Wild Witch from the East

The group approach the cave and Mathias quickly backs away when he feels a wave of heat on his face from it. He keeps his eyes closed as they apparently took the brunt of it...

Selina "If it's too much for you, why not just drink the potions Auntie Quelina gave you?"

...

Mathias would facepalm were his face not already feeling irritated and blistered... He retrieves the potion from his pack and down it without hesitation, hoping that the Potion Master's measurement was correct.

Tyrael follows suit and drinks his own, immediately after releasing a cool breath as his body relaxes. "I have to say, this is marvellous... It feel incredible."

Mathias nods, "It works like a charm." he mutters.

Quennie "That's great... Unfortunately, now we are on a time-limited until your the potion effect expires... Being caught further inside without the protection would probably instantly kill you." she says, dimming the mood substantially.

Tyrael nods, "Let's go then, to face whatever traps Diablo has set." he says, stepping in first.

Barnock glances at his own potion for a moment before shaking his head, his body could take the heat for now... To be honest, the heat reminds him on the boiling hotsprings near his tribe. They had a right of passage to become a man, and that was to sit within them for 1 minute without passing out, dying, or leaving.

Whether it was the tradition that forced their bodies to adapt, or their natural constitution being suited for it. His tribe had unnaturally good resistance against the heat, even if fire could still harm them.

The light within the cave was brighter than the cavern had been due to the many ominous glowing red lines on the ground. They looked as if they could spew fire towards them at any minute, further ahead there were many broken shells of what looks like the modified Dragon eggs.

Barnock "Think we have to worry about the young dragons being a threat?"

Quennie shakes her head, "Dragons gain strength with age, the young ones aren't even able to breathe fire, let alone cause us trouble. I think they'd be unable to overpower a regular human..." she says.

Ignoring the egg, they continue onwards and the cave gets smaller and smaller until it's around the size of a regular hallway. After a while they spot a door and as they're about to approach it Mathias, Quennie, and Selina stop on a dime, the others not moving in response.

Barnock "A trap?"

Mathias shakes his head, "Maybe... There seems to be runes hidden around the entrance, they're not visually noticeable, but magically? There's definitely something up with them."

Quennie nods, "Reminds me of when my father spoke about blood runes... Do any of you remember an instance where someone may have collected your blood?" she asks.

The group shake their head and she smiles, "Good, it means the runes aren't linked with anyone... Which means we can do this." she says, tossing a rock at one, causing it to activate and shoot a large spear made from solidified blood out of it. It hits the opposite wall and stay there a moment before retreating.

Mathias "So they're activated by motion?"

Quennie nods, "I think so, they are also forced to reset themselves afterwards which gives us a couple seconds to avoid them."

Barnock "Why not just destroy them?" he questions, feeling like they were doing all this convoluted stuff for no reason.

Quennie "Because whoever set them up would undoubtedly sense it, plus, they might have more functions than just spearing you. I'd rather not test it to be honest."

They group quickly formulate a plan of action before making their move, Selina throws her hand forards and sprays water into the hallway, activating all the traps present. The water immediately begins steaming and evaporating.

The group hurriedly makes their way through to the door, dodging beside, under, and over the extended blood spears before throwing themselves through the door.

They quickly close it behind them to prevent any other traps from activating and start examining the new room.

"Well, well, well... You've all finally arrived at our doorstep. I can't say I'm surprised, you remind me thoroughly of cockroaches more than anything." a feminine voice mockingly calls out to them.

Mathias looks around the empty room but doesn't see her, "Come out Adria, you've committed too many crimes to let pass."

Adria's voice appears from nowhere again, "Oh? And what crimes might that be? Assisting my lord Diablo? Betraying you? Or perhaps I broke your pathetic little heart by killing my daughter?" she says, her sneer somehow audible in her voice.

Mathias "All of the above, you shouldn't worry though Adria, we'll see to it that your punishment is served. Maybe in your next life you'll be forgiven... But I doubt it."

Adria "Strong words for a dead man... Let me show you the efforts of my lord, may you bask in his greatness in your final moments." she says sweetly as the walls open up to reveal strange red-scaled creatures.

They have small malformed wings on their backs and stand around 5.5ft with large vicious looking claws. Their eyes glow an ominous red and they look just about read to tear the group to pieces.

Adria "Let me introduce you to Diablo's new creation... The Driablo..."

Selina snickers at hearing that, "Hehe, Driablo. Why'd you name them after "Dribble"? did you want them to be as unintimidating as possible?"

Adria "I don't know why you've brought a child to die with you, but I suppose I'll take your feedback. Let them now be known as, Diagron!"

Selina snorts, "Diagron! Like De-aggro from video games? Or is it an anagram... Dog brain?"

Quennie nudges her, "It can't be that sister, you're missing a B for it..."

Adria "ENOUGH WITH YOUR TOMFOOLERY! ATTACK MY PRETTIES!"