Short Story, Fanfiction.

[Torham Zed]

From now on, I will be posting all installments as add on's to this post. It will just get longer and longer form here, and I don't want people having to scroll down through the comments to get to the next installment. So, this being my final word above the main story, happy reading! And please please please speak up if you see an error, or an awkward sentence. I really want to know, and I will fix any problems you bring up. This said, Perish in your illiterate cell, or pick up your reading torch! (Too harsh?)

Legend of Grimrock: Into the Pit
My chains rattle in time with the lurching momentum of the airship. My head is bent low in shame. Occasionally, I look up to see if that Minotaur freak is still eyeing me. It had no horns, so I naturally assumed it was female. However, I heard it speak to one of the guardsmen as they passed by, and its voice was as deeper than mine.
I was almost glad for the Minotaur’s presence. It gave me something to ponder other than my imminent doom. Gods… I pray it’s not the last thought in my head. What a waste… I must conjure up something to say to myself just before the end, something with meaning. I think of my name: Torham Zed. I think of my life. I lead it as well, if not better than most men. I was a successful mercenary for a time. However, moving this far north to seek my fortune was the worst mistake of my career. This Kingdom of Theraen… it’s insane. The king here is either mad or… fearful of something… I shake my head to clear it. I won’t allow a thought like that to enter my mind now. It’s too horrible. The man is crazy. There is no more to be said. This is injustice and nothing more.
As my thoughts return to injustice, I take a look back up at the Minotaur. She… He seems to have given up staring at me for now. I hear two other prisoners talking in hushed voices to my left. I pick my head up for the first time since I sat here almost three hours ago by my count, and cast a look down the hall. A pale man with thinning black hair leans close to a scrawny, flame-haired woman. I can only make out bits of their conversation, but it seems some of it is in another language.
“…Don’t forget the “VI” and “IR”… Runes can be… quickly for… Do you find that as well? Really? “Full, Bro, Neta? I’ve never heard of…”
I stop listening. I’ve heard mages talk in rune and riddles before. Perhaps they are mages discussing some final theories before the end. I don’t care much anymore.
My heart jumps. The airship lurches backward, and a guard in full-plate bursts into the holding room.
“On your feet! We have arrived.”
My brow furrows as I contemplate numerous scenarios of this guard’s demise. I heave myself up off the bench, my chains rattling, calling out: “Death, de-death, death” as they clank together. The others get up as well and follow close behind me. We make our exit, following the guard up the stairs topside. As I emerge onto the deck, I breathe in the moist mountain air. It’s misty, but I can see the rocky side of Mount Grimrock looming sheer to either side.
Other guards with torches and spears escort us of the ship via a ramp-way. It’s rickety footing, and I half expect to fall off. As I step off the plank of wood, I curse myself for not thinking to jump off it and give myself the dignity of not dying to the pit, but instead, the mountain side.
“Keep moving there.” One guard pokes me with the butt of his spear. I stumble forward, helpless.
Four unsettling statues circle the pit. Tentacles drape from their hoods. I can’t fathom what culture would build these, but I have no wish to get closer to them. But closer we get by the butts of spears. Soon we stand before the pit, looking down into black. The captain of the airship addresses us now, giving us out last rights by the light of a sacrificial torch.
“As you pass into the black of Grimrock, know that your crimes are forgiven. You will hit the bottom free. Take comfort in that. Know also that the gods will grant you mercy, seeing you die in this manner. You die with honor.”
I shiver in my loincloth as the chilly mountain breeze cuts through me. I don’t feel very honorable. No, you’ve got to think of something. Torham Zed… you did the best you could with the life you were given. You gave a lot to the world in your career. Remember those bandits? Remember brood of Round Worms that moved into the old lady’s basement? I almost smile to myself.
“And now… Best of luck to you, and farewell.”
The captain finishes and a jolt of adrenaline kicks in. The guards around us close their circle. They brandish the points of their spears this time. I look back at the one assigned to drive me off the edge. I see his eyes. There is no hate in them. I see only pity. I give him only a sad, but knowing look. I back up as he takes a jab at me. One of my heels is off the edge. He moves in for another, but he never had to follow through. The flame-haired woman lets out a shriek as she tumbles into the black. We are all chained together, so this was our doom.
Her weight drags her other mage companion down first. His screams join hers. The Minotaur is next in line, but she… he holds on for almost two full seconds before his feet slip on the damp stone. There is nothing for it now. I practically jump in after them, not wanting to get dragged in against my will. I try to take comfort in that as I feel the air against my face. It’s actually quite fun.
What is that? I see a glimmer of light from below. We are going to hit the bottom already? Gods… We might survive if we land just right. I pity the poor woman who fell first. She will get hit the hardest. I almost want to trade places with her. I hardly have time to think this before I hear the impact, then another, then another. The next sound I hear is the sound of my own body being trust against the stone.

First Steps
My sword arm hurts. So do my ribs. I give a muffled grunt and roll over onto my back. That hurts too, apparently. This cold, damp stone does nothing to help it. Wait… I’m… alive!? I pull myself up and hold my hands, still chained, in front of my face. They are alright. I look down the length of my body and move my legs, for fear there may be serious damage. There seems to be none. My muscles are stiff, and they protest when I try to stand, but I manage it.
I am in a large room. A gate stands by the far wall lit by a torch. Still chained to me are the unconscious bodies of the other prisoners. The poor red-haired woman is all but crushed underneath the others. As I watch, the Minotaur stirs. She…he lets out a deep groan and drags himself up to his feet.
“Ah… it hurts…” He tests his muscles, stretching this way and that as if warming up for a fist fight. He stops and looks at me with that stare again. “You lived? We lived?” He looks down at the other two. “They going to be alright?” I’m not sure what to say. I never expected to live. I certainly never considered the possibility that it might have been better to die on impact.
“I’m… not sure… let’s see how they fare.” I knell down and pull the pale man off of the woman. He is out cold, but with a finger to the neck I discover he is still alive. “This one made it... See if you can lay him out properly without stretching these chains too far.” The Minotaur obeys and I examine the woman. Much of her left side has been chaffed by the stone. Her blood, while not pooling yet, makes a border between her and the floor. I turn her over and hear her rasping breath. She is alive for now, but I’ve heard this kind of rasp before. There is blood in her lungs. While it may not be a mortal wound, there is a good chance for it.
“Is she…?” The Minotaur asks. I would be surprised if not for our grave situation. Their kind is not known for their compassion.
“She yet lives… I don’t know for how much longer.” He nodded in reply. I sit back down on the floor with a sigh, feeling the pull of my battered muscles. “Well…” I muse, looking up at the shaft we fell from. “I never thought I’d live though this… this changes everything…” To my surprise, the Minotaur edges over and sits opposite me.
“It does. We’ve got to get out. I’m an able fighter, and you look like you’ve seen some combat yourself. I think we have a chance to…” He looks down at the floor. I see the irony in it as well.
“You’re right. But… let’s not get our hopes up. We don’t even know if that gate opens or not.” I say with a finger towards the bars. “Let’s just tend to these two. If we can get them on their feet, it will make things a lot easier.” He nods again with a look back at the pale man.
Silence follows. I strain to hear some kind of noise, anything. Besides the breath of my chain-mates, I notice that there was a perpetual taping noise from below. Once, I heard a larger, deeper rumble. There was something down there, and it was large enough to shake the whole mountain if it wanted. It must be some sort of mechanism. No creature of nature would be that large, I hope.
Time is passing slowly, and I soon become quite restless. The full gravity of the situation has not hit me yet. Perhaps it’s better that way. I look back up at the Minotaur.
“What’s your name warrior?” He seemed to be relieved that I broke the silence.
“Equus. Yours?”
“Torham. Torham Zed.” I reach out and shake Equus’s hand. “I was a mercenary. I suppose that doesn’t matter much in here…” I take a look around at the dark walls.
“Nonsense.” Equus barked. “Your past will carry you. It makes you. I’m sure it will be nothing but a source of hope in these halls.” I never expected such language from a Minotaur.
“I… Well put, sir. You are certainly the most eloquent Minotaur I’ve come across.” I realize that I called him sir, but was not overly sure of his gender. He didn’t seem bothered by it.
“Thank you. I was raised in a slightly more comfortable setting than most of my kind. I don’t shy form violence, however, and would surely feel better if I had an axe to hold.” He mimics crushing a skull with an imaginary axe with a smile.
“I could say the same. Don’t worry though. Any axe we come across is yours. I meant that a sword would give me similar comfort.” Again the silence presses in. I look Equus up and down, but can’t put a gender to him. It will bother me till I die if I can’t have it out.
“If I may…” I start, never having to ask this sort of question before. “I couldn’t help but notice you had no horns… They haven’t been broken off… they simply aren’t there… I was just curious…” He did seem to be bothered by this, but he maintains his composure.
“I receive this sort of question on a daily basis, I assure you. Suffice to say I am a Male. No, I will not prove it.” I throw my hands in the air.
“Very well. I won’t pry further.”
It looks like Equus is going to say something, but the pale man stirs, interrupting him. I move to the man’s side and cradle his head.
“Wake up now. You’re okay. Wake up.” I give his face a few light slaps. He moans and lifts himself up to a sitting position, his head in his hands.
“Oh… my head…” I brace him from behind.
“Take it slow now, friend. Are you dizzy?” His head turns to me.
“Very… Thank you, sir…” He takes a look around the room with wide eyes. “This is… incredible. What secrets lie within these walls? This is the find of a life time.” He tries to stand and nearly falls over. I catch him in time.
“Whoa there. Watch yourself. You’re in no state to run off on an archeological expedition yet.” He smiles.
“Not many know that kind of terminology. I didn’t take you for a scholar.” I chuckle to myself.
“No, I’m no scholar. I was a hired guard delving into some old ruins in the southlands. I’m a mercenary by trade.” I stick my hand out to him. “Torham Zed.” He takes it and I haul him up to his feet.
“Ah… Saros Shadowfollower. Heretic extraordinaire, if that blasted inquisitor is to be believed.” At this point, he recognizes the red-haired woman on the floor. “Oh, Seri…” He kneels beside her and takes her hand in his. “If only I had the proper apparatus and a sprig of Tar Bead…” He feels her forehead and brushes her hair back. I put a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t worry. We won’t leave without her. If she does die though… we must discard her. We can’t be slowed down with a body.” He nods slowly.
“I understand… But… She will wake. If she stays asleep she will fall further into death… There is only one thing to be done.” He places his hands on her chest. They glow a pale blue. Then with a small pop, electric volts shoot into her. She convulses and starts coughing, rolling onto her side. She curls into a ball and coughs, blood spraying out in flecks onto the stone.
“What have you done, wizard!” Equus stands with clenched fists. I hold him back.
“No, it’s alright. I think he just saved her.” Seri’s coughs turn into wheezes as she turns over onto her back and opens her eyes.
“Saros? We… made it?” He takes her hand and sit’s her up.
“Yes, my lady.”
“Do you two know each other?” I inquire.
“Not since yesterday, actually.” Saros answers. “We met at the trial and discovered that we both had magical talent. We’ve been comparing notes ever since, only stopping to get thrown down this shaft.” Seri looks up at the hole in the ceiling.
“It’s a miracle we didn’t die from it…” She muses before coughing again. “Oh… I don’t feel very well… But I see we are all still chained together. I mustn’t be a burden…” She tries to stand. Saros keeps her down.
“Not yet, Seri. Just rest for now.”
“No.” I say. “Get her up.” Saros looks at me like I’ve struck him.
“Do you see her condition? She can’t be moving right now.”
“Do you see our condition?” I say with a sweeping motion across the room. “We have to search this room and see if there is a way out. We have to move as one with these chains binding us.” Saros thinks for a moment, silent. Seri speaks.
“Help me up. I don’t want to hold you back. I’ll walk on my own.” After a moment, Saros takes her up. She coughs again, but is able to stand.
“Good.” I say. “We have to learn to move together if we want to make it out of here. These chains only allow two or three feet between us. Firstly…” I look around the room. “Let’s see if there are any useful scraps we can find in those alcoves left by other prisoners.” The party nods in silent agreement. I slowly become aware that I had become the leader. It was a position I did not strive for, but found myself in more often than I would have liked. Now it has happened again. I didn’t mind so much this time. I felt it was my job to protect the group for my own good as well as theirs. We all have to work together to get out.
A cursory search of the alcoves turns up nothing but old bones and scraps of cloth. I take a shard of a rib a cage as a makeshift weapon and tool. As I straighten from searching the remains, I notice a crack in the wall that was irregular. Normally I would assume it to be a natural crack produced by the passage of time, but it was distinctly circular in shape. In a flash of curiosity, I press on it. To my delight, and fear, it gives to my touch and a mechanism clicks behind it.
“What was that?” Seri says in warning as a noise issues from the back alcove. Rock grates on rock, and the wall slides to the ceiling, extending the alcove a little farther. I grip my bone shard and approach, the party following behind. My heart stops as I gaze upon another of the statues with tentacles dangling from inside their hoods. Equus growls at it and Seri’s hands light with fire. Saros, however, draws closer to it.
“My… look at it will you? What civilization would build this… For what purpose was it placed here?” Equus notices an old pair of pants bundled up in the corner and quickly takes them. Seri give him a miffed look as he dons them, smoothing out his front almost nervously. She takes a look in the alcove and turns up a strap of leather. On closer inspection, it was cut to be a sling. Saros’s boot scrapes against something metallic on the ground. He bends and picks it up. It’s a shuriken.
“Lucky find…” I say. “You know how to throw one of those?” Saros turns the metal over in his hand.
“Not specifically, no. However, Areomancy comes with the knowledge of physics. I may use this knowledge to make better use of this than a layman of the art.”
Not wanting to be in the statues presence for too much longer, we make our way to the gate. Soon, we master moving as one, and reach it. Runes are scribed into the right hand wall. Saros takes particular interest.
“Ah! This is a wonderful example of archaic script! Classic, actually. I wonder…” His finger passes along the script. “Hmm…”
“Well read it to us, for those who don’t speak scribble.” Equus grunts. Saros seems to pop out of a trance.
“Oh, yes. It reads: “Chose your fate, die in this cell, or pick up the torch.” Could this be some sort of riddle?” He reads the passage again, muttering to himself.
“Well…” I say, not sure what to make of it. “This place could have been built for many reasons, but it is likely that is was designed to keep people out. We must be very careful when dealing with these sorts of-” I gasp as Equus carelessly snatches the torch from the wall. With that, the gate lifts up to the ceiling, clearing the path ahead.
“Brilliant!” Saros exclaims. “Such a simple matter. Here I was trying to put some kind of metaphorical meaning behind it.” Equus shrugged.
“It gave us two choices: Die, or pick up this torch. I chose to pick it up. If you all would like, I could go on ahead and toss the torch back to you so you can keep riddling it out.”
“No no.” Saros says. “you did well. A simple approach is often the best.” I place a hand on Equus’s shoulder.
“Listen. This worked out this time, but things like that might get us killed later on. I’d advise you to put a little more thought into these things in future.” Equus huffs and carries the torch through the gate and into the passage beyond. He turns and looks at me with a challenging stare. Saros happily follows.
“Well, this has proven to be most promising. Finding runes like these already… what mysteries will we discover next I wonder? I simply can’t wait. Let us be off.” With this, he walks stiffly after the Minotaur torchbearer. I turn to Seri.
“Come on. Stay close and move with us as best you can.” She nods and I hurry to join Equus at the front, wanting to shield the other two should something come at us.
As the light of the torch moves through the halls, I got the strange feeling like I was a piece in someone’s game. Whose game was it: the king’s, this dungeon’s, the ancient’s? Why was this here? Where are all the other prisoners who have been thrown down here? There were only a few remains in the cell… I hope my questions are answered, but I’m not willing to risk my life for them.

Working Out the Kinks
Equus and I take point and we round a corner, coming upon a T-junction. The right hand path turned back left and ended at another gate. The other we could not see.
“Let us examine the gate first.” I suggest, and we move to it, now mastering the art of moving together. The gate appeared to be controlled by a pull-chain, much like doors I’d seen in ruins previous. I peer through the bars, then turn to look back the way we came.
“Since this door can easily be opened, I think it would be wise to double back and check the other hall, just to be thorough.” I say. Saros nods.
“Indeed, that is a good method. It’s a pity we can’t make a record of our findings. Drawing a map as we went would help us greatly, but we have not the materials to do so…” With this, we head back down the other passage, only to find it stop at a dead end. A pair of sandals rests on the floor. My bare feet yearn to be in them. I look at Equus.
“Would you like these? I may avoid danger simply by maneuverability, but someone as robust as you may want for some more protection. Any vestments we find should go to you first.” Equus shrugs.
“If you say so. I can handle myself, but I won’t refuse footwear if I can get it.” He takes them and slips them on, testing their step on the damp stone. Seri speaks, her voice echoing slightly.
“I would surely love to have something covering my body. I am frail compared to that brute, and my feet hurt from the fall… wouldn’t it be more prudent to let me have them? I could keep pace more eficently.” I think for a moment, then shake my head.
“I expect battle at any moment. It seems silly to argue over a pair of sandals, but we must ration all our findings according to efficiency. Some will have to make sacrifices for others. We will find you some clothes, lady Seri. It is indecent for a woman to walk in damp corridors thus.” She folds her arms, a scowl crossing her brow.
“That is chivalrous of you… I’ll have you know I to can handle myself. As an accomplished Pyromancer, I earned the name Flamehair.” I move to head back for the gate.
“Good. Then you won’t mind if we give priority to the two taking point then?” The group moves back to the gate and I place my hand on the chain.
“I didn’t ask anyone to take point. You took that on yourselves… although… I won’t dispute it…” I smile and pull the chain, half expecting something to jump out of the walls and attack us. The gate slides up without incident, revealing a winding hallway.
“Well… this is it I suppose.” I say, taking a step forward. “Be on your guard, and keep your voices down from now on. I will give signals if there is danger.” I hold up two fingers. “Like this.” The three nod in agreement. We continue down the passage, lit by the torch Equus holds aloft, it’s light dancing on the walls.
We take cautious steps, making as little noise as possible with the chains rattling every once in a while. Soon, we come upon a more extended hall the ends in a small room. A shelf has been cut into it, and some item has been placed there. As I walk, I notice and alcove to the right. There is nothing of intrest inside, so I keep going. Sudenly there is a pull on the chain from behind. Saros has ducked into the alcove and has stooped over a small, ugly-looking root.
“Cave Nettles.” He whispers. “Sorry… I’d like to gather this. It will prove useful if I can build a makeshift mortar and pestle… don’t mind me, carry on…” He waves me forward as he hooks the plant into a loop in the rope holding his loincloth to his body. I shake my head and continue for the room.
The light deceived me, for what I thought was a room was merely a turn in the hall. The torch set into the wall to the right cast shadows and played tricks on me. I will have to be careful of that in future.
The shelf contains a knife of poor workmanship. I take it from it place and test its grip.
“I’m used to a sword, but this will do for now. Any objections, Equus?” He scoffs.
“I’d be better off with my fingernails than that butter knife.” I smile and turn to face the continuation of the hall to the right. Another gate stands in the way, and a lever is set into the right hand wall. Equus takes the torch off the wall and smothers it, putting it in the loop of his pants. He looks up at the gate and frowns.
“It worked last time…” I frown also as I take the cold metal of the lever in my hand. It was facing up when we first saw it, so I pull it down, then back up. The gate responds with a twitch, lifting up and slamming back down. Other than this, it had no effects. Now satisfied with the lever’s purpose, I pull it down and leave it, and the gate opens.
“Can’t be too careful.” I say, shifting my grip on the knife in preparation for whatever came next.
We move down the twisting corridor and soon come to a longer, straight passage. Another gate stands at the end. In-between it and us rests a lighter colored block on stone on the floor, slightly elevated.
“Mmm…” I kneel down next to it. “I’ve seen mechanisms like these before. It’s like a button for your feet. Sometimes they are hidden, but this one is exposed…” I place a foot on it ever so gently. “Get ready to run back around the corner everyone. These things can be very bad sometimes; other times, quite helpful. We’ll see.” I apply pressure downwards and with surprisingly little effort, the plate of stone sinks to the floor. The gate at the far end opens. Seri, who was apparently holding her breath, let’s out a sigh of relief.
“Do you think this place was really meant to kill us? It’s been quite utilitarian so far…” She observes. I shake my head, beginning to doubt the true nature of the dungeon.
“I’m not sure. We will find out though, I’m sure of it.” We move toward the gate, but as we leave the plate behind, the gate closes.
“Drat… what went wrong?” Saros muses almost to himself. I turn back and examine the plate once more.
“The plate has to stay down, perhaps… I see it lifted back up once the pressure was released.” I spy a loose stone on the floor, and place in on the plate in hopes it would be heavy enough to activate it. The stone is the size of Equus’s fist, so I figure it’s worth a shot. The plate responds, and the gate opens again.
“Marvelous, but I wonder… why was it built this way? Perhaps it was for a specific purpose involving the customs of the ancient culture… Nobility, perhaps? Would one have to stand on it, like a servant or something, and-” I move on, giving Saros a tug with the chain.
“Let’s keep moving.” Saros did not stop talking, for he was not talking to us, but himself at this point. He did keep pace however, and that was all that mattered at the moment.

Making a New Friend
After moving through the Gate, we now face two paths, one ahead, and one to the right. The right path stops after a short distance, but I motion the party inside to examine the walls. I run my fingers over the moist surface.
“There may be more buttons like the one in the cell… They could be anywhere… Help me look will you? There isn't much area to cover.”
We search, but find nothing.
“I don’t think there is anything here.” Equus says impatiently.
“Yes, I don’t think there is either. Keep a sharp eye as we continue. The last one looked like a circular crack.” We agree to keep out eyes on and move ahead. Equus grabs another torch from the wall.
“Can’t have too many. I’m not going blind in this hole.” I nod. Seri speaks from behind.
“It would be no trouble for me to make magical light for us.” We stop at yet another split, again, one path ahead, and one path to the right.
“We need as many tools as we can find, but I have a feeling we will need your magical light eventually.” She seems satisfied to be of some use.
With a look down each of the corridors, the right path seems to lead to other branches, where the one ahead turns right, and is not lit by wall-torches.
“Straight first, I think.” The party trusts my judgment, and we move ahead.
The turn to the right leads to a prompt dead end, but a shelf is cut into the wall. There on the shelf rests a brass key, almost ceremoniously placed. With a quick in-and-out motion, I snatch up the key and take a step back. Nothing happens, and the key is mine. Saros chuckles.
“Do you think we are being paranoid for nothing? That key was practically given to us.” I shake my head with somber resolve as I turn back to the split.
“The fact that it was given to us is a bad sign. As bad as if we had to hack through waves of monsters to get it. Keep alert.”
We move back to the split and take the other path down. We again find a path going straight and a path going right. Seri groans.
“These turns will be the end of us.” I furrow my brow and look down both sides.
“I think these might loop to one another.” Saros nods.
“Mmm. Even if this place was meant to confuse us, it is inefficient to build a structure with multiple turns at every hall.” I wave the group down the right hand path.
“Oh, can’t we go the lit way?” Seri says, referring to the torch at the end of the straight hall. Before I can tell her, the light from the same torch finds us again as we loop, finding a wooden door. I see another rock about the same size and shape as the one I used on the pressure plate. I pick it up just in case. Now both my hands are full carrying three items. Equus pulls on the door.
“It’s locked tight… you think that key opens it?” Glad to be rid of one of these burdens, I put the key in the hole of the door. It works, and the door opens.
We move through to find ourselves at a T-junction. The right hand side is cut short by a Gate, while the other turns right. More runes are scratched in the wall to the left, lit by a torch. We check the gate first, but find it locked. A prominent key-hole is built into the wall to the left of the gate.
“We need another key.” I say, passing my hand over the metal.
“If this place is kind to us, we will find it down the other path.” Saros observes. We agree and head back the other way, coming face to face with the set of runes. Saros’s eyes light at the sight of them.
“Read them for us, scholar.” I say with a hint of sarcasm.
“Gladly…” He runs his finger along the letters. “Oh… well, this might have been written in haste. It’s very basic. It merely states: “loose rock”. It could be referring to any number of phenomena.” My eyes wander to the right where the path ends. On the end-cap, I spy a similar crack in the wall, large enough to see from this distance. If they were all fashioned the same way, I could become accustomed to looking for them in no time.
“I think it’s talking about that button on the far wall.” I motion the party down the hall and I reach up and press the button. The grinding of stone on stone sounds from behind us, to our left. I wince. I despise mechanisms of unknown origin at work in my vicinity. I feel vulnerable. Within the new opening, we discover another shelf with an iron key similarly placed on it. I take it and withdraw from the alcove, half expecting the wall to slide back down. It does not, again disproving my paranoia.
“I really don’t like this…” I say half to myself. “Everything is laid out for us… That’s never good…” Equus gives me a light punch in the shoulder.
“Let’s try that key back at the gate. If there is danger, it will do us no good to worry.” With this we return to the gate. The key works and the gate opens.
We are now faced with a T-junction, but the right path stops at an alcove, seemingly with no purpose.
“Let’s search this alcove before moving on.” I say, and we do so, turning up nothing.
“I’m beginning to think you see secrets and danger everywhere, Torham.” Seri says. I quiet her.
“Shh… Did you hear that?” Everyone goes silent, their eyes wandering about the halls. A noise came from the other path; a wet and slippery noise.
“I hear it…” Equus whispers, clenching his fists. “It’s moving.” We make our way as quietly as we can manage down the other path. A small room opens up to the right, and a corridor continues to the left. The noise comes again from down the hall. I get down on the floor and peak around the corner ever so slightly, just enough to see. A giant snail with a large green shell shifts its weight, making squelching noises. I withdraw and point to Saros.
“It’s a giant snail. You, throw that Shuriken at anything that moves. Don’t waste your magic power unless it’s something nasty. Seri, use your sling.” I hand her the rock I found. “We’ll try to hurt it before it gets into striking distance.” They nod. “Equus… you know what to do.” He smiles and smacks his fists together. “On my count…” I hold up three fingers, bracing myself against the wall. I let one finger drop at a time. Two… one…
I slide out into the open with the rest of the group and kneel down to clear the way for the mages. The shuriken flies past me and strikes the snails head. The rock from Seri’s sling makes the same mark.
“That’s good, hit it in the head. Hold off on your spells, here it comes.” I grip my knife and wait for the thing to get closer. Thankfully it’s slow.
“Back up into the room and try to avoid it’s bite once we strike… ready…” The snail rears its head to attack.
“Yah!” I strike out with the knife, dealing it a solid blow.
“Rah!” Equus hauls back and punches it in the temple, if snails have those…
“Back!” We retreat into the room as the snail recovers from its wounds. Soon it’s after us again. Seri’s hands light with fire.
“No, hold off for now. Let’s see how strong it is. Equus and I will take it.” The thing comes in range and I slash it again. “Cut right!” We do after a moment’s hesitation. “Keep circling this way unless it’s smart.” The snail is bleeding now, but its wounds seem to make it angrier. It stays put for a bit, shifting it’s weight this way and that, trying to get us to make a wrong move.
“Stay put… Wait for it to come to us…” It decided to follow in the direction we took, and comes into range. I give it a stab. Equus strikes out, but hit’s the shell instead of the neck. We dodge right again and wait for it to react. It shakes it head and roars at us and follows us around the room. Again I strike. Equus heaves his weight into a mighty blow and crushes the thing’s face. It’s still up, and we have to dodge right again before it attacks.
“Blast… this beast can take a beating… Are you sure you don’t want some magic, Torham?” Saros asks during his movement.
“I want to see how tough it is. That blow Equus gave it was solid. I don’t think it will survive another like that.”
“Straight it won’t!” Equus bellows. The snail takes it’s time before cutting back the other way, figuring out that we dodged the same way each time.
“The other way! Get it!” Both Equus and I strike at its flank. They are moderate blows, but still effective. The snail recoils in pain, then changes directions again. It strikes out at us, but we manage to dodge it after Equus pulls Saros out of the way with his own chain. “One more time.” We get around behind it and I stab right underneath its shell. It spins on the spot. Equus takes his torch in both hands and crushes it into his own fist mark left by the earlier blow. With this, the snail convulses and flops to the floor.
We stand breathing heavily over its corpse. I pick up Saros’s Shuriken and hand it back to him.
“Here, don’t lose that.” While still stooped over, I use my knife to cut a piece of the snail’s chest out. It seemed to be the most muscular hunk of meat. I hold it up to Equus, the ultimate test.
“Would you eat this?” Equus sniffs it, then put’s his tongue on it.
“Sure would. I've eaten worse, and we have no food in here.” Both of the mages scowl at us.
“You can’t be serious.” Seri complains her hands on her hips. Saros shakes his head slowly.
“I realize our situation is dire… but I would be far more comfortable if one of you ate it first. I will starve for quite some time before I consider that a meal.” I shrug.
“Very well, if that’s the way you want it. Equus, why don’t you hold onto it since you are the only one with pockets right now?” He does so. We now find ourselves in a small room with three ways out. One we came in from, one where the snail came from, and one that ends abruptly at another gate. Looking around, Saros suggests:
“Shall we see where our snail friend called home? There seems to be no mechanism to open that gate in this room…” We agree, and set off down the passage.

[Komag]

Good so far, keep it going!

I've added it to the story compilation thread, but it needs a proper title I think.

I noticed a couple minor typos - walked "of" the plank, instead of "off", and the very end, "trust" instead of "thrust" I think.

Good writing overall, I'm drawn in and want to see what happens next

[Torham Zed]

Good so far, keep it going!

I've added it to the story compilation thread, but it needs a proper title I think.

I noticed a couple minor typos - walked "of" the plank, instead of "off", and the very end, "trust" instead of "thrust" I think.

Good writing overall, I'm drawn in and want to see what happens next

Thank you. I've made a few minor changes to make a couple of the sentences less awkward. I always appreciate it when people care enough to correct things. I'm not sure when I'll come out with the next one... could be today... who knows. Should I just keep responding to this thread?

Oh, and I can't give another title that does it, and the game justice. I will ponder this.

Also... you flatter me with your description in the compilation thread...

[Torham Zed]

This was originally the second installment, but it has now been swallowed by the whole. See above if for some unholy reason you haven't already.

[Komag]

Nice continuation

knell - kneel
lifts us - lifts up

I'm glad the minotaur gender got resolved!

I can accept if they don't find the first secret, but it sounds like Saros might reasonably be one to spot such a thing.

Also, I would strongly encourage you to post this on fanfiction.net, as there are only a couple Grimrock stories there, mine included.

[Torham Zed]

Nice continuation

knell - kneel
lifts us - lifts up

I'm glad the minotaur gender got resolved!

I can accept if they don't find the first secret, but it sounds like Saros might reasonably be one to spot such a thing.

Also, I would strongly encourage you to post this on fanfiction.net, as there are only a couple Grimrock stories there, mine included.

I fixed those errors. I don't think I'll be reworking this anytime soon. Just lazy is all. I might have another installment sometime within the next couple days. Don't expect the same level of frequency that these last two had.

He said he wouldn't prove it... Could it be...? *Giggles*

You are probably right. However, Saros is a scholar. He has a keen sense of ancient artifacts and ruins. That doesn't mean he's observant. Remember, this is "Real life", not a game. People bleed, get sick, vomit, limp, Get mental breakdowns, doubt, mistrust, squabble, have personality ticks, the works. They can also do physical things that the game does not allow, like jump, climb, and find a way to get free of their bonds. We will see how this progresses... NEXT TIME!!

Really now? Again, you flatter me. I've never been to fanfiction.net. I might just do that. Thank you for your continued interest!

(Edit) I just nipped over to Fanfiction.net and signed up. I'm not going to post yet. I think this story could stand to be cleaned up and titled before I do. Oh, and I saw yours. Not bad, but... politics? Where's the bloody mountain, man? I'm just teasing. It was well written. You going to add to it anytime soon? Anyway, thanks again!

[Komag]

I had planned to write much more, but then the editor was released a few days later, and I just dove into that with all the spare time I had. I would like to get back to the story at some point

[Torham Zed]

Oh man! Guess what I'm going to do!

I just started your Master Quest, and the second I started, I took the damage from the fall, (Seri and Saros almost died!) and I thought: "Wow... I should make my story the Master Quest, and not the original." I'll play it, and write it as I go, leaving out some of the gritty details and putting in character development and stuff. Awesome or what?

So, now Torham and the gang are doing the Master quest, starting at level 13. Before I write the next section, I will play into it more, and see what I can find.

[Komag]

That's awesome, I'd be honored! I expanded the lore with some new writings, scrolls, etc, so that can play into it a bit. And there is one interesting character you will "encounter" multiple times

[Torham Zed]

That's awesome, I'd be honored! I expanded the lore with some new writings, scrolls, etc, so that can play into it a bit. And there is one interesting character you will "encounter" multiple times

It's good to keep in character, because I don't know exactly what I'm getting into, and they don't either. I look forward to seeing what changed. I took a look around the first cell because I'm playing like the story, and... I found the first secret. It was in the alcoves where they would have been searching... I may or may not change a few things in the story so far. But That will be for another revision at a later time.