The Tarnished City

Mix stared up at the depiction of Marius and immediately clenched his fists in fury. A surge of power awoke deep within him. Trembling, reached up with both hands to touch the mask that represented his body. Clawing at his white cheeks, his hands twisted and tightened as he raked them down to the black cloth covering of Mixine's neck. Suddenly, he threw out his arms and fell to his knees before bowing in a prostrate position.

"Oh gods of this sacred city!" Mix's voice was strained, "Speak to us! This pure vessel of light and darkness seeks safe passage. What is thy bidding?"

 

Marcus frowned at the leftover dirt, as if an unpleasant attitude would make anything better. He sighed.

Then there were the clicks. The day was going by, and it had already been at least a couple of hours. Time sure flies. The clicks were a mystery, and Marcus wasn't exactly sure whether it was a good or bad one.

"You guys," the Lady Sorceress said, looking at the horizon. "I think something is coming. Or maybe we set off a trap. If you're gonna look in the coffin, move the rest of the dirt and look in it, now. Preferably before we get ambushed, please."

What if they had set off a trap? What if that loud explosion had set it off? Or what if this was something regular; something that would've happened this time of day no matter what? No matter what, it was unfamiliar, and Marcus did not like it one bit.

Mixine... or Mix... or whatever it was called had left the area in a haste, and it puzzled him. He hadn't thought about it before... but it reminded him of the quaint priesthood of his own town. The ancient foolish business of prayer and isolation. As if prayer would fix anything. Even if a god existed, forgiveness would do nothing for him now. That icy part of him, hidden away in his heart, would surface again, and would send him back into a frozen, forgotten hell. It was not any of their fault if anything happened. They were exploring, and didn't know better. Damn the gods, their statues, their city. He would take what he wanted from this worthless husk of former greatness and survive. That's the best anyone could do in this forsaken, corrupted world.

You're right. It was a lullaby voice. A slippery smooth snake.

Marcus froze in place. He could talk to him. Fear overrode him for one second, but Marcus regained control quickly, feeling the blood rush back into his ears. Marcus stood in place for a few moments, breathing in and out. He couldn't be scared by him. He had no power. None.

...There were two options. Go away now, and don't risk anything. Number 2, stay for a few minutes and see if Acai couldn't blow away another chunk of dirt.

It was sorely tempting to stay. However, finding a safe place, preferably on high ground with a good vantage point, was the topmost priority. However, surely a few more minutes couldn't hurt. They would rush out of there as quickly as possible after that.

Marcus turns to Acai, smiling. "Acai... do you think you could quickly blow away some more of the dirt? Quickly, too? If you can't, that's fine. We should get moving soon."

 

"They shan't reply." Came a voice from behind her, followed by the sound of soft footsteps. "They've been gone a long time."

 

Eventually something came round the corner, its shape human yet its proportions not. The creature was eight foot tall and roughly six wide, its movements reflecting its lumbering frame. To define it as a pile of bones given the shape of a human would not be inaccurate. One foot was formed of several fleshless forearms, the other was no foot at all, instead a stump formed by spine and pelvis. Its legs were similarly constructed of a mixture of various ones, though in this case most seemed to be from a lower appendage, fibulas and tibulas and shins all mixed in together. The torso was harder to see, ragged cloth attached hiding most yet a structure could be seen underneath. One arm was quite clearly a hand, or an attempt at one in the least, a few too many fingers present. The other though was a ribcage, caked in dirt and showing clear signs of wear. All the bones were joined by a shiny black substance, either wrapping round them entirely or linking them together. Something approximating a head could be seen, though the posture was terrible, jutting our the top of its chest.
As it rounded the courtyard it paused, seeking to stare past them.

 

"They shan't reply." Came a voice from behind her, followed by the sound of soft footsteps. "They've been gone a long time."

Mix rose to his feet and turned to face the sound, there was no fear or concern in his voice, "Normally, there is no reply, save for the sound of the wind in your ears. How good it is to hear another voice who knows of the gods. My name is Mix and I have come to this sacred city believing it might be a new home. I am not a mendicant or thief, but neither am I soldier or priest. Instead, I am a salve-maker who cherishes life and peace. May I ask of your name?"

 

"Rundas." The man replied, rolling his neck and having it crack. "Rundas the Hunter."
He was armoured, an ancient suit of scale topped with a coat to keep the water off. He lacked eyes, a bandage covering them with a roughly dyed eye on it. In his left hand was a brand, the same design that had been embroidered on the coffin. In the other was a dagger, thin and hooked with a slight jewel on the pommel. "The others are willing heretics, using their powers without thought, but you." He stated, gesturing with the brand. "I shall not regret what I do. Though I believe you an innocent soul, despite having more power than the others."

 

Mix realized the danger immediately and sensed an implicit mutual understanding, but there was no need to be crude in turn. His was heart bursting with joy to confront a keeper of this place and Mixine immediately woke from surge of emotions. From behind that white mask pulled a wide grin of boundless joy in anticipation of what was to come.

Brother!? Is this what Merrique and the others encountered!?
Perhaps. This is an honorable man, but he has come to take that "curse" of yours.
Give it to him. We have nothing to live for...
Perhaps you do not, but I was never in doubt.
Brother...

Though concealed under the black over cloak and the wide frame of Mixine's belongings and underneath that was the thick clothes that fit Mixine's body like a second skin, it was nothing compared to actual armor. He believed that the blind man possessed a power similar to Mixine if not the outright ability to detect the latent magic within the body. He would have to thank Merrique for announcing the existence of such a power, perhaps there was more than Baba and father who had kept Mixine's magic a secret.

"Dear Rundas," Mix bowed respectfully, "Whether it is this cursed magic or my life you are after... I will uphold the oath by not killing you. Though, I still have something to live for in this world. So please, do not come any closer!"

Mix turned sideways and held out his right arm, a sphere of energy spread out from the core of Mix's being. The flow of magic pulled at Mix's flesh and surged through every muscle, twitching and bulging in response to the electric flow as the right palm drew up the energy in the field. Mix's shoulder-blades began to exert a flow of charged particles as his left hand dug into his left leg as the front pack prevented Mix from pulling his left hand over his chest. With his eyes locked on Rundas, the air became ionized and was pulled down from above and out through the center of his body like a divine wind. The invisible sphere of magic had only two poles, a former shadow of the immense energy Mixine had displayed before.

Mix was filled with contempt for Mixine's foolish act last night, "Never draw your weapon unless you intend to use it!"

Brother... what are you going to do?
A warning first, a paralyzing second and everything in the third... be prepared to revive him like a drowned skunk.

Mix called out to Rundas, "Your move."

 

His movements were slow, measured and careful. He began to walk around her, moving up to the stairs that led to the top of the walls. "Tell me, have you looked at the outside world since you arrived?" Rundas started to walk up the stairs, no longer looking at her. Whether it was a display of confidence or something else was unknown. "It's a good job you left your friends, I gave the grave diggers something to aid in their fight."

 

"Tell me, have you looked at the outside world since you arrived?" Rundas started to walk up the stairs, no longer looking at her. Whether it was a display of confidence or something else was unknown. "It's a good job you left your friends, I gave the grave diggers something to aid in their fight."

"Why? It is not like there is anything beyond those walls for me." Mix watched Rundas carefully, but stayed his hand, "More importantly, they are not friends. What do you want of me, Rundas?"

As Rundas walked, Mix tried to keep a distance of thirty feet or more and to avoid crossing whatever path Rundas had taken. Positioning himself to potentially flee, Mix's head was filled with Mixine who protested strongly against his very words. He pushed Mixine down and sealed her in the void of emptiness in her own heart, mentally locking her away once more. That woman has corrupted you, I am the only friend you have. I am all you ever needed. Let your big brother protect you, forever and ever, until the very last dying lights.

Without Mixine to distract him, Mix's body continued to build up more of a charge and he became more powerful with each moment. The two streams of energy projecting out of his back condensed the field and distorted the air as two ethereal wings, an almost imperceptible blue hue forming a thin shell around Mix and concentrated strongly at the edge of Mix's outstretched right arm. Another pole of energy came from Mix's left arm dug into the left leg, the flow of energy not dissipating into the ground.

 

Jade didn't see Acai's grave blowing, nor did she notice Mix's disappearance. She didn't see any of that because that moment The Shadow decided to pay a visit.

It began as usual. A gentle tug at her feet, where her body ended and her shadow began. Then the shadows surrounded her, and she blended into her surroundings. It wasn't her normal magic, she hadn't concealed herself like she normally did. It was more like she became the shadows, a part of the view. Anyone who looked for her would see her, but for all the others she was the most uniteresting piece of scenery. And seeing the fact that her new "friends" thought of her as a mere annoyance and lyability, nobody, Mix excluded, would bother to look for her.

Opposite Jade appeared a figure, identical to her, and yet featureless, a shadow. Here we go again, she thought to herself.

Is that how you greet your only friend, loner? asked the Shadow. It had the anboying habit of reading her mind.

What do you want?

Oh, just to help you out like I always do. One shall not enter the gods' city without some guidance.

I don't need help. Thank you very much.

Oh, but you do. You were lucky to end up alive and with your magic intact. Your new pals here hate you, and would most likely give you up with ease. And why shouldn't they, you-

Yes, yes, I'm an arrogant prick. So I would leave them. I have already seen that I have nothing to do here.

Do you think it's that simple?! Think how long Lord Selzec, yes Selzec, not Selez you fool, has been locked away. You don't exit this city. Ever.

Oh, and you couldn't come earlier, yes? Stop me from entering.

And interfere with fate? Oh that would be too dull. But, seeing how you amuse me, I would like to help you survive. I will give you a hint. The sword of Relatus that Selez was speaking of? Take it. Just tell the other you're the only one who can use a sword, that should do it. Also, listen to the visions of the others. They're not barking mad, it's the city. Oh and one last thing, if I were you I'd come back to my senses before this giant boner creature arrives.

The Shadow disappeared and Jade saw what he reffered to as the "Boner Creature", an eight foot tall grotesque made of bones and black goo. Jade thought a moment of trying to talk to it, or hiding, but these creatures were usually not known to be friendly, and the group was probably going to attack it anyway. Jade felt her heartbeat rising. She brushed cold sweat from her brow, swallowed her vomit, and prepared to strike.

The blending magic around her was just fading, and Jade knew she could use it to her advantage. Moving through the shadows she manuvered around the beast, and theb struck as a blurred shadowy figure, using the back of its knee, or what stood for it anyway, as leverage to be level with its head. Then she stabbed with her sword towards the back of its neck, and hoped for the best.

 

Merrique

Merrique was not sure her arrows would do any damage against the bone monster that loomed over them. She didn't even know where to aim, where it's weak spots were. If it had flesh, she would aim for the head, the chest, the loins, the vital parts. But it was an unnatural creature, not like the beasts and villains she fought back home.

I'll just aim for the joints and see what happens, she thought grumpily.

"HURRY UP, GUYS!" Merrique yelled at her team mates. Then she started firing arrow after arrow at lightning speed, aiming for the creature's joints, raggedy torso, and where its eye sockets should be.

 

Vetiver

"Acai... do you think you could quickly blow away some more of the dirt? Quickly, too? If you can't, that's fine. We should get moving soon."

"Why would you tell Acai to do more magic after that explosion he just made?" Vetiver snapped at Marcus. "Step back. I will do this. Acai, save your magic. We can't afford it if you accidentally blow someone up." With that, Vetiver stepped forward and purple glimmers began to flicker around his intense black eyes. He raised his hands and the dirt began to glow dark purple and it levitated into the air in a great dusty cloud. Then Vetiver clapped his hands together and the dirt-cloud condensed and became a huge rock that floated over their heads.

"See?" Vetiver told Marcus with a smug grin. Then the Boner Monster arrived. He watched as Jade became a shadowy blur and struck at the back of its neck, and as Merrique started firing arrows with quick, deadly strokes. "Look in the coffin," Vetiver snapped at Marcus. "We can handle this hellish creature."

Vetiver ran to Merrique's side and flung out his hands. There was a huge whoooosh as the giant dirt rock he had made flew at the Boner Monster at a startling velocity. If it hit the creature, it would no doubt fall apart...unless that gooey black stuff that held it together was strong than Vetiver had anticipated.

 

There was a faint glimmer of gold from within its ribcage as both the arrows and rocks fell to the floor, the creature seeming oblivious till the blade entered its neck. That was when it began. Something between a reach and a rattle that seemed to tear through the air into the surroundings. Both loud and sharp enough that anyone nearby would need to cover their ears. There was a pause for a moment, before the creature reached back with its hand clumsily, attempting to swat at the blade in its neck.
That was when the other noise started. More clicking, a plethora of bones tapping against stone. Another creature appeared, this one atop one of the nearby buildings taking the form of something akin to the centaur, though with the horse replaced with a scorpion. It began to move towards them, its movements as uncoordinated as its humanoid cousin. The clicking noises continued, echoing from the distance.

 

"Come, see the walls of your new prison." He stated. "Let us see if you have any insight." He seemed to give a chuckle at that, as if knowing the answer, and gesturing for her to come up the stairs with him.

 

As she attacked, Jade noticed Vetiver and Merrique attacking from up front. If one of them hits me, she thought, they are into a hell more pain than what this monster can do. Her blade hit its mark, plunging into the neck, while, thankfully, the ranged attacks were stopped by some king of magic. Jade cringed as the creature screeched in a most inhumane way, reached for its neck, and tried to swat her away. She rolled off it.

Now she was in trouble. She had hoped the attack to the neck would do the job. There was something she dispised about fair fights. They, were too... fair. Her forte was in sneaking and entering, not open battles. And to worsen the matter, another bone creature came to join the fight.

Jade retreated a couple of steps back, then closed her eyes momentarily, summoning the shadows. Out in the open, she was a blurred, and swiftly she created three more shadows, identical to her figure; decoys. Then she rushed back to the battle, whirling between the creatures, slashing about, not staying in one spot for over a second.

 

"Come, see the walls of your new prison." He stated. "Let us see if you have any insight." He seemed to give a chuckle at that, as if knowing the answer, and gesturing for her to come up the stairs with him.

Mix lowered his arm at the remark, "Rundas... I am sorry, but this is no prison to me and I have no need to look out upon the outside world. This place is closer to a paradise and it was my hope that the master of this place would take me in. This body has grown so tired of running..."

He paused and let out a soft sigh as the flow of magic emanating from his body began to slowly diminish into merely containing the field around him, "What happened to Nimras Emikson? Why would someone inflict such suffering on another? My face is still tear-struck.... and those "friends" you speak of, I could not tolerate a moment more of their depravity. So... if you are going to strike me down, at least let me know why."

His words were not filled with a strong emotion, though there was a sadness that was not imitated. He did not personally care of what had happened to Nimras Emikson, but Mixine had. She cared about others far beyond herself and Mix would exploit it if he could, like how Mixine had tried to exploit his persona.

 

"Why would you tell Acai to do more magic after that explosion he just made?" Vetiver snapped at Marcus. "Step back. I will do this. Acai, save your magic. We can't afford it if you accidentally blow someone up." With that, Vetiver stepped forward and purple glimmers began to flicker around his intense black eyes. He raised his hands and the dirt began to glow dark purple and it levitated into the air in a great dusty cloud. Then Vetiver clapped his hands together and the dirt-cloud condensed and became a huge rock that floated over their heads.

"See?" Vetiver told Marcus with a smug grin. Marcus crossed his arms, an unimpressed smirk over his eyes.

He heard a terrified sound; the clack of something on the graven ground. Marcus turned around, taking in the sight of a monster somewhat beyond his comprehension. Made of bones, with muscles of a black, gelatinous mass. The amalgamation of terrifying corruption of death.

Jade blurred into the air, stabbing the creature with her sword, while Merrique started peppering it with her arrows. "Look in the coffin," Vetiver snapped at Marcus. "We can handle this hellish creature." He flung the rock he held in the air at the creature, merely glancing off its armor like it was an annoying pest. The creature roared in pain as soon as Jade's blade entered its neck, attempting to dislodge it from its monstrous neck.

Marcus could believe that the others would be able to handle the monster, so he turned away towards the grave, going to look at it. However, the sound of clicking from nearby attracted his attention, and his eyes focus on a centaur-scorpion creature on the rooftop of a nearby building. He estimated that the creature would be there in no time, so he quickly took stock of the situation and his resources. What would be the best route for survival? His bow was in his hands in a moment, his fingers finding calm in the sleek smooth cold of the metal, an arrow notched and ready to fire.

Some of shadows of Jade's ran after the new creature, who was ambling towards Marcus, Kent, and Dart.

Dart and Kent's swords were in their hands, and they stood on either side of him. "What's the plan?" Dart's voice was edged with a certain degree of uncertainty.

With its four legs, the creature could maneuver easily along any sort of terrain, and easily scale buildings. Its stinger was sure to be filled with deadly poison. The bottom half of its body, including its legs, seemed to be armored, akin to a scorpion, although its upper body was not; its upper body was unarmored and seemed vulnerable. Its movements were uncoordinated, uncertain. As if it didn't have a fully formed mind, or its directive was constantly changing. Or was it being controlled, and the connection between the two beings was weak. Marcus could understand that. Whatever it was, it was sure to be as uncoordinated with its responses as the Bone Monster was. Getting it into the constantly-changing environment of the graveyard after a hit to the head with an arrow, with many obstacles in the gravestones, would give an advantage to the one with the best reaction time and reactions.

Goal: Injure the upper body and head. If we can turn it over onto its back, then killing it should be easy. Unless the skin was tougher than cooked leather armor, his arrows would pierce the skin. Getting rid of a leg, if possible, would disrupt its movement.

"I'll hurt it from afar, and find a good vantage point. If Jade's shadows manage to do anything, great. Not sure if no head means death, so we'll focus on its main weapon. Kent, take the lead, so that you can safely block the stinger. Dart, if you can find a way to cut the stinger off; sever a joint or something."

"Got it."

"Don't do anything reckless. On my command, escape safely."

Dart nodded. "You are so good at these things, Marc. I'm glad we're friends. I'm glad we met."

"Me too." Marcus let the arrow go, it flying straight for the creature's head, then runs backwards, finding a large gravestone that he could hide behind and easily shoot out from behind. He readied another arrow, peering out from the gravestone as Kent and Dart stand together, Kent in front of Dart. He sees the others fighting the Bone Monster, and convinced himself that everything will be fine.

 

The creatures stood still, as if waiting for something. It then became apparent the clicking had stopped. Complete silence for roughly three seconds. Then there was the sound of hundreds clicking in unison. A menagerie of creatures appeared, surrounding them on both the ground paths, and the smooth obelisks that formed buildings. They stood there in silence for another few seconds, then, all as one, began to move forward.

 

"Ah, but that is the trick. The walls obscure of vision of what is truly here." He replied, still continuing to walk upstairs, yet his voice seemed to stay in the same place. "As for the body, my work, the gravediggers struggle to work with a body so deeply lacerated."

 

"If you will not tell me, or let me join you... I will resist. Not because you have come to take this curse away, but because this power is beyond your comprehension." Mix raised his hand and extended his bandaged thumb, "Please defend yourself, hunter!"

A small bead of light rose up out of Mix's thumb and shot forth as a magical arrow, a streaking flash of light flying true like an arrow for fifteen feet before splitting in two channels to target the right and left sides of Rundras' torso. The purpose of the arrow was not to penetrate or pierce the armor, but to carry an electrical pathway in the air for the next attack. Mix watched an anticipation of the anti-magic field which would easily disrupt such a current. The true purpose of this attack was information gathering, since it would signify the distance and strength of the field as well as potentially opening the pathway to paralyze Rundas. If there was no barrier or resistance, the splitting arrow of magical light would impact Rundas and let Mix carry a powerful surge of electrical charge through Rundas' body. There was no intention to kill, but it would stun and temporarily paralyze if it got through.

As the arrow flew, Mix's body began surging the energy from his left leg and arm through his body to build up for an electrical attack. He was vulnerable for five seconds, but the charge within his own body was immense and posed a danger despite his inability to launch another ranged attack. Mix knew that if Rundas were to make contact with him, both of them could potentially die if that brand managed to strike home. His only chance was to stun and run, or defeat Rundas outright.

 

Jade paused, confused, as the creatures stopped in their tracks. Then, she heard with fear more clicks, as a hundred more creatures appeared, and began to move forward. Jade swallowed. This was hell out of her league. She retreated back to where Merrique and Vetiver were standing.

"Listen," she said, her voice frightened. Her shadow clones appeared nearby. "I know you guys like to play for heroes, but unless you have a trick up your sleeve to destroy a hundred undead, we need to make a break now."

 

The bolt hit him, searing a hole in the back of his coat and causing it to catch fire. A stylised wing symbol was printed on the back, each feather made of a blade. The flames didn't bother him though, instead he turned around and he was frowning, slowly marching towards her. "Courtesy wasted." He murmured, his tone filled with annoyance, like that of someone who had a fly buzzing around them. He flicked his wrist and the brand flared to life once more, smoke pouring from it as any magic Mix might have owned began to be drained from the form it shared. "To oppose my work is to promote the end."

 

Mix moved backwards quickly and steadily to keep the distance between them and then he saw the brand began to smoke and felt the magic being pulled out of Mixine's body. His notion of distance was not enough, but more importantly it was not the mist that stopped magic, it was that accused brand. Mix's body began to react strangely as the built up energy started to seep away, the ionization of the air dissipating harmlessly in four cracks of white lightning. Unable to build up anymore energy, Mix was without a weapon to fight.

With no other option, Mix immediately turned and fled for both his and Mixine's life. His intention was not to travel back to the graveyard, but to seize the daggers in the courtyard that he had seen before. Mixine's body was burdened by the weight of her gear and some exertion from running here, but Mix pushed her to its limit. Her legs fully extended and kicking off the ground with each step in a desperate dash to put as much distance as possible and to hopefully outpace whatever trap Rundas had set. All the time Mix tried to gauge the field of this magical draw before it overwhelmed the last of the ingrained power separating Mix from a painful release of energy.

 

Vetiver

"Listen," she said, her voice frightened. Her shadow clones appeared nearby. "I know you guys like to play for heroes, but unless you have a trick up your sleeve to destroy a hundred undead, we need to make a break now."

Vetiver looked around at the seemingly hopeless situation. Boner Monsters were everywhere. Jade, of course, was keen on leaving...when wasn't she keen on leaving? But she didn't seem to grasp that to escape they still had to fight through these evil creatures. In the three seconds of silence, Vetiver looked around him, slipping out his Black Wand, and quickly came to a decision as the Boner Monsters rushed forward as one.

"We're going to stay and fight them off until we can get that goddamn ring out of that goddamn coffin!" Vetiver shouted as he pointed the Black Wand at the nearest Boner Monster. The point of the wand glowed bright purple and a powerful beam of energy fired with a loud thundercrack, headed straight for the center of the Boner Monster's torso. "We didn't come all this way just to tuck in our tails and run like cowards!"

As he spoke, Vetiver's eyes were surrounded by flickering purple flames. The same intense power blossomed around his head and shoulders and slithered down his arms around his long fingers. His multicolored rings glowed like stars and rainbow sparks flew in every direction. With his free hand, he made arcane signs, twisting his fingers in nearly impossible positions, and he chanted fiercely under his breath. There was a distant rumble and a sudden wind lifted his cape, making it flap behind him. He was fully in his element.

 

Just before Mix managed to enter the courtyard, a hand grabbed his arm and spun him round, Rundas snarling with near fanged teeth. "I was wrong, I hold no guilt nor regret over this." He hissed, tearing the mask off and throwing it to the floor. "Not an innocent soul, a heretic like the rest." He forced the brand directly onto his victim's face, aiming it so that both eyes would be scorched, aiming to burn them out and succeeding, before letting go. For a brief moment, less than a flicker of the world. Something about Rundas changed. A suit of armour grew over him, the helmet taking an avian form and a set of large appendages jutting from the back, glowing like molten metal before dripping to the floor. Afterwards he returned to normal, Mix's sight being torn from him shortly afterwards.