The Legendary Dungeon Master

Chapter 18: Chapter 18: The Gathering

The rescue party ventured deeper into the dungeon. The stillness that had reigned over the dungeon following the battle against the Dungeon Hounds had returned.

Rayan led the vanguard, his hand resting lightly on the pommel of his sword. Dev followed close behind, his own weapon sheathed, but his shield at the ready.

Nisha and Tara kept to the group, while the Guild Master kept to the center of the formation. Mira kept to the support members, for several long moments no one said anything. It was Dev who finally turned to Rayan. ”You haven’t said much,” He remarked. Rayan was silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed on the tunnel ahead. ”I’m thinking about Arin,” he replied at last. Dev sighed heavily.

”So am I.” Rayan’s grip on his weapon got tighter. ”He knew he might die.” Dev shot him a look. Rayan’s gaze darkened. ”He stood his ground when we were facing that Minotaur.” ”I remember.”

Dev said looking down. ”He could have run with us.” Rayan’s gaze dropped to the floor. ”But he didn’t.”. Dev said nothing for a long moment.

Nisha, who had been silent until now gave a small, sad smile. ”He saved our lives,” she said softly. Tara gave a small nod in agreement. ”If he hadn’t have done what he did we wouldn’t have been able to escape.” Rayan stopped walking and turned to the group. ”That’s why we have to find him.” Dev gave a solemn nod. ”We will.”

Rayan turned his gaze back to the tunnel ahead. ”I only hope we’re not too late.” No one had anything to say to that. It was all too true. At last the Guild Master spoke. ”We should keep moving.” They pressed on.

____________

Mira kept to the center of the formation, her senses on edge. She watched every shadow, and heard every distant sound. She had spent years worrying over Arin, but this was different. This time she couldn’t just sit and wait for him to come home. She thought back to the morning he had left. He had looked different then, there had been something in his eyes that had caught her attention. It was something she hadn’t seen in a long time.

Determination.

Arin hadn’t always been that way. Something had changed when his parents died. He was just a boy, barely old enough to understand what was happening. She could still remember the long nights he had spent locked in his room, unwilling to come out. It was as if the life had been drained from him. He still talked of his dreams, but never of the future. She had tried to coax him out of his stupor, had done everything she could think of to help him, but she could never seem to bring him back to how he used to be.

Not until recently.

When he had told her he wanted to join the ranks of the Dungeon Hunters she had been more than a little surprised. She had tried to talk him out of it, but there had been something in his eyes again.

That same determination.

For the first time in years he had a goal, a dream. Mira’s gaze turned back to the tunnel ahead.

”I hope you’re still fighting,” She murmured to herself. Tara gave a small smile. ”You said something,” she noted. Mira blinked. ”No. I didn’t.” Tara’s smile grew. ”We’ll find him.” ”I know.” But it didn’t stop her from worrying.

_______

The dungeon began to change as they pressed on. The rock walls grew older looking, less worked. The blue crystals became more sparse, until they hardly saw any at all. Even the air grew thicker.BFinally Rayan gave a small frown as he looked around. ”Does anyone know where we are?” Dev gave a shake of his head. Nisha turned around, looking at the area with a curious look. ”I don’t recognize this place,” she admitted. ”Neither do I,” Tara added, looking over at the Guild Master. The older man studied the area for a moment before he frowned and turned back to the map.

”This area isn’t supposed to be on the first floor,” he muttered darkly. Rayan blinked. ”What do you mean?” The Guild Master gestured at the map. ”We should have reached the edge of the first floor a while ago.” Dev looked around. ”And now?” ”I don’t know.”

The guild master replied. That wasn’t an answer anyone wanted to hear. Rayan turned his gaze back to the tunnel.

”Do you think Arin could have gotten this far?” The Guild Master gave a slow nod.

”It’s possible.”

Mira immediately turned to the Guild Master. ”Then we keep going.”We will,” she said firmly.

They set off again. It didn’t take long for Rayan to stop yet again. ”Wait.” Everyone halted as they looked at what he found. Rayan reached down and picked up the object from the ground, turning it over in his hands. ”I know what this is.” Dev walked up beside him and frowned. ”What is it?” Rayan turned the object over in his hands.

”It belonged to Arin.” Mira was immediately at his side. ”Are you sure?” Rayan gave a slow nod. ”I saw him wearing it this morning before we went in.” Mira’s breath hitched as she looked at the object in Rayan’s hands. Her fingers twitched.

”Then he’s still alive.” Nisha shot a glance at the item. ”It doesn’t prove that.” Mira frowned at her. ”But if it was dropped recently...”Nisha trailed off as she looked down the tunnel. ”Then there’s a chance.” Rayan’s gaze was drawn to the tunnel as well. ”Look,” he said quietly, gesturing at the ground. There were footprints embedded in the dirt. Human footprints. Dev’s eyes widened as he looked at them. ”They’re fresh.” Rayan knelt to get a better look.

”He’s been here.” Mira’s heart was beating faster as she looked over at Rayan. ”Arin.” Rayan looked down the tunnel, his eyes narrowing. ”We’re getting closer.” For the first time in while hope returned to the group. The Guild Master’s gaze turned back to the tunnel. ”Wait,” he said suddenly. Everyone turned to look at him. He gestured at the ground. ”There are other sets of prints.” Dev turned his gaze to follow the Guild Master’s line of sight. They were large prints, much bigger than human ones. ”What could have made those?” Dev asked. ”I don’t know,” the Guild Master admitted. Before anyone could say anything else a sound echoed through the tunnel.

Scrape.

Scrape.

Everyone raised their weapons as they looked towards the sound. Rayan was the first to react. ”Something is coming.” The group fell into a defensive formation as they waited for whatever was making the noises to appear. It didn’t take long for them to see what it was. It was massive, its scaled body thrashing against the dirt floor, its claws scraping against the stone walls.

The adventurers prepared to finish the beast off, but it stopped struggling. It turned its gaze on them. Then it turned its gaze back towards the darkness at the end of the tunnel. It’s body tensed. Rayan frowned.

”What is it doing?”

The creature turned its back on the party and began to run away. Everyone turned their attention to where it had been. Dev lowered his shield. ”Did that monster just run away?” Nisha gave a slow nod.

”Yes.”

Rayan turned his attention to the Guild Master.

”Why?”

The Guild Master took in the sight before him before turning his gaze to the tunnel. ”I don’t know.” He turned back to the group.

”Follow it.”

Rayan blinked in surprise.

”You’re serious?”

”We need to know what it was running from.”

The Guild Master pushed himself forward, the others following his example. They soon came to a large chamber, its walls stretching impossibly high. The group halted as dozens of monsters turned their heads to stare at the newcomers. Monsters of all shapes and sizes stared silently at the small group of adventurers.

Dev lowered his shield.

”What is this place?”

Rayan turned to the Guild Master. ”Why aren’t they attacking?” Nisha’s gaze swept over the room. ”There’s nothing for them to guard.” Tara gestured at the monsters. ”They’re just standing around.” The Guild Master gave a slow nod as he took in the sight before him. ”They’re waiting.” Rayan turned his gaze back to the Guild Master.

”Waiting for what?”

The Guild Master had no answer. It was Mira who first noticed something was wrong. It was strange the way the monsters were watching them. They weren’t attacking, they weren’t guarding, they weren’t even interested in fighting. It was as if something else had their attention. Her fingers brushed against the ground as she walked forward.

”Mira.”

Rayan turned his gaze to her. She stopped beside one of the footprints.

A human footprint.

Mira knelt down and narrowed her eyes.

”He’s been here.”

Rayan pushed forward.

”Arin?”

Mira gave a slow nod. ”Yes.”

Rayan turned his gaze back to the tunnel.

”He came this way.”

The Guild Master studied the footprint.

”If they’re fresh...”

”Then he’s still alive.” Rayan finished for him.

Mira let out a slow breath.

Suddenly the ground shook.

BOOM!

A thick cloud of dust poured from the ceiling. The monsters all turned their heads to look at the disturbance. Rayan instantly drew his weapon. ”What was that?”

No one had an answer.

A deep sound rumbled from far below the ground in the distance.

ROOOOOOOAR!

The sound rolled through the dungeon walls, sending shivers down the spines of the adventurers. The monsters all turned their heads towards the source. Some dropped their heads, others took a step back. One of the larger ones actually began to tremble. Dev turned his gaze to them.

”They’re afraid.”

The Guild Master tightened his grip on his weapon.

”Everyone stay close,” he ordered.

Another deep, terrifying sound echoed from deep within the dungeon. It was closer this time, but none of the monsters attacked. Not even the largest one made a move toward the adventurers. All of their gazes were fixed on one direction.

Rayan swallowed hard. ”Whatever is down there...” He tightened his grip on his sword. ”...even these monsters are afraid of it.” Mira stood at Rayan’s side, her gaze fixed on the darkness. Then came another sound.

Step.

The monsters tensed.

Step.

Rayan raised his weapon.

Step.

The Guild Master took a step forward.

”Everyone be ready.”

The rescue party fell into formation as the monsters watched the darkness. Just ahead, something was approaching.