Chapter 10
Robert and Hamish explored as much as they could, noting artwork long faded or defaced by kobolds. The images depicted the daily life of the people who once lived here. Though the space resembled a cave, walls suggested an ancient castle enveloped by stone. Tattered tapestries hung in rooms and hallways, some torn or burned. A few remained intact, bearing Clan Lamont's heraldry or informative scenes. At the end of a great hall, massive wooden doors loomed, reinforced by iron bands bolted into them.
The air grew heavier as Robert approached the doors marking the first floor's end, Hamish close behind. Torchlight flickered through the cracks, casting shadows on the damp stone walls. Robert paused, his heart racing.
"Hold on a second," Robert whispered, raising a hand to halt Hamish. "Something feels off."
Hamish adjusted his grip on the kobold spear, his knuckles whitening as if tense. "You think? We've been chasing wee mousy lizard men through a bloody maze. What's the next ridiculous thing coming at us?"
Robert ignored the quip, closing his eyes to focus. He reached out with his senses, probing beyond the door. The dungeon's vibrations—subtle shifts of earth and air—whispered to him. A faint shimmer formed in his mind, outlining figures on the other side.
"Moira," Robert thought, "is there a way I can scan what's ahead?"
Moira's voice chimed in his mind, amused yet approving. "Ah, taking initiative, are we? Yes, love. Open yourself to the magic around you. Let it flow outward, and feel what it touches."
Robert concentrated, extending his awareness. Energy pulsed, mapping the room beyond. Multiple presences flickered into focus: several kobolds and one stronger, more formidable aura.
Moira's voice returned, smooth and approving. "Ah, clever boy. You've unlocked Earth Sense. Now you can feel the creatures and terrain around you through the earth itself. Quite the handy trick, isn't it?"
Robert nodded. "There's a big one in there," he murmured. "Stronger than the rest. And he's not alone."
Hamish sighed heavily. "Brilliant. Just what we needed."
Robert frowned. "I don't think we're ready for this. We need an edge."
Hamish forced a grin, his tension evident. "Got any more tricks up your sleeve?"
"Actually, I might," Robert replied, eyeing the stone walls. "Moira, can I use the earth itself to protect me?"
Moira's voice exclaimed, "Now you're thinking creatively. Yes, of course you can. Try channeling the earth's strength into your own form. Visualize your skin becoming as tough as stone."
Robert stepped back from the door, planting his feet firmly. He felt the earth's solid weight beneath him, imagining roots anchoring his soles. Drawing energy upward, he envisioned it encasing his body like a second skin.
"Stone, unyielding and strong," Robert whispered.
Moira's tone turned playful. "Well done, love. You've discovered Stoneskin. Let the earth lend you its strength, hardening your skin to shrug off those nasty blows."
Warmth spread across Robert's skin. His arms took on a grayish hue, granite flecks shimmering faintly.
Hamish's eyes widened. "Well, that's new."
"Feels sturdy," Robert said, flexing his fingers. The movement was stiff but manageable. "This should help."
Hamish's grin faltered, betraying unease. "Hope so. You not only had a trick up your sleeve, you grew new ones. You look like a fish with scales."
Robert took a deep breath and pushed open the heavy doors. The chamber beyond was vast, its ceiling arching into shadows. Glowing crystals in the walls cast an eerie light. At the far end stood the kobold boss, Bigboss.
Bigboss towered over his kin, nearly Robert's height. His crimson scales glinted, and he wore crude armor of metal and leather scraps. In one clawed hand, he wielded a chipped, deadly sword; in the other, a bone-and-feather shield. Beside him, a mangy, scabby dog snarled, its eyes gleaming with feral intensity, shifting as if awaiting a command. Behind them, a treasure pile glinted—coins, gemstones, trinkets—and a heavy door hinted at deeper dungeon levels.
Bigboss let out a guttural laugh, his demeanor radiating confidence. "More humies come to take Bigboss's treasure? Foolish. Bigboss crush you."
Hamish leaned toward Robert, whispering, "Innovative name, that."
Robert raised a hand, attempting a placating gesture. "Wait. We don't have to fight. Maybe we can come to an agreement?"
Bigboss narrowed his beady eyes, as if dismissive. "No deal. Humies trespass. Bigboss make you food for tribe."
"Well, that went well," Hamish muttered.
Robert sighed. "Worth a shot."
Bigboss banged his sword against his shield, the clang echoing. Several kobolds emerged from the shadows, weapons ready.
"Get ready," Robert shouted, summoning a thorn in his hand.
The battle erupted. Lesser kobolds charged, their shrill cries piercing the air. Robert launched thorns, the projectiles curving to strike multiple targets. Two kobolds fell, but more surged forward, their chaotic savagery unpredictable. Each thorn required precise control, straining Robert's limbs. The thrill of landing hits spurred him on.
Hamish swung his spear with agility, fending off attackers. The mangy dog lunged, jaws snapping. Hamish ducked and swung his shovel, the blow landing with a metallic thud, jarring the beast's side.
"They're relentless," Hamish shouted.
Bigboss hung back, his crimson scales catching the light, a twisted grin suggesting anticipation. With a roar, he lunged, each step shaking the ground.
Robert raised his arm defensively. Bigboss's sword crashed against his Stoneskin-covered forearm, the impact reverberating but absorbed.
"Not bad," Robert grunted.
Moira's voice chimed in, teasing. "Not bad? Oh, come on, Robert, you can do better than that. Show this oversized lizard who's boss."
Robert smirked, dodging Bigboss's next swing. "Working on it, Moira. Any tips?"
Moira's tone was light but firm. "Keep moving. He's strong, but slow. Use that to your advantage, love."
Bigboss snarled, swinging again. Robert dodged, but the blade grazed his side, drawing a yelp as pain flared.
"Dammit," Robert staggered back, clutching the wound. Blood seeped between his fingers.
"Robbie," Hamish yelled, battling two kobolds.
Desperation surged. "Moira, help me," Robert thought.
Moira urged, "Use the earth's life force. Call upon nature's restorative power."
Robert reached into his magic connection. Green light enveloped his hand, spreading warmth over the wound.
Moira's voice was warm. "Nature's Touch, a bit of healing magic, my dear. The earth itself soothes your wounds. Keep practicing, and it'll serve you well."
Relief washed over Robert as the glow dulled the pain, the wound knitting closed. The sensation was strange yet exhilarating, like borrowing life from the earth.
Hamish shouted as the dog lunged again, jaws snapping. He ducked and swung his shovel, the impact ringing as it slammed the beast's ribs. The creature staggered, yelping, but didn't retreat, its eyes burning with rage.
"Bit of help here, Robbie," Hamish called, dodging another lunge, sweat dripping down his temple.
Robert faced Bigboss, who charged with a roar. His Stoneskin absorbed a blow, but the force sent him stumbling. Robert slammed his hand to the ground, willing a stone barricade to rise. The earth trembled, a jagged wall erupting to block Bigboss. It wouldn't hold long.
Hamish roared, swinging his shovel across the dog's spine with a crunch. The beast crumpled, twitching before stilling. "Bad dog," Hamish muttered, kicking the body. "One down," he panted, tapping his shovel against his boot.
"Good timing," Robert shouted, ducking as Bigboss shattered the barricade, shards flying. Bigboss's relentless strikes gouged the floor. Robert hurled thorns, embedding them in the armor, but Bigboss pressed forward.
"Hamish, I need you," Robert yelled, backing toward the treasure hoard.
"What's the plan?" Hamish asked, panting, rushing to his side.
"We bring the roof down on him," Robert said, his voice tight.
Hamish blinked. "That's a bloody terrible plan."
"It'll work," Robert insisted. "Just trust me."
Bigboss roared, sword raised. Robert slammed his hand to the ground, channeling all his magic. The earth groaned, fissures splitting beneath Bigboss's feet. The floor buckled, sending rock shards upward. Bigboss staggered, claws scraping. Hamish yelled, hurling his shovel like a javelin. It struck Bigboss's face with a thud, snapping his head back.
"Collapse," Robert bellowed.
The ceiling groaned as Robert willed the stone to fall. Chunks crashed onto Bigboss, his roar choking into a cry. He flailed, his blade flung aside, buried under the cascade. The cacophony faded, dust hissing in the quiet. The air choked with grit, heavy with stone's ancient scent. Robert's muscles ached, lungs burned, but the buried kobold boss brought grim satisfaction.
Dust clung to Robert's skin, stinging his eyes as exhaustion hit. Hamish stumbled toward him, face streaked with dirt. He clapped Robert's shoulder, shouting triumphantly. "Told you it was a bloody terrible plan. But not bad for a first try," he said in mock seriousness.
Robert managed a weak laugh, chest heaving. "Yes, not bad."
Moira's tone shifted to a teasing lilt. "Well, look at you, Robbie, leveling up again. Enough experience now from that fight to reach the 3rd order of power, and improving like a natural. I'm going to increase your physical attributes as a reward. A bit more intelligence, wisdom, and of course my favor. Fortune."
Robert felt his senses sharpen, a strange luck washing over him. His eyes drifted to the treasure pile, coins and gemstones glinting. His pulse quickened. The reward felt earned.
Robert approached the scattered kobold bodies. Hamish watched warily, shovel on his shoulder.
"You're not about to try that Essence Refinement thing again, are you?" Hamish asked, his tone suggesting he knew the answer.
"Of course I am," Robert replied, kneeling beside a kobold. He placed his hand on its chest, the hum of Essence Refinement filling him. The body shimmered, dissolving into light. A pouch of glimmering arcane dust, stripped hide, and sharp teeth appeared.
Hamish gave a low whistle. "Never gets less weird, does it?"
Robert chuckled. "Weird, but useful. These are resources we'll need."
He repeated the process, gathering more hide, teeth, and dust. The mangy dog's body resisted refinement, its energy intense. Robert placed his hand on its fur, the surge overwhelming. The dog dissolved, leaving a pulsing black pearl, dust, and a pristine skill book.
"What's that?" Hamish asked, stepping closer.
Robert picked up the skill book, its cover soft. Runes glimmered faintly. "It's a skill book," he said, turning it over. "For taming animals."
Hamish raised an eyebrow. "Taming? Like making beasts friendly?"
"Looks like it," Robert replied, flipping open the first page. The words shifted, aligning as Moira's voice chimed in.
Moira's tone was encouraging. "This is an excellent find, Robert. Taming of this kind is another rare skill, one that allows you to bond with animals and even command them in battle. With practice, you could form partnerships with creatures far beyond what you've encountered so far."
Robert nodded, tucking the skill book into his bag. "I'll save it for later. I have enough to learn for now. Perhaps I'll meet someone who can use it."
Moira's voice was playful. "Wise choice, love. You're already juggling quite a few tricks. Let's not overwhelm you just yet."
Robert smirked, glancing at the loot pile. "Overwhelm me? I just brought down a ceiling on a kobold boss. I think I can handle a bit more."
Moira laughed softly. "Oh, I don't doubt that, Robert. But pacing yourself is a skill too, you know."
Hamish muttered, glancing at Bigboss's rubble. "Aye. And I'm guessing you're saving the big fella for last."
"You guessed right," Robert said, stepping toward the rubble, a greedy glint in his eye.