Chereads / Eclipse of the Magi / Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: The Artifact for the Dead

Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: The Artifact for the Dead

It was dark. Darker than what anyone expected. Not even a hint of light was enough to properly illuminate their scenario, forcing the two to walk blindly in it. They were cautious in their steps, careful in the act to not alarm or run into any other mounds of flesh that was once adventurers in the Dragon's Den. It was also quiet, to a point where a mere pin would trigger a reaction, and being evident by the creatures when they first evaded them, It would showcase their acuteness in finding the children, and god knows what else they'd do at that point. Zazel would somewhat shiver at the thought of being captured by those things, whatever they were.

Primarily as means of conversation, they'd try to gesture hand signs to indicate where they should go and what they should do. Harvard would start by extending the light source a few inches away, so that it covers what's in front of them, followed by an "Ok" hand sign to let Zazel know when to continue. Vice versa when Zazel takes the lead, primarily in the sides to alert the Card Magician regarding of any fleshy mounds. It was slow, it was gradual, and it was also suspenseful. They positioned their movements in a way to not contract any sound, with Harvard even having to take off his own shoes and socks due to the echo from his very steps. Closely, they were in a single line, looking for at the very least a hint of their progress.

As luck would have it, after trekking alongside the caves for what they felt like hours, that hint would appear before them: A Faint light deep in the caverns, guarded by what seemed to be a fleshy blob equivalent of a man. His armor rusted away to time, and his bones sticking out of the padding. Oddly, it has a functioning blue eye that stared down towards the children, but was sound asleep. Dust and debris clogged up their mangled and burnt skin, only covered by the metallic rust the armor provides. The children quietly moved away from that man, following the light, which never seemed to get any brighter the closer they get there. A sigil was placed as a platform to try and reach out towards that light from Zazel, cautiously maneuvering it so that it can scoop up the source and bring it back without much issue.

Sure enough, after patience, diligence, and accuracy, they mantled the artifact. The children would be overjoyed, silently dancing to themselves, before planning to reel in the item. Unfortunately, that item was being held by something. Zazel, with a curious expression, kept tugging at the item. No response. He'd then try to apply force onto the object by angling the sigil in a way where it cuts off whatever it is tethered to. No response. "This is getting ridiculous" Zazel mouthed, not trying to speak before silently approaching the source, reaching out and grabbing ahold of the item, pulling hard at it so that it can be released.

Harvard would follow suit, trusting Zazel's choice in this manner, despite knowing something bad may happen here. They grasped the handle of the candle firmly, a strong, sturdy step on the cavern's flooring, as they'd began to pull. As the Duo tugged and pulled, practically trying to rip apart what binds them, it would eventually snap, granting them the object, but with an extra item. It was mesmerizing to look at for the children: A candle. A candle with a wax-like hand serving as its base, black as night with only a white flame. The design of the candelabrum was macabre at its finest, insignia's of skulls and bones on its base and stem, the arms being of proper skeletal arms which firmly grasps the candles as a whole, and holding a single letter on its knob: V. What came alongside with the candle, however, was of a fleshy, pulsating mouth, biting into the base of it all. Such a sight scared the daylights out of the two, screaming and jumping back, dropping the very candelabrum and causing another loud clanging sound. Such sounds would awaken the very dead, as well as causing the mouth to be pulled back, the deceased mass being awakened from its immoral slumber.

Harvard and Zazel has made a big mistake, and they know it well. The area around them fully illuminates, the candle burning brighter and brighter as it showcases such magic. The creature that held onto such an artifact was a large mound of flesh, appendages sticking out of its skin-like mass, mouths and eyes scattered across its lumpy body, and all of it being piloted by what seemed to be a nerve system centered on the top of the body, being a figure bound by those nerves as if it was its own brain. "Uh oh.." They would utter, believing it would be their last words, as a gut wrenching howl was blared across the two of them, reaching their appendages out in try to grab and possibly strangle them for trespassing in such a tomb. It was famished. It was cold. It was hungry.

Had Zazel not come prepared with his sigil, They would have been done in, as he would retract it and, combined with Harvard's Light spell, cause a searing heat and radiance combo that stunned the undead, for at least a brief set of moments. Harvard would jump back from the Behemoth, planning to face against the horde that is coming rapidly from behind. "I'll take on the swarm! You deal with the big guy and get that candelabrim thingy!" Harvard would state, preparing as many spells as possible

"Right!" Zazel would respond, doing the same but with his sigils. With such a plan in mind, and with their first proper fight underway, they face eye to eye with the behemoth, prepared to properly take it all down for good, giving them all the rest they forever wanted.