Okay, sorry for this pretty long break. One - my Pc start acting weird, Two - another semester on university has started... and i have to say, that writing may become a little bit more diffult... i mean... it's fucked up... all those stuff that we are required to do is... insane. We have to write a BLOODY ESSAYS AS HOMEWORKS!... i must have been dreaming.

Well, as apology, here is 16 pages (six-fucking-teen pages) long chap. Yup. 5k words. twice as much as usually. Enjoy... EAT IT!

??? POV

Temple of Sun – it’s the name of the Dungeon located in the Central-South part of Human Continent on the Desert of Malice – land not ruled by any king, having many nomadic tribes as habitants, with only few bigger trading-cities located near or even on oasis. Extremely difficult climatic condition for every adventurer that was not born here.

The Temple itself is also marked as one of most… “annoying” Dungeons. Monsters in all variations, from heavily armored house size scorpions, through undead mummies… agile atop of that. If you would add all kind of sand traps, fake rooms and that heat inside of it is even higher than on the dessert, with even smaller sources of water… you would have the full view on how dangerous it could be. So, why would people even bother to ride such a dangerous place? Because of prizes, of course. Not only they would be paid by guild foe getting rid of the monsters, that could leave it and start attacking traveling merchants, but because of treasures that the dungeon itself could provide. There is, for example, pretty week monster living here, it’s called Sunlight Scarab, it is born with gem, a piece of wonderful jewelry, growing in its head. It’s pretty rare to find one, yet the prices of this gem can reach insane numbers depending on size and purity. Some stronger mummies warriors may carry enchanted weapons, and, as always and anywhere, there are treasure chests.

A small party of adventurers was exploring those ruins. A sorceress-elf, Lizzard-kin rogue, Bear-man, juggernaut and team-leader, shield and bastard sword knight type – human.

Human just pulled his sword out of huge insectoid monster and wiped the blade in piece of fabric.

“Annoying bastards…” He muttered “… why don’t they want to die faster…” “Technically… we are the one dying here. Our water supplies are growing short, we have no longer medicines for toxin used by monsters… we are also out of bandages. We could use fabric, by someone is using them to clean his blades… They are in place to ask why we don’t want to die right away” Lizzard man hissed angrily “As if I have any other way!? You know that their blood is a strong acid and can damage the weapons. If I won’t get rid of it as soon as possible, my sword can crush on very next enemy.” “Stop that you two!” Elven tried stopping teammates from picking up a fight. “… we are stuck here, situation is indeed bad, so keep your strength on upcoming battles!”

Dagger user only rolled his eyes but human cheered in adoration.

“Yeah. My bad… haha. Sorry, my love. Good to have you here to talk me back to my senses.” “S…S…stop that…” sorceress got but confused, as if she was not used to being praised “Not that again!” Scaly bastard hissed another time “… Don’t get bloody distracted over your little lovey-dovey affection…” “And I find it cute.” Usually silent bear-man said. “Yet. Indeed. We should start going back. Commander Jericho. When do you intend to order evacuation?”

Jeremy Jericho, man in his middle twenties raised his head proudly

“Not until we would find that bloody scarab! I will have his gem, even if I would have to slaughter half on this dungeon in order to find him!” “You DO know, that one of them is being find only once per twenty-thirty rides? He could not be spawn yet!” “Then if this bloody dungeon don’t want to get completely purified, better for him to create it right away!” “You will get us killed! Why do you want it so much!? We already have great spoils!” “Hm? I don’t want to sell it.” “Then…” “It was supposed to be a secret for now, but I was going to use it in crafting proposal ring for Selene.” Young adventurer said pointing his head back to elven

The party became silent for a moment or two. Sorceress first turn pale, then bright red, bear-man smiled (activity not performed by him in last decade), but lizard man…

“You want to tell me… that you have basically use me… used us… for your little AND COMPLETELY STUPID PROPOSAL?! ARE YOU FUCKING NUTS?! YOU ARE PUTTING OUR… NO MY LIFE IN DANGER FOR YOUR OWN LITTLE SELFISH GAINS!” “Jeremy…” Elven whispered “… it doesn’t have to be something that expensive… I… I mean… I am not a royal blood…” “Oh, but you are Queen of my heart…” “Awww.” The bear-man said “STOP THAT! STOP RIGHT NOW! I AM LEAVING!” “Stop being such a pussy! I have return scroll with myself. If situation would be really bad, we can always use it, so don’t panic.”

Mentioning the magical scroll turned attention of beast-kins.

“Yar sure it ain’t some kind of fake? You know, I have heard that few guys are selling ordinary piece of paper filled with random mana. Quite dangerous…” “Um… Jeremy gave it to me for an inspection. It surly is transportation spell. The location of transport should be somewhere around the Plaza of Ra’Algath city. It’s a real deal, so…”

In that moment a Dollar marks appeared in Lizard-kin eyes.

“So we can took as much treasures as we can, and then teleport back to the merchant district?!” “Yes, my little two-faced, cold-blooded friend.” Human smiles “… We will be filthy rich… Jeremy… I have always trusted you, commander!”

If there was a thing that Ni’Argon – the lizard, treasured more than moneys, it would be even greater pile of moneys.

“Exactly, so we will march even furth…” Jeremy stopped in middle of the sentence. “My love, what happened?”

But Jeremy only raised his hand pointing at the other side of the room.

In the back of the room, right in the place when the entrance to the corridor was, a Scarab was standing.

They were not a combat class monster, more like workers and lure for adventurers, so killing one was a piece of cake. And the one that party have encountered was extraordinary in size. So was his gem, being bigger than a fist.

The monster, seeing adventures, froze in place too. Then it took one step back, then another, and another, and then turned back and start desperately running away.

“AFTER HIM!”

No one needed to repeat it twice. Corridor after corridor, room after room, the big insect was being chased.

Finally they reached a huge, round room with stairs deeper into the dungeon. A room to another dungeon floor, then, the fastest one thinking – Ni’Argon, got his mind settled.

“Fuck. Everyone. Stop where you are.” “WHAT?! It’s just standing there! It has nowhere to run…” “Jeremy. Idiot. Have we encountered any traps running after it? “No…” “Which floor is it?” “50th…” “How often Dungeon boss emerges?” “Every 10…” Jeremy start getting what his companion was talking “And where all of them were located.” “In the room witch stair, or just before it.” “Where are we?” “In room with stairs…” he brought back his sword “… bring that fucker on.”

… but the room was empty. Scarab turned back to them, hitting sand under his legs in place, as if mocking them

“It’s a trap. No doubt.” Lizard-man looked up “No monster on the ceiling, nor on the sides… it means that it lurks… JUMP BACK!”

It that moment the sand under them bulged and shifted forming a huge funnel sized hole. The ground was running out from their feet. They were running back, trying to leave the room. Bear-man, wearing heavy armor and not really fast on his feet got caught, he start climbing back to the top. When everyone though, that he would made it, front the bottom of the pit the huge ant lion raised its head, throwing sand at him.

Bear-man collapsed, and rolled all way down, where huge monster bite him twice. Each strike of its huge mouthparts broke the beast-man in half.

“Nalgro!” Lizard man yelled “YOU FUCKER!”

The door got shut.

“Jeremy! SCROLL NOW!” He yelled

Human brought his scroll and break the seal, The pile of blue light appeared, but then quickly vanished, making seal get back together.

“WHAT IS HAPPENING!” “The boss! It has to prevent teleportation magic!” “You must be kidding me! FUCK!... whatever. We just have to bring this asshole down!”

They took the party formation. Sorceress move at the end of the room, where she start chanting a spell. Lizard man put his dagger back, and took his small crossbow.

“I knew that this little beauty would come handy… EAT THAT YOU FUCKER!” he pointed it at monster and shot. The bolt flew through the air and dug between monster armor plates. It roared angrily “Bolts are poisoned, but it will take a while for it to work against such a huge motherfucker!” “Ni! Cover me!” Jeremy yelled and jumped into the pit.

Monster squealed happily seeing that one of adventurers willingly jumped in. The monster didn’t know, that this adventurer is a prodigy of all fighting styles, it didn’t know, that wasting its sneaky attack on bear man it actually lost its only hope of getting him.

Bolt after bolt kept the monster distracted as Jericho reached the end of the pit. And then, he danced. The monster tired everything it got, tried using all his advantages. But human seemed not to be restricted by ground at all, when everyone would collapse till knees in quicksand, he managed to stay on top. No matter how quickly monster tried to bite, he never was in place which mouthparts hit. But with every movement on body of the monster another cuts appeared, another bolts were sticking out. And poison was slowly doing its job.

Even then, the monster didn’t know that he is wasting time for those two. Their job was to keep the Boss distracted, as Selene was preparing her spell.”

“… and with might of yours I shall do my bid,

As no one would live, to know what you did,

With the might on the Spirits, I take what you gave,

The place of your living, shall be your grave…

Bow before the rage of the nature! – Eternal Tomb!”

The chant was over. After hearing end of it Jeremy started jumping back to the surface. The monster, at first, tried to attack his back, but then it started struggling. The sand around it became heavier and heavier. It used to control sand. It was born in sand…. And now… this very sand, start acting… weird, sticking to it, and getting harder and harder…. Is it… is it turning into a stone? Is it sinking deeper and deeper? Ant lions in larval form are not really mobile creatures. It could do nothing against it. The sand in the room start reforming another time, coming back to its original form.

Jeremy managed to jump from the pit for a second before it shut eternally. Scarab was nowhere around. Probably, as it saw that the floor boss was losing, it ran through the stairs into deeper level.

“Nalgro… fuck…. Fuck…. FUCK!” the realization of one of their friend being dead hit them right after that “… and for what?! For a fucking gem! We were so, so stupid! What did we even were thinking as we rushed after it without staying aware of surroundings?! We fucked up as rookies! As fucking G ranks!” Lizard man start lamenting.

But then, room start rumbling a little. As if hit by thousands of legs in same time. From the stairs, from deeper level, Scarab came back. Then it squealed, and from behind it dozens of UberScorpions.

The door was slowly being opened.

Lizard man shot for the final time, and brought one of his short words back. They had to fight till they could leave the room.

Another dance of blade. Fireballs flew through the air, venom was spitted and huge claws were forced into move.

Jeremy dodged the tail attack of one of his enemy, performed a half spin using momentum to cut it off, jumped back evading another attack, in that moment he noticed, that one of beast is charging at him, he waited till very end, dropped on his back avoiding strike, and when monster’s belly was above him as it was passing still in charge, he stabbed it.

Beat-kin was not doing much worse. Lost in anger after losing a friend, he fought better than ever. He never missed his strike, shoving the blades in small gaps in monsters skeleton.

But sorceress… she was being surrounded. Because she was not a fighter, her movement were a little bit more clumsy. Her spells had greater powers as she was chanting, but because she was constantly attacked, she could never finish it, forcing her to cast half-done spells and hexes. Then, she was stabbed by one of the tails.

She yelled in pain. Jericho left one of his enemies crippled, and start running toward magician to aid her.

With few fast moves of his blades, he cut his way to her.

“Are you all right?” “Ha.. yeah… I am… all… right.”

She wasn’t. Her arm – the place that got stabbed, was slowly turning purple and veins under her skin became black. The last beast fell dead.

“Jeremy! Scroll!”

He tried using it again, the process of teleportation could take up to 30 seconds and required the transporting people to stay in same place for this duration. Activating it while running was out of the question.

Selene needed help. Now. The monsters venom could kill within minutes. As soon as he brought the scroll, another batch of monsters came from the deeper floor.

“We won’t do it on time!” Jericho yelled picking up elf girl, throwing her over his shoulder “RUN!”

He yelled.

And they kept running. After a minute the monster were still chasing them.

“Jeremy! I say it with pain, but we won’t be able to do it!” Lizard said. “… they are not letting go… and Sel… Sel won’t survive if she won’t get help immediately.” He stopped running. “Ni! What are you doing!?” “Just… just go… I will buy you some time… I will last 30 seconds…” “ARE YOU NUTS!?” “… Without Nalgro… we grown up together, you know? I was told to keep him safe… He was… he was everything for me. We became adventurers to get some coin. We wanted to build a tavern, you know? Under Snake and Bear… Snake – for heavy alcohol, Bear – for delicious meals… There is no tavern without meals… you know? Our dreams are gone… Promise me something commander… Make your dreams come true. Marry her. She will say yes even if you would give her ring with a fucking pebble…” The rumbling sound became louder “RUN YOU FUCKER!”

Jericho wanted to oppose, but then he saw Selene getting even paler. He clenched his teeth, turn around, and start running. At the end he heard one last thing.

“COME HERE YOU LITTLE FUCKERS! I WILL TOOK ALL OF YOU TO HELL! TASTE HELL POWDER, YOU MAGGOTS!”

Hysterical laugh and explosion could be heard.

That idiot used explosives. Jericho ran through few next rooms, fall on his knees and picked the scroll. He broke it another time. Blue light raised and embraced them. 25 seconds. The symbols started forming. 20 seconds. From room that Lizard killed himself rumbling could be heard again. 15. A monster could be seen at the end of corridor. 10. It entered the room. 5.

It kept running at them 4.

It hissed angrily, as if it knew that they are about to leave. 3.

It accelerated its movement. Only 3 meters away from its target. 2

It blindly pierced with tail, it hit the scroll. 1

Blue light perished, so did warrior and sorceress.

The scroll was damages, so did the spell formula. It moved them not to the plaza, but in front of town’s gates. Jeremy get on his feet and start running with unconscious love of his life in his hands. He moved past guards, he ran through half of the city, to get to the herb store. He start yelling at shop keeper demanding dozes of medicines, He paid double, just to [GET YAR ASS MOVIN’!].

She was treated, but damages were done. She could no longer move by her own.

He treated her, brought her dozes of painkillers daily. Stayed by her bed for days and nights. He lied to her, he told her that medics told, that in no time she would be better. But what was true, is that healers told him, that she is running out of time.

He proposed to her and they got married in the very next day. He tried everything he could to give her all the pleasures of the world. Spending fortune on most exotic dishes, buying her books she loved, changing her bandages, measuring ounces of medicines that slowed down her body regression.

She died week after their marriage day. She was not in pain, till the end loved, held my hand till the very end.

They didn’t have enough medicines in the dungeon, those were bloody expensive… it they would only have a one more vial… just one… If he would only spend those 40 silver coins more… even if they would be barely profitable from that journey…

One potion. His whole life lost its meanings because of one, small vial.

He remember it. The feeling of emptiness in his heart. Like if someone would open his chest taking it out. He felt, as if the whole blood, instead to heart, was being pumped into black hollow of nothingness. Always hungry for more.

Three next days he spent over her grave. Three next months he spent training from day till night. Then he spent all his moneys on equipment and medicines and dived again into dungeon.

He was out for half a year. Everyone told, that he have died. But he came back. Covered in dried blood and guts, carrying few bags… filled only with Scarab’s gems. In the moment he became the richest man in the city.

He build a tavern, under Snake and Bear, found someone that he made a new owner of it, forcing him over only to write a document, that made new owner to regularly send a 10% of income back to him, then he came back to Neira’s capital.

Selene always said, that one day they should stop adventuring and find some more peaceful job. He spent rest of his money to aid researches of magicians and buy friendship of nobility, even a king.

He kept becoming more and more famous, reinvesting all him moneys in connection, up to the moment, when his fame and friendship allowed him to take a role of Guild master.

Then he moved for last quest. Saying goodbye to his adventure life. Killing a dragon, yes, that would be a good way to finish it all. Leaving with slamming door.

Then he met her. Small and lively little dragoness. Even if her body was in her 13-14ties, she was 4 years old. She had nothing. He killed her father, her mother died from despair.

In that moment he asked her.

“Kid… The world is huge. Far greater than this small, shitty village. Here await you nothing, but misery and despair… But… if you would come with me, I will let you see. The sea and the mountains, the hot desserts, humid forests, and chilly tundra. It is a hard life, full of regret and suffering, of struggles and blood… but in the end, when you would grown old, like me, you will be able to say, that you have seen within the year more than some within their lifetime. You will find here… friends… that will make you want to sacrifice yourself for them… and you will be more than sure, that they would do same for you… maybe, you would be lucky enough to find love of your life… If you would throw enough blood and tears and sweat… you will achieve anything… Tell me, kid… Will you come with me?”

He jade green eyes shined, her cut short hairs flew after wind have blown.

“Sure… papa…”

… His heart, that for post 50 years has been dead cold moved. A little.

Daughter he never had. Something MOVED inside of him, small drop of blood have stayed in his chest instead of falling into bottomless abyss… he – such old man – finally addressed by someone as father.

Then he realized. He had a family. Bigger than anyone could even desire. All of those that he would take care of, as he was about to take a role of guild leader.

He wanted to jump and start dancing, feeling as his middle 20ties again.

He smiled toward dragoness.

“I will train you, kid. I will make you strong…” “Yes! Thank you!” She cheered. “You are thanking me? Oh goddess… Soon you will start cursing me!” he chuckled.

Yeah. He will train her. Better than ever. She will get better than him. He will certainly make her strong enough, so she would never. Ever. See her friends die.

Jericho wake up. This dream? Again?

He washed his face, took a pendant that once belong to his wife, kissed a small gem in it, looked into mirror and said.

“I am up, my love. Fret not, I will work hard today too. You know, our daughter moved to another dungeon today, she picked that rookie… you know which one! White haired one… He is a great kid, you know… an alchemist… his potions will be far, far cheaper than regular… So next time… next time… someone… somewhere… will have this one potion more. The one… the one that would be needed the most…” a single tear escaped his eye “… for gods… my love… I miss you… I miss you so, so much… But I will be strong. For sake of our daughter. For sake of Gisele. I wish that you could see… how beautiful she became…”

Someone knocked, in very next moment his secretary entered.

“Jeremy, you have to prepare annual report for the king. There are always few new documents about guild moneys and… oh, sorry…” she noticed that single tear on his face “… I will come back later.”

Jericho just laughed loudly wiping that single tear.

“Nay! I am good! Ha-ha! See? I feel like a young god! Now, gimme a second to dress properly, and I will be in office within a seconds!”

She left the room. For the last time, he picked a pendant and whispered.

“I am sorry, love. I still have some work to do. We will talk later… as always.”

Soon, Jericho also has left.

You-Know-Whose-POV

I woke up with head on the most comfortable pillow I ever had. It took me some time to realize that I had no pillow with myself on this adventure. Hm… the pillow’s texture… warmness… yup. I am still on Gisele’s laps. She sat like that through the whole night. Well… I have no idea when I would have another possibility to rest like that so let’s pretend that I am sleeping for a little bit lon…

“How was your night?” Dragoness asked.

I didn’t move, pretending that I am still sleeping.

“You know that you have completely different expression when you are sleeping? Zari, you are awake.” “No he is not. He is still sleeping. Can’t you see?” “Zari… you have just answered me back.” “I am not Zari.” “Then… who are you?” “Your conscience. I know we haven’t been talking for quite some time, but here I am. Let that poor bastard sleep for some more time.” “There is no such possibility. We have to prepare ourselves and keep moving.” “Five more minutes! Please!” “Get up. Or I will pour water on you.” “You would really waste our precious water for some stupid joke?” “… fair point. Well, I still have few more trick up in my sleeves.”

She moved her hand to my stomach.

“W… what are you up to?!” “Are you sure, that you will not cooperate?” I sensed a threat in her voice “… So be it. Goddess, forgive me for sin of cruelty I am about to commit.”

And then her hands started moving, stabbing my sides.

“NO! NO TICKLES!” I tried to jump away, but this time she was the one that didn’t allow me to escape “No, no, no, no. I won’t go easy on you. Apparently I have spoiled you too much, so now I will punish you thoroughly.”

No! The pain! The humiliation! Unbearable! Even worse, as the damages she has done cause me to constantly giggle.

“Stop… That… You… Monster…” “Not yet. You still haven’t learned your lesson!” “I… did… I really… Did…” “No, you don’t! You simply try to run away from your punishment! There is simply no way that I will… Oh, come back here!”

As she got distracted I managed to roll away from here. I took few breaths in and out calming myself down. Then I heard her footsteps as she walking toward me.

“Away you vile creature! Don’t come any closer!”

It only made her chuckle

“So, if I would ask you to get up next time… I can count that you will do what I ask for?” “Hm. I will have my revenge.” I whispered to myself “You are more than welcome to try. But I won’t go easy on you either… Now, decamp!”

I began to clumsily pick my stuff from the ground. How I found them? Easily. Via habit I used to put items in specific places. Optimization of time and space, that allows to reduce the time of certain processes.

“How is your leg?”

Ah, the pierced one.

“As good as new.” I said raising it a little and moving back and forth to prove it “… whole evening of healing did its job just right…” “Good to know that the bandage with healing paste I put on you was useless.” Gisele said with bit annoyed tone.

Crap.

“I mean… my healing was only boosting the effect of your…” “Okay. It’s all right…”

DAMN! It’s definitely not all right!

“Just prepare yourself. We have stayed on 1st floor for too long. My intention was to finish a floor per day and reach at least 15th. Now we have to increase our pace and hit 3rd.”

Tsh, so day of forceful march?

“Zari, listen. Normally I should torment you my making you to find way to next floor by your own… but we will skip this part. Just focus on sensing the enemies and dealing with them. Each time an enemy would approach I would leave you alone, helping you only if you would get your ass pounded.” “Roger that… what are we waiting for? Let’s keep moving!” “Zari…” “Yes?” “Wrong direction. Maybe I would lead the way…” “… Fair enough.”

We start our journey upward the tower.

“Tell me, this dungeon… does it have boss?” “Hm? Are you asking about the monster at the top floor? No one ever been there. But every 10 floor there is a Keeper. Well, they are as annoying as average Dungeon bosses.” “You want me to fight Boss monster?” “Easy. I would aid you with this one battle since very beginning.”

I wanted to ask few more question. But I heard another rumbling noise coming from afar. Even if it was still quite faraway, I could easily tell that it was getting closer.

“Something wrong? Dragoness asked after seeing me stop in the place “I think that there is another Abomination coming this way.” “I hear nothing…” Maybe because I am a monster with excessively sharp senses of hearing and smelling? “… Your senses are getting better! Means that our training is already bearing fruits!”

… Well, if this is what you want to believe, I won’t stop you. My sweet innocent summer child, keep living in your dream world.

I moved my head to the sides causing snapping sound. Moved my shoulders in circles relaxing myself.

“D’iabel… you know what I want.” “Your wish is my will.” Ring hissed after transforming into a spear. “Bring that ugly bastard on.”

Gisele picked an apple and moved to the side leaving most of the room for myself. Soon the floor of dungeon start vibrating. The monster was coming closer.

I heard and felt monster moving from behind the corridor. And then…

“MEEEEAAAAT.”

Yeah, yeah. I already know this part. Is this the only word you guyz know?!

And then a powerful magical impulse kicked. It came from same direction that abomination. The monster growled and start moving back. Fist he took few steps back, I am pretty sure that all this time he was looking at me with appetite, then he finally turn around and start running, as if chased by Devil himself.

“… This behaviors… it happens often?” “If I know something about those creatures, is that everything living is food for them. And that they are always hungry.” “… and probably the only way to the next floor is via this corridor.” “Yes.” “Aaaand those monster, even as they are brainless by themselves, can be controlled.” “The puppet master are named Reanimators. Attacking them bring no effect.” “And why is that so?” “They are ghosts with multiple vessel. It’s same way as if you would be ripping someone cloths expecting him to die.” “So, in the next room there is an ambush?” “Most likely.” “Well… what are we waiting for? Let’s kick some bones.”

Another time we headed to the place of certain death.