Chapter 23

Note: Thanks to Alex for beta reading this!

“How is this one man?” I demanded as I ran through the ruins of Meskalamdug’s labyrinth, following the way we had marked. A ball of light floated before us. Isatu was right on my heels, the rest of my monster girls, Halia, and Fara right behind us.

“He’s like a living shadow, Lord Leo!” Khur shouted.

“He flowed like liquid darkness,” Feya added. “He kills so fast!”

“Fuck!”

I ran as fast as I could, taking the turns. Then Marwo, Ci, and Gwyllt darted past me. My three wildhounds scampered at the lead, guiding us through the maze. They didn’t have to think about which way to go.

But we were deep into this dungeon. And we still had to rise up the ascent and rush through my dungeon. Fears squeezed about my chest as I ran naked through the dungeon, abandoning my armor and robes, just holding my spear in hand.

“He’s at the lightning room,” Terra found herself saying. She knew the others could see it, but the golem couldn’t help herself. Fear gripped her. She remembered the desperate fight with the dwarves, Led, Smerta, and Feya right after being summoned.

That had been a force and they had taken causalities, but they had a chance. This shadowy man had cut through Smerta with ease. Smerta!

“He’ll get through it,” Baaghi growled as the red dot entered the room full of pillars that would shoot him with lightning. They flashed on the map as they activated it.

“We should go and fight,” Crystal said.

“Defense in depth,” said Baaghi. “The labyrinth tunnels are narrow. The monster girls are chosen for their areas for a reason to maximize them. It’s still one man. He’ll be weakened. He’s being hit by the pillars.”

“And destroying them,” muttered Crystal. The pillars winked out one by one.

“This is a battle of attrition,” said Baaghi. “We’re the last line of defense. We’re here to make him spend as much time as possible getting through our defenses to buy time for Lord Leo to arrive.”

“He’s almost to the second labyrinth, Feya,” Terra sent.

The golem’s eyes flicked to the force that was assembling to hit the shadowy man in the second labyrinth. Feya had rallied all the defenders. The four arachnes (Damhanalla, Sreaga, Gaiste, and Greasai), the last two werebears (Garjan and Maan), the last two basilisks (Mastab and Dychannie) along with the unicorns (Rih, Sriblo, Nezaymana, and Chystota) who had been pulled out of the Overgrown Room.

Smerta’s last orders.

“They’re a stronger force of monster girls,” said Lana. She swallowed, more lightning arcing amid the strands of her golden hair. “All Level 2. They can overwhelm him. Feya will stop him.”

“So let’s go join them!” Crystal barked. Mist spilled off her body. “We’ll make it impossible for him to get by. We’re more powerful then Level 2 monster girls.”

“No time and it’s too many bodies as it is,” said Baaghi. “Iaidas, take your quetzalcoatl to the Flooded Bridge Room and join your sisters there.”

“You’re pulling them back to the thirdlabyrinth?” Crystal gasped. “Lana, you’re in charge!”

“They’ll be more effective in that room,” Baaghi said. “He has to raise and turn the bridge. He’ll be vulnerable in the water. They’ll be in the air hitting him with lightning while the mermaids and hippocampi attack him from below.”

“You’re already giving up on the second labyrinth?” Crystal shook her head. “She’s not giving up,” Lana said. “She’s being prudent.” Lana took a deep breath. “We’re staying here. We’ll defend this room. Our powers will be most effective in the open.”

“Feya, he’s thirty seconds out from you,” Baaghi sent.

“I hate this,” said Crystal.

Terra nodded her agreement, watching the three blue dots of the quetzalcoatls moving through the labyrinth to the Darkness Room and the path down to the Flooded Room. Then she glanced to the red dot, her stomach tightening.

Crystal fumed.

She was so angry, she was surprised that she wasn’t melting. This was her new life. Her little brother had brought her to this new world, given her these icy powers, and she was helpless to do anything about protecting them. She had to wait here.

Just like she had to wait when Leo didn’t pick her to explore the labyrinth. He left her behind. It was so infuriating.

The red dot reached the next ambush. The blue dots converged, Terra zooming in on the map once more. Mist spilled down Crystal’s body and spilled over the display. She stared down at the dots as they collided with the red.