Oz sucked in a deep breath. The whistling, icy winds cut through the thick fur of the mantle. Atop the rabbit-bear's saddle, all she could do was bury deeper into Nahern's warm back. The heavy fur traveling cape was thrown over them, her arms wrapped tight around his waist.
They set off what felt like days ago for the Everthorn Mine. Against the frigid air they made bad time, having to camp often for Oz's sake. The settlement loaded the saddle bags with dried jerky, cured eggs from the large wild birds, and jugs of a gelatinous soup base for the trip. Oz supplied any other goods from her own world, mostly quick ready meals loaded with calories, tundra grade insulated sleeping bags and anything else she thought could help.
Oz had no idea it would just be this cold further inland. Without the tree breaks, it was just like the Ice Dungeon again.
She was going to have to learn to expand her inventory to the point of allowing them to stay in it during these frigid moments. As much as she loved this icy world, her body did not. There had to be a skill for some sort of spatial dimension of some sorts. Her hands felt chilled, her feet felt half frozen. Even with her own heavy mantle and bundled to look like one of the winter fluff-hares that bounced by, she never felt so cold. Even clinging to the furnace that was Nahern's back, she never thought she would feel warm again.
After three days, finally they stood before the gate. For all the build up Source made of this Dungeon for her continued development, it was lacking.
A simple woven iron gate stood before a tunnel heading deep into the mountain's side. A pair of guards stood either side of the door, holding spears above them. The whistling chill didn't bother them in their heavy furs and leathers. Beyond the door she saw the glowing waypoint, a shimmering beacon that shined only for her.
[Everthorn Mines | Conditions Met | The Saint may enter]
"One last chance. Do you stand with me?" Oz whispered to the group beside her. "I won't force any of you to follow me there."
"We followed you this far." Selene said with a huff, "My spear is thirsty."
Taegan hummed softly as well, "I swore my claws to you, dear Saint."
Oz felt a warmth fill her heart then dared to peek at Nahern. The elf's cold eyes locked with hers, one perfect eyebrow rose into his hair. Simply daring her to even ask. She instead swallowed and peered back over the icebank at the guards. She did a quick mental check of her supplies and reached in. The four of them each had a leather sack full of their own supplies, from food, potion boosters, heat packs, light sources and sharpening stones that would boost weapons. A few flares should they get separated.
"Then we enter." Oz pulled the white mantle up over her head, the face mask tucked into place.
Nahern stood without a word, from his hip he took two blunt arrows and let the pair fly. Each hit their marks. Straight through the nearly invisible armor joint between the shoulder and neck. Both guards let out a small shout before being thrown back into the snow drifts against the tunnel.
Selene leapt over first, arms open to Oz. The beast man and Nahern ran ahead, both throwing the unconscious guards further into the snow to hide them. Oz leapt down into Selene's arms, the pair quick to cross the exposed land to the gate.
Nahern ran a hand over the iron gate and pushed, surprisingly it was unlocked.
"That's not a good sign." Oz whispered as the group creeped inside, leaving no sign they were there. Nahern reached back as he took the lead, his hand easily capturing Oz's. Right then a heat creeped up her neck, enough to melt the Hunter Apathy that tried to freeze her heart.
"Stay close." He whispered and motioned with a tilt of his head. A few guards were ahead, it seemed their arrival was expected.
Oz couldn't help but give Nahern's hand a firm squeeze back, any other time she would charge in. But she had friends. A family to rely on now. Instead she allowed Taegan to rush in, his golden body a blur. Despite his size, he made quick work of knocking them guards out.
They all agreed to their Saint's command right now : Only kill if there is no other choice. Oz needed only to get to the waypoint deep within the mine. No one needed to die.
~~~
"Clear" Nahern called out, peering around another tunnel path. The lantern's light bounced off the walls sending rainbows of light down the salty ice walls.
The salt mine was massive. It felt like hours they were walking, knocking out guards or ducking down other service tunnels. The ceilings were easily 20 feet above their heads, smoothly carved into a dome. It honestly amazed Oz, given the limited technology of this world to get such smooth cuts.
"This way as well." Taegan replied, dumping the guards in a heap by the wall. Miserable sounding groans leaving the twisted bodies. Selene followed close behind, her spear's red tuff a welcomed beacon in the dim light.
"This way, it leads to the lower levels." She whispered, motioning to the back tunnel. "We must be careful, that is where the dungeon starts."
"How is it even colder?" Oz felt her teeth chatter as she ran, boots silent on the salt covered ground. She didn't know a 'dry' cold existed before, the salt seemed to draw all the moisture out around them.
Standing at the end of the tunnel was a familiar sight. A door out of place. Instead of solid metal and padlocked. It was a simple door made of lattice, silver wires woven to look like ivy. In such a place, it was completely out of place.
"Keep an eye out for anything. We don't know what will trigger it." Nahern warned the group, Selene nodded as she ran her spear tip over the salt around the door.
"It feels solid. Do we just…knock?" Asked the she-elf.
Taegan shrugged, "Any dungeon I've ever seen just takes people it wants. Seeing a door is new for me."
"There should be a key." Nahern motioned to the keyhole, this time there was no convident keycard slot. They needed a key.
'Source?' Oz mentally called out.
No answer. That…was different.
She took a step forward while the others spoke. There should be a … all at once the ground gave out under her feet.
"Nahern!" Oz cried out as she clawed into the snow and ice. The elfs saw her fall and rushed to her side, Nahern's eyes wide in terror as he just missed grabbing her.
Oz screamed in terror as the floor closed above her, unable to stop herself from tumbling down…down…down into the dark.