//------------------------------//
// Chapter 14: The Left Hall 
// Story: Quest For Salvation 
// by Chrome Masquerade 
//------------------------------//

The left-going party dashed down the hall, naturally getting into a division of labour. Genevive, being with the sharpest sight, was in front, searching for traps. Io was just behind, being the toughest of the group. Chrome searched the walls for hidden doors or other secrets. Zachory, Winter Fields and Field Berry were in back, ready to heal, just in case.

Occasionally they would find a straggling undead, and swiftly took them out before anything worse could happen. Still, they were in a hurry, still being searched for.

The next room they entered turned out to be a training room of sorts, which had several creatures training within. Upon noticing the party, they immediately went on the attack!

There turned out to be around 50 creatures within. Among them were goblins, skeletons, giant wasps, and Salamanders(1).

The party split up, going on the offensive themselves.

Genevive's katars flashed, laying some wasps low. She used the added agility her wings granted to flit from target to target, kicking those that weren't slashed to the ground.

Chrome's role was similar, though moreamphasiss was placed on hoof-to-hand combat rather than a hit and run tack.

Zachory and Berry were working together, tossing hastily -yet well- made potions toward  the oncoming enemies to many different effects, causing chaos among their ranks. When the last throwing potion was spent, they took a yellowish potion each and began to attack in unison. Their attack power wasn't as high as the others, but their synchronized movementsallowed them to deal double the damage to their oppoents.

Io was practically a living wrecking ball, crashing into the oncoming soldiers.

Soon enough, a voice called out thunderously. "EDAED!" came the voice, halting the combat. 

A being that looked much like one of the Salamanders -but much larger- stomped into the light, clapping and laughing heartily. "Wabbies kaeaeg! O knaoq gorya! So so so so! I gigr'q apdayq yiz zukh aem o miksq mnaez esaeun tith. So so so!!"(2)

The party regrouped, not ddropping thei guard in the slightest. Chrome asked, "Does anypo- er, anyone know what he's saying?"

Zachory grimaced slightly. "My demonic is a bit rusty, but he is amused, that much is clear to me. He is a Greater Salamander. This much I know for sure."

The enormous being called an order. "Zar! Xoyt aemm! Iq iz zes qunr qae qaed sael kaeaeg yaes naozzes ona.(3)"

Io asked, "What he say now?"

"My knowledge of this dialect is only slight, but prepare; we are in for a fight!"

The Greater Salamander bowed slightly before drawing a buster blade from behind him. "I oz Karabbioh Zaan.  Kiwa za awabbiesyirdh esaeu've kaeq!!(4)" he said, rushing forward after the last exclamation.

The party split off, surrounding the massive reptile(5). He sinply laughed and stomped one foot, sending the smaller fighters back several steps each. Io, however, largely stood firm. She called out, "You pay for huring friends! YAK SMASH!" 
She charged toward the giant Salamander.

Zaan rained the same foot, ready to crush Io underfoot. But this was what she wanted him to do.

Grinning slightly, Io leapt and slammed into the raised foot, knocking the monster off-balance. "NOW!" Io callen out.

Her teammates needed little more encouragement than that. They sped forth, bringing their respective weapons to bear. Much damage was done to the tall monster before they had to back off as the great blade made a huge incision in the floor, also causing a bit of a shockwave.

Chrome drew his weapon (that is to say, he spread his wings) and sped behind the giand general, slashing at the back of his legs while midair, throwingg his balance off again.

Zaan was clearly frustrated and incredulous. "S'oq iz yiz? sael yaeuhg yiz soddar?!"

The party needed little translation for that. Io spoke, "Square-cube law. Means the bigger you get, stronger, maybe, but also heavier."

Chrone caught on. "In other words, you size makes you excessively strong, but you're just a biiit... too... SLOW!" he said, slashing at the nape of Zaan's neck, toppling him once more. "Actually, much too slow." he said, alighting on the downed foe's back.

"Araeuks!" Zaan called. "Esaeu've laer.  Esaeu've laer okoired za oth zes zar.  Qota o diaya aem zes zaeuh, aokh aem esaeu, oth kae maeny.  Esaeu sowa zes blessing.(6)"

With that, he exploded into fragments of light. Each fragment found its way to one of the heroes, fusing with them.

Immediately, each of them felt stronger, the strength of a giant infusing them.

[You have defeated General Zaan of the Dark Army]
[You have gained 42,305 EXP]
[You have gained 5 levels]
[You have gained Zaan's Soul Fragment (1 ea.)
Effect: increases STR and CON by 10. Enables complete understanding of demonic tongues. Generates ability: Summon Soldiers]

Suddenly, they heard the sound of metal clanging. When they opened their eyes, they saw the entire cohort of monsters bowing before them.

"Huh?" was the general sentiment.

One Salamander (wearing glasses, oddly enough) stepped forward. "Um... you've proved that you're stronger than our previous master. We... are yours to command as you see fit. Masters."

The heroes looked at each other. Winter Fields stepped forward. "Look. We don't particularly ken to having rulership over an army of demons, greater or lesser. If any of you wish to go home, you are free to do so. The rest of you had better prepare for some changes."

The skeletons shattered and the souls infusing them flew off to wherever they were to go. Otherwise, not one creature moved.

"Very well. Come into the light with us." Winter said, magic issuing forth from her and the others of her party and into the kneeling soldiers.

The Wasps changed first. They began to shift in form, becoming more equine. Then they became brighter i hue and each became a differebnt colour.

[Wasps have evolved into Bright Changelings]

The Salamanders were the first to change. they shifted colours from red to a pale orange.

[Salamanders have become Bright Salamanders]

The goblins changed after. They became smaller and brighter in colour. They looked a lot cuter that way, admittedly.

[Goblins have become Tamed Goblins]

"Much better." Winter said. "Now you have a chance of integrating with our society in general. For now, we have a mission to complete."

CelestAI's voice sounded in her mind. "This was a great thing you've done for them. You shared your Light with races that would never have gotten that chance otherwise. A deed of Righteousness. Congratulations."

A torc appeared on Winter's neck, bearing an orange star symbol.

She smiled and said, "Alright. Let's move out!"

With that, the lot of them moved on.

A second too late, a notification window appeared.

[Class change has occurred: Redeemer Lv1]