REVILED

Horrific shrieking echoed off the sewer walls. Bones crunched and blood flew, the bodies of monstrous rats painted the stone walkways. The fighting was accompanied by a high-pitched, chaotic wail that assaulted the ears. Urielle slapped one of the rats away into the canal, but the creature crawled back up and hissed at her.

The rats were the size of dogs with razor sharp teeth and beady black eyes. Bone plates jutted out of their heads and around their ears. Sharp bony spikes ran down their spines and their tails ended with similar spiny protrusions. Oily, green saliva seeped from their mouth, and it filled the tunnels with a scent that made her nauseous.

“Warrior’s Dance!” Urielle felt divine and fire mana flow into her. The magic sent warmth throughout her body, and her mind felt unburdened by the obnoxious tune that plagues them.

The rat jumped forward, but Urielle glided to the side. Her skirt fanned outward catching the monster’s attention, and she effortlessly slapped it with the butt of her staff. The rat screeched in pain as it flew across the tunnel. It hit the wall, leaving blood stains as it fell, but it limped onto its feet with a weak growl.

“Magus Fire!” Elizar clapped his hands, and five orbs of bright orange flames surrounded him.

The flames shot towards the three remaining rats, each erupting in a pillar that filled the tunnel with warmth. When the flames died down, all that was left were piles of ashes. Everyone stood there panting.

Urielle felt her spell wear off, and once again the shrill tune grated her ears. Her right arm twitched violently with each note, and she noticed that the others had similar ticks. Giale grounded his teeth together and the veins in his forehead looked ready to burst. Even the stalwart Torrn couldn’t stop himself from tapping his shield against the ground.

“Dammit, make it stop!” Giale snapped looking at the mage. “Isn’t there something you can do?”

Elizar shook his head. “No, I need to see the target for my Silence spell to work.”

Giale screamed, grabbing his head. “The Harlot’s loose- “

“Giale, enough!” Urielle sneered, holding her right arm. “Do not mention the Dead Gods, it’ll only draw their attention.” Giale glared at her, but kept his mouth shut.

Halligan poked at one of the dead rats with his sword. “I’ve never seen this kind of monster before. What about any of you?” The paladins shook their heads.

“It reminds me of the monsters I saw in the Wight King’s army.” Urielle approached him. “Isn’t there a spell behind this transformation?”

“Evolutionary Transmutation.” Elizar sighed. His ears twitched when the tune produced an abnormally shrill pitch. “One of the darkest of spells the Dead Gods taught mankind, and I would say is the cause behind these rats’ strange appearance.”

“Where would the monster have learned such a spell?” Halligan said.

“Most likely from the Tome of Elithis.” Elizar cracked his neck and sighed in relief. “The chances of it learning the spell from anywhere else is nearly impossible.”

Halligan scratched his head. “So, it must have learned the spell when the Tome was in Decker’s possession.” Elizar nodded in agreement.

Movement caught Urielle’s attention. Sitting in the shadows under a pipe was a small black rat, it’s red eyes staring at them with malicious glee. She shot a bolt of divine magic at the rat, and it dissipated into black smoke.

“Reviled Legion is watching us.” She sneered. “We should get moving.”

Torrn took point as they continued down the wall. The shrill tune seemed to weaken as they went further down the tunnel, and they all released a big sigh. It was still there but it wasn’t nearly as egregious as before, and it only left them mildly annoyed. That is until they ran into a wall.

The air suddenly became chilly, and their breath turned to steam. The walls were coated in a thin layer of frost, and in front of them was a thick wall of ice barring their way. Their aggravated sighs echoed throughout the tunnel.

“Let me see if I can do something about it.” Elizar stepped forward and rubbed his hands together. “Blazing Resonance!”

The air around them quickly grew warm, and water slowly dripped down the sides of the ice wall. Then the water immediately froze again, and the frost on the wall started spreading towards them. Halligan pulled Elizar back as the ice overtook the spot where he used to be.

“Damn it, let me try something else.” Elizar shook his arms and shoulders. “Thunderclap!” He clapped his hands together. The sound reverberated loudly through the air causing the party to cover their ears. Dust shook off the walls and ceiling, but the ice wall stood strong. “This is… quite the conundrum.” Elizar scratched his chin.

“I thought you were supposed to be a master wizard.” Niel chuckled, which earned Elizar’s stern glare.

“I’m not a wizard.” Elizar snapped. “I’m no where near their level of expertise, but I am a high-ranking mage.” He looked at the wall defeated. “But clearly, I have met my match.”

“We’ll find another way around Elizar.” Halligan gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. “We’ll just… have to go back.” Everyone groaned in pain as they turned around.

They continued down the tunnels and past the site of their former battle. The tune that echoed through the tunnels had wrecked their nerves, and they flinched at every strange sound. Yet, the silence felt deafening.

“Wait, does anyone hear that?” Urielle looked around suspiciously.

“I don’t hear anything.” Regald said.

“Exactly.” Urielle gestured for them to stop. “That tune isn’t playing anymore.”

“Thank the Virtues.” Giale laughed. “I can finally hear myself think.”

“But why did it stop?” Emir scratched his chin in concern.

Halligan gestured forward. “The only way for us to find out is to keep going.”

Eirgnon growled in disappointment. He had wasted precious energy to make that ice wall, thinking that the elderly warlock could possibly destroy it, but instead, his spells barely damaged it.

“Pathetic.” Eirgnon huffed as he pushed the wooden piece marking the heroes location down the path they were supposed to take.

“What… is?”

Eirgnon spine went straight at the heavenly voice, and he swallowed hard as he turned around. Mina laid against Lord Reviled as the monster wiped the sweat from her head and neck. Her deep breaths caused her chest to bounce, and her robes were open enough to show the silky wrap binding her chest. Eirgnon’s fangs itched, desperately wanting to bite into her delicate porcelain skin, and his tongue longed to run along her flesh, licking at the sweat pooling between her breasts. However, the intense crimson stare of his lord kept him in check.

“I-I was talking about the mage.” Eirgnon cleared his throat. “This age of peace has stripped the casters of their power.” He skirted around her, taking quick glances. “A true shame. During my time, warlocks were trying to usurp their peers place which resulted in us being far more powerful.”

“That’s because in this age, casters are more focused on understanding the laws of magic, rather than bending it to their will.” Reviled chuckled, wrapping Mina in a protective embrace. “However, you shouldn’t underestimate them Eirgnon. Their understanding allows them to create new spells faster than the warlocks of old.”

“I shall heed your advice my lord.” Eirgnon bowed. “Still, I feel this farce has reached its end. With your permission, my guard and I shall dispose of these foolish assailants, while you tend to Lady Mina.”

“Then go, and do not disappoint us.”

Eirgnon bowed deeply then turned to Skivret. “I shall leave the defense of our camp to you.” He gave Skivret a condescending smirk. “You can manage that right?”

“You’re the one fighting the heroes.” Skivret growled. His squad of soldiers glared at the diluvian. “They may scar that disgusting face of yours.”

Eirgnon scoffed as he and his guards left the makeshift camp. He held out his hands, and green smoke seeped from the ends of his long sleeves. The smoke transformed into a swarm of gnats, their wings angrily buzzing, and they dispersed throughout the tunnels.

“What is your plan, master?” one of the guards said.

“This is my chance to show Lord Reviled my true power.” Eirgnon chuckled as he touched his face. “Transmutation!”

He pulled at the flesh on his face, and it came free in large chunks. The intense, searing pain of death sent shivers down his spine. Who knew that there could be such pleasure in pain? His flesh continued to fall away, and his eyes melted in their sockets. With a sickening splash coming from his heart striking the ground, his transformation into a lich was complete.

Eirgnon’s mind finally felt clear without the carnal desires of the flesh muddying his thoughts. “Come.” His cold, emotionless voice projected into the air. “We must prepare.”

Eirgnon’s glided down the tunnels with his bones clacking the entire way. His guard remained dutifully quiet as they followed. Had he still been a diluvian, he would have felt proud, instead all he felt was indifferent. They stepped into a large, half-filled reservoir. A tunnel was right in front of them with another on the other side to their right. At the bottom, countless bones rested.

“You two, man the flood gates.” Eirgnon pointed to the two closest guards. “I don’t want to flood Lord Reviled.”

“Flood, master?”

“Yes.”

Eirgnon felt his familiars draw on his magic as they built more ice walls throughout the sewers as he held out his hands, grasping at the flows of water, wind, and fire mana. Slowly, he knotted the flows together into a ball above the city. He bound more flows to the ever-growing ball, however, a few escaped his grasp. It didn’t matter. He simply needed to grab them before they got away.

Countless minutes passed and the sunlight seeping through the sewer grates dimmed, until the sewers reached a level of darkness that appeared only at night. Thunder clashed outside, and the pattering of rain could be heard from above.

Eirgnon struggled to add more mana to his spell. “Deluge!” Thunder shook the sewers, and an increasingly rapid stream of water poured in through the grates. “It seems my powers have diminished. I must speak with Lord Reviled about reviving the old ways.” He stared at the opening across from them. “Now, we wait.”

Torrn vigilantly stared off into the darkness with his back turned towards his fellows. The tunnels were still silent, which made him feel more anxious. However, he stood ready.

“Torrn, you should rest.” Saint Urielle smiled brightly and gestured for him to sit down.

“I’m fine, my lady.” He said stoically. “You all rest while I cover you.”

“Is it against your doctrine to relax?” Halligan asked after taking a drink.

“When others are relying on us, yes.” Torrn replied. “We are like the watchtower, strong and vigilant. Our faith never wavering. Our devotion a light to those behind our walls. Now take up thy shield, bulwark of Rook’hym, and stand against the darkness.” He gave them a small smile. “That is the oath I took, so as long as I am here, I will protect you.”

“Way to make us all look bad.” Emir chuckled. “Some of us are simple scholars you know.”

“That’s on you.” Torrn smirked. The laughter helped ease their tensions, but the thunder broke through camaraderie. “We should get moving.”

“Agreed.” Elizar stood with cracking bones. “If it starts to rain too hard, then the flood gates will open, flooding this part of the sewers.”

Torrn took the lead. “It didn’t look like it was going to rain.” Urielle sighed. “There wasn’t a cloud in the sky.”

The passed by a sewer grate and Elizar started stuttering. “What is that?” His mouth hung open.

“I just see the clouds.” Giale looked up into the sky. “Although, the clouds are acting weird.”

“What do you see Elizar?” Halligan touched the old man’s shoulder.

“A ball of mana forming above the city!” Elizar stammered in fear. “I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s massive!”

“We should hurry and get out of here.” Torrn snapped. “Our enemy is doing something, and I doubt we want to be here when it happens.”

They ran down the tunnels, their footsteps being drowned out by the occasional clap of thunder. They came to a four-way intersection and turned the corner, only to run into another ice wall. As they turned around, another ice wall appeared behind them. Leaving only two tunnels available. Rain started pouring into the tunnel, and the canal quickly filled.

“Dammit!” Elizar sneered at the two walls. “I don’t like this.”

The water started spilling onto the walkway. “We shouldn’t stand around. Which way to the closest exit!”

Emir’s arms shook as he checked the map. “The walls blocking it!” he pointed down the tunnel to their right. “That way leads deeper into the sewers, so we should go down the other tunnel. Maybe we can loop back around.”

They continued forward, but the water started to reach up to their calves. The water started flowing against them causing them to exert more effort with each step. As they came to another intersections, their hopes were dashed as another set of ice walls blocked their path. A deep rumbling echoed through the tunnels in front of them.

“Quick, everyone get close to me!” Urielle cried. When everyone was close, she held up her staff. “Divine Ward!” The golden shield surrounded them as the roaring grew louder.

A wall of water rushed towards them and struck the shield. The force shattered the golden energy, and they were all swept away. Torrn held his shield tightly as the water slammed him into the wall, and he tumbled along with the sewage. He dare not open his eyes, but he felt something grab onto his leg. It gave two sharp tugs before it wrapped around his body. The rushing water continued to deafen him, and he withheld his screams every time he struck the stone walls and walkway. His lungs burned for air, and when his head broke through to the surface, he took a deep breath. Torrn opened his eyes and noticed the large rectangular room before them.

“Barrier!” He struck the golden square hard and pulled himself up. It was then that he noticed Emir, Regald, and Niel were holding onto him in a human chain. “Is everyone alright?” he coughed for air.

The other paladins pulled themselves up onto the barrier. “What do you think? We nearly drowned!” Emir shouted over the rushing water.

“Where are the others?” Niel looked around. They all looked around, but couldn’t see any signs of Halligan, Urielle, Giale, or Elizar.

“I don’t know but we should-“ Regald suddenly sunk into the water.

“Virtues, what hap- “ Niel and Emir both sank into the murky water with a yelp.

Torrn gasped as something grabbed onto his leg and tried to pull him into the water, but he desperately held onto the edges of his barrier. He dragged himself and a rotting skeleton out of the water. The skeleton gnashed its teeth as it crawled towards. Torrn roared as he kicked at the skeleton, and its head went flying across the room, smashing against the wall. Panting, Torrn rose to his feet.

“Blessed Armaments!” Torrn drew his mace, and it started glowing with divine energy. He took a deep breath and dove into the water.

The three other paladins struggled against a writhing mass of skeletons. The skeletons wrapped their fingers around the paladins’ necks, and they were trying to pry open their mouths. Torrn hit the bottom and raised his mace.

The skeletons shattered as the blessed mace struck. Bone fragments and rotting flesh floated to the surface, and Torrn tore his allies free from the grasps of the undead. The three other paladins swam to the metal rungs on the side of the reservoir and started climbing up. Torrn expelled a small breath as he followed, and as soon as his head broke through, he took a deep breath.

The others helped him onto the stone walkways. “Is anyone hurt?” Torrn coughed, wiping the water off his face.

“We’re fine, thanks for saving us.” Niel chuckled, slapping the shield bearer on the back. “We should try and find the others.”

“Sever!”

Torrn screamed. His shield fell to the ground, and blood shot out of his arm. His hand and wrist sat on the floor next to his feet. A skeleton stepped out of the darkness. Sickly green energy burned in its eye sockets as it stared at the paladins. Six black armored knights stood behind the undead, each had their weapons drawn. The walkway was only wide enough for three.

“Kill them.” The lich ordered, and the black knights charged forward.

“Divine Ward!” Black swords struck the golden shield causing it to crack as the paladins drew their weapons.

“Heal!” Niel placed a hand on Torrn’s stump. “We’ll handle this.” He gave Torrn a reassuring smile as he drew his sword. “You rest up bud.” Niel fell in line with the others. “Graceful Aura!”

“Blessed Armaments!” The paladins blessed their weapons and charged towards the enemy.

Divine mana sparked as it clashed with the cursed steel blades and the metal sang throughout the room. The paladins fought against the black knights along with the water spilling onto the walkway. Regald slipped under the guard of a knight and stabbed into an open gap, but another knight slipped past, stabbing Regald in the shoulder. Emir deflected the attacks directed to him effortlessly, but whenever he went to attack, he was forced back by the other two knights. Niel was in worse position as he fought against the walkway’s edge, and two of the knights were trying to force him into the water.

Torrn growled, pocketed his severed hand. “Now take up thy shield, bulwark of Rook’hym.” Torrn set his shield against the wall and slipped his arm into the straps. He tore off his scapular and used it to tie the shield onto his arm. He used his teeth to tighten the cloth.

Emir fell back as a knight pushed him, but Torrn took his place, blocking the sword strike. Torrn angled his shield so that he blocked all the attacks. The black knights pushed against him and tried to strike at him from the top of his shield. A few blades cut into the skin around his face.

Torrn yelled and pushed back. “And stand against the darkness!” He roared with a step forward. “Champion’s Charge!”

Divine mana coated his shield making it glow with golden light, and fire burned in his legs. The sudden strength drove Torrn forward, and his roar overpowered the rain above. The three knight in front of him clung to his shield as he charged while the three behind them were trampled beneath him. The lich disappeared in a cloud of smoke and reappeared on the other side reservoir. Torrn crushed the three knights on his shield against the wall, and they wailed in agonizing pain before they went limp.

“Good work!” Emir slapped his shoulder and pointed to the tunnel to their left. “Come on!” Regald and Niel were already standing in the tunnel.

“Magus Fire!” The lich shot several bolts of green flames at them.

“Strong Tower!” Torrn slammed his shield onto the ground, and solid, golden wall materialized in front of him, blocking the tunnel. “Go, I’ll hold it off!” Torrn waved them off. Each blast that struck the wall shook his arm. The paladins looked concerned as they backed into the darkness. Cracks started forming along the edges of the golden wall. “I am like… the watchtower, strong and… vigilant.” The cracks in the wall faded, only for them to reappear. “My faith never wavering.” Sweat poured down his face, burning his eyes. “My devotion... a light to those behind my walls.” He gritted his teeth as pain seared through his arm.

“You know I took an oath too.” Niel placed a hand on his shoulder. “Syranda’s Favor!” Golden vines suddenly grew along the wall. “And my Lady would be disappointed if I left a friend behind. Come, let’s get out of here.” He wrapped an arm around Torrn’s waist and helped him down the tunnel.

Eirgnon howled in frustration at the magical wall in front of him. Three of his guards lay dead at his feet and the other three were waiting with their weapons drawn. His Magus Fire struck at the divine wall burning off the vines and flowers coating it, but they simply grew back.

“Stand back.” He growled. His clawed hands facing each other, and a ball of necrotic mana formed in between them. It slowly shifted into a long spear of green energy. “Death Spear!” He slammed the spear into the golden barrier.

Necrotic and divine mana clashed in a battle of gold and green. Sparks struck Eirgnon’s skull, leaving black marks, but he continued to drive the spear forward. With a final scream, the necrotic spear pierced the wall, and it dissipated in a shower of golden motes.

“After them!” Eirgnon screamed. Rage started burning in his chest as the knights stormed into the tunnel.

Before Eirgnon could take another step, he doubled over in excruciating pain. His nerves were on fire as they slowly regrew with his flesh, and blood seeped into his water-soaked robes. He clawed at his face as his eyes slowly reformed and his projected voice came out as a broken scream. His body forced him to take a deep breath, but his diaphragm hadn’t formed yet, so his lungs burned, screaming for fresh air. When his diaphragm did form, Eirgnon took a deep breath, only to exhale it in another scream. When the pain subsided, Eirgnon laid on the floor twitching and breathing raggedly. Every movement causing echoes of the pain to return. And he wasn’t sure how long he had been there.

“Master.”

Eirgnon glared up at his guard. “Are they dead?” His voice burned in his throat.

“Forgive us master, we were too late to stop them.”

“T-Then take me back to Lord Reviled.” Eirgnon groaned in pain. “Hopefully, he had more success than I.”