Descending the spiral staircase took them almost three hours. By time they had reached the end, Jazmel was mentally fatigued.
But as they reached the end, Jazmel stepped off the final step and waited for everyone else to come down.
“This is the final fountain; I don’t know what will happen. But I imagine this might be the toughest battle we face.” Jazmel told them all and everyone steeled themselves.
“Whatever is down here, we face together. But also, I want you all to hit with your strongest attacks, we hit it hard and fast. No room for recovery. Me and Bannerman will get in close and do damage, you guys strike from a distance. But keep moving, don’t stop and don’t let it focus on you.” He explained and everyone prepared.
“Good plan.” Baek said, as he released Kazumi and Paldane to their companions. Paldane leapt from the ring and up onto the shoulder of Jazmel before nuzzling him.
“Everybody ready?” Jazmel asked and his friends all appeared, ready and motivated to see this through with him.
“For Patton?” Katie whispered and not looking at her, Jazmel nodded.
“For Patton.”
He stepped into the final fountain chamber, this by far was the largest cavern. the greatest in size that he had ever seen. Jazmel, whose eyes seemed to be able to peer into many things. With his perception so high, he could unravel the greatest sights as they appeared before him. but here in this cavern it was different, it was a creation of such splendour and wonder. That Jazmel was just caught in awe.
DING!
YOU HAVE FOUND THE FINAL FOUNTAIN!
THIS FOUNTAIN HAS THE PRIMORDIAL SOLIS TRAPPED!
FREE HER! OR REMOVE HER!
REMEMBER YOUR ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES!
…
The system notice clanged around the cavern. Bouncing off the walls and Jazmel’s keen senses alerted him, sharing just how large the space beneath Stormhold actually was. Jazmel clutched his swords, reaching for Yoru No Tsubasa first. Usually when he entered a fountain trial, he had to release the flow of water. But here, in this chamber. There was nothing to release. It was a fountain; he could tell that much. But the water feature was just a large mount. His eyes tried to scry what it was, but to no avail.
DING!
YOU HAVE ENTERED THE DOMAIN OF THE FINAL FOUNTAIN!
BEWARE THE FOUNTAIN GUARDIANS!
THE FIRST GUARDIAN APPROACHES!
TIER IV BEORN THE CAVE BEAR APPROACHES!
…
Jazmel scanned the system notice and flicked the screen away. A cave bear didn’t sound too bad, but the fact it was a tear IV was extremely concerning.
“Get ready!” he said, and he heard his friends prepare their skills, the Mana in the air changing rapidly. He himself hadn't prepared a skill, but he had eased his sword from its sheath.
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ROARRRR!
The first fountain guardian announced its presence. Much like all the other fountains, this creature simply appeared from the shadows. Ambling towards Jazmel and his party.
The cave bear was massive, bigger than any bear Jazmel had ever seen. It was four metres in height, its width easily half of that. Though its fur was thick, Jazmel could make out the muscles below. Thick cords of tendons made up its four limbs, at the end of each paw, glinted claws that had been sharpened with the stones of the caves. It was menacing and Jazmel could feel stray strands of fear encroaching.
DING!
TIER IV BEORN THE CAVE BEAR CHALLENGES YOU!
Jazmel had not seen anything like this before, the system had never uttered these words to him. but here he was, standing before a challenge from a fountain guard.
“Get him!”
Full moon
Bannerman darted forward; his black hear flashing as it became pale moon white. It was like a white fire candle burning, but Jazmel could feel the power now emanating from his friend.
Thunder crown
Thunderfire!
Withered whip!
Sadé and Katie attacked at the same time. First Sadé drew her crown of thunder about her head. it hovered above building in power and enhancing her abilities. She cast her favoured skill of flame and thunder, a bolt of both shot from her outstretched hand and hit the bare full in the chest.
Following up behind it, Katie whipped her chains around. The Mana chained colour, and that rusted look appeared; it was as if she had changed her chains to be attuned to death. They struck the bear repeatedly; it roared in pain. But Jazmel noticed that the fur had only mildly been singed. The bear hadn't even bled yet.
Wolf hunt
Bannerman appeared and after a flurry of strikes. He struck with both hands like a hammer and crashed the bear’s skull into the ground. It was sturdy, it shook of his attack but roared and charged at him.
DING!
TIER IV BEORN USES CAVERN CHASM!
…
The ground rumbled as it churned. It rose and fell here and there and Jazmel felt like he was surfing. He tried to keep his balance but could see that, this was the fountain guardians plan all along.
Sundering Raven!
He used his knee skill, leaping over the crashing waves that the stone ground had been made into. He raised his sword and swinging his body about. He crashed his blade into the top of the head of the bear. He felt his sword pierce its thick hide, but not deeply enough. It yelped in pain and shook him off before swiping at him.
DING!
TIER IV BEORN UNLEASHES BEAR BERSERKER!
ANY WOUNDS FROM THIS SKILL WILL REMAIN BLEEDING FOR THE DURATION OF THIS BATTLE!
…
Jazmel scanned the screen as he leapt out of the strike radius. He watched as the paw strikes clawed four great strikes from each front paw. The first aimed at him, the second to where he might have landed. If he had been only a man, but his species had changed. He was a tyrant, more than a man. His body was more durable and so he could push it further. He leapt out of the radius and felt the wall of the cavern against his back. He leapt into it, bouncing from it like a hard coiled spring and bring his sword up. He sailed past the bear, but he felt his blade nick its flesh. It groaned, but before it could react to him. His friends bombarded it.
Wolf hunt!
Howl!
Bannerman was trying to draw its aggro. Trying to keep all its attention as he sprinted out of its reach, but near enough. That it would focus its hatred on him, he almost had it. But Katie was whirling her chains about her, she was the eye of the storm and was creating where her strikes would land.
“Oh new skill! I love it here!!” she shouted and Jazmel watched as her chains multiplied.
Chained hydra!
Her chains formed metallic viper heads and dove forward crashing into the bear.
“Get out of the way. I am ready to strike now!” Tera Nema shouted as she raised her wand.
Inferno x arcanum!
She yelled, mixing her two skills in a dual cast. Jazmel hadn't seen her do this before, but he watched as fire flared from her wand. But then arcane Mana burst free from her free hand. They spiralled around each other and struck the bear full in the face. Burning a searing, scorched path through its snout, face, and entire head. The bear died; its head burned from atop its body.
DING!
YOU HAVE SLAIN THE FIRST FOUNTAIN GUARDIAN!
…
+2 INT
+2 WIL
+3 DEX
