Chapter 2- Part 2 "My First Real Battle"

[Mine Entrance- Time 9:45 AM]

The entrance to the mine loomed before him, a dark, gaping hole in the earth, surrounded by jagged rocks and overgrown with vines. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and minerals. Vivek adjusted his red jacket, feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety as he approached the entrance.

Standing just outside the mine was the mage Garrick had mentioned. The mage, a tall figure with a hooded robe that shimmered with faint magical runes, turned to greet Vivek with a nod. His eyes glowed faintly beneath the hood, hinting at the vast power he possessed.

"You must be Vivek. Garrick mentioned you," the mage said, his voice calm yet commanding. "I'm Malchior. We have a task ahead of us, one that requires both precision and caution."

Vivek nodded, trying to suppress his nerves. "I'm ready. Garrick mentioned the reward—800 federal coins and a second-tier magic crystal."

"Indeed," Malchior replied, already turning toward the entrance. "But the reward is only given upon successful completion. The mineral I seek is rare and valuable, and there are dangers within the mine. Stay close and follow my instructions."

They entered the mine, the light from Malchior's staff illuminating the narrow passageways. The walls of the mine were lined with sparkling veins of various minerals, but it was clear that Malchior had a specific target in mind. They delved deeper into the labyrinthine tunnels, the air growing colder and more oppressive with each step.

[Inside the Mine - Time 10:15 AM]

After several minutes of navigating through the mine, they reached a wider cavern. Malchior stopped and pointed to a section of the wall where a faint, otherworldly glow emanated. "There it is—the Aetherium Crystal," he said, his voice tinged with satisfaction. "I'll begin the extraction. Keep an eye out for any threats. Take this short sword; you might need it."

---

Vivek's grip tightened on his wand. The cavern was eerily quiet, save for the sound of Malchior's magical tools at work. But the silence was soon shattered by a low, rumbling growl. Vivek's heart skipped a beat as he scanned the darkness, his eyes landing on a monstrous figure emerging from the shadows.

A Gravelmaw—a terrifying creature with a body made of jagged stones and earth—lumbered into view. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent red light, and its massive claws scraped against the rocky floor, sending sparks flying.

"Malchior!" Vivek shouted, but the mage was fully absorbed in his task, his concentration unbroken.

The Gravelmaw's growl reverberated through the cavern, the sound primal and bone-chilling. Vivek's pulse quickened. He aimed his wand at the approaching monster, hands trembling, as he unleashed a series of spells.

A Flamebolt burst from Vivek's wand, streaking through the air and smashing into the Gravelmaw's stony exterior. The flames sputtered and flickered out almost immediately, barely phasing the creature. Vivek gritted his teeth, seeing the creature's molten eyes fix on him, burning with rage. The Gravelmaw growled louder, and without hesitation, lumbered forward.

Vivek quickly cast Stone Skin, feeling his body stiffen as the protective enchantment coated his skin. The spell granted him resilience, but he knew it wouldn't last long. He launched his next spell, Wind Blade, aiming at the Gravelmaw's joints, where its rocky plates met. The magical blade struck, chipping away at its stone armour, but the creature seemed more enraged than wounded.

It charged at Vivek with surprising speed, claws raised. Vivek barely dodged, stumbling backward as its massive claw swiped through the air inches from his face, sending a gust of wind and dust into his eyes.

The battle was taking its toll. Sweat dripped down his face, his arms shook from the strain of casting, and his wand's magic was quickly depleting. Another spell, Earth Lash, sputtered out weakly, barely affecting the creature as the crystal in his wand began to dim.

With no magic left to defend himself, with a curse under his breath, he stowed the wand and drew the short sword Malchior had given him. His hands were still trembling as he gripped the blade, its unfamiliar weight throwing off his balance.

The Gravelmaw roared and lunged again, but this time, Vivek met it with steel. He slashed at its side, the blade glancing off its hard surface. Desperate, he rolled beneath the creature as it slammed its claws into the ground where he stood just moments before. His heart raced in his chest, but in the chaos, he saw an opening—a small gap between the creature's stone plates.

With all his might, Vivek drove the sword into the gap. The blade sank into the Gravelmaw's core, and the creature let out a deafening roar. It staggered, shaking the cavern with its weight, before collapsing into a heap of stone and dust.

Vivek fell to his knees, gasping for breath, but before he could recover, another sound reached his ears—a deep, menacing growl.

Emerging from the shadows was a second Gravelmaw, larger and more dangerous than the first. Its red eyes burned with fury, and it wasted no time lunging at Vivek with terrifying speed. Before he could react, its jagged claws raked across his left hand, tearing through flesh and sending waves of pain shooting up his arm.

Gritting his teeth, Vivek stumbled backward, clutching his bleeding hand. His wand was useless— in the chaos of the first fight—and the sword felt heavy in his remaining good hand.

The Gravelmaw charged again, its claws tearing through the cavern floor as it closed the distance. Vivek's heart pounded in his chest. He tried to swing the sword, but his injured hand made it difficult to grip, and the blade felt unwieldy. Each of the creature's blows sent him reeling, barely able to keep his footing.

As the Gravelmaw lunged at him with a deafening roar, Vivek dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding its crushing claws. He saw another weak spot near its legs, but his body was moving sluggishly from exhaustion and injury.

Desperate, Vivek dodged another strike, rolling toward the creature's feet. This time, he found an opening—just below its stone-covered knee. Summoning all his remaining strength, he thrust the sword upward, driving the blade deep into the joint. The Gravelmaw howled in pain, its stone plates grinding together as it struggled to move.

But it wasn't over. With one final, desperate attack, the creature swung its massive claw, striking Vivek across the chest. The impact knocked him to the ground, his breath leaving him in a ragged gasp. Pain erupted across his body, and blood soaked his jacket as the jagged stones cut deep.

Vivek lay there, gasping for air, his mind racing. He couldn't match the creature's strength. He needed a new approach.

The Gravelmaw, wounded but not defeated, prepared to strike again. But this time, Vivek was ready. As it raised its claws for a final blow, Vivek rolled beneath it and thrust his sword upward, aiming for the creature's underbelly—the weakest part of its stone body.

The blade pierced deep into the creature's core, and for a moment, the world stood still.

Then, with a deafening roar, the Gravelmaw crumbled, its body collapsing into a pile of rubble. The red light in its eyes flickered and died.

Vivek lay on the ground, gasping for breath, his body screaming in pain. Dust and stone fragments settled around him as the cavern fell silent once more. His chest heaved as exhaustion took over.

From the other side of the cavern, Malchior approached, his staff glowing faintly. The mage's face was unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes as he knelt beside Vivek.

"You fought well," Malchior said, his voice calm as he placed a hand over Vivek's injured body. A soft, warm light flowed from his palm, and Vivek felt the pain in his injured hand and body slowly fade.

As the healing warmth spread through his body, Vivek closed his eyes, exhaustion finally overwhelming him. The last thing he felt was the weight of the sword slipping from his grip, and the soft glow of magic easing the pain.

Malchior then stood, his expression a mix of approval and concern. "The crystal you will receive as a reward will be far more potent than the one you just exhausted. Let's leave this place before more creatures arrive."

Vivek nodded, his body aching but his spirit uplifted by the victory. As they made their way back to the surface, Vivek couldn't help but glance at the useless wand in his hand, reflecting on the battle and the path that lay ahead.

----

To Be Continued...