Chương 14: Chapter Thirteen

Heading back in generally the same direction he'd come from allowed him to truly appreciate how much quicker he was within his bracer. Bob easily covering three or even four times the distance he had been previously. Though this was probably aided by him refusing to search all but the most tempting of stone outcroppings or piles of brush. Eventually this determination proved its worth, however. With what had previously taken well over a day cut to a quick eight or so hours with his new form of locomotion.

Bob beginning to enter the choppier waters of the shallows far sooner than he'd anticipated. There, the battering currents which had once sent him tumbling back downhill met their match in his new size and slightly fuller stomach. Though the bracer, truly, was the real MVP of the situation. Not only did its thick leather add far more mass to his otherwise flimsy body, but it also kept that flimsy body contained.

The rushing waters no longer able to pull and tug at his billowy shape as he pressed through them in hopes of reaching his destination. Visibility was reduced, but honestly not by as much as he'd expected. Bob still able to make out objects within about five to eight feet. Though, with the increasingly rough waters beginning to drag more and more silt off the lake-bottom, he wasn't sure how long that would last. Around an hour or so later, however, he was surprised to find his prior predictions incorrect.

The water actually clearing slightly as the lake's sandy bed was replaced by bare stone. Bare stone which, to his joy, was beginning to develop a significantly steeper incline. The change in the landscape caused Bob to push himself even further. His hard work seemingly rewarded as a shape began to manifest itself from the gloom in front of him. A massive wall of stone and slime indicating that he'd finally reached the edge of the subterranean body of water he'd been thrown into. Finally reached the Lake's shore.

It was just too bad it appeared to be a few dozen feet above his head. And that's if it was there at all. As Bob peered up through discordant waters, he thought he could make out the subtle shadow of a ledge somewhere far above him; but the only real 'proof' he had were the streams of water he could both see and hear plunging into the surface of the lake. Run-off, he assumed. Likely from the dozens of squirming tunnels which exited out into the vast cavern. Still, Bob didn't let himself get discouraged.

Well, maybe he did a bit, but it was that tired, resigned kind of discouragement which comes from already foreseen ill-outcomes. He figured there was a better than average chance he'd run into a wall. Hell, Bob figured, given the lake's subterranean nature, there was a better than average chance it was all walls. He was just also banking on all this flowing water creating a few ramps or chutes with a tame enough incline that he might be able to slug his way up.

Unfortunately, scouting around the base of the wall showed no signs of such features. Bob finding only sheer stone and almost suffocating masses of algae. Grey-green sludge which clung tenaciously to everything it touched. Including Bob, who was forced to scrape himself along the lake's stoney bottom in order to peel it from his sides. Once he'd extricated himself from the slimy gunk, Bob stared up at the wall for a moment; seemingly motionless in thought. Before then turning left.

His crystalline eye searching for cracks or valleys carved into the wall as he began to slowly trudge alongside the algae-covered barrier. It was actually, to some degree, a peaceful and relaxing activity. At least when compared to being chased by a murderous blob. The slime-coated wall almost making him feel like he was at an aquarium. Perhaps inside one of those 'underwater tunnels' that you can walk through. Only one where the tunnel was actually underwater.

And where the aquarium was badly financed and not at all maintained. After a few hours of mostly unchanging scenery however, Bob found his mind drawn to other things. Mostly thoughts on what he'd do once out of the lake. Plans for slowly crawling his way up through the Dungeon and into the town far above. His main hopes centered on finding a slope or shoreline reasonable enough that he could crawl out without leaving his bracer.

Beyond serving as armor and an effective mode of transportation, he also hoped to utilize it as a mobile hiding spot once above the water. It seemed unlikely, given the reactions of the men he'd encountered, that a random coin-purse encountered in a Dungeon would be regarded with anything less than suspicion. Something he really couldn't afford at the moment; what with his near-complete inability to flee or defend himself. A broken, battered piece of armor however, would be of far less interest.

At least if he managed to detect any adventurers coming before they happened upon him. Bob doubting that the confusion they'd feel upon seeing him 'inch' his way around a corner would spare his life for more than a few seconds. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it. Still, he felt decently confident in that, at least. He seemed capable of seeing in the dark now, if nothing else. Which at least gave him an advantage over any humans he'd run into. Well, probably.

Given the existence of 'Classes' and 'Species Evolutions' he supposed he couldn't say for sure. Still, he figured it was best to think positive. Bob continued on this way for some time. His fear of missing some near-hidden exit from the lake the only thing keeping him from drifting into endless daydreams. Even then though, he often found himself 'zoning out'. Becoming mostly unaware of his surroundings as he occupied himself with searching for cracks in the slime-covered stone.

Which was why he didn't notice when the surrounding currents began slowly increasing in volatility. Or when visibility began to lessen. Only breaking out of his daze when a mild, vibrating 'hum' began filling the water. It took a few moments before he realized what was happening. A few moments which more or less stripped him of any chance to search for cover. Not that there was really any cover to search for.

By the time he'd started to inch his way toward a slightly jagged overhang lower in the wall – one he hoped he might wedge himself under – visibility was becoming bad enough that he quickly lost sight of it. The clouds of sand and dirt flooding in from above now, rather than below. As well as other, larger, objects. Random stones and bits of debris starting to 'thud' onto the top of his bracer. Some of them large enough to knock him off balance.

Nearing the wall, he found himself passing some invisible demarcation line, whereupon the turbulent waters seemed to decide to help him rather than hinder. The radiating impact of it entering the lake above now pushing Bob further into the wall, rather than away. Though that wasn't to say the experience had otherwise lessened in its horribleness. Bob did his best to move forward as the waters around him raged. Frequently being picked up by the tumult and thrown heavily into the wall beside him.

Each impact seeming only inches from dealing actual damage. He wasn't sure he was even heading in the right direction until he actually bumped into the jutting portion of stone. The next five to ten minutes being an awkward and aggravating struggle as he did his best to wedge himself in place while the current continually pulled and tugged at his every available surface. Eventually, he managed it. Getting himself tightly lodged under the stone just as the surrounding waters became even more chaotic.

Visibility nearing zero as everything around him became a swirling mess of silt and sand. The next few hours were both trying and anxiety inducing. Bob continually having to re-wedge himself under the stone throughout the entire period. Mind awash with fears of what would happen if the flooding grew any worse. Or if it dislodged something large from the cave wall above. Luckily, none of that came to pass.

The floodwaters, though continuously ebbing and flowing in strength during the period, never becoming furious enough to pry him out from beneath his little crag. Eventually, they began petering out altogether. Visibility being the last thing to return to normal. The large clouds of silt in the water taking over an hour to fully settle. After which Bob was left ruffled but, oddly enough, also feeling rather accomplished.

The potential of the lake flooding had been one of his primary concerns when he'd decided to start towards the shallows. He'd hoped, given the sunny day he'd seen through the large hole in the ceiling not eight hours back, that he'd have more time before he had to worry about it. But being able to weather it altogether was a hell of a second choice. So, as Bob continued on, it was with a bit more pep in his step. And even slightly strengthening hope for his future success.

Hope which, some hours later, was only buoyed by the changes in his surroundings. The once ninety-degree angle of the wall now beginning to gentle. Visible ledges starting to appear not far above the waterline. Bob felt his excitement mounting. Doing his best to hurry his pace as he navigated the occasionally treacherous terrain. Certain that he was going to find a way up to the shore within the next few hours. And terribly upset when he once more felt the currents begin to increase around him.

A gentle 'hum' starting to echo from the waters above. He was also, however, far more prepared. Bob having forced himself to keep his eye out for suitable cover during the journey. Not wanting to be as caught out as he was last time. Because of this, he was already fully wedged under a moderately sized boulder before visibility even began to lessen. His form pressed between it and the wall, with very little in the way of wiggle room. Something he was later quite happy about.

Given that this storm seemed quite a bit more intense than the previous one. The waters were battering. Bob easily able to feel their strength even tucked away beneath the boulder. The large stone ringing like a drum as it was near-continuously impacted by large chunks of debris. Still, despite its superior strength, Bob was finding himself more likely to fall prey to boredom than panic this time around. Especially when it carried on well past the three-hour mark.

The storm only settling down after putting in what felt like a full work day. Filling the reservoir up with what must be an un-godly amount of water. And nearly burying Bob under a pile of sand and debris. It taking him almost an additional hour to dig himself out. Afterwards, however, the waters seemed far calmer than they had before. Whatever weather system had been hovering over Bob's dismal domain seemingly having passed through; much to his relief.

As he pressed forward, he hoped that was the last he'd see of them. Figuring that, should an exit exist, he'd probably be able to find it within a few days at the maximum. Short enough that another storm shouldn't have time to roll through. Bob's luck wasn't that bad, after all.