I waddled in a hastened pace, hunting my prey. The little goblins around have been annoying me lately. Their chuckling came from behind me. Of course they set an ambush and of course they think they have me.
A couple of the goblins leapt from the dungeon's walls thinking I couldn't sense them, but I quickly turned and flapped my wings, blowing them back against the wall hard enough to knock them out. More goblins approached.
I hovered breifly before inhaling to calm my resolve. A group of five goblins inched closer as I exhaled. Fire blasted from my bill, incinerating them instantly. I let out a quack and nod of good riddance.
I'm not sure how much time has truly passed since I've hatched, but it feels like years. I've learned many things in that time. I now understand how the magic of their world works, at least for myself. As silly as it might seem, most of it is think it, do it. But only if I'm in the right headspace. And it might be all there is to magic, but I haven't had anyone to communicate and learn with about it.
I do however know, it's not infinite. I have my limits and have hit it every now and then. The more time goes on and the more I use it does seem to deepen the well of magic I can pull upon, which makes sense with every thing else. The more usage, the more I have available when it's replenished. Same with my strength and speed.
My first encounter with the lion chimera as a hatchingly taught me about magic bursts being related to my emotions and so I started facing every hostile adversary I came across. This boosted my fighting abilities and speed higher than almost anything I've come against so far.
Recently, it seems I've started to wander up. Apparently I had been going down deeper and deeper into a dungeon all this time. Until one day, I met and overheard a group of adventurers. For some reason I understood them perfectly like they were speaking my language, but I could only… quack.
The adventurers talked about how this was a very dangerous dungeon, home to many monsters, but it seems recently, there's been less and less. They didn't know why, but I did. Too much slaying I suppose. So they continued deeper looking for treasures as I headed upward, hoping to finally see the new world I was brought into!
The trails of the dungeon were pretty unconventional, which is probably why I just assumed I was in a cavern for such a long time. But after learning this place, slaying monsters, developing my magic, I feel I'm already a full-fledged adventurer, if not a hero, already. In fact, relying on my magic is what's navigating me now.
I learned that certain things are possible where as certain other things aren't. At least, not to what I understand or can do. For instance, I can't turn myself into a human no matter how much I try. I can however come up with some creative ways to use my magic.
Right now, I'm using my senses to enhance my sight and feel the pulse of the air in this enclosed place. It's got to come from somewhere right? So, after following what essentially looked like a guidance line you would see in video games, like a way point, I'm able to visually see the air currents and find my way out. Unfortunately, the fact that I'm still in here just tells me how deep I truly went.
Overall, I know I shouldn't regret my time here. Had things not gone the way they did, I wouldn't have my skills or abilities as fleshed out. Guess that's what happens when you're fighting for survival at almost every second. At least, that's how it was when it started out, I think a lot of the creatures have learned to stay away from me. Goblins are just stupid.
As I trotted along, I came to a stop. A tear rolled out of my eye and dropped to the caverns final step downward. Before me was an opening to the outside world, the entrance and my exit to this dungeon. I was so excited I began to sprint towards it!
The moment I got to the outside, I tripped on a rock crashing to the ground. I can't see very well. Must be what being neglected of natural sunlight would do to anything. Oh the sun! I tried looking up as I got to my feet but it was too bright. The whole world was.
I squinted and raised my wing to fan over my head like a visor so I could see my surroundings. Lush green plants and trees came into focus. It appears the entrance to the dungeon was in a very peaceful looking forest. Then came a sound I've longed to hear! Moving water!
It had been awhile since I've had any water at all, let alone anything from an underground cavern system. I couldn't wait to see what fresh water was like! I rushed towards the sound to find a slow moving river. Letting out a quack in delight, I hopped right in, submerging then resurfacing.
It feels so nice! I've missed baths. Showers. Cleanliness! Ugh. But as a duck I suppose I do alright staying clean when I'm not covered in monster guts.
I sat upon the water happily floating along. Bathed in the sunlight and closing my eyes, I finally felt peace for once in this new world.