Spectral forms and dark knights covered in black armor shuffled through the alley whilst zombies and skeletons swayed aimlessly along the nooks at its side. But they all parted for Miss Nia as she strode through the busy unground passage. Keeping close behind, Abe followed, catching glances as they passed.

The underground city was known as Lantern’s Necropolis. The air here felt thinner, as if he were walking up a mountain, and Nia occasionally coughed, causing Abe to raise a brow.

“It’s fine,” she said after catching his concerned gaze for the dozenth time. “The deathly energy here is weak,” she coughed again. “But I’ll be fine for a short while,” she forced a smile and wiped away the uncharacteristic fatigue.

“How do all these undead live here if the energy is so weak?”

“They are weaklings. Remember what I said about deathly energy and the cost of feeding powerful beings? They might not have a well here like I do in my domain, but there’s still deathly energy. Here in Lantern, whether you are below ground in the Necropolis or above, the atmosphere provides just enough energy for C-ranked beings to exist with any kind of dignity. Vampires like me and others can handle it, but over time, we would grow weak here.”

“Those above, the dreamers, aren’t they alive? Why would they need deathly energy to survive?”

“Not deathly, dream energy. And alive is a complicated term beyond the Vale. If a mortal ascends to life as a dreamer, they become dependent on that power, much the same as they were dependent on food and drink as a mortal.”

“But there are mortals up there?”

“Perhaps,” she shrugged. “Mortals do find their way across the Vale sometimes. It’s not a great existence if they fail to find a means to ascension, though.”

“I can imagine,” Abe grunted as they continued through the crypt-like streets. He didn’t need memories to know this place would be a nightmare for his mortal self.

“What about the people in Strigov? I can smell their mortality.”

“You’re correct, Abraham. They are mortal. And for the same reason, I keep the number of ghouls I employ to a minimum. They are cheap. Mostly living off the land, subsidized by food and supplies we bring through the Vale for them. Many jobs need workers throughout the domain, and I would struggle to feed myself if I had ghouls do them all.”

“And they are okay with that?” Abe probed. A simple hollow promise had led so many to support the Man in White, and he wondered if she was aware of this weakness.

“I’m sure they aspire to more. Unfortunately, we can’t all have what we want.”

“I figured.”

The claustrophobic stone corridors took them past shopfronts and locked doors before continuing downstairs. Torches lined the walls, but nothing burned within—balls of ghostly flames circled above the metal frames, dimly lighting their surroundings.

The stone turned to marble in the lower cavern, and the room stretched out in all directions. More storefronts lined the giant square, and their stone and marble facades were reminiscent of graves marked by Romanesque writing.

“Lantern’s Necropolis heart. The important organizations reside here.”

“I can tell,” Abe murmured as he took in his surroundings—the columns lining the walls, statues, and water features.

“Here we are,” Miss Nia led them to the giant stone doors across the square, with red and black banners marked by swords and skulls on either side of them. The giant doors didn’t appear moveable, stretching from the floor to the ceiling some six meters up. But that didn’t matter as smaller metal doors were cut into them.

With a flick of her wrist, the smaller doors opened for Nia, and they entered the crypt-like foyer beyond.

A stone counter ran the length of the foyer beyond, with ghouls or zombies standing behind it and armored skeletons standing guard at every doorway. Facing them were dozens of chairs scattered around the waiting room, filled with various undead, mostly looking significantly stronger and better equipped than the average found in the streets.

Upon spotting Miss Nia, the zombies behind the counter straightened.

“A-a vampire, how can we help you,” one of them bowed.

Gliding across the foyer, she approached the counter. “I have an appointment with Grandmaster Daecrum.”

“One m-moment,” the zombie said, loose meat jiggling across its face as it spoke. The zombie looked down, flipping through an impressively large tome. “Ah, here we are,” it cleared its throat to no effect, the wet echo persisting. “Baroness Evgenia.”

“That’s me,” Miss Nia smiled.

“Please, follow me,” the zombie said, hastily shuffling through the office and out into the foyer, bowing and then moving to hold the backdoors.

Nia entered with Abe closely behind, and the zombie hurried to retake the lead. “Right this way,” it said as it swerved down one corridor after another before finally stopping at a stone door that looked like an enclosed tomb.

The zombie knocked against the stone, and a moment later, it began to vibrate, loosening debris as the heavy stone slabs ground open.

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“Please, inside. The grandmaster is awaiting you,” the zombie said, stepping aside for them to enter.

Abe marveled at the carvings along the stone tomb for a moment before following Miss Nia inside.

Banners matching those in the foyer and the facade of the building draped most of the stone walls inside. A stone table sat at the far end of the room flanked by filled bookcases and a hulking skeleton dressed in bulky, black plate armor.

“Ah, the beautiful Baroness Evgenia, what an honor,” boomed the oversized skeleton as it rose from its chair.

Abe’s mouth creaked open as the skeleton rose a good eight feet, its back still hunched a little, thanks to the ceiling above.

“Grandmaster Daecrum,” Miss Nia nodded slightly. “You were only a skeleton warrior last we met, weren’t you? A battlefield captain, if I remember correctly.”

“It is an honor that you remember me at all, Baroness, much more that you are correct. The late Master Umbrial applauded our successful taking of Ebonfort. So much so that he rewarded me with enough treasures to reach knighthood.”

“You’re far more than just a knight, from what I can see,” Miss Nia said, glancing around the room and taking note of the statues and mosaic across the ceiling depicting an epic siege of a towering black castle atop a hill. “You must have done something special to carve out a reavers branch for yourself? Not every skeleton knight rises so high.”

Daecrum nodded, a sorrowful expression bending his skull, “My station is at the master’s wish. He wanted to expand his influence within the organization. Now, with him gone, I find myself a free agent.”

“Don’t look so down. You came out of this ahead. Far better than if you had been serving during his fall.”

“Some might see it that way,” Daecrum nodded. “Master Umbrial was the greatest leader I ever served under. Had I been there… Besides, while I might be my own master here, I still bow to the guild board in Acheron. Let's move on; that’s enough of that. I’m sure someone of your great stature did not visit this place just to hear me lament. Please, Baroness—tell me what it is you need.”

Miss Nia stepped aside and gestured toward Abe, “My newest ghoul. He is quite the specimen, and I have high hopes for him. But he needs training. I was hoping to see him join a reaver group. I want him to be tested somewhere not far from here. And not too long.”

“You know we don’t-” Daecrum cleared his throat as he caught Nia’s glare. “Of course. That would be well within my power.” He turned to Abe, studying him a moment. “How much do you want to test him?”

“Like I said, he has potential. A potential that I would rather not see wasted. Does that clear things up?”

“It does; I know precisely what you mean. I have the perfect group; they are D-rank, but if he has as much potential as you suggest, I don’t see it as a problem. There’s a wight, a banshee, and a necromancer already recruited. They’re all experienced and competent. But if you vouch for him, I am okay with it.”

“I do, and he will prove himself. Besides, he is almost at the precipice and will likely evolve soon. Perhaps even during this mission.”

“Impressive; I assume you’ve already given him the appropriate treasures, then?”

“No, he needs none.”

Most impressive. Quite the asset you have. Now, to the business side of things,” Daecrum said, shuffling some papers atop his desk. “How would you like the contract signed? Shall I have the bounty provided to your estate or be ready for collection upon his return?”

“Let him have it all on return from his mission,” Miss Nia said, turning to Abe. “Perhaps you can buy yourself something before returning.”

“Thank you,” Abe nodded.

“Alright, everything seems in order,” the grandmaster said, scribbling on several parchments with a feather quill. “And that completes the team. I will send out correspondents immediately. You should be able to return in three days for a briefing. Your employer has already signed off on it and deposited funds for completion. We just need to collect the rest of your group, and you’ll be good to go.”

“Brilliant,” Miss Nia nodded and turned to take Abe by the arm again. “I’ll remain in town for the auction, should you need anything. After that, you’ll have to conduct all business through Abraham, not that there should be any problems with that.”

“None at all, Baroness,” Daecrum bowed at his table.

“We’ll have to catch up again sometime. I would love to hear what you’ve been up to. Unfortunately, there is just so much going on. Inheritances really are complicated things.”

“I understand, Baroness. I hope the house of Umbrial doesn’t remain divided for too long.”

“As do I.”

Nia pulled on Abe’s arm as she pulled him from the room. He eyed the skeleton’s expression for a moment until he was forced to follow. He couldn’t find out why, but he didn’t trust the guild master.

“Where are they going to take me?” Abe said as they walked down the corridor.

“I can’t say for sure, but you won’t openly defy my request. He’s too much of a coward for that. But that doesn’t mean you should trust him or his reavers. I doubt whatever he is cooking is too bold, but keep an eye out,” she said as they reached the foyer.

“I will. It’s a bit daunting, really. Traveling away from the manor with a group of strangers.”

“Oh, Abraham, you’re not going to miss me too much, are you?”

“I mean,” Abe cleared his throat and pulled on his collar.

“Relax, I’m only teasing. I am fully aware of how much you’ll miss me,” she smiled and pulled his arm tighter, closing what little gap had been between them. “You can’t hide from me.”

“It’s not like-”

“It’s not like you want to tear these clothes off of me and do naughty things?”

He remained silent, looking down at her from the corner of his eyes.

“You’ve got a lot to prove before I even entertain those naughty thoughts, young man. Try to keep focused on your missions for now. And on evolving.”

“I am,” Abe said with crack resolution.

The doors flung open as she led him from the building and into the dirty streets.

“Oh yes, deny it. That makes it so much better.”

“I’m not denying anything.”

“Getting flustered, are we? Seeing you so worked up is getting me excited. But I won’t let you touch me until you prove yourself. Unless you want to roll and beg like a dog again? Is that what you want, Abraham?” she said, barking several times into his ear.

“I’m no dog, and I’m no slave,” Abe gritted his teeth.

“You say that, but you’ve yet to prove anything. If you want me to treat you like someone deserving of respect and not just a pampered pet, you know what to do,” she continued, patting his arm as they walked.

“You’ll see. I’ll show you.”

“I hope so; forcing you to bow at my feet is sure to grow boring.”

“I won’t bore you, Mistress,” Abe said, tightening his arm.

“Such fire in those eyes,” Nia’s red lips curled into a smile. “They almost make me want to go back on my word,” she hissed and flashed her fangs. “Delectable.”