The surroundings turn into a blue, crystal cave.

Crystal Cave 2 by Firedudewraith

So far, every part of this mountain has a different tone and feel to it. There is no consistency to the rocky walls as you, Nathraena, and Djarrus pass by. Eventually, it all changes and so gradually that eventually, it isn't until you stop and realize you are in a completely different part of Madness.

Who knows, you could be underneath the mountain too. You can't tell whether you have been ascending or descending based on the irregular path so far. The only thing certain is that the mountain seems to be increasing the number of dangers in your way - trolls, a minotaur who you would worryingly have to face sooner or later, shadow creatures, and hallucinations.

In this illuminated caverns with glowing blue crystals, you can add djinns to the list of obstacles...

Israfil by Fesbraa

At first, you thought they were shadow creatures, given how dark and ghostly they appeared, but Nathraena pointed out that they lacked the negative energy of the shadow plane. In addition, they didn't come from the shadows, but the crystals themselves and consistently has a more human figure that isn't horrifying to look at. The crystals would occasionally grow bright and spawn a new djinn. These creatures would disappear into the air after a few hours which means they weren't as grounded as the shadow creatures were.

Were these creatures friendly? Absolutely not. There is a reason they are spawned by these strange, magical crystals after all.

Nathraena shouts, exerting herself forward as she swipes away one djinn to her side before it could swipe its claws at her. Compared to the shadow creatures, these were a lot easier to handle. Of course, you didn't want to be scratched or opened up. You had your fair share of cuts across the chest with compliments from the shadow plane.

Still, the whole linear path opened up quite a bit allowing room for you and Nathraena to switch sides and defend each other's back. Since the crystals could spawn these djinns, the disadvantage is that the creatures could spawn from behind while moving forward, but luckily, they are easier to disperse.

Djarrus was great for getting rid of any existing djinns in the way, taking as many as three in one swipe. He didn't even need to exert himself! He just swung his axe with one arm and then rested it on his shoulder with a grunt. Any creatures behind who wanted **** for their fallen brothers would have to deal with you and Nathraena.

"Hey, shouldn't we be trying...to break these crystals?" you ask with a short pause, ducking as one djinn swipes above and you swipe twice, one against its feet and then another across its chest as you stand up.

Nathrana grunts, kicking forward a djinn which promptly disappeared with a low hum. "If we did that, then we'd be wasting our time. Haven't you noticed that we're only getting a consistent amount of enemies? It seems that after a certain distance, these creatures won't come chasing us from behind."

You raise your eyebrows and take a look behind you, realizing that it was true. Two more djinns flash into existence from the nearby crystals behind and you curse. This is getting annoying.

An hour passed and the creatures didn't stop spawning. Crystals remained everywhere and nothing seemed to change into a new environment.

It was at this moment that Nathreana made a call to stop.

"Something isn't right," she notices.

You nod, curling your lips. Unfortunately, you aren't able to really focus on your surroundings as more djinns spawn.

Djarrus immediately figures it out though as he breathes in deeply.

"I can smell myself and you all. We've already been here before," he observes, his eyes growing weary now.

You try to smell the air as you kick away a djinn and then stab it while it's momentarily stunned. It's hard to tell since it was your own scent, but you can smell the group you are in ahead of the minotaur as well.

"So, we're trapped in a loop?"

Nathraena grunts and pushes back another djinn, growing increasingly impatient.

"Great. So we'll be just fighting these djinns for eternity, huh?" she remarks sarcastically, "...I was relieved to fight these creatures instead of the shadows, but it really is just as bad and eventually, we'll tire ourselves here too."

You bite the bottom of your lips.