Chapter Thirty-Three: Not a Particularly Good Plan

  They rested inside the cave, the only light coming from their glowing Shards. The eerie luminescence cast long shadows on the cave walls, highlighting the full extent of their injuries. Blood and dirt smeared their clothes, and the weight of their ordeal hung heavily in the air. Jace pressed his back against the cool cave wall, finding surprising comfort amidst the chaos of his thoughts. “Rest now,” he whispered, barely able to speak through the aether drain.

  Twenty minutes passed in tense silence as they regained their energy. They had survived this far, and as long as their Shards still glowed, they had a fighting chance. Jace’s injuries seemed to heal themselves as his aether recovered, an interesting phenomenon. He didn’t need to focus on it; his Mend ability activating on its own.

  Soul Mend Has Gained a New Aspect

  (Internal, Passive)

  A small portion of your aether is now dedicated to personal healing, providing a constant, passive restoration. This ongoing aether expenditure reduces the total cost for all self-mending by 50%.

  Having recovered somewhat, Jace summoned all the aether he could muster and began to heal the worst injuries first. Alice lay before him, her body trembling as poison seeped through her veins from the spider’s bite. He placed his hands near her wound and, though she flinched in pain, he didn’t pull back, knowing that the closer his hands were to the injury, the stronger the Mend would be.

  Channeling his energy into a powerful Soul Mend, the light from his cleric rod flared brilliantly on the ground beside him, casting a silver glow. The rod was bent and battered, barely useful, but he kept it near, feeling it gave him a slight boost in efficiency, even though no notifications confirmed it. The poison wasn’t completely eradicated, but the bleeding stopped, and some color returned to her pale cheeks.

  Next, Jace turned to Dex, whose side was torn and bloody. His hands trembled from exhaustion, but he pressed on, placing his hands near the wound and using Soul Mend. The torn flesh knitted together under his touch, leaving only a faint scar. Dex winced, then sighed in relief, nodding his thanks to Jace.

  Ell, though bloodied, bore no serious wounds and declined further healing, preferring to conserve Jace’s strength. She stood watch at the back of the cave, her sword ready, eyes scanning the darkness behind them.

  Thistle, drained from the battle and in his effort to collapse the cave entrance, sat slumped against the wall, awake but disoriented. Jace approached him last, placing a hand on his shoulder. He used Soul Tether to transfer a small but vital amount of aether to Thistle, revitalizing him enough to keep him conscious and alert. Thistle’s main issue was aether exhaustion, having pushed past his limits. Jace knew that feeling all too well from his first day and wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any potions, so Thistle would need time to recover fully.

  “We can’t stay here,” Jace said, trying to regain his spent aether.

  “We need a plan,” Ell replied, her voice low but steady. “We can’t outrun them.”

  Dex’s voice cut through the gloom, tinged with a sort of logical resignation. “I don’t mean to sound crazy here, but why don’t we just log out?”

  “Have you tried?” Ell asked. “The option has been disabled since that thing showed up. Already checked.”

  “Okay, then why don’t we just let it kill us? We’ll wind up back with our bodies and should be able to log out then. Worst case, we respawn and lose some EXP.”

  It made sense. It was a logical suggestion. But something felt off, and everyone sensed it. Jace was the first to voice their shared unease.

  “There’s something wrong with the system. Did you see those glitches?” he asked tentatively.

  The group exchanged uneasy glances, each recalling the strange anomalies they’d noticed.

  “I’ve never even heard of anything like that. The system glitching? It’s crazy,” Alice said, shaking her head in disbelief.

  “I have. I’ve been seeing them since I arrived,” Jace admitted, a deep, guttural dread filling him. What if he was causing all of this? What if their actual lives were in danger because of him and his stupid plan? What if the system knew he wasn’t supposed to be here... that he was the wrong brother?

  “I’m not sure what will happen if we die,” Jace continued, his tone more somber. “Maybe nothing, maybe a respawn. Or maybe we’re one of those cases the conspiracy theorists talk about.”

  “You mean people going insane inside the game? There’s zero evidence of that,” Ell retorted, clearly skeptical.

  Thistle, having regained enough strength to speak, drew all eyes to him with a rasping breath. “My uncle did,” he said slowly, each word a struggle. “Don’t know for sure.”

  They sat in patient silence, waiting as he worked out the sentences through the aether drain. “He was fine, and then one day, he wasn’t. Kept complaining of a glitch, but no one believed him. The last time he logged out… he wasn’t the same. Never spoke again. Just sort of sits there, you know. And we never found out why.”

  His words settled over them like a storm cloud. “I was young when it happened. My parents say me and him used to be close, but I don’t remember too much. I just remember everything changing after that. My parents got a big check from Excelsior, we moved into a nicer neighborhood. Never spoke of it again. They pretend it didn’t happen. I’m not even supposed to talk about it.”

  He paused, his breath ragged. “But it’s how I got into M.O.U. They gave us access for the whole family, free Devices, University of our choice. I was the only one that wanted in… it’s crazy, but I think there might be some part of him still here somewhere. I don’t know.”

  The cave was silent for a long moment. Jace, Alice, and Ell exchanged looks, the gravity of Thistle’s story sinking in.

  “That’s terrible, Thistle,” Ell said softly, her voice filled with sympathy. “And even I have to admit that it sounds pretty fishy. But it doesn’t necessarily mean the system caused it.”

  “No, but it doesn’t mean we’re safe either,” Jace interjected. “Our best bet is to heal up and figure a way out of this. Dex, does the match end on a timer?”

  “It was supposed to,” Dex replied, looking disheartened. “But this is uncharted territory. Guys, I’m… I’m really sorry.”

  “We know, Dex. But we’ll have time to be sorry later,” Jace said. “Right now, we need to figure this out. What do we know about this place?” He had been in bad situations before.

  Stay calm. Breathe deep. Gather resources. He repeated his foster parents’ words in his mind.

  “We know that big thing is probably the boss monster,” Ell said. “I’d bet that when it dies, this thing is over.”

  “Okay, that’s as good a guess as any. What are our resources?” Jace asked.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  They quickly listed everything they had on them, but nothing seemed useful for the situation.

  “I actually have a theory,” Jace began, the idea solidifying as he spoke. “It’s a long shot, but hear me out. You know how Ell can spot a weakness?”

  They nodded.

  “Well, when we fought that first spider, I could tell something was off. It didn’t have a soul, per se—just a husk. And there was something inside it that didn’t belong, something tethered to pure hate. It’s hard to explain, but it felt... tangible. If I can somehow attack that connection, I might be able to cut off whatever’s controlling them. I know it sounds nuts, but I just have this gut feeling I can do it.”

  “You want to cut the connection between that big guy and whoever’s pulling the strings? Just a quick little snip-snip?” Dex asked, eyebrows raised.

  “That’s the plan,” Jace replied.

  “And here I thought I was the one full of terrible ideas.”

  “It’s a plan. I didn’t say it was a particularly good plan, but it’s the best I’ve got. Ell, can you see if there’s a way out through the cave?” Jace asked, turning to her.

  Ell’s eyes went white for a moment, then returned to normal. “I think so. It’s faint.”

  “Alright,” Jace said. “Alice, Thistle, Dex, you stay here. Ell and I will go.”

  Dex protested, and Alice insisted she would be fine. However, Jace could see she was in no condition to walk. The bleeding had stopped, but despite his desperate attempts to heal her, the venom surged through her leg without relenting. The pain was etched on her face, her eyes a silent cry.

  “No, there’s no reason to risk everyone, and I’m not even sure this will work. I’m just going to test it on a straggler. Ell can help me get out there and find one. Then either way, I’ll come back and we’ll regroup.”

  “And if you get caught?” Alice asked, worry etched in her voice.

  “We find out what happens when someone dies.” Jace smiled weakly.

  “Okay, but take this.” Dex handed him a small locket with a glowing glass top from his inventory, its light illuminating the dim cave with crystalline brilliance. “It’s a one-off. If you’re in trouble, break it. It’ll create a massive burst of light for five seconds. Enough time to call for help. I didn’t use it earlier because it would blind us just as much as them. Thistle will keep a lookout.”

  “I don’t need it,” Jace protested, but Dex insisted.

  “Just take it. Don’t use it unless you have to, but if you do…”

  “Alright, Dex.” Jace accepted it with a nod of appreciation.

  Jace cast a few more Mends, his hands glowing softly as he worked to heal his friends. Once satisfied they were as well as possible, and his aether mostly recovered, he turned to Ell. With a curt nod, she motioned for him to follow, leading him deeper into the cave.

  As they moved, Jace’s Dark Vision leveled up, sharpening his sight in the dim light. The cave, mercifully quiet, led them through winding paths and eventually out to a small cliff face draped in thick green vines. Vines twisted and writhed like serpents, their leaves glistening with moisture. It was like a scene from a jungle nightmare, the vibrant green stark against the shadowy backdrop.

  “We have to be quick. And quiet,” Ell whispered, her voice barely more than a breath.

  Ell went first, descending the vines with slow, deliberate movements. Jace followed, his heart pounding in his chest. The vines were slick under his fingers, making the descent treacherous. Once on the ground, they moved in slow, deliberate silence as they navigated the shadowy labyrinth of trees.

  Every rustle and crackle of leaves set their nerves on edge, the jungle alive with unseen threats. Jace’s enhanced vision picked up the glint of hidden eyes and the subtle movement of creatures lurking just beyond their path. Tension hung heavy, every step a precarious dance on the edge between survival and disaster.

  They left the cave behind, venturing deeper into the tangled undergrowth. Ell moved with a purpose, her keen sense of direction guiding them through the foliage. Jace followed, his senses on high alert. The darkness was suffocating, the heavy scent of decay and rot growing with each step.

  The deeper they went, the more the jungle seemed to come alive. Shadows danced at the edges of his vision, and he could almost hear the whispers of unseen creatures. It was as if the jungle itself was watching, waiting. Jace’s mind raced, the tension mounting with every step.

  Finally, they spotted it: a lone spider, separated from the horde. Its cracked exoskeleton glinted in the dappled moonlight filtering through the canopy. It moved slowly, its movements jerky and unnatural, as if controlled by some unseen force.

  “It’s a Bronze Three,” Ell said after scanning it.

  “Good as any to try,” Jace replied, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at his insides.

  They crouched out of sight, the creature looming nearby. Beside him, Ell’s hand closed around his, her grip a silent reassurance that they faced this together.

  The beast’s twisted head turned towards them, and Jace could feel its evil energy pulsing through the air. He closed his eyes and steadied himself..

  Gathering all his Aether, Jace tapped into his Soul Sense, reaching out to connect with the creature’s essence. He forced as much Aether into the ability as he could, trying to peer deeply into the creature. The moment their minds touched, he recoiled in disgust at the darkness and malice that consumed it. It was unlike anything he had ever encountered before.

  As he sensed it, the beast sensed him. With a deafening screech, the undead beast lunged at them, its razor-sharp claws just missing Jace’s face. He struggled to maintain his connection as he stumbled back. Ell, seizing the moment, slammed her sword into a joint, causing the creature to hiss in pain. She focused on distracting it, giving Jace the precious time he needed.

  Drawing on every ounce of power within him, Jace poured more Aether into his Aura Sense. He feared he was wrong, that what he had seen before was just a trick of the mind. Then he saw it—a faint connection, a point between the demon, or whatever it was, that was using the skeleton as a puppet. Jace focused on it and, with all his power, pushed. Nothing happened.

  Ell fought valiantly, but it wasn’t going well, the creature pushing her back.

  “Any time now, Jace.” It must have just looked like Jace was staring at it as she fought.

  “Trying,” he said.

  He pushed harder on it. Still nothing. Then, with a moment of clarity, he relaxed and used Soul Tether to connect himself with it. In that moment, he could feel the beast and all of its feelings—hunger and pain.

  Ell was just an annoying noise in a quiet night, a pest to be killed. The creature must have sensed the intrusion because it wheeled on Jace, ignoring Ell’s attacks.

  “Uh, Jace…”

  The creature lunged at him. Jace’s focus sharpened, and the world seemed to slow. For a brief, intense moment, he became the connection. He was the spider, feeling its alien thoughts and primal instincts. In that instant, he severed the bond. The connection between the beast’s undead body and the demon shattered.

  As the twisted energy dissipated, the beast collapsed onto him with a heavy thud, pinning Jace to the ground.

  “I’m okay,” Jace gasped, struggling beneath the heavy corpse.

  Ell hurried over and helped him shove the beast off. It took nearly all their strength to move it. Jace got to his feet, a single tear escaping despite his efforts to hide it. He sighed, wiping sweat and dirt from his face.

  They stood for a moment, catching their breath. Jace used the moment to inspect his most recent notification.

  Affinity: Soul

  Ability Unlocked: Soul Severance

  You have gained a deeper insight into the connection between the soul and the body, enabling you to detect and remove incursions that do not belong. This ability allows you to sever the connection between a foreign entity and its host body. Increase this ability for reduced aether cost and increased effectiveness.

  Aether Cost: Severe

  Soul Sense has Gained a New Aspect

  You have gained an enhanced perception of souls and their connections. You can now see and feel from the perspective of the connected entity, with a chance to glean potentially value insights and memories.

  “You did it, Jace,” Ell said, a huge grin spreading across her face, her eyes filling with hope.

  Jace smiled back, but his expression quickly darkened. “It was strange, Ell. Really strange. I felt it. Like I was a part of it, like it was me. And I sensed the demon too. But there was something else. Something darker. Ell, these things aren’t just in the Chamber. They’re possessed.”

  Ell’s searched his eyes before turning to look around, the silence suddenly more menacing. “We need to get out of here,” she said, her voice slicing through the tension. “Let’s get back to the cave.”

  Jace nodded, his mind still reeling from the encounter.

  As they approached the cave, an unsettling silence enveloped them. Each step felt heavier, the weight of dread pressing down on their shoulders. The usual jungle sounds had faded away, replaced by an eerie stillness that set their nerves on edge.

  Then they heard it: the distant, horrifying screams of their friends. Jace and Ell exchanged a grim look, their pace quickening. Their hearts pounded in unison, each beat echoing their growing fear.

  They skidded to a halt, concealed in the shadows. Before them lay the entrance to the cave, alive with movement. Hundreds of spiders, their bodies grotesque and menacing, swarmed in and out of the dark maw.

  Terror surged through them as they watched, helpless, while three forms wrapped in gray webs were carried out by the monstrous arachnids. The cocooned sight was sickening.

  Jace and Ell locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between them. They would go after their friends, and they would do everything they could, even if it killed them.