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<blockquote data-quote="Greenfield" data-source="post: 5896264" data-attributes="member: 6669384"><p><span style="font-size: 10px">***</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Quiet!", hissed Prolifica as she listened at the door. " They had come a few rooms, and again she thought she heard something. She "jiggled" the lock as gently as she could, eased the door open and once more allowed Cassius to precede her into the corridor beyond.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The warrior hunched forward as he moved, great sword at the ready. He turned the corner, looked into the chamber beyond and froze, a look of rapture on his face.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"><em>All that you seek can be found in me.</em>", came the voice in his mind, as his eyes were all but blinded by the holy light. "<em>Cast away your burdens and your worldly cares, and know that all will find justice in the end.</em>"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"What's wrong?", asked Marcus.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"I don't know.", Prolifica replied, shoving ineffectually at the bulky warrior. "Come on you lummox, move!"</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Marcus shouldered his way forward in the narrow way, wedging himself past Cassius, to find himself facing a woman of angelic face and form, her body clothed in glory.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"><em>I offer you the guiding light, that you may know the way.</em>", she all but sang in the Cleric's mind.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">And somewhere in the background, the chords of a lyre wafted over the scene, first gentle, but turning sharply more harsh.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Marcus stood frozen for a bare moment, then tore his gaze away. "False savior!", he cried. "My way is the way of my father! See his might alive in me!! </span> <span style="font-size: 10px"><em>Titan's Stature</em>"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">As his form swelled with divine power, he all but filled the doorway, forcing the divine vision to step back lest she be trampled.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Brothers!", she hissed, dropping all pretense and flexing her bat-like wings. "Upon him!" And the battle was joined.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The Cleric found himself alone, for his allies were stuck in the corridor behind him, corked in by both his own battle stance and Cassius unresponsive form. Further, the ceiling was low enough that he couldn't stand fully upright, nor swing a weapon freely. His enemies suffered so such impediments.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Still, he fought valiantly, smiting with his great spear, buying time while his allies found a way through.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Prolifica managed to squeeze through, and Sylus pressed close behind, but the delay had been too much. Marcus crumpled to the floor under the triple attack, his huge form still a partial barricade before the opening.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The Elf maid sprang over him lightly, blade in hand, but she too was quickly flanked by two hellish forms, while the third one engaged Sylus.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Could use some help in here!", she cried, parrying frantically, while her foes ripped and tore at her in vicious glee.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Penn pressed himself against the side of the corridor so others could pass, even as he continued to play his battle tune, but there were none ready to join the fray.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"We're in trouble.", Apellenea declared, even as she heard a demonic cry of triumph from the room, as another of the companions fell.</span> </p><p> <span style="font-size: 10px">*** </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Penn' broke off his song and turned to whisper to Appelenea, "Don't believe what you're about to see." Then he began to play a new tune.</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 10px">Quote:</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 10px">Silently the morning mist is lying on the water,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"> captive moonlight, waiting for the dawn.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"> And softly like a baby's breath, a breeze begins to whisper,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"> 'The sun is coming, quick, you must be gone... </span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 10px">And a fog began to arise, quickly filling the corridor and the chamber beyond.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">There was a scream of rage from within, and an order of, "Find them! Kill them!"</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">But within the heavy shroud of obscurement, finding a foe can be a problem. There were curses and cries of frustration, but the sounds of battle ended.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Appelenea slid past Penn and the still obdurate Cassius, and crept forward. She considered the Bard's words, then realized their meaning. Almost at once the fog faded from her view. She could still see it, but it no longer impaired her vision. She moved to the fallen Sylus and quietly dragged him back out of the battle scene. A touch of her hand and a few healing words, and his wounds closed slightly, the bleeding stopped.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">As the enemies spent precious seconds stumbling about, looking for a living opponent, she managed to reach Marcus as well, though his still titanic form was far too large for her to move. She took the risk and invoked her healing magic a second time, easing his pain, even if just a little.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Finally, Cassius shook off his stupor. Lacking the Druid's insight or strength of will, he stumbled forward blindly, certain that there was a foe out there somewhere, but unable to see more than a few feet.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Then, abruptly, he found himself face to face with the woman who had ensorelled him, and his great blade came down to end her beguilements. Though her demonic nature was unnaturally resilient, Caesar's gift of iron was her undoing, and she fell, surprise on her face.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Appelenea climbed over Marcus still form, and spied the fallen Prolifica. She moved to the Elf, but discovered that she was too late. The girl they had hardly known had died from her wounds.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Fury filled the normally peaceful Druid, and she found herself standing, blade in hand, looking for those responsible. Without a cloak of fog to hide them, the other two demons were easily seen, and she charged, her rage giving her strength.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The first blow glanced off the being's tough hide, and she was forced to duck quickly to avoid the counterstrike. Her second strike hit solidly, yet the edge didn't bite properly. Still, its unholy blood flowed, which was reassuring. If it bleeds, it can be killed.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Cassius was thundering and crashing about blindly, roaring his own frustration at the thick fog that hid his enemies from him. But his rage quickly gave him what he sought, for it drew the remaining demon to him like a moth to a flame.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Claws and teeth flashed and clashed against Roman iron, the mad dance whose final movement is always death. But iron cuts deeper than claws, and the final movement of this dance belonged to the demon.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"><em>I die the final death, human, but more will follow! The alignment of Demogorgon and the dark gods is complete, and your doom awaits as well.</em>", came the final voice in his head as the corpse began to smolder. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Penn, seeing that the fallen were no longer in danger of being mutilated out of hand, ended his song and the mist faded away. Then, outnumbered and faced with cold iron, the final demon fell, curses flowing from its mouth as blood from an open wound, to fall upon the floor without purpose.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">All that was left now was to tend to their injured and their dead, duties that could not be fulfilled in these catacombs. </span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">*** </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The night had been a sad one, the trek to the inn like a funeral procession, and the dawn's dim light brought little cheer. Little was known what fever might spring from demon wounds, and all were concerned. But with the dawn came renewal, and Appelenea was able to invoke her life saving magics once more. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Once Marcus was awake, he was able to ask his father's blessings as well, and the deity responded in kind. Soon Sylus was awake as well. </span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"What the hell were those things?", the Ranger asked. "I hit them, and they laughed. Their skin was as tough as iron."</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"You're close. They were fiends of the Abyss.", Marcus replied. "The leader gloated about their victory, and about the alliance her master had made with the dark gods. She doesn't care about the book, she just wants chaos and destruction."</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Well, I didn't have a problem hurting them.", Cassius said, examining his blade in confusion. He expected to find nicks in the blade, or places where the edge had been turned by striking iron-hard hide, but there were none.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"That's because your blade is made of cold iron. Caesar was more generous than he intended.", Marcus explained. "Cold iron is the bane of many from the depths. Others fear silver."</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Well, I'm finding a weapons smith today and getting a new blade.", Sylus said firmly. He looked at his old sword sadly, the dark bronze reflecting the light as if it were covered in blood. "Even if it does rust, I'm getting some iron."</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Where's Prolifica?", asked Marcus, suddenly missing the slight Elven woman.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"On Temple hill, in a common grave I'm afraid.", came the reply. "Her friends were few, and only one stood for the prayers. But she fell fighting the enemies of the gods, and I'm sure she found her way to the Elysian Fields."</span> </p><p> <span style="font-size: 10px">***</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"So what happened?", Seeburn asked groggily. "And where's the Elf?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Prolifica is dead.", the highlander was told solemnly. "She was killed by a team of Demons while we were exploring the old catacombs. You were there. She was buried yesterday."</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Yesterday?", the wild-haired half-Elf asked in surprise. "How long was I out?"</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"You've been on a drunken bender for two days.", Penn answered gravely. "That brew of yours is stronger than you think. I'm sorry I refilled your small cask."</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Seeburn struggled to clear his foggy head. The Half Satyr's potion had cleared his hangover, but the aftermath of a binge like his was not so easily dismissed. Then remembrance began, as bits and pieces of their misadventure began to assemble themselves in his mind. "There were three of them...", he muttered. "One looked like an angel. I remember that much."</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Yes, her magic caught you, and kept you out of the fray.", Apellenea reminded him. "Was that why you got drunk? Were you blaming yourself for not saving Prolifica?"</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"No.", grumbled the Barbarian. "I got drunk because I drank too much.", and he refused to address the matter further.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"She had a friend.", Seeburn said, changing the subject. "I remember something about her having a friend. Where is she?"</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Look down.", Penn suggested quietly.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"High there.", said the Halfling, looking up at the tall Half Elf. "They told me you were clueless, but I didn't believe the half of it."</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"This is Euphemia.", Sylus said, by way of introduction.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Well, I don't have to guess what your trade is.", Seeburn said, after measuring her diminutive stature. "Miss 'not really my name'. Couldn't you have been more imaginative?"</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"I could have been, but my parents liked it.", she replied with a laugh. Then things got serious. </span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"So, when do I get a crack at the things that killed my friend?", she asked firmly.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Those particular fiends are gone, but the ones they serve are still around.", Penn explained.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"He means we killed them, but there are more.", Cassius explained.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">*** </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The door of the old house had been set back into place by someone, perhaps the night watch, but it hadn't been repaired. The broken parts were easily shifted aside, and just as easily put back in place. No need to attract more attention than they needed to.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">They made their way quickly to the hidden door in the root cellar, bypassed the still-open pit trap, and faced a decision.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The last time they had gone straight ahead, but there was a corridor heading off to the right as well. They elected to follow "the path not taken", and went to the right.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The rooms were still devoid of furnishings, or even dust on the floor, which was in many ways more unsettling than rats and refuse might have been.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Euphemia proved her skill at "jiggling" locks more than once, but her hand never seemed to stray far from the blade she carried. This place had taken her friend, and she would not fall prey to carelessness.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Cassius was also concerned, and made it a habit of letting the small Rogue open the doors, but then displacing her to lead the way into the rooms and corridors they discovered.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">One such door opened to an odd sight. There was a veil of darkness that began barely a pace past the doorway, and ran the length of the room.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Bring that torch over here.", he called, and the burning brand was passed to him. But even its light failed to illuminate the further recesses of the chamber, and so the burly warrior advanced slowly.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">That caution saved him. As he stepped into the room, the torch held forward, he felt it touch something, and then with a hiss it was extinguished. The air before him shimmered wetly in response to the contact, and he realized that something was there, like a pool of water filling the room at an impossible angle.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">His sword swung free and he slashed at the surface, half expecting it to flood over him once he broke the surface. But his blade met that same thick resistance, and his friends drew back to give him room.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The wall of clear ooze surged forward, catching Cassius by surprise, and he found himself drowning in thick nothingness, a nothingness that muffled his screams, and chilled him to the bone even as it seared his flesh. He struggled to pull free, but his limbs refused to obey him. He was trapped.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Penn considered trying to pull his friend free, but realized the futility of the effort. He could barely move the Carthaginian when there wasn't something holding him, so instead he drew the light bow Seeburn had given him and began to loose arrows at the monster. Beside him Marcus was doing the same with his crossbow, and Sylus stood behind, firing between their ranks.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The monster responded by moving like a nightmare, with a slow pace that a man should easily be able to evade, yet swift enough that somehow they couldn't. And suddenly Penn and Marcus were overwhelmed by the same cold tide that had taken Cassius, the cold grip that numbed and chilled, coupled with the searing pain, like liquid fire.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Sylus cast his bow behind him and drew his blade, while Seeburn struggled to pull his friends free of the living pool.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">There was no way to tell if the near-invisible monster was being injured in any way, for slashing at it was like stabbing a lake. When the blade was withdrawn, the surface looked the same.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">But the monster was being injured, losing some of its form and substance with each strike. And as Seeburn gave a final heave on Cassius inert form, the horror suddenly released him, and he came free with a wet sucking sound.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">At the same time, Sylus took a long slash, trying to open the surface as much as possible, and the monster suddenly lost its shape all together.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">None could tell if it was dead, or merely retreating to some underground pool, but the gelatinous horror seemed to liqueify, and drained slowly through the floor until there was nothing left.</span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Even so, those afflicted were unable to respond for several minutes. In Cassius' case, it was only by holding a shiny blade near his nostrils that they were able to confirm that he was still breathing. </span> <span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Then, finally, Marcus stirred, stifling a cry as life rushed back to his limbs like a flood of pins and needles. The others soon followed.</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Greenfield, post: 5896264, member: 6669384"] [SIZE=2]*** "Quiet!", hissed Prolifica as she listened at the door. " They had come a few rooms, and again she thought she heard something. She "jiggled" the lock as gently as she could, eased the door open and once more allowed Cassius to precede her into the corridor beyond. The warrior hunched forward as he moved, great sword at the ready. He turned the corner, looked into the chamber beyond and froze, a look of rapture on his face.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "[/SIZE] [SIZE=2][I]All that you seek can be found in me.[/I]", came the voice in his mind, as his eyes were all but blinded by the holy light. "[I]Cast away your burdens and your worldly cares, and know that all will find justice in the end.[/I]" "What's wrong?", asked Marcus.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "I don't know.", Prolifica replied, shoving ineffectually at the bulky warrior. "Come on you lummox, move!"[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Marcus shouldered his way forward in the narrow way, wedging himself past Cassius, to find himself facing a woman of angelic face and form, her body clothed in glory.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "[/SIZE] [SIZE=2][I]I offer you the guiding light, that you may know the way.[/I]", she all but sang in the Cleric's mind. And somewhere in the background, the chords of a lyre wafted over the scene, first gentle, but turning sharply more harsh.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Marcus stood frozen for a bare moment, then tore his gaze away. "False savior!", he cried. "My way is the way of my father! See his might alive in me!! [/SIZE] [SIZE=2][I]Titan's Stature[/I]" As his form swelled with divine power, he all but filled the doorway, forcing the divine vision to step back lest she be trampled.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "Brothers!", she hissed, dropping all pretense and flexing her bat-like wings. "Upon him!" And the battle was joined.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] The Cleric found himself alone, for his allies were stuck in the corridor behind him, corked in by both his own battle stance and Cassius unresponsive form. Further, the ceiling was low enough that he couldn't stand fully upright, nor swing a weapon freely. His enemies suffered so such impediments.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Still, he fought valiantly, smiting with his great spear, buying time while his allies found a way through.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Prolifica managed to squeeze through, and Sylus pressed close behind, but the delay had been too much. Marcus crumpled to the floor under the triple attack, his huge form still a partial barricade before the opening.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] The Elf maid sprang over him lightly, blade in hand, but she too was quickly flanked by two hellish forms, while the third one engaged Sylus.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "Could use some help in here!", she cried, parrying frantically, while her foes ripped and tore at her in vicious glee.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Penn pressed himself against the side of the corridor so others could pass, even as he continued to play his battle tune, but there were none ready to join the fray.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "We're in trouble.", Apellenea declared, even as she heard a demonic cry of triumph from the room, as another of the companions fell.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2]*** Penn' broke off his song and turned to whisper to Appelenea, "Don't believe what you're about to see." Then he began to play a new tune.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2]Quote:[/SIZE] [SIZE=2]Silently the morning mist is lying on the water, captive moonlight, waiting for the dawn. And softly like a baby's breath, a breeze begins to whisper, 'The sun is coming, quick, you must be gone... [/SIZE] [SIZE=2]And a fog began to arise, quickly filling the corridor and the chamber beyond. There was a scream of rage from within, and an order of, "Find them! Kill them!"[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] But within the heavy shroud of obscurement, finding a foe can be a problem. There were curses and cries of frustration, but the sounds of battle ended.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Appelenea slid past Penn and the still obdurate Cassius, and crept forward. She considered the Bard's words, then realized their meaning. Almost at once the fog faded from her view. She could still see it, but it no longer impaired her vision. She moved to the fallen Sylus and quietly dragged him back out of the battle scene. A touch of her hand and a few healing words, and his wounds closed slightly, the bleeding stopped.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] As the enemies spent precious seconds stumbling about, looking for a living opponent, she managed to reach Marcus as well, though his still titanic form was far too large for her to move. She took the risk and invoked her healing magic a second time, easing his pain, even if just a little.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Finally, Cassius shook off his stupor. Lacking the Druid's insight or strength of will, he stumbled forward blindly, certain that there was a foe out there somewhere, but unable to see more than a few feet.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Then, abruptly, he found himself face to face with the woman who had ensorelled him, and his great blade came down to end her beguilements. Though her demonic nature was unnaturally resilient, Caesar's gift of iron was her undoing, and she fell, surprise on her face.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Appelenea climbed over Marcus still form, and spied the fallen Prolifica. She moved to the Elf, but discovered that she was too late. The girl they had hardly known had died from her wounds.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Fury filled the normally peaceful Druid, and she found herself standing, blade in hand, looking for those responsible. Without a cloak of fog to hide them, the other two demons were easily seen, and she charged, her rage giving her strength.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] The first blow glanced off the being's tough hide, and she was forced to duck quickly to avoid the counterstrike. Her second strike hit solidly, yet the edge didn't bite properly. Still, its unholy blood flowed, which was reassuring. If it bleeds, it can be killed.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Cassius was thundering and crashing about blindly, roaring his own frustration at the thick fog that hid his enemies from him. But his rage quickly gave him what he sought, for it drew the remaining demon to him like a moth to a flame.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Claws and teeth flashed and clashed against Roman iron, the mad dance whose final movement is always death. But iron cuts deeper than claws, and the final movement of this dance belonged to the demon.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "[/SIZE] [SIZE=2][I]I die the final death, human, but more will follow! The alignment of Demogorgon and the dark gods is complete, and your doom awaits as well.[/I]", came the final voice in his head as the corpse began to smolder. Penn, seeing that the fallen were no longer in danger of being mutilated out of hand, ended his song and the mist faded away. Then, outnumbered and faced with cold iron, the final demon fell, curses flowing from its mouth as blood from an open wound, to fall upon the floor without purpose.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] All that was left now was to tend to their injured and their dead, duties that could not be fulfilled in these catacombs. [/SIZE] [SIZE=2] *** The night had been a sad one, the trek to the inn like a funeral procession, and the dawn's dim light brought little cheer. Little was known what fever might spring from demon wounds, and all were concerned. But with the dawn came renewal, and Appelenea was able to invoke her life saving magics once more. Once Marcus was awake, he was able to ask his father's blessings as well, and the deity responded in kind. Soon Sylus was awake as well. [/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "What the hell were those things?", the Ranger asked. "I hit them, and they laughed. Their skin was as tough as iron."[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "You're close. They were fiends of the Abyss.", Marcus replied. "The leader gloated about their victory, and about the alliance her master had made with the dark gods. She doesn't care about the book, she just wants chaos and destruction."[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "Well, I didn't have a problem hurting them.", Cassius said, examining his blade in confusion. He expected to find nicks in the blade, or places where the edge had been turned by striking iron-hard hide, but there were none.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "That's because your blade is made of cold iron. Caesar was more generous than he intended.", Marcus explained. "Cold iron is the bane of many from the depths. Others fear silver."[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "Well, I'm finding a weapons smith today and getting a new blade.", Sylus said firmly. He looked at his old sword sadly, the dark bronze reflecting the light as if it were covered in blood. "Even if it does rust, I'm getting some iron."[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "Where's Prolifica?", asked Marcus, suddenly missing the slight Elven woman.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "On Temple hill, in a common grave I'm afraid.", came the reply. "Her friends were few, and only one stood for the prayers. But she fell fighting the enemies of the gods, and I'm sure she found her way to the Elysian Fields."[/SIZE] [SIZE=2]*** "So what happened?", Seeburn asked groggily. "And where's the Elf?" "Prolifica is dead.", the highlander was told solemnly. "She was killed by a team of Demons while we were exploring the old catacombs. You were there. She was buried yesterday."[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "Yesterday?", the wild-haired half-Elf asked in surprise. "How long was I out?"[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "You've been on a drunken bender for two days.", Penn answered gravely. "That brew of yours is stronger than you think. I'm sorry I refilled your small cask."[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Seeburn struggled to clear his foggy head. The Half Satyr's potion had cleared his hangover, but the aftermath of a binge like his was not so easily dismissed. Then remembrance began, as bits and pieces of their misadventure began to assemble themselves in his mind. "There were three of them...", he muttered. "One looked like an angel. I remember that much."[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "Yes, her magic caught you, and kept you out of the fray.", Apellenea reminded him. "Was that why you got drunk? Were you blaming yourself for not saving Prolifica?"[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "No.", grumbled the Barbarian. "I got drunk because I drank too much.", and he refused to address the matter further.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "She had a friend.", Seeburn said, changing the subject. "I remember something about her having a friend. Where is she?"[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "Look down.", Penn suggested quietly.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "High there.", said the Halfling, looking up at the tall Half Elf. "They told me you were clueless, but I didn't believe the half of it."[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "This is Euphemia.", Sylus said, by way of introduction.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "Well, I don't have to guess what your trade is.", Seeburn said, after measuring her diminutive stature. "Miss 'not really my name'. Couldn't you have been more imaginative?"[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "I could have been, but my parents liked it.", she replied with a laugh. Then things got serious. [/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "So, when do I get a crack at the things that killed my friend?", she asked firmly.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "Those particular fiends are gone, but the ones they serve are still around.", Penn explained.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "He means we killed them, but there are more.", Cassius explained.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] *** The door of the old house had been set back into place by someone, perhaps the night watch, but it hadn't been repaired. The broken parts were easily shifted aside, and just as easily put back in place. No need to attract more attention than they needed to. They made their way quickly to the hidden door in the root cellar, bypassed the still-open pit trap, and faced a decision.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] The last time they had gone straight ahead, but there was a corridor heading off to the right as well. They elected to follow "the path not taken", and went to the right.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] The rooms were still devoid of furnishings, or even dust on the floor, which was in many ways more unsettling than rats and refuse might have been.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Euphemia proved her skill at "jiggling" locks more than once, but her hand never seemed to stray far from the blade she carried. This place had taken her friend, and she would not fall prey to carelessness.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Cassius was also concerned, and made it a habit of letting the small Rogue open the doors, but then displacing her to lead the way into the rooms and corridors they discovered.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] One such door opened to an odd sight. There was a veil of darkness that began barely a pace past the doorway, and ran the length of the room.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] "Bring that torch over here.", he called, and the burning brand was passed to him. But even its light failed to illuminate the further recesses of the chamber, and so the burly warrior advanced slowly.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] That caution saved him. As he stepped into the room, the torch held forward, he felt it touch something, and then with a hiss it was extinguished. The air before him shimmered wetly in response to the contact, and he realized that something was there, like a pool of water filling the room at an impossible angle.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] His sword swung free and he slashed at the surface, half expecting it to flood over him once he broke the surface. But his blade met that same thick resistance, and his friends drew back to give him room.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] The wall of clear ooze surged forward, catching Cassius by surprise, and he found himself drowning in thick nothingness, a nothingness that muffled his screams, and chilled him to the bone even as it seared his flesh. He struggled to pull free, but his limbs refused to obey him. He was trapped.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Penn considered trying to pull his friend free, but realized the futility of the effort. He could barely move the Carthaginian when there wasn't something holding him, so instead he drew the light bow Seeburn had given him and began to loose arrows at the monster. Beside him Marcus was doing the same with his crossbow, and Sylus stood behind, firing between their ranks.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] The monster responded by moving like a nightmare, with a slow pace that a man should easily be able to evade, yet swift enough that somehow they couldn't. And suddenly Penn and Marcus were overwhelmed by the same cold tide that had taken Cassius, the cold grip that numbed and chilled, coupled with the searing pain, like liquid fire.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Sylus cast his bow behind him and drew his blade, while Seeburn struggled to pull his friends free of the living pool.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] There was no way to tell if the near-invisible monster was being injured in any way, for slashing at it was like stabbing a lake. When the blade was withdrawn, the surface looked the same.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] But the monster was being injured, losing some of its form and substance with each strike. And as Seeburn gave a final heave on Cassius inert form, the horror suddenly released him, and he came free with a wet sucking sound.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] At the same time, Sylus took a long slash, trying to open the surface as much as possible, and the monster suddenly lost its shape all together.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] None could tell if it was dead, or merely retreating to some underground pool, but the gelatinous horror seemed to liqueify, and drained slowly through the floor until there was nothing left.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Even so, those afflicted were unable to respond for several minutes. In Cassius' case, it was only by holding a shiny blade near his nostrils that they were able to confirm that he was still breathing. [/SIZE] [SIZE=2] Then, finally, Marcus stirred, stifling a cry as life rushed back to his limbs like a flood of pins and needles. The others soon followed.[/SIZE] [/QUOTE]
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