It was a bright and early morning, the fog seemingly parting ways to allow faint sunrays illuminate the camp. Fabric fluttered in the wind as a storm brewed in the upper peaks of the mountains.
The War god's army was rearing to go.
Camps of soldiers were slithering between tents in preparation of what was to come. Artillery units had already been moved up to the front. Archers carved small outposts in the mountain out to spy on the enemy.
A week had passed since Riley's initial reconnaissance mission, and since then he had gone on several more. His subsequent findings were minimal, but understanding the layout of the great fortress was already an upside.
Riley found himself in the strategy tent, surrounded by the usual cabal.
"Myself and the rest will infiltrate once more. In the event we do not come back by nightfall, begin the siege. Sir Baltamor will act as commander in my absence."
Sir Baltamor kneeled and thumped his iron gauntlet against his chest.
"Sir"
Before, Riley would've been taken aback by these sorts of gestures. But his time in the nightmare eased him a little into the mindset of a leader once more.
Lydia who had been sitting in the back slithered forward.
"What about me?"
"What about you?"
She pouted and looped her arm loosely around his.
"Whad do you have planned for me? I know I'm a pretty face, but I want to help you."
This was a new side Riley hadn't seen. He no longer had doubts that she was a spy for the other side, but something still didn't sit right.
"Help the archers or Sir Baltamor."
She smiled faintly and detached herself.
"So when will we head out?"
Lucy summoned her spear which seemed to have only gotten more beautiful during the nightmare. Riley wanted to inspect it as soon as he could.
"Soon, we need to prepare some supplies."
"And you'll tell us what we will do on the inside too?"
Dari who had crossed his arms and chose to sit in the back bit back with a scowl. Riley was confused about what had gotten into him these last couple of days.
"Of course, forgive me for keeping it a secret."
Riley wasn't hiding what their plan was for no reason. He feared that if they knew, none would dare enter that cavern again. And that is an important side quest.
====
The inside of the castle was cold. Its halls stretched farther than the outside view would allow. And shadows danced along the walls as the candles flickered.
Riley led his cohort forward back into the castle for their penultimate mission. And while it wasn't necessary, something about this opportunity seemed like it would be a waste to miss.
That and he wanted to test himself. Sunny had managed to kill a Fallen Devil as a sleeper, why couldn't he? Not that he knew that the creature was of that rank, but at least it wouldn't be an unholy Titan.
His hand slid into the obsidian and he passed through with ease. Soon followed by the rest, they ventured deep into the sapphire tinted cavern. There would be their foe.
Riley peaked over the cliff's edge, the beast was still dormant. Disturbing such a monstrosity is a sin. And he was one hell of a sinner.
"Alright guys. This is our last mission before the all out siege. Kill the serpent."
Lucy summoned her spear. Yara brandished her axe. And Dari unsheathed his sword. And lastly, Riley split his scissors into two blades.
A sea of sparks summoned the lantern and he poured out a third of his dread essence into it.
At first, nothing.
Then, a thundering shudder shook the cavern. Stalectites snapped from the ceiling, plunging into the water below. Holes in the walls that were otherwise dried up began leaking water. The obsidian disks rippled with an otherworldly energy/
"It's waking up."
Riley was the first to jump down to the ledge below, closer to the water. And just before he landed, a massive tail smacked him against the wall.
"Ghhh-"
His bones creaked from the pain. A small trickle of blood already left his lips.
Lucy ran to his side, helping him stand up while Yara and Dari kept watch.
In no time at all, a massive head peaked from the water's surface. Razor sharp scales decorated with talons that seemed to pierce the air. Two yellow eyes with slit irises dilated as it locked onto the four challengers.
"I-It begins!"
The great beast lunged forward through the air, barely missing the four and crashing into the wall with a cloud of mist.
"Attack now-"
But as the mist cleared, the great serpent was missing. And the impact site was…the obsidian disk. The chaotic energy it had emanated cooled and relaxed. But now it carried a much more ominous feeling.
"Don't tell me…"
A stream of water burst from below the water and the great aquatic serpent emerged, plunging down into water again. They were pushed back against the stone wall by the mini tsunami.
Lucy dashed forward, sliding under its swipe and running her sharp spear across the lustrous scales drawing for blood. The spear sank deep, and now she was attached to its wagging tail.
It shrieked in pain. Its painful cry shook the cavern and broke off many more stone spikes from the ceiling.
"WATCH OUT!"
Riley jumped to push Yara out of the way. Dari sliced one of the stones in half to protect himself. Lucy was still struggling to remain on the beast's body.
It spasmed out of control, but Lucy's grip was unbroken. She dared not lose when Riley depended on her.
But the serpent had other plans. And it plunged into the freezing water with Lucy.