When Virgil made his entrance, a palpable wave of tension swept through the air, as if the very atmosphere quivered in fear of his presence. Emerging amidst the chaotic battleground, he arrived just in the nick of time, moments before Idris could deliver a devastating blow to Greed from behind.
Virgil was a humanoid male who exuded an otherworldly allure, his faint blue skin contrasting starkly against his meticulously slicked dark blue hair elegantly parted. His eyes held a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of reds, resembling precious gemstones more than mere irises. Adorning his form was a striking ensemble - black pants paired with knee-high white boots that boasted a subtle heel. A long black jacket cascaded around his shoulders, flowing like a cape, creating a stark contrast against the pristine white shirt underneath.
With astonishing swiftness, Virgil seized Idris by his hand and, in one fluid motion, ruthlessly tore both wings from his body. The anguished cry that erupted from Idris rent the air, sending shivers down the spines of all who bore witness. The sheer horror of his torment resonated throughout the battlefield.
Menelik rushed to Idris's aid as Virgil swiftly lifted Idris’s spear, executing a seamless movement. In one fell swoop, he impaled Menelik in the stomach, hoisting him up and staking him into the sand, presenting a macabre spectacle for all.
"FuuAHH!" Menelik's uncontrollable coughs filled the air, his agony palpable, while Maeve and Zero hurriedly advanced towards him.
"Go left!" Maeve's urgent command sliced through the chaos.
Reacting promptly, Zero veered left. His short sword transformed into a greatsword with a swift transmutation, its hilt wrapped in green leather. He swung the red metal blade forcefully into the sand, and a massive wave of sand erupted, engulfing Virgil and Maeve, shrouding them in a darkened shadow.
Maeve cast off her cloak, revealing two demon hands coiled around Virgil, exerting tremendous force as they began to draw him back towards her.
Zero let go of his sword, leaving it behind on the ground, and surged forward. His determination carried him as he tried to outpace the cascading sand and the vanishing shadow. His clenched fist pulled back, and with a fervent cry, he exclaimed, "SHOOOOOW MEEEE..." His fist pulsed, enveloped in a radiant yellow glow, but confusion abruptly furrowed his brow.
"SSSWWORMHAAH...what?" Zero's voice trailed off, his action halted abruptly, as he and Virgil instantaneously swapped positions.
Maeve halted her assault, swiftly closing her cloak and releasing Zero. They regained their footing and resumed their relentless pursuit. Zero summoned his greatsword from the sand and promptly transmuted it into a stone warhammer. Despite his exhausted and labored breathing, he mustered his last reserves and swung it down forcefully into the sand, generating another cascading wave.
Maeve melded herself into the shadows, vanishing from sight.
The aftershocks of Zero's strike faded, and he released his grip on the warhammer, sinking to his knees with an exhausted sigh. Lifting his drooping head, he clung to the desperate hope of witnessing even a solitary blow from Maeve landing on Virgil, yet luck continued to elude them.
Virgil pressed forward with unwavering determination, shattering Maeve's shadowy refuge with a forceful stomp, expelling her into the sand. In a fluid motion to his right, Virgil thrust his fist, effortlessly snapping the spear that had held Menelik upright in two. Menelik crumpled onto his side in the sand, while Virgil seized the other half of the spear, holding it firmly. With a definitive throw, he propelled it forward, impaling Zero in the right breast and pinning him down.
Virgil moved toward where Lust and the others had gathered, kneeling beside Greed. Gently pulling back her cloak, he revealed the grievous wound inflicted by Lust earlier.
"There, there, my child," Virgil's voice assumed a soft and soothing tone. With a tender gesture, he lifted his hand to Greed's face, and as his touch made contact, the wound instantaneously healed.
His attention then turned back to Lust, his tone taking on a stern and ominous timbre. "You may be my first creation, but you are far from my favorite," he declared. His voice resonated with a darkened intensity, conveying his displeasure. "Perhaps it is YOU who needs to remember THEIR PLACE."
Returning his gaze to Greed, Virgil's voice returned to its calm nature. "Do you feel better?" he inquired. Greed responded with a subtle nod. "Good," Virgil said, carefully draping the cloth back over her and tenderly patting her head. "Now," he continued, shifting his gaze towards the others, examining each one of them with a discerning eye.
Virgil approached Menelik, lifting him into the air, removing his side of the spear, and healing his injury. He suddenly let him drop back into the sand before proceeding toward Idris. Standing over his unconscious body for a moment, Virgil then kicked him onto his stomach. He knelt down and placed both hands on Idris's shoulder blades, mending the wounds left behind by his wings. "Forgive me," Virgil spoke with a tinge of remorse. "I know how difficult it was for you to grow them, but I couldn't allow you to harm my children… I just needed them trained."
Rising to his feet, Virgil scrutinized the four individuals once more. "Altar has your friends," he stated, a smile playing on his lips. "When you see King Mazu again, tell him I quite enjoyed his library, but I must close the portal; my research has concluded."
Virgil started to walk away, his form gradually dissolving into minuscule shards of sand. "Ta-ta for now, be seeing you," he uttered, and as he and his children faded. The sand around the area began to sink, pulling all four of them down into its depths. “Again, thank you for helping me test out my new dungeon boss designs. I’m sure you’ll be seeing them again, VERY, soon.”
The surroundings they found themselves in were dimly lit by enchanted torches, casting a faint glow that allowed them to make out a few details. Encircling them were walls constructed from a mysterious black stone, pulsating with faint arcane energy.
As Maeve mustered the strength to stand, she noticed something unsettling—her horns, which had been concealed within the Void of her cloak, had torn through the fabric and were now exposed.
She began to lift the fabric to inspect the situation when Menelik chimed in. "HeyyyYYYOOOOO, look at those!" He walked over towards her. "Gawd DAYUM, those are impressive." His gaze then shifted toward Zero, his head tilting forward as he sported a mischievous smirk. "Nnniiiiice." He turned back to Idris, questioning, "How come your horns aren't as cool?"
Idris shook his head, a pained and exasperated expression on his face. He let out a deep sigh. "Could you… Just not… For like… Five minutes?"
Menelik grinned, feigning innocence. "Whaaaaaaa’t?"
Meanwhile, Maeve lifted her cloak, only to find its interior empty of anything but fabric. She took a moment to inhale the air, attempting to discern their location.
"Are we still in Volja Vatre?" Zero wondered.
Maeve shook her head, confusion etching across her face. "No." Suddenly, a realization struck her, widening her eyes. "This… This is Arrithian air. Smells like Pök, actually—" She abruptly stopped, her voice trailing off. With a sense of urgency, she hurried toward the walls, pressing her body against them and inhaling deeply. After a brief moment, she nodded, her expression filled with alarm. "Yep." She turned back to the rest of the group, spreading her hands wide with a sarcastic smile. "Welcome to the Harvester's Maze."
Nestled deep within the heart of the sandstone island of Pök stands a cryptic maze, fashioned by an enigmatic entity who referred to themselves solely as the Harvester, this labyrinthine marvel has captivated and entrapped countless explorers and scholars.
Whispers wove a narrative of the Harvester originating from a distant universe, journeying through the vast cosmic expanses to delve into the riddles of their own origin. Amidst this cosmic odyssey, they stumbled upon Arrithia, discovering within its realms a new subject for their insatiable curiosity.
Constructed from a material of enigmatic origin and possessing arcane properties, the maze held a singular attribute that nullified all forms of magic within its confines. This enigmatic substance served as a barrier, suppressing the flow of mystical energies and thwarting even the most accomplished spellcasters' abilities.
Some conjectured that the Harvester had transcended the physical realm, evolving into an ethereal entity interwoven with the very essence of the labyrinth. Contrasting beliefs posited that the maze itself had acquired a malevolent consciousness, luring unsuspecting souls with tantalizing murmurs of enlightenment, all while the Harvester embarked on another universe-spanning sojourn.
"Ain’t this the biggest maze on Arritha?" Menelik quipped, playfully nudging Idris with his elbow. "I betchu excited, you love yourself a maze."
Idris glanced at Menelik, his expression a mix of irritation and wryness, and nodded towards the towering walls surrounding them. "Heh, I do like me a good maze," he admitted.
Menelik's voice broke away from the conversation as he exclaimed, "Hey, folks! Any of you seen my staff… Or my warhammer?"
All eyes turned to him, the realization dawning that they had all been stripped of their weapons.
Baffled, Menelik pondered, "Where they go?"
Before any could respond, an earth-shaking roar resonated from behind them.
"Oh," Menelik remarked, "how did something so big manage to sneak up on us?"
A Minotaur emerged, its imposing physique draped in a dense, obsidian-black fur. Intense fiery eyes gleamed with unwavering focus. Adorned with an array of intricate jewelry, the creature's horns bore golden rings, while its neck carried a chain with assorted gemstones. Powerful arms were adorned with dark metal cuffs embedded with bones.
Its formidable body was a canvas of dark and mystic tattoos, weaving an intricate tapestry of symbolism and magic. Intricate sigils, ancient incantations' visual embodiments, graced its shoulders and chest.
Brandishing a colossal battle-axe of otherworldly blackened metal, the Minotaur raised it with a thunderous roar as it gave chase.
The group raced through the twisting maze, the Minotaur's thunderous hoofbeats closing in with each turn they made. Its furious roars reverberated through the labyrinth's corridors, creating a sense of urgency that fueled their sprint. Amidst split-second decisions, they chose paths in haste, but the maze seemed to stretch endlessly before them. Despite their efforts, the distance between them and the pursuing beast didn’t dwindle.
Their heartbeats pounding in sync with their footsteps, they rounded yet another corner, only to be met with an unexpected sight. Before them stood a gazebo, bathed in a green radiance. Exchanging perplexed glances, they frantically approached the structure. The green light shimmered and swirled, casting an enchanting luminescence upon their faces.
Stepping within the gazebo's embrace, a soothing calmness enveloped them, quelling the turbulence in their frayed nerves. Gazing back at the maze, they saw the Minotaur, its colossal form hesitating at the boundary of the green light. It snorted and stamped its hooves, its eyes fixated on the group, a mixture of frustration and rage emanating from its very being.
A peculiar power seemed to emanate from the green glow, keeping the Minotaur at bay. The beast paced to and fro, the weight of its steps resounding through the air. After a brief pause, it released a final roar of defiance before abruptly vanishing. It dissolved into the solid walls of the maze, as if it were just an illusion shattered by the presence of the radiant gazebo.
When Virgil made his entrance, a palpable wave of tension swept through the air, as if the very atmosphere quivered in fear of his presence. Emerging amidst the chaotic battleground, he arrived just in the nick of time, moments before Idris could deliver a devastating blow to Greed from behind.
Virgil was a humanoid male who exuded an otherworldly allure, his faint blue skin contrasting starkly against his meticulously slicked dark blue hair elegantly parted. His eyes held a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of reds, resembling precious gemstones more than mere irises. Adorning his form was a striking ensemble - black pants paired with knee-high white boots that boasted a subtle heel. A long black jacket cascaded around his shoulders, flowing like a cape, creating a stark contrast against the pristine white shirt underneath.
With astonishing swiftness, Virgil seized Idris by his hand and, in one fluid motion, ruthlessly tore both wings from his body. The anguished cry that erupted from Idris rent the air, sending shivers down the spines of all who bore witness. The sheer horror of his torment resonated throughout the battlefield.
Menelik rushed to Idris's aid as Virgil swiftly lifted Idris’s spear, executing a seamless movement. In one fell swoop, he impaled Menelik in the stomach, hoisting him up and staking him into the sand, presenting a macabre spectacle for all.
"FuuAHH!" Menelik's uncontrollable coughs filled the air, his agony palpable, while Maeve and Zero hurriedly advanced towards him.
"Go left!" Maeve's urgent command sliced through the chaos.
Reacting promptly, Zero veered left. His short sword transformed into a greatsword with a swift transmutation, its hilt wrapped in green leather. He swung the red metal blade forcefully into the sand, and a massive wave of sand erupted, engulfing Virgil and Maeve, shrouding them in a darkened shadow.
Maeve cast off her cloak, revealing two demon hands coiled around Virgil, exerting tremendous force as they began to draw him back towards her.
Zero let go of his sword, leaving it behind on the ground, and surged forward. His determination carried him as he tried to outpace the cascading sand and the vanishing shadow. His clenched fist pulled back, and with a fervent cry, he exclaimed, "SHOOOOOW MEEEE..." His fist pulsed, enveloped in a radiant yellow glow, but confusion abruptly furrowed his brow.
"SSSWWORMHAAH...what?" Zero's voice trailed off, his action halted abruptly, as he and Virgil instantaneously swapped positions.
Maeve halted her assault, swiftly closing her cloak and releasing Zero. They regained their footing and resumed their relentless pursuit. Zero summoned his greatsword from the sand and promptly transmuted it into a stone warhammer. Despite his exhausted and labored breathing, he mustered his last reserves and swung it down forcefully into the sand, generating another cascading wave.
Maeve melded herself into the shadows, vanishing from sight.
The aftershocks of Zero's strike faded, and he released his grip on the warhammer, sinking to his knees with an exhausted sigh. Lifting his drooping head, he clung to the desperate hope of witnessing even a solitary blow from Maeve landing on Virgil, yet luck continued to elude them.
Virgil pressed forward with unwavering determination, shattering Maeve's shadowy refuge with a forceful stomp, expelling her into the sand. In a fluid motion to his right, Virgil thrust his fist, effortlessly snapping the spear that had held Menelik upright in two. Menelik crumpled onto his side in the sand, while Virgil seized the other half of the spear, holding it firmly. With a definitive throw, he propelled it forward, impaling Zero in the right breast and pinning him down.
Virgil moved toward where Lust and the others had gathered, kneeling beside Greed. Gently pulling back her cloak, he revealed the grievous wound inflicted by Lust earlier.
"There, there, my child," Virgil's voice assumed a soft and soothing tone. With a tender gesture, he lifted his hand to Greed's face, and as his touch made contact, the wound instantaneously healed.
His attention then turned back to Lust, his tone taking on a stern and ominous timbre. "You may be my first creation, but you are far from my favorite," he declared. His voice resonated with a darkened intensity, conveying his displeasure. "Perhaps it is YOU who needs to remember THEIR PLACE."
Returning his gaze to Greed, Virgil's voice returned to its calm nature. "Do you feel better?" he inquired. Greed responded with a subtle nod. "Good," Virgil said, carefully draping the cloth back over her and tenderly patting her head. "Now," he continued, shifting his gaze towards the others, examining each one of them with a discerning eye.
Virgil approached Menelik, lifting him into the air, removing his side of the spear, and healing his injury. He suddenly let him drop back into the sand before proceeding toward Idris. Standing over his unconscious body for a moment, Virgil then kicked him onto his stomach. He knelt down and placed both hands on Idris's shoulder blades, mending the wounds left behind by his wings. "Forgive me," Virgil spoke with a tinge of remorse. "I know how difficult it was for you to grow them, but I couldn't allow you to harm my children… I just needed them trained."
Rising to his feet, Virgil scrutinized the four individuals once more. "Altar has your friends," he stated, a smile playing on his lips. "When you see King Mazu again, tell him I quite enjoyed his library, but I must close the portal; my research has concluded."
Virgil started to walk away, his form gradually dissolving into minuscule shards of sand. "Ta-ta for now, be seeing you," he uttered, and as he and his children faded. The sand around the area began to sink, pulling all four of them down into its depths. “Again, thank you for helping me test out my new dungeon boss designs. I’m sure you’ll be seeing them again, VERY, soon.”
The surroundings they found themselves in were dimly lit by enchanted torches, casting a faint glow that allowed them to make out a few details. Encircling them were walls constructed from a mysterious black stone, pulsating with faint arcane energy.
As Maeve mustered the strength to stand, she noticed something unsettling—her horns, which had been concealed within the Void of her cloak, had torn through the fabric and were now exposed.
She began to lift the fabric to inspect the situation when Menelik chimed in. "HeyyyYYYOOOOO, look at those!" He walked over towards her. "Gawd DAYUM, those are impressive." His gaze then shifted toward Zero, his head tilting forward as he sported a mischievous smirk. "Nnniiiiice." He turned back to Idris, questioning, "How come your horns aren't as cool?"
Idris shook his head, a pained and exasperated expression on his face. He let out a deep sigh. "Could you… Just not… For like… Five minutes?"
Menelik grinned, feigning innocence. "Whaaaaaaa’t?"
Meanwhile, Maeve lifted her cloak, only to find its interior empty of anything but fabric. She took a moment to inhale the air, attempting to discern their location.
"Are we still in Volja Vatre?" Zero wondered.
Maeve shook her head, confusion etching across her face. "No." Suddenly, a realization struck her, widening her eyes. "This… This is Arrithian air. Smells like Pök, actually—" She abruptly stopped, her voice trailing off. With a sense of urgency, she hurried toward the walls, pressing her body against them and inhaling deeply. After a brief moment, she nodded, her expression filled with alarm. "Yep." She turned back to the rest of the group, spreading her hands wide with a sarcastic smile. "Welcome to the Harvester's Maze."
Nestled deep within the heart of the sandstone island of Pök stands a cryptic maze, fashioned by an enigmatic entity who referred to themselves solely as the Harvester, this labyrinthine marvel has captivated and entrapped countless explorers and scholars.
Whispers wove a narrative of the Harvester originating from a distant universe, journeying through the vast cosmic expanses to delve into the riddles of their own origin. Amidst this cosmic odyssey, they stumbled upon Arrithia, discovering within its realms a new subject for their insatiable curiosity.
Constructed from a material of enigmatic origin and possessing arcane properties, the maze held a singular attribute that nullified all forms of magic within its confines. This enigmatic substance served as a barrier, suppressing the flow of mystical energies and thwarting even the most accomplished spellcasters' abilities.
Some conjectured that the Harvester had transcended the physical realm, evolving into an ethereal entity interwoven with the very essence of the labyrinth. Contrasting beliefs posited that the maze itself had acquired a malevolent consciousness, luring unsuspecting souls with tantalizing murmurs of enlightenment, all while the Harvester embarked on another universe-spanning sojourn.
"Ain’t this the biggest maze on Arritha?" Menelik quipped, playfully nudging Idris with his elbow. "I betchu excited, you love yourself a maze."
Idris glanced at Menelik, his expression a mix of irritation and wryness, and nodded towards the towering walls surrounding them. "Heh, I do like me a good maze," he admitted.
Menelik's voice broke away from the conversation as he exclaimed, "Hey, folks! Any of you seen my staff… Or my warhammer?"
All eyes turned to him, the realization dawning that they had all been stripped of their weapons.
Baffled, Menelik pondered, "Where they go?"
Before any could respond, an earth-shaking roar resonated from behind them.
"Oh," Menelik remarked, "how did something so big manage to sneak up on us?"
A Minotaur emerged, its imposing physique draped in a dense, obsidian-black fur. Intense fiery eyes gleamed with unwavering focus. Adorned with an array of intricate jewelry, the creature's horns bore golden rings, while its neck carried a chain with assorted gemstones. Powerful arms were adorned with dark metal cuffs embedded with bones.
Its formidable body was a canvas of dark and mystic tattoos, weaving an intricate tapestry of symbolism and magic. Intricate sigils, ancient incantations' visual embodiments, graced its shoulders and chest.
Brandishing a colossal battle-axe of otherworldly blackened metal, the Minotaur raised it with a thunderous roar as it gave chase.
The group raced through the twisting maze, the Minotaur's thunderous hoofbeats closing in with each turn they made. Its furious roars reverberated through the labyrinth's corridors, creating a sense of urgency that fueled their sprint. Amidst split-second decisions, they chose paths in haste, but the maze seemed to stretch endlessly before them. Despite their efforts, the distance between them and the pursuing beast didn’t dwindle.
Their heartbeats pounding in sync with their footsteps, they rounded yet another corner, only to be met with an unexpected sight. Before them stood a gazebo, bathed in a green radiance. Exchanging perplexed glances, they frantically approached the structure. The green light shimmered and swirled, casting an enchanting luminescence upon their faces.
Stepping within the gazebo's embrace, a soothing calmness enveloped them, quelling the turbulence in their frayed nerves. Gazing back at the maze, they saw the Minotaur, its colossal form hesitating at the boundary of the green light. It snorted and stamped its hooves, its eyes fixated on the group, a mixture of frustration and rage emanating from its very being.
A peculiar power seemed to emanate from the green glow, keeping the Minotaur at bay. The beast paced to and fro, the weight of its steps resounding through the air. After a brief pause, it released a final roar of defiance before abruptly vanishing. It dissolved into the solid walls of the maze, as if it were just an illusion shattered by the presence of the radiant gazebo.
