The group gathered around Dakota, their energy still buzzing from the recent battles. The air was heavy with heat and exhaustion, but Dakota's calm demeanor kept everyone focused.
Dakota: "Alright, listen up. The Djinns were tough, but that's just the beginning. We need to find a ticket cave if we want to advance to the next floor."
The group nodded in agreement.
Henry: "So, we just keep walking until we find it? These caves stretch for miles. How do we even know where to look?"
Dakota: "Ticket caves are rare, but they have a distinct aura. If we're paying attention, we'll feel it when we're close."
Ava: "Hundreds of miles though? That's going to be exhausting."
Dakota: "It'll be worth it. Let's move."
The group set out, their footsteps echoing through the vast cavernous corridors. The atmosphere was oppressive, the darkness pressing against their senses despite the magical lights they conjured. Hours turned into days as they traveled, the monotonous journey only broken by the occasional skirmish with lesser monsters.
Each of them was on edge, scanning the environment for any sign of the ticket cave.
Lucas: "I'm starting to think this cave doesn't exist."
Before anyone could reply, Dakota halted abruptly, his gaze fixed ahead.
Dakota: "Wait. Feel that?"
A sudden shift in the air was palpable. The faint hum of magic resonated through the cavern, and a faint, otherworldly glow emanated from a distant entrance.
Mia: "That's it, isn't it?"
Dakota: "No doubt. That's the ticket cave. Let's go."
The group quickened their pace, their exhaustion fading as adrenaline kicked in. As they approached the glowing entrance, the aura grew stronger, wrapping around them like a thick fog.
The cave's interior was vast and dimly lit, its walls glistening as though coated in obsidian. The oppressive aura intensified, and the group instinctively drew their weapons and prepared their magic.
A low growl echoed from the shadows, followed by another and another. Crimson eyes flickered to life in the darkness, dozens of pairs locking onto the group.
Dakota: "Shadow wolves."
Ava: "What are those?"
Dakota: "They're dangerous monsters. Their strength rivals high-ranked Djinns, but they're far trickier to deal with. Stay sharp, and don't let them surround you."
As if on cue, the wolves lunged forward, their sleek black bodies moving faster than the eye could follow.
Dakota: "Let's go."
Dakota unleashed a wave of fire magic, the flames roaring to life and forming a barrier that halted the wolves' advance.
Dakota: "Henry, Ava, take the left! Lucas, back them up with ice magic! The rest of you, spread out and hold your ground!"
The group split into action. Ava and Henry unleashed torrents of fire, their magic lighting up the cave and forcing the wolves to retreat. Lucas followed up with a barrage of ice shards, freezing some of the wolves mid-leap.
Ava: "These things don't stop coming!"
Henry: "Then we'll just have to keep burning them!"
Liam and Jack paired up, their lightning magic crackling as they electrocuted a pack of wolves. Mia and Luna used their water magic to trap and drown the creatures, their precision attacks keeping the wolves at bay.
Duke and Franklin, their flames burning brighter than anyone else's, incinerated entire groups of wolves with ease.
Duke: "This is nothing."
Franklin: "They don't even compare to the Djinns."
Dakota moved like a force of nature, his flames dancing around him as he struck down wolf after wolf. A particularly large wolf lunged at him, its fangs aiming for his throat. Dakota sidestepped, grabbing it by the neck and incinerating it with a single burst of flame.
Dakota: "That's 15 down. Keep going!"
The group fought valiantly, the numbers of the shadow wolves dwindling. One by one, the creatures fell, their bodies disintegrating into the shadows from which they came.
As the group caught their breath, the last wolf fell, its body fading into the darkness.
Lucas: "That… was insane."
Mia: "We're not done yet. Look."
From deeper within the cave, two figures emerged. One was humanoid, its features shifting and distorting as though it couldn't decide on a single form. The other appeared human but radiated an unnatural aura.
Dakota: "A shapeshifter and… a human?"
The group tensed as the humanoid figure lunged forward, its body morphing into a grotesque creature mid-air. Dakota intercepted it with a blast of fire, reducing it to ash.
The human figure smirked, raising a hand as though to attack. Dakota didn't wait. He dashed forward, flames erupting from his fists as he struck the figure down. Both figures vanished the moment they were defeated.
Dakota: "Wait a second…"
The realization hit him like a ton of bricks.
Dakota: "An illusion. This entire thing is an illusion, and it seems that human was the one that made this illusion."
The cave shifted suddenly, the walls shimmering as the group found themselves in a different part of the cavern. The air grew heavier, and the faint growls of wolves returned, louder this time.
Dozens of crimson eyes flickered to life.
Lucas: "No way… There's more of them?"
Dakota: "Fifty. And it's still an illusion. Listen up, everyone!"
The group turned to him, their faces a mix of fear and determination.
Dakota: "Even though this is an illusion, we'll feel the pain of every attack. And if we die here, there's a chance we die for real. So don't let your guard down."
The wolves began advancing, their growls growing louder.
Dakota: "Stay together. We'll get through this. Let's show them what we're made of!"
The group prepared themselves, their magic flaring to life once more as the shadow wolves closed in.
Dakota (thinking): well this is going to be a pain in the ass... Well of course it is, we are in the most dangerous dungeon humanity has ever seen, and this is not even the most dangerous thing we will face not even close. Especially on the 5th floor... Are we even ready for that floor? I don't know, but if we get some op abilities and skills then we will probably have a good chance of winning.