Memory Soup
Part 11
As the adventurers reached the top of the stairs, they were greeted by several giant arachnids, which had made their fair share of the spider webs in the ancient tower.
"More spiders," Infinity groaned.
The arachnids hissed while the humanoids drew their weapons. Silverclaw took on the closest spider, raking her claws across its soft belly. Acidic green blood spilled out, miraculously leaving her untouched. Kilroy, Hamlet, and Horatio fired their blasters. They'd hit the second creature. It staggered forward and launched a sticky web, making them unable to move. Infinity and Kaladox were fighting the third spider. The Mitzelgranian struck it with his dagger.
"These things are tough," Horatio remarked, struggling against the paralyzing webbing that held him.
Infinity shrieked as one of the two remaining spiders bit her. Hamlet broke free of the webbing and fired on the spider that had bit her. He'd hit it, but the wound closed within seconds. Silverclaw growled and clawed the creature in a frenzied attack that left it for dead.
"Our blasters don't seem to have much of an effect on these things," Kilroy observed, as he finally got loose and hit the last spider. Its wound healed just as quickly as the others had.
"No, but Silverclaw and Kaladox have an advantage with their sharp weapons," Horatio responded. "The creatures must be resistant to energy blasts."
Infinity grabbed her sling and hit the third spider. Her staff hadn't done much, but the rocks injured it. Kaladox stabbed the arachnid with his dagger and mortally wounded it. He wiped the sweat and sticky green blood from his face.
"Let's hope there aren't any more of those things," Infinity said.
"Are you all right? You look slightly green," Kilroy observed.
"Perhaps the spider was venomous," Horatio said.
Silverclaw reached into her backpack for the healing salve and handed it to Infinity. "Put a little of this on your injury. It will stop any poison."
She dabbed some of the salve onto her wound and felt a mild tingling sensation. "It seems to be working."
"Of course," Silverclaw answered. "It has been perfected through many generations of healers."
After Infinity gave the salve back, the werewolf stored it in her backpack. Then they continued exploring. The rest of the second level was mostly like the first -- completely empty except for cobwebs and a few items made of Venusium, which had survived through the ages. One of those items was another metallic instruction tablet that Kaladox picked up. A few hours later, they reached the third level.
* * * * *
There was a noticeable shift in the air on the tower's third level. It was much more humid here, but the temperature was very cool.
"Look," Hamlet remarked, noticing that some water damage had been done to the walls, as if there had recently been a flood.
"What do you suppose happened?" his twin asked.
"I don't know."
Infinity reached up and touched the wall. "It's still damp," she said in surprise
.
"Strange," Kaladox muttered.
As they moved forward, the sound of rushing water could be heard in the distance, but no apparent source could be seen. Suddenly, Silverclaw sniffed the air.
"There is at least one shadow skulker close by. The scent is very strong," she said.
The creature appeared behind them and exhaled its frigid breath. The amulets of protection everyone wore glowed brightly, saving them all from becoming frozen. Kilroy turned and fired his blaster. The sapphire energy beam struck the creature. Hamlet and Horatio also fired their weapons. Infinity bashed it with her staff, managing to make a small wound. Silverclaw became a frenzied blur, slashing the shadow skulker with her razor-sharp claws. Kaladox shouted in ancient Mitzelgranian and a bright flash appeared from nowhere. The shadow skulker roared with rage as it was blinded.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Kilroy fired again. Unable to see, the creature backed away as it was hit with blast after blast. Hamlet and Horatio also shot at it. Infinity gave the shadow skulker a good whack. Silverclaw raked it again. The creature was definitely injured.
Recovering from its blindness, the shadow skulker hissed and punched Kilroy, who was the closest in proximity. He doubled over in pain and felt an icy shiver travel down his spine. Kaladox shouted again, causing the creature to be blinded once more. Infinity bashed it with her staff, aggravating the previous injury she'd caused. The shadow skulker's blood froze immediately. Silverclaw hit the creature hard. It hissed in pain. Horatio and Hamlet opened fire, both scoring hits. The monster was down.
"Are you all right?" Infinity asked Kilroy, who was clutching his wound.
"I'm fine," he answered through clenched teeth.
"Yeah, sure. Let me see that."
Gasping, he removed his hand from the wound in his chest. He was bleeding and still shivering from the shadow skulker's icy touch. She took a bandage out of her backpack and applied it.
"You'll have to change this in a few hours," she said.
"All right." Kilroy wasn't sure when he'd first noticed it, but Infinity Armstrong was quite an attractive woman. Would she be angry if he kissed her? Well, there was only one way to find out. Mentally crossing his fingers, he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thanks."
She smiled. "Anytime."
Hamlet and Horatio exchanged glances.
Kaladox cleared his throat and said, "We should get moving."
And so they continued onward.
* * * * *
To be continued...
