Kapitel 35: Arc 1 - Solving the Puzzle
I relayed the information to the group and Zephyr passed them to the fae, who then passed it to his friends.
"So... you mean that we need to match the resonance of the crystals by observing their light patterns and vibrations. If we can create the right harmonic frequency, we can disrupt them safely." Samara tried to sum up what we've learnt, her voice a bit uneasy.
Orish, who seemed to be as sceptic as her, narrowed his eyes at the crystals. "What did you say will happen if we get it wrong?"
"We amplify the dungeon's power instead of weakening it," I replied, the gravity of the situation sinking in.
"Yeah... sounds sweet," Orish snickered unhappy with that option.
Mellander, his focus still on the crystals, nodded. "We have to trust in our abilities. Zephyr and I will work together to create the right resonance. The rest of you, be ready to move if anything goes wrong."
Guess Mellander is a bit like Lorelin in some aspects... stoic, calm, and optimistic... Yeah... Totally.
We watched as the druid together with our feathered friend began to synchronize their efforts, Mellander's magic weaving through the air in delicate patterns while Zephyr's wind magic hummed with energy. The crystals began to pulse in response, their light growing brighter and more erratic.
The challenge was clear: We had to observe the crystals carefully, noting the subtle changes in their light and vibrations as our magic duo worked to match the resonance. It was a delicate balancing act, one that required patience and precision.
Shit, I am sooo bad at such things... I wish PIA could help me.
...
Oh. Now when she's needed, she's silent! Great...
The crystals pulsed with a rhythmic light, a pattern that was almost hypnotic. I focused on the subtle shifts in the light, the way it flickered and dimmed in response to Mellander and Zephyr's efforts. It was like trying to solve a puzzle where the pieces were constantly shifting, and every wrong move could spell disaster.
As we observed, Orish noticed a pattern emerging—certain crystals reacted more strongly to specific frequencies, their light flaring brightly for a moment before settling into a steady glow. I relayed this information to Mellander and Zephyr, who adjusted their efforts accordingly. Samara found it out at almost the same time. Seems she and my smaller brother were both very perceptive.
The tension in the room was almost unbearable, the air thick with anticipation. I could feel the vibrations in the ground beneath my paws, a subtle but constant reminder of the power we were dealing with. Like standing on a huge purring cat that in every moment could decide that he doesn't want any more pets and decides to bite you or slash you with his claws.
"Almost there," Mellander muttered, his voice strained with concentration. "Just a little more..."
The crystals' light began to pulse in unison, their vibrations syncing with the druid and griffin's combined efforts. I held my breath, watching as the resonance built to a crescendo, the air humming with energy.
And then, with a final, synchronized push, Mellander and Zephyr released their magic, the harmonic frequency washing over the crystals in a wave of energy.
For a moment, nothing happened. The crystals' light flared brightly, then dimmed to a soft, steady glow. The vibrations ceased, and the oppressive energy that had filled the chamber seemed to lessen as if a weight had been lifted.
"I... I think we did it," Mellander said, his voice barely above a whisper.
But as we took a collective breath of relief, a faint rumble echoed through the chamber. The ground beneath us trembled, and the crystals began to pulse again, this time with a different energy—a darker, more sinister force.
Yeah... told ya... A cat...
"What's happening?" Orsus demanded, his eyes wide with alarm.
Yeah, he wasn't good with enemies that couldn't be named and spotted. Seems his warrior friend was a bit like him, looking at his slightly panicked eyes.
"We destabilized the crystals," Lorac said, his expression grim. "But it looks like we triggered something else in the process. Hard to say if it's something good or bad..."
The room was filled with an eerie silence, broken only by the faint, rhythmic pulse of the crystals. It was as if the dungeon itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
And then, with a deafening roar, the ground beneath us began to crack, and a wave of dark energy erupted from the crystals, spreading through the chamber like wildfire.
"Run!" My powerful growl was barely audible over the roar of the energy. "Get out of here, now!" I started pushing dumbstruck Orsus with my head so he'd move. Guess he got some trauma with the crumbling floor, as he woke up only when Ignar caught him by the fur on the back of his neck and started to pull with him.
Scrambling to our feet, trying to keep our balance, we were racing toward the exit as the chamber began to collapse around us. The ground shook violently, and the walls cracked and crumbled as the dark energy surged through the dungeon.
As we ran, I couldn't stop myself from looking around, checking if everyone was present. We had succeeded in destabilizing the crystals, but in doing so, we had unleashed something... was it just the destruction of the chamber? Or something more? Were everyone present?
We barely made it out of the end of the chamber before the entire room collapsed in on itself, the ground swallowing the crystals in a cloud of dust and debris.
Panting and covered in dirt, we regrouped in the relative safety of the passageway, the sound of the collapse still echoing in our ears.
"We made it," Orsus panted, his voice filled with relief. The warrior still kept his hand in his fur, but it seemed like it just gave him some comfort, as he petted the soft fur without thinking.
"Is everyone ok?" Mellander murmured, his green eyes filled with worry as he looked around.
I quickly checked. Lorelin was all safe and only a bit covered in dust. Orsus and Ignar were together. Zephyr kept on flying above our heads. Mellander and the dwarf were panting right next to me... Orish...
"ORISH?!" I yelled realising my little brother is nowhere to be seen.
"Chill it down, we're here!" I heard his voice and felt relief. Wait... 'we'?
I went to the edge of the pit and saw Samara and Orish standing on a fallen rock. Or rather she was standing, and he was kind of stuck to the walls with his claws, as she kept his back pressed to secure his hold.
"I REALLY THINK THIS DUNGEON GOT SOME THING FOR MAKING ME FALL INTO HUGE PITS!" The elf spoke loudly with annoyance but it only made us all laugh, as the humanoids helped them up.
I breathed with relief and nuzzled my little brother's side.
"Glad you're fine you dumbass" I murmured with a soft and emotional voice.
He snorted with annoyance but right after that, he licked my cheek.
"Not going anywhere. You guys need someone with a working brain in the team" he smiled, showing off his fangs. Gods, so infuriating he was becoming but I still loved him.
We looked around wondering what would happen next... All I knew was that we had to keep moving, to find the heart of the dungeon and stop whatever force we had unleashed before it was too late... And so we could get out. I was starting to miss good food. I really didn't enjoy dungeon rats or insects, and it seems this should be our main menu for now...
As we pressed on, the darkness around us seemed to deepen. I had a feeling that the true danger of this dungeon was just beginning to reveal itself, and we were running out of time.
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