Spirit Taming

Chapter 392: Carved Tunnels

The stress that was presented with so many signs of beasts around made the group on edge. But that was fine. They had expected this. That was why they had their weapons at the ready along with their beasts alerted. It just was unfortunate about where they were. The caves were not ideal for battling in.

"Shh," Clark made sure that everyone stopped. He thought he heard something echoing through the cave. Since his ears were sharper he was able to make better sense of what might be going on. "Devi, scout ahead." with a small laugh, Devi left the group invisibly.

"Jerold, remember, if these beasts can smell you they will be able to attack you. I am not sending you to die." Clark said this since he saw the confusion on Jerold's face. It was true that Jerold could hide his appearance, but not his body odor.

The group moved forward slowly but surely until Clark stopped and nodded. "Devi is excited. I can sense it. There must be something good up ahead." The feeling was just part of having a close bond with a beast. Many people could sense their beast's emotions, especially a spirit beast that had been born with them.

When it came to Devi's excitement, Clark had a feeling that the worries they had were about to be washed away. Without hesitation, the group moved ahead faster until they realized these ice caves were changing.

Dungeons were not anything that could be understood. It was easier to understand many other things. But when it came to the strangeness in a dungeon, this was one of the many things that were very odd. The walls had begun to change.

Instead of the crystal clear ice that had been frosty after the group had entered the caves, now there were carved ice bricks here and there. After just another few moments, the ground had become carved ice that wasn't slippery in the least. another few minutes and the passageway had become mostly carved ice bricks and even become wider.

"There you are, good work." Clark was glad that Devi had not found any dangers ahead and urged them to come as soon as they could. The reason before them was very clear.

"So this must be what that castle and mountain are all about." Isa was looking up at the now much higher ceilings. The ice carved on top was more ornate than just before and even a few small beasts could be seen.

'Carver golems- rare

This rare ice golem is just one of many varieties. It is part of a larger golem body that will send parts of it off. Normally found in dungeons, carver golems are a unique species that can not be tamed without creating the golem altogether from a core.

This golem can create smaller bodies that carve things constantly to create an artistic shape. It uses ambient energy to do so. The larger body when combined with all its part is that of a large humanoid figure with sculpting and carving tools all over them. It has absolutely zero battle potential and that is why no one likes to raise them.

Normally, carver golems are created by powerful elemental beasts that can condense energy to create or help create their ice. Once created, the carver golem will bow before those that assisted in their creation. From there it will constantly create art around them by carving an area. That is why they are normally found in the dungeons of the world.'

"I saw parts of a carver golem before. They are usually illegal to bring outside a dungeon since they will keep carving and destroying important objects. But this makes sense. The castle has to be carved by this. The ice dragon must have made it." Isa was examining the small little golem with sharp blade made of ice that chipped at the ceiling and wall.

"It's the first time I am seeing one but it's definitely cool. I wonder what would happen if someone made one to build a city? It would be the coolest place ever." Reese was thinking about a city carved for sword masters to study. His imagination was running away with the ice.

"Forget that, we should keep moving. If the golem carving thing is here, then we should be getting below that mountain castle thing. This is the basement, right?" Ralph was being pushy but it was rightfully so. They were finally in the right area. It also increased the chances that they might run in to others since they were not closer to the castle.

It would be foolish to believe that they were the only ones that were after the many materials that could be within the massive castle.

Looking further, they could tell that all the passageways of ice blocks were moving upwards slightly. There were even some steps here and there that had been carved in to things. "So this means that there are beasts that run through the entire mountain and castle?" Grace understood this was the real danger.

"Less beasts outside, more underground and in the water. But the real beasts are in the castle and below the castle. I see." Ella was recording the information carefully as she had the time. She was very interested to see what would come of it all. How the differences in the environment because of the ice dragon and a carver golem would influence their growth.

"Beasts will be around here and they will be waiting for us. That's why we-" Jerold was going to say they should be prepared, however, his legs were suddenly pulled out from under him.

"Jerold!" Brade grabbed him and shattered the ice that had suddenly frozen around his feet. In doing so, the entire group saw white frosty threads being pulled away from Jerold.

"Be On the lookout. Isa, have your ice maiden ready to break ice whenever it forms. Jerold, you should be fine but had Isa's flame sprite melt wherever ice is left. Everyone stay close." The group followed Clark's orders and grouped up closer.

While the passages had gotten larger for them, Clark was sure that they were also walking right in to the depths of danger. The threads that had just been set up as a trap were proof of that. "Anyone know what that was?" Maria wanted to know what they had to worry about.

She knew that they had to watch for white frosty threads, but over the carves passageway, it was clear that it was easier said than done.

"I have an idea but they should only live in open spaces and use tunnels as their… ah, this must be the trap tunnel they connected their main nest to." Ella had studied many beasts and just like Grace, had examined many books that helped her learn about ice type beasts.

"They are glacial spiders. Similar to some of the weaver spiders we may have seen. They use threads as traps for prey. Instead of wrapping their prey though, they are able to freeze through the thread." Ella had little information other than the name and method of hunting.

"They are called glacial spiders because of their legs being the same color of hard and thick ice? They have long ice fangs and they are frosty white all over with a few spikes on their main body?" Ralph wielded his second single handed ax as he said this. Everyone wanted to think that Ralph had just guessed but they knew better.

'Glacial spider- uncommon

This young glacial spider is smaller due to its age. It will develop thicker and tougher ice around its thin body as it grows. The sharp ends of its body are this way so that it can easily lay down thin frost silk strands to use as traps.

They often live in groups of twenty until they reach adulthood, then they fight for the territory of the nest. The partners both die off after the eggs have hatched to leave behind their bodies as food for the young spiders. This doesn't stop them from hunting though.

If the glacial spider is able to eat enough ice type meat from ice type beasts, they are able to grow in to a very rare secondary form known as the traveling glacial spider. It is able to leave the cold climates it needs to survive and from the ice on its body. This is because the ice it had formed because part of its body completely in this growth. But this is exceedingly rare and takes great care.

The frost silk that these spiders produce is extremely valuable since it is able to attract ice energy. But also because it is considered a very high class material for elegant dresses due to the smooth flow and movement of each thread when weaved.'

"Alright, we are taking the nest. We can get the materials and see if any eggs are left. Glacial spiders would be the best base for us to sell in Nebula with a growth plan before we leave for another academy." Clark made this their goal before he explained a few details about the weakness of the spider's bodies. That was while the spider and the group stared each other down.

Both sides knew battle was about to start.