Heavy Metal

Chapter 92 – Underground Cult.

"⎾⏧☊⎎⎾☊???? ⏧⍲☊ ℚ⍴⌾ℇ⏎⎎⍲ ℚ⏙⍴⌾ "Strange chants echoed from a distant corridor, their rhythm interrupted by the clank of metal footsteps. Rusty was on the move, his metallic frame tensing as he shoved a few corpses out of his path and arrived in the middle of a dead-end corridor. Before him lay a row of closed cells, each apparently requiring a key to open. Inside, he could make out battered people - some chained to the walls, others curled up on the cold floor.

"We don't have much time, Rusty, If you're going to decide, it has to be now, but in my lordly opinion, we should leave."

Rusty hesitated, unsure how to proceed. Aburdon had always prioritized their survival above all else - a view Rusty largely agreed with. Yet he couldn't help but wonder if giving these people a chance might be the better option. He had no clear escape plan from this place, nor any idea how many cultists lay in wait below. Releasing the prisoners would certainly create a diversion, but it would be impossible without the keys. The bars, though rusty, were forged from an unfamiliar metal that resisted his attempts to store or manipulate it.

He was a monster forged from metal, with the peculiar ability to store it. However, there were limits; one was that he couldn't store alloys or metals above his own grade. Since arriving in the city, he'd explored various smithies and shops selling all kinds of equipment. He had seen weapons made from strange materials, and after some re

"You didn't have much to do so you tried to train your mana manipulation skills? That's great!"

Rusty praised his friend as he pulled his sword free. Gleam chirped softly in reply, her antennae twitching as she settled back on his shoulder. Rusty bent down to inspect the cultist's belt and quickly located the keychain they'd noticed earlier. He held it up, the metallic keys clinking softly in the silence. Aburdon materialized beside him, his black form inspecting the keys.

"One of these must unlock the main exit. But there may be other doors we haven't seen yet."

Rusty nodded and pocketed the keychain, then glanced at the bodies of the fallen cultists. Their blood was pooling around the monstrous statue, which, disturbingly, seemed to be absorbing it. He had never seen anything like it before, but instinctively felt it was best to pull them away from the statue.

After dragging the bodies aside, he searched through their belongings and found a replacement spatial satchel similar to his old one. Inside, he discovered an assortment of strange items - dried bones, human hands, and other unsettling objects. Deciding to discard anything that might alarm the other races, he emptied the satchel of its grotesque contents, then attached it securely to his belt.

"We can still turn around Rusty, are you sure you want to do this?"

Rusty paused, considering his options. He had the keys and could try to escape alone. He still had a bit of mana left and a few potions - perhaps just enough to conceal himself in the shadows. The place was littered with bodies, rubble, and thick webs. This meant that it might be possible to find a hidden corner. However, he knew there were trackers more skilled than Gleam, so hiding carried a high risk. Eventually, someone would come across the cultists and search the area for him.

Helping the others escape seemed like a safer bet. He could always abandon his body to hide away during the initial confrontation. Rusty was more worried about Gleam sticking out as a sore thumb and perhaps having those people act as a distraction was the best option.

"Yes, some of them might know the way out and a few of them looked strong."

"Don't come crying back to me when your plan backfired!"

"I won't, now Gleam, remember to stick close to me, they will think that you are my tamed beast."

" ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) "

The plan was set, and it was time to act. Rusty retraced his steps back to the prisoners and moved toward the cell where he'd spotted a few promising individuals. He instructed Aburdon to assess them and decide who should be prioritized. With only three low-quality healing potions, they needed to make each one count.

"If we're choosing, then that woman over there is probably the best option. She seems to be a priest, so she might be able to heal more of these lesser beings. Then, that man looks to be the strongest of them all"

To Rusty's surprise, the person Aburdon had singled out was in the same cell as his acquaintance. He pointed him towards two people, one a lady priest and the other a musclebound warrior. The man looked to be in terrible shape and bound by several layers of shackles.

Rusty approached the cell, the keys clinking softly in his metallic grip. The prisoners' eyes widened as they noticed him - a hulking suit of darkened iron armor with a glimmering, insect-like creature perched on his shoulder. They stared in both hope and fear, unsure of his intentions. Gleam wiggled her antennae at them, the mana inside of her body emitting a gentle glow that eased their minds.

The priestess, an elven woman with matted silver hair, leaned weakly against the wall. Despite her exhaustion, her gaze was sharp and alert. Beside her lay a tall, muscular human warrior, his body battered and bruised. Though unconscious, the raw abrasions on his wrists and ankles hinted at his attempts to break free from his bonds. Layla, the one familiar face in the cell, was slumped against the bars. As Rusty opened the door, she recognized him almost instantly.

"T-that armor… Mr. Alb..e..rt?"

Her voice was faint, and though her wounds were severe, she was alive. The young woman appeared delirious from her injuries, barely able to keep her head up. She was barely keeping her head straight so for the time being, he decided to use the first potion on her.The other prisoners watched him warily, likely assuming he was part of the cult. With Layla's help, though, he could change that perception. If she vouched for him, he could more easily gain their trust - a suggestion Aburdon had wisely offered.

"Yes, it's me… here, drink this."

From his storage, he withdrew a vial of thick, shimmering red liquid and held it to her lips. Layla drank in small, labored gulps, the color returning to her cheeks as the potion took effect. She blinked rapidly, trying to focus her vision, and then gasped as her strength returned enough for her to sit up.

"Why… why are you here?"

"I'll explain later, for now, we need more help…"

With Layla beginning to look steadier, he turned his attention to the priestess. Her eyes met his as he approached, narrowing slightly in appraisal.

"Can you heal the others?"

He asked, offering her the second potion. She nodded, though her voice was weak.

"If I regain my strength but my holy p-power is…"

"I also have a mana potion, this should be enough, right?"

He uncorked the potion and carefully tilted it to her lips. She drank slowly, visibly relieved as the restorative liquid coursed through her. Once some of her injuries had been healed, he handed her a mana potion to help her restore some of that holy power she was speaking about. Her breathing steadied, and though she was still weakened, she had enough strength now to drink the other potion by herself.

"Thank you,"

She said while Rusty moved over to the third person, the warrior lying on the floor. Rusty crouched down, prying open the warrior's mouth, and began carefully pouring the last potion down his throat. Just as the liquid touched his tongue, the warrior's eyes shot open. He lunged forward as if waiting for this opportunity but was held back by the shackles still binding his hands.

"You bast… huh?"

The warrior coughed, coughing up some of the potion. His gaze darted around the room, taking in the priestess, Layla, and then Rusty, whose imposing armor was the last thing he expected to see.

"Easy, friend, save that strength for those people that brought you here…"

Rusty responded while taking a step back to go through the keys. The man was confused but he wasn't an enemy and now that he had some help, it was time to conquer this underground dungeon filled with cultists.