Proceeding as planned, the group prepared to go into the depths of the dungeon. Neal who was already suited up was met up by Evans who was heading to the exit area. With a brief wave, their pleasantries ended. This was as a result of the many things that swirled in their minds.
Since the previous day, Neal was still lost in thought about why they were willing to take such a huge risk. If this creature was really as intimidating as they made it seem, was it not better to avoid such a confrontation till they were all ready for it.
From their discussion, it seemed like Evans suggestion was the logical solution. Yet for some reason they were heading to the depths of the dungeon to do battle.
"Neal, why so troubled?"
With this question from Evans, he felt like he finally had the leeway to understand everything that was about to happen.
"Why are we doing all of this? This seems like nothing but a bad idea."
"Do you remember what Luke said in the meeting hall?" Evans asked with a sigh. "There are three conditions we human inhabitants have to be on guard for in the tower. Brain down, Blood pause and Abyssal despair."
These names did nothing but increase Neal's curiosity. From what he could see, there were still things he knew nothing about.
"Each of these are our worst enemies out there on the battle field. Brain down is simply when your brain shuts down as a result of shock making it impossible for your body to respond like it usually would. In the worst case scenario, it can lead to death."
"We human beings were not created to kill living things around us, and Blood pause reminds us of that. That is when a form of nausea or trauma comes over an individual because of the sight of blood or killing a monster. It also makes the body to behave rather abnormally."
"Lastly is Abyssal despair. Something that happens to everyone in the tower after dwelling in it for a long period of time. The time it occurs differs from person to person. It is simply when a form of abnormal despair falls upon a person, causing them to either commit suicide or get themselves killed by a monster."
"Everyone of us, except for you has stayed in the tower for more than ten years. We can fall into this despair at anytime and we are well aware of this. The person most likely to fall into this though is Xavier.." Evans came to a sudden halt upon saying this. It was obvious that this was something he himself was not prepared for.
Now coming to an understanding about everything, Neal understood why they had to do this. The information about the tower's sudden change only made them more suspectable to Abyssal despair. Something that he as well would have to face someday if they did not escape the Forge tower.
The rest of the trip to the exit was silent, until the duo eventually got the the usual meeting position.
"Where is everyone else?" Neal asked only to not receive an answer.
Even though this was the case, the expression on Evans face said it all. All this while, Neal never thought about the possibility that everyone else did not feel uncomfortable going out there. Whatever had happened in the past seemed to be something the group had a hard time dealing with.
"Evans, What exactly are we facing?"
"Xavier sometime in the past went to the deepest path of the dungeon with the best we had to offer. However, hours later he returned all by himself covered with injuries. According to him, they were ambushed by something worse than anything we have ever seen before. That's the major reason we haven't made an attempt to escape this structure for a while," Evans explained after some seconds of silence.
Just as Evans words came to an end, from the horizon, they noticed the rest of the group walking at a slow pace to their position. This was something that Neal had never seen before, especially when it came to Xavier.
"Let's go," Xavier stated upon reaching the area.
With no form of delay, the team entered into the dungeon.
*****
It had been few minutes since the team had entered into the dungeon, but this did not help them keep away from the monsters in the area.
Shriek!
Taking a powerful shot to the back of a Lizard man's neck, the creature fell silent as it collasped to the ground down face first
"That seems to be the last of them," Neal mentioned as he looked around the environment.
Gasping for air, the group tried to catch their breath. They had run into a group of ten Lizard men twice, numbers they were not used to facing. It was almost as if the dungeon itself was telling them to go back.
A glance forward by Neal revealed the pathway to the depths of the dungeon he had seen previously. The difference this time was that he was actually going into it.
Hesitation seemed to cloud everyone's minds for a few seconds before they took steps towards the path. Within the interiors of this path, the monsters seemed to crave battle as in mere seconds they had assaulted the team.
"Damn it! Get into position!" Xavier yelled as he fended off a Lizard man.
Dashing into position, Neal could not help but notice the differences these creatures had with the normal Lizard men. Numbering eight, the lizards were pale green in complexion and seemed more ferocious than ever before.
In the shadows, Neal launched an attack, ending life of the first Lizard man. This attracted the attention of the others but things escalated in an instant. Giving chase of Neal, the monsters ignored the majority of the group. Something that usually never happened.
"Darn it! They are after Neal," Evans shouted in panic.
Within the few seconds of facing these formidable creatures, they were overwhelmed by the creatures strange behaviors.