The ornate door creaked open with a low groan, revealing a spiraling staircase carved into dark stone. I hesitated at the threshold, lantern in hand, as the glow of bioluminescent fungi crept into view. The cavern ahead shimmered with faint, eerie light. Tendrils of glowing vegetation laced the walls and ceiling, weaving through crystalline veins that pulsed faintly, as though alive with their own strange energy.
"What the fook," Hamish muttered with awe and caution. He fiddled with the straps on the scavenged kobold leather armor, his jagged sword balanced across his shoulder. "Feels like walkin' into one o' those tales the old folks told to keep us outta the caves."
I crouched to inspect one of the glowing fungi. My archaeologist instincts flared as I traced a gloved finger along its cap, the bioluminescence soft to the touch. "If the old tales looked anything like this, I'd have ignored the warnings too."
"Somehow, that doesn't comfort me, Robbie," Hamish said with a grunt, his eyes flicking warily up the staircase ahead. "This lot looks more like the belly of a dragon than some fairy grotto."
I chuckled but kept focused. With a subtle gesture, I activated my scanning ability, watching as lines of glowing text floated into view.
Moira's voice slipped softly into my thoughts; her alluring voice settled into the quiet corners of my mind. "Robert, these glowing decorations are not just for show. That fungus you're inspecting is called Luminous Vein Fungus. It's uncommon in Albion but valued for its ability to enhance light-based alchemical potions, particularly for restoration."
She paused, her tone shifting to one of quiet admiration. "And those crystals—Radiant Crystal Veins—they are rare. They contain raw mana in its purest form, essential for crafting materials or as energy catalysts. You'd be wise to gather some while you can."
I was definitely interested in the crystals. "Hamish, these aren't just glowing decorations. The fungi can be used for potions, and what about these crystals? They're raw mana sources. We need to collect some."
Hamish raised an eyebrow. "Collect it? With what, your knife?" He swung his jagged blade experimentally. "Not exactly a miner's tool."
"Improvisation," I said, pulling out my knife and scraping a sample of the glowing fungi into a pouch from my inventory. Even after sealing, the faint glow persisted. "Use your sword for the crystals—carefully."
Hamish grunted but complied, his movements deliberate as he brought the jagged edge down on a crystal vein. I watched as the blade met the crystal with a satisfying crack, the sound echoing sharply in the cavern and sending a shiver through me at its precision. The shard splintered, its pieces glowing as they fell to the ground. He picked one up, turning it in his hand. "This thing's brighter than a lantern."
I quickly added the shards to my inventory, the magical interface making the process effortless. "Keep at it. These will be invaluable."
As I worked, the sound of a low vibration reached my ears, faint at first but growing steadily louder. I could feel the vibration in my feet, pausing my inspection of the vines. I paused, my knife hovering above another patch of fungi. "Do you hear that?"
Hamish straightened, his grip tightening on his sword. "Aye. And I don't like it."
The hum deepened into a rhythmic vibration, resonating through the walls and floor. The bioluminescent fungi dimmed, their glow flickering uncertainly. Even the radiant crystals pulsed, as though cowering from the heavy rumble.
"It's coming from below," I said cautiously. He took a step forward, peering down the spiraling staircase.
Before he could say more, the hum sharpened into a distinct click. The staircase lit up with glowing symbols, and a deep, thundering voice filled the cavern.
Moira's words filled our mind again, this time with a teasing lilt. "Ah, a Trial of Wit. This place appears to have a tendency to challenge those who venture into its depths. Solve the riddle, and you may proceed."
I met Hamish's wary gaze as the glowing symbols brightened, their intricate patterns dancing across the walls. My breath hitched slightly, the shimmer of the symbols pulling at my thoughts as if they held secrets meant just for me. The voice returned, authoritative and calm.
"I am the keeper of passage. Only those who solve my riddle may descend further into the depths."
A shimmering panel of text appeared before them, its glowing letters floating midair.
Riddle: I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind. What am I?
"Of course there's a riddle," Hamish muttered, shaking his head. "What kind of dungeon throws riddles at you?" Can't we just bash through the bloody door?"
I chuckled despite the tension, tapping my chin thoughtfully. Could this place be any more cliche? But I responded anyway, "Classic riddle. The answer's 'an echo.'"
The glowing symbols pulsed brightly as the voice returned. "Correct. You may proceed."
The magical vibrations ceased, and the staircase ahead illuminated in a soft golden light.
The staircase eventually opened into a larger cavern, its walls rough and uneven. The sparse glow of bioluminescent fungi had given way to darker stone, interrupted by sharp outcroppings of crystal veins. The air hung cool and damp, heavy with the scent of earth and mineral, laden with a musty dampness, a thick odor that refused to leave our senses.
As we advanced, my scanning ability ignited, shedding light on the dark cavern within my mind. Resources shimmered like constellations scattered through the darkness, their glow tugging at my attention. I made mental notes of the most valuable deposits, though our time felt limited. I was ready to get this whole experience over with and take a bath.
"This place is a treasure trove," I said, his tone awed. "We'll need to come back once we're better prepared."
"Assuming we get out alive," Hamish grumbled, his eyes scanning the shadows.
My pulse quickened at the sudden sound of shuffling feet and guttural murmurs, the noises piercing the cavern's stillness and sending a chill down my spine. I tightened my grip on the lantern, scanning the darkness for movement. From the darkness, a group of kobolds emerged, their crude weapons glinting in the dim light. These kobolds were larger and better armed than the ones we faced before, their eyes gleaming with malicious intent.
"Here we go again," I muttered, raising my hand and summoning a volley of thorn projectiles. "Stay behind me." I said, nearly forgetting his recent upgrades through Moira's gifts.
"Not likely," Hamish retorted, gripping his sword tighter.
The battle was swift and brutal. I raised my hand, a flurry of thorns launching with pinpoint accuracy, each one finding its mark. When a kobold darted to the side, I summoned jagged spikes from the ground, impaling it mid-leap. The synergy of my spells felt like second nature now, but I kept a close watch on my mana reserves; running dry wasn't an option here.
I watched as Hamish dove into the fray, his movements sharp and forceful. Each strike of his blade carried a newfound strength that left me both impressed and grateful for his support. His jagged sword flashed as he unleashed a Double-Beat Strike, cleaving through a kobold's shield before the rebound carried his blade into another's chest. Bodies and limbs scattered in his wake; each swing of the jagged edge was devastating. Although I missed seeing him swing that shovel and its funny sound effects as it connected with kobold heads, this swordsman was far more effective at bloody work.
The last kobold fell with a wet thud, its body dissipating into shining motes of light as I refined its essence. Hamish exhaled sharply, wiping his blade against his leg. "Well, that was invigorating', wasn't it?" I nodded, catching my breath as the faint glow of loot began to appear where the kobolds had stood.
Hamish crouched over the resting loot I had created, kicking aside a shield before rummaging through their crude belongings. "Well, look at this," he said, holding up a jagged iron dagger. "Not exactly a masterwork, but it'll do if we're desperate."
He dug further, pulling out a glowing crystal. "Now this is interestin'. Looks like one of' those mana stones you were eyeing earlier, Robbie."
Finally, he hoisted a piece of tattered leather armor. "And this. Better than nothing, though it smells foul." He tried to put it on with a grimace but managed to give his vital torso areas a bit of protection. "Now I smell like a latrine. Great."
"Another dagger," I said, adding it to my inventory. "Want it?"
Hamish shook his head. "I'll stick with my sword, thanks."
I turned my attention to the mana crystals, their enchanted shine pulsing gently in my hand. "These are useful for crafting. Let's hold onto them."
"Moira," I said, "This place is massive. Are we just doing this the rest of our lives?" Hamish just nodded in agreement with my comment. She chuckled at my complaint, "I have nothing to do with that, vessel. Though this journey is going to be worth it. Although it's training for you and Hamish, this place is unique in Albion, and clearing it of corruption will unlock a key source of power for the future."
"Oh," I said, obliviously. "Well, I've made it this far; may as well see it to the end." Hamish was walking
ahead while I spoke to Moira, and suddenly halted his feet. "Whoa," he said softly. Robert, come look at this."