Ch. 20 – Invictus (VI) (Patreon)

Roy raised his sword and the grey-silver light flowed outwards and infused the guards behind him. “Now, we save Invictus!” He pointed the blade forward, “Charge!”

The guards surged forward past Felix. Tinuriel and Roy led the charge, crossing the purple barrier. Felix activated Fallen Flight and flew above them as the battle commenced. Hellblade.

Detect Weakness.

Several glowing, golden circles appeared on the wolf-dragon monster that towered over the combatants. The eyes, nose, mouth, and right behind the tail. The creature let out a howl that shook the cavern before it began tearing into the guards, its jaws lashing out and snapping them in half with sickening crunches as their screams permeated the air. Felix flew as high as he could, shooting hardlight arrow after arrow – burning with crimson and black flame – into the weak spots. But it was too nimble and fast. The arrows did not hit the intended spots as it slashed its clawed paws across the onrush of the guards.

Tinuriel ducked under one of the leg sweeps and hoisted the blade behind her, turning around as she unleashed a massive slice with a burst of blue energy that exploded upon impact. The monstrous dragon-wolf snarled and bit down at her – but did not meet her. Roy had stepped in the way and lifted his silvery-grey blade into the air, and it exploded with the same-colored light in a flashbang type of effect that stunned the monster for a moment.

The guards took advantage of the dazed monster and charged in, screaming battle cries as they chopped at the flesh ineffectively. The hide and scales were too tough. “Get back! You can’t do anything!” Felix shouted. The commander of the guards waved his men out, and they began to flee. But that’s when a new horror appeared. Large, black, goopy tentacles lashed out at the guards from the murky liquid, swatting at and crushing the guards until none were left. Several of the tentacles grew up towards Felix, and he was barely able to avoid them, being brushed by a few. Where they touched his armor, he heard a slight sizzle.

He continued to pour shots into the monster. Tinuriel and Roy split up, going in different directions on either side of the draconic wolf. The creature bit down towards Roy and crunched into his torso, but he shrugged off the blow and stabbed into the snout of the creature as a blaze of grey-white light exploded up from the impact. “The Dark Lord gives no quarter!” He slashed into the snout over and over, carving off meaty chunks that steamed with the weird gloomlight of his blade. Felix was able to land several shots into its eyes as it barked and whined with pain. “Tinuriel! The eyes and rear!”

Tinuriel ran around the creature and used her blade to pole vault up onto the creature’s back, taking aim at and swiping at the tail as another explosion of blue light streaked along her blade. The tail was chopped off with ease, and the monster lifted it’s mouth up – still holding Roy who was stabbing into it – and wheeled its head around in Tinuriel. She was bashed aside and went flying. “No!” Felix dashed for her – being hit by a few of the tentacles in the process, before catching her. He flew her down to the platform as she shook her head. “Here!” He handed her a Health Elixir from his inventory, and as soon as she grabbed it, a tentacle snaked out and grabbed Felix.

It squeezed and he felt his body creak and groan under the pressure.

He flexed as best he could to try and break out, but nothing was happening. Lucifer! I can’t break out!

I’m thinking!

Felix heard the panic and felt the crunching as bones snapped. He yelped in pain as Tinuriel tried to slice at the tentacle – but had to turn and face the assault of other tentacles as they tried to grab her. Her blows were able to cut through them and they faded into black mist, but the one holding Felix lifted and held him in the air.

Regenerate. Felix felt a chill wash over him. Why isn’t it working?!

Damn! The tentacles stop healing while they are holding you.

Fuck it! Felix put all his Anima into the Hellfire Affinity, envisioning himself exploding into an inferno.

Thanks for visualizing it! Hellfire Burst!

The world exploded around Felix in crimson and black flame. The pressure instantly released, and he was able to dump Vigor into Regenerate to fix his crushed body.

The blast consumed all the nearby tentacles and left Tinuriel and Roy untouched. The explosion scorched the wolf-dragon who was still flinging Roy about, chomping down on him. He remained resolute, but the grunts of pain were impossible to ignore and eventually, the armor gave way with a titanic crunch.

Felix took to the sky once more, landing shots into the wolf-dragon’s eyes. It howled/growled in rage and flung Roy up to him. Felix caught the Dark Lord and used a Health Elixir from his inventory on the injured man. “Thanks,” he grunted. “Drop me on it.” Felix did as instructed, flying over the monster and dropping Roy.

Tinuriel charged forward and ducked another paw swipe from the monster. She was bit at right after but raised her blade and the jaws clamped down on the pointed bit and the hilt. It pulled away, and she raced forward, carving into its snout with another blue strike that cut off a bit of its jaw.

Roy fell on the creature, a silvery meteor that impacted right in the center of its shoulder blades. The sword sunk into the spine and the creature’s back legs gave out. Roy twisted the blade as a surge of silvery-grey energy flowed out and began to surround the creature. “Finish it!”

Tinuriel raised her sword and charged, stabbing forward into the monster’s eye. It let out one more howl before going still. The world warped as the monster faded into nothingness, and the trio found themselves in the same cavernous space. There was a chest in the center of the platform, and a tunnel that extended beyond and deeper. Roy planted his sword on the ground and panted, “That…was…a good job.”

“It was a bit messy…but we survived.”

Tinuriel sat down and let out a groan, “It winged me. I’ll feel that tomorrow.”

Roy just gestured to his crushed armor with a chuckle, and the two melee fighters shared a laugh as Felix descended from above. He went over to Tinuriel, “Need an Elixir?” She shook her head. He offered one to Roy and he waved it away. Felix shrugged and went to the chest.

[Crisis: Heficyre – Prevent Invictus, The Imperial Interior from collapsing – Solved!]

[You have earned a Multiverse Charge]

[Experience Awarded = 50]

[Loot Obtained]

·         Local Currency: Converted to 1000 VC

·         Invictus Dungeon Core (Ancient)

Why didn’t I get a Dungeon Clear Stat Boost?

It seems that this Dungeon has been around so long that the normal reward instead turned into a rarer Dungeon Core.

Tinuriel stood up and went over to the chest, rummaging around inside for a moment before coming up with a ring. “Hmm. What does this do?” Felix went over, used an Anima Elixir, and activated Detect Properties.

[Item Description: Ring of Superior Protection]

[Provides a protective barrier that can take a set amount of damage each day in place of the user.]

Felix explained what it did and Tinuriel put it on. Roy was not paying attention, however, as his gaze was fixed on the tunnel deeper in. “Something is there.” He put his blade up and walked forward. Felix and Tinuriel followed. Felix popped all his remaining Anima and Vigor Elixirs...

...and handed a Health Elixir to Tinuriel. She pushed it away, but he insisted, and she begrudgingly chugged it down.

The tunnel kept going until they arrived at a large stone door. There was a hole in the center, and Roy lifted his blade, putting it into the hole. The silver-grey light spread out in a pattern that showed an enormous dragon’s head, maw open as if to consume whoever stood in front of it. The door ponderously opened, and the trio all gasped.

A skeleton lay there. A colossal dragon corpse. Surrounded by gold. Roy continued forward and put his hand on the skull that dwarfed him. “This was Vorkathreth. My old friend. It is here that I slew him.” He looked up at Felix with a mixture of joy and sadness. “The one who gave me my power. Imbued me with the strength to rule. Right by might, as he put it.” He held up the sword, “This power was his. Gifted to me to unite the Tiers and bring an age of peace and prosperity.”

Tinuriel and Felix walked up closer as Roy sheathed his blade, his form returning to normal as he fell to a knee, his wounds opening. Felix shoved a Health Elixir into his hands, and he sipped it, his wounds patching over. “You need to recover. I can buy a lot more Elixirs in the VBV.”

Roy nodded and used Felix’s hand to help him up. “Vorkathreth was the guardian of Invictus. He helped the first emperor draw the Tier from the Primal Chaos. He embodied light.” Roy held his torso, “And I embodied the dark.” He looked at the skull with sorrow, “We fought, and through our fight, we came to understand one another. We both wanted the same thing. I wanted to bring peace and order, and equality. And he desired the same.”

“I understand,” Felix muttered. “Same goal, different ways of getting there.”

Tinuriel went over and touched the skeleton, “I can’t believe something this big exists. Existed.”

“He gave me his power when I gravely injured him.” He held up his hand and the flickers of the silver-grey light flashed in his palm for a moment. “I thank you for helping me find myself.” He put his hand on Felix’s chest and touched his hand to the pommel of his sword. The grey light flared into existence and Felix felt a lukewarm wave wash over him.

He just gave you a new Affinity. But the System is having trouble classifying it. It’s a mix of Dark and Light, both of which exist. You get to come up with the name for it.

I’ve never been good at coming up with names. You’re the one who comes up with the Magic/Power names. I trust you to choose something epic.

I like Netherlight.

Let’s do that.

It’s equipped. You have a lot of unused Affinity capacity. Should probably spend some of the VC on some in the Shop.

[Congratulations! Because you have earned the trust and power of the Dark Lord Universe #89,750, you have gained access to the Netherlight Myrmidon Class!]

Felix grinned and hugged Roy, “Thank you.” He pulled back, “We aren’t done yet. We still have to get you your reward for delivering that statue, deal with all the guards being killed down here, and get celebrated as heroes.”

Roy grinned, “And then up to Dirge to reclaim my kingdom.”

Tinuriel walked over, finishing her examination of the dragon’s corpse. “We should take this thing with us. I’m sure Felix can use it to craft something.”

“Do you mind?” Felix asked.

“Only if you promise me that you’ll use a Multiversal Charge to create a portal from my kingdom stronghold on Dirge to your VBV.” Roy smirked, “I want to have access to your personal kingdom – for visit and trade. If I’m going to conquer the Tiers, I’ll need allies.”

Felix nodded, “You have good intentions and you’ve shown yourself to be trustworthy. I’d be happy to.”

[Loot Obtained]

·         Complete Dragon Corpse (Ancient Light Dragon)

The trio made their way back to the circle of runes, and Felix put the scepter back into the stone as the platform ascended.

They emerged only to be surrounded by guards. One of the guard commanders approached, “We were told a Versewalker went back here with a detachment. Where are they?”

Felix activated his Fallen Flight and the wings manifested. “The men are below, and they died valiantly to prevent the Tier from collapsing. We learned what caused it. A dungeon left to grow in power for almost four hundred years. Spread the word to the Tiers, none need to collapse anymore.”

The guard captain nodded and sent one of his men running, “How do we get down to where you describe?”

Felix held up the scepter, “This will let you down. Come on, let’s get their remains.”

The trio helped the guards recover the bodies from below and returned to the surface once more.

They followed the guard commander to the entrance of the palace and were let into a side room where Melanie was under heavy guard. She stood up and ran over to Roy, hugging him when she saw him. “You survived! The shaking stopped.”

Felix nodded, “We stopped the collapse.”

The commander tapped Felix on the shoulder, prompting him to turn. “Versewalker, the emperor has invited you to an audience. Please, you and your allies, follow me to the guest wing to make yourselves presentable.”

Felix sighed and shook his head, “In the morning. Can you give us this room to stay in?” The guard commander looked confused for a moment, then shrugged and signaled for his men to exit. When the door shut, Felix turned to his allies. “Give me the four hours and we can go to the VBV.”

Roy nodded and stood at the door, keeping his foot in front of it. “None know of my identity who live, save for us in this room. If they discovered it, then they would try to kill me.”

Tinuriel went over to the single, narrow window and looked through, “No one monitoring us out here.”

Melanie looked at Felix, “You stopped the collapse?” He nodded and she continued, “What next?”

“Loot from the emperor for saving his Tier, for one. Then get treated like the heroes we are.”

“After that, we can head up to Dirge and complete the Crisis there,” Felix followed up.

Melanie nodded tersely but she spoke hesitantly, “I…I don’t know.”

“Don’t know what?” Tinuriel asked as she came over.

“I want to get back home, but without Roy-”

The Dark Lord sighed, “I know how you feel, but I’m not interested.” He looked over to Melanie and despite not pulling his sword, his eyes went light grey once more. “I have work to complete. The Tiers are weaker, less united, than they were in my time. This is the time to build my forces once more and try to take them all.” He gripped the hilt of his sword, “I can bring unity and equality.”

“And that’s a worthy goal. Besides, Melanie, you have Tinuriel, Felix, and me. We can keep you safe.”

Melanie nodded but she had tears beginning to well up. “I’m sorry…”

Roy shrugged, “Don’t be sorry. We’d never work out. I might look young, but right now? I’m thousands of years old.” He chuckled, “I was never a romantic person anyway. You’d be miserable around me. Cut your losses. Felix and Tinuriel will get you back home, and you can find some rich noble to marry.”

Melanie shook her head, “But I want you! I love you!”

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