"Why are we doing this again?"
Arken's plea fell on deaf ears as the armor clad body of Kalni moved swiftly forward.
He had failed miserably to cajole her last night after all, so this was on him.
This impromptu visit to the dungeons of course.
Last Night
"Ok first calm down."
Kalni shook her head, "I will not be calmed."
"Do you take me for a fool? What's the meaning of going out unprotected while raving about how 'hunted' you are by the world?"
"I wasn't unprotected," he immediately defended himself, "I had the priest brothers with me. Although your concern is noted, you simply weren't around for me to wait for to get my plan into motion."
Kalni panted and sat near him, "exactly. Your plan. Why don't you tell me anything about it so that I can stop worrying?"
Arken chuckled, "worried that I forgot your revenge?" Seeing her look away, he continued, "fret not. I haven't. But push me on and I might reconsider."
"Arken," she sighed his name out, "you take it all so lightly. Why don't you understand how much I tremble in anticipation for my moment?"
He noted her shifting pupils and smiled, "patience."
She got up abruptly, "since you seem stubborn on having your way, I will simply exert my own. Tomorrow morning be awake early for both our sakes."
☆
And here he was. Not happy at all at being forced to tag along but he relented, given that he had been ignoring her for some time after all.
The dungeon was a drab facility, in the northeast corner of the city, half out and half inside the walls.
Guards with spears manned it and armed adventurers thronged it in huge numbers.
But they weren't going the proper way. No they had to sneak in. To avoid Arken's identity being found out.
Kalni turned to him without smiling, "get to the first floor entrance. You'll find a small culvert by the wall on your left. Wait for me there and use your skill. Cover your face too."
He gazed at her impassionate tone, "aw, you're gonna make me sulk now."
She made sure the straps of the dagger she had handed him was tight as well as his chest armor before trotting away with a gruff.
Spicy.
☆
Oh, fuck me!
He narrowly dodged a fireball thrown at a group of werewolves near the end of the first dungeon floor by a mage and it exploded in his face, causing him to shudder after his fall.
"So this is how it's done? Where's the grace? The good old holding back? Aim properly dickheads!"
He crouched low along the line of the culvert and waited impatiently.
"Hyaaah!"
SWING
SWING
CLASH
KRRRECH
He heard the shouts and cries of animals tumbling over the other as they tried to get away from the female who was wreaking havoc to them.
Damn Kalni.
She was impervious to the gaze of the onlookers who belonged to other parties or just solitary stringers, as she effortlessly swung her sword in neat arcs, defending, recovering and attacking in a composed manner.
She didn't even bother to listen to the cheers from the others as she stormed her way to where he was.
[Extra dissolved]
She stopped in her tracks to see him suddenly materialise in front of her path before shaking her head at his grinning face and his clapping hands.
"That was splendid! So this was what you wanted to show me? Cos believe me, I'm very impressed, Kalni."
But she kept walking further in, eventually making him follow.
A few meters of silent walking he asked, "you seem mad. Everything alright?"
She kicked a rock, "are you seriously asking me that?"
He observed her and decided it a best time to tell, "you fight with a rage. Is this your way of channeling your anger? I ask because I'm tired of bearing the brunt of it."
She glared at him and he flinched.
Oh no. Bad idea.
But seeing her suddenly compose herself and even smile he grew puzzled, "just come with me."
"Why am I here, Kalni?" He asked, frustrated to the bone.
"What would you rather be doing?"
"I don't know. Maybe bother the librarian crone about the world, have discussions on my slum with people. Important stuff. That will keep me out of harm's way."
She paused and said, "I want to see you kill."
He realized she wasn't joking.
"But why? Isn't that part all left to you guys? My foot soldiers? My followers?"
He knew his words sounded insensitive but he didn't give a damn about her feelings. Not when there were things at stake here, like losing to the author.
And it had the expected effect. She got offended.
Her nostrils flared and she threw her head back to laugh with venom, "I knew it. We're all expendable to your whims aren't we?" She leaned in close with a whisper, "cult lord?"
His eyes traveled down her face and he stopped from licking his lips.
Very kissable.
He shook himself and nervously laughed. She had him pinned now. "Hey come on, is this some sort of test?" He looked around at the emptiness of the dungeon corridor. "There are actual monsters here, you know?"
Kalni stretched her back and let out the loudest scream ever, startling Arken.
A beat later as the echo died out, "the hell was that?!"
She wiped her hands and sat down on the corner, her back to the wall, legs pressed close sharply. "You'll see."
He didn't have to wait long. The first monsters had started to appear. More goblins. But Kalni didn't make a move.
"You've gotta be kidding me?" His eyes went back and forth between the rushing goblin and her, "hey get up and do something. Fuck," he pulled his dagger out and spread his legs out.
She's seriously not gonna do anything?
"But the fucking penalty?" He hissed and cursed Kalni under his breath.
Well whatever.
He moved ahead and pushed the dagger forwards in his first strike.