Chapter Two: The Others

Joe, Gareth and Tara trudged through the first level of the dungeon, Bill and Rover in tow, with Tara in the middle. Joe walked up the front, slicing at anything that came near with his cursed scimitar, while Gareth would force-bolt anything that came at them from behind. Tara did nothing. At one point they had to stop when Gareth’s cursed ring of teleportation activated again, but aside from a few minor skirmishes nothing of interest happened. When the three descended into the second level of the dungeon however Joe noticed something very different. To his surprise not far from the stairs was a small pile of gold that had not been there before.

“That’s odd,” Joe commented, pointing at the gold.

“Yeah... it’s gold. So what?” Gareth said. Tara’s eyes glinted and she ran up to take it.

“Tara, wait!” Joe called, and Tara reluctantly stopped. “Doesn’t that seem a little odd?”

“No, why?” Tara asked.

“There wasn’t anything there before, so why would some monster just drop some gold? It doesn’t seem right,” Joe said. Gareth thought for a moment.

“Hmmm... you’re right. It could be a rock trap or something... Still we can’t just leave it there! What do you want me to do, poke it with a stick or something?” Gareth said, laughing. Joe walked towards it, but Tara reached it first. Joe watched as Tara suddenly dropped down until only her head was visible.

“YUCH! This thing is filled with corpses!” Tara squealed, desperately trying to get out. Joe watched laughing. Gareth peered down into the pit with interest.

“Pity they’re all rotten already... they must have fallen in a while ago,” Gareth said, helping pull Tara out. Joe watched thinking. “Is something wrong?” Gareth asked.

“It’s nothing,” Joe said, shaking his head as if to clear it of thoughts. “Let’s keep moving.”

The three continued walking through the level, searching for the staircases down.

“You know what we should do? We aught to rob the vault,” Joe considered, thinking of his narrow escape into a vault earlier.

“And how do you intend to do that? We don’t have any way to get in anymore, unless you want to wait an eon for me to teleport in,” Gareth reasoned. “Besides, it’s not like we really need money for anything.”

“Can’t we like, dig with out hands?” Tara asked.

“No. Remind me again after...” Joe started, then stopped all of a sudden. Gareth and Tara stopped as well. Ahead of them was a small group of giant ants, that didn’t seem to have noticed them yet. The ants seemed to be waiting over the staircase down.

“Uh-oh,” Gareth said, “Now what?”

“Ants? Come on I can take ‘em!” Tara said, reaching for her darts. Gareth grabbed her.

“Hey!”

“Giant ants,” Gareth explained, “are possibly the most lethal creatures in the upper dungeons. They move fast, damage lots, and come in groups.”

“Actually, I’ve always felt that killer bees were more...” Joe began.

“I don’t think now is the best time to be discussing. We need to think of a way to get past them,” Gareth interrupted. He and Joe moved back out of sight and thought for a moment. Gareth suddenly brightened.

“I know! We could...” Gareth’s voice was suddenly cut off as he disappeared suddenly. Joe sighed in annoyance.

“Tara stay here okay? If the ants move, RUN. I’ve got to find Gareth,” Joe said to Tara and took off down the passage, hoping that she would do as he said. Joe ran as fast as he could down the passageway away from the ants. He reached a room and looked around. Picking the door on the left he moved forward again. To his relief he saw Gareth walking down the same passage.

“There you are!” Joe called out. Gareth waved.

“I’m seriously getting sick of the ring,” Gareth said, walking up to Joe. “Where’s Tara?”

“I told her to wait until...” Joe was suddenly interrupted by an unmistakable scream coming from nearby. Joe began running again, Gareth behind. Joe nearly crashed into Tara as she entered the room. To his horror he saw all of the giant ants quickly following, scuttling up the path to the room.

“What do we do!?” Gareth said. Joe thought hurriedly. Tara threw a few of her darts down the hallway, but couldn’t manage to even slow the progress of the ants. The ants advanced closer, and Joe paced quickly, trying to remain calm. There had to be something... They were in no way prepared for a battle with the giant ants. To try and run now would be pointless, but if they reached them they would be mincemeat in seconds... They had one scroll of teleportation, but one scroll wasn’t going to save all three of them. If only there was some way to stop them... Joe’s eyes lit up. It was risky but...

“Gareth, give me your scrolls!” Joe ordered. Gareth look confused but handed them over anyway: A scroll of identity, a scroll of teleport and... a scroll of create monster. Joe stepped into the passage in front of the incoming ants, pulling Tara along behind him. As fast as he could, Joe recited the words of the scroll and held his breath. The air between him and the nearest ant shimmered and warped strangely, and the figure of a kobold zombie appeared in between them, blocking the ant’s progress. Joe flinched as the zombie took a swing at him.

“Okay genius, what now?” Gareth asked sarcastically. Joe tried vainly to fend off the zombie without hurting it.

“Run. I can hold of this for a while. Once you’ve gone I’ll teleport out. Once the ants come out try and get around them and down the stairs quickly. And Gareth, do me a favour and take Bill with you!” Joe said quickly. Tara ran off straight away, but Gareth lingered for a moment, then left reluctantly. Joe stayed at the front of the passage, fending off the zombie. After not much longer than a minute Joe began to tire quickly. Knowing he couldn’t hold much longer, Joe reached for the scroll of teleportation. As he began to read the words, he eyes widened. Slowly walking up behind the ants was Gareth, with of all things, Tara’s kitten Marmalade! Before Joe could think of anything else he teleported back near the up staircase. Joe looked around quickly and saw Tara in a lit room nearby. He ran over and Tara stopped to wait for him.

“Are you okay?” Tara asked, her voice tinted with a hint of what Joe was sure could be concern.

“I’m fine,” Joe said untruthfully. “Gareth’s already managed to get behind the ants. Follow me.” With that Joe took off down a passage. From what he had seen this level had four rooms that sort of went in a circle. If he could lure the ants into one and block them with a door it should be possible to go back around the other way to get past.

“What are you doing? The ants are back that way!” Tara yelled, chasing after Joe. Joe ignored her and kept running. Upon reaching the southern room in the loop he saw Bill walking around, so Joe mounted him for a little extra speed. Joe fed Bill his last apple and continued cautiously. Joe looked past the door and saw the ants. Crossing his fingers he bashed his scimitar against the wall and yelled out to the ants. They turned to him and began scuttling up the corridor. As the ants came closer Joe slammed the door shut, thanking that it hadn’t stuck. Tara watched curiously and suddenly understood what Joe was going to do.

“By the way...” Joe said to Tara as he rode past, “I saw Marmalade with Gareth!” Tara brightened and jogged a bit faster. “But what happened to Rover?” Tara looked a bit downcast.

“You know that pit near the stairs? He fell in it and broke his neck...” Tara said sadly. Joe cursed inside. He had hoped all three of their pets could have survived for a while at least, since they really helped out in the mines. Aside from a quick fight with a single fox, Joe and Tara made it to the northern room in loop unscathed. As they moved to the east however they were met with an unpleasant surprise. Two of the giant ants had managed to find their way around and were approaching from that passage.

“Uh-oh. We’d better shut them out.” Joe said, turning around. To his dismay he saw the form of a floating eye filling the west doorway. By the time it had moved out of the way the ants would long be upon them. “Tara, now would be a good time to impress me with those dart skills of yours.”

“I don’t have any darts,” Tara said.

“What!? You can’t have used them all already!” Joe yelled.

“I gave them to Gareth, he said he needed them when he walked off,” Tara replied. Joe thought for a moment.

“He walked off?” Joe repeated to himself. If Gareth hadn’t teleported behind the ants then he must know a secret passage around there somewhere. If he could get behind the ants with his ring of stealth then he could easily have thrown a bunch of darts at the ants without danger! Joe’s thoughts were confirmed as a second later one of the two approaching ants suddenly fell down dead, five darts sticking out of its back. Joe ran up to the last ant and attacked it viciously with his scimitar. Bill, and even Marmalade who had appeared from behind with Gareth, took part in fighting the creature, and soon it lay defeated. Gareth walked up, removing his ring. Joe gave him a pat on the back.

“Good aim! You really saved us then!” Joe congratulated. Gareth smiled and handed all of the still usable darts back to Tara, who frowned at how few there were left.

“I am seriously ready to leave this level,” Gareth said, handing Marmalade to Tara, who have her a big hug.

Joe, Gareth and Tara finally reached the staircase and descended to the third level of the dungeon. As Joe walked down the staircase he thought about the previous two levels, hoping this one would be less eventful. As he thought of the things that had happened thus far, he thought of something.

“Hey Tara, have identified that amulet yet?” Joe asked.

“No. How am I supposed to do that?” Tara asked, annoyed that she didn’t know. Gareth withdrew a scroll from his pocket.

“Simple enough. Aside from the various clues such as price or frequency, you can read this,” Gareth said. handing Tara the scroll. “One would assume you put the name of the scroll into the words, or concentrated on it or something.” Tara shrugged and read the words on the scroll. After she had finished reading it the scroll crumbled into dust.

“Well?” Gareth asked. Tara shrugged.

“I think it’s an amulet of unchanging or something. I think that this...” Tara began, taking a potion out of her backpack, “...is a potion of acid. Two for the price of one or what?” Gareth rolled his eyes. The three were silent for a moment, until a strange noise was heard from somewhere in the level. Joe’s eyes opened in surprise and he grinned as he recognized it. Tara looked confused.

“Was that... a cash register? What kind of a screwed-up fantasy game has a...” Tara began, but Gareth interrupted her.

“Only Nethack,” Gareth said grinning, and began walking. Joe followed quickly and Tara shrugged.

“Of all the pathetic games to get myself stuck in...” Tara muttered to herself. As the three walked into the next room Joe stopped, nearly causing Tara to crash into him.

“Look at that,” Joe said, pointing to a chest in the middle of the room, with a pack of jackals around it.

“It’s just some more of those stupid monsters. Big deal,” Tara said.

“What about it?” Gareth asked. Joe watched as the jackals turned to them and began to approach.

“They’re avoiding the chest for some reason. There’s no way that could be random,” Joe said. Gareth tapped him on the shoulder.

“Uh, more pressing problem now,” Gareth said, pointing to the jackals. Joe drew his scimitar and neatly sliced one in half.

“I’m checking this out,” Joe said, forcing himself through the pack, killing some of them in his way. Gareth sighed and cast force-bolt a few times, while Tara threw her darts. Once the jackals were all dead, Joe stood next to the chest. He pushed it hard and saw an inscription scribbled underneath.

“Elbereth,” Joe read out. “Doesn’t that seem a bit too much of a coincidence?”

“No. I think you’re being paranoid. Now open it so we can see what’s inside,” Gareth said, striding over. Joe tugged on the lid, but the chest remained shut.

“Tara, chuck me your credit card. Those things are no good for buying anything with,” Joe added, seeing the shock on Tara’s face. Reluctantly she passed it over and Joe slid it into the keyhole. A few tries later the chest opened up and a fine green spray shot out. Joe fell back coughing.

“Poison cloud trap...” Joe coughed, sitting on the floor. Gareth stared at him as he began to turn a dull green colour. Tara thought for a moment and took out one of her extra healing potions and handed it to Joe. Joe took it mutely and drunk deep from it. A moment later his skin returned to normal and he felt a lot better.

“Thanks,” Joe said to Tara and peered into the chest. Inside was an elvish dagger, a pair of high boots and a spell book. Joe pulled them out of the chest and thought for a moment. He handed the dagger and boots to Tara, and gave the book to Gareth.

“Bah, nothing for me,” Joe said sadly. Tara pulled on the boots, and looked at the dagger.

“Why can’t I have a cool weapon like a battle-axe or something? First darts now a tiny dagger,” Tara complained. Gareth slid the book into his backpack.

“I think I’ll wait until we find that shop,” Gareth said in explanation. Joe looked around and saw an goblin walk into the room, clad in orcish armour. Joe grinned, seeing the goblin was wearing a pair of metal boots, some armour that he lacked. Gareth look up and saw the goblin, and began to draw the symbols in the air for a force bolt.

“This one’s mine,” Joe said, waving away Gareth. Gareth shrugged and shook his hands, thus canceling the spell. The goblin let out a war cry and ran at Joe, his orcish short sword waving in the air wildly. Joe charged, reaching out with his scimitar. The goblin managed to block Joe with his shield and countered, ripping into Joe’s armour. Joe flinched and the goblin sliced at him again, causing a small wound on his chest. Joe swiped again, making a large gash on the goblin’s arm. A short distance away Gareth cheered for Joe, while Tara looked on with mild interest. Joe attacked again and his weapon clashed with the goblin’s. Joe brought up his shield, defend himself from the goblin’s flurry of attacks. When the goblin seemed to relax its attack Joe took his chance and lowered his guard, lunging forward with his scimitar, jutting it into and threw the goblin. The goblin coughed blood and writhed in pain. Joe brought his weapon upwards, straight throw the goblin’s head. The goblin exploded in blood, falling to the floor far beyond dead. Tara walked up to salvage some armour, but Gareth looked away, seeming a bit sick. Joe grinned wildly, high on blood lust. He grabbed the boots from the goblin’s corpse and tried to shake the blood off before he put them his own feet. Tara took the goblin’s shield and sword.

“Now this is a weapon!” Tara said, tossing aside the dagger. Gareth walked up looking a bit pale and staring at his feet.

“Can we move on?” He asked.

Gareth followed a short distance behind Joe and Tara as they continued through the dungeon. After the incident with the goblin he couldn’t help but feel that Joe had started to forget the danger. All of the monsters they had past Joe had killed by himself. He claimed it was because he was in the lead, and most capable of dealing with them... But he and especially Tara needed to practice with their skills as well, and how much danger could a lichen be? It was worrying. Gareth was interrupted from these thoughts when Tara stopped in front of him suddenly.

“What is it now?” Tara asked, with a hint of annoyance in her voice. Gareth looked around to see what Joe had stopped for.

“It’s a meatball,” Joe said flatly, bending over. As he got up Gareth could see, true to his word, Joe was holding a small round ball made of some kind of meat.

“So what? Look do we have to stop for every little thing? I want to go shopping!” Tara complained.

“Something isn’t right here. I’ve never found any meatballs before, and I’ve played this game for years,” Joe insisted. Gareth thought for a moment.

“Meatballs,” Gareth started, “Can be created by casting stone to flesh on rocks, which can be created through rock traps or by digging or smashing something with a pick-axe. Meatballs are never...” Gareth stopped suddenly, realizing what he was saying. “...found randomly in the dungeon.”

“How can this be here then?” Joe considered.

“I don’t know. How can we be here? Does it really matter?” Gareth pointed out. Joe pocketed the meatball and continued onwards. Gareth noticed that once they had started moving again Joe loosened the strap on his sheath slightly, as though he was expecting something.

“Joe is something...” Gareth started. Suddenly the air around him blurred and he found himself in another room he didn’t recognize. That bloody ring just has to activate at the most inconvenient moments, Gareth thought to himself, looking around. The room he was in was small and had only one exit. Gareth could also see what looked like a grappling hook on the ground. Now there’s something you don’t see very often, Gareth thought, throwing it into his backpack. He looked out of the room to make sure there were no strong monsters, then walked out. The passage was short, and lead him to another room with a down staircase and two other doors out. Gareth looked down the stairs. From what he could see it looked like they lead to another level of the dungeons as apposed to the mines. Surely it couldn’t hurt just to take a quick look down? Gareth walked down the stairs and looked around. The room was empty save for a fountain and a small pile of gold. Gareth grinned and walked to the gold. That would come in handy in the shop above! Gareth bent down to pick it up, and felt a sharp pain in his head, and there was only darkness.

Joe looked around, noticing that Gareth had gone. “That bloody ring...” Joe said to himself. The sooner they could find a way to uncurse it the better.

“Are we going to have to go find him again? I can hear the shop nearby!” Tara said eagerly, pointing down the passage to where Joe could see a shut door, with an inscription on the floor next to it. Joe considered for a moment.

“It’s only dungeon level three, he should be fine by himself. He’ll probably just find his way to the shop anyway, he knows where we are going,” Joe reasoned, continuing forward. As he suspected the writing on the floor read: ‘Closed for inventory’. Joe searched his pockets and found he still had Tara’s credit card, which he used to open the door. Pushing open the door he confidently walked in. Joe was happy to see the shop was very large, and a general store as well which helped during the early-game. What he didn’t expect was that the shop would be half-empty. Joe figured that a group of orcs or something must have come through, taking most of the good gear.

“Are you playing an illiterate or something? Couldn’t you read the message?” the shopkeeper yelled at Joe. Joe swung around in surprise to find himself facing the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper was what Joe would call ‘horizontally and vertically challenged’ or simply ‘dimensionally challenged’. That is: short and fat. Joe was taken aback a bit.

“Uh... I...” Joe stuttered. He was saved a reply when Tara burst in, holding all the money that she, Joe and Gareth had collected so far. The shopkeeper took one look at Tara and quickly turned away.

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t see that. If I were you I’d take that shirt off before I unfairly judge you as a foolish spender,” the shopkeeper said meaningfully. Tara look shocked and offended.

“I’d what!? What are you, some kind of pervert!?” Tara said, clutching at her shirt. Joe fought the urge to laugh.

“Shopkeepers charge an extra thirty percent on their items to people wearing an uncovered Hawaiian T-shirt,” Joe explained. Joe quickly took off his own ring mail and handed it to Tara. “Put this on.” Tara did so, glaring at the back of the shopkeeper’s head. After a moment the shopkeeper turned around.

“Oh look! A perfectly intelligent shopper. No need to charge extra then,” the shopkeeper said smiling. Tara scowled and began to look through the items on the floor.

“Hey what are these things anyway? Isn’t there some law that you have to tell people what it is they’re buying?” Tara complained.

“You can sort of tell by the price,” Joe said. Turning to the shopkeeper he spoke again.

“Why was it you just did that then anyway? I didn’t think shopkeepers were supposed to do anything but buy and sell?” The shopkeeper tapped his nose wisely.

“Well you two look like good customers, so you get special treatment!” The shopkeeper said, smiling broadly.

“Seriously,” Joe said, not reacting at all. The shopkeeper dropped the obviously fake attitude and sighed.

“Look, the way I see it, it’s for a good cause you know? In the end we’re all on the same side I guess,” the shopkeeper said, leaning against the wall.

“Aren’t shopkeepers supposed to be neutral? In the dungeon for they’re own good and profit?” Joe asked. The moment he spoke the last word the shopkeeper laughed.

“Profit? Profit? Yeah I thought that once too. That was before...” the shopkeeper stopped suddenly, as though he’d said too much. “Hey what about these neat food rations then? These things will last you for ages in the dungeon! And they’re are good for you too!” Joe looked at him skeptically, and began to look around the items. There was little really useful in the shop, and they didn’t have too much money after the visit to the vault anyway.

“Oooh! We have to get this! It would go so well with my shirt!” Tara squealed, showing Joe a crystal ring.

“That, my fair lady, is available for the special price of just two hundred zorkmids!” the shopkeeper said. Joe frowned in concentration... From what he could remember the only rings of that price that they didn’t already know about were mostly good ones, but he didn’t have enough money...

“Hey Tara, have you seen Marmalade?” Joe asked quietly

“I think I left her...” Tara started, but was interrupted.

“You wouldn’t be thinking about using pets to steal again would you? Now that wouldn’t be fair now would it? However, just in case you are wondering cats and dogs are allowed inside the store,” the shopkeeper said, winking slightly. Joe couldn’t take much more of this. He past the ring back to Tara and stomped up to the shopkeeper.

“Look what is it okay? Why is it that you actually want us to have these items with what little money we have?” Joe demanded. The shopkeeper frowned.

“Okay, fine I’ll tell you... but if anybody asks, it didn’t come from me okay?” the shopkeeper said.

“Okay,” Joe said, intrigued.

“Us shopkeepers, we all came to the dungeon with the same idea. Selling items to desperate adventures at high prices? Great deal! However, we were told we could only stay if we paid a fifty-percent tax, and sold some specific items, mostly ones that aren’t

especially helpful,” the shopkeeper began.

“Hang on, who is this person? You shopkeepers are armed to the damn teeth. What is around here that could threaten you like that?” Joe asked.

“The one of the amulet,” the shopkeeper said meaningfully. Joe thought for a moment, and Tara turned from the items scattered around to listen into the conversation, a large group of items in her hands.

“You mean the Wizard of...” Joe began, but the shopkeeper landed a hand on his mouth painfully.

“Don’t speak his name! That is how he is called. But yes, the very same,” the shopkeeper said. “Anyway, when I didn’t accept He just laughed and used his magic to prevent escape from the dungeon. In the end I had no choice but to accept and stay here. Most of the other shopkeepers just keep their heads down and follow orders, except me and this other guy in the mines, Izchak is his name. If you get a chance to meet him, tell him ‘TG’ sent you.”

“TG?” Joe said confused.

“He can use names in many of his spells... Izchak is the only one who has managed to resist the mind control despite giving his name. I don’t know how he does it, but I think it’s some kind of anti-magic brew. Anyway he’ll know what you mean,” the shopkeeper said.

“So why are...” Joe began.

“Oh yes, that. Like I said before, I don’t like Him any more than you do. If I let you get away with a few little things, it’s like an investment. Who knows? You might be the ones to stop him,” the shopkeeper said. Joe fell silent thinking. Who’d have guessed? After a moment Joe turned to Tara and sighed.

“Tara, we don’t have enough money for all that!” Joe said. Tara looked a bit downfallen and put it back. Joe looked through the pile of items, and picked out three things: A scroll of identify, an unknown scroll that Joe hoped was remove curse, and a lamp. Handing most of the money to the shopkeeper, Joe went to leave. Tara took one last longing look at the crystal ring, and followed him out, picking up Marmalade who was waiting outside.

“I wonder where Gareth has got to?” Tara said.

“He has been gone a while... I hoped it wouldn’t come to this again. I think one of the scrolls I bought should remove the curse on the ring, so I’ll go and try to find him. Tara stay here for a few minutes. If anything dangerous comes near write ‘Elbereth’ in the dirt a few times and hide in the shop. It won’t stop the monsters for long, but hopefully we’ll be back in time,” Joe said.

“How come you get to do all the cool heroic stuff?” Tara pouted.

“Someone needs to stay in case he comes back here, and I have had a lot more experience than you,” Joe explained.

“Fine,” Tara said reluctantly sitting down and stroking Marmalade. Joe went to walk off, then stopped and turned back.

“And now that I think of it, do you think you could give me your other extra healing potion? I don’t know what’s keeping Gareth, but I might need it,” Joe said. Tara fished it out of her backpack and reluctantly handed it over. Joe put it into his own backpack, and walked off.

Tara sat outside the shop waiting. It had been at least half an hour, and Joe had still not returned. Tara got up to stretch her legs. What was taking him so long? As Tara got up she disturbed Marmalade, who ran off. Tara was concerned. What if something happened to her? She decided it would be okay just to leave here for a minute or two. Tara walked down the passage and into the next room. Marmalade was at the far end near a sink, but so was another kitten! Tara watched as the two kittens fought angrily, scratching and biting. Marmalade looked to be losing so Tara ran up and began attacking the kitten with her new short sword. To her disappointment she wasn’t very good at using the weapon, and kept missing. Marmalade got another wound and Tara became angry. She had waited years to get a pet cat, and she wasn’t about to loose this one now! Tara angrily kicked the hostile kitten. The kitten hissed angrily and grabbed onto Tara’s leg, digging in its claws. Tara swung her leg wildly in pain, and managed to get the kitten off, but also kicking her foot into the sink in the process. The kitten slammed against the wall and was crushed. Clutching her toe painfully, Tara scooped up an injured Marmalade and turned to go back to shop. About halfway across the room she stopped. Behind her she had heard a strange noise, coming from the sink. Tara turned around, wondering what on earth could be happening now.

It’s bad enough having a sink, for crying out loud, but a noisy sink? That’s just going a bit too far, Tara thought to herself. She watched as the sink rumbled a bit, and some kind of oozing black liquid seeped out of the sink. Tara felt sick. It was only an hour or so ago she had drunk from that! The slime fell to the floor and to Tara’s surprise began to form into a round-ish shape with eyes. It let out a gurgling noise and began to move slowly towards Tara. Tara felt a bit worried. That stuff might be poisonous or something after all. Tara walked back down the passage to the shop and opened the door again.

“Well if it isn’t my favourite customer! Come back to buy that pretty ring?” The shopkeeper said cheerfully. Tara shook her head.

“Could you keep an eye on my cat for a few minutes?” Tara asked.

“It’s against my rules to directly aid any adventurers like that,” the shopkeeper said. Tara looked downfallen. “But there’s nothing preventing me from guarding my shop! Leave her here and I’ll make sure nothing gets in to hurt her.” Tara cheered up again and placed Marmalade down on the floor.

“Thanks!” Tara said, leaving the room. She walked down the passage again, this time drawing some of her darts out of her pockets. The black ooze hadn’t move very far yet, so she could still get into the room easily. Tara aimed carefully, she did have plenty of time after all, and threw a couple of darts. The darts hit the ooze straight on, but the ooze merely absorbed them and didn’t seem to feel any pain at all. Tara angrily drew her sword, approaching the ooze. Standing just out of reach of the ooze, she sliced and cut at it with her sword. The sword went straight through the ooze easily, but Tara was surprised to find the ooze had split into two smaller piles, each with its own set of eyes. A moment later the two piles began to grow until they were full sized. Tara attacked one of them again, and the same thing happened. Along with that her weapon also corroded somewhat.

This stupid thing isn’t going to get the better of me! Tara thought angrily, hacking and slashing away with her weapon. After a couple of minutes she withdrew angrily. No matter how many times she killed the oozes they just kept growing back. Tara threw away her now useless weapon and stared forward. There were at least a dozen piles now, all of which were slowly but ever so surely moving towards her, blocking her escape forward. Tara looked through her back-pack quickly. Unless a camera or a tin opener were actually incredibly powerful weapons, which wouldn’t surprise Tara in least, then she had no choice but to retreat back to the shop. Tara took one look at the items and hurled the tin opener at the mass of oozes. The tin opener corroded and fell to the floor, but nothing happened. Tara frowned, aimed the camera and clicked the only button. Tara blinked at the large burst of light from the flash and look at the oozes. A few of the oozes looked a bit disorientated, but not injured at all. Tara pocked the camera. It may be useless to fight with, but Tara could have a lot of fun with the flash later. Tara turned to leave when she heard Joe call out from nearby.

“Tara! What the hell did you do!?” Joe yelled. Tara turned around and saw Joe on the other side of the oozes, but with no sight of Gareth.

“It just crawled out of the sink! The thing kept splitting when I attacked it!” Tara yelled backed, taking a step back away from the advancing oozes. Joe looked around the area, deep in thought. Tara took another step back into the passage.

“How do I get out!?” She yelled.

“I don’t know!” Joe yelled back, pacing.

“Where’s Gareth?” Tara yelled.

“I couldn’t find him on this level! Look, go into the shop and see if you can find any way of escaping... a wand of teleport or dig, or something. Just use it, and run like hell down the stairs before the Kops get you. I’m going downstairs to find Gareth. If I can uncurse his ring you can use it to escape!” Joe yelled across, running out. Tara turn away and began to jog down back to the shop.

What kind of screw-up fantasy game has cops... Tara thought to herself.

Joe ran as fast as he could through the level towards the down staircase. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but something seemed very wrong about this whole scenario. There was no way Gareth could have been delayed this long by anything normally found at level three, and he was sure that Gareth wouldn’t just continue onwards alone: he was the one saying how dangerous it was. So what was he doing? Joe thought back about the strange things in the level. There must be something connecting them, but what? Joe reached the staircase and walked down. He looked around. There were two exits from the room, one with a fountain in the way. A small amount of gold lay nearby, piled oddly neatly. Joe stayed still and kept his eyes on the exits. Something was very wrong. Joe drew his scimitar from its sheath and stepped towards the gold. Suddenly a figure appeared in the doorway. The figure seemed to be of orcish origin, but was dressed in a strange assortment of armour not unlike Joe’s own. The orc had a scar across his cheek, and looked very barbaric, and obviously hostile. One of the barbarian’s hands held a long bloody sword. Joe gasped as he saw the barbarian was holding the unconscious body of Gareth in the other. The barbarian motioned towards Gareth with his sword.

“Make one move, and your friend here dies,” the barbarian threatened.