The Heroes’ Reincarnation

Perhaps it was due to the Warden dying, but not a single Prisoner came to stop them. As they breached the surface they were greeted with a bleak sight. A city in ruins, dark clouds collecting above blocking all sunlight. Powerful winds blew over the city, tugging along scraps and dust. Additionally the System updated the quest:

Yielya whistled, "This place is so depressing. What now boss?"

Terwin coughed, "I'm afraid we have no idea."

"Didn't you beat the Warden?"

"Yes, but as you explore the City you will occasionally be attacked by any who remain. Being constantly interrupted in our exploration I'm afraid our stamina was not enough. Most of our research regarding the dungeon came from info we obtained from our spies in Raven Thread. But even they struggled at this part."

"So in the end you lack information. Jarvis can you handle this?"

Jarvis opened his Book, "I have an idea on who can help."

Colors flew from the pages and revealed three different creatures. Two Birds, one of red and orange feathers and the other of blue and purple. They landed on Jarvis' shoulders and stared at him.

The other individual looked about, "Interesting place you brought me to Mister."

Jarvis smiled slightly, "Yo Kiro, going to need your skills for this one."

"That depends on what you want, and what you're willing to pay.", Kiro winked mischievously.

"Got a prototype I can have you test for me later."

"I'll be disappointed if it's bad!"

"You know me."

"That I do, so what do you want?"

"We need a way to the castle, place is littered with not-so friendly people."

"Reconnaissance is it? Stealthy too, making me pull out my old rusted skills.", Kiro sighed as she stretched.

"I'll be assisting from the sky. More specifically these two will. I can channel their sight to you if you need it."

"How helpful~ I'll take that offer. If I can chart a simple map it should make it easier to find what you want."

Scratching the necks of the birds Jarvis whispered to them. They then took off simultaneously and braved the powerful winds. As they circled to the sky Terwin squinted, "I feel like these guys are a real ace card."

Corolla smiled, "Told you it would be worth it."

"That you did."

Kiro leapt and dashed across the tops of roofs. Throwing a shuriken across she shattered an old pot, distracting several crazed individuals.

"Mister is actually making me use these old Skills."

Flipping through the air she landed with a soft thud. Cracking her neck Kiro complained, "I'm so out of practice too."

Using the information provided by Bo and To she quickly found a route leading to the main castle. Most of the roads were blocked by rubble and massive piles of dust. The castle itself was guarded by a powerful barrier, else Kiro would've infiltrated it to satisfy her curiosity.

Approaching a massive gate Kiro was greeted with a set of words.

Who was once trusted lays beneath the stars,

Giving birth to a storm,

A storm without rain>

Kiro snorted, "Puzzles, why be so cryptic?"

Searching the area she found a small pedestal, as if awaiting for an item. Stepping back for a moment she committed everything to memory. Clicking her tongue she placed her hands together, "It's a good thing it's not my job to figure out what this is!"

She then disappeared in a puff of smoke.

~ ~ ~

"Huh, these guys really are crazy. Is it the storm's causing?"

Currently all the Players were taking refuge in two buildings that still stood. A bronze semi-translucent mountain covered them. Blocking them from the steady and constant attack from crazy civilians. Their clothes were in tatters and they wielded crude or rusted weapons.

Terwin shook his head, "We don't know that much, the beginning wave of enemies are easy to deal with. The closer you get to the castle the more equipped they become, while also increasing in density."

Kan'na spoke her thoughts aloud, "They're attracted to the castle?"

Akiol added, "Perhaps they know the Storm King is the reason for this all?"

"A natural instinct, that has to be quite some powerful magic."

A Player spoke up, "Erm, they're growing in number. At this rate we'll be overwhelmed."

"I'll handle it.", Kan'na waved away the concern.

Jarvis opened his eyes, "She's back."

"Okay, I guess I'll handle it right now then. Tilia could you?"

The bronze mountain faded away and the crazed civilians started to pool inside. Kan'na snapped her fingers and a massive magic circle appeared above them all. Small bead-like projectiles shot out at incredible speeds and barraged the civilians. The Players watched in awe as the crazed civilians all collapsed simultaneously. Kan'na then shook her head, "They're merely asleep. If they had a lick of sanity about them it wouldn't be hard to wake back up."

Hank inquired, "Why not just kill them?"

"They're crazed civilians, subjected to a curse they couldn't control. Should we be the ones to end their life?"

Hank opened his mouth, but Terwin put a hand on his shoulder. Closing his mouth he withheld his words.

Kiro stepped over the unconscious people and reported, "Castle is locked by a barrier. The only thing I could find was a riddle and a pedestal. Looks like you need something to lower the barrier."

"What's the riddle?", Jarvis asked.

Kiro repeated the cryptic riddle and watched as confusion settled among everyone. She then shrugged, "Couldn't find anything else."

Wrock suggested, "A storm without rain, so what if we just provide water?"

Corolla added, "So the item has to deal with water? But all we have is a source of fire."

Jarvis finished, "A second boss, one that has to deal with water. I might have a way to find that."

He opened his book and colors flew out almost immediately. A large crane ruffled her feathers, "I heard, there's been a strange feeling I've been getting south from here. I can feel a lot of water, but something feels off about it. It's causing my back to tingle."

"So we head south, right let's move out!", Terwin commanded.

Kan'na lifted a hand and brought the massive magic circle closer to the ground, "I can carry this around for a bit to lessen the stress on your men."

"I appreciate that."

Quickly gathering themselves the players marched south. Thanks to the help from Kan'na any crazed civilians that approached were quickly rendered immobile. As they progressed Terwin conversed with Corolla, "I truly believe those six can easily deal with a hundred person dungeon!"

Corolla smiled, "You understand why this game is so fearsome now right?"

"It's quite a good business opportunity too. Speaking of which, how goes the recovery from Double Weight?"

"The store is already rebuilt, he took it as an opportunity to revamp the store. Guy lets nothing stop him from profiting off a situation."

"As expected from him. You were right Corolla, this game is certainly worth investing into."

"Of course."

After two hours of progression everyone stopped at a cliff face. Directly in front of them was a large opening, the inside was guarded by shadows. Preventing them from looking into it.

Neorvil pruned her feathers out of disgust, "What a hateful feeling. How annoying."

Jarvis soothed her, "I appreciate the help so far. If you wish to return you may."

"I desire to see who would corrupt water to this point. No matter what I will not let such a precious element devolve into such an atrocious state."

"I'll be relying on you then."

Kiro tried to spot the top of the cliff but failed, "Can you tell just how much water is in here?"

Tilting her beak upwards Neorvil paused for a moment, "A decent sized lake."

"It's just pooled up here? You would think it would run out like a river, or at least a stream."

"The water is being withheld by magic. Which contributed to its horrid corruption."

"I don't think I will be of much help Mister! Direct combat is not my specialty."

Jarvis nodded, "That's fine, would you like to wait out here?"

"No! This place is horrible, I would be returning to the safety of the book's pages thank you!"

Chuckling faintly Jarvis opened the Book. Kiro morphed into streams of color and returned to her place in the book. A picture of a Tanuki concealed by smoke formed. Appreciating the picture for a moment Jarvis closed the book, "What's the plan?"

Akiol suggested, "Since we're pretty sure it's going to be another boss, I think we should head in first. If the other want to follow they can, I can't guarantee their safety though."

Terwin pondered for a moment before deciding, "We'll follow that plan."

"Much appreciated! Alright who calls this one?"

Neorvil settled her feathers, "I do."

The party looked at the crane in surprise. Wrock then laughed, "Well if you insist! We'll leave this one to you!"