Chapter 13.5. Dark Dungeon.

The cavern erupted into chaos as monstrous wolves launched attack. Warriors and mages scrambled to meet onslaught, steel and magic clashing against razor claws and slavering jaws. But the lost of sight caused panic amongst most of them. Only few like Nelliasandra, Trevor and Grim could see in complete darkness, but it was not enough.

Screams of pain and roars of fury echoed off damp walls, creating cacophonous symphony of death and destruction.

Grim leapt into fray, emerald eyes blazing as he tore through nearest beast. Nellisandra sent bolts of crackling energy into pack, buying precious seconds to regroup. But even with enhanced senses and magic, they were sorely outnumbered – and time was running out.

In this moment of desperate battle, one thought crystallized in Nelliasandra’s mind – They had to escape this place, or perish trying. The fate of world depended on it.

Nelliasandra’s heart raced, as she saw companions fall around her, blood splattering cold stone in grisly testament battle raging. Giant wolves bite even through armor and only toughest armor protected from their claws, while their fur was hard to cut through.

With grim determination, Nellisandra locked eyes with Trevor and Grim – an unspoken understanding passing between them.

– We can’t save them all! – Nellisandra yelled over din of clashing steel, voice straining heard above frenzied howls: – We must get out! Now!

Tearing through horde of wolves with reckless abandon, the trio carved path towards nearest tunnel, warriors close behind them. Magic and blade flashed in desperate dance of survival, each second feeling like eternity, as they fought tooth-and-nail for freedom. Trevor cut off the head of one wolf-monster, while Grim used his claws to cut another’s face and them bitted his neck, tasting foul blood in his mouth. Nelly casted lightning, obliterating wolves in front of the corridor.

Behind them, screams of fallen echoed off cavern walls, a haunting choir desperation. But Nellisandra dared not to look back – focused only on reaching safety before darkness consumed them.

The group burst from chamber into narrow passage, panting raggedly as they stumbled away from slaughterhouse left behind. No time to rest though – more beasts surely close pursuit. Grim’s hackles rose, emerald eyes darting nervously about.

– We’re not in clear yet, – he growled lowly.

Nellisandra nodded grimly, already weaving another spell.

– Let’s put some distance between us and this hellhole first.

Nellisandra casted Force Field and a half visible wall of magic energy sealed away the cavern. Monster-wolves through themselves at barrier, clawing and hitting it with their bodies, but half visible wall held and did not allowed anyone trough.

– Any idea where to go? – asked Trevor.

– I made a map, – sighed Nelliasandra: – I was usually our mapmaker, so force of habit. Also I have our previous maps with me.

– What about others? – asked one of the warriors, who escaped with them. Nellisandra looked around. Not counting her, Trevor and Grim, there were only a dozen survivors with them, out of more than three hundred.

– We cannot help them. They can still manage on their own, but we need to leave.

Nellisandra unrolled tattered parchment, tracing finger along hastily sketched lines. Her brow furrowed, as she studied makeshift map, mind racing with possibilities.

– We need to reach the next major junction, – she said finally, pointing to intersecting paths on worn paper: – If my memory serves, there should be an alternate route to the surface from there.

Trevor leaned in closer.

– That’s at least a day’s journey from here, if not more. Can we afford to waste time retracing steps?

The surviving warriors shifted uncomfortably, eyes darting to dark tunnels stretching out before them. One spoke up hesitantly.

– What about the others? Surely we can’t just leave them behind.

Nellisandra hesitated, guilt tugging at heartstrings. But logic prevailed – they were in no position to mount rescue.

– I wish we could, – she replied softly: – But we’d be putting ourselves at risk for nothing. We have to trust they know what they’re doing. Our mission comes first.

Grim padded up to her side, emerald eyes reflecting worry.

– Mistress, are you certain this is wise? Leading so many into unknown territory, with so little rest and provisions.

She gave him a reassuring pat, though doubt lingered in her own mind.

– We have no choice, Grim. We can’t let anything stop us, not even our own exhaustion.

With renewed determination, Nellisandra rolled up her map and led weary band forward, praying silently that they were not walking straight into trap. Trevor was leading others with advice where to step, until their lanterns and glowing stones regained their light. The tunnels seemed to yawn before them, promising more dangers lurking in shadows – but they had to press on. Failure simply wasn’t an option. As they entered next cavern, it seemed that its floor itself moved. Hundred on cat sized centipedes were covering its whole floor and moved towards invaders. Nelly casted Frozen Land, with a single spell freezing whole cavern and its inhabitants in front of her. Centipedes fall apart after turning to ice. Nelly exhaled. She was more powerful than ever before, but many more challenges lay ahead, and her mana was not infinite. Grim mowed encouragement, and they moved forward.

Three long weeks passed until Nellisandra and her band of survivors emerged from the clutches of Dark Dungeon. The journey back to upper ground was fraught with challenges – exhaustion, dwindling supplies, and constant fear of pursuit by creatures of shadow. Yet somehow, they managed.

The world above felt alien now, sun’s light too harsh, against their weary eyes. As they stumbled into their camp, a hush fell over gathered crowd. Whispers flew between onlookers. Servants, blacksmiths, and other workers ceased their tasks, eyes wide with shock at sight of so few returned.

A woman stepped forward tentatively, voice trembling, as she asked timidly if anyone else had made it out alive. Nellisandra shook her head grimly, the weight of loss bearing down on weary shoulders.

Trevor placed a comforting hand on Grim’s neck, feeling feline friend tremble beneath his touch. Paladin cleared his throat, his voice rough with emotion, as he addressed gathered crowd.

– We were ambushed deep within those cursed halls, – Trevor explained, gesturing back at yawning entrance: – A Wolf Shepherd cast spell to dim our lights – turning what little advantage we had into liability.

His gaze drifted over surviving companions, faces etched with exhaustion and grief.

– They fought bravely, but the beasts were too numerous. Has anyone else come out?

Everyone around them shook heads, and Nellisandra and Trevor exchanged looks.

– We will wait until they return, – ordered mage: – For now tend to the wounded.

Servants surrounded them, taking away wounded warriors, who emerged from the dungeon alongside Nellisandra and Trevor. They waited for a long month, but no one came out.