Floor Boss

"It's time to pause for lunch right here. I've got a gut feeling that the dungeon floor boss is waiting just behind that door," said Ryder.

As we quietly devoured our meals, I kept my eyes peeled, replaying our last skirmish in my head. A heavy sigh escaped me as I moved from one adventurer to the next, infusing their weapons with healing magic. Their surprised gasps echoed around us, but we had no time to lose. Facing that floor boss alone? Not a chance, especially after that beast I encountered on my way in nearly took me down.

I darted into the corner of the room, hiding behind some towering rocks, and pulled out Lyra along with the case that held Biter. It was time to unleash her! I hit the release button, and the pod drained, revealing Biter. She was twice her original size, now taking on a humanoid form with light green skin, long yellow hair adorned with tiny red flowers, and a short skirt made of vibrant red petals. Her top was crafted from two crisscrossed leaves, and her pink eyes sparkled with mischief. Those cute little pink lips framed sharp teeth, and her delicate pink wings fluttered with excitement.

The pod opened and Biter popped out. [Master! I evolved!]

"I see that, congratulations, Biter."

[I'm a Nature Sprite now! Aren't I awesome?!]

"Nice work," I said, giving her a friendly pat on the head. "Now that you've leveled up, how about a new name? I don't think 'Biter' really fits you anymore."

[A new name? There's no need. I've already gotten used to this name and it's precious to me because it's the name master first gave to me.]

"We're gearing up for a showdown, and there's no need to take on the adventurers since we have a sort of agreement in place."

Max yanked the door wide open, stepping into the unknown with a fierce determination, the rest of the team hot on his heels. They entered a vast, circular stone chamber, dominated by a raised platform at its heart. The absence of windows cast an eerie shadow, and with a definitive click, the door sealed shut behind them, locking them in. Misty lunged for the door, yanking at the handle in vain, frustration etched on her face. But the sound of grinding metal against stone drew their attention away from the exit.

They turned to witness the platform rising, revealing a monstrous figure that sent chills down their spines. A zombie minotaur, a sight straight out of nightmares, loomed before them, towering at fifteen feet. Its bull-like head, adorned with menacing silver and red horns, glared down at the adventurers. The creature's piercing gray-purple eyes seemed to bore into their souls, while its brown hide was marred by patches of missing fur and a ragged chunk taken from its ear.

With a thunderous roar, the platform ascended, bringing the beast to eye level with the group. Instinctively, they tightened their grips on their weapons, ready for battle. Herald stepped forward, weaving a protective spell that enveloped them all in a shimmering barrier, each member feeling a rush of energy as the magic coursed through them, igniting their resolve.

The tension in the air crackled as we observed the minotaur, its horns suddenly igniting with two fierce brown lights. A wicked grin spread across its face, revealing a mouth brimming with razor-sharp teeth. In an instant, those brown beams shot down to the ground, targeting the fleeing adventurers below.

A deep, menacing rumble echoed beneath their feet, and with a swift incantation, Herald unleashed a spell that enveloped them in a swirling gray shield. Just then, jagged rocks erupted from the earth, thrusting upward like deadly spears right where the adventurers had just stood. High above, I soared with Biter and Lyra, our eyes locked on the chaos as the minotaur unleashed its fury, sending spikes shooting up from the ground.

Without hesitation, it shot brown light from its horns into the ground, summoning a colossal two-headed axe forged from obsidian. It hefted the weapon with a primal roar, swinging it with such force that a powerful gust of wind blasted through the chamber, sending everyone crashing against the wall. Miraculously, the protective bubble surrounding them absorbed the impact, bouncing them back and popping harmlessly.

But the minotaur wasn't done. It wasted no time, swinging its axe again, unleashing another barrage of lights from its horns that rained down on the wall behind the adventurers, summoning more deadly spikes.

Ryder, undeterred, drew his massive sword, its dark blade gleaming ominously. "Stay sharp, team! We'll take this beast down together!"

Misty unleashed a powerful swing of her arm, sending a burst of pink from her wand, sparkling light straight into the minotaur's eyes and burning it. The beast erupted with a thunderous roar, swinging its massive axe in retaliation. But Misty was quick, ducking low just in time to evade the deadly arc. Max charged in, darting around the hulking creature, and with a fierce slash, he targeted the back of its knees. The minotaur spun around, its fury directed at Max, but Ryder was already on the move. He lunged forward, his sword gleaming, and with a swift strike, severed the monster's arm. Meanwhile, Valen unleashed a volley of flaming arrows from her bow, each shot igniting with a fierce blaze, striking the minotaur in its side. Herald was in the thick of it, casting shields and boosting spells to empower his allies.

"Alright Biter and Lyra, show me what you've got!"

"MEEW!" Lyra sprang into action and leaped through the air. With a fierce cry, she unleashed a brilliant orb of blue energy from her mouth, sending it hurtling toward the minotaur. The projectile whistled through the air, a streak of light that detonated against the beast's flank, creating a massive crater that echoed with the force of the explosion.

The minotaur bellowed in fury, its gaze snapping to Lyra, eyes blazing with rage. Just then, Biter soared in, her hands raised high. A surge of vibrant green light erupted from her palms, summoning thick, twisting vines that erupted from the ground. They coiled around the minotaur's legs, snaking up its massive form. Leaves burst forth from the vines, and with a powerful tug, they wrenched the rock weapon from the creature's grasp, anchoring it firmly to the earth.

 Coming Next Time: Battle and Fourth Floor