First Conflict (Part 5)

Descending down a dozens of half-turned staircase of more than a hundred steps, they delved deep underground. Brad estimated they had descended to a depth of at least five hundred meters, with no railing to cling onto while the chilling wind whistled from below. Even with a cloth piece tied over his face, the odor grew stronger, and smoke crept in through a crack between the stairs and the natural cave wall, irritating his eyes.

"Here we go," Charlotta warned. "Within an hour, you'll be struck with severe dizziness and nausea. Let's hope we reach the gateway under the plateau before that happens."

As they reached the end of the stairs, the smell had become overwhelmingly powerful. Progressing forward, they entered a cramped, low-ceilinged passageway, where Brad had to stoop to move on.

"I hope we don't have to crawl," he grumbled.

"Dwarves never build low ceilings unless it's necessary," Charlotta said. "They detest rabbit holes."

Just as she finished her words, the ceiling began to lower even more, and the stench grew more intense. Brad muttered curses under his breath as they heard the sound of a heavy water flow just above them, making their progress through the narrow passage even more challenging.

Brad was now wracked with coughing fits, and waves of nausea were crashing over him. He first checked on Middleton, making sure the wounded man was able to breathe properly through his mask. With a fever raging, the injured man's breathing was labored and wheezy. Brad then pulled up the makeshift mask he had fashioned from his own shirt all the way up to his eyes. With his trusty knife, he deftly cut two holes around his eye sockets, creating a full face mask.

"Have you traversed this path before?" Brad inquired.

The woman shook her head in the negative. After a brief crawl, they finally arrived at a spacious clearing where they could stand upright. In the center of the cavernous hall was a small body of water, from which a gushing waterfall was tumbling down, emitting steam and mist.

"This is a natural hot spring," Charlotta remarked. Her voice was barely discernible through the mask.

Brad took a small sip of the hot water, which had a scorching and biting flavor, yet the rich minerals it contained stirred up various sensations in his taste buds. He removed his mask, closed his eyes, and washed his face with the steaming water, which made him feel slightly more invigorated. He emptied his nearly depleted water bottle and refilled it with the hot spring water, savoring its warm, earthy flavor.

At that moment, Charlotte was fervently seeking a route to escape their predicament. From beneath her mask, the woman muttered something, yet Brad struggled to decipher her words. In response, the sorceress yanked her mask off in frustration.

"I've failed to find a way out. Can you spot anything?"

Brad surveyed their surroundings with caution. The cavern's ceiling towered above them in the shape of a cone. Colossal rocks loomed precariously overhead, threatening to plummet. He plunged his head into the water, causing his eyes to scorch with intensity.

"This is a chimney," Brad announced. "Most likely, there were portals fitted with bars on the lower levels. When the water burst through, it probably surged up to this point. They must have tightly sealed the portals during that time. The water level must have ascended even further, inundated by rainfall seeping from above."

"So what's our next move? Dive into the water?" queried the woman.

"The water isn't excessively hot, but I doubt that will aid us. If there's a crevice that we can pass through, the water would have exploited it as well."

"Then did we come here for naught?" asked the woman, crestfallen.

Brad raised his eyes to the ceiling. "Perhaps there's still hope. Do you perceive the rocks piled above us?"

The woman nodded her head in affirmation.

"The dwarves could have positioned them there, or even dislodged them from the summit. If we can disintegrate them, we can obstruct the chimney. And with a stroke of fortune, one of the covers on the lower floor could also shatter from the impact. So if we're fortunate, a path will open up for us."

"You're a remarkable knight, sir. Poison seems to have done you well. Your mind is operating at full tilt," complimented the woman.

"I'm only striving to survive and keep my companion alive, my lady," Brad modestly responded.

"I can shatter the stones into pieces. I believe," declared the wizard woman.

"With what means?" Brad asked with doubt in his voice.

"Let me handle that. Just indicate the feeblest rock. The outcome is guaranteed."

Brad scrutinized the cave ceiling for a moment. To ensure Middleton's safety, they left him behind at a secure location at the entrance of the cave they had entered. He and the woman stood at the cave's opening.

"The central stone supports all of them, but it's too colossal. Therefore, I suggest hitting the flat rock on the left, near the crevice."

"The ingredients required for this illustrious incantation are either bat droppings or sulfur. Fortunately, there is an abundance of sulfur in this area. Oh, and one more thing, Brad."

"Yes?"

"That gas you've been inhaling excessively."

"Yes?"

"It's highly combustible. So, it's better for you to take cover," the woman chuckled. Then she recited the magical words in a crisp and fluid tone.

"Aımma pheorea phall de phyrentum."

As Brad witnessed the fireball that emerged from the woman's hand, he instinctively held onto her and leaped backward. Even before the fireball hit the rock, it had expanded, merging with the trapped gas inside. They heard a horrendous and ear-splitting explosion sound, followed by the rumbling of the shattered rocks that trembled the earth.

The flames, brought to life by the explosion, advanced towards the cave where they were situated. Fortunately, it was brief. Since the opening at the top of the cave was a much more appealing route for the ferocious flames produced by the trapped gas to escape.

Brad's clothes burst into flames as a searing wave of fire consumed him. Without hesitation, he hurled himself over the wizard woman, shielding her with every ounce of strength he had left. Charlotta and the young knight stood nose to nose, so close they could have tasted each other's breath. In that fleeting moment, Brad swore the heat intensified, scorching his skin.

The woman locked eyes with him, unflinching, and Brad mirrored her gaze. They remained motionless, silent, and spellbound.

"You can release me now," Charlotta said, puncturing the peculiar and tense silence. A mischievous grin played on her lips.

Brad obeyed, heading towards the cave entrance. Turning back to the woman, his face lit up with joy.

"Milady, it worked. The water's gushing westward from the new fissure in the lower level," the knight announced, proclaiming their victory.