735 The Unyielding Rock
[Ragnar, Sumeri, and Nikolai]
In the blink of an eye, Ragnar, Sumeri, and Nikolai were whisked away from the familiar landscapes of Covenant and thrust into an entirely different dimension.
The abrupt transition left them disoriented as they found themselves standing on a peculiar-looking rock that defied the laws of conventional reality.
The rock, unlike any they had encountered before, emanated an otherworldly energy. Its surface seemed to ripple with faint ethereal glows, casting an eerie yet mesmerizing ambiance.
A single cave entrance yawned open before them, leading downward into the mysterious depths of the rock.
Surrounding their rocky perch was an expanse of endless ocean that stretched as far as the eye could see.
The waves, colossal in size, crashed against the rock with a thunderous roar. Each wave seemed to carry a unique energy, as if charged with mystical forces that resonated through the air.
The sky above was a spectacle in itself. Instead of the familiar hues of blue, the heavens were perpetually cloaked in darkness.
The celestial canvas bore no trace of daylight; only the haunting glow of a full moon hung high above the indigo expanse. Its silvery luminescence cast an ethereal glow upon the surroundings, revealing the jagged edges of the rocky platform they stood upon.
The moonlight reflected off the vast ocean, creating a dance of shadows and glimmers on the water's surface.
The waves, illuminated by the pale light, took on an almost spectral quality as they surged against the rock, creating an ever-shifting pattern of light and shadow.
The air itself felt charged with an arcane energy, carrying a subtle scent of salt and mystery.
As they gazed out into the abyss, Nikolai could swear he heard faint whispers carried by the winds, as if the very dimension they found themselves in held secrets waiting to be unraveled.
The cave entrance beckoned them with an enigmatic allure, its interior shrouded in darkness.
Ragnar, Sumeri, and Nikolai exchanged glances, uncertainty etched on their faces. It was clear that they were no longer in the realm of Covenant; this was a place untouched by any player until them.
"Is this is?" Nikolai asked.
"This must be it and that must be the entrance deeper into Cthulhu's lair," said Sumeri.
"Where are the others?" Nikolai asked. "I seemed to remember that the cultist were thrown into the portal together with us."
Sumeri shrugged. "They must be already inside."
"Let's go then," Ragnar said and led the way down. "I want this mission done and over with."
Sumeri stifled a laugh. "This is getting longer than we thought."
With a collective decision, they ventured into the mysterious cave, the path leading them deeper into the heart of Cthulhu's lair.
As they descended, the rhythmic crashing of the waves and the haunting glow of the moon above gradually faded, replaced by the unknown mysteries concealed within the depths of the cave.
The party ventured deeper into the mysterious cave, and found themselves in the foreboding embrace of the First Room.
The pitch-black stone surroundings seemed to absorb all light, creating an oppressive darkness that clung to their every step.
The alien carvings etched into the stone exuded an otherworldly aura, their strange geometry seemingly designed to challenge the limits of the human mind.
As Ragnar and the others cautiously examined the bizarre glyphs, an unsettling tension filled the air.
Any attempt to read or comprehend the symbols required specific [INT]. The glyphs resisted understanding, frustrating any player attempts to glean information about their surroundings if they didn't have the necessary [INT].
Among them, only Sumeri passed the requirement.
Sumeri succeeded in deciphering the cryptic carvings, and learned valuable insights:
"The room we stood in is a tomb, constructed to house a great being known as a 'dreamer,' Sumeri started. "The tomb's doors would only yield to the elusive call of 'The Master's Call.' Additional clues hinted at the nature of Cthulhu, the mysterious entity we sought."
"Well . . . that didn't add anything to the table," Ragnar commented with a bored tone.
"They're supposed to be riddles and clues. They aren't designed to be easy," Sumeri answered, defending the mysterious glyphs they had encountered.
"Let's move on to the next room. We won't find anything more in here," Ragnar suggested, eager to progress.
"But where's the entrance to the next room?" Nikolai questioned, eyeing a large rock in the chamber. "There's only a rock in here."
Sumeri examined the rock, a serious expression on her face. "I think we should smash this rock. I felt air on the other side."
"Allow me," Ragnar declared with confidence, equipping his hammer and delivering a powerful blow to the rock.
The cave vibrated from the force of the impact, and everyone was taken aback when they noticed an HP (Hit Points) value displayed on the rock's surface.
"5,000,000 HP?" Sumeri exclaimed, surprised. She stepped back and laughed a little. "This rock has HP. This is the first time I've seen something like this."
"I think we should keep hitting it until its HP reaches zero," Niko suggested, joining Ragnar in their efforts to chip away at the formidable rock.
But the rock's defenses was formibale. The quest to exit the First Room proved to be a formidable task, requiring the characters to break through the solid stone walls.
Unbeknownst to the party, glyphs of warding concealed inside the rock and held explosive potential, creating an additional layer of danger.
Sumeri sighed, her staff in hand. "Step aside."
With a burst of magic, the rocks trembled, and its HP decreased.
"It seems to have magical defense as well," Ragnar commented with a straight face.
A vein popped on Sumeri's head. "Heh. There's no defense that I can't pierce. Hoi, Nikolai, Ragnar, let's break this thing!"
As Sumeri barraged the rock with magical attacks, Ragnar and Nikolai exchanged wry sighs. It looked like Sumeri was determined to face the challenge of a seemingly resilient rock.
The two could do nothing but go along with Sumeri's pace, unleashing numerous attacks and spells to wear down the rock's formidable HP.
