So I'm a Bat, Big Deal

They plunged down the winding staircase into the darkness, and Herald lit up the top of his magic staff. The flickering light cast eerie shadows on the stone walls, and the sound of their footsteps echoed ominously. They had no idea what lay in wait at the bottom. When they reached the end of the stairs, they were met with two archways: one leading out of the dungeon and the other descending to the fourth floor. I took a deep breath, then surged through the archway to the fourth floor, following the adventurers.

I burst forth from the swirling cerulean light, standing before a massive brick wall that commanded attention. My eyes were drawn to a grand black iron gate, adorned with foreboding metal crows that seemed to watch my every move. Beyond that gate, a vivid crimson stone path twisted through a dark forest of bare ebony trees, stark against the backdrop of a scorching desert. Cacti stood tall beside ancient stone huts, while the towering dunes concealed mysterious caves and tunnels beneath their surface. The sun beat down with relentless intensity, its heat wrapping around me like a fiery embrace, threatening to sear my skin.

[Oh, look at you, stumbling into a Dark Lord quest! Spoiler alert: "no" is not an option. You better haul your lazy bones through the desert and capture five familiars to honor the territory I command you to take the second you stumble out of this dungeon. If you dare to flunk this mission, prepare for the charming consequence of losing five levels and two random abilities. Good luck with that!]

"What's the deal with losing levels and abilities if I bail on the Dark Lord quest? Seriously, why does that even happen?"

[So, you think you can dodge those Dark Lord quests? How charmingly naïve. There are always consequences. Sure, you can opt for failure, but the fallout will be a delightful nightmare. And replacing you? Oh, what a fun little chore that will be! So do us both a favor and comply.]

I guess it's pointless to resist this time around. Losing levels and abilities? No thanks, especially if it's just a roll of the dice on what I lose. "Alright, I'm up for the challenge. Let's get this quest rolling!"

[Oh joy, another tiny shuffle toward your reign of terror. Eventually, you may be the proud owner of a sinister title.]

I soared high above the treetops, my eyes catching sight of a distant black castle, a mere dot on the horizon. Suddenly, the sky erupted with a jolt, electrifying my wings and sending me spiraling downwards, yellow flashes dancing ominously overhead. I struggled to regain my altitude, but the tree line remained stubbornly out of reach.

[Wow, look at that! Your Mimic ability is recharged. Time to pick a shape—because clearly, that's the highlight of your existence.]

"I urge each of you to ensure that you are ready for our expedition into the desert," said Ryder

"This promises to be quite the adventure ahead. Make sure to wear your light garments." Herald extracted a scroll from his bag, unfurling it and placing it on the ground.

"So, you're really going to give that new summoning scroll a shot? Just making sure you know it's a one-time deal. Once the magic's gone, there's no bringing it back, you know?" Valen pointed out.

"This is the time to activate it. Should it function even a fraction as well as the shopkeeper promised, I'd gladly acquire a few more while we're in town to assist us in our dungeon adventures," Herald said. He crouched down, his palm resting on the scroll, infusing it with his mana in a surge of power. The scroll erupted in a vibrant brown light, a deep growl reverberating through the air. He quickly stood, urgency in his tone. "Everyone, move back! Allow the magic to take its course!"

As they stepped back from the scroll, a peculiar sight emerged—a diminutive carriage perched atop it, looking somewhat like a colonial style. Without warning, it began to inflate. A thunderous rumble reverberated, and the carriage swelled again, growing larger and larger until it became a robust wooden carriage, its white cloth covering gleaming in the light, boasting a covered seat in front, a lever, and a steering wheel.

"I get your point, but I really don't see why you wouldn't just go for a mobility familiar instead of leaning on scrolls. It would be way more effective, and honestly, you have the magical energy to pull it off," said Valen.

"Animal dander wreaks havoc upon my senses, and the spells meant to alleviate my plight leave me feeling disoriented. On that note, when will you finally part with that bat? I cannot possibly endure this desert journey with it in the carriage. It must either remain outside or be sent away. I would much rather see it gone; a bat is not a creature to keep as a pet," Herald insisted.

"I wonder if it could help keep pesky mosquitoes at bay?" said Misty.

"I doubt that mosquitoes will pose a significant threat worth our focus in this place. Surely, the dungeon desert will be teeming with far more pressing dangers that will capture our worries," said Herald.

"Regardless of the situation, he's an important party member," said Misty.

"Though he was a valuable ally in the last level due to his light magic skills, those talents won't serve us well in a desert filled with beings accustomed to abundant light. Zombies are nothing like the desert's inhabitants, and that insignificant bat will only complicate matters. To make matters worse, I'm allergic to its fur, and I refuse to suffer through constant sneezing while we navigate this harsh terrain! The bat has to go!" said Herald.

"So you want to just use him and throw him away, that's what you're saying?" said Misty.

"We offered him sustenance, a place to rest, and protection in the last level. All debts to him have been settled. I hold no guilt for my actions, and it's clear he intended to descend to this level regardless, a journey we aided him in completing. Now, it is time for us to part ways."

"Well I don't feel like we've done enough for him at all and if you're going to force me to kick him out of the party then I'm leaving with him!" said Misty.

"Wait a minute! No one has to exit the party just yet. I believe we can sort this out," Ryder said.

"You can't bail on us! I'd be the only woman in the group, and who would I have to joke around with? Plus, who's going to help me recover after a fight? I'd probably end up looking pretty rough, and you'd feel bad about it later, wouldn't you? Is that bat really more important than the rest of us? Just give it a little something to eat and let it go. It's not like you've contracted it to be your familiar or anything," said Valen.

With a deep exhale, I slipped behind a gnarled tree, the world around me fading into shadows. I savored the rich taste of human blood from my hidden stash, feeling the power surge through my veins. A blinding light enveloped me, and just like that, I was back in my vampire form, ready to reintroduce myself. I secured the bracelet around my ankle, ensuring it remained concealed. Rummaging through the remnants of the store on the upper floor, I dressed in loose white pants, a long tunic, and cloth shoes that gripped the ground. A lightweight hooded robe flowed around me, and I packed a bag with water bottles and some dried meat to finish off my look. My knife found its place on my belt, a silent promise that I could defend myself without crossing the line. Here we go; let's hope they don't all attack me at once.

Coming Next Time: Reveal and Rescue Mission