The salt-tinged air of the seashore gave way to the dank, moldy scent of the tomb as Jayce descended into the shadowy depths of the castle. The stone stairs that took Jayce deeper had a wall on one side, but the other side was open to a dark chasm.
In one hand, he held a crudely forged iron dagger, its edge glinting menacingly in the flickering torchlight. In the other, a fire torch, its flames casting dancing shadows on the rough stone walls.
As he ventured deeper into the tomb, the air grew colder, the silence more oppressive. The torchlight flickered off the wet stone. Every footfall echoed ominously through the cavernous space, a chilling reminder of the desolation that surrounded him.
Suddenly, a rustling sound broke the silence. Out of the shadows, they came - the Tomb Walkers. Eight grotesque, skeletal creatures, their bodies twisted by the ambient magic that clung to the burial places of magic-users like Leblanc. Their eyes glowed with an unholy light, and they moved with a predatory grace.
Jayce maintained his spot, his heart thumping in his chest.
He took a rock and tossed it at one of them and it avoided nimbly with remarkable reflexes. "So I can't just run past you huhn?" Jayce said.
Jayce was adjusting his posture and took a combat stance when noticed a fleeting hesitation in their approach, an instinctive aversion to the flame in his hand. "Are you serious right now?!" Jayce said as we waved the torch in a wide arc which made them instinctively flinched. Jayce smiled. "I am the worst opponent you could possibly face."
Seizing the opportunity, Jayce drew a deep breath and channeled his magic, releasing a burst of fire from his mouth. The intense heat and light drove back the Tomb Walkers, their unearthly cries echoing through the chamber.
However, the Tomb Walkers didn't go too far and continued to circle Jayce from a safe distance but with the path now clear, Jayce hurried towards the main burial chamber. It was a vast room, its walls lined with weapons of all kinds, their cold steel gleaming in the torchlight. Yet, one weapon, in particular, drew his attention.
Taking the torch to see it more clearly, a sign above it said, "Morning Star".
The Morning Star. Its dark metal seemed to absorb the light, and as Jayce touched it, the weapon lit up with a soft glow, revealing intricate inscriptions etched into its surface.
Jayce's heart pounded in his chest as he recognized the markings. They were a spell written in latin which translated to;
"Storm's fury, lightning summoned, unleashed,
Nature's wrath, in skies, a dance untamed."
Summoning his courage, Jayce began to speak the words aloud. As he did, the Morning Star began to hum with energy, its glow intensifying as the air crackled with anticipation.
Then, with a deafening roar, the spell was unleashed. A storm of electrical energy erupted from the weapon, illuminating the tomb with a blinding light. The power, aptly named "Thunderstorm," was unleashed, its raw energy pulsing through the chamber. The Tomb Walkers recoiled, their cries of anguish swallowed by the thunderous noise.
As Jayce made his way back to the Captain, the Morning Star safely sheathed at his belt, he found his path obstructed by two individuals. One was a towering figure with a scar etched across his left eye, while the other bore intricate tattoos on his face. The tattooed man sneered, his voice laced with disdain, "So you're the replacement for Varus. You don't look like a whole lot."
The larger man, named Sett, dismissed Jayce with a scoff. "He's not worth our time, Sion. Let's just kill him and be done with it."
Sion, the tattooed man, hastily interjected, attempting to dissuade his companion. "Sion, not inside the castle walls," he cautioned, shifting his gaze towards Jayce. "Outright killing a trialist for the order is frowned upon, but people tend to go missing a lot in this castle. Better watch your back."
Jayce stood his ground, his resolve unwavering, refraining from reaching for his newfound weapon. "Are you the one who's going to kill me? I must say, I'm not impressed."
Sion and Sett scowled in response, their expressions etched with frustration, before turning on their heels and departing, leaving Jayce to continue his journey with a heightened sense of caution.