Clouds loomed overhead overshadowing the crumbling buildings. Always a depressing mood around here. Stepping on the streets of Eldoria, Luke yawned. 

The once bustling market square had become a sad sight with no real merchants in sight. Rather people dressed in rags stood there wanting to trade away their measly belongings for a piece of bread. Checking the mask on his face Luke walked away.

Aside from the beggars the few remaining townsfolk cast wary glances Luke’s way. He stopped abruptly when a figure approached, draped in tattered robes. They whispered, "Are you the one seeking answers? The shadows hold secrets, and the path is treacherous. Will you grasp your destiny?”

“Man, get away from me.” Luke said, raising his hand as if to hit the man. 

Recoiling, the hooded figure fell back, running away from Luke. Shaking his head Luke continued walking, deep in his thoughts.

The downfall came when some adventurers stumbled upon a crypt near this town. Like the fools adventurers are, they went in blind and brought back a sinister plague with them to town, his town. Eldoria, once known for his prospering trades, soon turned to a place of death. Even the forest that led to the crypt became a site where, Eldorian’s who lost everything to the plague, went to commit suicide.

Despite the grim reality of the town, it did not stop explorers or rather adventurers from coming here to visit the crypt. People thought the crypt was a last chance for them to strike it rich. Luke almost chuckled thinking about the idiots that came here every week thinking they would make it. 

In the last ten years since the crypt opened up, none of these so called adventurers found a single thing. Luke’s confidence in that claim wasn't unfounded as he was the one that made a career out of leading people to the crypt. 

The crypt guide, they called him. Luke entered the town’s desolate tavern. "The Wilted Rose."

With the door creaking open it revealed a dimly lit bar, hushed talks and intrusive eyes. The bartender, a grizzled old man, nodded in Luke’s direction.

“Any travellers today?” Luke questioned and without a word the old man pointed at a table with his chin. Nodding, Luke left to sit across the hooded woman engrossed in a seemingly worn-out book.

At his arrival, the woman looked up from her book only revealing her rosy lips and a bright smile. Nodding, she spoke in a soft voice, “You must be the crypt guide, I assume."

“Sure and you must be the adventurer that wants to uncover the crypt’s treasures.” Luke crossed his arms looking away. The patrons, their faces marked by hardship and despair, were busy trying to drown their sorrows in ale.

The hooded woman remained silent for a moment before frowning. "Not an adventurer per se, I’m an explorer who’s only interested in the crypt’s history. And there's a rumour that the abandoned crypt on the outskirts of Eldoria — has no treasures, only ghosts and curses. So tell me, crypt guide, is it true?”

Luke grinned, “If some overgrown rabid rats are considered as ghosts and curses then yes the rumours are true.” 

“Hiek! Rats?” 

Luke saw those rosy lips quiver at the mention of rodents and couldn't help but think, must be a lady from a decent household.

“Still wanna study the crypt for its history? Miss explorer.” 

"Yes! I have travelled here from Terra, I can't turn back now. Name your price, crypt guide.” Determined, the hooded woman replied immediately. 

After a discussion on the tour price, Luke rose from his seat. Leaving the bar, the duo made their way through the grim streets and outskirts of Eldoria towards the suicide forest.

The air in the forest was suffocating to say the least, gloom permeated from the dead trees at every turn. 

While walking, the woman stopped and pointed towards something. Her hand shook as she mustered up her words, “D – De – Dead body.”

Luke sighed, turning to the pointed direction. There hanging from the branch of a dead tree was a corpse with a rope around its neck. 

A sight he had seen so many times that he had grown numb. Glaring at his employer Luke frowned, “Quit dawdling and let's move, the crypt isn't far.”

Soon enough they did reach the entrance to the crypt by evening, the air had grown cold. Making the hooded woman hug her shoulders.

At the threshold of the crypt Luke turned towards the hooded woman. “I never got your name.”

With her shoulders shivering she chuckled. "Such an observant guide, you can call me Lyra. Oh and I know they call you Luke." 

Luke only nodded, a little embarrassed, turning back to the crypt. Darkness within the crypt entrance appeared foreboding as always. The heavy stone door stood slightly ajar, like a broken maw.

Pulling out two torches he lit them up with his lighter. Handing one to Lyra.

“Okay, so ground rules. First, always stay in the light of the torches. The darkness in the crypt makes people, well, claustrophobic. Second, if you see a rodent bigger than they should be, tell me and I’ll dispatch it before it ever gets to you. Other than that, enjoy the history, I guess.” 

Lyra's eyes narrowed as she mumbled to herself what Luke thought was the rules he just mentioned.

Stolen novel; please report.

With that both of them stepped inside the crypt.

Walking against the cold stone their steps echoed behind them. As they delved deeper, the shadows cast by their torches seemed to take on a life of their own.

The duo took frequent stops as Lyra studied the writing on the crypt walls. 

Before long they stumbled on a split path. One corridor led to a wall scribbled with countless runes, while the other descended deeper into the darkness.

Luke glanced between the runes and the descending darkness before turning to Lyra.

“The adventurers usually ignore the runes on the wall and take the stairs down. But I’m guessing you want to spend time studying the wall.” 

Lyra looked back and forth between the corridor ending in the rune wall and the dark passage before nodding at Luke. 

Sighing Luke brought her to the corridor, lighting the mounted torches on his way. As soon as they reached the rune wall, Lyra hopped like an excited school girl then sat there on the cold stone, taking out a book from her satchel. Luke who watched her do that could only shake his head thinking about the time this particular tour would take.

Hearing some noises behind them Luke narrowed his eyes. It was time to do the pest control part of his work. Without disturbing Lyra who was busy taking down notes to get rid of the rabid rats before they entered the corridor.

Reaching the mouth of the corridor he spotted a few rats as big as house dogs sticking close to the walls as they made their way deeper in the crypt. 

These rats howled the moment they spotted the flames on Luke's torch. Unaffected from the overgrown rodents he brushed aside his cloak, strapped to his waist were a short sword and some throwing knives. 

He threw three knives in quick succession and each found their marks deep in each big rat’s skull. And just like that the rats were dead as they arrived.

If he didn't hate adventurers so much Luke reckoned he would make a pretty good one himself. Lost in musings he almost jumped when he heard a scream echoing from the corridor behind. 

“Oh fuck.” Luke ran back inside cursing.

At the end of the corridor what greeted him was beyond anything he had thought possible.

Lyra was facing a blurry spectral figure. Without a thought he put himself between Lyra and the spectral ghost taking out his short sword to strike. 

He stopped when he felt a soft grip on his shoulder. Lyra smiled sheepishly, “It's okay, I was just surprised when it worked.” 

Luke furrowed his brow, “When what worked?”

Lyra pointed at the spectral figure that stood in front of the rune wall unmoving.

Luke gulped, “You did that?”

Lyra nodded as she stepped up to face the spectral figure. 

What happened next Luke could have only been described as impossible.

Lyra said some spell and the spectral figure spoke to her in a haunting tongue which Luke didn't understand.

Glancing back at Luke, Lyra said, “It's a riddle.” 

“I’m sorry what?” Luke asked, still not comprehending the situation.

“There’s life, where I course through.

Revelation, when spilt enough.

I long for it, my kin.

The stone cloak twists, when you bring me it.” Lyra recited her finger pointing upwards as if she was giving a lecture.

Behind her the spectral figure fizzled out of existence. Luke shut his eyes and pinched himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. 

–

On the diverging paths, Luke took Lyra onto the second dark passage in a rush. He led the way down with practised grace, navigating the labyrinthine passages. Traversing deeper into the crypt, the air became colder, and a faint glow emanated from the walls. Something Luke had never seen before. 

Eventually, they reached a chamber with a peculiar altar in the centre. 

Luke pointed at it, "That there. We have explored all of the crypt now.”

Nodding Lyra approached the ancient altar. Runes were etched into its surface, and a faint hum emanated from within. She ran her hands over those glowing runes, reading.

Taking a step back she cupped her chin in her hand, lost in thought.

Luke however couldn't be patient. He questioned, “Well? What does it say?”

Lyra shook her head and took off her hood. Long silky black hair fell through her sides. Luke met her dark eyes as his next words got caught in his throat.

“You might not like what's next.” Lyra said, staring in Luke’s eyes.

“Just tell me. What's with being mysterious all of a sudden.” Luke shot back. 

Lyra shrugged and continued, “You will have to fill up the altar with your blood.” 

Luke felt his excitement die as she finished her sentence, “You think people haven't tried that before? I have led all kinds of people here, I have seen people spill blood, gold coins, potions and what not. Nothing changed despite all that.” 

Lyra shook her head, “You remember the poem from earlier? I long for it, my kin. Only an Eldorian’s blood will work and copious amounts of it.” 

Taken aback Luke’s gaze switched back and forth between Lyra and the altar. 

Could that be it? The crypt never was fully explored because of pure coincidence? 

“Fuck it.” Luke used his short sword to cut his palm and let his blood spill upon the altar. Drop by drop his blood fell upon the altar which Luke thought obviously wasn't enough but he still had doubts about this.

Seeing his reluctance, Lyra fumbled in her satchel and brought out a tube filled with murky red liquid, “I have a homeostasis potion if you want -”

Luke practically snatched it from her as he brought the tube to his eye level. Uncorking it, he let some of the liquid fall on his cut palm. 

Luke felt a sting but the cut let out steam as it closed within seconds.

Lyra had her hands on her hips with puffed cheeks, she yelled at him, “Trust me now? I’m not some psychopath that likes killing people.”

Luke scratched his cheek, not being able to meet Lyra’s eye. He couldn't be blamed though because there were people who tried to kill him when they learnt that there was nothing in the crypt. 

“My bad.” Luke muttered before standing firm. Putting the homeostasis potion in his pocket he cut his wrist and let it all pour down the altar. 

By the time he started feeling dizzy the walls in front of him moved. Dust fell down from the walls as they parted from the middle.

Falling back Luke quickly poured the homeostasis potion on his cut wrist which healed back up within seconds. Although the wound healed Luke knew still felt dizzy. 

But staring at the unexplored room in front of him Luke knew it was worth it. Lyra asked if he was okay to which he just nodded and they both entered the new room. 

Luke noticed the lone skeleton sitting near the wall. A white mask laying on its lap. Meanwhile Lyra went straight to the centre of the room where lay a coffin. A red jewel stood embedded upon the coffin. 

Squatting down Luke picked up the mask from the skeleton’s lap to study it. The white mask had a wide crescent cut near where the mouth should be, it looked like a big grin.

How are you supposed to see though? Luke turned the mask and saw no holes for the eyes. The mask wasn't even transparent at eye level. He tried it on to understand but he couldn't take it off. 

The mask had wrapped itself around his face refusing to let go. Seeing only darkness, he screamed but what came out was just a muffled sound that did not even reach Lyra just a little behind him.

Smoke rose to the sky, Luke’s vision was filled to brim with flames. Among the fleeing people he saw familiar structures fall down. Realisation dawned on him, it was Eldoria.

The smoke and ashes were blown away as a distant figure in the sky shrieked down. With a clear view, Luke felt his hand go cold seeing Lyra flying above Eldoria raining down hell fire. 

And the world went dark again. On his limbs Luke saw the familiar cold floor of the crypt again. Breathing hard because of the vision, he looked for Lyra and found her suspended in the air above the coffin. The red glow near her bosom came from a weird jewel that lodged itself in her.

Getting back on his feet, he fell down a few times. But getting his bearings he ran. 

No torch in hand, the darkness enveloped him. He heard whispers that drove him to the edge of paranoia which just drove him to run faster. Fortunately enough because of the countless trips he made down here he did not even need light to find his way back.

There was no light but he jumped through the entrance of the crypt with no problem. As soon as he felt the cold soil beneath him he knew he made it. 

Standing up he looked back at the crypt entrance. Taking out the explosives in his backpack he set it on the entrance and ignited them. This was his plan all along. 

This tour with Lyra was supposed to be his last tour as the crypt guide. Running away from range of explosion he thought back on the vision of Eldoria burning down and Lyra raining down fire on it.

Whatever the case he couldn't let whatever evil that took hold of her get out. 

Luke felt the ground under shake as the explosives finally lit up causing a controlled blast that sealed the crypt. The echoes of the explosion reverberating throughout the suicide forest.

“I should probably move out.” Luke reminded himself as he saw the crypt collapse on itself, entombing Lyra within its walls.