As the horde of undead closed in around them, Simon felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. With each step they took, the relentless tide of zombies and poltergeists seemed to grow thicker, their numbers swelling until they were surrounded on all sides by a sea of writhing corpses and ghostly apparitions.
"We're running out of options," Thaddeus shouted above the clamor of battle, his voice tinged with urgency as he swung his sword in wide arcs, fending off the advancing horde with practiced skill.
Simon nodded grimly, his mind racing as he searched for a way to turn the tide of battle in their favor. Then, as if by instinct, he felt the familiar warmth of his magic stirring within him, urging him to take action.
"Follow me," Simon called out to his companions, his voice steady despite the chaos unfolding around them. "I have an idea."
With a flick of his wrist, Simon conjured a ball of flames in his palm, the searing heat of the fire crackling in the air as it danced at his command. With a deep breath, he focused his energy, shaping the flames into the form of a majestic phoenix—a creature of pure fire and light.
As the phoenix took flight, its wings beating against the air with a fierce intensity, Simon felt a surge of power coursing through him. With each beat of the phoenix's wings, the undead horde was pushed back, their advance halted by the searing heat and blinding light of the fiery creature.
"Keep moving!" Simon shouted to his companions, his voice barely audible above the roar of flames and the cacophony of battle. "We have to reach the cathedral!"
With the phoenix leading the way, they pressed forward, their hearts pounding in their chests as they fought tooth and nail against the relentless onslaught of the undead. But even as they pushed onward, Simon could feel the strain of his magic taking its toll, the flames flickering and waning as his energy began to wane.
"We're almost there," Alaric called out, his voice filled with determination as they drew closer to the looming silhouette of the cathedral on the horizon.
But just as they reached the steps leading up to the cathedral's entrance, disaster struck. With a deafening roar, the phoenix's flames suddenly faltered, its form flickering and fading as Simon's energy reached its limit. And as the flames died away, the horde of undead surged forward once more, their ranks closing in around the intruders with renewed ferocity.
"We can't hold them off much longer," Thaddeus shouted, his voice strained with exertion as he swung his sword in wide arcs, fending off the advancing zombies with desperate determination.
Simon gritted his teeth, his mind racing as he searched for a way to turn the tide of battle in their favor. Then, with a sudden burst of inspiration, he remembered the words of the prophecy—the boy and the dragon who would unite to save the world.
With a fierce determination burning in his eyes, Simon raised his hands to the sky, summoning forth the last reserves of his magic. And as he called out the ancient words of power, a brilliant light filled the air, illuminating the cathedral in a dazzling display of fire and light.
With a deafening roar, a massive phoenix erupted from the flames, its wings outstretched as it soared through the air with a grace and majesty that defied description. And as the undead horde recoiled in terror, Simon and his companions seized the opportunity to make their escape, racing up the steps of the cathedral and disappearing into the safety of its shadowed halls.
But even as they fled from the carnage behind them, Simon knew that their journey was far from over. For the crypt held many secrets, and the darkness that lurked within its depths would not be so easily defeated. With a heavy heart, he steeled himself for the trials that lay ahead, knowing that only by facing their fears head-on could they hope to emerge victorious in the end.