Chapter 48: Damned if you do damned if you don't
I had no time to think or talk before the boss began casting. Two runes appeared, one in front of the ice arm, and the other in front of the head made of earth. Each of the elements of the prismatic elemental swirled amongst itself, its particles constantly rearranging.
We had split the copy scrolls up, so we both had 11, along with the elemental transfusion scrolls, which gave both of us one to use in an emergency.
Tide had also discovered that the copied spell didn't have to be used right away, it could be stored. We had devised our strategy based upon this ability.
We were prepared for four separate elementals, not one giant one. This put our plan in the crapper.
"Tide! You take the Earth! I got the ice!"
I already activated my copy scroll, and it was currently tracing the rune for the ice spell. The act of using the scroll blew my active camouflage which I didn't expect to happen. The elemental seemed to know I was targeting his spell and I became the new target. The spell was quick, and as my scroll finished the spell enacted and a chain of ice flew out from the ice arm.
I dodged to the left but the chain moved with me.
Ding!
Successfully copied Ice shackle-
The 2-second cast creates shackle of ice that will freeze targets movements until the shackle is broken. 1000hp, target lock
Target lock! Shit!
The chain wrapped around my leg and formed a shackle made of ice.
I found that I couldn't move at all.
Tide successfully copied his target as the rune lit up and activated in front of the boss.
The ground rumbled behind us, and a wall of earth burst out, rising seven feet in an instant. It was a circular wall that extended 40 feet away from the boss, trapping us.
I tried to tell Tide to break the shackle but I was frozen so it came out, "Uhhgggaa!"
He looked at me confused, "What!?"
More runes appeared in front of the boss, this time in front of the flaming arm and the tornado of a body.
Two more spells were being cast and Tide didn't know what to do. I couldn't tell him about the details of the shackle because he couldn't understand me.
"Thorn! I don't know what to do man! Shit!", Tide was visibly freaking out, his face panic-stricken.
I could only wait and hope that Tide would use some damage spell to break the chain. I could see the firearm was targeting me with its spell.
I watched in horror as Tide began to use a copy scroll on the fire spell.
" UUuuUhhggg!", my words were gibberish but I tried nonetheless.
What are you doing!
The runes slowly finished and a flaming spear thrust forward impaling me as I stood immobile.
You have taken 3000🔥(fire) damage! (0/720hp)
The world began to fade around me..becoming dark and void of sound.
Ding!
You have died!
Would you like to resurrect at the nearest resurrection stone?
I could still barely make out tides image while in this state, so I waited to see how long he would last before I resurrected.
The boss used the wind spell and a violent wave of wind burst outward in all directions. The wind wave was so fast and powerful that Tide could do nothing to stop it. The force of the blast smashed him against the wall that had grown behind us with incredible speed, killing him instantly.
Freaking noob.
I chose yes, and enacted the resurrection process.
Ding!
10% Durability damage
10% experience penalty
My consciousness felt like it was being pulled away with a great rubber band and suddenly I was standing in front of a rune-covered stone. My body was materializing in front of my eyes until I was fully formed.
Ding!
Congratulations on your resurrection!
I looked around and saw that I was just outside the beginner village. I waited for Tide and a second later, he began to materialize, the runes on the resurrection stone lighting up a multitude of colors.
"Hey man! Why didn't you break the shackle!?" I said, immediately confronting him about it.
"That's what you were saying?!? How was I supposed to even do that?" Tide retorted. He was obviously not happy about the way things turned out either.
"I don't know! You could have tried something! You just watched me die!" I yelled at him.
"I did try something! I thought he would aggro me but he didn't I don't know why!" he yelled back at me
"Alright, alright, calm down, it's fine. " I
said, more to myself than to him. "We at least know some of the abilities now.
Tide nodded his head, "That's true, I
copied the fire spell and the wall spell, and you have the shackle spell. I wonder if you can copy a copy?"
"I don't know, we could try it and see." I said as I shifted the tone of the conversation, "We need a concrete plan now, and I need you to go to the auction house for me. "
"I agree about the plan but why can't you go to the auction house? " He said, confused.
"I look like a kid remember?"
"O yeah, I don't see you like that I guess, I'll do it for you. "
I made a list of things of items that I needed, and a few wishlist items and sent it in a message to Tide.
I opened a trade window and transferred all the stuff I wanted Tide to get rid of and put on the auction house.
I had accumulated quite a bit of stuff that would hopefully fetch a pretty penny. I kept the best stuff and my weapons, even the bow for now.
Once the transfer was completed Tide hurried off to complete my tasks and his own. We were both anxious to get back to the dungeon.
I knew we shouldn't feel bad, the boss was twice our level and we didn't know any of its spells. Even advanced dungeon parties will often wipe when facing an unknown for the first time.
Still, it freaking sucked. I hated the feeling of being helpless like that. My warrior class was great, but magic is still difficult to deal with. What kind of cheap crap gives you a target lock complete freeze lock.
My train of thought was interrupted as a golden armored paladin appeared in front of me.
Lord Justice.
Oh shit, his message! I completely forgot!
He looked me in the eyes, gave me a respectful nod, and calmly said, "I have been looking for you everywhere. We need to talk."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone