Undead City- Altraud

The next day, Arya woke up refreshed, glanced around and saw a few white glowing scrolls scattered on the ground around her bed, picking them up she read their content.

The name was written on top of one of the scrolls, Opening it she observed a magic circle made of multiple concentric circles with the symbols of <+> and many other complex patterns along the circumference of the circle.

She tried to analyse the scroll but couldn't discern anything. Peeking at the other scrolls she found similar patterns, each reading

< strength drain>

< stamina drain>

Gradually placing the scrolls back in their previous position, she exited the grave, locked it using the obsidian black crystal, and moved towards the centre of the city.

She found a large white grave after some walking.

Observing the grave with interest, she gently knocked on its roof.

After a few seconds, the roof split open, and a skeleton around 165cm tall, wearing the same attire as Arthur flew out from the grave, its eyes shone with a purple light while observing her. Startled, Arya tried using , but before she could, the undead grabbed her by the shoulder and twirled her like a top, all the while appraising her from top to bottom.

" Hm, a shortie, black hair, blood red eyes, tiny underdeveloped body"

The skeleton wrote about her physical features in a notebook that she took out from nowhere.

Arya, suffering dizziness due to all the twirling, glared back menacingly at the skeleton while releasing a red hue from her arm, Just as the hue was taking the shape of an arrow however a deep voice of a fed-up Arthur came from inside the grave.

"Maya, waste any more of my time and I am ripping that book to shreds"

Maya's skeletal body stiffened upon hearing the threat,

"Keep your hands off my book you perverted skeleton" she screamed while hiding the book under her robes before turning back,

"Hello, I am Maya, I want to know your measurement" she introduced herself while extending her arms, but the intro failed to provide any positive impression of her, causing Arya to take two steps back in disgust.

"I will return later " she spoke while hastily trying to retreat, but was caught by Maya who promptly dragged her into the grave while saying "We are going to be good friends".

They entered the grave and after climbing down the steps, found themselves in a luxurious chamber made entirely out of white marble stones. With well-lit crystal lamps adorning the walls, the chamber resembled a palace more than a grave, and at the far end of the chamber Arya saw Arthur sitting on a throne made of bones and skull, along with another tiny skeleton undead standing on a podium near him.

The tiny undead was carrying a bow and arrows.

As Arya and Maya reached the podium, the tiny undead observed her with clear animosity. It was around 160m tall and had golden-yellow flames in its eyes.

Arya ignored it and gazed at Arthur. Irritated that it was being ignored the undead pulled an arrow from the quiver, and aimed at her heart, just as it was about to release the arrow, Arthur coughed, bringing everyone's attention back to him.

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"Well then let's introduce ourselves, shall we?" He spoke while looking at the tiny undead.

Reluctantly nodding, it opened its mouth.

"I am Erwin, Archer, I hate weak people " he spoke while looking at Arya.

"Arya" Nodding her head Arya just told her name.

"I am Maya, you already know me, I like collecting information about people and imitating them, Right now I am imitating Mr. Old Bones" she grinned while looking at Arthur.

Arthur just sighed and spoke while clutching his forehead,

"You three will be teammates from here on" he declared, making Arya and Erwin frown in displeasure and Maya jump in happiness.

"I will work alone"

"Master, I would like to work alone"

"Can I take her measurements now?"

They all spoke in unison, Arya and Erwin expressing their desire to work alone and Maya asking permission to fulfil her weird hobbies while barely holding herself Back from grabbing Arya's waist.

Looking at the team dynamic Arthur felt an incoming headache and sighed again.

"Follow me" he ordered while rising from his throne, and walked out of the grave. The group of three looked at each other and quickly followed him.

They left the outer city walls and stopped after entering a wast expanse in the forbidden forest.

Arthur moved into the expanse and drew a circle of 2m in diameter. Standing in the centre of it he looked at the group.

"Do you want to work alone?"He asked and received a nod from both Arya and Ervin.

"Hey old bones, what about me? I need measurements"

Giving Maya a stink eye for interrupting him Arthur continued,

"Anyway, if you want to work alone then prove to me that you are strong enough to do that, as long you make me step out of the circle using any method, I will agree to your requests, and of course, I won't retaliate"

Hearing his condition both Arya and Ervin's expressions turned grim, they knew that Arthur was too strong for them, looking at each other they nodded and... ran into the forest. Maya looked at the two running figures and turned back towards Arthur.

"Old bones, if we win, will you let me take her measurements?" she asked with an incredibly serious face, making Arthur stumble in amazement at her stubbornness.

Just as he was about to scold her for her tactless attitude, he saw a dagger approaching his skull, quickly raising his bony hands he mumbled < force wave>, following which the direction of the dagger changed midair, missing Arthur's skull and embedding inside a tree trunk behind him.

He then swiped his hand to his left, splitting an incoming arrow in half, and then ducked avoiding a kick from Maya.

"Hey old bones, do you want the Death Knights measurements?"

Hearing the question Arthur's complexion momentarily changed, his feet moved towards Maya involuntarily but stopped just before his feet crossed the circle, frustrated he glared at the snake-tongued skeleton.

"Boo, you are a wimp old bones, you need to protect your girlfriend's dignity" she spoke in an unimpressed tone, trying to grab his attention, but Arthur knew about it.

Turning back he swiped his hand horizontally, splitting the arrow that was aimed at his skull.

"Your words are getting craftier, but you are still too weak" he spoke while avoiding the incoming punch.

The exchange of attacks continued with Ervin and Maya trying to catch Arthur by surprise but failing by a small margin each time.

Arya watched the exchange, impressed. Ervin and Maya looked accustomed to each other's battle style and were coordinating their attack flawlessly, trying to drive Arthur to a corner, but what attracted her attention was something else.

" Force wave" she spoke in surprise while looking at Arthur.

"Hey I need some help, Let's take these old bones out and start taking your measurements" the loud voice of Maya helped Arya to return to her senses. Biting her thumb, with a red hue pouring out from her hand, she aimed and fired a at Arthur, only to be deflected by the same move, force wave, again.

Thinking that attacks from a distance were not efficient, Arya moved cautiously towards Arthur while hiding behind bushes. After reaching near enough, she muttered under her breath causing the blood that was flowing out from her body to form the shape of a dagger, the end of which was attached to her thumb by a thin strand of blood.

She skilfully threw the dagger at his skull and waited, Sure enough, Arthur deflected the attack causing the dagger to fall limply a few meters away from him.

"Attack with everything you have" Screaming out the command she rushed at him.

Maya and Ervin were surprised by the sudden command but still complied, attacking furiously with everything they had, slowly cornering Arthur, But the assault did not last long.

Both Maya and Arya exhausted their stamina and Ervin exhausted his weapons.

Arthur was still at the border of the circle, completely within its margin.

"Well, it was a good tr-"

He couldn't complete the statement as a blood dagger that was a few meters away from him, rushed towards his cheek, he ducked to avoid the attack, but in the process, a part of his foot moved past the line.