After their exchanges inside the chief's house, Darius and Adellene set out to prepare the things needed for the cave exploration.
"Darius, do you think she's still there? Well I know I said that she is still alive but... it has been days since she went missing."
"You said it right? Keep hoping, also pack the things we need faster. She might be alive but not for long."
"Well if you think like that, then... Okay! We will save her no matter what!!!"
Minutes passed and they finally packed everything. They took out the map and before leaving the hamlet, Adellene went to the chief's house to check on the chief and Wulf the lamb. After their little chat, Darius then gave Adellene the signal that they are going now.
"We will go now... Be a good boy Wulf."
*meeeeeeeh* *meeeeeh*!!!
They set out on the forest with a gloomy weather. Darkened clouds, strong streams, breezy winds. Both of them expected to have a rain later. Walking down the path, they saw a tattered cloth, it was a ripped piece of a dress but it looked like it already stayed on the ground for atleast half a week.
"Hey Darius, look at this. This should be a hint right? She really is with those monsters lurking inside the cave."
"We should hurry up then."
They started to fasten up their pace to reach the cave faster. Later on they finally reached the mouth the dark and enormous cave. Anything can be living within the cave that they're facing right now. A horde of goblins can be there since they've encountered them on their way to Acorn Village but a horde of goblins can never be set up organized as they are. Greed and lust always went to their minds as they set out. They won't think for the safety of their own kin for they only care for their own desires.
-What can it be, a troll? A hob-goblin? A Human? It can't be worse than this right?-
These things went on to Adellene's mind as they went down the cave. Few steps in and they sensed something was off.
"Hey Dar~"
"Shh... I know."
*Pluck* *Pluck* *Pluck* . . . . . .
Droplets of water was the only sound that can be heard then suddenly.
*Graaaaawwwgg* ! ! !
*slice* *slick*
"I've expected some better traps than an ambush you filthy shits!!!"
One, two, three, each of them went down as Darius took out his dagger and sliced through the set up ambush.
"Adellene!"
"Yes! O~Theia, blissful mother of heavens, heed my call. For they have been tainted by rage. Calm Light!!!"
A blinding light came down upon the horde in front of Darius. One by one the goblins were all falling down, they all went either blinded or knocked out by the energy of the magic.
"Not the magic I was preparing for but thanks. Just make sure not to make me blind idiot!"
"Sorry!"
"I forgot to ask you, but what magic do you use aside that blinding light?"
"It's called Calm light meat-head! I also use magics that can buff your speed and also minor healing."
"Well that's more than enough."
-Good thing I've prepared for this...-
Darius, as an orphan who trained with a valkyrie had multiple ways on fighting someone. Before seeing and brawling with them, he'd always prepare for something that will bring his full win without being injured or incapacitated. This time, he prepared something that not a normal person can bring unto a normal fight.
"Okay... Let's keep going."
"Darius, you sure this will work? I really don't get your plan but I'm counting on you."
"I've met death multiple times, became a demon myself, killed people and you still doubt me on doing this?"
"Ehhh?! I know that, but I'm just reassuring~"
"I told you and that dumb chief right? I will bring his daughter back in full."
"Okay then, if this fails, you know we are going to die right?"
"I know, I know."
"Hahahahaha! Man if only you are this talkative when we are not inside the dungeons."
A fuse was set up on one of the stalactites. This was set near the blinded horde of goblins. Darius walked straight to the dark path leading to a lightened way. Both of them heard something. It was~
"He He He... fleshy-tendy-juicy meat! Man those goblins are really stupid."
It was none of what they have thought that could've controlled the goblins. It was a murloc. A seafolk that lurks around swamps and rivers.
"Hey Darius... I've never heard of murlocs going around the nearby rivers here in our town. I thought they have been driven away from the reach of humans. Why is ther~ mmmhmm.."
Darius then covered her mouth as the murlok came close the opening gap. It might've heard them whispering. It just walked past them but he then stopped.
*sniff* *sniiiiiifff* . . . .
"Hmmm?! Humans? More humans???"
Both of them went quiet, holding their own breaths to lessen their noise. The murloc kept looking for their scent and opened its ears.
"Hmmm, no humans. Well I got one hanging here hahaha. Those goblins really did think I'll let them touch this girl. Such greed huh?! Hahahah!"
It went away from them later on and went inside to the deeper cavern. Both Adellene and Darius slowly followed it and took out their own light to sneak out easier.
"Adellene, use the light magic as I give you the signal. For sure he can't save himself if it's out... of water..."
The large cavern that came upon them was filled with shallow waters. At that point, Darius has not prepared for this. He knew that a murloc within a reach of any bodies of water can outspeed any fighter. Little by little, Adellene felt that they were on the edge of the cliff.
"Hey Darius, it's a water cavern... We got no chance~"
"Are you sure? Ha, doubt me all you want. I won't lose~
*brooog* *uggggh*
"You think I don't know both of you are not following me??? Now now, I got extra food? This is fun."
A punch out of nowhere flinged Darius away. They are now on the shallow water and Darius has nowhere to run aside from climbing the slippery boulders.
"Running away little boy? Ha! those boulders won't even let you escape from me hahaha!"
"Oh I won't run. Now!"
"Heed my call! Calming Light!!!"
And another bright light covered the whole cavern. As the light went normal again, the water around the place was almost dried up.
*blooog* uugghhh ! ! !
A slice through the murloc's arm, it was Darius and his dagger. Blinded and weaker because of the dryer ground, the murloc went down and slowly crawled away from where he can hear footsteps.
"Please spare me! I mean no harm!!!"
"Mean no harm huh? You even trapped a girl here, ordered the goblins to take her in."
"Please~"
ughhh ! ! !
It was a kick to the stomach of the murloc. It hit the wall and then begged again.
"Darius... the water its~"
The murloc bent down again and begged but this time there was an ominous aura around it.
"Please! Don't... run hahahahah!"
*flig* ~ ugghhhh!!!
A kick went straight to Darius and hit his stomach. He flinged away and hit the wall. The murloc followed Darius slowly and looked down on him.
"Oh... What happened? Did someone just trip over? Why are you lying down there? Are - you - swim~ing!?!"
As he finished talking, he again hit Darius on his head.
"Ugghh!!! Adellene! Magic, now!!!"
"What magic?! I don't have magic that can... oh!"
She raised her staff and began chanting.
- Theia~oh goddess of the skies. Bless, grant and give thy child the gift of mind. Peaceful Breath -
A blessing was sent to Darius. He then started to emit silver aura on his body. He glimmered like the gems of the deepest caves.
"So you have this kind of buff huh? Well let's get started!"
A clash of fists and blades were present. A slice, impact and anything else made it look like a fierce battle of dragons using their fangs and claws. Darius had his movement growing, becoming even quicker and quicker each time he gets hit. Then a sudden splash of water stopped his body from moving. It was a slice of rushing water made by the murloc.
*slish* uughhh!!!
"What did yo~"
*booog* aarrgghh!!!
"You see kid, we nagas really don't become weaker if there is water. Stay still and you won't feel a thing. I'm gonna enjoy your delivery as well, two fine women tonight all-for-me hahahaha!"
Darius then looked at Adellene, she was standing still, stiff as stone. She has already depleted her mana out as she used her last magic.
"Darius! Fight back!!!"
"Oh shut~ up!!!"
The murloc then flickered its arm to Adellene and she hit the wall, hit as hard as a falling rock. She fell down.
"Dar~ius... please."
"Hahaha you delivered me a strong woman boy? Thank you so much."
Darius just stunned at what was happening in front of him. His ally being kicked down again and again, grunting and shouting through the pain.
-No more... no more no more no more...-
~Hey. Let me play. It's my turn right? Come on you wanna fight back I know, let me take him!~
"No, no not this again. No! Not you!"
~Come on, I wanna play he he he.~
"I said n~ waaarrggghhhh!!!"
A shockwave went out of his body. His eyes became darker. The Darius who've met Adellene on her first visit of Aurinburg.
"Ahhh~three days? No four days passed and you did not let me play. Guess I'll go all out."
The murloc faced him, confused to what has happened.
"Hey kid, you should've just sta~"
*booo* waaaaaaahhh!!!
"Ah shut up fish, man you wrecked his body hard. I had to put recovery on it~ oh hey ragged girl!"
Adellene, with her blurry eyes, looked up and saw a guy with a horn. Little by little, she recognized it was the demon she encountered on her first day on Aurinburg. The one-horned balrog.
"Da~Darius? You ca~came to... save... m~"
She was knocked out of conscious.
"Damned, human!!!"
The murloc then stood up and started to gave a barrage of slices and attacks on Darius but none of them made contact on his body.
"No my attac~ uggh!!!"
"Oh I forgot to mention, I had to construct a little barrier so his body won't get damaged again."
"Wha~ ?!?! uggoohhh!!!"
"Oh, I hate fishes because you know, gills and scales. They just disgust me. You won't mind if I... Slice you up right?"
"No... no no no no. Nooo~!!! ugh..."
The dagger went straight like the scythe of death, cutting and sucking out the soul of the murloc. Leaving it lifeless and pale on the shallow water.
"Hmm... well I think I've done my job, your turn now Darius."
Darius fell down and hit the shallow water, knocked out. Then a few seconds passed he then raised his head and took a big breath.
"Wahhh! Ughh~ not again... Wa~wait, it-died."
Stunned upon what has happened in front of him, he then went and pulled the dead body out of the water. He then pulled out a flask of potion for Adellene. He then let out a big sigh and looked at the glimmering ceiling of the cavern
*huwaaahh*~
"That went like a giant's shit."