As the group, comprised of Asher, Liam, Sarah, and the children, navigated their way back to the subway station, Asher felt an urge to address the lingering questions.

"Sarah," he began, choosing his words carefully, "I know you've been through a lot. But can you shed some light on what happened back there? How did the group that took you end up being so ruthlessly deboned by that killer?"

Sarah hesitated for a moment, her eyes distant as she recalled the terrifying events. "I really don't know. After they grabbed us, they locked us up in a room. We had no idea what they wanted with us, but something must've gone wrong for them. All we heard were these super creepy screams and loud noises outside. It sounded like that weird guy was fighting with the people who took us."

"I see..." Asher had hoped Sarah might shed some light on the situation, but many questions remained. Was this man merely a sadistic killer, or did he have a particular goal in mind? What purpose did he have for stripping his victims of their bones? One thing was undeniably clear: this man was no savior. His readiness to harm innocents like Sarah and the children, without a flicker of remorse, painted him as malevolent. 'Seems like he is walking the dark path of necromancy.' Asher mused.

To the general public unfamiliar with its intricacies, necromancy is often portrayed as a dark, malevolent magic, the antithesis of a virtuous heroic class. However, those well-versed in fantasy understand that, like any other class or role, a necromancer can embody both righteousness and wickedness. The distinction lies in the individual wielding the art. Consider popular TV shows or comic books where the celebrated heroes, hailed as humanity's saviors, conceal a sinister side. They may neglect to save lives due to unconcern, then deceive the public with tales of being "too late" or 'battling powerful foes'. As storytelling evolves, we see more narratives where the traditional hero is unveiled as the true antagonist, while the anti-hero emerges as the genuine savior.

Asher pondered, 'How many other necromancers might be out there?' With the world's recent shifts, many individuals had acquired distinct classes. While a significant portion of the remaining global population might have similar classes, Asher recognized that the class itself was merely a conduit to an individual's unique potential. The true value lay in the skills a class granted. From what he understood, even though two people might share a class, their initial skills could be entirely bespoke. The enigmatic man was a case in point. While he likely belonged to the necromancer class, his specialization seemed focused on skeleton summoning, a common necromantic ability alongside other undead entities like zombies, ghouls, liches, and more. However, exceptions like Asher with his guardian summon which was categorized as a specter minion existed, and it was too soon to say whether the man they'd encountered wasn't an outlier too. Only time would reveal the truth.

As they navigated the streets and reached the subway, anxious grandparents raced towards the children. Waves of joy and relief enveloped them, grateful that their young ones had returned unscathed. Many showered Asher and Liam with heartfelt thanks, while others went above and beyond, displaying overwhelming gratitude and affection.

Asher and Liam, having been at the center of the day's turmoil, felt the weight of their exhaustion pressing down. They secured a quiet corner near the tracks, away from the hustle and bustle of the makeshift community that had formed in the subway.

Sarah approached them with blankets, her expression softer now that the immediate danger has past. "You two should rest," she said, laying the blankets down next to them. "I'm sure you guys are exhausted. Not only did you clear the dungeon on your own, you prioritized our safety the moment you got out. We all owe you a debt of gratitude. "

Liam offered a weary smile, "Just glad everyone's safe."

The community in the subway banded together, forming small groups to take turns keeping watch through the night. The elders and some other individuals volunteered for the first shift, allowing the children and their saviors to sleep together.

As Asher drifted off to sleep, his mind wandered back to the events of the day. The imposing aura of the dragon, which nearly took his life with its mere presence; the allies he'd found and collaborated with; the treacherous dungeon exploration; and the enigmatic man with his skeletons. Each moment from the day had brought him close to the brink of death. But, those thoughts faded into the background as the fatigue overcame him, pulling him into a deep sleep.

***

Morning arrived, bringing with it a soft glow that penetrated the subway's entrances. The sounds of the waking community filled the air – murmurs of conversation, the shuffling of feet, and children's giggles. Asher and Liam stirred, their bodies stiff from the hard ground, but their spirits rejuvenated by a night of undisturbed rest.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Morning," Liam grunted, stretching out his limbs. "Didn't think I'd ever be grateful for a night on a subway platform."

Asher chuckled. "Desperate times." He yawned and stretched, his bones cracking in protest. "So, what's our game plan?"

Liam looked contemplative for a moment. "We should head to the police station on the other side of the subway, wasn't that your main goal to begin with? If anyone has information or a better grasp of the current situation, it'd be them."

Asher nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Maybe we can find more clues about the current event's. And if there's anyone organizing shelter and aid, the police station would be a good starting point."

As they packed their belongings and prepared to move, Sarah approached them, a look of concern on her face. "You're leaving? Where to?"

"We're thinking of heading to the police station," Liam replied. "See if we can gather more intel."

"Without the group?" Sarah inquired.

"It's best that way. They're safer here. After we've scouted the outside and made sure it's safe, we'll come back for them." Liam responded.

Sarah hesitated for a moment. "I-I'm coming with you."

Asher and Liam shared a meaningful look, weighing Sarah's unexpected caution. "It might be safer for you to stay here with the others," Asher suggested gently. "We don't know about the dangers we'll face on the other side."

Sarah's determination shone through her eyes. "I need to be there with you both. I can't just sit around waiting, especially after everything that's happened. I want to help!"

Liam looked hesitant, but it was clear that Sarah's resolve wasn't going to waver. After a brief, silent exchange with Asher, he sighed. "Alright, but promise us you'll stay close and be cautious."

Asher nodded in agreement, "And if things get too dangerous, you'll need to find a safe place to hide immediately."

Sarah gave a firm nod, "Mm!."

Finalizing their group's lineup, they embarked on their journey to the other side of the subway, past the obstruction of the formerly positioned portal.

Stepping out of the subway station, the trio found the world outside just as eerily quiet as the other side. The sunlight filtering through the dilapidated buildings created an ambiance of desolation, making the silence all the more profound.

As they moved forward, Sarah's eyes caught the sign of a thrift shop ahead. Its facade appeared mostly untouched, a rarity in these times. "Hey, why don't we check out that shop?" she pointed. "Our clothes are practically falling apart. Plus, Asher, you're still in those pajamas which, by the way, look like they've seen better days!"

Asher glanced down at his attire, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Well, I thought I was starting a new fashion trend in post-apocalyptic wear. Who knew pajamas wouldn't catch on?"

Liam chuckled, "I think it's a great idea. A change of clothes might also help us blend in better, just in case there are any prying eyes."

The three made their way into the thrift shop, hopeful for a fresh start in more ways than one.

Inside the thrift shop, the aisles were lined with an eclectic mix of clothing from various styles, reminding them of the world before everything changed. They spread out, sifting through the offerings.

Asher soon found himself in the sportswear section, feeling the fabrics and checking the sizes. The comfortable stretch of the fabric and lightweight nature of the garments seemed perfect for their journey. He picked out a pair of breathable tracksuit pants and a matching jacket. As he examined his chosen outfit, he noted to himself that these clothes were of common rank, offering no stat improvements or special abilities—just regular attire. But in these times, comfort and mobility were as important than magic-infused gear.

Meanwhile, Sarah was exploring the accessories section when a peculiar motorcycle helmet caught her eye. The sleek black design was augmented with embedded neon lights that created animated facial expressions. Turning it on, she watched with delight as the visor displayed a sequence of quirky neon expressions ranging from a smiling face to a winking eye.

Running over to Asher, she exclaimed, "Look at this! Can you imagine if your guardian could wear this? It's so futuristic, like something straight out of a cyberpunk movie. Imagine him showing expression rather then a headless lump of armor. Such a shame he can't."

Asher hesitated for a moment, a glint of excitement in his eyes. He then exhaled slowly, deciding it was the right time to share another part of his abilities. "Actually," he began, "my guardian can equip items. I just... haven't mentioned it."

Sarah and Liam turned to look at him, their expressions shifting from surprise to understanding. "So, you're saying...?" Sarah trailed off, her gaze darting back to the neon helmet.

"Yeah," Asher said with a smirk, "I think that helmet would look cool on him."

Liam chuckled, "Man, you've got a bag full of surprises. But you know, with everything that's been going on, it makes sense that you'd keep some cards close to you. I did the same with the Blackgold Cartridge, didn't I."

Sarah nodded in agreement, "Especially in times like these. Trust isn't easily given. But we're in this together now. Secrets or no secrets, we've got each other's backs."

Asher felt a warmth spread within him. The bond between the trio was growing stronger. "Alright then," he said, trying to take the helmet from Sarah in which she quickly moved away.

"Huh?"

"Hey, if your guardian can use items, I should help too, right?" said Sarah as her hands started to glow with a blue light.

"You mean..."

"Yes! Let's make this helmet better. If we're giving it to him, let's make it useful."

To Asher's astonishment, Sarah employed her skill to elevate the helmet's rank from common to magical, infusing it with a magical property.

"There you go!"

"Thank you!"

After reading the item's updated description, Asher realized her ability was more versatile than he had previously believed.