They left the next day after a cold breakfast and mugs of warm klod. Their path led through the empty valleys. The cave happened out of nowhere. Only flags planted by a previous expedition differentiated the small hill that hid their target from the other ones.
Viv looked at the cave entrance. It was square and reinforced by solid blocks of stone. It looked like it could endure for millenia.
//This is the remnant of an underground mushroom farm.
Viv turned to Solfis, surprised that he would talk.
Ah, so your golem can speak. I was wondering why you would carry it around, Farren said, while nodding to himself.
What else can you tell us? Viv asked.
//My database indicates that the structure will lead underground, with several caverns linked by a network of tunnels.
//So or all of the tunnels may have collapsed.
//Depending on the size of the installation, the farm could have anywhere between three and seven chambers.
//Larger farms would have a larger entrance.
I see. How convenient! Farren continued, your golem is a knowledge depository! As expected.
That he is, Viv confird, now, we have a large structure to clear. I propose that we proceed as such: we park the sled here with the horses, then circle around to clear revenants because I dont want anything on my tail when we clear the cave. Then, we go in slowly. Marruk first with the shield with behind to provide cover. Farren, you watch our six. Everyone agreed?
I go first, Marruk confird, and she banged a large fist against her door, errr, shield.
Whats a six? Farren asked.
Our back. You watch our back.
How does it relate to six?
Viv pinched the bridge of her nose. Did they even have watches? She hadnt seen watches. Farren had asked them to be there half a period after sunrise.
Nevermind. You cover my back. Clear?
What about your beast? The marsh drake.
...
...
Moral support?
You brought her for moral support?
Viv glared at Farren, who bounced nervously from foot to foot.
Look, she imprinted on so she is sticking with and can defend herself, but shes still far too young. Got it?
Alright, alright, its your mission.
Yes, so, we clear on the formation?
Yes.
I will be your shield!
Ok, now for the plan. We go to the entrance and make so noise. The entrance can be used as a chokepoint. We stay there until we run out of hostiles, then move in. Rinse and repeat in every tunnel. If a room leads to two different tunnels besides the entrance one, we will stop and plan. Got it?
I make noise on your command, shaman! Marruk claid. Then, her eyes clouded a bit.
I an, witch.
Its fine. We start by sweeping the periter, errr, the space around the cave. Co on!
Viv directed Marruk to open the way. They took fifteen minutes to strut around and take down the stragglers. Viv let Farren purify the remains of those Marruk had bashed down. The Kark woman fought with simple, economic movents. Her vertical strikes with the mace showed that she had a lot of power. Viv thought that she might never forget the repetitive crunch of crumpled spines for the rest of her life.
Eventually, they made their way back to the entrance, and Marruk stood there looking like a one-woman wall. The entrance was large enough for three strong people to walk abreast, yet sohow, the lone defender seed to occupy the whole space. She looked back and received a confirmation nod from Viv.
The clang of tal on tal resonated ominously in the enclosed space.
Viv felt sothing coming, though she heard nothing.
Marruk looked back with a raised brow.
Another?
No! They are coming. Eyes forward.
The Kark woman blushed furiously.
Danger Sense: Beginner 3
Good, and not a mont too soon. Viv heard a gurgle and reacted automatically.
Nope shield.
A half-circle of void materialized before their vanguard, and the gut spillers bile crashed on it with a vicious hiss.
Gut spiller, be ready, Viv said. She dropped the shield as soon as the attack was over.
A large specin was charging at Marruk, arm extended. Viv took a step to the side just as Marruk slamd up and to the side with her door. The massive weapon wooshed through the air as if it weighed nothing, easily batting the powerful arm aside. It was back in position before their foes had the ti to take a step back. Its malevolent glare, black where Solfis was yellow, shone in the pallid light of the sun. Briefly.
Yoink.
The creature collapsed in itself in a shower of dark ash.
More of them. Hold.
A horde of revenants soon followed. Viv held back a bit just to see how Marruk would fare against the onslaught.
Pretty well as it turned out.
Again, Marruks style was economical, barely letting any part of her body erge from the shields powerful defenses. Skulls were smashed, bodies were bashed, and attacks were interrupted with a perfect sense of timing that spoke of skill and experience both. Viv watched her as for a handful of seconds, Marruk killed. Savaged remains piled at her feet.
True mass yoink.
Viv shivered as powerful mana filled her conduit. Once again, her body was singing with the power that coursed through it just as she knew that it would eventually kill her. It did not matter right now.
They waited a bit. Only a shuffling revenant with no legs crawled forward, quickly slain. He had been too slow to keep up with the rest of the bulk.
Move to the entrance to the next cavern. Steady.
Marruk grunted and moved forward. They walked into the side of the cliff, darkness closing around them until Farren lifted an arm.
Neriad, be the light in our ti of need.
A golden aura shone outward from all three, wait no, four participants.
Squeee!
When did it get there? Farren asked. Viv remained silent as the dragonling climbed on her shoulder and flapped once to stabilize herself. Viv now had a shoulder-mounted, self-propelled dragon, and that was cool as cucumber.
Focus, she ordered everyone including herself, were here. Marruk, bang once.
The door clanged once more. Nothing stirred in the darkness. The cave before them was square and obviously man-made. Whatever furniture or equipnt had been used was long gone. Only the ever-present dust piled in the corners. The light around them easily shone across the space to show a decidedly target-poor environnt.
Hmmm.
There were two passages heading further. One of them was completely obstructed. The other one showed signs of excavation.
Forward and left. Stop at the entrance of the tunnel.
Another grunt. They moved slowly with Viv standing back and to the side. She saw that the excavation had been made by sothing with sharp claws, and large hands. At least four to five tis the size of human ones.
Viv looked at the tracks and thought to herself, Well, thats not
Sothing surged from the darkness and struck Marruk as Viv hastened her thoughts. By so supre instinct, the Kark woman managed to angle the door to deflect a vicious swipe that sent sparks flying. The odious shriek of tortured steel rang like thunder on a blue sky. anwhile, Viv was already moving.
A spear of pure darkness shot forward, thick as a forearm. The overcharged spell stabbed at the attacker and missed.
The spear, still linked to Vivs closed fist, angled up and right. It struck an arm. Viv felt as much as saw a humanoid form covered in plates, half crawler and half sothing else.
She connected and flooded the creatures conduits. They were titanic. After hundreds of victims, killing with yoink had been like exploding a balloon with the stream from a garden hose. Now, it was like filling a tub.
And she did.
Without thought, overwhelming power invaded the creatures network, claiming the black and making it hers. The color sang in her core and in her mind, eager to carry out her will. It rampaged through the foreign conduits without restraint. The dire violation sent a tremor through the attacked limb. A second spell lashed out just as the target was retreating.
The creature seized the captured arm and ripped it off. It used the severed limb to intercept the second spell and ran backward, just as Marruks mace whistled through the air. The amputated arm turned to ash.
Then the creature was gone.
Orrak Makthun!
Neriads cock
Bordel de rde.
Squeeeee!
As one man, the living visitors of the cave expressed their dismay. Farren and Viviane swore the loudest.
[Nascent Necrarch: Extrely dangerous, this creature is in the process of evolving into a Necrarch, the most powerful of all natural undead. Although weakened during the transformation, it remains a suprely dangerous existence, capable of clawing through heavy armor.]
The golden sheen around Marruks shield had faded. In its stead, four diagonal tracks had sliced through wood and reinforced steel alike. Only the dense structure of the door knocker had held long enough to prevent the Kark woman from having her arm shredded.
What. In Enttikkus hallowed na. Was that? Marruk asked in a clipped voice. She was breathing heavily, and Viv suspected that her uncanny parry had co at the cost of stamina.
Farren took a step back and sat heavily.
That is the apex existence of the deadlands in the making. A nascent Necrarch. I dont think we can defeat it, despite Bobs tily spells. Well done, by the way. I thought we were done for, for sure.
It was closer than I hoped. Are we going after that thing?
//Before you continue this discussion, we may want to solve the current problem.
Three people jumped a bit, then Farren swore when he realized that Solfis was standing at their back, as if he had been there all along. He was near the entrance, slightly to the side.
When did you get here? Viv asked.
//At the sa ti as him, Your Grace.
Solfis yellow glare turned to the side, where there was nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
Youd better show yourself, Irao, Farren said.
A shape erged from the wall. Well, not literally. Before there was a wall, and now there was a shape. Viv could scarcely believe her eyes as they processed what could only be qualified as a fucking ninja.
Really.
Black armor wrapped around a thin, lanky build. It looked like a person, if a slightly anorexic one. And just a little crooked. In fact, every aspect of the man disturbed Viv at a fundantal level. His proportions skirted the edge of human limits, and she found herself taking a step back.
[Obfuscated: your inspection skill is being blocked.]
That didnt bode well.
Farren precluded any complaint by waving his hand.
Not a danger, nothing will happen as long as I am not hard. Everybody, stay calm.
Marruk kept her shield angled towards where the undead abomination had disappeared, but it was clear that she was feeling ambivalent about the whole bullshit and her frantic eyes jumped from one deadly thing to another.
Squee!
Viv patted Arthurs chest and decided to act decisively.
Marruk, watch the tunnel. Block it with your shield.
The Kark woman nodded and approached the opening with Viv as backup. The value of the door proved itself when it was used as an actual door. The way was blocked. The nascent Necrarch would have to ram through it and Marruks sturdy fra to escape. Viv made sure to stay around.
Okay. Farren, who, what, and why?
Irao is here for my protection. He will only act to defend . Wont you Irao?
The shapes attention was fixed on Solfis who was not moving at all. Only Viv knew that the Golems reserves were very low and that even idleness was too dangerous to sustain.
The silence grew uncomfortable.
Irao is fine, I promise. He is not the best with people. I suggest that both him and your is that truly a golem?
//I am Solfis, little man.
//You may think that you are protected by your assassin friend.
//You are wrong.
//Tricks and deceptions are of no use against .
//TRY , AND DIE.
Perhaps it would be best if the two of you waited by the sled, Viv suggested. Now was not the ti for explanations.
Okay so yes, Irao is an assassin, but I swear on Neriads na that I did not intend to hurt you in any way. He is just insurance.
Huh. It was really unambiguous as far as oaths were concerned. Viv shook her head.
Fine, but we can talk later. For now, fall back. We wont be long.
A nascent ravager is a dangerous adversary, even with your abilities, Bob.
I dont intend to face it.
Ah, of course. Naturally, I would not expect you to assault such a foe in its very lair.
Ah, nah. What I an is that I dont intend to walk down there. Solfis, how deep would you say that thing goes?
//From the blocked off right-hand cavern entrance, I can extrapolate enough to make the following statent.
//The nascent necrarch has dug a path that is no less than ten paces, and no more than twenty paces deep.
Just the right size then. Marruk, cover . And you guys fuck off.
Viv was about to send a blight that would go through that tunnel like a laxative through a big intestine. Shit would get real.
Can I stay and watch, please? We will behave. I swear it on Neriad.
Ok then. Solfis, stand down, and you? Shut the fuck up.
Solfis returned to his more compact form and Farren stepped back to the entrance with his secret bodyguard or sothing in tow. It was ti for Viv to violate the Geneva Convention on the use of chemical weapons and, by God, she was looking forward to it.
Strands of black mana gathered in front of her core. She could have made it appear in her hand but it made no difference and she found it fancier. The orb grew to the size of a tennis ball, both incredibly dense and weightless. She infused it with the idea of destruction. It had beco easier to do, and she was tempted to add another rune than just spread. She refrained, however. Now was not the ti to experint. Instead, she charged it as much as she could. Soon, her breath hastened under the pressure of the spell. Her head tingled. It was ti.
Blight.
Just like last ti, the globe of darkness expanded into an impenetrable cloud that covered the entire tunnel. A furious hiss soon surrounded Viv as the deleterious mana scathed the walls on its way down.
Marruk voiced her worries.
How do we know if sothing sothing dead? she asked. Viv could not understand the words she had used, but she got the gist of it and soon, Marruk had her answer.
They heard a roar of anger, then a shriek of pain, then silence for a few seconds. The shriek resud, and turned frantic. Finally, there was an ear-splitting, maddening trill that ended into a gurgled whisper. When silence finally descended a mont later, no one reacted.
Should we check if its dead? Farren asked in a small voice.
Its dead, his companion comnted drily. He had a raspy voice, as if his throat had been damaged by smoke.
Without a word, the assassin walked back to the entrance and disappeared. Solfis tracked sothing Viv could not see for a few monts, then his eyes dimd.
Wow. I had no idea soone so early on her path could unleash such devastation.
Viv wheeled around like a dervish, her gaze now drilling through Farrens apologetic expression.
Ok, enough bullshit. Explanation ti. Why was there an assassin on my back?
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