Dauntless Dungeon

by Devan Johnson

  She froze as a rock skittered into her circle of light, coming from the monstrous path and making her stomach sink, oh Gods! What am I going to do? Kheeta panicked, a million thoughts racing through her mind like a stampede of wild horses.

  She frantically looked around her location for a weapon, and after a few seconds she found one, a metal bar sticking out of the maze wall. Grabbing it with all her strength she heaved to the left and heard a loud snap, as the metal bar split in two, leaving her with a sharp make-shift javelin.

  Movement ahead, a few feet outside the lightened area, made Kheeta flinch as she clutched the rod tightly. Come on… what are you? She thought with anxious frustration as she leaned against the wall and began slowly moving towards the sounds. After a few more feet, something wet, slimy, and thick connected with her fur. “Oh gods!” She exclaimed, before quickly covering her mouth and staring into the darkness ahead with a terrified expression. A moment of silence passed before Kheeta allowed herself to breath again, turning her attention back to the slick substance coating the wall and her shoulder.

  As she inspected it closer she could see that it wasn’t just any wet slime… but drool. Kheeta looked up slowly to see a monster that she couldn’t have made up in her most horrific nightmares, its visage burned into her mind.

  The creature’s head resembled that of a panther, but lacked the cat-like ears in favor of none at all. Its empty eye sockets were sunken in, gaunt furless skin black as obsidian pulled and stretched so tight it seemed to blend into the skeletal form underneath in places. The monster’s nostrils appeared to be sealed shut as well, making Kheeta wonder how the creature maneuvered as she stood underneath it paralyzed with fear. Its body was slender, the skeleton visible through skin as if it suffered from malnutrition, with contrastingly long and strong limbs ending in three hooked claws on each of its four legs. Five large, quill-like protrusions extended from its spine, each standing two feet in length with loose vertebrae attached to them, rattling as it tilted it’s head towards Kheeta; her heart racing even faster now, threatening to explode.

  A loud screeching howl split the air and broke Kheeta from her trance as the monster turned it’s full attention to her. Its entire head had opened up into three sections, all lined with barbed teeth, gnashing at the air between them. Slowly digging its claws into the stone, it began crawling down the wall towards the panicked Mage; its back vertebrae rattling and rat-like tail whipping behind it. Opening its head again and bellowing out a howl the creature jumped off the wall, landing with cat-like grace mere feet before Kheeta.

  If I can see bones, I can break bones, Kheeta reasoned as she swung her make-shift spear with all her might at the monster’s drooling head. To her shock, the weapon passed through her adversary with the same resistance as a pool of water, and it was the creature’s turn to attack, swiping at her throat with a long sharp claw.

  Kheeta barely managed to duck in time, panic overwhelming her as she swung the pole again; this time at the exposed rib cage, the beast’s gaunt skin giving her an easy target. Only, once again her attack phased through with little to no apparent effect. I can’t beat it! Kheeta concluded with panic as she turned to run back the way she had came, as fast as her legs would carry her.

  Scratches and rattling followed behind, growing ever distant, but the echo of the maze making it almost impossible for Kheeta to gauge the actual distance. What in the Gods’ names was that? She screamed in her head as she ran, her lungs beginning to burn now, and her legs slowing; she was going to give in to exhaustion before too much longer. I can’t quit now… She thought to her self with grim determination, as she noticed the sounds of the cat-beast were gone.

  Deciding that she needed to take a break and regain her stamina, Kheeta stopped and sat down. She looked at the pipe in her hand, all the comfort of safety it had provided before, gone. This stupid thing didn’t do anything against that monster… Kheeta thought for a moment, the maze eerily quiet as she sat there alone. Maybe they can only be hurt with magic… I mean this is the Mage’s Test. Holding out her hands she focused on shaping her magic, giving it form; the orb that had been lighting her way spilt in half, beginning to writhe and elongate. As the bright glow of her concentrated magic receded she found herself holding two long whips, both radiating an aura of light across the full length.

  “Yes,” Kheeta muttered under her breath as she looked down at the new weapons in her hands. Kohda always said I was better with a whip than a sword. Kheeta commented internally, smiling as thoughts of her family momentarily made the maze a little less scary.

  Her happy thoughts were short lived however, as a quiet sobbing echoed softly down the corridor. “Hello? Is anyone there? I thought we were in our own tests?” Her questions were met with more soft sobbing sounds and curiosity was beginning to get the best of her, taking a right turn at a fork to follow the sounds. “Hello? I’m coming down the hallway okay? If you’re hurt, please, let me help you.” She slowly walked down the path towards the crying sounds, that continued to get louder as she progressed. Turning right down one corridor and then left down the next, Kheeta was determined to find the source of the distressing sounds.

  Stopping dead in her tracks she saw a person, curled up with their knees pushed to their chest and their head down. “Hello? My name’s Kheeta, are you okay?” Receiving no response she decided to move closer; partly because she needed to see if the individual was alright, but also because she was desperate for any kind of companionship at the moment.

  As she got a few feet from the individual she noticed something wasn’t quite right. Before she knew what was happening three long spidery legs burst through either side of the crying man’s rib cage. “Oh my Gods!” Kheeta screamed scrambling back as the body rolled over, limp and lifeless. It stood on the spider-like legs, the corpse’s own legs and arms dangling just inches above the ground. It’s humanoid face stuck in a permanent crying expression, staring frozen up at the dark sky.

  The creature reared up, a squealing whistle coming from within, as the head struck. Kheeta rolled just in time to avoid the hollow spike that speared out of a hole in the top of the man’s head. Her ears spun around, alerting her that two more creatures would soon be upon her, I have to try and get this situation under control before more get here, she thought jumping to her feet.

  Gripping her whip, she pulled back, quickly changing direction with an audible snap, launching it towards to monster and wrapping its throat. She repeated her movements with her other hand, the second whip tightly grasping one of the black legs that had burst from the corpse; causing the creature to release a pained screech as its leg crumbled and dissolved. Grasping the original whip with both hands now, she pulled with all her weight, causing the inhumane noise to stop with a final squelch as it crumpled to the floor, headless.

  “Oh Gods that was terrible!” The thought of the bladed legs bursting out the man’s sides driving bile into her throat. No, no, more are coming, I can’t think about that, just focus on finishing this maze. She steeled herself as the creatures scurried towards her, trilling to the one she had just killed. They let out a shriek as they rounded the corner to see Kheeta standing near their fallen comrade, lunging onto the walls towards her.

  Kheeta began whipping at their arms, driving them back as each connect left them with craters where flesh dissolved. The larger of the two rushed towards her, swiping with its bladed appendage. She took the opportunity to coil her weapon around one of the other legs, pulling the creature off the wall and onto the floor where she thrashed at it until it stopped moving.

  Looking up to continue her fight revealed the other spider-like creature scurrying away, “Yes!” She exclaimed twirling her whips above her head, “this spell is amazing!”

  Now that she knew how good her weapons worked she walked the pathways with confidence, her ears continuing their rotation, telling her where to strike next. After several twists and turns she found herself again in complete silence, Well this is eerie, she
thought as she turned trying to decide which quiet path to take, her tails beginning to twitch behind her.

  When there had been enemies to fight she had been too preoccupied to think about directions; but now, as she sat in silence, she was beginning to panic she had gone all the wrong ways. I need to hurry and get out, I can’t stay in here! Hysteric thoughts raced through her mind as she hurried down pathways, it felt as though the walls would squeeze shut on her at any moment, crushing her. Kheeta ears perked up, stopping her in her tracks, What is…? Oh Gods not again… she turned towards a familiar rattling noise, her stomach knotting up as it grew closer. I need to get out of sight, Kheeta thought to herself quickly, slipping down one of the side paths.

  A loud crash down the way she had came, made her almost jump out of her fur, and the light of her whips dissipated; the sounds of the unseen monster breaking her concentration and ending the spell. Oh you forsaken… rattling around the corner cut off her thoughts, and she stared down at her now empty hands through tears. Come on you have to work… She held her hands out and closed her eyes, slowly reciting the incantation she had practically burned into her mind over the last few days. The light began to grow between her palms and she carefully split it into her whips again, just as her predator rattled into view.

  Sizing up her opponent with determination Kheeta lashed out, making the first attack; her whip cracking loudly against the floor mere inches from the beast, sparks of light flying out in every direction. The monster backed up for a moment, causing Kheeta to smile, this is a cake walk now. She lashed out again, forcing the creature to continue its retreat.

  “I’m going to kill you, I will complete this maze, and I will become a Mage!” She yelled flicking her whips of light, accenting each sentence with a loud crack! The last swing of her assault finally connected, and just like with the spider monsters earlier, light seemed to burn away and dissolve the skin, leaving a large scorched hole in its shoulder. A loud howl came screeching out of its mouth as the head split into three again. “I’ve got you,“ Kheeta’s taunt turned into a scream as a searing hot pain erupted in her calf, like fire licking a fresh log. Looking down at her leg revealed the source of the pain, a second creature had been hiding behind her. Using the element of surprise it managed to sink one of its long claws into the distracted Kitsune.

  Kheeta swung her whips down as hard as she could, both wrapping around the arm that had impaled her leg. With a hard pull upwards the light severed the limb, causing the creature’s squeals of pain to join her own. Both of the monsters had backed away now, giving Kheeta her space and nursing their wounds. “Get out of here!” She scream as she limped towards the least wounded one., making it turn and run down the hallway, quickly joined by its hobbling companion.

  I can’t believe that worked! Kheeta thought to herself, joy overcoming the pain in her leg, if only momentarily. Kneeling down she grabbed ahold of the clawed hand still embedded in her leg and gave it a quick tug. White pain caused her vision to go blurry for a moment and the maze began to spin. Blood trickled from the gash in her lower extremity as Kheeta ripped the bottom of her shirt off, tearing it into strips, and bandaging herself up with a wince and grimace.

  I need to find my way out of here… I’m sure that they’ll be back soon and I’m not in any shape to defend myself now, she urged, flinching as she pulled her homemade tourniquet tight. There has to be some indication of the exit, she thought, looking around for any clues, only to be met with a familiar darkness. Well clearly seeing isn’t going to be how I find the way. Her ears swiveled trying to find any new source of noise, the sounds are just the same as they’ve been since I got here, maybe…? Raising her nose to the air she took in several big sniffs, that’s new, she thought, following the smell, it isn’t dusty or mildewed, this is almost…floral. She picked up the pace, a smile spreading across her face, despite the pain. Aurora must have gotten out! I mean she’s passed every other test.

  She turned the corner to find the hallway abruptly end in a dim green light. As she realized it was a portal floating against the wall, she dove through without a second thought, landing in soft grass on the other side.

  Kheeta stood, expecting to see her cabin, but her mouth was agape; the enormous snake tower directly in front of her. What? Kheeta wondered, as she frantically looked around trying to deduce where the portal had spat her out. She was in a meadow full of wild flowers, that must’ve been the smell…but how do I get back to the cabin? An enormous red tower loomed over her and looking up she realized it was the giant snake from earlier, and to her right shimmered another green portal.

  “That must be the exit!” Kheeta exclaimed loudly to no one in particular as she began to limp towards it, her tails perking up and beginning to wag. I did it! I’m so close to finishing! She rejoiced in her head as she finally reached the warbling portal, slowly extending a hand to touch it. Wait… what about the tower? It was one of the first things to appear, does it have a purpose?

  Questions held Kheeta captive, and she found herself unable to reach into the portal, her tails drooping once again. I’ve taken a really long time in the Mage’s test already, so I really should just leave… but what if the real challenge is to make it up there and I fail by simply leaving? Curiosity and anxiety finally won the internal war raging in her mind and she pulled her hand away from the portal; turning back to the base of the giant snake.

  The tower was made of red stone, carved so life-like that Kheeta swore the bricks were really snake scales as she reached out to touch them.

  “Where am I supposed to-?” She stopped her question mid-sentence as her hand found what felt like a door knob; taking a deep breath, she gave it a strong pull. To her surprise the door didn’t open at all, in fact, it didn’t even budge. “Why won’t you open?” Pushing and pulling seemed to have no effect, making her yell at the door, kicking it as hard as she could.

  Kheeta was about to give up and head back through the exit portal when the scent in the air changed, causing her to crinkle her nose in disgust. “Oh my Gods, what is that?” She wondered aloud as she scanned the meadow for the source of the sensory assault.

  Waddling into view from the far end of the meadow was a creature so grotesque, Kheeta instinctively look away. It stood six feet tall, had excessive rolls of skin a sickly yellow and bruised color; it had one large bulbous eye taking up residence where its stomach and pectorals should be, and the beast had no neck or head, the shoulders simply following a straight line across. Four legs, like over-stuffed sausages made a Quadra-pod for the creature to waddle on, and six large swollen arms protruded from it’s sides. Horror slithered its way into Kheeta’s mind as she realized that this monster, who didn’t appear to have a mouth at first glance, in fact had six. One in each of its palms, teeth gnashing and snarling as it ran towards her as fast as its four chubby legs could carry it.

  Deciding that she didn’t want that thing’s hands anywhere near her, Kheeta quickly summoned her whips to her side, giving them both a crack in the air and sending sparks of light flying. The creature was only a few feet away now and she was sure that she had worked out a strategy.

  Lashing out with her whips, at alternating rhythms, she attempted to hit the large eye that was the beast’s glaring weak spot; however, right before her whip would connect one of the monster’s arms would block it away, leaving a deep burn where the light touched. Its arms are too thick for me to try and amputate with the whip like the others… think Kheeta! Her thoughts peaked into an internal squeak as the monster threw a boulder that exploded next to her head, sending debris and dust through the air. She quickly ducked behind a large bush, temporarily blocking her from her adversary’s line of fire.

  “If my whips won’t work then…” Kheeta muttered to herself as she pressed the two strips of light back together. The ends of the whips twirled and fused, reshaping themselves until they were one, forming of a scimitar. It’s not Celia’s but it’ll do. Kheeta thought with a smile of determination, adrenaline
helping her ignore the searing pain coming from her still-bleeding leg.

  She peeked around the bush and saw her pursuer had not only found her position, but was closing in fast. Readying her sword she rolled from behind cover, slashing upwards, resulting in two of the abomination’s hands falling to the grass as her blade severed them.

  Kheeta’s eyes darted up to her foe as she regained her footing and charged again, her head low to the ground and a fire inside her. As she got within the monster’s reach she saw the three hands on the uninjured side lunge for her, teeth chomping, eager to taste Kitsune flesh. There’s no way to avoid them! Kheeta realized with horror in the split seconds she had to make a decision. Swinging her tails to her side, like a make-shift shield, she lunged forward with her blade.

  Three greasy hands grabbed her firmly, three sets of teeth ferociously gnawing at her tail like a starving wolf, causing her to scream out in anguish. Using the pain as motivation, Kheeta drove the sword harder and deeper into the horror’s eye until it’s grip on her loosened and it fell down lifeless.