Bonded Summoner-Chapter 33Book 8. : Vesuvius - The Caverns of Serthune
Vesuvius jogged through the cave with his brethren, thumping their tails on the cavern walls periodically. His scouts replied with their songs, the vibrations thrumming through his body. The world of Serthune, despite being largely mountainous or underground, was bright and beautiful to him.
The gem-studded walls sparkled in the light, and bioluminescent plants brightened the caverns thanks to the dense earth and water mana throughout. The tunnels were wide and well-traveled, the Vouivre capable of manipulating the stone to shape the paths as they wished.
Vesuvius could even fly with his wingsuit through much of it thanks to how wide and tall the caverns were, but he held back due to needing to feel the vibrations through his feet and tail. Caves were perfect places for ambushes, and it was against Hearthtribe’s doctrine to ever show weakness for expedience, unless there was an extreme emergency.
The reptilian and serpent people of this world enjoyed living underground, but most adventurers did not like traveling and fighting in it. Rifts did spawn above ground, which the adventurers were quick to close, but underground, they had dragged their feet with attempting to close them and assisting the natives with their subterranean enemies.
The natives were suffering heavy losses underground, it appeared, and so Hearthtribe moved to rescue them. Vesuvius’s team was just one of many. Various strong reptilian clan heads, then Darris, Jarrix and Vexana, and Roxo led teams of their own to rescue natives across the globe. They even had a few ex-betrayer servants of Arawn with them, Elysians thanks to many reptile beastkin taking them as mates, and some nethril beastkin besides–not all had gone with the Emberborn to Morvalis. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
Tremors from his scouts rippled up his tail as he had dragged it on the ground as he ran, causing him to slow and listen. It appeared that after many miles of travel and branching caverns, after the next major sloping bend, they would have arrived at their destination–and there was trouble abound.
“Increase our pace, and prepare yourselves for battle. The village is under attack.” Vesuvius rumbled.
He allowed some heat to build in his chest, stirring his auril and faith in his goddess, Echidna. His body began to grow as his strides lengthened, and he took the rune-covered bone glaive from the harness on his back as it grew along with him.
He and Hearthtribe’s three hundred strong arrived in a vast cavern, with an underground lake. The ceiling of the cavern was high enough to fly in, and many of their smaller warriors did just that. The larger fighters who grew for combat continued their dash toward the village, ready to flank the enemy’s forces.
The enemy was a bit of a surprise, to Vesuvius. More than a thousand strong, tons of black and brown insectoids with colorful gems attacked the Voivre people, who were a mixture of lamia and reptile-centaur-like people.
The insectoids stood upright, looking like beetle people with scything or bladed arms, which varied in shape and size. Their mandibles looked deadly sharp, and their carapaces were covered in stones and gems, just like the surrounding caverns, and similar to the Vouivre people themselves.
It was a surprise because having so many of a single enemy type in one area, and without the telltale colored vacant eyes of dungeon-controlled enemies, could really only mean one thing: these were true Tartarus invaders.
The enemy had chosen an invader race from one of their worlds, locking them in as the attackers that spawned from Rifts. This had several advantages and disadvantages for Tartarus. Often, their intelligence, commander units, and ability to construct defenses or plan invasions that did not follow a simple path as usual Rifts did, were significant advantages that made them difficult to deal with.
As a disadvantage, t spawn different types of enemies once this was selected would have a higher cost in the Conquest Game, and that was precisely what Tartarus was doing–above ground. Thus, if they could overcome whatever advantages these creatures granted, it would be expensive for Tartarus to fight back.
The village was likely only meant for a couple thousand people, and it was pushed up against the cavern walls on the far-right side of the cavern, and the underground lake was off to his left. However, the village was packed with people, largely women and children, and not warriors.
Not all the natives could even fit inside the walls. The walls they had were rather rudimentary, stone walls that Vesuvius could just walk right over once he reached his full size, and no doubt, the beetles would have no issues climbing. This was the people’s last stand, a vast majority of the armed natives standing in a thinning perimeter against the tide of insectoids as they struggled.
Vesuvius watched the beetles in action against the Vouivre as he continued his sloping stride, dashing as fast as he could move. Jets of water and earthen spikes carved and pierced into the insectoids cast by the females, shedding the stone skin and driving some of them back. Arrows rained down on them largely ineffectually, and any stones launched at them from spells appeared to slow before they struck.
The attacks felt as though they lacked a significant impact, the gems covering the beetles vibrating with power. It was like the gems from the world were empowering and protecting the enemy from their attacks.
There were a few elemental spells being cast outside of earth and water, but they were sparse in comparison–and the beetles swarmed toward those casting them with frenzied ferocity. The larger reptilian males covered in stone and gems got in their way and swung their mauls and glaives, but there were simply too many enemies.
Vesuvius saw where several beetles latched onto a male, and the females all cast spells in an attempt to save him. Beams and waves of water and earthen spikes crashed into the monsters, and they were harried with spears, trying to dislodge them from their meal.
But despite their best efforts, they continued gnawing on the golem-like male, consuming its stone and gems. The beetle's gems lit up and vibrated as it did, empowering itself even further by consuming the Vouivre. Disgusting.
From the looks of things, the males had much better chances of defeating the creatures with their larger and more powerful physical prowess. However, they were fewer in number among the forces, and they were being targeted just like the unique elemental casters. Already, some of the beastkin’s flying brethren arrived, firing downward onto the swarm of insectoid people.
For a moment, it didn’t look like the enemies had much of an answer to these attacks, but then projectile spines started being launched out of some different, lithe-looking beetles in the rear. His scouts worked on taking these creatures out first.
Then Vesuvius and his men and women on foot finally arrived to flank the front of the insectoid army. Some enemies had peeled off to meet them, but it appeared as though their desire to consume the Vouivre was ingrained in them. They didn’t seem to understand tactics–as they continued pushing fruitlessly against the natives, who were definitely the weaker threat. This would make Hearthtribe crushing them much easier.
Javelins were launched first, manifestations of beasts softening up the targets, removing arms and legs, or weakening their stone-covered carapaces. Many enemies died in the first volley, the warriors giving their fierce battle cry as their hearts sang the song of battle.
As Echidna’s Paladin, a Lava Warden of Scales, Vesuvius was granted several faith-based abilities. The first, and perhaps most important and befitting a beastkin chieftain, was his Monstrous Aura. Auril, mana, and faith infused with Echidna’s chaos emanated from Vesuvius, wrapping around his allies in a reddish-bronze haze as his heart beat, empowering them in numerous ways.
How each ally was strengthened or protected varied, usually enhancing their monstrous or bestial features that made them special. A cobra beastkin moved faster, or their attacks became more venomous. A turtle beastkin’s skin and shell became harder and more durable, or their control over water became more powerful. All those that were covered by his Aura also grew ever so slightly, and were strengthened and hastened a little.
Other warriors and clergy activated their abilities, special effects filling Vesuvius’s view with red flames, blue ice, green or black venom, holy light or darkness, and more. A kaleidoscope of colors washed over the beetles with the beastkin’s bestial manifestations of animal ferocity as they were slain, various Divine called upon, and strong warriors carved through the enemies rapidly.
It quickly became a pitched battle, his brethren joining the fray and killing the insectoid monsters as many spread out to meet them in combat to help the natives. There didn’t appear to be any casters among the insectoids, only warriors and spine shooters. And they were warriors who were no match for his people’s strength, spirit, equipment, and skill.
Hearthtribe cut a vicious line across the battlefield, cleaving and cutting them down rapidly, relieving the danger for the natives. The rain of arrows and javelins poisoned the beetles or damaged them with their spiritual attacks, softening them up to where even the Vouivre found much more luck with their spells.
While the water and earthen attacks of the Vouivre didn’t seem to work well, his people’s half-physical and half-spiritual manifestations hit hard and caused their defenses to fail. It wasn’t that the Vouivre were weak; it was that these enemies were chosen to counter them–this much was clear.
Vesuvius saw a larger figure near the middle of the army, its mandibles and antennae lighting up and vibrating with his wings buzzing. It appeared to be some kind of commander or leader, so conveying his will with his song, Vesuvius directed his people to fight toward him.
Spearheading the formation, Vesuvius had already reached his maximum size, his glaive sweeping viciously across the beetles and shredding several of them in half with each swing. He towered over the monsters, and his body was physically domineering in both speed and power thanks to his auril enhancements. Any that managed to swarm past his glaive or allies received a deadly claw or tail swipe, destroying them with his monstrous presence.
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Occasionally he sent out gusts of flames and lava blasting over the beetle people from his glaive, devastating their formations and filling the monsters with fear as they shrieked in agony.
Flames and lava were not something they defended well against; their innards were cooked even through their earthen protections. But the monsters still came, still swarmed toward him, and his men and women cut them down expertly, hastened with supernatural strength from his Aura.
As they neared the commander, a boss-level enemy, the monster reacted by altering their formations. The beetles became more organized, timing their attacks and swarming. They used their brethren’s own deaths to find openings, and their durable bodies to accept blows and latch onto their weapons, but Vesuvius and his brethren were experienced in dealing with this tactic.
They had their own deadly tools. Vesuvius’s swings became more sweeping, more spinning–allowing his tail or free claw to become a defensive counterpoint, to fill in the gaps between his attacks.
His lizard brethren did the same, but others merely coordinated with their brothers' and sisters’ heartbeats. Where an unprotected chest or back presented itself, or a blade got stuck in the beetle’s flesh, their allies’ glaive or spear was just a breath away, cutting down the next monster.
The commander buzzed out some more orders, and crouched down–Vesuvius had seen this many times, so he was not surprised when it rocketed toward him. With a roar, he leapt and met the giant beetle’s scything pincer, stopping its assault and knocking the monster back.
Vesuvius grinned–he had been building up the heat in his chest for a while now. While he expended some of it from time to time, he had kept himself running hot, prepared to release his [Chaotic Wyrm Breath]. With a small prayer to his Goddess, the lava in his chest was transformed with the chaos of monsters, and he breathed out a powerful blast to the surrounding area.
While lava was largely the makeup of the blast that washed over the enemies, it included various other attributes spread out. Poison, acid–which felt redundant to the lava–death and darkness, and some that he couldn’t identify.
The insectoids all shrieked in agony, and the commander expended some form of magic to protect itself, powerful vibrations emanating from its body. While some of the breath burned away at the creature’s stone and gem carapace, it was dulled significantly.
He hadn’t used the breath attack to harm it, anyway–that was just a bonus. Vesuvius just didn’t want the chaff to get in the way of their fight. Because as a follower of Echidna, a monstrous desire pulsed through him. He leapt at the reeling beetle, his glaive swinging down with frenzied might.
The monster blocked with its scythes crisscrossed, but his weight and power dug its feet into the ground, shattering stone. A manifestation of a claw struck the monster in the jaw, and then Vesuvius spun, his tail carrying a maw of a lava monitor. It bit down onto its shoulder as his tail struck, and his glaive swung after, targeting the monster’s head and chest.
Each swing, whether the monster blocked the attack in its feeble defense with its scythe-like arms, wounded the monster by carving off a piece of stone flesh. Vesuvius’s glaive danced along with his large, yet agile body, each swing carrying his desire to rend, to break.
And to dominate, all in the name of his goddess.
He roared as he ducked under a futile swing with a twist, planting his foot and swinging with all his might around and upward. A deep cut nearly cleaved the monster in two, and Vesuvius rushed forward, to grasp onto the two sides of its chest with his clawed hands, and heaved.
With a feral roar from Vesuvius and a burst of power, the monster’s chest was ripped nearly in half, and he breathed a gout of flames into the hole, killing the monster. Lifting up his glaive, he roared in triumph, encouraging his allies to fight harder.
[Rift Commander slain, Rift weakened, and 13,237 CP Earned. Reinforcements slowed for 72 hours. To close Rift, you must defeat the Rift Boss. Individual invaders killed will grant CP based on difficulty.]
Once he killed the commander, the army of insectoids turned and began to flee. Updating his orders with his heart’s song, he had his people give chase for a time, taking down many of them as they went. They were able to keep up with their fleeing forms for half of a mile through the winding caverns as they cut them down, not wanting to have to face them later.
Eventually, he called his people back as the cave became more complicated, wanting to wait until they could properly scout the area and learn more about their opponents. The insectoids seemed at home within the tunnels, and he didn’t want his people lured into a trap.
As they returned, the many wounded Vouivre men and women had gathered outside the city. His shamans and priestesses marched over, and began working on patching them up without issue.
Vesuvius ordered his people to rest and recover, but to keep a perimeter and for his scouts to seek out the enemy and map out the area. While Davonius was rare as a chameleon, they had many serpent and lizard beastkin with a more stealthy parentage, making them excellent at sneaking. Array Flags would be placed to facilitate long-range communication and sensory, and they would prepare for any threats and ambushes.
His people immediately brought out items from their Storage Bracelets to cook and eat, as well as took their usual pills, to help them recover and consolidate the strength and experience gained from their victory. The many reptile beastkin females and new Elysian mates were all too happy to start placing meat on spits, preparing food to revitalize their clanmates.
Seeing this camp being established by the lake, the natives formed a group and started heading over to his people.
As the leader of this force, it was up to Vesuvius to meet the leaders of the natives. They had a protocol for those interacting to be courteous to natives addressing them, but to direct them to him or the nearest Hearthtribe officer.
With his honor guard of men, he walked over to meet them. The group was largely women. Many of the males were targeted by the insects, but he also knew that the ratio of females to males was high. Unfortunately, it had just gotten worse.
In the front was a regal woman, who actually stood almost eye-to-eye with Vesuvius. Because her lower body was a lizard about the size of a horse, and her humanoid torso was placed atop the front where the lizard’s head would usually be. She wore a stone and gem armor like the rest, but with what looked like denser material and more resplendent gems that hummed with earthen power. The staff she held looked powerful, with a prismatic gem that radiated light.
Vesuvius couldn’t help but notice her beauty, but the woman was like a walking light show, after all. Her pink scales and pale flesh, which weren’t covered by the armor or barding, were coated in a smattering of glimmering rubies, amethysts, and diamonds, making her shimmer in the underworld’s dim light.
Her pink hair and amber eyes were striking, with a human face that matched many of the beastkin. She wore a crown of gems and gold, but it looked far too big for her own head, as if it were meant for someone else. It also contrasted with how she was dirtied and bloodied, and previously involved in the fighting.
As always, Vesuvius and his heart listened, and he attempted to sense the area with his spirit. On Highlands with auril surrounding him, this was natural and intuitive as it was the perfect medium for it, but on this world there was none other than what spilled out naturally from his people’s presence, or Sublimations during battle.
The woman spoke first, and her voice was almost musical, carrying an odd hum of calm serenity that contrasted her tired, yet thankful expression along with it. “You and your warriors have my gratitude, valiant stranger. I am Lissandra, newly crowned queen of the Crystal Citadel.”
Perhaps it was merely her voice, but something in his blood made him be drawn to her, to desire her. And he saw his men making big eyes at her–and getting smacked by their lovers, noticing their odd behavior. Vesuvius was not the only one that felt this way.
He replied, “The honor is mine. I am Subordinate Chief Vesuvius of Hearthtribe, commander of these forces.”
“Then I thank you and your tribe; you saved my people from a terrible slaughter. Our home is gone… there’s nothing left for us to offer you in return. We owe you and your people a tremendous debt for your timely aid.”
Vesuvius smiled, and spoke proudly. “We do not wish for payment; Hearthtribe only desires to protect life, and to protect the sanctity of family. If it is a wish of yours to repay us, then the path is simple. Join the Framework and take up your weapons and fight by our side, or help those who have lost rebuild.” He paused, looking over the Vouivre that remained. “I see many of you have not joined the Framework. Why is that?”
“It’s…complicated. But in simple terms, our king rejected it, and ordered us to refuse it. Those you see here that accepted it were the people of this small village, who hadn’t heard his mandate before they made their choice, or otherwise joined after he died.”
“Does his order stop you now? Why would he reject it?”
Lissandra sighed. “It doesn’t, but we didn't have much time after we arrived at this Nexus Node to consider our options and classes, before the insects arrived. As for why… My father… he has a bit of what you call reptile brain? He saw it as a threat to his sovereignty, and would not listen to reason. I fled with what remained of our people, and their forces followed us here.”
Vesuvius tilted his head, frowning in confusion. “Reptile brain? What do you mean?”
She laughed, and gestured to herself and her own pink lizard body. “There are many wonderful things about lizards and reptiles when compared to the other creatures of the animal kingdom, but they are often…impulsive when it comes to threats, a primal instinct that drives their responses.”
Lissandra sighed, and took on a sad tone. “Unfortunately, Father saw the Framework as much of a threat as the invaders themselves, and sought to dominate it, and my mothers and I couldn’t talk him out of it. He was a strong warrior, but that wasn’t enough against these insects. We lost him, my mothers and sisters, and many of our most powerful warriors before I could rally the rest to flee as the last in the royal line.”
Vesuvius hadn’t heard this in their reports. He didn’t think it likely that this was common or widespread on Serthune. It seemed to just be an unfortunate thing that happened with this kingdom in particular, of which there were many across the globe.
He replied, “A tragedy, my sympathies. I am glad that we made it in time to save those who remain. Rest assured, we are here to help drive off the invaders, and reclaim this world–including your lost city. We have reinforcements on their way, hundreds, even thousands more if necessary, to arrive here in the next week to aid us.”
Lissandra let out a sigh of relief, and smiled. “That is reassuring, especially if they are nearly as strong as you and your warriors. Thank you so much.” She looked over to those getting the food ready. “I see your people are…cooking and have plenty of supplies, from the looks of it. For us… we fled in a hurry, and…”
Vesuvius smiled as she trailed off, and he cut her off so she wouldn’t have to ask. “Worry not. We have plenty of supplies, and we’d be happy to share some with those in need. Why don’t you and your people join us, and you can tell me more about your people and situation, and about this Crystal Citadel? And we can tell you a little more about the Framework, and my guild, Hearthtribe.”
Lissandra’s smile grew wider, her gems brightened, and hummed more loudly along with her satisfied voice. “Truly, you and your people are true heroes. I must say… seeing you triumph over that creature our males couldn’t defeat, I couldn’t help but be impressed by your might. I’d love to hear more about you and your people’s cultures.”
Vesuvius had a satisfied grin, reflecting the happy beats of his heart as he gestured for her to follow him to their camp. While the Vouivre people of the Crystal Citadel had suffered, his people had rescued them in the nick of time. This foray was successful from this action alone, but they would do more. A lot more.
There was no doubt in his mind that this queen had gratitude in her heart and was ready to do what it took to aid her people. Hearthtribe had just gained a valuable ally, and he was sure similar scenes were taking place all over Serthune.
In all, Vesuvius was already liking this place. Like the dungeon floor he couldn’t help but be attracted to, this place felt perfect for his people. He would fight hard, and claim this world for Hearthtribe.
