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A Dungeon beneath the sands, with a spiraling deadly storm above. Luckily our Cub doesn't actually have to face any dangers here. Right?
Warning: Creepy Crawlies, Dirty Diapers, Violence, and Astraphobia
Chapter 7
My Babu's breakfast was so very tasty, it really was, but the messages from the divine one reminded me of my training. Apparently Babu, had upped his game, knowing I'd leveled. My Amateur Poison Resistance, wasn't affected by the Gecko's anymore. Whatever this purple meat was, it was way stronger then that. Babu grinned as I twitched on the floor, his paw holding a green mucky drink at the ready.
“You've been poisoned by Paralytic Neurotoxin (Med). Amateur Poison Resistance Level 1 has reduced its effectiveness by 12%. Partial Paralysis for the next 2 Minutes reduced to 1 minute 45 seconds.”
“Paralytic Antidote Applied. Paralysis Negated.”
I coughed and whimpered up at Babu, as he withdrew the yucky stuff from my lips. He gave me a reassuring smile and nodded to me. “Did you level up again?” I shook my head, and gave him a surprised look.
“Nuh uh. That was a bad one Babu. I could not move myself. I felt myself twitching quite badly. I think I am suppose to hurt everywhere, but my Pain resistance is negating the soft pain.” He nodded, and pulled a sickly black and purple looking shell out of his pack. It had several very long, narrow legs. Like a scorpion, but bigger, and rounder. With bits of wiry fur jutting out in places.
“This is the remains of a Toxic Ambush Spider. It's a tier 1 threat. They hide in dark tunnels, and such places. Then they move almost completely silently. When they get close enough, they sink fangs into their prey, and pump a poison like that inside of them. Then when their prey is twitching like you were, they wrap them again and again and again in sticky thick tough strings. So they can drag them away, and eat them later!” I whimpered and shuddered. The very idea of such a creature filling me with mild dread.
“Baba, why worry a little girl of such things? I've never seen it's like in the desert sands in the three years I've been here. Where would you find such a thing?!” Babu laughed heartily, patting his mwana on the back. He then pointed over the rock, hiding our little camp where the spinning dark clouds could be seen in the daylight more clearly.
“There is a dungeon beneath the ever turning storm. It recently came under attack. I must enter it, and commune with the Guardian. In the rocks surrounding it, there are several of these spiders, and other threats. I was hoping to raise my mjukuu's poison resistance, in case she hasta defend you both while waiting for me.” My Baba looked slightly offended, then thoughtful, then embarrassed. Babu, patted him between the ears, rubbing his mane gently.
“Do not be offended Mwana. If we need plants pruned, or water irrigated, you'd be superior to both of us! I could not do what you do. Your Binti and I are just cut from a different cloth. Now come on, you have one duty the two of us can't deal with. That is this girls propensity to making heavy pamps, and your ability to deal with them.”
I gaped wide mouthed at my Babu, and gave a harrumphed exasperated sigh. Then we were off, climbing up over the hill and heading toward the bad place. Both of the men with me, took turns giving me reassuring pats, and words of comfort. I was astounded my Baba wasn't even remotely bothered by the horrifying angry light, or the terrible rumble noise. Babu, was laughing at my discomfort the entire time. Both though, remained considerate enough of my fear, to try an make me feel better.
Finally, we reached the edge of the swirling death cloud. Babu, turned glaring hard at both of us. Such a serious look to his features, as he spoke. “You will be a shadow inside my shadow. Walk where I walk, step where I step, do not falter, do not stray. This dungeon was meant for those who've passed their first class evolution. It is implied through texts on stones all around these parts, you must study the lightning for a day to see the basics of the pattern. I do not have time for that. I must speak to the guardian about this threat as soon as I can. Thus I will be taking a path only seen by someone who's taken a tier 4 class. FOLLOW CLOSE!”
He then turned, and began an odd series of steps, and hops. Baba, and I paid very close attention and followed his actions as close as we possibly could. Many many minutes of this passed, and I felt myself growing weary, and my body starting to ache beyond what Amateur Pain Resistance could counteract
There were so many times, I felt the fur across my skin ripple and stand out, just before I hopped into my Babu's shadow. After landing there, a blinding, vicious, angry burst of hot light hit the spot where I just was. The roar, and crackle of sound, causing my ears to flatten, and my mind to ache severely. But, thanks to Babu's expert maneuvers and careful steps/hops we reached a massive jagged black rock, below a perfectly calm portion of the clouds.
“Through repeated actions, your Agility has increased by 1.”
“Through repeated actions, your Agility has increased by 1.”
“Through repeated actions, your Strength has increased by 1.”
“Through repeated actions, your Resistance has increased by 1”
“Special Criteria has been Met. Don't Think, Just Stink has received an Achievement. Dumb Luck Acquired. 200 Racial Experience Awarded”
I panted for breath, and collapsed into the sand near my Baba, and Babu. Baba, took this opportunity to feel over my Jupe-pantalons', making sure I wasn't too soggy or squishy. Surprisingly, I was quite clean. I had only just been changed not that long ago anyway. But the pure fear coursing through me, I had thought would coax something out. But, I apparently was just fine with it. He smiled down at me, and just gave me a warm hug, after discovering how clean I was.
Babu, motioned for us to move up closer to the massive black spire of rock. He pointed to a spot made up of smooth glassy black stone. “I will enter the Dungeon here. I do not think I will be long, but my senses have picked up many small lesser creatures moving in toward us. Not much makes it through the storm to such easy hunting grounds. They are the type who pick off what has died in the storms. So a full course meal, such as us, is appealing to them. Mjukuu, do you think you can protect yourself and your Baba?”
I nodded, and pulled up my Nguni shield. My left paw spreading out my little cub claws, and I showed off my teef! Babu, chuckled, and rubbed a warm paw over my main again. “Before I leave you then, I want to see how well you do. There is a critter now. Show it who's boss little Haboob!”
Indeed, a small scaled lizard wriggled its way up out of the sand where it'd be moving very slowly beneath the surface. It was gray with brown spots adorning multiple places along its body. If it had stood perfectly still, I might not have seen it all that effectively. A point I suppose, it was trying to accomplish anyway.
It opened a maw, with a row of seratted little teeth, and made a hot hissing noise. Its little legs, with webbed toesies, slapping the sands as it scurred toward us very fast. The entire thing was about the size of my three month old cub forearm. Maybe 20 cm or so? It ran full tilt, right at me, little hisses and threatening displays of fanged aggression.
So anyway, I leaned down and thrust my head out biting off its head before it could get much closer. Then proceeded to eat the whole thing. My Baba, turned away from the scene and made a retching noise behind a rock. My Babu, let out such a pleased laugh, patting me firmly on the back as he sauntered away from us toward the rock wall.
“Level 3 Sand Ambusher has been defeated. Class Experience Unavailable.”
“Special Criteria has already been awarded. Repeat success bonus activated. 25 Racial Experience Points.”
Impisi, of the Sands, raised his paw and started to chant at the rock. A loud rumbling crack sounded out, as angry light struck right in front of him. Leaving a crack in the stone, he ducked into, and down a revealed stair case. I ogled the sight of such a powerful display. My Baba, let out a short yip of shock himself. Then we were alone. Er, with each other anyway. I smelled them coming.
Two more tiny little lizards were coming. The first actually launched itself up out of the sand right at my Baba! I flicked my wrist and sent it spinning into a wall with my Nguni. The other, slapped sand rapidly with its little webbed toes, and full on charged toward my Baba from the other side. They'd decided I was too much of a threat, and went for the small male.
Despite the fact he had me beat by at least half a meter, he did seem less a threat to them. I'd make them regret targeting him. When it leapt from the sand floor, its little fangs bared, I swatted it down hard into the sand with the side of the shield. I heard something snap inside of it. The other one, having recovered from its impact into stone, was scrambling toward us again.
I jumped up into the air and bracing the Nguni as I fell to my side right on top of it. I crushed its little body against compact silica and stone. Feeling its life give way, I lifted the shield up and gulped down the flattened lizard treat. The broken one was trying to get back up, and from all appearances, get away. I brought the shield down again and again on it listening to it break inside. Then plucking up its twitching form, I gulped that one down with a happy smile.
My Baba, was giving me such a look, but had a bit of a smile on his features. He gazed about the sands all around us. Wincing like I was with every nearby blast of radiant angry light. But we saw nothing else approaching us at this time. I licked my lips, and hoped for more of a challenge, while her divineness filled me in.
“Level 2 Sand Ambusher defeated. Class Experience Unavailable.”
“Level 3 Sand Ambusher defeated. Class Experience Unavailable.”
“Special Criteria has already been awarded. Repeat success bonus activated. 50 Racial Experience Points.”
I jogged back a little closer to Baba, and gave him a hug. “Are you all right Baba? Did any scratch you while I wasn't watching?”
He laughed at that, and shook his head. He wiped a bit of his life water from the corner of his eye, licking it back up. He smiled down at me, with a mischievous twinkle to his features. “I'm supposed to be asking you, if you're alright. You were so very brave there my little Binti Mfalme. You're a precious warrior so early in your life. It makes me worry a bit, but also feel confident you'll be alright.”
We stayed cuddled up together like this for several more minutes, before the rock rumbled again, and Babu came up the stairs. He didn't look necessarily pleased, and was mumbling some things. He saw us, cuddled together, and raised an eyebrow.
“Did nothing attack you while I was gone? You both seem so calm after I had been expecting further violence.” I shook my head, with a very sly grin.
“I don't think we were in any danger whatsoever. Do you think so Baba?” the small male laughed, and nodded with an approving smile plastered on his features. He turned to Babu and gave him a pawtip up.
“Yup, all safe. No danger to us at all up here!” The Old Yeenkin raised his eyebrow again, and chose not to comment further. He cleared his throat, and motioned for me to follow him to the back of the rock. When Baba tried to follow along, he shook his head and motioned for him to sit back down. When we were clear of the younger yeekin's hearing, Babu whispered conspiratorially.
“I didn't want him to protest, or make you doubt yourself at all back here. I'm taking you to one of the Elemental Trials of the Desert. This is reserved normally to powerful Magus's or Warriors approaching their 2nd or even 3rd tier. But I spoke with the Guardian, and while we mostly talked about the threat to this place, and our other dungeons. We discussed you, and possibly being ready for something special before you even step foot in your trial. A Special Weapon for a special little girl.”
He cleared his throat, and a nervous, almost fearful smell came off him. “But this is again a 2nd or 3rd tier Trial. If you fail emotionally for even a second, you can be struck down by a blast of furious lightning right where you stand.”
I whimpered quietly, but didn't say anything beyond that. Then we stepped into sight of it. An area behind the rock, where it looked like the giant stone was blocking enough of the light, to make sand look black. Almost. There was a thin corridor of sand, so sparkling white, it shimmered even in the darkness. It led away from the stone, and crept up to a fully white circle of glistening sand. A Dune of pure white, glistening sand. And I watched with mild horror, and fear as so many crackles of angry light slammed down on something at the top of the hill.
“This is Thunderous Symphony Trial. You just have to walk the path, while the music of the storm caresses the area beside and behind you. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS!!! You must stay calm, and place a foot paw on each foot paw that appears in the Divine Sands. It will lead you at the pace, and speed, you need to cross the desert trial. When you reach the object you find up there, kneel in the sand in the spot it tells you to. Place your paws in the submissive spots it indicates.”
He took in a deep breath, and stared up at that thing along the top of the hill. “Do not move from that spot. The storm will increase in intensity all around you. It will test your bravery. It will come close, inches close to your tiny little body. It will roar with a sound, that is almost certain to leave you deafened. I have studied a a few healing enchantments, and will heal your ears, and eyes should they need it when the trial is done.”
A soft paw caressed between my ears, along the tufts of my not fully grown mane. I shivered and smiled up at my Babu. “This is important Kibo. Do not stray from the path, do not miss a step of the glowing paw prints, kneel where it indicates you must kneel and show fealty. Stay just like that for the time it takes, no matter how loud, or frightening it might be. The Divine One will let you know when you may raise yourself up. When you can take your prize. A prize few who visit this dungeon receive.”
“But why Babu is it outside the Dungeon?If it is a Dungeon Item?” I gazed at the black long shape illuminated briefly by angry light after angry light burst. Impisi shook his head and guided me to the start of the path. He had me kneel at the start along a smooth stone. I felt a calmness settle over me.
“Because Mjukuu. This item is protected by the storm, and the path is only known to those who find a stone of writing in the dungeon below. The Guardian and I are old friends, and he allowed me to take you to the path. I did this once long ago, and the dungeon is eager to let you try now.”
Then he was backing away, as I felt a charge rush up my body from the rock. An angry flash of light hit the ground inches from me. But I knew if I was afraid, if I gave in to the fear, it would fail me. I shuddered at the shockwave, and the noise. But I knew to rise, and looked out at the white sand.
A paw print, the size of my own, brilliant glowing vibrant blue, was centimeters away from the stone. I stepped upon it. Then another a few more centimeters out, the shape of my right footpaw. I moved fluidly to that one too, keeping my head bowed, to watch for the footsteps. I also knew bowed in reverence to whatever was going on here. As I stepped on each glowing pawpad, and then the next, the storm raged around me.
Flickers of angry, fast, brilliant, loud light. Hitting the sand everywhere around me as I stepped. Once when my left paw left a spot, and settled into the next, I felt the sharp sting of ambient angry light, as it struck down from above on the spot I was on moments before. This began to happen more and more regularly. I noted how quickly the paw pad stepping places seemed to start glowing bright, but they then almost immediately began to dim, a new paw pad starting to glow shortly ahead. The pace was increasing.
I started to pant for breath, as the path started to encircle and ascend the sand dune. Each paw pad was only appearing for a second or two at most now, and I realized I was in a slow jog, trying to hit them all in time. My head ached, and my ears were muffled, and ringing both at the same time. The bolts of angry light were everywhere, it took all of my attention to see the glow of paw pads, against the start rage of light all around me. The patch circled around steadily and evenly till at last I had reached the top.
Jammed into the center of the sand dune was a stick, barely as long as my arm. The top of it was smoothed, and had a rounded ball like shape. There were circles of metal hanging off of it, and the bolts of angry light struck it so very often, making those metal pieces glow red with built up heat. There in front of the stick, led up to by the last of the glowing paw pads, was a frazzled blanket.
Sand scattered across the blanket, illuminated with the shape of my knees, and my front paws. I quickly took the pose, feeling quiet and submissive, as the last glow of paws disappeared behind me. A soft glow, that reminded me of a nose glowed right in the sand in front of me. I gasped, and got the hint and bowed myself completely and utterly in front the stick.
I held this position, awaiting what was supposed to come next. Then felt a charge coursing all over my body. More ambient energy in the air, so much of it. I felt every tiny bit of fur on my entire body, standing on edge. Then came the deluge of blasts! Everywhere, all around me, the beams of hot angry light from cloud to ground. The sand splashed up and froze in place, blackened and jagged as stone. A soft shimmer of light reflected off each sand sculpture. And more and more and more of them, each second.
I kept my head bowed, my eyes flitting left and right, with each hard strike, my fear rising more and more. I was so prepared to run, to rush to my Babu, to explain to him he was wrong, I was too little, this was too scary. To hug him, and explain I'd be a good girl, and maybe I'd learn about farming with Baba. Maybe I wasn't such a brave warrior after all.
But something in me, bristled at that cowardice. A part of me roared at the weak little cub, and told her to shush up. This is what we were doing. We would prove our Babu was right. We would show him that he could trust us. The Cub and the Warrior merged again, and a calm settled over the sand dune. A crack in the clouds above, let a soft beam of sunlight settle on me and the stick.
“Trial of the Thunderous Symphony Complete. No Class Detected. Full Rewards Withheld. You may now collect the Magical Item. “
Standing to my feet, I winced with a smile as I realized my terror, and exertion had other effects. I moved a paw under my Jupe-pantalons' seat, the bulge and stretch against the leather pants make me bite my lip and blush. I hadn't messed this badly, since Babu had poisoned me. The achy hard pain in my belly that not even amateur pain resistance could mititgate, told me I had emptied everything down there. I was absolutely soaked through too. I would need a change very badly when this was over.
I laughed and stoop up as tall as I could, and waddled to the stick. Wrapping my paw around it, I gasped out and let out a weak cry. The metal discs, had shifted and were laying flat against the black would. They burned with such hot intensity into my paw pads, and I yanked away for a moment to see odd runes/letters from each one branded into my pink pads. I winced, and gripped the stick again, pulling it free.
“Rungu of the Thunderous Symphony Acquired. Full effects Hidden at this time. Bonded to Kibo.”
“Amateur Lightning Affinity Acquired.”
“Amateur Lightning Affinity: You Resist 25% of Electrical Type Damage. Your base movement is increased by 10%. Weapons/Spells/Defenses that use Lightning are 25% more effective.”
My Babu, and Baba from all the way down the hill at the start of the challenge began to applaud for me. I blushed, and carefully started to make my way back down. The storm above had quieted, and it was actually peaceful again for once. I hadn't even had time to notice during all that, when my Baba had joined us. But I was happy to see him all the same. Then came a hard deep rumble, unlike what the angry light had made.
A shadow of something began to creep across the desert due west of the giant rock. The clouds above, began to start spinning again, rapidly picking up speed. The holes in the cloud cover that let in light, were slowly but surely starting to close again. Babu, grew very serious and worried looking. I rushed toward them a bit faster now, when the massive thing leapt down from the Rock above us all.
It landed firmly between my Jamaa, and me. It was thick bodied, with four legs ending in rounded paws. A massive head, covered in a full mane, with a short fang filled maw. A long whip like tail, ending in a bushy tuft of fur, poking out behind. The entire body, head, tail, and mane were in coarse dark fur. Fur that didn't quite seem like it was supposed to. It turned its head toward my Baba, and opened its mouth. Dozens of black orbs with little spider like legs, poured out of it and started rushing toward him.
Then it turned its gaze on me, and growled out in a feral low rumble. The massive paws clenched, and I saw several inch long claws jut from each. It began to pad toward me, with malicious intent in mirrored black orbs above its muzzle. Those lips parting to reveal, jagged black fangs. I shivered, and began to back up a bit. I would actually have liked the angry light to return, I'm not sure how well this thing would do against such a threat.
Clutching the Rounded Stick to my chest with my left arm, I reached behind me, pulling my Nguni over my right arm. I yanked it free, just in time as the massive creature pounced at me. Letting out my own feral growl, I slapped it hard across the face with the leather shield. It rolled off to the side, giving me a chance to get in a more defensive pose. I spared a quick glance to my Jamaa. Babu had hands buried in Black Sand, and dozens of little black scorpions had risen out of it, and were clacking claws, and whipping stingers into the orbs. Baba, behind him fishing out various little liquids in clear stone, and handing them to my Babu as he fought.
The large black creature, picked itself up and started to prowl even more menacingly around me. I gripped the new stick firmly in my left paw, mirroring my movements with the Nguni in my right. I held both up ready, and kept pace with the big thing. The clouds finally had resumed a full spin, and I saw flickers of light start to build up in the clouds above.
Hundreds of those black orbs were clacking all over the rock itself, as I saw Sand Ambusher Lizards, and much bigger versions of the spider Babu fed me ripping into them, and being ripped apart in turn. I didn't know where this all had come from, but it seemed like they had been waiting for someone like me to stop the storm temporarily. Babu, seemed to be panting slightly even, and never moved his hands from the sand. More and more, and more of the black scorpions were pouring up out of the sands, and easily starting to outnumber and out preform the orbs.
The huge black creature, had enough of waiting me out, and dashed in towards me. I flicked my hand instinctively and slammed the rounded part of the stick right into creatures face. I saw a brilliant flicker of light, and felt that charged energy sensation as it connected. The creature flew dozens of feet, slamming into the dune itself, blowing out a sizable chunk of it.
I stared down at the stick, mildly awestruck. It had hit for far more then my little strength could handle, and it seemed to contain the sheer essence and power of the angry light. I'd nearly been hit by that light many times. I could feel the dangerous death sense it gave off. And looking at the slowly rising thing, I think it could too.
Half of its maw and one of its tufted black furred ears was just gone. Where they had been, was a vapory leaking looking bit of black mist pouring away. It gave a hard growl with what was left of its mouth, and started to sprint at me again. I ducked down low, and when it leapt in with claws outstretched. That was when I blocked up with the leather shield, deflecting away the worst of the blow, and hammering hard up into its stomach with the stick.
There it was again, a flickering hard sense of the dangerous energy, a flash of light, and an impact that shouldn't have been anywhere near this strong. It was sent head over heels, and slammed down hard into the desert wastes behind it by several feet. A huge hole appeared where it's stomach muscles probably should be. Another place where, wispy black fog poured away from the things holes. It growled out, seemingly undisturbed by all this. Then I heard, a pained unhappy cry from behind me.
I looked, and saw my Baba on the ground. His pruning shears buried into the body of a black orb. Two more were tearing into his leg, and his side. He yanked out the shears and stabbed into another, but the one on on his leg, tore away an actual hunk of his yeenkin flesh. Making him scream in pain. Babu, redirected several of his scorpions toward Baba. They wouldn't arrive in time to keep the one eating his leg, from finishing its torn away snack. But they should be able to keep the little Yeenkin male alive.
My lack of attention got me rewarded with a slap of a dark paw, sending me tumbling away in the sand. A vicious cut along my arm, and pain overwhelming my feeble pain resistance. I let out vicious growl, and had enough of this creature, and of the others attacking the rock. I felt my vision start to go, and a haze appeared everywhere.
“Temper Tantrum has activated. Intelligence Reduced by 50%, All Incoming Physical Damage Reduced by 50%. This will last for approximately 40 Seconds.”
I dropped to all fours, and sprinted toward it just as it was sprinting towards me. I ducked under another swipe of the claw, and activated my other skills.
“Shattering Bite Level 2 Activated. Rip and Tear Level 1 Activated.”
As I slid beneath, I elongated my jaw and rammed my head into its exposed chest. Biting down hard I tore away the most bitter tasting skin I'd ever managed to get in my mouth. I ripped enormous chunks of the stuff off him, with repeated very quick bites. Then when he started to move away from me, I back swung with the rounded stick and felt that charged air hit hard into its retreating side. The explosive white light sent it careening and tumbling again and again and again. When it finally stopped, the whole thing became misty black vapor.
“Umbral Vanguard Lion Level 5 Defeated. Class Experience Unavailable. Repeat Success Bonus Activated. 25 Racial Experience.”
“Experience Threshold Surpassed. Yeenkin Cub Level 4 is now Yeenkin Cub Level 5. Racial Milestone Reached. Three Trait Points Awarded. Extended Menu Option: Achievements is locked. Please Remove Curse to receive Achievement Bonuses.”
“Through Repeated Actions your Strength has increased by 1.”
“You've learned Amateur Throwing Club Level 0”
“Amateur Throwing Club Level 0: You've grasped your way into an ancient, and no longer practiced form of Sand Land Warrior Fighting. The Throwing Club, is more often then not normally used as a club to hit, and beat back opponent with a powerful blunt object. But as you level in this skill, you'll find you can throw the hammer with grace and wild abandon. Adds Strength Stat x 3 in meters you can hit with (mild) accuracy.”
“Tenebrious Material is not Organic Living Flesh. Rip and Tear offers no reward.”
I looked about, and saw both my Baba and Babu personally fighting into a pile of the black orbs. A scorpion as tall in the leg as my Baba, and four of them both long, was battling another Black Umbral Vanguard Lion. It's fight was going a lot more smoothly then mine had been. I watched as the terrifying thing, proceeded to pinch it in one claw, and then use the other to slowly whittle away bit of shadow after bit of shadow. Until all that remained, was a small black orb filled by more that misty black miasma. It held it aloft and crushed it with a sharp crack.
Over half the remaining black orbs, assaulting the village, and my Jamaa remained after that. The rest puffed away in a flurry of black mist. My Babu, dipped his hands into the sand again, and pulled up another round of scorpions to pursue, and find out where they were coming from. He looked between me, and my Baba for a moment, and then spoke.
“Mjukuu, I have a thought. It is time we teach you more magic.”
Warning: Creepy Crawlies, Dirty Diapers, Violence, and Astraphobia
Chapter 7
My Babu's breakfast was so very tasty, it really was, but the messages from the divine one reminded me of my training. Apparently Babu, had upped his game, knowing I'd leveled. My Amateur Poison Resistance, wasn't affected by the Gecko's anymore. Whatever this purple meat was, it was way stronger then that. Babu grinned as I twitched on the floor, his paw holding a green mucky drink at the ready.
“You've been poisoned by Paralytic Neurotoxin (Med). Amateur Poison Resistance Level 1 has reduced its effectiveness by 12%. Partial Paralysis for the next 2 Minutes reduced to 1 minute 45 seconds.”
“Paralytic Antidote Applied. Paralysis Negated.”
I coughed and whimpered up at Babu, as he withdrew the yucky stuff from my lips. He gave me a reassuring smile and nodded to me. “Did you level up again?” I shook my head, and gave him a surprised look.
“Nuh uh. That was a bad one Babu. I could not move myself. I felt myself twitching quite badly. I think I am suppose to hurt everywhere, but my Pain resistance is negating the soft pain.” He nodded, and pulled a sickly black and purple looking shell out of his pack. It had several very long, narrow legs. Like a scorpion, but bigger, and rounder. With bits of wiry fur jutting out in places.
“This is the remains of a Toxic Ambush Spider. It's a tier 1 threat. They hide in dark tunnels, and such places. Then they move almost completely silently. When they get close enough, they sink fangs into their prey, and pump a poison like that inside of them. Then when their prey is twitching like you were, they wrap them again and again and again in sticky thick tough strings. So they can drag them away, and eat them later!” I whimpered and shuddered. The very idea of such a creature filling me with mild dread.
“Baba, why worry a little girl of such things? I've never seen it's like in the desert sands in the three years I've been here. Where would you find such a thing?!” Babu laughed heartily, patting his mwana on the back. He then pointed over the rock, hiding our little camp where the spinning dark clouds could be seen in the daylight more clearly.
“There is a dungeon beneath the ever turning storm. It recently came under attack. I must enter it, and commune with the Guardian. In the rocks surrounding it, there are several of these spiders, and other threats. I was hoping to raise my mjukuu's poison resistance, in case she hasta defend you both while waiting for me.” My Baba looked slightly offended, then thoughtful, then embarrassed. Babu, patted him between the ears, rubbing his mane gently.
“Do not be offended Mwana. If we need plants pruned, or water irrigated, you'd be superior to both of us! I could not do what you do. Your Binti and I are just cut from a different cloth. Now come on, you have one duty the two of us can't deal with. That is this girls propensity to making heavy pamps, and your ability to deal with them.”
I gaped wide mouthed at my Babu, and gave a harrumphed exasperated sigh. Then we were off, climbing up over the hill and heading toward the bad place. Both of the men with me, took turns giving me reassuring pats, and words of comfort. I was astounded my Baba wasn't even remotely bothered by the horrifying angry light, or the terrible rumble noise. Babu, was laughing at my discomfort the entire time. Both though, remained considerate enough of my fear, to try an make me feel better.
Finally, we reached the edge of the swirling death cloud. Babu, turned glaring hard at both of us. Such a serious look to his features, as he spoke. “You will be a shadow inside my shadow. Walk where I walk, step where I step, do not falter, do not stray. This dungeon was meant for those who've passed their first class evolution. It is implied through texts on stones all around these parts, you must study the lightning for a day to see the basics of the pattern. I do not have time for that. I must speak to the guardian about this threat as soon as I can. Thus I will be taking a path only seen by someone who's taken a tier 4 class. FOLLOW CLOSE!”
He then turned, and began an odd series of steps, and hops. Baba, and I paid very close attention and followed his actions as close as we possibly could. Many many minutes of this passed, and I felt myself growing weary, and my body starting to ache beyond what Amateur Pain Resistance could counteract
There were so many times, I felt the fur across my skin ripple and stand out, just before I hopped into my Babu's shadow. After landing there, a blinding, vicious, angry burst of hot light hit the spot where I just was. The roar, and crackle of sound, causing my ears to flatten, and my mind to ache severely. But, thanks to Babu's expert maneuvers and careful steps/hops we reached a massive jagged black rock, below a perfectly calm portion of the clouds.
“Through repeated actions, your Agility has increased by 1.”
“Through repeated actions, your Agility has increased by 1.”
“Through repeated actions, your Strength has increased by 1.”
“Through repeated actions, your Resistance has increased by 1”
“Special Criteria has been Met. Don't Think, Just Stink has received an Achievement. Dumb Luck Acquired. 200 Racial Experience Awarded”
I panted for breath, and collapsed into the sand near my Baba, and Babu. Baba, took this opportunity to feel over my Jupe-pantalons', making sure I wasn't too soggy or squishy. Surprisingly, I was quite clean. I had only just been changed not that long ago anyway. But the pure fear coursing through me, I had thought would coax something out. But, I apparently was just fine with it. He smiled down at me, and just gave me a warm hug, after discovering how clean I was.
Babu, motioned for us to move up closer to the massive black spire of rock. He pointed to a spot made up of smooth glassy black stone. “I will enter the Dungeon here. I do not think I will be long, but my senses have picked up many small lesser creatures moving in toward us. Not much makes it through the storm to such easy hunting grounds. They are the type who pick off what has died in the storms. So a full course meal, such as us, is appealing to them. Mjukuu, do you think you can protect yourself and your Baba?”
I nodded, and pulled up my Nguni shield. My left paw spreading out my little cub claws, and I showed off my teef! Babu, chuckled, and rubbed a warm paw over my main again. “Before I leave you then, I want to see how well you do. There is a critter now. Show it who's boss little Haboob!”
Indeed, a small scaled lizard wriggled its way up out of the sand where it'd be moving very slowly beneath the surface. It was gray with brown spots adorning multiple places along its body. If it had stood perfectly still, I might not have seen it all that effectively. A point I suppose, it was trying to accomplish anyway.
It opened a maw, with a row of seratted little teeth, and made a hot hissing noise. Its little legs, with webbed toesies, slapping the sands as it scurred toward us very fast. The entire thing was about the size of my three month old cub forearm. Maybe 20 cm or so? It ran full tilt, right at me, little hisses and threatening displays of fanged aggression.
So anyway, I leaned down and thrust my head out biting off its head before it could get much closer. Then proceeded to eat the whole thing. My Baba, turned away from the scene and made a retching noise behind a rock. My Babu, let out such a pleased laugh, patting me firmly on the back as he sauntered away from us toward the rock wall.
“Level 3 Sand Ambusher has been defeated. Class Experience Unavailable.”
“Special Criteria has already been awarded. Repeat success bonus activated. 25 Racial Experience Points.”
Impisi, of the Sands, raised his paw and started to chant at the rock. A loud rumbling crack sounded out, as angry light struck right in front of him. Leaving a crack in the stone, he ducked into, and down a revealed stair case. I ogled the sight of such a powerful display. My Baba, let out a short yip of shock himself. Then we were alone. Er, with each other anyway. I smelled them coming.
Two more tiny little lizards were coming. The first actually launched itself up out of the sand right at my Baba! I flicked my wrist and sent it spinning into a wall with my Nguni. The other, slapped sand rapidly with its little webbed toes, and full on charged toward my Baba from the other side. They'd decided I was too much of a threat, and went for the small male.
Despite the fact he had me beat by at least half a meter, he did seem less a threat to them. I'd make them regret targeting him. When it leapt from the sand floor, its little fangs bared, I swatted it down hard into the sand with the side of the shield. I heard something snap inside of it. The other one, having recovered from its impact into stone, was scrambling toward us again.
I jumped up into the air and bracing the Nguni as I fell to my side right on top of it. I crushed its little body against compact silica and stone. Feeling its life give way, I lifted the shield up and gulped down the flattened lizard treat. The broken one was trying to get back up, and from all appearances, get away. I brought the shield down again and again on it listening to it break inside. Then plucking up its twitching form, I gulped that one down with a happy smile.
My Baba, was giving me such a look, but had a bit of a smile on his features. He gazed about the sands all around us. Wincing like I was with every nearby blast of radiant angry light. But we saw nothing else approaching us at this time. I licked my lips, and hoped for more of a challenge, while her divineness filled me in.
“Level 2 Sand Ambusher defeated. Class Experience Unavailable.”
“Level 3 Sand Ambusher defeated. Class Experience Unavailable.”
“Special Criteria has already been awarded. Repeat success bonus activated. 50 Racial Experience Points.”
I jogged back a little closer to Baba, and gave him a hug. “Are you all right Baba? Did any scratch you while I wasn't watching?”
He laughed at that, and shook his head. He wiped a bit of his life water from the corner of his eye, licking it back up. He smiled down at me, with a mischievous twinkle to his features. “I'm supposed to be asking you, if you're alright. You were so very brave there my little Binti Mfalme. You're a precious warrior so early in your life. It makes me worry a bit, but also feel confident you'll be alright.”
We stayed cuddled up together like this for several more minutes, before the rock rumbled again, and Babu came up the stairs. He didn't look necessarily pleased, and was mumbling some things. He saw us, cuddled together, and raised an eyebrow.
“Did nothing attack you while I was gone? You both seem so calm after I had been expecting further violence.” I shook my head, with a very sly grin.
“I don't think we were in any danger whatsoever. Do you think so Baba?” the small male laughed, and nodded with an approving smile plastered on his features. He turned to Babu and gave him a pawtip up.
“Yup, all safe. No danger to us at all up here!” The Old Yeenkin raised his eyebrow again, and chose not to comment further. He cleared his throat, and motioned for me to follow him to the back of the rock. When Baba tried to follow along, he shook his head and motioned for him to sit back down. When we were clear of the younger yeekin's hearing, Babu whispered conspiratorially.
“I didn't want him to protest, or make you doubt yourself at all back here. I'm taking you to one of the Elemental Trials of the Desert. This is reserved normally to powerful Magus's or Warriors approaching their 2nd or even 3rd tier. But I spoke with the Guardian, and while we mostly talked about the threat to this place, and our other dungeons. We discussed you, and possibly being ready for something special before you even step foot in your trial. A Special Weapon for a special little girl.”
He cleared his throat, and a nervous, almost fearful smell came off him. “But this is again a 2nd or 3rd tier Trial. If you fail emotionally for even a second, you can be struck down by a blast of furious lightning right where you stand.”
I whimpered quietly, but didn't say anything beyond that. Then we stepped into sight of it. An area behind the rock, where it looked like the giant stone was blocking enough of the light, to make sand look black. Almost. There was a thin corridor of sand, so sparkling white, it shimmered even in the darkness. It led away from the stone, and crept up to a fully white circle of glistening sand. A Dune of pure white, glistening sand. And I watched with mild horror, and fear as so many crackles of angry light slammed down on something at the top of the hill.
“This is Thunderous Symphony Trial. You just have to walk the path, while the music of the storm caresses the area beside and behind you. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS!!! You must stay calm, and place a foot paw on each foot paw that appears in the Divine Sands. It will lead you at the pace, and speed, you need to cross the desert trial. When you reach the object you find up there, kneel in the sand in the spot it tells you to. Place your paws in the submissive spots it indicates.”
He took in a deep breath, and stared up at that thing along the top of the hill. “Do not move from that spot. The storm will increase in intensity all around you. It will test your bravery. It will come close, inches close to your tiny little body. It will roar with a sound, that is almost certain to leave you deafened. I have studied a a few healing enchantments, and will heal your ears, and eyes should they need it when the trial is done.”
A soft paw caressed between my ears, along the tufts of my not fully grown mane. I shivered and smiled up at my Babu. “This is important Kibo. Do not stray from the path, do not miss a step of the glowing paw prints, kneel where it indicates you must kneel and show fealty. Stay just like that for the time it takes, no matter how loud, or frightening it might be. The Divine One will let you know when you may raise yourself up. When you can take your prize. A prize few who visit this dungeon receive.”
“But why Babu is it outside the Dungeon?If it is a Dungeon Item?” I gazed at the black long shape illuminated briefly by angry light after angry light burst. Impisi shook his head and guided me to the start of the path. He had me kneel at the start along a smooth stone. I felt a calmness settle over me.
“Because Mjukuu. This item is protected by the storm, and the path is only known to those who find a stone of writing in the dungeon below. The Guardian and I are old friends, and he allowed me to take you to the path. I did this once long ago, and the dungeon is eager to let you try now.”
Then he was backing away, as I felt a charge rush up my body from the rock. An angry flash of light hit the ground inches from me. But I knew if I was afraid, if I gave in to the fear, it would fail me. I shuddered at the shockwave, and the noise. But I knew to rise, and looked out at the white sand.
A paw print, the size of my own, brilliant glowing vibrant blue, was centimeters away from the stone. I stepped upon it. Then another a few more centimeters out, the shape of my right footpaw. I moved fluidly to that one too, keeping my head bowed, to watch for the footsteps. I also knew bowed in reverence to whatever was going on here. As I stepped on each glowing pawpad, and then the next, the storm raged around me.
Flickers of angry, fast, brilliant, loud light. Hitting the sand everywhere around me as I stepped. Once when my left paw left a spot, and settled into the next, I felt the sharp sting of ambient angry light, as it struck down from above on the spot I was on moments before. This began to happen more and more regularly. I noted how quickly the paw pad stepping places seemed to start glowing bright, but they then almost immediately began to dim, a new paw pad starting to glow shortly ahead. The pace was increasing.
I started to pant for breath, as the path started to encircle and ascend the sand dune. Each paw pad was only appearing for a second or two at most now, and I realized I was in a slow jog, trying to hit them all in time. My head ached, and my ears were muffled, and ringing both at the same time. The bolts of angry light were everywhere, it took all of my attention to see the glow of paw pads, against the start rage of light all around me. The patch circled around steadily and evenly till at last I had reached the top.
Jammed into the center of the sand dune was a stick, barely as long as my arm. The top of it was smoothed, and had a rounded ball like shape. There were circles of metal hanging off of it, and the bolts of angry light struck it so very often, making those metal pieces glow red with built up heat. There in front of the stick, led up to by the last of the glowing paw pads, was a frazzled blanket.
Sand scattered across the blanket, illuminated with the shape of my knees, and my front paws. I quickly took the pose, feeling quiet and submissive, as the last glow of paws disappeared behind me. A soft glow, that reminded me of a nose glowed right in the sand in front of me. I gasped, and got the hint and bowed myself completely and utterly in front the stick.
I held this position, awaiting what was supposed to come next. Then felt a charge coursing all over my body. More ambient energy in the air, so much of it. I felt every tiny bit of fur on my entire body, standing on edge. Then came the deluge of blasts! Everywhere, all around me, the beams of hot angry light from cloud to ground. The sand splashed up and froze in place, blackened and jagged as stone. A soft shimmer of light reflected off each sand sculpture. And more and more and more of them, each second.
I kept my head bowed, my eyes flitting left and right, with each hard strike, my fear rising more and more. I was so prepared to run, to rush to my Babu, to explain to him he was wrong, I was too little, this was too scary. To hug him, and explain I'd be a good girl, and maybe I'd learn about farming with Baba. Maybe I wasn't such a brave warrior after all.
But something in me, bristled at that cowardice. A part of me roared at the weak little cub, and told her to shush up. This is what we were doing. We would prove our Babu was right. We would show him that he could trust us. The Cub and the Warrior merged again, and a calm settled over the sand dune. A crack in the clouds above, let a soft beam of sunlight settle on me and the stick.
“Trial of the Thunderous Symphony Complete. No Class Detected. Full Rewards Withheld. You may now collect the Magical Item. “
Standing to my feet, I winced with a smile as I realized my terror, and exertion had other effects. I moved a paw under my Jupe-pantalons' seat, the bulge and stretch against the leather pants make me bite my lip and blush. I hadn't messed this badly, since Babu had poisoned me. The achy hard pain in my belly that not even amateur pain resistance could mititgate, told me I had emptied everything down there. I was absolutely soaked through too. I would need a change very badly when this was over.
I laughed and stoop up as tall as I could, and waddled to the stick. Wrapping my paw around it, I gasped out and let out a weak cry. The metal discs, had shifted and were laying flat against the black would. They burned with such hot intensity into my paw pads, and I yanked away for a moment to see odd runes/letters from each one branded into my pink pads. I winced, and gripped the stick again, pulling it free.
“Rungu of the Thunderous Symphony Acquired. Full effects Hidden at this time. Bonded to Kibo.”
“Amateur Lightning Affinity Acquired.”
“Amateur Lightning Affinity: You Resist 25% of Electrical Type Damage. Your base movement is increased by 10%. Weapons/Spells/Defenses that use Lightning are 25% more effective.”
My Babu, and Baba from all the way down the hill at the start of the challenge began to applaud for me. I blushed, and carefully started to make my way back down. The storm above had quieted, and it was actually peaceful again for once. I hadn't even had time to notice during all that, when my Baba had joined us. But I was happy to see him all the same. Then came a hard deep rumble, unlike what the angry light had made.
A shadow of something began to creep across the desert due west of the giant rock. The clouds above, began to start spinning again, rapidly picking up speed. The holes in the cloud cover that let in light, were slowly but surely starting to close again. Babu, grew very serious and worried looking. I rushed toward them a bit faster now, when the massive thing leapt down from the Rock above us all.
It landed firmly between my Jamaa, and me. It was thick bodied, with four legs ending in rounded paws. A massive head, covered in a full mane, with a short fang filled maw. A long whip like tail, ending in a bushy tuft of fur, poking out behind. The entire body, head, tail, and mane were in coarse dark fur. Fur that didn't quite seem like it was supposed to. It turned its head toward my Baba, and opened its mouth. Dozens of black orbs with little spider like legs, poured out of it and started rushing toward him.
Then it turned its gaze on me, and growled out in a feral low rumble. The massive paws clenched, and I saw several inch long claws jut from each. It began to pad toward me, with malicious intent in mirrored black orbs above its muzzle. Those lips parting to reveal, jagged black fangs. I shivered, and began to back up a bit. I would actually have liked the angry light to return, I'm not sure how well this thing would do against such a threat.
Clutching the Rounded Stick to my chest with my left arm, I reached behind me, pulling my Nguni over my right arm. I yanked it free, just in time as the massive creature pounced at me. Letting out my own feral growl, I slapped it hard across the face with the leather shield. It rolled off to the side, giving me a chance to get in a more defensive pose. I spared a quick glance to my Jamaa. Babu had hands buried in Black Sand, and dozens of little black scorpions had risen out of it, and were clacking claws, and whipping stingers into the orbs. Baba, behind him fishing out various little liquids in clear stone, and handing them to my Babu as he fought.
The large black creature, picked itself up and started to prowl even more menacingly around me. I gripped the new stick firmly in my left paw, mirroring my movements with the Nguni in my right. I held both up ready, and kept pace with the big thing. The clouds finally had resumed a full spin, and I saw flickers of light start to build up in the clouds above.
Hundreds of those black orbs were clacking all over the rock itself, as I saw Sand Ambusher Lizards, and much bigger versions of the spider Babu fed me ripping into them, and being ripped apart in turn. I didn't know where this all had come from, but it seemed like they had been waiting for someone like me to stop the storm temporarily. Babu, seemed to be panting slightly even, and never moved his hands from the sand. More and more, and more of the black scorpions were pouring up out of the sands, and easily starting to outnumber and out preform the orbs.
The huge black creature, had enough of waiting me out, and dashed in towards me. I flicked my hand instinctively and slammed the rounded part of the stick right into creatures face. I saw a brilliant flicker of light, and felt that charged energy sensation as it connected. The creature flew dozens of feet, slamming into the dune itself, blowing out a sizable chunk of it.
I stared down at the stick, mildly awestruck. It had hit for far more then my little strength could handle, and it seemed to contain the sheer essence and power of the angry light. I'd nearly been hit by that light many times. I could feel the dangerous death sense it gave off. And looking at the slowly rising thing, I think it could too.
Half of its maw and one of its tufted black furred ears was just gone. Where they had been, was a vapory leaking looking bit of black mist pouring away. It gave a hard growl with what was left of its mouth, and started to sprint at me again. I ducked down low, and when it leapt in with claws outstretched. That was when I blocked up with the leather shield, deflecting away the worst of the blow, and hammering hard up into its stomach with the stick.
There it was again, a flickering hard sense of the dangerous energy, a flash of light, and an impact that shouldn't have been anywhere near this strong. It was sent head over heels, and slammed down hard into the desert wastes behind it by several feet. A huge hole appeared where it's stomach muscles probably should be. Another place where, wispy black fog poured away from the things holes. It growled out, seemingly undisturbed by all this. Then I heard, a pained unhappy cry from behind me.
I looked, and saw my Baba on the ground. His pruning shears buried into the body of a black orb. Two more were tearing into his leg, and his side. He yanked out the shears and stabbed into another, but the one on on his leg, tore away an actual hunk of his yeenkin flesh. Making him scream in pain. Babu, redirected several of his scorpions toward Baba. They wouldn't arrive in time to keep the one eating his leg, from finishing its torn away snack. But they should be able to keep the little Yeenkin male alive.
My lack of attention got me rewarded with a slap of a dark paw, sending me tumbling away in the sand. A vicious cut along my arm, and pain overwhelming my feeble pain resistance. I let out vicious growl, and had enough of this creature, and of the others attacking the rock. I felt my vision start to go, and a haze appeared everywhere.
“Temper Tantrum has activated. Intelligence Reduced by 50%, All Incoming Physical Damage Reduced by 50%. This will last for approximately 40 Seconds.”
I dropped to all fours, and sprinted toward it just as it was sprinting towards me. I ducked under another swipe of the claw, and activated my other skills.
“Shattering Bite Level 2 Activated. Rip and Tear Level 1 Activated.”
As I slid beneath, I elongated my jaw and rammed my head into its exposed chest. Biting down hard I tore away the most bitter tasting skin I'd ever managed to get in my mouth. I ripped enormous chunks of the stuff off him, with repeated very quick bites. Then when he started to move away from me, I back swung with the rounded stick and felt that charged air hit hard into its retreating side. The explosive white light sent it careening and tumbling again and again and again. When it finally stopped, the whole thing became misty black vapor.
“Umbral Vanguard Lion Level 5 Defeated. Class Experience Unavailable. Repeat Success Bonus Activated. 25 Racial Experience.”
“Experience Threshold Surpassed. Yeenkin Cub Level 4 is now Yeenkin Cub Level 5. Racial Milestone Reached. Three Trait Points Awarded. Extended Menu Option: Achievements is locked. Please Remove Curse to receive Achievement Bonuses.”
“Through Repeated Actions your Strength has increased by 1.”
“You've learned Amateur Throwing Club Level 0”
“Amateur Throwing Club Level 0: You've grasped your way into an ancient, and no longer practiced form of Sand Land Warrior Fighting. The Throwing Club, is more often then not normally used as a club to hit, and beat back opponent with a powerful blunt object. But as you level in this skill, you'll find you can throw the hammer with grace and wild abandon. Adds Strength Stat x 3 in meters you can hit with (mild) accuracy.”
“Tenebrious Material is not Organic Living Flesh. Rip and Tear offers no reward.”
I looked about, and saw both my Baba and Babu personally fighting into a pile of the black orbs. A scorpion as tall in the leg as my Baba, and four of them both long, was battling another Black Umbral Vanguard Lion. It's fight was going a lot more smoothly then mine had been. I watched as the terrifying thing, proceeded to pinch it in one claw, and then use the other to slowly whittle away bit of shadow after bit of shadow. Until all that remained, was a small black orb filled by more that misty black miasma. It held it aloft and crushed it with a sharp crack.
Over half the remaining black orbs, assaulting the village, and my Jamaa remained after that. The rest puffed away in a flurry of black mist. My Babu, dipped his hands into the sand again, and pulled up another round of scorpions to pursue, and find out where they were coming from. He looked between me, and my Baba for a moment, and then spoke.
“Mjukuu, I have a thought. It is time we teach you more magic.”
Category Story / ABDL
Species Hyena
Size 50 x 50px
File Size 36.8 kB
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