Upon regaining consciousness, Zero found himself within the embrace of a round hut, reclining upon a soft, mossy green lilypad. His body was enfolded in damp seaweed, while the delicate aroma of nearby emerald waters gracefully permeated the air. The lilypad floated serenely upon a pool of crystalline water that entered the hut through the entrance, then meandered gently to the back, merging with a broader stream.
The hut's walls emitted a pristine white luminescence, subtly augmented by the soft yellow radiance emanating from the sea orchids that adorned the surroundings. Zero's gaze wandered, perplexed by his surroundings. "Why am I in a giant coconut?" he queried, furrowing his brow in thought. As he endeavored to rise, a searing pain coursed through his body, forcing him to wince in discomfort.
Maeve appeared at the entrance, donning the same ensemble of seaweed top and shorts. Her pale red skin shimmered in the sunlight, though her expression conveyed a palpable sense of defeat. A small sigh escaped her lips. "I need you to get up, we’re needed."
Maeve and Zero found themselves on Urith Prime, one of the three remnants of a once vast island, now perched upon the colossal back of a Giant Gorgon Snapping Turtle. The turtle's shell rose majestically, crowned with swirling clouds and sporting spikes that resembled mountains. Along the shell's edges, accumulated salt had formed undulating dunes and beaches, while the splashing waves had carved intricate rivers and streams that crisscrossed in all directions allowing bits of greenery to flourish.
Castle Lionhale clung to the tallest spike, its enchanted stone walls resilient against the ocean's tempestuous moods. Crafted from rough stone blocks, the castle blended seamlessly with the rugged mountain. Practicality took precedence in its design, evident in the slender slits of the guard towers and seemingly perpetually raised wooden gate.
Coconut huts dotted the landscape, arranged around the streams, with some perched directly above them. These unique huts served as havens for the wounded, providing much-needed respite and care. Others sheltered the Lizardfolks of Nümjë, who either awaited or had already faced the Trial of the WaterBorne—a sacred rite offering a chance to earn gills and reconnect with ancient ocean-dwelling ancestors. It was something Zero had always wished to witness, but it would seem today would not be that day.
In the company of King Mazu, an elder Merrow, Maeve and Zero stood. Merrows, the bedrock of the Urith islands, were often misunderstood. They possessed frills instead of ears, short tentacles over their mouths, and an array of fins adorning their heads and backs. Their emerald-sapphire scales matched the brilliance of their eyes. While they could form small cavities in their tail fins for movement on land with the production of legs, most preferred the ocean, rarely stepping foot on land.
Signs of age were etched on King Mazu, with missing dark blue scales and shortened tentacles on his face. He relied more on bipedal locomotion now, seldom employing his broken and withered tail fin. A vibrant orange and red sash adorned his chest, concealing scars on his lower torso. His trident staff, an imposing weapon, gleamed with a freshly polished crimson-blue shaft, accentuated by embedded sapphire-like gemstones.
On the shell's western side, the trio sat in the sand on their knees, observing the ocean waves crash over the shell. King Mazu's voice, a blend of calm timidity and resonating echoes of battles past, initiated their conversation. "Zero, your wife has spoken of your might as a warrior."
With a casual tone, Zero responded, "I'm not one to boast, but yeah, I, I, I’uh, I can pack a punch."
King Mazu nodded solemnly. "Splendid. Within my castle lies a dungeon, the anomaly has emerged within my library. I've sent several brave souls in, but not a single one has returned, and the entrance persists. The last group of four cost me dearly. Should you conquer this enigma, I shall honor you with a dinner in my royal company."
He stood, planting his trident firmly into the salt. "It will be a remarkable feast, but that is all I can offer you at this time," he declared. With a resolute thud, the trident met the salt once more. "My words are spoken. Follow me now."
Inexplicably, King Mazu harbored a desire to shroud the interior of Castle Lionhale in secrecy. As a result, Maeve and Zero found themselves blindfolded with resilient sea plant roots. Guided by the king, they navigated through a labyrinthine maze of corridors, threading their way along endless halls. After ascending multiple flights of stairs and traversing what Zero deemed the longest corridor of his life, they eventually arrived at the library.
Upon entering, the warmth of a cluster of Fire Gems enveloped them, while the air held the alluring scent of aged paper. Instinctively, Zero moved to lift his blindfold, but King Mazu's stern rebuke halted him. "Only once the door has been closed!" Mazu's voice rang out, authoritative and commanding.
Zero withdrew his hand gradually, waiting for the door's resonating closure before receiving permission. "Now you may uncover your eyes."
The library was a spectacle to behold. Its circular layout hosted bookshelves stretching four meters high along the walls. A multitude of colorful book spines created a kaleidoscope that bathed the room in an enchanting and visually pleasing atmosphere. A wheeled ladder leaned against one shelf, and Zero couldn't help but notice an empty space on the top row.
King Mazu ascended the ladder and moved a book from the left to fill the slot and took one from the right to replace it. The sequence of sliding and pulling persisted for a moment, until King Mazu placed the last book. Gears turned, and the shelf beside him swung open, revealing an expansive chamber overflowing with books. The room stretched far beyond sight, its height surpassing twelve meters and its width just under twenty, its length seemingly immeasurable.
Maeve's curiosity got the best of her. "What magic is at work here?"
King Mazu met her gaze. "Who Magic," he affirmed. "Makes things larger on the inside than they are on the outside."
"Fascinating," Zero commented. "How does it work?"
"I did not perform the feat; I am solely its beneficiary," King Mazu answered.
"And the dungeon?" Maeve pressed.
"It lies within, right inside, roughly sixty to seventy kilometers away."
Zero's eyes widened. "Did you just say 'sixty to seventy kilometers' and 'right inside' in the same breath?"
King Mazu didn't respond verbally; he merely extended his trident forward. "My words have been spoken."
"Alright… Can we at least have our belongings back?" Maeve glanced at their makeshift seaweed clothing.
King Mazu burst into hearty laughter. "Certainly, certainly. I will retrieve your possessions." He snapped his fingers, summoning a Fairy that materialized in a cloud of pink and black smoke.
They were a Titania fairy, diminutive beings hailing from the islands of Kikimaru. He adorned himself in a dapper blue tuxedo, complete with crisp white pants and a matching vest. His skin, an otherworldly shade of pale, contrasted sharply with his eyes, which shimmered with an ethereal, vibrant green that seemed to radiate with an inner light. His bald head granted him a humanoid appearance at first glance, but upon closer scrutiny, one couldn't help but notice the absence of a nose and mouth.
"Laxle at your service, Your Majesty," the Fairy greeted with a bow. "What is your wish?"
King Mazu cleared his throat. "Ahem… I desire for you to retrieve Zero and Maeve's belongings."
Laxle nodded, executing graceful spins and dives through the air around Zero before proceeding to Maeve, repeating the agile performance. Dissolving into the same puff of smoke, he quickly exchanged the seaweed for their garments.
Zero stretched. "Ah, that's much better. Now, let's—"
Maeve intervened, grabbing the collar of Zero's vest and pulling him close. "Hold on! You've NEVER been able to teleport someone you weren’t touching, let alone someone you couldn’t see…" She parted her cloak, revealing the shadows within. "…and you managed it after a fight with a Higher, so just calm yourself and get inside my clo—"
"YOU FOUGHT A HIGHER?" King Mazu erupted.
Zero swayed his head. "The term 'fought' might be an exaggeration in summarizing what transpired, but sure, we can go with 'yes'."
King Mazu gazed into the library, contemplative. "Hmmm." He glanced at his shoulder, then down at his trident. "Would you do me the favor of holding this?" He handed his trident to Zero and, with a gentle tug, removed his right arm from its socket.
"HEY!" Zero exclaimed. "WHY DID YOU DO THAT?! How did you do that?"
King Mazu examined his detached arm before speaking. "A Higher took my arm, severed it with a casual flick of his finger. No blood, no pain. I hadn't even realized it happened." He reattached his arm and retrieved his trident. "I thought if the Highers were to step down and truly challenge us, that it would be a massacre… To hear that you fought one and lived, it shows me that in my old age, I have grown out of touch with the strength of the new generation."
The dungeon's entrance swirled chaotically, emitting vibrant blues and reds while resonating with a resounding hum. Without words, Maeve and Zero advanced toward the threshold, feeling the tug of the dungeon on their clothing. Maeve's cloak danced on the edge, almost disappearing into the void. She pulled it back slightly, draped it around her body, and stepped forth, vanishing with a luminous green glow. Zero followed suit, a sensation akin to someone tugging at his wrist briefly accompanying the transition.
Upon emerging, a surreal landscape unfolded before them, unlike anything they had ever witnessed.
Instead of anticipated caverns and caves, they stood in an expansive world that seemed boundless. A stretch of scarlet-hued sand and rock extended ahead, while an eerie green sky loomed overhead. The atmosphere carried an unsettling mix of heat and cold. In the distance, a slender, lone towering black mountain reached skyward.
Around them sprawled the remnants of a colossal city, its gothic-style structures lying in ruins in every direction. As they ventured deeper into the decay, a forbidding castle floated in the sky before them. Its ominous appearance mirrored the one encountered on Vol, exuding a magical green aura while slowly rotating in the sky. Its presence cast a foreboding shadow over the desolate terrain.
"This sure don’t feel like no dungeon," Zero noted, his voice tinged with unease.
Before Maeve could respond, an unsettling chill descended, accompanied by dense fog that obscured their surroundings. A figure materialized before them, shrouded in a voluminous red cloak bound by brass chains, obscuring them entirely. Their head tilted left and lazily flopped right. "You've come to… End me, haven't you?" they drawled in a deep, almost lethargic tone.
Zero sensed an overwhelming power emanating from the figure, surpassing even Nix's. "Depends. We're actually looking for some adventurers… Have you seen any?"
The figure raised their head, a slightly more focused demeanor emerging. "Who are you seeking? I have many."
"Oh… Uh… Who… Who… Who you got?" Zero inquired.
The fog swiftly receded, unveiling two unconscious adventurers sprawled on the ground.
"Have these two but can't locate..." Their head tilted right. "...their friends..." As the figure continued to speak, the fog gathered, creeping into the fabric. "...if you find them…" Their head tilted left again. "...can you inform me?" The figure's form wavered, their voice echoing through the dispersing mist. "By the way…. I'm Sloth… Welcome to my home… Volja Vatre… Although… I think you call it something else… I believe you call it… The afterlife."
Upon regaining consciousness, Zero found himself within the embrace of a round hut, reclining upon a soft, mossy green lilypad. His body was enfolded in damp seaweed, while the delicate aroma of nearby emerald waters gracefully permeated the air. The lilypad floated serenely upon a pool of crystalline water that entered the hut through the entrance, then meandered gently to the back, merging with a broader stream.
The hut's walls emitted a pristine white luminescence, subtly augmented by the soft yellow radiance emanating from the sea orchids that adorned the surroundings. Zero's gaze wandered, perplexed by his surroundings. "Why am I in a giant coconut?" he queried, furrowing his brow in thought. As he endeavored to rise, a searing pain coursed through his body, forcing him to wince in discomfort.
Maeve appeared at the entrance, donning the same ensemble of seaweed top and shorts. Her pale red skin shimmered in the sunlight, though her expression conveyed a palpable sense of defeat. A small sigh escaped her lips. "I need you to get up, we’re needed."
Maeve and Zero found themselves on Urith Prime, one of the three remnants of a once vast island, now perched upon the colossal back of a Giant Gorgon Snapping Turtle. The turtle's shell rose majestically, crowned with swirling clouds and sporting spikes that resembled mountains. Along the shell's edges, accumulated salt had formed undulating dunes and beaches, while the splashing waves had carved intricate rivers and streams that crisscrossed in all directions allowing bits of greenery to flourish.
Castle Lionhale clung to the tallest spike, its enchanted stone walls resilient against the ocean's tempestuous moods. Crafted from rough stone blocks, the castle blended seamlessly with the rugged mountain. Practicality took precedence in its design, evident in the slender slits of the guard towers and seemingly perpetually raised wooden gate.
Coconut huts dotted the landscape, arranged around the streams, with some perched directly above them. These unique huts served as havens for the wounded, providing much-needed respite and care. Others sheltered the Lizardfolks of Nümjë, who either awaited or had already faced the Trial of the WaterBorne—a sacred rite offering a chance to earn gills and reconnect with ancient ocean-dwelling ancestors. It was something Zero had always wished to witness, but it would seem today would not be that day.
In the company of King Mazu, an elder Merrow, Maeve and Zero stood. Merrows, the bedrock of the Urith islands, were often misunderstood. They possessed frills instead of ears, short tentacles over their mouths, and an array of fins adorning their heads and backs. Their emerald-sapphire scales matched the brilliance of their eyes. While they could form small cavities in their tail fins for movement on land with the production of legs, most preferred the ocean, rarely stepping foot on land.
Signs of age were etched on King Mazu, with missing dark blue scales and shortened tentacles on his face. He relied more on bipedal locomotion now, seldom employing his broken and withered tail fin. A vibrant orange and red sash adorned his chest, concealing scars on his lower torso. His trident staff, an imposing weapon, gleamed with a freshly polished crimson-blue shaft, accentuated by embedded sapphire-like gemstones.
On the shell's western side, the trio sat in the sand on their knees, observing the ocean waves crash over the shell. King Mazu's voice, a blend of calm timidity and resonating echoes of battles past, initiated their conversation. "Zero, your wife has spoken of your might as a warrior."
With a casual tone, Zero responded, "I'm not one to boast, but yeah, I, I, I’uh, I can pack a punch."
King Mazu nodded solemnly. "Splendid. Within my castle lies a dungeon, the anomaly has emerged within my library. I've sent several brave souls in, but not a single one has returned, and the entrance persists. The last group of four cost me dearly. Should you conquer this enigma, I shall honor you with a dinner in my royal company."
He stood, planting his trident firmly into the salt. "It will be a remarkable feast, but that is all I can offer you at this time," he declared. With a resolute thud, the trident met the salt once more. "My words are spoken. Follow me now."
Inexplicably, King Mazu harbored a desire to shroud the interior of Castle Lionhale in secrecy. As a result, Maeve and Zero found themselves blindfolded with resilient sea plant roots. Guided by the king, they navigated through a labyrinthine maze of corridors, threading their way along endless halls. After ascending multiple flights of stairs and traversing what Zero deemed the longest corridor of his life, they eventually arrived at the library.
Upon entering, the warmth of a cluster of Fire Gems enveloped them, while the air held the alluring scent of aged paper. Instinctively, Zero moved to lift his blindfold, but King Mazu's stern rebuke halted him. "Only once the door has been closed!" Mazu's voice rang out, authoritative and commanding.
Zero withdrew his hand gradually, waiting for the door's resonating closure before receiving permission. "Now you may uncover your eyes."
The library was a spectacle to behold. Its circular layout hosted bookshelves stretching four meters high along the walls. A multitude of colorful book spines created a kaleidoscope that bathed the room in an enchanting and visually pleasing atmosphere. A wheeled ladder leaned against one shelf, and Zero couldn't help but notice an empty space on the top row.
King Mazu ascended the ladder and moved a book from the left to fill the slot and took one from the right to replace it. The sequence of sliding and pulling persisted for a moment, until King Mazu placed the last book. Gears turned, and the shelf beside him swung open, revealing an expansive chamber overflowing with books. The room stretched far beyond sight, its height surpassing twelve meters and its width just under twenty, its length seemingly immeasurable.
Maeve's curiosity got the best of her. "What magic is at work here?"
King Mazu met her gaze. "Who Magic," he affirmed. "Makes things larger on the inside than they are on the outside."
"Fascinating," Zero commented. "How does it work?"
"I did not perform the feat; I am solely its beneficiary," King Mazu answered.
"And the dungeon?" Maeve pressed.
"It lies within, right inside, roughly sixty to seventy kilometers away."
Zero's eyes widened. "Did you just say 'sixty to seventy kilometers' and 'right inside' in the same breath?"
King Mazu didn't respond verbally; he merely extended his trident forward. "My words have been spoken."
"Alright… Can we at least have our belongings back?" Maeve glanced at their makeshift seaweed clothing.
King Mazu burst into hearty laughter. "Certainly, certainly. I will retrieve your possessions." He snapped his fingers, summoning a Fairy that materialized in a cloud of pink and black smoke.
They were a Titania fairy, diminutive beings hailing from the islands of Kikimaru. He adorned himself in a dapper blue tuxedo, complete with crisp white pants and a matching vest. His skin, an otherworldly shade of pale, contrasted sharply with his eyes, which shimmered with an ethereal, vibrant green that seemed to radiate with an inner light. His bald head granted him a humanoid appearance at first glance, but upon closer scrutiny, one couldn't help but notice the absence of a nose and mouth.
"Laxle at your service, Your Majesty," the Fairy greeted with a bow. "What is your wish?"
King Mazu cleared his throat. "Ahem… I desire for you to retrieve Zero and Maeve's belongings."
Laxle nodded, executing graceful spins and dives through the air around Zero before proceeding to Maeve, repeating the agile performance. Dissolving into the same puff of smoke, he quickly exchanged the seaweed for their garments.
Zero stretched. "Ah, that's much better. Now, let's—"
Maeve intervened, grabbing the collar of Zero's vest and pulling him close. "Hold on! You've NEVER been able to teleport someone you weren’t touching, let alone someone you couldn’t see…" She parted her cloak, revealing the shadows within. "…and you managed it after a fight with a Higher, so just calm yourself and get inside my clo—"
"YOU FOUGHT A HIGHER?" King Mazu erupted.
Zero swayed his head. "The term 'fought' might be an exaggeration in summarizing what transpired, but sure, we can go with 'yes'."
King Mazu gazed into the library, contemplative. "Hmmm." He glanced at his shoulder, then down at his trident. "Would you do me the favor of holding this?" He handed his trident to Zero and, with a gentle tug, removed his right arm from its socket.
"HEY!" Zero exclaimed. "WHY DID YOU DO THAT?! How did you do that?"
King Mazu examined his detached arm before speaking. "A Higher took my arm, severed it with a casual flick of his finger. No blood, no pain. I hadn't even realized it happened." He reattached his arm and retrieved his trident. "I thought if the Highers were to step down and truly challenge us, that it would be a massacre… To hear that you fought one and lived, it shows me that in my old age, I have grown out of touch with the strength of the new generation."
The dungeon's entrance swirled chaotically, emitting vibrant blues and reds while resonating with a resounding hum. Without words, Maeve and Zero advanced toward the threshold, feeling the tug of the dungeon on their clothing. Maeve's cloak danced on the edge, almost disappearing into the void. She pulled it back slightly, draped it around her body, and stepped forth, vanishing with a luminous green glow. Zero followed suit, a sensation akin to someone tugging at his wrist briefly accompanying the transition.
Upon emerging, a surreal landscape unfolded before them, unlike anything they had ever witnessed.
Instead of anticipated caverns and caves, they stood in an expansive world that seemed boundless. A stretch of scarlet-hued sand and rock extended ahead, while an eerie green sky loomed overhead. The atmosphere carried an unsettling mix of heat and cold. In the distance, a slender, lone towering black mountain reached skyward.
Around them sprawled the remnants of a colossal city, its gothic-style structures lying in ruins in every direction. As they ventured deeper into the decay, a forbidding castle floated in the sky before them. Its ominous appearance mirrored the one encountered on Vol, exuding a magical green aura while slowly rotating in the sky. Its presence cast a foreboding shadow over the desolate terrain.
"This sure don’t feel like no dungeon," Zero noted, his voice tinged with unease.
Before Maeve could respond, an unsettling chill descended, accompanied by dense fog that obscured their surroundings. A figure materialized before them, shrouded in a voluminous red cloak bound by brass chains, obscuring them entirely. Their head tilted left and lazily flopped right. "You've come to… End me, haven't you?" they drawled in a deep, almost lethargic tone.
Zero sensed an overwhelming power emanating from the figure, surpassing even Nix's. "Depends. We're actually looking for some adventurers… Have you seen any?"
The figure raised their head, a slightly more focused demeanor emerging. "Who are you seeking? I have many."
"Oh… Uh… Who… Who… Who you got?" Zero inquired.
The fog swiftly receded, unveiling two unconscious adventurers sprawled on the ground.
"Have these two but can't locate..." Their head tilted right. "...their friends..." As the figure continued to speak, the fog gathered, creeping into the fabric. "...if you find them…" Their head tilted left again. "...can you inform me?" The figure's form wavered, their voice echoing through the dispersing mist. "By the way…. I'm Sloth… Welcome to my home… Volja Vatre… Although… I think you call it something else… I believe you call it… The afterlife."
