Book One Chapter Fourteen: Forbidden Forest Temple… Intro? Final?

Book One Chapter Fourteen: Forbidden Forest Temple... Intro? Final?

This is not fine. Qube said, staring at the nightmare that was the inside of the Forbidden Forest Temple.

The Chosen One was looking around them, pleased.

Yup, we broke it real good. He said. Whatever hed been about to say next was drowned out by the sound of Sewer Bard screaming at the top of his lungs.

The party swung around to see Sewer Bard swinging his lute at Sexy Screamy Spider Lady.

Back, fell demon! He screamed, instrument flailing wildly.

Sewer Bard! Sewer Bard, calm down! Whats wrong, my love? Sexy Screamy Spider Lady asked, deeply concerned. Sewer Bard just responded by chucking his lute at her spider-head and drawing his rapier.

Return my goddess to me, evil beast! He cried.

Oh [snacks], I think hes glitched. The Chosen One said, his voice once again distorting strangely.

Sewer Bard, please, calm yourself. That is our new party member, Sexy Screamy Spider Lady. You know her. Qube said soothingly, placing her hand on his arm. The Sewer Bard looked at her, aghast.

Who the hell are you?! He yelled.

Qube fell back, shaken.

He has been possessed. She declared. Something has caused him to see enemies instead of allies.

Well I could try resetting The Chosen One mused to himself. He paused, looked at Qube for a moment then back at Sewer Bard. No. Lets roll with it.

Sewer Bard, he said loudly. Sewer Bard continued yelling. Sewer Bard!

Sewer Bard flinched.

[Follow]. The Chosen One commanded and walked outside. As soon as they set foot outside the temple the Sewer Bard turned and saw Sexy Screamy Spider Lady and dropped to his knees. He grabbed one of her upper legs and pressed his forehead against the furred tufts at the end.

Oh! He cried, Oh, Sexy Screamy Spider Lady, my beautiful wood elf! A horrible creature stole your voice and transformed your gorgeous sensuality into a hideous giant spider with faces. His face seemed to drain of all colour. He released her hand and slowly stood up.

Shes been a giant spider with screaming faces attached to her the entire time, hasnt she? He asked the Chosen One with eerie calm.

Childrens faces, but yes. The Chosen One helpfully corrected Sewer Bard.

I see. And that woman - half elf, perhaps? - in robes in the temple that spoke as if she knew me?

Wait, he hasnt been able to see me the entire time? Qube asked.

Shes been with us the whole way. The Chosen One said.

The entire time?

Yes.

But is she a spirit? She knew me, without a doubt she knew me, and yet you did not introduce us, or allow me to see past her magics?

Shes shy. The Chosen One said. Qube glared at him.

Oh. Oh! Oh, fair maiden, a million apologies, I did not mean to ignore you so! Sewer Bard said, bowing to space on the Chosen Ones right. Qube, who was in fact standing on the Chosen Ones left hand side, blushed furiously. I would never dream to ignore you, if you have spoken to me, but I respect the concealment spells you have wrapped yourself in. Just know that any time you wish to release your shroud of invisibility around me I will prove myself more than worthy of your trust.

But, why hasnt he been able to see me? Qube was getting frustrated. How is that possible?

She says she forgives you. The Chosen One lied.

What is going on?! Qube shouted.

I would not wish to introduce our fair companion to any danger. Sewer Bard said, Are you sure her enchantment will keep her safe?

Are Healers super squishy? The Chosen One asked, curious.

I...Im not quite sure what you mean by that, Noble Patron. Sewer Bard admitted.

Don't worry, the Chosen One said, slinging a friendly arm around Sewer Bard, well make sure you go first you know, to keep all those fair maidens safe.

Thats not quite - I wouldnt want to -

Plus, its time for me to try out this new technique Ive been refining with our fair Healer. The Chosen One gave a sadistic smile as he dragged a protesting Sewer Bard into the temple, followed by a bemused Qube.

Ive decided to call it cooperative pit-pushing.

---

The Chosen One, Saviour to all Human and Human Adjacent Beings, once again sat on the edge of the starting cliff of the Forbidden Forest Temple. To his side, her legs swinging idly as she sat, was his Prophecy Approved Companion, Qube, childhood friend and extremely powerful Healer.

They were currently watching their third group member, Sewer Bard, alternatively be fawned over and ignored by various woodland creatures. The twisted forest creatures, part fauna and part flora, would ignore the Sewer Bard, and viciously attack any of the cute, normal woodland critters they came across. The normal fluffy bunnies and butterflies one would expect to find in a giant tree would gleefully follow Sewer Bard, and try to rip open any of the twisted creatures they came across.

It was total, utter chaos, and so pretty normal for the adventures the three of them had had so far.

So do you have any ideas for why this is happening? The Chosen One asked Qube.

Lots! Qube chirruped. I think its-

Cool, as long as you know. The Chosen One cut her off. Qube glared at him. He shrugged at her. Lore bores me.

Qube pouted. Before she could force the Chosen One to listen to her theories anyway Sewer Bard reached the other side of the Forbidden Forest temples pit, and started climbing the ladder on the other side. Once he reached the top, he pulled the rope hed been carrying tight, causing the end the Chosen One was holding to strain.

Here, hold this. The Chosen One said, passing the rope to Qube. And dont let go until I give you the all clear. Once Im on the other side, then just walk to the other side like the Sewer Bard did.

Wait, why cant you- Qube started to ask before the Chosen One jumped on top of the rope and ran across the makeship tightrope. Given Qube was reasonably certain that the Chosen One had no idea how to tightrope walk, she was genuinely impressed with how far he made it before he fell.

The few remaining twisted, snarling forest creatures immediately ignored the fluffy critters and started attacking the Chosen One.

Im coming! Qube shouted, sliding down the cliff into the pit, burning her hands at the speed.

Nonononono- She heard the Chosen Ones voice fade as he ran through the pit towards where Sewer Bard was waiting. Qube ran to catch up, flinching when several of the twisted creatures flew past her. But, just as they had ignored the Sewer Bard, they paid no attention to her, instead keeping their eyes on the far juicier prize that was the Hero.

Unless she was also invisible to them too, due to either the Evil Prophecy or the Evil Emperors curse, Qube thought. Actually, thatd be pretty handy, it meant she was safe from practically everyone and everything.

Qube was so busy thinking about how she was now practically invincible that she ran face first into the ladder.

Stop messing about and get up here. The Chosen One chided her from the top, having regained his calm now he was no longer being chased.

Qube grumbled to herself as she climbed to the top. She really needed to figure out how to curse people, she thought. Curses were just healing in reverse, it shouldnt be too hard to crack

Paying no attention to his simmering Healer, the Chosen One continued scanning the pit.

No sign of any chests or bosses in the entire pit. He complained. Looks like it was just supposed to be a hack and slash. Oh well. Onto the next room. Heres hoping we manage to shake loose some unique drops.

Qube and Sewer Bard looked at each other, before Qube shrugged. Sometimes the Chosen One would say something, and while she knew every word in the sentence, it still made very little sense. Probably Prophecy magic.

The next room made even less sense than the one they had left behind. It was a small, round room with a floor made of packed dirt, and in the middle of it was a giant wooden chest, gilded with gold. To the side of the chest was a small blue sphere of light.

Whats that? Qube asked, pointing at the blue sphere. The Chosen One looked at her, confused then deeply intrigued.

You can see the save point? He asked. Interesting.

...Whats a Save Point?