Eastern Dungeon (Part 14)

In a flash of light so bright that everyone flinched to close their eyes amidst the fight a loud clanking sound could be heard.

Boom! Booooom! Clank!

A series of chains began to burst forth from beneath the ground. At the ends of the chains were heads like that of a feline that echoed out a piercing roar as they shot forward. Aura strong enough to make even the dragon's body flinch began to cover the area they were gathered.

There was a reason Dungeon Master Kalen was known as the master. He was not weak nor was he one to easily give in to intruders inside his dungeon.

"Impudent! You are treading on sacred land!" Kalen shouted in anger as the air quivered around him.

I must protect it.. Master will be disappointed in me if- Kalen's mind began to worry for a moment with determination to complete his task that was given to him in this underground place that had become his turf.

"Your Highness!" Daryl shouted as he blocked a chain from striking into crown prince Leo.

Hisssss!

The feline head at the end of the chain griped hold of Daryl's blade with it's teeth. Sparks scattering in the air as the blade and fangs scraped against each other sharply.

"Watch yourself that you don't get caught off guard." Daryl muttered to Leo as they stood back to back.

Vorbuk continued to send his dark aura into the fire coated sword of the crown prince. It was not something he was use to doing but after learning how well his dark mana blended with the fire of a dragon he felt it gave them a better fighting chance against the man in front of them. They were close to exiting the dungeon as long as they could make it past Kalen.

"Bredret! Burn the-!" Prince Leo began to shout towards the dragon but could not finish his words.

"You don't have to tell me what to do!" Bredret scoffed while a golden light began to glow in his eyes. Shooting forth from where he had been standing Bredret quickly made his way to Ashley. Taking hold of the chain that Ashley had been struggling to keep hold of.

A suffocating heat could be felt around Bredret's body as the chain's he firmly grasped in his hands began to turn bright red. They were heating up starting from his hands and quickly heading straight towards the other end of the chains. Burning the blue skin of Kalen's wrists.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Crraaa..Crackle..

A glittering golden light had formed a shield in front of Bredret and Ashley to fend off the incoming chains and could be heard breaking. The heads of the chains roared and hissed as they tried to slam and bite their way pasted the shield.

"Zoe." Leo muttered the name of the catgirl who was struggling to keep the shield up.

"Ugh! You.. Impudent... things.." Kalen muttered once more as he felt his wrist burning from the chain. It was a searing pain that made him grind his teeth.

Kalen's staff collided against the blade of prince Leo's sword.

Twisting his body around the four wings on Kalen's back fluttered in the air. Feathers of a dark blue color scattering in the air slowly wafted by in the breeze. The lower his body went the more the grasp on the chain loosened causing Bredret to stumble slightly. He could hear the thud of the dragon falling against the ground in that instant.

Without giving Bredret or Ashley a moment to retake hold on the chain that was attached to him he pulled it back without hesitation.

The staff in his other hand making way at the same time towards the crown prince. Vorbuk who could sense the staff heading in their direction lunged forward. Dark Blast. He muttered one of the few talents he had come to learn in his current form inside his mind.

A dark ball of mana forming at his chest shot out from his chest towards Kalen.

Boooommmmm! Clang... Clang!

The room shook violently as the dark mana collided against against a few of the living chains that Kalen was controlling. Dungeon Master Kalen had used his own living chains in order to block the destructive mana that Vorbuk had sent towards him.

"Thou uses such petty trickery!" Kalen spat blood at the ground as if he was disgusted to be fighting against beings that he felt were much weaker than himself.

Rushing forward Kalen swung his staff once more and collided against the blade of the crown prince. Leo's arms were shaking as he held on against the weight that Kalen put into the collision of their weapons. It felt as if his arms would go numb if he held on too long with strength alone.

"Bredret! Ashley! The chain!" Leo shouted out for the others to try and help hold the dungeon master back while he could see Daryl struggling to keep the living chains from devouring him from behind. Zoe as well was doing her best to throw shields up against incoming attacks against herself and the others. He knew that mere stamina and strength were not something that would last infinitely in their situation.

Petty tricks again... Kalen thought as he heard the prince's shout.

Ashley and Bredret rushed Kalen from behind as Leo pressed on with the aid of the wolf in front of the dungeon master. Kalen's body twisting and swinging his wings behind his back in order to repeatedly knock the two of them back. It was difficult for him to focus in two places at the same time but he felt he had to persist against the intruders.

Drip. Drip.

Stinging... There was a stinging pain on Kalen's face as he barely managed to dodge the blade of Leo's sword. He could feel the warmth of his own blood dripping from a cut the blade had made against his cheek.

When was the last time someone managed to cut me in battle? He pondered that thought for only a brief moment before flinging his wings roughly against the men behind him.

"Gah! Ugh!" One of the chains knocked into Daryl from the side and sent him tumbling just like the others.

"Daryl!" Prince Leo shouted with concern as he heard the sound of Daryl and the other two being sent flying.

"Must.. Protect it." Kalen muttered under his breath but it was loud enough for prince Leo and Vorbuk to hear.

Protect?

Protect what?

What was driving the dungeon master that he was so willing to put his life on the line to protect it?

"What are you protecting? What are you hiding here?" Leo shouted the question they both were wondering.

Smirking at the intruders with a gaze filled with killing intent they all shuddered. The circle Kalen was using to control the chains brightened for a moment before a living chain was sent driving straight toward every individual he had deemed an intruder.

The ground shook and rubble fell from all around like a heavy rain. Dust as thick as smoke filled the air making it difficult to see the surroundings.

"Thy will of my lord to protect it is Thy sole reason for existence. I shall not disappoint him." Kalen's eyes gleamed and glowed as the breeze from the battle caused his robes to flap in the air.