Denizens of the Labyrinth

They had been fighting for almost an hour before one of the girls had found a small alcove that was hidden from the search of the many schools of fish that seemed to be hunting them all. The girls began to wrap wounds, tie bandages and drink potions. Jazmel had not been attacked like them and so he took the time to check the systems notifications.

FIRST FLOOR OF THE OCEAN TEMPLE

…

TIER II CORRUPTED MERMAID X5 KILLED

+2 AGL

TIER II CORRUPTED ANGLER X23 KILLED

+3 INT

TIER II CORRUPTED OARFISH X17 KILLED

+2 STR

TIER II CORRUPTED SWORDFISH X12 KILLED

+2 WIL

TIER II CORRUPTED SEAHORSE GUNNER X4 KILLED

EXP EARNED

The killing of the monsters here were no easy feat, they mobbed you as soon as you were seen. But the frenzy that the schools all ensued when one of theirs was killed. Allowed everyone to gain a small break.

“So how did you end up here?” Tera Nema asked, coming over to stand beside him.

“I came through a lost gate, and it brought me to the basement of this temple.” Jazmel explained and she nodded, as if it had happened to her too.

“Where are your party?” she asked.

“I got split up with them when I entered the lost gate.” He explained and quickly, missing out the key details, surrounding the city of Orevalor. She listened intently and smiled when he finished.

“You are very brave. You seem stronger too, tier III?” she mused, and Jazmel simply slowly blinked.

“You have been busy too.” He said and she smiled, he could tell she was tier III too. Something about the way the Mana roiled around her body, it was interesting to watch, and he noticed that the wand she carried before had been changed, a thicker piece of wood with different runes etched into it had replaced the last one. She still bore the cloak and short sword that they had found in ancient town within the realm.

“Your eyes are doing that thing again.” she said, and he remembered that somehow, she could notice him when he was using his Mana eyes.

“So, Jazmel. What level are you?” a girl with the most bandages but the hardiest smile too.

“That is private, isn’t it?” he responded, and she raised an eyebrow.

“Well, you don’t look too weak, but don’t think you will gain more of the reward than any of us.” She spat and he just watched her, confused.

“That is Morwen, she is as friendly as she looks.” Tera Nema introduced her friend.

“That is Grace.” She pointed at the girl who wore thick armour, it reminded Jazmel of the dwarven kind; thick and durable. She stood watch, her sword point to the ground and her eyes and ears listening for any danger.

“And that one over there is Myn.” She pointed at the last girl, who was sitting on a piece of coral and cleaning her sword religiously. It was a great sword, one that had to be strapped to the back, she carried It on the shoulder and every time she was not fighting. She was cleaning the blade, using a whetstone, and preparing it as kindly as possible. Jazmel watched her do it and realised he had not done it for himself.

He walked over to her and sat beside her, watching her and she did not say anything or show that she minded.

“May I?” he asked when he finally finished and without looking at him, she handed the whetstone over, and Jazmel began to work on the blades of his swords. It took some time and before long, he could feel the keen edge of both blades, he had been using Hajime as it was a lighter blade, but the enemies were growing stronger and he needed a keener edge than before, he handed the whetstone back and then scabbarding both katanas and adding them to his belt again. he rose up.

“We should move on.” He said and Jazmel rose up walking back towards the entrance.