Jared let out a desperate gasp of air and he tasted the stagnant foulness that lingered around him. He whirled around, trying to make sense of what just happened to them and he found only the black stain and the disgusting mass of flesh that bound them to the walls and floors of the room. His memory was hazy, yet he could remember fighting Arron in vivid detail and the creature that emerged from the shadows.
A screech came from up above him and he forced himself to look at the ceiling of the chamber. Above them crawled the creature that was once an Assassin turned adventurer, in its hands the half-torn bodies of its former comrades. The head of the creature was disfigured, its mouth opened wide, far beyond the capabilities of a Human skull, while sets of limbs grew and retracted out of its body. Embedded into it was Jared’s spear, its sharp point peeked out of the creature’s back and forced black liquid to ooze out of the wounds.
“J-Jared! You’re awake.”
“Eric? Where the-”
“Shh!”
Eric’s head snapped to the right and he immediately silenced his fellow adventurer. Their attention turned towards the unmoving pile of black, deformed masses of flesh just below them.
“Your girls are on the other side of the room, and Mina is right above us, I think.”
“I’m right here.”
Her hushed voice came from their top right. Pulsating masses of black flesh wrapped around her tightly and held most of her body in place and she had an irritated look in her eyes as she stared at Jared.
“Gods, my back hurts… What’s the plan?”
“Plan? The fuck do you want me to do? Die?”
Jared hissed angrily at Mina, who simply scoffed at his reply.
“Guys, stop fighting. Now is not the fucking time to do so.”
Eric said with an irritated tone while Mina just sighed at Jared.
Jared looked up to see not just Ilyana, but other adventurers as well. There were others around them, both alive and dead, and all of them noticed the commotion they were kicking up. There were some he recognized, others he couldn't even tell if they were Human or not.
He looked around him and found the rest of the expedition stuck against the walls. He couldn't find Katherine or Ludwig amongst them, but he could see three of Ludwig's companions as they hung from the ceiling. Shadows wrapped around their armor while they were suspended above the rest of the unfortunate adventurers. Their muffled screams could be heard from underneath their armor while blood poured out of the quiet one's helmet.
"W-We need to get the hell out of here."
Eric scoffed and looked at the tendrils that wrapped around his arm and waist.
"We tried everything we could. Whatever this is, it won't budge."
"What the hell can-"
Jared was abruptly cut off by the sound of a loud rumble. Their eyes turned towards the other end of the large chamber, and at the source of the rumbling.
A lone figure stood amongst a sea of items and books with his back turned towards them. The robes he wore were old, ancient even. It looked stiff and unclean, like the body it covered. They were stained with various substances and the left sleeve of his robe is missing. They would've mistaken the thing for a dead body due to how it looked, and they would've been right. They glimpsed a mummified hand as it pulled something out from a dead adventurer.
A sickening voice rang out across the chamber, its walls now filled with the profane chants the figure cast upon the body. Shadows and sickening green hues erupted out from the body and they saw the shadows on the wall as limbs jerked and folded in unnatural angles while an unholy scream left the body's mouth. Flesh and muscle were torn apart, replaced by living shadows that ate away at what's left of the body.
"... Another failure."
The figure muttered as he sent away the newly created Shadow Fiend. He let out a sigh as he turned his hideous visage towards the struggling captives that stared at him in utter horror.
"Dear Gods..."
One of the adventurers beside Jared mumbled silently.
Their eyes, no matter how much they wanted to avert it, remained glued onto the figure. The figure's face was just a skull with a hood draped over its top. It had a long beard where its lower jaw should've been and slight cracks all along the surface of its face. The empty sockets glowed with green magic as the glowing orbs within it darted from side to side. Mina vomited at the putrid smell that came from him while Eric just stared at the emptiness behind its piercing gaze. It raised a skeletal arm at Ludwig's dead companion and the thing that was once Arron immediately slashed at the tendril that held its weight.
It landed with a loud, metallic crash as blood splattered all around it. The creature moved towards it, its black robes trailing behind as it walked across the fleshy material beneath it. In a tongue unknown to all of those present, it began to chant while it lifted its other arm. It was made out of living shadow and flowed out of the hole where his left sleeve should've been like vile worms writhing all over each other. Everyone looked away in disgust as something resembling a hand entered the corpse's armor while necromantic energy flowed out of each spoken word he uttered.
Metal crumbled away or was simply crushed as the corpse began to rise. Its arms were bent backwards and its legs began to bend and fold in different directions. No Human should move like that, yet it continued to jolt and jerk in a mockery of Human movement while the audible snaps of joints and bones as they moved in wrong directions made those who heard it wince and whimper. Shards of bones pierced the skin as they broke, only to be forcefully pushed back in by the violent movements the corpse made. The figure let out another sigh as he turned his back at the horror taking place before him.
"The time is approaching yet my creations are still failures..."
It said those chilling words with a deep and chilling voice. He shook his head as another Shadow Fiend took a humanoid form behind him.
"I must work... I must make it work..."
The figure turned its sights to an adventurer.
"Soldiers… More soldiers..."
The adventurer barely had enough time to plea for her life as the black tendrils of its left arm wrapped around her face. Everyone saw the vicious fate that awaited them all as thick tendrils entered not just her mouth, but the other orifices as well.
Her muffled screams reverberated through the air while Shadow Essence was forcibly poured into her stomach, lungs, ears, and even her brain. After a few more moments, he pulled away his arm and everyone saw what had become of the poor girl as she lay in front of the figure with an agonized expression. Shadow Essence leaked out of her now empty sockets and ears while her lips and nostrils were forcibly closed by hardened Shadow Essence. Another wretched chant was muttered, and every one of those who still had the courage to watch looked on in horror as the still-living girl's body began to contort violently.
The figure sighed as he watched the now headless body continue to twitch and jerk randomly while shadows ate away at its flesh. Eric and Mina just stared in grim silence while Jared watched what looked like a shadow emerge from the girl’s form. The figure let out a groan as his gaze swept across the room and towards the large door at the other end. The green orbs that floated in his sockets flickered as the distant sounds of metal clanging against one another could be heard.
"Intruders."
----------------------------------------
“[Flame]!”
Flames engulfed the living shadows all around them, and Stefan immediately dashed forward to cut down the two Shadow Fiends that tried to jump on her.
"We’re almost there!"
Katherine said loudly as she nimbly dashed from figure to figure, her own silhouette like a shadow to the creatures.
The dungeon they traversed was filled with holes that looked like it had been made by vile worms. One such hole brought them near the bottom of the dungeon, and they were sure that it was the right one after they saw a large group of Shadow Fiends dragging the bodies of dead monsters behind them. Though the group hesitated to enter such a passageway, they had no choice but to follow after the Goblin as he sprinted into the dark abyss.
A Shadow Fiend leapt at Semilia, only to be struck down by the Elven sword in Stefan's hands. He let out a cuss as he swung at another one as it tried to surprise him from behind. They were numerous, and unlike those that inhabited the upper floors, were immune to any form of light. Spells, magical weapons and Skills cut through them with ease, but they were a different kind of monster than the ones meant to serve as patrols in the upper floors.
"[Cleaving Strike]!"
Ludwig's deep voice made Semilia's bones shake as the armored man gripped his greatsword tightly.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
With a mighty swing, he cut a path through the countless forms that blocked their way. Katherine shouted and they all dashed through the gap with haste. A Shadow Fiend swiped at Katherine's hair, only to be destroyed by Semilia's arrow. Azalia struck down as many as she could with her own shadows while she kept an eye on Ludwig and the Shadow Fiends around him. Behind her followed the two siblings as they lit up the path with the bright lanterns they carried.
With a loud roar, Ludwig crashed against the door while Stefan cut down the monsters that tried to overwhelm Ludwig. The doors were flung open as Ludwig crashed into it with his large body. Just as the door opened, the black shadowy forms that clawed at them ceased immediately as if gripped with fear. Like wisps of smoke, they faded into the air as a cold gust of wind blew out from beyond the door.
Their eyes widened as they laid eyes upon the interior of the room. Azalia scowled as she jumped back from the fleshy material beneath her feet while Semilia gagged at the smell of something rotting from within. The desperate pleas of help that came from the people that were firmly stuck onto the wall reached their ears while Ludwig searched frantically for his team. His heart sank when his eyes looked up at the still shapes that lay suspended in the air.
"No..."
Everyone averted their gaze at the desecrated corpses while Ludwig simply shuddered in place.
"May the Gods have mercy on our souls..."
"Mister Stefan, I don't think there's a God in this place."
Stefan gulped at Azalia's words while Semilia hurled what remained of her light lunch behind them.
Katherine clutched her rapier and immediately dashed towards Azalia. She shoved the Shadowmancer aside as she parried a series of strikes that came from the shadows behind her before ultimately driving the tip of her rapier deep into the creature's chest. It let out a howl as it tried to swipe at her with a tendril, but she nimbly dodged it with ease and cut it off without effort. The flesh let out a hiss as it closed while Stefan shined the light of his sword at the creature.
"A-Arron?!"
Katherine yelled out in surprise as the disfigured face of the Assassin roared at them with an impossibly wide mouth.
Semilia quickly shot an arrow at it, drool still dripping from the sides of her lips as she did so. The arrows struck the thing's shoulder and it let out bright light as the tips lodged itself deeply into the creature's flesh. It burned away as much as it could before being pulled out by its tendrils. Stefan was about to strike its face when the creature suddenly drew back into the shadows while a looming figure walked towards them menacingly.
"You have made it to the very end of this place. Rejoice now, for you have reached the Tomb of the Black Mage..."
His booming voice silenced all others as he walked. His very presence was like a shadow that engulfed all before it.
"But this is as far as you will go, adventurers. You will soon join the others-"
An arrow shattered against his skull and Semilia immediately readied another one.
"Whatever your plans are, we shall foil it! [En garde]!"
Katherine yelled out as she dashed towards the Black Mage himself.
A flurry of blows easily pierced his black robes while the Black Mage made no attempt to block her attacks. Shadows leapt out from underneath him, but they were not his shadows. It coiled around him and held him in place as Katherine's rapier thrust towards the right socket of his skull. The tip of her sword broke through to the other side, and green energy leaked out of it as she pulled away. The Black Mage simply glared at her while he watched the large shape charge at him with a greatsword over his head.
"Fools."
The Black Mage whispered out as he glanced up at Ludwig, whose sword was already bearing down towards him.
"Katherine! Ludwig!"
Azalia yelled out as she pulled the both of them back with her shadows.
Both Ludwig and Katherine were knocked back as a wave of powerful magic shot out from the Black Mage's skeletal hand. Katherine easily found her footing while Ludwig buried his sword deep into the fleshy material to avoid being dragged back by Azalia and knocked away by the Black Mage. His eyes flared from within his helmet as he stared at the foul creature in front of him.
With a groan, he dislodged his weapon and aimed it at the Lich in front of him. Necromantic energy and foul magic mixed with the shadows he controlled. His skeletal arm and face did not faze Ludwig, and it even emboldened him to strike the thing down with every ounce of strength from his body. He tuned out the voices of those around him and locked eyes with the Black Mage that stood before him.
"I will cleanse the world of your presence, foul Lich."
The Black Mage hissed as his eyes flickered towards the Low-Elf as she shot an arrow at him.
The arrow buried itself deep into his upper chest as a shadowy hand grabbed his skeletal arm. He looked up and saw the armored man as he swung down the greatsword he wielded down onto his head. Bones cracked and splintered and the adventurers he held captive began to cheer. But the cheers and shouts were short-lived as his left arm shot forwards towards the man's helmet.
But the man dodged it quickly. The Black Mage's eyes flared as he felt the burning sensation in his arm as it brushed against his armor. He drew back quickly and growled at the man as he pulled back his sword and thrust it deep into him. But before the armored man could tear the Lich apart, he was flung back by his former comrade. The dagger-like protrusions at the end of its arms mimicked the twin daggers Arron wielded in life. The Black Mage slid away while Ludwig raised his sword at the thing wearing his comrade's face. Ludwig grunted as he pulled himself up before he turned towards his comrades.
"Help the others! I'll hold both of them off!"
Stefan stared at Jared as the young man stared back at him. Katherine already freed Eric and the girls from their captivity while Ludwig fought below them. Azalia was busy freeing most of the captives while Semilia shot at the Shadow Fiends that tried to stop them. The young man smirked at Stefan while he burned away the shadowy material that held him in place with his sword.
"Nice to meet ya' here!"
"Fuck off. What the hell happened to you?"
"Oh you know, the usual. Got lost in the dungeon, fought off Arron, then got dragged down here by Shadow Fiends."
Jared laughed in an effort to lighten up Stefan's mood. He wasn't successful.
"No wonder Katherine sent you off to die."
"What?"
"Nothing. Can any of you fight?"
"I can if I could get my spear."
"Okay. Where is it?"
"...Over there."
Jared pointed at the creature Ludwig was battling with his now freed hand. Stefan saw the spear's tip jutting out of its back and he let out a heavy sigh as he pulled Jared out with one arm.
But before Jared could say anything else, Stefan dropped him to the floor before he climbed back down using Semilia's arrows. Jared landed on the soft and wet material that covered the floor while Azalia caught the other adventurers with her shadows. Jared glared at Stefan as he hopped down beside him before he patted off the disgusting liquid that drenched his sleeves and pants.
The doors of the room were now opened, and a steady stream of Shadow Fiends flooded into the room only to be destroyed by both Semilia and the adventurers. But they were an unending tide that occasionally slaughtered an unfortunate adventurer. If it weren't for Katherine's commands, they surely would've been overrun by the foul creations already. But each time a Shadow Fiend fell, another one rose from the shadows just beyond the door to once again join the battle.
Stefan turned his attention to the other side of the room. There, the Black Mage watched from his seat as the adventurers toiled before him. He did not pay attention to the little ants that moved before him, and his full attention fell on the casting of the intricate spell in front of him. Shadows lashed around him and dark shapes danced and writhed on the walls and on the floors near him while he cast the vile spell.
He was about to ask Jared about the Black Mage when they heard the sound of crunching metal. They turned towards Ludwig, who was now kneeling on the floor as he held up his sword over his head. Arron's face was now completely gone, replaced by something more bestial as its jaws gnawed on Ludwig's greatsword. They could see the cracks on the blade as well as the damage on Ludwig's armor.
"Shit! Jared! Cover me!"
"Got ya- Wait, what?!"
Jared looked at Stefan as he shoved a dagger onto his hands.
"I said cover me! We're going to help Ludwig!"
Without another word, Stefan dashed forwards towards the two figures locked in battle. Jared followed after him with a frantic look in his eyes as he watched the creature's eye turn towards them.
Tendrils of shadow shot out of its back and towards Stefan, only to be sliced apart as he closed the distance between them. The creature shoved away Ludwig and turned its might towards Stefan as it let out a terrifying roar that shook the very walls of the dungeon. It lunged at Stefan, only for the Swordsman to nimbly dodge out of its way. As he did, he sliced at the creature's side as he moved around it. It roared at him as sparks flew out from underneath it.
He was about to hack away at its feet when its tail wrapped around his waist. Moments later, he felt the air in his lungs leave his body as he crashed against the wall. The thing was about to dash towards him and maul him to death when a great sword flew towards it and embedded itself deep into its neck. Black liquid spewed from its wound as Ludwig punched the monstrous creature's face.
"Get up, Comrade Stefan!"
"Wait... I... need to... catch my breath!"
Stefan wheezed out as he watched Ludwig gouge out the creature's eye with his bare hands.
Ludwig wanted to crush the creature's skull with his raw strength, but before he was able to do such a feat he watched as the flesh he grabbed onto turned into faint wisps of black cloud. Within moments, he felt something tight and heavy as it wrapped itself around his waist. He whirled around and found something large as it pulled itself up from his shadow on the floor. Within moments, the black shadow around his waist formed into the creature's tail as its deformed mouth opened wide and revealed to Ludwing the many rows of black teeth formed from the strange material that coated the walls of the chamber.
"[Brief Slash]!"
A flash of steel and the creature's tail writhed on the ground while it let out a howl of agony towards its assailant.
Stefan cracked a smile and he whirled around quickly to dodge black wisps of smoke that was hurled towards him by the creature. He watched as the creature tried to dive back into the shadow he cast, only to be grabbed by Ludwig and pummeled mercilessly with his fists. The two giant shapes clashed with one another, tendrils of black denting and cracking the parts of his armor while his heavy gauntlet crushed and battered the now unrecognizable face of Arron. No matter how many times it tried to meld into the shadows on the floor, Ludwig kept his firm vice around the creature's neck while Jared grabbed the handle of his spear that jutted out of the creature's side.
A tendril shot out and stabbed at Jared's arm, but he continued to pull at the spear. He let out a cry as black liquid spewed all over him. With a final, desperate pull, Jared violently tore out his spear along with some of the creature's rotting flesh. The monster clawed at the large hole at its chest while Ludwig took hold of his greatsword. Jared looked the creature in the black holes where its eyes should've been as he whirled his spear and sliced apart the shadowy tendrils. It was slow now, and visibly weaker as it struggled to keep itself together.
The creature let out a roar in an effort to distract them, but the wailing sound that left its mouth was abruptly ended. A spear that crackled with lightning pierced its throat while a greatsword that purified anything it cuts sliced through its chest. It let out a final shriek that was filled with pain as Stefan drove his sword deep into the monster's head. After a moment of intense noise and violent thrashing, its body melted away into a black puddle that soaked their shoes.
"It's not over yet, guys."
"True. There is still the problem of that thing looking down on us, comrades."
"I'm gonna beat the shit out of him."
The three of them then turned towards the Lich that sat at the other end of the room. The Lich stared at them, his green orbs flickered and flared in delight at the thought of such worthy opponents.