The Dungeon Cecilia Brant. Her name was still not all that well known. Having joined the military at her father's behest and served Odin for several months with the utmost loyalty. She found herself still no more than a nobles daughter that was not seen as much different or superior to the rest of her kin. That truth has been weighing heavily on the young noble's mind for weeks. Her efforts seemed to not attract as much attention and praise as they should. This alone was not really a problem per say, but it proved that Cecilia was far from being anything even close to a deity. If even getting to the pinnacle of the mortal world was this difficult one could only fathom surpassing the gods. Cecilia spent a entire day gathering supplies and equipment. It was becoming much less frequent for her to be able to go on dungeon expeditions. Luckily, she spent much of that time getting some practice in whenever she good. Still, nothing like the real thing... and today Cecilia had planned for something truly life threatening. Remembering how she and her supporter Damion had made it all the way to floor eight and back alone. Cecilia would attempt several more trips alone to see if it worked for her completely solo. It would be much, much harder. After several trips though, it became more and more obvious that the dungeon was predicable more so than some would think. Yes, the dungeon did randomize itself and monsters poured out from everywhere. However it was so easy to figure out the weakness of the same basic foes and the traps could only be so many varieties. Cecilia was no longer becoming satisfied with the normal floors anymore. She needed to fight creatures that were stronger, smarter... more akin to what she may have to challenge to accomplish her dreams. Sadly she doubted such a thing existed in the dungeon even on later floors. If a god were in there... would they not have left by now to the surface? The very fact no god had simply not cared about the 'reactions' that the dungeon had to them and simply destroyed the place or sealed it permanently was very confusing to the noble. One of her first tasks as goddess of all would be to get rid of this evil den for good. Alas that was then and this is now. Cecilia had but one goal today, one mission. She would go and descend to floor seven of the dungeon, and defeat it's boss, the Ant Queen... alone. This was suicide for most people. Cecilia needed to put her life on the line. It was only through this kind of intense challenge that she could bring herself to the level she dreamed of. Of course she trained daily for this and remembered the tactics and combat style of the ants and their queen. She had her plan thought out. A small coating of anti acidic oils was on all her equipment. It would be impossible to use her leg targeting strategy here due to numbers, so she would have to simple hack and slash. At this point, such things were trivial. It was the Queen along with her horde that brought the true challenge. And so, Cecilia braced herself and entered the dungeon with her usual resolve... Floor 7 The arrival on floor seven was easy for the most part. The biggest hurdle was dealing with the larger groups of monsters. It required her to put all her speed into her attacks and to aim straight for the killing blow at all times. This was her main fighting style anyway. While she was mostly what one would call a 'balanced' fighter, it was her ability to aim and find the best ways to slay her enemies as efficiently as possible that made her seem almost like a glass cannon type. In the end Cecilia simply did what she needed to defeat her foes, at any cost. Stepping onto floor seven, she would remember the floor well. It was time to push herself to the limit. Her new limits from her training and missions. This would have to be quick and decisive, no goofing off. Cecilia would now move quickly through the egg filled halls. It had unfortunately calmed down here some due to the average adventurer strength becoming higher and more able to reach this point. Still this was a solo quest aiming for a boss tier monster. Ants took no time to attack. They began to spawn from the walls and the eggs. Cecilia's body would spin and jump. Dragging her sword threw and across ant hides. When they appeared to her rear, she would allow them to gather and perform spinning motions. Twirling her sword to cause the ants on all sides to gush a acidic death. Keeping her body low and rolling out of the spraying paths just barely each time. Some acid would land, however her anti acid was working well. It was unfortunate that she was unsure how effective ti was on any other creatures since it was designed for the ant's acid specifically. Ants, ants, ants. Cecilia gave them no quarter and her blood began to pump as her adrenaline rose. She was pushing herself., but it was in this that she would grow ever stronger. Making a dashing slash through a wall of ants that crumpled into a pile of goo. Cecilia would see the Queen Ant's chamber. She could only hope that the Queen had respawned. If any adventurer parties had slain her recently... Cecilia would have to leave and did this for nothing... how disappointing that would be. The training was good but she needed this battle to truly test her skills for the future. The Queen had to be here! It would not take long for a familiar rumble and a calm smile to cross Cecilia's face. She could hear the ants approaching from the rear but it was irrelevant. This was why she had come. The Ant Queen emerged with a dozen of baby ants in tow. Now it was time for the real battle. Cecilia would unleash her determination once again today. Taking a new sword stance that she had mastered. She met the enemy in battle... The young ants were nothing but nuisances, she used quick low swipes to take them out the ants to her rear were all but on her now and the Queen seeing her children slain advanced with greater speed. Cecilia took to the air. Flipping with grace and landing her sword home with each landing. Sometimes going for full circular sweeps to take out the hordes. As the Queen attempted a bite attack with her great mandiibles. It was easily dodged. Unfortunately... Cecilia was finding damaging the Queen to be more difficult than she thought. The shell like skin of the Queen was far tougher than the other ants. It was likely true then that normal weapons could not pierce it. This would require a different approach. Cecilia would try and remember the Odin expedition... Meanwhile the ants were growing furious that a single human was still alive in the middle of their Queens lair. They swarmed in from various tunnels . Cecilia kept moving and killing. The hordes were single minded and had literally no tactic but to overrun her. This would prove futile at least for now. She was more than ready to slay meager creatures like this, but her own vitality would only hold up so long. Ant parts flew as she finally remembered the soft weakness of the Ant Queen. Her under belly! Indeed that was how that cat ninja girl defeated it by the princes order! Cecilia would have to do a similar tactic but literally entering the creature, not to mention turning her over, would be difficult alone... Seeing a pile of eggs nearby she had a crazy idea. These eggs were tough enough to withstand some degree of weight and the ants could not jump or fly. Even if they tried to crawl up to her it would take time if she chose a high enough pile. There! Cecilia sprinted and climbed the tallest pile of eggs that made sickening noises as she stepped on them. The acidic ooze that covered them would slowly try to eat through her boots but the anti acid was still holding... for now. The ants seemed confused at first but in short time would try to crawl up their unhatched kin to get to her. The Queen Did not want to damage her eggs so she tried to bite at the girl with out getting too close. Cecilia kept her sword in front of her and began to chant as quickly as she could. If this failed she would be cornered by ants and the Queen... "Hear me now. Those who defy the laws of the heavens be damned. Witness the power of those from on high. The power that channels through me now. God beseeches thee and thou hast sinned. Receive thy just rewards for thy impudence! Pray ye be reborn anew! Worship Thy God!" The feathers filled the room and ants looked bewlidered by the light they emitted. The Queen made a full on charge to attempt to get the girl now. Not caring for her eggs. The feathers would explode in a dazzling light show just in time. Ants burned and bounced about,crashing into each other. The feathers around the Queen's legs burst causing her make a funny dance as she was started and became unbalanced from the various pushing lights. Cecilia quickly slid down the slimy eggs directly under the Queen and past her running her sword up across her under belly. goo rained down as the attack fulfilled it's purpose but it was not over yet. Jumping back up and spinning t with her sword out to catch any nearby ants. Cecilia saw the Queen begin to turn and now filled with rage and pain it would be that much more aggressive. Not giving things a chance to develop. Cecilia prayed quietly to her lord Odin for his blessing. This was it. Going head first at the Ant Queen she coaxed another angry bite attack out of her. Again sliding under the Queen and under the bite this time without the aid of her spell. She slid through the goop and while it still was raining down from the Queens under belly, thrust her sword straight up into the torso of the insect. A cracking sound would tell taht she had hit her mark. The Queen writhed in agony and acid fell upon Cecilia as the Queen's body began to fall down on top of her. Quickly she rolled away. The ants began to scatter as their queen feel and bled all over the ground, her soul stone shattered while still within her body. Suddenly, amazingly enough... the lair grew quiet and still. Cecilia was on her knees. Her body covered in burning acid. Her body trembling as the silence began to cause her to wake up to reality... she was mortal and in pain. Not only that but also about to pass out. That would be bad. Breathing heavily she stuck her sword into the ground and pulled herself to her feet. Her hair was wet and she reeked. Urgh... she needed to wipe it off but frankly she was too tired. Her hand felt for her healing potions. She needed them badly. Pulling one out with a shaky hand she gulped it much unlike her normal manner. The soothing sensation came but as always would take some time to actually work. Looking around at her handiwork as her mind cleared. Cecilia smiled again. Such a innocent and kind looking girl... but this smile was one of a tyrant who had stomped her enemies into the ground. She was victorious. She had passed her challenge. Even if she almost died it was worth it. Her potential was limitless if she simply kept pushing and growing. One day her destiny will be realized. It finally seemed somewhat realistic now. Standing back up straight, she walked with a small limp towards the path to floor eight. It would be a good place to relax and recuperate for the return trip. Her body was still aching but her morale was high. If her lord Odin knew of her accomplishment would he praise her? Truly she did not know. Why, she was uncertain if it was even wise to tell him. She did not want him to think her of having a death wish. This was her private quest. Floor 8 Resting on floor eight and drinking two more health potions. Cecilia would wipe herself off and bath in the lake near the Gnoll cave. It was refreshing and gave her the time to think about things. To think about how different her life, other's lives, and the god's lives were. She wanted everyone to someday share the same kind of life. One of peace and happiness... today she felt that maybe, just maybe... that day was now ever closer.
