Chapter 12
Chapter 12
THE ONE TARGET we absolutely had to destroy was that nest.
However, there were many other daemons nearby that we had to deal with. First, there was the gigant the nest just spawned. Then there were scytherns—daemons with long, slender limbs like scythes—and other strange, unidentified daemons lurking in the shadows.
Without leaving the outer plane, we all sat down and began to discuss strategy.
“The nest I saw ten years ago was only about the size of one of those spheres,” said Gunnar, a grim look on his face.
Sedam’s expression was nearly the same. “I suspect the reason this nest was not found before is because the daemons were intentionally hiding it from us, down here, underground—until they could amass a force strong enough to be unstoppable.”
“Are you suggesting that the daemons planned this out?” said Clara.
“Well, daemons have been known to act in an organized way and use tactics in battle under the direction of a few leaders,” said Gunnar.
As I listened to the adventurers and knights carry on their discussion, I considered the best way to destroy the nest. In this situation, the one and only choice was Meteor. Although the spell is generally used to summon meteors from the sky, it is possible to summon the meteors inside an enclosed space. Given how large the room was, casting the spell would not pose a problem.
However, in order to cast the spell, I would have to leave the outer plane and return to normal space. It would be convenient if the nest did not react, but if it was able to attack in some way, simply casting the spell without any other precautions would be too dangerous. I floated the idea all the same.
“Absolutely not,” said Clara.
“If you die, we won’t be able to return from the outer plane, will we? Did you think about that?” said Sedam.
“Don’t even joke about doing that!” said Gillion.
“If something happens, I’ll be your shield!” said Leoria.
“If we become a burden to you, I will not begrudge you for abandoning us. Do as you will,” said Gunnar.
Everyone was against my idea of going out alone.
While I appreciate the sentiment, I thought, I’m not doing this because I’m overconfident. I’m just afraid of hurting you all if I make a mistake.
“I, for one, am sick and tired of you underestimating us,” said Clara.
“Clara, I…”
“Do you think we’re all dolls or something? Look again. These are warriors who have fought in numerous battles, he is a skilled adventurer, and I am a sorceress!”
Clara spoke with even more pride in her expression than usual. I did as she said, and took another look at the knights and adventurers who had come with me. I saw fear and anxiety, but also a strong will in each of their eyes that overpowered everything else.
These people have seen the horrors of the daemons and have not shrunk back. They have seen the power of my magic and yet do not cling to it, I thought. They deserve my respect. As much power as I have, compared to them, I am but a novice.
“All right.”
That is why I need the help of people like them.
I thought over the spellbooks I had ready in my archives and the magic items I had on hand, and considered a number of scenarios: What if that nest thing somehow charges at us? What if we’re attacked from behind?
“I want you all to lend me your help.”
Finally, I decided on a basic strategy to discuss with the rest of my team.
“In order for me to cast Meteor, we need to get inside that dome.”
While I should have no problem casting Meteor inside this dungeon…if I try to cast it from the hallway, it will probably explode against the walls of the dome before it gets anywhere near the target.
“So, once we get down to the bottom of the dome, we return to…normal space, correct?” said Clara.
“That’s the first hurdle. Next, I want to avoid the door. Instead, let’s move through the walls so we can get behind the nest, and then go down into the room.”
“Why don’t we walk down the steps?” said Gillion. “They can’t see us while we’re in the outer plane, right?”
Gillion was correct, but I still shook my head.
“I want to be extra careful. We haven’t run into any problems so far, but I don’t want to take any chances with that nest.”
“Hmm… Well, as long as I get a good grasp on the distance and concentrate, I don’t think I should have a problem leading us there,” said Sedam, volunteering.
“Then, once we’re back in normal space, I’ll need to be protected from the daemons and the nest.”
“From the looks of it, there are imps, gigants, scytherns, and other types of daemons as well. I’m not sure I can guarantee your safety. We’re a little short-handed for that,” said Sedam.
“Margilus, can’t you summon servants with your magic?” Clara asked.
“I can, indeed…”
At Clara’s suggestion, I decided to summon ogres to act as decoys and attack the nest head-on.
“Still, the gigant and even the nest itself may attack us. Regardless, I will need you to protect me for at least ten seconds, no matter what the cost.”
There was silence.
I, myself, had come to terms with the fact I could be stabbed or blown away by some incredible force. But as long as I keep as much of my concentration as I did when I petrified Jargle, I thought, I should still be able to cast the spell.
“Lord Margilus. Are you sure ten seconds is all you’ll need?”
“Yes. After that, you can leave the attacking to me.”
“You’re absolutely sure that you’ll destroy the nest after that?”
“Absolutely.”
Gillion was persistent. While it was hard to say such an attitude was admirable, I could tell from the tone of his voice that he was serious, so I nodded with conviction. Seeing that, he smiled.
“Understood! If that’s the case, then I won’t charge in and leave you behind. I’ll stay by your side and protect you!”
“Uh, thanks.”
You were planning on charging in?!
Well, I thought, better to have a little too much determination than none at all. Especially after setting eyes on that monstrous thing, and—if he’s suppressing his instinctive will to fight in order to protect me…that’s admirable in its own right.
“Brother… I will do the same!” said Leoria.
“I, too, will follow Sir Gillion’s fine example of courage,” added Gunnar.
Leoria and Gunnar, who knew Gillion far better and far longer than me, understood the weight behind his decision to concede the attack to another.
“Well…I may have to re-evaluate my opinion of you, Gillion,” said Clara.
“Agreed,” said Sedam, both of them smiling.
“Well, it took you long enough to see my greatness! I’m a Calbanera! Don’t you forget it!”
“Before we go in, allow me to cast some spells to strengthen your bodies and your weapons.”
“You’re going to use enchantments? Without tools or a proper workshop? Just how ridiculous are your powers, really?”
“Calm down. You can have that discussion later,” Sedam said to Clara, who looked exasperated.
“B-besides,” said Clara, pointing her finger at me, “when you summon meteors into that room, won’t we be blown away by the blast?”
That was a valid question. Without the proper preparations, we would, as Clara so delicately put it, absolutely be blown away by the blast.
“I have a special spell for that. You see…”
***
A few minutes later…
“Guraahh!”
“Gaaah!!!”
A dozen giant red ogres came barreling out of the hall and into the domed room. I had specifically charged two Create Ogre Platoon spells that day and I used both of them to form a team of decoys.
“Graah!”
The ogres lumbered down the stone steps and then scattered, some attacking the nest, some the newborn gigant, and the rest charging the other daemons in the room. When I created the ogres, I also cast Wall of Iron to seal the passage behind us and make sure other no daemons would come to join the fight.
Not for a moment did I believe the ogres had a chance at destroying the nest for us. I knew they could only serve as a diversion.
“Grroo?”
The gigant was slow to react to the ogres’ surprise attack and was dealt several blows, but none appeared to be lethal—and even though its reactions were slow, some of the ogres were thrown back when it swung its giant arm.
“Hyeee!”
There came a bird-like screech, one I had not heard from a daemon before. It was one of the scytherns. It used its avian limbs to spring into the air and slice into one of the ogres. Like its name suggested, the scythern had sharp appendages like scythes for its arms. It seemed to have missed its mark, but only just—while its first blow was not lethal, the ogre nonetheless sprayed blood from its wounds.
“Arroo!”
Flaming arrows came flying from a group of daemons clustered around the nest and struck into the ogres.
“Gwah?!”
These arrows of fire were far stronger than Jargle’s ice arrows. One ogre that was hit in the chest by one of those flames was instantly enveloped in fire. It burned like a torch.
“Those are mystils,” Gunnar explained. “They’re rare. The last confirmed sighting was ten years ago, and even then, there was only one.”
The mystils were taller than imps, and each held a staff. So, these are the sorcerer-type daemons, I thought. In that case, I expect there are other kinds to mirror warriors and priests. At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before the ogres are all wiped out.
But I have more than just ogres.
“Ghraaaa!”
It’s time for reinforcements.
A massive red creature with folded wings crept out from the tunnel beyond the chamber’s entrance. I had conjured it with the spell Create Monster: Any. It was a small red dragon. The beast measured six meters long, with a wingspan twice that length…small, by dragon standards, perhaps. Even so, this was a Level 12 monster, twice the strength of the ogres.
“Gyaoh!”
“Gii?!”
The red dragon flew straight at the gigant and sunk its sharp claws into its flesh. The mystils focused their attacks on the dragon, but their flame seemed hardly even to touch its hide.
“Amazing…” said Gunnar. “If it continues like this, that thing may take care of the daemons for us…”
“I doubt it,” I cautioned. “Remember, the purpose of these monsters is only to create a diversion.”
The nest itself had yet to make a move, but as an experienced gamer, my intuition told me that thing had something in store for us. Every gamer in every format knows: The last boss never goes down without a fight. I wanted to finish it off before it had a chance to show us what it could do. The fact that it wasn’t reacting to the ogres or the dragon only made my hunch more insistent.
“So far, all has gone according to plan. I’m counting on you to see this through.”
“Just who do you think you’re talking to?” said Clara, sarcastically.
“Yeah! Just you leave it to me!” Gillion replied.
Gillion and Clara were both energetic in their own way, but I could detect a hint of nervousness in them, as I could from the others, who nodded silently.
“W-we made it!”
“I told you we would.”
While the dragon and ogres continued their death match with the daemons, we were able to circle around inside the walls and come out on the other side of the domed room. It was all thanks to Move Outer Plane and Sedam’s ability to guide us through the earth accurately with nothing but his excellent sense of direction.
“Shaaa!”
“Grooo!”
The red dragon leaped onto the back of the gigant. The wyrm’s claws dug in, and it forced the daemon to the ground—and then showered it with plumes of fiery breath. As the two thrashed about, the dragon struck other daemons—scytherns and mystils—with its tail, turning its head to rain scorching fire on them as well.
And even then, the nest lay silent.
“All right,” I shouted, “Let’s go!”
It is time, I thought. No matter what happens next, concentrate on casting the spell.
We left the outer plane and returned to normal space.
“Gu-gyaah!”
“Gruooh!”
I raised my Staff of Wizardry high, its magical Light driving back the dungeon’s natural darkness. The screeches, screams, and howls of the monsters now filled our ears unimpeded, and their awful stench made it difficult to breathe—but I couldn’t let those things trouble me now.
“It’s time to show you what the Calbaneras are made of!”
“We’re counting on you, Lord Wizard!”
Gillion, Leoria, and Gunnar stood in front of me with their shields raised, while Sedam and Clara stood on either side of me. I had already cast Physical Boost on their bodies and Enchant on their weapons. Both spells had short durations, but their offensive and defensive abilities should have been significantly enhanced.
“Open, Gate of Magic. Reveal your form to me.”
The clock had started. Ten seconds to cast the spell. Ten seconds to slay the daemons. In my inner world, the black doors of the Gate of Magic appeared.
“Hii!”
“Arrooo!”
A few of the mystils and scytherns had already noticed our presence. Damn, they’re quick, I thought. The mystils aimed their staves at us, and the scytherns leaped ahead, blade-arms glistening.
“You think you can handle me?”
“You’ll have to try harder than that!”
The knights deflected the mystils’ fiery arrows with their shields and parried the scytherns’ arms with their swords.
Eight seconds remaining.
I heard the twang of a bow string, and two of the scytherns charging at us were struck dead between the eyes, stumbling face forward into the ground.
Seven seconds.
My imagined self trod through the Gate of Magic, into the chaotic realm, and down the dark stone steps of the spiral staircase.
It was then that I suddenly froze.
The nest opened its eye and looked at me.
The nest was made of several spheres piled atop one another. The eye appeared at the very top. It was not an organic, living eye. In fact, it might be more accurate to describe it as an eye-shaped symbol rather than a true eye. However, when those white lines appeared on the black surface of the sphere, I instinctively knew without a doubt that it was looking at me.
Six seconds.
A gruesome tearing rent the air, and the torso of the red dragon split open as it fell to the ground.
It was the work of a single tentacle ripping through the air—and anything else in its way—at high speed. That dark appendage was about as thick as a human torso, extending out from the surface of one of the spheres, and now it turned—slower after killing the dragon, but still fast—sweeping toward us.
“Ludora Ward!”
As Clara cried out the name of her incantation, a wall of gale-force winds howled between us and the nest; sand kicked up from the ground in a screen around us.
The wind wall stopped the advance of the tentacle…but only for an instant. The wind buckled, and then dispersed entirely. The Calbanera siblings raised their shields together.
“Don’t you underestimate us!”
“Yeah!”
The tentacle struck the siblings’ shields.
Five seconds.
“Haah!” Gillion and Leoria cried out in unison, and with a perfectly synchronized motion, they redirected the force of tentacle upward with their shields and over their heads.
With their doubled strength from Physical Boost and the added magical defense of their shields from Enchant, they were both able to withstand the force of that blow, deflecting it just high enough that it passed over all of our heads—though if it weren’t for Clara’s incantation deadening a significant portion of the strike, the siblings’ efforts may well have failed.
As the tentacle swung over us, the sudden change in air pressure fell heavy on our shoulders, alongside a loud rush of wind.
Four seconds.
Back in the chaotic realm, I touched the spellbook I had chosen on its rest and released its chaotic energy. It swirled in a flash of light and then converged in my hand.
Gillion and Leoria’s knees buckled. They both fell to the ground, rolling from the residual force of the strike they’d endured. Gunnar leaped forward to grab them before they left the safe zone I’d specified before we left the outer plane.
Three seconds.
The nest’s giant eye blinked, and its tentacle accelerated as it spun back around.
The shining chaotic energy folded into a small triangular pyramid: a single four-sided die. As a player of old TTRPGs, its form was very nostalgic to me, but I did not savor it.
Two seconds.
“Ludora Ward!” Clara shouted, but this time, the wall of wind did not materialize.
“Come on!” I shouted, rolling the die.
One second.
The numbers of the four-sided die were labeled at the base of the triangle. After a few short hops, the die landed on 1.
“Time Stop,” I cried, and everything froze.
“Phew…” I let out a sigh.
The Rank 9 spell Time Stop froze the flow of time for everyone but me. The shouts and screams and yells had ceased, and no one else moved: not the knights, not the adventurers, not the daemons, not even their nest.
The rules were ironclad: a die roll of 1 gave me twenty seconds before everything was set back in motion. With those twenty seconds, I cast two spells.
Time resumed—and the two spells I cast simultaneously went into effect.
The first spell I cast during Time Stop was Wall of Force, which created an impenetrable and transparent spherical force field encompassing the six members of our team.
The second spell I cast was Meteor, but this time I used a different variant, which summoned one giant meteor to strike one target, rather than eight smaller meteors to strike an area.
The sound that followed was more like a short whistle than a scream. The giant meteor I summoned to the ceiling of the dome collided with the nest with such force and speed that the path it took was nearly imperceptible.
What could be seen was the aftermath. The nest’s original shape and form was instantaneously destroyed. What was left of it sprayed out in all directions. It was like someone had popped a balloon full of mud. The outward spray of the nest’s remains was soon followed by a blinding white flash of flames, their searing roar accompanied by an intense shock wave.
I felt as if someone was screaming, but I couldn’t hear or see a thing. It might have been me.
In terms of physical sturdiness, Wall of Force is the strongest barrier that can be created in D&B. The rulebook states that it cannot be destroyed by any physical means. As such, it completely shielded us from the force of the blast from the meteor’s impact.
However, the barrier was permeable to light and sound, and the strain these two effects put on us caused everyone to fall to their knees.
I felt something soft on my back and neck and realized that Clara was clinging to me from behind. Dazed, I looked around—everyone had made it. Gillion’s left arm was unnaturally twisted. It must have broken when he redirected the tentacle attack.
“Damn, this hurts.”
“Brother!” Leoria ran over to Gillion.
“We did it, didn’t we, wizard?” Sedam sat on the ground beside me, an exhausted smile on his face.
I couldn’t answer.
I was still trying to process what I’d just seen. The very instant the nest was destroyed…inside it, there was…
In the center of the explosion, as the outer layers of the nest were blown away, I’d seen a closed set of pitch-black doors.
I’ve seen doors like that before… That thing has the same essence…as the Gate of Magic!