The group was already hard at work in the center of the hall. Gauge stood at the heart of the chamber, orchestrating the preparation of the resurrection circle. The floor was meticulously prepared, with intricate designs of magical symbols traced into the stone. These symbols, drawn with a mixture of crushed gemstones, sacred oils, and other arcane substances, glowed with a soft, pulsating light as the circle began to form.
Runner moved efficiently, fetching materials and assisting where needed. He ensured every detail was attended to, knowing that even the slightest error could jeopardize the ritual. When he noticed Talich and Zavet entering, he quickly nodded before returning to his task.
Zavet, still on edge from their earlier encounters, chose a position near the entrance, his tail coiled around him as he sat vigilantly. His sharp eyes scanned the room, alert for any signs of danger. The battles they had faced had taught him that safety was never guaranteed, not even within these hallowed walls.
With the circle complete, Gauge took a deep breath and stepped into its center. His hands moved through the air, tracing complex patterns that matched the symbols on the floor. As he chanted the ancient incantations, the circle responded, humming with energy as the glow intensified, filling the hall with a warm, ethereal light.
This was an ordinary resurrection. The bodies of Flynn, Hoat, and Lina had dissipated in the battles, leaving nothing behind. But the circle of resurrection didn’t require physical remains. Instead, it drew upon the deep connection between soul and memory, reaching into the ether to reconstruct their forms from the essence of who they had been.
The first to be reborn was Flynn. As Gauge completed the final words of the incantation, the air above the circle shimmered, coalescing into a mist that began to take shape. Slowly, Flynn’s body reformed, the mist solidifying into flesh and bone, his features emerging as if sculpted from the air. Within moments, he was whole again, lying on the stone floor, breathing once more as life returned to him.
Runner, anticipating the return, stepped forward with a robe. He knew the rebirth left the resurrected without clothing; their new bodies formed anew. Flynn accepted the robe, still dazed and disoriented from the experience but alive.
Next was Hoat. His form appeared in the circle, first as a ghostly outline, then gradually becoming solid. The wounds that had ended his life were gone, erased by the magic of the circle. He drew his first breath of life, eyes fluttering open as he returned to the world of the living. Runner was there, offering another robe as Hoat shakily rose to his feet, his expression a mix of confusion and awe.
Finally, it was Lina’s turn. Talich watched intently as the mist began swirling again, his heart pounding as Lina’s form took shape. The light from the circle seemed to brighten as her body was recreated, her figure becoming more distinct with each passing second. When the process was complete, she lay there, whole and alive, as if she had never been touched by death.
Lina nodded weakly, still processing the shock of her resurrection, her voice trembling with relief and the weight of what she had just experienced. “Thank you,” she whispered, her eyes wide as she tried to steady her breathing. “That spell... the one over the city... it’s more than just a curse. It’s a trap. Our souls were locked in our bodies while we were undead. I’ve never encountered anything like it before.”
Talich, standing nearby with his arms crossed, gave her a sympathetic nod. He managed a small, humorless chuckle, trying to bring some fun to the grim reality. “That’s only a side effect of the spell. Its main purpose is far more sinister. The longer someone remains undead under its influence, the stronger they become. It allows them to retain all the power they had in life and more. But it’s also why we have to act quickly—if we wait, the undead will only become harder to defeat.”
Zavet, who had been quietly listening, tilted his head in thought. His tail flicked in curiosity as he looked at Lina and the others who had just been resurrected. “So if we can come back to life, why is everyone so scared of dying or being resurrected?” he asked, his tone more curious than fearful.
Lina turned to him, her expression softening slightly as she explained. “It’s not that simple, Zavet. Resurrection isn’t something we can take for granted. No one truly knows how many times a soul can return from death before it’s too weak to come back at all. It’s a gamble every time, and the odds get worse the more you die and come back.”
She took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “Think of the soul like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes. But if someone were to stop using it—if they were to retire, stop fighting, stop pushing themselves—then their soul would weaken. Imagine someone who was a powerful warrior in their prime but then they retired and spent years in peace. If they died five years later, there’s a chance they might not come back at all because their soul hasn’t been exercised, so to speak.”
Zavet’s eyes narrowed as he processed this. “So as long as we stay active, we can keep coming back?”
Lina shook her head, a faint trace of sadness in her eyes. “I wish it were that simple. But it’s not just about staying active. Each time you resurrect, your soul loses a bit of its strength. The ancient mages who studied resurrection wrote that a soul can only withstand so many returns. They estimated that if you die and resurrect more than ten times a year, your soul might become too weak to resist the pull of the final death.”
Talich added in a low voice, “It’s like a flame. Each time you die, it’s like relighting that flame. But each time, the flame gets a little smaller, a little dimmer. And one day, there might not be enough left to ignite it again.”
The gravity of their words tempered Zavet’s usual bravado. He glanced around at the others, who bore the weight of this knowledge on their faces. “So every death is a risk,” he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.
Lina nodded. “Yes. And that’s why we can’t take this lightly. We might have a chance to come back now, but if we’re not careful... there won’t be a next time.”
The room fell into a contemplative silence, the reality of their situation settling over them like a heavy shroud. They were alive, but each of them now understood just how fragile that life had become. The urgency of their mission had never been more apparent, and with it came the unspoken agreement that they would do everything in their power to ensure they wouldn’t have to test the limits of resurrection again.
The group made quick work of the remaining undead within the keep, their movements synchronized and efficient. Each swing of Talich’s maces and Zavet’s dagger, combined with Runner’s powerful strikes, dispatched the undead with little resistance. With the keep secure, Gauge focused on reinforcing their defenses. He carefully recast the protective wards around the perimeter, ensuring they were strong enough to deter further undead incursions. As a final measure, he crafted a series of low-quality golems—rudimentary but effective guardians to stand sentinel over the newly reclaimed keep.
Once the wards were in place and the golems began their patrols, Zavet, Talich, and Runner regrouped outside the keep. The air was thick with the lingering scent of decay, but the skies above the embassy district were clearing, a sign that their efforts were beginning to purge the undead from the area.
Runner glanced around, the weight of their mission still heavy on his shoulders. “I think there are two more members of Krimlond who are missing,” he said, his voice tinged with concern. “We need to find them.”
Talich nodded in agreement, his expression serious. “We’ve come this far. We can’t leave anyone behind.”
Zavet, never one to back down from a challenge, shrugged nonchalantly. “Lead the way,” he said, falling in step behind the others as they began their search.
The three of them moved through the embassy district, their senses heightened as they navigated the abandoned streets and rubble-strewn paths. Once a place of diplomacy and order, the district was overrun with the remnants of undead. Still, Zavet, Talich, and Runner moved with purpose, cutting through the clusters of enemies with ruthless efficiency.
Zavet, taking the lead, used the chaotic energy of the battlefield to his advantage. Each time they encountered a group of undead, he would strike first, his dagger gleaming with deadly precision. With each kill, the dark magic within his dagger activated, drawing power from the defeated undead and manifesting it as bone armor around Zavet's body. The armor started as a thin, brittle layer, barely covering his chest and shoulders. However, the bone plates grew thicker and more intricate with each successive kill, weaving into a more formidable defense.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
As the armor accumulated, it began to pulse with a faint, eerie light, reflecting the growing power within. Yet despite its increasing strength, the armor had its limitations. The magic within the dagger allowed the armor to exist only briefly, forcing it to decay and crumble back into dust after several minutes. Even so, the armor was strong enough to deflect the blows of weaker undead, their claws and weapons clattering harmlessly against it.
Talich and Runner provided support, cutting down any undead that strayed too close to Zavet as he methodically worked his way through the enemy ranks. Talich’s maces crushed skulls and shattered bones, while Runner’s powerful swings cleaved through the undead with deadly precision. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with, their teamwork honed to near perfection.
As they continued their sweep of the district, the streets grew quieter, the echoes of battle slowly fading as the number of undead dwindled. Zavet’s bone armor, now a formidable shell covering most of his torso, pulsed with a faint glow. However, the time limit on the enchantment was unforgiving, and just as it seemed the armor might envelop his entire body, the bones began to splinter and crack. Within moments, the once-impressive armor crumbled away, exposing Zavet’s body again.
Zavet smirked as he watched the last remnants of the bone dust fade into the air. “Looks like I’ll have to find more of these guys if I want to stay protected,” he quipped, though his tone was more determined than light-hearted.
Talich grunted in agreement, scanning the area for any signs of movement. “Let’s keep moving. We’ll find those missing members and clear out the rest of this district.”
Runner, ever vigilant, took point, leading the group further into the heart of the embassy district. The three of them moved as one, their focus unbroken as they hunted for any remaining threats—and for the two missing members of Krimlond.
The air grew colder as the group pressed further into the city, and the sense of dread deepened. They could feel the power of the undead intensifying with each step they took toward the palace at the city's center. The embassy district was now behind them, and the streets were filled with the eerie silence of an undead presence that only grew stronger.
At the far end of the district, where the city opened into a vast courtyard leading toward the palace, they encountered a sight that sent a chill down their spines. Four greater undead stood in their path, their malevolent auras radiating darkness: a death knight clad in ancient, battle-scarred armor; a lich, its skeletal form draped in tattered robes with a faintly glowing gem embedded in its crown; a dread ghoul, hunched and grotesque with sharp claws; and a revenant, a vengeful spirit with glowing red eyes.
Zavet's eyes widened with excitement at the sight of the formidable foes. His heart raced, not with fear, but with an almost uncontrollable desire to fight. Talich noticed Zavet’s eagerness and reached out to stop him, but it was too late. Zavet had already surged forward, the thrill of the battle driving him onward. Runner, loyal to his core, wasn’t about to let Zavet face the undead alone. He sprinted after him, his greatsword gleaming in the dim light.
Talich, more strategic in his approach, remained hidden in the shadows, observing the undead and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. His instincts told him that this battle would require precision and cunning.
As they approached the undead, Runner quickly assessed the situation. “I see one death knight, one lich, one dread ghoul, and a revenant. We need to kill the lich first,” he called out, his voice steady despite the danger.
The lich turned its hollow gaze toward them, its empty eye sockets glowing with dark energy. It tilted its head slightly, as if considering its opponents, before beginning to chant a powerful necromantic spell. The air around it crackled with magic as it summoned its strongest attack. But before the spell could be unleashed, Zavet leaped into the air, his dagger in one hand and his rumpwhip ready in the other. The lich’s dark magic surged toward him, but instead of being harmed, Zavet absorbed the energy, his body being healed of the minor wound he had suffered while killing the other undead.
With a roar of determination, Zavet launched himself at the lich, slashing with his dagger in a flurry of strikes. He struck the lich five times in rapid succession, each blow aimed with deadly precision. But before he could land a final strike, the revenant intervened, grabbing Zavet and hurling him across the courtyard. Zavet tumbled through the air before landing hard on the ground, but he was back on his feet in an instant, his eyes locked on the lich.
Seeing Zavet thrown aside, the Runner focused his attacks on the lich, determined to prevent it from regenerating. His greatsword cut through the air with a heavy swing, keeping the lich occupied and unable to heal itself. Zavet, undeterred by the revenant’s attack, charged back into the fray, his eyes now fixed on the death knight advancing on Runner, its sword raised to strike.
With a swift motion, Zavet whipped his tail around, knocking the sword from the death knight’s grasp just as it was about to strike Runner. The death knight staggered, momentarily disarmed, allowing Runner to slash deeply into its leg. Though the attack didn’t cause significant damage, it slowed the death knight down, keeping it from retrieving its weapon.
Zavet, seizing the moment, turned his attention back to the lich. He noticed the glowing gem in its crown, its power source. With a fierce grin, he shouted, “Ha, I knew it! The gem is what makes the lich!”
Without hesitation, he leaped at the lich again, his dagger aimed directly at the gem. With a single, precise strike, he shattered the gem, and the lich let out a bone-chilling wail as its body crumbled into dust. The dust swirled around Zavet as if drawn to him, and before he knew it, the remains of the lich began to coalesce into bone armor, wrapping around his body.
Talich, seeing the lich defeated, stepped out of the shadows and attacked the dread ghoul. He struck it several times with his maces, weakening it significantly before stepping back and calling out to Zavet, “Zavet, finish off the ghoul! Then we can deal with the death knight.”
Zavet, now clad in the heavy, dragon-like bone armor, felt a surge of power, unlike anything he had experienced before. He wasted no time, charging at the dread ghoul with ferocious speed. The ghoul, already weakened by Talich’s blows, could do little to defend itself as Zavet’s dagger sliced through its neck. The creature’s head rolled to the ground as its body disintegrated, and once again, its bones turned to dust and joined with Zavet’s armor, strengthening it further.
The armor now covered him from head to toe, each plate thick and durable, resembling the scales of a dragon. Zavet knew he had only minutes before the magic would dissipate, so he turned his attention to the death knight, the most formidable of the remaining undead.
“Leave him to me,” Zavet growled, his voice echoing with the power of the armor. “You guys handle the revenant.”
Runner and Talich nodded, their focus shifting to the revenant as they charged at it. Runner’s greatsword and Talich’s maces struck in tandem, each attack forcing the revenant back, preventing it from aiding the death knight.
Zavet, now alone with the death knight, tested his new armor by allowing the undead warrior to land a heavy blow on him. The force of the attack sent Zavet flying through the air, but when he landed, he realized that the armor had absorbed most of the impact. What would have been a fatal blow without the armor now caused only minor damage.
With a renewed sense of confidence, Zavet charged at the death knight, his movements quick and precise. He whipped his tail around again, wrapping it around the death knight’s leg and forcing it into a painful split. Zavet aimed for the death knight’s neck, but his strike wasn’t strong enough to decapitate it in one blow. He quickly rolled back, avoiding the death knight’s retaliatory swing, and then whipped his tail around again, trapping the knight’s sword arm.
With a quick maneuver, Zavet dived under the death knight’s legs, causing it to lose its balance and flip forward. The undead warrior landed hard on its back, its head facing Zavet. Seizing the opportunity, Zavet stabbed at the death knight’s head repeatedly, but the creature’s resilience was immense, and it took several blows before the skull began to crack.
In a final desperate move, the death knight grabbed Zavet by the leg and lifted him off the ground, slamming him down with tremendous force. The impact shattered Zavet’s bone armor, the magical protection dissipating into dust. Zavet grimaced as he felt the strain on his body, but he quickly severed his leg using his necromantic powers, allowing himself to escape the death knight’s grasp.
Healing himself with a quick surge of necromantic energy, Zavet cursed under his breath as he watched the last remnants of his armor fade away. “You big mean—” Zavet started, his tone more frustrated than fearful.
The death knight, caught off guard by Zavet’s unexpected insult, paused momentarily as if confused. “What?” it rasped, its voice echoing hollowly from within its helmet.
Taking advantage of the brief moment of hesitation, Zavet gathered a mass of necromantic magic in his hands and formed it into a shimmering shield. The shield deflected the death knight’s next attack, the force of the blow dissipating harmlessly.
With the death knight momentarily stalled, Zavet continued his relentless assault, targeting its neck with precise, powerful strikes. Each hit weakened the death knight further until finally, with one last forceful blow, Zavet severed the head from the body. The death knight collapsed to the ground, its once-imposing form now lifeless.
Talich and Runner, having successfully dealt with the revenant, rejoined Zavet just as the death knight’s body crumbled to dust. They stood amidst the remains of their enemies, breathing heavily but victorious.
Zavet wiped the sweat from his brow and looked at the pile of dust that had once been his bone armor. “That was close,” he admitted, a hint of a grin tugging at his lips.
Talich nodded, his expression stern but relieved. “You handled it well. But we’re not done yet. We need to keep moving and clear out the rest of the city.”
Runner clapped Zavet on the shoulder, his usual cheerful spirit returning. “Nice work, Zavet. Let’s find those other two missing members and finish what we started.”