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Palace of the Dead was a place where locals from New Gridania whispered of its existence. Murmurs and hushed voices speak of chilling accounts that occurred underground. Explorers from all parts of Eorzea attempted to traverse the labyrinthine dungeon. Some came with their allies of up to four in total, and some dared to adventure alone. With each teleportation device set for every floor they descended, excursion after excursion led to the discovery of 200 total floors.
However, the only thing that remained consistent was every 10th-floor for its architecture. Ever since the discovery of the Palace of the Dead, explorers with detailed maps would return to the surface with different markers and directions. The architecture was changing constantly, almost as if it was alive, waiting with a wicked smile to those who dare to travel underground.
As a result, Kan-E ordered the Wood Wailers to create camps, resources, and even some spearmen to occupy every 10th floor for adventurers and explorers to rest their tired bones. Wood Wailers from Quarrymill would accept registration and provide not only some resources, but they would also provide a special necklace that must be worn during their expeditions.
Crystal and Kaori, respectively their job of Dragoon and White Mage, eyed the small red gem that clung to the ends of the silver bands. Kaori’s ears twitched as she tilted her head, looking at it with curiosity as Crystal asked why.
Their reason?
“In case you fall in battle, we can send in our allies or request help from those on the surface to rescue you from death.”
The red gem was especially imbued with magical properties from White Mages and Conjurers from New Gridania to keep track of their vitals. Should they sense that their vitals dropped below a certain threshold, a signal would transmit to the surface for support. However, should they lose the silver necklace?
“I can only hope you reach the nearest safe camp on the next floor or so.”
Despite the warnings that came from the attendant, Crystal and Kaori looked at each other. After the events from Endwalker, even though they were taking a vacation from their duties as the Warriors of Light, they could not help but wish to explore the unknowns and the world that stood in front of them. Knuckles whitening, Crystal grinned and adjusted her adventurer garb, the dark scarf shifted over her neck as she pressed the given necklace close to her chest.
Kaori did not have to wait for Crystal to open her mouth. Brushing any debris that might’ve landed on her clothes sewn and stitched by Tataru herself, she gave her answer to the Wood Wailer Attendant.
Which led them to traverse through Floor 97 of their expeditions.
The spine-chilling environment with hanged bodies of knights and the dead dangled above their heads as they moved with great care to the next floor. Weeks of planning and conducting smaller excursions led them to this moment. Close to the halfway point of the Palace of the Dead.
Scratches and bruises discolored parts of their exposed body parts as they traversed through the cold environment. Despite how low the temperature was, sweat slid down the side of their face as they went from room to room, the gauze loosening from their sore wrist and ankles.
Crystal grimaced as one of her wounds became exposed from her upper arm. “Those Palace Corpse can really take a bite out of you…”
Kaori brought them to a complete stop in one of the hallways and, coming close to her wife, reapplied the gauze again over her injury. One hand hovering over the chunk of missing flesh, a gentle green glow emitted from her palm as she tightened the bandage.
“And I wish they hadn’t taken a bite out of you,” Kaori mumbled. “I’m already surprised you haven’t been infected yet.”
“That’s because of you.”
“I did the bare minimum.”
“Enough to keep me from losing my entire arm.”
“…you have a point.”
A sigh slipped past Kaori’s lips as she secured the bandage around her Dragoon’s arm. Crystal gently rotated her arm, tensed her shoulder, and slowly flexed. Although the creases on Crystal’s forehead was evident, her gaze softened when she looked to her Miqo’te.
“It doesn’t hurt as much anymore. Thank you.”
Crystal’s smile melted her heart. Kaori’s cheeks brightened and she cleared her throat, both of her hands grasping ahold of her wooden staff harder than normal. “What kind of healer would I be if I can’t do that for you at least,” she murmured. “I would love to do more once we get to the next safe camp.”
“Even if you couldn’t heal me, you’re still the best healer,” the Au Ra’s smile brightened.
If Kaori wasn’t careful, she might get blinded by how innocently happy her spouse was. The radiation from her smile alone was too much! Fortunately, the White Mage cleared her throat again and ushered them to move onward. After all, the longer they linger around the labyrinth, the more likely they would be greeted by unhappy welcomers.
“…hm, there are two enemies,” Crystal remarked.
Afar from the hallway they stood within was two Dark Dragons. Each step that they took made the ground tremble. Crystal and Kaori held their breaths, watching intently as the beasts moved around. After a few dozen steps or so, one of the two settled down smack dab in the middle of the room. As for the other dragon, it stared diagonally from the hallway. Unfortunately, both adventurers would have to be in the dragon’s line of sight if they even tried to sneak by.
A faint huff came from the Dragoon. She got to her offensive stance and crept toward the dragon.
“Watch my back.”
Crystal closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She bent her knees. Then, she snapped open her eyes and launched herself forward. A horizontal Jump was performed, and she slammed the tip of her lance directly into the dragon’s chest. It dug deep into its chest cavity and the beast howled. The dragon’s limbs thrashed around as its wings flapped violently, creating strong gusts around it. Kaori raised one arm in front of her as she rushed to the scene.
Hastily she began to cast Stone in the dragon’s direction. On occasion, she threw out a Cure for her wife— though seeing that Crystal was faring well with their foe, Kaori could preserve her mana for other situations.
Another Stone struck the Dark Dragon’s leg when a silver chest peered from the corner of her eyes. Compared to the red or brown treasure chests that the mimics loved to disguise themselves as these chests provided strength to either their weapons or armor specific during their time in the Palace of the Dead. If it meant giving them another advantage to surviving another floor, Kaori would not hesitate to crack it open.
“…!”
Heat engulfed her figure as a strong blast wave pushed against her. She dropped her staff and lost her footing. Kaori was thrown backward and slammed into the wall with a loud yelp. A sharp pain spread throughout her back, throbbing with great intensity as she slid down to the ground.
That will certainly leave a bruise…
When she shifted her body, a stinging sensation ripped throughout her shoulder blades. Kaori immediately recognized the protruding black chunks digging into her now-moist skin. The impact against the chilled wall only pressed the foreign materials deeper into her body.
And it might’ve shredded into my muscles… Great.
Kaori’s vision faded in and out of the darkness as she lifted her head, the pain excruciating. Leaning against the wall, she noticed Crystal stumbling to the side with shrapnel embedded into one side of her body. Blood dribbled down to her fingertip as she struggled to keep ahold of her lance with her other hand. Her breath was ragged, and she managed to weakly swipe at the dragon.
“I’m sorry…” Kaori whispered.
Crystal couldn’t hear her. Not over the roar of the second dragon that stirred awake— and a rudely awakened Dark Dragon is anything but pleasant to deal with. The corner of Crystal’s lips curled into a crooked smile as she noticed the two dragons approaching her.
I must do something…!
Kaori extended her hand out, and parts of her skin peeled away from the blast. One eye closed, she cast Cure.
Or tried to.
The pain was distracting her and moving her arm only made it worse. She had to bite back an outcry, her hand wavering in the air.
She must heal Crystal… at least get her to safety and to get help. Maybe even go on without her for a bit until she can save them both.
“I-It’s okay…”
Crystal’s trembling voice reached Kaori’s drooped ears… and those were the last words she heard from her wife before the Au Ra was greeted with a powerful slam from the dragons. A metallic rattle echoed in the air as her lance skidded across the ground. Crystal skidded in the opposite direction of her weapon, and instantly passed out.
As for Kaori? She needn’t worry if she was able to meet the same fate as Crystal. One glance to the side showcased a Palace Gravekeeper. The tall, monstrous creature stood with two thick caskets for its arms and looked in her direction after patrolling the hallways of Floor 97. Her tail hid between the wall and her back as she couldn’t help but make the same crooked smile as Crystal.
This is anything but okay, Crystal.
The Palace Gravekeeper reeled its arm back. The next time she blinked, she felt a heavy force crash into her entire body, throwing her straight into the unconscious abyss.
Minutes passed and from overhead, two Warriors of Light crumbled in their injuries, a small pool of blood pouring out from beneath their bodies. The red gem from their necklace promptly shone and flickered in response. It wasn’t long until a small group of Wood Wailers from the 100th floor retrieved the two and brought them to the surface with great haste.
Safe to say, when they woke up, they made it a new rule that they would only open treasure chests of any sort AFTER they finished fighting the enemies in the same room.