Determining [Core Guardian] options:

· Select dungeon creature with undeath affinity to become core guardian

Corpse of [Journeyman Necromancer] detected, option unlocked;

· [Lich](Undeath) – able to be controlled directly by [Keeper]

Numerous Orc Skeletons and Ogre Skeletons present within dungeon and 5+ Skeleton creature templates known, option unlocked;

· [Skeletal Abomination](Undeath)

It felt like some cruel joke, the lichdom she had sought so earnestly as her path to power was there for the taking but stuck in this damn dungeon. The gods had a cruel sense of humour. The thought left a bitter ache, The Three’s sense of humour hardly mattered anymore. Ivy’s lack of reverence was beginning to make more sense to her, though it chafed against all she’d ever been taught. Regrettably they were still powerful and out of reach, there would be no bringing them to task.

“Uhm Evelyn, are you OK?” Ivy’s voice pulled her from her introspection. “I get that you’re going through some stuff but do you want to talk about…”

Evelyn was a breath from cutting her off and telling her she was fine before she noticed Ivy had been looking at the other screen that had appeared.

Determining [Core Room] feature options:

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Undeath affinity dungeon, option unlocked;

· [Undeath Supremacy] – Death attuned skills are suppressed within the core room.

Undeath affinity dungeon with apostate [Dungeon Keeper], option unlocked;

· [Unhallowed Fog] – Fog swirls around the core room increasing the cost of skills for those with classes relating to the gods while within the room.

5+ Skeleton creature templates known and [Untiring Legions] boon selected, option unlocked;

· [Undeath Parade] – Bones within the core room slowly animate and reform if broken while delvers are present within the core room.

"…the apostate thing? I’m not super religious but aren’t they like the voices of the gods or something?”

If Evelyn had been in a better mood she might have chuckled, as it was, she just rolled her eyes as she explained, “Just the opposite actually. I believe you’re thinking of an [apostle]. An apostate is someone who has turned against the gods. I…”

She felt her throat closing up as she tried to continue, not quite sure of what she was going to say. It wasn’t untrue but it was strange to think of herself as such. She was always taught it was wrong but The Three had abandoned them. What was she supposed to do? It all felt so wrong. Her throat was so dry and tight. She couldn't breathe! Heart hammering in her chest. The blood churning round her body faster and faster. Sweat drenched her back and more was gushing out.

“Evelyn! Evelyn! Breathe! Take deep slow breaths.”

She tried to follow Ivy’s advice but it was hard and darkness swam at the edge of her vision. The world was just so fuzzy. Also, when did she drop to her knees? Ivy’s arms were around her supporting her weight.

“That’s it, in and out nice and slow.”

Ivy’s advice was constant, her voice lacking its usual pep but calm and smooth. As Evelyn listened and followed the directions the pounding in her chest and head seemed to slow and fade. Her breathing slowly eased. The rapid shivering she’d barely been aware of stilled and she found herself covered in sweat and clinging to the friend who was supporting her. Her nose felt stuffy, her eyes burned and were those tears on her cheeks?

“It’s OK Evelyn, just keep breathing. I got you.”

Her worldview might be as dead as the skeletons she raised, and her attempt to keep a stiff upper lip may have brought her to her knees, but as she was held in her friend’s arms, for the first time in years Evelyn felt cared for. As her body deescalated and clarity returned to her mind she knew that her life was not defined by the pain she felt. The poets' fanciful words of love conquering all, pushing people from achieving the mundane to the extraordinary might be trite nonsense, but as any mortician knows, loved ones can pick people up when they’re unable to do anything and give them the strength to face the day-to-day. As she wiped her eyes which felt irritated and gritty the former [necromancer] felt her determination return. If Div had spoken true, everything she’d ever accomplished had been without the thrice damned Three. Her own death hadn’t even stopped her from helping Timberhollow. She wasn’t about to stop now.

“Evelyn, you still with me?”

“Thank you Ivy, yes. Sorry to have worried you.”