Tartarus Beckons by Edmund Batara (reading an ebook .TXT) 📕

“Watch out for sudden attacks from the sides,” Kobu said. “From experience, some spiders are crafty enough to wait inside small tunnels concealed by fake walls. Remember, there are poisonous spiders and acid-spewing ones.”

“Acid?” whispered an astonished Habrok. “I haven’t heard of that one.”

“We have them back where I came from,” said the exile.

Tyler didn’t say anything even when he knew the general area was clear of the eight-legged monsters. At the very least, it would help keep the company be on the alert. He had not seen any living giant spider yet as what greeted him when they entered the cavern were the burned and shrunken remains of what Sford and Kadir encountered and subsequently roasted. But he’d rather not dwell on what the little buggers would look like when at such monstrous sizes.

Albeit greatly affected by the passage of time and the lack of upkeep, the pathway made their progress more manageable. Several minutes into the cavern, another explosive blast reached their ears. A quick scrying spell again revealed the lack of any change in the disposition of the figures and creatures. Tyler was mystified. He could swear the explosions meant an attack on Kadir and Sford, but nothing of the sort was happening.

As he continued walking in the direction of the two, a sudden feeling of dread came over him, but thankfully just as quickly disappeared. It was like a gust of terror grabbed him and immediately let go. His nerves shaken by the unexpected occurrence, Tyler looked around, trying to determine if any of his companions had experienced the same thing. Nothing. Apparently, the unusual phenomenon was limited to him.

I wonder what the fuck is going to happen? thought the mage apprehensively. That was definitely the doing of somebody or something. Or something bad happened? Strangely, there was no animosity in it or the feeling of a threat. But that can wait. Our present situation is more important and what the hell were those explosions?

The group made rapid progress. Any cobweb or errant spider had been burned from their path, but as they went deeper into the labyrinth of channels in the cave system, the unpleasant smell of smoke and incinerated arachnids grew overwhelmingly stronger. Their hurried steps loudly echoed along the hollow shafts as the party increased their pace, their confidence buoyed by the lack of opposition to their progress. Finally, as they turned the corner of another of the interminable passageways, they were confronted by the sight of a great hall waiting for them.

The large hollow was clearly a natural formation, the stalagmites and stalactites decorating the place giving away its origin as a creation of water and time. It would have been a beautiful and wondrous place if not for the dangers it represented, and various resplendent colors danced among the rock formations, given a glorious radiance by the large ball of magical light hanging above the spacious enclosure. Everybody halted at the stunning spectacle before them.

On the far side of the cavern could be seen a body of water continually fed by a small waterfall flowing from the rock wall, and from the large pool, two brooks rushed their way deeper into the mountain. At the end of the passageway leading to the vast space were two forms positioned opposite each other, seated with their backs to the walls. It was only then that Tyler noticed that the floor of the hollow in front of the two was blackened, and filled with curled balls and pieces of what he assumed to be the remains of roasted and blasted spiders. The vermin did appear to be more baked than the usual, something which the mage put down to repeated spells of fire. As the group watched, one of the figures lazily flung something toward the middle of the hollow. A loud explosion followed and the sudden blast deafened the companions, leading to muffled curses. It was a circumstance which led to Orm quickly walking forward, followed by the rest.

“Hey, Kadir! You both still in one piece?” shouted Orm as he swiftly strode towards the duo.

The figure turned his head toward the barbarian, not bothering to get up.

“Yep. But Sford is drained. That magical exhaustion thing,” the rogue answered idly. “Finally, reached his limit or went beyond it.”

“What are you doing? Why all those explosions? By Odin, you got me all worried!” said Orm when he finally reached the rogue.

“Well, Sford taught them to seriously fear fire, lightning, and whatever he threw at them. Though I didn’t recognize those orange bolts and waves. It was a dazzling display worthy of an Emperor’s orgasm. Deafened me a bit, though. With our orange-clad friend out of the picture, what could my two itty-bitty swords do? My treasured collection of fire and lightning scrolls are all used up, and all I have left are these diversion runes, and I am running out of them too. Though it appeared they’re being kept away by the sound of the explosions. Good thing you fellows arrived. I would have been reduced to farting within an hour.”

Then Kadir noticed that the rest of the party had arrived. Habrok and Astrid went to tend to the quiet Sford whose eyes were closed. Tyler wouldn’t be surprised if the man were soundly sleeping and his being unconscious meant, Sford went beyond his limit. He hoped no permanent damage was suffered by the other mage. Jorund did say that severe magical exhaustion could have unforeseen and undesired complications.

“Say, my esteemed and honorable First Mage, those magical trinkets I used were expensive, you know. I believe the appropriate reimbursement is in order, your Magical Excellency? They were worth a small fortune and vitally used in the furtherance of your honorable and essential business, weren’t they?”

At Kadir’s words, punctuated by a sleazy smile, Orm heaved the patient sigh of a man who’ve seen it countless times before, and turned to Tyler.

“My apologies, First Mage. Kadir will be Kadir. I