Butterflies filled his stomach as he ventured out. The threat of the bear still hung over him. He couldn't expect that the lich wouldn't catch onto what he was doing and if the beast suddenly doubled back then he would have to face it down once more, healthier but completely out of Lifeforce. Not that his slow healing would help much against the thing's massive size and raw power.
He sprinted down the passageway, practically flying around the corners to try and spend as little time away from his safe haven as possible. he only slowed when he reached the site of his battle against the [Skeletal Guards] travelling more cautiously so that he wouldn't run straight into any unknown threats.
He turned another few corners and was met by the faint sounds of shuffling and clacking bones from further down the passageway. He recognised these as the footsteps of Zombies and Skeletons, but there was something new in the mix, and as he strained to hear what it was he could make out the sounds of metal clinking against stone which he assumed to be more of the last undead he had slain.
He took up position at the end of one of the long sections of the Catacombs, a tactic he found himself relying on often, and waited for the horde to draw near. It wasn't long before the white of bone showed itself, the first undead around the corner being [Lesser Skeletons]. What followed was another half a dozen of them, followed by seven [Lesser Zombies] and a small handful of [Lesser Ghouls]. The ghouls attempted to speed up when they saw him, attempting to break bast their companions to rush at him, but we're held back by the wall of flesh and bone that advanced down the passageway.
They were halfway towards him by now, but Liam stayed where he was. He could take what he saw so far, though he may come out of it a bit worse for wear, but the real reason he stayed is that he wished to see the extent of what was arrayed against him. Then, he saw the red metal of the [Skeletal Guards] pass round the corner, followed by a deep, crimson fabric.
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The new arrival was also a skeleton, one that was swaddled in a robe too large for it. It carried a staff the same colour and material as it's body, and its jaw opened and closed as if attempting to speak. It raised its arms when it saw him, and he had the presence of mind to hide away around the corner when the top of the staff flashed a deep red.
He had made the right call as ball of fire landed on the floor where he had stood a few moments ago and exploded in am eruption of fire and heat. Flame washed over the ground and walls, following after him and attempting to scorch him. His shield appeared around him, a shimmering barrier, but it lasted only mere moments before it was burned out of existence. Luckily, he had thrown himself away at the first signs of the blaze and was spared damage to his person thanks to his charm. He could not wait to absorb the Power within it and begin being able to Level it up. It had been extremely helpful so far and it being stronger would only benefit him.
He considered the host that he could now hear speeding up. Could he defeat it with this new undead mage at its back launching fire towards him? The others were no problem to him as he had dealt with them before, but with such a powerful artillery piece following them he did not like his chances. Breaking through was out of the equation as the thing was guarded by two of the tough undead sentries and, whilst he could lay them low now that he knew how they acted it would take time, time he would not have with that dangerous thing attempting to end him.
So, he resorted to what he had been doing since the beginning of this apocalypse, engaging the enemy piecemeal. He would chip away at their forces before they drove him back and into the path of the bear's charge.
He waited for the first of the [Lesser Skeletons] to round the corner, shattering it with a single blow. His axe glowed red with power, seemingly absorbing the residue of the fireball and empowering itself with it. A second strike destroyed another and the light started to dim. He was able to break apart two more before one attack stopped being enough, but when one didn't do the job he used two and slaughtered the rest of the [Lesser Skeletons]. Then, he turned tail and ran. He had been forced back too much and the zombies were piling into the corridor in a number too great to take at once. He would retreat for now and tear them apart later. This was going to be a long fight.