As Xerxes, Madame Red, and Dexie arrived at the main plaza, they halted beneath the looming stone archway. What lay ahead was a twisted mockery of the village they once knew. The fountain at the center, once a gathering place of joy and life, now stood encircled by the remnants of chaos. Undead figures shuffled aimlessly, while twitching corpses, not fully reanimated, clawed at the ground in a futile attempt to return to a state of being.

Shattered windows, scorched remnants of wagons, and the smoldering remains of fires littered the area, the acrid smell of ash thick in the air. Dexie’s sharp eyes caught movement. One of the undead paused, its decayed head snapping in their direction, hollow eyes seeming to lock onto them.

“Hide! Quick!” Dexie whispered urgently. The three of them darted into the cover of a nearby alley, hearts pounding. The undead continued to shuffle aimlessly, unaware of how close its prey had come.

“That was too close,” Xerxes muttered, catching his breath. “Now what?”

Madame Red leaned out cautiously, her eyes scanning the landscape. "There are three key buildings we need to explore—the clinic, the church, and the manor behind the fountain. The clinic should be our first stop. We’ll need supplies, and if we’re lucky, we might find something Father Lucien left behind."

Xerxes nodded, his voice low. "Father Lucien worked there, right? If there’s anything worth finding, it’ll be there."

Madame Red turned to Dexie. "You’re the quietest and fastest. You lead."

Dexie drew a deep breath and nodded. "Alright. Stay low, stay quiet. Follow me." With a glance toward the undead milling in the plaza, he crouched low and signaled for the others to follow, leading them silently toward the clinic.

They reached the clinic, its once welcoming exterior now worn and abandoned, the windows dark and foreboding. Xerxes, Madame Red, and Dexie quickly scanned for an entrance, gathering near the front door. All around them, the eerie groans of the undead grew louder as more gathered in the plaza, closing in.

"We need a plan," Madame Red whispered urgently, glancing at the growing horde.

"Wait! Let’s strategize this," Xerxes said.

"Good idea," Dexie agreed. "What’s our formation?"

Xerxes nodded, thinking fast. "Alright, I’ll take point and hold the front. Dexie, you cover the rear. Madame Red stays in the middle. That way, we protect her while she gathers any intel or supplies."

"Understood," Madame Red replied, her voice steady. "Let’s move."

They quickly fell into formation, following Xerxes’ lead. As they approached the door, Xerxes reached out and pulled—nothing. The door remained firmly shut.

"Damn!" Xerxes muttered, tugging harder.

"Don’t tell me it’s locked," Madame Red said, her frustration barely contained.

Dexie shot a glance over his shoulder. "We don’t have time for this! More undead are gathering near the fountain!"

Xerxes cursed under his breath. "Forget the front door; we’re going around back. Move, quick!"

Without hesitation, the three of them dashed toward the rear of the clinic, the undead closing in as they disappeared into the alley.

Swiftly, Xerxes led them around the back of the clinic. With a grunt, he threw his weight against the door, smashing it open with brute force—only to realize, too late, that it had already been unlocked. Madame Red shot him an exasperated look.

"You could’ve alerted the undead! Now they know we’re here!"

Xerxes frowned, defiant. "What if it had been locked? We’d be stuck outside with no way to safety. I wasn’t going to take that chance!"

"Guys, calm down," Dexie whispered sharply, glancing around. "They might hear you! And we’re not sure if they really did."

Madame Red crossed her arms, her voice cold. "Never again, Xerxes."

Dexie quickly changed the subject. "Let’s focus. We need to secure the area first. Look for clues, supplies—anything that can help us."

They moved silently into the clinic, tension hanging in the air as they began their search.

Madame Red’s frustration was palpable as she stormed across the room and approached a central desk. Her eyes fell upon a book with a deep red cover that seemed to beckon her. With a mix of urgency and curiosity, she snatched it up and examined the cover closely. Her gaze was immediately drawn to a name inscribed discreetly at the back: Father Lucien. A spark of recognition lit up her face. Without a moment’s hesitation, she began flipping through the pages with swift, almost frantic energy.

Most of the book’s contents seemed unremarkable, but then she came to the final log. Her pulse quickened as she read the hasty, scrawled notes:

“...I believe this is it; this is where the dark feeling is coming from. Should I go back now? No, maybe just a look, or maybe I can stop this thing. I cannot let this go outside; the hermit in the north says so. It’s far too dangerous, it’s uncontrollable. I can’t even cure the ones who are in the tavern. Just maybe, if I could just investigate it…”

“I’m currently hiding now within the forest. There were too many of them, and I think it reached my leg. The good news is, while I was running from the crypt, I saw something—just a fleeting glimpse. In the corner of my eye, a tomb was half-buried in the ground. There are also several sunken spots that appear to have held something before, now conspicuously empty. Maybe it’s the—”

The message was abruptly cut off by a tear in the page. Madame Red stared at the torn fragment, piecing together the urgency and fear conveyed by Father Lucien’s final words. The mention of "The Hermit" caught her attention, and she knew this might be a crucial lead. With a determined exhale, she set the book down on the desk and called out to her companions, her voice tinged with excitement and resolve.

“Everyone, come here! I’ve found another clue!”

Dexie, intrigued, approached with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. “Great, what’s it about?”

Xerxes, ever the silent observer, joined them, his gaze fixed on the book. Madame Red pointed to the log. “Father Lucien explored the crypt and saw a tomb that was partially buried. Surrounding it were several empty spots that once held something but are now missing. He also mentioned someone called ‘The Hermit’ who knows more about the crypt. It sounds like he might have important information.”

Xerxes furrowed his brow. “Where can we find this ‘Hermit’?”

Madame Red glanced back at the book and read aloud, “It says he lives in the north.”

Dexie grinned as he approached, a worn, dirt-colored book clutched in his hands. "Hey, here’s another one!" he said, thrusting the volume toward Madame Red. She took the grimoire, its cover a dull, grimy shade of green, hinting at the age and mysteries it held. As she opened it, the pages crackled under her touch, revealing illustrations of creatures that lurked in the cursed land.

She flipped through, her sharp eyes scanning the grotesque figures and accompanying notes. Near the end, a particular drawing caught her attention—a humanoid form twisted in agony, draped in tattered clothes. Beneath it, the description revealed a dark truth: the undead were creations born of vile, malicious magic, bound to the will of a necromancer. Her brows furrowed as she read further, the words confirming her fears—these creatures were not merely aimless horrors; they were tools of someone far worse.

As she absorbed this grim revelation, a sudden knock echoed from the door. The room fell still, a tense silence hanging in the air, and everyone turned toward the sound, hearts pounding in unison.

Xerxes instinctively grabbed his sword, the reassuring weight of it grounding him as he moved toward the door with quiet precision. He leaned in to the peephole, peering through the small glass circle to check for anyone outside without alerting them. Nothing. The outside was empty.

“What is it?” Madame Red asked from across the room, her voice calm yet curious.

“There’s no one here,” Xerxes replied, keeping his gaze fixed on the door.

Dexie, ever cautious, leaned forward. “Take another good look—just to be sure.”

Nodding, Xerxes squinted through the peephole again, this time carefully scanning from top to bottom. His heart skipped a beat when he finally noticed something at the bottom of the door—a small figure, just out of his initial line of sight. It was a dwarf, his long beard neatly braided, wearing sturdy armor and gripping a knife in one hand. A large cooking pan was strapped to his back.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

The dwarf noticed Xerxes staring through the peephole and, with a broad, friendly grin, raised his hand in greeting. “Hello there!” he called cheerfully. “Would you mind letting me in? There’s quite a ruckus out here.”

Xerxes blinked, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected sight. He sighed with relief and unbarred the door, though he hesitated to open it fully. Madame Red and Dexie, sensing his wariness, readied themselves for a potential fight, hands poised on their weapons.

“What is it, Xerxes?” Madame Red asked again, her voice edged with suspicion.

The room fell into a tense silence as the door creaked open. Then, with a surprising burst of energy, the dwarf entered, his cheerful demeanor unshaken by the cautious reception. “Hello, everyone!” he greeted with a hearty laugh. “A pleasure to meet you all! Say, do you have any ingredients I can cook with? I’m in the mood for a little cooking magic.”

As the dwarf strolled in as if he owned the place, Xerxes shook his head, unable to suppress a small smile. He locked the door behind them, exchanging a knowing glance with the eccentric visitor, who had brought an odd sense of calm to the otherwise tense room.

Madame Red eyed the dwarf warily. “Who are you?”

“Ah, right! My apologies,” the dwarf replied with a friendly grin. “The name’s Senshi. As you can see, I’m a dwarf, and well... I love cooking!”

Dexie, still processing the sudden appearance, stammered, “N-Nice to meet you, Senshi.”

Xerxes narrowed his eyes, a flicker of recognition crossing his face. “Wait—Senshi? I think we’ve met before.”

Senshi scratched his beard, pondering. “I don’t quite remember. What are your names again?”

Xerxes gestured to each of his companions. “I’m Xerxes. The red-haired drow over there is Madame Red, and the feline’s name is Dexie.”

“Well, nice to meet you all!” Senshi said cheerfully. “But tell me—what brings you here? And why are there people in such rugged clothes outside?”

Dexie’s expression darkened. “I’m sorry, Senshi, but... those aren’t people.”

The dwarf’s curiosity was piqued. “What do you mean?”

Madame Red stepped forward, her tone grim. “They’re called the Undead. We only learned about them just before you arrived.”

Senshi’s jovial demeanor faltered, and he frowned. “What caused this?”

Xerxes sighed, his grip tightening on his sword. “An unknown necromancer. We haven’t figured out who it is yet, but we’re following the clues.”

Senshi nodded thoughtfully. “I see... Well, maybe I can join your party? I can cook for you all, and I’m no stranger to a fight if things get rough.”

Xerxes grinned. “Of course! We’d be glad to have you. The more, the merrier.”

“Thank you!” Senshi beamed, then paused, looking at Xerxes with a glimmer of recognition. “You know, Xerxes, now that you mention it... I think I do remember you. But it was a long time ago.”

Xerxes chuckled. “That’s great! Maybe we can catch up along the journey.”

Senshi looked around curiously. “So, what are we looking for now?”

Dexie glanced over. “Let’s gather any supplies we can find—anything useful for the road.”

“Understood,” Senshi replied, nodding. The group split up, searching the clinic for whatever they could scavenge.

Dexie rummaged through a cabinet, pulling out a few dusty vials. “Potions,” he said, handing them to Madame Red, who tucked them into her pack without a word.

As they continued searching, Senshi’s eyes fell on the fireplace, slightly off-center from the wall. Something about it seemed out of place. Curious, he tugged on the mantle, and with a low creak, the fireplace shifted, revealing a hidden door behind it. He pulled it open, but beyond lay nothing but pitch-black darkness.

“Over here!” Senshi called. “I found a secret door, but it’s really dark inside.” The others quickly gathered around, peering into the void beyond the door.

Madame Red stepped forward, her crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. “Maybe I can help.”

Xerxes blinked in surprise. “Wait—you’ve had that power all along?”

Dexie raised a paw. “Just so you all know, I also have night vision.”

Senshi grinned. “Yeah, me too. Dwarven eyes in the dark, you know.”

Xerxes groaned, glancing between them. “Well, that’s just great. I’m the only one who can’t see in the dark.”

Senshi patted him on the shoulder with a hearty laugh. “Calm down, Xerxes. We’re all unique in different ways.”

Madame Red smirked. “Powers aside, we need to focus. Xerxes, since you still owe me for bashing through an unlocked door earlier, you’re coming with me.”

Xerxes blinked, unsure. “But I can’t see in there!”

Madame Red’s smile widened. “I thought you were strong? Don’t worry, I’ll be your eyes.”

He straightened up, his pride kicking in. “Well, I am strong. Alright, let’s go.”

She nodded and turned to the others. “You two stay here and keep searching for supplies. We’ll check out what’s inside.”

Dexie and Senshi exchanged glances and nodded, stepping back from the secret door as Madame Red and Xerxes disappeared into the darkness beyond.

As Madame Red and Xerxes descended the narrow stairs, the air grew colder and heavier. At the bottom, they found themselves in a dimly lit basement. Three rooms lay before them: one to the left held rows of beds, each covered with a body beneath blankets; directly ahead, iron doors were barricaded with thick planks of wood, suggesting something sinister was trapped within; to the right stood a mysterious altar, its eerie presence immediately drawing Madame Red’s attention.

“Over here,” she whispered, her curiosity piqued. She grabbed Xerxes by the arm, pulling him toward the altar.

Xerxes frowned, squinting into the darkness. “What is it?”

Madame Red stared intently at the structure. “I know these kinds of altars.”

“What altar? I can’t see a thing,” he muttered.

She traced her fingers along the edge of the stone. “This is a necromancy altar. And there’s a book on top of it... this might help us.”

Xerxes glanced around nervously, still struggling in the darkness. “I don’t know what any of that means. Just... be careful.”

Ignoring his concern, Madame Red reached for the book, her fingers trembling slightly as they grazed the worn leather cover. She hesitated for a moment before snatching it off the altar. Instantly, the stone structure beneath it lit up with an ominous red glow, casting the room in a deep, crimson light. Now, Xerxes could see clearly as the strange illumination bathed the surroundings.

“What have you done?” Xerxes asked, his voice a mix of awe and fear as the shadows danced ominously around them.

Madame Red flipped open the book, her eyes scanning the pages filled with dark incantations and diagrams. “I’ve found something important. We need to know what this is—what we’re dealing with.”

Just then, a low rumble echoed from the barricaded doors, and a faint scratching sound followed. They exchanged worried glances, realizing that whatever lay behind the iron doors was now aware of their presence.

“Madame Red?” Xerxes asked, his voice tense. “What’s happening to the altar?”

She didn’t respond, her eyes transfixed on the glowing altar. Moments later, the floor trembled beneath their feet. A low rumble grew louder, and the walls began to crack. Dust and debris rained down as the very foundation of the clinic shifted.

Xerxes darted forward, grabbing Madame Red’s arm. “We have to get out of here! Now!”

Blinking, she snapped out of her trance. “I-I... let’s go!” Without wasting another second, they rushed toward the secret door and scrambled back into the clinic’s main floor. There, Dexie and Senshi waited, their eyes wide with alarm.

“What happened down there?” Dexie asked, his voice trembling. Senshi’s usually cheerful expression had darkened. “This is not good.”

Xerxes didn’t slow down as he shouted, “We have to get out! The whole place is coming down!”

Without waiting for an explanation, Madame Red followed closely behind Xerxes as they bolted for the exit. Dexie and Senshi exchanged a quick, fearful glance before racing after them.

Just as they burst through the clinic doors and into the open air, the entire building began to collapse. With a thunderous crash, the clinic crumbled into a pile of rubble behind them, sending a cloud of dust billowing into the sky.

They stood there, catching their breath, watching the remains of the clinic settle. Madame Red clutched the necromancy book tightly, her mind racing.

The deafening crash of the collapsing clinic drew the attention of the undead horde gathered near the fountain. One by one, they turned toward the sound, hollow eyes scanning the debris as they shuffled forward in growing numbers.

Without hesitation, the group slipped into a narrow alley between two buildings, hearts pounding and breaths held. Dexie broke the silence with a hurried whisper. “Can someone care to explain?”

Xerxes, still catching his breath, quickly replied, “We found a necromancy altar in the basement—there was a book on top of it. Madame Red thought it might help us, so she grabbed it. Now the whole clinic’s gone, and we’re here!”

Madame Red shook her head, her face pale. “I-I didn’t know. Necromancy altars aren’t supposed to cause something like this.”

Before they could continue, Senshi held up a hand. “Everyone, keep quiet,” he warned, his eyes scanning the plaza. The undead were closing in, their moans growing louder.

Then he spotted something—an unnoticed path leading past the fountain, straight to the church on the far side of the square.

“Listen up,” Senshi whispered urgently. “There’s a path that’ll take us to the church by the fountain. I can guide us there safely.”

Dexie nodded. “Sounds good.”

“Alright,” Xerxes agreed.

Madame Red, still shaken, added quietly, “Understood.”

Senshi turned to Dexie. “You lead the way; I’ll guide you. Xerxes, follow behind Dexie, Madame after him, and I’ll cover the rear.”

The group moved in silence, slipping out of the alley and following the route Senshi had identified, carefully avoiding the undead. Every step was calculated, hearts racing as they wove between the creatures.

Halfway through, just when it seemed they might make it undetected, a loud, blood-chilling scream pierced the air from the direction of the clinic.

Dexie froze. “What was that?” he whispered, his fur standing on end.

Xerxes clenched his fists, glancing back. “It came from the clinic.”

“That doesn’t sound good,” Madame Red muttered, her eyes wide with worry.

Senshi’s voice remained steady, though tension was clear. “Focus, everyone! We need to reach the church before things get worse.”

But as they hurried along the path, another, even louder scream echoed across the plaza.

At the crash site of the clinic, a massive hand burst forth from beneath the rubble, clawing at the air. The sound reverberated across the square, sending a fresh wave of fear through the group.

Dexie swallowed hard. “We really need to move.”

Without another word, they pressed forward, the looming terror from the clinic creeping closer with every second.