Chapter Eighty-Two - Casus Bellyache

Chapter Eighty-Two - Casus Bellyache

Chapter Eighty-Two - Casus Bellyache

Um, I said.

Thats not the way it was, Moon Moon said.

All four of us stared up at the thing standing in the middle of the next corridor. There was a bit more floor space here, the area widening into a large square that squeezed back down into a corridor at the far end. If I stretched my neck I could see the door that was presumably the exit and another device with arms and mirrors and such next to it.

All that was set dressing for the thing in the middle of the room. Ten feet tall, nearly as wide, and with six legs that were nearly Broccoli-sized, the monster stood in the centre of the room like a gigantic glass guardian. Its body was a multi-faceted ball of glass, red veins running deep within and shifting about like a stingy lava-lamp.

Insight?

A Glass Horror, level 7.

That things only level seven? I asked.

Even dragons are only level one at some point, Amaryllis said. And yet you wouldnt want to fight them.

Because theyre still dragons?

And because they have mothers, Amaryllis said. She shifted, still eyeing the monstrosity taking up a sizable portion of the room. Hitting that is going to be hard. I cant see any big weaknesses on it.

Awa, its also tall, Awen said.

We could focus on the legs? I tried. But it has six, so thatll take some effort. Any idea what kind of stuff it can do?

At level seven it should only have four skills, Amaryllis said. Probably similar to the ones the glass golems had, but dont bet on it.

So, giant lasers, it can reflect spells and, uh, it can make the ground turn into spikes? Cant remember the others.

Thats the gist of it, Amaryllis said. She twirled her little dagger around. So, lunch?

Huh?

The harpy rolled her eyes. It wont move until we get closer, the ones behind us shouldnt reappear until we leave the floor and wait nearly a whole day. So we have time to sit back and relax a little.

Well, um, alright?

It was a little strange, but I didnt complain. Instead I fetched my backpack (and Orange) and brought it over to the second corridor where we spread a blanket on the ground and got to eating. It was mostly hardtack and cheese and water, but the company made up for the bland food. That, and it allowed my stamina and mana to climb back up to full before the fight, which would probably come in handy.

So, Moon Moon, how long have you been in the Best Pack? I asked as I gnawed on some bread.

Very very long, Moon Moon said. Since I was born.

Cool! How did you get your name?

I like the moon, Moon Moon said. He flicked a piece of cheese into his mouth and swallowed it whole. Mmm, this smells nice.

I nodded. That made perfect sense. I like the way you name yourselves, its cute. Are all the drolls named that way?

Yes yes, Moon Moon said. Except for the Pretty Good pack, they have silly names, like Brian and Matt.

Ah, I said. The anthropologists in this world must have their plates full, huh?

This world? Awen asked.

I felt my smile grow a little stiff. Ah-hah, nevermind. Um, so, has anyone figured out how to take out that big beastie?

No, Amaryllis said. I hate how ill-suited my magic is to this kind of situation. I didnt decide to become a Thunder Mage only to be trumped by the first large foe I come across.

I had to keep the horrors focus on me to give the others time to bring it down. I wove between its legs, smacking each one as hard as I could with my spade while avoiding the glassy caltrops it had left behind when it summoned all those glassy spikes. Hey ugly, Im here! I screamed up to it.

Mocking someone for being ugly was really, really bad, but this was more of a something than a someone, so maybe the insult would mostly land at the feet of its creator. Still rude, but a bit less so.

My spade made quite the clamor as I banged it around. I must have caught the horrors attention because it began smashing its legs around where I was standing. I felt myself grinning as I hopped back and out of the way of a leg, then skipped to the side to avoid a swipe. It was almost like a game, and even if it was a little risky, I was having quite a bit of fun.

Then the horrors legs glowed and a beam of magical light hit me square in the face.

I screamed as I felt a searing slice pass from my nose to my forehead, the stench of burning flesh filled my senses and I had to close my eyes against the too bright light.

Broc, duck! Amaryllis called.

It was too late.

Something, probably one of the horrors huge legs, smashed into me and sent me flying back. The air was batted out of my lungs and I saw a wash of stars crossing my vision as I was thrown back.

My flight ended with a jolt and what had to be the worst pain I ever felt as something pushed into my back.

I blinked dumbly, trying to figure out just what was going on.

Thats when I saw the glassy spike sticking out of my lower abdomen. Just a handspan of glass, decorated in dark red liquid.

Oh, I said.

Broccoli! Awen said as she ran over to me. Glass was kicked aside as she came and fell to my side, then she stared at my chest with muted horror.

Potion! Amaryllis screamed.

That kicked Awen into gear and she started to fumble around her jacket.

Its okay, I said.

It didnt really feel okay. It felt very not okay.

It was a fun adventure.

You, you idiot! Amaryllis screamed.

The air began to whisper around, and the smell of burnt flesh faded to be replaced by the electron tang of ozone.

The room darkened, every shadowy corner becoming a dark pit as a wind whipped around the entire arena.

You bastard! Amaryllis screeched.

White. Everything went white. There was a noise, but I couldnt hear it over the sharp, painful ringing in my ears.

When things returned to normal Amaryllis was panting, every breath sounding like a wheeze, her wings were limp by her sides and she was bent over double.

The horror had a hole going through it from front to back, wide enough that I could have placed both fists in it side by side with room to spare. The glass round the hole was glowing, thin smoke pouring out of it.

Nice shot, I said.

I-idiot, she said.

Awen pushed something against my lips. Drink, please, please drink.

I smiled at her as I drank the potion, then the world darkened just a little.

***