Shadows loomed in the dim lit tunnel, the light emanating from their enchanted gear seemed to be swallowed by the walls around them, ghostly images drifted along the hallways and bones cracked under their feet.
Every member in the party was already on edge when they entered the underground city lead by the PainMaiden that floated silently at the front, a few times they could see a tentacle slither from under her cape like it was trying to escape the monster's body.
"What the hell did you get us into?" the woman in a green skinsuit whispered to Roman.
"I don't think we are in Kansas anymore Dotty", he replied and got a punch to his gut, while the other woman gafawed when she heard his reply.
"It's no yellow brick road either Toto", said the woman while pushing her rainbow hairbow back, "I think we should stop and plan at the next room or junction", stumbling on a skull that crumbled in the dark "this place is creepier than most places I ever heard of" she poured more mana to the enchantments on her vambraces and they flared with a sudden pink and orange light, "and I used to run horror quests all the time when I just started playing".
"It's a good idea Meta" the staff wielding warrior said, "we should think this through before moving forward", he tapped on the wall with his staff, "we should also consider sending someone for more supplies"
"At least two should go", Meta replied, "one could get lost or attacked", she held her hand high to light the way, "I think I see the end of this hallway" she turned to him "who do you think should go Lena?".
"Probably Duke and Roman" the green attired woman said, "you and me can hold any room indefinitely between our enchantments and the PainMaiden healing", she shifted her eyes between the two men, "and I could definitely live with less puns and jokes".
"You know I was just lighting up the mood" Roman interrupted her, "this place is way darker than just the bad lighting".
"Enough with the stupid puns already", Lena screamed, "you know I hate it when you don't take things seriously".
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
"I am serious like the crunching bones of an ancient dwarven corpse", he bumped into the PainMaiden and it was like hitting a wall, "what the hell?" he asked surprised.
"We have arrived at the ancient city of the StoneMourned dwarven clan", she said in her narrating voice, "in this valley the shadow of death resides", she turned and gestured "light it will call", her hand rose to point at some point in the dark cavern before them "light it will empower" hidden points on their regional map were marked and named "light it will devour", as she moved her hand in an intricate little dance a path was lit indicating where they needed to go.
The group turned back only to find the entrance they had come through was gone, "is this an illusion?" Roman asked and tried to push back through where he just came from, "it feels like solid rock".
Meta cast a spell that made her eyes glow and immediately shut them in horror "oh my god" her voice screeched, "what is that thing?" she stumbled back from the wall.
"The StoneMourned dwarves were renowned for their natural enchanted rocks that protected their city" the PainMaiden answered, "all who would enter uninvited could never leave their lands".
"Well fuck" Roman exclaimed, "how the hell are we getting out of here?"
"Guests of the StoneMourned clan were given special tokens that allowed them to travel to and from their realms" she replied again, "the tokens were kept in the upper vaults of the StoneMourned spire", an already marked point on their map blinked to indicate the location of the spire.
"We are way too deep for a weekend quest guys", Lena broke character, "we need a base", she started walking back and forth, "we need more people", she looked at Roman "shut up Roman", he finger shot to her lips "shut up", fidgeting with her fingers, "the rest of us have jobs and life outside the game", she kicked the ground.
"What the hell Lena", meta cut the other woman's ranting, "we just need to think this through"
Roman tried to say something but Duke pulled him back "I think this is our moment" Duke said, "we can wing it and rise higher than we ever dreamed".
"Yeah" Roman said, "we can do this", he got excited, "we can call other players in here", moving towards the ledge "tell them to bring supplies for a long time" he turned back to the party "make this city ours" his voice rose "kick that shadow thing out" raising his hands to the air "and "-
"Shut up already Roman" Lena cut in, "we need to find a way out of here", she turned to the PainMaiden "where is the closest safe area?"
"You can find shelter in
Lena turned to face the guardhouse, "ok let's start with that and then we can think what to do next".