the fourth floor(8)
The group continued through the labyrinthine dungeon, the faint sounds of Franklin and Duke's battle against the Dijins growing more distant with each step. Dakota led the way, his sharp gaze fixed ahead, his mind already plotting their next move.
Ava broke the tense silence, her voice trembling slightly.
Ava:
"Dakota… what about Franklin and Duke? We can't just leave them behind like this!"
Dakota stopped and turned to face her, his expression calm but resolute.
Dakota:
"I understand how you feel, Ava. But we don't have a choice. If we don't find the ticket cave, we'll never make it to the final floor. And without defeating the dungeon boss, none of us—including Franklin and Duke—are getting out of here."
The group exchanged uneasy glances, processing Dakota's words.
Lucas:
"Wait, what do you mean? What happens when we defeat the boss?"
Dakota crossed his arms, his tone matter-of-fact.
Dakota:
"When the boss is defeated, the dungeon collapses. Everyone inside—monsters, Djins, and us—will be teleported back to the real world. That's the only way Franklin and Duke can make it out alive, or maybe they can even defeat the two mythical Djinns."
Henry stepped forward, his fists clenched.
Henry:
"So, you're saying the best way to help them… is to keep moving?"
Dakota nodded.
Dakota:
"Exactly. They're buying us time. Let's not waste it."
Ava lowered her gaze, her flames dimming slightly.
Ava:
"I hate this. It feels like we're abandoning them."
Dakota placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice softening.
Dakota:
"They're trusting us to finish this. If we fail, they might die. Trust them, Ava. They're stronger than you think."
After a moment, Ava nodded, her resolve strengthening.
As the group pressed onward, the dungeon began to shift. The walls seemed to close in, and the air grew heavier with each step. A low hum reverberated through the cavern, sending shivers down their spines.
Out of the shadows, three cloaked figures materialized, their forms exuding a dark, malevolent energy. The group froze, their instincts screaming danger.
Ava:
"Not again… Who are these guys?!"
Dakota sighed, already expecting their arrival.
Dakota:
"I figured they'd show up sooner or later. These three are guardians of the dungeon, sent to stop anyone from reaching the ticket cave."
The lead figure stepped forward, its voice echoing with an unnatural resonance.
Cloaked Figure 1:
"You should not have come this far. Your journey ends here."
The second figure raised a skeletal hand, and the ground beneath the group began to rumble.
Cloaked Figure 2:
"None who oppose the dungeon master shall proceed."
The third figure let out a hollow laugh, its cloak billowing as if caught in an unseen wind.
Cloaked Figure 3:
"Your courage is admirable… but futile."
Dakota drew his blade, his expression calm and focused.
Dakota:
"Everyone, listen up. These guys are tough, but they're not unbeatable. I'll find the ticket cave while you keep them busy. Don't try to fight them head-on—just stall them until I get back."
Henry grinned, his flames roaring to life.
Henry:
"Stall them, huh? That I can do."
Ava's fire flared as she took her place beside Henry.
Ava:
"You better hurry, Dakota. We're counting on you."
Lucas summoned his ice magic, the temperature around him dropping rapidly.
Lucas:
"We'll hold the line. Just make it quick."
Mia and Luna stepped forward, their water magic forming barriers to shield the group from incoming attacks.
Mia:
"Go, Dakota. We've got this."
Dakota nodded, his eyes briefly scanning each of his companions.
Dakota:
"Good. Stick to the plan. I'll be back soon."
With that, Dakota turned and sprinted down a side tunnel, leaving the group to face the cloaked figures.
The lead figure raised its hand, and a wave of dark energy surged toward the group. Mia quickly raised a barrier, the force of the attack cracking its surface but holding strong.
Mia:
"They're powerful! Stay on your toes!"
Henry lunged forward, his sword blazing as he slashed at the second figure. The cloaked being dodged effortlessly, countering with a shadowy blade that narrowly missed Henry's chest.
Henry:
"Fast, huh? Let's see how you handle this!"
He unleashed a burst of fire, forcing the figure to retreat. Ava joined him, her flames merging with his to create a fiery explosion that lit up the cavern.
Meanwhile, Lucas focused on the third figure, encasing the ground in ice to slow its movements.
Lucas:
"You're not getting past us!"
The figure's cloak shimmered, deflecting the ice shards with an eerie glow.
Cloaked Figure 3:
"Foolish boy. Your tricks are meaningless against us."
Luna darted around the battlefield, harrying the enemies with quick strikes while Mia reinforced the group with defensive spells. Despite their efforts, it was clear the cloaked figures were toying with them, their power far beyond anything the group had faced before.
As the battle raged on, Dakota navigated the twisting tunnels of the dungeon, his mind racing. He knew the ticket cave would be heavily guarded, but he couldn't afford to waste time.
Dakota (thinking):
"The ticket cave should be at the center of this floor. If I'm right, it'll be protected by a magical barrier. I'll have to disable it quickly."
He turned a corner and came face-to-face with a massive stone door etched with glowing runes.
Dakota:
"Found it."
The runes pulsed with energy, and Dakota could feel the powerful magic sealing the door. He placed his hand on the surface, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the spell.
Dakota (thinking):
"It's a complex lock, but nothing I can't handle."
He drew his blade and began carving intricate patterns into the door, disrupting the flow of magic. The runes flickered and dimmed as the seal began to weaken.
Back at the battlefield, the group was struggling to hold their ground. Henry and Ava were breathing heavily, their magic reserves nearly depleted.
Henry:
"Dakota better hurry… We can't keep this up much longer."
Just as the cloaked figures prepared to unleash a devastating attack, the ground beneath them trembled. A deep rumble echoed through the cavern as the stone door in the distance slowly opened.
Dakota stepped into the ticket cave, his blade still glowing from the magical energy he had unleashed. The room was vast, its walls covered in shimmering crystals that seemed to hum with power. At the center of the chamber stood a pedestal, a glowing golden ticket resting atop it.
Dakota:
"There it is. The key to the final floor."
He approached the pedestal, his steps echoing in the silence. As his fingers closed around the ticket, a surge of energy coursed through the room, and the ground beneath him began to shake.
Dakota (thinking):
"The dungeon knows I'm here. Time to move."
He turned and sprinted back toward the battlefield, the golden ticket clutched tightly in his hand.
The group was on the brink of collapse, their magic nearly drained and their bodies battered. The cloaked figures loomed over them, ready to deliver the final blow.
Just as the lead figure raised its hand, a brilliant light filled the cavern. Dakota appeared at the edge of the battlefield, the golden ticket held high.
Dakota:
"I've got it! Fall back!"