As G ran, his heart pounded furiously, sensing the air around him growing dense, almost malevolent. A low growl echoed ominously through the tunnel, sending shivers up his spine. For nearly an hour, the tunnels twisted and turned. At one point, the stench of sewer water permeated the stone walls, a stark reminder of their proximity to the city's underbelly. According to his map, they were parallel to the sewers they had initially traversed. Bitzy, invisible, kept pace effortlessly. Tocai kept insisting something was following, driven by a relentless pursuit of the Orb.

"The Guardian insists you place the crystal in the sphinx's head; he wants to speak directly," Tocai relayed apprehensively in the familiar's voice.

G grunted, skeptical. "What if this is just his way of escaping the room?"

"I've been in constant contact; it might not be intentional," Tocai reasoned, his voice tinged with doubt. "With all the magic you used on the Orb or activating the forge, it could've broken his confinement or weakened it. The dwarves didn't abandon this place, believing the spirit in the sewers was secure. I don't even think these were Sewers when the Dwarves lived here."

Slowing his pace, G carefully set the sphinx's head down. As his hands hovered over it, he hesitated. A flicker of doubt shadowed his thoughts, unswayed by the Ring of Optimism's usual influence, its curse lifted, leaving his judgments unclouded. Is this truly wise? He pondered, weighing the Guardian's potential deceit against the desperate hope of rectifying their mistakes. His decision could invite deeper chaos.

G examined the crystal.

Name: Guardian Sphinx Mana Spirit

Type: Magical Item

Description: The Guardian Sphinx Mana Spirit is a small crystal containing the essence and spirit of the Guardian Sphinx, a construct left behind by the dwarves of Mirbor. The crystal is roughly the size of a golf ball and 20 centimeters long, emitting a soft white glow when held.

Properties: The Guardian Sphinx Mana Spirit has the ability to imbue magical energy into nearby objects, enhancing their properties. It can also communicate telepathically, offering guidance and information.

History: The Guardian Sphinx was created by the dwarves of Mirbor to protect the city and its inhabitants. The construct was imbued with magical energy and tasked with guarding the city's forge. When disaster struck, and the city was destroyed, the Guardian Sphinx was left behind, trapped in the ruins of the forge. Over time, the construct's essence and spirit became bound to the small crystal, which was discovered by G during his travels.

The crystal didn't have a durability rating, but it didn't feel particularly sturdy in his hands. If this was a trick for some reason, he could just break it right here. Why was the History so current and accurate?

His resolve firmed, G traced the contours of the head, finding the hidden panel. With a soft click, it slid open, revealing a compartment shimmering with a metallic lining that caught the faint tunnel light. He withdrew the spirit crystal from his belt, the long, glowing crystal pulsating with the essence of the Guardian. As G slotted the crystal into the head, vibrant swirls of blue and purple danced within, shifting hypnotically. The head felt cold, its surface smooth under his touch, yet it thrummed with a palpable energy that tingled through his fingertips.

"I hope you're right about this," G murmured, stepping back as the sphinx head began to hum, its eyes flickering to life.

The head's eyes flickered open, and the mouth moved.

G interjected before the Guardian could speak. "Are you saying you didn't cause the ward on the door to break?"

"No, I did not. The ward was weakened when you entered the forge and reassembled the Orb. If you had used it to capture Aevum Malum, then all would be well," the Guardian replied, all thought its mouth did not move as it spoke. The sound just came out.

Was the Orb's proximity to the door the cause? The Guardian didn't seem particularly unhappy about his brother's escape, though mana spirits don't actually have brothers. They weren't born; they were manifestations of mana lines converging.

"What was that ray of mana that came from you to the statue if you didn't help him?" G asked.

The head rumbled as the Guardian spoke, "I am not sure, I can only speculate based on my mana dropping. Since I was not in the head, I think Aevum Malum was able to draw my mana from me. I couldn't cast any spells or do much other than talk to Tocai."

His arms ached from the added weight. Attempting to convert his coat into a makeshift backpack had helped somewhat, but it still slowed him more than he would have liked. If the Guardian's warnings were accurate, G definitely did not want Aevum Malum catching up to him, potentially drawing mana from the Guardian. Meanwhile, G's progress was hampered by the bulky sphinx head he carried. He contemplated discarding it multiple times, especially after the Guardian had unleashed some inexplicable force behind them.

G continued running as the tunnels twisted and doubled back on themselves intermittently. Despite his overhead map, the layout was confusing and jumbled. He could feel Aevum Malum pursuing him through the tunnels; the creature's presence increased and filled him with overwhelming dread, even at this distance.

"Take this right tunnel," Tocai instructed. "I believe it will lead us out. The others seem to just loop around. I think they were designed, or altered, to do just that."

It wasn't long before G reached what he thought was a wall at the end of a corridor.

"That's it. We can open it here," said the Guardian, who had apparently moved on its own and had one eye that could see over G's right shoulder.

G used his magic sight on the wall, which wasn't a wall but an entrance adorned with runes similar to those on the Guardian's chamber. He felt around the floor, pushing aside dust and dirt, searching for a depression.

"You can touch the cube to the doorway. It should open," the Guardian suggested.

G pulled the cube from his inventory—the one he had used to close the door below—examined it briefly, then pressed a flat side against the door. Holding it there, a burst of magic shot from the cube into the door, causing the floor and walls to rumble. The wall before G transformed into a door and swung outward. He was immediately overwhelmed by the stench of the sewers beyond. The opening led to a ledge overlooking one of the square rooms where the sewers converged. He entered, motioning for Bitzy to follow, and pushed the door shut behind him. The door banged shut and vanished into the wall once again, reducing Aevum Malum's presence considerably.

G glanced at his map. A gray area separated them from other parts of the sewers, but with some luck, he could navigate back and out before the creature made it through the door or found another route to them.

"Tocai, can you still feel that thing's presence?" G asked.

"Yes, it is drawn to the orb, calling to it," Tocai replied. "I think it will find us if we stay here."

"Yeah, we need to get back to The Rotten Worm. I still have a quest to complete," said G. He missed Crewton and was eager to escape the confines of these tunnels and sewers.

The wall behind them shook, dust cascaded from the ceiling, and the floor trembled. G turned and watched as the wall undulated, hammered by magical forces from the other side. His concerns about the dark elves that had been following him were now overshadowed by a more pressing fear, that the entire structure might collapse. He consulted his map and hastened toward a familiar tunnel area; there was no time to seek another exit.

G analyzed a whisp of darkness around the outline of the now sealed doorway.

Name: Aevum Malum

Level: Unknown

HP: Unknown

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Mana: Unknown

Description: Aevum Malum, the Celestial Dark Void Morphotrope, manifests as a constantly shifting vortex of dark energy. It appears as an amorphous cloud of darkness, within which myriad forms can be discerned—all hinting at celestial origins, yet twisted into grotesque shapes by the void's corrupting power. Each form it assumes is more terrifying than the last, often reflecting the deepest fears of those who gaze upon it. The creature seems to pulse with a malevolent life of its own, its presence suffocating, its very essence radiating an overwhelming dread that chills the soul.

Properties: Aevum Malum possesses the ability to manipulate dark energy, allowing it to subtly warp reality around it. Its presence alone can alter emotional states, instilling fear and despair in all who come near. Due to its morphotropic nature, it can reshape its form to exploit the vulnerabilities of its opponents, making it a formidable adversary in any confrontation.

History: Originating from a celestial being's remains discovered by dwarves beneath the city of Mirbor, Aevum Malum was inadvertently awakened during the forging of the Heart of the Forge. The catastrophic explosion that followed its awakening devastated Mirbor and fused the celestial remnant's dark void energy with a powerful mana spirit, creating this malevolent entity. Trapped within a magical barrier by a heroic dwarf wielding the ancient Shield of Barathrum and dozens of dwarven enchanters, its containment has since been the only barrier preventing it from consuming the Dark Pathways.

Notes: The very nature of Aevum Malum as a Celestial Dark Void Morphotrope makes it unpredictable and extremely dangerous. Its power to evoke terror and manipulate the environment around it suggests that conventional combat strategies are ineffective. Instead, containment and avoidance are advised. Special attention must be paid to any fluctuations in dark energy within its vicinity, as these can indicate Aevum Malum attempting to breach its confines or extend its influence. Use extreme caution around this entity, as its capabilities are not fully understood.

The description was different, including notes. G didn't understand that, but he would worry about that later.

A large rat, the size of a dog and larger than Crewton had been before his magical enhancement, squealed as G whirled to confront it. Behind it, several other rats appeared, but they didn't slow to attack. Instead, they darted into the sewer water, scampered along the walls, and sprinted across the ceiling, ignoring G and Bitzy as the two of them hugged the wall near a corner. These sewer creatures were fleeing the spirit, who was now attempting to break free from its dwarven prison. Tocai watched and analyzed some of them as they rushed past, all driven by the same urgent need to escape.

Stenchbeast

Level 4

Hitpoints 48

Description:

A furred creature with sharp claws and a keen sense of smell, the stenchbeast is a formidable predator in the sewers. It uses its strong legs to pounce on prey, before tearing into them with its claws and powerful jaws.

Sewerweasel

Level: 2

Hitpoint: 15

Description:

This small, sleek creature has a long, sinewy body and sharp teeth. It moves with surprising speed through the tunnels, and is often difficult to spot until it strikes.

Ratling

Level: 1

Hitpoints 6

Description:

A common sight in the sewers, these small rodents are surprisingly intelligent and adaptable. They use their sharp teeth and claws to defend themselves, and will often band together to take on larger threats.

Sewerstalker

Level:5

Hitpoints:60

Description:

These large, cat-like creatures are the apex predators of the sewers. They have sharp claws and teeth and can move silently through the tunnels. They are smart enough to avoid direct conflict when possible but are deadly fighters when cornered.

G thought the cat-like creature would attack, but after a growl, it too, bounded past in the flow of other creatures. He looked at Bitzy.

"We need to go, G, it's breaking out," Tocai spoke urgently as creatures still swarmed the walkway.

He stared at the doorway, then at the creature trying to breach the dwarven barrier. A mere whisper of its presence seeped through the enchanted barrier, filling him with an overpowering sense of dread. The dark void before him, a morphotrope shifting endlessly into terrifying forms, seemed to drain the very light from the air. Tendrils of chilling whispers teased at the edges of his mind, speaking of endless despair.

The void's presence was an oppressive weight, promising obliteration with every shift of its amorphous form. Its aura was suffocating, filling the chamber with a palpable dread that seemed to claw at G's soul. The air around him thickened, heavy with the foreboding of an immense threat transcending physical form.

Amidst this overwhelming fear, G's resolve crystalized, and the Ring of Optimism pulsed, giving him assistance in overcoming the terror. Although confined, the creature's malignant spirit permeated through the walls, imbuing the air with a visceral terror. "We must move," G muttered, the urgency clear in his voice. "Move it, Bitsy!" His heart pounded not just with the fear of what chased them but also with the desperation to protect his companions from the unspeakable horror that lurked just beyond their sight.

With each heartbeat, G felt the pressing need to escape, to put as much distance as possible between them and this abomination. The echo of the creature's dark power resonated through the walls,

A huge booming sound reverberated down the tunnel, amplifying the frenzy of the creatures. G felt the dread wash over him, a palpable spell effect. He turned and took off, no longer concerned about the creatures. Bitzy was ahead, plowing a path through the mass of rats that nearly obscured the stone beneath them. The river of bodies and fur flowed towards the sewer's exits. About half the rats and other creatures turned upward here while the rest continued straight, possibly seeking escape through the grate entrance or another path. G needed to go up. In a fleeting glance, he saw large lumps under the creatures as they scampered over several dead hobgoblins and goblin guards. There were too many creatures flooding this tunnel to hold them back.

A mound of them scrambled and jumped off each other, heading for the now dislodged sewer grate and the wrecked secret door. The sewer denizens didn't slow, and G leaped, missing the ladder and grabbing the edge as a rat bit his wrist painfully. He pulled himself up, feeling an incredible pain. As he reached the top by the broken door, Bitzy slammed into him, having leaped from the undulating mound of creatures. She didn't slow at the doorway, barreling past and dislodging the door frame as a solid stream of sewer creatures poured out, sweeping G outward as he moved to exit. Another bite on his leg made him check his hit points; they had dropped by 31, but he didn't have a bleeding effect.

He turned left, waving to the invisible Bitzy, as the remnants of the door and its frame fell, some of it landing on dead guards in the alley, who were riddled with hundreds of bites. G and Bitzy hurried along the alley toward The Rotten Worm Tavern, while most of the sewer creatures fled in the opposite direction, toward the upper wards and away from the dread of the sewers.

G cast a healing spell on himself and Bitsy to heal the many scratches and small bites, then traveled down the alleys and walkways. There were no guards or patrols in Muck Town now. G slowed his pace. He could hear shouts in the distance above as the creatures below surged into the city, sowing chaos and confusion. G needed to travel a fair distance from here, but his map was accurate, and none of the goblins that saw him tried to stop him. Most hurried out of his sight, eager to avoid becoming the target of some dark elf's wrath. Here and there large rats and other sewer denizens could be seen fleeing through the streets or along the walls above.

The alley with the tavern came into view, and there, standing guard in front of the door, were both troll guards. They held giant cudgels and looked alert.

G turned back to Bitzy and reached out his hand. She placed her invisible head under his palm. G could see her with his travel spells activated, but the trolls couldn't.

"I need you to be calm in there. We have to get my friends and then leave. Please don't attack anything unless it attacks us first," G said, rubbing her behind the ears.

She didn't respond verbally, but he was fairly certain she understood him at this point, which was good enough for now. He felt one word from her, "Yes."

G nodded to Bitzy and approached the troll guards, who initially looked apprehensive. Upon revealing his identity beneath his disguise, their expressions shifted from startled to relieved, realizing he wasn't a dark elf. One guard nodded toward the door, and the other pushed it open for him.

"Hey, I have a friend with me, don't be alarmed. She's with me," G assured the guards as he walked by. Entering the bar, he was surprised to find it changed. The interior was clean, free of cobwebs and dirt, though not spotless. Soft music played in the background, adding to the newly tidied atmosphere. The tables appeared freshly washed, a mystery soon solved by the bustling rock gnome children. Some were cleaning tables, while another played a deformed lute on a small platform. Two others served food to goblins, and another gnome managed the bar.

G didn't know what to make of it; the place looked like a functional establishment. Gerkag was behind the bar talking to Ciaran, the oldest, before he paused and looked up at G, who was just inside the doorway, his dark elf elder illusion disguise still active.

Gerkag walked from behind the bar, saw the expression on G's face, and then shouted, "Ok, folks, important business! Please have a good evening. There are no refunds, and don't take any mugs or plates on your way out. Out." G walked away from the door as a dozen goblins hurried out, none of them looking up as they scanned the floorboards on their way out of the tavern. When the last one had left, Gerkag called in the two guards from outside, shut the door, and slid the bar into place to secure it.

The rock gnome children gathered around G as he dropped his dark elf disguise again.

"Where were you? We've been here forever. Why didn't you take us? You said you'd protect us; why didn't you come back…" The questions bombarded him all at once, the rock gnomes speaking faster than G could process.

G waved them back a few feet, then motioned to where he thought Bitzy was. "This is my new friend, Bitzy. Please don't be frightened; she is with me and won't hurt you." G knew she wouldn't stay undetected with everyone bustling around, and the children were sure to discover her if Crewton didn't first. It was best to keep them from getting overly excited.

The two trolls shifted nervously. One looked shocked as Bitzy faded into view, her invisibility dropping.

Gerkag stared at Bitzy, speaking in a softer tone, "Is that a renderer?"

"I think she's a grurenderer, Gerkag," said G softly while the gnome children cautiously moved back a step.

"A temple guardian? How? " Gerkag shook his head, "Don't answer that, follow. " He didn't pause as he nodded to the guards to stay at the locked door, then walked toward the cellar and hidden rooms below.