What passes for morning soon arrives and the group was ready to set off. The wolves were rather glad about this as they had felt rather bored for the last two weeks. They had patrolled the area dutifully, but the area they had came to seemed to be a safe zone that the Skeletons would not approach.
Beka had dutifully gathered two canteens worth of water, so they did not have to worry about supplies for the time being. They had found that a mouthful of the water from the fountain was as filling as an entire meal, so they had enough to last them for several days.
Cyan counted the sixty arrows he had on him. They were carried in 3 different quivers. This number was enough as to not be a burden to him, and hopefully enough for an encounter. If they broke it would be alright, as there would be more than enough enemies to loot from.
He took a final look back at the safety of the room they had been staying in for the last half month. He had a resolute look on his face as he once again looked down the dimly lit corridor. Only by advancing could they clear this dungeon. Silently he ordered the pack to take the front, they would serve as scouts as they advanced, Beka would stay beside him until she was needed.
They advanced for around 500 yards before they encountered the first group of skeletons. Luckily their easy no mages in this batch. Staying out of their agro range, Cyan watched as Beka used her stealth to advance on the creatures. Her figure soon disappeared into the shadows. Moments later the first of the Skeletons fell, and once again Beka shifted into the Darkness. This group of skeletons only had a small number, consisting of 5 archers. After the second one fell the wolves charged towards them, skillfully dodging their hails of arrows.
Cyan managed to shoot three arrows before they wolves had arrived. The first arrow passed harmlessly through the enemies rib cage, The second bouncing harmlessly of the wall behind them. The final arrow managed to strike the archers neck, bursting through the bone sending the head flying. He smiled to himself as he saw the training he had put himself through began to show some effects. He was far from a godly archer, but he believed he wouldn't be too much of a hindrance to the group.
The wolves finished off the remaining two skeletons in a few moments, Leaving a very silence in the empty corridor. Cyan approached the corpses, retrieving 3 arrows he looked at the group. "We Did good on that group, Beka you were on point with your sudden strikes, and the pack acted flawlessly. The weak point is my archery, but it has definitely improved since our last encounter."
With his analysis of the battle over they quickly moved on. The next two groups they encountered similarly lacked mages, and the battle was rather anticlimactic. Cyan continued to hit with one of his three arrows on the moving skeletons, though he failed to take one out as he had done with the first encounter.
the Fourth encounter was dahen their luck seemed to run out. They encountered a large group of the Skeletons, and there was a mage. Chica sent mentally that there were a total of 12 skeletons, 11 archers and one mage. There was a similar formation as to their last encounter with a mage, except there were a few differences. The V formation was filled out, making a total of 7 archers with the mage in the middle. The remaining archers moved in two groups of 2, Apparently acting as scouts for the main group.
The group discussed strategy. Eventually the decided to Have Cyan shoot from around a corner at one of the groups of scouts to draw attention, while Beka would sneak around the distracted group to attack from behind. After discussing strategy they sent it into motion.
Cyan got into position, near the corner that turned towards the group of skeletons. Beka entered stealth and slowly crept up on the skeletons. Before the mage could notice her presence Cyan fired a shot at the nearest scouting party, His arrows missed his target, but by some random chance managed to Impale the head of its partner. The scout immediately turned towards the direction of the arrow, even as its partner fell dead on the ground.
The skeleton advanced towards the corner, its bow drawn as it approached. Behind it the group squad of skeletons paid careful attention to the advancing scout, as the other group of scouts began to inch forward as well. The skeleton turned the corner. only to be met by a giant psw that slammed into its skull, throwing the skeleton back against the adjacent wall. The skeleton fell to the floor, the impact stunning it momentarily. It did not have time to recover as an arrow pierced its skull, destroying its center of "life".
Cyan could feel a change welling up in him, and could not resist the urge to continue shooting. He knocked an arrow, quickly turning the corner as he fired towards the closest of the scouts. His arrow struck its skull, sending it falling backwards into its teammate. He let another arrow fly before he ducked behind the corner again. He heard the sound of the arrow slamming to the wall inwardly grieved for his missed shot.
Backing up he got away from the corner, knowing that he would once again be attacked. He did not have to wait long as the skeleton fired before it had even turned the corner, slamming into where he had previously stood. The last thing the skeleton saw his his wolfy grin as an arrow punctured the back its skull, entering in through its empty eye socket.
In the distance the sounds of bones falling to the stone floor could be heard. Thirty seconds later the sound once again sounded. Two down He thought as he poked his head around the corner.
Most of the skeleton squad was no longer advancing towards him as it had turned to look the other direction, however the previous head of the formation was watching his direction, launching an arrow once it saw his giant head. Cyan cursed as he saw the mages exposed back, but was forced back around the corner. the Arrow embedded itself into the wall behind him.
Left with no choice, Cyan knocked an arrow as he rolled out from his cover. He fired as soon as he was on his feet, the arrow flying towards the head of the mage. At the same time he ordered the pack to advance on the skeletons, worried about Beka's safety. The mage did not react as the archer facing him blocked the attack with his bow, deflecting the arrow.
Cursing again he sent another arrow flying, this time at the exposed back of one of the archers. The attack struck and the archer fell to the floor. Cyan was once again forced to dodge as an arrow came flying towards him.
The two archers continued to exchange arrows as they pack approached. When they had entered aggro range 3 of the remaining archers turned towards them, sending arrows flying without hesitation. Two of the three arrows shot missed, The third piercing into Pugsly's shoulder. He fell to the floor with a whimper, tumbling forwards.
Ignoring the lead most archer who was targeting him, Cyan began to fire at the archer who had stuck his pack member, rage filling his eyes as his arrows flew. His attack speed seemed to increase and the details around him growing more vivid. The arrows the Skeletal archers sent seemed to be moving slower as they flew through the air, though still far to fast for him to do anything about it. Hastily he unsommoned the pack, their bodies disappearing as three more arrows landed on the spot Pugsly had previously been laying. Only then did his arrow land, splitting the skull of one of the skeletons in two.
Cyan did not hesitate as he continued to Fire his arrows. each of them hitting their mark as the other 3 archers fell. The mage finally turned towards him, small flames could be seen flowing from its hand as it sent a fireball in his location. He rolled to the right, halfway avoiding the ball as it scorched his right side. The worst of it was the sudden light caused him to be dazed, disoriented the staggered around, Covering his head with his arms, he prepared himself for the next strike.
The strike never came, his blurry vision witnessed the mage fall to a brief silver flash. The remaining archer did not have time to react as a slim winged figure continually struck at it with her katana.