The first thing that Skrakch noticed was the sensation of being laid out flat on his face. Next was the horrendous headache that came with the realization that it hadn’t been caused by his usual night of drinking in the Plagued Rat. Finally, came the memory of the burning mansion and Jace.

Scrambling to his feet, Skrakch readied himself for the illusion’s next move, claws spread wide and teeth bared. Instead of some monster from his past, however, or another ghostly version of Jace, he was met by the sight of a small, empty cave. A few meters away he could see Ornn and Meekknuckle, the latter of whom was scarfing down a large chunk of rotten cheese. Next to them was the incongruous sight of Zach and Winifred playing a game of cards, as casual as could be.

He turned around and saw the sole distinguishing feature of the empty cave. Yet another large door adorned with a Demon’s Skull, identical to the one at the entrance to the Dungeon. However, much more importantly than that was the object on the floor by his feet. It was the scepter from his illusion! Scooping it up, he slipped it into his belt and hoped that nobody had noticed. There was no way he was going to let Zach get his sticky hands on it.

Skrakch wasn’t sure what to make of the scepter yet. If it was truly the one from the illusion, it was quite a powerful tool. Artifacts, magical ones at that, were extremely rare in Dray’Mel. The rich of the Residential District would bid on them for insane prices at an annual auction held upon the Casey Estate. Lords and Counts would frantically try and outbid each other, throwing gold around as though it were nothing. So why, if someone or something wanted to keep them out of the Dungeon, would they gift him with something so powerful? A scepter that could shoot fireballs? It didn’t make any sense…

Still, he’d worry about that later.

“Well about fucking time Squeakers,” Zach said, tossing his cards down and stretching idly. “We were getting sick of bloody waiting!” He nodded down at the discarded cards. “Plus, I was about to beat Winnie’s arse so it’s probably a good time to stop.”

“Oh aye?” Winifred questioned with a raised eyebrow. “That wouldn’t have anything tae do with the extra ace that ye’ve got squirreled up that sleeve of yours would it?” She smiled smugly.

Zach pulled a face at her and she responded in kind with a rude gesture. Skrakch shook his head. Honestly, it felt as though he was dealing with a couple of kids!

“So Squeaks, Squeakers, Squeakeroo. You’re the one with all the book learning. What’s going on here?” Zach asked. “Some kind of hocus pocus?”

“Magic. Yes.” Skrakch replied witheringly, rolling his eyes at the Halfling. “An illusion and a powerful one at that. I assume all of you experienced one too?”

Winifred and Meekknuckle nodded but Zach simply shrugged in return. Skrakch briefly wondered what the Halfling had seen although, if he thought about it, he probably didn’t want to know. Both Winifred and Meekknuckle however, still looked rattled. Meek was practically clinging onto Ornn as if he was never going to let go. Winifred was busying herself by gathering up the playing cards but Skrakch could see her hands shaking.

“Meekknuckle was out second,” The Goblin spoke up through a mouthful of cheese. “That make him second smartest!”

“Yeah right Shorty,” Zach chuckled. “You have so little brains the illusion-whatsit probably had no fucking clue what to do with ya!” He turned back to Skrakch. “So, what’s the big theory then? Some kind of protection to keep people outta this place or what?”

“More than likely,” Skrakch said with a nod. He looked back at the Demon Door. “If I had to guess, it’s probably something to do with that,” He continued, tossing a paw in its direction. “A lot of the magical protection in these old Dungeons is supposed to be about testing your mental acuity.”

“Ye mean it’s tryin’ to break us?” Winifred asked. She was shaking her head. “I said this wasn’t a good idea and look what happened. I dinnae think we should go through that door. I saw we turn back, go to the pub and forget this shite.”

“And give up the chance for unlimited Dragon’s Blood?” Zach reminded her.

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“You shut up wee man!” Winifred continued, turning to face him. She pointed an accusing finger in his face. “This is all yer fault! Tell us again about that shipment aye? Oh wait, ye heard it from some drunken idiot in a bar. What a reputable source! Let’s risk our lives over that!” She spat sarcastically.

“Whatever love, you weren’t pecking my head when you thought you were going to be able to get some of that Dragon’s Blood were ya?” Zach shot back. “Look, what’s the big deal? So some fucking hocus pocus tried to trick us or whatever. We all got something out of the deal apart from shit-for-brains over there,” He continued, motioning to Meekknuckle. “I got this pretty sweet daggers here, Winnie, I ain’t seen those knuckledusters you’re wearing before and Squeakers has that scepter thing he thinks I didn’t see. Way I see it? We did pretty outta the deal. Sure, I thought this was a load of old bollocks when we arrived here but I saw we carry on, go through that door and see what other shit we can get our hands on.”

“Hmph,” Winifred made a noise that wasn’t quite assent but it wasn’t an argument either.

“So does that mean you’re both agreeing?” Skrakch asked. “We carry on? Because I only see one exit from here anyways, so I don’t think leaving is in the cards regardless.”

He didn’t care to hear the answer either way. As far as he was concerned, there was no discussion. They were going to need to carry on into the Dungeon. There was no way he was going to give up what was likely going to be his best chance at becoming Chosen. As far as he was concerned, the idiots could continue arguing. Hells, both of them could fall afoul of whatever the Dungeon threw at them for all he cared. All that mattered was getting through the Dungeon.

Deciding to ignore any further talk, he strode over to the door confidently, throwing it open with one hefty shove. Billowing smoke poured through the crack and it wasn’t long before the cloying scent of death invaded his nostrils. Ignoring it as it threatened to overwhelm him, Skrakch stumbled through the door to get a better look.

A massive cavern sprawled forth in front of him. Bodies littered the floor, each in various states of decay. Some were bloated, obviously fresh whereas others were putrefied and skeletonized. There were swarms of flies feasting on the rotting flesh and some of the bodies were so covered in maggots it looked like they were moving as one large entity.

At the other end of the cavern, Skrakch spotted what appeared to be the only exit in the room. It wasn’t exactly surprising to him. Dungeons were notorious for testing an adventurer’s mettle. Wading through a sea of rotten corpses was considered almost amateur compared to some of the horrors that he’d read about in the library.

“Fucking gross that innit?” Zacharias suddenly appeared at his side, letting out a low whistle as he took the sight in.

“And it does nae worry you?” Winifred asked, approaching Skrakch’s other side. She put her hands on her hips and surveyed the area, shaking her head.

“Nowt the dead can do,” Zacharias shrugged easily. “Although the stink’s pretty ripe,” He added, waving a hand in front of his face. “Still, there might be some decent loot on ‘em. What’s a bit of skin slippage compared to some fancy jewelry?”

“We should send Ornn first,” Skrakch replied. While he was used to the bad smells that would come from the Sewers, this was something else and his stomach was churning at the thought of having to wade through all that death. At least if the Golem went first, he’d be able to carve a path through for them.

“Aye, ye go hideaway in the back Rodent,” Winifred said with a smirk. “If this turns out to be another bloody illusion or what-have-ye, I’ll be ready for a good rumble!” She added, cracking her knuckles.

“Wouldn’t mind testing out my new gear,” Zacharias agreed with a nod, he expertly spun his new daggers in his hands as he looked over the sea of bodies. Suddenly he frowned, his head moving forwards and his eyes narrowing. “Well, what do ya know? That dude over there, the proper ugly looking one…” He pointed to one of the bodies a few meters away. They were so tightly packed together, Skrakch couldn’t work out which one he was pointing to. “I’m pretty sure that’s Marvin. He’s one of Sykes’ men. Oh aye, and look! There’s Bargesh!...well, his head anyways,” He added casually. “Ugly, ugly fucker he was. Well, it looks like we’re hardly the first to find this dungeon. He must be sending people in to get the rewards, definitely lends credence to my idea that there’s Dragon’s Blood in there, don’t it?”

Winifred scowled, her expression was pensive for a moment.

“Have ye thought that maybe Sykes wants us in this place for some reason?” She asked. “It’s nae a good sign to see his men here.”

“Nah, won’t be that,” Zacharias said confidently. “He’s a right bastard but he wouldn’t send two of his best just to die. They were probably trying to screw him over just like we are. Which, by the way, isn’t gonna happen if we stand around here gassing!”

“Meek agree with small man. Meek thinks we all go in. Best chance fight together yes? Me watch back. Me very good at watching for scary things!” Meekkuckle offered, nodding happily at his own idea.

Taking a moment to think, Skrakch regarded the small Goblin.

“Y’know, I’m pretty sure if we toss the idiot in, Ornn will follow…”