My breath comes in ragged gasps, each inhale a struggle. Blood trickles down from my forehead and seeps from my ears, a crimson testament to my plight. The relentless ringing of tinnitus fills my ears, a maddening symphony of chaos. My vision is a haze, clouded by the loss of blood, and every inch of my body screams in agony. A deep stab wound festers in my abdomen, while an arrow has pierced my left foot, a cruel reminder of the battle I face. Swarms of suicidal bombers are intent on dragging me down with them, but still, my grip tightens around my golden scythe. With each swing, I carve through the ranks of minions, their numbers dwindling. My lips move in a constant incantation, spells flowing forth, most aimed at the Phylactery. Though many of my attacks are thwarted by the Golem Knight, I can sense its strength waning. It may be a lifeless construct, but I can feel it slowly succumbing to the relentless onslaught.
The Lich, its once unshakeable confidence crumbling, rushes through its transformation. The crimson glow flickers in its hollow eye socket, a sign of its desperation. Perhaps it's the frantic pace of its metamorphosis, or maybe it's the dread of my scythe and spells that gnaws at its essence. It could even be a figment of my imagination. Regardless, I can feel the tide of this battle turning in my favor. The Lich has overlooked a crucial detail: its inevitable demise looms ever closer. For now, my task is to keep it engaged, and I will do so with an unyielding barrage that will drag it down to the depths of the hell
In a moment of sheer desperation, The Lich advanced toward me, closing the gap with an eerie determination. The knight Golem attempted to flank me, while other minions swarmed, trying to pin me down. I maintained a protective barrier, a shimmering wall of light and fire, ever vigilant against their relentless attempts to breach my defenses. With each explosive impact, it seemed my barrier was holding strong against their unyielding assault.
"AAAGHH!!" [Alfin]
A chilling sensation coursed through me—necrotic touch. I couldn't fathom how it had seeped into my limbs without direct contact with The Lich. In a frantic response, I unleashed my most potent healing spell alongside my regeneration abilities. Yet, The Lich appeared to have the upper hand this time... or so I wanted him to believe. I began to gradually siphon the mana from my barrier, allowing it to draw closer.
"Paralytic touch" [Lich]
A formidable spell wielded by a powerful foe. Most would find themselves incapacitated, trapped in a state of inaction forever. But I could still muster my resistance. I sensed The Lich's confidence growing, convinced of its impending victory.
"Do you truly believe this is merely a duel between us?" [Alfin]
Eric, the formidable S-rank adventurer and Paladin, executed a surprise attack with precision. Channeling divine energy, he struck the ground with a force that sent the minions scattering in all directions. The Lich, momentarily stunned, attempted to flee, but I mirrored its earlier tactic of immobilization. I fought with all my strength to keep it restrained, even as the Golem Knight relentlessly battered the back of my head in a frantic bid for freedom. In a desperate last-ditch effort to escape its fate, the Lich forsook everything, trying to transform into a demilich, hoping to turn its impending doom into a remarkable triumph. But it was too late. With a single, decisive thrust of his spear, Paladin Eric pierced the Lich's Phylactery, sealing its fate. In an instant, the Lich crumbled into nothingness, taking its skeletal minions with it. The Golem Knight soon fell silent, rendered inactive.
Feeling the anguished spirits trapped within the golem, Eric closed his eyes and whispered a silent prayer to the goddess. Though I didn't share his faith, I felt compelled to offer my own prayer, a small gesture to help those lost souls find their way to peace. We stood in a heavy silence, waiting for the moment when their presence would fade away.
"You took your time." [Alfin]
"My apologies. There were more of them than I anticipated." [Eric]
"It's alright... Is everyone okay?" [Alfin]
"They are, thanks to you drawing all the fire." [Eric]
Eric handed me a healing potion, a rare and potent one. Most toxins have little effect on me; only the strongest poisons at their peak can truly harm me. The same holds true for healing remedies. This potion of his is costly, and I am genuinely grateful for his generosity in offering it to me.
"Are you certain you don't want to explore a bit?" [Alfin]
As anticipated, the response is a firm no. He is a Holy Paladin, and the thought of rummaging through a place tainted by human experimentation is far beneath his dignity. Instead, he dedicates his efforts to searching for any survivors or clues related to the cult, determined to avert similar horrors in the future. Truly, he embodies the spirit of a noble adventurer and Paladin, deserving of every accolade and honor bestowed upon him.
As I scans the surroundings, most of what I encounters are tomes filled with dark sorcery and poisons that only the divine can heal. Yet, inexplicably, that same unsettling voice from before echoes in my mind, as if it's guiding me. It reverberates loudly, making me feel queasy, and I nearly succumb to the urge to vomit. But I persevere, following the sound until it leads me to a room, where the noise abruptly ceases. Why it has chosen now, after a decade of silence, remains a mystery.
What I discover in that room is undoubtedly something that will transform our approach to exploring the EYE.
I can't help but wonder: was this event orchestrated by the EYE?