After three long days, Montaser and Fray remained trapped within the towering walls of ice. Montaser, utilizing his telekinetic powers, stood at the center, his focus unwavering as he maintained the barrier shielding them from the relentless assault of four monstrous creatures. The creatures snarled and clawed at the ice walls, refusing to give Montaser even a moment's respite.
With his telekinesis, Montaser bolstered the barrier, pouring his energy into strengthening the icy walls. The power of the rune he had activated earlier still coursed through him, lending him additional strength in his struggle against the creatures' onslaught.
Meanwhile, Fray, having recovered slightly from his injuries, clutched a peculiar glass-like tool in his trembling hands. He attempted to establish communication with Adam using the tool, but to no avail. The glass, etched with intricate runes, was designed to facilitate communication between members of the Parada family. However, due to the storm raging outside, the tool was rendered useless as the waves it relied on couldn't travel long distances.
As frustration etched across his face, Fray declared , "This tool can't function in this storm. We can't contact Adam. We need to find another way out."
Montaser, maintaining his focus despite the overwhelming odds, nodded in agreement. But before he could respond, a surge of energy rippled through the air, jolting him from his concentration. His senses heightened, and he sensed an immense gathering of power emanating from a specific direction.
A sense of urgency washed over Montaser as he realized he needed to investigate the source of this energy. With a swift gesture, he employed his telekinetic abilities, creating an opening in the ice wall. Peering through the gap, both Montaser and Fray beheld a breathtaking sight that filled them with awe and trepidation.
Before them lay a vast expanse of portals, numbering in the hundreds. These colossal gateways spanned a circumference of at least ten kilometers, their mysterious energy pulsating with an otherworldly intensity. Montaser and Fray exchanged a knowing glance, their minds instantly connecting the dots.
Montaser spoke, his voice filled with a mix of awe and apprehension, "The center of these portals lies in the meeting spot we discussed with Adam. This is his doing."
Fray looked at the closest portal, determination shining in his eyes. "Then we must reach one of them," he stated firmly. "Montaser, do you have a plan?"
Montaser replied with confidence, "Yes, I can use my telekinesis to carry us through the skies, enveloping us in an ice barrier. We will remain hidden from the dungeon boss and the monsters. But we need to be quick; the creatures surrounding us won't give us much freedom to move."
"Alright, let's do it," answered Fray, his expression resolute.
Without wasting any more time, Montaser's telekinetic powers surged forth. With a graceful motion, he lifted himself and Fray off the ground, their bodies levitating above the frozen landscape. The ice barrier, an extension of Montaser's will, encased them like a shimmering dome, its translucent walls pulsating with resilience.
"ROAR!!!"
As the ice fortress ascended, the monsters launched themselves at their airborne targets with terrifying ferocity. One of the creatures lunged through the air, slashing its claws and gnashing its teeth at the floating ice walls. Montaser's telekinetic force field held firm, but the impact rattled the ice, creating a sizable gap.
Another monster coiled itself in mid-air before propelling towards the duo with incredible speed. Its elongated body writhed with deadly precision as it aimed for the gap created by the first monster's attack.
The relentless assault continued as the monsters relentlessly attacked Montaser and Fray. Each clash caused Montaser and Fray to absorb the brunt of the monsters' onslaught, slowly chipping away at the ice barrier's strength.
Amidst the chaos, Montaser's gaze remained fixed on the nearest portal, a shimmering gateway promising escape from their dire predicament. As the monsters unleashed their final assault, Montaser mustered the last reserves of his telekinetic power, propelling himself and Fray towards the portal with astonishing speed. Their bodies weaved through the air, narrowly evading the monsters' outstretched claws and gnashing jaws.
"ROAR!!!"
Frustrated by their failed pursuit, the monsters let out furious roars, their wrath echoing through the stormy abyss. Meanwhile, the large blue lights that had fixated on Fray and Montaser from the shadows suddenly turned slowly in a different direction.
After passing through the portal, Montaser and Fray found themselves transported to a desolate frozen cliff. The biting wind whipped through the air, and the barren landscape stretched out before them. As they regained their bearings, they spotted the rest of their group—Elisa, Adam, and the other members of the Parada and Arezo families—gathered on the other side of the portal.
Elisa and Adam rushed over to Fray, concern etched on their faces. "Fray, are you okay?" Elisa asked.
"W-what!?.." Magnus, standing by Lester's side, mumbled in astonishment, his face pale as he looked at Fray's sudden appearance. "This is impossible. How did he survive!?"
Fray, still recovering from the battle, nodded. "I'll be fine," he replied before turning to Adam. "Good work, Adam. You actually saved us."
Adam explained, "Well, when I returned to the cliff where I left you, I found it infested with monsters. Realizing what had happened, I didn't have a choice but to use a teleportation technique to bring you here. However, it drained a significant amount of my energy, and I need to rest to regain what I lost."
"Alright, we will stop moving for the day. The sun is already descending," Fray instructed Elisa. "Tell the others that we will camp here for today."
"Alright, sir," Elisa replied.
Magnus, who had been standing by Lester's side with a terrified expression, whispered, "Patriarch, what are we going to do? I recently discovered that this armor Fray gave us has a connection with our energy cores. It can destroy us from the inside while wearing it. We don't stand a chance against the Paradas."
Lester clenched his teeth, a look of determination crossing his face. "The Parada family members are brutal and always seek revenge. But did you notice something? Until now, Fray hasn't declared our betrayal. He needs us to clean the dungeon, and until then, he can't hurt us."
"Do you mean...?" Magnus trailed off.
"Yes, he will forgive us," Lester affirmed. "When I find the chance, I will apologize. I'm sure he won't make the matter bigger than it needs to be."
Thus the hours passed, then with the icy ground beneath them and the chilling wind as their constant companions, the group busied themselves with setting up makeshift tents and preparing a meager campfire as the sun continued its descent.
Fray and Elisa stood near the edge of the cliffs, contemplating the journey that awaited them and discussing the losses they had suffered in the previous battle.
"So, we lost three knights," Fray mumbled, echoing Elisa's words.
"Yes, and seven members from the Arezo family," Elisa replied.
"I wasn't expecting such heavy losses in a single battle, but we still possess the necessary power to cleanse the dungeon," Fray said resolutely.
Meanwhile, as Fray and Elisa continued their conversation, Lester saw an opportunity to talk to Fray and approached the two. Sensing his presence, Fray turned his gaze coldly toward Lester. Nervously, Lester respectfully addressed him, "Maser Parada, may I have a word with you?"
