Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend-Chapter 63: How Bright You Can Shine

Blinding light sent Raegar trembling out of the tent, causing the adults to look at him weirdly as Lyra cast her magic on him. ''That's what happens when you hide away in a dark tent and forgot about being in a desert.''

Shielding his eyes with one hand, he felt a wave of relief wash over him as he clambered to his feet. He stretched, muscles loosening, a faint sense of ease settling in as the elf woman ushered him over.

''Come on sleepy head,'' she said. ''Tarrin threatened to bury your share somewhere while leaving behind clues.''

''He wouldn't dare,'' Raegar chuckled as they approached the other three as they were bickering.

''It's all done Elaris, we split it evenly,'' Orin warned in a booming voice. ''Stop being a loot gremlin.''

The other two agreed with nods as the duo joined them. Tarrin turned to him while pointing at a nearby pile. ''That's yours. Put it away before I hide it.''

When he heard this, his eyes narrowed before replying. ''Touch my stuff and I'll shave your eyebrows while you sleep.''

Everyone started laughing after a few seconds as Tarrin chuckled and waved him away. ''Be gone you goblin.''

Raegar flashed the blonde man a smug, toothy grin before sauntering over to his loot. His eyes widened in pleasant surprise as he took in the haul, two hundred and eleven Tier One Aether Cores, each glimmering with a brown glow.

There were fifty-seven green cores and twenty-two Tier Three ones, a sight that sparked a satisfied grin. As he tossed them into his magic bag, he mused. 'This haul's going to fetch me a nice pile of gold.'

Next, he examined the monster materials, a collection of fifty Fire Wolf teeth and claws, twenty Desert Worm teeth, and nineteen Death Scorpion stingers. Raegar stored it all away before turning back to the group.

They were all staring at him as Elaris giggled. ''Looks like we've found a loot goblin, you see how his eyes shone with greed like those little green bastards,'' he commented.

Everyone agreed but Raegar ignored them with a chuckle and packed up his tent before leaving the Safe Room and headed toward the ninth floor. The adults quickly caught up as Tarrin warned. ''This next part will be the hardest if I'm honest. Boggarts and Trolls infest this level.''

''What are they?'' he asked the older man. ''I've never read about them.''

''Hulking Tier Three creatures that hide in the murky water and are usually covered with mud and swamp weed,'' Orin answered as he took his position at the front. ''Their claws are sharp, and don't be fooled by their size, they can move fast.''

When Raegar heard this, he nodded before the group approached a staircase down and made their way to the ninth floor, which was a mix of mountains and swamp that sent a shiver down his spine.

'Damn nightmarish dungeon,' he pondered while spotting a path that traced through it. 'I hate swamps.'

Following that, Orin led the way with Raegar closely behind and Tarrin protecting the women whose heads snapped all over the place. Once they stepped onto the dirt path, the nearby water exploded.

Dozens of dog-sized crabs emerged, scuttling in their direction with alarming speed. Spotting the newcomers, he unleashed a barrage of Stormfire Bullets. The projectiles struck the monsters' shells and detonated on impact, sending them skidding backward.

Raegar noticed the creature wasn't dead as it charged forward, just as Orin let out a roar, causing the enemies to head straight for him as Lyra dragged him back as Tarrin and Elaris killed the ones that circled the defender.

''Mirelurk Crabs,'' the elf woman said. ''Nasty Tier Two monsters, target their eyes or joints to bring them down.''

He looked at the Lyra and nodded with a smile. ''Thanks.''

Moments later, he crouched down while casting Enhancement, causing Aether to rush throughout his body as it strengthened him even further before exploding forward and rushing into the swarm of Mirelurks.

Raegar dodged their pincer snaps as he started cutting through their leg joints before targeting their faces with his magic. Lightningfire Blast cooked them from the inside out while he dodged all their attacks.

Ten minutes later, the last crab dropped dead when Orin crushed it with his hammer, causing the blood to fly everywhere. Raegar was breathing heavily as he was covered in mud and guts of the exploding creatures.

While standing in the mud, Orin picked him up by the scruff of his neck and spoke in an amused tone. ''Come on kid, stop playing in the swamp.''

''Shut up I wasn't doing no such thing,'' he retorted after trying to free himself from the giant man's grasp. ''I killed more than you.''

The bear-like man gently set him down, his massive hand lingering to tousle his hair with a tender, almost fatherly touch. ''I know,'' he said, his voice warm. ''Getting to fight beside someone so strong, yet so young, it's a rare gift, one I'm grateful to witness.''

''Aye, that's right!'' Tarrin chimed in, slinging an arm around Raegar's shoulders with a grin that carried both pride and affection.

The older man walked away before continuing with fiery blue eyes. ''You've got the spark of something extraordinary in you, kid. Hold fast to those dreams of yours, and when the day comes, when you show the world just how bright you can shine, I hope I'm standing there, close enough to bask in that glow you'll cast.''

Raegar stood speechless, a quiet smile tugging at his lips as he nodded, warmth blooming in his chest. The group pressed onward, and Lyra slipped beside him, her eyes wide with astonishment.

''Those brutes have taken a shine to you, Rae,'' she said, her voice laced with wonder. ''It's not every day you see them open up like this.''

''What do you mean?'' he curiously asked.

Elaris was the one to answer with a giggle. ''They are aggressive with other adventurers but when my Tarrin saw you he softened for some reason.''

Following that, the group continued through the ninth floor while slaying more Mirelurk Crabs as they tried to attack them, but thanks to Raegar, the creatures were quickly dealt with, which gave him tons of cooked crab meat.

The adults found him strange with his obsession with food, but their curiosity turned to astonishment when he convinced Orin into tasting it. Instantly, the bear man began gathering it himself, leaving the others dumbfounded.

Shortly after, while Tarrin was busy carving meat from the dead crabs, a sudden blur lunged at him from the shadows. Raegar caught sight of the threat and in a heartbeat, he cast Flash Step, intercepting the attack with his daggers.

As the monster's fist slammed into his blades, he felt a bone-rattling jolt surge through him, sending him hurtling across the swamp as his vision blurred thanks to the sudden pain just as a piercing screech split the air.

Moments later, a Carrionwraith descended and quickly grabbed Raegar before speeding away just after the beast headbutted him, knocking him out cold. When Orin saw this happened, he went mad and crushed the Boggart with his hammer.

More of the humanoid creatures appeared, causing him to go wild and wipe them all out, as Elaris started sending Fire Bolts at the flying creature, but it was too far for their magic to reach.

Tarrin shouted to the group. ''We need to find the kid before moving on! He's the key to defeating the Devil Lord on the ninth as the other two hunters have gone missing!'' he exclaimed while preparing for battle.

While the adults rushed after the Carrionwraith, the creature in question dropped the unconscious Raeger at a ledge overlooking the swamp. An hour later, the monster returned, which woke him up.

'What the hell happened?' he thought as his head spun.

Seconds later, the vulture-like monster appeared in his vision, causing him to jump out of his skin before casting Lightningfire Blast at it. The sudden attack destroyed the Carrionwraith and sent its corpse tumbling off the ledge.

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Raegar jolted upright, his arms throbbing with pain, a grunt escaping him as he struggled to his feet. His eyes darted around, quickly taking in his surroundings. ''Damn, above the swamp! This place is turning into a bloody nightmare,'' he muttered under his breath.

Just then more Carrionwraiths screeched, causing him to jump down the mountain using Flash Step to reach solid ground. Once reaching the swamp, nothing attacked, allowing him to relax for a second.

While sitting down, he pulled out his waterskin and downed some cold water, which made him feel better as he had a dry mouth. Moments later, explosions rang out in the distance, causing his gaze to snap in that direction.

''Looks like the group are looking for me,'' he mumbled. ''Let's head in their direction.''

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