Book One Chapter Fifty Nine: Water Boss Fight

Book One Chapter Fifty Nine: Water Boss Fight

Qube hurried after the Chosen One, the rest of the party right behind her. After a few minutes, the corridor abruptly widened and they were standing above a giant well, a blue Save Point next to them. The water was so murky that Qube could only just make out a large shadow in the depths. On top of the water were several floating wooden platforms.

Qube eyed the platforms balefully. At least it didnt look like any climbing would be required. She hoped. She really, really hoped.

She was so busy contemplating her dislike of the platforms that she missed the Chosen One jumping into the water and swimming out to the nearest platform. The shadow within the depths moved.

Chosen One! Qube cried, just as he clambered onto a platform. [Lesser Shield]! The dark shape reared up, a terrifyingly huge eels head breaking through the water surface and it rose up up up

The Boss loomed over the Chosen One, making the Fighter appear tiny before it. Its body was slimy smooth, and when it opened its mouth it was filled with hundreds of sword-like teeth, each the size of a fully grown human. It screamed, a high-pitched sound that made everyone clamp their hands to their ears. It dove back into the depths, crashing waves bouncing off the wells walls, sending the platforms spinning. She saw its dark form disappear into a circular opening just underneath the waters surface.

The Chosen One was on all fours, holding on to the wooden raft for dear life, looking decidedly ill and swearing vengeance on someone. The other party members were behind him in an instant. Qube hadnt even noticed them move, shed been so transfixed by the creature.

She felt her heart thudding in her ears. This was bad. This was very, very bad. She couldnt swim. Even if she somehow got over to the platforms, a single stray wave would send her plunging into the deep, and one of the others would have to stop fighting to go rescue her, leaving the rest of the group vulnerable.

She felt a blunt nose push at her hip. Glancing down, she saw Squiggles, peeping up at her with her little coal eyes. The sharktopus squiggled forwards slightly, then danced around to look at Qube in a clear invitation to give the half-elf a lift.

No, go help the others, Qube told her pet. Squiggles wriggled. Qube gave her a light push. Go on. Show them what a good team mascot you can be! I can cast from here. She watched as the latest member of their little family flung herself into the monster-infested water.

I hope Qube whispered. Shed never tried to cast a spell from so far away before. Still, why should distance make a difference to magic? As long as she could see the Chosen One (and the others) then she should be able to reach them.

The Chosen One pulled out the harpoons, and started handing them to the three companions next to him on the rocking platform. Sexy Screamy Spider Lady was still floating in the air and so was unaffected by the tossing, but Definitely Bad Guy and Sewer Bard seemed to be handling the constant motion of the platform a lot better than the Chosen One. If she hadnt needed to reserve as much mana for the fight as she could, Qube would have been tempted to [Heal] him.

It couldnt be good for morale if their brave leader started vomiting right before the big fight, after all.

From this distance, she wouldnt have expected to be able to hear the Chosen One speaking. But his voice seemed to cut through the cacophony of noise, sharp and clear, as he ordered them all to fire their harpoons at the giant eel the next time it surfaced.

Qube wasnt too sure how sound his logic was there. Presumably the reason it had surfaced the first time had been to see who was jumping about on its platforms. Surely now it would take advantage of its domain and simply attack from beneath the water? Its mouth had been so big that it could have easily bitten through one of the platforms and feasted on the flesh of her friends.

And wasnt that a cheery thought, Qube grimaced.

But, despite all common sense, the Chosen One was right. After a few minutes of circling underneath, the monstrous Boss once again breached the water, using its head to try and sweep everyone off their platform in a spectacularly inefficient usage of both its natural weapons and the advantages of its home territory.

Fire! the Chosen One yelled as he jumped from one platform to another, narrowly missing the eels attack.

Without hesitation his three companions fired, each with the fluid movement of experts who had spent their lives using harpoons. The spears penetrated the eels rubbery skin and it was locked in place, thrashing and screaming as the Chosen One jumped on top of it and ran to a giant red protrusion at the top of its spine. It was similar to what had been on the giant spider in the Forbidden Forest, or the red patch on the rock and fire creatures stomach.

Was this some sort of sign of a guardian? It seemed a particularly bad idea, if that was where they were vulnerable.

How she wished she had more time to examine them! But already the Chosen One was finishing wandering around the bleached skeleton, poking at various protruding bones.

Definitely Bad Guy cleared his throat, drawing her focus onto him. Qube brightened with his analytical mind, surely they would be able to make twice as many observations!

The pedestals are curious indeed, he said. There was a pause while Qube waited for him to continue, precious seconds slipping away.

Yes? she said, encouragingly. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw the Chosen One pry a golden coin out of the empty eye socket of the eels skull.

They appear to hold much power. The tips of his ears were starting to turn the same shade of red as his hair.

From the teeth of the skull, Qube heard Sexy Screamy Spider Lady sniggering. Definitely Bad Guys expression went even more wooden. Qube didnt have time for this.

Yes, Definitely Bad Guy, but we need to hurry and examine them before the Chosen One decides to move on. Please focus on them, we need as many details as possible! We can compare notes later.

The red had grown, moving from his ears to his cheeks.

Yes, he said. It would be a welcome change to actually engage in intelligent conversation.

Qube had already stopped paying attention to him, moving on to the carrot symbol and attempting to see if [Identify] gave her any useful information.

Sewer Bard, could you [Detect Magic] and see if you could get a read on what kinds of spells are inscribed? she asked, not bothering to wait for his acknowledgement before she continued. If we can find a Mages mana signature, it may help unravel the mystery of these pedestals. And then, perhaps, the key to the Temples themselves.

She glanced up to see both Sewer Bard and Definitely Bad Guy staring at her.

Before she could elaborate on her theory (no doubt they were both looking at her like that because they were confused about her Temple theory) the Chosen One dropped down off the top of the skull next to them.

Okay, Im bored, he said, looking at Qube. Have you finished looking at them yet? He tilted his head as he looked at her. Also, next session, you need to tell me why youre examining them. Qube opened her mouth to explain, only to be forestalled by him holding up his hand.

Not right now, he said, rolling his shoulders. I feel way too sick and tired to even begin to try and make sense of whatever youre about to say.

Qube pouted, before snapping into Healer mode.

Oh, of course! she exclaimed, you had to deal with being tossed around! [Heal]! Her mana soaked into the Hero. He briefly closed his eyes.

Thanks, he said, giving her a sleepy smile. But I need actual rest. Anyway, you grab the magic one, Ill get the sword and you know what? [Fiddle] it. Squiggles can have the carrot. Ready? On the count of three! Which means right after I say three! he said without pausing.

One! Two! THREE!