The Adventures Of Julius Drywood P2 (Patreon)

He owed that woman his life at least, and there was a good chance he owed that much to the other as well. He took a small stone from his pouch. “Can you cast a light spell?” He said turning to Regalius. “Of course I can.” He replied “But we have light. Why would-” “I need real light, as bright as you can make it for as long as you can make it! Can you do it?” The urgency in his voice seemed to convince Regalius. He pointed a pinger at the ceiling. “Everyone, cover your eyes!” He shouted. They all complied and a burst of brilliant, white, light exploded above them. Julius turned away, holding the little stone up to his mouth. “Twig, if you're listening I need help.” He spoke urgently to the little rock. “I'm seriously about to die here.” With that the little stone began to glow faintly blue in the darkness of his shadow. Julius let go of it and it hung in the air. A voice drifted out of it. “Master, I obey your call.” With that a small, female, figure rose from his shadow as if it was water. It's hand closed around the glowing pebble. She looked as though made of shadow itself, but wasn't dissipated by light. Regalius gaped. “What have you summoned?” He asked shakily. The figure of shadow turned towards him and laughed in a very unsettling way. “You'll see soon enough, elf...” She replied, though her voice seemed to whisper from his own shadow and echo in the darkness all around them. Julius turned slightly. “Whatever you do, do not let that light fade out!” He commanded. Regalius nodded in stunned silence as the little shadow woman strode casually into the darkness. Niona and Alina were keeping back the tide of bones as best they could, but their numbers were over whelming. For every one they took out another was right behind it to take its place. Then Niona noticed something strange. At the very edge of the circle of light a skeleton suddenly fell over, and she heard a little outburst of maniacal laughter. Then one fell backwards out of sight. Moments later a skull exploded into a cloud of dust, the decapitated form flailing around wildly before being taken down by other soldiers. A noticeable gap was forming in the ranks of oncoming foes and continued to grow. Whatever was taking them down was doing so with total impunity. It was as though the darkness itself had turned upon them, and was laughing at them. Soon Regalius could keep his illumination spell going while also playing his rousing tune on a small wooden flute. It wasn't as effective as his violin had been but it was enough to keep the others going. The tide was slowly shifting in their favor again. Of course they all knew it was only a matter of time before their lost teammates stepped out of the darkness and they would have to face them. In spite of this it was still a shock when it happened. The man with the broken sword crossed the distance between his rotting self and Alina in a few long strides. His attack vicious and resounding, but Alina stood as a stone stands against a wave. Strike upon strike rained down on her too quickly to answer, but she held her ground. Julius kept lesser beings from causing her trouble, but wondered how long she could keep up her defense. The other slain friends soon stepped out of the darkness as well and rounded upon Niona. One was a slender man dressed and armed in a manner similar to Alina, but pierced many times, the other a woman, possibly an elf, whose long hair had been hacked wildly, had a badly injured arm. It hung lamely, but still held a shield. Julius decided to take up arms against the man. His speed would be a better match against the slow swing of the mace. Though brutal the swings lacked finesse and he avoided them easily. Niona had reach over the shield maided. One armed she couldn't properly defend against Niona's skill. She was soon literally disarmed. After a clumsy swing that shattered a large section of floor Julius was able to do the same to his opponent. Regalius bitterly chanted the strongest fire spell he knew and the pair were released from their torture. A few more of the skeletal soldiers meandered into the circle, but no longer in numbers to vast to deal with. The party turned its attention to Alina, still holding her foe at bay, unable to gain an advantage. As they made ready to help the little shadow woman casually walked back into the light. While the big man continued to wail on Alina's mace she cut the legs from under him with no more effort than someone opening a letter. With no base the mountain crumbled. Alina stepped away, tears streaming down her face, as Regalius sent this poor soul to Valhalla as well. The room was silent again apart from the weary panting of the party. Regalius slid down the pillar he was backed up against, exhausted. His light spell finally fading away. As it did the darkness seemed to melt away from the shadow girl leaving a beautiful, but very normal looking, dark skinned, human walking up to Julius. He hair was short, black, with a streak of blonde in the front. Her clothes looked like Julius's might have if he wasn't so shabby, and liked wearing them skin tight. They were also mostly an immaculate shade of midnight blue. “Did I please master?” She said sweetly embracing Julius in a somehow catlike way. “Very much so.” He replied wearily. “But please don't do the master thing right now, okay?” She rubbed face lovingly into his chest. “Yes master...” After a few lurid moments of cuddling Julius started waggling his arms around in an attempt to shake her off, which caused a fit of giggling little else. As casually as he could Julius half dragged Twig to another pillar and leaned on it nonchalantly. In spite of the horrors they had just faced the rest of the party all grinned at the spectacle. “So...” He began in as cool a tone as he could muster. “This is Twig. An associate of mine.” “What kind of a name is Twig?” Wheezed Regalius. “Mine, elf!” Twig spat back, moving behind Julius to look at Regalius. “It's a nickname I gave her.” Said Julius. “She... doesn't care for her real name, and I won't risk harm to my person by uttering it here.” “How can someone that young shadowphase?” Regalius asked. “I've been studying it for years and I can barely go across a room. It's insanely difficult.” Julius considered this for a moment. “I don't know actually.” He finally replied. “I can only go a little way myself, but after I showed Twig she just seemed to... get it.” Regalius gaped. “You can do it too?” “Yeah, not well. Not well... but I can do it a little” He replied. “Once or twice a day tops, and not very far. Twig can go... Well, I'm not exactly sure what her upper limit is. Miles for sure, and more than once a day for minutes at a time.” Twig beamed around at the group, basking in the clearly displayed awe. “That's amazing...” Niona gasped. “Why didn't you bring her with you from the start?” “Well,” Julius replied. “I hate to put her in danger, or wear her out with a bunch of questing. She's kind of my weapon of last resort.” “Who's that one?” Twig asked quietly, pointing at Niona. “Ah, sorry, yeah. That's Niona, she's a scholar. That's Regalius, he's a tone mage... and that's... Alina Redgrave.” Julius said, pointing to each one in turn. At the revalation of Alina's name Twig's eyes almost tore her face in half trying to widen wider than they'd ever been before. Before Alina could even speak Twig had crossed the distance between them and was all but groveling at her feet. Twig couldn't seem to form words and she was nearly crying, but she managed to scrabble around in a little pouch and produce a bright stone, like the one Julius summoned her with, and press it shakily into Alina's palm. With that she sprinted back to Julius and buried her face in his chest again. He seemed almost as surprised as Alina. “Uh... Twig says, should you ever need help, just speak clearly at the stone.” Julius instructed. “If it's in her power to help she'll defend your life to her last breath... Mistress.” “This is an exquisite gift,” Alina replied, turning the little stone over in her fingers. “but I certainly haven't earned it. If anything I should be giving her something.” “She was in the capital, at the battle of the gates.” Julius explained. “You can understand how... I mean...” “It is a very rare event when someone repays that debt.” Nodded Alina solemnly. “Our accounts are balanced, Twig, but I'm afraid I can't bring myself to return your present. I'll have to owe you for a while now.” Twig forced herself to look Alina in the eyes and nodded. “She is wonderful, Master...” She said in a tone even Julius had trouble hearing. “As wonderful as you.” “I was with her you know?” Complained Regalius, pulling himself to his feet. “We were in the same company. It's not like Alina did it all by herself you know.” He remembered himself for a moment and cast a quick glance at Alina, who had on the expression of someone who had heard this many times already. “Not that she isn't the commander for a reason.” He continued carefully. “But no one ever gives me presents when they meet me. Or Niona for that matter.” “I don't believe you, Elf!” Twig replied, casting an appraising eye towards Regalius. “You seem like a bad elf...” “It's true, as hard as it is to believe sometimes... Regalius is a hero.” Alina chimed in. “I'd never've survived without he or Niona.” Twig regarded Regalius for a long moment, slowly digging around in her bag, then violently whipped a stone at him. He caught it by luck as much as anything else because his hands were in front of his face when he sensed danger. In spite of the method of delivery he seemed genuinely pleased with his gift and even managed a believable thank you for it. Twig offered Niona a stone by means of an upturned palm. She still seemed unwilling to let go of Julius, although she was holding on to his sleeve now, rather than his whole body. Niona's smile seemed to put Twig much more at ease. By the time she had risen and made the short trip to where Julius and Twig were standing Twig had even managed to release Julius and take a few steps away. “You must have been 14 or 15 at the battle of the gates...” Niona said. “Had you already been studying combat?” Twig shook her head. “My daddy was a soldier, but I was sposta to be a witch. Sometimes I watched the training though.” She explained. “How extraordinary...” Said Niona, turning to Julius “And you taught her to shadowphase, with no real combat or magic training to speak of?” “Yeah... It, uh... She does it like she was born to it.” He replied nervously. “She only has to see something a couple of times and she can copy it almost perfectly.” Suddenly Niona made a complex gesture with her hands that ended with a shower of sparks erupting from her fingertips like a gun. Without speaking Twig copied the movements almost exactly, which resulted in a smaller, but significant, sparkle of her own. “Astounding! How utterly fantastic!” Niona grinned. Julius seemed a little disturbed. Twig had already replicated Niona's cantrip perfectly and was well on her way to improving it. “Yes, fantastic as always, Twig, but you probably shouldn't-” He said, making to stop Twig from already trying an eigth time. Unfortunately, before he could break her concentration, a tongue of blue flame was doing significant damage to to the pillar Regalius was now scrambling away from like a cockroach. Twig was squealing with laughter at her new trick. “Oh my goodness!” Exclaimed Niona. “I didn't-” “Don't worry about it.” Julius replied, taking hold of Twig's hands. “It's just something you have to be careful about.” He addressed Twig sternly. “Not indoors. Not around people we know. Okay?” “Yes master!” She replied cheerily. “Why does she call you-” Niona started. “I don't know where she got that. I never told her to. Mostly I think she does it to tease me.” Julius interjected, casting a glance at his incorrigible protege. “Master is kind and wise. We love master.” Twig responded, causing Julius to go red and Niona to giggle. “Well, listen...” He said, attempting to divert attention away from Twig's lurid pawing. “we know what happened to your friends now, and I'm very sorry for your loss. Should we gather their remains and leave or...?” The others looked at one another. They each then separated and began adjusting the remains of their comrades. Useful items and remembrances were removed, then they were lined up in a tight row. Julius and Twig helped, trying to be as respectful as possible. Once things were set in a way that seemed to please the three old friends Alina stepped forward and began to sing a prayer. Niona came and stood with Julius and Twig. After a few bars Regalius began acompanying on his little flute. Twig began sobbing unashamedly and hugged Niona, who was weeping silently. As they sang green flames engulfed the fallen and began to slowly shift to a bright blue, then to white. They all had to close their dark adapted eyes, but everyone present joined in the last chorus, as was traditional. They had each heard the song far too many times not to know it by broken heart. When the song was finished they opened their eyes and nothing remained of their friends. “They wouldn't've wanted any more than a soldier's pyre.” Alina said above Twig's loud sniffles. “So, what now?” asked Julius. “You may leave, if it suits you. You have fulfilled the terms of our original agreement and more.” Alina replied. “I want to see how much further this place goes, and destroy it if I can.” “There was also one last member of the original party...” Niona remarked sadly. “It would be a miracle if he survived...” “We can't leave then.” Julius stated flatly. “I'm glad to hear that, but you shouldn't feel obligated.” Alina smiled weakly. “If the entire party isn't accounted for then I haven't completed the contract.” Julius stated. “I never leave a job unfinished.” “Nor me!” Sniffled Twig. “That pleases me to hear more than you know.” Replied Alina, placing a hand on Twig's shoulder. “If we press a little further maybe we can find a safe spot to rest.” “And I, for one, don't fancy going any further in without and expert...” Proclaimed Regalius dryly. As they made ready to move out Niona leaned in and hugged Julius and Twig and said a very sincere thanks. Once again Julius led the way, but now fully aware of what the room had to offer they moved in tight formation so that only a very few enemies could rise at a time. As a team a handful skeletal fighters stood no chance against them. Slowly, carefully, Julius led them to the far side of the room. There wasn't even a door on this end. A few of the skeletons seemed to have tried walking into the next chamber, but whatever power made them mobile in their room seemed to fail them, leaving a few crumpled heaps in the doorway. “I guess they never expected anyone to get this far.” Remarked Alina. “I can't say that was an unfounded expectation.” Replied Regalius, who was attempting to use the remains of his violin to craft a makeshift lute. “We aren't the only people to have made it this far.” Julius interjected from a little ways ahead. “We're not?” Niona gaped. “There's tracks in the dust. Their already being covered up, but they're fresh enough to see” He replied. The path seemed safe enough, and whoever had been there first had been running flat out by the looks of it. There were even drops of dried blood every few strides. This being the case Julius moved swiftly down the corridor. Eventually the trail terminated at a door not unlike the one they had used for shelter a few floors back. “Can this be disengaged from outside?” Asked Alina. “Possibly.” Replied Julius. “but it would be significantly more difficult. I think they were meant to be fail safes.” “Maybe we can just knock?” Said Twig. Before anyone had a chance to protest she was tapping the stone with the butt of a dagger. “Hello!? Are you dead? Let us in if you're not!” They all listened for a response. “I'm not sure we'd be able to hear a reply.” Julius commented. “I'll go in and look!” Twig exclaimed. “No.” Said Julius. “I'll go. You can't open the door if it has some kind of lock.” “She can't lockpick?” Asked Niona. “It's not something you can learn by observation.” Replied Julius. “She can cover me though.” And with that he melted into Twig's shadow and then she into Niona's. On the other side of the door the room was completely dark. While shadowside however Julius could see. He scanned the room quickly. With strangely muted eyes he could see a body curled up in a corner. There was evidence that they had been alive relatively recently, but the couldn't stay in the reverse realm long enough to check. As he shifted into the real darkness he felt Twig take hold of his arm. Fully blind, Julius slid his hand along the edge of the door. The mechanism was identical to the one in previous rooms. He disengaged the lock and the door swung easily open. The strong greenish light flooded the room. Twig's somewhat unnerving shadow form melted back into her less imposing self. “Is he alive?” Asked Regalius quietly. “Not sure.” Replied Julius. “It's a really bad idea to startle someone who's cowering in a totally dark, totally sealed room. The shock alone could kill a person.” “Fair point...” Mused Regalius. Alina stepped forward. “Herrin?” She called kindly. “Herrin, are you alright?” The body didn't appear to respond. A note of heartbreak crept subtly into Alina's voice. “We came looking for you...” Regalius flicked a ball of white light into the corner. It took a moment for their eyes to adjust, but Twig adapted fastest. “He's breathing.” She hissed. Alina motioned for Niona to prod him with her spear. As gently as she could Niona complied. As soon as the cold butt of the rod touched him Herrin sprang to life in a flurry of screaming and swinging. Everyone was startled by it and scattered in various directions away from him. Twig disappeared entirely as far as everyone could tell. Backed into the corner Herrin was covering his eyes and brandishing a broken sword. It was still dangerous enough that no one dared aproach. “come on, you bastards!” He yelled. “I still have some fight left in me!” Nobody moved. “Herrin, it's me, Commander Alina.” She said slowly. “Regalius, Niona, and I came looking for you.” “I don't believe you... This place whispers... in the darkness.” He said shakily. “You're using my mind against me!” “Honestly, it's us!” Niona pleaded. “Put down the sword.” “No! You're figments!” He replied waving the broken blade less forcefully than before. “How can we prove who we are?” Regalius said tugging Julius casually towards the door. “Ask us something only we would know.” Suggested Alina. “If you're a figment you'd know anything I would know you know, and if I didn't know I wouldn't know if you were right or not!” Herrin sputtered. “That's the most logical thing, presented in the craziest way, that I've ever heard.” Julius quipped. Alina cast him a withering look. “Okay... fair enough.” She continued. “What can we do to prove who we are?” “I don't... Let me think...” He replied. Now outside the room Regalius whispered to Julius. “Can you... shadowphase behind him, or something?” “I don't think so.” He replied. “Getting in the room was about my limit. Even then I don't know how I'd be able to incapacitate him. He's still strong enough to get a good strike in with that blade by the look of him. Can you put him to sleep?” “He's trained to resist. We all are.” Regalius said, peering around the door. “Wait... I think I have an idea.” Exclaimed Julius, stepping back into the room, and whispering something to Niona. “Herrin,” She said soothingly. “My spear is unique in all the world. Even if I was some kind of shape shifter I couldn't replicate it, right?” “Right...” He replied slowly. “Here then!” She said tossing it onto the floor. “You could plant it right into that stone without harming it. If it's fake it will blunt like any common weapon!” Herrin eyed the spear cautiously. Slowly he reached out and tapped it, then grasped it and used it to stand. His eyes darted from the spear to the party and back as he steadied himself. He touched the clear tip of the weapon, mumbling. Then, suddenly, and with speed shocking for someone looking so haggard, he plunged the blade into the stone floor. A high pitched screech came from the stone and sparks erupted as he sank it the short distance to the staff. Then, as easily as pulling it from sand, he retracted the spear again. “Only one in the world...” He said, sliding down the wall again. Tears forming in his eyes, but relieved laughter following his words. Tension finally broken, the reunited friends rushed Herrin. Julius could hear the sounds of hugs, laughter, and tears as he walked out of the room and began looking for Twig. A little way down the hall he found her carefully slinking back towards the others. “Got spooked, huh?” He smiled. “A little.” She replied sheepishly. “You know, it really throws off your sexy cat persona when you scramble away from danger.” He laughed. “It does not!” She groused. “Cats do that all the time. It's very catlike to spaz out and run off.” Julius opened his mouth to rebut, then closed it. “Fair point.” He admitted. “Did you go far?” “No... just down there a little.” She said, pointing back the way she had come. “It's not good over there. I phased in and walked back because it feels gross.” While her explanation was not technical it was accurate. Julius could feel it too. Even in the short moment he'd been passing under the door. They had to be near the source of whatever powered the ruins. Whatever is was gave off a repellant aura even more pronounced in the shadow plain. They walked back into the room where Herrin had been hiding. He was not as tall as Julius, but stoutly made and darker skinned. A mop of wild black curls capped his head, and he looked to be a paladin in the same manner as Alina. Still clearly shaken and in a bad way, being found by friends had done a lot of good. He was able to recount the tragic tale of his party and how he had escaped, by sheer luck, into the deeper part of the temple. His injuries had made it impossible to fight his way back across the skeleton room, and this section was sealed off from whatever was next. There was no choice but to wait for rescue, which he actually could have waited for even longer. Julius suspected that madness might have claimed him before then though, and the thought of staying down here for much longer gnawed at him. “Can you take him to the surface Twig?” Asked Regalius. “Being down here so long... Seems detrimental.” “I don't think so... maybe.” Twig frowned. “It's long, and I've done it a lot.” “I'd rather she not risk it.” Said Julius sternly. “We could lose them both.” There was a tone of finality in his voice that seemed to settle the matter. “He's well enough now to come with us.” Said Alina. “Just keep to the center and try not to strain yourself.” She said patting Herrin on the shoulder. Herrin nodded enthusiastically. “I want to get to the end of this place and get out as soon as we can.” She continued. “It's already likely to take us a day to get out, even though we have a clear map now.” “We should rest for a few hours at least.” Niona signed. “I don't think I can keep going like this if there's more fighting to be done.” Everyone nodded in silent agreement. They had another miserable cold meal and settled down for a few hours of restless sleep. It wasn't clear how long he had been asleep, but Julius was suddenly wide awake in the darkness. He could hear the others breathing. Twig was snuggled up to him and he could feel her strangely relaxed breaths on his shoulder. He carefully extracted himself from her and stood. The complete blankness of the room was unnerving. Above the sound of sleep there seemed to be the faint echo of people talking a great distance away, and a slow, heavy, rhythmic, movement of air. He needed light. Even if it was creepy and green. Compared to his movements the snoring and whatnot seemed like the crashing of thunder. Maybe it was his imagination, but he didn't even feel the need to mask his steps. He opened the door and sickly light arced inside in a clear beam. He made to shut the door, but almost screamed as a hand stayed his own. Alina's hand. “I can't be in there anymore.” She whispered. Panic subsiding, Julius let her step into the corridor with him. The door remained slightly ajar as it was meant to be sealed from inside. “Where are you going?” “I can't take being in their either.” He whispered in response. He made a motion for her to follow and they began slowly walking along the long hall. Once they were a fair distance away Alina spoke again. “You've been invaluable on this expedition.” She began. “I don't really... Praise isn't something I'm good with...” “Well, I'm not used to getting it, so maybe we can take it as read that you appreciate my work and leave it at that?” He replied. Alina smiled and nodded. Not wanting to stray too far from the party, Julius slid himself down the wall and Alina did likewise. They sat there in silence for a long while before either spoke again. Alina seemed lost in thought and Julius chanced a good, long look at her. He could hardly believe she was just a human woman. One with martial prowess that far exceeded that of most, but still. He might have crossed her path in the street and never noticed. Well, no... Not with that hair. He would have noticed, but not had an inkling of her astounding skills. He remained lost in this reverie until a moment after Alina had noticed him gazing at her in apparent wonder. “Still a little awed by my presence?” She asked, blushing in spit of years of this sort of attention. “Uh, yes!” Julius spurted, whipping his gaze away in embarrassment. “You are easily as awe inspiring in person as on a poster.” “Do you... actually have one?” She asked slyly. “One of those silly propaganda posters?” His face had already answered, but not being aware of this he replied anyway. “I... might have taken one. For... decorative purposes.” “You aren't alone.” She laughed. “Every new group of trainees comes in with a few boys... and some girls... who hang them by their beds.” “That honestly doesn't make me feel much better.” He admitted. “No? Well, you're a big boy. You'll get over it.” She teased. “It must be annoying.” He said. “Going through this every time you meet someone new.” “Not exactly annoying, but I miss being a nobody sometimes.” She replied. “I've never really felt like that woman in the posters. I understand their purpose, but they look like someone I don't know to me too. I only ever meant to be a medic, you know? And I certainly wasn't supposed to be at the gate that day. Our commander fled when the line broke. We were in a complete rout. When we saw the elite guard overrun I decided I'd rather die fighting than with an arrow in my back. When I stopped running so did Niona and Regalius. I picked up a mace and prayed that our sacrifice might allow others to escape.” “That's not the story they told us.” Said Julius. “I know. They always made it out like I was something more than just a terrified healer. As arrogant as he can be Regalius has every right to be angry when people only credit me for saving the city. If he hadn't been there, if they all hadn't been with me, I wouldn't be here now. But that was not the story the council wanted told. And honestly I think the others count it as a blessing, even Regalius, in spite of his protests. It is very... vexing... being a living legend sometimes.” “I'll have to teach you the art of not being seen.” Julius smiled. “I would like that very much.” Grinned Alina. “But from what Niona tells me I'd be better off letting your cat teach me” “Yes, in that case the student has surpassed the master...” He sighed with a smile. “What is she to you?” Asked Alina. “Family.” Julius replied. “Having lost our originals we made out own.” “So, how did you come to find her?” “As I'm sure you're aware,” He began. “There are settlements all around the wall of the capital. Really just the city spilling out of its border. I was an apprentice to a locksmith. While the master was out on more complicated jobs I took care of day to day problems. On the day of the siege I was on the very outskirts, installing locks for a new shop. A weaponsmith named Burns was the client. He was an ex soldier. Nearly seventy, but built like an oak. He pestered me all day with small talk. I think he was nervous about starting a new business. Just talking to hear himself talk. I listened to his whole life story. Really it was the story of his whole family. Right down to his granddaughter who was studying magic. If it had been any other day I wouldn't even be able to tell you what he looked like now... but it's all burned into my memory. I was trying my hardest to escape when his wife and granddaughter came running up the street. It was only then that I noticed the plumes of smoke starting to rise all around us. The alarm bells began to sound and the amplified voices of guards told everyone to make for the gates as quickly as they could. I turned to run, but the old soldier put his hand on my shoulder. 'You'll be safer with us.' he said. I stood there for a few moments with his granddaughter while he and his wife armed themselves. That was the first time I met Twig. Standing there as chaos closed in around us.” “I was standing in a training room when the first alarms came in.” Offered Alina. “We were the advanced class. 'Those who have shown exceptional skills in combat situations.' I hated it. I only joined because I had a blazing row with my parents, but once you're in, you're in. The fact that I was exceptional at something I hated made it so much worse. I started as a healer. That's it. No combat classes at all.” “How did you learn to fight?” Julius asked. “Niona needed extra sparring time once we got into the advance group.” Alina replied. “Basically all I was doing was reading books with occasional field tests. So I was getting really... plump. It's good to be like that as a healer, so you have some extra reserves to draw from, but you have to balance it with being fit enough to move with a team. I was starting to tip the scales. It comes so naturally to me I didn't have to try... So I volunteered to help Niona. I actually know all kinds of fighting styles because of it. Not well enough to have mastered them, but I can make due if the situation calls for it. I only favor the mace because I have some kind of affinity for it.” “You certainly use one more effectively than anyone else I've seen.” “Heal with one hand harm with the other... but I interrupted you. Please, what happened next?” “Oh, uh, well Burns was only gone for a moment. When he emerged from the shop he was fully armored and ready. As was his wife, though after the fashion of a mage. He gave me bastard sword and Twig a rapier. I had my daggers, but he had told me earlier he didn't care for the look of them. Which is fine, but I couldn't use a proper sword to save my life at the time. Twig however held hers as if she'd been using them her entire life. And that was it, we ran for the gate like maniacs. Of course so was everyone else by that time, so the streets were choked with people. They were doing as much harm to each other as the invaders. Crazed panic had taken hold. Which exploded when the skeleton army caught up. It was bedlam. We were stood there between the insane mob trying to escape and a relentless army of the dead.” “How did you survive?” “We ran along the rooftops. Burns smashed in a door and told me to run along the roofs to the gate. He said he couldn't make the jumps. He told Twig to watch me and do exactly as I did. Then he took me by the shoulders, looked me right in the eyes, and said 'Protect her.' So I did. We sprinted across the tightly clustered building, avoiding fires, until we were nearly to the gate.” “But the buildings spread out towards the market circle...” “Exactly. We couldn't cross to the gate once we got there. And we weren't alone other people had the same idea as us, but we were all stranded above a lake of destruction. We watched the elite guard fall and were sure it was over for us. Once the fighting stopped in front of the fountain they turned toward the buildings and started torching the ones with people on. I had no idea what to do. I was even worse at shadow walking then, so that was out. I was at the point of suggesting a suicide charge, just so we could go out on our feet, when the far side of the plaza exploded.” “It was us...” “It was. The multitudes pivoted to see what had caused the commotion and woman strode out of the dust. A wild mane of red hair blazed against the backdrop of gray smoke. She raised her club and brought it down with such thunderous fury that the very ground roiled and shattered like glass. Before the dust had settled again I watched her come rampaging out of the cloud. Every wide arc sweeping aside attackers as easily as one might sweep a floor.” “Everyone else was lost in those ridiculous clouds I kicked up. They were backing me the entire time.” Alina said almost apologetically, her face completely pink. “Well, in the confusion you caused, I chanced a run for it. Compared to you we were so minor a threat we barely encountered any resistance. We sprinted through the alleys to the wall, then made a mad dash for the gate. Of course it was sealed, but I gambled that I could shift through the crack with Twig. The guards inside were stunned when I fell onto the ground out of nowhere, nearly dead, with a young girl clinging to me for dear life.” “So you managed to shift through the gate with another person? That's impressive.” “Only just, like I said I nearly died in the attempt, but it was a better chance than standing there waiting for a near certain death. Several people who followed us were overwhelmed in spite of you turning back the tide.” “I couldn't save them all. If I moved that way there was a risk I might accidentally bring down the doors. They'd already declared the outer settlements lost before we got there.” The apologetic tone had crept back into her words. “You don't need to explain it to me.” Julius replied. “The needs of the many and all that... We got lucky, they didn't. Nobody wanted it to be that way. It just was.” Alina nodded solemnly. “I woke up a few days later in a hospital. Twig was curled up in the bed with me. They told me she went totally feral if they tried to separate us, so they just let her stay. I didn't know it at the time, but her father and mother were with elite guard when they fell. She had already tried to contact her grandparents. Her grandmother invented those little stones she uses to talk over distance. But when she made an attempt the stone just fell to the floor. So... Since I agreed to protect her, and there was no one left to end the contract, I remain her protector.” “That's so sweet...” Alina cooed in a tone Julius was surprised by. “You've been raising her all this time?” “It's not like that really.” Julius said nervously. “She was already a teenager when we got thrown together. I'm only 5 years older than her. We kind of... raised each other in a way.” “Are you two...” Alina began with a raised eyebrow. “No! No, we've never been that.” Julius cut across her. “Contrary to how she acts around me she's more like a sister. A really weird sister, but also my best friend kind of.” “Well it's sweet all the same. That day ruined a lot of lives. It's always nice to hear about people who came through okay. I always wished I could have done more... Got there sooner.” “You saved an entire city of people. That should be enough for anyone.” Alina opened her mouth as if to offer an argument, then paused. Her face softened. “You're welcome, and thank you.” She said after a moment. “I'm glad you got over being amazed by me. So we can talk like regular people.” “Oh no, I'm still in total awe of you. I'm just an incredible actor.” He grinned. “I appreciate the effort more than you know.” She said, rising then helping Julius to his feet. “Let's see if the others are awake. I'm getting to a point where I can't stand being down here much longer...” Back at the camp the others were beginning to stir. Alina opened the door wide, allowing the green hued light to penetrate the room. No one looked very pleased with the situation. Herrin seemed to be the least affected having, doubtlessly, been sleeping much of the time he had been trapped. He scuttled over to the supplies and busied himself with helping Alina prepare some food. In spite of everything they'd experienced Niona woke up smiling, which offset Regalius's sour mood. He set himself apart from the group, with a little pile of the remains of his violin, and began to tinker. His mumbled curses punctuated with the sounds of whittling. Twig woke up looking horrified that Julius wasn't near her, but managed a save once she realized that he was in the room. After that she began warily observing Regalius's machinations, her observation eventually evolving into wide eyed staring, which he took no obvious notice of. “Herrin,” Julius began. “Did you do any exploring while you were alone?” “A little,” He replied. “but it was hard to go far with my injuries, and I don't know traps. All of the rooms near here are empty as far as I could tell, but I didn't go in any. I only used this one because I knew it was safe.” “I'm still not convinced that going forward is the best idea.” Julius offered. Everyone looked at each other. “Do we have enough supplies to make it back?” Niona poked around in the bags for a moment. “Well, we've added two members, but Herrin had most of his party's supplies... So we can make it back with a couple of days to spare. As long as we're careful.” “I don't intend to order anyone to go forward who thinks it's a bad idea.” said Alina, “What say you all?” No one spoke for a long while. “That's good enough for me then.” Julius broke in. “As long as we're still prepared.” The group nodded and mumbled in agreement then settled down for another disappointing meal. By the time they had finished Regalius had a rudimentary string instrument that made weedy notes when played, but were recognizable as music. He even chanced a little of his enervating song to help everyone recover from the fitful hours of sleep they had all suffered through. The gears was divided between everyone except Twig, who all agreed was potentially more useful unencumbered by anything apart from her normal gear. Alina took half of what would have been allocated to Herrin as she wasn't convinced he was well enough for an overloaded pack. Thus prepared they set off down the dusty corridor again. Several rooms from Herrins safehouse the encountered a sealed gate. It had no obvious signs of mechanism. Indeed the only reason they knew it was a door was because it was at the end of a hall and seemed to be split down the middle. It was a long while before Julius found something that appeared to be a safety release, and longer still before he deciphered how to activate it. The effect it had on the team was noticeably disheartening. Fortunately after a few adjustments were made to one of Regalius's flutes Julius had a makeshift key which caused the doors to glide apart as though they were floating. As a precaution Julius wedged a butter knife into the seam to keep the doors from properly closing, and possibly trapping them. The victory over the door was short lived however. What lay beyond was the most mazelike portion of the temple so far. Dead ends, required backtracking, eating up time they all were beginning to feel they didn't have. A feeling of omnipresent malignance seemed to be increasing the further they went. The rooms that had previously been unoccupied now had groups of human remains in them. Some of them seemed serene in their repose, while others appeared to have died in torment. The mounting sense of mortal peril was on the verge of overcoming them all. Several hours passed before they finally found another gate. Unlike the previous one this seemed to be the focal point for the lighting system. Many small tubes, like the ones that lined every wall but much thinner, were woven together and connected to the walls on either side of the door. The light they gave off was more like actual light than anyplace else. The sickly green hue not nearly as evident. “This has to be it...” Said Niona. “If it isn't it's certainly putting on a good show.” Replied Julius. “You'd best all keep back until I've figured this one out.” Julius inspected the door for several long minutes before finally stepping back. “This has been tampered with.” He said gravely. “Someone was here before us.” “Are you sure?” Asked Alina. “How can you tell?” “Someone's put a magical barrier on it, but it doesn't match the style of the other doors. Not even close.” He replied. “It's necromantic at least. Possibly demonic. I don't know magic well enough to make that call.” “Can you dispel it?” Inquired Herrin. “Not on my best day.” Said Julius shaking his head. “A real magic user will have to do it, and I'm pretty sure it's rigged to do something to anyone who tries.” Everyone was silent for a moment. “I think I can open a hole in the enchantment.” Alina said, breaking the silence. “How fast can you open the door if I do?” “If it's on par with the last one it could take an hour or longer.” Julius grimaced. “Well, we should at least try.” Said Alina, rolling back her right sleeve. “Regalius, back me up. Herrin, you help as much as you can.” “Right” They said in unison. Stepping forward Alina began to chant in a low, measured, tone. Holding her palm forward she seemed to push on the air between the door and her hand. Regalius began to play in time with the chant. After a few rounds Herring composed himself and joined in. A point of clear light formed in the center of the door. It slowly expanded out from that point. The white marble of the door was now, perhaps for the first time in centuries, being seen as it was the day it was quarried. As soon as the field of resistance was large enough Julius began carefully, but hurriedly, examining the door. There were a series of buttons, and rotating tumblers, in the center of each side of the door. No clues at all. No surviving records. He would have to try it by ear and hope for the best. Centering himself Julius placed an ear to the cold stone and blocked the chanting from his other ear with a finger. Click click click THUNK! No good. A reset. Click THUNK! Click click THUNK! Over and over, the muted sound of prayer penetrating his head, Julius methodically deciphered the lock. After about half an hour he stepped away from the door. “You can rest for a while.” He said. “Niona, I need a bit of paper if you have any to spare.” The others slowly reduced their chanting to silence. The unnatural light reestablishing itself all around. While they rested and ate Julius scribbled furiously on a few bits of parchment Niona had presented. After another hour or so he slapped his hands down. “I've got it!” He exclaimed. “Push back the curse as quick as you can. I'm not sure how long I can keep this memorized.” Hurriedly the others renewed their chanting. Julius was at work as soon as there was space enough to get to the mechanism. His hands mirroring each other on either side of the divide. In a few short moments the door let out a metallic THUNK and slid itself open. Julius quickly went through, scanned for traps and motioned everyone in. Niona and Twig went first then the others while they continued their chanting. They slowly subsided again and turned to look into the high ceiling chamber. “It looks like the steam tunnels, under the capital.” Niona gaped. “Combined with a nightmare.” Added Regalius, and he wasn't exaggerating. In addition to the tubes of glowing liquid there were holding containers filled with the toxic substance and the petrified remains of what must have been humans at one time, long ago. They stared, blank faced and warped, out at nothing in particular. Slowly though, the cloudy eyes began rotating, necks began craning, and these trapped persons appeared to become aware of them. The party stood as if rooted. This strange green fluid coursed through the entire structure like blood, save for a few rooms. Now they stood at the heart of the thing and hundreds, if not thousands of souls appeared to be the source of the power. The piping itself seemed to make no sound though evidence of rhythmic flow was evident. Further in however the barely audible breathing that seemed to fill the entire structure was obviously real, and the whispering that one thought imaginary, when laying in the dark, was a clear and constant muttering. “What in the world is up with this place...” Julius rasped. “If anyone else ever made it here and back I never found their books.” Niona replied. “and not for lack of trying. The stuff I brought is literally all I ever found and, as you know, it's grievously incomplete.” “We need to do what we came here to do and get out. As fast as humanly possible.” Alina declared. The group agreed quickly and Julius was soon briskly trotting ahead to check for other traps. As they moved more gaunt faces turned to observe them and words began to become more clear in the continual muttering. Julius did his best to keep focused on his job. There was evidence of activity that hadn't been obliterated by dust. Organized activity. Perpetrated by far more people than they had thought to bring. Piping of a type more in keeping with what was commonly used had been added here and there. Someone had been tampering with whatever this place was meant to be, or do. Eventually the hall opened up into a domed room where all the piping terminated. This now was the true heart of the structure. It was far more corrupted by the alien piping, which ran all around and at random angles. Alina finally said aloud what they all knew. “Necromancy...” “On a scale not seen for ages.” Niona added. “Perhaps never before or since.” The native pipes ran like a spider web to a massive vat in the center of the room. It seemed to be gently pumping the fluid out, throughout, and back in to itself. Although hidden the mechanism was partially visible here and there around the room. Vague shadows seemed to be wandering formlessly. The additional piping also terminated at the center, but at some kind of device. The specters seemed drawn to it, taking no notice of the intruders. “Is everyone else seeing the ghosts?” Herrin asked. “Yep.” “Indeed.” “Eeep!” “Yes...” “Definetly.” “Good.” He continued. “I'm glad it's not just me.” “Do you think they're corporeal?” Asked Niona. “You mean can they hurt us?” Replied Julius. “Yeah.” “I'm not sure.” He continued. “It's so hard to tell with spectral things...” “I think these are trapped souls.” Interjected Alina. “Or at the very least bound to this infernal mechanism. There's a good chance they have influence in our dimension.” “Can you dispel them?” Twig asked shakily. “I don't think so. Temporarily maybe, but they'd be drawn right back.” Alina answered. “We four know shield charms. We should be able to repel them as a group. Long enough to undo whatever this is anyway.” “Twig and I know some as well...” Julius mentioned in passing. “Excellent. We should be fine then. I'll generate a barrier for us all, if it looks like that won't be enough we each come in as needed according to ability.” “Wait.” Julius interrupted. “Where do twig and I come in?” “It's Me, Herrin, Regalius, Niona Twig, then you.” Alina explained. “I'm last?” Julius sulked. “I studied as a temple guard...” “Your protege, has already displayed more natural talent than any of us, apart from Regalius maybe, but as a team I'm more comfortable relying on known variables and tactics.” Alina replied testily. “Still...” Julius mumbled. “Realy?!” Alina growled. “This is the thing you decide to argue about? In the bottom of a haunted temple!?” “No, no!” Julius backpeddled. “I just felt a little slighted.” “I can't even tell if you're being serious.” “I'm kind of wishing I hadn't brought up the issue at this point.” Julius recoiled. “In that we are agreed.” Alina replied, slugging Julius hard on the arm. Julius summoned all of his will to stifle a scream. It was like being hit with a rock. Eyes watering, he moved ahead at Alina's direction. The group stepped into the room completely and slowly made for the center. Evidence of tampering became more and more apparent as they went. There was no way they could avoid all of the hazy specters so Julius elected to simply approach one. At first it didn't take any notice, but as they moved by it seemed to be deciding if it had actually seen anything. It was vaguely female. Its slim arm reached out as if to interact with them, but was halted by Alina's barrier. After a few moments a small band of the spirits were slowly following the team. A few even made to impede their progress, but simply fell away, unable to find purchase on anything. Though apparently safe Twig was clinging to Julius as tightly as she could, while trying to seem cool in front of new people. She need not have worried however, as the ever increasing hoard of disembodied people was beginning to frighten everyone. Especially because the more spirits joined in the more the faint whispering that seemed to be everywhere sounded more like actual words. The machine in the center of the chamber had clearly been tampered with brutally. Evidence of rough handling was everywhere. Discarded plating, pipes, screws, and all manner of tools littered the area. The workmanship was poor at best. The glowing liquid “blood” had formed scabs around places where the seals weren't tight enough. Corrosion was setting in in places. This had been done relatively recently, and the job was sloppy and amateurish. In spite of this the team was having a difficult time understanding what the machine was actually for and what the recent additions were meant to do. “My best guess,” Said Niona. “Is this is some sort of battery, or maybe even an engine. I couldn't begin to tell you how it functions though. I know a little about machinery, but this is... something different. A combination of mechanics and magic perhaps?” “Aren't they supposed to be opposing disciplines?” Asked Regalius. “Generally speaking, yes.” She replied. “But sometimes opposing forces can be combined in productive ways. Like water and fire to make steam power.” “So... it's magic and machinery to make... what, do you suppose?” Asked Julius. Everyone was silent. “The original mechanism powered the temple obviously.” Offered Alina. “But I don't see whay they bothered. There's nothing here worth protecting. Not anymore anyway.” “She's right. It doesn't make any sense.” Agreed Regalius. “Why go to the trouble?” “It's possible that there was something here and the original creators moved it, or lost it. That's lost to history. There are huge blanks in the historical record between the silver age and the fall.” Answered Niona. “We may never know the point of any of this. I think dispatching a full archeological survey would be worthwhile to say the least.” “Assuming we can make the area safe...” Added Alina. “Indeed.” Said Niona. “So we're back to square one.” said Julius. “We don't know the why of this place or the why or who of this tampering.” “Someone with better historical data than we have for sure...” offered Niona. “With people capable of getting here unharmed...” Added Regalius. “Who has a superior knowledge of necromancy and mechanics...” muttered Julius. “This is bad.” Alina growled. “We need to disable this somehow.” “We can't.” Said Julius. “Not without killing ourselves in the process.” “I think it might be a worthy sacrifice.” Replied Alina. “That's totally insane!” Replied Julius. “Can you imagine what would happen to the morale of the people if we lost you? It would be a catastrophe!” “You sound like the council!” Spat Alina. “Well they aren't the council for no reason are they?” Julius retorted. “They're a ridiculous gathering of cowards and thieves!” Shouted Alina. “I don't trust them any further than I could toss them.” “I expect you could toss them a fair way actually!” Shouted Julius. “Damn it all, I can't believe I'm defending them... Throwing our lives away isn't going to help anything.” “I KNOW THAT! I'M Just... sick of it all...” Alina replied, losing her thunder. “I want to get out of here. We need to leave this place. I don't feel right.” “Seconded.” Exclaimed Regalius. “Me too.” Said Herrin. “I think it's safe to assume this place is toxic...” said Niona. “We'll have to think of something once we've been out a while.” Alina declared. “We've got enough information to work out a plan...” “Can you warp us out of here, Regalius?” Asked Niona. “No... something is wrong with this place. I've been trying to send stuff outside since yesterday.” He replied. “I can't even begin to tell you how that girl managed to get in here. It's nothing short of miraculous.” “It wasn't as bad before.” Said Twig. “It was gross, but I could still see master... Now it's greasy, and putrid...” “We have to walk back out...” Groaned Julius. “Weak...” From somewhere a voice floated down to them. “You don't have to leave right away do you?” Instinctively the group snapped into fighting formation; each of them scanning a section of the room. Julius did his best to fade into the center. There was something familiar about the voice... “You! Is this your doing?” Regalius asked. Everyone turned to where he was facing. A figure was striding toward them out of the crowd of hazy spirits. It looked like one of them, yet whole and solid. Soon the form of a very attractive young woman stood before them. She was dressed after the fashion of an enchantress, meaning she looked like a magical stripper. “If you mean the alterations to this ridiculous old nonsense then yes. It is my doing, more or less.” She replied. “It's something of a failure if I'm honest. Although I feel that it's more the fault of these fools than mine.” She continued, waving her hand in the general direction of some of the more formless spirits. “Their attempts at harnessing necrotic forces were a little too pathetic to live up to my plans.” “Who are you?” Demanded Alina. “I lost three friends to this place. If you had a hand in that-” “You'll what? Be belligerently fat and stupid at me? I'm sorry dear, but you're already doing that and it's not working.” The woman cut across her. Alina advanced menacingly, but the woman made no move to retreat. She simply help a hand out against Alina's barrier. “This kind of pathetic student magic is EEEEAAAARRRGH!” After a few seconds of touching the magical wall the ghostly woman's hand had begun to sear. Acrid smoke rose from her now metaphorically blackened hand. “You! What are you!? A simple shield charm shouldn't do that!” The woman screeched. Her other hand extended and let fly a bolt of power. Alina's barrier held, although the strain of maintaining it instantly showed on her face. “Protective spells have always been one of my strong suits.” Sneered Alina. The woman's expression evolved from blind rage to epiphany. “It's you... Red hair! The bitch of the council! Ha! I knew my defenses weren't to blame! You've some experience you have...” “I do, and I am not without mercy.” Alina replied in a measured tone. “If you give yourself up without further struggle I will lobby for leniency on your behalf. It will likely mean life in captivity for the loss of three lives, but you will keep your wretched life.” “You ridiculous cow! I'm not here. This is a projection through the conduit's power.” She laughed. “You could no more capture me than you could tie the wind in a bag!” “The hard way it is...” Alina replied, nodding at Herrin. Without warning Herring lunged forward with a grabbing motion, and though his hand never left the barrier an enormous, white, spectral hand extended away from his arm and slammed the enchantress to the far wall. She shrieked in agony, her body burning in the places where it made contact with Herrin's shield hand. “I expect that wherever you are those wounds seem very real right now.” Said Alina. “So real that you can't rejoin this bit of your soul to the rest of it for a few minutes at least.” Herrin released his grip. The woman slumped to the floor. Some of the hazy spirits approached her cautiously. “Mind your distance, dogs!” She snarled, batting the spirits away with concussive force. “You'll pay for that, Redgrave...” “Herrin!” Alina yelled. Again Herrin made to grasp their opponent in his mighty hand, but this time she was prepared. Her arm transformed into a claw and gripped Herrin's hand. “This place is a massive battery for nercomantic power, you idiot. I can draw on it indefinitely!” She screamed. Suddenly music began filling the spaces between words. Regalius was playing a jaunty tune on his makeshift instrument. Herrin bore down on the glowing claw, which began to buckle. “You could draw on the power indefinitely,” Replied Alina. “but it would bur its way all the way back to your actual body. Believe me, this isn't my first encounter with your kind...” “You whore!” Screamed the enchantress. “I'll bring this place down on top of you!” Before anyone had a chance to react she released Herrin's hand, allowing it to pin her to the wall again, but the free arm lashed out at the device in the center of the room. Slabs of stone and piping crashed to the floor. Gallons of the sickly ooze began hemorrhaging into the room. “I don't need this place anymore, and the master will reward me handsomely for making it your tomb, Redgrave!” “DAMN IT ALL!” Yelled Alina. “MAKE FOR THE DOOR!” As one the party dashed toward the exit. Alina's barrier holding back a tide of slime at a visible cost to her strength. “It's too much...” She muttered through clenched teeth. “it burns!” Staggering, she fell to one knee. “Keep going!” Yelled Julius, scooping Alina into his arms. Standing in the ever rising tide of ooze the enchantress finally caught sight of Julius as he hoisted Alina off of the ground. Somehow he knew. Their eyes met for the briefest of glances before he pelted away. “It can't be...” escaped her awestruck lips before the slime obscured her view. “We don't have time to hold back the seal, Julius!” Yelled Regalius. Julius steadied Alina and ran his fingers along the door. “It's gone. It's just the door mechanism now.” He fiddled with it for a few moments. “It's not locked. The conduit must have made it work. I can't open it!” “I can.” Said Herrin, shattering the door with one hand while shielding the others with the spare. Without waiting for instructions the party scrambled over the rubble. Herrin held up the weakened ceiling until they were all safely on the other side. “That's it, kids...” he gasped. “One more stunt like that and you'll be carrying me out too...” “Alina's already straining my limits, Herrin.” Julius smiled. “Please take it easy from here on.” He winced as Alina jabbed him weakly in the ribs. “I don't think that's going to be enough to stop the slime.” Niona observed worriedly. “We need to keep moving.” Green jets were already spraying onto the wall opposite the crumbled doorway. Soon the team was moving briskly back the way they had come. Niona and Julius helping to steady Alina while Regalius and Twig steadied Herrin. “How far do you think we'll need to go?” Asked Twig. “Hard to say.” Niona replied. “That stuff was being pumped throughout the structure... It may reach a point of equilibrium as soon as the lower floors fill up. Assuming that there isn't some kind of reverse pressure we should be fine.” “Would reverse pressure cause a place that had been damaged previously to flood as well?” Asked Regalius, who had stopped at the stairs leading into the skeleton chamber. “Very probably.” Answered Niona. “Then it seems we have a problem...” He replied, gazing at the slowly rising level of green ooze advancing up the stairs. “This...” Remarked Julius. “This is bad. Remarkably bad.” “There's no other way out of this place...” Gaped Niona. “Can a shield charm hold it back enough for us to walk across?” Asked Twig. “If I was rested maybe.” Replied Alina. “But as it stands I couldn't get us more than a few feet in.” “I'd always hoped to die disgustingly old and rich...” Said Julius. “Looks like you got as far as disgustingly...” Observed Regalius. “We could shadowjump.” said Twig. The group turned to her as one. “But it could kill you, it could kill all of us.” Offered Niona. “At this point we're just settling on a method.” Said Julius. “Even if it doesn't work...” “What do we need to do?” Asked Alina grimly. “Uh... hold on to each other hard.” Twig began. “It's super