Episode 10: More problems arise again
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Yaros crossed a rickety board propped between the ship’s open hatch and a pillar of land jutting from the water, and he was only just able to leap to solid ground when it gave way beneath his feet. Perhaps he’d been too heavy for it he realized as it splashed into the water between the ship and land.
This platform upon the pillar seemed to be some sort of docking station though. A thick metal post stood upright sticking out of the stone beside him, perhaps meant for use hitching the ship, and Yaros saw a brige; one that was moss-covered but still appeared to be in relatively good condition, and it crossed the gap from the platform over to the one of the main ledges of the cavern.
As Yaros crossed the bridge, which seemed to be able to hold him he glanced to the right and then left and saw that five tunnels led into and out of this cavern. On his right, across another gap in the water was where they’d entered only for a dragon to appear and the cavern to burst into flames. Directly in front of him across the bridge was a second tunnel, and across the water to his left was the large platform of land Maka and Sizemet had headed towards which had two tunnel entrances at its back. Finally; behind him and to his left was another tunnel that the back half of the ship had managed to park itself in the rocks beside, directly level with it as though one could step from its deck straight into the tunnel and vice versa.
Yaros realized as they headed in that direction that the fifth tunnel was the only one they hadn’t been near yet. He wondered if Slaal was in that direction. As he entered his own tunnel however his thought process was interrupted by a sound like a bolt firing from a crossbow. He reacted too late as a dart shot from a hidden slot in the wall and slammed into his side, but he was glad for his race when he pulled it out and saw poison on the tip. Automatons like himself were not affected by such things; any of the others might have been worse off.
He continued forward and the hall turned suddenly to the right. Yaros stayed behind the corner and peered out carefully around it where he saw yet another skeletal lizardfolk. This place seemed to be crawling with the things. This one held a small axe and hadn’t seemed to have noticed him yet. Yaros contemplated waiting for Maka and Sizemet to arrive since he knew they were headed in this direction, and their arrival would distract the undead, allowing Yaros to easily leave his hiding place and approach it while still striking unnoticed.
He had no opportunity to see if that plan would work however, as his thought process was interrupted by a scream. A single loud, long scream of “No.” It was Maka.
The skeleton Yaros had been watching had heard it too, and it turned and began moving slowly in the direction of the sound. Yaros made up his mind at that moment and raced up behind the skeleton, slashing at it with his sword.
His blade left a gaping hole in the back of the monster’s skull, but it didn’t fall. Instead the skeleton slowly turned to face him.
The creature raised its axe high, and then brought it down. Yaros let out a sound between a gasp and a grunt before collapsing.
The skeleton stood over Yaros’ unconscious form with its axe raised. In a single moment as it brought the weapon down, the second life among the adventurers was snuffed out.
To be continued...
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This topic crosses over 200 views just as I cross over 200 posts. As always, thanks for reading everyone.

It must be disheartening to see two members of the party die in quick succession like this, especially if you liked the characters. That's a danger of stories retelling a game though. Anyone can die.