Rainia's Spirit aspect spell guided them well, and a total of seven Guild teams of at least Adventurer-ranked gathered at their location thanks to the illumination from Paca's Sun aspect. This included the Spirit Walkers, the Proven, and the two teams of Carls. In addition, there was a full team of Amber Guard and two teams that had lost members on this floor. Those teams wept from both loss and relief for finding sanctuary in this hellish place of death, ash, and dust. Temporary sanctuary at least, Ahanu reminded himself of the danger that lurked around them. They would not be safe until they created a Safe Room.

"Has anyone found a Monster Portal?" Jeze called out to the two newly arrived teams.

She and the Frostsworn look well despite having suffered losses of their own, Ahanu reflected. He admired their courage and bravery. Jeze's purple cloak was covered with ash, and her short dark hair held its usual disheveled appearance. She traveled with the Frostsworn and was a stark contrast to them. Where they were tall and thick with muscle, Jeze had a small, wiry frame that was tense with explosive strength. She had the face of a fighter with a flat nose and a scar on her right cheek. Despite those hard-earned marks of a seasoned Adventurer, Jeze was pretty. Ahanu thought and quickly averted his gaze when she noticed him looking at her. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jeze grinning to herself.

One of the Amber Guard members, a man with several "X" shaped scars on his face glanced at Miss Heng. She nodded at him.

"We found one portal that was damaged beyond repair by the monolith," the man answered with a voice that reminded Ahanu of a growling black bear seen in the forests of his homeland of Pana.

"Monolith? You were close to it?" Dunar asked.

Ahanu studied the Proven Leader. He respected the Proven Leader's stoic confidence, physical prowess, and strategic mind. The Spirit Walker Protector wished he had that same self-conviction. Ahanu learned from their quick talks that the Proven and the Carls hunted the deadly Corpse Eaters at the edges of the necropolis and had yet to venture toward the center where the enormous pillar of light was located.

The Amber Guard with the scars nodded and replied, "A Coven of Vampires resides near the base. Nasty business, we decided to explore further out in hopes of finding more adventurers."

Vampires? Ahanu read stories of them and knew that their tales varied from nation to nation. One thing was for certain, they were extremely dangerous and were ranked at least tier six or higher. Ahanu shook his head to himself. They were on the fifth floor and were encountering monsters that were suited for Adept Ranked adventurers. He had a lot to improve upon if he wished to continue further. Such as learning to activate the Holy aspect. How else could he hope to defeat a Vampire if he struggled with a Wight? Ahanu wondered to himself.

"Aye, we also found a damaged monster portal. But, this one is a few clicks that way," another adventurer added while pointing.

This was the lady in the heavy brown jacket. Her eyes were still swollen with tears over the recent loss of her colleague. The man in the tarnished breastplate rested on the ground with a blanket to cover his gruesome remains. Ahanu had a moment of sadness when he realized it seemed futile to learn people's names as they could be gone in the next moment. It's the life we live, Ahanu reminded himself. He firmly believed in the tenets of being a knight, a Protector, and, most importantly, an Adventurer. Guild members run toward the darkness when others flee.

The gathered group totaled twenty-five capable adventurers with a range of skills from disarming traps, polearm weapons, to Rune magic. This was a larger force than what the undead were used to, and even the low-intelligent Zombies stayed back.

"They are plotting something," Zena observed. The archer's sharp eyes spotted the undead as they attempted to hide among the many tall tombstones.

Ahanu nodded in agreement and flinched when Master Couzart materialized out of the shadows near him. The Elite had remained oddly silent, considering he was the highest-ranked adventurer in the group. Couzart nodded silently with his pure yellow eyes as he stepped past them. Ahanu was harshly reminded that he needed to improve his perception if he hoped to avenge Tallulah's death. He recalled that her killer, Shiv, was a member of the same Assassin's Guild as Couzart.

Ahanu had so much more to learn and improve upon if he wished to continue in this life. Being around so many great adventurers reminded him of what he lacked. Ahanu started to feel despair until he recalled the teachings from an old knight. Despair can hold you down or be used like kindling to fuel the flames of motivation to grow stronger. The choice is yours. The mentor once told Ahanu. The Spirit Walker Protector chose to be motivated and felt an eagerness in his chest to challenge himself. Eager to face down the Vampires and see what secrets were hidden underneath the glowing monolith.

Couzart addressed the gathered adventurers, "There are many mysteries to this place and we can find the answers below. But there are many dangers and it would be unwise if we proceed without a strategy. Let us find a safer place where we can talk without interruption."

"We can find safety in one of the larger mausoleums," a tall blonde-bearded Frostsworn suggested. Ahanu knew him as Carl Jorgenson.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"But we will only succeed with trapping ourselves within as the undead will be free to amass around us," Zena pointed out.

"Not unless we create a distraction," Jeze offered.

Miss Heng narrowed her eyes and said, "What did you have in mind?"

"Glad you asked," Jeze replied with a smirk.

Ahanu recognized the look of annoyance that flashed on Miss Heng's face.

Jeze continued, "I will need your help and fellow Rune casters."

Miss Heng scowled but uncrossed her arms and approached the Proven Scout. Rainia, Zena, and Paca also joined them. Ahanu did not feel confident in his Rune skills to be of any use and he stayed back with the other warriors to guard the perimeter just in case the undead decided to attack.

"This better be good," Mikal snorted.

Jeze grinned at him, and the Rune casters talked amongst themselves. A strong hand gripped Ahanu's shoulder.

"How are you friend Ahanu?" Rolfe asked.

The Frostsworn towered over the Spirit Walker Protector, and Ahanu had to look up to speak.

"I'm well, and you? I heard you hunted Corpse Eaters?" he asked.

Rolfe and Helga grinned widely. Ahanu couldn't help but join them. He really enjoyed their boastfulness.

"Ya! We hunted and killed several of the giant beasts," Helga exclaimed.

"Jeze called them Constructs," Rolfe corrected her.

Helga shoved him, and the two wrestled briefly before Dunar scolded them to stay vigilant. The Frostsworn Leader was talking with Berserker Orn and Carl Jorgenson.

"I am eager to fight by your side again," Ahanu stated.

He was genuine. Their bravery was contagious and it helped to extinguish his earlier doubts. This is what he missed while he traveled with the Spirit Walker Team. Ahanu was the only Protector, and granted it was good to have constant buffs and healing from his Rune caster teammates, but it did not match the feeling of fighting side by side with others.

"Ya, same here!" Helga cheered and patted Ahanu on the back.

Her strong hand nearly knocked him over. Ahanu wondered, "What do you think they are planning?"

Rolfe removed his helm to scratch his thick blonde hair. The giant Protector shrugged his broad shoulders. Helga tapped her chin.

"I hope they decide that we just go and fight the Vampires and force our way into the Core Tunnels below," the warrior maiden said.

Rolfe snorted. "I wish that too."

Ahanu smiled. He also agreed. That would be the simplest way and he preferred to face his fears head on. But, he also appreciated the need for strategy. That was something he lacked and Miss Heng encouraged him to think more. The Rune casters finished their planning.

"Everyone come close," Jeze called out.

"Oh, she doing the illusion thing again?" Helga wondered.

"Looks like," Rolfe replied.

"Illusion thing?" Ahanu asked.

"Ya, it's a way to trick the undead," Helga replied. She sulked and Ahanu knew she preferred to just kill the monsters instead.

The Rune casters worked together and completed a series of complex Glyphs with their hands and arms. Ahanu recognized them tapping into various Channeling tools, and in moments, he felt a slight tingling along his body. The Spirit Walker took this moment to practice his own limited Rune ability. He tapped the beaded Channeling tool that he wore around his neck. The one that Miss Heng had given him, and he completed with his hand the final Glyph to activate the Mind aspect. With focus, he extended his Will outwards, and he sensed the magical energies, but he could not understand what they meant. Ahanu felt a familiar presence and glanced up to spot Miss Heng watching him. She nodded in approval, and that gave him joy. Their relationship was interesting and confusing for Ahanu, but he had more things to worry about. Right now, he took a moment to improve his skill over the Mind aspect but was interrupted by the Frostsworn.

"What are you doing?" Rolfe asked.

"Ya? What aspect are you practicing?" Helga asked as she lowered herself to study the beaded necklace around Ahanu's neck.

"The Mind aspect," the Spirit Walker protector answered.

"The what?" Rolfe asked.

"Never mind," Ahanu replied. It was time for them to move.

The Rune casters had created several illusions of them running off in multiple directions.

"Move out!" Miss Heng barked.

The adventurers jogged through the ash-covered trails that wove in between the endless field of gravestones. The undead howled into action and chased after the different illusions. The strategy worked! Ahanu reflected and realized that several Ghouls attacked them. The Spirit Walker Protector fought alongside Helga and Rolfe. He blocked the clawed hands of a pair of ghouls. Helga sliced one in half with her Dane axe, and Rolfe smashed the other with the edge of his round shield.

"Hey, leave some for me!" Ahanu joked.

"Gotta be faster!" Helga said.

"It's nice to have someone else block with their shield for a change," Rolfe said.

Paca Summoned the Sun aspect, which cleared away the undead and allowed the adventurers to enter a mausoleum. This one was already cleared and large enough to fit all the teams comfortably. Well, as comfortable as one could be inside a tomb, Ahanu thought to himself.

"Here you go," Helga offered the Spirit Walker protector a horn full of mead.

Ahanu's eyes went wide, and he accepted the drink graciously. Helga tapped another brick and completed the Runes needed to activate the magical item. It turned into more mead and filled several more horns. She handed one each to Rolfe and another Frostsworn. This one was a stocky lady with braided hair. Ahanu was introduced to her, and her name was Gunhild.

"We drink while they plan!" Gunhild exclaimed.

Ahanu raised his horn to that.