As they made their way down the newly formed crevice, a result of the rocks that had cascaded from above, Brad and Charlotta followed the meandering path of the stream, descending to a lower level. The oppressive stench of sulfur began to subside slightly as they opened the air vent in the ceiling, yet an unsettling atmosphere persisted.
The subsequent journey proved to be an arduous ordeal. For hours on end, they navigated treacherous slopes, slick with moisture and perilously slippery. Eventually, they reached a grand hall, its expanse adorned with a multitude of cave entrances.
Even with his unyielding determination, Brad, burdened by the weight of stout Middleton, found himself pushed to the brink of his physical limits. Vertigo tormented him, his vision blurred, and an unrelenting wave of nausea assailed him without respite. The toxic fumes permeating the air possessed a potent potency, capable of incapacitating a lesser man. Yet, Charlotta couldn't help but be filled with awe at the extraordinary resilience displayed by Brad Silverhilt.
The cave walls were coated in a fine layer of pale yellow dust that glowed with a fluorescent light in the darkness. "What is this?" Brad asked.
"Here we are," the woman whispered.
"Where is here?" Brad asked, catching her words.
The sorceress appeared flabbergasted that Brad had picked up on her low muttering. "Nowhere," she replied.
"Where have we arrived?" Brad persisted, his tone forceful and imperative.
"This area was once a storage facility for the wizards. Or so the legend goes. Each of these cave openings represents an ancient storeroom. History lies within. Perhaps what I seek lies in one of these chambers."
"We should focus solely on finding the way out. I'm not feeling well, and I'm exhausted," Brad asserted. "So focus and answer me Charloıtta.What are these glowing dusts on the walls?"
"Ok , I suspect it's a type of phosphor. It could be magical," replied Charlotta. With a flick of her wrist, she wove a spell that illuminated the wall behind Brad. Her eyes widened in surprise as she caught sight of a peculiar luminescence emanating from his chest. "What manner of sorcery is this?" she murmured, her gaze flickering to his chest. "There's a powerful enchantment upon you, I can feel it. Pray, tell me, Brad, is that a magical medallion?"
As Brad looked down, he noticed the glowing medallion concealed beneath his leather armor. It was a gift from Lady Illaine, the revered High Priestess of the Orion Temple. "It was bestowed upon me by a venerable elder," he explained.
Charlotta examined the medallion closely. "Indeed, it is magical. Let me ascertain its properties," she said.
"How will you do that?" Brad asked, eyeing her suspiciously.
"With a simple Detect Magic spell. I can tell you all about its properties," Charlotta explained.
"Alright, I suppose," Brad replied, and Charlotta cast the spell.
"Well, I can tell you that this medallion has some remarkable properties. It can create light and has an aura that repels evil. Furthermore, there is one other potent spell that I cannot identify. This is a highly powerful magical item. Who gave this to you?" Charlotta inquired.
"It was a trusted priestess from the Orion Temple who bestowed it upon me. So, I can create light with it? How?" Brad asked.
"It is divine magic, most likely. You may be able to produce light by invoking the name of Orion. However, its use may be limited per day. Therefore, use it sparingly and only when you require it. Later, I suggest you visit your friend and learn more about its properties to make better use of it in the future."
"Okay, I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, wizard," Brad said.
As they heard footsteps and growling in the distance, Brad swiftly lifted Middleton onto his back and rushed ahead. Taking a deep breath, he wrinkled his nose in disgust as if he had just tasted spoiled food.
"Orcs," the knight hissed, scanning their surroundings for signs of danger.
"Are you certain?" inquired the wizard woman, doubt lingering in her voice.
Brad didn't respond. With multiple cavern entrances leading out from the wide hall, he had to rely on his instincts to lead them to safety. He chose a path that seemed to lead west and disappeared down another corridor.
"How can you be so certain that's the right way?" asked Charlotta, her voice laced with uncertainty.
"I trust my instincts. Follow me if you want to leave this place with haste," Brad commanded, fixing her with a fierce gaze. He then bolted into one of the cave entrances, hoping it would lead them west. Charlotta followed closely behind, her senses heightened as she detected rough murmurs emanating from within.
"You were right," the wizard woman admitted, struggling to keep up with Brad's pace.
The cave corridors coiled like a serpentine creature, prompting them to break into a run. The faint luminescence emanating from the walls provided them with low-light vision, enabling them to discern their surroundings a few meters ahead. The wizard woman grumbled with increasing unease as they hurtled forward, the twists and turns of the passage making it difficult for her to maintain her balance.
"Perhaps we should hide, or even stop and fight. You cannot carry that man forever. You must conserve your energy in case of a battle. Besides, how do you know we are on the right path? What if it's a dead end?" she complained, her voice echoing in the cavern.
"Why don't you keep quiet and avoid giving away our position?" Brad snapped, gasping for breath.
The woman fell silent and followed the knight, who was leading the way. The sounds of their pursuers grew louder as they ran. Suddenly, the path split in two.
"Which way?" Charlotta whispered, uncertainty etched on her face.
Brad paused, his breaths short and labored. He closed his eyes, attempting to gather his bearings and focus his mind. Within his mind's eye, he conjured an image of the path they had traversed, envisioning its position and destination on the earth's surface. The natural world erupted in his consciousness, each image flowing into the next with a vibrant intensity. The texture of the soil underfoot, the sinuous twists of the rocks he grasped, the prickling scent of a thorny shrub, the whistling of the wind, the melodious songs of birds, the warren of rabbit holes, and the intricate architecture of ant colonies all flooded his senses. Each sensation competed for his attention, leaving him dizzy and disoriented. Yet, somewhere within this maelstrom of stimuli lay the answer he sought. Each bore its own unique imprint, adding to the cacophony of nature's symphony. Despite the seeming disorder, everything fit together in perfect unison, like the many facets of a single gem.
If only he could hear the music of this harmonious whole...If only he could see its vibrant hues...If only he could feel its rhythmic pulse...If only he could absorb its beauty and wisdom...
It was but a moment, no longer than a snap of his fingers...
He focused on the wondrous symphony of nature; the dance of animals, plants, rocks, and soil, each playing their part in a complex balance born of chaos...
His instincts guided him to the left, and he followed their lead. At last, they emerged into a clearing, the ground flat and unremarkable. Despite some faint signs of human influence, Brad's exhaustion rendered him indifferent. His eyes fixated on the hatch in the ceiling, and he stumbled forward, his journey far from over.
"There, the exit lies before us," exclaimed Brad. He gently lowered Middleton to the ground and propped him against the wall near the exit hatch. Scanning the room, he searched for a means to ascend the high ceiling, which towered above them at over three meters.
Charlotta, however, was consumed with a different matter. With a wave of her hand, she cast a spell of Light and fixed her gaze on an old chest near Middleton, paying no heed to Brad's words. The chest glimmered with jewel-like marks, which made Brad uneasy. He recoiled as he realized that the chest was emanating a dark aura, absorbing the light from Charlotta's spell.
"What sorcery have you got, wizard?" Brad implored. "We've made it to the exit. Come, aid me. Surely there's a spell you can conjure for this?"
The wizard woman merely flicked her hand without turning her gaze when three orcs with short swords and axes stepped out from the mouth of the cave. They stood at a distance of fifteen to twenty meters from their group, with an ogre wielding a massive, spiked club emerging behind them.
"While I unlock the chest, distract them," Charlotte declared calmly, seemingly oblivious to their foes' presence.
"You're mad, woman! Not only are there orcs, but a colossal ogre as well," Brad shouted, jolting Charlotta by her shoulders.
Trembling, Charlotta blinked her eyes as if snapping out of a trance. She glimpsed the orcs charging towards them and the towering ogre approaching in the background. Brad dashed towards the orcs, bracing for the impending combat.
Charlotta murmured an enchantment, and suddenly, the earth beneath Brad's feet and the orcs preparing for battle became slick as if drenched in oil. The orcs tumbled down one by one by the effect of the Grease spell, as did Brad, who was caught off guard. The ogre, closing in from behind, and the two orcs who followed him entered the enchanted zone with caution and managed to keep their balance. The ogre delivered its first strike before Brad could even rise from the ground, but the valiant knight narrowly deflected the blow with his sword.
As the towering ogre raised its club for another strike, Charlotta's voice dripped with mystic power as she whispered yet another spell. In a swirl of rose petals, two orcs slumbered instantly, falling into a deep slumber. Though Brad was also affected by the Sleep spell's drowsy effects, he managed to rise to his feet. The ogre, too, was slowed by the spell's influence, but it still moved more quickly than the groggy warriors. It dealt a brutal blow to Brad, sending his sword spinning out of his grasp. As the ogre swung its club in a backhand strike, Brad had to shield his face and endure the crushing impact with his wrists, lest the club pulverize his skull.
Dizzy and wracked with pain, Brad spun in circles, struggling to regain his bearings. The ogre, its grin widening with sadistic pleasure, prepared to deliver the killing blow. It was then that Brad involuntarily turned his back to the ogre and caught a blurring glimpse of Charlotta, who held a glass wand and whispered, "Bend down," while wearing a bewitching smile.
"Damn, she's so lovely," Brad mused and felt enchanted. These were his last coherent thoughts before witnessing the inception of the lightning bolt that the woman was about to unleash from a magical wand, and losing consciousness.