The Boss of the Loyal Forest Tower

The air seemed thicker than ever as the trees became more crowded and the light around us dimmed. I sensed we had made it to the center of the dungeon. An ominous feeling came over me as we reached a semi-large clearing.

"Be careful. I think we might come across a boss."

The serious look on Callie's face along with her white knuckles that clutched her staff told me that she was terrified. I could almost see her knees shaking under the armor Dyno picked out for her.

Mat also seemed tense beside me. He had a lot more experience in the dungeon, but every time we came across a boss monster he would suddenly become stiff. I wonder if he had a bad experience with a boss, just like me.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and took the first step into the clearing. I felt goosebumps come across my arms. A low growl alerted me to the presence of the boss.

I gripped my knife tighter and rested my opposite hand on the hilt of my second knife. So far I had handled the dungeon with just one, but something told me that this monster would not let me get by with such luxury.

Instead of the sudden attack I had grown used to in this dungeon the cat monster came sauntering out of the woods opposite of where we were standing. Its fur was jet black with hints of purple where the light hit it.

If it wasn't for the menacing glare and growl I would say that this beast was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It stood seven feet tall and the aura that leaked off of it meant that there would be no running away.

I gulped back the fear that threatened to take my courage away and unsheathed my second knife. I hoped that they would be strong enough to cut through its fur. I always had a short sword to rely on, but it hurt that no one in our party had a larger, stronger sword to use.

Kei would have made a perfect vanguard for this creature.

I shook the thought away and took my position in front of Callie. I hoped that the monster would keep its attention on Mat and I. Callie was definitely not strong enough to take on such a monster.

"Callie, that buff spell you learned earlier. Use it on Mat. Heal as needed, but stay in the tree line. Don't forget to watch your back. We are going to be preoccupied and may not be able to save you."

"Right!"

It pained me to turn my back on her and focus on the panther-like monster, but there was no choice. If I turned my back on the monster then I would probably become its next meal.

Mat stood at the ready beside me and inched forward ever so slightly. I could sense a state of reluctance to test his shield on the thing. I couldn't blame him in the least. I sensed the same power, if not more, from the monster in front of us as the tiger on the second floor of the Silver City Tower had.

The cat monster leapt into the air and came full strength onto Mat's shield. I could hear the metal creaking under the weight of the thing. An audible grunt came from Mat. I used this time to stealthily sneak around the kitty and run my knife along its back leg.

Heavy resistance met the edge of my knife, but a small sliver of a cut managed to cut through the tough hide of it. This was going to be difficult if all I used were knives.

I resheathed my weapons and pulled my pack off my back. I rummaged through it as I tried to reposition myself on the other side. Mat was keeping it distracted. Sweat was already dripping down his face. He wouldn't be able to hold out for a long time.

A brief flash of light told me that Callie was casting a recovery spell from the shadow of a tree. The pain in Mat's eyes lessened somewhat. I pulled out my short sword and threw my pack in Callie's direction before sprinting in for another attack.

"Kai!" Mat's gruff voice called my name.

I glanced back at Mat and noticed a slight crack in his shield. Come on shield. Just hold out a few more minutes.

I was already on my third approach when I heard the metal cracking again. Cursing under my breath I went straight for the creature's throat. Die, you stupid monster!

The skin around the cat monster's throat was thinner so I met little resistance as my blade ran through the tiny gap just under its chin. The risky move did not save me from the claws that were hell bent on protecting itself.

As I passed between Mat and the cat monster a set of claws cut through my layers of armor from my right shoulder diagonally to my left hip. Red blood soared through the air in an arc as my vision danced with black dots.

I could hear Callie screaming faintly in the distance as my vision populated by black dots gradually dyed my vision until all I could see was darkness. It was almost pleasant as the pain of my injury was nowhere to be found. Or maybe I was just too full of adrenaline to feel anything. I think I had read about that somewhere.

"Kai? You have to wake up now. Please wake up."

An angelic voice was coming through the haze of the darkness around me and it reminded me of someone I knew. Who was that again? I could hear her shouting my name again before pain flooded my chest and stomach.

Ow. What was this pain? Flashes of the battle with the large cat monster reminded me that I had gotten slashed by its claws. That voice I recognized to be Callie's. I must have worried her needlessly. I would have to treat her to something sweet later.

My eyes fluttered open and the first thing I saw was the blurry tear stained face of an angel. Callie sniffled over me. She must have moved me onto her lap because her face was upside down and my head was resting on something soft.

I moved my head to the side and noticed Mat standing guard beside me with his short sword drawn. It appeared that the shield did not make it through the battle.

"Callie, if you hold me that tightly my wounds will probably become worse."

"I told you to be careful, yet you took such a big risk. I could only slightly close your wounds. Don't scare me like that?"

Her outburst came out between sniffles but I got the general gist of what she was trying to say. Don't act recklessly, you dummy!

"Come on, Callie. We need to leave the dungeon. The exit is not too far away. There is a map in my right pocket."

I felt her weight shift under me as she dug into my pocket and unfurled the map I had drawn. I weakly pointed to where we were and traced the way to the exit. Mat was staring intently over at me and nodded to himself.

He sheathed his sword and I felt suddenly weightless as he lifted me into the air.

"Mat?"

His sudden actions startled me. No one had lifted me up like this since I was a child. Heat briefly brushed my cheeks much to my embarrassment.

"Be quiet. We need to get you to a more skilled healer. You can complain when you are no longer bleeding."

Fire seemed to gleam in his eyes as he walked forward with purpose.

"Also, the attacks have stopped since defeating the boss. We need to hurry before they start respawning."

I see. Some dungeons had a time delay from attacks after the boss of the floor was defeated. The time limit for the delay was always different so there was no way for us to know how long it would last.

In a way it was impressive that they had not started to respawn while I was unconscious. I could hear Callie stumbling behind us, sniffling all the way.

My consciousness faded once more when the doorway to freedom came into view. I suppose the tension keeping me awake finally subsided now that I knew we were safe.