Chương 79: Arc 2 - Chapter 21

There was a lot of heat actually. The black stone under Fritz's feet was uneven and cracked, but still slick like glass. He made little sound, creeping out into the dark mountain pass and ducking behind one of the jutting, jagged stones that littered the slope. The tall, glossy stones flanked the path forward, like fangs in some dragon's maw. The sky was roiling with grey-black clouds and flashes of red light danced within, booming dully with distant thunder.

It felt like the whole floor was shaded in reds and blacks, with only the bright orange of the rivers of liquid fire standing out amongst the haze. After mere moments, his team followed, joining him in hiding behind the stones, their eyes wide and ears alert for danger. Fritz gave them the signal to stay put while he scouted ahead. He pulsed his Awareness and Door sense, rapidly receiving a response. Upwards and to his right, towards the mountain's missing peak and the heart of the suffocating heat.

A dull ache throbbed in his mind from his short use of his Advanced Attribute, but it was well worth the pain. Fritz looked past the rocks and up the path, then over his shoulder and down the path. He saw no danger, but he was already beginning to sweat. From behind there was a slight incline leading up the mountain. He smiled. You're n ot going to get me with the 'forward must be the right way' trick. Fritz turned, starting his scouting mission, slinking from stone to stone.

He peered in the many craters and holes that were scattered along the path's edges. Some were as large as a bathtub and some as small as a bucket. Most were empty but a few were filled with the huge, single-horned lizards from his vision. The black scaled beasts seemed to be a solitary sort with none of the craters or cracks in the mountain housing more than one of them.

Fritz saw that if any of the obsidian-scaled creatures met each other as they skittered from crack to crater they would fight until one was driven out. Though their talons were wickedly sharp they didn't try to slash or cut with them. They would instead pry with their horns and bite at each other's scales, trying to pull them off and pierce the hide underneath. However, the most shocking thing he saw was the sudden bursts of flame the lizards would spit at each other.

A hissing whine, a flash of orange, splashing harmlessly on the glossy, black scales that reminded him of roof tiles. The victorious would keep the crater and the defeated would flee then languish in the cracks, licking its wounds and its missing sections of scales. Solitary and territorial, seemingly spurred to move by the infrequent rumbling beneath the ground. He was glad to be able to observe the creature's strange habits and vicious demeanour from his hiding spot amongst the stones.

With the combination of their rock-hard scales and wickedly sharp talons fighting these lizards would be tiring and potentially deadly for the pathless. He resolved to avoid these beasts where he could. While he watched, he suddenly felt the urge to test out his new Ability. To see the limits of the curse's range and power. He snuck forward to a crater's lip and peered down at a particularly gnarled specimen with a fine, long, black horn.

Once he had caught a glimpse he called on his Dusksong and it shifted eagerly. A wave of cold, invisible energies flowed from his outstretched hand and settled on the creature below, embracing it with a cruel caress. Nothing happened. Fritz watched, knowing that Lethargy would take time to work. For some minutes there were no changes to the lizard's bearing except a subtle dimming of its red-hot coal eyes. Then on the third, or maybe fourth minute, its thick eyelids began to droop and its stocky body began to sag.

It shuddered, then slowly curled up with its tail wrapped around its scaly bulk. It slumped, closed its eyes to slits of red but didn't sleep. Damn, Fritz cursed inwardly. He then amended his disappointment. Having a monster fall asleep may have been too much to ask, but causing a beast to lower it's guard was a precious Power indeed. Especially since the lizard didn't even notice the curse being cast. So what if it lacked the capacity to completely contain a monster?

There were always Evolutions or other ways to increase its effectiveness. And it wasn't like making a beast sluggish and slow wasn't useful in and of itself. He was also glad to find that Lethargy aligned with his Dusksong perfectly like Illusory Shadow, which was a great boon in his book. Having seen what he needed to and having plotted a way forward, Fritz returned to his team with a smirk on his face. They were sweating, as was he, and they startled when he shrugged off his Cloak of Dusk.

"Gods. Do you have to do that?" Carter whispered.

"Yes," Fritz said, not bothering to keep his voice quiet.

"Don't have to whisper, the lizards react to the trembling of the stone, not sounds on the wind."

"Lizards?" Lauren asked pointedly.

"Yes, there are lizards. Waist tall and about nine feet long, thick black scales and big blacker talons," Fritz explained.

"Vicious. Though they seem content to sit in their craters and cracks, except when the stone quakes."

"Oh, is that all?" Bert asked blandly.

"Is that all?!" Carter hissed.

"Just enormous lizards that could gut you with one swipe?"

"No. That's not all," Fritz announced as if presenting some grand prize, drawing the team's attention back to him.

"They also spit fire."

"Wonderful!" Bert said as a grin stretched his face.

"And why is that wonderful?" Rosie asked in full seriousness.

"A new enemy to fight. A new threat to crush. A new meat to savour," Bert said, licking his lips at the last words.

"More powerful foes means we're more likely to get better Abilities," Fritz provided.

"Isn't that right Lauren?"

"It is," She replied eagerly.

"You can often be offered Abilities similar to the ones the monsters use. These lizards spit fire you say?"

"I do say," Fritz said and Lauren beamed, eyes gleaming.

"Speaking of Abilities I forgot to ask what you all ended up choosing."

"Guess what I picked," Rosie said, pulling up her leather bracer and her shirt sleeve showing a long patch of scales running up and past her elbow.

"Ah, I see you chose Wavestrider," Lauren said drily.

"No. I took the scales," She said bluntly, waving a glimmering grey-green arm at Lauren's smirking face.

"See." Lauren's smirk faltered and fell away, replaced with a slight frown.

"Armour-clad Acclimation," George said.

"Oh? What does that do?"

"Fritz asked.

"Makes my armour feel lighter, but don't think its weight actually changed. And it feels more comfortable to wear. Works wonders with the cloak," George said with a smile.

"Now that I know there's truly a danger of fire here I'm going to pick Fire Resistance," Lauren stated as she sat.

"Perhaps align some Attributes too. Endurance especially should help in this heat," Fritz suggested. She seemed to think for a moment and nodded once before falling into her Sanctum.

"Anyone got any charcoal?" Bert asked.

"Why?" Carter asked.

"No reason," Bert said with a bland grin. One that made him look like a dullard.

"My good friend here probably wants to apply some unflattering images to our esteemed appraiser's face," Fritz explained.

"I would be, of course, all for it if we weren't in a Spire. Alas, to single the poor lass out would be in bad taste." A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Poor lass," Carter scoffed.

"She's far richer than us, might even be richer than you."

"You're likely right. Though her riches are family wealth, and untouchable for a runaway," Fritz reminded him.

"Yeah, well she could always go running back," Carter said.

"Too true," Fritz replied.

"Though I don't think she'd be as well received as you believe." Carter shrugged and glowered at the ground.

"What did you pick, Carter?" Bert asked. He kept quiet, glaring at the ground and mumbling something about 'unfairness'.

"Tell you what. How about an Ability for an Ability? Me and Bert reveal one of ours for yours in trade?" Fritz offered.

"If it's one for each of you then it's a deal," Carter said. Fritz glanced to Bert who nodded.

"I'll go first. I have Concussive Blow," Bert said as his fist started to ripple and pulse with force.

"It does this!" He added as he punched one of the black stones. There was a thud, then with a sound like snapping bones, cracks began to blossom from the fist-sized crater his strike had created. From the corner of his eye, Fritz noticed one of the lizards look over the lip of its crater, searching for the source of the disturbance. Seeing nothing close, it ducked back into the safety of its hole. The team had seen this Ability before but they all made token noises of appreciation and awe.

Then they looked expectantly to Fritz.

"Most of my Abilities are difficult to see or unnoticeable by purpose," Fritz explained.

"I would display my Darkness Ability. But as we're on a fairly dangerous Floor, and therefore require all my energy, let us save it for the Well room." There were some grumbles, but they didn't argue.

"I can tell you that it conjures a ball of darkness," Fritz explained, turning to Carter expectantly now that he had 'revealed' one of his Abilities.

"Fine," Carter said.

"I got a Passive called Tireless. Increases my stamina recovery."

"That's great. An Ability like that would be useful for anyone," Fritz said, hoping his praise would pull Carter out of his steadily darkening moods. The man merely shrugged off his compliment. Fritz was spared having to continue the conversation when Lauren opened her eyes and stood, brushing some of the light ash off her robes as she did so. She stared around at the group for a moment.

"What's the plan now?" She asked.

"A very good question. And one I only have a middling good answer to," Fritz said.

"We go down that path, avoiding the lizards and craters until we find the way to the Stairway. Normally it might be best to let me scout and find the Door then come back to find you. In this heat though, the quicker we're moving the better. I wouldn't want to come back to find you all too tired to follow, or cooked in your armour."

"Fair enough," George said.

"Lead the way."

"Very well. Follow and tread lightly, the lizards are sensitive to tremors," Fritz warned. The team gathered, hoisting their packs, sacks and weaponry, then forming a line with Bert at the back and Fritz at the front. They had settled on this formation so that Bert could protect the team from the rear and be called upon to run to the front if Fritz spotted anything. As he was the fastest member of the group.

This hadn't always been the case, Fritz being slightly swifter than his friend before they had climbed a Spire. Now though, Bert was able to outpace him even over uneven ground. It must be one of his Abilities or Attributes, Fritz supposed. Actually, I didn't get to ask him what Ability he took, if any. Maybe he's still holding onto the P ower and waiting on his G olden S eed? Focus on scouting, Fritz told himself, snapping out of his wandering thoughts and back to the dangerous surroundings.

Leading his team, he guided them past the craters and cracks that served as the lairs of lurking lizards. Bert groused about not getting to see any of the monsters but was shushed by Lauren. Surprisingly, Rosie joined in on the rebuke, hissing that she'd had enough of scaly things swarming her. As Fritz led them ever further up the mountain the overbearing heat took its toll, he was sweating and panting after only twenty minutes.

His team were doing worse, save Bert whose boundless Stamina inured him to the fatigue, but not the discomfort and perpetual perspiration. After another ten minutes, Fritz called a break. They sat quickly and drank from or splashed themselves with their water skins. Moaning and groaning from the refreshing relief of the still-cool water soaking their robes, armour and clothes. Fritz had expected George to be the most wearied of the team, what with all the heavy armour, but he seemed to be doing better than most.

"How are you barely sweating?" Rosie asked as she puffed.

"I would wager it's the cloak," Lauren observed enviously.

"I'll buy it off you, name your price."

"With what gold?" Rosie interjected.

"Never mind Miss Pretty, I'll trade you my eel-friend ring for the cloak," she offered. George laughed.

"I'd hardly be a good blacksmith if I couldn't take the heat. I stand in front of a hot forge every day, pumping bellows and helping master with the simple work he trusts me with. This place is a mild summer's day compared to the oven of the smithy," He espoused.

"Is that a no to trading the cloak?" Rosie asked undeterred.

"Sorry. I'll still need the cloak, especially if it keeps getting hotter," George said.

"Drat," Rosie exhaled, extracting a small smile from the armoured man.

"Enough boasting and bartering. Up on your feet," Fritz said, calling and end to their quick break. He expected grumbles, but barely got any, and the groans he did get were those of fatigue, not complaint. It looked like their discipline was improving, which was a good sign. He led them up the path until it abruptly ended in a steep slope. It could be climbed but it would be exhausting and in this steadily intensifying heat that could take a turn for the worse.

Fritz let them rest again while he scouted for an alternate route, one that hopefully avoided as many lizards as possible. While searching he came upon a gulch with a river of liquid fire at its bottom. Over on the other side there looked to be a deep cave. Fortunately, there was a bridge, of sorts, a fallen stone that lay across the small chasm and the certain death below. While his Door Sense wasn't of much use in picking the best path, only the right direction, Fritz's gut told him the cave was his best bet.

He wavered for a moment on whether to keep exploring or to go fetch his team and cross together. He remembered his near-fatal encounters whenever he decided not to return to his team, like the goblin hole. This time he resolved he would heed those painful lessons and listen to caution's dull call. His team were waiting and making a small amount of small talk when he found them.

"I've discovered a path forward," Fritz stated over the chattering.

"Follow." They did, clattering to their feet and hauling their packs. The team didn't speak until they had reached the chasm and seen the 'bridge' and the river of fire beneath.

"Dangerous," George said, his face paling.

"The blacksmith is afraid of a little fire?" Lauren scoffed.

"It's not the fire, it's the height," George admitted abashedly.

"Oh," She murmured.

"We'll cross one at a time, Bert first," Fritz explained.

"He's going to tie off this rope to one of the tall stones and then we can use that as a fail-safe. In case someone falls. Which they won't," he added as George paled further. It went, mostly, according to plan, traversing the bridge was not nearly the harrowing affair Fritz was afraid it would be. Bert's feet were sure and he strode across the black stone confidently. Lauren was next and crossed surprisingly easily as did Carter after her. Rosie was another story.

Fritz was starting to realise the woman was rather stiff and ungainly. She would have made a terrible thief. He chalked up her uncoordinated movements to fear. She kept peering down into the fiery depths instead of keeping her eyes ahead like he'd advised her to do before she crossed. Eventually, she made it over and let out a long sigh. Bert clapped her on the back and she smiled up at him proudly.

George had the terrible luck of a large tremor hitting just as he was halfway across, causing him to wobble dangerously as he tried to keep his feet planted. He took some cajoling to get him moving again after the floorquake had stopped, and Fritz found himself almost wishing he had taken the Word of Courage Ability just for this sort of problem. When it was finally Fritz's turn, he took the crossing at a slow run and was over it in moments, showing off his superior Agility and Grace.

There was no applause or compliments waiting for him on the other side though, the team seemed to have been staring at the cave rather than him.

"What no one was watching me cross? None of you were worried that I'd fall?" Fritz asked in a hurt tone.

"We have full faith in you, Fritz," Bert said.

"But are you sure the cave is the best way forward?"

"It's the only way forward," Fritz corrected offhandedly.

"I was dreading you'd say that," Bert said.

"What, Why?"

"Watch," George said. Fritz did, keeping his eyes on the dark entrance as he paced closer to it. There was a rumble then silence for a second. A flash of orange lit up the tunnel. A groaning gust of forge-hot air followed in its wake, causing loose garments such as Lauren's robe to flap as it blew out the cave and over them.

"I see," Fritz said, his shoulders sagging. Though when his team turned to look at him he straightened his back and smiled confidently. He just couldn't let them see him falter.

"I'm sure it won't be too much trouble," He reassured them.

"I'll scout a way through, don't you worry." Again they didn't look entirely convinced. How many Floors would he need to guide them safely for them to trust his every word? Why couldn't they just believe his reassuring lies? Was it really so much of an ask? Dusksong didn't seem to think so as it chimed along resentfully with his musings. Putting aside his minor griping Fritz cloaked himself in darkness and slinked into the open mouth of the cave. There was a gasp and a shout.

While they had seen him appear suddenly before, it seemed like him disappearing right in front of their watching eyes was another thing entirely.

"Where'd he go?" George examined.

"He just disappeared," Lauren said in wonder.

"Can he go invisible?"

"Yes," Carter and Rosie said together.

"No," Bert corrected. They turned to stare at him.

"Fine, he's sort of invisible," Bert amended.

"Only in shadows."

"What if he watches me bathe?" Rosie blurted out.

"He wouldn't," Carter objected."No one would."

"Fritz wouldn't spy on anyone like that. That's not what he's about," Bert said with unusual seriousness. On hearing the wild accusations slung at him from behind Fritz nearly turned but when he heard his friend's remark he decided to let him handle it.

"Besides you can just bathe somewhere bright if you're worried," Bert suggested.

"Or out in the open with me. The more the merrier." Fritz tuned out the rest of the conversation as he crept ever deeper. For minutes he stalked forward in the dark that was as clear as a cloudy day to his powerful eyes. He focused on the tunnel ahead, listening for the rumble that preceded the burning bursts. It was good that he did, because at that second there was that low, telltale sound, like a gurgle in a dragon's throat. One that he was inside.

His Trap Sense trilled, confirming his suspicion that the blast was coming, The flare of light and the flame that made it blossomed from the very back of the cave, easily hundreds of feet deep inside. His front and face lit up with false heat, and Fritz looked for an escape. The entrance was too far and he couldn't outrun the air. In desperation, he ducked into one of the of crevices and cracks that lined the tunnel's interior. Fritz also Activated his barrier ring, hoping it'd be enough to save him some scalding.

Much of danger sense's warning dissipated as he squeezed deeper into the crevice. The roaring gale of searing heat rushed past. It splashed over his exposed right side, causing his swamp-buck leather to shrink and crack. The clear bubble of the barrier did nothing to insulate him from the burning wind, but luckily his armour took the brunt of the punishment. As soon as it started it was over, leaving him alive, uncomfortably hot, and with his right side steaming slightly.

With a grimace he pulled himself free of the crevice and kept running forward in short bursts, moving from one large crack to another. For a whole three minutes, he continued forward, until his luck ran out. He slipped into an alcove that was larger than usual, more the size of a sitting room than a broom closet, and found he was no longer alone. There was a huff of hot breath. Fritz spun, staring down at the chest-high snout and a jutting horn he almost impaled his throat upon in his haste to turn.

The lizard squinted a glowing red glare right at where he stood. Fritz froze. Not again.