for this part at least I am the one who will need to fight. Thinking to myself that maybe I should use my fire versus my weapons for this quest I still kept my weapons out. My weapons are probably going to be important for something in here.
"Well that works for an odd and creepy light instead of the torch" Replied Kuro.
I laughed a bit over the situation. My weapons were providing some odd light and seemed to both work better then a torch and yet also worse then the torch. It seemed to light up more of the area yet gave it a very sinister flow. The dark energy and black flame caused odd shadows to appear and disappear without warning. I swear some of the shapes looked like that evil koi in the pond. Thinking hard I realised that the shapes may be a part of my imagination yet they also could be part of what I have to fight as monsters during this quest. I wouldn't put it past the game developers to have this sort of thing. Remembering the odd illusion over the lake I wondered what my fellow companions saw in the shadows or if they can see them at all. I decided to keep that question to myself for now as they didnt need to be spooked. Bolggor was a capable mercenary and already knew to be on his guard. He was hired to help escort Kuro and will do his best for him.
"I will keep my weapons out rather then use the torch unless it bothers you. I think it would be smarter for me to have my weapons out and they seem to provide more light then a torch. Though I can agree that you could call the light creepy in color. At least this way I don't have to worry about the torch getting wet and going out." I replied.
"That is smart and well thought out Shi, having weapons out in a tight space like this is always wise." Bolggor said.
Kuro replied "I would keep them out too even if I find it pretty creepy the shadows seem to disappear better away from your dark light yet also seem to have odd shapes to them as well."
"Odd shapes?" asked Bolggor. "Describe the odd shapes please."
Kuro turned around and looked at Bolggor.
"Its like I can see snakes, spiders, the odd fish in the pond in the shadows out of the corner of my eye but when I actually look, nothing is there. Maybe the weapon and shield light is just playing tricks on my mind. Sorry to worry you guys" Kuro replied. "But more importantly though, are you ok Shi? You seemed to barely walk after the Kappa said something quietly to you. It seemed like you were shocky but then again it could of been anything since we can't see your face. Did he cast a spell or something on you?"
Waving my hand a bit which caused my shield to swing a bit as well, "I am ok, He just surprised me with something he said. Kuro you know how you said you see creature shapes in the shadows."
"Yes?"
"I have been seeing them too. So be on your guard please. We know that there are poisonous creatures in this cave based on the quest information. Makes me glad we have a Golem with us who can't be poisoned."
I was glad to change the subject because I didn't want to speak up about what the Kappa said to me. I was pretty sure he was wrong but if there was even a slight chance he is right I need to make sure it never got out. It would destroy my life and my dreams for my life and what I wanted to be and do.
"Ok watch out for the shadows, now how do we get out of this cave room? I don't see a tunnel or anything just this cave room." Bolggor spoke up breaking up my thoughts thankfully.
"I will walk around and check the walls, Bolggor stay near Kuro please. He has to be essential for this quest more then just opening the door."
"I can fight too you know, I have weapons and magic." Kuro replied sounding slightly offended.
Kuro took out a beautiful Japanese katana and attached it to his belt. He adjusted it and attempted to pull it out a few times. A blue shine caught my eye whenever the sword came slightly out of the sheath.
"Kuro what weapon is that?" I asked him.
"Its a water katana, great for fighting fire creatures. As it causes water damage regularly or ice damage if I swing it fast enough." Kuro replied proudly.
"That seems cool, I have my weapons but I am famous for using my strength and hands in low level quests. As a Golem I can pin and crush pretty easily and my weapons right now wouldn't be of much use as I dont have that much room to move around. That is the problem with large golems in tight spaces. I wield two handed weapons single handed normally but that means my weapons require more room to move around and use." Bolggor told us.
Ok back to the issue at hand, I thought to myself how do we get out of this room my time isnt unlimited in here. I started to walked closer to the wall and tried my best to feel for something off. The left side and the back were checked. I had assumed that the back of the cave would open up and lead on but it seemed solid. I walked over near the right side of the cave. I noticed that the wall looked wet and as I got closer there was a fine layer of water flowing down the wall. A warning sign appeared near me in my vision. I froze on the spot. What is this warning sign trying to tell me?
"Hey Bolggor, what does a warning sign mean? I am near this wall and I am getting a warning sign."
"It means danger of some sort, Kuro come over here with us." Bolggor replied
He approached right next to me and said, "I don't get any warning sign anywhere near you. It could be a warning of time for the quest then since I cant find the danger."
I went closer to the wall and tried to touch the wet wall.
"Ouch, that water burns like acid"
I gave Bolggor a dirty look, not that he could tell with my helmet on.
"No danger huh, that hurt and I was even wearing my glove. That isn't water, it's like acid or something. Kuro can you move it away from the wall?"
I started looking at the puddles on the floor of the cave with suspicion as well now. Didn't know that I could feel actual pain in this game. That sort of scared me knowing that. Looking at my hands I saw no damage at all. That was odd, I could still feel the burning pain slightly. Was it all in my head?
"Careful of that clear stuff it's poisonous and will cause searing pain" Kuro said.
I rolled my eyes at him.
"That would of been nice to know BEFORE I put my hand in it." I grumbled
"Sorry thought you knew, He is a Golem and can't be poisoned so he wouldn't get a warning sign like everyone else." Kuro replied slowly like I was stupid or hard of hearing.
"Shut up and see if you can do something about it. I think the door is right here." I said slightly annoyed
Kuro waved his hand and the liquid moved revealing a large tunnel passage small stone lights lot up around the doorway and the next thing I know there is a large snake leaping out at me. I tried to curl up in a ball and the snake hit my shield full force. My shield triggered and damaged the snake and sent it back into the tunnel a bit.
"Very nice repeling shield," Bolggor said.
I recovered enough from the shock to realise that this is my first actual monster that I am fighting.
"Pull it together," I told myself out loud. " You can do this."
I adjusted my hold on my sword and prepared for the snake to attack me again as it seemed I had its aggro and focus. Again it charged at me and this time I moved a bit and it missed me. I spun around to see Bolggor move toward it in a small charge barehanded. I was watching him when Kuro gasped. Spinning around I saw one of those mutant Koi fish coming out of a puddle and heading straight for Kuro.
I rushed towards Kuro and put my shield up to block it from biting Kuro. I swung my sword and cut the fish in two. A tiny flash and only items were left behind. I ignored them for the moment as I turned to check on Bolggor. He had the snake in his hand and was bringing his other hand down on its head. It appeared to stun the snake but didn't kill it. He set it down and went to step on it but was too slow and it backed up from him just as his foot was coming down. I raised my sword and hit my shield with the handle. The snake turned and charged at me. I stuck my sword out and closed my eyes. The snake impaled itself on my sword and died.Itrms fell in front of me.
Bolggor started laughing at me, "That was sure lucky timing. Next time though keep your eyes open ok. Are you sure you aren't human?"
I huffed and replied, "I am sure of my race that you very much. That was my first ever combat in the game just now."
"Not bad for a true noob" replied Kuro. "You killed the fish and snake."
"What monster is that?"
Smiling Kuro spoke up, "It is an erabu umi hebi."
"Say what? PLEASE repeat that again slowly." I said confused.
Sighing Kuro opened something up and said, "The erabu umi hebi also known as the black-banded sea krait It has a short head, thick trunk, and no easily discernible neck. The tail is simply extended skin, spread wide like a fin, and unsupported by any bony projections from the vertebral column. The stomach is comparatively wide. Massing together near the shore, it breeds between narrow cracks in the reef and in caves. It is a nocturnal snake, rarely seen during the day. It breathes air; so it breaks the surface at least once every six hours.The bite is highly venomous and paralyzes the prey. That is what the creature that you killed is."
"Oh wow, how do you know all that?" I asked.
" I am from Japan, I know my snakes and it just so happens that its in the Monster Manual you have in your inventory." Replied Kuro smugly.
I moved towards the tunnel.
"Kuro please follow close behind me but give me space to move too."
I walked into the tunnel and noticed it was a slight downhill slant and about 20 steps in there was a curve in the tunnel. I started to get next to the curve and I could hear what sounded like a flooded area. Now I knew why we needed a water user in this quest.