CHAOS SHARD: Beol Mine

_____Auriel needed something else to occupy her free time now that she was no longer going into the actual dungeon. While she spent some time after her mission on the eighth floor to look over countless jobs she never found a good fit. But with the sudden change of tempo she had recently with her new so called older brother introducing himself she needed something to get her mind off all of the questions she had. Life was getting so chaotic for her recently it seemed, maybe that was what drove her to the mines before her.

_____She honestly had no idea her real reason other than wandering into the area and deciding to take a look inside. She wore her usual H rank gear and her I rank dagger was fastened to the left side of her hip as she casually walked around without any real known idea of what she was looking for. She took a moment to stop and run her hand against a support beam of the mine. Her mind was darker then most would think as she considered blasting the beam to crush herself underneath rubble. Those thoughts of death often kept her from acting before she thought about it. Moving her hand away from the support beam before she kept walking around.

_____Her focus was later broken again as the area seemed to get darker without the natural light pouring in from outside. Eyes scanned the mine tunnels for something she could use to light her path through the dungeon like area. The connection of thought to the dungeon caused her to shiver and slow her pace. She wanted to do something that was not dungeoning, but here she was walking through a old mine that had reports of monsters within it. Kicking a rock into the darkness before she heard it resound against metal and drew her dagger by instinct.

_____ Her right hand open palm in the direction of the sound as she was ready to slash or blast something with magic. Her posture was lower to the ground then her four foot height normally was, legs shoulder length apart and eyes scanning the entire tunnel passage that led into the black area no light reached. She was hoping there was no spiders or monster spiders beyond this point, the thoughts she had once again causing her to shiver and lower her guard by accident. Anything with half a brain would know that would be the time to attack the girl, but from where would they come? Front from the darkness, or behind from where she thought it was safe?

 

Soren needed some time away from the Dungeon, it had become too stressful for him nowadays. In fact, he couldn't really perform his duties at Briareus' cafe due to the problem that arose while dungeon delving. He rubbed the back of his head and grimaced as he tried to ignore the whispers he'd been hearing for some time now.

He wasn't sure why he would be in a place like this, a bit far from civilization but no doubt having some sort of monster inside. He did need some time to get away from his work as a supporter, but the Beol Mine held danger and that might be triggering for him. Still, he came here, so he might as well explore the place a little, no?

He sighed as he rested against a wall, closing his eyes. He was only on the first floor, nothing seemed to have happened, which was good. He needed the peace and quiet more than anything at this rate. He wondered if he could take a break from acting as a supporter before shaking his head. No, his father and him needed the money and though he wasn't paid much, it was still better than being a waiter. The dark elf tried to ignore the words that were telling him to use his weapon and kill something as he laid there for some time.

 

_____Auriel would soon sheath her dagger as relief washed over her. Nothing had come to attack her despite the foolish mistakes she had made. Posture rose and just as she was moving her arm down red glowing eyes shined through the darkness. Her first reaction was move her arms up and aim for the targets. Taking a stance almost akin to running backwards before she charged her magic. ”Blast!” Her voice echoed slightly in the tight tunnel before the orb of arcane magic shot forward lighting up the darkness for a brief moment before it collided with a goblin who wailed in pain.

_____While some would have took aim again and keep the assault up, Auriel could only wonder how a goblin was somewhere outside the dungeon. Stepping back a few paces before she re-aimed her hands for another shot. More red glowing eyes began to show up, totaling of three as Auriel took a small breath before returning focus to just one of the goblins. ”Blast!” Another orb of Arcane magic spiraling out, sadly off course and into a supporting beam of the tunnel. A look of failure crossed Auriel’s face before she reached for her dagger and held it at the ready.

_____The three goblins emerged from the tunnel cloaked by darkness, while two had been fully ready for a fight, the third was missing an arm from Auriel’s first magic attack. The arrival of the three into the light was enough to make Auriel consider running away and hiding under her bed, or simply just slicing her own throat so they did not have the chance to kill her. Arms trembled nervously before they stopped, her gaze locked on them, and their gaze locked on her as both groups rushed forward.

_____Auriel was sick of running away, she was sick of herself for being a coward, if she was going to die she was going to die trying! Her engage with the enemy was slower paced than the goblins, while this was not because of her lack of speed but her taking time to read her enemies. Meeting them more in the light of the tunnel giving Auriel the advantage of seeing them and not aiming in the dark this time. Feet slide for a moment before she jumped back, her right hand moving to aim at the wounded goblin. ”Blast!” Her magic blasting the skull of the goblin before Auriel had to step back some more.

_____Her magic might have been easy to use, but she needed to limit her uses like her teacher had told her. Hand gripping her dagger tightly as she slowly paced backwards trying to return to a much narrower spot in the mine. Auriel had a small reach and range of attack, and against two targets she would need to fight in a spot only one could advance her at a time. She just hoped she was not imagining that narrow spot when she entered the mine.

 

Soren had checked if everything was in order after he had rested a little inside the mine. He seemed to have everything so far. His bow, a quiver full of arrows, some food and water, basic stuff he would need to traverse the mine. Just like in the Dungeon... his mind went. He tried to ignore the uncomfortable feeling that gave him as he tried to ignore the voices and continue on his way.

After some time, he heard the flapping of wings that seemed to be coming up ahead. His eyes widened at the mine bat and he ducked just in time before it could slam into his head. He immediately got out an arrow and tried to aim for the bat. It was fairly fast, but he was able to bring it down after a couple of arrows. It seemed like the monsters didn't disappear when dead and he had to take the body and carefully pull the arrow out, wincing at the noise it made. He began to gather up the rest of his arrows he'd used and missed with before going on his way.

The more he walked in the mine, the more he felt like it was taunting him or something. You're not strong enough, you'll die alone, you don't have the guts to stand up to others, the list went on and on. He gritted his teeth and shook his head, trying to get rid of the thoughts and the noise buzzing in his ears. He needed a break, but this place wasn't giving him one. But maybe he could take his frustration out on the monsters here?

The next thing he knew, he stumbled upon a mine goblin. The goblin chattered as it dashed forward and tried to swipe at him. Luckily, he was still in his right mind to dodge the attack and ready his bow. “O passionate flames, consume this arrow and let it fly straight and true!” he chanted, "Flaming Weapon!" The arrow burst into flames and he fired at the mine goblin, who shrieked as it both burned and pierced it. He shot another arrow at the being, then another. Soon the goblin had fallen, arrows stick out from his body. He gritted his teeth as he bent down to get the arrows out of the body. He needed them more than ever, and recycling would help make sure he was still capable of fighting. Once he wiggled the arrows out and put them back into his quiver, he stood up and began to continue making his way deeper into the mine.

 

Soren continued to wander the mine, his weapon at ready while his head pulsed with a headache. He knew he shouldn't be fighting in his present state, but he also didn't want to turn back now. The conflicted feelings that mixed with the voices he would occasionally made him jumpy and unfocused. Not a good combination.

He sighed as he looked around where he was at. There were large boulders that were partially blocking the path, but there was was nothing else of note. He knew, however, that there were monsters to be found in this area, after fighting that goblin. He heard the sound of flapping wings over the din of voices and he looked up to see bats flitting over his head. One dropped down quickly and ran into his face, biting his nose.

"Argh!" He punched the bat away from his face and rubbed his nose. It wasn't bleeding, which was good. The other bats took the initiative to swoop down as well, surrounding the dark elf boy. "Get away!" he yelled as he tried to bat away the bats that were in his face while readying his bow to take aim. Through the flapping wings and small bodies, he could see some of them flapping back up, no doubt planning to dive again and get in his face.

Once he batted some of them away, he began firing his arrows as best as he could at the bats. Some arrows remained stuck on the ceiling, but others hit the bats that shrieked and fell to the ground with a dull thud. More thuds matched the rhythm of his pounding heart, though he took no notice of it. Eventually all the bats had fallen, an arrow in their body. He bent over and began to collect his arrows from the bodies, his face stuck in a frown. He wasn't able to get the arrows in the ceiling, which meant less arrows to attack with. He still had plenty, though, but what if he was attacked by something larger and he didn't have the arrows? He shook his head. Better not think about it. Soren continued where he left off, once more exploring the mine.

 

_____Regret and panic would wash over Auriel as her back was met with the unfortunate feeling of a wooden support beam. She had backed herself into a wall, and the only way out was forward past the two remaining goblins that had been angered after the lose of their fellow kin. Her dagger shock like her conviction to kill another being, they did not dissolve like those within the dungeon. Heart raced as the goblin rushed forward towards her and she closed her eyes ready to die. ”Dam it maggot, get your ass in gear!”

_____Auriel’s eyes shot open and soon followed up with a ducking motion before she slashed upward across the goblin’s throat, her eyes flooded with fear and shock. The voice she heard, it seemed so familiar but she could not think of any face or name that matched it. She did not see anyone near her leaving only the idea it was some past memory returning it a fragment like all the others. Growling she rushed forward cutting through the last goblin before she fell to her knees holding her skull.

_____”I don’t remember raising a dam weakling, get that ass back up and keep fighting your sister until you have her in a death lock -----!” The voice kept returning in fragments as she held her head trying to shut it out. She wanted to know who the voice belonged to, but something deep in her mind was telling her the past was better left forgotten. It was only the sound of wings and a bow string that managed to stop the voice she was hearing. Slowly rising to her feet before she went to leave the mines. Her head was throbbing and she was in no mental state to proceed, that and she was not wanting to be in anything akin to a dungeon.

 

Soren found himself deeper within the mine, occasionally stopping to rest. Other than the bats and goblins, it was pretty much a cakewalk. He just had to make sure that he wasn't wasting his arrows. Being here instead of the Dungeon was rather different. For one, he was the one calling the shots as he traversed the area. For another, he didn't have to worry about other people. But being alone was terrifying because it meant that he was the only one fighting monsters, no one else. It made his pulse quicken and head pound as he continued on.

When presented with a fork in the road, he didn't know where to go. Deciding to leave it to Lady Luck, he went over to the left path to see if there was anything of note. His steps echoed as he trekked onward, trying to ignore his thoughts and the whispers he could hear. Though thankfully, those whispers had died somewhat and he found himself relaxing a little. At least he wouldn't have to worry about that distracting him for the moment.

What he reached was a dead end where there were a bunch of mining supplies to be had. He didn't have time to look around before he suddenly heard the flapping of leather wings and he found himself staring face to face with a bat with one large eye. He didn't have time to recoil before the bat did something to him. Whatever it did, it caused him to freeze up. He couldn't move for five seconds as the bat took its sweet time to bite down and feast on his blood. Once he felt his muscles moving again, he swatted the bat away and pulled out an arrow.

Though it was now away from him, the bat was still able to move fast and he couldn't really focus his arrow on the creature. His bow moved to the left, then to the right, then back and forth as he tried to aim for the bat, missing a few times. He was getting a little frustrated when he heard more flapping wings. Apparently this wouldn't be the only bat there was. It was a shame they weren't land bound otherwise he would be able to use his Binding Thorns spell.

He gritted his teeth as he fired arrow after arrow at the bats, four of them in total now. Some of the arrows fell harmlessly on the ground while others stuck to the ceiling of the mine. Arrow after arrow after arrow, until finally he managed to snag two bats at their wings. He let them flutter uselessly on the ground as he focused on the remaining two bats. They fell after some time and he realized he was almost out of arrows.

Making his way to the two bats he hit with one arrow in their wings, he used the arrows he had left to pierce through their eyes and end their life. Now there was the task of retrieving his fallen arrows. He grunted as he tried to wiggle the arrows out of the fallen bodies of the bats before going over to collect the arrows that had dislodged themselves from the ceiling. Checking his quiver, he realized he had about half of them left. I probably need to buy some more arrows soon, he thought to himself as he took a look around the mining supply room. Maybe he could find something there, who knows? He rummaged through the many boxes and tools to see if there was something of worth.