The Ruby Magician

Unfortunately for Wyn and his group, the second floor was exactly what he feared - a sewer.

The moment he stepped on solid ground his boot squelched. Well, not so solid, after all. The stench hit him next, like every bad latrine he’d ever had to dig out in fields with his company all wrapped up in one shit-smelling memory.

“Oh, gods,” Tasha said. “I think I’m going to throw up.”

John gagged off to the side. The noise made Tasha gag.

“Get it together,” Marcy said. “I have the best nose out of everyone here and I’m doing just fine.” She crinkled her noise then held back her own breakfast by sheer power of will.

Wyn closed his eyes and took a deep breath. So this was another way that the tower was going to try and distract them. Apparently this season was going to be full of ways to be annoying.

The narrow passage they stood in was dark and damp. So, Wyn fetched his mushroom lantern in his backpack so they could see. Tasha would be able to provide some light when she was able to securely hold back her stomach from emptying itself, but for now he wanted to be useful. And the added thought of potentially finding a secret area was never far from his mind.

He attached the chain to his belt and secured it in a comfortable spot on his waist. Then he shook the jar, activating the small mushroom spores inside to create a purple light that let them see in their immediate area.

The portal definitely dumped them in a sewer system. The ground beneath them was firm but covered in a very thin layer of liquid that Wyn didn’t want to think much more about. It was about a 15 foot wide passage with only one direction to go, and no other light source could be found except for a beam of orange light that filled the passage about 50 feet ahead. It was likely another sewage entrance. And potentially the only natural sources of light for awhile.

Unfortunately there weren’t any hidden runes or markings on the stone walls around them, either.

“Torchlight,” Tasha said weakly. Her staff lit up the area better than Wyn’s lantern but didn’t add any additional features to the area.

“This floor is going to be shit,” John said.

“In more ways than one, it seems,” Cedric added. He held up his robe so the hem wouldn’t fall on the dirty floor as his scepter floated beside him. “The guild cleaners are going to have an absolute riot for the month. I bet they’ll start charging double before the week’s out.”

“And the kitchens from all the Climbers losing their meals,” Tasha said.

“Don’t think about it and it won’t affect you as much,” Wyn said. “Just focus on getting through the floor. Hopefully we’ll only be here once or twice.”

“And we won’t make any progress on that by standing here in shit,” Marcy said. “I’m going to scout ahead to that next light source. Hopefully there aren’t any poison traps on this floor but that’s being really optimistic. I have a feeling like we are going to have a hell of a time.”

Wyn felt his heart drop. Poison? How in the hells does a Climber deal with that? Healing spells specifically stated they didn’t treat diseases or poisons. Maybe there were some potions to buy just to get through the floor?

“We’ll manage,” Tasha said. “Since my class upgrade, my healing spells work on diseases and poisons, now. Yours should too, Wyn. Right?”

Wyn stared at her and shook his head. “No. My descriptions are the same. They still don’t.” So there was another sign of his inferior class, then. Despite his excitement over the Ruby Strategist and potential of being able to control a battlefield he was still falling behind in areas.

At least it wasn’t a major setback. Hopefully the other floors didn’t have poison.

“It’ll be alright,” John said. “We get through this floor and never look back. Or speak about it. That’s our new strategy.”

Wyn couldn’t help but chuckle. But he definitely felt the same.

Marcy came back and informed them that the path seemed clear for awhile so they slowly advanced down the smelly, shitty path. The singular walkway with periodic beams of light from above grew boring for the next half hour, but at least Wyn was starting to get used to the smell.

Before long the path ended with only two options - left or right. The group collectively groaned and Tasha pulled out a small pad of paper to map out their path. Looking down each way was nearly useless, though Wyn saw a small pile of something further down the left path that was mostly hidden but still somewhat visible under the surface’s light. The right direction was boring with a just a stone wall that extended out of view, telling him there was another turn soon ahead.

“Want to go see what that is?” Wyn asked as he pointed down the left corridor. “At least it’s something.”

Marcy stepped forward and continued on without another word. As she approached the mysterious pile she crouched down and slowly walked closer to it. A sound like steam being released from a hot pan came from her direction. Marcy jumped back and backpedaled towards the group while a small green cloud of smoke wafted away from whatever the pile was.

“Damnit,” Marcy said. “It was a pile of bones that shifted when I got close. I don’t think I breathed in any of the fumes.”

“At least the poison is visible,” Cedric said. “That will make it a bit easier to avoid.”

Marcy snickered. “I’ll be damned. There’s some treasure under the pile!”

The others looked back towards the remains of the bone pile and saw a dim green glow. Not a glow like from poison, either, that was a more sickly pale green rather than the vibrant aura that radiated from items. When they stepped closer and looked down at the pile there was a small pile of coins and a corked vial of similarly pale green liquid.

“Five copper boots that that’s a poison vial,” John said.

“I’m not taking that bet because I thought the same thing,” Wyn said. “How in the world could that be useful?”

“An offensive potion rather than a support one,” Marcy said. “They’re not that common and used even less. Some crafters can build wicked items with them or break them down for useful components but the process can be expensive. And it’s not exactly my style.”

“Still worth something,” Wyn said. “I’ll put it in my pack. Maybe you two can trade it off when you’re looking for some items at the trade hall.”

“Maybe,” Cedric said. “But it’s not a bad find for being from a pile of bones.”

“Should we keep going this way?” Tasha asked. “At least it’s a bit straighter than the other direction.”

“Why not?” John said. He then swept his arm down the path and gave a slight bow, looking at Marcy for the whole gesture. “After you, my light footed Ranger friend.”

Marcy just slapped the Squire on the side of his helm.

Despite the dank passage being straighter initially, it soon started to turn at right angles in both directions. They didn’t find more branching paths for several turns, much to their relief, but they did eventually stumble into a larger chamber that resembled the courtyard from above ground on the first floor. Only Marcy caught the first look as she scouted ahead.

The large square space had one other opening in each of the other walls besides the one they entered through, making four total paths. One had a foul mixture of rubble and what looked like a huge pile of shit blocking the way, and the other two were empty. In the middle of the space was a group of monsters huddled together making awful slurping and ripping noises. They looked to be similar to the dogs but didn’t have the same black fur and were even larger than the Fallen’s chained beasts. Their coats were mottled gray with a sickening yellowish tint.

Marcy stopped the group first before slowly backing towards their tunnel. The monsters didn’t seem to notice Tasha’s glowing staff or radiated light as they were focused on whatever they were doing.

“Monsters ahead,” Marcy whispered. “I think they’re another type of beast but not the same Ashen Dogs. A bit bigger, sickly looking. Not sure how many.”

“Maybe a type of poison beast?” Wyn asked. “Is that even an element?”

“No,” Cedric said. “But still magical. Ranged attacks would be best since we don’t know what they are or what they can do.”

“Agreed,” John said. “I can be in front just in case they rush us but won’t engage. I really don’t feel like being poisoned today. Or ever.”

“Is it blasting time?” Marcy asked.

Tasha chuckled under her breath, and John couldn’t help but smile as his eyes widened in excitement.

“I think so,” Wyn said. “Let’s see what you got!”

Marcy and Cedric smiled at each other before walking back towards the chamber. They stepped just inside with the others right behind them. Tasha held her staff out to give as much light as possible, and they could all finally see what Marcy first scouted.

Unfortunately now the beasts were snarling and growling in their direction, and Wyn could see them clearer. They looked to have an identical build to the Ashen Dogs besides their coloring. Marcy was right that they were a bit larger, nearly the size of a wolf, and their fur was patchy in areas showing balding yellow spots.

One of the monsters snapped its jaws at them causing an oozing green liquid to drip onto the stone floor. It sizzled and steamed when it hit.

Wyn made a mental note to not let them bite him. He wasn’t sure if his Sage’s Overcoat could stop it or be damaged by the effect, or if healing spells could overcome that effect.

Suddenly two large glowing runes appeared in the air, one in front of Marcy’s arrow and the other in front of Cedric’s scepter.

“Ignite,” Marcy said.

“Lightning Arc,” Cedric said.

The two Climbers cast their spells at nearly the same time. Marcy let hers off first, and her spell shot towards the group of beasts in a red flash. The moment it struck the first monster it exploded in a fiery ball, and that was when Cedric’s spell activated. Lightning branched out from his scepter and impacted another beast close to the first, causing a chain reaction of sparked lightning to course through the rest of the monsters.

It was hard to tell exactly what happened in the middle of the creatures because of Marcy’s explosion, but the sounds of crackling fire and lightning filled the space in the next several seconds. Then, a deep pop erupted from the huddled monsters. A large plume of green smoke nearly fifteen feet tall and wide quickly filled the air. It completely surrounded the creatures making it impossible to see inside.

Another pop sounded causing another billow of green smoke, but closer to the group. Then another, this time half the distance between them.

“Everyone fall back!” Wyn said. He turned Tasha around and began to push her back down the passage they came from, but she was quickly gaining her wits and ran without further help. The others ran right beside them, and they stopped after a few seconds to turn around after they didn’t hear another popping sound.

The open archway between their tunnel and the open space was clouded by whatever foul gas the monsters released.

“Gods,” John said.

The smoke began to dissipate nearly as fast as it came, though the Climbers were hesitant about advancing.

“I’ll go first,” Wyn said. “If the gas is gone, we should be fine.” He stepped forward and into the space, initially holding his breath. Even though he said they’d be fine he was still wary.

But after he took a few small breaths he decided the area was clear and threat gone. “It’s alright! Nothing else is here.”

“This floor is going to be a nightmare,” Tasha said. “I sincerely hope there’s nothing like this in the second tier.”

“If there is, we’ll find a way to manage it,” Wyn said. “Let’s stay positive.”

“I don’t know how you can say that while standing in shit,” John said.

Wyn started to reply but stopped himself. He pulled up his boot that made an awful squelching noise as it left the ground and recoiled at the sight and smell. Honestly, they were right. This was an awful floor that he couldn’t wait to leave.

“I wonder how these monsters released their fumes,” Cedric said. He was looking through the remains of the beasts before they started to dissolve. “I don’t think they do it when killed or there would’ve been more clouds. It could’ve been a sort of suicide attack intending to release toxins into enemies at close range. Like a last ditch magical attack.”

Marcy drew another arrow from her quiver and held it alongside her bow. She didn’t bother inspecting what remains were still on the stone floor. “I’m leaning towards a suicide blast. Though your spell keeps hitting enemies as long as they’re nearby, so it could also just be an attack of theirs that doesn’t kill them outright.”

“Wouldn’t that be a bit strong for the second floor?” Wyn asked. “Maybe in the second tier, sure. But they can’t have that many attacks at this point.”

Marcy smiled. “You’re catching on quick. That’s why I’m leaning towards the last attack option where they die from releasing all of their power.”

“Well, whatever it is, I guess we’ll be relying on you two more for this floor,” John said. “I can spare a mana potion for you, Cedric, since I likely won’t be using it.”

“I appreciate that, but I’ll go through mine first,” Cedric said. “I have three in my robes. Which I fully intend to use to recover mana before stopping and resting here. It stinks really, really bad.”

“You’re telling me,” John said. “I don’t see any drops from them and this place isn’t going to start smelling better anytime soon. Which path should we take next?”

“How about Tasha pick this time?” Wyn asked. “You’re mapping it out for us, after all. What way do you think?”

Tasha pulled on one of her curls, letting it bounce up and down for a second before answering. “Straight ahead. It’ll be easier to keep track that way.”

Wyn started walking to the tunnel directly opposite of the way they entered. “Then straight we go!”

On his third step his foot sank further down into the stone floor with an audible grinding noise. He froze, expecting something else to happen as fear seized him. His mind blanked out of pure surprise. A trapped plate in the ground, of all things. At least it wasn’t a trap that immediately expelled some kind of magic.

“What was that?” Marcy asked.

“I tripped something,” Wyn said. He stood motionless, hoping not to activate anything else. “Some kind of trapped piece of stone. I don’t know exactly what.”

“Shit,” John said. “Now we have those to worry about, too?”

“Not now, John,” Wyn said. “I’m more worried about the present and making sure nothing is going to kill me!” His voice rose in alarm. Monsters he could face, but traps were completely different. Feeling helpless was not enjoyable.

“It shouldn’t be anything that extreme,” Marcy said. “We’re only on the second floor, remember? But just stay still. Maybe I can find something around here.”

“Can we help?” Tasha said. “What should we look for?”

“Not sure,” Marcy said. “But if it was a hidden plate in the floor there are likely more, which is bad news for us. It’ll be rough to find another one. I don’t exactly want to go slogging through shit finding more.”

“Too bad you can’t teleport away,” John said. “Should we look for an item like that for you, Wyn? You do seem to be the one who always gets caught in these situations. It might do you some good.”

Wyn jerked his head to the Squire. “Again, not helping!”

“No, maybe he’s right,” Cedric said. “I mean, not teleporting, exactly. But you are fast. Maybe you can quickly sprint away and throw up a Shield spell behind or under you just in case?”

Wyn thought about that for a second. It wasn’t a terrible idea. Waiting for Marcy to find another trap sounded time consuming, and what would they do if they even found it? He’d still be stuck in this same scenario. He couldn’t exactly stay in the same spot forever.

“That’s not so bad,” Marcy said. “But let’s get some distance first, if you don’t mind.”

“I’ll be ready if you need help, too,” Tasha said. “If it’s poison related I can remove it!”

That bit of information made Wyn feel better. Knowing that it likely wasn’t an instant death kind of trap also helped. He tried to steady his mind and reassure himself while the others carefully backed away closer to the tunnel they entered. It also gave him a minute to come up with a plan.

Casting Speed Up was the first step, obviously. Sprinting away would be next, and he immediately decided to go back towards the others. Going forward to the next tunnel was unknown territory, and based on the luck he had so far there was a good chance another trap would be sprung. Mentally placing a Shield like Cedric suggested behind and under him would be the last step. Hopefully whatever came out of the other side would be mitigated by that, and he could outrun the rest. Then Tasha could heal any damage if all else failed.

All things considered, it wasn’t a bad plan. This was just an experiment he didn’t want to personally conduct.

When he saw the others standing back just outside the tunnel he decided to act. First, his skill. He waited a second for the aura to coat him as he steadied his breathing. Then, it was time to move. He pivoted on his boot and sprang back towards the rest of the group with an explosive burst of power and speed.

The instant Wyn’s foot left the trapped plate a boom and force of energy erupted from the ground. He didn’t bother looking back and willed his Shield spell to cover his back while he kept running. The varied expressions from his teammates didn’t give Wyn any indication of the type of trap that he set off, but as he ran closer towards them relief filled him up from the lack of pain.

He stopped when he made it to the group and turned around with a relieved smile. He successfully avoided whatever hell he tripped.

His smile vanished when he saw the room partially filled with a black and green gas cloud centered on his moment just seconds ago. The area was at least twice as large as the cloud released by the poison dog monsters, and it looked denser and more menacing.

“Damn,” Marcy said.

“You’re telling me,” Wyn added.

The cloud started to dissipate relatively quickly, but the smell it carried soon hit them in a delayed surprise. Despite the fog being nearly gone the lingering stench was horrific. They all started coughing and gagging, and John then throw up off to the side of their tunnel.

Wyn was very, very thankful he wasn’t caught in the middle of it, both for the damage it likely would have caused and for the smell. Knowing more of those traps laid in wait for them, he knew this second floor was going to be a long, terrible climb.