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Darius strode forward with determination. He would lead the team to victory. Kelsana would finally relent to marry. As her continued excuses to delay the ceremony grew more numerous, Darius began to wonder about their relationship.
Darius for all his outward certainty was plagued by doubts. He had always dreamed of becoming a Paladin for Valus, the god of mercy, like his father before him. His father had been a legend larger than life, a town savior, a healer, a warrior, and a perfect representation of everything Darius wanted.
His Faith Confirmation Day should have been the start of his glorious career as a Paladin of Valus. The event went awry almost immediately. Darius had given his full faith and trust in Valus…and Severus the god of justice had answered.
It made no sense! He hadn’t reached for Severus, he wanted Valus. Now his alignment and the powers bestowed by his faith wavered. His desire for Valus' gifts of courage and healing went unrequited. Adding to the dilemma, Severus’s gifts of seeing truth and unstoppable resolve were lacking due to Darius’s complete dedication to the god. His god’s given power was infrequent and undependable.
Darius tried to shift his desire and make peace with Severus, but his heart and dreams still held onto the promise of Valus tightly despite his intentions. Darius became known in his homeland as a tragic figure…the Failed Paladin. He was a cautionary tale to all as an example of misaligned faith. Darius burned to be better, but he didn’t know how.
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Darius kicked the rotten but ornate door in. His powerful kick blasted into the wood and twisted the rusted latches and hinges.
“Hah! The followers of Ao-Dranoth should take some lessons of enduring building materials from Valus. This is a disgrace!” Darius boomed, looking into the gloom. He hesitated, for all his brash mannerisms, Darius was no fool to go charging into the dark.
“Magus, come hither! Your skills are most necessary. We shan’t find our treasure if we are crawling about like blind mole-men.” Darius said, too loudly.
Everdale stepped lightly up to the threshold, inspecting the runes on the doorframe with a studious expression. With a slight nod, he cast the spell Darius desired.
“Lumi-Luxor!” Everdale said with a focused look at Darius's presented longsword. Motes of light coalesced in the air and concentrated upon the blade until it was glowing with a power far outstripping a mere torch.
“Good man! Well done. You mentioned a familiarity with this dungeon’s legends and treasure, Everdale. Has your research uncovered what we might face? Most true dungeons seem to have a mind of their own and protect themselves from treasure hunters like us.” Darius asked.
“Ah yes. The Order of Ao-Dranoth favored nature and fertility, as can be seen by the murals venerating growth, trees, and roots. But be warned, oftentimes even such a sacred place can become corrupt by time and fell influences. The Guildhall of Stone Haven’s Society of Magi recorded several hero’s tales about this place.”
“Information is scant, but it is known that some manner of Treant creature guards the upper levels. We need to be extremely cautious. I can already see the walls are quite dense with roots, a perfect camouflage for it to use for ambush. Although it resembles the living, it is a creature of corruption. We must be careful lest it extend its rot to us. Healing magic from Valus would be ideal.” Everdale said, with a slight smirk.
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Darius frowned at the dig. Everdale knew very well that Valus was not his patron. He was about to retort when Gareth pushed past them both throwing a sack on the ground.
“Your prissy little glow light might be fine and pretty, but good old fire is the cure for a wooden rotter. You should all be glad that I insisted upon bringing these torches along, eh? Kelsana, do you have the flint rod and tinder? A little help, my lady?”
Gareth’s eyes were bright in the glow coming from Darius’s sword. Darius ground his teeth at the presumptuous familiarity with his fiancé but kept his silence. Gareth’s attitude frequently triggered Darius, but he was a trustworthy teammate. Darius had to admit that fire was a good idea. Purification with fire was very much in line with Valus…and Severus.
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The heroes crept carefully into the ruined halls. Roots from the encroaching forest wound throughout the rooms, breaking in threw the ceiling and walls and lining the rooms. The glare of Darius’s ensorcelled sword fought with the flickering lights of the torches, casting dancing shadows about.
Everyone except for Everdale carried a flame. He begged off, declaring that he needed his hands to perform his spell work. Gareth had shrugged and carried two of the torches.
Twice the team had been startled when rodents or bats burst past them. The silence of the ruins was deafening, save for their missteps and curses. Kelsana noticed it first.
“Darius, Watch out!” Kelsana threw her torch at the wall. A large root had concealed a gnarly man-shaped abomination. Darius had nearly stepped into the trailing roots coming from the thing’s lower section that lined the floor.
Darius, ever the man of action, wading in swinging his sword. His bladed landed with a solid hit and stuck fast. The creature grabbed hold of the bare blade with rootlike tentacles.
“Vile monster, let it go!” Darius gasped, fighting to keep possession of his blade.
The roots began to circle his sword arm and then to his shield. Gareth bashed the thing with his torches, but it refused to release Darius or even turn to face him. The rogue hesitated to force his flame to light it afire. Darius was entangled with it and would be in danger of burning as well.
“Darius! No!” Kelsana screamed.
She too hesitated, her bow presumably useless against the foe made of wood. Darius screamed as the roots tightened and drew him in closer. He roared in defiance.
“Foul fiend! This isn’t right! It isn’t fair!” Darius said as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise…an energy coursed through him. A foreign thought niggled in the back of his head.
It is not just. A voice in Darius’ head intoned.
Severus? Darius thought.
His limbs filled with power. He pulled back…and succeeded in it. He yanked free his shield and then his sword as power coursed through his frame. He was about to renew his attack when a large flask impacted the creature's head.
The golem of corrupted roots thrashed; its mouth wide but no screams issued forth. Smoke poured off it where the liquid had splashed. Gareth wasted no time, as the monster flailed about, he pressed his torches forward, slotting them into its gnarled roots. Soon the creature’s woody skin and roots were smoking from the potion as well as the fires coming from the torches.
The wooden monstrosity ran. Two paces…three paces…then on its fourth it stumbled. The fifth pace forward and it fell. It was aflame smoking. Darius and Kelsana added their torches to the conflagration and stepped back as the beast was consumed in a hot bonfire.
As the creature's struggles subsided, the flames continued to burn brightly. The staircase to the next level was illuminated in the flow as if in invitation. The trio focused on the mage and Darius asked.
“What manner of potion was that to disturb it so greatly?”
“It was the last of my holy water. Not quite my normal alchemical forte, but I was hopeful it would serve. I make a point to always carry some for vampires and such. I’m surprised that it worked...if I must be honest. Its corruption is perhaps divine or infernal in nature.” Everdale said grinning.
“Too right! Thank you ever so kindly, mister mage.” Gareth said with enthusiasm, then with an ominous afterthought asked.
“So, do you have any more?”
“Ah…no. Sorry. That’s the totality of my supply. I do hope we can adequately deal with any further threats.” Everdale said grimly.
“Indeed.” Darius muttered. Despite his misgivings, he felt confident. Despite his wavering faith, Severus had granted him that boon. He hoped he would be deemed worthy of more.
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