Rise of Tyrus

Meadow squinted at the vast cave, its sides draped with cobwebs. “Are you sure this is a good idea? I know we've discussed the plan countless times, but is it truly worth it? Returning after becoming stronger won't cause any harm.”

Together, Tyrus and Meadow faced the entrance of a cavern, their eyes fixed on an unrelenting watchfulness. Elder Treant, in a display of kindness, revealed the cave's location to Tyrus, citing that certain spirits had sighted spiders going in and out of the structure. The tree also hinted that the place may contain more than just rock spiders, potentially even more magical creatures lurking inside.

The prospect of encountering different creatures stirred excitement in Tyrus. He was secretly hoping he would hit a treasure trove of mana cores as he trained himself with the beasts inhabiting the place.

“Meadow, you’re always welcome to leave. I don’t want to force you to do something you wouldn’t like.”

“You're not making me do anything against my will. I accepted, aware of the dangers. I'm determined to repay the Hero of Wildwood for his efforts.”

Tyrus rotated and confronted the levitating spirit. “I’ll ask you one more time, and this time I want you to forget about what I did for Wildwood. Will you help me out without feeling indebted or not?”

Meadow’s response came not in words, but in action. With a bold expression, she charged forward like an arrow from a bow, daring to explore the depths of the cave. Tyrus followed her lead with a casual shrug from behind. The mouth of the cave devoured them, enveloping them in its icy, melancholy embrace. The odor that welcomed Tyrus was clammy and musky, making him wrinkle his nose in distaste.

Inside, the cavern stretched open, a subterranean space that could have comfortably housed twice the Valis plaza's size. The landscape was uneven, featuring an assortment of rocky boulders and dusty nooks, which worked together to blur his view. A ledge beckoned on the left, a precarious path leading somewhere beyond. Leaping across it would necessitate a running start, Tyrus realized.

In the cavern’s heart, a small pit had been carved, its depths echoing with the rush of water that tumbled downward, disappearing into some unseen abyss. To the right, an impassable dead-end loomed, the ground littered with the remnants of those unfortunate enough to have met their end here. Among the skeletal remains were humanoid forms, both bipedal and quadrupedal. Pinching his nose, he stopped in front of the ledge where Meadow was waiting for him. Then, he uttered the incantation Illumination.

"My vision isn't impaired, but everything seems like a cloth folded over a lantern," she stated. But just in case, he kept the light on so that they missed nothing along the way.

Tyrus stole a quick glimpse at the ledge behind him. An unsettling feeling encompassed his gut the longer he stared. A tingling sensation coursed through his legs as his heart thrummed faster.

"I'll jump over it since the other side isn't too far," he told Meadow.

Before she could voice her opposition, Tyrus hastily retreated, took a deep breath, and vaulted himself across the ledge. He flew a considerable distance, almost tripping on the stony surface before re-establishing his balance. He grasped his throbbing heart while glancing back, observing Meadow's graceful glide along the ledge.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to fly,” Tyrus mumbled.

“It is quite a pleasant feeling. The feeling of wind on my face and skin is refreshing.”

Tyrus shifted his stance and cast a glance over his shoulder at the expansive pathway. Thick layers of spiderwebs covered the walls, and a few were placed on the floor. Thus far, he has not detected any living organisms or eggs.

“Let’s keep moving and avoid the webs. They’re really sticky and we might get trapped in them.”

Tyrus felt a rush of air as Meadow flitted by and settled delicately upon his shoulder. With the miniature companion in place, he embarked on the journey through the cavern’s depths, each step accompanied by the sound of gravel and debris crunching beneath his boots. His cap was securely stowed within the confines of the ring, while his firm grip embraced the hilt of the dagger held in his dominant right hand.

Guided by caution and a watchful instinct, Tyrus inched forward, the duo moving as one entity. Attuned to the surroundings, dim light enveloped them and heightened their senses. Shadows played tricks along the uneven walls, and every drip of water echoed like a distant whisper. Meadow’s keen eyes and Tyrus’s trained perception combined, scanning for signs of life or danger that might emerge from the darkness.

The cavern was extensive, with its twisting trails, rugged crags, and overhangs. When he raised his eyes, he detected a multitude of bridges constructed from white webs. Every structure interlinked the ledges, with many of them entwined.

“How old is this place?” he asked Meadow.

“Hard to say,” she replied. “I have never been here before. My guess would be around fifty years. The size of this place and the multitude of paths available suggest that a beast handled the excavation. Perhaps it was multiple cave worms that created this much space. They do love to excavate for food and shelter.”

“So… what I’m hearing is to watch out for cave worms also? Are they big and threatening?”

“They might be big and long, but manageable as long as you're not taken by surprise. Underground burrowing is their main activity. In case they are hungry or disturbed, they'll use their sharp teeth and gaping mouths to grab anything nearby. You’ll know one is coming when the ground vibrates.”

Tyrus momentarily glanced at the ground. His interest in the cave worms decreased upon discovering they lacked a mana core, although it would be neat to see their physical characteristics. Nonetheless, he had more crucial concerns to address, such as the rock spiders. Getting sidetracked when he and Meadow’s life would be on the line would be stupid. Staying aware of your surroundings is always the best approach.

The journey through the cavern unfolded as an eerie odyssey, shrouded in an atmosphere of unsettling mystery. Yet, aided by the radiance of Illumination, the duo’s passage revealed a series of disquieting sights. As the light pierced the gloom, it unveiled a collection of unsettling scenes that sent shivers down their spines.

Dangling like grim ornaments from the cavern’s ceiling and clinging to rocky ledges, silk cocoons adorned the shadows. The cocoons weren't just above; they were hidden in darker corners of the room, too. From diminutive forms like Meadow to towering ones surpassing even Tyrus' height, the sizes varied dramatically.

As silence prevailed, the continuous rush of water broke through and cascaded against the stone walls with a steady rhythm. Moreover, the gentle sound of sediment falling from the top made a quiet percussion against the chaotic terrain underneath, resulting in a disturbing harmony in this underground world.

They progressed deeper without encountering any rock spiders, and the natural light emanating from clusters of white crystals illuminated the area. It tempted Tyrus to flick away the spell to save his mana, but he thought it to be better to wait a little longer.

“I’m going to climb a ledge to get a better view,” he said.

Bending his sinewy legs, Tyrus summoned his strength and propelled himself onto a conveniently positioned ledge, his palms securing a firm grip on its jagged edge. With a controlled effort, he hoisted himself upward, the motion fluid as he regained his footing upon the ledge. Sweeping his gaze across the expanse that lay before him, he absorbed the details that lay revealed in the pallid glow.

An alternative path beckoned to his right, a bridge crafted from intricate webs stretching toward an enigmatic structure beyond. Despite that, his concentration was seized by the end of this path, where a cocoon of dimensions similar to his own bulk clung suspended. As his eyes delved deeper, however, a disconcerting revelation dawned upon him. A large shadow stretched its limbs over the cocoon, its ominous presence casting a pall of unease.

Suddenly, the spooky notes of chittering and unsettling scuffles shattered his astonishment. From the cave wall above, the shadow descended swiftly, driven by motives known only to the abyss. Emerging into the sphere of Illumination’s reach, the truth was unveiled: a rocky exterior enshrouded the creature, its form an amalgamation of darkness and stone. Six crimson orbs gleamed with an intensity that pierced through the cavern’s shadows, each eye fixated upon Tyrus with an intent that resonated deep within the bones.

Instantly, Tyrus raised his palm and shouted Light Bolt, aiming directly at one of its exposed eyes. A brilliant light that manifested struck one of the creature's glaring eyes and burst forth with terrifying speed. As soon as it was hit, it emitted a loud screech that had Tyrus wincing from the volume. Spewing out spittle from its mouth, it dug its elongated legs into the ground and bounded forward with fury. Tyrus spun on his heels and leaped off the ledge, retracing his steps.

To make sure the rock spider didn't lose interest, Tyrus quickly spun around and shot another Light Bolt every so often. That evolved into more screeching and a ramped-up pace. Confident that it wouldn't run away, Tyrus kept running away. With each step, the sound of water roaring grew louder until he returned to the pit. He made another leap over the ledge and sprinted towards the exit, with the rock spider still on his tail.

“Meadow!”

“On it!”

She took flight from his shoulder and quickly zoomed ahead into the open space. Tyrus exited soon after and peeked over his shoulder. Sure enough, the rock spider was there, but instead of exiting the cave, it stood at the edge, as if what stood between him and the creature was a chasm. Though it was quite surprising, Meadow and he would have to continue with their plan, anyway.

Anticipating the rock spider's attempt to flee, Tyrus extended both arms and employed his magical abilities to immobilize the beast. Thunder Stun was activated instantaneously, and instead of a small marble-sized burst of energy, a cannonball-sized sphere erupted from his hands. He used a significant portion of his mana heart, but he still had more reserved.

The spell slammed into the creature's fortified exterior, and its impact was swift. Its body contorted as its legs curled tightly, and it quickly swerved to the side. Upon impact, kicking up dust, tendrils from the surrounding soil quickly ensnared its body. Meadow was hovering nearby, sweat pouring from her face as her hands glowed.

“It’s pinned down! Hurry before it escapes!”

Once the words left her mouth, the spider had already regained control of its body. It emitted a spine-tingling hiss as it endeavored to gnaw at the roots while it ascended. Meanwhile, while it was in the process of doing so, Tyrus had already expected the next move. With augmentation activated and a dagger in his hand, he raced forward.

“Dual Shot!”

Globes of sparking force appeared above him and zoomed towards the climbing rock spider. Sensing the impending force, it shattered its earthly restraints. In a single bound, it endeavored to vault over the two spheres but didn't escape unharmed. The spell connected with its front limbs, shattering its defenses and rending fifty percent of its vulnerable flesh. Immediately after touchdown, it faltered again, momentarily unsteady. Tyrus took that chance to press his attack while it was distracted.

Once again, he used another Dual Shot. His head started spinning as the power crackled forth and bombarded the beast’s head. Following additional hissing and chittering, purple blood gradually seeped from its charred visage. Tyrus vaulted onto the enfeebled creature, thrusting his dagger into its exposed wound. He relentlessly stabbed it, feeling the warmth of its fluid splatter his body while the creature underneath him trembled. In the absence of any resistance from the rock spider, the body convulsed and toppled over.

With his chest heaving, Tyrus descended from the beast and took a step back, gazing at the defeated opponent. “Phew! That was a lot more difficult than I thought. I assumed it would be way easier with another person and a lot of traps…”

He propped himself against the wall as he regulated his breathing. Meadow flew in and circled the corpse.

“To be honest, I had my doubts about your plan. Entice the creature with weak attacks, isolate it outside the cave, and restrict its movement. There was a chance for everything to go wrong in a matter of seconds, but it all worked out.”

“We had to make sure we lured one of them at a time,” Tyrus said. “If there were too many of them packed together, then the plan would be ruined. If there was only one of them, the plan would continue. As long as they’re separated, then there’s nothing to worry about.”

With Dual Shot packing a lot of power, breaking through a rock spider’s defense was easy as long as the spell hit its mark. Using silent casting when his control was still subpar wouldn’t have done much. If the control is not excellent, the spell's power weakens as the stream of mana scatters instead of tightening. Since a weakened spell wouldn't penetrate its rocky exterior, he opted for incantations.

The factor behind utilizing Light Bolt rather than Lightning Bolt or silent casting to decrease mana consumption was a matter of both quickness and strength. He aimed to hinder the creature from eluding his assaults or escaping with severe harm and rallying its allies. Achieving the perfect balance, he tried to capture its attention without causing much harm and hitting the spell.

Taking one last glance around, Tyrus assumed a meditative posture. “Meadow, can you monitor the area while I meditate? I need to replenish my mana heart. After that, we can continue.”

Her salute to him was quick. “On it! I’ll tap you lightly on the cheek if there’s a disturbance.”

With a reliable watcher keeping an eye on him, Tyrus's shoulders relaxed as he began his meditation. For how long he’d continue fighting against the rock spiders, he had little idea. Though his and Meadow’s safety was one of their top priorities, so was gaining strength as quickly as possible.

If circumstances were favorable and depending on the nest's size, collecting all of their mana cores didn't appear to be an unattainable goal. Although there was much to gain in his endeavor, he had to be careful. They had barely explored the nest, despite the danger to their lives. What other creatures could have been hiding in the cavern, aside from cave worms and rock spiders? Tyrus was adamant about not letting carelessness result in the deaths of himself and Meadow.