Chapter 17 – "Into the Depths"
The sky was still dark when Reinhardt stood at the edge of the expedition camp. The smell of damp earth and fresh pine filled the air as his handpicked warriors and adventurers made their final preparations.
Before them lay the entrance to the Blackreach Dungeon—a yawning chasm in the earth, lined with ancient stonework that pulsed faintly with an eerie blue glow.
The air hummed with forgotten magic.
Reinhardt tightened his grip on Emperor's Edge, feeling the weight of destiny in his hands.
"Move out."
With those two words, his first dungeon expedition began.
A Force to Reckon With
The expedition party was small but elite, chosen for their unique skills:
Reinhardt Lionheart – Wielding Emperor's Edge, his sword that grows with his kingdom.
Gerrick Ironfist – The General Commander, a seasoned warrior and tactician.
Karl, the Shield Bearer – A defensive powerhouse, leading the frontlines.
Oswald, the Scout & Archer – Master of stealth and ranged attacks.
Sylwen, the Elven Mage – A silver-haired sorceress specializing in arcane and elemental magic.
Thirty veteran warriors – Well-trained knights and rangers.
Five magi scholars – Sent from the Mage's Tower to document the dungeon's magic.
Their goal was clear:
Explore the dungeon, assess its dangers, and claim its treasures.
Descent into Darkness
The first steps into Blackreach were met with silence.
No wind. No creatures. Just the soft echo of their footsteps on the smooth stone floor. The deeper they went, the cooler it became, until their breath was visible in the dim torchlight.
Sylwen touched a nearby wall, her silver eyes narrowing. "This place… is ancient."
Reinhardt raised an eyebrow. "Older than elven history?"
She hesitated. "Perhaps. The magic here is… unnatural."
A chill ran down Reinhardt's spine. Unnatural magic meant unknown dangers.
Then, Oswald signaled—a clenched fist raised in the dark.
"Movement ahead," he whispered. "Something's watching us."
The warriors drew their weapons.
From the shadows, red eyes flickered to life.
And then… the attack came.
Battle in the Dark
A horrible shriek filled the dungeon as creatures lunged from the darkness.
They were twisted things—hunched, skeletal monsters, their clawed fingers dripping with venom. Their bodies glowed faintly, pulsating with dark energy.
[Dungeon Beasts: Shadow Crawlers!]
Fast and deadly.
Weak to magic, resistant to physical attacks.
Can attack from the shadows.
"Shit! Defensive formation!" Karl roared, slamming his shield into the ground.
The warriors formed a tight circle, shields raised, weapons ready.
Sylwen thrust her staff forward, blue light sparking at the tip. "Flames of Eladwyn!"
A torrent of fire exploded forward, illuminating the battlefield and incinerating the first wave of creatures.
But there were too many.
One leaped at Reinhardt—only to be cleaved in half as he swung Emperor's Edge in a powerful arc. The sword hummed in response, its magic growing stronger with every kill.
[Emperor's Edge Strengthens!]
Absorbs energy from slain enemies.
+5% increase in attack power.
Now glows faintly in darkness.
"Push forward!" Reinhardt commanded.
His warriors fought with discipline and precision, cutting through the shadowy horrors.
Yet even as they fought, the dungeon itself seemed to shift.
And then—the ground beneath them cracked.
A Fall into the Unknown
The stone floor collapsed.
Reinhardt barely had time to react before he and his party plummeted into the abyss.
Darkness swallowed them.
The sound of crashing debris filled his ears as he landed hard on the ground below.
Pain shot through his body, but he forced himself up.
"Report!" he shouted.
A few voices groaned in response. Most had survived the fall.
But their torches had been extinguished, leaving them in absolute blackness.
Then, in the distance, a low growl rumbled.
And something massive began to stir.