Chapter 14.3. Delving into darkness.

Over the course of grueling ten-day campaign, Lilith drove her companions mercilessly across sprawling network of tunnels and chambers comprising first floor.

Her methodical approach left no stone unturned, as they methodically mapped and explored every inch of territory.

From dawn till dusk they battled ceaseless waves of beastial denizens, carving path through hordes of rat-sized wolves, venomous serpents, grotesque arachnid hybrids. Lilith’s strategic casting Slow allowed to systematically thin enemy lines, before moving swiftly to execute remnants.

Though discovery of staircase, descending deeper into dark realm early fifth day. But Lilith insisted completing comprehensive survey of current locale, before delving further. This meant continuing to grind grinding countless foes to fill the maps.

Hundreds fell beneath party blades over ensuing period. Tendons straining from repetitive kills, hands callused from gripping weapons nonstop – yet always more awaited claim. Even when weariness threatened to undermine morale, Lilith’s unwavering determination pushed them onward. She knew risks of venturing unprepared into unfamiliar depths outweighed benefits of rushed descent.

So they endured long slaughter and cleansing first floor. Map slowly taking shape, marking safe zones and potential pitfalls, along winding paths explored.

Finally with last chamber cleared and last corpse looted, Lilith surveyed masterfully compiled record of accomplishments thus far. Satisfied with knowledge gained and advantages procured, she at last signaled them to leave the dungeon.

After more than a week of relentless combat Lilith knew her team needed respite, before tackling next level of Training Dungeon. With maps completed and ample loot procured, she called retreat to allow weary bodies and minds to recuperate.

– We’ve earned a few days rest, – she announced: – Let’s make camp above ground for now.

The party readily complied – eagerly shedding burdens of exhaustion accumulated over grueling trial by monsters. Emerging into dappled sunlight felt like rebirth, after shadowed confines below.

Kragor and Cian immediately set about collecting firewood and building makeshift shelter from fallen logs. Sharr and Azael gathered edible plants nearby streams, to replenish provisions depleted by journey. As sun dipped horizon, painting sky in vibrant hues Lilith joined others around crackling blaze, sharing stories and laughter long overdue.

For brief moment team could forget perils that awaited them beneath, instead to revel in simple pleasures of companionship and camaraderie born from adversity faced together. It wouldn’t last forever, but in those fleeting days there was peaceful interlude, between battles. They could almost pretend to have normal lives of ordinary folk, who never ventured into darkness unknown.

Lilith also took out her Leveling Crystal and ordered Sharr, Kragor and Azael to use it. Results for now satisfied her. They all got one level, and grew little stronger. Slowly and steadily Lilith was shaping her slaves into party that she needed.

With bodies refreshed and spirits renewed, the party descended into second floor of Training Dungeon – a realm shrouded by eternal gloom and permeated by unnatural chill. As boots crunched damp stone underfoot, Lilith’s keen senses immediately detected presence of shadowy entities lurking beyond sight.

– Be on guard! – she whispered urgently: – These Shadow Elementals drain mana and cloud judgment! Keep close formation, let nothing isolate us.

It wasn’t long before first encounter materialized – a swirling vortex of darkness coalesced into writhing mass of tendrils reaching and grasping at exposed skin. Lilith immediately began casting Slow while companions raised weapons to prepare for repulsive assault.

Monsters seemed impervious to physical blows, slick form sliding past hacked strikes like smoke on breeze. But as her spell took hold it stilled momentarily – allowing Kragor and Cian to drive axe and sword blade deep into smoky core with thunderous impact.

A sickening wail echoed within stone walls as Shadow Elemental disintegrated into tattered wisps, dissipating air, once their magic stones were destroyed.

Yet Lilith knew this was only beginning – many more such foes awaited, to test their defenses.

As they ventured deeper, attacks came, fast and furious from all sides. Swirling maelstroms, manifesting ambushes, among stalactites drip stone formations overhead. The party fought back-to-back in desperate defense, blades flashing futilely against insubstantial forms.

– Sharr Azael! – Lilith called out: – Aim for the middle. Destroy their magic stones, it’s the only way for you to kill them.

Lilith’s methodical approach paid off, as they systematically explored second floor. For two exhausting weeks they battled Shadow Elementals, spending only precious few hours, snatching rest between relentless encounters.

– Aim for their magic stones! It’s the only way! – she shouted above eerie wails, reminding her companions what to do. Sharr and Azael nodded with grim determination, while Lilith directed spells towards glowing cores, hidden midst swirling forms. With each successful strike another ethereal foe dissipated in unearthly screech.

Yet even with this tactic advantages monsters proved formidable adversaries. Their mana – draining touch left warriors weakened and disoriented – only Lilith’s strategic casting Slow allowed temporary respite for regrouping efforts.

Their path wound treacherous maze of shadowy passages. Stalactites overhead provided perfect ambush points, forcing party to remain vigilant every step. Exhaustion gnawed at edges of awareness, but they dared not falter, lest one mistake prove fatal slipup.

At long last, as final chamber cleared, Lilith surveyed complete map of second floor spread before her eyes. Satisfied with preparation achieved she signaled retreat above once more.

– Good work team, – she praised tiredly: – Let’s get some real sleep, before we hit third level hard, when we’re ready.

With heavy lids closing they staggered out into welcoming sunlight – ready to face whatever new horrors awaited within Training Dungeon depths.

Third, fourth and fifth floors were filled with Shadow elementals. They needed four month to clear the floors, but Lilith was satisfied with their progress. Every two weeks Lilith brought them outside to rest and use Leveling Crystal. Their leveling slowed down, and most times their level did not increase, especially the higher levels they got, but even if slow there was progress, which satisfied Lilith.

As mercenaries descended into sixth floor, an eerie stillness permeated the air unlike any they’d encountered before. Glowing crystals embedded in ceiling cast sickly light over slick obsidian floors, hinting at sinister secrets lurking beyond reach.

– Stay sharp, – Lilith warned quietly, once she saw the monsters who inhabited the floor: – These crystalline oozes are no joke – their acid melts armor and burns skin like nothing we’ve faced.

Her words proved prophetic mere moments later, as first amorphous blob slithered into view, pulsing form dripping viscous ichor. Lilith struck quick with crackling bolt of lightning, but only succeeded angering creature further.

– Damn it’s tough! – Kragor grunted as blade of his axe glanced off shimmering hide. Beside him Cian danced nimbly to avoid trailing tendril, sword flashing ineffectually against resilient barrier.

Lilith casted Weakness, a Dark magic spell, which she learned during their rest, from Book of Darkness, which she kept in her Female Purse.

Kragor drive axe deep into quivering core with thunderous impact. Weakened monsters became vulnerable and tide of battle changed.

A screeching wail echoed from chamber walls, as monster began rapidly dissolving under combined assault. Yet even in death its dying throes sprayed droplets of burning acid across party members unprotected areas.

– Damn it burns! – Sharr hissed through gritted teeth. Lilith simply narrowed her eyes, calculating appraisal of new foe.

And so battles raged on. A relentless gauntlet testing limits of endurance against insidious crystalline horrors, determined to devour all, who dared tread their domain. After putting down a dozen monster, Lilith started considering retreat. She had to cast Cure spell, to heal her comrades, and her mana was starting to run low.

As next battle finally ceased, Lilith surveyed scene of carnage surrounding weary party. Crystaline remnants littered bloodstained floors, glistening in mockery victory hard won. Her own limbs ached with exhaustion, mana reserves drained nearly empty, from constant healing spells to maintain companion’s battered forms in functional condition.

– Everyone alright? – she asked between gasping breaths: – Think we can manage little rest time outside?

Nods answered her question, though silent pain evident by tight jaws and clenched teeth.
Just then unusual phenomenon caught corner eye – shimmering aura enveloping form of Cian, her Tuatha Dé Danann companion. His features shifted subtly muscles lengthening frame growing leaner somehow, despite already lithe build.

He flexed arms experimentally, before drawing blade to practice form. Motions fluid grace hinted at latent speed and power, barely restrained beneath calm exterior. Lilith watched in fascination, noting subtle changes to ripple through warrior’s stance – like unseen strings tightened to tune instrument which played with perfection.

– Impressive, – she remarked dryly, once display concluded: – Looks like you managed to evolve and evolution has its perks. Try keep that up won’t you? Might come handy, when facing truly nasty customers down road.

Cian only smiled with enigmatic nod and acceptance of praise. He managed to do the thing that not many Tuatha Dé Danann could. He evolved into higher being.

But for now it was time to leave the dungeon and get some rest. Together they limped to exit, which lead to outside world. To sunshine where they could recover lost energies and plan strategies to conquer trials, awaiting beyond in depths of Training Dungeon.