Carmina's warning echoed through the ranks as the expedition moved cautiously along the edge of the shield dome. "Stick to the edge, but don't even think about touching the shield," she had said, her voice firm. "It's not a friendly barrier."
Despite her warning, a curious levy from the Valvian Kingdom reached out, his fingers brushing the shimmering surface of the shield. Instantly, a surge of electricity coursed through his body, throwing him backward and leaving him writhing on the ground. The smell of burnt flesh filled the air as his comrades rushed to his aid. Carmina's voice cut through the chaos. "Let that be a lesson to the rest of you. The shield doesn't discriminate."
The incident served as a stark reminder of the dangers they faced, and the expedition moved forward with renewed caution. The Dark Region was a place of nightmares—twisted trees, barren ground, and an oppressive silence broken only by the occasional growl or screech of unseen creatures. Smaller Dark Beasts, mutated wildlife with glowing eyes and jagged teeth, occasionally charged at the group, but they were quickly dispatched by the combined efforts of the factions.
After hours of peaceful journey, the relative calm was shattered when a group of giant, mutated minotaurs emerged from the shadows, their massive forms charging toward the expedition with terrifying speed. Carmina didn't hesitate. She transformed into her red dragon form, her scales gleaming like molten lava as she took to the air. The black dragon, her companion, joined her, and together they engaged two of the largest minotaurs.
The battle was chaotic. The Titania Walkers of the Melloris Empire fired their massive cannons from a distance, the explosions lighting up the dark landscape. The tanks added their firepower, though the minotaurs' thick hides seemed to absorb much of the damage. It was only through concentrated fire that the stragglers were brought down.
The Paladins of Solvaris held the front lines, their holy shields and war hammers keeping the minotaurs at bay. The Valvian Knights and elven rangers provided ranged support, their arrows and spells raining down on the beasts. Despite their efforts, the minotaurs were relentless. One of the massive creatures broke through the defensive line, its horns goring through two Titania Walkers and three tanks before it was finally brought down.
When the dust settled, the casualties were grim: ten dead and twenty injured. The expedition had survived, but the cost was high. Carmina, back in her human form, urged everyone to keep moving. "We can't stay here. The noise will draw more of them."
At night, the expedition made camp in a relatively secure area. The wounded were tended to by healers, their cries of pain a constant reminder of the dangers they faced. Soldiers took shifts keeping watch, their eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of movement. The eerie silence of the Dark Region was broken only by the occasional howl or rustle of unseen creatures.
There were also reports of soldiers falling victim to the anomalous zones—areas where the very fabric of reality seemed to warp. One soldier stepped into what appeared to be a patch of normal ground, only to vanish without a trace. Another found himself trapped in a loop, walking in circles until his comrades pulled him back. These zones added another layer of danger to an already perilous journey.
After two grueling days, the expedition finally arrived at their destination. The party had been reduced to half its original size, not including the injured. They stood at the edge of an abandoned open-pit mining area, its once-industrial landscape now overrun with twisted vegetation and eerie silence. At the center of the pit was a massive nest, its walls made of durable spider silk that glistened in the dim light.
Egg sacs the size of humans hung from the walls, their surfaces pulsating faintly. The air was thick with the scent of decay and the faint sound of skittering legs. Carmina's eyes narrowed as she surveyed the scene. "This is bad," she muttered. "That spider just laid its eggs. We're looking at a pseudo-Titan spider, and it's out hunting."
She turned to the group, her voice urgent. "We need to move. Now. Dark Beasts are far more aggressive when they're protecting their young. If that spider comes back while we're here, we're dead."
The expedition didn't need to be told twice. They moved quickly and quietly, their footsteps muffled by the soft ground. But as they retreated, a low, guttural growl echoed through the pit. The ground trembled, and the sound of skittering legs grew louder.
Carmina's voice cut through the tension. "Run!"
The smaller spiders—though "smaller" was a gross underestimation—burst from their egg sacs, their bodies the size of wolves and their eyes glowing with a predatory hunger. They skittered across the ground with terrifying speed, their sharp legs clicking against the rocky terrain as they chased the fleeing expedition.
The Melloris Empire's officers barked orders, their tanks and Titania Walkers unleashing a barrage of firepower. The wave of spiders was momentarily halted as explosions tore through their ranks, their bodies reduced to chunks of chitin and ichor. But the relief was short-lived.
Carmina, still in her human form, shouted over the chaos, "No, stop! Don't! It'll make it worse! The mother will go berserk if she sees her dead hatchlings!"
Her warning came too late. The relentless wave of spiders overwhelmed the firing party, their numbers seemingly endless. The tanks and Titania Walkers were quickly surrounded, their heavy firepower useless against the sheer volume of enemies. The spiders climbed over the machines, their sharp legs piercing through metal and flesh alike.
"Fuck!" Carmina cursed, her voice cutting through the din. "Leave your machines and run! Now!"
A knight, his face pale with fear, shouted back, "What about the wounded?"
Carmina's eyes burned with intensity. "Leave the ones who can't run, or carry them yourself! Die or survive—it's your choice!"
The party broke into a frantic run, their footsteps pounding against the ground as they fled for their lives. The levy and slower soldiers were quickly overtaken by the spider hatchlings, their screams cut short as the creatures tore them apart. Heads were bitten off, limbs ripped from bodies, and the ground was soon littered with the gruesome remains of those who couldn't keep up.
After what felt like an eternity of running, the surviving members of the expedition stumbled into a nearby cave. Their breaths came in ragged gasps, their bodies trembling with exhaustion and fear. The cave was dark and damp, but it offered a temporary reprieve from the horrors outside.
Carmina leaned against the cave wall, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. The black dragon, who had been flying overhead, landed at the entrance and transformed into a tall, elegant male butler. His voice was calm but urgent as he addressed Carmina. "They have lost us, Your Highness."
"Good," Carmina replied, though her expression remained grim. "But it's still not good news. The broodmother will have seen her dead hatchlings and the destroyed machines. A pseudo-Titan spider is already smart enough to think like us. We need to be quick and let the outside forces know what we've found. Even I can't take on a pseudo-Titan alone."
The archmage, Sillorin, who had been gasping for air, interjected. "I can teleport a small group of us near the wall. I'll try to teleport as many as I can, but it will take time and energy."
The others exchanged uneasy glances. While some were relieved at the prospect of escaping the Dark Region, others were conflicted. They knew that if the pseudo-Titan spider charged toward the wall, it would spell disaster for the defenses.
Carmina's voice cut through the murmurs. "Listen up! We don't have time to debate. Sillorin, start teleporting the wounded and those who can't fight first. The rest of us will hold the line if the spider catches up. We need to warn the outside forces, but we also can't leave anyone behind if we can help it."
The archmage nodded, his hands already glowing with arcane energy as he began preparing the teleportation spell. The wounded were gathered near him, their faces a mix of relief and guilt. The rest of the group readied their weapons, their eyes fixed on the cave entrance.
Carmina turned to the black dragon butler. "Keep watch outside. If you see anything—anything at all—warn us immediately."
The butler bowed slightly. "As you wish, Your Highness."
As the archmage began teleporting the first group, the tension in the cave was palpable.
The archmage, Sillorin, returned to the cave after what felt like an eternity of back-to-back teleportations. His face was pale, his breathing labored, and his hands trembled as he leaned heavily on his staff. The once-pristine purple robes of the Mage Tower were now stained with dirt and sweat, a testament to the toll the spells had taken on him.
"This will be my last teleportation," Sillorin said, his voice strained but firm. "I can only take five people. Even if I use a mana potion, the mental strain will only get worse. I… I can't risk collapsing mid-spell."
The cave fell silent as the remaining members of the expedition exchanged uneasy glances. Among those left were a few paladins, knights from the Valvian Kingdom, some soldiers from the Melloris Empire, Lira, Tifanica, Captain Illshura, and a mage from the Luminal Court who was curled in a corner, visibly shaken. Carmina and her butler stood at the center of the group, their expressions grim but resolute.
Carmina stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension. "Take the mage and the weaker ones," she said, gesturing to the trembling Luminal mage and a few of the injured soldiers. "The rest of us will ride with the butler and me. Hopefully, we won't get caught by the broodmother."
The butler, now in his human form, nodded silently, his sharp eyes scanning the cave entrance for any signs of movement. The black dragon's presence was a small comfort, but even he couldn't guarantee their safety against a pseudo-Titan.
Sillorin began preparing the spell, his hands glowing faintly as he chanted under his breath. The five chosen individuals—the Luminal mage, two injured paladins, and two soldiers—stepped forward, their faces a mix of relief and guilt. One of the paladins hesitated, looking back at his comrades.
"We can't just leave you here," he said, his voice trembling. "This isn't right."
Carmina's gaze softened for a moment, but her tone remained firm. "You're no good to anyone dead. Get to the wall, warn the others, and prepare for the worst. That's an order."
The paladin nodded reluctantly, stepping into the circle Sillorin had drawn on the ground. The archmage raised his staff, the glow intensifying as he completed the spell. With a flash of light, the five figures vanished, leaving the cave feeling emptier than before.
Sillorin slumped against the wall, his breathing ragged. "I've done all I can," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The rest is up to you."
The remaining members of the expedition gathered around Carmina, their faces set with determination. Lira adjusted the straps of her dual curved swords, her eyes scanning the cave entrance. Tifanica stood beside her, her bow at the ready. Captain Illshura and the few knights and soldiers who remained checked their weapons, their movements efficient but tense.
Carmina turned to the butler. "How far are we from the wall?"
The butler closed his eyes for a moment, as if sensing the distance. "If we move quickly, we can reach it in a few hours. But the broodmother will be on our trail soon, if she isn't already."
Carmina nodded, her expression grim. "Then we move now. No delays, no hesitation. If we're lucky, we'll make it before she catches up."
Carmina and the butler transformed into their dragon forms in a flash of light and scales. Carmina's red dragon form shimmered like molten lava, while the butler's black dragon form exuded an aura of shadow and power. Carmina's voice echoed telepathically in the minds of the group. "Get on quickly!"
Captain Illshura acted swiftly, tossing a rope to Tifanica as he tied the other end securely around the black dragon's neck. Tifanica did the same for Carmina's dragon form. The group climbed onto the dragons' backs, gripping the ropes tightly as the massive creatures spread their wings and took to the sky.
The ground fell away beneath them as the dragons ascended, the wind whipping through their hair and clothes. The shield dome glimmered in the distance, a beacon of hope—and safety. But the peace was short-lived.
A high-pitched roar echoed across the Dark Region, its sound so piercing that it sent shivers down their spines. The group glanced back toward the open-pit mine, now a distant blur. Despite the distance, the broodmother's massive form was unmistakable. Jagged horns protruded from its back, and a crown-like structure rose from its head, glowing faintly with an ominous light. The pseudo-Titan spider had gone berserk, its massive legs tearing through the landscape as it ravaged everything in its path. Dark Beasts unfortunate enough to be nearby were crushed or devoured, their cries drowned out by the broodmother's fury.
Carmina's voice echoed in their minds again, her tone grim. "In all my time exploring the Dark Region, I've never seen anything like this. Even I can't guarantee our safety against that thing."
As the dragons soared through the sky, a wyvern rider from the squadron accompanying them shouted, "Princess, a group of Umbrawings is approaching us!"
Lira turned her head, her sharp eyes catching sight of the creatures behind them. The Umbrawings were unlike anything she had ever seen. Their wingspans stretched over 30 feet, their elongated, sinewy bodies covered in slick, leathery skin that seemed to absorb light, making them nearly invisible in the darkness. Their grotesque, eyeless faces were lined with deep ridges and faintly glowing veins that pulsed with eerie energy. Their cavernous maws were filled with rows of jagged teeth, capable of crushing bone and armor alike. Their tattered wings shimmered faintly, as if infused with shadow magic, and their spindly, clawed forelimbs looked designed for grasping prey and climbing sheer cliffs.
Carmina's voice cut through the tension. "Attract their attention!"
The wyvern riders broke formation, veering toward the Umbrawings with weapons drawn. The creatures screeched, their voices a cacophony of nails on stone, as they turned to pursue the riders.
"Hold on!" Carmina warned. Both dragons dove sharply toward the ground, their massive wings slicing through the air as they flew dangerously close to the twisted terrain below. The Umbrawings, distracted by the wyvern riders, gave chase, their grotesque forms silhouetted against the dark sky.
The dragons weaved through the jagged landscape, their movements swift and precise. Lira clung to the rope, her heart pounding as the ground rushed past in a blur. Tifanica and Captain Illshura held on tightly, their faces set with determination.
Behind them, the Umbrawings gained ground, their screeches growing louder. One of the creatures lunged at a wyvern rider, its claws slashing through the air. The rider dodged narrowly, retaliating with a burst of fire from their mount. The Umbrawing screeched in pain, its leathery skin burning, but it didn't stop.