The Church (II)

Following behind Levian wasn't difficult. He didn't go full speed, but it was enough to have to make an effort. Snow noticed that the light was becoming dimmer. Even she could feel a brisk chill running up and down her spine, making her on edge.

The closer they go toward their destination, the stronger it feels. The itchiness got stronger, Snow wanted to peel back her armor just to scratch under her skin. It was as if bugs were crawling all over her and getting more and more intense.

Snow summoned up her light magic, coating it around herself, working on suppressing the itchy feeling that was slowly dissipating. Eventually, she could be free from the terrible skin-crawling feeling, but following after a nasty odor of rotten eggs were blossoming all around her. Her nose crinkled, coughing up a few times. She had to raise up her hand to cover the smell.

They made a sharp turn on a corner. Snow saw the Church of Light, ominously stood. There was an odd air around the building that she instantly noticed. Even the street was deathly quiet. Light fog lingered in the air, carpeting the floor.

It was strange.

Snow stopped in front of the church building that she and Levian had been in for three months. Returning brought a strange feeling that she couldn't quite put her fingers on. Better yet, she didn't want to come back.

"Well, here we are...again." Levian looked up at the large building. "And from the looks of it, a dungeon has been formed inside it."

"You sure?" Mike asked, stepping in between Levian and Snow. "I don't see any implication that the dungeon appeared."

"I'm sure." Levian was the first one to take the step forward, leaving the other three behind him.

Snow followed next.

Levian opened the door. A loud creak of metal against metal could be heard, gritting Snow's teeth. The moment Levian stepped in through the door, he disappeared.

"What?!" Mike called out in complete disbelief. "He's gone?"

Snow didn't hear anything after as she went through the door as well. A harsh chilling feeling ran up and down her spine, giving her the usual feeling of entering through a gate that she vividly remembered.

It was a dungeon.

Snow silenced her thoughts, paying close attention all around her.

Looking around, the dungeon had an ancient medieval feel to it. The walls had beautiful paintings of people going on a crusade to slay an evil dragon. There were still parts of the paint missing, leaving behind cracks. Columns decorated down the hallway as heavy fog rolled around on the floor.

One would have thought they had entered a dark church because of the ominous air that was pressed down upon them. Most of the light was from the candles hung from the chandler that softly glowed.

Large numbers of benches were neatly placed in rows as it led straight toward the center. A smell of heavy jasmine incense lingered in the air, making Snow's nose itch. A light hum could be heard, bounding out throughout the long hallway.

"I can't believe there is a dungeon here." Mike finally came through. He stopped and started with a gasp of disbelief. "A church inside a church? What the hell is going on?"

"A level A dungeon," Levian spoke. He pulled out a sword from his inventory. Magic swirled around his body, changing his whole outfit had changed into a more battle oriented form. He had on light armor with a black and red designed outfit that hugged his very body. One could see the thick muscles that laced his arms and legs.

"How do you know?" Mike asked. He willed his own sword. Then he changed into his armor, which took a bit of time.

Levian didn't answer. He was preoccupied with paying attention to his surroundings.

Even Snow magically willed her armor onto her body. A light squeeze on her body told her that everything was set. She even brought out her Black Widow sword. The subtle menacing feeling from the sword pulsated in her hands, but she ignored it.

Her eyes adjusted. The fog became a bit thicker, creating a wave of ocean fog.

"I don't get how you knew this?" Mike wasn't backing down. He found it strange that Levian knew this was going to happen. "Did you plan for this?"

"No." Levian rolled his eyes. "I have no need too."

"Still, this is too strange. You knew this."

"We need to move." Levian didn't entertain Mike's thoughts.

"Why?"

"You have so many questions as usual." Levian frowned, sharply turning toward Mike, folding his hand in front of him. "Have you forgotten your words that you go by? Move first, ask questions later?"

"No." Mike went silent. He was surprised by Levian's words.

"Then why are you asking now? We move first, and maybe I'll tell you later." Levian began forward.

"This damn dou-" Mike was about to head straight toward Levian and punch him. His eyes were angry at Levian's disrespectful behavior.

Snow reached out and grabbed him on the shoulder. Mike turned toward her. She shook her head, telling him that this wasn't the time.

"You're falling into his bait every time," said Snow. "Leave your emotions amongst each other behind and focus on our task." She gripped her hand a bit tighter as her hand softly glowed with light energy. The soothing calmness from her fingers kept Mike a bit more relaxed.

Mike finally took a moment to take a deep breath. He then shook his head and straightened himself up.

"Fine," Mike grumbled. He spat on the ground and gazed toward Levian. "Mark my words, you're going to get a fist full from me."

"I'm counting on it." Levian nonchalantly spoke.

"Levian." Snow's voice had a low, threatening tone. She let go of Mike's shoulder and walked past him.

"Yes?" Levian asked.

"Enough is enough. I don't get why you keep picking fights with them," said Snow.

"I'm not." Levian threw up his hand in defense. "Think about it. Did I really start every fight?"

Snow sighed. "No, you didn't. But, you kept pushing buttons."

"That's not my fault that they can't handle my words."

"Look, let's just get through this dungeon with fewer fights amongst ourselves."

"I can do that."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome, Snow. Anything for you." Levian winked, which made Snow cringe. He smiled a mischievous smile and whistled in a merry tune.

They continued forward, through the room. The gloomy hallway opened up wider. Old draperies of red, black, and gold were strewn across the side like flags. Swaying slightly under a slight breeze that came from the other end that they were heading toward.

Quickly, the hallway opened up entirely in a large field. As far as the eye could see were hundreds of bridges connecting straight toward a large gothic cathedral. Its rusty grey stones were lifeless with black vines and eerily green leaves. Old decrypted trees extended outward, wrapping around anything it could touch. These bridges were on top of each other, crisscrossing into different levels.

The gothic Cathedral was enormous. Large mechanical contraptions creek and groan, ticking in motion as different bridges were hosted up and moved. The whole Cathedral and the bridge reminded Snow of a grandfather clock's inside with its intricate wheels and bolts. Green, ghastly water was pumped out of the side of the building. A split second screech could be heard, followed quickly by a deathly silence.

There was barely any sound, making everyone uncomfortable. Snow couldn't help but miss the chatter of birds, animals, and even the rustling of leaves.

Snow looked for anything that could connect them together to get to the Cathedral.

As far as Snow could see, no bridges were connecting where Snow and her group had appeared to the Cathedral.

"It's quite amazing to be able to find something like this in a dungeon." Mike stepped forward toward the edge. "It always feels like we are in a different world."

Snow stepped forward, heading next to Mike. When she peered down, what welcomed her was a steep cliff with nothing in sight but the black smog that covered everything. She thought she heard the sound of ghastly screeching, echoing out from the darkness.

The longer she stared inside the darkness, she had a strange lull to get closer. It was whispering into her heart, telling her that she needed to get closer and closer.

Her heart thumped heavily, and her eyes became dilated. Even her mind was buzzing with an uncomfortable squeeze. The erratic rhythmical heartbeat shook her awake.

It took a long hefty fight against the lull of the voice to pull herself out of it. Snow's breath became heavy and breathless, she closed her eyes, trying to calm down her raging mind and spirit.

When Snow opened up her eyes, she saw the bridge had come down, connecting them to the next platform.

Snow shook off the heavy feeling. She took the first step, heading straight to the bridge. She wearily walked forward. Her instincts were tense.

Quietly, everyone walked with caution. They didn't know what kind of monsters lived in this dungeon.

The ground shook. A loud clunking sound of metal against metal could be heard behind them. When Snow turned behind her, she held her breath. "Run!" She screeched.

Mike, Dairen, and Levian looked behind their shoulder. When they saw the bridge shaking and folding back upon itself, they knew they didn't have much time to linger any further. With a bolt, they ran.

Snow dashed without looking back. Her feet pounded underneath her, and her heart palpitated to propel her forward.