Necromancer number two produced the same kind of magic again but staggered back in fear just as he fired that strange beam. His body turned away from me right as I slashed into him. I made a good side slash in his upper back and he loudly cried out in pain and frustration. I swung with my left blade penetrating halfway through the side of his neck. Blood sprayed out as he fell lifelessly down the stairs. An uneasy feeling flowed through me, but it wasn’t their magic. Taking a life still made me feel sick inside. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before moving on.
Three skeletons came into view at the top of the stairs. The stairway was wide enough to fit two side by side. I advanced a few steps up and easily shoved one over the. I kind of grinned a little and shoved another off the other side. The third skeleton approached from the door way. I swatted away both of its boney arms and struck with the pummel of my short sword into its collar bone. I back-hacked the skull with my left sword knocked it enough off balance that it tumbled down the stairs. I looked down and shrugged, “Good enough.”
A frightened necromancer blocked my path at the doorway. Behind him were a few skeleton remains that had yet to revive. The necromancer took out his sword and slowly backed away. I took a few deep breaths and cautiously advanced toward him. His back finally hit the wall and he swung wildly with his sword. I leaned back to avoid his blade. Even I could tell he had no skill with the sword. I charged, thrust both swords into his chest and ended his life. One blade sliced between the ribs while the other hit bone. It was such a disturbing feeling that I cringed as I withdrew both blades.
The room itself looked like the hallway-dark and filled with open slots in the walls. There were a few torches burning and I could see a couple of open books with strange writing. At the end of the hall stood a large, closed stone door. I caught my breath and walked back toward the main room. A few more figures emerged from the other stair ways. Clagmir moved up the stairs across from me and didn’t seem to slow down one bit. Jerak was partway up the stairs when something bright hit him. His body fell to the ground.
I rushed down the stairs and soon intercepted a skeleton that was moving toward Jerak. I made a clean swing into the neck of the skeleton and decapitated it. Behind that one stood a necromancer and another skeleton. The necromancer appeared to have just cast the spell that caused Jerak’s fall. There was no time to check on Jerak because the skeleton and the necromancer were ready to fight me now. The necromancer took out a sword but let its skeleton attack first.
Rage filled me as I saw the necromancer’s face. I swung heavily with my left hand causing the skeleton to fly over the side of the stairs. The necromancer thrust his sword at me. I sidestepped and jammed my right sword into his torso. He stared back at me but my anger over-rode any sympathy I could have had for him. I twisted my blade and yanked it back out. He grunted and tumbled down the stairs. I stared back up the stairs and, seeingno sign of any more foes, walked down to tend to Jerak.
Relief filled me as I saw that he was still breathing. The front of his armor was blackened which led me to believe a fireball had hit him. The fireball didn’t get past his armor, but the force of it was enough to send him down the stairs. Jerak opened his eyes and appeared to zone out. He muttered, “Mother! Tell Rejun to give back Mr. Neighneigh!” I helped him sit up and worried about how badly he had hit his head. He muttered again, “Why do I have to take Rejun along? He throws sticks at me.” I couldn’t help but chuckle at that one.
Clagmir walked down the stairs with a tired expression. He looked over and started to jog toward us. “What happened? Is he alright?” Clagmir said with a look of concern on his face. Jerak stared out into space and muttered a little more but was too incoherent to be understood. “I will tend to him. Just keep an eye open for any more.” Clagmir ordered as he knelt beside Jerak. I gave him a nod and peered out into the room. The bodies of broken skeletons and dead necromancers left me with an unsettling feeling. I watched each of the three doorways for even the slightest sign of movement.
I nearly jumped when something grabbed the back of my leg. It was a skeleton that had lost the lower half of its body. I think I was to blame. Clagmir glanced over then continued to heal Jerak. I pulled my other leg back and gave its head a hearty punt. It flew a fair distance and crashed into another fallen skeleton. Clagmir looked over and gave me a strange look when I put my arms up in the sign for a field goal. I slowly lowered my arms and gave him a shrug. He just shook his head and went back to his task.
A few minutes passed before Jerak was in his right mind, which was still debatable. “These cultists are followers of Xum’gol. There should be more as we get deeper in,” Clagmir warned.
Jerak tilted his head from side to side and picked at his ear, “So we should go down there and take them ou,t eh?”
Clagmir smiled, “That is the plan, but we should be lighter in our steps. We’ll need to be quiet to remain undetected. We were lucky that the lower chambers are closed off.”
I sighed, “You were the one that yelled…” Clagmir looked at me and I just shrugged. I really didn’t want to get on his bad side.
The three of us climbed one of the staircases into a hallway strewn with dead necromancers and lifeless bones. Behind the bodies was a stone door that would easily blocke out a lot of sound. I felt assured that there would not be a whole army of necromancers and undead waiting to ambush us. Still, a chill ran through me at the thought. The door loudly slid open and revealed a stone stairway that went straight down. Clagmir held his shield which once again started to glow, “Watch your steps.”
The air grew more stale and dusty as I descended. I was glad that the remains were old enough to be just bones. I flashed to a memory of my first day in this world. That smell back then left a scar on my memory. At the bottom of the stairs there were two hallways, one that led to the right and one directly in front of us. There was a faint light but no sign of anything living or… unliving lurking in the halls. The three of us quietly walked down the hall directly before us. At the end, on the right hand side, was a heavy stone door that was partially open.
Inside was a large room with shelves along the walls. There was another row of shelves that stood shorter which must have held the bones of those that were buried here but were now empty. Through the gaps I saw three necromancers chanting in the middle of the room. I stared back at Clagmir and held up three fingers. He moved closer and peeked inside to confirm it. “There is a door that leads to the main chamber… we need to quietly dispatch these three,” Clagmir whispered. Jerak and I looked at each other and nodded. Clagmir scratched his chin and whispered, “Blake… you think you can sneak in and do it?”
I whispered back in surprise, “Me? Seriously?”
Clagmir nodded, “Your armor is the most silent of the three of us. Jerak and I will rush the main door to prevent anyone from escaping. I have faith in you.” I glanced back in and saw the three necromancers facing a strange table, chanting quietly.
I took a deep breath and whispered to Clagmir, “Alright…”
Clagmir gave me a smile and quietly spoke, “Good luck.”
I held both of my short swords close and lowered my body as I walked into the room. Goosebumps covered my body as I took slow and careful steps. The three necromancers appeared to be preoccupied but I was still not taking any chances. I carefully walked around the first row of empty shelves and crouched down behind an empty stone coffin. So far, so good. I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths. The three necromancers showed no sign of noticing anything wrong. I watched them as I staged my attack.
One had his back to me and was close enough to make it quick. Getting the one across from him would be tricky, but the other might be feasible. Clagmir and Jerak should be able to handle one quickly if I could get two. I still felt a bit uneasy about doing this. It was best to not over-think and just act. I tightened my grip on both blades and moved in behind the first necromancer. I stabbed the side of his neck with my right and pushed his head that di
rection with my left. There was enough movement and sound to get the attention of the other two necromancers.
On top of the table where they were chanting was a skeleton, but it was of no concern to me. I jumped on top of it and charged my next target. He only staggered back and lifted his hands by the time I leapt at him with two short swords pointing at him. We both crashed to the floor, but only I got up. As I got to my feet I saw the last necromancer making a run for the door to the other room. Clagmir was there and swiftly decapitated him.
A chill ran down my spine as I saw the head bounce onto the ground. Not something I really wanted to see. Clagmir glanced around the room, “Good work…” He opened the stone door a crack and peeked inside. Jerak and I stared at him for any feedback. A minute had passed before he closed it back up and sighed deeply. Judging by the expression on his face, he was a little concerned. Clagmir shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair. He paced back and forth a bit then looked back at us, “Alright I have a plan.”
What had I gotten myself into? When one has to cram on a black robe from a dead guy who had apparently not seen soap in at least year, s one gains perspective regarding what is wrong with his life. I had a very attractive girlfriend living in a nice place and I was skulking around some underground crypt dealing with the undead and other seriously messed-up people. It was quite hard to put on the black robe over my armor. I wondered how well Clagmir’s plan would work. Clagmir had Jerak and me dress up like the necromancers and sneak inside. It would be hard to blend in covered with blood stains and bits of my armor bulging out. After Jerak and I put on the smelly robes Clagmir filled us in on the rest of his plan.
“This is worse than I thought,” Clagmir whispered. He sighed, “They are extracting the corpses of this temple to rebuild an army for Xum’gol.” Clagmir scratched the side of his head, “The worst part… well look.” He opened the door a crack and signaled me to peek in. My jaw dropped as I saw dozens of skeletons standing in rows. Around them were a few small clusters of people in robes. “Look at the far back,” Clagmir whispered. Behind the rows of undead stood a strange figure on top of an altar. Next to him were two figures in blackened armor standing at each side. It took me a short while to see that strange person in the middle wasn’t among the living.
Clagmir stepped away from the stone doorway, “Blake… if I am correct that man is someone that needs to be taken out.” Clagmir walked a little distance away, “Long ago when I was just a cadet… he, well… let’s just say he has the knowledge to make a stronger undead army.”
Jerak dug into his ear, “Wait… what do you mean by stronger?”
Clagmir sighed, “I don’t know his full history, but the Celestial Fist during that time were after him for trying to make bone constructs.” I didn’t like the sound of that. Clagmir continued, “They are unholy masses of bone that can wreak havoc. It seems that Xum’gol decided to revive him for that knowledge.”
“Blake… I want you and Jerak to try to sneak to the lich and end him,” Clagmir said in a serious tone.
Jerak shrugged, “Don’t liches have scary powers?”
Clagmir nodded, “They do, but that is why I want Blake to face it.”
My jaw dropped, “You want me to fight the lich?”
Clagmir put his hand on my shoulder, “I have witnessed Xum’gol’s failure using his wretched powers against you. You are blessed with a gift. Now it is time to use it.”
Jerak whispered, “So what are you going to do?”
Clagmir smiled, “When Blake makes his move, I will cause chaos among the lesser villains.”
I bit my lower lip and walked into the main room. Jerak followed right behind me. I received a few stares from some of the necromancers but they went back to their business. The skeletons were sorted in rows. I saw a necromancer with a note book taking notes. My heart was racing as we made it halfway across the room. “You, there!” A necromancer called out to me. My heart stopped and I just froze there. The necromancer walked right up to me, “I thought you were going to bring more in… wait who are you?”
This was the time I would have had a heart attack. The necromancer looked at me closely. I still had my helmet on which gave me away once he got near enough to get a closer look. I cringed and spoke from behind my helmet, “Um… I was sent here…to uh… speak with him…”
The necromancer lifted a brow, “What is with your voice?”
I turned to Jerak who just gave a slight shrug then looked back at the necromancer, “I am not of this world… I have been sent to speak with him…”
The necromancer stood there with an odd look on his face. To my surprise he nodded at me like an idiot, “Oh, sorry, sir. Please, go right ahead.” I was so glad I had a helmet on because I couldn’t keep a straight face. I think Jerak just lowered his head and followed me toward the altar. The lich wore a better quality robe with a white skull painted on the front. He stood there with glowing red eyes and stared down at the rows of skeletons. Next to him, stood two figures in black plate and chain mail. When I got a closer look, I saw that they were actually skeletons, too. The lich turned his head and stared at me.
“What is it?!” the lich called out in a voice similar to Xum’gol’s. I bit my lower lip and could really feel my heart pounding. “Well?” the lich spoke again.
I took a deep breath, “I have brought a message…” I took a few more steps and walked past the first armored skeleton, “Xum’gol wanted me to tell you…”
The lich looked at me, “He wouldn’t send a messenger. Who are you?” I grabbed my short swords and took a deep breath. I pulled out my blades and tried to come up with some cool phrase bu,t instead, just yelled as I made my attack.
My blades struck at the air right next to the lich. For a moment a dark red glow appeared as I hit something solid. The lich must have some sort of magical shield. He lifted his hand, “Fool! You are no match for me!” His boney hands started to glow a bright purple.
“Oh man!” Jerak cried out as he moved away from me.
The lich shouted, “I will rot your flesh!” The magic from his hands shot out like a black and purple flame toward me. I felt nothing when it hit my body. The lich stood dumbfounded for a moment, at least until Clagmir made his entrance.
I could hear him shouting, “By the order of the Celestial Fist!”
I made another attack at the lich and once more hit that magical shield of his. The lich turned his head, “Get him!” The other armored skeleton made his move toward me. The sound of bone and metal coming at me was almost as scary as the axe it was carrying. Something told me that this guy was going to be trouble. I turned my head slightly just to see the one behind me with its weapon raised high. Not good!
A loud banging sound ringed from behind me. Jerak swung his mace with both hands at the armored skeleton that was behind me. Its skull made a full turn then it fell over down onto the hard ground below.
“Blake!” Jerak shouted. The other armored skeleton attacked. I blocked with both short swords and felt some real power behind that attack. Jerak moved in and clipped the right arm of the skeleton. He shouted again, “I’ll take care of this guy. Go get that guy!”
Jerak moved in and took my place in that fight. I advanced toward the lich who was now charging up another spell. A large fireball shot out from his boney hands and impacted me in the chest. The force of it nearly knocked me down but, apart from burning the filthy robe I had on, I was fine. The lich cried out, “What?!” I gritted my eth and charged at him again. This time I didn’t care where I hit. I was just going to hit him as hard as I possibly could.
Trying to get through his magical, invisible shield felt like trying to break iron! The lich regained his confidence as he knew my blades couldn’t damage him. He lifted his hands and began to charge up another spell without any fear. I took a deep breath and dropped my left short sword so I could hold onto my right one with both hands. I let out a war cry as I swung with both of my arms as hard as I could. It felt like m
y blade actually penetrated this time. I felt my blade and his magical shield sustain damage. Soon after, the blade of my short sword began to shatter.
The lich laughed and shot another spell at me. This time it was a bolt of lightning. I flinched but knew it wouldn’t work. I reached for my other blade as his magic bounced off me. This time the lich sounded frustrated, “What?! What are you?!” I tightened my grip on the short sword and took a deep breath. The lich took several steps back which I used to get a running start. I jumped up and swung downward with all my strength. The blade definitely struck his magical shield but, at the same time, both my sword and the red glow shattered.
“What! How can this be?!” the lich cried out.
I held the broken sword and stared at the now alarmed lich, “I am the one that will destroy you!” I stepped in and bashed his head with the hilt of the broken short sword. The blow cracked his dry skull. As soon as his face was broken into, a burst of dark magic shot out from him. I moved back and saw his body shaking frantically as colorful smoke shot out from him. Soon the smoke dissipated and his bony body fell flat on the ground. I dropped my broken sword feeling pretty good about myself.
I actually beat the crap out of a lich! That is something not many could say. The sounds of battle below the altar brought me down from my little ego trip. Most of the skeletons were on the floor while only a few remained standing before Clagmir shattered them. I spotted two necromancers staring at me. They started to panic when I stared back. I hopped off the altar and chased after them.
It occurred to me that I no longer had weapons. After a short chase they realized that as well and drew their swords. I stopped and stared at their blades and their nasty little grins as they saw I was unarmed. One hesitated while the other started swinging away. I jumped back and moved all around, avoiding his strikes. The other stood back and charged up a spell. I had just managed to grab the arm of the swinging necromancer when I saw a fiery spell going off.
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