Another Ambush

Navigating through level forty-six offered Amukelo and Eliss a comparative respite from the relentless hostility they had encountered in the depths below. The environment, though still fraught with danger, seemed somewhat more forgiving, presenting challenges that, while still formidable, did not push them to their limits as prior levels had. This relative ease allowed them to take slightly longer rests, a strategic decision that balanced the need for vigilance with the necessity of recovery.

Their journey through this level was marked by an increased opportunity for rest. Unlike the deeper levels, where every shadow could conceal a deadly threat, level forty-six allowed them brief moments of peace. These breaks were crucial, not just for their physical recuperation but also for mental preparation. However, with only two of them, every rest period had to be calculated carefully. The time spent resting was double what it would be for a larger group, a stark reminder of their vulnerability and the need for efficient time management.

After several days of cautious progression, they approached yet another crossing—this time leading to level forty-five. Their approach to each threshold was laden with apprehension, the memory of past ambushes, particularly by Leviathan, ever-present in their minds. As they moved through the crossing, Amukelo and Eliss prepared for the worst, their senses heightened, expecting an attack at any moment. Yet, surprisingly, nothing happened.

This absence of conflict, while a relief, paradoxically heightened their anxiety. They had grown accustomed to the dungeon's capricious and often cruel surprises, and the lack of an immediate threat was disconcerting. It felt almost as if the dungeon was holding its breath, gathering strength for some unforeseen assault. This sensation of eerie calm made them wary, their steps measured and their conversations hushed as they navigated through the crossing.

The odd sense of peace, this anomaly in their long ordeal, left them with mixed emotions. On one hand, they were relieved to not face any immediate dangers, allowing them to conserve their strength and resources. On the other, their seasoned instincts screamed that this was indeed the calm before a storm, a deceptive lull that could precede a devastating strike.

As they continued deeper into level forty-five, their tension mounted. Each shadow seemed to conceal potential threats, each silence a harbinger of chaos yet to unfold. The levels above them held no promise of another oasis like the one that had provided such crucial respite before. The rarity of such sanctuaries weighed on their minds, a nagging reminder of their isolation and the slim chances of finding such peace again. Yet, the small possibility of discovering another oasis provided a thin thread of hope, a reason to push forward amidst the uncertainty.

Finally, after days of tense navigation and vigilant watchfulness, they arrived at yet another crossing. The threshold before them marked not just a physical boundary between levels but a symbolic boundary between the known and the unknown. With each step, they were drawing closer to the surface, each level ascended a small victory in their relentless pursuit of escape. But the path forward was fraught with the unknown, each crossing a test of their resolve and a measure of the journey they had survived.

As Amukelo and Eliss approached the crossing to level forty-four, their steps cautious and eyes keenly scanning the shadows, they witnessed an unexpected sight. A group of cloaked figures emerged from the higher level, their movements deliberate and purposeful. The sudden appearance caught Amukelo and Eliss off guard, their minds racing to identify these mysterious figures. It took only moments for the realization to sink in—this was Oxius and his followers.

Amukelo's mind whirred into action, his strategic instincts flaring. He whispered urgently to Eliss, "We can get rid of them here. I don't think it's just a coincidence that we see them now, but if we play this right, we might be able to defeat them once and for all."

Eliss, though hesitant and aware of the stakes involved, understood the gravity of the moment. With a grave nod, she signaled her agreement. Amukelo quickly devised a plan, "Going into open space isn't a good idea, so once they get closer to the passage we will strike."

They watched intently as the cloaked team battled the dungeon's monsters, making their way towards the broader path that led through the crossing. Once Oxius's group was sufficiently close, Amukelo and Eliss launched their surprise attack. The cloaked figures, taken aback by the sudden assault, started to sprint towards the exit in a desperate bid to escape.

Eliss, with a focused incantation, cast a powerful spell designed to slow their adversaries. Her magic struck true, causing one of the figures to collapse to the ground, motionless. As the dust began to settle, the remaining figures turned and counterattacked—not as followers of Oxius, but as undead, their true nature revealed under the stress of combat.

The revelation sent a chill down their spines, but they had little time to ponder as the situation escalated. The crossing to level forty-four was collapsied, the structures around them crumbling under an unseen force. It was then that a familiar, dark laughter echoed through the air, chilling and deep. Leviathan landed behind them with a thunderous impact, its laugh resonating with madness and malevolence.

"We've been playing this cat and mouse game for too long," Leviathan boomed, its voice filled with dark amusement. "It's time for your death."

Amukelo, struggling to maintain his composure against the overwhelming threat, yelled back defiantly, "Where is Oxius?" His voice was a mix of anger and desperation, seeking any information that might give them an edge.

Leviathan paused, considering the query with a sinister amusement. "And why would I tell you that?" it mocked. After a brief moment, it shrugged, as if the information was of no consequence to the dead. "It won't help you once you're dead anyway, so I might tell you. They are already at level forty-five."