The Shadow Labyrinth: A LitRPG Adventure
Page 17
"This is not going to be fun," said Terran, holding onto his staff with both hands as he sensed a rather large burrowbeast breaking through the soil ahead. He grimaced and closed his eyes as the circular toothy mouth collapsed around him, swallowing him whole.
You have died!
Chapter Twenty-Two
It'd been quite some time since he'd taken the fast way back to the settlement, and he remembered why he did everything he could to avoid it. Not only had that last moment, as the interior muscles of the burrowbeast crushed him, squeezing the last bit of life from his lungs, been like being buried alive in a pit of nails, but the after death was worse than any hangover he'd ever had.
"Lord Terran? What are you doing here?" asked Ara, crouching beside his prone form, worry on her brow.
Terran lay between the roots of the Mother Tree. The soft light filtering through the trees felt like standing before a spotlight.
"A burrowbeast ate me," he said, groaning as he rotated to a sitting position, hoping to keep the contents of his stomach in their rightful place.
"Oh, are the others okay?" asked Ara as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Should be. I distracted the burrowbeasts so the others could get away." He held up his hand to block the light. "Could you get me out of this sunlight? My head hurts."
With her help he made it to standing, quickly moving into the shade. The Lost Valley had been mostly cloudy with the occasional sunbeam poking through, but that hadn't bothered him too much. Maybe his death made him more sensitive to the light.
Once Ara confirmed he was well, she left him while he waited for his mana to fill so he could return to the loaming team and bring them back to the settlement.
"Lord Terran the Tastee!" cried Granite, slapping him on the shoulder when he arrived, laughing heartily. "Them burrowbeasts thought you were good snack."
The others patted him on his back, thanking him for the sacrifice so they could escape certain death. Enoki went last, hands clasped in front, staring at her sandals.
"Please forgive me, Lord Terran," said Enoki.
The others, minus Granite, who had the sense to step away, expressed confusion then quickly followed the crag troll's example. Terran met her gaze with a level one of his own, not accusing, but not letting her off the hook too quickly either. "Are we good?" he asked, nodding towards Granite.
"No more trouble," said Enoki, nodding profusely.
Terran smiled.
You have completed the quest "Deal with the Crag Troll situation."
Reward: Gneiss Glen morale improved
Reward: New weapon and armor options opened
"Now who wants to go back home?"
The journey took a few trips. He saved Enoki and Granite for last. The pair was quietly chatting when he returned.
"Am I taking you back to the cave or the hilltop?"
Enoki placed her hand on the troll's muscled arm and looked up at his craggy face. "The cave. I'm making him some new bedding to replace the stuff that got ruined in those mudslides."
He left them at the crag troll cave, heading out quickly before Abathee could spot him. He couldn't wait to level up the settlement, returning straight to his chieftain's hut by hidden pathway.
A few days ago, he'd planted the last seed, adding more housing to deal with the overflow from Salt Luck, leaving only one more step to level up. It'd been such a chore to collect all the materials, compared to returning essences to the Mother Tree, that the final step felt significant. When he triggered the new settlement level, he almost expected trumpets or fireworks, but when he was finished, the place looked exactly the same as it had before, so he opened up his interface to examine the changes.
Settlement: Gneiss Glen
Level: 4
Vassal State: Wunderlust Keep
Vassal State: Salt Luck Village
Status Effects:
+25% defense
+30% attack
+25% damage
+27% food production
+32% morale
+5% HP
+5% AC
+5% health regeneration
+5% barter skill
-26% Loam Requirements
+15% Production from Comms Network
-50% Seed growth time
Resources required for Level 5 Settlement
353/2,000 population
30/100 seeds planted
875/250,000 Loam
71/10,000 Sap
13/30 Level 1 Buildings
8/15 Level 2 Buildings
2/10 Level 3 Buildings
0/5 Level 4 Buildings
There were so many changes he kept switching back through the interface: the morale penalty was gone, his overall morale had increased, and the new level brought a whole new host of challenges. He couldn't imagine that he'd reach level 5 anytime soon. First things first, they had to survive the Howling Wind before he could even think about collecting new resources.
When he first entered Kingmakers Saga, he'd always thought that he'd earn a kingdom, not build one from the ground up. Not that he'd had anything to do with the original Mother Tree's creation, but most of the work since he'd found the seed had been restoring the Autumnal Empire to its former glory.
The new settlement buildings had Terran most excited for the defense. Levels 1 to 3, he'd been building basic infrastructure—food production, growth materials, and the like—but now he was afforded new options which had him salivating.
College of War – Requires 3 Seeds
Adds bonuses to war leaders
Increase status effects related to mass battle
Throne Room – Requires 4 Seeds
Adds bonuses to settlement leaders
Used for diplomatic relations with other kingdoms
Spymaster's Quarters – Requires 3 Seeds
Improve intelligence about the surrounding areas
Opens up offensive or defensive spying capabilities
Root Grove – Requires 2 Seeds
Grown in vassal states or other outposts
Adds settlement bonuses to locations
Required for Portal Network
Wildwood Reaper – Requires 1 Seed
Mobile sentient tree (Can be destroyed)
Will defend specified location
Autumnal Grove – Requires 3 Seeds
Each autumnal grove increases status effects
Each grove beyond first requires 1 additional seed
The new buildings alone had him scratching his head about the direction he wanted to take the Glen in preparation for its defense. As he started digging around in each specific building like the Conservatory, he saw new options that made his head spin.
"I don't have to make any decisions right now. First I need to get the black crystal. Any seeds that build up, I can save for when I return."
"Should I come back later?" came a voice from the stairs.
"Della, no, please come in. Sorry. My mind's whirling from all the new options for the settlement," he said.
The tan breeches and white blouse was quite businesslike for her work in the Trading Post, but the way they hung on her curvy frame brought a warmth to his middle. She sashayed into the room and hooked a finger in the hem of his whisperweave tunic.
"I guess you'll have to set that aside while you work on your balance in the hammock," said Della with the corner of her lip curled upward.
"I guess I—"
Della pushed him towards the hammock. "This isn't an option."
For the rest of the evening, not another word was spoken unless moaning or shouted names counted.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Two days later, he stood in the council chamber with his friends—who were geared for travel—along with Petram, Ara, and Zoras. Flynn had been unhappy about leaving Darkness Sighs at Wunderlust Keep, but Terran wasn't entirely sure he could trust her.
"Should we wait for Lhoris and Aminata, or Kumotake?" asked Ara, glancing at an equally confused Petram.
> "I didn't invite them. I wanted to keep this amongst a select few, and besides, our two generals are busy training, and Kumotake has much to do to recover our loam stock after I upgraded the settlement," said Terran.
"The cryptic message suggests you're going after the black crystal in the Shadow Labyrinth," said Petram, frowning. "Is this wise?"
Terran handed over a message he'd received from Arabast at Salt Luck. Thankfully Zoras had been manning the communication crystal when the warning came through. The head of the Conservatory stared at the floor as if it were a pit of snakes. The expressions of the two elves quickly fell as they read the parchment.
"Is this true? What if it's a trap?" asked Petram.
"I've considered that the news could be a ruse, but I don't see much value in warning us of their approach," said Terran.
"They knew you were interested in the Black Citadel," said Zoras. "They could be trying to force your hand. Get you to waste yourself trying to capture a black crystal while they roll over our defenses without you."
"I don't know...not when they're bringing such an overwhelming force. Even if we were a level 6 settlement with a massive army, it wouldn't be enough." Terran rested his boot on a bench, leaned on his knee. "I thought you'd want me to go after the black crystal."
The head Lore Keeper tugged on his sleeves. "I would, but not at the cost of the Glen."
"Not even if the prophecy suggests that I should go?" asked Terran.
"Prophecies are dangerous," said Newt, forehead furrowed. "I'm sorry, Terran. We can't trust it. I know our trainers told us to embrace the game, and not think about the programs behind it, but in this case, I think that's dangerous. What if the game world is trying to force a reset, to free the Beast That Eats the World, but it can only do that with an appropriate champion?"
"I had those same thoughts," said Terran with a sigh. "I'd rather not wipe this land clean, us included, if I can help it, but getting captured by the Howling Wind isn't exactly appealing either."
"We don't even know much about them," said Zara, scowling as she reached behind her head to run her finger along the razor-sharp edge of her axe. "Is there an Offworlder at their head? Or are they like a locust swarm, mindlessly destroying everything in their path?"
No one had an answer, so the conversation paused as they contemplated their next steps.
"The black crystal is our best hope," said Terran.
Flynn had been fidgeting with a dagger, until he dropped it, narrowly missing both feet, but spearing a preacher bug that had crawled into the room. He stared at the dead critter as he said, "What are you even going to do with a black crystal? Didn't you nearly blow yourself up the last time?"
"It was on purpose, and I was new to being a Crystal Bard then," said Terran.
"He does have an affinity for them," said Zoras. "That is rare enough to warrant consideration of this path."
"Are we not forgetting the legend of the Lady Bard of Belavar, the powerful but ill-fated Fermanta?" asked Petram.
"How much of that is true and how much is just a story? Seems rather unlikely she created the whole sea between the two continents," said Terran.
"Legends are rarely true but there is always truth within their core, which suggests that a black crystal is nothing to be trifled with," said Petram.
"Are you suggesting I let the Howling Wind just roll in here and take everyone prisoner?" asked Terran exasperatedly.
The shaman gave a tight shake of the head. "I am not suggesting that, but I advise caution. If you go down this path, there are two risks—the Beast and the black crystal—but maybe if you stay, we can rally the city of Dagrath to our side."
"That ain't happening," said Zara, arms crossed. "Either they're already compromised, or so blinded by their own greed they can't see the writing on the wall. I managed to do some recruiting for the settlement, but far too few to make a difference. Really, the ones that are leaving are doing so because they can't stand the oligarchs anymore."
"I know it's a long shot, but if I can get the crystal without waking the Beast, and learn how to use it, maybe I can destroy their ships before they even arrive. Summon up a few waterspouts and take out their transport. That's the point they're most vulnerable."
"When did Arabast think they'd be launching their fleet?" asked Ara.
"Three weeks, probably less," said Newt grimly. "Time is against us." He cleared his throat. "There's another option, though it is quite unpalatable."
The tight stare revealed his friend's thoughts. "No. Newt, no. We're not abandoning the settlement."
"The old crag troll fortress is much more defensible than Gneiss Glen. If we abandoned the forest and hid behind strong walls, we could repel an army orders of magnitude larger," said Newt.
"No," said Terran, shaking his head. "Simply no. Not after everything we've worked for."
"Sunk cost fallacy," said Newt quietly.
"Let's focus on the plan. Going after the black crystal," said Terran. "Zoras. Do you have what I need?"
The head of the Conservatory held up an orb of uneven darkness, which after second glance, proved to be a collection of shadow shards bound together.
"This anchor should guide you through the hidden pathways to a location in the Shadowlands."
Terran accepted the item with both hands. "Thank you, my friend. You did good work. How far from the anchor is the labyrinth?"
Zoras glanced away. "I'm afraid I could not find that information. The Lady of Shadows guards her realm well, which is why the Beast was hidden away in her lands rather than the others."
Zara unleashed her axe and held it, squeezing the hilt, which made her knuckles crack. "We're all going, right? Just like the Ghost Tower?"
Terran let a grin spread across his face as his answer. "The four of us plus Luna. We'll make short work of the labyrinth. The Beast, too."
"What about Darkness Sighs? I don't want to leave her behind," said Flynn as he scraped the bug off his dagger with his boot.
"I'm sorry, Flynn. I'll only be able to take the four of us. I could ferry everyone back and forth, but moving into other realms doesn't work like this one. I can only keep you guys with me. I'm already worried that the Shadowlands will do their best to repel us," he said.
Earlier in the day, when he'd put Zoras to the task of making the shadow anchor, he'd finally assigned his remaining Champion's Path points, making it possible to travel between realms.
Champion's Path: Georealm
Worldwalker [0 pts available]
More points available as champion path goals met
More abilities open at higher levels
Pathway Traveler: Use the hidden paths for traversing the world [3/3]
Traveler's Gift: Additional protections in lands not your own [0/5]
Helpful Party: Bring your friends on these journeys [3/5]
Earthblood [0 pts available]
More points available as champion path goals met
More abilities open at higher levels
Sacred Ground: Reflect damage against enemies for 3 seconds per point in skill [1/5]
Stone Heart: Increase armor and abilities related to stone spells and skills [0/5]
Earth Friend: Increase stats and abilities when traveling underground [0/5]
He really wished that he had another point to put into Traveler's Gift, which would help in the Shadowlands, but he thought it was more important to bring all his friends instead.
"Why did you bring us here if you already made up your mind?" asked Ara.
"I hadn't, not entirely. But I'm more confident about this path now." Terran nodded towards Newt. "Even if it is risky."
"What happens if you can't return?" asked Ara, chin held high, lips pinched.
"That's why you three are here," said Terran. "I'm appointing Petram as seneschal, which will allow him to make decisions for the Glen while I'm gone, and if we cannot return, it will allow you to appoint a new chieftain, or take that spot for yourself." He spread his ha
nds. "I'm sorry, it's the best I can do."
"I do not like it, but I will support this path," Ara said grimly.
"Thank you." He sighed. "Please keep this secret. If the Lady of Shadows or Howling Wind find out that we're not in the settlement, they might use this opportunity to strike."
"When are we leaving?" asked a sullen Flynn as he kicked at the dirt. "And can I tell Darkness Sighs first?"
"Sorry, bud. Ara can tell her you had to make a quick journey with me, but nothing else," said Terran. "In fact, to keep up the ruse, everyone is going to head back to their normal locations. Newt to the Conservatory, Zara and Flynn back to the road as if you're going to the Keep and Dagrath. I'll pick you both up along the way."
"It's a plan I guess," said Flynn.
"I'm ready to use my axe again," said Zara, flexing her right bicep then giving it a kiss. "Being a diplomat makes me itchy."
Everyone left except for Petram, whom he'd motioned to stay. The old shaman approached cautiously.
"Lord Terran?"
"Cut the lord stuff, you've been here since the beginning," said Terran with a sigh. "There's one more person who knows about this trip. I should have kept my mouth shut but I wasn't thinking at the time."
Petram nodded sagely. "Della."
"Yeah," he said. "She knows about Chanterelle too, and while she's been understanding, I don't truly know her heart. Even if it's on accident, she might reveal our plan."
"Why don't you speak to her? You owe her that much," said Petram.
Terran closed his eyes and turned away. "You're right, even if I don't want you to be." He paused. "I'll speak to her before I go but keep an eye out just the same."
He went straight to the Trading Post, finding her in back, packing a crate with collections of herbs either bound by string or loose in a clay jar. She took one look at him and stood, facing off squarely.