The Pillar of Enera

[Book II Chapter 98] ROSE: The Final Boss

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The cobblestone pattern at the end of the metallic hallway was a most welcome sight. They rushed to the sanctified ground without a second thought.

It’s different this time. Although the floor was intact, the walls and ceiling had mostly crumbled away. Hovering in space without any visible support, the ruined hallway curved inward to form an enormous ring ten miles across. On the outer side, an impenetrable dust storm spun over the warped maze they’d come from. In contrast, the inside was calm to an eerie extent, without a hint of movement. A field of floating rocks and debris spread out before them, growing thicker as they proceeded lower.

We’ve made it all the way through a saint-level undead dungeon, Rose realized. Only one last hurdle left, and she could join up with Roxanne. Hopefully she isn’t overdoing herself defending Messanic.

“I wonder what we will face down there.” Noor mused, fingering the handle of his katana anxiously.

“Before that.” Valrie turned to Zentrias. “What is your mental condition?”

“Unchanged.” He answered. “I’m still feeling unnaturally irritated, but it hasn’t worsened. I’m capable of continuing.” Rose was glad to see his eyes sharp and focused.

“That may be,” Valrie said. “but it’s best if you return now. Don’t underestimate those gauntlets.” No one objected.

Zentrias reluctantly accepted the consensus. As he walked away, A sense of dread hit Rose. “Wait!” She cried out.

All eyes fell on her as she struggled to put her mind in order. “I had a premonition.” She finally managed. “Something terrible happens if he leaves now.”

“What exactly?” Cindy

Rose grimaced. “I don’t know. It was only a flash, but it was powerful.”

Valrie pursed her lips. “Was it related to us, Zentrias, or the gauntlets?”

Rose hesitated. “All three, I think.”

“We should keep him with us after all.” Ezekiel offered. “His help may prove valuable. Besides, sending him back is risky in its own way. I’d rather not let Nuzou’s Talons out of my sight.”

Valrie closed her eyes, sighing. “Fine. Let’s waste no more time on this. Stannis could catch up.”

They made their way down field of levitating boulders, stopping periodically for Rose to scout ahead. As she possessed the best foresight, they were relying on her to uncover dangers. On her third attempt, she smiled, “I see yellow mist!”

The group’s tension dissolved, and they descended carefree. At the bottom was a rocky landscape, and a little way’s off from them was a thin transparent dome of yellow mist.

“Remember not to touch it.” Cindy warned as they approached.

“We know.” Rose replied. In certain dungeon, yellow mist was used to keep bosses unaware of their surroundings. The misty barrier would dissipate the moment anyone broke its surface.

In the dome, the ground slopped down in a manner resembling a crater. At the center, visible through the yellow haze, was a reptilian figure laying curled up motionless.

“An undead tyrant.” Valrie said bitterly. “Better than a reaper, but not by much.” First sighted during the previous Dark Age, this breed of undead was extremely rare and always immortal-level. They were also unique in having scaled skin over their bones. Except for the empty eye sockets and skeletal complexion, it might be mistaken for the living thing.

“What about those over there?” Dawn pointed. “Are we fighting them too?” On one edge of the crater, standing guard at a temple-like entrance, were six horned dark knights. Together, they’d be tougher than the tyrant.

“No, I’m sure they’ll let us pass once we’ve defeated the boss.” Cindy answered.

“Ezekiel, want the honor of the first strike?” Valrie asked.

He nodded. “It’s a bit far, but I’ll try to pin it to the ground.” Forming a long golden lance, he jumped high and launched it through the mist. Sadly, a moment before it hit, the undead tyrant twisted out of its path.

Now furious, their foe rose to its feet and roared. Dissonant sound waves hit them, filled with the chaotic magic. It was as if hundreds tiny claws were scratching away at them. As her clothes ripped, Rose closed her eyes and raised her right hand. The world suddenly flipped.

To her joy, the others had let her keep the glove artifact from the lich as her share of the loot. After experimenting, she’d mastered a single command: reversing gravity in a wide area around her.

Everyone went tumbling into the air, along with several layers of gravel. Sadly, she could barely maintain the alteration for two seconds, so they all quickly came crashing back down.

“Good job!” Valrie called out. “Keep disrupting its balance when it tries to roar.”

The undead tyrant charged at them, beginning a frantic brawl. Both sides took damage as the creature weaved between them, its claws and fangs lashing out. None of them were a match, and Natali was forced to use several substitutions to protect them. Their defenses quickly neared the breaking point.

In the chaos, Rose saw a severed forearm go tumbling past her. “I’m fine.” Noor shouted bravely, “It was my offhand.” He released a flurry of strikes to emphasize the point.

Grimacing, Rose tried forming a magic circle, but the tyrant released a quick shriek towards her, wrecking her efforts. Giving up on spellcraft, she focused on blasting the creature with fire and eventually scored a direct hit.

Knocked away, the tyrant sprang upright and took a breath. Rose immediately used her glove, sending them all for a jaunt in the air. Unfortunately, the tyrant recovered first. Its tail extended and punctured the golden armor of one of Valrie’s companions. Spikes shot out from its tip, causing blood to pour from the man’s mouth.

“That bastard!” Ezekiel swore cutting off the tail. “Here.” He tossed a trinket to his injured companion.

The man caught it, and there was flash of light. Valrie picked up the the amber-colored jewel which dropped where he’d been. “We only had one of those, so watch yourselves.” That was emergency containment magic.

Rose panicked realizing the tyrant was gone. I only took my eyes off it a moment! “Where is it?” She cried out.

“It jumped up.” Carol said.

A ghastly cry rang out above, too fast and far away for Rose to do anything about it. The tyrant’s roar collided with the boulder over their heads, and its shattered piece rained down on them. Rose was pressed to the ground under the pelleting of rock and the destructive noise.

When it was over, she glanced up to discover the tyrant had landed nearby. It released another roar before she could react. This is going to hurt…

Zentrias intercepted the attack with his body, absorbing the destructive sound vibrations aimed at them. His flesh crackled and popped as he was shredded from within.

“Don’t let this opportunity go to waste!” Valrie called out, a dozen of her golden blades piercing the tyrants body.

Damn it. Rose joined the other in rushing forwards, leaving Zentrias to collapse engulfed in a mass of bandages.