In the bustling hall of the Black Horn guild, young adventurers gathered in search of glory and gold. Many adventurers stood around the bulletin board looking among the various jobs with some fighting over the most desired contracts. A group of four broke away from the crowd and headed towards the reception desk with a job in hand. The leader, a young man in glistening armor with a longsword at his hip, leaned across the counter to smile at the beautiful receptionist girl.

“Morning Meridith,” he said, “Would you care to have dinner with me tonight?”

“My answer’s the same as yesterday, Jal,” Meridith said organizing her paperwork, “No. Besides, doesn’t your order forbid romantic relationships?”

“Only for the monks,” Jal said, “We paladins are exempt.”

Meridith smiled politely and held out her hand, “So, what job are you all taking?”

“We’re taking the Decker job,” the stern looking woman in priestly robes said.

“Hunting wererats in the sewers, excellent choice,” Meridith said, “You all should know that there is a bonus of fifteen gold for killing the Rat King.”

“That’s great,” a young girl with small braids said, “I can finally get my daggers repaired.”

“Not so fast, Kae,” the stern woman said.

“But Sephy, look at how chipped my daggers are!” Kae said.

“You’re not going to change her mind,” a young man in simple robes said, “All those years as a priestess made her cheap.”

“Don’t you want to get something too, Ilan?” Kae said.

“Yes, but that is why I’m saving whenever I can,” Ilan said.

“And you’re keeping it where?” Kae said with an innocent smile.

Ilan shook his head, “I’m not foolish enough to tell a thief where I keep my money,”

“I’ll take care of the paperwork,” Meridith said, “Your money will be waiting for you once you return.”

“Then we can have dinner?” Jal said.

Meridith smiled, “No.”

Jal sighed deeply and led his party out of the hall.

“Meridith isn’t that the third party to take that quest?” another receptionist asked.

Meridith nodded staring sadly at the counter, “I hope they come back safely.”

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Jal and his party stood outside the sewer. The door to the sewers opened with a loud shriek and they lit two torches to fend off the darkness. The adventurers choked on the rancid smell coming from the watery sewage.

Slowly, they moved through the tunnels listening for their targets. The echoing walls made it difficult for the team to track by sound. They stopped when they heard the skittering of feet behind them, only for a sewer rat to scurry on past. They pushed farther in and were soon rewarded.

“Do you think the king is taking this seriously?” a high-pitched voice rang out in front of them.

“That’s why we’re out here,” another voice said, “We’re tracking the monster that the surfacers made.”

Kae crept up to the wall and followed it to an intersection. Two wererats stood down the right tunnel with their backs to the group.

Ilan stepped into the corridor as the other members covered their eyes, “Sewer rats,” The beasts turned towards him as he raised his hands to them, “Blinding light!” Ilan said and an orb of bright light flooded the tunnel. The wererats cried in pain and they covered their eyes. Jal and Kae ran towards the monsters and quickly killed them.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Don’t forget their ears,” Sephy said, “We’ll need those as proof.”

“Already done,” Kae said stashing the trophies, “Any idea on what they were talking about?”

“They mentioned a monster made by surfacers,” Ilan said rubbing his chin, “Perhaps they were talking about another adventurer? These rat killing jobs are quite common.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Jal said, “The rats are our priority.”

Jal led the group farther into the tunnels until they came to a shrine made from bone and wood. The makeshift candles were cold, and the food offerings were stale and moldy.

“I don’t like this,” Sephy said, “This looks to be an important site, but it looks to be abandoned.”

“I agree,” Kae said inspecting the shrine, “There's no signs that the rats we killed earlier passed through here,” A deep metallic growl comes from the darkness behind them. “Did anyone hear that?”

“It was probably one of the doors,” Ilan said staring into the shadows where Kae pointed.

“Don’t fall behind you two,” Jal called from up ahead.

“Don’t leave us,” Kae shouted and turned to Ilan who was still looking into the darkness, “Come on, we’re being left behind.”

“R-right.” Ilan said slowly turning to follow.

The group pushed deeper. The dripping water echoed heavily through the tunnels, and the shadows of rats danced at the edges of the torchlight. The adventurers stopped when they came to a large water reservoir; off to the right sat a small rickety pier.

“Looks like the rats built this,” Sephy said holding out her torch, “I don’t see a boat for us to use.”

“I’m sure Ilan has a spell that can help,” Jal said, “Right?”

Silence.

“Ilan!” Kae said, “Where did he go.”

“Calm down Kae,” Sephy said, “I’m sure he’s fine.”

A rock skittered in the darkness, and a figure started to step into the light.

“See there’s Ilan,” Jal said stepping forward. The light bathed over Ilan revealing his soaking wet robes covered in filth and his hood covering his head. “What happened to you?” Jal said, “This isn’t the best time for a bath,” Ilan groaned in response. “Ilan,” Jal placed a hand on Ilan’s shoulder. Ilan jumped forward snapping furiously at Jal’s face.

“By the Virtues,” Sephy said rushing to help Jal, “It’s a zombie!”

Kae shouted followed by the sound of splashing water. Sephy stopped and turned to see Kae flailing.

“I need help!” Jal said, struggling to keep the monster off him.

Sephy struck Ilan across the head with her club knocking him to the ground. Jal quickly decapitated the zombie with a single slash from his long sword. The head rolled to a stop, and in the torchlight, and they could see a bloody hole in the center of Ilan’s forehead.

Splashing drew their attention, “I’m coming Kae,” Sephy said. Kae clumsily tried to grab onto the walkway. Sephy grabbed Kae’s hand and started pulling her up. “I’m here Kae,” Kae groaned as she climbed onto the pathway, “I’m sorry about –”

Kae lunged and bit down into Sephy’s neck. Jal stared in horror as Sephy screamed in pain as Kae tore out a chunk of flesh with blood splattering over Kae’s face. Jal’s stomach tightened as Kae swallowed and went for another bite.

Tears streamed down Sephy’s face, “Jal!”

Jal rushed forward without thinking, and he stabbed his sword into Kae’s head. With horrific gurgling and gnashing of teeth, and Kae fell to the ground revealing a bloody hole in the back of her head.

“What is happening!” Sephy said trying to stop the bleeding.

Jal placed his hand on Sephy’s neck and healed her wounds with magic. “I don’t know,” Jal said, “but we need to let the guild know about what’s happened.”

Sephy slowly rose to her feet, “Let’s go.”

The surrounding darkness felt more oppressive. Sephy screamed in terror as a rat scurried along their path. Her sobs echoed throughout the tunnels.

“I can’t believe we left them,” Sephy said.

“We had no choice,” Jal said, “We can come back for them later.”

“Did you see those holes? What do you think caused them?”

“That’s not important!” Jal said, “Getting out is,” Sephy’s crying quieted down. Jal turned a corner and the light from the afternoon sun shone through the gate. “We’re almost there, Sephy,”

A metallic growl came from behind.

“Sephy…please say something,” Jal said tightening his grip on his sword.

Jal spun around striking with his sword, but it stopped against another weapon. A clawed hand grasped at Jal’s neck, lifting him off the ground. Jal stared into the monster's piercing red eyes. Three metal plates opened revealing rows of sharp, bloody metallic teeth. Jal screamed as harrowing pain erupted from his forehead, and the warmth of blood and tears ran down his face.

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“Have a good night, Meridith,”

“You too,” Meridith said heading down the road.

Meridith slowly walked down the lamplit streets. Her heart and mind were occupied on Jal and his party. “Come,” Meridith jumped, and looked up at a crow sitting on a lamp. “Come,” the crow cawed. Meridith followed the crow into a back alley and stared to the ground. A deep growling came from behind her.

“Did you enjoy your meal, master?” Meridith said.

“We found it…unsatisfactory,” a deep metallic grinding answered.

“I apologize, master Reviled,” Meridith said, “But the more experienced adventurers are off fighting the war against the Wight King,”

“Understandable,” Reviled said, “Besides we find their absence a boon. We don’t need them interfering.”

“What are you planning?”

“This city will join us,” Reviled said, its bladed metallic tongue brushing against Meridith’s cheek, “But we need the Tome of Elithis which is in Decker’s possession. we are not foolish enough to face him alone.”

Meridith clasped her hands tightly, “Then why not hire the thieves guild,” Meridith said suppressing the shiver in her spine.

“We shall consider your advice. Now go,”

Meridith bowed deeply, “I’m happy to serve you, Reviled Legion.”