D101 Chapter 192

Entering the mine, Varrus was quick to note how dark and eerie the place was. 

Breath fogging up due to the cold, Varrus shivered as a supernatural chill blanketed his shoulders. 

Feeling the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, he didn't have to wait long to hear the sounds of furious battle, and screams of despair in the distance. 

The noise echoed, and flashes of spell light moved from just around the corner. 

Frowning to himself, Varrus cast his Detect Life spell, and discovered that the cracks, crevices and seams of the mine were absolutely flooded with gigantic, horse sized spiders lying in ambush. 

“Should you wish, we could rush forward, and take the brunt of them, buying you time to reinforce Karwl and Liadran.” Rho'dan offered. 

An amulet enchanted with Detect Life/Dead hung from his neck, and he saw everything Varrus had seen. 

“I have a plan, give me a moment.” Varrus held up a hand, forestalling any further argument, and got to thinking. 

Knowing that time was of the essence, and that to cast a Destruction spell would likely bring the entire place down, Varrus opted for a more subtle approach. 

Searching his spell bank, Varrus pulled up a spell he rarely cast, but one that would guarantee safe passage. 

It was the Illusion spell: Harmony. 

Channeling the illusion magic, Varrus's hands glowed green for an instant, and when he dropped them, a great mint-green wave gushed out from his position. 

Flashy, yet non-destructive, Harmony spread through every tiny crack or crevice within a one mile radius. Each spider that was hit with this calm spell instantly lost all thoughts of aggression, and became as docile as a lamb. 

This, of course, triggered the perk: Neverworld. 

Which affected those under the geas of a calm spell, and placed them into a lotus-like dreamworld, from which they may never awake from. 

Of course, Varrus could've achieved a similar result if he had cast Mayhem, or Hysteria. A frenzy spell would have had all the spiders turn upon one another, and granted Varrus with plenty of farmable Soul Gems. 

However, Varrus could always return for them later. As they were paralyzed within their hidey-holes, these spiders weren't causing a ruckus, or blocking his path. 

As it stood, the road deeper into the mine was open! 

“Let's go.” Varrus ordered, then took point. 

“Ruff, ruff!” Omen barked at a frozen spider that was dangling down a web, but Varrus motioned for the dog to keep up. 

“Your father would be proud. Such a command over magic at such a young age. I've known perhaps five other Elves that could contest with you in terms of sheer variability.” Nightsong praised from behind. 

“I still have much to learn.” Varrus modestly replied. 

He still had to master his father's Mana Stone magic, and was eager to become adept at long range teleportation. There may be many spells, and skills within his toolkit, but like any mage hell bent on honing his craft, Varrus knew that he had only scratched the surface of what magic was capable of. 

“Never fear, Lady Nightsong, the Highlord is overly humble. With no teacher, or books for that matter, he has accomplished all this in less than 70 years.” Rho'dan complimented. 

“My little man has so much potential. I can't wait to see where you take it in a thousand years.” Nightsong said longingly. 

“Alright, alright, enough with the glazing.” Varrus said embarrassedly. “The battle is just around that bend. Let's get ready for a fight!” 

“Glazing? I cannot fathom the lingo of the youth these days.” Nightsong shook her head. 

“Perhaps the Highlord is a burgeoning potter?” Rho'dan said in a straight voice, yet it was a tone Varrus knew to be mockery. 

Ignoring the pair, Varrus came across a thick strand of webbing blocking his vision from the battle going on. 

Gesturing with his offhand, Varrus unleashed the Novice Destruction spell, Flames. 

Juiced up on his monstrous Spell Power, the jet of fire ate away at the sticky white substance with ease. 

What he saw on the other side made him mad. 

Of the over 1,000 troops sent on this expedition to discover rare earth minerals, he counted less than 200 still standing, with many more wriggling inside cocoons, or bleeding out on the cold hard cavern floor. 

“Oh, by the Light, the Prophet of Hope has arrived!” One man-who had evidently been cutting at the thick wall of webbing-got down on his knees, and threw himself at Varrus’s feet. 

Several others turned to Varrus, and likewise cried out to be saved. 

Varrus telekinetically moved the man away from his feet, and assessed the scene. 

Thousands of spiders were climbing around the wall, and the Covenant forces were on their breaking point. 

Karwl was up ahead, and had felled a Heroic beast, yet seemed to have succumbed to poison. Meanwhile, Liadran had lost her leg, and was blocking any further attacks from hitting Karwl by using her body as a shield. 

Seeing all this, now was the time to unleash a little Mayhem! 

Channeling the Master tier Illusion spell, an eerie red light gathered in the palm of Varrus's hands. 

Grinning at the eight eyed freaks, Varrus let the wave of red go.

Carrying with it the concepts of hate, slaughter, and madness, the all encompassing red light spread throughout the entire cavern, and infected the swarm of spiders. 

Making sure his Soul Cloak was active, Varrus put his hands behind his back, and strolled through the battlefield like Moses parting the Red Sea. 

Enemies ravenously tore into one another, and battered themselves bloody as they mindlessly turned against their kin. 

“Rho'dan, you men of the Crossguard, secure the wounded, and free those who are trapped in cocoons.” Varrus said over his shoulder as he advanced. 

“It will be done.” Rho'dan saluted, and then began to carry out his orders. 

As he moved towards Karwl and Liadran, Varrus was scanning the cavern for any further threats. It was dark and gloomy, and that cold sense of danger was still causing the goosebumps on the back of his neck to rise. 

Thankfully, he had Nightsong and Omen by his side, boosting his confidence. 

He didn't want to openly admit it, but confined, dark spaces gave him the willies. Knowing that he was severely limited in the spells he could wield whilst underground was also a factor that contributed to his unease. 

Afterall, when he fought above ground, he was free to unleash nuclear firestorms of untold magic. However, when he engaged the enemy underground, there were all sorts of considerations, cave-ins being only one of them. Who knew what kind of things he could awaken in the deeps? Or what ancient prisons he might break should he truly go all out? 

Furrowing his brows, Varrus saw a Heroic spider that had resisted his Mayhem spell, and was lunging at Karwl. 

Pulling the pair of Paladins back with telekinesis, Varrus pointed a finger at the monster. 

“Omen, get.” 

The labrador retriever needed no further instructions, and dashed at the massive three story-tall spider with gusto. 

The spider shot a bunch of acidic green goop at Omen, reminding Varrus of Nickelodeon slime. 

The foul smelling goo was met by a powerful pale-white moon beam that came from Omen’s mouth. 

Attack overpowered, the goo disintegrated, and the white beam pressed onward, frying half the spider’s body. 

Omen then increased his size to that of a house, and pounced on the arachnid, killing it when his glowing-white claws tore into its exoskeleton as if it were made of tissue paper. 

“Good boy, Omen!” Varrus cupped his hands, and praised. 

“The animal is remarkable. Your trip to the Emerald Dream was well worth it. However, do not become overly reliant on the power of beasts. You have seen the fate of the Sunstriders, and their contract to Phoenixes. Self reliance and sound leadership will be your boons in the long term.” Nightsong praised at first, but then offered some words of wisdom. 

“Thanks mom, I try.” Varrus wryly smiled, and said slightly dismissively, as he was kind of more interested in healing Karwl of his poison, and Liadran of her missing leg. 

It seemed it didn't matter what time period, world, or age. Mom’s would be mom’s. 

Shaking his head, Varrus turned to Karwl first-as he was legitimately on the verge of death-and cast Dispel Magic into Infinite Light.  

Power washing the beam of pure Light energy across the Kobold, Varrus activated its bouncing beam ability, and healed Liadran, along with the injured soldiers that Rho'dan had grouped up. 

“Karwl good boy too. Karwl save friends. Make Covenant strong.” Karwl slowly said from the ground, and looked up at Varrus with a look as if he were seeking validation. 

“Karwl saved many lives today, First Seat. He has my respect, and my friendship.” Liadran added. 

“Yes, Karwl has been a good boy.” Varrus chuckled, and patted Karwl on the head. 

“Yes, yes!” Karwl leaned into the head pat with a bashful smile. 

“Welcome, Shard of Akatosh, and to you too, Dragonborn. It is good to finally see you two after all I went through to bring you here.” A sultry, mature woman's voice-one that oozed confidence-echoed in the chamber. 

“The enemy! Karwl said it just like the dark chamber!” The Kobold swore, and stood in front of Varrus protectively, pickaxe in hand.

Head snapping up, and heart racing, Varrus spotted the source of the voice. 

There, at the back of the chamber, in a previously darkened corner, was a statue of a beautiful arachno-woman. 

Eyes going wide, Varrus recognized her as Mephala, one of the Daedric Princes! 

From what Varrus could recall, she was known for peddling secrets, passionate sex, lies, murder and secrets. As one of the three Daedra worshipped by the Dunmer of Morrowind, she had taught them much, and was the direct inspiration for the famed assassins guild, the Morag Tong! 

“What foul plot does the Webspinner have in mind for my son.” Nightsong took a protective step forward, and placed herself between Varrus and the statue. 

“How perceptive of you, Shard. Your son is about to herald forth a passionate orgy of sex and murder the likes of which haven't been seen since your world's Sundering. How could I not take an interest in such a fine young man.” 

“....you're telling me you killed off a portion of my men…just to get my attention?!” Varrus said angrily, and took a threatening step forward. 

“Oh Dragonborn, so predictable. Your kind are always so one minded when it comes to slaughter, it's almost laughable. As if you would come into the spiders lair for any other reason.” Maphela spoke in a patronizing tone that questioned Varrus's intelligence. 

Feeling a vein pulse on his forehead, Varrus took a deep breath, and pulled back. Recalling the statue of Hircine back under the church in Gilneas, he recalled how impossible it was to destroy these statues. 

Smiling to himself, Varrus stared at the statue, then glanced at his comrades as a nasty thought came to mind. 

The smart thing to do, would be to turn around, and bombard this spot from the sky until it was glassed. That way all her minions would be deceased. Then, he could bury it again, and walk away. 

After all, this was the Goddess of lies. 

There really could be no benefit whatsoever to engaging with her. 

Closing his eyes, Varrus plied his knowledge on the Muffle spell, and examined the shroud. 

Pushing it to its limit, Varrus gathered Muffle in his hands, and turned it into an AOE field, shielding his side of the cavern from the Daedric Prince's voice. His intention was to block out everything she said, so that neither he, nor any of his forces could be tempted by her sweet words. 

“Come on, let's go. This statue can't do anything to us here. Speaking with her will only poison our minds.” Varrus said, motioning to everyone to move out. 

As they were filing out, and had just reached the edge of the room, a Ranger with a lieutenants command emblem sewn onto her cloak approached him in a hurry. 

“First Seat! First Seat!” She cried out in a panic. 

“Step back knave, this is your only warning!” The blade wielding Crossguardsman drew his sword, and stepped forward menacingly. 

“What is it?” Varrus narrowed his eyes, concerned that perhaps one of his troops had been compromised. 

“The, the statue was siphoning the souls of the fallen! It was getting stronger the more that people perished!” The woman gasped. 

Varrus widened his eyes. 

‘Come to think of it…I had the Soul Cloak running, but never received anything for a collection! Those tens of thousands of spiders must've fed their souls to Maphela…shit!!’ 

“Prepare for battle!” Varrus roared to his entourage, and then turned back to glimpse the statue glowing. 

A portal opened up, and with it, a burst of mana burst the fragile bubble that was the shroud of Muffle. 

“What a naughty boy. I only wanted to talk~ Well, it isn't like this isn't fun either. Consider this a test to earn my information, trust me, you’ll want to hear all about the horror that's visiting Northrend. Dragonborn, meet my daughter, Eli. Say hi, Eli.” 

Emerging from the portal was a creepy, sexy spider lady. 

Emitting the aura of a Demigod, she strutted forward like a murderous that wasn't in anyway shy about anything. She moved like she knew a dozen men would throw themselves on her feet, and couldn't care less. 

“A Dragonborn, a Shard of Akatosh, and a Star Dog. This must be punishment for eating her last husband. Oh well, I'm sure we'll have fun.” Eli giggled hauntingly.

‘Fuck it, I’m nuking this hellhole to oblivion!’ Varrus thought to himself as he took a glance at the creepy spider lady.