A Bored Lich

"I don't care whose fault it is. I need these materials," Kilot demanded as he slid a piece of paper across the table.

Doevm palmed the list of materials and shook his head. "This is going to take time, time I'd rather not spend wandering through the mines. In the first place, how are we supposed to get the mining equipment?"

"You can borrow mine," Kilot insisted.

"That is besides the point," Doevm said.

"Eat up first," Kilot said. "You're going to be gone for a few days."

Doevm looked down at his full plate of meat, complete with a tankard of mead. An inn had shown the group to a good night's rest, and now a hearty, Dwarven breakfast. Frey was less apprehensive than the rest of the group, pulling the entire plate up to his face immediately and downing his glass. Doevm followed just as enthusiastically, though he was more curious than anything; New sensations were a welcome break compared to centuries of boredom, even if it was a bit salty.

The innkeeper took their plates away, and Doevm leaned closer to Kilot. "Is there any way we can make this go faster?"

Kilot went to shake his head, but hesitated. "There is one way, but you might not like it."

"What is it?" Doevm asked.

"Magic," Kilot chuckled. "I'm surprised you haven't thought of that yourself."

Doevm leaned back into his chair with a sigh. "Of course I thought of it. Who do you think I am?"

"I thought you were a Lich at one point," Kilot said. He raised his hand to order another drink. "But a Lich would have used magic to get those materials without a second thought, like when you massacred those bounty hunters."

It stung, even more so because his logic was without fault. "I know," Doevm said.

"Why don't you just…nevermind," Kilot set the matter aside. "Are you borrowing my equipment or not?"

Doevm glanced at Kilot's list. 'It'll take a few days to get everything, and that's if we're lucky,' he thought. 'That gives the hero and the War Monks time to react. If I use magic, will I miss an opportunity to grow stronger? I need every ounce of strength to beat Wilhelm, but am I ready yet? Are they ready?' He looked to his group, who seemed to struggle so much lately, and an idea formed.

"I'll take you up on your offer, thank you," Doevm said. "Expect a delivery at the end of the week."

Kilot furrowed his brow. "I doubt it'll take that long."

"It will with the way I plan to mine," Doevm said. "Diamonds aren't easy."

"Diamonds weren't on the list," Kilot said. He followed Doevm's gaze to the group and he chuckled. "I see what you mean. If you need me, I'll be cleaning out my old workshop."

Doevm made sure the group ate their fill before showing the group to the mines. With borrowed pickaxes slung over their shoulders, light crystals in their hard hats, and Doevm leading them, the group marched along a small minecart - heading into the depths.

Jagged, rocky protrusions stabbed into the narrow tunnel, occasionally meeting with feet or shins no matter how carefully he stepped. Equally as annoying was the constant, inexplicable pressure within Doevm's head. It was as if the labyrinth repelled him, a feeling which grew more invasive the deeper he delved.

"I don't want to stay here for very long," Thomas said, nervously looking around. "Shouldn't we start already?"

Doevm pointed ahead. "It has already begun."

Giant maggots. They crawled out of the dark like pale fingers and shrill cries grated against their ears. Frey sank his kopis into the first maggot, then grimaced as a trail of slime and blood followed his blade out of the human-sized corpse. Elero drew her rapiers to join the fight, but hesitated.

"Don't just stand there!" Thomas yelled out from behind her. "Help him!"

Frey sliced into a second maggot, a third, then struggled with the fourth as the rest of the maggots wormed around his torso. "Little help!"

Elero struggled to get a good foothold. She slashed her rapier across a maggot  that was latched onto Frey's back and ripped it back, hitting Thomas in the process. "Give me room!"

"Sorry," Thomas said, stepping back.

Olpi turned towards Doevm. "This is a mess. What should we do? How can I help?"

Doevm stood there, silently observing the struggle.

"Cerlius?" Olpi insisted.

"Don't do anything to help them," Doevm said. "Thomas, that goes for you too."

"What? Why?" Thomas asked.

"Get off of me!" Frey screamed. He surrounded himself with life essence and threw himself against the rocks.

Doevm stepped back as a few stalactites shook loose from the sheer impact.

The maggots gave one last cry. Frey threw their limp bodies to the ground and stabbed them to death, with Elero's help. "Why didn't you warn us about these things?" Frey groaned. "I'm covered in slime!"

"Why didn't you use the hero's power?" Doevm asked.

"What?" Frey asked. "Why would I use that on literal maggots?"

"Because it is more efficient," Doevm explained. "Instead you wasted your life essence, your energy, and endangered yourself and others, and for what?"

"W-well," Frey stuttered.

Doevm turned towards Elero, whose legs were covered in fresh wounds. "Stop putting on a brave act. You still need to adjust to your new legs, don't you? Your new bones give you stability, but they take away your freedom of movement."

"Yeah, I can see that now," Elero said.

"Wow. It's rare to see you get chewed out," Thomas chuckled.

Doevm turned towards Thomas. "Speaking of chewing, eat."

Thomas cocked his head to the side. "Eat what? No, you can't be serious. No no no no no no. I'm not going to eat a freaking maggot!"

"Eat," Doevm repeated. "Or you can go back home."

"What are you talking about?" Thomas said. "Why the hell would I have to go home otherwise? Who are you to make me?"

"All of you chose to come with me," Doevm said. "For the past few weeks, I've seen all of you change. This is good, but you're all still making mistakes. I need those weaknesses fixed before we continue. Should you choose not to, go home."

Thomas glared at Doevm before kneeling next to the maggot. He slowly took a bite, and a nauseous green spread throughout his face. Doevm tossed him some water to help it down. "Thanks," Thomas said.

Elero put a hand on Frey's shoulder, regretting it as she touched his slimy shoulder. "You think I can go ahead for a bit?"

"Sure," Frey said. "Switch when you need to be healed."

"Deal," Elero nodded.

"And what do I need to do?" Olpi curiously asked.

Doevm raised his eyebrow. "You think I haven't noticed?"

Olpi crossed her arms. "Notice what?"

"You found a new source of magic."

"Oh, sorry I wasn't trying to hide it," Olpi said as she held out her hands, and a tiny, humanoid shape of water formed.

"A water spirit doesn't come without some kind of ritual. What did you do to acquire it?" Doevm asked.

"It just came to me as we were camped out. I swear I didn't do anything, but I can't figure out why it's following me or what it wants."

"We can figure that out later," Doevm said. "We all have things to improve."

"And what about you, what will you be doing?" Olpi asked.

"Mine is just ahead," Doevm said as he pulled out a map with a small, blinking red dot on it.