The Mage's Path: Chapter 27

Hi all,

Here’s the second Mage's Path chapter for today. Harry and Celeste finish up the dungeon.  

Chapter 27

Harry traced his finger along the dungeon map, memorising the route to the Crematorium. The parchment showed a complex network of passages branching off from the main corridor.

"This way," he said, folding the map and tucking it into his pocket. 

Celeste hovered at eye level. "What's that note in the corner? 'Passage flooded'?"

"Only one way to find out." Harry recast Magelight, illuminating the damp stone walls as they moved forward.

They crept through the first corridor, alert for any movement. The steady drip of water echoed around them, punctuated by distant moans. 

"Movement ahead," Celeste whispered, pointing to a shambling figure rounding the corner.

The zombie lurched into view, its jaw hanging loose and swinging with each step. Its clothes had rotted away to tatters, revealing grey flesh beneath. Two more zombies stumbled after it, their collective moans rising as they spotted Harry.

"Just three," Harry murmured, summoning three Flame Darts. "Easy enough."

The fiery projectiles streaked through the air, striking each zombie in the chest. Flames consumed their desiccated bodies. They collapsed into piles of ash, dissolving into light moments later.

"Well, that was easier than before," Celeste noted. "Your new skills make a big difference."

Harry nodded, checking the map again before turning left at a junction. "The flame spells work perfectly against these zombies. But they’re only cannon fodder."

The zombies didn’t give much experience. So, it was hard to justify wasting precious mana on them. Even if he had mana potions, he still needed to worry about his consumption gauge.  

They pressed on, dispatching two more small groups of zombies with similar efficiency. 

As they approached the collapsed wall marked on the map, a low groaning sound stopped them short. A section of ceiling had given way, creating a pile of rubble that partially blocked their path. Harry clambered over the debris, dislodging stones that clattered to the floor.

"Quiet," Celeste hissed, darting ahead to scout the passage beyond.

She returned moments later. "Three Sprinters ahead, blocking the direct route."

Harry chewed his lip, considering their options. "Can we bypass them?"

"There's a side passage not marked on your map. Might work."

They slipped into the narrow corridor Celeste had found, its ceiling so low Harry had to stoop. The passage curved sharply before opening into a wider chamber. They'd successfully bypassed the monsters.

"Good eye," Harry said.

The air grew warmer as they continued, a dry heat replacing the damp chill of the earlier corridors. Soon, sweat beaded on Harry's forehead.

"We must be getting close," Celeste said, wiping perspiration from her tiny brow.

They rounded a final corner and came face to face with a set of iron doors, their surfaces blackened with soot. Heat radiated from them in waves, distorting the air. The words "CREMATORIUM" were carved into the stone lintel above.

Harry pushed the doors open, wincing at the blast of hot air that escaped. Inside, the Crematorium stretched before them—a cavernous chamber dominated by a massive furnace. Its metal doors stood open, revealing a roaring fire that burned without fuel, flames shifting between orange and black.

Harry shielded his face from the intense heat.

The walls were lined with shelves containing hundreds of urns, each labeled with a date and number. Some had fallen, spilling grey ashes across the stone floor.

"Failed experiments," Celeste said, examining the nearest shelf. "Look at these dates—he was busy for decades."

Harry approached a desk positioned against the far wall. Leather-bound journals lay open, their pages filled with the now-familiar childish handwriting. He leaned closer, reading entries dating back years.

"Listen to this," he said, tracing the words with his finger. "'The phoenix represents the ultimate contradiction to my existence—immortality through renewal rather than stagnation. I must understand its secret.'"

Harry flipped through more pages, skimming the increasingly desperate entries.

"'I have captured a phoenix, though the effort cost me dearly,'" he read aloud. "'The creature fights me at every turn, refusing food and water. It's song causes me physical pain—a reaction I did not anticipate.'"

Celeste perched on his shoulder, reading alongside him. "He was experimenting on a phoenix? That's messed up."

Harry turned another page. "'The corruption spreads throughout the phoenix as I had hoped. Its bright plumage darkens, its song growing discordant. Yet still it resists true transformation—something in its nature fights my efforts.'"

The final entry sent a chill down Harry's spine despite the room's oppressive heat.

"'I have failed. The phoenix has become something else entirely—neither fully corrupted nor truly pure. It refuses to die, refuses to be reborn. Instead, it exists in a twilight state, filled with hatred. I have sealed it within the furnace, the only place that seems to contain it.'"

A harsh screech cut through the air, freezing Harry mid-sentence. The furnace fire flared violently, flames shooting toward the ceiling before collapsing inward. From the heart of the inferno emerged a bird the size of an eagle, its feathers black as pitch with veins of molten fire pulsing beneath. Its eyes glowed like hot coals, fixing on Harry with unmistakable malice.

"Scan," Harry gasped, backing away from the desk.

======Corrupted Phoenix | Level: 17 | Type: Elite | Corrupted Magical Creature | 

HP: 1000/1000 | MP: 800/800 | 

Primary Attributes: Spirit: 40 | Agility: 35 | Intelligence: 25 

Defence: 20 

Primary Skills 

Corrupted Flame: Produces black fire that causes burn damage and drains MP. 

Death Song: Creates discordant notes that cause psychological damage and confusion. 

Ash Cloud: Releases a cloud of toxic ash that reduces visibility and inflicts poison status. 

Phoenix Dive: Charges target while wreathed in flames, dealing heavy damage.

Monster Traits

Fire Mastery: Immune to fire damage; absorbs fire attacks to restore HP. 

Corrupted Immortality: Regenerates HP over time; regeneration increases when damaged. 

Weakness to Shadow: Takes 25% additional damage from shadow-based attacks.

=======

Exp: 800 

Loot: 200 pounds; Corrupted Phoenix Feather; Phoenix Ash; ????

Bestiary Entry: 0/1

Description: Once a creature of pure light and healing, this phoenix has been twisted by dark experimentation. Its immortal nature prevents true corruption, leaving it trapped in a perpetual state between life and death. Its flames now consume rather than renew, spreading corruption to all they touch. The creature's endless suffering has driven it mad with rage—it attacks without mercy or reason. =======

“Well, at least we found the phoenix ash,” Harry said.

“Not the time,” Celeste shouted. 

The corrupted phoenix shot toward Harry, its wings spreading wide as flames licked across its feathers. Harry dived, rolling beneath the blazing talons that raked the air where his head had been moments before.

"It's immune to fire!" Harry shouted, glancing at Celeste. "And we're in the weapon phase. We need to be careful!"

The phoenix banked sharply, its wings carving through the superheated air. It opened its beak and unleashed a discordant cry that filled the chamber. It hit Harry like a physical blow, making his vision swim and his muscles seize.

"Cover your ears!" Celeste yelled, her own tiny hands pressed against her head.

Harry staggered sideways, fighting against the disorientation. He reached for his dagger then hesitated—the blade's fire enchantment would be useless against a creature that absorbed flames.

The phoenix tucked its wings and executed a perfect dive, trailing black fire behind it. Harry activated Wind Dash, his body blurring with enhanced speed as he narrowly avoided the attack. The bird crashed into the stone desk, shattering it into fragments.

"We need to last until the magic phase switches back," Harry gasped, leaping behind an urn shelf for cover.

Celeste darted around the phoenix, trying to distract it.

"Hit and run!" she called. "Don't stay still!"

The phoenix spread its wings and began to glow, its body temperature rising visibly. With a violent flap, it released a thick mass of black particles that filled the air, stinging Harry's eyes and burning his throat.

"Can't... see," he coughed, stumbling blindly through the ash.

Scalding talons raked across his back. Harry cried out, pain lancing down his spine as his HP plummeted.

Harry's HP: 280/400

He dove forward, rolling beneath another shelf as the phoenix wheeled around for another strike. Celeste flew erratic patterns around its head, drawing its attention away from Harry and buying him precious seconds to recover.

"We need to run!" Harry shouted, eyeing the door.

He sprinted toward the exit, but the phoenix anticipated his move. It swept low across the room, spewing a line of flames that blocked their escape route. The black fire spread across the doorway, forming an impassable barrier.

"We're trapped," Celeste said, narrowly avoiding the phoenix's talons as it made another pass.

The bird's song rang out again, rattling urns on their shelves. Celeste faltered midair, her wings suddenly uncoordinated. The phoenix seized the advantage, slamming into her tiny form.

Celeste's HP: 70/125

"Celeste!" Harry raised his hand, focusing on the nearest urn. "Wingardium Leviosa!"

The urn shot toward the phoenix, smashing against its chest. Ash exploded outward, but the bird barely flinched. Harry levitated three more urns in rapid succession, each impact doing minimal damage.

The phoenix seemed to grow frustrated, its attacks becoming more erratic but no less dangerous. It unleashed another Ash Cloud before diving through it, using the cover to ambush Harry.

Talons sank into his shoulder, lifting him from the ground. The phoenix carried him upward, smashing him against the ceiling before dropping him. Harry crashed onto a shelf, urns shattering beneath his weight.

Harry's HP: 180/400

His vision blurred with pain as he pushed himself upright. Blood soaked his torn robes as he fumbled in his inventory for his last chance—the Tome of Chaos.

"This better work," he muttered, opening the ancient book.

Magic surged from the pages, coalescing into... a burst of pink bubbles that floated harmlessly around the room. Harry cursed, flipping to another page as the phoenix banked for another dive.

This time, lightning erupted from the tome, arcing across the room and striking the corrupted bird. The phoenix shrieked, its flight pattern faltering as electricity coursed through its body. Harry didn't waste the opportunity, immediately activating another page.

A swarm of spectral blades materialised, slicing through the phoenix's feathers as it tried to evade. Black ichor splattered across the floor, the creature's movements growing increasingly desperate.

Harry continued, page after page, each spell more devastating than the last. A cage of ethereal energy trapped the phoenix momentarily. A gravitational vortex slammed it against the floor. Ghostly chains wrapped around its wings, binding them to its sides.

The phoenix's HP dropped steadily: 700... 500... 350...

With a final burst of effort, it broke free from the chains, unleashing another son that shattered the remaining urns. Harry flipped to the last page, but instead of a new spell, the tome crumbled to dust in his hands.

"No!" Harry backed away as the wounded phoenix gathered itself for a final attack.

Suddenly, a familiar message appeared.

The dungeon has shifted into the Magic Phase.

"Now!" Harry shouted, summoning an Aqua Sphere.

The water magic slammed into the phoenix with surprising force. Steam hissed where it struck, the creature's corrupted fire momentarily doused.

Celeste rallied, her tiny form glowing with dark energy. "Shadow Lance!"

The dark projectile pierced the phoenix's wing, causing it to screech in pain. Black feathers scattered across the floor as the creature struggled to maintain flight.

"Void Prison!" Celeste followed up, a sphere of writhing shadows enveloping the phoenix, constricting around its body. Within the prison, the bird thrashed wildly, its movements growing weaker as darkness seeped into its wounds.

"Shadow Leech!" Celeste continued, draining the creature's remaining life force.

Harry launched another Aqua Sphere, the water magic finding unexpected effectiveness against the weakened phoenix. With a final defiant screech, the corrupted bird collapsed, its body dissolving into motes of light.

Corrupted Phoenix defeated! Each party member gains 400 experience points.

Harry sank to his knees, breathing heavily. "That was too close."

After he recovered, he gathered the phoenix's loot. He found a feather, a small pouch of ash and a crystallised tear.

"This is exactly what I need," he said, storing the items away. "But I can’t make it until I find the heat-resistant ore."

He circled the furnace, examining the structure. Despite the phoenix's departure, flames continued to dance inside. The metal doors had warped from decades of extreme heat, their edges melted and reformed countless times.

"There must be something we're missing," Harry muttered, running his hand along the furnace's side. 

His fingers caught on an indentation—a small panel hidden beneath years of accumulated soot.

He scraped away the grime, revealing a simple iron lever. With a grunt, he pulled it downward. The furnace rumbled, its inner walls sliding apart to reveal a secondary chamber beyond the flames.

"Clever hiding spot," Celeste said, peering into the opening.

Inside lay a small iron chest, its surface blackened but intact. Harry cast Aqua Sphere, cooling the chest enough to touch before retrieving it.

The lock snapped easily under pressure from his dagger. Inside, sat several ingots of dark metal that had a purple-blue iridescence.

"Appraisal."

====== Abyssal Heat Iron | Rare | Effect: Crafting Material | Quality: High 

Description: A rare alloy forged in extreme temperatures, capable of withstanding magical fire without melting. Its unique properties make it ideal for crafting weapons designed to harness thermal energy. ======

"This is it," Harry said, storing the ingots. "The final component we needed."

"Can we head back to the forge now?" Celeste asked. "I'd rather not stick around in case that bird has friends."

“Let’s return to the safe room first,” Harry said. “I need a break.”

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Harry stumbled into the safe room and collapsed onto the bed. His armour lay in a heap by the door. As soon as his head hit the pillow, the bed’s special property took hold, pulling him into deep, dreamless sleep.

He woke eight hours later, feeling refreshed. His resources had completely replenished while he slept.

"What time is it?" he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

Celeste fluttered nearby, her wings catching the light. "Evening, I'd guess. Your friends are probably looking for you in the Great Hall by now."

Harry pushed himself up, stretching his arms overhead. "I still haven't thought of a decent excuse."

"You could always tell them you got lost in the library," Celeste suggested.

Harry snorted. "That might work for Hermione. I'll have to wing it."

After a quick shower, Harry prepared a hearty meal of bacon, eggs and beans. The hot food restored his energy further, helping clear the cobwebs from his mind.

With his plate empty, Harry settled onto the sofa and pulled out the leather-bound books he'd found in the monster's cell. Perhaps one of them might offer clues to Frankenstein’s monster's next destination outside the dungeon.

"Paradise Lost," Harry murmured, examining the first volume. The pages were dog-eared and covered with scribbled notes in the margins—words underlined and circled, passages marked with exclamation points. The monster must have studied it intently.

He flipped through "Great Expectations" next, finding similar annotations. Particular attention had been paid to passages about outcasts and loneliness. In "The Picture of Dorian Gray," entire paragraphs about beauty and society's cruelty had been underlined multiple times.

"He was looking for answers about humanity," Harry observed, closing the final book. "Trying to understand why he was rejected."

"Any clues about where he went?" Celeste asked.

Harry shook his head. "Nothing obvious. Let's head back to the forge. I want to make that weapon before we face the Goliath."

They returned to the blacksmith's area, where Harry spent the next several hours practising his craft. Each dagger took less time than the last as his technique improved. Some daggers were adequate, others barely functional, but each failure taught him something new.

After creating his twentieth uncommon iron dagger, his Blacksmithing skill reached level two. 

Harry wiped sweat from his brow, satisfaction warming his chest. "Time to make the Inferno Blade."

He arranged his materials. The handbook's instructions were complex. The metal required precise heating—too hot and the unique properties would be lost; too cool and it wouldn't form properly.

Harry placed the first ingot in the forge, watching until it glowed with the exact deep colour described in the handbook. He transferred it to the anvil and began hammering, focusing intently on the pattern taking form beneath his strikes.

The first attempt shattered when he quenched it, the metal unable to withstand the thermal shock.

"Dammit" he muttered, starting over.

The second attempt survived quenching but cracked along the blade edge when he tested it.

On his third try, Harry incorporated the phoenix ash into the metal while it was still malleable, folding it carefully into the blade according to the handbook's diagrams. He bound the handle with the enhanced sinew from the Sprinter, creating a grip that wouldn't burn the user even as the blade heated during combat.

Harry held the completed weapon up to the light. "Appraisal."

======Inferno Blade | Level: 15 | Rare | Type: Weapon | Enchantment Slots: 0 

Description: A dagger forged from abyssal heat iron, infused with corrupted phoenix essence. The blade's surface ripples with dark flame patterns that shift and move when wielded. Its balance is exceptional, allowing for precise strikes that penetrate even the toughest undead hide.

*Deals major damage for its level.

*Deals 25% additional critical damage.

*Deals 50% additional damage to undead creatures

* Enchantment: Corruption Burn - On critical hit, releases a burst of black fire that deals additional damage over time

* Enchantment: "Persistent Flame" - Blade maintains a constant heat that cauterises wounds, preventing zombies from reanimating.

*Durability: 300/300

======

Harry grinned, turning the blade to examine it from every angle. The weapon exceeded his expectations. Its edge was impossibly sharp and the handle felt cool despite the blade's heat, the enhanced sinew providing perfect grip.

======Congratulations! You have completed the Side Quest: Forging a Monster Slayer. Rewards: 3000 XP; 1 PP. ======

"This should even the odds against Goliath," he said, sheathing the dagger at his belt.

Celeste hovered nearby, her expression dubious. "Let's hope so. I'd rather not become zombie food after all this work."

“Let's test it out on some zombies first. They should have respawned by now.”

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Harry consulted the dungeon map, frowning at its layout. They'd explored nearly every corner of the dungeon, yet Goliath remained conspicuously absent. "Where could it be? I thought he'd be lumbering around, hunting us by now."

"Maybe we got lucky and it fell down a bottomless pit."

Harry snorted. "When have we ever been that lucky?"

They made their way through the wine cellar, encountering only a handful of regular zombies. Harry dispatched them with brutal efficiency, the Inferno Blade slicing through rotting flesh with terrifying ease. 

He’d spent the past few hours hunting zombies and putting the dagger through its paces, and was impressed with the results. Even the Sprinters hadn’t been a match for him when he combined it with Celeste’s amplying skills. The blade's enchantment left cauterised wounds that prevented zombies from reanimation, giving them one less thing to worry about.

As they approached the main hall, Harry studied the map again, eyes scanning each section they'd explored. His finger stopped at a blank area near the dungeon entrance.

"There." He tapped the parchment. "According to the map, there should be a corridor here, but we never found an entrance."

They backtracked to the location, examining the seemingly solid wall with newfound scrutiny. Harry ran his hands over the stones, feeling for irregularities.

"Here." His fingers caught on a slight indent. "It feels different."

He pressed firmly. The stone sank inward with a soft click, and a section of wall swung open, revealing a hidden passage beyond.

The corridor sloped gently downward, walls lined with flickering torches that cast dancing shadows. Unlike the rest of the dungeon, this passage showed no signs of decay—no moss, no moisture, no crumbling mortar.

The passage ended at a set of ornate double doors. Harry pushed them open and stepped into a vast circular chamber.

Mirrors covered every surface, their reflective faces creating an infinite regression of images. The ceiling, walls, and even sections of the floor displayed their reflections from every angle. Harry saw thousands of versions of himself stretching into eternity, each one slightly distorted.

"Watch your step," he warned as Celeste nearly flew into a mirror.

In the centre of the room stood a stone dais. Atop it lay scattered notes and diagrams, their yellowed pages curling with age.

Harry approached cautiously, scanning the chamber for movement. He picked up one of the pages, recognising the elaborate script from the journals.

"Victor Frankenstein's notes," he murmured. 

The diagrams showed human anatomy, modified with strange additions and alterations. Margin notes detailed electrical experiments and theories on reanimation. 

A distant roar shattered the eerie silence. Harry's head snapped up, eyes darting between mirrors as he tried to locate the source.

"He's coming," Celeste whispered.

Harry sheathed the Inferno Blade, a sense of anticipation building in his chest. "Feeling ready to face that monster again?"

They concealed themselves behind the central dais, waiting in tense silence. Harry watched the entrance through a mirror, heart hammering against his ribs.

They hid themselves, but didn't have to wait long. The dungeon shifted phases just as the doors burst open. Goliath's massive form filled the entrance, gore still dripping from its last meal. Its milky eyes locked onto Harry with terrifying intelligence.

"Now!" Harry shouted, activating Wind Dash.

His body blurred as he circled the chamber, Goliath's gaze tracking him through the mirrors. The monster roared in frustration, unable to distinguish the real Harry from his countless reflections.

Goliath charged, fist raised to deliver a crushing blow. Harry waited until the last second before dodging, letting the monster's momentum carry it into a wall of mirrors. Instead of shattering, the mirrors simply rippled like water, absorbing the impact.

"The mirrors are indestructible!" Harry called to Celeste.

"Okay!" She zoomed overhead, her tiny form blurring as she circled Goliath's head. She couldn't cast offensive magic in the weapon phase, but she could still serve as a distraction.

Goliath swiped at the fairy, its massive hand missing by centimetres. Celeste darted around its head, drawing its attention while Harry circled behind.

The Inferno Blade sank into the back of Goliath's thigh, black flames erupting from the wound. The monster howled, spinning with shocking speed for something so massive. It detached one of its arms, hurling the limb like a club.

Harry rolled under the projectile, feeling the rush of air as it passed overhead. The arm bounced off a mirror and reattached itself to Goliath's shoulder, the necrotic flesh knitting together seamlessly.

"That's revolting!" Celeste shouted, barely avoiding Goliath's grasping fingers.

The monster slammed both fists into the floor, cracking the stone and sending shockwaves across the chamber. Harry lost his footing, tumbling backward. Goliath pounced, closing the distance with frightening speed.

Harry activated Wind Dash, but Goliath anticipated his movement. Its hand closed around his ankle, and with one savage jerk, it hurled him across the room.

Harry's body slammed into a mirror, which absorbed the impact like thick gel before pushing him back. He hit the floor hard, gasping as pain radiated through his ribs.

Harry's HP: 320/400

"Harry!" Celeste zipped towards him, but Goliath intercepted her path with a swipe of its massive hand.

Harry scrambled to his feet, using the mirrored walls to his advantage. He dashed between reflections, confusing Goliath as it struggled to locate the real target amidst the kaleidoscope of images.

The Inferno Blade flashed in the light as Harry struck, the enchanted weapon slicing across Goliath's back. Black flames erupted from the wound. Goliath roared in pain and fury, its attacks growing wilder.

"Look out!" Celeste warned as Goliath's jaws snapped inches from Harry's face. 

Harry ducked under another swing, slashing at Goliath's knee. The monster stumbled, its balance compromised. Harry seized the opportunity, driving the Inferno Blade deep into its thigh.

Goliath retaliated, its fist connecting with Harry's chest. The impact sent him flying across the chamber, his body bouncing off multiple mirrors before crashing to the floor. Blood filled his mouth as he struggled to breathe.

Harry's HP: 240/400

Goliath lumbered towards him, its movements growing faster as its Life Harvest ability activated. It grabbed Harry by the throat, lifting him off the ground. Necrotic energy flowed from its fingers, draining Harry's health.

Harry's HP: 160/400

With his free hand, Harry drove the Inferno Blade into Goliath's wrist. The monster howled, releasing him as black flames consumed its hand. Harry hit the ground running, using Wind Dash to put distance between them.

Goliath's muscles bulged, veins pulsing beneath grey skin as its Adrenaline ability kicked in. Its speed doubled, allowing it to close the gap Harry had created in an instant.

"It's getting stronger as its HP drops!" Celeste shouted, diving down to distract it again.

Harry used the mirrors to his advantage, creating confusion with his reflections. He struck from behind, the Inferno Blade slicing through Goliath's shoulder, severing its arm. 

Goliath's eyes widened in what might have been fear and started backing away.

"Keep pressing!" Harry called, circling to flank the creature.

The chamber had become a dizzying maze of reflections—thousands of Harrys and Goliaths multiplied infinitely in every direction. Harry used the disorientation to his advantage, striking from unexpected angles as Goliath grew increasingly confused.

The monster unleashed an ear-splitting roar that shook the chamber, cracking several floor tiles. Its remaining arm swung wildly, catching Harry in the side and sending him crashing into the central dais.

Harry's HP: 80/400

Blood streamed from a gash on his forehead, obscuring his vision. He rolled sideways just as Goliath's fist smashed into the spot where he'd lain moments before, shattering the stone dais.

Harry scrambled to his feet, wiping blood from his eyes. The Inferno Blade hummed in his hand, responding to the intensity of the battle. He activated Wind Dash again, his form blurring as he circled the monster.

Goliath turned slowly, tracking Harry's movement through the mirrors. Its attacks grew more desperate, more powerful, but less precise. Harry dodged each wild swing, countering with precise strikes that severed tendons and burned through rotting flesh.

With each wound from the Inferno Blade, Goliath grew weaker, the persistent flames preventing regeneration. The monster's movements became erratic, fueled by pain and rage rather than strategy.

Harry's final attack came as Goliath lunged toward one of his reflections. The real Harry slid beneath the monster, dragging the cursed blade along its underside. The Inferno Blade burned through rotting flesh, severing the creature's spine.

Goliath collapsed, its massive body convulsing as black fire spread from the wound. It released one final, defiant roar before dissolving into motes of light.

Goliath defeated! Each party member gains 2000 experience points.

Harry collapsed to the floor, breathing heavily. Blood and sweat mingled on his face as he stared at the ceiling.

Celeste landed on his chest, her tiny form equally exhausted. "Let's never do that again."

Harry collected the items the Goliath had dropped on the ground. He stashed everything in his inventory without looking at them. He could examine them later.

"Let's see what else this room holds," Harry said, pushing himself to his feet.

They moved toward the centre of the circular chamber where a massive chair dominated the space. Made of darkened metal with thick leather straps hanging from its arms and legs, the chair faced one of the larger mirrors.

"Restraints," Celeste noted. "Someone was forced to sit here."

Harry ran his hand along the armrest. "They didn't want their subject going anywhere."

The chair's position seemed deliberate, angled to provide its occupant with an unobstructed view of their reflection. 

They continued their search, finding a small alcove hidden behind a panel of mirrors. Inside sat a simple desk cluttered with papers.

Harry picked up the topmost sheet, recognising Victor's handwriting immediately. Unlike the clinical observations from earlier notes, these words carried unmistakable rage.

"I found him at last," Harry read aloud. "After tracking him across continents, I discovered the monster hiding here, playing nursemaid to his shambling creations."

Harry's eyes widened as he continued. "Victor broke into the dungeon, tearing down the gate. He expected the monster to leave the cell, but it refused to follow."

"That explains the door we found in the cell," Celeste said. "It was broken inward, not outward."

Harry nodded, skimming further. "Victor started killing zombies to provoke Frankenstein's monster. It worked—the monster confronted him here, in this mirrored chamber."

"Why mirrors?" Celeste asked.

"According to this, Frankenstein's monster couldn't bear the sight of his own reflection. Victor thought it fitting punishment to surround him with thousands of copies of his own image. He was angry that the monster had run away."

Harry turned the page. "But the monster displayed that ability again—the one Victor mentioned in his other journal. It created a dimensional rift and escaped through it."

Celeste fluttered closer. "That explains the connection to the dungeons."

"Victor followed immediately after, determined to capture the monster and learn its secret." Harry lowered the paper. "He wanted the ability to travel between dimensions for himself."

"Do you think he succeeded?" Celeste asked.

Harry stared at his reflection multiplied infinitely in the surrounding mirrors. “I don’t know.”

"Well, one thing's certain," Celeste said. "We're going to run into him again somewhere."

“Let’s hope it’s much later rather than sooner.” Harry pushed away from the desk. "Let's find the gate and get out of here. I don't think there's anything else urgent that needs completing now."

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Halloween approaches, and Harry’s bad luck with the holiday continues. 

Thanks for reading.