UFF: Chapter 44 (Patreon)

Chapter 44

(Lady Marie De’Claire)

Marie first saw, then felt the thread of her mana get erased. As the tether that connected her to her fearless leader was irrevocably severed. Then to her horror, Marie saw what could only be referred to as an infernal pit of agony suddenly go dark.

“Get back Lady Marie!” Octavia’s voice cried out, but Marie couldn’t move. She just stood there and stared at the closing floor that threatened to suffocate her friend, and more in absolute darkness.

Fortunately, for Marie, Octavia was not as lost in the moment as she felt Octavia’s powerful arms reach over and around Marie’s smaller frame and begin carrying her to safety. Not a moment too soon as the wolf head, the only head with a clear shot at Marie chose that moment to release a burst of condensed sound waves directly at the spot where Marie had been standing. Marie watched as waves of vibrational force were able to cut into the thick floor beneath their feet and leave a jagged groove in its wake.

Seeing the force generated from sound waves, was frightening.

“Garbled Water Sounds, right here—" Octavia said, placing Marie on the ground long enough for her to make eye contact with Marie. Marie seeing that Octavia was talking to her could not make out what was being said, as her ears were still recovering from being in the proximity of the soundwave. Which produced both a constant ringing sound to be in her ear, and to cause Octavia to sound like she was speaking through water at her.

Not fully understanding, Marie nodded her head that she was fine.

“Okay good, stay here garbled,” Octavia shouted, then also pointed to a spot just beyond the giant thrones that could be used as protection, should the odd beasts of legend break free of the closing floor joists.

Watching as the triangular flooring began to force its way together, trapping the giant heads of the mythical beasts, Marie could only stare in awe at the foresight of their commander.

“She saw it, again,” was all Marie could think, her words coming out as she thought them. The signs of her mild concussion hitting her harder than she realized. Only once she realized she was speaking, and she felt the unmistakable sensation of liquid leaving her ears did she realize just how dangerous a situation she was in. Focusing her mind, she tried to focus on herself, only to fail.

The spell forms, the glowing life energies that always came so easily to her were gone, displaced by the swirling vortex surrounding her mind. Blinking she could only stare dazedly, knowing that her mind had been impacted by the deafening howl more than she realized, as it also had a chance of causing mild concussion like effects. Which given that she was a pure caster, made it so that she was effectively useless. Which is why what happened next caused so much fear and apprehension for Marie, for she could only watch as the moving floor slammed shut pinning the three giant heads into place. Then she watched as Octavia valiantly sprinted behind the lizard head, the head that was closest to the throne, but also the one facing away, as all three behemoth type monsters had all glared forward and tried to aim at Lady Laurain.

For a moment it looked like they would be safe, that is until a deep groaning sound came from the pit where Lady Laurain selflessly sacrificed herself. Hearing the grinding and whirring of sounds, Marie could only watch as the demonic red eyes of the beasts began to shift just a bit, as the ground continued to grind and protest the forces at work from below. Hearing the sound and seeing the red lights come to life like a burning fire only caused the fear to rise in Lady Marie as she knew things were not going well.

Worse, she could see Octavia valiantly running towards the back of the lizard head, while concussive shockwaves of force, and jets of water shot out and tried to kill Octavia from a great distance.

“AHH!” Octavia cried out, as first a blast of water shot out, striking her body and all but tearing the flesh away from her bones. Then a concussive wave of force was the only thing that saved Octavia, as the soundwave pushed her forward, away from the jet of water and behind the burning lizard skull.

A lizard skull that tried to move, to attack with molten flames of magma behind its head, but was unable to turn.

“Whimper,” even with her hearing barely coming back, Marie could hear and worse, feel the whimpers of pain and agony coming from Octavia who clutched at her right lifeless leg and pulled it in, as blood and muscle dragged along the floor showing just how dangerous the area was. Had Octavia been any slower, had that second burst not hit her and pushed her out of the way, had these beasts been able to move on their own, Octavia would have been dead. Then Marie herself would have been dead.

For a moment, Marie thought all was lost, then she heard it, the sound of the odd ancient machinery coming to life and signifying that things were happening.

In shock, Marie looked out to see that the three guardian beasts of this factory were stationary and that they seemed to almost have a look of panic fill their eyes. Seeing that they were already suffering, Marie realized that not all was lost, as their captain, their boss and savior was still safe, still working. Shakily rising to her feet, Marie reached out a hand to touch the nearby throne for support, before shaking her head and casting a Quick Rejuvenation on herself. Figuring that this should be enough to help her mind recover, she then began moving, her body clumsily trudging forward as her mind tried to fight its way through the cloudy confusion that was filling her mind as she reached out to cast a spell at Octavia. Defenseless Octavia who had forced her body up, as she used her one good left leg to stand up, and push her back against the stationary lizard head.

It only took a second for Marie to realize why Octavia had to stand up, for the jets of water that were being shot out by the giant serpent were able to splash back and slice their way at Octavia, cutting away at her boots, and her pants, right where she had been sitting originally.

With her mind somewhat cleared, Marie tried to cast a spell at Octavia, only to realize that she was just a smidge out of her range. Seeing the problem, Marie could only kick herself, knowing that “Lady Laurain could have made that cast.”

Still, she was not Lady Laurain, which meant she had to get closer. By now the first and second ticks of her Quick Rejuvenation spell had hit, each tick easing the confusion in her mind and making it easier to walk. Before she got closer and cast her most demanding spell Celestial Heal!

A spell that was capable of healing bones and muscles nearly instantly. This was a channeled spell and the most powerful spell Marie had at her disposal, while it was wasteful, especially given her low proficiency with its casting, it was perfect in changing the tide of a battle, which was what needed to happen here.

As Marie cast, she could see the look of pain and exhaustion that filled Octavia’s otherwise beautiful, freckled face, and let her appear to be the radiant protector that she was always meant to be. Despite their distance, Marie could see her spell working, which is why she failed to realize the looming threat. A threat posed by the fact that the two monsters that could no longer target Octavia due to her position, had a clear line of sight towards Marie.

“Watch out!” Was the one cry from Octavia, a cry that caused Marie to break her focus from her channeled healing spell and look. That look, that momentary pause, was all Marie had.

Fortunately, it was all Marie needed as her Saintly blessings chose that moment to activate.

Divine Shell!

A spell that Marie had no clue how to cast, nor that she possessed at all came to life, forming a giant protective shell around her, sparking to life, as not one but two deadly beams of force converged together in an amplifying way that created a tornado like effect as wind mixed with pressurized streams of water to create a cutting blade of force that slammed into Marie, push her and her protective shell through the structural supports for the primary throne and flung her back until she crashed into the far wall, where her body remained pinned for a moment, until the now collapsing throne protected her from the combined jets of force.

Slumping to the ground, Marie felt a wave of exhaustion hit her that she was not used to. It only took a second for her to realize what had happened as she mentally went over the effects of her new spell.

New Spell Acquired: Divine Shell (Martyr Activated): One time per day, when you risk your life to save another, this spell can be used to create a protective barrier around you that will protect you from all types of physical attacks.

Warning: Use of Divine Shell will cost you the remainder of your mana and produce a exhaustion like effect.

Seeing the spell, an exhausted Marie could only rationalize, “oh, that’s why I’m tired.”

***

(Maiden Octavia Laurain)

Ever since she was you, Octavia had been trained to be a knight, a person who swore to protect the house and hearth above all others.

For a time, Octavia thought she had found her permanent home, that is until she had come into contact with Lady Laurain. A person who was fearless in a way that was unquestionable. Someone who seemed to know the future, before it happened.

When asked if she wanted to join Lady Laurain’s retinue as a gift to Lady Laurain’s service of protecting Lord Darren Drakerton, Octavia was secretly thrilled at the chance.

That is why she put everything into protecting her liege, as her liege had a sixth sense about things. A way of knowing without actually telling what the future was. Instead, it almost seemed like she made the future happen.

This facility, this derelict mine of resources and riches beyond comprehension seemed like nothing to Lady Laurain. Despite the sheer thrill of every step sending shivers of excitement down Octavia’s spine, her master seemed unimpressed. No, not unimpressed, rather it was as Marie had been saying all along, that their master already knew the future. She knew this place would be here, just as she knew how to defeat the giant stone golems, monsters that were made out of stone using means that even Octavia couldn’t fully understand. Lady Laurain took them down easily.

Then when things went crazy, Lady Laurain had already seen the future and moved everything into position to prevent any damage. Which was when she went close and began taking down enemy forces, bunching the enemy together so the statues that remained outside of her sphere or statis could still react and fight. The entire thing seemed amazing.

If there had been any doubt that Lady Laurain was an Ancient the moment she pointed and all but told the floor to close on her enemies would have been the clincher. Then when she trusted Marie’s care to Octavia, that was when it was clear that their master had plans. As she had already seen the future, and knew the way to succeed.

It was only Octavia’s own slow movements that caused the trouble she was in, for she got hurt, which was bad on its own. Then when Lady De’Claire came to protect her, to heal her of her mistakes that is when things went badly. For a dual blast of danger that had been meant for her, got redirected towards Marie.

Fortunately, Marie’s saintly aura activated, protecting her as she was violently shot away.

“They destroyed one of Master’s thrones,” Octavia hissed, seeing the damage and hoping that the one remaining throne would be enough. Then realizing it was their master they were talking about, Octavia realized it would be enough, but she had to protect the last one at all costs. That was why Octavia decided to do something stupid. Something completely reckless that should never be tried. Except for the fact that Octavia needed to draw the attention of the other monsters, while allowing enough time for Marie to hopefully recover, and their master enough time to fix the problems that she was facing down below.

That was when Octavia began to act, realizing she was barely protected from behind the trapped lizard skull, she began moving. First, she tried to turn around and strike at the back of the giant lizard skull with her blade, only to find that it was like trying to cut through stone. The thick scales on the back of the lizard’s skull were nearly impenetrable by her steel, which proved that this was a divine beast of legend.

Realizing that she couldn’t cut the lizard, she instead did the next best thing, of trying to get the other monsters to kill the lizard for her. That was why Octavia had the crazy idea of taking her sword and first pounding it on the right hand side of the lizard’s skull.

SWOOSH! Almost immediately a spiraling spray of wind and concentrated water burst forward, striking part of the lizard skull, while ripping her blade away. The force so intense that she felt some of her fingers break and snap form the concussive force.

“Ahh!” Octavia hissed out, but then looking back she realized she needed to both be more careful, and to not draw too much attention as she thought she saw Marie’s dazed form staggering to life from behind the fallen throne. Not wanting Marie to risk herself for her own stupidity again, Octavia instead tried to be smarter. With the burst of combined wind and water hitting her right side, Octavia, quickly switched, darting left with her shield and slamming it once on the left hand side of the lizard skull. Pulling back, Octavia could feel and see jets of water and air splash over the top of the lizard, before hitting the far side.

Then realizing her plan worked, sort of, she tried to keep all three heads occupied, by taking her shield with her still good left hand and banging it once on the right hand side of the lizard skull before tucking her body in close and waiting for the waves to pass by.

Octavia did this one, then twice, before things started to change. First the deafening sound and violent winds that had been amplifying the effect of the water stopped. A quick glance showed that something had happened, as the glowing ominous red lights of the giant wolf had died out.

Bang! At the same time a deafening crash could be heard coming from deep under the ground. For a moment Octavia was confused, it was only once she felt the force of a highly pressurized stream of water aiming for her partially exposed face that she ducked back behind her lizard shell for safety. Then realized that their boss had done the impossible, somehow not only was she alive, but she was taking out the monsters below.

Realizing that their master was doing her part, Octavia felt her body fill with energy. She still had lingering pains, her muscles on her calve had grown back, but they were still sore and tender. Her right hand was still broken and mangled, but for the first time since this nightmare fight began, she had one thing that had been missing up until now, she had hope.

Taking her shield and pounding it on the right hand side of the lizard skull she paused and waited, and waited. But nothing happened.

For a second, she wondered if something happened, maybe the spitting serpent had run out of its water to spray? Hoping against hope, Octavia took a quick glance to her right, only to see that the serpent’s malevolent red eyes had also gone blank. Octavia stared for just a second before she heard another loud metallic bang, as a giant body clattered against the ancient machinery. Then the impossible happened as the floor began to open, beneath her feet. Lunging forward Octavia found herself rolling and tumbling away, as the giant Lizard that had been dangling wildly a moment ago, turned and fell face first into the opening pit below.

Seeing the falling statue, Octavia panicked wondering what would happen as that was the exact spot where their fearless leader fell not ten minutes ago.

***

(Lady Karen Laurain)

Explosions, bursting support struts, and a jump scare as a largely motionless lizard head falls to the ground. For a moment I think I am going to have to fight the last one, give it a no holds barred attack, only to find to my complete shock and surprise that it is dead.

I noticed something was off as the face of the lizard seemed to have been slashed and sliced hundreds of times by tiny blades. Added to that was the fact that it fell face first, the little walking mechanical feet slowly moving forward, the only sign that it was still alive. Then after face planting and doing the mechanical walk of gloom for a  few dozen paces, it finally ground to a halt.

Looking up, I tried to see what caused the slashes, only to see Octavia at the top, waving down at me. Seeing her, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of surprise and joy at her, as I knew what happened.

“Did you learn the Searing Star Sword Slash?” I ask, naming the only attack that would be that powerful and able to penetrate Ancient steel like that.

“The what?” Octavia asked.

“Your sword slash, it had to be the Searing Star Sword Slash,” I continue as nothing else would look that fine while cutting that deeply into armor plating that dense.

“What, I no—” Octavia said, then she finally had a look of confusion on her face before she asked, “is that something I will be able to do in the future?”

Seeing her, I was confused for a second, all the while the lower floor kept getting closer allowing me to talk to Octavia easier. With each few feet upward I felt like I had to yell less and less. When I was but five feet away, Marie appeared, a bit dirty and covered in dust, but healthy and whole.

“Oh thank goodness, you are safe,” I say, feeling relieved that Marie is completely safe, though a bit messy. Then I feel the need to ask, “what happened?”

“Well, we dealt with the monsters, but there was a bit of an issue,” Marie said, rubbing her fingers together in that all too cute way that said she had bad news to tell. But as far as I was concerned, this was better than expected. I even told her as such.

“Look, we did this perfectly. We survived the impossible mission, we are all up right and mobile, this is a win through and through,” I say and mean it, but despite my assurances Marie still seems to be nervous for some reason.

“Well, good, because there was one issue that happened while you were away,” Marie continued, while looking over her shoulder.

“It can’t be that bad, again, as long as you two are safe that is all that matters,” I say as I finally begin to get wheeled up high enough to have my head finally peer over the lip of the roll away floors, to reveal my throne room.

Then as I rise up I get the message that tells me why Marie seems so nervous about my reaction.

Rite of Leadership test partially complete. You managed to fend off the mutinying robots, but now you must repair and sit upon your throne to claim full ownership of these lands.

Completion Rate: 50%

“Well that’s good, as one of your chairs fell down,” Marie replied nervously. As she spoke, the lift finally rose up high enough to let me see the fact that the primary throne had in fact been knocked over during the attack. While that meant the secondary throne still existed, it must meant that basic life support features were possible during this time.

“Dang it!” I cried out, but then tried to look on the positive, “well at least we are all safe.”

Dying whir. Of course, that is when the entire throne room decided to go dark as the last ounce of auxiliary power drained out, no doubt used to fuel the attempted insurrection against me.

I was about to continue with my comments, but wisely thought otherwise and decided it was best to remain quiet, while I tried to turn the lights on.